This article covers a flight diversion due to a violent incident on board, denial of bail for activists involved in the 2020 riots, an alleged assault during campaigning in West Bengal's Nandigram, and restrictions placed on political cartoonists in India.
In a significant event, a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv identified as FZ1073 by Flydubai airline was diverted to Tabuk airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia due to a violent incident involving its two pilots. The nature of the altercation is yet to be disclosed, but Israeli officials confirmed the occurrence. All passengers were accounted for according to Flydubai.
Both the captain and co-pilot sustained injuries and were taken to hospital by the Tabuk airport operator for treatment. No details about their condition have been released yet, and the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
In another development, the Delhi High Court denied bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 riots conspiracy case, registered under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. This is the third time the court has denied them bail. The trial in the case is yet to begin.
The High Court said that it was ‘bound by judicial discipline’ and could not modify conditions imposed by the Supreme Court in its January 5 order concerning the two men. The apex court had stated that Imam and Khalid could renew their bail pleas after the examination of protected witnesses was completed or after one year, whichever came earlier.
In West Bengal’s Nandigram, Communist Party of India candidate Santi Gopal Giri alleged that he was assaulted by a Bharatiya Janata Party member while campaigning in a Muslim-dominated neighbourhood. Abbas Beg, the BJP member, has also filed a counter-complaint alleging that Giri and his supporters assaulted him.
Lastly, political cartoonists Satish Acharya and Manjul reported restrictions on their work by Meta after receiving legal requests from the Indian government. Their colleagues responded with cartoons of their own, saying that ‘satire must remain free’.
Source:
Scroll.in
