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Uttar Pradesh: Muslim occultist abducts minor in Meerut, media calls him ‘Tantrik’

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Muslim occultist abducts minor in Meerut, media calls him ‘Tantrik’

In the early hours of 10th January, a Muslim occult practitioner named Rashid lured a 17-year-old Hindu girl and abducted her. An FIR has been filed based on the complaint of the girl’s father at Kithore police station in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. Reportedly, the accused Rashid is a father of six. The girl’s family and locals have demanded strict action against the accused. According to media reports, the brother and two women from the accused’s family have been arrested, while the main accused is still on the run.

The incident came to light on 10th January when the girl’s father approached the police to file a complaint in the matter. The next day, villagers arrived at the SSP office to stage a protest, alleging police inaction. The victim’s family stated that Rashid has previously served jail time for murder. They accused Rashid of convincing the minor girl to leave home with him. Furthermore, they informed the police that the girl took ₹5.93 lakh in cash, eight tolas of gold jewellery, and expensive clothing with her. Witnesses stated they saw the girl leaving with Rashid at around 4 AM.

An investigation has been launched into the matter by Meerut police. Additional personnel, including PAC, have been deployed in the village to maintain law and order. Speaking to the media, Meerut SP (Rural) Rakesh Kumar Mishra confirmed that an FIR has been registered in the case, and three individuals, including family members of Rashid, have been arrested. He said, “Efforts are underway to locate the girl and apprehend the accused.”

Content of the FIR

OpIndia accessed a copy of the FIR registered under Section 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in the matter. According to the complaint filed by the victim’s father, at around 4 AM, his 17-year-old daughter was lured and taken away by Rashid, a resident of Bahroda village. A local villager witnessed the incident.

When the girl left the house, everyone was sleeping. When they woke up, they realised that the girl was missing. They waited for some time, thinking she would return. When they inquired about her in the locality, the witness informed the father that he saw the girl leaving with Rashid.

The complainant said that he feared Rashid might harm his daughter and requested the police to take immediate action.

Gurjar activist Nagendra Gurjar Rachauti announces bounty against Rashid

On 11th January, Gurjar activist Nagendra Gurjar Rachauti released a video statement announcing a bounty of ₹50,000 for anyone who brings Rashid in, dead or alive. In his statement, Nagendra said that Rashid had made a grave mistake by luring a Gurjar minor girl and urged members of the Gurjar community to locate him at the earliest.

Statement by Meerut Police

In a video statement, Meerut SP (Rural) said, “”On the night of 9th/10th, their daughter was taken away by a man named Rashid, a resident of the same village. The police promptly took cognisance of the matter, registered a case, and on the following day, 11th January, three family members of the accused who were aiding him were arrested and sent to jail under judicial custody. Through surveillance and other means, we have obtained some leads, and two police teams have been deployed to ensure the girl’s swift recovery. As a precautionary measure, PAC and additional police forces have been stationed in the village.”

Media portals use the word ‘Tantrik’ for accused, wrongly indicating Hindu practices

While the accused in the case is a Muslim man named Rashid, several media houses have used the term “Tantrik,” a word typically associated with Hindu practices. OpIndia identified at least five Hindi media outlets that referred to Rashid as a “Tantrik” in their headlines. In its report, Aaj Tak used the word “Tantrik” without mentioning that the accused is a Muslim in the headline.

Source: Aaj Tak

Dainik Bhaskar also used the word “Tantrik” but did not mention the accused is a Muslim in the headline.

Source: Dainik Bhaskar

ETV Bharat mentioned name of the accused but used the word “Tantrik” with it.

Source: ETV Bharat

TV9 though mentioned that the accused is a Muslim, but went ahead to use the word “Tantrik”.

Source: TV 9

Hindi newspaper Hindustan used “Tantrik” in the headline without mentioning the accused is a Muslim.

Source: Hindustan

This is not the first time that the mainstream media passed off a Muslim occultist as ‘Tantrik’. OpIndia has reported multiple times that media houses disregard the use of correct vocabulary for the Muslim accused in such cases. OpIndia’s reports on such matters can be checked here.

Cows mutilated, udders removed ahead of Makar Sankranti in Karnataka, BJP slams Jihadi mindset: Read exclusive FIR details

OpIndia Staff
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Cows mutilated, udders removed ahead of Makar Sankranti in Karnataka, BJP slams Jihadi mindset: Read exclusive FIR details

On 12th January, severed udders were found in the Vinayaka Nagar area of Bengaluru, leading to uproar among the Hindu community.

The police have registered a case against unidentified persons at Cottonpet Police Station under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The injured cows were shifted to the Chamarajpet Veterinary Hospital for treatment. BJP leader R Ashoka has called the incident result of a ‘jihadi mindset’.

The cows were owned by a man named Karna, who filed a complaint in the matter. In a statement, he said, “I am deeply upset. The cows were tied near our house at night, and we found out about this cruel act in the morning. We don’t know who did this…I want justice.”

The Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, has directed Police Commissioner B. Dayananda to launch an investigation into the matter and take strict action against the miscreants.

Content of the FIR

OpIndia accessed the FIR filed in the matter. In his complaint, Karna said that he earns a living by maintaining eight cows and selling their milk.

Every day, he tethers four cows near his house, and the remaining four are tethered behind the Dandumariamma Temple due to a lack of space. On 11th January, he tethered the cows, fed them fodder, and went to his house to sleep at around 11 PM.

At around 4:30 AM on 12th January, his neighbour, Sudhakar, informed him that some unknown individuals had cut the ropes securing the cows. Alarmed, he rushed to the spot where the cows were tied.

He found that one of the cows had one teat of its udder completely severed and separated, with the back of the udder sustaining a bloody wound inflicted by a sharp object.

Another cow had half of a teat cut, though it was not completely severed, and it also suffered a bloody wound on its left leg caused by a sharp object. Similarly, a third cow had half of a teat cut, but it was not entirely separated.

He rushed the cows to the nearby Mysore Road Veterinary Hospital for treatment and left his helper to take care of them. He then went to the police station and filed a complaint in the matter.

BJP slams Congress govt

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticised the incident.

In a long post on social media platform X, Vijayendra Yediyurappa, BJP’s state secretary, said, “The cow is considered the mother of all living beings. Therefore, Hindus accord the cow the status of a maternal deity and worship it as Kamadhenu. In Karnataka’s culture, the story of Punyakoti and its song have spread to every corner of the world. During Makar Sankranti, offering worship to the sacred cow is an essential part of the festival’s celebrations. In such a holy context, the heinous act committed in Bengaluru’s Chamarajpet, where individuals with a demonic mindset cruelly severed the udders of cows, is utterly reprehensible, inhumane, and barbaric. This act has been strongly condemned by @BJP4Karnataka.

Since the Congress government assumed power, it has adopted a dismissive attitude towards cow protection. Only recently, it announced a decision to shut down gaushalas, which is nothing more than pandering to cow slaughterers.

We have heard of mutilations and injuries before, but stooping so low as to sever the udders of cows, which provide nourishing milk, is a vile and despicable act. That such an incident has occurred in the capital city of Karnataka raises serious questions about the forces enabling such crimes. The people of Karnataka are not naïve enough to ignore the power dynamics at play here. Everyone is aware of whose control this area falls under and where the sympathies of those ruling the state lie.

Day by day, the atrocities against Hindu customs, traditions, and people are surpassing all limits. Before the patience of the people is broken, the government led by Chief Minister @siddaramaiah must wake up and act decisively against the forces behind such acts. If not, the public may conclude that those enabling such crimes are elements within the government itself.“

Leader of Opposition, R Ashoka, said, “The incident in Vinayaka Nagar, Chamarajpet, Bengaluru, where the udders of cows were severed, is highly condemnable. The government must immediately arrest those responsible for this heinous act.

The cow is akin to a mother for Indians, and during the Sankranti festival, it holds special significance and is worshipped with great reverence. By committing such a barbaric act of severing the udders of a cow during the festive period, fanatic forces have directly challenged Hindus. Karnataka has never before witnessed such a jihadi mindset.

During the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, 30-year-old cases against kar sevaks are reopened. Communal unrest occurs during Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. During the Dussehra festival, processions of Goddess Durga face disruptions. Why have these communal incidents repeatedly occurred since the Congress government came to power? The Congress party’s vote bank politics has emboldened fanatic elements, leaving them unafraid of the law.

The government must take the inhumane incident in Chamarajpet with utmost seriousness. It must curb such fanatic forces and ensure they face strict action, instead of sacrificing societal peace and harmony at the altar of appeasement politics.“

MLC and Ex-Opposition Chief Whip, Karnataka Legislative Council, N Ravi Kumar visited the site. He wrote on X, “I visited the site in Chamarajpet, Bengaluru, where miscreants displayed their barbarity by severing the udders of a sacred cow using a blade. The state Congress government is directly responsible for this incident. I urge the government to immediately identify the culprits and take strict action against them.“

Importance of cows on Makar Sankranti

The day of Makar Sankranti marks the Sun’s transition into Capricorn (Makara). On this day, cows hold immense significance for the Hindu community.

Cows are revered as sacred in Sanatan Dharma and feeding cows on the day of Makar Sankranti is believed to bring prosperity. People express gratitude towards the cows by feeding them and even donating cows on this day.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has often been seen sharing videos of feeding and caring for Punganur cows he has at his official resident.

Maharashtra: Stones pelted on Taptiganga Express carrying Maha Kumbh devotees in Jalgaon

OpIndia Staff
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Maharashtra: Stones pelted on Taptiganga Express carrying Maha Kumbh devotees in Jalgaon

On Sunday (12th January), some unidentified people pelted stones at a Maha Kumbh-bound train in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon. The incident happened when Taptiganga Express was travelling from Surat to Prayagraj.

Several videos recorded by the Taptiganga Express passengers have surfaced online showing broken window glasses. The attack caused panic among the Maha Kumbh devotees although none of the passengers suffered injuries.

The incident occurred at around 3.20 p.m., while the train was departing Jalgaon station. According to railway officials, a stone was hurled at the window of coach B-6, shattering the glass at berths 33-39. Passengers in the AC coach, horrified by the loud crash of the broken glass, promptly recorded videos and reported the incident to authorities.

In a video going viral on social media, one of the passengers highlighted the damage caused by the stone pelting and appealed to railway authorities to ensure better security for trains.

Meanwhile, an official on duty said that a person has been identified who allegedly pelted stones and fled the spot after attacking the train. Jalgaon Railway Protection Force (RPF) has launched an investigation into the matter after registering a case.

It is notable that the Taptiganga Express is popular for carrying devotees to the Kumbh Mela. After the incident, the authorities are taking additional security measures along the route to prevent any such incident and provide safe travel to Maha Kumbh devotees.

Speaking about the incident, RPF Inspector Gyaneshwar Patil said: “The incident should not be regarded as stone pelting. Train number 19045 down Surat-Chhapra Express arrived at 2:02 PM today on platform number 2. After the train departed at 2:17 PM, it travelled a short distance, approximately 16-17 coaches ahead from the platform. At that moment, a stone was thrown from the left side by an individual, hitting the window of the train…”

Dubai-based ‘news curator’ spreads misinformation about Maha Kumbh Mela, passes off Hindu festival as ‘BJP event’: Here is the truth

OpIndia Staff
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Dubai-based ‘news curator’ spreads misinformation about Maha Kumbh Mela, passes off Hindu festival as ‘BJP event’: Here is the truth

On Sunday (12th January), popular ‘news curator’ Mario Nawfal courted controversy after he tried to pass off the Maha Kumbh Mela as a ‘BJP-backed celebration of Hindu heritage.’

Nawfal, a Dubai-based entrepreneur known for sharing news stories from around the world, falsely claimed that the auspicious Hindu festival is motivated by politics.

“The event costs $765 million and is seen as a BJP-backed celebration of Hindu heritage,” he falsely claimed in a tweet. Nawfal had quoted Reuters as his source behind the claim.

Screengrab of the misleading tweet by Mario Nawfal

In its politically charged report published on Sunday (12th January), Reuters claimed, “A successful Maha Kumbh is expected to burnish the BJP’s record of reclaiming and glorifying India’s religious and cultural symbols for its Hindu base, promised by Modi and Adityanath since their Hindu nationalist party swept to power nationally in 2014.“

This blatant, political misrepresentation of the Maha Kumbh Mela may have contributed to Mario Nawfal’s distorted understanding of the Hindu festival.

The Holy city of Prayarag, hosting the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela, falls in the State of Uttar Pradesh. The incumbent government in the State is run by the BJP.

In that context, the Uttar Pradesh government is involved in the smooth organisation of the festival and ensuring the safety and security of the pilgrims. The Hindu festival is older than the existence of all political parties.

What is Maha Kumbh Mela

The Maha Kumbh Mela is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. The Hindu festival is held every 12 years at one of four sacred river locations in India – Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik.

It holds immense spiritual significance in Hinduism. Devotees take a dip in the holy river during the Kumbh Mela to wash away their sins and attain salvation (moksha).

The 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela will start on 13th January this year and end on 26 February. The Hindu festival will last 44 days. It will include mass pilgrimages, rituals, and Shahi Snans.

Mark Zuckerberg permitted Meta to use pirated books to train its AI model, say authors accusing Meta of copyright infringement

OpIndia Staff
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Mark Zuckerberg permitted Meta to use pirated books to train its AI model, say authors accusing Meta of copyright infringement

Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg reportedly allowed his company to use pirated copies of copyrighted books to train its artificial intelligence systems. Meta is currently facing lawsuits for copyright infringement from various authors and comedian Sarah Silverman who accused the company of misusing their works to train its large language model Llama.

As per reports, documents submitted in California federal court revealed that internal files of Meta show that the company was aware of books being pirated using torrents. Meta employees reportedly used Library Genesis (LibGen), a well-known database of pirated books. The complainants had sought permission from the court to submit an updated complaint on Wednesday.

The company’s internal communications showed employees expressing concern over downloading books from LibGen. One of the engineers reportedly expressed reservations about ‘torrenting from a corporate laptop’. It is the allegation of the authors that Zuckerberg approved the use of LibGen despite the concerns of its executive team.

Denying the allegations of copyright infringement, Meta took the defence of the ‘fair use’ doctrine. It argued that the plaintiffs were aware of the use of LibGen by Meta since July 2024 and had enough time to use this information in their complaints.

Meta’s redaction attempts were dismissed by Judge Vince Chhabria of the US District Court for the Northern District of California as ‘preposterous’ and intended to avoid negative publicity instead of protecting business interests. The judge warned Meta against making any requests for redaction in future stating that any unreasonable broad selling requests would result in all material being unsealed.

While Meta had earlier admitted to using Books3, a dataset of around 196,000 books for training its Llama language model, it did not publicly disclose the direct use of LibGen data.

AAP files complaint against BJP over campaign video, demands action claiming bad road in Delhi shown in the video is actually from Haryana

ANI
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AAP files complaint against BJP over campaign video, demands action claiming bad road in Delhi shown in the video is actually from Haryana

The Aam Aadmi Party filed a complaint against the Bharatiya Janata Party alleging the circulation of a ‘false video’ depicting Delhi’s roads in poor condition, while the roads shown in the video belong to Faridabad, Haryana.

The AAP has accused the BJP of breaching the Model Code of Conduct by engaging in “misinformation” and “false propaganda” to ‘mislead’ the public.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Election Officer of Delhi, Advocate Kunal Raj, representing AAP said, “I am writing to bring to your attention a serious violation of the Model Code of Conduct by the BJP. The party has been spreading misinformation through a false video on their social media channels, showcasing roads in Delhi in a deplorable condition.”

“However, it has been exposed that the road featured in the video is actually located in Faridabad, Haryana. I have attached the link to the false video and the video exposing the truth, which clearly reveals the BJP’s attempt to mislead the public,” the letter added.

AAP has urged election authorities to take swift action against the BJP for what it described as an attempt to “misinform” the public and “tarnish” its image ahead of elections.

“This is a blatant violation of the Model Code of Conduct, which prohibits spreading misinformation and false propaganda. I request that you take immediate action against the BJP for this violation. The party’s actions are not only a violation of the Model Code of Conduct but also a threat to the integrity of the electoral process,” the letter read.

AAP urged the Chief Election Officer to seize the video and direct the BJP to remove the false video from their social media channels.

It also urged the CEO to take necessary legal action against BJP for violating the Model Code of Conduct and committing offences under Section 123(4) of the Representation of People Act, 1951, Section 340 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 66 of the Information Technology Act.

AAP requested to ensure that the “BJP is restrained from spreading false information in the future.”

The party added that such acts “destroy the sanctity of the election process” and that parties committing such offences should be held accountable.

“An example should be set for the public to maintain the integrity of the electoral process. I hope you will take immediate action in this matter to uphold the integrity of the electoral process,” said AAP in the letter.

The Delhi assembly polls will be held in a single phase on February 5 and the counting of votes will take place on February 8.

The Congress, which was in power for 15 consecutive years in Delhi, has suffered setbacks in the last two assembly elections and has failed to win any seat. In contrast, the AAP dominated the 2020 assembly elections by winning 62 out of 70 seats while the BJP got only eight seats.

Earlier in the day, AAP MP Sanjay Singh questioned the origins of a recent CAG report, which revealed a significant revenue loss of Rs 2,026 crore due to irregularities in the Delhi government’s excise policy. He asserted that the Model Code of Conduct is in place and the BJP is “violating” the regulations. by spreading fake news.

A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on the Delhi government’s excise policy revealed a revenue loss of Rs 2,026 crore to the state exchequer. The report’s findings stated that there were deviations from the objective of the policy, a lack of transparency in pricing, and violations in issuing licenses that were not penalised.

Of the losses worth Rs 2,026 crore to the state exchequer, the loss of Rs 890 crore resulted from the government’s failure to re-tender the surrendered licenses before the policy period concluded, according to the report. Moreover, exemptions granted to the zonal licenses led to the loss of Rs 941 crore.

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

‘Want to put a bullet in your head’- Yuvraj Singh’s father Yograj reveals how he went to Captain Kapil Dev’s home to shoot him after getting dropped

OpIndia Staff
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‘Want to put a bullet in your head’- Yuvraj Singh’s father Yograj reveals how he went to Captain Kapil Dev’s home to shoot him after getting dropped

Yograj Singh, father of Indian superstar Yuvraj Singh represented India in 1 Test Match and 6 One Day Internationals. In his solitary Test, Yograj scored 10 runs at a batting average of 5 and picked 1 wicket at a bowling average of 63. In ODIs, he scored 1 run at an average of 0.50, and picked 4 wickets at a bowling average of 46.50. However, apparently, the ‘star’ all-rounder wasn’t happy when he was dropped by selectors during Kapil Dev’s captaincy.

In a recent interview on the podcast, “Unfiltered by Samdish”, Yograj Singh said, “When Kapil Dev became captain of India, North Zone, and Haryana, he dropped me for no reason.”

Yograj Singh said that his wife (Yuvraj Singh’s mother) wanted him to ask Kapil Dev questions for dropping him from the Indian side. In response, Yograj allegedly said, “I would teach this bloody man a lesson.”

As per Yograj’s account, he went to Kapil Dev’s house in Sector 9, Chandigarh, and took his pistol out. However, since Kapil Dev came out of his home with his mother, apparently Yograj Singh chose not to fire his pistol at him.

Instead, as per Yograj Singh’s own account, he abused Kapil Dev a dozen times and told him that he has lost a friend by dropping Yograj from the team.

Yograj Singh said that he told Kapil Dev, “I want to put a bullet through your head, but I am not doing it because you have a very pious mother, who is standing here.”

During the Podcast, Yograj also took potshots at another Indian legend Bishan Singh Bedi and said, “These guys, including Bishan Singh Bedi, they plotted against me. I never forgave Bishan Singh Bedi. The man died on his bed,”

Dhaka: Bangladesh govt summons Indian High Commissioner, expresses concern over ‘unauthorised fencing of the border’ and alleged killings of Bangladeshi nationals

OpIndia Staff
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Dhaka: Bangladesh govt summons Indian High Commissioner, expresses concern over ‘unauthorised fencing of the border’ and alleged killings of Bangladeshi nationals

Amid the escalating tensions between India and Bangladesh regarding border fencing, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry summoned the Indian Hugh Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma on Sunday. According to reports, Verma was summoned to address border issues.

Responding to the summon, the Indian envoy visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Dhaka on Sunday afternoon. As per a press release by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Government of Bangladesh expressed “deep concern“ over the recent activities of the Border Security Force (BSF) of India along the Bangladesh-India Border. This was conveyed by Foreign Secretary Ambassador Md. Jashim Uddin to High Commissioner of India Pranay Verma.

Bangladesh alleged that the barbed wire fencing and other activities along the border are ‘unauthorised’, saying they have caused tensions and disturbances. Jashim Uddin said that the construction of barbed wire fences without proper authorisation undermines the spirit of cooperation and friendly relations between the two neighbouring countries. The Bangladeshi official hoped that the upcoming BGB-BSF DG Level Talks would be able to discuss the matter at length.

Referring to the recent death of a Bangladesh citizen at Sunamganj in firing by BSF, the foreign secretary expressed deep concern and disappointment. He added that it is also a matter of grave concern that despite repeated firm commitments from the Indian authorities to pursue a non-lethal strategy, such incidents have been continuing.

The Bangladeshi foreign secretary called upon the government of India to advise all concerned authorities in India to refrain from any provocative actions that could escalate tensions along the shared border. He added that Bangladesh believes that such issues should be resolved through constructive dialogue, in accordance with existing bilateral agreements, and in a way that upholds peace and tranquillity along the border.

After the meeting, High Commissioner Pranay Verma expressed hope that the understanding between BSF and BGB will be implemented in a cooperative approach to maintain peace along the border. He told reporters, “We have an understanding with regard to fencing the border for security. Our two border guard enforcements – BSF and BGB – have been in communication in this regard.”

Verma said that he met the Foreign Secretary to discuss India’s commitment to ensuring a crime-free border and effectively addressing the challenges of smuggling and trafficking. He added, “I had a discussion with the foreign secretary. We discussed India’s commitment to addressing crimes along the border, the challenges of smuggling, movements of criminals and trafficking.”

This comes after, the Bangladesh government accused the Indian government of setting up fencing on the Indo-Bangladesh border in violation of a bilateral agreement between the two countries.

The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has been carrying out fencing work along the India-Bangladesh border to address the issue of growing infiltration through the international border. However, the fencing work had to be halted on Tuesday after tensions mounted along the border as the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) opposed the fencing.

Delhi HC rejects plea against refusal of bail to terrorist Mohammad Heydaitullah who took ISIS oath to establish Sharia law in India

ANI
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Delhi HC rejects plea against refusal of bail to terrorist Mohammad Heydaitullah who took ISIS oath to establish Sharia law in India

The Delhi High Court has rejected a plea against the refusal of bail to Mohammad Heydaitullah, an alleged ISIS operative accused of disseminating ISIS ideology online, promoting enmity against Hindus, and transferring funds from his account to support the terrorist organization.

Heydaitullah, an MBA graduate from Jamia, is alleged to have taken oath (Bayath) to ISIS in 2018 and conspired to establish Sharia law in India under the ISIS banner.

A division bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Amit Sharma dismissed the appeal against the order passed by the special NIA court refusing bail to the appellant.

The Division bench said, “Under these circumstances, this Court is of the opinion that the impugned order does not warrant any interference.”

“In view of the above, the present appeal is dismissed and disposed of accordingly. Pending application(s), if any, are also disposed of,” the bench ordered on January 10, 2025.

While dismissing the appeal, the bench headed by Justice Prathiba M Singh noted, ” In the present case as has been highlighted previously, the Appellant admittedly in 2018 had taken an oath (Bayath) in the name of Abu Bakr al Baghdadi and Abu al-Hasan al-Hashimi al-Qurashi. Abu Bakr al Baghdadi is admittedly a well-known leader of ISIS and as per the chargesheet had declared the formation of a “caliphate” in June 2014.”

The High Court also took note of the WhatsApp chats which showed the intention of the appellant to join ISIS.

“ISIS had been declared to be a terrorist organisation and judicial notice can be taken of the fact that the world at large knows about the activities of ISIS. The aforesaid chats further reflect the intention of the Appellant to join ISIS (Dawlah) and was ready to perform Hijrah (travel) for the same.”

The bench noted, ” In two sets of chats as it is recorded it was the Appellant who is asking other persons to find a way to reach Dawlah and not the other way around as claimed by the learned Senior Counsel for the Appellant. As already noted, the Appellant is an educated person and was well aware of the nature of the activities of ISIS.”

“Moreover, it is not a case of passive support to a terrorist organisation, but rather the chats, as highlighted hereinabove, show that the Appellant was advocating Jihad in order to establish Khilafat (“Caliphate)”. By doing so the Appellant was also trying to recruit the individuals on these online groups for such acts,” the bench held.

The appellant Md. Heydaitullah had challenged the order of August 23, 2023, passed by a special NIA Judge in a case registered at P.S. NIA.

The appeal was opposed by Advocate Rahul Tyagi, the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) for NIA.

As per the case of the prosecution, certain inputs were received regarding proscribed terrorist organizations such as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) running a campaign in cyberspace for radicalizing youths and carrying out terrorist activities in India and elsewhere.

It is alleged that one cyber identity by the name of Qasim Saini alias Qasim Khurasani along with his associates was actively involved in creating and disseminating ISIS-centric propaganda with the intention of motivating youths to take part in violent jihad.

The case of the prosecution is that the Appellant is a close associate of co-accused Basit Kalam Siddiqui and had conspired to establish Sharia law in India under the flag of ISIS by waging Jihad.

It is alleged that the Appellant was disseminating the ISIS ideology through cyberspace, and was spreading hatred against the Government of India by promoting enmity against Hindus on social media.

It is further alleged that the Appellant had transferred funds for the cause of ISIS from his bank account. Also, various incriminating materials have been found in the electronic devices recovered from the Appellant during the investigation.

The Appellant was arrested by the NIA on 22.10.2022 and was charge-sheeted by second supplementary chargesheet of April 2023 for the offences punishable under Sections 17, 18, 38, 39 of the UAPA and Sections 120-B/153-A and 153-B of the IPC.

Investigation revealed that the appellant was a member of many pro-ISIS groups. Once he received a message in the Telegram group voices of Al-Hol camp related to the donation of some money for Al-Hol Camp from telegram ID ‘umm_imara’.

In that message, umm_imara shared a bank account number of Canara Bank in which funds had to be sent. He further sent Rs. 15000 on 30.07.2020 through NEFT from his Yes Bank account.

The same transaction is reflected in his bank statement.

Further, during scrutiny of seized mobile data, it was found that the appellant was a member of Voices of Al-Hol Camp telegram I’d and he got motivated to donate funds for the cause of ISIS, NIA charge sheet reads.

It is further alleged that he while chatting on a telegram group Voice of Al Hol camp got a message to donate money to support women and children of ISIS fighters, from a telegram user @ umm_imara. The bank account details for depositing the money were shared on the said group. He as an ardent member of ISIS, decided to donate the sum of Rs 15000.

During investigations, he was questioned regarding the transfer of money from his bank account to the bank account shared on the telegram group Al Hol Camp to help the cause of ISIS.

He informed that he wanted to help the women and children of ISIS fighters, so he transferred the money. This itself proves that he is an ISIS sympathiser. It is also corroborated by witnesses, the agency said.

Senior Counsel appeared for the Appellant and submitted that there was no evidence connecting the Appellant to any terrorist organization including ISIS.

The only allegation, which is relied upon by the prosecution, is the remittance of Rs15,000 from the Yes Bank account of the Appellant to one Mohd. Unais, which is not sufficient to hold that the Appellant was either a member of any terrorist organization or had in any manner donated or contributed to any terrorist organization for furthering its cause.

It was further submitted that in the initial FIR of 29.06.2021, no accusations were made against the Appellant. It was only after the Appellant was arrested on 20 October 2022 that this banking transaction was relied upon and the Appellant was arrayed as a co-accused in the second supplementary chargesheet.

Counsel appearing on behalf of the Appellant also submitted that the Appellant had not made any direct remittance to the lady Afa Ibrahim and the witness Mohammad Unais, to whom the Appellant had transferred Rs. 15,000 on 30.07.2020, had made a second remittance of equivalent Maldivian Rufiyaa to Afa Ibrahim, on the same date.

Further, it was submitted that there is no material on record showing that Afa Ibrahim, belonged to ISIS or that she was running any telegram group, bearing Telegram ID “umm_imara”.

In the reply filed by the NIA, in respect of the telegram chats, it is recorded ” Further during investigations it emerged that one lady having Telegram account similar to “umm_imara” i.e “umm3imarah” and “ummimarah0” used to raise funds for ISIS on the name of charity work for Al-Hol Camp. This clearly establishes that the accused Md. Heydaitullah had intentionally provided funds for ISIS.

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

While AAP is accused of worth crores of corruption, Delhi CM Atishi Marlena asks for donations worth 40 lakhs from people

OpIndia Staff
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While AAP is accused of worth crores of corruption, Delhi CM Atishi Marlena asks for donations worth 40 lakhs from people

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi Marlena on Sunday launched a crowdfunding campaign for her party ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. Atishi, who is Aam Aadmi Party candidate from Kalkaji, asked people for worth 40 lakh donations on the basis of her party’s politics of ‘work and honesty’. She released an online link to receive donations.

”The AAP has always fought elections with the help of small donations from the common man which has helped it pursue the political of work and honesty”, she said.

It is interesting to see AAP launching a crowdfunding campaign for elections when some top leaders of the party including its national convenor and former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal were arrested last year on corruption charges.

Former Delhi CM and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal was arrested due to corruption charges relating to Delhi Liquor Policy Scam. He was later granted bail with conditions.

Former deputy Chief Minister of Delhi and one of the founding members of AAP, Manish Sisodia, was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation in connection to the Delhi Excise Policy Scam in February 2023. He is currently out on bail.

Satyendar Jain was one of the key ministers of the Delhi government. In May 2022, he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection to a money laundering case. He was later released on bail.

AAP MLA from Okhla and prominent Muslim face of the party Amanatullah Khan, was arrested and sent to jail for a brief period in a case related to illegal recruitment and financial misappropriation as the chairman of Delhi Waqf Board.

Former AAP Minister in Punjab, Vijay Singla, was removed from the cabinet by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in May 2022. Singla was accused of corruption and arrested by Punjab Police.

These are only some of the names from the AAP who are facing corruption charges. Besides, Arvind Kejriwal is also accused of using around 45 crores of public money for renovating the Delhi CM official residence. Last year in December, the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi had ordered the Vigilance Department to conduct an investigation into luxury items at the Delhi CM’s official residence.

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