Burglary at Jesuit Human Rights Center, computer missing

The incident happened on the night between Oct. 7 and 8.

Ahmedabad:  Human rights activist Father Cedric Prakash says his office in Ahmadabad has been broken into and his personal computer was taken away in a planned move to access his data.

The incident happened on the night between Oct. 7 and 8 "was no ordinary theft! It was meticulously planned and executed apparently by professionals or with the help of some," the priest said in a press statement.

"The sole aim was obviously to get the data, which was on my PC (personal computer). It is common knowledge that since we are a Centre for Human Rights Justice and Peace, we have been taking an equivocal stand on human rights and justice very specially on critical issues affecting the minorities, the poor and the marginalized of Gujarat," the release said.

"It is anyone’s guess at this stage of who is / are the brains behind this break-in! One thing is amply clear that human rights defenders and those who stand up for truth and justice are in for difficult times in the days to come," the priest said.

"We will however, continue to be relentless in our struggle – whatever the obstacles, whatever the intimidation, harassment and other difficulties. We are convinced that truth and justice will ultimately triumph," the statement said.

Father Cedric said he was away in Mumbai Oct. 6 and 7 for some programs and returned by flight early on Oct. 8. As is customary, he first went to the office building of before going to residence, which is just behind on the same campus.

In his office cabin he found his desktop computer missing and the back door of the center broken open with a bed sheet just lying on the steps below. Police was informed and they arrived in "a matter of minutes" and "were there for most of the day till almost 4.30 pm.

They had also called in the dog squad, the forensic and the fingerprint experts.

"The intruders seemed to have moved around in several places of the office (some footprints evidence this) but were careful not to have disturbed / upset anything; besides, nothing else seemed to have been taken away though there was some cash (in a drawer which was opened) which could have easily tempted an ordinary burglar," the statement said.

The note also said the center has no intention of going to the media on this but some in media have been calling the center for details after they received news of this incident from “police sources”. It necessitated a statement from the center to the media, it said.

Press Release