English हिन्दी
Connect with us

India News

Pradyuman murder case: ‘Framed’ bus conductor Ashok granted bail

Published

on

Pradyuman murder case

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]CBI also files status report before the Punjab & Haryana High Court; 7-year-old Pradyuman was murdered at Gurgaon’s Ryan International School in September

Over two months after he was hastily arrested by the Gurgaon police for allegedly murdering 7-year-old Pradyuman Thakur in the washroom of Gurgaon’s Ryan International School, 42-year-old Ashok Kumar was, on Tuesday, finally granted bail by a district court.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Ashok’s purported innocence in the crime had come to light earlier this month when the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) – which had taken the probe of what has come to be called as the Pradyuman murder case following a request by the Haryana government – detained a Class 11 student for the crime. The CBI had claimed that the Gurgaon police had “framed” Ashok, a bus conductor with Ryan International School, for the crime and even “forced” him to make a false confession.

On Tuesday, the Gurgaon District Court granted bail to Ashok, and ordered his release from jail subject to his furnishing a bond of Rs 50,000.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“The bail was granted under Article 21 of the Constitution. There were a lot of differences between findings of CBI and Haryana Police (in the Pradyuman murder case investigation). We were given benefit of doubt,” Ashok’s counsel, Anil Sharma told news agency ANI.

The Gurgaon Police had arrested Ashok on the evening of September 8 – Pradyuman was found with his throat slit outside the washroom of Ryan International School earlier in the day – and claimed that he had killed the Class 2 student after he resisted the bus conductor’s sexual advances. The police had claimed that it had recovered a knife from Pradyuman’s person and concluded it to be the murder weapon while asserting that it belonged to Ashok.

The CBI, which later took over the case following widespread protests across Gurgaon and allegations of the state government trying to cover up the investigation, had in early November detained and later arrested a Class 11 student of Ryan International School, Gurgaon for the murder. The premier investigation agency had relied on CCTV footage and interrogation of scores of students of the school, as well as the Class 11 student in question, to conclude that Ashok was innocent of the crime and that he had been framed by the Gurgaon police.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Pradyuamn’s father, Varun Thakur, had maintained all along that Ashok could not have been the murderer of his child and that the Gurgaon police was trying to hush up the case under pressure from the school’s management.

On Tuesday, as the Gurgaon district court granted bail to Ashok, Varun Thakur appealed to the authorities concerned to try the Class 11 student as an adult and not under the more lenient law governing punishment for juvenile criminals.

Meanwhile, the CBI also filed its status report in a sealed envelope before the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday. The report concerns the role of Ryan International School promoters Augustine Francis Pinto, his wife Grace Pinto and their son Ryan Pinto vis-à-vis the murder case and over allegations of their negligence in ensuring safety of students and purported plans of forcing the police to end the murder probe hastily. It may be recalled that Grace Pinto is a member of the national executive of the BJP’s women’s wing; a fact that had led to allegations of the Manohar Lal Khattar-led BJP government in Haryana protecting the Pintos from penal action in the case.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court had earlier granted anticipatory bail to the Pintos following which Pradhyuman’s father had moved the Supreme Court seeking cancellation of the anticipatory bail order.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Congress, BJP attack Bhagwant Mann over remarks on Punjab blasts

Congress and BJP have jointly criticised Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann after he linked recent blasts near defence sites to political motives, triggering a controversy.

Published

on

Bhagwant Mann

A political row has erupted in Punjab after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann linked recent blast incidents to political motives, drawing sharp criticism from both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The controversy follows two low-intensity explosions reported within a short span of time — one near the Border Security Force (BSF) headquarters in Jalandhar and another close to an army cantonment area in Amritsar. The incidents raised concerns over security, particularly given the sensitive nature of the locations.

In response, Mann suggested that the blasts could be part of a larger political strategy. His remarks triggered a strong backlash, with opposition parties accusing him of politicising a serious security issue.

Leaders from the Congress criticised the Chief Minister’s statement, calling it inappropriate and alleging that such comments undermine the gravity of the situation. They stressed that matters related to national security should be handled with caution and responsibility.

The BJP also joined the criticism, questioning the basis of Mann’s claims and urging the state government to focus on investigation and law enforcement instead of making political allegations.

The developments have led to an unusual moment where both Congress and BJP appear aligned in their criticism of the Aam Aadmi Party-led government in the state.

Meanwhile, the blasts themselves have intensified concerns over safety in border regions, with authorities continuing their investigation into the incidents. No casualties were reported, but the proximity to defence establishments has made the issue particularly sensitive.

The episode has further escalated political tensions in the state, with security and accountability emerging as key points of debate.

Continue Reading

India News

Himanta Biswa Sarma resigns as Assam chief minister, oath ceremony likely after May 11

Himanta Biswa Sarma resigns as Assam Chief Minister after BJP-led NDA’s victory. He will continue as caretaker CM until the new government is sworn in after May 11.

Published

on

Himanta sharma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma resigned from his post on Wednesday, paving the way for the formation of a new government after the BJP-led NDA secured a decisive victory in the 2026 Assembly elections.

Sarma submitted his resignation to Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya at Lok Bhawan in Guwahati. The Governor accepted the resignation and asked him to continue as the caretaker Chief Minister until the new government takes charge.

The resignation comes after the NDA’s strong electoral performance, where the alliance won a clear majority in the 126-member Assembly, ensuring its return to power for another term.

Oath ceremony expected after May 11

Speaking to reporters after submitting his resignation, Sarma said the swearing-in ceremony for the new government is likely to be held after May 11.

He indicated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to attend the ceremony but is unavailable until May 11, which has influenced the tentative schedule.

Decision on next chief minister soon

Sources suggest that central observers, including senior BJP leaders, are expected to arrive shortly to oversee the selection of the legislature party leader. The newly elected MLAs will then decide on the next Chief Minister.

Despite the formal resignation, party sources indicate that Sarma is likely to continue in the role for another term, given the BJP’s strong mandate in the state.

The move marks the beginning of the government formation process in Assam following the election results declared earlier this week.

Continue Reading

India News

Rahul Gandhi and Vijay alliance took shape through backchannel talks, early signals from Congress leaders

Congress outreach and political calculations led to Rahul Gandhi and Vijay coming together after the Tamil Nadu 2026 election results.

Published

on

The coming together of Rahul Gandhi and actor-politician Vijay in Tamil Nadu after the 2026 Assembly elections was not sudden, but the result of behind-the-scenes political manoeuvring and early signals within the Congress.

According to media reports, some leaders in the Tamil Nadu Congress had already sensed the scale of Vijay’s surge during the campaign, anticipating what was later described as a “wave” in favour of his party.

After the results, where Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerged as the single largest party but fell short of a majority, communication channels between the Congress leadership and Vijay quickly became active.

A key moment in this evolving political equation was a phone call from Rahul Gandhi to Vijay, congratulating him on the party’s strong performance. The conversation was seen as more than a courtesy, signalling the possibility of cooperation at a time when government formation required additional support.

Reports indicate that discussions within Congress weighed the political benefits of supporting Vijay, especially given the shifting dynamics in the state where traditional dominance by major Dravidian parties has been challenged.

With TVK needing allies to cross the majority mark, Congress emerged as a potential partner, leading to a broader political realignment in the state. This development also triggered tensions within opposition alliances, highlighting the strategic importance of the decision.

The evolving partnership reflects a mix of electoral pragmatism and changing voter sentiment, particularly the growing influence of younger voters, which leaders acknowledged as a key factor in the election outcome.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com