3 yrs on, ‘framed’ KU student languishing in jail without trial

Rising Kashmir Oct 30, 2008

Enraged mother seeks VC’s intervention Sofi Imtiyaz Ganderbal, Oct 28: Arrested three years back for alleged involvement in October 29, 2005 Delhi blasts, Muhammad Rafiq Shah of Shuhama, Alasteng is languishing in Tihar jail without trial. Delhi police had arrested Shah on the intervening night of October 21and 22, 2005 at 3 AM on charges of carrying out blasts in New Delhi’s Govindpuri area. "Rafiq was pursuing post graduate studies in Islamic Studies under roll no 8566 and had passed three semesters. Now he was preparing for the final semester, but his dream of completing the PG was shattered when he was arrested,” his father Muhammad Yaseen said. "For two months, we knew nothing about his whereabouts. Later, when we were informed on phone that Rafiq has been detained in Tihar jail in connection with October 29, 2005 Delhi blasts, we were shocked and tried every possible means for his release, but to no avail. Despite protests by Kashmir University students and wide coverage by media, no progress has been made in the case,” he said. Yaseen accused Delhi police for framing his lone son. Giving further details of the case, Yaseen said that police arrested four Bangladeshi militants and a Deoband cleric on April 07, 2006 who reportedly took the responsibility of the blasts. “Even the mastermind behind the blasts Jalal-ud-din alias Babu Bai confessed of being involved in the attacks when he was arrested soon after the Bangladeshi national's arrest,” he said. Apparently, the then Delhi Police chief, KK Paul, had given Rafiq a clean chit. But its Special Cell claimed he was guilty. The family struggles to make the two ends meet. Rafiq being the only son of his parents, the family, including his two sisters, is run on his father's pension with no other source of income. His mother has sold all her ornaments to visit his son in jail. "The day the blasts took place in New Delhi, Rafiq was in the University. Even the then Vice Chancellor Abdul Wahid has confirmed it," Raifq's mother said. Giving emotional vent to her pent-up frustration over the “indifferent” attitude of Kashmir University authorities, she threatened to set the varsity on fire if it fails to get his son released. "I vehemently appeal to the vice chancellor to intervene in the matter or otherwise face dire consequences," she said with anger and tears in her eyes. “If VC has the powers, then why not use them for pursuing the release of an innocent student of his university,” she added. "I am very much tired now. I have lost almost all hopes particularly with media. What can you do by highlighting this issue through your newspaper? We have tested all such means. No one comes to our rescue,” she said with a sigh, adding "if any minister passes through our road, I will set him and his vehicle on fire.” Anger and frustration is evident on the faces of Rafiq's friends also, who still don’t seem to have come in terms with their companion’s detention. "He is innocent. He was present in the varsity when the blasts occurred in Delhi. We appeal vice chancellor of Kashmir University, Prof Riyaz Punjabi and Delhi administration to take serious cognizance of the issue so that justice prevails. ", said one of the colleagues of Rafiq. When contacted, Prof Punjabi wished not to comment on the case.