The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday accused the BJP of kidnapping its councillor Ram Chander, with the saffron party denying the charges even as the abducted member returned to his residence.

Upon his return, Chander alleged that he was threatened with being implicated in ED-CBI cases by the Opposing party in Delhi.

Ram Chander, who is a councillor from Ward No 28, was one of the five members who joined the BJP last Sunday. However, a few days later, he had a change of heart after he saw Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in his dream and returned to AAP, Chander said.

In a video message, he mentioned being escorted to the BJP headquarters by certain individuals, where they allegedly threatened him with legal consequences.

In response to the allegations, the Delhi BJP spokesperson criticised the AAP leaders for what he termed as falsehoods and sensationalism, claiming that Chander was safely at home despite the allegations.

Chander boldly declared his lack of fear towards the ED and CBI, asserting his loyalty to Arvind Kejriwal in a video posted by AAP.

Furthermore, a video shared by AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh featured Chander’s son, Akash, expressing concerns about his father’s alleged abduction.

Akash recounted the incident where his father was reportedly taken away by individuals issuing threats related to ED-CBI involvement. The AAP leadership, including Manish Sisodia, echoed Akash’s statements in response to Singh’s post.

 Additionally, AAP MLA and MCD in-charge Durgesh Pathak accused the BJP of disregarding law and order in Delhi, insinuating a forcible taking of Ram Chander by individuals connected to the BJP.

Pathak further warned of escalating actions if Chander was not returned within a specified time frame.  As the zonal ward committee elections approached, both AAP and BJP laid claim to potential defections and switches of party allegiance among councillors.

Actor Mammootty on Sunday denied the presence of any powergroup in the Malayalam film industry amid a row over sexual harassment cases after the release of the Hema Committee Report by the Kerala government weeks ago.

The actor called upon everyone working in the field to be vigilant so that nothing untoward happens there.

In a Facebook post, the Malayalam actor praised the state government’s initiative to constitute the Justice Hema Committee and requested it to implement the recommendations of the panel by enacting necessary legislation if there were any legal hurdles.

In response to the report and the subsequent allegations that caused upheaval in the cinema industry, Mammootty expressed his full support for the recommendations and solutions proposed in the committee’s report. He encouraged all film industry associations to come together in implementing these measures.

Emphasising the ongoing police investigation into the allegations of sexual harassment and abuse raised by multiple women, Mammootty advocated for the agency to continue its probe diligently.

He further highlighted that with the complete report of the committee now in court, the appropriate decisions and punishments should be left to the judicial system.

Delaying his response until the actors’ organisation and its leadership addressed the committee report, Mammootty stressed the societal significance of cinema, noting that the industry reflects both the virtues and vices prevalent in society.

He underscored the need for caution and vigilance within the film sector to prevent any undesirable incidents.

Mammootty’s statement followed Mohanlal’s recent public remarks on the revelations from the committee’s report. Like Mohanlal, Mammootty also refuted the presence of a power group in the industry and echoed the sentiment that cinema mirrors societal realities, emphasising the need for accountability and justice for any wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, Union Minister and BJP president JP Nadda hit out at Kerala government and asked why there is a delay in justice to Hema committee report.

During an interaction with eminent personalities from various fields in Palakkad, Nadda said: “What is stopping Kerala govt? What is haunting you? Because you are part and parcel of that. It is something you want to hide because your people are involved. I am very sorry to say that the Hema Committee report very specifically said that communist party people are involved. Chief Minister should come out.”

A 28-year-old man was arrested here for allegedly posting a video with objectionable remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media, police said on Sunday.

Vishal from Khaikheri village in Purkazi area was arrested on Saturday (August 31, 2024), Circle Officer (CO) Rajkumar said.

An FIR has been registered against him under sections 352 (intentional insult with an intention to provoke a breach of peace and 353 (statement conducing to public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), he said.

Circle Officer Rajkumar told news agency PTI that further investigation into the matter is underway.

In a separate incident in January this year, a man was arrested for posting a video containing morphed photos of the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, UP Chief Minister, and some women political leaders on social media, an officer said.

A police team from the Bhawan Police Station of Shamli district made the arrest, acting on a complaint about a video containing morphed photos of the Prime Minister doing rounds on social media.

Superintendent of Police Abhishek said that police arrested one Haji Rao Jamshed in the matter and registered a case against him under relevant sections of IPC and IT Act.

In 2020, the Uttar Pradesh Police arrested a man after he allegedly threatened to behead Prime Minister Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at a mahapanchayat in Muzaffarnagar.

The arrested accused had reacted against the UP Police’s assault on Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader Jayant Choudhary in Hathras district recently.

The video that went viral on social media platforms showcased that the man was addressing a gathering. He is also heard threatening that he would behead PM Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath. “Let us unite. Want to throw PM Modi and Yogi Adityanath’s head at your feet,” the youth said in a video on X.