PRESS STATEMENT
05 October 2009
CONDEMNS ABDUCTION OF KOBAD GHANDY
The International Association of People's Lawyers (IAPL) strongly condemns the unlawful abduction, torture and threat to life of India political leader Kobad Ghandy.
Kobad Ghandy was abducted by the Intelligence Bureau of India, at 4 p.m. on September 17, 2009 at Bhikaji Cama Place. About five or six persons pounced on him while he was waiting for a bus at the terminal near Bhikaji Cama. The police admitted they had arrested him.
Ghandy was kept under illegal detention for four days. During this time, he was interrogated and tortured. During which time his arrest was kept secret by state forces.
It was only after these four days that he was imprisoned in the Thiar prison.
On September 24, 2009, he was able to be visited by his lawyers, Mr. Rajesh Tyagi. During this meeting, Ghandy revealed that he was tortured, denied adequate medical treatment and not allowed to take his medication.
He was having severe chest pains and almost fainted after his arrest. Kobad Ghandy has been suffering from hypertension for the past 10 years.
The abduction, torture and denial of adequate medical treatment of Kobad Ghandy violates international humanitarian law which says that "any person under custody must be provided human treatment and medical help".
The International Association of People's Lawyers demand:
The immediate release of Kobad Ghandy, and to provide Kobad Ghandy all the medical assistance he needs due to his frail health.
The International Association of People's Lawyers also calls on all human rights organizations worldwide, to denounce the unlawful abduction of Kobad Gandy and call for his immediate release.
Interested readers might find the below articles worthwhile to get an insight to Kobad Ghandy, a people's politician who is deeply respected domestically and internationally both as an intellectual and as an individual:
"The Kobad Ghandy I knew" by Jyoti Punwani, published in Hindustan Times
"Kobad Ghandy: The gentle revolutionary" by Sheela Bhatt, published in www.REDIFF.com
BBC's Interview with Kobad Ghandy - 2008