Non-cognisable complaint lodged against transgender person for assaulting man in local train compartment
Mumbai: After a video clip capturing two transgender persons beating up a man inside a local train compartment went viral, the Govt Railway Police (GRP) tracked down the duo on Monday. One of them is a minor and was sent back to his guru with a warning. Police registered a non-cognisable complaint against the other and confirmed that preventive action will be taken against him. Elaborating on the incident, police said that the two transpersons were begging in local train compartments recently. When they asked for money from the man (captured in the video), he refused and argued that others had already taken money from him that day. This sparked an altercation, which ended in violence as the two transpersons rained kicks and blows on him. A co-passenger filmed the incident, which occurred on a Western Railway local between Mahim and Bandra stations in the general compartment. After the video was posted online, it came to the attention of the GRP. They tracked down the two and brought them to the Mumbai Central GRP chowky on Monday. “We registered a non-cognisable complaint against one of them and will take preventive action,” confirmed DCP (GRP) Pradnya Jedge. 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
Karnataka HC questions 12-year delay in education quota for transgender persons
NEW DELHI: The Karnataka high court on July 17 questioned the state government for failing to implement reservation for transgender persons in educational institutions, nearly 12 years after the Supreme Court’s landmark 2014 NALSA ruling directed such action. How did the transgender reservation dispute reach the high court? In 2023, a transgender student filed a case after being denied admission to the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore. The student asked the court to direct the university to follow the Karnataka State Policy on Transgenders, 2017, and give 0.5 per cent reservation to transgender persons in admissions, as per the report by LiveLaw. A single judge ruled in the student’s favour and asked NLSIU to give the reservation. NLSIU then challenged this order before a division bench. By the time this order came, the academic year 2023-24 had already started, so NLSIU said it could not admit the student in that batch. The court then asked if the student could instead be given a seat in any law college under the Karnataka State Law University (KSLU), since he had already lost valuable years of study. Earlier, the court had noted that KSLU had agreed to “try to accommodate” the student in one of its affiliated colleges — including BMS College of Law and Seshadripuram Law College — depending on his rank in the merit list and seat availability. Based on the student’s choice, the bench later asked KSLU to keep one seat reserved for him at each of these two colleges. Separately, earlier in the week, the high court had also asked the state government to speed up work on a full reservation policy for transgender persons in education, pointing out that nearly two years had passed since the policy proposal was first sent to different government departments. Why did the high court question the state government? A division bench of Justice Anu Sivaraman and Justice Venkatesh Naik T, while hearing the appeal, asked why the delay had gone on for so long and why the state government had been unable to follow the Supreme Court’s order. “This is the direction of the apex court… It is 12 years in the making now… We feel that it’s about time that positive directions are issued,” the court said. The court also pointed out that Karnataka had already given reservation to transgender persons in government jobs, so there was no reason for education to be left out. “Can the State say that it is still contemplating? It was the first State to implement reservation in the employment sector. Does that mean, the education sector, it can wait?” The court further explained that the state did not need to make a fresh policy decision on this, since the Supreme Court had already given clear directions in the NALSA judgment. The bench said: “There is no policy delay issue, there is a clear direction by the apex court. The apex court judgment has to prevail.” During the hearing, the state government told the court that one seat had already been reserved for the student in a law college affiliated with the Karnataka State Law University (KSLU), and that the formal admission notice would be issued once the degree results are announced. The student, who argued his own case in court without a lawyer, told the bench that even after getting admission, transgender students face many problems because there is no proper reservation policy in place. He said this affects basic things like access to hostels, toilets, documentation requirements, and fee concessions. The bench appreciated the way the student had presented his case, saying: “We want to make sure that his admission fructifies and he is given the benefits mentioned in the NALSA judgment. I am saying this as a person who has been on the Bench for the last 12 years, to someone who is very deserving, as a party-in-person conducting a case with such responsibility, we want to see something is done… The appeal is filed since there is no policy for the State government for reservation.” The court then posted the matter for further hearing. 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
CM Yogi meets Lalita Gautam’s family, announces financial and other assistance
During his meeting with the victim’s family in Ghaziabad, CM Yogi assured financial assistance and a house each for the deceased’s father and uncle under the Chief Minister’s Housing Scheme. He also directed the family to receive priority benefits under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, ration cards, and other eligible welfare schemes. The Chief Minister also assured the family of strictest legal action against the culprits. Ghaziabad. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met with the family of Lalita Gautam, a Dalit student from Meerut, at the PWD Guest House in Ghaziabad on Saturday, expressing his condolences and offering condolences. The Chief Minister announced immediate financial assistance of ₹5 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Discretionary Fund. During his meeting with the victim’s family in Ghaziabad, CM Yogi assured financial assistance and a house each for the deceased’s father and uncle under the Chief Minister’s Housing Scheme. CM Yogi has also directed that the family be given priority access to the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, ration cards, and other eligible welfare schemes. Furthermore, the Chief Minister has assured the family of strict legal action against the culprits. After meeting the Chief Minister, the deceased’s father, Ved Prakash, and brother, Prashant, expressed confidence in receiving justice. They said that the Chief Minister listened to their plight with utmost patience and affection and assured them that not a single culprit involved in this heinous crime will be spared. They said that the meeting with the Chief Minister further strengthened the family’s confidence in receiving justice. Senior administrative and police officials, including Social Welfare Minister and Meerut District In-charge Minister Asim Arun, were present on the occasion. After the victims met with the Chief Minister and received financial and other support, the Samajwadi Party has now backtracked on this issue. The SP had been raising the issue repeatedly, and Akhilesh Yadav even met with the victim’s family in Lucknow. However, after CM Yogi’s meeting with the victim’s family and the family’s expression of satisfaction, there is hope that the politicizing of this matter will end. Courtesy: Hindi News
Woman who went to worship at temple accused of assault: Case filed under various sections including SC/ST Act
A Dalit woman who went to worship at a temple in Harchandpur village, under the Subeha police station area of Barabanki district, has accused some villagers of assaulting her and using casteist slurs. The woman’s son was also allegedly assaulted. Based on the victim’s complaint, police have registered a case under various sections including the SC/ST Act and have begun an investigation. Harchandpur resident Sant Dulari Rawat, wife of Raj Bahadur Rawat, stated in her complaint to the police that the incident occurred on July 19, 2026, at around 9 a.m. She had gone to worship at a temple near her home. It is alleged that Raghav Ram Mishra, Rajit Ram Mishra, Avadharam Mishra, Sahaj Ram Mishra (sons of Ram Shankar Mishra), and Mansha Devi Mishra, daughter of Ram Shankar Mishra, arrived at the scene and attempted to remove Sant Dulari’s worship materials kept near the temple. According to the victim, when she protested, the accused abused her, used casteist slurs, and began assaulting her. Hearing the commotion, her son, Diwakar, rushed to her rescue, but the accused assaulted him as well. Both the woman and her son are reported to have sustained injuries in the incident. The woman also stated that during the assault, her mangalsutra, weighing approximately two tolas, fell somewhere and was not found despite extensive searching. Based on the victim’s complaint, the police have registered a case under the SC/ST Act and other relevant sections. Inspector-in-Charge Bechu Singh stated that a case has been registered and the matter is being investigated. Further legal action will be taken based on the facts that emerge from the investigation. Idrish | Haidergarh Courtesy: Hindi News
Kerala Crime Branch Arrests Absconding Dental College Professor From Karnataka In Student’s Death Case
Police said the accused avoided using mobile phones and frequently changed locations across different states before he was finally tracked down in Kodagu. Kannur: The Kerala Crime Branch has arrested the absconding prime accused in the death case of first-year BDS student R L Nithinraj of Anjarakandy Dental College in Kannur district in Kerala. Dr M K Ram, a faculty member of the college, was taken into custody from a hideout in Kodagu, Karnataka, after being on the run for several months. The accused was apprehended late on Sunday and brought to Kannur on Monday, where he is being interrogated by the Crime Branch. Dr Ram’s anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the Supreme Court on July 13. Earlier, the Kerala High Court had also dismissed his bail application on June 19. Following the high court order, the Crime Branch had attempted to arrest him in Andhra Pradesh, but he allegedly managed to evade the police before approaching the apex court. After the Supreme Court refused him anticipatory bail, a special team led by Crime Branch Inspector Sreejith Koderi intensified the search. Investigators said the accused avoided using mobile phones and frequently changed locations across different states before he was finally tracked down in Kodagu. Reacting to the arrest, Nithinraj’s father Y Rajan, a daily wager, said the family welcomed the development but maintained that complete justice would be achieved only after all those allegedly responsible were brought to book. “We will get justice only when every accused in the case is arrested and punished,” Rajan told reporters. Nithinraj, a resident of Aryanad in Thiruvananthapuram district, died by suicide after jumping from the medical college building on April 10. His family alleged that the Dalit student had been subjected to sustained harassment by faculty members over his caste and skin colour. Fellow students also alleged that he faced repeated body shaming and mental harassment. Based on the complaint, police registered a case against Dr Ram and others under charges including abetment of suicide and provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Following protests by students, the college management dismissed Dr Ram from service. The investigation is now being conducted by a special Crime Branch team under the supervision of State Crime Branch SP K V Venugopal. While Crime Branch DySP Sudheer Kallan is probing the circumstances leading to Nithinraj’s death, DySP Jeevan George is investigating another angle involving alleged harassment by online loan recovery agents. According to investigators, Nithinraj had borrowed money through a loan app to meet educational expenses and fund his mother’s medical treatment. When he defaulted on repayments, recovery agents allegedly threatened him and contacted his teachers and others, causing severe mental distress. The case was initially investigated by the local police before being transferred to a special investigation team headed by the City Police Commissioner. Following objections raised by the family over the probe, the investigation was later handed over to the Crime Branch. Officials said the custodial interrogation of Dr Ram is expected to provide further clarity on the circumstances that led to the student’s death. Courtesy : ETV Bharat Note: This news is originally published on https:/etvbharat.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit Christian teacher buried after 3-day standoff over cemetery rights
Trichy: The body of an 89-year-old retired Dalit Christian teacher was laid to rest in a common cemetery near Thuraiyur on Sunday, three days after his death, after officials brokered a settlement between rival groups locked in a dispute over burial rights. A Raju, a retired government schoolteacher from Kottapalayam village, died of age-related ailments on July 17. His family sought to bury him in the common cemetery attached to St Mary Magdalene Church, but members of other Christian communities objected, claiming that dalit Christians should use a separate cemetery affiliated with St Sebastian’s Church. The dispute is rooted in a long-standing row over burial rights. In 2014, Raju and four others moved the Thuraiyur civil court seeking equal access to the common cemetery for Scheduled Caste Christians. In 2024, the court ruled that the St Mary Magdalene Church cemetery is open to all Christians, irrespective of caste. Despite the court order, opposition from non-dalit Christian groups delayed the burial, forcing Raju’s family to keep his body at home for three days. The standoff heightened tensions in the village, prompting police deployment. Sub-collector Sushree Suvangi Khuntia, additional superintendent of police R Dhanarasu and DSP N Muthumar held marathon talks with representatives of both sides. After nearly nine hours of negotiations at the Musiri sub-collector‘s office, an agreement was reached late on Sunday, following which Raju’s body was buried in the common cemetery around 1am on Monday. 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
Dalit man laid to rest after 3-day standoff over cemetery rights in TN
Dispute arose after A Raju, a retired government school teacher and Dalit Christian, died of age-related illness on July 17. His family sought to bury him in the common cemetery, citing the civil court decree. TIRUCHY: A Dalit Christian, whose body remained at his residence for three days allegedly over a dispute on burial rights at a common cemetery in Kottapalayam near Thuraiyur, was laid to rest in the early hours of Monday after district officials brokered a peace agreement between representatives of Dalit Christian and non-Dalit Christian communities. The burial was carried out with police protection following the peace meeting chaired by Musiri Sub-Collector Sushree Suvangi Khuntia. According to officials, Dalit Christians are allowed to use the village’s 0.55-acre common cemetery in line with a 2024 decree of the Thuraiyur District Munsif Court. The minutes of the Sunday meeting said both communities should continue to abide by the court’s order. Officials also decided the funeral mass should be conducted at St Sebastian’s Church, while the burial would take place under the supervision of the parish priest. Dispute arose after A Raju, a retired government school teacher and Dalit Christian, died of age-related illness on July 17. His family sought to bury him in the common cemetery, citing the civil court decree. However, non-Dalit Christians opposed the move, contending that Dalit Christians already had a separate burial ground, leaving the body at the family’s residence for three days. Revenue and police officials held talks with both communities for nearly five hours on Sunday, but failed to break the deadlock. Fresh negotiations on Monday resulted in an agreement, paving the way for the burial. J Doss Prakash, a resident of Kottapalayam, said Dalit Christians had fought for several decades to secure equal burial rights in the common cemetery, which is over 100 years old. He alleged that Dalit Christians were denied access because of caste-based discrimination and said Monday’s burial was carried out by enforcing the civil court’s order. “Several members of the non-Dalit Christian community also stood with us and extended their support during the peace talks. It is only a few groups that continue to raise objections and create divisions within the village,” he said. Pearson Lenekar SR 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
HC resumes hearing on plea against Rahul Gandhi’s ‘illegal’ assets
Lucknow: A Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court on Monday conducted two-hour long hearing in the chamber on a plea seeking CBI and ED inquiry into the allegations that Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has amassed disproportionate assets. The order was not available on the high court website till filing of the story, but the website showed the case was listed for next hearing on Aug 20. A bench of Justice RS Chauhan and Justice BR Singh passed the order on a criminal writ petition moved by a Karnataka BJP worker S. Vignesh Shishir. The petitioner has accused Rahul of accumulating disproportionate assets. During the previous hearing in the case on May 12, the bench had observed that “if complaint of the petitioner Shishir was received, the allegations of the complaints may be verified as per law. It is needless to say that the CBI or ED may take appropriate steps which are permissible under the law.” Besides CBI and ED, the bench had directed the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) , the revenue department, ministry of finance, ministry of corporate affairs and the Director of Serious Fraud Investigation Office to file their responses to the allegations levelled by the petitioner against Rahul within eight weeks . The bench had conducted the previous hearing too in the chamber. The order had stated that the CBI informed the bench that the agency had received the petitioner’s complaint and would file its response within 8 weeks. Similarly, the ED had informed the bench that it had received the complaint and might verify the allegations and apprise the court on July 20 . While seeking replies from several govt agencies, the bench said, “By filing response in form of counter-affidavit, the progress in respect of complaint submitted by the petitioner to the aforesaid agencies may be apprised to the court.” To a query whether the petition was maintainable, the bench said this submission would be tested after receiving the counter-affidavits of the respective parties and the rejoinder affidavits thereof. Furthermore, the court had ordered its senior registrar that the paper-book and the loose documents provided by the petitioner be kept in a sealed cover to be opened on July 20. 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
Another Mumbai Local Train Shocker: Transgenders Brutally Assault Passenger; Video Goes Viral
A series of violent incidents in Mumbai local trains has raised concerns over commuter safety, security measures, and growing fear among daily travellers. In the incident, a passenger and transgender persons were reportedly involved in a physical altercation inside a local train. Mumbai’s suburban local trains have once again come under scrutiny after a video showing a violent clash inside a late-night local train went viral on social media. In the incident, a passenger and transgender persons were reportedly involved in a physical altercation inside a local train. The viral footage shows two transgender passengers allegedly assaulting a passenger during the confrontation. The reason behind the fight remains unclear. ALSO READ: School Holiday: Are Schools & Colleges Closed In Mumbai, Thane And Palghar As Heavy Rains Continue? The video has triggered discussions about passenger safety and security in Mumbai’s suburban railway network, which witnesses heavy daily footfall. Railway authorities have taken note of the incident and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the clash. Officials are investigating the video to determine what led to the confrontation. The incident comes days after two separate cases of violence on Mumbai locals, including the attack on two youths and another video showing a fight between two groups, sparked concerns among passengers. Previously, a video showing a violent clash between passengers in a Churchgate-Virar local train went viral on social media. The incident reportedly took place inside a crowded men’s compartment, creating panic among fellow commuters for some time. The video shows passengers involved in a heated argument, which soon escalated into a physical fight involving kicks and assault. While the exact reason behind the dispute is unclear, it is suspected that the argument may have started over limited standing space or accidental pushing in the crowded compartment. Other passengers were seen attempting to intervene and calm the situation. The repeated incidents of violence inside local trains have raised questions about maintaining security and preventing such conflicts during journeys. Author: Aishwarya Singh Courtesy : NDTV Note: This news is originally published on https:/ndtv.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Ahead of Monsoon Session, Opposition targets Centre over Ram Temple donation scam, delimitation
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh shared Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge’s joint letter to PM Modi, saying it was “only appropriate” they sought answers on the Ram Temple donations row. NEW DELHI: A day ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Congress intensified its attack on the Narendra Modi government over alleged financial irregularities in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, urging the Prime Minister to respond to allegations of fund misappropriation and order an independent probe. Separately, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) sought an all-party meeting on the government’s proposed delimitation exercise and amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA). Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh shared a joint letter written by Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge to Prime Minister Modi, saying it was “only appropriate” that the two Opposition leaders had sought answers on what the party described as “chanda chori, aastha se dhokha” (donation theft, betrayal of faith). Ramesh also invoked Modi’s statement in Parliament on February 5, 2020, announcing the formation of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust following the Supreme Court’s Ayodhya verdict. “In one of his rare token appearances in the Lok Sabha on February 5, 2020, the PM had taken full credit while announcing the establishment of this Trust, which has betrayed the faith and devotion of crores of devotees across the country. Pradhan Mantri Chuppi Todo!” Ramesh said in a post on X. In their July 18 letter, Gandhi and Kharge alleged that devotees who contributed to the construction of the Ram Temple had been let down by the alleged diversion of funds. “You are aware of the theft of thousands of crores in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Lakhs of devotees who donated their hard-earned money with faith, devotion and trust are feeling betrayed,” the letter read. The two leaders noted that while the Supreme Court had directed the creation of the Trust, its members were appointed by the government. Alleging that several trustees were associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and affiliated organisations, they argued that the Centre was accountable for ensuring transparency and proper oversight. Describing the Prime Minister’s silence as “unacceptable”, Gandhi and Kharge called for an independent and comprehensive investigation into the Trust’s finances, including donations received in cash, gold and silver. They also demanded that the Trust’s accounts and the findings of the inquiry be made public, saying devotees had a right to know how their contributions had been used. The Congress is expected to raise the issue during the Monsoon Session, which begins on Monday. In a separate development, TMC MP Derek O’Brien wrote to the Prime Minister on July 19 seeking an all-party meeting before the government proceeds with proposed legislation on delimitation and amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act. He noted that while the parliamentary bulletin for the Monsoon Session does not currently list a Bill on delimitation, the Opposition remained apprehensive because of what he termed the government’s “dubious record” of introducing significant legislation without adequate notice. Referring to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019, O’Brien alleged that the legislation had been introduced in the Rajya Sabha before the supplementary list of business was circulated to MPs. He urged the government not to adopt similar “cloak and dagger tactics” on an issue as significant as delimitation. On the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, O’Brien said the legislation, listed for consideration and passage during the Monsoon Session, would weaken institutions working among the country’s poorest and most marginalised communities. He alleged that the amendments would adversely affect thousands of educational institutions run by the Christian community, as well as internationally reputed charitable organisations, by giving the executive excessive control over their functioning. Mukesh Ranjan 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