Odisha, Odisha — The Maharashtra government has refused to issue a police clearance certificate (PCC) to Fahim Ansari, a man acquitted in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case, citing that he remains under surveillance due to suspected links to a banned terror outfit.

Background

The 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, which occurred on November 26, 2008, resulted in the loss of 166 lives and left hundreds injured. Fahim Ansari, one of the accused, was acquitted in 2013 due to lack of evidence. However, it appears that his acquittal has not led to the lifting of all restrictions on his activities.

Sequence of Events

Fahim Ansari, who has been trying to lead a normal life after his release from prison in 2019, sought a PCC to obtain a badge to operate an autorickshaw. His application was, however, rejected by the Maharashtra government, which cited guidelines framed in August 2014 that disqualified him from obtaining the certificate. The government also submitted a confidential report suggesting that Ansari was still under watch due to his alleged involvement with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfit. The Bombay High Court has taken up the matter and questioned the state on the legal basis of the refusal.

Community Impact

The refusal of the police clearance certificate has affected Ansari’s ability to earn a living, as he requires the certificate to operate an autorickshaw for commercial purposes. His petition under the Right to Information (RTI) Act revealed that his certificate was rejected due to his alleged involvement with the LeT. The community is affected by the fact that Ansari, despite being acquitted, is still being treated as a suspect. The official response from the Maharashtra government has been that he remains under surveillance, citing the confidential report.

Local Significance

The case highlights the difficulties faced by individuals who have been acquitted of terror charges but continue to face restrictions on their activities. The Maharashtra government’s refusal to issue a PCC to Ansari has raised questions about the fairness of the system and the need for rehabilitation of individuals who have been acquitted of serious crimes.

What Happens Next

The matter is currently before the Bombay High Court, which has questioned the state on the legal basis of the refusal. The court has posted the matter for Saturday, as Ansari’s advocate did not appear. The outcome of the case will have significant implications for Ansari’s ability to earn a living and for the community, which is affected by the fact that he is still being treated as a suspect despite being acquitted.