Malegaon terror attack: SC reserves order on Purohit’s plea

Agencies
August 17, 2017

New Selhi, Aug 17: The National Investigation Agency on Thursday admitted before the Supreme Court that there have been “several inconsistencies” in the 2008 Malegaon blasts case. But it opposed bail plea by accused Lt Col Srikant Prasad Purohit, saying these things, including retractions of witnesses, could be examined during the trial only.

Purohit, for his part, claimed, “he was caught in political crossfire”. He cited factors like the serious indictment of Maharashtra Anti-Terror Squad by the NIA, no framing of charges despite his nine years of incarceration and no inquiry report by the Indian Army against him, to seek bail.

A bench of Justices R K Agrawal and Abhay Manohar Sapre noted that the NIA in its report had claimed ATS had planted explosive substance RDX to frame Purohit. The court reserved its verdict on the special leave petition filed by Purohit, after hearing arguments from his counsel senior advocate Harish Salve, NIA counsel Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh and senior advocate Amrendra Sharan, representing one of the victims.

Making his case, Salve challenged the Bombay High Court order of April that refused relief to him but enlarged co-accused Pragya Singh Thakur. Purohit, a Military Intelligence officer, is accused in the case relating to a bomb blast on September 29, 2008, at Malegaon, a communally-sensitive textile town in Nasik district of north Maharashtra. The explosion had claimed lives of six people and left over 100 other injured.

“The case against my client is that he attended meetings of 'Abhinav Bharat'. My boss in Army acceded to during his cross examination in Court of Inquiry that he was giving vital information to him. Nine years have gone by, no inquiry report has come. He is still serving as Army officer and has so far not been removed,” Salve said.

The High Court, however, declined to consider it, saying these factors could be examined during the trial. “His defence is that he was asked to attend meetings of certain organisations. In 2006 Nasik Police Commissioner commended him for his work,” Salve said. He said the NIA had found how ATS used “dubious” ways to make out a case against him. Salve also pointed out it was the Supreme Court which held that no case for stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act could be slapped against the petitioner.

“After nine years of incarceration, give me at least interim bail till the trial court considers for framing of charges,” Salve submitted. He said if charges pertaining to RDX had gone, the remaining accusation is related to being a member of banned 'Abhinav Bharat' for which the maximum punishment is seven years jail only, he said.

Singh, however, maintained there were sufficient materials to frame charges against Purohit. However, he admitted, “I cannot run away from inconsistencies in the case”.

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News Network
November 11,2024

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Mangaluru: In a deeply tragic turn of events, a 28-year-old woman named Ranjitha, who had recently given birth but tragically lost her newborn, ended her life by suicide on Monday. She reportedly leapt from the fourth-floor window of Lady Goschen Hospital’s luggage room.

Ranjitha, whose strength and resilience had carried her through a difficult pregnancy, was scheduled for discharge on Monday. Her journey to Lady Goschen Hospital began on October 24, when she was transferred from Karkala. She was a high-risk patient, battling both hypertension and diabetes. At the time of her admission, she was just 27 weeks pregnant.

Due to the complexities of her health, doctors made the difficult decision to perform an emergency C-section on October 30. She delivered a baby girl, premature and weighing only 960 grams. The newborn was immediately moved to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where doctors did all they could. Despite these efforts, the baby passed away on November 3.

Ranjitha’s sorrow was profound. She stayed under hospital care even after her initial recovery and was preparing to go home on November 9. She had even requested a couple more days at the hospital, seeking time perhaps to cope with her unimaginable grief.

On the day of her discharge, a discharge card ready and her family eagerly waiting to take her home, Ranjitha reportedly made her way to the luggage room in the early hours. There, standing on a cot placed for patients' family members, she climbed to a window and fell from the fourth floor. Despite the attempts of another visitor to intervene, tragedy was inevitable. She was rushed to Government Wenlock Hospital, where doctors confirmed the worst—she was no more.

Dr. Durgaparasad M R, the Medical Superintendent at Lady Goschen Hospital, shared his grief and spoke of the ongoing investigation. A post-mortem is to be conducted, and the local Tahsildar will complete the necessary inquest procedures. Ranjitha’s exact reasons for taking this step are yet to be confirmed, though the weight of her recent losses paints a sorrowful picture.

If you or anyone you know is struggling emotionally, please remember that help is available. Reach out to mental health experts who can provide support and guidance. The toll-free helpline number 9152987821 is available to assist anyone in distress.

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News Network
November 15,2024

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Union minister Amit Shah on Friday, November 15, said PM Narendra Modi will amend the Waqf Act despite opposition from leaders like Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar.

"Modi ji wants to change the Waqf Board law, but Uddhav ji, Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule are opposing it," Shah said, addressing a rally at Umarkhed in Maharashtra's Yavatmal district.

"Uddhav ji, listen carefully, you all can protest as much as you want, but Modi ji will amend the Waqf Act," he said. Shah said there are two camps in the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls, one of 'Pandavas' represented by the BJP-led Mahayuti and the other of 'Kauravas' represented by Maha Vikas Aghadi.

"Uddhav Thackeray claims that his Shiv Sena is the real one. Can the real Shiv Sena go against renaming Aurangabad to Sambhajinagar? Can the real Shiv Sena go against renaming Ahmednagar to Ahilyanagar? The real Shiv Sena stands with the BJP," Shah said.

"Rahul Baba used to say that his government would credit money in the accounts of the people instantly. You were unable to fulfil your promises in Himachal, Karnataka, and Telangana," he said.

Shah said the Mahayuti alliance has promised that women will get Rs 2,100 per month under the Ladki Bahin Yojana. "Kashmir is an integral part of India and no power in the world can snatch it away from us," Shah said.

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News Network
November 10,2024

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Mangaluru: A tragic accident took place on Saturday at Chembugudde near Thokkottu, claiming the life of a 47-year-old woman after a tanker lorry ran over her. The victim, identified as Rahmat H Rashid, was riding pillion with her husband, Abdul Rashid G, on their scooter. 

The couple was traveling from Yenepoya Hospital to Bajpe when the scooter skidded on the poorly maintained road. Rahmat fell onto the road and was fatally struck by a tanker lorry that was coming from behind. Despite being rushed to the hospital, doctors declared her dead upon arrival.

The incident prompted a swift response from the DYFI Ullal Taluk Committee, which staged a protest on Saturday night, condemning the unsafe condition of the road. Nithin Kuthar, president of the committee, criticized MLA and Legislative Assembly Speaker UT Khader for failing to ensure safe infrastructure, despite touting the road as toll-free. 

Kuthar demanded immediate repairs, warning that the committee would march to the MLA’s office with black flags if the road is not fixed within a week.

Former DYFI State President Sunil Kumar Bajal also voiced frustration over the deteriorating condition of Thokkottu market, highlighting the struggles people face while crossing roads riddled with dangerous potholes. In response to public outcry, temporary repairs were made to the road at Chembugudde on Sunday, though locals remain wary and demand a more permanent solution. 

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