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UP: Sabina of Bareilly marries Sompal in the Agastya Muni Ashram, becomes Hindu, and requests police to provide security

OpIndia Staff
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UP: Sabina of Bareilly marries Sompal in the Agastya Muni Ashram, becomes Hindu, and requests police to provide security

A Muslim girl named Sabina has converted to Hinduism in the Bareilly district of Uttar Pradesh. She is married to Sompal. Sabina will now be known as Sonam. The couple married on Monday, April 17, 2023, at the Agastya Muni Ashram in Bareilly. Pandit KK Shankhdhar, who solemnized the marriage, told in an interaction with OpIndia that the two had known each other for a long time.

Sabina and Sompal’s family members are against this relationship. The couple has urged the police for providing protection. According to reports, Sabina hails from Bishratganj in Bareilly. Her husband Sompal is a resident of Kundaria Khurd. The two were in love for a long time.

When Sabina told about this relationship in her house, there was a lot of opposition from the family members. Meanwhile, Sompal’s family members also knew about the relationship. They also objected to it. As their family members were not ready, both of them decided to get married in the temple.

Sabina and Sompal contacted Pandit KK Shankhdhar of the Agastya Muni Ashram in Bareilly. Pandit Shankhdhar agreed to solemnize their marriage after necessary legal procedures. He took certificates of adultness from Sabina and Sompal. Finally, on Monday, Sabina and Sompal tied the knot.

It is being told that Sabina also sang the song ‘Yeh Dosti Tere Naam Se Shuru Tere Naam Par Khatm’ for her husband. At present, Sabina and Sompal are worried about their safety. Both have sought protection from the Bareilly police.

Pandit Shankhdhar has also shared photos and videos of this marriage with OpIndia. He said that the boy has a relative who lives next to the girl’s house. The boy used to visit that relative frequently. During this time, both of them fell in love and got married.

According to Pandit Shankhdhar, an FIR has been lodged by the girl’s family against the boy in the Bishratganj police station, due to which the girl has gone to court for her statement of CrPC section 164.

Earlier, in the same Agastya Muni Ashram, Amrina became Radhika to marry Pappu, Nazish became Niharika to marry Neelesh, and Shehnaz became Suman to marry Ajay. A few days ago, in an interaction with OpIndia. Pandit Shankhdhar had said that there is a threat to his life. He told that he has become the new target of the Islamists as he has solemnized more than 64 marriages in which Muslim girls embraced Hinduism to get married to Hindu boys.

Government and financial documents related to mining in Bihar found burning in West Bengal, CBI rushes to retrieve the papers

OpIndia Staff
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Government and financial documents related to mining in Bihar found burning in West Bengal, CBI rushes to retrieve the papers

Following information that a truckload of important government documents was set on fire by unidentified people, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials rushed to the South 24 Parganas area of West Bengal on Tuesday. They rummaged through the remnants of the papers while attempting to put out the fire on a plot of abandoned property in the Andul Garia neighbourhood of Bhandar.

On Tuesday morning, the Andul Garia villagers detected a fire on the ground inside a fenced vacant plot and discovered numerous burning official documents. After getting information about the burning papers at Andul Garia at Bhandar, multiple CBI teams reached the area to investigate. They extinguished the fire and tried to recover the documents.

The CBI’s preliminary inquiry indicated that those papers are connected to mining operations in a number of locations around the bordering state of Bihar.

The documents that were burned may be connected to mining operations in several regions of adjoining Bihar, according to a senior CBI officer. The documents include receipts for huge amounts of money, files, project reports, cash memos, balance sheets etc.

The source of the documents is yet to be confirmed. The half-burnt records are being examined by the CBI, which is looking into a number of instances, including the school recruitment scam in the state.

“Getting information that documents were being burnt in Bhangar, some of our officers went there and collected some partially burnt papers. Going by the initial look, it seems that they belong to mining affairs in Bihar,” a CBI officer told PTI. The officer said that the documents are not linked to the teacher recruitment scam in West Bengal. “It does not appear so. This is, however,  an initial observation. We need to examine more. We will also test them chemically to have a clear idea,” he noted while responding to a query about some of the documents being related to the job scam in West Bengal.

In order to conduct inspections, the agency representatives escorted by CRPF personnel cordoned off the area. The documents, reported by locals, were transported by individuals in a lorry before being abandoned and set on fire in the wee hours of the morning. They included checks from a bank and paperwork with official stamps.

There were suspicions that the act was the work of some local politicians. The papers were allegedly set on fire in an effort to eliminate evidence connected to instances that central authorities are looking into.

The plot where the documents were burnt is owned by a Bihar resident named Rajesh Singh, who purchased it from an Indian Air Force pilot some time ago. CBI has summoned Rajesh Singh for questioning.

The residence of Trinamool Congress block president Shahjahan Mollah, who is being investigated in connection with the teachers’ recruitment fraud, was recently searched by the CBI and documents related to the recruitment scam were seized from his house.

The CBI team also questioned Saokat Molla, a TMC lawmaker from the nearby Canning (East) Assembly district. “We would give them every opportunity for cooperation. A thorough investigation will undoubtedly identify the perpetrator,” he claimed.

Rakesh Adhikari who serves as the local panchayat’s deputy chief was interrogated by the CBI regarding the land under his purview. He was reportedly asked if he knew any of the people incarcerated in the education scandal, including former education minister Partha Chatterjee.

Senior officer Umesh Kumar, who is probing cases of coal smuggling, is also reportedly examining the retrieved documents. “We are also checking who is behind this and how these documents are brought here,” the official observed.

Locals asserted that a group of powerful local politicians brought all of those papers to the vicinity and lit them on fire. These leaders are said to be close to Partha Chatterjee, who is being held by the ED in connection with the jobs scam. However, Rakesh Adhikari refuted all of these allegations.

In the meantime, Bharatiya Janata Party has intensified its attack against TMC. The party is saying that since TMC is afraid, it is trying to cover up its frauds.

More BJP leaders slammed the TMC, declaring that the CBI will expose the latter’s corruption and that these stunts wouldn’t help them. “Those involved in scams will get locked up,” warned one BJP leader. “Law-abiding citizens aren’t reluctant to respond to any inquiries. However, TMC is undoubtedly guilty of corruption that they are valiantly attempting to conceal,” pronounced another party leader.

Notably, Mamata Banerjee’s TMC has been marred with multiple scams over the past many years. Early on Monday, CBI arrested Jiban Krishna Saha, a TMC legislator from Burwan in Murshidabad district, for his involvement in the infamous bribe-for-job scandal in West Bengal. He is the third sitting legislator to be arrested in the scam. For their roles in the recruitment scandal, former TMC minister Partha Chatterjee and TMC MLA Manik Bhattacharya are already in jail.

Delhi anti-Hindu riots: Another HC Judge recuses from hearing plea of Asif Iqbal Tanha

ANI
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Delhi anti-Hindu riots: Another HC Judge recuses from hearing plea of Asif Iqbal Tanha

Justice Amit Sharma of the Delhi High Court on Wednesday recused himself from hearing the petition moved by Asif Iqbal Tanha alleging the leak of material from the charge sheet against him and his confession statement to a media channel. 

Earlier, Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani had recused himself from hearing the plea. Justice Amit Sharma recused himself from hearing the matter and listed the matter before another bench on Monday, subject to the order of the bench of the chief justice. 

During the hearing, the court asked that the case and charge sheet in the matter, the same investigated by the special cell of Delhi Police. 

Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) replied that yes it is the same. Thereafter the court said, “This will have to be listed before another bench. List before another bench subject to orders of the chief justice on Monday.” 

Earlier, Justice Bhambhani had recused himself from hearing after News Broadcasters and Digital Association (NBDA) and News Broadcast Federation (NBF) moved intervention pleas. 

Justice Bhambhani had passed an order and said, “Be that as it may, after giving its anxious consideration to the matter, what prevails with the court is that no action on the part of the court must in any manner have a deleterious impact on the credibility of the justice system. Regardless of the view that this court may hold in relation to the intervention applications files, that view must yield to the view which better subserve to preserve the credibility of the system, which credibility derives not just from fairness in fact, but equally importantly, from fairness in perception.” 

This matter pertains to the plea files by Tanha against the alleged media leak in his confession statement in relation to the Delhi riots of February 2020. 

He has alleged that the sensitive information was leaked to the media house by the police. The media house may be directed to take down the sensitive information, the plea said. 

This case is in connection with the investigation of the larger conspiracy of the Delhi riots of February 2020. The case was initially registered by the Crime Branch of Delhi Police. Later on, the investigation was transferred to the special cell. The sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) were also invoked.

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

Deities mocked, racial slurs hurled, beef chucked and pressured to convert to Islam: Hindu students in UK face racial discrimination, reveals think-tank

OpIndia Staff
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Deities mocked, racial slurs hurled, beef chucked and pressured to convert to Islam: Hindu students in UK face racial discrimination, reveals think-tank

A study conducted by the UK-based think tank, Henry Jackson Society, has found that Hindu students in the country are being subjected to bullying and racial discrimination in classrooms.

It was carried out by a research fellow named Charlotte Littlewood, who interviewed 988 Hindu parents and surveyed more than 1000 schools in the United Kingdom.

As per a report by The Telegraph, Littlewood noted that Hindu students were being bullied by their Muslim classmates and repeatedly asked to convert to Islam.

“51% of Hindu parents surveyed reported that their child had experienced anti-Hindu hate in schools, while less than 1% of schools surveyed reported any anti-Hindu related incidents in the last 5 years,” the study found.

“8 physical assaults were detailed. One female Hindu pupil had beef thrown on her, a male student was reported to have to change East London schools three times on account of anti-Hindu bullying and concerns have been risen around a problematic approach to teaching Hinduism that is directly leading to bullying in the classroom,” it further added.

Charlotte Littlewood noted that several Hindu students were mocked for their vegetarianism in classrooms and that their deities were belittled in a manner reminiscent of the radical Islamists that attacked the Hindu community in Leicester.

She also found that Hindus were verbally abused by White students using xenophobic slurs and held responsible for political and social events, which take place in India.

According to the study by the Henry Jackson Society, Hindus have faced threats for virtue of their Faith at the hands of Muslim pupils. In one case, a Hindu student was told that his life will become ‘easier’ if he converted to Islam.

“You aren’t going to survive very long… If you want to go to paradise, you’ll have to come to Islam… Hindus are the herbivores at the bottom of the food chain, we will eat you up,” the victim was told by his Muslim classmates.

In another case, Hindu students were told to watch videos of Islamic preachers and convert since their religion ‘made no sense’. Derogatory slurs such as ‘Kaffir’ were also hurled at them.

They also braced discrimination from Christian students who told them that Hindu deities would be sent to Hell by Jesus Christ.

Religious education fostering discrimination against Hindus: Think-tank

The study also found that inappropriate religious education, which amplified misconceptions surrounding the Indian caste system and Hindu deities, added to the mockery of Hindu pupils in the UK’s classrooms.

It came to light that Hindu students were not being given a holiday on Diwali although off-days were given to adherents of other religions during their festivals. Charlotte Littlewood also observed that anti-Hindu hate incidents in the country’s schools were poorly reported.

While speaking about the matter to The Telegraph, Conservative Party MP Ben Everitt said, “The findings in this report are damning and shed light on the varying themes and forms which anti-Hindu discrimination materialises in the classroom.”

He acknowledged the problematic approach in which Hinduism was taught in UK’s schools. “If we want to make real, sustained, long-term progress in reducing discrimination towards those of minority faiths in our schools, then we need to make sure that young people are receiving the best possible education about the many faiths which are woven into the fabric of our diverse United Kingdom,” Ben Everitt emphasised.

Centre urges SC to make states and union territories party in same sex marriage, files fresh affidavit

ANI
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Centre urges SC to make states and union territories party in same sex marriage, files fresh affidavit

The Centre has filed a fresh affidavit in various petitions seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriage and urged the Supreme Court to make states and Union Territories as a party in the matter. 

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta apprised the top court about the Centre’s fresh affidavit. A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud begins hearing a batch of petitions seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriage. 

CJI DY Chandrachud remarked that the Centre has now informed the state that the matter is going on. That’s excellent! So now it’s not that the states are unaware, the court said. 

Centre apprised the SC that the Union of India, has issued a letter dated April 18 2023 to all States inviting comments and views on the seminal issue raised in the present batch of petitions. 

Centre, in a fresh affidavit, submitted that the said issue goes to the root of the present matter and has far-reaching implications. 

Centre requested that all States and Union Territories be made a party to the present proceedings and their respective stance be taken on record and in the alternative, allow the Union of India, to finish the consultative process with the States, obtains their 
views/apprehensions, compile the same and place it on record before the Court, and only thereafter adjudicate on the present issue. 

Centre, in the fresh affidavit, submitted it is clear that the rights of the States, especially the right to legislate on the subject, will be affected by any decision on the subject. 

Centre, in the affidavit, submitted before SC various States have already legislated on the subject through delegated legislations, therefore making them a necessary and proper party to be heard in the present case. 

Centre, in affidavit, submitted in such a matter wherein legislative rights of the States under the Seventh Schedule and the rights of the residents of the States are clearly in question, it was the bounden duty of the Petitioners to make all States a party to the present litigation. 

Centre, in an affidavit submitted, that despite the same, the States were not made a party to the present batch of petition unlike other occasions wherein for decisions on questions of seminal constitutional importance, especially wherein legislative powers of the States are under the scanner of the Court. 

Centre submitted that any decision on the present issues without making States a party, without specifically obtaining their opinion on the present issue, would render the present adversarial exercise incomplete and truncated. 

Centre submitted that in light of the above, a prayer was made before this Court, to make all States a party to the present litigation and invite their respective stands on the said issue during the hearing on April 18. 

Centre stated that despite the said constitutional, jurisprudentially and logically fair request being made, the top Court is not pleased to rule upon the same.

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

Senior citizen files plea in Bombay HC alleging violation of noise pollution rules by mosque loudspeakers, alleges inaction by authorities

OpIndia Staff
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Senior citizen files plea in Bombay HC alleging violation of noise pollution rules by mosque loudspeakers, alleges inaction by authorities

A senior citizen has filed a writ petition in the Bombay High Court HC requesting the court to issue directions to the relevant authorities to ensure strict implementation of the Noise Pollution Rules, 2000, and to stop violations of these rules by mosques and slums in Wadala’s Antop Hill, such as the playing of loud music for longer than the permitted duration of time for the azaan. 

On Wednesday, a division bench led by Acting Chief Justice Sanjay V. Gangapurwala and Justice Sandeep V. Marne heard a petition from retired marine engineer Mahendra Sapre, who said that he has been complaining to the authorities about noise pollution for a long time but no action was taken. He said that he had earlier complained about noise pollution to various authorities via email on November 11, 2022. He added that he has complained to the police over five hundred times, but no action was taken. As a result, he was compelled to file the petition with the court seeking directions to the authorities.

According to reports, 75-year-old Mahendra Sapre now resides at the  Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) at Matunga (East) campus with his wife after retiring from the Navy. His wife is a professor in Indian Chemicals Technology. There is a slum named Bengalipura in front of his building. The mosques and shrines in this slum, according to the ex-navy personnel, have more than 19 loudspeakers that were installed without authorization. The noise emanating from all of these is causing extreme distress. Sapre has clarified that his petition is only against noise pollution and is not directed against any religion or community.

Sapre’s lawyer, Prerak Choudhary, stated that his client had filed a complaint with the district magistrate and senior police officers regarding noise pollution emerging from the Bangalipura slum area. The complaint was also supported by faculty members and students from the ICT.

The petitioner approached the High Court after becoming annoyed at the reluctance of the relevant authorities to take action. The petition claimed that since the petitioner lives on the ICT campus, which is a silent zone, using loudspeakers for azaan constitutes noise pollution. The petition further alleges that Mumbai Police and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation have failed to perform their duties in controlling noise pollution and failed to revoke permissions granted for loudspeakers. 

“The use of loud music systems at illegal shamiyanas built near the Wadala railway track, at nighttime after 10 pm and beyond the prescribed noise level of 45 dB for nighttime in a residential area, is in gross violation of Noise Pollution Rules, requiring immediate action from the authorities concerned,” claimed the plea.

OpIndia checked petitioner Mahendra Sapre’s Twitter profile and found multiple tweets complaining about the noise pollution in the locality. In one such tweet posted in December last year, Sapre complained about the high-decibel music played at the shamiyanas built near Wadala railway track and wrote, “@RailMinIndia @PiyushGoyal @PMOIndia @crpfindia @RPFCRBB @RPFCR shamiyana on rail tracks, the bridge, kings circle to Wadala harbour line, ground tracks CR wadala gtb nagar location Bangalipura slum. This “regular” affair high dB music psychedelic lights/motorman safety?.”

Furthermore, Sapre alleged that the Mumbai Police and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation had neglected to carry out their duties to control pollution and to rescind permissions for loudspeakers. It further stated that the noise originating from the region in question exceeds the set decibel levels that are acceptable in silent zones. 

He also posted videos showing the decibel level of the loudspeakers displayed by a phone app.

Petitioner Sapre also asked for directions to the authorities to remove the loudspeakers from the slum, mosques, madrassas, etc. The next hearing for the plea will take place on June 12.

Queen Cleopatra: Egyptian lawyer sues Netflix for portraying Cleopatra as a black woman, accusations of historical distortion levelled

OpIndia Staff
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Queen Cleopatra: Egyptian lawyer sues Netflix for portraying Cleopatra as a black woman, accusations of historical distortion levelled

An Egyptian lawyer has filed a case with the Public Prosecutor to shut down the streaming platform, Netflix, after the release of the trailer for the documentary series, “Queen Cleopatra”. The lawyer, Mahmoud al-Semary, argued that the depiction of the Greek historical figure as a black-skinned woman is an act of forgery that goes against the historical and cultural values of Egypt.

According to reports, al-Semary demanded that all legal measures be taken against those responsible for the documentary and the management of the streaming platform for their participation in “this crime.” He also called for an investigation into the matter and for Netflix to be blocked in Egypt.

In his complaint against Netflix, al-Semary argued that “most of what Netflix platform displays contradicts Islamic and societal values and principles, especially Egyptian ones.” He added that the platform displayed advertisements that attracted millions of people in the world to watch the documentary Queen Cleopatra, who was of Greek origin depicting her as black woman, unlike Egyptian history and civilization.”

The complaint further accused the makers of the documentary and platform management of promoting Afrocentrism and falsifying and distorting the history of Egypt. It demanded that all works aimed at obliterating and distorting the Egyptian identity be stopped from being broadcast.

The trailer for “Queen Cleopatra” has caused controversy in Egypt, with many arguing that the portrayal of the queen as a black-skinned woman is historically inaccurate. Cleopatra was a member of the Greek Ptolemaic dynasty, which ruled Egypt for several centuries. The issue of her ethnicity has been debated by scholars for years, with some arguing that she may have had some African ancestry.

The case against Netflix has been met with mixed reactions in Egypt. While some have supported al-Semary’s argument, others have criticized the complaint as being overly conservative and limiting freedom of expression. Many have also argued that the portrayal of Cleopatra as a black-skinned woman is a positive step towards greater representation and inclusivity in media.

Netflix has not yet responded to the complaint. However, the streaming platform has faced similar controversies in the past over its portrayal of historical figures. In 2020, the platform faced backlash over its portrayal of the Polish royal family in the series “The Crown”. The Polish government demanded that Netflix add a disclaimer to the show, stating that it was a work of fiction.

The case against Netflix is likely to spark further debate about the role of streaming platforms in shaping cultural values and historical narratives. It also raises questions about the balance between freedom of expression and cultural sensitivity.

Overall, the controversy surrounding “Queen Cleopatra” highlights the ongoing debate about representation and diversity in the entertainment industry, as well as the importance of cultural heritage and historical accuracy. The case against Netflix is likely to be closely watched by scholars, activists, and cultural commentators around the world.

Earlier it was reported that female social media influencers in Egypt are facing the threat of arrest and imprisonment on charges of immorality. This comes as part of the Egyptian government’s ongoing crackdown on dissent and attempts to control public discourse.

According to reports, female influencers in Egypt have been targeted by a new campaign aimed at policing their online content. Authorities have accused these influencers of promoting immorality and indecency through their social media accounts.

Several prominent influencers, including Haneen Hossam and Mawada al-Adham, have been arrested and detained on charges of inciting debauchery and violating family values. Hossam, who has over a million followers on TikTok, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in July 2021, while al-Adham was sentenced to two years in prison in August 2021.

The charges against these women are based on videos they posted on social media, in which they dance and interact with male followers. The government has argued that these videos promote immoral behaviour and violate the country’s conservative social norms.

Congress expels its official Mathura mayoral poll candidate Shyam Sundar Upadhyay, claims he submitted fake party ticket

OpIndia Staff
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Congress expels its official Mathura mayoral poll candidate Shyam Sundar Upadhyay, claims he submitted fake party ticket

On Tuesday, Shyam Sundar Upadhyay alias Bittoo was named as the official Congress candidate for the Mathura mayoral election. Now, in a surprising action, the party has expelled him from its primary membership for six years with immediate effect, for his allegedly anti-party activities.

A statement issued by the All India Congress Committee said, “Hon’ble Congress President has expelled Shri Shyam Sundar Upadhyay ‘Bittoo’ from the primary membership of the party, for six years, for his anti-party activities, with immediate effect.” Upadhyay has been expelled from the party to favour Raj Kumar Rawat, another Congress candidate for the polls, who also filed a nomination under a Congress ticket for the same election.

Both Shyam Sundar Upadhyay and Raj Kumar Rawat had filed nominations with Congress tickets. But now Uttar Pradesh Congress State President Braj Lal Khabri has alleged that Shyam Sundar Upadhyay obtained the party’s ticket without authorisation and used that to file the nomination for the election to the post of Mayor of Mathura Vrindavan Municipal Corporation. According to the party, he applied as a Congress candidate using forged documents.

The Congress party has informed that Raj Kumar Rawat will be its candidate for the elections. However, Shyam Sundar Upadhyay will still be considered the Congress candidate officially, and therefore Rawat will be considered an independent candidate. Both the candidates had filed nominations with Congress tickets, but as Upadhyay filed his nomination first, he is the official party candidate.

Scrutiny of nomination papers was done on Tuesday after the last date for filing nomination papers on Monday. After that, the Returning Officer considered Shyam Sundar Upadhyay Bittu as the authorized candidate for Congress. 

According to Vijai Shankar Dubey, Additional District Magistrate (ADM) and the election officer for the mayoral election, Raj Kumar Rawat will run for office as an independent candidate, on May 4. He stated that Rawat and Upadhyay had received form 7A from Brijlal Khabri, the head of the Uttar Pradesh Congress on April 16. He hadn’t, however, cancelled or withdrawn the form against anyone in the allotted period.

At 3 PM On April 17, the last day of nomination, Brijlal Khabri cancelled the letter of the authorized candidate for Upadhyay but did not issue the authority letter in favour of the other candidate. But Upadhyay had already filed his nomination before that, at around 11 AM, therefore the authority was valid at that time.

When more than one candidate has been granted form 7A, the person who files his nomination papers first is considered the official nominee of any party, as per the statutes governing the elections, reported the officer.

He remarked that because Upadhyay submitted his nomination paperwork first, he was recognised as the Congress’ official candidate. He informed that former BSP MLA Rawat, who recently switched to the Congress, will now have to contest the election as an independent.

Later the state Congress president wrote a letter to the returning officer saying that Raj Kumar Rawat is the official candidate of the Congress party. He also write that form 7A submitted by Upadhyay was unauthorised. However, for the Election officials, it was not acceptable as it came late, and therefore Upadhyay remains the official Congress party.

INX Media money laundering case: ED attaches Karti Chidambaram’s properties worth Rs 11.04 crore

OpIndia Staff
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INX Media money laundering case: ED attaches Karti Chidambaram’s properties worth Rs 11.04 crore

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday attached four properties worth Rs 11.04 crore belonging to Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Karti Chidambaram in the INX media money laundering case.

In a press release on Tuesday, the ED stated that four properties, three movable and one immovable, in the Coorg district of Karnataka had been attached in accordance with the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. According to the agency, a complaint under the PMLA has been filed against Karti Chidambaram, M/s Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt Ltd (ASCPL), and others.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed an FIR for the conduct of offences punishable under different provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, which served as the foundation for the beginning of the proceedings, which were started by recording an ECIR.

According to the agency, it was discovered during the ED investigation that several shell companies regulated, beneficially owned, or used by another accused Karti Chidambaram received illegal gratification (proceeds of crime) from M/s INX Media Pvt. Ltd., to which the accused P Chidambaram had granted FIPB approval as the Union Minister of India under UPA rule.

“Illegal gratification was received in the company of the accused in the name of providing consultancy by the entities from INX Media. The total proceeds of crime laundered over a period of time are Rs 65.88 Crore. The money was routed to overseas accounts and investment was made in various overseas properties and shares of companies through various shell companies directly or indirectly controlled by Karti P Chidambaram and through his confidants,” the official statement by ED read.

Notably, Karti Chidambaram’s father and former Finance Minister P Chidambaram are also the primary accused in the INX media case filed by the CBI and the ED. In 2021, the ED also filed a chargesheet in the case in which it said that emails were recovered from seized digital devices that disclose Karti used to consult his father regarding matters related to a company ASCPL “beneficially owned” by him in the past and involved in this case.

In February 2018, Karti was arrested by CBI in the INX media case. Further in October 2018, the ED had attached Karti’s immovable properties worth Rs 54 crore in Delhi, Ooty, Kodaikanal, London and also Spain. An FIR was registered in May 2017, where CBI had alleged there were irregularities in Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance granted to INX media for foreign funds worth Rs 305 crore.

Indrani Mukerjea, owner and founder of INX media, had alleged that one of Karti Chidambaram’s companies benefitted in exchange for the approval. P Chidambaram had spent over 100 days in custody in a money laundering case filed by Enforcement Directorate (ED) based on FIR by CBI. The father-son duo are also named as accused in Aircel Maxim Scam.

Now, you will not be kicked off Twitter if you call a biological man who identifies as a woman a man: Here’s what has changed

OpIndia Staff
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Now, you will not be kicked off Twitter if you call a biological man who identifies as a woman a man: Here’s what has changed

On April 8, Twitter made a significant change in its policy by removing the aspect of the “Hateful Conduct” policy under which a Twitter user might get suspended if he or she was found misgendering or deadnaming transgender individuals. The change was noticed by social media users and media houses only on April 18, when it made headlines. Some reports suggest that such changes would make Twitter “less safe for marginalised groups”.

Twitter has changed its policy against deadnaming transgenders and non-binary. Source: Twitter/WayBackMachine.

The policy against deadnaming or using a transgender’s name from the time before transitioning, as well as purposefully using “wrong gender” for someone, was considered to be a form of harassment on the social media platform since 2018.

Furthermore, Twitter has announced it will be adding warning labels on some tweets that might violate the rule against hateful conduct. Earlier, the tweets were removed without warning. Twitter will now initially reduce the reach of the Tweet. The user will be able to appeal against the decision to limited visibility. However, the illegal content will be removed, and bad actors will be suspended as per the regulations set by Twitter.

What changed in the policy?

In November 2018, Twitter introduced a section in its policy against Hateful Conduct that read, “We prohibit targeting individuals with repeated slurs, tropes or other content that intends to dehumanise, degrade or reinforce negative or harmful stereotypes about a protected category. This includes targeted misgendering or deadnaming of transgender individuals.”

Interestingly, you can still report a tweet over misgendering or deadnaming, as it has not been removed from the list of reasons for reporting a tweet.

You can still report a tweet for misgendering or deadnaming a person. Source: Twitter

Deadnaming is using a transgender or non-binary person’s name that they used before transitioning, such as a birth name. It remained part of the policy for almost five years and was removed in April 2023 without making much noise by the social media platform.

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