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Rahuri Love jihad case: Hindus who offered to help victim girls granted bail amid allegations that they were booked in a ‘false’ case – Ground Report

Days after the dreadful case of a Love Jihad was reported from the Rahuri region of Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district, the Hindu individuals who were arrested by the Police in a ‘false’ case have been granted bail after being ‘ill-treated and abused’ for around 4-5 days in the custody. Around 13 out of 25 booked in an alleged false case were arrested by the police who charged the former for allegedly damaging the Masjid in the area and also pelting stones at a shop of a Muslim individual. Notably, the police furthered the action based on a complaint filed by one Salim Pathan who himself has been arrested in another case for trapping the minor Hindu girls from the region and forcing them to convert to Islam.

The incident happened in Umbre village of Rahuri region in Ahmednagar district last week. Around 3-4 Hindu minor girls complained that they were forced to convert their religion to Islam and follow Islamic practices by their tuition teacher identified as Heena Sheikh (Pathan). The girls also said that the teacher forced them to talk to her ‘relative’ Avej Sheikh who then trapped them in a love affair in separate incidents and threatened them to convert their religion. As reported earlier, Avej also forced the girls to embrace Islam, marry and run away with him.

Salim Pathan booked Hindus alleging latter caused damage to Masjid

The event created massive outrage among the villagers on July 26 and July 27 after which the police complaint of the girls was registered and the accused persons were arrested. The eight accused identified as Avej Nisar Sheikh, Kaif Sheikh, Sohail Sheikh, Heena Sheikh, Alisha Sheikh, Salim Pathan, Altaf Sheikh and Shakir Sayyed have now been arrested but the local villagers continue to live under the fear that their girls will again have to face something like this if the accused persons are not strictly punished by law.

Team OpIndia visited Umbre village on August 3 to learn that the 13 Hindu persons from Rahuri who were arrested by the police and released on bail on August 1 were in no way involved in damaging the Masjid as claimed by accused Salim Pathan. Pathan on July 27 had filed a police complaint against the members of the local Hindu organisation who took cognizance of the event of minor Hindu girls being deliberately trapped and had come forward to help the victim girls. In the FIR, Pathan mentioned that the members of the Hindu organization attacked his place of work and barged into a nearby Masjid further creating ruckus in the premises. He also claimed that the Hindu members damaged the Masjid using rods and sticks. Accordingly, the police booked around 25 in the case and arrested 13 on July 27.

Police protection in the Masjid area in Umbre

Hindu members say ‘booked in false case, were not present in Umbre when the ruckus happened’

One of the 13 arrested (now granted bail) by the Police in an alleged ‘false’ case talked to OpIndia on August 3 on the condition of anonymity and confirmed that the members of the local Hindu group were specifically targeted for extending help to the minor victim girls who were trapped in a Love Jihad case. “We were not present at the time when the probable ruckus happened in the Masjid area. We are not denying that some ruckus might have happened around the Masjid that day but none of the arrested Hindu members were present at the spot when the incident happened,” Suhas (name changed for security reasons said. He also said that the members were tortured and targeted by the local police for being active among Hindus groups.

As per Suhas (name changed), the saga began on July 26, when one of the Hindu minor victim girls exposed to her family that she was being threatened by a boy named Avej, his sister Alisha and tuition teacher Heena. The girl told her family that she was being threatened to convert her religion to Islam, wear burqa and be into a relationship by Avej and his sister Alisha. Tuition teacher Heena meanwhile trained her to behave like Muslim girls and stopped her from wearing bangles and kumkum on forehead. The girl also revealed that other Muslim persons in the village were helping the boys with financial assistance and had helped him to plan trap the girls.

“The news spread like fire in the village. After this two more girls came forward from the same tuition and revealed that they were also being threatened and forced by Avej, Alisha and Heena to convert their religion. The girls further said that the Muslim boys had photographs of them which were being used to threaten them to be in a relationship with Avej. The villagers could not digest this fact and everybody got enraged. It was the evening time on July 26. It is a routine here that villagers gather at a spot for some dairy business. That day this issue probably got attention in the gathering after which the enraged villagers moved towards the home of the tuition teacher and other accused like Pathan and Sayyed to seek answers. These people stay very close to the Masjid in the area where the probable ruckus is said to have happened.

It was around 8:30 pm when the fuss happened. At that time we all (13 arrested Hindu members) were in Rahuri which is 20-30 kms away from Umbre village. We came to know about the incident and moved to see what exactly had happened. We had heard that the girls were being trapped and that they and their family members needed help. So we offered to help and proposed to meet the family members of the victim girls at a community hall in Umbre. It was around 10:30 pm or so then. The family members of the girls arrived but some other 30-35 villagers also arrived. They wanted to discuss the issue before any complaint got registered.

Suddenly after an hour or so, the Local Crime Branch Police (LCB) team reached the spot and began targeting the villagers. Someone might have given them the tip. Further without asking or knowing anything about the matter, the LCB members began hitting with the sticks. They could specifically be seen targeting the members of the local Hindu organization. We were just there to help the victim girls and we wanted nothing else. But the brutal beatings continued. Later the villagers dispersed and the police took 7-8 of us Hindu members in the custody.

Hindu members were granted bail on August 1 (Image obtained from Social Media)

This continued for next 2 hours. The police initially took away 8 persons but came back to see post midnight if anyone was still there at the community hall. In the second round more 4 were arrested. I was not arrested till then as I was hiding in the place with a minor boy of one of the villagers who was left alone after the crowd dispersed from the community hall. He was scared and I was protecting him as he was left alone after the LCB arrived at the spot. However, I was caught by the LCB who came there for the third time to ensure that the hall was completely vacant. The minor boy was then escorted by the police and I was taken into the custody.

We all 13 were individually interrogated by the Police that night. And we all felt like we were being specifically targeted for belonging to the Hindu community. We were booked with others in an FIR which alleges that we created ruckus in the area around Masjid. How can that happen as we were not present at the spot when the probable ruckus happened? The incident around Masjid happened at around 8:30 pm or before and we reached Umbre at 10 pm or so. We were tortured and also abused inside,” Suhas (named changed) said.

CCTV destroyed; medical reports say Hindu members were beaten on July 27 (the day of arrest)

Earlier, it was reported that the incident of brutal police charge on Hindu members at the community hall was recorded in the CCTV footage and the same was destroyed. The issue was also raised by BJP MLA Prasad Lad in the Maharashtra Legislative Council who sought strict action against the local officers who allegedly filed false police cases against the Hindu persons.

OpIndia obtained the medical test report of one of the 13 Hindu persons who was granted bail on August 1. The report reveals that the Hindu person was brutally beaten by the police at the community hall as a result of which he has now been diagnosed with severe breathlessness and chest pain.

Medical reports of one of the 13 persons arrested (now bailed)

Rahuri Police says ‘democracy gives right to speak’, comments zero on presence, arrest of 13 Hindu persons

Rahuri Police Inspector Dhananjay Jadhav was also reached by the team for a special comment on the case. Jadhav confirmed that “the 13 have been given bail but the investigation in the case is underway and the truth will soon come out.”

When asked whether the ‘allegations’ put forth by the 13 arrested, now bailed Hindu persons are true, Jadhav stated, “Democracy has given right and freedom to speak to everyone. Nobody can stop them from saying what they want to say. Police works as per the law. They were named in the FIR so we had to take action against them. That’s it.”

Further on specifically asking whether the 13 Hindu persons were actually present in Umbre when the ruckus around Masjid happened, the PI said, “Nothing can be commented on that now. Whether they were the part of the villagers mob who created ruckus around the Masjid or not will be decided in and by the Court. It’s all the part of an ongoing investigation which cannot be revealed at present.”

Tuition teacher Heena groomed the girls to behave like Muslims

It is fact to reiterate that the 13 Hindu persons were part of 25 identified individuals who have been booked by one Salim Pathan who himself is accused of threatening Hindu minor girls and forced conversion. Pathan said in the FIR that the 25 persons created ruckus in the Masjid and pelted stones at his shop.

On the other hand, three minor Hindu girls have filed cases against Avej Sheikh and tuition teacher Heena, ‘friends’ Alisha, Kaif, Sohail, villagers Altaf, Shakir and Salim Pathan for forcing them to convert their religion to Islam. The girls in three different FIRs stated that they were threatened to make friendship and be into a relationship by Avej.

As reported earlier, tuition teacher Heena Pathan introduced the girls to Avej and his friends saying that he was her relative. The boys then trapped the girls on Instagram and threatened the girls to be into a relationship. Heena meanwhile trained the girls to behave like Muslims, stop following Hindu way of life. The teacher also forced the girls to wear burqa and tried to imbibe on their minds that Islam is the best religion of all.

Victim girls confirm ‘Hindu members had come to help, were wrongfully arrested’

One of the girls specifically talked to OpIndia and confirmed that the 13 Hindu persons had come that day to help them but were badly beaten by the police. Calling the Hindu persons her ‘brothers’, the minor girl stated that none of those arrested were at fault. “The Hindu brothers had come to help us. They did nothing. But the Police charged them and arrested them. Why have they been arrested when not at all at fault? This is totally wrong,” the one of the victim girls stated.

Meanwhile it was revealed earlier that around 7-8 Hindu minor girls from the tuition of Heena Sheikh were trapped and threatened by accused Avej Sheikh. Sources further informed that the parents of the one of the minor victim girls were made to wait for hours before registering the FIR against the 8 accused. The girls were teased, tortured and touched inappropriately by accused Avej who has now been arrested. He would also demand money from them. As reported previously, many people from the community of the accused in Umbre knew about the activities of Avej and were ready to give money and shelter to him if he would run away with any of the Hindu minor girls.

Victim girl says education of girls resumed after Ministers raised the issue in the State council from OpIndia Videos on Vimeo.

After the incident got exposed, the Gram Panchayat of Umbre had decided to not send their girl students to school given the severity of the incident. “We won’t send our girls to school from now onwards. All the parents in the village have decided that no girl will go to school unless the administration assures the security of our children. We all are terrified by the incident and are concerned about the safety and security of our girls. Our girls will do domestic chores instead and survive for their life if this is what they have to face at the places of education,” the official letter obtained by OpIndia had read.

However, the girls and the villagers confirmed that the issue of not sending the girl students to schools has now been resolved after several Ministers raised the issue in the State Council. Also, the victim girls though scared have resumed their school routines. The villagers and the girls at present are scared and demand strict action against all the accused.

NCPCR, IHRC takes cognizance

Notably, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has taken suo-moto cognizance of the incident and has said that thorough investigation will be done in the case. Also, one Pune-based Indian Human Rights Council (IHRC) has formed a 5-member committee to look into the case.

Hindu JanAkrosh Morcha organized on August 5

In the recent months, several cases of assault on Hindu women and specific cases of Love jihad, conversion have been reported from Rahuri and other parts of the Ahmednagar district.

Enraged by the incidents, the local Hindu organizations have scheduled to organize a ‘Hindu Janakrosh Morcha’ in Rahuri on August 5. The Hindu groups demand justice for the Hindu minor girls who have become the victims of religious torture and forced conversion at the hands of tuition teacher and her ‘relative’.

Images by OpIndia

In all, four FIRs have been filed in the case, copies of all of which have been obtained by OpIndia. Also, all the relevant video documents and audio files supporting this read have been obtained. Please read earlier reports regarding this case here and here.

“What is frivolous to you is faith to the other side”, CJI says as Muslim side’s lawyer calls Gyanvapi Shivling a ‘fountain’: Read what was said during the hearing

The Supreme Court today refused to stop the survey of the Gyanvapi structure in Varanasi by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, which manages the mosque at the Gyanvapi site, had moved the apex court after the Allahabad High Court refused to stay a lower court judgement ordering a survey of the site.

During the hearing by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra, Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi representing the mosque committee tried to argue that allowing the survey will mean going back in history by 500 years, but the Supreme Court was not convinced. The lawyer also argued that merely conducting the survey will violate the Places of Worship Act, which was also rejected by the court.

During the hearing, advocate Ahmadi told the court that there are multiple special leave petitions on the issue, including one against the scientific survey with carbon dating of the area. When CJI asked by ‘area’ does he means the Shivling area, and he said that for them it is a fountain. It is notable that the main argument of the Muslim side is that the Shivling found inside the mosque is actually a water fountain.

Referring to the objections of the mosque committee, the CJI said that the Allahabad High Court in its order allowing the survey have said that there will be no excavation for the survey, there will be no damage to any structure, and therefore the Muslim side should not have apprehensions about the survey. But the advocate said that they have serious issues with the entire proceeding.

“By ordering the survey, and by going back in the history as to what happened 500 years ago, are you not violating the Places of Worship Act?”, Ahmadi asked. To this CJI DY Chandrachud said that this issue will be considered while hearing the main matter regarding the maintainability of the suit.

But the senior Ahmadi reiterated that the survey “totally impinges upon fraternity, secularism, and statements of objects of the Places of Worship Act”, and that it is totally contrary to the orders of the supreme court. However, the apex court disagreed, it is only a matter of the survey. The CJI said, “Every matter why do we have to raise it to such great debates… this is an interlocutory order, why should the Supreme Court interfere?”

The CJI added that keep open all issues regarding maintainability, and objections to commission evidence. “These are matters to be argued in the suit ultimately. You must treat it like any other suit,” he said.

Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi tried to intervene by saying “But this has the propensity to…”, but the CJI continued by saying that even in the Ayodhya case, ASI survey was allowed, and lots of arguments were made about the he evidentiary value of ASI survey. “We separated grain from shaft.. and then discarded some… These are issues to be addressed at the final hearing as to what is the evidentiary value of the survey. Today only the survey is being conducted. We will safeguard the structure”, CJI said.

Advocate Ahmadi then argued with a hypothetical question, “If someone now comes and files a frivolous plea saying that there is a monument below this structure… will you order ASI survey?” However, the CJI countered by saying that “What is frivolous to you is faith to other side”.

The lawyer questioned the ASI survey calling it a sly method. “The process is such that you are reopening the wounds of past. When you start a survey, you are unravelling the wounds of the past. And it is the very same thing the Places of Worship seeks to prohibit,” he said.

The Muslim side’s lawyer questioned why allow the ASI survey when the main suit is yet to be heard and it may be deemed not maintainable at a later stage. “If I make out a case that the suit is not maintainable, where is the question of survey? I am saying don’t have the survey when there are serious doubts on the maintainability”, he argued. It is notable that the main suit was filed by five Hindu women seeking to worship Hindu deities at the Gyanvapi site.

Justice Pardiwala responded to this argument by saying that the results of the survey will form a report. He said, “Your principal argument is why undertake the survey when the suit’s maintainability is questioned. This survey is going to be in the form of a report. Tomorrow, if you succeed in getting the plaint rejected, this survey will be nothing but a piece of paper. Let the survey take place because of the assurance given by Mr.Mehta that there is no invasive method. Let the report be given in a sealed cover”.

However, CJI Chandrachud said that there should be no objection to just an interlocutory order, and everything will be considered during the hearing of the main suit. He said that the trial court order for the ASI survey has to be treat like any other regular order, like that of appointment of a commissioner.

“Now we have a trial court order, we have a reasoned HC order, why should we interfere,” the CJI said. The court further assured that the structure will be protected, and the survey will be completely non-invasive. “We will safeguard your concerns by protecting the structure”, CJI assured.

During the hearing Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta gave assurance that no excavation will be carried out for the survey and the ASI will follow the stand taken before the High Court.

Senior Advocate Madhavi Divan, appearing for the Hindu plaintiffs, said that the ASI survey is a process of taking expert evidence which will be beneficial to all parties. She said that the plaintiffs have sought for reliefs to worship the visible and invisible deities in the structure. “Certain signs and symbols have clearly been seen there. It’s logical to reach the conclusion via scientific study”, Divan said.

She said that the order allowing the ASI survey is neither adversarial or prejudicial as the rights of the parties are not determined and it will be subject to the objections of the parties. She also argued that the Places of Worship Act does not bar the determination of a religious character of a place of worship before the cut-off date of August 15, 1947, adding that the right to know the religious character of the structure cannot be barred.

“Ultimately it is the ASI. Its job is to preserve monuments.. so surely they cannot damage it. They know better..”, advocate Divan said, reiterating the non-invasive nature of the survey.

“If Monu Manesar comes to Mewat, he will be crushed like onions”: Who is Mamman Khan who had threatened dire consequences in the Haryana assembly

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Fresh allegations are emerging against the possible role of Congress MLA from Ferozepur Jhirka, Mamman Khan, in inciting the Islamist mob violence against Hindus in Nuh on 31st July. This comes following the charges by Monu Manesar against Khan for provoking the unrest which killed three Hindus, and two Homeguards.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) too has alleged the role of Mamman Khan in the violence as a counter to Congress’ allegations that the BJP has been (allegedly) protecting Monu Manesar.

Monu Manesar alias Mohit Yadav, a member of the Bajrang Dal, became the centre of controversy when the Muslim assailants and their media associates attempted to use him as a scapegoat and blame him for the violence that convulsed the state on 31 July following an attack on a Hindu procession in Haryana’s Nuh district.

He, however, refuted any role in the clashes or proactive social media posts in a recent interview. He clarified that he had not been present for the procession and blamed Congress MLA from the Ferozepur Jhirka assembly constituency for the violence. Manesar has been accused in the past of allegedly kidnapping and killing two cow smugglers named Junaid and Nasir, both residents of Ghatmeeka village in Bharatpur district of Rajasthan.

Mamman Khan and his alleged link to the violence

Mamman Khan is a Congress MLA from the Ferozepur Jhirka assembly constituency in the Mewat region in Haryana. He won the 2019 elections from the seat with 57.62% votes defeating BJP candidate Nadeem Ahmed. Khan had lost his first election in 2014 as an independent against Nadeem Ahmed who fought on an INLD ticket.

In the Budget session in February this year, Mamman Khan accused the Haryana government of allegedly arming Gau Rakshaks and flashed the images of Bajrang Dal activist Monu Manesar while attacking the government. Khan accused the BJP government asking whether they have given arms to goons to kill Muslims. Notably, Muslim-majority Mewat is the hub of cattle smuggling, an issue Khan chooses to neglect.

In the course of his address, Khan was countered by BJP MLA Satyaprakash Jaravta from the Pataudi constituency. A verbal brawl ensued between Mamman Khan and Satyaprakash Jaravta. Here is the part of the brawl during which Khan issued a threat. “Main..(inaudible)..paarunga abke bhejiye tu ine Mewat mein…abke bhejesi Mewat mein…Monu Manesar ne abke bhejesi…main bataun aake tumhare ko. Baithja chup chaap tu…sunle tu sun le..abke bhej tu Monu Manesar ko phir bataunga main House mein aakarke tereko (You try and send him now (to Mewat) I will..inaudible..tear apart..you try to send him to Mewat..try sending Monu Manesar now..I will show you..you sit quietly and listen..you send Monu Manesar I will show you in the House then),” the Congress MLA openly warned the BJP MLA in the assembly.

He further said, “Yeh Monu Manesar kabhi Amit Shah kabhi Arun Jaitley ke saath photo dikhata hai. Kya darana chahta hai Mewatiyon ko ke main itna bada aadmi hoon? Abke mantri yaad rakhna yeh Mewat aa gaya toh isko pyaj si na phodi toh..(inaudible)..isne bahut aatank phaila rakha hai.” (This Monu Manesar clicks pictures with Amit Shah, with Arun Jaitley. Does he want to scare Mewatis that I am a big man? The ministers (of BJP govt) should remember now that if he (Manesar) comes (to Mewat) then will beat him up. He (Manesar) has spread terror.”

Despite widespread violence on 31st July by the Islamist mob and long-confirmed reports of the violence, the Congress MLA took to Twitter a day later on 1st August to say that there is nothing to worry about in Mewat.

He allegedly wrote, “Mewat mein kal se tarah tarah ki afwah chal rahi hai. Aap kisi bhi saathi ko chinta karneki zarurat nahin hai. Maine Vidhaan Sabha mein bhi aapki ladai ladi thi aur Mewat mein bhi aapki Ladai mein ladunga.” (Various kinds of rumours are going on in Mewat since yesterday. None of you friends have to worry. I had fought your battle in the State Assembly and I will fight your battle in Mewat too.)

The last line of his tweet, which he has now deleted, sounds like an eerie support to Islamist violence. When questioned about his controversial remarks about being held responsible for the violence, Khan seemed to uncomfortably shift the blame on his fellow MLAs from the Congress. His threatening demeanour in the Assembly 5 months ago seemed to have died down in the statement he gave on 1st August.

“Not only me but my colleagues Chaudhry Ilyas ji and Chaudhry Aftab ji also mentioned this issue in the Vidhan Sabha, their videos are also available that these incidents will not be tolerated. I said what I had to before the government,” Khan said rather sheepishly.

He added, “Before me, my senior leaders had said, Chaudhry Ilyas ji had also said that if he comes (Monu Manesar) this time then they will not be in the condition to be taken on a stretcher too…is my statement only…we had all said the same thing. I was not the only one to raise this issue (of Monu Manesar) there were others too.”

Interestingly, on 31st July, when Nuh was burning in the fire set by Islamists and thousands of Hindus were praying for their lives in hiding at the Nalhar Shiva Temple, MLA Mamman Khan was gloating over the PR articles published in his name by the local media.

Mamman Khan is not the only one who keeps patting his back for the work he does for the Muslim community of Mewat (his Twitter timeline is full of it). The media too has been projecting Khan as some messiah for “taking on Monu Manesar in the Assembly.” In its report on Mamman Khan, The Indian Express addresses Khan as a “social activist.” It goes on to mention that the alleged murder of alleged cow smugglers Junaid and Nasir was the “flashpoint behind the recent violence.” For the record, it was anti-Hindu violence sparked by an Islamist mob during a religious Hindu rally.

Gujarat: Ilyas becomes ‘Yash’ to groom and rape a minor Hindu girl, arrested after mother’s complaint

Two new case of love jihad have come to light in Gujarat. In the first one, a man named Ilyas trapped a 16-year-old minor Hindu girl in a relationship and raped her repeatedly. He has now been arrested on the complaint of the victim’s mother.

She reportedly came in contact with him in Isanpur, Ahmedabad after which he lied about his identity and pretended to be of the same religion as hers. He told her he was a Hindu and his name was Yash before befriending her. Afterward, he took her into confidence and used deception to engage in multiple sexual encounters with her.

She eventually learned the real name of the accused after some time and realized that she has been duped. She narrated the entire incident to her mother and the latter arrived at the Isanpur police station to file a report after comprehending the gravity of the situation. A First Information Report was registered against the perpetrator in connection with the case along with other sections including rape and the Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences Bill (POCSO).

The Isanpur police swung into action as soon as the victim’s grievance was recorded and the offender was apprehended within hours. Assistant Commissioner of Police Milap Patel stated, “The mother of the 16-year-old victim has lodged a complaint at the Isanpur police station. She mentioned that her daughter used to work at a clothes shop.”

He further added, “There a boy named Ilyas introduced himself as Yash in order to befriend her and forcibly made physical relations with her. Based on the information provided by the complainant, the police registered a complaint against him as well as arrested him. The matter is under investigation.”

The video of when the Isanpur police went to arrest the culprit is doing rounds on social media. A large group of Hindus is seen surrounding the latter in the footage. On the other hand, the police are shown taking him to the police station after saving him from the agitated crowd.

Love jihad in Surat

Another instance of love jihad has surfaced in Surat where a man named Ozair Alam ensnared a Hindu girl by masquerading as Arjun Singh. He also created a fake Aadhaar Card with the same name and conducted his business using the same. The activists of Vishwa Hindu Parishad have apprehended and handed him over to the police.

He ran a shop called ‘Ruhi Fashion’ in Awadh Market in the Puna area of ​​the city and tricked the female who was employed there by deceiving her. He took her to Saputara, 15 days ago and raped her under the false promise of marriage. However, she recently came to know about his truth.

When the workers of the Hindu organization came to know about this, they reached the perpetrator’s shop. He initially presented himself as Arjun Singh and also produced a visiting card with the same name upon questioning. The victim, who was present there told them that she did not know that he was a Muslim because he went by the Hindu name.

The people from the Hindu outfit found two Aadhaar cards, with the names of Arjun Singh and Ozair Alam, from the store. His address is registered as Champaran, Bihar in the card with his actual Muslim name. He is originally from the Bihar state. However, he lived and traded in Surat.

He informed the girl his name was Arjun Singh during their eight-month correspondence and never revealed that he belonged to a different religion, according to her.

Delhi court grants anticipatory bail to 1984 anti-Sikh riot accused Jagdish Tytler

On Friday (August 4), the Rose Avenue Court of Delhi granted anticipatory bail to Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in connection to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

The order was reserved by Special Judge Vikas Dhull on Wednesday (August 2). Jagdish Tytler was granted anticipatory bail on ₹1 lakh bail bond in the Pul Bangash killings of November 1, 1984. He is not allowed to leave India without permission or tamper with any evidence.

Three Sikhs, namely, Thakur Singh, Badal Singh and Guru Charan Singh were killed by a Congress-led mob, who had gathered at Pul Bangash Gurdwara in Azad Market on November 1, 1984 i.e. a day after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had booked Tytler under Indian Penal Code Sections 147 (rioting), 109 (abetment) read with 302 (murder) for inciting, instigating and provoking the mob of Congress workers. Tyler was issued summons by the Delhi court on July 26 this year.

While speaking about the matter, BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, “I am disappointed and heartbroken to learn that a murderer like Jagdish Tytler was given bail by the court. This is hard to imagine. The CBI started an objective investigation against Tytler after coming to power. But, the court disregarded it completely.”

“A murderer whose hands are stained with blood, who held several powerful positions and was untouchable, is now put in the dock after all these years. But, the court gave him bail, outright…We will go to the High Court against the injustice of the lower court…We are not going to let it go away,” he added.

Sirsa also pointed out that Jagdish Tytler is being protected by the Gandhi family and warned that the Congress leader cannot escape the law forever.

SC dismisses Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee’s plea challenging ASI survey at Gyanvapi complex: Here is what SC said while passing order

On Friday, 4th August 2023, the Supreme Court dismissed the plea of the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee (AIMC) challenging the ASI survey of the disputed structure at the Gyanvapi complex in Varanasi. A team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Friday morning arrived at the Gyanvapi structure premises adjacent to Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi and started a scientific survey of the complex amid tight security. Notably, the Allahabad High Court on Thursday, 3rd August 2023, allowed the Archaeological Survey of India to conduct a survey of the Allahabad High Court dismissed Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee’s plea, challenging the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey of the disputed structure.

Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi represented the AIMC while Solicitor General Tushar Mehta represented the state. In its order, the bench of chief justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justice Pardiwala said, “An order was passed by District Judge Varanasi. While allowing the applications the district judge directed the ASI to undertake a scientific investigation/survey/excavation on Gyanvapi excluding some areas which were sealed by this court. District judge while allowing it issued the following directions. The order of the district judge was assailed before the HC under article 227. By Aug 3 judgment the order of the district judge has been affirmed subject to 1. observations made by HC and 2. contents of an affidavit by the ASI. During the hearing before the HC, ASI was called upon to assist in pursuance of directions of HC and ASI filed an affidavit setting out the nature of the proposed survey.”

The court further said, “The ASI affidavit extracted below for convenience. Apart from the affidavit, the deponent Shri Alok Tripathi who is the additional director general of ASI appeared in person… the HC held that the order of the district judge directing the survey falls within the fold of CPC and hence when the question in a suit involves scientific investigation then the court may in the interest of justice issue a commission for that purpose. In Para 21 HC has dealt with the apprehension that the survey would envisage an act of excavation or destruction of the structure. HC has recorded the statement of ASI and ASG for the Central govt that no excavation whatsoever will take place. it was in this backdrop HC clarified while the district judge’s order was upheld it was subject to ASI affidavit and statements made.”

The bench added, “It has been clarified by SG Tushar Mehta that as a matter of fact.. the entire survey which was to be carried out… will be completed without any excavation or causing any destruction to the structure. On behalf of the Sr Adv Ahmadi, it is argued that the act of conducting the survey is contrary to the Places of Worship Act 1991. Mr Ahmadi argued that the survey ought not to be directed unless the pending issues are decided by the court. Sr Adv Divan submitted that an order under Order 26 is for the benefit of the court and that all parties can file replies to the ASI survey which will form substantive evidence.”

The apex court ruled, “The frame of the plaint indicates that as per the plaintiff both before and after 1947 there was continuous religious worship and that ASI’s job was to maintain such properties and thus there shall be no such damage. The order of the trial judge was set aside in the first appeal. It was argued that such an ASI survey order was set aside by HC on appeal. The order of the trial judge under Order 26 Rule 9 cannot be at this stage construed to be without jurisdiction. The provision states that when a matter requires scientific investigation. The court may issue a commission to such a person to look into it and report to the court as per rule 10 the commissioner has to submit a rule in writing to the court. the report of the commissioner and the evidence by him constitutes evidence in the suit and forms part of the record and any party may examine the commission report to see how the investigation is made. If the court is dissatisfied further enquiry can be ordered. The evidentiary value of the commissioner report is a matter to be tested in a suit and is open to cross-examination. hence report of the commissioner does not by itself does not offer substantive findings in such cases.”

The 2-justice bench opined, “The district judge has ordered a scientific investigation by ASI. HC has found no reason to interfere having set out the legal position while dealing with an interlocutory order of this nature. HC has introduced certain safeguards. Having regard to the nature and ambit of the court-appointed commission we are unable to differ from the HC. The limitation which governs HC under 227 must govern this court as well when it considers appeal under Article 137. HC was correct in our view to introduce some directions to circumscribe the order of the district judge. The ASI has clarified that there is neither excavation nor there would be destruction of property.”

Allowing the ASI survey, the court finally said, “We order and direct that the entire ASI survey shall be completed by the non-invasive methodology adopted by the ASI. We reiterate HC’s order that there shall be no excavation at the site. The ASI survey report shall be remitted back to the HC and be taken up for trial in the suit. We have used non-invasive since the HC order says invasive.. but that must be a typing error or a printer’s devil. that is why we clarified.”

On July 21, Varanasi district judge AK Vishvesha ordered the ASI survey of the Gyanvapi complex on an application moved by four Hindu women on May 16, 2023. 

The order of the district judge, however, excluded the Wuzu Khana (ablution pond area) of the complex, which has been sealed on the order of the top court. 

Earlier, the Allahabad High Court asked the ASI to not start the survey of Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi as the hearing on the matter was underway after Supreme Court put on hold till 5 pm July 26 a detailed scientific survey by the ASI to determine if the mosque located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi was built upon a temple.

‘Aurangzeb can never be a hero’, says Maharashtra deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis in state legislative council

On Friday, 4th August 2023, Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said in the state’s legislative council that flagging Aurangzeb’s posters and inciting communal clashes in the state is part of an experiment and Aurangzeb can never be a hero of the land. He made these remarks while addressing the upper house of the state legislature in his reply to the discussion under rule 259 in the last week of the monsoon session.

Devendra Fadnavis said, “In the house, we took cognizance of some issues related to riots. The fact is that the number of communal clashes has significantly reduced. I have said it even before that an attempt to destabilise the state took place. We have seen so many posters of Aurangzeb, social media status posts, and processions or rallies appearing suddenly in large numbers in multiple districts of the state. This is not a coincidence. This seems a well-thought experiment. Aurangzeb was never a hero of Indian Muslims till now. He can not become a hero. Aurangzeb was nothing but an attacker. Only Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj can be the hero of this land. APJ Abdul Kalam can be a hero, but not Aurangzeb.”

Devendra Fadnavis added, “Aurangzeb who tortured Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and brutally killed him by slicing our king into pieces can never be a hero for us. Not even for Indian Muslims. Aurangzeb was from a Turkish Mangol clan. There are only a few lakh people of this race in India and Pakistan put together. Therefore, most of the people (Muslims) here are not the successors of Aurangzeb. Therefore he can never be a hero here. But suddenly some social media posts appeared and they were followed by small riots and scuffles in some places. There is a certain design behind this. We have succeeded in deciphering some parts of it. We have identified a few people behind it. We have also made a few arrests in this regard. I assure you that in any situation, we will not discriminate against anyone based on his religion or caste. But, if anyone glorifies Aurangzeb here, we will not spare him. These are serious incidents and we are keeping a close watch on them.”

In recent days, Maharashtra state has experienced heightened tension due to the controversy surrounding the Islamic tyrant Aurangzeb. Unfortunate incidents of violence have occurred in various locations, intensifying the already volatile situation. The Aurangzeb controversy and subsequent violence started in Kolhapur after a WhatsApp status was put up in support of Aurangzeb. Apart from Kolhapur, tension had also erupted in Ahmednagar due to the Muslim fundamentalists supporting Aurangzeb. A large number of Hindu activists took to the streets. There was also a war of words between Owaisi and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the issue.

Mumbai: Chabad House security increased after its image and GPS coordinates recovered from Al-Sufa terrorists

On Saturday, July 29, the Mumbai police ramped up the security of Chabad House in the Colaba area of Mumbai after a Google image of the Chabad House was recovered from two Al-Sufa terrorists arrested by Pune Police on July 18. The Mumbai ATS recently took over the investigation into the case. It is notable that Chabad house was one of the targets of the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai in 2008.

As reported earlier, ATS had taken over the probe after Pune Police arrested the terrorists Mohammad Imran Mohammad Yunus and Mohammad Yunus Mohammad Yakub Saki for their involvement in a terror attack planning in Rajasthan. 

Officials discovered two Google images and GPS coordinates of the Chabad House with the two Al-Sufa Jihadis during the investigation. In response, the Mumbai Police increased security and held a mock drill in the area. Security was increased outside Mumbai’s Chabad House. 

Previously, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested a person in Pune for providing refuge to both the suspected terrorists.

“It was found during the investigation of the two suspects that they sought the assistance of a person in Pune to make arrangements for their shelter when they arrived in the city. Based on information obtained during the interrogation of the accused, the said person was detained first, and after questioning, he was arrested and booked along with the two suspects,” Maharashtra ATS stated.

The authorities searched their Pune residence and found several suspicious items, including a box containing “drone material,” a pistol pouch, a live cartridge, a tent which they would have used in the future use to have shelter in the jungles, a laptop, some “white coloured pills,” fake Aadhaar cards, and Arabic literature. 

Chabad House and 26/11 Mumbai attacks

Chabad House is a renowned Jewish cultural centre that provides a variety of events and services to the local Jewish population as well as tourists.

Ten Pakistani terrorists came to Mumbai via sea route on November 26, 2008. The Jihadis targeted Nariman House, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Leopold Cafe, and prominent hotels such as Taj Palace and Trident in Mumbai’s southern outskirts. Aside from opening fire in public and slaughtering scores of people, they also put a bomb inside a taxi and drove it into Mumbai’s suburbs.

The attacks claimed the lives of 166 people, including foreign nationals. Ajmal Kasab was arrested alive by Mumbai police from a vehicle on Marine Drive, and all nine of his other accomplices were neutralized during the course of a 60-hour organisation.

Two attackers took over Nariman House, a Chabad Lubavitch Jewish facility in Mumbai known as Chabad House, and held several residents hostage. During the horrific attacks in 2008, seven people were killed by gunmen at Nariman Chabad House, including Chabad Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his 28-year-old Israeli-born wife Rivka. 

Interestingly, a 2021 report by London-based Jewish weekly newspaper The Jewish Chronicle claimed citing Indian government sources that Chabad House was chosen as a Jewish target during the 26/11 attacks and was not an opportunistic or random target. 

Wiretap recordings of the Mumbai attacks revealed how the terrorists chose a Jewish target and other areas as part of a strategy to kill people from different communities and garner maximum media attention.

According to the report, the recordings of the terrorists discussing their target selection match the method utilised in the deployment of the ten well-equipped Pakistani terrorists. The report added that one of the voices heard was that of terrorist Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi.

Following the 2008 terrorist attack, the Chabad House in Mumbai received extensive security upgrades. According to Shlomi Peles, CEO of Chabad World Assistance (CWA), Chabad has been implementing numerous security measures, including physical protection, camera installations, and seminars for Chabad House heads around the world, in response to the growing global trend of seeking to harm Jewish symbols.

Bareilly case: FIR clearly mentions attack on Kanwariyas was started by Muslims. Zubair had shared cropped video to defend the Islamists

On Sunday (July 23) afternoon, Islamists pelted stones at a group of Kanwariyas near Shahnoori mosque in the Jogi Nawada locality in Bareilly city of Uttar Pradesh. Nearly a dozen Kanwariyas and some police personnel were injured in the incident.

Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair, who has a notorious history of shielding Islamists, had shared a cropped video of the incident to give the impression that it was not the Muslim mob that attacked the Kanwariyas.

After the dubious ‘fact checker’ notoriously tried to whitewash the crime perpetrated by the Islamists, popular Twitter user Ankur Singh had ‘punctured’ his outrageous claims by sharing a longer version of the video which clearly showed that the Muslim mob started the stone pelting and any subsequent stone pelting by the Kanwariyas were a retaliation and/or self-defence.

Now, the FIR filed in the case has also undoubtedly come as another slap in Zubair’s face, as it clearly mentions that the attack on Kanwariyas was, indeed, started by Muslims.

Media portal Organiser, on August 2, 2023, shared a copy of the FIR filed in the case, which clearly mentions that the Islamists, who were stationed near the Shahnoori mosque in the Jogi Nawada locality in Bareilly, first launched an unprovoked attack on the Kanwariyas as soon as the peaceful Kanwar Yatra crossed the mosque.

Copy of the FIR accessed by Organiser

The FIR accessed by Organiser was filed by Sub-Inspector Amit Kumar at the Baradari police station on July 24. In this FIR, Kumar stated that he and his squad were patrolling in the vicinity of the Shahnoori Mosque. The procession’s designated path was from Gosian Gautiya to the Shahnoori Mosque, the Vankandinath Temple to Suresh Sharma Nagar, the Satellite Square to Kalibaadi, the Chaupal neighbourhood, the Lal Fatak neighbourhood, and finally the Kachhla Ghat.

The patrolling team successfully took out the namazi’s from the Mosque who were there to attend Jauhar Namaz, the FIR read, adding, that later the Kanwariyas were asked to take the procession from the side of the Mosque. However, as soon as the DJ-led procession arrived at the Shahnoori Mosque, several individuals gathered in front of the mosque with white power in their hands. They started tossing it in the direction of the Kanwariyas. After this, stones were pelted from all sides.

Besides, Rahul Bhati, Superintendent of Police (SP) City, Bareilly also said that the Kanwariyas were on their way to get water from Kachhla Ghat when stones were pelted from Shahnoori mosque and nearby homes at the Kawar Yatra.

Additionally, videos from the day that went viral, which the Alt News Co-founder had cleverly cropped to whitewash the Islamist crime, also clearly showed a Muslim mob pelting stones at the Kanwariyas.

Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair shares cropped video of Kanwariyas to hide stone pelting by Islamists, gets fact checked

Twitter user Ankur Singh shared a longer version of the video, which was originally procured by Sudarshan News. In the video, a Muslim mob could be seen pelting stones at the Kanwariyas. “Why was the beginning of this video cut off, Zubair? Because it was clearly visible who was throwing the first stone? As soon as stones were pelted at Hindus in response, Zubair cut off that part and started running propaganda,” Ankur Singh wrote.

He further emphasised, “Zubair would come to save those who spit and throw stones at Kanwariyas. This is why such incidents are on the rise. People like him are setting the fire.”

Essentially, Zubair cropped the beginning part of the video where a Muslim mob was seen pelting stones at Kanwariyas to ensure that it was not visible that it was indeed the Muslim mob which started the attack against Hindus. By cropping that part and attempting to “fact check” people calling out Islamists for the violence they unleashed, Zubair clearly hid details that would expose the Islamists, in order to shield them. It is evident that the Muslim mob started the stone pelting and any subsequent stone pelting by the Kanwariyas were a retaliation and/or self-defence.

Stone pelted on Kanwariyas in Bareilly

On Sunday (July 23) afternoon, Islamists pelted stones at a group of Kanwariyas near Shahnoori mosque in the Jogi Nawada locality in Bareilly city of Uttar Pradesh.

As per reports, the incident took place at around 3 pm when Kanwariyas were en route to Budaun to fetch holy water from the river Ganga. The Kanwariya groups were to perform ‘jalabhishek’ at the nearby Vankandinath temple.

However, they were faced with a barrage of stones from Islamists. According to locals, the attack was led by ex-corporator Usman Ali and his supporters, who pelted stones at the Kanwariyas from atop their houses.

NIA files supplementary chargesheet against 4 PFI members in a special court in Patna for anti-national activities

Four individuals were charged with further crimes by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on 3 August in connection with illegal and anti-national actions by the outlawed Popular Front of India (PFI) in Patna. The fresh chargesheet has been filed in a special NIA court in Bihar’s Patna district against Md Tanweer, Md Aabid, Md Belal and Md Irshad Alam, all residents of the East Champaran district.

According to the NIA, the four PFI cadres were involved in planning violent crimes by procuring weapons and ammunition and spreading their organisation’s extremist ideology and dangerous agenda. They are facing prosecution under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, and Arms Act, 1959.

A total of 15 perpetrators, including the four mentioned in the chargesheet, have been apprehended thus far for encouraging the outfit’s unlawful operations and directing illicit cash from abroad to its members and the accused parties in the case.

Investigations conducted by the agency revealed that Md. Irshad Alam is part of a criminal racket that, along with other PFI workers plotted to attack and murder a young person from a particular community in order to sow the seeds of terror and communal animosity.

The statement read, “Md Tanweer and Md Abid had already terror hardware for carrying out the hate crime and had handed over the same to one of the arrested accused, Yaqub Khan. Yaqub is a PFI master trainer of weapons and tactics and had conducted multiple arms training sessions for furthering the banned outfit’s violent and unlawful activities.”

The initial case was lodged against 26 people on 12 July of last year at the Phulwarisharif Police Station in Patna. On 22 July the same was taken over and again registered by NIA. The NIA issued a chargesheet against four people in the case on 7 January. The inquiry is still underway.

Notably, on 22 September 2022, the NIA with other probe agencies conducted a large-scale midnight operation termed “Operation Octopus” on the premises of PFI across the country, on charges of terror funding and money laundering. The raid resulted in the detaining of at least 100 of its leaders and activists.

On 28 September the Government of India declared the outfit an “unlawful association” and temporarily banned it for five years under the UAPA Act. The former reasoned that the latter was “prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty and security of the country” and cited its connection with terror groups like Students Islamic Movement of India, Jamat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh and Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.