Pallavi Pundir

South Asia reporter who focuses on intersections of gender and politics, tech and society, and human rights.

Crime

Man Who Filmed Himself Raping 5 Drugged Korean Women Found Guilty

Balesh Dhankhar cried on Monday when the jury at an Australian court read their “guilty” verdict on the charges against him.
Pallavi Pundir
4.25.23
Crime

An Ex-MP Was Shot Dead on Live TV in India. Why Are These People Celebrating?

The brazen killing of former Indian lawmaker Atiq Ahmed has raised questions about India’s record of extrajudicial killings.
Pallavi Pundir
4.17.23
tibet

Tibetans Explain What ‘Suck My Tongue’ Means. It’s Not What You Think.

“It seems that many people, forced into an environment of e-connections, have completely forgotten what human connection means.”
Pallavi Pundir
4.14.23
police brutality

This Top Cop Is Accused of Extreme Torture Including ‘Crushing Testicles’ and Pulling Teeth

An average of five people die in police custody in India every day, according to official data.
Pallavi Pundir
4.14.23
controversy

Tibetans Say the Dalai Lama’s ‘Suck My Tongue’ Viral Video Is Being Misinterpreted

Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader has often courted controversy for his off-the-cuff jokes that his supporters say are “lost in translation.”
Pallavi Pundir
4.11.23
Crime

Groom Dies From an Exploding Wedding Gift. It Was From His Bride’s Ex.

Police say the accused previously worked in a mine where he became familiar with rigging explosives.
Pallavi Pundir
4.6.23
Gender

This Mob of Men Barged Into a Women’s College to Harass Its Students Again

A safety audit found that one in four women studying in India’s Delhi University has faced sexual harassment.
Pallavi Pundir
4.5.23
disaster

Temple Becomes Deathtrap After Floor Caves In, Killing 35

Authorities say they served multiple notices to the temple over its shoddy construction but were told fixing it would hurt “religious sentiments.”
Pallavi Pundir
3.31.23
Crime

10-Year-Old Boy Killed By His Own Family in a Human Sacrifice Ritual

The ritualistic killing was reported in India where superstition is closely tied to religion and politics.
Pallavi Pundir
3.29.23
Technology

This Court Used ChatGPT to Decide Bail in a Murder Case

Legal experts say AI chatbots could be the future of courtrooms despite their reputation of being biased and discriminatory.
Pallavi Pundir
3.29.23
Politics

Modi’s Biggest Rival Called Him a Thief. Now He’s Going to Jail.

“This has changed the narrative of Indian politics.”
Pallavi Pundir
3.28.23
SCAM

This Fake Country Is Run by a Guru Accused of Rape. How Did It End Up at the UN?

The “United States of Kailasa” was founded by Nithyananda, a self-styled guru who is wanted by police in India over rape and child abuse charges.
Pallavi Pundir
3.24.23
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