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Bihar govt to appoint protection officers for women affected by domestic violence

Currently, 39 OSCs are operational in 38 districts, including two in Patna. With the new centres, the total will rise to 40, with the additional OSCs being situated in Muzaffarpur, Gaya, East Champaran, West Champaran, Purnea, Katihar, Rohtas, Madhubani, Kaimur, Aurangabad, and Jamui.

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The Bihar government has announced plans to appoint 140 full-time ‘protection officers’ (POs) statewide to provide better support for women experiencing domestic violence.

The Social Welfare Department will establish a dedicated cadre for the recruitment of these officers at the sub-division, district, and state levels in response to the growing incidence of domestic violence cases in the region.

Harjot Kaur Bamhrah, Additional Chief Secretary of the Social Welfare Department and Managing Director of the Bihar Women and Child Development Corporation, stated in an interview with PTI, “The department aims to appoint full-time POs to more effectively address domestic violence cases. This process will begin shortly, with the creation of a specific cadre in which over 140 POs will be assigned throughout the state. Specifically, 101 will work at the sub-division level, and 38 at the district level, along with one state-level PO.”

This initiative aligns with the provisions of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. Bamhrah highlighted that the goal is to enhance the protection of women’s rights, as guaranteed by the Constitution, for victims of familial violence.

According to the Act, protection officers will assist magistrates in their duties, ensure that aggrieved individuals receive medical examinations for any injuries sustained, and submit medical reports to the relevant police stations and magistrates. They will also be responsible for ensuring compliance with orders pertaining to monetary relief under section 20 of the Act.

The Bihar government has previously implemented various measures to address domestic violence, including the Dowry Prohibition Act and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006. Additionally, various schemes are in place to offer support to women facing domestic violence.

Moreover, the government is in the process of establishing 11 new ‘one stop centres’ (OSCs) across several districts to offer enhanced assistance to women affected by violence in both private and public settings. The Bihar Women and Child Development Corporation (WCDC) recently received approval from the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development for these additional OSCs, part of a centrally sponsored scheme initiated in 2015 aimed at providing integrated support for affected women.

Currently, 39 OSCs are operational in 38 districts, including two in Patna. With the new centres, the total will rise to 40, with the additional OSCs being situated in Muzaffarpur, Gaya, East Champaran, West Champaran, Purnea, Katihar, Rohtas, Madhubani, Kaimur, Aurangabad, and Jamui.

According to the Bihar Economic Survey report (2023-24), there was an increase in both the registration and resolution of cases related to crimes against women over the past year. This growth is attributed to heightened awareness and the comprehensive support offered by the OSC initiative, which encourages more women to report incidents to authorities.

In the fiscal year 2022-23, a total of 8,002 cases were registered, with 6,952 cases related to female offences resolved. Domestic violence accounted for the highest number of registrations among these cases, totalling 5,615, followed by dowry harassment (708), rape and trafficking (147), second marriages (71), child marriages (48), cybercrimes (42), workplace sexual harassment (23), and other offences (1,284). In the previous year, 2021-22, 7,030 cases were recorded, with 6,002 resolved.

India News

India hits back at Shehbaz Sharif at UN, says terror will have consequences

India hit back at Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s UN speech, with New Delhi warning that terrorism will have consequences.

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India has responded to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks at the United Nations, delivering a strong message on terrorism and warning that such actions will have consequences.

The response came after Mr Sharif addressed the UN and raised issues concerning India and Pakistan. New Delhi rejected the narrative presented by the Pakistani prime minister and highlighted the issue of terrorism.

India’s message was delivered by Petal Gehlot, who represented New Delhi in the response to Pakistan.

India warns Pakistan over terrorism

India’s response focused on Pakistan’s record and its approach towards terrorism. New Delhi made clear that terrorism cannot be separated from its consequences and that those responsible cannot expect such actions to go unanswered.

The Indian side also pushed back against the claims and allegations made by Mr Sharif during his UN speech.

The exchange comes amid continuing tensions between India and Pakistan, with terrorism remaining a major point of disagreement between the two countries.

Shehbaz Sharif’s UN remarks

In his address, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke about India-Pakistan relations and raised several issues concerning New Delhi.

India subsequently exercised its right of reply to respond to Pakistan’s statements at the United Nations.

New Delhi’s response underlined its position that terrorism remains a serious issue in the relationship and that there would be consequences for terrorist actions.

The latest exchange at the UN adds to the continuing diplomatic confrontation between the two neighbouring countries.

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Veeramani POCSO case: Vijay questions Stalin over earlier probe

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has questioned MK Stalin over the handling of the Veeramani POCSO case, while Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected anyone.

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Actor Vijay

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C Joseph Vijay has questioned DMK president MK Stalin over the handling of the POCSO case involving Gem Granites founder R Veeramani. The political exchange follows renewed investigation into allegations involving minor girls.

Vijay’s remarks came as the ruling TVK stepped up its questions about how the case was handled during the previous DMK government. The party’s IT wing has alleged that the earlier investigation was weakened and questioned why a final report was filed.

The allegations have been rejected by the DMK. Stalin has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to protect anyone in the case and has called the allegations false and defamatory.

What did Vijay say about the Veeramani case?

Vijay questioned Stalin over the handling of the case and demanded an explanation from the former chief minister.

The TVK has specifically questioned why action was not taken against Veeramani during the previous administration and why the earlier investigation resulted in a closure report.

The party has also raised questions about the role of officials involved in the earlier investigation. These are political allegations made by the TVK and have not been established as facts.

What is the Veeramani POCSO case?

The case concerns allegations of sexual abuse of minors involving R Veeramani, the founder of Gem Granites.

The case came under renewed scrutiny after a special POCSO court rejected an earlier closure report and ordered further investigation. The expanded probe has subsequently identified additional alleged survivors who were minors at the time of the alleged offences, according to current reporting.

The investigation is also examining the circumstances surrounding the earlier probe and whether there were any lapses in how the case was handled.

What has MK Stalin said?

Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected Veeramani.

He has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to shield anyone in the case. Stalin has also said that everyone responsible for the alleged offences, including anyone who aided or attempted to protect the accused, should face the law.

The DMK president has further said that the focus should remain on securing justice for the affected girls rather than making political allegations.

Why has the case become a political issue?

The Veeramani case has become the subject of a political dispute between the ruling TVK and the DMK over the handling of the earlier investigation.

The TVK is questioning the previous government’s handling of the case, while the DMK has denied that it intervened to protect the accused.

At this stage, claims about political interference or deliberate weakening of the earlier investigation should be treated as allegations unless established by the ongoing investigation or judicial proceedings.

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India News

Women wrestlers challenge Brij Bhushan’s acquittal in sexual harassment case

Four women wrestlers have challenged the acquittal of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar in a sexual harassment case.

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Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

Four women wrestlers have approached a Delhi court challenging the acquittal of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case.

The wrestlers have also challenged the acquittal of co-accused Vinod Tomar. The matter is scheduled to be heard by a Special Judge at the Rouse Avenue Courts.

The appeal challenges the order passed by an Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate on August 3, 2026, when Brij Bhushan and Tomar were acquitted in the case.

Wrestlers challenge court’s reasoning

In their appeal, the wrestlers have argued that the acquittal order is legally unsustainable and that the evidence was not assessed appropriately.

They have also alleged that the order relied on assumptions about how victims of sexual assault and harassment were expected to behave instead of assessing the evidence and circumstances of the complainants.

The challenge seeks judicial scrutiny of the findings that resulted in the acquittal of Brij Bhushan and Tomar.

Brij Bhushan was acquitted in August

The Rouse Avenue court acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on August 3 in the sexual harassment case involving women wrestlers. The court’s decision followed consideration of the evidence and statements presented during the proceedings.

The case had emerged after several women wrestlers accused the former WFI chief of sexual harassment. The allegations had led to a major protest by wrestlers in 2023.

The latest appeal means the acquittal is now being challenged before a higher court.

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