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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
SC to hear scribes' plea over assault by MP police for reporting on sand mafia
New Delhi, The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a plea filed by two journalists who were allegedly assaulted by police in Madhya Pradesh for reporting on the local sand mafia. The matter was mentioned for urgent listing before a bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Satish Chandra Sharma. "Two journalists have been beaten up in a local police station in Madhya Pradesh," their lawyer informed the bench. She said the incident took place a month ago and the journalists rushed to Delhi following the incident. "They were reporting on sand mafia. It is very serious. They were beaten up in the police station. They have now sought protection," the lawyer said. The petitioners, the lawyer said, were apprehending arrest by police in Bhind. "Why you have not gone to the high court?" the bench asked. After the lawyer said the petitioners were presently in Delhi, the bench asked, "So we should entertain all-India matters for anticipatory bail only because a journalist is there?" The counsel claimed the lives of the petitioners were in danger and the Press Club of India had also condemned the incident. "Why don't you directly go to the high court today itself?" the bench asked. The lawyer, while saying the petitioners don't have the wherewithal to move the high court, urged the bench to list the plea for hearing. The bench then agreed to list the matter for hearing. "But you are running a risk. We are telling you, if it comes before this bench then you know the conclusion," the court said. The lawyer said she would try to persuade the apex court. On May 28, the Delhi High Court granted protection to a Madhya Pradesh-based journalist who claimed there was threat to his life by the Bhind superintendent of police after he was allegedly beaten in his office. The high court had directed Delhi Police to give protection to Amarkant Singh Chouhan, who hails from Madhya Pradesh and Bhind Bureau Chief of Swaraj Express news channel, for two months. "In the meantime, they can approach the high court concerned ," the high court said. Three journalists from Bhind district recently alleged that they were beaten or manhandled inside the office of superintendent of police, an allegation denied by the officer. Pritam Singh Rajawat who runs a YouTube channel, Shashikant Goyal who runs a news portal and Chouhan, alleged in a complaint submitted to the district collector that they were assaulted on May 1. Chouhan moved the Delhi High Court claiming he came to the national capital fleeing violence by the police in Bhind and was unable to return to Madhya Pradesh due to threat to his life and personal liberty.
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Business Standard
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Day after arrest, Gujarat Samachar owner gets bail on health grounds
A sessions court in Ahmedabad on Friday granted 15-day interim bail to Bahubali Shah, one of the owners of leading Gujarati newspaper 'Gujarat Samachar', on health grounds. The Enforcement Directorate had arrested Shah a day before following raids at the newspaper's premises. Principal District and Sessions Judge K M Sojitra ordered Shah's release on bail till May 31 on furnishing surety and personal bond of Rs 10,000. The investigating official must be apprised of his health status every alternate day and Shah must cooperate with the agency, the court said. Shah had approached the court seeking bail on the grounds of "serious medical/health condition". Media bodies expressed concern over the arrest of Gujarat Samachar owner Bahubali Shah by the Enforcement Directorate. The Press Club of India, Indian Women's Press Corps, Press Association, Delhi Union of Journalists, Kerala Union of Working Journalists, and Working News Cameramen's Association said the ED action "reflects a troubling assault on press freedom and democratic values that uphold the right to free expression in India." They said the arrest of Shah raises questions about the misuse of state machinery to muzzle media houses and suppress dissenting voices. "We also call for the immediate release of the owner unless credible evidence is presented in a transparent manner," the media bodies said in a joint statement.
New Indian Express
28-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
High time India, Nepal PMs meet and resolve issues: Ex-PM Baburam Bhattarai
NEW DELHI: Baburam Bhattarai, the former Prime Minister of Nepal, said on Monday that it will be very difficult for Nepal to survive if India and Nepal do not share good relations. He emphasized that the Prime Ministers of the two countries should meet and resolve the existing issues. 'It is high time that the two PMs meet and resolve the problems left by history,' Bhattarai said while interacting with the media at the Press Club of India in New Delhi. 'If we have a good relationship with India, Nepal can progress,' he said and suggested following the path of dialogue, proposing the formation of a committee of eminent persons from both countries to review treaties and disputes. He further stated that the relationship between the two countries should remain strong, regardless of changes in government. When asked about Nepal's relations with China, he described China as Nepal's second neighbor, given that Nepal lies between India and China. 'Nepal has India on its three sides, and in the north is China, which has only two roads connecting the two countries,' said Bhattarai. As per the latest trade figures, India's trade with Nepal stands at 67 percent, compared to 13 percent with China. In response to a question about recent pro-monarchy demonstrations, the former PM dismissed any significant support for the monarchy, stating that the demonstrations and protests were actually against the government of KP Sharma Oli. He described it as resentment against the current government, not support for monarchy. However, he assured that democracy in Nepal would not be weakened. Bhattarai plans to launch a political party aimed at strengthening democracy in the country. Baburam Bhattarai is on a visit to India to participate in the convention of the Progressive Nepali Society Committee, India. On Monday, he met India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. During the meeting, the two leaders held positive discussions on strengthening Nepal-India relations and taking development and economic cooperation to new heights, according to Bhattarai's secretariat. Bhattarai also mentioned meeting leaders from BJP, Congress, and other political parties.
The Print
28-04-2025
- Politics
- The Print
‘Unpleasant, ghastly': Former Nepal PM condemns Pahalgam attack
At the beginning of the session, a minute of silence was observed in memory of the victims. 'We are with the people (of India),' he said during an interaction with reporters in Delhi. New Delhi, Apr 28 (PTI) Describing the Pahalgam terror attack as 'unpleasant and ghastly', former Nepalese prime minister Baburam Bhattarai on Monday said 'we unequivocally condemn' it, as he extended solidarity with the government and people of India. On April 22, terrorists opened fire at tourists at a meadow in Baisaran of south Kashmir's Pahalgam, killing 26 people. One of the victims was a Nepalese national. The horrific attack has drawn condemnation from countries and leaders across the world. 'A few days ago, a very unpleasant, ghastly terror attack was conducted in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir…. A Nepalese citizen was also killed. We unequivocally condemn this terrorist attack. Terrorism under any cover cannot be justified, wherever it takes place. We are with the people,' Bhattarai said during the interaction with reporters held at the Press Club of India. Bhattarai later interacted with PTI Videos and shared his thoughts on the attack. 'We unequivocally condemn this… this is a sheer terrorist attack, and one of the Nepalese nationals was also killed. Such terrorist acts are condemnable, I personally and on behalf of Nepalese people, would like to condemn it, and express our solidarity with the government and people of India,' he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio address on Sunday, said terrorists and their backers carried out the Pahalgam attack to destroy Kashmir again as they did not like the return of peace and prosperity. He vowed the 'harshest' response to the 'perpetrators and conspirators'. PTI KND RHL This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hindustan Times
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Restoration of Nepal's monarchy won't benefit India, says visiting ex-Nepal PM
NEW DELHI: The restoration of Nepal's monarchy will only lead to political instability and will not be in the interest of both Kathmandu and New Delhi, former Nepalese prime minister Baburam Bhattarai said on Monday. Bhattarai, who played a key role in Nepal's transformation from a monarchy to a republic in 2008 as a leader of the Maoist movement, pointed out that his country's monarchy was always autocratic and never constitutional. He argued that pro-monarchy protests being witnessed in Nepal were triggered more by the current government's failure to deliver on people's expectations. 'How will the restoration of an autocratic monarchy in Nepal benefit India? It will only lead to instability. There is no [widespread] public support for restoring the monarchy,' Bhattarai said during an interaction at the Press Club of India. He pointed out that millions of people mobilised to overthrow the monarchy in the 1990s, whereas only about 20,000 people had participated in recent protests aimed at restoring former king Gyanendra Shah. 'What is dead cannot be resurrected. We will move forward,' said Bhattarai, who served as prime minister during 2011-2013 and currently heads the Nepal Socialist Party. He described the political crisis precipitated by the pro-monarchy protests as an opportunity to 'take society forward'. Overthrowing the monarchy led to a 'democratic revolution' in Nepal, which will remain a secular, democratic republic. 'Going back from democracy is not the solution. Deficiencies in the Constitution can be addressed,' he said. Parts of Nepal, including the capital of Kathmandu, were rocked by pro-monarchy protests in March that left two people dead and dozens injured. Supporters of deposed king Gyanendra Shah have demanded the restoration of the monarchy and Nepal's status as a Hindu state. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has expressed concern about a possible Indian role in these protests. Bhattarai declined to comment on reports that the Indian side was linked to the protests and only said the return of Nepal's monarchy would be 'non-productive'. He also dismissed speculation that Nepal is moving closer to China by pointing out that Kathmandu is heavily dependent on New Delhi for trade and transit. 'According to the latest figures, 67% of our trade is with India and only 14% is with China. People suspect there is a China card, but we have never used China as a card against India,' he said. 'No Nepalese leader will be so foolish as to use this as a card.' Bhattarai, who met defence minister Rajnath Singh and leaders of the ruling BJP and opposition Congress in New Delhi, acknowledged a 'sense of concern' in India about developments in Nepal, especially the 'constant political instability'. He described this instability as a 'product of the unfinished revolution' and said his party has proposed a 'directly elected presidential system and fully proportional but directly elected Parliament' to ensure stability with checks and balances. At the same time, he said it will be very difficult for Nepal to prosper without good relations with India, especially on economic issues. He suggested the prime ministers of the two countries should meet and resolve issues 'left behind by history', including a boundary dispute.
