Despite assurance, bonds a cause for concern in villages

Misinformation has gripped many people, including a meritorious student, who was honoured by the governor

LUCKNOW: “Do we have to appear in court, or appeal for bail as members of my family were made to sign a bond promising to not indulge in unlawful activities?” asked a woman in her sixties as she sat in the kitchen.

She was not alone but over a dozen people from the same village—Kamlabad in Bakshi Ka Talab, Lucknow— are apprehensive as several were made to sign bonds under Section 107/116 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which serves as an undertaking that they will not participate in any activity that could lead to the breach of peace.

“Misinformation’ has gripped many people, including one meritorious student, who was honoured by the governor a few years ago.

Some people in my village say, signing these bonds will reflect on his record and it can be a hurdle in finding a good job,” said the brother of the meritorious student.

A civil services aspirant, who did not wish to be named, said, “I read somewhere this is not a serious issue but people around me have been calling it a ‘case’ and feel they have to appear in the court.” Zameer Ahmad of the same village said, “All those who have been made to sign the bonds have no criminal records and the way some of us were bound down, as if we are criminal.”

He alleged the police did not explain what this bond stood for. “They said you all have signed the papers, we can call you anytime,” Ahmad said.

His son added, “Vo bole hum sabke address hai hamare paas, gadbad karoge to pakde jaoge (They said they have our addresses and we will be arrested if we indulged in unlawful activities).”

Manish Kumar, a law student from Bakshi Ka Talab said, “Many of them (who have been asked to sign bonds) are my friends and I told them this is just a formality and nothing to do with case or court, but they are badly misinformed and scared.”

Muslim Nagar resident Ashna Hussain said, “They arrested some people in Lucknow who were innocent. My husband was also made to sign the bond. We spent sleepless nights for almost a week. We could breathe easy after a police official assured him (her husband) that he was not in trouble.” Circle officer (CO) Bakshi ka Talab Swatantra Singh said he had not received any complaint from the locals.

“I am not informed about any such misinformation and people need not worry about these notices as these are not going to affect

them adversely,” he said, adding, “This is just a procedure. They are not criminals nor do these notices make them so.”