People’s Union for Democratic Rights

A civil liberties and democratic rights organisation based in Delhi, India

Two persons are missing for the last 8 days after being taken into police custody. Police claims no knowledge.The court has incarcerated Razia at the Nari Niketan, despite her statement to the court that she is an adult and has married of her free-will.

The details of the case are as follows:

Ram Gopal (29 years), and Razia (22 years) got married on 28.05 2006. A year and a half later, Razia left her home in Faridabad (Haryana) on 27 November 2007.

On 28 November, Razia’s family members abducted the Ram Gopal’s elder brother, Kanwar Singh, from his place of work. He was tortured for six days and then let off. He eached his paternal village in Muzaffarnagar, (U.P.).

On 1 January 2008, police from Faridabad NH4 police station accompanied by the Muzaffarnagar police came to the village. Ram Gopal’s brother, Kanwar Singh, and
a cousin, Surinder, were taken into custody on a case of abduction filed against the Ram Gopal’s family.There whereabouts are since not known.

On 5 January, the couple approached PUDR for help. A press conference was arranged and on 6 January 2008, Ram Gopal and Razia presented themselves before the media and recounted their tale and their fears. Razia stated that she fears her family will use violent and intimidatory means. Sahara Samay broadcast this live for 30 minutes from 5pm to 5:30 pm.

On 7 January 2008, Razia and Ram Gopal accompanied by Ram Gopal’s family and a lawyer went to the Faridabad court to get the S.164 statement recorded. At the court, police used delaying tactics till a crowd collected after lunch. Ram Gopal’s family was attacked in the court premises. Seeing the commotion, the magistrate, instead of providing the couple protection, separated the couple and treating the woman as a thing to be protected, sent Razia off to Nari Niketan at Karnal.

Also in the court, police claimed that they had never arrested Kanwar Singh and Surender.

We fear for the lives of Kanwar Singh and Surinder who are rendered missing by the police since 1.1.2008. We also fear that Razia may be given over to the custody
of her parents and face threat to her life and body.

We demand that:
1. Razia be immediately released from the custody at Nari Niketan.
2. The police immediately disclose the whereabouts of Kunwar Singh and Surinder and prevent any further illegal detention.
3. Razia and Ram Gopal be provided protection.
4. Criminal case be instituted against the policemen of Faridabad NH4 police station

Harish Dhawan and Nagraj Adve
Secretaries, PUDR
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