Government blocks Memon hanging details

The BJP-Shiv Sena government has blocked all information related to the hanging of Yakub Memon, one of the conspirators of the 1993 serial blasts, on the grounds that it would affect the sovereignty, unity and security of the country.

Interestingly, information related to hanging of Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, the Pakistani terrorist caught during the 26/11 terror attacks, was provided by then Congress-NCP Democratic Front government.

Activist Anil Galgali, who had filed queries about Memon under the Right to Information Act (RTI), was denied the information.

Yakub Memon was hanged to death in Nagpur jail on July 30, 2015. His body was buried in Mumbai.

Kasab was hanged to death on November 21, 2012, at the Yerawada jail in Pune and his body was buried there.

Galgali said the Public Information and Desk Officer of the Home Department, Deepak Zadiye informed him that all information related to death sentence of Yakub Memon has been refused under clause 8(1)(c) of the RTI Act 2005 by the Maharashtra government. “Under the clause, any such information that will disturb the sovereignty, unity and security of the country can be withheld,” he said.

Galgali then filed an appeal on the order with Deputy Secretary J L Pawra.
 “The previous government in 2012 had provided information on a similar query related to Kasab and now the BJP-Shiv Sena government is trying to hide this information, which is very surprising.

That the inference of law can change as per convenience can be seen from this case, that how things have changed with the change in the governments at the Centre and Maharashtra,” the veteran RTI activist said.

Appeal to CM
He appealed to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to ensure transparency and provide the details.