State

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday arrested three individuals suspected of the murder of Praveen Nettaru, a BJP Yuva Morcha leader in Dakshina Kannada district, NIA sources said.

The arrested individuals are Mohammad Mustafa, Siraj, and Ilyhas from Somwarpet in Kodagu district. Both Mustafa and Ilyhas were sheltered by Siraj of Sakleshpur in Hassan district, they said. "While Mustafa and Ilyhas were arrested by the NIA for involvement in the Praveen Nettaru murder case, Siraj was arrested for sheltering them", an NIA official said.

Nettaru was hacked to death by cadres of the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI) at Bellare village in Sullia Taluk on July 26, 2022.

According to NIA sources, Mustafa was a resident of Shanti Nagar in Sullia and was a key PFI leader of Kerala, "He was involved in promoting PFI in Karnataka, particularly in Dakshina Kannada," the NIA official said.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Thursday stated that a woman approached them accusing three men of threatening her to file a false complaint in the ongoing sleaze video case involving MP Prajwal Revanna.

The woman sought protection for herself and her family, as the three individuals, dressed in civilian clothes, allegedly introduced themselves as Karnataka police and forced her to file a false complaint, the NCW said in a press release. She stated that she was getting calls from random phone numbers, threatening to file a complaint. It has come to light that this complainant was forced by a group of individuals to file the complaint, under the threat of potential harassment and false implications, the release added.

The NCW refuted the claim that 700 women have come forward to submit complaints against Revanna, stating that no survivor has come to the commission to register a complaint against the MP.

The commission revealed that two cases were registered based on complaints of sexual abuse by survivors and an additional complaint filed for abduction by a relative.

Eight workers, including five women and three men, were killed in the accident at a fireworks-manufacturing unit near Sengamalapatti in Sivakasi in the district. 

Seven rooms where the firecrackers were stocked were completely gutted, police said.

A senior police official said the cause of the fire was being ascertained and added that the unit is a licenced one. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, who expressed condolences over the incident, directed the district authorities to provide appropriate medical care to the injured and save lives.

Police and fire service personnel rushed the injured to the government hospital in Sivakasi. 

It was learnt that more than 10 persons were injured and they required medical attention, the Chief Minister said. 

Trigger Warning: Mention of sexual abuse
The National Commission for Women (NCW) said on Thursday that no victim has come forward to register a complaint against Karnataka MP Prajwal Revanna.

The timely submission of the Action Taken Report (ATR) by the authorities concerned reveal several significant findings, the NCW added. It said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) committee has been formed to probe the matter thoroughly. Notably, there is a commendable presence of female officers entrusted with conducting investigations and ensuring sensitivity and empathy in handling such cases, it added.

According to the NCW, the ATR indicated the registration of two cases based on the complaints of sexual abuse by the victims, alongside an additional complaint filed for abduction by a relative. However, no victim has come forward to register a complaint with the commission in this case, it said. “One woman complainant came to the commission to register a complaint against three individuals dressed in civil uniform, allegedly introducing themselves as Karnataka Police officials and forcing her to give a false complaint in this case,” the NCW claimed.

“She stated that she is being called by random phone numbers threatening her to complaint. It has come to light that this complainant was forced by a group of individuals to file a complaint, under the threat of potential harassment and false implications. The victim has sought protection for her family's welfare, underscoring the seriousness of the situation,” it said. In a separate development, the NCW said, it has been noted that the 700 women who submitted online complaints are affiliated with a social activist group and have no direct involvement or association with the primary complainant in the case.

“NCW would like to state that 700 women have not given any complaints to NCW regarding Prajwal Revanna case. Some media channels are falsely reporting this,” the commission said in a post. The police booked Prajwal Revanna and his father JD(S) MLA and former minister H D Revanna for sexual harassment and criminal intimidation based on a complaint from a woman, who worked in their household.

Prajwal (33) is the BJP-JD(S) alliance candidate for the Hassan Lok Sabha seat which went to polls on April 26.

Against the backdrop of a woman employee of Raj Bhavan levelling molestation charges against him, West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose on Thursday showed CCTV footage of the premises of May 2 to around 100 common people.

Footage from two CCTV cameras at the main (north) gate from 5.30 pm of May 2 was being shown to people at the hall on the ground floor of Raj Bhavan and screening was underway. A contractual woman employee of Raj Bhavan on Friday lodged a written complaint with the Kolkata Police alleging that she was molested by Bose in the Governor's house.

Bose had on Wednesday said he would show the footage to common people, barring “politician” Mamata Banerjee and “her” police.

The Congress on Thursday sought time to meet the Haryana Governor in the wake of the situation arising out of three Independent MLAs withdrawing support to the BJP government.

Seeking time for its delegation to meet on Friday, a letter written by the Congress to the Governor’s office said that it wants to present a memorandum regarding the present political situation in the state. It said that a Congress delegation led by Deputy CLP leader Aftab Ahmed, and B B Batra, chief whip CLP, and other Congress leaders want to meet the Governor on May 10.

Three Independent MLAs had withdrawn their support to the Nayab Singh Saini government in the state on Tuesday, after which the Opposition claimed that it had reduced the government to a minority in the state Assembly.

However, Chief Minister Saini again asserted that his government was not in trouble.

“We have also sought time from the governor,” Leader of Opposition Hooda said when asked to comment on the JJP writing a letter to the Governor. Hooda was campaigning in Bhiwani for party’s Lok Sabha candidate Rao Dan Singh. Replying to another question, Hooda said the Congress has 30 MLAs but in a reference to some JJP MLAs indicating their support in recent days to the BJP, he raised doubts whether all 10 JJP MLAs were onboard with their party.

“We are 30 MLAs...regarding JJP, it would have been better had they paraded 10 MLAs before the Governor. There is no dispute about our MLAs. Some of their (JJP's) MLAs are supporting someone else...let them go to the Governor with their 10 MLAs,” he said. After withdrawal of support by the three Independents, Hooda said the Saini government was in a minority. “On moral grounds, it should resign. President's rule should be imposed...we are demanding fresh elections in the state,” he said.

Taking on both the BJP and the JJP whose alliance ended after Saini replaced Manohar Lal Khattar as Chief Minister in March, Hooda said, “They entered into agreement to break the alliance. People understand this.”

People know there is a direct fight between the Congress and the BJP (in the Lok Sabha polls), others are ‘vote kaatu’ (vote-cutting) parties.

Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) leader Dushyant Chautala has written to Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya saying the Nayab Singh Saini government no longer commands a majority and sought an immediate floor test.

Three Independent MLAs had withdrawn their support to the Saini government in the state on Tuesday, reducing the Saini government to a minority.

In his letter, the former Deputy Chief Minister urged the Governor to direct appropriate authority to immediately call for a floor test. BJP's former ally Jannayak Janata Party told reporters on Wednesday that it is ready to help the Congress bring down the BJP government in Haryana, a day after three Independent MLAs withdrew support to the ruling party.

However, Chief Minister Saini asserted that his government was not in trouble.

His predecessor and party colleague M L Khattar also claimed that many MLAs are in touch with the BJP and there is "nothing to worry about".

Temples under the Travancore Devaswom Board in Kerala on Thursday made an important change to their offerings by discontinuing the use of Arali flowers (oleander) in their sacred rituals.

This decision comes after concerns arose about the toxic nature of these flowers, which could harm humans and animals.

P S Prasanth, the president of the TDB, announced this decision after a meeting of the board Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday. “It has been decided to completely avoid using Arali flowers in the naivedya and prasad offerings in temples under the TDB. Instead, other flowers like tulsi, thechi (Ixora), jasmine, jamanti (hibiscus), and rose will be used,” Prasanth told reporters.

The TDB is entrusted with the task of administrating 1,248 temples in the erstwhile princely state of Travancore. This decision stems from incidents reported in Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta, sources said.

A woman in Alappuzha died recently after allegedly consuming Arali flowers and leaves from her neighbourhood.

There were also tragic reports of a cow and calf dying in Pathanamthitta two days ago after eating oleander leaves. According to some studies, oleander, a tough and pretty shrub, grows well in tropical and subtropical areas.

The studies suggest that inside their leaves and flowers, oleanders have cardenolides, which can affect the heart of animals and humans, making it beat stronger.

The Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri temples of Uttarakhand will be opened for devotees on Friday after remaining closed during the winter season.

The famous temples situated in the Garhwal Himalayas are closed with the onset of winter every year as they remain snowbound during the period and are reopened with the start of summer. The Kedarnath and Yamunotri temples will be opened at 7 am and the Gangotri temple will be opened at 12.20 pm, the temple committee officials said.

Badrinath, which is also a part of Uttarakhand's 'chardham yatra' will be opened at 6 am on May 12.

Kedarnath is being decorated with 20 quintals of flower, Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee media incharge Harish Gaur said. The five-faced idol of Baba Kedar, which is carried from its winter abode at Ukhimath's Omkareshwar temple to Kedarnath, has left Gaurikund - the last stop on its way back to Kedarnath where it will be reinstalled inside the temple amid elaborate rituals, he said.

The idol will be worshipped before its portals are thrown open for devotees, Gaur added.

The idol is carried by barefoot volunteers on their shoulders from Ukhimath to Kedarnath every year.

The West Bengal unit of the BJP has set up a dedicated legal support website and a helpline number to assist "genuine" candidates affected by the alleged school jobs scam, a senior party leader said on Thursday.

The helpline number and the portal were made public on Wednesday night, days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked the state unit of the BJP to establish a legal cell for the "genuine" candidates. "As per the instructions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal BJP is duty-bound to stand beside the eligible candidates who were affected due to the TMC's illegal recruitment of some people," BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said.

The legal support website is 'bjplegalsupport.org' and helpline number is 9150056618, he said.

"Once a complaint is received through the helpline number or the website, we will speak to the candidate concerned and seek the status of his or her case, following which we will provide legal help accordingly," he said. While addressing election rallies in the state on Friday, Modi had issued the direction to the state BJP in a bid to address grievances stemming from the scam and assured of support to genuine candidates who were affected.

The Calcutta High Court had on April 22 declared the recruitment process of the State Level Selection Test-2016 (SLST) in West Bengal government-sponsored and aided schools as "null and void", ordering the cancellation of all appointments made through it. Around 26,000 people lost their jobs following the court order. The Supreme Court, however, on Tuesday stayed the Calcutta High Court order invalidating the appointment of 25,753 teachers and non-teaching staffers made by the state's School Service Commission (SSC) in state-run and aided schools.

A bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, however, permitted the CBI to continue with its investigation and probe even members of the state cabinet but asked the agency not to take any precipitate action like arresting a suspect.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had accused the BJP of "hatching the conspiracy" to snatch away the school jobs and thanked the apex court for staying the Calcutta High Court order.

Police have arrested 35 persons in connection with a clash that broke out between two groups after the graves of a Sufi saint and his family members were flattened at the Pirana shrine located on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, an official said on Thursday.

During the clash that occurred on Tuesday night, members of two communities pelted each other with stones, which resulted in some persons getting injured, he said. The Pirana shrine is managed by the Imamshah Bawa Roza Trust that has been a symbol of the Hindu-Muslim amity, with members from both the communities being its trustees.

"Due to some differences, one of the trustees razed to the ground the graves of Sufi saint Imamshah Bawa and his family members at the Pirana shrine on Tuesday night, leading to members of two communities hurling stones at each other," Ahmedabad (Rural) Superintendent of Police Omprakash Jat said. When the matter came to light, people from both the communities gathered at the shrine in large numbers late at night. A team of police also rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control and maintain law and order, he said.

"But the two sides started pelting each other with stones, leaving some persons, including police personnel, getting injured," he said. After the incident, complaints were filed from both sides against unidentified individuals, he said.

"The police have arrested 35 persons in this connection under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) pertaining to attempt to murder, rioting and damage to public property, among others," Jat said.

The police carried out patrolling in the area and the situation was brought under control, he said.

Divested of responsibilities as the BSP's national coordinator, Akash Anand on Thursday said he fully respects the decision of his aunt and party president Mayawati whom he described as a role model for the entire Bahujan community

He also said that he will continue to fight for the Bhim Mission till his last breath “You (Mayawati) are a role model for the entire Bahujan community, crores of countrymen worship you. It is because of your struggles that today our society has got such political strength due to which the Bahujan community has learned to live with respect,” Anand said in a post on X.

“You are our universal leader. Totally respect your order. I will keep fighting till my last breath for Bhim Mission and my society,” he said. His remarks come after former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati decided on Tuesday night to divest him of his responsibilities as the party's national coordinator and her “successor”, barely five months after she had anointed him.

Mayawati had said she has taken the decision in the interest of the party and the movement and till the time Anand gains "full maturity".

She said her brother and Akash's father Anand Kumar will continue to fulfil his responsibilities as before. On April 28, Akash Anand was booked in a case of violation of the Model Code of Conduct along with four others for allegedly using objectionable language at a poll rally in Sitapur.

The action had come after the district administration took suo motu cognisance of Anand's speech at the rally.

Air India Express passengers who were promised travel to various destinations from airports in Kerala were left stranded on Thursday as their flights were unexpectedly cancelled for the second day in a row.

Travellers at Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Kannur airports faced disappointment when flights to Gulf nations were called off at the last minute for the second consecutive day. This sudden cancellation has sparked frustration and caused inconvenience among passengers who relied on the airline's assurance for their travel plans.

"I was assured by Air India Express yesterday that I can travel to Qatar on Thursday. But they did not keep their promise. I was told at the last moment that my flight has been cancelled again for the second consecutive day," an aggrieved passenger at Karipur airport in Kozhikode told reporters. Another passenger, who claimed his work visa would expire today, told a TV channel at Thiruvananthapuram airport that when his flight to the Gulf region was cancelled yesterday, he was given a ticket for today.

"When I arrived here (Thiruvananthapuram airport), the airline told me that the flight was cancelled. If I do not reach my place of work by tonight, my visa will expire and I will lose my job," he said. Another passenger at the Thiruvananthapuram airport said that AI Express asked him to take a ticket on another airline, but he was unable to do so.

"Why can't they help us get tickets on another airline? Let them charge us for that," he said.

Air India Express has issued termination letters to around 25 cabin crew members who reported sick that led to the cancellation of more than 90 flights, airline sources said on Thursday. The Tata Group-owned airline has also given an ultimatum to the remaining cabin crew members reporting sick to join back duty by 4 pm on Thursday or face termination, they added.

Air India Express has also cancelled at least 60 flights for Thursday due to the non-availability of cabin crew, the sources said, and added that mass leaves by a section of the cabin crew have caused immense inconvenience to passengers.

The Navi Mumbai police have registered an FIR against three persons on charges of promoting enmity between different groups through a video on former Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare, an official said on Thursday.

The complainant, Suresh Rama Gaikwad (49) from Turbhe in Navi Mumbai, told the police that the accused made the video, 'Salute to Hemant Karkare (Based on true Event)', and posted it on YouTube which he saw on April 22. The accused presented the video as if it was a true story while it was allegedly based on wrong information and showed that Brahmins resort to terrorist attacks and implicate Muslims in false cases, the official from Turbhe police station said quoting the complaint filed on Wednesday.

Based on the complaint, the FIR was registered on Wednesday against three persons and their unnamed team members. The case was registered under Indian Penal Code sections 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups), 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), 298 (uttering, words, etc, with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention), the police said.

Karkare was killed during the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

The Manipur government has detected 5,457 “illegal immigrants” in the Kamjong district and measures are being taken for their deportation, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said.

The biometric data of 5,173 people have been collected, he said on X. "The biometrics of those staying at Phaikoh, Huimi Thana/Sangkalok refugee camps are being obtained,” an official said. The CM said his government has been providing humanitarian aide to all the “illegal immigrants”.

“We have been handling this situation with utmost sensitivity," he said.

Earlier this month, at least 38 more “illegal immigrants” from Myanmar, who had crossed over to Manipur, were deported through Moreh town in Tengnoupal district, Singh had informed. A total of 77 such immigrants were deported in the first phase, he said.