Varanasi: ‘Amit’ turns out to be ‘Aftab’… Married posing as a Hindu, then began a game of conversion and brutality.
Varanasi News: A sensational case of love jihad has come to light in Varanasi. A young man named Aftab, posing as ‘Amit’, lured a Dalit woman into a love trap and married her according to Hindu customs. Everything was fine until the truth was hidden, but once the truth was revealed, the woman was pressured to convert and was tortured when she resisted. The victim has also filed a serious rape charge against her brother-in-law. Police have registered a case and deployed teams to search for the absconding accused, Aftab. Varanasi News: A case of love jihad and fraud has come to light in the religious city of Kashi, which has shocked everyone. A Muslim man, posing as ‘Amit’, not only lured a Dalit woman into his love trap but also married her according to Hindu customs. But before the wedding vermilion had even dried, the young woman discovered Amit’s true identity as “Aftab,” and her life became a living hell. A trap was laid under the pretext of providing employment. The entire incident took place in the Kotwali police station area of Varanasi. The victim, a Dalit, works as a waiter at weddings to support herself. In 2024, she met a young man named Amit, who contracted waiters at weddings. Under the pretext of providing employment, Amit obtained her mobile number and gradually began to grow closer to her. A temple ritual revealed his true identity. The accused first engaged in physical relations with the young woman under the pretense of marriage. In March 2025, he solemnly married her according to Hindu rituals. The victim believed she had found her life partner, but the reality was far different. A few days after the wedding, when the young man took her to his original home in Harhua, Varanasi, the young woman was devastated by the conditions there. She discovered that the man she thought was ‘Amit’ was actually Aftab. Pressure to Convert and the Brutality of Her Brother-in-law As the truth came out, Aftab and his family changed their stance. The victim alleges that Aftab began pressuring her to convert (marry him). When she resisted, she was brutally beaten. The victim has made another shocking allegation: Aftab’s elder brother (brother-in-law) also raped her. She managed to escape the clutches of the brutal men and reached her parents’ home and told her family the entire incident. Police registered a case; the accused is still at large. The police have taken the matter seriously following the victim’s complaint, who accompanied her family to the Kotwali police station. Police have registered a case against accused Aftab and his family under serious charges including fraud, forced conversion, and rape. Accused Aftab has been absconding since the incident. Police have formed several teams to arrest him and are conducting raids at possible hideouts. Varanasi police claim that the accused will soon be behind bars. Reported by: Ravi Pandey, Edited by: Rahul Goel About the Author Rahul Goel works for News18 Hindi Hyperlocal (UP, Uttarakhand, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh). He has over 16 years of experience in the media industry. Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit teen girl’s rape and murder in Ghazipur sparks political storm ahead of PM Modi’s UP visit
The case intensified politically after a Samajwadi Party delegation visiting the family on April 22 was attacked with stones in the village, leaving several people, including police personnel, injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Uttar Pradesh on April 29 to inaugurate the Ganga Expressway, even as a political controversy continues to escalate over the death of a teenage Dalit girl in Ghazipur district. The incident has triggered sharp political reactions and competing visits to the affected village, with Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav set to meet the bereaved family on the same day as the Prime Minister’s visit to Hardoi. Opposition parties have demanded swift justice and strict action against those found responsible. The girl, reportedly around 17 years old, went missing on the night of April 14. Her body was later recovered from the Ganga river on April 15 in the Karanda area. While the family has alleged sexual assault and murder, police have said they are investigating all possible angles, including initial findings that point to drowning and a possible suicide linked to a prior relationship with the main accused. A case has been registered and the principal accused has been arrested, officials said. Police have also stated that the post-mortem report indicated drowning, and further investigation is underway. The case intensified politically after a Samajwadi Party delegation visiting the family on April 22 was attacked with stones in the village, leaving several people, including police personnel, injured. Authorities have arrested 10 individuals in connection with the violence. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi alleged that the victim belonged to the Vishwakarma community and claimed she had been raped and murdered, adding that the family was threatened to deter them from filing a complaint. He also called for action against police officials and demanded a high-level investigation. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also criticised the administration, alleging that rising atrocities against women and delays in registering cases reflect administrative failure in the state. Senior police officials, including the Additional Director General of Police for Varanasi zone, visited the village and met the family. They said the family had expressed satisfaction with the ongoing investigation and requested a fast-track trial. Authorities have meanwhile urged political parties to avoid statements or actions that could inflame tensions in the area, warning that strict action will be taken against those attempting to disturb public order. 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
Dalit murder case: YSRCP MLC Ananta Udaya Bhaskar sent to 14-day judicial custody
Udaya Bhaskar was taken into custody for intimidating four witnesses in the 2022 Dalit youth murder case and violating the bail conditions of the Supreme Court, say police The court has sent YSRCP MLC Ananta Udaya Bhaskar, who is facing the charges of criminal conspiracy, criminal intimidation and extortion of four witnesses in the Dalit youth murder case in Kakinada city, to 14-day judicial custody on Saturday. The Sarpavaram police, who arrested Mr. Udaya Bhaskar in Rajamahendravaram on Friday, produced him before the court on Saturday. “Mr. Udaya Bhaskar has been sent to Rajahmundry Central Prison on a 14-day judicial custody,” Kakinada District Superintendent of Police G. Bindu Madhav said. On May 19, 2022, Mr. Udaya Bhaskar allegedly dumped the body of his former car driver, Veedhi Subramanyam, and a 26-year-old Dalit youth, in Kakinada city. He was arrested on May 23, 2022. In December 2022, the Supreme Court granted him bail in the case. Investigation Officer G. Chenna Kesava said that Mr. Udaya Bhaskar was taken into custody for intimidating the four witnesses in the 2022 Dalit youth murder case and violating the bail conditions of the Supreme Court. The Sarpavaram police (Kakinada city) registered the case under Section 61 BNS (Criminal conspiracy) and 351 (2) (Criminal Intimidation) and Extortion (308 (5) against Mr. Udaya Bhaskar. Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Khargone: Dalit bride and groom denied entry into temple; police forced them to visit, community cuts off access to food and water.
In Padlya Gawli village, Khargone, a Dalit couple was punished for worshipping at a temple, leading the entire village council to turn against them. The police reopened the temple, but the village shops have now refused to supply the family with milk and rations. Khargone: Shocking news has emerged from Padlya Gawli village, under the Gogawan police station area of Khargone district, Madhya Pradesh. A newlywed Dalit couple has alleged that they were barred from entering the local Hanuman temple. Furthermore, they were subsequently socially boycotted as per the panchayat’s decision. Video released on social media Farmer and dholak player Nirmal Kanade alleged in a video released on social media that he and his wife and family had visited the temple on Friday, the day after their wedding, but the committee closed the temple gates and asked them to worship outside. A complaint was subsequently filed on Dial 112, prompting police to arrive at the scene, opening the temple and allowing the couple to perform puja. Police Opened the Temple and Allowed the Couple to Perform Darshan Khargone SP Ravindra Verma stated that upon receiving the information, the Ahirkheda police outpost in-charge was dispatched to the scene, and the temple was opened, allowing the bride and groom and their families to perform the puja and perform the rituals. The dispute escalated after the temple reopened. According to Gogawan Police Station in-charge Deepak Yadav, the other parties objected to the temple being opened after the scheduled time and special arrangements being made for the darshan. Community Seniors Provide Explanation Senior members of the Patel, Banjara, and Gawli communities, among others, offered a different perspective, stating that the temple’s darshan time had expired, which is why the gates were closed. They also alleged that the couple and their family were attempting to enter the temple wearing slippers. Furthermore, local tradition prohibits women from approaching the Hanuman statue, which is why they were denied permission. Even tea leaves and milk were not available. According to the police, after the darshan, some members of the Dalit community allegedly used offensive language against other communities. Following this, a panchayat was called in the village. According to the station in-charge, the panchayat decided to not employ certain individuals and impose a social boycott. Upon receiving the complaint, the police immediately reopened the temple and performed the puja. The social boycott complaint is serious. Both parties are being counseled and counseled. Maintaining peace in the area is our priority. Following the boycott decision, members of the groom’s community recorded videos of goods being denied at three different shops. The family says that shopkeepers, citing the panchayat’s decision, refused to provide even tea leaves and milk. Some shopkeepers threatened to pay fines if they provided goods. Police trying to reach a compromise SP Ravindra Verma stated that after receiving the complaint of social boycott, the police arranged a meeting between the two parties. In the meeting held on Saturday evening, both parties were counseled separately. Police say efforts are underway to reconcile the two communities so that the situation can return to normal. Edited by: Akash Sikarwar•Reported by: Animesh Jain About the Author Akash Sikarwar works as a consultant for the Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh digital team of NavbharatTimes.com. He has over seven years of experience in print, web, and broadcast journalism. Courtesy: Hindi News
Grievance meeting: Dalit functionaries seek action over subsidy fraud targeted at women
Mangaluru: Dalit functionaries have demanded action against a man accused of duping several women on the pretext of arranging bank subsidies. At the SC/ST grievance meeting held at the city police commissioner’s office on Saturday, Dalit functionary SP Anand alleged that Mohammed Ummar reportedly collected between Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 each from around 15-20 women in and around Pandeshwar, assuring them of subsidies. However, the women did not receive any benefits, and the accused allegedly failed to turn up on the promised date. Anand also suspected that more women could have fallen victim to the fraud. Responding to the complaint, DCP (law and order) Mithun HN directed the police station concerned to register a case and initiate action. Paurakarmika Sangha president Anil Kumar alleged that women sanitation workers who had filed a sexual harassment complaint against a Mangaluru City Corporation sanitation inspector, now absconding after an FIR, were being threatened to withdraw the case. Since he claimed that there were call recordings, the DCP directed officials to collect call recordings and register a case. Anand and Anil Kumar also alleged that a senior sanitation worker couple were paid meagre wages without any benefits. To this, DCRE Mangaluru Range SP Simon CA said the matter would be verified upon examining relevant documents and asked leaders to follow up at his office. Concerns were also raised about anti-social elements creating a nuisance in Kudkorigudde and claimed they were not allowed to put up a banner for Ambedkar Jayanti. The DCP said organisers must remove banners and flexes immediately after events and that such conditions should be included while granting permission. On the proposed Ambedkar Circle, ACP (traffic) Najma Farooqi said reports from the traffic police, NITK and MCC engineers had been submitted to the deputy commissioner. DCP (crime and traffic) K Ravishankar suggested that a Dr BR Ambedkar statue could be installed at the ‘V’-shaped junction at the end of Light House Hill Road towards Ambedkar Circle. A representative urged the police to hold grievance meetings at the community level to improve outreach. Leaders also sought justice for a deceased woman, alleging that a sub-contractor had misappropriated funds belonging to her. When a woman raised a past domestic violence incident, the DCP (law & order) directed Surathkal police to visit her house under the Police Mane Mane Beti programme. The DCP (crime) said if SC/ST-related cases are not resolved at the inspector level, leaders should approach ACPs for redressal. 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 girl case probe: Andhra Pradesh HC raps police
Expressing serious concern, the court criticized the police for failing to support the victim and instead allegedly pressuring her family to withdraw the criminal case. VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh High Court has come down heavily on the police for allegedly attempting to shield ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders accused of sexually harassing a minor Dalit girl in West Godavari district on Friday. Expressing serious concern, the court criticized the police for failing to support the victim and instead allegedly pressuring her family to withdraw the criminal case. The case pertains to a complaint filed by a 13-year-old girl on February 18 in Bhimavaram, accusing local political leader Chennu Chanti and his son of sexual harassment and caste-based abuse. Based on her complaint, a case was registered under relevant provisions, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. However, the victim’s family later approached the High Court, alleging that police officials were threatening them to withdraw the case and were not conducting a fair investigation. During the hearing, Justice Yadawalli Lakshmana Rao strongly reprimanded the police, questioning their conduct and impartiality. The court observed that it is the duty of the police to investigate the complaint thoroughly and file a charge sheet, rather than speculate about alleged political motives behind the complaint. The judge expressed displeasure over statements made by Bhimavaram DSP Raghuveer Vishnu, who reportedly suggested political involvement in the case. “Do you have divine insight to claim political motives?” the court asked, adding that such determinations fall within the jurisdiction of the judiciary, not the police. The judge further criticised the delay in arresting the accused, noting that the incident occurred in February but no significant progress had been made. The court also expressed shock after reviewing parts of the victim’s complaint, stating that the allegations reflected disturbing and shameful conduct that would make any civilised society ‘bow its head in shame.’ It accused the police of derailing the investigation and acting under external pressure. In strong remarks, the court told the officials to resign from the service if they were unable to withstand political pressure. It also questioned the alleged intimidation of the victim’s mother and emphasised that the police must act lawfully and independently. Finding the DSP’s explanation unsatisfactory, the court directed the West Godavari Superintendent of Police to appear in person with all case records. The matter has been adjourned to May 1 for further hearing. 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
The Dalit settlement in Humayunpur North will receive a new water supply connection.
Due to the water crisis in Gorakhpur, General Manager Raghuvendra Kumar and Sub-Engineer Surya Sen Malla inspected the Dalit settlement. Local residents expressed their anger over the lack of water supply. Following this, the Jalkal Department initiated the interconnection of a new pipeline and assured the provision of water tankers as needed. Gorakhpur, Chief Correspondent. Finally, on the tenth day, Jalkal General Manager Raghuvendra Kumar, along with Sub-Engineer Surya Sen Malla, visited the Dalit settlement on Humayunpur North Main Road in Digvijaynagar Ward No. 16 to inspect the area. Local residents expressed their anger vehemently. Following the General Manager’s instructions, the Jalkal Department began the work of reconnecting the water supply pipelines in the Dalit settlements. For the past 10 days, residents of the slums on Humayunpur North Main Road have been facing a drinking water crisis in the scorching heat. Local residents have been complaining to Councilor Rishi Mohan Verma. Following the councilor’s complaint, the Jalkal department provided a water tanker, but the problem remained unresolved. A few days ago, following pressure from the councilor, the interconnection pipeline at the main intersection and the street corner was dug up and inspected, but no solution was found. Local residents and the councilor allege that water is not reaching people’s homes due to insufficient pressure. Finally, after councilor Rishi Mohan Verma and local residents applied pressure, Jalkal Manager Raghuvendra Kumar and Sub-Engineer Suryasen Mall arrived on the scene on Friday. They assured that the water supply pipeline to the Dalit settlement would be reconnected to the main pipeline. They directed the work to begin immediately. Until then, two water tankers will be provided regularly. Courtesy: Hindi News
Bike snatched in Ayodhya, ‘goonda tax’ demanded: Dalit harassment case registered on SSP’s instructions
A case of snatching a bike and demanding ‘goonda tax’ in exchange for its return has come to light in the Bikapur Kotwali area of Ayodhya district. On the orders of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), the Kotwali police have registered a case against one named and several unidentified accused under serious sections, including Dalit harassment. Shiv Shankar, a resident of Vaijapur Shivgarh in Sultanpur district, stated in his complaint to the SSP that he belongs to the Scheduled Caste. His daughter, Rinku Kumari, is married to Rohit Kumar, a resident of Khajuri village in the Bikapur area. He had gifted his daughter a Bajaj Pulsar bike, financed by Bajaj Finance, as a wedding gift. According to Shiv Shankar, on March 30, 2026, his daughter and son-in-law had gone to the Community Health Center in Bikapur. During the incident, some people assaulted them, hurling casteist slurs at them, and snatched their bike. After reporting the incident to Dial 112, police arrived at the scene, apprehended the accused, and brought them to the police station. Police then stated that some installments on the bike were outstanding. The victim contacted the finance company and paid all outstanding installments on April 9, 2026, and obtained a NOC (No Objection Certificate) and a No-Dues Certificate. The company clarified that there were no outstanding dues on the vehicle and it could be returned. Despite this, it is alleged that Romesh Patel (address unknown), the bike snatcher, is demanding a “goonda tax” in exchange for returning the vehicle. The victim submitted a petition to the Bikapur police station, requesting the return of the bike, but the police initially refused to register a report. Action was taken after the matter reached the SSP. Inspector-in-Charge Amarendra Bahadur Singh stated that a case has been registered on the SSP’s instructions, and legal action is being taken. Kaushal Kumar Shukla | Bikapur (Ayodhya), Courtesy: Hindi News
Maharashtra | Quotas within quota
The volatile debate over SC sub-categorisation sharpens in the state. In special focus is the Buddhist Dalit cohort Before caste quotas return to the national headlines with the Census, Maharashtra is offering a sneak preview of the wars that lie ahead—with a proposed quota within a quota for Dalits. The siege is on the very birthplace of reservations in India, centred around Buddhist Dalits, the erstwhile Mahars, who exited Hinduism with Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar in 1956. So the chief question is on uneven development within Dalit communities, but a volatile subclause has been tagged: religion. The Scheduled Castes have a 13 per cent quota. In 2011, they numbered around 13.2 million out of Maharashtra’s 112.3 million population. Hindu Dalit bodies allege Buddhist Dalits, the largest sub-bloc at about 60 per cent, secure most of the benefits; the latter refute this narrative. ‘HINDU VS BUDDHIST’ This old debate will now be addressed within a formal process. In March, a one-man committee under former Patna High Court judge Anant Manohar Badar submitted its report on sub-categorisation of SC reservations. The state has appointed another committee, under chief secretary Rajesh Aggarwal, to invite suggestions and objections and conduct hearings—though the report is not public yet. A total of 59 castes are in the state’s SC list. Despite a rise in reach, the Sangh parivar has struggled to shed its Brahminical image. With disruptions in the Dalit sphere like Bhima-Koregaon behind it, Sangh affiliates have countered with inroads into Hindu Dalit groups like the Matangs and Charmakars, who form the bulk of Hindu Dalits. New ring-fencing of categories, they say, will protect their interests. This has a precedent in the state’s 30 per cent OBC quota: 11 per cent within that is set aside for Vimukta Jati (VJ) and Nomadic Tribes (NTs); the latter spectrum is further subdivided into denotified tribes or VJ (3 per cent), NT B-category (2.5 per cent), C-category (Dhangars, 3.5 per cent) and D-category (Vanjaris, 2 per cent). RESERVATIONS OVER IT Such a prospect for Dalits splits even the Mahayuti into a spectrum of opinions. Some BJP leaders, like MLC Amit Gorkhe, seek sub-quotas; others, like former BJP Rajya Sabha MP Amar Sable and ex-minister and NCP MLA Rajkumar Badole, well, have reservations. Sable demands a “fact-finding committee” to prove uneven benefits. Badole questions the haste around the Badar panel. “The new Census will yield contemporary data on the economic, educational, and political progress made by various SC casteswhy not first wait for its results,” he asks. Badole also puts his finger on the key political point: any quota within a quota would divide the sense of consolidation among Dalits, whom he calls a homogenous class insofar as having been equal victims of untouchability. “A Presidential order is needed to include a caste in the SC category. How can it be left to the discretion of states to go in for sub-categorisation?” he asks. Opposition leaders like Dr Amb-edkar’s grandson Prakash and former Congress minister Nitin Raut, too, have slammed the move. Raut questions the empirical and technical basis of the exercise, and asks how political reservations would be split. Five Lok Sabha seats and 29 assembly seats in Maharashtra are reserved for SCs. Vikram Gaikwad of the Matang Samaj Sangh, a face of the second largest Dalit group, insists quotas presently pass over “the deprived sections”. Splitting them into four sub-categories will ensure all castes will benefit, instead of a select few, goes the line. The government says the process is on, though social justice minister Sanjay Shirsat admits the Badar report needs to be made public for the public to file their objections and suggestions. Outside the policymaking sphere, the move promises to run into the main current of Dalit empowerment politics. Sociologist P.G. Jogdand, former dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Mumbai, says sub-categorisation is not in line with the constitutional scheme. “This is part of divide-and-rule politics,” he alleges. Refuting the contention that Buddhist Dalits had “cornered” quota benefits, he says the community is simply more numerous and was also the first to take to education and hence enabled to avail the opportunities. The counter is six decades old. In 1965, the B.N. Lokur committee had noted: “It has been in evidence for some time now that a lion’s share [of quota benefits] is appropriated by numerically larger and politically well-organised communities. The smaller and more backward communities have tended to get lost, though more deserving of special aid.” That was the logic behind the Supreme Court’s August 2024 permission for state-level sub-quotas. Dhaval S. Kulkarni 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
Disabled Dalit groom assaulted for riding horse
The police have so far arrested four persons in connection with the incident. n a shocking incident, a disabled Dalit groom riding on a horse during his wedding was forcibly pulled off the horse, abused with racial slurs and thrashed by some the upper caste men in a village in the Damoh district of Madhya Pradesh. According to Damoh SP Shrutkirti Somvanshi, all the four arrested persons have been booked under the SC/ST Act and were produced in a court on Friday afternoon, from where they were sent to jail. The SP said that the police have also written to the Damoh Collector to take stringent action against the accused under the National Security ACT (NSA). The incident occurred two days ago in village Bijori Pathak when the disabled Dalit groom, Golu Ahirwar, was riding a horse during his wedding ceremony. He was manhandled and hurled with casteist abuses before being beaten up. Some of his family members, including women and elderly, were also assaulted. 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