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We can’t run the affairs of the army: Supreme Court rejects plea of female officer alleging discrimination in giving command of units

ANI
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We can’t run the affairs of the army: Supreme Court rejects plea of female officer alleging discrimination in giving command of units

The Supreme Court on Friday said that courts cannot run the affairs of the Army, while hearing a plea filed by a woman colonel alleging discrimination against women officers on giving command over Units in the Army.

A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said, “We now can’t run the affairs of the Army.”

The bench made the remarks after senior advocate Meenakshi Arora, appearing for the petitioners, told the bench that male junior officers were commanding Units but women Colonels were being given command of only Companies, which are managed by officers below the rank of Colonel.

The bench acknowledged the gravity of the issue but said that the court’s role does not involve direct management or interference in the army’s operational decisions.

It emphasised that the court can only intervene in principles of law.

“But we cannot run the affairs of the Army and how Companies (in Army) are commanded. We can intervene in principles of law but we surely cannot run the affairs of the army,” it said.

The CJI observed, “We interfere in those cases on issues of principles. Surely, we can’t start running the command structure of the Army”.

The bench requested Attorney General R Venkataramani to look into the grievance, to which he agreed.

The petition was filed by a woman colonel who was given the charge of a company of soldiers which is ordinarily commanded by a major, two ranks her junior.

The top court posted the matter for further hearing on September 27 and said there are issues which can surely be sorted out by the authorities themselves. 

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

Hardeep Singh Nijjar conducted terror training camp in Canada in 2015, trained radicalised Khalistanis to fire AK-47 and other weapons

OpIndia Staff
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Hardeep Singh Nijjar conducted terror training camp in Canada in 2015, trained radicalised Khalistanis to fire AK-47 and other weapons

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his administration have been accusing India of killing Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada and supporting the Khalistanis to the extent of downgrading diplomatic ties with India over the same. India has reiterated in kind and has hit out at Canada for shielding terrorists.

The Ministry of External Affairs on 21 September in no minced words said that “if there’s any country that needs to look at this, I think it is Canada and its growing reputation as a place, as a safe haven for terrorists, for extremists, and for organised crime.”

In this regard, it is notable that Nijjar was not just a political activist supporting a separate Khalistan as being projected by Canada. In fact, he had openly indulged in extremist activities in the past, and the govt of India has been alerting the Canadian govt about his activities for several years.

Nijjar’s involvement in Khalistani terrorism started with his membership in Babbar Khalsa International, led by Jagtar Singh Tara. Later Nijjar along with Khalistani terrorist Arshdeep Singh Dala raised a group of killers called the Khalistani Tiger Front (KTF).

This group carried out the targeted killing of Manohar Lal in Bhatinda in 2014, a Hindu priest in Phillaur, attempted abduction and killing of Shakti Singh, and gunned down a sacrilege accused in Moga.

In December 2015, Hardeep Nijjar conducted a terror training camp in Mission Hills, British Columbia, Canada. He imparted training to Mandeep Singh Dhaliwal and other radicalised youth in firing AK-47 rifles, sniper rifles, and pistols.

Videos of the gun training camp run by Nijjar had appeared in the media, which showed him brandishing an AK-47 riffle.

In 2016, Nijjar sent Dhaliwal to kill Shiv Sena leaders in Punjab but the latter was arrested by the Punjab Police. Dhaliwal was arrested in May 2016 and an FIR was filed under sections 124-!, 152, 120-B IPC and under sections 10, 16,18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 and sections 25/54/59 of the Arms Act.

In fact, in 2016 itself, the Indian government informed Canada about the terror camp run by Nijjar, with Canadian passport number QK139247, planning terror attacks in Punjab. “Nijjar has been imparting arms training to his group in Canada after the arrest of former KTF chief Jagtar Tara in Thailand by Interpol last year. He took Mandeep Singh and three more Sikh youths recently for AK-47 training in a range near Mission where they were made to fire for four hours daily,” a report sent by India to Canada had said.

Both Mandeep and Nijjar had made frequent visits to Pakistan for arms training with the ISI, as per the govt of India report.

The report had further added, “Mandeep came to India in January 2016 from Canada with a specific plan to target police officers, Shiv Sena leaders and dera chiefs. While in India, he was in constant touch with Nijjar and Gajinder Singh in Pakistan. He was doing a recce of targets in Patiala and Ludhiana while Nijjar was to arrange weapons from Pakistan.” 

There were attacks on Shiv Sena and RSS leaders in Punjab at that time. Mandeep was also in touch with DKI boss Gajinder Singh, who had masterminded the hijack of a Srinagar-Delhi Indian Airlines flight in 1981.

In November 2020, Nijjar partnered with fellow gangster Arsh Dalla, and they together were involved in the murder of Manohar Lal, a follower of the Dera Sacha Sauda, in Bathinda in 2021.

Notably, in 2014-2015, the World Sikh Organisation (WSO) helped Trudeau’s Liberal Party campaign before the federal polls. This thereby provides reason to believe that Khalistani forces had interfered in Canada’s elections under the patronage of Justin Trudeau.

The “Canadian citizen” Harshdeep Singh Nijjar whom Justin Trudeau is defending today is a known terrorist who operated from Canadian soil. If anything, Trudeau is the one who needs to come clean to the Indian government about supporting the anti-India, anti-Hindu groups fanning inciteful sentiments in India from Canadian soil.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar was also arrested in Canada in 2018, but was released the next day. A Hindustan Times report from April 2018 said that he was briefly taken into custody by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on 13 April, but was released within 24 hours, without any charges being filed. He was also detained in Thailand in 2015 when he was flying back from Lahore to Vancouver via Bangkok.

‘Fake, AI generated’: Kulhad Pizza owner breaks silence after ‘private video’ goes viral, alleges they fell prey to a sextortion racket

OpIndia Staff
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‘Fake, AI generated’: Kulhad Pizza owner breaks silence after ‘private video’ goes viral, alleges they fell prey to a sextortion racket

Sehaj Arora and Gurpreet Kaur, the famous Kulhad Pizza couple from Jalandhar, have been recently mired in controversy after an alleged ‘private video’ of them went viral on Wednesday, September 20.

Today, September 22, Kulhad Pizza owner Sehaj Arora took to Instagram to release his second video message, wherein he broke down while narrating the mental trauma he and his family have been facing due to these leaked videos. The victim wept as he begged people to stop sharing the videos on social media.

“I had a child 2 days ago. The house which should be resonating with laughter, cheers and celebrations at this time is dead silent. My wife is young, I am having difficulty pacifying her. You people also have mothers, sisters and daughters at your home, just imagine our situation right now…. Neither can we step out of our home, nor can we do anything else. We are ruined. One person is saying shit about us, sometimes through comments, sometimes by coming live online. With folded hands, I am requesting please do not share the video, please do not make it viral.”

Sehaj added that he is taking Police assistance to resolve the issue. He further stated that he tried establishing contact with the blackmailer but it all went unanswered. “Our life has been ruined and everything we earned has been destroyed,” lamented Sehaj.

Sehaj in this video alleged that the mastermind is still on the run as the arrested girl doesn’t have such technical knowledge to make the video go viral on such a large scale.

Notably, the sex tape, which quickly went viral contained explicit content. It showed intimate moments between a couple. In the video, the man’s face was fully visible while the woman’s face was partially visible. Moreover, the woman in the video had the same tattoo as Gurpreet Kaur. Additionally, the woman in the video was seen wearing red bangles, which are traditionally worn by ladies after their wedding, indicating that the video was taken after the couple’s wedding. In several of Kulhad Pizza couple’s earlier videos, Gurpreet Kaur is also seen wearing the traditional red ‘chooda’ bangles.

After the video started doing rounds on social media, Sehaj Arora on Thursday, September 21, broke his silence on the controversy. In his first video message shared on Instagram, the owner of Kulhad Pizza alleged that the video was fake and that AI was used to morph the visuals. He also spoke about the trauma he and his family have been going through ever since the tapes have gone viral.

Hinting at falling prey to a sextortion racket, Arora said that the video had been leaked 15 days prior, along with a blackmail message on Instagram. Instead of yielding to the blackmailer’s pressure, the couple decided to pursue justice through the legal route, following which Sehaj said that they filed an FIR at Jalandhar’s Thana Number 4.

“The viral video is completely fabricated. We received a message on Instagram 15 days ago, along with the video. The social media user asked for money, threatening the post the video on the internet. Following this, I lodged a complaint in Jalandhar’s Police Station number 4,” he said in a video shared by him.

“The police also rounded up some people in the matter. However, I became preoccupied with other tasks, and the Police were unable to take further action. Then, all of a sudden, the video went viral,” he added.

He further claimed that the blackmailers may have used AI to swap the faces in the video. Sehaj also urged people to not share the video further and delete it and also threatened legal action.

Jalandhar police make one arrest in Kulhad Pizza leaked tape controversy

After Sehaj’s video message went viral, the Jalandhar police sprung to action and arrested a 23-year-old woman named Soniya.

Speaking about the arrest ACP Nirmal Singh said, “Kulhad Pizza filed a complaint at Jalandhar Police Station Number 4. The accusations and facts in the complaint were very serious. Taking action on the complaint, FIR number 90, dated 29/9/2023 under sections 66 E) and 66 (D) of the IT Act and 509, 384 of the IPC. We arrested a culprit in the case who is a female named Soniya.”

ACP ACP Nirmal Singh added that the arrested accused Soniya was said to be a former employee who was fired by the Kulhad Pizza couple. She probably started blackmailing the Kulhad Pizza Couple by creating a fake Instagram profile as an act of revenge. Through the fake Instagram account, the blackmailer shared a bank account number and asked the couple to transfer Rs 20,000 to her account. She threatened the couple to leak the video on social media platforms if they did not accede to her demands.

Notably, it was the bank account number through which the Jalandhar Police traced the woman and arrested her for leaking Kulhad Pizza Couple’s private tape.

Notably, at first, a 59-second video had gone viral, however, after Sehaj filed a complaint and issued a statement, three more videos surfaced on social media. These videos were 35, 10, and 13 seconds long respectively.

Sehaj Arora and Gurpreet Kaur got married in 2021. The couple gained popularity for their unique style of selling Pizza in a Kulhad, or clay mug after a social media influencer visited their food stall and shared pictures online. Their innovative style of serving pizza in an earthen pot made them an overnight internet sensation. The duo has been working as social media influencers since.

The couple recently welcomed a baby boy into their lives, following which the controversy erupted. 

Please note that this matter is now being investigated by the police and henceforth anyone caught sharing the leaked video may face police action. People are therefore advised to exercise caution.

Ukraine’s missile strike sets ablaze headquarters of Russian navy in Crimea

ANI
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Ukraine’s missile strike sets ablaze headquarters of Russian navy in Crimea

At least one Ukrainian missile has struck the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea navy in the Crimean port of Sevastopol, setting it ablaze, Al Jazeera reported on Friday.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Canada on Thursday and will address the Canadian Parliament on Friday, Voice of America (VOA) reported.

He was greeted by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa late Thursday after he arrived following a whirlwind visit to Washington.Zelenskyy and Trudeau are also scheduled to sign an agreement designed to strengthen economic ties between the two countries, VOA reported.

Trudeau said in a statement before the Ukrainian leader’s arrival, “Canada remains unwavering in our support to the people of Ukraine as they fight for their sovereignty and their democracy, as well as our shared values, like respect for the rule of law, freedom, and self-determination”.

“The two leaders will also travel to Toronto, where they will meet with Canadians, including business leaders and members of the Ukrainian-Canadian community,” he added.Meanwhile, Zelenskyy met US President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday. “The United States is going to continue to stand with you,” Biden told Zelenskyy at the White House.Biden also released another USD 325 million for weapons for Ukraine, which did not include the long-range missiles Ukraine has asked for, VOA reported.

Earlier on Thursday, Zelenskyy held a meeting with US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and US House Representatives. He stated that Ukraine is extremely grateful to the House, both parties and all the Americans for their support.

Earlier on Tuesday, US President Joe Biden, during his address at the UNGA reaffirmed Washington’s support for Ukraine and said that the US, with its allies and partners around the world, will continue to stand with the “brave people of Ukraine” in defending their sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In a stern message to Russia, Biden called upon the world leaders at the UN General Assembly, “If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure? The answer is no. We must stand up to this naked aggression today to deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also made his first in-person appearance at the UNGA, since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of his nation in February 2022.Zelenskyy, while accusing Moscow of being the aggressor and perpetrating “genocide” in his homeland claimed that Ukrainian children in Russia were being taught to “hate” their homeland, adding that all ties that Ukraine nationals have with their family members back home were being snapped.

In another scathing attack on Russia, he said that “terrorists have no right to hold nuclear weapons”. He also called upon the countries to “strip” Moscow of veto power at the UN Security Council.

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

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who represented terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, had sued PM Modi in 2014, defrauded Dalit boy to the tune of $15000

Dibakar Dutta
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Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who represented terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, had sued PM Modi in 2014, defrauded Dalit boy to the tune of $15000

On Tuesday (September 19), Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun stirred the hornet’s nest after he threatened the Hindu community, staying in Canada, to return back to India.

“Indo-Canadian Hindus, you have repudiated the allegiance to Canada and the Canadian constitution. Your destination is India. Leave Canada, go to India.”

The development came shortly after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government and its agencies of killing a Khalistani terrorist named Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. He had also expelled a top Indian diplomat, thus prompting a full-fledged diplomatic standoff with India.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who is now under fire for his anti-Hindu tirade, is the chief and legal advisor of the banned Khalistani terror outfit ‘Sikhs For Justice.’ A naturalised US citizen, Singh obtained his law degree from Touro Law Center in New York.

The Khalistani extremist runs a law firm called ‘Pannun Firm’ in the East Elmhurst neighbourhood of New York. He calls himself an ‘immigration attorney’ who has supposedly made his life’s mission to ‘help immigrants in need.’

Screengrab of the website of a law firm run by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun

The Facebook account and TitkTok account of ‘Pannun Firm’ are filled with testimonies of individuals, who were supposedly granted asylum in Canada and the United States due to the legal assistance of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

Screengrab of the TikTok account of a law firm run by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun

Involvement in fraud

In the name of ‘helping’ immigrants, the Khalistani terrorist had defrauded a Dalit boy from Punjab to the tune of $15000 (~₹12.44 lakhs) in 2019.

A Sikh man, based in California, named Surjit Singh had informed that Gurpatwant Singh Pannun solicited $7500 in two installments in the name of providing legal assistance to the Dalit boy, who was imprisoned in Georgia at that time.

“Pannun did not attend the court hearing in Georgia…Pannun is collecting money by fooling people and later he does not even receive their phone calls,” Singh lamented, adding that the boy was eventually deported back to India.

Screengrab of the tweet

Legal aid to Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun also served as the lawyer for Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed by unidentified gunmen in Surrey on June 18 this year.

Nijjar was the head of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib and his name was added to the list of designated terrorists by the Indian Government. When Canadian law enforcement authorities took Nijjar into custody in 2018, it was the ‘Sikhs for Justice’ chief Pannun who represented him in court.

The Khalistani terrorist was released within 24 hours. As per a report by The Washington Post, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun served as the lawyer of Nijjar even at the time of his death.

The slain terrorist was the leader of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and was part of a conspiracy to kill a Hindu priest in Jalandhar city of Punjab.

Interestingly, Nijjar used the fake identity of ‘Ravi Sharma’ in order to escape from Indian security in 1997 and immigrate to Canada. His concocted stories of torture and ‘marriage of convenience’ were dismissed by the Canadian immigration officials as “unreliable” and “untrustworthy”.

But the Khalistani terrorist somehow managed to become a citizen of the same country in 2007 as per Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller.

This was despite the fact that his appeals for asylum were turned down repeatedly by courts. Coincidentally, Pannun, an expert on immigration laws, was the lawyer of Nijjar prior to his death.

 When Gurpatwant Singh Pannun sued PM Modi in 2014

In September 2014, the New York-based Khalistani filed a lawsuit against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi prior to his visit to the city to attend the United Nations General Assembly.

Although the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team gave PM Modi a clean chit in the 2002 Gujarat riots, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun sought “compensatory and punitive damages from Modi for crimes against humanity and extrajudicial killings.”

The Federal Court of the Southern District of New York had even issued summons to the Indian Prime Minister and sought his reply within 21 days. Pannun was representing a newly formed ‘human rights non-profit’ named ‘American Justice Center’.

Screengrab of the 2014 report

Despite all attempts to sour PM Modi’s address to the United Nations General Assembly by the Khalistani extremist, it had no bearing on the success of PM Modi’s US trip.

A year earlier in 2013, Pannun sued ex-Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh for his alleged involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and funding counter-terror operations in Punjab. The Khalistani extremist was successful in securing summons against Singh as well as Congress supremo Sonia Gandhi.

He had informed that his quest to sue Indian politicians arbitrarily began in 2007 i.e. around the same time when Nijjar was granted citizenship by Canada.

Jammu and Kashmir separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq released from ‘house detention’ after 4 years, leads Namaz at Srinagar Jamia Masjid

OpIndia Staff
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Jammu and Kashmir separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq released from ‘house detention’ after 4 years, leads Namaz at Srinagar Jamia Masjid

On Friday, September 22, Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was released from house detention four years after he was initially ‘detained’. The Jammu and Kashmir separatist leader claimed that he was ‘detained’ following the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution in August 2019.

After the release, the 50-year-old religious leader headed towards the Jama Masjid for the Friday prayers, where he led the prayers and delivered a sermon. “The police siege around my house was lifted this morning. Last evening, the authorities informed me I was being released from house detention and am free to go anywhere. I would be leaving for Jama Masjid to discharge my responsibility as the Mirwaiz (chief priest). I was unjustly stopped from doing it for more than four years,” he was quoted as saying post-release.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was released after he moved Jammu and Kashmir High Court on September 15, seeking release from detention. The court granted the Jammu and Kashmir administration a four-week period to provide a response to Mirwaiz’s petition.

“I was allowed to deliver the sermon at the Jamia Masjid after 212 consecutive Fridays. “People are aware that after August 4, 2019, I was kept under house detention and I was not being allowed to move out of my home due to which I couldn’t perform my duties as Mirwaiz,” he said in his address at the mosque. Mirwaiz also appealed for peace and appealed to Kashmir Pandits to return back to the Valley.

The mosque management, Anjuman-e-Auqaf Jama Masjid issued a statement saying, “Senior police officials visited the residence of the Mirwaiz on Thursday to inform him that the authorities have decided to release him from house detention and allow him to go to Jama Masjid for Friday prayers.”

Meanwhile, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah welcomed the decision of the Jammu and Kashmir administration to release Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from house arrest. “We welcome this step by the government. He should not have been held under house arrest for so long. Now that he has been released it means that the situation here is not so bad and elections can be conducted. We hope he will fulfil his socio-religious role now,” he said.

Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and Chairman of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), Ghulam Nabi Azad also welcomed the decision. “Welcome step! After 4 years of house arrest, it’s heartening to hear that Mirwaiz Umar Farooq will be allowed to offer Friday prayers at Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid. Religious freedom is a fundamental right, and clerics have an important role to play. This is a positive move towards reconciliation and unity!” he wrote on Twitter (X).

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the Hurriyat separatist leader, was placed under house arrest at his Nigeen mansion on August 5, 2019, on the day Article 370 was revoked by the Modi government and the state of Jammu and Kashmmir was bifurcated into two union territories.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the leader of the separatist Hurriyat Conference was released soon after he filed a plea with the Jammu and Kashmir High Court. Previously, on September 15, the court gave the Jammu and Kashmir administration four weeks to respond to Mirwaiz’s appeal.

Reports mention that on August 18, Mirwaiz had issued a legal notice to the state of Jammu and Kashmir authorities regarding his “house detention.” According to a notice, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha emphatically rejected Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s imprisonment, claiming that he was free to relocate to any location.

Mirwaiz Umar has repeatedly alleged that he has been put under house arrest by the police after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, and said that a large security force was deployed outside his house. However, Sinha in August 2023 had asserted that Hurriyat leader and cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was a free man and not under detention.

“He is not under detention. There are no restrictions on his movement. He can go anywhere,” Sinha was quoted as saying. The separatist leader was however released days after he filed a plea with the Jammu and Kashmir High Court.

Moto GP issues apology after outrage over distorted map of India shown in live broadcast: Here is what they said

OpIndia Staff
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Moto GP issues apology after outrage over distorted map of India shown in live broadcast: Here is what they said

On Friday, September 22, Moto GP apologised for showing a distorted map of India in a recent live broadcast of a practice session at Buddh International Circuit. The apology comes after netizens slammed the depiction of a distorted map of India in which the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were missing.

Taking to X, Moto GP stated, “We’d like to apologise to our fans in India for the map shown earlier as part of the MotoGP broadcast. It is never our intent to make any statement other than that of support and appreciation for our host country. We’re excited to be able to enjoy the IndianOil Grand Prix of India with you and we’re loving our first taste of Buddh International Circuit,” MotoGP said.

MotoGP Bharat, presently known as the IndianOil Grand Prix of India, will make its Indian debut in the 13th round of the 2023 season. The event, which runs from today to Sunday, sees riders fighting on superbikes at speeds surpassing 300 km/h for the checkered flag.

Several netizens raised questions about the map shown during MotoGP’s live-streamed practice sessions, sparking an online debate. Users on social networking platforms including X questioned the usage of India’s distorted map and sought an explanation from MotoGP and the Indian promoters.

Journalist and author Ajeet Bharti questioned if it was a mistake on the part of the organisers or was the distorted map of India deliberately shown and wrote, “Hello @MotoGP, could you please clarify why your live-streaming of practice session had this map with Bharat’s head missing? @DirMktg_iocl. how was this allowed? @dornasport could you weigh in? I would request @CMOfficeUP to take cognisance of this stupidity and ask for reasons. If it is a mistake, it needs to be immediately corrected and not repeated again in qualifying and main race. If you think this image is ‘edited’, please provide a feed of the practice session, debunking this claim which is doing rounds on social media.”

One “Desi Racing Co.” wrote, “Well, this is not at all good to see. @MotoGP showing a distorted map of India while they are racing in our country.”

Another X user wrote, “This cannot just be some sort of innocent ‘mistake’.”

One Anuj Tripathi posted, “This is totally unacceptable @MotoGP @myogiadityanath @myogioffice this is happening in your state.”

Notably, a total of 22 riders from 11 different teams will compete in a variety of sessions throughout the course of the three-day event. These sessions will involve practice, qualifying, a sprint race and the main Grand Prix event, which will be held next Sunday. These teams will ride motorcycles from prominent brands such as Honda, Yamaha, KTM, Ducati, and Aprilia, displaying a varied range of high-performance motorcycles.

Lucknow: STF arrests gang members Salman & Arshad while trying to rob a jeweller, the duo confesses to stabbing Mansi Yadav to death

OpIndia Staff
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Lucknow: STF arrests gang members Salman & Arshad while trying to rob a jeweller, the duo confesses to stabbing Mansi Yadav to death

A team of the Special Task Force arrested two active members of a gang run by jailed serial killer brothers Salim, Rustam and Sohrab on 21 September. The accused have been identified as Salman alias Aftab Malik of Khadra and Mohammed Arshad Siddiqui of Madeyganj. They also admitted to stabbing Mansi Yadav to death and dumping her body in the river during interrogation. She was killed on 4 September.

They were planning to loot a jeweller in the area and were apprehended following a tip-off. Authorities received information that they were in the Gudamba neighbourhood of Lucknow to rob a bullion dealer located on Kursi Road near Scorpio Club. The cops acted swiftly and captured them as well as seized two country-made pistols each of a different bore, five live cartridges, two mobile phones, and a car from them.

The two confessed to the kidnapping and murder of a young woman named Mansi Yadav who was the daughter of a farmer and revealed that her body was thrown in the Ghaghra River on Bahraich Road. Mohammed Arshad Siddiqui alleged that the victim had an affair with his married brother. Furthermore, neither of them relented and was adamant about tying the knot despite repeated attempts by the family to make the couple understand.

The 20-year-old was reportedly the source of conflict at his house and they were being defamed as a result of the love saga. He also disclosed that he planned her murder and included Salman alias Aftab Malik in the same. The two drove in a Swift car to her rented room close to Integral University on the fateful evening and took her along with them. The culprits attacked her with a knife after travelling five kilometres and put an end to her life. Afterwards, they tossed her corpse, mobile and murder weapon into the river. They discarded their blood-stained clothes in the Gomti river.

Bahraich Police was contacted to retrieve the deceased’s body. Deputy Superintendent of Police, Special Task Force, Dharmesh Kumar Shahi proclaimed that he learned that henchmen of serial killer brothers Salim, Rustam and Sohrab group were going to rob a bullion businessman on Kursi Road. “Both were nabbed and revealed their names as Salman alias Aftab Malik and Mohammed Arshad Siddiqui during questioning. The arrest solved a case of murder of a girl, Mansi, abducted on September 4 and was murdered later by them.”

The arrest of the two accused is a major breakthrough for the authorities. They are now investigating the involvement of the serial killer brothers in other crimes who gained notoriety in 2005 when they murdered three people in Hussainganj, Hasanganj and Madiaon within a 45-minute period, the day before Eid.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau loses popularity, is viewed as worst prime minister in 50 years, Conservative party gains edge: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Canadian PM Justin Trudeau loses popularity, is viewed as worst prime minister in 50 years, Conservative party gains edge: Details

Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, is losing his popularity amid the ongoing tensions between India and Canada. According to a recent Ipsos poll, 40% of Canadians want Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre to be Canada’s Prime Minister, while 30% prefer Justin Trudeau.

According to the reports, if an election were held today, Poilievre’s Conservatives would win 39% of the vote. This puts them clearly ahead of current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party, which would receive barely 30% of the vote.

It demonstrates that the Conservative Party of Canada, led by Pierre Poilievre, now leads the Liberal Party of Canada, led by Justin Trudeau. Based on the poll survey, Poilievre is more popular than Trudeau. If polls are conducted now, the Conservatives will win a majority government, eliminating the Trudeau-led Liberal minority administration. Elections in Canada are set to take place in the autumn of 2025.

Meanwhile, another survey in July found that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is viewed as the worst Prime Minister in over a half-century by a segment of Canadian voters. This revelation stands in stark contrast to his father, Pierre Trudeau’s, legacy.

As per the reports, Pierre Trudeau, who served as Prime Minister from 1968 to 1979 and again from 1980 to 1984, was beloved by the Canadian people during his term. He won over both his constituents and his adversaries with dynamic leadership and a vision for a united Canada.

The recent polls are alarming for Trudeau, who is accused of being soft and hesitant to act against Khalistani groups, frequently dismissing it as “freedom of expression.” This is a delicate issue for both Canada and India. Canada has been criticized by India for harbouring Sikh separatists, while the country has maintained its right to free expression.

At the recent G20 Summit in Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi questioned Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about escalating “anti-India activities” in Canada linked to extremist groups. This encounter marked the end of a low-key chapter in Trudeau’s India tour, which had already been kept low-key due to Covid-19 regulations.

It’s hardly surprising that a so-called Khalistan referendum was held on the same day Trudeau met PM Modi in Surrey, British Columbia.

Trudeau’s Liberals currently hold power with the New Democratic Party (NDP), led by Indian-origin politician Jagmeet Singh, a known Khalistani sympathizer. The NDP has vowed to support the government until the next general election in autumn 2025.

While Trudeau’s comments about India’s involvement in Najjar’s death upset India, they appear to have struck a chord among Canadian Sikhs living in Surrey, British Columbia, which is recognized as a center of Khalistani activity. The Sikh community, Canada’s largest non-Indian community, has lauded Trudeau as a “hero” and said he is “vocalizing” their concerns.

In an unexpected assertion this week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country’s intelligence agencies were looking into a “potential link” between “agents of the Indian government” and Najjar’s death. Najjar was referred to as a “Canadian citizen” by Trudeau.

In retaliation for Ottawa’s removal of an Indian official over the case, New Delhi clearly rejected the charges as “absurd” and “motivated,” and expelled a senior Canadian ambassador.

Najjar, one of India’s most wanted terrorists with a Rs 10 lakh cash reward on his head, was shot dead on June 18 by two unidentified shooters outside a gurdwara in Surrey. He was the Khalistan Tiger Force’s (KTF) commander.

In a strongly worded statement on Thursday, India said that Canada’s claims appeared to be “politically motivated” and urged the Trudeau government to crack down hard on terrorists and anti-India elements operating on its soil.

As a result of the diplomatic blockade over Najjar’s murder, India has now suspended visa services for Canadians.

Allahabad HC grants bail to four convicts serving life sentences for the 2005 attack on the Ram Janmabhoomi

OpIndia Staff
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Allahabad HC grants bail to four convicts serving life sentences for the 2005 attack on the Ram Janmabhoomi

On 19th September, the Allahabad High Court granted bail to four individuals who were serving life sentences in connection with a terrorist attack that took place 18 years ago at the Ram Janmabhoomi site in Ayodhya. Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Syed Aftab Husain Rizvi, presiding over the bench, have issued an order for the appeals filed by the individuals, challenging their life sentences, to be scheduled for a hearing on December 4, 2023.

The convicts in this case Shakeel Ahmed, Mohammad Naseem, Asif Iqbal alias Faroq and Dr. Irfan were granted bail subject to conditions. They moved the high court seeking suspension of sentence and grant of bail.

All four individuals were convicted in the 2005 case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) such as Sections 302/120B, 307/120B, 153A/120B, 153B/120B, 295/120B, 353/120B, as well as Sections 18, 19, and 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, in conjunction with Section 120B of the IPC, and Section 4 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, along with Section 120B of the IPC. The most severe penalty imposed on them in this case was a life imprisonment sentence.

The terrorist attack on the Ram Janmabhoomi in 2005

In the case of the terror attack, on July 5, 2005, at approximately 9:15 in the morning, a marshal jeep came to a halt near the Jain Temple in Ayodhya, resulting in an explosion within the jeep. Subsequently, five heavily armed terrorists launched an assault on the premises of the ‘Ram Janmbhoomi Sthal,’ and security forces responded fiercely.

During the confrontation, all five terrorists were killed, along with one civilian. The deceased terrorists were discovered with an arsenal that included AK-47 rifles, live ammunition, rocket launchers, and other weaponry.

Conviction in the trial court

The prosecution’s case against the four accused individuals detailed their alleged role as conspirators in the attack. The prosecution’s key evidence hinged on the discovery of a Nokia mobile handset. Through surveillance of the phone and an examination of its call detail records, it was revealed that eight SIM cards had been used with the same handset, some of which were linked to the accused individuals.

The trial court, in its verdict, concluded that the prosecution had effectively proven its case beyond any reasonable doubt, primarily resting its judgment on the recovery of the Nokia mobile handset.

The defence argument

The legal representatives for the four convicts contended that there was insufficient evidence to establish the recovery of the Nokia mobile handset itself. Furthermore, they argued that the mobile calls presented by the prosecution were supported solely by Call Detail Records (CDRs), and there was no accompanying certificate provided in accordance with Section 65B of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, to substantiate their authenticity.

The bail plea

The defence contended that none of the convicted individuals had a prior criminal record, and they had already served more than eighteen years in incarceration. Therefore, given the potential extended duration of the appeals’ proceedings, they requested bail for their release.

The State respondent opposed the bail plea, with the Additional Advocate General presenting arguments against it. They pointed out that some of the accused individuals had been in contact with individuals from across the border. The high court observed that the paper book necessary for the appeals of the convicts was not prepared at the time. Consequently, the appeals could not be heard and concluded at present.

Furthermore, the court emphasised that in 2022, the Supreme Court had directed that the bail plea of the convicts be scheduled for consideration before the same bench assigned to hear their appeals.

The high court said, “A period of more than one year has expired since the order of the Supreme Court and therefore, we are of the view that the prayer made by the accused persons for consideration of their first bail applications is liable to be considered.”

The court added, “We are not required to return any definite finding on this aspect as a detailed appraisal of the evidence led during the trial, on such aspect, would be required at the time of hearing of the appeals. However, we do find that prima facie arguable points are raised in the appeal on the aspect relating to the factum of recovery of the mobile handset.”

The court further observed, “Other legal issues have also been raised including the evidentiary value of call detail records particularly as there is no certificate produced in terms of Section 65B of the Evidence Act. It is also admitted to the prosecution that none of the accused-appellants have any criminal history and they have languished in jail for the last more than 18 years.” The court then granted bail to the four accused in the Ayodhya terror attack case of 2005 subject to various conditions.

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