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Mumbai police drop charges against woman who held ‘Free Kashmir’ placard, after Maha govt defends her actions

OpIndia Staff
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Mumbai police drop charges against woman who held ‘Free Kashmir’ placard, after Maha govt defends her actions

The Mumbai police on Tuesday dropped charges against ‘protestor’ Mehak Mirza Prabhu who was spotted with a ‘Free Kashmir’ poster at the anti-CAA protests in Mumbai in solidarity with anti-CAA protestors of Delhi.

In the ‘C Summary’ report filed by the Mumbai police in the case registered against Mahek Mirza Prabhu, the police have reportedly said that they found “no malicious motive” in the complaint.

It should be noted that police files a ‘C Summary’ report when the case is neither true nor false or when the criminal case was filed due to mistake of facts or the offence complained about is of a civil nature.

“Free Kashmir” poster at the anti-CAA protest

For the unversed, Mehak Mirza Prabhu, who identifies herself as a ‘storyteller’, had appeared at the anti-CAA protest held at the Gateway of India in January this year with a “free Kashmir” poster.

The presence of “free Kashmir” poster at the protest led many to suspect that it is not merely a students’ protest against the JNU violence, but there were anti-national forces involved. As it had turned out, the DGISPR of Pakistan, Asif Ghafoor, had cited a report about the placard to declare that it was the ‘beginning of the end’ for India. In his tweet, he also claimed that Kashmir is Pakistan.

In response to the outrage and the negative messages that were put out against Prabhu for pushing anti-India agenda, Mumbai police had on January 7 filed an FIR against her under Section 153 (B) of the Indian Penal Code for “imputation, assertions prejudicial to the national interest”.  

Maha Aghadi Govt in Maharashtra rush to defend the woman who held ‘free Kashmir’ placard during anti-CAA protest

Interestingly, soon after the FIR was registered, the Maha Aghadi government in Maharashtra had rushed to defend the woman. While Maharashtra Home Minister and NCP leader Anil Deshmukh had said that prima facie holding “Free Kashmir” poster did not look like the accused had any “anti-national intentions” and had said that he would review the FIR against the accused, Shiv Sena’s firebrand Sanjay Raut has stated that ‘free Kashmir’ posters did not mean actually ‘free Kashmir’ and they wanted only freedom from restrictions of internet services, mobile services and other issues.

Maharashtra government’s new tourism and environment minister Aaditya Thackeray had dismissed the ‘Free Kashmir’ placard at the protests and said that we need to “look at the larger picture”.

Moreover, the Shiv Sena, in its mouthpiece Saamana had also backed the accused despite the secessionist placard. “Mumbaikar Marathi girl lamented the plight of people of Kashmir in a peaceful manner. However, the Opposition is terming it as an act of treason. There can be no worse example by the Opposition parties,” wrote Shiv Sena. 

After pushing her anti-India agenda, woman issues apology

Following the outrage, Mehak Mirza Prabhu, had issued an apology saying that the “Placard meant freedom to express themselves, freedom from the internet lockdown which many people have been complaining about. I was voicing my solidarity for the basic constitutional right”.

Contractual workers tear Mamata Banerjee’s banners in Kolkata, block road, TMC leaders escorted out by police: Read why

OpIndia Staff
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Contractual workers tear Mamata Banerjee’s banners in Kolkata, block road, TMC leaders escorted out by police: Read why

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) party, which has been vocal about the ongoing anti-farm law agitation against the Union government, had drawn the ire of contractual workers associated with Self Employed Labor Organisations. The contractual labourers have been demanding that they be made permanent employees of the government and get a fixed salary instead of commission, that has dried up during the pandemic.

On Monday, during a meeting with the State government, angry workers tore down TMC banners and destroyed flex boards, featuring Mamata Banerjee, at the Netaji Indoor Stadium. In a video shared by ABP News, the contractual labourers could be seen taking out their anger against the current political dispensation. The incident took place in the presence of State Urban Minister Firhad Hakim, Power Minister Sobhan Deb Chattopadhyay and Labour Minister Moly Ghatak.

(Video Courtesy: ABP News)

As per reports, the contractual workers were hoping that the government would give them assurance about their long-standing salary demand or mention about the salary structure. However, when none of the TMC Minister spoke about it, the angry protestors ripped apart banners and flex boards.

“You have to give our monthly wage of ₹13,500,” said one protestor. Another worker asked, “We are supposed to get our salary today.” Why did it not happen?” When the police successfully escorted the TMC Ministers out of the stadium, the workers then blocked the Shahid Khudiram Bose Road.

Workers demand fixed minimum wage from the West Bengal government

According to the contractual labourers, the Self Employed Labor Organisation was formed to raise money every month in various social security schemes from 6500 unorganised workers in West Bengal during the Left regime. They said that they would receive commissions for withdrawing money for the unorganised workers. However, due to the pandemic, the withdrawal process had come to a halt since March-April of this year, thereby wiping out their commission. As such, they demanded a fixed minimum wage structure from the government, the assurance of which was not received during the meeting.

When contacted, Ghatak told PTI that the state government had received a deputation from the contractual labourers, which included the demand to make them permanent workers.

“We had nothing to announce today. We know that these labourers are not getting their commission for the last six months. We are looking into their demands but such protest was totally uncalled for,” Ghatak said.

In his defence, Firhad Hakim claimed, “Demands can’t be fulfilled like this. If we inform CM about it she will definitely do something.” However, power Minister Sovondeb Chattopadhyay conceded, “They have a legitimate demand and I hope the matter will be settled amicably.” While Hakim said that demands cannot be met this way, the contractual labourers said that they had agreed to attend this meeting only after an assurance was given that their demands would be met.

Mamata Banerjee writes to govt to disburse money under PM-Kisan scheme to her

In her letter issued on December 21, Mamata Banerjee had alleged that the West Bengal government still awaits the disbursement of funds to the state government for the onward transfer of the payments to the farmers of the state. Interestingly, the West Bengal CM has also enclosed a copy of a letter dated 9 September 2020 to allege that her government had not received the funds from the central government even after demanding for the same earlier in September.

Centre rejects Banerjee’s demand for routing the funds allocated under the scheme through the state government

In September 2020, Mamata Banerjee had written a letter to the Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, asking him to disburse the amount meant for farmers under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme to the West Bengal government. The Centre had then rejected Mamata Banerjee’s demand of routing the money to the state government, categorically stating that the scheme is based on direct benefit transfer to farmers’ account and “routing money through the state government would be against the spirit of the scheme”.

West Bengal remains the only state which has not implemented this scheme that provides an annual support amount of Rs 6,000 to farmers in three equal instalments.

As Sonu Sood’s book ‘I am no messiah’ gets negative ratings, Amazon restricts review submission

OpIndia Staff
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As Sonu Sood’s book ‘I am no messiah’ gets negative ratings, Amazon restricts review submission

E-commerce giant Amazon on Monday restricted review submission for Bollywood entertainer Sonu Sood’s memoir “I am no messiah”.

Sonu Sood’s book’s restricted review

As per the blurb of Sonu Sood’s book, instead of expressing his generosity through remote control, he got off the ‘ivory towers’ and came face to face with the trauma of India’s migrant labourers. He also ‘understood’ how “a food packet was a woefully inadequate substitute for a ride back home.”

During the Chinese coronavirus pandemic, as per the book’s blurb, Sonu Sood spurred into action for the value of ‘seva’ to serve the mankind. However, Sonu Sood’s heroics don’t seem to have gone down well with readers.

Readers not too happy with ‘I am no messiah’

Out of the 21-odd reviews on Amazon, about 75% reviewers gave it 1 star rating. One reviewer said that it would be better to use the money to feed a poor than buy this book. Another reviewer found the memoir outrageously cringeworthy. “Even secret lives of Bollywood wives was perhaps less idiotic than this. His charity started (if at all) probably May and within a few months a book is getting released. Hopefully Coming Filmfare He gets Most Selfless “Star” of the Year Award along with dada saheb phalke and nobel peace prize nomination. As a generation we need to introspect deeply,” he said while giving it 1 star rating.

Sonu Sood’s book’s reviews

Some reviews were quite brutal.

However, soon after Sonu Sood’s memoirs started getting negative reviews, Amazon has suspended reviews for the book.

Sonu sood and Chinese coronavirus pandemic

During the lockdown that was imposed to curb Chinese coronavirus pandemic, many migrant workers who live and work in other states were stuck as buses, trains and flights came to a halt. Later, the government arranged for Shramik Express to facilitate the migrant workers to go to their home states. Many individuals, like Sonu Sood, also came forward to help migrants reach home.

Earlier in May, Sonu Sood was accused of being a BJP stooge for arranging transport for migrant workers from Maharashtra to other parts of India who were stuck in Maharashtra due to coronavirus lockdown. The attack on social media from ‘liberals’ and Islamists came after he met Maharashtra governor. Soon, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut attacked him and questioned how he managed transportation for migrant workers amid lockdown.

However, a day later he met Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and his son and minister Aaditya Thackeray. The Maharashtra government run by Shiv Sena-NCP and Congress alliance had received flak over mismanagement over handling coronavirus pandemic in the state, especially the treatment of migrants.

Sonu Sood and the ‘help’ that never was

In September this year, Sonu Sood ‘promised help’ to 350 boatsmen in Varanasi. He made the promise while responding to viral images. Some videos were shared on social media where claims were made that the boatsmen in Varanasi are facing financial crunch and that as many as 350 families are forced to sleep hungry. However, the truth was far from what is propagated.

Speaking to OpIndia, members of Nishad community clarified how they have never had to beg for food and the media reports of 350 families being hungry are all rumours. Local councillor Narsingh Das was engaged in distributing ration even when OpIndia contacted him.

While it is true that coronavirus pandemic has hit us hard, the above media reports of boatsmen and their families sleeping hungry were incorrect.

Sonu Sood and ‘UN award’ that never was

In September this year, various media portals reported that Sonu had been awarded the SDG Special Humanitarian Action Award by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Sonu Sood getting ‘UN’ award media coverage

There have been two recent incidents (West Bengal’s so-called UNWPA recognition for Mamata Banerjee and the case of ‘Drone Boy’) when awards that people claimed to have won were either proved to be fake, or the name of the organization was misleading.

When OpIndia tried to find any announcement about the said award on the UNDP website or SDG Action Campaign Awards website, there was no info about it. The social media accounts did not have any information on the award presented to Sonu Sood, either. SDG Action Awards were still accepting applications, and the last date was 9th October 2020. The previous winners’ list has winners from 2019 and none from 2020. At the time of this report, SDG Action Awards have only given the list of finalists, not winners.

So when Sood, in his memoirs, writes that he is not a messiah, he is being quite honest.

Mumbai Police accuses Arnab Goswami directly in the TRP scam case for the first time: Here is what they said in court

OpIndia Staff
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Mumbai Police accuses Arnab Goswami directly in the TRP scam case for the first time: Here is what they said in court

The Mumbai Police on Monday claimed in a local court that Republic TV Editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami ‘connived’ with the former CEO of Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) Partho Dasgupta and a former senior BARC official to manipulate and increase the television rating points (TRPs) of the Republic TV and Republic Bharat channels. This is the first time that the Mumbai Police have directly named Arnab Goswami in the TRP case.

The police further claimed that Arnab Goswami paid Dasgupta lakhs of rupees on several occasions, of which the latter bought expensive jewellery and other items which were kept at his home. “We have recovered a wristwatch and three kilograms of white silver jewellery from his house,” the police told the court.

According to Assistant Police Inspector Sachin Vaze, Dasgupta had reportedly said that Goswami had met him at least three times, in separate hotels in Mumbai, and “made payments worth lakhs in cash, including once in US dollars.” He said Goswami and Dasgupta had worked together at Times Now. He also added that in addition to Dasgupta and Romil Ramgarhia, the police is probing the involvement of other employees of the BARC too.

The police also stated that they needed to interrogate the accused about the “rigged” rankings of the news channels. The police claimed that they found that the rankings released by the BARC were decided beforehand. The Crime Branch has stated that Dasgupta was the “mastermind” of the TRP scam, and have further sought his custody.

Assistant police inspector Sachin Waze, who is heading the probe into the TRP scam, claimed that the police have obtained evidence of a number of payments. “In 2017, Goswami paid him 6,000 US dollars at a star hotel in Lower Parel and sponsored a trip for Dasgupta and his family to Switzerland and Denmark; in 2018, he paid Rs 20 lakh in cash; and in 2019 he paid Rs 10 lakh at a hotel near the airport,” Waze alleged according to a Times of India report.

However, Indian Express reports that Dasgupta used the money to purchase jewellery and other valuables that were seized from his residence. “The purchases include one Tag Heuer watch worth approximately Rs 1 lakh and imitation jewellery and stones worth Rs 2.22 lakh,” police said.

It is unclear why the Mumbai Police thinks that the money was exchanged, what proof they have and if the money was indeed exchanged, whether they have proof to show it was exchanged to manipulate TRP and no other reason. It is also interesting that the police would allege that a man at the position of being the BARC CEO owning a Tag Heuer watch and some imitation jewellery could be suspicious.

This is the first time that Arnab Goswami has been directly accused in the TRP manipulation case. Though the remand report filed by the Mumbai Police mentions “Republic owners” in the list of the accused, it does not name Goswami specifically.

TRP manipulation case: How it all started

Ever since Arnab Goswami questioned the Maha Vikas Aghadi government on the brutal lynching of the Hindu Sadhus in Palghar, a relentless witchhunt has been unleashed against the journalist and his channel Republic TV.

On the 8th of October, Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh held a press conference where he categorically stated that Mumbai police have been alerted about a new racket involving false television rating points (TRP). He said that three channels, including Republic TV and two other Marathi channels- Fakt Marathi and Box Cinema have been reportedly involved in distorting the apparatus used by BARC to rate television channels. The commissioner said that arrests have also been made in this regard. He further added that Republic TV’s bank accounts were under scanner and that their officials would be summoned soon.

Interestingly, in the press conference, the Commissioner mentioned Hansa Research and how, to measure TRPs, BARC has installed 2000 barometers in Mumbai to monitor TRPs which is strictly confidential. Parambir Singh further said that the confidential contract was given to a company called Hansa Research which has filed the complaint against some former employees who misused the data on households where the TRP monitoring systems are installed. 

It is to be noted here that during the press conference, the police commissioner specifically mentioned that his assertions were based on the Hansa Research complaint that was filed with the police.

FIR by Hansa Research emerges – had named India Today and not Republic TV

As mentioned earlier, in his press conference, Parambir Singh had specifically mentioned that Hansa Research had filed a complaint with the police. Now, after he implicated Republic TV in his press conference, the complaint that was filed by Hansa Research on the 6th of October, just 2 days before the press conference by Parambir Sing, emerged.

Interestingly, in this FIR that was filed by Hansa Research, Republic TV was not mentioned even once. The channel that was mentioned several times was India Today.

The FIR filed in the case was accessed by Republic TV on the 8th of October itself, which showed that India Today was named in the FIR, not Republic TV as alleged by Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh.

Gujarat: Congress MLA Bhavesh Katara’s brother ordered killing of BJP’s Hiren Patel, says ATS

OpIndia Staff
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Gujarat: Congress MLA Bhavesh Katara’s brother ordered killing of BJP’s Hiren Patel, says ATS

On September 27, Jhalod Municipal Councillor and BJP leader Hiren Patel was murdered. Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) had arrested one accused named Imran Gudala alias Immu, the key conspirator in the case. According to the police, he has named Amit Katara, son of former Dahod MP, Babulal Katara, and brother of sitting Congress MLA Bhavesh Katara, as the one who ordered the murder of Patel.

Imran Gudala was on the run since October

The ATS had detained Imran Gudala from Mewat in Haryana on Sunday and brought him to Ahmedabad. Dahod district police will seek Gudala’s custody from ATS. Gudala was named as accused number seven. He was on the run since October. ATS officials said that Gudala has confessed that Amit Katara was the one who had ordered the murder of Hiren Patel.

Imtiyaz Shaikh, Superintendent of Police, Gujarat ATS, said, “Three days ago, home minister Pradeepsinh Jadeja held a meeting with Dahod police officers and also called ATS officers to the meeting to instruct that the accused must be arrested soon… we received information that he was hiding in Mewat in Haryana… He has said that he handed over the contract to bump off Patel at the behest of Amit Babu Katara.”

The Indian Express quoted Shaikh saying that Amit Katara facilitated the money to co-accused Ajay Kalal to execute the contract. “Kalal, in turn, gathered the team of executors,” added Shaikh. The ATS team searched several locations in the last few weeks. Shaikh said that they had been trying to arrest Gudala for days. “He eluded arrest for close to two-and-half months. This time, we had a confirmed input of his presence in Mewat in Haryana… We sought help from the local police… and detained Gudala on Sunday. Haryana police apprehended the person who sheltered him. We will now hand over Gudala’s custody to Dahod district police,” Shaikh said.

Six co-conspirators arrested so far

Dahod police have so far arrested six accused in the case. After Kalal named Gudala, they issued instructions to the local crime branch in October to look for him. As per the reports, he had facilitated finances of Rs.4 lakh to the accused. The six who were arrested in the case are:

  • Irfan Pada. He is a 2002 Sabarmati train burning convict.
  • Jhalod resident Ajay Kalal. He named Gudala as the key conspirator.
  • Ujjain residents Sajjansinh Chauhan and Mohammed Samir Mujawar.
  • Balram Bhuvanji. He owns a roadside Dhaba in Mahidpur in Madhya Pradesh and allegedly facilitated the accused to meet on his Dhaba to plan the “hit-and-run.”
  • Salim Baju Shaikh alias Kala. He arranged one of the three cars used in the crime from his brother.

Gudala has closed links to Babu Katara in Jhalod. Teams from the Dahod Local Crime Branch (LCB) and Special Operations Group (SOG) were sent to arrest him. Another accused, Irfan Basti, was also detained by LCB and SOG. He was present when the accused rammed his Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) into Patel when he was out for his morning walk on September 27.

Paresh Solanki, the Deputy Superintendent of Police in Dohad said, “We will bring him to Dahod… and officially arrest him in the case of culpable homicide amounting to murder, in our territorial jurisdiction.” He further added that district police would question Gudala after formally seeking his remand from a local court. However, the ATS has already informed Dahod police that he has named Katara in the crime.

Death of Hiren Patel

On September 27, BJP councillor Hiren Patel had stepped out for a morning walk at 6 AM. The accused rammed his LMV into him at Muwada junction in Jhalod. The impact was so strong that Patel was fatally injured. As per the police, the accused did recce of the route Patel used to take for the morning walk.

Just two days before Gudala’s arrest, Pradeepsinh Jadeja, Gujarat cabinet minister for home affairs, had met Hiren Patel’s family and promised swift action. A week ago, Patel’s wife Bina had also passed away.

MHA starts an investigation against NGOs of Assam MP Badruddin Ajmal based on NCPCR’s report

OpIndia Staff
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MHA starts an investigation against NGOs of Assam MP Badruddin Ajmal based on NCPCR’s report

Ministry of Home Affairs has started an investigation against the NGOs run by All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief and Lok Sabha MP Badruddin Ajmal for misusing foreign funds and receiving funds from an organization with links with a terror organization. The investigation is based on the report submitted by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

In its report, NCPCR said that it had found fund misuse by the childcare institutions in Manipur and Assam that are running under the name of Markazul Maarif. The organization had received crores of foreign funds from international organizations that have links with terror organizations, including Al-Qaeda. Priyank Kanoongo, Chairperson NCPCR had urged the government to involve specialised agencies for the probe.

300 children missing from childcare homes

During its investigation, NCPCR reportedly found out that around 300 children were missing from the childcare homes. The inspections were done in six childcare institutes in Dhubri, Goalpara, Hojai, Nagaon districts in Assam and Thoubal district in Manipur Between December 14 and December 18. As per the records of Markazul Maarif, there must be 1,080 children in the childcare homes, but the agency could only find 778 during the inspection.

Excerpt from NCRPC’s report (Image: Sidhant Sibal/@|sidhant)

NCPCR found that Markazul Maarif had received funds from a Turkey-based organization IHH that allegedly has links with Al-Qaeda that raised the alarm. While NCPCR was investigating the case, Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the Ministry of Home Affairs had started a separate investigation against two NGOs of Ajmal.

Excerpt from NCRPC’s report (Image: Sidhant Sibal/@|sidhant)

He said, “They (MHA) have started a probe into the funds came from China and other Islamic foundations and all things. We will get to know the results of the probe. The orphan homes which are running by them, the list which they had sent to Turkey, all things have now come to light during the NCPCR probe. I think that some kinds of more dangerous facts will become to light in the next two-three months or later and we will come to know it.”

Markazul Maarif denied the allegation

Markazul Maarif has denied the allegations made by NCPCR. Khalilur Rahman Laskar, Markazul Maarif general secretary, said that they were not informed about the inspection. He said, “We have received two letters from the district officer of Goalpara and Dhubri district and given us some recommendations and said that, there are some drawbacks and we have needed to improve it. It is completely wrong information that, 300 children are missing. There are vast difference between the districts officer letters and statement of the NCPCR.”

He further added that 179 children have left the homes and not 300. According to him, some dropped out, and some were taken away by their parents. “As of now, we have the data of 901 children and they are living in the homes,” Laskar added.

The case against Badruddin Ajmal’s Markazul Maarif

NCPCR initiated an investigation based on the complaint filed by Legal Rights Observatory (LRO). In its complaint, LRO said that Ajmal’s foundation is in gross violation of FCRA rules. It also alleged that Ajmal Foundation is linked to Al Imdaad Foundation that is allegedly linked to various foreign-based terror organizations.

Based on the complaint, an FIR was registered against Ajmal Foundation. Refuting the allegations, Badruddin Ajmal had threatened to sue LRO over allegedly baseless allegations. On December 26, NCPCR submitted a report to MHA in which it stated that Ajmal Foundation had received foreign funds from terror-linked organizations. NCPCR also alleged mistreatment of children in childcare homes run by the MP’s foundation.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut’s wife not to appear before ED today, third summons in PMC Bank Scam to be missed: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut’s wife not to appear before ED today, third summons in PMC Bank Scam to be missed: Details

According to various media reports, Varsha Raut, the wife of Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut will not be attending the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summons today that was issued to her in the PMC Bank Scam worth over Rs. 4,000 crores. Reportedly, she has sought extension till the 5th of January from the agency.

As per reports, Varsha Raut is being summoned for over a Rs. 50 lakh transaction with the wife of another accused, Pravin Raut. It is believed to be the same transaction where she allegedly took a loan to buy a property.

This is, in fact, the third summons that would be missed by Varsha Raut. Earlier, two summons have been issued to Varsha Raut by ED to appear before the agency on December 11 and December 22 and for both summons, the wife of Sanjay Raut had not shown up.

What is the PMC Bank scam in which Shiv Sena leader’s wife is now embroiled?

The Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank is one of the largest cooperative banks, which was put under scrutiny by the Reserve Bank for fraud and misreporting of bad loans. Later, the bank had admitted that one large account, HDIL was the main reason for the current crisis.

Following this, the Mumbai Police’s EOW had arrested HDIL directors Sarang Wadhawan and Rakesh Kumar Wadhawan in connection with a fraud of over Rs 4,355 crores. According to the reports, PMC Bank officials gave loans to HDIL between the year 2008 and August 2019 despite the Wadhwans defaulting on previous loans.

Former MD of PMC bank, Joy Thomas aka Junaid Khan was also arrested by a special investigation team (SIT) of the EOW of Mumbai Police on the 4th of October, 2019. He had been absconding until then. The EOW had filed an FIR on September 30 last year against HDIL and PMC Bank officials in the PMC bank fraud case.

Later, it was revealed that Joy Thomas, former MD of Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank had converted to Islam, married his assistant at the bank as per Islamic rituals in 2012, changed his name to Junaid Khan and owned 10 properties in Pune with his second wife allegedly as part of the Rs 4,355 crore scam.

The Enforcement Directorate had registered a case of money laundering and initiated their own investigation into the scam. Senior NCP leader Praful Patel was also accused of having links with the Wadhwans.

Days after being manhandled by Congress MLCs, Dy Speaker of Legislative Council SL Dharme Gowda found dead. Suicide suspected

OpIndia Staff
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Days after being manhandled by Congress MLCs, Dy Speaker of Legislative Council SL Dharme Gowda found dead. Suicide suspected

On Tuesday, Deputy Chairman of Karnataka Legislative Council, SL Dharme Gowda, was found dead in Kadur in Chikkamagaluru. His body was discovered near a railway track along with a suicide note.

As per Times Now, the 64-year-old Dharme Gowda had left his home last night citing personal work but did not return home, thereby leaving his family worried. And to their disbelief, he was found dead today morning. While speaking about the incident, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa stated, “I pray that the Lord grant the power to his family to bear this pain.” JDS heavyweight HD Deve Gowda and his son Kumaraswamy had also shared their condolences with his family.

Dharme Gowda was upset about being manhandled by Congress, say reports

Quoting the driver of Dharme Gowda, News 18 reported, “We are used to waiting for them everywhere. I kept waiting and around 8.30 pm when I called him, his phone was switched off, he further said.” He informed that the JDS senior leader had confided about Gowda being upset after he was manhandled by Congress leaders in the Legislative Council.

“I spoke to him on 22nd. He had misgivings about sitting on chair. I told him these things happen in politics. But in 113 years such a thing never happened. Dharme Gowda was a very good man,” the man emphasised.

Congress manhandled SL Dharme Gowda in Legislative Council

On December 15, a ruckus broke out in the Karnataka Legislative Council after Congress legislator opposed SL Dharme Gowda from taking the Chair. As per reports, the chaos began over a no-confidence Motion against the incumbent Chairman and Congress MLC Prathap Chandra Shetty. The ruling BJP argued that since the motion was against Shetty, therefore, he could not preside over the session.

The Congress MLCs alleged that the Chairman was locked outside and prevented from taking the Chair. The angry Congress legislators then ambushed the well of the House, gheraoed the Deputy Chairman and began manhandling him. They also attempted to remove him from his Chair. In a video shared by ANI, the Congress leaders, namely, Naseer Ahmed and Narayana Swamy could be seen pulling SL Dharmegowda from his seat while the BJP MLCs tried to pull him back. The Congress leaders claimed that it was unconstitutional for him to occupy the Chair. 

Six returnees from UK test positive for mutated coronavirus

OpIndia Staff
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Six returnees from UK test positive for mutated coronavirus

Six returnees from the UK who reached India have tested positive for the mutated coronavirus.

Earlier this month, UK discovered a mutated, more transmissible virus strain which prompted the government to impose lockdown. Following this, India also suspended incoming flights from UK till 31st December 2020. All passengers from the UK were being tested and now six of those have tested positive with the new strain.

As per reports, the authorities have conceded that the virus has gone ‘out of control’ in the UK. “Unfortunately the new strain was out of control. We have got to get it under control,” informed UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock. The new variant, discovered in September, is said to be 70% more transmissible than its counterpart.

Assam: Himanta Biswa Sharma keeps his promise, tables bill to stop govt-funding of madarsas

OpIndia Staff
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Assam: Himanta Biswa Sharma keeps his promise, tables bill to stop govt-funding of madarsas

On Monday, the BJP government in Assam tabled a Bill in the state Assembly, seeking to abolish all state-run madarsas (Islamic schools) and transform them into regular schools.

As per reports, Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma proposed the abolishment of Assam Madarsa Education (Provincialisation) Act, 1995 and Assam Madarsa Education (Provincialisation of Services of Employees and Re-Organisation of Madarsa Educational Institutions) Act, 2018, amidst strong opposition. He said that although madarsas will be converted to regular schools, Arabic language will be continued to be taught in such schools.

While speaking about the government decision, Sharma emphasised that the government is abolishing only the teaching of the Quran in these state-run madarsas. He asked, “Madarsa education has been going on since the pre-Independence era… What if someone goes to court today and asks if the government is spending Rs 600 crore for teaching the Quran, why is it not spending the same in teaching the Bible…(or) the Bhagwad Gita?”

Himanta Biswa Sharma highlighted that the proposed law will not regulate state-run spiritual institutions and not private schools. He added that there is no attempt to stop religious education in private institutions as it would be against constitutional principles. It is important to note that there are currently 189 state-run high madarsas and madarsa higher secondary schools and 542 pre-senior, senior madarsa and Arabic colleges.

Assam government had proposed the idea since February

Earlier in February, Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma told media that it is not the job of government to teach religion, religious scriptures and Arabic and other languages for religious purposes. “If someone is teaching religion using own money that is no problem, but if state funding is used to teach Quran, then we have to teach Gita, Bible also,” he said. Therefore, the govt run madarsas, High madarsas and Sanskrit Tols (schools) operating in the state will be converted to regular schools very soon.

While answering a question on provincialisation of madarsas during a ‘Cut Motion’ on the Education department in Assam Assembly in September, he said that government madarsas will be shut from November, so no question of new madarsas being provincialised arise. On December 14, Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the state cabinet has decided to make education secular in the state. Hence, 198 high madarsas and 542 other madarsas in Assam will be operating as general educational institutes. He further said that these institutes will not give admission to students for theological studies.

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