India cautions New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani over remarks on Umar Khalid case
New Delhi: The Indian government said that public representatives in other democracies are expected to respect the independence of the judiciary, in a response to reports that New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani had written a letter to jailed activist Umar Khalid.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, addressing a press briefing on Friday, said that expressing personal prejudices did not befit those holding public office and advised elected representatives to focus on the responsibilities entrusted to them rather than commenting on judicial matters in another country.
The response followed disclosures earlier this month that Mamdani had sent a handwritten letter to Khalid in December. The letter was reportedly handed over to Khalid’s parents during their visit to the United States. In the note, Mamdani referred to Khalid’s writings on bitterness and expressed solidarity, stating that he and others were thinking of him.
Earlier this week, the Supreme Court declined to grant bail to Khalid and fellow activist Sharjeel Imam, while allowing bail to five other accused in the same case. The court, however, said Khalid and Imam could renew their bail pleas after the examination of all protected witnesses or after one year.
Mamdani, in 2023, before being elected mayor of New York City, read excerpts from Khalid’s writings at an event in New York ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the city, which had drawn attention to Khalid’s detention and the denial of bail.
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Elderly woman killed, robbed on outskirts of Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): A 69-year-old woman was allegedly murdered and robbed of her gold ornaments at her residence on the city’s outskirts while her paralysed husband was present, police said Thursday.
The incident occurred on Pete Street in Nelamangala, where Shobha lived with her husband, who is paralysed and bedridden, police said.
For the past decade, she had been the sole caregiver for her husband. The couple had no children and lived a secluded life, according to police.
A video from the scene showed the woman lying in a pool of blood, with her husband beside her on the same bed, they said.
The accused, Shivakumar, a wholesale shop owner who has been arrested in the case, allegedly targeted her to clear a debt of Rs 8 lakh, police said.
The crime came to light on Wednesday evening when her husband’s physiotherapist arrived for a scheduled session. Upon finding Shobha’s lifeless body in a pool of blood, the doctor immediately alerted the local authorities, police officials said.
According to police, at approximately 4 pm on the day of the incident, the accused, Shivakumar, a resident of the same locality, noticed Shobha wearing gold jewellery. He allegedly followed her to her residence with a premeditated plan.
Shivakumar entered the house under the guise of being thirsty, asking Shobha for a glass of water. Once inside, and believing she was alone, he attacked her. When Shobha attempted to resist, the accused allegedly slit her throat, a senior police officer said.
After the murder, Shivakumar fled the scene with more than 100 grams of gold jewellery worn by the victim, police said.
By analysing CCTV footage from the surrounding area, police identified Shivakumar and tracked him down, they added.
