Latest news with #Nepali
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Fruit of decade-long activism': Nepali listed as optional subject for West Bengal Civil Service exam
By Debasmita Chowdhury The West Bengal government has included Nepali as an optional subject in the West Bengal Civil Service (WBCS) 2025 Mains examination, fulfilling sustained demands by the Gorkha community. Hindi and Santhali were made 'compulsory language' subject options, according to a June 17 notification by the state's Personnel and Administrative Reforms department. Recognised as an official language in the state since 1961 and listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, Nepali had previously not been on the list of optional subjects of the examination. However, its availability as a compulsory subject for the preliminary examinations has continued this year. The move means that students with degrees in Nepali and its native speakers will be able to use the optional subject to their advantage instead of resorting to unrelated subjects for the main examination. This had sparked protests over the years, especially in the Darjeeling hills. 'This decision comes after strong and sustained efforts, which I had been following up on since 2021. This year, I had reached out to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on May 31, requesting her to ensure justice for Gorkha, Adivasi and Hindi-speaking communities, accompanied by strong representation from various stakeholders, including the Hills Student Union (HSA), North Bengal University, and the All Bengal Adivasi Students' Association (ABASA),' said Raju Bista, Darjeeling MP from the BJP in a statement. He called the move a reaffirmation of Articles 14, 15, and 16 of the Constitution, which guarantee equality and non-discrimination. 'Let this decision mark the beginning of more inclusive and sensitive policy-making that reflects the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of the state, particularly our Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars region,' Bista said. Until now, students who studied subjects like Physics or Bengali could opt for them in WBCS, but those with degrees in Nepali were denied that option, forcing them to choose unrelated subjects. Upendra M Pradhan, Editor of The Darjeeling Chronicle, said, 'The Constitution of India guarantees the right to equality, but the Gorkhas had been deprived of this right. The inclusion of Nepali as an optional subject in the WBCS examination, finally, after decade-long activism by Gorkha students, youth politicians, showcases the disconnect Kolkata has towards the people of Darjeeling hills, Terai, and Dooars, particularly the Gorkhas. This is something that should have been done automatically, but they had to struggle.' The writer is an intern with The Indian Express
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Foreigners must be heard before restraining their movement after granting bail: Kerala HC
Kochi: High court has held that a foreign national granted bail must be given a chance to be heard before any movement restrictions are imposed under the Foreigners Act, except where national security or public interest demands otherwise. Justice C Jayachandran made the ruling while allowing a petition filed by a couple and their 22-year-old son, all Nepali citizens, who had been working as cleaning and housekeeping staff at a resort in Kalpetta. They challenged the orders issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO), which restricted their movement even after they were granted bail in an alleged murder case. The petitioners were arrested on Sept 21, 2024, on allegations of murdering a newborn baby by strangulation. They were enlarged on bail in Nov 2024. According to them, despite having been granted bail by the court, the FRRO issued orders confining them to a transit home, without affording them an opportunity to be heard, an action they contended was illegal and arbitrary. In response, the central govt counsel argued that foreign nationals do not possess a fundamental right to move freely across India and that the Foreigners Act does not mandate an opportunity to be heard before such restrictions are imposed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Considering the significance and complexity of the legal issues involved, HC appointed an amicus curiae, who submitted that movement restrictions under the Foreigners Act are distinct from arrest or detention and do not amount to punishment. However, HC observed that, in the present case, allowing being heard would neither defeat the purpose of the proposed orders nor jeopardise national or state interests, and is in line with the principles of natural justice. The court further noted that restricting the movement of a foreign national amounts to a deprivation of personal liberty. It remarked, "Bondage, though in a golden cage, remains bondage." The court clarified that if the authority fears that issuing a notice may give the individual a chance to abscond, a provisional order may be passed to restrict movement and secure their presence. However, a subsequent opportunity to be heard must be provided in keeping with the principles of fairness and non-arbitrariness. Accordingly, the court held the FRRO's orders to be illegal. It directed that the petitioners shall remain in the transit home for one more month, during which time the FRRO shall hear the petitioners and thereafter pass fresh orders under the Foreigners Act.
Hindustan Times
18 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
12 years, two lives: Man accused of murder nabbed in Delhi after skipping bail
For 12 years, Rajeev Kumar lived a lie. After jumping interim bail in 2013 while facing trial for a 2009 kidnapping and murder case, he vanished—changing several names, locations, and even marrying again to avoid detection. The 45-year-old was finally arrested on Wednesday in Prem Nagar by the Delhi Police's crime branch. Kumar had been declared a proclaimed offender after skipping bail granted for his mother's funeral. What followed was a meticulously planned vanishing act. He first fled to Nepal, where he stayed for six months, then assumed the name 'Bobby' and settled in Bengaluru. There, he created new identification documents under the false name, changed his father's name, and started life anew as a driver. He also married a local woman—never revealing his criminal past, nor that he was already married to a Nepali woman in 2009. 'He made sure to stay off the radar. It was only when he began visiting his Delhi-based family secretly once a year that we got a break,' said deputy commissioner of police (crime) Harsh Indora. Kumar's undoing came when inspector Pukhraj Singh of the crime branch's northern range-1 received a tip-off about his visit to Delhi to meet his father, first wife, and children. A trap was laid, and he was arrested. Kumar was one of three people accused in the 2009 kidnapping and murder of 22-year-old Sunil Kumar in Burari. Sunil was allegedly in a relationship with Kumar's cousin and continued to pursue her even after her family arranged her marriage. On December 27, 2009, Sunil went missing. His father filed a missing person's complaint, which later turned into a murder case after Sunil's body was found. Rajeev Kumar, his father Shiv Dyal, and an associate were arrested. While the others remained in custody, Rajeev Kumar secured a 15-day bail in 2013—and never returned. 'After absconding, he severed all direct ties with his family, which made tracking him difficult. Only recently did we manage to trace his new mobile number, taken under a fake identity,' said a senior officer. Technical surveillance showed the number was active in Bengaluru, but before a team could be dispatched, the informant's tip allowed police to apprehend him in Delhi. Kumar is now back in custody, and will face trial for murder, conspiracy, and destruction of evidence.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
2 Nepali nationals arrested at Mumbai airport for using fake UAE job permits
Mumbai: Two Nepali nationals allegedly attempting to travel to the UAE using counterfeit foreign employment permits (FEP), purportedly issued by Nepal Embassy in New Delhi, were held at the city's international airport on Wednesday. Since May 26, Sahar police have arrested a total 18 Nepali nationals, including Dipendra Yadav (22) and Raj Sah Teli (20), and investigated the issuance of fake FEPs purportedly issued by the Nepali Embassy for flights from Mumbai airport. "Since air tickets are 50% cheaper in India compared to Nepal, job aspirants to Gulf countries travel to India to catch their international flights," a Sahar police officer said. Yadav and Teli told Sahar police that each paid Rs 4 lakh to an agent to secure jobs as AC technicians in the UAE, along with visas and air tickets. They duo they entered India through the Bihar border, took a flight from Patna to Mumbai, and were about to depart for the UAE when they were stopped by immigration officers. "Since air tickets are 50% cheaper in India compared to Nepal, job aspirants to Gulf countries travel to India to catch their international flights," a Sahar police officer said. Immigration officer Rajendra Pal (36) said: "We suspected something was amiss with the FEPs submitted by the two men who were flying to the UAE for jobs as AC technicians. Due to earlier such cases, we got in touch with the Nepali Embassy. We uploaded the FEPs on the Nepali Embassy site and found out that they were fake." Apart from the fake FEPs, all their other documents were genuine, said Sahar police. Yadav and Teli are currently in police custody.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
4 arrested for running illegal betting website
Kolkata: Bidhannagar Police, with help from the cyber crime wing, arrested four persons, including a Nepali national, for operating an illegal online betting website. The accused — Debjit Basak (26), Ankit Gupta (27), Kushal Roy (28), and Sambhu B K (32) — were nabbed during a raid at a condominium in New Town on Wednesday. The website, sources said, took bets of around Rs 30 crore during the last IPL tournament and deceived thousands with promises of substantial profits. They carried out operations across Nepal and Sri Lanka, too. Cops also seized smartphones, SIM cards, laptops, ATM cards allegedly obtained through forged documents, and Indian and Nepali passports. SI Debabrata Banerjee of Bidhannagar cyber crime PS is leading the probe to nab other members of the gang.
