KOCHI: A group of academics, writers and social activists have expressed concern over the arrest of Muraleedharan Kannampilly (Ajit) an alleged Maoist ideologue, from a hospital near Pune by Maharashtra’s anti-terrorism squad (ATS) on May 9.
“We feel that the action of the ATS is totally unjustified as denying medical assistance to a sick person is inhuman and against the very principle of natural justice and violation of the right to life guaranteed by Constitution,” they said in a joint statement.
The signatories include K. Satchidanandan, B. Rajeevan, Nissar Ahamed, Meena Kandaswamy, Prof Prabhat Patnaik, Prof G. Haragopal, Prof. Amit Bhaduri, Prof. Nivedita Menon, Bernard D’Mello, deputy editor, Economic and Political Weekly, Anand Teltumbde of IIT Kharagpur and Dr. KT Rammohan of MG University.
“Considering that Ajit was ailing and was hospitalised at the time of his arrest, we feel that he should have been be allowed to continue under medical treatment in the hospital even if with police surveillance,” they said.
The health condition of Ajit (62), a senior citizen who had already undergone a bypass surgery, is a matter of deep concern, the statement said. Ajit was arrested along with C. P. Ismail, acting as bystander for him from Moryan Hospital Talegaon Dabhade near Pune on May 9, 2015, according to security agencies.
“Even persons accused of diabolic crimes are not denied medical assistance,” the statement said. They also demanded that Ajit and Ismail should be given a “fair opportunity to present their case in the court with the aid of the legal counsel of their choice”.
