4 hrs ago
Mumbai Police Search Activist’s Home After Palestine Kite Event
A group in Mumbai flew kites to show support for children in Palestine.
The group says police then searched one volunteer’s home.
They say the search lasted more than nine hours and happened without a warrant or written explanation.
Several activists were reportedly kept from leaving during the search.
One person was questioned at a police station and later released.
The volunteer says police photographed things and briefly took two phones.
Police did not give a detailed public explanation of the operation.
The activists say the search violated privacy and democratic rights.
Activists alleged Mumbai Police searched volunteer Harshada’s home after she joined a Palestine solidarity kite-flying event.
The group said five activists were prevented from leaving during the search, while a sixth was questioned and later released.
Activists alleged the search lasted over nine hours, involved plainclothes and uniformed officers, and began without a warrant or written notice.
Harshada said police photographed items, listed some books, temporarily took two phones, and later prepared a panchnama.
Police officials did not provide a detailed response; a senior Bandra inspector said he was unaware of the incident’s details.
- Who
- Mumbai Police, activist Harshada, and members of Indian People in Solidarity with Palestine.
- What
- Police allegedly searched Harshada’s home and questioned activists after a Palestine solidarity kite-flying event.
- Where
- Harshada’s residence in Mumbai; one activist was questioned at Bandra police station.
- When
- The search began at about 5:30 p.m. on Friday and ended at about 2:30 a.m. on Saturday; the kite campaign was held on September 15.
- Why
- The activists linked the search to their participation in a campaign supporting Palestinian children, but police did not state the reason for the search.
Activists’ allegations
Police response
Legality of the search
Activists’ allegations
The group alleged police searched the home without a warrant or written notice and called the action illegal.
Police response
Police did not provide a detailed explanation; the Bandra senior inspector said he was not aware of the incident’s details.
Treatment of activists
Activists’ allegations
Activists said five people were prevented from leaving, one person was interrogated, and two phones were temporarily taken.
Police response
No responding police official publicly addressed these specific allegations in the report.
Reason for the operation
Activists’ allegations
The group believed the search was connected to its kite-flying event in solidarity with Palestinian children and said it violated privacy and civil liberties.
Police response
Police did not state why the search was conducted.
Key facts
- Search duration
- About nine hours, from approximately 5:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.
- People detained at residence
- Five activists were allegedly not allowed to leave during the search.
- Police station questioning
- A sixth activist was questioned at Bandra police station and released the same evening.
- Search documentation
- Activists alleged there was no warrant or written notice; a panchnama was eventually prepared.
- Items reportedly handled
- Some books were listed, photographs and videos were taken, and two phones were temporarily confiscated.
- Police response
- Two deputy commissioners did not respond, while Bandra senior inspector Ravindra Salunkhe said he was unaware of the details.
- Solidarity campaign
- Participants around the world flew kites on September 15 to raise awareness about Palestinian children.
Quotes
Indian People in Solidarity with Palestine
Citizens’ group associated with the activists involved in the kite-flying event
“More than nine hours – and counting – for ‘searching’ a person’s place of residence without a warrant merely for flying kites in solidarity with Palestinian children!”
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Sources
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