Moradabad: A Dalit woman was forced to convert at gunpoint; Muslim couple arrested following complaint
In Moradabad, a Dalit woman was held hostage by a Muslim couple, a cleric, and two unidentified accused and forced to convert. It is being reported that the accused husband had been harboring an evil eye on her for a long time. Police in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, have arrested a Muslim couple for allegedly forcibly converting a Dalit woman by holding her hostage. Acting swiftly on the victim’s complaint, the police filed a case against the main accused, a Muslim couple and a cleric, and arrested and sent them to jail. The cleric and two unidentified accused involved in the incident are being sought. The accused forced the woman to convert at gunpoint. The incident is reported to have occurred in the Majhola police station area. According to the FIR lodged, the victim, a resident of Prakash Nagar, had close and familial relations with the family of the accused, Sultan Salahuddin, and his wife, Mehnaz (Mehraj Begum), for the past three years. Both families celebrated all festivals together. The woman had no idea that Sultan Salahuddin had an evil eye on her. It is alleged that on February 6th, Mehraj Begum lured the victim to her home. As soon as she arrived, Sultan Salahuddin, his wife Mehnaz, a cleric, and two unidentified men took her hostage. The accused then held their licensed pistols to her head and, threatening to kill her, forced her to convert to Islam in front of the cleric. The victim told the police that after the conversion, she was put under intense pressure to marry. When the woman strongly protested, the cleric present at the scene declared the forced marriage illegal, calling it against Islam and Sharia. The main accused, Sultan Salahuddin, refused to budge and shouted, “I will keep her as my wife.” Police filed a case against the accused couple and the cleric under 10 sections. When she resisted, the accused used casteist slurs, abused her, and held her captive in their house for several days. The victim alleges that Sultan Salahuddin subjected her to obscene acts and molestation during her captivity. The victim, who somehow managed to escape, was threatened with death if she complained. It is reported that the accused, Sultan Salahuddin, has a criminal history and has previously been charged with attempted murder in Badaun district. Given the sensitivity and seriousness of the case, Moradabad police took immediate action. Police have filed a case against the accused couple, Sultan Salahuddin, Mehnaz, the cleric, and two unidentified individuals under 10 serious sections, including kidnapping, molestation, threats to kill, the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act (forced conversion), and the SC/ST Act. Both main accused arrested, search continues for the cleric and two other unidentified individuals. Providing information about the case, Moradabad SP City Kumar Ranvijay Singh said that yesterday (July 11), a complaint was received at Majhola police station from a woman living in Prakash Nagar. The victim alleges that an acquaintance, Sultan Salahuddin, and his wife invited her to their home, where she was abused, molested, illegally held captive, and forced to convert to Islam. Considering the seriousness of the matter, the police have immediately registered a case under relevant sections. The two main accused, Sultan Salahuddin and his wife Mehnaz, have been arrested and are being sent to jail. Teams have been formed to arrest the cleric and two other unidentified individuals involved in the incident; they will also be sent behind bars soon. Written By: Obaidur Rahman About the author Ubaidur Rahman is a senior and active TV journalist and ground reporter for ABP News. For the past 20 years, he has been covering political, criminal, wildlife, social, cultural, and investigative news in the Moradabad division of western Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Prior to ABP News, he worked at several prominent organizations. After a Bachelor of Science, he earned a Diploma in TV Journalism and Broadcasting and an Adeeb-e-Kamil from Jamia Urdu University, Aligarh. Courtesy: Hindi News
South states join hands to crack down on drug trafficking
The officials agreed to hold periodic coordination meetings and exchange intelligence to track narcotics movement and dismantle drug syndicates. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Building on the success of Kerala’s flagship anti-drug campaign, Operation Toofan, five southern states, one Union Territory and central enforcement agencies have decided to set up a permanent interstate coordination mechanism to crack down on narcotics trafficking across the region. The decision was taken at a meeting of the police brass from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Puducherry and top officers of the central enforcement agencies, chaired by Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. The meeting also decided to appoint nodal officers of SP rank or above in all southern states to facilitate real-time intelligence sharing and ensure swift action against interstate drug trafficking networks. Central agencies, including the Narcotics Control Bureau, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Customs and Railway Protection Force, will also nominate nodal officers to strengthen inter-agency coordination. The officials agreed to hold periodic coordination meetings and exchange intelligence to track narcotics movement and dismantle drug syndicates. Speaking to media after the meeting, Chennithala said the interstate mechanism would soon launch joint operations to choke major routes used for trafficking narcotics into the state. Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala unveiling a banner during the Inaugural function of Operation Toofan : The Narco Hunt the state wide anti narcitics campaign at Government Cotton Hill GHSS in Thiruvananthapuram .Shashi Tharoor MP and General Education Minister N Shamsudeen are also seen. Surveillance against online, courier services to be stepped up Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge would visit Kerala on July 15 for follow-up discussions, he said. He said Kerala Police’s specialised anti-drug unit, the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force (DANSAF), will be upgraded into a dedicated anti-narcotics task force in all 20 police districts. Headed by DySPs, the permanent units will be strengthened with additional personnel and vehicles. Two more special NDPS courts would soon be established in Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam, while the Centre’s proposal to set up 10 additional NDPS courts in Kerala would also be implemented to expedite the disposal of narcotics cases, the home minister said. Surveillance and enforcement would be stepped up against online platforms, courier services and “drop” delivery models, which are increasingly being exploited by drug traffickers, he said. The government would also launch a joint crackdown by the health department and police on the abuse of prescription medicines to curb the misuse of pharmaceutical drugs sourced through medical stores. Officials from neighbouring states said Operation Toofan has already curbed the flow of narcotics into Kerala. Chennithala said the next phase would focus on sealing all major entry points, including state borders, roads, buses, trains, airports and waterways, to prevent drug trafficking. Joint action lFive southern states to establish a permanent anti-drug coordination mechanism under Operation Toofan lState and central agencies to appoint nodal officers for real-time intelligence sharing lPeriodic coordination meets and intelligence exchange to continue lDANSAF to be strengthened as a dedicated anti-narcotics force in Kerala’s 20 police districts lCentre’s proposal to establish 10 NDPS courts in Kerala to be implemented; first in T’Puram & Ernakulam lEnhanced surveillance on online platforms, courier services and drop deliveries used for drug trafficking lNext phase to target all entry routes- road, rail, air, waterways and state borders 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
Cabinet expansion: Rahul Gandhi likely to summon CM DK Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah & BK Hariprasad to Delhi
Shivakumar was sworn in as CM along with 13 ministers on June 3. There are 20 vacancies in the cabinet. BENGALURU: With the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, expected to return to India from his foreign tour on Sunday evening, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, his predecessor Siddaramaiah and KPCC president BK Hariprasad are likely to be summoned anytime soon to New Delhi by the Congress high command to discuss the much-delayed cabinet expansion. Shivakumar was sworn in as CM along with 13 ministers on June 3. There are 20 vacancies in the cabinet. Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah and Hariprasad are prepared with a list of their loyalists to be pushed into the cabinet, sources told The New Sunday Express. Besides the high command, including AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, will have their own nominees to ensure that the party returns to power in the 2028 Assembly polls, sources added. “Cabinet aspirants are curious to know if the expansion will happen before the month of Ashada, which many believe is inauspicious. Aashada starts on Tuesday (July 14),” sources added. Meanwhile, Home Minister Priyank Kharge said that the cabinet expansion will happen soon. “The CM and AICC chief have said this very clearly. In circumstances where an emergency-like situation arises—whether it is a drought or a flood—having a full-fledged cabinet ensures that responsibilities can be assigned to everyone so that relief can be provided to people without any delay,” Priyank added. When asked if the expansion will happen before Aashada, he said, “I don’t believe in that… When giving or taking power, who looks at all that? There is no connection between the two. Our responsibility is to look after our people. As you said, whether it is Aashada or Rahu Kala, everyone has their own faith and beliefs, but it should not affect governance.” Meanwhile, Jewargi MLA Ajay Singh, son of former CM N Dharam Singh, is a strong contender for a berth in the Shivakumar cabinet. Ajay said that the high command may call the state leaders to Delhi any moment for talks. Chamarajnagara MLA C Puttarangashetty, another contender, said that the expansion may happen in a day or two or after a month when Aashada ends. Srirangapatna MLA A B Ramesh Bandisidde Gowda asserted that he deserved to be a minister. “I will also organise the party in Mandya. If I am proven wrong, they can remove me anytime”, he said. Several other MLAs, including those elected for 3-4 times, such as Ashok M Pattan, have openly staked claim. “Rahul Gandhi will come tomorrow (Sunday). He will call the CM, former CM, and the KPCC President on Monday or Tuesday. I will tell our leaders not to just look at caste, but consider seniority too. I am a senior legislator in Belagavi district and the state. I was a Congress student leader… been in the party since the days of former CM D Devaraj Urs,” he said. Trouble for Zameer? Ahead of the formation of the Shivakumar cabinet in the first phase, an audio clip leaked allegedly involving former minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan allegedly conspiring to defeat the Congress candidate in Davanagere bypolls. This ruined his chances of becoming a minister in the Shivakumar cabinet. This time around, the Lokayukta approached the Governor seeking permission to prosecute him in a disproportionate assets case. One has to wait and watch to see whether Zameer will this time make it to the cabinet or not. Devaraj B Hirehalli 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
Government cannot be formed in TN without Congress’s support: TNCC president Manickam Tagore
The Congress meeting on Saturday was organised to condemn the BJP-led government over the NEET issue. Tagore said five students have died this year due to the medical entrance test. COIMBATORE: Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president B Manickam Tagore said even if the party had won five seats in the Assembly elections, it has now reached a position where a government in Tamil Nadu could not be formed without its support. “We are in a position where we are the key to the lock. This is the time for us to be magnanimous,” he said, while speaking at a Congress party meeting held at Puliyakulam on Saturday. Tagore said the functioning of the Congress party in Tamil Nadu needs to change and that a clear ideology and truth must be taken to the people. “After Vijay assumed charge as chief minister, the situation where votes could be bought with money has changed,” he said, highlighting that this is the time for Congress and the party would progress with everyone’s trust and hard work. The parliamentarian also said that the party cadre are pleased that two Congress ministers are part of the state cabinet. The Congress meeting on Saturday was organised to condemn the BJP-led government over the NEET issue. Tagore said five students have died this year due to the medical entrance test. “The level of uproar witnessed when NEET aspirant Anitha died was not seen when student Keerthana ended her life recently in Coimbatore. We are just letting it pass by unnoticed,” he said, accusing the union government of moving on as if nothing had happened. He said three parliamentarians, on behalf of the TNCC, would visit the families of students who died. He said, “We will also visit the house of Keerthana and the party will provide financial assistance.” Further, Tagore alleged that NEET question papers were leaked at 90 locations across the northern states and accused the BJP and RSS of doing it in an organised manner. He said, “NEET paper leaks occur only in BJP-ruling states, not in Tamil Nadu. If an education system pushes our children to the point of suicide, we must question it. Only if Rahul Gandhi becomes the prime minister in 2029 can NEET be cancelled,” claiming that no other party in Tamil Nadu has been voicing against the BJP in the NEET issue, out of fear. Tagore also said the BJP and RSS continue to lose in Tamil Nadu as they have no understanding of the state. “BJP thought it could win by changing the person in charge, which did not work out. Now, someone else is going to enter under the name of a different organisation,” he said, in a veiled reference to former BJP state president K Annamalai. Meanwhile, a commotion broke out at the entrance of the meeting hall after party members from the Nilgiris demanded the removal of Nagaraj, an office-bearer in the Nilgiris district party, from his post. 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
Delimitation on agenda: Revanth to brief Rahul, Kharge on T’s seat surge
Hyderabad: With the Centre expected to revive key political reforms, including delimitation and women’s reservation, chief minister A Revanth Reddy is set to hold crucial discussions with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi during the upcoming Parliament session. The meeting is expected to focus on Telangana’s political roadmap, particularly the likely increase in assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies following delimitation. The monsoon session of Parliament is scheduled from July 20 to Aug 13, and Revanth is expected to meet the Congress leadership during this period. According to sources, the chief minister will discuss the likely expansion of constituencies across the country, with a special focus on Telangana. The state is expected to see a significant increase in representation, with assembly seats projected to rise from 119 to 182 and Lok Sabha constituencies from 17 to 26. The discussions are also likely to focus on the Congress party’s electoral strategy in Telangana in the event of delimitation being taken up by the Centre. Revanth has already sought to position Telangana at the centre of the party’s national plans. Addressing a public meeting in Khammam district on Friday, he declared that he would deliver 20 Lok Sabha seats from Telangana to the Congress and help Rahul Gandhi emerge as Prime Minister. The chief minister had also played a key role in mobilising support from several opposition parties against the BJP govt’s attempt to link the implementation of 33% women’s reservation with delimitation, a move that triggered widespread political debate. Apart from political issues, Revanth is expected to brief the Congress leadership on the performance of the Telangana govt over the past 30 months. “He is expected to share with them his plans for the remaining tenure of the Congress govt in Telangana on welfare, development, economic growth, investment fronts and also on the status of the Congress’s electoral promises,” said a source close to him. During his Delhi visit, the chief minister is also expected to meet Union ministers, subject to appointments. He is likely to take up issues related to Telangana’s infrastructure and urban transport requirements, including the Hyderabad Metro Rail expansion plans. Meetings with Union ministers Manohar Lal Khattar and Ashwini Vaishnaw are expected to focus on the proposed takeover of the metro rail project and its second phase expansion. While aspirants for cabinet berths are hopeful that the Congress high command may push for filling the two vacancies in the state cabinet, sources in the chief minister’s office indicated that Revanth is not inclined to undertake a cabinet expansion or reshuffle at this stage. 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
India’s First Transgender Disaster Management Team Prepares To Deal With Flood Situation In Kolhapur
This team of ten members were made to undergo a rigorous, intensive training where they were given good experience to tackle life-saving situations Kolhapur: They are usually mocked or given money and shooed away; that is how the transgender people are normally treated in various parts of India. Not finding sufficient work for their sustenance, many transgenders are forced to take to begging. However, Kolhapur city has shown transgenders the way, by giving them an opportunity to be saviours. India’s first transgender disaster management team, trained by the District Disaster Management Authority, is now ready to tackle potential flood situations in Kolhapur district. On Wednesday, a 10-member team completed a rigorous ten days of intensive training where they were given hands-on field experience to tackle life-saving situations. This 10-member team was also given training to use disaster management equipment in order to get prior experience, so that they are present as rescuers when any emergency situation of a disaster occurs. Shivani Gajbar is enthusiastic about facing any calamity. Speaking with ETV Bharat, Gajbar said, “We are prepared to play this significant role of being rescuers as part of our district’s response to any disaster.” The country’s first transgender disaster management team Heavy rains have been wreaking havoc across Maharashtra, including Kolhapur district. Many local rivers have already touched danger mark, and people have been asked to remain vigilant or move to higher ground. During this period, Kolhapur District Disaster Management Authority mobilised a trained team comprising over 2,000 ‘Aapda Mitra’ (Disaster Friends) and ‘Sakhi’ volunteers. For the first time this year, a 10-member transgender disaster management team from Kolhapur district will also be operational. This team is now prepared to assist citizens in various situations that include search, relief and rescue operations. A part of their training also included clearing trees that had fallen on roads due to strong winds. They were given training to assess flood risks in affected villages, transport villagers during evacuations, and respond to road accidents or other monsoon-related emergencies. Gajbar stated that they aim to reach every citizen through real-life experiences during natural disasters. “We are committed to ensuring that timely assistance reaches citizens in case there is any situation of a disaster.” District Disaster Management Officer Prasad Sankpal stated, “Our district disaster management cell is fully prepared with our strategies that are in line with forecasts from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). This includes a team of transgender individuals to tackle any potential flood situation.” The transgender people expressed their joy of being selected as ‘saviours’ in these times and are thankful for being able to be useful to society. 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
6 years later, UP man gets life term for murdering Dalit youth over love affair
MAHARAJGANJ: A court in Uttar Pradesh’s Maharajganj district has sentenced a 60-year-old man to rigorous life imprisonment for murdering a Dalit youth in 2019 over an alleged love affair, officials said on Friday. Special public prosecutor Fanindra Kumar Tripathi said Special Judge (SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act) Abid Shamim pronounced the verdict on Thursday, holding Ram Prasad Prajapati guilty of murder. Along with the life sentence, the court imposed a fine of Rs 40,000 on the convict. Failure to pay the amount would result in an additional six months of imprisonment, Tripathi said. According to the prosecution, Prajapati was booked under charges of murder and relevant provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for killing 19-year-old Achhelal. Tripathi said the accused allegedly attacked the youth with a stick and a sharp-edged weapon following a dispute linked to an alleged love affair. Police had registered a case against Prajapati after the incident, and the court has now convicted him six years later. 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
Protest over Dalit student murder: NHRC seeks report from UP DGP, home secy as Meerut turns into fortress
Meerut: Two days after alleged police high-handedness on protesting members of the Dalit community over a case involving the killing of a college student — Lalita Gautam, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday sought a detailed action-taken report from the UP DGP and the home secretary within 15 days. Police action also kicked up a political storm, evoking response from Opposition parties, prompting cops to turn Meerut into a fortress as a “precautionary step” and “sealing off” the student’s village. In the letter, accessed by TOI, NHRC bench has asked the UP top brass to furnish a report in reply to allegations by complainant Sunil Ahirwar of Jan Kalyan Samiti that, “police (Meerut) unleashed an unprovoked, brutal baton-charge inflicting severe injuries on many protesters.” The letter added that, “there is also video evidence that clearly depicts senior police officers committing custodial torture by mercilessly beating defenceless individuals while they were already in custody.” Ahirwar of Bhopal filed the complaint under section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. On Thursday, police registered a case against 63 protesters under stringent BNS sections of “attempt to murder” and “assault on women with an intention to outrage modesty” for the alleged assault on female police personnel. Seven of them were later arrested. The thrashing of a Noida-based lawyer — Ravi Gautam — inside a police van on Wednesday also did not go down well within the advocate fraternity. Angry lawyers from the Meerut Bar Association submitted a memorandum at the Collectorate. Meanwhile, SSP Avinash Pandey issued a fresh statement: “Our Constitution starts with — We the People of India. It does not start with caste, creed or any community. Whatever action was taken, it was against criminals and we have justification of all the actions along with the proof.” Reacting to an alleged audio threat, SSP Pandey appealed to all his “supporters and opposers to plant trees in the forthcoming ‘Vriksharopan Mahotsav’ (plantation drive)… They must use their anger and energy on the betterment of the environment and society.” From early Friday, heavy police force was deployed at the city’s Commissionary Park, the protest venue. It was personally supervised by SSP Pandey. The district’s borders were sealed and the political leaders, including MP from Nagina Lok Sabha constituency, Chandrashekhar Azad, were stopped at the outskirts along with hundreds of his supporters. Addressing the public, Azad said, “If the Constitution has given the citizens the right to protest, then which are the sections under which the peaceful agitators were attacked, I want to know. I have come to Meerut to get the answer and also to meet the victim’s family.” Poonam Pandit, a Congress functionary, was allegedly detained at her house in Bulandshahr in the early hours of Friday. She was scheduled to meet the student’s family. She asked: “Is it a crime to meet the aggrieved family, to share their grief? The best answer to why I have been put under house arrest lies with the state govt.” Notably, people from the community, including various outfits, had joined Lalita’s parents in regular protests against the “shoddy probe” by local police after the body of the 20-year-old BA final-year student from Meerut was found in a sugarcane field. The Dalit student went missing on May 15, 2026, after leaving her home for an exam. Police arrested her alleged boyfriend, Ankush Kumar, claiming he killed her following an argument. However, her family questioned the police investigation, demanding a fair and comprehensive probe into the case. 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
The word ‘Dalit’ has been banned from Rajasthan Police records. What is the reason?
The Rajasthan Police has issued a circular stating that the word ‘Dalit’ will no longer be used in all official documents, certificates, and FIRs. The use of the word ‘Dalit’ has now been banned in Rajasthan Police records. The Rajasthan Police Headquarters has issued a circular stating that the word ‘Dalit’ will no longer be used in official documents, certificates, and FIRs. From now on, the term ‘Scheduled Caste’ will be used instead of ‘Dalit’ in all government documents. The Rajasthan Police has issued this rule in accordance with the directives of the Supreme Court and the Central Government. This change is said to have a positive impact on society. Now, the question arises: which Supreme Court directive has the Police Headquarters cited in making this change? Citing Supreme Court Directives Rajasthan Police Headquarters stated in a circular that this decision was based on the Supreme Court’s 2015 directives. On March 15, 2015, the Supreme Court directed that the use of the word “Dalit” be avoided in all official documents. Instead, the constitutional term “Scheduled Caste” be used. Rajasthan Police Headquarters clearly stated in its letter that the word “Dalit” will not be used not only in Hindi and English, but also in documents in regional languages. Strict Instructions to Police Stations and Officers This order was issued on July 2, 2026, and subsequently sent to all Superintendents of Police and Deputy Commissioners of Police in Rajasthan, ensuring that all officers enforce this rule in all police stations in their respective areas. Instructions have been given to implement this rule with immediate effect in police stations in other districts, including Jaipur. What will be the impact on the general public? This decision will bring legal sanctity and sensitivity to police operations. Furthermore, more constitutional language will be used in communications and written work conducted at police stations, thereby respecting the constitutional rights and dignity of ordinary citizens. Courtesy: Hindi News
Akhilesh Yadav met the family of Dalit student Lalita Gautam, saying, “We are with you.” Pinky Bhaiya announced a march to Meerut.
Dalit Student Murder Case: The murder of Lalita Gautam, a BA student from Meerut, has sparked an uproar across Uttar Pradesh. Following the murder of the 20-year-old Dalit student, the main accused has been arrested and sent to jail. Meanwhile, caste-based protests have intensified in connection with the case. The Samajwadi Party chief also met with the victim’s family. Meerut: The political and social atmosphere is becoming increasingly heated following the murder of Lalita Gautam, a BA student in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. On one hand, Hindu Raksha Dal national president Pinky Bhaiya has announced a march to Meerut today. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav visited Lalita’s accusers. He pledged to stand with them in their fight for justice and appealed to the BJP government to fulfill all the family’s demands. Lalita Gautam, a 20-year-old BA student, lived with her family in Gagan Enclave, TP Nagar, Meerut. She left home on May 15th to take an exam, but when she did not return until late in the evening, her family began searching for her. However, no trace of her was found, after which the accused filed a missing person report at the TP Nagar police station. Police began an investigation and examined CCTV footage from nearby areas. CCTV footage showed Lalita with a young man named Ankush, a resident of Kalyanpur village. Following this, the police expanded the investigation and formed several teams to search for the accused. During the police investigation, the accused, Ankush, was taken into custody. During interrogation, he confessed to killing Lalita. According to the police, Ankush and Lalita were in a love relationship. They were together on the day of the incident. During this time, the accused saw some photos and chats on Lalita’s mobile phone, which led him to suspect that she was having an affair with another man. Due to this suspicion and dispute, Akhilesh murdered Lalita and dumped her body in a sugarcane field in the Upasiya forest in the Rohta police station area of Meerut. Police later recovered the body from there. The main accused in the case has been arrested and sent to jail, while investigations into other cases are ongoing. Akhilesh Yadav met with the victims and accused in the murder of Dalit student Lalita Gautam in Meerut. He pledged to stand with them in their fight for justice. He also urged the BJP government to fulfill all demands of the victim’s family and ensure justice for the deceased daughter. What did Pinky Bhaiya say? Pinky Bhaiya, National President of the Hindu Raksha Dal, has announced a march to Meerut on July 11, 2026. Speaking in support of Meerut accused Avinash Pandey, Pinky Bhaiya stated that strict action should be taken against those who used slogans like “Jai Bhim” and “Jai Mim” to divide the accused, and that Lalita Gautam’s daughters should receive justice. The government and administration at every level stand with the victim’s family and strict action should be taken against the perpetrators. Following his announcement of the march to Meerut, all eyes are focused on the events of July 11. Meanwhile, the administration has also gone into full alert mode. Meerut now scouts sports talent from schools and colleges, a united campaign Reporter: Alauddin Panwar Editor: Kavya Mishra About the Author Kavya Mishra works as a Senior Sub-Editor in the Regional Section (Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh) with News18 Hindi. She has been active in journalism for over 7 years. Courtesy: Hindi News