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Gautam Adani back among world’s top 20 billionaires, net worth climbs to $64.2 billion, adds $4.38 billion to personal wealth in one day

OpIndia Staff
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Gautam Adani back among world’s top 20 billionaires, net worth climbs to $64.2 billion, adds $4.38 billion to personal wealth in one day

Gautam Adani, the founder and chairman of the Adani Group, has re-entered the top 20 Bloomberg list of the world’s billionaires. He now holds the 18th position in the Bloomberg Billionaires’ Index and has a net worth of $64.2 billion. Adani’s net worth increased by $4.38 billion in a day due to an increase in Adani Group stock prices.

The stocks of the Adani Group shot up on Tuesday, May 23, after its most recent investor, GQG Partners, increased its holdings in the group by almost 10%. In March of this year, they acquired a share in Adani Enterprises, Adani Ports, Adani Green Energy, and Adani Transmission for a total of Rs 15,446.35 crore. Tuesday’s intraday transaction witnessed a 65 percent increase in this investment’s value to Rs 25,515.50.

Rajiv Jain, the owner of GQG Partners, praised Adani Group shares as “the best infrastructure assets available in India” in a Bloomberg interview.

After Hindenburg Research’s report on the Adani group and its founder, Gautam Adani’s net worth significantly dropped, and he dropped off the top 20 list on February 3. Gautam Adani, who had a net worth of $154 billion in September 2022 and was once the second-richest person in the world, has lost $56.4 billion since the year’s beginning.

Following the publication of the Hindenburg report, the group withdrew its follow-on public offer (FPO) for Rs 20,000 crore and took action to ease concerns about debt-related issues.

After the Justice AM Sapre committee report suggested that it was not possible to conclude that there had been a regulatory failure when it comes to Adani stocks, the market capitalization of Adani Group surpassed the Rs 10 lakh crore mark earlier this week.

Their market capitalization increased from Rs 9,34,485 crore on Friday’s close to Rs 10,03,861 crore in Monday’s action. This is still 48% below their M-cap of Rs. 19.20 lakh crore on January 24, the day the Hindenburg report was released.

Increase in Adani share price

Rajiv Jain’s GQG Partners increased their holdings in Adani Enterprises by 10% on Tuesday and declared their intention to continue contributing to future fundraising attempts for the ports-to-power business. The holding company’s stock price increased 19% on the same day.

The bullish trend spread to other Adani group firms, resulting in significant price increases for their stocks. Notably, after the publication of the report, Adani Ports became the first company in the group to recover all of its losses.

Hindenburg Research report

Hindenburg Research, a short seller located in the US, charged Adani Group with engaging in stock manipulation and accounting fraud at its companies. A report titled “Adani Group: How The World’s Third Richest Man Is Pulling The Largest Con In Corporate History” was released by Hindenburg Research on January 24.

It alleged that Gautam Adani and his brothers had engaged in stock manipulation, controlled several offshore shell firms, and taken a short position in the Adani Group firms using derivatives traded outside of India and US-listed bonds.

The research claimed that due to exorbitant valuations, its seven most important listed firms had an 85% downside purely on a fundamental premise.

“Key listed Adani companies have also taken on substantial debt, including pledging shares of their inflated stock for loans, putting the entire group on precarious financial footing. 5 of 7 key listed companies have reported ‘current ratios’ below 1, indicating near-term liquidity pressure,” the research charged.

As per the Hidenberg study, 8 of the 22 crucial positions are filled by members of Gautam Adani’s family. The conglomerate has, however, refuted every charge.

South Africa ANC Gen Sec exposes BBC hypocrisy, says will welcome Putin as no head of state can just be arrested anywhere: All you need to know

OpIndia Staff
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South Africa ANC Gen Sec exposes BBC hypocrisy, says will welcome Putin as no head of state can just be arrested anywhere: All you need to know

On Wednesday, the UK-based British Broadcasting Corporation’s journalist, Stephen Sackur was roasted by a top official in South Africa’s ruling party, Fikile Mbalula over the issue of war crimes committed by Britain and other Western nations in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also indicated and exposed the hypocrisy of the organization and the country when asked about the arrest warrant of Russian President Putin after the Russia-Ukraine war.

The saga began as African National Congress (ANC) Secretary General Fikile Mbalula in an exclusive interview with the BBC stated that he would want Putin to visit Africa and that the country would welcome him as part and parcel of BRICS. The remarks by the African leader about Putin were made in relation to the Russian president visiting a BRICS conference in South Africa in August. Brazil, Russia, China, India, and South Africa make up the group.

“If it was according to the ANC, we would want President Putin to be here, even tomorrow, to come to our country. We will welcome him to come here as part and parcel of BRICS,” the leader said.

On this the journalist questioned the leader saying, “You would? You will welcome President Putin here? Right now? A man who is being investigated for war crimes by the International community?” The leader then nodded in affirmation and reiterated that the country will welcome him as a part and parcel of BRICS. He also said that though the country was constrained by the International Criminal Court treaty, a head of the state cannot be arrested anywhere.

South Africa is required to imprison Putin if he arrives in the nation since it has signed the International Criminal Court pact. Even while it hasn’t stated it clearly, the South African government has hinted that it won’t execute the arrest order if Putin attends the conference.

“Do you think that a head of state can just be arrested anywhere?” Mbalula cross-questioned the journalist and slammed the country and the media organization for being a hypocrite. Britain and other Western nations committed crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan and no heads of state were arrested, he stated.

He continued slamming the United Kingdom as he said, “You are making a lot of noise about putting a state in working for peace between Ukraine and Russia and you yourself have failed to resolve the war. Where are the weapons of mass destruction? Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair went to Iraq and claimed that they are weapons of mass destruction. Do you see anybody standing against the United Kingdom or Britain? More than millions of people have died in Iraq and Afghanistan and there are no weapons of mass destruction.”

The ANC leader further said that South Africa is well aware what the war between Ukraine and Russia is actually about and that the country demands peace. “We want peace and only that can help the world survive,” he countered ultimately leaving the BBC journalist red faced.

Notably, Mbalula last month referred to the United States as one of the countries ‘messing up the world.’ Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, the country’s insistence that it is taking a neutral stance in the conflict has raised the worries of the western world.

South Africa and Russia have a long history of cooperation given the former Soviet Union’s political and military backing for the ANC when it was a liberation entity striving to overthrow the racist apartheid state that oppressed the country’s Black population. 

South Africa has also played and continues to play a major role in the economic development of Africa and it is an influential democracy in the developing world. The US and other Western allies of South Africa therefore are concerned that the ANC’s historical ideological links to Russia are currently bringing South Africa into Moscow’s political sphere. Notably, Africa, and China are also developing commercial connections.

Recently, the South African government came under increased fire on Wednesday for its decision to withhold cargo records pertaining to a Russian ship’s visit, which the US claims was used to gather a shipment of weapons for Moscow. The government has absolutely denied engaging in any weaponry trade with Russia, but it hasn’t ruled out the idea that someone else did so covertly. Cyril Ramaphosa, the president of South Africa, has mandated an investigation in the case.

Surat: Ismail Yusuf arrested for selling beef-stuffed samosas to his customers, the cows were slaughtered near the river. Read details

OpIndia Staff
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Surat: Ismail Yusuf arrested for selling beef-stuffed samosas to his customers, the cows were slaughtered near the river. Read details

In the Surat district of Gujarat, a case has been registered against two persons for cow slaughter and sale of beef. According to a Divya Bhaskar report, Ismail Yusuf, who runs a snack shop in Kosadi village of Mangrol panchayat, sells samosas stuffed with beef. The police initiated action after receiving information about selling cow meat at the snack shop.

Police laid a trap to nab accused Ismail Yusuf after getting information that the accused will be passing by Mosali Chaar Rasta. Police stopped a suspicious auto rickshaw and searched it. Following the search, the police seized 2 Kg samosas and arrested Ismail Yusuf.

During the questioning, Ismail Yusuf admitted that used to buy cow meat from one Suleiman alias Sullu Salim Bheekhu and Nageen Vasava alias Simon Vasava to make beef-stuffed samosas. He also informed that Suleiman and Nageen slaughter cows near the Kosadi village river bank. Suleiman and Simon butchered cows on the river bank of Kosadi village, according to Ismail. The seized samosas were sent to the Regional Justice Assistant Science School in Surat for testing.

The FSL official’s certificate confirmed the presence of beef (cow meat) in the seized samosas. Following this, the Gujarat police registered an FIR and is taking further necessary action.

Hindus as ‘infidels’ and lies about hundreds of Muslim women being ‘trapped’ by Hindu men: 10 people booked by MP police for distributing hateful pamphlets

OpIndia Staff
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Hindus as ‘infidels’ and lies about hundreds of Muslim women being ‘trapped’ by Hindu men: 10 people booked by MP police for distributing hateful pamphlets

After the nationwide incidents of harassment of Hindu males by Muslims for befriending their co-religionist females, a First Information Report (FIR) has been filed by the police in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore city against ten people for allegedly disseminating offensive leaflets critical of the Bajrang Dal and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

According to Pritam Singh Thakur, the in-charge of the Raoji Bazar police station, a 45-year-old woman named Sharda Tiklia’s allegation served as the basis for the FIR. She reportedly travelled to the police station in Raoji Bazar with members of the Hindu organisation on 23 May.

She complained to the police that materials labelling Hindus as infidels had been distributed in the vicinity of Raoji Bazar, behind Kalalkui Masjid. The letters even spread fake news that RSS and Bajrang Dal destroy the honour of 10 lakh Muslim girls every year.

The official informed, “The case was registered against nearly 10 unidentified persons under section 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The complaint stated that the pamphlets, which were distributed on the night of May 20, allegedly used objectionable words against the RSS and the Bajrang Dal.”

“The identity of the people who distributed the pamphlets is yet to be established. We are trying to identify the accused with the help of CCTV footage,” he added.

Another police officer claimed that the flyers, which were distributed against the backdrop of the religious conversion controversy, were intended for young ladies. He said that “Your brother in faith” is listed as the sender of the pamphlets’ open letter heading.

It started with a religious greeting and read, “The value of your faith is beyond the seven continents and seven skies. Your honour is more precious than the lives of the Muslims of the whole world. You are the pride of your father, you are the pride of your brother, you are the honour of your family, and you are not ordinary, but you are the princess of Islam. Infidels (RSS and Bajrang Dal) want to trample on the honour of 10 lakh Muslim girls by making them apostates every year.”

“More than 800 Muslim girls of Amravati city have become infidels. Through social media (Facebook, Instagram etc.), in school and college, you are framed on the pretext of friendship. Sister, don’t be your victim. Don’t get trapped in the saffron love trap. Don’t ruin your world and the hereafter by being greedy for false happiness, gifts and money for a few days. If you have done any mistake then come back, your brother is ready to help you. May Allah preserve your faith, honour and dignity.”

The location of where the pamphlets were printed and who printed them is still unknown, and the departments related to the police are also gathering information on this issue.

Tanu Sharma, the convenor of the Bajrang Dal branch in Indore, asserted, “Bajrang Dal has consistently exposed love jihad in Indore. The plans of Islamists have been ruined, thus these individuals now try to mislead the public by dispersing flyers about the Bajrang Dal and RSS.”

The organisation noted that if National Security Act was not imposed on those with such radical viewpoints, Bajrang Dal would respond to them in its own manner.

Days after coming to power, FIR filed against former BJP minister CN Ashwath Narayan for a remark made in February about Siddaramaiah: Details

ANI
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Days after coming to power, FIR filed against former BJP minister CN Ashwath Narayan for a remark made in February about Siddaramaiah: Details

Days after forming the government in the southern state, the Karnataka Congress has registered an FIR against former minister and BJP MLA CN Ashwath Narayan for his alleged statement to “finish off” Siddaramaiah like “Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda finished off Tipu Sultan”. 

A delegation of Congress leaders led by Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) spokesperson M Lakshmana and Mysuru District Congress Committee President B J Vijaykumar on Wedneday submitted a fresh complaint at Devaraja police station in Mysuru. The FIR has been registered under Sections 506 and 153 of the IPC. 

Earlier in February this year a complaint was filed by KPCC spokesperson at the Malleshwaram police station against Ashwath Narayan but no action was taken. 

While addressing a public event this February, the Karnataka minister had exhorted people to “finish off” Siddaramaiah the way the two Vokkaliga chieftains — Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda — had killed 17th-century Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan. Congress has maintained that the duo are fictional characters. 

Subsequently, Ashwath Narayan in a series of tweets said that he his remarks were casual allusions and not malicious. 

“Let me make my stand clear. The words used to compare Tipu Sultan and Siddaramaiah in Mandya are casual allusions and not malicious words. But my words are being misconstrued. It wasn’t meant to hurt anyone,” he tweeted. 

“Debate is an integral part of politics & essential for a healthy democracy. It is in this spirit that my words should be interpreted. It may be @siddaramaiah ‘s culture to be calling the Prime Minister a “mass murderer” and assailing the Chief Minister,” read his tweet. 

Ashwath Narayan further added that he had only mentioned that Congress should be defeated in the elections. 

“The people of the State are well aware of Siddaramaiah’s language proficiency. I was merely alluding to the fact that Congress should be defeated in this election. And, after all, our people of Mandya do not possess the brutal mentality of Tipu,” he had tweeted. 

To this Siddaramaiah had then stated that love and friendship cannot be expected from leaders of a party, which “worships the murderer of Mahatma Gandhi”.

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

Gyanvapi Masjid Committee’s bizarre claims in court: Aurangzeb was not cruel, did not demolish Vishwanath Temple, there is no Shiva Linga

OpIndia Staff
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Gyanvapi Masjid Committee’s bizarre claims in court: Aurangzeb was not cruel, did not demolish Vishwanath Temple, there is no Shiva Linga

On May 22, Gyanvapi Mosque Committee (Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee) submitted an application before the Varanasi Court opposing a plea filed by Hindu Worshippers seeking a complete survey of the disputed structure. In its application, the Mosque Committee made some bizarre claims to whitewash the atrocities of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. They claimed Aurangzeb was not cruel. Furthermore, they said he did not demolish any Lord Adi Vishweshar Temple in Varanasi.

Notably, Hindu Worshippers in a plea sought an ASI survey of the entire disputed structure. In the plea, they stated old Lord Adi Vishweshar Temple was attacked and destroyed by a Muslim invader. Later, Raja Tondal Mal restored the temple in 1580 AD at the same place.

The Mosque Committee further claimed that there was no concept of two Kashi Vishwanath Temples in the holy city. They also objected to the term “invaders” used by the Hindu Worshippers and called it an attempt to instigate hate among Hindus and Muslims.

The application read, “The structure or building which is present on the spot, Masjid Alamgiri / Gyanvapi Masjid, has been there for thousands of years, it was a mosque yesterday and is still a mosque, and the Muslims of Varanasi and neighbouring districts, as a matter of right, without any restrictions, have been offering Namaz Panjgana and Namaz Zuma and Namaz Idaan.” The committee further refused to accept that a Shiva Linga was found inside the premises. They stated that it was a fountain.

The committee has urged the court to reject the plea filed by the Hindu Worshipers for the survey of the entire disputed structure. Furthermore, they claimed that it was not permissible under the law that evidence to be collected via a scientific probe.

In April 2021, Civil Judge, Varanasi, passed an order to the ASI to survey the mosque. The Muslim side filed a plea against it in the Allahabad High Court. The matter is sub-judice and the court had reserved orders in both after hearing the arguments. The Mosque Committee said in such a situation, a survey done by ASI on the same property cannot be ordered.

On May 22, it was reported that the Muslim side filed an objection to the Hindu Worshippers’ demand for a complete survey of the disputed structure in Varanasi. Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain representing Hindu Worshippers informed media that an application filed by the whole premises of the alleged mosque should be surveyed using Ground Penetrating Radar.

The court directed the Muslim side and UP Government to file objections by May 19. The applications were submitted and the next date of hearing was fixed on July 7.

Notably, on May 19, the Allahabad High Court permitted ASI to conduct carbon dating of Shiva Linga that was found during the survey in a disputed structure in Gyanvapi premises.

Auranzeb’s Farman to Destroy Lord Adi Vishweshar Temple

While the Mosque Committee claimed Aurangzeb did not destroy Lord Adi Vishweshar Temple, there is historic evidence of the same. In May 2022, OpIndia did a detailed report on the Farmans of Aurangzeb.

In 1669 CE, the ultimate assault on the Kashi Vishwanath Temple was carried out by the Mughal tyrant Aurangzeb. He demolished the temple and replaced it with the Gyanvapi masjid. The remains of the erstwhile mandir can still be seen in the foundation, the columns, and the rear part of the mosque.

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple complex, which stands today, is adjacent to the disputed mosque complex and where devotees can do puja and prayers, was built by the great Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore in 1780.

In fact, the Islamic record of Maasir-i-Alamgiri states that on April 9, 1669, Aurangzeb had issued a ‘Farman’ decree, “to governors of all the provinces to demolish the schools and temples of the infidels and strongly put down their teachings and religious practices.”

The same is also mentioned in the Varanasi Gazetteer which was published in the year 1965. It is clearly stated on page number 57 that on April 9, 1669, Aurangzeb issued a decree to his governors to destroy the Hindu temples and schools in Kashi (Varanasi). The Kashi Vishwanath temple is just one of many similar temples destroyed by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in his absolute disdain for Hindu culture and faith. The Islamic record of Maasir-i-Alamgiri describes many other instances of Aurangzeb’s fanatical cruelty.

Delhi HC orders Azmat Ali Khan, accused of forced religious conversion, to delete social media posts of the victim within 48 hours

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi HC orders Azmat Ali Khan, accused of forced religious conversion, to delete social media posts of the victim within 48 hours

On Wednesday, May 24, the Delhi High Court directed a man named Azmat Ali Khan, who is accused of forcibly converting a Sikh woman to Islam, to delete all his social media posts including images and comments related to the victim woman within 48 hours.

During a personal interaction with Justice Pratibha M. Singh, the victim said that the accused had her phone in his possession and has posted some of her videos on social media. Justice Singh opined that the complainant woman seemed traumatized. Following this, the court directed the accused Azmat Ali Khan’s counsel Rajiv Bajaj to take the court order seriously and delete the social media posts in question.

“She has made several accusations against your client. You must cooperate with the investigation. The issue is that your client appears to have posted videos on Instagram and she has photos proving that her phone is with your client…We have shielded you from the videos that have been posted against you. Twice over protection has to be given to the woman over any videos or posts that you have put up against her, not a single one should be there. You delete it within 48 hours. Tell your client to take it seriously. You cannot seek protection while failing to reciprocate to the woman,” Justice Singh stated.

Notably, the sister of the accused told the court that the complainant woman and her brother were in a relationship for a long time and that she threatened to accuse him of forced religious conversion only after he wanted to end their relationship. Following this, the court listed the matter for consideration on August 29.

The ruling was issued by Justice Prathiba M Singh during a hearing on a plea submitted by the accused, Azmat Ali Khan, to have videos and news reports against him removed from news outlets and media organizations.

Earlier this month, the court ordered Sudarshan News and social media platforms including YouTube, Google, and Twitter to delete/block links/remove news reports regarding Azmat Ali Khan forcibly converting a Sikh woman to Islam.

Sikh widow files an FIR against Azmat Ali Khan for forced conversion, threatening her of acid attack

The police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Azmat Ali Khan, invoking multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including rape after a Sikh woman accused him of rape, blackmailing, and forcing her to embrace Islam.

As per the First Information Report (FIR) obtained by IANS, the victim encountered Azmat Ali Khan, a resident of Laxmi Nagar, on Facebook in 2016, leading to the development of a friendship between them. She mentioned that Khan was a mutual acquaintance of her Kathak Dance instructor, which prompted her to accept his friend request on Facebook.

Subsequently, their friendship evolved into a deeper connection, and by 2017, they entered into a romantic relationship. The woman has made an accusation that Khan secretly recorded a video of her during an intimate moment.

20 students, 1 nurse and 2 professors: Syed Tahir Hussain – an assistant professor at Madurai Medical College suspended for sexual harassment. Details

OpIndia Staff
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20 students, 1 nurse and 2 professors: Syed Tahir Hussain – an assistant professor at Madurai Medical College suspended for sexual harassment. Details

On Friday, May 19, 2023, Syed Tahir Hussain, an assistant professor in the department of anesthesiology at Madurai Medical College (MMC) in Tamil Nadu, was suspended due to allegations of sexual harassment. A complaint was filed on May 6, 2023, by 23 women associated with the college, which included professors, nurses, and post-graduate students, accusing Tahir Hussain of sexual harassment. Following an internal inquiry conducted by the college, these allegations were found to be true. Additionally, Hussain is also accused of misconduct towards patients in the operation theatre.

The charges against Syed Tahir Hussain were investigated by the Vishakha Committee under the Directorate of Medical Education (DME). After a thorough investigation, the committee confirmed the validity of the victim’s allegations. Dr Dhanalakshmi, the dean and chief of the Vishakha Committee, announced the suspension of Professor Syed Tahir Hussain during a press conference.

The press conference also shed light on Tahir Hussain’s actions, revealing the nature of his misconduct. The complainants consisted of 18 students enrolled in the operation theatre course, two postgraduates, one nurse, and two professors from the department of anesthesiology. Each of them identified themselves as victims of Tahir Hussain’s sexual harassment.

Dr Dhanalakshmi, the head of the Vishakha Committee probing the allegations against Syed Tahir Hussain, disclosed that Tahir’s colleagues were hesitant to accompany him during surgeries due to fear. It was revealed that he would address the students with offensive obscene nicknames.

Furthermore, the students who accused Syed Tahir Hussain alleged that he would touch them inappropriately. Additionally, Tahir would force the students to remove their masks in the operation theatre, arguing that it was necessary to have a clear view of their faces.

The victims from the medical college further accused Syed Tahir Hussain of making comments about the girls’ complexion. He would describe the ‘fair’ girls as being born from virtuous parents. The victims also alleged that Syed Tahir Hussain would pull their hair, commenting on its beauty.

Additionally, Tahir Hussain would make inappropriate remarks about the girls’ eyebrows. Furthermore, it is alleged that he hugged a girl who was grieving over the death of a relative in an inappropriate manner, under the pretense of consoling her.

Syed Tahir Hussain is also accused of molesting his female patients. Media reports suggest that the number of victims who have come forward with allegations of sexual abuse by Tahir ranges from 23 to 41. Additionally, it is alleged that even after the complaint was filed on May 6, 2023, he continued his inappropriate behaviour towards girls, and continued to molest them. He is accused of sexually harassing female students both within and outside the operation theatre.

In 2017, a sexual harassment accusation was made against Professor Tahir Hussain within the college, but no action was taken at that time. However, he has denied the current allegations made against him. Tahir claims that he is being targeted with false complaints as a result of his efforts to expose irregularities in the promotions, transfers, and postings of government doctors in the state. He stated that he is prepared to face any investigation.

As NIA reaches London to probe Khalistani anti-India protests, read about amendment brought by Modi government facilitating investigation by it abroad

Gopal Tiwari
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As NIA reaches London to probe Khalistani anti-India protests, read about amendment brought by Modi government facilitating investigation by it abroad

A five-member team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) departed for London on May 23 to conduct an inquiry into the event of the attack on the Indian High Commission in London two months ago, where the pro-Khalistani elements had pulled down the Indian national flag and tried to hoist the Khalistani flag. The development took place a day after meeting with British intelligence personnel in Delhi.

The NIA team is conducting an investigation on the United Kingdom’s soil for the first time. The NIA team has also carried a list of Khalistani links in the city which they may share with Scotland Yard. It, therefore, becomes necessary to know what is NIA, why it was formed, and how NIA was empowered to conduct an investigation on foreign soils.

NIA was formed after Mumbai terror attacks

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) was established in 2008, following the tragic events of the Mumbai terror attacks which resulted in the loss of 166 lives. The implementation of the NIA Act 2008 constituted the agency on 31st December 2008 with the aim of providing a dedicated agency to effectively tackle terrorism-related crimes. The agency started its operations in 2009.

The NIA, headquartered in New Delhi, is India’s central counter-terrorism law enforcement agency. It investigates offences that threaten India’s sovereignty, security, and integrity. Since its establishment, the NIA has been authorized to investigate terrorism-related crimes in various states without requiring special permission, as stated in a written proclamation from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The NIA Act 2008

Under the NIA Act, the NIA was given the authority to investigate and prosecute a wide range of offences, including acts of terrorism, terrorist conspiracies, organized crime, smuggling of arms and explosives, and offences under various other laws specified in the Schedule to the Act. The agency was empowered to take over cases from the state police forces, and it can also conduct parallel investigations with the state police.

the NIA has substantial powers for effective investigation. The agency can arrest and detain individuals suspected of terrorism-related offenses, conduct searches, seize properties, intercept communications, and gather evidence. It can also establish special NIA courts for the speedy trial of cases.

The NIA Act was amended in 2019 allowing NIA probes abroad

When the Modi government was voted to power for the second consecutive time in India in 2019, Narendra Modi’s trusted close aid Amit Shah was made the home minister of the country. As a home minister, Amit Shah went on to take the bold decision of revoking Article 370 and dividing the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories. Though most people know about the important decision regarding the northern border state signed on 5th August 2019, comparatively fewer people are aware of the amendments in the NIA Act that were brought to practice on 2nd August 2019.

A government notification said, “In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the National Investigation Agency (Amendment) Act, 2019 (16 of 2019), the central government hereby appoints the 2nd August 2019, as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force.” A bill in this regard was passed in the parliament on 17th July 2019.

The NIA Amendment Act of 2019 introduced crucial provisions that bolstered the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) capabilities in combating terrorism and related offences. The amendment significantly broadened the scope of the NIA’s jurisdiction while granting it additional powers to effectively investigate and prosecute cases that pose threats to national security.

One notable provision included in the amendment was the extension of the NIA’s authority to investigate offences committed outside India. However, this provision is subject to the existing international treaties and the domestic laws of the respective countries involved. By enabling the NIA to operate beyond India’s borders, the amendment aimed to enhance the agency’s reach and effectiveness in dealing with transnational crimes that have implications for India’s sovereignty, security, and integrity.

Other important provisions of the amendment

Among the other important aspects of the amendment was the inclusion of offences related to human trafficking within the NIA’s purview. Recognizing the grave nature of this crime and its connection to national security concerns, the amendment empowered the NIA to investigate and prosecute cases involving human trafficking. This provision aimed to combat the exploitation of vulnerable individuals while disrupting the networks involved in this illicit trade.

Additionally, the amendment expanded the NIA’s jurisdiction to encompass offences associated with the circulation of counterfeit currency. Counterfeit currency not only undermines the country’s economy but can also contribute to financing illegal activities, including terrorism. By granting the NIA the authority to investigate such cases, the amendment sought to dismantle the networks involved in counterfeit currency circulation and curb their detrimental impact on national security.

In response to the escalating threat of cyber-terrorism, the amendment also conferred upon the NIA the power to investigate and prosecute cases related to this form of criminal activity. This provision aimed to equip the NIA with the necessary tools to address cybercrimes with national security implications, such as attacks on critical infrastructure and the utilization of the internet for promoting extremist ideologies. Besides, the 2019 amendment allowed the central and state government to designate Sessions Courts as Special Courts for the trial of scheduled offences under the Act.

Home Minister Amit Shah’s vision behind the amendments in the NIA Act

During the parliamentary discussion on 17th July 2019 when the bill NIA (Amendment) Act 2019 was passed, home minister Amit Shah said, “It is the responsibility of the Parliament to build a strong image of NIA in front of the world. The efficiency of the NIA should not be degraded by political considerations. Till now India does not have the power to prosecute terror accused for perpetrating acts of terror against Indians abroad. The new bill should be passed with the support of all parties and it should send a message to the world that India, as a Nation, and the Parliament are united behind building a robust NIA to fight terror.”

What NIA is probing in London now?

NIA is probing the Khalistani anti-India protests in London. On March 19, a group of demonstrators brandishing pro-Khalistani signs and waving Khalistan’s yellow and black flag grabbed a Tricolour atop the Indian High Commission in London. Videos of the violent crowd showed them waving the Khalistan flag and demanding that the Waris Punjab De chief and extremist Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh be freed. One of them is even filmed scaling a balcony and amid applause from the other individuals, removing the Indian flag from a pole in front of the high commission.

However, police officers arrived on the spot and prevented the protestors from approaching the entrance of the Indian High Commission. An employee of the High Commission had said that the one who attempted to knock down the Tricolour assaulted and wounded him, and that the throng outside had done extensive damage to the mission’s property. The footage indicated that the Khalistanis shouted obscenities towards Indian authorities inside the building.

The agency is probing the matter in London as the NIA Amendment Act of 2019 ushered in crucial changes to strengthen the NIA’s mandate. By allowing the agency to investigate offences committed outside India, in compliance with international treaties and domestic laws, the amendment recognized the global nature of contemporary crimes against India. Such crimes may seem sporadic on a superficial level but deep down there are well-planned conspiracies beneath and n agency like NIA must always be backed and empowered to unearth these dark secrets. The 2019 amendment is therefore very important in this direction. Moreover, by incorporating provisions related to human trafficking, counterfeit currency, and cyber-terrorism, the amendment reinforced the NIA’s ability to counter diverse threats and uphold India’s sovereignty, security, and integrity.

Dubious group screens controversial BBC documentary in Australian Parliament during PM Modi’s visit, Aakar Patel, Sanjiv Bhatt’s daughter and others present

OpIndia Staff
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Dubious group screens controversial BBC documentary in Australian Parliament during PM Modi’s visit, Aakar Patel, Sanjiv Bhatt’s daughter and others present

On May 24, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Australia, a group called ‘We The Diaspora’ screened the controversial BBC documentary on Gujarat Riots in the Australian Parliament House. The Government of India banned the documentary in January 2023. The opening address given was Haroon Kasim followed by the screening of the documentary.

Furthermore, the daughter of jailed former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, Dr Aakashi Bhatt, spoke at the event on the topic “Gujarat Pogrom and Prime Minister Modi”. It was followed by a panel discussion with Aakashi, Professor Mohan Dutta of the Center for Culture-Centered Approach to Research and Evaluation (CARE), Aakar Patel of Amnesty India and Senator Jordan Steele John and David Shoebridge.

The screening was organised by We The Diaspora in collaboration with CARE, Hindus for Human Rights (Australia and New Zealand), Amnesty International, Periyar Ambedkar Thoughts Circle-Australia (PATC-A) and The Humanism Project.

The group ‘We The Diaspora’

OpIndia tried to find information on the group that organised the screening. We could not find who runs the group or any key members of it. There are several reports on different media outlets that talked about the screening of the film and they all mentioned that SBS News quoted We The Diaspora speaking about the screening.

When we checked SBS News, there was only one report on the screening of the documentary and it had no mention of the group We The Diaspora. The group appears to have no social media presence. There was only one event organised by them which was a screening of this documentary. Maybe the panellists like Aakashi, Aakar and Mohan could explain who these people are.

Meet Haroon Kasim

Haroon Kasim is the founding member of Australia-based anti-Hindu group The Humanism Project. The group was also behind the screening fo the film. A Kashmiri Separatist, Kasim has been close to Khalistani outfits and Jamat-i-Islami’s Kashmir propaganda front Stand With Kashmir. He is also linked to the International Council of Indian Muslims.

When CAA protests were happening, he had said, “The CAA law in India is going to result in a lot of Muslims losing their citizenship. Amnesty International called it the largest statelessness exercise in the history of the world. Detention camps have already been built in Assam. These are very strong similarities with Nazi Germany.”

The problematic background of Aakar Patel

Aakar Patel was the chair of Amnesty International’s India chapter, Amnesty India. The organisation closed its India Chapter closed its shop permanently in 2020 after Indian investigation agencies initiated a probe into FCRA violations and other activities. Since then, Amnesty India is only active on social media and Aakar Patel periodically shows his creepy obsession with PM Modi. In many photographs and posts on social media, Patel has added a bobblehead of PM Modi.

Recently, apart from being involved in the screening of a documentary in Australia, Amnesty India has laid down three demands from the newly elected Congress government in Karnataka that included revoking a ban on cow slaughter, hijab in educational institutions and religious conversions. They also demanded action against Hindus who call for a boycott of Muslim businesses.

Crimes of Amnesty International

There have been several instances where Amnesty International and its Indian chapter have openly worked against India and its people. In a report published in OpIndia in 2019, the connections between Amnesty International India, the British government, and radical Islamists were exposed. The organisation has a history of meddling with the internal affairs of India. It has constantly been trying to falsely project India as a violator of human rights and the ‘oppressor’ of Muslims.

Amnesty India and its former head Aakar Patel kept peddling blatant lies and fake news to portray India negatively. It also campaigned for the arrested Urban Naxals in the Bhima Koregaon violence case. Therefore, its actions are clearly tantamount to foreign interference in the domestic issues of India, and it is only appropriate that strict action is taken against it.

There is an ongoing investigation against Amnesty in India. In October 2022, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached assets worth Rs 1.54 crore of Amnesty International India under the anti-money laundering law for alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act making the total attached assets worth over 21 crores. “A provisional order for attachment has been issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). With this attachment, the total attachment now stands at Rs 21.08 crores”, the ED said.

According to the reports, the order has been issued against the so-called NGO trust named Indians for Amnesty International Trust (IAIT), in connection with a case involving an alleged breach of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). The ED issued a statement that the organization carried out NGO activities in the guise of services export and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to escape the FCRA laws.

Meet Senator Jordon Steele-John

Senator Jordon Steele-John is a politician at Australian Greens and an advocate for disabled rights. Before Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Australia, he, deputy leader of Greens Mehreen Faruqi and Senator David Shoebridge wrote a letter to the Australian PM and Foreign Minister urging them to raise human rights violation issues in India.

In the letter they claimed that the Indian diaspora living in Australia including Punjabis, Kashmiris, Muslims and Sikhs have expressed concern over so-called human rights violations in India and they were worried about their relatives. They accused PM Modi of running an aggressive right-wing nationalist agenda. In another tweet, he claimed PM Modi was a key player in anti-Muslim rights without showing any proof.

Furthermore, they mentioned the 2022 Press Freedom Index 2022 ranking of India that further slipped from the previous year. They also talked about a report called Early Warning Project that ranked India as the eighth country to have the highest risk of mass killing in 2022 and 2023. They quoted the report that claimed Muslim rights were being suppressed in India and there were calls for mass killings of Muslims by religious leaders in December 2021. They also pointed out that Muslim-owned properties were bulldozed by the authorities.

Notably, OpIndia has debunked the Press Freedom Ranking and showed how they used old reports full of misinformation and dubious data to support the ranking.

2022 has passed and almost half of 2023 has already passed. There were no incidents of so-called mass killings of Muslims. However, what happened in India was the opposite. The so-called fact-checker Mohammed Zubair who is the co-founder of propaganda portal Alt News dog whistled against former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma using an edited video from a debate. The situation spiralled into a series of murders of Hindus who supported Sharma. Hindu tailor Kanhaiya Lal from Udaipur was beheaded. Hindu businessman Umesh Kohle was murdered in Amravati.

There were several other incidents where Hindus were killed or threatened if they supported Nupur Sharma. Notably, Sharma is still living away from public life with a bounty on her life. On the other hand, Taslim Ahmed Rehmani, who used derogatory language for Bhagwan Shiv and instigated Sharma to retaliate, is roaming free. Rehmani is a Muslim. He was not even touched. There are no complaints against him. He continued to participate in debates. Sharma, who only retaliated to what he said, has to look over her shoulder for the rest of her life.

Authorities have bulldozed several properties across states and most of them happen to be Muslim-owned. However, the owners of those properties were either encroaching on government lands and/or were involved in criminal activities including riots. Not even a single property was razed without prior notice. Providing half-baked information in the letter to the PM and Foreign Minister shows how propaganda and misinformation against India have deep roots not even in India but also in foreign countries.

Meet Senator David Shoebridge

David Shoebridge is a Greens Senator for NSW. He was one of the panellists in the discussion following the documentary on PM Modi. He was also a signatory of the letter written to the Australian PM and Foreign Minister.

Notably, Shoebridge has been sympathetic to anti-India voices for a long. He appeared in discussions with a group called “Stand With Kashmir” which is linked to Jamat-e-Islami.  Stand With Kashmir (SWK) for example, is considered as “one of the most influential voices in America on the subject of Kashmir.”

It is believed to be backed by Sikh progressivist groups such as Ruthless Collective which was allegedly a British-Canadian Sikh organization. SWK also coordinated with Organization for Minorities of India (OFMI) and the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) to stage a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act in December 2019.

SWK social media accounts and websites are withheld in India.

CARE and Mohan J Dutta

One of the sponsors of the screening was the Center for Culture-Centered Approach to Research and Evaluation (CARE). Its chief at Massey University, Mohan J Dutta has been a vocal critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. From whataboutery to straightforward Hindu hate, his tweets are full of propaganda.

In one tweet, he called PM Modi an “Urban Nazi”. When PM Modi raised their voice against attacks on Temples in Australia in March this year, he whitewashed it by calling it “graffiti resisting Hindutva amidst growing Hindutva violence in Australia”. He also took the path of whataboutery and spoke of the murder of missionary Graham Stuart Staines who was killed along with his family. Staines was accused of forced religious conversions in the name of supporting the locals.

Hindus for Human Rights (Australia and New Zealand)

Hindus for Human Rights is an anti-India and anti-Hindu organisation. Its Australia and New Zealand chapter was one of the organisations behind the screening.

In 2022, OpIndia reported that  ‘Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR)’ had been promoting the misleading narrative of ‘Hindu Vs Hindutva’. The same organisation was also seen endorsing the ‘Dismantling Global Hindutva’ event.

HfHR was formed in the year 2019 by two Islamist advocacy groups named Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) and the Organization for Minorities of India (OFMI). Interestingly, the three organisations had formed another outfit called the Alliance for Justice and Accountability (AJA).

the co-founder of Hindus for Human Rights also runs an organisation named ‘Women for Afghan Women’, which is funded by the Soros Open Society Foundation.

The group CARE has already planned another screening of the documentary on June 24. As the General Elections are approaching in India, anti-India, anti-Hindu and anti-BJP forces are working at full capacity to change the regime at the centre.

The Sanjiv Bhatt saga

Sanjiv Bhatt is a former police officer who claimed that then-Chief Minister Narendra Modi was involved in Gujarat Riots in 2002 and he stopped the police from taking any action against rioters. Furthermore, from time to time, Sanjib and his family have claimed that the Gujarat government and later the Indian government, after Narendra Modi became PM, conspired against Bhatt. His daughter has been a vocal critic of the Modi government and propagated misinformation and lies about Gujarat Riots 2002 on several platforms. Sanjiv Bhatt is currently facing life imprisonment for a custodial death. Our detailed reports on Bhatt can be seen here.

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