Asha – Page 54 – free them all

Incriminating evidence planted in computers: The Trojan solved the Bhima Koregaon case!

15/01/2023 Asha

Anchored Narratives / by RJM

How proper file, malware, and memory forensics techniques were able to catch the ModifiedElephant threat actor planting incriminating evidence on defendants’ computers in India.
I agreed in late 2022 to independently review a new digital forensics report from Arsenal Consulting (hereafter: Arsenal), which was still under embargo. Niha Masih, an award-winning reporter with The Washington Post, reached out to me in early December and explained that she had written a series of articles (based on Arsenal reports) about Indian activists in the “Bhima Koregaon” case who were hacked and had evidence planted on their devices before their arrests. Niha asked if I would be able to validate Arsenal’s work.
Read more

Also read:
● Hackers Planted Files to Frame an Indian Priest Who Died in Custody (Wired / Dec 13, 2022)
● Police Linked to Hacking Campaign to Frame Indian Activists (Wired.com / June 2022)
● They were Accused of plotting to overthrow the Modi government – The evidence was planted, a new report says (Washington Post / Feb 2021)

Press Conference & Public Meeting: “Conspiracy of Conspiracy Cases”

12/01/2023 Asha

Poster by Campaign Against State Repression

Wives of Khalid Saifi, Hany Babu, GN Saibaba demand release of ‘political prisoners’

12/01/2023

Maktoob / by Maktoob Staff

Life partners of jailed human rights defenders Khalid Saifi, Hany Babu and GN Saibaba who gathered in national capital Delhi on Thursday under the banner of Campaign Against State Repression, demanded the immediate release of all political prisoners incarcerated under the Bhima Koregaon and CAA-NRC cases.
This event titled “conspiracy of conspiracy cases” was held to discuss the recent developments in Bhima Koregaon and CAA-NRC case where top intelligence officers have disclosed that there was no connection between the Elgaar Parishad event and Bhima Koregano violence, as well as multiple international forensic reports revealing that the evidence was planted on the BK accused.
Read more

Civil rights leaders allege corporate loot of resources, suppression of democratic rights

14/01/2023

Countercurrents / by Our Representative

Civil rights activists have alleged, quoting top intelligence officers as also multiple international forensic reports, that recent developments with regard to the Bhima Koregaon and the Citizenship Amendment Act-National Register of Citizens (CAA-NRC) cases suggest, there was “no connection between the Elgaar Parishad event and the Bhima Koregaon violence.”
Activists of the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) told a media event at the HKS Surjeet Bhawan, New Delhi, that, despite this, several political prisoners continue to be behind bars on being accused under the anti-terror the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Read more

Also read
● Press Release by Campaign Against State Repression (CASR), Dec 5, 2022

Click to enlarge

● CASR meeting: GN Saibaba, others called new generation freedom fighters, victims of state terror (Countercurrents / Oct 2022)

Supreme Court extends Gautam Navlakha’s house arrest till February 17

09/01/2023 Asha

Supreme Court extends Gautam Navlakha’s house arrest

09/01/2023

The Leaflet / by Sarah Thanawala

The court granted an adjournment in the hearing of the review of its interim order granting house arrest till February 17. Senior advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan sought permission to allow Navlakha to receive an international phone call.
On Monday, a division bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justices K.M. Joseph and B.V. Nagarathna, in its review of the interim order granting house arrest to Gautam Navlakha, adjourned the hearing of the matter and extended Navlakha’s house arrest till February 17.
Read more

Gautam Navlakha Requests Permission To Attend International Call From Daughter; Supreme Court Seeks NIA Response

09/01/2023

Live Law / by Sohini Chowdhury

On Monday, Advocate, Ms. Nithya Ramakrishnan, appearing on behalf of human rights activist Gautam Navalakha, accused in the Bhima Koregaon case, who is presently in house arrest, sought the permission of the Supreme Court to receive a call from his daughter living in Spain.
The Senior Counsel apprised a Bench comprising Justice KM Joseph and Justice BV Nagarathna, that the Apex Court had permitted Navalakha to make one call per day from NIA’s phone. However, he is not permitted to make international calls.
Read more

Also read:
● Gautam Navlakha moves HC seeking regular bail (Hindustan Times / Dec 13, 2022)
● Activist Gautam Navlakha Walks Out of Prison, Put Under House Arrest (The Wire / Nov 2022)

HC disposes of Hany Babu’s plea after being told about his cataract surgery

06/01/2023 Asha

by Live Law / @LiveLawIndia (Jan 6, 2023):
[#BhimaKoregaon -Elgar Parishad Case]
#BombayHC is informed that DU Prof Hany Babu’s cataract surgery was successfully performed.
“We expect the jail officials to take the petitioner to the hospital for follow-up treatment. ” -J AS Gadkari.
Plea disposed of.

HC disposes of Hany Babu’s plea after being told about his cataract surgery

06/01/2023

Midday.com / by pti

The court had last month allowed Babu to undergo a cataract surgery and a medical check-up at a city-based hospital.
The Bombay High Court on Friday disposed of the plea by former Delhi University professor Hany Babu, an accused in the Elgar Parshad-Maoist links case, seeking medical care.
The court had last month allowed Babu to undergo a cataract surgery and a medical check-up at a city-based hospital.
Read more

Also read/listen:
● Hany Babu gets temporary bail to undergo cataract surgery (Scroll.in / Dec 16, 2022)
● Podcast: The curious case of Dr Hany Babu and India’s political prisoners (abc.net / by Phillip Adams / Nov 29, 2022)
Press and academic freedom organisations like PEN International say the Modi government in India has been using its anti-terror laws against academics, journalists and public intellectuals who have been critical of the government.
Guest: Paranjoy Guha Thakurta – journalist, author, publisher, educator and documentary film-maker.

en │ 18min │ 2022
Listen to the podcast

Electronic records relied on during probe dubious, says Vernon Gonsalves in discharge plea

05/01/2023 Asha

Electronic records relied on during probe dubious, says Gonsalves in discharge plea

05/01/2023

The Indian Express / by Express News Service

Referring to multiple reports by US-based forensic consulting firm Arsenal Consulting, which said that malware was planted on the electronic devices of his co-accused, Gonsalves has said the main evidence in the case is ‘unworthy of credit’.
Vernon Gonsalves, an accused in the Elgaar Parishad case, filed his discharge application before the special court on Wednesday, stating that electronic records relied on by the investigators are dubious.
Read more

Vernon Gonsalves cites Arsenal report to seek discharge

05/01/2023

Free Press Journal / by Bhavna Uchil

Accused in the Bhima-Koregaon case, Vernon Gonsalves has sought a clean chit and cited the US forensics firm Arsenal Consulting’s report showing that incriminating evidence was planted on devices of the accused.
Accused in the Bhima-Koregaon case, Vernon Gonsalves has sought a clean chit and cited the US forensics firm Arsenal Consulting’s report showing that incriminating evidence was planted on devices of the accused. The electronic evidence forms the foundation of the prosecution’s case. He has claimed that it’s dubious and has called into question the whole basis of the case.
Read more

Activist Vernon Gonsalves files for discharge

04/01/2023

Hindustan Times / by Charul Shah

The activist has raised questions on the sanction given by the competent authorities to invoke charges under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. In the discharge plea, he has claimed that the sanctioning authority has to be independent and needs to evaluate evidence before granting sanction
Human rights activist Vernon Gonsalves has filed a plea before the special NIA court seeking discharge from the Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon violence case, claiming that there was no evidence to proceed against him. Gonsalves, arrested in August 2018, is currently lodged in Taloja jail.
Read more

Also read:
● Incriminating document found in Fr. Stan Swamy’s computer ‘planted’; similar tampering found in other Bhima Koregaon accused: Reports American forensic firm (The Leaflet / Dec 2022)
● They were Accused of plotting to overthrow the Modi government – The evidence was planted, a new report says (Washington Post / Feb 2021)
● Why the letter about a ‘Rajiv Gandhi-type’ assassination plot to kill Modi is fake (Dailyo.in │ by Arun Ferreira and Vernon Gonsalves │ Jun 11, 2018)

Bombay High Court seeks response from NIA on plea by Varavara Rao to undergo cataract surgery

05/01/2023 Asha

Bombay High Court seeks response from NIA on plea by Varavara Rao to undergo cataract surgery at Hyderabad

05/01/2023

Bar & Bench / by Neha Joshi

Justice RG Avachat directed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to respond to the application filed by Rao seeking to quash the order of the special NIA court refusing him leave to go to Hyderabad for the surgery.
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday issued notice to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on a plea filed by Telugu poet Varavara Rao, accused in Bhima Koregaon case of 2018, seeking permission to conduct his cataract surgery at Hyderabad.
Read more

Bombay High Court Issues Notice To NIA In Bhima Koregaon Accused Varavara Rao’s Plea Seeking Permission To Go To Hyderabad For Cataract Surgery

05/04/2023

Live Law / by Amisha Shrivastava

Telugu poet Varavara Rao, accused in the Bhima Koregaon case, has approached the Bombay High Court seeking permission to travel to Hyderabad to undergo cataract surgery in both his eyes.
Justice R. G. Avachat issued notice to NIA in the plea challenging trial court’s order rejecting his request to travel to Hyderabad and stay there for three months. The matter was posted on January 16, 2023.
Read more

Also read:
● Can’t Allow Varavara Rao To Stay In Hyderabad For Three Months For Cataract Treatment, Will Delay Framing of Charges: NIA Court (Live Law / Sep 2022)

Advocate Surendra Gadling moves Bombay High Court for default bail

04/01/2023 Asha

by Bar & Bench – Live Threads /Jan 18, 2023)

Bombay High Court is hearing the application filed by Surendra Gadling, accused in Bhima Koregaon, seeking default bail.

Advocate Yashodeep Deshmukh for Gadling: Gadling has moved an application before the High Court registrar seeking appearance in person. I thought it best to inform the court since I do not want allegations against me.

Deshmukh: If this goes in our favour then there will be no allegations. If not, then there might be allegations against me or the court. Adv Sandesh Patil for NIA: I do not have any documents. Court: Serve copy to the otherside. Place it after 2 weeks.

Got Certified Copy Of Bail Order To File Appeal After 55-Days: Bhima Koregaon Accused Surendra Gadling Justifies Delay In Default Bail Application

04/01/2023

Live Law / by Sharmeen Hakim

Advocate Surendra Gadling an accused in the Bhima Koregaon – Elgar Parishad Caste violence case has approached the Bombay High Court against rejection of his default bail application by the Special NIA Court.
In the plea under Section 21(4) of the NIA Act Gadling has blamed the prison department for the delay of nearly two months in receiving certified copies of the order of the Special Court, to justify the delay in filing the appeal.
Read more

Bhima Koregaon accused Surendra Gadling moves Bombay High Court for default bail

04/01/2023

Bar & Bench / by Neha Joshi

The accused moved the High Court challenging an order of June 28, 2022 passed by a Special NIA Court rejecting his default bail plea.
Surendra Gadling, accused in the Bhima Koregaon violence of 2018, has approached the Bombay High Court seeking default bail in the case.
Gadling, who is presently in judicial custody, moved the Court challenging an order of June 28, 2022 by the special court rejecting his default bail application.
Read more

HC asks NIA to respond to Surendra Gadling’s default bail plea

04/01/2023

Hindustan Times / by K A Y Dodhiya

Surendra Gadling, an accused in the Elgar Parishad case, has filed an application in the Bombay high court challenging the June 2022 rejection of his default bail plea by the special NIA (National Investigation Agency) court. Gadling has also sought condonation of the delay of ten days in filing the application, which, he said, was because of a delay on the part of the prison authorities in providing a certified copy of the order. The HC has asked NIA to respond to the issue of condonation of delay.
Read more

Also read:
● NIA special court rejects default bail application of five accused (The Leaflet / June 2022)
● Explainer: Arsenal Report on Surendra Gadling (The Leaflet / Jul 2021)

By Adv Surendra Gadling Defence Committee:
With due credit to anonymous artist and to the jailed, to be jailed lawyers

Four Years After Bhima Koregaon Riots, Where Is Justice?

02/01/2023 Asha

Four Years After Bhima Koregaon Riots, Where Is Justice?

02/01/2023

Boomlive.in / by Varsha Tolgalkar

An inquiry commission was tasked to hear witnesses and publish a report on the Koregaon Bhima riots in 2018. They blame the pandemic for the delay in justice.
Anita Salve, 44, was with her children at a doctor’s clinic at Koregaon Bhima when the riots began on January 1, 2018. She witnessed a mob pelting stone, firing, and damaging vehicles, and properties. “People were carrying rods and swords. I got stuck in that scary situation,” she recollects. Two years ago, Salve appeared before the inquiry commission as a witness.
Read more

4 Years of Bhima Koregaon Violence: Stories of Loss, Fear, and Grief

02/01/2023

The Quint / by Himanshi Dahiya

Ground report: four years on, revisiting families who lost their homes in the 2018 Bhima Koregaon violence.
On 1 January 2018, 44-year-old Rama Athavale and her family received a call that saved their lives. Her son’s friend informed the family that a mob of around 200 people was headed towards their area, and the Athavales must hide.
The Dalit family spent the night inside a sewage pipe behind their house in Pune’s Sanaswadi village and watched their house, grocery store, and a fabrication workshop being torched by the mob.
Read more

Also Read:
● Top Investigating Officer Admits Elgar Parishad Event ‘Had No Role’ in Bhima Koregaon Violence (The Wire / Dec 27, 2022)
● Case Against Hindutva Leaders Ignored, No Justice in Sight for Bhima Koregaon Violence Victims (The Wire / Sep 2020)
● Saffron Conspiracy in Bhima Koregaon? – Fact finding report by Rashtra Seva Dal unearths insidious scheme to target Dalits (CJP / Jan 2018)

CPI(M): Release Elgar Parishad Political Prisoners Immediately

01/01/2023 Asha

Click to enlarge posters. Posters by CPI(M)/@cpimspeak (Dec 14, 2022)

CPI(M): Release Elgar Parishad Political Prisoners Immediately

01/01/2023

Peoplesdemocracy.in / by Maharashtra state committee of the CPI (M)

There is no connection between the Elgar Parishad at Pune and the violence that erupted at Bhima Koregaon on January 1, 2018. This was part of the deposition made by the then investigating senior police officer, Ganesh More, before the N J Patel Commission set up by the Maharashtra government. The Maharashtra state committee of the CPI(M) strongly demands that, in the light of this revelation, all the Bhima Koregaon political detenus languishing in prison be immediately released.
Read full statement

Also read:
● ‘By Targeting Elgaar Parishad, Modi Was Getting Back at Justice Sawant’ (Newsclick.in / Dec 30, 2022)
● Top Investigating Officer Admits Elgar Parishad Event ‘Had No Role’ in Bhima Koregaon Violence (The Wire / Dec 27, 2022)
● Cop: No Link Between Elgar Parishad and violence at Bhima Koregaon on Jan 1, 2018 (Rediff.com / Dec 22, 2022)

Huge turnout at 205th anniversary of battle of Koregaon Bhima

01/01/2023 Asha

Bhima Koregaon victory remembered in Sakleshpur

02/01/2023

The Hindu / by THE HINDU BUREAU

The anniversary of Bhima Koregaon victory was celebrated in Sakleshpur on Sunday.
Hundreds of people took part in the procession held in memory of the battle held in 1818, in which a few hundred Mahar soldiers of East India Company defeated the Peshwa army at Bhima Koregaon in Pune. A replica of Bhima Koregaon pillar was carried along the procession. A federation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes had organised the event.
Read more

Huge turnout at 205th anniversary of battle of Koregaon Bhima

02/01/2023

The Indian Express / by Chandan Haygunde, Sushant Kulkarni

As per a Dalit narrative, a British Army comprising 500 soldiers from the Mahar community defeated a 25,000-strong force of upper caste Peshwas in the battle of Koregaon Bhima.
The programme to mark the 205th anniversary of the Battle of Koregaon Bhima at the ‘Jaystambh’ in Perne village of Pune district passed off peacefully on Sunday. ‘Jaystambh’ is a ‘military monument’ erected by the British government in 1821 in memory of its soldiers, who fought against the Peshwas during the Maratha rule at Koregaon Bhima on January 1, 1818.
Read more

Bhima-Koregaon battle anniversary passes peacefully amid heavy security with lakhs in attendance

01/01/2023

The Hindu / by Shoumojit Banerjee

The 205th anniversary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle passed without incident as lakhs of Ambedkarites from across Maharashtra and the country congregated near the Ranstambh (victory pillar) in Perne village in Pune district on Sunday under heavy security cover.
Crowds have been steadily milling in Bhima-Koregaon since Saturday evening to pay floral tributes to the bravery of the Mahar soldiers who fought against the Peshwa forces in the 1818 battle.
Read more

Battle of Koregaon Bhima anniversary: Thousands start paying respects at Jaystambh amidst heavy police deployment

01/01/2023

The Indian Express / by Express News Service

The district administration said it is expecting a turnout of over five lakh people this year. The police identified dozens of social media posts which can potentially lead to law and order and situation and initiated a process to delete them.
Thousands of followers have started to arrive at the Jaystambh in Pune’s Perne village marking the 205th anniversary of the Battle of Koregaon Bhima Sunday amidst heavy police deployment. The police said they are keeping a close watch on the social media posts related to the subject.
Read more

#BhimaKoregaon

by Siddhesh Gautam / @siddheshgautam (Jan 1, 2023):

Happy New Year/ Happy Bhima Koregaon Day, 2023
#JaiBhim #BhimaKoregaon #bakeryprasad

by Shiv Kumar / @ShivKumar_mas (Jan 1, 2023):

by AISA – DU / @aisa_du (Jan 1, 2023):

Remember the battle of Bhima Koregaon! Fight for the freedom of all those incarcerated in false cases! (1)

On January 1 every year, Dalits and Bahujans gather at Bhima Koregaon near Pune to commemorate the anniversary of the Bhima Koregaon (2)

near Pune to commemorate the anniversary of the Bhima Koregaon Battle of 1818 in which the British Bombay Native Infantry, comprising mostly Mahar Dalit soldiers, defeated the Peshwa army. This date is revered by the Dalits as a victory against the Brahminical Peshwas. (3)

But in 2018, those gatherings for the function were attacked violently by men carrying saffron flags, and one man was killed and several injured as a result. (4)

At Vadhu Budruk close to Bhima Koregaon, stones were pelted at Dalits and organised ‘social boycott’ against Dalits en route to the function. (5)

Though a large gathering of Dalit-Bahujans was fully expected at Bhima Koregaon, the police presence to protect the gathering was negligible. (6)

Milind Ekbote of Samast Hindu Aghadi and Sambhaji Bhide of Shiv Pratishthan Hindustan led the attacks; Ekbote is a former corporator from the BJP andBhide also is close to top BJP and Shiv Sena leaders. (7)

Since then, the BJP government has used the violence inflicted by the RSS lackeys as a scapegoat for an all out attacks on the people and the Constitution. (8)

Several activists and intellectuals have been arrested on fabricated charges under the draconian UAPA. (9)

Teachers and intellectuals like Hany Babu, Anand Teltumbde, Shoma Sen, Rona Wilson, Gautam Navlakha among others languish in jail while Milind Ekbote and the saffron goons roam free! (10)

We remember Stan Swamy! We remember your crimes in Bhima Kroegaon! Long live the battle of Dalits against caste system! Free all political prisoners!

AISA

Also Read:
● Karni Sena demands demolition of Bhima Koregaon memorial, ban on annual celebration (Scroll.in / Dec 30, 2022)
● Let’s Remember the Lesson of Bhima Koregaon: Down with the New Peshwai (Sanhati│ by Sudhir Dhawale │ March 2018)
● The Myth of Bhima Koregaon Reinforces the Identities It Seeks to Transcend (The Wire | Anand Teltumbde | Jan 2018)
● Why peoples’ coalitions are uniting against Hindutva — the ‘new Peshwai’ (Dailyo.in │ by Arun Ferreira and Vernon Gonsalves │ Jan 30, 2018)