File photo: Union minister Amit Shah

NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah has asked BJP public representatives in West Bengal to step up grassroots outreach as the party prepares for the high-stakes assembly elections due in the next four months. Shah directed MPs, MLAs and local representatives to spend at least four days every week in their constituencies and hold a minimum of five street-corner meetings daily.During a closed-door meeting with party MPs, MLAs, civic body councillors and organisational office-bearers on Wednesday, Shah laid down clear performance benchmarks. He told leaders they must “prove their worth” to be considered for party tickets in the upcoming polls, a senior party leader present at the meeting said, according to news agency PTI.Calling for unity within the party, Shah also indicated that former state BJP president Dilip Ghosh would be one of the key faces of the party in the elections. Ghosh, who has largely remained out of the spotlight in recent months, was invited to the meeting, signalling his renewed role in the party’s campaign. Shah also held a separate interaction with Ghosh, former state chief Sukanta Majumdar, current state president Samik Bhattacharya and Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, pointing to efforts to bridge gaps between senior and newer leaders.“I can’t say much, but you will see an active Dilip Ghosh in the 2026 polls. I was called to listen to my experiences and opinions,” Ghosh told reporters while leaving the venue, as quoted by PTI. Adhikari, expressing confidence ahead of the meeting, said, “Everyone in the party is energised. We will win the 2026 polls and bring about true change in this state.”Shah, who is seen as the BJP’s chief election strategist, also heard feedback from the party’s 2024 Lok Sabha candidates about their campaign experiences, including factors behind wins and losses. He asked them to share detailed assessments of assembly segments under their parliamentary constituencies as part of preparations for next year’s polls. The meeting was aimed at reviewing the organisational readiness of the BJP’s West Bengal unit.Senior BJP MP Khagen Murmu said he conveyed his resolve to fight the Trinamool Congress government despite facing alleged attacks during a recent visit to a flood-affected area. “Despite being beaten up by TMC goons… I am not afraid,” he said, adding that people were with the BJP, as per PTI.Another senior leader said Shah stressed intensive booth-level mobilisation and the deployment of ‘vistaraks’ across all constituencies to strengthen the party’s base. He also told leaders that Shah would spend a few days every month in Kolkata in the run-up to the 2026 elections.Shah also invoked figures such as Swami Vivekananda, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and Rabindranath Tagore, promising to revive Bengal’s heritage and culture after forming a BJP government, the leader said. Earlier, Shah had launched a sharp attack on chief minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her government of corruption and altering the state’s demography through infiltration, an issue he said would be central to the BJP’s campaign.Following the meeting, Shah addressed a party workers’ conference in Kolkata and visited the Thantania Kali Temple before returning to Delhi.

NEW DELHI: Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah on Wednesday said external affairs minister S Jaishankar’s visit to Dhaka would help India and Bangladesh script a new chapter in bilateral ties, guided by shared interests, pragmatism and mutual interdependence.In a post on X, Hamidullah wrote, “As Hon External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar left Dhaka following a whirlwind 4-hr visit, Bangladesh & India would look forward to script a new chapter in Bangladesh-India ties in shared interests driven by pragmatism and mutual interdependence, as indeed briefly discussed with BNP Acting Chair Tarique Rahman, this afternoon.”The high commissioner also shared his interaction with S Jaishankar. Adding the EAM’s optimism on strengthening bilateral ties, the commissioner wrote, “Hon. external affairs minister, in Dhaka, conveys condolences of the people, Govt of India as Bangladesh mourns passing of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.Hamidullah further added that Jaishankar “recognized her contribution to democracy and expressed optimism to strengthen ties following democratic transition in Bangladesh thru the upcoming election.”Earlier on Wednesday, EAM Jaishankar arrived in Dhaka on a special flight. He conveyed the condolences on behalf of the government and people of India. The minister also handed over a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Tarique Rahman, the son of the former PM of Bangladesh, Begum Khaleda Zia. Jaishankar also shared the interaction in a post on X and wrote, “On arrival in Dhaka, met with Mr Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of BNP and son of former PM of Bangladesh Begum Khaleda Zia. Handed over to him a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”“Conveyed deepest condolences on behalf of the Government and people of India. Expressed confidence that Begum Khaleda Zia’s vision and values will guide the development of our partnership,” the EAM added.Bangladesh is observing a public holiday on Wednesday and has entered three days of state mourning.Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. She had been a prominent figure in the political history of Bangladesh and served three terms as prime minister.Zia also played a pivotal role in restoring democracy after years of military rule.

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh Police killed 48 alleged criminals in encounters in 2025, the highest annual figure in the last eight years, according to official data released on Wednesday.Addressing a press conference at the police headquarters here, DGP Rajeev Krishna shared the data, covering police action between March 20, 2017, and December 29, 2025.Yogi Adityanath took charge as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh in March 2017.The data showed that 266 accused persons were killed in police encounters since 2017, reflecting the state police’s emphasis on what the DGP described as a zero-tolerance policy against crime, in line with the chief minister’s instructions.In 2025 alone, police conducted 2,739 operations, during which 3,153 accused were injured, while 48 were killed in encounters. One policeman was also killed during these operations, the data showed.The number of alleged criminals killed in police operations stood at 41 in 2018, 34 in 2019, and 26 each in 2020 and 2021. In 2022, the figures dropped to 13, before rising to 26 in 2023 and 25 in 2024, the data showed.Over the eight-year period since 2017, police carried out 16,284 operations in total, in which 10,990 accused were injured and 266 killed.During these actions, 1,783 police personnel were injured and 18 lost their lives, according to the data.The figures showed that 2025 recorded the highest number of accused killed in police action when compared to each of the previous seven years, including 2024, when 25 alleged criminals were shot.The Uttar Pradesh Police has consistently maintained that the operations were carried out in self-defence and in accordance with law, as part of a broader crackdown on organised crime and repeat offenders.Sharing details of action against illegal religious conversions, DGP Krishna said that between January 1 and December 20, 2025, 475 cases were registered under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, and 855 accused were arrested.According to the current status, chargesheets have been filed in 379 out of 409 cases, he said.On action against cow smuggling and cow slaughter, the DGP said that during the same period, 1,197 cases were registered across the state, leading to the arrest of 3,128 accused.Chargesheets have been filed in 958 of these cases, he told reporters.In 71 cases, action was taken against 613 accused under the Goonda Act, while proceedings under Section 14(1) of the Gangster Act were initiated against 1,273 accused, the DGP said.“Assets worth Rs 7.38 crore were seized as part of these actions,” the officer added.Sharing details of recoveries in cases of theft, robbery, dacoity and house-breaking, the top cop said that between January 1 and December 20, 2025, a substantial amount of property was seized across the state, reflecting effective crime control and successful detection.Police recovered 8,543 two-wheelers and 911 four-wheelers in cases related to theft, robbery, dacoity and house-breaking in 2025, the officer said.In addition, Rs 28.69 crore in cash, jewellery valued at Rs 52.27 crore and other property worth Rs 58.17 crore were seized in connection with these crimes, he said.Sharing details of recovered cellphones, the DGP said that 54,995 mobile phones with an estimated value of Rs 84.25 crore were recovered from across the state in 2025.Of these, 49,404 mobile phones, estimated to be worth Rs 76.59 crore, were returned to their rightful owners.On disposal of case property, the data showed that between January 1 and December 20, 2025, police disposed of 1.16 lakh vehicles, cash amounting to Rs 50.97 crore, jewellery with an estimated value of Rs 76.42 crore and 3.36 crore worth of electronic items.In addition, narcotic substances weighing 84,790 kg and 9.61 lakh litres, along with other property valued at Rs 39.53 crore, were also disposed of in accordance with the legal provisions, the DGP said.

NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday seized Rs 5.12 crore in cash, a suitcase containing gold and diamond jewellery worth Rs 8.80 crore, and documents linked to assets worth Rs 35 crore during searches at a Delhi house, officials said.The raid at the residential premises in south Delhi’s Sarvapriya Vihar is being undertaken by the federal probe agency in a money laundering investigation linked to Haryana-based absconding criminal Inderjit Singh Yadav, who, according to the ED, is operating from the UAE.ED officials said the house is linked to a person named Aman Kumar, an alleged associate of Yadav, and the raids that began on Tuesday are continuing.Bank officials equipped with currency counting machines were called in on Wednesday morning, and so far, Rs 5.12 crore in cash, a suitcase full of gold and diamond jewellery worth Rs 8.80 crore and a bag containing bank cheque books and documents linked to assets worth Rs 35 crore have been seized, they said.Neither Yadav nor Kumar could be contacted for a comment on the ED charges made against them.The money laundering case against Yadav pertains to alleged illegal extortion, coercive loan settlement of private financers and earning commission from such illegal activities. The ED case stems from 14 FIRs and chargesheets filed by the Haryana and Uttar Pradesh Police against Yadav and his associates.The ED had conducted the first round of searches in this case on December 26 and 27 at 10 locations in Delhi, Gurugram and Rohtak in Haryana. Apart from locations linked to Yadav, it also raided premises related to a company named Apollo Green Energy Ltd.In a statement issued on December 29, the ED said Yadav was “wanted in various cases of Haryana Police and is currently absconding and operating from the UAE.” The agency added that Yadav, owner and “key controller” of a company named Gem Records Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. (operating as Gems Tunes), is a known “strong man” involved in criminal activities like murder, extortion, coercive settlements of loans given by private financers, illegal land grabbing, cheating, fraud and violent offences.It alleged that certain corporate houses, like Apollo Green Energy Ltd. and others, allegedly borrowed “huge” sums of money in cash from Dighal and Jhajjar (Haryana) based private financers and issued post-dated cheques as security.“Yadav acted as a strong man and enforcer, facilitating coercive settlement of these high-value private loan transactions and financial disputes running into hundreds of crores of rupees.“These settlements were allegedly executed through threats, intimidation and the use of armed associates and local armed gangs with the involvement of organised crime syndicates operating from abroad,” the ED said.The agency claimed Yadav allegedly “earned” hundreds of crores of rupees as commission from these corporates for getting their cases settled, and the income so generated by him was used for acquisition of immovable properties, luxury cars and maintaining a “luxurious life while declaring minimum income tax returns”.The ED, during the first round of searches early this month, seized five high-end cars, Rs 17 lakh in cash and froze some bank lockers.

NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday successfully carried out a salvo launch of two indigenously developed Pralay missiles in quick succession from the same launcher off the coast of Odisha, marking a key milestone in user evaluation trials. According to a statement from the defence ministry, the tests were conducted at around 10.30 am near the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur.Both missiles followed their intended trajectories and met all flight objectives. Tracking sensors deployed by the Integrated Test Range confirmed the performance, while telemetry systems installed on a ship positioned near the impact points verified the terminal events. The launch demonstrated the missile system’s operational reliability and readiness.Pralay is a solid propellant, quasi-ballistic missile developed indigenously with advanced guidance and navigation systems to ensure high precision. It is capable of carrying different types of warheads and striking a range of targets, the defence ministry said.The missile has been developed by the Research Centre Imarat in Hyderabad, working with several other DRDO laboratories and Indian industry partners. Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited acted as the development-cum-production partners and integrated the systems for the tests. Senior DRDO scientists, representatives from the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army, and industry officials were present during the trials.Defence minister Rajnath Singh praised DRDO, the armed forces, defence public sector undertakings and industry for the successful launch. He said the completion of the salvo launch established the reliability of the Pralay missile system, according to news agency ANI.DRDO chairman and secretary, department of defence R&D, Samir V Kamat also congratulated the teams involved. He said the successful flight tests indicate that the missile system is nearing induction into the armed forces, as per ANI.The test-firing further strengthened India’s missile capabilities, with both missiles achieving all planned objectives during the user evaluation phase.

Republic Day 2026 parade: Camels, ponies and dogs to march on Kartavya Path; Army’s four-legged warriors make historic debut

NEW DELHI: India’s Republic Day parade in 2026 will feature a rare and striking spectacle, with an animal contingent of the Indian Army marching along Kartavya Path for the first time, highlighting their vital role in military operations across extreme terrains. According to news agency ANI, a specially curated animal contingent of the Army’s Remount & Veterinary Corps (RVC) will take part in the parade, showcasing endurance, sacrifice and India’s unique high-altitude defence capability.The contingent will include two Bactrian camels, four Zanskar ponies, four raptors, ten Indian-breed Army dogs and six conventional military dogs currently in service. Together, they reflect the Indian Army’s blend of tradition, innovation and growing focus on self-reliance.Leading the column will be the Bactrian camels, recently inducted for deployment in Ladakh’s cold desert regions. Adapted to freezing temperatures, low oxygen levels and altitudes above 15,000 feet, these camels can carry loads of up to 250 kg and travel long distances with minimal water and feed. Their induction has strengthened logistics and patrol capabilities along the Line of Actual Control, especially in sandy stretches and steep terrain.Marching alongside them will be the Zanskar ponies, an indigenous mountain breed from Ladakh. Despite their small size, these ponies can carry 40 to 60 kg at extreme altitudes and temperatures that can fall to minus 40 degrees Celsius. Since being inducted in 2020, they have operated in some of the toughest locations, including the Siachen Glacier, and are used for logistics and mounted patrols covering long distances.The formation will also feature four raptors, used by the Army for bird-strike control and surveillance, highlighting the innovative use of natural abilities for operational safety.Another key highlight will be the Army dogs, often referred to as the Army’s “silent warriors”. Trained at the RVC Centre and College in Meerut, they support counter-terrorism operations, explosive detection, tracking, guarding and disaster response. Many have earned gallantry awards for acts of bravery.As part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India push, the Army has increasingly inducted indigenous dog breeds such as Mudhol Hound, Rampur Hound, Chippiparai, Kombai and Rajapalayam. Their presence on Kartavya Path will underline India’s drive for self-reliance in defence.

NEW DELHI: BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Wednesday hit out at leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his earlier remarks describing India as a “dead economy”, calling him a “leader of propaganda” after India overtook Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy.Speaking to ANI, Poonawalla accused Rahul Gandhi of spreading what he termed “malicious propaganda” against the country and said recent economic data had exposed the Congress leader’s claims.“Rahul Gandhi, who is an expert at making anti-India statements, goes to Berlin and spreads malicious propaganda against India, sometimes against the army, sometimes against constitutional institutions, against Sanatan and economic power, has now faced reality today. Rahul Gandhi used to say that India’s economy is dead, India’s economy and production are dead; this is a leader of propaganda, not a leader of opposition,” Poonawalla said.He added that India’s economic position had improved sharply over the past decade. “India’s economy has now reached the fourth position, while in Manmohan Singh’s era, it was at the 11th position. Today, we have overtaken Japan. In the next two and a half to three years, we will become the third-largest economy. He should stop defaming India and spreading malicious propaganda against India,” Poonawalla said.Rahul Gandhi had earlier, in July 2025, echoed then US President Donald Trump’s remark calling India’s economy “dead”. “Yes, he is right, everybody knows this except the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister. Everybody knows that the Indian economy is a dead economy. I am glad that President Trump has stated a fact. The entire world knows that the Indian economy is a dead economy,” Gandhi had said at the time.According to a press release issued by the Centre, India’s Gross Domestic Product has crossed USD 4.18 trillion, placing it as the fourth-largest economy globally. The government said India is expected to climb further in the global rankings in the coming years.The release also noted that India’s real GDP expanded by 8.2 per cent in the second quarter of the financial year 2025-26, marking a six-quarter high. This followed growth of 7.8 per cent in the first quarter and 7.4 per cent in the fourth quarter of FY 2024-25, pointing to resilient domestic demand despite a challenging global trade environment.Meanwhile, Congress leader Rashid Alvi questioned the credibility of the GDP figures, alleging that the government had altered the calculation method.“It is completely wrong and baseless. Even today, the GDP data that is provided shows that we are the fourth or fifth largest economy in the world. The government has completely changed the way GDP is calculated. GDP is calculated worldwide on a production basis, but they have switched to a consumer basis,” Alvi said.Alvi’s remarks come amid debate over India’s national accounts data after the IMF’s annual review assigned it a Grade ‘C’. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said the grading was due to the continued use of the 2011-12 base year, adding that a revised base year of 2022-23 would be adopted from next year.

DHAKA: Bangladesh high commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah on Wednesday noted that external affairs minister S. Jaishankar, during his visit to Dhaka, conveyed the condolences of the people and government of India as Bangladesh mourns the passing of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia.In a post on X, Hamidullah said, “HE @DrSJaishankar, Hon. External Affairs Minister, in Dhaka, conveys condolences of the people | Govt of #India as #Bangladesh mourns passing of former Prime Minister #BegumKhaledaZia, recognized her contribution to #democracy and expressed optimism to strengthen ties following democratic transition in Bangladesh thru the upcoming election (Feb 2026).”

As tributes continued to pour in from across the world, the body of former Bangladesh prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia reached her Gulshan residence, Firoza, on Wednesday. Family members and close relatives gathered at the residence to pay their last respects ahead of her Namaz-e-Janaza.Bangladesh’s chief adviser Muhammad Yunus said in a post on X, “The body of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia arrived at Firoza in Gulshan, where family members and relatives paid their last respects to her ahead of her Namaz-e-Janaza.”At the residence, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman was present alongside family members.He was seen seated quietly with a prayer book in his hands, paying his final respects to his mother in a moment marked by solemn grief.The funeral prayer for the former prime minister will be held at 2 pm today on Manik Mia Avenue at the South Plaza of Bangladesh’s National Parliament Building. Large crowds have already gathered at the venue to participate in the Namaz-e-Janaza, with millions of mourners reported to be present.Chief adviser of the interim government Muhammad Yunus, along with other dignitaries, is expected to attend the funeral prayer.Following the prayers, Khaleda Zia will be laid to rest beside her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, at his mausoleum in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.The funeral has drawn regional attention, with India confirming official participation in the last rites.External affairs minister S. Jaishankar will represent India at the funeral, according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs.“The External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar will represent the Government and people of India at the funeral of Begum Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party,” the statement said.Senior representatives from several South Asian countries, including Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, are also expected to pay their last respects. These delegations include foreign ministers and other high-level officials.Bangladesh is observing a public holiday and has entered a three-day period of state mourning.Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister, died on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. A dominant figure in national politics for decades, she led Bangladesh for three terms and played a key role in restoring democracy following years of military rule.As preparations for the final rites continued, BNP leaders said the funeral prayer will be led by the khatib of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan will conduct the proceedings.BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, as quoted by The Daily Star, urged attendees to maintain discipline, avoid rushing forward or taking photographs, and preserve the dignity and solemnity of the ceremony.He also appealed to the public to pray for strength for the Zia family, particularly Tarique Rahman, to bear the loss and continue his responsibilities towards the country.Earlier in the day, the BNP Standing Committee met at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office, with the meeting chaired by Tarique Rahman. Alongside party-level arrangements, the government announced that Khaleda Zia’s final journey would be conducted with full state honours.Chief adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam said the process, from transporting her body from Evercare Hospital to the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, followed by the funeral prayer and burial, would take place under heightened security.More than 10,000 police and Armed Police Battalion personnel have been deployed, with army members stationed at key points, The Daily Star reported. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police also outlined the convoy route. Vehicular movement along affected roads will remain restricted, and the public has been requested to cooperate with law enforcement agencies. In parallel, the government has declared a three-day state mourning starting today.In a televised address on Tuesday, chief adviser Muhammad Yunus announced a public holiday for December 31. A gazette notification was subsequently issued by the public administration ministry. According to the notification, all government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous and private offices will remain closed today.Emergency and essential services, including electricity, water, gas, fire services, ports, sanitation, telecommunications, postal services and healthcare, will continue to operate. Hospitals, emergency medical staff and vehicles carrying medical equipment and medicines have also been exempted. Following the decision, the Supreme Court and Bangladesh Bank issued separate notifications declaring a public holiday.In another gazette notification, the cabinet division formally announced a three-day national mourning, which will conclude on Friday, The Daily Star said. Alongside the state observances, the BNP announced a seven-day mourning period. Senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said black flags will be hoisted at all party offices nationwide. Party leaders and activists will wear black badges, and prayers will be held at every BNP office.Condolence books have been opened at BNP offices, including Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan residence, the party’s Nayapaltan central office and district-level offices. Condolences also came from global leaders.Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday expressed deep sorrow over Khaleda Zia’s death, extending condolences to her family and the people of Bangladesh. In a post on X, he said he was “deeply saddened” by her passing and recalled his “warm meeting” with her in Dhaka in 2015. He added that he hoped her vision and legacy would continue to guide bilateral ties.Tributes were also paid by leaders from Pakistan and Nepal. Major diplomatic missions and international organisations acknowledged Khaleda Zia’s contributions to Bangladesh’s political and democratic development.The United Nations expressed its deepest sympathies to her family and reaffirmed solidarity with the government and people of Bangladesh. The European Union also conveyed its condolences. The US Embassy in Dhaka said she played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s modern history. Russia said it would remember her for maintaining cordial bilateral relations during her three tenures as prime minister. China’s Prime Minister Li Qiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi sent condolence messages to chief adviser Muhammad Yunus. Chinese ambassador Yao Wen conveyed condolences to Tarique Rahman.Pakistan prime minister Shehbaz Sharif described Khaleda Zia as a committed friend of Pakistan, with President Asif Ali Zardari also extending condolences. Malaysia, Nepal, the Maldives and several other countries echoed similar sentiments.Diplomatic missions including the British high commission, as well as the German, French, Japanese and Iranian embassies, also issued statements mourning her passing. Australia said its thoughts were with the people of Bangladesh as they mourn the former prime minister.

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Shama Mohamed has raised concerns over the law and order situation following the death of Angel Chakma, a student from Tripura in Dehradun.Referring to a video circulating online, she alleged rising threats against minorities and questioned the Prime Minister’s silence, urging the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognisance of the matter.Speaking to ANI, Mohamed said, “Such an incident can happen with anyone. I have seen a video today, in which a group of Hindu men said they would kill all Muslims in the country. They are warning the Muslims and why is our Prime Minister silent? The Supreme Court should take suo motto cognisance… There is a complete breakdown of law and order…”Meanwhile, People in Agartala organised a candle march to seek justice for Anjel Chakma, a resident of Nandanagar in Tripura, who was attacked in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun in December and later died in hospital during treatment.A large number of people participated in the march, urging the authorities to take strict action against those responsible for the incident. Protesters demanded the harshest punishment for the accused.Speaking to ANI, Samir Chakma, chairman of the Chakma Committee, said that thousands had gathered to demand justice for Anjel Chakma. He stated that the march was organised to condemn the brutal killing and to press for stringent punishment for the perpetrators.“Today we have gathered here in a crowd of nearly thousands, and everyone who has come is here to demand justice for Anjel Chakma. Today we are holding a candle march here. First of all, we demand that those responsible for the brutal killing of Anjel Chakma must face the strictest possible action and be punished. We will demand that punishment–meaning the death penalty–be given to those people,” Samir Chakma, chairman of the Chakma committee, told ANI.Chakma, an MBA student, was attacked by a group of miscreants with knives and other blunt objects in Dehradun on December 9 and later died while undergoing treatment at a hospital.The brutal killing of Anjel Chakma, a student from Tripura, in Dehradun has sparked widespread outrage across the political fraternity, with leaders condemning the incident and demanding swift justice.Five of the accused have already been arrested, including two minors sent to a juvenile reform home, while the sixth accused, a Nepalese national, remains at large with a reward of Rs 25,000 announced for his capture.The Uttarakhand government has assured that all possible measures are being taken to ensure the perpetrators face the harshest possible punishment and to ensure the safety of northeast students across the country.SSP Singh mentioned that a preliminary investigation was conducted, during which additional sections were added to the case, including sections related to attempted murder.“Along with that, a supplementary report was taken, in which the sections were increased. Sections of the attempt to murder (109) were added, on the basis of statements. In the meantime, a separate team was formed, and five people were arrested. The sixth accused was of Nepali origin. He left the place the next day after the incident. For this, a dedicated team has been set up. According to the information so far, the accused may be hiding in nearby bordering areas,” he said.

NEW DELHI: Supreme Court has said it is mandatory to grant a hearing to the victim while deciding bail to an accused under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, failing which the bail would be deemed legally unsustainable. Interpreting Section 15A(5) of the SC/ST (POA) Act, a bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and R Mahadevan said the provision makes it compulsory that the victim or their counsel must be afforded a meaningful opportunity of being heard while considering a bail application and bail can be cancelled on the ground of violation of this section.Casteist violence bail clause not right to favourable outcome: SC The bench clarified that the provision guarantees an opportunity to be heard, not a right to a favourable outcome or to a detailed adjudication of every objection raised by the victim. “Once the victim has been notified, permitted to participate, and allowed to place objections on record, the statutory mandate stands satisfied,” it said. “It is beyond cavil that section 15A(5) incorporates the principle of audi alteram partem (hear the other side) for victims under the SC/ST (POA) Act. Where such a right is conferred, the court must provide the victim or their dependent an opportunity of audience, either personally or through counsel, including the special public prosecutor. The statutory right to be heard presupposes that the victim is made aware of the proceedings and is not excluded therefrom,” the bench said. Referring to earlier verdicts of SC, the bench said, “The court approved the view taken by Gujarat HC in Hemal Ashwin Jain case which categorically held that failure to provide the victim an opportunity of being heard in bail proceedings constitutes a failure of justice, rendering the order legally unsustainable. This court concluded that the victim or dependent is an active stakeholder in proceedings under the SC/ ST (POA) Act and that compliance with Sections 15A(3) and 15A(5) is mandatory”. The court passed the order on a plea seeking cancellation of bail of an accused. Though the bench said that there was no violation of Section 15A(5) as the victim was given hearing, it, however, quashed the bail order of Madras HC on the ground that the criminal antecedent of the accused was not considered by HC. The top court said the high court order suffers from fatal infirmities as it ignored that the bail for the accused in another case was cancelled after the death of a material witness when he was out on bail. The criminal antecedents of the accused were expressly placed before HC and were recorded in the impugned judgment but HC failed to draw any conclusion from them, it said.