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A special court in Rajasthan’s Merta has acquitted all 40 accused in the 2015 Dangawas massacre case, in which six people, including five Dalits, were killed, citing serious lapses in the police and CBI investigation. The court held that while the massacre was proven, the prosecution failed to establish the involvement of any particular accused beyond reasonable doubt.

Court Says Investigation Failed to Link Accused to Crime

Delivering its verdict after an 11-year trial, the Special Court for SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act cases observed that investigators failed to conduct a Test Identification Parade (TIP) after the arrests and did not collect DNA samples from the accused to match blood recovered from the crime scene.

The court also noted delays in forensic examination and said investigators could not establish any forensic connection between the recovered weapons and the accused. Although forensic reports confirmed the presence of human blood on some seized weapons, the blood groups could not be conclusively matched with the deceased or injured victims.

“It is not proved which party initiated the incident… The prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the absence of the right of private defence,” the court said, adding that the evidence did not meet the required legal standard for conviction.

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The Karnataka High Court on Friday strongly criticised BJP MLC N. Ravikumar for allegedly referring to Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum as being “from Pakistan” during a protest, observing that such remarks cannot be justified merely because she is a Muslim.

Hearing Ravikumar’s petition seeking to quash criminal proceedings against him, Justice M. Nagaprasanna orally remarked that Fouzia Taranum is an IAS officer serving the State of Karnataka and questioned how her religion could be used to make such a statement.

“Just because she is a Muslim, you cannot call her ‘from Pakistan’. She is an IAS officer of the State of Karnataka,” the judge observed during the hearing.

Case Against BJP MLC

Ravikumar is facing criminal proceedings before a Bengaluru Special Court for MPs and MLAs over remarks allegedly made during the “Kalaburagi Chalo” protest held in connection with the alleged detention of Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, in May 2025.

According to the petitioner, he had only stated during the protest that “all police officers are slaves of the in-charge minister” and denied making the alleged communal remark.

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Assam Police have arrested three youths for allegedly kidnapping two teenage girls from neighbouring Mizoram and gang-raping them inside a moving car. The survivors, aged 15 and 16, managed to escape their abusers and reached a police station in the dead of night to report the horrific assault.

The Midnight Escape and Police Complaint

The crime came to light in the early hours of August 3 when the two minor girls arrived at Dholai Police Station in Cachar district around 2:30 AM. Traumatized but determined, they informed officers that they had been abducted and sexually assaulted. Additional Superintendent of Police Rajat Pal, who is overseeing the investigation, recounted the sequence of events.

“They told us they had been abducted and initially stated that the accused attempted to rape them. They later alleged that they were gang-raped despite resisting. Since both claimed to be minors, we proceeded in accordance with the relevant legal provisions,” Pal said. The girls are residents of Kolasib district in Mizoram, and police are now piecing together how they came into contact with the accused and where exactly they were picked up from.

The Accused and Charges

The three arrested men have been identified as Amjad Hussain Laskar, 20, from Rajnagar; Saddam Hussain Laskar, 23, from Bhaga Bazar; and Rinku Das, 25, from Khaspur. All three are residents of Cachar district in Assam.

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A video purportedly showing a police inspector touching the feet of an elderly Muslim man during a Chehlum procession in Sambhal has triggered a political and social controversy, with Hindu organisations staging protests even as many on social media praised the gesture as a symbol of respect.

The authenticity of the viral video has not been officially confirmed.

Viral Video Sparks Debate

The video, widely shared on social media, allegedly shows Sambhal City Inspector Sudhir Panwar touching the feet of an elderly Muslim man, holding his hand and sitting beside him during a Chehlum procession.

Many users described the gesture as an example of India’s tradition of respecting elders and its Ganga-Jamuni culture of communal harmony. Others, however, criticised the police officer’s conduct.

Authorities have not verified the authenticity of the video.

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For the first time, Vande Mataram will be played as part of the formal Independence Day ceremony at Delhi’s Red Fort on August 15, marking a significant change to the official programme.

According to Defence Ministry officials, the national song will be performed immediately before the national anthem at the conclusion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address. Invitation cards issued for the ceremony also carry the complete lyrics of all six stanzas of Vande Mataram.

First Formal Inclusion at Red Fort

The full programme for the 80th Independence Day celebrations is yet to be officially released. In previous years, the ceremony concluded with the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, while patriotic songs were performed earlier in the morning by an NCC choir before the Prime Minister’s arrival.

Officials said the inclusion of Vande Mataram in the formal programme is intended to encourage attendees to sing along, noting that while most people know the national anthem, fewer are familiar with the national song.

Senior ministers, military officers, diplomats, bureaucrats, students and other distinguished guests are expected to attend the annual ceremony.

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Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi criticised E20 (20% ethanol-blended) petrol, alleging that it damages vehicles and increases costs for consumers. He said he was "serious" about the issue and announced plans to launch a major campaign against E20 fuel. During his remarks, Gandhi also said, "Daal mein kaala nahin, poori daal hi kaali hai," while attacking the policy.

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A 40-year-old theatre activist has alleged that he was assaulted and beaten by a group of men on a train in North 24 Parganas district after they questioned him about his religious identity. The incident allegedly took place near Shyamnagar railway station in the early hours of July 28. The activist, Subhankar Dassharma, has also claimed that despite reporting the incident to the police through email, he has not received any response.

According to Shubhankar, on July 28, he was returning home by train at around 12 a.m. after participating in a theatre performance when four unidentified men allegedly approached him near Shyamnagar station. He said the men questioned him about his religion after noticing that he was dressed in a black kurta (Punjabi) and pyjamas. Shubhankar alleged that when he declined to disclose his religious identity, the men began dragging and assaulting him. He later recounted the incident in a Facebook post, describing the sequence of events.

“First, they asked me whether I was a Muslim. I replied, ‘What if I am a Muslim?’ I believe that in a free and sovereign country, I am under no obligation to disclose my religious identity to strangers. They then started beating me and repeatedly asked whether I was a Muslim. I refused to give in and told them I was a Muslim. The assault intensified,” he wrote.

Activist Claims Severe Injuries

According to him, the attackers repeatedly punched him in the head, eyes, chest and ears, tore his black kurta, threw him to the ground and allegedly shouted religious slogans during the assault. He further claimed that he briefly lost consciousness before eventually regaining his senses and managing to return home. He remained at home for the next three days without seeking immediate medical attention, as he was alone and had no family members to assist him. However, when his physical condition worsened, he sought treatment at BN Bose Sub-Divisional Hospital in Barrackpore on August 2.

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A Muslim woman was allegedly surrounded and harassed by a group of people in the Bharatpur Road area of Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, after they accused her of carrying beef. According to claims circulating on social media, the woman was forced to swear by Allah when she tried to explain herself, and some members of the crowd allegedly made offensive remarks about her faith. The claims have not been independently verified, and there was no immediate official statement from the police.

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All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora was allegedly targeted with black ink during a protest march towards the Jharkhand Assembly in Ranchi on Friday, amid ongoing demonstrations over alleged irregularities in state recruitment examinations.

The march began from Birsa Chowk and was attended by around 1,000 to 1,500 people, including members of AISA, the All India Students’ Federation (AISF), the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha, women activists and several Adivasi organisations.

The protesters were demanding the cancellation of the JPSC 14th Combined Civil Services examination and the JSSC CGL examination, alleging large-scale irregularities in the recruitment process.

Ink Attack During March

According to protesters, a man who had allegedly mingled with the procession threw black ink at Bora and other women participants leading the march near Birsa Chowk. Student activist Riya Tulika Pingua alleged that the attacker specifically targeted women leading the procession.

She claimed that unidentified persons entered the march to disrupt the student movement and alleged that the incident was politically motivated.

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Rampur Superintendent of Police (SP) Anil Kumar Singh Sisodia has sparked controversy after stating that those involved in cow slaughter are either “not Muslims” or “haramis,” while announcing a crackdown on alleged cow slaughter cases in the district.

Addressing the media after a meeting at the Police Lines on Thursday, SP Sisodia said cow slaughter incidents reported during the month of Sawan were attempts by anti-social elements to disturb communal harmony.

‘True Muslim Cannot Do This’

Referring to Islamic teachings, Sisodia claimed that Islam prohibits the consumption of meat from an animal if slaughtering it hurts the religious sentiments of another community.

“A true Muslim cannot do such an act. Those involved are either not Muslims or they are haramis. Treating such haramis is my job,” he said.

His remarks have drawn attention after videos of the statement circulated on social media.

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Rampur Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar Singh made a controversial statement while speaking about action against cow slaughter, saying that a "true Muslim" would never be involved in such acts and that those who do such things are either not Muslim or are "har*mi" (illegitimate/mean).

Singh, who took charge as Rampur SP on July 18, said, "The true Muslim can never do such work... Those who are doing this work, I am very surprised that either they are not Muslims or they are very 'har*mi.' Then my job is to treat these 'har*mi' people". He said that under Islam, consuming meat of an animal whose slaughter hurts another community's religious sentiments is "haram"

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Samajwadi Party leader Nitin Kohli stepped into a large pothole on a road in Agra to highlight its poor condition. He claimed the road was built only a few months ago at a cost of crores, but has already developed large potholes. The deteriorating roads have sparked criticism, with some referring to Agra as "Pothole City."

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A 26-year-old Dalit man was allegedly murdered and another youth seriously injured following a dispute over a horse entering a field in Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul district, triggering protests and demands for swift action against all the accused.

The victim, identified as Ramar, was killed on the night of July 30 in Poombarai village of Kodaikanal taluk. His associate, 20-year-old Prashant, sustained serious injuries and is undergoing treatment at Theni Government Medical College Hospital.

According to local reports and the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front (TNUEF), both Ramar and Prashant earned their livelihood by transporting vegetables from the hills using horses.

The incident allegedly began when a man identified as Raghu, who belongs to an influential caste, came to Ramar’s house claiming that Ramar’s horse had entered his agricultural field. He reportedly took Ramar to the spot, where a group of five men allegedly attacked Ramar and Prashant with sickles and other sharp weapons.

Ramar succumbed to multiple injuries, while Prashant survived the attack and remains under medical care.

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A woman has claimed that a jalebi she received resembles Lord Shiva's Trishul and believes it is a divine blessing during the holy month of Saavan. A video of her making the claim has been circulating on social media.

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The grant of bail to three young students accused in a human trafficking case has sparked a broader legal debate over the invocation of trafficking provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the manner in which police arrests are carried out, and the safeguards surrounding personal liberty.

On August 1, 2026, the Special NIA Court (Additional Sessions Judge, Court No. 3, Lucknow) granted bail to Shoaib Khan, Mujeeb Khan, and Umair, all residents of Baijpur Ekdanga village in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda district. The three, aged between 18 and 21, are students with no previous criminal record.

Case Reached Special NIA Court Due to Human Trafficking Charge

The case originated from FIR No. 736/2026, registered at Kotwali Dehat Police Station, Gonda, on the night of July 23, 2026, under Sections 191(2), 143(2), 62, 351(3), and 3(5) of the BNS.

Since Section 143(2) (human trafficking) is a Scheduled Offence under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008, jurisdiction over the bail proceedings lay with the Special NIA Court in Lucknow rather than an ordinary Sessions Court.

Allegations in the FIR

According to the complainant, his minor sister’s mobile number was allegedly obtained by some individuals, after which she received repeated phone calls. The FIR further alleged that a group of young men later visited her residence intending to take her away and “sell” her. The complainant stated that villagers intervened, preventing the alleged act.

Read the full report by Amzad Ali on https://t.co/sxATfrm14G

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A 28-year-old pickup driver from Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad, identified as Azeem, died on August 4 after allegedly being assaulted following a road accident involving a vehicle carrying Kanwar pilgrims.

According to his family, the incident took place on July 31 near the Garh toll plaza on the Kanwar route in Hapur district when Azeem’s pickup truck was involved in a collision with an auto carrying Kanwariyas.

Azeem suffered serious injuries in the alleged assault and was first admitted to a local hospital before being referred to Meerut and later shifted to a hospital in Delhi, where he died after undergoing treatment for five days.

Family Alleges Assault After Road Accident

In a complaint filed with police, Azeem’s father, Intezaar, alleged that after the collision, the auto driver and several passengers attacked his son.

He named the auto driver, Farman, along with Manish, Ankit, Lokesh and Shivam, all residents of Bajheda Khurd village, and alleged that they, along with three to four unidentified persons, assaulted Azeem.

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A Muslim woman has alleged that she faced religious discrimination after organisers of a Jain food festival in Mumbai allegedly asked her to remove her hijab or leave the venue despite running a vegetarian food stall.

The incident allegedly took place on Thursday at the National Sports Club of India (NSCI) in Worli. The allegations came to light after her relative, Mushtaq Ansari, shared a video on social media claiming that organisers asked his sister and wife to remove their burqas or leave the premises.

Speaking about the incident, the woman described it as one of the worst experiences she has faced while participating in food exhibitions.

“This is not my first time. I have put up my food stalls at several events. I was wearing a hijab and attending to my customers when one of the organisers told me to remove it,” she said.

‘They Accepted Our Stall Fee,’ Woman Says

The woman said there was no prior information that Muslims or women wearing hijab would not be allowed at the event.

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The Union government has spent ₹557.5 crore on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign visits since 2021, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

The details were shared in a written reply by Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita in response to questions from MPs Sanjay Singh and V. Sivadasan regarding the cost of the Prime Minister’s overseas visits, agreements signed during the tours and foreign investment received.

According to the government, ₹36.1 crore was spent on Modi’s foreign visits in 2021, followed by ₹55.8 crore in 2022. Expenditure rose to ₹93.6 crore in 2023, ₹109.5 crore in 2024 and ₹187.8 crore in 2025.

So far in 2026, the government has spent ₹74.5 crore on six foreign visits covering 13 countries.

US Trip in 2025 Most Expensive

The MEA said Modi’s visit to the United States in February 2025 was the costliest foreign trip during the period, with an expenditure of more than ₹25.5 crore.

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Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said that students protesting over issues such as examination irregularities should not be labelled “anti-national”, describing their grievances as genuine and calling protest a legitimate way of expressing concerns in a democracy.

Addressing more than 2,000 students at an event in Mumbai, Bhagwat said the younger generation deserves to be heard.

“If Gen Z is protesting, they’re not anti-national. They’re our own people. They’re our next generation,” Bhagwat said. “I won’t say that Gen Z should not protest, but in a democracy there are ways of going about it. Protest is a way of dialogue.”

‘Gen Z Wants Logical Answers’

Bhagwat said today’s youth are different from previous generations because they seek reasoned explanations instead of simply accepting authority.

“Gen Z and Gen Alpha want logical answers,” he said, adding that their concerns reflect shortcomings in the country’s education system.

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Responding to a question from Gen Z about the student protests in Jharkhand, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi said India's education system has been "ruined" and called on all governments to listen to students and bring reforms. He said the responsibility lies with every government, including the Congress, the Centre, and the Jharkhand government, to improve the education system.