Latest news with #SimranGupta
Hindustan Times
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Court to hear plea seeking ban on namaz at Sambhal mosque on July 21
A Chandausi court in Sambhal district has decided to hear a petition seeking a ban on offering namaz at the Shahi Jama Masjid until its religious status is legally determined. The petitioner contended that no religious practices, whether namaz or puja, should be permitted at the site until its historical and religious character is conclusively established. (HT File) The petition was filed by Simran Gupta, national president of the Hindu Shakti Dal. Civil judge (senior division) Aditya Singh admitted the plea on Thursday and scheduled the next hearing for July 21. The petitioner argued that allowing religious activities such as namaz at a site already declared 'disputed' by the court could hinder an impartial investigation. The plea sought the sealing of the Shahi Jama Masjid and the transfer of its custody to the district magistrate for neutral oversight until the court delivers a final verdict on the site's religious identity. Gupta contended that no religious practices, whether namaz or puja, should be permitted at the site until its historical and religious character is conclusively established. She further claimed that allowing only one religious group to continue worship might create perceptions of bias and risk communal tension. Advocate Babulal Saxena is representing her in court. The origin of the dispute dates back to November 19, 2023, when eight Hindu petitioners claimed the Shahi Jama Masjid stood on the site of an ancient Shri Harihar Temple. Responding to the petition, the court ordered a survey of the mosque premises on the same day, followed by a second survey on November 24. The second survey led to violent clashes, resulting in the deaths of four people and injuries to 29 police personnel. In the aftermath, police launched a wide-scale crackdown and filed FIRs against 2,750 people, including Samajwadi Party MP Ziaur Rehman Barq and mosque committee chairman Zafar Ali. So far, 96 individuals have been jailed in connection with the violence. The matter also reached the Allahabad High Court, which allowed proceedings in the lower court to continue.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Sambhal temple-mosque row: Court to hear plea for ban on namaz at disputed site on July 21
Sambhal (UP): A Chandausi court in Sambhal district on Thursday set July 21 to hear a plea seeking ban on offering of namaz at the disputed Shahi Jama Masjid , which is claimed to be Harihar Temple . The petition sought the ban on offering of Islamic prayers citing its "disputed status". Civil Judge (Senior Division) Aditya Singh took on record the plea filed by one Simran Gupta. Play Video Play Skip Backward Skip Forward Mute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now Undo The dispute had previously reached the Allahabad High Court, where the Muslim side challenged the subordinate court's order for a survey of the mosque premises. On May 19, however, the high court upheld the trial court's decision and directed that proceedings continue there. Live Events The petitioner argued that since the site was deemed disputed by the court, Muslims too should be barred from offering prayers, just as Hindus were restricted from worship. The plea requested that the mosque be sealed and placed under the custody of the Sambhal District Magistrate . Gupta also sought to be made a petitioner on behalf of the Hindu side. Both matters will come up on July 21. The original suit was filed on November 19, 2023, by eight Hindu petitioners, including advocates Hari Shankar Jain and Vishnu Shankar Jain. On that day, a court-ordered survey was conducted at the mosque. A second round of survey was carried out on November 24, after which the matter was placed before the Chandausi civil court. The last hearing was held on April 28. Advocate Sri Gopal Sharma, representing the Hindu side, told PTI that the high court's order rejecting the Muslim side plea was submitted in court as part of the record. On the other hand, advocate Qasim Jamal, representing the Shahi Jama Masjid, acknowledged that the opposing side had submitted the High Court's ruling and said the mosque's legal team would abide by whatever order the court issues. Advocate Babu Lal Saxena, who filed the petition seeking a stay on namaz, told PTI that his client Gupta believes religious activity by any group should be restricted at the disputed site until a final judgment is passed. The case saw violent clashes in Sambhal on November 24, 2024, during the second survey at the mosque site. The unrest led to the deaths of four individuals and injuries to 29 police personnel. Following the violence, police named Samajwadi Party MP Ziaur Rahman Barq and Shahi Jama Masjid president Zafar Ali in FIRs, along with 2,750 unidentified individuals. To date, 96 people including Zafar Ali and several advocates have been sent to jail in connection with the incident.
News18
14-06-2025
- News18
'Model Chai Wali' Dragged And Slapped By Lucknow Cops, CCTV Footage Sparks Outrage
Last Updated: CCTV showing Simran Gupta being manhandled by police went viral, sparking outrage. Two officers were removed from field duty pending investigation Simran Gupta, crowned Miss Gorakhpur in 2018 and now widely known as Uttar Pradesh's 'Model Chai Wali', has found herself at the centre of controversy—this time not for her inspiring journey from beauty queen to entrepreneur, but for allegedly being assaulted and threatened by Lucknow Police near her tea stall late at night. CCTV footage of the incident, showing uniformed and plain-clothed officers manhandling Simran, quickly went viral, triggering a wave of outrage and public support. In response, the UP Police removed Ram-Ram Bank outpost in-charge Alok Chaudhary and constable Abhishek Kumar from field duty pending investigation. The incident reportedly took place around 1:45am on June 9 near Adarsh Complex on Sitapur Road, where Simran runs her stall under the brand 'Model Chai Wali'. She said she was wrapping up for the day when a group of policemen—some in plain clothes—arrived in a private vehicle and began roughing her up without explanation. Simran alleges the group included Chaudhary, constable Kumar, and a female constable, none of whom showed identification. 'They didn't ask a single question. One grabbed my phone, another held my arm and tried to push me into their vehicle. When I resisted, the female constable slapped me multiple times," she said. She further claimed that one of her staff members was taken away and coerced into giving a false statement. 'This wasn't law enforcement—it was intimidation and extortion," Simran said, alleging the officers acted on behalf of a rival tea vendor with police backing. Additional DCP (North) Jitendra Kumar Dubey said, 'No written complaint has been received yet, but we're reviewing the CCTV footage and appropriate action will be taken." Following online outrage, the two accused officers were 'line attached" (removed from active duty) on Tuesday evening. Simran, however, said she and her family have since received veiled threats. 'They're warning us—stay quiet or we'll slap a case on you in six months," she said. Who is Simran Gupta? A graduate of Gorakhpur University, Simran began modelling after winning the Miss Gorakhpur title in 2018 and went on to feature in various fashion shows and ad campaigns. But the Covid-19 pandemic upended her plans. After her father lost his job and she faced months of unpaid work in the electricity department, she left the position. With mounting family responsibilities, Simran turned to entrepreneurship, inspired by 'teapreneurs' like MBA Chaiwala and Graduate Chaiwali. She started 'Model Chai Wali' in Gorakhpur in 2022 and later expanded to Lucknow, where she gained attention for combining street food with a strong personal brand, largely boosted by social media. 'I never imagined I'd sell tea, but when life gives you no choice, there's dignity in honest work," she said in a previous interview. Gendered Policing and Public Anger The footage, showing Simran being dragged by the collar while surrounded by men, has ignited debates around women's safety, policing standards, and abuse of power. Activists and citizens criticised the alleged mistreatment of female entrepreneurs in public spaces. 'When a woman running a legitimate roadside business is treated like this just for being there past midnight, it speaks volumes," wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter). Simran also criticised emergency helpline response, claiming calls to 1090 and 112 were unhelpful. 'If someone with visibility like me can be treated this way, imagine women who have no platform. I've lost faith in the police—that's why I've approached the women's commission," she said. Despite the trauma, Simran continues to operate her stall. 'They thought I'd back down. I won't. I've come too far to quit," she told reporters, demanding legal action against the officers and protection for herself and her family. First Published:
The Hindu
07-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Sambhal court issues notice to Rahul Gandhi for remarks on RSS, BJP
A court in Sambhal issued a notice on Wednesday (May 7, 2025) to the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, over his alleged remarks on 'fighting the Indian state itself'. The court of Additional District Judge (ADJ-II) Aarti Faujdar issued the notice on a complaint filed by a local, Simran Gupta. During the inauguration of the Congress' new headquarters in Delhi on January 15, Mr. Gandhi alleged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) had 'captured every institution of the country,' adding, 'We are now fighting the BJP, the RSS, and the Indian state itself.' The complainant, Simran Gupta, is president of the Hindu Shakti Dal. 'Rahul Gandhi's statement deeply hurt the sentiments of people across the country. I had earlier approached the District Magistrate and the SP in Sambhal, but no action was taken. As a result, I filed a case on January 23,' the complainant said. The court earlier asked the Congress leader to appear on April 4 and later extended the date to May 7 for submission of his response. Owing to his counsel's absence on Wednesday, a junior lawyer sought a new date, which the court accepted, setting the hearing for June 16.
