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Courts continue to protect fraud IAS Puja Khedkar from arrest, blame police for not completing investigation

OpIndia Staff
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Courts continue to protect fraud IAS Puja Khedkar from arrest, blame police for not completing investigation

On 18th March Puja Khedkar, a former IAS probationary officer, was granted interim protection by the Supreme Court, again. While providing interim protection from arrest to Khedkar, the apex court questioned the Delhi police about the incomplete inquiry into the matter even when she claimed to be willing to cooperate in her affidavit, reported LiveLaw.

Khedkar is charged with submitting fraudulent OBC and PwD certifications for the Civil Services Examination administered by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Her earlier interim protection ended on 17th March.

Khedkar had filed an anticipatory bail application, which was being heard by a bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma. She had been given temporary protection from arrest by the court in January.

Prosecution highlights the extent of Khedkar’s fraud, insists on custodial interrogation, court says ‘no’

Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju told the court that the Delhi Police must conduct a custodial interrogation to look into the “larger scam” of phony documents that UPSC hopefuls submitted. However, Justice Sharma asked what the distinction would be between custodial interrogation and regular interrogation.

Raju also argued that Khedkar’s OBC quota, disability and other factors entitled her to nine exam attempts. She attempted more, though, by changing her name and fabricating documents, which was against the law. The names of the middlemen involved must be obtained through a custodial interrogation, the prosecution insisted. “We have found that this is a scam which may involve persons who are involved in giving certificates, etc. We want to investigate whether hers is an isolated case or there is a larger number of cases,” he submitted.

“If larger number of cases, you can investigate. She is not the kingpin who is issuing certificates,” Justice Sharma retorted. According to Justice Nagarathna, Khedkar does not necessarily need to be detained to reveal the source from which she gained the falsified certifications. Khedkar’s attorney refuted the allegations of fabrication by claiming that she had made three attempts at the UPSC since receiving a low-vision handicap diagnosis in 2018. Therefore, her efforts as a disabled candidate have not been completely expended.

“Since 2012, I had been attempting the UPSC examination and in 2018, for the first time, I was found to be eligible for 40% disability which entitles me to nine attempts,” he alleged. The court did note, however, that a disabled or abled individual cannot make a varied number of attempts. “No, no, total number of attempts (has to be that). You cannot have separate attempts for abled and separate attempts for disabled.”

Justice Sharma pronounced, “You must have to justify your attempts,” while Justice Nagarathna instructed Raju, “You must track up this investigation steadfastly.” The next hearing of the case is scheduled for 15th April.

Judiciary comes to Puja Khedkar’s rescue, again and again

The Delhi High Court on 12th August 2024 awarded interim protection from arrest to Khedkar until 21st August. The court then asked the relevant officials at the Delhi Police and UPSC for a response in light of her petition. Despite opposition from the Delhi police and UPSC, the court again extended her interim protection from arrest till 29th August at the subsequent hearing on 21st August.

On 29th August she informed the Delhi High Court that the UPSC had no power to dismiss her after her appointment and selection, and that the center’s Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) would be responsible for taking any action against her. She refuted the UPSC’s allegations of fraud and manipulated documents in a four-page rebuttal, asserting that she did not alter or distort her name to the commission or change her first and last name between 2012 and 2022.

Afterward, the court once again allowed former probationary Indian Administrative Services (IAS) personnel temporary protection from arrest, extending it until 5th September. Khedkar told the Delhi High Court on 5th September that she was open to undergoing a medical examination at AIIMS following the police’s charge that one of her handicap certificates was fake. She coveyed, “I am willing to get myself medically examined. First, they say I changed my name. Now they say disability is questionable. I am willing to go to AIIMS.”

The court then scheduled a follow-up hearing for 26th September, pointing out that the police had requested an additional 10 days to do a further inquiry. Furthermore, the court extended Khedkar’s interim protection until that point. The Delhi High Court then maintained the same on 26th September. Any respite for Khedkar, the Delhi Police had conveyed, would compromise their probe into the long-running conspiracy as the case has wider implications for public confidence and the integrity of the civil services examination.

Puja Khedkar’s multiple frauds

Puja Khedkar was permanently barred from all upcoming examinations and selections by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) last year, which also canceled her selection. She was accused of “misrepresenting information” in her application for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, 2022, and a formal complaint was filed against her in Delhi. Khedkar caused a commotion in the state’s political and administrative circles in June 2024 when she was transferred for abusing her position as Pune Collector. Her handicap and OBC certificates are also being examined.

According to a report that Pune Collector Suhas Diwse submitted to the General Administration Department, Khedkar made numerous demands for a separate cabin, automobile, living accomodations and a peon even before she joined her duty. She was informed that she would be given accommodations and she was not entitled to other services while on probation. Her father and she also issued threats. “The father-daughter duo are making unfair demands and harassing the officers for demands that cannot be fulfilled,” an officer unveiled.

According to Diwse’s report to the GAD, she should not be permitted to continue her training in Pune. She was also charged with taking down a senior official’s nameplate from the Pune Collector’s office after he gave her permission to use his ante-chamber as her workspace.

Pakistan: Locals loot laptops, desktops and other gadgets from a Chinese call centre in Islamabad during a raid, video goes viral

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan: Locals loot laptops, desktops and other gadgets from a Chinese call centre in Islamabad during a raid, video goes viral

Recently, a video of a group of people looting laptops and other gadgets from a call centre in Islamabad, Pakistan went viral on social media. The video being widely shared on the internet shows crowds of people running out of the call centre building grabbing laptops, desktops, CPUs and other gadgets.

Some reports claim that the video is related to a call centre which was being run by some Chinese nationals in sector F-11 in Islamabad. The visuals reportedly capture the incident that happened during a raid conducted by the Cybercrime Cell of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on 15th March. The call centre was allegedly involved in international fraud and scamming activities and was under the watch of the investigation agency for some time. The centre also employed several Pakistani nationals. The video visuals also showed some foreign nationals running out of the centre in the crowd. Over 24 persons, including foreign nationals, were detained by the FIA during the raid.

However, what was supposed to be a high-profile operation of the FIA, turned into chaos as a large number of locals on a looting spree barged into the call centre and started grabbing everything they could lay their hands on. Due to the poor security arrangements, people looted all the gadgets in the centre which would have provided crucial evidence during the investigation. The veracity of the video, however, is not confirmed yet.

Pakistani people looted cash from debris after an explosion in a bank

A similar bizarre incident of looting was reported in December 2021 in Karachi, Pakistan when some locals took advantage of an explosion in a bank building and looted cash from the debris. Displaying utter callousness, the locals even dug out the iron safe of the bank from the rubble and tried taking it to a different place. The security guard of the bank reported the incident that some people present at the site of the explosion tried to do away with the iron safe of the bank buried in the wreckage post the explosion. He also explained how people gathered to collect the bank notes after the explosion.

Nagpur violence: VHP demands action against Jihadis who went on a rampage, calls for Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj memorial on Aurangzeb’s grave

OpIndia Staff
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Nagpur violence: VHP demands action against Jihadis who went on a rampage, calls for Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj memorial on Aurangzeb’s grave

A day after frenzied Muslim mobs carried out violence, vandalism and arson in Nagpur city of Maharashtra, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Tuesday (18th March) strict action should be taken against those who spread rumours and incited violence.

In a statement issued by VHP’s National Spokesperson Vinod Bansal, the Hindu rights group condemned the Islamist violence. The Hindu rights group reiterated their demand to build a memorial dedicated to Dhanaji Jadhav, Santaji Ghorpade, and Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj in place of Mughal tyrant Aurangzeb’s grave.

“Vishwa Hindu Parishad has demanded that strict action should be taken against the Jihadis who spread rumours, violence and arson in Nagpur and a memorial of Pujya Dhanaji Jadhav, Santaji Ghorpade, Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj should be built in place of Aurangzeb’s grave. VHP’s Central Organization General Secretary Shri Milind Parande has strongly condemned the incident and said that the incidents of arson and attack carried out by a section of the Muslim community last night in Nagpur, Maharashtra are completely condemnable. He said that the houses of our youth wing Bajrang Dal workers were attacked, they targeted many houses of the Hindu community and even women were not spared. Vishwa Hindu Parishad condemns all this in the strongest terms,” the VHP said adding that on one hand the “jihadi elements” falsely claimed that Quran was burnt on the other, they attempted to incite violence.

The VHP General Secretary also said that the glorification of Aurangzeb’s grave in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Nagar should be stopped and no improvement should be thought of in it. Instead, a Vijay Smarak of those who defeated Aurangzeb.

“Glorification of Aurangzeb’s grave in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Nagar should be stopped … Instead, a Vijay Smarak of those who defeated Aurangzeb. Shri Dhanaji Jadhav and Shri Santaji Ghorpade, as well as Chhatrapati Shri Rajaramji Maharaj, should be built in its place. Vishwa Hindu Parishad is demanding that a Vijay Stambh be built in the Maratha Empire to commemorate the victory over Aurangzeb and therefore, immediate action should be taken against those involved in such violence and they should be suppressed in the harshest manner,” the VHP added in its statement.

On 17th March, tensions flared in Nagpur, Maharashtra, as violence erupted over rumours, including the burning of a copy of the Quran and a photograph, during a protest by Hindu groups demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Sambhaji Nagar. Islamist mobs reportedly pelted stones, torched vehicles, and vandalised public property. Around 15 police officials and five civilians were injured in the clashes.

The violence broke out in Chitnis Park and Mahal and soon spread to the Kotwali police station area. Authorities imposed Section 144 to restore order. Bharatiya Janata Party MP Nitin Gadkari, who was elected from Nagpur, issued a video statement and urged residents to maintain peace and cooperate with the administration.

On Tuesday, BJP MLA Pravin Datke alleged that the riot was pre-planned. “There were 4 shops. 2 belonged to Hindus and 2 belonged to Muslims. The shops belonging to Hindus were only burnt. Nothing happened to the shops of the Muslims,” Pravin Datke emphasised.

He pointed out how a cart belonging to an elderly Hindu woman was broken but no harm was caused to a cart belonging to a Muslim vendor. Datke highlighted that CCTVs were first strategically broken before the mobs went on a rampage.

Israel hits Gaza with deadly strikes on terror targets over Hamas’ repeated denial to free hostages: Dozens killed

OpIndia Staff
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Israel hits Gaza with deadly strikes on terror targets over Hamas’ repeated denial to free hostages: Dozens killed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to use “increasing military strength” against Hamas as Israel carried out lethal attacks around Gaza, shattering the fragile ceasefire early on 18th March. More than 340 people have reportedly been killed and many others wounded in what the Israeli military declared are “extensive strikes” in the Gaza Strip, according to the health ministry operated by Hamas.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported to be pursuing “terror targets” that were owned by Hamas. According to reports, a strike has killed Mahmoud Abu Wafah, Gaza’s deputy interior minister and the top Hamas security official in the region. Notably, an agreement to extend the ceasefire in Gaza has not been reached. Overnight, the bombardments hit several areas including northern Gaza, Gaza City and the Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis and Rafah.

According to the Israeli military, which proclaimed to have attack hundreds of targets, in the “preemptive” action, the strikes would continue for as long as needed and could go beyond airstrikes, increasing the likelihood that Israeli ground forces would return to the battlefield. The development came after weeks of futile attempts to reach an extension of the ceasefire agreed upon on 19th January. The fresh assault was significantly larger in scope than the regular series of drone attacks the Israeli military carried out against individuals or small groups of suspected terrorists.

The action was ordered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, based on an official statement. “This follows their (Hamas) repeated refusal to release our hostages, as well as its rejection of all of the proposals it has received from US Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and from the mediators. Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength,” it informed.

The strategy “was approved by the political leadership after being presented by the IDF over the weekend,” the statement stated. An Israeli official expressed that Israel was targeting infrastructure, leaders and soldiers of Hamas. He charged that Hamas was trying to reorganize and set up new operations. Security forces and Hamas terrorists had swiftly returned to the streets in the weeks following the ceasefire’s implementation.

According to Israel Katz, if the hostages are not freed, the “gates of hell will open in Gaza” and warned, “We will not stop fighting until all of our hostages are home and we have achieved all of the war goals.” Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the the United Nations, announced that “we will show no mercy on our enemies” unless they free all the captives. Hamas has “repeatedly refused to release our hostages” and rejected offers from U.S. President Donald Trump’s Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff, per the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel informed the White House before launching the offensive

A White House spokesperson told Fox News that Israel consulted with Donald Trump’s administration before launching the offensive. “As President Trump has made it clear, Hamas, the Houthis, all those who seek to terrorize not just Israel but also the United States of America, will see a price to pay,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt highlighted. Meanwhile, Hamas responded by accusing Netanyahu of “putting the captives in Gaza at risk of an unknown fate” by choosing to revoke the ceasefire deal.

For the past two weeks, Israel has prevented food and other humanitarian supplies from entering Gaza to put pressure on Hamas to free more hostages. Additionally, Israel turned off the only remaining power-generating facility in Gaza. The Israeli strikes follow days after the United States proposed a new plan to extend the ceasefire for another month in exchange for the release of a few surviving captives detained by Hamas.

The US suggested prolonging the first phase until the middle of April, which would include another swap of Israeli-held Palestinian inmates and hostages detained by Hamas. However, a Palestinian official with knowledge of the negotiations disclosed that Israel and Hamas couldn’t agree on important points of the agreement that Witkoff outlined during the indirect negotiations.

The fresh attacks occurred two months after the war was put on hold by a ceasefire. During the first phase of the truce, Hamas released over three dozen captives over six weeks in return for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, since the ceasefire ended two weeks ago, the opposing parties have been unable to come to an agreement on how to proceed with a second phase that would try to end the war and free remaining 60 hostages that are still alive. The Israeli military has been operating inside Gaza ever since the ceasefire was established.

On 7th October 2023 Hamas killed over 1,200 people in southern Israel, primarily civilians and took 251 hostage, sparking the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Bangladesh outrages against Tulsi Gabbard over her remarks about persecution and killing of Hindu minorities in the country

OpIndia Staff
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Bangladesh outrages against Tulsi Gabbard over her remarks about persecution and killing of Hindu minorities in the country

The interim government in Bangladesh led by Muhammad Yunus has expressed concern over the remarks of US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard in which she said that the Trump administration in the US is concerned about the persecution of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.

Gabbard, who is in India to attend a conclave of security and intelligence officials and participate in the Raisina Dialogue, told NDTV, “The long-time unfortunate persecution and killing and abuse of religious minorities – Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Catholics and others – has been a major area of concern for the US government and President Trump and his administration”.

“This continues to remain a central focus area of concern…with the threat of Islamist terrorists and…the global effort of these different groups that are rooted in their same ideology, their same objective, which is to rule and govern with an Islamist caliphate,” she added. “This obviously affects people of any other religion, other than one that they find acceptable, and they choose to carry this out through very violent and terroristic means,” said Gabbard.

Gabbard conveyed that the Trump administration was determined to eradicate Islamist terrorism.

Bangladesh said Gabbard’s remarks ‘damaged’ the country’s reputation

Hindu minorities in Bangladesh faced targeted persecution and killings after the ouster of the Awami League government following a violent revolution in August last year. India has been repeatedly expressing concern over the situation of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. However, Bangladesh dismissed Gabbard’s remarks as “misleading and damaging” to the country’s reputation. “Bangladesh strongly condemns any efforts to link the country to any form of ‘Islamist caliphate’,” the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government said in a statement.

“Gabbard’s comments are not based on any evidence or specific allegations. They paint an entire nation with a broad and unjustified brush. Bangladesh, like many other countries in the world, has faced challenges of extremism, but it has continuously worked in partnership with the international community, including the US, to address these issues through law enforcement, social reforms, and other counter-terrorism efforts,” the statement added.

The interim government advised all politicians including Gabbard to base their statements on actual knowledge and not spread fear. “Political leaders and public figures should base their statements, especially about sensitive issues, on actual knowledge and take care not to reinforce harmful stereotypes to fan fears and potentially even stoke sectarian tensions,” it said. It further expressed commitment to engage in constructive dialogue based on facts and on respect for the sovereignty and security of all nations.

UP: Geography professor sexually assaulted college girls in Hathras, blackmailed them using obscene videos, 65 videos recovered, case registered

OpIndia Staff
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UP: Geography professor sexually assaulted college girls in Hathras, blackmailed them using obscene videos, 65 videos recovered, case registered

In Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras district, Professor Rajneesh Kumar, the chief of the geography department at PC Bagla College has been accused of sexually exploiting his female students. After several female students levelled allegations of sexual abuse, the college authorities suspended Professor Rajneesh Kumar. The accused was working as the chief proctor of PC Bagla Degree College. The accused is currently absconding, however, the police are conducting searches to arrest him.

The Uttar Pradesh Police has also registered a case against Rajneesh Kumar under various sections, including rape. The Hathras Police said that the accused has been booked under BNS sections 64 (2) (rape), 68 (sexual intercourse by a person in authority), and 75 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty).

The 54-year-old accused professor’s alleged misdeeds came to light after some female students sent anonymous complaints to the National Commission for Women (NCW) and other senior officials.

In addition to accusing Professor Rajneesh Kumar of sexually assaulting them, the students also shared photographs with NCW in which the accused professor could be seen in objectionable positions with some female students. Ten months back, the police had received an anonymous letter in which the victims accused Rajneesh Kumar of blackmailing them into sexual acts in exchange for good grades and teaching jobs.

Alongside the letter, the victims also shared a pen drive with 59 videos of Kumar getting intimate with students. Reports say that the videos shared along with the complaint letter which are currently viral on social media date back to 2023. As per a Dainik Bhaskar report, the police have found 65 such obscene videos. After this, on 13th March, Inspector Sunil Kumar lodged a complaint in the police station, however, by the time the police caught the accused, he had absconded.

The Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) conducted a preliminary investigation into the matter based on the photographs provided by students to the authorities. The Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) confirmed the authenticity of the accusations levelled against the chief proctor.

Meanwhile, the district magistrate Rahul Pandey has formed a four-member committee to probe the matter within seven days. The committee is comprised of the sub-divisional magistrate, the deputy superintendent of police, the tehsildar, and the district education officer.

A major challenge in the case is the absence of a recorded statement by the complainant, who remains hesitant to reveal her identity, fearing stigma and harassment.

Amidst the outrage over the case, several videos of the accused proctor sexually abusing the students have gone viral on social media.

It has also been reported that the accused was sexually exploiting female students for the last 20 years. Earlier a case involving similar allegations was registered against Rajneesh Kumar, however, he was reportedly proven innocent. Police investigation revealed that the girl students complained to the college management 5 times in 18 months against the accused, however, no stern action was taken.

Reports say that the accused used to call female college students to his bungalow and entice them with the promise of good marks. The accused would then sexually exploit the girls and allegedly record videos of the same to blackmail the victims later. As per an AajTak report, the accused also uploaded some of these videos on pornographic websites.

Nagpur: Islamist Mobsters torched decoration material meant for Ramnavami Yatra, vehicles vandalised, shops destroyed: Read what eyewitnesses said

OpIndia Staff
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Nagpur: Islamist Mobsters torched decoration material meant for Ramnavami Yatra, vehicles vandalised, shops destroyed: Read what eyewitnesses said

On 17th March, tensions flared in Nagpur, Maharashtra, as violence erupted over rumours, including the burning of a copy of the Quran and a photograph, during a protest by Hindu groups demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Sambhaji Nagar. Islamist mobs reportedly pelted stones, torched vehicles, and vandalised public property. Around 15 police officials and five civilians were injured in the clashes.

The violence broke out in Chitnis Park and Mahal and soon spread to the Kotwali police station area. Authorities imposed Section 144 to restore order. Bharatiya Janata Party MP Nitin Gadkari, who was elected from Nagpur, issued a video statement and urged residents to maintain peace and cooperate with the administration.

Eyewitness accounts painted a horrifying image of the violence. Speaking to ANI, one of the eyewitnesses from Hansapuri area, Sharad Gupta, said that he came back home at around 10:30 PM after closing his shop. While having dinner, he heard noises from outside. When he stepped out to check, he saw a mob torching vehicles. “We shouted at them not to burn the vehicles. I tried to douse the fire with a hose, but they hit me with a stone. My two vehicles and a few other vehicles parked nearby were torched.”

Gupta accused the police of arriving after the violence was over in his area despite multiple calls. He said, “I called the police. Several others also called. But the police came only after the violence was over.”

Another eyewitness, Chandrakant Kawde, spoke to ANI and echoed that the police arrived late at the scene. He said that the police came at least 30 minutes after the violence had ended. According to Chandrakant, the violent mob comprised around 200 rioters. They burnt down his and his brother’s bikes. “There was decoration material for the Ram Navami Shobha Yatra that was dragged with the vehicles and torched.” He pointed out that the rioters first targeted CCTV cameras to prevent identification before torching the vehicles. Chandrakant urged the government to help them with compensation for the losses they had suffered.

A female eyewitness from the same area said, “Mobsters came here, their faces were hidden with scarfs. They had swords, sticks and bottles in their hands. They started the ruckus, vandalised shops and pelted stones. Then they dragged the vehicles and torched them.”

Another eyewitness, Sunil Peshne, said that his car was torched by the rioters. He stated that the violence began at around 8:30 PM. “A mob of 500-1000 people arrived. They pelted stones at the houses and torched our car. They vandalised around 25-30 vehicles.”

Another local, Madhu Pashne, said, “They were running around with stones. They pelted stones at our house. They saw children on the upper floor and threw stones at them. They damaged our doors and windows and torched our car. There were around 1,000 rioters.”

Speaking to PTI, Vansh Kawle said that the mobsters had their faces covered and damaged CCTV cameras. Another eyewitness told PTI that tensions had been simmering since the morning due to protests over Aurangzeb’s tomb. The unrest persisted through the afternoon and escalated into violence in the evening. He added that rumours being spread had triggered the violence. “They came in large numbers. They had big stones and petrol bombs in their hands. They pelted stones, vandalised property, and torched vehicles.” He pointed out there were children among the mobsters and raising Islamic slogans.

Heavy police force was deployed in violence hit areas. The situation is under control, according to media reports.

Justice and Accountability: A Veteran’s perspective on the assault on an Army Colonel in Patiala

Lt Col N. Thiagarajan
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Justice and Accountability: A Veteran’s perspective on the assault on an Army Colonel in Patiala

An incident that should have been a minor parking dispute escalated into a major concern for the military fraternity and the public. The alleged assault on Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath, a serving Indian Army officer, and his son, Angad Singh, by Patiala police officers in civilian clothes has raised serious concerns about law enforcement accountability, justice, and the civil-military relationship in India.

Incident overview and public outcry

The incident occurred near Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala when a confrontation over parking led to an alleged brutal assault on the Colonel and his son by police officers. According to reports, baseball bats and sharp-edged weapons were used, leaving the Colonel with a broken arm and his son with severe head injuries. Five days later, despite a registered FIR, no arrests had been made, sparking outrage in the military and civilian communities.

The situation gained widespread attention after Lt. Gen. KJS Dhillon (Retd.) highlighted it on social media, questioning the lack of immediate action against the accused officers. The military fraternity, public, and political figures have called for justice, citing the need for swift arrests and accountability.

Delayed Justice?

While 12 police officers, including three inspectors, were suspended, no legal action has yet been taken against them, leaving questions about whether suspension alone is an adequate response to such a severe assault. Patiala SSP Nanak Singh has assured a 45-day departmental inquiry, but the delay in making arrests raises concerns about the integrity of the investigation and whether it will result in genuine accountability.

Adding complexity to the case, conflicting narratives have emerged. The victim’s family claims that the officers acted with excessive force and without provocation, while the police allege that the Colonel and his son were inebriated and instigated the confrontation. The dhaba owner near the scene has also stated that the victims were drinking and had parked improperly, which further complicates the investigation.

National Security Concerns

As a veteran of the Indian Army, I find this incident deeply unsettling. The Indian Armed Forces are one of the most respected institutions in the country, and an attack on a serving officer undermines that trust. The fact that this occurred in Punjab, a border state with historical sensitivities, adds another layer of concern. Incidents like these, if mishandled, can be exploited by external forces, particularly Pakistan’s ISI and Khalistani elements, to fuel unrest and weaken national unity.

The government must recognize the potential security implications of such events. Delays in justice or perceived biases can create unrest among serving and retired military personnel, which could erode trust in civilian law enforcement agencies.

Justice Must Prevail

Suspending officers is not enough—the demand is clear: arrest the guilty officers, conduct a swift and transparent investigation, and ensure justice is served. The Director General of Punjab Police, the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office, and the Home Ministry of India must take immediate action.

As a veteran who has served the nation, I stand with my fellow officers and the public in calling for accountability, transparency, and reform. If the police are not held accountable for such grave misconduct, it sets a dangerous precedent for future civil-military interactions.

Call to Action: Ensuring Trust Between the Armed Forces & Law Enforcement

India’s military and police must work hand-in-hand to maintain national security and law enforcement integrity. This case serves as a reminder that unchecked power and lawlessness in law enforcement can have severe consequences.

  1. Immediate arrests and legal proceedings against the accused officers.
  2. A transparent and impartial inquiry with military representatives involved.
  3. Policy reforms to prevent misuse of power by police against citizens, especially uniformed personnel.

Justice delayed is justice denied. This incident must not be brushed under the carpet. The military, the government, and the citizens of India must unite to demand justice, ensuring that such acts do not happen again. A serving Army officer should never have to fear for his safety in his own country.

The nation is watching, and the time for action is now.

Uttar Pradesh: SP leader rapes 17-year-old student in Ballia, issue death threats, victim had come for class 10th exams

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: SP leader rapes 17-year-old student in Ballia, issue death threats, victim had come for class 10th exams

A young girl who traveled to take the 10th board exam from Ghazipur was raped by a Ballia school manager Janardan Yadav who is also the national vice president of Samajwadi Shikshak Sabha (Teachers’ Association). A case has been filed and he has been arrested. The matter pertains to Bhimpura police station area. She revealed that he took her to a room in the campus in the name of the question paper. He then raped her and threatenend to murder her if she disclosed anything before anyone.

The terrified minor reached home after the examination. She explained the entire incident to the family members when they repeatedly questioned her. Afterward, her uncle filed a complaint at the police station on 16th March. She lives in a village near the Karimuddinpur police station in Ghazipur and attends Kharaupur’s Basmati Sarju Higher Secondary School. Its examination center is at SVBSIC in Kharaupur Uskar. She went there on 1st March for her Mathematics test, however, the SP leader raped her.

“I have raised my niece since childhood. Currently she is a student of 10th standard and is 17 years old. We had admitted her in Basmati Sarju Higher Secondary School, Kharaupur, Ballia. Its examination centre is SVBSIC Kharaupur Uskar Ballia. The manager of this school is SP leader Janardan Yadav. I had left her at my friend Shivshankar Yadav’s place for the exam. He dropped her at the examination centre on 1st March between 7:15 and 8:15 am. She had a mathematics exam that day. After she reached school, Janardan Yadav brought her to a separate room on the school grounds on the pretext of explaining the question paper. The room is near the entry gate of the school,” the victim’s uncle stated.

He further unveiled, “Janardan took her there and raped her following which he threatened to kill her. I came to know about all this later, because she was very scared. Afterward, I lodged a complaint in Bhimpura police station on 16th March. We are very scared after the instance.”

The police took immediate action and submitted a case against the accused for rape under the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act and (BNS Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita). Superintendent of Police (SP) Omvir Singh conveyed that the police sent the girl to the district hospital for medical examination on 17th March. The police is taking necessary legal action in the case. National Secretary of Samajwadi Shikshak Sabha Anand Yadav confirmed that Janardan Yadav is the National Vice President of the body.

Police station in-charge Madan Patel informed that he has been arrested and further inquiry is underway. Ashish Mishra, Rasra’s Deputy Superintendent of Police, was dispatched to the scene as soon as the crime was reported and the perpetrator was taken into custody.

Nagpur: Islamists attack Hindus for demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb, spread false rumours of Quran burning, Section 144 imposed

OpIndia Staff
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Nagpur: Islamists attack Hindus for demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb, spread false rumours of Quran burning, Section 144 imposed

Tensions prevailed in the city of Nagpur after violent clashes between Muslim mobs and Hindu Groups demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Sambhaji Nagar. According to the reports, unrest gripped the city over unverified rumours of the Quran burning during a protest against Aurangzeb’s tomb.

As many as 15 police officials and 5 civilians were injured in the violence as unruly mobs pelted stones, vandalised public property, and torched vehicles. Section 144 was imposed in the violence-hit region as a measure to bring situation under control.

The violence initially erupted in Chitnis Park and Mahal areas and later spread to Kotwali and Mahal areas. To control the situation, police used tear gas and carried out a baton charge to disperse the mob.OpIndia spoke to eyewitnesses who saw the clashes between the two groups.

Ram Mohan (name changed) said tension was palpable when he was at the Chitnis Park square where the police were barricading to avoid a potential escalation. “I had gone to drop my wife off at the railway station, and while returning I saw a large unruly mob passing through the Chitnis Park square, where a mosque stands,” he said.

Another eyewitness said he saw a mob of at least 500 to 600 men chanting slogans of “Allahu Akbar” and “Labaik-Ya-Rasool-Allah” in the Mahal region. He also revealed that the mob was pelting stones and that one of the stones hit his car.

“They were in hundreds. One of the stones hit my car. But since they all looked angry and agitated, I quietly skirted around them and came back to my home,” he said.

BJP MP Nitin Gadkari appealed for peace to the residents, urging them to support the administration in controlling the situation and expressing regret over the violence.

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