Row over Bengaluru orphanage: NCPCR chief booked for trespassing and passing derogatory remark
Bengaluru, Nov 24: Bengaluru Police have registered an FIR against National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) Chairman Priyank Kanoongo over alleged trespassing into an orphanage and stating that the children there are living a "medieval Taliban life", officials said on Friday.
Darul Uloom Sayideeya Yateemkhana came into the spotlight after an NCPCR team headed by its chief conducted a surprise inspection at the orphanage on November 19 in the presence of the District Child Protection Officer (East) along with other officials.
Following the visit, the orphanage’s secretary, Ashraf Khan filed a complaint at DJ Halli police alleged that Kanoongo trespassed into the premises claiming to be from the Human Rights Commission and without permission on November 19
Kanoongo also recorded a video on his phone and shared it on social media, the complaint alleged.
Khan also accused the NCPCR chairman of comparing the lives of children living in the orphanage to that under Taliban rule.
"Based on the complaint received, an FIR was registered against the NCPCR chairman on November 21 under sections 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention), 447 (criminal trespass), 448 (house trespass), and 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the Indian Penal Code,” a senior police officer said.
"I was also accompanied by other state government officials of Karnataka. Despite that, they have registered a case of criminal trespass… If you keep children illegally in your house and do not follow the rules of the government, we will keep going again…," he said.
The NCPCR chairman had also asked the chief secretary of the Karnataka government to ensure that an FIR be registered against the Bengaluru-based orphanage for alleged non-compliance with the Juvenile Justice Act.
In a letter to the chief secretary, the NCPCR said the orphanage is not registered under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 and that it does not fulfill the infrastructural requirements for accommodating such a large number of children.
There were five rooms of approximately 100 square feet and each room had four bunk beds for eight children and 16 children slept on four bunk beds placed in the corridor. Around 150 children sleep in two big halls used for prayer, it said.
"None of these children are sent to school, violating their fundamental right to education. No recreational facility such as play material or TV is available in the orphanage. The condition in which children are kept in the orphanage amounts to violation of Section 75 of the JJ Act, 2015," the NCPCR said in its letter.
The Commission has also sought an action taken report within seven days of issuance of the letter.
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Sanjay Raut demands re-election, alleges irregularities in EVMs during Maharashtra polls
Mumbai, Nov 25: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday demanded a re-election in Maharashtra using ballot papers, claiming there were irregularities with the electronic voting machines (EVMs).
Talking to reporters, Raut alleged several complaints about EVMs malfunctioning and questioned the integrity of the recently held elections.
The BJP-led Mahayuti won 230 out of 288 seats in the assembly elections, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi managed 46 seats, with Shiv Sena (UBT) winning just 20 out of 95 seats it contested.
"We have received nearly 450 complaints regarding EVMs. Despite raising objections repeatedly, no action has been taken on these issues. How can we say these elections were conducted fairly? Hence, I demand that the results be set aside and elections be held again using ballot papers," Raut said.
Citing some instances, he said a candidate in Nashik reportedly received only four votes despite having 65 votes from his family, while in Dombivli, discrepancies were found in EVM tallies, and election officials refused to acknowledge the objections.
The Sena (UBT) leader also questioned the credibility of the landslide victories of some candidates, saying, "What revolutionary work have they done to receive more than 1.5 lakh votes? Even leaders who recently switched parties have become MLAs. This raises suspicions. For the first time, a senior leader like Sharad Pawar has expressed doubts about EVMs, which cannot be ignored."
Asked about the MVA's poor performance in the elections, Raut rejected the idea of blaming a single individual.
"We fought as a united MVA. Even a leader like Sharad Pawar, who commands immense respect in Maharashtra, faced defeat. This shows that we need to analyse the reasons behind the failure. One of the reasons is EVM irregularities and the misuse of the system, unconstitutional practices, and even judicial decisions left unresolved by Justice Chandrachud," he said.
Raut stressed that though internal differences might have existed within the MVA, the failure was collective.
He also accused the Mahayuti of conducting the elections in an unfair manner.
"I cannot call the elections fair given the numerous reports of discrepancies in EVMs, mismatched numbers, and vote irregularities across the state," Raut said.
