Human Rights Defender and Her Son Released on Bail!

Human rights defender Aparna Marandi was granted bail by the Jharkhand High Court on May 6. After 150 days in prison with her 4-year-old son for a six-year-old case, this activist has been released!

 

Amnesty International’s call for the protection of the rights of Marandi and her son Alok inspired 163 members to take action in support of this brave activist. Only 60 days after Amnesty members started taking action, Marandi and Alok were released.

 

Aparna Marandi is a long-time defender of human rights and has spent five years fighting for the release of her activist husband from detention. After a long history of being targeted by the state government for her activities, Marandi was arrested on the 8thof December 2012. She was charged under section 17 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act and section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for her alleged involvement in two protests, including a Maoist arson attack.

 

She was detained, with her young son Alok Marandi. The three other activists she was arrested with were released on bail two days after the arrest. However, Marandi’s request for bail was denied.  When she was finally taken to the magistrate on December 14th, well after the maximum 24-hour period required under Indian law, she was remanded to police custody and held in Dumka jail. She remained there for approximately 5 months, held incommunicado and subject to ill-treatment.

 

Thank you to everyone who wrote on behalf of Mrs. Marandi and her son. Their release is a victory for human rights in India. Keep up the good work!