Maheshgiri alias Mahesh Dilip Kakde, who claimed to have divine powers, allegedly told them that she had been affected by 'Karni' (black magic) and asked them to perform certain rituals, an official said.
The BJD alleges that Odisha has become a 'disturbed state' due to rising crime under BJP rule, citing several violent incidents and accusing the government of failing to maintain law and order. The BJP government refutes the allegations, claiming an increased conviction rate and swift arrests.
Mamata Banerjee appeared before the Calcutta High Court alleging police inaction during post-poll violence in West Bengal and sought judicial intervention to protect citizens.
Delhi Police have arrested three long-absconding proclaimed offenders, including two wanted under the POCSO Act and one in an attempted murder case, following a multi-state operation across Bihar and Jharkhand.
A treat awaits for people of all ages on OTT this week. Sukanya Verma lists your options for the week, right here.
Bangladeshi nationals topped the list of foreign nationals arrested in India in 2024, according to the latest NCRB data, followed by Nigerians and Nepalis. West Bengal recorded the highest number of crimes committed by foreigners among states, while Delhi topped union territories.
The Supreme Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh DGP to form an all-women SIT to investigate the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl in Ghaziabad, following concerns about the local police's handling of the case and allegations of denial of treatment by private hospitals.
A report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) reveals a significant increase in West Bengal MLAs with declared criminal cases, rising from 49% in 2021 to 65% in the latest assembly. The report also highlights a rise in the number of 'crorepati' MLAs.
The BJP experienced a mixed bag of results in the West Bengal Assembly elections, with several heavyweight candidates securing victories while others faced defeat. Key wins included Dilip Ghosh, Suvendu Adhikari, and others, but some prominent faces failed to win.
Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya expressed his joy over the BJP's victory in the West Bengal assembly polls, calling it a significant gift to the nation from PM Modi and Amit Shah, while also alleging the previous TMC government fostered anti-national activities.
The actor promised the domestic help to marry her, and on that assurance, raped her on multiple occasions.
Trinamool Congress offices across West Bengal were allegedly defaced and damaged following the BJP's victory in the Assembly polls, with the TMC alleging BJP involvement, which the BJP denies.
A POCSO court in Odisha's Angul district has sentenced a man to death for the rape and murder of a 4-year-old girl. The accused, Babula Jena, was found guilty under the POCSO Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The judge observed that although Sengar had suffered a long incarceration, relief could not be given on grounds of delay, as it was partly because he filed multiple applications in his appeal against his conviction.
Delhi prisons are severely overcrowded, housing nearly double their authorised capacity, with undertrials making up the vast majority of the inmate population, according to the latest NCRB data.
Police in Indore have arrested three members of a 'honey trap' gang, including two women, for allegedly extorting money from a former soldier by threatening to file a rape case against him.
The body of a 19-year-old woman was discovered hanging from a tree in a village in Uttar Pradesh, India, prompting a police investigation into a suspected murder.
The BJP has called for a bandh (shutdown) in Jharkhand on April 3 to protest the alleged rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Hazaribag. The party is also protesting the overall law and order situation in the state.
A BJP government in Bengal inherits more problems than it might care to admit at its moment of triumph, points out Ramesh Menon
Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the TMC of sheltering goons who torture women and promised citizenship to refugees in West Bengal. He highlighted the BJP's commitment to women's security by giving poll tickets to victims of violence.
Three jail personnel, including a deputy jailor, have been suspended following the death of an inmate at the district jail in Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh. The inmate, an undertrial prisoner facing rape and POCSO charges, died from burn injuries sustained under suspicious circumstances.
Four individuals, including two women, have been arrested in Shajapur, Madhya Pradesh, for allegedly blackmailing a 70-year-old man and extorting approximately 33,000 from him.
The death of a Dalit girl in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, has ignited a political controversy as opposition parties demand justice and action against officials. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav plans to visit the girl's family, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state.
The BJP in Jharkhand has postponed its planned bandh (shutdown) to April 9, citing Good Friday and the JEE (Main) examination. The bandh was initially called to protest the state's law and order situation and demand justice in a rape and murder case.
A BJP and a Trinamool Congress worker were killed in separate incidents of post-poll violence in West Bengal on Tuesday, police said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a strong attack on the ruling TMC in West Bengal, accusing them of running the state through 'syndicates' and promising to address atrocities against women if the BJP gains power.
The Maharashtra Congress has alleged that sensitive information related to the Ashok Kharat case is being leaked, questioning whether the state government is misusing its machinery to settle personal scores.
The BJP must respect Bengal's pluralistic ethos and with this historic mandate give the state the constructive change it truly deserves, expects Kolkata native Payal Singh Mohanka.
A court in Nashik has remanded self-styled godman Ashok Kharat to police custody until April 26 in connection with the sixth case of sexual exploitation registered against him. Kharat, already arrested on March 18, faces multiple accusations of sexually exploiting women and engaging in financial fraud by exploiting his claimed divine powers.
Self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, already facing rape charges, is now under investigation for suspicious financial activities involving numerous accounts and large transactions.
'She came home covered in blood. When I asked her, she first said she had fallen, but there were no injuries on any other part of her body. On questioning further, she told me what had been done to her'
The hearing in a defamation suit filed against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on the 2020 Hathras gangrape case has been deferred to May 2. The case, heard in an MP-MLA court, was delayed due to the presiding judge's transfer. The defamation complaint stems from Gandhi's alleged remarks about the accused 'roaming free' while visiting the victim's family.
Activist Anjali Damania alleges phone calls between Maharashtra politicians and a rape-accused godman, sparking controversy and raising questions about their connections.
The sister of NCP leader Rupali Chakankar was questioned by police regarding her alleged connection to the financial dealings of arrested self-styled godman Ashok Kharat.
'The nepotism, corruption, bad governance and 15 years of rampant crime that has happened across West Bengal under her rule led to her ouster.'
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addressed the state assembly regarding the arrest of self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, accused of rape, assuring a thorough investigation and protection for potential victims.
Courts cannot be the only hope for those fighting hate speech. Countering its effects on the ground takes more effort. With our political parties unwilling to put in that amount of effort, it's left to citizens to do so, points out Jyoti Punwani.
In a career that has spanned over 30 years and 200 films, if there is one thing that Divya Dutta has not been -- it's afraid. And, in her journey, she has made many friends, collected many precious memories which she shares on the Rediff Podcast.
Expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, who has been sent to Special Investigation Team custody a day ago, was on Wednesday taken for evidence collection in connection with a sexual assault case, police sources said.
Kuki organizations are demanding justice after a Kuki woman from Manipur died from an illness allegedly linked to the trauma she suffered after being gang-raped in 2023. They allege government inaction and demand an independent probe.
