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Three sentenced to six years of imprisonment in Bhaiyyu Maharaj suicide case

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Three years after model-turned ‘spiritual leader’- Bhaiyyu Maharaj died by suicide, a district court of in Madhya Pradesh on Friday sentenced three convicts, including a woman for six years of imprisonment in the case.

Three persons – Palak Puranik, Vinayak Dudhade and Sharad Deshmukh have been convicted for abetment of suicide criminal conspiracy and extortion of money by an Indore district court.

In a 50-page judgment, additional sessions judge Dharmendra Soni observed that the submission of prosecution witnesses proved that Puranik, Dudhade and Sharad Deshmukh were “mounting pressure” on Bhaiyyu Maharaj to marry Puranik. They were also “mentally torturing and threatening” him for money.

Bhaiyyu Maharaj had shot himself with his licensed with licensed pistol at his bungalow in Silver Springs township in Indore on June 12, 2018. Seven months later, his three close aides (convicts) were arrested by Indore police.

“Puranik was an attendant of Bhaiyyu Maharaj, and therefore their relationship was that of master-servant, but she used to keep her dresses in his almirah and share the room with him. Puranik also dissuaded him from marrying another woman, which showed that she was in the position to exert pressure on him,” the court observed.

“A servant prevails over the will of his master only when he or she is aware of his weakness,” the court added.

The suicide had made headlines as Maharaj was a high-profile spiritual figure and some prominent politicians from Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra were among his followers. He was among those five “spiritual leaders”, who were accorded with cabinet minister rank by the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government.

The prosecution probed that the accused used to give sleeping pills or sedative drugs besides his regular medicines to Bhaiyyu Maharaj, the court said.

“Hence, it can not be expected that he wrote the suicide note in a sound state of mind as he was already under the influence of sleeping pills and also facing pressure from the accused,” the court said.

Earlier, during the trial, a psychiatrist had told the court that Bhaiyyu Maharaj was taking psychotropic medication along with sleeping pills.

The suicide note recovered from his house then had mentioned that he was ending life due to enormous stress, and his financial rights, assets and bank accounts be entrusted to Vinayak Dudhade. Puranik, Dudhade and Sharad Deshmukh were arrested seven months after his death.

After judgement was pronounced, a group of advocates appearing for convicts said the court has set aside the suicide note and therefore they would challenge the judgement before the High Court.

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Abu Azmi calls for Hindi’s universal acceptance, SS slams DMK over rupee symbol row

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Mumbai, March 15: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party (SP) chief and MLA Abu Azmi on Saturday advocated for Hindi as a unifying language across India.

His remarks come amidst Tamil Nadu government’s decision to replace the official rupee symbol with its Tamil script equivalent in the state’s Budget 2025-26, a move that has sparked sharp political reactions.

“India is a large country. There should be a language that is acceptable to all, and I believe that Hindi is that language,” Azmi told media.

“There is a parliamentary committee for this also, and I feel that from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Hindi should be given the recognition. What someone wants to do in their state is their call,” he added.

The DMK-led Tamil Nadu government’s move to replace the rupee symbol has drawn strong criticism from various quarters.

Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande termed it “unconstitutional” and a violation of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines.

“The Tamil Nadu government has no authority to change our national rupee symbol to any local language,” she told media.

Calling the move a “political stunt,” Kayande accused the DMK of deliberately challenging the Centre.

“The three-language policy has been accepted in India for a long time. Hindi is a common language. They give recognition to English but not to Hindi. They love speaking and learning English but do not like Hindi, even though it is an Indian language. This is just an attempt to create hatred among the people,” she said.

Speaking to media, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam called the DMK’s decision “treasonous” and “anti-national.”

He reminded that when the rupee symbol was introduced during the Congress-led UPA era, the DMK was part of the government.

“The rupee symbol is the pride of this country. Changing it and using Tamil letters instead is unacceptable,” he said.

Nirupam also accused the Dravidian parties of using anti-Hindi sentiments for political gain.

“The Stalin government is pushing an anti-Hindi agenda, which is objectionable and shameful. This phase of extreme opposition to Hindi could lead to Stalin’s downfall. The entire country is united today, unlike the 1960s when such movements took place. Hindi has gained respect nationwide as an effective communication language,” he said.

He further emphasised that Tamil Nadu’s resistance to Hindi could prove detrimental.

“People from Tamil Nadu do business in Hindi-speaking states and use Hindi for communication. If they continue this extremist attitude, they may end up isolating themselves, which would not be in Tamil Nadu’s best interest,” Nirupam warned.

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The painting work of Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal will start from Sunday, ASI team itself brought the labourers: Zafar Ali

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Sambhal, March 15: The painting work of Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh will start from Sunday in the presence of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) team. The mosque will be painted in white, green and golden colours.

Shahi Jama Masjid’s Sadar Zafar Ali, while talking to media on Saturday, said that the ASI team is present here. The painting work of the mosque will start from Sunday. Today only cleaning work is being done in the mosque.

He told that the ASI team has brought the labourers itself and the whole process is being done under their supervision. The work will be completed in three-four days. The mosque will be painted in green, white and golden colours.

Let us tell you that in recent times, Allahabad High Court had given permission to the committee of Shahi Jama Masjid of Sambhal to paint the outer walls of the mosque. The court, while partially accepting the application of the mosque committee, had ordered that painting can be done only on the outer walls of the mosque.

Apart from this, the High Court had said that lighting can also be installed on the outer walls, but this work should be done without damaging any structure. The mosque committee had filed this petition in Allahabad High Court, in which they had sought permission to paint.

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‘Animal Lives Matter’ Only During Bakri Eid: Netizen Criticises As Viral Video Shows Long Queue Outside Mutton Shop On Holi

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Vasai-Virar: A video became popular depicting a long line on Holi day outside a mutton shop in Virar. An X user shared a video highlighting the waiting line of Virar locals purchasing mutton (goat meat) from Azeez Mutton shop and remarked in the caption that called out people for criticising animal slaughter only on Bakri Eid but turns a blind eye on other festivals where people enjoy meat.

The post was initially shared by a user on X (@single_soul1), reacting to the lengthy line outside the mutton shop, pointing out that the Jain community does not object to Hindu celebrations where meat is consumed, yet it seems to only condemn Islamic festivals for doing likewise.

The X user (@HumairaMirza7) reposted the post with caption that stated: “Now, during Bakra Eid, everyone will suddenly remember ‘Animal lives matter’., There was a huge queue at Azeez Mutton shop in Virar during Holi.”

When it comes to certain restrictions that are imposed on religious customs, a unfair play is always seen amongst the communities claiming the restrictions are only placed on them and not the other religions or customs.

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