Rahul Gandhi defamation case: Savarkar’s grandson admits Nathuram, Gopal Godse were active RSS members
Pune: In a significant development in the defamation case involving Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, filed by Savarkar’s grandson Satyaki Savarkar, the complainant on Monday admitted that Nathuram Godse and his brother Gopal Godse were “active members” of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The admission came during further cross-examination of Satyaki Savarkar by Gandhi’s counsel Milind D Pawar, appearing for Rahul Gandhi, before judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) Amol Shriram Shinde. The deposition records Satyaki as stating: “It is true to say that, my grandfathers Gopal Godse and Nathuram Godse were active members of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.” The cross-examination also brought out the family links between the Savarkars and Godses. Satyaki said Gopal Godse was his maternal grandfather and Sindhu Godse his maternal grandmother, while his mother was Himani Savarkar. He also confirmed that Gopal and Nathuram Godse were real brothers and described Nathuram as his grand-uncle. He further agreed that the Savarkar and Godse families were related. The witness also admitted that his mother and Gopal Godse worked for the Hindu Mahasabha until their deaths. The cross-examination also dealt with the 1948 assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Satyaki agreed that Gandhi was assassinated at Birla House in Delhi on Jan 30, 1948, and that Gopal Godse and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar were accused in the case. The defence also questioned Satyaki about an alleged interview given by Gopal Godse to a monthly magazine on Jan 28, 1994. Satyaki said he did not know about the interview. He similarly said he did not know whether Nathuram Godse had worked as an “intellectual executive” in 1944. The complainant’s lawyer, Sangram Kolhatkar, objected to some of the questions concerning the RSS and Digambar Badge, arguing that they were not related to the case. The court recorded that the objections would be decided at the time of the final decision. The cross-examination remained incomplete and was deferred to Sept 1. 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
Supreme Court bars CBI, ED from filing report on Rahul Gandhi’s assets
NEW DELHI: Supreme Court Monday barred CBI, ED or any agency from filing any report on any probe into the alleged disproportionate assets of leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi before Allahabad HC, which had directed the two central agencies to probe allegations in a PIL on his alleged illegal wealth. Arguing for Rahul and challenging the July 20 order of HC’s Lucknow bench, senior advocate Kapil Sibal told a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana that the HC had adopted a process which is “completely unknown to law” in passing the impugned order If claim is so serious, why did agencies need HC prod: SC Kapil Sibal said HC did not even seek Rahul Gandhi’s response and permitted a witch-hunt without questioning the locus standi of the petitioner, Vignesh Shishir, an RSS/BJP worker. Appearing for CBI, additional solicitor general S V Raju said, “CBI has done nothing yet. We are only verifying the complaint. We have not registered even a preliminary enquiry. The allegations are very serious. We are inquiring into it.” Sibal said, “CBI can do what it likes. We are not concerned with it.” Justice Bagchi said, “You (CBI) did not do it on your own. Suo motu action we would have understood. Why did you need the prodding of high court to investigate? If it is so serious, why did the agencies keep quiet and need impetus from HC?” The bench issued notices to Shishir, CBI, ED, UP Police, Union ministry of home affairs, CBDT and Serious Fraud Investigation Office and said, “Meanwhile, no report shall be submitted by CBI or ED or any other authority to the HC pursuant to its July 20 order.” Sibal sought a stay on proceedings before HC, leading the bench to request HC to defer the scheduled Aug 20 hearing till further orders. Appearing in person, Shishir spoke in favour of HC’s procedure, and said the matter was still in the preliminary enquiry stage where the accused cannot have a say. Raju said, “As far as the allegations are concerned, if they make out a cognisable offence, it stands on a different footing. We are yet to lodge an FIR. What action is to be taken has not yet been considered.” CJI Kant said, “On our understanding of the law, police or any probe agency, if they have prima facie material, they can register a case, investigate it, and can proceed against anyone. No permission is required from the accused. But what appears to us, subject to assistance from both sides, is that if the court wants to issue a direction, it is expected to follow principles of natural justice.” Raju said it was not required in a criminal case. Sibal interjected and said, “The enthusiasm of the agencies is clear.” Raju retorted, “Facts may be wrong or right. But if they are right, it is a gross case of disproportionate assets.” Sibal said these were sealed cover, in-chamber proceedings and asked how they got reported in newspapers. In his plea, Rahul said, “Since 2024, Shishir, who it appears from public reporting is a member of BJP — a party whose politics and ideology the petitioner (Rahul) and his party (Congress) vehemently contests — has instituted multiple proceedings before different forums, including successive PILs on petitioner’s alleged foreign citizenship, criminal proceedings seeking registration of an FIR…” 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
Winds of change in Muzrai dept as Dalit takes over as minister
The Mayakonda MLA hails from a humble background and grew up amidst hardship as the son of civic workers Sangappa Pailwan and Hanumakka. Bengaluru: In 2020, senior Congressman G Parameshwara offered the Legislative Assembly a chilling account of caste-based discrimination. “I became an MLA for the first time in 1989. While going on a victory round, they took us to a village which naturally will have temples and Ramesh Kumar (in an apparent reference to fellow Congress leader Ramesh Kumar, a Brahmin) must be there. They took me into the Hanuman temple, I saluted the deity, took the Mangalarathi and came out. After I left, there was a fight as to how could I have been taken inside the temple”. Narrating this, Parameshwara, who hails from Dalit (right) community, said thereafter, he avoids entering temples with discriminatory practices and instead, does the rituals outside the premises on some pretext. Six years later, the Congress government, with Parameshwara as deputy CM, has taken a progressive step by appointing first-time MLA K S Basavanthappa from Dalit (left) community as minister for Muzrai department, which manages Hindu temples. The Mayakonda MLA hails from a humble background and grew up amidst hardship as the son of civic workers Sangappa Pailwan and Hanumakka. His appointment is being interpreted as a powerful counter to the despicable practice of caste-based discrimination in some temples. Though Rudrappa Lamani also held Muzrai portfolio in previous Congress government during 2016-18 (he hails from Lambani sub-sect among scheduled castes), Basavanthappa is the first from among SC (left)/SC (right) communities, which are comparatively more marginalised, to do so. On Aug 10, right-wing outfit Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas performed Shuddhikaran (‘purification’), after AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge’s speech at Ramlila maidan at Haldwani, Uttarakhand on Aug 8. A senior minister told DH that the government believed in 12th-century social reformer and anti-caste crusader Basavanna’s principle of ‘Kayakave Kailasa’ (work is worship). “There is a quote inscribed at the entrance of Vidhana Soudha that says ‘Government work is God’s work’. Ultimately, it’s about carrying out the responsibility bestowed on an individual by the party. If an atheist is handed over the responsibility of the muzrai or minorities welfare department, he or she should still undertake the duty,” he said. Leader of the Opposition in the Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy said one way of looking at it would be to appreciate the decision. But, he also wondered if “upper castes” were ready for such a development. The BJP leader, who hails from SC (right) community, felt the decision could be a “test case” to gauge society’s reaction. Sujay B M DHNS Courtesy : DH Note: This news is originally published on https:/deccanherald.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
Congress protests venue ‘purification’ after Kharge’s event
Protesters raised slogans like ‘Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan,’ ‘Unity over hatred,’ and ‘Dalit discrimination is anti-national.’ Bengaluru: Congress workers took out a protest march in Karnataka’s Kalaburagi on Sunday, August 16, against the purification ritual performed in Haldwani, where Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge held a public meeting. The Kalaburagi District Congress Committee organised the demonstration. Party workers gathered at the district Congress office on Sedam Road and marched towards Annapurna Cross, raising slogans against the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and alleged communal and casteist practices. The protesters objected to the reported cleaning and purification of the venue following Kharge’s visit, terming it an insult to Dalits and a reflection of continuing caste discrimination. Several protesters carried placards highlighting equality and constitutional principles. Messages included “Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan,” “Unity over hatred,” “Dalit discrimination is anti-national” and “Purify the mind before purifying the soil.” Protestors burn tyres as part of demonstration The protesters also questioned whether caste discrimination had truly disappeared 80 years after Independence. They said no individual should be considered ‘impure’ because of their caste and argued that such practices undermine the principles of equality and dignity guaranteed by the Constitution. The protestors burnt tyres as part of the demonstration and raised slogans demanding an end to caste-based discrimination and communal politics. Speaking to the gathering, District Congress Committee president and MLC Jagadev Guttedar, MLA Allamaprabhu Patil and MLC Tippannappa Kamaknur criticised the alleged incident and accused communal forces of attempting to divide society along caste and religious lines. The leaders said the Congress would continue to oppose discrimination and defend constitutional values. They called upon people to reject hatred and work towards social harmony, equality and fraternity. Courtesy : TSD Note: This news is originally published on https:/thesiasatdaily.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Two lovers arrested for murdering a pregnant woman: Rape and murder in Kanpur; body found in a mango orchard
The accused of raping and murdering a Dalit woman in Ghatampur, Kanpur, have been arrested. The woman was found lying under suspicious circumstances in an orchard on the outskirts of the village. The post-mortem report confirmed that she was seven months pregnant. The doctor suspected rape and created a slide, while the DNA of the unborn child was also preserved. The report did not clearly state the cause of death. Based on the father’s complaint, Ghatampur police registered a case against the two lovers under serious sections. Subsequently, both lovers were arrested on Sunday and sent to jail. Police are investigating the incident. The woman had met Pranjul at her maternal home; they had been in contact for four years. Ghatampur ACP Krishnakant said that the body of the young woman, a resident of a village in the Ghatampur police station area, was found lying in a mango orchard on the outskirts of her village. Based on the father’s complaint, the police filed a report against Arvind, alias Gola Pandey, a resident of Patara, and Pranjul Pal, a resident of Naraini in Fatehpur district. Both were arrested, presented in court on Sunday, and sent to jail. During police interrogation, accused Pranjul revealed that his mother’s aunt’s house is in Hirni village, in the Ghatampur police station area. He used to visit his maternal grandmother’s house. He met the young woman there. The two had been in a relationship for about four years. He would often take time off to visit her. The young woman had taken money from him several times in the name of medical treatment. He also used to talk to the young woman to pass the time. He said he had no idea he would get trapped like this. Now he regrets talking to the young woman. Six years of continuous help, but now he regrets it. Arvind Pandey, alias Gola Pandey, a resident of Patara town, told police during interrogation that he used to lease his land to his father. He met the young woman while working in the field. Gradually, they began talking and he helped her a lot. He provided the girl with a scooter and money for her treatment. During this time, the girl told him she was seven months pregnant. He then took her to a hospital in Kanpur, where he introduced himself as the girl’s father and offered to treat her. The doctor, upon seeing the girl, refused to treat her. He then brought the girl to the outskirts of the village in an ambulance and told her to go home. He then returned home. When he learned that the girl’s body had been found that morning, he fled out of fear. He now regrets having helped the girl so much, but her family framed him for murder. ACP said: Both accused were produced in court and sent to jail. Ghatampur ACP Krishnakant stated that a murder case has been registered against both accused based on the father’s complaint in the girl’s murder case. Both have been arrested, produced in court, and sent to jail. Police are investigating the incident. Himanshu Tiwari | Kanpur Courtesy: Hindi News
Delhi BJP wants Kejriwal, Bharadwaj to ensure justice for AAP’s Dalit worker in property dispute
Delhi BJP spokespersons Praveen Shankar Kapoor and Dr. Anil Gupta on Sunday strongly condemned the alleged attempt by an Aam Aadmi Party national council member and Jaitpur councillor spouse, regarding possession of a house built on a plot belonging to his own party’s Dalit worker, Rakesh Kumar.Politics Delhi BJP spokespersons Praveen Shankar Kapoor and Dr. Anil Gupta on Sunday strongly condemned the alleged attempt by an Aam Aadmi Party national council member and Jaitpur councillor spouse, regarding possession of a house built on a plot belonging to his own party’s Dalit worker, Rakesh Kumar. The BJP leaders demanded that AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Saurabh Bhardwaj, immediately look into the matter and ensure justice for their party’s Dalit worker by restoring possession of the premises. They also sought the expulsion of the accused and his spouse from the party. According to Kapoor, the AAP leader concerned has been directly associated with Kejriwal since the party’s formative days, contested the MCD election from Jaitpur in 2017, and his wife is currently serving as a municipal councilor. According to the BJP leader, an FIR has also been registered in this connection, wherein the complainant, Kumar has alleged that he had given the premises back in 2019, in view of setting up a private political office, however, when asked to have the premises back, the alleged person was delaying to do so until 2022.Politics As mentioned in the FIR, the accused person was allegedly denying handing over the property back to Rakesh Kumar. As per the BJP leader, the alleged harassment of Dalit worker only stopped after an FIR was registered at a police station around two weeks ago. In July 2026, when Shri Rakesh Kumar sought to have an electricity meter installed on the first floor of his house, Shri Shrichand Vohra allegedly stopped the electricity department from carrying out the installation. Following a police probe, relevant sections of the law relating to an alleged conspiracy to take possession of the premises have been added to the matter. The Delhi BJP leaders said that AAP leaders, including Kejriwal and Bhardwaj, who frequently make strong statements about morality, must now come forward and ensure that their party’s Dalit worker gets justice. Courtesy : The Statesman Note: This news is originally published on https:/thestatesman.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit e-rickshaw driver dies after assault over daughter’s marriage in Amroha
Bijnor: A Dalit e-rickshaw driver died in Amroha after he was allegedly assaulted by his neighbour and four others during a dispute linked to his daughter’s marriage, police said. The incident took place in Rathraula Hashampur village under Gajraula police station limits, around 28km from the district headquarters. Sanjay Kumar, 55, was the sole breadwinner of his family. His wife Suman Devi alleged that their neighbour Imran, 25, had taken away their 20-year-old daughter about a year ago. “My daughter was brought back with help from members of Hindu organisations. After that, we arranged her marriage elsewhere, but Imran kept a grudge against us,” she alleged. Suman said Imran reached their house on Saturday afternoon and tried to steal Sanjay’s Platina motorcycle. “My husband saw him inserting the key into the motorcycle and raised an alarm. Imran then fled from the spot,” she said. Later, Sanjay went to Imran’s house with his wife and brother to complain about the alleged theft attempt. Suman alleged that Imran abused them outside his house and then attacked Sanjay along with his brother-in-law and three nephews. “They beat him with sticks and clubs. He suffered a serious head injury,” she said. Villagers intervened, took Sanjay to a private doctor for first aid, and then brought him home. His condition worsened later and he died on Sunday morning. Gajraula circle officer Anjali Kataria said an FIR had been registered on Suman’s complaint. “A case has been registered against five people — Mukhtar Ali, Zulfiqar, Isteqar, Jabbar Ali and Imran. Two suspects have been detained for questioning and further investigation is underway,” Kataria said. Police said they were examining the alleged dispute over the daughter’s marriage, the attempted motorcycle theft claim and the assault that led to Sanjay’s death. Further action will be based on the post-mortem report, witness statements and evidence collected during investigation. 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
Bhadohi: Case filed for assaulting Dalit student and using casteist slurs
Bhadohi (UP), August 16, A group of youths allegedly assaulted and hurled casteist slurs at a Dalit student of Class 10 after returning from an Independence Day celebration at a school in Bhadohi district, police said. Police sources said here on Sunday that the incident took place in Bhidiura village under the jurisdiction of the Suryawan police station, and a video of the assault went viral on social media. According to the complaint filed, the accused allegedly made inappropriate comments about the student’s caste. Police Circle Officer Sumit Tripathi said that some youths allegedly made a video of the incident and made it public. On the complaint of the student’s grandmother, Kanti Kannaujiya, police registered a case against three named accused and others under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Dalit Act, and the Information Technology Act. Sources said the named accused have been identified as Shubham Upadhyay, Arjun Pandit, and Ganesh Yadav. Police Circle Officer Sumit Tripathi said the matter is being investigated. Salim Shobhana This story was auto-fed from Bhasha news agency. ThePrint is not responsible for its content. Courtesy: Hindi News
Two arrested in connection with death of Dalit woman whose body was found lying in orchard
Kanpur Police arrested two persons in connection with the death of a Dalit woman in Ghatampur area of the city. The body of a 25-year-old Dalit woman was found lying in suspicious circumstances in an orchard on the edge of her village on August 13. The postmortem report confirmed that she was 7 months pregnant, police said. Doctors prepared slides citing the possibility of rape, and the DNA of the unborn child was also preserved. However, the report did not clearly determine the cause of death. On the basis of her father’s complaint, the Ghatampur police registered a case under serious sections against two men and arrested both on Sunday, producing them in court the same day and sending them to jail, said ACP (Ghatampur) Krishnakant. He said the case was registered against Arvind alias Gola Pandey, a resident of Patara, and Pranjul Pal, a resident of Naraini in Fatehpur district, for allegedly murdering the woman and dumping her body. Police said they were investigating the incident. During interrogation, accused Pranjul said that he had been in a love relationship with her for about four years, and used to meet her often. The woman would take money from him in the name of getting treatment. He would talk to her just to pass time and did not know that he would get trapped like this. He is now regretting talking to the woman, he said. Arvind Pandey alias Gola Pandey told the police that he used to meet the woman and helped her a lot, got her a scooty, and gave money for treatment. She later told him that she was 7 months pregnant, Pandey said. He said that he took her to a hospital in Kanpur, and introduced himself as the young woman’s father. The doctor refused after seeing her, after which he brought her by ambulance to the edge of the village and told her to go home. When he came to know in the morning that the young woman’s body had been found, he fled out of fear, he said. He said he now regrets that he had helped the young woman a lot, but her family members implicated him in the murder case. The ACP said that both lovers were produced in the court and sent to jail. ACP Krishnakant said that on her father’s complaint, a murder case was registered against two lovers, and both were arrested, produced in court, and sent to jail. 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