Crime
K’taka HC upholds ban on hijab in schools & colleges, dismisses all petitions
The Karnataka High Court’s special bench on Tuesday dismissed all petitions seeking direction for permission to wear hijab in classrooms.
The HC also stated that “wearing of hijab is not an essential part of Islam. Prescription of uniform is constitutional and students can’t object to it.” Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi read the judgement.
“We are of the considered opinion that wearing a hijab by Muslim women does not form any essential form of practice in Islamic faith. The prescription of school uniforms is only a reasonable restriction and are constitutionally permissible which the students cannot object,” the bench said.
“In view of the above we are of the considered opinion that the government has power to issue the government order dated February 5, 2022 (restricting hijab in classrooms) and no case is made for its invalidation,” the bench noted.
The bench further observed, “We are of the considered opinion that no case is made out for issuance of direction of disciplinary action and warrants against the respondents. Therefore, the petition in this regard is rejected as not maintainable.
“Accordingly in above circumstances all these petitions are devoid of merits and liable to be dismissed, and all the pending applications are not maintainable and disposed of,” the bench underlined.
The bench after commencing the session said that keeping the holistic view of the entire matter, it has formulated a few questions and they have answered them.
“The questions which are formulated are whether wearing of hijab, headscarves is a part of essential religious practice in Islamic faith protected under Article 25 of the constitution?
“The second question is whether restriction of school uniforms is not legally permissible and being violative of petitions fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 19 (1) (a) freedom of expression and privacy?
“The third question whether government order dated February 5, 2022 apart from being incompetent is being issued without application of mind and further it is manifestedly arbitrary and therefore violates the Articles 13, 14 of the constitution?
“Whether any case is made out in the petition of issuance of direction initiating disciplinary enquiry and warrants against respondents? The special bench said.
As a precautionary measure security was beefed up across the state. Holiday was declared in the districts of Dakshina Kannada, Kalaburagi and Shivamogga for schools and colleges.
Most of the districts imposed prohibitory orders in the surrounding areas of educational institutions. The Bengaluru Police Commissioner Kamal Pant issued prohibitory orders restricting protests, celebrations and gatherings in the entire city for seven days from March 15.
The hijab row, which started as a protest by six students of the Udupi Pre-University Girl’s College, turned into a big crisis.
The bench headed by the Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S. Dixit and Justice Jaiunnesa Mohiyuddin Khaji heard the matter on a daily basis.
The counsels appearing for the petitioners contended that restriction on hijab to classrooms is a violation of fundamental rights and religious rights. There is no legal standing for the School Development Committee (SDC) or College Development Committee (CDMC), they said.
They also argued that wearing of hijab is an integral part of Islam. However, the Advocate General and other counsels appearing for the government argued that wearing of hijab is not an essential part of Islam. They have also stated that the government respects the wearing of hijab and it had been left to the discretion of SDMC and SDCs. It was also brought to the notice of the court that many Islamic and European countries have banned hijab.
Crime
Maharashtra: Woman From Baramati Raped By 3 Men In Beed After Being Lured With Job Offer

Beed Maharashtra: A woman from Baramati in Pune district has allegedly been raped by three men in Maharashtra’s Beed district after being promised a job, police said.
The alleged incident took place six months ago, they said, adding that a case was registered a few days back in this connection against four persons, including a woman.
The accused woman lured the victim under the pretext of getting her a job at an arts centre at Ambajogai in Beed district.
However, after the victim arrived here, the woman and two other persons assaulted her and forcibly took her to a lodge in the town where three men allegedly raped her, an official from Ambajogai police station said, quoting the victim’s complaint.
Attempts were also made to force her into prostitution, he said.
The victim recently managed to contact her mother, who rushed to Ambajogai, rescued her daughter and took her back to Baramati.
A case was subsequently registered at the Baramati police station and transferred to Ambajogai Rural police station on Tuesday for further investigation, the official said.
Further probe was on into the case, the police added.
Crime
Thane: Crime Accused In Ranjit Gaikwad Murder Case, Vicky Kothankar, Arrested In Ulhasnagar

Ulhasnagar: Bringing relief to a grieving family and an outraged city, the Ulhasnagar police have arrested the prime accused, Vicky Kothankar, in connection with the brutal assault on Ranjit Gaikwad, which ultimately claimed the victim’s life after a ten-day battle in hospital.
The inhuman attack had taken place around Sambhaji Chowk in Camp-4, Ulhasnagar, and had shaken the city due to its sheer brutality and the fact that it unfolded in full public view. The arrest was made from the Vitthalwadi bus depot area, sending a strong message against violent crime, police officials said.
According to the police, Ranjit Gaikwad, a resident of Veer Tanaji Nagar, was walking with his wife and children on the evening of the incident when he was intercepted by Vicky Kothankar and an accomplice. After a brief argument, the accused allegedly struck Gaikwad on the head with an iron rod, delivering a powerful blow that caused him to collapse on the road, bleeding profusely.
The brutal assault occurred in front of Gaikwad’s wife and minor children, triggering panic in the area. Locals rushed the grievously injured man to a private hospital, from where he was later shifted to JJ Hospital in Mumbai due to his critical condition.
Despite intensive treatment for ten days, doctors were unable to save him, and Gaikwad succumbed to his injuries at around 4 am on Sunday, following which the case was converted into murder.
Following the incident, the police launched an intensive manhunt for the accused. Acting on specific intelligence, a special crime investigation team comprising Ramdas Misal, Dilip Chavan, Ganesh Rathod and Sagar More laid a trap and arrested Vicky Kothankar from the Vitthalwadi bus depot area.
The operation was carried out under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Gore, Senior Police Inspector Ashok Koli of Vitthalwadi, and Police Inspector (Crime) Chandrahari Godse.
Addressing the media on Monday evening, DCP Amol Koli revealed that the arrested accused has a criminal history, with previous serious offences, including cases related to violent crime, registered against him. Police are currently conducting a search for the absconding accomplice, while also probing the exact motive behind the attack.
The daylight brutality of the assault and the fact that it was witnessed by the victim’s family have created an atmosphere of fear among residents. Citizens have demanded strict and exemplary action against the accused and his associates to deter such violent crimes.
The murder of Ranjit Gaikwad has once again highlighted the growing concern over street violence and repeat offenders in Ulhasnagar, with locals urging the police administration to intensify preventive measures.
Crime
Rajasthan’s Neem Ka Thana Railway Station gets bomb threat, no suspicious object found

Jaipur, Dec 16: In a series of frequent bomb threats being received in Rajasthan, Neem Ka Thana railway station in Sikar district received a bomb threat on late Monday night, triggering panic and an immediate security response. However, after an extensive search operation, no suspicious object or explosive was found, bringing relief to officials and the public alike.
According to information received, the threat was conveyed through an unknown phone call and message, following which the administration swung into action. Teams from the Government Railway Police (GRP), Railway Protection Force (RPF), and Neem Ka Thana police cordoned off the railway station and launched a thorough search operation. A dog squad was also pressed into service to scan the premises. After hours of intensive checking, security agencies confirmed that no bomb or suspicious material was found at the railway station.
Despite this, the sudden deployment of security forces and checks created an atmosphere of fear among commuters and local residents.
Authorities have now begun an investigation to trace the origin of the threat call and message, with intelligence agencies actively searching for those responsible.
Officials said strict action will be taken against anyone found spreading panic through such hoax threats.
Notably, Rajasthan has witnessed a spate of bomb threats over the past month, targeting key government and public institutions.
Threatening emails and messages have earlier been received by the Rajasthan High Court, Ajmer Dargah Sharif, Ajmer Collectorate, Kota Collectorate, and most recently, the Hanumangarh Collectorate on Monday morning. In several cases, buildings were evacuated and security checks carried out, though no explosives were found at any location.
These repeated threats have even led to the postponement of court proceedings at the Rajasthan High Court on multiple occasions. The administration has reiterated that all such threats are being taken seriously, security arrangements have been strengthened statewide, and investigations are ongoing to curb the misuse of threats aimed at disturbing public order.
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