India

Lucknow, April 13 (IANS) A woman's body was exhumed for autopsy in Uttar Pradesh's Mau on Sunday after her sister alleged that she had been murdered by her husband for protesting his sexual assault of the complainant.

Tension gripped the Ghosi police station area when the court ordered the exhumation of the woman's body after four-and-a-half months of her burial.

The woman was found dead under mysterious circumstances on November 30, 2024, and her last rites were conducted.

However after few days, the woman's sister accused her brother-in-law of raping her and killing his wife when she protested against the sexual assault.

The victim claimed that she went to her sister's place for her post-delivery care, where her brother-in-law sexually assaulted her.

He took her to a private hotel in Badhalganj on the pretext of buying medicines and raped her, she alleged, adding that he also clicked objectionable photos and videos of her and threatened to make them viral if she revealed the incident to anyone.

She claimed that when her sister protested the accused's act, he killed her by strangling her with a 'dupatta'.

The victim has filed a plea in the court demanding the post-mortem examination of her sister's body, which was accepted.

The body has been sent to the forensic lab to ascertain whether the woman's death was natural or a murder.

Sharing the sequence of events on that day, the victim said: "My brother-in-law raped me in front of my sister. When she objected, his mother and sister joined him in thrashing her. They killed her in front of me and threatened me with dire consequences if I revealed the incident to anyone. I filed a plea seeking justice, and finally, the court ordered the exhumation of the body."

--IANS

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Bengaluru, April 13 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said on Sunday that the Congress government in the state will ensure justice for the Lingayat community.

"The caste census report has reached me this noon. I will study the report and we will discuss the matter in the Cabinet meeting," Shivakumar added.

When asked about opposition from the Veerashaiva Mahasabha and seers of the community, the Deputy Chief Minister said: "If they are taking steps to protect their communities we won't have any opposition for their actions."

"In a democratic system it is the right of everyone to protect their interests. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said that the representatives of people will also be given opportunity to discuss the matter in the state Assembly," Shivakumar added.

What more transparency is required, he asked.

When asked about Vokkaliga community rallying behind him in the state Assembly and the community seers opposing the caste census report, Shivakumar said that he knows about it.

"Now, I am the state Congress President. It is my duty to ensure justice for all."

When asked on the projected population of Vokkaligas as just above 60 lakh and showing it as in sixth position, Shivakumar said that he is the State Congress President and he doesn't know about these figures.

"I have not seen the report yet. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has asked us to go through the report. The matter needs to be discussed in the Cabinet meeting. No one will take decision over the caste census report in haste," he assured.

"Few are engaged in issuing political statements over the caste census report. The government will take everyone into confidence and ensure justice to all," Shivakumar said.

Meanwhile, former Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP MLA C. N. Ashwath Narayan said on Sunday that the BJP is not opposed to the conducting of the caste census.

However, the caste census report submitted to the state government is not scientific, he added.

The things have to be done properly, Shivakumar said.

"We can't say that caste census can't be done. The caste census was conducted in 2011 and it is not complete and done as per whims and fancies. It is clear. The issue is brought up now to divert the attention from the complete failure of the Congress-led government in the state," he added.

Commenting on the criticism by the BJP in Karnataka, State Social Welfare Minister H. C. Mahadevappa said, "What more can be expected from the BJP? When Mandal Commission came up, they went over the country with kamandal Yatra flaring up communal sentiments. The BJP is not committed to social justice."

The caste census report was submitted to the state Cabinet on Friday, and the state government is convening a special Cabinet meeting on April 17 to decide on the report's recommendations.

However, no official statement has been issued to the media regarding the report's contents.

Nonetheless, details presented in the Cabinet meeting have surfaced in the public domain.

The controversial caste census report submitted by the Backward Classes Commission to the Congress-led government in Karnataka has pegged the Muslim population in the state at 18.08 per cent and recommends eight per cent reservation for the community, sources confirmed on Sunday.

The findings of the report are expected to trigger a major debate and controversy in the state and could significantly impact the political landscape.

--IANS

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Chennai, April 13 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu unit of the Communist Party of India (CPI) has demanded the immediate recall of Governor R.N. Ravi, accusing him of acting in defiance of constitutional norms and obstructing the functioning of the elected state government.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday, CPI state secretary R. Mutharasan urged the President of India and the Union government to remove Governor Ravi from office, alleging that he behaves like an “unruly authoritarian” who considers himself above the judiciary and the Constitution.

“If his actions continue unchecked, a massive public uprising, driven by democratic sentiment, will emerge to restrain him,” Mutharasan warned. The CPI leader pointed to a recent Supreme Court ruling that overturned several actions taken by Governor Ravi, clarifying the constitutional boundaries of his role. Despite this, the Governor has continued to attend public events and make controversial statements, Mutharasan said.

He cited a recent incident at the Kamban Festival held at Thiagarajar College in Thirupparankundram, where the Governor reportedly chanted “Jai Shri Ram” and allegedly pressured students to follow suit -- an act Mutharasan described as contrary to Tamil Nadu’s cultural and artistic traditions.

Accusing the Governor of consistently acting against the interests of the DMK-led government, the CPI leader said, “He has misused his constitutional position ever since taking office, blocking administrative functioning and stalling key legislative processes.” Mutharasan also alleged that the Governor’s actions are part of a broader strategy by the BJP-led Union government to disrupt governance in opposition-ruled states and manufacture administrative deadlocks for political advantage.

Highlighting the Governor’s delay in providing assent to numerous Bills passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly, the CPI condemned what it called a violation of federal principles and public welfare. The CPI’s call comes days after a landmark Supreme Court ruling on April 8, which invoked Article 142 of the Constitution to declare that 10 bills, withheld by the Governor for two to five years, are deemed to have received assent. A bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan held that the Governor’s decision to reserve the Bills for the President’s assent was “illegal and liable to be set aside.”

Citing the undue delay and the Governor’s disregard for previous court rulings, the court used its special powers to grant validity to the pending legislation. The bench also laid down a time frame of one to three months for future decisions regarding gubernatorial assent to Bills, to uphold legislative autonomy and constitutional balance between the state and the Centre.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 13 (IANS) Given that Tahawwur Rana, a key conspirator of 26/11, was reluctant to stand trial in India, his interrogators in NIA suspect that the mention of Parkinson’s and 32 other diseases in his medical history could be a deliberate attempt to justify his fading memory to block direct answers related to the 17-year-old deadly terror attack.

Rana may appear or pretend to be sick and tired, but mentally, he is very alert and sharp, said an official, adding that he is being questioned on sleeper cells and funding of his operations and, visit to India before the Mumbai attack.

While NIA sleuths continue to question Rana for about three hours daily, he is also subjected to medical checks every 48 hours, said an official.

Rana’s stays in Delhi, Hapur and Agra in 2008 are being seen with suspicion by the NIA, whose sleuths want to extract information from him about his Indian aide, identified as “B”, and Indian relatives of his wife, Samraz Rana Akhtar, who accompanied him during his visit.

Rana had also visited Mumbai with his wife and stayed at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, which became a target of the attack that killed 166 people. The couple also visited Kochi and Ahmedabad.

Investigators are now questioning him on whether these trips were part of a reconnaissance mission to carry out a Mumbai-like attack, aimed at attracting optimal international attention.

Sources said Rana’s high situational awareness and elaborate groundwork before landing in India can be gauged from his demand related to the appointment of defence lawyers, request to the judge for medical assistance and discussion with defence lawyers to raise the issue of his rights as an accused.

“He sought non-famous lawyers and asked the court to restrict them from talking to the media,” said a person privy to the court proceedings.

After the court deputed lawyers Piyush Sachdeva and Lakhshya Dheer, both from Legal Services Authority, he asked them to mention in court his rights, as an accused, under the US Constitution’s Fifth Amendment.

The Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution guarantees several rights related to criminal procedures and property rights. It includes the right to a grand jury indictment for serious crimes, protection against double jeopardy, the privilege against self-incrimination, and the guarantee of due process before property can be taken for public use.

While opposing Rana’s extradition to India, his lawyers in the US had tried to raise the issue of his poor health and also questioned the logic behind making him stand trial for the second time (now in India), after he got acquitted of similar charges in the US.

His lawyer John D. Cline opposed his extradition, claiming, “Extraditing Rana to face the death penalty in India would set a shocking precedent that would call into question the finality of what has until now been sacrosanct: acquittal by a jury of ordinary American citizens following a full and fair trial.

NIA investigators may also try and take Rana to other cities, after taking permission of the court, indicated an official.

The 64-year-old Pakistani-Canadian and his 26/11 co-conspirator David Coleman Headley joined hands with Pakistan-based terrorist groups and ISI, executed the Mumbai attack that started on November 26, 2008 and lasted till November 29, leaving 166, including six US nationals, dead.

The terrorists who sailed into a fishermen’s colony in Mumbai on a boat fanned out in the city and conducted shooting and bombing at 12 different locations. They were carrying layout plans and blueprints of their four main targets – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Taj Mahal Palace hotel, Oberoi Trident and Nariman House.

--IANS

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Hubballi (Karnataka), April 13 (IANS) Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, on Sunday, alleged that "fake Gandhis" conspired to prevent the centenary celebrations of B.R. Ambedkar's visit to Nippani town in Karnataka.

Speaking at the BJP-organised 'Bheem Hejje Centenary Celebrations', an awareness programme event in Hubballi, Union Minister Joshi accused the Congress high command of instructing the state government to halt events meant to honour Ambedkar.

The Union Minister demanded that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge apologise to the Dalit community for the Congress-led state government's failure to celebrate the Bheem Hejje centenary.

He said, "This lapse may have been due to some pressure. For that, they must seek forgiveness from the nation and assure that going forward, they will organise programmes to honour Ambedkar without any shortcomings."

The Union Minister urged Mallikarjun Kharge to apologise on behalf of the nation for failing to respect the Constitution authored by Ambedkar and his unparalleled contributions and sacrifices.

He advised that the Congress President should issue directions to all Congress-led governments to ensure Ambedkar-related events are celebrated with due respect.

Taking a jab at the state government, Union Minister Joshi said that even though Mallikarjun Kharge is the Congress President, his word holds no weight in the Congress dominated by "fake Gandhis".

He added that the same situation prevails in the state government as well.

Union Minister Joshi reiterated that the state must first apologise to the community for not celebrating the centenary of Bheem Hejje.

He asserted that it was the NDA government that developed Deeksha Bhoomi, where Ambedkar embraced Buddhism -- not the Congress, which, he said, is filled with fake Gandhis.

He criticised Minister Priyank Kharge, saying he was unaware of historical facts.

He also slammed the Congress, saying that former PMs, late Indira Gandhi and Jawahar Lal Nehru, declared themselves Bharat Ratna recipients, but never gave the honour to Ambedkar.

"They didn't even allocate land for an Ambedkar memorial in Delhi. Don't the Congress leaders feel ashamed?" he asked.

He noted that the Congress-led state government celebrated Mahatma Gandhi's centenary visit to Belagavi.

"It seemed more like a Congress party gathering funded by public money. Still, it was good that they remembered Gandhi's visit."

"But the same Belagavi district, where Ambedkar had visited Nippani a hundred years ago, saw no such commemoration -- thanks to the influence of fake Gandhian narratives," Union Minister Joshi said, expressing disappointment with the Congress government.

--IANS

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Bhopal, April 13 (IANS) Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation, Amit Shah, has called upon the Madhya Pradesh government to breathe new life into the dormant cooperative systems neglected under the previous Congress regime.

Speaking in Bhopal on Sunday, he asserted the need to ensure that at least 50 per cent of villages in the state establish functioning milk cooperatives. With fervent admiration, Union Minister Shah lauded the state’s partnership with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), forged on Sunday to elevate milk cooperative networks and revolutionise the dairy industry.

Addressing the gathering, HM Shah lamented the fact that while Madhya Pradesh boasts a daily milk production of 3.3 crore litres, only 17 per cent of villages have access to cooperative milk collection facilities. He observed, with concern, that a mere 2.5 per cent of this milk reaches cooperatives.

The newly minted agreement between Madhya Pradesh and NDDB has opened promising avenues for expanding cooperative coverage to 83 per cent of villages, thereby unlocking untapped potential. Despite the urban milk demand of 1.20 crore litres daily, farmers have yet to reap equitable profits -- a predicament the agreement seeks to remedy within the next five years by targeting the establishment of cooperatives in half of the state's villages.

The Union Home Minister underscored the importance of increasing the number of the existing 7,000 rural milk cooperatives, which demand substantial enhancement to broaden their reach and efficacy. He assured unwavering support from the Central Government to aid Madhya Pradesh in this transformative journey.

Moreover, HM Shah termed this moment as a golden opportunity to rejuvenate defunct cooperatives from past regimes, setting ambitious targets to bolster milk production, particularly through processed milk products such as cheese and paneer. He also criticised previous Congress governments, which saw stagnation in cooperative movements marred by administrative neglect and defunct systems.

“For decades, legal reforms were neglected, leaving the cooperative sector languishing without proper institutional support. It was only under the stewardship of the Modi government that the Ministry of Cooperation was established, seventy-five years after Independence, paving the way for landmark reforms such as model bylaws. The nationwide adoption of these bylaws has infused new vitality into primary cooperative societies. Today, these societies -- once limited to providing short-term agricultural loans -- have diversified their operations, including managing medical services, petrol pumps, railway ticketing, and electricity bill payments,” the Home Minister said.

Madhya Pradesh leads the nation in computerising Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS), linking them to NABARD and other institutions, fostering inclusive growth across linguistic and cultural divides.

As the state embarks on this ambitious journey on Sunday by inking the deal with NDDB, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced the state's determination to double milk processing capacity within five years, thereby empowering dairy producers and strengthening their cooperatives.

The Chief Minister noted that the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet has already approved the agreement, which will span an initial period of five years, with an option for extension based on mutual consent. This collaboration with NDDB, armed with a budget allocation of Rs 1,447 crore, marks a new dawn for the dairy sector-- a mission poised to enhance the livelihoods of farmers and usher in an era of prosperity.

--IANS

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Gurugram, April 13 (IANS) Two men have been arrested for allegedly opening fire at a man in Gurugram, police said on Sunday.

The accused were identified as Som Shukla and his associate Rinku Singh.

According to the police, Shukla opened fire at his girlfriend's friend here on Thursday evening.

The friend narrowly escaped while the accused managed to flee the spot.

The weapon used in the commission of the crime was provided to Shukla by Singh.

An FIR in this regard was registered at the Sadar police station.

Acting on a tip-off that a firing occurred near the Irish Park building in Sector 48 here, the police reached the spot, where they found the girl and her friend.

The victim told the police that he and the girl became friends three months ago as they worked at the same private company.

In his complaint to the police, the man had identified the assailant as Shukla, a resident of Uttar Pradesh.

About three days ago, Shukla was standing in front of their office when he spotted the man and the girl talking to each other.

After this, he threatened the victim to stop talking to her.

"At around 8 p.m. on Thursday, Shukla, who was standing outside my office, took out a pistol and fired at me. I narrowly escaped and ran towards my office to save my life. He chased me and fired another shot, but I managed to escape again," the man said in his complaint.

"The accused are in police custody for further investigation. They will be thoroughly interrogated for further investigation," Sandeep Kumar, spokesperson of the Gurugram Police, said.

In another incident, five men were arrested on the charges of robbing a medical store at gunpoint and fleeing in Gurugram.

--IANS

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Gurugram, April 13 (IANS) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said on Sunday that Guru Gobind Singh instilled the spirit of living with courage and sacrifice in people by establishing the Khalsa Panth on April 13, 1699.

He gave a new direction to the society by combining bravery and heroic spirit with spiritual thinking.

The Chief Minister was speaking at Gurdwara Sadh Sangat, South City-I, Gurugram, on the occasion of Baisakhi.

On this occasion, Chief Minister Saini paid obeisance at the gurdwara and congratulated everyone on this auspicious day.

He said that Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa Panth in 1699 on the day of Baisakhi to fight injustice and oppression.

At that time, the country was ruled by the Mughals.

They were inflicting severe atrocities on the people and they were being forced to convert.

The society was divided on the basis of caste and religion.

At that time, Guru Gobind Singh performed such a miracle which no ordinary man could do.

He inspired people to make every kind of sacrifice to protect their religion and honour.

He said that while laying the foundation of Khalsa Panth, Guru Gobind Singh had included 'Panj Pyaras' from five different castes and five different regions of the country and then he ended the discrimination by giving Amrit to all of them from the same vessel.

He never accepted the discrimination between humans on the basis of language, caste and religion.

The Chief Minister said state-level events were organised to commemorate the 550th Prakash Parv of Guru Nanak Dev in 2019 and the 350th Prakash Parv of Guru Gobind Singh in 2017.

The 400th Prakash Parv of Guru Teg Bahadur was celebrated in 2022 wherein a state-level function was organised on the historical land of Panipat.

"The Indian government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, constructed the Kartarpur Corridor so that the Sikh community can visit the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan where Guru Nanak Dev spent a large part of his life," CM Saini said.

"Haryana government also transferred land of an educational institute located adjacent to Gurdwara Chilla Sahib in Sirsa to the gurdwara management committee, fulfilling its long-standing demand. Guru Nanak Dev ji had meditated there for 40 days and stayed in Sirsa," he added.

He said the Gurugram gurdwara started in 2000 on a small piece of land but with the blessings of Gurus, it has become big today and it will become even more grand in the future.

He added that whatever demands have been put forward by the gurdwara management before him, these will be fulfilled soon, including the demand for additional land.

The Chief Minister also announced a Rs 21 lakh grant for the gurdwara.

He said noble service was being done by the gurdwara at the wellness centre being run by it as a large number of poor patients visit its OPD daily and get treatment.

"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is being continuously developed and that's why visiting gurdwaras like Hemkunt Sahib has become a lot easier today. Prime Minister will be coming to Haryana on April 14 to inaugurate Maharaja Agrasen Airport in Hisar and lay the foundation stone of the third unit of Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant in Yamunanagar," he added.

--IANS

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Chennai, April 13 (IANS) Former Kerala government pleader, P.G. Manu, who was facing multiple charges of rape, died by suicide on Sunday.

He was found hanging at his rented residence in Anandavalleeswaram, Kollam, just days after a video of him apologising to a woman went viral on social media.

Manu had been released on bail in a case where he was accused of repeatedly raping a female client.

While out on bail, another woman came forward alleging that Manu had sexually assaulted her as well.

A video that recently surfaced showed Manu visiting the home of the first complainant along with his family, where he was seen apologising to her.

According to the initial complaint, the first rape survivor had approached Manu in 2018 for legal assistance.

She alleged that on October 9, 2023, he raped her at his office under the pretext of discussing her case.

She also claimed that he sexually assaulted her again on October 24 and 29, and that he took explicit photographs and videos of her without consent.

Based on her allegations, Manu was charged under Sections 376 (rape), 354 (outraging the modesty of a woman), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code, along with relevant sections of the Information Technology Act.

Following the registration of the case, Manu resigned from his post as government pleader.

His attempts to obtain anticipatory bail from the Kerala High Court and the Supreme Court were unsuccessful.

He was arrested in January 2023 after evading the police for 60 days and subsequently spent 50 days in judicial custody.

He was granted bail in March 2023, with strict conditions -- including a prohibition on engaging in any further criminal activity.

However, last week, another video emerged in which a man confronted Manu, accusing him of raping his wife, who had also sought legal advice from the former pleader.

The video showed the man berating Manu, and reports suggested that a formal police complaint was imminent.

A new case would have likely led to his re-arrest, as it would have violated the conditions of his bail.

Manu's death brings a tragic end to a case that had already sent shockwaves through the legal fraternity in Kerala.

--IANS

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Hyderabad, April 13 (IANS) AIMIM President and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reconsider the Waqf (Amendment) Act.

Speaking to the media, he reiterated that the Act is unconstitutional, claiming that the ‘black law’ was made by the BJP with the support of NDA’s supporting parties.

"We are appealing to the Prime Minister to please reconsider this Act. You are making a law that is against the Constitution of India, and you are imposing your ideology on the country. Your ideology should be Indian nationalism and the Constitution,” he said.

“How can something that is good for Hindu and Sikh communities be considered bad for Muslims?” asked Owaisi while citing certain ‘discriminatory’ provisions of the Act.

The MP said that the Waqf Amendment Act shows that the BJP treats Muslims with suspicion. “In the endowment boards of Hindus, Jains and Sikhs, only those who follow those faiths can become members. The Limitation Act does not apply to endowment boards of these religions; by usage, they can become owners of properties, and people practising other religions can also donate their property to endowment boards of these religions. The Modi government, through this amendment bill, has snatched all these rights from the Muslim religious board,” he said.

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president said that the Waqf Act is a gross violation of Articles 14, 15, 25, 26 and 29 of the Constitution of India.

He said the Act was not brought to save Waqf properties, to remove encroachments or to increase the revenue of Waqf properties.

On the violence in West Bengal’s Murshidabad during anti-Waqf Act protests, Owaisi said protests should be peaceful. " We have always condemned violence and will keep doing that. Protests should be peaceful. Violence of any kind is condemnable," he said.

Owaisi announced that the All India Muslim Personal Law Board will be holding a public meeting at AIMIM headquarters, Darussalam, on April 19 against the Waqf Amendment Act.

The Hyderabad MP said that through this public meeting, they would explain to people how this Act is not in the interest of Waqf.

AIMPLB members from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, along with other Muslim organisations, will participate in the meeting.

The organisers are also inviting the MPs who were members of the Parliament committee on Waqf. “We are also trying to talk to the members of the Waqf Committee, and if their schedule permits, they will also be part of this protest,” he said

All India Muslim Personal Law Board President Moulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani will preside over the meeting, which will be addressed by leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hindu and other organisations.

--IANS

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