The Catch Up: 17 February

Feb 17, 2025

Protests erupted at a university in Bhubaneswar after the shocking death of a student, leading to police investigations and public scrutiny. In a separate case, the Supreme Court is stepping in to address the controversial demolition of a mosque in Uttar Pradesh, highlighting tensions between local authorities and religious leaders. Meanwhile, Assam Police are investigating a climate policy expert linked to foreign involvement in local matters, raising questions about international influence in domestic affairs. The podcast also touches on US diplomatic efforts regarding the Ukraine crisis.

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Major Protests and Legal Developments in India and Global Diplomatic Efforts

00:00 • 3min

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
Today is the 17th of February and here are the headlines.

Protests erupted at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar after 20-year-old Nepalese student Prakriti Lamsal was found dead in her hostel room. Lamsal, a B.Tech student in computer science, was suspected to have committed suicide. Police detained a batchmate in connection with the case and filed an FIR under abetment to suicide. Investigations are ongoing, while the university and local authorities face growing scrutiny following the incident.

The Supreme Court has issued a notice regarding a plea to hold Uttar Pradesh authorities in contempt for demolishing part of the Madni mosque in Kushinagar. The plea claims the demolition violated the court's November 2024 ruling, which required prior notice. The court has also barred further demolition at the site until further orders. The case draws attention to the clash between local authorities and religious community leaders over the mosque's fate.

The Assam Police have filed a case against a Pakistani climate policy expert, following allegations of her involvement in India’s internal affairs. The case follows comments by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who raised concerns over Elizabeth Gogoi, wife of Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, and her past work with the Climate Development and Knowledge Network. Sarma and BJP officials have questioned her foreign ties and a 2015 meeting between Gaurav Gogoi and the Pakistani High Commissioner to India.

A Sessions Court in Goa sentenced Vikat Bhagat to life imprisonment for the rape and murder of a British-Irish backpacker in 2017. Bhagat was convicted under sections 302 (murder), 376 (rape), and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence). The victim, a 28-year-old dual citizen, was found near a Goa beach during a holiday with a friend. She had previously studied at Liverpool John Moores University and was from Buncrana, Ireland, traveling on a British passport.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of talks with Russian officials, focused on ending the ongoing war in Ukraine. Rubio's visit follows discussions between U.S. and Russian officials, including a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Alongside national security adviser Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Rubio will meet with Russian officials to address global tensions, including the war and prisoner swaps, during this diplomatic mission.

This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by the Indian Express.