New Delhi, Aug 6: The Bombay High Court on Thursday set aside the acquittal of former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal in the 2013 sexual assault case involving a junior colleague and convicted him of rape and other offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

A Division Bench of Justices Neela Gokhale and Amit Jamsandekar allowed the appeal filed by the Goa government against the May 2021 judgment of a sessions court in Mapusa, which had acquitted Tejpal of all charges.

Pronouncing the verdict, the Justice Gokhale-led Bench said that it had convicted Tejpal under Sections 376(2)(f) and 376(2)(k) (rape), 354A (sexual harassment) and 354B (assault or use of criminal force against a woman with intent to disrobe) of the IPC.

The High Court is scheduled to hear the matter on the question of sentence later in the day.

The case stems from allegations made by a junior colleague that Tejpal sexually assaulted her inside an elevator of a luxury hotel in Goa during an event in November 2013.

The Goa Police registered an FIR against Tejpal for offences including rape, following which he was arrested in November 2013 after a local court rejected his anticipatory bail plea.

He was granted regular bail by the Supreme Court in July 2014. In May 2021, Additional Sessions Judge Kshama Joshi acquitted Tejpal, holding that the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and citing alleged lapses in the investigation, including failure to produce certain evidence such as CCTV footage.

The prosecution challenged the acquittal before the Bombay High Court, contending that the trial court had erred in appreciating the evidence on record.

During the hearing before the High Court, the Goa Police argued that the Sessions Court had focussed on the survivor’s post-incident conduct and background instead of assessing the evidence against the accused.

It also submitted that the trial court ignored material evidence, including an apology email allegedly sent by Tejpal after the complainant raised the allegations with the then managing editor of the publication.

During the hearing on Thursday after the conviction was pronounced, Tejpal’s counsel sought suspension of the conviction for eight weeks to enable him to approach the Supreme Court, submitting that the verdict had reversed an acquittal and highlighting that there was no other criminal case against him.

Addressing the Justice Neela Gokhale-led Bench, Tejpal pleaded for leniency, stating that he believed himself to be a victim and requested the Bombay High Court to take a compassionate view while deciding the sentence.

On the other hand, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta opposed the plea for leniency, contending that the case required a strong message against sexual violence and arguing that “when a girl says no, it means no.”

The High Court adjourned the matter till 2.30 p.m. for hearing on the sentence. The detailed judgment is awaited.

New Delhi, Aug 6: In a major breakthrough, the Crime Branch of Delhi Police has arrested a notorious proclaimed offender who had been evading law enforcement agencies for nearly 28 years after escaping police custody. The accused, identified as Rajinder Bairagi alias Rajinder Singh Yadav alias ‘Dr Jhatka’ (53), was wanted in connection with the murder of a Haryana Police personnel, multiple attempt-to-murder cases, and a daring escape from police custody while handcuffed.

The arrest was made by the Northern Range-1 (NR-1) team of the Crime Branch following a multi-state operation that culminated in Mungaoli town of Madhya Pradesh’s Ashok Nagar district.

Police said the accused had successfully lived under a false identity for decades, managing to establish a new life while remaining on the run from authorities.

According to Delhi Police, the operation began as part of a special drive to trace and apprehend long-absconding proclaimed offenders involved in serious crimes in Delhi.

Investigators initially focussed on two cases registered at Janakpuri Police Station in June 1997. These included FIR No. 658/1997 under Sections 307, 324, 506, and 34 of the IPC relating to a violent knife attack in Uttam Nagar, and FIR No. 659/1997 under Sections 307 and 34 of the IPC pertaining to an attempt-to-murder case.

Rajinder had evaded arrest for years in both cases and was subsequently declared a proclaimed offender by the Rohini Courts in 2008. However, during the course of the investigation, police uncovered a far more extensive criminal history, including his alleged involvement in the murder of a Haryana Police official and his escape from police custody in 1999.

Police officials said establishing the accused’s true identity posed a significant challenge because he had successfully blended into society under a new name and had acquired multiple local identity documents.

Through extensive field Intelligence, technical surveillance, and analysis of digital footprints, investigators confirmed his identity, mapped his movements, and tracked his location.

Once his whereabouts were verified, a team led by Inspector Sanjay Kaushik, along with SI Deepak Kumar, ASI Ramesh Rana, HC Sanjeev Kumar, and HC Sanjeev Jakhar, conducted a raid in Mungaoli under the supervision of ACP Suresh Kumar of Northern Range-1.

The accused was apprehended and later produced before the Judicial Magistrate Court in Mungaoli. After obtaining transit remand, he was brought to Delhi and produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Dwarka.

During interrogation, Rajinder revealed that he had been a kabaddi player in his youth and gradually came into contact with criminal elements. Police said that on the night of May 10, 1998, he and five armed associates were involved in a violent incident at a wedding function in Saiyan Khera village in Haryana’s Sonipat district.

According to investigators, a dispute broke out between the accused and members of the bride’s family, following which the group allegedly opened indiscriminate fire. Haryana Police personnel Jai Bhagwan, who was the bride’s uncle, sustained fatal gunshot injuries and died on the spot, while another person was critically injured.

Following the incident, a case was registered at Gannaur Police Station under Sections 148, 149, 307, 302, and 449 of the IPC, along with provisions of the Arms Act. Rajinder was subsequently arrested. However, on February 14, 1999, while being escorted by Uttar Pradesh Police personnel from Ghaziabad Jail to a court in Sonipat, he escaped from custody despite being handcuffed. A separate case was registered against him in connection with the escape.

Police said that after fleeing custody, Rajinder travelled to Kolaba in Maharashtra, where he reportedly worked as a physical education teacher at a Kendriya Vidyalaya for about a year. He later moved permanently to Mungaoli in Madhya Pradesh and assumed the identity of Rajender Singh Yadav.

Over the years, he established himself in the local community and married Mamta Yadav in 2003. She currently serves as an Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) at a government hospital in Mungaoli.

The accused reportedly worked as an unregistered medical practitioner, earning the nickname ‘Dr Jhatka,’ while also engaging in property dealing and contracting work. He even operated a small clinic and managed to obtain official documents, including an Aadhaar card, voter identity card, PAN card, driving licence, and domicile certificate.

The couple has two children, a 17-year-old son studying in Class 12 and a 16-year-old daughter studying in Class 11. Police said the accused had successfully concealed his criminal past and lived a seemingly normal life for nearly three decades.

Investigators also revealed that Rajinder has a long criminal record. Besides the murder case and the escape-from-custody case, he is wanted in multiple attempt-to-murder cases registered in Delhi and Haryana. His criminal history includes cases under the Arms Act as well as theft-related offences registered in Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

Officials described the arrest as the culmination of a 28-year-long pursuit and a significant achievement for the Crime Branch. They said the operation demonstrates that even the most elusive fugitives can eventually be brought to justice through sustained investigative efforts and coordination among law enforcement agencies across states.

New Delhi, Aug 5: Seven years after the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, significant changes have been witnessed in the daily lives of people across the Valley, with improvements in infrastructure, governance, education, connectivity, tourism and law and order emerging as key indicators of transformation.

The report, based on an opinion article published in Global Kashmir by political analyst Israar Shahid, states that one of the most notable achievements since August 5, 2019, has been the restoration of normalcy and the ordinary rhythm of life in the region.

According to the article, there was a time when introducing oneself as a Kashmiri outside Jammu and Kashmir often evoked associations with violence, curfews, shutdowns, stone-pelting incidents and uncertainty. This perception, it noted, was shaped by decades of conflict and unrest that frequently dominated national discourse.

For those born during the 1990s and early 2000s, growing up in Kashmir often meant living amid uncertainty and disruption. Families adjusted their daily routines around security concerns, markets shut abruptly, schools remained closed for prolonged periods and public life was frequently affected by instability.

The report notes that before 2019, Kashmir’s political landscape differed significantly from that of most Indian states. Alongside elected governments and administrative institutions, other influential forces often shaped public discourse and political narratives. Many residents felt caught between competing interests, while ordinary citizens frequently bore the consequences of decisions over which they had little control.

According to the article, Kashmiris are widely known for their resilience, humility and emotional nature. However, these characteristics often made sections of society vulnerable to manipulation by various political actors. Many residents felt that both mainstream political parties and separatist groups appealed to public sentiment whenever it suited their respective agendas.

A recurring criticism among many Kashmiris, the report states, was that ordinary citizens were encouraged to participate in protests, shutdowns and demonstrations, while those issuing such calls often remained insulated from the hardships that followed. The burden of disruption was largely borne by daily wage earners, traders, students and ordinary families.

The article said that it was not influential political leaders or members of elite families who suffered the most during years of unrest. Instead, it was the common Kashmiri, including farmers, shopkeepers, labourers, teachers and students who endured the greatest hardships.

The report also highlights the long-term impact of the migration of Kashmiri Pandits during the 1990s. According to the article, the departure of experienced teachers, professors and academics left a significant gap in the educational landscape of the Valley. Frequent shutdowns and prolonged disruptions further affected schools, colleges and universities, resulting in repeated interruptions to academic schedules.

As a consequence, an entire generation of students faced challenges in competing for opportunities at the national level. The report emphasises that the issue was not a lack of talent, as Kashmir has consistently produced capable students, but rather the environment in which they were compelled to pursue their education.

Against this backdrop, developments following August 5, 2019, continue to remain a subject of political debate. However, the report states that many residents point to visible changes in everyday life that go beyond political arguments.

According to the article, the transformation is evident not only in official statistics but also in roads, schools, public services, businesses and the confidence with which people now plan their futures.

Infrastructure development has emerged as one of the most visible changes. The report notes that projects which once moved at a slow pace have seen faster execution in recent years. It cites the example of the Jehangir Chowk-Rambagh flyover in Srinagar, which took nearly a decade to become operational after being conceived. In contrast, several road and flyover projects have been completed in recent years to improve connectivity and ease traffic congestion.

Residents frequently point to projects in areas such as Sanat Nagar, Nowgam, Sangrama and Delina as examples of development that directly impacts daily life. Improved road infrastructure has reduced travel times and enhanced mobility for commuters.

The report also highlights the case of Gurez, where grid-connected electricity reached the region in November 2023. For residents of remote areas, such developments have significantly improved living conditions and quality of life.

Technology-driven governance has also become a key feature of administrative reforms. According to the report, digital services, online certification systems, grievance portals and electronic governance mechanisms have reduced dependence on intermediaries and personal connections. Citizens are increasingly able to access government services through transparent and structured procedures.

The expansion of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanisms has further strengthened welfare delivery. Subsidies, scholarships, healthcare assistance, housing benefits and other government support programmes are now reaching beneficiaries more directly, reducing delays and leakages.

Connectivity has witnessed a major boost with the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link. The report describes the railway project as the fulfilment of a long-standing aspiration for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Engineering marvels such as the Chenab Bridge and Anji Khad Bridge have attracted national and international attention. For many residents, the railway network represents more than just transportation; it symbolises greater accessibility, integration and economic opportunity.

Tourism, one of Kashmir’s most important economic sectors, has also experienced a significant revival. Long celebrated for its natural beauty, the region often struggled to maintain consistent tourist inflows because of security concerns. However, the report notes that visitor numbers have risen substantially in recent years.

Popular destinations such as Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg continue to attract tourists, while previously lesser-known areas such as Gurez are gaining recognition.

The economic benefits of tourism extend well beyond hotels and resorts. Taxi operators, tour guides, artisans, restaurant owners, shopkeepers and numerous small businesses have benefited from increased tourist activity.

The return of film production to Kashmir has further contributed to this revival. Once a preferred destination for filmmakers, the Valley witnessed a decline in film-related activity due to instability. According to the report, the return of film crews is viewed by many residents as an indication of improved ground conditions.

Basic services, including electricity and drinking water, have also shown improvement. Investments in power infrastructure and transmission systems have strengthened electricity supply in several areas. Initiatives under the Jal Jeevan Mission have expanded access to clean drinking water, reducing dependence on distant sources.

However, the report suggests that perhaps the most significant transformation is not physical infrastructure but a change in public mindset.

Today, many business owners are focusing on expansion rather than preparing for sudden shutdowns. Students are concentrating on competitive examinations without the fear of prolonged academic disruptions. Young entrepreneurs are exploring startup opportunities, athletes are pursuing sporting careers and families are making long-term plans with greater confidence.

The report also notes that elections in recent years have reflected changing social and political dynamics. Increased participation by ordinary citizens has been interpreted by many observers as a sign of greater engagement with democratic processes.

One of the most significant changes highlighted in the report relates to law and order. For several consecutive years, educational institutions have largely followed academic calendars without major interruptions. Parents who once worried about school closures are now seeing their children attend classes regularly.

For families unable to send their children outside the Valley for education, this continuity has been particularly important. The ability to pursue studies without prolonged disruption has restored a sense of normalcy that many previous generations lacked.

The reduction in large-scale street violence has also enabled young people to redirect their energies towards education, employment, entrepreneurship, sports and professional growth. According to the report, this shift represents not merely an improvement in security but the restoration of the freedom to dream and aspire.

Seven years after August 5, 2019, many residents believe that the return of ordinary life remains the most meaningful achievement. The ability to attend school regularly, travel freely, run businesses without fear of sudden disruptions and plan for the future with confidence are among the changes frequently cited by ordinary Kashmiris.

At the same time, the report acknowledges that significant challenges remain. Unemployment continues to be a concern, while political aspirations and Constitutional debates persist. It notes that development must reach every village and every section of society, and that lasting peace requires dignity, opportunity, representation and sustained economic growth.

The report argues that recognising progress does not require ignoring existing challenges, just as acknowledging challenges should not mean dismissing positive developments. A society that has experienced decades of conflict, it states, deserves an honest assessment of both its achievements and its shortcomings.

According to the article, when ordinary Kashmiris are asked what has changed since August 5, 2019, they often do not refer first to official reports or government statistics. Instead, they point to everyday experiences such as uninterrupted schooling, consistent business activity, improved infrastructure, returning tourists and a greater sense of security.

For many residents, the discussion ultimately centres on peace, stability, accountability and the opportunity to build a better future.

The report concludes that the story of Kashmir’s transformation is not primarily about political elites or powerful institutions. Rather, it is about ordinary citizens, the fruit seller, farmer, teacher, student, small business owner and parent, who have lived through decades of uncertainty.

For many such Kashmiris, the last seven years represent a transition from fear to hope, from instability to relative normalcy and from uncertainty to possibility.

As debates surrounding Article 370 continue across political and ideological lines, one sentiment frequently emerges among those who measure change through everyday life rather than political rhetoric: after decades of conflict, ordinary people increasingly feel they have an opportunity to focus on something they had long been denied, the ability to live, work, learn and dream in peace.

The report also notes that leaders of the Union government, speaking at various public forums and official events in recent years, have consistently maintained that the changes introduced after August 2019 were aimed at promoting peace, development, transparency and equal opportunities for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.