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3 Adani Group firms join the World Economic Forum to advance global decarbonisation initiative

OpIndia Staff
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3 Adani Group firms join the World Economic Forum to advance global decarbonisation initiative

The Adani Group is all set to play a key role in global decarbonisation through its three firms—Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL) (through its subsidiary Adani New Industries Ltd), Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) and Ambuja Cements Ltd—by joining World Economic Forum’s ‘Transitioning Industrial Clusters’ initiative, forming the Adani Mundra Cluster.

The initiative aims to enhance cooperation between businesses in the cluster to support economic growth, job creation, and decarbonisation efforts with the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

Mundra, which began as a port operation in 1993, has grown into India’s largest port and a key industrial hub, hosting companies from various industries. These include solar and wind energy manufacturing as well as cement production, which is known for its high emissions challenges.

In a statement released to the media, the Adani Group said, “APSEZ has committed to transitioning all its port operations to renewable energy by 2025, to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040. Meanwhile, the Ambuja Cements plant in Mundra is set to become the world’s lowest-emission cement facility, aligning with the company’s broader 2050 net-zero target.”

Plans are also underway, the statement said, to develop one of the largest green hydrogen production hubs globally at the Adani Mundra Cluster, with a capacity of 1 Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MMTPA) by 2030, expanding to 3 MMTPA by 2040. This will be made possible through an integrated value chain that includes the manufacturing of 10 GW of solar modules, 5 GW of wind turbines, and 5 GW of electrolysers. The cluster will also produce green hydrogen derivatives like ammonia, furthering its leadership in renewable energy.

Highlighting the opportunity to collaborate with global industry leaders and experts through the World Economic Forum to advance decarbonisation, Karan Adani, Managing Director of APSEZ and Director of Ambuja Cements, said, “By joining the World Economic Forum’s Transitioning Industrial Clusters initiative, the signatories will have the opportunity to collaborate with global industry peers, think-tanks, policymakers and experts to pioneer innovative approaches towards decarbonization.”

Roberto Bocca, Head of the Centre for Energy and Materials at the World Economic Forum, welcomed the Adani Mundra Cluster to the global community of 23 industrial clusters. He noted that by leveraging Gujarat’s renewable energy potential, the cluster is well-positioned to become a key player in South Asia’s green hydrogen market while benefiting from the knowledge exchange with other global clusters.

“We are delighted to welcome the Adani Mundra Cluster to our international community of 23 industrial clusters, as one of the first two clusters in India,” Bocca said. “By tapping into Gujarat’s significant renewable energy capacity, the cluster is on track to becoming one of the leading green hydrogen hubs in South Asia. Within the Transitioning Industrial Clusters community, Adani Mundra can exchange knowledge with fellow clusters and advance the energy transition.”

‘No proof of the use of contaminated ghee’: Supreme Court questions CM Naidu on public statements about Tirupati laddus

OpIndia Staff
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‘No proof of the use of contaminated ghee’: Supreme Court questions CM Naidu on public statements about Tirupati laddus

On 30th September, the Supreme Court of India criticised Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for making allegations publicly about the use of adulterated ghee in the preparation of laddus offered as prasadam at the Tirumala Tirupati Temple. The court questioned whether the comments made in public by CM Naidu were appropriate, as the investigation into the matter was still underway. During the hearing, the court noted that there was no proof that the contaminated ghee was used in the preprations of the Laddus.

Allegations and lab reports

CM Naidu alleged that ghee adulterated with animal fat and other foreign substances was used under the previous YSRCP government to prepare the Tirupati laddus. During the hearing, it was noted that the ghee samples which were tested were rejected and not used for the preparation of the laddus. The court questioned whether such public comments by the CM were warranted.

The two-judge bench, comprising Justice BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan, was hearing the petitions seeking an investigation into the controversy over the use of adulterated ghee in Tirupati laddus. The Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, was instructed by the court to consult the Government of India on whether a central investigation was necessary in the matter. The next hearing has been scheduled for 3rd October.

Religious sentiments and political statements

Raising concerns about the comments made by the CM, the court highlighted their potential to affect the sentiments of millions of devotees worldwide. Furthermore, during the hearing, the court noted that the Chief Executive Officer of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) denied the allegations that adulterated ghee was used in the preparation of the laddus.

Notably, Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra, representing TTD in court, clarified that the ghee used in June and early July was not tested, leaving a scope for assertions. However, it was the ghee from two tankers delivered on 6th and 12th July that was found to be contaminated, and that ghee was not used, as alleged by the CM.

Court’s questions: Gods and politics

During the hearing, the court raised concerns about the involvement of political figures in religious matters, especially when an investigation is underway. Justice Viswanathan pointed out that the lab report was inconclusive and hinted that the rejected ghee was tested, not the ghee used in the prasadam. Justice Gavai added that political figures should refrain from making statements that could harm the sentiments of millions of devotees.

“When you hold a constitutional office, we expect the gods to be kept away from politics,” said Justice Gavai, echoing the court’s concern over political interference in religious issues. Both justices questioned whether the statement was necessary, given that an investigation had already been ordered by the CM’s office.

Special investigation or central probe?

The core issue in court is to determine whether the ongoing investigation by the State’s Special Investigation Team is sufficient, or whether the investigation should be handed over to an independent central agency.

Subramanian Swamy, one of the petitioners in the case, argued that the statement made by the CM was without substantial evidence and could have far-reaching consequences. He further noted that statements from high-ranking officials should be responsible and carefully measured. He questioned whether a fair and impartial investigation would be possible after the CM’s public comments.

In his petition, Swamy accused Naidu of using the matter for political gains against the previous YSRCP government. This was refuted by Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who represented the Andhra Pradesh government in court. He countered the allegations, asserting that it was Swamy’s petition that was politically motivated.

Tirupati Laddu Prasadam controversy

On 18 September Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu accused the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy administration of using animal fat in making laddus served at the renowned Hindu temple during his address at the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) legislative party meeting. “They (YSRC government) not only provided substandard food to the devotees, such as Anna Prasadam in Tirumala, but also used inferior quality ingredients to make Prasadam, which is offered to Lord Venkateswara. Instead of using pure ghee, they used animal fat,” he charged.

The chief minister further added, “Today, we are using pure ghee and cleansed the system in the temple. Quality of Prasadam and food have improved and steps are being taken to make further improvements.” His statement was eventually validated by the test findings. The conclusions drawn by the report revealed that there were residues of animal fat in the ghee used to prepare iconic Tirupati laddu prasadam. Furthermore, ingredients like soybean, sunflower, olive, rapeseed, linseed, wheat germ, maize germ, cotton seed, coconut, palm kernel fat, and palm oil were also used in making the laddus.

After that, a laboratory report emerged, which showed that ghee used by the Tirupati temple contained beef fat, pig fat, fish oil, and various types of plant-based oil, and the content of dairy fat was very low. The test was conducted by the National Dairy Development Board’s “Centre of Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food” (CALF) laboratory on behalf of Tirumala Tirupathi Devastanam. TTD had decided to test the ghee after receiving multiple complaints about the deteriorating quality and taste of its famous laddus.

TTD has already started blacklisting the suppliers of ghee after the report came out.

Mumbai: Removal of illegal portion of Dharavi Mosque starts after massive uproar, action taken after BJP’s Prasad Lad complained

OpIndia Staff
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Mumbai: Removal of illegal portion of Dharavi Mosque starts after massive uproar, action taken after BJP’s Prasad Lad complained

On Monday, 30th September, BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) started to raze down the illegal expansion of the Mahboob-e-Subhaniya Mosque in Mumbai’s Dharavi after the Municipal Corporation authorities reached the place to take action over the structure. The razing efforts focused on a minaret which was surrounded by a green curtain while wooden supports were already dismantled.

According to the reports, the process of demolition began in a very peaceful manner after the Trust that looks after the Mosque employed workers to take down the illegally expanded part of the Mosque.

The controversy over the illegal expansion erupted on September 21st, after the mosque committee sought a week to remove the illegal portion of the structure themselves. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) declared the mosque’s 20-foot minaret illegal.

Image- India TV

Tensions in the region rose earlier that day when thousands of Dharavi residents came to the streets to protest the BMC’s demolition plans. Protesters blocked municipal officials from entering the road where the mosque is located, resulting in a standoff. Crowds gathered outside the Dharavi police station, blocking roads and expressing their dissatisfaction.

Reports suggest that three people were arrested during the protests for disrupting government activity, inciting disturbances, and also damaging public property. According to police investigations, multiple aggressive social media messages from unknown accounts encouraged widespread participation in the Dharavi protests against BMC. As a result, an estimated 5,000 Islamists assembled, with many of them apparently traveling from beyond the immediate vicinity.

During the demonstration, two Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) vehicles were vandalized, with the front glass shattered by bamboo sticks and stones.

The large assembly also created significant traffic disruptions. However, the Dharavi police and traffic police were able to clear the roads by making loudspeaker announcements. The action of Monday began after the BMC official came over for inspection and sought the removal of illegal expansion. The Mosque earlier had promised that it would take down the illegal expansion, but eventually failed to. The demolition work began today, approximately five days after the deadline for the promise passed.

It is believed that the Mosque in question is an old Mosque built in the year 1988 and the illegal expansion of the said structure happened only during the COVID times. Earlier the Mosque consisted only of a ground floor but later it added another floor. Recently, during the COVID-19 spread, the Trust members illegally built the dome and another floor over the old structure. The Hindus protested several times against the illegal structure in the past. But the recent action only erupted after BJP’s Prasad Lad complained about the matter to the authorities.

Image- India TV

The Muslims residing in the region are still busy protesting against the removal of illegal expansion saying that there are many other structures apart from the Masjid that have been illegally expanded, but the government is just trying to remove the illegal structure built over the Masjid. “This seems deliberate. Earlier we used to pray inside the Masjid, now if the Masjid is being removed, we’ll pray wherever we find the place,” one of the Muslims was heard talking to India TV.

The removal of the illegal structure atop the Mosque is still underway.

Odisha: Nabeel Abdul Mubin Shaikh arrested for duping 189 Muslims over Mecca Umrah pilgrimage

Shraddha Pandey
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Odisha: Nabeel Abdul Mubin Shaikh arrested for duping 189 Muslims over Mecca Umrah pilgrimage

On Monday (30th September), the Odisha police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) stated that they had arrested a person identified as Nabeel Abdul Mubin Shaikh for allegedly duping 189 Muslims from the state on the pretext of taking them to Mecca in Saudi Arabia for Umrah pilgrimage. 

The police arrested Nabeel Abdul Mubin Shaikh on the 27th of September from Mumbai on multiple charges, such as cheating, and brought him before a Balasore court on Monday under the Odisha Protection of Depositors’ Interests Act.

Speaking about Shaikh’s arrest, a senior Odisha Economic Offences Wing officer informed that Nabeel Abdul Mubin Shaikh ran a travel agency named ‘Al-Adam Tour & Travels’ along with his father Firdos Bi Abdul Mubin Shaikh and sister Saima Anjum Shaikh, in association with one Mohammad Bismillah Shaikh who runs AlIzma Tours & Travels in Vikhroli Kurla area of Mumbai.

These people have been accused of taking money from 189 Muslim devotees in Odisha with the pretext of taking them on Umrah, the police said. 

“The two travel agencies took around ₹96,000 from each of the pilgrims, amounting to Rs.1.2 crore, from 2019 to 2023. But the two travel agencies neither took them on the pilgrimage nor refunded the amount to the Muslim devotees from Bhadrak, Balasore, Baripada and other parts of Odisha. When the devotees insisted on the refund, the two travel agencies provided them cheques that were dishonoured by the bank,” the EOW officer said adding that these travel agencies allegedly obtained huge sums of money in the same way from pilgrims in Maharashtra, Delhi, and other areas.

SC issues contempt notice to Assam govt over Sonapur demolition drive meant to clear encroached lands belonging to members of ST community, orders status quo

OpIndia Staff
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SC issues contempt notice to Assam govt over Sonapur demolition drive meant to clear encroached lands belonging to members of ST community, orders status quo

On 30th September, the Supreme Court sent notice to the Assam government on a plea charging it with contempt for allegedly disobeying the court’s interim order from 17th September to stop demolitions nationwide without consent. The petition was filed by at least 48 residents of Kachutoli Pathar and other nearby locations in the Sonapur mouza of the Kamrup Metropolitan. The status quo will be upheld until the next hearing, according to a bench consisting of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan. “Issue notice. In the meantime, parties to maintain the status quo,” it declared.

Earlier, an eviction notice was served to the residents of the Kachutali village near Sonapur town. The eviction notice stated that the residents were unlawfully occupying the land and were not authorized to claim the plot, as it was designated for members of the Scheduled Tribes under the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation.

However, the court halted the demolition drive and issued a contempt notice against the state government. According to the ruling, no demolition could take place across the nation without first receiving permission from the apex court. The bench did state that buildings established on public property would be removed without warning, even if they were religious, and that its order would not prevent authorities from taking action if such land was encroached upon. The court issued a notice directing the Assam government to file a reply in 21 days.

Advocate for the petitioner, Huzefa Ahmadi described the acts of the Assam government as a “violation of the top court’s order”.The panel did point out that the Assam government did not execute any demolition. “There’s no demolition yet. We’ll issue a notice,” the bench pronounced. According to the petition, officials disregarded legal procedures, such as the requirement to give tenants a month’s notice to leave before serving them with an eviction notice.

The petitioners alleged that the authorities destroyed their homes despite the Supreme Court’s earlier verdict and the Assam Advocate General’s 20th September guarantee to the Gauhati High Court that no legal action would be taken against them until the representations are disposed of in the manner directed by the Supreme Court in the order dated 3rd February 2020.

The petitioners contended that they have resided in the area for many years following contracts they had with the original landowners. They added that they have not broken any laws and that their occupation was allowed by preexisting arrangements, refuting the state’s claim that they are “illegal occupants” on tribal land. They asserted that many of them belong to protected classes. The petitioners clarified that they never purchased the land and have never proclaimed their ownership of it.

They further maintained that the demolitions violated the fundamental rights under Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the Constitution of the residents which protect their equality before the law as well as their right to life and personal liberty, because they were carried out without providing the residents with a fair hearing and depriving them of their homes and means of subsistence.

“However, here in the present case, the respondent authorities have not followed the order passed by the court for the event of eviction and have flagged or put up red stickers on the walls of the petitioners without sending any kind of notice or letter stating the issue of eviction or demolition,” the petitioners stated. In addition, the petitioners claimed that long before the region was named a Tribal Belt, they and their relatives were registered pattadars of the scheduled lands, dating back to the 1950s.

On 17th September the Supreme Court issued a temporary directive prohibiting demolition action nationwide without its permission, till 1st October. The order was pronounced during a hearing on several appeals against bulldozer actions in India. The court made it clear that encroachments on public roads, walkways, railroad tracks, and waterbodies will not be covered by the ruling which was issued by Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan. The order came in response to petitions opposing the purported activities of several state governments demolishing the properties of people accused of crimes as a punitive measure.

(With inputs ANI)

Supreme Court asks Andhra govt if they have proof that contaminated ghee was indeed used for prasadam laddu, slams Naidu for going to media

ANI
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Supreme Court asks Andhra govt if they have proof that contaminated ghee was indeed used for prasadam laddu, slams Naidu for going to media

 The Supreme Court on Monday, while hearing a batch of petitions on the ‘Tirupati Prasadam’ row, said that “Gods should be kept away from politics” while pulling up the Andhra Pradesh government on going to the press in connection with the incident.

The Supreme Court was hearing a batch of petitions seeking court-monitored investigation into the allegations of the use of animal fat to make laddus served as Prasadam at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala.

The apex court asked the Andhra Pradesh government’s counsel that when the lab reports indicated that the ghee used in consecrated sweet was subjected to testing what was the need for them to go to the press after it ordered SIT probe into it.

Till the outcome of SIT probe, what was the need to go to the press?, the Supreme Court asked the Andhra Pradesh government.

The government, in response, said that it is investigating the issue, When the Supreme Court asked about the ghee which was not found in conformity, it was actually used for prasadam.

Supreme Court asked the Andhra Pradesh government about the proof that the contaminated ghee was used in the preparation of prasadam laddus.

Senior advocate Siddhartha Luthra appearing for for Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) said that people complained that laddu did not taste right.

Supreme Court said the public was not aware of this, you have only given a statement. There is no proof that said contaminated ghee was used for prasadam.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court that this is a matter of faith. “If this ghee was used, it’s unacceptable. It has to be seen who was responsible, and this needs to be examined.”

Further, the Supreme Court asked Solicitor General that it would like him to examine whether an investigation should be conducted by a state-constituted SIT.

“Whether such a statement (by the state) should have been made that affects the sentiments of the devotees? What was the need of going to the press and making public statement when SIT was ordered?” SC asked the Andhra Pradesh government.

Prima facie, there is nothing to show at this stage that the ghee used in the sample was used for laddus, said Supreme Court.

Supreme Court’s order says that the Solicitor General should assist it in deciding as to whether the SIT already appointed by the state government should continue or should the probe be conducted by an independent agency.


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

Maharashtra government grants cows the status of ‘Rajya Mata Gaumata’, cites its cultural importance

OpIndia Staff
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Maharashtra government grants cows the status of ‘Rajya Mata Gaumata’, cites its cultural importance

In a major step to honour indigenous cows, the Maharashtra government gave them Rajmata-Gaumata status on Monday, 30th September. The announcement was made via a Government Resolution signed by Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan, who stated, “Cows have been an important part of human life since ancient times. The cow has long been referred to as ‘Kamarrenu’ in recognition of its historical, scientific, and spiritual significance.”

He further stated that, while several breeds exist throughout the country, the number of indigenous cows is dropping at an alarming rate. Maharashtra has a number of indigenous breeds, including Devri and Lalkanari in Marathwada, and Dangi and Shavdabhat in Northern Maharashtra. The state has expressed alarm over the significant loss of these native cows.

To address this issue, the government hopes that the new classification will encourage farmers to produce and care for indigenous breeds that are vital to Ayurvedic practices such as Panchagavya and traditional farming methods. “The decline in the number of Indigenous cows is a matter of concern,” the Government Resolution said, asking livestock farmers to prioritize the breeding of these culturally important animals.

Notably, in India, the cow is considered like a mother and is a symbol of devotion in Hinduism. Aside from that, its milk, urine, and dung are regarded as sacred and widely used. Cow milk is extremely useful to the human body.

UP: Arsh and Junaid take a 5-year-old boy from his home to a nearby field and gang-rape him, bystanders Rizwan and Alfez shoot videos

OpIndia Staff
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UP: Arsh and Junaid take a 5-year-old boy from his home to a nearby field and gang-rape him, bystanders Rizwan and Alfez shoot videos

In a shocking incident, a 5-year-old boy in Uttar Pradesh’s Hapur was picked up from his home on September 19 and gang-raped in a nearby field by accused Arsh and Junaid.

The victim’s family came to know about the incident a week later when his health deteriorated and on being enquired by his family members about the injury marks on his body.

A complaint was filed by the minor boy’s grandparents, who alleged that two men, identified as Arsh and Junaid, took the boy from their house and gang-raped him in a nearby field. At the same time, two bystanders, Rizwan and Alfez, shot the videos and allegedly uploaded them on social media.

The complaint was reportedly filed after the victim’s family members went to the accused’s home to complain about the incident. The accused thrashed them and threatened to kill them before fleeing from the scene, the complaint filed to the police said.

An FIR was subsequently filed under sections 140-4 (kidnapping), 351-2 (criminal intimidation) and 352 (intentional assault) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and sections of the POCSO Act.

Four accused, namely Arsh, Junaid, Mobin and Shamim have been named in the FIR.

The police said all four accused are on the run and a manhunt has been launched to arrest them.

Activist Snehamayi Krishna who got court order for FIR against CM Siddaramaiah in MUDA scam gets booked by police

OpIndia Staff
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Activist Snehamayi Krishna who got court order for FIR against CM Siddaramaiah in MUDA scam gets booked by police

On 29th September, it came to light that an FIR was filed against Karnataka Right to Information (RTI) activist Snehamayi Krishna in August 2024. Snehamayi Krishna recently obtained a court order for an FIR against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in connection with the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment case. As per reports, he was booked for allegedly harassing a woman. Krishna has denied the allegations and suggested that it was a “conspiracy” to silence him.

The complaint against Krishna was filed by a woman at Nanjangud Police Station on 21st August 2024. Based on the complaint, an FIR was filed on the same day under Sections 85, 126(2), 74, 352, 351(2), 79, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

In the FIR, the woman accused Krishna and others of attacking her. She alleged that Krishna and others pulled her clothes and verbally abused her along with death threats when she was returning from court on 18th July 2024. She stated that Krishna, her own father-in-law, mother-in-law, and brother-in-law have been harassing her over a property dispute.

The complainant’s husband passed away in 2020. The dispute between Krishna and other accused reportedly involved claims over the death benefits of the late husband and her jewellery. In the FIR, Krishna has been listed as the fourth accused. He was accused of assaulting her and threatening her and her mother.

Speaking on the matter, Krishna said, “This is an attempt to suppress my fight against corruption. Even if I am jailed, my battle will continue.” He added that he has sent a letter to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), urging the agency to investigate corruption within MUDA. He has alleged that over Rs 5,000 crore has been misappropriated by the accused in the case. Furthermore, he also plans to file a formal complaint to the ED. Notably, a petition in the court to hand over the investigation of MUDA’s site allotment irregularities since 2015 to the CBI has already been submitted by him.

Snehamayi Krishna recently got court orders to book CM Siddaramaiah and three others. They have been booked by the Lokayukta police on charges of corruption, cheating, and forgery in connection with the allotment of 14 MUDA housing sites to the wife of CM Siddaramaiah in 2021. Notably, a private complaint was filed by Krishna, TJ Abraham, and Pradeep Kumar, leading to the probe initiated by Lokayukta police. The governor has already approved the investigation against CM Siddaramaiah.

Notably, CM Siddaramaiah had approached the Karnataka High Court against the governor’s sanction to initiate an investigation against him in August 2024. The High Court had stayed the investigation. However, in September 2024, the High Court said in its judgment that the governor has the right to sanction an investigation against the CM and said in exceptional circumstances, the governor can exercise independent discretion without consulting the Council of Ministers. The court said, “prima facie rules bent to favour CM Siddaramaiah’s family.”

Following the judgment, Lokayukta police filed an FIR. Later, Krishna filed a petition for a CBI investigation into the matter and wrote to the ED requesting the agency to probe.

Pressure to convert, love jihad, forcibly fed beef: 3 different states, 3 different cases of forced conversions – Complaints filed against Shadab, Shahzad, and Arshad

OpIndia Staff
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Pressure to convert, love jihad, forcibly fed beef: 3 different states, 3 different cases of forced conversions – Complaints filed against Shadab, Shahzad, and Arshad

Recently, three shocking cases of crimes against Hindu women, including sexual assault and love jihad, have come to light. A complaint has been lodged against Shadab in Madhya Pradesh, Shahzad in Uttarakhand, and Arshad in Uttar Pradesh.

A conspiracy was hatched to convert a young woman from a tribal community to Islam in Harda. In another case, the mother of a divorced woman from Dehradun pleaded to save her daughter, and in another case, a woman was forced to consume beef in Lucknow.

Love Jihad in Madhya Pradesh

The first case out of the three pertains to the Harda district of Madhya Pradesh. On 27th September, a 19-year-old girl from a tribal community and her family members reached the police station and submitted a written complaint. She shared that a man named Shadab alias Salman, son of Munawwar, from Sehore district, deceived her in the name of love, two years ago. She fell into his trap and was sexually exploited by him for two years.

On 29th May this year, he came to her house when she was alone and declared that he would only tie the knot with her after she embraced Islam. Shadab vowed to make her his wife. On 23rd August, he again called her and had a physical relationship with her. Notably, he reiterated that she would have to become Muslim. He even threatened to kill her if she dared to tell anyone about it. However, she eventually confided in her family after which they arrived at the police station and lodged a complaint.

A case under sections 69, 64 (2) (D) and 351 (3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant sections of the Madhya Pradesh Religious Freedom Act has been filed against Shadab. Police station in-charge Amit Bhavsar informed the media that further action and investigation into the matter are underway.

Love Jihad in Uttarakhand

The second case is of love jihad from Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand where Shahzad lured a 30-year-old divorced Hindu woman with two children by posing as Monu Choudhary. Her mother complained to the Raipur police station on 26th September, and demanded action against the accused. The complaint revealed that the woman and her two daughters have been living at her parent’s home. During the lockdown, she met Shahzad who is originally from Delhi. He introduced himself as Monu and trapped her in his love trap after talking to her for a few days. The girl insisted on marrying him even after his real identity was exposed.

The complainant further mentioned that her daughter became enraged and moved out of the house to live with the accused when her mother tried to stop her. The woman also took a bike from their house and left her children there. According to the complainant, Shahzad had brainwashed her daughter. The distressed woman expressed that despite her best efforts, she was unable to keep her daughter away from Shahzad. She implored the authorities to find her daughter and asked for strict punishment for Shahzad. OpIndia has a copy of the complaint. The police are now working on this case, conducting necessary inquiries and taking further action.

Another Love Jihad case from Uttar Pradesh

The third case is from Uttar Pradesh’s capital Lucknow. On 27th September, a Hindu woman lodged a police complaint at the Madeyganj police station where she shared that she met a man named Arshad at a friend’s birthday party one and a half years ago. The duo got introduced, which later turned into friendship, and then a romantic relationship. Soon after, he started to force himself on her without her consent, according to the victim. She became pregnant twice as a result of the frequent sexual violation but the accused made her abort the kids on both occasions.

The girl then asked Arshad to marry her, however, he pushed her to convert to Islam first. She added that Arshad also forced her to eat beef. When she complained to his father about the perpetrator’s behaviour, he directed the victim to keep her mouth shut and even issued death threats if she didn’t comply. Arshad’s relative Rashid also threatened her.

A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed and a probe has been launched based on her complaint. The police have invoked sections 69, 89 and 351 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and pertinent sections of the Uttar Pradesh Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act. The Hindu Mahasabha has demanded strict action against Arshad who has been arrested. The cops are looking into the allegations and pursuing additional legal action.

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