Emmanuel Institute head seeks anticipatory bail from SC

New Delhi, Jun 13 (UNI) Dr Mullankujhil Abraham Thomas,President of Emmanuel Institute, Kota, Rajasthan, a 70- year-old Padam Shri awardee against whom the BJP government in the state has slapped sedition (section124A IPC) charges for allegedly abetting and promoting conversions on religious lines from Hinduism to Christianity, has moved the Supreme Court for anticipatory bail.

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 for the last 40 years in the state. He is the recepient of several national awards for his humanitarian work and was not involved in any seditious activities and the allegations against him are baseless.

The apex court had earlier granted him anticipatory bail vide order dated April 21 in a case under section 153A and section 153B, 295A and section 120B IPC for disturbing communal harmony by circulating a book containing offensive, filthy and abusive language against Hindu Gods and Goddesses as well as against Jainism and its saints hurting the religious sentiments of different communities.

According to the petitioner, Rajasthan minister for social welfare,Co-operatives and Registration of Societies had allegedly instigated the public at large to stone the petitioner to death or to hang him for abetting conversions by misleading the people.

The petitioner , a recepient of Mother Teresa Memorial National award, his son Dr. Samuel Thomas and the writer of controversial book 'Haqeeqat' M.G. Mathew are the three accused in the case.

The applicant had sought the protection as he apprehended his arrest under section 124A IPC by the state police.

The court adjourned the hearing of the case which was fixed for final disposal today till third week of July at the request of senior counsel R.K. Jain who appeared for the petitioner.The applicant is suffering from blood cancer, cardiac disease and diabities etc.

UNI AKS/SC RP HT1805