Dalit leader Armstrong murder case:
A year later, no headway in probe BSP and Armstrong’s family are pushing hard for a CBI probe, alleging Tamil Nadu police can’t conduct a fair probe due to political compulsions Mahalingam Ponnusamy A year after the brutal murder of K Armstrong, Tamil Nadu president of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), the investigation remains mired in controversy, with activists and political leaders and senior lawyers questioning the state police’s handling of the case. Despite a 5,200-page chargesheet and the arrest of 28 suspects, the failure to arrest key figures and persistent doubts about the motive have kept the case under intense public scrutiny. On July 5, 2024, Armstrong, 52, was hacked to death by a group of assailants near his under-construction home in Chennai’s Perambur. The killing sent shockwaves across Tamil Nadu, prompting swift action from the police. Special teams, led by Joint Commissioner Vijayakumar, arrested 28 individuals, including a rowdy Nagendran, identified as the mastermind, and his son Aswathaman. A cache of weapons, including country bombs, was recovered, and a chargesheet naming 30 accused was filed within 90 days. Probe runs into hurdles However, the investigation has hit huge roadblocks. A key suspect, ‘Sambo’ Senthil, listed as A2, remains at large despite a year-long manhunt across places like Karnataka, Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh, and an Interpol lookout notice. Senthil, a fugitive for over 15 years, continues to evade capture, fuelling public outrage. Social media platforms are abuzz with criticism, with many questioning the Chennai police’s competence or the lack of it. Porkodi, Armstrong’s widow, is inconsolable. “The grief hasn’t left us. My daughter still can’t forget her father; she keeps asking for him. Every day, she believes he will return. She hasn’t recovered from his loss, and neither have I. I live with the thought that he is still alive, just to get through the days.” Senior advocate Ilangovan has raised serious concerns about the Tamil Nadu police’s handling of the case, questioning why the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was not invoked, given Armstrong’s Dalit identity. “The investigation seems to mirror social media narratives rather than a thorough probe,” Ilangovan said. “The police have named every suspect as accused, resulting in a massive 5,200-page chargesheet that has left the case hanging. The inclusion of 27 suspects, including notorious rowdy Nagendran and his son Aswathaman, appears more sensational than substantive.” Ilangovan pointed to inconsistencies, such as the initial claim that ‘Sising Raja’ was involved, only for the police to later retract this. Encounter killing raises suspicion The encounter killing of suspect Thiruvengadam on July 14, 2024, has also sparked suspicion. “Why was Thiruvengadam killed in an encounter, and why wasn’t it properly investigated? If fugitives like ‘Sambo’ Senthil and Mottai Krishna can still contact rowdies in Chennai and operate, why haven’t the police apprehended them?” he asked. The advocate further alleged that the case is being used to target certain individuals. “Some seem to be using this case to eliminate their rivals, which raises serious concerns about the investigation’s impartiality,” Ilangovan said. He noted that even among those who surrendered early, it remains unclear who the actual culprits are. The invocation of the Goondas Act against some suspects, including Nagendran, has not advanced the case, with no significant progress made in the trial or investigation. The involvement of suspects linked to major political parties — DMK, AIADMK, BJP, and Tamil Maanila Congress — has intensified calls for a CBI probe. Armstrong’s brother, Keenos, has filed a petition in the Madras High Court, with a hearing scheduled for July 21, 2025, alleging political interference and the police’s failure to capture key fugitives. Police gear up for protests? As the first anniversary of Armstrong’s death falls today (July 5), tensions are high. The police have heightened security, denying permission for a memorial event at the murder site in Perambur but allowing one in Pothur, Tiruvallur, where Armstrong was laid to rest. Courtesy : The Federal Note: This news is originally published on https:/thefederal.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
India: High Court Rules That Transgender Women Are Women
In a landmark judgment, a high court in the world’s most populous nation has ruled that womanhood is not defined by biology and that transgender women are entitled to the same legal protections as cisgender women. The 16 June ruling by the Andhra Pradesh High Court in India came in response to a case brought by Pokala Sabhana, a 24-year-old transgender woman in a heterosexual marriage. Sabhana had filed a complaint against her husband and in-laws under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, which aims to protect women from domestic violence and harassment. The court ruled on both the substance of the complaint as well as her eligibility for protection under the law. On the first count, it found that there was insufficient evidence to support Sabhana’s allegations against the accused and ultimately dismissed her claim. However, it strongly rejected her husband and his family’s argument that Sabhana was not entitled to lodge the complaint in the first place because she could not be considered a “woman” under the law as she cannot bear children. Court Affirms Gender Identity Rights “A trans woman, born male and later transitioning to female, is legally entitled to recognition as a woman,” stated the court. “Denying such protection by questioning their womanhood amounts to discrimination.” The judgement added that the argument that Sabhana, “being a trans woman, cannot be regarded as a ‘woman’ merely because she is incapable of biological reproduction, is deeply flawed and legally impermissible.” The court further concluded that she “cannot be deprived of her right to lodge a complaint against her husband or the relatives of her husband for the alleged offences.” A Stark Contrast to the UK The Indian court’s progressive stance stands in sharp contrast to the UK Supreme Court decision in April, which ruled that the legal definition of “woman” under that country’s Equality Act does not include transgender women. The UK ruling sent shockwaves around the world and has been widely cited by anti-trans groups and campaigners to justify exclusionary and discriminatory agendas. In South Africa, the Democratic Alliance’s Helen Zille caused a firestorm when she applauded the ruling, describing efforts to uphold trans rights as “a contagion as dangerous, socially, as Covid was, medically.” Courtesy : MAMBA Note: This news is originally published on https:/mambaonline.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
India’s First Transgender-Led Health Clinic
Context: India’s first transgender-led health clinic, previously known as Mitr Clinic, has reopened in Hyderabad as Sabrang Clinic with renewed funding from Tata Trusts after facing a shutdown due to USAID’s funding freeze. About India’s First Transgender-Led Health Clinic: What it is? Sabrang Clinic (formerly Mitr Clinic) is India’s first healthcare facility entirely staffed and managed by transgender individuals, offering specialized medical services for the transgender community. Features: Provides gender-affirming care, HIV/AIDS treatment, mental health support, and general healthcare. Ensures a stigma-free, inclusive environment for transgender patients. Significance: Addresses healthcare disparities faced by transgender people due to discrimination in mainstream medical facilities. Empowers the transgender community by creating employment opportunities in healthcare. Relevance for UPSC Syllabus: GS Paper II (Governance): Issues related to marginalized communities, healthcare access, and government policies like the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. GS Paper I (Society): Social empowerment, inclusivity, and challenges faced by transgender persons in India. Essay/Ethics: Questions on equality, discrimination, and ethical healthcare delivery. Courtesy : INSIGHTIAS Note: This news is originally published on https:/insightias.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
National Herald case: ‘Strange, unprecedented,’ Sonia Gandhi’s counsel tells court; cites ‘Hamlet’
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Friday criticised the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) money laundering case against her in connection with the National Herald, calling it “truly a strange case”. Her lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing in a Delhi court, argued that the ED’s case made no sense and compared the situation to staging Hamlet “without the Prince of Denmark”. “This is truly a strange case. More than strange. Unprecedented. This is an alleged case of money laundering, without any property, without use or projection of property,” Singhvi submitted before Special Judge Vishal Gogne. He also pointed to the long delay in ED’s action. “They did nothing for several years and instead picked up a private complaint,” Singhvi said. “They are, obviously, people associated with the Congress. To have the National Herald in a body not associated with the Congress would be worse than having Hamlet without the Prince of Denmark,” he told the court. The ED has accused Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, along with Motilal Vora, Oscar Fernandes, Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda, and others, of laundering money in the alleged fraudulent takeover of assets worth over Rs 2,000 crore belonging to Associated Journals Ltd (AJL), the publisher of the now-defunct National Herald newspaper. The ED in its argument had claimed that Sonia and Rahul Gandhi were “beneficial owners” of Young Indian, a not-for-profit company that took over AJL’s assets after the Congress party gave a Rs 90 crore interest-free loan to AJL. That debt, the ED argues, was fraudulently converted into equity in favour of Young Indian, giving it ownership of AJL’s assets. On July 3, ASG Raju told the court that the entire operation was orchestrated to favour Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, who together held 76% shares in Young Indian. “They (Young Indian) didn’t even have the wherewithal to pay Rs 50 lakh. During this time, Rahul and Sonia were directors of the company along with Sam Pitroda and others,” Raju said. He described it as a “classic case of money laundering” where fabricated rent receipts and fraudulent payments were used to siphon off funds. Singhvi, further argued that the entire purpose of Young Indian was to make AJL debt-free. “Every company is entitled under law and does, every day, make their companies get free by a variety of instruments. So you take away the debt and assign it to another entity. So this company becomes debt free,” he said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Bihar polls: Free sanitary pad packs with Rahul Gandhi’s photo sparks row; ‘this is nothing but an insult,’ say women
PATNA: Congress’s announcement that it would distribute five lakh sanitary pad boxes under its “Priyadarshini Udaan Yojana” triggered a political storm in Bihar on Friday after images of party MP Rahul Gandhi appeared on the boxes. NDA criticised the move, calling it a “direct insult” to women, who have emerged as key voters in recent state elections. Bihar Congress president Rajesh Kumar, speaking in the presence of All India Mahila Congress chief Alka Lamba, said the scheme was aimed at promoting menstrual hygiene awareness among rural women. “We have a special plan for womenfolk in Bihar. We plan to provide free sanitary napkins to women for which we will launch an intensive campaign,” Kumar told reporters. However, controversy erupted when he held up a sanitary pad box displaying Rahul’s photo alongside the INDIA bloc’s proposed “Mai-Bahin Maan Yojana”, which promises Rs 2,500 monthly to women if voted into govt. JD(U) MLC and spokesperson Neeraj Kumar accused Congress of degrading the dignity of women. “Congress seems to have taken a leaf out of the book of its ally, RJD, which has been known for a lumpen style of politics. Our leader Nitish Kumar has been working tirelessly for women’s empowerment and the results are for all to see. But Congress has insulted the dignity of women,” he said. BJP spokesperson Kuntal Krishna echoed the sentiment. “Whatever needs to be done for women in Bihar is being done by govt. But Congress, which is worried about its prospects in the upcoming assembly polls, has shown its ideological bankruptcy. Its leader, Rahul Gandhi, has been notorious for lacking a sense of propriety. The trait seems to have afflicted the party, in which sycophancy reigns supreme,” he said. Women expressed disapproval of the design. “This is nothing but an insult to women who will find the image of a male while using the sanitary pads… Congress is stooping too low to win the support of women voters,” said Pinki Kumari of Muzaffarpur. “If Congress thinks it will get support from women by distributing free napkins with the image of Rahul, then it is sheer stupidity,” she added, arguing the focus should have been on women’s safety. “Rahul is trying to emerge as a ‘Pad Man’ but that is not the way to launch a party campaign,” said Sunita Singh of Vaishali. Defending the campaign, Lamba said, “In the modern era, the question should not be why Rahul-ji’s photo was put on the sanitary napkin box, the real question is why our daughters in Bihar are still forced to use cloth during menstruation and become victims of serious diseases?” She also criticised BJP’s response. “From a ‘sindoor box’ to vaccine certificates, BJP, which prints Modi-ji’s photo on everything, is now troubled by Rahul-ji’s photo. The work that govt should have done, we have started,” Lamba said, crediting Rahul’s “inspiration and visionary thinking” for making the campaign possible. (With PTI inputs) Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
BJP mocks Mallikarjun Kharge’s Telangana visit as ‘political eyewash’; says people misled by Sonia, Rahul Gandhi
HYDERABAD: The Telangana BJP dismissed Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s visit to the state as “political eyewash” and a desperate cover-up for the party’s unfulfilled promises. BJP state chief spokesperson NV Subhash said Kharge’s visit holds little relevance for Telangana’s people, who are still waiting for the implementation of the ‘six guarantees’ Congress promised during the 2023 elections. “It’s been over 18 months since Congress came to power, and not a single key promise has been fulfilled. The people were misled by dynasts Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and now they’re being fed more hollow rhetoric,” Subhash said. He also took a swipe at Kharge’s leadership credentials. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
India-US trade deal: Rahul Gandhi reacts to Piyush Goyal’s ‘national interest’ remark; claims PM Modi to ‘meekly bow’ before Trump
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would “meekly bow” to US President Donald Trump, as New Delhi weighs its interests amid ongoing trade talks with Washington. Gandhi’s remark was a reaction to Commerce and Industry minister Piyush Goyal’s statement, where he said: “We are not working towards any specific deadlines, we are working towards national interest”. Trump has set July 9 as the deadline for trade agreements. “Piyush Goyal can beat his chest all he wants, mark my words, Modi will meekly bow to the Trump tariff deadline,” Gandhi wrote on X. India will enter into a trade agreement with the US only if its interests are protected and it is able to sustain a tariff advantage over its competitors, while prioritising the interests of farmers, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said Friday. Trump had imposed reciprocal tariffs on nearly 100 countries but agreed to a 90-day pause that is to end Tuesday. India was slapped with 26 per cent reciprocal tariffs. There is uncertainty over whether India and US can agree to an early tranche or a mini deal before that even as a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement is negotiated by Fall (Sept-Oct) after a meeting between Trump and PM Modi. For India, lowering tariffs on farm products, such as maize and soybean, as well as dairy products is a concern. While Goyal did not get into the specifics, he said India will not compromise the interests of farm and dairy sectors. “Farmers’ interest is always paramount for Modi government. In any negotiation we have done, you have seen UK, Australia, Mauritius, EFTA and UAE agreements, India’s farmers have been protected.” The government has refrained from offering concessions in major agricultural products, but for US, it is the main focus. While some government officials said US demands were not very clear, for India, Goyal said Indian expectations for duty concessions in labour-intensive sectors were the focus of the trade deal. India was hoping for duty concessions in leather, footwear, textiles and some auto parts in return for reducing levies on automobiles and American whiskey. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
New twist in Prayagraj’s Kerala story, girl told- preparations were on to send her to Saudi Sheikh
The girl has claimed that the training center in Kerala where she was kept was going to get lakhs of rupees from the Saudi Sheikh. Investigation has revealed that preparations were underway to send the victim Dalit girl to Saudi Arabia on a work visa. A new twist has come in the case of taking a Dalit girl from Prayagraj to Kerala and converting her religion. The victim girl has told the police that the gang that trapped her had given her training in Islamic ways and preparations were on to take her to Saudi. She was going to get lakhs of rupees from the Sheikh The girl has claimed that the training center in Kerala where she was kept was going to get lakhs of rupees from the Saudi Sheikh. Investigation has revealed that preparations were underway to send the victim Dalit girl to Saudi Arabia on a work visa. This victim Dalit girl had earlier alleged that she was trapped and taken to Kerala and her religion was converted there. Police interrogated for five hours ATS has also joined the investigation of the case of taking this girl from Prayagraj to Kerala and allegedly converting her religion. Police interrogated this girl for five hours. Meanwhile, Prayagraj Police is investigating this network of Kerala. Was being taught the ways of living like Muslims This girl has told that in the training center of Kerala, she was being taught the ways of living like Muslims and was not allowed to go out without wearing a hijab. This girl has claimed that this network of Kerala brings girls from Uttar Pradesh to Kerala and gives them training and then sends them to Saudi Arabia. In this case, the police have arrested two people so far and the rest can also be arrested. The side of the arrested people in this case has not yet come to the fore. It is also not yet known how many girls have been taken from UP to Kerala and sent to Saudi Arabia or Gulf countries. Courtesy : Krishna Rai, Hindi News
INTERVIEW | I want PMK in DMK alliance to strengthen Dalit-OBC unity: TNCC chief Selvaperunthagai
BJP is trying to divide people through the Murugan conference in Madurai and similar moves; it’s dangerous but will fail, said the TNCC president. In an interview with TNIE’s S Kumaresan and Pon Vasanth B A, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K Selvaperunthagai says that while VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan, who is opposed to PMK joining the DMK-led alliance, can decide what is good for his party, the DMK president and leader of the alliance Chief Minister MK Stalin can decide who can be welcomed into the alliance. He also spoke about the AIADMK-BJP alliance and the long-term measures he is implementing to strengthen the TNCC at the grassroots level. Your recent meeting with PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss raised eyebrows. Later, you said you would welcome PMK joining the DMK-led alliance for the 2026 Assembly elections. As I said earlier, my meeting with Dr Ramadoss was purely a courtesy call. But if you ask how there could be no politics, then yes, both of us are politicians and I am a leader of a party. We would have discussed everything. However, only DMK president and Chief Minister MK Stalin, the leader of our alliance in Tamil Nadu, is in a position to decide on the alliance. The DMK president has said many times that the present alliance is not merely an electoral formation, but an ideological alliance with a united voice on key issues like federalism and secularism. Would the inclusion of PMK, which sided with the BJP even in 2024 Lok Sabha elections, be organic? Has PMK not been part of the DMK alliance in 2006 and 2011? When it comes to politics, we can never say things are permanent. Parties are contesting from different platforms at different times. VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan has been vocal about their reluctance and has even said the VCK would leave if PMK entered the alliance. Would your suggestion not put your existing long-standing ally in a difficult spot? Thirumavalavan has every right to decide for his party, whether to be in the alliance or not and how to face the election. At the same time, the DMK president has the right to decide on who can be included or not. We should acknowledge that VCK, PMK and Congress were part of the DMK alliance in the 2011 Assembly elections. But the chasm between the VCK and PMK widened only after that, with the riots in Dharmapuri (2012) and Marakkanam (2013) and PMK accusing Scheduled Caste youths of enacting “nadaga kathal” (fake love) and even forming a coalition of caste organisations against inter-caste marriages… In their (VCK) perspective, it is right. But from a broader perspective, even if you look at global politics, Japan is an ally of the US even though the latter dropped two nuclear bombs in Japan (during World War II). Importantly, Babasaheb Dr Ambedkar, who both VCK and I consider as our leader, advocated for Dalits and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) to unite to capture political power even way back in 1936 when he launched the Independent Labour Party (ILP). He was against the sharpening of contradictions between the two. He reiterated the same on April 25, 1948 at a conference in the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh). Leave the two parties (VCK and PMK) aside. The Adi Dravidars (SC) and OBCs should be united is my perspective and desire. Besides this long-term goal, do you think PMK is needed in the DMK-led alliance for it to win the 2026 elections? The CM will decide whether they are needed or not. I am not in a position to say that. Today, we have VCK and PMK. What about 25, 50 or 100 years down the line? I am talking for the future generations of the two communities. At the same time, I want to emphasise that the present INDI alliance remains strong and intact. How do you see the BJP’s political mobilisation in Tamil Nadu? They are trying to divide people through the Murugan conference (held last month in Madurai) and such initiatives. It is dangerous, but will not succeed. Will the AIADMK-BJP alliance be able to put up a tough fight? I have been saying that their alliance is full of contradictions. How did the AIADMK join the alliance after saying that they would never ally with the BJP, citing criticisms levelled against their late leaders J Jayalalithaa and MGR. The party cadre won’t accept it. Former AIADMK ministers were sitting idle when Periyar (Periyar EV Ramasamy) and Anna (CN Annadurai) were insulted at the recent Murugan conference. They are also differing about the idea of coalition government. As the state president of a national party, what is your take on the demand for coalition governments in Tamil Nadu? As state president, I cannot decide on such policy matters. Only the All India Congress Committee can decide (on power sharing, seat sharing). They will discuss with the DMK and decide during elections. Though the AIADMK-BJP alliance has contradictions in your view, they are trying to rally around allegations of corruption and deteriorating law and order against the DMK government. Won’t it resonate with the people? It will not. Look at the statistics and compare the present situation with the number of murders, custodial deaths, and riots that happened during the previous AIADMK regime. They have definitely come down. However, such incidents should be completely avoided in my view. Law and order situation should be improved further. Custodial deaths should never happen. The government cannot become complacent because the numbers have come down. There is a perception that Congress is not strongly taking up protests on issues of public importance, unlike your other allies, like the CPM, in Tamil Nadu’s context… We are continuously protesting on important issues. Which issue have we ignored? In the recent custodial death (in Sivaganga), we have issued a strong statement. We supported the workers of Samsung India in their protest and urged the state government to find a solution. You can
CB given two weeks to probe dalit worker’s harrassment
T’puram: Pathanamthitta crime branch DSP has been given two weeks to investigate allegations of police harassment against a dalit domestic worker. The case involves claims that the worker endured 20 hours of mental harassment by police over accusations of gold chain theft. During a hearing led by SHRC chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas, the DSP appeared in person. The case will be reviewed again on Aug 4 at the commission office. Justice Thomas earlier ordered that an officer from outside Thiruvananthapuram district was appointed to investigate. The commission instructed that the district police chief should consult with the South Zone IG to appoint an investigating officer. SHRC has specifically requested that the victim’s statement be recorded in the presence of a female lawyer. It was suggested that the secretary of the district legal services society appoint the female lawyer. TNN Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.