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SC to hear Delhi Police arguments today against bail in 2020 riots case

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New Delhi, Nov 24: The Supreme Court is slated to continue hearing on Monday the bail pleas of student leaders Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid, Meeran Haider, Gulfisha Fatima, and Shifa-ur-Rehman — all accused under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in the alleged “larger conspiracy” behind the 2020 North East Delhi riots.

As per the the causelist published on the apex court’s website, a Bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria will continue to hear the submissions of the Delhi Police opposing bail.

In an earlier hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Delhi Police, had submitted that the 2020 violence was not a spontaneous communal clash but a “well-designed, well-crafted” attack on national sovereignty.

“Your lordships were told, there was a protest, and it resulted in communal riots. First of all, I would like the myth to be busted. This was not a spontaneous riot but well-designed, well-crafted, orchestrated, pre-planned, choreographed riots, and that will emerge from the evidence collected,” S-G Mehta submitted, claiming that evidence, including speeches and WhatsApp chats, revealed a “clear and discernible attempt to divide the society on communal lines”.

Referring specifically to Sharjeel Imam’s alleged statements, the Centre’s law officer had told the apex court: ‘He (Imam) says it is his heartfelt wish that there be a chakka jam in every city where Muslims reside.”

S-G Mehta also sought to place reliance on WhatsApp chats recovered by the Delhi Police, which allegedly show “how the property is to be damaged, how money is to be collected”, adding that it was “a systematic and synchronised attempt to divide the society and divide the nation”.

On Thursday, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S.V. Raju, appearing for the Delhi Police, played before the top court video clips of Sharjeel Imam’s speeches as well as visuals of the 2020 riots.

ASG Raju submitted that the material revealed during the course of the investigation reflected a “clear, deliberate, and coordinated” attempt to provoke unrest. The Delhi Police, in its counter-affidavit, has described Umar Khalid as a “key conspirator” and “mentor” to others, including Imam, alleging that the conspiracy was pre-planned to coincide with the official visit of US President Donald Trump.

“This was done to draw the attention of ‘international media’ and to make the issue of CAA a global issue by portraying it as an act pogrom of the Muslim community in India. The issue of CAA was carefully chosen to serve as a ‘radicalising catalyst’ camouflaged in the name of ‘peaceful protest’,” the affidavit said.

Earlier, the Delhi High Court had rejected the bail pleas of all the accused.

Crime

Bengal man arrested for sexually assaulting minor daughter

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Kolkata, Sep 12: A man in West Bengal South 24 Parganas district has been arrested for sexually assaulting his 13-year-old daughter, police said on Saturday.

According to the police, the elder daughter had filed a complaint against her father with the Baruipar police. She claimed that she left home due to sexual assault, which she was subjected to by her father, and alleged that he was doing the same to her younger sister. Based on that complaint, officers of Baruipur Women Police Station have arrested the accused.

According to the police, the arrested person is a hawker by profession.

Allegedly, in December last year, the accused’s elder daughter was subjected to physical abuse. She left home in anger and fear. The younger daughter alleged that her father’s misbehaviour was not resolved even after she informed her mother. The mother kept quiet even after knowing everything.

It is alleged that after the elder daughter left home, the father continued to sexually assault the younger daughter. The ‘victim’ claimed that this had been happening for the past few months. She said that there was no situation to tell anyone. She spoke to her sister on the phone. After that, both sisters informed their mother. Even after that, the mother remained silent and refused to accept their allegations.

Incidentally, the accused’s elder daughter called 100 and informed the police about the matter. Based on that, officers of Baruipur Women Police Station arrested the accused from the Kulpi Road area last night. A case has been registered against the accused under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. Police have applied for his custody to investigate the matter further.

“Based on the complaint by the daughter, the father has been arrested. We will seek his custody to interrogate him further. Investigation is on, and all the allegations are being looked into,” a senior officer of Baruipur Police District said.

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Crime

School bus driver shot at in MP’s Dabra; 50 terrified children on board witness crime

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Gwalior, Sep 12: In a shocking incident, a school bus driver was shot at by two youths following a dispute over a car parked in the middle of the road in Dabra town of Gwalior district on Saturday morning. Alarmingly, there were around 50 schoolchildren in the bus at the time of the incident who were left terrified after witnessing the crime, police said.

The incident occurred near Badi Akbai village under Pichhore police station limits when the bus belonging to Glorious Convent School, Tekanpur, was taking children to school.

According to police, a Swift car was parked in the middle of the road, obstructing traffic.

Unable to move forward because of the car parked in an awkward manner, bus driver Khem Singh sent his helper to ask the occupants to move the vehicle.

However, the men allegedly refused to move the vehicle, saying the car had run out of fuel.

When Singh got down and suggested that the car be pushed aside to clear the road, the youths allegedly became angry and an argument followed.

One of them allegedly pulled out a country-made pistol and fired four rounds at Singh. Pellets hit him near the eye and on the cheek, leaving him injured. The accused then fled from the spot.

The injured driver was initially taken to a hospital in Dabra and later referred to Gwalior for further treatment.

Pichhore SHO Shivam Singh Rajawat said the car had tinted windows and the word “Gurjar” was written on its rear windshield.

The firing took place while around 50 children were inside the school bus, triggering concern over their safety.

The children were reportedly terrified after the sudden gunfire and the attack on their driver.

SDOP Saurabh Kumar said police teams were working to identify and arrest the accused.

CCTV footage from the area is also being examined to trace their movements.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident and are questioning witnesses to establish the circumstances leading to the firing.

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Crime

Two convicted in 5.25-kg opium trafficking case in Aurangabad

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Patna, Sep 12: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Patna Zonal Unit, has secured the conviction of two men in a drug trafficking case involving the seizure of 5.250 kg of opium in Bihar’s Aurangabad district.

The contraband was seized on February 24, 2021, following specific Intelligence received by the NCB.

Acting on the information, officers intercepted accused Pramod Prasad at Ramabandh Bus Stand in the Town Police Station area of Aurangabad and recovered 5.250 kg of opium, which he had allegedly concealed in his clothes.

According to the NCB, the opium had been sourced from Daltonganj in Jharkhand and was being transported to Aurangabad in Bihar.

The case was registered as NCB Patna Zonal Unit Crime No. 04/2021 under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

During the subsequent investigation, the alleged supplier, identified as Bikesh Kumar Gupta, was also arrested.

The NCB said its investigation gathered evidence that was subsequently presented before the court to establish the involvement of both accused.

The 1st Additional District and Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge (NDPS Act), Aurangabad, found Pramod Prasad, a resident of Imamganj in Gaya district, and Bikesh Kumar Gupta alias Bikash Kumar Gupta, a resident of Panki in Palamu district of Jharkhand, guilty of offences under the NDPS Act.

The court sentenced both men to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh each under the applicable Sections.

The court further directed that, in case of failure to pay the fine, each convict would undergo an additional one year of simple imprisonment.

The NCB attributed the conviction to the investigation and prosecution conducted by its officers and said it remains committed to curbing illicit drug trafficking and preventing drug abuse.

The Bureau has also appealed to members of the public to share information about the illegal trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances through the MANAS portal or helpline number 1933.

The NCB said the identity of informants would be kept strictly confidential.

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