HRD Alert-India, representing human rights defenders, expresses deep concern over the illegal detention and harassment of activist Mr. Damodar Turi and other HRDs by officials from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Jharkhand Police in Dhanbad on May 2, 2023. The incident involved a raid at Mr. Turi's residence, where police personnel, without presenting a search warrant, conducted a four-hour search, seizing mobile phones without providing hash values. Subsequently, Mr. Turi was taken to Manila Dih police station, interrogated for over four hours, and released with a notice to appear at the NIA office in Ranchi on May 8, 2023, in connection with a case under various sections of the IPC and UAPA.

The perpetrators include Mr. Subodh Kumar Sharma and Mr. Suman Yadav, along with other personnel. The HRDs' fundamental rights were violated as the officials conducted search operations without warrants, seized electronic devices without hash values, and detained individuals without clear reasons. These actions contradict the Indian Constitution and the UN Declaration on human rights defenders. These instances amount to a gross abuse of the HRDs’ fundamental right to life and personal liberty, and to the freedom of speech and expression, which are guaranteed by Article 21 and Article 19(a) of the Indian Constitution respectively.

HRD Alert-India urgently appeals to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to treat this as a serious reprisal against HRDs. The NHRC is urged to direct the Director General of Police of Jharkhand to conduct an independent investigation into the misuse of law, illegal detention, and harassment, submitting a report within four weeks. Depending on the investigation's results, strict punitive actions against the involved officials are recommended. Additionally, the Chief Secretary of Jharkhand is called upon to ensure HRDs can work without fear of reprisals. HRD Alert-India looks forward to immediate action in this regard.