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Hindustan Times
07-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Phulpur conversion case: Week on, mastermind evades arrest; multi-state search underway
Despite more than a week having passed since the conversion case involving a Scheduled Caste girl from Phulpur, Prayagraj—who was allegedly lured to Thrissur, Kerala, with promises of money and converted to Islam—came to light, the key accused and mastermind, Mohd Taj, remains absconding and out of police reach. The ACP stated that some leads regarding the possible whereabouts of the mastermind have been obtained, and that Prayagraj Police, in coordination with the ATS, are working closely to apprehend him at the earliest. (FOR REPRESENTATION) Prayagraj police have deployed three separate teams to different states to track down the mastermind of the case. Additionally, they have started scanning mobile records and travel details of the relatives of all the three accused—two of whom, including a 19-year-old woman, are currently in jail in connection with the case. During police interrogation, one of the accused, Daraksha Bano, revealed that Mohd Taj is a resident of Jogia Sheikhpur in Phulpur, Prayagraj. He is her sister's brother-in-law and has been working in Kerala for many years. She admitted to taking the teenage girl to Kerala at Taj's insistence. As per Daraksha, Taj had told her that girls were needed for jobs there and that he would receive a commission for arranging this. Based on the last location, three police teams are currently searching for Taj in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Kerala and other states, but no leads have been found so far. According to assistant commissioner of police (ACP) (Phulpur) Pankaj Lavania, close family members of all the three accused are being questioned about the activities of the accused and why they failed to notice any suspicious behavior. 'We have collected mobile numbers and bank account details of the family members and relatives of all three accused, including mastermind Taj, and are thoroughly scanning them for any evidence that could indicate their involvement in the conversion racket,' ACP (Phulpur) Pankaj Lavania said. 'It is unlikely that Daraksha took the girl to Thrissur, Kerala, without her mother knowing anything about her whereabouts. We are repeatedly questioning the parents and siblings of all three accused,' he added. The ACP further stated that some leads regarding the possible whereabouts of the mastermind have been obtained, and that Prayagraj Police, in coordination with the ATS, are working closely to apprehend him at the earliest. At present, police are conducting raids across multiple states and are also investigating any possible links between the accused and terror organizations. Despite these efforts, the mastermind remains out of reach. Three police teams were dispatched last week to track him down at suspected hideouts in different states. It may be noted that the 15-year-old girl from Phulpur was taken to Kerala on May 8 by Daraksha Bano, a woman from her neighborhood in the same village. There, she was allegedly forcibly converted to Islam at a camp run by a terrorist organisation in Thrissur, Kerala, and efforts were made to indoctrinate her into terrorism under the guise of Jihad. On May 28, after safely recovering the girl, police arrested and sent the accused Daraksha Bano and another accused, Mohammad Kaif, to jail. Authorities are now seeking to take both accused on remand for further investigation into the case. According to senior police officials, if Taj had indeed been working in Kerala, as claimed by accused Daraksha Bano, it is likely that he may have targeted several other girls as well. The full extent of the racket will come to light once Taj is apprehended.
Time of India
15-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Fans, air coolers to help police horses beat the heat
1 2 Prayagraj: The Prayagraj Police have installed eight air coolers and 18 fans at their stable in reserve police lines to safeguard horses from intense heat, as temperatures exceed 43 degrees Celsius in Sangam city. The horses receive Glucon D and two varieties of special salt to aid digestion and regulate body temperature. The Prayagraj district police maintain 18 police horses, with each valued between Rs 70,000 and Rs 2 lakhs. The police department has assigned 10 trained mounted policemen, including a Reserve Inspector (mounted police) and hostlers, to care for the horses at the reserve police lines stable. Speaking to TOI, reserve inspector Vinod Kumar Singh said: "A total of eight air coolers have been installed in the stable to offer a respite to the horses in the prevailing heat wave conditions. A veterinary doctor has also been engaged for the horses' healthcare." Singh elaborated on their dietary requirements, stating, "We maintain a special diet for each horse. They are fed chana, jau, chokhar, salt and an adequate amount of grass along with adequate water per day." During winters, the horses receive blankets for warmth, he said. The mounted police unit contributed significantly during the recent Maha Kumbh, with trained horses assisting in surveillance during the massive religious gathering on the Ganga's banks. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Undo A senior police official said that mounted police services are essential for various functions, including crowd control, owing to their height advantage and visibility. They patrol parks and markets and help disperse large gatherings. He added: "Offering air coolers to horses is to keep them hale and hearty during summers."
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
UP Police chief rebuts Akhilesh Yadav's claim of caste-based postings, calls remarks 'misleading'
A day after Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav alleged caste-based postings in the Uttar Pradesh police force, DGP Prashant Kumar on Monday dismissed claims, terming them "baseless and misleading." In a strongly worded statement issued by DGP Kumar said, "People holding responsible positions should refrain from spreading rumours. The claims being circulated on social media about caste-based postings are baseless." "Our duty is to counter misinformation with facts and several police units have already done so by releasing relevant data," he said. "If such misleading information is spread in the future, we will continue to bring the truth before the public. All postings across Uttar Pradesh are being done strictly as per established norms and guidelines," he added. 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Kanchipuram: 2BHK Interiors starting at 3.5 Lakhs HomeLane Get Quote Undo The DGP's comments come a day after Yadav, speaking to reporters in Prayagraj, alleged that officers from backward and minority communities were underrepresented in police postings, particularly at the level of station house officers (SHOs). "In Agra, out of 48 police stations, only 15 SHOs are from the PDA (Backward, Dalit, and Minority) communities. The rest are all from the 'Singh bhai log'," Yadav had said, using a colloquial term to refer to the Thakur community. Live Events He cited similar examples from Mainpuri, Chitrakoot, and Mahoba districts and accused the BJP government of following a "divide and rule" policy by dividing society along caste and religious lines. Responding to these claims, multiple police departments across the state shared their data publicly. The Agra Police Commissionerate, for instance, stated that 39 per cent of its force comprises OBCs and 18 per cent belong to SC communities, which is significantly higher than the 27 per cent OBC reservation norm. Mainpuri Police said 31 per cent of its personnel were from OBCs and 19 per cent from SC backgrounds. Chitrakoot Police reported that of its 12 police stations, three SHOs were OBC, two were SC/STs and seven were from other categories. Prayagraj Police also issued a rebuttal to Akhilesh Yadav's claims, clarifying that SHO appointments are based on merit and professionalism. "Around 40 per cent of our SHOs belong to OBC and SC/ST communities. Selections are made based on dedication, integrity, social sensitivity, and responsiveness to public grievances," a statement from the department said. However, Yadav on Monday shared some data from Prayagraj Police on social media and insisted on his claims. In a post on X, he said, "90 per cent PDA has only 25 per cent representation in Prayagraj Police. This is 'proportional injustice' being done to PDA." Meanwhile, calling for restraint, DGP Prashant Kumar urged political leaders and the public to avoid drawing hasty conclusions based on incomplete or inaccurate information. "It is our responsibility to present factual data and maintain public trust. We appeal to all to stay away from rumours and not raise unwarranted questions on the police system," he said.
