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Madras HC denies request to install portrait of Dr. BR Ambedkar, rules that only Gandhi and Thiruvalluvar portraits/statues allowed in courts in Tamil Nadu

OpIndia Staff
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Madras HC denies request to install portrait of Dr. BR Ambedkar, rules that only Gandhi and Thiruvalluvar portraits/statues allowed in courts in Tamil Nadu

Recently, the Madras High Court again rejected various representations that requested to install the portrait of Dr. BR Ambedkar on the court premises. In the wake of these repeated representations seeking permission to install portraits or statues of national leaders or senior advocates, the Registrar General (in charge) of Madras High Court issued a circular on the 7th of July regarding this issue. 

Through the circular, the District Judiciary has been informed about the resolution of the Full Court of Madras High Court. The HC has categorically directed, that, from now on, the district judiciary can only display the portraits or statues of only Mahatma Gandhi and Saint Thiruvalluvar. Except for their statues/portraits, no other statues and pictures can be displayed anywhere inside the court premises in Tamil Nadu. 

The circular reads, “Very recently on the 11th of April 2023, the Hon’ble Full Court considered a similar request (installation of portraits of Dr. BR Ambedkar), and reiterating all the earlier resolutions (supra), unanimously resolved that except the statues and portraits of Mahatma Gandhiji and Saint Thiruvalluvar, no other portraits and pictures shall be displayed anywhere inside the Court premises.” 

The circular added that all Principal District Judges/District Judges/Principal Judges/District Judge-cum-Chief Judicial Magistrate of the Districts and the Chief Judge, Puducherry have to strictly adhere to these resolutions of the Madras High Court. Further, they have been directed to take action by giving suitable complaints to the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in case of the violation of the High Court resolution.

In the circular, the Madras High Court highlighted that it had received representations from various advocate associations asking permission to unveil portraits of Dr. Ambedkar and senior advocates of the association concerned. 

Multiple resolutions in the past directed the same

The court asserted that these issues had been considered by the Full Court of the Madras High Court on multiple occasions be it in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2019, and very recently in April 2023.

As per the circular, on the 22nd of October 2008, the Full bench of Madras High Court rejected the request of Tamil Nadu Dr. B.R Ambedkar Advocates Association. They had sought permission to install the portraits of National Leaders in all court halls in the state. 

Later, on the 11th of March, 2010, the Madras High Court took notice of incidents wherein statues of National Leaders were damaged. This led to friction as well as a law and order situation. Additionally, there were demands to install statues of different political leaders at different centers including court campuses. 

Consequently, in response to this, the Full Court once more ordered that there should be no further installation of statues at any of the Court campuses, be it in Chennai or Madurai, District Courts or Taluk Courts, or any other Court premises subordinate to the High Court.

The Full Court again reiterated this resolution on the 20th of April, 2011. The Court resolved that no statue would be permitted inside court premises. 

Afterward, on the 27th of April, 2013, the Full Court directed the Principal District Judge, Kancheepuram to press the Alandur Court Lawyers’ Association to remove the portraits of BR Ambedkar installed at the entrance hall of the newly constructed Combined Court Building. Additionally, the High Court also rejected the request submitted by Cuddalore Bar asking to display the portrait of Dr. BR Ambedkar in the newly constituted special courts. 

The Full Court of Madras High Court again reaffirmed these resolutions in their meetings conducted in December 2013 and 2019, and the most recent resolution was passed in April 2023. 

During the April 2023 meeting, it was resolved that only portraits and statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Saint Thiruvalluvar would be permitted inside the court premises except for their portraits or statues, other portraits or statues have to be taken down.

Lawyers to stage protest

Now, a section of lawyers have expressed their strong dissatisfaction against this direction of the Honourable High Court. Apparently, they have planned to stage a demonstration outside the campuses of the High Court and the district courts across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Monday, 24 July 2023. 

Reportedly, they have been demanding the withdrawal of the High Court circular dated 7th of July and asked for permission to install portraits of other national leaders and senior advocates of the concerned bar councils. 

Can make Chief Minister, force one to step down: Infighting breaks out in the Congress party, ‘sidelined’ leader Hariprasad issues veiled threat to Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

OpIndia Staff
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Can make Chief Minister, force one to step down: Infighting breaks out in the Congress party, ‘sidelined’ leader Hariprasad issues veiled threat to Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

On Friday (July 21), senior Congress leader BK Hariprasad issued veiled threats to Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah after being denied a Ministerial position in the State Cabinet.

While speaking to members of the ‘Ediga’ community at a hotel in Bengaluru, Hariprasad warned that he knew how to make a Chief Minister and dislodge someone from the same position when required.

“I had played a role in making the CMs in Goa, Pondicherry and Jharkhand (with my own efforts), in Haryana and Punjab along with the AICC leaders. I had made Bhupesh Bhaghel in Chhattisgarh who has been chief minister for six long years. So, I am well versed in making CM and making one step down,” he was heard saying.

BK Hariprasad, who is believed to be close to Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, also lamented how his community (Ediga) as well as Billava and Deevara were being sidelined from the State’s electoral politics.

“It makes us wonder whether they are becoming victims of conspiracy. We supported Siddaramaiah in 2013 with the intention of getting united. We had asked for a Rs 5 crore grant for Koti Channayya Park in Karkala, Udupi district. Siddaramaiah had promised to provide funds. But, to date, they have not been granted,” he emphasised.

“We are in a deciding position in about 11 assembly seats. But four aspirants from our communities missed tickets to make way for candidates from minorities,” the Congress MLC was heard saying.

Congress leader Zameer hits out at Hariprasad

After Hariprasad’s statement resulted in talks about possible infighting within the Congress, party leader Zameer Ahmed Khan announced that only Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi would decide on the Chief Ministerial candidate.

“One-upmanship will not work out in the Congress party. CM selection cannot be done by people like me, Hariprasad and Bandisiddegowda or Babanna. We have high command and our leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi will take a call,” he said.

In the meantime, BK Hariprasad said that he was not aware of the presence of cameras and that his speech was being recorded. “I stand by what I said. I have never retracted my statements. I did not know there were cameras at the event and so I spoke freely,” he told the media.

AAP spokesperson uses video of drowning animals to mock PM Modi, gets called out by netizens for her insensitivity

OpIndia Staff
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AAP spokesperson uses video of drowning animals to mock PM Modi, gets called out by netizens for her insensitivity

On 22nd July, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) stooped to a new low as its chief national spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar used a video of drowning animals in floods to mock Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The video was from Gujarat, recently facing a series of floods due to excessive rainfall. Sharing the video, Kakkar wrote an idiom, “Modi ji ki bhains gai paani mein (Modi Ji’s buffalo has gone into water)”. “Gai Bhains Paani Mein” idiom means “It is a lost case”. Before becoming Prime Minister, Narendra Modi was Chief Minister of Gujarat.

AAP leader made highly insensitive tweet targeting PM Modi. Source: Twitter

The insensitive tweet did not go well with netizens. Kakkar faced criticism on social media. However, instead of apologising for the insensitivity, Kakkar decided to ignore the criticism. Her insensitivity did not stop with that tweet. In another tweet, she shared a video of a flood from Navsari where the flood hit an LPG godown. She wrote, “BJP government delivered free cylinder to every house in Gujarat”.

Netizens criticised Kakkar for her insensitive tweet

Twitter user Swathi Bellam wrote, “Only Sadists can make political jokes on tragedies where animals are dying in a flood.”

Twitter user Alphatoonist said, “At this moment only AAP is floating in water. Including you.”

Twitter user BewaakBaatein said, “I have seen a lot of parties but never seen someone who mocks a natural disaster. Innocent animals are dying and she is political brownie points. Gujarat voters did right by not choosing you. They were saved of committing a sin.”

Twitter user Sharmishta Sharma said, “Shame on you for being so insensitive tot he plight of these animals. I thought only your leader has poor thinking who shamelessly laughed at the genocide of Kashmiri Hindus in the House but now it seems that all of you are jackals dyed in the same colour. Running away from responsibility is probably an important part of your manifesto.”

Twitter user Sandeep Arya said, “If you cannot sympathise with the poor farmers at least do not make fun of the the scene of their buffaloes’ death. Only a heartless and cruel person can tweet like this.”

Twitter user Rudra Vikram Sing said, “This tweet shows how insenstitive a woman you are. Ask those who animals are floating in the water, what they must be going through”.

Twitter user Mohit Suryanvanshi said, “She is the national spokesperson of Aam Aadmi Party who is full of sympathy. Madam, IIT man cannot give you good manners but at least respect the manners of your family members. These are animals but their lives also has some value. This is fine example of vile politics.”

Twitter user Deepak Chhabra said, “Nothing can be more shameful than making mockery of people and animals caught in a natural calamity never Sen before! Shame on you and your upbringing!”

Investigative reporter Vijay Gajera said, “While people in Gujarat are fighting against heavy rain, an AAP spokesperson is making fun of it. She is an adviser to Sanjay Singh. Shame on you Priyanka Kakkar.”

Co-Convenor of BJP Mumbai IT and SM Cell Pallavi CT said, “This lady is chief spokesperson of AAP & is making such J0KES? See the horrific visuals of these poor buffaloes caught in floods & these people get sad!stic pleasure becoz it’s happening in Gujarat? For political gains, these people will always indulge in VULTURE CULTURE, then be it floods or women’s dignity in Manipur, Rajasthan or W Bengal?”

Twitter user Alok Bhatt said, “This is what Kejriwal is all about – look at his spokeswoman, she is celebrating a natural tragedy!”

Twitter user Hawk Eye said, “There are other parties too. BJP, Congress, SP, DMK who pull each other down.. but problem with every AAP spox is that they stoop too low & insensitive where the lines between a political sarcasm & cheapness gets too blurry to distinguish.”

Author Ratan Sharda said, “Those who can make smart heartless comments using human tragedy of immense proportions in natural disaster, wonder why they are not preferred by Indians!”

Twitter user Pragya said, “The worst of the tweet we could see. Helpless poor animals and natural calamity. Just to let Modi down, you came up with this ??? Seriously???”

No one from Aam Aadmi Party has come forward to condemn such an insensitive tweet.

Muslim side approaches Supreme Court after Varanasi court nods ASI survey of the Gyanvapi complex with carbon dating

OpIndia Staff
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Muslim side approaches Supreme Court after Varanasi court nods ASI survey of the Gyanvapi complex with carbon dating

In a significant development, the Gyanvapi Masjid Committee has approached the Supreme Court, urgently requesting the listing of their case. This move comes in response to a recent order by a Varanasi court, which directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a survey of the disputed structure at Gyanvapi premises, with the exception of the wazukhana (ablution area). The case will be presented before Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Monday, 24th July 2023.

In the first week of July, the Masjid committee filed a petition seeking a stay on all ongoing proceedings related to the Gyanvapi disputed structure case before the district judge in the Varanasi court. However, in light of the recent order by the District Court, which directed the ASI to conduct a survey in the Gyanvapi complex, the committee is urgently requesting a listing of their case.

The request is being made in response to the Supreme Court’s May 19 order, which had postponed the ASI survey of the ‘Shivling’ located within the wazukhana of the Gyanvapi disputed structure, as directed by the high court. In its order, the Supreme Court had instructed the ASI not to perform carbon dating on the ‘Shivling’ located inside the Gyanvapi complex.

The court took note of the potential implications of the high court’s order, which permitted the survey, and decided to defer the implementation of the directions until the next date, subject to closer scrutiny.

Subsequently, on July 21, the Varanasi District Court granted a plea made by the Hindu plaintiffs, and it directed the ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi premises, excluding the wuzukhana area. Moreover, the Masjid committee has contested the Allahabad High Court’s order, which upheld the maintainability of a suit filed by five Hindu women worshippers seeking the right to worship inside the Gyanvapi premises.

MP: Man sleeping at railway station assumed dead, wakes up when his “dead body” was being kept inside an ambulance

OpIndia Staff
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MP: Man sleeping at railway station assumed dead, wakes up when his “dead body” was being kept inside an ambulance

In a weird incident in the Gwalior district of Madhya Pradesh, a man at the Gwalior railway station was in such deep sleep that other people at the platform assumed him to be dead. The passengers present there tried to wake him up, however, when the man did not wake up or make any movement, people called an ambulance and informed the Railway Protection Force (RPF).

Reportedly, when the man was being taken on a stretcher to the ambulance, he suddenly woke up and started screaming in shock. Later, he told that he was waiting for his train and fell asleep. Upon learning this, the RPF officials inquired the man about his name and other details before letting him go. 

Some passengers sitting in the waiting room noticed the sleeping man and informed the Deputy Station Superintendent that the man has fainted here and is not regaining consciousness despite repeated efforts.

Subsequently, RPF officials along with the Deputy Station Superintendent arrived at the waiting room and checked the sleeping man, who showed no signs of movement.

The Deputy Station Superintendent then called dialled 108 and an ambulance arrived at the spot. When the man was being moved into the ambulance, he suddenly woke up and started screaming, and questioned where he was being taken. When asked, the man said that his name is Shashank Bhardwaj and that he is a resident of the Sanjay Colony in Faridabad. Bhardwaj added that he fell asleep while waiting for Taj Express in which he had a seat reserved.

Problems mount for Pakistan International Airlines, losses touch PKR 600 Billion, unable to operate a single day without funds from the national kitty

OpIndia Staff
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Problems mount for Pakistan International Airlines, losses touch PKR 600 Billion, unable to operate a single day without funds from the national kitty

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the country’s national carrier, is facing an unprecedented financial crisis, raising concerns about its ability to continue operations without support from the national fund. The accumulated losses of PIA have soared to over PKR 600 Billion, compelling the government to contemplate a time-bound restructuring plan through shadow management to salvage the airline’s future.

According to reports, the situation has become so severe that Pakistan International Airlines was unable to pay USD 50 million in navigation charges to Saudi Arabia, leading to potential disruptions in its operations after June 30, 2023. A top official expressed concern that the airline’s financial woes could eventually force its closure if the government stops infusing funds into the loss-making entity.

To counter the crisis, Pakistan International Airlines has outlined plans to include a Boeing 777 in its fleet by securing it on a lease, expanding its number of planes to 11. Nevertheless, given the bleak financial position, a comprehensive restructuring plan is seen as the only viable solution, potentially resulting in the division of PIA into three to four separate entities.

In addition to PIA’s troubles, Pakistan’s overall economic situation presents various challenges. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has suggested that undertaxed sectors, such as agriculture and construction, could be potential revenue sources if brought fully into the tax net. However, the federal minister for finance and revenue, Ishaq Dar, has denied any plans to tax these sectors further, leading to contrasting views on potential revenue generation strategies.

The PIA management recently held a meeting with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to discuss reviving the airline. During the meeting, it was highlighted that the airline could not be privatised due to legal constraints arising from its conversion from a statutory organization to a corporatised entity in 2016.

The Pakistani economy also faces challenges in revenue mobilisation. Tax collection from the agriculture sector in Punjab and Sindh, despite contributing significantly to GDP growth, remains disappointingly low at just PKR 4 billion per annum. Experts argue that to raise additional revenue, it is essential to target undertaxed sectors, including agriculture and real estate.

With over 35 per cent of the workforce and 22.7 per cent of GDP dependent on agriculture, there is a need to explore avenues to enhance tax collection in this sector. One suggestion is to increase flat tax rates for agriculture, particularly on irrigated lands. Similarly, the possibility of imposing a capital gains tax and conducting a comprehensive property valuation to correct tax anomalies on real estate merits consideration.

West Bengal: BJP worker stabbed to death in Uttar Dinajpur, BJP alleges TMC-backed goons killed him for refusing to pay cut money

OpIndia Staff
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West Bengal: BJP worker stabbed to death in Uttar Dinajpur, BJP alleges TMC-backed goons killed him for refusing to pay cut money

On the 22nd of July, a trader named Aseem Saha, who was associated with the BJP was stabbed to death by some miscreants at his shop in the Uttar Dinajpur’s Islampur area in West Bengal. According to the Police, Saha was a businessman from Cooch Behar district. He had come to his maternal uncle Ratan’s saree shop when the incident took place.

It is alleged that he was killed for refusing to give extortion or cut money. The principal opposition party, BJP has alleged that TMC-backed goons are involved in the murder of their party worker. However, the Police claim that the murder was a result of personal rivalry. 

Meanwhile, a shocking video of this gruesome killing surfaced online. Around three to four men entering the trader’s shop are seen in the purported CCTV footage. They then overpower him and the assailants start stabbing the trader with a knife. When another trader tried to intervene, he also sustained injuries. Both the victims were rushed to a hospital in Siliguri where Aseem Saha was declared brought dead.

After analysing the CCTV footage and details from the eyewitnesses present at the crime scene, the police arrested a suspect a few hours after the brutal killing took place. The police have launched an investigation into the matter.

The police said, “This seems to be a personal dispute and not a political matter. An argument took place between the attackers and the victim and Saha was attacked with a knife.” 

However, according to the functionaries of the Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), Aseem Saha protested against the TMC-backed miscreants and refused to give extortion or cut money which led to his unfortunate demise. 

Subsequently, to register their protest against the gruesome killing, BJP’s youth wing called for a 12 hours general strike in Islampur. 

BJP District vice-president, Uttar Dinajpur Surajit Sen blamed the TMC-backed goons for the death of their party worker. He also urged the local residents to support their strike against the gruesome killings taking place in the state. 

He said, “Yesterday, a cloth dealer was stabbed to death for protesting against some goons associated with TMC who were demanding money from him. He died before reaching the hospital. We have called for a general strike in the Islampur area. We have requested locals in Islampur to support the strike.”

BJYM State President Indranil Khan claimed that the Mamata Banerjee government and the West Bengal police are not functioning properly. 

Khan said, “Aseem Saha was one of our workers. He was working in his store when some TMC goons stabbed him to death in daylight. After a few hours, Aseem was dead. The Police and administration under Mamata Banerjee are not functioning properly. We called a strike against the killing of Aseem Saha and the people of Islampur.”

In the wake of the gruesome daylight killing and a general strike called by the BJYM, the West Bengal police have beefed up the security in the entire stretch of Uttar Dinajpur’s Islampur area. 

Responding to the BJYM’s call for a strike, the Police said, “The BJP has called for a 12-hour bandh and if any attempt is made to disturb law and order, we will take legal action.” 

The TMC-ruled state has been witnessing an unceasing spate of violence particularly after the announcement of the Panchayat polls which have claimed the lives of more than 40 people. However, violent incidents and crimes against women are still continuing unabated in the state. In fact, in a political rarity, the left, Congress, and BJP have unequivocally termed the precarious situation in the state as an assault on the democratic setup in the state. 

Remembering ‘Operation West End’ and how Tehelka magazine framed an Army Major General in false corruption case

Dibakar Dutta
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Remembering ‘Operation West End’ and how Tehelka magazine framed an Army Major General in false corruption case

It was March 2001. Tehelka, a news outfit founded by Tarun Tejpal, decided to ‘uncover’ corruption within the defence establishments and political circles.

They floated a fake company by the name of ‘West End International’ and set out to sell hand-held thermal cameras/ imagers to the Government of India.

‘Journalists’ Aniruddha Bahal and Mathew Samuel posed as ‘arms dealers’ and tried to secure defence contracts as part of their sting dubbed ‘Operation West End.’

Tehelka’s team employed hidden cameras and audio recording devices to capture conversations with high-ranking officials and politicians involved in defence deals.

The undercover investigation spanned several months. Some prominent politicians, bureaucrats, and army personnel were caught on camera accepting bribes and discussing kickbacks in defence deals.

Tehelka was soon in the dock over entrapment charges, the missing ‘authenticity’ in its evidence, and lack of ethics as displayed through its bribing of officials to create sensationalism.

Use of prostitutes by Tehelka during Operation West End

As per reports, Tehelka journalists extended their sting operation, much beyond exposing corruption. Aniruddha Bahal and Mathew Samuel arranged for call girls and even filmed explicit encounters involving three defence officials.

The revelation has caused uproar and had also turned public sentiment against Tehelka, as it raised ethical questions and challenged the moral high ground that the news portal once took. Tehelka was criticised by politicians such as Madhavrao Scindia and Chandra Shekhar.

BJP’s George Fernandes had infamously said, “There cannot be any doubt that a crime against the country has been committed.” Another BJP MP Raghunath Jha emphasised, “If prostitutes were hawked, then certainly an offence is made out.”

Samata party demanded the arrest of the CEO of Tehelka. Party spokesperson Shambhu Shrivastava had said, “This is not journalism. We always maintained that they were pretenders playing into hands of anti-national forces.”

“The use of prostitutes have raised grave issues and we want stringent action to be taken against these blackmailers who were masquerading as journalists,” he pointed out.

Tehelka framed an Indian Army officer

On Friday (July 21) this year, the Delhi High Court directed ‘Tehelka’ magazine, its founder Tarun Tejpal and two other ‘jounalists’ to pay ₹2 crores to a retired Indian Army office for defaming him during their infamous sting, dubbed the ‘Operation West End.’

The officer, identified as Major General MS Ahluwalia, had filed the defamation case in 2002 after the magazine accused him of taking bribes in defence deals.

He had named Tehelka and its journalists Tarun Tejpal, Aniruddha Bahal and Mathew Samuel, saying they published false allegations against him. Zee TV, its chairman Subhash Chandra and CEO Sandeep Goyal were also named in the defamation case, as the sting operation was broadcast on Zee TV.

As a result of the false allegations against him, Major General MS Ahluwalia was court-martialled by the Indian Army with the recommendation to dismiss him from the service. Later, the punishment was downgraded and he was awarded Severe Displeasure (Recordable)’ by the army chief.

A case was also lodged against him under Sections 9 and 10 of the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) by the Central Bureau of Investigation. At that time, he was the Director-General, Ordnance, in the Indian Army and oversaw the functioning of the central depot for ammunition and technical stores.

In the sting, Ahluwalia was seen offering a bribe of ₹50,000, but he refused to accept it. However, it was alleged that he had said he would need money to introduce West End officials with top army brass.

Tehelka had also claimed that the army officer had demanded a bottle of Blue Label. MS Ahluwalia had denied the allegations made by Tehelka and said that when Tehelka did the sting, he was not involved in any post related to the selection or purchase of imported weapons.

“I am not involved in process of cases of import of equipment which is handled by Additional Director General, Weapons and Equipment (ADGWE) and has never held any post which is involved in selection and import of new equipment,” he had said.

It is notable that initially, Tehelka had claimed he had demanded ₹1 lakh, but later changed it to ₹50,000. In the army’s court of inquiry, Tehelka journalist Mathew Samuel admitted that Ahluwalia never demanded any money or expensive whiskey

Conclusion

In the late 1990s, the Indian defence sector was mired in controversy over the procurement of defence equipment and arms deals. After sensing an opportunity, Tehelka decided to embark on its ambitious mission of investigative journalism.

For Tarun Tejpal’s close-knit ‘ecosystem’ of journalists and activists, the ‘Operation West End’ of Tehelka is perhaps a watershed moment in Indian investigative journalism. However, it failed to capture the imagination of the Indian public for a long time.

“The alleged use of women, liquor, and money by the reporters to lure the unsuspecting in this whole episode have worked against Tehelka in the long term,” wrote Media Ethics Magazine in its case study.

While Tehelka set out to expose the dark realities of corruption within the Indian defence establishment, it uncovered its own lack of journalistic ethics and integrity in framing Major General MS Ahluwalia.

Delhi: Family including women arrested for assaulting another family in Sant Nagar over a parking dispute, video of the incident went viral

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi: Family including women arrested for assaulting another family in Sant Nagar over a parking dispute, video of the incident went viral

Several members of a family were arrested on 22 July for attacking three individuals over a parking dispute in southeast Delhi’s Amar Colony. According to a senior police officer, on 23 June, Amar Colony Police Station received a call which reported a brawl in Sant Nagar’s B-block.

Police discovered that the altercation between two Sant Nagar residents sparked over a parking matter. The victims were beaten up by Daljeet Singh, his wife Kudrat Kaur and son Harjap Singh, along with some of their family members. An official informed that the elderly couple along with Harjap and another woman were apprehended after a complaint was filed against them.

The anticipatory bail requests for three of the women involved in the instance were twice denied. Two of them were consequently taken into custody and arrested by the police. However, the high court granted temporary protection to one female.

A video of the entire occurrence surfaced on social media showing the perpetrators assaulting the three people. Following a more extensive investigation, police amended the initial First Information Report to include sections 354 and 147, 148, and 149 of the Indian Penal Code which are all related to assault or rioting with lethal weapons.

The appalling video

A video of the incident went viral on social media. A man in a blue t-shirt, accompanied by his female companion in orange, was seen standing in a parking area surrounded by several parked cars in the footage. It seemed the issue was regarding the parking of a brown Maruti Suzuki S-CROSS ZETA car. An old Sikh man in a white t-shirt with a stick in hand was conversing with the presumed owner of the vehicle while gesturing with a stick in his hand, asking him to remove the vehicle from that spot.

Shockingly, while the man in a t-shirt and shorts was responding by saying something, the sikh man struck the man with a thick stick. When a woman tried to stop him, he aggressively pushed her. Meanwhile, the women who were with the turban-clad male hauled her back as he continued to hit the victim from behind.

The victim man didn’t try to assault back the old Sikh man despite the fact that he was hit several times by the stick with full force amid the confrontation.

Interestingly, the brown S-Cross car has an ANI sticker on its windshield, indicating that its owner works at the media agency.

Reaction of netizens

Social media users reacted to the video pointing out how one family was relentlessly attacking another family over a parking dispute.

Dibakar Dutta referred to the family as uncivilised and stated, “Possibly 55 years old but hasn’t learnt to co-exist in a civilised manner. In India, there is no outrage over casual assaults such as this, especially if it does not lead to grievous hurt. The man’s wife and daughter are equally uncivilised.”

One user raised a question about the horrible conduct and commented, “Aren’t these our elders?”

Ajay Sapra wrote that this is “glimpses of time to come.” He remarked, “People are losing their sanity, behavioural changes in action and thoughts.” He went on to blame the inability of the executive and the judiciary for the incident.

However, another countered the claim and posted, “A lot of Sikhs that I have met over the years always had the conviction that they can get away with anything. Let us tell the truth that this is not influenced by something recent, Sikhs are also ready to play the victim card when needed.”

One netizen expressed his distress over the situation and voiced, “People are living on very short fuses these days. I’m sure, but for the parking issue that’s got them going, they must be perfectly good people who would jump to help each other when in distress. Sad.”

Similar recent incident

The instance transpired a few weeks after some of the residents of Delhi’s Mangolpuri neighbourhood battered a 37-year-old man and his parents with sticks over a parking issue. The startling event took place on 2 July at night while Kapil, a Rohini resident, was visiting his parents in the area. He was assaulted by Diler Singh and his three sons Sher Singh, Armaan and Sibbo over the parking of his motorbike.

He told the police that his 55-year-old mother and 60-year-old father Naresh were also attacked when they tried to protect him. There had always been animosity between the families.

The pair were taken to Sanjay Gandhi Memorial (SGM) Hospital for medical attention after the confrontation was reported to the police. Despite still being hospitalised, the injured are in stable condition. Diler Singh and Sher Singh were arrested for attempted murder and common intention, respectively, in accordance with the Indian Penal Code sections 307 and 34.

Bengaluru: Woman alleges Rapido driver masturbated during ride, sent ‘love you’ messages to her, accused arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Bengaluru: Woman alleges Rapido driver masturbated during ride, sent ‘love you’ messages to her, accused arrested

On 22nd July, Bengaluru’s Electronic City Police arrested 23-year-old Rapido driver Kuruvettappa Shivappa from Haveri for allegedly masturbating during the ride and sending ‘love you’ messages to the female Rapido passenger afterwards. The incident was shared by the female Rapido customer Athira Purushothaman on social media on 21st July. Following her tweets, several other Rapido customers came forward with similar stories of harassment. Rapido runs a bike taxi service where two-wheelers are used as taxis instead of cars or autos.

In a tweet thread, Athira said the incident occurred on 21st July while she was returning from a protest near Town Hall in Bengaluru. As she could not book an auto, she opted for a Rapido bike. When the driver came for pickup, she noticed that the bike differed from the one on the app. The driver gave the excuse that his original bike registered with the app was gone for servicing. After she confirmed the booking on his phone, she proceeded for the ride.

During the ride, the driver allegedly indulged in inappropriate behaviour when they reached a secluded area. She said that he started driving using one hand and masturbate with the other hand. Feeling unsafe, she remained silent. She then asked the driver to drop her 200 meters before the scheduled location so that he does not know her real residence.

However, her ordeal did not stop as the driver started calling and messaging her on WhatsApp. When she questioned why he was calling her as payment was already made, he sent “love you” messages. Athira shared the screenshots of the letters on social media. She then blocked her number.

Expressing her concern on social media, she questioned the verification process by Rapido. She demanded immediate steps to ensure the passengers’ safety. Bengaluru Police, in response to the incident, said the SJ Park Police station was informed about the incident to take further action.

In a tweet, Athira said she filed an official complaint, and the driver was arrested. She expressed her gratitude for the tremendous support she received on social media. She added she would take appropriate legal action against the driver and demand an investigation into Rapido’s safety measures as it was not an isolated incident.

Responding to her tweet, Bengaluru City police said that an FIR was registered at Electronic City Police Station and the accused has been arrested. CK Baba, DSP of South East Bengaluru Police, tweeted, “Just nabbed a real sicko on wheels!” He said that a criminal case is lodged at Electronic City Police Station on a guy who was pretending to be a Rapido bike rider.

Speaking to Bangalore Mirror, the Rapido team said that they took strict action against the driver involved in the incident and suspended him from the platform. “We fully cooperate with the investigating authorities and provide all necessary support to the affected passenger during this challenging time. Our dedicated team is working closely with all relevant parties to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident,” Rapido representative said.

Rapido further added to ensure secure communication, the conversations between customers and Rapido drivers take place using a third-party call masking service and urged customers not to share their personal numbers with the driver.

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