A clash broke out between members of the Congress-affiliated National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) at the hostel campus of COEP Technological University in Pune on Friday night, a day before Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s scheduled ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ interaction with students in the city.

Police were deployed at the hostel following the confrontation. The ABVP alleged that Congress workers were pressuring female students to register for Rahul Gandhi’s programme. The NSUI, however, made a counter-allegation, claiming that two female students who had expressed support for the event were detained and threatened by ABVP members inside the hostel. The allegations from both sides could not be independently verified.

The incident occurred ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s fourth Chhatron Ki Goonj programme, where he is scheduled to interact with students in Pune on Saturday. The Congress leader has previously held similar events in Kota on June 17, Dehradun on July 17 and Prayagraj on August 8.

During the previous programmes, Rahul Gandhi focused on issues concerning students and young people, including paper leaks, unemployment and the education system. Students and teachers have also been invited to share their experiences and concerns directly from the stage.

Police Deployed At Hostel

Following the confrontation, ABVP members staged a protest outside the hostel and attempted to block the road, according to the report. As tensions increased, police personnel were deployed in large numbers around the campus.

Some members of the student organisations were detained by police following the clash. The situation was brought under control as authorities increased security around the hostel ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s visit.

The incident has added a political dimension to the Congress leader’s planned student outreach programme, with both student organisations making competing claims about what happened inside the hostel.

Rahul’s Previous Student Events

At the August 8 programme in Prayagraj, Rahul Gandhi spoke about what he described as the challenges faced by young people and referred to social media reels as a form of addiction. He also argued that the current system creates obstacles for young people seeking employment.

During his July 17 interaction in Dehradun, Rahul Gandhi raised the issue of examination paper leaks. He said a small number of people involved in paper leaks could affect the prospects of a much larger number of honest students.

At the June 17 event in Kota, Rahul Gandhi said the programme was intended as a platform for students and young people to raise their concerns rather than a conventional political gathering. Education-related stress and problems within the education system were among the issues discussed.

Congress Plans 800 Events

The Congress has indicated that Chhatron Ki Goonj will be expanded across the country. Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal said after the party's CWC meeting in Delhi on July 19 that the programme would be organised in around 800 small cities and towns.

Rahul Gandhi is expected to participate in some of these programmes, while other events would provide local students and young people a platform to discuss their concerns.

Patna Programme Was Cancelled

A similar programme planned in Patna on July 15 was cancelled. Congress cited the Model Code of Conduct linked to the Bankipore Assembly by-election as the official reason.

There were also reports of internal discussions over preparations for the event, including concerns about the availability of student data and contact lists. The programme had initially been proposed for July 11 before being rescheduled to July 15.

The Pune event is now drawing attention not only because of Rahul Gandhi’s interaction with students but also because of the confrontation between NSUI and ABVP members ahead of his visit.

 The investigation into the murder of Pune businessman Ketan Agrawal has uncovered fresh evidence suggesting that the crime was meticulously planned, with police claiming that the prime accused, Siya Goyal, researched the high-profile Raja Raghuvanshi murder case before allegedly executing the killing.

According to investigators, forensic analysis of Siya Goyal's two mobile phones revealed multiple internet searches related to the Indore murder case as well as queries about police procedures, including whether women are physically assaulted while in police custody. Officials believe the search history indicates that the accused attempted to understand both criminal investigations and possible legal consequences before the alleged murder.

The latest findings come as police continue to strengthen their case against Siya Goyal and co-accused Chetan Chaudhary, who have been sent to 14-day judicial custody by Pune's Wadgaon Court. Both are currently lodged in Yerawada Central Jail until July 16.

Second Mobile Phone Provides Key Evidence

Police recently recovered a second mobile phone from Siya's bedroom during a search of her residence. Investigators say the device contains crucial digital evidence, including internet searches and communication records.

Authorities have also identified eyewitnesses who allegedly saw the accused on the day of the incident. Their statements, along with digital evidence, are expected to play an important role in the ongoing investigation.

According to police, Chetan Chaudhary allegedly used two different phone numbers on a single handset and communicated with Siya using coded language to avoid detection.

Alleged Murder Planned Over Nearly Three Weeks

Investigators claim the murder was not spontaneous but planned over a period of nearly three weeks.

Police allege that Siya first conceived the plan after visiting Lohagad Fort with Ketan following their engagement in February. Investigators believe she viewed the isolated location as suitable for carrying out the crime.

A second alleged attempt took place on June 14, when Ketan reportedly survived after grabbing onto a tree after being pushed near a gorge. According to police, Siya allegedly told him she had pushed him to save him from a snake. Ketan later informed his family that his fiancée had saved his life.

Police allege the final attack occurred on June 18, when Siya convinced Ketan to revisit Lohagad Fort under the pretext of a pre-wedding photoshoot. Investigators claim Chetan Chaudhary secretly followed the couple before both allegedly pushed Ketan into a 400-foot-deep gorge, resulting in his death.

Behaviour After the Crime Raises Questions

Police claim the accused displayed no signs of remorse following the incident.

According to investigators, Siya visited Ketan's family a day after the alleged murder and attempted to console his father by saying, "Stay strong, Ketan is watching us from above."

Officials also stated that both accused continued their normal routine between June 18 and June 23, despite the alleged crime.

Family Rejects Viral Gesture Claim

Meanwhile, Siya Goyal's father has denied allegations that his daughter made an obscene gesture towards the media while being escorted by police.

He said the widely circulated video had been misinterpreted, claiming Siya was merely showing injuries to her fingers after a vehicle door accidentally closed on her hand during police procedures. He added that officers present at the scene could verify the incident.

Parallel Drawn With Raja Raghuvanshi Case

The case has drawn public attention because investigators claim Siya searched online about the Raja Raghuvanshi murder case, in which police alleged that Raja's wife conspired with others to murder him during their honeymoon in Meghalaya.

Police believe the searches may indicate an attempt to study another widely reported homicide investigation. However, investigators have not suggested any direct connection between the two cases beyond the online searches.

The Raja Raghuvanshi case remains before the courts, and the guilt or innocence of the accused in that matter, as well as in the Pune murder case, will ultimately be determined through judicial proceedings.

Pune Court Sends Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary to Judicial Custody as Police Probe Deepens in Ketan Agarwal Murder Case

The investigation into the alleged murder of Pune resident Ketan Agarwal has entered a new phase after a local court on Friday sent the two accused, Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary, to 14 days of judicial custody. Both have been lodged in Yerwada Central Jail after the court declined the Pune Police's request for an extension of their custodial interrogation.

The order was passed by the Judicial Magistrate (First Class) in Vadgaon, which directed that both accused remain in judicial custody until July 16 while investigators continue gathering evidence.

Court Rejects Polygraph Test Without Consent

One of the key developments during Friday's hearing was the issue of a polygraph, or lie detector, test.

Although Siya Goyal's counsel had earlier indicated that she was prepared to undergo the examination, both accused later refused to give their consent before the court.

Judicial Magistrate A.M. Vibhute ruled that such tests cannot be conducted without the voluntary consent of the accused, effectively closing the possibility of a polygraph examination at this stage of the investigation.

Second Mobile Phone Recovered

Police said they have recovered another mobile phone allegedly hidden at Siya Goyal's residence during searches conducted on Friday.

The device has been seized and sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for detailed examination. Investigators believe the handset could contain crucial digital evidence related to the case.

According to police officials, forensic experts have already managed to retrieve a significant amount of deleted data from previously seized mobile phones.

Coded Conversations Under Investigation

Investigators claim the accused communicated through coded language, nicknames and emojis while allegedly discussing the murder plan.

Cyber experts are now assisting the investigation to decode these conversations and determine whether they reveal advance planning or coordination between the accused.

Police officials have not disclosed the exact contents of the recovered chats but believe the digital evidence may strengthen the prosecution's case.

Police Probe Possible Third Accomplice

The investigation has also widened to examine whether another individual had prior knowledge of the alleged conspiracy.

According to police sources, a young man from Maharashtra's Beed district, employed with a private company in Pune's Balewadi area, has been detained for questioning.

Investigators suspect he may have been informed about the alleged murder plan by either Siya Goyal or Chetan Chaudhary before the incident.

Authorities have not named the individual, and officials are reportedly considering whether he should be treated as a witness depending on the outcome of questioning.

Police Outline Alleged Timeline

According to the investigation conducted so far, police believe the alleged conspiracy unfolded over nearly three weeks.

Investigators claim that the plan was conceived on May 31, after Ketan Agarwal suggested trekking at Lohagad Fort, a destination he frequently visited.

Police allege Siya later persuaded Ketan to visit the fort and even hid his passport ahead of an overseas trip, claiming it was part of efforts to prevent alternative travel plans.

Investigators further allege that on June 14, Siya made an initial attempt to push Ketan from the fort, but he survived after grabbing hold of a tree. Police say she later explained the incident by claiming she had tried to save him from a snake.

The prosecution alleges that on June 18, Siya invited Ketan back to Lohagad Fort under the pretext of a pre-wedding photoshoot before travelling to Mahabaleshwar for her birthday celebrations.

Police claim Chetan Chaudhary followed the couple to the location and that both accused allegedly pushed Ketan from behind while he was looking towards the valley, causing his fatal fall.

Investigation Continues

Ketan Agarwal and Siya Goyal had become engaged on February 11 and were scheduled to marry in November 2026, according to investigators.

With fresh digital evidence under forensic examination and police exploring the possible involvement of additional individuals, the investigation remains active. Officials say further findings from the seized mobile phones and forensic analysis are expected to play a significant role as the case progresses.

The accused remain under judicial custody, while police continue collecting evidence before filing further submissions before the court.

Student-led outfit threatens indefinite Delhi sit-in from June 20 if Dharmendra Pradhan is not removed over exam irregularities.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Thursday initiated a fresh phase of its student-led nationwide stir from Pune, demanding the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The agitation, which follows a sizeable rally at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on June 6, marks a major escalation in public dissatisfaction surrounding alleged irregularities, paper leaks, and technical glitches in national entrance and recruitment exams.

Organisers stated that the agitation will quickly expand from Pune to other major urban hubs, including Lucknow, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Jaipur, and Hyderabad. The youth outfit has issued an ultimatum to the Centre, warning of an indefinite, peaceful sit-in at Jantar Mantar from June 20 if their demand to sack the education minister is not met.

Pune becomes the new flashpoint

The choice of Pune for kicking off the state-level rallies drew considerable student traction on Thursday morning. The city’s prominent coaching and educational hubs saw scattered student groups assembling under the CJP banner. Local authorities deployed additional police personnel around key university premises to maintain law and order, though the demonstrations remained peaceful through the afternoon.

Sonam Wangchuk lends high-profile support

In a significant boost to the movement’s visibility, prominent environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk is expected to join the Pune leg of the agitation. Organisers believe Wangchuk’s participation will broaden the appeal of the CJP Pune protest, transforming it from a youth-centric grievance cell into a larger civic movement for institutional accountability. The party has actively appealed to parents, teachers, and civil society members to join the demonstrations.

Deadlines set for Delhi escalation

Should the Union government choose to ignore the current wave of city-level agitations, the CJP plans to move its base back to the national capital. A major pan-India student convergence is being planned for June 20. "The proposed gathering at Jantar Mantar will not be a one-day affair. It will be an indefinite, peaceful sit-in until the minister steps down voluntarily or is removed," a senior volunteer associated with the campaign stated.

Deep-seated anger over exam leaks

The current friction stems from the June 6 Jantar Mantar mobilisation, which saw thousands of students from various states hitting the streets. The core grievances focus on systemic failures within national-level testing bodies. Repeated disruptions, sudden cancellations, and leaks have derailed academic calendars and left millions of aspirants stranded, severely denting public faith in the country's central educational apparatus.

Digital momentum vs ground reality

Despite garnering massive traction online—including an online petition on the party's website that secured over 800,000 signatures in days—the CJP faces distinct organizational challenges on the ground. Observers note that while the party possesses over 22 million Instagram followers, translating digital outrage into physical booth-level political capital remains a hurdle.

Unlike the structured 2011 India Against Corruption movement, the CJP currently lacks an established pan-India cadre network. Furthermore, the party's platform has expanded rapidly to include disparate issues like infrastructure, taxation, and regional crises, which critics argue might dilute its core focus on educational reform.

Genesis of the unique nomenclature

The unusual name of the party traces back to May 15, following controversial remarks attributed to a judicial bench. During a legal hearing, observations comparing certain vocal, unemployed youth to "cockroaches" and "parasites" attacking the system sparked widespread online outrage.

Responding to the remarks, digital activist Abhijeet Dipke launched the 'Cockroach Janta Party' from the US on May 16 via social media platforms. What began as a symbolic, satirical protest has rapidly morphed into a coordinated pressure group capable of organizing coordinated on-ground rallies across multiple Indian states.

Pune's Kalyani Nagar Porsche crash case has once again ignited public anger after a video showing the accused minor's family celebrating went viral on social media. The clip, which appears to show family members dancing and partying, has drawn sharp criticism from the families of the two young IT engineers killed in the May 2024 accident.

The incident, which claimed the lives of Ashwini Koshta and Anish Awadhiya, continues to raise serious questions about justice, accountability, and sensitivity in high-profile cases involving influential families.

High-Speed Drunken Crash Claims Two Lives

On the night of May 19, 2024, a speeding Porsche allegedly driven by a drunk minor rammed into a motorcycle carrying two software engineers in Kalyani Nagar. The car was reportedly moving at around 200 kmph when it hit the bike, killing both riders on the spot.

Ashwini Koshta, originally from Jabalpur, and Anish Awadhiya, from Umaria, were working in Pune. Their deaths triggered widespread protests across Maharashtra and drew national attention over issues of juvenile justice and road safety.

Viral Video Fuels Fresh Controversy

The controversy resurfaced recently after the minor’s father was granted bail. A video circulating on social media shows what appears to be the accused’s family in a celebratory mood, with people dancing. The timing of the video’s surfacing has left many disturbed, especially the grieving families.

Ashwini Koshta’s father expressed deep anguish over the development. He described the family’s behaviour as “extremely insensitive” and said it mocked the pain of the victims’ families. 

“There is no shame or humanity left in that family,” he said, adding that such actions reopen the wounds of those who lost their loved ones. He demanded that the bail granted to the accused’s father be cancelled and called for stricter action from the justice system.

Accused Family Claims Video is Old

The family of the minor has rejected the allegations, stating that the viral video is not recent. According to them, the footage dates back to September 2, 2023, when they were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary at a hotel in Goa. 

They have termed the circulation of the video as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and said they will explore legal options against those responsible for leaking and spreading the private clip.

Public Anger and Questions on Influence

The case has remained in the spotlight since the beginning due to several twists, including initial attempts to influence the investigation and debates around the minor’s age and legal treatment. Many citizens have questioned whether powerful connections continue to play a role in how the case is being handled.

Local residents in Pune and relatives of the victims have demanded a speedy and transparent trial. The incident also sparked broader discussions on underage drinking, luxury car culture among the youth, and enforcement of traffic laws in the city.

Demand for Stronger Accountability

Ashwini’s father has appealed to the authorities to ensure that justice is not delayed or diluted. He emphasised that the families of the deceased have been waiting for closure for over a year now, and developments like the viral video only add to their trauma.

Meanwhile, legal experts following the case point out that while the juvenile justice framework has its protections, repeated controversies can impact public faith in the system.

The Pune Police and the court handling the matter have not issued any fresh statement on the viral video so far. The case continues to be monitored closely by both legal observers and the public.

Families Await Closure

As the matter simmers on social media and in public discourse, the core issue remains the loss of two young lives and the long wait for justice. The contrast between the grief of one family and the perceived celebrations of another has once again highlighted deep societal fault lines.

Both sides continue to present their versions, but for the families of Ashwini and Anish, the pain of that tragic night in May 2024 remains raw. The coming weeks may see further legal developments as the case progresses through the courts.

Pune Child Rape and Murder Sparks Protests, Accused Arrested

A Pune child rape and murder case in Bhor taluka triggers outrage as police arrest a 65-year-old suspect and assure swift legal action

Gruesome Crime Reported
A shocking case of rape and murder of a four-year-old girl in Pune district has triggered widespread outrage, with police arresting a 65-year-old man accused of the crime. The incident occurred on Friday afternoon in Nasrapur village under Bhor taluka, where the child had been visiting her grandmother during summer holidays.

According to initial reports, the accused, identified as Bhimrao Kamble, allegedly lured the child while she was playing outside her grandmother’s house around 2 pm. He reportedly took her to a nearby cattle shed, where the crime was committed.

Body Found in Shed
Police said the accused attempted to conceal the crime by hiding the child’s body under a heap of cow dung inside the shed. When the child did not return home for several hours, her family began searching for her across the village.

After an extensive search, locals checked the cattle shed, where the body was discovered. The condition of the child left residents and family members in deep shock. Authorities were immediately informed, and a police team reached the spot shortly thereafter.

CCTV Leads to Arrest
During the investigation, officers scanned CCTV footage from nearby areas. In one of the clips, the accused was seen taking the child towards the shed. Based on this evidence, police detained Kamble and later placed him under arrest.

“Further interrogation is underway, and all angles are being examined,” a police official said, adding that forensic procedures are being carried out as part of the probe.

Villagers Stage Protest
The Pune child rape and murder case has sparked intense anger among villagers. Hundreds gathered near the crime scene, demanding that the accused be handed over to them. Some residents even refused to allow the removal of the child’s body until strict action was assured.

Villagers set up a sit-in near the cattle shed, and tensions escalated as crowds swelled through the evening. Senior police officials reached the spot to pacify the protesters and appealed for calm.

Highway Blocked
As protests intensified, locals blocked the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway, causing a major traffic disruption. Commuters were stranded for hours as police attempted to clear the route and negotiate with demonstrators.

Sandeep Singh Gill assured the protesters that a chargesheet would be filed within 15 days. He also said that the investigation would be fast-tracked to ensure justice.

Legal Provisions Invoked
Police officials indicated that stringent legal provisions would be applied in the case. Under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including those dealing with rape and murder of minors, the accused could face life imprisonment or the death penalty if convicted.

Additionally, provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act are likely to be invoked, further strengthening the case against the accused.

Similar Incidents Raise Concern
The Pune child rape and murder case comes amid growing concern over crimes against minors. In a separate incident in Raipur, a seven-year-old girl was allegedly raped during a wedding in the Tilda Nevara area on April 29. Police arrested the accused, identified as Rajkumar alias Raja Verma, following a complaint from the victim’s family.

In another case reported from Bhopal, a seven-year-old girl was allegedly lured from a park and sexually assaulted. The accused reportedly used inducements to silence the victim after the crime.

Calls for Stronger Action
These incidents have intensified calls for stricter enforcement of laws and faster judicial processes in cases involving crimes against children. Residents in Pune and elsewhere have demanded stronger preventive measures and increased vigilance at the community level.

As the investigation continues, authorities say maintaining law and order remains a priority while ensuring that due legal process is followed. The case is expected to remain under close scrutiny in the coming days.