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Petition brings back to life Gandhi assassination controversy

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Gandhi-dead

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Raising questions about the identity of Narayan Dattatraya Apte, who was hanged for Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination along with Nathuram Godse, a petition in the Supreme Court seeks reopening of the case, suggesting an international conspiracy and reviving the controversial fourth bullet theory.

The petition comes in apex court exactly 68 years after Godse and Apte were hanged on November 15, 1949. Earlier rejected by the Bombay High Court, the petition was admitted by the Supreme Court where its hearing started on Wednesday.

The petition suggests that there was probably a fourth bullet fired by someone other than Nathuram Godse and claims that Apte’s identity was mired in doubt.

Dr Pankaj Phadnis, the petitioner and founder of Abhinav Bharat, has a letter from former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to back his claims this time.

The Justice JL Kapur Commission of Inquiry, which was set up in 1966 to investigate the assassination, had in its report called Apte an Indian Air Force officer. However, Parrikar, who was then Defence Minister, said in his letter dated January 7, 2016 to Phadnis, “I have got the matter examined. I have been informed that the matter was referred to various agencies within the Air Force, MoD History Division as well as to AA at HCI, UK with the request to provide any information pertaining to Mr Narayan Dattatraya Apte.”

“All the agencies have confirmed that they have not found any records pertaining to Mr. Narayan Dattatraya Apte. History Division of MoD even liased with National Archives, Central Secretariat Library and consulted private papers of Mahatma Gandhi’s murder trial,” the letter said.

The letter also said that the Gazettes of India (Air Branch) for the year 1943-46 were also searched but no information related to him being an IAF officer could be found anywhere.

Phadnis has approached the apex court on the basis of this letter, contending that since Apte was not an IAF officer, “there is therefore reasonable ground to believe that Apte was an operative of British Force 136, which can be established only after further investigation.” His petition contends that there is a “foreign hand” in the entire assassination plot.

However, Tushar Arun Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, has opposed the reopening of the case and also of the new bullet and theory floated by Phadnis. He, in an exclusive piece written for India Legal, calls the plea “frivolous” and its intention “malafide”. He says that the attempts are to “create doubts about the honesty of the original investigation” and to “float unsubstantiated theories”. He reaffirms that there were only three bullets fired by Godse that hit Gandhi on his chest. Tushar Gandhi also claims that he will “disprove all of Phadnis’ hypothetical allegations” if the court admits his plea, which the court has already done. Gandhi had also moved the Supreme Court against the reopening of the case.

Admitting the petition, the Supreme Court has appointed senior advocate Amarender Sharan as the amicus curiae to examine the petition filed by Phadnis and the documents furnished by him. 

pistol-of-godse

Dr. Phadnis said this case was one which concerned the truth behind the real hand or culprits who performed the act of Gandhi’s killing and also their hidden agenda of derailing the Gandhi-Jinnah People-to-People contact that the Mahatma had planned to embark upon.

This plan was derailed because of the assassination, the consequences of which are being felt even now, he has contended.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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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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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