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‘Not an ordinary crime’: SC rejects Asaram Bapu’s plea for suspension of sentence

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The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to entertain a plea by self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, who sought suspension of his sentence, in the rape case of a minor girl, to avail ayurvedic treatment.

A bench of Justices Indira Banerjee, V. Ramasubramanian, and Bela M. Trivedi observed that Asaram was convicted in a crime, which is “no ordinary crime at all”.

Earlier, the Rajasthan High Court had denied relief to him in the matter and Asaram had moved the top court.

The bench told Asaram’s counsel that his client will get ayurvedic treatment in jail. “Continuing ayurvedic treatment is not a problem. We’ll direct the jail authorities to take care that ayurvedic treatment is granted,” it said.

Senior advocate R. Basant, representing Asaram, contended that only six weeks suspension was being sought owing to his failing health. He requested the court to show some mercy in the matter. However, the bench was unmoved by this argument.

Basant submitted that there was no treatment in jail. Opposing this argument, senior advocate Manish Singhvi, appearing for Rajasthan, contended the convict was being provided all necessary treatment in jail. Basant added that his client is 85-year-old and is he likely to commit an offence again.

Asaram is serving a life term at Jodhpur Central Jail in connection with the rape of a minor girl. On May 6, he had tested positive for Covid-19 and was shifted to AIIMS, Jodhpur. According to his May 19 medical report he was stable and fit for discharge. He initially moved the high court seeking bail for ayurvedic treatment, but his application was dismissed. The high court had directed the district and jail administration to ensure that proper treatment is provided to him at a suitable medical institution. He challenged this order in the top court.

The Rajasthan government had informed the Supreme Court that he was not cooperating with the doctors at AIIMS Jodhpur with an ulterior motive of shifting of venue of his custody. The state government averred that Asaram has made third attempt to get his sentence suspended, under the garb of medical treatment.

The state government, in an affidavit, challenging the bail plea for ayurvedic medical treatment, said: “In previous round of petitions, the accused had prayed for immediate medical surgery of his ailment, through allopathic method, which failed and now the accused through this present petition raised his concern to get his treatment from Ayurveda.”

National News

‘It went well’: Nadda on meeting with CJP members

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New Delhi, July 21: Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Tuesday said that his meeting with the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) members was “fine”.

Two representatives of the CJP met Nadda at his residence on Monday. They submitted a written memorandum outlining the group’s three key demands after holding detailed discussions earlier in the day.

When asked about his talks with the CJP members, Nadda, while arriving for the NDA’s ‘Mangal Milan’ programme, said, “It went well. It (a meeting) always goes well.” However, he did not comment on the “assurances” given to the protestors.

According to government sources, the first meeting took place at around 11:50 a.m., when the CJP delegation presented its demands verbally. Nadda asked the representatives to submit them in writing. At around 4 p.m., the delegation returned and handed over a written memorandum detailing their demands.

The CJP delegation, represented by spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, demanded the release of social activist Sonam Wangchuk without any restrictions on his movement, the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and Rs 1 crore compensation for the families of NEET aspirants who allegedly died by suicide following the NEET 2026 paper leak controversy.

Government sources said that no assurances were given by Nadda on any of the three demands during the meeting. However, the Union Minister appealed to the protesters to withdraw their month-long sit-in at Jantar Mantar and cooperate with the administration in restoring normalcy in the high-security area near Parliament.

Following the meeting, Nadda took to X and said the discussions were held in a cordial atmosphere and noted that the CJP itself had approached the government seeking talks. He confirmed that the delegation submitted its written petition at around 4 p.m. after extensive discussions that began earlier in the day.

Meanwhile, the demonstrators stayed at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday morning, persistently continuing their protest the day after violent confrontations occurred between them and security forces in Delhi during the ‘Sansad Chalo’ March.

After police dismantled the stage and tents from Jantar Mantar, the protesters reclaimed the area. Following a call from the CJP for the protest to persist, demonstrators began to arrive at Jantar Mantar early Tuesday. A significant presence of police and RAF personnel remained deployed at the location.

The clashes erupted on Monday as thousands of supporters of the CJP and students marched from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over recurring examination irregularities, including the NEET-UG paper leaks.

The Delhi Police have intensified their investigation into the violence that erupted on Monday, and officials are relying extensively on video evidence to identify those involved in the unrest.

Investigators are examining more than 250 videos, including mobile phone recordings, CCTV footage, drone camera visuals and footage captured through police body-worn cameras, to trace the individuals allegedly responsible for the violence.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) at the Connaught Place police station in connection with the commotion and vandalism reported in the area.

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National News

Five FIRs registered in violent Delhi protest clashes

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New Delhi, July 21: Delhi Police have registered five FIRs so far in connection with the violent clashes that erupted in the National Capital between the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) supporters and the security officials, officials said on Tuesday.

The clashes erupted on Monday as thousands of supporters of the CJP and students marched from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over recurring examination irregularities, including the NEET-UG paper leaks.

FIRs have been registered at Connaught Place and Parliament Street police stations, as well as other stations in the area.

According to the police, more FIRs could be registered in the areas where violence took place.

Currently, efforts are underway to identify the accused using video footage. Investigators are examining more than 250 videos, including mobile phone recordings, CCTV footage, drone camera visuals and footage captured through police body-worn cameras, to trace the individuals allegedly responsible for the violence.

More than 118 police personnel from the Delhi Police and Central Police Forces sustained injuries during “violent protests” in the national capital on Monday.

The injured officers include senior ranks such as Special Commissioner, Joint Commissioner, Additional Commissioner, and Deputy Commissioner, who were deployed on duty at the protest site, the Delhi Police said.

According to a statement on the X handle of Delhi Police: “During today’s violent protests, more than 118 police personnel from Delhi Police and Central Police Forces, including Special Commissioner, Joint Commissioner, Additional Commissioner, and Deputy Commissioner rank officers deployed on duty, sustained injuries.”

The situation turned violent when protesters attempted to break through the barricades. The police bore a significant brunt of the violence, with over 118 personnel reported injured.

Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar visited the hospital where the injured officers are being treated. He personally met with the personnel, enquired about their well-being, and motivated them.

In a statement, the Commissioner highlighted the force’s dedication, saying, “Every injury on the uniform bears witness to dedication to duty.”

The protests, which began at Jantar Mantar, drew students, opposition leaders, and activists demanding accountability in the education system. Senior police officials have assured a thorough investigation into the violence.

Meanwhile, prohibitory orders remain in place around sensitive areas to prevent any further escalation. The Delhi Police have appealed for calm and urged all parties to maintain peace and cooperate with law enforcement agencies.

As political and student groups continue their agitation, the focus remains on ensuring public safety, the police said.

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Crime

Three arrested in Bengal woman gang-rape case in Mysuru; probe underway

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Mysuru, July 21: Three persons have been arrested in connection with the alleged gang-rape of a young woman from West Bengal in Karnataka’s Mysuru district, police said on Tuesday.

However, authorities added that they are still verifying the facts of the case and the allegations made by the victim as part of the ongoing investigation.

The incident was reported under the jurisdiction of the T. Narasipura Town Police Station in Mysuru district. According to the complaint, the victim alleged that she was forcibly taken to a lodge by the accused, where they sexually assaulted her.

The accused have been identified as Kiran, Kishore and Riyan.

In her complaint, the woman stated that she was forcibly taken in a car by the accused while she was standing at the T. Narasipura private bus stand two days ago. She further alleged that the accused took her to a lodge in Santemarahalli town, where they gang-raped her.

Acting swiftly on the complaint, the police arrested all three accused within 24 hours. They were subsequently produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.

Police officials said that, considering the sensitivity of the matter and concerns relating to women’s safety, immediate action was taken to apprehend the accused. At the same time, investigators are examining all aspects of the case, including whether the victim had accompanied the accused voluntarily.

According to the police, the accused have claimed that the woman had accompanied them of her own accord. They further alleged that an argument broke out at the lodge over the recording of a video. Following the altercation, they claimed to have dropped the woman back at her location, after which she lodged a complaint alleging gang-rape.

Police said they are also verifying the victim’s background and examining the statements of the accused to establish the facts of the case. Further investigation is underway.

However, the authorities are concerned about the development as Mysuru city is one of the major tourist destinations in the state, which attracts people from across the globe. The authorities have already started preparations for grand Dasara celebrations.

It can be recalled that a 10-year-old child was sexually assaulted and brutally murdered near Mysuru Palace on October 10, 2025. The victim’s family, along with about 50 others from the Hakki Pikki nomadic tribe community, had travelled from Kalaburagi to Mysuru for the Dasara festival to sell balloons and toys. They were camping near the Palace grounds and selling goods at different locations in the city. Mysuru Police launched a manhunt for the suspect and arrested Karthik from Kollegal. He allegedly attempted to flee during the arrest, forcing police to shoot him in the leg before taking him into custody.

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