New Delhi: The government on Tuesday that terrorism has no colour or religion and if any case of prolonged incarceration of any individual belonging to any community without any charge sheet against him is brought to light, it will take appropriate action to ensure justice.
The issue was raised by Basudeb Acharia (CPI-M) in Lok Sabha during the Question Hour who alleged that there were many youths from the Muslim community who were languishing in jails for 10-15 years. A section of them were released as they were found to be innocent, he said.
In his reply, Minister of State for Home Affairs R P N Singh said, "Law does not discriminate on basis of colour or religion." It is extremely unfortunate if some youths were in jail without any charge sheet against them, he said.
Singh assured the House that if specific cases were brought to the notice of the government it would take appropriate action. He denied that no relief and rehabilitation had been provided to those found innocent after being kept in jails for long.
Several members alleged that the government`s claims were wrong and Muslim youths had been in jails for years without any charge sheet against them. Acharia wanted to know if the government had taken any action against investigating agencies which had "falsely implicated" innocent youths from the minority community.
The Minister said that Section 211 of IPC gave a person the right to seek compensation in case he had been falsely implicated in a case. He said under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act if a charge sheet is not filed within 180 days against an arrested person, he is entitled to bail.
Yashwant Sinha (BJP) asked as to how many of those arrested in criminal cases were from other religions. He also referred to comments made by Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and his predecessor P Chidambaram.
PTI
