Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) MLC Suraj Revanna was brought to the Crime Investigation Department office of the Karnataka Police in Bengaluru on Sunday in connection with the ongoing probe into an alleged sexual assault case.
Karnataka Police arrested Suraj Revanna, who is the son of former Karnataka Minister HD Revanna, earlier in the day for alleged sexual assault on a male party worker. The case was later transferred to the CID for further investigation.
According to the police FIR, Revanna has been charged under sections 377 (carnal intercourse against the order of nature), 342 (wrongful confinement), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC for the offense allegedly committed on June 16 as per the complaint.
A counter FIR has been registered against the complainant JD(S) worker and his brother-in-law on the complaint filed by the personal assistant of Suraj Revanna for allegedly threatening and blackmailing the MLC with false allegations of sexual assault. The FIR has been filed under sections 384 (extortion) and 506 (criminal intimidation).
Suraj Revanna’s arrest comes days after his younger brother and former JD-S MP Prajwal Revanna was remanded to judicial custody by a special court in Bengaluru over separate allegations of sexually assaulting multiple women.
He was sent to judicial custody for 14 days by the 42nd Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Court on June 10. Prajwal Revanna and Suraj Revanna are the grandchildren of JD-S patriarch and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday registered an FIR in the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG exam after the Union Education Ministry handed over the case to it.
“The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a criminal case based on a written complaint from the Director of the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Govt of India, New Delhi,” said a statement issued by the CBI.
It further states, “The allegations in the FIR state that the NEET(UG) 2024 Examination was conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on 5th May 2024 at 4,750 centres in 571 cities, including 14 cities abroad, with over 23 lakh candidates appearing for the examination. The complaint further alleges that certain isolated incidents occurred in a few States during the conduct of the NEET(UG) 2024 examination.”
CBI REGISTERS CASE IN THE MATTER RELATED TO ALLEGATIONS OF IRREGULARITIES IN NEET-2024 EXAMINATION pic.twitter.com/Bm5GbKt1F4
— Central Bureau of Investigation (India) (@CBIHeadquarters) June 23, 2024
Therefore, the Ministry of Education has requested the CBI to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the entire gamut of alleged irregularities, including conspiracy, cheating, impersonation, breach of trust, and destruction of evidence by candidates, institutes, and middlemen, including attempted irregularities. The Ministry has also requested CBI for investigation into the role of public servants, if any, connected with the conduct of the examination and also into the entire gamut of events and the larger conspiracy.
CBI further added that it has accordingly registered a criminal case and initiated an investigation. Special teams have been formed by the CBI to investigate the matter on top priority. Special CBI teams are being sent to Patna and Godhra where local police cases have been registered.
Notably, in the early hours of Sunday, the central government entrusted the matter of alleged irregularities in the NEET (UG) Examination 2024 to the CBI for a comprehensive investigation.
“National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the NEET(UG) Examination on May 5, 2024, in OMR (Pen and paper) mode. Certain cases of alleged irregularities/cheating/impersonation/malpractices have been reported. For transparency on the conduct of the examination process, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, after a review has decided to entrust the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for comprehensive investigation. Central Government has also enacted the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, to prevent unfair means in public examinations and to provide for matter connected therewith or incidental thereto,” the government said.
“The government is committed to ensuring the sanctity of examinations and protect the interest of students. It is reiterated that any individual/ organization found to be involved will face strictest action,” it added.
The National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducted the NEET-UG exams, is facing criticism over alleged irregularities in the exams. This resulted in several protests across the country, with protestors and political parties demanding to disband the NTA.
An unprecedented 67 candidates achieved a perfect score of 720 marks out of 720, which added to the concerns.
The Ministry of Education said it has constituted a high-level committee of experts to make recommendations on reforms in the mechanism of the examination process, improvements in data security protocols and the functioning of the NTA.
The 7-member committee, led by ISRO former chairman Dr K. Radhakrishnan, will submit its report to the ministry in the next two months.
“In order to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations through the National Testing Agency (NTA), the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education constituted a High-Level Committee of Experts to make recommendations on reform in the mechanism of examination process improvement in data security protocols and the structure and functioning of National Testing Agency,” the ministry said.
On 21st June, violence erupted in the Sursagar police station area of Jodhpur after Hindus protested against attempts by radical Islamists to open a gate at an Eidgah opposite a Hanuman Mandir. Following the violence, the local administration has imposed Section 144. Reportedly, the conflict between the two sides led to arson and stone-pelting resulting in injuries and property damage. A Hindu woman has lost vision in one of her eyes.
A shop and a tractor were set ablaze during the violence. Several police officials also sustained injuries. Police had to use lathi-charge to control the violence. A Hindu woman identified as Lajwanti Gehlot was hit by a stone during the violence when she tried to fetch her grandson from the outside amidst the clash. She sustained an injury to her eye and was rushed to the hospital where the doctor informed her that she had lost vision in the injured eye.
Later, Lajwanti recorded her statement at the Sursagar police station. A medical examination was done on the matter. Furthermore, one of the police personnel sustained serious injuries and had to undergo surgery. Reports suggest that the police personnel is now stable and recovering.
On 22nd June, a faction reached the Collectorate and alleged that some individuals entered their homes and assaulted family members. Women were also harassed by the miscreants. Several families alleged they were assaulted despite they were not involved in the conflict. Some of them were reportedly taken away forcefully.
Following the incident, heavy police force was deployed in the region. Jodhpur Police are using drones for surveillance to identify the perpetrators and locate stones placed on the rooftops. When police went to check the CCTV cameras in the area, they found that the wires of some of the cameras were cut. The situation is however under control but the tension remains.
Speaking to the media, Jodhpur West Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajesh Kumar Yadav said that two police personnel sustained injuries during the violence. Two FIRs were registered in the matter based on the complaints received from both sides. 200 people were named in the FIRs and 45 of them were arrested by the time this report was published. Seven of the arrested individuals were from the Hindu community. Police are conducting raids to arrest the remaining suspects.
Section 144 was imposed in Sursagar, Pratapnagar, Pratapnagar Sadar, Devnagar, and Rajiv Gandhi Nagar police station areas from 6 AM on 22nd June. Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Alok Srivastava issued orders prohibiting people from carrying weapons and warned that strict action would be taken against those who try to incite religious discord.
Background of the Incident in Jodhpur
The violence erupted from a longstanding dispute between Hindu and Muslim communities over a gate being constructed at Eidgah near Rajaram Circle in Sursagar. The new gate is being opposed by the Hindu community as it’s in proximity to the Hanuman Temple. The construction of the gate sparked similar controversy 15 years ago and the project was halted.
On the evening of 21st June, one faction broke the previous agreement and resumed construction of the gate. When Hindus learned about it they gathered and staged protests. The two communities sat together and concluded that the gate would not be constructed. However, radicals in the Muslim community insisted that they would open the gate at any cost.
The arguments between the two communities led to the instances of clashing late at night. Stones were pelted for over two hours during the violence. One shop and tractor were burnt. A jeep was damaged. The authorities are monitoring the situation closely and have ensured that the law and order situation is under control.
On 21st June, two masked men splattered Sarat Pattanayak, the president of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee with ink at the party’s state headquarters in Bhubaneswar after which the party leaders including Pattanayak accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of carrying out the deed. However, on 23rd June, the party admitted that it was carried by its own leaders, and suspended five party office bearers over the incident.
In a notification issued on 22 June, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee suspended Prakash Mishra, general secretary of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC), Shriyasmita Panda, general secretary of Odisha Pradesh Mahila Congress, Sandip Routray, secretary of National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), Amresh Parida, state secretary of Youth Congress and Aryan Sasmal, state secretary of National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) in relation to the ink attack.
In the notification, OPCC disciplinary action committee chairman Santosh Singh Saluja said that the action was taken against the five office bearers on the basis of CCTV footage. Although two masked individuals had carried out the act, the party suspended 5 leaders, which means the others were also involved in the act.
The notice said, “On last 21.6.2024, Friday a disturbing incident occurred in Congress Bhawan President’s Chamber by some office bearers and Padadhikari of the party which is very indiscipline and damage the image of the party. Based on TV footage, for such antiparty and indiscipline activities Sarat Pattanayak, president of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee has expelled the congress persons for a period of 6 years.” It was signed by Santosh Singh Saluja, chairman of the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) Disciplinary Action Committee.
Ink Attack on #Odisha PCC president Sarat Pattanayak: 5 Congress workers expelled from the party for 6 years pic.twitter.com/55ks36idST
Notably, some workers of the Youth Congress entered the party president’s office around 11.30 am on 21 June and vandalized the Congress Bhavan in addition to defacing Sarat Pattanayak’s chamber door. They also splashed blue ink on Sarat Pattanayak’s clothes, before absconding from the location. The Congress party then claimed that the attack was planned by the BJP. The president of Odisha Congress alleged that he had sustained a minor injury to his left eye.
Sarat Pattanayak later told journalists, “I am not scared by such incidents. Those jealous of the Congress’s growth in the state are behind it. The BJP or other conspirators behind these cowardly acts can’t halt our progress.” He further claimed, “As per the directions of AICC (All India Congress Committee), we were on our way to stage protests with students to expose the NEET scam under the ruling NDA government. However, a few miscreants threw ink at me. I don’t know if they had added acid, mobile, or any other substance to it because my eyes are burning. There is nothing to worry about. We are not scared. We are going to strengthen the Congress organisation in Odisha.”
Attempting to silence us with ink, eggs, and stones won't deter our resolve. The BJP or other conspirators behind these cowardly acts can't halt our progress. Despite these attacks, the Congress in Odisha is growing stronger. We will persist in our fight and protest against the… pic.twitter.com/dUffreRECc
The Congress leader added that the public is aware of the attacks he has experienced since the beginning of his political career, even while he was still a student. The Congress party expressed concern and disapproval at the incident and believed that the BJP or other opposing elements were behind it. Later, the Congressman took part in a protest against purported anomalies in the manner in which the NEET-UG 2024 exam was administered. Congress spokesperson Biswaranjan Mohanty also declared that a probe would be carried out into the matter and the necessary steps would be taken.
On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party countered the allegations and its spokesperson Dilip Mallik argued that the occurrence resulted from a conflict within the Congress. He charged, “The ink attack was a reflection of anger among Congress workers against Pattanayak. Congress is pointing fingers at other parties in a bid to gain sympathy.” Now, the allegation of BJP has come true as the Congress party admitted that the ink attack was done by its own party leaders.
In a glaring example of compromising on ‘sovereign affairs and decisions’ for its nation-state, Pakistan has launched a new ‘anti-terror operation’, seemingly acting on Beijing’s dictation. The military operation has been dubbed ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ and it has the stated aim of eliminating terrorism across the country.
The Apex Committee of National Action Plan, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, held a meeting on Sunday (22nd June) and decided to launch Operation ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’. Pakistani media reported that through this operation the security forces will try to eliminate extremism and terrorism from the Islamic country.
While it is claimed that the operation will be launched across the country, its focus is expected to be especially on Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Most of the attacks in Pakistan happen in this region. According to the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) Q1 2024 Security Report, at least 92% of all fatalities and 86% of attacks, including those related to terrorism and security forces operations, were recorded in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces in the first quarter of 2024, a Pakistani outlet reported.
It is pertinent to note that Baloch rebels have attacked many Chinese projects inside Pakistan. As a result, China has suffered the loss of life and property. Many of the projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in this area have been closed or adversely affected because of Baloch insurgents. Baloch rebels see these Chinese projects as an occupation of their land.
Consequently, following the death of its five Chinese Engineers in an attack in March this year and similar casualties in earlier attacks, China mounted pressure on Pakistan to act as per its dictation to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals.
Incidentally, according to Pakistani media, the National Action Plan committee chaired by the Pakistani PM also reviewed measures to ensure foolproof security for Chinese nationals in Pakistan. Following the prime minister’s approval, new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were also issued to enhance the security framework for Chinese citizens in the country.
Pakistan succumbs to Chinese pressure, acts on Beijing’s dictation to launch military operation to protect ‘Chinese interests’
Apparently, the new military operation is in line with the “dictation of the Chinese government”. Notably, Pakistan launched the military operation weeks after OpIndia had reported that China was mounting immense pressure on economically strained Pakistan to accept its several humiliating demands.
Recently, a high-level meeting was held between China and its ‘vassal state’-Pakistan, regarding the safety of Chinese citizens in the Islamic nation. During the meeting, China had asked Pakistan to launch a military operation in Balochistan and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region to “protect Chinese interests”, along the lines of the infamous ‘Operation Zarb-e-Azb’. But the details of it were tightly held and were blackened out by Pakistani media outlets. However, OpIndia highlighted how the details shared in a retracted report in Business Recorder were mentioned in different phrasing in Pakistan and China. It was then said that Pakistan had rejected the demand for a military operation.
But now after the announcement of a new “anti-terror” operation, there is a growing concern that a renewed purge of the Baloch people may take place as had previously taken place during Operation Zarb-e-Azb.
Operation Zarb-e-Azb was about subjugating locals and carrying out extra-judicial killings of regional ethnic-nationals
The operation Zarb-e-Azb was launched on 15th June 2014 in the North Waziristan area along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. While Pakistan claimed that it was a counter-terror operation, several questions were raised about its effectiveness and exacerbating Human suffering in the region including increased allegations of extra-judicial killings, forced displacements, and allowing pro-Pakistani Jihadi groups to flourish.
According to German outlet DW, Aqil Shah, a Pakistani expert and the Wick Cary Assistant Professor of International Affairs at the University of Oklahoma, had said that there was a fundamental contradiction in the Pakistani military’s counter-terrorism approach. Shah pointed out that while the army goes after the terrorists who carried out attacks in Pakistan, it patronised those who attack its enemies.
Speaking with DW, Shah said, “The army has fought hostile factions of the TTP, but it continues to use other militant groups as proxies against archrival India.” He cited the example of the Haqqani network and the Afghan Taliban, which helped Pakistan maintain its influence over Afghanistan, as well as Lashkar-e-Taiba, which continues to plan and carry out terror attacks against India.
The same was reiterated by US Secretary of State John Kerry during his India visit. In an address in New Delhi, Kerry said, “It is clear that Pakistan has work to do in order to push harder against its indigenous groups that are engaged in extremist terrorist activities.”
He added, “They must work with us to help clear the sanctuaries of bad actors who are affecting not only relations between Pakistan and India but also our ability to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan.”
A US-based expert on political Islam, Arif Jamal said that the Zarb-e-Azb military operation was never launched to target home-grown jihadists.
Jamal told DW, “Actually, it was aimed at weakening political parties and not eliminating terrorists. Some of the top global terrorists such as Hafiz Saeed and Hizbul Mujahideen’s Yusuf Shah are openly leading public rallies, recruiting jihadists, and fundraising.”
Prominent Pakistani rights activist Asma Jahangir accused the Pakistani army of running a smear campaign against politicians. It was also seen as an effort to weaken the civilian government in the country by doing extensive PR of the Pakistani military to protect the country from terrorists.
Additionally, Pashtuns and Baloch nationals witnessed repressive measures (such as extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances, discrimination, subjugation of non-Punjabi ethnicities, and surveillance) by the country’s security forces under such programs.
Nonetheless, the new anti-terrorism operation has been dubbed a new name to distance itself from the ‘ineffectiveness’ and notoriety of Operation Zarb-e-Azb.
On June 20, in Ajmer, Rajasthan, Afzal Shah kidnapped an underage girl who was playing outside her home and absconded with her. However, the next morning on 21st June, Afzal was arrested at Ajmer railway station. Afzal Shah had arrived in Ajmer from Madhya Pradesh around a week back, and he was taking the girl back to Madhya Pradesh with him. During interrogation, the accused revealed that he abducted the minor because he wanted to marry her.
According to media reports, the case pertains to the Christian Ganj police station area of Ajmer in Rajasthan where the 34-year-old Afzal threatened the victim and abducted her. The family started looking for the girl when she didn’t return home. The culprit was apprehended by the police as they reached the railway station after getting information about the girl’s whereabouts. The cops have opened an investigation and filed a case into the matter based on the complaint of the girl’s father, a resident of Makarwali Road.
The complainant stated that his daughter was playing outside their residence but she did not return home. The family members then went around the neighbourhood in search of her. They called their relatives and asked them but could not locate her. The complainant (girl’s father) went to the bus stand in the morning while his other children went to the railway station in search of the girl. Meanwhile, complainant’s elder son learned that the girl was sitting at Ajmer railway station. He rushed there immediately and also notified the authorities. They then rescued the girl and nabbed the perpetrator.
According to the complainant, Afzal Shah grabbed his daughter and threatened to murder her if she screamed before taking her with him. The Christian Ganj police station has initiated an inquiry and registered a case against the offender under the abduction provisions in response to the complaint. Reportedly, there are cases against Afzal Shah in Madhya Pradesh as well.
The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) party in West Bengal unleashed its ‘Khela’ (game) of violence immediately after the conclusion of the last phase of Lok Sabha elections, which were held on 1st June this year.
TMC, led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has maintained its sordid record of weaponising political violence against rival political parties – a grim situation reminiscent of the 2021 Vidhan Sabha election and 2023 Panchayat election in the State.
Thousands of BJP workers have been forced to flee their homes, with many seeking refuge and temporary shelter in party offices. Harassment, assault and unspeakable atrocities against the Opposition continue unabated in West Bengal even after 3 weeks since the onset of violence.
"Don't just regret Mamata ji, take action": BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad who led a five-member fact finding team demanding security for victims who fled from their home following post poll violence to meet Governor CV Ananda Bose, reports@joymalabagchipic.twitter.com/nI117eno49
Besides targeted attacks using deadly weapons and crude bombs, TMC goons and party leaders alike resorted to other forms of intimidation against people who dared to vote for the BJP in the State.
In the meantime, the BJP has formed a 4-member fact-finding committee to probe the extent of post-poll violence in West Bengal. The Calcutta High Court has also taken cognisance of the matter and has directed the Mamata Banjerjee-led-government to ensure the safe return of BJP workers to their homes.
As political violence continues to ravage the State, OpIndia takes a deep look at the timeline of attacks on political rivals by TMC goons.
Chronology of attacks by TMC against political rivals
On Friday (21st June), the wife of an Indian Secular Front (ISF) worker was assaulted by Trinamool Congress miscreants in Bhangar in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.
As per reports, the accused mercilessly thrashed the woman and cut her hair. After the victim fell unconscious, the TMC goons left her on the spot and fled the crime scene. She was later admitted to a local hospital.
A day earlier, the dead body of a BJP worker named Sanjay Beda was returned home in Debra village in Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal.
He was killed 4 days ago on 17th June this year amid the ongoing post-poll violence in the State. The deceased’s family members have demanded strict punishment for the accused.
On Wednesday (19th June), the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of ‘BJP West Bengal’ informed that a mob of 20-30 armed TMC goons murdered the father of a BJP worker named Shashanka Maity. The incident took place in Bhupatinagar in Purba Medinipur district.
In Arjunnagar, under the Bhupatinagar police station in the Kanthi organizational district, Trinamool miscreants beat a BJP worker's father Gourhari Maity to death.
Shashanka Maity, an active BJP worker from Dhaipukuria village in the Arjunnagar region, has been in hiding since… pic.twitter.com/8C5qevqq9P
Shashanka had reportedly been hiding since the election results were announced on 4th June 2024. According to ‘BJP West Bengal’, the accused ambushed his house and assaulted his mother, wife, and sister-in-law.
When his father Gourhari Maity intervened, the armed TMC goons attacked him brutally leading to his death. There have also been testimonies of victims who suffered sexual violence at the hands of the ruling TMC leaders.
For instance, on 17th June, BJP national spokesperson Amit Malviya shared a short video clip of a woman who broke down in tears while speaking about how a TMC leader in the Sitai Assembly constituency (Cooch Behar) raped her for working for the BJP.
A woman narrates her ordeal and breaks down as the fact finding team visits Coochbehar to meet victims of post poll violence. After TMC won the seat, the Anchal Pradhan, in Sitai Assembly, raped her, just because she chose to work for the BJP. Mamata Banerjee has legitimised rape… pic.twitter.com/xL0dTByP60
“Mamata Banerjee has legitimised rape as a tool of political violence. Sheikh Shahjahan is not the only monster in TMC,” he said in his tweet.
On the same day, visuals surfaced on social media about a BJP worker injured at the hands of TMC miscreants in Udaynarayanpur in Howrah district of West Bengal.
The victim, identified as Anupam Santra, was admitted to Ulberia Hospital with serious injuries. The local BJP leadership met him at the hospital, following the incident.
It had also come to light that miscreants associated with the ruling Trinamool Congress tried to destroy the livelihood of people who supported the BJP in Sandeshkhali village in North 24 Parganas district.
On 16th June, Republic Bangla reported that local TMC goons forcibly shut down the shops and e-rickshaws (Toto) belonging to BJP workers. Forced by circumstances, they filed a complaint with the police.
“You cannot drive your vehicles here. They told us,” recounted a BJP worker.
TMC has forcefully closed the shops and other businesses of BJP workers in Sandeshkhali and is trying to starve them just because BJP got lead from here.
The crime of these BJP workers is that they actively campaigned for BJP and voted for Narendra Modi in Loksabha Elections pic.twitter.com/fw4Iz97hLx
Amid the rampant post-poll violence in the State, a crude bomb was found outside the office of the BJP in Kolkata. West Bengal has been the hub for ‘crude bomb’ cottage industry for quite some time now.
Crude bomb found outside BJP’s 6, Muralidhar Lane office, in the heart of Kolkata, just before the high profile fact finding committee formed by @JPNadda ji, looking into the post poll violence, comprising of a former Chief Minister, Cabinet Minister, DGP of UP, among others, was… pic.twitter.com/hb3JcWdZ7v
— Amit Thakur ??( Modi Ka Parivar) (@Amit_Thakur_BJP) June 16, 2024
On 16th June, TMC goons thrashed BJP workers and attacked their houses with bricks and crude bombs. They also vandalised bikes and other vehicles. The incident took place in Goaljan town in Murshidabad district of the State.
In the meantime, the residents of the Kulti neighbourhood in Asansol city had accused the ruling TMC government of cutting water supply in the area following the 2024 Lok Sabha election results.
According to locals, the government sent several water tankers to mitigate the water shortage in the area in the run-up to the crucial elections. They informed that the number of water tankers were reduced drastically after the election results.
At the same time, the availability of piped water in a day had declined from 30 minutes to a maximum of 15-20 minutes. Forced by circumstances, the residents of Kulti launched an agitation against the Mamata Banerjee-led-government to demand immediate redressal of water crisis.
The victims blocked the Asansol Barakar GT Road using fallen trees and set up barricades. They were joined by BJP MLA (Pachim Bardhaman) Ajay Kumar Poddar.
While speaking about the matter, he remarked, “Water is life. People in the area are not getting water…As a result, people are forced to hit the streets. This protest is not being carried out on the behest of any political party. Earlier four water tanks used to come daily. Now, it has been reduced to one.”
"I have sanctioned 4 cr for Mathabhanga 1 block, 10 cr for Mathabhanga 2 block.
Not a single penny is sanctioned for Coochbehar town, Dinhata town and Mathabhanga town as they gave lead to BJP "-
Coincidentally, West Bengal Minister Udayan Guha announced on 14th June that areas which did not vote substantially for the TMC would not receive money for development work.
He later tweaked his statement to assert that people who voted for the TMC would get preferential treatment over those who voted for the rival BJP.
“Let the people in the city first have the realisation that you need to give something to get something in return,” Udayan Guha cautioned BJP voters.
On 14th June, a BJP worker informed that he was abducted by Trinamool Congress members to their party office and beaten black and blue. The incident took place in Durgapur.
The victim had campaigned for former party MP and State President, Dilip Ghosh, in the run-up to the elections. He had refused to join the TMC, which reportedly irked the local party leadership. Following the assault by TMC members, the BJP worker filed a complaint with the local police.
On 9th June, ETV Bangla reported that a Congress worker named Akmal Sheikh was killed by TMC goons in Gopalpur village in Malda district. He was abducted by the accused, taken to a mango orchard and thrashed brutally.
The victim sustained grave injuries during the attack. He was later admitted to the district hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
While speaking about the matter, Malda MP Isha Khan Choudhury remarked, “We have received information that miscreants of the ruling party, led by their regional president, have committed this crime. I demand the immediate arrest of the culprits.”
On 8th June, The Indian Expressreported that BJP workers had been forced to flee their villages and homes to escape violence orchestrated by the ruling TMC government.
A BJP worker named Prasanta Haldar informed, “Election season mane amader ghor chharar season (election season for us means the season of leaving home).” He had sent his wife and children to a relative’s house. In the meantime, he has sought refuge along with 50 others at the BJP office in Baruipur.
Another party worker named Mamoni Das informed The Indian Express that TMC goons forced her out of her home in Matherdighi village in South 24 Parganas. Mamoni, who serves as the VP of the BJP Baruipur, informed that 50 TMC goons gheraoed her house on the day of Lok Sabha election result (4th June).
Similarly, TMC goons harassed another BJP worker named Bikas Roy and took away his e-rickshaw. They also ambushed his residence and issued threats. The plight of BJP workers in Kolkata was no different. About 100 of them were housed in a building near BJP’s West Bengal headquarters.
A 31-year-old Shanu Pramanik told The Indian Express, “After results were out on June 4, our houses were ransacked by TMC goons. I ran away before they could barge in. We then hid at our relative’s place, and at around 3 am today, we left and reached here at 1 pm.”
Another BJP worker named Bishnu Dhali was quick to flee his home and avoid being attacked by TMC goons. “But they severely beat up my aunt. They also ransacked our house, he added.
BJP workers stage protest in Medinipur, image via ETV Bharat
Hooligans associated with the ruling Trinamool Congress attacked the house of a BJP leader named Shubojit Roy in Medinipur with crude bombs, following a victory rally on 7th June this year. He filed a police complaint but no action was taken against the accused.
Dismayed by the situation, he protested against the attack and set up a road blockade. Soon after, the police arrested him along with a female party worker.
Subhojit Roy had informed that his aged mother was at the house when TMC hooligans targeted the building with crude bombs.
Police officer Varunkumar Bagh attacked in Goaghat
Besides political rivals, the TMC goons also did not spare the law enforcement authorities. A police officer, identified as Varunkumar Bagh, was attacked with bricks when he tried to stop TMC’s onslaught against BJP workers in Goaghat in the Hoogly district of West Bengal.
Reportedly, TMC hooligans assaulted BJP workers for not removing their party flag from the area post elections. When the central foces and the local police went to pacify the situation, the accused attacked them as well. A police car was also vandalised by TMC goons.
Besides Varunkumar Bagh, 5 BJP workers were also injured in the targeted attack.
Outrageous! The TMC State General Secretary shamelessly boasts about dumping garbage in front of a Kolkata housing society for daring to vote against them.
Is this what 'serving the people' looks like? Pure thuggery and intimidation. pic.twitter.com/fF9EwauH29
On 7th June, an X (formerly Twitter) user ‘Subham’ informed that the people of a housing society in Kolkata were being punished by the TMC government for voting in favour of the BJP.
The user stated that garbage was being dumped outside ‘Sunrise Heights’ in the Beleghata neighbourhood of Central Kolkata as 543 residents of the housing complex voted against TMC.
Soon after, the State General Secretary of Trinamool Congress, Nilanjan Das, confirmed the development on X (formerly Twitter).He dubbed the action of dumping garbage outside the housing society as a ‘non-violent means of revenge.’
The BJP has slammed the TMC for his outrageous actions. Following outrage on social media, Nilanjan Das deleted his controversial tweet.
Aftermath of post-poll violence in Barasat
On 5th June, the BJP office and houses of several party workers were vandalised in Barasat in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. The accused TMC goons were armed with guns and iron rods.
On learning about the matter, the police and the central armed forces reached the crime spot. After they left, the goons returned to further ransack the area.
Around the same time, the houses of BJP workers were targeted with crude bombs in Bhatpara in North 24 Parganas district. A BJP agent’s house was also vandalised in Narendrapur in South 24 Parganas district.
A video of a Hindu woman dating back to 3rd June, narrating the atrocities committed by TMC goons on BJP workers, recently went viral on social media.
She was heard saying in Bengali, “My husband was a polling agent of the BJP. They had also filed a case (fabricated) against my husband.”
“He has been missing since yesterday. The men in the village are not at their homes. They have been hunted down by TMC goons and beaten mercilessly,” she further added.
“Those who had to bear this will be crippled for life. The men were brutally thrashed and stomped on the ground,” the woman pointed out.
She emphasised, “Please ensure that our message reaches Mamata Banerjee – Give us poison (bish) so that we can die peacefully. Else abduct all of us. We do not want to live anymore,”
“We have infants at our house. There is no food at our house. We cannot go to the market and put rice in the mouths of our children,” the woman continued.
“What is the purpose of our existence? It is better that we die,” she said while crying inconsolably. The whereabouts of the woman’s husband, who happened to be the polling agent of the BJP, remains unknown.
On 2nd June, a BJP worker was killed in the Nadia district as a result of post-poll violence.
Conclusion
There seems to be no end in sight to the orgy of violence, harassment and intimidatory tactics unleashed by the goons associated with the ruling Mamata-led-TMC government.
The law apparatus in the State has failed to safeguard lives and prevent the displacement of thousands of people for fear of political violence.
While the Calcutta High Court’s proactiveness in the matter is well appreciated, it must also take into account the complicity of the State machinery in the Khela of post-poll violence.
TTV Dhinakaran, Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam (AMMK) General Secretary, termed the Kallakurichi Hooch tragedy as the “failure of the DMK government” and demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the matter.
“This is a failure of the DMK government. DMK functionaries are responsible for these deaths. Due to this incident, for three months there would be a complete ban on this spurious liquor but after that, it would be back to older times. CM Stalin is scared to face people; hence, he hasn’t met the victims until now. AMMK demands a CBI inquiry into this,” Dhinakaran said.
The death toll in the Tamil Nadu Hooch tragedy has risen to 56, according to the district administration’s report released on Sunday.
As per the information shared by the District Collectorate, Kallakurichi, there were a total of 216 patients admitted to four hospitals in Tamil Nadu after consuming illicit liquor.
In Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer), Pondy, 17 patients are alive and three have been declared dead, while in Vilupuram Medical College, four people are alive and four have been declared dead.
Most deaths occurred at Kallakurichi Medical College, where 31 people are dead and 108 are alive. At Salem Medical College, 30 people are alive, whereas 18 have been reported dead.
“There are 160 people who were admitted to the above-mentioned hospitals and 56 people are dead,” according to official data.
The Tamil Nadu government had ordered a judicial inquiry into the tragedy. The inquiry will be led by retired Madras High Court judge Justice B Gokuldas. Justice Gokuldas will submit a report within three months.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh to the kin of each of the deceased victims, and Rs 50,000 each for the persons under treatment.
The CB-CID of Tamil Nadu police, which was handed over charge of investigating the tragedy, commenced a probe under SP Shantharam.
As per the Kallakurichi Collector, seven people have been arrested in the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
On Sunday (23rd June), wrestler Bajrang Punia was formally issued a “notice of charge” by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for refusing to give his urine sample for a dope test earlier this year. Consequently, NADA has again provisionally suspended him, a month after his initial suspension. Notably, a disciplinary panel had revoked his suspension because the anti-doping agency had not issued him a ‘notice of charge’. However, NADA has now issued the same and provisionally suspended him.
Speaking with India Today, Bajrang Punia’s lawyer, Vishuspath Singania said, “Yes we have received the notice and will certainly respond to it. Last time also, we had attended the hearing, and this time also we will file our reply. He hasn’t done anything wrong, so will fight.”
OpIndia had earlier reported that Punia was provisionally suspended last month after he refused to provide his urine sample to NADA during the selection trials in Sonepat on 10th March this year. Notably, on 10th March 2024, Punia suffered a crushing 1-9 defeat against Rohit Kumar in the men’s freestyle 65kg semifinal. After losing the bout, Punia refused to give his urine sample for a dope test and stormed out of the premises of the Sports Authority of India (SAI). The NADA officials tried to take a sample from Bajrang Punia for a dope test, but he left even without competing for the third-fourth place bout.
Punia, who had previously shared a video alleging expired dope collection kits a couple of months ago, refused to comply with the dope control officer’s (DCO) order on the pretext that NADA officials were yet to respond to his concerns. The DCO’s report noted that he left despite being informed that refusal to provide a dope test would result in a notice for violating anti-doping rules. The DCO’s report said, “Punia, surrounded by his supporters, continuously repeated his statement and immediately left the venue refusing to give dope sample.”
However, Punia’s lawyer, Vidhusphat Singhania, successfully got Punia’s provisional suspension lifted when the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) determined that NADA had made an error by not formally charging him with a violation of anti-doping rules.
As per a report in Tribune, the latest order was issued by NADA on Thursday and he has been asked to respond to the latest suspension by 11th July.
While Punia had received temporary relief, the ADDP had allowed NADA to officially charge him with refusing to hand over his urine sample. In its order on 31st May, ADDP had stated, “If NADA decides to issue a notice of charge to the athlete, the matter be expeditiously listed before the hearing panel for final hearing.”
Now, Bajrang Punia has time to respond until 11th July against the notice.
A shocking murder case took place in Indore where BJP leader Monu Kalyane was shot dead in the early hours of Sunday (23rd June). He served as the city President of BJP’s Yuva Morcha and was a close aide of Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya.
According to reports, two assailants on a motorcycle opened fire at him around 2 AM near the Chimanbagh area in Indore. Monu was putting up flags and posters for the Bhagwa Yatra when the assailants attacked him. One bullet hit his chest, and he was immediately rushed to MY Hospital in critical condition but was declared dead. Following the incident, some people vandalized and set fire to the homes of the accused in the morning.
The incident unfolded in the Chimanbagh area of the MG Road police station jurisdiction. According to the police, accused Piyush and Arjun killed Monu Kalyane due to an old enmity. Currently, both the accused are absconding and the search for them is ongoing.
Monu Kalyane was an influential person in the politics of Indore Assembly constituency number 03. He was considered to be a close associate of former MLA Akash Vijayvargiya, son of Kailash Vijayvargiya.
According to Police, the incident took place around 2 AM near Ganesh Mandal in Chimanbagh. Monu, son of Rajendra Kalyane, a resident of Usha Phatak, was putting up flags and banners with his brother and friends. He was preparing to lead the Bhagwa Yatra from Chimanbagh to Rajwada on Sunday.
(Image Source – Naiduniya)
According to the police, two youths named Piyush and Arjun arrived at the Chimanbagh intersection on a bike. While sitting on the bike, they engaged Monu in a discussion. During this time, Arjun, who was sitting pillion, took out a pistol and fired repeatedly at Monu Kalyane. He then fled from there with Piyush. The assailants also fired at Monu’s friends who were present at the Chimanbagh intersection, but they survived.
As per reports, one bullet hit Monu in the chest, and another grazed his right arm. His companions took him to MY Hospital in critical condition where he was declared dead.
The accused are also residents of the Chimanbagh area. Monu used to lend money at interest, and a dispute over these transactions is emerging as the motive behind the murder. Upon receiving information about the murder, police officers arrived at the scene and raided the homes of the accused, but they were not found. The police are actively searching for them, and police forces have been deployed in the area to prevent any potential conflicts.
Following Monu’s murder, Akash Vijayvargiya, son of Kailash Vijayvargiya and former MLA of Indore’s Assembly constituency number 03, reached Monu’s house with his supporters and met his family to console them.
