Tejpal gets 10 years for rape; Atiq's son dies in crash: Top stories
In a day marked by a significant court ruling, a tragic road accident, and political developments, several key stories emerged from across India. Here is a wrap of the top five news items that shaped the national discourse.
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday convicted former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal in the 2013 rape case, overturning a trial court's acquittal. The court sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. Tejpal, a prominent journalist who founded the investigative magazine Tehelka, was accused of sexually assaulting a female colleague in a hotel in Goa in November 2013. The case, which has been closely followed for over a decade, saw Tejpal initially walk free after the trial court acquitted him in 2021. The High Court, however, reversed the verdict, finding him guilty. Tejpal was taken into custody immediately after the judgment, following which his counsel indicated plans to appeal to the Supreme Court. The verdict has been widely welcomed by women's rights groups, while also reigniting discussions on workplace safety and accountability.
In a separate and tragic incident, Abaan, son of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed, and his friend Sonu died in a road accident in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. The two were travelling in an SUV when the vehicle crashed into a road divider early on Tuesday morning. Atiq Ahmed, a former Member of Parliament, is currently in jail in connection with multiple criminal cases. Initial police reports suggest the crash could have been caused by speeding, though a detailed investigation is underway. The deaths come as a shock to the family, which has been under scrutiny for its criminal associations. Neighbours and local residents expressed grief, and the district administration has ordered an inquiry into the incident.
Meanwhile, the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), a civil rights organisation, clarified that it will stay out of electoral politics for now and continue functioning as a public pressure group. The announcement was made by CJP representatives, who said the organisation's focus remains on secularism, minority rights, and social justice. There had been speculation that CJP might float a political platform after its involvement in various legal and social campaigns. However, the group reiterated its commitment to activism rather than contesting elections, stating that its role is to hold governments accountable outside the electoral arena.
In Jharkhand, job aspirants intensified their protests against alleged irregularities in teacher recruitment, demanding Chief Minister Hemant Soren's resignation. The aspirants have announced a gherao of the state Assembly on August 10 to press their demands. The protests have been ongoing for weeks, with candidates alleging leakages in the recruitment examination and lack of transparency in the selection process. The state government has denied irregularities, but the aspirants remain unconvinced. The issue has also been taken up by opposition parties, who have questioned the administration's handling of the recruitment drive.
In Parliament, the Lok Sabha cleared the Taxation Amendment Bill without debate, amid opposition protests and disruptions. The bill, which seeks to amend certain provisions of the Income-tax Act, was passed by voice vote. Opposition members demanded a detailed discussion, but the government pushed for immediate passage, citing the urgency of implementing certain tax reforms. The bill's passage without a debate drew criticism from opposition parties, who accused the treasury benches of steamrolling legislation. This reflects the ongoing friction between the government and opposition in the current parliamentary session.
These five stories highlight significant judicial, political, and social developments across the country. The High Court's verdict in the Tejpal case is a landmark moment for gender justice, while the other incidents underscore the complexities of public life and governance in India today.
