RASHTRIYA SAHARA, Varanasi, 20.8.2021 Page No. 1, Size:(28.83)cms X (11.34)cms. PIONEER, Ranchi, 20.8.2021 Page No. 1, Size:(13.12)cms X (18.39)cms. DAINIK BHASKAR, Panipat, 20.8.2021 Page No. 1, Size:(20.20)cms X (13.15)cms. NEWS NATION, Online, 20.8.2021 Page No. 0, Size:(0)cms X (0)cms.

ममता को कोलकाता HC का झटका, CBI करेगी चुनाव बाद हसं ा क जाचं https://www.newsnationtv.com/india/news/kolkata-high-court-orders-cbi-probe-in-post- poll-violence-jolt-to-mamata-banerjee-203500.html पिचम बंगाल () क मुयमंी ममता बनज (Mamta Banerjee) के लए यह कसी झटके से कम नहं है. कोलकाता हाईकोट ने वधानसभा चनु ाव बाद हुई हसं ा क जांच सीबीआई (CBI) से कराने के नदश दए ह. यह जांच अदालत क नगरानी म होगी. इसके साथ ह हाईकोट म ऐसे मामल क जांच के लए पेशल इवेिटगेशन टम (SIT) के गठन पर भी सहमत दे द है. इस एसआईट म पिचम बंगाल कैडर के वरठ अधकार भी मौजूद रहगे. ात जानकार के मुताबक एनएचआरसी ने अपनी ारंभक जांच म चुनाव बाद हसं ा के लए ममता सरकार को दोषी ठहराते हुए सीबीआई को जांच सपने क सफारश क थी

पांच सदयीय पीठ ने दया फैसला कोलकाता हाईकोट ने पिचम बंगाल म चुनाव बाद हसं ा क नप जांच कराने क मांग वाल जनहत याचकाओं पर फै सला सुनाया. अदालत क नगरानी म सीबीआई जांच का यह फैसला कायवाहक चीफ जिटस राजेश बदं ल क अयता वाल पांच सदयीय पीठ ने सुनाया. गौरतलब है क राय मानवाधकार आयोग को ह इसी पीठ ने जांच समत गठत करने के आदेश दए थ.े अदालती आदेश पर गठत समत ने अपनी रपोट म चुनाब बाद हसं ा के लए ममता सरकार को दोषी करार देते हुए सीबीआई जांच क सफारश क थी.

टएमसी क जीत के बाद बीजेपी के कायकता ओं से हसं ा गौरतलब है क 2 मई को संपन हुए पिचम बंगाल वधानसभा चनु ाव म बीजपे ी के बड़े दाव से इतर जीत हासल कर टएमसी के बैनर तले ममता बनज तीसर बार सीएम बनी थीं. उनके सीएम बनते ह राय म बीजपे ी कायकता ओं पर हसं ा क खबर आने लगी. सैकड़ क तादाद म बीजेपी कायकता असम भाग कर पहुंचे थे. इसके बाद ममता सरकार के खलाफ सीबीआई जांच क मांग उठने लगी, िजसे ममता सरकार ने सरे से खारज कर दया. हालांक एनएचआरसी क रपोट के बाद हाईकोट ने गु वार को सीबीआई जांच का फैसला देकर ममता सरकार को बड़ा झटका दया है.

एनएचआरसी क समत ने पाया ममता सरकार को दोषी इससे पहले 3 अगत को उच यायालय ने मामले से जुड़ी जनहत याचकाओं पर आदेश सुरत रख लया था. जनहत याचकाओं पर सुनवाई करने वाल पांच यायाधीश क पीठ के नदश पर एनएचआरसी क सात सदयीय जांच समत ने अपनी रपोट म बलाकार और NEWS NATION, Online, 20.8.2021 Page No. 0, Size:(0)cms X (0)cms.

हया जैसे गंभीर अपराध क जांच सीबीआई को सपने क सफारश क थी. साथ ह समत ने यह भी सुझाव दया था क इन मामल क सुनवाई पिचम बंगाल के बाहर होनी चाहए.

THE WIRE, Online, 20.8.2021 Page No. 0, Size:(0)cms X (0)cms.

मानवाधकार आयोग पैनल ने आपराधक याय णाल म सुधार क धीमी गत पर चतं ा जताई http://thewirehindi.com/182727/nhrc-core-group-expresses-concern-over-slow-pace-of- reforms-in-criminal-justice-system/ राय मानवाधकार आयोग के एक वशेष समूह ने बुधवार को आपराधक याय णाल म सुधार क ‘धीमी गत’ पर बुधवार को चतं ा कट क.

आयोग ने ‘आपराधक याय णाल पर कोर समूह’ क पहल बैठक का आयोजन कया था.

मानवाधकार आयोग ने एक बयान म कहा क यह महसूस कया गया क मामल के नतारण म वलंब वचाराधीन और सजायाता कै दय के मानवाधकार का उलंघन है.

उसने कहा, ‘आपराधक यायक णाल म सुधार क धीमी गत पर गंभीर चतं ा कट करते हुए वरत याय सुनिचत करने को कहा.’

जिटस (सेवानवृ ) एमएम कु मार ने बैठक क अयता करते हुए कहा क आपराधक याय णाल म वरत सुधार म पु लस क यवथा महवपूण है.

उहने कहा क उचतम यायालय के आदेश समेत कई यास के बावजूद जमीनी हककत म बहुत यादा बदलाव नह ं हुआ है.

मानवाधकार आयोग के मुख जिटस (सेवानवृ ) अण कु मार मा ने कहा क दतावेज के डिजटलकरण से नप और वरत जांच एवं सुनवाई म मदद मलेगी.

समाचार एजसी पीटआई के मुताबक, मा ने कहा क न के वल सुनवाई म देर होती है, बिक कसी यित को दोषी ठहराने वाले अदालत के आदेश को लागू करने म भी साल लग जाते ह, जो चतं ा का वषय है.

एनएचआरसी के सदय डीएम मलु े ने पहले कहा था क दोषसध क दर आवयक पु लस और शासनक सुधार क कमी का परणाम है. उहने कहा क जज क भी कमी है.

वचार-वमश के लए एजडा नधारत करते हुए एनएचआरसी के महासचव, बबं ाधर धान ने कहा क एक अनुमान के अनुसार, सु ीम कोट, उच यायालय और िजला अदालत म लगभग 4.4 करोड़ मामले लंबत ह. THE WIRE, Online, 20.8.2021 Page No. 0, Size:(0)cms X (0)cms.

उहने कहा क माच 2020 से लंबत मामल म लगभग 70 लाख और मामले जोड़े गए ह.

उहने कहा क आपराधक याय णाल म पीड़त के अधकार और माट पु लसगं क ओर अधक यान देने क आवयकता है.

एनएचआरसी के जांच महानदेशक संतोष मेहरा ने कहा क लोग को समय पर याय सु निचत करने के हत म जनसंया के अनुपात म वभन पु लस थान म पु लसकमय क कमी पर ाथमकता से वचार करने क जरत है.

चचा के दौरान जो कु छ महवपूण सुझाव सामने आए उनम पदानुम के नचले रक के पु लसकमय के बीच वभन कानून के बारे म जागकता बढ़ाना शामल था.

पु लस अधकारय क दोषसध क दर और उनके वारा कानून का पालन न करने के परणामवप मानवाधकार के उलंघन पर यान देने क आवयकता है.

साथ ह यह सुझाव दया गया क जनसांियकय े म शकायत क संया के अनुपात म पु लसकमय और पुलस टेशन क संया को बढ़ाने क जरत है.

बैठक म सहानुभूतपूण कायवाह सुनिचत करने के लए आपराधक याय णाल म सामािजक कायकता ओं और मनोवैानक का परचय, वशेष प से लगं संवेदकरण, बाल अधकार, मानवाधकार और अपराध के पीड़त के पुनवास के संबंध म शण काय म और शण मॉयूल का भी सुझाव दया गया.

चचा म भाग लेने वाले एनएचआरसी कोर ुप के सदय म- जिटस बीके मा, पूव कायकार अय, ओडशा राय मानवाधकार आयोग, जीके पलई, पूव क य गहृ सचव, मीरान चढा बोरवणकर, पूव महानदेशक, पु लस अनुसंधान और वकास यूरो, ऋष कु मार शामल थे.

DAINIK JAGRAN, Online, 20.8.2021 Page No. 0, Size:(0)cms X (0)cms.

Jammu Kashmir: जेकेएसएसबी को याचकाकता शजादा क असटट सु टडट जेल के पद पर नयुित के नदश https://www.jagran.com/jammu-and-kashmir/jammu-court-directs-jkssb-for-appointment- of-petitioner-shahzada-mushrib-to-the-post-of-assistant-superintendent-jail- 21941407.html हाईकोट के डवीजन बच ने नचल अदालत का फै सला बरकरार रखते हुए सवस सलेशन बोड को याचकाकता शजादा मुशरब क असटट सुटडट जेल के पद पर नयिु त के लए सफारश करने का नदश दया है। इस पद पर बहजात-उन-नािजर क नयुित हुई थी िजसे नचल अदालत म चुनौती द गई थी।

नचल अदालत ने इस नयुित को खारज करते हुए एसएसबी को याची का नाम नयुित के लए भेजने का आदेश दया था। बोड क ओर से इसे डवीजन बच म चुनौती द गई लेकन बच ने इस याचका को खारज करते हुए नचल अदालत का फैसला बरकरार रखा।

चीफ सेे टर को पेश होने क जरत नहं

हाईकोट क डवीजन बच ने जम-ू कमीर के चीफ सेे टर को राहत दान करते हुए कहा है क उह राय मानवाधकार आयोग के सामने पेश होने क जरत नह।ं बच ने कहा क अगर चीफ सेे टर अपनी ओर से हफनामा दायर कर देते ह, तो उह वयं पेश होने क जरत नहं। कमीर घाट म पहल मई 1990 को जानीमानी लेखक व सामािजक कायकता सवानंद कौल ेमी क हया के मामले म राय मानवाधकार आयोग ने चीफ सेे टर को पेश होने का नदश दया था।

सरकार क ओर से इस आदेश को चुनौती द गई। याचका म कहा गया क पीड़त को देश मानवाधकार आयोग के पास शकायत करनी चाहए थी लेकन उसने राय मानवाधकार आयोग दल म शकायत क और वहां से शकायत देश आयोग के पास आई। देश मानवाधकार आयोग ने इस मामले क जांच भी करवाई िजसम कु छ दशानदश के साथ रपोट भी सपी जा चुक है। याचका म कहा गया क देश मानवाधकार आयोग म रपोट सपी जा चकु है, लहाजा राय मानवाधकार आयोग वारा चीफ सेे टर को पेश होने का नदश नहं दया जा सकता। इस पर बच ने पट कया क चीफ सेे टर ने अगर अपनी ओर से कोई हफनामा दायर नहं कया है तो वह हफनामा दायर कर दे।

DAINIK JAGRAN, Online, 20.8.2021 Page No. 0, Size:(0)cms X (0)cms.

आयु त सचव व अय को नोटस जार

हाईकोट क डवीजन बच ने कोट के आदेश क अवहेलना करने के आरोप म आवास व शहर वकास वभाग के आयु त सचव, जमू नगरनगम के आयु त व अय को नोटस जार कर प रखने का नदश दया है। हाईकोट के 19 जलु ाई 2021 को एक नमाण को चुनौती देने वाल याचका पर सुनवाई के दौरान टे आडर दया था। गैर सरकार संथा एसइइडी क ओर से दायर अवमानना याचका म कहा गया क हाईकोट के टे आडर का संबंधत वभाग ने पालन नहं करवाया। इस पर बच ने आवास व शहर वकास वभाग के आयु त सचव धीरज गुता, जमू नगरनगम क आयुत अवनी लवासा, सह-आयु त पंकज गु ता व हेथ आफसर डॉ. संजोगता सूदन को नोटस जार करते हुए चार सताह के भीतर प रखने का नदश दया।

REPUBLIC WORLD, Online, 20.8.2021 Page No. 0, Size:(0)cms X (0)cms.

'First step': NHRC member Rasheed welcomes Calcutta HC's verdict on WB post-poll violence https://www.republicworld.com/india-news/general-news/first-step-nhrc-member- rasheed-welcomes-calcutta-hcs-verdict-on-wb-post-poll-violence.html After Calcutta High Court (HC) allowed court-monitored CBI and SIT probe in West Bengal post-poll violence, National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC) member Arif Rasheed on Thursday spoke exclusively to Republic Media Network. Voicing his support for Calcutta HC's decision, the NHRC member said that the Bengal people, who voted for another party as an alternative, had merely exercised their democratic rights.

NHRC member Arig Rasheed said, "CM -led West Bengal government along with the and anti-social elements had executed crimes. Calcutta HC's order is the first step in this direction."

Arif Rasheed; 'My findings cannot be denied' Informing that the National Human Rights Commission still have complaints of post-poll violence coming from Bengal, Rasheed said that the state police has failed to stop the attacks. Remarking that he was attacked and accused of siding with the BJP as he is a member of the ruling party, Rasheed said that people can question his name and his post but never his findings because they are accurate. "The findings presented by me cannot be denied or questioned because they are supported with evidence," he added.

READ | Calcutta HC adjourns plea seeking to oust Mukul Roy as PAC head; counter- affidavit filed Stating that this order by the Calcutta HC will send a strong message, Rasheed said that the time has come for the military to be involved in the state. He said, "Properties have been destroyed and financial interest is also involved."

West Bengal Post-Poll Violence: Calcutta HC orders court-monitored CBI & SIT Investigation The Mamata Banerjee-led government suffered a setback on Thursday after the Calcutta High Court ordered a court-monitored probe into the West Bengal post-poll violence.

The 5-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justices IP Mukerji, Harish Tandon, Soumen Sen, and Subrata Talukdar has been hearing the plea of BJP leader Priyanka Tibrewal, who alleged that over 200 persons have been unable to return home owing to the continued threat to their lives. Thereafter, the court directed the NHRC chairperson to form a committee to examine all complaints pertaining to the violence.

READ | Calcutta University adjudged best varsity in country by global agency: VC In its report submitted on July 12, the NHRC committee had opined that the situation in the state is a manifestation of the 'Law of Ruler' instead of 'Rule of Law'. Highlighting the "pernicious politico-bureaucratic-criminal nexus" in West Bengal, the Court REPUBLIC WORLD, Online, 20.8.2021 Page No. 0, Size:(0)cms X (0)cms.

recommended that cases involving offences such as rape and murder, etc. should be probed by the CBI and tried outside the state.

READ | West Bengal post-poll violence: Calcutta HC orders court-monitored CBI & SIT investigation Moreover, it suggested that the other cases should be investigated by a court-monitored SIT along with other measures such as ex-gratia payment, rehabilitation, protection to women and actions against government servants.

Directing the state government to hand over all documents and records to the investigative agencies, the court warned that any obstruction in the course of the probe will be taken very seriously. Moreover, the West Bengal government has been asked to immediately process applications for the compensation of victims.

The CBI and the SIT have been directed to submit their reports within a period of 6 weeks to a division bench of the HC, which will hear the issue on October 24.

NEW INDIAN EXPRESS, Online, 20.8.2021 Page No. 0, Size:(0)cms X (0)cms.

Slow reform in criminal justice system worrisome: NHRC https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/aug/19/slow-reform-in-criminal-justice- system-worrisome-nhrc-2346766.html The first meeting of the core advisory group on criminal justice system of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Wednesday expressed “serious concerns over the slow pace of reforms in criminal justice system to ensure speedy justice.”

Experts in criminal justice system, which held its first meeting on Wednesday, said that the delay in disposal of cases was leading to human rights violations of under-trials and convicts, the NHRC said in a statement.

The chairperson of Commission, Justice (retd) AK Mishra said not only were trials getting delayed, but court orders convicting a person also took years to implement. He said digitisation of documents would help in speeding up trials.

Despite the Supreme Court’s directions on police reforms, there had been hardly any change on the ground, NHRC member Justice (retd) MM Kumar, who chaired the meeting, said. He added special laws and fast-track courts could replace certain offences under the IPC in order to reduce the piling up of cases.

The Secretary General of NHRC, Bimbadhar Pradhan, said as per an estimate, there are about 4.4 crore pending cases across the Supreme Court, high courts and district courts. “Since March 2020, about 70 lakh more have been added to the pending cases. In the criminal justice system, focus also needs to be on the victim’s rights and smart policing,” he said, as per an NHRC statement.

Awareness on law among police personnel, study into the rate of conviction of police officials and their non-compliance of law, increasing the number of police personnel, introduction of social workers and psychologists in criminal justice system were some of the recommendations made.

HINDUSTAN TIMES, Online, 20.8.2021 Page No. 0, Size:(0)cms X (0)cms.

NHRC remarks on violence uncalled for: Two HC judges https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nhrc-remarks-on-violence-uncalled-for-two- hc-judges-101629416103638.html Recommendations and observations made by a National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) panel on alleged post-poll violence in West Bengal were “non-est” (having no legal validity) in the eye of the law and uncalled for, two judges of the five-member Calcutta high court bench said on Thursday.

The two judges -- justices IP Mukerji and Soumen Sen -- concurred with the high court’s order calling for separate probes by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the state police but objected to some portions of the seven-member NHRC committee’s report.

“The committee constituted by the NHRC had only power under our order to report on facts, as gathered by them on investigation. They had no jurisdiction to make any recommendation or to express any opinion. We did not vest them with that power . . . Therefore the part of the report expressing opinion, making recommendations etc. is non-est in the eye of law,” justice Mukerji wrote.

On June 18, the high court -- hearing a bunch of public interest litigation -- asked the NHRC to probe the violence. The committee submitted its report on July 13 slamming the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government and recommending a CBI probe. It also called for shifting trials in the case outside the state.

In its report, the panel attacked the state government and police, saying the clashes were a “death knell” for democracy and alleging that police didn’t have the “courage” to take action against goons belonging to the ruling dispensation.

“Although the fact finding committee has made scathing remarks and made recommendations against politicians and police officers, I am of the view that such remarks and recommendations were uncalled for and to that extent the committee has transgressed its limits,” justice Soumen Sen wrote.

The panel was led by NHRC member and former intelligence bureau chief Rajiv Jain and also comprised vice-chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities Atif Rasheed, National Commission for Women member Dr. Rajulben L. Desai, director general (investigation) Santosh Mehra, West Bengal State Human Rights Commission registrar Pradip Kumar Panja, West Bengal State Legal Services Authority member secretary Raju Mukherjee and Manzil Saini, deputy inspector general (Investigation), NHRC.

In its order, the HC bench said if the CBI or SIT found any case not related to post-poll violence, it must be transferred to the officer in charge of the concerned police station. “It is made clear that any observation made in this order is only for the limited purpose HINDUSTAN TIMES, Online, 20.8.2021 Page No. 0, Size:(0)cms X (0)cms.

of deciding the issue whether investigation is to be handed over to CBI and Special Investigation Team. Nothing observed shall be construed as an expression of opinion on the merits of the cases,” the order stated.

In its arguments, the state government had argued that some of the committee members had a close association with the Bharatiya Janata Party and were deliberately chosen to give a negative report against the state. On Thursday, TMC MP said, “We stick to our point that several members of the committee have links with the BJP. Therefore, the credibility of the committee is questionable.”

But the high court appeared to reject these charges of bias.

HINDUSTAN TIMES, Online, 20.8.2021 Page No. 0, Size:(0)cms X (0)cms.

'D&G Films' Turned 3: Producer Lal Bhatia Reflects on its Origins & the Future https://www.hindustantimes.com/brand-post/dg-films-turned-3-producer-lal-bhatia- reflects-on-its-origins-the-future-101629384038742.html What started casually with a commercial for wines and olives — became formal with the 2018 launch of David and Goliath Films, a production company focused on stories. The focus of the Company's creativity is often around the marginalized from with the community, as reflected in Every 68 Minutes, Suno Na Papa, Panah. The misunderstood as depicted in A Separate Sky and Chal Sathiyan. Social service with Covid awareness campaigns through Umeed, Samjho Bharatvasi, to the downright remarkable and commercial Tera Mera Rishta.

Over the span of a mere three years, D&G Films have won over 36 awards and accumulated approximately 50 more laurels. With successes at Cannes World Film Festival, 11th Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival – 2021, California Music Video and Film Awards, Istanbul Film Awards 2021, White Unicorn International Film Festival, London Music Video Festival, and Global Music Awards, to name a few.

"I have always felt shining the light on people who are considered different to others, but if you get to know them, we couldn't be more similar if we tried," says Lal Bhatia, Chairman, David, and Goliath Films.

"We choose to use our creative expression to reflect on this reality at every opportunity. That's been our DNA on pretty much every project. Normality doesn't exist — it's an illusion, and it is often our differences that bring us closer together."

And you can be sure that the Company certainly lives by the said 'DNA" , They covered the ignorance towards the harsh realities of dowry and domestic violence that reportedly takes the life of one woman every sixty-eight minutes, and inspired their narrative of Every 68 Minutes. A Separate Sky believes freedom of expression must not be selective and that even films that are critical of the ruling dispensation must be made. Deeply inspired by Aamir Aziz's poetry Sab Yaad Rakha Jayega, this was the first film from Bengal that talks about the Citizenship Amendment Act.

David & Goliath's social awareness effort was with some of the most celebrated faces from the Bengali film industry on Domestic Violence during Lockdown amassed 5 lakh views on YouTube. The issue of domestic violence during lockdown was shed light upon in a timely fashion so that the impact could be maximized. "Pannah," a short film that will encourage you to NOT remain silent in the fight against domestic violence, was supported by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) New Delhi, India.

Their music video Umeed, an inspirational number on COVID-19, won the the Best World Music category at the California Music Video & Film Awards. Another music video of theirs, "Samjho Bharatwasi," was a Public Service Announcement to urge people to HINDUSTAN TIMES, Online, 20.8.2021 Page No. 0, Size:(0)cms X (0)cms.

maintain COVID protocols. It was supported by the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India. The music video made a lot of headlines, and it reached 1 Million Views within 48 Hours! The organization is constantly trying to help people by wielding its media influence as a weapon of change. Through an initiative to give budding singers a platform, they also produced a music video, 'Tera Mera Rishta,' based on an unconditional love story, sung and composed by a 16-year-old; it amassed 1 million views on YouTube.

Bhatia believes, "David and Goliath will continue to be known for bringing cinematic adventure and propulsion to a story, even in challenging times." As for what's next, you won't catch Lal Bhatia peering into a crystal ball. "I don't think about the future," he says bluntly. "I think about now. And I am just getting started.

TELEGRAPH, Online, 20.8.2021 Page No. 0, Size:(0)cms X (0)cms.

CBI told to probe Bengal post-poll result crimes https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/cbi-told-to-probe-bengal-post-poll-result- crimes/cid/1827242 Calcutta High Court on Thursday asked the Bengal government to hand over to the CBI investigations into alleged murders, unnatural deaths and rapes that had taken place following publication of Assembly poll results on May 2.

The five-judge bench of the court also formed a three-member Special Investigating Team (SIT) to probe alleged post-May 2 incidents of violence — except murders, unnatural deaths and rapes.

A retired Supreme Court judge will monitor the probe conducted by the SIT that will have Calcutta police commissioner and two senior police officers — Suman Bala Sahoo and Ranabir Kumar.

The division bench presided over by Acting Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal and consisting of Justice I.P. Mukerji, Justice Harish Tandon, Justice Subrata Talukdar and Justice Soumen Sen delivered the 124-page unanimous order.

The court directed the state government to immediately process applications for compensation to victims of the post-poll violence.

The bench accepted the report of the committee the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had set up on the direction of the court to probe the post-poll violence. The committee had submitted the report to the court on July 13 directing that the probe be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Sources in the state legal team said the Bengal government would move a special leave petition (SLP) before the Supreme Court to challenge the high court order as it was based on the “biased report” of the NHRC panel.

According to the NHRC committee, 1,979 cases of post-poll violence had taken place in Bengal and 124 of those incidents were “heinous” and included criminal acts like murder, unnatural death and rape.

The report marked out 72 of the 124 cases as “heinous” crimes that included murders and unnatural deaths, while there were 52 cases of rape.

Specifying the jurisdiction of the CBI’s probe, the court said the central agency would investigate 124 “heinous” cases, while the remaining 1,855 incidents would be looked into by the SIT.

TELEGRAPH, Online, 20.8.2021 Page No. 0, Size:(0)cms X (0)cms.

The bench asked both the CBI and the SIT to file status reports before the court on October 4. The court also made it clear that it would monitor the investigations.

Thursday’s order has its genesis in two separate PILs moved by aggrieved parties before the high court in mid-May seeking judicial intervention in the post-poll violence.

A couple of days after Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamul Congress had emerged winner for the third consecutive time, the BJP and other parties, including the CPM and the Congress, complained of their workers being attacked and properties destroyed at various places in the state.

When the case came up for hearing before a larger bench of the high court, the state government had argued that the incidents of violence had taken place between May 2 and 5 when the administration was under the control of the Election Commission. It further argued that after Mamata had taken over as chief minister on May 5, things were brought under control.

The petitioners, however, continued to claim that post-poll clashes were still on and thousands of workers of Opposition parties had been rendered homeless and properties looted.

Following the prayer, the five-judge bench ordered the NHRC to constitute a committee and probe into the cases of violence. Accordingly, an eight-member committee was formed and it filed its report before the court on July 13.

The Bengal government, in an affidavit submitted to the court, rejected the allegations made by the committee and described them as “sweeping homilies, absurd, and false”. The government also questioned the panel’s formation and accused it of being biased against Bengal’s ruling dispensation.

“I state that the members of the Committee have close association with the Bhartiya Janta Party and/or the Central Government,” the affidavit filed on July 26 against the NHRC report said.

Last month, the chief minister had termed the NHRC’s committee as “a great liar” and accused it of distorting facts.

INDIA TODAY, Online, 20.8.2021 Page No. 0, Size:(0)cms X (0)cms.

CBI constitutes 4 special teams to probe post-poll violence in https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/cbi-constitutes-4-special-teams-to-probe-post-poll- violence-in-west-bengal-1842965-2021-08-20 The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) constituted four special teams on Thursday to probe the alleged post-poll violence cases in West Bengal, sources told India Today. Earlier in the day, the Calcutta High Court had ordered a probe by the CBI in all the alleged rape, murder and rioting cases that had taken place in West Bengal after the state assembly elections.

Investigating officers, sources said, will be visiting West Bengal and the violence- affected areas soon. 25 officers have been divided into four teams which will be headed by senior officers of the rank of Joint Directors. The teams include a Deputy Inspector General, a Senior Superintendent of Police and three Superintendent Police.

India Today has learnt that Joint Directors of CBI - Mr Anurag, Sampat Meena, Vineet Vinayak and Ramnish - will be heading the four teams.

“All cases of murder and crimes of rape should be given to CBI for investigation,” a five- judge bench led by the acting Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court, Rajesh Bindal, said on Thursday, adding that the investigation will be monitored by the court. The High Court asked the central agency to file a report in the next six weeks.

SIT for other cases For other cases, the court ordered a special investigation team (SIT) to investigate. The SIT will comprise IPS officers Suman Bala Sahoo, Director General (Telecommunications), Soumen Mitra, Police Commissioner, and Ranveer Kumar. Several Public Interest Litigations (PILs) were filed before the High Court alleging people were killed, raped and made to flee in the aftermath of the West Bengal Assembly polls earlier this year.

The Calcutta High Court had earlier asked National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to conduct an inquiry. NHRC in its report, had indicated, “This was retributive violence by supporters of the ruling party against supporters of the main opposition party."

Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the state DGP, had claimed during submissions that the NHRC report is biased as its panel members had links with the West Bengal's opposition party, the BJP.

FREE PRESS JOURNAL, Online, 20.8.2021 Page No. 0, Size:(0)cms X (0)cms.

Mumbai: Plea in NHRC over stranded Indians at Afghanistan https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-plea-in-nhrc-over-stranded-indians-at- afghanistan A Thane advocate, Aditya Mishra, moved the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and sought its intervention in the evacuation of Indians stranded in Afghanistan. The commission registered the petition and is likely to hear the plea in due course.

In his complaint, Mishra said, "Please intervene on an urgent basis. Indians in Afghanistan are struggling hard for their life with the recent takeover of the government of Afghanistan by the Taliban." "I am sure our country's government is doing its level best in the repatriation of Indians stranded in Afghanistan in these trying times," the petition added.

"However, NHRC, being the apex custodian of human rights, needs to intervene to instill confidence amongst the masses in the highest interest of justice," it said.

Notably, Taliban has taken over the Afghanistan government, which has raised concerns over the human rights of the citizens there and also of the citizens of other countries stranded there.

HINDUSTAN TIMES, Online, 20.8.2021 Page No. 0, Size:(0)cms X (0)cms.

NHRC issues summons to police chief over activist’s arrest https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nhrcissues-summons-to-chhattisgarh- police-chief-over-activist-s-arrest-101629366826088.html The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has summoned Chhattisgarh Police chief D M Awasthi on October 21 with sought action taken reports on the arrest of activist Hidme Markam in Dantewada under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in March this year.

The summons in this regard was issued on August 16 based on a complaint by the People Union For Civil Liberties (PUCL) and other activists.

“The Commission observes that despite direction and reminders, the said authority has failed to submit the requisite report till date. Taking serious view of the same, the commission directs to issue summons to the DGP (director general of police Awasthi) under section 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, to appear before the commission...” the NHRC order read.

The human rights panel, however, said that Awasthi’s appearance will not be required if the concerned reports are submitted before October 14. Awasthi said he is looking into the matter and that a report will be submitted on time.

In their complaint, the PUCL alleged that Markam, 28, was picked up on March 9 over an event to mark International Women’s Day. “Later the victim was shown as arrested in four cases involving serious charges, including charges under UAPA without following due process/guidelines of arrest laid down by the apex court ...,” the complaint read.

Dantewada Police superintendent Abhishek Pallava claimed all due process for arrest as per the law was followed. “She was accused of four serious offences, including a case under UAPA. She has been arrested and is in judicial custody,” he said.

Taking cognisance of the complaint on March 31, the NHRC had directed Awasthi to submit an action taken report within four weeks. Awasthi, however, failed to submit the same.

FREE PRESS JOURNAL, Mumbai, 20.8.2021 Page No. 2, Size:(20.49)cms X (10.94)cms. FREE PRESS JOURNAL, Mumbai, 20.8.2021 Page No. 1, Size:(7.09)cms X (15.74)cms.