Home Blog Page 1661

SC rejects woman’s plea seeking termination of 26-week pregnancy

ANI
-
0
SC rejects woman’s plea seeking termination of 26-week pregnancy

Ruling in favour of pro-life, the Supreme Court on Monday rejected a woman’s plea, seeking medical termination of 26 weeks of pregnancy.

A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, also comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra passed the order observing that there are no threats to the mother, not a case of foetal abnormality and doctors will face a viable foetus.

The court directed the government to bear all medical costs and the delivery to be conducted by AIMS at the appropriate time.

SC clarified the choice to give the child up for adoption depending on the parents.

The court noted that pregnancy has crossed over 24 weeks and termination of a 26-week pregnancy can not be allowed as it would violate the provisions under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act.

All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) on Monday apprised the Supreme Court that no abnormality has been detected in the foetus of a woman who had petitioned to seek the medical termination of her 26-week pregnancy and that with proper care and treatment under appropriate medical supervision, the mother and baby can be managed well during pregnancy and postpartum psychosis.

“It is felt that with proper care and treatment under appropriate medical supervision, the mother and baby can be managed well during pregnancy and postpartum as has been previously evidenced by her response to medications. In case of worsening of symptoms she may be admitted and treated,” AIIMS report said.

The hospital’s report was filed after the apex court directed it to do so in an order on October 13.

A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, also comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra said that it will try and pass the order on the petition post lunch today.

The woman has sought the termination of her 26-week pregnancy whereas the Centre has filed an application seeking a recalling of the top court’s order by which the woman’s petition has been allowed.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati submitted the AIIMS report that stated that the woman has a past history of postpartum psychosis, currently controlled on medications.

AIIMS report also said that as per the assessment by ultrasonography and fetal Echo, the foetus did not present any structural anomaly.

AIIMS also said that the continuation of pregnancy to full term while the woman is on the revised medications is not likely to significantly increase the risk of adverse outcomes for the mother and foetus as compared to other pregnant women. The court also took the note of AIIMS report.

ASG Bhati, appearing for the Centre, apprised the court about the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 and said that it is a liberal and pro-choice legislation, aimed at giving absolute primacy to the reproductive autonomy and health of the woman while balancing the rights of a viable unborn child.

She further added that now it is not a matter of choice but a choice between pre-term delivery and full-term delivery.

She assured the court that the government would assist her and her husband with everything including medical counselling.

Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves apprised the court on the issue related to the unborn and said that in international law today there is no right to the unborn child and the right of the woman is absolute.

But the court remarked with a question whether the woman should be allowed to abort even at 33 weeks of pregnancy in those cases where the foetus is not abnormal.

The court also said that the challenge to be law should be dealt with in some other proceedings as now the matter is limited to the woman and the state.

The matter was referred to a three-judge bench after a two-judge bench on October 11 gave a split order on the married woman’s plea seeking termination of a 26-week pregnancy.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday gave a split order on the married woman’s plea seeking termination of a 26-week pregnancy as one of the judges ruled against the termination while the other judge expressed disagreement and said that the woman’s decision must be respected to undergo the procedure of termination of her pregnancy.

A two-judge bench of Justices Hima Kohli and BV Nagarathna gave the split decision while hearing the Centre’s plea seeking the recalling of its earlier order allowing the woman to undergo the procedure of termination of her pregnancy.

Justice Hima Kohli said that her judicial conscience does not allow her to permit termination. Expressing disagreement, Justice BV Nagarathna said that the woman’s decision to undergo termination of her pregnancy must be respected.

The woman has submitted an affidavit stating she does not wish to carry out her pregnancy due to her mental condition and ailments.

On October 9, a bench of justices Hima Kohli and BV Nagarathna directed the woman to visit the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, AIIMS, New Delhi on October 10.

The court had also directed the AIIMS to admit the petitioner for her to undergo the procedure of termination of her pregnancy at the earliest with follow-up as may be advised by the treating doctors.

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

Sharad Navratri Puja celebrated at Sharda Temple near LOC for the first time since partition, Home Minister Amit Shah shares news

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Sharad Navratri Puja celebrated at Sharda Temple near LOC for the first time since partition, Home Minister Amit Shah shares news

On 15th October (Sunday), the Sharad Navratri Puja was performed at the newly constructed Sharda Temple which is located in the Teetwal border region of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district, near the Line of Control (LoC). Devotees in large numbers from far-flung areas attended the Navratri Puja as it was for the first time after partition that the Navratri Pujas were held in the Sharda Temple in Kashmir. 

Taking to X, Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that the development has a profound spiritual significance noting that the puja rituals were held for the first time since 1947 in the Sharda Temple in Kashmir. He noted that he was fortunate to inaugurate Mata Sharda Temple in March 2023.  

Home Minister Shah tweeted, “It is a matter of profound spiritual significance that for the first time since 1947, the Navratri pujas have been held in the historic Sharda Temple in Kashmir this year. Earlier in the year the Chaitra Navratri Puja was observed and now the mantras of the Shardiya Navratri puja resound in the shrine. I was fortunate to reopen the temple on 23rd March 2023 after restoration.”

He also pointed out that this historic development signifies the return of peace in the valley along with spiritual and cultural progress in Kashmir under PM Modi’s leadership. 

He added, “This not only signifies the return of peace in the valley but also marks the rekindling of our nation’s spiritual and cultural flame under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi.” 

Swami Govindananda Saraswati of Hampi was also present during the historic Puja ceremony. He had reached the Sharda Mata Mandir along with his followers on Rath Yatra from Kishkinda – the birthplace of Lord Hanuman in Karnataka.

Several prominent Kashmiri Pandit pilgrims, including AK Raina, a renowned theatre personality who had acted in the acclaimed film “The Kashmir Files” were also part of the ritual ceremony. 

Notably, the Teetwal area originally had Sharda Mata Mandir and Gurudwara but they were destroyed during the tribal raids of 1947. Recently, a new Mandir and Gurudwara were constructed in the same architectural style and on the same sacred land. It was later inaugurated on March 23 of this year by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Subsequently, the doors of the Mata Sharda Devi Mandir were opened for devotees on the first day of Chaitra Navratri, this year.

Regarding this, the Head of Save Sharda Committee Kashmir, Ravinder Pandita said, “It was yet again a historical moment to perform Navratri puja at Sharda temple LoC, for the first time after partition. The temple and Gurudwara that used to exist here were burnt down in tribal raids in 1947 and a new temple and gurudwara has come up on the same piece of land on the same pattern, that was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on 23 March, this year.”

The 34-day war in 2006: How Israel made Hezbollah regret their ‘act of war’ and why Hamas must learn from it

Dibakar Dutta
-
0
The 34-day war in 2006: How Israel made Hezbollah regret their ‘act of war’ and why Hamas must learn from it

The day was 12th July, 2006. Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based Islamic terror outfit, launched an unprovoked attack on Israel. The terrorists fired artillery rockets and mortal shells in the towns of Shlomi and Zar’it in Northern Israel, injuring five civilians.

They also targeted military outposts and infiltrated into the Israeli territory from the Lebanese side of the border. At about 9 o’clock in the morning on 12th July 2006, two armoured jeeps, carrying reserved Israeli soldiers, were ambushed between Moshav Zar’it and Moshav Shtula by Hezbollah.

The convoy was attacked with anti-tank missiles and explosives. Three soldiers were killed instantly while three others were severely injured. The Hezbollah terrorists also abducted two Israeli soldiers named Ehud (Udi) Goldwasser and Eldad Regev.

They managed to flee using an escape vehicle, which was waiting on the other side of the fence. The attack was so abrupt that the Israeli soldiers could not even fire a single shot.

IDF soldiers carrying a wounded personnel during the Hezbollah-Israel war in 2006, image via Haim Azoulay/ Flash 90

It was only 45 minutes after the attack that a contingent of 8 soldiers and officers arrived at the scene and gauged the severity of the situation. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) swung into action and conducted aerial surveillance.

A helicopter and an Israeli armoured personnel carrier were also dispatched to Lebanon to trace the abducted soldiers. While travelling close to a Hezbollah terror camp, the ‘Merkava Mk III’ tank was attacked by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), laden with 200-300 kg of explosives.

Four Israeli soldiers onboard the armoured personnel carrier was killed. Another IDF personnel was killed by mortar fire while trying to recover the bodies of the fallen soldiers. In total, 8 soldiers were killed while two remained in captivity of Hezbollah by the end of 12th July, 2006.

Israel declares war against Hezbollah

The then Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, described the actions of Hezbollah as an ‘act of war.’ He had said, “These are difficult days for the state of Israel and its citizens…There are people…who are trying to test our resolve. They will fail, and they will pay a heavy price for their actions.”

And then began a 34-day-long military excursion by Israel against Hezbollah and the Lebanese government. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted airstrikes and destroyed transport routes to prevent the terrorists from taking the abducted Israeli soldiers further away from the border.

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) wiped out 59 Iranian Missile Launchers, which were in possession of Hezbollah, on the 2nd day of conflict. This averted a possible strike on Tel Aviv by the Islamist terror outfit.

On July 16, 2006, the Israeli Cabinet declared [pdf], “Israel is not fighting Lebanon but the terrorist element there, led by Nasrallah and his cohorts, who have made Lebanon a hostage and created Syrian- and Iranian-sponsored terrorist enclaves of murder.”

Over the following days, Israel clamped down on Hezbollah terrorists. Lebanon’s infrastructure, including bridges, buildings, vital facilities, transport hubs, and industrial structures were decimated to the ground.

Bombing by Israel in Lebanon, image via Sadikgulec/Dreamstime.com

The Jewish State also deployed up to 7,000 troops into Lebanon, intensifying their ground offensive against the Hezbollah terrorists. The operation was backed by air support, tanks, and armoured bulldozers, targeting multiple areas along the border.

Israeli forces moved up to four and a half miles inside Lebanon, engaging Hezbollah terrorists and dismantling their outposts and infrastructure. Numerous airstrikes were conducted in support of ground operations.

The targets included Hezbollah terrorists , missile launchers, launching sites, and routes used to transport weapons from Syria. Additionally, suspected trucks carrying weapons near the Syrian border were targeted, intensifying the air campaign.

House-to-house battles ensued between Israeli forces and hundreds of Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanese towns and villages near the border. Israel faced the loss of 43 civilians, mainly due to indiscriminate rocket attacks by Hezbollah. About 117 Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers were martyred in the conflict.

The two kidnapped soldiers, Ehud (Udi) Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, had also succumbed to their injuries. Hezbollah terrorist Khalid Bazzi, who orchestrated the terror attack on Israel, was neutralised in an air strike during the 34-day war.

Besides, 150-170 Hezbollah terrorists and 43 Lebanese security force personnel were also executed. A cease-fire agreement was eventually reached between the two sides on August 14, 2006.

A lesson learnt by Hezbollah

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak (199-2001) had warned the Islamist terror group, shortly after its misadventure in Northern Israel.

“You think you can just do crazy stuff like kidnap our people and we will treat this as a little border dispute. We may look Western, but the modern Jewish state has survived as ‘a villa in the jungle’ because if push comes to shove, we are willing to play by the local rules. Have no illusions about that. You will not outcrazy us out of this neighbourhood,” he had said.

Hezbollah evidently miscalculated the response from the Israeli side after it killed 8 of their soldiers and abducted 2 of them (who eventually died). The pounding of Hezbollah targets by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) was so ferocious that Hezbollah supremo Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah regretted attacking the Jewish State.

While speaking to Lebanon-based New TV, the Hezbollah terrorist lamented, “We did not think, even one per cent, that the capture would lead to a war at this time and of this magnitude. You ask me, if I had known on July 11 … that the operation would lead to such a war, would I do it? I say no, absolutely not”

Hamas paying the price for terror attack on Israel

While Hezbollah was quick to learn its lesson in 2006, Gaza-based Hamas terrorists are yet to learn their lesson.

On 7th October, hundreds of Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israel through various means, overwhelming the Iron Dome with 5,000 rockets in a few minutes. They also abducted hostages and took them to Gaza.

In a counterattack on Hamas by Israeli forces, more than 1,500 Hamas terrorists have been reportedly killed amid the Israel-Hamas war. While hunting for the Hamas terrorists, IDF said it had been actively looking for the hostages.

The death toll in Israel from the Hamas attack has now surpassed 1,300, with over 3,300 injured, primarily civilians. Israel launched a major offensive against Hamas in Gaza, restricting power and water supply and blocking essential goods from entering the region.

On 14th October, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it was completing preparations for “significant ground operations” in the Gaza Strip.

According to IDF, they are preparing to “expand the offensive” by putting in place a “wide range of offensive operational plans” that would include “joint and coordinated attack from the air, sea and land,” reported Times of Israel.

IDF International Spokesperson Lt Col Richard Hecht issued a video statement that urged civilians from the Gaza Strip to evacuate immediately.

He emphasised that the objective of IDF is to protect the people of Israel from the ongoing attacks of the terrorist organisation Hamas, which had initiated the war with a brutal massacre.

Hamas possibly did not anticipate such a strong counter-reaction from the State of Israel. With the Jewish State now determined to crush the terror outfit completely, Hamas terrorists are running for cover.

Hermes, Louis Vuitton bags, iPhones, Salvatore Ferragamo shoes, and more: Read how much the items Mahua Moitra was allegedly bribed with cost

Anurag
-
0
Hermes, Louis Vuitton bags, iPhones, Salvatore Ferragamo shoes, and more: Read how much the items Mahua Moitra was allegedly bribed with cost

On 15th October, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha MP Nishikant Dubey leveled serious allegations of bribery against Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra, based on details provided by advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai. In his complaints, Advocate Dehadrai alleged that Moitra was paid in cash and gifts for asking questions in Parliament that favored tycoon Darshan Hiranandani’s business interests.

OpIndia accessed a copy of the complaint filed by Adv Dehadrai that contained a list of items that Moitra allegedly got in exchange for asking questions in the Parliament. Upon research, here is what we found about the products and their costs.

The first item mentioned in the list was iPhones. In one of the recent photographs on Mahua Moitra’s Facebook page, she can be seen holding an iPhone resembling its 14 Pro model.

Source: Mahua Moitra/Facebook

The phone is listed at a price of Rs 1,39,900 on Amazon.

Source: Amazon

The second item mentioned in the list is scarves from Hermes. While Hermes’ US website lists the scarves at USD 510 a piece, according to Luxepolis website, these are available in India at Rs 30,000 to Rs 38,000 a piece. Advocate Dehadrai did not mention the number of scarves.

Source: Hermes/Luxepolis

The third item mentioned in the list was scarves from Louis Vuitton. The scarves by Louis Vuitton can vary anywhere between Rs 50,000 to Rs 4,95,000 as per the company’s official website’s India store.

Source: louisvuitton

The next item on the list is 35 pairs of shoes from Salvatore Ferragamo. These shoes are available on multiple luxury brand websites, such as Fashiola. The price range of these shoes varies between Rs 70,000 to Rs 1,10,000. Considering the average price of Rs 80,000 per pair, the combined worth of the shoes alone would be Rs 28 lakhs.

Source: fashiola

The next item on the list was expensive wines from France and Italy that may cost anywhere between Rs 5,000 to Rs 50,000 a bottle.

Source: thewinepark

The next item on the list was Bags from Gucci. The bags from Gucci may cost up to Rs 2,00,000 easily in India.

Source: haute24

Furthermore, Advocate Dehadrai claimed she received a crocodile leather bag from Berluti. The alligator leather bag by Berluti costs USD 14,500, that is over 12 lakhs Rs.

Source: Berluti

Moitra is known for carrying luxury items to the Parliament. She sparked controversy as she was caught on camera hiding her Louis Vuitton bag worth Rs 1.6 lakh during a price rise debate in parliament.

Apart from luxury items, Advocate Dehadrai claimed Moitra received regular packets of cash in Indian Rupees and Pound Sterling. He further claimed to have seen her counting 20,000 pounds sterling at her residence.

American journalist slams AltNews cofounder Mohammed Zubair for painting a target on her back for exposing Hamas propaganda

OpIndia Staff
-
0
American journalist slams AltNews cofounder Mohammed Zubair for painting a target on her back for exposing Hamas propaganda

On 16th October (Monday), Foreign investigative journalist and founder of RAIR Foundation USA, Amy Mek, alerted Indians about the fake news peddling site Alt News and its co-founder Mohammed Zubair. She pointed out that just like in the case of Former BJP Spokesperson Nupur Sharma, Alt News’ co-founder Mohammed Zubair has been painting a target on her back for exposing the crimes of Islamist terror outfits like Hamas. 

Taking to X, American Woman journalist Mek asserted that a ‘Jihadi’ named Mohammed Zubair, operating a left-wing disinformation portal Alt News, has been carrying out a smear campaign against her and others who are exposing the propaganda of the terrorist organisation Hamas. (Archived) 

In her post, she inquired whether Mohammed Zubair was the same guy who endangered the life of Nupur Sharma for quoting references from the Islamic holy scriptures. 

She asked, “Is this the same antisemitic/hinduphobic individual who targeted Nupur Sharma and endangered her life?” 

Regarding the genesis of the controversy revolving around Sharma, she highlighted, “This was simply because she (Nupur Sharma) reported factual information about Prophet Muhammad and the age of one of his wives, Aisha. She noted that Aisha was 6 years old when married and 9 when the marriage was consummated.” 

Notably, on 26th May 2022, former spokesperson of BJP Nupur Sharma participated in a debate on the Gyanvapi disputed structure case on Times Now, where the other panellist from the Muslim community repeatedly abused Bhagwan Shiv. In response, Sharma remarked on Prophet Muhammad by narrating what has been written in Islamic holy scriptures. What she said has often been cited by various Islamic scholars, including hate preacher Zakir Naik.

AltNews’ Mohammed Zubair’s role in the controversy

Fake news peddling portal AltNews’ co-founder Mohammed Zubair exploited the debate by cleverly trimming the video clip of the debate to target Nupur Sharma. Little after the debate, he published a tweet and said, “Prime Time debates in India have become a platform to encourage hate mongers to speak ill about other religions. Times Now’s Anchor Navika Kumar is encouraging a rabid communal hatemonger & a BJP Spokesperson to speak rubbish that can incite riots. Shame on you, Vineet Jain.”

It is notable that Zubair cleverly snapped the part where a Muslim speaker had used derogatory language for Shivling. The clip starts with Nupur warning him to stop abusing the Hindu religion and its Gods. However, Zubair, in his tweet, insinuated to make it look like only Nupur had used derogatory remarks.

Soon several media houses, including international media, picked it up to attack India. British online paper Independent also noted in a report that it was Zubair who initiated the first attack on Nupur. 

Zubair posted the tweet at 11:31 AM on May 27. In less than an hour, at 12:08 PM, Sharma confronted him and asked him not to put up fake videos. She asked him to check the complete video to get the context. By that time, Nupur had already started getting rape and death threats. She published some screenshots of the comments she had received. 

Zubair is a dangerous individual, Mek notes

Further in her post, Mek highlighted that Zubair has been under the scanner of Indian agencies and was once arrested (for hurting religious sentiments). 

She noted that Zubair seems to be a dangerous individual who dog-whistles and encourages his followers to harass people. She said, “I also heard that he was arrested in India and seems to be a dangerous individual who encourages his followers to harass people.” 

She further asked if is it true that Zubair has received money from George Soros’s Open Society Foundations (OSF), which supports anti-India elements operating within India. 

The so-called ‘fact-checker’ Zubair has been notorious for leaking sensitive private (doxxing) information of persons to paint a target on them and has been endangering their lives. Pointing towards this aspect, Mek asked, “Is it true that he (Zubair) has doxxed people as well?” 

Mek concluded by asking Indians to share more information about Zubair. 

Cricket returns to Olympics after 128 years; will be a part of Los Angeles Games in 2028

ANI
-
0
Cricket returns to Olympics after 128 years; will be a part of Los Angeles Games in 2028

Cricket will be a part of the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028 and will make its return after 128 years to the multi-sport extravaganza, announced the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Monday.

The 2028 event will also include sports like baseball/softball, lacrosse, squash and flag football. The proposal from Organising Committee of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 to include these games in the programme was accepted at the ongoing 141st IOC session being held at Mumbai.

Cricket made its sole appearance at the 1900 Paris Olympics in which Great Britain defeated France in the final. But it is played in Commonwealth Games and Asian Games as well. Two IOC members opposed the proposal and one abstained from voting.

“The proposal from the Organising Committee of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 (@LA28
to include five new sports in the programme has been accepted by the IOC Session. Baseball/softball, cricket (T20), flag football, lacrosse (sixes) and squash will be in the programme at LA28. #IOCMumbai2023,” tweeted IOC Media.

The inclusion of Cricket at the Olympics was welcomed by Nita Ambani, chairperson of the Reliance foundation and IOC board member.

“As an IOC member, a proud Indian, and an ardent cricket fan, I am delighted that IOC members have voted to include Cricket as an Olympic Sport in the LA Summer Olympics 2028! Cricket is one of the most loved sports globally, and the second most watched. For 1.4 billion Indians, cricket is not just a sport, it’s a religion! So I’m delighted that this historic resolution was passed at the 141st IOC Session taking place right here in our country in Mumbai” Nita Ambani said.

“The inclusion of cricket in the Olympics will create deeper engagement for the Olympic Movement in newer geographies. And at the same time, provides a boost to cricket’s growing international popularity. I thank and congratulate the IOC and the LA Organizing Committee for their support to this landmark decision. It’s truly a day of great joy and jubilation!” Nita Ambani added.

The IOC session in Mumbai was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. The session serves as a key meeting of the members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Important decisions regarding the future of the Olympic games are made at the IOC Sessions. India is hosting the IOC session for the second time and after a gap of about 40 years. The IOC’s 86th session was held in New Delhi in 1983. 

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

Allahabad HC sets aside the death penalty of Moninder Pandher and his servant Surendra Koli in the infamous Nithari killing case

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Allahabad HC sets aside the death penalty of Moninder Pandher and his servant Surendra Koli in the infamous Nithari killing case

On Monday, October 16, Allahabad High Court acquitted Surendra Koli in 12 cases in which he was awarded the death penalty by a trial court. Moninder Singh Pandher has been acquitted in two cases in which he was awarded the death penalty. The two are the prime accused in the infamous 2006 Nithari murders in UP’s Noida.

Pandher and Koli were arrested on December 29, 2006. They were sentenced to death on charges of rape and murder by a trial court.

The Allahabad High Court High Court bench of Justices Ashwani Kumar Mishra and SAH Rizvi on Monday, gave its verdict on 14 applications of Koli and Pandher. While Surendra Koli had filed an appeal against the death sentence given in 12 cases, Moninder Singh Pandher had filed an application against the punishment given in two cases.

According to reports, the bench reversed in September judgement and accepted the two convicts’ appeal on the basis of lack of evidence and witnesses.

Moninder Pander was represented by attorney Manisha Bhandari. For Surendra Koli, attorney Payoshi Roy made an appearance.

A detailed copy of the judgement is awaited.

The 2005-2006 Nithari murders

The Nithari serial killings are one of the most notorious series of murders that has ever taken place in India. The gruesome killings had taken place between 2005 and 2006.

The bone-chilling incident came to the fore in December 2006, when two Nithari residents, the children of whom had also gone missing, told the police that they knew the location of the children’s remains. They identified the location to be the municipal water tank behind house number D5, Sector 31, Noida.

The bungalow belonged to Moninder Singh Pandher who lived there alone with his full-time house help Surendra Koli. His family lived in Chandigarh. Moreover, a domestic help named Maya Sarkar, a gardener and two drivers were employed in the house.

When the police started investigating the case, several plastic bags containing human skeletons were found in a sewer behind the bungalow. The Noida police arrested Pandher and Koli and the case was taken over by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

In front of the magistrate in 2007, Koli admitted to killing 11 female children, 2 male kids, and 5 adult women. he had said that he had lured the children to his residence by offering them sweets and chocolates. Koli allegedly used to strip off the victim’s clothes after each murder and make attempts at having sex with the dead body. After that, he used to carry the body upstairs to a bathroom where he cut it into pieces.

After three to four hours, he would cook some of the body parts and eat them. Only then, he would clean the drawing room area and the bathroom and throw the remains out of the bungalow.

Following the shocking revelations, what followed were trials and investigations for years. The Supreme Court confirmed the death sentence for Koli for the murder of Rimpa Halder in 2005. The Supreme Court dismissed Koli’s review plea in 2014.

Finally, in 2017, Koli was given a death sentence in 12 cases and Pandher in two cases.

Last year, Surinder Koli was handed his thirteenth death sentence by a CBI court in the infamous Nithari serial killing case. The CBI court pronounced the sentence in the 16th and final of the Nithari cases that it had been hearing since 2009 – this one was for the abduction, rape and murder of a 22-year-old woman.

Along with this, the court has also imposed a fine of Rs 40 thousand on Koli and Rs 4 thousand on Pandher. Both are already lodged in Dasna jail and are serving sentences in some other cases.

The Allahabad High Court has now acquitted the two in these cases.

Petty politics over death of Agniveer Amritptal ends up hurting honour of both the Army as well as his family

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Petty politics over death of Agniveer Amritptal ends up hurting honour of both the Army as well as his family

The Congress party, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), and Aam Aadmi Party started playing politics over the unfortunate death of first Agniveer Amritpal Singh. The parties have criticised the lack of a military guard of honour during Agniveer Amritpal Singh’s funeral that took place on 13th October at his native town of Kotli Kalan in the Mansa district of Punjab.

The political parties failed to consider the government policy and even the Indian Army’s say on the matter and criticised the Army and the government for the lack of a military guard of honour during Agniveer’s funeral.

The Indian Army commented on the matter and said that the cause of death was a self-inflicted injury, no guard of honour or military funeral was provided, in accordance with existing policy. “Unfortunate instances of death arising out of suicide/self-inflicted injury, irrespective of the type of entry, are accorded due respect by the Armed Forces along with deep and enduring empathy with the family. Such cases, however, are not entitled to Military Funerals as per the extant Army Order of 1967, in vogue,” the Indian Army posted.

As per a report by the Indian Express, Amritpal Singh passed away on 10th October from a gunshot wound to the head while serving with his regiment, the 10 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, in the Poonch region of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Agniveer Amritpal Singh died while on sentry duty in Rajouri Sector, due to a self-inflicted gunshot injury. A Court of Inquiry to ascertain more details is in progress. Mortal remains of the deceased, accompanied by one Junior Commissioned Officer and four Other Ranks, were transported in a Civil Ambulance hired by the Unit of the Agniveer. Accompanying Army personnel also attended the last rites. The cause of death being a self-inflicted injury, no guard of honour or military funeral was provided, in accordance with the policy,” the Indian Army said on Twitter (X).

Congress, SAD, and AAP raised questions

The Congress party criticised the Army and the government over the matter. State Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring commented on the issue and said on Twitter (X), “This is a sad day for our country as this who was recruited under the Agniveer scheme was sent back home in a Pvt ambulance & not given any guard of honour by the @adgpi. Does being an Agniveer mean that their lives don’t matter as much?”

“The bereaved family had to request the local Punjab Police to give our young boy a guard of honour. Is this why BJP started this policy? Is this how we will treat our Agniveers, different from the rest of our soldiers? Does the Central Government have any answers for this inhuman treatment of our young martyr? Shameful!” he added.

Senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia also wrote, “It is most tragic and unfortunate to see that due to the Modi Government’s new Agniveer Policy first martyr of the country, only 19-year-old Amritpal Singh was not even provided army ambulance to bring his body home. It is most shameful to note that even customary Guard of Honour was not provided to Martyr.”

Majithia continued by claiming that the Union Home Minister had just the day before acknowledged that Sikh community martyrs had played a key role in defending the nation. “Keeping in view the insensitive approach of Modi Government youth will desist from getting recruited under the scheme. Modi government should immediately stop this scheme…” he said.

Meanwhile, according to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab government will consider Agniveer Amritpal Singh to be a martyr and, like any other martyr, will give Rs 1 crore to the deceased’s family and file a protest with the Centre regardless of the policies of the Centre about his death.

How did Agniveer mritpal die?

Amritpal Singh is the first Agniveer to lose his life since the Agniveer scheme has been implemented. However, he lost his life due to a suspicious self-inflicted bullet. He was posted in Jammu and Kashmir. An inquiry into his death has been ordered. The matter is being investigated as to whether the bullet was fired accidentally or with the intention of committing suicide.

Meanwhile, the Indian Army in its statement confirmed that the Agniveer had died due to suicide. “It is a grave loss to the family and the Indian Army that Agniveer Amritpal Singh committed suicide by shooting himself while on sentry duty. In consonance with the existing practice, the mortal remains, after the conduct of medico-legal procedures, were transported under Army arrangements along with an escort party to the native place for the last rites,” the Army tweeted.

UP: Stones pelted on Hindu yatras while passing through Muslim-dominated areas in Kushinagar and Aligarh, police deny communal angle

OpIndia Staff
-
0
UP: Stones pelted on Hindu yatras while passing through Muslim-dominated areas in Kushinagar and Aligarh, police deny communal angle

On 15th October, a Navratri Kalash Yatra was allegedly attacked by Islamists in the Lakshmipur area of Kuberasthan Police jurisdiction under Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh. As per reports, stones were pelted at the procession when the Kalash Yatra passed through the Muslim area. A young child was injured during the incident. Kushinagar police have, however, denied a communal angle and said it was a scuffle between two groups. Four people have been arrested in the matter.

FIR does not mention chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’

An FIR has been registered under Sections 147, 323, 504, 506, 336 and 308 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) on the complaint of Naresh Sah, uncle of 6-year-old boy Piyush, who got injured in the incident. The FIR was registered against Tarbez, the unnamed son of Mubarak, the unnamed son of Intzaar, Chunnu and unknown people. OpIndia accessed the copy of the FIR.

Source: UP Police

In his complaint, Naresh said his nephew Piyush joined Kalash Yatra with one Satyendra Gupta. When the procession entered the Mosque’s vicinity, some Muslim community members came and asked them to stop the DJ. A scuffle broke down after the accused started abusing Hindu community members. They pelted stones, and one hit Piyush on the head. Piyush fell to the ground and lost consciousness. He was rushed to the hospital for treatment and under critical condition. They also threatened to kill the members of the Hindu community.

Muslims irked by chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’; reports

Dainik Bhaskar’s report suggested that Muslims accused Hindus of chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ in front of a mosque. They also claimed that there was a lack of police presence during the procession, which gave way to the scuffle between the two communities. Notably, there have been incidents of communal tension between the two communities in the past, but the villagers said the police made no appropriate arrangements for the procession.

Following the incident, police reached the spot to maintain law and order. Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ritesh Singh refused to comment on the incident. Additional police force was deployed to ensure law and order in the area.

Attack on Kalash Yatra

Nav Durga Puja Seva Samiti organised Kalash Yatra in the village on the first day of Navratri. When the procession entered the Muslim-dominating area, some Muslim community members got irked by the chants of Jai Shri Ram and pelted stones at the procession. A 6-year-old boy identified as Piyush got injured during the stone pelting. His mother told Dainik Bhaskar that she went to offer prayers at the temple. Piyush joined the procession without her supervision. He sustained minor injuries due to stone pelting.

Village Chief Vinod Gaur said in a statement that he was near the intersection when he heard stone-pelting had occurred. He pointed out that police presence was negligible at the time of the incident. Bharatiya Janata Party leader Dinesh Kumar Shrivastav criticised the police for the alleged negligence. He pointed out that similar incidents have occurred in the past, and the village falls under the sensitive areas of the police jurisdiction. However, there were no police personnel present to prevent communal conflicts at the time of the procession.

On the other hand, Muslim women claimed there was no stone-pelting. She accused Hindus of entering Muslim-dominated areas to instigate violence. She claimed that Navrari processions had never entered the vicinity of the mosque before, and three people from the Hindu community changed the route, led to the confrontation.

Following the incident, the situation remained tense in the area. Villagers said there was an ongoing demand for a police post in the area that has caused unease among the Muslim community.

Ram Baraat attacked in Aligarh

A similar incident occurred in Chandos of Aligarh, where two communities clashed after the Muslim community allegedly attacked the Ram Baraat procession. As per reports, stones were pelted at the procession and the attendees were attacked with iron rods. Following the attack, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and Hindu organisations staged a sit-in protest outside the police station, demanding the arrest of the accused.

The incident took place on the first day of Navratri. Every year, Hindus organise Ram Baraat on the first day of Navratri. However, this year, the procession was attacked. Several people were reportedly injured. The attackers allegedly came armed with sticks and swords and targeted the Hindus in the procession.

Angry Hindus gathered before the Chandos police station and demanded immediate action. FIR was filed by the police based on the complaint, and one person was arrested.

District Magistrate (DM) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Aligarh Range arrived to calm the situation. Speaking to the media, DIG said the situation was under control. DIG added the whole incident took place in under two minutes. The police personnel present at the scene controlled the situation. Police denied the claims of stone pelting. Additional police force has been deployed in the area to prevent such incidents in the future.

Maharashtra: VHP raises objection over construction of slaughterhouse in Daund over suspicion of cow slaughter, calls it illegal, unnecessary

Siddhi Somani
-
0
Maharashtra: VHP raises objection over construction of slaughterhouse in Daund over suspicion of cow slaughter, calls it illegal, unnecessary

On Sunday (15th October), local Hindu organizations raised an objection over the alleged illegal slaughterhouse being constructed in the Daund region of Maharashtra’s Pune district. The local Hindu members said that creating a slaughterhouse in the Daund region is unnecessary and that the state authorizing its construction has hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindus, Jain, Sikh, and Varkari Sampradaya communities.

As per the information obtained by OpIndia, the permission for the slaughterhouse in question was obtained by BJP MLA Rahul Kul. The Hindu community members met state BJP chief Chandrashekar Bavankule on October 15 and demanded the revocation of permission granted for the construction of the slaughterhouse.

“This slaughterhouse is being constructed for the benefit of one specific community and the government granting permission to the same has hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus. It is said that the slaughterhouse is being created to slaughter the buffaloes but there have been many instances in the past where illegal slaughter of cows has taken place Daund. FIRs have also been filed in several such cases,” the letter read.

Letter copy obtained by Opindia

The letter further highlighted the illegality of the slaughterhouse saying that one government-approved slaughterhouse was already functioning in Pune’s Baramati region which is at a distance of 40 km from Daund, and that no new slaughterhouse should be allowed in such proximity.

“Apart from this,” the letter said, “no permission of local residents has been taken, they haven’t been even told about this. The health perspective of the local residents has also been ignored. This is condemnable. The slaughterhouse should not be given permission.”

OpIndia contacted Daund VHP chief Ganesh Akhade who confirmed the matter and said that many people from a specific community in Daund region illegally smuggle cows, slaughter cows, and insult the Hindu religion. “In the past, there have been several cases where many were caught red-handed by our gurakshaks while the former were smuggling, slaughtering the cows. This new govt-approved slaughterhouse is not needed here as there are many private slaughterhouses already functioning in the region. They illegally slaughter cows and there have been many such instances in the past,” he reiterated.

Document obtained by OpIndia

Meanwhile, Upendra Balkavade, Pune district head of the Akhil Bharatiya Krushi Goseva Sangh said that BJP’s Rahul Kul has garnered permission for the construction of the slaughterhouse and the government has also approved funds for the same. “This is unnecessary as one govt-approved slaughterhouse is only at the distance of 42 km from here. They say that the slaughterhouse is being constructed to slaughter buffaloes but people from specific communities for whose benefit this slaughterhouse is being constructed can practice illegal slaughter of cows as they do at present in the private slaughterhouses. This should stop,” he pressed.

Cow protection has been painted as a ‘communal’ issue where Gorakshaks are depicted as rogue groups that attack ‘innocent’ Muslims transporting cows to slaughterhouses. Cattle are a source of livelihood for millions in rural India and are loved as their family members. Cows, especially, are also considered holy by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs alike, and slaughtering them is considered to be a sin.

The government has imposed a ban on cow slaughter as per the Animal Welfare Act. In spite of this, numerous cows, bullocks, cattle, and other animals are smuggled across Telangana state at night in both large and small vehicles from the state of Maharashtra.

Earlier, on Tuesday (10th October) Gorakshaks in Pune saved two cows from the clutches of cow smugglers who were taking the cows to a slaughterhouse in Pune. Iqbal Alam and other two smugglers were arrested in this case based on the complaint filed by Gorakshak Upendra Balkavde. In another incident in the Pune district, cow meat was seized from a car in Manchar on 9th October.

1...1,6601,6611,662...7,584Page 1,661 of 7,584