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Time of India
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
11/7 case: Actions of ATS came under judicial scrutiny earlier too
Mumbai 7/11 bombings MUMBAI: The 11/7 case is not the first time ATS's methods and conclusions have faced judicial scrutiny. In 2016, a special NIA court discharged 8 Muslim men who were labelled "terror accused" by ATS in 2006 Malegaon serial blasts case. The presiding judge stated that these individuals, due to prior criminal records, were made scapegoats by ATS. The credibility of ATS investigations faces another test next week with the impending verdict in 2008 Malegaon blast case; that killed 6 people and injured 100. Here, ATS named and arrested a dozen individuals. But NIA in its own probe in 2016 provided a clean chit to six accused, including ex-BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur. Despite NIA's findings, ATS' original investigation largely prevailed, with NIA court ruling Thakur would indeed stand trial. However, the judge dropped charges invoked under MCOCA, charges initially applied by ATS but later revoked by NIA in its 2016 chargesheet. The NIA told court that during its investigation, "it was established no offence under MCOCA was attracted and hence confessional statements recorded by ATS under the Act were not relied upon. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo " Notably, NIA in its 2016 chargesheet accused ATS of planting RDX traces to frame accused Lt Col Prasad Purohit. While NIA let off Thakur and five others citing insufficient evidence, the judge refused to grant Thakur's plea for discharge. Over 30 witnesses turned hostile. The history of probe into the 2006 Malegaon blasts further shows the pattern of judicial intervention. On Sept 8, 2006, 31 people died and 312 were hurt in 4 blasts in Malegaon. ATS held 9 Muslim men, alleging they belonged to SIMI. In Dec 2006, it filed a 4,500-page chargesheet. But the case was handed over to CBI the same day after complaints from Malegaon residents that the nine were framed. In 2011, the case was transferred to NIA after the CBI team indicated the role of right-wing outfits. On Nov 5, 2011, the special MCOCA court granted bail to the 9 accused. While 7 were released on bail, 2 remained in jail due to their alleged role in the 11/7 blasts. In 2016, eight accused were discharged, and charges against one who died in 2015 were abated. Proceedings continued against four other accused, against whom NIA filed a chargesheet in 2013. In the discharge order, special judge VV Patil stated that while ATS officers had no animosity with the accused, "as they discharged their public duty but in a wrong way, they may not be blamed for it." The judge expressed doubt that "it seemed highly impossible that the accused, who are from the Muslim community, would have decided to kill their own people to create disharmony in two communities, that too on a holy day of Shab-e-baraat. " The judge further referenced NIA findings, which revealed an ATS witness, who previously claimed to have seen bomb preparation, retracted his statement, asserting it was taken under duress. SC will hear Maha govt plea against 1 1 / 7 acquittals tomorrow A day after Bombay high court quashed the conviction of all 12 accused found guilty a decade ago for the 2006 Mumbai train blasts that killed 187 and injured 824 people, Supreme Court Tuesday agreed to hear on Thursday an appeal filed by Maharashtra govt challenging the acquittals. State govt told the apex court that HC misdirected itself into trivialities and misread cogent evidence, leading to failure of justice. Evidence had been meticulously collected by the prosecution to establish a chain, inculpating the accused for specific roles discharged by them to strike terror at the heart of the economic capital of India and wage a war against the country, govt added.
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Judicial lens focused on ATS methods & conclusions in other cases too
Mumbai: The 11/7 train blasts case is not the first time the Anti-Terrorism Squad's (ATS) methods and conclusions have faced judicial scrutiny. In 2016, a special National Investigation Agency ( NIA ) court discharged eight Muslim men who were labelled "terror accused" by ATS in the 2006 Malegaon serial blasts case. The presiding judge stated that these individuals, due to prior criminal records, were made scapegoats by ATS. The credibility of ATS investigations faces another significant test next week with the impending verdict in the 2008 Malegaon blast case; that blast killed 6 people and injured 100. In this instance, ATS named and arrested a dozen individuals. But NIA in its own investigation in 2016 provided a clean chit to six accused, including ex-BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur. Despite NIA's findings, the ATS' original investigation largely prevailed, with the NIA court ruling Thakur would indeed stand trial. However, the judge dropped charges invoked under MCOCA, charges initially applied by ATS but later revoked by NIA in its 2016 chargesheet. The NIA informed court that during its investigation, "it was established that no offence under MCOCA was attracted and hence the confessional statements recorded by ATS under the Act were not relied upon. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo " Notably, NIA in its 2016 chargesheet accused ATS of planting RDX traces to frame accused Lt Col Prasad Purohit. While NIA let off Thakur and five others, citing insufficient evidence, the judge refused to grant Thakur's plea for discharge. During the trial over 30 witnesses turned hostile. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai The history of probe into the 2006 Malegaon blasts further illustrates the pattern of judicial intervention. On Sept 8, 2006, 31 people died and 312 were injured in four blasts in Malegaon. The ATS arrested nine Muslim men, alleging they belonged to SIMI. In Dec 2006, ATS filed a 4,500-page chargesheet. However, the case was handed over to CBI the same day following complaints from Malegaon residents that the nine were framed. In 2011, the case was transferred to NIA after the CBI team indicated the role of right-wing outfits, a suspicion reinforced when Swami Aseemanand, an accused in the Mecca Masjid blast, confessed a right-wing group was involved. On Nov 5, 2011, the special MCOCA court granted bail to the nine accused. While seven were released on bail, two remained in jail due to their alleged role in the 11/7 blasts. In 2016, eight accused were discharged, and charges against one who died in 2015 were abated. Proceedings continued against four other accused, against whom NIA filed a chargesheet in 2013. In the discharge order, special judge VV Patil stated that while ATS officers who conducted the probe had no animosity with the accused, "in my view, as they discharged their public duty but in a wrong way, they may not be blamed for it." The judge expressed doubt that "it seemed highly impossible that the accused who are from the Muslim community would have decided to kill their own people to create disharmony in two communities, that too on a holy day of Shab-e-baraat. " The judge further referenced NIA findings, which revealed that an ATS witness, who previously claimed to have witnessed bomb preparation, retracted his statement, asserting it was taken under duress. Additionally, NIA found all confessional statements recorded by ATS were retracted as they were taken under "pressure and duress." Mohammed Majid, whom ATS identified as one of the planters, told NIA that on the day of the blasts he was 400 km away at Fulsawangi, Yavatmal. The order came 10 days after NIA, unlike its previous stance, strongly objected to the discharge pleas. Dubbing it as an "ulta face," the judge said, "At the time of first hearing of the matter, the prosecution has canvassed they have nothing to say except the reply filed by NIA upon the discharge applications," the judge said. During its reply to the discharge plea in Aug 2013, NIA did not oppose the pleas and instead said its evidence "was not in consonance with evidence collected earlier by ATS and CBI," which recommended prosecution of the nine accused. Judicial lens focused on ATS methods & conclusions in other cases too Mumbai: The 11/7 train blasts case is not the first time the Anti-Terrorism Squad's (ATS) methods and conclusions have faced judicial scrutiny. In 2016, a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court discharged eight Muslim men who were labelled "terror accused" by ATS in the 2006 Malegaon serial blasts case. The presiding judge stated that these individuals, due to prior criminal records, were made scapegoats by ATS. The credibility of ATS investigations faces another significant test next week with the impending verdict in the 2008 Malegaon blast case; that blast killed 6 people and injured 100. In this instance, ATS named and arrested a dozen individuals. But NIA in its own investigation in 2016 provided a clean chit to six accused, including ex-BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur. Despite NIA's findings, the ATS' original investigation largely prevailed, with the NIA court ruling Thakur would indeed stand trial. However, the judge dropped charges invoked under MCOCA, charges initially applied by ATS but later revoked by NIA in its 2016 chargesheet. The NIA informed court that during its investigation, "it was established that no offence under MCOCA was attracted and hence the confessional statements recorded by ATS under the Act were not relied upon. " Notably, NIA in its 2016 chargesheet accused ATS of planting RDX traces to frame accused Lt Col Prasad Purohit. While NIA let off Thakur and five others, citing insufficient evidence, the judge refused to grant Thakur's plea for discharge. During the trial over 30 witnesses turned hostile. The history of probe into the 2006 Malegaon blasts further illustrates the pattern of judicial intervention. On Sept 8, 2006, 31 people died and 312 were injured in four blasts in Malegaon. The ATS arrested nine Muslim men, alleging they belonged to SIMI. In Dec 2006, ATS filed a 4,500-page chargesheet. However, the case was handed over to CBI the same day following complaints from Malegaon residents that the nine were framed. In 2011, the case was transferred to NIA after the CBI team indicated the role of right-wing outfits, a suspicion reinforced when Swami Aseemanand, an accused in the Mecca Masjid blast, confessed a right-wing group was involved. On Nov 5, 2011, the special MCOCA court granted bail to the nine accused. While seven were released on bail, two remained in jail due to their alleged role in the 11/7 blasts. In 2016, eight accused were discharged, and charges against one who died in 2015 were abated. Proceedings continued against four other accused, against whom NIA filed a chargesheet in 2013. In the discharge order, special judge VV Patil stated that while ATS officers who conducted the probe had no animosity with the accused, "in my view, as they discharged their public duty but in a wrong way, they may not be blamed for it." The judge expressed doubt that "it seemed highly impossible that the accused who are from the Muslim community would have decided to kill their own people to create disharmony in two communities, that too on a holy day of Shab-e-baraat. " The judge further referenced NIA findings, which revealed that an ATS witness, who previously claimed to have witnessed bomb preparation, retracted his statement, asserting it was taken under duress. Additionally, NIA found all confessional statements recorded by ATS were retracted as they were taken under "pressure and duress." Mohammed Majid, whom ATS identified as one of the planters, told NIA that on the day of the blasts he was 400 km away at Fulsawangi, Yavatmal. The order came 10 days after NIA, unlike its previous stance, strongly objected to the discharge pleas. Dubbing it as an "ulta face," the judge said, "At the time of first hearing of the matter, the prosecution has canvassed they have nothing to say except the reply filed by NIA upon the discharge applications," the judge said. During its reply to the discharge plea in Aug 2013, NIA did not oppose the pleas and instead said its evidence "was not in consonance with evidence collected earlier by ATS and CBI," which recommended prosecution of the nine accused.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Telugu actor Kota Srinivasa Rao dies at 83 in Hyderabad
NEW DELHI: Veteran Telugu actor and ex-BJP MLA from Vijayawada, Kota Srinivasa Rao has died at the age of 83 in Hyderabad. He passed away at his home in Film Nagar on Sunday morning following prolonged health complications, his family confirmed. Regarded as one of the finest character actors in Indian cinema , Rao featured in more than 750 films across Telugu and other languages during a prolific career spanning over four decades. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad He made his acting debut in 1978 with the film 'Pranam Khareedu' and went on to carve a niche for himself with his powerful screen presence. Rao was honoured with the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian awards, in 2015 for his contribution to the arts. He also won nine Nandi Awards – the highest award for excellence in Telugu cinema – and was the recipient of the Allu Ramalingaiah Puraskaram and SIIMA honours.
Indian Express
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
A Rajput show of strength as Brij Bhushan makes star appearance in Haryana wrestling heartland
THE OPPOSITION from some khap panchayats notwithstanding, former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and ex-BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh made an appearance as chief guest at an event in Haryana's wrestling backyard Sunday. The leader who is facing sexual harassment allegations from several wrestlers was invited to an event to felicitate wrestler Rachna Parmar, in Bond Kalan village of Charkhi Dadri district. Parmar, a member of the Rajput community, recently won a gold medal in the women's 43 kg category at the Under-17 Asian Wrestling Championship in Vietnam. Charkhi Dadri is also the home district of Olympian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who is currently a Congress MLA from Julana in Jind district. In 2023, Phogat was among the wrestlers who led a protest in Delhi against Singh over the sexual harassment allegations. Brij Bhushan was invited, along with local BJP MLA Sunil Sangwan and Lok Sabha MP Dharambir Singh, for the felicitation event by the Rajput Mahasabha. Both members of the Jat community like Phogat, Sangwan and Dharambir reportedly left the venue before Singh's arrival, citing time constraints. However, this is being viewed as an effort to avoid ruffling the feathers of the Jat community, given the caste equations in Haryana. Several khap leaders from the region had publicly opposed Brij Bhushan's visit, and urged the organisers not to invite him. In a statement, local khap leader Krishan Phogat said: 'Such persons come to break brotherhood, not to unite. The local MLA and MP should not attend the function either.' However, the Rajput Mahasabha leader from Charkhi Dadri, Pawan Sanjarwas, called those opposing the visit 'anti-social elements' and warned that they would be 'taught a lesson' if they even tried to protest. Sanjarwas told The Indian Express the opposition to Brij Bhushan had only helped the Rajput Mahasabha. 'It led to more presence at the felicitation event.' Sanjarwas also said that Rajput votes would consolidate behind the BJP with Brij Bhushan's visit. Colonel (retd) Devender Singh Rana, a Rajput community leader from Karnal, also supported the visit, saying it would help make a political impact. The Rajput community, estimated to be around 8% of Haryana's population, is concentrated mainly in the districts of Rewari, Mahendragarh, Gurgaon Jhajjar, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Ambala, and Karnal, Rana said. According to him, this translated into electoral sway in 17 of the 90 Assembly constituencies. Still, as of now, Haryana has only two Rajput MLAs – Shyam Singh Rana (Radaur), who is a minister in the BJP's Nayab Singh Saini government, and Yoginder Singh Rana (Assandh). While the Rajput community is traditionally considered a BJP vote bank, cracks had surfaced in 2023 over the controversy surrounding a statue of 9th-century king Mihir Bhoj. Thirty-five BJP leaders from Kaithal had threatened to resign after some party members from the Gurjar community referred to the king as 'Gurjar Pratihar Samrat Mihir Bhoj' during a statue unveiling. The contention of the Rajput community is that Mihir Bhoj belongs to the community and should be referred to as 'Hindu Samrat' instead. The matter is currently pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Vinod Rana Thamber, a Rajput leader from Ambala, said Brij Bhushan's visit should not be seen in the context of politics. 'The event organised in Bond Kalan village was just a social function to honour a member of the community.'
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Left entry in right bastion: SFI state gen secy wins sarpanch election
Gandhinagar: Student activist and lawyer Satyesha Leuva, who was elected earlier this month as the Gujarat state secretary of the Students Federation of India (SFI), a left-wing student organisation, won the sarpanch election from her native village Vadvasa in Sabarkantha district. Leuva, 25, who fought her first election for the post of village sarpanch, emerged victorious in a three-way contest, defeating Pushpa Leuva by a margin of 104 votes. SFI is the student wing of CPM. "This is the first time that anybody from the SFI has won any election in the state," Leuva said. Leuva said that Vadvasa does not have a primary health centre. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad "It will be my topmost priority to ensure the village gets a PHC along with a library for the students to study and aim big in life. Better roads, more classrooms in the school, and allocation of houses to all eligible beneficiaries will also be prioritised," she added. Gram panchayat polls held for 8,326 village panchayats, results of which were declared on Wednesday, threw up several hits and misses in interesting poll battles. A total of 8,326 gram panchayats went to polls in 33 districts of the state on June 22. The gram panchayat elections were held for the first time with 27% of seats reserved for candidates from the other backward classes (OBC) communities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Among other surprising results, Kiransinh Parmar, son of Bhikhusinhji Parmar, minister of state for civil supplies, social justice, and empowerment, lost the sarpanch election from Jitpur village of Modasa taluka in Aravalli district. Kiransinh lost to Mangalsinh Parmar by a margin of 623 votes. In a similar case, Trikam Ahir, son of ex-BJP minister Vasan Ahir, lost the sarpanch election in Ratnal village in Anjar taluka of Kutch to Sariyaben Trikambhai Varchand. Two women, co-mothers-in-law whose children are married to each other, pitted themselves against each other after one refused to pave the way for the other to be elected unopposed. In Juna Ugla village of Gir Gadhada taluka, Jayaben Dangodra defeated her rival Bhavnaben Nandwana, who was the village sarpanch for the past ten years. In Ishwariya village in Amreli district, octogenarian Motiben Sandarwa started her new innings as a public servant. Speaking to the media, Sandarwa said she was enthusiastic about doing development work. In Dhrangda village of Jamnagar taluka, Ramesh Kansagra, 61, was elected sarpanch for the sixth time. In Veja village of Rajkot district, it was a contest between cousins Yogendrasinh Jadeja and Jaydevsinh Jadeja. Jaydevsinh was the earlier sarpanch, but the entire gram panchayat was dissolved about six months ago. The village elected a new sarpanch with Yogendrasinh emerging victorious. Ashish Rabari, 23, was one of the youngest sarpanches to be elected in the election. He won from Juni Sedavi village of Mehsana district and said after his victory that he will work for the development of facilities in the village. Sarpanchs of three village panchayats had to be determined by picking chits, as rival candidates for the post of sarpanch polled equal votes. These included Nadri village in Mansa taluka of Gandhinagar, Dabhari village in Olpad taluka of Surat, and Patel Dhunda village of Meghraj in Aravalli district. In Padhariya village of Mehsana taluka, Ratansinh Chavda won the sarpanch election by just one vote. Celebrations were witnessed in all villages that went to polls, with winning candidates and their supporters celebrating the victories in the gram panchayat elections.
