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‘Why the photo-op?’ Jharkhand govt criticised for videoshoot of Rs 10 lakhs compensation to the husband of Brazilian woman who was gang raped in Dumka

OpIndia Staff
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‘Why the photo-op?’ Jharkhand govt criticised for videoshoot of Rs 10 lakhs compensation to the husband of Brazilian woman who was gang raped in Dumka

On 4th March, Deputy Commissioner of Dumka, Jharkhand, handed over Rs 10 lakhs compensation to the husband of the Spanish woman who was gang-raped on the night of 1st March.

In a statement, Deputy Commissioner Anjaneyulu Dodde said, “We did fast investigation and from the side of district administration, we are providing all the help to them (rape survivor and husband)…Under the victim compensation scheme, we have given them Rs 10 lakhs…we will try for a speedy trial and conviction(of the accused).”

Husband of the rape survivor says, ” Thank you for the very fast investigation…”

However, Netizens expressed their dismay as handing over Rs 10 lakhs compensation was made a photo-op session. X user The Skin Doctor said, “As if the international shame brought about by the gangrape of a Spanish woman wasn’t enough, the Jharkhand govt decided to go a step further, offering a 10 lakh rupee compensation to the woman’s husband with a photo-op. Insensitive and embarrassing!”

X user the Placardguy wrote, “WTF is wrong with Indian Babus Giving money to compensate a r@pe survivor? And doing a photo op No wonder why we’re getting laughed at by foreigners, because instead of doing the job, these babus are more interested in photo ops.”

X user AndColorPockeT wrote, “Honey, wake up! Babudom has unleashed a fresh wave of embarrassment.”

X user JIX5A wrote, “This is absolutely outrageous and parading him for photos while giving 10 lakh rupees for his wife being raped.”

X user Saket71 said compensation could have been given without camera and with a press release. He said, “This protocol should be changed if there is a protocol. They aren’t handing out best vlogging award. Could’ve been done without Camera and with a press release.”

Dumka gang rape

On the night of 1st March, a Brazilian woman was gang raped in Kurmahat of Hansdiha police station area in district Dumka of Jharkhand. Three people were detained and sent to custody after being presented in court.

As per reports, two tourists from Spain, a woman and her Spanish partner, who were on a bike ride to India, made a halt and were staying in a makeshift tent. At around 10 PM, approximately 7 to 8 local men arrived at the location and thrashed the couple before sexually assaulting the woman. The couple sustained injuries and was taken by the police to Saraiyahat Community Health Center for treatment.

Bangladesh: Hindu priest murdered in Gopalganj, temple looted but no arrests so far

OpIndia Staff
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Bangladesh: Hindu priest murdered in Gopalganj, temple looted but no arrests so far

On Sunday (3rd March), the dead body of a female Hindu priest was discovered at the Malibata Bishwabandhu Sevashram in Gopalganj district in Dhaka Division of Bangladesh.

As per reports, the victim was identified as 70-year-old Hashilata Biswas. She had slept at the temple on Saturday (2nd March) night. When the locals visited the temple the next morning, they found the doors open.

Later, they discovered the body of Hashilata Biswas. The mouth and hands of the Hindu priest were tied by ropes.

The cupboard and the donation box of the Malibata Bishwabandhu Sevashram were found broken and looted. A preliminary investigation into the matter suggested that Hashilata Biswas was killed during the theft.

The victim had been conducting the puja at the Malibata Bishwabandhu Sevashram for the past year. Before that, her late husband Dipin Biswas was at the helm of religious affairs for 10 years.

While speaking about the matter, Sadar Police Station OC Mohammad Anichur Rahman informed, As soon as we got the news, we rushed to the crime scene. Thereafter, we recovered the dead body and sent it for autopsy.”

He further added, “The matter is being seriously investigated. Efforts are underway to identify and arrest the accused.”

The general secretary of the Malibata Bishwabandhu Sevashram in Gopalganj condemned the killing of Hashilata Biswas and said, “There have been several incidents of theft in this ashram. This time too the culprits may have entered to steal.”

Paltu Biswas, President of Gopalganj District Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Oikya Parishad, also added, “It seems that the priest was killed after the theft in the temple. We believe that such incidents will be reduced if the culprits are given exemplary punishment.”

Attacks on Hindu community continue unabated

The minority Hindu community in Bangladesh has been living in fear ever since the federal elections in Bangladesh were conducted on 7th January this year.

As per a report by the Bangladeshi newspaper ‘The Daily Ittefaq’, the Hindus had to brave arson attacks, forcing many to flee their homes.

There have been communal attacks across Bangladesh including Faridpur, Sirajganj, Bagerhat, Jhenaidah, Pirojpur, Kushtia, Madaripur, Lalmonirhat, Daudkandi, Thakurgaon, Munshiganj and Gaibandha.

Screengrab of the news report by The Daily Ittefaq

On 7th January 2023, two Hindus named Piplu Saha and Ranjan Saha, supporters of the Awami League party, were brutally attacked by sharp weapons at the Begum Amena Sultan Govt. Girls’ High School in Daudkandi in Comilla.

On the same day, Islamists associated with the Awami League attacked the homes of Hindu supporters of independent candidate AK Azad in the Faridpur-3 constituency of Bangladesh.

According to The Daily Ittefaq, about 15 people were injured in Majhipara in the post-poll communal violence. Two Hindus namely Suresh Chowdhury and Pankaj Chand were attacked by Awami League supporters in Boalkhali Upazila in Chittagong.

Karnataka: Abin Shibi from Kerala throws acid on a minor girl after ‘rejection’, injures her 2 friends too in Kadaba govt college

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka: Abin Shibi from Kerala throws acid on a minor girl after ‘rejection’, injures her 2 friends too in Kadaba govt college

On Monday, a 24-year-old man from Kerala was arrested by the Karnataka Police after he attacked three college-going girls with acid. The accused attacked just as the victims were preparing to enter the exam hall at Kadaba Government College in Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district. The accused has been identified as Abin Shibi, an MBA student from Malappuram’s Nilambur.

According to preliminary reports, three girls who were attacked have been identified as Aleena, Archana, and Amrita. The three suffered injuries after the accused Abin threw acid at them in the college. The college administrators apprehended the accused before he fled the scene and turned him over to the authorities.

A preliminary investigation into the incident found that the accused meant to target one of the victims, who suffered third-degree facial burns. The girl was attacked after she rejected his relationship advances. However, as he attacked the victim, two other girls who were with the victim during the attack also suffered injuries. 

The incident is said to have occurred when the victims were about to enter the exam hall at Kadaba government PU college for Class 12 exams.

“The girls were preparing for the Pre-University Course (PUC) exams while sitting in the corridors of the college when the accused, Abin Shibi, wearing a mask and a cap to conceal his identity, arrived and threw a bottle of acid at the girl who had rejected his advances. While the girl suffered third-degree facial burn injuries, two others sustained minor injuries after some amounts of acid spilled on them. All the three are undergoing treatment,” Kabada Police confirmed.

“The stalker who was wearing the college uniform was nabbed by college staff immediately after the incident and handed over to the police. He has been arrested. He wore a school uniform and gained entry into the school premises as a student to carry out the crime. We are investigating who gave him the uniform,” the officer added.

BJP leader and Udupi Lok Sabha MP Shobha Karandlaje took cognizance of the incident and targeted the ruling Congress over the alleged deteriorating law and order in the state. “The recent acid attack on female students at Kadaba Govt Junior College, carried out by an accused from Kerala, highlights a dire law & order situation. The victims’ future hangs by a thread,” she said in a post on X.

As per the reports, it has come to the fore that the main victim belongs to the same community as that of the accused and hails from Kerala. She had come to the state of Karnataka for her further studies. “It looks like an act of desperation due to rejection of love,” the Police said.

At present, an FIR against the accused under section 326(A) of the Indian Penal Code that deals with acid attacks has been filed based on the complaint filed by the college authorities. “If the parents of any of the girls file a complaint, we will also invoke provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act against the accused,” the Police added.

Further investigations into the case are underway.

Haryana: 5 hospitalised after consuming mouth freshener at a restaurant in Gurugram, viral video shows bleeding from mouth

OpIndia Staff
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Haryana: 5 hospitalised after consuming mouth freshener at a restaurant in Gurugram, viral video shows bleeding from mouth

As many as five people fell ill when they allegedly consumed mouth freshener after having dinner at a restaurant in Gurugram sector 90, police said on Monday (4th March). The incident occurred when one Ankit Kumar, along with his wife and friends, visited the restaurant in Gurugram.

Ankit told the police in his complaint that he went to a restaurant Laforestta Cafe in Gurugram’s Sector 90 with his wife Neha Sabarwal, Manik Goenka, his wife Preetika and Deepak Arora with his wife Himani. He said that after having their meals, they were offered mouth fresheners by restaurant staff, which resulted in an immediate deterioration of their health. Ankit said that since he was carrying his one-year-old daughter, he didn’t consume the mouth freshener.

According to Ankit, his wife and friends, who consumed the mouth fresheners began vomiting and bleeding from their mouths.
He alleged that despite their worsening condition, the restaurant management and staff did not assist them and remained indifferent, thus they called the police and informed them about the incident.

“Upon consuming it [mouth freshener], they experienced a burning sensation in their mouths, followed by bleeding… they started throwing up blood. I did not consume the mouth freshener as I was holding my one-year-old daughter, Durvaksi, in my lap. We inquired about the contents of what we were given and then the waiter showed us an open polythene packet, which I took possession of,” Ankit said in his complaint lodged at Kherki Daula Police Station.

Later, the victims were rushed to Aarvi Hospital. After reaching the hospital, the doctor said the mouth fresheners contained ‘dry ice’, which is a toxic substance that can lead to death. The police have registered a case under sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), and 328 (causing hurt by means of poison).

The police said that the restaurant staff mistook the dry ice for mouth freshener. The sample has been sent to FSL to determine what substance it is, the police said.  Further investigation in the matter is underway. Meanwhile, Gagan, the restaurant’s manager, stated that the incident was caused by the staff’s negligence. 

Notably, the solid form of carbon dioxide referred to as “dry ice” is used as a cooling agent for food items such as ice cream and frozen desserts. It is widely used to keep food cold or frozen without the use of mechanical refrigeration. However, if not handled appropriately, it may risk human health since it sublimes into enormous amounts of carbon dioxide gas, which can cause breathlessness (hypercapnia). As a result, it should be used/exposed to open air in well-ventilated environments.

(With inputs from ANI)

DRDO confirms China was sending military-grade CNC machines to Pakistan, for possible use in nuclear ballistic missile development

OpIndia Staff
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DRDO confirms China was sending military-grade CNC machines to Pakistan, for possible use in nuclear ballistic missile development

On 4th March, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) confirmed that China was sending large Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines to Pakistan that could be used for military applications. Reportedly, a DRDO team submitted its official report to the competent authority in this regard. The cargo originating from China being sent to Pakistan was intercepted by Indian authorities recently as there was a possibility that it could be used in Pakistan’s nuclear weapons programme.

The team from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) examined the consignment, which is primarily suspected of being used in Pakistan’s nuclear initiatives, particularly in manufacturing critical components for missile development.

DRDO was called to check Pakistan-bound cargo seized by Indian authorities

On 2nd March, it was reported that the Malta-flagged merchant ship, CMA CGM Attila, was halted on 23rd January based on intelligence received by customs officials. Upon inspection, they discovered a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine manufactured by an Italian company known for its precision and efficiency when controlled by a computer system.

A team from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) examined the consignment and confirmed its potential use in Pakistan’s nuclear initiatives, particularly in manufacturing critical components for missile development. CNC machines are classified under the Wassenaar Arrangement, an international arms control regime aimed at curbing the spread of items with both civilian and military applications, with India being an active participant. Notably, North Korea has previously used similar CNC machines in its nuclear program.

Investigation into the matter revealed discrepancies in the shipping details, suggesting potential evasion tactics to conceal the true recipients. This incident follows previous seizures of dual-use military-grade items transiting from China to Pakistan, raising concerns about illicit procurement activities.

According to documentation such as bills of lading, the consignor was listed as “Shanghai JXE Global Logistics Co Ltd,” and the consignee was “Pakistan Wings Pvt Ltd” of Sialkot. However, further investigation by security agencies indicated that the 22,180-kilogram consignment was shipped by Taiyuan Mining Import and Export Co Ltd and intended for Cosmos Engineering in Pakistan.

Earlier, Indian authorities intercepted such dual-use military-grade items en route from China to Pakistan. Cosmos Engineering, a Pakistani defence supplier, has been under scrutiny since March 12, 2022, when Indian authorities intercepted a shipment of Italian-made thermoelectric instruments, once again at Nhava Sheva port.

‘My body my choice’: France makes abortion a constitutional right, parliament votes overwhelmingly in favour

ANI
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‘My body my choice’: France makes abortion a constitutional right, parliament votes overwhelmingly in favour

 France became the first nation in the world to enshrine abortion rights in its constitution on Monday, according to CNN.

The proposal was approved by lawmakers in both chambers of the French Parliament, with a vote of 780 to 72 in favour, meeting the necessary three-fifths majority to change the French constitution.

Notably, after the US Supreme Court in 2022 reversed the Roe v. Wade ruling that recognised women’s constitutional right to abortion, a campaign was started in France to explicitly protect the right in its basic law.

The last stage of the parliamentary procedure was the voting on Monday, which took place at the Palace of Versailles, southwest of Paris, during a special assembly of legislators.

The legislation was overwhelmingly passed earlier this year by the French National Assembly and Senate.

According to the amendment, abortion is a “guaranteed freedom” in France.

Legislators and certain groups had pushed for tougher wording that would clearly designate abortion as a “right.”

Hailed by lawmakers as a historic step, the measure demonstrated France’s unwavering support for reproductive rights at a time when abortion rights are under attack in the US and in regions of Europe like Hungary where far-right parties are gaining ground, according to CNN.

“My body, my choice” was illuminated on the Eiffel Tower after the results of the vote.

Before the vote, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal stated that MPs owed women who had previously been compelled to undergo illegal abortions a “moral debt.”

“Above all, we’re sending a message to all women: your body belongs to you,” Attal said.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the government would hold a formal ceremony celebrating the amendment’s passage on Friday, International Women’s Rights Day, CNN reported.

France first legalized abortion in 1975, after a campaign led by then-Health Minister Simone Veil, an Auschwitz survivor who became one of the country’s most famous feminist icons.

According to CNN, while abortion is a highly divisive issue in US politics that often falls along party lines, in France it is widely supported. Many of the lawmakers who voted against the amendment did so not because they opposed abortion, but because they felt the measure was unnecessary, given the wide support for reproductive rights.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Mumbai train blast: Death row convict Siddiqui seeks details of officers who investigated his case, Delhi HC turns down petition

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Mumbai train blast: Death row convict Siddiqui seeks details of officers who investigated his case, Delhi HC turns down petition

The Delhi High Court recently dismissed petitions moved by 7/11 Mumbai Train Blast death convict Ehtesham Qutbuddin Siddiqui seeking information of officers of the Home Ministry who probed the case and gave sanction for his arrest.

The High Court said, “The Information sought may expose these officers to grave danger.” He had also sought information related to an alleged report of the Intelligence Bureau (IB). He also sought information from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).

Justice Subramonium Prasad refused to interfere with the orders of CIC refusing to give information under RTI. The Petitioner had moved petitions through advocate Arpit Bhargava claiming that the personal information can be granted to him because the information has been sought after 20 years from the date of appointment of the officers concerned.

In the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and DoPT cases, the High Court noted that the information as sought by the Petitioner is against the officers who were involved in the investigation and who were also involved in granting sanction to the prosecution relating to the arrest and conviction of the Petitioner.

“The information is of such a nature, if given to the Petitioner, may expose these officers to grave danger,” Justice Prasad held. The High Court noted that the incident for which the Petitioner has been sentenced to the death penalty occurred in the year 2006.

The Court said that admittedly, 20 years have not passed after the date of the incident, and therefore, in any event, the benefit of Section 8(3) of the RTI Act is not available to the Petitioner in the facts of the present case.

“Even if it is assumed that 20 years have passed, in such cases the right of privacy for these officers, who can be exposed to grave risk, cannot be diverged to an accused and that too when the accused has been convicted and sentenced to death penalty,” Justice Prasad pointed out.

The High Court rejected the contention that it would serve the public interest if the information was provided. The Bench said that the Petitioner has not brought out any case as to what public interest would be served by giving such information as sought for by the Petitioner which would outweigh the protected interest under Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act.

The bench observed, “Rather in the facts of this case, the protected interest is in the nature of the danger to the life and property of the officers who were involved in the investigation relating to the Petitioner and that disclosing their information to the Petitioner would certainly outweigh the public interest that has been claimed.”

They dismissed the petitions and said, “As rightly pointed out by the Learned CIC, in the present case, the public interest would lie in not disclosing the names and details of the officers concerned to protect their life and property and there is no public interest in disclosing the details of the officers concerned regarding their appointment, which is sought for by the Petitioner.”

The Petitioner has been convicted and sentenced to the death penalty in the Mumbai Twin Blast known as the 7/11 bomb blast case which took place in the year 2006.

The Petitioner had made an RTI application seeking copies of UPSC forms and other documents related to the appointment of 12 IPS officers who had supervised the investigation relating to the bomb blasts in which the Petitioner had been arrested and convicted.

In another petition, he had made an RTI application seeking copies of the UPSC form and other documents related to the appointment of 4 IAS officers who had accorded sanction to the prosecution related to the arrest and conviction of the Petitioner.

The information was denied by the CPIO, (MHA) and the CPIO, (DoPT) on the ground that the information as sought by the Petitioner is exempted from disclosure under Section 8(1)(j) of the Right to Information Act, 2005.

The appeals thereto were also rejected by the Appellate Authority on the very same ground. The Petitioner before both the CPIOs and the Appellate Authority had taken the ground that the information as sought could not be rejected on the ground that it relates to the personal information of the officers as 20 years had passed since the appointment of the officers was made from the date on which the request for the information has been made.

The Central Information Commission (CIC) rejected the appeal and held that the information sought would encroach upon the right of privacy of the officers concerned. The CIC held that the object of the RTI Act is to ensure transparency and accountability but since the right to privacy is a continuous process such a right to privacy will continue even after 20 years.

In the third petition, it was stated that he had made an RTI application, on September 4, 2017, to the CPIO (IB) seeking a copy of an alleged Intelligence Bureau report, suggesting false implication and arrest of accused persons, placed before the Ministry of Home Affairs in the year 2009 for review of evidence in the bomb blast case.

The information sought was rejected by the CPIO, (MHA), by way of a letter dated September 21, 2017, on the ground that the agency from which the information was sought by the Petitioner is exempted from the purview of the RTI Act under Section 24(1). The information was also denied by the CIC.

The High Court said that the information sought by the Petitioner is on the basis of a newspaper article, published in the year 2009, alleging the existence of an Intelligence Bureau report, suggesting false implication and arrest of accused persons, placed before the MHA for review of evidence in the bomb blast case.

The High Court said that It has been well established, through various judgments of the apex court, that a report or an article published in a newspaper is considered only heresy evidence and such a newspaper report, or article, is not a document through which an allegation of fact can be proven.

“This court is of the opinion that no such gross error has occurred by the CIC in their adjudication of the order. The premise on which the Petitioner is relying, the publishing of such a newspaper article, cannot be taken as gospel truth. Affidavits have been filed by responsible officers in the Court stating that no such report exists. This Court has no reason to disbelieve the affidavit of the Respondent, Justice Prasad said.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Govt launches new portal ‘Chaksu’ to allow citizens to report suspected fraudulent communications

OpIndia Staff
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Govt launches new portal ‘Chaksu’ to allow citizens to report suspected fraudulent communications

On Monday, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) unveiled two new technological initiatives to enhance the fight against mobile-based scams. Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed the introduction of ‘Chakshu’, a platform empowering citizens to report suspected fraudulent communications from mobile numbers through calls, SMS, or popular social media apps like WhatsApp.

Additionally, he highlighted that the DoT’s Sanchar Sathi Portal will soon be accessible through a mobile application.

Spam Reporting Platform

Incorporated into the DoT’s Sanchar Sathi portal, ‘Chakshu’ will initiate re-verification processes for suspected fraudulent numbers. If re-verification fails, the number will be disconnected. The DoT has assured that usernames and details of both suspected numbers and reporters will be kept confidential and not shared with anyone.

Digital Intelligence Platform

The government has introduced a new Digital Intelligence Platform, providing a unified space for banks, payment wallets, social media platforms, and Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) to share data on suspected fraudulent connections. Banks and payment wallets can cross-check their databases against the master list to prevent fraud.

Grievance Redressal Portal

Additionally, the government is developing a grievance redressal portal for reporting connections mistakenly disconnected through the Sanchar Sathi portal, according to DoT officials. Launched in May last year, the portal is the government’s primary tool for safeguarding mobile phone users against various frauds such as identity theft, forged KYC, and handset theft.

Collaboration with RBI and Department of Financial Services DoT officials also mentioned collaboration with the Reserve Bank of India and the Department of Financial Services to return the frozen ₹1,008 crore in suspected accounts back to the citizens.

TRAI’s Calling Name Presentation (CNAP)

Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the DoT will review TRAI’s recommendations regarding the proposed Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service. CNAP aims to allow users to see the registered name associated with incoming calls.

Vaishnaw emphasized the importance of user safety and privacy, stating, “As a user, it is my right to know who is calling me. It is important for people who are calling to at least identify themselves.” Regarding unsolicited commercial communication, the Minister informed that 1.9 lakh text message headers have been blacklisted after analyzing 35 lakh headers.

Mohammad and 2 others arrested after forensics confirmed ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans were raised in Vidhana Soudha; Zubair had denied claims

OpIndia Staff
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Mohammad and 2 others arrested after forensics confirmed ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans were raised in Vidhana Soudha; Zubair had denied claims

On Monday (4th March), Bengaluru Police arrested three people for raising ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans inside the Vidhana Soudha after a Congress candidate won the Rajya Sabha elections last week. The arrests come after the forensic report confirmed that the video of the said incident was not doctored and that pro-Pakistan slogans were indeed raised in the assembly, India Today reported.

The arrested accused have been identified as Ilthaz, Munavar, and Mohammad Shafi. According to the News18 report, DCP Central, Bengaluru City Police said, “All three arrests are based on FSL report, circumstantial evidence, witness statements, and other evidence.” 

Notably, on 27th February, pro-Pakistan slogans were raised inside the Vidhana Soudha after Congress leader Syed Naseer Hussain registered a victory in the Rajya Sabha elections. The video of the incident went viral on the internet last month in which some supporters of the Congress leader could be heard shouting “Pakistan zindabad” in the Karnataka assembly to celebrate Hussain’s victory. 

A day later, on 28th February, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar retweeted a post claiming that ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans were raised in the Karnataka state assembly after the re-election of Hussain in the Rajya Sabha polls.

Congress and ecosystem peddled claim that slogans raised were ‘Nasir saab zindabad’

However, the Congress party, its ecosystem, and notorious fake news peddler Md. Zubair had peddled the claim that Congress workers were only raising slogans for Hussain, chanting ‘Nasir saab zindabad’.

Meanwhile, on 29th February, BJP MLAs staged a protest in the Karnataka Assembly demanding the arrest of the culprits who chanted pro-Pakistan slogans.

Following massive outrage, the Siddaramaiah-led government was forced to order a probe by a government-run forensic science laboratory (FSL) to check the veracity of the claims that pro-Pakistan slogans were raised or not.

He said that the state government has forwarded the audio recording to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and assured that action will be taken once the report is received.

He said, “As I have told you already the government is committed, we’ll not spare any person once the report comes. We have given it to FSL. We’ll take action once the report comes.”

Subsequently, the forensic report confirmed that the video of the said incident was not doctored and that pro-Pakistan slogans were indeed raised in the assembly, as reported by India Today.

Later, the BJP cited a report of a private forensic science laboratory named Clue4 Evidence Forensic Investigations Private Limited that indicated that the “Pakistan Zindabad” slogan was shouted in the Vidhana Soudha. The forensic report stated that the examined video of the incident is “not tampered/ doctored in between and is a result of single capture”.

Karnataka Home Minister targets private lab for FSL report confirming ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ sloganeering

However, the Congress party rejected the report alleging that the government does not consider private reports. 

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara went further and went after the laboratory asking who permitted it to do the same. “We will find out with whose permission he has done it, who gave him ‘No Objection Certificate’ and is he authorised to make such reports public,” PTI quoted him as saying.

However, as per the News18 report, the DCP while confirming the arrest stated that the arrests have been carried out based on evidence including the FSL report and witness statements.  

Mohammed Zubair and Congress had claimed ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans weren’t raised

Notably, after the state unit of BJP flagged the issue, dubious ‘fact-checker’ Mohammed Zubair claimed otherwise and was supported by several Congress leaders including the son of President of the Indian National Congress Mallikarjun Kharge and Karnataka Minister of Information and Technology Priyank Kharge as well as party’s Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Singh Surjewala among others. However, the local police acknowledged the allegations and started an inquiry that proved the authenticity of the controversial clip.

Delhi HC rejects Mahua Moitra’s plea to restrain BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai from posting alleged defamatory content

Shraddha Pandey
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Delhi HC rejects Mahua Moitra’s plea to restrain BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai from posting alleged defamatory content

On Monday (4th March), the Delhi High Court refused to stop BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai from posting allegedly derogatory comments about Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra on social media. In the defamation suit Moitra filed against Dubey and Dehadrai about the “cash for query” allegations, Justice Sachin Datta denied Moitra interim relief. On December 20, last year, the court reserved judgment on Moitra’s motion for an ad interim injunction.

”I’ve dismissed the injunction application,” Justice Datta said.

The former TMC MP sued Dubey and Dehadrai for defamation after they claimed Moitra posed questions in parliament and exchanged her parliament account login details with Hiranandani in exchange for favours and pricey presents.

In light of these allegations, the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee recommended Moitra’s expulsion from the lower house, and she was ousted from parliament on December 8, 2023.

Moitra has denied the charges, claiming that Hiranandani is her friend and there was no quid pro quo. She claimed that the allegations were part of a ‘political vendetta’.

Dehadrai and Dubey, on the other hand, claimed that Moitra provided Hiranandani full access to her online Lok Sabha account, which he used to post parliamentary questions to his liking. It was reported that 50 of the 61 questions Mahua Moitra asked in parliament were by Hiranandani.

Reacting on the Court’s decision, Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai wrote on X, “Grateful to the Hon’ble High Court.”

Speaking to ANI, Dehadrai said, “I am very grateful that the interim application that had been filed against me and MP Nishikant Dubey has been dismissed today. This was a completely malafide attempt by certain individuals who wanted to silence us from speaking the truth about their corrupt, crooked activities. I remain committed to this fight. The real actor behind all of this, apart from the person who filed this, is a man from Odisha…I am grateful that this has happened today. The matter is sub-judice, so for me to say anything else beyond this is inappropriate…”

“But having said that, I’m extremely happy and grateful to the High Court for recognizing that free speech in a situation like this, where brazen acts of corruption have been disclosed by a citizen, should be protected. So to that extent, I’m extremely grateful to the High Court for protecting my right to free speech. And, of course, that of Nishikant Dubey, who’s also a member of parliament…” Dehadrai continued.

Mahuagate: TMC MP Mahua Moitra faces allegations of ‘cash for query’

On 8th December 2023, Lok Sabha expelled Trinamool Congress’s MP Mahua Moitra based on the recommendations of the Ethics Committee in a cash-for-query case. Moitra was expelled hours after the Ethics Committee report was tabled in Lok Sabha.

On 14th October last year, the Indian political scene experienced a major tremor as BJP MP Nishkant Dubey wrote to the ethics committee seeking an inquiry against TMC MP Mahua Moitra in the ‘Cash for Query’ matter. He based his complaint on the letter written by Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai, who alleged that most of the questions asked by the TMC MP in Lok Sabha directly or indirectly benefit businessman Darshan Hiranandani. Dehadrai also accused Moitra of “kidnapping” his pet dog Henry, adding another layer of complications to Mahuagate.

Moitra filed a case against Dubey and Dehadrai but never denied accepting gifts. Interestingly, she has also been accused of sharing her Lok Sabha credentials with Hiranandani so he can post questions independently. Hiranandani has reportedly turned approver in the case and submitted an affidavit suggesting the allegations against Moitra are true.

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