Rajasthan: Bhim Army Chief takes umbrage over gang rape of a minor Dalit girl in Sriganganagar, demands arrest of absconding accused within 24 hours
So far, 14 to 18 accused have been arrested, including the hotel owner, manager, staff, and rickshaw driver. The search for the remaining absconding accused is ongoing. Sriganganagar – The brutal gang rape of a 13-year-old Dalit girl in the district has sparked outrage across Rajasthan. The incident began around June 18th when the girl disappeared from her home. According to the police investigation, an e-rickshaw driver kidnapped her and sold her to a hotel owner for a small sum of money. The girl was then held hostage for five days in various hotels in the city, including Joy Inn, Khunger, and Sapphire, where she was repeatedly gang-raped by 32 named accused. The victim’s statement states that sometimes three or four people, sometimes more, committed the crime against her, and if she screamed in pain, she was given alcohol. Kailash Dan, the investigating officer and Additional Superintendent of Police (SP) in this case, states that the girl had an Instagram friend, whom she met on June 18th in Vijaynagar, where she was raped by that friend. According to reports, the girl then traveled from Vijaynagar to Sri Ganganagar by bus at night and took a rickshaw. When the girl didn’t return home, her mother searched for her in various locations and inquired with relatives. However, when she still hadn’t returned home by June 22nd, she went to the police station. The police have intensified the investigation based on CCTV footage and DVR recordings. So far, 14 to 18 accused have been arrested, including hotel owners, managers, staff, and rickshaw drivers. The search for the remaining absconding accused is ongoing. In response to public outrage, the administration bulldozed these hotels late on July 1st, demolishing the illegal constructions. An FIR has been registered in the case under sections of the POCSO Act, rape, kidnapping, and human trafficking. The police say that all the culprits will be punished severely once the investigation is complete. The girl was held hostage for five days in various hotels in the city, where she was repeatedly gang-raped by 32 named accused. Bhim Army Chief and Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad reacted sharply to the incident. He said, “The incident of the 13-year-old Dalit girl being held hostage and gang-raped by 32 people in Sriganganagar, Rajasthan, is extremely horrific and a shame on humanity. According to the victim, she was sometimes raped by three to four, and sometimes more, men. Whenever she felt pain from the repeated assaults, she was forced to drink alcohol. This crime crosses all limits of brutality. What is even more shameful is that even 15 days after the incident came to light, all the accused have not been arrested. This raises serious questions about the government’s law and order.” Chandrashekhar demanded that Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and the Rajasthan government arrest all remaining absconding rapists within 24 hours, have the case heard in a fast-track court, ensure the harshest punishment if convicted, and provide immediate security, justice, and adequate financial compensation to the victim’s Dalit family. He also appealed to lawyers not to represent such rapists. This case highlights the challenges of child trafficking, exploitation in hotel networks, and the protection of minors. The victim is undergoing medical treatment and counseling. Several viral videos on social media are being falsely linked to this case, but are actually from a separate incident in Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh. Local protests are taking place, and demands for justice have intensified. The police and administration claim they are taking the matter seriously and further action is underway. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
Who was Lalita Gautam, a Dalit student? Her death has sparked caste-based protests in Meerut.
Dalit Student Murder Case: The murder of Lalita Gautam, a BA student in Meerut, has stirred up unrest in the entire district. Following the murder of the 20-year-old Dalit student, police have arrested the main accused and sent him to jail, while caste-based protests have intensified. Meerut: The murder of Lalita Gautam, a BA student in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, has now escalated into a caste-based protest. Police claim the main accused has been arrested and sent to jail. However, during protests by Dalit organizations, police have taken action against those who are trying to disrupt the atmosphere. Let’s find out who Lalita Gautam was, how she was murdered, and why this case has escalated to such a serious level. Who was Lalita Gautam? 20-year-old Lalita Gautam was a BA student and lived with her entire family in Gagan Enclave in the TP Nagar area of Meerut. When Lalita Gautam, who had left home to take an exam on May 15th, did not return until late in the evening, her family members searched for her but could not find her. Following this, the family filed a missing person report at the TP Nagar police station. Police began an investigation and examined CCTV footage from nearby areas. In the footage, Lalita was seen 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. Why are there protests now? Lalita Gautam belonged to the Dalit community. After her murder, several Dalit organizations began protesting over the case. During the recent protests, police lathi-charged and detained several people. Police say that a large number of outsiders were involved in the protests, and some were unaware of the case. Police claim that the deceased’s brother was also allegedly lured into the protest by false inducements. According to officials, some people were trying to disrupt the atmosphere under the guise of Dalit politics. Police are examining CCTV footage to find those responsible for the violence. How was Lalita Gautam murdered? During the police investigation, the accused, Ankush, was detained. 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 also having an affair with another man. What is the police saying? According to the police, due to this suspicion and dispute, the accused murdered Lalita and threw her body in a sugarcane field in the Upasiya forest in the Rohta police station area of Meerut. The body was later recovered from there. The main accused, Ankush, has been arrested and sent to jail, while investigations into other aspects are still ongoing. Written by: Abhijeet Chauhan About the Author Abhijeet Chauhan is a sub-editor in the digital wing of News18 Hindi. Abhijeet currently covers politics, social issues, crime, breaking news, and viral news in Uttar Pradesh. Courtesy: Hindi News
Minor Dalit girl kidnapped: Serious allegations against the Inspector; Police Commissioner demands a fair investigation
The case of the kidnapping and rape of a minor Dalit girl in the Uttaraon police station area of Prayagraj has taken a new turn. The victim’s family has filed a complaint with the Police Commissioner, leveling serious allegations against the investigating officer, the Inspector, and female police officers. The family has demanded an impartial investigation. According to the family, the incident dates back to June 21, 2026, when a case of kidnapping of a minor girl was registered at the Uttaraon police station. After the girl’s recovery, the family has questioned the police’s actions. They allege that the police did not conduct a medical examination of the girl. The complaint also states that when the family demanded a medical examination, the investigating officer scolded them and made them sign blank papers. The police are also accused of coercing the victim into giving a statement and not taking action against another accused involved in the kidnapping. The family alleges that the accused, who belonged to another community, threatened to kill the victim and took her to his home, where she was raped and forced to eat meat against her will. The family alleges that despite these serious allegations, the necessary action was not taken to investigate the case. Meanwhile, the main accused in the case, Imran, son of Musafir, a resident of Kasherua Kala, Sarai Inayat police station, was arrested by the police. He was produced in court on June 26, 2026, and has been sent to jail in judicial custody. The victim’s family and the victim herself have demanded from the ACP that the entire case be investigated impartially, that the victim undergo a medical examination, that action be taken against all the accused involved, and that appropriate action be taken against the police officers who allegedly acted negligently. Mahendra Kumar | Handia Courtesy: Hindi News
Telangana Ministers bat for SC Status for Dalit Christians
Adluri Laxman Kumar said the recommendations and concerns expressed during consultation would be compiled into a report and submitted to the Chief Minister for further action Telangana Scheduled Castes Development and Tribal Welfare Welfare Minister Adluri Laxman Kumar speaking at Dalit Christian Reservations Consultation Meeting in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Minorities Welfare Minister Md. Azharuddin is also seen. Telangana Scheduled Castes Development and Tribal Welfare Welfare Minister Adluri Laxman Kumar speaking at Dalit Christian Reservations Consultation Meeting in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Minorities Welfare Minister Md. Azharuddin is also seen. | Photo Credit: Special Correspondent Telangana Scheduled Castes Development and Tribal Welfare Welfare Minister Adluri Laxman Kumar on Wednesday (July 8, 2026) asserted that granting Scheduled Caste (SC) status to Dalit Christians is a constitutional right and a matter of social justice rather than a concession. Participating in the Dalit Christian Reservations Consultation meeting held in Hyderabad, along with Minorities Welfare Minister Md. Azharuddin, he said conversion changes a person’s religion but does not erase caste-based discrimination, poverty or social exclusion. The Minister lamented that Dalit Christians continue to face discrimination in villages, educational institutions, workplaces and even marriage alliances. Questioning the denial of constitutional safeguards on religious grounds, he asked, “If discrimination remains unchanged, why should rights change?” He argued that the issue should be viewed through the lens of equality and justice guaranteed by the Constitution. Only Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs can claim Scheduled Caste status: Supreme Court Mr. Kumar assured that the State government, under the leadership of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, remains committed to safeguarding the rights of marginalized communities, minorities and Dalit Christians. He said the recommendations and concerns expressed during the consultation would be compiled into a report and submitted to the Chief Minister for further action. Mr. Azharuddin, calling for unity, said the struggle should not remain confined to meetings and resolutions, but must develop into a sustained democratic people’s movement. Bishops, pastors, Christian organisations, Dalit associations, intellectuals and youth must work in concert to strengthen the demand, he said. The Minister added that he would make every effort to ensure that the issue receives due attention at the State level and is taken forward effectively in appropriate national and parliamentary forums. Earlier, Osmania University Arts College Principal C. Kasim highlighted the impact of the 1950 Presidential Order on the rights of Dalit Christians and called for a united struggle. Telangana State Christian Finance Corporation Chairman Deepak John, former MLC Rajeshwar Rao and several religious and community leaders attended the meeting. The Hindu Bureau Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Watch: Dalits protest over woman’s murder, police use force; SSP thrashes man inside police vehicle
MEERUT: Tension gripped the city on Wednesday as around a hundred members of the Dalit community clashed with police at the Commissionary Park while demanding justice for Lalita Gautam, a 20-year-old college student who was murdered nearly two months ago. Lalita, a BA final-year student, went missing on May 15 after leaving her home to take an exam. Her body was found the following day in a sugarcane field in Rohta area. Suspecting an investigation cover-up, protesters took to the streets, demanding that DM V K Singh and SSP Avinash Pandey personally meet them at the collectorate gate to accept their charter of demands. The demonstration took a volatile turn when SSP Pandey arrived with heavy police force to clear the protest venue, but the protesters rejected the administration’s offer of an alternative demonstration site. Police resorted to the use of batons to disperse the crowd. Five of the protesters were arrested. The situation turned volatile after a video emerged purportedly showing SSP Pandey thrashing one of the detained agitators, Ravi Gautam, inside a police vehicle. Moments after he was allegedly slapped inside a police prisoner van by Meerut SSP Avinash Pandey, Ravi Gautam allegedly attempted to end his life by trying to hang himself inside the vehicle. Someone can be heard shouting, “Kaptan saab, wo fanda baandh raha hai” (Sir, he is making a noose). Defending the police action, SSP Pandey said the primary suspect in the murder—who was in a relationship with the victim—had already been booked, arrested and jailed, though he was released on bail later. “Following his release, external elements allegedly attempted to instigate the victim’s family by offering inducements such as money and firearms licence,” SSP Pandey said. “Ravi Gautam is a Noida resident with a prior criminal record” and he was instigating the local community from the outside. Cases would be registered against anyone attempting to give the tragedy a political or communal colour,” said Pandey. Protesters refuted the police narrative. Sushil Gautam, representing the demonstrators, accused the authorities of high-handedness against a peaceful gathering. Meanwhile, the eldevelopment took a political turn when SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav tweeted criticising the State BJP government. “The police are breaking records of injustice under the BJP government. The attack and lathi-charge by the administration on the victim’s family and others who raised their voice seeking justice for Lalita Gautam, a daughter of the Dalit community in Meerut, is highly condemnable. When the state leadership itself publicly sets an example of being insensitive towards the mother of a deceased girl, it is futile to expect any better from the police.” Heavy police deployment remains in the area as local organisations demand accountability for both the murder investigation and the subsequent police action. 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
Parliament passes Transgender Persons Amendment Bill, 2026 with Rajya Sabha approving it today
Parliament has passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, with the Rajya Sabha approving it today. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha yesterday by a voice vote amid an Opposition-led walkout. The bill seeks to redefine the category of transgender, removes the provision of self-perceived gender identity and excludes several socio-cultural identities as well as transmasculine individuals from its ambit. It also further defines transgender persons within a biological framework, based on intersex variations and differences in sexual development. Replying to the discussion on the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr Virendra Kumar said the government is compassionate towards the well-being of the transgender community. He said the Bill has provisions to empower the transgenders and give them dignity. The Minister said that the NDA government has taken several initiatives to bring transgender people to the mainstream and stop discrimination against them. Starting the discussion in the Upper House, Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury said this bill dilutes the privacy of an individual provided under the Constitution. Opposing the Bill, Ms Chowdhury said self-identification cannot be taken away through bureaucratic certification. Criticizing the government, she said that the proposed bill undermines the fundamental rights and dignity of transgender persons. Calling such a move wrong and illegal, she argued that forcing transgender persons to provide their identity through official certificates is against the spirit of equality and dignity guaranteed by the constitution. She also questioned the government’s approach for not properly consulting with the transgender community before bringing the Bill. She also referred to the Supreme Court’s landmark NALSA judgement of 2014, which recognized the right of transgender persons to self-identify their gender. Ms Chowdhury said the proposed Bill violates the principles laid down in that judgement and fails to respect an already established legal framework. DMK MP Tiruchi Shiva also opposed the Bill, saying that even if the Bill is passed in Parliament with a majority, it will be struck down by the Supreme Court. He further added that the Bill violates Articles 14, 15, 19 and 21 of the Constitution and it deprives the community of the right to freedom, dignity and self-determination. Supporting the Bill, BJP MP Medha Vishram Kulkarni said, ” This Bill ensures justice, dignity, protection from criminalisation and legal safeguards for transgender persons. She also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing this bill with certain amendments in order to ensure that the benefits reach the deserving people in a proper manner. She said there is a need for a law that brings justice to real transgender individuals and punishes fake ones. Mrs Kulkarni said the benefits should be extended to those who are transgender by birth. She said that the amendment to extend punishment will bring down the rate of crime and forced identities. TMC’s Saket Gokhale said that 31% of Transgender people in India have attempted suicide because of the discrimination that they are facing. He alleged that now the government is going to start discriminating against them as though social discrimination were not enough. He called it unacceptable. Mr Gokhale expressed concern that gender is going to be decided by the Chief Medical Officer and a District Magistrate, and the bill does not prescribe any qualifications for the Chief Medical Officer. Sanjay Singh of AAP said the Bill is a big let-down for the transgender community. He accused the government of not doing anything for the community. RJD’s Manoj Kr Jha said that prejudices against transgender people should stop, and they should be able to live with dignity. He added that self-determination of gender should not be taken away. CPI(M)’s John Brittas said it is a black-letter day and the Bill is taking India a century back. He pleaded with the government to either withdraw the Bill or refer it to a Select Committee. Jaya Bachchan of the Samajwadi Party also questioned the government over the legislation. She sought to know what the urgency was in bringing the Bill, without examining it with the depth and care that it deserved. Courtesy : NOA Note: This news is originally published on https:/newsonair.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Private bank submits details of TMC’s debit-frozen accounts; Calcutta HC adjourns hearing till July 9
Justice Bhattacharyya had on July 2 directed the private bank to disclose the corpus held in those accounts. The court did not open the report because the hearing was adjourned. The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday adjourned the hearing in a plea filed by the TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee-led faction, challenging the debit-freeze on three accounts of the party, even as the private bank submitted details regarding the corpus fund held in the accounts. Taking note of personal difficulty expressed by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who is representing the Bidhannagar police in this matter, Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya adjourned the hearing until Thursday. Justice Bhattacharyya had on July 2 directed the private bank to disclose the corpus held in those accounts. The court did not open the report that was submitted because the hearing was adjourned. Bringing to the court’s notice that a few more bank accounts of the Trinamool Congress have also been debit-frozen, the Mamata Banerjee-led faction’s lawyer Kishore Dutta stated that he will file a supplementary affidavit in this regard on the next date of hearing. Justice Bhattacharyya said he is contemplating appointment of retired Calcutta High Court Judge Subrata Talukdar as a special officer over the debit-frozen bank accounts, but since his son represents one of the respondents as lawyer, he would seek the views of the parties in the matter if appointment of special officer is finally directed. Justice Bhattacharyya had on July 2 said the court is contemplating whether these three accounts can be allowed to be operated by joint special officers, who would be retired judges of the court, during the pendency of the petition. Justice Bhattacharyya, during the hearing on July 2, also allowed the Bidhannagar Police to place records before the court on the next date regarding the complaint and the investigation into the resultant FIR. The debit operations of three bank accounts of the Trinamool Congress have been frozen following complaints by rebel party MLAs seeking a probe into the source of the funds. Some MLAs aligned with the Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction of the TMC complained to the cyber crime police station of the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate, seeking a detailed investigation into the accounts. 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
Jharkhand school teacher accused of asking students to remove ‘kalava’, religious lockets; probe ordered
An inquiry team from the Education Department visited the school and recorded statements from the headmaster, the concerned teacher, students and their parents. RANCHI: An alleged incident at the Upgraded High School in Ramkanda, Garhwa, has sparked outrage after a Muslim teacher reportedly asked students to remove ‘kalava’ (sacred threads) from their wrists and religious lockets from around their necks. The incident triggered protests by parents and villagers. Following complaints from parents, the district administration ordered an inquiry into the matter. Officials said appropriate action would be taken in accordance with the rules based on the findings of the investigation. According to parents, an Arabic teacher at the school allegedly asked some students to remove their ‘kalava’ and religious lockets during class on Wednesday. They also claimed that students who objected were scolded by the teacher. After returning home, the children informed their parents about the incident, triggering anger among villagers. The matter quickly spread across the area. A large number of parents and local residents later gathered at the school and staged a protest, demanding strict action against the teacher. The protesters said it was inappropriate to pressure any student into removing symbols associated with their religious beliefs. They maintained that schools should treat all religions and communities with equal respect. Tension prevailed on the school premises for some time before the situation was brought under control by local residents and the school management. Taking note of the incident, the Garhwa Deputy Commissioner ordered a probe and sought a report. An inquiry team from the Education Department visited the school and recorded statements from the headmaster, the concerned teacher, students and their parents. Officials are examining whether students were indeed asked to remove their ‘kalava’ and lockets and, if so, the circumstances and reasons behind the alleged incident. The team also collected relevant documents and other information from the school. No official statement has yet been issued by the teacher concerned. Officials said a fact-based inquiry is underway and that statements from all parties and other available evidence are being examined before any conclusions are drawn. Garhwa District Superintendent of Education Anurag Minz said the investigation is still in progress and it would be premature to reach any conclusion before it is completed. “If the inquiry report establishes any irregularity or violation of rules, appropriate legal and departmental action will be initiated against the concerned individual,” Minz said. Mukesh Ranjan 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
ED freezes Rs 440 crore in TMC’s bank accounts over aircraft leasing probe
The agency said the frozen funds were held in three HDFC Bank accounts. NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has frozen Rs 440.42 crore held in bank accounts belonging to the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) as part of a money laundering investigation into chartered flights used by a senior party leader, the agency said on Wednesday. The ED conducted searches at five locations in and around Kolkata in West Bengal targeting private aviation firm Carewell Aviation, its directors and an electoral trust. The agency said the frozen funds were held in three HDFC Bank accounts. “Investigation revealed that around Rs 160 crore was transferred from AITC bank accounts to M/s Carewell Aviation India Pvt. Ltd. and its related entity, mostly between April 2023 to June 2026,” the agency said in a statement. The federal agency further said that Carewell Aviation Pvt Ltd routed Rs 82.96 crore between 2023 and 2026 to another newly incorporated related entity to purchase an Embraer Legacy 600 aircraft and an Agusta 109 Grand helicopter. A total of Rs 112 crore was used to make the purchases. The agency further found that a loan of USD 1.7 million was arranged in 2023 from a Cayman Islands-based entity as an unsecured loan to purchase the helicopter. The Embraer Legacy 600 aircraft and the Agusta helicopter were subsequently leased to the AITC, even though they had been purchased using funds from the party’s corpus. Thereafter, substantial amounts were transferred on the pretext of aircraft usage. The ED said the arrangement was under investigation to ascertain the actual beneficial purpose of the transactions. The probe was initiated following a police complaint alleging that chartered flights used by TMC’s general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and a senior party leader, were funded through improperly collected money, agency sources said. The TMC has not yet issued a public response to the searches. The raids come amid an internal split within the party, which has led to a separate legal dispute over control of the TMC’s finances, now pending before the Calcutta High Court. The court declined on Tuesday to fast-track a related petition, court records showed. The ED said its investigation was continuing. Sumit Kumar 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
‘Futile to expect accountability’: Rahul Gandhi targets PM, Pradhan over fresh UGC-NET leak claims
The Opposition Leader shares allegations of a leaked 100-page PDF, claiming the Sociology question paper was sold for Rs 2.25 lakh across multiple states. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday attacked the Narendra Modi government over alleged irregularities in the UGC-NET June 2026 examination, accusing it of ignoring repeated controversies surrounding competitive exams and failing to protect the interests of students. The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha said the government continued to “turn a blind eye and sleep soundly” despite allegations of exam-related scams, adding that the hard work of lakhs of students held “no value” for it. Sharing a screenshot of a media report on X, Gandhi referred to allegations by student leaders in Rohtak, Haryana, regarding the UGC-NET examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). “The serious allegations that have surfaced regarding last week’s UGC-NET exam are utterly shocking. Just a few weeks after the NEET paper leak, reports are now emerging that a 100-page PDF was circulated right before the UGC-NET exam,” Gandhi wrote in Hindi. He claimed the PDF was related to the question paper-setting process and alleged that nearly 90 questions in it matched those in the Sociology question paper. Gandhi further alleged that the question paper was being sold for Rs 2.25 lakh in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan. He also claimed that the same network had said it could provide question papers for upcoming examinations, including CSIR-NET, HTET and ADA. “Even after the repeated scams in NEET and NET, the Modi government continues to turn a blind eye and sleep soundly, because the years of hard work put in by lakhs of students — who burn the midnight oil — holds no value for them,” Gandhi said. There was no immediate response from the National Testing Agency, which conducts national-level higher education entrance examinations, to the allegations. Claiming that no investigation would be conducted and students would not get justice, Gandhi said, “The only tool for change is our collective voice — the resounding ‘chhatron ki goonj’ (echo of students) across the country, which will bring about an education revolution in India.” 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