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 July 10, 2007
The Supreme Court of India today dismissed a case filed by National Council of Civil Liberties, an Ahmedabad based NGO, against Narmada Bachao Andolan for being vague and baseless. The bench of Justice C.K. Thakker and Altamas Kabir, in their judgement, ruled that there is no case for CBI enquiry against NBA and ordered the petitioner organization to pay Rs- 5000/- as a symbolic cost for the expense on the case, to NBA.
NBA: "Attempts to defame and demoralise people’s movements with false and baseless allegations should now be put to rest."
NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN
62 Gandhi Marg, Badwani, M.P. Ph. 07290-222464 nba.badwani@gmail.com
Maitri Niwas, Tembewadi, Dhadgaon, Nandurbar, Maharashtra. Ph: 02595-220620
C/o B-13, Shivam Flats, Ellora Park, Vadodara -390023 Ph: 0265-2282232 nba.baroda@gmail.com
Press Release 10 July 2007
• SUPREME COURT DISMISSES CASE AGAINST NBA ON FOREIGN FUNDING, VIOLENCE, SEDITION CHARGES
• TELLING BLOW TO THE ATTEMPTS AT DEFAMING AND DEMORALISING PEOPLE’S MOVEMENTS WITH FALSE AND BASELESS ALLEGATIONS
• VICTORY OF TRUTH, NON-VIOLENCE AND MORAL STRENGTH OF PEOPLE’S MOVEMENT AGAINST VILIFICATION CAMPAIGNS
The Supreme Court of India today dismissed a case filed by National Council of Civil Liberties, an Ahmedabad based NGO, against Narmada Bachao Andolan for being vague and baseless. The bench of Justice C.K. Thakker and Altamas Kabir, in their judgement, ruled that there is no case for CBI enquiry against NBA and ordered the petitioner organization to pay Rs- 5000/- as a symbolic cost for the expense on the case, to NBA.
This is a great moral victory and triumph of truth that is an apt reply to the vilification campaign against NBA. NCCL had issued many advertisements and statements defaming NBA all over the country before filing this case. The allegation in the case included that of illegal foreign funding, violence and sedition, an activity obstructing development. Adv. Indira Jaisingh and Adv. Sanjay Parikh pleaded with all strength and commitment. The court, through this judgement, has upheld democratic values as also the citizen’s, the affected people’s right to agitate against injustice imposed in the name of development. Attempts to defame and demoralise people’s movements with false and baseless allegations should now be put to rest. The UPA government too had supported NBA through its affidavit in the case. They submitted to the court a letter written in 2003 by the then Home Minister for State to Narendra Modi, declaring that no illegal financial deal was found in the enquiry against NBA and its supporters.
We all are glad that the apex court has dismissed this case for having no case made for a CBI enquiry on NBA activities. The petitioner had earlier tried to spread news, which distortedly indicated to the nation that enquiry was demanded and ordered.
NBA has to continue its agitations and movements for human rights and democratic privileges due for common people – dalit, adivasis, farmers, labourers and all citizens, in the context of prevented vision and undemocratic planning of development, with unjustifiable social, environmental impact on the displaced and on our natural wealth.
OUR SATYAGRAHA IN THE NARMADA VALLEY, PROTESTING AGAINST DISPLACEMENT AND SUBMERGENCE WITHOUT REHABILITATION, WOULD BEGIN IN BADWANI, MADHYA PRADESH FROM TOMORROW, 11TH OF JULY AND IN VILLAGE CHIMALKHEDI (ON THE RIVER BANK), NANDURBAR DISTRICT, MAHARASHTRA, FROM JULY 17TH.
The Dharna of Omkareshwar- Indira Sagar dam-affected people and the 35 days long fast by leading activists Chittaroopa Palit and Bhagwan Mukati, continue in Bhopal till date.
Medha Patkar Ashish Mandloi Chetan Salve Kamla Yadav |
