Latest news with #Rahul
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Delhi Police apologises for wrongly identifying journalist as suspect in criminal case
NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police has apologised for wrongly identifying a Noida-based journalist as a suspect in a criminal case, an official said on Friday. A team from the Prem Nagar Police Station in outer Delhi, comprising a sub-inspector, a head constable and a constable, was investigating a case registered under sections 318(4) (cheating involving valuable security) and 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, he said. "The team was tracking the location of the accused identified as Rahul, a resident of Bahadurgarh, through his mobile phone," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Prashant Gautam said. It led the team to a petrol pump in Sector 38, Noida, where they found a man in a car with his wife, whose description matched the suspect, he added. "When the team asked him to produce an identity card, he reportedly refused and entered into an argument. The man later identified himself as Rahul Shah, a Noida-based journalist," the DCP said. Upon realising the mistake, the police team apologised and returned to the police station. "No misbehaviour or force was used during the incident," the officer said. The confusion was due to the similarity in facial features and the name, the DCP said, adding, "As soon as the team confirmed that the individual was not the accused, it expressed regret and disengaged from the interaction." An internal note has been made regarding the incident, and no further action is being pursued.
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
Wrong Rahul, Wrong Place: Noida Journalists Harassed In Shocking Police Mix-Up
New Delhi: On a humid Thursday afternoon at a petrol pump in Sector 38, Noida, Ayantika Pal and Rahul Saha, a married couple and dedicated journalists, stopped to refill their car. Both accustomed to navigating high-pressure situations in their work. But nothing could have prepared them for the ordeal that unfolded leaving them shaken and questioning the systems meant to protect them. As they waited for their tank to fill, three individuals approached - Sub-Inspector Ritu Dangi, Head Constable Harendir, and Constable Amit from the Delhi Police's cyber cell. The trio, dressed in plain clothes, had their eyes fixed on 31-one-year-old Rahul. Without warning, Harendir grabbed Rahul's arm, accusing him of being a suspect in a criminal case involving cheating and conspiracy. "You're Rahul, aren't you?" the constable demanded, his tone leaving no room for doubt. Ayantika, sensing the situation spiralling, pulled out her phone and began recording. "Who are you? Show us your identification!" she insisted. The officers, claiming to be tracking a cybercriminal named Rahul from Bahadurgarh, barely acknowledged her. The officers coerced them to exit their car and began forcing Rahul into a private vehicle. When Ayantika resisted one of the male constables ordered the woman constable " kheecho isko peeche se". Ayantika, stunned, produced her press ID, clearly stating that her husband is Rahul Saha, a Noida-based journalist, and they're both originally from West Bengal. "Please verify before you do this," traumatised Ayantika kept insisting. HARASSMENT. TRAUMA. When some officers claiming to be of @DelhiPolice cyber cell tried to KIDNAP us in broad daylight. Here's what happened today that has left me and my husband (@rahoolism) traumatized. — ayantika pal (@AyantikaTOI) June 19, 2025 But the officers pressed on, unconvinced, their actions fuelled by a flawed assumption. They had tracked a mobile signal to the petrol pump, and Rahul, by sheer coincidence, matched the first name and general description of their target. The interaction grew heated, with Ayantika's video capturing the chaos: fuel dispensers in the background, bystanders watching, and the couple's growing distress. "This is harassment. We're journalists, and you're treating us like criminals without checking who we are," Ayantika said. Describing the fragility of personal security in the face of unchecked authority, Rahul and Ayantika told NDTV: "If we weren't from the media, we'd likely be in a jail cell right now, no questions asked. This is terrifying - how many others go through this without a voice?" Ayantika, still shaken, shared, "I feel traumatised and humiliated. We were just refilling our car, and suddenly saw my husband being manhandled. What happens to people who don't have press IDs or cameras to protect them?" She added, "I keep seeing it in my mind - the way they grabbed him, the way they dismissed us. It felt like we were nothing. If we weren't journalists, would anyone have listened?" Rahul emphasised the broader implications: "This isn't just about us. It's about a system that lets this happen to anyone, anywhere, without accountability. We were lucky to have our press cards and a camera. Most people don't." The officers, after several tense minutes, finally checked Rahul's ID and realised their mistake. The Rahul they sought was a different man, from a different city, tied to a different life. SI Dangi, visibly chastened, scribbled a handwritten apology on a piece of paper, using the car's bonnet as a makeshift desk. It read: "SI Ritu Dangi, HC Harendir & Ct Anit, PS-Cyber, Shahdara misunderstood Mr Rahul Shah as our alleged person Mr Rahul and apologised on behalf of my team and in future this thing will not be done from our side." The note, riddled with errors, was a small gesture in the face of a profound violation. The Delhi Police later issued a formal statement through Deputy Commissioner Prashant Gautam, explaining that the team was investigating a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for cheating and conspiracy. They had tracked a suspect's mobile signal to the petrol pump, where Rahul's presence was a tragic coincidence. "No misbehavior or force was used," the statement claimed, adding that the team apologised and disengaged upon realising the error. An internal note was filed, with no further action planned. But for Ayantika and Rahul, the incident was far from resolved. The video, now circulating widely, sparked outrage and raised critical questions. How could a police team, equipped with mobile tracking technology, fail to verify basic details before confronting an innocent couple? What does this say about the training and protocols of a cyber cell tasked with precision in a city plagued by sophisticated crimes? And most troublingly, how many others without the visibility of journalists or the evidence of a recorded video- face similar treatment?
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Vocalist Rahul Deshpande brings his devotional concert to Hyderabad
This weekend, the music festival Vasantotsav arrives in Hyderabad with a performance by noted classical vocalist Rahul Deshpande. The two-and-a-half-hour concert, titled Abhangwari, features abhangs, bhajans, and devotional compositions dedicated to Lord Vittala of Pandharpur. 'I'm excited to perform for a discerning audience in Hyderabad, one that truly appreciates classical and devotional music,' says Rahul. Now in its 10th year, Vasantotsav is held in memory of Rahul's grandfather, the legendary vocalist Vasantrao Deshpande. The next edition will take place at Sri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts and Sangeetha Sabha in Mumbai on June 29. 'It's been a while since I last performed in Hyderabad, so I decided to bring Abhangwari to the city,' he adds. Respect for art forms With a foundation in classical music and a deep respect for various art forms, Rahul moves fluidly between genres and mediums. 'My grandfather used to say that music has three dimensions — sur (melody), lay (rhythm) and abhinay (expression or acting),' he recalls. 'Beyond that, I've always been sensitive to different art forms and hold them in high regard.' Rahul is also working on reviving a musical stage production originally performed by his grandfather. 'There's also an exciting acting project in the pipeline,' he adds, 'but I can't speak much about it just yet.' Organised by Tatvaa Arts, Abhangwari concert by Rahul Deshpande will be held at Shilpakala Vedika on June 22; tickets: Bookmyshow
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
India tour of England: England vs India Test series: Karun Nair talks about his comeback trail
On comeback trail, Karun Nair says the presence of childhood companions KL Rahul and Prasidh Krishna in the Indian dressing room adds a layer of comfort as he seeks to capitalise on the chance that came his way after eight years. The five-match Test series against England, starting in Leeds on Friday (June 20, 2025), is an opportunity for Karun to cement his place in the side, years after becoming only the second Indian batter to score a triple century in Test cricket. "I try to keep it very simple, always think about the positive, have certain goals in mind, visualize things and have real belief in what you visualize. "Playing alongside Rahul and Prasidh is also a very comforting factor. We've played cricket for so many years since probably we were young kids and grew up together," Karun told BCCI in a video posted on its website. Karun and Rahul, both 33, have played age-group cricket together and have been close friends since then. "Life has come a full circle because I went out of the team in England and now I am coming back into the team in England. It's been a while and I embrace that." He was dropped from the Indian team in 2017. "My first thought when I woke up (after being dropped) was I want to play Test cricket, I want to play for India again. That's probably what kept me going, kept me hungry and was the driving force to train and practice everyday. "I had a goal to play Test cricket again. Everyday, every morning I used to wake up thinking what should I do to reach that goal. Never losing that belief and having that target to reach was something that helped me," he added. In the 2024–25 domestic season, Karun amassed 863 runs in nine matches at an average of 54, helping Vidarbha clinch their third Ranji Trophy title. The season revived his Test career as he made his return to the Indian Test side for the tour of England. "Mentally I am more patient and I am more forgiving of myself. I have learnt to enjoy small things a little more and also not trying to be not someone that I am not. I have tried to keep it very simple. I always think about positives, have certain goals in mind, visualise things and have real belief," Karun said. "Feeling honoured to wear this jersey and honour to be representing my country." Karun said the realisation of making the Indian team again came to him when he met the touring group. "When I saw everyone for the first time that time I realised I am finally in the team, till then it was a wait for me to start feeling I have made it again," he said. "It's been a few years, I used to watch everyone on TV and to be back again in this dressing room feels amazing." "I enjoy the feeling with everyone, enjoy the feeling of wearing this jersey, just going out there and having fun with everyone in the group and trying our best to win games for our country."
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Delhi police misidentifies journalist as suspect in a case, apologizes later
The Delhi Police has apologized for wrongly identifying a Noida-based journalist as a suspect in a criminal case, an official said on Friday. A team from the Prem Nagar Police Station in outer Delhi, comprising a sub-inspector, a head constable and a constable, was investigating a case registered under sections 318(4) (cheating involving valuable security) and 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, he said. "The team was tracking the location of the accused identified as Rahul, a resident of Bahadurgarh, through his mobile phone," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Prashant Gautam said. It led the team to a petrol pump in Sector 38, Noida, where they found a man in a car with his wife, whose description matched the suspect, he added. "When the team asked him to produce an identity card, he reportedly refused and entered into an argument. The man later identified himself as Rahul Shah, a Noida-based journalist," the DCP said. Upon realising the mistake, the police team apologised and returned to the police station. "No misbehaviour or force was used during the incident," the officer said. The confusion was due to the similarity in facial features and the name, the DCP said, adding, "As soon as the team confirmed that the individual was not the accused, it expressed regret and disengaged from the interaction". An internal note has been made regarding the incident, and no further action is being pursued.
