Crime
Gujarat govt reply in Bilkis Bano case ‘very bulky’, says SC
The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that Gujarat government’s response to petitions challenging the remission granted to 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case is “very bulky”, where, instead of factual statements, a series of judgments have been cited.
A bench, headed by justice Ajay Rastogi, orally observed that he has not come across a counter affidavit where a series of judgments have been quoted.
“A very bulky counter. Where is the factual statement, where is the application of mind?” he asked.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Gujarat government, agreed with the observation made by the court and said it could have been avoided. “The judgments were mentioned for easy reference, it could have been avoided,” he said.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing petitioners, submitted that he needed time to file the response in the matter.
Justice Rastogi observed that even before he could go through the state government’s counter-affidavit, it was visible in the newspapers. Mehta vehemently argued that strangers and third parties cannot raise the challenge to the release of the convicts.
The bench, also comprising Justice C.T. Ravikumar, granted time to petitioners to file their response to the state government’s counter affidavit and scheduled the matter for further hearing on November 29.
In an affidavit, the Gujarat government told the Supreme Court that it decided to release the 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case as they had completed 14 years and above in prison and their behaviour was found to be good and also the Centre had also conveyed its “concurrence/ approval”.
The state government also added that the Superintendent of Police, CBI, Special Crime Branch, Mumbai, and the Special Civil Judge (CBI), City Civil and Sessions Court, Greater Bombay, had, in March last year, opposed premature release of the convicts.
The CBI official, in letters to the Superintendent of Godhra sub-jail, said the offence committed by the convicts was heinous, grave and serious, hence they cannot be released prematurely.
In an affidavit, the state Home Department’s Under Secretary said: “I say that the state government considered all the opinions and decided to release 11 prisoners since they have completed 14 years and above in prisons and their behaviour was found to be good.”
“The Government of India conveyed the concurrence/ approval of the Central Government under section 435 of the CrPC for premature release of 11 prisoners vide letter dated July 11, 2022,” it added.
The affidavit said the state government considered the opinions of seven authorities –the Inspector General of Prisons, Gujarat, the Jail Superintendents, the Jail Advisory Committee, the District Magistrate, the Police Superintendent, the CBI, the Special Crime Branch, Mumbai, and the sessions court, Mumbai.
“After approval of the state government, orders have been issued on August 10, 2022 to release the prisoners. Hence, in instant case, the state has considered the proposals under policy of 1992 as directed by this court and not granted under the circular governing grant of remission to prisoners as part of celebration of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’,” added the affidavit.
The Gujarat government’s response came on a plea has been filed by CPI-M’s former MP Subhasini Ali, journalist Revati Laul, and Prof Roop Rekha Verma, challenging the release of 11 men convicted for the gang-rape of Bilkis Bano and multiple murders during the 2002 Gujarat riots. Petitions challenging the release of the convicts have been filed by Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra and others.
Crime
Five of a family found dead in Greater Noida village under suspicious circumstances

Greater Noida, Oct 17: A couple and their three children died under suspicious circumstances in Nagla Shri Padam village under the Rabupura police station area of Greater Noida on Saturday, police said.
According to reports, the Rabupura police station received information that a crowd had gathered outside the home of five family members from the Nagla Shri Padam village, following their deaths.
The deceased have been identified as Mahesh, 37, his wife Lalita, 35, and their three children, Laddu, 11, Mishti, 7, and Sakshat, 3.
According to the Gautam Buddh Nagar Police Media Cell, police received information about the deaths on Saturday morning.
Following the information, senior police officials, local police personnel, an ambulance and a Food Safety Department team rushed to the spot. Forensic experts and a field unit inspected the scene and began collecting scientific evidence.
Preliminary information suggests that the family had consumed noodles the previous night. Police are investigating possible food poisoning, based on accounts provided by neighbours and Mahesh’s mother. However, the exact cause of the deaths has not yet been established and will only be determined after the post-mortem examinations and other investigations.
The bodies are being sent for post-mortem examination. Further legal action will be taken based on the autopsy report and other scientific investigations, police said.
Earlier, in January 2026, Delhi Police registered an FIR against a five-star luxury hotel, located at New Delhi’s Barakhamba Road, after a woman alleged that she fell ill after consuming food there.
A 33-year-old woman made a PCR call and, based on her statements, an FIR was registered under Section 286 (negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substance) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The woman complained that the hotel served her food that caused food poisoning, after which she felt unwell. The woman also told police that she had to stay in her hotel room and seek help.
A police team, including a woman Sub-Inspector, rushed to the room on the 12th floor of the hotel and, after no one responded to repeated knocks, the door was opened with the help of the hotel’s master key in the presence of staff, the FIR stated.
In another case in September 2025, around 200 people fell ill due to food poisoning allegedly after consuming buckwheat flour during Navratri fasting in northwest Delhi.
Crime
J&K Police in Anantnag arrests 5 drug peddlers, recovers 5.9 Kg narcotic substances

Srinagar, Oct 17: J&K Police in Anantnag district said on Saturday it has arrested five drug peddlers and recovered 5.9 Kg of narcotic substances from them.
A police statement said on Saturday, “Reaffirming its commitment to eradicating the drug menace, Anantnag Police intensified its anti-narcotics operations across the district, resulting in the apprehension of five alleged drug peddlers and the recovery of substantial quantities of contraband substances in multiple operations.”
In the first operation, Police Station Srigufwara apprehended Shahnawaz Ahmad Ganie son of Gh. Mohd. Ganie, resident of Sirhama, during naka checking at Hatigam Crossing. During his search, 5 kg and 780 grams of charas powder were recovered from his possession.
Accordingly, FIR No. 103/2026 under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Srigufwara.
In another operation, a police party from Police Station Kokernag, while conducting patrolling in the Kokernag–Bider area, apprehended Tanveer Ahmad Sheikh son of Ab. Majeed Sheikh, resident of Nala Sunbahri, Magam.
Approximately 18 grams of charas-like substance was recovered from his possession. In this regard, FIR No. 172/2026 under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Kokernag.
In a separate operation in Hiller Arhama, Kokernag, police apprehended Rayees Ahmad Ganie son of Gh. Rashool Ganie, resident of Shelipora, Achabal.
Approximately 40 grams of charas-like substance was recovered from his possession. Accordingly, FIR No. 173/2026 under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Kokernag.
Meanwhile, Dooru Police, during routine patrolling in the Pollie area, apprehended a suspicious person who was identified as Amir Ahmad Najar son of Nazir Ahmad Najar, resident of Kapran. Approximately 90 grams of charas was recovered during intense frisking.
A case under the relevant provisions of law has been registered at Police Station Dooru, and further investigation is underway.
In another operation, a police party from Police Post Sangam apprehended Sahil Rashid Sheikh, son of Abdul Rashid Sheikh, resident of Charsoo, Awantipora, during patrolling in the Sangam area. Approximately 1.78 kg of a ganja-like substance was recovered from the bag he was carrying.
Accordingly, FIR No. 308/2026 under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Bijbehara, and further investigation has been taken up.
Anantnag Police reiterated its firm resolve to dismantle drug trafficking networks and take strict legal action against those involved in the narcotics trade.
Crime
NHRC seeks reports on assault on woman in Gujarat, contaminated borewell water in Maharashtra

New Delhi, Oct 16: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report regarding the alleged assault and inhuman treatment of a married woman by her husband and family members in Gujarat Surendranagar district. In a separate matter, the NHRC has also taken suo motu cognisance of a media report regarding the alleged contamination of borewell water in Maharashtra Nashik district.
Observing that the contents of the media report, if true, raise serious issues of violation of human rights, the apex human rights body has issued notices to the Surendranagar District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, seeking a detailed report within two weeks.
The NHRC said the report is expected to include the current health status of the victim and details of any compensation paid to her.
According to the media report, the woman and the man she was living with, were allegedly tracked down by the husband and family members of the woman. They were enraged over her living with the man.
They brought them both back to Surendranagar under the pretext of conducting a “purification ritual”.
The woman was allegedly beaten with sticks, kicked and tied to a tree. The accused also allegedly forced the man accompanying her to rape her.
The incident reportedly came to light after a video of the alleged assault was circulated on social media.
In another matter, the NHRC has also taken suo motu cognisance of a media report regarding the alleged contamination of borewell water in Dattanagar locality near the Ambad Industrial Area in Maharashtra’s Nashik district due to the seepage of chemical-laden factory effluents.
The apex human rights body has issued a notice to the Maharashtra Chief Secretary, seeking a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.
It has also sought comments from the Maharashtra State Pollution Control Board.
The NHRC observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise serious issues of violation of human rights.
According to the media report, carried on October 7, residents of Dattanagar have allegedly been receiving contaminated borewell water for the past two months due to the seepage of chemical-laden effluents allegedly discharged from factories in the adjoining industrial area.
The report stated that children had been advised not to attend schools, while doctors had advised women in the locality to avoid pregnancy.
The residents are reportedly spending around Rs 5,000 per month on purchasing clean drinking water, besides incurring substantial expenses on medical treatment.
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