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Senior NDTV executives including group president Suparna Singh resign weeks after Adani group became majority owner of the company

OpIndia Staff
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Senior NDTV executives including group president Suparna Singh resign weeks after Adani group became majority owner of the company

On Friday, 13th January 2023, New Delhi Television Ltd said that some more of its higher-level executives have resigned from their positions. The list includes Group President Suparna Singh, Chief Strategy Officer Arijit Chatterjee, and Chief Technology and Product Officer Kawaljit Singh Bedi. These resignations come within a month after the Adani group took control of about 65 per cent shares of New Delhi Television Limited. The company shared this information in a filing made with exchanges BSE and NSE.

The communication from NDTV to the stock exchanges read, “The company is in the process of putting up a new leadership team which will set a fresh strategic direction and goals for the company.”

NDTV disclosure to exchanges

In an internal email, CEO and Editor-in-Chief Sanjay Pugalia informed NDTV employees of the development. Reportedly, he said in that email, “As an update, three of our colleagues: Suparna Singh, Arijit Chatterjee, and Kawaljit Singh Bedi have submitted their resignations and have decided to move on from NDTV. They have been the pillars of strength for the group and have played important roles in getting the company back to profitability. We wish them the very best in their future endeavors.”

He further said, “In line with the thoughts I shared during the town hall, the Adani Group is committed to transitioning NDTV into a new-age, global digital media organization. As I interact with many of you at NDTV, I am more than convinced that we have the value system, mindset, capability, and credibility to make our aspirations come true soon. We shall work together and keep you updated at all stages.”

On 23rd December 2023, NDTV promoters Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy divested 13.44% and 13.82% of their shares respectively to the Adani Group, a total of 1,75,77,676 equity shares. This took the total share of the Adani group in the NDTV to 64.7%. The Roys have retained just 2.5% each stake in the media company.

The acquisition of NDTV by Adani Group began with the acquisition of Vishvapradhan Commercial Private Ltd (VCPL), a Reliance Group company, by AMG Media Networks, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited, in August last year. Vishvapradhan held warrants of RRPR, in exchange for an interest-free loan, with the rights to convert them to 99.9% share in RRPR. RRPR was the holding company of Roys, through which they owned 29.18% in NDTV. After acquiring Vishvapradhan, the Adani group executed the warrants acquiring RRPR, and became the 29.18% owner in NDTV. 

After that, the group made an open offer as per regulatory provisions, and Vishvapradhan Commercial Private Limited acquired an 8.27% stake through the open offer. On December 23, Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy divested 13.44% and 13.82% of their NDTV shares respectively to the Adani Group, keeping 2.5% shares each. This brought Adani’s stake in NDTV to 64.7%.

High Court judgment allowing marriage of minor girls under Muslim personal law will not be precedent in other cases: Supreme Court

OpIndia Staff
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High Court judgment allowing marriage of minor girls under Muslim personal law will not be precedent in other cases: Supreme Court

On Friday, 13th January 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s decision in the case Javed v. State of Haryana and Others, which concluded that a Muslim girl aged 16 years can engage in a legal and legitimate marriage under Muslim Personal Law, should not be used as a precedent in any subsequent instances.

This interim order was issued by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha while issuing notice in a special leave petition filed by the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights challenging the HC judgment on the grounds that it violates the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, which prescribes the age for sexual consent as 18 years. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, standing for the NCPCR, voiced issues about utilizing personal law as a defence for offences under POCSO.

SG Tushar Mehta submitted, “Girls who are 14,15,16 are getting married. Can there be a defence of personal law? Can you plead custom or personal law for a criminal offence? We are on the question if the marriage will be valid at all in the face of criminal law existing and the POCSO Act.”

CJI Chandrachud agreed to send a notice in the matter and file it with other similar petitions filed by the NCPCR against other High Court judgments holding the same position. In the meanwhile, the SG asked the bench to delay the ruling. However, if the HC verdict is stayed, the girl may be repatriated to her parents against her will, according to CJI Chandrachud.

CJI Chandrachud said, “Her parents wanted her to marry her maternal uncle. What will happen is, the moment we stay she will be restored to her parents, which she does not.”

SG Tushar Mehta pointed out that several such orders are being passed by various high courts in different cases. To this, CJI Chandrachud said, “We’ll issue notice to decide upon the question of law and say that the judgment may not be used as precedent.”

The bench noted in the order while giving notice on the NCPCR plea, “Pending further orders, impugned judgment shall not be relied upon as precedent.”

It should be noted that the Kerala High Court has declared that marriage under Muslim personal law is not exempt from the POCSO Act and that if one of the parties to such a marriage is a juvenile, the criminal offence under POCSO would be attracted, regardless of the legitimacy of the marriage under the personal law. Karnakata High Court had also ruled that POCSO Act overrides Personal Law as it is a special act, and therefore the marriage of minor Muslim girls is invalid even if it is allowed under the personal law.

On the other hand, some other high courts have ruled that the marriage of Muslim girls after attaining puberty is valid as per Muslim personal law. Apart from Punjab and Haryana High Court, Delhi High Court and Jharkhand High Court had cited the Sharia law to rule that Muslim girls can marry after attaining 15 years of age, as it is the ‘Marriageable Age’ under Islamic Sharia Law. The high courts had said that  a Muslim girl who has attained 15 years of age or has attained puberty is free to marry anyone as per the Muslim Personal Law.

On the other hand, Punjab and Haryana High Court had ruled that a Muslim girl above the age of 16 years is competent to marry any person of her choice.

‘Mental pressure mounting day by day’: Sukesh Chandrashekhar claims Kejriwal and Satyendar Jain are threatening him to withdraw complaints

OpIndia Staff
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‘Mental pressure mounting day by day’: Sukesh Chandrashekhar claims Kejriwal and Satyendar Jain are threatening him to withdraw complaints

On January 13, conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar penned yet another letter levelling serious allegations that he is being “mentally harassed” and “severely threatened” by Arvind Kejriwal and Satyendar Jain to withdraw his complaint against them.

Sukesh is currently lodged in Mandoli jail in Delhi in connection to the Rs 200 crores money laundering case. Earlier, he was lodged in Tihar jail. In a request to the court, he asked to shift from Tihar to another jail, citing death threats.

In the letter addressed to Delhi Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, Chandrashekhar alleged that Satyendar Jain asked two deputy superintendents of Mandoli Jail to “threaten and extort” him inside the prison.

“Ever since January 7, I have been constantly threatened and harassed mentally for something or the other, due to which I have not eaten my food at all, as the mental pressure and their torture is mounting day by day,” the letter read.

According to the letter, Jain threatened him through jail officials that if he did not fulfil their requests, he would be transferred to another jail within 48 hours. Chandrashekhar stated that three days after receiving the threats, he was relocated from Jail 14 to Jail 13, which houses hardcore criminals and gangsters.

“I have been severely threatened and harassed by Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Satyendar Jain, through the Jail Administration and their loyal jail staff. One month back when I was lodged in jail-14, Mandoli, Satyendar Jain, deputed his confidant staff such as Rajender, Superintendent and Jay Singh Deputy Superintendent to threaten me and to again start extorting me but I was very firm that I would not succumb to their threats and pressure,” stated Chandrashekhar in his new letter to the Delhi LG.

Sukesh Chandrashekhar alleges AAP has offered him a seat in the Karnataka Assembly polls and sand mining contracts in Punjab in exchange for evidence

He further said that Jain, through jail officials, gave him a “last chance” to turn over all evidence he had against them and rescind the allegations he submitted to the high-powered committee. In exchange, he has been offered a seat in the Karnataka Assembly elections and sand mining contracts in Punjab, said the conman.

Chandrashekhar also requested the LG to transfer the investigation into his extortion claims against Jain and shunted prisons director general Sandeep Goel to “central agencies.”

Conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar says he gave Rs 60 crores to Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP

Notably, conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar has been levelling a series of serious allegations against the AAP, its supremo Arvind Kejriwal and jailed minister Satyendra Jain. On December 20 he alleged that he gave Rs 60 crores to the Aam Aadmi Party. The video of him giving the statement to the media has gone viral on social media. 

Sukesh’s explosive letters against AAP

In a series of letters written to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and the media, Sukesh levelled a series of allegations against the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party. He alleged to have paid Rs 10 crores to AAP ministry Satyendar Jain as “protection money”. He further said he was harassed and threatened in jail.

Conman Sukesh levels allegations against Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia as well. He also alleged that AAP leaders were siphoning money meant for the welfare of Children’s education. In his most recent letter, he said he would expose Satyendar Jain and Arvind Kejriwal very soon. He further added that no one had pressured him to write the letters, and he wrote everything of his own will.

Hyderabad Police imposes restrictions on kite-flying during Makar Sankranti to prevent ‘breach of peace’

OpIndia Staff
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Hyderabad Police imposes restrictions on kite-flying during Makar Sankranti to prevent ‘breach of peace’

The Hyderabad police, through a notification, has prohibited kite flying on all thoroughfares and, in and around places of worship in the state capital of Hyderabad during the celebration of the Hindu festival of Makar Sankranti. Additionally, the police have also issued orders preventing loudspeakers and DJs in public places, without obtaining permission from the police authorities.

The orders issued by Hyderabad Police Commissioner C V Anand will be in force from 6 am (Saturday, January 14) to 6 am (Monday, January 16). This, he said, is in the interest of the maintenance of law and order and public safety.

The Police also urged the parents and citizens to advise and guide the children regarding the flying of kites.

The circular issued by the Hyderabad police on January 10, read, “In order to maintain law and order, peace and tranquillity and prevent incidents of breach of peace and accidents that are likely to occur unless kite flying is regulated during the celebration of the Sankranti festival in Hyderabad City from 14-01-2023 to 15-01-2023. I, C.V. Anand, IPS, Commissioner of Police. Hyderabad, in the exercise of the powers vested in me Under Section 22 (1), (2) and (3) of Hyderabad City Police Act, 1348 Fasli (No. IX) do hereby order that kite flying on all thoroughfares and in and around places of worship be prohibited, in the interest of maintenance of public order and public safety.”

Copy of the circular issued by the Telangana police
Copy of the circular issued by the Telangana police

Meanwhile, Telangana BJP president Bandi Sanjay slammed Telangana’s K Chandrashekar Rao government for issuing the arbitrary directive. “Kite flying needs to be regulated to prevent a breach of the peace – #Telangana govt’s version Are there any Restrictions on size, locations & colours for Rangoli too..?” tweeted the BJP leader.

Telangana Police restricts Ganesh Visarjan but grants permission to the Muharram procession

As the Telangana police have prohibited kite flying during Makar Sankranti, it is worth recalling how, last year, the Telangana Government had also denied Hindus permission to participate in the Ganesh procession in Hyderabad, however, allowed Muslims to take out the Muharram procession in the city in the following week.

The decision to allow Muslim groups to take a procession despite a High Court ban and restrict Hindus during the Ganesh Chaturthi by denying a procession then sparked a debate in the state. The KCR-led state government was heavily criticized for the blatant act of minority appeasement.

The festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated to mark the transit of the Sun into the 10th house of the Indian zodiac called Makara (Capricorn) after which the days become longer. The festival is known by names like Maghi, Magha Mela, Bhogiin Northern India, Pedda Pandaga in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana, Sukarat in Central India, Magh Bihu in Assam and Pongal in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. People take dips in holy rivers, fly kites and light bonfires to celebrate Makar Sankranti. The festival is loved by children because of the kite-flying activity. Makar Sankranti has its mention in the Hindu epic of Mahabharata and therefore is believed to be a 5000-year-old festival. The festival is called Uttarayan in Gujarat and is celebrated by flying kites.

Uorfi Javed files complaint against BJP leader Chitra Kishor Wagh for comments on her dressing sense

ANI
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Uorfi Javed files complaint against BJP leader Chitra Kishor Wagh for comments on her dressing sense

Bigg Boss OTT fame Uorfi Javed has filed a complaint against Bharatiya Janata Party leader Chitra Kishor Wagh for her alleged remarks on the actor’s ‘immodest’ dress sense.

Uorfi’s lawyer Nitin Satpute said that the OTT star has complained to the Maharashtra State Commission for Women. The complaint against Wagh has been filed for threatening and criminal intimidation to harm the actor in the public domain. The lawyer has also requested preventive action under the relevant section of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

“I have lodged a complaint for the offence U/s 153(A)(B), 504, 506, 506(ii) of IPC Against BJP Party Worker Smt Chitra Kishor Wagh for Threatening, and Criminal Intimidation to cause harm to Model/Actress Urfi Javed on public domain,” the message from Uorfi Javed’s lawyer read.

“Requested for preventive Action U/s 149 and 107 of CrPC, (Chapter Proceeding against her as she is continuously committing a breach of peace in society by threatening on media ) today have mailed a complaint to Woman Commission and now about 12.30 I will meet Smt Rupali Chakankar Chairman Woman Commission with a written complaint for taking further action,” the message further read.

On January 4, the BJP leader took to Twitter and slammed Uorfi Javed for her dressing sense and asked if the women’s commission would do anything to it or not.

“Half-naked women walk openly on the streets. Why is the Women’s Commission itself not taking notice of this? The protest is not against Uorfi but against the attitude of walking around openly in public places. And yes…the women’s commission will do anything or not?” Wagh tweeted in Marathi.

In another tweet in Marathi, she wrote, “Actions are not needed.. Is it the culture of our Maharashtra to walk naked in public places? Does @Maha_MahilaAyog support Uorfi’s display of body in Bhar Road in Mumbai which is very disgusting?”

Uorfi Javed’s lawyer Nitin Satpute had also said that he would meet the chairperson of the women’s commission and would also file a written complaint in the matter seeking further action.

“After such a public instigation by the BJP Leader Chitra Wagh, she [Uorfi] has a threat to her life as she can be mob lynched so protection should be provided to her for the sake of her well-being,” Javed’s lawyer Nitin Satpute said.

A day after Chitra Kishor Wagh filed her complaint with Mumbai police against Uorfi Javed on her attire, the latter on January 2 hit back at the BJP leader who accused her of ‘roaming on the streets in vulgar outfits’ seeking police action against her.

The social media personality [Uorfi Javed] took to her Instagram stories to share a number of posts responding to the police complaint by the BJP leader.

In the first post, the ‘Bepanaah’ actor shared an image of Chitra posing with a copy of her complaint.

“I’m so proud of myself,” Uorfi Javed wrote alongside that image.

Uorfi then proceeded to respond to the allegation, writing, “I don’t even want a trial or that bullshit, I’m ready to go to jail right now if you disclose your and your family member’s assets. Tell the world how much a politician earns and from where. Also from time to time multiple men in your party have been accused of harassment etc never. Started my new year with another police complaint from another Politician!…”

She even took to her Twitter and posted, “Chitra tai Meri khaas hai Future me hone wali saas hai.”

In another tweet, she wrote, “Meri dp itni dhaasu, Chitra Meri saasu”.

Chitra Wagh shared an image of herself with the Mumbai police on January 1, along with a snap of the police complaint she had lodged against Uorfi Javed.

It is pertinent to note that Uorfi Javed on Sunday broke the silence on her fashion sense and said that “she is allergic to clothes”.

Taking to Instagram, Urfi had dropped a photo in which she could be seen showing her legs filled with boils.

“Anyone gets these allergies in winter?” she captioned the post.

Later, she shared another video in which she revealed that she got boils on her body after she wore some woollen clothes and captioned it, “I am literally allergic to clothes.”

“So now you guys know right why I don’t wear clothes. I have this serious condition. My body starts reacting after wearing clothes. The proof is there. So that’s why main itna nangi rehti hoon (So that’s why I prefer being nude),” Uorfi revealed.

Uorfi Javed rose to fame with her stint on ‘Bigg Boss OTT’, and ever since she has been making headlines for her bold yet peculiar fashion sense.

The ‘Bepannaah’ actor was last seen in the reality TV show ‘MTV Splitsvilla (season 14)’.

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

Air India urination case: Accused Shankar Mishra denies peeing charge, claims the complainant urinated on herself

OpIndia Staff
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Air India urination case: Accused Shankar Mishra denies peeing charge, claims the complainant urinated on herself

On Friday, January 13, Shankar Mishra, is accused of urinating on a female co-passenger in an inebriated state while onboard Air India flight AI-102 on November 26, travelling from New York to Delhi refuted the allegations. He even claimed that the complainant who is an elderly woman suffers from ‘incontinence’. 

Mishra told a Delhi sessions court that he did not urinate on the complainant woman and that she urinated on herself.

Mishra’s counsel Advocate Ramesh Gupta went a step ahead and called the investigation a ‘joke’ and claimed that the complainant woman’s seat was blocked and it was not possible for him (Shankar Mishra) to go there. Gupta further said that the complainant who is a Kathak dancer urinated on herself as 80 per cent of Kathak dancers have this problem.

“The woman has a problem with urinary incontinence. She urinated on herself. She is a Kathak dancer, 80 per cent of kathak dancers have this issue,” the accused’s counsel reportedly said.

Her seat could only be approached from behind, and the urine could not reach the seat’s front space in any case. “In addition, the passenger sitting behind the complainant made no such complaint,” Mishra’s counsel told the court.

In simple terms, urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine. It occurs when the bladder muscles that control urine flow contract or relax involuntarily, resulting in leaks or unrestrained urination.

While responding to the claims made by Mishra’s counsel, the sessions court Judge said, “it is not impossible to go from one side of the flight to the other. Sorry, but I have also travelled. Anybody from any row could very well come around and go to any seat.”

The court also sought a diagram of the flight seating.

Accused Mishra’s counsel was arguing before a sessions court bench hearing Delhi Police’s revision petition challenging a magisterial court’s order denying Mishra’s custody on January 7. On Saturday, Delhi’s Patiala House Court sent Shankar Mishra to 14-day judicial custody. The court had denied Mishra’s custody to the police and instead agreed to judicial custody.

Identification of minorities: Centre files report in the Supreme Court with views of 24 states and UTs, most states seek right to identify minority groups

OpIndia Staff
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Identification of minorities: Centre files report in the Supreme Court with views of 24 states and UTs, most states seek right to identify minority groups

The Central government has held consultation meetings with all state governments as well as union territories and other stakeholders on the issue of identification of religious and linguistic groups, including Hindus, to grant minority status. The central government has given this information to the Supreme Court. Since then, 24 states and six union territories have submitted their views. In an affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court, the central government said that a reminder, in this case, was sent to six states and union territories on December 21, 2022.

In May 2022, the apex court had directed the central government to hold consultations with the states with respect to the issue of the identification of minorities, including Hindus, at the state level. Accordingly, the centre held meetings with the states and UTs.

The Minority Affairs Ministry told the supreme court that it has held consultative meetings with all the state governments and union territories, and other stakeholders including the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Law and Justice, the Ministry of Education, the National Commission for Minorities, and the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutes among others.

“The governments of 24 states – Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Odisha, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, Goa, West Bengal, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and six Union Territories of Ladakh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Chandigarh, Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Puducherry have submitted their views,” the ministry said.

According to the ministry, the remaining six state governments and Union Territories – Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Lakshadweep, Rajasthan, and Telangana – are yet to submit their views. The ministry said that a reminder was sent to six states and union territories on December 21, 2022. The Ministry of Minority Affairs has given this information in an affidavit.

The affidavit said some states and Union Territories have requested additional time to hold wider consultations with stakeholders before forming their opinion on the issue. The affidavit has been filed in response to some petitions, including one filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay. Upadhyay’s petition had sought a direction to frame guidelines for the identification of minorities at the state level. The petition said that Hindus are a minority in 10 states.

The responses by stakeholders

The home ministry informed that court that it has no specific position on the matter, saying that, “the issue of the authority of the Parliament or the State Legislature to exclusively legislate on matters pertaining to minority communities is to be examined in consultation with the Ministry of Law and Justice”.

Ministry of education and the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions said in their responses that the identification of minorities at the district level is not legal, objecting to the plea made in the petitions.

West Bengal and Punjab governments said that only the states should have the right to identify and notify religious and linguistic groups as minorities. Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Assam, Manipur and Sikkim governments stated that states should be considered for the identification of minorities and the country should not be taken as a unit for that purpose.

However, Tamil Nadu added that only the population should be the ground for granting minority status, and other factors like actual or probable deprivation of the religious, cultural and educational rights and their socioeconomic status etc also should be considered.

Himachal Pradesh was the lone state to say that the entire country should be considered as a unit. If Himachal’s argument is accepted, Hindus won’t get minority status in any state.

Manipur govt said that any religious group which constitutes less than 50% of the population in a state should be recognised as a religious minority group of the state. Chhattisgarh stated that Section 2(f) of the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions Act may be retained in the present form.

Haryana and Maharashtra said that the Central Government can notify the minorities. Uttar Pradesh also said it has no objection if any decision is taken by the Central Government in the matter.

Mizoram argued that the matter of reservation is in the concurrent list, therefore both the states and the centre can make laws on the subject, and it should be left to both the concerned state and the centre.

Delhi said it has objection if the followers of Judaism and Buddhism are declared as minority communities by the Central Government. Delhi government also stated that that “the Central Government may declare ‘migrated minority’ status to the followers of Hinduism who are a religious minority in their origin state and are residing in Delhi after migration from their home state.”

On the other hand, Nagaland, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh said that they prefer the status quo in the matter. Odisha opposed the petitioner’s prayer to remove any of the six notified minorities from the list or to declare any other community as a minority.

Meghalaya said it has no comments to make on the matter. Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Chandigarh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh said that they will follow the directions of the central government. Puducherry stated that the petition does not apply to union territories.

Arunachal Pradesh, J&K, Jharkhand, Lakshadweep, Rajasthan and Telangana are yet to submit their responses.

The petition

The petitioners have moved the court seeking directions to the central government to define the term ‘minority’ and also to specify guidelines to identify minorities at the district level. The Petitions also challenge the constitutional validity of Section 2(c) of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992, which gives the Centre power to notify minorities. Earlier in March last year, the centre had said in the court that in the states where Hindus are a minority, they can be granted minority status.

However, later the centre said that while it has the power to notify minorities, a stand in this regard can be taken only after wide consultations with State Governments and other stakeholders to avoid unintended complications in future.

Delhi: 11 policemen suspended for negligence in the Kanjhawala hit and drag case

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi: 11 policemen suspended for negligence in the Kanjhawala hit and drag case

On Friday, 13th January 2023, 11 concerned Delhi police officers were suspended for carelessness during the Kanjhawala hit and drag case. This development came a day after the Union Home Ministry ordered Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora to suspend all police personnel positioned in three PCR vans and two pickets along the route where 20-year-old Anjali Singh was dragged and killed in the early hours of New Year’s Day. All of the suspended policemen are from the Rohini district of outer Delhi where the horrifying incident took place.

Two sub-inspectors, four assistant sub-inspectors, four head constables, and one constable are among those who have been suspended. Six of them were assigned to PCR and five to picket duty.

After an inquiry by Delhi Police Special Commissioner Shalini Singh found the officers guilty, the Home Minister asked the top policeman in Delhi to suspend them immediately.

The government also instructed that murder charges be included in the First Information report. The MHA has directed the Delhi Police to file murder charges against the five people involved in the horrible Kanjhawala death case, in which Anjali Singh, 20, died after being dragged by a car for roughly 12 kilometres in the early hours of January 1.

Notably, the defendants were previously charged with a culpable homicide that did not amount to murder, causing death by carelessness, and criminal conspiracy. The action followed the submission of a report by an investigative commission chaired by Special Commissioner Shalini Singh.

As the incident received widespread condemnation and outrage, forensic specialists from Gujarat were deployed to collect evidence and samples from the scene. According to Delhi Police, a team of five forensic specialists from the National Forensic Science University is visiting at the request of DCP (outer) Harendra K Singh, who is probing the case.

Five persons were apprehended soon after the event, while two more were apprehended for assisting in the crime. Deepak Khanna, 26, Amit Khanna, 25, Krishan, 27, Mithun, 26, and Manoj Mittal were detained on January 1, and two more males, Ashutosh and Ankush Khanna were subsequently arrested for allegedly hiding the accused.

The heinous crime occurred in Kanjhawala, outside of Delhi, in the early hours of January 1. A car hit the victim Anjali Singh’s two-wheeler, after which her clothes got tangled with the car and her body was dragged for around 10-12 kilometres from Sultanpuri to Kanjhawala.

Delhi police, investigating the case, had earlier revealed that the accused were aware of Anjali being trapped under their car within minutes after her scooter was hit by them. The accused had claimed that they were drunk and while they knew that they hit the scooter, they were not aware that their car was dragging the woman.

Tunisha Sharma death: Mumbai court rejects Sheezan Khan’s bail plea

ANI
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Tunisha Sharma death: Mumbai court rejects Sheezan Khan’s bail plea

The Vasai Court in Maharashtra on Friday rejected the bail plea of TV actor Sheezan Khan, accused in the death case of his co-star and former girlfriend Tunisha Sharma.

The court observed, “Sheezan and Tunisha broke their relationship on December 15 after which she died of a panic attack. It has also been revealed that Sheezan was the last person to meet Tunisha before she died.”

“After the two parted ways, Tunisha got stressed and depressed,” the Court noted adding that the CCTV footage confirmed that Tunisha was last seen in Sheezan’s room.

“If Sheezan is released on bail at this time, his release could affect the case proceedings, that’s why Sheezan’s bail petition stands cancelled,” it added.

Sheezan Khan was reportedly dating Tunisha Sharma, who was allegedly found hanging at a TV serial set on December 24, a fortnight after the two allegedly broke up their few-months-long relationship.

Within hours of the actress’ demise, Sheezan Khan, who worked with the 20-year-old actor in ‘Ali Baba Dastaan-E-Kabul’, was arrested on charges of abetment to suicide.

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

Western and Eastern Ghats may face a similar catastrophe as Joshimath: Report

OpIndia Staff
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Western and Eastern Ghats may face a similar catastrophe as Joshimath: Report

Experts have warned that the Western and Eastern Ghats, two ecologically fragile regions in India, could face a catastrophe similar to the land sinking incidents in Joshimath, if developmental activities are not halted, reported The New Indian Express.

Geologists and scientists have reported a rise in earthquakes, landslides, and flooding in the Western and Eastern Ghats, which they claim are being ignored by both the government and local communities.

They have called for the government to conduct a thorough geo-scientific mapping of the regions and to immediately put an end to the blasting of rocks for road construction, resorts, and other projects.

An environmental assessment must be done prior to kickstarting development projects: Experts

A senior geologist from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) stated that the government was warned about the sensitivity of the regions when it announced plans for river diversion and hydroelectric projects.

Despite these warnings, the government reportedly proceeded with the projects without conducting any assessments of the potential hydrological, geological, and environmental impacts.

The geologist also remarked that the situation in Joshimath, which also has an army base, has been handled more efficiently than it would be in the Western or Eastern Ghats.

Western Ghats being used for urbanisation, alleges geologist

Sreedhar Ramamurthi, a noted geologist told The New Indian Express that only 20% of the area in Joshimath needed to be developed for settlement. He also warned that small pockets of the Western Ghats are already being opened up for urbanisation and other activities and that there is a knee-jerk reaction from the government to address the issue.

He emphasized the need for detailed scientific assessments of the regions before it is too late, citing the example of Kerala, where flooding occurred when springs were obstructed.

He also noted that minor earthquakes occur every year in the Himalayan region and micro-earthquakes occur every day and that the same could be happening in the Western and Eastern Ghats without being detected.

Need careful examination to prevent a Joshimath-like catastrophe: Expert

Professor Soumitro Banerjee, of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Kolkata, also emphasized the need for detailed scientific assessments of the Western and Eastern Ghats.

He stated that these regions have a natural geology and are in need of careful examination before it is too late. He concluded by warning that the events in Joshimath could repeat in these regions if action is not taken immediately.

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