(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Chief Minister of Karnataka State S.M. Krishna, RSF has asked to be informed of the exact reasons for the detention of a journalist named Sivasubramanian, who has been accused of supporting the bandit Veerappan. RSF fears that the journalist has been mistreated by the police in order to obtain […]
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Chief Minister of Karnataka State S.M. Krishna, RSF has asked to be informed of the exact reasons for the detention of a journalist named Sivasubramanian, who has been accused of supporting the bandit Veerappan. RSF fears that the journalist has been mistreated by the police in order to obtain a confession. “If Sivasubramanian’s arrest is tied to his professional activities, we ask you to do everything in your power to ensure that the journalist is released immediately,” stated RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard.
According to information gathered by RSF, on 20 November 2001, Sivasubramanian, a journalist working for the Tamil-language magazine “Nakkeeran”, was kidnapped by unknown persons in Salem, a town located in the state of Tamil Nadu (southern India). After “Nakkeeran”‘s chief editor R. Gopal filed a request of habeas corpus in order to obtain the release of his reporter, Karnataka State police announced that the journalist had been arrested for “suspicious trips” and because of “electronical gadgets” found in his possession in this south-western state of Karnataka. He was thus detained in compliance with Articles 212 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code, two charges which permit release on bail. Following the latest interventions by “Nakkeeran”‘s director, Sivasubramanian was charged in accordance with the Arms Act and can no longer be released on bail. No one has been authorised to see him since his abduction. Sivasubramanian has since been accused of “supporting” the bandit Veerappan and “possessing illegal arms and explosives”. On 22 November, the Special Task Force allegedly seized arms, munitions, explosives and electronic equipment following the journalist’s confessions. According to Gopal, Sivasubramanian was allegedly tortured into delivering the information on which the police based its new charges.
The journalist is being detained by the Karnataka State Special Task Force and nobody has been authorised to visit him.
Sivasubramanian is known for having been the first journalist to interview the notorious Indian bandit Veerappan, who has managed to elude the police for fifteen years. He has also played a major role in the negotiations for the release of hostages, among them the actor Rajkumar, who was held captive by the bandit in 2000. However, according to Gopal, the journalist’s arrest may be linked to a series of articles about acts of violence, notably against women, committed by the Special Task Force in their pursuit of Veerappan.
