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‘Withdrew nomination because people called my party anti-national’, says Gujarat AAP leader Kanchan Jariwala, alleges AAP and Congress workers trying to kill him

OpIndia Staff
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‘Withdrew nomination because people called my party anti-national’, says Gujarat AAP leader Kanchan Jariwala, alleges AAP and Congress workers trying to kill him

The election scenario in Gujarat saw a bizarre incident where AAP leaders including Arvind Kejriwal alleged that one of their candidates was kidnapped by the BJP, only for the candidate to surface to withdraw his nomination. Yesterday, AAP’s Surat (East) candidate Kanchan Jariwala was allegedly missing, and Kejriwal and others claimed that he has been ‘kidnapped’ by BJP. But today morning, Jariwala reached the election officer’s office amid police security to withdraw his nomination. 

After AAP candidate Kanchan Jariwala arrived to withdraw his claim, there were revelations that you would be surprised to read. Kanchan Jariwala reached the election officer’s office amid police security to withdraw his nomination papers, and there was no sign that he was ‘kidnapped’. After withdrawing the nomination, he made shocking revelations alleging that he was facing a threat of life from his own party.

After withdrawing the nomination, Kanchan Jariwala issued a statement, saying that he stepped down from the race because his party is being perceived as anti-Gujarat by voters. ‘I have heard the voice of conscience and made up my mind not to contest elections from the anti-Gujarat party, and have withdrawn the nomination papers without any pressure,’ he wrote.

Jariwala said that during the campaigning, he was repeatedly told by the voters that he is anti-national and anti-Gujarat, for his association with AAP. They told him that they will not vote for AAP. ‘My conscience was shattered and I heard the voice of the conscience,’ Jariwala wrote about why he withdrew the nomination. He added that there was no pressure on him from anyone to withdraw the nomination, and he took the decision on his own.

After that, he then went on to make a shocking claim in an application made to Surat Police Commissioner, alleging that AAP and Congress workers are plotting to kill him. In the application, he wrote that he has willingly withdrawn his nomination from Surat East Assembly Constituency. And he fears that AAP workers and Congress candidate Aslam Cyclewala will kill him. He pleaded the police commissioner to provide him with police protection for himself and his family. He wrote that he was addressing a press conference at his residence, and sought police protection for that event also.

Later he released a video statement, where he repeated the claims made in his statement and the application to the police.

While talking to the media, Jariwala refuted the claims of his kidnapping made by his party leaders. He said that BJP has nothing to do with his ‘disappearance’, and he was not kidnapped by BJP or anyone else. When asked about why he arrived with so much police protection to withdraw the nomination, he said that he and his family face threats to his from his political opponents. He reiterated that BJP has no role in his decision to withdraw the nomination, and it was his own decision.

Different reality emerged in OpIndia’s research

While AAP had claimed that their candidate was kidnapped, now it has emerged that he himself had gone incommunicado before withdrawing his nomination. When OpIndia team started investigating from the ground level, our sources said that Kanchan Jariwala had switched off the phone since noon after filing his nomination yesterday. His family members and close supporters also switched off their phones and locked their own houses and went underground. And today, amidst rumours of kidnapping, he himself reached out to withdraw his candidature on his own.

Kanchan Jariwala was the victim of internal discord in the party

OpIndia sources also said that Kanchan Jariwala was a victim of internal dissension in the Aam Aadmi Party and opposition from his own workers. In Jariwala’s personal WhatsApp group, an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate for last year’s corporation election had posted messages asking other people not to vote for Jariwala, with a black cross on Jariwala’s photo with the words “Don’t vote for this brother” written below the image.

Screenshot of the message shared in the WhatsApp group

OpIndia does not confirm that this screenshot is authenticated. But in a video of Kanchan Jariwala released by Divya Bhaskar, he looked happily withdrawing his candidature.

WhatsApp photo asking not to vote for Kanchan Jariwala

These facts prima facie reveal that the AAP candidate from Surat, Kanchan Jariwala, was a victim of internal discord in the party. Despite this, the claims being made by the AAP and the lies that are being tried to spread in Gujarat and the entire country by taking the help of the media.

Kanchan Jariwala’s political journey so far

In the Corporation elections, Kanchan Jariwala had filed his nomination from the Congress in ward number 13 in which he had to face defeat. Apart from this, he had contested elections in the corporation from the Janata Dal years ago and has also filed his nomination as an independent. In all, he has contested 3 elections so far. This time for the first time he was declared a candidate from the Aam Aadmi Party for the assembly elections.

The AAP’s claim

It is notable that AAP leaders from Delhi to Surat in Gujarat were accusing the BJP of abducting Jariwala before he appeared today. The AAP became so impatient to take advantage of Jariwala’s ‘disappearance’ that not only AAP’s CM candidate Isudan Gadhvi but leaders including AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal were also tweeting their doubts on BJP one after the other.

Let’s start with Gujarat AAP’s CM candidate Isudan Gadhvi. On Tuesday, 15th November 2022, Isudan Gadhvi tweeted from his Twitter handle, “The BJP is so scared of AAP that it has come to hooliganism! The BJP was following our Kanchan Jariwala, who was contesting from Surat East, for a few days and today he is missing! His family is also missing! It is believed that BJP goons have taken him away.”

Gopal Italia also tweeted to take advantage of the opportunity in the same way. He wrote, “The corrupt BJP wants to win the election on account of fear of police and fear of goons. The Aam Aadmi Party has exposed all the claims of development, so the scared corrupt BJP is now getting the nominations returned with the help of goons. Even though the video recording of the entire incident is available, the entire election machinery is only watching it.”

These were the tweets by the state leaders of AAP. Among the national-level leaders of the AAP, the party chief Arvind Kejriwal retweeted the tweet posted by the liquor scam accused AAP leader Manish Sisodia to take an advantage of the opportunity.

Kejriwal wrote, “Candidates are being abducted with the help of goons and police and their nominations are being returned. This type of hooliganism has never been seen in India. Then what did the election mean? Then democracy is over.”

‘I don’t have any moral authority left’: Congress general Secretary Ajay Maken resigns from the post of Rajasthan in-charge

OpIndia Staff
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‘I don’t have any moral authority left’: Congress general Secretary Ajay Maken resigns from the post of Rajasthan in-charge

Ajay Maken, the general secretary of the Congress, has resigned from his position as the party’s in-charge for Rajasthan and wrote to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to express his “inability and unwillingness to continue” in that capacity.

Maken, according to reports, is furious that Ashok Gehlot’s supporters, who were handed show-cause notices for holding a separate Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting in Jaipur on September 25, have not been punished.

On November 8, Maken sent a letter to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressing his displeasure to continue his job. Ajay Maken referred to the September 25 clash in which MLAs loyal to CM Gehlot refused to attend a Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting to choose a new chief ministerial candidate.

Maken is reported to have informed Kharge that he does not have the “moral authority” to remain as AICC general secretary in charge of the state if the issue of MLAs boycotting the CLP meeting is not resolved. “I don’t have any moral authority left. With what authority I will interact with the MLAs or discharge my duties as in-charge. There was grave indiscipline but there was no action. Not even an apology,” Maken reportedly wrote in the letter.

Gehlot was a candidate for the party’s presidential elections at the time, and his resignation as CM was widely expected. Maken and Kharge were designated as observers for the CLP meeting, at which MLAs were supposed to authorise the top brass to select a new CM face, with Pilot being seen as the frontrunner.

Ashok gehlot with Mallikarjun Kharge. (Image: Hindustan)

Kharge, on the other hand, demanded that he stay instead of accepting his resignation. Maken is reported to have resigned after a week of uncertainty. Mahesh Joshi, Dharmendra Rathore, and Shanti Dhariwal organised a parallel conference of MLAs to adopt a resolution proclaiming that only Ashok Gehlot would be recognised as Chief Minister. During the September crisis, Maken specifically sought action against these three MLAs.

In his letter dated November 8, Maken emphasised the need for a new leader to take over as soon as possible since the Bharat Jodo Yatra will arrive in Rajasthan during the first week of December.

The first institutional obstacle for the current Congress president is Maken’s decision to resign despite Kharge’s urging to do so. He identified himself as a Rahul Gandhi supporter and promised to aid the Congress party in Delhi.

“Wedded to the ideology of Congress for the last three generations and being in active Congress politics for over 40 years, I will always remain an ardent follower of Rahul Ji, whom I trust and have faith in beyond words,” Maken concluded in his letter.

Kerala: NHRC issues notice to Kerala Govt over reports of 9 girls missing from shelter homes in Kottayam, questions efficiency of NGO

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala: NHRC issues notice to Kerala Govt over reports of 9 girls missing from shelter homes in Kottayam, questions efficiency of NGO

On Wednesday, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took suo moto cognizance of the Kottayam incident in which nine girl inmates were reported missing from the shelter home in Manganam. The girls were found at the house of one of the girl’s relatives in Elanji hours after they were reported missing.

The NHRC issued a notice to the Kerala government and the state’s police chief to look into the matter. The commission also asked its Special Rapporteur, Hari Sena Verma, to go to Kottayam and submit a report within two months including the facts related to the instant case. According to the reports, Verma has also been asked to suggest measures to avoid such incidents in the future.

The Commission noted that the inmates appear to be not satisfied or happy with their residence at the shelter home, and there is a prima facie probability of inhuman and undignified treatment being meted out to these girls at the shelter home compelling them to leave. “Reportedly, when traced by the police at the residence of one of the inmates, the girls resisted their return back to the shelter home. This is the third such incident reported from Kottayam in recent months,” it said.

The Commission also believes that there is an absence of supervision and efficient monitoring of the shelter home maintained by an NGO, Mahila Samakhya. Despite this, it is acknowledged by the Social Justice Department and the Child Welfare Committee, according to the statement.

The NHRC asserted that victims of crime may get further get exploited and trafficked for sexual exploitation if they are not under proper care and not safely housed at shelter homes.

The notice issued to the Kerala Chief Secretary seeks a report on the incident and also an action report in the case. “It should also be reported whether there was any involvement of a public servant from the department of social justice or child welfare committee to enable the girls to run away from the shelter home. The report must explain the reasons for the dissatisfaction and disillusionment of the missing girls with their stay in the said shelter home,” the notice read.

The girls escaped from a shelter managed by the NGO Mahila Samakhya, which is recognized by the State Social Justice Department and the Child Welfare Committee, on Monday morning. When the authorities arrived at their rooms at 5.30 a.m., they discovered that the girls had disappeared. Soon after, a case was filed with Kottayam East Police. Reportedly, the girls, all survivors of crimes registered under the POCSO Act, had long been protesting that they wanted to leave the shelter home. 

A notification has also been given to the Kerala Director General of Police regarding the status of the missing girl’s case from Manganam in Kottayam and any arrests if any. The Commission has asked the officers to respond within two weeks.

Garuda, Vishnu, and Lotus: G20 Summit has these icons, and they were not chosen by India

Jinit Jain
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Garuda, Vishnu, and Lotus: G20 Summit has these icons, and they were not chosen by India

Earlier this month, an unwarranted controversy broke out when Congress launched a scathing attack against the Modi government over the inclusion of the symbol of a lotus in the newly unveiled logo of the next G20 summit in India in 2023.

While there was little rationality in Congress’ criticism of choosing the lotus as the symbol for the next G20 summit, which was promptly pointed out by PM Modi, who explained the significance of the lotus flower and its attachment to Indian culture. “The lotus flower symbolises our Puranic heritage, our Aastha (belief) and Boddhikta (intellectualism),” PM Modi said.

Garuda, Vishnu, and Lotus: Hindu symbols at the G20 Summit venue in Indonesia

However, do you know there is a lotus connection with the ongoing G20 Summit in Indonesia? Yes, there is. The venue where the summit is taking place has a Lotus Pond. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo chose the Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) park as a venue for this year’s G20 summit. Garuda stands for a Hindu demigod and divine creature mentioned in the Hindu, Buddhist and Jain faiths, Wisnu (Vishnu) is a Hindu God while Kencana (Kanchana) is a Sanskrit word for Gold. 

On Tuesday, i.e November 15, the Lotus Pond hosted a welcoming dinner for G20 leaders, providing an opportunity to promote the park’s cultural heritage and exquisite beauty to international delegates. 

The Lotus Pond is the biggest outdoor landmark in Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK), having a capacity of over 7,500 people. GWK Operation Director, Stefanus Yonathan Astayasa, said he expected 300-400 guests to attend the banquet, while the remaining delegates would enjoy their dinner at the Jendela Bali restaurant. 

“It is planned that around 300-400 people will attend the dinner at Lotus Pond. The other, specifically the G20 participant who did not take part in the event, can have dinner at the Jendela Bali Restaurant,” said Stefanus.

G20 summit venue: Lotus Pond with depictions of Hindu God Vishnu on his mount Garuda

The Lotus Pond area houses a splendid mural on a wall of limestone cliffs lining the right and left sides. At the end of the rows stand an imposing Garuda statue carrying the Hindu god Vishnu on its back.

The Tirta Agung sacred watering grounds line the entrance to the Lotus Pond. The carved relief slabs greet visitors with the story of the bird Garuda Wisnu Kencana that became the Protector God’s loyal steed.

Vishnu, who is considered by Hindus the guardian deity of the universe, sits on his mount Garuda, carrying a lotus in his hand, a symbol of beauty, prosperity and fertility. The roots may be embedded deep inside the mud, but the flower sprouts out from the murky depths and blossoms unaffected, symbolising hope and tenacity in the face of adversity and an unwavering resolve to overcome difficulties.

“We’re planning to indulge visitors with a whole new experience, from the statue’s ground floor to the 23rd floor. Our goal is to make a memorable impression for tourists and delegates alike,” Stefanus added. He also added that G20 Summit has a positive impact on the park and stirred the management to gentrify more facilities and institute new upgrades within it. 

The shared cultural and religious heritage between India and Indonesia

India and Indonesia are not just linked by decades-old international trade or bilateral relations but by a shared religious and cultural heritage that dates back millennia. Followers of Hinduism, Buddhism and later Islam travelled to Indonesia from the shores of India, and in the process, acquainting the indigenous people in Indonesia with local cultural practices.

Indonesian folk art and dramas draw inspiration from the Hindu epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata, underscoring the rich cultural harmony between the two countries.

The sculptures in Indonesia are inspired by Hindu art, including gates (gapura), statues (arca) and temples (candi), with temples dedicated to Hindu Gods and Goddesses. There are temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi, and Goddess Saraswati in the Indonesian archipelago, besides temples of other Hindu Gods.

Even customs and traditions practised in India find great resonance with local Indonesian customs, highlighting the dominance of Indian culture in the everyday life in Indonesia.

Manish Sisodia brazens out AAP’s ticket selling, gives a bizarre excuse

OpIndia Staff
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Manish Sisodia brazens out AAP’s ticket selling, gives a bizarre excuse

After the arrest of AAP MLA Akhilesh Pati Tripathi’s brother-in-law Om Singh and others for selling tickets for MCD elections for ₹90 lakh, Delhi deputy chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, Manish Sisodia gave a bizarre excuse claiming that the arrest by the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) “prove” that AAP does not sell tickets.

“Tickets are not sold in AAP, even if someone pays for it and someone else takes it. This is what this series of events has demonstrated. Someone paid for a ticket and someone took it, but none were actually sold, proving that tickets are not sold in AAP, I demand an unbiased investigation into the matter” Manish Sisodia told the media on Wednesday (November 16).

Earlier today (November 16), the ACB arrested AAP Model Town MLA Akhilesh Pati Tripathi’s brother-in-law Om Singh, Tripathi’s Personal Assistant (PA) Shiv Shankar Pandey alias Vishal Pandey, and Prince Raghuvanshi on the accusation of accepting bribes for Municipal Election tickets in Delhi.

They were arrested under relevant sections 7 and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and section 171 (E) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). According to reports, cash worth Rs 33 lakh was recovered from their possession.

But Sisodia is claiming AAP does not sell tickets because the person from whom money was taken in the promise of giving ticket was actually not allotted the ticket by the party. Om Singh and his aides were arrested after one Gopal Khari had filed a complaint that while they had taken ₹45 lakh promising ticket to his wife for the Municipal Elections in Delhi, her name didn’t feature in the list of candidates released by AAP on November 12.

Notably, Gopal Khari in his complaint to the Additional CP alleged that on November 9, he went to AAP MLA Akhilesh Tripathi’s office seeking a ticket for his wife for the upcoming MCD elections. Khari claimed that he was told that he needs to pay Rs 90 lakh for the ticket. Gopal claimed that he gave Rs 20 lakh to MLA Rajesh Gupta and after that gave Rs 35 lakh to MLA Akhilesh Tripathi. The balance ₹35 crore was to be paid after his wife gets the ticket.

However, when the list of candidates was released by AAP on November 12, Gopal Khari’s wife’s name was not on the list. Reportedly, accused Om Singh told Gopal to take his money back and assured him that his wife will the ticket next time. Gopal alleged that he was “blackmailed in the name of giving a ticket.”

The Anti-Corruption Bureau team set up a trap at Khari’s house and caught the accused trio red-handed. According to the police, the accused came to return the bribe on behalf of Model Town AAP MLA Akhilesh Pati Tripathi. 

In its statement, ACB stated that the accused persons were arrested based on the complaint of one Gopal Khari, a resident of Warn No 69, Kamla Nagar. ACB said, “Anti-Corruption Branch, GNCT of Delhi arrested one Om Singh R/o H-3, First Floor, Type-V, Model Town, Delhi (official residence of MLA Model Town) reportedly brother-in-law of Sh. Akhilesh Pati Tripathi, MLA/Model Town, AAP, and his associates, namely Shiv Shankar Pandey, a.k.a. Vishal Pandey, PA of Sh. Akhilesh Pati Tripathi, MLA/Model Town, AAP and Prince Raghuvanshi U/s 7/13 of POC Act and 171 (E) of IPC, i.e. for accepting a bribe for giving an AAP ticket of MCD election to Ms Shobha Khari wife of the complainant Sh. Gopal Khari for Ward No. 69, Kamla Nagar.”

UP: Just before municipality elections, ex-chairperson Haji Islam distributes chickens among voters

OpIndia Staff
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UP: Just before municipality elections, ex-chairperson Haji Islam distributes chickens among voters

Haji Islam, former chairman of Kandhla town municipality in the Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh was seen distributing chickens to woo voters. Islam brought chickens in two trucks and distributed them openly among the people of the town weeks before the municipality elections. The video of the incident is making rounds on the internet since Tuesday 15th November 2022.

After the buzz of municipal elections in the Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh, the candidates are rushing to please the voters through various means. Candidates are adopting unique ways of bolstering their claims. According to a report by Jagran, Haji Islam said that he has been the chairman for ten years in the past and that he is indebted to the public. So he distributed the chickens among them to “show his gratitude”.

Haji Islam, a resident of Kandhla, has been the former president of Kandhla Municipality. On Tuesday, some videos went viral on internet media in which a long line of people appeared near a truck full of chickens. In the video, the former chairman was handing them over one by one. There was a crowd of people to get the free chickens. Dozens of people rushed to the scene. Trucks were reportedly halted at multiple places in town to distribute chickens.

It is notable that elections to 17 municipal corporations, 200 municipalities, and 517 Nagar panchayats in UP are to be held before January.

“Our agenda will be inclusive, ambitious, decisive and action-oriented,” says PM Modi as India handed over G20 presidency for 2023

OpIndia Staff
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“Our agenda will be inclusive, ambitious, decisive and action-oriented,” says PM Modi as India handed over G20 presidency for 2023

On Wednesday, India was formally handed over the leadership for next year’s G20 summit at the conclusion of the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia. India will formally take up the G20 presidency on December 1, 2022. At the gathering’s closing ceremony, Prime Minister Modi was seen assuming the responsibility of next year’s summit, which will be held in India, in a ceremonial event from Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

Talking about India’s role as president of G20, prime minister Narendra Modi said that India’s agenda will be inclusive, ambitious, decisive and action-oriented. The PM tweeted, “India will assume the G-20 Presidency for the coming year. Our agenda will be inclusive, ambitious, decisive and action-oriented. We will work to realise all aspects of our vision of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future.’”

According to the reports, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Bali on Sunday night for the Summit and was welcomed by Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the venue. PM Modi was given a traditional style of welcome pleased by which he tweeted, “Grateful to the Indian community for the warm welcome in Bali!”

On the sidelines of the G20 Summit, PM Modi held bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and met many other key leaders of nations including Italy, Australia, and the UK. During the bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, PM Modi discussed various issues including defence and overall sustainable growth.

“PM Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron held talks at the G20 Summit in Bali. They had fruitful deliberations on a variety of subjects. The two leaders discussed how to enhance defense ties, further sustainable growth, and increase economic cooperation,” PMO’s office tweeted.

PM Modi also met German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Bali. During the meeting, the two leaders addressed various topics aimed at strengthening India-Germany cooperation in many sectors, including commerce, finance, and security.

An update about their meeting was shared by the Prime Minister’s Office which tweeted, “A fruitful meeting between PM Narendra Modi and Chancellor Scholz was held on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Bali. The talks covered different subjects aimed at furthering India-Germany friendship, particularly in key areas such as trade, finance, and security”.

As per the reports, the duo met for the third time this year. The Ministry of External Affairs also released a statement revealing that the leaders discussed the bilateral cooperation between India and Germany and signed the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership during the Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC).

PM Modi in Bali also held bilateral talks with his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong to discuss the immense scope for strengthening ‘India-Singapore cooperation’ in emerging areas, including green economy and solar energy. The two leaders also spoke about enhancing trade and boosting cultural linkages between the two nations.

Earlier PM Modi assumed the G20 Presidency at the closing ceremony and called it a proud moment for every Indian. “India is taking charge of the G-20 at a time when the world is simultaneously grappling with geopolitical tensions, economic slowdown, rising food and energy prices, and the long-term ill-effects of the pandemic. At such a time, the world is looking at the G-20 with hope. Today, I want to assure that India’s G-20 presidency will be inclusive, ambitious, decisive, and action-oriented,” he said.

The Indian Prime Minister on the first day of his visit communicated to the Indian community residing in Bali and highlighted close cultural ties between India and Indonesia. “India and Indonesia have an enduring partnership. We are not 90 nautical miles away, we are 90 nautical miles close. Both have many similarities in their cultures. On Sankranti, beautiful and colorful kites fill the skies of both nations,” he said.

PM Modi is on a three-day visit to Bali to attend the G20 Leaders Summit. Today, he arrived at the mangrove forest and also joined the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC), a joint initiative of Indonesia and UAE under the Indonesian G-20 Presidency. India has about 50 mangrove species scattered throughout 5000 square kilometers. India is emphasizing the conservation and regeneration of mangroves, which are biodiversity hotspots and excellent carbon sinks. Reportedly, PM Modi and US President Joe Biden exchanged greetings with each other during the mangrove forest visit.

Besides this, PM Modi also met Australian PM Anthony Albanese, Italy PM Giorgia Meloni, World Bank President David Malpass, UK counterpart Rishi Sunak, President of the Republic of Senegal Macky Sall, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the sidelines of the G20 summit.

Shraddha murder: Here is how Delhi Police busted Aftab Amin Poonawala’s lies forcing him to confess

OpIndia Staff
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Shraddha murder: Here is how Delhi Police busted Aftab Amin Poonawala’s lies forcing him to confess

In the latest update in the horrific Shraddha murder case that sent shockwaves across the country, it has been learnt that accused Aftab Amin Poonawala had tried to dupe Delhi and Mumbai Police during the initial phase of the investigation. Aftab attempted to cover up the murder of Shraddha by removing all material evidence; however, he somehow left digital evidence, which the police used to ascertain the truth of the case and expose the lies told by Aftab. 

During Delhi Police’s initial investigation in the case, initially Aftab Amin told the police that Shraddha left his flat on May 22, after the two had a fight. Back then, he said that Shraddha had left all her belongings in his flat and only carried her phone while leaving. He further claimed that since then, the two did not come in contact, ANI reported citing police sources. 

However, while checking the phone call records of Aftab and Shraddha and investigating their locations, the police uncovered the truth.

The police obtained the bank statement of both Shraddha and Aftab, which showed a transaction of Rs 54,000 from Shraddha’s net banking account app to Aftab’s account on May 26. The said transaction exposed Aftab’s lies, in which he previously stated that Shraddha was unreachable after May 22 and that he was not in contact with her.

Upon tracing, the location of the May 26 bank transaction turned out to be the Mehrauli police station area, which made police question Aftab if Shraddha took her phone while leaving, how can its location be traced to his flat. To this Aftab had no answer, and ultimately he confessed to his crime after further questioning by police.

Accused Aftab told the police that he kept Shraddha’s Instagram account updated for a month (til June) after killing her, in order “to preempt doubts about her well-being and keep her alive in the eyes of her family and friends.”

Aftab had made up his mind to kill her a week before the murder

Aftab Amin Poonawalla, who murdered his Hindu live-in partner and chopped her body into 35 pieces, told the police about his plans to kill Shraddha more than a week before the murder.

“More than a week before murdering Shraddha on May 18, 2022, I had made up my mind to kill Shraddha. Even on that day, we had a fight. I was determined to kill her but suddenly she became emotional and started crying. So I held back for later,” ANI reported quoting a Delhi Police source citing Aftab’s confession.

Blood stains were discovered in the kitchen of accused Aftab Amin Poonawalla’s flat in Chhatarpur, Delhi. The blood samples have been sent to be tested in order to determine whose blood it is. The victim’s father is expected to be called by the police for DNA testing, and blood and bone samples from the recovered body parts will be sent to Forensic Light Source (FLS) for matching. After that, a DNA test will be conducted.

The ‘Love Jihad’ angle

Vikas Madan Walkar, father of victim Shraddha has expressed suspicion of a ‘love jihad’ angle in the case and demanded the death penalty for the accused. 

While speaking to ANI about the same he said, “I suspected a love jihad angle. We demand the death penalty for Aftab. I trust Delhi Police and the probe moving in the right direction. Shraddha was close to her uncle and didn’t talk to me much. I was never in touch with Aftab. I lodged the first complaint in Mumbai’s Vasai.”

From chopping meat as a chef to chopping his live-in partner as a monster

Reportedly, the accused had earlier worked as a chef in a Mumbai-based restaurant. During the chef training, he was taught how to cut meat into small pieces and preserve them in refrigeration. The job had also taught him tips and tricks to maintain cleanliness after chopping the meat. According to the police, Aftab’s former job as a chef helped him clinically chop Shraddha’s dead body into 35 pieces.

The accused has been arrested and a case under IPC section 302 (murder) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of an offence committed) have been registered. Further investigations into the case are going on.

Afsar and Rizwan became Hitesh and Arun to smuggle gold, had fake voter IDs, terror angle being probed

OpIndia Staff
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Afsar and Rizwan became Hitesh and Arun to smuggle gold, had fake voter IDs, terror angle being probed

On November 10, customs officials caught three persons who had reached Patna on Indigo flight 6E 921 from Ahmedabad. Initially, they were identified as Hitesh Jain, Arun and Arif. All three were caught with almost 1.5 KG of gold worth Rs 77 lakh. However, during interrogation, it was revealed that Hitesh and Arun were using fake identities. Hitesh Jain’s real name is Afsar and Arun’s real name is Rizwan. Though Arif did not change his name to travel, his address turned out to be fake.

As per reports, they were in possession of one gold bar with a hologram of Dubai and four biscuits. The total weight of the illegal gold in their possession was 1.467 KG. The estimated cost of the gold recovered was around Rs 77 Lakh. Prima Facie the customs officials thought it was a smuggling case but during the investigation, it was found all three smugglers used fake voter ID cards for travelling.

Two of the arrested smugglers were living in Delhi while one of them is from Ahmedabad. Hitesh’s real name turned out to be Afsar and his father’s name is Ataullah. Arun’s real name is Rizwan. He had informed the officials that his father’s name is Shiv Kumar but it turned out to be Khurshid. Arun’s address was also fake. He had told his address as Khada Colony, Swaroop Nagar, Delhi but the real address is Ghadi Mandi, Seelampur, Delhi.

Mohammad Arif did not change his name to travel but his address was fake. He had given his address as Naithla Hasanpur, Bulandshahr. Investigation revealed that he was a resident of Bapu Nagar, Ahmedabad.

It was further revealed that they had fake Voter ID cards. Furthermore, during interrogation, they revealed that the gold was already placed under their seats on the flight by some ‘Aaka’ or master. It is unclear who is the mastermind behind the smuggling matter.

As per Dainik Bhaskar’s report, during interrogation, the officials got suspicious of their dialect and accent. They noticed the three were using some words that are commonly spoken in the Punjab area of Pakistan. The officials used strict interrogation techniques after which the three broke down and revealed their real identities. As the matter is sensitive, the agency is investigating the matter from every possible angle and checking if the gold was supposed to be used for terror funding, the reports suggested.

PK Katiyar, Principal Commissioner of Customs said, “The matter is very sensitive. The department has shared complete information about the three persons caught with the gold with the police. The in-depth investigation will be carried out in the matter.”

Maharashtra: Minor girl jumps out of moving auto after driver Syed Akbar Hameed tries to molest her, gets badly injured

OpIndia Staff
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Maharashtra: Minor girl jumps out of moving auto after driver Syed Akbar Hameed tries to molest her, gets badly injured

On November 13, a minor girl jumped out of a moving auto in Aurangabad, Maharashtra after the driver identified as Syed Akbar Hameed tried to molest her. As per reports, the 13-year-old victim got injured after jumping out of the auto and lying on the road unconscious. The girl was reportedly coming back from tuition. The bystanders rushed to the minor girl lying on the busy main road. The incident was captured on a CCTV camera nearby. The auto driver has been arrested by the police.

Reports suggest that she jumped out of the speeding vehicle after noticing Hameed’s obscene remarks and sexual advances. She was admitted to MGM Hospital as she sustained a head injury during the escape. Soon after she jumped out of the auto, the bystanders rushed to help her. She remained unmoved for a few minutes. In the video, it was visible that her legs were shaking.

A case under the Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) Act was registered at Kranti Chowk Police Station and a hunt was initiated by the police to arrest the accused.

Inspector Ganpat Darade said in an official statement, “The minor student was going to her home in an autorickshaw from the Usmanpura area when the driver spoke obscenely and molested the girl, after which the girl understood that something was wrong. Near the Silli Khana complex of Aurangabad, she jumped out of the moving auto in which the girl got hurt on her head and has been admitted to the hospital.”

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