The Allahabad High Court recently ruled that the state should cancel the licenses of journalists who are found to be indulging in anti-social activities like blackmailing in the guise of journalism. Notably, a single judge bench of Justice Shamim Ahmed gave the directions while refusing to quash criminal proceedings against a journalist named Puneet Mishra and a newspaper distributor booked under various sections of the IPC and SC/ST Act.
The High Court denied relief to the accused journalist after the state submitted that a gang was operating in Uttar Pradesh that used to blackmail people under the guise of printing articles against them in newspapers and defaming their image in society.
The court said, “The matter is very serious and the State Machinery should take cognizance of the same and cancel the license of such journalists if they are found operating in such type of antisocial activities in the garb of their license. There are machinery with the State government which is capable to stop such type of activities which is being operated in case if the case is found to be true.”
During the proceedings, advocate Rajat Pratap Singh representing Puneet Mishra, argued that the accused had been falsely implicated in the case and that the charge sheet was also filed without proper investigation. Singh claimed that the journalist was falsely implicated as he had published a news item about the illegal cutting of a tree. He also argued that no offense was made out under the SC/ST Act.
However, the State opposed his arguments and submitted that a prima facie offense was made out and that the journalist had failed to produce the Information Department-issued license before the High Court.
After considering the arguments, the High Court ruled that no interference was required in the matter as a prima facie cognizable offense was made out.
It added, “In the present case, the applicant, who claims to be the Journalist in the newspaper, namely, Swatantra Bharat is not able to show any document that he is recognized by the said newspaper and even after query made by this court the applicants and their counsel fails to show any such paper.”
In the present case, a charge sheet was filed against the accused journalist on 9th October 2023 under sections 384, 352, 504, 505 of the IPC and 3(2)(Va) and 3(1) (S) of the SC/ST Act. The case pertains to the jurisdiction of Beniganj Police Station in the Hardoi district of Uttar Pradesh.
The accused-applicant had filed the instant application under Section 482 of the Cr.P.C. seeking that the court quash the chargesheet, cognizance order of Hardoi’s session court passed on 16th April 2024, and the entire sessions’ case. However, after the arguments, the Allahabad High Court noted that it did not find any justification to entertain the present case and that the present application lacks merits and is hereby dismissed, the court order said.
Two terrorists who opened fire in Kathua village, Jammu and Kashmir, late last night were killed in an encounter on Wednesday (12th June). A paramilitary soldier is also said to have lost his life meanwhile in the exchange of fire.
As per the initial reports, two encounters that began overnight in Jammu continued into the morning. This included one at Doda where five soldiers and a special police officer (SPO) were injured during an attack on an army base.
Just two days before the two terrorist attacks in Jammu, a bus carrying pilgrims was attacked by terrorists in Reasi, killing nine people. Anand Jain, Additional Director General of Police, Jammu Zone, who is leading anti-terrorist operations in Kathua, provided details of the encounters early this morning. “Two terrorists have been neutralized; search operation underway in the area,” he confirmed.
#WATCH | On Kathua anti-terror operation, Anand Jain, ADGP Jammu says, "Two terorrists have been neutralised; search operation underway in the area." pic.twitter.com/qyOvps0GMO
Regarding the Doda incident, he stated that terrorists opened fire on a joint party of police and Rashtriya Rifles at an army base in the Chattargala area late last night. He stated that a clash is currently taking place between security troops and terrorists in the higher altitudes. Security Forces are also said to have recovered jackets and magazines belonging to terrorists in Harinagar, Kathua during an anti-terror operation.
#WATCH | J&K | Security Forces have recovered jackets and magazines belonging to terrorists in Harinagar, Kathua during an anti-terror operation
According to authorities, two terrorists were involved in the Kathua attack last evening, with one dead late at night. The second terrorist, armed with a US-made M4 carbine assault rifle, was found holed up in the jungle and was killed this morning.
#BREAKING: Second Terrorist killed in the ongoing Kathua encounter of J&K, US made M4 Carbine recovered from the neutralised terrorist. Quite an indication of terrorists being most likely from Pakistani terror group Jaish e Muhammad. Similar weapons used in Reasi terror attack. pic.twitter.com/0SiIAdiWVc
According to the authorities, the terrorists made requests for water from many houses and then opened fire when some villagers raised the alarm out of suspicion. According to Jain, one civilian suffered injuries during the firing, and allegations that three persons died in the Kathua attack are false.
“There are rumors that many people are injured and three are dead. But only one civilian was injured, other than this all information regarding hostages being held and death, are rumors,” he said. The security officer killed in the clash belonged to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
ADGP Jain also referred to the Kathua incident as a “fresh infiltration” and pointed to Pakistan without mentioning it. “Our aggressive neighbor is always attempting to undermine our country’s peaceful environment. “This (Hiranagar Terror Attack) appears to be a new infiltration,” he stated.
Jammu has remained high on the terror radar, with these strikes coming from places that are known to be terrorist-free.
Two days earlier, a bus carrying pilgrims to the Shiv Khori cave temple in Reasi was attacked. The terrorists opened fire after the bus driver refused to deboard the passengers, but he lost control and plummeted down the gorge, reported the bus company management. The tragedy resulted in nine deaths and 33 injuries. Officials claim the attack was carried out at the direction of Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Abu Hamza.
In Madhya Pradesh’s Indore, a case of love jihad has been reported prompting Hindu organisations to protest at the Kanada police station on the 10th of June. In this case, a Muslim youth named Shahid duped a Hindu girl into marrying him by hiding his real identity and promising not to compel her to convert to Islam. The perpetrator impregnated the girl, then fled for a year, only to return and gang-raped her with his friends. In addition, the Hindu girl was under persistent pressure to convert to Islam. The police have now arrested all of the accused.
According to a Bhaskar report, the 24-year-old girl said that she met Shahid through a call centre. Shahid posed as a Hindu youth named Raj and began a romantic relationship with her. When she went to Raj’s residence with him, the victim learnt the truth about Shahid pretending to be Raj. Shahid then said she was under no obligation to convert to Islam. The perpetrator convinced the victim that she could spend her life with him while staying a Hindu.
In her statement to the Kanadia police station, the victim stated that she had a son from Shahid, whom Shahid gave a Muslim name. Shahid Ahmed alias Raj, mother-in-law Shabnam, and sister-in-law Sania Ahmed used to beat the victim frequently. Shahid had been away from home for a year at that time. When he returned, he came home with his friends Nauman Khan, Faisal Khan, and Wasim Akhtar, who gave drugs to the victim and gang-raped her.
According to the Hindu victim, Shahid and his family members also attempted to convert her to Islam. She continued to tolerate everything, however, after the gang rape, she, her family, and representatives of Hindu organisations urged the police to take action. The police have now filed a complaint against the accused and arrested him.
On Wednesday (12th June), the Bombay High Court denied bail to three Islamists associated with the banned terrorist organization the Popular Front of India (PFI). The court declined the bail saying that the the accused and the banned organization planned to turn India into an Islamic state by 2047.
The high court’s division bench, consisting of Justice AS Gadkari and Justice Shyam Chandak, was considering bail pleas from Razi Ahmad Khan, Unais Umar Khayyam Patel, and Kayyum Abdul Shaikh. The justices rejected the appeal against the orders of the Special Judge, Nashik, who had previously rejected their bail applications.
The prosecution claimed that the three accused attended a secret PFI meeting where young Muslims had been radicalized and brainwashed. It was said that during the meeting, several cases of crimes against Muslims, including mob lynching, were addressed. The prosecution further said that during the meeting, the members discussed the necessity to unify Muslims and wage war against the State of Maharashtra and the Government of India.
In its ruling, the high court stated that there was evidence on the record indicating that the accused attempted to convert India into an Islamic state.
“Record of the investigation indicates that the Appellants in connivance with other Accused persons conspired to overawe the Government by use of criminal force. The first information report is self-eloquent. There is more than sufficient material available on record in the form of statements of witnesses and the documents seized from the electronic devices of the Accused persons that, they indulged in the activity of inciting like-minded people to join them to overthrow the Government by use of criminal force. They also conspired to transform India into an Islamic country by 2047. They are not only propagators but actively intending to implement the Vision-2047 document of their organization”, the court observed.
The court added, “There are statements of more than 20 witnesses, multiple conversations between members of the Association inter-se and overwhelming electronic evidence to demonstrate that, the Appellants in connivance with other accused persons have systematically undertaken activities which are detrimental to the interest and integrity of the nation…Even if no overt act or violations has been carried out till today, the material on record clearly indicates that prima facie evidence of conspiracy to commit offence/s punishable under Section 121 of the IPC is made out”.
The high court stated that a review of the Vision-2047 paper reveals a nefarious strategy and design to transform India into an Islamic state using all feasible techniques described therein.
Notably, the accused persons have been booked under sections 121-A (conspiracy to commit offenses against the state), 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups), 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC, and 13(1)(b) of UAPA.
The court decided that the trial court was correct in denying the bail applications since there was a strong prima facie case against the appellants. Furthermore, it expressed concern that releasing the appellants on bail could result in evidence tampering. As a result, the court dismissed the appeals and upheld the trial court’s decisions.
Recognizing the gravity of the charges, the HC requested that the trial court expedite the procedures and complete the trial within one year of receipt of this ruling.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) IT Cell Chief Amit Malviya has decided to pursue criminal defamation proceedings against Santanu Sinha from West Bengal even after Sinha retracted his allegations of sexual misconduct against Malviya. In a post on X, Amit Malviya said that Santanu Sinha’s statement retracting his allegations was qualified and not unequivocal.
Malviya further added that Sinha also failed to met the demands made in the legal notice sent to him on 8 June, and that the ‘purported apology is deeply problematic and reductionist’.
Amit Malviya said in the statement, “The alleged post was defamatory, calculated and malicious. The wide dissemination by opposition parties has added to the defamation. As such, I have decided to pursue Criminal Defamation against Santanu Sinha, under appropriate sections of the IPC. Other civil remedies may also follow, as would be advised.”
Statement on slanderous post by Santanu Sinha, President Hindu Samhati, West Bengal. pic.twitter.com/AwGXGPH9Th
The BJP leader added how Siha’s allegations were propagated by Congress and Trinamool Congress leaders. He said, “Santanu Sinha’s slanderous Facebook post of 7th Jun 2024 has created a spectre of a compromised political system, that thrives on objectifying women. It views working relationships, across genders, in public life, to binaries, which is demeaning, particularly towards women.”
In a Facebook post dated 7th June, Santanu Sinha accused Amit Malviya and other senior leadership of BJP of accepting sexual favours from leaders in West Bengal and in exchange providing them positions in the party. He accused West Bengal BJP leaders of sending women to Malviya and other senior leaders of BJP women in 5-star hotels to secure the president’s posts.
These allegations were then used by Congress and Trinamool Congress to attack the BJP and Malviya. However, after Amit Malviya sent a legal notice of defamation to him, he retracted his statement. In another Facebook post on 11 June, Sinha claimed that he did not level sexual harassment allegations against Amit Malviya and that his Facebook post had been deliberately misinterpreted by the Indian National Congress.
However, he claimed that his post was to warn against getting entangled in honey trap, not to target Malviya. The RSS member also said that he does not want BJP and its office bearers getting undermined in any manner by misinterpretation of his post. He added that as he didn’t write anything untoward in the post, he is not deleting it.
On Monday (10th June), communal tensions broke out between two communities in Janakpur in Nepal over the Muslim community’s conspiracy to illegally occupy government land. Even in the presence of Police personnel, the Muslim side resorted to stone pelting, causing inquiries to several people on the Hindu side. The injured also included school-going children.
Additionally, the construction of a Yoga Camp has been stopped because of the pressure of the Muslim community. In the wake of communal tensions, additional forces have been deployed in the area. Speaking with OpIndia, members of the Hindu organisations described it as land jihad and accused the left parties of supporting the Muslim side.
Had asked for a little space to perform Namaz
According to information received by OpIndia, there is a government school in Shivpur. There is plenty of land around the building, which belongs to the school itself. About 16 years ago, some people from the Muslim community started performing Namaz on this land. At that time, there was hardly any Muslim population in this area. Only 2-4 families used to live in this area. Initially, they chose the school building for worship.
Around 10 years ago, a dispute broke out between the Hindu and Muslim sides over certain matters within the school compound. Consequently, the practice of offering Namaz inside the school ceased for a period. At the same time, the Muslim population in Janakpur grew continuously. Following the resolution of the decade-old dispute, the Muslim community resumed praying on the vacant land adjacent to the school, rather than inside the school building.
The number of Namazis continued to increase. Now, in the Shivpur area of Janakpur, approximately 70 to 80 houses are of Muslims. They have also constructed their mosque. Despite this, the Muslim community has not stopped praying on the government land which belongs to the school. For several years now, Muslims have started calling this government space their place of worship.
(The property is registered under school’s name)
Muslims illegally continue to perform Namaz despite a High Court order
In 2013, people from the Muslim community approached the Janakpur High Court claiming the school property as theirs. During the hearing, the High Court rejected the claim of the Muslim side on the land. The judge declared that the land belonged to the government and imposed a ban on any kind of private construction there.
OpIndia has a copy of the High Court’s order. Despite the land being declared government property, the Muslim side did not stop offering Namaz there. Mohammad Qaysh and Ibrahim Raine continued to lead the entire congregation of Namazis. During months like Ramzan, the crowd would become so large that it started to disrupt children’s studies.
Attacked whoever was in their way
Meanwhile, on Monday (10th June 2024), Muslims in large numbers gathered at the vacant space near the school. It is reported that around 70 to 80 people were present in the crowd, including children, elderly, youth, and women. Local residents mentioned that for the past 2-3 days, bricks, cement, etc., were being quietly unloaded from tractors and trolleys, and labourers were being called to construct walls on the government land.
Upon witnessing the construction of a wall by the Muslim community on the school’s property, the teachers, students, and nearby villagers staged a protest, deeming it an illegal construction. As soon as information about the matter reached them, two police officers also arrived at the scene. As a result of this intervention, the Muslim side became upset and attacked the villagers and students who had gathered near the school.
(School’s plea to halt construction by the Muslim side deeming it illegal construction)
During the attack, they used lathi-dandas (sticks). Apart from attacking the Hindus, they also pelted stones at the Police. More than half a dozen people were injured in this attack. Some minor students studying inside the school are also said to be among the injured. As soon as information about the incident was received, additional police force reached the spot. It is alleged that the police did not take any action against the Muslims who were pelting stones and instead continued to negotiate with them.
(Muslims accused of illegally constructing a wall on government land)
Administration temporarily halts construction of a yoga camp on the private property of a Hindu
The injured Hindus have been admitted to the hospital for treatment. So far, no stone-pelter or attacker has been arrested. OpIndia spoke to some officials of the Hindu Samrat Sena regarding this matter. On the condition of anonymity, they revealed that the people from the Muslim community have the support of the Leftist Party (Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist).
He stated that when the Muslim side was asked to halt the construction work on government property, they objected to the establishment of a yoga camp being built at a distance from the school. Dr. Pramod Yadav has been constructing this yoga camp on his private property. Pramod had provided all the necessary documents to prove ownership of the land. Despite this, the administration has temporarily halted the construction of his yoga camp.
The officials of the Hindu Samrat Sena have issued a warning that if the construction of the Yoga camp is not allowed to resume, they will protest. Currently, the administration has asked for the documents of the yoga camp. The small wall erected by the Muslim community on the school’s land is still intact. Hindu organisations have demanded its immediate demolition, labeling it illegal.
On Tuesday, 11th June, several Muslim social media users resorted to fear-mongering and peddling false victimhood using three separate incidents of killing of maulanas in Uttar Pradesh.
In an X post, Democratic Progressive Azad Party spokesperson Salman Nizami somehow linked the killing of a Maulana in UP’s Moradabad to Lok Sabha elections insinuating that the Maulana was killed over a political dispute.
“Another Molana killed in UP. As I said, the celebrations over a few seats will turn into misery. In the end, Muslims won’t get a ministry or come into power. Neither will those they voted for speak for them. But they will face the brunt and suffer!,” Nizami posted.
Another Molana killed in UP. As I said, the celebrations over a few seats will turn into misery. In the end, Muslims won't get a ministry or come into power. Neither will those they voted for speak for them. But they will face the brunt and suffer! pic.twitter.com/V8rLO4olyv
In another post, Nizami used the incidents of the killing of Maulanas to question the silence of the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi alleging that they only use Muslims during the election and abandon them later. His posts insinuated that the murders were planned and targeted at a specific religious group.
“3 Muslim Maulanas killed in Uttar Pradesh in the last 24 hours: Fazlur Rahman, Maulana Akram, Maulana Farooq. Did Rahul Gandhi or any big leader from Congress speak out? NO. They will only use Muslims to win elections, and Muslims will fall into their trap. That’s why I say Muslims should create their own leadership and speak for themselves!,” Nizami posted.
Notably, Salman Nizami is not alone in peddling the false narrative that after elections Muslim clerics are being “targeted and killed”.
An X user insinuated that the three imams were killed back to back since Muslims voted for the Congress and Samajwadi Party alliance in Uttar Pradesh.
“Pic 1: Maulana Farooq murdered in Pratapgarh,UP. Pic 2: Maulana Akram shod dead in Moradabad,UP. Pic 3: Imam Fazlur’s body found in Shamli,UP. Back to back 3 Imams killed. Tell me these clerics were not eliminated because of Muslims voting in favour of Rahul and Akhilesh in UP,” the X user Tanvir wrote.
Another X user, mentioned the case of the killing of a Maulana in Pratapgarh by his neighbour to fear monger that Hindu neighbours can become the enemies of Muslims.
Were three Muslim maulanas killed in UP for voting for I.N.D.I. Alliance or for their Muslim identity?
While several x users including DPAP leader Salman Nizami insinuated that the three maulanas killed in separate incidents in UP recently were somehow targeted in religiously motivated crimes, the reality is totally different. In two of the three said cases the land and monetary dispute has emerged as the motive behind the killing while in one case unknown attackers killed a maulana and the motive of the killing is yet to be ascertained.
In the murder case of Maulana Mohammad Farooq, the general secretary of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind in Pratapgarh, he was killed in Sonpur village on 8th June by his neighbour Chandramani Tiwari. As per the deceased victim’s son, the accused hit the maulana on his head with axe and iron rods over a monetary dispute. Since the maulana knew the accused and helped him with work and finances, the victim did not suspect any foul play and went to meet Tiwari when he called him to discuss the land and monetary issue, however, the accused brutally attacked the maulana and killed him. The accused has been arrested.
It is pertinent to note that the deceased Maulana’s son Mufti Mamoon has said that there is no communal angle to the case even though some locals and Islamists on social media are alleging that it was a communally motivated crime. Meanwhile, Jethwara police station SHO, Dharmendra Singh said, “It was neither a property dispute or a communal crime per say, the accused alleged that he had given some money in advance which he wanted to be returned to him.”
The accused Chandramani Tiwari has been arrested and sent to jail by the court. Reports say that several social media groups are using the deceased Maulana’s pictures and videos to give the matter a communal colour and incite violence in the area. Meanwhile, SHO Dharmendra Singh has said that the police is looking into 38 such WhatsApp groups. Thus, it is clear that contrary to the claims made by Islamists on social media, the brutal killing of Maulana Farooq was not motivated by religious hatred or animosity but due to financial disputes.
While this incident had no communal angle, the false claims Islamists attached to it remind one of the brutal killing of chemist Umesh Kolhe in 2022, by a bloodthirsty Islamist mob when he was on his way back home after shutting his store. The 54-year-old man was mercilessly murdered for sharing a social media post supporting former Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Nupur Sharma. It was reported that one of the accused Yusuf Khan was a good friend of Kolhe and the victim helped Khan with money during his daughter’s wedding and children’s admissions. Despite this, the Khan conspired to kill Kolhe. As reported earlier, Islamists had stabbed Kolhe on the left side of his neck.
In the murder case of Maulana Akram in Moradabad, the 45-year-old Imam of Badi Masjid was shot dead on 11th June by unidentified assailants in Bhensia village. The victim was shot in the chest in the wee hours of Tuesday. The attacker called the victim outside his house and shot him in the chest. The police have said that the efforts are on to arrest the accused.
Speaking about the matter, Akhalaish Bhadauria, SP City said, “Maulana Akram, the Imam of the Bhensia village’s main mosque, was shot dead. The attacker called him outside his home and shot him, resulting in his death. The deceased Imam was a resident of Rampur district and had been serving as the Imam of the mosque in Bhainsiya village for 15 years.”
Meanwhile, SHO Katghar police station Tejveer Singh has said that an FIR has been registered in the matter against unknown persons, however, it seems that the accused was known to the deceased victim.
The Islamists are giving a communal colour to this incident even though the police are still investigating the reason behind the Imam’s killing and searching for the accused.
Imam Fazlur Rahman was beheaded by his mentally ill son
In the case of an Imam’s killing in UP’s Shamli district, it has emerged that the victim Fazlur Rahman was beheaded by his mentally challenged son Junaid in Mannamajr village under Jhinjhana police station precinct. The incident occurred while the deceased had gone to the jungle to look for his son. The victim’s headless body was recovered by the police in a jungle. Later, the police found the deceased victim’s head and the spade used by the accused to kill his father. On the complaint of the slain maulana’s other son, the accused has been booked and arrested.
It is thus clear, that contrary to the false victimhood peddled by Islamists on social media, none of the three separate cases involving the killing of maulanas/imams were religiously motivated crimes. Some social media users are using the incidents to provoke Muslims and incite violence by linking it to election results and the religious identity of the victims.
On Tuesday (11th June), the Manipur government deported 38 more illegal immigrants belonging to Myanmar through the Integrated Check Post (ICP), Moreh. The information was shared by Manipur CM N Biren Singh adding that the state government was making all efforts to identify illegal immigrants from Myanmar and send them back to their localities.
“In continuation of the deportation process of immigrants, the Government of Manipur has deported 38 (thirty-eight) Myanmar Nationals to their home country Myanmar through the Integrated Check Post (ICP), Moreh, today. They have been handed over safely to Myanmar authorities by the Immigration Officers of the Government of India posted at ICP, Moreh,” he posted.
“The State Government is continuing the identification of illegal immigrants and remains steadfast in its resolve to deport them. Let’s keep our borders and country secure,” he added.
In continuation of the deportation process of immigrants, the Government of Manipur has deported 38 (thirty-eight) Myanmar Nationals to their home country Myanmar through the Integrated Check Post (ICP), Moreh, today. They have been handed over safely to Myanmar authorities by… pic.twitter.com/NHEJB9c8UA
— N.Biren Singh (Modi Ka Parivar) (@NBirenSingh) June 11, 2024
Earlier on May 2nd, the state had conducted one of the initial phases of deportation in which around 38 illegal immigrants from Myanmar were sent back to their nation. CM N Biren Singh then said that an Indian national was also brought back from Myanmar during the handover ceremony.
“Without any discrimination, we have completed the first phase of deportation of illegal immigrants from Myanmar with 38 more immigrants leaving Manipur, India today through Moreh. A total of 77 illegal immigrants have been deported in the first phase. One Indian national was also brought back from Myanmar during the handover ceremony,” he was quoted as saying on X.
Without any discrimination, we have completed the first phase of deportation of illegal immigrants from Myanmar with 38 more… pic.twitter.com/KSXZtZeGVV
— N.Biren Singh (Modi Ka Parivar) (@NBirenSingh) May 2, 2024
On 8th May, Singh stated that the government had identified 5457 illegal immigrants in the Kamjong district, Manipur. “Out of the total, the biometric data of 5173 such illegal immigrants have been collected so far. The deportation process is underway,” the CM said.
CM Singh further stated that the government is providing humanitarian aid to the illegal immigrants adding that despite the alarming situation, the government is handling the matter with sensitivity.
38 illegal immigrants were deported to Myanmar from Manipur on June 11th, bringing the total number of illegal Myanmarese migrants deported to 115 since March 8th. Singh in May had assured the Meities that all the illegal immigrants from Myanmar would be sent back to their localities in pursuance of the law.
He stated that illegal immigration had caused an alarming impact on the state’s demography and that some districts witnessed unnatural growth of population over the years due to influx from Myanmar.
Singh’s views are consistent with the demands of influential organizations representing the Meitei people for a “crackdown” on the Kuki militants. Organizations such as the Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (CPCOMI) have often stated that the illegal migration of Chin-Kukis from Myanmar threatens the identity, culture, and land rights of the state’s indigenous people.
They also claimed that illegal migrants were involved in the ongoing crisis, which began in May last year and has killed over 200 people and displaced over 60,000 others.
On Wednesday, June 12, the Supreme Court came down heavily on the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government in Delhi on the water crisis in the national capital. The apex court said the Delhi government has failed to take any action despite the functioning of the ‘tanker mafia’ in the capital. Further, in a stern remark, the SC said that if the Delhi government can’t take action then the court can ask the Delhi police to intervene.
Delhi water crisis | Supreme Court questions over tanker mafia and asks Delhi Govt if any measure or action has been taken against tanker mafia.
Supreme Court remarks if you are not taking any action against the tanker mafia then we will ask Delhi Police to take action against… pic.twitter.com/ORFwr44Wuo
“Delhi tanker mafia is working, and you are not taking action and if the Delhi government can’t take action, then we can ask Delhi police to take action,” the Supreme Court said.
A vacation bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Prasanna B Varale ordered the AAP Government should file an affidavit by 4 PM today and explain measures taken to tackle the water mafia and prevent water wastage in Delhi.
“We are seeing this in all channels. You are not doing anything in this regard. It is a recurring problem every summer. What have you done to prevent water wastage coming from all these sources…have you taken any action or FIR against any tanker mafias? Tanker mafias get water and pipelines are running dry.” the bench added.
Interestingly, while the Supreme Court lambasted the AAP government for not handling the water crisis in the national capital prudently, the Kejriwal government has been busy blaming the Haryana government for depriving the national capital of its rightful share of water.
On Monday, June 10th, several Delhi women and AAP leaders staged a protest against the Haryana government alleging that it deprived the national capital of its rightful share of water. Kuldeep Kumar, AAP’s Delhi State Vice-President and MLA, along with colleagues Shiv Charan Goel, Vinayy Mishra, Somdutt Sharma, and Women’s Wing President Sarika Chaudhary, participated in the demonstration next to Haryana Bhawan, Mandi House.
Protesters chanted slogans against the BJP for stripping Delhi of ‘its share’ of water and demanded that the Central and Haryana governments assure the quick release of Delhi’s portion of water.
Meanwhile, in a statement, Delhi’s Lieutenant-Governor V.K. Saxena’s office said that Saxena spoke to Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini over the phone on Tuesday (June 11) regarding the ongoing water crisis in Delhi and was told that the neighbouring State has been releasing water into the Yamuna river for Delhi through Munak canal as per the city’s allocated share.
The LG office, instead, blamed the AAP government for the water crisis, saying the shortage has been caused by the tanker mafia that is “stealing water (from the canal) in connivance with the ruling AAP”.
“The custodians and owners of water coming into Delhi are the Delhi government and the DJB [Delhi Jal Board]. Tankers are stealing water from the canal but the DJB has never filed a complaint, leave aside an FIR with the Delhi police,” the LG Office said.
The Aam Aadmi Party, however, accused Lieutenant-Governor V.K. Saxena of ‘lying’.
As the demolition drive of illegal houses constructed and occupied in the Akbar Nagar area of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, is underway, several Islamists on social media platforms have come out claiming that the Yogi Adityanath government is deliberately targeting the Muslims in the state post-elections. The Islamists online are claiming that only Muslim families living in the Akbar Nagar area of Lucknow are being asked to vacate their homes before bulldozing their illegal properties for allegedly voting against the BJP.
“As soon as the elections are over, atrocities on Muslims have started. In Akbarpur, the UP government has demolished the houses and mosques of Muslims with bulldozers for voting against the BJP. Thousands of families have been living here for half a century with valid documents and now they will become homeless,” said one Nadeem Ahmed on X sharing the video of the ongoing demolition.
चुनाव खत्म होते ही मुसलमानों पर अत्याचार शुरू हो गए हैं। अकबरपुर में भाजपा के खिलाफ वोट देने पर यूपी सरकार ने मुसलमानों के घरों और मस्जिदों को बुलडोजर से गिरा दिया है। हजारों परिवार आधी सदी से वैध कागजात के साथ यहां रह रहे हैं और अब वे बेघर हो जाएंगे।pic.twitter.com/3tusrf37BM
— Nadeem Ahmed?? نديم احمد (@IamNadeem_A) June 10, 2024
Controversial activist Teesta Setalvaad, who has been accused in several cases, also happened to propagate this video by asking Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and SP’s Akhilesh Yadav to speak over the issue.
Further, a similar video was shared by one of the users identified as Ishan who indicated that Yogi Adityanath was doing absolutely right by teaching a lesson to ‘jihadists’.
लखनऊ : अकबर नगर में अवैध कब्जों पर चला बुलडोज़र
बाबा जी एक्शन मोड में ???
योगी जी का सुशासन, उनका आक्रामक अन्दाज़ जेहाDiयों और अराजकता के ख़िलाफ़ ही उत्तरप्रदेश में भाजपा की जीत की गारंटी है ? pic.twitter.com/AUVHaOF83k
However, it is important to note that the demolition drive in Akbarpur, Lucknow, is a drive against encroachment which the state has undertaken to make the Kukrail riverfront project a reality.
While several Islamists as well as people like Teesta Setalvad claimed that only Muslims were targeted, a live report by India TV clarified that not only Muslims, but several other Hindu families have also faced evacuation from the area. The India TV reporter on the ground highlighted the list of residents who were asked by the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) to vacate their illegal properties before the ultimate bulldozer action.
The list of names includes several Hindus identified as Asha Devi, Devi Prasad, Amit Kumar, Sham Kashyap, Ramesh Chandra, etc who have lost their properties to the demolition drive.
Screenshot from India TV live report
Also, a local news media Ultah Chashma reported that several Hindu families have suffered massive losses due to the ongoing demolition drive amid the Kukrail riverfront project. Several Hindus while talking to the local news channel expressed their anger over the demolition and said that it was not right for the government to force Akbar Nagar residents to leave the locality.
“We have been staying here for more than 50 years now. This is not how they should force us to leave. If we are staying here illegally, why were we provided with electricity and water connections? Why are our names mentioned in the Nagar Nigam records?” asked one of the enraged Hindu residents.
What is happening in Akbar Nagar, Lucknow is heartbreaking. This video is 5months old when the demolition drive was halted by the court orders.
But again it shows the reality of government which will bulldoze and demolish anything and everything for the sake of it's own.
Islamists and some vested interest groups have been trying to peddle the false claim that the evacuation or demolition drive is specifically targeted against Muslims, for allegedly ‘not voting for the BJP’. Which is a blatant lie. The process of encroachment removal was started long back.
The recent Lok Sabha election results in the state of Uttar Pradesh were rather unexpected with NDA securing 36 seats, 7 less than I.N.D.I Alliance which secured 43 seats. The Islamists and the vested interest groups are trying to insinuate that the Yogi govt in the state is now seeking vengeance against Muslims for not giving them votes.
Why is the demolition drive happening in Abar Nagar, Lucknow, and since when the process has been going on?
However heart-aching it is to watch, it is important to note that all the houses and commercial properties that are being razed down by the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) are illegal. Several families years ago started staying on the banks of the Kukrail River and eventually permanent structures were constructed. Consecutive governments overlooked the encroachment and constriction of the crucial water body for reasons best known to them.
The LDA in the year 2023 had asked the residents to vacate their homes to carry out the anti-encroachment drive by sending notices and letters. The residents of Akbar Nagar in Lucknow then knocked on the doors of the High Court getting a breather ahead of the demolition drive in the area.
VIDEO | Residents of Akbarnagar in Lucknow get High Court breather ahead of the demolition drive in the area. Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) had asked the residents to vacate their homes in order to carry out the anti-encroachment drive. pic.twitter.com/uxFEUW63TF
On June 10th this year, however, the LDA began the demolition drive to make the Kukrail riverfront project a reality. The entire area had been closed, and traffic was diverted to allow for the demolition drive, which was scheduled in two shifts. Eight companies of the Uttar Pradesh Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and the Rapid Action Force (RPF) have been deployed to maintain law and order.
Residents began packing their possessions as soon as the LDA officials arrived with the bulldozers for demolition, and several of them fiercely opposed the government’s conduct. Notably, the LDA had earlier issued notices and the admin officials had also been warning the residents of the demolition drive over loudspeakers.
Legal process was followed, Supreme Court allowed demolition drive
A Supreme Court panel consisting of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta gave legal clearance to the demolition on May 10th. It supported the Allahabad High Court’s order on the demolition effort against “unauthorized construction” in the Akbar Nagar area, an essentially Muslim area, and stated that no one should be removed until the LDA provides alternative housing.
SC: Details of flood in said nullah has been indicated and a STP constructed. In view of aforesaid we are in agreement with the HC that the colony has been constructed on a floodplain area and the petitioners do not have any document or…
Another fact is that this is not the first demolition drive either. The demolition work has been progressing in phases. In February this year, around 78 slum houses were cleared. Among the slum residents some had already chosen alternate housing under the PM Awas Yojna and Vasant Kunj Yojna. Some did not seek a stay on the demolition. The LDA had followed the due legal process and proceeded with announcement well ahead of the demolition.
The first bulldozer entered Akbar Nagar on December 21, 2023, but before demolition work could begin, the Allahabad High Court’s Lucknow bench imposed a stay, however, no final injunction was made to stop the demolition.
How the Kukrail river was encroached and illegal immigrants were settled under SP govt
The Kukrail River was believed to be a drain around which several illegal immigrants built their houses. The river has a history of 200 years with its initial documented mention in a 1904 gazetteer, as per a detailed report by Times of India. As per a professor at the Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, who is advising the Yogi government on the Kukrail project, the 28-km-long Kukrail river covered a basin of around 192 sq km. However, during the regime of the Samajwadi Party, several illegal immigrants began staying on the banks of the river eventually forcing it to shrink to a drain.
How badly the Kukrail river was encroached upon: image via TOI
The area where the current demolition drive is being undertaken was actually handed over to the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) for development in 1980. The LDA then identified 283 illegal constructions on the flood-prone bank by 1984. However, the number happened to increase to 1200 in the year 2023. It was learned later that several illegal immigrants were allowed to settle in the area by the SP regime. Several land mafias faked the documents to sell properties that have now been razed to grounds. “The land mafia faked documents to construct multi-storey buildings and large showrooms on the Kukrail River. They duped poor, gullible people, and facilitated the development of an illegal colony in Akbarnagar, leading to the river’s decline,” the professor was quoted as saying.
It is in the year 2023 that the Yogi Adityanat government decided to bring the Kukrail river back to life. The government identified illegal settlements and ordered their demolition in the wake of the Kukrail riverfront project.
So far 105 illegal properties have been razed to ground (ANI)
Kukrail Riverfront Project, and alternate housing provided by Govt
Notably, the residents who have lost their properties to the demolition drive have been given resettlement houses under PM Awas Yojana. Efforts are being taken by the government to resettle other sufferers. “Genuine Indian citizens who had been cheated by the land mafia to get settled here have been taken care of. Over 1,800 such families have been allotted houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana,” the government officials said.
The government is undertaking the demolition drive to make the Kukrail Riverfront Project, a reality. The project involves not just the removal of illegal encroachment on river bed and floodplains, but also the revival of ponds and smaller water bodies in the Asti area where the kukrail generates.
So far, 105 illegal properties have been razed to the ground. Under this project, efforts are being made to maintain and enhance the area’s natural beauty, as well as to regenerate the Kukrail River. The state administration has been tasked with monitoring the beautification of 22 ponds spread around the Asti locality. These ponds would serve as a feeder for the Kukrail River and also serve as vital reservoirs of water and havens for biodiversity.
Further by renewing the riverbed and maintaining uninterrupted flow, the river will gain new life, and the ecology will be safeguarded, reducing the risk of floods during the monsoon season.
The state plans the Kukrail riverfront project to enhance the beauty of Lucknow, and prevent the frequent floods that are worsened by encroachments. Earlier the banks were vacant but slowly several families came in and began staying illegally on the banks. The government now plans to make the Kukrail riverfront a famous picnic spot with boating, street food and sports facilities. All the illegal properties for this purpose have been possessed back by the government. All these residents who have been illegally staying in the locality will be given alternative homes under the PM Awas Yojana as suggested by the media reports.
