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Mahua Moitra bribery scam: CBI summons lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai for preliminary inquiry

ANI
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Mahua Moitra bribery scam: CBI summons lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai for preliminary inquiry

The Central Bureau of Investigation has summoned Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai to appear before the agency on January 25 for a preliminary inquiry in connection with the ongoing investigation on the cash-for-query case, sources said on Tuesday.

Earlier this month, Dehadrai said that he has filed a complaint with the CBI and would not back down after he alleged that former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra was conducting surveillance against him.

Dehadrai was also the complainant in the alleged ‘Cash for Query’ case, which led to the suspension of Moitra from Parliament.

In a letter written to CBI Director Praveen Sood and Union Home Minister Amit Shah dated December 29, Advocate Dehadrai said that there might be a possibility that the TMC leader is “tracking” his physical location by using his phone number.

The advocate in his letter also alleged, “Moitra has a demonstrated history of misusing her clout and connections with certain senior officers of Bengal Police to obtain the Call Detail Records (CDR) of private individuals to satisfy her desire to stalk the precise whereabouts of certain individuals as also the details of the individuals they are in touch with.”

Advocate Dehadrai also stated in his complaint that earlier, the TMC leader was actively “tracking a person named Suhaan Mukerji in 2019”.

“Moitra informed me orally on multiple occasions in the past as also in writing (on WhatsApp on 26.09.2019) that she had been actively tracking her ex-boyfriend, one Suhaan Mukerji as she suspected him of being in a relationship with a German lady,” the letter read.

Dehadrai further alleged that Moitra, with the assistance of “Senior Bengal Police Officers”, had the entire call records and history of Mukerji’s phone in which she had precise information about the individuals who had been “in contact with Mukerji as also the precise physical location of Mukerji’s phone for all hours of the day”.

The advocate also stated that Mahua Moitra has made several threats to him in the past and also said that on several occasions he felt that his car was being followed outside his residence in Delhi.

Responding to allegations made in the complaint, Mahua Moitra in her post on X, urged the Home Ministry to appoint a Special Director in the CBI for complaints by ‘jilted exes’ all over India.

“Urging MHA to set up a special Director CBI to probe all complaints by loser jilted exes pan India. Gratified to see Shahenshah of all Peeping Toms cc’d on the complaint. – he honed his surveillance skills covering up for his Sahib in Gujarat and can supervise CBI,” she said in a post on X.

Moitra, facing cash for query allegations, was expelled from the Lok Sabha after the Parliament adopted the report of its Ethics Committee, which was probing the matter. Moitra alleged that the Ethics Committee, without getting to the root of the investigation, decided to hang her. 

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Bengaluru: CBI court orders transfer of seized gold and diamond jewellery of former Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa to the TN government

OpIndia Staff
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Bengaluru: CBI court orders transfer of seized gold and diamond jewellery of former Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa to the TN government

On 22nd January (Monday), a special CBI court in Bengaluru ordered that the gold and diamond jewellery belonging to the late former Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa should be transferred to the Tamil Nadu state government for legal action.

The Court refused a prayer to auction jewellery worth crores seized from the late CM in connection with the disproportionate assets case. Her jewellery is currently in the court’s custody and kept in treasury. 

The ornaments had occupied the centre stage after J Deepa, kin of the late CM, moved the court arguing that she is entitled to properties that were confiscated by the state. However, the court had earlier held that the family of Jayalalithaa was not entitled to the properties which are confiscated. Thus, the Special CBI Court had rejected the petition filed by J Deepa and J Deepak, the niece and nephew of Jayalalithaa, respectively.

Regarding the recent order, Special Court Judge H A Mohan said, “I am of the opinion that instead of auctioning the jewels, it is better to transfer the same to Tamil Nadu by handing over the same through the department of home, state of Tamil Nadu. Accordingly, they are directed to appoint and authorise the competent persons preferably in the rank of secretary along with police to come and collect the jewels.”

Further, the court also ordered the Tamil Nadu government to pay ₹5 crore as compensation to Karnataka for conducting the disproportionate assets case against former TN Chief Minister (CM) late J Jayalalithaa. As per Judge Mohan’s order, the payment has to be made by way of a demand draft (DD).

The Court issued the above order while hearing a plea filed by RTI activist T Narasimha Murthy, who sought compensation for the amount spent by the Karnataka government in the disproportionate assets case, through the auction of items seized from J Jayalalithaa.

On 27th September 2014, a special court in Bengaluru had sentenced Jayalalithaa to four years in jail. It also fined her ₹100 crore in connection with a disproportionate assets case. The court had also directed that her seized valuables should be sold to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) or State Bank of India (SBI) through public auction. 

The court directed that the proceeds should be adjusted to the fine amount, prompting the plea by Murthy before the special court. 

Under the direction of the Supreme Court, the trial was conducted by the Special Court in Bengaluru. The court heard the disproportionate assets trial against Jayalalithaa, her former close aide V Sasikala, V N Sudhakaran, who is the disowned foster son of Jayalalithaa, and Sasikala’s sister-in-law J Ilavarasi. 

Pro-Babri Masjid slogans raised at Jamia Millia Islamia on the day of Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha; police deployed outside the campus

OpIndia Staff
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Pro-Babri Masjid slogans raised at Jamia Millia Islamia on the day of Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha; police deployed outside the campus

On 22nd January (Monday), tensions were high near Delhi’s Jamia Millia Islamia after videos of students raising Pro-Babri Masjid slogans on the university campus surfaced online. It came on the day when the nation marked festivities for Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya. After the videos surfaced online, the Delhi Police deployed police personnel outside the campus and increased vigilance to avoid any untoward incidents. However, no arrests have been made so far in this case as no official complaint has been made so far to the Delhi Police. The administration on its part has claimed that they are looking into the matter.  

The Delhi Police said that the force has been deployed outside the university as a precautionary measure after videos showcasing students allegedly raising slogans such as “Strike for Babri” went viral on social media.

A police official said, “The deployment of police personnel outside (the university) is a precautionary measure.” As per the news agency PTI, the police official added that the deployment was done given the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha and the upcoming Republic Day. 

An X (Twitter) handle named Fraternity Movement JMI shared a video in which some students can be heard raising slogans like ‘Strike for Babri’ and ‘RSS down down’. 

The caption of the post read, “Boycott for Babri. Resistance is Remembrance Fraternity Movement Jamia Millia Islamia organized a university-wide strike, urging students to boycott classes and reading rooms in solidarity with Babri Masjid.”

Several other X users also shared the controversial slogans in favour of Babri Masjid when the long-drawn dispute was well-settled in the top court of the land. 

No arrests have been made so far. According to Delhi Police, after getting the information, the administration removed all of them. No action was initiated because the protest happened inside the campus and no official complaint was given to the police.

On its part, the Jamia Millia Islamia administration claimed that academic activity was not disrupted because of the “protest” adding that the situation is under control.

An official of the University said, “There were 2-3 students who raised slogans and showed placards yesterday. When we got the knowledge, the students were removed from the place. The University is further looking into the matter.” 

Notably, yesterday on 22nd January, the nation marked Diwali-like celebrations when Shri Ram Lalla returned to His Birthplace after a long wait of 5 centuries. The Ram Mandir is being constructed on Ram Janmabhoomi after it was demolished by henchmen of Mughal invader Babar in 1528. 
A disputed structure that was built on the illegally usurped land was demolished on 6th December 1992. After nearly 500 years of struggle on all fronts and over 30 years of legal proceedings in top courts of India, the Supreme Court ruled the Ram Janmabhoomi in favour of Ram Lalla – a deity who is a juristic personality as per law. Additionally, the court used its special powers to allocate 5 acres of land on an alternate site in a prominent place in Ayodhya for Muslims to construct a mosque.

‘Make those heads turn’: Swedish fashion brand H&M issues apology for & recalls ad ‘sexualising’ children, report claims label still promoting said adverts

OpIndia Staff
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‘Make those heads turn’: Swedish fashion brand H&M issues apology for & recalls ad ‘sexualising’ children, report claims label still promoting said adverts

Renowned fashion brand H&M had to take down an image which was part of its advertisement campaign which included children, after being accused of sexualising underage girls.

The Swedish fashion brand faced flak across social media platforms for its advertisement launched in Australia which showed two school girls in school uniforms with the caption: “Make those heads turn in H&M’s Back to School fashion.”

The brand then removed the ad and issued an apology. “We have removed this ad. We are deeply sorry for the offence this has caused and we are looking into how we present campaigns going forward,” the H&M spokesperson said.

An Australian writer Melinda Tankard Reist wrote on X, “Why would you want to fuel the idea that little girls should draw attention to their looks, bodies and ‘style’? Perhaps have a word to your marketing team and come up with something that doesn’t draw attention to pre-pubescent girls already struggling to thrive in a culture that values ‘lookism’ as an aspirational goal?”

Another X user, a psychologist, Dr Pam Spurr, wrote, “Let’s BOYCOTT H&M until they remove the offensive AD & donate to a child protection charity! We can stop their PEDOPHILE AD spreading to other countries @hm & @hmaustralia We DON’T want children used in this very dangerous way #BoycottHM #LeaveTheKidsAlone.”

GB News panellist Adam Brooks took to X and wrote, “H&M is forced to pull ‘sexualised’ school uniform advert featuring two young girls in pinafores with the slogan. “Make those heads turn” ? This was no mistake, this campaign would have had to go through many people to be signed off,why would people turn heads for kids??..sick.”

Meanwhile, an exclusive report by The Daily Mail has claimed that H&M is still promoting adverts that feature children with the tagline “make those heads turn” even after it was forced to pull out a picture of two underage girls in uniform with the same tagline.

The report reads, “One advert, which appears to be from the same ‘Back to School’ campaign and has the same tagline, is still up on the brand’s Instagram, despite it apology and assurance that it had removed the ad that sparked controversy.”

In another such advert, a video shows two young girls turning to look as a young boy walks past and it is caption, “How to make those heads turn on the first day of school”.

According to The Daily Mail report, another post on the H&M Kids page shows a little girl wearing a black tulle dress as the company plugged its Halloween range back in October.

The caption reads: ‘From glamorous divas to stylish trendsetters, get ready to turn heads and make this Halloween the best yet.’

Tehelka magazine’s Tarun Tejpal and Aniruddha Bahal tender unconditional apology to Maj Gen MS Ahluwalia (Retd) for falsely accusing him of corruption

OpIndia Staff
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Tehelka magazine’s Tarun Tejpal and Aniruddha Bahal tender unconditional apology to Maj Gen MS Ahluwalia (Retd) for falsely accusing him of corruption

On 22nd January, Tarun Tejpal and Aniruddha Bahal tendered an unconditional apology to Major General MS Ahluwalia (Retd) for a 2001 story published in Tehelka accusing the General of corruption in the defense procurement process. After 22 years, the Delhi High Court court ordered Tejpal and Bahal to apologise to Major General Ahluwalia (Retd) by publishing a notice in an English Newspaper. Furthermore, the court ordered the duo to pay compensation amounting to Rs 10 Lakh each. The order was passed in a defamation case filed by Major General Ahluwalia against the duo.

Source: Hindustan Times Delhi Edition Dated 22nd January 2024. Page 11. Classified section.

In the public notice tugged on Page 11 of Hindustan Times’ Delhi edition under the Classified section, the apology read, “We, Tarun Tejpal and Aniruddha Bahal, tender an unconditional apology to Major General M. S. Ahluwalia (Retd.) for a media story dated 13th March 2001, by M/s Tehelka.com. In this undercover journalistic investigation on corruption in the defence procurement process, Operation Westend, in which dozens of people, including officials and politicians, were prosecuted and subsequently indicted by the courts, it was stated that Major-General M. S. Ahluwalia (Retd) had accepted a bribe of Rs 50,000 from reporter Mr Mathew Samuel in the presence of the Late Lt-Colonel Syal. Further, the videotape and transcript indicated that Major-General Ahluwalia had demanded Blue Label whisky and ten lakhs of rupees. We clarify that in the meeting in November 2000 at Major-General Ahluwalia’s house, neither did Major-General Ahluwalia ask nor accept a bribe or blue label whisky, and we unconditionally apologise for the error in the transcript /tape.”

Tejpal and Bahal admitted to falsely framing Retired Major General

On 12th January, Tejpal and Bahal admitted before the Delhi High Court that retired Indian Army official Major General MS Ahluwalia neither asked for nor accepted any bribe. They admitted to falsely framing Ahluwalia and said they were ready to publish an unconditional apology in leading newspapers like the Hindustan Times for defaming a decorated Army officer in the year 2001. The duo also agreed to deposit Rs 10 lakh each with the Delhi High Court.

Notably, Ahluwalia filed a defamation case against Tehelka and its journalists Tarun Tejpal, Aniruddha Bahal and Mathew Samuel in 2002 after the magazine falsely accused him of taking bribes in defense deals in its sting operation ‘Operation West End’.

Major General (retd) M S Ahluwalia had named Tehelka and its journalists Tarun Tejpal, Aniruddha Bahal and Mathew Samuel, saying they published false allegations against him. Zee TV, its chairman Subhash Chandra and CEO Sandeep Goyal were also named in the defamation case, as the sting operation was broadcast on Zee TV.

In March 2001, Tarun Tejpal’s newly found media organisation Tehelka decided to “uncover” corruption in political and defense establishments. They floated a fake company called ‘West End International’ and set out to sell hand-held thermal cameras/ imagers to the Government of India. The undercover investigation spanned several months.

In the sting, Ahluwalia was offered a bribe of ₹50,000, but he refused to accept it. However, it was alleged that he had said he would need money to introduce West End officials to top army brass.

Tehelka had also claimed that the army officer had demanded a bottle of Blue Label whiskey. MS Ahluwalia had denied the allegations made by Tehelka. He said that when Tehelka did the sting, he was not involved in any post related to the selection or purchase of imported weapons.

As a result of the false allegations against him, Major General MS Ahluwalia was court-martialled by the Indian Army with the recommendation to dismiss him from the service. Later, the punishment was downgraded, and the army chief awarded him Severe Displeasure (Recordable)’.

Popular Jujutsu Kaisen’manga’ fan, who supported Gaza during Israel-Hamas war, gets abuse for wishing ‘Jai Shri Ram’

OpIndia Staff
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Popular Jujutsu Kaisen’manga’ fan, who supported Gaza during Israel-Hamas war, gets abuse for wishing ‘Jai Shri Ram’

JJK (Mya), a popular X (formerly Twitter) account known for posting ‘anime’ and Jujutsu Kaisen’manga’, is being abused on the micro-blogging platform for hailing Lord Ram.

On Monday (22nd January), the handle wrote in Hindi, “Jai Shri Ram.” The development coincided with the Pran Prathistha of the Ram Mandir at the Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya.

Soon after, the X account was abused with the choicest of expletives. The user became the victim of the ‘cancel culture’ and lost an estimated 10,000 followers after expressing his allegiance to Hinduism.

Some X users were seen justifying the abuses directed at JJK (Mya). “If you want to know more context as to why hella muslims unfollowed, it isn’t because he’s hindu only. read,” one ‘Clint’ wrote.

“I refuse to accept that everyone crying about “hinduphobia” has zero understanding about why people would be upset about this person saying “jai shree ram” today. The temple is nothing more than symbol of the fascist govt and its celebration is a slap to democracy,” another X user posted.

One ‘Corn’ alleged, “You are all very ignornant saying anyone unfollowing him is racist. If you are wondering why he getting unfollowed its because he posted this on the same day as as this.”

One ‘nana’ tweeted, “If you celebrate the ayodhya mandir being inaugurated on a national level as some sort of joyous occasion instead of the degradation of democracy and the uprising of mainstream islamophobia then you’re truly sanghi scum. read on your history on the babri masjid demolition.”

Support pours in for JJK (Mya)

“The biggest Jujutsu Kaisen account in the world is one of us! He lost 10k+ followers just for expressing his belief. Let’s show him some love,” the popular manga handle received overwhelming support from the Hindu community.

One X user informed that JJK (Mya) supported children of Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war and that Muslims who supported him then are now insulting his Faith.

“Always supported innocent children of Gaza Yet some community people have problem with him tweeting this…” the user added.

“This guy was a typical woke anime watching person but if these kind of people are becoming Hindu conscious then it’s truly a sign of Hindu reawakening,” wrote one Ahirwal Ahir

JJK (Mya) reacts to Hinduphobia

In a tweet, the Jujutsu Kaisen ‘manga’ fan account posted, “It’s an auspicious day to me & my fellow countrymen. So I’ll just ignore the hate & racist comments I’ve received for just exhibiting my belief in my lord & religion.”

Screengrab of the tweet

“But thank you for all the support & warm msgs. Please spread love if possible. Siyavar Ramchandra ki Jai,” JJK (Mya) concluded.

Myanmar Army plane carrying 14 crashes at Mizoram’s Lengpui airport; 6 injured

ANI
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Myanmar Army plane carrying 14 crashes at Mizoram’s Lengpui airport; 6 injured

A Myanmar Army plane with 14 people on board crash landed at the Lengpui airport in Mizoram on Tuesday morning.

According to the information received from the Mizoram Director General of Police, the plane was small and 14 people were on board with the pilot.

Six people sustained injuries in the crash while eight are safe, according to the DGP.

The injured individuals were rushed to Lengpui Hospital, where they are undergoing treatment.

As per the received information, the army plane crashed while landing.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Exchange of fire between Naxals, police in Odisha’s Matkupa forest area

ANI
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Exchange of fire between Naxals, police in Odisha’s Matkupa forest area

Odisha police Special Operations Group (SOG) engaged in an exchange of fire with a group of Nazals on the State’s Kandhamal Boudh border in Matakupa reserve forest, police said.

The exchange of fire that lasted more than 30 minutes occurred on Monday afternoon.

The area falls under the Sagada Outpost of Manmunda police station in Boudh district.

Following the exchange of fire, the group of Naxals retreated, leaving behind a few camp articles and a sophisticated weapon.

Odisha police suspect that some Naxals might have sustained injuries during the confrontation.

As per information from the police, the Naxals belong to the Kalahandi-Kandhamal-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division.

More SOG teams have been sent for the operation while the search and combing operation continues, said police.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Assam: Congress workers clash with police during Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, CM Sarma orders FIR, says ‘Naxalite tactics’ won’t work

OpIndia Staff
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Assam: Congress workers clash with police during Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, CM Sarma orders FIR, says ‘Naxalite tactics’ won’t work

 A clash broke out between Police and Congress workers in Assam’s Guwahati, during Congress’ Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. A large number of police were present at the scene to stop the yatra.

Police have barricaded the area and the route. Yatra was not allowed from the centre of Guwahati city so there were heavy police deployments.

Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra reached Guwahati, Assam today. Congress workers were trying to trespass the police barricading and enter Guwahati city.

Rahul Gandhi was seen standing on the roof of the bus trying to speak to his cadre. Police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the workers from the site.

Meanwhile, heavy security was deployed at Khanapara Area, the entry point of Guwahati for the Yatra earlier this morning.

Amid the rift with Assam Chief Minister, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said that efforts are being made to enslave students of North East and India, adding “There is no need for any student to be afraid.”

He also alleged that the Home Minister of the country picked up the phone and called CM Himanta and said that Rahul Gandhi should not meet the students of Assam.

“We are being stopped everywhere. The Home Minister of the country picked up the phone and called CM Himanta and said that Rahul Gandhi should not meet the students of Assam. That’s not important whether Rahul Gandhi comes here or not. What’s important is that the students must be allowed to listen to whomever they want to. But it is not happening in any schools and colleges in Assam. You are being told that you cannot speak your language. You are being told that you cannot have your history,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma shared that he has instructed Assam police to register a case against Rahul Gandhi for provoking the crowd and causing disruption in law and order. “Your unruly behavior and violation of agreed guidelines have resulted in a massive traffic jam in Guwahati now”, he posted on X responding to a video shared by Youth Congress chief Srinivas BV.

As of now, clashes between Assam police personnel and Congress workers are still going on as Congress workers try to break the barricading and enter Guwahati city. More details are awaited.

(With inputs from ANI)

Glenn Maxwell felt embarrassed after falling down in an Adelaide pub, will avoid any sanctions from Cricket Australia

ANI
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Glenn Maxwell felt embarrassed after falling down in an Adelaide pub, will avoid any sanctions from Cricket Australia

Star Australia batter Glenn Maxwell was embarrassed after suffering a fall while watching former Australia players perform with pub band ‘Six and Out’ in Adelaide on Friday last week.

Cricket Australia connected with the all-rounder and asked him whether he had suffered any injuries or not after the accident.
Maxwell manager Ben Tippett asserted that the player is a little embarrassed after this incident. He said that Maxwell was a bit sore but now he has started training in Melbourne from Monday.

“Glenn is a little embarrassed by the whole thing. He was a bit sore and sorry on Saturday, but he’s back in Melbourne and resumed training yesterday. He’s not under investigation by Cricket Australia,” Tippett was quoted as saying by The Sydney Morning Herald.

Selection committee chairman George Bailey sat with Maxwell on Monday in order to talk about the incident. Both Bailey and national cricket team head coach Andrew McDonald were not informed about the accident earlier. They came across this on Monday when they sat together in order to decide the squad for the T20I series against West Indies.

Maxwell is not part of Australia’s Test squad for the ongoing two-match Test series against the West Indies. He has not been included in the three-match ODI series against the Caribbean starting from February 2 in order to manage the workload amid his involvement in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL). But Cricket Australia informed that the star all-rounder will return for the T20Is starting from February 9.

“It is not related to him being replaced in the one-day squad, a decision that was purely based on workload management following the BBL. Maxwell will return for the Twenty20 Series,” the CA stated.

In November 2022, Maxwell suffered a leg injury after an ‘innocuous incident’ at a friend’s party and missed a World Cup match.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

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