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Delhi: UDF MPs from Kerala fight with Delhi Police during a protest against Pinrayi Vijayan govt’s Silver Line project

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Delhi: UDF MPs from Kerala fight with Delhi Police during a protest against Pinrayi Vijayan govt’s Silver Line project

A scuffle broke out between United Democratic Front (UDF) leaders from Kerala and the Police during a protest on Thursday morning in New Delhi. The opposition leaders were protesting against Pinarayi Vijayan govt’s ambitious K-Silver Line High-Speed railway corridor project. 

The UDF opposition leaders led by the Congress in Kerala were seen fighting with the Police after the officials stopped them outside Vijay Chowk near the Parliament. Taking out a March outside the Parliament campus, the leaders demanded that the Silver-Line corridor is not an economically viable project and hence should be scrapped. The project has been a much contentious issue in the state over the LDF government’s suspicious land acquisition activities for the project. Several environmental activists have also criticised the project saying that the corridor passes through ecologically sensitive areas.

The development has taken place on the day when Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan is in Delhi to seek a meeting with PM Modi. KC Venugopal, senior Congress leader from Kerala who participated in the protest said that the project is anti-people. “K-Silver line project proposed by Kerala govt is anti-people. Most people are in fear of eviction. Kerala is an economically fragile state, this is not an economically viable project. Now CM (Pinarayi Vijayan) is going to meet the PM to get a sanction,” said Venugopal while talking to ANI.

Alleging that the BJP is in favour of the LDF-led project, Venugopal said, “We are seeking the PM to see the concern of the people of Kerala & to try to stop the CM of Kerala. There’s a feeling that CPI(M) & BJP will be together in this project & that the PM will give consent.”

Earlier yesterday, Congress workers uprooted survey stones laid for the railway corridor project in Ernakulam to oppose the project. It was reported earlier that some of these stones were laid on the road in the middle night without taking the residents into consideration. The project has caused much political churn in the state, wherein the opposition parties had also disrupted the Budget session in the Kerala Assembly and had staged a boycott to condemn the project.

The Silver Line project remains an ambitious high-speed railway project of the state government, which is expected to reduce the travel time between Kasargod and Thiruvananthapuram (north and south ends of the state) to four hours. The total length of the project is estimated to be 529.45 km while it is estimated to cost Rs 63,940 crore from the state exchequer.

Ravindra Jadeja succeeds MS Dhoni as captain of the Chennai Super Kings

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Ravindra Jadeja succeeds MS Dhoni as captain of the Chennai Super Kings

In a major development, former Indian Cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has opted to give over the command of the Chennai Super Kings to Ravindra Jadeja. The Chennai Super Kings revealed this on their official website.

Jadeja, who has been with the Chennai Super Kings since 2012, will be only the third player to head the team. Dhoni will continue to play for the Chennai Super Kings this season and in the future.

Ravindra Jadeja is now regarded as one of the best all-rounders in the world. He is one of the finest players in the Indian Premier League and is also regarded as one of the best fielders in the recent history of Cricket.

Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja was a part of the 2008 Indian U-19 cricket squad, which was led by Virat Kohli and won the World Cup in Malaysia. He made his One-Day International (ODI) debut against Sri Lanka on February 8, 2009, hitting an undefeated 60 off 77 balls. Over four years later, on December 13, 2012, he made his Test debut against England in Nagpur.

When he struck Sam Billings at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on January 22, 2017, Jadeja became the first Indian left-arm spinner to take 150 One Day International wickets. In March 2017, he overtook Ravichandran Ashwin as the world’s best bowler, a position he held for a long period.

At the 2012 IPL Players Auction, the Chennai Super Kings purchased Jadeja for the first time. After the Chennai Super Kings were banned from the IPL for two seasons, he was purchased by the Gujarat Lions in the 2016 IPL Players Auction.

Indian Premier League 2022

In IPL 2022, a total of ten teams will compete. The IPL has so far been contested by eight teams. The addition of two new teams, the Lucknow Supergiants, and Gujarat Titans, makes this season one of the most competitive in history. The IPL 2022 will begin on April 2 and conclude on June 3.

Massacre in Bengal: Autopsy report reveals victims were brutally beaten up before being burnt alive

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Massacre in Bengal: Autopsy report reveals victims were brutally beaten up before being burnt alive

The autopsy report of the eight victims who were charred to death in Bogtui village in West Bengal’s Birbhum district has revealed that they were mercilessly beaten up before the carnage. The forensic experts from Rampurhat hospital, where the body of the deceased’s was sent for post-mortem reportedly told news agency PTI that the victims were first badly beaten up then set on fire.

Calcutta HC orders state govt to submit status report on Birbhum massacre probe

Notably, after taking sou-motu cognizance of the Birbhum massacre in West Bengal, the Calcutta High Court had issued directions to the state government to ensure a proper probe of the case. Taking up the matter on March 23, the court asked the state government to submit the case diary and a report on the investigation so far by Thursday, March 24.

The court also issued directions for the protection of evidence and the crime scene. The court ordered that the scene must be continuously monitored through CCTV cameras. The court directed the state govt to “immediately install CCTV cameras with DVR having sufficient memory covering all angles of the scene of occurrence and will do continuous recording until further orders.” Cameras will have to be installed in the presence of the District Judge of Purba Bardhaman district.

The Calcutta High Court directed that a team from CFSL in Delhi will visit the site to collect forensic evidence. The order said that the evidence will have to be collected without any delay.

The bench also asked the DGP and the IGP to ensure the protection of witnesses in the case.

Birbhum Massacre

On Tuesday, March 22, unidentified miscreants had set a dozen houses on fire, killing at least eight people. The incident occurred in the Rampurhat area of West Bengal’s Birbhum district.

According to reports, the miscreants locked the houses from outside before torching them, leaving no room for the occupants to flee. The incident occurred following the assassination of a Trinamool Congress (TMC) functionary named Bhadu Sheikh on Monday, March 21.

So far, at least 20 people have been arrested in connection with the carnage. On one hand, CM Mamata Banerjee had promised an impartial investigation, while on the other she attempted to downplay the incident by claiming that such incidents are more common in other states such as UP, Bihar, and Rajasthan. She also accused the opposition of attempting to defame the state by exploiting the incident.

Islamists and ‘liberals’ have a meltdown after Delhi court rejects Umar Khalid’s bail plea under UAPA

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Islamists and ‘liberals’ have a meltdown after Delhi court rejects Umar Khalid’s bail plea under UAPA

On March 24, a Delhi court rejected the bail plea of one of the prime accused of the larger conspiracy case of Delhi Riots 2020. Soon after the court announced the judgement, so-called liberals and Islamists had a massive meltdown on social media platforms.

TMC’s Saket Gokhale called Khalid a political prisoner and alleged that the court rejected his fundamental rights. He urged everyone not to “forget” Khalid. “Every day that he spends in jail is a black mark on Indian democracy,” he claimed.

Political analyst Muzzammil Imam alleged the real culprits are never caught, but the innocents get punished by the courts.

The Wire journalist Kaushik Raj pointed fingers at Yati Narsinghanand and others, claiming they were roaming free after making allegedly inflammatory speeches, but Khalid, who ‘protested’ against CAA-NRC, was denied bail. Khalid is accused of being part of larger conspiracy in Delhi riots.

Advocate Areeb Uddin questioned why the court deferred the decision three times and then rejected the bail.

Aatish Taseer, whose OCI card was revoked by the Indian Government, said, “the day after Bhagat Singh’s death anniversary, to honour those societies that do NOT demand martyrdom and sacrifice, those that allow you to live (rather than die) for your country, and that do not fetishise the terrible suffering Umar Khalid has had to endure.”

Washington Post columnist accused of financial fraud in name of COVID relief donation called it tyranny.

Senior Advocate and former AAP leader Prashant Bhushan called it unfortunate and claimed the evidence against Khalid was ‘fabricated’.

Former AMU student and another Islamist Sharjeel Usmani insinuated that the judiciary in India is hand in gloves with the Indian government, thereby casting aspersions that the independent body is not so.

Umar Khalid was booked under UAPA

The Delhi Police apprehended Umar Khalid on September 13, 2020, and charged him on November 22, 2020, under several provisions of the UAPA and the Indian Penal Code. In July 2021, Khalid filed a bail application.

Bihar: Three MLAs of NDA ally Vikassheel Insaan Party quits party and joins BJP, making it the single largest party

OpIndia Staff
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Bihar: Three MLAs of NDA ally Vikassheel Insaan Party quits party and joins BJP, making it the single largest party

In a significant political development in Bihar, all the three MLAs of Bihar minister Mukesh Sahani-led Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) quit the party on Wednesday and joined BJP.

According to the reports, the three MLAs from Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) – Rajoo Kumar Singh from Sahebganj, Mishri Lal Yadav from Alinagar and Swarna Singh from Gaura Bauram, quit the party and extended their support to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The three legislators met Bihar Vidhan Sabha Speaker Vijay Kumar Sinha on Wednesday to submit their letter of support in favour of the BJP.

Later in the day, Bihar BJP president Dr Sanjay Jaiswal, deputy CMs Tarkishore Prasad and Renu Devi welcomed the three former VIP MLAs into the party fold. The VIP is an ally of the ruling NDA comprising BJP, Janata Dal-United (JDU) and the Hindustan Awami Morcha (HAM). VIP chief Mukesh Sahani currently serves as the Minister for Animal husbandry and fisheries resources in the Nitish Kumar cabinet.

It is important to note that VIP had won four seats in the 2020 Bihar elections, while Mukesh Sahani had lost his own and was later given an MLC seat.

The resignation of three MLAs from the party came hours after the VIP chief visited Bihar’s Muzaffarpur to attend the filing of nomination of Geeta Kumari, who has been fielded as the VIP candidate for the by-election to the Bochaha assembly seat. The seat fell vacant after the death of VIP MLA Musafir Paswan.

Meanwhile, a few BJP leaders have asked Sahani to resign from the minister’s post. Sahani was on the target of the BJP leadership ever since he decided to field candidates against the BJP in seven seats in the upcoming legislative council election in the state. The VIP chief had also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, angering the BJP leadership.

With the joining of the three MLAs, the total number of saffron party MLAs has risen to 77 from the existing 74, making it the single largest party in Bihar. Earlier RJD was the single largest party with 75 MLAs.

‘Rape is rape, marriage doesn’t give any special privilege’, Karnataka HC declines to drop rape charges against man accused of raping his wife

OpIndia Staff
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‘Rape is rape, marriage doesn’t give any special privilege’, Karnataka HC declines to drop rape charges against man accused of raping his wife

In a crucial judgment on marital rape, the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday refused to drop rape charges framed by a trial court against a man for sexually assaulting his wife. The Court ruled that the marriage doesn’t confer any special male privilege or a license for unleashing a brutal beast on the wife.

“A man is a man; an act is an act; rape is a rape, be it performed by a man the ‘husband’ on the woman ‘wife’”, said a single judge bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna of the Karnataka High Court. The Court was hearing the case from the year 2017 where a woman had filed a case against her husband who was allegedly treating her like a ‘sex slave’.

Upholding the rape charges against the husband, the High Court said that the age-old, regressive thought that ‘husbands are the rulers of their wives, their body, mind, and soul’ should be effaced. However, the court did not completely strike down the marital rape exception included in the Indian Penal Code, which says ‘sexual intercourse by a man with his wife, the latter not being under 15 years of age, is not rape’. The Court clarified that the order pertains to the framing of charges against the husband and is not about whether marital rapes should be recognized as an offense or not.

Court Findings

According to the reports, Justice Nagaprasanna maintained that the institution of marriage does not confer, cannot confer, and in my considered view, should not be construed to confer, any special male privilege or a license for unleashing of a brutal beast. If it is punishable to a man, it should be punishable to a man albeit, the man being a husband.

“A brutal act of sexual assault on the wife, against her consent, albeit by the husband, cannot b nbvut be termed to be a rape. Such sexual assault by a husband on his wife will have grave consequences on the mental sheet of the wife, it has both psychological and physiological impacts on her. Such acts of husbands scar the soul of the wives. It is, therefore, imperative for the lawmakers to now hear the voices of silence,” the court added.

The Court meanwhile also referred to the Indian Constitution and said that the Constitution treats women as equal to men and considers marriage as an association of ‘equals’. “The Constitution does not in any sense depict the woman to be subordinate to a man”, it said adding that under the Constitution- rights are equal, protection is also equal.

Husband charged for rape, dowry harassment, assault under IPC 376, 498A, 354

The Bengaluru-based woman who had filed the complaint against her husband in the year 2017, after 11 years of marriage, also stated that her husband had forced her in front of their daughter. The Bengaluru Police post-investigation had earlier filed a charge sheet against the man for rape, dowry harassment, assault of a woman under IPC 376, 498A, 354. The Police had also charged him under the POCSO Act for sexual offenses against a child. The trial court eventually framed charges for rape, cruelty by husband, and criminal intimidation.

In the year 2018, the 43-year-old man challenged the decision of the trial court and appealed to the High Court for dropping charges of rape and sexual assault on a child brought against him by the Police. The charge sheet by the husband also maintained that rape charges were not applicable against a man who was the husband of the alleged rape victim. The Karnataka HC however ruled otherwise.

It is important to note that in January this year, the Delhi High Court while hearing the petition relating to the marital rape had questioned how the dignity of a married woman is not affected as an unmarried woman when the man imposes herself upon her. The HC had reserved its judgment as the Centre refused to take a stand without consulting the stakeholders (states and NCW). However, in August 2021, the Chhattishgarh High Court had acquitted a man charged with marital rape stating that sexual intercourse or any sexual act between a legally wedded couple is not rape even if done by force.

Karnataka govt hands over Harsha murder case probe to NIA

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka govt hands over Harsha murder case probe to NIA

The Karnataka government has turned over the investigation into the Bajrang Dal activist Harsha murder case in the state’s Shivamogga city to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), reports The Indian Express. 26-year-old Harsha was brutally hacked to death near Kamat Petrol Pump on NT Road in Shivamogga, Karnataka on February 20 over a Facebook post in connection to the hijab controversy.

According to reports citing police sources, the NIA filed a formal complaint in the case of the murder of the Bajrang Dal worker in a New Delhi court on Wednesday after being assigned the probe.

Karnataka Police invokes UAPA charges in Harsha murder case, suspects ‘larger conspiracy

On March 2, the Karnataka police had pressed charges under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against 10 people arrested in connection with the murder.

UAPA is invoked in cases involving threats to national security and national integrity. Since the Karnataka police are “suspecting a larger conspiracy behind the murder” of Harsha it has decided to invoke UAPA against the accused namely, Mahammad Qasif (Kasif), Syed Nadeem, Rihan Sharief, Asif Ullah Khan, Abdul Afnan, Nihan, Faraz Pasha, Abdul Khadar Jilan, Abdul Roshan and Jafar Sadiq. 

Under the UAPA, police gain custody of a suspect for 30 days and have 180 days instead of 90 days to file a charge sheet. The law’s stipulations also make it difficult for an accused person to obtain bail.

Harsh murder case

Harsha was stabbed to death on the night of February 20 near Kamat petrol bunk in Karnataka’s Shivamogaa district by a gang of Muslim youths. He worked as a tailor and was from Seegehatti. Harsha was a member of the Hindu organisation Bajrang Dal, and he was seen wearing saffron shawls to demand uniformity in school and college dress codes.

A friend of the Bajrang Dal activist alleged Harsha had been under surveillance for the past few weeks and that the murder was a “well-planned plot.”

The cold-blooded murder of the Bajrang Dal activist had provoked a wave of protests across the area, forcing the district administration to impose a curfew and close educational institutions.

‘Surrender or else’ – Rape accused surrenders after UP Police park bulldozer outside his house threatening to demolish it

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‘Surrender or else’ – Rape accused surrenders after UP Police park bulldozer outside his house threatening to demolish it

The fear of ‘Yogi’s Bulldozer’ forced a rape accused to surrender in district Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh. As per reports, a rape accused was absconding, and UP Police was unable to trace his whereabouts. The man, who ran a lavatory near Railway Station in Pratapgarh, was accused of raping a woman in the toilet.

The victim was scheduled to board a train to go to Ahmedabad from Prayagraj. She left with her husband and one more person for Pratapgarh Railway Station to catch a train for Prayagraj. At around 12 AM on the intervening night of March 18 and March 19, she went to look for a washroom. The accused gave her a key to the washroom. When she opened the lock and entered, he followed and raped her.

Before leaving her, he threatened not to tell anyone about the incident. She rushed to find her husband and told him what had happened. Her husband caught the accused. However, associates of the accused reached the spot and beat up the victim’s husband. The accused took benefit of the moment and ran away.

The victim went back home and then approached the police station to file a complaint against the rapist. The rape was confirmed in the medical test. Based on her complaint, the Police initiated the probe and raided multiple locations to find him. He was not found at his house or other locations during the search operations. To force him out of the hideout, the Police parked a bulldozer outside his house. They issued a warning to the family members that if he failed to surrender in 24-hours, they would demolish the house.

The accused, identified as Shubham, came to know about the warning and then contacted the Police to inform them that he was at Bhangwa Octroi. He was later arrested by the Police. As per the regulations, the administration has the power to raze down properties in two cases. First, if the construction was illegal and second if it belonged to a criminal who constructed it using money earned via illegal activities.

Reportedly, this was the first time Police used a bulldozer to force a criminal out of the hideout. Notably, the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government in Uttar Pradesh has been re-elected into power, and the improved law & order situation in the state played a vital role in the win. Famous by the name ‘Bulldozer wale baba’, CM Yogi Adityanath made it to headlines on several occasions after the UP administration razed down illegal constructions and buildings linked to criminals.

Delhi court denies bail to former JNU student Umar Khalid in Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) case in connection with Delhi Riots

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Delhi court denies bail to former JNU student Umar Khalid in Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) case in connection with Delhi Riots

A Delhi Court refused bail to so-called activist and former JNU student Umar Khalid on Thursday in connection with a case pertaining to the bigger conspiracy in the 2020 Delhi riots, involving offences under the Indian Penal Code and UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act).

The order was issued today by Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat.

Umar Khalid’s counsel contended that the whole charge sheet issued by Delhi Police in FIR 59/2020 is fictitious and that the evidence against him is based on video excerpts shown on television channels Republic TV and News 18 that show a shortened version of his speech. He further claimed that the television networks Republic TV and News 18 broadcasted a shortened version of a speech made by Khalid in Amravati, Maharashtra, on February 17, last year.

Umar’s lawyer further said that while the rallies against the Citizenship Amendment Act were secular, the charge sheet issued by the Delhi Police was sectarian.

The prosecution countered that Umar Khalid intended to create an impression by alluding to the web series ‘Family Man’ and the film ‘Trial of Chicago 7’ and had nothing to say on the merits of the case. The prosecution had also objected to Umar Khalid’s contention that the Investigation Agency and Investigating Officer were communal.

The prosecution had maintained, using Section 15 of the UAPA Act, which defines a terrorist act, that the riots were methodically organized and that there was damage of property, interruption of critical services, use of petrol bombs, lathis, stones, etc.

The prosecution also asserted that the 2020 sit-in protests were well organized, with key protest sites chosen to be closer to 25 mosques. He said that these sites had religious importance but were given secular names on purpose to give the supposed communal protest legitimacy.

The FIR filed against Khalid includes serious allegations such as Sections 13, 16, 17, 18 of the UAPA, Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act, and Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act of 1984. He is also charged with a number of offenses listed in the Indian Penal Code of 1860.

The Delhi Police apprehended Umar Khalid on September 13, 2020, and charged him on November 22, 2020, under several provisions of the UAPA and the Indian Penal Code. In July 2021, Khalid filed a bail application.

Former Congress Councilor Ishrat Jahan, Jamia Coordination Committee members Safoora Zargar, Meeran Haider, and Shifa-UrRehman, suspended AAP Councilor Tahir Hussain, activist Khalid Saifi, Shadab Ahmed, Tasleem Ahmed, Salim Malik, Mohd Salim Khan, and Athar Khan are among those facing trial in the anti-Hindu Delhi riots case.

Munawwar Khan, Musharraf Khan and Mozim Khan brutally murder Dhaba owner Sewaram after an argument for Rs 4

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Munawwar Khan, Musharraf Khan and Mozim Khan brutally murder Dhaba owner Sewaram after an argument for Rs 4

Three youths namely Munawwar Khan, Mozim Khan and Musharraf Khan, who were hiding after brutally stabbing a roadside Dhaba owner, were nabbed by Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly police on Wednesday, March 23. According to reports, the accused had brutally killed a Dhaba owner named Sewaram Gangwar over an altercation that ensued between the deceased and the trio over Rs 4.

As per reports, the accused reportedly lured the Dhaba owner away on the pretext of seeking an apology for the fight that happened between them on March 11 and invited him for a drink. The Dhaba owner fell for their friendly talks and went along with them. The trio later brutally stabbed him to death and dumped his body in a field near Tiulia underpass in Fatehgarh West.

According to reports, the 45-year-old Gangwar, a resident of Fatehganj West, was found brutally murdered on the Delhi-Bareilly National Highway, falling under the jurisdiction of the Paschim Ganj police station in ​​Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. He was operating a roadside Dhaba on the Delhi-Lucknow National Highway.

In what transpired on March 11, the accused Munawwar Khan, Mozim Khan and Musharraf Khan had visited Gangwar’s Dhaba for a cup of tea. Gangwar asked the trio to pay Rs 4 extra according to the new rate card. The trio objected to paying Rs 20 instead of the usual Rs 16 for 2 cups of tea. This culminated in an altercation between the Dhaba owner and the trio. Infuriated at the trio, the Dhaba owner hurled insults and asked them to leave.

The next day, the three accused went to the restaurant under the guise of reconciling with Gangwar and inviting him out for a drink. Gangwar agreed and went along with them, unaware of their true intentions. The trio was carrying sharp weapons, which they later used to attack the Dhaba owner.

The Hindi Daily, Jagran had reported on March 14 that the accused had brutally stabbed and slit the throat of the deceased with a sharp weapon. His body was also mercilessly hit at many places. The accused then dumped Gangwar’s body in the field near Tiulia underpass in Fatehgarh West and fled. When, on March 14, some passers-by noticed the deceased body lying there, they informed the incident to CBganj police who in turn informed the Fatehganj Western Police. Both the police teams immediately reached the spot and started probing the case.

SP Bareilly Rohit Singh Sajwan said, “We have recovered the murder weapon and the vehicle used for dumping the body. The accused have confessed. They claim that the crime was committed under the influence of alcohol.”

One of the accused, Munawwar defended himself by saying, “We were regulars, and he used to serve tea for Rs 8. However, Sewaram informed us that the prices had risen that day and a cup of tea costs Rs 10. He misbehaved and threatened us when we refused to pay the additional charge. We were embarrassed. We decided to seek vengeance and kill him the next day.”

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