Home Blog Page 4624

NIA files supplementary charge-sheet against 2 terrorists in the ISIS – Omar Al Hindi Module case

OpIndia Staff
-
0
NIA files supplementary charge-sheet against 2 terrorists in the ISIS – Omar Al Hindi Module case

On Monday, the National Investigative Agency (NIA) filed a supplementary charge-sheet in the Special NIA court against two terrorists in the ISIS Omar Al Hindi Module case. It must be mentioned that the case pertains to a criminal conspiracy by 15 radical Islamists from Tamil Nadu and Kerala to carry out terror attacks in several parts of South India.

As per the NIA, the charge sheet was filed against Sidhikhul Aslam (31) and Muhammad Polakkanni (28). While Aslam has been booked under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 120B (criminal conspiracy), Sections 38 and 39 of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), charges have been filed against Polakkanni under sections 120B of IPC and Sections 18, 18B, 20, 38 and 39 of UAPA.

Aslam was arrested on October 28 last year, after he returned to India from Saudi Arabia. He was involved in active recruitment of ISIS/ Daish-inspired terrorist module for furthering Islamist ideology in the country. On the other hand, Polakkanni had travelled to Georgia in early 2018 to cross over to Syria via Turkey and join the ISIS. He was, however, nabbed by the authorities while trying to cross the border using a fake passport. The Islamic terrorist, who propagated extremism through the disbursement of material endorsing Jihadi ideology, was arrested after his return to India on September 19 last year.

NIA convicted terrorist Safvan in 2019

In a statement, the NIA said that it took suo motu cognisance of the case on October 1, 2016, on the basis of credible information. On the following day, the central investigative agency arrested the five accused in connection to the criminal conspiracy. Reportedly, the accused were involved in the formation of terror outfit Ansarul Khilafa-KL and planned to attack judges, cops, politicians and congregation of Jews. On November 27, 2019, a NIA Special Court convicted six radical Islamists namely Swalih Mohammed, Rashid Ali, Ramshad N. K., Safvan P, Manseed Muhmood, and Moinudheen P. K.

Safvan and the Hathras connection

Interestingly, Safvan, who is the 9th accused in Omar Al Hindu Module case, was a Graphic Designer at a radical Islamist PFI-funded Thejas Daily. The news organisation, which had shut shop in 2018, came to the spotlight after a Kerala-based journalist from Thejas Daily named Siddique Kappan was arrested by the UP Police on October 5 while he was proceeding to cover the Hathras case.

In its affidavit to the apex court, the Uttar Pradesh government informed that Kappan was using the garb of journalism to create a caste divide and law & order disturbance in the State. Kappan was associated with the radical Islamist outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) and a banned terrorist organisation named Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).

The Uttar Pradesh government had submitted a copy of a front-page story by Kappan in Thejas, dating back to November 30, 2011, wherein he claimed that Al-Qaeda terrorist Osama bin Laden was a ‘martyr’. The government revealed that Siddique Kappan was the mastermind of several other riots, who in collusion with Thejas Editors, wanted to create religious unrest in the State of Kerala.

‘No offence committed’: Pakistan SC orders release of terrorist Ahmed Sheikh convicted of beheading journalist Daniel Pearl

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘No offence committed’: Pakistan SC orders release of terrorist Ahmed Sheikh convicted of beheading journalist Daniel Pearl

Upholding the Sindh High Court’s decision, the apex court of Pakistan on Thursday ordered the immediate release of Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, the key accused in the beheading of American journalist Daniel Pearl. The order was issued by a three-judge SC bench headed by Justice Mushir Alam. According to reports, one member of the bench had opposed the decision.

Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh and three others had been arrested for the gruesome killing of the journalist, who was researching Islamic extremism when he was abducted from Karachi and killed in 2002. Sheikh was one of the terrorists freed by India along with Masood Azhar in 1999 to secure the release of passengers of the hijacked Indian Airlines flight IC-814.

“The court has come out to say that there is no offence that he has committed in this case,” Mahmood Sheikh, the lawyer representing convicted terrorist Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh said after the SC’s verdict.

“Complete travesty of justice”, family of Daniel Pearl expresses shock at the SC decision

Meanwhile, the family of the journalist, which had approached the Supreme Court against the Sindh High Court’s order, expressed shock at the apex court’s decision. “Today’s decision is a complete travesty of justice and the release of these killers puts in danger journalists everywhere and the people of Pakistan,” the Pearl family said in a statement released by their lawyer.

The United States and India have both expressed outrage over the ruling. According to media reports, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Supreme Court ruling in favour of Sheikh was an “affront to terrorism victims everywhere, including in Pakistan”. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the US was outraged by the decision.

Faisal Siddiqi, the Pearl family lawyer, said that in practical terms, there are no further legal avenues to pursue in Pakistan. He said that even if they ask for a review of the court decision upholding Sheikh’s release, the review would be conducted by the same court that upheld the appeal.

Nonetheless, the Sindh government has decided to seek a review of the SC decision, provincial Information Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said in a statement.

Sindh HC declares detention of convicted terrorist Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh and others “null and void”

In December last year, the Sindh High Court had declared the detention of Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, Fahad Naseem, Sheikh Adil and Salman Saqib as “null and void” and ordered the immediate release of the terrorists. While delivering the order, a judge observed: “These men have been in rotting in jail for the 18 years without committing any crime”. 

In the month of September, the Supreme Court of Pakistan had stayed the release of terrorist Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, who is the prime accused in the gruesome murder of Daniel Pearl. 

Sheikh, a British national, was given the death penalty. However, in April last year, the Sindh High Court had overturned the death sentence and murder conviction of Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh. and reduced to a charge of kidnapping.

Gujarat HC stays arrest warrant against Paranjoy Guha Thakurta in Adani defamation case

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Gujarat HC stays arrest warrant against Paranjoy Guha Thakurta in Adani defamation case

The Gujarat High Court on Thursday stayed the non-bailable arrest warrant against journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta that was issued by a lower court in relation to a criminal defamation case filed by Adani Group against him. The High Court passed an order suspending the warrant on the condition that Thakurta would give an undertaking to the court assuring to be present at the next hearing of the matter on February 9.

The HC asked Thakurta to file an undertaking

Thakurta, through his lawyer Anand Yagnik, had reportedly moved a petition before the High Court seeking the quashing of the order of arrest passed by the Magistrate First Class, Mundra, Kutch. A Bench of Justice BN Karia reportedly issued a notice to the original complainant Adani Power directing it to respond by February 20. The High Court directed Thakurta to appear before the Taluka court in Mundra where the case is being heard. He is expected to submit the undertaking the same day assuring that he would be present as and when the trial court would require his presence.

Thakurta had sought exemption from physical appearance citing old age and comorbid conditions

In his petition before the High Court, Thakurta had claimed that the Trial court straightaway issued the non-bailable warrant without issuing any summon or bailable warrant. He said that the summons that were issued by the Trial court directed him to appear were issued at a time when the Mundra court was closed and therefore he remained absent on three dates. He had also moved an application before the Trial court on January 4 seeking exemption from physical appearance in view of the fact that he resided in a different state and was a senior citizen with comorbid conditions making it difficult for him to travel amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The defamation case against Thakurta

The Adani Group had filed a defamation case against Thakurta after he co-authored an an article, while holding the position of the Editor of Economical and Political Weekly (EPW), alleging that Modi government tweaked special economic zone rules that provided a benefit to Adani group to the tunes of Rs 500 crore. The article that was published in the EPW was taken down after the Adani Group sent them a legal notice. Thakurta hd to submit his resignation as the Editor of the EPW.

The article was later published in leftist site The Wire.

‘National Flag was insulted on Republic Day’, President Kovind condemns Republic Day riots by ‘farmers’ in Delhi

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘National Flag was insulted on Republic Day’, President Kovind condemns Republic Day riots by ‘farmers’ in Delhi

President Ramnath Kovind expressed his displeasure over the desecration of the national flag at the Red Fort by the rioters during the Republic Day riots in Delhi. Addressing the joint sitting of both houses of Parliament on Friday, President Ram Nath Kovind said that the national flag and a holy day like Republic Day were insulted in the past few days.

Condemning the riots unleashed by the ‘farmers’, President Kovind said that the Constitution provides us Freedom of Expression, however, the same Constitution also teaches us that law and rules have to be followed seriously.

Hailing the Modi government for passing the three farm laws, President Kovind said that India has emerged stronger on the global stage due to the implementation of the farm reforms. The decisions taken by the government at the right time helped save lives of millions, said President Ram Nath Kovind in his address to the Parliament.

The President added that he would like to clarify that the rights and facilities that were available before the formation of the three farm laws have not been cut short and stressed that with these new agricultural reforms the government has provided new facilities and rights to farmers.

“The government has implemented Swaminathan Panel report on MSP and agricultural reforms,” noted President Ram Nath Kovind while stressing on the important reforms of initiated by the Modi government.

Protesters resort to violence, vandalism and destruction amidst Tractor Rally

Thousands of farmers breached barricades and proceeded towards Delhi amid huge police presence as they kicked off their tractor rally on Republic Day. Chaos was unleashed on the streets leading to the national capital as farmers flouted the designated route and marched towards the Parliament and Red Fort.

The participants of the tractor rally also resorted to vandalism as they ran amok on the highways, attacking the trucks and breaking the barricades that were put up by the Delhi police to control their route. As disorder swept over the city’s borders, protesters were baton-charged and tear-gassed by the policemen on duty.

The upheaval was primarily caused after the protesters who were allowed to hold the “Kisaan Parade” between 12 to 5 PM, started the march much before the allotted time and veered away from the agreed-upon routes. The security personnel had tried in vain to convince the farmers to stick to the plan of holding the tractor parade after the conclusion of the Republic Day parade at Rajpath. But, their requests fell on deaf ears as the protesters ran riot, breaking barricades and vandalising vehicles on their way.

As Rakesh Tikait brings Jat politics into ‘farmer protests’ at Ghazipur, Kejriwal deploys his ministers ‘to provide facilities’

OpIndia Staff
-
0
As Rakesh Tikait brings Jat politics into ‘farmer protests’ at Ghazipur, Kejriwal deploys his ministers ‘to provide facilities’

Even as the protestors continue to camp at the national highway near the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border at Ghazipur causing massive inconvenience to the public, the Kejriwal government has now stepped in to “provide facilities” to protestors to prolong the illegal occupation of public properties and roads.

After unleashing violence in the streets of Delhi, the farmers had returned to the protest camps outside the national capital. Following the massive violence, the support for the alleged farmer protests began to dwindle as most organizations deserted the rally. The Modi government also acted swiftly to register cases against the alleged farmer leaders, including Yogendra Yadav and Rakesh Tikait, for instigating farmers and warned the remaining protesters to vacate the areas.

The Uttar Pradesh administration too stepped in to control the violent protests and also gave an ultimatum to protesting farmers to vacate the border by Thursday midnight, failing which they would be removed. The UP government had also ordered all its DMs and SSPs to ensure the end of all farmers’ protests in the state.

With support for the protests began to wane, the ‘farmer’ leaders have now played their caste card and are now trying to assemble protestors on the caste lines. Anticipating further violence, the Uttar Pradesh administration stopped the water and electricity supply to the protest site and deployed security personnel.

Delhi government steps in to make arrangements for protestors

As the Uttar Pradesh government continues to handle the law and order issues at the protest site, the Delhi AAP government has now stepped in to cause more inconvenience to the public by sponsoring the protests. The Delhi government led by Arvind Kejriwal has now directed his ministers to make all arrangements for Tikait’s supporters so that they face no inconvenience.

According to Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, CM Arvind Kejriwal decided to send help after riots-accused Rakesh Tikait asked him to make some necessary arrangements so the protestors can continue to camp at the Ghazipur border. He said that the CM ensured that Tikait’s requirements are fulfilled within a few hours. Sisodia said he would visit the border on Friday morning to see the arrangements.

Reportedly, Arvind Kejriwal has ordered AAP Ministers to visit Singhu Border and Ghazipur border to ensure necessary facilities are being provided to protestors.

In a video that has gone viral now, Rakesh Tikait can be heard speaking to someone and confirming the arrangements being made by the Delhi government to enable the protestors to continue their rally against the government. In the video, Tikait also says that he directly spoke to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and asked him to make necessary arrangements for his supporters.

Earlier, Arvind Kejriwal had expressed his solidarity with the protests and decided to go on a one-day fast. He had asked AAP workers and supporters to fast for a day and urged the public to fast for a day in ‘support of farmers’. While Arvind Kejriwal and his party leaders are busy extending support to protesting ‘farmers’ from Punjab, his government in Delhi had notified one of the farm laws.

In a latest development, Delhi ministers Satyendar Jain Raghav Chadha have reached the Single border to inspect the facilities. The Kejriwal government had sent water tankers and had arranged for toilets at the protest site. Jain has said that police has stopped the movement of water tankers now so they could not reach there.

‘Farmer’ protests turns into caste rally

The protests that started as a farmer rally has now turned into a caste showdown as farmer leaders are now trying to mobilize protestors on caste lines. In what seems to be the last push, Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait, accused of instigating the Republic Day violence, has now farmers from Western UP to reach Ghazipur site to support his protests against the government.

As the Delhi Police is acting swiftly to catch the Republic day riots’ accused, the ‘farmer’ leaders are now appealing to the other protestors emotionally to lure them into the protesting sites. Rakesh Tikait had earlier brazened it out, saying that he will not surrender and will even call more people to join the protest if needed. Tikait had even cried on national television to garner sympathy and slapped a fellow protestor even as he insisted that the laws be repealed.

Following Tikait’s emotional appeal, a few followers and his community members had gathered outside Rakesh Tikait’s house in UP’s Sisauli, chanting slogans in his support. They have reportedly travelled to the Ghazipur border in support of Rakesh Tikait.

His brother Naresh Tikait, the head of the BKU who had earlier agreed to clear out the Ghazipur site, has announced a ‘Mahapanchayat’ in stronghold Muzaffarnagar to decide the future course of action. Naresh is the leader of Balian Khap Panchayat, one of the Jat bodies in Western UP.

Indore: Young woman accuses parents, 7 others of forcing her to convert to Christianity, accused arrested

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Indore: Young woman accuses parents, 7 others of forcing her to convert to Christianity, accused arrested

A woman belonging to Gujarkheda village in Indore, Madhya Pradesh accused nine people including her parents for forcing her to convert to Christianity on January 26. The woman, identified as Shalini Kaushal, filed a complaint regarding her allegations at the Bhanwarkuan police station on Republic Day. In her complaint, alleged that on the said day her parents took her to an alleged conversion event at a Christian Community Hall named Satyaprakashan Sanchar Kendra on the pretext of visiting her grandmother’s house.

SHO Santosh Dudhi told that an FIR was registered against eleven people under the newly enacted Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Ordinance 2020 on Shalini Kaushal’s complaint and nine of them have been arrested. Two accused named Rubin and Vipin are absconding.

Additional Sessions Magistrate Yatindra Kumar Guru rejected the bail applications of the nine arrested after considering the facts of the case.

Many women beat me up and forced me to accept Christianity: Victim

According to reports, Kaushal alleged that she was made to attend the ceremony at the Kendra where people forced her to convert to Christianity. “They told me now I am under the guidance of Lord Jesus and that all my problems will be resolved”, the woman alleged. She reportedly said that there were several Hindus there who were forced to convert. She named her parents, Rakesh Kaushal and Rani Kaushal, and seven others including Ganesh Ninami, Lavina Hatesingh, and Jitendra Meda for trying to forcefully convert her.

The victim said that these people told her that people went to the place out of their own will but were not allowed to leave on their own. “At the event, they kept saying God will help you. Some women beat me up when I tried to leave. They were forcing people to adopt Christianity. I am a Hindu by religion but my parents and others were forcing me to convert”, she said in her complaint.

Women from nearby districts often brought to the center for conversion: Bajrang Dal

The matter was highlighted after some Bajrang Dal activists entered the Kendra during the alleged conversion event. The Bajrang Dal members alleged that women from rural areas of Dhar, Barwani, Alirajpur, Jhabua, Burhanpur, and others were usually brought to the Kendra for conversion. SHO Santosh Dudhi reportedly said that several women have come forward with similar claims.

City in-charge of Bajrang Dal Indore, Tannu Sharma told The Indian Express that Pappu Chandel, a fellow member of Bajrang Dal, received the information about a conversion program being conducted at the Kendra to convert people. He said that after confirming the information, they informed the police about the same and entered the Kendra. Sharma reportedly said that around 250 had gathered inside the Kendra and that they were being brainwashed. They were being told that Christianity was a better religion and that it provided all the answers. Sharma alleged that they were luring people to embrace Christianity by promising financial benefits. These people were alleged invited to the centre by distributing pamphlets.

Organizers deny allegations

In-charge of Satyaprakashan Sanchar Kendra, Father Babu Joseph has denied the allegation of organising a mass conversion event at the Kendra. He said that the community hall is made available for various events. He said that on January 26, it was provided for a prayer service and a leadership programme. He said that some Bajgrang Dal members entered the hall alleging religious conversion. He denied being present during the event.

EAM S Jaishankar lists out China’s mistakes, calls for course correction to repair relations with India

OpIndia Staff
-
0
EAM S Jaishankar lists out China’s mistakes, calls for course correction to repair relations with India

During his keynote address at the 13th All India Conference of China Studies on Thursday, Union Minister for External Affairs (EAM), S Jaishankar, listed out the mistakes of China that it must correct in order to repair its relation with India.

The development comes amidst a 9-month-long border standoff in the Eastern Ladakh region along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). S Jainshakar said, “You may recall the practice of stapled-visas; or the reluctance to deal with some of our military commands. Then there was China’s opposition to India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group and to a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.”

Pointing out China’s mistakes, he further added, “When it came to trade, promises of market access did not match delivery. The blocking of UN listing of Pakistani terrorists involved in attacks on India had its own resonance. And of course, the violation of Indian sovereignty by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Even the border areas saw frictions on some occasions.”

Eight principles to improve India-China relations

S Jaishankar said, “First and foremost, agreements already reached must be adhered to in their entirety, both in letter and spirit. Second, where the handling of the border areas are concerned, the LAC must be strictly observed and respected; any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo is completely unacceptable. Third, peace and tranquillity in the border areas is the basis for the development of relations in other domains.”

“If they are disturbed, so inevitably will the rest of the relationship. This is quite apart from the issue of progress in the boundary negotiations. Fourth, while both nations are committed to a multi-polar world, there should be a recognition that a multi-polar Asia is one of its essential constituents. Fifth, obviously each state will have its own interests, concerns and priorities; but sensitivity to them cannot be one-sided. At the end of the day, relationships between major states are reciprocal in nature,” he added.

S Jainshankar concluded, “Sixth, as rising powers, each will have their own set of aspirations and their pursuit too cannot be ignored. Seventh, there will always be divergences and differences but their management is essential to our ties. And eighth, civilizational states like India and China must always take the long view.”

EAM on current status of India-China relationship

The External Affairs Minister expressed uncertainty over the future of bilateral relations between the two countries. He emphasized that the ‘events of 2020’ have put the relationship under ‘exceptional stress.’ He added that after the 1962 India-China war, efforts were made to rebuild bilateral connections. S Jaishankar added that despite disagreements, the Ladakh sector had remained peaceful since 1975.

“That is why the events in eastern Ladakh last year have so profoundly disturbed the relationship because they not only signaled a disregard for commitments about minimising troop levels but also showed a willingness to breach peace and tranquillity…The advancement of ties in this period was clearly predicated on ensuring that peace and tranquillity were not disturbed and that the LAC was both observed and respected by both sides,” he pointed out.

S Jaishankar said that since 2014, efforts have been made to bridge the gap of border infrastructure between India and China through greater budget allocations and road-building records. However, he also stated that the difference remains ‘significant’ and ‘consequential’.

India foils China’s attempt to infiltrate

Recently, the Indian Army has foiled attempts by the soldiers of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army(PLA) to alter the status quo at the Naku La in North Sikkim. According to a report by India Today, the India Army pushed back the Chinese soldiers who tried to cross the border last week. This led to a fresh clash between the Indian forces and Chinese troops, resulting in injuries on both sides.

The media report has quoted sources as saying that around 20 Chinese soldiers were injured in the clash at Naku La in Sikkim. Four Indian soldiers also reportedly sustained injuries. Despite this and hostile weather conditions, India successfully managed to push the Chinese troop back and secure the Naku La in North Sikkim.

Watch: Delhi residents gather to protest outside Yogendra Yadav’s house, raise slogans

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Watch: Delhi residents gather to protest outside Yogendra Yadav’s house, raise slogans

On Thursday, several citizens of Delhi reportedly gathered outside the residence of ‘Ichchhadari protestor’ Yogendra Yadav to protest against him for allegedly instigating riots in the national capital on Republic Day.

Some videos have been shared on social media, where dozens of people can be seen raising slogans against Yogendra Yadav. A woman named Divya Rastogi shared two videos. She shared that Yadav lives in her neighborhood and the residents of the neighboring housing societies have been protesting against Yadav for his role in the Republic Day violence.

The videos of the protests outside Yogendra Yadav’s house has now gone viral on social media platforms. Thousands of people can be seen shouting slogans against the ‘farmer’ leader, demanding his arrest for plotting an insurrection against the state.

The people were seen raising slogans saying, “Dilli ke gaddaron ko, joote maaro saalon ko”. (The persons who betrayed Delhi should be hit with shoes).

Another Twitter user named Gautam Aggarwal shared that the residents of the locality where Yadav lives have been demanding that the housing society asks Yadav to vacate his house.

Amidst the chants of ‘Vande Mataram’, the residents of the housing society burnt the pictures of Yogendra Yadav and shouted slogans of “Yogendra Yadav Murdabad”.

It is pertinent to note that the Delhi Police have registered FIRs against ‘farmer’ leader Yogendra Yadav in the Republic Day rioting case. Along with the other 20 alleged farmer leaders, cases have been filed against Yogendra Yadav under dacoity (section 395), 397 (robbery, or dacoity, with an attempt to cause death or grievous hurt), 120 b (punishment of criminal conspiracy), and other sections.

The Delhi Police have also named ‘farmer’ leaders Darshan Pal, Rajinder Singh, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Buta Singh Burjgil, Joginder Singh Ugraha have been named in FIRs. FIR has also mentioned the name of BKU spokesperson Rakesh Tikait. 

‘Farmer’ protest turns into caste rally as Rakesh Tikait incites more people to join at Ghazipur, refuses to back down

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘Farmer’ protest turns into caste rally as Rakesh Tikait incites more people to join at Ghazipur, refuses to back down

Three days after protestors disguised as farmers unleashed mayhem on the streets of New Delhi, tensions continue to rise near the national capital as ‘farmer’ leader Rakesh Tikait and his brother Naresh Tikait continued to incite farmers to join the protests at the Ghazipur border.

The support for the alleged farmer protests continues to dwindle as most organizations have deserted the rally after protesters resorted to rioting on Delhi’s streets. The Modi government had acted swiftly to register cases against the alleged farmer leaders, including Yogendra Yadav and Rakesh Tikait, for instigating farmers and warned the remaining protesters to vacate the areas.

On Thursday, the Uttar Pradesh administration also gave an ultimatum to protesting farmers to vacate the border by Thursday midnight, failing which they would be removed. The UP government had also ordered all its DMs and SSPs to ensure the end of all farmers’ protests in the state. The Ghazipur protests site has a heavy police deployment.

After fomenting trouble, Rakesh Tikait had earlier brazened it out, saying that he will not surrender and will even call more people to join the protest if needed. Tikait had even cried on national television to garner sympathy and slapped a fellow protestor even as he insisted that the laws be repealed.

Addressing farmers at the Ghazipur Border, Rakesh Tikait had said they would not surrender before the police and demanded that a Supreme Court-appointed committee should investigate the January 26 violence in Delhi.

“There won’t be any surrender. BJP wants to create a different scenario. Call details of those responsible for the Red Fort incident should come out in public,” Rakesh Tikait said.

Farmer protests now turns into a caste parade

The protests that started as a farmer rally has now turned down to a caste showdown as farmer leaders are now trying to mobilize protestors on caste lines. In what seems to be the last push, Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait, accused of instigating the Republic Day violence, has now farmers from Western UP to reach Ghazipur site to support his protests against the government.

Following Tikait’s emotional appeal, a few followers gathered outside Rakesh Tikait’s house in UP’s Sisauli, chanting slogans in his support. They have reportedly traveled to the Ghazipur border in support of Rakesh Tikait.

His brother Naresh Tikait, the head of the BKU who had earlier agreed to clear out the Ghazipur site, has announced a ‘Mahapanchayat’ in stronghold Muzaffarnagar to decide the future course of action. Naresh is the leader of Balian Khap Panchayat, one of the Jat bodies in Western UP.

Reportedly, the Rashtriya Jat Mahasangh has also now reached Ghazipur to support Rakesh Tikait. “This is a fight against the death of our farmers. By morning, thousands of farmers will be here,” Rohit Jakhar, a Jat leader said.

In Haryana, Tikait’s supporters and a few Jat leaders have blocked the Jind-Chandigarh road in protest.

Meanwhile, the Delhi police have booked over 30 ‘farmer’ leaders for inciting violence during the tractor rally on January 26. Rakesh Tikait, Yogendra Yadav, and Darshan Pal have all been named in the FIR for instigating the crowd to unleash mayhem on the streets of the national capital.

Delhi Court rejects bail plea of Pinjra Tod activist Natasha Narwal, says prima facie case against her is true

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Delhi Court rejects bail plea of Pinjra Tod activist Natasha Narwal, says prima facie case against her is true

On January 28, a Delhi Court has rejected the bail plea of Far-Left Pinjra Tod activist Natasha Narwal. The court observed that intentionally blocking roads leading to disruption of essential services, attack on police personnel, and eventually culminating in riots falls within the scope of the terrorist act under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Natasha was booked under UAPA in May 2020.

The court noted that the entire conspiracy began in December 2019 by intentionally blocking roads to cause inconvenience and disruption of supplies of services that are essential to the life of the community of India. It resulted in violence with various means and led to the February incident. The court said, “[The conspiracy led] to the February incident with the focus being targeted blocking of roads at mixed population areas and creating panic and attack on police personnel with facade of women protesters in front and leading to riots would be covered by the definition of terrorist act.”

The case against Natasha is prima facia true, said the court

Additional Judge Amitabh Rawat said that there was sufficient incriminating evidence against Natasha, and there were reasonable grounds to believe that the accusations against her are prima facia true. “Hence the present application for bail of accused Natasha Narwal is dismissed,” he added.

This was the first bail plea filed by Natasha since Delhi Police filed a charge sheet against her. Advocate Adit Pujari representing Natasha, claimed in the plea that there were no offences under UAPA made out against her. She claimed that the protests in which Natasha participated were organic and secular in nature. However, the prosecution said that the case is a “multi-layered, multi-organizational” and “deep-rooted conspiracy” and prima facie. Thus the case under UAPA was registered.

The right to protest is not absolute

During the hearing, the court stated that the citizens have the right to protest. However, these rights are not absolute. There should be reasonable restrictions. “What actually has to be seen in the context of the present case is whether there was a conspiracy which led to riots under the guise of the protest against CAA or not, in terms of the contents of the charge sheet and the accompanying documents,” the court added.

The court further said that even if the court takes the argument that only one side of the road was blocked into consideration, it would have prevented entirely the ingress and egress for the people who were surrounded and for whom panic and terror was created. The court further said that we find “sufficient incriminating material against the present accused” after observing the statement of protected witnesses under Section 164 CrPC.

Red chilli powder was distributed to women

After reviewing the WhatsApp group’s chat under scrutiny, the court said that there was a specific reference to Narwal and the distribution of red chilli powder to women so that they could attack police and paramilitary on February 23. The court also noted that Narwal was linked to other accused in the case. “There is contemporaneous record which cannot be wished away at this stage of bail,” the court said.

1...4,6234,6244,625...7,652Page 4,624 of 7,652