Two arrested in Danish tourist gang rape case

January 15, 2014

New Delhi, Jan 15: Two persons were arrested tonight in connection with alleged gang rape of a 51-year-old Danish tourist at knife-point near New Delhi railway station in the heart of the national capital.

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The two arrested persons have been identified as Mahender alias Ganja (25), a resident of Uttar Prdesh's Fatehpur district and Raja, a senior Delhi Police official said.

Police have recovered an i-pod, ear plug, nokia mobile worth Rs 1,200 (purchased out of robbed cash), Rs 800 cash from Mahender's posession while a spectacle case and Rs 1,000 cash was recovered from Raja, police said.

The victim, who had come to India on January 1, lost her way to her hotel in Paharganj yesterday following which she approached a group of six men asking for directions.

After recording her statement with police, the woman has flown back to Denmark this afternoon, promising to extend all sorts of cooperation in the case. She refused to undergo any medical examination.

Police had detained several people, all vagabonds, in this connection.

According to the victim's statement to the police, she first went to Agra from where she returned on Monday and checked in a hotel in Paharganj area of central Delhi.

"Yesterday, she had gone to visit a museum near Connaught Place. On her way back to the hotel at around 4 pm, she lost her way. As she was looking for directions, a group of men allegedly waylaid her to a secluded place where they first robbed her cash, iPad and other valuables on knife-point and then took turns to rape her," said a police official.

Once they fled from the spot, she somehow reached her hotel around 7 PM. The victim first narrated her ordeal to some fellow tourists in the hotel and then approached the manager, who in turn called the police around 8:30 PM.

Police registered a case of gangrape under section 376 G (2) of IPC and robbery. The Danish Embassy was also informed.

The woman was then taken to the Embassy after recording her statement with the police. The victim, however, had refused to undergo a medical examination and expressed desire to return back to her country.

"Although she didn't undergo a medical test here, she can have a test in Denmark and its report can be sent to us. We also have other evidence in the case and we are sure that we would be able to crack it very soon," investigators said.

They said some people have been detained and are being questioned. "We have identified the culprits, all of them are vagabonds, they would be nabbed soon," they said.

As per the victim's statement, her alleged perpetrators took her near the Divisional Railway Officers Club near the New Delhi Railway Station where they sexually assaulted her.

A team of police officials checked the spot in search of evidences and questioned the people who worked nearby and scanned CCTV footages in a bid to identify the culprits.

She was visibly dazed after the incident and had bruises over her face and body. She gave police the physical features of the attackers, after which the suspects were rounded up.

As criticism mounted on his government following the case, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal met Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and requested him to direct police to improve security for women in the city.

"I met the LG today and discussed the issue with him. Both of us agreed that we will ask the Police Commissioner to come prepared with an analysis of rape cases and also ask why so many rapes take place in Delhi," Kejriwal said.

He said he along with Jung and the police Commissioner would meet the Chief Justice of India to urge him to set up more fast track courts in the city to deal with cases of sexual violence."We will see what strong deterrence we can have by having fast track courts," he said.

Police would be specifically asked to examine three aspects -- locality, place of crime and persons involved -- while dealing with cases of rape and suggest containing them, Kejriwal said.

"Is it locality, venue, person or situation specific? We will ask police to examine and then take steps accordingly. If it happens in dark areas, then we can light them up," he said.

Senior Delhi minister Manish Sisodia described the incident as "terrible".

"We will see how vigilance can be strengthened so that such cases do not happen in the future," he said.

Last year saw a steep hike in offences against women with molestation and rape cases rising alarmingly by 412 and 129 per cent respectively.

According to police, 1559 cases of rape were registered in 2013 against 680 in 2012, a hike of 129.26 per cent. As many as 3347 cases of molestation were also reported in the past year as against 653, which is a rise of 412.56 per cent.

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News Network
October 7,2024

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Mangaluru, Oct 7: In a heartbreaking turn of events, the search for Mumtaz Ali, chairman of Misbah Group of Educational Institutions, ended with the discovery of his mortal remains in the Phalguni river near Kulur. The somber discovery came after an exhaustive search, leaving a community in shock and sorrow.

He is the younger brother of former MLA Mohuiddin Bawa and former MLC B M Farookh. 

The incident has taken a deeply distressing turn with the filing of an FIR against six individuals, including a woman, who are accused of pushing Ali to a tragic end. 

The accused allegedly blackmailed Ali, fabricating a story about his involvement in an illicit relationship with the woman. Reports suggest that they extorted Rs 50 lakh from Ali and were unrelenting, demanding an additional Rs 50 lakh from him, casting a shadow over his final days.

The complaint, lodged by Ali’s grieving brother, accuses these individuals of driving him to despair through relentless blackmail and false accusations, ultimately leading him to take the tragic step.

In the early hours of Sunday, Ali left his home at 3 am, heading towards Suratkal, perhaps seeking some solace. A minor accident occurred when his car collided with a private bus near MCF. Despite the mishap, he offered a heartfelt apology to the bus driver and conductor—a gesture that now echoes with the pain of his unspoken struggles. After the collision, Ali made a U-turn near Panambur circle, driving back towards Kulur bridge, where his journey came to a sorrowful end.

Ali’s last moments hold an even deeper sadness, as he left behind a voice message in Byari, naming an individual who had been tormenting him mentally. Sent to his daughter and a close friend, the message revealed the unbearable burden he was carrying, hinting at his final decision to end his suffering.

This tragic loss has left the community and his loved ones grappling with unanswered questions and a profound sense of grief. As the investigation unfolds, the memory of Mumtaz Ali lingers, a reminder of the silent battles that too often go unseen.

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News Network
October 3,2024

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Bengaluru: The Karnataka Food Safety and Quality Department has issued an urgent warning following the discovery of potentially cancer-causing chemicals in cakes sold by certain bakeries across the state.

Recent tests conducted by the department revealed that some cake samples, particularly those with vibrant colors, contain harmful synthetic coloring agents such as Allura Red, a substance known to pose health risks. The findings have raised concerns about the use of artificial colors in bakery products, especially given their potential link to cancer and other serious health conditions.

"We routinely test various food products, and this time, our officials noticed unusually dark-colored cakes on the market," said Srinivas K, Commissioner of Food Safety for Karnataka. "Upon testing, we found that a few cakes contained Allura Red, a synthetic dye associated with health risks."

The use of artificial colors, especially in popular cakes like red velvet and pineapple varieties, is widespread as it attracts customers, particularly children. However, many bakers prefer using natural, safer alternatives, while some opt for synthetic dyes to enhance the cake's visual appeal.

"Most bakeries use permissible, natural colors that are safe for consumption. Unfortunately, a few are resorting to synthetic dyes just to make their cakes more attractive," said a bakery owner from Electronic City, speaking anonymously.

Medical experts are warning that consuming synthetic colors can lead to numerous health issues, including asthma and allergic reactions.

"Some of these artificial dyes are carcinogenic, and prolonged exposure could have serious consequences, especially for children and young adults," cautioned Dr. Vandana G, a private medical practitioner.

While the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) confirms that only a limited number of samples tested positive for harmful colors, legal action is being taken against the violators.

"There is no need for widespread panic or halting production. We are closely monitoring the situation, and only a few bakeries were found to be non-compliant. Rest assured, appropriate legal measures are underway," assured an FSSAI official. 

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News Network
October 7,2024

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New Delhi: Seeking to strengthen bilateral ties, India and the Maldives on Monday inked a currency swap agreement to the tune of $400 million, a move that would help the archipelago nation overcome foreign exchange reserve issues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu also launched Rupay card in the Maldives, inaugurated the new runway at the Hanimadhoo International airport and agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations that had hit a rocky patch last year.

Muizzu, who is on a four-day state visit, held talks with Prime Minister Modi at the Hyderabad House here.

After the talks, India also handed over 700 social housing units to the Maldives built under the EXIM Bank’s buyer’s credit facilities.

"Today, we have inaugurated the redeveloped Hanimaadhoo Airport. Now, the Greater Male Connectivity Project will also be expedited. We will also support the development of a new commercial port in Thilafushi," Modi told reporters here with Muizzu by his side.

Modi said India and Maldives have decided to initiate discussion on the Free Trade Agreement to further strengthen economic ties.

The prime minister described Maldives as a "close friend" which had an important position in India's neighbourhood policy and SAGAR vision.

"India has always fulfilled the responsibilities of a neighbour. Today, we have taken up the vision of a comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership to give our mutual cooperation a strategic direction," Modi said.

Earlier, Muizzu was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan by President Droupadi Murmu. Prime Minister Modi was also present on the occasion.

Muizzu was given a tri-services guard of honour before he drove down the Rajghat to offer his respects at the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain since Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge of the top office in November.

Muizzu won the presidential election last year on the 'India out' campaign and asked New Delhi to withdraw its military personnel posted in the archipelago nation by May this year.

The bilateral ties also hit a rocky patch when Maldivian ministers were critical of Modi. However, Muizzu has since toned down his anti-India stance and even sacked ministers who were critical of the Indian prime minister.

As the Maldives was grappling with a serious economic downturn, India has decided to extend vital budgetary support to the Maldives government with the rollover of a $50 million Treasury Bill for another year.

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