POCSO Court Sentences Accused to 10 Years: ₹30,000 Fine Imposed in Case of Abduction and Rape of Dalit Minor
In Firozabad, a Special POCSO Court has sentenced an accused individual to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment in a case involving the abduction and rape of a minor Dalit girl. The court also imposed a fine of ₹30,000 on him. This verdict was delivered by Special POCSO Court Judge Mumtaz Ali. This conviction was made possible due to the effective legal advocacy by the police and the prosecution, carried out under “Operation Conviction”—an initiative launched under the directives of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Saurabh. The case pertains to Garhi Harray village, located within the jurisdiction of the Pachokhara Police Station. On July 26, 2021, Mangal Singh—son of Anganlal and a resident of Dokeli under the Matsena Police Station area—was accused of enticing and abducting the complainant’s minor daughter. In connection with this incident, the victim’s father filed a complaint at the Pachokhara Police Station on July 28, 2021, based on which a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against an unidentified person. During the investigation, based on the evidence gathered, relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)—specifically Section 366 (Abduction) and Section 376 (Rape)—along with applicable sections of the POCSO Act, were added to the case. Furthermore, since the victim belonged to the Dalit community, Section 3(2)(5) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was also invoked in the matter. The Investigating Officer filed the charge sheet in court on October 30, 2021—94 days after the incident took place. The roles played by the police and the prosecution were pivotal in this case. The prosecution’s lead counsel, Devprakash; the police team from Pachokhara Police Station; and the Monitoring Cell played a crucial role in ensuring effective legal representation and the robust presentation of evidence before the court. This verdict by the court has sent a clear message to society that strict legal action will be taken against those who commit such heinous crimes, and they will face severe punishment. Arun Kumar Rawat Courtesy : Hindi News
Tribal-dalit collective drops plan to field independent in Mananthavady
Kozhikode: Collective of adivasi and dalit organisations including Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha (AGMS) has decided to withdraw its earlier plan to field an independent candidate in Mananthavady constituency in assembly elections. AGMS and various groups including Ambedkarite Democratic Front has announced support for UDF, including in all the three constituencies of Wayanad. AGMS coordinator M Geethanandan said they have submitted a charter of demands focusing on dalit and adivasi issues to UDF leadership which has assured that it will be considered. At the same time, the organisations however said that despite the presence of eligible candidates from tribal communities such as Paniya, Adiya, Kattunayakan and Vettakuruma, both the left and right fronts have consistently sidelined them while selecting ST candidates in Wayanad. They said the decision to drop the plan for an independent candidate was influenced by the early announcement of election schedule and lack of adequate time for preparations. They said they do not want to miss the opportunity to politically challenge the 10-year-long continuity in power which had undermined dalit and adivasi rights. Organisations levelled a series of allegations against Left govt, including alleged underutilisation of Rs 7,411 crore in SC/ST development funds, disruption of e-grantz distribution for students and delays in rehabilitation for nearly 500 tribal families affected by landslides and floods. They also alleged lack of land rights, housing, employment and proper educational support for tribal communities. 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
Lok Sabha to take up Transgender Bill on March 24
On Sunday, several Opposition MPs and transgender rights activists called for the Bill to be withdrawn, saying the proposed changes could dilute their right NEW DELHI: Amid widespread protests and demands for the withdrawal of the proposed Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, the Lok Sabha will take up the bill for consideration and passage on Tuesday. According to the list of business issued by the Lok Sabha secretariat, Union Minister Dr Virendra Kumar will move the Bill to amend the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, for its passage. The proposed changes in the Bill have sparked protests across the country with Transgender rights activists and members of the trans community demanding its immediate withdrawal, terming it ‘discriminatory’. The Bill, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar on March 13, seeks to give a precise definition of the term ‘transgender’ and exclude ‘different sexual orientations and self-perceived sexual identities’ from the proposed law’s ambit. On Sunday, several Opposition MPs and transgender rights activists called for the Bill to be withdrawn, saying the proposed changes could dilute their rights. The members of the community say that the proposed Bill departs from principles laid down by the Supreme Court in the landmark judgement of National Legal Services Authority vs Union of India. The community members allege that the Bill proposes a restrictive redefinition of transgender persons and undermines the dignity, autonomy and constitutional rights of transgender, intersex, and genderqueer persons. Many also point out that the Bill’s requirement of medical scrutiny and mandatory disclosure of sensitive surgical information violates the fundamental right to privacy as granted by the Supreme Court in the Puttaswamy judgment (2017), which recognised privacy, including bodily autonomy and decisional freedom. Activists also point out that the Bill recommends changes to Section 18 of the Act by introducing an ambiguous framework, along with stricter punishments for several offences clearly overlapping with existing criminal laws, and adds to the confusion. These changes strengthen harmful stereotypes by linking transgender identity with crime and coercion, say the community members. The proposed changes also criminalise transgender individuals and their kin or allies by rigorous imprisonment of up to five years for ‘alluring’ or ‘forcing’ individuals to become transgender, despite a lack of credible evidence or documentation of such conduct in India, they said. ”The language used in the Bill is vague, broad and violates fundamental rights, and if passed, will lead to misuse and violence, affecting an already marginalised community and discouraging open expression of identity”, the community members said. Preetha Nair 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
Woman who married herself in 2022 starts protest against transgender bill
Vadodara: She shot to limelight four years ago when she redefined personal identity by becoming India’s first woman to embrace sologamy. Kshama Bindu has once again stepped into the public sphere and claimed that the proposed Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill 2026 will threaten her sologamy and discourage others from pursuing their freedom to choose their identity. Wearing her bridal saree, Kshama, who married herself in 2022, has taken to the streets in Delhi to protest against the bill, and she soon plans to organise a flash mob as well. “I chose to marry myself as I love my own identity. I am transmasculine, which means I identify myself more in a masculine way. I had even begun the process to remove my breasts and apply to change my gender from female to male on my Aadhaar card,” Kshama told TOI. “But this proposed bill has halted my plans. It forces transgender people to get govt approval for their identity. The bill erases centuries of India’s gender-diverse history. If the bill is passed, then I and many others like me won’t be able to assert their identity,” Kshama, 28, said. She recently wrote to the police department seeking permission for a hunger strike. “I have joined the protests against this bill. Why should we validate our gender identity before the govt? It is a violation of my right and dignity,” Kshama added. Kshama married herself in an elaborate ceremony in the presence of her friends in June 2022. Wearing a red bridal saree, she took pheras amid chanting of mantras and later danced to a few Bollywood numbers as well. “I am so much in love with myself and want to spend my whole life in my own company,” Kshama had said on her wedding day. 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
‘Self-boasts, silence on US’: Congress attacks PM Modi over West Asia remarks
NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming he is “compromised” and cannot participate in a parliamentary debate, while criticising his recent speech on the West Asia conflict. Speaking at the Adivasi Adhikar Samvidhan Sammelan in Vadodara, Rahul Gandhialleged that the Prime Minister avoided naming the United States in his Lok Sabha address and said he was “100% under the control” of US President Donald Trump. “I’ve heard that the Prime Minister gave a 25-minute speech. But I guarantee he cannot participate in a debate in Parliament because he is compromised. Narendra Modi spoke for 25 minutes but did not say a single word against America. Narendra Modi is 100% under the control of Trump,” the Prime Minister. Rahul Gandhi also criticised the government’s trade approach, claiming it would hurt Indian farmers. “Narendra Modi has opened India’s agricultural sector to America through a trade deal. Here, we have small farms, while in America, there are large farms spanning thousands of acres. Here, people work by hand, and there, work is done with large machines. If American goods start coming to India, our farmers will be ruined,” said Rahul Gandhi. He further accused the BJP and RSS of undermining tribal rights, alleging that the term “Vanvasi” was being used to dilute the identity of Adivasis. “Adivasi means the original inhabitants of India — the rightful owners of this land, water, and forests (‘jal-jangal-jameen’). But RSS-BJP has introduced a new term — ‘Vanvasi,’ which implies that you only live in forests, not that you are the rightful owners of these resources. Narendra Modi and BJP leaders fold their hands before the statue of Birsa Munda, but they attack the very ideas for which Birsa Munda fought and was martyred. When BJP takes away the land, water, and forests from Adivasis, it is not just an attack on Birsa Munda, but also on the Constitution,” he said. The remarks come after Prime Minister Modi addressed the Lok Sabha on the ongoing West Asia conflict, describing the situation as “worrisome” and outlining its economic, security and humanitarian implications for India. Congress leaders also criticised the Prime Minister’s speech. Party leader Pawan Khera questioned the intent behind the address, saying, “… Perhaps this speech was given keeping the upcoming elections in mind… The first question is, why did you go to Israel? We were hoping to get an answer to that. There was hope that the Prime Minister would make a promise that even after the elections are over, the prices of LNG, LPG, petrol, or diesel would not increase…” Congress MP Jairam Ramesh also hit out at the Prime Minister, accusing him of failing to condemn US and Israeli strikes on Iran and calling his speech a “master class in self-boasts and partisan dialogue-baazi.” “The Prime Minister’s uncharacteristically short speech in the Lok Sabha today was, as usual, a master class in self-boasts, cowardice, and partisan dialogue-baazi (dramatic dialogue). Not a single word was uttered in condemnation of the continued US-Israeli air assaults on Iran. Iran’s attack on the Gulf countries and the Strait of Hormuz is, to be sure, completely unacceptable – but so is the relentless bombing of Iran with the objective of regime change and state collapse,” Ramesh wrote on X. Responding to Modi’s reference to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ramesh added, “Finally, the PM’s invocation of the COVID-19 pandemic is concerning. His Government’s response was uniquely catastrophic. The nation cannot forget the deeply depressing scenes which became all too normal then – lakhs of migrants walking barefoot to their homes, thousands dying from oxygen shortages, and millions left unemployed. We can only hope there is more preparedness this time.” In his address, the Prime Minister said the conflict has posed “unprecedented challenges” for India, particularly due to its dependence on the region for crude oil and gas and its importance for global trade routes. “This war has also posed unprecedented challenges for India. These challenges are economic, related to national security, and humanitarian as well. India has extensive trade relations with the warring and war-affected countries. The region where this war is taking place is also an important route for our trade with other countries of the world. In particular, a large part of our needs for crude oil and gas is met by this very region,” he said. He added that the government has prioritised domestic LPG consumers amid supply uncertainties and is working to ensure uninterrupted availability of petrol and diesel, noting that India maintains strategic petroleum reserves of over 5.3 million metric tons. The Prime Minister’s statement comes amid escalating tensions in West Asia following the February 28 killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint US-Israeli strikes, which triggered retaliatory attacks by Iran and disruptions in key maritime routes including the Strait of Hormuz. 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
HC Stays Eviction Of Dalit Women’s Stalls In Jangaon
The dispute arose on March 16 when municipal officials, along with police, reached the site with machinery to remove the structures. WARANGAL: The High Court has granted interim stay on eviction of two stalls run by Dalit women near the Jangaon District Collectorate, directing authorities to halt demolition until further orders. The petition was filed by Palamakula Chinna Manjula and Potkuri Vijayalakshmi, who operate a tea stall and a Vijaya Dairy outlet set up under the ‘Indira Mahila Shakti’ scheme. The dispute arose on March 16 when municipal officials, along with police, reached the site with machinery to remove the structures. The women resisted the move, stating that the units were established with loans of ₹3 lakh each under DRDA support and inaugurated six months ago. In their petition, the vendors alleged that the eviction was initiated without prior notice and raised concerns over disconnection of electricity to their stalls. They also submitted complaints alleging harassment by officials and sought action under relevant provisions. After hearing the matter, the court directed authorities to stop eviction proceedings pending further examination. The order provides temporary relief to the petitioners, while the case remains under judicial consideration. Puli Sharath Kumar Courtesy : Deccan Chronicle Note: This news is originally published on https:/deccanchronicle.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Thugs Illegally Occupy Ancestral Home in Lucknow: Locks Broken; Casteist Slurs and Death Threats Issued Upon Protest
A case of forceful occupation of an individual’s ancestral home has come to light in Sarosa Bharosa village, located within the jurisdiction of the Para Police Station in Lucknow. It is alleged that the named accused individuals broke the locks of the house and took possession of the property. When the victim protested against this act, he was also threatened with death. According to reports, Rinku Kumar—son of Bhairav Prasad and a resident of Purana Tikaitganj, Lucknow—owns a plot measuring approximately 1,400 square feet (Gata No. 1333) in Sarosa Bharosa village, where he had constructed a house. Due to family reasons, Rinku had locked up his home and moved to his ancestral village some time ago. The victim, Rinku Kumar, alleges that upon returning to his property, he found the house locks broken. Several individuals were found residing inside illegally. Upon inquiry, it was revealed that Sanjay Singh and Saddam Ghazi—both from the local area—along with 8 to 10 unidentified accomplices, had collectively and forcefully occupied the house. ‘Thugs Used Casteist Slurs’ According to Rinku Kumar, when he asked the accused to vacate the premises, they became aggressive. It is alleged that the thugs hurled casteist slurs and abuses at him, and openly threatened to kill him. The victim further stated that the accused boasted about having carried out similar illegal occupations in the past, claiming that no one could touch them or hold them accountable. Upon receiving information regarding the incident, the Para Police initiated immediate action. An investigation into the matter is currently underway, based on the written complaint filed by the victim. Under the directives of the Station House Officer (SHO), the process of registering a First Information Report (FIR) is in progress, and relevant evidence is being gathered. Police officials have stated that, given the gravity of the matter, strict action will be taken against the culprits. They further emphasized that any attempt to undermine law and order will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Shivanshu Kumar Gupta Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit Family Attacked in Badlapur: Incident Stems from Land Dispute; Case Registered Against 7 Individuals
An incident involving an attack on a Dalit family and the use of caste-based slurs over a land dispute has come to light within the jurisdiction of the Badlapur Kotwali police station. Acting on a complaint filed by Jiyalal—son of Khaderu and a resident of Bhatehra village—the police have registered a case against seven named individuals and several unidentified persons. In his complaint, Jiyalal stated that a parcel of land (Plot No. 55/0.117) located in Jagatpur (Kamalpur) village is officially recorded in the land records (Khatoni) under his wife, Shyam Dulari’s, name. The partition of this specific land had already been finalized by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s (SDM) court under Section 176 of the relevant laws. According to the victim, several villagers—including Siddhinath Tiwari, Arvind Tiwari, Dheeraj, Ashish Tiwari, Lalsahab, Dinesh Tiwari, and Ganesh Tiwari—were attempting to forcibly install a handpump on this very land that had been subject to partition. When Jiyalal objected to their actions, the accused individuals verbally abused him using casteist slurs and chased him away while issuing death threats. Jiyalal managed to escape the scene and reach the Badlapur police station, where he reported the incident. Given the gravity of the matter, the Badlapur Kotwali police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the seven named individuals and the unidentified persons under various sections of the law, including the SC/ST Act. Inspector-in-Charge Shesh Kumar Shukla confirmed that a case has been registered regarding this incident and that an investigation has been initiated. He gave assurances that strict legal action would be taken against the culprits. Bipul Kumar Singh Courtesy: Hindi News
Queer, trans collective to protest Centre’s amendment bill
Panaji: The Goa Queer and Trans Collective will protest at Azad Maidan, Panaji, on March 22 against the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill 2026 presented in the Lok Sabha. They called it a regressive law that bases itself on transmedicalism (the idea that gender identity must be validated through medical or biological criteria) and said it will fail to protect trans persons and exploit vulnerabilities. The collective said the legislation, if passed, will dismantle constitutional protections, criminalise realities, and subject transgender individuals to invasive control. It said the bill creates arbitrary classification within transgender persons without scientific basis, relying on vague standards such as “genuine oppressed persons” or “those in need of protection”. “It recognises only socio-cultural groups while excluding others, despite all transgender persons having the constitutional right to self-determination,” the collective said in a press note. “The bill shifts the foundation of gender recognition from self-perceived identity to state-controlled medical certification, placing transgender persons under invasive scrutiny by administrative and medical bodies,” it added. The bill narrows the definition of transgender to exclude transwomen and transmen, trans-masculine and trans-feminine persons, and erases genderqueer and non-binary identities and conflates intersex variations with gender identity, reflecting a lack of social understanding, the collective added. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Amendments a serious setback for transgenders
The new amendments proposed to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019, which came out of nowhere on March 12, are like a knife twisting into the heart of the trans community. The central claim for transgender rights has always been gender self-determination. The Supreme Court, in its seminal judgment in National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India (NALSA) in 2014, held that all persons have the fundamental right and autonomy to self-determine their gender identity as male, female, or transgender. It held that one’s gender would not be decided on the basis of their biological attributes or any gender-affirming surgery but based on self-determination. It also guaranteed equality to trans persons and held that any discrimination on the basis of gender identity would amount to discrimination on the basis of sex. With this, India became one of the pioneering countries in the world to have recognised the right to gender identity. The NALSA judgment was followed by the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act of 2019, which also recognised the right to self-determination of gender identity. Most importantly, the Act broadened the definition of transgender persons to mean: “A person whose gender does not match with the gender assigned to that person at birth and includes transman or transwoman (whether or not such person has undergone sex reassignment surgery or hormone therapy or laser therapy or such other therapy), person with intersex variations, genderqueer and person having such socio-cultural identities as kinner, hijra, aravani and jogta.” Recently, in 2025, the Supreme Court in the landmark Jane Kaushik case recognised that the Transgender Persons Act was not being implemented effectively, and set up an advisory committee to review its working and to recommend improvements. While our constitutional courts have been recognising and expanding the rights of transgender persons, the recent Bill attempts to rip out the very soul of the law. The proposed definition of ‘transgender’ persons is restrictive, exclusionary and offensive in its use of stigmatising words like ‘eunuch’. It also removes an entire class that self-identifies as transgender persons, transmen, transwomen or gender queer, and replaces it with a narrow definition based solely on a medical or biological model. The reasons for these amendments in the statement of objects and reasons state that “The legislative policy was and is intended to protect only those who face severe social exclusion due to biological reasons for no fault of their own and no choice of their own…The purpose was and is not to protect each and every class of persons with various gender identities, self-perceived sex/gender identities or gender fluidities…” With this statement, the proposed Bill nullifies more than a decade of settled jurisprudence of the constitutional right to self-determination of one’s gender identity. From being stripped naked before doctors and welfare boards to confirm that they are indeed transgender so that they can claim measly pensions, the transgender community moved the courts to recognise their right to self-determine their gender identity. This was held by the Supreme Court to be one of the most intimate and personal choices that every person is entitled to. When this is replaced by a law that seeks only to cover certain transgender persons from socio-cultural communities and excludes all others who identify themselves as trans or genderqueer, we are invisibilising an entire community and saying that they have no recognition under law. It is only with the legal recognition of their gender identity that many civil rights would be available to trans persons such as the right to claim a legal identity through a passport or Aadhaar, the right to access food through a ration card, a driver’s license, the right to education and reservation in public employment. Our laws cannot begin with a focus on misuse and fraud on the part of the beneficiaries and must enable people of all genders to access their legal rights equally. Over the last few years, around 30,000 persons have obtained transgender identity cards. What happens to them and their legally recognised gender identity? Can legal recognition once given be taken away? The heart of the law is the principle of self-determination of gender identity and the freedom to each person to be who they want to be and to be treated equally. This cannot be taken away by an amendment. Jayna Kothari The writer is Executive Director for Centre for Law and Policy Research. 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