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CBI summons OSD to Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot and Congress MLA Krishna Poonia for questioning in SHO Vishnudutt Vishnoi suicide case

OpIndia Staff
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CBI summons OSD to Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot and Congress MLA Krishna Poonia for questioning in SHO Vishnudutt Vishnoi suicide case

The CBI Tuesday summoned OSD to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Deva Ram Saini, and Congress MLA Krishna Poonia in connection with the alleged suicide by the state police officer (SHO) Vishnudutt Vishnoi on May 23. A team of special crime unit of the CBI from Delhi is in Jaipur to record statements in connection with the death of Vishnoi, who was SHO of Rajgarh. 

According to reports, Saini was summoned to the CBI office in Jaipur at 10 am today. Following his questioning, the CBI is also likely to question Congress MLA and former Indian athlete Krishna Poonia again. The agency had on Monday evening questioned Congress MLA Krishna Poonia for nearly three hours at her home in Jaipur. It is pertinent to note here that Vishnoi’s family and colleagues had alleged that the SHO was under pressure from the Congress MLA Krishna Poonia, which led to his suicide.

Vishnudutt Vishnoi suicide case handed over to CBI

The case was handed over to the CBI after pressure was created on the Rajasthan Congress government from all quarters. On May 28, former Union minister Col Rajyavardhan Rathore had also written a to Rajashthan CM Ashok Gehlot demanding a CBI probe into the suicide case. Prior to Col Rajyavardhan Rathore, Rashtriya Loktantrik Party had also demanded a CBI probe in the suicide case of a police inspector.

SHO suicide case: political pressure alleged

Vishnudutt Vishnoi, who was posted as the SHO of Rajgarh police station in Churu, had committed suicide by hanging himself in his quarter on May 23. His alleged suicide had kicked up a political storm in the state of Rajasthan, as his brother and colleagues had pinned the blame of the alleged suicide on Congress MLA Krishna Poonia, a charge which she had denied.

The SHO’s brother had filed a complaint with the Rajasthan police alleging that the former was under pressure which led him to take this drastic step. Two suicide note were recovered from Vishnoi. One was addressed to the SP of the Churu district, while the other was for his parents. In the one addressed to the Churu SP, Vishnoi had revealed that he was not being able to bear the pressure created around him.

Earlier, Vishnoi had also sent messages to his lawyer friend Govardhan Singh on WhatsApp saying that he has been trapped in the whirlpool of dirty politics.

On the basis of the suicide note and allegations of family members and staff in the police station that Vishnoi was under pressure, a case under section 306 of IPC (abetment to suicide) was registered at the Rajgarh Police Station.

HC orders for detailed report from Punjab govt after sons allege father was alive after body swap amid coronavirus outbreak

OpIndia Staff
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HC orders for detailed report from Punjab govt after sons allege father was alive after body swap amid coronavirus outbreak

Amidst the Chinese coronavirus pandemic, several cases of administrative negligence have come to light. Two brothers have now reportedly moved the Punjab and Harayana High Court after they were handed the corpse of a 37-year-old woman instead of their 92-year-old father for cremation. As per the report, Gurcharanjit Singh and his brother alleged that their father was alive and was being treated at the same Guru Nanak Dev Hospital as that of the woman in Amritsar.

The woman’s family cremated the body they had received without checking. However, the man’s family was shocked when they saw that the body handed over to them was not of their father but a woman.

Justice Vivek Puri asked the Counsel appearing for the State to authenticate the details of the case and file a detailed response in the matter. He has also issued notices to the State and other respondents. The High Court was then adjourned till July 22. Reportedly, the father of the petitioners, Pritam Singh, was diagnosed with the Wuhan Coronavirus on July 1. He was then shifted to an isolation ward at Rayat Bahra University in Hoshiarpur before being admitted to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital on July 5.

As per the report, the petitioners received a message on July 18 that their father had passed away the previous day at 11 pm. The duo was handed the body of the deceased via an ambulance at Mukerian. However, they later discovered that the dead body belonged to a woman when they uncovered the body bag.

Administrative negligence by hospital

The petitioners informed the Court that the body of the woman was shifted to a morgue in Mukerian. They were hopeful that their father was alive and being treated at the said hospital. Their counsel emphasised that it was a part of the standard operating procedure (SOP) to show the face of the patient prior to performing the last rites. ADC Himanshu Agarwal has informed that he has learnt about the incident and has sought authentication from the hospital administration.

N-95 masks may not stop the virus if worn by an already infected person, govt issues advisory against its use

OpIndia Staff
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N-95 masks may not stop the virus if worn by an already infected person, govt issues advisory against its use

The Director-General of Health Services, Ministry of Health, has issued a stern warning that the use of N-95 masks with valved respirators can be detrimental to prevention measures adapted against the spread of the novel coronavirus. 

“The use of valved respirator N95 masks is undesirable to the measures adopted for preventing spread of coronavirus as it doesn’t prevent the virus from escaping out of the mask,” the Director-General, Dr Rajiv Garg, warned in a letter to states and union territories.

He also added that states and union territories should encourage their citizens to use homemade cloth masks, which can be made by following the guidelines listed by the Health Ministry. 

The central government had earlier issued advisory for making effective masks at home to battle the spread of coronavirus. The advisory said that any cotton cloth can be used to create a protective cover. However, it added that the cloth must be cleansed and boiled in hot water for at least 5 minutes. It should then be completely dried out to be used as a face mask. The advisory also added that the makers should ensure that the masks prepared at home covers the face completely, not leaving any gap on the sides. The masks should be washed and cleaned daily.

The recommendation came amidst rising concerns over the ineffectiveness of the valved masks to stop the spread of the virus. 

The letter written by DGHS to all state governments, image via Twitter

Valved masks enable transmission of virus into the environment

Valved masks are typically used in industrial settings, where a user needs protection from the environment. While the masks filter in the air that the user inhales, the valves help release exhaled air back into the environment.

The valved mask can effectively prevent the user from contracting the virus but could result in harming others if the one wearing it is already infected by the virus. 

The letter asserts that only designated health workers should use the N-95 mask and not the general public.

US CDC issues warning against the usage of valved N-95 masks

Even the United States CDC has issued a warning that the use of masks with exhalation valves could potentially exacerbate the sterile environment that is used to contain the dissemination of the virus. The CDC website also recommends that people should use cloth coverings or cloth masks when social distancing is not avoidable because it will help prevent the spread of the virus.

NCW urges NCPCR to look into the rape and murder of BJP leader’s minor sister in Dinajpur, WB

OpIndia Staff
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NCW urges NCPCR to look into the rape and murder of BJP leader’s minor sister in Dinajpur, WB

On July 19 (Sunday) it was reported that a BJP booth President’s minor sister was allegedly abducted from her home, raped and murdered in Chopragaj in Uttar Dinajpur in West Bengal. Today, the National Commission for Women chief Rekha Sharma took to Twitter to urge National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) to take cognisance of the rape and murder of the 15-year-old. She said that since the girl was a minor, NCPCR should look into the matter and take immediate action. The NCPCR has taken cognisance of the matter and sought probe.

NCW chief, Rekha Sharma was responding to Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad’s (ABVP) statement on the incident. ABVP in its press release, dated July 20, 2020, demanded immediate arrest of the culprits involved in the gruesome rape and murder of the 15-year-old girl.

In the press release, the student organisation accentuated how the state’s lady chief minister, Mamata Banerjee has failed to protect girls from her party karyakartas. Pinning the blame of the heinous crime on a few “TMC sponsored Muslim goons”, ABVP wrote that this scenario is omnipresent in the entire state of West Bengal. It said that the ruling TMC is sponsoring such crimes. Moreover, what is most appalling is that after committing such heinous crimes, these criminals are getting protection from the state police, read the press release.

Saying so, the ABVP furthered that they have launched a massive protest all over the district, demanding immediate arrest of the perpetrators.

West Bengal police claim there was no rape and the minor girl died of poisoning

Yesterday, the West Bengal police had claimed that there were no signs of physical or sexual assault and that the 15-year-old sister of the BJP leader had died due to consumption of poison. The WB police took to Twitter to reveal that according to the autopsy report, no injury marks were found anywhere on the body of the minor girl. They, thus concluded that as per the post mortem report cause of death is “effect of poison”. 

A report by India Today also quoted a highly placed sources in the district as saying that there is no mention of any kind of injury or any attempt of sexual advances in the post mortem report.

The family of the teen, meanwhile, claimed that the girl was gang-raped and murdered.

BJP accused Trinamool Congress worker Feroze Ali

BJP leaders had accused West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress worker Feroze Ali to be behind the gruesome act. BJP General Secretary (Uttar Dinajpur) Surjit Sen said that Trinamool Congress is behind the abduction, rape, and murder of the minor girl. The official handle of the BJP unit of West Bengal had tweeted that the 15-year-old girl was raped by one Feroze Ali. 

What transpired

In what transpired on July 19, the 15-year-old sister of a BJP booth President went missing. She was reportedly taken to an abandoned place near Chopragaj in Sonarpur Gram Panchayat. The 10th std student was then, allegedly raped and poisoned by the perpetrators. The criminals fled the scene after dumping her body at the abandoned place which is located close to her house. After the girl went missing, locals began searching for her. She was found in an unconscious state at the deserted place. She was rushed to a primary healthcare centre in Chopragaj’s Dalua block. When her condition deteriorated, she was admitted to Islampur Sub-Divisional Hospital where she was declared dead.

700 Sikhs, Hindus from Afghanistan to be allowed to come and live in India: Reports

OpIndia Staff
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700 Sikhs, Hindus from Afghanistan to be allowed to come and live in India: Reports

Days after an abducted Sikh leader was finally released in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has reportedly approved long-term visas to 700 Sikh and Hindus currently living in Afghanistan. According to Kashmiri journalist Aditya Raj Kaul, such long-term visas are granted only to persecuted minorities in the region.

As per the report, the Indian government is fulfilling all necessary formalities to bring the said Afghan nationals to India before Independence Day. The report noted that about 600 Sikhs had applied for such long-term visas to India after the attack on Gurudwara that occurred on March 25 this year and left 27 dead.

A government official informed, “To begin with, over 700 such individuals have been identified and the required formalities are underway to bring them to India before 15 August.” Reportedly, the Afghan minorities who will arrive in India include those who have received security threats and have relatives in India.

It is notable here that there are very few Sikh and Hindu communities left in Afghanistan’s Muslim majority regions controlled mostly by Islamic hardliners. India’s CAA last year had eased the process for persecuted minorities in neighbouring Islamic countries to gain Indian citizenship.

Abducted Sikh leader released in Afghanistan

India had earlier thanked the Afghan leadership for its efforts in facilitating the release of 55-year-old Nidan Singh Sachdeva, an Afghan Sikh community leader. He was abducted a month ago from a gurudwara in the Pakita province of Afghanistan and got released on Saturday.

Anurag Sachdeva, spokesperson Ministry of External Affairs expressed appreciation to the Afghan leadership, security forces and tribal elders. The Indian government has hinted that if he applies for Indian citizenship under Citizen Amendment Act, the government will process the request. Sachdeva had moved to India in the 1990s with his family and is eligible for Indian citizenship. 

This Rakshabandhan, people go vocal for local, willing to pay little more for made in India Rakhis

OpIndia Staff
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This Rakshabandhan, people go vocal for local, willing to pay little more for made in India Rakhis

The festival of Rakshabandhan is going to be celebrated on 3rd August this year. While everyone is preparing for the festival in their own way, there is an anti-Chinese sentiment that is gripping the market. In the last few years, China-made Rakhis and other products essential for the festival like Thaali, gifts etc. have captured a significant share in the market.

Amid the backdrop of the faceoff between China and India in Galwan, the anti-Chinese sentiment among buyers and sellers have started to show its effect as the demand of locally produced Rakhis etc. have increased. In a report, ANI mentioned that buyers are showing interest in local products. Quoting a shopkeeper in Ahmedabad, the news agency said that buyers are willing to pay a higher price for Indian products instead of Chinese.

Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan and “Vocal for Local”

PM Modi’s call for Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan in which he asked the citizens of India to become “Vocal for Local” products is playing an essential role in increasing local production of different products and services. Starting from Saawan, there will be a long festival season in India, and several festivals including Rakshabandhan, Navratri, Janmashtmi, Ganesh Chaturthi, Vijay Dashmi, Diwali and many others will be celebrated. In all these festivals, local artists, as well as The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), are working extensively to promote India-made products.

Swadeshi Rakhi initiative by BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi 

On 16th July, BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi  started an initiative to promote “Swadeshi Rakhi.” She said that Rakshabandhan is a festival of sisters and this initiative is for the sisters and by the sisters. “Today, China does a business of Rs. 400 crore on the festival of Raksha Bandhan. If we, the people of India, pledge to buy Rakhi made by our sisters, it will create numerous opportunities as well as support for these workers,” she added.

Over one lakh Rakhis made by self-help groups in Madhya Pradesh

Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Indore Shankar Lalwani has recently announced that he is arranging one lakh indigenous Rakhis with the help of NGOs for Rakshabandhan. He said, “After PM Modi’s appeal to make India self-reliant, we are constructing one lakh indigenous Rakhis with the help of women associated with 22 NGOs of the city so that the local market I can challenge the Chinese as well as the Chinese as well.” The amount collected by selling these Rakhis will be distributed among the NGOs that prepared the Rakhis.

Traditional Rakhis by Tribal artists in Jharkhand

Tribal artists at Kalamandir in Jamshedpur are using traditional items to make Rakhis and other products for Rakshabandhan. Amitabh Ghosh, Convener Kalamandir, said that the Rakhis are of high-quality. They are made using traditional methods and will be available at an affordable price so that they can become a well-worthy alternative for the Chinese Rakhis. He said, “People are calling it Swadeshi rakhi, Jharkhandi rakhi, but I call them traditional rakhis. But it remains to be seen whether the shopkeepers will sell these over the Chinese ones. If we are able to provide a good product at cheap rates, the market will not look towards Chinese made rachis.”

The artists of Kalamandir also prepared masks and used the traditional patterns and material to sell during Covid-19 pandemic. They are trying to use less plastic to ensure there is no environmental impact of their products. These Rakhis are being promoted on the social media platform and getting a good response. Till date, they have prepared more than 11,000 Rakhis.

Rajasthan’s bid for “Vocal for Local”

Various artists and NGOs in Rajasthan have started manufacturing ‘desi’ Rakhis and gifts for Rakshabandhan. An NGO Sparsh Sansthan from Banswara is among the top producers of Rakhis in Rajasthan this year. Swati Jain, the founder of the NGO, said, “On this Raksha Bandan day, all sisters will pledge to use India made goods and shall boycott China-made goods while tying rakhis on their brothers’ wrists.”

Shrigopesh Panchgayvashala and Research Centre is also helping in reducing the market share of China during the Rakshabandhan. Himani, who is among the team that is making Rakhis at the centre said, “Following the ‘Vocal for Local’ call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are making rakhis which can be sown in pots or gardens after their use.” They have placed a Tulsi seen in the Rakhi and it will be a much better alternative to the plastic-based Chinese Rakhis that pose a threat to the environment.

NGOs and local administrations in almost every state are encouraging local artists to make Rakhis and gift items for Rakshabandhan and other upcoming festivals.

‘The way Urban Naxals protect terrorists, they now protect movie mafia’: Kangana Ranaut hits out on Anurag Kashyap, Swara Bhaskar

OpIndia Staff
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‘The way Urban Naxals protect terrorists, they now protect movie mafia’: Kangana Ranaut hits out on Anurag Kashyap, Swara Bhaskar

Actress Kangana Ranaut has stirred the hornet’s nest by hitting out at the vicious lobby and movie mafia that had monopolised the film industry, post the untimely demise of Sushant Singh Rajput. She has been vocal about favouritism and nepotism in the industry. Since her stand against nepotism has gained popular support, the particular ‘gangs’ and their stooges have sprung up to dismiss Kangana’s claims. Kangana has been under a barrage of attacks from all sides.

In an interview with the Republic TV, Kangana Ranaut had alleged that the Bollywood industry has several ‘bootlicking outsiders’ who suck up to those that reap the benefits of nepotism. “Bootlickers face no problem in any part of the world. In Bollywood, they include the likes of Taapsee Pannu and Swara Bhaskar. When I was fighting for their rights, they stood against me,” Kangana emphasised.

She added that the kind of movies that these ‘bootlickers’ take part in fell in the category of feature films, the trend of which was started by her in 2014 with the movie ‘Queen’. “They call me extremist. They say that my experience in life is weird. They claim that I am jobless and talk against nepotism because I do not get work. And these comments are made by outsiders like Taapsee Pannu and Swara Bhaskar for whom I fight. Bootlickers indeed face no problem anywhere,” she remarked.

Her comments did not go down well with Swara Bhaskar who then mocked the ‘Manikarnika’ actress on Twitter. Bhaskar wrote, “Pather Panchali movie which gave birth to the parallel cinema in India was started in 1955 by Kangana. In 2013, she initiated the trend of feminist films with the movie Queen. But, most importantly, she got us independence in 1947. I am an ignorant yet an outsider, reaping the benefits of bootlicking “

Kangana Ranaut stumps Swara Bhaskar

Through her tweet, Swara Bhaskar suggested that Kangana has been taking ‘undue credit’ by claiming that she was the frontrunner of feminist films and parallel cinema. However, the latter then responded by conceding that while such films were made during the golden era of Bollywood, it eventually died out after the underworld turned the industry into a stinking gutter. She added that the revival of such films was indeed her initiative which began in 2014.

Kangana emphasised, “None of you were born in the golden era of Indian cinema, after Gangsters mafias and Dons took over the industry it became big stinking gutter and feminism and parallel cinema awakening happened with Queen 2014 if not please correct us when it happened?”

Kangana’s response to Anurag Kashyap

Citing a ‘dangerous’ interview that was aired just after the release of Manikarnika, director Anurag Kashyap went on a hysterical tirade against her. He claimed, “The addiction of success misleads everyone, including insiders and outsiders. See me, be like me. I have never seen Kangana make these comments before 2014. Anyone who disagrees with her now becomes a bootlicker.” He then accused her of cutting out the role of crew members and co-actors. “Everyone who worked with her before now runs away from her,” Kashyap claimed.

He added that Kangana is now alone is being exploited by fake people, while none who are close to her are being able to see what is happening with her. In a veiled ‘warning’, Kashyap wrote to Kangana that everyone is using her and even her family is not able to see and do anything about it.

She responded, “Here is mini Mahesh Bhatt telling Kangana she is all alone and surrounded by fake people who are using her, anti-nationals, urban Naxals the way they protect terrorists now protecting movie mafia.” It is notable here that Kangana had earlier spoken about how Mahesh Bhat and Javed Akhtar had tried to emotionally harass her, and also hinting that some powerful persons in the industry work actively to drive some artists to commit suicide.

Kangana Ranaut lambasts ‘movie mafia’

Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut speaking to Republic Media Network’s Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami had opened up on the latest controversy over the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput and the role of the ‘movie mafia’ behind the systematic discrimination in the movie industry which could have resulted in the death of the 34-year-old actor. Earlier, the actress had called out the stooges of the movie mafia who dawn the cloak of journalists to carry out ’emotional, psychological & mental lynching.’ 

Pakistan threatens to ban Chinese app TikTok over ‘obscene and immoral’ content, suspends PUBG temporarily

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan threatens to ban Chinese app TikTok over ‘obscene and immoral’ content, suspends PUBG temporarily

The Chinese video sharing platform TikTok is yet in another controversy in the neighbouring country. On Monday night, Pakistan banned video-sharing app Bigo and threatened a ban on TikTok after receiving numerous complaints regarding ‘obscene and immoral’ content. TikTok gained quick popularity in Pakistan in the last year. A civil miscellaneous application was filed against the app in the Lahore High Court demanding a blanket ban on the application.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) issued a statement on Monday and said that they have received complaints against apps like TikTok and Bigo from various segments of the society. The complaints alleged that immoral, vulgar and obscene content had become “normal” on these social media apps.

The statement said, “PTA had issued necessary notices to the aforementioned social media companies under the law to moderate the socialisation and content within legal and moral limits, in accordance with the laws of the country.” The PTA alleged that the response they received from TikTok and Bigo officials was ‘not satisfactory’.

Last week, advocate Nadeem Sarwar on behalf of the petitioner said in the plea that the app had become a source of pornographic material shared by users for the sake of fame and rating on social media. The app is used by some anti-social elements to allegedly leak personal videos and intimate photos of female TikTok users in Pakistan. The petitioner called it “great mischief of modern times.”

PTA used its powers under The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (PECA) and immediately banned Bigo. They have also issued a final warning to TikTok to take necessary steps to control the content on the platform. They said, “A final warning to TikTok to put in place a comprehensive mechanism to control obscenity, vulgarity and immorality through its social media application.”

PUBG suspended temporarily

PTA also suspended online game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) temporarily earlier this month. At that time, PTA stated that they received several complaints that it is a waste of time and may harm children’s physical and psychological health. Multiple petitions were filed to lift the suspension.

Digital rights groups in Pakistan said that PTA has no legal ground to ban the game. In a statement issued by Bolo Bhi, they said, “While section 37 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 gives PTA the authority to block “unlawful online content”, even an undesirable narrow interpretation of the section does not warrant blocking a video game for the reasons cited by the PTA.” Fawad Chaudhry, Science and Technology Minister, also opposed the ban and said it is killed the tech industry.

Chaudhry Fawad Hussain’s statement against app ban in Pakistan

In June, India banned TikTok and 58 other Chinese apps in the backdrop of allegations of stealing personal information of the users. It is believed that the faceoff in Galwan valley was also among the reasons that triggered the ban on the Chinese apps in India.

Did you feel sympathy for Pakistan after watching Raazi? ‘Calling Sehmat’ author exposes how that was done by Bollywood

OpIndia Staff
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Did you feel sympathy for Pakistan after watching Raazi? ‘Calling Sehmat’ author exposes how that was done by Bollywood

‘Calling Sehmat’ author Harinder Sikka on Monday took to Twitter to expose how Raazi, the Alia Bhatt film based on the book, had a different ending than his book.

Responding to a comment on his debate on Republic TV, Sikka said that the ending of the movie was different from the book and the director, Meghna Gulzar changed it to appease the Pakistanis. In the movie, one can see that the female protagonist Sehmat, played by Alia Bhatt, who plays the role of the Indian spy in Pakistan, is upset that the Indian intelligence agencies ‘used’ her services. She is shown to be having regret for exposing Pakistan Army’s plans of attacking India ahead of the 1971 India-Pakistan war which ended with Bangladesh being carved into an independent nation. He further said that in reality, Sehmat, the Indian spy, believed that nothing before the nation. Sehmat had killed her husband in the Pakistani Army in her line of duty while collecting intelligence and escaped to return to India shortly later. In the movie, Sehmat can be seen having a remorse while breaking down after killing him.

He said that Sehmat, the actual hero, was not depressed on her return. He reiterated that Meghna Gulzar intentionally changed the narrative to appease the Pakistanis.

Harinder Sikka exposes how Bollywood lobby operates

As the nepotism and ‘Bollywood mafia’ debate rages on, Calling Sehmat author, on whose book the film ‘Raazi’ was based, exposed how the prominent figures in Bollywood resort to ugly lobbying. In a Republic TV debate, Sikka alleged that since Meghna Gulzar wanted all the credits for Raazi for herself and the Bollywood mafia gang did not want an ‘outsider’ like Sikka to win any awards or accolades.

Karnataka: ‘Drone boy’ Prathap arrested for breaking quarantine rules

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka: ‘Drone boy’ Prathap arrested for breaking quarantine rules

Prathap N.M., the now-infamous “drone expert”, has been arrested by the Thalaghattapura Police for violating quarantine rules in Mysuru on Monday. He was applauded by many for his “achievements” but later landed in a controversy over the claims he made. Neither there were online records of his achievements nor were his scientific claims adding up.

On 15th July, he had recently travelled from Bihar to Hyderabad and moved to Bengaluru where he lives in his house in Thalaghattapura. He had been directed by the local administration to stay in home isolation for 14 days. However, on 16th July, with no regards to the regulations in place due to pandemic, he left his house. He went to the studio of a private Kannada television channel in Bengaluru. An interview was scheduled for him in that studio to counter the allegations against him for faking his ‘achievements’ after an extensive investigative report by OpIndia.

On 19th July, when health officials visited his house, they learnt that he was not home and his phone was switched off as well. The Thalaghattapura Police registered a case and formed three teams to arrest him. When police found that he was in Mysuru, a team from Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and Thalaghattapura police station reached there on Monday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Prakash Gowda said that he was arrested from Mandi Mohalla in Mysuru and taken back to Bangaluru. Violating quarantine rules is a bailable offence. Police said that he would be released and sent to institutional quarantine. Action against him will be taken once his quarantine period is over. If found guilty by the court, he may end up spending up to a year in jail or pay fine.

In the last few months, Prathap was hailed by many channels, news portals etc. for his extraordinary skills of building drones from electronic waste. When OpIndia tried to confirm his achievements, it was established that things were not lining up. There was no photo or video available of the drones he made. All the photographs with drones appeared to be commercially produced drones by some of the leading companies in the field. His claims for the awards and recognitions were also found to be fake. He went to the studio to counter the expose, but he miserably failed to explain the basic science behind the drones.

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