You should have read in the papers. Mr. Mohammed Haneef, a Bangalorean who had been arrested on the grounds of nexus with terrorists is now compensated by the Australian Government. It is believed Md. Haneef have received a heavy package, of Multi Million dollars. Good.
Dr.Haneef, a physician was working in Australia. He was arrested by the Australian government on the grounds of Sedition-The evidences the government had were the e-chatting of Md. Haneef with his cousins. Both of his cousins, one dead and other now detained, were accused in connection with the Glasgow and London Blasts. Dr. Haneef's Visa was cancelled by the Immigration Ministry of Australia, and he was detained. Dr. Haneef filed a case against the government after he had made bail. Now, the government is compensating for the defamation and loss incurred to Dr. Haneef.
People! Is it possible in India? Nope!! Let me tell you something. India, perhaps the only country in the world which have 'PREVENTIVE DETENTION' clause in it guarantee of fundamental rights itself. Imagine. An arbitrary, dictating clause is in between the guarantee of rights. So sad.
If somebody is arrested before he commits an offence, it may be justified, if the establishment proves the potential threat by him. But here, even without proving anything, the detainee can be kept behind the bars, for 6 months (UAPA). Remember, Gandhi and all the Congress leaders cried foul when the 'Rowlatt Act' was enforced. We were against the suspension of Habeas Corpus, In fact, UAPA, have a lot more teeth than Rowlatt Act. Living in jail is not a light issue. Indians are so sensitive to it. Remember, How Indira had been arrested, how was the reversal of her image after her arrest with cuffs on.
Still you will find under trial detainees under the former POTA. None of the Preventive detention Acts of India had been used to arrest the Potential Threats. Almost 90% of them had been political arrests only. You can find minor boys and babies also in jails, registered under POTA. India would not have compensated anyone for its own mistake. Instead, the man would have been told-'This is your duty to prove yourself not guilty-No compensation for performing duty'
Do we really need Preventive Detention Acts anymore?
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