HASHIMPURA MASSACRE

Shahabuddin's Initiative on 10th Anniversary of Hashimpura Massacre

I-Shahabuddin's Letter to UP CM, 4 June, 97

As you know, 10 years after the Hashimpura massacre, the culprits in uniform are moving freely and even the 19 PAC personnel who were charge-sheeted in1995 before the ACJM, Ghaziabad have neither been suspended nor arrested. The State Government has refused to make the CID report public, even to make it available to the Court.

a)      i am writing this to request you to: transfer the case to Meerut where the next-of-kin of those killed mand the witnesses reside;

b)      ask the H.C. to create a special Court for the trial;

c)      sanction the prosecution of all the PAC personnel named in the CID Report;

d)     suspend these under prosecution and order their arrest;

e)      treat the next- of- kin of those killed on par with the sikhs of 1984 and authorise an ex-gratia payment of Rs. 2 Lakhs plus interest, minus amount already paid, if any

The Muslim Community, all over the country, think that they are denied justice because they are Muslims. You can change this thinking only by a bold and just gesture.

II-HM's Letter to UP CM 14 June, 1997

Kindly find enclosed a letter from Shri Syed Shahabuddin, Ex.MP, addressed to you and copy of which was endorsed to me, regarding the follow up action on the killings at Hashimpura about 10 years back. Shri Shahabuddin has requested that the State Government should make the CID report public. He has also made some other suggestions like: (i) transferring the case to Meerut, (ii) requesting the High Court to create a Special Court for the trial, (iii) sanctioning prosecution of all the PAC personnel named in the CID Report, (iv) suspending those under prosecution and order their arrest, (v) paying an ex-gratia payment of Rs.2 lakhs to the next-of-kin of those who were killed.

These seem to be very sensible suggestions and it may be advisable that State Government agrees with the same. I shall be grateful if immediate necessary action on the above suggestions may be taken and I may be apprised about the same.

(Source: Minister of Home Affairs' Letter No. I-619/97-HIMP dated14 June, 1997)

III- UP CM's reply to HM, 16 June, 1997

With reference to suggestions made, the views of the State Govt. are as under:-

(1) Case against 19 employees of PAC is pending in Court of addl. Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ghaziabad. The charge sheet was submitted on 20. 5. 96 In view of the sensitivity of case, we do not feel that it will be desirable to transfer the case to Meerut.

(2) Regarding creation of a Special court for trial the State Government will make a formal request to High Court.

(3) In its report CID recommended prosecution Of 37employees of PAC & Police Dept. The State Government accorded sanction for prosecution of 19 employees’ of PAC on 1.6.95. Sanaction for prosecution of 18 Police employees was accorded on 20.5.97.

Further more in the report of CID, departmental action was suggested in respect of 19 Police employees. All employees have been punished.

(4) Regarding arrest and suspension of employees, the State Government has already issed instructions.

(5) Ex-Gratia payment effected to relatives has been ib accordance will descation of Hon'ble Supreme Court. This position was clarified to Shri Syed Shahabuddin by H.E.The Governor in his letter dated 14.2.97.

IV- Shahabuddin's Letter to HM, 28June, 97

UP CM is trying to obsfucate the issue; Firstly, way does not the Government publish the CID report or table it in the assembly with the AIN? Secondly, why should only departmental action be taken against the second lot of 18? .Thirdly, why should nearly 30 other personnelent- by the CID be protected? Fourthly, why cannot the state Government enhance the ex-gratia payment and pay the balance now as in the case of Sikhs of Delhi? Fifthly, sice the alleged crime was committed against the citizens of Meerut who were taken as from their homes in Meerut, why shouldn’t the special Court establish in Meerut for the convenience of the intrences.

I would request you to impress the Chief Minister of that delayed or partial justice is no justice.

V- Shahabuddin's Letter to HM, 2 July, 1997

I have already written to you again on 28.6.97. I request you to reiterate your earlier advice.

You may be like to know the nature of dertmental action taken against 19 police employees and to confirm that the 37 under prosecution have in fact been suspended and arrested.

I believe that in addition, the CID Report indicts some senior civil and Police officers. This fact may kindly be examined.