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Monday,12-October-2026
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BJP Mahila Morcha protests at Cong HQs over sexual harassment row involving MP Bimol Akoijam

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New Delhi, Oct 12: BJP Mahila Morcha workers on Monday staged a protest outside the Congress headquarters on Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg in New Delhi, over sexual harassment allegations against Congress MP and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam.

The protesters raised slogans demanding justice for about a dozen female students who have levelled allegations against Akoijam. One of the slogans was, “JNU ki 11 betiyan nyay ki hakdaar betiyan” (JNU’s 11 daughters deserve justice).

Another slogan called on the Congress leadership to respond and take action against its MP. The protesters also staged demonstrations in Bengaluru, demanding action in the matter.

Earlier on Monday, Delhi Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) following a complaint lodged by JNU’s Chief Security Officer, days after the allegations surfaced.

According to officials, the FIR was registered at the Vasant Kunj North police station on Sunday, October 11, under Sections 75, 75(1)(i), 75(1)(iv) and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Akoijam has been named in the FIR, and police are investigating the matter.

According to media reports, at least 11 female students filed sexual harassment complaints against Akoijam in May. The complaints alleged that he had invited students to his campus residence under the pretext of meetings or gatherings and attempted to sexually harass them. Some students also alleged that he made obscene and inappropriate remarks in the classroom.

The allegations were reportedly examined during an inquiry that preceded the university’s decision to dismiss him from his position.

On Sunday, the BJP also questioned the Congress leadership, particularly Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, over its alleged silence on the matter. The party asked whether Gandhi’s earlier “Smash the Patriarchy” remark was merely political rhetoric.

Addressing a press conference, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj said, “Today, while we are worshipping Maa Shailputri, I am bringing a very serious issue concerning the daughters of this country before you. JNU has dismissed Congress MP Bimol Akoijam from his job over allegations of sexual misconduct. In 2024, not one or two, but 11 students filed sexual harassment complaints against him. JNU constituted an Internal Committee under the POSH Act, which, after a detailed probe, immediately dismissed Akoijam.”

Swaraj criticised the Congress leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi, for not publicly commenting on the allegations.

“Is ‘Smash the Patriarchy’ only political rhetoric for you? It seems that this incident reflects the hypocrisy of the Congress. For them, feminism starts with a hashtag and ends when it comes to accountability,” she said.

Questioning the party’s position, Swaraj added, “Is women’s respect just restricted to being a slogan and not a policy of the Congress party?”

Crime

Ambulance-borne thieves wearing nighties target ATM in Telangana

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Hyderabad, Oct 12: Unidentified thieves wearing nighties and masks, who arrived in an ambulance, looted an ATM in Telangana Kamareddy district on Sunday, officials said on Monday.

According to police, the burglars broke into a State Bank of India (SBI) ATM and, after damaging the machine with gas cutters, escaped with the cash. The crime, committed between 1 a.m. and 1.30 a.m. in Gandhari village, was captured on the CCTV camera.

The footage shows the offenders arriving in an ambulance, wearing masks, caps and gloves, cutting open the ATM with gas cutters and fleeing with cash. The suspects appear to be men. However, police have not ruled out the involvement of women as a woman was involved in the recent theft at an ATM in Karimnagar district.

The theft came to light on Monday morning after locals noticed the damaged machine and alerted the police. The police reached the scene, registered a case, and collected evidence with the assistance of a clues team.

Investigators are examining CCTV footage to identify the suspects and reconstruct their movements before and after the robbery. The amount of cash stolen remains unconfirmed, with verification of the ATM’s cash balance required to establish the loss.

Police are also investigating whether the ambulance used in the crime was genuine or it was just to disguise their movements.

Last month, burglars damaged two ATMs and looted cash in Telangana’s Karimnagar town. The offenders targeted two ATMs of the SBI in two different areas, using gas cutters to break open the machines and fled with the cash.

The thefts, committed in Durshed under Karimnagar Rural Police Station limits and Thimmapur under LMD Police Station limits on September 19, were captured on CCTV.

At Durshed, the thieves allegedly sprayed a liquid on the CCTV cameras before stealing the cash from the ATM.

Police identified the involvement of a woman based on the CCTV footage.

Two burglars, including a woman, reached the Durshed ATM in a car. The accused were wearing caps, spectacles, gloves and masks.

After damaging the ATM, they took away Rs 8 lakh stored in the machine.

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Crime

Assam Rifles seize methamphetamine tablets worth over Rs 2 crore in Tripura, one arrested

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Agartala, Oct 12: The Assam Rifles have seized highly addictive methamphetamine tablets worth over Rs 2 crore and arrested a suspected drug peddler in Tripura, officials said on Monday.

A defence spokesman said that the Assam Rifles, in a joint operation with Assam Rifles Field Intelligence Unit (ARFIU) and Customs Department, Agartala, apprehended a suspected drug peddler and recovered 1.994 kg of methamphetamine tablets, also known as Yaba tablets, worth approximately Rs 2 crore at Mohanpur in West Tripura District.

A bike was also seized from the individual, a resident of Mohanpur.

The apprehended suspected drug peddler, recovered contraband, and the two-wheeler were subsequently handed over to the Customs Department, Agartala, for further investigation.

Assam Rifles remains committed to combating drug trafficking and the narcotics menace in Tripura through coordinated operations with other law enforcement agencies, contributing towards a drug-free society, an Assam Rifles statement said.

The methamphetamine tablets, also known as party tablets, containing a mixture of methamphetamine and caffeine, also called the ‘crazy drug’, are banned in India.

Meanwhile, the Assam Rifles, in coordination with Customs, in two separate operations last week, have seized 841 kg of ganja (marijuana) worth around Rs 4.24 crore in Tripura’s Khowai district.

A defence spokesman said that as part of a crackdown on narcotics trafficking, the Assam Rifles, in coordination with Customs officials, conducted both operations.

Police officials said that the state police, Assam Rifles, Tripura State Rifles (TSR) and other security forces, in joint operations, often destroy illicit ganja cultivation in different parts of the state, especially in Sepahijala district, which shares a border with Bangladesh.

According to a police official, dry ganja produced in Tripura is not consumed locally and is smuggled to various states, including Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, where it fetches higher prices. During transportation, consignments of dry ganja are often seized from trucks, small vehicles and even passenger trains.

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National News

Jantar Mantar de-notified as ‘designated’ protest site; three new venues allocated

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New Delhi, Oct 12: Jantar Mantar has been de-notified as the “designated” protesting site, Delhi Police said on Monday.

New guidelines for protests have been issued under Delhi Police Standing Order No. L&O/48/2026.

According to the Delhi Police, the decision was taken based on the recommendations of a Home Ministry committee.

“Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, had constituted a Committee to examine alternative proper venues for citizens’ right for organising protest/demonstrations in place of the existing ‘designated site’,” read the official statement.

“Based on the Committee’s recommendations, Jantar Mantar as a protest venue has been de-notified,” it further read.

Three new locations in Delhi — Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and East Delhi’s CBD Ground — have been designated for protests.

“Detailed and revised SOP for organising protest/demonstrations at these three venues will be issued separately. This is in partial modification of earlier Standing Order No. L&O/48/22 dated 28.04.2022,” the statement read.

This comes against the backdrop of the protests in the national capital against the Election Commission of India (ECI).

The announcement comes as the Congress-led INDIA bloc planned to march towards the Supreme Court to protest against the Election Commission and demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise.

Security deployment has also continued around Jantar Mantar, the designated protest site in the national capital.

Barricades were seen blocking access roads to the area on Sunday, while police personnel remained deployed at key intersections to regulate movement and prevent unauthorised gatherings.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Traffic Police has warned commuters of possible disruptions across New Delhi and central Delhi on Monday.

According to the advisory, restrictions or diversions may be imposed at around 30 locations to manage traffic and maintain security during the Opposition’s planned demonstration.

Several major roads and intersections are likely to be affected, including the Dhaula Kuan flyover, Jhandewalan, Patel Chowk, Panchkuian, Connaught Place, Mandi House, Lodhi Road flyover, Bhikaji Cama Place and Moti Bagh flyover.

Other stretches where commuters may face restrictions or delays include Jantar Mantar Road, Ashoka Road, Sansad Marg and Tolstoy Marg.

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