Transgender lost life to save Rs 10 from snatchers
Bhubaneswar: Shocking details have emerged in the recent murder of a transgender person near Pipili in Puri district, with police revealing that the crime stemmed from an attempted snatching of a mere Rs 10 note. During interrogation, prime accused Krushna Kandi (25), who was arrested after being shot and injured in police firing on Wednesday evening, confessed that the motive was robbery. The victim, also 25, was stabbed to death after resisting three assailants, including Krushna. Police arrested Kandi’s associate Sanil Kandi (21) on Thursday, while efforts are underway to trace the third accused. Investigations revealed that the trio, hailing from Konark area, were returning from Uttara towards Pipili when they spotted the victim alone along the Bhubaneswar-Puri NH-316 in the evening on Feb 1. “On the pretext of interaction, the accused lured the victim to an isolated spot and attempted to snatch her purse. When she resisted bravely and tried to overpower them, one of them stabbed her,” said SP (Puri) Prateek Singh. Krushna reportedly admitted that the purse contained only a Rs 10 note, which they ultimately did not steal, police sources said. The case posed a major challenge for investigators as there were no eyewitnesses or CCTV footage nearby. “It was a blind case. IIC, Pipili police station, Soumyendu Tripathy and his team examined distant cameras, interrogated jailed criminals, analyzed intelligence inputs, and questioned the victim’s acquaintances before narrowing down on Krushna through our sources,” Singh said. On Wednesday evening, Krushna attempted to flee on a motorcycle. He allegedly opened fire at police during the chase, prompting controlled retaliatory firing in which he was injured. Police authorities confirmed his serious criminal background, with at least 13 cases of snatching, theft, and robbery registered against him across multiple police stations in Puri district, including Kumbharapada, Konark, Nimapara, Kakatpur, and Chandrabhaga, as well as Bhubaneswar’s Dhauli, Kharavel Nagar, Lingaraj, and Badagada areas. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Transgenders eligible for Ayush card: Minister
Lucknow: Any transgender, who has a transgender card, is eligible for Ayush card, a cashless medical insurance worth Rs 5 lakh, social welfare minister Asim Arun said during the Question Hour on Thursday. The ex-IPS was replying to a supplementary raised by Jakhai MLA from Samajwadi Party Engineer Sachin Yadav, who earned the praise of Speaker Satish Mahana and the minister himself for raising such a sensitive issue. Arun claimed that this was probably the first in the past so many years that someone asked a question regarding the transgenders. Yadav said there are around 1.37 lakh transgender but they are not getting medical insurance and demanded that they should be covered with an Ayushman card. The minister said the transgenders are eligible for Ayushman card and added that until now only 1000 transgenders have got their transgender card made as per the Transgender Protection Act of the Union Government. More transgenders need to be sensitized and made aware about the transgender card, which the department is doing through a call centre which has two transgenders to address the problems of the community. The Speaker also praised the minister for giving a detailed and to the point reply to the supplementary. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Patwari demands dismissal of three ministers before budget session
Bhopal: State Congress president Jitu Patwari on Thursday shot a letter to chief minister Mohan Yadav, demanding the dismissal of three ministers from the cabinet before the governor’s address in the state assembly scheduled for Monday. Patwari demanded the removal of minister for tribal welfare Vijay Shah for his offensive statements against lady army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, deputy chief minister Rajendra Shukla for the cough syrup tragedy which allegedly claimed the lives of 23 children, and Kailash Vijayvargiya for the water contamination deaths in Indore. “Madhya Pradesh is a democratically governed state, where every unit of governance is expected to adhere to democratic values, ethics, and constitutional norms. It is unfortunate that the actions of your govt appear to be contrary to public sentiment, fostering anarchy, arrogance, and authoritarian tendencies,” Patwari’s letter to the CM said. It further added that the state’s budget session begins on Feb 16, with the governor’s address scheduled for that day. “It is well known that this address will present more statistics than reality, while the state is grappling with a severe economic crisis and a mounting debt burden, to which your govt appears to be turning a blind eye,” the letter argued. “In this context, a serious and public-spirited issue needs to be brought to your attention. Ministers whose presence in the cabinet is now demanding answers regarding their usefulness,” Patwari’s letter claimed. “Serious allegations of insulting the nation’s daughters and the Indian Army: Vijay Shah; dozens of innocent children died due to poisonous syrup in Chhindwara: health minister Rajendra Shukla; and a minister who failed to provide clean drinking water to the people of his constituency: urban administration minister Kailash Vijayvargiya,” the letter said. Patwari contended that it is extremely unfortunate and shameful that, despite the insult to the army, the deaths of innocent people, and administrative failures, such ministers remain in office. This raises serious questions about the govt’s morality, sensitivity, and accountability, the letter said. Patwari then demanded, “This time is also a test of your moral commitment, responsibility, and leadership abilities. You are expected to respect public sentiment by dismissing these ministers from the cabinet before the governor’s address in the budget session. Otherwise, it will send a clear message that your govt tacitly supports lies, immorality, and the insult to the nation’s daughters and the Indian Army.” While Patwari sent his letter, LOP Umang Singhar called a meeting with the CLP (Congress Legislative Party) on Monday evening to strategise on how to attack the BJP govt on the same three issues. It is expected that the budget session might be noisy, with the Congress preparing to tear into the Mohan Yadav govt on the issues of Bhagirathpura water contamination, Chhindwara cough syrup deaths of children, and Vijay Shah’s prosecution sanction still on hold. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Was a Dalit wedding procession stopped in Etah, or did the wedding party misbehave with another community’s function? A scuffle ensued.
Etah Dalit Wedding: A wedding ceremony in Uttar Pradesh’s Etah district turned into a wrestling match when two groups clashed over dancing to the DJ music. The incident took place in Peepal Tola, Sakiat, where an altercation between the wedding procession and the Tilak ceremony escalated into a violent altercation. Etah News: A wedding ceremony in Uttar Pradesh’s Etah district turned into a wrestling match when the dancing steps of the wedding procession interfered with each other. The incident occurred in the Peepal Tola neighborhood, where the wedding procession was proceeding on one side and the Tilak ceremony was underway on the other. What ensued? A verbal battle broke out over dance steps, leading to the use of sticks and rods. The situation became so severe that the groom had to seek police protection before the wedding rituals. A ruckus over dancing to a DJ The incident began in the Sakiat police station area, where a Tilak ceremony was taking place at a Shakya community home, and people were enjoying the DJ. Meanwhile, a Dalit wedding procession was passing by. Some young men in the procession began dancing to the DJ. However, the hosts were not happy with the uninvited guests’ dancing. An argument ensued, followed by a scuffle, and the situation quickly escalated into free-style wrestling. Dispute between two communities and the Dalit angle As the night progressed, the dispute escalated. The bride’s sister-in-law directly alleged that the miscreants not only stopped the wedding procession but also assaulted them on caste lines. The other side argued that the dispute was about the DJ and indecency. However, it is being exaggerated by creating an angle of Dalit oppression. Meanwhile, a video of the altercation is going viral on social media, showing the wedding guests and the hosts assaulting each other. Police arrived at the scene as soon as the incident was reported. Given the situation, the police took charge and completed the wedding rituals in their presence. Finally, the groom was able to bid farewell to his bride, albeit under police protection. Etah police are proceeding cautiously in this matter. After an initial investigation, the police stated that “the allegations of stopping the wedding procession or targeting the Dalit community do not appear to be true at first glance. The matter stems from a dispute over dancing on a DJ. However, the viral video and complaints from both parties are being seriously investigated.” Courtesy: Hindi News
Uproar over temple entry: Priest snatches offerings from woman’s hand and throws them on the road; you’ll be shocked to know the reason.
At the Hanuman Temple located at Amroha Gate in Moradabad, a priest prevented a Dalit woman from praying. Priest Sachin Sharma insulted the woman with casteist slurs… Read more Jagran correspondent, Moradabad. A Dalit woman who had come to worship at the Hanuman Temple located at Amroha Gate in the Kotwali area was not allowed to enter by the priest. When the woman attempted to worship, he insulted her with casteist slurs. The priest also threw away the offerings she had brought. Police have filed an FIR against the priest based on a complaint. The incident is three months old. Sushma, a resident of Buddhi Vihar in Majhola, stated in her complaint to the Kotwali police that she frequently visits the Hanuman Temple located near Amroha Gate. On December 9, 2025, at around 7 pm, she went to the temple to pray. The temple priest, Sachin Sharma, a resident of Dewan Bazaar, Nawabpura Road, Nagphani, refused to perform the puja after seeing the woman. The woman nevertheless attempted to enter the temple. The priest became enraged and snatched the prasad from her hand and threw it away. He began using casteist slurs in public. Hearing the commotion, people gathered nearby. They also tried to reason with the priest, but he refused to listen. The priest publicly insulted her using casteist slurs and threatened to kill her if she returned to the temple. Passersby present at the scene also protested. Inspector-in-Charge Rajesh stated that an FIR has been registered against priest Sachin Sharma based on the complaint. The incident is old. CCTV footage will not be available, but the entire matter is being investigated. Further action will be taken after the investigation. BY SACHIN CHOUDHARYEDITED BY: ANSHUL BHARTARIYA Courtesy: Hindi News
Villagers skip meeting to resolve anganwadi boycott over dalit cook
Nuagaon residents refuse to attend meet; only 2 villagers, sarpanch, ward member turn up. KENDRAPARA: The Kendrapara administration’s efforts to convince villagers of Nuagaon under Rajnagar block to end the boycott of the local anganwadi over appointment of a dalit cook failed to yield any result on Wednesday. Acting on the directions of collector Raghuram R Iyer, sub-collector Arun Nayak, Rajnagar tehsildar Jisukrishna Das, district welfare officer (DWO) Arabinda Ray and other officials visited Nuagaon under Ghadiamala panchayat to resolve the issue. However, villagers reportedly refused to attend the meeting. “Only the ward member, sarpanch and two villagers were present, making the chances of a breakthrough slim,” said child development project officer of Rajnagar Dipali Mishra. “Villagers did not attend the meeting as they do not consume food cooked by dalits. No one wants to break this age-old custom. If the administration forces our children and women to eat such food, it may lead to unrest. The administration should appoint a cook from the upper caste to resolve the issue,” said a villager on condition of anonymity. Sources said most villagers preferred to remain silent on the issue. Several educated residents and members of the dalit community are also reluctant to speak. Villagers maintained that nothing unusual has occurred, despite children and women staying away from the anganwadi centre for nearly three months. The riverside village of Nuagaon has around 45 families, including seven dalit households. Ghadimala sarpanch Sailendra Mishra said, “We urged the village leaders to send children to the anganwadi centre, but they ignored our appeals.” He added that pregnant women have also stopped visiting the centre, depriving themselves of services such as supplementary nutrition, health check-ups, iron-folic acid supplements, immunisation and health education. Contacted, collector Iyer said, “The sub-collector has been directed to submit a report after visiting the village. Necessary action will be taken once the report is received.” President of the district unit of Dalit Samaj Nagen Jena alleged that the actions of the villagers violate fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 19 and 21. “Dalits often face discrimination in temples, but here children and women are being kept away from welfare services. We expect the police and administration to take firm steps,” he said. The anganwadi centre at Nuagaon has reportedly not been functioning since 23-year-old Sarmista Sethi was appointed as a helper-cum-cook at the facility on November 24 last year. Soon after her appointment, the village committee allegedly decided to boycott the centre in protest and stopped sending their kids to the facility as Sethi belongs to the dalit community. Even pregnant and lactating women have refused to visit the centre since then. Ashis Senapati 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
Revanth meets Kharge, exudes confidence of Cong win in civic polls
Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday met AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi and expressed confidence that the Congress would win the ongoing municipal elections and continue its momentum in the upcoming polls to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and two other corporations in the core urban area. Revanth travelled to the national capital to meet top AICC leaders and Union ministers. Sources said the visit had a dual purpose. He had not met Kharge or Rahul Gandhi since his Davos and US tour and had been busy with municipal election campaign work. With a considerable gap since his last interaction, he wanted to brief the leadership on the current political situation in Telangana. A senior AICC leader told TOI that another key objective was to meet Union ministers and seek clarity on approvals and central funding for major state projects. The state govt is preparing to present its annual budget soon, and clarity on central assistance would help factor allocations accordingly. MPs Mallu Ravi and Anil Kumar Yadav accompanied the CM to Kharge’s residence. Revanth will meet Union ministers to seek support on issues including Hyderabad Metro Rail expansion, Musi rejuvenation, devolution of funds, fertilisers, irrigation projects, and disputes with Andhra Pradesh over river waters and railway lines. The CMO has sought appointments with railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, fertilisers minister JP Nadda, and power, housing and urban affairs minister Manohar Lal Khattar. He is likely to meet Rahul Gandhi in Parliament on Thursday. Sources said meetings with Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi are also possible. A Congress MP said Revanth would brief Rahul on efforts to check the revival of BRS and contain the BJP’s rise, besides outlining plans for the upcoming civic polls. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Gadchiroli: How did the dream of ‘justice at the doorstep’ for tribals become entangled in files? The system woke up after the Supreme Court’s strictness.
After the Supreme Court’s reprimand, the appointment was made in 7 days; the Aheri court remained empty for months without a judge, leaving hundreds of prisoners distressed. New Delhi/Gadchiroli: A vivid example of how the Aheri court, which was established with the vision of providing justice to tribals in the remote areas of Maoist-affected Gadchiroli, is being hampered by delays in the appointment of judges and administrative lethargy, was recently seen in the Supreme Court. The case involves Surendra Gadling, a co-accused in the Bhima-Koregaon case. On January 21, when his lawyer informed the Supreme Court that the trial in a case related to arson charges from 2016 had not yet begun due to the irregular attendance of the judge and the permanent public prosecutor in the court, it raised many questions about the system. What is the whole matter? Surendra Gadling is accused of conspiring to burn 76 vehicles carrying iron ore from the Surjagarh mines on December 25, 2016. His lawyer argued in court that his discharge petition had been pending in the single-judge District and Additional Sessions Court in Aheri since 2022. The reason was that there was neither a judge nor a permanent prosecutor there at the time. Following this information, the Supreme Court issued strict instructions to the Registrar General of the Bombay High Court, directing them to ensure “the regular posting of a competent judge within seven days.” This strictness of the Supreme Court had an immediate effect, and after the hearing, the vacant post was filled. A judge was appointed there just two days later. The seat remained vacant for 22 days in January. Although officials claim that the process for appointing a judge was already underway and that it takes time given the sensitivity of the post, the reality is that the court remained without a judge for 22 days, from the 1st to the 22nd of January. Court records indicate that this was not the first time the Aheri Court had been vacant while awaiting a judge. Work stalled for three months in 2025 The Aheri Court, which was inaugurated in July 2023 by then Supreme Court Justice Bhushan R. Gavai with the promise of providing “close-to-home justice” to 725 villages in Maoist-affected and tribal-dominated talukas, remained in a disturbing state in 2025. According to records, the court remained without a judge for nearly three months in 2025. During this period, trials, bail hearings, and regular judicial work effectively came to a standstill. When a judge finally assumed charge on July 22, 2025, he found that over 200 undertrial cases were pending. This is mentioned in a court order dated October 6, 2025, which stated, “Upon assuming charge on July 22, 2025, it was found that over 200 cases and several bail applications were pending, which were disposed of on a priority basis.” Lawyers and Prisoners Faced Increased Difficulties During the three-month vacancy, trial proceedings could not proceed. Accused persons were not brought from jail for hearings. Lawyers were forced to travel more than 120 kilometers to Gadchiroli, where a judge was given additional charge of the Aheri Court. The situation became so dire that undertrial prisoners wrote letters from jail to the Gadchiroli Court and the Bombay High Court, requesting the transfer of their cases, as proceedings had come to a complete halt. Accused yearn for bail The judge’s absence had the worst impact on those in jail. During this period, the in-charge court could only hear urgent bail applications or petitions for extensions for filing charge sheets. In one case, an accused arrested in 2020 sought bail, alleging that despite charges being framed in 2023 on the Supreme Court’s directive, no witnesses had been examined until July 2025. In another case, an accused remained in jail for over a year simply because he could not provide a surety of ₹30,000. He was released only after the appointment of a judge in August 2025. The Bar Association also raised its voice Aheri Bar Association President Rajendra Prasad Menganwar told the Indian Express that the primary purpose of establishing a court in Aheri was to prevent litigants and lawyers from having to travel up to 200 kilometers for hearings. He said, “In 2025, when no appointments were made for three months, we had to go to the Gadchiroli Court for important hearings. We then met with the administrative officials of the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court and requested that the vacancy be filled, which, thankfully, was done immediately.” Delay due to sensitive cases? Court officials attributed the delay to the court’s handling of many important cases related to the UAPA and alleged Maoist activities. Therefore, judicial appointments require very careful scrutiny and consideration, which is a major reason for the delay. A Long Journey to Justice The establishment of the Aheri Court was the result of a demand dating back to 2008 to ensure that litigants, accused, and victims would not have to travel long distances through poor roads and irregular transportation in Maoist-affected forest areas. They often had to stay overnight for hearings. With this in mind, a Magistrate Court was inaugurated in 2015, and a Sessions Court in July 2023. At the inauguration, Justice Gavai stated that this court would help provide justice to 725 villages in the Aheri, Mulchera, Sironcha, Bhamragad, and Etapalli talukas. He said, “Justice has come to the doorsteps of the tribals of Gadchiroli.” It remains to be seen whether, after the Supreme Court’s intervention, this system will continue to function smoothly in the future. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy : Hindi News
Jharkhand: 10 children from the Birhor community who went to a feast in Koderma have been missing since February 1st. Police have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT), causing panic in the village.
Innocent children aged 6 to 12 years old, who went to a feast in Parsabad, have not returned home. Police responded to a report from the head of the Berogai Panchayat, and the Superintendent of Police issued strict instructions. Koderma: A very worrying incident has emerged in Jharkhand’s Koderma district, where 10 children have mysteriously disappeared from the Gadiyai Birhor hamlet, which falls under the Jaynagar police station area. These children are reported to be between 6 and 12 years old. They have been missing since February 1st. Considering the seriousness of the matter, the police administration registered an FIR on Friday and formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to search for the children. It is worth noting that the Birhors are a ‘Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group’ (PVTG) and one of the most vulnerable populations in Jharkhand. Around 50 families reside in the Gadiyai Birhor hamlet. The children had gone to attend a feast. According to information received from officials, the incident occurred on February 1st. The children had gone with their family to attend a feast (daawat) held in Parsabad, about 3 kilometers from their settlement. After the event ended, the elders returned home, but the children did not return. Initially, the families thought the children might have stayed with a relative or were playing nearby. However, as days passed and no trace of the children was found, an atmosphere of fear spread throughout the settlement. The Panchayat Chief’s Initiative Awakens the Administration After a few days of missing the children, the distraught parents contacted Rajendra Prasad Yadav, the head of the Berogai Panchayat, and narrated their ordeal. Upon learning of the incident, the chief immediately alerted the local Block Development Office (BDO) and the police. However, on Friday itself, the distressed parents officially lodged a complaint at the police station, requesting the safe return of their children. Upon receiving the information, a police team visited the settlement on Friday and assessed the situation. Missing Children Identified Police have obtained the names and details of nine of the 10 missing children, as follows: Rajesh Birhor’s two children: 7-year-old Nisha Kumari and 5-year-old Ramesh Kumar. Kela Birhor’s 8-year-old daughter, Sajani Birhor. Dhanku Birhor’s four children: Birju, Mithun, Shivani, and Kalpana. Suresh Birhor’s 8-year-old daughter, Rekha Birhor. Budhan Birhor’s 6-year-old daughter, Anisha Birhor. Police Action and Response Koderma SP Anudeep Singh stated that a high-level Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to track the children. DSP Rati Bhan Singh said, “Several teams have been formed on the SP’s instructions. We have begun the investigation and will recover the children soon.” Kedarnath Yadav, a local district council member, demanded immediate and aggressive action. He said that recent incidents of missing children across Jharkhand have increased the sense of “fear” and insecurity among the people, so the administration must act swiftly. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Rajasthan: 13-year-old tribal girl brutally assaulted; case filed under POCSO and SC/ST Act, but no arrests even after three days
Three days after the incident, the accused have not been arrested. Jodhpur – A serious case has been registered at the Karvad police station in Jodhpur, alleging assault, molestation, and caste-related insults against a minor tribal girl. The incident reportedly occurred on February 5th at around 6:30 pm in Kelava Kala village. The victim’s mother filed a written complaint at the police station on February 6th at around 5 pm. According to the complaint, she received information that her daughter had been severely beaten and seriously injured by the accused, Sunil Godara, and his mother. Upon arriving at the scene, she found her daughter lying unconscious and covered in blood, with deep injuries to her face, ears, and nose. The victim stated that Sunil used caste-related slurs like “lowly, bastard, Bhil woman,” pulled her hair, pulled her down, climbed on top of her, and attempted to molest her. He even tore her clothes. Upon hearing the screams, Sunil’s mother came and the two men assaulted her, threatening to kill her and harm her family if she told anyone. The police registered a case based on the complaint. Sections 115(2) (assault/voluntarily causing hurt), 126(2) (offences intended to outrage the modesty of a woman), 3(5) (general section) of the Indian Penal Code (BNS), 2023, sections 3(1)(r), 3(1)(s), 3(2)(va), 3(1)(w)(i) (caste-related insults, intimidation, molestation, etc.) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (amended 2015), and sections 7 and 8 (relating to child sexual abuse) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), 2012 (amended) have been invoked. The investigation of the case has been assigned to ACP Anil Kumar Sharma, Mandore, Jodhpur. Three days after the incident, the accused have not been arrested. Advocate Bhatraj Jogson has alleged that the accused enjoy political protection, which is delaying action. There is widespread anger among the Bahujan community on social media, where people are demanding strict action and justice. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News