Home Blog Page 587

Kerala BJP Vice President criticises Assam govt for banning beef in public places, claims beef comes from buffaloes and bulls, not cows

ANI
-
0
Kerala BJP Vice President criticises Assam govt for banning beef in public places, claims beef comes from buffaloes and bulls, not cows

BJP Kerala Vice President, Major Ravi, today took a jibe at the Assam Chief Minister for the beef ban in Assam. The BJP leader said that we should not be giving wrong messages and create communal tensions.

The BJP Kerala vice President said that everyone should first understand the difference between beef and cow. He said,”First of all you need to understand what is beef and what is cow, if you suddenly ban beef, this will give a wrong message to so many people…beef is not cow…”

He also added that the Chief Minister of Assam should not have done this as everyone has the “freedom to eat”.

Major Ravi said, “CM should not have said that…if somebody wants to eat, they should…there should be freedom to eat what you want…cow we worship…I haven’t seen any place where cows are being slaughtered.”

He again impressed upon that everyone should have the freedom to eat anything and the governments should not create communal issue.

“Beef is buffaloes and bulls…first of all, understand the difference and then impose ban…we shouldn’t give wrong message to people and create communal issues,” he said.

Meanwhile, LOP in the Kerala Assembly and Congress leader VD Sathessan dubbed the move an agenda of the Sangh parivar to divide people.

“The ‘Sangh Parivar’ governments across the nation are trying to create problems among the people…The elections in Assam are coming…So, this is an agenda of the ‘Sangh Parivar’ and they want to make a split among the people,” he said.

The Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday announced ban on serving and consumption of beef in any restaurant, hotel and public places across the state.

The CM while announcing the band said that the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, passed in 2021, has been quite successful in ensuring the slaughter of cattle, and “now we have decided to stop the consumption of beef in public places.”

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

Former IAS Anil Swarup publishes flawed analysis comparing GDP per capita with personal wealth, Sucheta Dalal amplifies the same, deletes post after backlash

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Former IAS Anil Swarup publishes flawed analysis comparing GDP per capita with personal wealth, Sucheta Dalal amplifies the same, deletes post after backlash

On the 3rd of December, Anil Swarup, a former IAS officer and Founder Chairman of Nexus of Good wrote a social media post that stirred criticism for its inaccurate depiction of wealth distribution in India. His ‘analysis’, which aimed to show inequities in wealth concentration, was echoed by financial writer Sucheta Dalal, who eventually deleted her post to escape criticism.

Anil Swarup estimated that India’s GDP in 2024 is around Rs 4 trillion (Rs 330 lakh crore), with a per capita income of Rs 2,800 for a population of 1.4 billion. The former IAS officer claimed that when wealth concentration among the wealthiest people is taken into account, this figure becomes misleading.

In his ‘analysis’ Swarup further claimed that Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani together hold Rs 200 billion in wealth and that the top 10 wealthiest individuals account for Rs 420 billion. He further stated that the top 200 people own Rs 1 trillion, while the top 1% of the population has $1.6 trillion and the top 5% own $2.5 trillion. Based on these claims, Swarup concluded that removing these groups would significantly reduce India’s per capita wealth.

Sawrup, in his now-deleted post, listed certain examples to put things in perspective. “Excluding Ambani and Adani reduces per capita wealth to $2,700. Excluding the top 10 wealthiest individuals lowers it to $2,500. Removing the top 1% brings it to $1,730. Excluding the top 5% reduces it further to $1,130, which Swarup compared to the per capita income of Sub-Saharan African countries,” the former IAS officer said.

Wealth and income conflation, pointless wealth exclusions, sensationalised wealth inequality and fallacious wealth distribution argument: Anil Swarup’s analysis

Anil Swarup’s analysis confused GDP per capita, an income measure of economic activity per person, with wealth, which refers to accumulated assets over time. This sort of conflation is a fundamental flaw that invalidates Swarup’s claims.

It was statistically and conceptually erroneous to exclude the wealth of individuals like Ambani and Adani from GDP per capita calculations. GDP is the total value of all products and services generated in a country. Individual wealth has no effect on GDP per capita estimates.

In his rebuttal to Anil Swarup’s flawed analysis, BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya said: “Wealth inequality exists in every economy to some extent. Highlighting the wealth of the top 1% or 5% without considering median or average wealth skews the perspective and exaggerates inequality, ignoring broader metrics that better reflect overall societal well-being.”

The contention that removing the wealthiest individuals will result in an even redistribution of wealth across the population is also flawed given that wealth distribution is determined by complicated economic forces including productivity and investments. 

Amidst the backlash, Anil Swarup acknowledged that he copy-pasted his ‘analysis’ from social media and decided to publish it “as the conclusions were revealing.”

“I had picked up a quote from social media & tweeted despite flawed income & wealth connect as the conclusions were revealing. The response made me research & convinced me that inequities in the country are stark. We can condemn the messenger or improve the state of affairs,” Swarup posted on X on Thursday morning.

Responding to Amit Malviya’s post, Swarup wrote, “Yes, wealth and income are admittedly different concepts but related. However, there is no denying the ground reality of accumulation of wealth amongst select few and disparities of incomes. Not recognizing these facts will prevent us from taking corrective measures.”

Sucheta Dalal amplifies Anil Swarup’s senseless ‘analysis’, deletes post after backlash

The flawed ‘analysis’ by Anil Swarup was amplified by veteran business journalist Sucheta Dalal who in an X post published on 4th December said, “Some perspective for those wearing saffron tinted glasses. Try thinking when you cheer a govt that kills faith in institutions/regulators (SEBI), makes it hard to reclaim your own money (@authorityiepf @socialepfo @RBI), extracts 18% GST on essentials!”

Dalal’s statement sparked outrage, with netizens accusing her of supporting a flawed analysis that conflates key economic metrics. Amusingly, despite being a senior finance journalist herself, Sucheta Dalal failed to distinguish between wealth and GDP. Amidst the backlash, Dalal deleted her controversial post.

Many questioned Dalal for quietly deleting her post without even acknowledging her mistake, being a finance journalist.

This episode has left netizens baffled over the apparent financial illiteracy demonstrated by Anil Swarup, the former Education Secretary in the Government of India and Sucheta Dalal, who is a veteran finance journalist and author. The fact that Swarup picked up the arguments of his ‘analysis’ from social media wherein he conflated concepts like wealth and income using a flawed methodology and relying on unrealistic assumptions, compounded by Dalal’s quick amplification of the erroneous analysis has called their credibility into question.

As Muhammad Yunus and his govt accuse India of spreading propaganda, read how the interim govt is encouraging violence against Hindus in Bangladesh

Rukma Rathore
-
0
As Muhammad Yunus and his govt accuse India of spreading propaganda, read how the interim govt is encouraging violence against Hindus in Bangladesh

The persistent targeting of minorities, especially Hindus, by vicious Muslim mobs in Bangladesh has severely discredited the claims of “secularism” offered by the interim government. On the other hand, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s administration has once again blamed India for highlighting the violence and mass killings, in a desperate attempt to deflect attention from the more pressing matter.

In a fresh display of indifference regarding the rapes and murders of Hindus as well as the destruction of their temples and properties, Bangladesh’s regime, on 4th December, claimed that India’s “governing elite” was trying to turn the situation beyond the border into an “internal political issue” between the two nations. It subtly implied that the massacre of Hindus at the hands of the jihadis was not something that India, or anyone else, should be concerned about, suggesting it was not a matter of significant importance.

The comments by Bangladesh officials came after Indian officials expressed concern over the increasing attack on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh.

Information adviser Nahid Islam said, “If this happens, it will be harmful to India’s domestic politics. Anti-Bangladesh and anti-Muslim politics won’t benefit India’s national interest or promote its unity,” reported The Times of India. He was among the student activists that led the rebellion against deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina prior to entering the interim government.

Meanwhile, his own administration continues to actively support anti-Hindu violence, not only through statements but also by tacitly endorsing the killings and subsequently denying them. The same was also pointed out by Sheikh Hasina who referred to Yunus and his coordinators as the mastermind behind the unrest and mass killings in the country. Nahid called on India to maintain “harmony” and “cease false propaganda” against Bangladesh.

The question arises: can it still be considered “false propaganda” when there is documented evidence, including videos and media reports from within the country, detailing the atrocities committed against Hindus and other minority groups? However, Bangladesh’s foreign policy in relation to India seems to have shifted towards shamelessly dismissing its own crimes and pointing fingers at its neighbour, for simply urging the incumbent government to fulfil its duty and protect its citizens irrespective of their religion.

Nahid claimed, “Bangladesh shares historical and cultural ties with West Bengal, Tripura and Assam. They are our stakeholders. During the uprising in Bangladesh, students from Kolkata and Delhi stood in solidarity with us and protested Hasina’s atrocities. India’s democracy-loving people are our friends.” India has historically shared strong ties with Bangladesh, as evidenced by the fact that the country’s very existence was made possible through India’s support.

However, the current government appears to have forgotten their past, as it increasingly attacks India. More importantly, democracy is supposed to stand for equality and justice, neither of which can be found in today’s Bangladesh, where fundamentalists and those who support them hold sway and are in power. Furthermore, the removal of Sheikh Hasina, which they often portray as a democratic transition, was anything but that.

Nahid didn’t miss to exploit the standard Leftist-Islamist ecosystem trope to bash “Hindutva” as if those who adhere to the ideology were responsible for the horrors in Bangladesh. These people have, however, taken up the term and employ it as a shield when encountered with uncomfortable truths that stem directly from their own actions. According to the information advisor, “Hindutva forces” opposed harmony and democratic connections. “They perceive the Bangladesh uprising and the political awakening of its students as a threat. As a result, they are fostering hatred towards Bangladesh,” he alleged.

In reality, there is no hatred, only concern, as religious minorities, specifically Hindus, are being slaughtered in Bangladesh while the government stands by, silently cheering on the bloodthirsty fanatics and none of this has anything to do with “Hindutva” but rather with the free rein given to the radical Muslims by the administration itself.

Nahid then brazenly stated that the “minority persecution narrative” was a continuation of Delhi’s purported effort to “disturb Bangladesh’s democratic nation-rebuilding process and rehabilitate the fascist Awami League.” The relentless persecution of innocent Hindus, including attacks on their religious institutions, seems to be what is now considered “democratic” in Bangladesh.

Muhammad Yunus and his anti-India rhetoric

Notably on 4th December, Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, asked for national unity in response to what he dubbed as a coordinated “campaign” by “big countries” to undermine the legitimacy of the movement that culminated in the establishment of his administration. The Nobel laureate opted to target India to distract attention from the inefficiency of his government rather than addressing the heinous murders of religious minorities, especially Hindus, and trying to bring peace and stability to his country.

Yunus brought out the rising tensions, particularly with India, while deliberately avoiding to name any specific country in his remarks to political party representatives. He claimed that “big countries” were allegedly involved in spreading false information about his government, in an indirect attack on its neighbour. The meeting was attended by leaders of different political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, the BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) headed by former prime minister Khaleda Zia, and left-leaning outfits.

Yunus alleged, “Many are not liking our freedom, the (new) independence, desperate efforts are being made to upset it,” according to reports. He asked the political representatives for their opinions on three important matters: the attack on the Bangladeshi mission in Agartala, accusations of minority persecution in the nation and propaganda against the nation in India and other countries. Yunus denounced what he described as efforts to depict the July-August protests which resulted in Sheikh Hasina’s ouster as prime minister as a destabilizing incident. “The quarters who did not like the uprising are trying to depict it domestically and internationally as something dangerous,” he voiced.

The egregious assaults against Hindus in Bangladesh and the blatant refutal of these actions appear to align with every aspect of the interim administration. However, the world is neither blind nor has it turned a completely blind eye. Former United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Commissioner Johnnie Moore recently criticized the interim government in Bangladesh for the treatment of Hindus and other minorities, asserting that “Muhammad Yunus is failing” and that “there isn’t a minority in the country that doesn’t feel under threat right now.” The former United States president, who is currently the president-elect, Donald J trump expressed similar views in his Diwali greeting.

Yunus advocated for group efforts to disprove the narrative. “We have to tell the entire world that we are one. We achieved this together. This has now become a matter of our existence,” he urged. Providing a glaring example of misplaced priorities, Yunus is occupied with hiding the terrible events that took place under his rule in the name of “countering the narrative,” as opposed to working to curb extremist forces and safeguard the lives of religious minorities.

While Bangladesh’s interim government was preoccupied with accusing India and characterizing facts as propaganda and misinformation, a day earlier, on 3rd December, Ramen Roy, one of the attorneys for ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, was gravely hurt on the court grounds in Chittagong as he sought bail for the detained monk. Islamist lawyers had already threatened everyone not to take up the case after the murder of Saiful Islam Ali who chose to defend Das.

Meanwhile, a Muslim throng in Bangladesh’s Doarabazar, Sunamganj district, reportedly damaged 130 homes and 20 Hindu temples on the evening of 3rd December after a remark on Facebook that was n allegedly blasphemous and disparaging to Islam. This was a further addition to the continuous onslaught of Hindus in the country. Hindus were not even permitted to perform the auspicious Durga Puja in peace, as letters demanding Jaziya were sent to them.

Moreover, jihadi groups asked for a ban on open celebrations during the festival as it was disruptive to the majority non-Muslim population and damaging to the environment, according to them. They also wanted temples to publically display anti-India statements to prove their loyalty to Bangladesh.

The anti-quota protest, which escalated into anti-Hindu violence following Sheikh Hasina’s departure from the country, has only worsened with the support of the interim government which has focused its blame on India, using it as a scapegoat to deflect attention from the violence it has allowed to fester within its own borders, particularly targeting marginalized minorities as it continue to provide cover fire to the snakes it has unleashed in its own backyard against Hindus.

Bihar: Inspector Balal Khan demands sexual favors from a woman in need of help, threatens to send her to jail, video viral

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Bihar: Inspector Balal Khan demands sexual favors from a woman in need of help, threatens to send her to jail, video viral

Inspector Mohammed Balal Khan, stationed at the Patori police station in Bihar’s Samastipur district faces serious allegations of misconduct and molestation. A young woman whose family was accused in one of the cases under the inspector’s investigation has accused him of inappropriate behavior.

According to the woman, Inspector Khan initially contacted the woman over the phone regarding the case and then made her feel uneasy. He then summoned the woman to the police station and then took her to his rented accommodation under the guise of discussing the case further. There, he allegedly made obscene advances and attempted to coerce her into a sexual relationship, promising assistance in her legal matters.

The accused inspector reportedly threatened the woman saying that if she failed to fulfil his sexual demands, she and her entire family would be sent to jail.

However, Khan was exposed as the woman secretly recorded him demanding sexual favours. The video of the incident is making rounds on social media in which the accused inspector can be making sexual advances with lewd gestures despite the woman’s stern refusal.

Patori Police DSP BK Medhavi meanwhile took cognizance of the event and said that a detailed investigation into the case would be conducted. She said that the office was unaware of the incident until the video appeared on social media. The locals meanwhile are enraged by the incident and have demanded strict punishment against the accused inspector.

The accused inspector, who has now been suspended, has denied the allegations leveled against him and has stated that the woman is peddling a narrative against him.

A probe into the given allegations is underway.

BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi raises the issue of OCCRP targeting India in parliament, chairman Dhankhar says we can’t allow deep state to make us dysfunctional

OpIndia Staff
-
0
BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi raises the issue of OCCRP targeting India in parliament, chairman Dhankhar says we can’t allow deep state to make us dysfunctional

As the opposition parties led by Congress are stalling the parliament over a US court’s indictment of the Adani group, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi in Rajya Sabha today raised the matter of foreign government-funded organisations repeatedly targeting India. He mentioned how a group named Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) has been publishing reports targeting the Adani group and India before every parliamentary session, indicating a targeted attack.

He cited the report by French media house Mediapart on OCCRP, which stated that while the organisation claims to be an independent, non-partisan organisation, it is actually funded by US government agencies and works to serve their interests. Trivedi said that the project has funding from foreign governments and the project has focus on India. Apart from foreign governments, the project also has links with George Soros, the MP said.

According to Mediapart, OCCRP has received at least $47 million from the US government, $14 million from European countries (Britain, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Slovakia and France) and $1.1 million from the European Union since its inception. The investigation by the media house revealed that government funding accounted for 70% of the annual budget of OCCRP between 2014 and 2023. 52% of the funds were provided by the US government alone.

However, OCCRP keeps the funding from the US secret and never reveals the same in its documents. Apart from the US and other governments, the group also receives funding from the Open Society Foundations (OSF) of George Soros, the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Brothers Foundation, all left-wing groups openly targeting nationalist governments worldwide.

Sudhanshu Trivedi also narrated how reports targeting India have been regularly appearing in foreign media just before the start of sessions of Indian parliament in the last 3 years. He said that reports on farmer protests were published ahead of the 2021 budget session, the Pegasus report came before the monsoon session of 2021, and the Hindenburg report targeting Adani was published when the budget session started in January 2023.

Similarly, a BBC documentary on Modi came before the session in January 2023, and then before the session started in July 2023, a video on Manipur violence was released. During the general elections this year, a report on COVID-19 vaccines was published, and then before the budget session of 2024, the second Hindenburg report came. Now, before the current session started, the American court’s report on Adani group came, Sudhanshu Trivedi told the house.

The MP said that ever since Narendra Modi-led government started the attempt to turn India into a developed nation, such attacks on India funded by foreign governments have increased. He also laid the Mediapart report on OCCRP in the house.

The opposition MPs created a ruckus over the comments of Trivedi, but Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said that the BJP MP has raised a very important issue, the country needs opinions from everyone on it. He said, “we can’t allow the largest democracy to be made dysfunctional by deep state anywhere else. This house should be united in neutralizing any threat, any initiative that is dangerous our sovereignty.”

Trivedi also cited that during the last general elections, Russia had revealed that there were attempts to influence the polls by a foreign government.

Chhattisgarh HC commutes death sentence of man convicted of rape and murder of 7-year-old girl, says ‘convict belongs to backward community, reformation can’t be ruled out’

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Chhattisgarh HC commutes death sentence of man convicted of rape and murder of 7-year-old girl, says ‘convict belongs to backward community, reformation can’t be ruled out’

On Wednesday, 4th December, the Chhattisgarh High Court overturned a man’s death sentence for kidnapping, sexually assaulting, and murdering a seven-year-old child in the year 2021. The court commuted the death sentence because the convict belongs to a backward community, saying that there is a chance of him being reformed. While acknowledging the intensity of the crime, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad also claimed that the case did not meet the stringent ‘rarest of the rare’ standard required for imposing death penalty as detailed by the Supreme Court.

“These are the incriminating circumstances, but there is no evidence on record that the appellant cannot be reformed or rehabilitated as at the time of the offense he was aged about 29 years and he is a member of the Other Backward Class, thereby he belongs to the backward community and his chances of being reformed or rehabilitated cannot be ruled out,” the bench said.

On February 28th, 2021, the accused escorted the minor dead and her minor brother to a celebration after which he left the girl’s brother at the function and brought her along the railway track in Somni. The accused there had forced sexual intercourse with the minor following which he crushed her head with a huge stone. The accused then disposed of the dead body of the girl on the railway tracks to destroy evidence against him.

However, the incident later came to the fore after which an FIR was lodged against the accused identified as Dipak Baghel. The police launched an investigation into the case and based on evidence found Baghel guilty of rape and murder. The accused was then charged by the trial court under sections 302, 201, 363, and 366 of the IPC read with Section 6 of the POCSO Act, and was awarded a death sentence by the court.

The trial Court further sent the matter to the High Court under Section 366 of the CrPC for confirmation of the capital sentence. At the same time, the appellant filed an appeal under Section 374(2) of the CrPC, challenging the trial Court’s decision.

The High Court took into consideration all the evidence, DNA reports, and testimonies of the family of the victim and found the accused guilty of rape and murder. The court said, “Thus, after appreciating the entire ocular and medical evidence on record, we do not find any illegality in appreciation of oral, medical, and circumstantial evidence or arriving at a conclusion as to the guilt of the appellant by the trial Court warranting interference by this Court and we accordingly hereby confirm the conviction of the appellant recorded under Section 302 of the IPC.”

However, it further heard on the capital punishment of the accused saying that the trial court had committed an error in sentencing the appellant to the extreme penalty of death on the very same day. “The trial Court has not taken into consideration the probability of the appellant being reformed and rehabilitated and has only taken into consideration the crime and the manner in which it was committed and has not given the effective opportunity of hearing on the question of sentence to the appellant. No evidence was brought on record on behalf of the prosecution to prove to the Court that the appellant cannot be reformed or rehabilitated, by producing material about his conduct in jail, and no opportunity of hearing was given to the appellant to produce evidence in that respect,” it observed.

The Court reviewed the report provided by the jail authorities, which highlighted the appellant’s typical behavior while in custody and denied his involvement in any jail offenses. Therefore, taking such report, the appellant’s age, and his social background into account, the Bench concluded, “Though it shocks the consciousness of the society at large, yet, in the facts and circumstances of the case, considering the young age of the appellant, upon thoughtful consideration, we are of the view that extreme sentence of the death penalty is not warranted in the facts and circumstances of the case. We are of the opinion that this is not the rarest of rare cases in which a major penalty of sentence of death awarded has to be confirmed.”

‘Samajwadi Party MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq himself was driving the Scorpio that killed a man’: On victim family’s complain, Sambhal SP launches probe

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘Samajwadi Party MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq himself was driving the Scorpio that killed a man’: On victim family’s complain, Sambhal SP launches probe

On Wednesday (4th December), police said that an investigation has been launched into claims that a vehicle driven by Samajwadi Party MP Zia ur Rehman Barq collided with a 30-year-old man, killing him. The police said that Gaurav Pal, a native of Alipur village died after allegedly being hit by a private vehicle on 24th of June 2024.

The deceased victim’s father, Samar Pal, stated on Tuesday that the vehicle that hit his son had the “Samajwadi Party MP” symbol. Pal claimed that Zia ur Rehman Barq was driving this vehicle. He further alleged that the police did not probe Gaurav’s case properly.

Meanwhile, Sambhal Superintendent of Police Krishan Kumar Bishnoi said that in the complaint, it was mentioned it was a black Scorpio car. After the ‘accident’, the victim was admitted to the District Joint Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

“In the complaint, it has been mentioned that the vehicle was a black Mahindra Scorpio with registration number UP 38V 0880. The investigation has been handed over to the assistant superintendent of police, who has been asked to submit a report within three days. Further action will be taken following the investigation,” SP Bishnoi said.

Zia Ur Rahmen Barq’s alleged role in Sambhal violence

Notably, Barq is among those charged in connection with the violence unleashed by Islamist mobs on 24th November in response to a court-ordered survey of the disputed Jama Masjid.

According to the FIR filed against him, Barq visited the mosque days before the violence without permission and incited unrest. Barq, however, has denied the allegations. In a statement, he claimed that when the violence broke out, he was not in the state, let alone in Sambhal. He accused the UP Police of conspiring against him.

The FIR read, “On November 22, Zia ur Rehman Barq visited the Jama Masjid. After offering namaaz, he gathered a crowd without administrative permission and made provocative statements. For political gain, he incited the crowd to disturb communal harmony.”

Furthermore, the FIR mentioned Suhail Iqbal, son of MLA Iqbal Mahmood, as being present in the crowd on the day the violence broke out. The FIR read, “Suhail Iqbal incited the crowd by saying, ‘Ziaur Rahman Barq is with us, we are also with you. We will not let anything happen to you; fulfil your intentions.’ As a result, the crowd became more violent.”

Barq has been named “Accused No. 1” while Iqbal has been named “Accused No. 2” in the FIR. Seven hundred to eight hundred unidentified individuals have also been booked in the same FIR. According to the FIR, a mob comprising 700–800 armed individuals gathered to disrupt the court-ordered survey at Jama Masjid. The FIR further stated that the mob snatched official weapons from police personnel and targeted the police with intent to kill. It read, “One person from the crowd fired at Circle Officer Anuj Chaudhary to kill him. Anuj was shot in the leg and sustained injuries.”

A detailed OpIndia profile of Zia-ur-Rehman Barq can be read here.

Brian Thompson, CEO of USA’s biggest health insurance company UnitedHealth assasinated outside New York hotel

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Brian Thompson, CEO of USA’s biggest health insurance company UnitedHealth assasinated outside New York hotel

On Wednesday, 4th December, the CEO of UnitedHealth Group’s insurance unit, Brian Thompson, was shot outside the Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan resulting in his death. The New York Police Department confirmed the incident and described it as ‘brazen and targeted.’

“I want to be clear at this time, every indication is that this was a premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack. This does not appear to be a random act of violence,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said during a news conference on Wednesday after the attack.

According to reports, Thompson, 50, looked after UnitedHealthcare, the largest private health insurer in the United States. He was on his way to UnitedHealth Group’s investor day, which was scheduled for Wednesday at 8 am at the Hilton when the incident happened. The company eventually canceled the event following the shooting.

“At 6:46 am, patrol officers responded to a 911 call regarding a person shot in front of the Hilton hotel at 1335 Avenue of the Americas. Officers arrived at 6:48 am and found Thompson on the sidewalk with gunshot wounds to his back and leg,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny stated during the news conference.

After the incident, Thompson was taken to the Roosevelt Hospital where he was declared dead by 7:12 am. The deceased had been staying at The Luxury Collection Hotel Manhattan Midtown, a Marriott facility on 54th Street. The police stated that the gunman arrived at the scene around five minutes before Thompson arrived outside the Hilton. “As Thompson walked alone toward the Hilton, the gunman stepped onto the sidewalk from behind a car and approached him from behind, firing several rounds that hit him at least once in the back and once in the right calf,” Kenny noted.

The video footage of the incident has been recovered by the police and it is being investigated to identify and nab the accused. So far, no arrests in the case have been reported. As per the authorities, the accused wore a black face mask, black and white sneakers, and a gray backpack. The authorities are looking for the accused since he managed to flee from the spot after shooting Thompson dead.

“The NYPD has recovered three live 9 mm rounds and three discharged 9 mm shell casings at the scene. A cellphone has also been recovered from the spot,” Kenny added.

Further investigations into the case are underway.

Sambhal temple-mosque dispute: Advocate Commission to submit survey report in sealed envelope by 8th December

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Sambhal temple-mosque dispute: Advocate Commission to submit survey report in sealed envelope by 8th December

The Advocate Commission which conducted the court-ordered survey of the disputed Jama Masjid in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal will submit the survey report before the court by Monday (8th December). The report will be submitted in a sealed envelope. The report was supposed to be submitted on 29th November, however, the Commission sought more time from the court saying that the report was not ready for submission. Consequently, the court granted 10 days of additional time to the Advocate Commission.

Advocate Commissioner Ramesh Singh Raghav said that the report is being prepared, it will be submitted in a sealed envelope in the court before time. Deepak Chaudhary, the Deputy Collector designated to conduct the magisterial inquiry into the Sambhal violence, has set December 9 as the deadline for presenting the case report. All concerned authorities, including CO Sambhal, SDM, Kotwal, and Halka Sub Inspector, were notified and asked to present their cases in Bahjoi on November 30.

However, due to the arrival of the judicial commission team and other security-related procedures, the officers were unable to present their case. Following that, the Deputy Collector attended a meeting of the Divisional Commissioner in Moradabad. Due to Friday’s Jumma Namaz, the Deputy Collector has set December 9 as the new date for presenting the case.

Court-ordered survey at Jama Masjid in Sambhal and violence that erupted on 24th November

On 19th November, a court-mandated survey was conducted at Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. The court ordered the survey in response to a petition filed by Supreme Court Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, and seven co-plaintiffs, asserting that the mosque occupies the site of a temple dedicated to Bhagwan Kalki. The site in question is a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act of 1904. The survey was carried out under the supervision of the Advocate Commission. A heavy police force was deployed in the area to ensure the survey proceeded peacefully.

However, on 24th November, during the second round of court-mandated survey at Jama Masjid, Islamist mobsters gathered outside the mosque and engaged in violence. They pelted stones at police, opened fire at police personnel and set ablaze vehicles and shops. At least 20 police personnel were injured during violence and four mobsters were killed in the mayhem, likely from illegal guns carried by rioters.

In the aftermath of the Sambhal violence on 24th November, police have clarified that the deaths of three individuals occurred due to firing by rioters, not by the police. Post-mortem reports revealed that two victims were shot with country-made pistols, while the 315-bore bullet was found inside the body of another victim, a type not used by Uttar Pradesh Police. Sambhal SP Krishna Kumar Bishnoi stated that the police initially fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the mob but were fired upon by rioters.

During the survey, however, Muslims living in the area gathered outside the Jama Masjid and raised religious slogans. The District Magistrate of Sambhal confirmed that the survey was completed in around two hours and stated that a report would be submitted to the Civil Court, which will review it on the next date of hearing, 29th November 2024. OpIndia accessed the petition filed by the plaintiffs in the case.

As of now, the Supreme Court of India has stayed the hearing in the District Court, Sambhal, in response to plea filed by the Muslim side. Furthermore, the survey report submitted by the Advocate Commissioner has been ordered to be sealed and not to be opened till an order is passed by the High Court in the matter. Next hearing in the matter will be in January 2025. A judicial committee was formed by CM Yogi Adityanath to investigate the cause of the violence.

OpIndia’s detailed report on the petition filed at the court can be checked here.

Delhi police arrest AAP MLA Naresh Balyan in MCOCA case after he was granted bail in extortion case

ANI
-
0
Delhi police arrest AAP MLA Naresh Balyan in MCOCA case after he was granted bail in extortion case

Delhi police on Wednesday arrested Delhi police in MCOCA case after he was granted bail in extortion case by the Rouse Avenue court.

Crime Branch team arrested Naresh Balyan from the court after he was granted bail in extortion case. He was taken to Crime Branch (AGS) office in Dwarka.

Additional Chief judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Paras Dalal granted bail to Naresh Balyan. He was granted bail on a bail bond of Rs 50000 and a surety bond in the like amount.

The Court rejected the application of judicial custody moved by Delhi Police in extortion case.

The Court declined the application of Crime Branch (AGS) in MCOCA case.

It said that the application of Delhi police seeking arrest of Accused Naresh Balyan is not maintainable in this court. As it is not a competent court.

However, the court said that accused is free now, any agency may arrest him by following the process of law. Thereafter he was arrested in MCOCA court.

During the hearing, Delhi police crime branch had moved an application seeking fresh arrest and custody of Naresh Balyan in a MCOCA case.

This case was registered earlier in August 2024. Delhi police said that with the permission of court the accused was interrogated. He did not cooperated. Delhi police sought permission to arrest him.

The court said it is not entertaining the application

On the other hand, Delhi police sought judicial custody of Naresh Balyan in extortion case. The court declined to remand him in the judicial custody and granted bail.

Senior advocate Manish Vashisht, NC Sharma, Advocate Nitin Ahlawat, Advocate Rohit Dalal, Advocate Sujan Singh appeared for Naresh Balyan.

During the arguments on bail, Senior advocate Manish Vashisht submitted that there is no chance of fleeing. His name is not in the FIR, senior advocate argued. This is an old case, he argued. He added.

Prosecution is making an attempt to convince that I anticipated the incident and I filed complaint, the counsel argued.

It was further submitted that accused is a respectable citizen. This case is gimmick to harras the accused. There is nothing. He is a public servant.

The case for judicial custody is not made out, counsel argued. He should be released on bail, he added.

You were sleeping for one and half years, it is itself a ground for bail, the counsel argued.

Advocate Sujan Singh submitted that they have to comply the direction, country is looking at us. What message they are giving.

They are investigating for last one and half years but they unable to file the charge sheet, advocate Nitin Ahlawat submitted.

Advocate NC Sharma said that the source of clip is a news of a channel. They didn’t investigate there.

He is a two time MLA and popular face. An extortionist can’t be a popular face, senior advocate Vasisth argued .

On the other Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Akhand Pratap Singh appeared for Delhi police in MCOCA Case.

He sought permission to arrest the accused in MCOCA case. There is an FIR under MCOCA.

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

1...586587588...7,577Page 587 of 7,577