Dear devotees,

As many of you have heard, Bhakta das, an initiated disciple of Srila Prabhupada, has been held on false charges, framed by corrupt police officers in Orissa for the past three years.

In the latest court hearing two days ago, the arresting officer was finally in the witness box. He admitted that there was no evidence of the alleged crime having ever been actually committed by anyone; that Bhakta das's name was added to the charge later; that he (the police person) had not read the charge when the arrest was made but only when ordered to by the court three weeks later, he had it translated; that he did not know the complainants' permanent address and had no way of contacting them; and that he had made no effort to keep them in the country or to have them place any bond guaranteeing their appearance at the trial as required by law.

The judge indirectly admitted that the entire case was fabricated when he jokingly asked the police person, "Why did you write this book?" referring to the case file which is about 2000 pages long. The actual motive of these police officers was to extort money from "the accused."

The arresting officer was then asked why Bhakta dasa had not been arrested initially, when the charge was first made and not three weeks later as was the case. He answered, "Because there was no evidence."

Then he was asked "What new evidence was there when you arrested him?"

He made no reply.

Examination of the arresting officer will continue next week and perhaps one or two more days after this. Then the officer who ordered the arrest will be questioned.

It is hoped and expected that Bhakta das's formal exoneration and release will be soon forthcoming. This has been a scandalous and criminally false case against a devotee who has had intimate pastimes with His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, and we are pleased that his blamelessness is now beginning to become publicly clear.

Rasananda das

© dipika.org September 22, 2003