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The Wire
24-05-2025
- Politics
- The Wire
Petition in Madhya Pradesh HC Over Communal Coverage of Rape Case in Bhopal
Bhopal: A resident of Bhopal, hurt by the communal coverage of a rape case in the city, has filed a writ petition in the Madhya Pradesh high court, seeking criminal action against the editors of Hindi dailies Dainik Bhaskar and Navdunia . The petition has been filed by a resident who works in the private sector and does not want to be named at the moment. He identifies as an ordinary citizen with no political or organisational affiliation. He is not a social activist or public figure, but says he was compelled to approach the court after feeling deeply hurt by the communal framing in the media coverage. The petition accuses the newspapers of repeatedly using the term 'love jihad ' while reporting the incident, thereby linking the crime to an entire community. It argues that the coverage went beyond the crime itself and attempted to blame a community as a whole, thereby disturbing communal harmony and promoting social division. The petitioner identifies as a devout follower of Islam and a believer in the secular values enshrined in the Indian constitution. The case involves a brutal crime in which women students from Bhopal's TIT College were allegedly raped and blackmailed with videos taken of them. The petitioner stresses that the matter should be treated strictly as a criminal case. The petition alleges that Dainik Bhaskar and Navdunia deliberately portrayed the incident through a communal lens by invoking the term 'love jihad ,' a phrase that has no legal basis in Indian law. It adds that these publications published inflammatory reports linking the religion of the accused in a rape case to the entire Muslim community. He expresses special concern over the misuse of the word ' jihad ', explaining that in the Quran it means striving for justice and defending the oppressed, not committing crimes. He quotes verses from the Quran (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:190, Surah Al-Hajj 22:39) to support that the term jihad has been twisted to paint Muslims as criminals. He says that such reporting disrespects Islamic teachings, harms the dignity and religious sentiments of millions of peaceful citizens. The distortion of the term into 'love jihad ' and its use in crime reporting is an attack on his religious beliefs, he adds. The plea claims this narrative is being weaponised to create division between Hindus and Muslims, threatening the country's secular fabric and social harmony. He also cites examples of the headlines and articles published by these outlets that allegedly portrayed the accused's religion as central to the crime. On April 26, a headline: ' Muslim yuvakon ka dusra giroh bhi phansata tha Hindu ladkiyon ko, do aur peeditaein pahunchi thane (Second gang of Muslim boys also lured Hindu girls, two more survivors come forward).' On April 28, Dainik Bhaskar ran another headline: 'Farhan ne Hindu chhatra se Indore mein kiya tha dushkarm, phone par bhai ne suni cheekhein (Farhan raped Hindu girl in Indore, brother heard screams on phone).' Yet another piece compared the rape incident in Bhopal to The Kerala Story , implying a larger religious conspiracy: Bhopal mein love jihad ka the Kerala story pattern (Love jihad in Bhopal follows The Kerala Story pattern…)' The plea states that such coverage violates Articles 14, 15, 19, 21, and 25 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantee equality, non-discrimination, freedom of speech, life with dignity, and religious freedom. It says, 'This is part of a criminal conspiracy to incite one community against another, spread false information, and mislead India's peace-loving citizens by promoting a non-existent legal concept as if it were an established law. Such actions harm the unity and integrity of the country. In reality, there is no official definition of 'Love Jihad' in Indian law. Neither the National Investigation Agency nor any other official body has recognized or defined it as a crime. Yet, these newspapers and media outlets continue to publish fabricated reports, creating social tension, hatred, and ill will among communities.' The petition has urged the high court to call for firm judicial directions to prevent the media from publishing such divisive and misleading narratives in the future and that the issue is not only an attack on one community but a serious threat to India's secular democracy. We tried reaching out to the editors of both organizations via a phone call for a response, but were unable to connect. We have sent an email to both organizations. This story will be updated if and when they respond.
News18
28-04-2025
- News18
Bhopal College Girls Drugged, Raped And Blackmailed; Some Forced To 'Consume Meat, Change Religion'
Three female students from TIT College in Bhopal were drugged, raped, and blackmailed with videos. Police arrested two suspects and are searching for a third In a deeply disturbing incident, three female students from a private college in Bhopal were allegedly drugged, raped, and blackmailed with videos by men concealing their identities. The case revolves around students from TIT College in Bhopal, where former students of a different faith are alleged to have lured college girls to a dance academy and beauty parlour under false pretences. The accused purportedly continued to follow and blackmail the girls, even when they travelled outside the city. Speaking to News18, the father of one of the victims shared how the perpetrators initially befriended the girls through peers who shared their religion. Following a complaint lodged by a 20-year-old student, police have apprehended two suspects, Farhan Ali alias Faraz and Mohammad Saad, a private employee, India TV reported. Bhopal Commissioner of Police, HC Mishra, informed PTI that a special investigation team (SIT) has been established to investigate the racket. Efforts to apprehend the third suspect, who remains at large, are ongoing. Authorities have recovered numerous pornographic videos from the confiscated mobile phone of one of the accused, Farhan Ali, and identified at least five victims. Sources suggest the gang may include up to 20 members, prompting police to consider adding charges related to organised crime. The accused has been remanded into police custody for one day by Baghsewania police, with further significant revelations anticipated during his interrogation. The police are also actively seeking other potential victims in this distressing case. According to India TV, the complainant, a resident of Betul, lodged an FIR at the Baghsewania police station on April 17, 2025, describing a terrifying experience that began in 2022. The victim accused Farhan Khan of entrapping her in a 'love trap" and taking her to his friend Hameed's home in Jahangirabad, where she was allegedly raped. She further alleges that a video of the assault was recorded and used to blackmail her into further sexual exploitation. According to reports, she also disclosed that Farhan employed similar blackmail tactics against her sister. Upon discovering explicit videos of other girls on Farhan's phone, she decided to report the matter to the police. Police preliminary investigations reveal a disturbing pattern of targeted harassment against Hindu female students. Sources allege the accused used intoxicants like marijuana and alcohol to subdue the victims, forcing them to consume meat, particularly mutton. Additionally, some victims report being pressured to change their religious beliefs. India TV reported that two sisters from Betul alleged that Farhan and his associates gave them marijuana, forced them to consume meat, and subsequently delivered them to other gang members for sexual exploitation. The ordeal was so distressing that one of the victims discontinued her studies in her third year. The gravity of the situation prompted a swift response from the Bhopal Police, leading to the registration of three FIRs at the Baghsewania, Ashoka Garden, and Jahangirabad police stations. The charges include sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Information Technology (IT) Act, and the Madhya Pradesh Religious Freedom Act. A fourth victim is currently receiving counselling, which may result in another FIR being filed. DCP Zone-2 Sanjay Agarwal confirmed the serious nature of the case, saying, 'A zero FIR has been registered in Baghsewania police station based on a minor victim's complaint. Action has been taken under POCSO and rape sections. Blackmailing has been confirmed through the video, and the SIT is thoroughly investigating to ensure all perpetrators are apprehended." Agarwal reportedly compared the situation to the 1992 Ajmer rape case, where a gang similarly entrapped female students and used compromising videos to blackmail and exploit them. Police have recovered explicit videos of approximately 10 to 15 other girls from the arrested suspects' mobile phones, which are now undergoing forensic analysis by the cyber team. This unfolding case has sparked political uproar. Rameshwar Sharma, a BJP MLA from Bhopal, condemned the incident, calling it a 'conspiracy like Kerala Story" and demanding public punishment for the accused. He questioned the private nature of their detainment and called for public retribution. Madhya Pradesh government minister Vishwas Kailash Sarang assured the public that the police swiftly apprehended the accused and that the SIT will uncover all aspects of the conspiracy. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Ajmer bhopal blackmail investigation Mobile phone pocso Rape Location : Bhopal, India, India First Published: April 28, 2025, 19:10 IST News india Bhopal College Girls Drugged, Raped And Blackmailed; Some Forced To 'Consume Meat, Change Religion'
