DR. ILINA SEN MEETS DR. BINAYAK SEN IN JAIL

UPDATE On Dr. Binayak Sen's Illegal Detention:

Raipur, 17th May, 2007: 1930 hrs

DR. ILINA SEN MEETS DR. BINAYAK SEN IN JAIL

DR. SEN TO BE PRODUCED TOMORROW IN COURT
HOUSE SEARCH APPLICATION BY POLICE MAY BE
TAKEN UP

Dr. Ilina Sen met Dr. Binayak Sen in the Raipur Central
Jail in the presence of the PUCL Lawyer, Adv Sadiq Ali today, after
returning from Kolkota, where she had gone to visit her mother.
According to Dr. Ilina Sen, his morale was high, except that he is
totally cut off from the rest of the world – no news, or censured news
is reaching him, and that he wanted some books and magazines to be
sent to him. He was informed about the various protest demonstrations
and solidarity action being organized all over the country.

Since her house was sealed by the Police till the search,
she is presently staying with a friend along with her two daughters.
Adv. Sudha Bhardwaj, PUCL State Executive Member and Lawyer informed
Mr. B B S Rajput, City Superintendent of Police, Raipur about Dr.
Ilina Sen's arrival. Mr. Rajput offered to open the sealed premises
and allow Dr. Ilina Sen to return to her house. But, this was refused
as taking possession of the house without the search may create new
complications. According to the police, they are now trying to obtain
a search warrant from the concerned court.

In the mean time, Dr. Sen's judicial remand comes to an
end tomorrow, and he could be produced in the Court for further legal
action.

Dr. Ilina Sen has also filed a written complaint with the
police about the "illegal search" and "un-authorized raid" conducted
by the Police officials of the Tikarapara Police Station on 15th May,
2007 in her absence. She has specifically complained that such an
action has generated doubts about the motives of the police. It may be
recalled that the police party had conducted unauthorized and illegal
raid in the afternoon of 15th May, while Dr. Binayak Sen was
cooperating with the police. The police party returned in the evening
to record statements of all workers at the Farm, and also took their
signatures on some papers. They were virtually terrified by the police
action, according to Dr. Ilina Sen.

In the mean time, a protest demonstration was staged against
illegal detention of Dr. Binayak Sen at the Chhattisgarh Bhawan, New
Delhi, where about 250 representatives from various human rights
organisations like the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL),
People's Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR), Medico Friends Circle,
National Alliance for People's Movements, Saheli Women's Resource
Centre, etc., participated. They have submitted a Memorandum to the
Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, etc.

An Online Petition signed by about 1200 prominent citizens,
medical doctors, etc., has also been sent to the President of India,
The Prime Minister of India, The Chairperson of NHRC, and The Governor
of Chhattisgarh strongly condemning the imprisonment of Dr. Sen, and
demanding his immediate release.

The Chhattisgarh PUCL has also announced One-day's Protest
Demonstration Against Detention under Draconian Laws on 31st May, 2007
at Raipur, Chhattisgarh, and has appealed to the human rights and
people's organisations to participate in it with specific demands for
the repeal of the Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act, 2007,
immediate release of Dr. Binayak Sen and others detained under this
draconian act, CBI Enquiry into Police Encounters in Chhattisgarh
since 2005, and putting an end to police harassment of social and
human rights activists and organisations working for tribals, dalits,
workers, women, bonded and child labourers, minorities, etc.