Batla House residents protest life term for accused in 2008 case
31 July 2013 11:34 PM GMT
Following a Delhi court verdict on Tuesday, awarding life imprisonment and fine of Rs 95,000 to suspected Indian Mujahideen (IM) terrorist Shahzad Ahmed, convicted in the 2008 Batla House encounter case, for killing decorated police officer M C Sharma and injuring two other cops, at approximately 2 pm on Tuesday, residents of Batla House came out in protest near the Jamia Nagar police station in south-east Delhi. The protesters accused Delhi police of having presented a fake story in the case.
Inspector M C Sharma had been killed and two other officers injured in the encounter following serial blasts in the capital in 2008.Last week, the court had held suspected Indian Mujahiddeen operative, Ahmad, responsible for the police official’s death.
But the sentence on Tuesday agitated the residents, who believe the police version to be false.
Approximately, 40 to 50 protesters gathered near the police station carrying banners which read 'Peace march for Batla House'. They also raised slogans demanding justice in the case. The protesters were led by local politician, Ashu Khan who said, 'We will again do a peaceful protest on Thursday and will call Okhla bandh on Thursday'.
Ammique Jamei, member of a political movement called People’s Campaign against Politics of Terror (PCPC) said, 'We respect the court's order but this is not the last option, we will fight for Shahzad and will take appeal in the high court'
According to the residents of Batla House, the 2008 encounter has changed their lives. 'We face various kinds of problems since the case. Nobody offers us jobs when we say that we are from Batla House and even auto drivers avoid coming to this area' said Muzzammil a resident of Batla House.
Delhi police on Monday had demanded death sentence for Ahmed
Inspector M C Sharma had been killed and two other officers injured in the encounter following serial blasts in the capital in 2008.Last week, the court had held suspected Indian Mujahiddeen operative, Ahmad, responsible for the police official’s death.
But the sentence on Tuesday agitated the residents, who believe the police version to be false.
Approximately, 40 to 50 protesters gathered near the police station carrying banners which read 'Peace march for Batla House'. They also raised slogans demanding justice in the case. The protesters were led by local politician, Ashu Khan who said, 'We will again do a peaceful protest on Thursday and will call Okhla bandh on Thursday'.
Ammique Jamei, member of a political movement called People’s Campaign against Politics of Terror (PCPC) said, 'We respect the court's order but this is not the last option, we will fight for Shahzad and will take appeal in the high court'
According to the residents of Batla House, the 2008 encounter has changed their lives. 'We face various kinds of problems since the case. Nobody offers us jobs when we say that we are from Batla House and even auto drivers avoid coming to this area' said Muzzammil a resident of Batla House.
Delhi police on Monday had demanded death sentence for Ahmed
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