Police rescue 600 people from clutches of fraudsters in Bihar
Motihari (Bihar), (PTI): Nearly 600 people, including 79 minors, were rescued from the clutches of fraudsters in Bihar's East Champaran district, the police said on Monday.
The police also arrested three persons associated with a firm that allegedly used to lure youths and minors with fake job offers, only to hold them captive and extort money from their families.
“Acting on a tip-off, police raided the premises of the private firm in the Raxaul area of East Champaran district and rescued 495 youths and 79 minor boys from its premises," the East Champaran Police said in a statement.
The police arrested three persons and launched a manhunt to nab 17 absconding accused who have been named in the FIR, it said.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the firm used to detain people even for months after promising them jobs.
“Persons associated with the firm also extorted Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 from the parents of the victims. Investigations also revealed that victims were subjected to physical and psychological abuse by the accused," the statement said.
All 79 rescued minor boys were handed over to the Child Welfare Committee of Motihari, the district headquarters of East Champaran.
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Parliament passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025
New Delhi (PTI): Parliament early Friday passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after it was approved by the Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha had on Thursday approved the Bill after over a 12-hour debate.
In Rajya Sabha, the Bill got 128 votes in its favour and 95 against after all the amendments moved by the opposition were rejected.
In the lower house, the bill was supported by 288 MPs while 232 voted against it.
Participating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill was brought with a number of amendments based on suggestions given by various stakeholders.
"The Waqf Board is a statutory body. All government bodies should be secular," the minister said, explaining the inclusion of non-Muslims on the board.
He, however, said the number of non-Muslims has been restricted to only four out of 22.
Rijiju also alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties, and not the BJP, were trying to scare Muslims with the Waqf Bill.
"You (opposition) are pushing Muslims out of the mainstream," he added.
He said for 60 years, the Congress and others ruled the country, but did not do much for Muslims and the community continues to live in poverty.
"Muslims are poor, who is responsible? You (Congress) are. Modi is now leading the government to uplift them," the minister said.
According to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Waqf tribunals will be strengthened, a structured selection process will be maintained, and a tenure will be fixed to ensure efficient dispute resolution.
As per the Bill, while Waqf institutions' mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors.
A centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, improving efficiency and transparency.
The Bill proposes that practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to the Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.
It stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans.
The Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as Waqf.
It also proposes that non-Muslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity.
