SURAT: All 127 accused arrested under various sections of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) from Rajeshree Hall in 2001 were acquitted by a court of chief judicial magistrate here on Saturday. Five accused have already died while many are living painful lives for over 20 years since their arrest for allegations of being members of a banned organisation Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).
Out of all accused, 111 were present at the court and they were happy for acquittal but worried over the 20 years period they spent bearing the charges and social stigma.
The accused were caught from the auditorium in Navsari Bazaar locality on December 27 and all of them have spent at least nine months in jail before getting bail. It is one of the major cases registered against SIMI after the organisation was banned earlier during the year. Police alleged that the meeting was being held by members of banned organisation SIMI to carry out unlawful activities.
"The court observed that the prosecution could not prove the charges of unlawful assembly and prosecution also failed to prove that the alleged unlawful literature was recovered from the spot. The accused have lived a painful life for 20 years without any crime," said M M Shaikh, defense lawyer.
"Who will compensate for the lost dignity, so many years and pain they bore. The victims include many highly educated persons and established businessmen," said Shaikh.
The judgement was announced by the court of Amit Dave, chief judicial magistrate, Surat.