NIA arrested 16, chargesheeted 21 in Bhima Koregaon case: MHA

National Investigation ncy (NIA) has so far arrested 16 accused in Bhima Koregaon case and filed charge sheet against 21 accused, Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy also said that central government has taken te of press release issued by Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights on October 20 last year on restrictions on human right NGOs and arrests of activists in India, and has responded to it appropriately.

"Furr, re are equate safeguards available under Constitution of India and various statutes including Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, for ensuring protection of human rights," he said replying to a written question.

Referring to Bhima Koregaon case, minister said NIA has so far arrested 16 accused in case and filed charge sheet against 21 accused in a court.

One of accused, Varavara Rao, has been mitted to Nanavati super specialty hospital, Mumbai, he said in reply to ar question.

case refers to violence that took place during a garing on January 1, 2018 held at Bhima Koregaon to mark anniversary of Battle of Bhima Koregaon.

In ar question, Reddy's colleague, Nityanand Rai said central government attaches highest importance to safety and security of all residents of country, including journalists.

" Ministry of Home Affairs have issued visories to States and UTs, from time to time, to maintain law and order and ensure that any person who takes law into his or her own hand is punished promptly as per law.

"An visory specifically on safety of journalists was issued to States and UTs on October 20, 2017 requesting m to strictly enforce law to ensure safety and security of media persons," he said.

In ar reply, Rai said latest report of National Crime Record Bureau did t maintain any specific data on arrests or detention of civil right activists. "refore, making any inference regarding trend of arrest or detention in this regard is t possible," he said.