September 24, 2026

NEW DELHI: More than 90 citizens, who identify themselves as progressive Muslim activists, intellectuals and women’s rights advocates, have strongly opposed what they cited as the “ill-conceived” nationwide ‘Save India, Save Shariat’ campaign launched by All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) last week.In a statement, they have called upon all progressive forces, civil society organisations and secular political parties to intervene actively to ensure that the demand for a gender-just, religion-neutral Uniform Civil Code is rooted in equality and human rights, rather than being weaponised for communal division.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe statement’s signatories include Naseeruddin Shah, Zeenat Shaukat Ali, Sultan Shaheen, Teesta Setalvad, Ram Puniyani, Tushar Gandhi, Amol Palekar, Mallika Sarabhai. Ratna Pathak, Javed Anand and Feroze Mithiborwala (Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy-IMSD), Zakia Soman and Noorjahan Safia Niaz (Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan-BMMA), Shamsuddin Tamboli (Muslim Satyashodhak Mandal) and Bader Saeed (Roshni). “The so-called ‘God-given Shariat Law’ in India are man-made personal laws shaped by patriarchal interpretations and defended by AIMPLB,” the statement said, adding that AIMPLB selectively invokes Articles 25-30 (religious freedom), ignoring these rights are subject to public order, morality, and health. Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIIT Bombay Student Death: Family Alleges Caste Discrimination, Alumni Association Urges Fair Probe‘Only Akhilesh Can Beat BJP’: SP Leader Iqra Hasan’s Remark Triggers Fresh Congress-SP Face-Off’Everything Is Fine In Our Schools’: CJP Team Stopped In Greater Noida, Locals Question School Visit’I’m With You Don’t Go’: Ex-Cong MLA Calls Off BJP Entry After Rahul Gandhi’s Emotional AppealJamui Harassment Case: Prime Accused Shot In Police Encounter, All Seven Arrested In Bihar | WatchVande Mataram Plea Hearing In Supreme Court; ‘Naxalite’ Remark Sparks Heated ExchangeStand-Up Comedian Pulkit Mani Cancels 3 Shows After Row Over PM Modi Mimicry At Rahul Gandhi EventStones, Bottles Hurled: Gogoi, Baghel Allege BJP attacked Congress Convoy In AssamCan Orphan Adopted Legally Be Handed Back Years Later? Delhi High Court Seeks Centre’s StandCourt Sets Aside Order Refusing Probe In Sonia Gandhi Electoral Roll Case; BJP Attacks Congress123PhotostoriesMaharani Gayatri Devi’s style legacy: Fashion trends set by her that refuse to go out of vogueFrom being selected through ‘Common Man’ to becoming the first wildcard: Here’s a look at Bigg Boss Tamil 10 fame Manivannan’s journeyMrunal Thakur’s pink saree look is what happens when traditional glam gets a little savage10 baby names that mean “one of a kind” or uniquenessShakira unleashes her she-wolf era in Gaurav Gupta’s fearless Banarasi silk creationFeeling lost in life? 5 questions that can help you understand what you truly wantWho was the blonde woman on Prince Charles’ Royal Train? Why Princess Diana was left shockedMicroneedling for skin explained: Can it really reduce acne scars, pores, texture, and uneven skin?Archana Puran Singh’s Rs 75 crore Madh Island mansion: Lush garden, dreamy skyline-view bedrooms, fancy vanity and more6 kitchen spices you can easily grow in pots at home: simple tips for a fresh and flavourful kitchen garden123Hot PicksIIT Bombay student suicideCAT 2026 registrationDelhi rapeBank StrikeOctober 2026 School HolidaysCBSE Date SheetCyclone ArnabUPI transactionsOpenAI breachJEE Main 2027Top TrendingAsian Games Medal TallyWWE Money In the BankRed SeaMichael JordanR PraggnanandhaaSuchika TariyalGhaziabad ProtestDelhi RapeBihar Girl HarassmentMumbai Accident

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NEW DELHI: More than 90 citizens, who identify themselves as progressive Muslim activists, intellectuals and women’s rights advocates, have strongly opposed what they cited as the “ill-conceived” nationwide ‘Save India, Save Shariat’ campaign launched by All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) last week.In a statement, they have called upon all progressive forces, civil society organisations and secular political parties to intervene actively to ensure that the demand for a gender-just, religion-neutral Uniform Civil Code is rooted in equality and human rights, rather than being weaponised for communal division.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe statement’s signatories include Naseeruddin Shah, Zeenat Shaukat Ali, Sultan Shaheen, Teesta Setalvad, Ram Puniyani, Tushar Gandhi, Amol Palekar, Mallika Sarabhai. Ratna Pathak, Javed Anand and Feroze Mithiborwala (Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy-IMSD), Zakia Soman and Noorjahan Safia Niaz (Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan-BMMA), Shamsuddin Tamboli (Muslim Satyashodhak Mandal) and Bader Saeed (Roshni). “The so-called ‘God-given Shariat Law’ in India are man-made personal laws shaped by patriarchal interpretations and defended by AIMPLB,” the statement said, adding that AIMPLB selectively invokes Articles 25-30 (religious freedom), ignoring these rights are subject to public order, morality, and health. Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIIT Bombay Student Death: Family Alleges Caste Discrimination, Alumni Association Urges Fair Probe‘Only Akhilesh Can Beat BJP’: SP Leader Iqra Hasan’s Remark Triggers Fresh Congress-SP Face-Off’Everything Is Fine In Our Schools’: CJP Team Stopped In Greater Noida, Locals Question School Visit’I’m With You Don’t Go’: Ex-Cong MLA Calls Off BJP Entry After Rahul Gandhi’s Emotional AppealJamui Harassment Case: Prime Accused Shot In Police Encounter, All Seven Arrested In Bihar | WatchVande Mataram Plea Hearing In Supreme Court; ‘Naxalite’ Remark Sparks Heated ExchangeStand-Up Comedian Pulkit Mani Cancels 3 Shows After Row Over PM Modi Mimicry At Rahul Gandhi EventStones, Bottles Hurled: Gogoi, Baghel Allege BJP attacked Congress Convoy In AssamCan Orphan Adopted Legally Be Handed Back Years Later? Delhi High Court Seeks Centre’s StandCourt Sets Aside Order Refusing Probe In Sonia Gandhi Electoral Roll Case; BJP Attacks Congress123PhotostoriesMaharani Gayatri Devi’s style legacy: Fashion trends set by her that refuse to go out of vogueFrom being selected through ‘Common Man’ to becoming the first wildcard: Here’s a look at Bigg Boss Tamil 10 fame Manivannan’s journeyMrunal Thakur’s pink saree look is what happens when traditional glam gets a little savage10 baby names that mean “one of a kind” or uniquenessShakira unleashes her she-wolf era in Gaurav Gupta’s fearless Banarasi silk creationFeeling lost in life? 5 questions that can help you understand what you truly wantWho was the blonde woman on Prince Charles’ Royal Train? Why Princess Diana was left shockedMicroneedling for skin explained: Can it really reduce acne scars, pores, texture, and uneven skin?Archana Puran Singh’s Rs 75 crore Madh Island mansion: Lush garden, dreamy skyline-view bedrooms, fancy vanity and more6 kitchen spices you can easily grow in pots at home: simple tips for a fresh and flavourful kitchen garden123Hot PicksIIT Bombay student suicideCAT 2026 registrationDelhi rapeBank StrikeOctober 2026 School HolidaysCBSE Date SheetCyclone ArnabUPI transactionsOpenAI breachJEE Main 2027Top TrendingAsian Games Medal TallyWWE Money In the BankRed SeaMichael JordanR PraggnanandhaaSuchika TariyalGhaziabad ProtestDelhi RapeBihar Girl HarassmentMumbai Accident


Prominent citizens oppose AIMPLB's Shariat campaign

NEW DELHI: More than 90 citizens, who identify themselves as progressive Muslim activists, intellectuals and women’s rights advocates, have strongly opposed what they cited as the “ill-conceived” nationwide ‘Save India, Save Shariat’ campaign launched by All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) last week.In a statement, they have called upon all progressive forces, civil society organisations and secular political parties to intervene actively to ensure that the demand for a gender-just, religion-neutral Uniform Civil Code is rooted in equality and human rights, rather than being weaponised for communal division.

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Milan Pradhan was arrested on September 18 NEW DELHI: The Calcutta high court on Thursday orally directed the West Bengal government to allow arrested Congress candidate Milan Pradhan to contest the upcoming Nandigram assembly bypoll.Justice Saugata Bhattacharya held that Pradhan would not be treated as “arrested” in the 2007 case for which a lower court remanded him to judicial custody until October 7.Pradhan had challenged his arrest in the case, which was not among the 11 cases mentioned before the high court on September 22. The court noted that the state had produced no document showing that a production warrant had been served on the Congress candidate.“It is surprising to note that the said criminal prosecution is of 2007 and the investigating officer made a prayer for treating the petitioner as ‘shown arrest’ on September 19,” the court observed.On September 22 too, the bench had orally asked the West Bengal government to allow Pradhan to contest the Nandigram bypoll, subject to his securing bail in the five cases in which he had been arrested.The court noted that Pradhan was shown “arrested” in the Khejuri police station case after the September 22 hearing.Justice Bhattacharyya directed the police not to take any steps against Pradhan until October 12 in case number 45 of 2007 at Khejuri police station in Purba Medinipur district and ordered that he not be treated as arrested in the case.The court questioned why Pradhan had been arraigned in another case after the state had told it that he was not wanted in any other case.Pradhan’s counsel Ayan Bhattacharjee told the bench he was “unaware” of the Khejuri case and that the prosecution had not disclosed the production warrant to the high court.Additional advocate general Rajdeep Majumdar, appearing for the state, said the Contai ACJM court had issued the warrant on September 19. Pradhan faces charges including murder and attempt to murder in the case.The cases against Pradhan stem from protests against land acquisition by the then Left Front government in Nandigram and Khejuri in 2007. Police said the pending cases include charges of murder, attempt to murder, abduction with intent to murder, rioting with arms and offences under the Arms Act.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHe has filed bail applications in four cases.Pradhan was arrested on September 18, hours after Mamata Banerjee announced that her Trinamool Congress faction would support him after its candidate, Sanchita Pradhan De, withdrew from the Nandigram contest.The Nandigram seat fell vacant after West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari retained Bhabanipur, Mamata Banerjee’s erstwhile stronghold. The bypoll will be held on October 6, with counting on October 9.(With PTI inputs)Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorKaran ManralKaran Manral is a journalist at the Times of India. He covers politics, social issues, and international affairs, exploring stories that affect people’s everyday lives. He also writes explainers to make these stories easier for readers to follow.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Anti-National’ Gyanesh Kumar Must Resign: CJP’s Dipke, Saurav Das List 3 Demands Amid SIR-EC RowLoP Role ‘Largely Ornamental’?: SC Judges Split Over EC Appointment Law, Matter Sent To CJIRam Temple Donation Case: SIT Files 74,000-Page Chargesheet Against 8 AccusedSahil Wakode Death Case: CCTV Footage Surfaces; IIT Bombay Sets Up 10-Member Probe Panel’Illegal’ Changes to IT System Row: Timeline of Sandhu & Joshi’s Objections Over Form 6, ECINet, SIRVivek Joshi & SS Sandhu: The 2 Election Commissioners Who ‘Raised Objections’ Over SIR, Form-6CJP Takes On Election Commission After Report; Will This Lead To Next Jantar Mantar? | WatchCEC, ECs And The Power To Decide: What Happens When Election Commissioners Disagree?ECI’s ERONET Controversy: Voter Database Row, Software Errors & 17.6 Million Notices Raise QuestionsJaishankar Meets Rubio At UNGA, Raises India’s Concerns Over Trump’s Russia Sanctions Bill Impact123Hot PicksIBPS PO Prelims Result 2026Bank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysSchool holiday todaySamastipur girl molestationTelangana school holidayMumbai-Pune ExpresswayCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingAsian Games Medal TallyRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court

Milan Pradhan was arrested on September 18 NEW DELHI: The Calcutta high court on Thursday orally directed the West Bengal government to allow arrested Congress candidate Milan Pradhan to contest the upcoming Nandigram assembly bypoll.Justice Saugata Bhattacharya held that Pradhan would not be treated as “arrested” in the 2007 case for which a lower court remanded him to judicial custody until October 7.Pradhan had challenged his arrest in the case, which was not among the 11 cases mentioned before the high court on September 22. The court noted that the state had produced no document showing that a production warrant had been served on the Congress candidate.“It is surprising to note that the said criminal prosecution is of 2007 and the investigating officer made a prayer for treating the petitioner as ‘shown arrest’ on September 19,” the court observed.On September 22 too, the bench had orally asked the West Bengal government to allow Pradhan to contest the Nandigram bypoll, subject to his securing bail in the five cases in which he had been arrested.The court noted that Pradhan was shown “arrested” in the Khejuri police station case after the September 22 hearing.Justice Bhattacharyya directed the police not to take any steps against Pradhan until October 12 in case number 45 of 2007 at Khejuri police station in Purba Medinipur district and ordered that he not be treated as arrested in the case.The court questioned why Pradhan had been arraigned in another case after the state had told it that he was not wanted in any other case.Pradhan’s counsel Ayan Bhattacharjee told the bench he was “unaware” of the Khejuri case and that the prosecution had not disclosed the production warrant to the high court.Additional advocate general Rajdeep Majumdar, appearing for the state, said the Contai ACJM court had issued the warrant on September 19. Pradhan faces charges including murder and attempt to murder in the case.The cases against Pradhan stem from protests against land acquisition by the then Left Front government in Nandigram and Khejuri in 2007. Police said the pending cases include charges of murder, attempt to murder, abduction with intent to murder, rioting with arms and offences under the Arms Act.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHe has filed bail applications in four cases.Pradhan was arrested on September 18, hours after Mamata Banerjee announced that her Trinamool Congress faction would support him after its candidate, Sanchita Pradhan De, withdrew from the Nandigram contest.The Nandigram seat fell vacant after West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari retained Bhabanipur, Mamata Banerjee’s erstwhile stronghold. The bypoll will be held on October 6, with counting on October 9.(With PTI inputs)Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorKaran ManralKaran Manral is a journalist at the Times of India. He covers politics, social issues, and international affairs, exploring stories that affect people’s everyday lives. He also writes explainers to make these stories easier for readers to follow.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Anti-National’ Gyanesh Kumar Must Resign: CJP’s Dipke, Saurav Das List 3 Demands Amid SIR-EC RowLoP Role ‘Largely Ornamental’?: SC Judges Split Over EC Appointment Law, Matter Sent To CJIRam Temple Donation Case: SIT Files 74,000-Page Chargesheet Against 8 AccusedSahil Wakode Death Case: CCTV Footage Surfaces; IIT Bombay Sets Up 10-Member Probe Panel’Illegal’ Changes to IT System Row: Timeline of Sandhu & Joshi’s Objections Over Form 6, ECINet, SIRVivek Joshi & SS Sandhu: The 2 Election Commissioners Who ‘Raised Objections’ Over SIR, Form-6CJP Takes On Election Commission After Report; Will This Lead To Next Jantar Mantar? | WatchCEC, ECs And The Power To Decide: What Happens When Election Commissioners Disagree?ECI’s ERONET Controversy: Voter Database Row, Software Errors & 17.6 Million Notices Raise QuestionsJaishankar Meets Rubio At UNGA, Raises India’s Concerns Over Trump’s Russia Sanctions Bill Impact123Hot PicksIBPS PO Prelims Result 2026Bank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysSchool holiday todaySamastipur girl molestationTelangana school holidayMumbai-Pune ExpresswayCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingAsian Games Medal TallyRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court

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BJP mocks Rahul Gandhi’s presser on EC-SIR row NEW DELHI: The BJP on Thursday mocked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s presser in New Delhi, calling it a “damp squib” and accusing the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha of making false claims.BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari took a swipe at Rahul by twisting the name of his “Chhatron Ki Goonj” initiative, calling the Congress press conference “Jhoot Ki Goonj”.Taking to X, Bhandari wrote: “Rahul Gandhi’s Press was a damp squib! It was “Jhoot Ki Goonj” by a frustrated leader not able to win People’s support through democratic means.”Bhandari then listed what he called two “lies” from Rahul’s press conference and offered his counterpoints as “truths”.The first, according to Bhandari, was Rahul’s claim that there had been no anti-incumbency against the BJP since 2014. Countering it, Bhandari said: “BJP has lost 20 elections since 2014.”His second point was Rahul’s question over how Prime Minister Narendra Modi had managed to win elections consecutively.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesBhandari responded: “Did Congress under Nehru did “Vote Chori”, or does Congress win in Rae Bareilly 16 times in consectutive.”BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi also countered Rahul’s claims in his presser.The BJP’s counterattack came shortly after Rahul launched a fresh broadside at the Centre and the Election Commission over the special intensive revision (SIR), claiming that “all elections are being rigged”.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAbhishek MishraAbhishek Mishra is a Digital Content Producer at The Times of India, working with the news desk. He writes with a keen eye on foreign policy, defence developments, and the shifting currents of geopolitics-and yes, Indian politics always finds a way onto his radar too.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Anti-National’ Gyanesh Kumar Must Resign: CJP’s Dipke, Saurav Das List 3 Demands Amid SIR-EC RowLoP Role ‘Largely Ornamental’?: SC Judges Split Over EC Appointment Law, Matter Sent To CJIRam Temple Donation Case: SIT Files 74,000-Page Chargesheet Against 8 AccusedSahil Wakode Death Case: CCTV Footage Surfaces; IIT Bombay Sets Up 10-Member Probe Panel’Illegal’ Changes to IT System Row: Timeline of Sandhu & Joshi’s Objections Over Form 6, ECINet, SIRVivek Joshi & SS Sandhu: The 2 Election Commissioners Who ‘Raised Objections’ Over SIR, Form-6CJP Takes On Election Commission After Report; Will This Lead To Next Jantar Mantar? | WatchCEC, ECs And The Power To Decide: What Happens When Election Commissioners Disagree?ECI’s ERONET Controversy: Voter Database Row, Software Errors & 17.6 Million Notices Raise QuestionsJaishankar Meets Rubio At UNGA, Raises India’s Concerns Over Trump’s Russia Sanctions Bill Impact123Hot PicksIBPS PO Prelims Result 2026Bank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysSchool holiday todaySamastipur girl molestationTelangana school holidayMumbai-Pune ExpresswayCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingAsian Games Medal TallyRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court

BJP mocks Rahul Gandhi’s presser on EC-SIR row NEW DELHI: The BJP on Thursday mocked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s presser in New Delhi, calling it a “damp squib” and accusing the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha of making false claims.BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari took a swipe at Rahul by twisting the name of his “Chhatron Ki Goonj” initiative, calling the Congress press conference “Jhoot Ki Goonj”.Taking to X, Bhandari wrote: “Rahul Gandhi’s Press was a damp squib! It was “Jhoot Ki Goonj” by a frustrated leader not able to win People’s support through democratic means.”Bhandari then listed what he called two “lies” from Rahul’s press conference and offered his counterpoints as “truths”.The first, according to Bhandari, was Rahul’s claim that there had been no anti-incumbency against the BJP since 2014. Countering it, Bhandari said: “BJP has lost 20 elections since 2014.”His second point was Rahul’s question over how Prime Minister Narendra Modi had managed to win elections consecutively.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesBhandari responded: “Did Congress under Nehru did “Vote Chori”, or does Congress win in Rae Bareilly 16 times in consectutive.”BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi also countered Rahul’s claims in his presser.The BJP’s counterattack came shortly after Rahul launched a fresh broadside at the Centre and the Election Commission over the special intensive revision (SIR), claiming that “all elections are being rigged”.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAbhishek MishraAbhishek Mishra is a Digital Content Producer at The Times of India, working with the news desk. He writes with a keen eye on foreign policy, defence developments, and the shifting currents of geopolitics-and yes, Indian politics always finds a way onto his radar too.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Anti-National’ Gyanesh Kumar Must Resign: CJP’s Dipke, Saurav Das List 3 Demands Amid SIR-EC RowLoP Role ‘Largely Ornamental’?: SC Judges Split Over EC Appointment Law, Matter Sent To CJIRam Temple Donation Case: SIT Files 74,000-Page Chargesheet Against 8 AccusedSahil Wakode Death Case: CCTV Footage Surfaces; IIT Bombay Sets Up 10-Member Probe Panel’Illegal’ Changes to IT System Row: Timeline of Sandhu & Joshi’s Objections Over Form 6, ECINet, SIRVivek Joshi & SS Sandhu: The 2 Election Commissioners Who ‘Raised Objections’ Over SIR, Form-6CJP Takes On Election Commission After Report; Will This Lead To Next Jantar Mantar? | WatchCEC, ECs And The Power To Decide: What Happens When Election Commissioners Disagree?ECI’s ERONET Controversy: Voter Database Row, Software Errors & 17.6 Million Notices Raise QuestionsJaishankar Meets Rubio At UNGA, Raises India’s Concerns Over Trump’s Russia Sanctions Bill Impact123Hot PicksIBPS PO Prelims Result 2026Bank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysSchool holiday todaySamastipur girl molestationTelangana school holidayMumbai-Pune ExpresswayCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingAsian Games Medal TallyRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court

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Delhi High Court dismisses YouTuber Ajeet Bharti’s anticipatory bail plea in caste remarks case NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Thursday refused to grant anticipatory bail to YouTuber Ajeet Bharti in a case over alleged casteist and derogatory remarks against Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad, holding that the plea was not maintainable.Justice Saurabh Banerjee dismissed Bharti’s pre-arrest bail plea, saying a case under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was prima facie made out against him. The court also noted the statutory bar on granting anticipatory bail under the Act.”In view of the fact that a case under the provisions of the SC/ST Act is prima facie made out against the applicant and considering the statutory bar (on grant of bail) under the SC/ST Act, the present petition seeking grant of anticipatory bail is dismissed being not maintainable,” the judge said while pronouncing the verdict.The detailed order is awaited.HC hears arguments from Bharti, police and AzadThe high court had reserved its order on September 16 after hearing arguments from Bharti’s counsel, the Delhi Police and Azad.Bharti had moved the high court after a Delhi trial court rejected his anticipatory bail plea on September 7. The trial court had found that the material before it prima facie disclosed the ingredients of an offence under the SC/ST Act and that the statutory bar on pre-arrest bail applied.Bharti’s counsel argued before the high court that the SC/ST Act was not attracted because there was no intentional insult or humiliation. He said the remarks should be considered in the context in which they were made.His lawyer also argued that Bharti had not used any casteist slur and had made the remarks during an exchange on social media after what he described as serious provocation involving a family member.The Delhi Police opposed the plea, arguing that the words allegedly used by Bharti directly insulted a particular caste. The prosecutor said the remarks were made on a social media platform and not in a closed setting, and contended that the ingredients required to attract the SC/ST Act were present.Azad’s lawyer also opposed the anticipatory bail plea, describing the alleged remarks as derogatory and intentional.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesFIR registered under SC/ST Act, IT Act and BNSAzad, the Bhim Army chief, had complained to the Delhi Police that Bharti made caste-based, abusive, derogatory and humiliating statements against him, members of the Scheduled Caste community and B R Ambedkar on social media.The FIR was registered under provisions of the SC/ST Act, the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).The case relates to remarks allegedly made by Bharti during a programme on social media. The complaint was registered at Delhi’s North Avenue police station.Bharti had challenged the September 7 trial court order, arguing that the allegations did not make out an offence under the SC/ST Act and that custodial interrogation was not required since the material forming the basis of the case was already available in the public domain.The trial court had said its observations were limited to deciding the anticipatory bail plea and did not amount to an opinion on the merits of the case.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosLoP Role ‘Largely Ornamental’?: SC Judges Split Over EC Appointment Law, Matter Sent To CJIRam Temple Donation Case: SIT Files 74,000-Page Chargesheet Against 8 AccusedSahil Wakode Death Case: CCTV Footage Surfaces; IIT Bombay Sets Up 10-Member Probe Panel’Illegal’ Changes to IT System Row: Timeline of Sandhu & Joshi’s Objections Over Form 6, ECINet, SIRVivek Joshi & SS Sandhu: The 2 Election Commissioners Who ‘Raised Objections’ Over SIR, Form-6CJP Takes On Election Commission After Report; Will This Lead To Next Jantar Mantar? | WatchCEC, ECs And The Power To Decide: What Happens When Election Commissioners Disagree?ECI’s ERONET Controversy: Voter Database Row, Software Errors & 17.6 Million Notices Raise QuestionsJaishankar Meets Rubio At UNGA, Raises India’s Concerns Over Trump’s Russia Sanctions Bill ImpactBJP Defends Election Commission Over SIR Row, Challenges Opposition To Impeach CEC In Parliament123Hot PicksIBPS PO Prelims Result 2026Bank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysSchool holiday todaySamastipur girl molestationTelangana school holidayMumbai-Pune ExpresswayCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingAsian Games Medal TallyRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court

Delhi High Court dismisses YouTuber Ajeet Bharti’s anticipatory bail plea in caste remarks case NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Thursday refused to grant anticipatory bail to YouTuber Ajeet Bharti in a case over alleged casteist and derogatory remarks against Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad, holding that the plea was not maintainable.Justice Saurabh Banerjee dismissed Bharti’s pre-arrest bail plea, saying a case under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was prima facie made out against him. The court also noted the statutory bar on granting anticipatory bail under the Act.”In view of the fact that a case under the provisions of the SC/ST Act is prima facie made out against the applicant and considering the statutory bar (on grant of bail) under the SC/ST Act, the present petition seeking grant of anticipatory bail is dismissed being not maintainable,” the judge said while pronouncing the verdict.The detailed order is awaited.HC hears arguments from Bharti, police and AzadThe high court had reserved its order on September 16 after hearing arguments from Bharti’s counsel, the Delhi Police and Azad.Bharti had moved the high court after a Delhi trial court rejected his anticipatory bail plea on September 7. The trial court had found that the material before it prima facie disclosed the ingredients of an offence under the SC/ST Act and that the statutory bar on pre-arrest bail applied.Bharti’s counsel argued before the high court that the SC/ST Act was not attracted because there was no intentional insult or humiliation. He said the remarks should be considered in the context in which they were made.His lawyer also argued that Bharti had not used any casteist slur and had made the remarks during an exchange on social media after what he described as serious provocation involving a family member.The Delhi Police opposed the plea, arguing that the words allegedly used by Bharti directly insulted a particular caste. The prosecutor said the remarks were made on a social media platform and not in a closed setting, and contended that the ingredients required to attract the SC/ST Act were present.Azad’s lawyer also opposed the anticipatory bail plea, describing the alleged remarks as derogatory and intentional.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesFIR registered under SC/ST Act, IT Act and BNSAzad, the Bhim Army chief, had complained to the Delhi Police that Bharti made caste-based, abusive, derogatory and humiliating statements against him, members of the Scheduled Caste community and B R Ambedkar on social media.The FIR was registered under provisions of the SC/ST Act, the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).The case relates to remarks allegedly made by Bharti during a programme on social media. The complaint was registered at Delhi’s North Avenue police station.Bharti had challenged the September 7 trial court order, arguing that the allegations did not make out an offence under the SC/ST Act and that custodial interrogation was not required since the material forming the basis of the case was already available in the public domain.The trial court had said its observations were limited to deciding the anticipatory bail plea and did not amount to an opinion on the merits of the case.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosLoP Role ‘Largely Ornamental’?: SC Judges Split Over EC Appointment Law, Matter Sent To CJIRam Temple Donation Case: SIT Files 74,000-Page Chargesheet Against 8 AccusedSahil Wakode Death Case: CCTV Footage Surfaces; IIT Bombay Sets Up 10-Member Probe Panel’Illegal’ Changes to IT System Row: Timeline of Sandhu & Joshi’s Objections Over Form 6, ECINet, SIRVivek Joshi & SS Sandhu: The 2 Election Commissioners Who ‘Raised Objections’ Over SIR, Form-6CJP Takes On Election Commission After Report; Will This Lead To Next Jantar Mantar? | WatchCEC, ECs And The Power To Decide: What Happens When Election Commissioners Disagree?ECI’s ERONET Controversy: Voter Database Row, Software Errors & 17.6 Million Notices Raise QuestionsJaishankar Meets Rubio At UNGA, Raises India’s Concerns Over Trump’s Russia Sanctions Bill ImpactBJP Defends Election Commission Over SIR Row, Challenges Opposition To Impeach CEC In Parliament123Hot PicksIBPS PO Prelims Result 2026Bank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysSchool holiday todaySamastipur girl molestationTelangana school holidayMumbai-Pune ExpresswayCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingAsian Games Medal TallyRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court

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