CAA protests: Lucknow lawyer Mohammad Shoaib, activist Sadaf Jafar untraceable after arrest

Lucknow based senior lawyer and president of human rights group Rihai Manch, Mohammad Shoaib, has gone untraceable in police custody, claimed his family members and close friends. He was detained by the UP police ahead of the scheduled nationwide protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).

“First, he was put under house arrest, later he was detained by the police. However, the police kept misleading us about his whereabouts. They have not disclosed his location yet,” said his colleague Rajiv Yadav of Rihai Manch over the phone on Friday morning.

“Police have not named Shoaib in any FIR. Some said he was taken to the Qaisar Bagh station, while others said he was detained at the Cantonment Police station or at the Hazratganj station,” added Yadav.

According to Yadav, Shoaib was detained around 11.45 pm on Thursday night. Two police personnel were also sent to his house a few hours later to collect his medicines.

Along with Shoaib, activist Sadaf Jafar and scores of other activists were arrested by the police. “She is also untraceable. We don’t know anything about her despite her arrest,” said Yadav who is also facing a case for protesting against CAA. Apart from Shoaib, Magsaysay Award winner Sandeep Pandey and retired IPS officer SR Darapuri were also under house arrest by UP police.

The Uttar Pradesh police had on Wednesday issued notices to more than 3,000 people across the state, cautioning them to not participate in protests against the CAA.

“I am asked not to move out and three policemen are at my gate,” Shoaib was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times. Shoaib along with 3000 people was served with a notice by police, advising them not to take part in anti-CAA protest.