"My phone was tapped," says Mamata Banerjee, blames centre
KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday urged the centre to launch an investigation into messaging service WhatsApp's announcement that unnamed entities had used Israeli spyware to snoop on journalists and human rights activists.
"This is very serious. I will request Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that the matter is probed," she said, citing reports alleging central involvement in the snooping row.
The Trinamool Congress chief described the situation in the country as "quite serious". "Where is our freedom of speech? What independence do we have now that we cannot even talk freely over the phone? Somebody is listening to everything we say," news agency PTI quoted her as saying. "We used to think that WhatsApp messages can't be intercepted, but even that hasn't been spared. Neither landline phones nor mobile phones are safe - it's total espionage."
Ms Banerjee also accused the centre of tapping her phone on multiple occasions. "My phone was tapped, and I know that because I have the information and evidence with me. The government knows it because they are the ones doing it. This is happening at the behest of the central government and two-three state governments. I will not name the states, but one of them is ruled by the BJP," she said.
Courtesy: NDTV.com
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Mangaluru: Man sentenced to 20 years rigorous imprisonment in POCSO case
Mangaluru: A court in Mangaluru has sentenced a 44-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment in connection with a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
According to Deccan Herald, the Additional District and Sessions Judge, FTSC-II (POCSO), Maanu K S, delivered the judgment.
The convict has been identified as Dayanand Moolya (44).
According to Special Public Prosecutor Sahana Devi Boloor, the incident occurred on November 16, 2025, when a seven-year-old girl was studying alone at home and the accused illegally entered the house and raped her. He threatened to kill her and throw her into a well if she revealed it to anyone.
The survivor later informed her mother, following which a complaint was registered at Mulki Police Station on November 22. Police Inspector Manjunath B S investigated the case and submitted the charge sheet to the court.
For the rape, under POCSO Section 6, along with Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act 65(2) and POCSO 4(2), the man has been sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 30,000. For illegal entry into the house, under BNS Section 332(B), the convict has been sentenced to three years of simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000. For issuing death threats, under BNS Section 351(3), he has been sentenced to two years of simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000.
The court also directed payment of Rs 4 lakh as compensation to the survivor, including Rs 40,000 from the fine amount, and instructed the District Legal Services Authority to provide the remaining Rs 3.60 lakh.
