Encounter specialist Sachin Vaze—arrested in connection with the custodial death of Khwaja Yunus—now has an earnest friend in the VHP.The policeman, well on his way to becoming a symbol of the right-wing, has been promised free legal aid by the Parishad. And if he’s found guilty, the VHP will provide free ration to his family.A VHP statement today defended Vaze as a‘‘dynamic officer of the Mumbai police charged with human rights violations in connection with the custodial death of a Muslim accused connected with a terrorist organisation.’’VHP international general secretary Pravin Togadia said Vaze’s case was no exception. Any police or security officer ‘‘harassed’’ in the name of human rights violation in Kashmir or elsewhere would be provided similar help by his outfit.Vaze’s case is clearly acquiring political overtones, with more than one right-wing organisation projecting him as a hero. The assistant inspector was arrested days after the Bombay HC warned that it would transfer the case concerning the disappearance of Khwaja Yunus to the CBI unless the state government provided a satisfactory explanation.Yunus had been arrested for suspected links with the gang accused of masterminding the Ghatkopar blast. Apart from arresting Vaze, the state has also launched a hunt for three constables who were in the same squad which was allegedly ‘‘accompanying’’ Yunus when he went missing.‘‘This is the season of Muslim appeasement,’’ said Togadia. Asked about Vaze’s credentials, he gave him a clean chit and said he could even be eligible to contest the polls.
