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Did you know family of Santosh Koli, whom Kejriwal paid tribute for ‘fighting ration mafia’ wants CBI to probe his role in her murder

OpIndia Staff
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Did you know family of Santosh Koli, whom Kejriwal paid tribute for ‘fighting ration mafia’ wants CBI to probe his role in her murder

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, while announcing doorstep delivery of ration for Delhi, paid tribute to AAP worker, late Santosh Koli, who died after she was fatally injured in a road accident on 7th August 2013.

He claimed that Koli was repeatedly attacked by goons but she never backed down. However, Koli’s mother has a different story to tell.

Who was Santosh Koli

Santosh Koli was one of the first employees of Paritvartan, an NGO started by Arvind Kejriwal back in 2002. He was still a civil servant back then. He also worked with Public Cause Research Foundation, another NGO founded by Kejriwal, Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and Newslaundry’s Abhinandan Sekhri. She was fatally injured in a road accident on 7th August, 2013. Her family and a lot of AAP members suspect that she might have been murdered.

In 2017, her mother had released a video wherein she could be seen holding placards accusing Kejriwal and other AAP leaders of covering up Koli’s murder as accident.

In the video, her mother says that Santosh “knew” of something (possibly incriminating) about Kejriwal, because of which they were not talking properly.

She further says, in the video, that the day she died, she did not wish to go to office. But, she was forcibly taken to office. That some Vandana and Kuldeep took her to office, not on Santosh’s scooty, but on Kuldeep’s bike. This bike was burnt (in the accident that took Santosh’s life). “Never seen such accident where the bike gets burnt to ashes, driver escapes uninjured and there are no witnesses. Everyone said Santosh was killed. Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Gopal Rai promised probe in the murder. A lot of money was collected in name of Santosh’s treatment (before she died in hospital), but no details are available about where the money went,” she said through the placards.

She further accused that the family has been kept away from the FIR details (filed by former AAP leader Dr. Kumar Vishwas) and even their statement hasn’t been recorded. She shockingly claims that Kejriwal had told her not to take Santosh’s name ever again in front of him. He allegedly even denied any probe into the murder. In fact, she alleges that following Koli’s death, the family was barred from participating in the condolence meets held in her memory. “All doors were closed for us. Today everyone in our family believes she was murdered. We insist that CBI probes Kejriwal’s involvement in her murder,” he mother had said.

Kerala: Madarsa teacher arrested for raping minor daughter for two years with 6 other men, was on bail from earlier POCSO charges

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala: Madarsa teacher arrested for raping minor daughter for two years with 6 other men, was on bail from earlier POCSO charges

In a shocking incident in Kasaragod district of Kerala, a 16-year-old minor girl was brutally gang-raped by seven people, including her own father, who is a teacher at a local madarsa.

According to the reports, the Nileshwaram police on Monday arrested a 50-year-old man, a madarsa teacher, for sexually abusing his 16-year-old daughter repeatedly over the past two years. Six other people have also been charged under the POCSO Act for sexually abusing the girl. 

Three of them, 19-year-old Riyas, 20-year-old Ijaz and 20-year-old Mohammed Ali, have already been arrested by the police.

The incident was reported after the maternal uncle of the victim lodged a complaint at the Nileshwaram police station. The victim in her statement accused her father of molesting and raping her for over three years.

Victim was made to undergo abortion

PR Manoj, the investigating officer said the girl was impregnated and underwent an illegal abortion two months ago. The senior police added that the doctor who performed the abortion is also under investigation as he failed to report the crime.

Reportedly, the police are probing whether the victim’s mother was aware of the incident but did not to reach out to the police.

“There may be more accused persons. We have only completed our preliminary investigation,” said officer Manoj.

The relatives of the victim stood by her and encouraged her to approach the police against her father and other abusers. The Child Welfare Committee will now be responsible for the girl. The house will be declared unsafe for children and she would be provided with counselling and support.

Madrasa teacher was a repeat offender

According to the police, the accused Madarsa teacher was a repeat sexual offender and was accused of sexually assaulting four minor boys in 2017. Though four cases were registered against him under the POCSO Act, he had received bail as the legal proceedings dragged on in court.

The accused belongs to Sulliya in the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka and has another wife and five children there. He came to Kasaragod to teach in the madarsa. The police officials said he was sacked from a madarsa earlier after he was accused of rape.

20-year-old Dilbar Singh Negi’s family hoped against hope that their son would return home this Rakshabandhan, but he never would

आशीष नौटियाल
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20-year-old Dilbar Singh Negi’s family hoped against hope that their son would return home this Rakshabandhan, but he never would

Though life for the citizens of Delhi has gradually come back to normalcy, it will never be the same again for those whose loved ones were killed by rampaging Islamist mobs during the riots that erupted across north-east Delhi in the last week of February. 20-year-old Dilbar Negi‘s old parents, who hailed from in a small town, Pauri Garhwal in Uttarakhand, are still waiting for their son to return home. His two sisters, though aware of the truth, still believe that a miracle would happen and their brother would return home this Rakshabandhan.

Dilbar’s younger brother, Devendra, says that he has compromised over time, but his parents are still not ready to believe that Dilbar will never come back home. Before every festival, when the son’s of the village come home, their eyes too start gleaming with the hope that Dilbar will also return. This time too, for the Thaulu-Tyaar festival, they were hoping to see their son, but all that was dashed, after his mortal remains returned home.

In Uttarakhand, during a few selected festivals like Thaulu-Tyaar, celebrated at the time of Baisakhi, all villagers, irrespective of wherever they work, return home to celebrate the festival with their families and loved ones. Dilbar had also planned to visit his family on Holi. But, unfortunately, Negi’s family would never get to celebrate any of these festivals with him, considering a mob of frenzied Islamists brutally tortured and murdered the youth during the violence that emerged in the national capital in February 2020.

Devendra, Dilbar’s brother said that his brother had gone to Delhi to earn for his family. Little did he know that he will fall prey to such a deep-rooted conspiracy. Still, the entire village is hopeful that Dilbar will get justice, said the grief-stricken younger brother of Dilbar Negi.

Dilbar Negi’s family was approached by the Delhi Crime Branch about a month ago in connection with the charge sheet filed against the Delhi riots. However, none of his family members were able to go to Delhi due to the ongoing coronavirus lockdown.

Dilbar Negi dismembered and burnt alive by Islamists

It may be recalled, that Dilbar Singh Negi was burnt by Islamist rioters after they brutally chopped of his limbs with a sword. The rest of his body was tossed into the fire like a piece of meat by the blood-thirsty mob.

Negi had dreant of joining the Indian Army, but, due to his parent’s financial constraints, the 20-year-old youth left for Delhi, 6 months ago, to make a living. Devendra, the brother of Dilbar Negi, says that he too initially went to Delhi with his brother to seek a job, but he returned to his old parents in the village.

On the evening of 24 February, when violence erupted in Delhi, 20-year-old Dilbar Singh Negi had fallen victim to the brutality of these riots. Dilbar Singh Negi was burnt by a mob of rioters in the burning house after being cut off with a sword.

The gruesome videos of anti-Hindu riots in Delhi had emerged which showed how rioters, after cutting Dilbar Singh Negi’s hands and feet, threw the rest of his body into the burning fire. The incident was first reported by Opindia, when the relatives of Dilbar Negi, the deceased, contacted us and reported the horrific accident. 

Dilbar Singh Negi was from Thalisain block in Pauri district of Uttarakhand. He used to work at a sweet shop located in Shiv Vihar. His close aide Shyam Singh told Opindia that some rioters entered the Shahdara area on the evening of 23 February. The rioters made Negi their first target. They cut off his arms and legs. Then, they burnt his body in a nearby shop. He was accompanied by his two other companions in the building who managed to escape from there.

On February 26, when the shop owner Anil Pal reached the spot to know the condition of his shop with the police, he found the body of the deceased Negi near the stairway on the second floor. We can assume that he was trying to jump from the building after seeing the rioters. Negi had visited the godown of the shop for having food and taking rest, the charge-sheet said.

According to the chargesheet, the main accused in the murder of Dilbar Negi is one Shahnawaz as he was the one who led the mob that day. Along with Shahnawaz, the other accused have been charged with murder, criminal conspiracy, rioting and promoting enmity between groups. Currently, he is in judicial custody.

Moreover, the Delhi Police had named Dr MA Anwar, the owner of Al-Hind hospital in the riot-hit Mustafabad area, as one of the organisers of the protest. The controversial doctor has been named in the charge-sheet filed by Delhi Police in the murder of 20-year-old Hindu youth Dilbar Negi.

A key eyewitness in the case had said that there were clear instructions for the mob to attack Hindu homes and shops. The mob was abusing Hindus in a vile manner and were speaking freely of finishing off Hindus, the eyewitness said. Furthermore, it was alleged that the mob was speaking of setting Hindu homes on fire and were calling them ‘Kaafir’.

Three accused Muslim men in the murder of Dilbar Singh Negi have confessed to firing indiscriminately at Hindus in Shiv Vihar during the communal riots at North-East Delhi. Shahnawaz, Salman and Sonu Saifi, admitted to procuring a pistol, while Salman confessed of “firing at Hindus”.

As was the case of Dilbar Negi, many Hindu’s including IB sleuth Ankit Sharma and police constable Ratan Lal, were also brutally murdered by the Muslim mob who had come from Brijpuri Pulia side in northeast Delhi and unleashed violence, targeting properties of Hindus. The unfortunate families of these Hindus have still not come to terms with the fact, that they will never see their loved ones again. Even as with time, things tend to be forgotten, this deadly riot, which was the fall out of religious hatred stoked by radical fundamentalists will not be erased from the memories of the aggrieved families.

Coronavirus fallout: Amarnath Yatra 2020 cancelled amidst raging COVID-19 outbreak

OpIndia Staff
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Coronavirus fallout: Amarnath Yatra 2020 cancelled amidst raging COVID-19 outbreak

As the coronavirus outbreak continues its relentless march across the nation with the number of COVID-19 caseloads surging past the 11.5 lakhs mark, the Jammu and Kashmir government on July 21 said that the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) has decided that it is not advisable to hold and conduct this year’s Shri Amarnath Yatra.

“The board has expressed its regret to announce the cancellation of Yatra 2020,” the J&K government said in a statement.

However, the statement from the Jammu and Kashmir administration added that the board will continue to broadcast live telecast of the morning and evening aarti. Keeping in sentiments of the millions of devotees, the SASB released a statement, assuring that they will continue to broadcast live feed from the Amarnath cave and all the traditional rituals shall be carried out as per past practices.

“The Board is aware of and respects the sentiments of millions of devotees and to keep the religious sentiments alive, the Board shall continue the Live Telecast/ Virtual Darshan of the morning and evening Aarti. Further, the traditional rituals shall be carried out as per past practice. Also, the Chhadi Mubarak shall be facilitated by the Government,” SASB said in a statement.

The Supreme Court, in an order this month, had asked the Jammu and Kashmir government to take a call on organising the annual Hindu pilgrimage, taking into account the ground reality.

Every year, about 10 lakh devotees visit the Amarnath cave shrine. This is the second year in a row that the pilgrimage would not be carried out. Last year, the holy expedition was cancelled on account of security concerns and in light of intelligence inputs stating terror threats targeted at the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims.

‘If I can, any Indian can win’: Chetan Bhagat takes on the elitist ecosystem, calls out the snobbery of critics

OpIndia Staff
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‘If I can, any Indian can win’: Chetan Bhagat takes on the elitist ecosystem, calls out the snobbery of critics

The spat between Chetan Bhagat and Anupama Chopra has turned into an “all against one” fight. Bhagat, who got attacked from left and right for his tweet against Chopra, has now opened the floodgates towards all the elites in the film industry and media. He replied to them one by one creating more controversies while doing so. He said in one of his tweets, “If I win, any Indian can win. What will the elitists do then?”

Suchitra Tyagi, former radio jockey turned film critic mocked Bhagat for his opinion. In reply to his tweet, she said, “‘Don’t act over smart’ okay Chetan.” Bhagat replied to her and called her an elite snob. He added that she is a talentless, mean spirited person who had the fortune of learning English and now feels superior and constantly mocks other Indians. He added, “These are the people responsible for creating a bullying culture.”

Madhu Menon, who is a chef, often gets himself in soup with netizens over one issue or the other. He mocked Chetan Bhagat and called his writing rubbish. Menon is the same person who wished for “a few riots” when PM Modi announced demonetization in 2016. Chetan replied to him saying that Menon often talks about mental health. However, he never had any issues writing about Bhagat in public. He added, “Also, again, a talentless person who can’t write one engaging paragraph certifying India’s #1 writer.”

Abhinav Bakshi, who claims to be a digital consultant and wrote articles for different publications, came in support of Anupama Chopra. Calling Bhagat’s tweet an uncouth attack, he said even if Vidhu Vinod Chopra did everything that Bhagat claims, Anupama should not be held responsible. In a reply, Bhagat said that he is not holding her responsible for whatever happened. “But she kept quiet then and is pontificating to me now. You know words like uncouth, doesn’t automatically mean you understand what I said,” he added.

Shomini Sen, film critic at WION, pointed out that he does not have the right to threaten professionals for doing their job. He has to tweet sensibly. “You are just playing to the gallery. Shame on you,” she added. Bhagat, in his reply, said that he had not threatened anyone. “I am simply addressing snobs and elitists and telling them not to play dirty. Again, read sensibly. Don’t get rattled,” he added.

Krishan Partap Singh, author, who is famous for his anti-Modi stand, reminded Bhagat about free speech. He said, “Free speech and expression? Art and criticism? Anything ring a bell?” Bhagat replied that he knows about free speech and expression. “Did you read the fair and sensible? Dirty tricks are not a part of your patronising questions btw,” he added.

Chiki Sarkar, Publisher and founder of Juggernaut Books came in his support and said that she is always astonished about how much hate people show Bhagat for being a famous commercial writer. To which Bhagat jokingly replied and said it happens because he is awesome and a threat for the elitist ecosystem.

Producer-director Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri quoting one of Bhagat’s tweet asked him if he means to point towards the eco-system of parasites and predators. Chetan replied, “You know it better sir Ji. You have dealt with them for a long time,” referring to the never-ending spat between Agnihotri and the likes of Swara Bhaskar and others.

It seems like Chetan Bhagat has touched a painful nerve of the “elite ecosystem,” that made all of them react hastily without factoring in the consequences of their statements.

Supreme Court initiates suo moto contempt of court proceedings against ‘PIL Activist’ Prashant Bhushan and Twitter India

OpIndia Staff
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Supreme Court initiates suo moto contempt of court proceedings against ‘PIL Activist’ Prashant Bhushan and Twitter India

The Supreme Court has initiated suo moto contempt of court proceedings against ‘PIL activist’ Prashant Bhushan and Twitter India.

Justice Arun Mishra’s bench is expected to hear it on Wednesday.

While the reason for the current contempt of court proceedings is not clear, it is being speculated that Prashant Bhushan has landed himself in trouble due to a tweet on ‘Urban Naxal’ Varavara Rao. In the tweet, the ‘PIL activist’ had said that the accused in the Elgar Parishad case had been denied bail on several occasions and suggested that his death would be a case of ‘judicial murder’.

Prashant Bhushan has irked the Judiciary on several occasions in recent times. The Supreme Court recently slammed the advocate for his critical comments passed on Twitter against the Union Minister Prakash Javadekar who had shared a picture of himself watching “Ramayana” serial amidst the national lockdown on Twitter.

In June, the apex court refused to entertain the petition filed by advocate Prashant Bhushan in connection with the decongestion of jails during the coronavirus outbreak in the country. Instructing him to take the matter to the High Courts, the Supreme Court asked him whether he would withdraw the petition or should they dismiss it.

There have been several other occasions when the Supreme Court has delivered verdicts and orders not favourable to his point of view, due to which the advocate’s anger against the Judiciary has been boiling over.

Note: This is a developing story, will be updated with new information as and when it surfaces.

Chopragaj murder: WB police arrest deceased victim’s kin after family of accused Feroze Ali pins blame of his murder on girl’s family

OpIndia Staff
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Chopragaj murder: WB police arrest deceased victim’s kin after family of accused Feroze Ali pins blame of his murder on girl’s family

Several revelations have been made in the rape and murder case of the minor sister of the BJP booth president in Chopragaj area in Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal on July 19. In the midst of allegations and counter-allegations, West Bengal police have now arrested the father and two brothers of the 15-year-old girl, whose death had triggered widespread protests in the adjoining areas.

Sachin Makkar, superintendent of police, Islampur police district, said: “We have arrested the father and two brothers of the girl based on the complaint of the youth’s father,” reports Hindustan Times.

The prime accused Firoze Ali found dead, BJP alleges an attempt to cover up the girl’s death

Yesterday, the corpse of a young man had been recovered from Nayanjuli in Chopragaj, an area adjoining the crime scene where the corpse of the sister of the BJP booth President was found. After locals identified the dead body to be that of ruling TMC worker Feroze Ali’s, the primary accused in the rape and murder case of the 16-year-old girl, the youth’s family lodged a complaint against the deceased girl’s family members, accusing them of the murder. Following the complaint, the West Bengal police had picked up the kin of the deceased minor girl.

As per reports, Feroze Ali had been missing ever since the heinous crime was committed. BJP had pinned the blame of the rape and murder on the local TMC worker.

After the youth’s dead body was found submerged in water, TMC district president Kanaia Lal Agarwal claimed that the duo died by suicide. “The girl and the youth knew each other and went to the same private tutor. They probably committed suicide as they felt that their families might not accept their relationship,” Agarwal said.

The girl’s family had vehemently rejected these claims maintaining that his daughter was regularly harassed by the youth and he raped and murdered her. Meanwhile, BJP alleged that this was a conspiracy hatched by the ruling party to cover up the girl’s death.

The ‘hushed’ autopsy reports

Yesterday we reported, how in a bizarre turn of events, the West Bengal police had ruled out the charges of rape. Following the revelation by the Dinajpur police on Sunday night that the deceased 16-year-old minor was not subjected to any ‘physical or sexual assault’, questions are now being raised about the ‘hushed’ autopsy report and the trend in West Bengal to classify mysterious causes of death as ‘suicide’.

Meanwhile, the tension in the area still remained palpable. After the news of the heinous crime gained traction, locals had turned the Chopragaj area into a battlefield, Angry locals torched three government buses and two police vehicles and vandalised a number of other vehicles Sunday. Shouting “we want justice,” the mob also attacked policemen. The BJP supporters protested against the heinous crime by blocking the National Highway-31. At least 30 people, including some police personnel, were injured in the pitched battles. Police have also arrested 22 people in connection with Sunday’s arson and clashes.

The Chopragaj rape and murder case

In what transpired on July 19, the 15-year-old sister of a BJP booth President went missing. She was reportedly taken to an abandoned place near Chopragaj in Sonarpur Gram Panchayat. The 10th std student was then, allegedly raped and poisoned by the perpetrators. The criminals fled the scene after dumping her body at the abandoned place which is located close to her house. She was found in an unconscious state at the deserted place. She was rushed to a primary healthcare centre in Chopragaj’s Dalua block. When her condition deteriorated, she was admitted to Islampur Sub-Divisional Hospital where she was declared dead.

Kandahar: 14 Taliban terrorists neutralised, Pakistan ID cards recovered from them

OpIndia Staff
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Kandahar: 14 Taliban terrorists neutralised, Pakistan ID cards recovered from them

In a gunfight with the Afghan security forces Maruf and Arghistan districts in Kandahar in Afghanistan, 14 terrorists belonging to the Islamic terror outfit Taliban were neutralised. The security forces have recovered Pakistani ID cards from the terrorists. The dreaded terrorist organisation has reportedly carried out several attacks on Afghan forces in recent months, despite aiming to talk to Kabul.

Taliban to continue its Jihad

Earlier, the deputy leader of the Taliban Sirajuddin Haqqani has said that despite the peace negotiations to repeal the conflict in Afghanistan, the terrorist group will continue to move further on the path of jihad and will strengthen its military power. In a message to mark the completion of training of the suicide bombers of the Taliban at an unknown location, Haqqani clarified that peace talks do not mean that they will abandon the path of Jihad.

As per the report, in footage uploaded on the group’s social media page, it was seen that a group of militants wearing suicide vests are passing in a parade in front of the Taliban’s military commission. Haqqani said, “We believe that the talks are the solution, the politics of sharia (Islamic) law is one of the paths of our jihad and struggle, but no one should miscalculate our politics and willingness for talks — they shouldn’t expect (the Taliban) to abandon jihad and their military capabilities

NCP’s Majeed Memon miffed with alliance partner, says Uddhav Thackeray should not attend Ram Mandir Bhoomi Puja

OpIndia Staff
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NCP’s Majeed Memon miffed with alliance partner, says Uddhav Thackeray should not attend Ram Mandir Bhoomi Puja

While the Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut has asserted that Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will positively attend the Bhoomi pujan ceremony for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, alliance partner NCP’s Majeed Memon has advised the Sena supremo to refrain from promoting any religious activity in his capacity as the chief minister of Maharashtra.

Memon took to Twitter to express his objection with the likelihood of Uddhav Thackeray attending the ceremony in Ayodhya. “Uddhav Thackeray is among invitees for Bhoomi pujan of Ram Temple. He may participate in respecting COVID 19 restrictions in his personal capacity. The head of a secular democracy should refrain from promoting a particular religious activity,” Memon tweeted.

Sanjay Raut claims Uddhav Thackeray will attend Ram Mandir bhoomi pujan

Though Memon demurred at the prospect of the leader of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, an alliance between the ideologically different parties of Shiv Sena, Congress and the NCP, would attend the ceremony for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Sanjay Raut, the outspoken spokesperson of Shiv Sena, said that Uddhav Thackeray will definitely attend the function as his party paved the way for the construction of the Ram Temple and removed roadblocks in the temple construction.

Refuting the existence of rifts between the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance partners, Raut asserted that the three political parties in the alliance have varying ideologies but they work on a common minimum programme.

“This is a government of three parties, and nowhere in the MVA’s formation, it is written we have to have consensus on an issue. As a government, it has to be run with unanimity to implement the programmes for the people as per the common minimum programme,” Raut said.

On Sunday, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar had criticised the Central government over having misplaced priorities in the times of pandemic. “Eradication of Covid-19 is the priority of the Maharashtra government, but some people think constructing a temple will help in its mitigation,” Pawar said. With Pawar stressing that the Maharashtra government’s focus is on battling the spread of coronavirus, it remains to be seen if Uddhav Thackeray will defy Pawar and attend the groundbreaking ceremony of the Ram Temple.

Even Shiv Sena’s other alliance partner, Congress echoed Pawar’s concerns and claimed that the central government was diverting people’s attention from its bungling up of the coronavirus crisis.

PM Modi may likely attend the groundbreaking ceremony in Ayodhya

The ‘bhoomi pujan’ ceremony is scheduled to be held at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh and PM Modi is likely to attend it on August 5. The ceremony will be graced by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath among several other invitees. However, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has not yet confirmed his visit.

Reportedly, an estimated 100-150 guests will be allowed at the said event. The foundation laying ceremony will mark the beginning of the construction of the grand temple that is expected to take about 3 years to complete. Kameshwar Chaupal who serves as a trustee of the Ram Temple Trust informed that they are expecting the Prime Minister’s arrival in the temple town of August 5. He added that all government standard operating procedures (SOPs) with respect to safety against coronavirus will be ensured during the Bhumi Pujan.

NIA tells Bombay HC ‘Urban Naxal’ Varavara Rao attempting to take undue advantage of Coronavirus to get bail

OpIndia Staff
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NIA tells Bombay HC ‘Urban Naxal’ Varavara Rao attempting to take undue advantage of Coronavirus to get bail

The National Investigative Agency (NIA) has accused ‘Urban Naxal’ Varavara Rao of attempting to take undue advantage of the Coronavirus outbreak after the accused in the Elgar Parishad case applied for bail on grounds of health, LiveLaw has reported. He had earlier tested positive for Covid-19.

The NIA said in its 170-page reply to the plea for bail by Varavara Rao at the Bombay High Court, “The appellant accused Varavara Rao under the garb of the current situation on account of global pandemic Covid-19 and his old age, is trying to take an undue benefit in the aforesaid situation in seeking bail on the grounds mentioned in his application.”

The NIA stated further, “It is very clear that prison authorities responded timely and provided necessary medical aid to the appellant accused Varavara Rao. The medical record of the appellant accused and the report submitted by the Superintendent of JJ Hospital does not suggest that the appellant accused is suffering from any such ailment which necessitates to immediately obtain treatment from multi-speciality hospital from specific doctor. Thus it is clear that the pleading with regard to the medical condition of the petitioner is merely a ruse to obtain an order of interim relief which is not available to the petitioner otherwise on the merits of this case.”

Referring to the serious charges Varavara Rao and others in the Bhima Koregaon Elgar Parishad case are accused of, the investigative agency stated, “Mr Rao and other accused in the case have been charged with various offences under chapter IV and V of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) as well as Indian Penal Code wherein the prescribed punishment is more than seven years and may extend to imprisonment for life. Therefore even though the guidelines issued by the Maharashtra High Powered committee permits an under-trial prisoner above 60 years of age merely to apply for an interim bail, and not to be granted bail mechanically. As it is purely the discretion of the court adjudication the bail application as such the court ought to have exercised its discretion.”

Cases against ‘activist’ Rao

In July 2019, Karnataka police took Bhima Koregaon case accused Varavara Rao into custody in connection with a 2005 Maoist attack case registered at Tirumani and sent him to the Mumbai prison. He was already in judicial custody at Yerwada jail in relation to the Bhima Koregaon case.

In November 2018, Rao, and nine others were arrested in the Bhima Koregaon case, which was initially probed by the Pune police and later transferred to the National Investigation Agency in January. The case relates to alleged inflammatory speeches made at the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017, which triggered violence the next day near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial located on the outskirts of the western Maharashtra city.

The police have also claimed the conclave was organised by people with alleged Maoist links.

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