SC dismisses singer Neha Rathore's plea to quash FIR against over her social media posts
New Delhi, Oct 13 (PTI): Go and face trial, the Supreme Court told singer and activist Neha Singh Rathore on Monday while refusing to entertain her plea challenging an FIR against her over a social media post on the Pahalgam terror attack. The apex court also clarified that it was not expressing any opinion on the merits of the case.
A bench of Justices J K Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi said that at this stage it is not interfering in the issue of the "charge of mutiny" (endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India).
The top court also granted her liberty to raise the issues at the time of framing of charges.
"It is merely a rejection of quashing. Go and face trial," the bench said.
The singer had moved the apex court challenging a September 19 order of the Allahabad High Court which refused to quash the FIR.
The FIR accused Rathore of targeting a particular religious community and threatening the unity of the country. She challenged the FIR filed against her by a Abhay Pratap Singh at the Hazratganj Police Station in the last week of April. Singh accused Rathore of having "repeatedly attempted to incite one community against another on religious grounds".
Rathore contended in her plea that she had been wrongfully implicated under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including promoting communal hatred, disturbing public peace, and endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.
She also faces charges under the Information Technology Act.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Rain fury in Guwahati: 1 killed, roads submerged, traffic hit
Guwahati (PTI): At least one person died, and normal life was severely disrupted in Guwahati on Monday after torrential overnight rains triggered widespread flooding, leaving roads submerged, homes inundated, and traffic paralysed across the city.
The IMD said Khanapara recorded 215.9 mm of rainfall, and forecast a generally cloudy sky with a few spells of rain or thundershowers over the next 24 hours.
The Assam capital witnessed heavy rainfall through Sunday night and early Monday, leading to knee-deep water on most roads, with water levels reaching chest height in some areas.
Flooding was reported from Zoo Road, RG Baruah Road, GS Road, Nabin Nagar, Anil Nagar, Hatigaon, Ganeshguri, Barmotoria, Boragaon, Sarumotoria, Narengi, Sawkuchi, Satgaon, Sijubari, Juripar, Gita Nagar, Maligaon, Hedayetpur, Guwahati Club, Ulubari, Lachit Nagar, Chandmari, Panjabari, Jorabat, Tarun Nagar, Jatia, Jyotikuchi, Ghoramara, VIP Road, Rajgarh Road, Rukminigaon, Survey and Chatribari, among others.
Scores of vehicles were stranded after their engines failed as water entered the engines.
ALSO READ: Northwest, central, adjoining east India to witness heatwave conditions for next 4-5 days: IMD
In its situation report, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said a woman died after falling into a drain at Maligaon Chariali near the Northeast Frontier Railway headquarters.
The deceased was identified as Payal Nath, whose body was recovered by police with the help of Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES), it added.
The Kamrup Metropolitan District administration, covering mostly the state capital, ordered the closure of all government and private schools on Monday due to "the flash flood caused by heavy rains".
ASDMA said that F&ES and SDRF personnel have deployed several teams across the city with motorised boats to rescue marooned people.
"So far, around 50 people have been evacuated from the affected areas. DDMA Kamrup Metropolitan has informed that the water level is receding and 22 major pumps and 35 portable pumps are in operation in various locations to drain out the water," it added.
As it was a working day, massive traffic jams were reported on almost all roads, with vehicles stranded due to flooded roads. Ambulances were stuck for hours, with patients facing severe hardship. Power cuts were also reported in many areas.
The Kamrup Metropolitan District Commissioner, who is also the District Election Officer, said there was waterlogging at the Maniram Dewan Trade Centre, where polled EVMs are stored.
In a statement, the official said the machines were "completely safe and unaffected" despite the waterlogging.
"Although there was temporary waterlogging in and around certain parts of the campus due to heavy rainfall, no water has entered the main building housing the strong room," it added.
The accumulated water has already receded, and adequate arrangements, including pumping facilities, have been put in place to handle any exigency, the DEO asserted.
The IMD has predicted continued inclement weather over Guwahati for the next seven days, with thundershowers expected.
It said there will be generally cloudy skies with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers, while the maximum and minimum temperatures are most likely to be 30 degree Celsius and 21 degree Celsius, respectively.
Quoting IMD predictions, the ASDMA in a statement said the weather pattern suggests that more intense rainfall is likely to occur in all parts of Assam, including the capital city.
"In Guwahati city, continued downpours could aggravate waterlogging, slow vehicular movement, and increase the risk of tree falls and localised landslides in vulnerable pockets. City authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and emergency response systems are being kept on alert," it added.
In view of the situation, the ASDMA requested all the people of Guwahati to take all necessary precautions and remain vigilant.
"Daily commuters and long-distance travellers are requested to plan their routines accordingly, avoiding unnecessary movement during periods of intense rainfall. Residents in low-lying and hillside areas should stay alert for any signs of flooding or landslides," it added.
People have also been urged to stay tuned to official weather updates and follow advisories issued by local authorities to ensure safety during this prolonged spell of rain.
The Gauhati High Court in August 2024 said time had come to deal with the problem of perennial flooding in the state capital and the government was required to take steps to resolve this problem permanently, asking to submit a plan to mitigate the crisis.
Stating that the Assam government was "not serious" in solving perennial waterlogging problems in the state capital, the Gauhati High Court had come down heavily for not responding to its repeated notice and slapped a fine of Rs 1,000 each on four departments concerned.
