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Uttar Pradesh: Aashiya and her brother-in-law Suhail collaborate to kill her husband Sagar Ahmed in Muzaffarnagar

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Aashiya and her brother-in-law Suhail collaborate to kill her husband Sagar Ahmed in Muzaffarnagar

In a heart-wrenching incident that unfolded on Thursday, 15th June 2023, in Muzaffarnagar of Uttar Pradesh, a woman conspired with her brother-in-law to orchestrate the murder of her husband, burying his lifeless body in an under-construction house. The shocking truth behind this heinous act came to light on Thursday when the culprits were apprehended and confessed to their crime after rigorous interrogation by both family members and the police.

The victim, identified as Sagar Ahmad, had been reported missing on June 6, prompting his family to lodge a complaint with the Purkazi Police Station. However, despite their relentless efforts to locate him, Sagar remained untraceable. The turning point in the investigation occurred when suspicions arose surrounding his disappearance, leading the police to focus their attention on his wife, Aashiya, and her brother-in-law, Suhail.

Upon closer scrutiny, it was revealed that Aasiya and Suhail had been involved in a clandestine love affair, which had fostered resentment towards Sagar. Suhail is the stepbrother of Aashiya’s husband Sagar Ahmed. Driven by their dark motives, they meticulously planned and executed the murder, burying the victim’s body in a pit within the unfinished house situated on their property.

The breakthrough in the case occurred during intensive questioning, where both Aashiya and Suhail finally admitted to their involvement in the crime. Their confessions shed light on the entire sequence of events, providing key insights for the authorities.

Under the supervision of a magistrate, the police acted swiftly and exhumed Sagar’s remains from the makeshift grave. Notably, a scarf was found wrapped around the victim’s neck, heightening suspicions of strangulation. To ensure a thorough investigation, the body was sent for post-mortem examination, which would help establish the cause and manner of death definitively.

SP City Satyanarayan Prajapati, while sharing the details of the case, disclosed that the Purkazi Police Station had received a missing person report on June 7, alerting them to Sagar’s sudden disappearance. The subsequent investigation led to the arrest of his wife, Aashiya, and her brother-in-law, Suhail, on charges of murder. Both individuals admitted to their guilt during questioning, providing incriminating evidence against themselves.

The police placed Aashiya and Suhail under custody, subsequently transferring them to jail. The written complaint filed by the victim’s father, Fareed Ahmad, forms the basis of the murder charges against the accused.

This shocking incident has sent shockwaves through the community, serving as a stark reminder of the complexities of human relationships and the consequences that ensue when emotions take a dark turn. The authorities are at present determined to ensure a proper investigation and bring justice to the victim, Sagar Ahmad, and his grieving family.

Punjab police reaches home of popular Twitter user ‘Maithun’ for sharing video clip that claimed Arvind Kejriwal’s son allegedly got undue benefits from Delhi govt

OpIndia Staff
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Punjab police reaches home of popular Twitter user ‘Maithun’ for sharing video clip that claimed Arvind Kejriwal’s son allegedly got undue benefits from Delhi govt

On 15th June 2023, prominent Twitter user Maithun said that Punjab police reached his residence in Madhya Pradesh following his sharing of a video clip that claimed Arvind Kejriwal’s son had purportedly received undue benefits from the Delhi government. Maithun, known by the Twitter handle @Being_Humor and behind the satire site The Fauxy, took to the social media platform to express his astonishment and reach out to authorities, including the Madhya Pradesh government’s Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, MP Police, State’s Home Minister Dr Narottam Mishra, and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

In his tweet, Maithun wrote, “Just now, two policemen came to my home where my parents live and said that there is a notice against me from Mohali. They didn’t reveal their identity, nor did they provide any notice. After waiting for five minutes, they left. A few days back, I received an email from Twitter regarding a tweet where I simply quoted ‘Is this true’ in response to a viral video. @MPPoliceOnline, who were these policemen? Can police officers come without any notice? This is peak harassment for just asking a question by the politicians who made their entire career by quoting ‘Shocking if true?’ to every random fake news. @ChouhanShivraj @drnarottammisra @PMOIndia.”

The video clip in question, originally posted by a Twitter user with the handle @NamdeoOm, was a response to a tweet by AAP MLA Gulab Singh Yadav from Matiala in Delhi. In his tweet, Gulab Singh Yadav complained about the lack of seating for players on a train journey, as his son was set to play as a goalkeeper for the Delhi team in a junior hockey national match in Odisha.

In response, @NamdeoOm shared a video with a caption that read, “No one is more stupid than you. You are a soldier of Arvind Kejriwal. You should have booked a private bus for your son. What if you can’t even do this much? And it means that the pig is living in his bungalow; he has left the soldier’s son to be bullied, while his own son is playing with money. You guys are being stupid.”

It is claimed in the video shared by Omprakash that Arvind Kejriwal’s son allegedly received undue benefits from the Delhi government. In this video, it is claimed that Arvind Kejriwal’s son allegedly earns Rs 10 lakhs per month even before getting graduated from IIT Delhi. It is alleged in this video that there are 4 treadmills in Arvind Kejriwal’s bungalow and that these treadmills were not purchased, but allegedly taken on rent from a company owned by Pulkit Kejriwal, the son of Arvind Kejriwal.

Importantly, Maithun only shared this video with a caption that posed the question “Is this true?” He did not make any claims regarding its veracity. It is notable that AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal used to share such unverified and often fake allegations with the same question on social media.

Punjab police, representing a state where AAP is in power, allegedly visited Maithun’s residence in Madhya Pradesh without prior notice.

The Tweet by Maithun has already been withheld in India. According to a notification sent by Twitter, the Tweet was withheld in India following a court order received from cyber crime police in Punjab. However, the tweet has not been removed and it can be accessed outside India.

The tweet withheld in India

As Punjab Police has been able to obtain a court order on the video, it can be assumed that someone contested the claims made in the video legally, and now the matter is sub-judice. However, interestingly no action has been taken on the original video. Only the tweet by Maithun including the video and asking whether it is true has been withheld in India. The same video also has been posted by many other Twitter users, and they also are accessible in India.

Love Jihad accused Tanveer Akhtar Khan nabbed from Bihar’s Araria, model Manvi Raj Singh had accused him of rape posing as Yash and forcing her to convert

OpIndia Staff
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Love Jihad accused Tanveer Akhtar Khan nabbed from Bihar’s Araria, model Manvi Raj Singh had accused him of rape posing as Yash and forcing her to convert

The Ranchi police have arrested fugitive Tanveer Akhtar Khan alias Yash from Araria in Bihar who was accused by model Manvi Raj Singh of love jihad and rape. Tanveer Akhtar Khan was arrested on Wednesday and produced at a court in Araria on Thursday. After obtaining a transit remand, the Ranchi police left for Ranchig along with him today. A case was registered against Tanveer based on a complaint filed by model Manvi Raj Singh.

Tanveer was absconding since the complaint of love jihad was filed against him and an FIR was registered. Reportedly, he was taking shelter at a relative’s house in Nepal. He was arrested by the Doranda police station of Ranchi in collaboration with Sikti police station of Araria when he entered the Indian border from Nepal.

According to Araria Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) Ram Pukar Singh, the Ranchi police received information that the perpetrator escaped to Nepal through Bihar with one of his relatives during the course of the investigation. He fled to the neighbouring country and hid there for some time before returning to India. Police revealed that he is a resident of Yunus Chowk of the Doranda police station area.

When he arrived in the border district, the Ranchi and Bihar police collaborated to apprehend him. A special team of Ranchi police camped on the border of Nepal and Bihar for the past five days in an attempt to capture him. He was kept in the Sikti police station on the Nepal border before obtaining the transit remand. Ram Pukar Singh further added that the victim had charged that he raped her during the modelling lessons.

Model and actress Manvi Raj Singh, a native of Bhagalpur in Bihar, registered a complaint at the Versova police station in Mumbai against Tanveer Akhtar Khan last month. The case was then transferred to Ranchi as the crime took place there. He deceived her by lying about his real identity and told her his name was Yash. She mentioned that he repeatedly assaulted her sexually and after his true identity was discovered, he continued to intimidate her into marriage and conversion to Islam.

She met the offender while she was in Ranchi for a modelling workshop. She emphasised that he had violated her numerous times since 2021. He threatened her with grave repercussions if she alerted anyone. Additionally, he blackmailed her that he will put her graphic images on social media and make them viral. 

When she left Ranchi and moved to Mumbai, he followed her there and continued to harass and threaten her. He also started harassing and abusing her roommate and other acquaintances, and pressurised her to convert to Islam and marry him. When she disagreed, he tried to kill her, she alleged.

Following this, the model filed a complaint in Mumbai, and the case was transferred to Ranchi after registering a zero FIR. Accordingly, the police opened an inquiry into him under sections 376, 376 (2), 376 (N), 328, 506, 504, and 323 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and section 67 of the IT Act.

She remarked that “The Kerala Story” provided her with the confidence to speak about the incident. “He is sending my pictures to my family members and commenting on my social media posts. He also tried to kill me in Mumbai. After watching the film The Kerala Files, I got motivated to register a complaint against him.”

Manvi Raj Singh released a video narrating the entire ordeal, where she said, “He may kill me, but I am Hindu and will remain a Hindu, I will never become a Muslim and will never marry a Muslim. Prime Minister and Chief Minister save me from this monster. I don’t know what he will do tomorrow. I am a Hindu, will never marry a Muslim.”

Meanwhile, Tanveer Akhtar Khan has denied all allegations against him. He even went so far as to add that she had sent her intimate pictures to her friends, family, and relatives. He claimed that she intended to steal the data from his firm and has already caused severe financial damage to him. He alleged that she charged him with these major offences after he asked her for his money.

Manvi Raj Singh recently travelled to Ranchi and handed over the evidence to the police. Her medical examination was conducted at Sadar Hospital. The Gonda police had earlier visited her flat in Mumbai’s Andheri neighbourhood to obtain information about the incident.

Karnataka HC warns Facebook that it will be shut down in India for not cooperating in a probe related to an Indian man jailed in Saudi Arabia

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka HC warns Facebook that it will be shut down in India for not cooperating in a probe related to an Indian man jailed in Saudi Arabia

On Wednesday, June 14, the Karnataka High Court warned social media giant Facebook over its alleged non-cooperation in the probe pertaining to an Indian man jailed in Saudi Arabia. Justice Krishna S Dixit warned that Facebook’s operation in India would be halted if they refuse to cooperate. The next hearing on the matter is slated for June 22. 

According to reports, while hearing a petition filed by Kavitha, a resident of Bikarnakatte near Mangalore, a bench of Justice Krishna S Dixit warned Facebook. “The complete report with all required information should be submitted to the court within a week,” Justice Dixit stated.

In addition, the court stated that the Central Government should provide details about what action has been taken in the matter of the false arrest of an Indian person. The court ordered Mangaluru police to conduct a probe and submit a report and adjourned the hearing until June 22. In her petition, Kavitha stated that her husband, Shailesh Kumar (52) worked for a company in Saudi Arabia for 25 years, while she lived in her hometown with their children in Mangaluru.

She claimed that her husband wrote a Facebook post in support of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in 2019. Unidentified persons, however, created a fake Facebook account in his name and wrote offensive messages against the King of Saudi Arabia and Islam. Kumar alerted the family as soon as he became aware of the predicament, and Kavitha filed a police complaint in Mangaluru. Shailesh Kumar, on the other hand, had been arrested and imprisoned by Saudi police.

The Mangaluru police investigating the case sent a letter to Facebook requesting information on the creation of the bogus Facebook account. Facebook, on the other hand, did not respond to the police. In 2021, the petitioner moved the High Court, questioning the tardiness in the probe into the matter.

Calcutta HC orders deployment of central forces in all districts during Panchayat polls in West Bengal, slams SEC and orders to seek central forces within 48 hours

OpIndia Staff
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Calcutta HC orders deployment of central forces in all districts during Panchayat polls in West Bengal, slams SEC and orders to seek central forces within 48 hours

On 15th June, the Calcutta High Court, led by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam, ordered that Central Paramilitary forces should be deployed in all districts in West Bengal during the upcoming Panchayat Polls on July 8. The court directed that the State Election Commission should request the central govt for central forces. It is notable that the State government had opposed deploying central forces, and had offered to deploy police from opposition-ruled states to ensure fair elections.

A division bench of Chief Justice Sivagnaman and Justice Uday Kumar said that not just sensitive areas, but central forces will have to be deployed in the entire state during the elections. The High Court also came down heavily on the State Election Commission, which could not identify sensitive areas for the deployment of central forces during the election as per an earlier court order. Earlier on Tuesday, the court had ordered to deploy central forces in seven districts identified as sensitive by the administration.

The State Election Commission had approached the High Court requesting to reconsider the order to deploy central forces in sensitive areas, but instead, the court ordered to deploy the forces in all the districts. The court was not happy with the plea by the SEC. The chief justice said, ‘We are not going to advise that you don’t go to the higher court against the order, you have the right to approach the higher court. But if you create a situation of not implementing our order, we will not sit silent. The court alleged that the SEC is creating a situation so that the court order can’t be implemented.

During the proceedings, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari brought attention to the mounting pressure faced by opposition candidates to withdraw nominations, stating, “Insurmountable pressure is being put on candidates to withdraw their nominations. The State Election Commission has not taken any decision to declare sensitive seats, and neither has it requisitioned central forces, as ordered by the High Court.”

Chief Justice Sivagnanam expressed dissatisfaction with the State Election Commission’s delay, emphasizing the need for swift action. He warned, “We do not appreciate this tactic to defeat and frustrate our orders. What if there is a contempt plea against you? What if we take up suo motu contempt?”

In response, the SEC counsel defended the delay, citing the time required to identify sensitive seats. However, Chief Justice Sivagnanam reiterated his concerns about the loss of time and instructed the commission not to erode confidence in its ability to conduct free and fair elections.

The West Bengal government sought to modify the High Court’s judgment, questioning the SEC’s delay in declaring sensitive seats. They argued, “Order says that there are some sensitive seats. But the SEC is yet to declare such seats. A decision in this regard is yet to be taken.”

Meanwhile, Suvendu Adhikari’s counsel emphasized the need for urgent action, referring to the National Human Rights Commission’s report on the 2021 post-poll violence. He stated, “The report says that there was a ‘Politico-Bureaucratic Nexus.’ This is a deadly combination that has sinister implications for any State and will ultimately corrode the entire edifice.”

The State representative countered, questioning the lack of specific facts and evidence in the petition. The state counsel cautioned against relying on media reports and TV shows, urging the court to base its decisions on proper facts and pleadings.

Throughout the proceedings, the West Bengal government’s approach came under scrutiny. While welcoming police officers from other states ruled by opposition parties, they questioned the necessity of central forces and raised concerns about public confidence.

“We have requisitioned police officers from Punjab, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, etc. If the SEC says they need 1 lakh or more personnel, we will provide it to them. We have made our own arrangements for deploying the forces. Why not central forces? Will CISF instil confidence in the public?” the State government argued.

Moreover, the government emphasized the importance of implementing orders related to religious events and conducting an impartial investigation without favouritism towards any political party or individual. They expressed curiosity to witness the fairness of such an investigation.

The government also questioned whether police personnel from other states and the existing state police force could sufficiently instil public confidence, suggesting that relying solely on the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) might not be necessary, considering the court’s reference to the deployment of police forces rather than central forces.

Karnataka: Siddaramaiah-led Congress government repeals anti-conversion law introduced by previous BJP govt

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka: Siddaramaiah-led Congress government repeals anti-conversion law introduced by previous BJP govt

In line with its anti-Hindu poll promises, the Siddaramaiah-led Congress govt in Karnataka has announced that it will repeal the anti-conversion law.

The decision was taken at the Cabinet meeting and the amendment will be introduced in the Budget session next month. The decision was announced by Karnataka Law Minister HK Patil.

The Congress government has decided to repeal the Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act, 2022, popularly known as the anti-conversion law, which was introduced by the previous BJP govt. It was passed by the assembly in December 2021. Congress had opposed the bill at that time.

What is the Anti-Conversion Law?

The Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act “provides for protection of right to freedom of religion and prohibition of unlawful conversion from one religion to another by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means.” It further “prohibits conversion from one religion to another religion by misrepresentation, force, fraud, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by promise of marriage.”

Violation of the law was punishable with imprisonment for a term of three years, which could extend to five years, and a fine of ₹25,000. If the conversion involved a minor child or a person of unsound mind or a woman or a person belonging to the Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe, the imprisonment term was extended to ten years.

The Congress had staged a walkout from the Assembly when the Bill was passed by the then-govt. It used as many adjectives as available in the English dictionary calling the Bill “anti-people”, “inhuman”, “anti-constitutional”, “anti-poor” and “draconian”.

Several cases were filed in the state under the Act since it was implemented. More than one case was reported every month.

Cases of Conversion in Karnataka

13 October, 2022: 19-year-old girl converted to Islam

The first case of conversion was filed in October last year after the family of a 19-year-old girl alleged that their daughter was forcefully converted to Islam by a 24-year-old Syed Mueen on the promise of marriage.

The accused, who used to run a chicken stall, was arrested and remanded to judicial custody.

12 December 2022: Pastor and his family convert Dalit family

The Koppal police arrested a pastor and his wife for allegedly forcing a Dalit family to convert to Christianity. Their teenage son, 17, was also booked under POCSO Act for raping the minor daughter of the family.

The victim Dalit family, belonging to the Budgajangam community, later reverted to Hinduism.

24 Semptember, 2022: 12 booked for converting Dalit man to Islam

The Hubballi police filed a case against 12 persons including Nadeem, Iqbal, Rafiq and Shabbir for converting a Dalit man to Islam.

26-year-old Sridhar Gangadhar was forced to undergo circumcision and also forced to consume beef.

Congress heeding demands of Amnesty International?

On 23 May, 2023, the dubious organisation Amnesty International that closed its office in India after multiple agencies started probing against it over allegations of FCRA violation, raised a list of anti-Hindu demands for the Congress govt in Karnataka.

In its demands, it called to remove the hijab ban in schools, allow cow slaughter and take action against Hindus who boycott Muslim shops.

Notably, Karnataka’s Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences Minister K Venkatesh had recently remarked, “What is wrong with slaughtering cows?”

It seems from where its headed that the Siddaramaiah govt might as well meet these demands.

More controversial decisions announced

Revising the state syllabus, the Karnataka govt has decided to remove chapters on RSS founder BK Hedgewar and freedom fighter Veer Savarkar.

The revised syllabus will instead include chapters on Jawaharlal Nehru and Ambedkar.

The Karnataka Cabinet has also made mandatory the reading of the Preamble of the Constitution in schools and colleges.

Khalistani terrorist Avtar Singh Khanda dies in London, Khalsa Aid demands probe: Read how he radicalised youths, fanned anti-India sentiments

OpIndia Staff
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Khalistani terrorist Avtar Singh Khanda dies in London, Khalsa Aid demands probe: Read how he radicalised youths, fanned anti-India sentiments

Khalistani terrorist Avtar Singh Khanda, chief of the banned Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), died in a London hospital on Thursday. It is suspected that the main handler of Khalistani separatist Amritpal Singh was suspected of being poisoned. However, medical reports show that he was suffering from blood cancer.

The death of Avtar Singh Khanda was confirmed on Instagram by Khalsa Aid founder Ravinder Singh. “It is with great sadness and deep pain I am announcing that @avtar_singh_khanda_azaad_ has passed away,” he wrote. Khalsa Aid is a United Kingdom-based pro-Khalistan organisation, and Ravinder Singh is known for his anti-India comments.

Avtar Singh Khanda was getting treatment at Sandwell Hospital in Birmingham, where he was admitted around two weeks ago. He was reportedly on life support for the last several days. While his supporters claimed that he was poisoned and initial reports also indicated poisoning as the cause of the death, the medical reports do not mention anything regarding it. An official statement from the hospital is awaited.

Avtar Singh Khanda was the mastermind behind the attack on Indian High Commission in London where he had pulled down the Indian national flag and attempted to hoist the Khalistan flag. He was arrested after the March 19 incident.

Khalsa Aid demands a probe

The Khalsa Aid has written a letter to the West Midlands Police & Coroner to investigate the ‘sudden death’ of Khanda. Requesting a full investigation and full coroner’s report, the letter states that “the death of this previously young and healthy individual has caused much concern amongst the community across the UK and globally.” Saying that this death follows a number of other untimely deaths of Sikh activists within the last 18 months, Khalsa Aid wrote that they seek “reassurance that this death is not politically motivated or sinister.”

Hinting that foreign powers (read India) could be behind the death, Khalsa Aid mentioned alleged death squads run by Russia in the UK. “We know too that the police are only too acutely aware of foreign powers operating within UK from the experience of Russian governments conducting death squads in the UK. We request a similar thoroughness in this investigation as he was a very healthy young man whose demise has been very sudden,” the letter stated.

It is notable that the Khalsa Aid is suspected to be a front organisation for the Khalistani outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). The NIA had registered a case in this regard in December 2012, alleging that Khalsa Aid was one of the organisations linked to the BKI funding the Indian BKI members to commit terror acts in the country.

Who was Avtar Singh Khanda?

Avtar Singh Khanda, born in Punjab’s Moga district, was the son of terrorist Kulwant Singh Khukrana who was associated with the Khalistan Liberation Force and Khalistan Commando Force. He was also a member of the Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar.

He was also a member of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), a Khalistani terrorist group banned in several countries including Canada, the US and the UK, apart from India.

He was believed to be close to other KLF leaders like Jagtar Singh Tara and Paramjit Singh Pamma. He was also related to another militant leader Gurjant Singh Budhsingwala.

Avtar Singh Khanda worked with other London-based Khalistani separatists like  Joga Singh, Kuldip Singh Chaheru and Gursharan Singh, and was behind several Khalistani demonstrations in the UK. According to Indian intelligence agencies, he radicalised and trained several youths in extremist and separatist ideology.

The London-based Khalistani terrorist nurtured Waris Punjab De (WPD) chief terrorist Amritpal Singh. He mentored and prepared Amritpal to lead Waris Punjab De before sending the latter to Punjab. He also assisted Amritpal Singh in evading the Punjab police during the crackdown on WPD.

He also had ties with slain Khalistani radical Deep Sidhu who was heading WPD before Amritpal.

On 19 March, 2023, Khand pulled down the Tricolour at the Indian embassy in London. The video went viral creating uproar.

Khanda was an expert in making bombs and IEDs, and he radicalised and trained Sikh youth in a UK-based Gurudwara. He was closely and actively connected to the Khalistani nexus in the UK and India.

Khanda was also associated with a pro-Khalistani organization named Dal Khalsa. He had been a part of a rally organized by Dal Khalsa in 2012. He had also been promoting Khalistani activities on social media and instigating the youth.

Avtar Singh Khanda regularly appeared on the pro-Khalistan channel Khalsa TV, where he worked as a news anchor and used to talk against India. The channel’s licence was suspended in April last year by British Telecom regulator Ofcom for inciting violence. Later, he worked as a journalist for USMI News, a channel run by ‘Sikh For Justice’.

Khanda further is believed to have shared close ties with Mahboob Ali, leader of the outlawed Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF).

Khanda was named in a list of people conspiring against India that the Indian government had handed over to the UK government in 2015. But he was allowed to live in the UK on political asylum. He had entered the UK on a student visa. Even though the Indian govt had asked the British govt to put a check on his anti-India activities, he was allowed to run the Khalistani propaganda without any prescription. However, India strongly objected to the attack on Indian High Commission in London on March 19, he was arrested on March 20.

Maharashtra: NCP’s Mayur Shinde, close to Sanjay Raut and his brother, arrested for issuing death threats to Sanjay Raut and his brother

OpIndia Staff
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Maharashtra: NCP’s Mayur Shinde, close to Sanjay Raut and his brother, arrested for issuing death threats to Sanjay Raut and his brother

On Thursday, the Mumbai police made another arrest in relation to the murder threats made against Sanjay Raut, the head of the Shiv Sena (UBT), and his brother Sunil Raut, an MLA. Five people in total have been detained in connection with the case now. The arrested person has been identified as Mayur Shinde, an NCP employee who is reported to be close to the Raut family.

According to the reports, the accused is also a political activist who maintains a tight relationship with regional authorities from the city’s eastern suburbs. His social media accounts also feature images and videos of him with MLA Sunil Raut. He will be held in police detention until June 19.

Notably, it is now being speculated that the entire conspiracy of death threats to Sanjay Raut was orchestrated to enhance Raut’s security measures. It is also being said that Shinde didn’t call himself but asked his other accomplices to call Raut and issue death threats.

Following the police investigation, BJP leader Prasad Lad commented on the issue and said that Sanjay Raut’s facade had been exposed in the public now. “The manner in which Shinde has been arrested raises a suspicion of fabricated threat. They attempted to misguide the police, the government and the general public. The Mumbai Police should investigate the association between Mayur and any criminal elements,” Lad said.

BJP’s Nitesh Rane also indicated that the threat call recording that was played in the media last week was between Sunil Raut and his close associate Mayur Shinde. He also called Raut and his team as a ‘Golmaal gang’.

Last week, Sunil Raut had stated that he and Sanjay Raut had been recieving death threats. Mumbai Police Commissioner and state Home Minister had also been informed regarding the incident. The first information report (FIR) in this connection was registered at the Kanjurmarg police station.

‘Punishing white employees’: Here is what happened and why Starbucks will be paying $25 million to a white ex-manager in racial discrimination case in Philly

OpIndia Staff
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‘Punishing white employees’: Here is what happened and why Starbucks will be paying $25 million to a white ex-manager in racial discrimination case in Philly

In a case of racial discrimination, Starbucks has been directed to pay $25.6 million to a white former manager. According to reports, the firm fired Shannon Phillips, a former manager, following an incident that happened at Starbucks in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square in the year 2018.

Starbucks was found to have violated Phillips’s federal civil rights and a New Jersey law that forbids discrimination on the basis of colour by a federal jury in New Jersey, who also awarded her $600,000 in compensatory damages and $25.6 million in punitive damages. On Monday, a New Jersey jury awarded Phillips $600,000 in compensatory damages and $25 million in punitive damages after concluding that race played a significant role in her termination, in violation of both federal and state anti-discrimination laws.

In April 2018, a business manager in Philadelphia dialled 911 to report two Black men who were waiting in the coffee shop without placing an order. One of the men asked to use the loo while the others waited for a third person to come. The workers demanded that the men depart, but they refused. The staff phoned the police when they refused to leave. 

Starbucks temporarily shut down 8,000 locations as a result of the incident while store managers completed training to combat “unconscious bias.” The incident sparked a large-scale outcry back then. Phillips claimed in her lawsuit that in spite of the fact that she was not even involved in the incident, the business punished her and other white employees in the Philadelphia area after it happened.

The regional manager of operations at the time, Phillips, was not involved in any arrests that took place in Philadelphia, southern New Jersey, or elsewhere. Phillips said she was fired less than a month later after objecting to the manager being placed on leave amid the uproar, according to her lawsuit.

The lawsuit claims that the firm used the claim that Black store managers were paid less than white managers as a justification for suspending the district manager, who was not in charge of the store where the arrests took place. That argument, according to Phillips, was absurd because district managers had no say in how much employees were paid.

Instead, the lawsuit claimed, Starbucks was “punishing white employees” who were local “in an effort to convince the community that it had properly responded to the incident.”

Despite having promoted the worker who contacted the police, Phillips said that the black manager of the Rittenhouse Square business received no punishment. Meanwhile Starbucks said in court documents that Phillips was let go because the Philadelphia market needed a leader who could deliver “during this time of crisis” and “Ms. Phillips failed in every aspect of that role,” and that she was punished not because of her race.

According to the reports, Phillips’ attorney Laura Mattiacci said during closing arguments that Starbucks was seeking a “sacrificial lamb” to quiet the uproar and indicate that company was taking action. Picking a Black employee for such a purpose “would have blown up in their faces,” she said.

Bageshwar Dham’s Dhirendra Krishna Shastri demands renaming Aligarh as Harigarh, irks Maulana Mufti Jahid who says place named after Hazrat Ali: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Bageshwar Dham’s Dhirendra Krishna Shastri demands renaming Aligarh as Harigarh, irks Maulana Mufti Jahid who says place named after Hazrat Ali: Details

On 12th June 2023, Dhirendra Krishna Shastri of Bageshwar Dham demanded to rename Aligarh as Harigarh. After this statement, Maulana Mufti Jahid – a retired professor from Aligarh Muslim University – criticised the Hindu saint. Maulana Mufti Jahid said that Dhirendra Shastri’s statement is perplexing. Maulana Mufti Jahid said that this statement will fill hearts with hatred and that religion and politics should not be mixed.

Maulana Mufti Jahid said, “The statement made by Dhirendra Shastri, who suggests changing the name of Aligarh to Harigarh, shows a lack of understanding. Such statements breed hatred in people’s hearts. Mixing politics with religion is wrong. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath does not want to change the name of Aligarh. The district was named after Hazrat Ali, and the CM does not intend to alter this name. This is a positive thing.”

Maulana Mufti Jahid added, “During the Sultanate and Mughal periods, it was known by the name “Kol.” The name “Kol” has not been eliminated. Even today, there is a legislative assembly in Aligarh district called “Kol.” The British named it Aligarh. Before that, this district was known as Akbarabad and Jalali. In 1903, it separated from Bulandshahr.”

He further said, “Statements like these are made only to sow discord and create distance. They are a small faction that indulges in politics in the name of religion. The country is grappling with poverty and unemployment. Politics does not revolve around these core issues. The British wouldn’t have succeeded if we didn’t have divisions amongst ourselves. This will breed hatred in the country. Love and affection cannot flourish in the country by such statements.”

According to Maulana Mufti Jahid, the true purpose of religion is to cultivate humanity within individuals, fostering empathy and compassion. It should not give rise to political agendas, social hierarchies, discrimination, or the intent to divide a nation. Maulana Mufti Jahid said that Dhirendra Shastri’s statement can incite discord in the country. Interestingly, he made these assertions while wanting the names given during the times of the Mughals, who were tyrants murdering and converting Hindus, to be preserved.

Mulana Mufti Jahid said, “If the intention behind changing the name were noble, then changing the name would hold some significance. However, the manner in which the proposal to change the name is being made reflects a lack of careful consideration. In this country, everyone has the right, regardless of whether they are Hindu or Muslim, or belong to any other community. Our country follows a system that does not discriminate against anyone.”

Earlier, on 12th June 2023, Dhirendra Krishna Shastri of the Bageshwar Dham said that Aligarh should be renamed Harigarh. He issued a statement via a late-night video conference. Near Khereshwar Dham in the Lodha area, along the Palwal road, the 108 Kundiyai Mahalakshmi Dhanvarsha Mahayagya and Shrimad Bhagwat Katha are currently taking place in Haridaspur village. On Monday, during the Bhagwat Katha, the narrator Indresh Upadhyay was delivering the discourse. At that time, through a video conference, Dhirendra Krishna Shastri expressed his inability to participate in the Bhagwat Katha and proposed changing the name of Aligarh to Harigarh.

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