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Illegal immigrants from Myanmar outnumber locals in 8 villages: Manipur MLA urges CM N Biren Singh for their deportation

OpIndia Staff
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Illegal immigrants from Myanmar outnumber locals in 8 villages: Manipur MLA urges CM N Biren Singh for their deportation

The number of illegal Myanmar nationals living in shelter homes in eight villages has outnumbered the locals, a Manipur MLA has claimed in a letter to the state Chief Minister. Notably, Leishiyo Keishing, the MLA from Naga People’s Front (NPF), an ally of the BJP-led government in Manipur, wrote a letter to Chief Minister N Biren Singh on 9th May. The letter stated that the illegal immigrants are involved in murder, kidnapping, and other criminal activities.

In the letter to the state CM, MLA from Phungyar (ST) assembly constituency, Leishiyo Keishing has raised alarms about the threats posed by the large influx of illegal immigrants from Myanmar into the state. He has also urged the Chief Minister to deport the illegal immigrants back to their respective places. The MLA has also demanded that the government should increase the strength of the armed police personnel at the border.

The NPF MLA has highlighted concerns about the continuous influx of illegal immigrants from Myanmar particularly since November 2023. The letter added that the influx of illegal immigrants has exacerbated law enforcement challenges in border areas. It added that many untoward incidents have been reported where local residents were beaten up over tussles on petty issues. In his letter, Keishing said, “The police are unable to detain the troublemakers and control the situation as they don’t have enough personnel in the border area.” 

The letter added, “… Even local customary law cannot control/bind them because of the foreign custody beliefs of the refugees. There have been numbers of incidents of killings and kidnappings of local residents committed by the immigrants, but the culprits could not be apprehended as they abscond and cross the border where neither customary law nor Indian law could be enforced.” 

In his letter, Keishing has quoted data that was earlier announced by the state government. Recently the state government revealed that the number of immigrants from Myanmar stood at 5,457, out of which the biometrics data of 5,173 has been recorded. 

The MLA also stressed the need to deport the illegal immigrants so that the history of 1968 is not repeated. Incidentally, in 1968, 1,500 Kuki immigrant families from Myanmar who came to Manipur the previous year were allowed to settle permanently and they were granted Indian citizenship. 

The letter argued for deportation of the illegal immigrants so that the government could avoid current situation like crisis/unrest in the state in the future. 

Manipur BJP MLA, Rajkumar Imo Singh, supported his request to deport the illegal immigrants from the state. Taking to X, Rajkumar Imo Singh, who is also the son-in-law of the Chief Minister, wrote, “… Let us all secure our border and the people of the state, for which the government is taking up all legal and appropriate measures to protect its people.”

It is pertinent to note that on 8th May, the Manipur government announced the completion of the first phase of deportation of illegal immigrants from Myanmar “without any discrimination”. On Sunday, Chief Minister N Biren Singh highlighted the pressing issue of illegal immigration from Myanmar and added that the deportation process is underway in the state. 

Speaking with media, CM Singh said that the Manipur government has detected as many as 5,801 illegal migrants in Kamjong district to date, while 15 individuals have tragically succumbed to natural causes and 359 have voluntarily returned to Myanmar.

Women’s rights champion Swati Maliwal silent after alleged thrashing of a woman MP in CM’s house? Former DCW chief owes answers to people

OpIndia Staff
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Women’s rights champion Swati Maliwal silent after alleged thrashing of a woman MP in CM’s house? Former DCW chief owes answers to people

On Monday (13th May), Swati Maliwal, the AAP Rajya Sabha MP and former Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chief accused Bibhav Kumar, the personal assistant of Arvind Kejriwal, of assaulting her inside the Chief Minister’s residence. However, even though 26 hours have passed since the AAP leader contacted Delhi PCR about the alleged assault incident, media reports citing sources have stated that she has ‘not come forward’ to file a complaint with the Delhi police regarding the alleged assault.

Sharing details about the initial complaint by Maliwal over a phone call, DCP of North M K Meena stated that they received a PCR (Police Control Room) call at 9.34 am from a woman who said she had been assaulted at the Delhi Chief Minister’s residence. 

The PCR call report received by the MP read, “I am a lady calling from the Chief Minister’s official residence. His PA has beaten me up badly on his saying.” However, she has not filed any official complaint as of yet. 

The DCP told reporters, “After some time, MP madam (Swati Maliwal) came to the police station. However, she left stating she will give a complaint later.” According to sources, she said she is not in good condition then and hence, would file the complaint later. 

Another officer confirmed that the alleged woman victim was Swati Maliwal. The officer said that the call was from Maliwal’s mobile number adding that she was the one on the other side of the line.

Internal rift in Aam Aadmi Party over Rajya Sabha berth and Maliwal’s political inactions?

Although the AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal has not filed an official complaint in this matter, the Daily Pioneer, citing sources, reported that the Aam Aadmi Party and its senior leaders, including party supremo Arvind Kejriwal, have been annoyed with her. It is being said that things have gone against her in the party because she didn’t come out publicly to support the party when its Chief Arvind Kejriwal was sent behind bars or participated in a protest against the AAP Supremo’s arrest.

It is further reported that she didn’t make at least a courtesy visit when Kejriwal was in jail facing a probe in the Delhi Liquor Policy scam case. Senior party leaders Manish Sisodia, and Satyender Jain are still in jail in the same case while the party’s Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh is out on bail. 

As per reports, Swati Maliwal had recently stayed in America for several days and she didn’t take to the streets to participate in protests against Kejriwal’s arrest.  

The report citing sources also added that the rift between Maliwal and the party has been widening further over the issue of Rajya Sabha berth. Reportedly, she is being forced by the party to resign from the Rajya Sabha as the party leadership is mulling over giving her Rajya Sabha seat to a top lawyer helping Kejriwal and others in the case, an apparent reference to Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

Women’s rights champion, Swati Maliwal, is incommunicado and has not taken any steps to lodge a formal complaint after calling police

After receiving the initial complaint over the phone, a team from the Civil Lines police station reached the Chief Minister’s residence to probe her allegations. The SHO met Maliwal there and she told him she would soon be going to the police station, the officer said. Maliwal went to the police station at 10 am.

The officer said, “In the police station, she was informed that a medical examination is necessary to file an assault FIR. She was at the police station for five minutes and left without filing any formal complaint. She said she would be back later.” 

According to an official, she also cried at the police station. Officials have noted that Maliwal who has been DCW Chairperson for nine years must be aware of the procedures that are needed to be followed in such serious cases. 

“As a former DCW chairman and now a Rajya Sabha MP, Maliwal would be aware of procedures that are followed after any distress calls regarding physical assaults are made. Top officials are treating the case with utmost concern and gravity,” a Police official was quoted saying by Times Now.

Delhi Police officials need her signature on the complaint copy to begin their investigation. The official said, “We can’t begin the investigation without a signed complaint copy of the honorable MP.” 

The official noted that so far neither Swati Maliwal nor the Chief Minister’s Office nor Kejriwal’s Personal Secretary have formally approached the area police.

Incidentally, when Swati Maliwal was the DCW Chairperson, she had actively demanded prompt action on the complaints of the victims in cases of crime against girls/women and had visited the residence of the victim to extend her support. 

Evidently, in August 2023, NCPCR Chief Priyank Kanoongo had slammed her for pressing to meet the family of the minor victim who was allegedly raped by a Delhi government official for several months. Kanoongo lambasted her claiming that it is nothing but a shameful act of using an unfortunate case to gain limelight.  

In May 2023, she met the family of a teenager who was stabbed to death in public near Shahbad dairy, she demanded a death sentence for the murderer in six months.

In cases outside the territory of India, she had written a letter to Foreign Minister S Jaishankar on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan in August 2022 seeking justice for an Indian-origin woman Mandeep Kaur who died by suicide in New York. The DCW chief had also demanded that the Ministry ensure the safety of Indian women living abroad.

Maliwal, who was known for promptly responding to crime scenes and advocating for swift action in cases of violence against women, has often courted controversy for allegedly seeking media attention. However, in her own case, after initially reporting being assaulted inside the Delhi Chief Minister’s residence, she has maintained an unusual silence.  

As an MP and as a vocal women’s rights advocate, the former DCW chief needs to clarify what happened on May 13 and cooperate with law enforcement authorities to take the case to its legal end.

2022 PFI-Phulwari Sharif terror conspiracy against PM Modi – Patna Court denies anticipatory bail to 6 accused: Here’s all you need to know about the case

OpIndia Staff
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2022 PFI-Phulwari Sharif terror conspiracy against PM Modi – Patna Court denies anticipatory bail to 6 accused: Here’s all you need to know about the case

In its latest verdict on the PFI-Phulwari Sharif Terror Module case, the Patna High Court refused anticipatory release to six accused people involved in the conspiracy to disrupt Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bihar in July 2022. Justice Vipul M Pancholi and Justice Ramesh Chand Malviya examined the evidence submitted by the investigative agency and concluded that there was a prima facie case against the appellants.

The accused sought anticipatory bail, claiming that they were wrongfully named as co-conspirators in the case. However, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) produced evidence revealing their role in developing criminal plans to disrupt communal peace and public order.

After reviewing all of the evidence presented to the Court, including retrieved documents and data from the accused people, the Court found that an attempt to thwart the Prime Minister’s visit had been planned. The Court recognised the gravity of the accused violations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and upheld the Special NIA Judge’s decision to deny the anticipatory bail application.

Background of the Phulwari Sharif Conspiracy Case

The case concerns the involvement of accused and suspected PFI members in illegal and anti-national actions who gathered in the Phulwari Sharif area of Patna, Bihar, and hatched a terror conspiracy to disrupt a political event expecting the arrival of PM Modi in the city in the year 2022. 

The accused terrorist individuals associated with the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI) had allegedly planned a plot to conduct anti-India activities and target the event expecting PM Modi in July 2022. The Bihar Police busted several terror modules where youth were getting trained to use arms and also confirmed the development and said that the terrorist organisation had planned to disturb the event in which PM Modi had participated on July 12, 2022. The police also said that it was a planned conspiracy and that the accused persons had been conducting and offering training to other individuals to conduct anti-India activities.

The case had been registered against 26 people in total and 5 of them were arrested on 20th July 2022. The arrested individuals included Md Jalaluddin and Athar Parvez who primarily had trained around 26 other people for creating violence at PM Modi’s event in Patna on July 12. Md Jalaluddin was a former police officer from Jharkhand while Parvez was a member of PFI and its political arm SDPI.

PFI was irked by ‘blasphemous’ remarks made by Nupur Sharma

The Police also recovered the relevant documents from the accused to discover that the PFI was hurt by the alleged ‘blasphemous’ statements made by ex-BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and that they had made a plan to take revenge against the alleged remarks. Former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma had been accused of ‘blasphemy’ after she allegedly spoke against Prophet Muhammad in a live TV debate.

Irked by these alleged blasphemous remarks, the now-banned terrorist organisation, PFI had planned a conspiracy in Phulwari Sharif. The FIR registered in the matter also mentioned that the accused belonging to the terrorist organization had planned to disturb the event in which PM Modi had participated on July 12.

The conspiracy was eventually foiled by Bihar Police who further discovered during the inquiry that Parvez was in frequent contact with members of many foreign organisations and was seeking foreign funding to carry out anti-India operations in the country. Suspected terrorist training centers had also been operational in Phulwari Sharif 15 days before PM Modi’s visit. They held meetings on July 6 and 7, 2022, and used communally inciting speeches to instigate the Muslims.

‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’ and ‘Direct Jihad’ WhatsApp groups were used to propagate anti-India activities

It was reported on 24th July 2022 that one of the accused persons arrested by the police in the case had received funds in the form of cryptocurrency from Qatar. Marguv Ahmad Danish, the accused in the Phulwari Sharif terror module case was also operating two WhatsApp groups named ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’ and ‘Direct Jihad’ to propagate anti-India activities in the region.

The police then recovered one of the documents named ‘India Vision 2047’ that talked about ‘subjugating coward majority community’ and bringing back the glory of Islam to the country. “PFI is sure that even if 10% of whole Muslim population gather behind it, it will conquer frightened majority group and restore the glory,” the police read quoting an excerpt from the eight-page long document titled ‘India Vision 2047’.

According to the Police, the document further stated that in the event of a full-fledged conflict with the state, apart from relying on cadres, they would need help from their friendly Islamic countries. “In recent years, PFI has built cordial connections with Turkey, a flag-bearer of Islam,” the police official quoted statements from the document.

However, later the case was transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) after the orders from the Home Ministry. The NIA then investigated the case and arrested several Maulvies from the region who had been associated with PFI and offered controversial teachings to Muslim students. One such Maulvi was arrested by the NIA on 23rd July 2022, Asghar Ali from Dhaka Bazar of Motihari.

Accused Asghar Ali was a ‘teacher’ in the Jamia Maria Misawa Madrasa in Dhaka Bazar. The agency had also recovered a lot of Urdu books from him which he used to teach to his students. The PFI members had been accused of organizing illegal arms training and radicalization activities with the goal of waging a war against India.

NIA chargesheet and raids, ban on PFI

The NIA investigations found that the criminal conspiracy was formed with the goal of carrying out acts of terror and violence, creating a terror atmosphere, and jeopardizing the nation’s unity and integrity.

According to the NIA, the accused arranged for rented lodging in Ahmad Palace in Phulwari Sharif and used its premises to provide training in the conduct of acts of violence as well as to hold criminal conspiracy meetings. “The accused also collected funds, recruited members, organized training, and encouraged its members to establish Islamic Rule in India,” the anti-terror agency said.

On 7th January, this year, the NIA filed a charge sheet against the arrested accused in a special court in Patna under sections 121, 121A, 122, 153A, and 153B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), as well as sections 13, 17, 18, 18A, 18B, and 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

On 3rd August 2023, the NIA filed a supplementary chargesheet against four more accused. The supplementary chargesheet was also filed before the NIA Special Court in Patna against the accused identified as Md Tanweer alias Md Tanweer, Md Aabid, Md Belal, and Md Irshad Alam, who were involved in spreading the banned outfit’s ideology and plotting criminal activities by arranging weapons and ammunition.

As far as the latest updates in the case are concerned, the NIA has arrested around 16 individuals in the case. The center also as a part of the action, exercised a ban on the terrorist Islamic outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) in the year 2022. Multiple raids were conducted by the NIA in the case and the probe still continues with the case being underway.

The Left confirms Congress’ Hindu-hate: The saga about IUML, Congress’ ally, throwing the ‘Kafir’ jibe at Left candidate in Vadakara

OpIndia Staff
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The Left confirms Congress’ Hindu-hate: The saga about IUML, Congress’ ally, throwing the ‘Kafir’ jibe at Left candidate in Vadakara

The polling for Lok Sabha Elections 2024 has been completed in Kerala. However, in the aftermath of the General Elections polling, the constituency of Vadakara has remained embroiled in controversy over accusations of communal campaigning against the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), an ally of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), for sending communally charged message targeting a candidate of Communist Party of India (Marxist) under CPI (M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF).

Notably, the message that was sent by an alleged IUML member deemed CPI(M) candidate KK Shailaja as a “kafir woman” while praising the UDF’s Congress candidate, Shafi Parambil, for his devout Islamic practices. With the controversy, Congress’s Hindu Hate has been exposed once again, this time by the Left.

In the message, the sender asked the voters to “vote for one among us” which has sparked significant backlash for the Congress-led alliance in the state. It resulted in accusations and counter-accusations between the leaders of UDF and LDF. CPI(M) called it a deliberate attempt by the UDF to polarise the electorate along religious lines.

The message, which was reportedly sent on 24th April, read, “Shafi is a Muslim, who offers prayers five times a day. The other candidate is a ‘kafir’ woman. Whom should we vote for, think before voting. Vote for one among us.’’

ON 25th April, CPI(M) circulated a counter-message that read, “During the days of Nipah, floods and pandemic, it was the kafir woman (Shailaja, former health minister) who held all of us close irrespective of caste and religion.’’

It seems as if the message was supposedly part of a broader strategy by the UDF to prevent the Muslim community from voting for the Left parties that are wooing the Muslim voters in the region. Notably, while the Left decided not to call it anti-Hindu, the message reflects the Congress’ “Hindu-Hate” stance and indicates that IUML is willing to use communal sentiments for electoral gains.

Responding to the allegations, Congress and IUML raised questions over the authenticity of the screenshot that is being shared on social media by the Left parties. They claimed that CPI(M) fabricated the message to gain sympathy and voted. Congress leaders called the message as a product of “CPI(M)’s misinformation campaign” to create tensions between the communities in the state.

Following the controversy, both sides held mass campaigns and conventions in Vadakara and accused each other of creating a communally charged atmosphere. The IUML organised a march to the local police station and demanded the arrest of those who shared “fake screenshots”.

CPI(M) Kozhikode district secretary P Mohanan said, “Muslim community has been getting closer to the Left. The UDF wanted to prevent this trend by creating communal polarisation. Hence, they have resorted to the heinous communal propaganda. There was a bid to paint Shailaja teacher as anti-Muslim.”

Congress leaders and Opposition Leader V D Satheesan said, “CPI(M) is continuing a communal campaign in Vadakara fearing setback in the next Assembly elections. CPI(M) depicted Shafi as a leader who did not stand for the Muslim cause. In another section of voters, they painted him as a worshipper of idols. Everything was a CPI(M) agenda for creating a chasm in society.”

Congress and Allegations of Hindu Hate

Congress’ relation to allegations of Hindu Hate is not new. The grand old party’s stance towards Hindu sentiments, symbols, traditions, Gods and Goddesses and issues related to the Hindu community is known to be anti-Hindu. Most of the Congress leaders become “pro-Hindu” during election times and go back to appeasement tactics as soon as elections are over.

Notably, Congress has been criticised by all sections of the society for not attending the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony that took place on 22nd January 2024. Congress claimed that it was the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) event which was false. Apart from PM Modi, CM Yogi Adityanath and a few other BJP leaders, there was no political leadership leading the event. It was organised by Ram Mandir Trust which is also taking care of the construction of the Bhavya Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

Furthermore, several Congress leaders have criticised and/or left the party for its stance on Ram Mandir. They described the denial to attend the ceremony as “suicidal” and “unfortunate” indicating a divide within the party on handling issues tied to the Hindu faith. Figures like Acharya Pramod Krishnam have accused the party of harbouring elements that are disdainful towards Hindu deities and practices. Leaders including Gaurav Vallabh and Radhika Khera have critically spoken over the party’s stance on Ram Mandir after resigning and joining the BJP.

Historical assertions about Lord Ram

Not to forget, the party has also been embroiled in controversies for claiming that Bhagwan Ram was a fictional character during the UPA government at the centre. In an affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court of India, Congress had said that Ramayana could not be considered a historic record leading to widespread criticism. Furthermore, the discussion around the Sethusamudram project that could have led to cutting through Ram Setu sparked serious criticism of the grand old party.

Implications of Hindu Hate and political strategies

There is a discourse around Congress’s handling of Hindu issues and it often intersects with the accusations of minority appeasement. For example, the Karnataka government under Congress sparked controversy by putting the whole Muslim community under OBC classification to give them the benefits of reservation. Such actions suggest that Congress has a tactical leaning towards issues that can help them in gaining votes from demographic groups other than Hindus.

From ‘merely planned to commit terror act’ to ‘mounting cost of house arrest’: How judiciary has been especially kind to Bhima Koregaon violence accused Gautam Navlakha

Amit Kelkar
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From ‘merely planned to commit terror act’ to ‘mounting cost of house arrest’: How judiciary has been especially kind to Bhima Koregaon violence accused Gautam Navlakha

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (May 14) granted bail to Urban Naxal Gautam Navlakha in connection with his alleged role in the Elgar Parishad Bhima Koregaon case citing the mounting cost of house arrest and the inordinate amount of time to complete the trial.

The court also mandated that Navlakha must pay Rs 20 lakh to cover the expenses for the security provided during his house arrest.

“Leave Granted. The charges are not framed…numerous witnesses running up to 370…co-accused(s) have been granted bail…Respondent submitted that some of the co-accused have not been granted bail…appellant has been incarcerated for four years…the appellant has been under house arrest…the High Court has passed a detailed order. The trial will take years and years…we direct the Appellant to pay twenty lakhs. This amount will have to be paid as a pre-condition for bail. The Appellant shall cooperate with the trial court,” the Supreme Court bench of Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice S.V.N. Bhatti observed. 

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) informed the Supreme Court that Gautam Navlakha, accused in the Bhima-Koregaon case, owes the state Rs 1.64 crore for the expenses incurred during his house arrest. The NIA also stated that citizens are not entitled to house arrest.

Senior Advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan, representing Navlakha, submitted that he is 75 years old and suffering from various health issues.

The court clubbed both the matters, Navlakha’s old age and the expense he has to bear for his house arrest, stating, “We will hear both matters together. We are not extending the interim order. This way, the problem of the mounting amount will not arise. All co-accused have been granted bail.”

In one fell swoop, the judiciary not only granted relief to Gautam Navlakha, one of the accused in the 2018 Bhima Koregaon violence, not just with bail but also did away with holding him under house arrest. 

The court’s magnanimity bestowed upon Navlakha is not a recent phenomenon. For some time now, Navlakha has been treated with unusual kindness that belies the seriousness of the accusations levelled against him. 

The case against Navlakha involves alleged inflammatory speeches made at the Elgar Parishad conclave in Pune on December 31, 2017, which allegedly triggered violence the following day near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial on the outskirts of the city in western Maharashtra, where lakhs of Dalits had gathered to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon, won by the British Army—comprising mostly soldiers from the Dalit community—against the Peshwas in 1818.

Moreover, Navlakha had reportedly visited the United States thrice in the period between 2010-2011 and written to a US district court judge seeking clemency for Fai, who was arrested by the FBI in 2011 on the charges of accepting funds to the tune of several million from the ISI and the Pakistan government.

In another case, on 31st December 2023, the Delhi Police interrogated Navlakha in Mumbai in connection with the NewsClick funding case. He was questioned about his association with NewsClick’s founder and Editor-in-Chief Prabir Purkayastha, as well as his shareholding in the company, PPK NewsClick Studio Pvt Ltd. 

Yet, the courts have been exceptionally lenient against him, humouring his demands and treating him with kid gloves.

SC grants ‘house arrest’ to Gautam Navlakha on ‘medical grounds’

In November 2022, the SC granted ‘house arrest’ of Gautam Navlakha on ‘medical grounds’ despite vehement opposition by the probing agency. Before the house arrest order, Navlakha was lodged in Navi Mumbai’s Taloja prison in connection with the Bhima Koregaon case. 

The court had expressed staggering concern for the health of Navlakha saying to the ASG, “Place whatever restrictions. At least let him remain in house arrest for a few days. Let’s try to work it out… How old are you? 68? So, you might understand”. 

These comments by the Supreme Court were made even as ASG SV Raju, appearing for the NIA, detailed the grave charges against Navlakha and told the court that his health condition had improved and he had no complaints at the moment. “They want to obtain bail by hook or crook. They will say the trial is being delayed. So many bail applications filed. Today discharge application was filed”, ASG said.

However, the Supreme Court turned down ASG’s request and granted ‘house arrest’ to Navlakha. During his house arrest, the court also allowed Navlakha to live with his partner without using the phone. He was also granted permission to meet 2 members of his family, once a week.

Bombay HC grants bail to Gautam Navlakha saying he ‘merely intended’ to commit a terror act but didn’t attempt it

A year later, in December 2023, the Bombay High Court granted bail to Bhima Koregaon violence accused Gautam Navlakha. In its order, the division bench comprising Justice AS Gadkari and Justice SG Dige noted that Navlakha merely intended to commit the terrorist at and did not attempt the same.

The HC, in its order, stated, “In the present case, the incriminating material as adverted herein above does not in any manner prima facie lead to draw an inference that, Appellant has committed or indulged in a ‘terrorist act’ as contemplated under Section 15 of UAP Act.” 

“According to us, the record prima facie indicates that it was at the most the intention of the Appellant to commit the alleged crime and not more than it. The said intention has not been further transformed into preparation or attempt to commit a terrorist act, to attract Section 15 of the UAP Act.”

The court also stated in its order that Navlakha had not committed any covert or overt terrorist act. “Even though in the said documents, the authors of it have expressed their intention to cause fatality to the politically influential persons or to cause tremendous disturbance in the Society at large, the Appellant only being a member of the party cannot be prima facie held to be a co-conspirator to it. From the material on record, it appears to us that, no covert or overt terrorist act has been attributed to the Appellant,” the order states.

And now, six months after the Bombay High Court granted Navlakha bail, the Supreme Court also followed suit, granting relief to the Urban Naxal accused of provoking violence in Bhima Koregaon in 2018, raising questions over whether the judiciary has meted out preferential treatment to Navlakha and others in the case, on account of their political and social status and pressure from the urban naxals lobby, and if it had displayed the same level of generosity if such grave allegations of inciting violence and riots were levelled against a common citizen. 

Multiple people involved in my son’s murder, had no enmity with Salman: Father of Ankit Meena, who was brutally murdered in Rajasthan, narrates ordeal

OpIndia Staff
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Multiple people involved in my son’s murder, had no enmity with Salman: Father of Ankit Meena, who was brutally murdered in Rajasthan, narrates ordeal

Two days after the gruesome murder of a Dalit youth named Ankit Meena by Salman and two others in Rajasthan, the victim’s father Ram Babu claimed the involvement of multiple people in the heinous crime.

While speaking to journalist Subhi Vishwakarma of Organiser, Ram Babu informed that Ankit had no enmity with his killers. “I also do not know those who killed him. Ankit was married and had a 2-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son.”

Ram Babu further informed that the victim left his home at around 4 pm on Friday (10th May). Ankit had requested him to send ₹160 at around 8:30 pm. Following this, the victim told his father that he had misplaced his motorcycle key and asked him to send someone with the keys.

According to Ram Babu, several others were involved in the murder of Ankit Meena besides Salman and his two ‘minor’ accomplices. He informed that the gruesome murder was recorded by one of the accused on his mobile phone.

He narrated that the video was 22 minutes long and showed the accused stabbing Ankit and crushing his head with a stone.

Ram Babu informed that the accused men had used an ice picker to stab the victim repeatedly for 20 times, thereby inflicting fatal injuries in the abdomen and chest region.

Screengrab of the FIR copy obtained by Organiser

The victim’s father also stated that Salman and his accomplices slit Ankit’s throat with a knife and amputated his hands.

Ram Babu denied the angle of a love affair as reported in the media and pointed out that the victim was married and had two kids.

He had demanded the arrest of the accused, who recorded the gruesome murder and circulated it online.

Family of deceased Ankit Meena, image via Organiser

Ram Babu had learnt about his son’s death from his neighbour Shivraj Meena. The victim’s body was discovered on Saturday (11th May).”He never spoke against Muslims or Islam till date on social media or anywhere,” Ram Babu told Organiser.

A First Information Report (number: 114/2024) was registered on Saturday (11th May) in connection to the case at the Gangapur City police station.

The incident has sparked outrage among the residents of Gangapur city, who had kept the markets closed in protest. They demanded swift justice for Ankit Meena and immediate disbursal of compensation of ₹50 lakhs for his family.

It must be mentioned that the Gangapur City Police had initially claimed that Salman suspected Ankit of having an affair with his girlfriend and hatched a conspiracy to kill the victim.

Jamtara: Sarfaraz Ansari along with his accomplice attempts to rape a tribal woman while she was bathing in a pond; assaulted and pulled her tongue out when she resisted

OpIndia Staff
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Jamtara: Sarfaraz Ansari along with his accomplice attempts to rape a tribal woman while she was bathing in a pond; assaulted and pulled her tongue out when she resisted

An accused named Sarfaraz Ansari and his accomplice have been arrested in Jharkhand’s Jamtara for attempting to rape a woman who hails from the tribal community (Scheduled Tribes). As per reports, two youths from the Muslim community who are accused in this case, approached the victim when she was bathing in a pond. They attempted to sexually assault the victim which she vehementy resisted. Enraged by the victim’s resistance, the accused physically assaulted her and pulled her tongue out. 

The police have registered a case in this matter and further investigation is underway. Both the accused have been taken into custody. The incident which took place on Sunday (12th May 2024) created a lot of resentment amongst the ST community. The principal opposition party, BJP slammed the JMM government over the issue of Law and order and accused it of emboldening the hooligans. 

According to media reports, the incident took place in the Karmatand police station area of Jamtara. On Sunday, the victim was bathing in the pond between 12 noon and 1 pm. Then, Sarfaraz Ansari, a resident of Lawadih village, reached there with one of his companions. He found the victim alone and attempted to rape her. The victim protested against the advances of the accused and made loud cries for help. Angered by this, Sarfaraz and his accomplice brutally assaulted the victim. 

It is alleged that he threw her on the ground, put his hand in her mouth, and pulled out her tongue. After strenuous resistance by the victim, the accused fled from the spot after issuing threats. The accused Sarfaraz lives in the victim’s neighbouring village. Following the incident, the victim ran towards her village and narrated her ordeal to the villagers. The victim is unable to speak properly because her tongue has been pulled out.

After receiving information about the incident, police reached the spot. Initially both the accused absconded but the Police later apprehended them. 

Slamming the JMM government, the BJP described the incident as a failure of law and order of the state government. Taking to X, Former state Chief Minister Babulal Marandi wrote, “Hemant Soren has only emboldened miscreants like Sarfaraz Ansari during his rule. In the last 4 and a half years, during the JMM-Congress rule in Jharkhand, the incidents of crime against women, especially tribal girls, have increased significantly.” 

He pointed out that the state has witnessed incidents of Love Jihad with tribal girls, incidents where tribal girls were torched by pouring petrol on them, killing the victims by crushing them with vehicles, yet the state government remains silent in these cases.

He demanded that the Chief Minister of Jharkhand Champai Soren should form a special police force and take strict action against the accused. He described the victim as being in physical and mental terror. It is said that initially FIR in this case was registered against unknown persons. Later both the accused were detained. Further Investigation and other legal action is being taken in the matter.

Open AI announces GPT-4o, says Chat GPT can now reason across voice, text and video in real time: Know what it is

Shraddha Pandey
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Open AI announces GPT-4o, says Chat GPT can now reason across voice, text and video in real time: Know what it is

On Monday, the 13th of May, Open AI announced the release of GPT 4 ‘o” (“o” for “omni”), the latest version of its artificial intelligence model behind ChatGPT.

The new model, GPT-4o, is an update to the company’s previous GPT-4 model. The model will be offered to unpaid users, allowing anyone to access OpenAI’s advanced technology via ChatGPT.

GPT-4o will essentially transform ChatGPT into a digital personal assistant capable of real-time, voiced conversations. It will also be able to interact via text and “vision,” which means it will be able to examine and discuss screenshots, images, documents, or charts uploaded by users.

During the OpenAI Spring Update event on Monday, the company’s CTO Mira Murati said, “GPT-4o reasons across voice, text, and vision. And with this incredible efficiencies, it also allows us to bring the GPT-4o intelligence to our free users. This is something we have been trying to do for many, many months. It’ll be free for all users, and paid users will continue to have up to five times the capacity limits of free users.”

GPT-4o will be phased out and will support more than 50 languages around the world. The company also demonstrated the model’s real-time conversational speech.

According to OpenAI, the model can reply to audio inputs in as little as 232 milliseconds, with an average of 320 milliseconds, which is comparable to human response time during a conversation.

The company also stated that GPT-4o achieves GPT-4 Turbo-level performance in text, reasoning, and coding intelligence whilst creating new high watermarks in multilingual, audio, and vision capabilities.

The AI chatbot can help the users in their everyday tasks including interview preparation, real-time translation, meetings, having light-hearted conversations, playing interactive games, and even singing songs for the users.

Features ChatGPT free users will have access to while using GPT-4o

In a blog post, OpenAI said that ChatGPT free users can now access features such as GPT-4 level intelligence, get responses(opens in a new window) from both the model and the web, analyze data (opens in a new window) and create charts, Chat about photos you take, Upload files (opens in a new window) for assistance summarising, writing or analyzing, Discover and use GPTs and the GPT Store, and build a more helpful experience with Memory.

According to the company, the number of messages that free users can send using GPT-4o will be limited based on usage and demand. When the limit is reached, ChatGPT will instantly switch to GPT-3.5, allowing users to continue conversations.

ChatGPT-4o to transform education, elevate the standard of the learning experience of students

With advancements in technology, particularly artificial intelligence, ChatGPT has emerged as an effective tool for transforming learning experiences via AI conversations. It works on deep learning principles, using large-scale datasets to pre-train its language understanding abilities. Using this powerful AI conversational tool in education elevates the learning process to whole new heights, providing students and teachers with unique chances for growth and collaboration.

In one of the demonstration videos, Khan Academy founder Salman Khan and his son interacted with ChatGPT GPT-4o to learn maths. The duo shared their iPad screen with the new ChatGPT GPT-4o, and the AI spoke with them and helped them learn in real-time.

In another demo given during the Monday event, OpenAI’s research heads, Mark Chen and Barret Zoph, began with real-time chats with ChatGPT, demonstrating how the model can detect a user’s emotions and generate various emotive conversation styles. While showcasing Vision capabilities, Zoph wrote a math problem related to linear equations and asked ChatGPT to answer it step by step. The chatbot easily addressed the problem, while Zoph scribbled it down while chatting. GPT-4o can tailor its responses and information to meet the unique needs of each learner.

With AI tools like ChatGPT reaching every nook and corner of the world, it can certainly bring a revolution in the education sector globally. In India, particularly, where commercial coaching for IIT-JEE, NEET etc charge high tuition fees, the ChatGPT GPT-4o free-to-access model can make an impact and facilitate Indian students in their academic education and preparation for competitive exams.

Limitations of GPT-4o

In a blog post, Open AI said that “GPT-4o has safety built-in by design across modalities, through techniques such as filtering training data and refining the model’s behaviour through post-training. We have also created new safety systems to provide guardrails on voice outputs.”

It also evaluated GPT-4o in several categories including cybersecurity, Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN), persuasion and model autonomy. The company says that GPT-4o “does not score above Medium risk in any of these categories.” The company said that it recognises that GPT-4o’s audio modalities present a variety of novel risks. 

One Kashmir votes peacefully, other erupts in violent chaos: PoJK protesters killed by Pakistani forces for demanding basic rights and fair prices

Siddhi Somani
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One Kashmir votes peacefully, other erupts in violent chaos: PoJK protesters killed by Pakistani forces for demanding basic rights and fair prices

On Monday (13th May), for the first time since 1996, Srinagar achieved the highest voter engagement of 38%, as a huge number of people exercised their right to vote, even in places that had previously seen widespread poll boycotts.

According to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) PK Pole, the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency received more than 38% of votes, the highest turnout since 1996. “I am glad to announce that the Srinagar Parliamentary constituency today recorded the highest ever voting percentage of over 38,” Pole was quoted as saying.

The J&K administration also confirmed a vote percentage of 38.3 in the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency at 10 pm. Pole stated that there was a lot of energy among the voters, and the voting was done in a very peaceful environment.

The peaceful voting in Jammu and Kashmir, and successful completion of election campaigns and the enthusiasm among voters were the biggest endorsement of the abrogation of Article 370 back in 2019. Naysayers, and enemies of India had predicted utter chaos, and the complete rejection of the move by the general public of the region. However, peace ruled. The people of Jammu and Kashmir, who are finally witnessing growth, trade, and healthy economic activities after decades of violence, have displayed that they are for development and peace.

Across the LoC, the contrast could not have been more sharp

While democracy was being honored in one part of the Union Territory, the other part of the region across the LoC faced massive chaos as Rangers of the Pakistani Army open-fired on the protesters in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir resulting in multiple casualties.

This is after Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif announced his approval to grant a subsidy amounting to Rs 24 billion for Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir where there have been several days of violent protests over inflation and tariff rise.

Notably, he also urged all the authorities and parties to resort to a peaceful course of action for the resolution of the protesters’ demands. “There should be absolutely no tolerance for taking the law into one’s own hands and damaging government properties. I have spoken to PM AJK and also directed all PML-N office bearers in AJK to talk to the leaders of the action committee and I urge all parties to resort to a peaceful course of action for resolution of their demands. Despite the best efforts of detractors, the matter will hopefully be settled soon,” the Pakistan PM was quoted as saying.

In spite of the immediate orders and actions of the Pakistan government, the Pakistani rangers, a paramilitary force under the Pakistan Army, opened fire in Muzaffarabad, killing at least four citizens protesting against inflation and exploitation, potentially escalating the already volatile situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

As per the reports, the Pakistani Rangers, who had been presumed to have been removed, began indiscriminate gunfire as protesters from around the region marched to the capital. Several disturbing videos and images of the gunfire have specifically been obtained by OpIndia in which the protesters can be seen injured and struggling to save their lives.

As per the reports, 4 civilians also are said to have been killed by the Pakistan Army as the latter opened fire. The civilians in Muzzafarabad were reportedly protesting and demanding their fundamental rights. In several other videos posted on social media platforms, the protesters could also be seen crying over the loss of four civilian lives.

The other civilian protesters meanwhile also bid farewell to one of the persons who lost his life in the chaos erupted by the Pakistani Army in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The video of the incident is making rounds on social media.

Govt order announcing power tariff cuts in PoJK

Reports say that while the government on one hand announced price cuts, they said the development funds for the region would have to be cut.

Later, the enraged Kashmiris could also be seen pelting stones at the vehicles of Pakistan rangers. Kashmiris have been organizing a long march against atrocities by the Pakistan Govt and Army demanding basic rights including electricity and wheat. Massive protests are underway in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Dawn reported that the Rangers were supposed to move out of the territory (Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir) via Brarkot — the village bordering Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, they chose to exit the region from Kohala. When the 19-vehicle convoy reached Muzaffarabad amid much unrest and a ‘charged atmosphere’, the people raised slogans and pelted stones. The Rangers then started firing their weapons at the protesters.

The rising prices of electricity prices and withdrawal of subsidies over wheat have forced the residents of the region to come out on the streets in protest. Severe taxes and a lack of basic amenities have led to widespread protests in the occupied territory where the locals turned violent. The recent events have exposed the harsh realities of the Pakistani administration in the territory illegally occupied from India.

While the Pakistan government has ‘named’ the illegally occupied region as ‘Azaad’ Kashmir, in reality, they exploit the resources while keeping its people deprived of the basic necessities, rights, and development.

Why the protests

As reported earlier, Pakistan has recently faced significant economic challenges. The unfriendly neighbor’s administration has been under scrutiny due to an almost depleted treasury, political instability, and mounting foreign borrowing. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently advised Pakistan to implement “strong cost-side reforms” to restore the profitability of its energy sector.

The IMF advised Pakistan to eliminate power subsidies for the energy sector in the upcoming fiscal year 2024-25 budget. The public is already feeling the strain, as evidenced by rising power prices. The current pricing per unit under 100 units is Rs 22 per unit, increasing to Rs 65 per unit if more than 700 units are used per billing cycle.

The increase in several tariff rates has sparked widespread resentment. Furthermore, the Pakistan government’s elimination of wheat subsidies, combined with widespread bureaucratic corruption, has exacerbated the people’s hardships.

Responding the to atrocities of the Pakistani government, the locals came out on the streets. However, the Pakistani government decided to curb the protests using force rather than dialogue. Earlier several units of Pakistani rangers and local police were deployed to disperse the protests and stop them at the budding stage. Rangers could also be seen using AK-47s on the civilians.

One of the policemen is also said to have lost life amid the chaos with 100 others reported injured. The situation in the valley remains tensed as the authorities continue to implement harsh actions including lathi-charge and firing of tear gas shells, besides blockades.

Mumbai hoarding collapse: Death toll reaches 14, and over 60 others injured, BMC calls ‘India’s largest hoarding’ illegal, blames Railways

OpIndia Staff
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Mumbai hoarding collapse: Death toll reaches 14, and over 60 others injured, BMC calls ‘India’s largest hoarding’ illegal, blames Railways

The death toll after a large hoarding collapsed in Maharashtra’s Ghatkopar area has risen to 14 on Tuesday, May 14.

According to the National Disaster Rescue Force, 74 people have been rescued alive from the spot, while 14 have been declared dead.

The count of total victims stands at 88.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been conducting rescue operation for those trapped since Monday evening, when the incident happened due to heavy rains and strong winds.

NDRF Inspector Gaurav Chauhan told ANI, “The incident was reported at around 5 pm. A huge advertising hoarding fell on a petrol pump. Around 65 people have been rescued. NDRF has rescued three people and located four dead bodies under the rubble. We are unable to use hydraulic and gasoline equipment to avoid any fire incident. We are using cranes to remove the debris. NDRF has rescued three victims. Before that 65 had been rescued. The rescue operations will continue till the morning.”

Notably, Mumbai police have registered a case under IPC 304, 338, 337, and 34 against owner Bhavesh Bhide and others at Pantnagar police station.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has also announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased. Shinde also said that the government will bear all expenses for the treatment of those injured.

President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar have condoled deaths of eight people and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

In a post on X, President Murmu said, “The news of several casualties due to the collapse of a hoarding in Ghatkopar area of Mumbai is extremely sad. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and wish for the success of the relief and rescue operations.”

Limca Book of Records, months after installations, BMC hurries to call it illegal

The BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has declared yesterday that the hoarding was illegal and it violated their rule of the maximum allowed size for hoarding in the city, which is 40×40.

However, the hoarding was not new. It has reportedly been there for months and was registered in the Limca Book of Records as India’s largest hoarding. Its size was over 17,000 square feet.

According to the BMC, there were four hoardings at the place and all of them were approved by ACP (Admin) for the Commissioner of Police (Railways Mumbai). The BMC added that no permission was sought from them before erecting the hoarding by the ad agency or Railways.

However, the Central Railway has refuted the claim, adding that the hoarding was not on their land and the issue is not in any way related to railways.

Rescue operations are still ongoing. BMC has posted that since the hoarding fell on a petrol pump, the rescue efforts have to be extra careful. Coordinated efforts of several agencies and private organisations is currently underway to remove the debris and rescue the persons trapped.

BMC’s Mumbai Fire Brigade, N Ward Office, Mumbai Police, 108 Ambulance Service, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), MMRDA, Bharat Petroleum, Mahanagar Gas, Adani Energy etc are helping in the rescue operations, BMC posted.

( With inputs from ANI)

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