The police claimed that Khan, through “targeted dissemination of selective information”, sought to create a narrative of a particular community’s victimisation by the incumbent government.Several human rights activists and organisations have condemned the police action against Khan. The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) in a statement called it a “targeted witch hunt.”Senior advocate Sibal, who appeared for Khan, said the police should not harass the petitioner in the garb of investigation and ensure the probe was concluded expeditiously.He argued the police was conducting a roving and fishing inquiry.The court, which earlier gave interim protection from arrest to Khan, orally said while his right to liberty was protected, the agency was entitled to investigate and kept the rights and contentions of the parties open.In a status report filed in the case, the police said Khan’s actions suggest a deliberate attempt to provoke discontent and unrest, amounting to a larger conspiracy for undermining communal harmony and public order.The police alleged Khan’s conduct demonstrated a willful disregard for the potential ramifications on communal harmony.The court had issued notice to the police and granted him protection from arrest till the next date of hearing, subject to his joining the investigation.Stating the investigation was at an initial stage, the police urged the court to dismiss the petitions.Khan’s counsel had argued that the FIR was malafide and it did not disclose any cognisable offence and was merely based on conjectures, without any foundation.
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