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Danish Siddiqui’s parents file new evidence against Taliban at ICC

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Even as Danish Siddiqui, the photo-journalist who was tortured and killed by the Taliban, was formally awarded his second Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography — for his groundbreaking work in documenting the COVID crisis in India — posthumously, his parents, Prof. Akhtar Siddiqui and Shahida Akhtar have filed additional evidence pertaining to their complaint, dated March 22, 2022, with the International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor, asking for an investigation into their son’s killing and bringing those responsible to justice.

The evidence comprises affidavits, a medical opinion on the autopsy, and the copy of a WhatsApp chat that allegedly took place between members of the Taliban.

On July 16, 2021, Siddiqui, who was embedded by Reuters with the Afghan Special Forces in Spin Boldak, was injured in an attack by the Taliban. He was taken to a mosque, historically a place of refuge, for medical treatment. The mosque was attacked by the Taliban, and Danish was taken into custody, tortured and murdered. Reports say that he was attacked by the Red Unit of the Taliban. After his killing, his body was mutilated, including being run over by a heavy vehicle in public. His body revealed marks of torture and 12 bullet entry and exit points. These were received after his capture, as his bulletproof jacket had no bullet marks.

A report published by the ‘Washington Examiner’, says, “The Taliban are always brutal but likely took their cruelty to a new level because Siddiqui was Indian.”

“Danish was murdered by the Taliban for simply carrying out his journalistic duties,” said the late photojournalist’s mother, Shahida Akhtar. “While his second Pulitzer Prize makes us proud, we hope that the International Criminal Court will bring those responsible for his torture and death to justice.”

The International Criminal Court has been engaged in an ongoing investigation on international crimes, including crimes against humanity and war crimes, in Afghanistan, over which it has jurisdiction after Afghanistan’s government acceded to the Rome Statute.

“The new evidence that we have submitted to the International Criminal Court, along with what has been submitted till date, goes far in proving the culpability of the Taliban, including their leadership, in this heinous crime,” said Avi Singh, the lawyer representing Danish Siddiqui’s family.

Crime

Two Held With ₹68 Lakh Cash Near India-Myanmar Border In Mizoram; Heroin Worth ₹78 Lakh Seized

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Aizawl: Two persons were arrested with Rs 68 lakh in cash near the India-Myanmar border in east Mizoram’s Champhai district, officials said on Thursday.

Acting on a tip-off, the Assam Rifles intercepted a vehicle at Zote village on August 11, they said.

Upon thorough checking, Rs 60 lakh in cash was recovered from two persons in the vehicle.

The duo, identified as Joseph Lalthansanga and Vanlalruati, could not state any proper reason why they were carrying such a huge amount of cash. They were subsequently handed over to the police for legal action, officials said.

In another operation, the Assam Rifles recovered 94.6 gram of heroin, worth Rs 78 lakh, from the village on Wednesday.

The drugs were handed over to the Excise and Narcotics Department, officials said.

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Crime

Jalgaon Tragedy: 8 Suspects Arrested For Kidnapping, Mob Lynching And Killing 21-Year-Old Suleman Khan

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Jalgaon: Suleman Rahim Khan Pathan, a 21-year-old man, was killed through beating in Jalgaon district of Maharashtra. The incident occurred on Monday when Suleman traveled to Jamner to complete online applications for police recruitment. In the afternoon, as he sat in a cafe with a girl, 8 to 10 men grabbed his mobile phone and unexpectedly assaulted him.

They pulled Suleman to his village and violently assaulted him, making him lose consciousness. When his relatives attempted to rescue him, the assailants reacted with violence towards them as well. Suleman’s 80-year-old grandfather was also affected. The assailants showcased him on the street and struck him with wooden clubs.

Suleman was taken to the hospital by his villagers, where he was pronounced dead by doctors. His father stated that his son was not dating any girl, and during the confrontation, the villagers were unable to assist because of their fear.

According to Suleman’s father, Rahim Khan, on the day of the incident Suleman was working with his father, when around 11 am Suleman told his father he is going to fill up a Police recruitment form after which the people kidnapped and beat him. The people was brought to his home at around 4pm. When the father tried to intervene the mob started attacking him and other members of the family.

Police Arrests 8 Suspects

The authorities have apprehended 8 suspects related to this case up to now. The initial four suspects were apprehended on Tuesday: Abhishek Rajkumar Rajput (22), Ghanshyam also known as Suraj Biharilal Sharma (25), Deepak Bajirao (20), and Ranjan also referred to as Ranjit Ramakrishna Matade (48).

While the other four were taken into custody on Wednesday. All the defendants have been placed in police detention until August 18. The arrests were confirmed by the inspector of the Jamner police station.

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Crime

Palghar News: Young Man Assaulted With Axe In Broad Daylight, Mob Tie Up Attacker Before Police Arrest

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Palghar, Maharashtra: A broad daylight attack in a busy Palghar neighbourhood shocked residents on Wednesday after a young man allegedly assaulted a 35-year-old with an axe, leaving him seriously injured.

The incident occurred around 4 p.m. at the main square in the Kamala Park housing colony on Mahi Road. According to police sources, the accused, believed to be around 27 years old, struck Baboolal Fulchand Yadav in the face with an axe, causing severe injuries. Yadav was immediately rushed to a hospital, where he is undergoing treatment.

Eyewitnesses said the attacker attempted to flee, but local residents intervened, catching him and tying him to a tree with ropes before thrashing him. Police arrived shortly afterward, to control the mob and take the accused into custody 

The motive behind the attack is still under investigation, and the process of registering a formal case in ongoing. The suspect’s identity had not been officially confirmed at the time of reporting.

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