Latest news with #Women'sCommission
New Indian Express
18-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Economic independence key to eliminating gender discrimination: Telangana Dy CM Bhatti
HYDERABAD: In a strong endorsement of women's economic empowerment, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Thursday declared that the core mission of the 'Praja government' is to ensure economic independence for women, which he said is the key to eliminating gender discrimination. Speaking at the Gender Equality Conference organised by the Women's Commission at Nizam College, the deputy CM laid out the government's multi-pronged strategy to uplift women through targeted welfare and entrepreneurial initiatives. 'When women are economically strong, the entire state becomes financially strong,' he said. He revealed that the Congress government has already disbursed `21,632 crore in interest-free loans to women's self-help groups (SHGs) in the first year alone and aims to circulate `1 lakh crore through SHGs within five years with the goal of transforming one crore women into crorepathis (millionaires). Highlighting the government's ambitious renewable energy initiative, Vikramarka announced plans to generate 2,000 MW of solar power in partnership with SHGs. These groups will be assisted in setting up power plants, with the government guaranteeing purchase of electricity through pre-signed utility agreements, he said. 'This model — where women's groups generate solar energy and sell it to the state — hasn't been implemented in any other state,' he asserted. Recalls his student days A proud alumnus of Nizam College, Vikramarka reminisced about his student days (1982–84), staying in Room No 36, and the transformative experience of studying at one of India's premier institutions. He recalled fellow alumni like former chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy and ex-Speaker Nadendla Manohar, and noted how many of his peers are now accomplished scientists in the US. He promised to take up the current issues facing Nizam College with Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and expressed his desire to return to the college for a full-day visit. ABVP activists block deputy cm's convoy HYDERABAD: Mild tension prevailed at the Nizam College here on Thursday when the ABVP members blocked the convoy of Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, who arrived at the institution to participate in the Gender Equality Conference organised by the Women's Commission. The student activists demanded immediate release of fee reimbursement amounts and scholarships that have been pending for several years. Students vowed to continue their protests until the government clears the pending reimbursements and scholarships.
Hans India
16-07-2025
- Hans India
Moodabidri lecturers held for rape in Bengaluru
In a shocking case that has rocked the education community, Marathahalli Police have arrested two lecturers of a reputed college in Moodabidri and their friend for allegedly raping a former student after luring her to Bengaluru and blackmailing her with threats of releasing videos. The accused have been identified as Narendra (Physics lecturer), Sandeep (Biology lecturer) and their friend Anoop. The survivor, a former student of the same college, had approached the Karnataka State Women's Commission after enduring repeated harassment and threats. According to the FIR, the victim first came in contact with Narendra during her studies in Moodabidri when he promised to help her with study notes. Gradually, the two began chatting frequently. Narendra allegedly used this pretext to gain her trust and later invited her to Bengaluru, saying he would help her academically. However, after bringing her to his friend Anoop's rented room in Marathahalli, Narendra allegedly sexually assaulted her and threatened her not to reveal the crime to anyone. The nightmare didn't end there. Sandeep, another lecturer who got wind of the assault, began contacting the student. When she resisted, he allegedly threatened her that he had photos and videos with Narendra and would make them public if she didn't comply. Sandeep too allegedly raped her, taking her again to Anoop's room where he committed the crime. Later, Anoop himself joined the cycle of intimidation, telling the victim that CCTV cameras had recorded her visit to his room. Using this, he allegedly coerced her into silence and sexually assaulted her too. Initially, the victim, terrified of the threats, stayed silent. But when the harassment became unbearable, she confided in her parents during a visit to Bengaluru. The parents immediately approached the Women's Commission, which arranged counselling and directed her to file a police complaint. The police have now booked all three accused under relevant sections of rape, criminal intimidation, and conspiracy. The victim, who completed her studies in Moodabidri, is currently pursuing an engineering course in Ramanagara. It is alleged that the lecturers kept in touch with her through Instagram and chats to trap her. All three accused have been arrested and an investigation is underway. This disturbing incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for stricter background checks and monitoring mechanisms in colleges to prevent abuse of power by faculty members and to ensure the safety and dignity of students.
News18
15-07-2025
- News18
Bengaluru College Student Alleges Rape, Blackmail, Threats; 2 Lecturers Among 3 Arrested
One of the accused allegedly contacted the female student, threatening her by claiming he had CCTV footage of her being raped. The country is still reeling from the shock of the Balasore incident, where a female student from the FM college died after she self-immolated after no action was taken against the professor who allegedly harassed her. Another disturbing incident has now emerged from a college in Karnataka where three people have been arrested in connection with the alleged rape of a college student, including two lecturers. In Bengaluru, three individuals from a reputed institution in Moodabidri, including two lecturers, have been apprehended on accusations of repeatedly raping a female student. The Marathahalli police made the arrests following a complaint filed by the victim with the Women's Commission, which subsequently directed her to the police. The accused are identified as Narendra, a Physics lecturer, Sandeep, a Biology lecturer, and Anoop, a friend of the lecturers. According to the complaint, Narendra initially contacted the student under the guise of providing academic notes and assistance. He gradually developed a rapport through chatting, eventually taking her to his friend Anoop's room in Marathahalli, Bengaluru, where he allegedly raped her and threatened her to keep silent about the incident. A few days later, Sandeep, the Biology lecturer, allegedly attempted to assault the student as well. When she resisted, he reportedly blackmailed her, claiming he had photos and videos of her with Narendra. Fearing the consequences, the victim was allegedly raped by Sandeep too. The room where the assault allegedly occurred belonged to Anoop. Following these traumatic events, the student confided in her parents, who approached the Women's Commission. This led to the registration of a case at the Marathahalli police station and the subsequent arrests. view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 13:28 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Karnataka State Commission for Women urges CM to form SIT in Dharmasthala case
Karnataka State Commission for Women chairperson Nagalakshmi Chowdhury on Monday urged chief minister Siddaramaiah to form a special investigation team (SIT) to probe allegations of mass graves, disappearances, and crimes against women and students in Dharmasthala over the past two decades. a daily-wage labourer has claimed that he personally buried more than 100 bodies in and around Dharmasthala (File photo) This comes in the wake of a court deposition by a daily-wage labourer, who under tight security on Friday claimed that he had personally buried more than 100 bodies in and around Dharmasthala. His identity has been withheld due to security concerns. In a letter, Chowdhury said: 'In connection with the above subject and statement, a person has recorded a statement in court claiming to have buried hundreds of bodies in the Dharmasthala region.' She noted that the Women's Commission had taken serious note of both the court statement and media reports aired on July 12, which mentioned the discovery of a human skull and included comments from the family of a missing medical student. 'The Commission has taken the media report and the statement of the man who claimed to have buried bodies very seriously,' she wrote. 'These suggest a disturbing pattern of severe abuse, murders, rapes, unnatural deaths, and disappearances involving several women and students over more than 20 years.' She also flagged reports from families who had faced inaction from law enforcement. 'Many families have alleged that police did not respond properly when they went to file cases about their missing or deceased children,' the letter said. Given the gravity of the allegations, Chowdhury called for an independent and high-level probe. 'I therefore request the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the leadership of senior police officers to conduct a comprehensive and impartial investigation into cases of missing women and students, unnatural deaths, murders, and sexual assaults that have occurred in the Dharmasthala region over the last 20 years,' she wrote. The state government has not yet issued a response to the demand. The daily-wage labourer had first approached Dharmasthala police with a complaint on July 4. He was represented by advocates Ojaswi Gowda and Sachin S Deshpande. On July 10, he was granted protection under the Witness Protection Scheme, 2018. He appeared before the principal civil judge and judicial magistrate in Belthangady around 4.40 pm on Friday, wearing a mask and escorted by his legal team. Inside the courtroom, he reportedly reaffirmed his claims and gave details about the locations where he said the bodies — mostly of women and young girls — had been buried. His statement lasted nearly 80 minutes and was recorded in full. He was later taken into police custody for further legal procedures. His advocates confirmed the witness protection granted to him. 'A communication to this effect was sent to us on the evening of July 10 by the authorities concerned. The complainant conveys his gratitude to the district judiciary, Dakshina Kannada, the police authorities in Dakshina Kannada and the Government of Karnataka for acting expeditiously on the request for witness protection,' the advocates said.
News18
07-07-2025
- News18
Tere Mere Sapne: Amid Murders By Spouses, NCW Starts Pre-Marital Counselling In 10 States
Last Updated: The NCW launched "Tere Mere Sapne", a pre-marital counselling programme in 24 cities across 10 states, starting in Indore, to bridge emotional gaps and prevent marital crimes In a first-of-its-kind move, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has launched an ambitious initiative titled 'Tere Mere Sapne", a pre-marital dialogue and counselling programme aimed at bridging the growing emotional and psychological gaps between newlyweds. Set to be rolled out in 24 major cities across 10 states, the initiative will begin from Indore, where the shocking murder case of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi recently made headlines. The idea is both urgent and unprecedented: to ensure that couples speak, understand, and truly get to know each other before tying the knot. The dialogue centres, as envisioned by the NCW, will offer psychological counselling, social support, and emotional readiness sessions for individuals planning to marry. The mantra driving the initiative is clear – 'First dialogue, then marriage". At the heart of this intervention lies the alarming increase in marital crimes, particularly those where a spouse is murdered within days or weeks of marriage, and often, by the other partner. The NCW believes that many such tragedies could be prevented if young couples were given time, tools, and space to understand each other before making a lifelong commitment. The programme isn't just a reaction to statistics, it's a response to horrifying headlines. Just weeks ago, the country was left stunned by the gruesome murder of Raja Raghuvanshi, allegedly killed by his wife Sonam only 12 days after their wedding. Police investigations revealed a larger conspiracy involving others as well, making the case all the more chilling. Prior to the Raghuvanshi case came another gruesome story from Meerut, where a woman named Muskan reportedly murdered her husband and buried his body inside a blue-coloured plastic drum. These are not isolated incidents. Across India, reports are piling up of young men being killed shortly after marriage, and disturbingly often, it is the wives who are found complicit. Experts attribute this unsettling trend to the collapse of trust in relationships, lack of communication, and emotional incompatibility, issues that 'Tere Mere Sapne" directly aims to address. By opening these dialogue centres, the Women's Commission hopes to create a space for couples to ask difficult questions, confront uncertainties, and truly reflect before walking into marriage. It's not a deterrent to marriage, it's a shield against tragedy. With Indore set to lead the way, the NCW's initiative is already being seen as a significant, proactive step in reshaping how the society approaches marriage.
