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Bihar: RJD candidate and daughter of Lalu Yadav accused of booth raiding, post-poll violence leaves one dead

OpIndia Staff
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Bihar: RJD candidate and daughter of Lalu Yadav accused of booth raiding, post-poll violence leaves one dead

On Tuesday (21st May), a clash broke out between BJP and RJD workers in Chapra in Saran district of Bihar. The incident occurred in the aftermath of Rohini Acharya’s (daughter of Lalu Prasad Yadav) visit to a polling station in Chapra.

As per reports, the locals have accused the Acharaya of booth raiding and misbehaving with voters at a polling booth in the city on Monday (20th May). This led to a ruckus, following which the daughter of Lalu Prasad Yadav left the scene.

The clash between BJP and RJD escalated on Tuesday morning, leaving one dead and two others injured. The deceased was identified as Chandan Yadav. The other injured victims include Manoj Yadav and Guddu Yadav.

The unidentified accused opened fire at the victims. On learning about the incident, the police reached the crime spot and pacified the situation.

Reportedly, the internet has been suspended for 2 days and two people have been detained in connection to the unrest.

While speaking about the matter, Saran SP Gaurav Mangla informed, “Action has been taken against those who instigated this incident. The Internet has been banned for two days.”

Voting was conducted in Saran on Monday (20th May) during the 5th phase of look Sabha elections. The RJD candidate Rohini Acharya has been fielded against sitting BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy.

Windows PC will take screenshot of all activities, will use ‘photographic memory’ of AI to ‘Recall’ and search anything and everything: Satya Nadella explains

Anurag
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Windows PC will take screenshot of all activities, will use ‘photographic memory’ of AI to ‘Recall’ and search anything and everything: Satya Nadella explains

On 20th May (local time), Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella shared details about the latest advancements in Windows that emphasised the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create, what Microsoft has termed, “Copilot+PCs”. In a discussion with Wall Street Journal’s Joanna Stern, Nadella shared how these AI-powered PCs would redefine user experience with innovative features and enhanced performances.

Nadella said that Microsoft expects the new technology to outperform competitors like Apple’s Mac in the coming days. Learning about the AI tech that Microsoft is going to use in the new PCs, billionaire Elon Musk expressed privacy concerns and suggested users should think about shifting to the Linux operating system.

AI-Powered Screenshots based feature ‘Recall’

One of the aspects of the discussion was the new screenshot capability of the Copilot+PCs powered by advanced AI technology and the inclusion of a neural processing unit (NPU). The feature has been named “Recall” by Microsoft. It will take periodic screenshots of the work you are doing on your PC to keep a record of your past activities locally on the PC. This feature will make it possible to find and recreate moments from the users’ digital history.

How ‘Recall’ works on Copilot+PCs

Nadella explained that Windows will take constant screenshots of what’s on the screen. These screenshots will be processed by a generative AI model that will run locally on the device instead of on a cloud centre. Which means, you do not need to connect to the internet to use the feature.

Using the ‘Recall’ feature, users can perform visual searches for items. For example, if you search “red t-shirt” in Recall’s search panel, it will not only search the text from the local digital history but will also show visual elements that match the search. Even if there is no mention of the “red t-shirt” in the text in a screenshot but someone is wearing it, the screenshot will appear in the search.

Speaking on the privacy aspect of the feature, Nadella said that all the processing will be done locally on the device. It will ensure users’ data security. Furthermore, users will have the capability to restrict which apps and websites can be included in the screenshot history. Also, they can switch off the feature entirely with a few clicks.

The role of NPUs and Edge computing

AI features like Recall take a lot of processing power. Microsoft has integrated NPUs into their new devices. NPUs help in accelerating the matrix math computations that are essential for AI applications thus enabling these takes to be performed efficiently on the device itself instead of relying on cloud computing.

Hardware innovations

The new Copilot+PCs come with Qualcomm Snapdragon X series chips that are based on ARM architecture. These chips are energy-efficient and similar to those found in smartphones. It provides significant improvements over traditional intel chips used in PCs. Nadella pointed out that the devices can offer up to 22 hours of continuous video playback which surpasses the battery life of several laptops available in the market.

Additional AI Features

Apart from the Recall feature, the new Microsoft devices come packed with features like co-creator and live translation. Co-creator is an enhanced “Paint” application that allows users to generate images based on sketches and text prompts. Live translation is capable of translating video calls and conversations from 44 different languages. Microsoft has embedded a language model locally on the device for the live translation to work.

Nadella said Microsoft expects to expand AI capabilities to smartphones, messaging platforms and smart glasses. He also hoped for a collaboration with Meta for advanced features.

Elon Musk calls it ‘A Black Mirror episode”

The future looks promising with the AI feature that Microsoft is promising but not everyone feels the same. Tesla and SpaceX’s owner and billionaire Elon Musk took on X (formerly Twitter) to express his dismay over the advanced AI features being offered by Microsoft in its new device.

He also called the Recall featured a ‘Black Mirror episode’. “This is a Black Mirror episode. Definitely turning this feature off”, Musk posted on X.

Quoting a clip from the interview on Copilot+PCs, he said, “Maybe it is time to move consumer desktops to Linux.” Notably, this is not the first time Musk has criticised Microsoft over its practices. Earlier, he expressed frustration over Microsoft requiring a user account to access new PCs which he believed grants AI undue access to personal data. He also criticised Microsoft for having undue control over OpenAI. Both allegations were denied by Microsoft.

The new devices are expected to hit the market in June at USD 999.

Pune hit-and-run case: Killer was driving Porsche without registration for 2 months, Devendra Fadnavis tells police chief to take strict action

OpIndia Staff
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Pune hit-and-run case: Killer was driving Porsche without registration for 2 months, Devendra Fadnavis tells police chief to take strict action

On Monday (20th May), the Regional Transport Office (RTO) authorities in Pune informed that the Porsche Taycan car, which killed a young couple in Pune, had been operational since March this year without any registration.

The luxury vehicle, driven by the son of a real estate mogul, rammed into two 24-year-olds (Aneesh Awadhia and Ashwini Koshta) in the wee hours of Sunday night. It has now come to light that the owner did not pay the necessary registration fees while purchasing the vehicle.

While speaking about the matter to The Times of India, Pune regional transport officer Sanjiv Bhor said, “The car was booked through a dealer in Bengaluru, which provided a temporary registration before delivering it to the owner in March this year.”

“It was the responsibility of the owner to get it registered. The vehicle came to Pune RTO and an inspection was done. However, the owner didn’t pay the fee required for the registration,” he added.

Bhor emphasised, “Since the fee was not paid, we couldn’t provide a registration number.” As per the rules, vehicles purchased after April 2019 must have high-security registration plates (HSRP) and dealers are responsible for affixing such plates along with vehicle numbers.

Fadnavis tells Pune Police to take strict action

The Pune police came under fire from social media users after the 17-year-old driver of the Porsche Taycan car, was granted bail within 24 hours.

Amid criticism over handling the case involving a prominent businessman, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar to ensure strict action against the accused.

While speaking to The Indian Express, Kumar said, “The Deputy Chief Minister asked us to conduct a thorough probe… And that there should be stringent action against the accused…He asked us to find out whether there was any soft-pedalling against the accused,” he said.

The Pune police have now appealed against the bail granted by the lower court to the accused.

Swati Maliwal warns AAP for calling her a ‘BJP agent’, says she will take Kejriwal and Co. to court for every lie spread against her

ANI
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Swati Maliwal warns AAP for calling her a ‘BJP agent’, says she will take Kejriwal and Co. to court for every lie spread against her

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal, who has charged assault allegations against Delhi Chief Minister’s aide Bibhav Kumar lashed out at Delhi ministers and AAP leaders for “spreading lies” about “corruption FIR” against her and threatened to file a lawsuit against them.

In a post on X, Swati Maliwal claimed that her status in the party changed from “Lady Singham” to “BJP agent” right after she filed a complaint against now-arrested Kumar.

“According to them, I was ‘Lady Singham’ until I filed a complaint against Bibhav Kumar and today I have become a BJP agent? “I will take you to court for every lie you spread!” Maliwal said in a post on Monday.

She further said, “Since yesterday, Delhi ministers are spreading lies that an FIR has been filed against me for corruption and that I did all this on the instructions of BJP. This FIR was lodged 8 years ago in 2016 after which both the CM and LG appointed me as the Chairperson of the Women’s Commission twice more. The case is completely fake on which the Hon’ble High Court has stayed for 1.5 years, who have accepted that no money transaction has taken place.”

“According to them, until I filed a complaint against Bibhav Kumar, I was “Lady Singham” and today I have become a BJP agent? The entire troll army was deployed against me just because I spoke the truth. Everyone in the party is being called and told to send Swati’s personal video if they have one, as it has to be leaked,” she wrote in her post.

“They’re putting my relatives’ lives in danger by tweeting their details using their car numbers. Well, lies don’t last long. But in the intoxication of power and in the passion to bring someone down, lest it happens that when the truth comes out, you are not able to look even your family in the eye. I will take you to court for every lie you spread!” she added.

The case pertains to the alleged assault case, in which Swati Maliwal has accused Kejriwal’s former personal aide, Bibhav Kumar of assaulting her at the Chief Minister’s residence.

Earlier on Monday, Delhi Police took Bibhav Kumar to the CM’s residence and recreated the crime scene at the spot, according to sources.

Kejriwal’s former PA was arrested on Saturday in connection with the case. He was produced before the Tis Hazari Court, which remanded him to police custody for five days.

Maliwal, in her complaint, alleged that Bibhav “slapped” her “at least seven to eight times” while she “continued screaming” and “brutally dragged” her while “kicking” her in her “chest, stomach and pelvis area.”

After his arrest, Bibhav was produced before Delhi’s Tis Hazari Court, which remanded her in police custody for five days.
Bibhav lodged a counter-complaint with the police on Friday, accusing Maliwal of gaining ‘unauthorised entry’ into the CM’s Civil Lines residence and ‘verbally abusing’ him.

Meanwhile, all seven seats of Delhi will go for polling on May 25. The counting of votes is scheduled for June 4.
BJP has been winning all seven seats in Delhi for the last two elections.

This time, AAP and Congress are under a seat-sharing agreement with the former and latter contesting on four and three seats each.

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

‘I owe a lot to one organisation’: Retiring Calcutta HC judge thanks RSS for shaping his personality, instilling patriotism

OpIndia Staff
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‘I owe a lot to one organisation’: Retiring Calcutta HC judge thanks RSS for shaping his personality, instilling patriotism

On Monday (20th May), a retiring Judge of the Calcutta High Court named Chitta Ranjan Dash thanked the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for instilling a sense of patriotism and shaping his personality.

During his farewell speech, Dash noted, “Today, I must unfold my true self. I owe a lot to one organisation. I am there from my childhood till I attained my youth. I have learned to be courageous, upright, have equal view for others, and above all, the sense of patriotism and commitment to the work wherever you work.”

The former Calcutta High Court judge informed that he had to distance himself from RSS after being appointed as a judge. He expressed happiness that he could finally rejoin the organisation.

Justice Chitta Ranjan Dash emphasised, “I must admit here that I was and I am a member of the RSS…I have distanced myself from the organisation (RSS) for about 37 years due to the work I undertook. I never used the membership of my organisation for any advancement of my career, because that is against our principle.”

“I have treated everybody at par, be it a Communist person, be it a BJP or Congress or even TMC person. I do not have any bias against anybody. I do not have any bias against any political personality. All were equal before me,” he further added.

“I tried to dispense justice on two principles: one is empathy and second is law can be bent to do justice, but justice cannot be bent to suit the law,” Justice Chitta Ranjan Dash concluded.

It must be mentioned that the former Calcutta High Court judge began working as an advocate in 1986. It was only in 1999 that he joined the Odisha judicial service and began working as an Additional District & Sessions Judge.

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After Arvind Kejriwal’s aide Bibhav Kumar, AAP’s Chief Media Coordinator Vikas Kumar under the scanner: Times Now crew files complaint that he assaulted them

OpIndia Staff
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After Arvind Kejriwal’s aide Bibhav Kumar, AAP’s Chief Media Coordinator Vikas Kumar under the scanner: Times Now crew files complaint that he assaulted them

On Monday (20th May), the Times Now crew accused Vikas Kumar, the Chief Media Coordinator of the Aam Aadmi Party, of assaulting and abusing them and filed a Police complaint. Following the complaint, the Delhi Police visited the party’s office in the National capital to probe their allegations.

According to the complaint, Vikas Kumar pushed, slapped, and abused the female journalist of Times Now, journalist Aakanksha Khajuria, and also broke the camera screen after being confronted about recent findings by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Incidentally, the attack was caught on camera. Notably, Times Now, in its “Operation Black Dollar”, reported that AAP received Rs 7.08 crore as foreign donations from 2014 to 2022, citing a dossier submitted by the ED.

The ED has sent the dossier to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). According to the ED dossier, the Arvind Kejriwal-led party violated the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) and the Representational of People Act (RPA). Times Now accessed the document and is carrying out its reportage under the name ‘Operation Black Dollar’. 

According to the report, AAP received funds from countries like Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Australia. Many donors used the same credit cards while donating to AAP. According to the ED dossier, the foreign donation was directly deposited in the party’s account in the IDBI bank. Further details about the ED dossier can be read by clicking here.

The media house has highlighted that this is not the first time when its crew was attacked by the Aam Aadmi Party. Earlier, its staff was abused and attacked by the Arvind Kejriwal-led party after the media house exposed his grand CM house nicknamed ‘Sheeshmahal’. 

After the recent attack on Times Now’s journalist and cameraman, Navika Kumar, the Editor-In-Chief of Times Network Group issued a stern message to the Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal asking him to control its media coordinator and goons.

Narrating the assault, Times Now’s video journalist Radha Krishna said, “While we were conversing with AAP workers, they abruptly snatched the cable and broke the camera. They then used the cable to strike me on the head.” 

Following the attack, the reporter dialed 100 on her phone and informed the Police about the incident. The Delhi Police asked them to undergo medical tests. 

Acting on the complaint, when the Delhi police personnel reached the AAP office, they were not allowed to enter.

AAP faces mounting criticism for acts of hooliganism

Several politicians, cutting across party lines, condemned the attack on the Times Now crew by AAP workers. National Conference leader Bashir Ahmad called the incident “unfortunate” and added, “Political parties should not stop reporters from asking pointed questions…this is their duty. I congratulate the Times Now reporter that despite being heckled, she continued with her reportage.” 

Responding to Times Now’s report about AAP’s foreign funding and manhandling of the channel crew, BJP leader Shazia Ilmi said, “It’s hardly a matter of surprise that AAP has been receiving foreign funds for so long illegally.”

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also condemned the attack on the Times Now crew. He slammed the Aam Aadmi Party citing the examples of Swati Maliwal and Delhi Chief Secretary and pointed out that this has been happening constantly.

Minister Puri said, “First they beat up your (Times Now) reporter Bhavna, they (on Feb 19, 2018) called Delhi chief secretary at CM Kejriwal’s residence and at around 12:15 am, they beat up him.”.

Citing the Swati Maliwal assault case, the Minister added, “Troll army of this party targeted me when I spoke on these issues…they recently assaulted Swati Maliwal who is the MP of their own party. Sanjay Singh accepted that former PS of Kejriwal, Bibhav Kumar misbehaved with Maliwal and then retracted his statement.” 

“This is a murky game,” the Union Minister added. 

Rohingya Muslims continue persecution of Hindus and Buddhists in Myanmar: Over 5,000 houses torched amid escalating communal tensions

OpIndia Staff
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Rohingya Muslims continue persecution of Hindus and Buddhists in Myanmar: Over 5,000 houses torched amid escalating communal tensions

The situation in Myanmar remains dire, with intensified clashes between the military-led junta and ethnic rebel groups, particularly in Rakhine State. Tensions have escalated into communal violence, with reports indicating that nearly 5,000 houses belonging to Buddhists and Hindus were destroyed in Buthidaung, located just 25 km from the Bangladesh border.

“These 5,000 houses were targeted because they belonged to Buddhists and Hindus. Many residents had fled to safer areas, leaving houses empty, but those who remained were forcibly removed, and their homes were looted and burned before their eyes. Conscripts, including young boys from Rohingya camps in Bangladesh, were used for this operation,” a source revealed.

The destruction occurred between April 11th and 21st. Buthidaung is now under the control of the ethnic rebel group Arakan Army.

“In the 2018 census, Buthidaung had 3,000 houses. This number has since more than tripled to 10,000 as people fled other areas to settle here. Over 50 per cent of residents are Muslims, with the remainder being Buddhists and Hindus,” a source reported.

Communal tensions in Rakhine State, which flared more than a decade ago, led to a significant exodus of Rohingyas, many of whom sought refuge in neighbouring Bangladesh.

“Some Rohingyas from refugee camps are being forced into conscription. While some manage to flee, others are compelled to fight civilians. This divide-and-rule strategy will worsen the situation on the ground,” a source added.

Thousands of young people across Myanmar have fled to safer areas, with some crossing into other countries to avoid forced conscription.

Recently, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, Hasan Mahmud, expressed hope that the Rohingya refugees they are sheltering would return to Myanmar. It is estimated that there are one million Rohingyas in Bangladesh.

Additionally, 138 Myanmar military personnel, including a lieutenant colonel and two majors, have taken refuge in Bangladesh. “They will be sent back just like other military personnel were repatriated,” Mahmud stated last week, noting that the Rohingyas also want to return.

Meanwhile, those who have fled face survival challenges due to a lack of livelihood opportunities.

The monsoon season, which begins in a few weeks, offers the only respite. Mobility became restricted, and clashes on the ground reduced drastically for nearly two months.

Why deceased Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was known as ‘The Butcher of Tehran’: An insight into the brutal past of a dictator

Shraddha Pandey
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Why deceased Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was known as ‘The Butcher of Tehran’: An insight into the brutal past of a dictator

The death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on the 19th of May in a helicopter crash in northern Iran sparked an outpour of condolences on the one hand and celebrations on the other. The 63-year-old Islamist hardliner, also dubbed as the “Butcher of Tehran”, was seen as a potential successor to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. However, his death has added to the ongoing tumult in the Middle East. Last month, Iran, under his presidency, had launched unprecedented drone and missile strikes against Israel in what Iran called “retaliatory” action after Israel allegedly attacked the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria.

Notably, Ebrahim Raisi took over Iran’s presidency in 2021 after winning the presidential election receiving around 62% votes when the voter turnout was 48.8%,  the lowest ever for a presidential election. Raisi had also contested the 2017 presidential elections, however, he lost to Hassan Rouhani.

Following the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, in 2022, a crackdown on historical large rallies and the imposition of a stringent dress code for women tarnished Raisi’s presidency. Thousands of schoolgirls protested in the streets raising what became iconic, “Zan, Zendegi, Azadi (Women, Life, Freedom)” slogans, demanding an end to Iran’s mandatory hijab laws. This came after Amini was arrested and assaulted by the country’s “morality police” for not wearing the hijab resulting in her death. In a brutal crackdown on the anti-Hijab protests, more than 500 people were reported to have been killed under Raisi’s presidency.

The saga of Ebrahim Raisi’s crimes against humanity, however, goes back decades before the Mahsa Amini protests. Raisi received criticism for his brutality long before he was elected President, garnering the notorious moniker “Butcher of Tehran”.

Butcher of Tehran and the “Death Commissions” of Iran

In 2019, the US Treasury Department announced sanctions on Iran while mentioning Ebrahim Raisi’s involvement in a “death commission” that mandated thousands of political detainees be executed without trial. “Previously, as deputy prosecutor general of Tehran, Raisi participated in a so-called “death commission” that ordered the extrajudicial executions of thousands of political prisoners in 1988,” the US Treasury Department said.

Following in his father Seyyed Haji Rais Al-Sadati’s footsteps, Ebrahim Raisi studied under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the fields of theology and Islamic jurisprudence. He became a member of the clergy and took part in demonstrations against the Shah of Iran, which eventually resulted in the Shah’s overthrow.

The Islamic Revolution in 1979 marked the beginning of the Islamist hardliner Raisi’s career. At the age of 20, he was appointed prosecutor general for the provinces of Karaj and Hamadan. He is accused of having been a major player in the persecution of political opponents and minorities, particularly the Baha’is, who make up the largest religious minority in Iran. Numerous Baha’is were tormented and imprisoned, while many were executed on Raisi’s watch.

Iran consented to a ceasefire imposed by the UN in July 1988 to put an end to the eight-year conflict with Iraq. Soon after, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who was then the supreme leader, issued a fatwa directing the execution of political prisoners who were already serving their sentences. They were brought before four-person inquisition panels—dubbed “Death Commission” by the prisoners—for questioning, and the sessions lasted just a few minutes. The targeted persons mostly included those associated with the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI).

Khominei’s Fatwa (Source: Amnesty International)

These inquisitions, which were set up across the Islamic Republic, were led by Islamic judges, prosecutors, and representatives of the intelligence services. Amnesty International reported that in a matter of minutes, the Death Commission rendered decisions regarding the fate of thousands of inmates through arbitrary trials. Reports say that over 5000 prisoners were executed at that time.

“In Tehran province, hundreds of men affiliated with leftist opposition groups were also executed. Their interrogations appeared more like a religious inquisition. They were asked: Are you a Muslim? Do you pray? Did your father pray and read the Qur’an? Those who identified as non-believers and said their fathers prayed were condemned to death for deserting Islam. Others were spared the death penalty but were ordered to be flogged until they agreed to pray,” the Amnesty report titled Blood Soaked Secrets reads.

Pictures of some prisoners summarily executed in Iran in 1988 (Image: Iran International)

The report says that women were also asked similar questions and the “incorrect” answers led to five lashes during each of the namaz performed in a day “until they agreed to pray regularly or die under torture.”

The hatred against “infidels” has been such that the Iranian security forces earlier this year barred the families of 1988 execution victims from visiting the graves of the political prisoners.

In June 2023, Hossein Mortazavi Zanjani, who was the head of Tehran’s notorious Evin prison in 1988, said that he was “ashamed” over the executions. “I’m ashamed, and…I want to express shame… They killed kids, they made families mournful,” he said.

Ebrahim Raisi and a continued legacy of human rights violations

In November 2019, amidst widespread protests over a sudden hike in fuel prices, Raisi oversaw a human rights crackdown while serving as the president of the Iranian judiciary. Raisi’s judiciary allowed security personnel and officials to kill hundreds of men, women, and children while torturing and secretly detaining thousands more. All of this occurred while he was in charge. Reports say that nearly 300 people were killed in the 2019 crackdown.

While the Iranian leader’s demise may have left a void in the country’s politics, with numerous mourning, a significant section of people also reported to have celebrated and lit fireworks after the death of the “Butcher of Tehran”.

‘Confused’ Gauhar Khan alleges deprivation of voting rights, vents anger at authorities, only to find her name on the voter list at old address

OpIndia Staff
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‘Confused’ Gauhar Khan alleges deprivation of voting rights, vents anger at authorities, only to find her name on the voter list at old address

On Monday, 20th May, alleged actress Gauhar Khan gave netizens a field day when she went out to vote in Mumbai, which went for polling in the fifth phase. Claiming that the polling officials didn’t allow her to cast her vote using her Aadhaar card, Gauhar Khan vented anger against the authorities. She alleged that things are “very confusing” and “badly organised”.

Taking to Instagram, Gauhar Khan also asserted that she was being deprived of her voting rights, later she posted another story on Instagram to reveal that she cast her vote at some other polling booth.  

According to Gauhar Khan, the confusion happened because her name on the voter list was enrolled at her old address. However, her post is going viral, with netizens trolling and schooling her for her remarks about the Aadhaar card being proof of citizenship. Several others have slammed her for spreading falsehoods and playing the victim when she is not one. 

Notably, it all started when Gauhar Khan came out of a polling booth in the afternoon and started venting anger against the polling officials and accused them of inefficiency. Gauhar Khan stated that she was not allowed to cast a vote even though she had her Aadhaar card with her. She argued that while her name was not on the voter list of that polling booth, she should have been allowed to cast her vote there as she had her Aadhaar card with her, which according to her should have been enough to vote. 

Taking to her Instagram Stories, Gauhar Khan said, “I have an appeal. Why do we have Aadhaar cards if we are not considered citizens enough to vote? Your Aadhaar card is your identity that you are an Indian citizen and you should be able to vote with that.”

Insinuating malpractice and casting aspersions on the preparation of the voter list, Gauhar Khan further alleged that while her name and her family members’ names were not on the voter list at that polling booth, she saw the names of many people who no longer live in the apartment building.

It is important to note that before the start of any election, the polling body carries out extensive exercises to update electoral rolls. This is done because several voters enroll their names at the nearest polling station to their new address, to correct their details, new voters become eligible for the first time, and the names of deceased voters need to be deleted. However, if the voters or local agents/representatives fail in their duty, anomalies such as the names of some deceased voters and voters’ names at their old addresses remain in the updated voter list.

(Electoral rolls are updated from time to time and Election Commission carry out extensive excercise for it. Additionally, voters on their own can use Election Commission Website to find their names in the electoral rolls, make correction, among other facilities provided by the polling body)

In her Instagram story, Gauhar Khan added, “People who have left the building are still on that list. I have seen it myself. And if I, my mom, my husband, everyone is registered on that building…. none of us are there. So how does one vote? We go with our Aadhaar card, Id proof and they say, ‘No you cannot vote.’” 

Gauhar Khan further stated that it makes ‘no sense’ that an Aadhaar card is not applicable in this situation.

Alleging that she and other people are being deprived of their voting right, Gauhar Khan added, “Here literally people are fighting and going berserk over there because they have their IDs but the survey doesn’t have their name on the list. They are saying if you are not on the list then you cannot vote. I think that is the most basic deprivation of your rights to vote!” 

However, Gauhar Khan later deleted her story and shared another one revealing that she was allowed to vote now. She said, “Yes! Finally, I have done it! Humne vote kar diya (We cast our vote)! I want to tell you no matter how difficult it is, it can be confusing. Lekin (But) please guys go and vote!”

She also appealed to voters to find their booths and vote. According to her, she had a very confusing and frustrating time as she and her family members’ name were missing from the address that she have lived for 9 years. Only 1 person from her family had received the voting slip. She then went looking from booth to booth in her area and finally found her name along with her mother’s name at her 15-year-old address. 

An Aadhaar Card is not proof of Citizenship

Several users took a dig at her argument that an Aadhaar card alone should be enough to cast a vote even on wrong/any polling booth, and sarcastically extended her argument to other fields. Several other users slammed her after she deleted her initial story arguing that an Aadhaar card is proof of citizenship and playing the victim when she was not one.  

Responding to her second Instagram story, one user commented, “Behen delete kyu kar di Insta story. Wese modi govt ne Adahar card ko Voter ID se link krne ke liye bhi kaha hua hai, u can do it by yourself from ECI website. Jo apko pyari Congress kabhi na karti coz farzi voters kum ho jate h us se jo ek baar voter id or dusri baar adhaar card dhundte h vote k liye na mile to Insta story dalo.” 

It is pertinent to note that the Government of India, time and again, has made it categorically clear that an Aadhaar Card is not proof of citizenship. Incidentally, this disclaimer is now included on the ID itself.

(Aadhaar card is not a proof of Indian Citizenship)
(The Election Commission has allowed voters to show their Aadhaar card or 10 other IDs in place of voter ID card, however, voters have to ensure that their name is in the voter list of that polling booth.)

However, the Election Commission of India has allowed voters to use any one photo identity proof along with their voting slip. It has allowed 11 alternative documents that one can carry along with their voting slip to cast their votes. These alternative IDs include – an Aadhaar card, PAN card, Driving license, and MGNREGA job card among others. However, voters have to ensure that their name is listed in the official voter list provided by the Election Commission.

Jaipur Police arrests serial rape accuser Bhavna Sharma who filed 14 rape cases since 2016: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Jaipur Police arrests serial rape accuser Bhavna Sharma who filed 14 rape cases since 2016: Details

On Saturday, 19th May, a woman identified as Bhavna Sharma has been arrested by Rajasthan police for filing a false rape case against an advocate. The woman accused of filing false rape case against the advocate has a history of filing fake rape cases in different cities to extort money. The arrest was made after an advocate filed a case against her in the district court accusing her of filing false rape charges against him to extort money.

A complaint against Bhavna Sharma was filed at Sadar Police Station on 8th May. Reportedly, Bhavna Sharma allegedly filed 14 false cases of rape and blackmail across different police stations over the past eight years between 2016 and 2024.

The Modus Operandi of Bhavna Sharma

According to the complaint, Bhavna Sharma befriended Nitin Meena and pressured him into marriage. When he refused, she allegedly threatened to file false rape charges and demanded money. Nitin Meena stated that Bhavna had already filed similar cases against several individuals. In one instance, Bhavna filed a rape case against Meena at the Jyoti Nagar police station.

After receiving the complaint, the police acted swiftly and arrested Bhavna Sharma. She was presented in court and sent to police custody. The investigation revealed that she has filed 14 cases over the years and many of them were found to be false. In some of the cases, the final report or FR has already been submitted dismissing them as baseless. In other cases, the investigation is underway.

Speaking to the media, Additional DCP Guru Sharam Rao of the Special Investigation Unit for Crimes Against Women confirmed that Bhavna Sharma was found guilty of extortion during the investigation. The police obtained substantial evidence including online transaction records that supported the allegations against her. She was booked under Sections 388 and 504 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Cases filed by Bhavna Sharma since 2016

In September 2016, Bhavna Sharma filed her first case at Shyamnagar police station under Sections 323 and 341 of the IPC. In the same month, she filed another case against the same person under Sections 376 and 354 of the IPC. While the chargesheet in the first case was filed in the matter, the accused man was acquitted in the second matter.

Bhavna Sharma’s third case was filed in October 2018 at Jyoti Nagar police station under Sections 376, 307, 354 and 500 of the IPC. A chargesheet has been filed in the case.

The fourth case was filed by her in May 2019 at Kanota police station under sections 376D, 377, 354, 307, 342 and 323 of the IPC against four five men. FR has been filed in the matter.

The fifth case was filed by her in May 2020 at DLF PH3 police station in Gurugram under Sections 376(2)N and 420 of the IPC. While the accused was acquitted in the case, she was convicted of 344 CrPC in March 2022.

A sixth case was filed by Bhavna Sharma at Shipra Path police station in January 2021 under Sections 376(2)N and 420 IPC. FR has been submitted in the matter and was accepted by the court.

The seventh case by Sharma was filed in February 2021 at Pachore Rajghar police station under Sections 376, 376(2)N, 342 and 506 of the IPC. The case is under investigation.

The eighth case was filed by her in June 2022 at Chitrakoot police station under Sections 323, 341, 354, and 506 of IPC and Section 66 of the IT Act. FR has been accepted by the court in the matter.

The ninth case was filed by her in June 2022 at Nagar police station under Sections 376(2)N, 354D and 506 of the IPC. FR has been submitted in the matter.

The tenth case was filed by her in June 2022 at Suket police station in Kota under Sections 376, 354, 354D, 342, 323, 313, 450 and 120B of the IPC. The matter is under investigation.

The eleventh case was filed by her in June 2023 at er Sections 228A, 500, 501, 506, 509, 120B of IPC and Section 72 of the IT Act. FR has been submitted in the case.

The twelfth case was filed by her in June 2023 at Shyam Nagar police station under Sections 376, 354, 420, 341, 323 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code. The matter is under investigation.

The thirteenth case was filed by her in December 2023 at Mahesh Nagar police station under Sections 376, 377, 354, 323, 506 and 190 of the IPC and the matter is pending.

The most recent case was filed by her in April 2024 at Jyoti Nagar police station under Sections 376, 384, 195A and 120B of IPC. The matter is pending.

Apart from the recent case, two FIRs were filed against her, one in November 2018 by court order, and one in May 2023.

Background of Bhavna Sharma and Arrest

As per reports, Bhavna Sharma approached the victim under the pretense of needing legal assistance. She presented herself as an advocate. Initially, she borrowed Rs 7,000 from the victim suggesting there was some urgent need. Slowly, Bhavna Sharma started demanding more money and threatened to file false cases against the victim when he refused to give money. When the victim distanced himself, Sharma lodged a rape complaint against him at the Jyoti Nagar Police Station.

On 19th May, Sadar Police arrested her based on the complaint filed by the victim. DCP Amit Kumar confirmed that she was arrested and sent to police custody.

Previous Cases and Legal Proceedings against Bhavna Sharma

Bhavna Sharma has a history of filing multiple false rape, molestation and assault cases. Out of these, police have already filed charge sheets in three rape cases and one assault case. FRs have been submitted in nine other cases. In one of the cases, the investigation is still underway.

Notably, she changed her statement in a Gurugram court in one of the cases leading to a penalty imposed by the court against her for filing a false case. Bar Association has also demanded a thorough investigation against her.

The police are investigating Bhavna Sharma’s background to reveal more details about her extortion schemes. The pattern of filing false cases and extorting money has raised serious concerns and the facts in the cases filed by her are being determined.

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