UP Minister Gets Beacon Fitted Car, He Calls Cops To Issue Challan
While people try to escape or waive off their challans, Uttar Pradesh Social Welfare Minister Asim Arun has done the opposite. He called up the police commissioner and asked for a challan.
The incident took place on Monday (June 30) when the minister was given a government-assigned Innova car during his visit to Varanasi as per protocol. However, the car was fitted with unauthorised beacon lights. Instead of ignoring the violation, Mr Arun refused to travel in the car.
He then called the Varanasi Police Commissioner and urged him to issue a challan against the vehicle.
"There is no provision to install the blue beacon on the car. Despite the court's ban, many vehicles still have these beacons or stickers to show their influence. These officers are trying to gain influence, which they should avoid. Action needs to be taken against such people," Mr Arun told NDTV.
The minister also wrote a letter to the Varanasi Police Commissioner, Mohit Agarwal, informing them of the violation.
"Please be informed that on the occasion of my arrival in Varanasi on June 30, a vehicle was arranged for my use. Since the vehicle was fitted with an unauthorised light, I did not use it. Please ensure that a challan is issued against this vehicle for violating the rules by using an unauthorised beacon," he said, attaching the vehicle details and a photo.
Mr Arun, the minister of state (independent charge) for social welfare in the Yogi Adityanath-led government, was travelling to Varanasi to attend a Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes dignity conference. He also attended a meeting at Banaras Hindu University (BHU).
The minister is a former IPS officer. His father has served as the Director General of Police (DGP) of UP.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
4 hours ago
- NDTV
Amid Tamil Nadu Custodial Death, Old Video Showing Cops Beating Man Sparks Row
Chennai: A disturbing video, purportedly from a police station in Tamil Nadu's Theni district, has surfaced amid ongoing outrage over the recent alleged custodial death of a young security guard, Ajith Kumar, in Sivaganga district. The footage from January this year shows multiple instances of police high-handedness, which has triggered renewed concerns over police brutality and custodial violence in the state. The video clips with a timestamp of January 14, 2025, between 11:00 am and 12:40 pm, which NDTV can't independently verify, show a man, seemingly in custody, being repeatedly assaulted by police personnel at different times inside the station premises. One clip shows a uniformed officer thrashing the man on his face as he is escorted in. Other visuals show at least two policemen slapping him several times, kicking him with boots, and one officer hitting and poking him with a stick. A senior police officer confirmed to NDTV that the man in the video was allegedly drunk and had been taken into custody following complaints from the public that he had created a nuisance and fought in a public place. "He created a ruckus even inside the station," the officer said. However, the official acknowledged the seriousness of the footage and added, "We would have known had he filed a complaint or got admitted. He was perhaps not injured. But whether this was police excess, we will have to wait for the enquiry report." Interestingly, this footage was not released voluntarily but was part of a set of CCTV clips shared under the Right to Information (RTI) Act in connection with an unrelated case. The lawyer handling that case has now made the video public. The revelation comes against the backdrop of the alleged custodial killing of 28-year-old Ajith Kumar, a temporary temple security guard from Sivaganga district, who died after allegedly being tortured in police custody over a reported jewellery theft. The incident has sparked widespread public outrage and a judicial probe. Read more: "Even Murderer Will Not Attack Like This": Madras High Court On Tamil Nadu Custodial Death The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, while hearing the Ajith Kumar case, made scathing observations, remarking that "even a murderer wouldn't be attacked like this." In a significant move, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin ordered a CBI probe, stating that the investigation must be above suspicion. So far, five police personnel have been arrested, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) has been suspended, and the Superintendent of Police (SP) has been placed under compulsory wait. Tamil Nadu has recorded over 20 custodial deaths in the last four years. While the ruling DMK government has termed such incidents as "unpardonable" and claims stringent action is being taken in each case, critics and human rights activists argue that these repeated cases point to a deeper systemic rot. The recurring emergence of videos and allegations of custodial violence raises troubling questions about human rights violations by law enforcement and the efficacy of sensitisation efforts by the state to prevent such abuse of power.
Mint
4 hours ago
- Mint
Infosys sacks Bengaluru techie after arrest for filming women in washroom, over 30 clips found. Here's what company says
A software engineer working at Infosys was apprehended by Bengaluru police for allegedly secretly recording videos of women in the restroom. The accused, identified as Swapnil Nagesh Mali, 28, hails from Andhra Pradesh and works as a senior associate at the prominent IT firm. The shocking incident, which occurred on Monday, came to light when a sharp-eyed female employee noticed something suspicious while using the restroom. According to the First Information Report (FIR), the woman stated that while she was using the washroom, she saw Nagesh filming her from the cubicle next to hers. She panicked and raised an alarm, prompting other employees to rush to the spot. When his mobile phone was seized, it reportedly contained several video clips -- which were later deleted by Human Resources personnel in the woman's presence, NDTV reported. An internal investigation reportedly revealed that the accused had recorded over 30 explicit videos of different women inside the office washroom, which were found on his mobile phone. The discovery sparked further outrage, particularly after the victim's husband became aware of the incident and confronted the company's management. Following this, the woman lodged a formal complaint at the Electronic City police station. Based on her statement and the collected evidence, Swapnil was arrested. He now faces serious charges, including invasion of privacy and sexual harassment. In an official statement, the company confirmed that the employee has been terminated and that it is cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities. 'We are aware of this incident and have taken necessary action against the employee, who is now separated from the company,' Infosys said. 'We also promptly supported the complainant by facilitating a swift complaint with the law enforcement authorities and continue to cooperate as they investigate further.' Reiterating its zero-tolerance stance, Infosys added: 'Infosys is committed to providing an environment free of harassment and has a zero-tolerance policy. We take every complaint related to any violation of the company's Code of Conduct seriously.'
NDTV
4 hours ago
- NDTV
Tobacco, Liquor, Fancy Cars. What Will Cost More As Centre Plans New GST Cess
New Delhi: Cigarettes, carbonated drinks, and high-end cars are among items that may become more expensive if a proposal to replace the expiring compensation cess - in the Goods and Services Tax system - with cesses on health and clean energy, targeting tobacco products and automobiles, is passed. The Health Cess will apply to 'sin goods' - referring to products usually taxed at higher rates due to their perceived negative impact on society - and others in the higher 28 per cent GST bracket. The Clean Energy Cess will target more expensive cars and coal, and is seen as aligning with the Narendra Modi government's overall push to renewable or non-polluting energy sources. Sources told NDTV Profit a panel - the Group of Ministers, or GoM, on Compensation Cess - chaired by junior Union Finance Minister Pankaj Chaudhary is expected to discuss the matter later this month. Sources also said the GoM is already close to an agreement on the two new levies, particularly since most states are expected to accept continuing to tax goods seen as unhealthy or harmful. Experts, though, believe swapping one cess for two may not be as easy as that, because the GST law does not allow for a new levy, which could require a constitutional amendment to become law. The core issue is identifying the beneficiary of the proposed new cesses. What Is Compensation Cess? Compensation cess is an additional tax on select goods and services over and above the GST. It was introduced in 2017 - concurrent with the enactment of the Goods and Services Tax Act - as a way to 'provide compensation to States for loss of revenue' from implementation of the law. But should the centre collect and keep the new cesses it for itself, the states might object to the loss of revenue, especially since they were promised equal shares in GST revenue to give up their rights. A new revenue-sharing mechanism will have to be worked out, sources said. ARCHIVE | Opposition-Ruled States Want GST Compensation Extended Compensation cess was to be valid for five years only. It expired in June 2022, but was extended till March 2026 to allow states to repay loans taken to meet pandemic-era compensation shortfalls. GST Relief For Middle Class? Meanwhile, sources also said talks are also ongoing over reducing the number of GST slabs, possibly by abolishing the 12 per cent slab. If passed, this will mean some products taxed at that 12 per cent will fall into the lower tax bracket - i.e., five per cent. Others will be pushed into the higher 18 per cent bracket. The government believes, source said, products like toothpaste in the 12 per cent category are staples for the middle class and economically weaker sections, and could be taxed at lower rates. READ | GST Relief For Middle Class? Cheaper Toothpaste, Utensils, Clothes, Shoes Sources said this is expected to increase the burden on the central government by up to Rs 50,000 crore. The centre, though, is prepared to absorb the initial impact and expects the deficit to reduce long-term because of an anticipated boost in consumption. Essentially the centre believes lower prices mean higher sales, and this will result in a tax base and increased GST collection. GST Collection Rises GST collection in June rose over 6.2 per cent to over Rs 1.85 lakh crore, compared to about Rs 1.74 lakh crore in the same period last year, according to official data released Tuesday. But June's GST collection was less than May's Rs 2.01 lakh crore and April's Rs 2.37 lakh crore.
