BAREILLY/AGRA: In her two-room rented house in UP’s Rampur, Seema holds a recovery notice from the government that says her husband is among those responsible for damage to public property during anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) protests and seeks an explanation as to why they should not be made to compensate for the loss.
“What assets will they attach if we can’t pay?” Seema asked. “Even this house is not ours.” Her husband Pappu (who only uses his first name) was picked up from their Naya Basti locality in connection with violence that broke out in the state last week.
“When violence erupted on December 21, he was home all day to repair a problem with the electrical wiring. But police picked him up the next day saying that he had indulged in violence. My husband is being incorrectly accused but we have no money to seek legal help,” said Seema.
A few steps away, Tasleem Jahan said her husband Zameer was picked up on December 22 along with Pappu. Both women are among 28 people who received a recovery notice in Rampur on Wednesday. The authorities have assessed the damage at almost Rs 15 lakh.
“Zameer does embroidery for a living and earns about Rs 500 in a week. When police came to arrest him, they tried to break down the door of our rented house. I don’t even have money to fix it,” Tasleem said. “If public property is damaged, the government should put pressure on those responsible to pay, but no innocent people should be harassed in the process.”
By Friday evening, nearly 500 people across
Uttar Pradesh had been sent recovery notices. Uttar Pradesh police is offering rewards to those who give information on suspects behind the violence and have circulated posters and photos of suspects on social media.
Rampur district
magistrate Anujaneya Kumar Singh told TOI that some people who received recovery notices have claimed they were not guilty.
“We sent notices to those who were caught in pictures or videos pelting stones or damaging property. But we are verifying claims of innocence. We will not act against anyone who is not responsible.” When asked what would happen to families without assets or no means to pay penalty, Rampur DM said it would be “looked into”.
Firozabad
ADM (finance), Aditya Prakash Shrivastav, who undersigned notices that were sent to 26 people in the district after damage to property was pegged at Rs 20 lakh, did not have a definite answer.
“Something will be worked out,” he said, adding that notices were sent to those named in FIRs. This lack of clarity on what fate awaits them is giving sleepless nights to Seema and Tasleem. Both worry it could mean a long jail term for the breadwinners of their families.
Agra-based advocate Vivek Sarbhoy told TOI that those served recovery notices who are unable to pay penalties could face jail term under sections of CrPC and the sentence would depend on the discretion of the judge. Kin of Adil and Aamir — daily wagers in Firozabad’s
Rasoolpur
who are behind bars for vandalism — are struggling with the fear of losing the only assets they possess, their ancestral homes.
The families claim their sons, who are in their early twenties, had nothing to do with violence and arson that occurred in Firozabad on December 20.
“Adil was returning after offering Friday’s prayers when he had to take refuge in a shop along with some other men since there was violence out on the streets. He was on the phone with me when some men dragged him out. I heard him shout for help. His phone has been switched off since,” said Saeed, Adil’s father.
He added, “Violence and arson has no place in a civilised society. My son is paying for the mistakes of others.” Sachendra Patel, SP Firozabad, has asked families to come forward if they have any evidence of innocence of their kin. “We will cooperate with them,” he said.
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