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Punjab: Pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh evades arrest after police launch a massive crackdown against him and his aides

OpIndia Staff
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Punjab: Pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh evades arrest after police launch a massive crackdown against him and his aides

On Saturday, the Punjab Police detained six associates of self-proclaimed radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh in a significant crackdown. According to reports, supporters of the Waris Punjab De leader shared unverified videos of police pursuing his convoy in Moga district, with the vehicle eventually speeding to Shahkot near Jalandhar.

Sources indicate that while en route to Bathinda, the police attempted to intercept Singh, who is believed to be a sympathizer of Khalistan, near Mehtabpur village in Jalandhar. Reportedly, six of his supporters were detained at Mehtabpur and the homes of other supporters were searched. Sources also indicate that the phones of Singh’s close aides were turned off. Amritpal was stopped near Mehatpur in Shahkot by the police, but he managed to escape, while his associates were apprehended.

As per social media users, internet services have been suspended in many areas in Punjab, in the wake of a police operation against Amritpal Singh and his aides.

Singh has a kidnapping case registered against him at the Ajnala police station in Amritsar. It is unclear whether any further cases were filed against him after his supporters forcefully entered the police station on February 24, following the arrest of one of his associates. During the clash, the supporters protested and clashed with the police. The police have not disclosed any information regarding additional charges filed against Singh related to the incident.

Ajnala violence: Mob led by pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh creates a ruckus

Notably, on February 21, Amritpal Singh issued a veiled threat to Home Minister Amit Shah saying that the latter will have to face a similar fate as that of Indira Gandhi. “Indira tried to suppress, what happened? Now Amit Shah can fulfil his wish and see”, he said.

The organization Waris Punjab De was established by Deep Sidhu, an actor-turned-activist. He gained popularity among pro-Khalistani elements during farmer protests. Sidhu died in a road accident in February 2022. Amritpal Singh was declared head of Waris Punjab De following Sidhu’s death. At that time, Singh was in Dubai. In September 2022, he returned to India and officially took charge of the organization. Since that day, he has been preaching Sikhism in Punjab and connecting with the youth. Armed guards accompany him everywhere, and there is a striking resemblance between how he preaches and how Khalistani terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale preached Sikhism during his initial days as a Sikh leader.

After Newark said it was scammed by Kailasa of Nityananda, reports emerge that 30 US cities were conned with ‘cultural partnership’ by the ‘non-existent country’

OpIndia Staff
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After Newark said it was scammed by Kailasa of Nityananda, reports emerge that 30 US cities were conned with ‘cultural partnership’ by the ‘non-existent country’

A few days after Newark city in New Jersey said that it was scammed when it signed an agreement to become the sister city of the ‘Hindu nation Kailasa’ established by Swamy Nithyananda, because the nation does not exist, now reports have emerged that the ‘United States of Kailasa’ had established ‘cultural partnerships’ with over 30 US cities.

According to the website of Kailasa, there are more than 30 cities in the US that have signed a cultural partnership with it, including Richmond, Virginia, Dayton, Ohio, Buena Park, Florida and others spread all over the country.

Detailing the findings, Fox News anchor James Watters said, “We are finding out the supreme fake pontiff has a long list of cities he has duped.” He mentioned that certain American localities were contacted to gauge their opinions on concluding a deal with the fictitious country, “And so far most of the cities have confirmed these proclamations are in fact true.”

Jacksonville in North Carolina told the news channel, “Our proclamations with Kailasa are not an endorsement. They are a response to a request and we do not verify the requested information.”

Fox News slammed the cities for failing to ‘Google’ any information about the so-called country. “If someone wants a proclamation, someone gets a proclamation. They’ll just say you’re an exotic Hindu Island and they’ll name a street after you,” he said further.

The news channel revealed that those running the federal government were also falling for the faux country, not simply mayors or city councils. The anchor emphasised that two members of Congress, Congresswoman Norma Torres of California and a member of the House Appropriations Committee had also awarded Kailasa ‘special congressional recognition,’ according to the self-styled guru.

Earlier this month, Susan Garofalo, Press Secretary in the Department of Communications, City of Newark, stated, “We learned about the circumstances surrounding Kailasa, the City of Newark immediately took action and rescinded the sister city agreement,” on January 18.

“Based on deception, the ceremony was groundless and void. Although this was a regrettable incident, the City of Newark remains committed to partnering with people from diverse cultures in order to enrich each other with connectivity, support, and mutual respect,” she added.

Who is Nithyananda?

Nithyananda’s real name is Arunachalam Rajasekaran. He was born in Tamil Nadu, India, on January 1, 1978. He alleges that during one of his spiritual encounters with the mystic, Mahavatar Babaji gave him the name Nithyananda. In 2002, he began to make public appearances as a spiritual leader.

In 2003, the Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam Ashram was founded in Bengaluru, Karnataka. He gained a huge following due to his claims of possessing superpower abilities and being an enlightened soul.

A self-proclaimed godman, Nithyananda is the main accused in several cases in India, including rape, torture, kidnapping, and wrongful confinement of children, under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). He is also being reportedly investigated by French authorities for an alleged fraud of $400,000.

He fled India in 2019 and created a so-called country known as the ‘United States of Kailasa (USK),’ also called ‘Kailasa,’ in the same year.

What is Kailasa?

‘Kailasa’ or ‘United States of Kailasa’ is a so-called independent Hindu nation established by Nithyananda, which is reportedly located off the coast of Ecuador. According to its website, it has its own passport, flag, and even a Bank named ‘Reserve Bank of Kailasa.’ Nithyananda even announced flights to his nation in December 2020. It is even offering free e-citizenship to people.

On the website of Kailasa, it is described as ‘the greatest Hindu nation’ on Earth. It is a ‘Nation without borders created by dispossessed Hindus who lost the right to practise Hinduism authentically in their own countries’.  

It even claims to have established diplomatic relations with and has received recognition from nations, states, and world leaders across the globe. However, the website lacks a crucial detail, any physical address. It does not list any address, does not have any map showing its location on the globe, and does not mention its geographical location.

In fact, even though Kaisala has a website filled with lots of information, there is no information about its location, and therefore there is no evidence that the ‘Hindu nation actually exists. While reports claim that Nithyananda bought an island near South America, there is no evidence of it. Moreover, while it is possible to purchase islands, such purchases don’t make them sovereign, the island continues to be part of the country that controls it.

Last month, the representatives of ‘Kailasa’ were even seen at two UN public meetings in Geneva in a bid to gain recognition and acceptance at an international forum, where they claimed Nithyananda is ‘persecuted’ by India.

A territory cannot be referred to as a country until it has a permanent population, a government, and the ability to interact with other countries, according to the 1933 Montevideo Convention, which is part of customary international law. Therefore, United Nations does not recognise ‘Kailasa’ as a country.

Studio owned by Karnataka minister to produce biopic of Vokkaliga chieftains who ‘killed’ Tipu Sultan, Congress and JD(S) call it fiction and lie

OpIndia Staff
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Studio owned by Karnataka minister to produce biopic of Vokkaliga chieftains who ‘killed’ Tipu Sultan, Congress and JD(S) call it fiction and lie

In Karnataka, a row has erupted as the film production studio owned by the state Horticulture Minister Munirathna has planned to make a biopic on, Vokkaliga chieftains, the killers of Islamist tyrant and erstwhile Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan. 

Vrushabhadri Productions owned by the film producer-turned-politician Munirathna has applied with the Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce to register Uri Gowda Nanje Gowda as the title of the said biopic. According to legends in the old Mysuru belt, Tipu Sultan was killed by the two Vokkaliga chieftains Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda, and the movie is based on this belief.

However, several historians dispute the claim made by some locals of the former Mysuru belt that Tipu was killed by the two Vokkaliga chieftains rather than the British. Congress and JDS also claimed that Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda never existed and they are fictional characters. However, the BJP opines otherwise, saying that they were real, and there is historical evidence to prove it.

JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy accused the BJP of “misleading” Vokkaligas by employing ‘fictional’ characters and claiming they were responsible for killing Tipu Sultan. He also claimed that there are ongoing attempts to defame the community. According to him, this is a part of the BJP’s “hidden agenda,” which includes a smear campaign to “insult and politically eliminate” Vokkaligas. 

Calling Tipu Sultan a freedom fighter, he alleged that BJP is portraying the Vokkaligas as killers of a freedom fighter. “The BJP is trying to sow seeds of poison through lies and myth, and it has turned its attention on Vokkaligas. This is a hidden agenda by the BJP to insult Vokkaligas through a smear campaign. By attempting to make a film on Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda, attempts are being made to rob the Vokkaliga pride on the silver screen,” he tweeted.

H D Kumaraswamy said that by claiming that the Vokkaliga chieftains killed Tipy Sultan, BJP is attempting to make Vokkaligas look like villains permanently in history.

Rejecting the claims of the JD(S) and Congress on the issue, senior BJP leader and Union Minister of State (MoS) Shobha Karandlaje said that Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda were real, and there were historical references about them. She said that they fought Tipu to safeguard the family of Mysuru Maharajas and to protect the state, and their names are mentioned in folk plays and ballads. “The duo protected the Mysore royal family. Instead of feeling proud of their achievement, why is Congress-JD(S) feeling shy in accepting it,” she said.

BJP general secretary C.T. Ravi also said that the characters of Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda are historical truth. Revenue Minister R. Ashok said that the issue has nothing to do with politics, and it is wrong to bring a caste angle to it. He asserted that “BJP stands by history.”

Recently, the BJP workers installed arch gateways to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the inauguration event of the Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway in Mandya on Sunday. The Karnataka BJP workers had erected an arch hailing Vokkaliga chieftains Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda. This, however, was replaced with that of late Vokkaliga seer Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji after outrage erupted.

Notably, in November last year, a play was staged in Mysuru wherein it was shown that Tipu Sultan was killed by the two Vokkaliga chieftains. This play was based on the book titled ‘Tipu Nijakanasugalu’ (Real Dreams of Tipu) authored by Rangayana director Addanda C. Cariappa. 

On November 22 of last year, in response to a plea filed by the former chairman of the District Wakf Board Committee, the Additional City Civil and Sessions Court in Bengaluru temporarily halted the distribution and sale of the book.

Back then, Carriappa had said, “When I try to introduce the darker side and the cruel side of Tipu Sultan, my voice is suppressed. This literary work is the result of extensive research and is based on numerous books. If critics think I am wrong, I am ready to have a debate.”

Shobha Karandlaje, a senior member of the BJP and the Union Minister of State (MoS), asserted that Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda were real people with historical references. She said that Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda are mentioned in plays and ballads and claimed that they fought Tipu to defend the state and the Mysuru Maharajas. 

It is notable that the Islamic ruler Tipu Sultan is hailed as a freedom fighter by so-called seculars and many Muslims. Tipu Sultan is painted as the one who struggled against the British. But, the anti-Hindu Islamic barbarian acts of the 18th-century tyrant are not too old to be forgotten. This fact lands the Islamists in the middle of a controversy that keeps arising time and again.

PFI-linked woman arrested for recording court proceedings in Indore seeks SC intervention, claims to be implicated in ‘communally charged’ case

OpIndia Staff
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PFI-linked woman arrested for recording court proceedings in Indore seeks SC intervention, claims to be implicated in ‘communally charged’ case

On Friday, the Supreme Court issued a notice in the plea filed by 30-year-old Sonu Mansuri having alleged links with the banned outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) and her ‘boss’ Noorjahan Khan. They have filed a plea in the Supreme Court seeking its intervention alleging that they have “fallen victim to communal frenzy,” reports Live Law.

Sonu Mansuri was arrested by Indore police on January 29 for taping the proceedings of a court during a hearing of the case related to Bajrang Dal leader Tanu Sharma in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore district. Sonu Mansuri, who was posing as a junior advocate, later told the police that an advocate named Noorjahan Khan had asked her to make the video to be sent to the Islamic outfit PFI and she was given Rs 3 lakhs for the work.

Both Noorjahan and Sonu Mansuri have now approached the apex court claiming that they have been implicated in “false, baseless, politically motivated and communally charged cases at the behest of the local organisations having affiliations to the current political dispensation in the state of Madhya Pradesh.”

The duo approached the Apex Court under Article 32 of the Constitution of India asserting their right to life and liberty.

Claims made in the petition filed by PFI-linked woman arrested for recording court proceedings of Bajrang Dal leader in Indore

Notably, the petition filed by the women claimed that on January 28, 2023, Bajrang Dal supporters accompanied by a group of lawyers associated with the Adhivakta Sangh (lawyers outfit), manhandled Sonu Mansuri inside the courtroom accusing her of secretly recording bail proceedings of a Bajrang Dal leader.

The plea further read that the miscreants violently frisked Sonu Mansuri and stole a big sum of money as well as a phone from her hands.

Further, it claimed that instead of taking action against the perpetrators, the Indore police took the woman to the police station and filed an FIR against her on the basis of a complaint alleging that she was working for the banned Islamic outfit PFI. She was then arrested, brought before a court on January 29, and placed on judicial remand until February 1.

It said that owing to a lack of legal representation, the woman, who had been placed in police custody in the interim, is now in judicial custody.

The petition urged the Supreme Court to order an independent investigation into the incident. The plea also requested that the State government issue directives to ensure the petitioners’ safety. Since, apparently, an FIR had been registered also against Noorjahan Khan, who identified herself as a lawyer, the petition pleaded to stay her arrest.

Female ‘advocate’ linked to PFI caught recording video, VHP calls it an indication of a bigger conspiracy

In reality, the lawyers for the Bajrang Dal leader, whose hearing was taking place, had caught Sonu Mansuri red-handed filming the events. OpIndia has access to footage of Mansuri, who was caught filming court proceedings in court number 42 of the Indore district court. She was arrested and turned over to the police.

In the video, in was revealed, that she was carrying lakhs of unaccounted cash and a few documents. The woman was identified as Sonu Mansuri. It was alleged in the video that one Advocate Noojahan Khan had sent her to record the video. Mansuri, who identified herself as a junior advocate, claimed that she was regularly sent to the courtrooms by Jahan. It is unclear for what purpose she recorded the video and if she had done it before.

When asked if she had sent the recording to Noorjahan, she denied it. Mansuri first claimed the money belonged to her, then said it was to give someone. However, during the investigation, the Indore police found several call recordings in Mansoori’s mobile, in which instructions have been given by her bosses. The police had also said that Sonu Mansoori was changing her statement repeatedly during interrogation.

Speaking to News Agency Press Trust of India (PTI), Additional Commissioner of Police Rajesh Raghuvanshi said that an advocate asked Mansuri to record the video and gave Rs 3 lakh for the work. She recorded the video during the hearing of the case related to Bajrang Dal leader Tanu Sharma. She was caught by Advocate Amit Pandey and Sunil Vishwakarma, representing Sharma.

He said the video was supposed to be sent to PFI via advocate Noorjahan Khan, who sent Monsoori to record the video. 

Calling it an indication of a bigger conspiracy, Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s (VHP) state president Sohan Vishwakarma demanded a detailed investigation into the matter. 

Indore Hindu lawyer who caught the ‘advocate’ read-handed and opposed her bail plea receives ‘sar tan se juda’ threats

In February, days after Sonu Mansuri was arrested, Anil Naidu one of the lawyers who had caught her filming the bail hearing proceedings of Bajrang Dal leader Tannu Sharma and had also opposed her bail plea in court, received ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ threats.

OpIndia had reported that on February 4, Anil Naidu was on his way to the court on his bike, when two unknown miscreants accosted him on Sanjay Setu bridge in the Central Kotwali police station area of ​​Indore and threatened to behead him. They threatened the advocate with the same fate as Kanhaiya Lal, the Hindu tailor who was ruthlessly beheaded in Udaipur by Islamists for supporting former BJP leader Nupur Sharma. While hurling vile abuses and threatening him with dire consequences, the accused allegedly referenced Sonu Mansuri and the absconding female lawyer Noorjahan Khan and warned him to stay out of their case.

Arrest warrant issued against Kamal Rashid Khan (KRK) in defamation case filed by Manoj Bajpayee for ‘Charsi Ganjedi’ Tweet

OpIndia Staff
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Arrest warrant issued against Kamal Rashid Khan (KRK) in defamation case filed by Manoj Bajpayee for ‘Charsi Ganjedi’ Tweet

On Thursday, March 16, the Indore district court issued an arrest warrant for film producer-actor Kamal Rashid Khan aka KRK for failing to appear in a defamation case filed against him by actor Manoj Bajpayee.

After Khan allegedly referred to Bajpayee as a drug addict in a few tweets in 2021, the actor filed a defamation suit against KRK. According to Bajpayee’s lawyer advocate Paresh Joshi, the Judicial Magistrate First Class on Thursday issued an arrest warrant against Khan and deferred the case’s next hearing to May 10.

KRK’s lawyer argued that the case against him should have been dropped since he had filed a petition with the Supreme Court.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court denied Khan’s request to have the defamation action against him dropped on December 13, 2022. In the High Court, Khan’s attorneys argued that one of the Twitter accounts, “KRK box office,” from which the tweet in question was posted in 2021 had been “sold” to a person named Saleem Ahmed in October 2020. According to his lawyers, he had never tweeted anything purposely derogatory against Bajpayee.

Notably, in August 2021, actor Manoj Bajpayee filed a criminal complaint against KRK under IPC section 500 in the court of judicial magistrate first class (punishment for defamation).

What prompted Bajpayee to initiate legal action against KRK was a tweet posted by the ‘Deshdrohi’ actor and film critic on July 26, 2021. In his tweet, KRK called Manoj Bajpayee ‘Charsi’, ‘Ganjedi’ (a marijuana addict). This was remarked by Kamal R Khan during his purported review of the Manoj Bajpayee starrer web series “The Family Man” on Twitter.

Screenshot of KRK’s now-deleted tweet in question

“I am not a Lukkha and Faaltu in life, So I don’t watch web series. Better you ask Sunil Pal. But why do you like to watch a Charsi, Ganjedi Manoj? You can’t be selective. If you hate Charsi Ganjedi in Bollywood, So you should hate everyone,” KRK wrote in his now-deleted tweet.

Bihar: Manish Kashyap surrenders, arrested for ‘fake’ videos’ of attacks on migrant workers in Tamil Nadu

OpIndia Staff
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Bihar: Manish Kashyap surrenders, arrested for ‘fake’ videos’ of attacks on migrant workers in Tamil Nadu

On Saturday, the Bihar Police arrested YouTuber Manish Kashyap in the case of the ‘fake videos’ of attacks on migrant workers from the state in Tamil Nadu. This is days after the Police issued arrest warrant against Kashyap and another accused Yuvraj Singh Rajput. Kashyap who was absconding in the ‘fake video’ case was arrested by the Police after he surrendered at the Jagdishpur Police Station in Bihar.

According to the reports, Kashyap surrendered as the Bihar Police conducted raids on the possible hideouts of the accused. Police on March 16 constituted a special team to ensure the arrest of the two accused. The officers also froze the bank accounts belonging to Kashyap. According to the reports, the police have frozen Rs 3,37,496 in his SBI account, Rs 51,069 in his IDFC Bank account, Rs 3,37,463 in his HDFC Bank account, and Rs 34,85,909 from SACHTAK Foundation’s HDFC Bank account.

The Police also stated that Kashyap, also known as Tripurari Kumar Tiwari, indulged in financial irregularities and the Police have obtained relevant evidence against his activities. Following this, the Economic Offence Unit of the Bihar Police registered an FIR against Kashyap and Yuvraj Singh and issued a warrant to arrest the two.

It was reported earlier that Kashyap had tweeted a ‘fake video’ of the attacks on migrant workers from Bihar in Tamil Nadu which went viral over social media. The video was however created by the main accused Rakesh Ranjan Kumar, a native of Gopalganj district in rented accommodation in Patna.

“The whole idea behind making a video in Patna was to mislead the police of Bihar and Tamil Nadu. We have cross-checked with the landlord of Rakesh Ranjan Kumar and he has also confirmed that the video was made at his house,” the police spokesperson,” the Police spokesperson was quoted as saying.

Reportedly, accused Kashyap also has seven criminal cases registered in his name. As per the report, after the Pulwama incident, Kashyap was arrested for assaulting Kashmiri traders in Patna’s Lhasa market. Further investigations are underway.

International Criminal Court wants to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin: What prosecutor Karim Khan said and why the warrant is useless

OpIndia Staff
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International Criminal Court wants to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin: What prosecutor Karim Khan said and why the warrant is useless

On Friday (March 17), the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin over alleged war crimes and unlawful deportation of children to Russia from Ukraine.

In a statement, ICC claimed, “There are reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Putin bears individual criminal responsibility for the aforementioned crimes, (i) for having committed the acts directly, jointly with others and/or through others…and (ii) for his failure to exercise control properly over civilian and military subordinates who committed the acts, or allowed for their commission, and who were under his effective authority and control, pursuant to superior responsibility (article 28(b) of the Rome Statute).”

While speaking to the BBC, ICC prosecutor Karim Khan remarked, “Children can’t be treated as the spoils of war, they can’t be deported…This type of crime doesn’t need one to be a lawyer, one needs to be a human being to know how egregious it is.”

Meanwhile, Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s human rights chief, claimed that 16221 children were deported to Russia while only 308 have been repatriated to Ukraine. The high-handedness of the International Criminal Court has been applauded by ‘human rights groups’.

While speaking about the development, associate international justice director at ‘Human Rights Watch (HRW)’ Balkees Jarrah stated, “This is a big day for the many victims of crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine since 2014.”

She claimed, “With these arrest warrants, the ICC has made Putin a wanted man and taken its first step to end the impunity that has emboldened perpetrators in Russia’s war against Ukraine for far too long.”

“The court’s warrants are a wakeup call to others committing abuses or covering them up that their day in court may be coming, regardless of their rank or position,” Jarrah added.

As expected, the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for the Russian President was welcomed by Joe Biden. He said, “I think it’s justified…But the question is, it’s not recognized internationally by us, either. But I think it makes a very strong point.”

Similarly, Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed ICC’s overreach as ‘historic’ and ‘real prospect (for justice to be served).’

Russia responds to ICC

The Russian government has rubbished the arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin as ‘outrageous’. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that ICC’s directives are null and void.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova pointed out, “(It has) no meaning for our country, including from a legal point of view. Russia is not a party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and bears no obligations under it. Russia is not cooperating with this body.”

Former Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, went on to compare the arrest warrant to toilet paper. He said in a tweet, “The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant against Vladimir Putin. No need to explain where this paper should be used.”

Jursidiction of the International Criminal Court

While the International Criminal Court does not recognise immunity enjoyed by the heads of state in cases of war crimes and crimes against humanity, it lacks the power to prosecute individuals.

As such, the court cannot arrest Vladimir Putin despite having issued an arrest warrant against him. It also cannot put the Russian President on a trial or try him in absentia. ICC is dependent on member States to act as its sheriffs.

Interestingly, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and the United States are not parties to the Rome Statute, which led to the establishment of the International Criminal Court. Having said that, it can affect the international travel of Vladimir Putin and lead to further isolation of Russia.

Members of the ICC are bound by an obligation to arrest Putin if he sets foot on their soil. However, such a move is unlikely due to the fear of an imminent war.

The case of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who had outstanding arrest warrants against him but was successful in evading them, shows that the current warrant against Vladimir Putin is useless and will have no ramifications whatsoever in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Bengaluru: Congress and BJP workers engage in violent clashes over banners, pelt stones, attack with sticks, 3 FIRs registered

OpIndia Staff
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Bengaluru: Congress and BJP workers engage in violent clashes over banners, pelt stones, attack with sticks, 3 FIRs registered

Workers from Congress and the BJP engaged in a violent confrontation against one another in Karnataka over placed banners. The incident happened on Friday in the Govindrajnagar constituency of Bengaluru when BJP activists allegedly objected over posters that Congress workers had put up for a gathering related to the Women’s Convention at the BGS venue.

According to the reports, the party members pelted stones and attacked each other with sticks resulting in massive injuries. Police had to intervene and use lathi charges in order to get the situation under control. Laxman B. Nimbargi, DCP, West Division, Bengaluru confirmed the incident and said that several police officers also were injured amid the brawl.

“Both groups pelted stones as well, and our police personnel also got injured. 3 FIRs have been registered in connection with the incident. Further investigation is being done,” said DCP.

The saga bagan as members of the Congress party gathered at the venue in Bengaluru on Friday to install the event banners. The BJP members, however, objected to it. This led to a disagreement that quickly escalated into a violent fight.

The workers flung sticks and hurled stones at one another. The Police was informed about the incident who arrived at the spot and deployed lathi charges to subdue the crowd.  The injured members were meanwhile transported to the hospital by the police, and each one was eventually released following treatment.

The Congress party event was scheduled to be held on March 19. At present, three FIRs have been registered in the matter. Further investigations are meanwhile underway.

NIA chargesheet in Shivamogga ISIS case: 2 BTech students, Maaz Ahmed, Syed Yasin booked, had committed over 25 incidents of arson and sabotage

OpIndia Staff
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NIA chargesheet in Shivamogga ISIS case: 2 BTech students, Maaz Ahmed, Syed Yasin booked, had committed over 25 incidents of arson and sabotage

In the Shivamogga Islamic State (ISIS) conspiracy case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has submitted a charge sheet against two jihadis who were B.Tech students. The case refers to the plan devised to promote the activities of ISIS by committing acts of violence, sabotage, and arson in Karnataka.

Maaz Muneer Ahmed, 23, and Syed Yasin, 22, of Shivamogga, were charged on Thursday by the anti-terror agency under sections 1208, 121A, and 122 of the IPC, 1860, sections 18, 188, 20, and 38 of the UA (P) Act, 1967, along with sections 4 I & 5 of the ES Act, 1908, and section 2 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.

According to the NIA, both B.Tech graduates were radicalized and inspired to attack both public and private facilities, including warehouses, liquor stores, hardware stores, automobiles, and properties owned by members of a particular community. “In furtherance of a conspiracy hatched by the Islamic State, Maaz and Yasin had committed over 25 incidents of arson and sabotage,” the charge sheet read.  

The NIA said that their actions reflect how committed they are. Further according to the anti-terror agency, Maaz and Syed Yasin travelled to the Agumbe and Varahi river backwaters woodland region of Shivamogga district to go hiking and scout out potential hiding places. They also purchased explosives and were preparing to make an IED.

According to the agency, Syed Yasin executed a mock explosion of an improvised explosive device (IED) along the Varahi River in Shivamogga, burned an Indian National Flag, and made a video to prove his anti-India credentials. “The terror operatives were being paid in cryptocurrencies by their online handler by fund transfers from abroad,” NIA noted.

“Investigation has revealed that the accused Maaz Muneer radicalised his close associate and college-mate Reshaan Thajuddin. And the two accused, Reshaan Thajuddin Sheikh and Huzair Farhan Baig received funds from their IS handler through crypto-wallets for furthering the terrorist activities of the Islamic State,” said the NIA.

The investigations have revealed that Maaz received a Crypto equivalent of around Rs 1.5 lakhs from the online handler into the accounts of his friends. In contrast, Syed Yasin received Ps 62,000 into the account of a friend. The NIA said that accused Mohamed Shariq had intended to carry out an IED bombing at Kadri Temple in Mangaluru on November 19 of last year as part of a bigger IS scheme.

Muslim woman approaches SC against discriminatory Shariat law after she was given half the share in ancestral property as her brother: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Muslim woman approaches SC against discriminatory Shariat law after she was given half the share in ancestral property as her brother: Details

A Muslim woman named Bushara Ali has filed a special leave petition (SLP) before the Indian Supreme Court, highlighting the discriminatory nature of Shariat Law in the distribution of property between male and female heirs.

On Friday (March 17), a Division Bench of Justices Krishna Murari and Sanjay Karol issued a notice in the matter. Ali was allotted only 1/2 the shares in her ancestral property as compared to her male counterparts. According to reports, she was granted 7/152 shares in her ancestral property while her brothers were granted 14/152 shares.

Aghast at the discrimination meted to her under the archaic Islamic law, she has approached the apex court in the hopes of redressal. While contending that a female is not entitled to an equal share of property at par with a man under Shariat, the petitioner said, “In spite of (the) guarantee of the Constitution, Muslim women are subjected to discrimination.”

Ali has challenged Section 2 of the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937 for violating Article 15 (prohibition of discrimination) of the Indian Constitution. The contentious section of the Muslim Personal law states –

“Notwithstanding any custom or usage to the contrary, in all questions (save questions relating to agricultural land) regarding intestate succession, special property of females, including personal property inherited or obtained under contract or gift or any other provision of Personal Law, marriage, dissolution of marriage, including talaq, ila, zihar, lian, khula and mubaraat, maintenance, dower, guardianship, gifts, trusts and trust properties, and wakfs (other than charities and charitable institutions and charitable and religious endowments) the rule of decision in cases where the parties are Muslims shall be the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat).“

The petition was filed through advocate Matthew Joy who argued that the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937 is a pre-constitutional legislature and thus fell under Article 13 (1) of the Indian Constitution. It states –

“All laws in force in the territory of India immediately before the commencement of this Constitution, in so far as they are inconsistent with the provisions of this Part, shall, to the extent of such inconsistency, be void.”

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