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“Give Bharat Ratna to Vinesh Phogat”: As Khap panchayats make unreasonable demands, here’s how the wrestler’s heartbreaking disqualification is being politicised

Shraddha Pandey
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“Give Bharat Ratna to Vinesh Phogat”: As Khap panchayats make unreasonable demands, here’s how the wrestler’s heartbreaking disqualification is being politicised

Ever since the disqualification of star wrestler Vinesh Phogat before her gold medal bout at the Paris Olympics, attempts are being made to politicise the issue in poll-bound Haryana. After Congress and its supporting ecosystem blamed the Modi government for Vinesh’s disqualification for being overweight, the Khap panchayats in Haryana have also made unreasonable demands concerning Vinesh Phogat, including demand for Bharat Ratna.

‘Sarv Khap Mahapanchayat’ in Haryana’s Charkhi Dadri demanded ‘justice’ for Vinesh Phogat, who belongs to the state. The Khap leaders also demanded that a sitting Supreme Court judge should investigate the matter. Khap leader, and Charkhi Dadri MLA, Sombir Sangwan said that the persons who accompanied Vinesh Phogat were responsible for ensuring her weight did not increase, yet she was found overweight during the weigh-in. He questioned how Phogat’s weight increased suddenly.

Furthermore, the Khap leader demanded that Vinesh Phogat be entitled to all benefits of a silver medal winner by the state as well as central government. Moreover, Sangwan said that they will honour Vinesh Phogat with a gold medal and that she should be honoured by the Central government with Bharat Ratna.

“The main agenda of today’s panchayat was to expose the betrayal and deceit experienced by our daughter and ensure she gets justice. The entire khap and her village will honour her… We have seven demands- a sitting SC judge should hold an enquiry into the matter and the accused be punished, second, Vinesh Phogat should be entitled to all benefits of a silver medal winner by the state as well as central government, third, we will honour Vinesh with a gold medal… we will ask Vinesh to reconsider her decision to retire from wrestling, we demand she is honoured with a Bharat Ratna”, Sangwan said.

While Phogat’s disqualification was a heartbreaking moment for the wrestler and for Indian fans, making such unreasonable demands in complete disregard for the rules reflects the blatant politicisation of the incident rather than genuine concern for her. Demanding such benefits for Vinesh Phogat, despite her disqualification, undermines the essence of sportsmanship and fair play. Javelin throw star Neeraj Chopra won a silver medal in the recently concluded Paris Olympics to follow up on his Gold at Tokyo Olympics, no one is demanding a Bharat Ratna for him. Meanwhile, Vinesh despite her best efforts could not achieve the required weight and thus disqualified, is entitled to Silver medal winner benefits and the highest civilian honour?

Wrestler Aman Sehrawat, unlike Vinesh Phogat, was not accompanied by his own training and conditioning staff but only the staff provided by Sports Authority of India (SAI) and yet managed to reduce 4.6 kgs in 10 hours to meet the 57kg weight limit. Sehrawat not only cut his weight to meet the standard but also won his Bronze medal bout.

Several netizens raised questions over the demands presented by the Khap leaders.

One X user said: “Gold medal for weight gain??? She is yet to say sorry to the nation n people want Bharat Ratna for her!!”

Another one said: “Khap Panchayat should be done in Paris. Aren’t they going to Europe to protest? The Indian Government should send these panchayat leaders to Europe to expose the Olympics. N0nsense….!!

One user Amit said: “Bharat Ratna??? What about Neeraj Chopra? He Won Silver this time. Nobody is asking for him. Why?? This is something bizarre to talk about. Simply a political agenda. In the name of sympathy, they are creating drama now.”

Interestingly, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has already announced to give Vinesh Phogat benefits equal to those of a silver medallist, which risks eroding the fundamental concepts of justice and merit in sports. Notably, according to its sports policy, the Haryana government grants Rs 6 crore to Olympic gold medallists, Rs 4 crore to silver medallists, and Rs 2.5 crore to bronze medallists.

Such demands not only politicise the situation but also give unfair importance to one athlete over others who may have competed under the same stringent criteria, as seen in the case of Aman Sehrawat. Is only Vinesh Phogat “Bharat ki Beti” not Manu Bhaker, are Aman Sehrawat or Neeraj Chopra not “Bharat ka Beta”? Sports have rules for a reason, and disregarding them to benefit an individual, particularly in response to political pressure, undermines the sport’s credibility. It establishes a precedent in which political influence and populist demands trump athletic achievement and rule adherence. Ironically, Khap leaders are demanding Bharat Ratna for a disqualified wrestler Vinesh Phogat but nothing for those who fought and lost by a whisker.

While the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is yet to rule on Vinesh Phogat’s appeal challenging her disqualification, the politics around the incident reflect the desperation of politicians and their supporters to build a narrative in their favour ahead of the state elections.

Notably, the CAS will decide on Vinesh’s plea on the 13th of August. If the CAS decides in favour of Vinesh Phogat and she is given the silver medal, Congress will claim that despite the Modi government’s ‘conspiracies’, Phogat braved them all, and won silver. If the CAS rejects her plea, the opposition parties will play the “Modi’s ego is more important than the silver medal for India” narrative. In both cases, politics will win. It is apparent that Vinesh Phogat is getting all the political attention solely due to her participation in protests against BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in an alleged sexual harassment case.

Despite it being against the rules, Vinesh Phogat was allowed to contest in qualifiers in both the 50 kg and 53 kg categories. She lost the qualifying match in the 53 kg category but won in 50 kg. Therefore, she had to keep her weight below 50 kg because she qualified for the 50 kg category in the Paris Olympics. However, she was struggling to maintain her weight below the allowed limit for several months now. Her weight was around 2.7 kg above the limit a day before the finals, and despite various efforts, including cutting hair, shortening clothes, and sitting in the sauna, the weight could not be brought below 50 kg. Consequently, she was disqualified. Even though Phogat was disqualified on technical grounds and the ruling government had no role in it but had only backed her, the politics over the matter is not subsiding.

Suppose Vinesh Phogat had not participated in the Wrestlers’ Protests or had taken a pro-BJP stand in the past. In that case, the very opposition leaders making absurd claims and malicious allegations against the Central government would have cried ‘favouritism’ when Phogat was given a double chance.

If the opposition parties and the Khap panchayats are demanding Bharat Ratna for a disqualified sportsperson, they should have long back demanded the same for Javelin throw star Neeraj Chopra who won gold in the Tokyo Olympics and silver in the Paris Olympics. However, since Chopra does not provide any political fuel, no such demands are raised for him.  

Vinesh Phogat was disqualified as she was unable to achieve the weight restrictions, which are a crucial criterion in combat sports. The standards are in place to maintain fairness, and her disqualification was due to standard rule enforcement rather than bias.

Demanding prestigious awards and benefits for someone who did not match the minimum eligibility requirements for competition undermines the principles of merit and excellence represented by these accolades. The Bharat Ratna is bestowed for exceptional service and contributions to the nation, and even though Vinesh Phogat has made an unforgettable impact in wrestling, it would be inappropriate to bestow such an honour in the present context.

These demands, which are driven by political motives rather than objective merit, establish a dangerous precedent in which standards and regulations are bent to meet populist demands. This not only reduces the value of such awards but also communicates the message that accountability and responsibility in athletics fall secondary to influence and pressure. It is critical to safeguard the integrity of sports and honours by adhering to the values of fairness, merit, and accountability. If the CAS rules in Vinesh’s favour and gives her the silver medal she has all the right to receive the relevant benefits, however, if this does not happen, the authorities should refrain from providing such benefits and set the right precedent for the future.

UP: Kanpur DM orders probe after 3 Muslim students of government inter college start wearing hijab flouting uniform dress code

OpIndia Staff
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UP: Kanpur DM orders probe after 3 Muslim students of government inter college start wearing hijab flouting uniform dress code

The District Magistrate of Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur has taken cognizance of the case of three female students suddenly appearing in Hijabs inside a college. On Saturday (10th August), Kanpur DM directed the Sub-District Magistrate (SDM) to investigate the matter. Meanwhile, the parents of the three girls have accepted their mistake and assured that they will send their daughters to college in the prescribed uniform.

In this case reported a week ago, the Kanpur District Magistrate Rakesh Singh ordered Sub-District Magistrate Rashmi Lamba to investigate the matter and submit a report on 17th August. This study will be conducted on three points. The first question is whether these students were studying at the college from the start and came wearing hijabs at their own will. Secondly, whether the pupils were aware of the college dress code or not. The third point to be investigated is whether anyone pushed the three students to wear hijab to college.

Notably, the incident unfolded on the 3rd of August 2024 in the government inter-college located in the Bilhaur area of ​​Kanpur. Here, three Muslim girls started coming to college wearing Hijab. One of their teachers, Jyoti scolded them for violating the rules and asked them to come to college in the prescribed uniforms only. However, her instructions did not affect the three Muslim girls. They said that even if they are expelled from the college they come to college wearing Hijab.

When the matter reached the college’s principal Surjeet Singh Yadav, the Muslim girls reiterated their stand by giving it in writing that even if their names are cut from the college, they will come to study wearing Hijab. Consequently, the principal took strict action and banned the entry of students wearing anything other than the prescribed dress in the college.

Principal Surjeet Singh also informed the parents of the three students of intermediate about the matter. It is being told that the parents of the three students have accepted the mistake. They have also assured to send the students in the dress prescribed by the school in future.

Adani-Hindenburg case: A chronology of events from January 2023 to now

ANI
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Adani-Hindenburg case: A chronology of events from January 2023 to now

As the Adani-Hindenburg saga was about to end with SEBI investigating the 24th and final case, US short seller Hindenburg has published fresh allegations against the market regulator’s chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch of investing in an offshore fund linked with Adani.

While the US short seller made allegations in January 2023 against the Adani group, now it has published allegations against the market regulator for not acting against the conglomerate.

In its report on August 10 the US short seller has expressed surprise at SEBI’s “lack of interest and not investigating” Adani’s alleged undisclosed web of Mauritius and offshore shell entities.

Here is a timeline of how the Adani-Hindenburg saga has unfolded over the last one-and-a-half years.

On January 24, 2023, Hindenburg Research released a report titled, “Adani Group: How The World’s 3rd Richest Man Is Pulling the Largest Con in Corporate History”. Following the release of the report Adani group stocks tanked by up to 10 per cent.

The report came during the period when Adani Enterprises issued Rs 20,000 crore follow-on public offer (FPO).

The Hindenburg report also alleged that SEBI had launched investigations of transactions done by the Adani Group, but it had gone nowhere after over one and a half years of investigations, due to political pressure.

On January 26, the Adani group responded to the claims, stating they were “baseless” allegations meant to bring down their share price. Shares of Adani Enterprises and other group companies fell substantially. The report led to major losses for the company and the retail investors.

On January 31, 2023, Adani Enterprises FPO was fully subscribed 1.12 times.

In February 2023, a PIL was filed at the Supreme Court asking to set up a committee to investigate the claims of Hindenburg Research

On March 2, 2023, the Supreme Court asked SEBI to complete the probe of the allegations made in the report within two months to find whether stock price manipulation and other financial irregularities had taken place.

The apex court also set up a six-member panel of experts to investigate the matter and report to the court.

On March 8, the six-member expert panel submitted its initial report before the Supreme Court in a sealed cover. The report says there was “no evident pattern of manipulation” in Adani’s group of companies and there was also no regulatory failure.

On May 17, 2023, the court extended the time for SEBI to produce their investigation report on August 14, after SEBI pleaded that it is difficult to complete the probe in two months as getting information from external agencies takes time.

The market regulator on August 14 asked the apex court to grant 15 more days to file its report. Finally, SEBI filed an affidavit on August 25, which says that out of its 24 investigations in the Adani-Hindenburg matter, 22 are final in nature, and 2 are interim. SEBI is awaiting responses from external agencies on two probes. The interim probes had covered 13 overseas entities of Adani’s companies. It has further sought details from five countries on FPI investment.

On November 24, the apex court reserved its verdict after hearing a batch of pleas on the allegations made in the Hindenburg report against Adani.

In January 2024, the Supreme Court dismissed a plea asking for a probe by the CBI into the allegations against the Adani group. The court said that it is the sole jurisdiction of the SEBI to look into matters of market regulation and stock price manipulation. The Supreme Court also asked SEBI to complete its probe in another three months.

Gautam Adani on January 3, 2024, posted on X saying, “The Hon’ble Supreme Court’s judgement shows that: Truth has prevailed. Satyameva Jayate. I am grateful to those who stood by us. Our humble contribution to India’s growth story will continue. Jai Hind.”

By June 2024, Adani group companies’ share prices recovered to their pre-Hindenburg report prices.

On July 2, 2024, Hindenburg revealed that SEBI had slapped a show cause notice to them alleging violation of Indian regulations. It said that SEBI has accused them of sharing its findings on the Adani group with a New York-based hedge fund manager and allowed him to trade with this information.

Hindenburg Research denied SEBI’s claims and said that this was an attempt to silence them for exposing corruption against those with political high-ups.

On Saturday, August 10, 2024, Hindenburg Research posted a cryptic message on X saying, “Something big soon India”.

The same day, they released a report that claimed that SEBI chief Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch had investments in an offshore firm used in the Adani money siphoning case.

The report also alleged that the SEBI chairperson’s involvement showed a lack of transparency in the market regulator when it came to investigating the Adani group.

The next day on August 11, SEBI chief Madhabi Buch and her husband released a joint statement, calling the report baseless and saying that their financial records were an open book.

In a detailed joint statement issued later in the day by Madhabi Buch and husband Dhaval Buch rejected all allegations of Hindenburg as baseless.

The statement said that investments in the funds were made of their corporate jobs earnings, from salaries, bonuses and ESOPs. Investments in the alleged firm were made because the CIO of the fund Anil Ahuja was Dhaval Buch’s childhood friend and had nothing to do with Adani’s.

Before that alleged fund 360 One Wam also informed the exchanges through a filing that, the fund operated between 2013 and 2019 and they had zero investment in any Adani group companies. It also informed that 90 per cent of the fund was invested in debts.

On Sunday Adani Group also released an official statement, stating, “We completely reject these allegations against the Adani Group which are a recycling of discredited claims that have been thoroughly investigated, proven to be baseless and already dismissed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in January 2024.”

The day ended with a late evening unusual press release by SEBI asking the investors to be calm and do due diligence before taking a call on their investments. Experts also suggest investors to be cautious as markets may be volatile when open on Monday.


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

Rape and murder of doctor in Kolkata: FORDA calls for nationwide strike demanding justice for victim in RG Kar Medical College case

ANI
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Rape and murder of doctor in Kolkata: FORDA calls for nationwide strike demanding justice for victim in RG Kar Medical College case

A meeting was held between all the Delhi RDAs and members of the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) regarding the nationwide strike call and demands for justice for the tragic death of a second-year PG resident at RG Kar Medical College.

During the meeting, they discussed and demanded CBI inquiry, fast track court, removal of the principal of RG Kar Medical College, and the formation of the Central Protection Act Committee, said FORDA in a statement.

The tragic incident, which occurred on August 9, has led to widespread outrage and protests.

Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College, and Maulana Azad Medical College in the national capital will suspend elective services in solidarity.

The tragic incident has ignited a political storm in West Bengal. On August 10, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee proposed introducing an ordinance or bill for expedited rape trials, criticising the politicisation of the issue.

On Saturday, August 10, a group of doctors at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhopal, in Madhya Pradesh, held a candlelight march to protest the death of a female post-graduate trainee (PGT) at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in West Bengal’s Kolkata.

Similarly, doctors at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi also protested, demanding a CBI inquiry into the incident. Protesters carried posters and chanted slogans such as, “We want a CBI inquiry.”

Meanwhile, in the wake of the rape and murder of a female post-graduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, the West Bengal government has appointed Professor Dr Bulbul Mukhopadhyay as the new Medical Superintendent cum Vice-Principal of the college.

Dr Mukhopadhyay, currently a Professor of Physiology at the college, replaces the former Medical Superintendent cum Vice-Principal, who has been transferred to Kolkata National Medical College as a Professor in Physiology.


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

Bangladesh: Muhammad Yunus, interim govt chief advisor, ‘acquitted’ in bribe case, 4 days after he was ‘acquitted’ in a labour law violation case

Nupur J Sharma
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Bangladesh: Muhammad Yunus, interim govt chief advisor, ‘acquitted’ in bribe case, 4 days after he was ‘acquitted’ in a labour law violation case

Bangladesh Chief Advisor, Muhammad Yunus was acquitted in a bribe case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over the misappropriation of funds from the Grameen Telecom Workers and Employees Welfare Fund, Bangladesh-based daily, Dhaka Tribune reported.

As per the report by Dhaka Tribune Justice Md Rabiul Alam of the Dhaka Special Judge’s Court-4 on Sunday pronounced the verdict after the ACC sought to withdraw the case filed under the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Health Advisor and Managing Director of Grameen Shikkha, a non-profit organization, Nurjahan Begum, was also accused in the graft case, Dhaka Tribune reported.

This move comes four days after Yunus was acquitted in another case of labour law violation, as per Dhaka Tribune.

On August 7, the Labour Appellate Tribunal overturned the six-month jail sentences of Yunus in a case filed over the violation of the labour law, Dhaka Tribune stated.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan stepped down from his post as the head of Bangladesh Judiciary. The resignation came in the face of the tumultuous situation in the country, Dhaka Tribune reported.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Advisor Prof Asif Nazrul made the announcement in a video on Facebook on Saturday.

“I feel it is necessary to share a special news with you. Our chief justice has reigned few minutes back. His resignation letter has already reached at the law ministry. We will send it to the president without delay for taking necessary measures,” he said in a video message in his Facebook post.

In his resignation letter, Obaidul Hassan wrote: “To protect the Supreme Court building and its records, to protect the court premises, to protect the homes of the judges, to protect the Judges Tower, to protect the judges from physical assault, and to protect the district courts and record rooms, I had to make this decision,” Dhaka Tribune stated. 

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

Pakistan: Salman Waheed caught digging recently-buried grave of a woman and sexually abusing her corpse, admits raping several dead women in the graveyard

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan: Salman Waheed caught digging recently-buried grave of a woman and sexually abusing her corpse, admits raping several dead women in the graveyard

On Friday (9th August), Karachi Police arrested a 40-year-old man who ‘confessed’ to desecrating recently-buried graves and sexually abusing dead women at the Korangi graveyard in Karachi, ARY News reported citing police. For those unversed, committing sex with corpses is called necrophilia. According to the police, the accused confessed that he desecrated four graves of women and subjected their dead bodies to sexual abuse. The locals caught him desecrating the grave of a recently buried 55-year-old woman. They thrashed him before handing over to the Police. 

Speaking to a TV channel, crime reporter Tahir Abbas identified the accused as Salman Waheed. 

The Police added that the accused, who was arrested from Bagh Korangi Cemetery, confessed to the crime and revealed a shocking tale of sexual abuse and desecration of female graves. According to the Police, accused Saleem used to target fresh graves of women, exhume bodies, and commit sexual abuse.

In a statement, the Korangi police stated that the accused was arrested “on the rape charge” in the Bagh-i-Korangi graveyard. 

Based on the complaint submitted by the son of the deceased woman, the Awami Colony police registered a case against the accused under sections 297 (trespassing on burial places, etc), 376 (punishment for rape) and 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

As per a person’s complaint stated in the FIR, he had buried his mother in the graveyard on Thursday evening. At around 10:30 pm, he learned that the accused desecrated the grave and molested the body. However, some of the locals caught him and thrashed him. They then handed him over to the local police. The FIR states that the accused was found using an emergency light to commit the heinous crime.

During interrogation, he told the police that he used to keep an eye on the burials of women, and during nights he dug up graves to commit the heinous crime against the dead.

Strikingly, the accused was arrested 8 years ago as well for committing similar crimes in a graveyard in Korangi. In 2016, he was apprehended by locals from a graveyard in Korangi No.01.

Meanwhile, Police Surgeon Summaiya Syed told Dawn that the accused was brought to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for a medical examination. Additionally, the deceased victim’s body was exhumed and a post-mortem examination was conducted on the victim’s body. In Police oversight, DNA samples were also collected from the deceased woman’s son. The relatives of the deceased woman later re-buried her dead body.

Earlier on 22nd June, a shocking incident came to light from Lahore. Hours after the burial, the body of a three-month-old child went missing from the grave. The horrific incident occurred in Miani Sahib Graveyard, Lahore. The child’s father, Abdul Rahman found that the body of the child went missing from the grave the next day, finding the shroud outside. He then alerted the police. 

Subsequently, the Police arrested three individuals, including a security guard, in connection with the offense. According to the FIR, the incident occurred on 23rd April this year.

It is pertinent to note that numerous cases of necrophilia have been reported from Pakistan.

Cases of necrophilia

In May 2022, some unknown men dug out the corpse of a teenage girl and raped it in the Chak Kamala village in Gujrat, Pakistan. The deputy secretary-general of the Pakistan Muslim League (PMLN) had shared that 17 suspects were being interrogated in that case.

In August 2021, a case of necrophilia came to light from the Thatta district. Some unknown men had dug out the corpse of a freshly-buried 14-year-old girl who had died of natural causes. They raped the teenage girl’s corpse. The incident took place in Maulvi Ashraf Chandio village near coastal town Ghulamullah.

In December 2020, a teenage boy in Lahore confessed in police custody that he committed necrophilia after murdering his seven-year-old cousin at a village in Mohlanwal area and then dumped her body in a pond.

In 2019, OpIndia also reported about in similar crime wherein a group of unidentified men dug up the grave of a woman in a graveyard in Karachi’s Landhi Town area and raped the dead body.

A stomach turning case was reported in 2011. The North Nazimabad police station official informed that an arrested accused identified as Mohammad Riaz confessed to having defiled the corpses of 48 women in the Paposh Nagar graveyard in the last eight years.

Amid a major concern of necrophilia in Pakistan, a writ petition was filed in Lahore High Court to stop necrophilia through strict laws and policies. A lawyer named Syeda Izzat Fatima submitted in her petition that there had been numerous reported and unreported incidents in Pakistan where individuals had been caught molesting dead bodies but there were no specific laws to charge the culprits. 

She had also cited the case of Mohammad Riyaz who was accused of molesting 48 bodies in Karachi’s North Nazimabad Town.

Incidentally, apart from Pakistan, an Afghan woman who came over to India had revealed that the Taliban commit the heinous act of indulging in sex with dead bodies. The woman, called Muskan by News18, worked in the police force in Afghanistan and came to India due to fear of the Taliban. 

She revealed that the Taliban either picked up women or shot them. According to her, they want women from every family.

‘S**e, C***ar, you will stop us’: Muslim mob hurls casteist abuses and assault Dalits with sharp weapons; incident from native area of Chandrashekhar ‘Ravan’ 

OpIndia Staff
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‘S**e, C***ar, you will stop us’: Muslim mob hurls casteist abuses and assault Dalits with sharp weapons; incident from native area of Chandrashekhar ‘Ravan’ 

In Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, people from the Dalit community have accused a Muslim mob of attacking them with weapons and brutally assaulting them. It is also alleged that the accused hurled casteist abuses at them and threatened to kill them. During the attack, the accused also targeted a woman. 3 people have suffered serious injuries in the attack and they have been admitted to the hospital.

Based on the complaints of the victims, the Police have registered a case against 5 accused including Ishaq, Sahil and Asghar. The incident took place on Friday (9th August 2024) in the home district of Bhim Army chief and MP Chandrashekhar ‘Ravan’. 

The incident pertains to a village Khera Afghan in the Nakur police station area of Saharanpur. On Friday (9th August), Rajesh Kumar, who belongs to the Scheduled Caste Jatav community, lodged a complaint with the police in this matter. 

In the complaint, he stated that recently one of his inverters was stolen. On 9th August, his brother Dayaram asked questions in this regard from Asghar’s son Ajju, Ayyub’s son Shibbu, Ishaq, Sahil and Asghar. This infuriated the accused and all of them started hurling abuses at Dayaram.   

When he asked them to stop abusing him, they brought sticks and shovels from their houses and started brutally assaulting Dayaram. During this time, a villager named Rishipal who was passing by, tried to intervene and briefly stopped the accused from assaulting Dayaram. 

It is alleged that sometime later, Ajju, Shibbu, Sahil, Asghar and Ishaq reached Rishipal’s house and they had weapons in their hands. The accused started hurling abuses at Rishipal and when he tried to stop them, they hurled casteist slurs and said, “S**e, C**m*r, you will stop us?” and brutally assaulted him. Rishipal’s brother Karthik and his aunt Anita attempted to save him from the attackers. But the attackers also launched an attack on them and assaulted them mercilessly. After hearing the commotion and the cries of the victims, villagers started gathering there which forced the accused to run away. However, before fleeing the crime scene, they gave death threats to the victims. All the three injured victims have been admitted to the hospital for treatment.

In his complaint, Rajesh Kumar has demanded strict action against the five accused – Ajju, Shibbu, Ishaq, Asghar and Sahil. 

Based on his complaint, the police have registered an FIR against the five accused under sections 191 (2), 115 (2), 352, 333 and 351 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) along with SC/ST Act. OpIndia has accessed a copy of the FIR. 

It is pertinent to note that the the place where the incident unfolded is the native district of Bhim Army chief and MP Chandrashekhar Ravan.  

Allegation inappropriate, 23 out of 24 probes into Adani group completed, agendas and outcomes of all meetings published: SEBI rejects fresh Hindenburg charges

ANI
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Allegation inappropriate, 23 out of 24 probes into Adani group completed, agendas and outcomes of all meetings published: SEBI rejects fresh Hindenburg charges

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has urged investors to remain calm and conduct thorough research before reacting to the Hindenburg Research report.

“Investors should remain calm and exercise due diligence before reacting to such reports. Investors may also like to take note of the disclaimer in the report that states that readers should assume that Hindenburg Research may have short positions in the securities covered in the report,” the SEBI said in a statement.

The late evening release of SEBI refutes the charges made by the US-based short seller and says “the allegations made by Hindenburg Research, against the Adani Group, have been duly investigated by SEBI.”

It further adds that even the apex court in its order has noted that SEBI has completed the investigations in 22 out of 24 cases.

“Hon’ble Supreme Court in its Order of January 3, 2024, noted that SEBI had completed twenty-two out of twenty-four investigations into the Adani group. Subsequently, one more investigation was completed in March 2024, and one remaining investigation is close to completion.”

SEBI statement says the ongoing investigation in the last case is also about to complete.

“…in this matter, more than 100 summons, around 1,100 letters and emails have been issued to seek information. Further, more than 100 communications have been made seeking assistance from domestic/foreign regulators and external agencies. Also, more than 300 documents containing around 12,000 pages have been examined.”

SEBI says as per the rule on the completion of investigations, before initiating enforcement proceedings, show cause notices are issued and an opportunity is given for a hearing to the parties.

“Pursuant to the completion of investigations, SEBI initiates enforcement proceedings which are quasi-judicial in nature. This comprises issuing of show cause notice and giving of opportunity of hearing which culminates in the passing of a speaking order. Such order is then made available in the public domain. Where investigations have been completed, enforcement proceedings initiated are ongoing and appropriate actions are being taken in accordance with the applicable securities laws.”

As a policy measure, SEBI refrains from commenting on any investigation or ongoing enforcement matter.

SEBI says the show cause notice issued to Hindenburg Research on June 27, 2024, was issued following the due process of law for violation of securities laws

“It is noted that Hindenburg Research has itself made the show cause notice issued to it available on its website. The show cause notice contains the reasons for its issuance. The proceedings in this matter are ongoing and the same is being dealt with in accordance with the established procedure and in compliance with the principles of natural justice.”

On charges of SEBI’s (REIT) regulations had benefitted large multinational financial conglomerate SEBI says, REIT regulations were amended from time to time and implemented after a robust consultation process from the stakeholders.

“As with all cases involving introduction of a new regulation or amendment to an existing regulation, a robust consultation process for seeking inputs and feedback of the industry, investors, intermediaries, relevant Advisory Committee and the public at large is in place. Only after consultation, a proposal for introduction of a new regulation or change in the existing regulation is placed for the consideration of and deliberation of the SEBI Board. Regulations are notified after approval of the SEBI Board. As a measure of transparency, the agenda papers for Board meetings and outcomes of Board discussions are also published on SEBI website.”

Hence, claims that such regulations, or circulars issued related to REITs were to favor one large multinational financial conglomerate, are inappropriate.

The market regulator further adds that for the development of the Indian securities market, SEBI has underscored the potential of REITs, SM REITs, InvITs and municipal bonds amongst other assets and they are highlighted in the latest SEBIs Annual Report

Therefore, the claim that promoting REITs and SM REITs among various other asset classes by SEBI was only for benefitting one large multinational financial conglomerate, is inappropriate.

The release also said that SEBI chairperson has recused herself in matters involving conflicts of rule.

“it is emphasized that SEBI has adequate internal mechanisms for addressing issues relating to conflict of interest, which include disclosure framework and provision for recusal. It is noted that relevant disclosures required in terms of holdings of securities and their transfers have been made by the Chairperson from time to time. Chairperson has also recused herself in matters involving potential conflicts of interest.”

The market regulator has over the years built a robust regulatory framework that aligns with best global practices and also ensures protection of investors.

A day after US-based short seller Hindenburg Research alleged that SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch had stakes in “both the obscure offshore entities used in the Adani money siphoning scandal,” the SEBI Chairperson and her husband in their personal capacity issued a detailed statement rejecting the allegations.

This followed a brief statement issued by them earlier on Sunday where they had accused Hindenburg of tarnishing their reputation.

Earlier on Saturday, the US-based firm Hindenburg Research alleged that SEBI’s Chairperson Madhabi Buch and her husband had a stake in “both the obscure offshore entities used in the Adani money siphoning scandal.”

In January 2023, Hindenburg published a report accusing the Adani Group of financial irregularities, leading to a significant drop in the company’s stock price. The group at the time had rubbished these claims.

In January 2024, the Supreme Court refused to transfer the probe into the allegations of stock price manipulation by the Adani group to an SIT and directed market regulator SEBI to complete its probe into two pending cases within three months.

Earlier this year the SC also dismissed a plea seeking to review the verdict that had sought investigation by the market watchdog SEBI in the Adani-Hindenburg case.

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

Media will be shut down if it indulges in sycophancy: Bangladesh Interim government warns media, accuses them of flattering Sheikh Hasina govt during protests

OpIndia Staff
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Media will be shut down if it indulges in sycophancy: Bangladesh Interim government warns media, accuses them of flattering Sheikh Hasina govt during protests

On Sunday (11th August), the Interim Government of Bangladesh issued a stern warning to media organisations and threatened a complete shutdown if it indulges in sycophancy. Notably, Home Affairs Adviser to the Interim government, Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain warned that the media outlets would face closure if they indulged in flattery/sycophancy or provided misleading news. This serves as a chilling effect as he also blamed local media for not reporting the truth and flattering the Sheikh Hasina government during ‘student’ protests.

On Sunday, Hossain briefed the media after visiting injured police personnel at the Rajarbagh Police Hospital at 12:30 PM. He claimed that during the recent protests, the Bangladeshi media repeatedly said, ‘nothing happened, nothing happened’. “I saw everything from the BBC but not our media. Shame on you. Shame on the Media Owners,” he said. 

The Home Affairs Adviser criticised the Bangladeshi media for not presenting the truth. He said, “A country deteriorates when the media fails to report honestly.” He argued that had the media accurately reported events, the current situation involving the police might have been avoided.

He added, “The media often ignores the truth…There is a lack of substantive discussion on talk shows, and the media fails to provide accurate information.” 

The Home Affairs Adviser added, ‘Whatever happened before, no one will be allowed to indulge in flattery again. Media will work independently. Even then, those media who will be indulging in sycophancy/flattery will be closed. I repeat, I will shut down the media hall of flattery.”

He further stated, “The politics of Bangladesh has been turned into the politics of flattery. It has damaged the country. You don’t make politicians, you make flatterers/sycophants. Made such flattery that – people are dying, but they say, ‘No, everything is fine’. Politics cannot be done with such sycophants. Those who are doing politics, they cannot leave politics. Avoid flattery.”

Additionally, the Interim government’s adviser for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, Nahid Islam said that officials who were involved in the internet shutdown during the recent student protests will face consequences, the Daily Star newspaper reported.

He made these remarks while speaking with reporters on the first day of joining his office at the Secretariat on Sunday. He said that access to the internet is a right and disrupting or shutting it down is a violation of human rights. He claimed that the indiscriminate internet shutdowns will no longer be tolerated.

Meanwhile, according to the newly-appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Mainul Islam, at least 42 members of the police force were killed and scores were injured in clashes during the recent protests that resulted in Sheikh Hasina’s ouster. According to the Daily Star newspaper, he said that over 500 police personnel were injured and took treatment at the hospital. Islam added that more than two dozen police personnel are still undergoing treatment.

West Bengal: Main accused in Kolkata doctor’s rape and murder case arrested, man in Bardhaman threatens woman trainee doctor of the same fate

OpIndia Staff
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West Bengal: Main accused in Kolkata doctor’s rape and murder case arrested, man in Bardhaman threatens woman trainee doctor of the same fate

The accused in the brutal rape and murder of a post-graduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata was arrested by the police on 10th August. Reportedly, the accused identified as Sanjoy Roy has confessed to the crime. He was an outsider who was frequent visitor at the premises of the hospital. He was sent to police remand for 14 days. Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal said, “This is a heinous crime, and the arrested person is allegedly involved based on circumstantial evidence, including accounts of the other doctors present during night-duty hours.”

Police found porn videos on the accused’s phone. He was identified as a civic volunteer, member of a group that was formed in West Bengal to support the police. It was also part of the Police Welfare Board. This was the reason he got easy access to the hospital premises. During the investigation, he was seen entering the hospital at around 4 AM.

According to reports, when the accused entered the hospital on the day of the incident, he was wearing earphones. However, while leaving the hospital, the earphones were missing and were seized by the police. The earphones helped the police to trace the culprit. The accused has been booked under Sections 64 and 103 of BNS.

Mamata government vows to seek the death penalty for the accused

Speaking on the matter, Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee vowed she would seek the death penalty for the accused. TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee had called for “capital punishment or encounter” of the accused of such crimes.

Man threatens doctor of the same fate as Kolkata Rape and Murder victim

On 10th August, a man in the Purba Bardhaman district of West Bengal was arrested by the police for allegedly threatening a woman medic of a similar fate as the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College of Kolkata. The man was arrested after doctors and nurses of the state-run Bhatar State General Hospital staged a protest and demanded the arrest of the accused.

A district health official said in a statement that the patient, Susanta Roy, allegedly threatened the attending doctor that if the medic did not treat him properly, “he would ensure the same treatment as the woman doctor of R G Kar Hospital in Kolkata witnessed.”

The official added, “The doctor, as part of her duty and medical ethics, did not stop the treatment, and she discussed the matter with other staffers. Today, they came in a group to the CMOH office and demanded punishment of the man and security for the health personnel.”

Police officials in a statement to India Today said, “We have learnt the accused went to Bhatar state-run hospital for treatment and threatened the lady doctor for being late to start his treatment. The lady accused the civic volunteer of threatening her, saying, ‘Did you see what happened at RG Kar Medical College Hospital? It can happen to you too.”

Kolkata Rape and Murder Case

On 9th August, a woman doctor was found dead in a government college under mysterious circumstances. The incident is said to have happened on the third floor of the emergency building of RG Kar Medical College in West Bengal’s Kolkata on Friday morning. The victim who was a second-year postgraduate student of RG Kar Medical College, was found dead inside the Seminar Hall on the 3rd floor of the campus.As per the police, the woman had gone to the third-floor seminar hall to have dinner.

A day after the incident, the preliminary post-mortem report confirmed that she was raped before the murder. The four-page autopsy report revealed that the woman had bleeding from her private parts. Additionally, she also had injury marks on other parts of her body. The Police stated that the autopsy report has also ruled out suicide. Subsequently, they have registered a case at the Tala Police Station. A police officer told PTI, “This is definitely not a case of suicide; the woman was murdered following sexual assault.”

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