A Kerala court has convicted and sentenced a man to a cumulative 141 years imprisonment for repeatedly raping his minor stepdaughter for several years when her mother was not at home.
Manjeri Fast Track Special Court Judge Ashraf A M sentenced the man to varying durations of imprisonment under various provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the IPC and the Juvenile Justice Act for a total of 141 years.
However, the man will serve 40 years in prison as that was the highest of jail terms given to the man and the varying sentences are to be served concurrently, according to the court’s order of November 29.
The court also imposed a fine of Rs 7.85 lakh on the convict.
It also ordered that the victim be provided compensation.
The convict and the victim are Tamil Nadu natives and the stepfather had been sexually assaulting the girl since 2017, a police officer associated with the case said.
The girl, on a friend’s advice, finally told her mother who in turn informed the police, the officer said.
Staying hydrated offers more than just quenching thirst. A review of 18 studies led by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, highlights the significant health benefits of drinking water, including preventing kidney stones and aiding in weight loss.
Key Findings:
Preventing Kidney Stones: Drinking at least eight cups of water daily reduced the risk of recurring kidney stones.
Weight Loss: Consuming about six cups of water per day helped adults lose weight, especially when drinking water before meals.
Other Health Benefits:
Diabetes: Four additional cups daily for eight weeks helped diabetic patients manage elevated blood glucose levels.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Women drinking six more cups of water daily experienced fewer recurrent infections.
Low Blood Pressure: Drinking more water benefited young adults with hypotension.
Migraines: Adults reported relief from recurring headaches after increasing water intake over three months.
Mixed Results for Teens
While adults benefit significantly from hydration, a study involving teenagers found that drinking over eight cups of water daily had no measurable impact.
Call for More Research
The study, published in JAMA Network Open, noted that while evidence supports certain health benefits, more well-designed studies are needed to establish water’s role in managing migraines, diabetes, and other conditions.
Expert Insights
Benjamin Breyer, senior author and chair of the urology department at UCSF, emphasized the individualized nature of water consumption:
“Dehydration is detrimental, particularly for those with a history of kidney stones or urinary infections. However, frequent urination sufferers may benefit from drinking less. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach for water consumption.”
Bottom Line
Hydration is a cost-effective, low-risk intervention that offers significant health benefits. Encouraging consistent water consumption—tailored to individual needs—can positively impact weight management, chronic conditions, and overall well-being.
Shiv Sena Demands Home Ministry in Maharashtra Government: Sanjay Shirsat 4
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat on Saturday emphasized that the party should secure the crucial home portfolio in the newly formed Maharashtra government. He also hinted at growing tensions within the Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, while alleging attempts to sideline caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Speaking to PTI, Shirsat highlighted Shinde’s “positive image” and his contribution to governance, stating, “If Shinde had two and a half more years as CM, his impact would have been greater.” Shirsat insisted that the home department, traditionally held by the deputy CM, should go to Shiv Sena.
Currently, Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP manages the home portfolio in the outgoing government.
Rift Among Allies
Shirsat’s comments reflect internal fissures among Mahayuti allies following their impressive performance in the state elections, where they collectively won 230 out of 288 assembly seats. The BJP emerged as the largest party with 132 seats, while Shiv Sena and NCP secured 57 and 41 seats, respectively.
Despite his support for BJP’s decision to name the next CM, Shinde is reportedly discontent with the ongoing discussions over portfolio allocation.
Shinde’s Contributions Acknowledged
Shirsat praised Shinde’s leadership during the Maratha reservation agitation and his welfare initiatives like the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme, which resonated with voters. “Shinde’s common man image has significantly benefited the Mahayuti. He managed to win public trust despite being labeled a ‘gaddar’ (traitor),” Shirsat said.
Shirsat warned that sidelining Shinde or denying Shiv Sena a key portfolio like the home ministry could upset the delicate balance within the alliance, urging the BJP to recognize the value of Shinde’s leadership.
9 Dead, 25 Injured as State Transport Bus Overturns in Maharashtra's Gondia 6
A tragic accident occurred in Maharashtra’s Gondia district on Friday afternoon when a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus overturned, leaving nine passengers dead and 25 others injured, police reported.
The MSRTC ‘Shiv Shahi’ bus was en route to Gondia from Bhandara with 36 passengers onboard when it flipped over at Davva village in Sadakarjuni taluka. According to a senior police official, the bus overturned while attempting to overtake another vehicle around 12:30 pm.
Emergency responders transported the injured passengers to a nearby hospital for treatment. Investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Trial Court Not to Proceed With Mosque Survey Matter, Maintain Peace in Sambhal: Supreme Court 8
The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Sambahl trial court not to pass any order related to the survey of a Mughal-era mosque while directing the Uttar Pradesh government to maintain peace and harmony in the violence-hit town.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Sanjay Kumar ordered the Allahabad High Court to take up the plea of the Muslim side within three working days of its filing.
“We hope and trust that the trial court will not proceed with the matter till the high court takes up and passes any order in the matter,” it said.
The bench directed the state government to maintain peace and harmony at Sambhal and set up a peace committee comprising members of both communities.
The top court further asked the Sambhal trial court to not to open any report, which may be filed before it, till the high court took up the matter and passed an order on the plea of the Muslim side.
The bench, which advised the Muslim side to move the high court against the impugned order of the district court, has kept the matter pending and ordered its listing in the week commencing January 6.
The management committee of Sambhal’s Shahi Jama Masjid moved the Supreme Court on Thursday, challenging the November 19 order of the district court directing survey of the Mughal-era mosque while seeking an ex-parte stay on the operation of the November 19 order passed by the civil judge.
Tensions brewed in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal since November 19 when the court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid was carried out following claims that a Harihar temple previously stood at the site.
On November 24, protesters gathered near the mosque and clashed with security personnel, leading to stone pelting and arson. Four people died and several others were injured in the violence.
Controversial Priest Narsinghanand Accuses Bangladesh of Hindu Genocide 10
Yati Narsinghanand Giri, the polarizing head priest of Dasna Devi temple in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, has stirred fresh controversy by alleging a systematic genocide of Hindus in Bangladesh. In a fiery statement on Thursday, he urged Indian Hindus to take lessons from the plight of their counterparts in the neighboring country and act decisively to secure their future.
Narsinghanand announced a three-day “Dharma Sansad” to be held at the Anand Bhairav Mandir from December 19-21. Organized by the Juna Akhara, the event aims to spotlight the alleged atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh. He called upon Hindus who wish to protect their future generations from “Islamic Jihadis” to participate in the congregation.
“Massacres in Bangladesh”
In a video released alongside Kothari Srimahant Mahakal Giri of the Juna Akhara and other saints, Narsinghanand accused the Muslim community in Bangladesh of orchestrating gruesome massacres of Hindus with the alleged backing of the country’s army and police. He specifically referenced the imprisonment of Chinmay Das Prabhu, a member of ISKCON, as evidence of what he claimed was the Bangladesh government’s disdain for Hindus.
“The arrest of Chinmay Das Prabhu demonstrates the position of Hindus globally. Had such an act been committed against Jews, Israel would have launched a counterstrike. If Hindus had a nation truly dedicated to them, such tragedies in Pakistan and Bangladesh would not occur,” Narsinghanand asserted, invoking the idea of a Sanatan Vedic Rashtra as a solution.
Criticism of Hindu Movements
The priest also criticized past Hindu movements, including the Ram Mandir campaign, for failing to address what he termed the “real problems.”
“If the Ram Mandir movement had focused on establishing a Sanatan Vedic Rashtra, issues like ‘love jihad,’ cow protection, Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi, Kashi Vishwanath, or Sambhal would not exist. We’ve never collectively raised our voice against these deeper issues,” he lamented.
Previous Controversies
Narsinghanand is no stranger to controversy, having faced charges for hate speech in the past. His provocative remarks have drawn widespread criticism for inflaming communal tensions, though his followers argue that he is a vocal advocate for Hindu causes.
The allegations and the planned “Dharma Sansad” are likely to reignite debates on the treatment of Hindus in Bangladesh and the broader communal discourse in South Asia.
Raj Kundra's Home and Office Raided by ED in Porn Content Case 12
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday conducted raids at the residence and office of businessman Raj Kundra, husband of Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty, in Mumbai. The action is part of an ongoing money laundering investigation tied to the production and distribution of pornographic content via mobile applications.
Officials confirmed that searches were also underway at the premises of Kundra’s associates as the agency deepens its probe into the case.
Background of the Case
Raj Kundra was arrested in June 2021 following complaints by four women alleging they were coerced into filming pornographic content under the pretense of securing acting roles in web series. After spending two months in jail, Kundra was granted bail in September 2021.
Mumbai Police had earlier identified Kundra as the primary conspirator in the case. The ED’s current investigation is focusing on tracing financial transactions and potential proceeds from the alleged illegal activities.
This case has reignited debates around the misuse of digital platforms and the need for stringent laws to tackle such offenses.
Sambhal Mosque Committee Challenges Survey Order in Supreme Court Amid Tensions 14
The management committee of Sambhal’s Shahi Jama Masjid approached the Supreme Court on Thursday, challenging a district court’s November 19 order to conduct a survey of the Mughal-era mosque. The Supreme Court is set to hear the plea on Friday, led by a bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, as per the court’s cause list.
The committee has requested an ex-parte stay on the district court’s order, citing its “hasty execution” that has allegedly triggered communal unrest in the region. The plea argued that such surveys, carried out without proper notice or opportunity for the mosque’s representatives to respond, could “inflame communal passions” and jeopardise the secular fabric of the nation.
Tensions Surrounding the Shahi Jama Masjid
The Shahi Jama Masjid, a 16th-century structure, has been at the center of a dispute following claims by plaintiffs that it was originally a Harihar temple. On November 19, a court-ordered survey was carried out with minimal notice, sparking tensions in the area.
The situation escalated on November 24 during protests against a second unannounced survey, resulting in violence, stone-pelting, and arson. Four people died, and several others were injured in the clashes.
The petitioners argued that the surveys were conducted in an unprecedented rush, violating due process and inflaming communal unrest. They also highlighted a growing trend of similar disputes being raised across the country, cautioning against the potential for widespread discord.
The Supreme Court’s ruling in this case is expected to have far-reaching implications for disputes over places of worship nationwide.
Maharashtra Awaits CM Announcement as Mahayuti Leaders Seal Power-Sharing Deal with Amit Shah 16
In a significant political development, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, along with Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Thursday night to finalize the power-sharing formula following the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance’s landslide victory in the state assembly elections.
Fadnavis: The Frontrunner for CM?
With the BJP securing over 100 seats for the third consecutive time under Devendra Fadnavis’ leadership, speculation is rife that he may return as Maharashtra’s chief minister. Fadnavis is seen as a strong contender, but discussions over caste equations and coalition dynamics are delaying the announcement.
Ajit Pawar, NCP chief and one of the alliance’s deputy CMs, confirmed that a decision regarding ministerial portfolios for BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP leaders was a key agenda during the meeting with Shah.
Shinde Signals Willingness to Step Aside
Outgoing CM Eknath Shinde met Amit Shah separately before the formal Mahayuti meeting, signaling his willingness to abide by decisions made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. “I won’t be an obstacle to the government formation,” Shinde stated, implying he may not retain the top post.
Shinde’s supporters, however, are lobbying for his continuance, citing his successful grassroots initiatives such as the Ladki Bahin campaign, which brought governance closer to citizens. Shiv Sena insiders suggest Shinde will remain part of the cabinet but is unlikely to accept a deputy CM role.
Caste Dynamics in Focus
The BJP’s central leadership is reportedly weighing Maharashtra’s complex caste equations, with an emphasis on balancing representation for the OBC and Maratha communities. Fadnavis, a Brahmin, previously served as CM in 2014 and briefly in 2019. Sources speculate that RSS influence may favor his appointment.
Meanwhile, Shinde’s Shiv Sena is expected to propose a different leader for the deputy CM position, reflecting an effort to maintain coalition harmony.
A Resounding Victory for Mahayuti
The Mahayuti alliance triumphed in the November 20 assembly elections, securing 230 of the 288 seats. The BJP emerged as the largest constituent with 132 seats, followed by Shinde’s Shiv Sena (57) and Ajit Pawar’s NCP (41). The Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi suffered a humiliating defeat, with Congress winning just 16 seats and Uddhav Thackeray’s faction (UBT) managing only 20.
What’s Next?
A new government is expected to be in place by December 2. Shinde’s son, MP Shrikant Shinde, lauded his father’s commitment to “alliance dharma,” emphasizing collective governance over personal ambition.
As political circles buzz with speculation, Maharashtra awaits an official announcement on its next chief minister. Will it be Fadnavis, or will caste equations and alliance negotiations bring a surprise? The decision is expected to shape the state’s political trajectory in the coming years.
All Indian prime ministers, including Narendra Modi, have offered ‘chadar’ at Ajmer Sharif Dargah and the controversy over the claim that the Sufi shrine was a temple was directly or indirectly linked to the BJP and the RSS, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi said on Thursday.
A court on Wednesday admitted a petition seeking to declare the Mughal-era shrine a Shiva temple. Several opposition leaders raised serious concerns over the controversy on the Ajmer Dargah, which comes close on the heels of similar claims made regarding a mosque in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal.
“The Dargah Sharif has been there for 800 years. Every prime minister of the country sends ‘chadar’ for the dargah during ‘Urs’. Official delegations from neighbouring countries come there, Indian diaspora from all over the world visit the dargah… Now suddenly you are raising this issue…” Owaisi told reporters outside Parliament.
“Where will all this stop? What will happen to the Places of Worship Act, 1991?” The Places of Worship Act 1991 states that the religious character of any place of worship as it existed on August 15, 1947, must be maintained.
Owaisi continued, “What would Narendra Modi say? The dargah where he offered ‘chadar’ is not a dargah? What would ASI say?” “This is being done to destabilise the country… I am saying repeatedly that these things are not in favour of the country. These people are related directly or indirectly with BJP, RSS… no one can deny this,” he said. The Ajmer court issued notices to the Ajmer Dargah Committee, the Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Archaeological Survey of India on the plea seeking to declare the shrine a temple. The suit was filed in Ajmer in September.
The court’s notice came just days after four people were killed in violence following a court ordering a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, which petitioners said was built after destroying an old temple.
Samajwadi Party’s Rampur MP Mohibbullah Nadvi said the petition on Ajmer Dargah was “painful”.
“Some people have lost their cool after the 2024 (Lok Sabha) election results as they didn’t get the majority. These people want to target a particular community to please the majority. This is their misbelief,” he told reporters outside Parliament.
Saharanpur MP Imran Masood said an atmosphere of hatred has been created in the country. “They did it in Sambhal yesterday. Now they did it in Ajmer. What is this drama?” he said. “BJP and the government should think, this country cannot be run by hatred, you cannot sideline 25 crore people. How would the country develop without their contribution? We are very clear, your party may become stronger by creating hatred, but it is not good for the country,” the Congress leader said addressing reporters outside Parliament. He also targeted the Uttar Pradesh government over the Sambhal violence.
“Do Muslim lives not matter? They will shoot us in the head? Stone pelting is wrong but they could have shot at the leg, why did they shoot people in the head and chest?” he said. Police have denied opening fire at the protesters in Sambhal, saying “rioters” carried out shootings and stone pelting. A magisterial probe into the violence is ongoing. Samajwadi Party’s Mainpuri MP Dimple Yadav reiterated her party’s demand for a discussion on the Sambhal issue in Parliament. “Our main issue is that we want a discussion on Sambhal in Lok Sabha. Speaker sir has assured that there will be a discussion. Police personnel are harassing, manipulating people in Uttar Pradesh. The police administration is working like this in the entire state,” she said.
Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) MP from Nagina in Uttar Pradesh, Chandra Shekhar said these incidents create a trust deficit in the country.
“What if a Buddhist says there is a Buddhist temple under Hindu temples and demands a probe? Those who are encouraging this should also answer what would be the outcome… Employment, price rise, health, education, farmers, women… these are the issues, should we talk about these issues or religious places?” he said.
“What is this drama, Kashi, Mathura, Sambhal, Ajmer, what more do we have to witness? Where is the prime minister? He and the Supreme Court should take cognisance. This is being done to distract attention from real issues, but the trust deficit it is creating is dangerous,” he said.
