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Time of India
22-07-2025
- Time of India
Postal dept ex-official gets 2-yr RI, fined Rs1.1L for cheating govt
Patna: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Patna on Tuesday sentenced Lohra Bhagat, a former senior accountant in the Department of Post in Patna, to two years' rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs 1.1 lakh for "cheating" both the central and state governments. Bhagat, despite being posted as a senior accountant in the in office of the director of accounts in Patna postal department during 2010-2013, used a forged name, Lalit Bhagat, to get another job of the deputy chairman of Bihar State Scheduled Tribe Commission. An FIR was registered by the CBI on March 31, 2014, against Bhagat, who enjoyed both the posts, and received salaries from both the departments. The CBI had filed a charge sheet on March 31, 2015. During investigation, it was found that Lohra and Lalit Bhagat are one and the same person. He worked as senior accountant in the Department of Post as well as the deputy chairman in the Bihar State Scheduled Tribe Commission between July 2010 and July 2011 simultaneously and drew salary of Rs 3,41,444 per month from the Govt of India, and Rs 14,87,591 and other miscellaneous expenses like leased vehicle of Rs 32,850 monthly from the state govt.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Time of India
Two arrested for unauthorised buffalo meat trade in Navi Mumbai
Navi Mumbai: Taloja police arrested a beef shop owner and his employee for unlawfully slaughtering two buffaloes and offering the meat for sale on Friday. The authorities also discovered one buffalo and three calves inhumanely restrained behind their establishment. Senior inspector Pravin Bhagat of Taloja stated that the arrested individuals were butcher Rajik Qureshi (25) and Abdulla Beef shop owner Jiyauddin Patel (43) from Taloja village. They face charges under BNS sections for animal killing and common intention, alongside Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Kailas Repale (25), a social activist and animal welfare advocate from Kalamboli, filed the complaint after discovering two slaughtered buffaloes displayed at the shop on Friday morning. He also noticed four animals tied up cruelly behind the premises, leading him to alert the authorities who subsequently apprehended the suspects. Inspector Bhagat explained, "When inquired, it was found that the duo did not procure a licence for butchering the buffaloes at the shop, when they should have bought the beef meat for sale from govt authorised abattoir at Deonar. It is being probed from where the two buffaloes were brought and butchered for selling the meat. Also, from whom the rescued cattle was purchased by the accused." You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Meanwhile, Bhagat said, the rescued buffalo and three calves have been sent to an animal infirmary for care and treatment. The duo accused were produced before Panvel court on Saturday and were remanded to judicial custody. As the offence is bailable, as per the provision of the law, the accused can apply for bail while in jail custody. MSID:: 122268005 413 |
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Time of India
Mental cruelty: Know how a husband won a divorce battle in High Court as wife mocked his physical infirmity; Permanent alimony amount to be decided
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills How did this divorce alimony case start? June 1, 2016: The couple married by following Hindu rites and customs. June 2 to September 14 of 2016: The husband alleged that the wife was always passing comments about his physical infirmity and hence unpleasant situations arose between them. September 15, 2016: The wife left her husband's house and came back on January 5, 2017, after negotiations. She then also continued to comment on the husband's physical disabilities which resulted in serious dispute between the parties. March 25, 2018: She voluntarily left the matrimonial house. Thereafter she also lodged a criminal case alleging the offences under Section 498-A, I.P.C. and other offences against the Husband and in-laws. April 3, 2019: The husband filed a divorce case against the wife for dissolving the marriage. July 10, 2023: The Puri family court passed a decree of divorce dissolving the marriage between the parties without any grant of permanent alimony. Odisha High Court investigated the husband and wife's claims Though two witnesses were examined on behalf of the Husband-Plaintiff, the Wife did not choose to examine any witness and not to adduce any evidence from her side though she cross-examined the Husband and his witnesses. Therefore, what is to be seen is that, in absence of any evidence led from the side of the Wife, whether the evidence brought on record by the Husband would satisfy his grounds of cruelty to grant the decree of divorce? Learned Judge, Family Court, Puri has framed five issues, amongst which Issue No.(ii) speaks about subjecting the Plaintiff to ill-treatment and mental cruelty by the Wife. All such issues including Issue No.(ii) has been answered in favour of the Husband. As borne out from the evidence of the Husband (P.W.1) that, the Wife is passing comments to her Husband saying 'Kempa, Nikhatu, etc.' Though the Wife has cross-examined the Husband, but did not suggest anything to rebut such statements made on the part of the Husband and it is also admitted by the Wife that she has initiated a criminal proceeding against the Husband and other in-law members. Odisha High Court answers whether cruelty includes mental cruelty and how it can be used as grounds of divorce Cruelty includes mental cruelty. Time and again, it has been clarified regarding the scope of mental cruelty. The Supreme Court in the case of V. Bhagat v. D. Bhagat (Mrs), (1994) 1 SCC 337 have also held this. As stated by the witness in the case at hand that the Wife passed comments to the physical infirmity of the Husband saying him as 'Kempa, Nikhatu' remains un-rebutted. The Wife making such statements against the Husband towards his physical infirmity definitely is causing mental pain. Such behaviour by the wife towards the Husband discloses her thought and respect to the Husband. A person is expected to give respect to another person in general and where it comes to the relationship of Husband and Wife, it is expected that the Wife should support the Husband despite his physical infirmity, if any. Here it is a case where the wife made aspersions to Husband towards his physical infirmity and passed comments regarding the same. This definitely in our opinion amounts to mental cruelty leading to draw an inference against the Wife that she treated her Husband with cruelty owing to his physical deformity. Thus we are inclined with the finding of the learned Judge, Family Court, Puri that the Wife has treated her Husband with mental cruelty. On such ground, we are satisfied that the requirement in terms of Section 13(1)(i-a) of the Hindu Marriage Act is attracted to grant the decree of divorce. We thus confirm the impugned judgment granting the decree of divorce between the parties dissolving their marriage. What do the legal experts say? What is the significance of this judgement? Mental Cruelty defined and applied: The court upheld the Family Court's divorce decree, finding that the wife's derogatory remarks (e.g., 'Kempa, Nikhatu') about the husband's physical disability constituted mental cruelty, rendering cohabitation intolerable. Citing V. Bhagat v. D. Bhagat (1994) 1 SCC 337 and Samar Ghosh v. Jaya Ghosh (2007) 4 SCC 511, the court emphasized that mental cruelty is context-specific, assessed based on the parties' social, educational, and cultural backgrounds, and includes conduct causing significant mental pain. The court upheld the Family Court's divorce decree, finding that the wife's derogatory remarks (e.g., 'Kempa, Nikhatu') about the husband's physical disability constituted mental cruelty, rendering cohabitation intolerable. Citing V. Bhagat v. D. Bhagat (1994) 1 SCC 337 and Samar Ghosh v. Jaya Ghosh (2007) 4 SCC 511, the court emphasized that mental cruelty is context-specific, assessed based on the parties' social, educational, and cultural backgrounds, and includes conduct causing significant mental pain. Protection of dignity: The judgment highlights judicial sensitivity to protecting individuals with disabilities from humiliation within marriage. The wife's remarks targeting the husband's physical infirmity were deemed a clear instance of mental cruelty, setting a precedent for cases involving personal vulnerabilities. The judgment highlights judicial sensitivity to protecting individuals with disabilities from humiliation within marriage. The wife's remarks targeting the husband's physical infirmity were deemed a clear instance of mental cruelty, setting a precedent for cases involving personal vulnerabilities. Financial claims deferred: The court left claims for permanent alimony and Streedhan open under Sections 25 and 27, citing insufficient evidence of the parties' financial status. This reinforces the necessity of documented financial details to resolve maintenance and property disputes. The court left claims for permanent alimony and Streedhan open under Sections 25 and 27, citing insufficient evidence of the parties' financial status. This reinforces the necessity of documented financial details to resolve maintenance and property disputes. Statutory limits on divorce: The court reiterated that irretrievable breakdown of marriage is not a standalone ground for divorce under Indian law, emphasizing strict adherence to statutory grounds like cruelty, despite prolonged separation (since 25 March 2018). 1. The Expanding Definition of Mental Cruelty 2. Alimony Deferred, Not Denied: The Court confirmed that ridiculing a spouse for physical disabilities constitutes mental cruelty, giving husbands a strong legal footing under Section 13(1)(i-a) to seek divorce. The wife's request for permanent alimony was denied for lack of financial disclosure, but the judgment hints that fault-based conduct like cruelty can influence alimony decisions, especially if the claimant is the offending party. The verdict reinforces that mental cruelty is not gender-specific. By citing V. Bhagat and Samar Ghosh, the Court reiterated that both husbands and wives have equal legal protection against abusive conduct in marriage. This case strengthens the evidentiary and judicial roadmap for similar future claims, promoting consistency in how courts evaluate emotional abuse and verbal cruelty in matrimonial disputes. What did the Supreme Court of India say about mental cruelty of husband Mental cruelty in Section 13(1)(i-a) can broadly be defined as that conduct which inflicts upon the other party such mental pain and suffering as would make it not possible for that party to live with the other. In other words, mental cruelty must be of such a nature that the parties cannot reasonably be expected to live together. The situation must be such that the wronged party cannot reasonably be asked to put up with such conduct and continue to live with the other party. It is not necessary to prove that the mental cruelty is such as to cause injury to the health of the petitioner. While arriving at such conclusion, regard must be had to the social status, educational level of the parties, the society they move in, the possibility or otherwise of the parties ever living together in case they were already living apart and all other relevant facts and circumstances which it is neither possible nor desirable to set out exhaustively. What is cruelty in one case may not amount to cruelty in another case. It is a matter to be determined in each case having regard to the facts and circumstances of that case. If it is a case of accusations and allegations, regard must also be had to the context in which they were made.' On May 5, 2025, the Odisha High Court upheld a family court's ruling stating that if a wife passes negative mocking remarks about her husband 's physical disabilities, it constitutes mental cruelty, allowing the husband to seek a divorce. The family court had also ruled that this divorce should be granted without any permanent alimony for the wife, which sparked the dispute. The wife was seeking a permanent alimony and the return of her Streedhan properties. There was no contention regarding the divorce the High Court kept the alimony question open and advised the wife to bring up the alimony and Streedhan issue under Sections 25 and 27 in the family wife had challenged the claim that her remarks about her husband's physical condition constituted mental cruelty. She said before the Odisha High Court that it has not been proved that her comments inflicted mental cruelty on her Odisha High Court looked into her claims and noted that several witnesses have verified that the wife had passed comments about her husband's physical infirmity, calling him 'Kempa, Nikhatu' and this fact hasn't been High Court also said: 'The Wife making such statements against the Husband towards his physical infirmity definitely is causing mental pain. Such behaviour by the wife towards the husband discloses her thought and respect towards the husband.'However, the High Court said that under Section 25 and 27 of the Hindu Marriage Act, the wife can file another case in family court with regard to grant of permanent alimony and return of Streedhan properties. Hence with this judgement, the High Court confirmed the divorce decree but did not decide on the alimony out the details below to understand why the husband got a divorce (on ground of cruelty) without having to pay alimony, although later the High Court advised the wife to bring up the alimony and Streedhan issue under Sections 25 and 27 in the family to the order of the Odisha High Court dated May 5, 2025, here's the timeline of events:The wife filed an appeal in High Court against only the alimony Odisha High Court said:The Odisha High Court said:Final judgement:'At this stage, with regard to grant of permanent alimony and return of Streedhan properties, as claimed by the Appellant-Wife, are left open to her to be agitated before the learned Judge, Family Court, Puri in terms of Sections 25 & 27 of the Hindu Marriage Act. We say so for the reason that, there is no material produced on record with regard to income of the Husband or the Wife and in absence of any material, we are unable to decide the question of permanent alimony here. With the aforesaid observation and direction, the appeal is disposed of.'Pallavi Pratap, Managing Partner, Pratap & Co. says: 'This judgment is significant because cruelty is proven against the wife. Very rarely do we see such judgments. Although questions involving permanent alimony and Streedhan have been kept open, I see this as a major breakthrough. Traditionally laws in India have favoured women but increasingly such judgments indicate that men are now also seen to be victims.'ET Wealth Online has asked various experts about what could be the significance of this judgement, here's what they said:The Orissa High Court's reasoning aligns with the Supreme Court's stance in Joydeep Majumdar v. Bharti Jaiswal Majumdar, where it was held that mental cruelty includes not only overt abuse but also sustained false or reckless allegations that damage a spouse's dignity and professional standing. The Court clarified that even without a judicial finding of falsity, defamatory complaints especially to employers in sensitive services can inflict serious harm and amount to cruelty sufficient for divorce. Together, these rulings affirm that men enduring emotional and reputational harm in marriage have equal legal protection and High Court of Orissa's ruling is a landmark decision in Indian matrimonial law, affirming mental cruelty as a ground for divorce under Section 13(1)(i-a) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. Its significance lies in the following:Chopra adds: 'The judgment offers critical guidance for husbands in matrimonial disputes under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. Husbands seeking divorce on grounds of mental cruelty must substantiate claims with robust evidence, such as witness testimonies or documented instances of abusive conduct, as demonstrated by the husband's un-rebutted testimony and corroboration in this case. Parallel criminal proceedings, like the wife's Section 498-A IPC complaint, require strategic handling to avoid undermining the divorce petition. Husbands must disclose financial details proactively to address alimony claims equitably, as the court deferred such issues for lack of evidence. Prompt filing, as seen in the husband's 2019 petition, and prolonged separation can strengthen claims, though statutory grounds like cruelty remain paramount.'The decision is significant for two key legal reflections:The Court's recognition that repeated verbal humiliation targeting a spouse's physical infirmity can amount to mental cruelty marks a progressive interpretation of Section 13(1)(i-a) of the Hindu Marriage Act. This ruling reinforces the judicial stance that cruelty need not be physical or demonstrative; it can lie in sustained emotional degradation that renders cohabitation insufferable. The reliance on landmark cases such as V. Bhagat and Samar Ghosh affirms that cruelty is to be understood contextually with sensitivity to social standing, emotional thresholds, and the nuances of modern Court also took a balanced view by reserving the wife's right to seek permanent alimony separately, reinforcing that financial determinations must be evidence-based and procedurally sound. By reserving the Wife's right to claim permanent alimony and Streedhan under Sections 25 and 27of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, the Court has underscored the principle that equitable relief must be substantiated with financial disclosures. This careful balancing ensures that alimony is neither presumed nor denied in vacuum, but determined on evidentiary case not only affirms the rights of husbands under cruelty provisions often viewed from a wife-centric lens but also sets a judicial precedent that verbal cruelty rooted in physical shaming is intolerable and actionable. Here's some key legal takeaways:The present decision holds immense significance since it not only recognizes mental cruelty within the definition of cruelty but also considers the aspersions made by the wife against the husband in relation to his physical infirmity as being under the ambit of mental cruelty. The key takeaway from the decision is that even in cases of deep anguish, disappointment, frustration in one spouse caused by the conduct of the other for a long time may lead to mental cruelty, however, the same does not dispense cogent evidence and such allegations must be High Court cited the Supreme Court in the case of V. Bhagat v. D. Bhagat (Mrs), (1994) 1 SCC 337 where it was held:
NDTV
28-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Mizoram May Seize IDs Of Refugees Who Often Cross Border To And From Myanmar
Aizawl: The Mizoram government is considering confiscating the identity cards of Myanmar refugees who repeatedly cross the international border to and from the neighbouring country, an official said on Friday. During a meeting with Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretary Surinder Bhagat in Aizawl on Thursday, Chief Minister Lalduhoma told him that there are many refugees, who are obedient and follow the laws, while some of them are "repeatedly crossing the border to go to Myanmar and come back to Mizoram taking advantage of the crisis in the neighbouring country". The chief minister said that these refugees often violate the country's laws, and the state government would take stringent action against them, according to the official. "The Mizoram government will take stern action against those refugees who misbehave and often violate the laws. We have been thinking of seizing Myanmar IDs from those refugees, who repeatedly cross the international border during their stay in Mizoram," the official quoted Lalduhoma as saying. The chief minister also briefed Bhagat about the state government's plan to collect biometric details of Myanmar refugees taking shelter in Mizoram. The state government is likely to begin biometric enrolment of Myanmar refugees in July, another official said. Lalduhoma had also informed Bhagat, who is also the Protector General of Emigrants, about the issue of "illegal overseas recruitment by some placement agencies in the state". He had said that the licences of such agencies have been cancelled by the state government for illegally sending youths for overseas employment. Lalduhoma had also stressed the need for obtaining prosecution sanction orders from the Protector General of Emigrants (PGE) against those fraudulent placement agencies. PGE under the Ministry of External Affairs is the authority responsible for protecting the interests of Indian workers going abroad. Bhagat urged people to exercise caution while seeking jobs abroad.
NDTV
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
On Pak Nobel Nomination For Trump, Chetan Bhagat's Liquor, Deaddiction Dig
Celebrated author Chetan Bhagat likened Pakistan's Nobel Prize nomination for US President Donald Trump to a liquor shop owner opening a de-addiction clinic. Speaking at NDTV Creators Manchester, Mr Bhagat was asked if he wishes to receiver a Booker Prize for his literary works. "Trump is not getting the Peace Prize, I'm not getting the Booker Prize. He (Trump) has said he should have gotten it four to five times by now. I also feel the same (about getting a Booker Prize)," he said. Pakistan's nomination Trump for the Nobel Prize is what Mr Bhagat said amuses him. "How can Pakistan nominate anyone for the Peace Prize? It is like a liquor shop opening a de-addiction clinic. I have not received any (Booker Prize) nomination yet from (Pakistan Army chief) Asim Munir type people. If it comes, then maybe I will get it," he joked. During the chat, Mr Bhagat also supported Punjabi star Diljit Dosanjh, who is in the middle of a raging controversy about the casting of Pakistani star Hania Aamir in his latest film Sardaar Ji 3. He said, "I love Diljit. he is one of the truly exceptionally talented individuals. I admire him. He sticks to his principles. He wanted to be in Bollywood, but he didn't cut his hair... He still became a star. It's not a joke, anyone can get tempted. His music, his concerts, his reels are hilarious." The 2 States author said that a film does not belong to just an actor, but the hundreds of people that work on it. "Even if you have an issue with Diljit, penalising those people is not fair, so much money has gone into it. Banning a film is too much. You don't like the film, don't watch it. The calls for his boycott are highly unfair," he said. Speaking to NDTV on the sidelines of the event, the author was asked about his opinion on the most overrated book. "I'm thinking... It's mine. If I say someone else's, I'll get beaten up," he quipped.
