Dalit Teenage Girl Gang Rape Case – Second Accused Arrested: One Accused Was Caught in Pratapgarh After Being Injured in an Encounter
Police have arrested the second accused in the kidnapping and gang rape case of a Dalit girl in the Antu police station area of Pratapgarh. Previously, one accused was arrested after being injured in an encounter. According to police, the first accused, Sohail, was arrested yesterday afternoon in the Lohangpur forest of Antu after being shot in the leg. He has been sent to the medical college. SO Abhishek Singh Sirohi arrested the second accused, Irfan Khan alias Khunne, from the Antu railway station. Irfan is a resident of Mahuli, Nagar Kotwali area. Police also recovered the car used in the incident from his possession. According to information, after kidnapping the girl, the accused drove her around the Nagar Kotwali and Dilippur areas in a car throughout the night. They left her unconscious near her home at around 4 a.m. and fled. It is reported that the girl had befriended a young man named Guddu Khan on Facebook. On Monday evening, Guddu brought her to Mahuli Mandi on his bike, where he also called his friends, Sohail and Irfan. The three then committed the crime together. In the early morning, the girl’s family found her unconscious. She was immediately taken to the Community Health Center (CHC). Upon regaining consciousness, she reported the incident, and a case was registered based on her mother’s complaint. Manu Kumar Singh | Pratapgarh Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit student dies after alleged caste humiliation in India
Police arrest three men after family says college student was assaulted and publicly humiliated over caste identity in Uttar Pradesh NEW DELHI, India — A 20-year-old Dalit college student in northern India allegedly died by suicide after being assaulted and humiliated over his caste identity, police and family members said, in a case that has renewed scrutiny of caste-based discrimination and violence in the country. The student, identified as Atin Kumar, was found dead in his room on Sunday in Uttar Pradesh’s Firozabad district, a day after he was allegedly confronted at a local library, accused of harassing a girl and beaten after revealing he belonged to the Dalit community — a historically oppressed caste group formerly referred to as “untouchables.” Police said a handwritten suicide note recovered from his room referenced harassment and assault linked to the incident. Family members also claimed injury marks were visible on his body, including what appeared to be a fractured finger. According to a complaint filed by his father, Ajay Kumar, Atin regularly visited the RM Library after attending college classes. On Saturday evening, several men at the library allegedly confronted him and questioned him about his caste identity during an altercation. The family alleged the confrontation escalated into physical assault after Atin disclosed that he was Dalit. “My son suffered injuries in the assault and came back home humiliated,” his father said in the police complaint. “He did not share the ordeal with the family and was found dead the next day.” Atin was the only son of his parents, both of whom are specially abled, according to local residents. Alongside his studies as a Bachelor of Science student, he reportedly also ran a small grocery shop to help support the family financially. Police have registered a criminal case against six people under charges including murder, rioting, assault and caste-based atrocities. The case was filed under provisions of India’s Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, a law designed to address violence and discrimination against marginalized caste communities, alongside sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, India’s criminal code. Police on Monday said three accused — identified as Atul Sikera, Dhruv Yadav and Ritik Yadav — had been arrested, while efforts were underway to locate the remaining suspects. “Police teams are working to nab the other absconding accused,” Shikohabad Deputy Superintendent of Police Amreesh Kumar said. The case has triggered outrage on social media and renewed debate over caste discrimination in India, where Dalits continue to face violence, social exclusion and humiliation despite constitutional protections and affirmative action policies. Human rights groups and Dalit activists have long argued that caste-based violence remains deeply embedded in parts of Indian society where social hierarchies continue to shape access to education, employment and public spaces. Courtesy : Muslim Network TV Note: This news is originally published on https:/muslinetworktv.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit politics in Bihar erupts again; Union Minister Manjhi’s statement raises political heat
Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has launched a scathing attack on the RJD and Tejashwi Yadav over the Dalit-Mahadalit issue in Bihar. He accused the RJD of suppressing Dalits. Manjhi accused the RJD of suppressing Dalits. He vowed to respond with the “power of Ambedkarism.” The political temperature in Bihar has risen following the Barachatti incident. Patna. The rhetoric surrounding the Dalit-Mahadalit issue has intensified in Bihar politics. Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has once again launched a scathing attack on Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav and the Rashtriya Janata Dal. In a post on the social media platform X, Manjhi accused the RJD of engaging in politics aimed at suppressing the Dalit and Mahadalit communities. He said that the Dalit-Mahadalit community has now awakened and the politics of intimidation will not last long. “The power of Ambedkarism will provide the answer.” In his post, Manjhi wrote, “RJD goons have always said… ‘There’s no strength in the power, now ask for your life.’” In response, he invoked Ambedkarism and wrote that the Dalit and Mahadalit community will now give a befitting reply. Manjhi said in a poetic style, “As long as there is a trace of faith among Dalits and Mahadalits, the sword of Ambedkarism will reach the throne of RJD.” He said that the Dalit community has now become politically and socially aware and is not afraid of any kind of pressure or threat. Following the arrests in this case, the RJD has questioned the police action. The RJD leader alleged that innocent people, especially women, are being harassed in this case. The RJD said that the police are taking action under pressure from Manjhi. EDITATED BY: VYAS CHANDRA Courtesy: Hindi News
NHRC issues Advisory 2.0 to Ministries and the Chief Secretaries of all the states and UTs to ensure the welfare of transgender persons
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has issued an Advisory 2.0 to ensure the welfare of transgender persons to the Secretaries of 11 Ministries, the Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner and the Chief Secretaries/ Administrators of all the states and union territories as part of its continuing efforts to protect and promote their human rights. The Advisory has been issued to the Ministries of Social Justice and Empowerment, Home Affairs, Law and Justice, Statistics and Programme Implementation, Education, Health and Family Welfare, Women and Child Development, Corporate Affairs, Labour and Employment, Housing and Urban Affairs and Rural Development. Issuing the Advisory, the Commission has noted the encouraging responses from all concerned authorities to its earlier Advisory of 15th September 2023 and the constructive engagement reflecting a shared commitment to this cause. It has also acknowledged the initiatives undertaken by the Government, including the enactment of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019, along with allied schemes and policy measures aimed at improving their socio-economic conditions. Based on the NHRC’s continued engagements, including field interactions, stakeholder consultations and reviews of implementation, the Commission has identified a range of persistent and emerging challenges affecting transgender persons. Therefore, the Commission found it necessary and opportune to issue another set of recommendations to further enhance their welfare. Accordingly, all concerned authorities have been requested to implement the recommendations contained in the Advisory and furnish an Action Taken Report (ATR) within a period of two months to appraise the Commission of the progress made in implementing the Advisory. The Advisory focuses on ten key areas for action to ensure the welfare of transgender persons. These include integrating gender diversity in national data systems, reviewing laws/ rules/ policies to ensure gender inclusivity, building an inclusive legal framework, right to property, right to education, healthcare, inclusivity at the workplace, safeguarding the rights of children with diverse sex characteristics and gender identities/ expressions, safeguarding the rights of elderly transgender persons and strengthening Garima Greh shelters. The key recommendations are as follows: i) Inclusion of distinct categories such as ‘Intersex’, ‘Transmen’ and ‘Transwomen’ in the upcoming Census of India and other national surveys to ensure accurate and inclusive gender-disaggregated data collection; ii) Review of laws, including the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, Juvenile Justice Act and succession laws, to ensure recognition of self-identified gender and protection of the rights of transgender and intersex persons; iii) Ensuring equal inheritance, succession, housing and property rights for transgender and intersex persons without discrimination; iv) Developing comprehensive SOPs for police and correctional institutions regarding arrest, detention, searches, interrogations, imprisonment, confidentiality and access to gender-affirming healthcare for transgender persons; v) Establishing dedicated legal aid cells, helplines and independent grievance-redressal mechanisms for transgender and gender-diverse persons facing discrimination, violence or custodial abuse; vi) Admission of transgender students in educational institutions based on self-identified gender without requiring medical proof, along with the creation of gender-neutral facilities and grievance-redressal mechanisms; vii) Mandatory gender-sensitisation training for teachers, counsellors, police, prison personnel, judicial officers and healthcare professionals to promote inclusion and reduce discrimination; viii) Developing standardised and ethical medical protocols for gender-affirming healthcare, regulation of Sex Reassignment Surgery costs and equal insurance coverage for transgender healthcare needs; ix) Prohibition of coercive or non-consensual medical procedures on intersex children, except in life-saving situations, while ensuring counselling and psychosocial support for parents; x) Promoting inclusive workplaces through gender-neutral facilities, inclusive Human Resource policies, workplace grievance mechanisms and mandatory diversity disclosures, alongside welfare measures for elderly transgender persons; and xi) Simplifying the documentation process and enabling self-identification-based enrolment for elderly transgender persons in welfare schemes and establishing transgender-inclusive old-age homes and community shelters, ensuring privacy, healthcare access, social interaction and emotional well-being. The link to the detailed advisory is: https://nhrc.nic.in/assets/uploads/other_advisories/1779115826_649e8e4ffb525458ca0a.pdf Courtesy : India Education Diary Note: This news is originally published on https:/indiaeducationdiary.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Kolkata civic body issues notices to Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee seeking property documents
The notices were issued under Section 400(1) of the KMC Act, 1980, which allows owners of allegedly illegal constructions an opportunity to appear before civic authorities and present their case. KOLKATA: The Trinamool Congress-ruled Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has issued notices to Abhishek Banerjee, party’s all India general secretary and MP from Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha (LS) constituency in West Bengal asking him to submit plans of around 21 landed properties to the KMC soon, according to highly-placed sources at the civic body. Sources requesting anonymity said that the KMC’s building department has issued the notices seeking to verify whether the construction works come up on these land match with building plans approved by the corporation concerned. The MP has also been asked to produce the necessary documents in connection with building plans and construction works of these properties allegedly linked to a company named ‘Leaps and Bounds’, sources said. The KMC authorities wanted to know whether these properties are legal. The civic body headed by the Trinamool Congress MLA Firhad Hakim as its mayor served notices on the properties owned by Abhishek or linked to him, asking him or his representatives to appear for a hearing with approved building plans, civic body sources said. The properties include 188A Harish Mukherjee Road, Abhishek’s residence, and an adjacent building on Kalighat Road. The notices were issued under Section 400(1) of the KMC Act, 1980, which allows owners of allegedly illegal constructions an opportunity to appear before civic authorities and present their case. An official said the notices followed an internal inquiry by the KMC that found deviations from sanctioned building plans. “We served notices on properties owned by Abhishek Banerjee or having links with him. Some notices were pasted on the facades of the buildings, while others were handed over to people present there. The owners have been asked to appear before the special officer (building) at the KMC headquarters. They can also send their representatives,” an official of the KMC said. Following an instruction of the Suvendu Adhiokari-led first-ever BJP government in West Bengal, the KMC has prepared a list of properties belonging to Abhishek Banerjee individually or jointly with other partners in the KMC area. Neither Abhishek nor his secretary Sumit Roy responded to the WhatsApp messages sent to them by TNIE on Monday seeking their reactions on the matter. The notices were served on Monday evening, around the same time Suvendu speaking at BJP’s victory celebration rally on Camac Street where Abhishek’s office is located, said he had directed senior government officials to obtain property details of four Trinamool leaders, including the Diamond Harbour MP and number two after Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee. “I had asked the secretary of the municipal affairs department and the commissioner of the KMC (to obtain property details) of four persons,” Suvendu said at the rally before naming them. The first one is Beleghata’s Raju Naskar, who has 18 properties recorded in his name. Second is Kasba’s Sona Pappu, who has 24 properties. Third is ‘Bhatija’ (nephew) Abhishek Banerjee. There are 14 properties registered in the name of the Leaps and Bounds company, four in his own name and six in the name of his father, according to the CM Suvendu. The fourth is the son of Javed Khan, Trinamool Congress’ three-time MLA from Kasba constituency, who has 90 properties, Suvendu claimed. Suvendu had made similar allegations against Abhishek on Saturday when he was addressing a rally for re-election in Falta constituency under the Diamond Harbour LS seat sharpening attacks on Mamata and her nephew. He had also threatened to initiate inquiries against the former CM on the brutal rape and murder of a woman doctor at R G Kar Medical College Hospital and Abhishek’s alleged disproportionate properties. He alleged that Mamata during her regime had used three IPS officers to supress facts and tamper evidences related to the incident. Subhendu Maiti 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
Modi government failed to address energy crisis amid war: Opposition on fuel price hikes
Opposition leaders slammed the Modi government over the second consecutive fuel price hike in less than a week. They argued that the profits from the fuel cess, at a time when crude oil prices were low, were not being passed on to the public. Petrol and diesel prices were increased by around 90 paise per litre on May 19, and the state-run oil companies resumed revisions following a nearly four-year freeze. In New Delhi, petrol prices rose to Rs 98.64 per litre from Rs 97.77, while diesel increased to Rs 91.58 from Rs 90.67. The latest revision follows a Rs 3 per litre hike announced on May 15, the first increase in over four years, as soaring global crude oil prices, triggered by the Iran conflict. 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
Economic shock will not hit Adani, Ambani, Modi but youth and small traders: Rahul Gandhi in Raebareli
Gandhi said a major economic shock not seen for many years is on the way. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said “very, very tough times are coming”. He claimed that an “economic shock” is coming and it will not hit “Adani, Ambani, or Modi,” but the youth, labourers, and small traders. Gandhi said a major economic shock not seen for many years is on the way. He also accused the Prime Minister of not following his own call for austerity. “In times of crisis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is telling the countrymen not to travel outside but he himself is travelling around the world instead of handling the situation,” said Gandhi while addressing a gathering. Rahul Gandhi alleged that the economic structure created by PM Modi would not affect Adani and Ambani, nor the Prime Minister, but would hit ordinary people the hardest. “He will sit in his palaces, and the youth of Uttar Pradesh and the public will face a complete shock,” he added. Rahul Gandhi said the situation would lead to a shock “unlike anything seen before” and warned of the difficult times ahead. “It will be a shock unlike anything seen before. Difficult times are ahead,” he warned. The Congress MP made the attack on PM Modi while visiting the Churuwa Hanuman Temple in his home constituency Raebareli on the occasion of Bada Mangal. While interacting with media persons, when Rahul was asked about the possible alliance with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, he said he did not want to divert attention from key issues, stressing that fuel prices remained a major concern at present. On Tuesday, Gandhi, the Lok Sabha MP from Raebareli, landed at the Lucknow airport and left for his constituency straight from there. Gandhi is on a two-day visit to the party bastions of Raebareli and Amethi. He was received by UP Congress chief Ajay Rai and Congress Legislative Party leader Aradhana Mishra at the airport. Within the Congress, the visit is being seen as politically significant, with leaders saying the message Gandhi delivers from the family bastions could help shape the party’s strategy ahead of the state assembly election due early next year. During his visit on May 19 and 20, the Rae Bareli MP would inaugurate development projects, address public meetings, interact with women and party workers, and hold Janata Darbars. Party leaders say the outreach is aimed at laying the foundation for the Congress’ “Mission UP” campaign ahead of the Assembly elections. From Lucknow, Rahul left for Rae Bareli by road. On the way, he stopped his convoy and visited the Churuwa Temple to offer prayers to Lord Hanuman. Later, he inaugurated a marriage hall built through MP funds in Bachhrawan and interacted with local villagers. Rahul Gandhi will stay in Rae Bareli on Tuesday. On May 20, he will meet people during a public interaction programme and unveil the statue of freedom fighter Veera Pasi. After that, he will leave for Amethi. Since the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi has visited Rae Bareli six times. This is his seventh visit. 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
Delhi Court dismisses jailed activist Umar Khalid’s bail plea to care for ailing mother
Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai was hearing Khalid’s application seeking 15 days of interim bail to attend the 40-day post-death ritual of his uncle and take care of his mother who has to undergo a surgery. A Delhi court on Tuesday rejected jailed activist Umar Khalid’s bail plea to care for his ailing mother. The court dismissed the bail plea of former JNU student, accused in the 2020 northeast Delhi riots, saying the grounds for seeking the relief are unreasonable. Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai was hearing Khalid’s application seeking 15 days’ interim bail to attend the 40-day post-death ritual (Chehlum) of his uncle and take care of his mother, who has to undergo a surgery. In his order, the judge said, “The court is of the view that attending the Chehlum ceremony of his uncle is not that necessary. Things would have been different if the ceremony was of a person who was in immediate relation with the applicant.” The court also said Khalid could have sought the relief immediately after his uncle’s death if the relationship was so close. “If the relationship was so immediate and thick, the applicant would have asked for the release at the time of the death of his uncle only and not now after such a long time. Therefore, the court does not find this reason to be just,” the judge said. Opposing Khalid’s bail plea, Special Public Prosecutor Anirudh Mishra told the court that the accused has five sisters and a father who can help his mother pre and post surgery. “The surgery is not a serious one and is just a minor surgery, in which only local anaesthesia is given, and as such, again, there is no need for the accused to attend to his mother,” Mishra said. Taking note of the prosecution’s submissions, the court said Khalid himself had stated that he has five sisters and that his father is also available to take care of his mother. “Further, as said by the prosecution, the surgery is very simple, that is, just for the removal of lumps, and there seems to be no actual requirement of help from the side of the applicant,” the court said while denying bail to Khalid. Khalid is an accused in the conspiracy case linked to the February 2020 communal riots in northeast Delhi. He was booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and provisions of the IPC for allegedly being a mastermind of the 2020 riots that left 53 people dead and more than 700 injured. The researcher and scholar was arrested in the case on September 13, 2020. Khalid’s first regular bail plea was dismissed by the court on March 24, 2022, following which the Delhi High Court rejected his appeal against the order on October 18 of the same year. Activists Sharjeel Imam, Khalid Saifi and former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor Tahir Hussain, among others, were booked for their alleged involvement in the larger conspiracy case, which is being investigated by the Delhi Police’s Special Cell. 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
Fridge mechanic held for molesting minor Dalit girl
Pilibhit: A 26-year-old refrigerator mechanic was arrested on Monday for allegedly molesting a 15-year-old Dalit girl at her residence in Puranpur city, police said. The accused had gone to the victim’s house around 6 pm Sunday to repair a refrigerator. Finding the minor alone while her parents were away at the market, he allegedly molested her. According to the police, when the girl protested, the accused abused her and hurled casteist slurs. He fled after she screamed for help. The matter came to light on Monday after the victim’s father lodged a police complaint, leading to the registration of an FIR. Puranpur Kotwali SHO Pawan Pandey said the accused has been booked under BNS sections 74 (criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 352 (intentional insult). He also faces charges under sections 7 and 8 (sexual assault) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, alongside relevant sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. 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 BSc student kills self after caste-based assault in Uttar Pradesh
AGRA: A 20-year-old Dalit BSc student allegedly died by suicide in his room in Uttar Pradesh’s Firozabad district on Sunday, a day after he was accused of harassing a girl at a library, assaulted and humiliated by a group of men upon learning his caste. Deceased Atin Kumar was a resident of Nagla Bilautia village under Shikohabad police station. A one-page suicide note recovered from Atin’s room mentioned harassment and assault at the library. Villagers said injury marks were visible on Atin’s body, and that there was a fracture in one of his fingers. Police on Monday said three accused were arrested, after a case was registered following a police complaint by the deceased’s father, Ajay Kumar. An FIR was registered under BNS sections 103 (murder), 191 (rioting), 352 (intentional insults designed to provoke breach of peace), 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), and appropriate sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, against six people, including two named accused — library operator Atul Sikera and Dhruv Yadav. Kumar said his son regularly visited the RM Library after college. On Saturday evening, some locals at the library allegedly accused Atin of harassing a girl and assaulted him after asking about his caste. “My son suffered injuries in the assault and came back home humiliated. He did not share the ordeal with the family and was found dead on Sunday,” stated Ajay Kumar in his complaint to the police. Atin was the only son of his parents, both of whom are specially abled. Due to the family’s poor financial conditions, Atin also managed a small grocery shop to support the family. Shikohabad DSP Amreesh Kumar, who is also investigating officer of the case, told TOI, “Three accused — Atul Sikera, Dhruv Yadav and Ritik Yadav — have been arrested. Police teams are working to nab the other absconding accused.” 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