‘ED raids on Harsh Mander intimidatory tactics’

Over 600, including activists and academics, call raid on activist an ‘abuse of state institutions’

More than 600 noted academics, activists and intellectuals condemned the raid on social activist Harsh Mander in connection with money laundering, calling the action “intimidatory tactics”.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided the residence and offices of Mander in New Delhi on Thursday, which was criticised in a public statement by writers, filmmakers, civil servants, advocates, journalists, musicians and artists. Among the signatories are Supreme Court lawyer Indira Jaising, activist Kavita Krishnan, senior Advocate Mihir Desai of Bombay High Court and Colin Gonsalves.

Centre of Equity Studies (CES), Delhi, headed by Mander, “has also been subjected to harassment by the Economic Offences Wing, and the Income Tax department. All these vindictive efforts combined have shown neither diversion of money nor any violation of the law... We condemn these raids to harass and intimidate a leading human rights activist who has done nothing but work for peace and harmony”, the statement read.

Also read: Income Tax dept conducts raids against ex-Maharashtra minister Anil Deshmukh

It added, “Over the past year, Mander and the CES have been subjected to continued harassment by multiple state agencies... We stand with Mander and with each person associated with the CES. The Constitution of India and the law of the land shall prevail, exposing these intimidatory tactics exactly for what they are — an abuse of state institutions to try and curtail all our rights.”

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