The Hindu : National : Padma Shri awardee moves apex court

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Wednesday, Jun 14, 2006

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National

Padma Shri awardee moves apex court

NEW DELHI: M. Abraham Thomas (70), president of the Emmanuel Institute, Kota, Rajasthan, and a Padma Shri awardee against whom the BJP Government in the State had slapped sedition (Sec. 124A of IPC) charges for allegedly abetting and promoting conversions , has moved the Supreme Court for anticipatory bail.

"Baseless charges"

Dr. Thomas, in his petition for anticipatory bail, has pleaded before the vacation bench comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat and Altamas Kabir that he had been working for the welfare of poor and needy in the State for the last 40 years. He was the recipient of several national awards for humanitarian work and not involved in any seditious activities and that the allegations against him were baseless, he said. The apex court had earlier granted him anticipatory bail on April 21 in another case under Sec. 153A and Sec. 153B, 295A and 120B IPC for allegedly disturbing communal harmony by circulating a book containing offensive, filthy and abusive language against the Hindu pantheon as well as against Jainism and its saints hurting the religious sentiments of different communities.

The applicant had sought protection as he apprehended arrest under Sec. 124A IPC. — UNI

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