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
Transgender Equality: Court Decision on Transgender Rights in India
This report was published by the Centre for Law & Policy Research, Bengaluru, in December 2024. It presents an overview of the legal landscape of transgender rights in India by presenting case summaries of important judgments and their impact. In 2014, the Supreme Court of India in National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India (NALSA) ruled that transgender people have the right to self-determine their gender identity. This was protected under the constitutional guarantee of life, liberty and equality, and the freedom of expression given under Articles 21, 14, and 19 of the Indian Constitution. Following NALSA and the implementation of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, multiple cases have been presented to courts on issues of everyday challenges and rights violations. The purpose of this report is to provide access to such important judgements to multiple stakeholders advocating for and promoting transgender rights in India. This includes community members, activists, civil society groups, students and researchers, public officials and government, and other lawyers and judges. This 59-page document is divided into 3 sections: Introduction to the Legal Framework (Section 1); Key Definitions (Section 2); and Case Briefs on Transgender Rights (Section 3). Judgement summaries are further structured into 7 sub-sections: The Right to Self-Determination of Gender Identity; Right to Equal Opportunity in Public Employment; Legal Recognition of Change in Name & Gender; Right to Marriage; Family & Relationships; Criminal Law and Transgender Persons; Access to Education for Transgender Persons; and the Right to Social Security. The jurisprudence of transgender rights is largely based on NALSA in 2014, and other court judgments have extended the reach of fundamental rights as laid down in this case. This was followed by the enactment of Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020. In NALSA, the Supreme Court expanded “sex” in Article 15(1) to include both gender and gender identity and prohibited discrimination on the grounds of gender identity and sexual orientation. The Court affirmed that every individual has a constitutional right to determine their gender identity as per Articles 14 and 15(1), and broadened the interpretation of Articles 19(1)(a) and 21 to include a person’s right to express their gender. Under Section 7 of the Transgender Persons Act, 2019, gender recognition is a two-step process: a trans person needs to apply for recognition as ‘transgender’, followed by medical documents that request a change of gender identity. As it mandates a two-step process, failing to acknowledge the Supreme Court’s NALSA ruling, this provision faced strong criticism from the transgender community and activists. The right to privacy was deemed to be constitutionally protected as per the Supreme Court in Retd. Justice K S Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017). This was further extended in Navtej Johar v. Union of India (2016), where same-sex relations were decriminalised and Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code was held unconstitutional. In Mulla Faizal v. State of Gujarat (1999), the High Court of Gujarat distinguished between intersex and transgender persons and imposed a duty on authorities to facilitate the correction of name and gender in birth certificates. The case of Arunkumar & Others v. The Inspector General of Registration (2019) recognised that transgender individuals have the right to marry based on their self-identified gender, linking this right to Article 21 of the Constitution. However, the Supreme Court later, in Supriyo v. Union of India (2023), ruled that the right to marry is not a fundamental right for transgender persons, though it clarified that transgender people in heterosexual marriages must be acknowledged under current laws. Due to the binary understanding of gender within Indian penal laws, transgender individuals frequently face denial of legal protection. The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, identifies specific offences and criminalises various forms of abuse – including physical, emotional, and sexual violence. Courts have ruled that laws addressing sexual violence and harassment must be applied inclusively and should not exclude transgender persons from their protection. In Ms. X v. State of Uttarakhand (2019), the court recognised the right to self-identify gender based on an individual’s inner identity or ‘psyche,’ even within criminal law. The judgment also affirmed that offences such as rape apply to transwomen. To address existing legal gaps, the Madras High Court in M. Srinivasan v. State upheld the right to self-identification and confirmed that sexual harassment laws extend to all individuals who identify as women. Section 3 of the Transgender Persons Act, 2019, prohibits discrimination against transgender individuals in educational settings, while Section 13 mandates that state-funded or recognised institutions provide inclusive education. However, despite the Supreme Court’s directive in NALSA to classify transgender persons as socially and educationally backward and grant them reservations, such provisions remain largely unimplemented. The Supreme Court in NALSA also instructed the central and state governments to develop social welfare programs aimed at improving the lives of transgender people. Under Section 8 of the Transgender Persons Act, 2019, the government is required to implement these welfare initiatives and ensure transgender persons can access them. Although some states have set up Transgender Welfare Boards, access to welfare schemes has been limited. Many states lack such programs entirely, and the inclusion of transgender individuals in pension schemes for vulnerable groups has often only been achieved through judicial intervention. Focus and Factoids by Prathima Appaji. PARI Library’s health archive project is part of an initiative supported by the Azim Premji University to develop a free-access repository of health-related reports relevant to rural India. Courtesy : PARI (People’s Archive of Rural India) Note: This news is originally published on https:/peoplesarchiveofruralindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Who was Jesse Strang? 18-year-old named in Canada school shooting that left 10 dead, dozens injured
Canadian authorities are investigating a deadly shooting that killed 10 at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School after reports named 18-year-old Jesse Strang as the suspected gunman.Two Canadian news outlets, Western Standard and Juno News, reported that Strang was also transgender. The outlets said they received the name from a close family member. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has not officially confirmed the suspect’s identity. The shooting happened on Tuesday at about 1:20 pm local time in Tumbler Ridge, a small town in northeastern British Columbia, about 1,100 kilometers north of Vancouver. Police responded to reports of an active shooter at the school. A public safety alert was sent out telling residents to stay indoors. According to the RCMP, ten people were killed, including the gunman. More than two dozen others were injured. Police said they believe the shooter died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside the school. Investigators also found additional victims at a nearby home that they believe is connected to the case. RCMP Superintendent Ken Floyd told reporters that investigators believe they know who the shooter was. However, police are not releasing the name at this time. Floyd said the decision was made out of respect for the victims’ families and to protect the investigation. Police have also said they do not yet know the motive. They are still working to determine how the victims were connected to the suspect. The shelter-in-place order was lifted later that evening after police said there was no longer a threat to the public. Students and staff who remained inside the school were safely evacuated. Tumbler Ridge has a population of about 2,400 people. Authorities said both the elementary and secondary schools will stay closed for the rest of the week. Counseling and support services are being offered to students, staff, and families. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and British Columbia Premier David Eby released statements expressing sorrow and offering condolences to the families of those killed. 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
Cess and surcharge money spent to benefit states: FM Sitharaman
NEW DELHI: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday rejected the criticism by states over cesses and surcharges, arguing that it was in line with the Constitutional provisions and the money collected through these levies was spent on schemes that benefited the states. . While responding to the discussion on the Budget in the Lok Sabha, FM said that states should distinguish between the gross tax revenue and the net proceeds that are legally shareable. “States can’t have it both ways. The states should check if the entire net proceeds which form the divisible pool, after removing cess and surcharge from gross tax revenue, is received by them,” she said. The minister said that the Centre was transferring 41% to the states, as was recommended by the Finance Commission. “The 16th Finance Commission analysed the state’s share transferred by the Centre to the states from 2018-19 to 2022-23, and concluded that in each of these years, the devolution made by the Centre exactly matches the recommendation of the Finance Commission. So, we are not the only ones claiming this… There is no scope for any doubt in this for the states,” the minister said. Sitharaman also criticised states such as West Bengal, where Mamata Banerjee’s TMC was in power, arguing that they blamed the Centre for GST, but then imposed additional burden on consumers. “The state govt in West Bengal imposes road levies and charges taxes at the time of new vehicle registration. If there is so much concern about GST burdening citizens, then why impose additional state-level taxes? These could be waived for the people of Bengal, but instead, GST collections are criticised while state taxes continue to be levied,” she said while accusing Abhishek Banerjee of twisting facts on GST. She said govt is incentivising data centres in the country, in what was a rebuttal to Rahul Gandhi’s claims on Indian data. Further, she listed out measures on SEZs, customs reforms and support to MSMEs to counter Rahul’s concerns. “Leader of the Opposition expressed concerns over geopolitics, energy and weaponisation of finance. He said that the Budget acknowledges these challenges, but he didn’t read the Budget and the steps announced in it to address these challenges.” 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
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
US chokehold on PM Modi, he has sold India: Rahul Gandhi
NEW DELHI: Leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi accused the govt Wednesday of “completely surrendering” India’s core data, food and energy interests in the trade deal, in a sharp attack in Lok Sabha on PM Modi who, he alleged, had caved in to pressure due to the leverage that country has over him. Participating in the discussion on the Budget, Gandhi began his speech with mention of the concept of grip and chokehold players are taught in martial arts to floor rivals and then used the metaphor to target Modi in the US’s handling of him. Gandhi’s condemnation of the interim pact as a sellout of national interest was the theme of his speech. ‘Farmers left to mercy of mechanised US farms’ Rahul said the data of 140 crore Indians is the country’s most valuable asset, while the nation needs to secure its energy and food interests in these turbulent times. The LoP’s controversial references to a convicted child sex offender in the US, two Indian businessmen and Bharat Mata as he sought to corner govt was met with resistance from treasury benches and were expunged from records. He alleged that minister Hardeep Puri had introduced an Indian businessman to the child sex offender, and the files released by the US govt mention their names. The Chair asked him not to level the allegations. Rahul Gandhi’s condemnation of the interim trade pact as a sellout of national interest was the theme of his speech, hitting the BJP-led NDA govt on a plank which it has practically owned since coming to power in 2014. He alleged, “The most valuable asset (data) of India has been handed over. Our farmers have been left to the mercy of mechanised American farms. Our textiles have been wiped out. Our energy security has been handed over. We cannot buy oil from who we want to buy it from. This is a wholesale surrender.” Unlike Modi’s and NSA Doval’s assertion that it is not an era of war, Rahul said the world is in fact “moving into an era of war and instability” amid intensifying geo-political conflicts. Dollar’s supremacy is being challenged and world is moving away from the era of one superpower, he said. While the budget recognises these challenges, including the weaponisation of energy and finance, it offers no future pathways, he said, before turning to the agreement to hit out at govt. He alleged the deal has compromised security in all three critical things needed to run a modern country: data, food supply and energy. 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
Bharat Bandh: Rahul Gandhi backs workers & farmers; takes ‘grip’ jibe at PM Modi
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday backed nationwide protests by workers and farmers demanding protection of their rights. He flagged concerns over labour reforms, trade policies, and potential changes to the rural jobs programme MGNREGA. “Workers fear that the four labour codes will weaken their rights. Farmers are apprehensive that the trade agreement will harm their livelihoods. And weakening or scrapping MGNREGA could snatch away the last lifeline of villages. When decisions affecting their future were taken, their voices were ignored,” he said through a post on X. “Will Modiji listen now? Or is the “grip” on him too strong? I stand firmly with the workers and farmers on their issues and their struggle,” Rahul added. An all-India general strike called by ten Central Trade Unions (CTUs) and backed by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Thursday is aimed at opposing a range of government policies, including the four labour codes, privatisation and contractualisation measures, the Electricity Amendment Bill 2025, changes to MGNREGA and the proposed Seed Bill. Large-scale participation from farmers, agricultural workers and industrial unions is expected at protest sites across the country, with power sector employees, PRTC staff and other worker organisations also set to join. In a statement, the SKM said the strike seeks the withdrawal of the four labour codes, the Electricity Bill 2025, the Seed Bill 2025 and the VB-G RAM G Act 2025, among other demands. It also called for the restoration of the old pension scheme and the implementation of minimum wages for all workers, including scheme workers. Communist Party of India (CPI) leader and All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) working president Binoy Viswam expressed full support for the nationwide farmers’ strike, describing it as a movement to defend people’s basic rights. Apple farmers in Himachal Pradesh have also intensified preparations to join the nationwide farmers’ strike on February 12 and announced a march to Delhi, warning that recent import duty reductions under India-US and other free trade agreements could hurt the state’s apple-based economy. They expressed concern that cheaper imports could impact local growers, despite repeated assurances from union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal that the interests of Indian apple farmers will be safeguarded. While several trade unions and farmer organisations have decided to join the strike, the National Front of Indian Trade Unions (NFITU) said it would not participate, describing the protest as “politically motivated.” 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