Nirbhaya's friend demanded money for interview: Leslee Udwin

March 15, 2015

Bengaluru, Mar 15: British filmmaker Leslee Udwin who's controversial documentary India's daughter on the 2012 gang rape victim has been the subject of much talk in the country has claimed that the victim's friend Avanindra Pandey the sole witness to the gruesome incident asked for money to appear in the documentary.

indian daughter
The film which was banned by the Indian government, Udwin has called the ban " muzzling of free speech'' and that ''the government should hang its head in shame."

In a interview with The Asian Age, Leslee says that not a day passed while she was making the film when she did not question as to how a documentary can be made where the only living, surviving prosecution witness in this case is not in it.

She also says that Avanindra wanted money to give his interview and she refused point blank as she thought it was unconscionable and unacceptable.

On Avanindra's claims that he had no idea who Satendra, shown as the victim's tutor was, Udwin told The Asian Age "Well, that’s his problem, isn’t it. I mean... are you telling me Satendra doesn’t exist? I could give you his phone number, and you can phone him up and you can ask him. He was asked by the family in 2006, before Avanindra even knew the victim, he was asked to tutor her, he did. He tutored her. He became her friend, he became a very, very close family friend. And you asked in your written question, I believe, how did I meet Satendra. The family introduced me to him."

While Udwin refused to reveal how much money Avanindra asked for, she said that they were trying till the end to get his version of the events. They even told him that they had Mukesh Singh interview stating that Avanindra hid between the seats to try to get him to come out with his version of events.

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News Network
December 2,2025

A major upgrade in safety and monitoring is planned for Haj 2026, with every Indian pilgrim set to receive a Haj Suvidha smart wristband linked to the official Haj Suvidha mobile app. The initiative aims to support pilgrims—especially senior citizens—who may struggle with smartphones during the 45-day journey.

What the Smart Wristband Will Do

Officials said the device will come with:
•    Location tracking
•    Pedometer
•    SOS emergency button
•    Qibla compass
•    Prayer timings
•    Basic health monitoring

SP Tiwari, secretary of the UP State Haj Committee, said the goal is to make the pilgrimage safer and more comfortable.

“Most Hajis are elderly and not comfortable with mobile apps,” he said. “The smartwatch will help locate pilgrims who forget their way or cannot communicate their location.”

The wristbands will be monitored by the Consulate General of India in Saudi Arabia, similar to mobile tracking via the Haj Suvidha App.

Free Distribution and Training

•    Smart wristbands will be given free of cost.
•    Training for pilgrims will be conducted between January and February 2026.
•    Sample units will reach state Haj committees soon.
•    Final devices will be distributed as pilgrims begin their journey.

New Rules for Accommodation

Two major decisions have also been finalised for Haj 2026:
1.    Separate rooms for men and women – including married couples. They may stay on the same floor but must occupy different rooms, following stricter Saudi guidelines.
2.    Cooking banned – gas cylinders will not be allowed; all meals will be provided through official catering services arranged by the Haj Committee of India.

These decisions were finalised during a meeting of the Haj Committee of India and state representatives in Mumbai.

Haj Suvidha App Launched Earlier

The government launched the Haj Suvidha App in 2024, offering:

•    Training modules
•    Accommodation and flight details
•    Baggage information
•    SOS and translation tools
•    Grievance redressal

Haj 2026 Quota and Key States

•    India’s total Haj quota for 2026: 1,75,025 pilgrims
•    70% (1,25,000) allotted to the Haj Committee of India
•    30% (around 50,000) reserved for Haj Group Organisers

Uttar Pradesh has the largest allocation (around 30,000 seats), though approximately 18,000 pilgrims are expected to go this year. States with high pilgrim numbers include Kerala, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Dates of Haj 2026

The pilgrimage is scheduled to take place from 24 May to 29 May, 2026 (tentative).
Haj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is mandatory for Muslims who meet the required conditions.

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