Four sentenced to life imprisonment in Shivamogga murder case
Shivamogga: The Shivamogga 2nd Additional District and Sessions Court has sentenced four youths to life imprisonment in connection with a murder case reported in 2022.
The convicts, identified as Shahbaz Sharif (20) of Milaghatta, Wasim Akram alias Che Ungli (20) of Tempo Stand, Wasim Akram alias Kala Wasim (20) of Budha Nagar, and Fayaz Ullah Rehman alias Ruman (23) of Murad Nagar, were found guilty of murdering Zikrullah (28), a mechanic from Hosalli in Shivamogga taluk.
The incident occurred on March 19, 2022, following an altercation between Zikrullah and Gas Imran over a parking issue in Budda Nagar. Zikrullah had also previously been involved in a dispute with another individual named Twist Imran. In this context, Shahbaz, Ruman, Wasim, Kala Wasim, and others attacked him with deadly weapons near Falak Shadi Mahal on NT Road. Zikrullah was rushed to Government Meggan Hospital but succumbed to his injuries the following day.
A complaint was lodged by the victim’s brother at Doddapet Police Station, leading to an investigation by Inspector Anjan Kumar. The accused were arrested, and a chargesheet was filed in court.
Judge Pallavi B.R. sentenced the four convicts to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹30,000 on each. Government prosecutor P.O. Pushpa represented the prosecution in the case.
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Catholic Bishops' body slams Bhagwat's remarks
New Delhi: The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India on Thursday slammed RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for his reported remark that Pranab Mukherjee, when he was President, had said tribals would turn "anti-national" if there is no "ghar wapsi"Catholic Bishops.'
In a statement issued here, CBCI, a body of Catholic Bishops, referred to reports which said Bhagwat, at an event on Monday, claimed that Mukherjee, while he was President had appreciated ghar wapsi and told him that had it not been for the Sangh's work on reconversion, a section of Adivasis would have turned "anti-national".The CBCI called the report "shocking".
"Fabricated personal conversation being attributed to a former president of India and its posthumous publication with the vested interest of an organization with questionable credibility raises a grave issue of national importance," the CBCI claimed.
"Is it not the violent ghar wapsi program of VHP and other similar organizations, curtailing the exercise of freedom of conscience of economically deprived tribals, the real anti-national activity?" it asked.
'Ghar wapsi' is a term used by the RSS and affiliated organisations to refer to reconversion of Muslims and Christians to Hinduism, based on the belief that they were originally Hindus before converting to other religions.
The CBCI also questioned why Bhagwat did not speak about it while Mukherjee was alive.
"We, the 2.3 percent of Indian citizens who are Christians feel extremely hurt by such manipulated and motivated propaganda unleashed," it said.
In a post on X following the statement issued by CBCI, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien said, "Speak up. This is a start!"
"Bishops body have issued a statement condemning remarks made by Dr Mohan Bhagwat and RSS for defaming the Christian community," he said.
O'Brien added that they should ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi more questions, including why Christmas Day has been turned into "Good Governance Day".
The TMC leader, in a blogpost earlier this month, had said "hard questions" must be asked to the government with regards to the Christian community, including why the FCRA has been 'weaponised', and why has Manipur been 'ignored'.
