R Kaleemullah and Mr. Zia Nomani

Human Rights Defenders

Karnataka

HRDA has issued an urgent appeal to the National Human Rights Commission of India on May 25, 2020 regarding the harassment and false charges against Mr. R Kaleemullah and Mr. Zia Nomani. Mr. Kaleemullah and Mr. Nomani are human rights defender and members of the Swaraj Abhiyan in Karnataka.

On May 7, 2020, Mr. Kaleemullah and Mr. Nomani were arrested by personnel from the Sampigehalli Police Station under the Sections 153 (provocation with intent to cause riots) and 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The arrests were based on a complaint at the Sampigehalli Police Station by a builder, and effectively restricted the HRDs from freely carrying out pandemic-related relief work, including providing ration to workers and helping them return home to their native places.