MP Police book Sanjay Raut for false remarks on Ladli Behna Yojana
Bhopal (PTI): Madhya Pradesh Police on Wednesday registered an FIR against Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut for allegedly making misleading remarks over the state government's flagship Ladli Behna Yojana, an official said.
The case was registered this evening by the Bhopal crime branch after a complaint was lodged by BJP's Mahila Morcha district unit president Vandana Jachak and its vice president Sushma Chouhan, Deputy Commissioner of Police Akhil Patel told PTI.
The complaint against Raut was lodged hours after Chief Minister Mohan Yadav alleged leaders of the Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Uddhav Thackeray were trying to mislead voters out of fear of losing the upcoming Maharashtra assembly polls.
Raut had claimed that the Ladli Behna Yojana of the Madhya Pradesh government had been shut as it was only a political game while referring to a similar scheme launched for providing financial assistance to women in Maharashtra.
Under the Ladli Behna Yojana in Madhya Pradesh, the government provides Rs 1,250 per month to women beneficiaries.
Raut has been booked under sections 353 (2) (circulating statements containing false information) and 356 (2) (Defamation) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).
The complainants accused Raut of deliberately making a misleading statement that the Ladli Behna Yojana had been shut.
Raut's remarks are aimed at maligning the image of MP CM Mohan Yadav and also hurt the sentiments of women beneficiaries of the state government's scheme getting monthly aid of Rs 1,250, the FIR said.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) MP made this misleading statement as part of a conspiracy to disrupt the law and order situation and create disharmony through wrong information, the FIR stated.
Notably, the Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti government in Maharashtra launched the 'Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana' in August modelled on the MP government's scheme.
Under the Maharashtra welfare scheme, eligible women aged 21-65 are provided Rs 1,500 per month.
The 'Ladli Behna Yojana' was introduced by then Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
"Sanjay Raut, please come to Madhya Pradesh and see. Ever since the Ladli Behna Yojana has been started, this amount of respect is being sent every month to the accounts of 1.29 crore sisters of the state," CM Yadav stated on X earlier on Wednesday.
Thackeray's party, due to the fear of defeat in Maharashtra elections, wants to mislead the sisters, who will reply to this in the Maharashtra polls, he said.
"Certainly, this scheme will prove to be an unprecedented step for women empowerment in Maharashtra too," Yadav stated.
The CM further said the MP government had transferred the amount for this month under the scheme into the bank accounts of women beneficiaries, to mark Rani Durgawati Jayanti on October 5.
He appealed to voters not to believe in such repeated conspiracies (referring to Raut's remarks), asserting that no one can think of stopping this scheme meant for women's empowerment.
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.
NADA suspends Bajrang Punia for four years for violation of anti-doping code
New Delhi, Nov 26: The National Anti-Doping Agency on Tuesday suspended Bajrang Punia for four years for his refusal to provide his sample for dope test on March 10 during selection trials for the national team.
NADA had first suspended the Tokyo Games bronze medallist wrestler on April 23 for the offence following which, the World Governing body UWW had also suspended him.
Bajrang had appealed against the provisional suspension and NADA’s Anti-Disciplinary Doping panel (ADDP) had revoked it on May 31 till NADA issues the notice of charge.
NADA, then on June 23 served the notice to the wrestler.
Bajrang, who joined Congress along with fellow wrestler Vinesh Phogat and was given charge of All India Kisan Congress, had challenged the charge on July 11 in a written submission following which hearings were held on September 20 and October 4.
"The Panel holds that the Athlete is liable for sanctions under Article 10.3.1 and liable for ineligibility for a period of 4 years," the ADDP said in its order.
The suspension means that Bajrang will not be able to return to competitive wrestling and apply for a coaching job abroad, if he aspires to.
"In the present case, since the Athlete had been provisionally suspended, the Panel accordingly holds that the Athlete’s period of his ineligibility for the period of 4 years shall commence from the date on which the notification was sent, i.e., 23.04.2024.
"Needless to say that on account of the lifting of the provisional suspension for the period from 31.05.2024 to 21.06.2024 shall not be credited into the total period of ineligibility of four years."
Bajrang has maintained since the beginning that he was given extremely prejudicial and unfair treatment with respect to doping control because of his involvement in the protest against former WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Bajrang also maintained that he never refused to give sample but only demanded to know NADA’s response to his email where he sought answer why expired kits were sent to take his samples in December 2023.
NADA also explained the reason for its action, saying that the Chaperone/DCO had duly approached him and informed that he was required to provide a urine sample for dope analysis purposes.
Bajrang in his written submission said that the conduct of NADA in two previous instances had created mistrust in the athlete's mind, especially with NADA failing to acknowledge or even respond to their callous approach towards the doping control process in both such instances, the failure to take responsibility for their action pertaining to their dispersal of duties meant that the athlete was morally bound to take a stance in resort as a senior athlete who holds a voice in the sporting community.
Bajrang also said "it was not an outright refusal per se. The athlete was always willing to provide his sample provided that he first received a response from NADA concerning the use of expired kits."
However NADA said, "the outright refusal by the athlete to provide urine sample for the dope test was intentional and deliberate" and that "Athlete has demonstrated utter disregard towards his duties and responsibilities as per Articles 20.1 & 20.2 of the Anti Doping Rules, 2021."
