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‘Fighting Indian State’: FIR registered against Rahul Gandhi for his controversial remark against Indian state

ANI
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‘Fighting Indian State’: FIR registered against Rahul Gandhi for his controversial remark against Indian state

 Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition, has landed in trouble over his recent remarks, where he stated that “the BJP and RSS have captured every single institution, and we are now fighting the BJP, the RSS, and the Indian State itself”.

An FIR has been registered against him at the Pan Bazar Police Station in Guwahati.

Rahul Gandhi made the statement on January 15, 2025, during the inauguration of the Congress Party’s new headquarter at Kotla Road in Delhi. The FIR was registered under section 152 and 197(1)d of the BNS for “acts endangering sovereignty unity and integrity of India,” a cognizable and non-bailable office.

The complainant, Monjit Chetia, alleged that Gandhi’s statement crossed the limits of permissible free speech and posed a serious threat to public order and national security.

Chetia claimed that Gandhi’s words were an attempt to delegitimize the authority of the State, creating a dangerous narrative that could provoke unrest and separatist sentiments.

“By declaring that his fight is against the “Indian State itself,” the accused has consciously incited subversive activities and rebellion among the populace. This is an attempt to delegitimize the authority of the State and to portray it as a hostile force, thereby creating a dangerous narrative that could provoke unrest and separatist sentiments,” Chetia said in his complaints according to the FIR.

Chetia also suggested that Gandhi’s remarks were motivated by frustration over repeated electoral failures. As the Leader of Opposition, Gandhi has a responsibility to maintain public confidence in democratic institutions, but instead, he chose to exploit his platform to spread falsehoods and provoke rebellion, endangering the unity and sovereignty of India.

“Having been unable to gain public trust through democratic means, the accused now seeks to incite disaffection against the central government and the Indian State. This behavior is particularly alarming, given his position as the Leader of the Opposition, a role that comes with the responsibility to maintain public confidence in democratic institutions. Instead, the accused has chosen to exploit his platform to spread falsehoods and provoke rebellion, endangering the unity and sovereignty of India,” the complainant said.

Chetia complained that Rahul Gandhi’s remarks represent a direct challenge to the integrity and stability of the Indian State, warranting immediate legal action under Section 152 of the BNS. 

Lallantop attempts to shield Rahul Gandhi over his ‘fight the Indian state’ remark, falsely insinuates that BJP quoted the Congress leader out of context

Dibakar Dutta
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Lallantop attempts to shield Rahul Gandhi over his ‘fight the Indian state’ remark, falsely insinuates that BJP quoted the Congress leader out of context

On Saturday (18th January), ‘journalist‘ Saurabh Dwivedi courted controversy after he tried to shield Congress leader Rahul Gandhi against criticism.

Dwivedi, who is the Founding Editor of The Lallantop, recently conducted an interview with political analyst Rajat Sethi. He claimed that Rahul Gandhi talked about ‘fighting against the BJP, RSS and the Indian government.’

Saurabh Dwivedi alleged that the statement of the Gandhi scion was being ‘falsely’ interpreted by the BJP President JP Nadda as ‘fighting the Indian State.’

“JP Nadda is saying that Rahul Gandhi openly talked about fighting against India. The speech was about fighting the Indian government. BJP is claiming that the Congress leader is fighting against India,” the Lallantop’s founding editor was heard saying.

Saurabh Dwivedi attempted to insinuate that the BJP was deliberately quoting Rahul Gandhi out of context and attributing motives to his statement.

Political analyst Rajat Sethi was quick to correct him. He pointed out, “Saurabh ji, Rahul Gandhi did not say Indian government in his speech but the Indian state. He made the speech in English.”

“There was a slip on his part. He kept on talking against the Indian State. If there is any definition of treason, then, it is speaking against the State. This must have been a slip. But he said that his fight and war is against the Indian State,” Rajat Sethi emphasised.

“What is a State? It is the manifestation of the Indian Constitution. Even the position of the Leader of the Opposition, the one he currently occupies, is also part of the Indian State,” he further added.

Saurabh Dwivedi later conceded that Rajat Sethi was absolutely right. “Yes, Rahul Gandhi did not say Indian government but the Indian State,” he acknowledged.

The Background of the Controversy

On Tuesday (14th January), Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stirred the hornet’s nest by declaring that he was fighting the Indian State itself.

“Do not think we are fighting a fair fight. If you believe we are fighting against a political organization called BJP and RSS, they have captured almost every institution in our country. We are now fighting not just the BJP and RSS, but the Indian state itself,” he said.

Rahul Gandhi made the contentious remarks while addressing the party members on the occasion of the inauguration of the new AICC HQ in New Delhi.

Bangladesh’s embankment construction at Indo-Bangladesh border in Tripura raises concerns over flood risks, and is also Indira-Mujib treaty violation

OpIndia Staff
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Bangladesh’s embankment construction at Indo-Bangladesh border in Tripura raises concerns over flood risks, and is also Indira-Mujib treaty violation

Tensions along the Indo-Bangladesh border do not seem to be subsiding shortly as Bangladesh is now constructing a permanent river embankment at zero point along the border in Tripura. The construction is reportedly taking place between the Moulvibazar district in Bangladesh and the Kailashahar sub-division in Unakoti district in Tripura. Unakoti District Magistrate, Dilip Kumar Chakma, along with other senior officials inspected the site on Friday, January 17.

DM Chakma informed the media that Bangladesh’s move to raise the height of the embankment could endanger the Kailashahar region in Tripura with flood water. “They (Bangladesh) are building an embankment for the protection from floods. We visited the border area to take stock of it. We thought they have substantially raised the height of their embankment”, said Chakma. “We will be required to strengthen our existing embankment as water will flow towards us more now. The matter has to be dealt with at a higher level”, he added.

The DM further informed that the Indian embankment is located around 350 yards from the zero point. “We have no idea about the length of the embankment, roughly around 1 km of it is visible. Work is still in progress. We learnt that they are preparing to make it pucca. I feel India should take necessary steps”, Chakma said. The state government is likely to take up the matter before the central government after receiving a report from the DM.

The embankment violates the Indira-Mujib Treaty

The embankment might worsen the situation during a flood as river Manu flows between the two districts. Bangladesh, which vehemently opposed India’s efforts to set up a fence along the Indo-Bangladesh to counter the problem of growing infiltration, did not reportedly inform India before starting the construction. The construction violates the Indo-Bangladesh Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Peace (also known as the Indira-Mujib Treaty, 1972) which prohibits any permanent construction within the zero point. The zero point falls within 150 yards of the border pillars on both sides. No construction is allowed on the zero point except through a mutual agreement.

Saif Ali Khan stabbing case: Mumbai Police arrest Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, a suspected illegal Bangladeshi who was using a false Hindu identity

OpIndia Staff
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Saif Ali Khan stabbing case: Mumbai Police arrest Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, a suspected illegal Bangladeshi who was using a false Hindu identity

On 19th January, Mumbai Police arrested a suspected Bangladeshi immigrant named Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad in the Saif Ali Khan stabbing case. According to media reports, the accused was detained in Thane after confessing to entering the actor’s home, located in Bandra West, during the early hours of 16th January and carrying out the attack. In an official statement, Mumbai Police said the accused entered India illegally and was using fake Hindu identity.

Speaking to media on Sunday morning, DCP Zone 9 Dixit Gedam said, “On 16th January, at 2 am, actor Saif Ali Khan was attacked at his residence. FIR was registered and one accused has been arrested. His name is Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, he is 30 years old. He entered the house with the intention of robbery. He will be produced in the court and custody will be demanded. Further investigation will take place later… We doubt he is of Bangladeshi origin…”

He added, “Prima facie the accused is a Bangladeshi and after entering India illegally he changed his name. He was using Vijay Das as his current name. He came to Mumbai 5-6 months ago. He stayed in Mumbai for a few days and then in the vicinity of Mumbai. The accused used to work in a housekeeping agency.”

DSP further said, “There is primary evidence to anticipate that the accused is a Bangladeshi. He does not have valid Indian documents. There are some seizures that indicate that he is a Bangladeshi national…”

The 54-year-old Saif was admitted to Lilavati Hospital after sustaining multiple stab wounds, including injuries to his neck and spine, as he confronted the attacker. He underwent emergency surgery and is currently recovering at the hospital. Doctors have confirmed that he is out of danger.

Burglary attempt gone wrong

According to the complaint filed at the police station, the attacker was spotted by a house help as he entered the bedroom of Jehangir, alias Jeh, the younger son of Saif. The house help immediately alerted Saif and Kareena Kapoor Khan, Saif’s wife. The actor confronted the intruder, which led to a scuffle. During the altercation, the actor sustained serious injuries, and a piece of the blade broke off and got lodged in his body, which was later removed during surgery.

Suspect’s background raises questions

The accused was reportedly an employee at a pub located in Thane. The police tracked him to a labour camp near a metro construction site in the Hiranandani Estate. According to the authorities, the accused hails from West Bengal and uses several aliases, including Bijoy Das, Vijay Das, Mohammad Illyas, and BJ. Reports suggest that an investigation into his nationality is also underway to determine if he is an Indian or a Bangladeshi using fake identification.

Nationwide search for accomplices

The arrest of the main accused followed an extensive manhunt that utilised CCTV footage showing the attacker fleeing Saif‘s residence. Posters with his image were distributed across Mumbai and the surrounding areas.

Acting on a tip-off, Mumbai Police coordinated with Chhattisgarh Police and detained a suspect in Durg district, identified as 31-year-old Aakash Kailash Kanojia. He was apprehended aboard the Gyaneshwari Express train by the Railway Protection Force. However, his connection to the case remains unclear.

In another instance, a man detained in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday was initially linked to the stabbing incident, but authorities later clarified that the detention was unrelated.

‘Escaped death by 20-25 mins’: Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina alleges assassination plot following ouster

OpIndia Staff
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‘Escaped death by 20-25 mins’: Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina alleges assassination plot following ouster

Ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister recently recalled how she and her sister Sheikh Rehana narrowly escaped death by a few minutes after a violent revolution toppled her government last year. As per reports, Hasina posted an audio clip on Facebook on Friday in which she recounted the time when she had to flee her country to save herself.

Hasina, who was forced to step down following a violent revolution on August 5 last year, alleged that there was a conspiracy to kill her and her sister. “Rehana and I survived – just 20-25 minutes apart, we escaped death,” she said. Hasina recalled how she faced life-threatening situations many times in her life. She thanked God for saving her life. “I just feel that surviving the killings on August 21 or surviving the huge bomb in Kotalipara, surviving on this time August 5, 2024, there must be a will of Allah, a hand of Allah. Otherwise, I am not going to survive this time. You later saw how they planned to kill me”, said Hasina. “However, it seems to be a mercy of Allah that I am still alive because Allah wants me to do something more”, she added.

Hasina is lodged in an undisclosed location in India

The Bangladesh Awami League leader had to flee Bangladesh in August last year after her government collapsed due to widespread protests that started as anti-quota protests and later turned into the massacre of Hindu minorities and the destruction of their temples. She said that there was a plot to kill her just like how her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, was assassinated in 1975.

As a mob of violent protestors reached Gana Bhavan, Hasina decided to step down and leave to prevent her security guards from having to open fire at the violent mob. Hasina came to India on August 5 which was intended to be a short stay as she sought asylum in the United Kingdom. However, the UK government refused to grant her asylum. As a result, her stay in India was further extended.

Bangladesh interim government sought Hasina’s extradition

Last year in December, the interim government of Bangladesh officially requested India to extradite Sheikh Hasina. The request was conveyed through a “note verbale” to the Indian government, as confirmed by Touhid Hossain, the Foreign Affairs Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government.

However, due to a lack of clarity regarding the extradition treaty between the two countries, her extradition is uncertain. The interim government revoked the passports of 97 Bangladeshi nationals including Sheikh Hasina, for their alleged involvement in protest-related crimes.

Did PM Modi say India sells 2.5 crore cars annually? How misreporting of his speech at Bharat Mobility Global Expo triggered outrage

OpIndia Staff
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Did PM Modi say India sells 2.5 crore cars annually? How misreporting of his speech at Bharat Mobility Global Expo triggered outrage

On Friday, January 17, PM Modi inaugurated the second edition of the Bharat Mobility Global Expo in New Delhi, highlighting the giant strides made by India in manufacturing and selling vehicles.

While highlighting the potential of youth and boundless opportunities in India, PM Modi asked the auto industry to focus on both “ecology and economy” in a bid to push for greener mobility through developments in the field of electrics, hydrogen cells, and biofuels. 

PM Modi also emphasised the remarkable growth of vehicle sales in India, topping to an annual sale of 2.5 crore vehicles, which, he added, was greater than the population of several countries. However, no sooner did Modi complete his speech, than he was subjected to a barrage of online attacks spurred by news reports that quoted him saying that India saw a sale of 2.5 crore “cars” annually. 

A report published by ANI quoted PM Modi saying that India was selling more than 2.5 crore “cars” every year. 

The outlandish claim that India sold 2.5 crore cars annually instantly triggered an outrage on social media platforms, with many using the occasion to have a go at the Prime Minister, the man who is responsible for bringing Congress to its knees by exposing its policy flaws, encouragement to nepotistic culture, minority appeasement and ideological bankruptcy.

Naturally, Congress trolls champing at the bit of attacking the Prime Minister and frustrated with their leader’s inability to articulate an inspiring vision to attract voters had an opportunity to vent their spleen against their nemesis and outrage over something that the PM never said. 

Harmeet Kaur, a self-proclaimed Congress supporter, took to X to attack the Prime Minister after ANI misquoted him. 

Several other social media users, including Congress supporters, attacked the Prime Minister for allegedly claiming that India was selling 2.5 crore cars annually. 

Did PM Modi say India sells 2.5 crore cars annually?

Even as social media users are outraged over supposed misleading claims made by PM Modi, it is notable to mention that PM Modi never used the word “cars” to assert India was selling 2.5 crore cars annually. He used “gaadiya” or vehicles, which included 2-wheelers, three-wheelers, passenger and commercial vehicles.

“The population of many countries of the world is not as much as the number of vehicles being sold in India every year. Nearly 2.5 crore vehicles are being sold in a year. It shows how the demand is constantly increasing. This shows why India is being looked up to with so much hope when it comes to the future of mobility,” PM Modi said at the event.

An X user who goes by the handle @BefittingFacts pointed out the misreporting by ANI, which led to troll attacks against PM Modi. He also shared the video of the instance to emphasise PM Modi had referred to vehicles and not cars alone.

Another X user pointed out that Modi said vehicles and not cars and that 1.9 crore two-wheelers, 7 lakh three-wheelers, and 43 lakh passenger vehicles were sold in India in 2023-24.

India sold around 2.38 crore vehicles in the financial year 2024, reported Statista, an online platform that specialises in gathering data and visualisation.

Thus, Modi’s remark at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo was misreported and it was about the total vehicular sales in India, and not just cars alone.

Union Cabinet approves constitution of 8th Pay Commission: How major pay revisions is going to be a game-changer for govt employees and pensioners

Anurag
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Union Cabinet approves constitution of 8th Pay Commission: How major pay revisions is going to be a game-changer for govt employees and pensioners

On 16th January, the Union Cabinet approved the formation of the 8th Pay Commission, which is set to recommend revisions in the salaries and pensions of central government employees and pensioners. Speaking to the media, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the commission is likely to be established soon, with its recommendations expected to take effect from 1st January 2026.

The announcement has come at a crucial time as the Union Budget 2025, the first budget of Modi 3.0, is set to be unveiled on 1st February. The 8th Pay Commission aligns with the government’s intent to adjust pay structures to reflect current economic conditions and inflation.

The specific recommendations of the 8th Pay Commission are yet to be disclosed. However, early projections suggest that it could introduce significant revisions. Media reports indicate that the fitment factor may range between 2.28 and 2.86. This implies that the minimum basic salary could rise from Rs 18,000 to a range of Rs 41,000 to Rs 51,480. If these projections materialise, the 8th Pay Commission may bring the most substantial revision in pay and pensions yet, offering a major financial boost to central government employees and pensioners. However, official details will only emerge after the commission’s formation and its deliberations.

How the 7th Pay Commission affected salaries

The 7th Pay Commission, implemented on 1st January 2016, brought significant reforms to the pay structure of government employees. It introduced a fitment factor of 2.57, which meant that the basic pay of central government employees was multiplied by this factor, leading to substantial salary increases at all levels.

The basic salary was raised to Rs 18,000, a considerable increase compared to Rs 7,000 under the 6th Pay Commission. Pensioners also benefited significantly, with the minimum basic pension rising to Rs 9,000 from Rs 3,500. This overhaul aimed to provide better financial stability and address inflationary pressures effectively.

How the 6th Pay Commission affected salaries

The 6th Pay Commission, implemented in January 2006, introduced more modest changes compared to its successor but still marked an improvement in pay and pensions. The fitment factor was set at 1.86, resulting in an increase in the basic salary to Rs 7,000 from Rs 2,750 under the 5th Pay Commission.

The minimum basic pension also saw an increase, rising from Rs 1,275 to Rs 3,500. While these changes provided some financial relief, they lacked the transformative impact seen in the subsequent 7th Pay Commission.

What is a fitment factor?

The fitment factor is a multiplier used in pay commissions to revise the basic pay of government employees, ensuring their salaries are adjusted to reflect economic conditions and inflation. It simplifies the process of updating pay scales by providing a uniform method to calculate new basic pay from the existing pay.

The fitment factor is determined by considering various factors, including the prevailing Dearness Allowance (DA) rate and the overall pay increase decided by the commission or government. It plays a crucial role in standardising pay revisions across different levels of employment, ensuring fairness and consistency in salary adjustments.

Saif Ali Khan stabbing: A suspect detained from Durg railway station in Madhya Pradesh

OpIndia Staff
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Saif Ali Khan stabbing: A suspect detained from Durg railway station in Madhya Pradesh

In the latest update in the ongoing investigation in actor Saif Ali Khan’s stabbing case, the Mumbai police detained one suspect from Durg railway station in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday, January 18. The suspect was reportedly nabbed from the Mumbai-Hawrah Jnaneswari Express on a tip-off received by the Mumbai Police.

The suspect was detained by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and is currently in their custody. It is yet to be confirmed that the suspect detained is the one who actually attacked Khan.

A team of the Mumbai Police is on their way to the Durg railway station to confirm whether the person detained is the one involved in the attack. Earlier, Mumbai Police had detained a suspect due to his resemblance with the person caught in the CCTV footage of the actor’s building. However, he was released by the police after hours of questioning him, the police were not convinced of his involvement in the attack.

Attack on Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was stabbed multiple times by an intruder who broke into his Bandra residence around 2 AM on Thursday, January 16. The attacker also injured the family’s nanny and apparently demanded Rs 1 crore. He ran away after stabbing the actor. Saif Ali Khan was immediately rushed to Lilavati Hospital in an autorickshaw where he was operated upon. He was declared out of danger by the doctors.

The Bandra Police recorded the statements of Khan’s wife Kareena Kapoor on Friday along with other staff. The police have not been able to get hold of the knife-wielding attacker as yet.

 

While Polio is eradicated in rest of the world, cases keep rising in Pakistan; positive sample from test taken last year takes the number to 73

ANI
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While Polio is eradicated in rest of the world, cases keep rising in Pakistan; positive sample from test taken last year takes the number to 73

Pakistan recorded its 73rd polio case of last year, as a sample collected in December 2024, categorised as part of last year’s tally.

The case reported on Thursday, marked the second consecutive day of the new cases. The latest case was confirmed in Thatta, Sindh, and is the first from the area this year, as reported by the Dawn.

The sample was categorised as part of last year’s tally due to the virus’s three-week incubation period, which can extend further in colder months.

According to the Dawn, the 2024 total now stands at 73 wild polioviruses type 1 (WPV1) cases. The breakdown shows that 27 cases were reported from Balochistan, 22 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 22 from Sindh, and one each from Punjab and Islamabad. This resurgence of the polio virus has raised concerns, as the country continues to battle against the spread of the disease.

Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts include regular mass vaccination campaigns, where health workers go door-to-door to vaccinate children. Despite these efforts, the virus remains a serious threat in several regions of the country. The confirmation of new cases highlights the ongoing challenge in eliminating polio, as health officials note that hundreds of samples are tested, but only a small percentage turn out to be positive, the Dawn reported.

Just a day before, Geo News reported that Pakistan had confirmed its 72nd case, a girl from Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with her sample also taken in December 2024. The 71st case was reported in Jacobabad, Sindh, making it clear that polio remains a significant public health issue in the country.

Polio, a crippling and potentially deadly disease, can be prevented through vaccination. Efforts to eradicate the virus in Pakistan remain critical to ensuring the safety and health of future generations.

The Dawn also reported that polio continues to pose a serious health threat in Pakistan, despite ongoing global efforts to eradicate the disease. Several challenges contribute to its persistence, including security issues in certain regions, vaccine hesitancy, and the spread of misinformation, all of which have undermined vaccination campaigns. These obstacles have slowed down the country’s progress in eradicating polio.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Bengaluru: Police ask a Spanish man who called to inform about burglars in his house to speak in Kannada, disconnect his call

OpIndia Staff
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Bengaluru: Police ask a Spanish man who called to inform about burglars in his house to speak in Kannada, disconnect his call

A Spanish man stuck in a burglary situation inside his home in Bengaluru became a victim of linguistic chauvinism when his SOS call was disconnected by the helpline operator who asked him to speak in Kannada. According to a report in the Times of India, a Spanish man named Jesus Abrielle dialled emergency number 112 when he heard two people break into his house in the night around 2 am on Wednesday. He tried to explain his situation to the helpline operator in a mix of English and Spanish. However, the helpline operator asked him to speak in Kannada and disconnected his call.

The burglars took away valuables worth Rs 82,000 from Abrielle’s house including his laptop, a platinum ring, headphones, a wallet containing Rs 10,000, his Spanish ID card, a driver’s license, and his debit cards from India and his native country. In shock of the incident, Abrielle remained stuck in his room for around 6 hours. He did not call anyone until 8:30 am when he finally called his landlord Sudeep and narrated his ordeal.

Burglars snuck in through the bathroom window

Abrielle lives in the ground floor flat of the Nydus apartment complex on Langford Road in Richmond Town in Bengaluru. The burglars reportedly snuck into the house by removing the louvre window glasses of the bathroom attached to one of the bedrooms. Abrielle was in another bedroom at the time. He heard the noise of someone entering the house and immediately made the SOS. On failing to get any help from the emergency number, he decided to remain inside his bedroom. The burglars remained in the house for 30 minutes and then left from a different window of the bedroom.

According to the police, the apartment complex did not have any CCTV cameras. The guard at the entrance of the apartment complex was awake at the time of the burglary and was talking to the guard of the adjacent building. However, he did not hear any noise as Abrielle’s apartment is located at the far end of the complex. The police suspect that the burglars might be labourers as some construction work is going on in a nearby building. A case has been filed by the police under sections 305 (theft in a dwelling house) and 331 (punishment for house-trespass or house-breaking) of the BNS.

A helpline operator is obligated to call back

Explaining the mishap on the emergency call, a senior police officer reportedly explained that emergency numbers frequently receive frivolous and prank calls. Therefore, the helping operator might have mistaken Abrielle’s call for a prank call. However, in such situations, the operator must call back and examine the entire situation.

Editor’s note: Karnataka Police has issued a statement since this news went viral in Indian media.

In their statement, the Karnataka Police said that the alleged victim made no call to the helpline at the time of the incident. However, the police later responded promptly after the incident was reported to them.

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