Home Blog Page 6845

AgustaWestland Case: PM Modi launches scathing attack on Congress, says Christian Michel will ‘reveal secrets’ of politicians he served

OpIndia Staff
-
0
AgustaWestland Case: PM Modi launches scathing attack on Congress, says Christian Michel will ‘reveal secrets’ of politicians he served

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the last day of election campaigning in Rajasthan made a sharp attack on the Congress and the Gandhi Parivar regarding the extradition of fugitive criminal Christian Michel. The middleman in the AgustaWestland chopper deal was brought to New Delhi on Tuesday night from Dubai.

According to the reports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking at an election rally in Sumerpur of Rajasthan’s Pali district launched a scathing attack on the against the Congress stating that Christian Michel, the alleged middleman in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland chopper deal will now reveal “secrets” of politicians he served.

“You must have read in today’s newspapers about VVIP helicopter scam of thousands of crore. You would be aware of a letter of Madam Sonia Gandhi. When we came to power to find out the files. We kept searching for it and finally found a ‘razdaar’ (one who knows all secrets),” said Prime Minister Modi.

Reportedly, PM Modi said a ‘chaiwala’ was able to do so because the people who voted him to power. “He was a middleman of England, who was living in Dubai. He used to serve the friends of ‘namdaar’ in Dubai. The government has brought him to India. This ‘razdar’ will reveal the secrets. Don’t know where and how far it will go,” he said.

The Prime Minister also spoke regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling on Tuesday allowing the re-opening of Income Tax assessment of Congress President Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi in the National Herald case. He further alleged that Gandhi family has been enjoying privileges for four generations and said, “Now I will see how you escape… Look at the courage of a ‘chaiwala’ who took those running country for four generations to the court’s door.”

The wanted fugitive and middleman in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland chopper deal, Christian Michel, was brought to India late on Tuesday night following his extradition by the UAE. The CBI has taken custody of the fugitive criminal after his extradition and has credited National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval for the success of the operation.

Christian Michel is accused of money laundering, bribery, and fraud in connection with the Rs 3,600-crore worth AgustaWestland scam. It is believed that not only did he pay kickbacks to politicians, officers and agents but also involved certain celebrity journalists to swing the deal.

In 2010, India had signed an agreement to buy 12 AgustaWestland AW101 helicopters for the service of the Prime Minister, the President and other VVIPs. It is alleged that some politicians and public servants had abused their official positions to reduce the service ceiling of the VVIPs helicopter from 6000 metres to 4500 metres to make AgustaWestland eligible for the contract and had awarded the contract for an amount of Euro 556.262 million in 2010.

French investigative team arrives in Kerala to interrogate ISIS terrorist lodged in Thrissur jail

OpIndia Staff
-
0
French investigative team arrives in Kerala to interrogate ISIS terrorist lodged in Thrissur jail

In connection to the 2015 Paris attacks, French investigation agencies have arrived in India to question an ISIS terrorist, Subahani Haja Moideen. Currently, the accused is in Thrissur Jail in Kerela, he was arrested by NIA for his ISIS links.


According to NIA, Moideen had travelled to Iraq via Turkey to fight for the cause of Jihad with ISIL He was trained in Mosul and then sent to fight along IS regiment called Omer-Kathi-Kaliph, commanded by Abu Sulaimani Al Francisse. He fought in war-zones for almost two-week. According to his own confession, he decided to leave IS and come back to India, after he witnessed his colleague getting burned to death in a war-zone. But, he was incarcerated by IS and kept in IS’s de facto capital Raqqa. He was released on the condition that he will continue to cause mayhem in India under IS banner. NIA had reportedly learned that after his return to India, Moideen had attempted to procure explosives and chemicals.

He was nabbed in connection to a busted covert meeting happening at Kanakamala in Kannur district. This meeting was allegedly attended by IS operatives, planning to conduct terrorist attacks on politicians and judges across Kerela. In March this year, the charge sheet was filed against him.

During Moideeen’s stay with IS, he came in contact with many terrorists who were prime perpetrators of 2015 Paris attacks. France Investigative Agencies think that  Salah Abdeslam, a key perpetrator of Paris attacks was in contact with Moideen, during his stay with IS. The Frech investigative team is accompanied by officers of the French consulate and NIA.

2015 Paris attacks were a series of coordinated terrorist attacks conducted by IS, which had claimed the lives of 130 civilians. Kannur and Kasargod in Kerala have claimed notoriety in recent years for being the hotbed of ISIS recruitment and radicalisation activities.

Lawyer for AgustaWestland middleman meets Congress General Secretary after appearing in Court

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Lawyer for AgustaWestland middleman meets Congress General Secretary after appearing in Court

The lawyer representing Christian Michel, alleged middleman in the Agusta Westland VVIP Choppers Scam case, met with Congress General Secretary Deepak Babaria at Congress Headquarters, Delhi, news agency ANI reported.


Joseph told ANI that he appeared for Michel in his professional capacity. He said that he appeared for Michel on a request made by a lawyer in Italy through a friend.


Joseph also confirmed that he is the National Incharge for the Indian Youth Congress Legal Department, as OpIndia.com had revealed in an earlier report.


Michel was extradited to India last night. The CBI has been granted his custody for five days by the Patiala House Court in Delhi. Complete details of the case can be read here.

With Sonia Gandhi and Ahmed Patel allegedly involved in the case, with a Congress leader representing Michel, it is being viewed by many as Congress’ attempt to stifle the truth and save its leaders. Even though Joseph says that he is representing Michel in his professional capacity, it would appear rather murky at this point, especially, given his official position in the party and the fact that he landed at the Congress headquarter right after the court hearing.

Varanasi: Sankat Mochan temple receives threat letter warning of a ‘blast bigger than 2006’

Jhankar Mohta
-
0
Varanasi: Sankat Mochan temple receives threat letter warning of a ‘blast bigger than 2006’

The authorities at the famous Sankat Mochan temple in Varanasi received an anonymous letter here, warning them of a projected bomb blast on the temple premises. Vishambhar Nath Mishra, the chief priest of the temple, said that according to the letter a bigger blast, than that which took place in 2006, will hit the temple again.

On March 7, 2006, the Sankat Mochan temple, along with Varanasi Cantonment Railway station and the Shiv Ganga Express was shaken up by a series of high-intensity bomb explosions which killed 21 people and left more than hundreds injured.

“We received a letter threatening a bomb blast in Sankat Mochan Temple in Varanasi. The letter said that bombings were carried out earlier in the temple and a bigger blast will happen again. We informed the police and handed over the letter to them. We are taking precautions and police is investigating the matter,” Mishra told ANI on Wednesday.

Mishra furthered that since the letter claimed that the blast would be bigger in intensity than that which transpired in 2006, it was clear that the same group of anti-social miscreants were involved this time too.

Varanasi Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anand Kulkarni stated that few names and a mobile number were mentioned in the letter and cops are looking at all the angles to nab the culprits.

“The letter had some names and a mobile number. Prima facie it appears someone may have done it to create trouble for the person named in the letter due to personal enmity. This temple is an important place of worship in Varanasi and we have tightened security in the area,” Kulkarni told ANI.

An unknown terror group, Lashkar-e-Kahar (also known as Lashkar-e-Qahab) had claimed responsibility of the 2006 Varanasi attacks and had warned of similar attacks in other cities until and unless the government didn’t stop its “catch and kill” operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

Government was forced to send CBI bosses on leave to maintain public confidence in the agency: Attorney General to SC

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Government was forced to send CBI bosses on leave to maintain public confidence in the agency: Attorney General to SC

Attorney General K.K. Venugopal told the Supreme Court on Wednesday that the government decided to send CBiI Director Alok Verma and special director Rakesh Asthana on leave because they were bringing disrepute to the investigative agency.

“Govt of India was watching with amazement as to what the top officers were doing, they were fighting like cats,” Venugopal was quoted as saying referring to the public accusations of corruption the officers made against each other.

K.K. Venugopal said the government was forced to intervene because the concerned individuals could not keep their dispute in-house. “After carefully examining material made available to Centre and after deliberation over the issues, Centre was satisfied that a situation had arisen wherein Centre had to take action to divest Alok Verma,” he stated in the Supreme Court.” “Our objective was to ensure that public confidence in the institution is not eroded, so both officers were sent on leave,” he added.

The Attorney General further said that the government has the power of superintendence over the CBI and it acted within its jurisdiction.

The CBI feud was out in the open after the agency was reported to have raided its own headquarters. The Union government then decided to send CBI Director Alok Verma and special director Rakesh Asthana on leave and M Nageshwar Rao was appointed to take over the duties and functions of CBI director. A report also made its way to the media during the entire drama where it was alleged that the phones of NSA Ajit Doval were tapped by the agency.

Coal Scam: Special Court sentences former Coal Secretary HC Gupta and 2 others to 3 years in jail

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Coal Scam: Special Court sentences former Coal Secretary HC Gupta and 2 others to 3 years in jail

A Delhi court on Wednesday sentenced Former Coal Secretary HC Gupta to 3-year imprisonment in the coal block allocation case that occurred during the UPA-2 regime.

According to reports, the special court headed by judge Bharat Prasar has also awarded 3-year jail term for two IAS officers-KS Kropha and KC Samria, after the court found their involvement in the irregularities in the allocation of coal blocks in West Bengal during UPA-II government. All three were later released on bail after furnishing personal bonds of Rs 1 lakh each.

The Special Court in Delhi on November 30th had convicted 5 individuals including former Union Coal Secretary H.C. Gupta for alleged irregularities in allocation of coal blocks in West Bengal.

Vikash Metals and Power Limited (VMPL), the private firm to which the blocks were allocated has also been fined Rs.1 lakh. The court sentenced its Managing Director Vikash Patni and authorised signatory Anand Mallick to four years in jail. While Patni has been fined Rs 25 lakh, Mallick will have to pay Rs.2 lakh as fine.

However, the CBI had sought a maximum of 7-year imprisonment for the five convicted persons and had urged the court for a heavy fine on the private firm. The case is related to the irregularities in the allocation of Moira and Madhujore (North and South) coal blocks in West Bengal. The contract was awarded to Vikas Metal Power Ltd.

HC Gupta, who was the Coal Secretary from December 31, 2005, to November 2008, was also the chairman of the screening committee that allocated the coal blocks. He has been convicted in past in two other cases of coal block allocation and has been sentenced to jail for two and three years respectively. He is out on bail in both the cases.

Coal Scam, one of the biggest scams in Indian history had occurred during the Manmohan Singh led UPA government. Huge irregularities in the allocation of coal blocks had come to light in 2012 when the CAG had stated that the government had sold leases for 200 coal fields at low prices to benefit a few and cost the ex-chequer the loss of about 1.86 lakh crores.

Meet the lawyer representing Christian Michel in AgustaWestland: Congress leader Aljo K Joseph

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Meet the lawyer representing Christian Michel in AgustaWestland: Congress leader Aljo K Joseph

After AgustaWestland middleman Christian Michel was extradited to India from Dubai last night, he was presented at the Patiala House Court in Delhi. The CBI sought custody of Michel, and the court sent Michel to a five-day custody of CBI.

In the court, Christian Michel was represented by advocate Aljo K Joseph.


Interestingly, Alijo Joseph is a Congress party leader, and he is the national in-charge of the legal department of Indian Youth Congress, the youth wing of the party. His Twitter and Facebook profiles clearly indicate his official relationship with the party. Going by his social media posts, he seems to be an active member of Congress party, as he regularly posts on politics and party related topics.

Aljo K Joseph was appointed as Youth Congress’ National In-charge of the Legal Department in July this year. The official Twitter handle had announced his appointment and posted a copy of the letter appointing him to the post.


He has been photographed several times with Congress leaders such as Kapil Sibal, Kamal Nath etc.

He has even been photographed with Justice Joseph Kurian.

One look at his Facebook account would also reveal his official position with the Congress and his commitment to the Congress party.

In the AgustaWestland case, one of the names that had come up was that of Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel. Interestingly, Christian Michel’s lawyer now, Aljo Joseph is seen here photographed with Ahmed Patel himself.

Christian Michel’s extradition was important for the truth to surface. In a case where Ahmed Patel and Sonia Gandhi’s names have been allegedly involved, one wonders how fair the probe would be and whether the Congress loyalist would even allow Christian Michel to spill the truth.

Chidambaram will go to jail, says PM Modi in Rajasthan

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Chidambaram will go to jail, says PM Modi in Rajasthan

In a scathing attack on the Congress party, Prime Minister Modi during a public address at Sumerpur, Rajasthan has warned former Finance Minister and senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram that he will go to jail as well.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNWWjDFd8Lg]

Prime Minister Modi also appeared to target the Judiciary. He insinuated that Chidambaram was using his influence to escape going to jail. He said referring to the senior Congress leader, “This ‘Mahashay’ too, using the influence he gained during his time as a Supreme Court advocate, begs before the Court to extend his protection and the Court tells the government that he cannot be arrested. Then, he goes to the Court again and the Court again tells the Government that they cannot arrest him till a certain date. How long will you keep taking help from the Court? One day judgment will come out and you’ll be in jail as well.” Targeting Chidambaram senior, Modi said that the Congress leader believed that Bhagwan has granted wisdom to him only.

In his speech, the Prime Minister also reminded the crowd that the Karti Chidambaram, son of P. Chidambaram, went to jail due to corruption. Taking a dig a Chidambaram, he stated, “The person who himself was an advocate at the Supreme Court, who used to wield great influence there and used to appear before the Court on behalf of many vastly influential people, Modi has found such evidence after searching extensively for the truth, that his own son had to go to jail.”

Narendra Modi spoke about the Agusta Westland VVIP Chopper Scam as well. He said that the government had got hold of “Raazdaar” Christian Michel and his statements could create a lot of problems for the “Naamdaar”.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi was also targeted for his latest goof-up. Prime Minister Modi said that Rahul Gandhi does not even know the difference between Congress politician the late Kumbharam and the Ramayana character Kumbhakarna.

The states of Rajasthan and Telangana are to hold assembly elections on December 7.

AgustaWestland: S P Tyagi lashes out at media for asking him uncomfortable questions about Christian Michel

Jinit Jain
-
0
AgustaWestland: S P Tyagi lashes out at media for asking him uncomfortable questions about Christian Michel

In the wake of alleged middleman Christian Michel’s extradition to India yesterday, former Air Chief Marshal and a co-accused in the AgustaWestland corruption scam, SP Tyagi, lost his temper when media asked him to comment on the latest developments.

When asked about Christian Michel and his extradition related developments, SP Tyagi vented his spleen questioning media’s conduct. “Who are you to ask me such questions? You can’t intrude my privacy. Please be courteous while asking such questions,” he asked.

Christian Michel, a British businessman, accused of money laundering, bribery, and fraud in connection with the Rs 3,600 crore worth AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam was extradited to India from Dubai late last night. He is being accused of paying bribes to several politicians, bureaucrats and officials in exchange to get this deal.

SP Tyagi, along with his cousin Sanjeev Tyagi and Delhi-based lawyer Gautam Khaitan was accused of money laundering, fraud and corruption. The CBI arrested them in July this year on the charges of criminal conspiracy and illegal gratification in the VVIP chopper deal scam. However, in September 2018, Tyagis and the other accused were granted bail by the court on a bond of Rs.1 lakh each and the same amount as surety.

Tyagi and his cousin are accused of receiving bribes for modifying the specifications of choppers to benefit the seller. CBI asserted in their charge sheet that Tyagi even reduced the minimum ceiling height for choppers from 18,000 feet to 15,000 feet so as to ensure Agusta’s qualification as a seller. CBI has also alleged that Tyagi made several trips to Italy to meet the middlemen.

According to recorded conversations and documents shared by Italy with the CBI and ED, Agusta middlemen Haschke and Gerosa accompanied Tyagi to the airport of Milan. SP Tyagi was affectionately called as ‘gorgeous girl’ by Guido Ralph Haschke and Carlo Gerosa, the two middlemen in AgustaWestland deal. Earlier, in July 2018, Italy had refused to extradite the middlemen Haschke and Gerosa to India, citing no legal treaty between the two countries.

Christian Michel’s revelations are expected to spell doom for politicians, officials and military officers involved in the scam. Perhaps, this explains why SP Tyagi is gnawing at the current developments and is boorish towards the reporters asking him unsettling questions about the kickbacks involved in AgustaWestland deal.

India and UAE seal currency swap agreement during Sushma Swaraj’s 2-day visit

OpIndia Staff
-
0
India and UAE seal currency swap agreement during Sushma Swaraj’s 2-day visit

In a landmark move, Union Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj, in her two-day visit to Abu Dhabi, has inked a currency swap deal with the UAE, which allows the two countries to trade in their own currency.

‘Currency Swap‘ pact allows trading by the two countries in their own currency and payments to import and export trade at pre-determined exchange rate without bringing in a third benchmark currency like the US dollars.

Sushma Swaraj who was in UAE to co-chair the 12th session of the UAE-India Joint Commission Meeting with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation held at ministry’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi, also held exhaustive discussions with her counterpart to step up cooperation in areas like trade, security and defence.

Both leaders agreed to boost cooperation in trade, security and defence. The leaders also decided to strengthen their resolve to combat extremism and terrorism in all its forms, regardless of the perpetrators and their intent.

Sheikh Abdullah said the UAE has always shared strong historical ties with India. He noted the bilateral relations are based on mutual respect, trust and aimed at enhancing the mutual benefit of the people.

The two countries signed another deal, which would enable both India and UAE to undertake development projects in Africa.

Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Raveesh Kumar also stated about the satisfactory pace of bilateral relations between the two nations,  ”


Later, while addressing members of the Indian community in Abu Dhabi, Swaraj hailed the contribution of the Indian emigrants in enhancing the bilateral relationship between both countries.

Swaraj in her two days visit also inaugurated the Gandhi-Zayed Digital Museum to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of Shaikh Zayed, the founder of the modern UAE and 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

The museum, which was announced during Shaikh Abdullah’s last visit to India in June, uses frontline technology to showcase rare photos, videos and objects representing life and works of both the leaders. It also reaffirms the historical ties between both the countries.

With nearly $50 billion bilateral trade, the two countries are one of the largest trade partners for each other and have made widespread investments. The UAE is the sixth-largest source of Indian oil imports and hosts a 3.3 million-strong Indian diaspora.

India and UAE have enjoyed strong bilateral lies after PM Narendra Modi assumed office. Crown Prince HH Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed was the chief guest for India’s Republic Day celebrations in 2017. Christian Michel, the wanted middleman in AugustaWestland scam was extradited to India from Dubai last night, a feat that many are speculating the result of healthy bilateral ties maintained between the two nations.

1...6,8446,8456,846...7,675Page 6,845 of 7,675