Rape case filed against ‘murdered’ Dalit youth after HC prod
Dehradun: In a fresh turn of events in the Tehri Garhwal suspected “honour killing” case, Uttarakhand police have registered a case of gang-rape against the deceased 16-year-old Dalit youth and his friend. The action follows a directive from the high court after the parents of the minor upper-caste girl presented a medical examination report suggesting sexual assault. The FIR was registered on Sunday after the direction of the court following a formal complaint by the girl’s mother. Tehri Garhwal SSP Shweta Chaubey confirmed to TOI that a case of gang-rape has been filed under BNS Section 70 alongside relevant sections of the Pocso Act. “On the basis of the complaint, the minor deceased youth and his friend were named in the case. However, as the minor is no more, we have taken appropriate legal action under relevant provisions while considering the medical examination report. A probe is ongoing,” said SSP Chaubey. The case dates to June 7, when the 16-year-old Dalit boy was allegedly beaten to death by the minor girl’s family members. According to the initial police investigation, the boy and his friend had gone to the girl’s house late at night after receiving a phone call from her. The girl’s family allegedly caught them, leading to the fatal physical assault. Following the teenager’s death, police had registered a case of murder and physical assault, subsequently arresting four accused individuals, including the girl’s father and grandfather. The investigations into both the murder and the subsequent sexual assault allegations are currently underway. 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
15yo Dalit rape survivor dies by suicide in Kheri
Pilibhit: A 15-year-old Dalit rape survivor was found hanging at her house in a village under Neemgaon police station limits in Kheri district on Monday, police said. Senior police officials, including SP Khyati Garg and the local CO, reached the spot as the deceased and the accused belonged to different communities. The body was sent for postmortem, and police force was deployed in the village to maintain law and order. An FIR in the alleged rape case was lodged on July 5 under BNS section 65, which deals with rape of a woman under 16 years of age, and relevant provisions of the Pocso Act, based on a complaint filed by the girl’s mother. As per the complaint, the 21-year-old accused, a resident of the same village, entered the girl’s house around 5pm on July 5 when her family members were away for agricultural work. He was arrested the same night after the FIR and sent to jail the next day. SP Garg told TOI, “Preliminary investigation by the CO has revealed that the girl and the accused were in a relationship for over two years. The victim had initially denied rape, but after the FIR was lodged, she confirmed the allegations in her statement recorded before court under BNSS section 183.” Police said they are probing the circumstances that led to the girl’s death and have not ruled out the possibility that she was under emotional distress after testifying against the accused. Further action will be taken after the postmortem report, officials added. 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
Police recommend ₹6 lakh relief for family of dalit youth died in Pudukkottai
Pudukkottai: District police have recommended a relief of ₹6 lakh for the family of a 20-year-old dalit youth who was found dead in a quarry pit in Pudukkottai under suspicious circumstances more than two months ago. On April 23, R Hariharan of Nadupatti near Thirumalairayapuram was found dead in a quarry in Vellanur. Police initially registered a case under Section 184 of the BNSS as a suspicious death. However, after the man’s family alleged foul play and claimed that he was murdered by the family of a woman from a different caste with whom he was in a relationship, police altered the case to Section 108 of the BNS read with Section 3(2) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. In the action taken report (ATR) submitted by district superintendent of police Ravindra Kumar Gupta to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), it is mentioned that the social justice and human rights (SJ&HR) wing police has been asked to disburse 50% of the relief under the SC/ST Act. The report added that the relief is yet to be distributed as a legal heir certificate from the deceased’s father is awaited. The report also stated that the accused woman was arrested and remanded in judicial custody on June 2, while her father, her brother and another man were named as accused in the case. Statements from the family members were recorded, call records were analysed, and digital devices were seized. Meanwhile, the postmortem report stated that there were no external injuries on the body and it was decomposed as it remained in water for three days, the ATR report said, and added that further investigation is on. K Muruganatham of Neelam Cultural Centre said, “We welcome police’s move to ensure transparency by providing the ATR, which has not happened in the past. However, the man’s parents feel that police should arrest other family members involved in the case and interrogate them.” 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
Uttarakhand Dalit Boy Murder: FIR Filed Against Deceased’s Friend Based On Girl’s Mother Complaint
Four people, including the father and grandfather of the girl, were arrested based on a complaint lodged by the family of the deceased boy. Tehri: The police in Uttarakhand have registered a case in the killing of a Dalit minor boy based on a formal complaint filed by the minor girl’s mother. Charges under the POCSO Act and other sections have been filed at the Lambgaon police station. After the killing of a Dalit minor boy in Tehri district, the police have filed a case under the POCSO Act on July 11 against the deceased’s friend, who is an eyewitness in this case. The incident took place on the night between June 7 and 8, when the Dalit minor boy, along with his friend, went to the nearest village around 11 pm to visit a minor girl with whom he had a romantic affair. However, the family of the minor girl found the boys and assaulted them brutally. The victims were taken to a hospital, and later, the boyfriend of the girl died due to injuries sustained. Four people, including the father and grandfather of the girl, were arrested based on a complaint lodged by the family of the deceased boy. The mother of the minor girl had also complained to the police at the time, but no case was registered immediately. The turning point arrived when the High Court directed the police to listen to the side of the minor girl. According to the investigating officer and CO Chandramohan, Hemlata, a sub-inspector, has been given the responsibility of investigating this aspect of the case. In the meantime, there have been tensions both politically and locally due to the case. A delegation visited Tehri SSP Shweta Chaubey demanding severe action against the accused as well as a replacement of the investigating officer. Previously, protestors belonging to the Bhim Army, along with MP Chandrashekhar Azad and MLA Umesh Kumar, went on a hunger strike following their interception by the police in Haridwar while trying to proceed towards Tehri. 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
Modi Government is Committed to the Empowerment of Transgenders: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale
National Seminar on Awareness of Transgender Identity and Issues Concludes at Savitribai Phule Pune University The two-day National Seminar on Awareness of Transgender Identity and Issues successfully concluded today at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) with a valedictory session addressed by Shri Ramdas Athawale, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. Addressing the audience, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale reaffirmed the Government of India’s commitment to promoting the rights, dignity, and inclusive development of transgender persons. He emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts among government institutions, educational establishments, and civil society organizations to ensure equal opportunities, social acceptance, and the effective implementation of welfare initiatives for the transgender community. “The Modi government is fully committed to the empowerment and welfare of transgender persons,” stated Shri Ramdas Athawale. “The government is working for every oppressed community, and transgender empowerment is a major point on our national agenda.” The Minister highlighted key central initiatives, including the SMILE (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) Scheme, which is actively working to bring transgender individuals into the mainstream and include them in national development by facilitating education, healthcare, livelihood, rehabilitation, and social security. The national seminar was jointly organized by the School of Education, Department of Education and Extension (DEE), and the Department of Gender Studiesat SPPU, in collaboration with the Social Justice and Special Assistance Department, Government of Maharashtra. The seminar held on July 11–12, 2026, provided a vital platform for deep deliberations on crucial topics, including transgender identity, social inclusion, education, legal rights, healthcare, livelihood opportunities, and policy interventions. The two-day event drew active participation from academicians, researchers, policymakers, government officials, students, and members of the transgender community across various technical sessions. Distinguished dignitaries present on the occasion included Minister of state for Social Justice Madhuri Misal, Prof. (Dr.) Suresh Gosavi (Vice Chancellor, SPPU) and Prof. (Dr.) Parag Kalkar, (Pro-Vice Chancellor, SPPU), alongside other university officials and regional leaders. Harshal Akude/Parshuram Kor Courtesy : PIB Note: This news is originally published on https:/pib.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Where are the Gandhi siblings? Why Wayanad landslide has put Rahul, Priyanka in the line of BJP fire
Where are the Gandhi siblings? This is the question the BJP is asking after leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra did not visit the constituency following the July 7 landslide that claimed eight lives. Priyanka is the sitting MP, while Rahul was elected from Wayanad twice in 2019 and 2024. The BJP has reminded the Gandhis of Rahul’s promise that Wayanad would have “two MPs”, one official and one unofficial, when he was passing over the baton to Priyanka. A week after the tragedy, the BJP’s charge is that Wayanad effectively has neither. The ‘part-time politicians’ charge The BJP has accused the Gandhi siblings of being “part-time politicians” and treating Wayanad as a constituency of political convenience. BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi cited Rahul’s defeat in the family bastion of Amethi in 2019 to argue that Wayanad had provided him political ground at a difficult moment. “When Rahul Gandhi was unsuccessful in saving his political ground on his family seat, Wayanad provided him with political ground,” Trivedi said. “When he left that seat and gave it to his sister Priyanka, Rahul Gandhi said Wayanad would have not one, but two MPs. And today, both the so-called MPs are absent from the scene.” BJP spokesperson Tuhin Sinha sharpened the attack, calling Rahul and Priyanka “political tourists”. He alleged that Rahul had used Wayanad for his political survival after losing Amethi and abandoned it once he won Rae Bareli. He also claimed that Priyanka could leave if a more convenient seat became available. Why Wayanad matters Wayanad has a special connection with the Gandhi siblings. Priyanka Gandhi represents Wayanad in the present Lok Sabha while Rahul Gandhi won from here twice. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Wayanad elected Rahul Gandhi for Lok Sabha with an impressive margin of over 12 lakh votes. This victory was significant and important for Rahul’s political career as the people of Amethi, from where the Gandhi scion was winning since 2014, had rejected him. Rahul had lost the election to BJP’s Smriti Irani. Wayanad victory ensured Rahul’s continued presence in Lok Sabha. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi again won from Wayanad though with a reduced margin. However, since Rahul also won from Rae Bareli, the traditional Congress stronghold in Uttar Pradesh, he vacated his Wayanad seat. And that paved the way for the electoral debut of his sister Priyanka Gandhi in the ensuing bypoll. She won the November 2024 by-election by a landslide, securing 65% of the vote share and outperforming Rahul’s previous victory margin. So, their no-show in Wayanad has given the BJP enough ammunition for political attack. Beyond Wayanad: Where is Rahul? The Wayanad attack is part of a larger question the BJP has raised over the past few days: Where is Rahul Gandhi? Rahul has remained out of public view for nearly three weeks. His last major public appearance was at the launch of the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ student outreach initiative in Kota on June 17 amid the controversy over alleged irregularities in NEET. The next planned event is on July 17. BJP claims that Rahul travelled abroad on June 22. The Congress has not responded to these claims. BJP IT department head Amit Malviya questioned the secrecy surrounding Rahul’s programme. “Rahul Gandhi’s foreign trip between 22 June and 13 July remains shrouded in mystery. Where did he go? Who did he meet? Who sponsored his travel and stay?” he said in a post on X. The timing has made the absence politically significant. The Congress is grappling with factionalism in Punjab ahead of the 2027 assembly elections, while preparations are also due for the Monsoon Session beginning July 20. As leader of the opposition, Rahul will be central to the party’s floor strategy. Wayanad has now added another issue to that list. Congress pushes back The BJP’s attacks prompted a strong rebuttal from the Congress. Pawan Khera, chairman of the party’s media and publicity department, rejected the charge of insensitivity and defended the decision not to visit Wayanad while rescue operations were under way. “If there is a natural disaster, why should there be a VIP visit? There should be a VIP visit only to flag the gaps before the government, if it is insensitive in addressing the concerns of victims and their woes. Right now, the government in Kerala is active, relief measures are under way, and there is no need to disrupt those measures,” Khera said. “Those questioning the absence of Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi must understand that VIP visits are meant to flag gaps and missing links. There is no such need,” he added. Both Rahul and Priyanka had responded to the tragedy through posts on X. Rahul described the news as “deeply distressing”, offered condolences and appealed to Congress and UDF workers to extend all possible assistance. Priyanka said rescue efforts were under way and chief minister V D Satheesan was monitoring the operation. She said she was coordinating with the district administration, ministers, local party functionaries and relief agencies, and urged UDF workers to help without hampering rescue work. The Congress’s argument is that the absence of a physical visit should not be equated with a lack of involvement. What commentators say Political commentators, however, said the presence of an elected representative becomes especially important when tragedy strikes their constituency. “People expect their MLA and MP to be with them when a tragedy hits them, particularly when it is because of natural causes. It is unfortunate that Waynad MP did not visit the place even after a week has passed. Is it only that you want vote of people and there is reciprocal commitment?” Kerala-based political commentator Damodar Prasad told TOI. “People’s representatives are bound to be there to oversee the relief work. The absence alienates the people’s representative from them. The great lessons one should learn from Nehru, Indira and Rajiv is in their sensitivity to be amidst the people in their crisis,” he
Rajasthan Police will no longer use the word ‘Dalit’.
This order directly means that the police department will no longer use the word ‘Dalit’ in its FIRs, complaints, charge sheets, panchnamas, arrest memos, custody documents, case diaries, closure reports, forms, applications, certificates, and official letters. Jaipur. The word ‘Dalit’ will no longer be used in any official work or documents of the Rajasthan Police. The Miscellaneous Cell of the Rajasthan Police has issued an order in this regard. This order states that the word ‘Dalit’ will neither be spoken nor written in any government document or conversation. The term ‘Scheduled Caste’ will be used instead. This news came out on July 11, 2026. This order directly means that the police department will no longer use the word “Dalit” in its FIRs, complaints, charge sheets, panchnamas, arrest memos, custody documents, case diaries, closure reports, forms, applications, certificates, and official letters. This order has been sent to all Director Generals of Police (DGPs), Police Commissioners, District Superintendents of Police (SPs) and their officers-in-charges of the Rajasthan government. All Station House Officers (SHOs) at the police station level have also been asked to follow these rules. Superintendent of Police (SP) of the Miscellaneous Cell, Gyan Chand Yadav, said, “The word ‘Dalit’ will no longer be used as per an order issued by the Gwalior Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court in 2018 and an order issued by the Rajasthan Government’s Information and Public Relations Department from Bhilwara on March 16, 2019. We received instructions from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), where a complaint was lodged that the word ‘Dalit’ was still being used despite these earlier orders. Therefore, this new order has been issued, stating that the term ‘Scheduled Caste’ should be used instead.” Courtesy: Hindi News
Oppn conspiring to mislead Dalits before 2027 UP polls
Lucknow: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has accused opposition parties of attempting to mislead Dalits and the broader Bahujan community through provocative agitations and emotional slogans for political gains. She asserted that the BSP does not engage in politics based on road blockades, protests, vandalism, violence or misinformation. She said her party works within the framework of the Constitution and democratic values. In a statement posted on social media on Saturday, Mayawati, without naming any political party, alleged that certain political groups and organisations were trying to confuse Dalits and Bahujans by encouraging aggressive movements and emotionally charged campaigns. According to her, such forces were exploiting Dalit issues merely to serve their political interests. She said it is only the BSP that has consistently pursued social transformation and economic upliftment through democratic governance and political empowerment. The BSP leader claimed that during the party’s four terms in power in Uttar Pradesh, it set an example of good governance through welfare measures, effective law and order, and development-oriented policies. She said the BSP has always prioritised the interests of the poor, Dalits, backward classes, tribals, minorities and economically weaker sections instead of indulging in what she described as opportunistic politics. Mayawati further argued that opposition parties had become uneasy as the BSP’s support base had expanded ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. She alleged that rival political forces were using various Dalit organisations and political groups to divide and mislead the Bahujan community. She urged people to remain vigilant against such attempts. She also said the BSP does not want unemployed youth and members of deprived sections of society to become victims of legal cases, imprisonment or administrative action while participating in agitations over their grievances. Such developments, she said, ultimately damage their future prospects and adversely affect their families. Courtesy : THI Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehansindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Hathras Dalit Youth’s Family Refuses Last Rites, Alleges Murder by Bani Singh and Sunil; Police Add Murder, SC/ST Act Charges
Tension prevailed in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras district on Saturday after the family of a 19-year-old Dalit youth refused to perform his last rites, alleging that he was murdered and demanding stricter charges against the accused. The incident took place in Boolgarhi village under the Chandpa police station area, where Sunny, son of Santosh, died on Friday after allegedly being crushed under a tractor in suspicious circumstances. Family Alleges Murder, Rejects Accident Theory Police initially registered the case as an accident. However, the victim’s family alleged that Sunny was deliberately killed due to an old rivalry. According to the family, the tractor belonged to a man from the Thakur community, and they accused Bani Singh and his brother Sunil of murdering the youth. They also demanded that the case be registered under murder charges and relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Refusing to cremate the body, the family said they would not perform the last rites until the police amended the FIR. Police Add Murder, SC/ST Act Charges As the body reached the village on Saturday, protests broke out, with women staging demonstrations. A heavy police force was deployed to maintain law and order. Officials held several rounds of discussions with the family. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) district president Raj Kapoor also reached the spot and appealed for calm. After negotiations, police added charges of murder and the SC/ST Act to the case. Following the changes in the FIR, the family agreed to perform the last rites. Police later arrested the main accused, Bani Singh. The investigation is ongoing. Village Remains Under Tight Security Boolgarhi village has remained under close security since the 2020 Hathras case involving the alleged gang rape and death of a Dalit woman. A CRPF deployment continues to remain at the victim’s family’s residence. Courtesy : TOP Note: This news is originally published on https:/theobserverpost.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
PubDalit man locked in room for 3 days in Odisha, beaten with stick and denied food
A Dalit man in Odisha’s Ganjam district alleged he was locked in a room, beaten with a stick and denied food and water for nearly three days after refusing to join illegal activities. He filed a complaint against the accused and sought help from others. A Dalit man in Odisha’s Ganjam district was repeatedly thrashed and beaten with sticks, confined in a locked room for nearly three days and deprived of food and water after he was pressured by some men to participate in illegal activities. A video of the incident surfaced on Sunday shows a man repeatedly beating the youth with a stick inside a locked room. Despite the Dalit man pleading with his attacker to stop, the assault continues as others are seen present in the room. India Today TV could not verify the authenticity of the video. According to the man’s complaint, he was illegally confined for nearly three days and subjected to physical torture. He alleged that he was pressured to engage in unlawful activities and was targeted after refusing to comply. The video shows four individuals inside the room, with one of them repeatedly striking the pleading Dalit man with a stick. There was no immediate response from the police on the Dalit man’s allegations. 5 Railway cops assault deputy superintendent over train halt dispute; suspended Along with the viral video, the Dalit man submitted a written complaint to the police over the incident. In the complaint, the man claimed his life was under threat and said he had approached multiple authorities seeking protection and action. He said that he had submitted representations to President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the National Human Rights Commission, the Odisha Director General of Police and the Ganjam district administration, urging them to intervene in the matter. Ajay Nath Edited By: Prateek Chakraborty Courtesy : India Today Note: This news is originally published on https:/indiatoday.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights