A Delhi court on Tuesday directed the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Delhi Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra and others as part of an investigation into Mishra’s purported involvement in the 2020 Delhi riots.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Vaibhav Chaurasia concluded that there was a “prime facie” cognizable offense that necessitated further investigation. The judge noted, “It is evident that Mishra was present in the area during the time of the alleged offense… a deeper inquiry is warranted.”

This decision followed a petition filed by Mohammad Ilyas, a resident of Yamuna Vihar, seeking the FIR’s registration. The Delhi Police disputed this request, asserting that Mishra played no role in the riots.

Earlier in February, the court had instructed a complainant to approach the relevant MP/MLA Court to seek the filing of an FIR against BJP leader Kapil Mishra in relation to the north-east Delhi riots of 2020.

Judicial Magistrate First Class Udbhav Kumar Jain, in a decision dated January 18, had expressed concern that the Investigating Officer appeared more focused on police personnel and either neglected to investigate Mishra, an accused, or attempted to shield him from allegations.

The had court observed that the Action Taken Report (ATR) failed to address the accusations against Mishra, referred to as accused number three. It noted, “The alleged accused number three is in the public eye and subject to greater scrutiny; such individuals influence public sentiment and thus, are expected to exhibit responsible behavior within the framework of the Constitution of India.”

In his complaint against Mohs Wasim, Ilyas claimed he witnessed Mishra participating in an unlawful assembly and issuing threats to the public on February 24, 2020. He further stated that he and a group of men were coerced by police officers during the riots to sing the national anthem and “Vande Mataram,” an incident that gained viral attention on social media. Tragically, one member of this group, a 23-year-old, lost his life amid the unrest.

Ilyas asserted that he had previously attempted to file an FIR regarding this incident in 2020, but no action had been taken. Consequently, he sought the court’s intervention to register the FIR. The police’s report presented to the court maintained that the allegations against the officers involved were unfounded and inaccurate.

Bajinder Singh, a self-proclaimed pastor from Punjab renowned for his viral “Yeshu Yeshu” videos, received a life sentence on March 28, stemming from a 2018 rape case in Mohali. The verdict was declared by Additional District and Sessions Judge Vikrant Kumar.

Singh, who gained notoriety for his flamboyant ministry and miracle claims, was found guilty under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 376 (rape), 323 (causing intentional harm), and 506 (criminal intimidation). His downfall is shocking, especially given his previous public persona as a charismatic spiritual leader.

Born into a Hindu Jat family in Yamunanagar, Haryana, Singh underwent a significant transformation 15 years ago when he converted to Christianity while serving time for a murder conviction. In 2016, he began his own ministry, the Church of Glory and Wisdom, where he drew thousands by claiming to perform miraculous healings.

His YouTube channel boasts 3.74 million subscribers, where he shares performances, particularly his signature song “Mere Yeshu Yeshu,” following each alleged miracle.

The case against Singh was initiated when a woman filed a complaint at the Zirakpur police station in 2018, accusing him of luring her with promises of foreign travel before sexually assaulting her in his Mohali home. The chilling details revealed that he recorded the incident and threatened to disseminate the video publicly if she did not comply with his demands.

In addition to the rape conviction, Singh faces scrutiny for his alleged involvement in another sexual harassment case, which was filed on February 28, 2025. This ongoing investigation highlights a troubling pattern in his behavior.

Adding to his notoriety, a video surfaced shortly before his sentencing, showing Singh in a heated altercation with a woman, during which he slapped her after an argument. The incident, captured on CCTV, quickly went viral, prompting police action.

Singh’s rise and dramatic fall serve as a cautionary tale, reflecting the complexities surrounding self-styled religious figures and their impact on society.

A tragic incident occurred at a firecracker factory and warehouse on Dhuva Road in Deesa, Gujarat, where a devastating fire led to the death of 17 workers. The alarm was raised early in the morning of April 1st, prompting immediate responses from the Deesa Municipal firefighters and a fleet of 108 ambulances.

Preliminary investigations suggest that a significant explosion in the factory’s gunpowder unit initiated the catastrophic fire. The blast was so intense that it caused a nearby warehouse to collapse, sending debris flying up to 200 meters. At the time of the explosion, workers were engaged in the manufacturing of firecrackers.

The impact of the explosion was shocking, with human remains reportedly scattered over a wide area, even reaching adjacent fields. The scene was chaotic, as fire department personnel battled to bring the fire under control amidst the destruction.

As efforts continue, there are concerns that the death toll could increase due to the severity of the blaze. No official count of how many workers were inside the factory or their current safety status has been confirmed. So far, seven bodies have been recovered, and around five injured individuals have been transported to Deesa Civil Hospital for medical treatment.

Banaskantha Collector Mihir Patel confirmed reports of the large explosion within the industrial area of Deesa. It was also noted that several families of workers lived on the factory premises, adding to the tragedy as rescuers worked to manage the aftermath of this disaster. Fortunately, the municipal fire team has now managed to gain control over the fire.

Speaking to reporters, Patel said, “Today morning, we got information of a large explosion in the industrial area in Deesa. The Fire Department rushed to the site and controlled the fire. Five workers died on the spot of the incident. Four injured workers were referred to different hospitals. The explosion was so huge that the slab of the factory collapsed. We are conducting a search operation to rescue any person who might be buried under debris.”