India News

VHP Leader Pravin Togadia Alleges Threat To Life, Conspiracy To Muzzle His Voice

Published

9 years ago

January 16, 2018

VHP Leader Pravin Togadia Alleges Threat To Life, Conspiracy To Muzzle His Voice

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) International Working President Pravin Togadia, who went missing on Monday, January 15, and was later found in an unconscious state the same evening, has claimed that he received a tip off that he will be killed in police encounter and there is a threat to his life, and that his voice is being suppressed through threats of violence and false court cases.

Togadia was addressing a press conference in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. Media reports quoting police said he was brought by people to a private Chandra-Mani hospital in an unconscious state, which the doctors claimed was caused by low blood sugar levels. He was admitted in the hospital around 9.20 p.m. and his condition was stated to be stable, the police said.

Speaking to media, the 61-year-old Togadia said: “I was at the VHP office on Monday, performing morning puja, when someone told me that police are coming to kill me in an encounter. At that time, I did not pay heed. After some time, I got a call that a team of Rajasthan Police accompanied by Gujarat Police is coming from Sola. I am not a person who would be afraid to die but I feared its consequences in the country. Thus, I immediately left the office with a karyakarta (VHP worker) in an auto,” said Togadia.

He stressed that he did not flee as he informed police on duty that he was leaving the office. Togadia added that on the previous day, he had returned from a function in Mumbai at about 1.30 am and thus had asked the security personnel, part of his Z-plus security cover, to return at 2.30pm.

“I then went to a person’s residence in Thaltej who is not part of VHP. I then contacted the chief minister and home minister of Rajasthan about the police action as I was not aware of any such case against me. They assured me that there was no such police team sent to arrest me in their knowledge. I then immediately switched off my mobile phones and contacted the lawyers in Rajasthan. They advised me that if the warrant is issued by the judiciary, I should appear before the court,” said Togadia.

He said that he has always respected judiciary and if he had been informed about the case, he would have willingly come to the court – as he has done in the past. Togadia claimed that he has not received any summons or warrants claimed by police in the past.

“I did not want to get in hands of Rajasthan police. There is a conspiracy to arrest me in one case or another and send me from prison to prison to suppress me. I thus decided to go to Rajasthan and appear before the court. I hailed an auto and started off for the airport. When we reached near (Galaxy) underpass, I felt uneasy with dizziness and profuse perspiration. I told the auto driver to take me to Dhanvantari Hospital in Bapunagar. I don’t remember anything after that,” said Togadia.

He alleged that cases were foisted against him to muzzle his voice. In the middle of the media briefing, Togadia became emotional and broke down while narrating yesterday’s events. “They have filed cases against me under various offences. I myself don’t know about many of these cases. They are all attempts to suppress my voice,” a tearful Togadia said. “I am in touch with lawyers in Rajasthan. They said they will try and get the cases quashed,” he said.

He said, “I have never run from the law and I don’t fear anybody. So, I am not running away. I am waiting until the doctors give me a clean chit of health and permit me to travel out of town. Once they do that, I will present myself before the court in Jaipur,” he said.

He requested the Gujarat Crime Branch not to succumb to “political pressure” as he has done nothing wrong. “I am not escaping. I have no complaints with Gujarat or Rajasthan police. All I have to say to Gujarat police that why were you going to search my room. Am I a criminal. Have not done anything wrong. I request Crime Branch not to get under political pressure,” he said.

He also urged VHP workers to keep calm. However, on Monday, scores of VHP activists took to the streets Monday evening after reports of Togadia’s arrest and continued sit-ins even after a Gujarat police statement that he had gone “missing”.

Protests were reported in Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot and Bhuj among other places in the state where the protesters tried to block highways and targeted public buses. Dozens of protesters were detained by the police.

The police said that a contingent of Rajasthan Police had come to arrest him under Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the IPC in an old case, but could not find him at his residence.

Just about 10 days ago, on January 5, Togadia had alleged a conspiracy had been hatched against him by a “higher up in the BJP” to implicate and jail him in a 1996 murder case by ensuring he did not get the summons issued against him, said a media report. The Metropolitan Court on Friday cancelled a non-bailable warrant issued against Togadia.

“The police did not make those summons available to me. I have received information that this was done purposefully by someone higher up, without the intervention of (state) home minister or the chief minister,” he had said, according to the report.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) International Working President Pravin Togadia added, “Just like it happened during the Patidar agitation, when (then chief minister) Anandiben Patel said she did not order the lathicharge on agitators, this case is similar. (Deputy chief minister) Nitin Patel, (chief minister) Vijay Rupani wouldn’t do that. Why were the summons not made available to me despite my presence in Ahmedabad? Since some time I feel my voice is being gagged. I will later reveal who is behind it all.”

“I have been voice of Hindus for a long time. I have no complaints against the Gujarat Police or Rajasthan Police. But even in the past when a summon was issued against me in Gujarat, the chief minister or home minister did not know about it. Is it possible? Who, then, is responsible for the calculated re-opening of old cases against me? I will not get bogged down and continue serve the community,” he said.

The Rajasthan police had confirmed on Monday that a team had gone to Gujarat to execute an arrest warrant, but said they were unsuccessful.

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Air India sacks Phuket-Delhi flight pilot after failing drug test

Air India has terminated the Phuket-Delhi flight pilot after a confirmatory test found a psychoactive substance following the August 4 incident.

Published

8 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

Air India has terminated the employment of the pilot-in-command of a Phuket-Delhi flight after he tested positive for a psychoactive substance.

The pilot was in command of flight AI2379, which was travelling from Phuket to Delhi on August 4 when the aircraft suddenly lost altitude over Odisha. The incident left 24 passengers injured.

Air India said the termination was in line with its zero-tolerance policy regarding safety violations and regulatory requirements.

Air India terminates pilot with immediate effect

In a statement, the Tata-owned airline said the pilot-in-command had tested positive for a psychoactive substance.

The airline said that, considering its zero-tolerance approach to violations related to safety, fitness and regulatory requirements, the pilot’s employment had been terminated with immediate effect.

Air India also said it continues to cooperate fully with the investigation into the incident and has provided access to relevant operational, maintenance and technical records.

What happened on the Phuket-Delhi flight?

According to the preliminary findings of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the Airbus A320 was carrying 145 people when it experienced the near-simultaneous loss of all three hydraulic systems while cruising at around 36,000 feet.

The technical failure resulted in the autopilot disconnecting and triggered a brief stall warning. The aircraft subsequently lost altitude, resulting in injuries to 24 passengers.

The preliminary report also noted that the pilot tested non-negative for a psychoactive substance in a confirmatory test.

However, the report did not establish that the pilot’s drug-test result caused or contributed to the hydraulic system failure or the subsequent loss of altitude.

AAIB recommends action over psychoactive substance finding

The AAIB described the confirmation of psychoactive substance use as a serious concern and recommended that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) take appropriate action against the pilot on priority.

The investigation into the technical and other aspects of the incident is still underway.

The preliminary report also noted that the co-pilot was flying the aircraft when the incident occurred and attempted to bring the situation under control.

Air India said safety remains its highest priority and that its pilots undergo training, proficiency checks, medical examinations and other regulatory assessments in accordance with applicable requirements.

India News

India offers forensic DNA support to identify Nepal flood victims

India will make forensic laboratory facilities available for DNA profiling of first-degree relatives of people missing after Nepal’s August 26 flash floods.

Published

13 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

India has offered forensic laboratory support to help identify people who remain missing after the devastating flash floods in Nepal.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said central and state forensic laboratories in India will make their DNA profiling facilities available for first-degree biological relatives of people missing after the August 26 flash floods in Nepal.

DNA samples can be provided by relatives in India

According to the MEA, first-degree biological relatives living in India can have their biological samples collected and DNA profiles prepared.

The relatives can include a person’s father, mother, son, daughter or sibling. DNA profiling can be carried out at Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs), State Forensic Science Laboratories (SFSLs), laboratories of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), and NABL-accredited laboratories with DNA profiling capabilities.

The initiative is intended to support Nepal’s ongoing process of identifying mortal remains recovered after the flash floods.

DNA profiles to be compared with unidentified remains

The MEA said the DNA profiling may use Autosomal STR DNA profiling, as advised by Nepal Police, subject to the technical requirements communicated by the Nepali authorities.

Once prepared, DNA profiles and the preliminary information required by Nepalese authorities can be sent to Nepal Police by email for comparison with DNA profiles obtained from unidentified mortal remains.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu will also facilitate coordination, with copies of the DNA profiles to be shared with the embassy for this purpose.

Nepal flood death toll rises

The death toll from the flash floods has risen to at least 1,259, according to Nepalese authorities, after rescue workers recovered additional bodies from affected areas.

More than 12,000 people have been rescued, while around 5,000 people remain missing as search and rescue operations continue.

The flash floods, which followed an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border, caused extensive destruction across towns and villages in northern and central Nepal.

India News

PM Modi hails ISRO after successful GSLV-F17 launch, calls it proud moment

PM Modi congratulated ISRO after GSLV-F17 successfully launched EOS-05, calling the achievement a proud moment for India.

Published

18 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) after the successful launch of the GSLV-F17 rocket carrying the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite, describing the achievement as a proud moment for the nation.

The GSLV-F17 lifted off at 2:55 a.m. IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The EOS-05 satellite was subsequently placed into its designated sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit.

PM Modi praises ISRO’s growing capabilities

In a post on X, PM Modi said the successful mission reflected the excellence, innovation and expanding capabilities of India’s space sector.

Yet another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a proud moment for our nation.

The successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05, India’s first-ever imaging satellite from Geosynchronous orbit is a reflection of the excellence, innovation and growing capabilities that define… https://t.co/fXzwnSmwAF
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 4, 2026

He also highlighted the growing partnership between ISRO and Indian industry, saying it was strengthening India’s space programme and expanding capabilities across the wider space ecosystem.

The prime minister described the successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05 as another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a matter of national pride.

EOS-05 strengthens earth observation capabilities

According to the report, EOS-05 is India’s first-ever imaging satellite from geosynchronous orbit. The satellite is designed to provide continuous observation of the country from an altitude of nearly 36,000 km above Earth.

The mission is expected to strengthen India’s earth observation capabilities and support advanced imaging and observation applications.

ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan expressed satisfaction with the mission, saying the satellite was precisely injected into its intended orbit.

Mission Director Thomas Kurian described the launch as a significant milestone for the GSLV programme. He said it was the 19th flight of the GSLV and noted that EOS-05 is the heaviest satellite the launch vehicle has placed into a geosynchronous transfer orbit or sub-GTO orbit.

GSLV-F17 launch vehicle details

The GSLV-F17 stands 51.7 metres tall and has an approximate liftoff mass of 420.5 tonnes.

Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh also congratulated the ISRO team following the successful mission. He described EOS-05 as a state-of-the-art Earth observation satellite capable of advanced imaging across visible, infrared, multispectral and hyperspectral bands.