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Meerut court acquits 40 accused in 1987 Maliana communal riots case

A court in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut has exonerated 40 accused in 1987 Maliana communal clashes cases that left 63 people dead and hundreds injured.

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Meerut court

A court in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut has exonerated 40 accused in 1987 Maliana communal clashes cases that left 63 people dead and hundreds injured.

Communal riots erupted in Maliana on May 23, 1987, following clashes in nearby Hashimpura on May 22 of that year in the aftermath of the April 14 communal violence in the city on the occasion of Shab-e-Baraat that left 12 people dead.

The riots in Maliana left 63 people dead while 42 people were killed in the Hashimpura violence.

A sessions court in Meerut on Saturday acquitted 40 people accused of arson, murder and rioting, citing lack of evidence in the 36-year-old case. However, the victims’ family has said they would challenge the acquittal in the high court.

Representing the accused, Advocate CL Bansal said the accused were exonerated due to lack of evidence against them.

He said that more than 800 dates were taken for hearing in 36-year-old case and only 25 witnesses out of the original 74 remain as some have passed while others have moved to other places.

Read Also: MP Kapil Sibal slams Amit Shah’s remark of no riots under BJP rule, calls it another Jumla

After hearing both sides, Additional District and Sessions Judge Lakhwinder Sood acquitted the 40 accused citing lack of evidence.

Speaking to reporters, Additional District Government Advocate (ADGC) Sachin Mohan said that on May 24, 1987, based on a complaint by Yakub Ali, a case was registered against 93 people—named and unnamed—for the communal clashes that happened at Meerut’s Maliana Holi Chowk on May 23, 1987 in which 63 people were killed and over 100 others injured.

Advocate Mohan said 40 of the original accused have since died while the others, who are unnamed in the FIR, could not be traced.

In his complaint, Yakub Ali had alleged that the accused opened fire on people and committed arson in the locality, Mohan said, adding that 10 witnesses, including the plaintiff, testified in the court, but the prosecution was unsuccessful in proving the case against the accused on the basis of sufficient evidence.

He said that the court, after observing the testimony of the witnesses and the evidence on file, ordered the acquittal of 40 accused, giving them the benefit of doubt.

Meanwhile, the family of the victims’ have said they will challenge the acquittal in the high court. Mahtab (40) a family member of one of the victims, said that his father Ashraf was shot dead during the Maliana riots without any reason and “the decision of the court is not just”, adding that he will appeal in the high court soon after holding talks with other families (of victims)”.

Afzal Saifi (45), family member of another victim whose father Yasin Saifi was reportedly shot and killed while on his way home and his body dumped near a sugar mill, said he would appeal against the court’s verdict in the high court.

MP Kapil Sibal slams Amit Shah’s remark of no riots under BJP rule, calls it another Jumla

Modi surname remark case: Kiren Rijiju calls Rahul Gandhi’s move childish after he bid to challenge conviction in Surat court today

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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