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Kapil Sibal in SC defends fake news spread by IndiaSpend, whose founding trustee is the Data Analytics head of Congress

OpIndia Staff
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Kapil Sibal in SC defends fake news spread by IndiaSpend, whose founding trustee is the Data Analytics head of Congress

Ever since the abrogation of Article 370, the Congress party and various groups have approached the Supreme Court regarding the partial communication blockade that was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir. In court today, Kapil Sibal defended a fallacious report by IndiaSpend to spread canards and lies about the situation in Kashmir.

Earlier in the day, the Solicitor General justified the communication blockage by saying that “Unfortunately, internet jihadi is a successful one. It is a global phenomenon. The jihadi leaders can engage through the internet to spread hatred and illegal activities”. The arguments were being held during the ongoing case of a batch of petitions filed by Kashmir Times Editor, Anuradha Bhasin and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, with respect to restrictions on communication and other issues in Jammu and Kashmir.

Kapil Sibal too appeared in the court today to make rejoinder arguments for the petitioners. Interestingly, during his arguments, Sibal kept contradicting himself repeatedly. He first said that children are not being able to go to school, and then went on to say that it is being said that 98% of children attended their board exams. But instead of contradicting that statistic, Sibal went on to ask ‘What choice did they have?’.

Kapil Sibal then said, “So many people are carrying our their businesses through internet and internet is shut. And the internet is not social media alone. Block specific sites or social network sites but there is no occasion to block other things”.

Next, Kapil Sibal made rejoinder arguments against SG Tushar Mehta who had cited an OpIndia report to debunk a faulty IndiaSpend report that was cited by the petitioners to allege that Kashmiris did not have access to healthcare in the valley.

Read: Solicitor General cites OpIndia report in SC to debunk misleading report by IndiaSpend and The Wire on Kashmir

The IndiaSpend report had twisted data from aa 2015 survey to allege that mental health issues were on the rise post the abrogation of article 370.

The OpIndia report that Solicitor General was referring to in the Supreme Court was an article which debunked the lies spread by IndiaSpend and The Wire after the abrogation of Article 370. In the article, IndiaSpend had twisted data and laced it with lies to claim that mental health issues were on the rise in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370.

Read: ‘Liberals’ suffer a meltdown on social media after an OpIndia report is cited in SC to debunk IndiaSpend propaganda

In a section with the subheading, “Patients reluctant, unable to access healthcare”, Wire quotes fake news IndiaSpend to say that patients have not been able to access healthcare since August 5th 2019 so as to give the impression that even though Kashmiris are facing mental health issues due to the abrogation, they are not being able to get themselves treated. However, they follow it up in the same section by stating “Even in a normal situation, few people access mental healthcare, in particular”. In that case, how did The Wire and India Spend manage to tie it to the abrogation of Article 370 is a mystery yet to be solved.

The article went on to say that after the abrogation of Article 370 in August, 44.5% fewer patients visited IMHANS compared to July. However, they also say that this data is inconclusive as the number of patients was even lower in May. However, interestingly, the highest mental health issues reported in Kashmir was in July, a month before the abrogation of Article 370. The lowest was in May.

The entire article essentially had tried to confuse the readers to insinuate that firstly, patients are unable to access healthcare facilities and secondly, that due to that, mental health issues are on the rise post abrogation of article 370. OpIndia had shown that both these claims per that article were fallacious.

Read: The Wire and IndiaSpend uses 2015 survey and laces it with lies to say mental health issues on the rise in Kashmir post abrogation of Article 370

Kapil Sibal went on to defend this wildly fallacious report by IndiaSpend.


Kapil Sibal stood in court and defamed OpIndia baselessly, while citing a Wikipedia page, to defend a fallacious report by IndiaSpend.

What is little known is that IndiaSpend has an inextricable connection to Congress. Praveen Chakravarty, the head of Congress party’s data analytics department, is a founding trustee at IndiaSpend. The website of IndiaSpend, however, does not mention him as one. Praveen Chakravarty got appointed as the head of Congress party’s data analytics department in February 2018 and after a brief spat post the 2019 poll debacle of Congress party, was set to make a come back into Congress. One must ask the question – why IndiaSpend doesn’t mention that Praveen Chakravarty is the founding trustee of IndiaSpend? Is it so people are unaware of the websites Congress connections?

Kapil Sibal’s ire against OpIndia is not surprising or unexpected. In March 2018, OpIndia had raised several questions regarding his dubious financial dealings with a tainted businessman.

Read: Kapil Sibal threatens to sue OpIndia – Here is our response

In our story, we had questioned whether Kapil Sibal and his wife Promila Sibal bought a company named Grande Castello limited pretty cheap – possibly at the value of the paid-up capital of the company i.e. 1 lakh rupees – because the company had huge liabilities and the major asset it had – a piece of land in New Delhi municipal area – was devalued prior to Sibals acquiring the company.

Read: Kapil Sibal acquired land in Delhi worth crores by paying just 1 lakh rupees?

Kapil Sibal, after refusing to answer OpIndia’s questions and making several u-turns regarding his explanation had threatened to sue OpIndia on national television. After that, Kapil Sibal had even sent OpIndia set of questions, threatening that if they are not answered, OpIndia would be dragged to the courts. Opindia had answered those questions and while Kapil Sibal never reverted, the grudge seems to be deep.

Kapil Sibal today essentially defended blatant fake news by a portal whose founding trustee is associated with the Congress party to malign web portal that had dared to ask him questions about his seemingly dubious financial dealings. The report by OpIndia clearly outlined how the IndiaSpend report was wildly off the mark when it came to Kashmir and healthcare.

Read: OpIndia Impact: IT Dept launches an investigation into the business dealings of Kapil Sibal and his wife

It is typical “liberal” behaviour to indulge in character assassination without provided any proof to further an argument. When “liberals” are asked questions, they often fall back on accusations and expletives that have nothing to do with the question at all. That Kapil Sibal chose to lash out at OpIndia pales in comparison to the disservice he has done to the cause of the nation by validating fake news about Kashmir.

BHU students organise Rudhrabhishek as part of agitation against appointment of non-Hindu to the faculty of theology

OpIndia Staff
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BHU students organise Rudhrabhishek as part of agitation against appointment of non-Hindu to the faculty of theology

Protests by students on the appointment of Dr Feroz Khan in the Sanskrit Vidya Dharma Vigyan (SVDV) faculty of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) entered its 20th day today. Though the students of Banaras Hindu University had decided to stop their demonstration temporarily, giving 10 days to the management to come to an amicable decision regarding their demands over the appointment of a Muslim professor, they have continued with their agitation against the same.

As a part of the ongoing agitation, the protesting students have today organised a consultation meeting at Assi ghat in Varanasi. In the meet, three prominent personalities were invited as guest speakers including, former SVDV student and the head of the Ved department, senior professor Hriday Ranjan Sharma, former SVDV student and Sampurnanand Sanskrit University Rector Prof Vashisht Tripathi and another ex-SVDV student and renowned poet Dr Anil Chaubey. On 25th November, students, under the aegis of Kashi Vidhwat Parishad, had organised a meeting at the Simha Dwar at BHU. Many scholars including former SVDV faculty and head of grammar department, Ramyatna Shukla, had participated and put forward their views.


Speaking to OpIndia, Sashikant Mishra, one of the main organisers of the event said, “If you are following the path of truth, gods automatically helps you. Today we are thankful to all of you especially OpIndia for helping us convey our truth to everyone. We also thank the people of the country to stand by us despite the lies being spread on media. We urge everyone to support us in our endeavour until the end.”

Thanking OpIndia for helping them bust the misinformation being spread about their agitation, Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith Vice Chancellor pulled up the media for spreading lies. He said, “Why are you being a judge? By writing ‘Sanskrit department and Muslim teacher’ in headlines you are misleading the entire country. Why don’t you tell what is the actual matter? Dr Khan is not appointed in Sanskrit department but in ‘Sanskrit Vidya Dharma Vigyan’ faculty. This is not about protesting against Muslims but about securing the sanctity of Sanatan Dharma. Stop worrying about what will be the outcome of the protests, but at least put out the real picture,” he said.

It is pertinent to note here, that OpIndia has been persistently following every single development and bringing to you exclusive ground reports and the accurate version of the students demands from the very beginning. A deliberate attempt has been made by the media to demonize the students for their fair concerns. However, we have striven hard to portray the accurate version of events.

Also read- We perform Purohit Karm, we do not want Sanatan Dharma studies get influenced by Islam or Christianity: Protesting students at BHU

It is noteworthy that when the students were protesting about the appointment of Professor Feroz Khan, all the media groups across the country ran this news as if the appointment of a Muslim teacher was being opposed in the entire BHU but it is not the case.

In reality, the current protests are against the appointment of a non-Hindu to the ‘Faculty of Theology’. There are two departments for Sanskrit in BHU, one under Arts Faculty and the other under SVDV Faculty. The first is the study of Sanskrit and the other is the theology of religion. There are different ways of studying in these two. Sanskrit is taught as a language in the Sanskrit department. At the same time, in the SVDV,  students are taught about the customs, mantras, shlokas, rituals of worship and rituals of Sanatan Dharma.

Yesterday, to discuss the future course of action, the students gathered at the Ruia hostel on the November 24th evening and the next day, a group of nearly 40 students, including research scholars of different departments in the faculty of SVDV, gathered to perform Rudrabhishek (special prayers and worship) of Lord Shiva at Vishwanath temple on the campus on Monday.


Besides drawing support from current and past professors of BHU, this protest has also attained the support of other gurus and maha acharyas of various institutions in Banaras. In fact, professors of the famous Kashi Vidhut Parishad in Banaras and the Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith have also extended their support to the same.

Speaking to OpIndia after the Rudrabhishek event, Chakrapani Ojha answering to media questions on how their agitation was different from the protest being carried out by the students of Jawaharlal Nehru University, said that “we will never cross our boundaries and will always keep in mind the values imbibed in us by our gurus”.

Also Read: Do not try to paint BHU as another bigoted institution because of its name

On being further questioned by OpIndia on how media has been lying and vilifying BHU students and on how Rahul Kanwal of India Today bullied him during a debate, not letting him put his points across, Ojha said, “we have displayed our values by the way we have been conducting ourselves even while protesting, and what Rahul Kanwal did was a display of his values, which the entire country has witnessed.” He furthered that the disparity the Lutyen’s media has shown in their coverage and attitude towards the protesting students of JNU and BHU have also been publically displayed and we (students of BHU) have, in fact, benefitted out of it, said Chakrapani Ojha.

Shamefully, a debate conducted on November 21, on India Today, which was meant to be between a BHU student called Chakrapani Ojha and one Professor Mahesh Ahirwar, had become Rahul Kanwal’s rude, arrogant, shameless tirade against the student, when in an arrogant tone, Rahul Kanwal first told the students that we want people from all over the world to learn Sanskrit, but BHU students, by blocking the appointment of a professor who is a Sanskrit gyaani from India, have defamed BHU not only in India but the entire World.

Rahul Kanwal then went on to open his eyes wide with an excessively scary, and creepy expression and told the student that according to his professor, the students are a ‘kalank’ (black mark). Then, he had asked the student to be ashamed.

Also Read- The BHU controversy: Demanding that ‘Hindu Dharma Vigyan’ be taught by a Hindu and not a Muslim is not bigotry

Meanwhile, a day before, on November 24, two Emeritus Professors of SVDV, Prof. Reva Prasad Dwivedi and Prof. Kamlesh Dutt Tripathi had written a three-page letter to President Ramnath Kovind, signed by 50 other professors, expressing their displeasure over the entire controversy. Both professors are well-known names in the field of Sanskrit and Religion and having served in the faculty for almost 50 years, have also held the posts of Head of Department and Dean.

Both Emeritus Professors of the Faculty of Religion said that the appointment of a Muslim teacher in the Religious Literature Department of this Faculty is against both the sentiments of religious education and the Kashi scholarly tradition and the Act and tradition of BHU. He has also requested the President to protect the dignity of the university and to get rid of this problem.

The fact to understand in the entire controversy is that BHU has a separate Arts department that teaches Sanskrit as a linguistic endeavour. Just as one would perhaps learn French or English or even Hindi. The Sanskrit being taught at the Dharma Vigyan department has deep religious significance.

It is not wrong for BHU students to want to learn their own faith from someone who is a practitioner of the faith. In fact, the BHU students have categorically stated that they have no problem with Dr Khan and that he should be shifted to the Arts faculty to teach Sanskrit as a linguistic endeavour.

Hunger for power is such that Shiv Sena wants to align with Sonia Gandhi: Devendra Fadnavis resigns as Maharashtra Chief Minister

OpIndia Staff
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Hunger for power is such that Shiv Sena wants to align with Sonia Gandhi: Devendra Fadnavis resigns as Maharashtra Chief Minister

BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis resigned today as Maharashtra Chief Minister. His resignation comes a day before the Supreme Court asked the newly sworn in chief minister to prove the majority on the floor of the assembly. Devendra Fadnavis’ resignation follows NCP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s resignation from his post.

While addressing the media, Fadnavis said, that the mandate was for the BJP and Shiv Sena in the recently concluded state assembly elections. He said that Shiv Sena had earlier agreed to go with whoever is selected as the chief minister. However, they later on backtracked on their word. “BJP emerged as the single largest party and we had never promised a rotational chief minister for 2.5 years each to Shiv Sena,” Fadnavis said.

Read: ‘Putramoh’? Uddhav, not Aaditya Thackeray, may be the first Thackeray chief minister Maharashtra gets

Taking on their pre-poll alliance partner Shiv Sena, Fadnavis said that they waited for the Shiv Sena. However, instead of responding, they went up to NCP and Congress to forge alliance. Taking a dig at Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray who was zeroed in as the CM candidate for Shiv Sena – NCP – Congress alliance, Fadnavis said, “People who never stepped outside Matoshree(Thackeray residence) to meet anyone were going door to door to make government with NCP and Congress.”

Fadnavis added that following the press briefing, he would go to the Raj Bhavan and tender his resignation as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Wishing the other parties good luck with formation of government, Fadnavis warned about the instability it may cause because of the difference in ideologies between them. “The hunger for power is such that now Shiv Sena leaders are even willing to ally with Sonia Gandhi,” he said.

Referring to the possible Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance government as ‘three-wheeler’ government, Fadnavis expressed doubts over its stability and said that the BJP will work as an effective opposition giving voice to the people of Maharashtra.

On Saturday, 23 November, BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis had taken oath as the CM of Maharashtra in a surprise development. NCP’s Ajit Pawar had also taken oath as the Deputy CM, claiming the support of a faction of NCP MLAs.

A confusion has since broken out in the state, with the Sena claiming that Ajit had backstabbed them, and NCP claiming that no MLAs are in support of Ajit Pawar.

Maharashtra: As the newly minted alliance comes crashing down, here are the possible reasons why Ajit Pawar resigned

OpIndia Staff
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Maharashtra: As the newly minted alliance comes crashing down, here are the possible reasons why Ajit Pawar resigned

In a shocking turn of events in Maharashtra yet again, news tricked in that Ajit Pawar, with whose support BJP was planning to form the government, had resigned as Deputy CM. Earlier, Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as the Chief Minister and Ajit Pawar as the Deputy CM early morning on 24th November after weeks of NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena going back and forth in their alliance talk.

After Sharad Pawar distanced himself from this decision, Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP started collecting their flock of MLAs frantically. What has been surprising to everyone is the sudden turn of events with Pawar resigning only a day before the Supreme Court-ordered floor test on 27th.

Devendra Fadnavis held a press conference and said that Ajit Pawar had approached him after the Supreme Court declared the floor test and said that he will not be able to support the alliance anymore.

Read: Ajit Pawar resigns as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra

Devendra Fadnavis declared his decision to resign from the post of Chief Minister and extended his best wishes to whoever forms the government next, taking potshots at Shiv Sena for taking oath under Sonia Gandhi.

Times Now reported that there were mainly three reasons why Ajit Pawar decided to resign as the Deputy CM.


According to Times Now, Ajit Pawar had initially estimated that 30 MLAs would back his decision to ally with BJP. However, in the end, only 12 MLAs supported him. The U-turn of Dhananjay Munde was also being seen as a major set back for Ajit Pawar’s ambitions.


Dhananjay Munde had tweeted on 24th November to declare that he is supporting Sharad Pawar.

After these recent developments, Sanjay Raut had said that Ajit Pawar is with the Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP alliance and Uddhav Thackeray will be sworn in as the Chief Minister for 5 years after they prove their majority on the floor of the house.

Pakistan is instigating Jihad against India through internet, restrictions necessary in Kashmir: Solicitor General at Supreme Court

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan is instigating Jihad against India through internet, restrictions necessary in Kashmir: Solicitor General at Supreme Court

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on Tuesday commenced his arguments on behalf of the centre in a batch of petitions filed by Kashmir Times Editor, Anuradha Bhasin and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, with respect to restrictions on communication and other issues in Jammu and Kashmir.


The Supreme court raised questions on the internet accessibility in the valley, asking the Solicitor General: “Can the people there (in Jammu and Kashmir) access the internet, and since when?” Answering all the questions raised by the SC, Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court that the restrictions over internet accessibility in the valley are minimal and people can visit the internet centres after getting passes.


Asserting that the centre has taken the “least restrictive measures keeping in view the inconvenience it may cause to people”, Mehta said that imposing such restrictions became imperative after the abrogation of special provisions of Article 370 since the spread of Jihad nowadays takes place on the internet.

“Unfortunately, internet jihadi is a successful one. It is a global phenomenon. The jihadi leaders can engage through the internet to spread hatred and illegal activities”, opined the Solicitor General.


Solicitor-general Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, commenced his submissions before a bench headed by Justice N. V. Ramana and justified certain restrictions imposed in the region after the abrogation of special provisions under Article 370 in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The SG cited before the SC that the Pakistan based terror groups use the internet to instigate the masses of Jammu and Kashmir to indulge in anti-India activities. He added, “Blocking Internet is justified to prevent such terror acts on the dark web. WhatsApp, Telegram and other apps can be used to spread messages.”

Mehta also stated that even the official social media handles of Pakistani government are being used to instigate the masses against India. He explained that the restrictions on the internet were necessary to thwart Pakistan’s misinformation war.

Read: Kashmir petitions: SC rejects petitions on internet restoration, gives govt 28 days to file affidavit on Article 370 abrogation

He furthered that blocking and monitoring individual apps and messaged will be an endless job and the government’s purpose of law and order maintenance gets defeated. Justifying the publication of newspapers being allowed, he added that newspapers are different from the Internet as they are one-sided communication.

He also added that internet restrictions have been lifted from many parts of Jammu and as the situation inches towards normalcy, internet services will be restored gradually.

“The imposition and restrictions were required as per the situation (in J&K). It is our duty to maintain the law and order. Preservation of public law and rule of law has to be maintained at any cost”, added Mehta.

Last week, during the hearing, a report by OpIndia was cited in the Supreme Court to debunk the lies of India Spend and other portals that had used the dubious claims to malign the government.

Read: You may impose restrictions on communication, but decide for how long: Supreme Court to Modi government on Kashmir

In August, the Central government scrapped Article 370 and bifurcated the erstwhile state into two UTs, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Following this, phone lines and the internet were blocked in the region. Normalcy is gradually returning to Jammu and Kashmir as mobile and landline services have been restored in both UTs and restrictions under Section 144 on movement have been withdrawn or relaxed.

Ajit Pawar resigns as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra

OpIndia Staff
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Ajit Pawar resigns as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra

In a major development ahead of floor test on Wednesday, NCP’s Ajit Pawar has resigned as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, reports Times Now. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to address media at 3:30 PM.

Earlier today, the Supreme Court had ordered a floor test to prove the majority by 5 PM on Wednesday. The 3 member bench of Justices had pronounced its verdict on the petition filed jointly by NCP-Sena and Congress against the BJP-led government’s formation in Maharashtra.

Read: Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress MLAs made to swear a pledge of loyalty for Sonia Gandhi, Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray

Last night, the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance had held a ‘parade’ of its MLAs in the Hyatt Hotel in Mumbai. The Sena-led alliance claimed that it has the support of 162 MLAs, a comfortable majority over the halfway mark of 145.

On Saturday, 23 November, BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis had taken oath as the CM of Maharashtra in a surprise development. NCP’s Ajit Pawar had also taken oath as the Deputy CM, claiming the support of a faction of NCP MLAs.

A confusion has since broken out in the state, with the Sena claiming that Ajit had backstabbed them, and NCP claiming that no MLAs are in support of Ajit Pawar.

Sunni Waqf Board will not file review petition against Ayodhya Verdict, to decide on land offer later

OpIndia Staff
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Sunni Waqf Board will not file review petition against Ayodhya Verdict, to decide on land offer later

The Sunni Waqf Board has decided to not file a review petition against the Ayodhya verdict pronounced by the Supreme Court earlier this month.

Finally putting an end to the decades-long dispute, the apex court had ordered in favour of the Hindu litigant parties, granting the Ram Janmabhoomi site to the trust to be appointed by the central government for the building of a Ram Temple.


The Sunni Waqf Board had held its meeting today at Lucknow to decide on important issues and future course of action after the verdict. The decision was reportedly taken after much deliberation and with a 6:1 majority.

Chairman Zafar Farooqi had earlier stated that he does not wish to file a review petition.

In a historic move, the Supreme Court had on November 9, 2019, given its verdict in the long-awaited title case of Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, ruling unanimously that a temple be constructed at the Ram Janmabhoomi site.

The Apex court had also ordered the union government to provide 5 acres of land at an alternate site at a prominent location in Ayodhya to the Sunni Waqf Board as a compensation.

The Sunni Central Waqf Board was also to discuss whether to accept the 5 acres land to be offered by the government or not. As per reports, the board has put off the discussion and has stated that they will deliberate it after the land options are provided by the government.

Following the verdict, many prominent Muslims welcomed the Supreme Court’s verdict, while several others expressed strong disapproval of the same. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi couldn’t stomach the fact that the court has finally ordered the construction of a Ram Temple at the Ram Janmabhoomi site where the Mughals had destroyed a previously existing temple.

With the aim of whipping up a frenzy among Muslims of India, Asaduddin Owaisi continued his harangue against the verdict saying, “I want my masjid back”. Many other ‘liberal-secular’ elements had also exhorted the principal litigant Sunni Waqf Board to file a review petition.

Bihar: Violent uproar over gang-rape of a minor girl, police arrest accused Arbaaz and Sonu while 2 others Kalam and Sikandar still on the run

OpIndia Staff
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Bihar: Violent uproar over gang-rape of a minor girl, police arrest accused Arbaaz and Sonu while 2 others Kalam and Sikandar still on the run

A  viral video of a minor girl being raped by 4 men sparked off widespread protests on the streets of Bihar’s Kaimur on November 25, 2019. An angry mob of people frantically ransacked shops, threw stones and indulged in arson in the town of Mohini protesting against the gang-rape. A half a dozen bikes, a kiosk and two slum shops were engulfed in fire in the ensuing melee. The situation became so critical that within five minutes the shutters of all the shops in the market were closed.

As per the sources, the protesters hit the streets with the aim of burning down the house of the rape accused. However, police intervened and dispersed the crowd. Internet services were snapped in Kaimur in order to preclude the situation from sliding into further chaos. According to the order issued by the state Home Department, Internet services will remain closed in the district from 25 to 26 November.

Two arrests have been made in the case thus far. The police have arrested Arbaaz and Sonu while the other two accused-Kalam and Sikandar were still on the lam. The STF team from Patna is conducting raids in collaboration with the local police to identify their whereabouts and arrest them. The rumour that the victim has committed suicide after the gang-rape only served to increase public rage.

The accused Mohammad Arbaaz lured a minor girl on the pretext of marrying her and then raped her along with 3 of his friends. Not only this, the entire incident was recorded on mobile by the accused and later made it viral on social media.

The matter drew attention after the video of the gang-rape went viral on Sunday. In the viral video, it was seen that some boys in a car were brutally raping a minor girl. After this, on Sunday, the victim reached the women’s station located in Bhabua and lodged an FIR against the four boys of Mohania.

The girl told that Arbaaz met her on her daily commutation from coaching classes. She was reportedly entrapped by him. The girl asserted that she was being sexually assaulted by him from the last 5 months on the pretext of marriage. On Tuesday (November 19, 2019) the victim was called by Kalam near Mundeshwari Gate in Mohania. Arbaaz and his companions were already present there in a car. As soon as the girl arrived, she was pulled into the car. When the girl protested, she was gagged and tied and taken to the Ratwar river, where she was gang-raped by the accused.

Bangladeshi national arrested in Kolkata after stealing around Rs 2 crores from businessmen over several months

OpIndia Staff
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Bangladeshi national arrested in Kolkata after stealing around Rs 2 crores from businessmen over several months

A Bangladeshi national has been arrested in Kolkata after stealing money from businessmen in several markets of the city over the last several months. Salim Mohammad was finally arrested by Kolkata police after he was caught on CCTV exchanging a money-filled bag with a similar-looking bag. He was arrested on Sunday near the SS Hogg Market, popularly known as the New Market in Kolkata.

Kolkata police had received several complaints of bag-lifting from Burrabazar, New Market and other market areas in last several months, and it is suspected that Salim was behind them. After this, the police started monitoring the CCTV footage, and in two separate incidents of the person targeting unsuspecting businessmen was seen a few days ago. After that, he was tracked down to a hotel in Bowbazar area in Kolkata.

Also Read: Five convicted Bangladeshi nationals set to be deported to their country from Assam

According to police sources, Salim Mohammad has stolen around Rs 2 crores over the last six months from several busy market areas in Kolkata city. He used to monitor the movements of shopkeepers in the evening at the time of closing the shops for his operation. After identifying a target shopkeeper who carries the day’s cash collection in a bag, he would wait near the shop at the time of closing, and the moment shopkeeper gets distracted by some reason, he would immediately steal the bag. Sometimes he used to arrange a similar-looking bag to replace the money-filled bag so that the businessmen will not realise immediately that he has been robbed.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFhRhlRCHkQ]

Salim Mohammad is a resident of Narayanganj in Dhaka, and he had stayed in several hotels in Kolkata showing passport and visa. Despite having the documents, he had entered India illegally, although it is not clear whether his passport and visa are valid or not. He had sent the robbed money to Bangladesh using money transfer services. Several lakhs of rupees were recovered from Salim at the time of his arrest. According to police, Salim has stolen more than 40 bags filled with money in the last 6 months.

Salim Mohammad was produced at the Bankshall court in Kolkata on Monday, and the court sent him to police custody till 30th November. A police investigation is on to find out whether he worked alone or is he part of a larger gang.

Pakistan Supreme Court suspends notification extending General Bajwa’s tenure as COAS

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan Supreme Court suspends notification extending General Bajwa’s tenure as COAS

Pakistan Supreme Court today suspended the notification which had confirmed the three-year extension of General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS). In August this year, a notification issued by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s office had extended his tenure “in view of regional security environment”.

General Bajwa is due to retire on 29th November. The Court issued notices to Pakistan’s defence ministry, federal government as well as General Bajwa. The hearing will now take place on Wednesday, 27th November. The Pakistan Supreme Court said that the tenure of COAS can be extended only by the President and not the Prime Minister. While Pakistan’s Attorney General said that General Bajwa’s tenure was extended after President’s approval, Pakistan Supreme Court observed that only 11 out of 25 cabinet members had approved the extension.

Read: Meet General Bajwa: The Pakistani Army Chief who awarded himself a three-year extension at his job

Last week, a plea was filed against General Bajwa for serving the top post in Pakistan despite being an Ahmadi Muslim. Former Major Khalid Shah had filed a petition in Peshawar High Court alleging that Bajwa belonged to Qadiani community aka Ahmadi Muslims who are declared as ‘non-Muslims’ in Pakistan. The plea had also named former ISI DG Rizwan Akhtar for ‘failing his duty as a Muslim’ for not informing the government that Bajwa is ‘not a Muslim’.

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