The minor daughter of a widowed mother was kidnapped and gang-raped, even a transgender woman sleeping alone was not spared; Two rape incidents in 24 hours shook Gopalganj, Bihar.
A case of gang rape of a minor girl who had left her home for the market has come to light in Gopalganj, Bihar. According to reports, two accused abducted the girl, gang-raped her, and then dumped her on the roadside before fleeing. The minor daughter of a widowed mother was kidnapped and gang-raped, even a transgender woman sleeping alone was not spared; Two rape incidents in 24 hours shook Gopalganj, Bihar. A case of gang rape of a minor girl who had left her home for the market has come to light in Gopalganj, Bihar. According to reports, two accused abducted the girl, gang-raped her, and then dumped her on the roadside before fleeing. Upon receiving information about the incident, local police immediately swung into action and arrived at the scene with their forces. The police wasted no time in admitting the gang rape victim, who was in extremely critical condition, to Gopalganj Sadar Hospital for treatment. She is receiving intensive treatment under the supervision of a special team of doctors. Following this horrific incident, the victim’s helpless and widowed mother mustered courage and filed a written complaint at the local police station. Based on the victim’s statement, the police have registered an FIR against the accused under relevant sections. The weeping mother pleaded with the police administration for justice and demanded the strictest punishment for the culprits. Gang-raped in a field, beaten, and dumped unconscious on the roadside The accused raped the girl in a deserted field. They then assaulted her and left her unconscious before fleeing. When she did not return home for a long time, her family began searching for her. They found her unconscious in the field. The victim’s condition is reported to be critical. The police have stated that all the accused will be arrested soon and action will be taken under the law. Advertisement A deaf and mute transgender woman was also raped. Another rape incident was reported in Gopalganj within just 24 hours. Late on Monday night, a transgender woman was sleeping in her cattle shed in the Vijaypur police station area. A young man approached her and forcibly raped her. Following the incident, the victim filed a complaint at the police station. Acting swiftly, the police arrested the accused, Vinod Ram, and are interrogating him. The victim has been sent to Sadar Hospital for a medical examination. Ankur Shrivastava Courtesy: Hindi News
HIV cases among gays in Karnataka rise from 166 to 412
The highest number of registered individuals was in the 26-35 age group, followed by those aged 18-25 years. BENGALURU: The number of HIV-positive cases among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Karnataka has increased from 166 in 2023-24 to 412 in 2025-26, according to data from the Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society (KSAPS). The figures show a steady rise over the three years, with cases increasing to 362 in 2024-25 before reaching 412 in 2025-26. Data from KSAPS also shows that the number of MSM individuals registered under targeted Intervention Programmes (IP) increased from 44,581 in 2023-24 to 62,664 in 2024-25 and 66,606 in 2025-26. The highest number of registered individuals was in the 26-35 age group, followed by those aged 18-25 years. An IP for MSM refers to targeted public health initiatives aimed at preventing the spread of HIV and other STIs. “Among the MSM population, lack of awareness and misinformation about HIV and sexual health continue to be major concerns. Many individuals engage in sexual activity without knowing safe sex practices and the importance of regular HIV testing. With the increasing use of dating applications, people are able to connect easily. There is a need for sustained education and outreach to ensure that individuals have access to accurate information and preventive services,” said Padma Basavanthappa, Project Director, KSAPS. She added that the state records around 12,000 to 13,000 HIV-positive cases annually across all categories, including MSM. NGOs working with key populations, including MSM, transgender people, female sex workers, migrants and truckers, play a crucial role in HIV prevention efforts. “The NGOs are given a target of increasing their numbers by 25% each year,” Basavanthappa said. “The individuals are given condoms, they are guided on how to have safe sex, their health check-ups are done, and they are linked to social security schemes,” she stressed. Manohar Elavarthi, State Committee Member of the Movement for Gender and Sexual Pluralism, said HIV awareness initiatives need to adapt to changing patterns of communication among young people. “Instead of blaming youths, the government must find effective ways to reach them on the digital platforms that they use every day,” he said. Hanumantha Rayappa, deputy director of Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres (ICTC), said many people with HIV remain unaware of their infection due to the absence of early symptoms. He encouraged the use of the Break Free App and free HIV testing at ICTCs in Karnataka, with free Antiretroviral Therapy services at government hospitals. Gayathri M Kurup Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rahul Gandhi pays last respects to Suraj Hegde in Bengaluru
Suraj, the grandson of former Karnataka Chief Minister D Devaraj Urs, had worked closely with Rahul as the AICC secretary in charge of Puducherry and Tamil Nadu. BENGALURU: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi arrived in Bengaluru on Tuesday morning and paid his last respects to AICC secretary Suraj Hegde, 55, who died of cardiac arrest late on Sunday night. Accompanied by Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and former Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah, Rahul visited Suraj’s residence on BEL Road near M S Ramaiah Hospital, where the mortal remains were kept. He consoled the grieving family members, including Suraj’s wife Shilpa and their two sons. AICC general secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala were also present. The cremation will be held on Tuesday afternoon at the Hebbal Crematorium. Suraj, the grandson of former Karnataka Chief Minister D Devaraj Urs, had worked closely with Rahul as the AICC secretary in charge of Puducherry and Tamil Nadu. He was also the vice chairman of the Karnataka State Guarantees Implementation Committee. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit youths dragged and paraded half-naked in a field in Punjab on charges of phone theft
In an alleged video circulating on social media, some people can be seen dragging the two youths by their feet through a field. On Saturday, a mob attacked two Dalit youths in Jharod village, Punjab, stripping them half-naked and dragging them through a field with their hands tied. The mob accused them of snatching a mobile phone. According to police, the two youths were allegedly drug addicts and had tried to snatch a mobile phone from a migrant laborer. Villagers caught them, tied them up, and beat them. In an alleged video circulating on social media, some people can be seen dragging the two youths by their feet. The mother of one of the accused said she did not know what her son had done, but he was brutally beaten. He said that if his son had committed a crime, he should have been handed over to the police. Malout Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jaspal Singh said that police arrived at the scene after learning about the incident through a video. Police stated that a case had previously been registered against one of the two men in a case involving 200 narcotic pills. According to officials, both have undergone medical examinations, which revealed blunt force injuries. Police stated that appropriate action will be taken based on the medical report and the victims’ statements. Police also stated that a case has been registered against both men for snatching a mobile phone. The Punjab State Scheduled Caste Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of the incident and has sought a report from the Muktsar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) by June 9. It is worth noting that a week ago, a man was arrested in Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, for allegedly tying a Dalit girl to a tree and beating her. According to police, the incident occurred in a village in Deoria district, where the accused allegedly caught the girl stealing from his shop. According to a report in Deccan Herald, police took action after a purported video of the incident went viral on social media. It was reported that the incident occurred in Mishrauli village, under the Tarkulwa police station area. According to police, the accused, Harikesh Gupta, who runs a grocery store, caught a 14-year-old girl on suspicion of theft. The girl’s family and villagers alleged that Gupta first dragged her by her hair throughout the village and later tied her to a neem tree outside his house and beat her. A video of the incident was recorded by a bystander, which was later shared on social media. Police stated that they received information about the incident through the emergency helpline 112 on May 31st. Upon receiving the information, police arrived at the scene and rescued the girl safely. According to the police, the victim belongs to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community. A case has been registered against the accused under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and he has been arrested. Circle Officer Sunil Kumar Reddy said that the police took cognizance of the matter after receiving information that a shopkeeper was forcibly interrogating a girl on suspicion of theft. He said, “The accused has been taken into custody.” Courtesy: Hindi News
Rajya Sabha Elections: Hemant surprises by giving ticket to a Dalit outside the Soren family, Baijnath becomes candidate
Political twist: Congress’s Pranav Jha, BJP’s Gaurav Vallabh, JMM’s Baijnath Ram, and independents Nathwani and Sai Reddy have filed nomination papers, but the BJP remains silent. The Rajya Sabha elections for two seats in Jharkhand have heated up the political atmosphere in the state. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) surprised everyone by not fielding anyone from the Soren family for the seat vacated by Guruji. The JMM, which had staked claim to both seats until Friday, announced former minister and central vice-president Baijnath Ram as its candidate on Saturday. However, the party has not yet given a concrete answer to the question of fielding a candidate for the second seat. Meanwhile, BJP’s chief whip in the Assembly, Naveen Jaiswal, claimed on Friday night that the party’s candidate would be announced on Saturday morning. Gaurav Vallabh has also purchased his nomination as a BJP candidate, but the party did not officially announce his name until late Saturday evening. Congress candidate Pranav Jha and JMM candidate Baijnath Ram have also purchased their nomination papers. JMM General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya said that Baijnath Ram will file his nomination papers on Monday, and Chief Minister Hemant Soren will be present. Parimal Nathwani met the Chief Minister, will contest as an independent Parimal Nathwani arrived in Ranchi at 8 pm on Saturday. He went directly from the airport to Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s residence on Kanke Road, where the two leaders met for about half an hour. After the meeting, Nathwani stated that it was merely a courtesy call and no discussion took place regarding the Rajya Sabha elections. He clarified that he will contest this election from Jharkhand as an independent. His nomination papers have been purchased and he will file his nomination papers on Monday. The ‘Behind the Scenes’ Game in the Rajya Sabha Elections Who will be the proposer? The ‘Mystery’ of 10 MLAs and the Entry of 2 Heavyweights The entry of heavyweight independents like Parimal Nathwani and Vijay Sai Reddy into the Rajya Sabha fray has made the election extremely interesting. According to the rules, a minimum of 10 MLAs are required for nominations. Inside Story: It is nearly impossible to gather 10 MLAs in the Jharkhand Assembly without the tacit consent or internal sabotage of a major party. Consequently, the biggest question in political circles is: who are the hidden MLAs willing to propose these heavyweights? Will this be a simmering discontent within the ruling and opposition parties, or will it be a new horse-trading game? BJP’s ‘Dark Horse’ Plan: Silence Behind the Chess Gaurav Vallabh has purchased his nomination papers, but the BJP has yet to reveal its cards. This delay in the official announcement is not without reason. Inside Story: The BJP’s silence isn’t a compulsion, but rather a part of Plan B. If the party doesn’t officially field its own candidate, it likely means it has decided to support a strong independent candidate behind the scenes. Instead of losing a direct contest, the independent candidate is intended to dent the Grand Alliance’s vote bank and appease disgruntled MLAs. Bhupesh and Ajay met the CM and said, “All is well.” Congress observers for the Rajya Sabha elections, Bhupesh Baghel and Ajay Sharma, met with Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Saturday afternoon. After a nearly two-hour meeting, both observers stated that everything was fine. The alliance would win both seats in the Rajya Sabha elections. Bhupesh Baghel said that they had a good and frank conversation with the Chief Minister, there were no misunderstandings, and the alliance was strong. Why did the JMM choose Baijnath Ram? Baijnath Ram’s name was included in the list of ministers in the Champai Soren government, and this list had even reached the Raj Bhavan. However, he was stopped just before the swearing-in ceremony, leading to accusations of the party neglecting Dalits. Later, he was promised a suitable position, and that is why he was nominated for the Rajya Sabha seat. Furthermore, the JMM has played the Dalit card after the Congress fielded a Brahmin candidate. Candidate Profiles: At a Glance Parimal Nathwani: Industrialist and current Rajya Sabha MP from Andhra Pradesh. He served as an independent Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand for two consecutive terms from 2008 to 2020. He lives in Dwarkesanandi, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Pranav Jha: National Secretary of the Congress Party and media strategist for the party. He is also close to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. He is originally from Anadipur village in Bhagalpur district and studied in Bokaro. He currently lives in South Avenue, Delhi. Gaurav Vallabh: A prominent BJP leader, economist, and academic. He is currently a member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council. He has served as a professor of economics at XLRI, Jamshedpur, and SISS, Ranchi. He is from Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Baijnath Ram: A senior leader of the JMM and has served as a minister in the Jharkhand government. He is known as an experienced and dedicated JMM worker. He is seen as a prominent face of the party’s SC community. He originally hails from Dhobi Mohalla in Latehar. Sai Vijay Reddy: Chartered accountant and politician from Andhra Pradesh. He has served as the National General Secretary of the YSR Congress Party and a Rajya Sabha MP from Andhra Pradesh. He is considered a close associate of YSRCP chief Jaganmohan Reddy and the party’s “Chanakya.” He hails from ISKCON City, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh. Courtesy: Hindi News
Uttarakhand: Dalit teen killed after friendship with ‘upper caste Hindu girl’; caste Hindus accused
An 18-year-old Dalit youth was allegedly beaten to death and his friend seriously injured in Uttarakhand after members of an upper-caste girl’s family assaulted them over their friendship, prompting a murder case under the SC/ST Act. An 18 year old Dalit teen, resident of Deval Village, was allegedly beaten to death and his friend severely injured for befriending a minor from an upper caste community in Pratap Nagar block of Uttarakhand’s New Tehri district, police said on Monday. The deceased Ketan Lal’s friend, Diwakar Dimri, was admitted to the district hospital in Bourari. According to the complaint filed by Ketan’s father Dhanpal Lal, the incident took place in Kholgarh village on Sunday night. Ketan had reportedly been in friendship with the girl from Kholgarh over the past six months. On Sunday at around 11 p.m., Ketan and his friend Diwakar went to Kholgarh village after the girl allegedly asked them over a phone call to come there. When they both arrived, members of the girl’s family locked them both in a room and assaulted them with sticks, the police said. On Monday morning, the girl’s father called Dhanpal Lal to inform him about his son’s condition and asked him to take him back. Dhanpal found his son covered in blood and rushed him to a community health centre in Chaund Lambgaon where he succumbed, the police said. Irate locals and the family initially refused to claim the body from the hospital and demanded immediate action against the assaulters. Speaking on the matter, Tehri Garhwal Senior Superintendent of Police Shweta Choubey said a case under the charge of murder and Section 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was filed. The police had detained for questioning one of the accused, Yashveer Singh Panwar, the SSP added. Reacting to the incident, CPI (ML) Liberation Central Committee member and Uttarakhand State Secretary Indresh Maikhuri said it was “another example of how casteism can make people violent and barbaric, even resorting to murder.” He also recalled similar atrocities against Dalits in his post by mentioning the 2022 murder case of Dalit political activist Jagdish Chandra, who was beaten to death for marrying an upper caste woman. “It was the poison of casteism that flowed deeply in their veins, and in a frenzy, Yashveer Panwar and others took the life of an 18-year-old youth,” he said. “This brought them no fame, nor did it make them heroes; they merely became crazed killers driven by the poison of casteism. If the poison of casteism had not been simmering in their minds, there would have been no need to act like this,” he asserted. He demand justice for Ketan Lal through strict legal action against Ketan’s killers. According to the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR)’s report, Five Years of Caste-Based Atrocity: An Analysis of Crimes Against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in India (2019–2023), Uttarakhand ranked 18th among Indian states in crimes against SCs and STs in 2023, accounting for 5.4% of total such crimes. The report also found that crimes against SC/ST communities in the state increased by 21.4% between 2019 and 2023. Courtesy : Maktoob Media Note: This news is originally published on https:/maktoobmedia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit settlement has been without electricity for eight years: Electricity and pension issues raised at a public awareness meeting.
On Tuesday, a night village meeting was held in the village panchayat of Bari Bisa in the Deegh development block under the Central Government’s “Integrated Public Welfare and Public Awareness Campaign.” During the meeting, villagers presented their basic problems to officials, highlighting the lack of electricity in the Dalit settlement for eight years and pension-related issues. Villager Mahendra Kumar Bind informed officials that electricity poles and wires were installed in the settlement about eight years ago under the Saubhagya Yojana. However, electricity supply has not been restored to date, forcing dozens of families to live in darkness. The villagers demanded the electricity department to immediately restore power supply. Villagers also expressed displeasure over the absence of a Social Welfare Department official at the meeting. Nageshwar Nath Dubey, a resident of Bari Bisa, explained that his old-age pension has been suspended for nearly a year, but the absence of the relevant official prevented his problem from being resolved. Several other villagers also filed complaints related to social security schemes. A total of 11 complaints were received at the Chaupal. Village Development Officer Dharmendra Pratap Singh reported that a total of 11 complaints were received at the Chaupal. Ten of these cases were resolved on the spot, while one case was referred to the concerned department for further action. Regional Forest Officer Rahul Singh, Regional Accountant Ranjan Gupta, Dharmendra Kumar of the Agriculture Department, and Anand Dubey of the Health Department, along with other officials, were present at the Chaupal. The officials assured the villagers of resolving their issues and directed the concerned departments to take necessary action. Manoj Tiwari | Koirauna, Bhadohi (Sant Ravidas Nagar) Dainik Bhaskar on Google
Rohta police file case against five individuals for extortion and use of casteist slurs based on a complaint by a Dalit youth.
Following a complaint from a Dalit youth in Rasulpur village, under the Rohta police station area, police have filed a case against five individuals for extortion, use of casteist slurs, and death threats. This action has been taken under various sections, including the SC/ST Act. The victim, Roshan Lal, son of Ramanand, stated in his report that he and his brother purchased two residential plots in Rasulpur village in 2023. These plots have also been fenced. It is alleged that on January 25, 2026 (possibly 2024 or 2023), when Roshan Lal went to inspect his plot, some villagers arrived armed with weapons. They allegedly used casteist slurs and threatened to take over the plot. According to the victim, the accused demanded a ransom of 25 lakh rupees each from him and his brother in exchange for vacating the plot. When they protested, they were beaten and threatened with death. Hearing the noise, people from the vicinity rushed to the scene, after which the accused left. However, they warned of dire consequences before leaving. Rohta police have registered a case under the SC/ST Act against Sandeep alias Sunny, Chaman Singh, Rajkumar, Shahidu, and Suraj alias Neetu (all residents of Rasulpur). Police stated that an investigation has been initiated and further action will be taken based on the investigation. Akash Malik | Sardhana Courtesy : Hindi News
Tortured with pliers, nails driven into feet; murder of Dalit teen sparks outrage in Uttarakhand’s Tehri Garhwal
The family of the 18-year-old refused to accept his body for the last rites until all his attackers were arrested His nails were pulled out with pliers, iron nails were driven into his feet, and severe wounds were dealt to his genitals, the father of a Dalit boy who was allegedly killed over an inter-caste affair has claimed. Irate villagers mobbed Baurari District Hospital here on Tuesday where the boy succumbed to the wounds. The family of the 18-year-old refused to accept his body for the last rites until all his attackers were arrested. According to the police, the victim, Ketan Lal, had reportedly been in a friendship with a girl from Pratapgarh Block’s Kholgarh for the past six months. On Sunday at around 11 pm, the girl called Ketan on his mobile phone and asked him to come to her village. Ketan went to Kholgarh with a friend, Diwakar Dimri. When they both arrived, members of the girl’s family locked them both in a room and assaulted them with sticks, the police said. Ketan succumbed during treatment. Ketan was subjected to extreme physical torture, leaving deep bruises covering his back, chest, and limbs, his family claimed. The police have arrested two primary suspects — the girl’s father, Yashveer Singh, and her grandfather, Vidya Singh. Chief Medical Superintendent Dr Amit Rai said the post-mortem report would come in two days. On Tuesday, Ketan’s relatives and villagers demonstrated outside the hospital, accusing the police of failing to arrest the attackers. Ketan’s father, Dhanpal Lal, broke down while speaking to reporters. “I will not take the body from here until all the culprits are arrested, even if it takes four days or ten days,” Dhanpal Lal said. “I am a poor man. I do not have the resources to run around courts for years. I want justice delivered right here. Only then will I take my son’s body.” He said a video of the assault is on social media and all those gathered at the hospital have seen it. The police said Ketan belonged to a Scheduled Caste community and was in a relationship with the minor daughter of Yashveer Singh. The two had been speaking over the telephone for the past six months. Dhanpal Lal claimed that the attackers used pliers to pluck the teenager’s fingernails and toenails, drove nails into his feet and caused severe injuries to his genitals. Villagers submitted a memorandum to SDM Ghansali Manju Rajput addressed to the chief minister, demanding a fair probe, justice, and security for the victim’s family. Tehri SSP Shweta Choubey said two primary suspects have been arrested and an intensive investigation is underway to ensure no culprit is spared. Police teams and forensic science experts have inspected the crime scene to secure evidence, she added. Courtesy : The Tribune Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetribune.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Brutality in Punjab: Two Dalit youths were stripped, beaten, tied with ropes, and paraded through the village on suspicion of mobile phone theft.
In Sri Muktsar Sahib, two Dalit youths were tied with ropes, beaten, and paraded publicly on suspicion of mobile phone theft. The police and SC Commission took strict action after the video of the incident went viral. Punjab: A horrific incident that shames humanity has come to light in Sri Muktsar Sahib district. Two youths were tied with ropes, beaten, and paraded publicly through the village on suspicion of mobile phone theft. Videos of this brutal incident are rapidly going viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage. According to initial information, this entire incident took place in Jhorad village. It is being reported that these two youths were suspected of snatching mobile phones from migrant laborers. Based on this accusation, some villagers allegedly forcibly abducted them from their homes. They were then tied with ropes and brutally beaten. According to eyewitnesses and viral videos, the mob went to extremes, stripping the victims, brutally beating them, and parading them publicly through the village streets. Following this inhumane incident, the victims’ families have made several serious allegations. The families claim that the two young men belong to the Dalit community and were deliberately subjected to this brutality. The families allege that the mob not only physically assaulted the young men but also hurled vulgar caste-related abuses at them throughout the incident. They strongly condemn this violent act by the mob, calling it a gross violation of human dignity and the law. On the other hand, the villagers have a different perspective on the matter. They claim that the two young men were directly involved in the frequent incidents of mobile phone snatching in the area. These conflicting and contradictory claims from both sides have significantly complicated the police investigation. Given the seriousness of the matter, the police administration has taken prompt action. Police officials have confirmed that both suspects have been detained and a case has been registered against them. At present, both youths have undergone medical examinations, and further legal action will be taken based on the facts revealed in the initial police investigation. Officials have also made it clear that strict action will be taken against those who allegedly took the law into their own hands and assaulted the victims. DSP Jaspal Singh Dhaliwal of Malout issued a strong statement on the incident. DSP Dhaliwal categorically stated that although the youths were suspected of wrongdoing, the villagers had no right to take the law into their own hands. He said that instead of taking the punishment themselves, the villagers should have immediately reported the incident to the police. Following the outrage and growing outrage on social media, the State Scheduled Caste Commission has also taken strict cognizance of the matter. Chairman of the Punjab State Scheduled Caste Commission, Jasvir Singh Garhi, expressed deep displeasure over the violent incident. It has summoned a detailed investigation report from the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Sri Muktsar Sahib, through the Superintendent of Police Headquarters. The Commission has set a deadline of June 9, 2026, for the police to submit this detailed report. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News