On 16th July 2022, riots erupted in the Rasoolabad village of the Talagram area of Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh after meat pieces were thrown inside a Hindu temple. After the incident of throwing a piece of meat in the temple, members of the Hindu organizations were enraged and blocked the road in the village. Meanwhile, demands were made for the arrest of the accused. The officers somehow tried to calm the people. In the afternoon after the incident, some people set fire to meat shops probably in retaliation of the incident.
In the meanwhile, some anti-social elements vandalized the idol in the temple, heightening tension over the issue. A heavy police force has been deployed in the village amidst the tense situation in the area.
According to a report by the Asianet News, someone threw a piece of meat at night in the Shiva temple outside Rasoolabad village in the Kannauj district. In the morning, when the priest arrived to perform the daily puja, he informed the villagers that there was a piece of meat lying inside the temple. As soon as the matter came to light, CO Shiv Pratap Singh and SHO Harishyam Singh rushed to the spot and ensured the cleaning of the temple.
As the news spread, people were enraged. In the afternoon, someone set the meat shops in the locality on fire. After this, some miscreants desecrated the idol inside the local temple. The situation was going out of control. The additional force from Kannauj was called on to control the things on the spot. Presently, all the police officers are present on the spot and the situation is tense. The police have also closed the local market in view of the situation.
A sessions court of Mohammadi in Lakhimpur of Uttar Pradesh rejected the bail plea of Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair in the Sudarshan News fact-check case on Saturday 16th July 2022. On July 20, a hearing on police custody remand will take place.
Uttar Pradesh | Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair’s bail plea rejected by Mohammadi’s sessions court in Lakhimpur Kheri. Hearing on police custody remand will be held on July 20, confirmed Mohd Zubair’s advocate Harjit Singh
The Lakhimpur Kheri court summoned Zubair in a case against him that was brought in September 2021 as a result of a lawsuit filed by a journalist working with Sudarshan News over a fact-checking tweet. Section 153A was imposed against Mohammed Zubair in the case. Additional charges under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Sections 153B, 501(1)(B), and 505(2), are also pressed against Mohammed Zubair.
On Monday 11th July 2022, Zubair was sent to police custody for 14 days. Today he was presented before the court through video conferencing from the Sitapur jail where he is currently lodged.
Mohd Zubair’s advocate, Harjit Singh, earlier informed that the hearing (for the bail) was scheduled for 13th July 2022 but it was postponed as a result of the plaintiff’s objection to the bail application submitted in English. A day ago, Delhi’s Patiala House Court granted him bail in a case related to an allegedly objectionable tweet hurting the sentiments of Hindus.
On Thursday, Mohammed Zubair filed a petition with the Supreme Court requesting that six FIRs filed against him in Uttar Pradesh be dismissed. The plea filed by him challenges the FIRs recorded in Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Muzaffarnagar, Ghaziabad, and two in Hathras. The petition also challenges the formation of the SIT by the Uttar Pradesh Police.
On Thursday (July 14), an underage boy was hacked to death by a mob of 15 people. The incident took place within the premises of Ludhiana Civil Hospital in Punjab.
The ghastly act was caught on CCTV and is being shared widely on social media. In the disturbing video, a frenzied mob could be seen chasing the 15-year-old while the victim was seen trying to close the door of a ward for safety.
However, moments later, the perpetrators broke in and brutally assaulted the minor boy. They then slaughtered the victim with sharp-edged weapons including swords and axes.
इस विडीयो को देखकर पंजाब में क़ानून की स्थिति का अंदाज़ा अच्छी तरह से लगाया जा सकता है। लुधियाना के सिविल अस्पताल के इमरजेंसी वार्ड में इलाज करवा रहे 15 साल के युवक को गुंडो नें शरेआम तलवारों से काट कर मार दिया। @BhagwantMann जी विज्ञापन को छोड़कर असल काम करने पर ध्यान दीजिए। pic.twitter.com/MTT0xu6bn8
The deceased was identified as Savan Kumar, a resident of Ludhiana’s EWS colony and a student of Class 9. He had gone to the emergency ward of the hospital, after his elder brother Rajvir was attacked by a group of miscreants.
The two factions had earlier clashed in the past. The miscreants then reached the hospital and chased Savan, who was waiting outside the premises. They killed the victim and then walked out of the hospital.
The Ludhiana police informed that two accused were arrested for their involvement in the gruesome murder. A First Information Report (FIR) was lodged against 7 identified and 8 unidentified people.
Ludhiana Police solved a murder case within 12 hours which happened at Civil Hospital, Ludhiana. SHO PS Division No. 2 arrested 2 accused and booked them under relevant act and sections.#ActionAgainstCrimepic.twitter.com/6Dc7WLu8q0
It must be mentioned that the underage boy was murdered in the presence of nurses, doctors, hospital staff and even a police officer. This is despite the fact that a special police chowki has been set up within the hospital premises.
Ludhiana Police Commissioner Kaustubh Sharma claimed that despite the deployment of 3 police officials at the chowki, none were present on duty at the time of the incident. “An inquiry has been marked and action will be taken accordingly,” he said.
Netizens question inaction of cop spotted at the crime scene
Social media users were miffed at the inaction of a turban-wearing cop, who was spotted on CCTV at the crime scene at the time of the incident.
“Daylight murder in Ludhiana in front of police,” wrote one Twitter user.
It has been nearly 4 months since Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won a thumping victory in Punjab absolutely destroying Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal. Punjab has seen a spike in murders in the state, with even famous Kabaddi players not immune to the violence.
Videos of the open sale of drugs in the state are going viral, and the state even witnessed communal violence after many many years.
Following the incident of a group of individuals offering Namaz at Lucknow’s LuLu mall, another instance of Namaz at a public place has come to light in Lucknow. A video of a man offering Namaz at Charbagh railway station in Lucknow has gone viral on the internet.
UP | CM Yogi has denied permission for any public namaaz. Thus we submitted a memorandum asking them to take action against the person doing namaaz on railway station. Such activities should not be permitted: Shishir Chaturvedi, National Spokesperson Hindu Mahasabha pic.twitter.com/KRHS5jkWA0
After the video of Namaz being offered at Lucknow’s Charbagh railway station went viral, the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha submitted a memorandum to the Circle Officer of the Government Railway Police. Sanjeev Sinha, CO GRP, stated that all allegations would be examined and CCTV footage will be checked. He stated that proper legal action will be taken after the investigation.
Shishir Chaturvedi, the national spokesman for the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha, stated similar incidents were coming to light even after the Uttar Pradesh government outlawed namaz in public spaces. This is the reason why they have submitted a memorandum urging that people who offer Namaz at the railway station be prosecuted, since such actions should not be tolerated.
The Hindu Mahasabha has stated that it will oppose prayers performed inside all railway stations in the country, not only Charbagh. Shishir Chaturvedi stated that the problem of erecting a tomb and performing Namaz inside railway stations is becoming critical.
It is worth noting that just days after its opening, the Lulu mall in Lucknow, the largest in Uttar Pradesh, became embroiled in a controversy after a few people performed Namaz inside the mall. On July 15, 2022, the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha decided to recite Sundarkand inside the Lulu mall in response. They did, however, cancel the Sundarkand recital after the mall’s management apologised for the Namaz incident.
After videos of Namaz inside Lucknow’s brand-new Lulu Mall went viral, the controversy has continued to gain momentum. On July 16, 2022, Saturday, Hindu organizations recited the Hanuman Chalisa and staged a protest outside the mall. After the protests by the Hindu groups, the police detained about 20 protesters. It is notable that this protest was done after a symbolic protest that was staged on 15th July 2022 against the Namaz a day earlier.
In the video of the protest, the protesters are seen dragged by the police. The protesters were reciting the Hanuman Chalisa loudly while being taken into custody. The police were carrying them in vehicles. Saffron flags were seen in the hands of the protesters.
लखनऊ – लुलु मॉल में हनुमान चालीसा का पाठ करने जा रहे राष्ट्रीय हिंदू संरक्षक के नेता आदित्य मिश्रा को पुलिस ने किया गिरफ्तार। आदित्य मिश्रा के साथ उसके दर्जनों साथियों को भी हिरासत में लिया गया। आदित्य मिश्रा और उसके समर्थकों ने किया था मॉल के बाहर प्रदर्शन।। pic.twitter.com/iEQDttSS4l
According to reports, the security of the mall has been beefed up. The protesters were trying to enter the Lulu mall but this could not happen due to the promptness of the police. The police had to use mild force. The protesting organizations include the Rashtriya Hindu Rakshak Dal, Karni Sena, etc.
Reportedly, a day earlier, the ‘Hindu Samaj Party’ had staged a demonstration at the same place. At that time also, people of Hindu organizations were detained. The wife of late Kamlesh Tiwari was put under house arrest. To prevent the dispute, the Lulu mall manager Sameer Verma also visited the house of Advocate Shishir Chaturvedi, the office bearer of the Hindu Mahasabha. But the controversy still persists.
Lulu Mall Controversy Two Men Arrested For Reciting Hanuman Chalisa In Lulu Mall ANN https://t.co/y5JzKeQyP4
Following the controversy, Lulu Mall has banned religious prayers inside its premises. Signages have been put inside the mall saying that no religious prayers will be permitted.
Namaz in the Lulu mall was part of a conspiracy
According to a report by India.com, there was a conspiracy to offer Namaz in the Lulu mall. It is said that there were a total of 8 persons involved in this Namaz. They parked their vehicles at a distance from the Lulu mall and then entered the mall. In the mall, they wanted to offer Namaz on the ground floor. But the security staff deployed on the ground floor prohibited them from offering Namaz. Later, all of them offered Namaz on the first floor and then left the mall. It is being said that the accused seen in the viral video visited the mall with the sole purpose of offering Namaz there. Police are currently looking for the accused.
On Friday (July 15), the Special Investigation Team that has been probing the allegations of evidence fabrication in the 2002 Gujarat riots case against Sanjiv Bhatt informed an Ahmedabad sessions court that a political conspiracy against Narendra Modi was hatched at the behest of former Congress leader Ahmed Patel.
The report submitted by the SIT revealed that tainted IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, along with former DGP R B Sreekumar and ‘activist’ Teesta Setalvad accepted a total of Rs 30 lakhs from Ahmed Patel, the political advisor of the Congress president Sonia Gandhi, to frame then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi and destabilise his government following 2002 Gujarat riots.
There are several articles, blogs, tweets, and videos in support of Mr. Sanjiv Bhatt. But I have chosen just 7 Screenshots. Each tweet shows support for Mr. Sanjiv Bhatt who is currently serving a life sentence in a prison in Gujarat. Journalists of national repute and Political parties are in full support of this convicted IPS and a political party has gone on to offer seats to his family to fight elections or other parties visiting the family and showing complete solidarity with ex-IPS and a convict Sanjiv Bhatt. This is the ecosystem that supports all the wrongdoings as long as they are against Narendra Modi, BJP, or RSS. The crime and the deeds are overlooked as long as Hindus are being abused and Modi is being targeted.
All standards are lowered and in spite of knowing all facts, they are ignored as this person is perceived as the one challenging Modi. Several NGOs, Journalists, and opposition leaders openly support Sanjiv Bhatt and create a narrative that he is being persecuted because he had the courage to speak against Modi and BJP in Gujarat. A picture is painted that a great injustice is happening to the ex-IPS and his life is in danger. Such news is then picked up and amplified internationally damaging our national interest.
For those of us who do not have much time to go into minute details, the credibility of such journalists or News Channels is enough to make an opinion. This entire narrative setting is done with a synchronised ecosystem of well-placed people in good places.
The recent judgment by Supreme Court is a rare opportunity to expose such an ecosystem and to show the world and people how a system is in place that can make a crime look like a struggle just because they want to wrest power back.
From the Supreme Court Judgement :
On the basis ofthe further investigation conducted into the two typed fax messages NO.D-2/2-COM/ALERT/100/2002, dated 27.02.2002 and D-2/2-COM/ALERT/174/2002, dated 28.02.2002, it is conclusively established that Shri Sanjiv Bhatt did not produce the same or copies thereof before any of the authorities before December 2011, though a number of opportunities arose for him to do so. From the records of D-2 section, it is conclusively established that one of these fax messages was issued/dispatched from the said section of State IB.
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Besides that Shri P.B. Upadhyay, the then DCI (Communal), and Shri I.V. Pathan, AIO, who is posted in D-2 Section since the year 2000 till date, have categorically stated that neither of those two fax messages were issued from their section and that copies thereof are not available in the records of the State IB. Shri O.P. Mathur, the then IGP (P & C) has categorically stated that fax message NO.D-2/2-COM/ALERT/100/2002, dated 27.02.2002 was a fabricated document and that his initials thereon are not genuine. Shri G.C. Raiger, the then Addl. D.G.(Int) has denied his initials on the fax message No. D-2/2-COM/ALERT/174/2002, dated 28.02.2002, and has stated that the same has been forged by someone.
No such fax message was ever sent by Shri Sanjiv Bhatt. Shri Gordhan Zadafia, the then MoS (Home), Shri V.J.Patel, the then P.S. to MoS (Home), Dr. P.K. Mishra, the then Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Shri Ashok Narayan, the then ACS (Home) and Shri P.C. Pande, the then CP, Ahmedabad City, to whom the aforesaid fax messages were claimed to have been sent by Shri Sanjiv Bhatt, all have denied receiving any such fax messages. The very fact that there is no reference to fax message No. 174 dated 28.02.2002 by Control Room in fax message No.178 actually sent on 28.02.2002 after the Gulbarg Society incident, would conclusively prove that no such message was sent earlier on 28.02.2002. The oral and documentary evidence available on record would therefore conclusively prove that these fax messages now produced by Shri Bhatt have been fabricated subsequently with an ulterior motive, and have been produced by Shri Sanjiv Bhatt for the first time before the Nanavati Commission of Inquiry and subsequently before SIT in January 2012. No reliance can, therefore, be placed upon both these fax messages
“They stated in one voice that Mr. Sanjiv Bhatt was not present in the review meeting convened under the Chairmanship of the then Chief Minister. The SIT had also collected relevant documentary evidence to establish the falsity of the claim of Mr. Sanjiv Bhatt of being present in that meeting.”
Shri Sanjiv Bhatt, the then Deputy Commissioner of intelligence (Security) claimed to have attended the said meeting at the insistence of DGP. No Cabinet Minister was present in the said meeting. Shri Gordhan Zadafia, MOS (Home) also did not attend the meeting, as he had stayed back at Godhra. Shri Sanjiv Bhatt, the then Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence (Security) has claimed after more than seven years, to have attended the said meeting.”
The SIT then analyzed the claim of Mr. Sanjiv Bhatt that he was present in the meeting by referring to official records including the call records of his mobile phone No. 9825049398 to conclude that he had made a false plea of being present in the stated meeting. The SIT has referred to the materials collected during the investigation clearly reflecting the conduct of Mr. Sanjiv Bhatt including his false claim of being present in the stated meeting. The final report has analyzed these aspects in detail.
During the course of the further investigation, a complaint was received from Shri Dharmesh P. Shukla, an accused in CR117 pages 255-257 of the original copy of the final report forming part of Convenience Compilation of respondent No. 2
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No.67/2002 of Meghaninagar P.S. (Gulberg Society case), who is facing trial, contended that there was no justification to record the statement of Shri Sanjiv Bhatt on account of the following reasons:-
i. Shri Sanjiv Bhatt, IPS is known to be a police officer with a dubious character facing several criminal cases of serious nature and wherever he wants a favour from the Govt. he creates a situation whereby the Govt. is compelled to help him.
ii. Shri Sanjiv Bhatt, who had not even whispered about any such meeting in the past surprisingly came out with a new theory that he was a part of the meeting.
iii. That a sudden position by Shri Sanjiv Bhatt after nine years of silence and his insistence to record his statement only after an offense is registered, is at the behest of some vested interest.
iv. It is a matter known to almost everyone in Gujarat that Shri Sanjiv Bhat is known to be an officer pressurising everyone to get illegal favours.
Since the allegations levelled in the complaint were serious, a communication was sent to the Govt. to make available the details of all complaints/pending inquiries/prosecutions /departmental proceedings etc. against Shri Sanjiv Bhat. A detailed reply has been received from the Govt. of Gujarat, which shows that Shri Sanjiv Bhatt has faced a number of departmental inquiries and he was granted three promotions of Junior Administrative Grade, Selection Grade, and DIG Grade on one day i.e. 21- 09-2007, after dropping of three departmental inquiries pending against him vide orders dated 06-08-2005, 03-09- 2005 & 24-07-2006. Shri Sanjiv Bhat, who is eligible for the IGP grade has not been promoted since because of the departmental inquiries and criminal cases pending against him. A charge sheet served upon him on 29-12-2010, for irregularities in police recruitment under his Chairmanship as SP, Banaskantha is still pending.
While handling a law and order situation during his posting as ASP Jamnagar in the year 1990, Shri Sanjiv Bhatt committed atrocities on peaceful and innocent villagers belonging to a particular community at a place called Jam Jodhpur. One person was killed as well due to the brutal police violence. The victims included a pregnant woman, two assistant engineers of the irrigation department, and one circle officer of the Revenue Department.
Shri Bhatt applied provisions of draconian law TADA against innocent persons and arrested 140 individuals under this Act. Due to public pressure, the Government got an inquiry conducted by a retired Judicial Officer into the incident and Shri Bhatt was found guilty of (a) misuse of TADA (b) police atrocities and (c) unnecessary imposition of curfew for 70 hrs leading to hardship and harassment to the people.
The Criminal case of the death of a person due to police atrocities in the incident was investigated by State CID (Crime) against Shri Sanjiv Bhatt and others. After completion of the investigation, the IO sought prosecution sanction from the Government u/s 197 Cr.PC, which was declined, and therefore, a closure report was filed in the competent court. However, the Court rejected the closure report on 20-12-1995 and took cognizance. The State Government filed a Criminal Revision Application in the Sessions Court later on, which was rejected.
The case u/s 302, 323, 506(1), 114 of IPC has now been committed to Sessions Court, Jamnagar, and is presently with the Fast Track Court Khambhalia for framing of charges against Shri Sanjiv Bhatt and others.
Significantly, Gujarat High Court awarded a compensation of Rs.1,50,000/- to the victim who had died due to police atrocities in the above case.
Another criminal complaint was filed against Shri Sanjiv Bhatt, while he was posted at SP, Banaskantha District in 1996 by Shri Sumersingh Rajpurohit, an Advocate practicing at Pali, Rajasthan, and a criminal case was registered against Shri Sanjiv Bhatt & others vide FIR No.403/96 dated 18-11-1996 u/s 120B, 195, 196, 342, 347, 357, 365, 388, 458, 482 IPC and Sec. 58(1) & 58(2) of NDPS Act. On completion of the investigation, the charge sheet was filed against Shri Sanjiv Bhatt & others u/s 114, 120B, 323, 342, 348, 357, 365, 368, 388, 452, 201 & 482 IPC and Sec. 9, 17, 18, 29, 58(1) & 58(2) r/w Sec. 37 of NDPS Act in the court of Spl. Judge, NDPS Act, Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The allegations, in brief, are that the complainant Advocate was occupying a property as a tenant in Pali (Rajasthan), which was owned by a lady, who happened to be a sister of Shri R.R. Jain, a sitting Judge of Gujarat High Court.
As per the said criminal complaint, Shri Sanjiv Bhatt and his subordinate police officers allegedly planted 1 1/2 kg of Narcotic drug in one room in a hotel at Palanpur, Gujarat, which was shown as occupied by the said complainant, though he was in Pali (Rajasthan) at that time. The said Advocate was abducted at midnight on the instructions of Shri Sanjiv Bhatt by his subordinate police officers of Gujarat police, who went from Palanpur, Gujarat to Pali (Rajasthan) to abduct him. The said Advocate was brought to Palanpur, Gujarat, and pressurized by Shri Sanjiv Bhatt and his subordinate police officers to vacate the said property by showing him arrested under NDPS offense.
The said Advocate, while in the custody of Gujarat Police and due to police torture, vacated the property and physical possession of the property was handed over to the sister of Shri R.R. Jain, Judge of Gujarat High Court. Shri Sanjiv Bhatt and his subordinate police officers, thereafter released Shri Sumersingh Rajpurohit on 08-05-1996, by filing a report u/s 169 Cr.PC, in which it was mentioned that Shri Sumersingh could not be identified in the Test Identification Parade. Quashing petitions were filed in this matter by the accused persons in Rajasthan and Gujarat High Court, but the same have been dismissed. The matter is now pending before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.
Significantly, Gujarat Vigilance Commission recommended twice on 15-07-2002 and 19-10-2006 that Shri Sanjiv Bhatt should be placed under suspension for his professional misconduct, but the Govt. of Gujarat did not do so.
In the meantime, on the complaint of Shri Sidheshwar Puri, Secretary, Bar Association, Pali (Rajasthan), the National Human Rights Commission taking a very serious view of this false case under NDPS Act vide its order dated 15-09-2010 asked Govt. of Gujarat to pay a sum of Rs. one lakh as monetary relief to Shri Sumersingh, Advocate, Pali.
“In view of the aforesaid position, it can be inferred that Shri Sanjiv Bhatt is facing a lot of problems in service matters and has got an axe to grind against the Govt. of Gujarat and, therefore, his evidence is ill motivated and cannot be relied upon”, the court noted.
Sanjiv Bhatt arrested by the crime branch of Gujarat police for embezzling funds and forging documents
The disgraced former IPS officer, who was lodged in Palanpur jail, was arrested on July 12 for falsifying evidence in the Gujarat riot case. Sanjiv Bhatt’s arrest came after the Police arrested former senior officer RB Sreekumar and activist Teesta Setalvad in the Gujarat riots case.
It is noteworthy that in a recent judgment in Zakia Jafri Case, the Supreme Court lashed out at Teesta Setalvad, Sreekumar, and Bhatt for falsifying evidence. The court categorically said that Setalvad tutored the witnesses during trials and ‘kept the pot boiling in the matter.’
The apex court had noted that the SIT investigation in the case showed that the statements given by Bhatt and Sreekumar alleging the role of then-Chief Minister Narendra Modi in letting the riots continue were false. The court also noted that the allegations made by the two against the senior officials over inaction were also fabricated.
Notably, when Sanjiv Bhatt was arrested by the Crime Branch of Gujarat Police in the Gujarat Riots case, he was already lodged in jail in connection with a custodial death in 1990. A Jamnagar Sessions Court had sentenced him to life imprisonment.
How the leftist ecosystem always rallied behind the disgraced cop and overlooked his misdeeds since he was targeting Modi
Against that backdrop, it is important to remember how, despite the innumerable crimes of Sanjiv Bhatt, he was turned into a hero because he was lying about Narendra Modi and the 2002 Gujarat riots. His own crimes and his reasons for going after Modi were brushed under the rug by sympathetic media because he was seen as the tool to bring Narendra Modi down.
The entire leftist ecosystem had got together to openly support Sanjiv Bhatt and create a narrative that he is being persecuted because he had the strength to speak against Modi and BJP in Gujarat. Several blogs and articles were written, and videos and Tweets were posted either hailing or sympathising with the tainted IPS officer.
This coterie of ‘liberals’ that included renowned journalists, opposition leaders, and almost the entire anti-Modi brigade rallied behind the disgraced cop for the simple reason that he was against Narendra Modi. The narrative that the leftists and their friendly media weaved was swiftly picked up by the international media and amplified to damage Indian national interest.
After his conviction in one case in June 2019, more lies were spread by the self-proclaimed ‘liberals’, and media outlets like BBC, who tried to imply that the reason for his conviction was the anti-Modi stance taken by him and not the 1990 case against him. This included Manu Joseph, a former contributor at Outlook weekly, who had initially made the same false charge which was later made by Sanjiv Bhatt, on Narendra Modi giving ‘orders to the police to allow Hindus to riot’ in a crucial meeting on 27 Feb 2002 held at CM’s Bungalow, in weekly Outlook dated 3 June 2002. Manu Joseph said: “I also believe that he is in jail right now only because he tried to destroy Modi.” [Manu Joseph’s report of Outlook 3 June 2002 was as false as Sanjiv Bhatt’s claims. To know the full truth of it, and the lies of Joseph in Outlook, click here.]
Despite the unwavering support the tainted officer received from many mainstream journalists and political leaders and workers, there is a truckload of evidence of Sanjiv Bhatt’s crimes and it can be rightly said that the ex-IPS officer has received what he deserves.
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, who is already legal cases for an objectionable tweet on Goddess Kali, now seems to be facing a new case for a tweet defaming an entire community in Assam. An FIR has been lodged in Assam against Mahua for ‘insulting the sentiments of Assamese’. On Friday 15th July 2022, Assam’s Jatiya Sangrami Sena lodged an FIR in the Sivasagar Sadar police station in Sivasagar district demanding an unconditional apology. Mahua Moitra is asked to apologize for linking the surname ‘Gogoi’ to sexual abuse.
In an attempt to criticize the decision of prohibiting certain words in parliamentary affairs, Mahua Moitra had ended up labelling people with Gogoi surname as sexual abusers. On July 14, she had tweeted, “My first of new twitter series on replacements for unparliamentary words. Banned word- Sexual Harassment. Replacement- Mr. Gogoi.”
My first of new twitter series on replacements for unparliamentary words .
Banned word- Sexual Harassment Replacement- Mr. Gogoi
Gogoi is a very common surname amongst the people of the Ahom community in Assam. Therefore, there was an outrage in Assam over this tweet by the TMC MP. The FIR was registered against Mahua Moitra in the Sivasagar district.
Pranab Chetia is the President of the Sivasagar district unit of Jatiya Sangrami Sena. He said in the complaint, “It has been observed that her (Moitra’s) Twitter comment is deliberately replacing the word sexual harassment with the word Mr. Gogoi, which is a clear intention to defame and disregard an established ethnic community of Assam, and hence I urge the law of the land to protect the sanctity, integrity, and respect of the Ahom community and bring Mohua Moitra to justice.”
Jatiya Sangrami Sena president Chitu Barua said that while it is understood that Maitra was targeting former CJI Ranjan Gogoi, even then such blatant defamation of a community can’t be acceptable. ‘Mahua Maitra will have to seek apology by kneeling down and holding her ears’, he added.
National Award-winning filmmaker and film critic Utpal Borpujari also reacted to Mahua Moitra for her tweet. Utpal Borpujari tweeted, “Who is this “Mr. Gogoi”? Please give the complete name if you have a specific person in mind. Else, it’s a slur on all the Gogoi’s. (Yes, the list of ‘unparliamentary’ words is ridiculous, but that can be opposed without being equally ridiculous).”
Who is this “Mr Gogoi”? Please give the complete name if you have a specific person in mind. Else, it’s a slur on all the Gogois. (Yes, the list of ‘unparliamentary’ words is ridiculous, but that can be opposed without being equally ridiculous). https://t.co/eHc72mzkfG
— উৎপল বৰপূজাৰী Utpal Borpujari (@UtpalBorpujari) July 14, 2022
As the controversy surfaced, Mahua Moitra tried to clarify her stand. In a separate tweet, she wrote, “Just for those sanghis twisting tweet to say I targeted all Gogois let me spell it out: Mister Ranjan Gogoi. Honourable MP, Rajya Sabha.”
Just for those sanghis twisting tweet to say I targetted all Gogois let me spell it out:
In this way, Mahua Moitra clarified that she wished to take a dig at the former chief justice of India Justice Ranjan Gogoi. However, her original tweet is still there which just mentions the surname Gogoi.
Mahua Moitra’s tweet came after Assam TMC chief Ripun Bora said that he had asked the party to intervene in the matter as it has caused a huge outrage in Assam. Talking to media, he said that it was an unnecessary comment made in personal capacity by Moitra, and the party has nothing to with it. He said that he talked to the TMC high command to intervene, and after that the party asked Moitra to clarify that she is not targeting the entire Gogoi community, but only one specific person. TMC is trying to establish its presence in Assam, and such controversy can derail that plan, the reason why Ripun Bora acted fast to get the clarification tweeted by Mahua Moitra. However, this may be too late as there is already massive outrage in the state, and a police complaint already has been filed.
It is notable that in April 2019, a woman employee of the Supreme Court accused the then CJI Ranjan Gogoi of sexual harassment. However, Justice Gogoi, after taking suo moto cognizance of the case, headed a three-judge bench to deal with it. He later got a clean chit in this case.
The COVID-19 vaccination coverage program of the Government of India will soon reach 200 crore doses, making it the largest in the world. In an unprecedented effort, the total number of COVID vaccines delivered in the country surpassed 199 crores on Friday, 15th of July 2022. The country is presently around 30 lakh COVID-19 vaccines away from achieving the 200 crore level.
The process of administering Made in India – Covaxin and Covishield vaccines to Indian citizens began under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s direction on January 16 last year. According to the reports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to make an announcement shortly on the 200 crore Covid vaccine achievement.
— Prasar Bharati News Services पी.बी.एन.एस. (@PBNS_India) July 16, 2022
Since the pandemic’s onset, India has proven its dedication to safeguarding its citizens by taking on this arduous task, which necessitated significant resources, the undying support of the States and UTs, and the tireless efforts of health care workers, front-line workers, and the prompt participation of all stakeholders. It took India 17 months to inoculate its 1.4 billion population and reach over 199 crore vaccinations.
The government had begun its countrywide COVID 19 vaccination program on January 16 last year amid the severe spread of the virus. Through the 75-day COVID Immunization Amrit Mahotsava, the Centre is dedicated to accelerating and broadening the breadth of COVID-19 vaccination across the country.
To note, PM Modi while addressing the 90th edition of Mann Ki Baat on June 26 also said that it was a matter of satisfaction that the country today had a comprehensive protective shield of the vaccine. “We have reached close to the 200 crore vaccine doses. Precaution dose is also being administered in the country”, he had confirmed.
The immunization campaign has been stepped up with the availability of additional vaccinations, advanced awareness of vaccine availability to states and UTs for improved planning, and simplification of the vaccine supply chain. As part of the nationwide vaccination campaign, the Government of India has been providing free COVID vaccines to states and union territories. In the next phase of the COVID19 immunization program, the Union Government would acquire and deliver (at no cost) to States and UTs 75% of the vaccines manufactured in the country by the vaccine makers.
In the presidential election scheduled for July 18, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announced today that it will back Yashwant Sinha, the nominee of the united opposition. The declaration was made by Aam Aadmi Party MP for Rajya Sabha Sanjay Singh. “We respect Droupadi Murmu but the AAP will support the opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha,” Singh said.
“AAP will support Opposition’s Presidential candidate Yashwant Sinha. We respect Droupadi Murmu but we will vote for Yashwant Sinha,” says AAP MP Sanjay Singh
The decision was made during a PAC meeting presided over by the party’s national convenor, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Senior party leaders such as Depuy CM Manish Sisodia, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, Atishi, Durgesh Pathak, Punjab MP Raghav Chadha, and others attended the meeting.
The Aam Aadmi Party has 156 MLAs in total, including 92 in Punjab, 62 in Delhi, and two in Goa. It has ten Rajya Sabha MPs from the two states, three of whom are from Delhi.
The presidential election will be held on Monday, and the results will be declared on July 21.
After NCP President Sharad Pawar, former West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi, and National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah dropped out, Yashwant Sinha emerged as the consensus presidential candidate of opposition parties, including the Congress. He is running against Draupadi Murmu, the National Democratic Alliance candidate picked by the BJP.
On June 21, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led (BJP) National Democratic Alliance (NDA) named former Jharkhand Governor Draupadi Murmu as their Presidential candidate for the July 18, 2022 elections. Murmu has a political career spanning over 20 years. She was born on June 20, 1958, in the village of Uparbeda, district Mayurbhanj, to a Santal Tribal family. Murmu will be India’s first tribal woman president if she is elected.
Yashwant Sinha has now secured the support of Congress, NCP, TMC, SP, National Conference, CPI, CPI-M, AIMIM, RJD, AAP and AIUDF among others. But Draupadi Murmu is set to win the elections, as she has the support of more voters. Apart from the votes of NDA parties, she will also get votes from several other parties. The NDA candidate has already received support from several non-NDA parties, including BJD, YSR-CP, BSP, AIADMK, TDP, JDS and Shiromani Akali Dal, and this have ensured over 60% vote share for her. Apart from these supports, cross voting from other non-NDA parties is also expected, especially from SC and ST lawmakers.
On Thursday (July 14), the popular Indian photoblog ‘Humans of Bombay’ posted the story of a 22-year-old Muskaan, who apparently required ₹23 lakhs to pursue a master’s in Psychology at Harvard University.
The Instagram post detailed her journey as an ‘anxious’ teenager who found guidance under her school counsellor. “After 2 years of counselling, my grades improved too. And after I topped college, I realized I wanted to do for other kids what my counsellor did for me – I, too, wanted to become a counsellor,” it read.
“And just then, I came across the Master’s course for Psychology at Harvard! I said, ‘I believe in myself’ & applied. And 2 months later, I got the best email, ‘You’re accepted to study at Harvard!’; I was the youngest Indian to get in! And the happiness in mom’s eyes was indescribable,” the Instagram post emphasised.
‘Humans of Bombay’ claimed that Muskaan spent ₹2.5 lakhs in application and visa fees. “My mom is a single mom & the breadwinner; she’s putting down her savings for me. Still, Rs. 23 lakhs more are required for me to study there…,” the post stated.
It further added, “I’ve worked extremely hard to get where I’ve gotten but to go further ahead, I need your help. It took me a long time to find the will to dream, & now that I’m close, I don’t want to give up on it…”
The popular photoblog posted the link to a fundraising campaign, which was hosted on Ketto. As of July 16, 2022, the campaign has amassed ₹12.94 lakhs ($18,494).
Screengrab of the Ketto fundraiser
Netizens highlight discrepancies in fundraiser floated by Muskaan; compare her with Rana Ayyub
Netizens were quick to point out obvious discrepancies in the fundraising campaign. Popular Twitter user (@BefittingFacts) informed that Muskaan had been running a similar fundraising campaign on Milaap.
He wrote, “Muskaan Bawa is collecting ₹25 Lakh in Milaap and ₹23.62 Lakh in Ketto for her ‘Education’. In Milaap she is from Dharmshala and in Ketto she is from Chandigarh.”
Muskaan Bawa is collecting ₹25 Lakh in Milaap and ₹23.62 Lakh in Ketto for her ‘Education’.
Another Twitter user (@Naarad_Munii) stated that the last date to confirm Muskaan’s admission to Harvard was April 15, 2022, and that she has been raising funds for the same in July of this year.
She had to confirm her admission by 15 April 2022. July aa gaya abhi tak donation maang rahe hai… ? ? ?@IncomeTaxIndia Wake up from sleep.. ? ? ? pic.twitter.com/cRniFmOsCG
— Indravardhan Sarabhai ઇન્દ્રવરધન સારાભાઈ (@Naarad_Munii_) July 16, 2022
One user claimed that Muskaan Bawa is a model by profession. “So ‘Humans of Bombay’ has made a fake story about Muskaan Bawa, who is a model by profession, that she needs money for education at Harvard. Money can be easily attained by Loan. “
He also sought the intervention of the Mumbai police. “Please look into this fraud,” he tweeted.
— Jhootha LOL Gadha™ ? (@FakeRainaNepfew) July 16, 2022
Open-source intelligence (OSINT) handle ‘The Hawk Eye’ claimed that Muskaan had earlier put up a similar fundraising campaign in the past.
“In May’22 also she raised a similar campaign. Location was Kangra (H.P.), write-up name was Muskan (one “a” missing). Email Id was muskaanbawa7/Gmail. Now with an ultra enhanced write-up (maybe Ketto marketing help), email is now bawamuskaan7/Gmail. Too much for coincidences,” it stated.
‘The Hawk Eye’ also alleged that Muskaan had cited 2 different universities in different fundraising campaigns on Ketto.
GS Lohia Girls college is in Aasam. Whereas in Ketto write up she mentioned Punjab University !? pic.twitter.com/RHmEsDsOzh
Concerned netizens also posted in the comment section of the fundraising campaign in the hopes to deter naive people from donating to her. “It’s a scam. Big One. She’s a model,” wrote one Alex Hales. Another user Ishita urged benefactors to not donate a single rupee to Muskaan.
Screengrab of the comments on the fundraiser
Allegations of misappropriation of funds by Rana Ayyub
On February 10 this year, OpIndia reported that ED seized Rs 1.77 crore in Ayyub’s and her family’s accounts under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. A few days after the expose, Ayyub alleged in a statement that she was being framed for her “journalism” and that she did not misuse the money.
However, all her claims were debunked by a Twitter user Hawk Eye who was the first to share details of alleged charity fraud last year. The ED has, in its attachment order, said, “Rana Ayyub has cheated the general Public Donors in a pre-planned manner and with the intention to cheat the general public donors.”
The order emphasised that the ‘scam’ started from the time she received the funds, which she did not use for Covid-19 relief work. She instead made a fixed deposit of ₹50 lakhs and transferred the amount to the savings account of her father, and sister through net banking. You can read the details about the allegations of misuse of Covid-19 funds by clicking on the link here. ED had also stated that the bills Ayyub had provided to show relief work do not add up.
On March 29, Rana Ayyub was stopped by Indian Immigration officials from boarding a flight to London due to the pending money laundering case against her. On April 4, she was granted permission to travel abroad by the Delhi High Court with the pre-requirement that she divulges details of her travel, contacts and her place of stay.
