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Goa-bound Azur Air charter flight diverted to Uzbekistan due to a security threat

ANI
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An Azur Air charter flight bound for Goa was diverted to Uzbekistan after it received a security threat on Saturday.

Russia’s charter plane of Azur Air, offering services to destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Central America, had a total of 238 passengers on board, including 2 infants and 7 crew members, airport sources confirmed to ANI.

According to airport sources, the flight took off from Perm international airport, located at Bolshoye Savino, 16 kilometres southwest of the city of Perm, Russia.

Further details awaited. 

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

Turkey summons Swedish ambassador over planned Quran burning protests near Turkish embassy in Sweden

OpIndia Staff
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Turkey summons Swedish ambassador over planned Quran burning protests near Turkish embassy in Sweden

On Friday, January 20, Turkey summoned Sweden’s ambassador over an upcoming event wherein the protestors are planning to burn Quran. 

Rasmus Paludan, a prominent Danish-Swedish politician from the Danish party Stram Kurs (Hard Line), reportedly obtained permission from the Swedish Police to burn a copy of the Quran near the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm.

In a video posted by Rasmus Paludan on his Instagram page, he claimed that he has received permission from the Swedish Police to burn Quran at 1 PM on Saturday, January 21, outside the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm. He said that the burning of the Quran will be a “great manifestation of freedom of speech and criticism against Islamist Erdogan (Turkish President).”

Reacting to Paludan’s post, Turkish officials summoned Ambassador Staffan Herrstrom to the Foreign Ministry to condemn the protest calling it a ‘hate crime’ and ‘provocation’. 

This, however, is not the first time that Rasmus Paludan is planning to burn the Quran. In May last year, Paludan claimed to have burned the Quran outside the Raslatt Mosque in Sweden’s southern city of Jonkoping despite Swedish police denying permission for it.

Earlier last week, Turkish authorities summoned Sweden’s ambassador, in response to a recent protest in Stockholm where pro-Kurdish protesters hung an effigy of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Now, he has been summoned again over this planned Quran burning in Sweden.

Notably, In May last year, Turkey raised an objection against Sweden’s bid to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). Turkey held that Sweden had not taken action against exiled Kurdish ‘militants’. After the Ukraine-Russia war broke out, Sweden, in May, announced that they, along with Finland, would apply for NATO membership, ending 200 years of military nonalignment. However, a new member can only be inducted into NATO when all 30 member countries agree upon it. 

In recent years, Sweden has taken in hundreds of thousands of Middle Eastern refugees, including ethnic Kurds from Turkey, Syria, and Iraq.

British Parliamentarian Rami Ranger slams BBC for propaganda documentary on Gujarat riots and PM Modi: Here is what he said

OpIndia Staff
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British Parliamentarian Rami Ranger slams BBC for propaganda documentary on Gujarat riots and PM Modi: Here is what he said

On Friday (January 20), British businessman and Parliamentarian Rami Ranger slammed the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) over a vicious documentary, targeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The member of the UK’s House of Lords wrote a stinging letter to the broadcaster’s Director General, Tim Davie, and questioned the sheer lack of judgement in the production of the insensitive and one-sided documentary.

“The documentary not only insults the two times democratically elected Prime Minister of the largest democracy in the world but also the judiciary and Parliament, which investigated Mr Modi rigorously, and exonerated him from being involved in the riots in any way,” Rami Ranger remarked.

“No one has the right to divide us for cheap popularity with egregious journalism, which can have dire consequences for the nation in the long run,” he further emphasised.

Rami Ranger pointed out how he had worked to mitigate hostilities and bridge gaps between British Hindus and Muslims for the past 25 years.

“The BBC documentary has opened old wounds by creating hatred between British Hindus and Muslims by attempting to paint India as an intolerant nation where Muslims are persecuted. If this had been the case, the Muslims would have left India by now,” he emphasised.

“It is worth remembering the history; the British divided us arbitrarily without any referendum and caused the death of over a million innocent people and made over 15 million refugees in the country of their birth,” he stated.

Rami Ranger urged the BBC to make documentary series on the India-Pakistan wars, the famine in Bengal caused by Britain, and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

“I urge you to stop screening the second part to avoid exasperating the already tense situation between British Hindus and Muslims in many of our cities. The timing of this documentary is sinister; when India assumed the Presidency of G20, we have our first Prime Minister of Indian origin in No.10, and we are working for the UK-India free-trade agreement,” he concluded.

The Background of the controversy

Recently, BBC aired a two-part series documentary attacking PM Narendra Modi’s tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister during the Gujarat riots of 2002. India has denounced the controversial programme as a “propaganda piece” that is designed to push a discredited narrative.

One of the nefarious objectives behind the documentary was to cast aspersions on the role of Islamists in the Godhra train carnage, which claimed a total of 59 Hindu lives.

Lies to paint Rana Ayyub as victim, how Pakistan liked Manmohan Singh, not Modi: What Pak leader Hina Rabbani Khar said at Davos

OpIndia Staff
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Lies to paint Rana Ayyub as victim, how Pakistan liked Manmohan Singh, not Modi: What Pak leader Hina Rabbani Khar said at Davos

On Friday (January 20), the Pakistani Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar made contentious remarks during a brainstorming session, hosted by India Today journalist Rahul Kanwal, at the World Economic Forum in Davos town of Switzerland.

Hina Rabbani Khar peddled fantastical lies to paint ‘Muslim journalist’ Rana Ayyub as the victim of India’s tyranny and also revealed how the previous regime led by Congress was far more acceptable to the terrorist nation of Pakistan than the current Modi government.

“We know about Rana Ayyub’s house is being demolished,” Hina Rabbani said peddling lies at the international event. No State government or the BJP regime at the Centre has ordered the demolition of the house of the controversial journalist.

“We know about Arundhati Roy and what she said about the polity in India,” she further cited an anti-India author to bolster her outlandish claims about the country.

During the 48-minute-long conversation, the Pakistani Minister of State for Foreign Affairs falsely blamed India for supposedly orchestrating a terror attack in Lahore and creating unrest in the Balochistan province.

She also claimed that the air strike conducted by India at terror camps in Balakot was done to ensure the victory of PM Modi in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Hina Rabbani Khar conveniently forgot about the deadly Pakistan-sponsored terror attack at Pulwama, which claimed 40 lives.

After making outlandish claims about India, she mouthed platitudes about the need for putting an end to hostilities and tread the path of peace.

“I am not seeing a partner, currently, in the Prime Minister of India to take this project forward. But, I did see a partner in Manmohan Singh to take this forward. Those are the realities. I cannot deny realities,” she explained how the Pakistani regime naturally allied to the Congress party.

It must be mentioned that India witnessed the deadly Mumbai terror attack in 2008 during the reign of Manmohan Singh. During her tenure as Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar tried to shield 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed by repeatedly citing ‘lack of evidence.’

“Hafiz Saeed was in custody and the evidence against him could not hold in a court of law. We have said even now that we will be happy to look at any evidence against him that holds in a court of law,” she had claimed in 2012.

She had also said that no love has been lost for the likes of Hafiz Saeed. During an interview with NDTV, she remarked, “Well, as I said, any evidence specifically which can be held in the court of law will help, and we have no love lost for any of these individuals whatsoever. “

Indian spiritual guru, Sri Sri Ravishankar, who was present at the panel lambasted Hina Rabbani Khar and said, “The whole world knows where terrorism is sprouting. Where was Osama bin Laden? Where were the terrorists that have been causing problems in the world? Let’s not deny these facts.”

The founder of the ‘Art of Living Foundation’ also raised questions about the plight of Pakistani Hindus on the international platform. “Minorities in Pakistan don’t have the same rights as minorities in India. How can someone say that minorities are suffering in India?” he asked.

After finding herself in a tough situation, Hina Rabbani Khan refused to debate Sri Sri Ravishankar and claimed that she did not want to engage in a ‘tit-for-tat’ discussion.

Praveen Nettaru was murdered by PFI ‘killer squad’ to create terror in Hindu community, establish Islamic Rule by 2047: What NIA told Special Court

OpIndia Staff
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Praveen Nettaru was murdered by PFI ‘killer squad’ to create terror in Hindu community, establish Islamic Rule by 2047: What NIA told Special Court

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against 20 members of the banned Islamist outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) for murdering Karnataka BJP Youth leader Praveen Nettaru in July last year. The NIA informed a special court that Nettaru was murdered by a killer squad of the PFI as part of its plan to instil terror into a “specific community” (Hindus) and further their agenda of “Islamic rule in India by 2047.”

On July 26, 2022, a Bharatiya Janata Party Yuva Morcha (BJYM) worker Praveen Nettaru was hacked to death by unidentified assailants. Late evening, the killers came on a bike to Bellari, Dakshina Kannada of Karnataka, and attacked Nettaru with sharp weapons. Praveen Nettaru, who ran a poultry business, was returning home when the attack happened. The assailants escaped after the attack. The Hindu leader was rushed to the hospital, but he could not be saved.

The case was initially registered as FIR no. 63/2022 dated 27.07.2022, at Bellare Police Station of Dakshina Kannada District and re-registered by NIA on 04.08.2022.

The NIA also stated that the PFI had formed covert units known as “Service Teams” or “Killer Squads” to carry out the murder of its “perceived enemies” and targets in an effort to advance its agenda of converting India into an Islamic nation by 2047.

“Investigations found that the PFI formed secret teams called Service Teams or Killer Squads to carry out killings of its ‘perceived enemies’ and targets,” the NIA chargesheet has stated. “This was done as part of its agenda to cause terror, communal hatred, and unrest in society and to further its agenda of establishing Islamic rule by 2047.”

According to the charge sheet, PFI’s secret team or “Service Team” members received weapons, attack training, and training in surveillance techniques in order to locate, list, and mount surveillance on people/leaders associated with particular communities and groups. The trained members of these ‘secret teams’ were then instructed by senior PFI leaders to kill or assault their targets.

Furthermore, the chargesheet mentions that several meetings of PFI members were held in Bengaluru city, Sullia town, and Bellare village as a part of the larger conspiracy. 

The head of the district service team, Mustafa Paichar, received orders from senior PFI leaders to conduct recce, identify, and target a prominent member of a “specific community.”

According to the chargesheet, “four people were recced and identified as per instructions, and among them was Praveen Nettaru, a BJP Yuva Morcha District Committee Member, who was assaulted and killed on July 26, 2022, in full view of the public with lethal weapons to instil fear among the general populace and specifically among members of a particular community.”

The murder weapon that was found on the accused and the bike that was used in the attack were both presented as evidence by the NIA in addition to the statements of multiple witnesses in the case.

The NIA chargesheet names Mahammed Shiyab, A Basheer, Riyaz, M Paichar, Masud KA, Kodaje Mohd Sherif, Abubakkar Siddik, Noufal M, Ismail K, K Iqbal, Shaheed M, Mahd Shafeek G, Ummar Farook M R, Abdul Kabeer CA, Muhd I Sha, Sainul Abid Y, Shekh Hussain, N Abdul Haris and Zakiar A.

“The accused persons have been charge-sheeted under various sections of 120B, 153A, 302 and 34 of IPC and sections 16, 18, and 20 of the UA (P) Act, 1967, Section 25(1)(a) of arms Act,” the NIA press release read.

Mustafa Paichar, Masud KA, Kodaje Mohammed Sherif, Abubakkar Siddik, Ummar Farook MR, and Thufail MH are currently missing among the accused listed on the chargesheet. A cash reward has been declared by the NIA for information about the absconders. 

Centre releases endorsement guidelines for Celebrities and Social Media Influencers to ensure that they don’t mislead consumers

OpIndia Staff
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Centre releases endorsement guidelines for Celebrities and Social Media Influencers to ensure that they don’t mislead consumers

With the aim to protect the rights of consumers, the centre has issued a guideline for celebrities and social media influencers who endorse products and services on social media platforms. The guideline has been issued to ensure that consumers are not deceived by promotional messages disguised as personal opinions of celebrities and influencers.

The Department of Consumer Affairs under Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution released the guide ‘Endorsements Know-hows!’ for celebrities, influencers and virtual influencers on social media platforms on January 20 in Delhi. The guide aims to ensure that individuals do not mislead their audiences when endorsing products or services and that they are in compliance with the Consumer Protection Act and any associated rules or guidelines.

Rohit Kumar Singh, Secretary Department of Consumer Affairs released the “Endorsement Know-hows!” in response to the rapidly growing digital world, where advertisements are no longer limited to traditional media like print, television, or radio. With the increasing reach of digital platforms and social media, such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, there has been a rise in the influence of virtual influencers, in addition to celebrities and social media influencers. This has led to an increased risk of consumers being misled by advertisements and unfair trade practices by these individuals on social media platforms.

The “Endorsement Know-hows!” specify that disclosures must be prominently and clearly displayed in the endorsement, making them extremely hard to miss. Any celebrity, influencer or virtual influencer who has access to an audience and can influence their purchasing decisions or opinions about a product, service, brand, or experience also must disclose any material connection with the advertiser.

The celebrities and influencers must disclose not only benefits and incentives they receive from the brands they endorse, but also monetary or other compensation, trips or hotel stays, media barters, coverage and awards, free products with or without conditions, discounts, gifts and any family or personal or employment relationship.

Endorsements must be made in simple, clear language and terms such as “advertisement,” “sponsored,” or “paid promotion” can be used. The guideline also state that they should not endorse any product or service and service in which due diligence has been done by them or that they have not personally used or experienced.

According to the ministry, the guide is released in alignment with the guidelines set by the Consumer Protection Act of 2019. The Act established guidelines for protecting consumers from unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements. The Department of Consumer Affairs has published Guidelines for prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022 on 9th June 2022. These guidelines outline the criteria for valid advertisements and the responsibilities of manufacturers, service providers, advertisers, and advertising agencies. These guidelines also touched upon the celebrities and endorsers. It states that misleading advertisement in any form, format or medium is prohibited by law.

Several social media influencers and agencies participated via video conferencing in the press conference to release of the guidelines. They appreciated and supported the release of the guidelines and said that this will further strengthen the industry and protect consumer interests.

Uttarakhand: Haridwar administration fined seven mosques for using loudspeakers that exceeded the permissible decibel levels

OpIndia Staff
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Uttarakhand: Haridwar administration fined seven mosques for using loudspeakers that exceeded the permissible decibel levels

On Thursday, January 19, the district administration in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar city imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 each on seven mosques which were found violating the permissible sound levels of loudspeakers as ordered by the Uttrakhand High Court in 2018. This action was carried out on orders of Haridwar SDM Puran Singh Rana.

The seven mosques which were penalised are Jama Masjid, Ibadullahahitala (Kikkar Wali) Masjid, Bilal Masjid, another Jama Masjid in the city, Sabri Jama Masjid and two others, Haridwar SDM said.

The SDM Haridwar Puran Singh Rana said that as per the orders of the Uttarakhand High Court (HC), a limit on the sound level has been fixed for the loudspeakers. “We had some complaints from the area. On the basis of these complaints, the Police Administration and the Regional Pollution Control Board were asked to give a report. On the basis of the report, a fine of 5000 was imposed on seven mosques,’’ he said.

Besides, the Haridwar administration has also issued strong warnings to two other mosques. The management of these mosques has been warned that harsher measures would be implemented if they are found violating the Uttarakhand court set limit for loudspeakers.

Another official stated that these mosques have been told not to exceed the permissible decibel levels when playing Azan. Previously, these mosques were granted permission to use loudspeakers on the condition that they follow the guidelines issued by the Uttarakhand High Court.

Complaints about non-compliance with noise levels were received from a variety of sources, including persons who live near these mosques. Inspections were conducted on the aforementioned instances. The checks found irregularities, the official added.

Notably, in 2018, the Uttarakhand High Court directed the state government to ensure that no loudspeaker or public address system is used by any person or organisation, including religious bodies, without the written permission of the relevant authorities. The court also told the government that the use of loudspeakers, even during the day, will be contingent on the user giving an undertaking that the noise level will not exceed five decibels.

Yogi Govt removes 37,000 loudspeakers, lowers the volume of 55,000

Uttarakhand, like Uttar Pradesh, has initiated a drive to remove loudspeakers at religious places causing inconvenience to the public. Last year, on April 29, the Uttar Pradesh Police removed additional 26,000 loudspeakers from religious places across the state and reduced the volume of 55,000 loudspeakers to the permissible levels as per the guidelines. The action by the UP Police was taken based on the CM Yogi Adityanath-led state government’s order in which all religious places were asked to comply with the UP Pollution Control Board on loudspeakers by April 30, 2022.

This had come a day after the Uttar Pradesh Police took down 11,000 loudspeakers and reduced the volume of 35,000 loudspeakers to the permissible levels. As of April 29, the total number of loudspeakers removed is 37,000.

Rajasthan: Drug smugglers set a family on fire over a financial dispute, 6-year-old child burned to death

OpIndia Staff
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Rajasthan: Drug smugglers set a family on fire over a financial dispute, 6-year-old child burned to death

In another ghastly addition to the Congress-ruled state of Rajasthan, a horrifying case of burning a family alive by pouring petrol from the window of a house has come to light in Pilibanga Ward No. 9, Hanumangarh, Rajasthan.

The incident, in which a 6-year-old child was burnt to death, reportedly happened on the night of January 19 (Thursday) over a financial dispute. The perpetrators were suspected drug smugglers from the state of Punjab, said the police.

Hanumangarh police took to Twitter to inform that the accused were apprehended from Abohar in Punjab.

Jasveerdas, who was injured in the arson, told that he, his wife and his 6-year-old child were sleeping in a room. Two heroin peddlers from Punjab poured petrol through the window and set their house on fire. The perpetrators are the residents of Abohar, Punjab.

After receiving first aid at the district hospital, Jasveer Das’s wife and son were referred to Bikaner. The 6-year-old died during the treatment. Manpreet Kaur, who was burnt up to 90%, is still undergoing treatment in Bikaner.

The victim narrates his ordeal to Hanumangarh police in Rajasthan

The victim told police that he used to buy narcotics from the accused peddlers but had lost contact with them after quitting drugs a year and a half ago. He also stated that a day before the incident he encountered the two accused selling drugs in his locality. The victim confronted them and threw the drugs they had in their possession, which incensed the accused, who threw petrol at his house in retaliation.

Jasveer Das further told the police that he, his wife Manpreet Kaur (34) and son Ekamjit Singh (6) were sleeping together in the outer room of the house during the night of the incident. Around five o’clock in the morning, he went to the bathroom and returned to sleep. After a short while, the room caught fire. He managed to escape through the window and pulled out his wife and son.

Meanwhile, hearing the commotion many people gathered outside the victim’s house and attempted to douse the fire. The family was rushed to the hospital, where the 6-year-old child succumbed to the burns.

Section 302 has also been added in this case after the death of a 6-year-old toddler.

Millions of textile workers go jobless as textile exports dwindle in crisis-hit Pakistan

OpIndia Staff
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Millions of textile workers go jobless as textile exports dwindle in crisis-hit Pakistan

Pakistan is experiencing its worst economic crisis amidst food shortages, flash floods, and poverty. As the government of Pakistan failed to end the economic crisis in Pakistan, over 7 million workers in its textile industry have been laid off. The country’s textile associations have blamed the mass layoffs on the Shehbaz Sharif government’s incompetence and shrinking exports.

Once a thriving industry is now on verge of closure as multiple textile units have been closed already with several others planning to shut down or move their production abroad.

In 2021, Pakistan’s textile exports amounted to $19.3 billion (€17.8 billion), accounting for more than half of the nation’s total exports. However, due to the shortage of cotton, the country’s small textile mills and production facilities that make bedsheets, towels, and denim for consumers in Europe and the US have now been closed. The industry is also faced with a tax raise.

Due to depleting foreign exchange reserves, thousands of shipping containers containing raw materials, medical supplies, and food items are stuck at Karachi port. 

According to the State Bank, Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves last week dropped to $4.3 billion, the lowest level since February 2014.

A cash-strapped and desperate Pakistan in a bid to revive the long-awaited International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout programme has agreed to accept all the conditions laid down by the IMF. Islamabad has also requested the IMF to send its mission to conclude the USD 6 Billion bailout programme which was initially agreed upon in 2019. It is, however, highly unlikely that the IMF would release the funds, at least not till the Pakistani government fulfills its pledges.

Notably, the seventh and eighth reviews of Pakistan’s bailout program were approved by the IMF board in August of last year, allowing for a release of more than USD 1.1 billion.

Labor unions are now protesting the textile industry’s mass layoffs and demanding that workers be paid their unpaid wages.

Other than this, Pakistan, which was declared as South Asia’s weakest economy by a report is also hit by a severe food crisis. The situation in several cities of Pakistan is so grave that flour is being rationed and guarded by armed guards. Prices of flour and wheat have witnessed a dramatic surge. 

Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan are among the worst sufferers as tens of thousands spend hours daily to get the subsidized bags of flour that are already short in supply in the market.

Incidents of clashes and stampedes have been reported in markets in many areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan. The situation is so dire that flour-loaded mini trucks and vans are escorted by armed guards to avoid clashes. As these vehicles reach the markets, people gather around these vehicles. 

Irony died a painful death as even in the midst of the severe economic crisis, the Pakistani government has prioritized importing expensive luxury BMW cars for its cabinet ministers instead of focusing on measures to increase exports. 

The essential raw materials and accessories are not being provided to textile factories. In-process export orders worth $500,000 per consignment are being affected by the rejection of letters of credit (LCs) worth as little as $5,000. Export orders have been canceled as a result of the severe disruption and production delays that have been caused.

Exporters are concerned that international orders may get canceled as a consequence of the government’s ongoing policy of blocking LCs.

Uttar Pradesh: Ali Mohammad in Shahjahanpur rapes a minor Scheduled Caste girl after watching a porn video, arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Ali Mohammad in Shahjahanpur rapes a minor Scheduled Caste girl after watching a porn video, arrested

A Muslim man allegedly raped a minor Scheduled Caste girl after watching an obscene video in a village in the Puwayan area of Shahjahanpur district in Uttar Pradesh. Unrest swept the region following the incident. Several organisations, including Hindu Rights groups, launched protests condemning the act and demanding strict action against the culprit.

In the wake of protests demanding action against the accused, the police arrested the man, identified as Ali Mohammad, on Friday, 20th January 2023.

According to a report by Jagran, the FIR was lodged on January 18 by a villager from a Scheduled Caste community at a police station in a village in the Puwayan area. In his complaint, he said that on January 17, his 13-year-old daughter had gone to the field to get fodder for animals. Ali Mohammad, an old Muslim man from the village who already was there, caught her and forcibly took her to a nearby sugarcane field to rape, the complaint said.

Following the incident, the teenager came home and narrated the ordeal to her family, after which her father lodged a complaint with the police. According to the reports, the police did not take action initially. When VHP district president KK Gupta came to know about this, he spoke to the local police inspector and demanded justice for the victim. Subsequently, an FIR was filed in the matter and Ali Mohammad was arrested by the police from Mohammadi Marg on Friday, amid protests by rights groups demanding justice for the SC girl.

The accused told the police that for a long time he had been reading pornographic books and watching pornographic videos, which is why he raped the minor girl. The police have launched further investigation into this case.

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