Anand Jon’s family battles for his freedom

Sify Correspondent
Wednesday, 02 January , 2008, 16:38

Mumbai: The family members and friends of US-based NRI designer Anand Jon, who has been in American jails for nearly nine months now, said that he may be a victim of "racial discrimination" has decided to take the battle ahead and rest only when the youth is free.

Jon's sister Sanjana Jon has met leading lawyer Majeed Memon, and at a hurriedly convened news conference on Wednesday and they alleged that Anand has been made a victim of circumstances because fame and fortune was coming to him. They also did not rule out racial discrimination. Anand reportedly faces charges like molestation and sexual abuse.

Memon, who has taken up several high profile briefs including defending music composer Nadeem in the United Kingdon, has said that they will approach the Prime Minister's Office and Ministry of External Affairs. "My first duty will be to approach the US attorneys, who till now had been defending him," he said.

They will also approach the Human rights commission in India and in US besides other international human rights organisation. "We are going to talk about legal rights, human rights and constitutional rights," he said.

Sanjana broke down several times as she narrated what she and her mother went through since the last few months. "Anand has been kept in solitary confinement, he is chained – and this we have seen when we met him in the Los Angeles jail," she said.

Memon said that the charges against Jon will not stand before a "judicial mind". "Some of the charges are like attempt being made to kiss," he said and pointed out that where rape has been alleged – the DNA examination has turned out to be negative.

Sanjana said that it all started when Anand was about to receive lot of money for his projects after the Wall Street Journal evaluated his brand value at USD 10 million and nearly USD 10 to 15 million was expected. "Neither does he smoke, drink nor he is into drugs," she said.

"Some people could not digest his astronomical success," Memon said hinting out at some US fashion industry lobby may be involved in defaming him. "Racial discrimination can be there," he said and pointed out that the irony is that there are 30 to 40 different cases in different places.

(Appeared at Sify.com)