05-11-2007, 04:42 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>NBA involved in Maoist movement, NGO tells SC </b>
Pioneer News Service | New Delhi
<b>The Ahmedabad-based NGO, which has accused Medha Patkar's Narmada Bachao Andolan of engaging in anti-national activities, told the Supreme Court on Thursday that there existed evidence to suggest that NBA had a hand in the Maoist movement.</b>
Pointing out to the vigilance reports of Madhya Pradesh police, National Council of Civil Liberties (NCCL) alleged that the computer seized from one of NBA activist Rahul Banerjee had disclosed his involvement in the anti-national activities.
Raising the pitch for a CBI probe against the NBA, NCCl counsel Amar Dave said<b>, "There is a direct nexus between them as it is clear from the documents seized by State Vigilance Department."</b> He was responding to the court's query, "Why have you put NBA and naxalite movement together. Is the NBA involved in the naxalite movement?"
Observing that it would not be proper to mix up these two issues, the Bench said,<b> "Vigilance report points out case against a person (Rahul Banerjee), then how can you connect these two issues." </b>
The NBA, on its part however claimed that the PIL by the NGO seeking CBI probe into its activities was filed to settle personal score with its leader Medha Patkar. Senior advocate Indira Jaising appearing for the NBA questioned the maintainability of the petition before a Bench comprising Justices CK Thakker and Altamas Kabir saying it was a 'surrogate' one filed by the NGO and its president to trouble Patkar. Saxena has filed cases against Patkar in different parts of the country, she said.
The NCCL had sought probe into the activities of the NBA alleging that the outfit was acting at the behest of foreign powers and creating political instability in India on the strength of funds received from abroad. The Centre in its affidavit has mentioned about a complaint received in 2002 by the then Minister looking after the Narmada project in Gujarat alleging receipt of funds by NBA, which on inspection of books of accounts did not reveal any instance of violation of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).
<b>The NCCL had alleged that some of the NBA's support groups Arohi Niyas, Sarvodya Sikshan Samiti Malcha, Delhi Forum and Lok Samiti had received foreign funds in violation of FCRA.</b> The NBA, however, refuted the allegations of NCCL and questioned the maintainability of the PIL, contending it was filed by suppressing some crucial facts.
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Pioneer News Service | New Delhi
<b>The Ahmedabad-based NGO, which has accused Medha Patkar's Narmada Bachao Andolan of engaging in anti-national activities, told the Supreme Court on Thursday that there existed evidence to suggest that NBA had a hand in the Maoist movement.</b>
Pointing out to the vigilance reports of Madhya Pradesh police, National Council of Civil Liberties (NCCL) alleged that the computer seized from one of NBA activist Rahul Banerjee had disclosed his involvement in the anti-national activities.
Raising the pitch for a CBI probe against the NBA, NCCl counsel Amar Dave said<b>, "There is a direct nexus between them as it is clear from the documents seized by State Vigilance Department."</b> He was responding to the court's query, "Why have you put NBA and naxalite movement together. Is the NBA involved in the naxalite movement?"
Observing that it would not be proper to mix up these two issues, the Bench said,<b> "Vigilance report points out case against a person (Rahul Banerjee), then how can you connect these two issues." </b>
The NBA, on its part however claimed that the PIL by the NGO seeking CBI probe into its activities was filed to settle personal score with its leader Medha Patkar. Senior advocate Indira Jaising appearing for the NBA questioned the maintainability of the petition before a Bench comprising Justices CK Thakker and Altamas Kabir saying it was a 'surrogate' one filed by the NGO and its president to trouble Patkar. Saxena has filed cases against Patkar in different parts of the country, she said.
The NCCL had sought probe into the activities of the NBA alleging that the outfit was acting at the behest of foreign powers and creating political instability in India on the strength of funds received from abroad. The Centre in its affidavit has mentioned about a complaint received in 2002 by the then Minister looking after the Narmada project in Gujarat alleging receipt of funds by NBA, which on inspection of books of accounts did not reveal any instance of violation of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).
<b>The NCCL had alleged that some of the NBA's support groups Arohi Niyas, Sarvodya Sikshan Samiti Malcha, Delhi Forum and Lok Samiti had received foreign funds in violation of FCRA.</b> The NBA, however, refuted the allegations of NCCL and questioned the maintainability of the PIL, contending it was filed by suppressing some crucial facts.
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