जीतन मरांडी की फांसी की सजा रद्द- JATIN MARANDI ACQUITTED BY HC

जीतन मरांडी की फांसी की सजा रद्द

Jatin Marandi being taken to court

Jatin Marandi on stage

Volunteers of DFAOGH Punjab Marching at Moga with Jatin Marandi's photograph, demanding revocation of his death sentence.

(Jiten Marandi - a cultural activist from Jharkhand and one of the secretaries of Committee for the Release of Political Prisoners was arrested in 2008 and accused by the police of being involved in the murder of 20 villagers, including the son of former Jharkhand chief minister Babulal Marandi, in Chilkari in 2007. He was sentenced to death in June 2011 by a lower court in Jharkhand. He has been an active participant in the movements against forcible land acquisitions in Jharkhand - and was actually arrested while he was on the way back from one such rally organized by the Visthapan Virodhi Jan Vikash Andolan, almost an year after the killings

He gave cultural expression to the pain and anguish of the working people and their struggles… who moved around with his cultural troupe from the fields, factories and mines to the villages, suburbs, and cities singing songs on peoples’ culture. He  rekindled the hopes of Hul-Ulgulan –rebellion against exploitation– for the rights over Jal-Jangal-Zameen and life among the oppressed and discriminated adivasis and the labouring people. He filled the hearts of the people, plundered and deceived by the government, with a craving for social transformation to reclaim the right to a life of dignity, land and wellbeing. He became the lyrical consciousness of the struggle to build a new society and a new power, the struggle of light against darkness, of the hungry against hunger. He was condemned to death for the crime of murder which he did not commit.

A large number of noted intellectuals from Jharkhand such as Dr. B. P. Kesari (Senior Writer), Sten Swamy (Human Rights Activist), Sashi Bhushan Pathak (PUCL), Anil Anshuman (Cultural artist), Prof. Ravi Bhushan (Writer), Dr. Rose Kerketta (Linguist), Dr. Shambhu Badal (Editor, ‘Prasang’), Prof. Vidya Bhushan (Writer), Meghnath (Film-maker), Nirmala Putul (Poet), Shishir Tudu (Writer), Prof. Maya Prasad (Writer), Mukund Nayak (Peoples’ Artist), Prof. Ramesh Sharan (Economist), Sudhirpal (Journalist), Prof. Mithilesh (Teachers’ Leader), Virendra (Editor, ‘Gotia’), Sitaram Sastri (Social Activist), Sanjaya Basu Mallick (Jangal Bachao Andolan), Dayamani Barla (Social Activist), , P. P. Verma (Social Activist), Arvind Avinash (Nagarik Adhikar Andolan), Xavier Kujur (JGSM), Sunil Minz (Journalist), Aloka (IPTA), K. N. Pandit (VVJVA), Damodar Turi (VVJVA), Sunita (AIPWA), Jharkhand Jan Sanskriti Manch, Jharkhand Bachao Andolan, Jangal Bachao Andolan, Jharkhand Alternative Development Forum, Trivani Singh (Editor, ‘JanJwar’), Munni Kachap, (Mahila Ulgulan Sangh), Aarti Kujur,(Member,Jila Parisad), Sambhu Mahto(CPI(ML)), Keya Dey(All India Mahila Sanskritik Sanghatan, SUCI), arun Jyoti(social activist), Sudhir Tete( social activist), Amar Kumar (Advocate, Ranchi Civil Court), Susanto Chaterji (Marxvadi Samanvay Samiti), Ahmad Rajja (Advocate, HRLN), KD Singh(CPI, Joint State Secretary), Rajdev Prasad Chandarvansi (Advocate), Hul Jharkhand Kranti Dal, Anjani Pandey (CPI(ML)), raised their voice against the death sentence awarded to him and launched a compaign to get it revoked .

At the national level Dr. Binayak Sen, Arundhati Roy, Himanshu Kumar and many others raised their voice in his support.

The Democratic Front Against Operation Green Hunt Punjab, has been in the forefront protesting against death sentence awarded to Jatin Marandi, a peoples cultural activist of Jharkhant, who led the masses in struggle against neo-liberal anti-people policies of the Govt. It has been consistely raising demand for revocation of this death sentence and his unconditional release from the jail. In the conventions held at Punjabi Bhawan Ludhiana on 12^th November and Bhaini Bagha on 13^th November, resolutions were adopted against the death sentence imposed upon Jatin Marandi.

In the Convention held at Moga on 10^th December, on the International Human Rights Day, the issue of Jatin Marandi was prominently discussed. Almost all the speakers devoted considerable time detailing various aspects of his case and demanded revocation of his death sentence. A Signature campaign was also initiated in this regard.

We are happy that today Jharkhand High Court has acquitted Jatin Marandi along with three others, finding gaping holes in the evidence against them. We are thankful to all those, especially the intellectuals – Advocates, doctors, writers, cultural activists, Professors, Teachers, Trade Unionists, Mass leaders etc of Punjab, who supported our campaign.

Dr. Parminder Singh                                              Advocate N.K.Jeet

Co Convener DFAOGH Punjab                            State Committee Member DFAOGH Punjab

                                                                             Mob: 94175-07363

 We are publishing below a write-up fron Janjwar:

फांसी की सजा भुगत रहे आदिवासी लोक कलाकर जीतन मरांडी की फांसी सजा झारखंड उच्च न्यायालय ने आज रद्द कर दी। दिन के करीब 12 बजे आये इस फैसले में जज ने माना कि जीतन मरांडी को गलत ढंग से फंसाया गया...

जनज्वार. फांसी की सजा भुगत रहे आदिवासी लोक कलाकर जीतन मरांडी समेत अन्य तीन लोगों को हुई फांसी की सजा को झारखंड उच्च न्यायालय ने आज रद्द कर दिया। इन सभी लोगों को राज्य की एक निचली अदालत ने 22 जून को चिलखारी हत्याकांड का दोषी मानकर फांसी की सजा सुनाई थी।

झारखंड उच्च न्यायालय के न्यायाधीश आरके मराठिया और डीएन उपाध्याय की संयुक्त पीठ ने मामले की सुनवाई करते हुए पाया कि दोषियों पर निचली अदालत ने जो अपराध तय किये थे, वह निराधार थे। मरांडी के वकील एसके मुरारी ने बताया कि उच्च अदालत द्वारा निचली अदालत के फैसले को गलत ठहराने का बुनियादी कारण गवाहों का फर्जीवाड़ा बना, जिसमें कई गवाह ऐसे थे जो व्यावसायिक तौर पर गवाही देने का पेश करते हैं या फिर इनमें से कुछ गवाहों पर आपराधिक मामले पहले से दर्ज हैं। 

दिन के करीब 12 बजे आये फैसले में पीठ ने कहा कि जीतन मरांडी, अनील राम, छत्रपति मंडल और मनोज रजवार को गलत ढंग से फंसाया गया। जनहित में हुए इस फैसले के बाद झारखंड के राजनीतिक-सामाजिक कार्यकर्ताओं में जश्न का माहौल है और लोग खुश हैं कि देर से सही मगर सचाई की जीत हुई है।

फांसी की सजा से मुक्त हुए लोगों में अनील राम, छत्रपति मंडल और मनोज रजवार जेल से कल छूट सकते हैं, जबकि लोक कलाकार जीतन मरांडी पर राज्य के खिलाफ भड़काउ भाषण देने का एक और अन्य मुकदमा होने के कारण उनकी रिहाई सोमवार तक हो सकती है।

जीतन मरांडी की पत्नी अर्पणा मरांडी:

"मैं बहुत खुश हूं कि देर से ही सही न्याय तो मिला। मैं इस न्याय के लिए विशेष रूप से उच्च न्यायालय के जज और अपने वकील एसके मुरारी का शुक्रिया करना चाहूंगी, जिनके बदौलत हमारे पति समेत बाकी तीन निर्दोष जेल से रिहा हो सके हैं। वकील एसके मुरारी ने बिना फीस लिये यह लड़ाई लड़ी है जो देश के जनपक्षधर वकीलों के लिए यह एक मिसाल है। झारखंड की जेलों में अभी बहुत से लोग बंद हैं और हमारे पति जैसे ही निर्दोष हैं। अगर वह बाहर आयें तो हमें और ख़ुशी होगी। उनके बगैर हमारी ख़ुशी अधूरी है। इस संघर्ष में देश स्तर पर खासकर झारखंड के सामाजिक-राजनीतिक कार्यकर्ताओं, छात्रों, बुद्धिजीवियों, शुभचिंतकों ने जो एकता दिखायी है, प्रयास किया है, उसके लिए मैं उन सभी की आभारी हूं। "

माओवादी विद्रोहियों द्वारा 2008 में अंजाम दिये गये चर्चित चिलखारी हत्या कांड में आरोपी के तौर पर लोक कलाकार जीतन मरांडी, अनील राम, छत्रपति मंडल और मनोज रजवार को गिरफ्तार किया था, जिन्हें इस वर्ष 22 जून को गिरिडिह के अतिरिक्त और सत्र न्यायधीश ने फांसी की सजा सुनायी थी। चिलखारी कांड में 20 लोग मारे गये थे। मरने वालों में झारखंड के पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री और झारखंड विकास पार्टी के अध्यक्ष बाबूलाल मरांडी का बेटा अनूप मरांडी भी मारा गया था।

वरिष्ठ पत्रकार और रांची के प्रमुख सामाजिक कार्यकर्ता फैसल अनुराग ने कहा कि यह फैसला जनतांत्रिक शक्तियों की जीत का फैसला है। इसने एक बार फिर साबित किया है कि राज्य अपने ही नागरिकों खिलाफ कितने सुनियोजित षड्यंत्र करता है।’ हालांकि अनुराग कहते हैं कि झारखंड की जेलों में करीब 3500 कैदी हैं जो इसी तरह के फर्जी मामलों में फंसाये गये हैं। और जबतक हमलोग उन्हें सरकारी यातनाओं से मुक्त कराने में सफल नहीं होते तबतक यह लड़ाई अधूरी ही है।

Courtsey: JANJWAR  Thursday, 15 December 2011 16:55

Swapan Dasgupta killed in custody the first victim of UAPA

The Kolkata based human rights organization Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM) expressed concern that Swapan Dasgupta, becomes the first fatal victim of UAPA in West Bengal even before any trial, as he succumbs on February 2, 2010 at about 5am to growing illness at SSKM Hospital, Kolkata.

He was arrested under this Act on 06th October 2009 for publishing ‘Peoples March’ (in Bengali version), though the publication is still not banned. He was denied bail and detained under jail custody in appalling conditions. As he was a chronic asthma patient, distressing treatment at custody aggravated his illness. UAPA undoubtedly proves it’s cruel futurity.

MASUM said it was informed that the inquest was done by Mr. Swapan Kumar Ghosh, Additional Commissioner of Police (4), South Division, Kolkata Police under Bhowanipur Police Station Inquest number 141. MASUM secretary Kirity Roy lamented that this very act was a gross violation of criminal procedure code of India.
He alleged that the government of West Bengal purposefully violated the section 176 (1A) of Cr. P.C. where it is mandatory that in case of any custodial death, the inquiry should be made only by a judicial (Metropolitan) Magistrate.

If India proclaims to be a democratic state, he said that it is supposed to ensure the ‘right to oppose’ and curbing the voice of opposition defies the basic premise of democracy. Application of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) on Maoists and some other political persons in recent past inWest Bengal manifests the tendency of defying democratic principles, he added.

MASUM said that UAPA is nothing but the latest legal weapon by the state for arresting and detaining the people with dissent voices even before a fair trial and project it as preventive detention. The draconian law includes the provisions of repealed TADA and POTA, and surpasses all erstwhile criminal laws in ruthlessness.
During the debate of UAPA at Indian parliament, Roy recalled that some of the parliamentarians opposed the law, especially those of CPI(M). However, contrary to their stance,West Bengal government, mainly ruled by the same party has been one of the frontrunners in implementing this draconian and anti-people law.

Consequently, he deplored that many persons who are otherwise ‘innocent’ have been arrested under this law. It clearly shows that though the parties differ on ideological plain, they are just different sides of same coin on the question of power structure.

He said that MASUM always stands against the violent politics, whether it is practiced by Maoists or any other political party. “We understand that, if any political or non-political citizen involves in any violent action viz. murder, rape, destroying properties etc., the existingcriminal laws are sufficient to penalize them to the highest degree. UAPA is completely uncalled for in this direction”, he added.

If one observes all social and political violence during previous 25-30 years in West Bengal, he lamented that it would be evident that CPI(M), the leading party in the government, has been most instrumental behind them. It needs to be mentioned that most of the perpetrators are roaming scot-free with administrative patronage, he pointed out.

Following the tradition of procedural violation is adding ‘feather to the flock’. Swapan Dasgupta, a detainee under UAPA has expired due to extreme inhuman treatment at jail and hospital as well. MASUM reckon his untimely death as judicial killing with utmost disregard towards law of the land, he said.

Roy said that the unfortunate incident is only an indication to the prevailing heinous criminal justice system which underlies UAPA also. Hence, he said they condemn the draconian law and demand repudiation of the same immediately.

Swapan Dasgupta expires while in UAPA custody - A Sanhati Statement

Swapan Dasgupta, editor and publisher of the Bengali edition of the political magazine People’s March passed away on 2nd February, while he was in the custody of West Bengal police. He had been arrested in October 2009 under the draconian Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), for allegedly publishing Maoist literature, together with other political activists. Till date, he had not been charge-sheeted. As per the official records, People’s March is a legal publication and therefore not a banned literature as claimed by sections of mainstream press.

Swapan Dasgupta was suffering from blood cancer and according to activists in West Bengal, he was not provided with the necessary medical attention, including crucial blood transfusions, while he was in custody. He was only hospitalized in the month of January 2010 only when his condition became critical because of the lack of proper treatment. Therefore, his death is a case of utter negligence, if not a premeditated instance of systemic violence, by the state apparatus which seems determined to eliminate voices of dissent in one way or the other. Such circumstances also make this incident the first case of custodial death under the UAPA. We strongly condemn the role of the state in the death of Swapan Dasgupta and demand that the UAPA be repealed without further delay, and people arrested under UAPA be released.

Swapan Dasgupta’s body will be taken out from Peace Haven in Kolkata at 10 am on 3rd Febuary 2010. There will be a protest march at the Kolkata book fair, starting at 4.00 pm from the APDR stall, followed by a condolence/protest meet at the Mont Marte open stage from 5.45-6.45 pm.