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Activists arrests: Bombay High Court slams Maharashtra police for presser on sub-judice case

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Activists arrests: Bombay High Court slams Maharashtra police for presser on sub-judice case

The Bombay High Court on Monday, September 3, pulled up Maharashtra Police for holding a press conference on the arrest of activists in Bhima Koragaon case while the matter is sub-judice.

The court was hearing one Satish Gaikwad’s plea seeking an NIA investigation into Elgar Parishad, an event where – according to an FIR – activists allegedly made provocative speeches which led to violence at Bhima Koregaon on January 1.

Gaikwad’s lawyer, Nitin Satpute, told the court that on one hand, the Maharashtra Police talked about making the trial in-camera, and gave press conferences on the other, elaborating on the evidence it claims to have gathered.

The court was surprised: “They held a press conference?”

The court said how can the police hold a press conference when the case is subjudice.

The petitioner told the court that the police on one hand want an in camera hearing while on the other are reading out evidence in the form of the activists’ letters in public. The petitioner wants the case to be handed over to the NIA or the National Investigative Agency.

The petition by Satish Gaikwad, filed through Advocate Nitin Satpute, alleges that the Pune police had come up with a new story that the violence was instigated by the Elgar Parishad organisers. It said the police put forward this claim despite registering an FIR and arresting prime accused Milind Ekbote, who is currently in judicial custody.

The plea said intellectuals and lawyers are being arrested on the whims and fancies of the Pune police. It sought a transfer of the investigation from the Vishrambaug police station to the NIA, and a stay on the FIR that led to the arrests of activists Surendra Gadling, Dr. Shoma Sen, Rona Wilson and Sudhir Dhawale. The police had no right to probe the case under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, the petition said.

The Maharashtra police on August 28 also arrested poet and Maoist ideologue Varavara Rao, lawyer Sudha Bharadwaj, activists Arun Fereira, Gautam Navlakha and Vernon Gonsalves. The matter went to Supreme Court which restrained police from taking them away to Maharashtra in their custody and ordered that they be kept under house arrest till September 6, the next date when the apex court will hear the matter.

Facing criticism on the raids and arrests targeting rights activists, the Maharashtra police had claimed it had solid evidence including “thousands of documents and letters” that established the activists’ links to Maoists and their role in facilitating weapons and funding.

Lawyer and activist Sudha Bharadwaj, who is also under house arrest, said that one of the letters mentioned by the police is fabricated. “It is a totally concocted letter fabricated to criminalize me and other human rights lawyers, activists and organisations,” she said in hand-written statement shared through her lawyer Vrinda Grover.

The Bombay High court has adjourned the hearing on the petition demanding NIA inquiry in Elgar Parishad matter for 7th September because copies of the petition were not served to all concerned persons.

On Friday, the Additional Directorate General of Maharashtra Police defended the arrests of Left-wing activists, saying that those arrested had links with the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist) and the police had confiscated documents in April and June establishing links with the Naxal group.

ADG Parambir Singh said that a letter was recovered from Rona Wilson, which was written to one Comrade Prakash, proposing a “Rajiv Gandhi-like incident” to end the “Modi Raj”.

The ADG claimed that the letter read, “I hope you have received details of a requirement of Rs. 8 crores for the annual supply of grenade launchers. Comrade Kishan and others have proposed steps to end Modi raj, like Rajiv Gandhi incident.”

Singh said that the arrests, on August 28, were made after a thorough investigation into the case.

Serious doubts have been raised about the authenticity of the alleged letter and noted journalist Prem Shankar Jha had pointed to several discrepancies and errors, indicating it could not have been written by Maoists.

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Parliament winter session: Government lists 15 bills, including Waqf bill

The session will kick off on November 25 and conclude on December 20.

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The government has listed five new ones and one to amend the contentious Waqf law out of 15 bills for the winter session of Parliament. The session will kick off on November 25 and conclude on December 20.

The government has introduced five new bills, including the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, which aims to promote coasting trade and increase the participation of Indian-flagged vessels owned and operated by Indian citizens for both national security and commercial purposes.

Another significant legislation that will be introduced by the government is the Indian Ports Bill, 2024. This bill is designed to implement measures for the conservation of ports, enhance security, and manage pollution, ensuring compliance with India’s international obligations and statutory requirements.

Additionally, the government plans to introduce the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, which aims to meet India’s obligations under maritime treaties and support the development of Indian shipping while ensuring the efficient operation of the Indian mercantile marine in a way that serves national interests.

Pending legislation includes the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which is awaiting consideration and passage after the joint committee of both Houses submits its report to the Lok Sabha. The committee is expected to report by the end of the first week of the winter session.

Currently, there are eight bills, including the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, pending in the Lok Sabha, while two additional bills are in the Rajya Sabha.

Furthermore, the government has also listed the Punjab Courts (Amendment) Bill for introduction, consideration, and passage, which seeks to increase the pecuniary appellate jurisdiction of Delhi district courts from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.

The Merchant Shipping Bill, along with the Coastal Shipping Bill and the Indian Ports Bill, is slated for introduction and eventual passage.

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International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant against Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu over war crimes

The court accused Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant of crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, inhumane acts, and the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare.

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International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant against Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu over war crimes

The International Criminal Court (ICC) today issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The court accused Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant of crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, inhumane acts, and the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare. The leaders allegedly restricted essential supplies such as food, water, and medical aid to civilians in Gaza, resulting in severe humanitarian crises and deaths, including among children.

Last year in October, Israel had launched attacks on Gaza in retaliation for the surprise attack by Hamas. The Israel-Hamas war has led to the death of thousands of civilians, while lakhs have been displaced. The major infrastructures in Gaza, including hospitals and schools, were also destroyed as Israel vowed to wipe out Hamas.

The International Criminal Court stated that it found reasonable grounds to believe the accused intentionally targeted civilians and limited medical supplies, forcing unsafe medical procedures, which caused immense suffering. This ruling was based on the findings from at least October 8, 2023 until at least May 20, 2024.

The court remarked that it has assessed that there are reasonable grounds to believe that PM Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant bear criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population of Gaza.

Furthermore, it also noted that the lack of food, water, electricity and fuel, and medical supplies created conditions of life calculated to bring about the destruction of part of the civilian population in Gaza, leading to death of civilians, including children due to malnutrition and dehydration.

Additionally, the International Criminal Court dismissed two challenges by Israel against its jurisdiction in the situation in the State of Palestine.

Notably, Israel had contested the ICC’s jurisdiction, claiming it could not be exercised without Israel’s consent. Nonetheless, the Chamber ruled that the Court has jurisdiction based on Palestine’s territorial scope, including Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. It further noted that Israel’s objections were premature, as jurisdictional challenges under the Rome Statute can only be made after an arrest warrant is issued.

Reportedly, Israel had also requested a fresh notification regarding the investigation, started in 2021. Denying the request, the court stated that Israel had earlier declined to request a deferral, making additional notifications unnecessary.

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Yogi Adityanath accords tax-free status to Sabarmati Report film in Uttar Pradesh

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have also praised this film.

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday accorded a tax-free status to ‘The Sabarmati Report’ film, based on the train burning incident at Godhra in Gujarat in 2002, in the state.

The announcement was made after Chief Minister Adityanath attended the screening of Vikrant Massey and Raashii Khanna-starrer ‘The Sabarmati Report’ in Lucknow with the film’s cast.  

Speaking to reporters, actor Vikrant Massey thanked the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister for making ‘The Sabarmati Report’ film tax-free in the state. “I want to thank Yogi Adityanath ji. This is an important film and I appeal to everyone to go and watch this film,” he said.

Chief Minister Adityanath along with many of his cabinet colleagues watched the film ‘The Sabarmati Report’ under a special screening at a cinema hall in the capital, said a spokesperson of the state government.

Several people associated with the film unit were also present on the occasion. Later the chief minister announced to make this film tax-free in UP.

The BJP-ruled states have been praising the makers of The Sabarmati Report, claiming the team has tried to bring out this truth in front of the people of the country through the film.

The saffron party is appealing to people to watch this film and try to get closer to the truth of Godhra.

Uttar Pradesh becomes the sixth BJP-ruled state after Haryana, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat to declare lead actors Vikrant Massey and Raashii Khanna’s film tax-free.

Adityanath said along with identifying the faces of those who are conspiring against the country for political gains, there is also a need to expose them. The film team has discharged its responsibilities to expose the truth, he said, adding an attempt has been made to bring the real truth in front of the country in a big way through the film.

The Sabarmati Report is said to be based on the incident of setting fire to a train full of ‘karsevaks’ in Godhra on February 27, 2002, killing 90 devotees. After this incident, communal riots broke out in Gujarat. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have also praised this film.

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