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Goa: Hearing against Tehelka’s Tarun Tejpal in 2013 sexual assault case adjourned to 7 October

OpIndia Staff
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Goa: Hearing against Tehelka’s Tarun Tejpal in 2013 sexual assault case adjourned to 7 October

The hearing against Tehelka magazine’s founder-editor Tarun Tejpal, who has been accused of sexual assault by his former junior colleague, has been adjourned to October 7 by the Panaji Sessions court.


The Supreme Court had on August 19, 2019, dismissed a plea seeking quashing of charges against journalist Tarun Tejpal. The bench comprising Justice Arun Mishra and Justice MR Shah said that the case against the Tehelka founder-editor would continue. The bench also directed the lower court to complete the trial against Tejpal within six months. Reportedly, the Supreme Court bench termed the plea as an offence “morally abhorrent” and an “assault on the privacy of the victim”.

In the petition filed before the top court, challenging the Bombay High Court’s December 20, 2017 order, Tejpal had sought quashing of charges pertaining to sexual assaults and kidnapping.

Prior to this, the Mapusa court had on August 3, 2018, adjourned the hearing following a plaint from the defence that the CD containing Whatsapp messages exchanged between the victim and accused was not opening due to a technical snag.

A journalist colleague of Tejpal had accused him of raping her inside an elevator in a Hotel Grand Hyatt, Goa, during Tehelka magazine’s THiNK 2013 festival in Goa on November 7, 2013.

The case came to light when a number of media houses published a leaked trail of emails exchanged between the woman, Tejpal and the managing editor of Tehelka, Shoma Chaudhary. This further led Tejpal to step down from his post of editor-in-chief of the media house in November 2013, for six months to ‘recuse’ himself.

Based on the media reports, the crime branch of the Goa Police launched a preliminary probe leading to an FIR against Tejpal on three charges of sexual assault harassment and rape.

Tejpal had arrived at Goa from Delhi on November 30, 2013, where he was arrested by the Crime Branch after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the court.  He was lodged in the Sada sub-jail in Goa’s Vasco. On 1 July 2014, the Supreme Court granted him bail and he has been out on bail ever since.

After years of delay, the trial against the Tehelka’s former editor-in-chief finally started in Goa’s Mapusa in March 2018.

Incidentally, over the years Tejpal has been openly defended by a section of the liberal brethren, owing to him being “one of their own”.

This includes a Mid Day column, urging media persons who were voicing their views against Tejpal, to rethink their stand, since in the day and age of ‘rising intolerance’ a ‘liberal voice’ was the need of the hour. One Outlook article by Manu Joseph actually sought to “raise questions” over the whole incident.

Arvind Kejriwal hates people from UP-Bihar but loves Rohingyas and Bangladeshis: BJP leader Kapil Mishra writes

Kapil Mishra
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Arvind Kejriwal hates people from UP-Bihar but loves Rohingyas and Bangladeshis: BJP leader Kapil Mishra writes

What can be the reason behind Arvind Kejriwal’s hatred for Purvanchalis? The real reason is his love for Bangladeshis and Rohingyas. The NRC sword which is looming on the heads of these illegal immigrants is the fear because of which Kejriwal is giving such statements against the Purvanchalis.

If you pay attention, you will notice that he has started making such insulting comments about people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar from the day NRC was announced.

India’s capital Delhi is a mini-India in itself. It offers a glimpse to art, culture, identity, festivals of the entire country. Delhi is home to people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to Punjab to Mizoram and Sikkim, too. It is natural for people living in Delhi to invite their relatives to Delhi for further studies, getting medical treatment and even vacation. Since it is the national capital, it is obvious that there are better facilities than some other parts of the country.

Kejriwal, who is born in Haryana and then lived in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad, has a different reason to hate on the migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

First they lost Punjab, then AAP lost badly in the municipal elections. That was followed by a thumping victory of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. Then in some places, AAP even lost the deposits. In Haryana, where Kejriwal had himself campaigned, not only the deposits were forfeited but in some parts even NOTA (none of the above) got more votes than AAP candidate. Kejriwal has taken this as a personal insult. Kejriwal’s confidantes blamed it on the voters. It became a habit to blame the EVMs or the voters.

Furthering this hate, Kejriwal first banned free medical treatment in Delhi government hospitals to those people who do not have a voter card or Aadhaar with a Delhi address as proof. Thousands of people cannot even call their parents in Delhi to get them medical treatment because of this.

Central government’s Ayushman Yojana was applicable to hospitals run by central government. Hence, in hospitals like AIIMS, Ram Manohar Lohiya, patients could get free treatment.

The success of central government’s Ayushman Yojana and absolute failure of services provided by Delhi government hospitals is also one of the reasons for Kejriwal’s hatred.

A small example of this is: Rabies vaccination is available in only central government run hospitals in Delhi. In hospitals run by Delhi government, there are on an average 15,000 such cases which are then directly referred to central government without any medicine.

Everyone saw how ahead of elections, Kejriwal got his MLA Amanatullah Khan to rough up BJP leader Manoj Tiwari. After this, when everyone started talking about NRC, Kejriwal got completely flabbergasted. He had to save his fast vanishing vote-bank. Illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and Rohingyas are responsible for many crimes in the national capital. From chain-snatching to burglary to murder, illegal Bangladeshi immigrants are also running a drug mafia network. These form the vote-bank for Kejriwal and also provide financial support.

Kejriwal wants to save these illegal immigrants at any cost.

Today Kejriwal hates migrants from UP-Bihar, Bengal and Rajasthan and loves illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar. Kejriwal’s message is clear, ‘I will not let NRC get implemented in Delhi and save the tukde tukde gang‘.

The same man who came with Rs 500 and became the chief minister of Delhi, is today angry at people from UP-Bihar coming to Delhi after paying fare of Rs 500 to take free treatment under Ayushman Yojana. The man who keeps appealing to the entire country for nation and looking for volunteers wants to ban them from coming to Delhi.

That Delhi BJP President is also a Purvanchali is also one of the reasons for Kejriwal’s hatred for people from that region. In Delhi, under leadership of Manoj Tiwari, BJP gave a resounding defeat to AAP in corporation and recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. His personal hatred for Manoj Tiwari has escalated to hatred for people from the entire Purvanchal.

Kejriwal’s ego has now turned into arrogance. The kind of language he is using for people from UP-Bihar will give birth to a bigger hatred in the society.

In the self-respecting community of UP-Bihar, especially in the youth, will give a befitting reply to Kejriwal. He will have to pay for this insult.

Fact-Check: Viral video that claims to show a stray crocodile during floods in Patna is actually from Vadodara

OpIndia Staff
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Fact-Check: Viral video that claims to show a stray crocodile during floods in Patna is actually from Vadodara

Incessant rainfall in Bihar has left many parts of the state flooded which has claimed 29 lives till now as per Bihar State Disaster Management Authority. The state government has requested the Indian Air Force for helicopters for lifting and airdropping food packets and medicines in flood-affected areas of Patna.

In this atmosphere of panic and chaos, certain video clips have gone viral on social media which claim to be of crocodiles on the prowl during the floods in Bihar. The video clips claim to be from Rajendra Nagar in Patna. In the video, people can be seen trying to tackle a crocodile that somehow ended up in a residential area.


However, we can confirm that the said video isn’t from Patna or even from Bihar. Actually, the scenes are from Vadodara in Gujarat and it was captured during the floods that had hit the state in July-August this year. Several incidents of crocodiles roaming on the streets of Vadodara had happened during the floods this year, and this was one such incident. On 3rd and 4th July this year, several media housed had reported that a 10 feet long crocodile was rescued by a joint effort of NDRF and forest department officials on 3rd July from the Vadsar area in Vadodara. In a video posted by Times of India on 5th August, the same visuals of the crocodile can be seen.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36nFL6VGeGI]

In a longer form of the video which is available on YouTube posted by Desh Gujarat later on 31st August, people can be heard conversing in Gujarati. Even in the videos posted claiming to be from Patna, a person can be heard saying ‘O Bappa’, an expression that comes naturally to a Gujarati.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU3-s8JdvFo]

The same video was shared by a Telugu News channel claiming that it was from Nandyal Road. In the comment section of the video shared on YouTube, people can be seen calling out the news channel for spreading fake news.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tpQ3MUbHb8]

The same video has also been shared on YouTube claiming that it is from Kerala. This is from the 11th of August, 20 days before Desh Gujarat uploaded its video.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjLphK2zFK4]

Thus, it’s quite clear that the video is not from Bihar as it is being claimed by some people, and it is from Gujarat.  People should refrain from believing these viral videos as it might worsen an already bad situation by spreading further fear and panic among people. It appears that not even media outlets like NTV Telugu are exercising the necessary amount of caution that one should in these tense times.

Imran Khan again speaks like a terrorist group leader, says supporting Kashmiris against India is ‘Jihad’ to ‘make Allah happy’

OpIndia Staff
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Imran Khan again speaks like a terrorist group leader, says supporting Kashmiris against India is ‘Jihad’ to ‘make Allah happy’

Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s frustration due to the constant rejection he has received globally over his Kashmir rhetorics has unmasked his true colours. He now openly echoes Pakistan-based terror groups that call for Jihad against India. After returning from the US on Sunday, Imran Khan said that those standing by Kashmiris were doing “jihad” and Pakistan will support Kashmiris even if the world does not.

PM Imran Khan told his party workers at the airport here that whether the world is with the Kashmiris or not, “we are standing with them.”

“It (standing by Kashmiris) is jihad. We are doing it because we want Allah to be happy with us,” Khan stated to his party workers gathered to greet him in Islamabad on his return.

“It is a struggle, do not lose heart when the time is not good. Do not be disappointed as the Kashmiris are looking towards you,” PM Khan said, adding that “Kashmiris would win if the Pakistani people stood by their side.”

The fervent anti-Indian or anti-Hindu narrative in Pakistan is not a new phenomenon. However, the facade of coming across as a ‘Peacenik’ in front of the world, by announcing that the release of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman in a ‘peace gesture’ and the pretence of calling out the ‘jihadi culture’ and ‘jihadi outfits’ in Pakistan, is now out of the closet. His frustration of failing to sell his anti-India narrative has compelled him to exhibit his true self in front of the entire world.

Imran Khan has made the Kashmir issue his life goal ever since India has revoked Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. In fact, his maiden speech at the UN General Assembly which dragged for almost 50 minutes, apart from being a medley of errors was all about Kashmir and his anti-India rants.

Moreover, Imran Khan’s Taliban connections and open support for religious fanatics indulged in terrorist activities is an open secret.

Man named ‘Sexy Vegan’ from California arrested for sexually assaulting his dog and posting video on social media

K Bhattacharjee
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Man named ‘Sexy Vegan’ from California arrested for sexually assaulting his dog and posting video on social media

‘Sexy Vegan’, a man from California, USA, who legally changed his name to that absurdity, has been accused of sexually assaulting his pet dog and uploading the obscenity on social media. He was arrested on Thursday after detectives discovered the video of him ‘performing an act of bestiality’ on a pit bull on the 5th of September, according to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s office.

The 37-year-old suspect – born Hansel Marion DeBartolo III – posted the video to social media on September 5. He was reportedly on probation for non-related charges prior to his arrest. As per reports, he has been charged with a misdemeanor count of sexual assault on an animal as well as a misdemeanour count of posting obscene matter.

According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Sexy Vegan has pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charges. Vegan is scheduled back in court on Oct. 10 in Department 1 of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Santa Clarita Branch. If proven guilty, he faces up to one year in jail. The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Sherriff’s Department.

Vegan, who has his name tattooed on his face, has earlier appeared on the TV show Dr. Phil from where he was kicked out for excessive use of profanity with the host apologizing for his “childish and immature behavior.” Meanwhile, two dogs have been removed from his home by animal control authorities.

Rafale will be a game changer, will give India an edge over Pakistan and China: New Air Force Chief RKS Bhadauria

OpIndia Staff
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Rafale will be a game changer, will give India an edge over Pakistan and China: New Air Force Chief RKS Bhadauria

Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria has succeeded Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa to become the 26th chief of the Indian Air Force. BS Dhanoa retired today after 41 years of stellar service. He was the chief of the IAF during the Balakot airstrikes.


Air Marshal Bhadauria was commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF in June 1980 and was awarded the coveted ‘Sword of Honour’ for standing first in the overall order of merit. During his career, he has held various positions in command, staff and instructional areas.

Speaking to the media after taking charge, IAF Chief Bhadauria said, “We were prepared then, we will be prepared next time. We will be ready to face any challenge, any threat.” Responding to questions about Pakistan reactivating terror camps destroyed in the Balakot airstrikes, he said, “We are aware of the reports and we will take the necessary action as and when required.”

Speaking to ANI, IAF Chief Bhadauria also remarked that the induction of Rafale jets will be a game-changer for the Indian Air Force. He was the chairman of the Indian negotiating team for the 36 Rafale combat aircraft deal as the then Deputy Chief of IAF. He said, “My first priority is the modernisation and indigenous capability in view of all budget constraints. Rafale will be a game-changer in our operational capability. It will give India an edge over Pakistan and China.”

Speaking on Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s threats of nuclear war, he said, “That is their understanding of nuclear aspects. We have our own understanding, our own analysis. We will be ready to face any challenge.”

Bhadauria has held several important positions in the past such as Commandant of the National Defence Academy, Senior Air Staff Officer at the Central Air Command and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff from January 2016 to 28 February 2017. He also served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Southern Air Command from 1 March 2017. He took over as the chief of Bengaluru-based Training Command on 1 August 2018.

Bihar floods: State government issues helpline numbers and hashtag to reach the administration for help

OpIndia Staff
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Bihar floods: State government issues helpline numbers and hashtag to reach the administration for help

Bihar is battling devastating floods as water levels in the Ganga and other rivers surged after very heavy rainfalls continued to lash the state. As per Bihar State Disaster Management Authority, incessant rains in Bihar which have left many parts of the state flooded has until now, claimed 29 lives.

In the face of the calamity, the Bihar government has issued emergency helpline numbers for people in need.

The Helpline Numbers are:

BUIDCO (18003456130)

PMC (18003456644)

District administration (0612-2219810, 0612-2294204 and 0612-2294205).

Moreover, the water resources department minister of Bihar, Sanjay Kumar Jha has taken to Twitter to launch a hashtag, for Twitter and Facebook for helping the people in distress. The hashtag is #BiharFloodRescue. Jha has urged all those who need any sort of help to share their location with him and has assured prompt help from his side.


The state government has requested the Indian Air Force for helicopters for lifting and airdropping food packets and medicines in flood-affected areas of Patna.

19 teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have already been deployed in affected areas of Bihar to carry out rescue and evacuation operations. Till last night, as many as 235 people have been evacuated from low lying areas of Patna to safer places. A total of 4945 people and 45 livestock.

The Indian Railways have cancelled 13 long-distance trains while 20 other trains have been diverted. Railway tracks at Patna Junction and several other places were submerged.

While the rains have reportedly stopped in some parts of Bihar, the IMD has issued a red alert and heavy rains are predicted.

Fearing challans, Delhiites line up for PUC certificates, 14 lakh certificates issued in one month

OpIndia Staff
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Fearing challans, Delhiites line up for PUC certificates, 14 lakh certificates issued in one month

The fear of heavy penalty under the amended Motor Vehicle Act that kicked in from September 1 has been compelling Delhiites to get the required pollution certification done for their vehicles in a haste. According to the transport department, the number of pollution under check (PUC) certificates made in the last one month in Delhi has broken all records.

According to reports, almost 14 lakh pollution certificates have been issued in a span of a month, which is almost a four-fold increase from the average. Earlier, on an average, around 3.5 to 4 lakh PUCs were issued in a month.

As per the amended Motor Vehicle Act, the offence of not having a pollution certificate for your vehicle, which earlier attracted a first time fine of Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000 the second time will now attract a fine of Rs 10,000. The rule also states that PUC tests are mandatory in Delhi after every three months.

The high penalty for not having a pollution control certificate (PUC) is derived from the provision under section 190(2) ) of the amended Motor Vehicles Act. It says any person who drives or allows his/her vehicle to be driven violating “control of noise and air pollution” as well as road safety standards shall be liable to pay Rs 10,000 fine and/or up-to one year jail and disqualification of holding a driving licence. For repeat offence, the fine will be Rs 10,000 and/or imprisonment up to six months.

According to the revised Act, this provision has been put under the category of the compoundable offence, which means the state governments will have the power to tweak the fine and penalty for not having PUC or violating the noise standards.

In the Pollution Under Control (PUC) test, vehicles are checked for emissions of smoke, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and other air pollutants. Based on the test, a PUC certificate is issued to certify that the vehicle meets emission and pollution control norms.

Petrified of this increased penalty, Delhiites have been queuing up at pollution checking centres across Delhi for PUC (pollution under check) certificates for their respective vehicles.

Owing to the huge rush of vehicles for pollution under check (PUC) certificates caused by enhanced fine under the amended Motor Vehicle Act, Delhi government has directed the test centres to remain open till 10 pm.

Since the implementation of the Act, the volume of vehicles seeking PUC certificates at 940 odd test centres across Delhi has gone up by more than four times, according to officials.

The central government has recently amended the Motor Vehicle Act and made it more stringent to bring discipline in road traffic.

UK intelligence report says families of ISIS jihadis trying to smuggle them out from Syria and back to Britain

OpIndia Staff
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UK intelligence report says families of ISIS jihadis trying to smuggle them out from Syria and back to Britain

Intelligence sources in the United Kingdom have stated that they have been picking up chatter where family members of Jihadi terrorists who had left Britain to join the ISIS in Syria are plotting to smuggle them out of Syrian camps.

As per reports in the British media, intelligence sources say that as the window of time for effective repatriation is closing very quickly, families back in the UK, whose kin had left in order to join the ISIS, have been contemplating ways and explorings options to bring the Jihadis back into the country.

Surprisingly, there is a section of British politicians that advocate for bringing back the ‘British children’.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has recently informed that he has been trying to get 30 ‘British children’ repatriated from Syrian prison camps, but he is not getting enough support from his cabinet.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Home Secretary Priti Patel are strongly against the move. Priti Patel has stated that there is ‘no way’ the likes of Shamima Begum, 19, will be allowed back into Britain.

Patel has stated, “Our job is to keep our country safe. We cannot have people who would do us harm allowed to enter our country, and that includes this woman. Everything I see in terms of security and intelligence, I am simply not willing to allow anybody who has been an active supporter or campaigner for IS in this country.”

It is notable here that Shamima Begum is a teenager who had left Britain to become an ISIS bride. Aged about 20 years now, Begum has already given birth 3 times. She had married ISIS terrorist Yago Riedijk soon after arriving in Syria. She was also reportedly a part of the ISIS’ ‘morality police’, used to stitch suicide vests and tried to recruit other women as ISIS brides.

Begum has been giving media interviews and stating that she would like to return to the UK and face trial in UK courts.

Priti Patel has stated that she does not want Shamima Begum and others like her in UK’s court and prison system.

Recent media reports have stated that human traffickers have been smuggling jihadis and their family members from Syria’s Al Hawl camp. The camp reportedly holds 12,000 foreign women and children, including Britons.

Reports and government agencies have even warned that the ISIS is very much active inside the Syrian prison camps and already working on making the next generation of Jihadis.

LoC will remain sacrosanct as long as Pakistan does not vitiate the atmosphere, will cross it if we have to: General Bipin Rawat

OpIndia Staff
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LoC will remain sacrosanct as long as Pakistan does not vitiate the atmosphere, will cross it if we have to: General Bipin Rawat

In yet another aggressive statement, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat has said that if required, Indian armed forces are ready to cross the Line of Control between India and Pakistan. Saying that Pakistan has reactivated the terror camp at Balakot after it was destroyed by Indian Air Force jets, he said that such operations will be repeated if such need arises. General Rawat said that the Line of Control (LoC) will remain sacrosanct as long as the other side remains quiet and does not vitiate the atmosphere.

Talking to Times of India in an interview, General Rawat said that despite giving evidence, Pakistan keeps denying supporting terrorists. “Pakistan controls the terrorists, who act as its proxies. It’s no longer going to be hide and seek,” he said. But after the abrogation of Article 370, they are openly calling for Jihad in Kashmir. “It’s a tacit acceptance of their support to terrorism in J&K”, he said. The army chief said that “There are terror training camps in Pakistan, though they keep on shifting them. Fighting a proxy war with us is the state policy of Pakistan.”

Talking about the threat of nuclear weapon that Pakistan keeps threatening about, General Rawat said that Nuclear weapons are weapons of deterrence, they are not weapons for fighting wars. “I find it difficult to comprehend when someone proclaims he will use them for conventional war fighting or if he is attacked. Will the world community ever allow you to use nuclear weapons like this? Pakistan’s statements show an inappropriate understanding  of the employment of strategic weapons”, the India Army chief said.

General Rawat said that since the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5th, the infiltration attempts have gone up. He said that there is currently a leadership void among the terror outfits, and Pakistan is desperate to send some people across the border to instigate youths to spread violence in the valley again.

Talking about the possible explosion of the situation after the current security clampdown and communication blockages are lifted, General Bipin Rawat said that a large number of people in the state have welcomed the decision to fully integrate the state. He said that the state extends beyond the valley, and only a small part of the state is affected due to the clampdown. “People say situation has become bad. Do they mean the situation in the past 30 years was good? I think the past 30 years were bad and the past two months have been good”, he said.

On the reports of thousands of youths being detained in Kashmir, General Rawat said that only those people are being detained who violated section 144 that is in place in the state. He said that these people were trying to vitiate the atmosphere and disrupt the government’s efforts, like the procurement of apples through Nafed. Therefore, such people are being detained to ensure that people don’t suffer economically.

He said that actually the clampdown is being imposed by the other side, not by the security forces.

Last week the army chief had informed that Army has war-gamed any possible action in Pakistan occupied Kashmir, and accordingly plans have been made. He had also said that focus should shift from J&K to PoK.

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