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Delhi HC quashes 16 FIRs against 70 Indian Muslims who sheltered foreign Tablighi Jamaat members during Covid-19 outbreak: Read what were the charges and what the court said

Shraddha Pandey
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Delhi HC quashes 16 FIRs against 70 Indian Muslims who sheltered foreign Tablighi Jamaat members during Covid-19 outbreak: Read what were the charges and what the court said

On the 18th of July 2025, the Delhi High Court quashed 16 FIRs filed against 70 Indian citizens accused of sheltering 190 foreign members of the Tablighi Jamaat. The foreign nationals came to Delhi to attend the congregation at Nizamuddin Markaz in 2020 during Covid outbreak.

The accused persons were booked under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Epidemic Diseases Act, the Disaster Management Act and the Foreigners Act. The Tablighi Jamaat congregation was an early epicentre of COVID-19 outbreak in the country, as members from various states had attended the event and returned to their places carrying the virus after they were infected at the event.

Hearing a batch of petitions moved by advocate Ashima Mandla, Justice Neena Bansal Krishna said, “Chargesheets quashed.” The verdict in this case was reserved in April this year, and the same was pronounced on 17th July.

The case, associated with the Tablighi Jamaat gathering, was under legal examination due to its alleged impact on public health and its adherence to regulatory guidelines during the pandemic.

Representing the 70 Indian nationals, advocate Ashima Mandla earlier placed on record a compilation of judgements passed by other courts in relation to the incident. Advocate Mandakini Singh also appeared on behalf of the Petitioners.

The accused named in the matter were identified as Mohammad Anwar, Mohd. Tayyab, Sadar Irfan, Muktara, Mohd. Tahir, Shamim, Akhtar, Taijumal Islam, Attar Rehman, Majid Miyan, Basheer Ali, Mohd. Bilal Sheikh, Niyauddin Parveen Khan, Noor Bano Nashreen, Shahin Bee, Rubina Rao, Hussain, Mohd, Aslam, Mohd. Umar, Shahroz Anwar, Noor Ahmed, among others.

In April this year, the bench of Justice Neena Bansal reserved the judgement in a batch matter of 16 FIRs involving 70 Indian nationals associated with Tablighi Jamaat who were chargesheeted under sections 188/269/270/120-B IPC for housing foreign nationals in different masjids during the Covid-19 outbreak between March 24, 2020 and March 30, 2020.

The 195 foreign nationals who were housed by these Indian nationals were also named in the FIR; however, in most chargesheets, they were not chargesheeted or cognisance refused by the Trial Court, on principles of double jeopardy, as the same set of foreign nationals were chargesheeted for the same set of offences and had entered plea bargaining for purposes of repatriation or were discharged in an FIR.

What the Delhi High Court said in its judgement

The defence contended that FIRs against the accused persons be quashed on the grounds that allegations levelled against Indian Nationals in the aforesaid FIRs are prima facie “embellishments and exaggerations” which stare in the face of the record and are an abuse of the process of criminal law.

The petitioners further argued against allegations made against them that they were allegedly housed at Masjid Ek Minar, Haveli Kallu Khawas, Chitli Qabar, Delhi, for some time and remained housed till intervention by the Police officials on 01.04.2020. It is asserted that the allegations levelled in the impugned FIRs are bereft of legality as there are no specific allegations or evidence qua Petitioners for hosting or participating in a social/cultural/religious gathering which was essentially barred under Section 144 Cr.P.C.

The petitioners also submitted that a total ban on movement, i.e. Janta Curfew, was imposed on 22.03.2020, while Section 144 was imposed on 24.03.202,0, and a complete nationwide Lockdown was directed w.e.f. 25.03.2020, rendering the Petitioners remediless who had no recourse but to continue staying inside the Masjid, until taken into Institutional quarantine. The Petitioners, therefore, cannot be charged under

Section 188 IPC for merely residing in a mosque, and the charges are liable to be quashed. They also disputed the offence under Section 188 IPC, saying that for taking cognisance of an offence under Section 188 IPC, a written complaint of the Public Servant whose order has been contravened is mandatory. The prosecution for the offence under Section 188 IPC cannot be initiated based on the Chargesheet filed by the Police.

In addition, the petitioners argued that slapping IPC section 269 against the accused was inappropriate as no offence under this Section has been made out against the Petitioners. They further claimed that the addition of this section has fuelled prejudice and stigmatisation of the accused persons.

The court discussed the maintainability of the petition for quashing of the FIRs against the accused persons. After detailing the grounds for deeming the plea maintainable, the court delved into the sustainability of section 188 IPC in the Absence of Complaint by competent authority.

While the petitioners contended that the entire investigations have been undertaken by the Police without there being any complaint and thus be set aside, the prosecution alleged violation of order under Section 144 Cr.P.C. dated 24.03.2020 promulgated by ACPs of Darya Ganj, Sarai Rohilla and Krishna Nagar.

Regarding this the court said, “the record shows that a Complaint by the competent public officer had been made to the Court along with the Chargesheet and the cognizance has been taken on the basis of that Complaint. It cannot be said that there was no compliance of Section 195 Cr.P.C. in the present cases.”

The court highlighted that as per section 188 IPC, the Notification of the public servant must be in the actual knowledge of the person required him to do or abstain from doing some act. Acquiring or gaining of such knowledge is a pre-requisite. Any proof of general Notification promulgated by a public servant, would not satisfy the requirement. The court pointed out that the promulgation of a notification needs to be carried out by the issuing authority, although the law does not prescribe any specific mode to make the order known publicly and openly.

In the present case, the court said that it is not the case of the respondents that the Janta Curfew order was served on the petitioners by whatever means or was affixed on the premises or was gazetted on the relevant date.

The single judge bench noted that the State’s assertion that the requisite knowledge must be attributed to the petitioners, because the order was published in some newspapers, TV channels and social websites, etc, does not meet the requirement of promulgation since there is no averment that the newspapers/handbills were received by the Petitioner.

“There is no averment whatsoever to show that any information was actually conveyed to the Petitioners,” the court noted, adding that had there been any evidence of the Notification being published in the public media, there may have been a presumption of knowledge to the persons residing in the house, but there is no evidence to this effect as well.

While the court’s remarks suggest that there is no evidence of the notification being published in the public media, the same was widely reported in the media at that time.

The question here arises as to how the authorities would have ensured that everyone was informed about the order imposing a total ban on movement. By personally visiting each and every person’s residence or visiting the Markaz in this case? At a time when Covid-related news and updates dominated local or national television news headlines, digital media and social media discourse, is it really unlikely that the most of the people including the accused persons who must have had access to their mobile phones, if not television or newspapers, remained unaware of the notification issued under Section 144 Cr.P.C?

The Delhi High Court further observed that there is no evidence to show that the Tablighi Jamaat congregation, which was planned way before the outbreak of Covid, was held after the promulgation of the notification under Section 144.

“Firstly and foremost, there is nothing on record to show that they had congregated after the promulgation of the Notification under Section 144 Cr.P.C. These Petitioners were already present in the Markaz and after the imposition of the complete lockdown, there was no way possible for them to have dispersed; rather their stepping out of the houses would have been violation of the complete lockdown and also of the potential of spreading of commutable disease of COVID-19,” the court said, adding the accused persons were “helpless people, who got confined on account of lockdown.”

The court also remarked that the chargesheet filed by the Delhi Police does not make any mention of any of the accused persons being found Covid-19 positive or having stepped out of the Markaz after 24th March 2020.

“There is not a whisper in the entire Chargesheet that any of these petitioners were found COVID-19 positive or that they had stepped out of the Markaz after 24.03.2020 or that they were likely to spread COVID-19. Also, there is not a single averment of them having not rendered any assistance to the surveillance personnel,” the court said.

All excerpts taken from relevant court order

Moreover, the court said that even if it is assumed that there was “due promulgation” of the notification under section 144, “no violation of any of the activities prohibited by the Notification has been made out in the entire chargesheet.”

“It is therefore, held that the cognizance for the offence under Section 188 IPC is bad as no prima facie case is made out and the Petitioners are entitled to be discharged under Section 188 IPC,” the court said.

Quashing the charges under IPC sections 269 and 270, the court observed that the prosecution did not produce any material evidence to prove that the accused had indulged in any act which contributed to the spread of Covid. “No material was produced in the chargesheet and no evidence was placed on record to substantiate the fulfilment of ingredients of Sections 269 and 270 IPC… Even if all the evidence as put forth in the chargesheet is admitted, no offence under Sections 269 and 270 IPC has even prima facie been made out…,” the court ruled.

Charges under Section 3 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, and Section 51 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, were also quashed since “… there is no averment of any government official being obstructed or there being any refusal to comply with any directions issued by the government. No offence under Section 51 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, has therefore, been made out… There is no averment about which order taken out under the Disaster Management Act has been violated. It is not shown that there was any criminal act, whether under the Disaster Management Act or the Epidemic Diseases Act, committed by the petitioners. The FIRs under these two sections are also liable to be quashed.”

In conclusion, the court order dated 17th July 2025, stated: “In the light of the aforesaid discussion, it is held that no offence under Sections 188/269/270/271 of IPC and Section 3 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, Section 51 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 is even prima facie made out in the Chargesheets.”

What the Delhi Police’s chargesheet had stated

The Delhi Police Crime Branch registered an FIR under various sections of the IPC, the Epidemic Diseases Act, the Disaster Management Act, and against Indian and foreign nationals in connection with alleged violations during the COVID-19 outbreak

A series of chargesheets were filed, with many foreign nationals entering plea bargains. Additionally, 28 FIRs were registered across Delhi against 193 individuals, leading to quashing petitions before the Delhi High Court. Questions arose regarding the legal validity of charges against petitioners, particularly under sections of the IPC that require specific procedural conditions. Courts across India have previously quashed similar cases, citing ‘procedural lapses’ and ‘insufficient evidence’.

It must be recalled that in the last week of March 2020, hundreds of Tablighi Jamaat attendees were found living inside the markaz, many of whom were in violation of their visa rules. Many of the attendees were reportedly found to be COVID-19 positive, and despite showing symptoms, had continued to stay there or move to the interiors of the country without getting themselves tested. Subsequently, many were moved to quarantine centres to ensure treatment and arrest the spread of the virus. However, even then, many Tablighi Jamaat attendees had attacked healthcare workers and even created ruckus at quarantine centres.

The Delhi Police’s chargesheet filed against the Tablighi Jamaat mentions that the Malaysian and Indonesian nationals who attended the gathering were carriers of the deadly virus and which led initial wave of coronavirus in India. The charge sheet talks about similar gatherings in Malaysia, which ended up being a super-spreader event. It also talked about a cancelled event in Indonesia where Covid-19 cases were reported before the outbreak in Delhi. Markaz Nizamuddin became the Covid hotspot and allegedly played a vital role in spreading it across the country.

Police mentioned in the chargesheet that the gathering in Malaysia between 27th and 1st March 2020, resulted in 500 COVID-19 cases in that country. An event scheduled for 18th  March in Indonesia was cancelled because of the authorities’ concerns. By that time, 25 people were already dead, and 309 were infected in that country. The chargesheet said that people from Malaysia, Indonesia, and other countries came to India to participate in the Markaz gathering in Nizamuddin. As per the police, they acted as carriers of the virus.

In the chargesheet, it was said that the CDMO/Southeast district contacted Markaz authorities on 19th March and asked to maintain social distancing and ensure home quarantine after an Indonesian man tested positive in Telangana. He had a history of travelling to Delhi for the Markaz gathering. Delhi Police contacted a Markaz official named Haji Yunus and asked him that there should not be more than 20 Jamaatis in Nizamuddin at any given time.

On 21st  March 2020, Delhi Police called Mufti Shahzad and asked him to immediately ensure that foreign nationals leave for their respective states or countries. When the lockdown was announced on 24th March, Delhi Police issued prohibitory orders, but no official from Benglewali Masjid Markaz took any precautionary steps. On 25th  March, a medical team was sent for the first time as there were reports that no one was following social distancing orders, and a Jamaati from Bangladesh started to show symptoms of COVID-19. On inspection, the police found that there were 526 foreign nationals and 1,183 Indians at the Markaz.

It must be recalled that in back in April 2020, in Haryana’s Palwal, three Bangladeshi men who attended the Tabilghi Jamaat event in Delhi’s Nizamuddin had tested positive. These Bangladeshi nationals, along with several other,s stayed in various mosques in villages of the Palwal area after attending the Delhi event of Tablighi Jamaat.

On 28th March 2020, the SHO of Hazrat Nizamuddin sent a written complaint to DCP Crime Branch and informed them about the alleged violation by the head of Markaz Maulana Saad and management. Lawyer for Tabhligi Jamaat, advocate Mujeez Rehman said, What good is an advisory by the administration at that time, asking to ensure social distancing? Tablighi members were self-isolated in Nizamuddin. Authorities should have shut down airports, screened passengers, and undertaken contact tracing.”

Once police started to track Jamaatis across countries, they found clusters of Covid positive cases across the country who came in contact with these Markaz members. The information provided by Markaz was incomplete or unverified in many cases, and it became hard for the administration to track jamaatis on time. They even tried to project that it is a conspiracy of the Indian government to defame Jamaatis.

It must be recalled that back in April 2020, the Deputy Commissioner of South Andaman District ordered to register FIR against two people Farzan Ali and S Rehman. who tested positive for COVID-19 for giving misleading information as authorities tried tracing their contacts. The duo, who had attended the controversial Islamic event in Delhi, have been giving wrong information about the places they visited during the home quarantine period apart from violating the terms and conditions of home quarantine

The Central government had told the Supreme Court in an earlier statement that the Markaz management deliberately disregarded police instructions to send back its members.

However, in the present case, the Delhi High Court not only quashed all the charges against the accused persons but court observations also present the accused as some sort of victims who have been needlessly villainised.

Ujjain: Govt school teacher Shakeel Mohammad burns pics of Hindu gods, threatens students, forces them to do Namaz and read Quran

OpIndia Staff
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Ujjain: Govt school teacher Shakeel Mohammad burns pics of Hindu gods, threatens students, forces them to do Namaz and read Quran

A government school teacher named Shakeel Mohammad reportedly set fire to images of Hindu deities and Bharat Mata, in the Ujjain district of Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, he attempted to burn the national flag. He is also accused of forcing Quran and Namaz upon the students.

The matter pertains to a secondary school in the village of Nagpura, located in Mahidpur. A student of the institution informed his uncle, Rohit Rathore, about the Muslim man’s outrageous actions.

According to the students, on 11th July, he destroyed the images of Lord Ganesha, Goddess Saraswati and Bharat Mata in front of the students and set them ablaze. According to media reports, Rohit Rathore came to the school following a complaint on 16th July.

He talked to other students who witnessed the incident and confirmed that the same was true. The families of other pupils then came together and captured visuals of the destroyed pictures after which the recordings were handed over to the authorities.

Afterward, Rohit Rathore launched a complaint against the accused. He informed that his nephew, Anurag Rathore is a student in the sixth grade at Madhyamik Vidyalaya Nagpur. He disclosed Shakeel Mohammad had burnt photographs of Hindu gods and Bharat Mata before the students and threatened to kill them if they revealed the occurrence to anyone.

Furthermore, the perpetrator exerted pressure on students to perform Namaz and read Quran during class and declared that he will instruct them how to do it. He also used offensive language towards the parents of the students. He reportedly behaved in a similar manner when he taught at the school in the Lasudiya Mansoor area previously. He has been known to repeat such actions while serving at other schools as well.

Shakeel Mohammad has been arrested and a case has been booked under section 298, 351(3) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against him. The police presented him in Mahidpur court and sent him to jail. District Education Officer Anand Sharma has also suspended him from his position.

Hindu organistaions also protested after the matter came to light. The workers of Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal surrounded the police station and demonstrated against him. They submitted a memorandum to the police station in-charge and demanded strict action.

MEA rejects claims that ‘Grand Mufti from Kerala’ played a crucial role in halting Nimisha Priya’s execution in Yemen: Read how media hailed the cleric for work done by Indian govt

Chandrani Das
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MEA rejects claims that ‘Grand Mufti from Kerala’ played a crucial role in halting Nimisha Priya’s execution in Yemen: Read how media hailed the cleric for work done by Indian govt

The execution of Kerala Nurse Nimisha Priya was postponed by Yemeni authorities, informed the sources of Indian authorities on Tuesday, July 15. She narrowly escaped execution, which was originally scheduled for July 16. She has been sentenced to death for allegedly murdering her Yemeni business partner, Talal Abdol Mehdi.

While the Indian government has made immense efforts to fight with this sensitive case, some media outlets and opposition leaders have claimed the intervention of the “Grand Mufti from Kerala” behind the postponement of the execution. It was claimed in multiple media reports that Grand Mufti Sheikh Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar held talks with religious authorities in Yemen and ensured that the execution was postponed.

A statement issued by Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar said that Grand Mufti Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad was approached by Puthuppally MLA Chandy Oommen to intervene in the matter, after which he contacted globally renowned Sufi scholar Habib Umar bin Hafeez. As per the statement, Habib’s office then  contacted the North Yemeni authorities and the victim’s family, after which the decision was taken to postpone the execution.

However, now the Indian government has denied any such intervention by the cleric, saying that the postponement is the result of diplomatic efforts of the govt.

The Indian government’s refusal of any information on intervention

During a press briefing on Thursday, July 17, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, addressed the current scenario regarding the Nimisha Priya case. He stated that this is a very sensitive matter, and the Government of India has been offering all possible assistance in the case. Asserting to this, he continued by saying that a lawyer has been appointed to assist the family in every possible way by providing legal support.

Jaiswal assured that regular consular visits are being carried out by her family, and the government is in touch with local authorities as well as the family to resolve the issue. “This included concerted efforts in the recent few days to seek more time for the family of Miss Nimisha Priya to reach a mutually agreeable solution with the other party. The local authorities in Yemen have postponed carrying out her sentence that was scheduled for July 16, which you’re well aware of,” he said.

Jaiswal informed the media that the MEA continues to closely follow the matter and provide all possible assistance in the case. “We are also in touch with some friendly governments in this regard,” he added, indicating India’s continuous effort to seek help from other Islamic countries in the Gulf to solve the case.

When questioned about the MEA’s reaction to the report of a cleric from Kerala named Shri Kanthapuram AP Abubakr Musaliar, who is said to have played a big role in the matter, he simply responded, “I have no information to share on this account.” His statement reflects the rejection of false claims made by the media regarding the intervention of the “Grand Mufti from Kerala” in halting Nimisha Priya’s execution in Yemen.

Congress and other media’s claims

Over the past few days, it has been widely covered by some media outlets regarding the role of the “Grand Mufti of India” in postponing the execution of Priya. According to PTI, the turning point behind this could be the intervention of Sunni Muslim leader Musliyar, also known as the “Grand Mufti of India.” Kanthapuram was reportedly part of the last-minute efforts to halt the execution of Priya. The Sunni Muslim leader had earlier held talks with religious authorities in Yemen.

Headline in HT

According to ANI, Kanthapuram stated, “Islam has another law. If the murderer is sentenced to death, the family of the victim has the right to pardon. I don’t know who this family is, but from a long distance, I contacted the responsible scholars in Yemen. They would do what they could. They have officially informed us and sent a document stating that the date of execution has been postponed, which will help facilitate the ongoing discussions.” In fact, the Kerala media also claimed that Kanthapuram is a key figure who is representing and currently in touch with the family of the victim.

In a press statement on Tuesday, July 15, Abubakr announced that the scheduled execution had been officially postponed following his humanitarian intervention. It was claimed that the initiative began after he was approached by Congress MLA Chandy Oommen to help in the Nimisha Priya execution case. The statement highlights that it was due to a deep sense of national responsibility and humanitarian concern that he decided to act upon this request.

Mint report mentions Congress leader’s role in contacting the Mufti

Reading the media headlines, one would think that it was the Mufti from Kerala who halted the execution in Yemen.

Who is Kanthapuram A.P. Abubakr Musliyar?

Abubakr, officially known as Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, is a prominent Muslim cleric and a key figure in the community. He was elected the “Grand Mufti of India” in February 2019 by the All India Tanzeem Ulama-e-Islam, a national body of Sunni clerics. Musliyar was born in Kanthapuram, Kozhikode, Kerala, and has gained national prominence through his long-standing leadership in Islamic education, social welfare, and public discourse.

He holds the baton of the “Grand Mufti of India” and has become one of the few scholars from South India to hold the post.
In the case of Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, who was accused of murdering her Yemeni business partner, Talal Abdol Mehdi, in July 2017, Musliyar claimed to have played a crucial role by intervening in the matter to help settle the issue.

India says a strong no to ‘non-veg milk’: Know what is it, and why Modi government has a ‘non-negotiable red line’ on US dairy products in trade deal talks

OpIndia Staff
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India says a strong no to ‘non-veg milk’: Know what is it, and why Modi government has a ‘non-negotiable red line’ on US dairy products in trade deal talks

As trade negotiations between India and the United States enter their final phase, an unusual term, “non-veg milk,” has emerged as the deal-breaker. India has firmly declared its refusal to allow US dairy imports calling it a “non-negotiable red line“. This comes amid US President Donald Trump’s 1st August deadline to reach a deal with countries or face steep tariffs.

What is “non-veg milk”?

“Non-veg milk” refers to milk and dairy products derived from cows fed animal-based products. According to reports by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer in 2004, in the US, “Cows are allowed to eat feed that can include parts of pigs, fish, chicken, horses, even cats or dogs… And cattle can continue to consume pig and horse blood for protein, as well as tallow, a hard fat from rendered cattle parts, as a fattening source”.

Even though cows are herbivorous animals, US regulations allow cows raised for dairy and meat to be fed meat, fat and blood of other animals. This has made US dairy product imports a big no for India. Because in India, cattle are raised on plant-based diets, and they are never fed animal derived feed.

Why India Says “No”: The religious and cultural imperativeto

According to the 2023 World Atlas report, 38% Indians are vegetarians. Milk and Ghee are considered sacred here and are used in daily rituals and offerings by Hindus and Jains. Milk products used in these rituals must be satvik (pure). Products derived from cows fed animal parts are considered ritually impure and unacceptable.

“Imagine eating butter made from the milk of a cow that was fed meat and blood from another cow. India may never allow that,” Ajay Srivastava of Global Trade Research Institute (GTRI), a New Delhi-based think tank, told PTI.

India’s Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying mandates veterinary certification for food imports. A condition to issue these certificates states: “The source animals have never been fed with feeds produced from meat or bone meal, including internal organs, blood meal and tissues of ruminant origin and porcine origin materials except milk and milk products.”

The economic “red line”: Protecting millions of livelihoods

Beyond culture, India’s refusal is also meant to protect the backbone of its rural economy. India is the world’s largest milk producer. In 2023-24, India produced 239 million metric tons of milk, contributing Rs 7.5-9 lakh crore, which is 2.5-3% of the national GDP. The dairy sector directly supports over 80 million people, predominantly small and marginal farmers with just 2-3 cows or buffaloes.

Allowing subsidised US dairy imports ($8.22 billion global exports in 2024) would flood the Indian market with cheaper products. A State Bank of India (SBI) analysis predicts this could crash domestic milk prices by at least 15%, causing annual losses of ₹1.03 lakh crore to farmers.

Mahesh Sakunde, a Maharashtra farmer, voiced widespread anxiety: “The government needs to make sure we’re not hit by cheap imports… If that happens, the whole industry will suffer, and so will farmers like us”.

Stalemate at the negotiating table

With President Trump’s deadline looming on 1st August, after which higher US tariffs on Indian goods could be imposed, the dairy deadlock threatens to derail the broader goal of boosting bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. Indian negotiators remain unmoved. A senior government source emphatically stated, “There is no question of conceding on dairy. That’s a red line”.

The US also raised the matter at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). According to the Times of India, the US hinted that India’s updated dairy certification, implemented in November 2024, does not address such concerns.

Mizoram: ASI declares the ancient menhirs in Lianpui village as ‘monument of national importance’

OpIndia Staff
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Mizoram: ASI declares the ancient menhirs in Lianpui village as ‘monument of national importance’

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has declared the ancient menhirs located at Lungphun Ropui in Lianpui village of Mizoram as the ‘monuments of national importance’. The site will now be protected and maintained by the central government.

The official announcement was made on 14th July, after a two-month public notification period, which was issued by the central government on 9th February. The notification period is a requirement under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, for inviting objections before bringing a site under national protection. The lengthy process of recognition commenced in 2021 with a preliminary notification in the Gazette of India. On 7th July, the ASI Director (Monuments) visited the site in the village before the final notification was issued.

Image via ANI

Lianpui is a tiny hilly village located around 54 km southeast of Champai town. It was founded by and named after Lusei chief Lianpuia in the 18th century. The village was initially established at Mualbawk before being relocated to its current site. The Lianpui menhirs are the second site in Mizoram to be declared as a monument of national importance by the ASI after the Kawtchhuah Ropui in Vangchhia village. The menhirs, or the ancient upright stones with carvings of pre-Christian Mizo iconography, hold great cultural and historical significance. The uniquely carved stones offer a glance into the life, rituals, customs, and beliefs of the early Mizo people.

“The stones feature carvings of human figures, birds, animals, mithun heads, gongs, and lizards, offering insights into the cultural practices of the Mizo people before the advent of Christianity. These menhirs are arranged into eight alignments—four running north-south and four east-west—suggesting a deliberate and possibly ceremonial layout,” said Vanlalhuma, an archaeologist with Mizoram’s department of art and culture.

The site will now be developed by adding fences, walkways, restrooms, and drinking water facilities to promote tourism in the area.

What are Menhirs?

Menhirs are upright standing large stones found individually or in clusters. They generally bear unique, intricate carvings relating to the communities that created them. Menhirs usually have uneven shapes, often four-sided and are often found placed in circles, semi-circles, ellipses or parallel rows. They are found across continents, including Europe, Asia and Africa, but exist in large numbers in Western Europe. Menhirs are found in various states across India, including Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

Some of the famous menhir sites in the world are Stonehenge and Avebury (UK), Mên-an-Tol (Cornwall, UK), Almendres Cromlech (Portugal), Drenthe (Netherlands) and Carnac Stones (France).

Robert Vadra, Congress government in Haryana, and a land deal worth 58 crores: What does the ED chargesheet against Priyanka Gandhi’s husband say

OpIndia Staff
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Robert Vadra, Congress government in Haryana, and a land deal worth 58 crores: What does the ED chargesheet against Priyanka Gandhi’s husband say

A chargesheet has been filed against businessman Robert Vadra, husband of Congress MP from Wayanad, Priyanka Gandhi, by the Enforcement Directorate on Thursday, July 17.

Robert Vadra has been accused of being involved in a money laundering case related to a 3.53-acre land deal in Shikohpur village in Gurugram, Haryana, in 2008.

Vadra was charged just a day after attaching his properties worth Rs 37 crore in a Rouse Avenue court, terming him of “Proceeds of Crime” in the land deal worth over RS 58 crore. Apart from Vadra, ED has accused 11 others in its chargesheet including Satyanand Yajee, Kewal Singh Virk, M/s Sky Light Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., M/s Onkareshwar Properties Pvt. Ltd.

The chargesheet says he purchased 3.5 acres in Shikohpur village in Gurugram’s sector 83 through his Skylight Hospitality Pvt Ltd. In 2008, Feb 12, he bought the property from Onkareshwar Properties Pvt Ltd for Rs 7.5 crore. The Congress government in Haryana at that time gave him a commercial licence to develop the property over 2.7 acres. But in a shocking revelation, it came to light that the same land was sold to DLF for Rs 58 crore. This action makes a high jump profit of direct Rs 50 crore within months of purchasing it.

Currently, the money laundering probe is based on an FIR lodged by the Gurgaon police in 2018. It was registered over fraudulent transactions in the land deal. The police said that the purchase was made through a “false” declaration. On July 16, the ED attached 43 properties worth over Rs 37 crore associated with Vadra and his entities. This also includes his Skylight Hospitality Pvt Ltd.

While the ED has charged Vadra, his office is claiming that the “present proceedings are nothing more than an extension of the political witch hunt by the present government”. He further stated that he would defend and clear his name in court. “As a law-abiding citizen, Vadra has always and will continue to extend his fullest cooperation to the authorities, and he is confident that at the end of it all, he will be cleared of any wrongdoing,” the statement claimed.

This is the first time any probe agency had registered complaint against him, who is booked under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). While some media claimed that Vadra is facing several cases of money laundering in many land deals. It was observed that he negotiated this under the then Congress government in Haryana and Rajasthan, led by then CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda. The CM has allowed to make modification in land use for agricultural to commercial/residential for properties acquired by Vadra, leading to windfall gains for him.

Madras HC says no ‘Nama Sankeertanam’ can happen in residential societies without permission, says ‘peace and silence are best prayers’

OpIndia Staff
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Madras HC says no ‘Nama Sankeertanam’ can happen in residential societies without permission, says ‘peace and silence are best prayers’

The Madras High Court on Wednesday (16th July) put a restriction on the organisation of Nama Sankeerthanam, a Hindu religious practice of chanting the names of deities, in a residential society without the permission of the district collector.

“Peace is the best prayer, and silence is the greatest prayer. The day people realise this truth, they will not disturb others by indulging in loud and noisy ways of praying to God,” said a bench of Justice N Anand Venkatesh forbidding the use of premises of a residential society for congregational prayers without the permission of the district collector.

The decision came during the hearing of a writ petition filed by Prakash Ramachandran, a resident of Krishnamachari Street at Radha Nagar in Chromepet, Chengalpattu district, in Tamil Nadu. The petitioner filed the petition against the recitation of Nama Sankeerthanam by a private organisation called the Global Organisation for Divinity (GOD) in the residential premises belonging to his neighbour, which the organisation was using as its office. He contended that the Nama Sankeerthanam recitation on the premises was causing disturbance to other residents of the locality.

Responding to the petition, the private organisation filed a counter-affidavit to show that they had the consent of all other neighbours for the Nama Sankeerthanam. The organisation said that their religious rights were protected under Article 25 of the Constitution. It further submitted that uttering the names of God would bring peace of mind.

After hearing the contentions of both sides, the court said prayers should be confined within the four walls of a house and should not cause inconvenience to others. The judge referred to an earlier order of the court, which restricted the use of a residential premise for Christian congregational prayers without obtaining the collector’s permission in the Kanniyakumari district. “The same will apply here, too. Except for the change in the name of God, all other things are the same. How can you have Nama Sankeerthanam without the Collector’s nod?” the judge said. The court directed the Inspector of Chitlapakkam police station to ensure compliance with the court order.

The present High Court ruling attempts to maintain harmony between the religious rights and the residential rights of the people. However, we have seen in the past how even courts sometimes fail to uphold this harmony across all religions.

In February 2022, the same Madras High Court had directed a Hindu petitioner to exhibit tolerance after he moved the court complaining about the use of loudspeakers in a newly constructed church in Neduvilai in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu. The petitioner had also alleged that the church had installed CCTV cameras pointing towards his house. He pleaded with the court to direct the removal of the loudspeakers and the concerned CCTV cameras as they were causing him inconvenience.

The High Court dismissed his plea and reminded him of what the true meaning of being a ‘Hindu’ was. The court told him that the fundamental tenet of being a Hindu was tolerance and that he should learn to live with everybody else around him. The court further explained to him that India is a secular country, which recognises the practice of religion and therefore, the petitioner should not complain against the same.

EU imposes sanctions on Vadinar Oil Refinery in Gujarat in the latest round of sanctions against Russia, calls it one of the strongest sanctions package

OpIndia Staff
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EU imposes sanctions on Vadinar Oil Refinery in Gujarat in the latest round of sanctions against Russia, calls it one of the strongest sanctions package

The European Union has announced the latest round of sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine. In the 18th package of the sanctions announced today, the EU targets Russian oil exports, including refining of Russian oil in other countries. This includes “the biggest Rosneft refinery in India,” and the Indian flag registry.

EU has also announced that the Nord Stream pipelines will be banned. The union has lowered the cap on Russian oil prices to 15% below market prices, to hit the oil revenue earned by Russia.

European Commission’s vice president Kaja Kallas, also the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, made the announcements in a post on X. She called it one of its strongest sanctions package against Russia to date

Kallas wrote, “The EU just approved one of its strongest sanctions package against Russia to date. We’re cutting the Kremlin’s war budget further, going after 105 more shadow fleet ships, their enablers, and limiting Russian banks’ access to funding. Nord Stream pipelines will be banned. A lower oil price cap. We are putting more pressure on Russia’s military industry, Chinese banks that enables sanctions evasion, and blocking tech exports used in drones.”

Kallas further added, “For the first time, we’re designating a flag registry and the biggest Rosneft refinery in India. Our sanctions also hit those indoctrinating Ukrainian children. We will keep raising the costs, so stopping the aggression becomes the only path forward for Moscow.”

The EU also imposed new restrictions on Russian banks, resulting in 20 more Russian banks being cut off from SWIFT, the international payment settlement system.

While the EU has not named the refinery in India that processes Russian oil, the sanction has been imposed on Vadinar oil refinery at Vadinar, Gujarat. Constructed by Essar Oil, it is currently owned and operated by Nayara Energy Limited, in which Rosneft owns a 49.13% stake.

Kallas also mentioned that a flag registry in India is also being sanctioned. A flag registry contains the list of ships that fly the flags of a country. By sanctioning, EU will have the power to take action against Indian flag carrying ships for their purported support to Russian oil trade.

Notably, EU has not banned the sale of Russian oil, but has sanctioned the sale of Russian Oil above the price cap, which is set 15% lower to the market cap.

Karnataka: Researchers find evidence of a 4,000-year-old human settlement in Maski, 110 years after Ashoka inscription was discovered at the site

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka: Researchers find evidence of a 4,000-year-old human settlement in Maski, 110 years after Ashoka inscription was discovered at the site

A remarkable archaeological finding has drawn attention to the Karnataka’s Maski town. It has been revealed that humans lived in that are around 4,000 years ago. Scientists who were searching for additional information about the captivating location in the Raichur district made the discovery. A collaborative team of 20 researches from India, Canada and the United States worked together to learn more about the area’s past.

Researchers have been excavating around Mallikarjun Hill, close to the Mallikarjuna Temple and the town’s Anjaneya Swamy temple. They have come across a variety of artefacts and other tools that date back four millennia which suggests that the area was once a vibrant settlement. 

Professor Dr Andrew M. Bauer of Stanford University in the United States, Dr. Peter G. Johansen of McGill University in Canada and Hemanth Kadambi of Shiv Nadar University in Delhi-NCR (National Capital Region) alongside their team of over 20 researchers have been seeking evidence of human habitation and civilisation in Maski for the past three months.

They approached Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for approval and afterward the crew began exploring Maski. The scientists identified 271 places of interest in the area and began their work. They unearthed evidence that the area surrounding the temple and Mallikarjun Hill was occupied by people from the 11th to the 14th century BCE.

They located an array of antiquities, including cooking tools like earthen pots and pans. Kadambi declared, “We have found evidence that indicates that there was a human settlement in Maski around 4,000 years ago.”

Maski inscription

Notably, British gold mine engineer C. Beadon found the Maski inscription in 1915. The region made its place on the archaeological map when the inscription, which dates to the time of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka, came to light. It was etched onto a rock surface within a cave.

One of the earliest inscriptions from the Mauryan era, it prominently displays the emperor’s name and his title as “Devanampriya” (Beloved of the Gods). A long-standing disagreement about whether the legendary ruler was actually referred to by the title or not was resolved when the same was mentioned alongside his name. It was written in Brahmi script and in the Prakrit language, highlighting his adherence to non-violence.

‘Burnt cash at home’ fame Justice Yashwant Varma moves Supreme Court against inquiry committee report, claims it “violates his rights”

OpIndia Staff
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‘Burnt cash at home’ fame Justice Yashwant Varma moves Supreme Court against inquiry committee report, claims it “violates his rights”

The Supreme Court has received a writ petition from Justice Yashwant Varma, contesting the report of the in-house probe committee that implicated him in the cash-at-home scandal. Justice Varma had “strong inferential evidence” of “covert or active control” over the warehouse where the stacks of 500 rupees notes were found, according to the panel. It added that he also failed to offer a convincing explanation for their origin.

Additionally, Justice Varma has challenged former Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna’s recommendation to the President and Prime Minister regarding his impeachment proceedings. The judge alleged that the proposal was based on a “unsustainable” report that was created through a procedure which violated his rights as a person and constitutional functionary.

Justice Varma acknowledged that there might have been some cash in his home’s outhouse but insisted that further investigation was necessary to prove ownership, legitimacy and other important details. He claimed that instead, the panel hurried to wrap up the proceedings.

He asserted that the timetables for the enquiries were simply motivated by the desire to complete the process as rapidly as possible, even at the expense of procedural justice.

According to Justice Varma, the in-house inquiry group reached its conclusions without providing him with an adequate opportunity to respond. He stressed that the committee followed a preset process and despite the lack of hard evidence, reversed the burden of proof requiring him to investigate and refute the accusations as well as made negative conclusions about him.

The three-judge inquiry panel was accused in Justice Varma’s appeal of reaching unfavourable conclusions without giving him a fair and thorough hearing. Furthermore, it charged that the committee neglected to look into basic information that would have been required to prove culpability, specifically those pertaining to the cash discovered at his place.

He further described the process as outcome-driven and predicated on a preconceived narrative. The petition is still awaiting its listing before a bench. Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed, “The removal of a Supreme Court or a High Court judge is a matter that is the authority of Parliament. It is independent of what is happening in the Supreme Court,” while talking to The Indian Express.

Prior to introducing the motion of removal, minister Rijiju has been consulting with the leaders of each party to reach an agreement on the issue. He pointed out, “The impeachment of a High Court or Supreme Court judge on corruption issues cannot be political. Government should take everyone on board as there is no scope for differences among parties on this.” Rijiju has previously told the opposition leaders that they need to take a “unified stand” on this issue.

The development transpired as the impeachment motion against Justice Varma is expected to be introduced during the Parliament’s monsoon session. Notably, a few days earlier the Supreme Court also consented to consider a new petition asking for instructions to the Delhi Police and Enforcement Directorate to submit a formal complaint and carry out a thorough and extensive investigation into the recovery of the significant amount of unaccounted cash at Justice Varma’s home. The plea maintained that the police had a duty to file an FIR since the finding of such currency constituted a “culpable and cognisable offence.”

The background of the matter

During a firefighting operation on 14th March, a massive stack of cash notes was inadvertently found at an outhouse of Justice Varma’s official residence. At the time, he was serving as a judge of the Delhi High Court. He was then sent back to the Allahabad High Court where his judicial duties were suspended while the inquiry was conducted. The issue was investigated by a panel that was appointed by then-CJI Sanjiv Khanna. He also wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu concerning the panel’s findings.

The committee ruled that cash was discovered in Justice Varma’s official property after reviewing technological evidence, including videos and photos taken by fire department personnel. 55 witnesses, including Justice Varma and his daughter were also questioned. The committee determined that there was adequate justification for taking action against the judge since he was unable to fulfil his duty by providing a credible explanation other than a “flat denial or a bald plea of conspiracy.”

Meanwhile, Congress stalwart and senior advocate Kapil Sibal referred to Justice Varma as the finest judge. “I can say with full responsibility that he (Varma) is one of the best judges I have argued before. You can ask any lawyer of the High Court or Supreme Court, this judge is not accused of doing anything wrong.”

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