US watching Rahul Gandhi's case in Indian courts: Official
Washington (PTI): The United States is watching the court case of Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi, an official has said while observing that Washington continues to engage with India on the shared commitment towards democratic principles and the protection of human rights, including freedom of expression.
Gandhi was on March 23 sentenced to two years in jail by a Surat court in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his "why all thieves have Modi surname" remark. A day later, he was disqualified from the Lok Sabha from the date of his conviction in the case.
"Respect for the rule of law and judicial independence is a cornerstone of any democracy. We are watching Mr Gandhi's case in Indian courts and we engage with the Government of India on our shared commitment to democratic values, including, freedom of expression," the State Department's Deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters at a news conference on Monday.
"In our engagements with our Indian partners, we continue to highlight the importance of democratic principles and the protection of human rights, including freedom of expression, as a key to strengthening both our democracies," he said.
Responding to a question, Patel said it is normal and standard for the United States to engage with members of opposition parties in any country where it has bilateral relationships.
Opposition parties in India stepped up their offensive against the Narendra Modi government and observed a "black day for democracy" on Monday, three days after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was disqualified from the Lok Sabha.
The BJP condemned the ruckus created by the Opposition in Parliament and accused the Congress of resorting to "low-level politics" in its bid to justify Gandhi's remarks against the OBC community.
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.
Man accused in criminal case arrested at Mangaluru Airport upon arrival from abroad
Mangaluru (Karnataka) (PTI): A man who had been absconding abroad for nearly two years in connection with a criminal case registered against him was arrested at Mangaluru International Airport upon his return to the country, police said on Wednesday.
The accused was identified as Ibrahim Batees, a resident of Bantwal taluk, they said.
He was wanted in a case registered against him in 2019 under Sections 427 (mischief causing damage), 504 (intentional insult), 394 (voluntarily causing hurt in committing robbery), and 341 (wrongful restraint) of the IPC, along with Section 2(A) of the Prevention of Destruction and Loss of Property Act at Vitla police station, police said.
The accused had failed to appear before the court for trial proceedings and had been evading arrest by staying overseas, they said.
According to police, acting on specific information about his arrival from Middle East country, personnel from Vitla police station, with the assistance of the immigration authorities at Mangaluru International Airport, detained him soon after he landed here on Tuesday.
He was arrested and produced before the jurisdictional court, which remanded him to judicial custody until March 7, 2026, they said.
Further investigation into the case is underway.
