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Md Farooq Sheikh from Gujarat poses as an army major to smuggle liquor from Maharashtra, arrested in Nandurbar after saluting a constable

OpIndia Staff
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Md Farooq Sheikh from Gujarat poses as an army major to smuggle liquor from Maharashtra, arrested in Nandurbar after saluting a constable

A fake army officer identified as Raheel Shafi, also known as Mohammad Farooq Shaikh, has been apprehended in Nandurbar, Maharashtra. He lived in Vadodara and visited Maharashtra frequently. He shifted from Vadodara to Nandurbar, Maharashtra, where he wore the Army Major rank uniform. However, he stood exposed after he saluted a traffic constable in Nandurbar. He lived in Gorwa, Vadodara, and used to smuggle liquor from Maharashtra to Gujarat. Nandurbar police have arrested him.

The incident came to the fore during traffic congestion in Nandurbar, Maharashtra, while vehicles were being checked by the traffic police. Mohammad Farooq Sheikh of Gorwano of Vadodara came out of the car at that point, dressed in the uniform of a major rank in the army, and shouted at the police to clear the traffic. However, in the meanwhile, a constable approached him and received a salute from the ‘major’. As a result, fake Major Mohammed was exposed. Following that, the police apprehended him and launched an inquiry.

Nandurbar police found foreign liquor bottles worth Rs 1.5 lakhs after checking the fake major’s car. When Nandurbar police interrogated him, he kept pretending to be an army officer. Not only that, but he was also carrying a fake identity card. He told the police that he was employed in Vadodara.

OpIndia contacted the Nandurbar Police Station in this matter. The police said that the accused Mohammad Farooq Sheikh originally hails from Jalgaon in Maharashtra and lived in Gorwa in Vadodara. He used to load a cart full of liquor from Maharashtra and take it to Gujarat. He used to do this work in an army uniform. So he could easily cross the Gujarat-Maharashtra border. But he was suspected after he saluted the constable and was eventually arrested.

Along with this, OpIndia also contacted Gorwa Police Station. Police officer Siddharaj Singh said that the Nandurbar police searched the house of the accused in Gorwa, Vadodara. “Bottles of branded foreign liquor worth Rs 3.67 lakhs were found. The Gorwa police have registered a case against his Begum Shahida Sheikh. A pair of army uniforms was also recovered from the house of the accused, who turned out to be a fake major. The action is underway,” he added.

Gorwa police further said that many bottles of foreign-brand liquor were recovered. The accused is currently on a four-day remand of Nandurbar police station. After completion of remand, Gorwa Police will arrest the accused based on the transfer warrant and take action. The accused is also being interrogated as to how long he was smuggling liquor while wearing an army uniform.

Army officers will also interrogate the fake major

After the arrest of Mohammad Farooq Sheikh from Nandurbar, the police are now continuously questioning him. Various agencies and the Army will also question him in this matter and conduct further investigations. “The accused’s identification as an army officer, his whereabouts, and the number of criminal crimes he has committed will all be probed,” the police said.

According to media sources, Mohammad Farooq Shaikh married Shahida five years ago through an arranging matches website. Shahida revealed that before Nikah, the accused had told her that he had quit the army. However, even after Nikah, he remained at home as a retired jawan. As per his wife, Mohammad Farooq is a retired army officer. It should be mentioned that the accused’s father was an army subedar. He died in 2021. Muhammad was familiar with all the disciplines because his father served in the army.

Ahmedabad: Gujarat Transport bus crushes bike rider to death and flees; driver Arham arrested, fined and removed from service

OpIndia Staff
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Ahmedabad: Gujarat Transport bus crushes bike rider to death and flees; driver Arham arrested, fined and removed from service

A video of a horrific accident involving a bus and a two-wheeler at Bhulabhai Park Crossroad in the city of Ahmedabad has gone viral. The accident happened on April 19th and resulted in the death of a person identified as Naveen Patel who was riding a two-wheeler. Following the incident, the driver of the ACM 26 bus on Route 13/1 of the Amdavad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS) was removed from service and later arrested.

The bus driver who committed the accident is currently in police custody and has been charged under IPC sections 304A, 279, 337, and 427, as well as sections 177, 134B, and 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act.

The bus has been confiscated and sent to the police station for further action. The diver of the bus has been identified as Arham and he also has been charged Rs 2 lakh as fine. 

The video of the accident has gone viral over the internet. In the video, it can be seen that the bus driver, Arham, drove the bus speedily in spite of seeing the vehicles approaching from the adjacent crossroad. The bus brutally crushed the bike rider and fled from the spot.

After a few minutes, other commuters gathered at the spot to realize that the bike rider, Patel had died on the spot. As the video of the incident went viral over the internet, the netizens slammed the bus driver for having committed the accident and fleeing from the spot instead of stopping. However, some of them also pointed out that the victim was not wearing a helmet.

The accused bus driver Arham has been removed from the Amdavad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS) and has also been arrested in the case. A legal case has been filed under IPC sections 304A, 279, 337, and 427, as well as sections 177, 134B, and 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act.

Jairam Ramesh says Sam Pitroda is ‘very respected’, but his statement should not be taken seriously, Sam Pitroda distances himself from his own statement

OpIndia Staff
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Jairam Ramesh says Sam Pitroda is ‘very respected’, but his statement should not be taken seriously, Sam Pitroda distances himself from his own statement

On Wednesday (24th April), Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications, Jairam Ramesh contradicted the statements of the Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress and Rahul Gandhi’s advisor Sam Pitroda after the latter suggested that a US-like inheritance tax should be brought in India. Ramesh posted his statement on X and said that Sam Pitroda’s comments are his personal view and should not be considered as INC’s views.

“Pitroda expresses his opinions freely on issues he feels strongly about. Surely, in a democracy, an individual is at liberty to discuss, express, and debate his personal views. This does not mean that Pitroda’s views always reflect the position of the Indian National Congress. Many times they do not,” Ramesh said in an X post.

“Sam Pitroda has been a mentor, friend, philosopher, and guide to many across the world, including me. He has made numerous, enduring contributions to India’s developments. He is the President of the Indian Overseas Congress. Sensationalizing his comments now and tearing them out of context are deliberate and desperate attempts at diverting attention away from Narendra Modi’s malicious and mischievous election campaign; which is anchored ONLY in lies and more lies,” he added.

This comes hours after Sam Pitroda suggested that a US-like inheritance tax should be brought in India amid outrage over the Congress party’s ‘wealth redistribution’ poll promise. Pitroda while explaining the inheritance tax claimed that in the US, 55% of the wealth is grabbed by the government when a person dies and the rest goes to the family, suggesting that Congress can bring a similar policy under its wealth redistribution promise.

“In America, there is an inheritance tax. If one has $100 million worth of wealth and when he dies he can only transfer probably 45% to his children, 55% is grabbed by the government. That’s an interesting law. It says you in your generation, made wealth and you are leaving now, you must leave your wealth for the public, not all of it, half of it, which to me sounds fair. In India, you don’t have that. If somebody is worth 10 billion and he dies, his children get 10 billion and the public gets nothing…,” Pitroda said on Wednesday.

“So these are the kind of issues people will have to debate and discuss. I don’t know what the conclusion would be at the end of the day but when we talk about redistributing wealth, we are talking about new policies and new programs that are in the interest of the people and not in the interest of the super-rich only,” he added.

However, after Ramesh’s statement, Pitroda himself stated that whatever he talked about had nothing to do with Congress and that the statements he made were in a personal capacity. He further blamed the media for ‘twisting’ his statement. However, Pitroda’s statement about inheritance tax was not twisted, but presented as it is.

The senior Congress leader who is a trusted aide of Rahul Gandhi and organizes all his foreign visits and University talks, had literally stated that a similar inheritance tax should be brought to India, and hinted at policy change to bring the inheritance tax to make Congress’ wealth redistribution plans possible.

Congress’ wealth redistribution plan

As reported earlier, a major outrage erupted over Congress’s plans to do an economic survey to determine who owns how much wealth and redistribute it. PM Modi recently attacked the Congress party over this and asserted that Congress will redistribute the wealth to the infiltrators. 

Sam Pitroda is not a nobody in Congress, but a very senior leader and close to Gandhi family

Sam Pitroda, short for Satyanarayan Gangaram Pitroda, is the Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress. He was born in Odisha’s Titilagarh in 1942. He moved to the US in 1964 and has been close to the Congress leadership since the time of Indira Gandhi.

He met the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1981 to discuss the development of the telecom sector in India. In 1987, he became an advisor to Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, son of Indira Gandhi, and launched six technology missions while serving as the Chairman of the Telecom Commission and secretary of the Department of Telecom.

His loyalty to the Gandhi-Congress family has continued ever since. In his own words, he has a “bond with Rahul Gandhi”.

Pitroda says he has a good chemistry with Rahul Gandhi and accompanies him to several events in the US where the latter interacts with the people. “He has grown more confident. His message is well received. Yes, he is ready to interact (with the people) and he is ready to be himself. I won’t say I am guiding him; rather, I have conversations with him like the one I am having with you. We have good chemistry. I can talk openly with him,” Pitroda was quoted as saying.

‘Rahul Gandhi is never in India during crucial times’: Kerala CM Vijayan launches latest attack, left-backed MLA says Rahul Gandhi’s DNA should be tested

OpIndia Staff
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‘Rahul Gandhi is never in India during crucial times’: Kerala CM Vijayan launches latest attack, left-backed MLA says Rahul Gandhi’s DNA should be tested

The war of words between I.N.D.I. Alliance partners CPI(M) and Congress is not going to end anytime soon. On Tuesday (23rd April), Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan claimed that Congress MP Rahul Gandhi goes missing when important things happen in the country. CM Vijayan added that Rahul Gandhi is never in the country during crucial discussions.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Pinarayi Vijayan said: “Where is Rahul Gandhi when important things happen? When extremely crucial times come up in our country Rahul Gandhi is never here. We have discussed how Rahul Gandhi is never in India during crucial times…”

Notably, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh had said on Tuesday that Rahul Gandhi was unwell and will resume electioneering from Wednesday (24th April).

Rahul Gandhi’s DNA should be tested: says PV Anvar

Other than CM Vijayan, left-backed independent MLA PV Anvar took a dig at Rahul Gandhi saying that the Congress leader has no right to use the Gandhi surname and that his DNA should be tested.

Speaking at a CPI(M) election rally at Edathanattukara in Malappuram on Monday, Anvar said: “Rahul has no right to use the Gandhi name. He has stooped to the level of a fourth-class citizen. Was he born into the Nehru family? I have doubts…his DNA should be examined.”

Reacting to Rahul Gandhi’s recent remark that two chief ministers are in jail but CM Vijayan is not, and that BJP is soft in criticising the Left government in Kerala, Vijayan said on Tuesday: “When Rahul speaks, he should be careful and should understand that he would get a fitting reply. Rahul is not someone who has protection from criticism. During friendly conversations, Congress leaders say that Rahul has changed. I thought, as a person who had walked across the country, Rahul would have acquired knowledge. (But) what he recently said in Kerala was unbecoming of a political leader… He should not take an approach that helps BJP…”

This came after Rahul Gandhi while addressing a rally in Kottayam last week said: “Every single day they attacked me but why did the BJP not attack CM Vijayan? Two CMs are in jail but not Pinarayi Vijayan. Another interesting thing is that when I came to Kerala I attacked the BJP, but the CM of Kerala spent 24 hours attacking me. That is what he is doing all the time. For some reason, BJP is not attacking Kerala CM.”

As reported earlier, Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday said that the Left parties do not need validation from Congress for their opposition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s misguided policies. He was reacting to the Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi’s allegation that he is soft on PM Modi possibly to save himself from the investigations of the Central agencies into the various allegations against his government.

While the CPI and the Congress are partners in the opposition INDIA bloc, the two parties are fierce contenders in Kerala with both parties pitting their strongest candidates against each other.

CPM is miffed at Rahul Gandhi for contesting from Wayanad

Raising questions over the INDI Alliance partner Congress party’s decision to field Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad, CM Vijayan said recently that everyone was questioning Rahul Gandhi’s decision to visit to Kerala rather than confront the BJP-led Centre.

“What is the meaning of this?” Rahul Gandhi is the main leader of the INDI alliance, and he is fighting against the Left Democratic Front, which is also a member of the alliance,” he stated.

“Who is Rahul Gandhi fighting in Kerala? Can we say he is contesting against (BJP candidate) K Surendran in Kerala? Can we say he came to Kerala to fight against the BJP? He is coming here to contest against the LDF,” CM Vijayan added.

“Rahul Gandhi is coming to Kerala and contesting against Annie Raja. She [Annie Raja] is a national leader of the CPI. She was called anti-national during the Manipur violence for strongly calling out the BJP government’s wrongdoing. It was her fact-finding system that brought to light the cruelty of the Christian population. What was the role of Rahul Gandhi in that? Can he say anything on that?” Vijayan said.

As ABC’s Avani Dias lies about visa extension, 30 foreign correspondents join the activism bandwagon, write ‘open letter’ to support the Khalistani sympathiser

OpIndia Staff
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As ABC’s Avani Dias lies about visa extension, 30 foreign correspondents join the activism bandwagon, write ‘open letter’ to support the Khalistani sympathiser

On 23rd April, a group of journalists wrote an open letter to show solidarity with anti-India “journalist” Avani Dias of ABC News. The letter was shared by the South Asia bureau chief of Financial Times John Reed on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Signed by 30 foreign correspondents, the letter propagated the same lies Dias and ABC News propagated regarding her Visa status and accreditations to cover the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

The letter claimed that Dias has been covering India since January 2022 and after her reporting on Khalistanis, her Visa renewal became difficult. She was told she had “crossed a line”, the letter claimed. Furthermore, the letter said though her Visa was extended for two months at the last moment, Dias was categorically told “she would not receive accreditation to cover the election”. It added, “Thus, though not technically expelling her, Indian authorities have effectively pushed out a foreign correspondent on the eve of an election that the government describes as the largest democratic exercise in the world.”

“Foreign journalists in India have grappled with increased restrictions on visas and journalism permits for those holding the status of Overseas Citizen of India. The circumstances of Ms Dias’s departure are further cause for concern. We call on the Indian government to facilitate the vital work of a free press in line with India’s democratic traditions,” the letter read in the conclusion.

Arguments in favour of Avani Dias are factually incorrect

Interestingly, the 30 journalists who wrote the open letter narrated the same story Avani Dias and ABC News narrated. It appears they did not bother to factually check the statements before writing the open letter. As reported by OpIndia earlier, claims laid down by the South Asia Bureau Chief of ABC News were incorrect, misleading and mischievous.

India Today journalist Geeta Mohan called her out for the lies propagated against India. Quoting official sources, she debunked the falsehoods and noted that Dias was in fact found to have violated visa rules while undertaking her professional endeavours. She added that despite this, she was informed that her visa would be extended at her request for the coverage of the Lok Sabha elections.

Indian journalists have criticized the activism and have pointed out that a simple verification by the signatories would have given them the truth. However, they chose to indulge in elitism and activism instead of doing basic journalistic duties.

Avani Dias propagated a lie about her visa details

On 23rd April, the South Asia Bureau Chief of the Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC) News, Avani Dias, took to X (formerly Twitter) to claim that she had to leave India abruptly as the Modi government told her an extension of her visa would be denied as her reporting had “crossed a line”.

The controversial ‘journalist’ also claimed that the Indian government had plans to not allow her accreditation to cover the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Dias claimed that her visa was extended for 2 months at the last minute, following which she went back to Australia. She lamented returning to her home country just a day before the first phase of the elections.

Thereafter, her employer ABC News published a controversial article claiming that Dias received a phone call from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and was notified about the denial of her visa extension. The publication said that MEA informed the ‘journalist’ that she crossed a line with her propaganda-laden YouTube video, which suggested that India was somehow involved in the assassination of Canada-based Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Nonetheless, the Modi government directed YouTube to withhold the anti-India propaganda video by ABC News and its South Asia Bureau Chief Avani Dias. “This content is currently unavailable in this country because of an order from the government related to national security or public order,” reads a message on the YouTube link of the video.

Congress leader Sam Pitroda suggests govt should take away half your wealth when you die, leaving less than 50% for your children or dependants

OpIndia Staff
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Congress leader Sam Pitroda suggests govt should take away half your wealth when you die, leaving less than 50% for your children or dependants

Amidst outrage over the Congress party’s ‘wealth redistribution’ poll promise, Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress and Rahul Gandhi’s advisor Sam Pitroda has suggested that a US-like inheritance tax should be brought in India. Pitroda while explaining the inheritance tax claimed that in the US, 55% of the wealth is grabbed by the government when a person dies and the rest goes to the family, suggesting that Congress can bring a similar policy under its wealth redistribution promise.

“In America, there is an inheritance tax. If one has $100 million worth of wealth and when he dies he can only transfer probably 45% to his children, 55% is grabbed by the government. That’s an interesting law. It says you in your generation, made wealth and you are leaving now, you must leave your wealth for the public, not all of it, half of it, which to me sounds fair. In India, you don’t have that. If somebody is worth 10 billion and he dies, his children get 10 billion and the public gets nothing…,” Pitroda said on Wednesday.

“So these are the kind of issues people will have to debate and discuss. I don’t know what the conclusion would be at the end of the day but when we talk about redistributing wealth, we are talking about new policies and new programs that are in the interest of the people and not in the interest of super-rich only,” he added.

As reported earlier, a major outrage erupted over Congress’s plans to do an economic survey to find out who owns how much wealth and redistribute it. PM Modi recently attacked the Congress party over this and asserted that Congress will redistribute the wealth to the infiltrators. He warned the voters that according to the Congress party’s announcement if they form the government, gold, silver, ornaments like Mangalsutra, property, etc of Indians will be surveyed to be taken away and redistributed. 

Pitroda was earlier in news for asking the middle class ‘not to be selfish’ and be ready to pay more taxes to fund freebie plans of the Congress party.

Understanding gaming’s influence on mental health and wellness

OpIndia Staff
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Understanding gaming’s influence on mental health and wellness

In an era where digital entertainment reigns supreme, the intersection of gaming and mental health has become a topic of considerable interest and concern. As the popularity of online gaming, such as games like Online Rummy and Battle games, continues to soar, it’s essential to delve into the intricate relationship between gaming habits and mental well-being. This article aims to explore the variety of effects of gaming on mental health, shedding light on the complexities that define this dynamic interaction.

Positive Effects of Gaming:

Social Connection Through Online Gaming

One of the significant benefits of gaming is its ability to foster social connections, especially evident in online multiplayer games like Indian Rummy. Research indicates that multiplayer gaming can improve social interaction and communication skills, leading to improved social relationships. For instance, online Rummy platforms provide players with opportunities to engage in virtual communities, where they can interact with fellow players, share strategies, and build friendships. This social aspect of gaming can have positive implications for mental well-being by reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Enhanced Cognitive Abilities

Contrary to popular belief, gaming can also have cognitive benefits, particularly in games that require strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. Indian Rummy, for example, involves complex decision-making processes and requires players to anticipate their opponent’s moves. Studies have shown that regularly engaging in such games can improve cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and multitasking abilities. These cognitive benefits are not only limited to traditional video games but also extend to online card games like online Rummy.

Stress Reduction and Relaxation

Another positive aspect of gaming is its potential to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Engaging in enjoyable activities, such as playing games, can trigger the release of endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that promote feelings of pleasure and relaxation. Games like online Rummy offer a form of escapism, allowing players to immerse themselves in a virtual world. Additionally, the competitive yet engaging nature of these games can provide a sense of achievement and satisfaction, further contributing to stress reduction.

Negative Effects of Gaming:

Risk of Addiction

While gaming can have positive effects, excessive or compulsive gaming can lead to addiction, which can have detrimental consequences for mental health. Research suggests that individuals who excessively engage in gaming may experience withdrawal symptoms, neglect other areas of their lives, and develop poor impulse control. Furthermore, gaming addiction has been associated with various mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Therefore, it is essential to practise moderation and be mindful of the amount of time spent gaming.

Impact on Sleep Patterns

Another negative effect of gaming on mental health is its impact on sleep patterns. Excessive gaming, especially late at night, can disrupt sleep schedules and lead to sleep deprivation, which in turn can impair cognitive function and mood regulation. Online games, which can be highly engaging and competitive, may encourage players to stay up late, leading to inadequate sleep. Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to an increased risk of mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and irritability. Therefore, it is crucial for gamers to establish healthy sleep habits and prioritise restful sleep.

Social Isolation and Withdrawal

While gaming can facilitate social connection, it can also contribute to social isolation, particularly when individuals prefer virtual interactions over real-life relationships. Excessive gaming may lead to withdrawal from social activities, reduced face-to-face communication, and a decline in social skills. Despite the social features, online card games can inadvertently isolate players if they prioritise gaming over spending time with friends and family. Prolonged social isolation can have detrimental effects on mental health, increasing the risk of loneliness, depression, and anxiety. Therefore, it is essential for gamers to strike a balance between online interactions and offline socialising.

Conclusion

In conclusion, gaming has a mix of effects on mental health, depending on various factors such as the type of game, the amount of time spent gaming, and individual susceptibility. If we take games like Indian Rummy as an example, it offers opportunities for social connection, cognitive stimulation, and stress relief, which can benefit mental well-being. However, excessive gaming can lead to addiction, sleep disturbances, and social withdrawal, contributing to mental health problems. Therefore, it is crucial for gamers to be mindful of their gaming habits, prioritise moderation, and seek support if needed. By understanding the complex relationship between gaming and mental health, we can harness the benefits of gaming while mitigating its potential risks.

Did anti-India ABC ‘journalist’ Avani Dias lie about Modi govt not extending her visa? Reports indicate how she left India with a valid visa after extension: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Did anti-India ABC ‘journalist’ Avani Dias lie about Modi govt not extending her visa? Reports indicate how she left India with a valid visa after extension: Details

On April 23, Tuesday, Geeta Mohan, a journalist with India Today, took to X to report that sources have indicated that Avani Dias, the South Asia Bureau Chief of ABC News, maybe lying against the Indian government. Earlier in the day, the anti-India ‘journalist’ Avani Dias claimed she had to leave India immediately because the Modi government had not extended her visa.

Geeta Mohan quoted sources saying that the Australian journalist’s claim that she was forced to leave the nation and was not permitted to cover elections was incorrect, misleading and mischievous.

Debunking the falsehoods propagated by ABC News’s South Asia Bureau Chief, India Today journalist informed that Dias was found to have violated visa rules while undertaking her professional endeavours. She added that despite this, she was informed that her visa would be extended at her request for the coverage of the Lok Sabha elections.

She was given an extension until the end of June for her previous visa, which was valid until April 20, 2024. The day Dias paid the visa fee, that is on April 18, 2024, was when the process of granting visa extension was completed. Geeta Mohan stated that Dias did, however, opt to leave India on April 20th and that at that time, her visa was very much valid and her request for an extension stood approved.

It was further reported how Dias’ assertion that she was not granted authorization to cover elections was likewise untrue.

“Coverage of election activities outside of booths is permitted to all Journalist Visa holders. Authority letters are required only for access to polling booths and counting stations. This, however, cannot be processed while the visa extension is under process,” the India Today journalist wrote, further confirming how other ABC correspondents – Meghna Bali and Som Patidar – have already received their letters.

How Avani Dias construed a lie about her visa details to malign the Modi Govt

On April 23, the South Asia Bureau Chief of the Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC) News, Avani Dias, took to X (formerly Twitter) to claim that she had to leave India abruptly as the Modi government told her an extension of her visa would be denied as her reporting had “crossed a line”.

The controversial ‘journalist’ also claimed that the Indian government had plans to not allow her accreditation to cover the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Dias claimed that her visa was extended for 2 months at the last minute, following which she went back to Australia.

She lamented returning to her home country just a day before the first phase of the elections.

Thereafter, her employer ABC News published a controversial article (archive) claiming that Dias received a phone call from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and was notified about the denial of her visa extension.

The publication said that MEA informed the ‘journalist’ that she crossed a line with her propaganda-laden YouTube video, which suggested that India was somehow involved in the assassination of Canada-based Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Nonetheless, the Modi government directed YouTube to withhold the anti-India propaganda video by ABC News and its South Asia Bureau Chief Avani Dias. “This content is currently unavailable in this country because of an order from the government related to national security or public order,” reads a message on the YouTube link of the video

‘State cabinet intentionally protected fraudulent appointments’: Calcutta HC slams TMC government, declares 2016 SSC recruitments null and void

OpIndia Staff
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‘State cabinet intentionally protected fraudulent appointments’: Calcutta HC slams TMC government, declares 2016 SSC recruitments null and void

The Calcutta High Court on Monday (22nd April) declared all appointments null and void in the selection of candidates in West Bengal government-sponsored and aided secondary and higher secondary schools through a 2016 recruitment process. The court has ordered the School Service Commission (SSC) to conduct fresh recruitments. Notably, over 23 lakh candidates had appeared for the SLST 2016 for 24,640 vacant posts.

The Calcutta High Court bench comprising Justices Debangsu Basak and Md. Shabbar Rashid also reprimanded CM Mamata Banerjee-led government in West Bengal saying that despite being aware of the irregularities, the state government decided to protect employment obtained fraudulently.

“It is shocking that, at the level of the Cabinet of the State government, a decision is taken to protect employment obtained fraudulently in a selection process conducted by SSC for State-funded schools, knowing fully well that such appointments were obtained beyond the panel and after expiry of the panel, at the bare minimum,” the court said.

“Unless there is a deep connection between the persons perpetuating the fraud and the beneficiaries with people involved in the decision-making process, such action to create supernumerary posts to protect illegal appointments is inconceivable, the High Court bench added.

The court further ordered that those who were recruited illegally will have to return their salary within six weeks. All appointments by the SSC in the categories of teachers of classes 9, 10, 11 and 12 and group-C and D staffers through the State Level Selection Test-2016 (SLST) where irregularities were found have also been declared null and void.

“All appointments granted in the selection processes involved, being violative of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India, are declared null and void and cancelled. We would rather have persons of integrity appointed as teachers through an untainted selection process rather than expose students to elements securing appointments through an unscrupulous selection process,” the court said.

The Calcutta HC has also instructed the administration to take action on fresh appointments in the next 15 days. One exception in the matter has been mentioned by the court in the case of Soma Das, a cancer victim. The court ruled that Das’ job will remain safe.

Advocate Vikram Banerjee told ANI, “Particularly, the tender process was given to a blacklisted company, namely NYSA and that process is illegal. The number of illegal appointees cannot be detected, in view of which the entire selection process has been cancelled. The beneficiaries of this illegal process must refund their salaries. The district collectors of all districts in West Bengal have been directed to start the recovery process within four weeks. A fresh selection process must be started. A fresh tender must be publicly advertised.

“During the process, a super-numerical post was created by the state of West Bengal. Given the illegal appointees, the state of Bengal tried to accommodate them, but this was purely illegal. The Division Bench has directed to investigate and find out who created the super-numerical post. If necessary, the influential person will be taken into custody by CBI,” he added.

The court pronounced its judgement after hearing petitions and appeals relating to alleged irregularities in the selection of candidates in the 2016 recruitment process. A division bench, formed by the Chief Justice of the High Court at the direction of the Supreme Court, was hearing the matter. The hearing in the matter was concluded on March 20 and judgement was reserved by the division bench.

Meanwhile, CM Mamata Banerjee has come out in support of those who fraudulently obtained the jobs and declared the Calcutta High Court’s order as “illegal”.

Speaking at a rally in Raniganj, CM Banerjee said: “Our government will stand for those who lost their jobs and we will appeal before a higher court. We will ensure you get justice, and challenge the order in a higher court. It is not mandatory to accept all verdicts. This order was passed as per the BJP’s instructions amid the elections.”

The West Bengal School Service Commission teacher recruitment scam came to light after the arrest of Bengal BJP leader Partha Chatterjee, a Trinamool Congress leader who served as the education minister in Mamata Banerjee’s cabinet until his arrest on July 23, 2022.

Earlier on February 16, a team of the Enforcement Directorate conducted raids on close associates of Partha Chatterjee in Kolkata. Chatterjee was arrested after Rs 21 crore in cash and jewellery worth above Rs 1 crore was recovered from the Kolkata residence of Arpita Mukherjee, a close aide of the former education minister. Chatterjee and his aide Arpita Mukherjee, are facing a probe into the West Bengal School Service Commission.

(With inputs from ANI)

Surat: Congress candidate whose nomination was rejected due to discrepancies ‘goes missing’, may soon join the BJP

OpIndia Staff
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Surat: Congress candidate whose nomination was rejected due to discrepancies ‘goes missing’, may soon join the BJP

After the nomination papers of Nilesh Kumbhani, the Congress candidate for Surat were rejected due to discrepancies, reports indicate that he had gone missing from his residence in Surat and his phone was unreachable. The development has led to a political upheaval in the city as Congress party workers held a protest against Kumbhani outside his house. 

Angry at the recent developments, they held placards and called Kumbhani a ‘people’s traitor’ and ‘murderer of democracy’. 

According to reports, Kumbhani has been out of touch since early morning. His house in the Sarthana area was also found locked from outside and he could not be contacted. As the ruckus outside his house escalated, the police were forced to take control of the situation. Meanwhile, a scuffle broke out between the Congress workers and the police. Later, Police detained some of the Congress workers. 

Staging a protest the Congress workers alleged that Kumbhani will join the Bharatiya Janata Party as early as this week. They also alleged that he was already working for the BJP while he was in the grand old party which resulted in the rejection of his nomination papers. 

Kumbhani’s nomination form was rejected as he failed to produce any of his three proposers before the Returning Officer, Sourabh Pardhi. The BJP raised concerns about discrepancies in the signatures of the three proposers on his form.

Further, Suresh Padsala, the Congress’ replacement candidate from Surat, also had his nomination invalidated which resulted in the Congress party’s exit from the electoral fray on this seat which has been a traditional BJP stronghold. Pardhi stated in his decision that the four nomination forms submitted by Kumbhani and Padsala were dismissed due to apparent discrepancies in the signatures of the backers on the nomination forms submitted by Kumbhani and Padsala, casting doubt on their authenticity.

Nonetheless, after their nomination papers were rejected, all the other eight Independent candidates in the fray withdrew their papers. Consequently, on Monday (22nd April), BJP candidate Mukesh Dalal was elected unopposed from this Lok Sabha constituency. 

With this, he became the first BJP candidate to get elected unopposed in the history of Independent India. Pertinent to note that at least 35 politicians have been elected unopposed from their respective Lok Sabha constituencies since 1951.

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