Evening news wrap: Prajwal Revanna sentenced to life imprisonment; Sadhvi Pragya says she was tortured to name PM Modi and more
A special court in Bengaluru sentenced ex-MP Prajwal Revanna to life imroisonment on Saturday, following his conviction for the rape of 47-year-old domestic worker. Talking to the media Sadhvi Pragya stated coercion into naming leaders.
A special NIA court acquitted all seven accused in the 2008
Malegaon blast case
. Meanwhie defence minister
Rajnath Singh
slammed leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi oer his statement of possesing "atom bomb of evidence" exposing ECI's alleged voter malpractice in elections.
Here are the top five news stories for the evening:
Karnataka sex scandal
: Prajwal Revanna gets
life imprisonment
for raping 47-year-old domestic worker
A special court in Bengaluru on Saturday sentenced former Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, the grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, to life imprisonment. The court also imposed a fine of ₹10 lakh on Revanna, with ₹7 lakh of it to be awarded as compensation to the victim.
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Malegaon blast case: Sadhvi Pragya says she was tortured to name PM Modi; forced to lie about Yogi
Sadhvi Pragya, recently acquitted of terror charges in the Malegaon blast case, alleged on Saturday that she was "tortured and forced to name Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, and others." The former Bhopal MP stated that she resisted the pressure, saying it was "a clear attempt to coerce her into lying."
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Rajnath slams Rahul's 'atom bomb' claim: Calls past allegations 'damp squib'; defends EC's integrity
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday took a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for claiming he had an 'atom bomb of evidence' to allegedly uncover the Election Commission's involvement in 'vote theft' in Bihar.
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IND vs ENG, 5th Test | 'Stay out of the way': Ravi Shastri, Mike Atherton criticise Akash Deep's send-off to Ben Duckett
One of the more talked-about incidents on Day 2 at The Oval wasn't sparked by the bat or ball, but by an animated send-off. During England's innings in the fifth and final Test, Indian pacer Akash Deep dismissed Ben Duckett following a heated exchange — then celebrated by putting an arm around Duckett's shoulder, smiling, and saying something as the batter walked off.
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Hit by EU sanctions! Russia-backed Nayara Energy looks at India's state-run oil companies to offload petrol, diesel exports - here's what's happening
Nayara Energy, impacted by Western sanctions due to Rosneft's stake, is seeking to sell its petrol and diesel export volumes to Indian state-run oil companies. Despite operating at reduced capacity, Nayara reaffirms its commitment to India's energy sector with planned investments in downstream projects and infrastructure development. The company emphasizes alignment with national priorities and ongoing community development initiatives.
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NDTV
18 minutes ago
- NDTV
Gaza Civil Defence Says Israeli Attacks Kill 68 In 24 Hours
Gaza City: Gaza's civil defence agency said 68 people were killed by Israeli gunfire and air strikes on Tuesday, including 56 who were waiting near aid distribution sites inside the Palestinian territory. Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP that 30 people were killed by Israeli gunfire while waiting for aid near the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis. The army told AFP that troops "fired warning shots" in the direction "a gathering of Gazans advancing" towards them in the so-called Morag corridor in the south, but added it was "not aware of any casualties as a result". Bassal said another 20 people were killed and 100 wounded by Israeli fire near the Zikim border crossing in northern Gaza, through which some aid trucks have entered the territory in recent weeks. An AFP journalist reported seeing at least a dozen bodies brought to northern Gaza's Hamad Hospital, where a medical source said the victims had been killed in the incident near Zikim. The army told AFP it was looking into the details of the incident. According to Bassal, six more people were killed and 21 injured by Israeli fire in central Gaza while waiting for food near a distribution centre. The Israeli army, however, denied having opened fire near any aid site in central Gaza on Tuesday. Media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties in accessing many areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by the civil defence and the army. Thousands of Gazans gather daily near food distribution points across Gaza, including four belonging to the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Since launching in late May, its operations have been marred by near-daily reports of Israeli forces firing on those waiting to collect rations. Israeli restrictions on the entry of supplies into Gaza since the start of the war nearly 22 months ago have led to shortages of food and essential goods, including medicine and fuel, which hospitals rely on to power their generators. - 'No safety' - Bassal said another five people were killed in a predawn air strike on a tent in Al-Mawasi in south Gaza, an area Israeli authorities designated as a safe zone early in the war. "It's said to be a green zone and it's safe, but it's not. They also say that the aid (distribution) is safe, but people die while obtaining aid," said Adham Younes, 30, who lost a relative in the strike. "There's no safety within the Gaza Strip, everyone is exposed to death, everyone is subject to injury." Mahmud Younes, who said he witnessed the strike, told AFP: "We found women screaming -- they were covered in blood. The entire family has been injured." Bassal also reported six people killed in a strike near Gaza City, and one in another near Khan Yunis. The Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's armed wing, said in a statement Tuesday that they had bombarded an Israeli command-and-control centre in south Gaza's Israeli-controlled Morag corridor. The army said it had no record of such an attack taking place on Tuesday.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Justice delayed yet again
Last week, a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court acquitted all the seven accused, including BJP MP Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, in the 2008 Malegaon blasts case. Six people were killed and 95 injured in the bombing that had struck the Muslim-majority town in Maharashtra. The case, which was investigated by two different agencies, triggered accusations of 'saffron terror'. All the accused were charged by the Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) in 2008 of being 'Hindutva extremists'. The trial was controversial as Rohini Salian, the former special public prosecutor, had alleged in 2015 that the government had put pressure on her, through the NIA, to 'go soft' on the accused. The case was initially probed by ATS chief Hemant Karkare, who was gunned down by terrorists during the November 26, 2008, terror attack on Mumbai. Eventually, it was handed over to the NIA. While acquitting the seven accused, the court pointed out several lapses in the investigation and criticised the NIA for presenting 'inconclusive', 'unreliable', and 'legally inadmissible' evidence. It said that there were procedural lapses in the invocation of stringent laws such as the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. It added that the investigators had failed to link the motorcycle, allegedly used in the crime, to Ms. Thakur; that there were problems with witness statements; and that there was no proof that Lt Col Prasad Purohit (retired) or the right-wing outfit, Abhinav Bharat, was linked to the blast. In the order, Special Judge A.K. Lahoti observed, 'The testimony of prosecution witnesses is riddled with material inconsistencies and contradictions. Such discrepancies undermine the credibility of the prosecution's case and fall short of establishing the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt.' While he said that terrorism has no religion, the Special Judge also added that a court cannot convict someone based on mere perception. Civil society members were critical of the verdict given the allegations that it was politically driven; and also since it came on the back of another verdict acquitting all the accused in another blast case. On July 21, the Bombay High Court acquitted all the 12 accused in the 2006 serial bomb blasts case. Seven explosions had ripped through Mumbai's local trains on the evening of July 11, 2006, killing 189 people and seriously injuring 824. The coordinated blasts had scarred the estimated 70 lakh people of Mumbai who use the local trains, often dubbed the city's lifeline, every day. Many victims feared taking the local train again. This case too was riddled with controversies. While the Maharashtra ATS, which had conducted the probe from the beginning, claimed that the attacks were the handiwork of the Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Students' Islamic Movement of India, several other investigating agencies, including the NIA, claimed that the Indian Mujahideen had carried out the terror attacks. While acquitting the 12 accused, the High Court laid bare the inconsistencies, loopholes, and lapses in the probe by the Maharashtra ATS. It asked how key witness statements were recorded after an unexplained delay of 100 days. It questioned the trustworthiness and credibility of witnesses, highlighted deep flaws in both the investigation as well as prosecution, and demanded to know why the circumstantial evidence, such as call detail records, which the investigators had relied on so much, was inconclusive. It pointed out that the witness statements were delayed and inconsistent; that there were procedural lapses and coercion allegations about the confessions retrieved; that there was no proof of actual explosives used; and that the chain of custody of the recoveries was broken. The High Court also rapped the trial court for the conviction order. The judgments on two terror cases in India have left the victims, who have had to wait for nearly two decades for verdicts, without a sense of justice. The investigations raise serious questions about India's criminal justice system and specifically about the accountability of investigating agencies. Who are the agencies answerable to, for their contradictory claims and shoddy procedures, which have allowed extremist organisations to get away with such terrible crimes in Maharashtra? And when — if at all they do — will the victims of these blasts get a sense of closure?
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
India Hits China Where It Hurts Most, Hosts Beijing's Enemy, Sends Strongest Message With Naval Alliance In South China Sea
New Delhi: India welcomed one of China's fiercest maritime adversaries this week with full diplomatic honours and coordinated military manoeuvres. As Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr stepped onto Indian soil for a state visit, Indian warships were already cutting through the South China Sea alongside the Philippine Navy. The message from New Delhi was India stands with Beijing's biggest regional rival. The joint naval passage took place inside the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. Indian ships INS Delhi, INS Shakti and INS Kiltan sailed alongside Philippine frigates BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Jose Rizal. The two-day operation was calm but closely monitored. 'We did not experience any untoward incidents, but there are still those shadowing us as we had already expected,' said Philippine military chief Romeo Brawner. The naval drill unfolded just as President Marcos departed Manila for his five-day visit to India. The timing was not incidental. The idea for the joint operation came during Brawner's meeting with his Indian counterpart in March. The exercise, confirmed by Indian officials, formed part of New Delhi's broader push to further strengthen security ties across the Indo-Pacific. Some nice shots! As part of the ongoing Operational Deployment to South East Asia, Indian Naval Ships INS Delhi (Guided Missile Destroyer), INS Shakti (Fleet Tanker), and INS Kiltan (Anti Submarine Warfare corvette) of the Eastern Fleet concluded their port call at Manila,… — Vayu Aerospace Review (@ReviewVayu) August 5, 2025 Indian Navy ships INS Delhi, Shakti, Kiltan in Manila, Philippines; to hold joint exercises with Philippines counterparts — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) August 4, 2025 #IndianNavy and #Philippines naval forces conducted first joint naval exercise in the #WestPhilippineSea Two PLA Navy vessels where tracking the exercise from 10 Nautical Miles, away #SouthChinaSea vid cr ANC 24/7 Philippines — Hero For Fun (@XClassHero) August 4, 2025 In New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs reinforced its maritime posture through official briefings. 'Our position on the South China Sea is clear and consistent. We consider the South China Sea part of global commons. We support freedom of navigation, overflight and legitimate commerce through the waters of the South China Sea. India has an abiding interest in peace and stability in the region, and our position is based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982,' said MEA Secretary (East) Periasamy Kumaran. He emphasised India's view that ongoing negotiations on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea should include voices from all affected parties, including those outside the formal talks. 'It should be effective, substantive and inclusive of the interests of all stakeholders,' he added. The Indian and Philippine governments formalised their growing partnership with a Joint Declaration on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Marcos endorsed expanded cooperation in defence, maritime security, humanitarian response, pollution control, shipbuilding, coastal surveillance and disaster relief. Both countries expressed concern over rising aggression in the region and called for restraint. The joint statement reiterated their commitment to international law, including the UNCLOS, and their support for a free and open Indo-Pacific. They pledged increased participation in joint maritime drills, including the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise, the Exercise MILAN and the Philippines' Maritime Cooperative Activities. India is delighted to welcome Philippines President, Mr. Bongbong Marcos at a time when we mark 75 years of bilateral relations between our nations. It is equally gladdening that we have decided to elevate ties to a Strategic Partnership, which ensures our cooperation becomes… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 5, 2025 We are working to boost cultural linkages between India and Philippines. Our nations will work together in tourism, connectivity and holding regular cultural exchange programmes. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 5, 2025 The partnership now extends to cyber security, peacekeeping, critical technologies, economic security and military medicine. Maritime domain awareness will remain a top priority, with both sides planning joint research and technology sharing. India's actions have not gone unnoticed in Beijing. The Chinese foreign ministry repeated its long-standing position that disputes in the South China Sea must remain between 'countries directly involved', warning against third-party interference. China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theatre Command had earlier accused the Philippines of inviting foreign militaries to conduct joint patrols, saying such moves 'undermine regional peace and stability'. The reference to India's involvement was implicit but clear. The joint naval passage comes against the backdrop of a broader regional realignment. Since late 2023, the Philippines has conducted maritime operations with the United States, Japan, Australia, France and Canada. India now joins that list, adding its weight and ships to the counter-China security web emerging across the Indo-Pacific. During his trip to India, President Marcos is focusing on expanding cooperation beyond the seas, touching sectors such as defence production, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and trade. But on both land and water, the strongest signal of the visit lies in the synchrony of political hospitality and military movement. India's embrace of China's maritime challenger comes with unmistakable intent.
