Khandwa Incident: Salman Blackmailed and Repeatedly Raped Dalit Woman; Victim Also Alleges Pressure to Convert Religion
Madhya Pradesh News: A shocking case has come to light in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh. A Dalit woman has accused a young man named Salman of trapping her by using a Hindu name and then blackmailing and repeatedly raping her. The accused is also charged with attempting to forcibly convert the woman’s religion and having ill intentions towards her minor daughter. The victim has filed a complaint with the police. She stated that the accused, Salman, befriended her by introducing himself as Sanjay. Later, he took her pictures from social media and edited them into obscene images. He then started blackmailing the woman by threatening to make these edited pictures go viral. Through this blackmail, the accused repeatedly raped the victim. The woman alleged that Salman pressured her to convert her religion. He also threatened her and forced her to be raped by his brother-in-law, Shahrukh. This continued for a long time. Accused also had ill intentions towards the woman’s daughter The victim told the police that the accused Salman would often enter her house. He also had his eyes on the woman’s minor daughter. The accused attempted to sexually assault the girl as well. This is why the woman finally filed a police complaint. The victim’s family was initially silent due to fear of social stigma. The victim’s husband told the police that the accused demanded money. They even had to take out a loan to pay the accused. In total, the family paid up to two and a half lakh rupees. Friendship began during a bus journey Police investigation revealed that the victim previously lived in Piplod. She commuted to the city daily by bus. During this time, the accused Salman contacted her. Salman worked as an agent on the bus. He obtained the woman’s mobile number and started talking to her. Gradually, he targeted the woman. He introduced himself with a false Hindu name. After gaining her trust, he found the woman’s pictures on social media. Then he edited those pictures and made them obscene. Case registered under serious sections Police have arrested the accused, Salman. CSP Abhinav Barange said that a case has been registered against Salman, a resident of Singot, under serious sections. He has been charged with rape. A case has also been registered under the Religious Freedom Act 2021. Sections of the SC-ST Act have also been applied against the accused. Police said that currently, the complaint is only against Salman. A thorough investigation of the case is underway. Other potential accused are also being investigated. The police investigation revealed that the accused first pretended to befriend the woman to trap her. Then he resorted to blackmail. In this entire incident, he tried to take advantage of the woman’s religion and social status. The case falls under the jurisdiction of the local Padam Nagar police station. Police have started questioning the accused. Further action will be taken based on the victim’s statement and evidence. This case has become a topic of discussion in the state. Courtesy: Hindi News
False Case: Dalit Woman Filed Fake Rape and SC-ST Act Charges After Relationship Ended, Court Sends Victim to Jail
Uttar Pradesh News: A court in Lucknow has delivered a shocking verdict. A Dalit woman had falsely accused a man of rape and under the SC-ST Act. The court has now sentenced the woman herself to three years in prison. The court termed it a conspiracy to misuse the law. A woman named Rinki had leveled allegations against a young man named Deepak Gupta. In her complaint, she alleged that Deepak had established physical relations with her on the pretext of marriage. Later, Deepak married someone else. Based on this, Rinki filed a case under the charges of rape and the SC-ST Act. The Innocent Man Became the Accused After this complaint, Deepak Gupta’s life changed completely. He had to go to jail. His family was on the verge of breaking apart. He was humiliated in society. Deepak, a resident of Mohanlalganj, had been in a relationship with Rinki for five years. These sudden allegations were nothing short of a shock for him. But the court hearing turned the whole case around. The investigation revealed that Rinki’s allegations were false. She had fabricated the case against Deepak out of revenge. The news of Deepak’s marriage had emotionally distraught Rinki. Complainant’s Statements Contradicted During Investigation After the case came to light, an investigation was launched. Rinki’s own statements created confusion. She flatly refused to undergo a medical examination. When the court summoned her, she got entangled in her own statements. Several inconsistencies emerged in her statements. The biggest revelation came when it was discovered that on the date Rinki cited for the alleged rape, Deepak was not even there. Deepak was somewhere else on the date of the alleged incident. This made it clear that the incident had not happened at all. Court Pronounces Sentence The judge of the special court under the SC-ST Act sentenced Rinki. She received a sentence of three years of rigorous imprisonment. A fine of thirty thousand rupees was also imposed. The court ordered that half of the fine amount be given to Deepak Gupta as compensation. Special Public Prosecutor Arvind Mishra said that the court considered it a conspiracy. The court said that Rinki deliberately tried to send Deepak to jail. She misused the law. If she received any government assistance in this case, it will be withdrawn. Police investigation had also started The police had also started an investigation in the case. The then ACP Rajneesh Verma was preparing the charge sheet. Before that, the court took cognizance of the matter. All the facts came to light during the court’s investigation. This also clarified the direction of the police investigation. After the case came to light, discussions intensified at the local level. People have expressed concern over the misuse of the law. This decision has come as a ray of hope for those who are falsely implicated in cases. This case has been recorded as an example in legal history. Courtesy: Hindi News
Professors arrested for sexually harassing Dalit student in Andhra; protest rages
A serious allegation of sexual exploitation at National Sanskrit University in Tirupati has triggered widespread protests and demands for justice. The case involves a Dalit B.Ed student accusing two assistant professors of harassment and coercion. A case of alleged sexual harassment has come to light at the National Sanskrit University in Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati, after a first-year B.Ed Dalit student accused two assistant professors, Laxman Kumar and Shekhar Reddy, of sexually harassing her. The incident has sparked widespread outrage on campus, with student unions staging demonstrations demanding immediate suspension of the accused, strict legal action, and stronger safeguards for women on university premises. Acting on a formal complaint filed by the university’s in-charge registrar, the Tirupati West Police registered a case and arrested the accused faculty members, Assistant Professors Laxman Kumar and Shekhar Reddy. Investigators have seized two mobile phones from the accused and sent them for forensic analysis to verify claims of harassment, blackmail, and coercion. YSRCP MP Maddila Gurumoorthy has written to the National Commission for Women (NCW), Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and the National Human Rights Commission, urging urgent intervention in the case. In his letters dated December 7, 2025, the MP cited the survivor’s multiple written complaints to university authorities, saying that Dr Laxman Kumar coerced the student using personal photographs and videos, threatened to misuse her images, inflicted severe mental trauma, forcing her to discontinue her studies and subjected her to continuous psychological harassment and intimidation. The MP also called for a fair, transparent, and time-bound investigation, focusing that the safety and dignity of the survivor must be the top priority. He also demanded counselling support, protection for the victim, and swift action against those responsible. “The conduct of the accused demonstrates an alarming abuse of authority, exploiting his position as a faculty member to exert undue influence and cause long-lasting emotional harm,” Gurumoorthy wrote. He further stressed that universities must remain safe spaces for learning and not become centers of fear. Apoorva Jayachandran Courtesy : India Today Note: This news is originally published on https:/indiatoday.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Strange Decree: Panchayat bans young man’s social interaction for eating at a Dalit’s house, issues bizarre decree for purification
Raisen Panchayat Strange Decree: Bharat Raj Dhakad, a resident of Pipliya Puaria village, committed the “crime” of eating food at a Dalit family’s house. A video of him eating at the Dalit’s house went viral. The panchayat learned about it and socially boycotted the young man. Untouchability: In Raisen district, a panchayat has banned a young man’s social interaction for eating at a Dalit’s house. This decree issued by the panchayat regarding untouchability in the age of Digital India has become a topic of discussion. This shocking decree was issued by the panchayat of Udaipura, the constituency of Minister of State (Independent Charge) Narendra Shivaji Patel. Bharat Raj Dhakad, a resident of Pipliya Puaria village, committed the “crime” of eating food at a Dalit family’s house. A video of him eating at the Dalit’s house went viral. The panchayat learned about it and socially boycotted the young man. Panchayat orders young man to host a feast for the entire village for ‘purification’ According to the report, the panchayat has banned Bharat Raj Dhakad’s family from social interaction for eating at a Dalit’s house and has ordered him to perform a Ganga Jal puja (ritual with Ganges water) and host a feast for the entire village for ‘purification’. Interestingly, the regional MLA and Minister Narendra Shivaji Patel had given a message of harmony by eating at a Dalit family’s house a few days ago. Victim reaches District Collector’s office against the panchayat’s decree The victim reached the District Collector’s office against the panchayat’s bizarre decree. Bharat Raj Dhakad, a worker of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, narrated his ordeal to Collector Arun Kumar Vishwakarma. The Collector objected to the panchayat’s decisions and said that social evils will not be tolerated at any cost. Interestingly, the regional MLA and Minister Narendra Shivaji Patel had given a message of harmony by eating at a Dalit family’s house a few days ago. The village council, which had ordered a social boycott of the young man, also decreed that he undergo a purification ritual with Ganges water and host a feast for the entire village. Society is still unable to break free from the shackles of casteism and untouchability. It is noteworthy that arrests have been made in similar cases in the past, but society is still unable to break free from the shackles of casteism and untouchability. The question is, are we truly living in the 21st century? Has society still not been able to move beyond feudal thinking even after decades? Courtesy: Hindi News
Transgender players unite: Jamshedpur Football Club launches first Super League for transgender athletes; 70 players compete in groundbreaking tournament
Jamshedpur: In a first, the Jamshedpur Football Club (JFC) organised Jamshedpur Super League (JSL), a six-month soccer tournament exclusively for transgender players. The event which began on Dec 7 features seven teams competing in a five-a-side format at the JRD Tata Sports Complex artificial football turf in Jamshedpur. Matches will be organised every Sunday, with each team playing 12 matches. JFC officials said Chaibasa FC, Jamshedpur FT, Chakradharpur FC and Seraikela FC were initially slated to compete, but three additional sides—Kolhan Tiger FC, Noamundi FC and Jamshdpur Indra Nagar FC—later joined the tournament. A total of 70 players from varied backgrounds, including Tata Steel employees, daily wage labourers and vendor’s workers, are participating. “Its’s tremendous experience playing in a proper professional tournament,” said Aliya, one of the participants. 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
St Xavier’s Univ plans nursing & medical colleges
Kolkata: St Xavier’s University planned to start a school of nursing and a medical college was expected in two years, said vice-chancellor Father Felix Raj on Tuesday. Father Felix will write to CM Mamata Banerjee, seeking more land for the expansion. He also said that the university was introducing four BTech courses with 240 seats from the next session. The university has already requested for 10 acres of land for infrastructural expansion from the state govt two years ago. “We appealed for 10 acres of land for infrastructural expansion and have yet to receive any response from the state govt. I will speak to the CM shortly on this matter and will write to the govt requesting more land to start a nursing college and a medical college,” he said. Explaining their plan for starting these new courses, the VC said that the proposal came from the CM in 2017 at the inauguration of the university to start a medical college, but at that time, they could not do so. Recently, several doctors showed their interest in supporting the university to execute this plan, and this was discussed during a programme in London as well. He said they want to start both BSc Nursing and BA Nursing courses. “Many of our girls from this state migrate to other states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka for nursing training as there are very few nursing schools in our state,” he added. The nursing school will start first because, before starting a medical college, they need to establish a hospital, which requires some time to execute. The university is introducing BTech courses in computer science and engineering, information technology, electronics and communication engineering, and computer science and engineering—AI & ML from the next academic session following a separate entrance test for filling seats. The university will start an MTech course soon. An integrated MBA, integrated BEd, and School of Design will also be introduced. 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
Big meeting today chaired by PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi to also participate, decision on new CIC to be made
The selection committee chaired by the Prime Minister may meet today to select the next Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners. Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi is also a member of this committee. This meeting is crucial for filling the vacant posts in the Central Information Commission. New Delhi: The three-member selection committee chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi may meet on Wednesday to select the next Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is also a member of this committee. Rahul Gandhi may participate in this meeting to fill the vacant posts in the Central Information Commission (CIC). The government had informed the Supreme Court on December 1 that the committee would meet on December 10 to select and recommend names for these posts. Chief Information Commissioner post vacant Currently, the post of Chief Information Commissioner is vacant as the incumbent Chief Information Commissioner, Hiralal Samariya, stepped down after completing 65 years of age on September 13. Besides the Chief Commissioner, the commission can have up to 10 commissioners. Currently, the commission has only two Information Commissioners, Anandi Ramalingam and Vinod Kumar Tiwari. Eight posts of Information Commissioners have been vacant since November 2023. After Samariya’s departure, the post of Chief Commissioner in the CIC has become vacant for the seventh time since 2014. How is the selection made? According to Section 12(3) of the Right to Information Act, the Prime Minister is the chairman of the search committee. This committee also includes the Leader of the Opposition and a Union Minister nominated by the Prime Minister. Under the process of appointing the Chief Information Commissioner, details of interested candidates are invited through advertisements. These details are compiled into a list by the DoPT and sent to a search committee constituted by the Prime Minister and chaired by the Cabinet Secretary. Subsequently, the shortlisted names are sent to the committee chaired by the Prime Minister. Edited by: Abhishek Pandey About the Author Abhishek Pandey is a Consultant Writer at Navbharat Times Online. He has over three years of experience working on news related to current affairs, politics, crime, and public interest. They have also covered the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections in 2022 and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections very closely. Courtesy: Hindi News
‘Videsh nayak’: BJP takes dig at ‘paryatan leader’ Rahul Gandhi; Congress leader to be in Germany from Dec 15–20
NEW DELHI: The ruling BJP on Wednesday labelled Congress MP Rahul Gandhi ‘Videsh Nayak’ and ‘leader of paryatan’ ahead of his upcoming visit to Germany from December 15 to 20. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla — a former Congress member — also highlighted that the trip will coincide with the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, which began on December 1 and is scheduled to conclude on December 19. “Once again, Videsh Nayak is doing what he does best — going on a foreign tour! Parliament is on till 19th Dec, but Rahul Gandhi will visit Germany from Dec 15–20! Rahul is LoP — leader of paryatan. During the Bihar elections too he was abroad and then on a Jungle Safari,” Poonawalla wrote on X. While ‘Videsh Nayak’ (leader of foreign visits) plays on ‘Jannayak’ (leader of the masses), a title the Congress uses for Gandhi, ‘leader of paryatan’ (tourism) is a jab at his LoP initials — leader of opposition, a post he has held since June last year – and also references what the BJP says are his frequent foreign trips. The Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) announced on Monday that Gandhi will visit Germany. On December 17, the former Congress president will meet German lawmakers and members of the Indian community in Berlin, the European nation’s capital and largest city. During his overseas visits — first as an MP and now in his official capacity as leader of the opposition — the Raebareli MP has repeatedly raised concerns about what he describes as the ‘weakening’ of India’s democracy and the ‘capture’ of its institutions by the BJP and its ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). In September, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), which provides him security, flagged repeated ‘lapses’ by Gandhi in following security protocols — including intentionally skipping mandatory protective measures on multiple occasions despite being a Z+ protectee with an Advance Security Liaison (ASL) team. 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
Upping the Ante: The Story of JSL’s Trailblazing India’s First Transgender League
Jamshedpur : For Puja Soy, scoring four goals in the opening match of the Transgender League felt less like a personal milestone and more like the beginning of a new identity, not as a transgender woman, but as a footballer finally recognised on the stage she had long dreamed of. “Football is such a beautiful sport, and for the first time, I felt like I wasn’t being seen for my gender, but for my game,” she said, her eyes still bright from Jamshedpur FT’s 7–0 triumph over Chaibasa FC. That sentiment captures the essence of the Jamshedpur Super League’s newest chapter. The Transgender League, introduced within the JSL’s broader philosophy of inclusivity and football for all, has quickly become a symbol of what sport can achieve when barriers are removed. It goes beyond communities, labels, or social boundaries, standing today as one of the very few dedicated football leagues for the transgender community in India. The first week at the JRD Tata Sports Complex reflected exactly that spirit. There was pace, there was passion, and above all, there was a sense of belonging many players had never experienced before. Kolhan Tiger FC announced themselves with a commanding 3–0 win over Chakradharpur FC, while Jamshedpur Indranagar FC and Noaumandi FC delivered a gritty 0–0 draw that showcased the competitive edge already built within the league. But behind the scorelines, the emotional weight of the opportunity was unmistakable. “This is the first time we are playing in a proper professional environment,” said Aliya, another participant in the league. “The support from the club and the fans makes us feel like we truly belong to the football family.” The league features seven teams, Jamshedpur FT, Chaibasa FC, Chakradharpur FC, Jamshedpur Indranagar FC, Naomundi FC, Saraikela FC and Kolhan Tiger FC, made up of 70 players who come from all walks of life. Some of them are Tata Steel employees, daily-wage labourers, small business workers, and others who simply wanted a chance to play. The five-a-side format ensures every team will get 12 matches, with the league comprising 42 fixtures in total. For many of these players, participation itself is a liberation. “We are thrilled to be part of this groundbreaking initiative, India’s first Transgender League,” said Pyari Hessa, captain of Jamshedpur FT. “It gives us a platform we never had before and will hopefully inspire other states to create similar spaces. We’re very grateful to Jamshedpur FC for making this possible.” “The introduction of the Transgender Football League marks a progressive and meaningful step in our commitment to making football inclusive, accessible, and empowering for every individual. As the club we firmly believe that football must serve as a platform where talent is nurtured without discrimination, and where all players regardless of gender identity are given equal opportunities to participate, compete, and excel. This League reinforces our academy’s belief that sport can lead to societal change.”- explained Kundan Chandra, Head of Grassroots & Youth Football. More than another category within the JSL, the Transgender League has become a powerful statement that reflects Jamshedpur’s progressive sporting culture and JFC’s commitment to broadening football’s reach. As the league continues in the coming days, the players walk out not just to compete, but to claim their place in the football landscape, proving that the game truly belongs to everyone and hoping that more clubs across the country open up similar pathways of inclusion. Courtesy : UditVani Note: This news is originally published on https:/uditvani.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit Christian prof dismissed from SRM University after targeted attacks
The university has given her a month to submit an appeal to the vice chancellor, the appellate authority in this matter. Chennai: A Dalit Christian assistant professor at Chennai’s SRM University was dismissed for sharing anti-war views when Operation Sindoor was executed. Lora Santhakumar was dismissed from service after the university’s internal inquiry confirmed she committed “grave misconduct.” In May, students had allegedly exposed Lora’s identity after she posted a WhatsApp status calling for peace during the tumultuous times. Add as a preferred source on Google “King According to The News Minute, the termination order accused her of tagging herself as an assistant professor at the University and sharing “unethical remarks” on the internet against the army. “Therefore, she is unfit to continue her job in the institution and is dismissed from service with immediate effect,” the order accessed by TNM said. The inquiry held at the Kattankulathur SRM campus from July 15 to September 26, and was headed by the Director of Student Affairs at SRMIST, Dr Nisha Ashokan. Memory Khan Seminar The committee submitted its final report to the university registrar on October 30. Her suspension was prompted after her WhatsApp status, along with her phone number and photo were leaked to right-wing social media accounts, resulting in targeted cyber-bullying, harassment, and intimidating phone calls, including death threats. Those handles had taken parts of her status and circulated on social media platforms, accusing her of speaking negatively of the Indian army. She was publicly denounced as an anti-national. So much so that she was forced to move out of her home in Chennai. Lora headed back to her hometown, Kallakurichi, in Tamil Nadu, to shield herself from the incessant harassment. What did she post? On May 7, Lora used her WhatsApp status to strongly criticise calls for war during the India–Pakistan conflict. She shared several posts throughout the morning, including quotes and facts, urging people to remember the human cost of fighting. She also warned others not to trust or share fake social media profiles posing as Indian Army officers. She posted a total of 12 anti-war messages according to the committee report, out of which two were publicly shared. One of her messages detailed the real-life consequences of war, listing everything from economic shutdowns to loss of life. Another criticised the killing of civilians in a strike, calling the act cowardice instead of bravery. The committee charged her with 5 reasons, with an additional charge memo issued against her on June 16. The charge memo claimed she posted unethical remarks against India’s armed forces, lacked patriotism, and acted against national interests. “Your act amounts to action against the interests of the nation and also disrupts the cordial atmosphere and smooth functioning of the institution and invites legal implications harmful for the reputation of the institution and it amounts to major misconduct.” She was further accused of “criminal” antisocial activities, which the committee called major misconduct. Denying all charges, Lora had maintained that her comments were never intended to demean the armed forces and that they were, in reality, misinterpreted and shared with the wrong perspective. Lora denied harming the university’s reputation. She explained that she never said she was a professor in her posts. She pointed out that the WhatsApp number she used was her personal number and had no link to the university. She also clarified that the comments were not posted on public social media, but only on her temporary, personal WhatsApp status. However, the inquiry committee found that all five of her charges were proven and gave the same allegations for all of them. The order stated, “When the presenting officer conducted the chief examination of Ms S Lora, she confirmed posting in her personal capacity and denied charges 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, which were read out to her by the presenting officer. “Hence, this charge is proof of her posting on social media in her personal capacity. It is not proved by the delinquent employee that she has not officially tagged SRMIST in her capacity as assistant professor. Therefore, it is deemed that the entire charge against her is proved.” The university has given her a month to submit an appeal to the vice chancellor, the appellate authority in this matter. “When I was placed under suspension, they did not tell me why I was being suspended and the claims made in the charge memo and the screenshots of my messages have no time stamp. There are also no details of where it was taken. All the accusations are wrong and illegal,” Lora was quoted by TNM. She added that the law officer Ravi’s actions were absent from the report. “The entire inquiry happened under his control, and he was the one who was dictating the terms. I have initiated criminal action against those who targeted me online and none of it has been recorded in this inquiry report,” she stated. Moreover, she has also reportedly filed a petition with the Tamil Nadu chief minister’s cell. Courtesy : TSD Note: This news is originally published on https:/lhesiasatdaily.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights