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J&K: ‘Pir Baba’ Maulvi Ajaz Ahmad Sheikh sexually abused minor boys for a decade by pretending to be possessed by ‘Jinn’, Chilling details

Shraddha Pandey
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J&K: ‘Pir Baba’ Maulvi Ajaz Ahmad Sheikh sexually abused minor boys for a decade by pretending to be possessed by ‘Jinn’, Chilling details

The Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Sopore, Jammu and Kashmir, convicted a Muslim ‘Peer Baba’ Maulvi Ajaz Ahmad Sheikh for sexually abusing minor children for over a decade. In an order dated 17th February 2025, the court convicted the self-proclaimed ‘faith healer’ under section 377 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC).

While pronouncing the accused’s conviction, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sopore, Mir Wajahat said that the prosecution established Maulvi Ajaz Ahmad Sheikh’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt. Justice Wajahat observed that the accused Maulvi subjected minors to unnatural sex under the guise of offering them blessings and exploited their vulnerability.

Maulvi Ajaz Ahmad Sheikh invited children to his residence on the pretext of speaking to ‘Jinn’, indulged in unnatural sex with minors

In this case, an FIR was filed in 2016 at the Bomai Police Station in Baramulla after a minor boy studying in class 10th told his father about how Maulvi Ajaz Ahmad Sheikh was doing unnatural acts with kids including him for many years. The boy, Prosecution Witness 8 (PW8), used to accompany his paternal uncle during his visits to the accused. After some time, however, the boy grew reluctant to visit the Maulvi. When his father inquired about why he was unwilling to visit the Maulvi, the boy initially remained hesitant, however, on being questioned again, he revealed the horrific deeds Maulvi Ajaz Ahmad Sheikh was doing to him and other kids.

Subsequently, the boy’s father approached then Sopore SP who constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising senior investigating officers, child protection officers, and forensic experts to probe the allegations.

A case was registered, SIT conducted an investigation, recorded statements of multiple victims and inspected the accused’s residence, collected documentary and circumstantial evidence. Upon gathering sufficient material to substantiate the allegations, a detailed chargesheet was filed on 15th June, 2017, under Section 377 RPC before the competent court, marking the culmination of the investigative process.

In his statement, PW1 (the boy’s father) said that the accused Maulvi used to tell him and his brother to bring children to him in the night so that they could speak with ‘Jinn’. He told the court that on Maulvi’s direction, he started taking his son to him in 2013 till the year 2017. After that, however, the kids refused to go there. When PW1 asked his son why he was unwilling to go to the Maulvi, he told his father that the accused used to have unnatural intercourse with them. 

Meanwhile, the sister (PW2) of the minor victim’s father said that she had a knee ailment for which she used to go to the accused Maulvi while her brother (PW1) visited the accused for Taweez. Before the complainant’s son, his nephew (12 years old at that time) used to go to the accused Maulvi, who after going for five or six times for five or six weeks stopped going to the accused.

The prosecution witness 2, said in her statement that the victim, (PW8), who was ill and had a heart-related ailment was taken to Maulvi Ajaz Ahmad Sheikh three-four years ago twice. However, he refused to go to the accused without giving any reason. Upon questioning, he said that “the accused had taken off the pant of one child.”

Complainant’s nephew, who was also victimised by the accused, came back to his house after a visit outside the state, and was also angry over his cousin being sent to his abuser.

On 3rd March 2016, around two or three years after these incidents, it came on television news that Maulvi Ajaz Ahmad Sheikh was sexually abusing children.

In his testimony, the victim (PW8) said that when he was in 7th standard in the year 2012, the victim went to the house of the accused along with his uncle who wanted a family problem resolved by the Maulvi/Pir Baba. The accused Pir Baba sent the uncle to another room and told the victim that ‘Jinn’ had entered his body. Pretending to be taken over by the Jinn, the accused Maulvi Ajaz Ahmad Sheikh said that the work to relieve the victim from his problem can only be done at night and sent his uncle away.

At night, the accused pretended to be possessed by a Jinn named Junaid and took off the clothes of a child present in the room and raped him in front of the PW8. The accused then told the deponent to take off his clothes but the deponent declined. The accused threatened the deponent that if he told about this incident to anybody, he would destroy his whole family. Then the accused had a non-consensual illicit intercourse with the deponent also.

At the time of the rape, the accused had closed the mouth of the deponent. Then the accused forced the deponent and the other child to have intercourse with each other. This horrific cycle of abuse continued for four years, inflicting severe mental trauma on the victim whose studies were also affected.

Another victim (PW5) told the court that he used to study in 3rd standard when the accused Maulvi or Pir Baba used to teach Quran to him. The accused was also his teacher at the Sideeqiya Public High School Gund Brath ,Sopore. The victim said that since he was good in his studies, he had cordial relations with Maulvi Ajaz Ahmad Sheikh. However, the accused used to call him near the school when nobody was present there and used to bite him on his cheeks very forcefully.

Upon noticing that the victim raised no objection to his perverted behaviour, the accused told the victim’s father that he would take the victim with him. At that time, the accused was a tenant of one Mohammad Akbar in Dangarpora and he was the Imam of the local Masjid.

The accused brought the deponent to his rented premises where they stayed for the night. At night, the deponent and the accused slept together but the first night, the accused did nothing with the deponent, only hugged him tightly. The next time, the Maulvi forced the deponent by saying ― “you have to come with me”. The accused told the deponent that he has to do work for him in return of which he will be rewarded with a gift.

Maulvi Ajaz Ahmad Sheikh took advantage of the victim’s naivety and made him believe his lies that after reciting certain Quranic Aayats, ‘Jinn’ would enter the Maulvi’s body. After reciting those Aayats, the accused used to pretend like he was possessed by Jinn and claim that he (Jinn) has come to do the work of someone affected by black magic. He claimed that to protect the person from black magic, the Jinn has to do something.

Understanding that the victim was terrified of what was happening, the accused pretending to have been taken over by Jinn laid over the victim, and took off the boy’s trousers to satiate his lust, although he did not initially penetrate the victim. He told the victim that he had gotten the Taweez from Jinn. The two slept together and went to school the next day.

In his statement, prosecution witness number 5  said that on occasion, the Maulvi claimed that the person whose work the Jinn came to do, had given a gift to the boy and gave him Rs 30. One day the accused repeated the same theatrics of being possessed by Jinn and claimed that the Jinn wants to penetrate the boy.

Initially reluctant, the boy gave into the demand of the Maulvi pretending to be taken over by Jinn since he said that he would not suffer pain. The accused used to penetrate the anus of the deponent. The accused used to spit on the anus of the deponent and then penetrate him and the accused used to close the mouth of the deponent with his left hand so that the deponent could not scream and used to shut the voice of the deponent. The deponent used to suffer from very severe pain from this brutal act of the accused. The accused gratified his lust and repeated the same. All this while PW5 assumed that it was the Jinn who was sexually abusing him and Maulvi had nothing to do with it.

The Maulvi’s drama for gratifying his lust was exposed when the accused told the deponent that he stays away from his wife and goes home only once a week, and told the deponent that he should stay with him to fulfill his lust and begged the deponent for this. The boy refused his demand and stopped meeting him.

However, somehow the accused continued to bring the boy to his multiple rented accommodations and exploited the boy until he passed 5th standard and lost contact with the accused. The victim, who is now 27 years old, however, said that this abuse at the hands of the Maulvi caused him mental trauma.

Similarly, another victim (PW11) said in his statement that when he was in 10th standard, his friends recommended he visit the accused Pir Baba as he would make him a Taweez which somehow would help him pass the examination. Since the deponent was weak in studies, he went to the accused who asked him to stay with him at night.

At night, the accused inquired about the victim’s problem, who then told the Maulvi that he was weak in his studies. Out of nowhere, Maulvi Ajaz Ahmad Sheikh asked the victim to stand straight and remove his pants, upon refusing, the accused threatened and made the victim remove his pants. Subsequently, he raped the minor boy and threatened to harm his family if he told anyone about his deeds. He used to call the victim to his place and rape him at night. This abusive cycle continued for one year. During this time, the victim said that he went to the accused Maulvi’s place about 100 times and spent 30-40 nights with him.

The cousin of PW8 had also narrated his ordeal in the statement recorded in 2018. The victim (PW3) told how like with other victims, the accused pretended to be possessed by a Jinn and until his work was done, the Jinn would not be happy. In this case, however, the victim said that he was forced by the Maulvi to rape another minor boy whom the accused had raped in front of him. Before this, the accused had asked the victim if he was gay to which he agreed. The next day, the victim went to his home and told his father that he would not again go to the accused ‘s home because he was not a good person and narrated the whole story to him.

In his statement recorded in 2019, another victim (PW4) said that he had known the accused Pir Baba since 2015, and narrated how he came in contact with the accused as well as how he fell into his trap since the Maulvi claimed that the victim’s father was going through a rough patch in his business. Later, the victim went to the accused again, who asked him to converse with a Muwakkil/Jinn. The accused pretending to be Muwakkil told the deponent to stand up, and then the accused told the deponent to remove his pants. Then the accused misbehaved with the deponent and in the morning, the deponent left. The victim went to the accused’s house for about 10 to 20 times and was subjected to physical abuse by the Maulvi.

The testimonies of multiple victims indicated that the accused Maulvi Ajaz Ahmad Sheikh had a modus operandi where he invited the victims for Islamic religious healing/problem-solving using supposed supernatural methods, isolated them, and then engaged in unnatural sexual acts. The paedophile thrived on the desperation of Muslim families looking to obtain miraculous solutions to their practical problems and the vulnerability coupled with the naivety of children.

Arguments presented in Maulvi Ajaz Ahmad Sheikh’s defence

In defence of the accused, his counsel challenged the prosecution’s case on grounds of procedural lapses, lack of evidence, and alleged contradictions in testimonies. The defence also alleged potential ‘ulterior motives’ behind the accusations levelled against the Pir Baba. It alleged delay in filing of FIRs, not many victims coming forward, supposed lack of corroboration from other victims, alleged attempts to falsely implicate the accused to settle financial disputes, absence of medical proof, and the lack of specific timeline of the offences. The defence prayed before the court that Maulvi Ajaz Ahmad Sheikh alias Pir Sahib be acquitted of all charges.

The court’s general observations

The court dismissed the defence’s argument that the accused Maulvi had been falsely accused of unnatural sexual offences to settle financial scores.

“This final witness of defence D-E shatters the roots of the non-standing defence of the accused. This defence is the defence for the heck of it with no proof documentary or oral or a consistent first-hand knowledge of any of the defence witnesses,” the court said adding that the defence’s argument is devoid of documentary evidence.

The court also observed that character references become immaterial in sexual abuse cases. Besides, the court noted that delay in reporting sexual offences is a well-documented phenomenon and has been recognized by courts as not weakening the credibility of a case. Furthermore, the court pointed out that the accused Maulvi/Pir Baba failed to provide an alibi or any direct evidence contradicting the victims‘ testimonies.

Regarding the defence’s challenge to the credibility of witnesses, the court said that the prosecution presented twelve witnesses, including victims, their parents, independent corroborative witnesses, and the investigating officer. It noted that the victims consistently detailed the acts of sexual abuse.

The court also observed that testimonies of the victim indicate that the accused had a similar modus operandi in all cases which included luring the victims on the pretext of Islamic religious healing, isolating them and indulging in unnatural sexual acts with them.

Furthermore, the court found that despite extensive cross-examinations, the defence failed to reveal any substantial contradiction in witness testimonies. The court also found no merit in the defence’s argument that the victims had any personal animosity with the accused due to which they falsely implicated him.

The court also dismissed all the arguments presented by the defence over the statements of the complainant and family members.

The court observed that charges against the accused were read in open court, and he was given the opportunity to respond under Section 342 J&K CrPC. His defence of false implication lacks substantive merit due to the consistency and credibility of the victim’s testimonies.

Noting the deductive conclusions in the cases of PW8 and PW3, the court said that these cases qualify for a joint trial. The court also observed that victims such as PW9 and others who allege abuse dating back to 2001-2002 have cases that are temporally and contextually distinct and must be tried separately.

Final determination

In view of the arguments presented by both, the defence and prosecution, as well as its observations, the court found that “proof of Guilt Prosecution has proven beyond reasonable doubt.”

The court determined that the delay in FIR is justified and it does not affect credibility. In addition, the court observed that a lack of medical evidence is not fatal to the case if the victim’s testimony is credible. The court also stated that the financial dispute claim is unsubstantiated and does not raise reasonable doubt.

Moreover, the court said that a joint trial is legally appropriate under Section 223 JK CrPC. The court added that “sentencing powers of CJM can impose 7 years per offense, with consecutive sentencing totalling 14 years, simple rigorous and fine.”

Justifying the conviction of Maulvi Ajaz Ahmad Sheikh, the CJM court said, “This court, upon meticulous examination of the evidence presented, finds that the prosecution has successfully discharged its burden of proving the guilt of the accused beyond a reasonable doubt. The testimonies of PW3 and PW8, being direct victims of the crime, have remained consistent, cogent, and unshaken despite rigorous cross-examination. Their statements under Sections 161 & 164A CrPC, as well as their depositions before the Court, corroborate the sequence of events in material particulars. The absence of contradictions or inconsistencies further strengthens their credibility.“

On the reliability of victim testimonies and lack of ulterior motives to falsely implicate Maulvi, the court said, “It is a well-settled principle of law that in cases  involving sexual offences, the testimony of the victim if found trustworthy and reliable, is sufficient to base a conviction without requiring further corroboration. The Hon‘ble Supreme Court in State of Punjab v. Gurmit Singh (1996) reiterated that the Court should not expect a victim to manufacture artificial evidence or produce eye-witnesses, as such crimes often take place in seclusion.”

The court cited the case of PW8 to assert that the accused Maulvi being a self-styled Islamic preacher had a certain level of dominance and trust in the victim’s life, “making it psychologically difficult for the victim to come forward immediately.”

Thus, the court observed that a delay in filing of FIR does not affect the veracity of allegations in this case considering the reliable victim testimonies and the existing socio-psychological factors.

The court mentioned the abuse of religious authority and repeated offences as the aggravating factors in this case. During the evaluation of the aggravating factors, the court found that all the victims were minors and the accused exploited his religious authority, his sexual offence was not an isolated incident but had a pattern of perpetual abuse extending over a span of years. The court said that the crimes of Maulvi Ajaz Ahmad Sheikh caused severe emotional and psychological trauma to his victims.

It further reiterated that the defence’s attempts to discredit prosecution witnesses were “unconvincing”.

Citing the “compelling, reliable and legally admissible evidence presented by the prosecution the court found that Pir Baba/Maulvi Ajaz Ahmad Sheikh’s offenses victimising PW8 and PW3 warrant conviction.

“In light of the compelling, reliable, and legally admissible evidence presented by the prosecution, this Court holds that the accused is guilty of committing unnatural offenses punishable under Section 377 RPC affecting the body mind and soul of PW8 & PW3 in the joint trial in case FIR No. 22/2016. The prosecution has established all ingredients of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt, warranting conviction for victimizing PW8 & PW3. The defense has failed to create any substantial doubt that would merit an acquittal,” the court said.

CJM Mir Wajahat further stated that the Maulvi Ajaz Ahmad Sheikh subjected the two victims to unnatural sexual intercourse during their childhood, exploiting their vulnerability under the guise of offering blessings.

“By dominating their will, manipulating their psyche, and exerting control, he subjected their bodies, minds, and souls to persistent acts of brutality over the years, shrouding his crimes in ostentation while inflicting upon them the unbearable shame of his misconduct,” the court order reads.

While the CJM lauded the courage demonstrated by PW4, PW5, PW9, and PW11 in recounting their harrowing ordeal, he refrained from extensive elaboration given the investigation in their cases is impending. The court, however, ordered the filing of separate FIRs in their cases alongside other victims seeking justice against the accused ‘Pir Baba’. In this regard, the court issued the direction to Sopore SP. The court also directed the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) to provide immediate legal aid to these victims to safeguard their access to justice. The DLSA has been instructed to file a compliance report within 90 days.

“If this judgment serves as a catalyst for those silent voices—who have long endured unspeakable trauma, struggled in the shadows of despair, and now look toward the law with the last vestiges of hope—then justice has, in some measure, already begun to prevail,” the court said.

All images taken from relevant court order

In a rather unconventional move, the Baramulla CJM wrote a poem towards the end of his order. The poem titled “Whispers of Faith, Echoes of Fear”, apparently was CJM Mir Wajahat’s poetic attempt at conveying the gravity and emotional toll of the crimes committed against the victims. As he writes that “And though the scars may never fade, The dawn will break—unafraid”, the CJM invokes hope for justice for those victimised by paedophiles and rapists like Maulvi Ajaz Ahmad Sheikh.

Bihar: Khushbu Pandey arrested in Jamui, a day after Hindu procession came under attack while returning after reciting Hanuman Chalisa

OpIndia Staff
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Bihar: Khushbu Pandey arrested in Jamui, a day after Hindu procession came under attack while returning after reciting Hanuman Chalisa

Hindu rights activist Khushbu Pandey has been arrested by the police in Bihar’s Jamui. This comes just a day after a Hindu procession was attacked by an Islamist mob that pelted stones, and bricks, and assaulted Hindu activists with sticks when they were returning after reciting Hanuman Chalisa.

On Monday (17th February), the Bihar Police detained Khushbu Pandey and her father. However, her father was released but Khushbu Pandey has reportedly been arrested.

After surviving the attack, Khushbu Pandey also released a video and said, “There was a Hanuman Chalisa program in the Bhaleshwar Nath temple in Baliadih village. While returning after taking the prasad, suddenly stone pelting started a little distance away from a mosque. The car was vandalized. Slogans of Allahu Akbar were being raised there.”

As reported earlier, on 16th February, activists from the Hindu Swabhiman organization gathered in Baliadih village, Jamui, for a Hanuman Chalisa recitation. As they were returning, a mob near a mosque attacked their vehicles.

The attack occurred as the convoy passed through a Muslim-majority area. The mob shattered vehicle windows and threw stones. Several activists, including Hindu Swabhiman district president Nitish Kumar and activist Khushbu Pandey, sustained serious injuries.

As per News18 Bihar, women and children were also present during the attack. One injured activist stated, “We were returning after reciting Hanuman Chalisa when suddenly 300-400 people attacked us.” Another activist mentioned that they were pelted with stones and their vehicles were damaged without provocation while passing through the Muslim area.

Khushbu Pandey, injured in the attack, said, “The Hanuman Chalisa event was held at Bhaleshwar Nath Temple in Baliadih village. After receiving Prasad, as we were heading back, stone-pelting started suddenly near a mosque. Vehicles were vandalized, and chants of ‘Allahu Akbar’ were heard.”

She further claimed that there was a plan to target specific individuals, and discussions about attacking the police were also taking place. Many Hindu activists were reportedly stranded in the area for hours. Videos of the incident, showing stone-pelting, have gone viral on social media.

Reports indicate that local police officers initially mishandled the situation. However, additional police forces later arrived to restore order. To prevent the spread of rumours, internet services were suspended in Jamui. SP Madan Kumar Anand confirmed these actions, stating, “After slogans were raised against those returning from the Hanuman Chalisa event, the police did not inform senior officials. Instead, they attempted to handle the situation themselves and even suggested changing the route. We have sought clarification from them and suspended them.”

A case has been registered regarding the incident. Eight individuals have been named in the FIR, while 50 others remain unidentified. As part of the crackdown, nine suspects have been arrested. A significant police presence has been deployed in the village to maintain law and order.

As questions mount against Congress and its connection with US Deep State, trolls target Smriti Irani: Here’s what BJP said in response

OpIndia Staff
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As questions mount against Congress and its connection with US Deep State, trolls target Smriti Irani: Here’s what BJP said in response

As questions were asked about United States Agency for International Development (USAID) links to anti-Modi propaganda and with Congress in India, Congress tried to hit back by linking the organisation to BJP in general, and Its leader Smriti Irani in Particular.

Congress leader Priyank Kharge posted on X that, “According to the Government’s official website, Ms. Smriti Irani’s bio states that she has served as the USAID “Goodwill Ambassador” to India.”

He further asked that does this imply that BJP politicians are the real agents of George Soros?

The allegations by Priyank Kharge were echoed by Delhi Congress leader Pawan Khera, who saw his party score a hat-trick of zeroes in Delhi Assembly elections recently.

However, BJP has hit back strongly at these insinuations by Congress Party to deflect attention from their own connections to George Soros.

BJP’s National Information & Technology Dept. head Amit Malviya posted, “The World Health Organization (WHO) appointed Smriti Irani as the Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) Goodwill Brand Ambassador from 2002 to 2005. At the time, she was a household name due to the immense popularity of the television serial Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.”

Notably, ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ was the most popular show in India at the time and Smriti Irani was the protagonist of the show.

Malviya further added, “The WHO campaign featuring Smriti Irani was endorsed by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), among others, which permitted promotional material to be displayed on its buses. Sheila Dikshit was the Chief Minister of Delhi then, and Pawan Khera served as her personal assistant.”

Apparently, a report by IIM Indore documented the program featuring Smriti Irani’s success in the given case.

As Muhammad Yunus downplays atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh, UN fact-finding report exposes the grim reality: A deep-dive

OpIndia Staff
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As Muhammad Yunus downplays atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh, UN fact-finding report exposes the grim reality: A deep-dive

On 12th February this year, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) published a 104-page report [pdf] detailing atrocities committed against vulnerable Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.

The report is titled ‘Human Rights Violations and Abuses related to the Protests of July and August 2024 in Bangladesh.’ Its publication becomes crucial since the interim government in Bangladesh, led by Muhammad Yunus, is pandering to Islamists.

He has strategically remained tight-lipped on their activities. Yunus’ regime has released Islamic hardliners and convicted terrorists and tried to downplay attacks on Hindu minorities as ‘fake‘, ‘exaggerated‘ or ‘politically motivated‘.

OHCHR report on Bangladesh

The findings of the OHCHR expose the grim reality that Muhammad Yunus tried to brush under the carpet. Page 52 of the report makes direct references to the targeted attacks on the Hindu community. It read,

“Violent mobs engaged in serious acts of revenge violence, including killings, targeting police and Awami League officials, especially from early August onwards. Some Hindus…were also subjected to human rights abuses, including the burning of homes and attacks on places of worship, with different underlying motivations.“

The Human Rights group noted that the administration failed to provide an effective response to prevent human rights abuses by non-state actors (a reference to violent Muslim mobs).

On Page 55 of the report, OHCHR made references to the attack on Hindus and Indigenous communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

OpIndia reported in September 2024 how violent Muslim mobs attacked the Buddhist Chakma and Hindu Tripuri communities in Dighinala and Khagrachhari Sadar in the Chittagong Division of Bangladesh. The accused set fire to more than 200 shops and homes belonging to minority groups. The Muslim mob also attacked a Buddhist temple, carried out an arson attack and murdered multiple victims.

Page 55 of the OHCHR report made references to widespread attacks on homes, businesses, and places of worship belonging to the Hindu communities in Thakurgaon, Lalmonirhat, Dinajpur, Sylhet, Khulna, and Rangpur.

“This destruction was especially prevalent in areas perceived to be sympathetic to the Awami League, as Hindus have often been stereotypically associated with this political faction,” it stated.

The human rights body also pointed out (on Page 56 of the report) how Hindu headmasters and teachers were coerced into resigning from their jobs. The report revealed the extent of the attack on the Hindu community –

“OHCHR interviewed Hindu businessowners and homeowners in some of these areas, who reported that their businesses, houses, land and religious sites had been targeted, while shops owned by Hindus were also looted. The violence often involved property destruction,
arson, and physical threats, compounded by insufficient police responses, suggesting systemic impunity and potential political motives.

For instance, one interviewee said that Hindu funeral sites and temples were vandalized in Thakurgaon, and other witnesses
described that, after attacks on their property, approximately 3,000 – 4,000 Hindus from those villages, fearing communal violence, had sought refuge near the border with India, but were reportedly turned back by India’s Border Security Force (BSF).406 Affected families reported a pervasive sense of insecurity and heavy financial losses, with many losing essential items, livestock, and whole businesses.

…National Security Intelligence (NSI) information provided to OHCHR through the Interim Government details 37 violent attacks targeting minorities that occurred between 5 and 15 August. These attacks occurred in Jessore, Noakhali, Patuakhali, Natore, Dinajpur, Chandpur, Shariatpur, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, Mherpur, Barguna, Barisal, Rajbari, Thakurgaon, Faridpur, Pirojpur, and Netrakorna. Most of the reported attacks involved the vandalising, looting or burning of one or several homes or businesses.

Four attacks targeted temples. In some of these cases the victims were physically assaulted, including one woman whose throat was slit and a man who was injured with sharp weapons. Nine of the identified victims were associated with Awami League political activity. In respect of five attacks, the NSI report identified BNP supporters among the attackers.”

It found that a majority of attacks took place during ‘victory processions’ of individuals, celebrating the ouster of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. OHCHR noted that the attackers were local supporters of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami.

Page 62 of the report stated –

“Some local members and supporters of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami opposition parties bear responsibility for human rights abuses committed during revenge attacks, including against members of the Hindu community.”

Coincidentally, Muhammud Yunus has been furthering the agenda of Sheikh Hasina’s rival Bangladesh Nationalist Party one step at a time.

Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Unity Council issues statement

Following the publication of the OHCHR report, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC) issued a statement demanding an all-out investigation into cases of communal violence since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina.

It thanked the UN Human Rights group for acknowledging the attacks on the Hindu community but said that the OHCHR report ‘failed’ to report the full scale of communal violence and systemic discrimination. BHBCUC said that the report omitted critical details about the broader human rights abuses.

The advocacy group called upon Muhammad Yunus to revoke the broad immunity granted to supposed ‘student protests’ who unleashed mayhem between 15th July and 8th August.

Attack on Hindus in Bangladesh since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina

OpIndia has been vetting and reporting cases of atrocities on Hindus since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina on 5th August 2024.

There have been at least 205 attacks on Hindu temples, shops and businesses within 3 days of the fall of Dhaka.

We previously exposed how Muslim students have forced as many as 60 Hindu teachers, professors and government officials to resign from their positions.

Human rights activist and exiled Bangladeshi blogger, Asad Noor, has recently revealed that the minority community is now being coerced into joining ‘Jamaat-e-Islami’.

On 6th September, a procession of Hindu devotees carrying the idol of Lord Ganesha came under attack in the Kadam Mubarak area in Chittagong city of Bangladesh.

Ahead of the Durga Puja celebrations, a radical Muslim man named Yasin Mia vandalised the idols of Goddess Durga and other Hindu deities in Gouripur town in the Mymensingh district of Bangladesh on 25th September.

In the latest series of attacks, idols of Goddess Durga and other Hindu deities were vandalised at the Rishipara Barwari Puja Mandap and the Manikadi Palpara Barwari Pujamandap on 28th September and 1st October respectively.

The attacks were carried out in Sujanagar upazila in Pabna district in Rajshahi Division of Bangladesh. While a total of 4 idols were defaced at the Rishipara Barwari Puja Mandap, another 5 Hindu idols were destroyed at the Manikadi Palpara Barwari Pujamandap.

On 3rd October, 7 idols of Hindu deities were destroyed at the Gopinath Jiur Akhara Durga Puja mandap in Kishoreganj, Dhaka Division, Bangladesh.

On 5th November, the Hindu community came under attack from police and law enforcement authorities in Hazari Goli in Chittagong city of Bangladesh.

On 29th November, a violent Muslim mob attacked Hindu minorities and vandalised 3 temples in Patharghata in  Chittagong district of Bangladesh.

The Hindu religious sites that the Muslims targeted included the Shantaneshwari Matri Temple, the Shoni Temple, and Shantaneshwari Kalibari Temple. The attack took place immediately after the conclusion of Jumma Namaz. 

On 30th November, a prominent Hindu journalist named Munni Saha was arrested by the police from Karwan Bazar in Dhaka city of Bangladesh.

A group of extremists attacked the Mahashmashan Kali Mata Mandir, vandalised 7 idols of deities and stole gold ornaments on 13th December 2024.

On 19th December, a Muslim man identified as Alal Uddin vandalised an idol at the Polashkanda Kali Temple and then attempted to create a fake alibi. The incident occurred in Haluaghat upazila in the Mymensingh district of Bangladesh.

Another 37-year-old Muslim man identified as Azharul vandalised several idols of deities in Haluaghat Upazila in the Mymensingh district of Bangladesh.

The recent arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu and his aides, attempts at banning Hindu organisation ISKCON and stiffling Hindu protests with cases of ‘sedition’ highlight systematic persecution under the interim government of Muhammad Yunus.

There have been multiple instances of attacks on Hindus under the pretext of ‘blasphemy.’ The recent cases of Hridoy Pal, Utsab Mandal, Partha Biswas Pintu, Akash Das, Pranta Talukder and Utsab Kumar Gian are shining examples of targeted persecution.

Maharashtra: CM Devendra Fadnavis directs cyber cell to contact Wikipedia over objectionable content against Sambhaji Maharaj

ANI
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Maharashtra: CM Devendra Fadnavis directs cyber cell to contact Wikipedia over objectionable content against Sambhaji Maharaj

Amid the ongoing controversy over “objectionable” content against Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj on Wikipedia, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday directed the cyber cell in the state to contact the open-source platform to remove the content.

“I have informed the IG (Inspector-General of Police) Cyber about the objectionable writing on Wikipedia. They have (been) ordered to contact Wikipedia and take action…It is not operated from India,” Fadnavis told reporters.

Noting that Wikipedia doesn’t operate from India, Fadnavis suggested that a set of rules must be in place to avoid distortion of historical facts.

“They have their own rules…We will give suggestions like this – instead of distorting historical things, create a rule…Freedom of expression is not unlimited. It cannot encroach on the freedom of others,” the Maharashtra CM said.

Speaking on the actions of Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC), Fadnavis said that police have been told to take action against developers who constructed buildings that have been declared illegal since they were built on government land.

“I am holding a meeting regarding Kalyan Dombivli. We will also go to the Supreme Court regarding how to save the needy. Ravindra Chavan has brought the incident to my attention. The police have been told to take action against the builder. The question is how to regularise the genuine buyers. Some buildings have been built on government land,” Fadnavis added.

Speaking on the water supply issue in Thane’s Badlapur, the Maharashtra CM said, “I promise you that funds of Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) will get to Badlapur as soon as possible. I will solve the water supply issue.”

He said dams were being constructed on the Ulhas River to resolve the flooding issue in Badlapur during monsoon season.

Earlier, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on Monday attended the International Temples Convention and Expo event in Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati and spoke about his experience, stating that many temple committees from India participated in the event and discussed how modern technology and ancient Sanskriti can be connected. 

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

‘Added fuel to fire, built narrative, incited people’: UP govt tears into Mohammed Zubair during hearing in Allahabad High Court

OpIndia Staff
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‘Added fuel to fire, built narrative, incited people’: UP govt tears into Mohammed Zubair during hearing in Allahabad High Court

On Tuesday, 18th February, during the hearing of the case against Mohammed Zubair in Yati Narsinghanand case, Uttar Pradesh government said that the state police had taken action against Yati Narsinghanand, and that the courts had granted him bail. The argument was presented in the Allahabad High Court in response to Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair’s appeal against the state police’s FIR over his “X” (formerly Twitter) post on Yati Narsinghanand’s allegedly “derogatory” speech.

The matter is before a panel consisting of Justices Siddhartha Varma and Yogendra Kumar Srivastava

According to the UP Government, which was represented by Additional Advocate General Manish Goyal, Zubair tried to stir the public by fabricating a storyline through his social media posts. The fact checker, AAG contended, had fueled the flames, and also questioned the timing of his posts.

“The date of Yati’s speech is 29th September, and the date of the tweet is 3rd October. Here comes the element of mens rea (guilty mind) because he says about his own will to post on social media. So he says there is rampant disinformation on social media, so he makes the post. He is saying that the video was already there. He takes responsibility for the post. He says that I have checked it. Whereas, he argues that he was sitting in Bengaluru, and he doesn’t know what is happening in Ghaziabad. This is corroborated by the statement that he has given to the police,” Goyal contended.

AAG Goyal mentioned that the tweet was posted four days after the occurrence, rather than right away, and highlighted that Zubair started tweeting from 3rd October till the morning of 5th October. “So these dates become very relevant,” Goyal noted. “He says that no arrest was made, and weak sections were invoked against Yati Narsinghanand, but it is not like that. So to say that the police are not doing their job, and it was his (Zubair’s) duty is wrong. Police were doing their job, and it was the court granting him (Yati) bail,” he added.

Goyal further submitted that although Zubair acknowledged that Yati Narsinghanand had been arrested in eight FIRs, he attempted to portray that the authorities were supporting him and were bringing FIRs against him under weak sections, which was untrue. “You are annexing the news report (regarding Yati Narsinghanand’s bail) in the writ petition once an FIR is registered against you. You can file as an annexure to the petition but not post it (online),“ AAG Goyal conveyed.

According to Goyal, even though Zubair claimed to have relied on a piece of news from Global Bharat, his tweet and the article were significantly different. “There are other things in the speech as well. It is talking about illegal immigrants and other issues also, but the petitioner has picked up 4-5 lines and has shown the video,” he stated.

“All this has to be seen in the light of the mentality of a common Indian. What narrative is being shown? What will an Indian man think? Now, kindly see the timing of the speech, that is an important fact. 1st is regarding the deliberate intention of making the news. 2nd is claiming himself to a renowned global fact checker and 3rd is regarding how it will be perceived by a common man. We are sensitive. We are most sensitive to these things and the petitioner lordship is fully aware of this fact,” he pointed out.

“You are fully conscious and disseminating the information that the police are hiding this person, and filing an FIR under weak sections, whereas the FIRs have not been lodged under weak sections. There have been arrests which you have not disclosed. There are 29K reposts to his post. He reposted one of the posts, by doing this, he is adding fuel to the fire,” Goyal said, and even quoted Zubair’s tweets saying, “He is freely roaming out and spreading hate“ regarding Yati Narsinghanand.

AAG Goyal added, “It is being posted in the same thread. Then the tweet where Kiren Rijiju was tagged. This is like taking the law into his own hands, building a narrative and trying to incite people.“ He also read out sections leveled against Yati Narsinghanand. “Now, what is the weak section and what is the strong section has not been spelt out by the petitioner in the paragraph under reply. Section has not been spelt out by the petitioner in the paragraph under reply,” he stated.

“Now this perception is being created. A perception that is translated into a narrative and is being forwarded to the public at large,” Goyal replied when questioned if “there’s any authority regarding a weak section” by the court.

“Weak section is only a perception created by the petitioner being translated into a narrative, and then he says that he (Yati Narsinghanand) was on bail when he gave the speech. What were you doing, you did not mention that in your post,” he asked.

Additional Advocate General Manish Goyal also cited a post dated 5th October in which Alt News co-founder Zubair alleged that the police were doing nothing, after verifying the facts, thus, in addition to other areas of the country, Saharanpur, Bulandshahr, and Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh are tense.

“All these events that started from the 3rd to the 5th show his intent. That is how it has a rippling effect, the cause and influence and the rippling effect on the common man. This is not news. This is not fact-checking. It is to develop a narrative,” he added.

Additionally, AAG Goyal emphasised that Zubair has more X followers than Alt News, and his account holds greater influence than anything else on his channel. “That’s why people follow you and they believe that what you are saying is true and even if it is a lie they believe it to be true. This is not the idea of freedom of speech. This is called the principle of diminished autonomy of the person voicing his freedom of speech and expression because he doesn’t have the same voice as you do,” he observed.

“Can it be his freedom of speech when the petitioner is critiquing,” inquired Justice Srivastava to which Goyal responded, “You posted a video of 2021 in 2024, which has already been deleted. There have been FIR for that, but you will play it again in 2024. You are like, no, I will play it again.“ He further asserted, “Fact finding would be mentioning the arrest and bail (of Yati Narsinghanand) for that video.“

Goyal called him a “person of influence” and reiterated, “He is saying that he is a co-founder of Alt News which has 3 lakh followers, and he has 15 lakh followers, so he is a person of influence,” and added that “his opinion carries a lot of weight.“ He stated that the petition clarified Zubair’s objective which he created in reaction to false information in the media, by his own admission and stressed, “The duty of the citizen should have been to point out that the FIR has been registered under these sections.”

Additional Advocate General Manish Goyal pointed out, “When things are said with regard to the Constitution of India, the escalation is to the extent that it goes beyond Section 196, and once it goes beyond Section 196 it reaches Section 152 BNS,” and referred to Zubair’s post with “samvidhan ki tehrvi” words.

“I read somewhere that a piece of news which is older than 24 hrs is not news, it has become scandalous. The opposition says random things and also burnt the constitution. The burning of the Constitution is an offence,” AAG Goyal also noted. The hearing was then concluded and Zubair’s interim protection which was earlier extended till 18th February was moved to 19th February.

Notably the Ghaziabad Police filed a formal case against Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair in October 2024, charging that he encouraged animosity amongst religious groups after an associate of Yati Narsinghanand’s filed a complaint. Mohammed Zubair filed a challenge in the high court against the FIR, which eventually included the offense of harming the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India under Section 152 of the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita).

Paid lakhs for illegal entry into US because he hated family business: Why politicians should stop trying to portray deported Indians as victims

Anurag
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Paid lakhs for illegal entry into US because he hated family business: Why politicians should stop trying to portray deported Indians as victims

In recent weeks, the issue of illegal Indian immigrants getting deported from the United States has taken centre stage in the Indian political landscape. Several political leaders are engaging in performative gestures instead of addressing the root cause of the problem. If an Indian is getting deported from the US over allegations that he or she entered a foreign country illegally, it is neither a matter of pride nor a matter of sympathy. It is a matter of severe scrutiny to understand how such a nexus is active in sending Indians illegally to a foreign country, that too in exchange for tens of lakhs of rupees.

Leaders like Bhagwant Mann, Sukhpal Singh Khaira (Congress), and Partap Singh Bajwa (Congress) from Punjab, along with others from across the opposition spectrum, have questioned the government on the matter while offering support to the deported individuals. Interestingly, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann provided them with food, and arranged transportation to their hometowns. On the other hand, Khaira demanded government job for the deported individuals and Bajwa questioned CM Mann if he had any plans for deported individuals or he was making false promises.

Interestingly, Mann has promised jobs to those who are “eligible,” portraying them as victims of circumstances. He even tried to claim that US planes carrying deported individuals are being landed in Amritsar as part of conspiracy and demanded they should land elsewhere.

Other leaders have demanded rehabilitation programmes and employment opportunities for the deported individuals and tried to set the narrative that it was the failure of the central government that these individuals attempted to go to the US illegally and lost money and dignity.

SP leader Atul Pradhan resorted to dramatic theatrics, appearing in chains to project the so-called “atrocities” faced by deported illegal immigrants. He accused the government of failing to take care of individuals who went to the US illegally and claimed it was an “embarrassment” for the government that they were deported in shackles. However, the reality remains that these individuals knowingly broke immigration laws, took the illegal donkey route, and were deported as per international protocols.

Not only leaders, some so-called journalists are also portraying them as victims. For instance, Ajit Anjum shared a news clipping where deported individuals narrated what they faced in detention centres in the US. It is understandable that detention centres cannot be 5-star hotels. These individuals went illegally and treated like criminals, as they should be.

Middle-class aspirations and reckless choices

However, a closer examination of the situation reveals that several of these individuals could have opted to live here and used the money to set up a business in India instead of taking the illegal route to the US. It is difficult to understand what kind of opportunity they think they would get in the US that makes them willing to take the illegal route, also known as the “donkey route,” to enter the US, live in shady circumstances, and do odd jobs for months or sometimes years before leading a sustainable life.

For instance, a man named Navdeep Singh from Punjab got deported not once but twice from the US. Navdeep’s father runs a sweet shop in Taranwala village of Mamdot block in the Ferozepur district. According to media reports, Navdeep found it “embarrassing” to work at his father’s shop. Navdeep, a graduate of Guru Nanak College, decided to go to the US for “better opportunities.”

His father, Kashmir Singh, sold land and took loans from relatives and friends to send him to the US, but not via a legal route. In his first attempt, Navdeep gave an “agent” ₹40 lakh, reached the US via the donkey route, and was deported in June last year. After returning, he thought of giving it another try. This time, too, he decided not to take the legal route and contacted the same agent, who demanded ₹15 lakh and sent him back to the US via an illegal route. He was again caught and is now awaiting his second deportation.

The dark side of illegal immigration

The story is similar for many other individuals from Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, and other states. In some cases, reports suggest that the deported individuals turned out to be criminals who fled the country after committing crimes in different states. For instance, murder suspects who fled to the US have been arrested in Punjab, and a POCSO-accused individual has been arrested in Haryana.

Most of these individuals were well aware of the fact that they were taking an illegal route to the US. They knew about the consequences of their actions. Their only hope was that if they got caught, they would apply for asylum in the US, claiming atrocities faced by them in India.

Notably, in March 2023, OpIndia reported how former Sangrur MP Simranjit Singh Mann admitted to giving fake letters to “aspirants” who wanted to shift to foreign countries, stating that they faced atrocities in India. These “aspirants” would pay Simranjit money, which could be as high as ₹50,000 per letter. In such cases, these letters helped the “immigrants” pose as Khalistani sympathisers.

A recent report suggested that the parents of one of the illegal immigrants were desperately waiting for the “good news” that their son was caught in the US, as it would have meant that he could apply for asylum. Such individuals not only indulge in illegal activities but also defame India in foreign countries with false claims that they faced atrocities at the hands of law enforcement agencies.

Why do they not take the legal route?

Now the question arises: why do these individuals not take the legal route to go to the US and instead choose the donkey route to fulfil their dreams? There are several reasons.

First, as mentioned above, some of them are criminals running from the law. They cannot apply for passports or take the legal route without permission from the courts.

Secondly, there are several illegal and dubious immigration agencies that dupe naïve and innocent individuals, claiming that they are sending them legally to the US or other countries. It is only after reaching Mexico or another country that these individuals realise they have been duped.

Lastly, in the majority of cases, the individuals fail to secure the required band score on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, which is essential to obtain a student or work visa for the US. In such cases, many immigration agencies suggest that individuals either get a proxy to take the IELTS test on their behalf, which is illegal, or take the donkey route, which is again illegal. For both options, individuals end up paying tens of lakhs and, in many cases, get deported back to India.

For example, 23-year-old Akashdeep Singh desperately wanted to move to Canada but could not clear IELTS. He went to Dubai and came in contact with a travel agent who helped him move to the US via the donkey route in exchange for ₹55 lakhs. Akashdeep was among the first set of deported illegal Indians.

There have been countless instances where proxy IELTS nexuses have been revealed by investigating agencies. Several immigration agencies were raided recently by Punjab Police in view of deportations from the US. Such actions have been taken by investigating agencies in the past, but the nexus has remained active in one way or another.

The misplaced dream of an easier life abroad

The number of immigrants, both legal and illegal, choosing to go to another country and leave their lives in India is huge. The hope for better opportunities, the lack of understanding of the difficulties faced in foreign lands, the lack of proper intervention by state and central governments in curbing the nexus pushing individuals to choose donkey routes, peer pressure to go to the US, and, in some cases, the feeling of “embarrassment” in opting for traditional family work are all leading to such situations.

The tens of lakhs these individuals are spending to enter the US or Canada illegally prove that they do not lack the means or resources. Their desperation is not driven by poverty but by an obsession with settling abroad at any cost. Instead of taking the legal route or using their funds constructively to build a future in India, whether by starting a business or acquiring skills, they willingly gamble everything on an uncertain and illegal path.

The problem of Indians choosing illegal routes to go to other countries cannot be solved just by attacking the nexus. It will grow again. The only way out is to put an end to the rhetoric that life abroad is better than in India. If you are not a highly educated or highly skilled individual, chances of survival in the US, Canada, or Australia are minimal. Sooner or later, you will come back with additional loans on your head.

With growing scrutiny over immigration policies in several countries and increasing sentiment against illegal immigrants, it is better to stay in India and seek better opportunities here. Navdeep, who felt embarrassed to work at his father’s sweet shop, got deported twice. That is much more embarrassing than working at a sweet shop. The mindset and mentality have to change; otherwise, this vicious circle will never end.

Simultaneously, political leaders should rise above their vested interests and not project these individuals as victims. They committed a crime and were deported as per the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), which has been explained by the Minister of External Affairs, Dr S Jaishankar. What is needed here is for politicians and law enforcement agencies to sit together and come up with a plan not only to provide better opportunities in India but also to curb the nexus that lures individuals into taking the donkey route to foreign countries.  

This is Mrityu Kumbh, not Maha Kumbh: Mamata Banerjee in Bengal assembly

ANI
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This is Mrityu Kumbh, not Maha Kumbh: Mamata Banerjee in Bengal assembly

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has raised serious concerns over the management of Maha Kumbh 2025, calling the event “Mrityu Kumbh” due to what she described as a lack of proper planning.

The West Bengal CM, who was addressing the Legislative Assembly, expressed her respect for the holy Ganga Maa and the significance of the Maha Kumbh, but strongly criticized the organizers for the inadequate arrangements resulting in stampedes on January 29 in Prayagraj and February 15 in New Delhi Railway station.

In her statement, Mamata Banerjee said, “This is ‘Mrityu Kumbh’…I respect Maha Kumbh, I respect the holy Ganga Maa. But there is no planning…How many people have been recovered?…

She further on the disparity in the arrangements made for the rich and the poor saying, “For the rich, the VIP, there are systems available to get camps (tents) for as high as Rs 1 Lakhs. For the poor, there are no arrangements at Kumbh…”

Banerjee continued, “Stampede situation is common in a ‘mela’ but it is important to make arrangements. “What planning did you make?”

Meanwhile, former Union Railway Minister and RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav responded to a question regarding crowd management for the Maha Kumbh on Sunday, stating, “Kumbh ka kahan koi matlab hai. Faaltu hai kumbh (Kumbh has no meaning. Kumbh is useless).”

His reaction came after stampede happened around 10 pm when thousands of devotees were heading to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh 2025 festival, claiming the lives of at least 18 people.

After the stampede in Delhi, A two-member committee was formed to investigate the stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station on February 15.

The committee comprised Narsingh Deo, Northern Railway’s Principal Chief Commercial Manager (PCCM), and Pankaj Gangwar, its Principal Chief Safety Commissioner (PCSC), the railways said on Sunday.

On Debraury 16, the two-member committee formed to investigate the stampede started examining CCTV footage and collecting evidence, an official of the Indian Railways said.


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

Ranveer Allahbadia case: SC asks Central Govt to regulate obscene content on YouTube and other social media platforms

ANI
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Ranveer Allahbadia case: SC asks Central Govt to regulate obscene content on YouTube and other social media platforms

The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Centre to consider regulating obscene content on YouTube and other social media and said it would not leave a vacuum and barren area the way it is being misused by so-called YouTube channels.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh asked Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, who was sitting in the courtroom on another matter, to ask the Attorney General and Solicitor General for assistance in the court.

“There was this case of so-called YouTubers… We would like you (the government) to do something. If the government is willing to do something, we are happy; otherwise, we will not leave this vacuum and barren area the way so-called YouTube channels are misusing it and all these things are going on..,” Justice Kant told Bhati.

The bench said, “We should not overlook the importance and sensitivity of the issue.”

Justice Kant told Bhati, “Please request the Attorney General and the Solicitor General to be here on the next date of hearing.”

The top court’s remarks came in the wake of inappropriate comments by YouTuber and Podcaster Ranveer Allahabadia during his guest appearance on the show India’s Got Latent.

Today, the bench heard the plea filed by Allahabadia seeking direction to club the multiple FIRs registered against him and grant interim relief to him from arrest.

While hearing the YouTuber’s plea, the bench lambasted him and said his parents would feel ashamed; society would be ashamed.

“There is something very dirty in his mind, which has been vomited by him in the program,” said the bench during the hearing.


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

Bangladesh: Karim Mia and his aides murder Hindu man in broad daylight after he objects to robbery, hit victim on the head repeatedly with hammer

OpIndia Staff
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Bangladesh: Karim Mia and his aides murder Hindu man in broad daylight after he objects to robbery, hit victim on the head repeatedly with hammer

On Saturday (15th February), a Hindu man named Sumon Kumar Pal was murdered in broad daylight in the Dakshin Khan area in Dhaka city of Bangladesh.

The victim was just 40 years old. Pal worked as a bKash (mobile financial services) agent at a pharmacy named ‘Bhai Bhai Medical Hall’. At about 12:30 pm, three men ambushed his shops and began looting the cash from the register.

Pal confronted the robbers, following which they hit him in the head repeatedly. He was rushed to the Kurmitola General Hospital but was declared dead on arrival. He was a native of Bauphal upazila in Patuakhali district of Bangladesh.

Locals apprehend robber Karim Mia, image via Ajker Patrika

Locals however succeeded in catching one of the robbers, who was identified as Karim Mia. They trashed Mia and handed him over to the police. He was admitted to another hospital for treatment. The other 2 robbers managed to flee the scene.

According to eyewitness Saiful Islam, a sum of Tk 10000- Tk 15000 was recovered from Mia. He informed that the victim had been living and working in the Dakshin Khan area for over 20 years.

“Sumon Kumar Pal was hit on the head. It was only after that they robbed the shop. If the purpose was robbery, then they would not have hit him with the intention to murder,” the locals told Ajker Patrika.

Hindu student shot dead in Khulna

On 24th January this year, a Hindu youth named Arnab Kumar Sarkar was shot dead at the Tentultala intersection in Khulna city of Bangladesh.

The victim was 26 years old and a master’s student at Khulna University. The incident occurred when Arnab was drinking tea on his motorcycle near a tea stall.

At that time, a group of bike-born men opened fire at the Hindu student and fled the crime scene. Arnab suffered a bullet injury to his head.

The chief of Sonadanga Police Station Shafiqul Islam stated, “Locals quickly rushed to his aid and transported him to City Medical College Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by doctors.”

The Deputy Commissioner of Khulna City Police (southern division) Md Moniruzzaman has referred to the attackers as ‘terrorists’, adding that an investigation was initiated to determine the motive behind the murder of the Hindu student.

Arnab Kumar Sarkar is now survived by his parents.

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