Dalit Man, 19, Thrashed, Urinated Upon, Sexually Assaulted In Rajasthan

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 20, 2025 | top-stories

He was out watching a wedding procession in Rajasthan. Two men called him to a nearby bus stand. Without provocation or warning, they then thrashed him, urinated upon him and sexually assaulted the 19-year-old Dalit man, said the police.

The incident was reported from Fathepur area in Sikar on April 8.

An FIR in the case was filed on April 16 by the family, almost a week after the incident as the teenager was in shock.

The complaint says the men hit him, including on his private parts, forced him to remove his clothes and performed unnatural sex on him.

“They were drunk. They hit me with a bottle, urinated on me and used casteist slurs,” the victim alleged, adding that the accused also recorded a video of their acts and “threatened” to share it on social media if he told anyone about the incident.

A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, said the police.

“We have registered an FIR in the matter. Medical examination of the victim has been done, and his statement has been recorded. The matter is being investigated,” Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Arvind Kumar told news agency PTI.

Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan Tika Ram Jully, a Dalit, said the incident has exposed the “real law and order situation” in the state.

“This is the reality of today’s Rajasthan. A Dalit youth was kidnapped, beaten, sodomised, urinated upon and threatened. It is not a film scene, it is a shameful reality,” said Mr Jully, who was discriminated against when BJP leader Gyandev Ahuja sprinkled Gangajal in a temple to “purify” it after the Congress leader’s visit.

Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also took note of the incident.

“The trauma was so severe that the young man was unable to register a complaint for eight days,” Ashok Gehlot said.

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Mamata Banerjee Accuses RSS, BJP Of “Instigating Violence In Bengal”

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 19, 2025 | top-stories

Kolkata:

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said that Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the BJP are responsible for “instigating communal violence” in the state.

“RSS and BJP are the ones who are instigating communal violence in West Bengal. People of the state should be extremely careful not to get trapped in their provocations. BJP and its allies have suddenly become very aggressive in West Bengal. These allies include RSS. These forces are using the backdrop of an unfortunate incident that happened due to provocation. They are using the backdrop to play divisive politics,” said the Chief Minister in her open letter.

The Chief Minister added that they (RSS-BJP) want to “incite” riots, which can affect everyone.

“We love all. We want to stay together. We condemn riots. We are against riots. They (RSS-BJP) want to divide us for narrow electoral politics,” she said.

She also appealed to everyone to remain calm, adding that she condemns communal riots, which must be curbed.

“The criminals behind the riots are being strongly dealt with. But, simultaneously, we must avoid mutual mistrust and distrust. The majority and the minority communities must work together and take care of each other,” she said.

The Chief Minister added that for maintaining law and order and for saving human lives and dignity, the state government have taken strong actions.

“Two police officers-in-charge have been removed. And the police are investigating the case. Further actions will be taken,” the Chief Minister said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Madhya Pradesh's “Fake” Doctor Sent To Jail Till May 1

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 19, 2025 | top-stories

Bhopal:

Narendra Yadav alias N John Camm has been sent to jail till May 1. After his police remand ended, the police presented Narendra Yadav before the court in Madhya Pradesh’s Damoh and was ordered to remain in judicial custody until May 1.

Yadav is at the centre of a legal and medical controversy.

Accused of performing cardiac surgeries on multiple patients, seven of whom tragically passed away under suspicious circumstances, he was under police remand since last one month.

Speaking to IANS, his lawyer, Sachin Nayak, said Yadav will apply for bail in the Sessions court on Monday as police questioning has concluded now.

According to Nayak, the doctor experienced high blood pressure on Thursday night and was temporarily admitted to the Damoh district hospital for treatment before being returned to custody.

Police sources indicated that Yadav had not disclosed any medical conditions or medications, apart from blood pressure issues.

A viral video capturing his hospital admission added further attention to the case.

Yadav’s counsel had requested access to his mobile phone and for court appearances via video-conferencing.

However, the public prosecutor opposed the requests, arguing that the phone was undergoing forensic analysis as part of the investigation, and only the court could decide on the mode of his appearance according to the jail manual.

Yadav later claimed to the media that he was innocent, asserting that his qualifications complied with all regulations, and mentioning his family is currently in abroad.

He also expressed full faith in the judicial system.

The scandal has escalated with significant repercussions.

The Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) of Damoh, Mukesh Jain, suspended the license of Mission Hospital and sealed its Cath Lab where Yadav worked.

The police registered cases against him, following the CMHO’s midnight complaint on April 6, which alleged that Yadav lacked the necessary qualifications for the surgeries he performed.

Last Wednesday, a team of doctors and government officials revoked the hospital’s license and sealed its remaining facilities.

Yadav, suspected of conducting 15 surgeries, seven of which resulted in deaths under questionable circumstances, remains under investigation.

Allegations of impersonation have further fuelled the controversy, with reports claiming he adopted the pseudonym, N. John Camm, to pose as a European cardiologist.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Rs 1,000 Per Plate, Rs 1.2-Lakh Bill: Bureaucrat's Lavish Party Sparks Row

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 18, 2025 | top-stories

Lunch at Rs 1,000 per plate for IAS officers and their families, for drivers at nearly Rs 600, taxi fare and a total bill of over Rs 1.2 lakh – a Holi party thrown by the Himachal Pradesh chief secretary has sparked a row, more so since the government has been asked to foot the bill.

Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, who was supposed to retire on March 31 and has been given a six-month extension, threw the lavish bash for Holi at Himachal Tourism’s flagship hotel Holiday Home in Shimla. About 75 people, including officers, their wives and children attended the party and the cost of the food per plate was about Rs 1,000, taking the total to Rs 75,000, before GST. Lunch for 22 drivers at Rs 585 per plate and taxi fare of Rs 11,800 was also added to the bill, taking the figure to Rs 1,22,020.

The management of the hotel had sent the bill to the chief secretary’s office, which has allegedly been forwarded to the General Administration Department of the Himachal Pradesh government. The bill has also been circulated on social media, inviting criticism from users, former officers and the BJP, which has accused the Congress-led government of wasting money while constantly complaining of a financial crisis.

Randhir Sharma, MLA and BJP spokesperson, said, “It is surprising that, under the Congress government, officers party and the government has to pay the bill. A party was organised on Holi and officers, their families and staff were invited. The bill of Rs 1.22 lakh has been sent to the General Administration Department by the chief secretary.”

“Officers are wasting government money to enjoy themselves and host parties. The government is not stopping this because they also do the same thing… The BJP seeks that the chief minister (Sukhvinder Sukhu), who talks about reform, should ensure that such things do not happen again,” he added.

Neither Chief Secretary Saxena nor the Himachal government have responded so far.

(With inputs from VD Sharma)

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Terrorist Behind 14 Blasts In Punjab Caught In US, Say Security Agencies

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 17, 2025 | top-stories

New Delhi:

US-based terrorist Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passia, said to be responsible for 14 terror attacks over the last six months in Punjab, have been captured in the US by its Immigration department.

Sources in security forces said he carried out the attacks in collaboration with Pakistan intelligence agency ISI and Babbar Khalsa International.

The terrorist — who carried a reward of 5 lakh on his head — is now in the custody of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

Happy Passia had conducted multiple terror attacks on the police establishments of Punjab and took responsibility for them on social media.

A series of blasts targeting police establishments in Amritsar since November 2024 had made the security agencies begin a hunt for him.

Series of Attacks

1. November 23, 2024: An IED weighing about 1.5 kg was planted outside Ajnala police station in Amritsar but it was recovered before it exploded
2. November 29, 2024: An explosion took place near a police checkpost in Gurbakhsh Nagar, Amritsar around 11 pm
3. December 2, 2024: A grenade attack was reported on the Ansar police post in Nawanshahr. The grenade did not explode and was later defused.
4. December 4, 2024: A massive grenade blast at Majitha police station in Amritsar shattered windows, but no one was injured
5. December 13, 2024: A grenade was reportedly hurled near the entry gate of Ghania’s Bangar police station in Batala; however, it did not explode
6. December 17, 2024: Around 3:15 am, an explosion took place near Islamabad police station in Amritsar, shaking nearby houses. German gangster Jivan Fauji, associated with Babbar Khalsa International, claimed responsibility for the attack.
7. December 18, 2024: A grenade blast targeted the Bakshiwala police check post in Kalanaur, Gurdaspur.
8. December 20, 2024: Another grenade blast took place at Wadala Bangar police check post in Kalanaur, Gurdaspur.
9. January 9, 2025: An explosion was reported outside the Gumtala police post in Amritsar around 8.45 pm. Initial reports said a car radiator had exploded. But Happy Passia, claimed responsibility on social media and said it was meant to avenge the killing of his two comrades in a fake encounter.
10. February 3, 2025: An explosion took place outside the boundary wall of Fatehgarh Churian police post in Amritsar.
11. February 14, 2025: A low-intensity blast targeted a policeman’s house in Dera Baba Nanak, Gurdaspur.
12. 15 March 2025: Two people on a bike threw a grenade near Thakurdwara temple in Amritsar. The police killed one of the accused in an encounter.
13 Attack at BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia’s house
14. April 16, 2025: Grenade attack at a YouTuber’s house in Punjab

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Donald Trump Suggests Tariffs Capable Of Replacing Income Tax

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 17, 2025 | top-stories

Washington:

US President Donald Trump recently expressed optimism about the potential for tariffs to generate substantial revenue, possibly even replacing income tax. In a conversation with Fox Noticias, Trump highlighted the significant financial gains from tariffs, drawing parallels with the late 19th century when the US imposed tariffs and amassed considerable funds. “There is a chance that the money is so great that it could replace” income tax, Trump stated, referencing the period between 1870 and 1913 when tariffs were the primary source of revenue.

During this era, the US experienced unprecedented wealth, with Trump noting, “And that’s when our nation was relatively the richest. We were the richest.” However, Trump acknowledged that any changes to income tax would require Congressional approval, as the legislative body oversees tax policy. Trump’s goal is to utilise tariff revenue to support a tax bill that would exempt tips and Social Security from taxation, among other campaign promises. He emphasised the substantial revenue potential, saying, “It could replace the income tax, that’s the kind of money”.

Trump also discussed a historical committee established to manage excess revenue, stating, “And this committee’s sole purpose was how to dispose of it, who to give it to, what do we do? And then, brilliantly, in 1913, they went to the income tax system.” He further noted that attempts to revive tariffs in the 1930s were unsuccessful, and the Great Depression was incorrectly blamed on tariffs, when in fact, it predated the tariffs.

Regarding tariff revenue, Trump said, “Billions and billions of dollars and, hundreds of billions of dollars over a period of a year.” He also referenced the significant daily revenue generated from tariffs, stating, “Before I gave a little bit of a pause to lower just a little bit because, you know, it’s a transition. You have to be, you have to have a little flexibility. But we were making two billion and three billion dollars a day. We never made money like that.”

The Trump administration has temporarily halted reciprocal tariffs imposed on nations for 90 days, following Trump’s announcement that there would be no pause on tariffs and only negotiations. Meanwhile, the US has imposed 245% tariffs on China, reflecting the ongoing tariff dispute between the two nations.

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