Dalit child beaten and locked in a straw room: Mother assaulted and subjected to casteist slurs in Shahjahanpur; FIR filed 15 days later on SP’s orders
A case of assault and alleged casteist harassment of a Dalit child and his mother has come to light in the Nigohi police station area of Shahjahanpur. It is alleged that a neighbor first beat the child and locked him in a straw room. The mother who went to rescue him was abused, subjected to casteist remarks, and assault. The victim alleges that the police did not take action on the initial complaint. Finally, after the intervention of the Superintendent of Police (SP), an FIR was filed 15 days after the incident. According to the FIR, the incident occurred around 3 pm on June 30 in Jathiura village. The victim’s son was playing outside the house. It is alleged that the neighbor, Sanjeev, grabbed him, beat him, and locked him in a straw-filled room. When the child’s mother went to rescue him, the accused also abused her, used casteist slurs, and threatened to kill the mother and son. Lives Saved When Villagers Arrive According to the victim, villagers rushed to the scene after she raised an alarm. Seeing the crowds approach, the accused fled, saving the mother and child. The victim alleges that she filed a complaint at the Nigohi police station on the same day as the incident, but no action was taken. She also filed a petition the following day, on July 1st, but no case was registered. She claims the police colluded with the accused and drove her away from the police station. Despite multiple complaints, no hearing was held. Entered the House and Pressured to Settle at Gunpoint The victim alleges that on July 6th, the accused entered her house, assaulted her, held a pistol to her chest, and pressured her to withdraw the complaint. He threatened to kill her if she resisted. The victim also alleges that a police inspector pressured her to reach a settlement, which frightened her and forced her to agree to the settlement. A case was filed after a complaint to the Superintendent of Police. The victim claims that the accused continues to threaten to implicate her in a false case and is also being pressured by the police. She subsequently complained to the Superintendent of Police. Following the SP’s intervention, an FIR was registered against the accused at the Nigohi police station. Police stated that action had previously been taken for breach of peace. Nigohi Inspector-in-Charge Rajiv Kumar stated that action had previously been taken against the accused for breach of peace. However, following the victim’s complaint and demand for action, a case has been filed based on the written complaint. The matter is being investigated and further legal action is being taken. Courtesy: Hindi News
UP Dalit woman murder: Probe reveals cop ‘conspired’ with brother to kill Lalita Gautam
MEERUT: A Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) constable was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly conspiring with his brother in the murder of a 20-year-old Dalit woman in UP. The accused has been identified as 31-year-old Ankit. He is the latest person to be arrested in connection with the murder of Lalita Gautam, news agency PTI reported. His brother, Ankush Kumar, had earlier been arrested for allegedly killing Gautam following an argument. According to police, Gautam’s father approached TP Nagar Police Station on May 16 and reported that his daughter was missing. Her body was found the next day in a forested area near Upsiya village. Based on a complaint filed by her father, an FIR was registered against Ankush Kumar on charges of murder. Police arrested him on May 18 on the basis of CCTV footage and other evidence, PTI reported. Police also said that although Gautam’s father alleged her body had been disfigured using a chemical, the post-mortem examination did not support the claim. During the investigation, police found that Ankit, who was on leave from the PAC at the time of the incident, was present at the crime scene and had allegedly conspired with his brother and helped destroy evidence. According to police, Ankit had availed leave from May 11, claiming that his wife was pregnant and expected to deliver on May 15. However, witnesses and villagers disputed this claim. Investigators said Ankit returned to his village on May 11, the same day Gautam wrote a letter expressing fear for her life. The probe further revealed that Ankit was upset over an earlier dispute involving Gautam and his brother. The Kalyanpur village resident has been booked under sections related to murder, destruction of evidence and criminal conspiracy, along with provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit youth allegedly beaten for demanding wages: Died during treatment in Chitrakoot; family files murder case and demands action
A Dalit tribal Kol youth, injured in an alleged assault at a brick kiln in the Manikpur police station area of Chitrakoot, died while undergoing treatment at the district hospital. The family has accused the kiln operators of brutally beating him, the police of failing to listen to his complaint, and a hospital doctor of inhumane behavior. The family is demanding action by filing a murder case. According to the family, they took the injured youth to the Manikpur police station hoping for justice, but instead of registering their complaint, they were turned away. Subsequently, the youth was admitted to the district hospital for treatment, where his condition remained critical throughout treatment. The deceased’s family has also made serious allegations against a doctor at the district hospital. They claim that the youth’s leg was not functioning. While trying to check his leg, the doctor allegedly burned his leg with a lighter, worsening his condition. The young man died during treatment around 10 p.m. on Wednesday night. Upon receiving the news of his death, his family was enraged. They alleged that if the police had acted promptly and the hospital had provided sensitive treatment, the young man’s life could have been saved. The family has demanded that a murder case be filed against the kiln operators, an investigation into the role of the police officers who failed to act on the complaint, and strict action be taken against the doctor involved. Currently, questions are being raised about the police’s performance and hospital management in the case. However, no official statement has yet been issued by the police or the health department on these allegations. Attempts were made to contact Manikpur police station in-charge Ajit Pandey, but he was unsuccessful. Jitendra Kumar | Chitrakoot Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit boy stabbed by two classmates at Sivaganga school
Sivaganga: Police apprehended two 17-year-old Class XII boys on charges of stabbing a 16-year-old classmate belonging to the dalit community at the Adi Dravidar Welfare Higher Secondary School in Mallal near Sivaganga on Wednesday. Police said the victim was admitted to the intensive care unit of Sivaganga Govt Medical College Hospital and his condition is stable. A senior police officer said the incident stemmed from bullying based on caste identity and that the attackers were thevar boys. Last week, the victim was provoked by one of the attackers who mocked him. The enraged boy inflicted a bleeding injury on him using an iron nail. Subsequently, the school administration took up the matter with the parents of the boys and decided to drop it with warnings to both boys. The injured 17-year-old boy was absent for the past week and returned to the school on Wednesday. Before the classes began, he along with another boy tried to attack the victim. “The two boys chased the victim around the campus and finally caught him inside the staff room. As one was holding him, another boy stabbed him using a blade at four places on his chest and back,” a police officer said. Sipcot police rushed to the spot and detained one of the attackers, who was captured by school staff. Another boy was detained in the evening. Police registered a case under sections 296(b), 115(2), 127(2), and 109 of BNS and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The boys were lodged in a govt observation home. The school education department has also initiated an inquiry. It may be recalled that the department last week sent an advisory to govt and private schools to avoid caste, religious, and political events in schools to strengthen the safety and unity among students. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit woman gang-raped in Baheri, video captured and blackmailed: Victim went to village headman’s house, case filed against 3 under SC-ST Act, 2 detained
A Scheduled Caste woman in Gursauli village, under the Baheri Kotwali area, has accused three young men of gang-raping her, blackmailing her with a video, and threatening to kill her. Based on the victim’s complaint, police have registered a case under serious sections and the SC-ST Act. Two accused have been detained in the case. According to the police report, the victim’s 30-year-old husband is disabled and was away working. On the afternoon of July 6th, the woman went to the village headman’s house to inquire about a gas connection. The village headman’s son and several other young men were present. She was told the headman was not home and was asked to return later. The victim alleges that while returning, the three accused stopped her, forcibly took her inside a house, and raped her one by one at gunpoint. The accused also filmed the incident. The woman said that when she protested, the accused used casteist slurs. They also threatened to make the video viral on social media and kill her and her family if she complained. Police have registered a case against Ajay, son of Dayashankar, Guddu alias Tejpal, son of Nathu, and Shivam, son of Niranjan Lal. This action has been taken under relevant sections of the BNS and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Baheri Inspector Dinesh Kumar said that after preliminary investigations revealed Ajay and Shivam’s role, both have been taken into custody. Police are investigating the case based on the video and other evidence. Mumtaz Ali | Baheri Courtesy: Hindi News
Teen alleges forced sex-change surgery, conversion bid, beef eating by transgenders
An 18-year-old UP resident has alleged that a group of transgender people forcibly took him to Delhi, subjected him to sex-change surgery, attempted to convert him to Islam and force-fed him beef. An 18-year-old man in Uttar Pradesh has alleged that a group of transgender people forcibly took him to Delhi, subjected him to surgery to make him a transgender person and attempted to force him to convert to Islam. He also alleged that he was force-fed beef by the group. Police said they have received complaints from both sides and are investigating the matter. According to the complaint, 18-year-old Janu Yadav, alias Simran, a resident of Kanpur, approached the Police Commissioner alleging that a transgender person named Hina Kinnar invited him to stay at her house and later forcibly made him undergo sex-change surgery in Delhi. In his complaint, Yadav alleged that after staying at Hina Kinnar’s house for two to three months, his nose and ears were pierced. He claimed that he later returned to Kanpur, from where he was called back, taken to Delhi by a young man and forcibly subjected to an operation on March 10. He further claimed that there were plans to sell him and that he was fed beef and asked to recite the Kalma and convert to Islam. He alleged that he later escaped and filed a complaint with the police. However, Hina Kinnar has also filed a counter-complaint against the teenager. According to police, the complaint accuses Janu Yadav of theft and of disrupting her daughter’s marriage. Confirming the development, police officer Praveen Malik said the police received an application from Yadav alleging that he had been taken from Kanpur to Delhi and forcibly made a transgender person through an operation. “A counter application has also been filed by Hina Kinnar, in which she has alleged theft and disrupting her daughter’s wedding. Both cases are under investigation. Legal action will be taken only after the investigation,” Malik said. Police said both complaints are being examined and further action will depend on the findings of the investigation. Vinay Pandey 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
‘This isn’t a paper leak—it’s theft’: Rahul Gandhi ahead of Dehradun leg of ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ on July 17
NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, ahead of the Dehradun leg of the Congress’ ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ campaign on July 17, said Uttarakhand has become the “epicentre of paper leaks” and accused the BJP government of failing to curb examination irregularities despite introducing anti-cheating laws. In a post on X on Thursday, Gandhi said he was taking the campaign to Uttarakhand because repeated exam paper leaks had shattered the hopes of thousands of job aspirants. Referring to the alleged irregularities in the Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UKSSSC) recruitment exams, Gandhi alleged that government jobs such as patwari and lekhpal were no longer being awarded on merit. “Because the land of the gods has been turned into the epicentre of paper leaks. In the UKSSSC exam here, a ‘system’ has taken root, where positions like patwari, lekhpal, or any other aren’t given based on merit, but on rates fixed by criminals,” he said. Gandhi also claimed that while the government introduced strict anti-cheating laws, paper leaks continued unabated. ‘This isn’t a leak, it’s theft’ The Congress leader said exam leaks amounted to stealing the future of young people who spend years preparing for competitive examinations. “Just think about it: a child prepared for years, filled out the form, paid the fee, travelled to a far-off centre. And their position was bought by someone else,” Gandhi said. “This isn’t a leak—it’s theft. Of that young person’s right, their livelihood, their future,” he added. Calling on students and job aspirants to join him in Dehradun, Gandhi said, “This is your fight, and I’m with you. Come, let’s turn the ‘Echo of Students’ into a battle cry. We won’t let the future be auctioned off. We won’t let dreams be leaked.” “Chhatron Ki Goonj” (Students’ Echo), a nationwide campaign, was launched in June 2026 by the Indian National Congress. Initiated by party leader Rahul Gandhi in Kota, Rajasthan, the movement aims to amplify student grievances regarding exam paper leaks, high coaching fees, mental stress, and unemployment. 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
‘Don’t let BJP change narrative’: Mahua Moitra’s message to Wangchuk over LoP Rahul Gandhi ‘s absence from protest
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra on Thursday expressed support for activist Sonam Wangchuk, while accusing the BJP of attempting to divert attention from the issues raised by his hunger strike. In a post on X, Moitra wrote, “Sir @Wangchuk66 we are with you. But it is about BJP govt’s shamelessness & pettiness. Let’s not let BJP ecosystem make this about LoP who frankly was first to say education minister must be sacked & has always walked the talk on this issue.” Sir @Wangchuk66 we are with you. But it is about BJP govt’s shamelessness & pettiness. Let’s not let BJP ecosystem make this about LoP who frankly was first to say Education Minister must be sacked & has always walked the talk on this issue. Moitra’s remarks came in support as questions mounted over LoP Rahul Gandhi’s absence from Wangchuk’s hunger strike at Jantar Mantar against alleged irregularities in NEET and other examinations. ‘Rahul Gandhi’s absence isn’t the real issue’ CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke on Wednesday dismissed the growing focus on Rahul Gandhi’s absence from the Sonam Wangchuk protest, saying it was distracting from the movement’s core demands. In a post on X, Dipke urged people to focus on holding the government accountable instead of questioning why Opposition leaders or even CJP members were not fasting alongside Wangchuk. “Instead of asking why opposition leader hasn’t supported CJP, or why every CJP team member isn’t on a hunger strike alongside Sonam sir, ask the questions that actually matter. Why is the Prime Minister refusing to engage in a dialogue? Why is the Education Minister still not being held accountable? These are the questions that deserve answers, not distractions that only help shield those in power from accountability,” he wrote. Instead of asking why opposition leader hasn’t supported CJP, or why every CJP team member isn’t on a hunger strike alongside Sonam sir, ask the questions that actually matter. Why is the Prime Minister refusing to engage in a dialogue? Why is the Education Minister still not… Wangchuk’s health has become a growing concern as his hunger strike entered its 19th day. According to organisers, he has lost 8.5 kg since beginning the fast on June 28. Several Opposition leaders, including Akhilesh Yadav and Arvind Kejriwal, have appealed to Wangchuk to end his hunger strike while assuring him of their continued support for the movement. The protest, organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), is demanding the resignation of the Union education minister over alleged irregularities in NEET and other examinations, with a march to Parliament planned on July 20. 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
Pawar vs power: NCP (SP) leaders push for BJP alliance as Sharad Pawar resists
As Supriya Sule categorically rejected reports of an NDA switch, sources say six of the NCP (SP)’s 10 Lok Sabha MPs and nine of its 10 MLAs favour joining hands with the BJP. MUMBAI: Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP) appears to be facing internal divisions over the prospect of joining hands with the BJP, with party sources indicating that while Pawar wants to keep his distance, several Lok Sabha MPs and MLAs favour exploring an alliance with the ruling party. According to party sources, the 86-year-old Pawar has categorically conveyed to senior party leaders that he is not comfortable joining hands with the BJP at the fag end of his political career. However, those in favour of the move believe they should initiate talks with the BJP and assess what it is willing to offer. The buzz in the Opposition camp comes weeks after six MPs of Maha Vikas Aghadi ally Shiv Sena (UBT) switched to ruling Shiv Sena. The NCP (SP)’s stand on the BJP’s proposed Delimitation Bill is likely to emerge as a litmus test for Sharad Pawar and his daughter, Supriya Sule, signalling where the party intends to position itself in Maharashtra’s evolving political landscape. The issue gained prominence on Wednesday after Sule, the party’s working president, said there would be “little reason to oppose” the Bill if it proposed a uniform 50% increase in seats across all states. Sule, however, said any decision on supporting the legislation would be taken only after discussions within the INDIA bloc. Rejecting speculation about the NCP (SP) joining the ruling alliance, Sule said the media had been predicting her swearing-in and ministerial portfolio for the past 12 years. Notably, the NCP (SP) has 10 Lok Sabha MPs. Of them, six are reportedly keen to join the BJP-led government at the Centre, while two — Sule and Amol Kolhe — are opposed to the move. Similarly, nine of the party’s 10 MLAs are said to favour joining hands with the BJP, with Rohit Pawar the lone dissenter. Interestingly, Rohit has conveyed to the party leadership that he is prepared to make sacrifices and continue fighting the BJP. He has also said that he is less concerned about three years in power than the next 30 years of his political future and that of Maharashtra. Rohit, the grandnephew of Sharad Pawar, has also opened a channel with the Congress and is in direct touch with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should he decide to join the party. Rahul is also reportedly keen to induct Pawar into the Congress because of his willingness to take on the BJP. Meanwhile, senior NCP leader Jayant Patil has reportedly opened channels of communication with the BJP through two senior leaders, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde. “Patil has the support of six Lok Sabha MPs and nine NCP SP MLAs to initiate the talks with the BJP. In this talk, there are two thoughts, one given by the BJP that the NCP SP should merge with the NCP, not to be a separate entity of the NDA, but others are not keen to be with the NCP. They want to keep their separate identity,” a source told TNIE. Patil, meanwhile, said he met Fadnavis only to discuss an issue in his constituency, and asserted that there was no discussion in the Sharad Pawar-led party about joining the NDA. “There are no discussions going on in our party about joining the NDA. I met the chief minister only to raise the issue of the Islampur municipal council president, whose election has been declared invalid. (Deputy Chief Minister) Eknath Shinde was in Delhi, so I sought the chief minister’s appointment. The meeting lasted barely five to ten minutes, and there was no political discussion,” he told reporters. Patil’s meeting with NCP leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare in the presence of CM Fadnavis is understood to be part of the first proposal for a merger, sources said. However, Patil denied reports that he met Patel or Tatkare during his visit to the CM’s residence. Interestingly, Patel and Tatkare are also said to favour bringing Patil and the NCP (SP) into the NCP to curb the growing influence of Parth Pawar and make the party’s existing power structure more democratic. According to sources, the letter challenging Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar’s election as NCP national president is intended to convey that she can be replaced if required. Sudhir Suryawanshi 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
Midnight stand-off at Parade Ground as admin withdraws nod for Rahul’s event
Dehradun: A late-night political stand-off unfolded at Dehradun’s Parade Ground after district authorities withdrew permission for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to address a student gathering, titled “Chhatron ki Goonj,” scheduled for July 17. The administration cited an ongoing event at the ground as the reason for the withdrawal. However, Congress members claimed they had sought and initially received conditional approval from municipal authorities to host their event at the venue from July 15 to July 17. The sudden revocation prompted senior Congress leaders, including state chief Ganesh Godiyal, Harak Singh Rawat, and Pritam Singh, to rush to the Parade Ground late Tuesday night, where they staged a protest. “The BJP government is scared of Rahul Gandhi, therefore we have been denied the Parade Ground,” Godiyal alleged. Following the protest, the event was officially relocated to the Bannu School ground in the Race Course area. Congress leaders arrived at the new venue early Wednesday morning to begin preparations for the Friday evening gathering. Leader of Opposition Yashpal Arya condemned the administration’s decision, calling it a planned move to disrupt preparations and distract the public. “We all know that BJP is behind the development as the party does not want our programme to be held in Dehradun,” Arya said, asserting that “such acts will not deter the Congress from holding the event.” Dismissing the allegations, state BJP chief Mahendra Bhatt said, “It was a political event, and the Congress was trying to create a controversy over the issue simply to gain media coverage.” 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