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Hans India
2 days ago
- General
- Hans India
MP Minister Shah courts another row
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Tribal Affairs Minister, Vijay Shah, got embroiled in yet another controversy, after photos of his meeting with the gangrape victim's family were widely circulated. After remaining absent from public view for over two weeks, Minister Shah resurfaced in his constituency on Monday evening, visiting the family of a gangrape victim in Harsud. His meeting, captured in widely circulated photographs, has sparked outrage, with critics accusing him of violating the victim's right to anonymity. The state Congress has strongly condemned Minister Shah's actions, arguing that publicly revealing the identity of the victim's family is both unethical and legally questionable. Demanding accountability, the Congress has called upon the Director General of Police to respond. State Congress spokesperson KK Mishra questioned whether a First Information Report (FIR) would be filed against the minister for his actions, asking, 'DGP Sir, is this act legally justified? If not, will suo motu cognisance be taken, or will this incident be overlooked as before?' The tragic incident, which occurred on May 23 in the Harsud Assembly constituency, involved the gangrape and murder of a woman. During his two-hour meeting with the bereaved family, Minister Shah assured them of government support, acknowledging that no compensation could truly make up for their loss.
United News of India
2 days ago
- General
- United News of India
Bombay Lawyers Association seeks CJI's sanction to prosecute Allahabad HC Judge Justice Varma under corruption charges
New Delhi, June 3 (UNI) The Bombay Lawyers Association (BLA) has submitted a formal request to Chief Justice of India (CJI) B R Gavai seeking permission to initiate criminal proceedings against Justice Yashwant Varma, a sitting judge of the Allahabad High Court, in relation to an alleged recovery of unaccounted cash from his official residence earlier this year. In its representation dated June 2, the Association has requested the CJI's sanction for registration of a First Information Report (FIR) under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The letter, signed by BLA President Advocate Ahmed Abdi and Secretary Advocate Eknath R Dhokale, asserts that there is credible material, comprising video footage and photographic evidence, indicating the commission of a cognizable offence. It states, 'The applicant seeks your Lordship's approval for registration of an FIR against Justice Yashwant Varma under applicable provisions of anti-corruption law, in light of the alleged seizure of unaccounted cash from his government residence.' The letter invokes the principle of equality before the law, asserting that the judiciary, too, must be subject to legal accountability. The BLA has pointed out that despite the reported severity of the incident, no formal FIR has yet been filed, nor has there been any official seizure memo or panchnama. The Association has drawn attention to the landmark constitutional judgment in K Veeraswami versus Union of India (1991), where a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court held that judges are considered 'public servants' under the Prevention of Corruption Act and can be prosecuted with prior sanction from the Chief Justice of India. Citing procedural inaction and risk of evidence tampering, the BLA has urged the CJI to take prompt steps to secure and preserve all material evidence, including partially burnt currency notes, videos, and photographs of the location in question. The Association has also asked that either the Delhi Police or the Central Bureau of Investigation be directed to act on the matter. The letter adds, 'Delay in initiating proceedings risks compromising key evidence. The absence of a seizure report, FIR, or panchnama raises serious concerns about transparency in the ongoing inquiry.' The BLA has further requested access to the report of the in-house inquiry committee that was constituted following the incident. The developments stem from an incident on March 14, 2025, when a fire broke out at Justice Varma's official government residence at 30, Tughlak Road, New Delhi. At that time, Justice Varma was serving as a judge of the Delhi High Court. During firefighting operations, emergency services allegedly found approximately Rs 15 crore in partially burnt cash. In response, then-CJI Justice Sanjiv Khanna constituted a three-member in-house inquiry committee on March 22, consisting of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu (Punjab & Haryana High Court), Chief Justice G S Sandhawalia (Himachal Pradesh High Court) and Justice Anu Sivaraman (Karnataka High Court) The committee submitted its findings to the CJI on May 3, reportedly holding Justice Varma culpable. A press release issued by the Supreme Court on May 8 confirmed that both the committee's report and Justice Varma's written response dated May 6 had been forwarded to the President and Prime Minister for further action. Justice Varma was later transferred to the Allahabad High Court on March 28 and relieved of all judicial duties pending the inquiry's conclusion. Earlier, a petition filed in the Supreme Court seeking immediate registration of an FIR was dismissed on May 21, with the bench holding that the plea was premature. However, the petitioners were allowed to approach the appropriate authorities. The matter now awaits the CJI's decision on the BLA's request for prosecution sanction. UNI SNG SS
The Hindu
4 days ago
- The Hindu
Migrant worker dies after falling from building
A migrant worker succumbed to injuries sustained after reportedly falling from the second floor of a building in Edappally North village, where he was staying on rent, on Monday (June 2). The deceased was identified as Pradeep Orao, 27, a native of West Bengal. The Elamakkara police have registered a case of unnatural death. According to the First Information Report (FIR), the fall likely occurred sometime between 2 a.m. and 9 a.m. The police suspect that he may have stepped out to smoke when he accidentally fell. His roommates reportedly brought him back to the room, where he later succumbed to his injuries, the police said.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
After Anna University sexual assault verdict, AIADMK alleges cover-up, asks: ‘Who is sir?'
In a landmark verdict that drew praise and political ire alike, a special women's court in Chennai on Monday sentenced Gnanasekaran, a biryani vendor and known DMK supporter, to life imprisonment for the brutal sexual assault of a 19-year-old student at Anna University. The case, which has ignited emotional public discourse since December, has now escalated into a full-blown political face-off between Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK and opposition AIADMK. Gnanasekaran, found guilty on 11 charges including sexual assault, rape, kidnapping, and criminal intimidation, had earlier pleaded for leniency citing familial responsibilities. His appeal was rejected by the court, which instead endorsed the prosecution's case and commended the Tamil Nadu Police for an 'exceptional and expeditious' investigation concluded within five months. But the court's ruling has not quieted the storm. Leader of the Opposition and AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) took to social media shortly after the verdict, raising what he called 'unanswered questions' in the First Information Report (FIR), particularly the mention of a mysterious 'Sir' the convict allegedly referenced during the assault. EPS accused the DMK government of shielding higher-ups. 'Despite DMK's attempts to protect their man, people's voices—from the streets to social media—ensured justice,' EPS posted on X. 'Yet, justice remains incomplete. Who is the 'Sir' mentioned in the FIR? Why was he left out of the probe?' அண்ணா பல்கலை. பாலியல் வழக்கின் குற்றவாளியான திமுக அனுதாபி ஞானசேகரனுக்கு ஆயுள் தண்டனை விதித்துள்ளது சென்னை மகளிர் நீதிமன்றம். இந்த வழக்கில் குற்றவாளி திமுக ஞானசேகரனைக் காப்பாற்ற எத்தனையோ சித்து வேலைகளை செய்தது ஸ்டாலின் மாடல் திமுக அரசு. அத்தனையும் முறியடித்து, மக்கள் மன்றம்… — Edappadi K Palaniswami-SayYEStoWomenSafety&AIADMK (@EPSTamilNadu) June 2, 2025 He concluded with a politically charged promise: 'Once AIADMK returns to power, the truth about 'Sir' will come out.' Chief Minister MK Stalin responded swiftly and sharply, defending the state police's handling of the case and accusing the opposition of exploiting a young woman's trauma for electoral mileage. 'The High Court praised our fair and swift investigation,' Stalin said in a post on X. 'The Women's Court has commended the police. This verdict has silenced those who pretend to care about women's safety but are in fact seeking political gain from a tragedy.' அண்ணா பல்கலை. பாலியல் வழக்கின் குற்றவாளியான திமுக அனுதாபி ஞானசேகரனுக்கு ஆயுள் தண்டனை விதித்துள்ளது சென்னை மகளிர் நீதிமன்றம். இந்த வழக்கில் குற்றவாளி திமுக ஞானசேகரனைக் காப்பாற்ற எத்தனையோ சித்து வேலைகளை செய்தது ஸ்டாலின் மாடல் திமுக அரசு. அத்தனையும் முறியடித்து, மக்கள் மன்றம்… — Edappadi K Palaniswami-SayYEStoWomenSafety&AIADMK (@EPSTamilNadu) June 2, 2025 The case, which shook Tamil Nadu's student community and led to days of protests at campuses across the state, took place on December 23. According to court documents, Gnanasekaran forcibly entered the Anna University campus, attacked a male friend of the survivor, then sexually assaulted and filmed the young woman, using the footage to later intimidate her. His conviction, while welcomed by women's rights advocates and student groups, has exposed deep political fissures in the state. While DMK leaders frame the ruling as proof of administrative competence and legal resolve, AIADMK insists that the most powerful player in the crime remains unnamed—and unpunished. The term '#WhoIsThatSir' has since trended on Tamil social media.
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First Post
4 days ago
- First Post
Anna University case: How convict, now awarded life term, sexually assaulted student on campus
A Mahila Court in Chennai on Monday sentenced the lone convict, A Gnanasekaran, to life imprisonment without remission in the 2024 Anna University campus sexual assault case. On December 23, a 19-year-old student, who was with her male friend, was sexually assaulted by the 37-year-old biryani vendor on the campus of her varsity. The case led to a huge outcry over the safety of students and triggered a political slugfest read more A court in Tamil Nadu has awarded life imprisonment to the lone convict in the 2024 Anna University campus rape case. The Mahila Court in Chennai on Monday (June 2) announced its verdict, sentencing A Gnanasekaran to a life term without remission. The rape case had created a massive outrage in Tamil Nadu, gaining national limelight after the survivor's identity was leaked. It also sparked a political slugfest, with the opposition attacking the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) over the law and order situation in the state. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But what's the case? We will explain. Rape on campus rocks Anna University On the night of December 23 last year, a 19-year-old student of the Anna University in Chennai was raped in the university campus. The survivor was sitting with her male friend on the campus when Gnanasekaran, 37, confronted them, Indian Express reported, citing the Tamil Nadu police. He pretended to record the video of the pair and blackmailed them with the footage. Gnanasekaran, who ran a biryani outlet on a sidewalk near the campus, then went on to sexually assault the student in a secluded spot. He also filmed the rape on his mobile phone. Gnanasekaran tried to blackmail her by threatening to send the footage to her father and the college authorities if she failed to heed his demands. The student, however, did not stay silent. She, with the support of her family and college, approached the Kotturpuram All Women Police Station the next day. Gnanasekaran was arrested on December 25. Gnanasekaran, convicted in the Anna University sexual assault case, being escorted by the police after he was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Mahila Court, in Chennai, June 2, 2025. PTI The incident triggered a huge uproar in the varsity over the safety of women on campus. The Students' Federation of India (SFI) and the All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) organised protests, demanding justice for the survivor. FIR leaked, SIT formed After the First Information Report (FIR) with the survivor's details and identity was uploaded on the official website and then leaked to mediapersons, the case drew national attention. The Madras High Court took suo motu cognisance and chided the Tamil Nadu Police over the leak of the FIR and its tone that was perceived as shaming the survivor. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The High Court also formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising senior women IPS officers. The SIT filed a 100-page chargesheet on February 24. It named history-sheeter Gnanasekar as the lone accused. As per NDTV sources, the convict had also confessed to carrying out thefts at several houses in Chennai during questioning. More than 100 sovereigns of gold and a luxury SUV were recovered from him. ALSO READ: Ankita Bhandari's killers get life term: How Uttarakhand receptionist was killed for refusing to 'serve' VIPs Political storm over the rape case The rape case led to the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) targeting the MK Stalin-led Tamil Nadu government over the law and order. The issue took a political turn after BJP members shared photos of Gnanasekaran with Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. The DMK had dismissed the pictures, with CM Stalin reportedly asserting he was only a supporter, not a member of the party. The then BJP Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai had publicly whipped himself outside his house in Coimbatore to protest the sexual assault at Anna University. #WATCH | Coimbatore | Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai self-whips himself as a mark of protest to demand justice in the Anna University alleged sexual assault case. — ANI (@ANI) December 27, 2024 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Look at the state of the law & order in the state. A repeated offender like Gnanasekaran (the accused) was not on the rowdy list because of his connection with DMK leaders,' he alleged at a press conference last December. The AIADMK had held a road roko protest near the university campus in Chennai. Rape convict sentenced The Mahila Court in Chennai on Monday sentenced Gnanasekaran to life imprisonment for a minimum period of 30 years without remission. Last week, the court found him guilty on 11 charges, including rape, abduction, wrongful confinement, and criminal intimidation under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Information Technology Act, and the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act. As per The Hindu, Mahila Court judge M Rajalakshmi said while pronouncing the sentence: 'For the charge under Section 64(1) [rape] of the BNS, you are sentenced to life imprisonment for a minimum period of 30 years without remission. Also, a Rs 25,000 fine is imposed under this section, and if you default to pay the fine, you will have to undergo simple imprisonment for three months.' Gnanasekaran has been convicted separately on different charges, while his sentences will run concurrently. He has to pay a total fine of Rs 90,000. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The judge also ordered the Tamil Nadu government to pay compensation to the survivor, reported The Hindu. The defence previously urged for leniency, citing Gnanasekaran's aged mother and young daughter. However, the prosecution had opposed the plea, calling for maximum punishment. The court upheld the prosecution's argument, ruling the sexual assault 'a premeditated act exploiting institutional vulnerabilities.' The survivor continues her studies at the varsity. With inputs from agencies
