New Delhi, Oct 14: A wide cross-section of the Harvard community on Wednesday expressed concern over the ‘negative public discourse’ and ‘concerted campaign’ against India’s constitutional institutions, in light of the ongoing Delhi protests against the Election Commission and ‘vote chori’, and also dubbed the assertions by the university’s alumni as “alarming and troubling”.

The Harvard Community, including lawyers, policymakers, civil servants, scientists and academicians, has voiced strong opposition to alleged attempts at using Harvard University’s name to lend credibility to a political campaign without appropriate authorisation.

“In moments such as these, silence cannot be an excuse for indifference,” said many Indian citizens associated with Harvard and other famed Universities, who are signatories to this statement.

This comes a day after about 100 Harvard University alumni comprising students, faculty and staff members condemned the crackdown on the CJP-led protests in the national capital on October 10, while alleging police brutality and violation of constitutional rights.

The signatories to the Harvard community statement expressed deep concern over attempts to malign institutions, such as the Election Commission of India, the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice of India, and Parliament.

They also took strong exception to the language used to describe India as being under “siege” and to characterise constitutional authorities as “thieves” or “compromised”.

“This raises serious concerns about the intent to undermine public trust in democratic institutions,” the statement said.

It further said that the law enforcement agencies are expected to undergo fair scrutiny, but sweeping accusations and abusive rhetoric cannot be a substitute for evidence.

It also calls for respecting the Constitution, the rule of law, and civil liberties at all times, not just when it suits one’s interests.

“Our commitment must remain to the Constitution, not convenience; to justice, not selective outrage; and to democratic institutions, not the politics of accusation,” it said.

Notably, a day ago, the Harvard Club of India came out with a clarification that it did not endorse or issue any statement from the University regarding the ongoing protests in Delhi.

The club distanced itself from the reported Harvard alumni letter and said the statement did not represent the organisation’s official position, hinting that it was rather their personal opinion.

Washim, Oct 14: Four women were arrested for stealing gold jewellery worth Rs 1.5 lakh and cash amounting to Rs 28,000 from a 70-year-old woman travelling on a state transport (ST) bus in Maharashtra’s Washim district, police said on Wednesday.

The police recovered the stolen jewellery and cash and returned them to the elderly woman, identified as Chandrakala Bodkhe.

The incident took place on an ST bus travelling from Mangrulpir to Akola. According to preliminary information, the four accused allegedly targeted the elderly passenger’s bag containing gold jewellery and cash during the journey.

When the bus reached Shelu Bazaar, the four women got off. Other passengers became suspicious, following which Bodkhe checked her bag and discovered that her gold jewellery and a bag containing Rs 28,000 in cash were missing.

The elderly woman raised an alarm and sought help from other passengers.

Upon receiving information about the incident, local police reached the spot and launched an investigation. During the probe, the police learnt that the four women had left the area in an auto-rickshaw.

Acting swiftly, the police pursued the suspects and apprehended all four women. The stolen gold jewellery and cash were recovered from their possession and subsequently handed back to the elderly woman.

The incident highlights the need for vigilance among passengers travelling on crowded public transport, particularly elderly commuters carrying valuables.

In a separate incident, Pune Police had arrested three men from Haryana in connection with nine theft cases reported in the city. The police seized valuables worth approximately Rs 23 lakh following an investigation that involved travelling nearly 4,600 km across several states.

According to the police, the accused had targeted people at crowded locations during Ganeshotsav celebrations and Ganesh immersion processions.

The cases were investigated by Vishrambaug Police, who identified the suspects as residents of Palwal in Haryana. Meanwhile, the Aravalli Police in Gujarat had arrested the three men in connection with another case.

With the assistance of the Gujarat Police, a team from Pune Police took the accused into custody. They were identified as Ajay Samsher Vinodkumar Rupsingh Koli (20), Aman Samsher Anil Kumar Narayansingh Koli (24) and Deepak Samsher Rajubhai Sapsingh (21).

New Delhi, Oct 14: In connection with the Jantar Mantar trespassing case, Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been sent to five-day judicial custody on Wednesday, while Ajinkya Shinde was released on personal bond, CJP’s legal affairs head Ratna Singh announced.

The three CJP members were put on preventive arrest for trespassing at Jantar Mantar, which has been de-notified as the designated protest site. They were booked for “trespass, bond violation, obstruction of public official’s duty, etc”.

Das, Ranka and Shinde were produced before a magistrate at Mandir Marg in New Delhi on Wednesday morning.

“Saurav and Ashutosh sent to 5 days judicial custody. Ajinkya released on personal bond. Same grounds of arrest. Got to know that SEM has track record of punishing protesters,” Ratna Singh said in a post on X.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, along with Das and Ranka, in a case related to the October 10 protest, were released after furnishing a bond of Rs 50,000 and on the condition that they will not be involved in any breach-of-peace cases for a year.

This time, Das and Ranka are booked for trespassing and violation of the bond conditions. They are being treated as repeat offenders.

The three CJP leaders were detained on Tuesday morning for crossing police barricades and entering Jantar Mantar, which has been de-notified as the designated protest site.

They were heading to protest against the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Review (SIR) of electoral rolls. They were seen raising slogans against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, while trying to breach the police barricades.

Following this, all three were detained.

On October 12, Jantar Mantar was de-notified as the “designated” protesting site, Delhi Police said. New guidelines for protests were 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.

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