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CBI case against Kejriwal’s ‘anti corruption’ foot soldier for hiring architects from detective agency

OpIndia Staff
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CBI case against Kejriwal’s ‘anti corruption’ foot soldier for hiring architects from detective agency

The Central Bureau of Investigations officials today raided the residence of Health, PWD and Power minister of Delhi Satyendra Jain. According to reports, the raid is in connection with alleged irregularities in the hiring of a creative team by the PWD department. Various locations related to the ministers were reportedly raided by CBI officials.


The CBI has also filed an FIR against the Minister. According to reports, the PWD department under Jain had allegedly hired 24 architects through a detective agency. The detective agency reportedly had no prior experience in the field and was tasked to hire the said architects for the department. CBI had earlier initiated an inquiry against the irregularities in the hiring. The creative wing was formed in 2015 and it is also reported that the hiring of the said individuals was not sanctioned as required by the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.

Satyendra Jain has reacted to the CBI raid stating professionals were hired for different projects and all were dismissed by the CBI.


Earlier, there were reports of AAP using its Anti Corruption Unit to spy on officials and journalists. One wonders why Satyendar Jain felt the need to hire architects from a detective agency.

Satyendra Jain’s house was also visited by CBI officials for inquiry in 2017 in relation to a money laundering case in 2017. His residence was raided by CBI pertaining to money Laundering cases in August 2017. In August 2017, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had also filed a case against him for alleged money laundering.

Violation of norms and irregularities in hiring professionals has since long haunting AAP. Earlier this month, the LG of Delhi had declared AAP’s hiring of 14 lawyers to fight their cases as ‘invalid’. The lawyers included prominent Supreme Court lawyers like Indira Jaising and Anand Grover. The PWD department of AAP is already embroiled in an alleged 10 crore PWD scam. Anti- Corruption Bureau officials had arrested Arvind Kejriwal’s nephew Vinay Bansal earlier this month.

P Chidambaram moves Patiala House Court for anticipatory bail, court gives protection till 5th June

OpIndia Staff
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P Chidambaram moves Patiala House Court for anticipatory bail, court gives protection till 5th June

Scam-ridden former Union Minister P. Chidambaram, today moved an anticipatory bail plea at Patiala House Court in the Aircel-Maxis case, where he is accused of violating foreign investment protocol. Following that, Delhi’s Patiala House Court has sought a reply from Enforcement Directorate (ED) on the anticipatory bail plea.

Court has also given time to the ED to reply till 5th June and no coercive action can be taken against Chidambaram till then.


The ED in this matter has been probing the role of the then Finance Minister P Chidambaram, in granting the FIPB approval, which allegedly involved a total amount of about Rs. 3,500 crores, even though Chidambaram only had powers to approve project proposals worth Rs 600 crores. For any amount exceeding Rs 600 crores, Chidambaram was required to take an approval of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

Chidambaram’s son Karti too has been under scrutiny over allegations that his firm received about Rs 1.16 crores from Aircel and other companies in form of a ‘consultancy fee’.

Earlier in February, during one of the raids at his house, a classified CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) status report ‘draft’ on the 2G scam has been reportedly found by the ED. He had also moved Supreme Court and sought protection to his right to privacy and right to live in dignity.

Communist China to sponsor the oldest community Durga Puja in Kolkata’s Salt Lake

Anubhav
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Communist China to sponsor the oldest community Durga Puja in Kolkata’s Salt Lake

This year, the Durga Puja in Kolkata is all set to get a Chinese makeover. Communist China in its effort to strengthening cultural and commercial ties with Bengal has decided to sponsor the oldest community Durga Puja in Salt Lake township. The BJ Block puja is one of the notable community pujas in Kolkata where millions of people visit the Puja every year. The Chinese consulate, which is also situated in Salt Lake will sponsor BJ Block’s puja this year.

Though in the past and especially during the Doklam standoff the relationship between India and China has been less than amicable, the consulate has been consistent in their effort to get involved in the culture of Bengal. They have been giving prizes to Puja organizers in different categories in association with the Kolkata Police for the last couple of years.

This time, they have decided to expand the periphery of their involvement. They are not only going to sponsor BJ Block’s puja but also send a team of artists to Kunming in China’s Yunnan province, where these artists will get master classes in designs inspired by Chinese architecture. The idea is, the entire theme, from the gates to the deity will represent Chinese art forms. The plans for which, are still being firmed up.

Consul general, Ma Zhanwu commented on the transcending religious threshold that Durga Puja embodies and how the Chinese consulate has become quite involved in this festival in the last few years.

Consul General also pointed out their previous engagements with the festival, he stated –

“Last year, we gave away safety awards to the organizers who were able to showcase immaculate safety preparedness inside their pandals. While last year we sent these organizers for a trip to China, this year we are likely to bring a slice of China to a Durga Puja pandal for everyone to enjoy.”

The secretary of BJ Block puja committee Umashankar Ghosh Dastidar is a happy man as he spoke about the ambitious project and how the talks with the consulate are still going on. The BJ Block ties up with different state governments every year to showcase that particular state’s cultural heritage.

According to Dastidar, people will be able to experience authentic Chinese culture including, dragon dance and Chinese flute music at their Puja.

After apathy on account of CM Pinarayi’s visit, police arrest accused in Kevin’s honour killing case

OpIndia Staff
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After apathy on account of CM Pinarayi’s visit, police arrest accused in Kevin’s honour killing case

A day after the body of Kerala ‘Dalit Christian’ man Kevin Joseph was found from a canal in Kollam in Kerala, the police have finally arrested the father and brother of Kevin’s wife Neenu. According to reports, the duo was trying to flee to Bengaluru.


The Kerala police have been facing severe criticism with their handling of the case as Kevin’s family members alleged that even after their continuous pleading all through the day and till late night on Sunday, after Kevin was dragged by armed men, the personnel at Gandhinagar police station at Kottayam did not take any necessary action. Instead, Kevin’s family were reportedly told that the police were busy preparing for CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s scheduled visit to the district.

Neenu’s brother Shanu Chacko, who was the main accused of the crime, and her father Chacko were arrested yesterday from Iritty in Kannur. Out of the total 14 accused, the police have so far arrested 5. Kevin’s body was reportedly buried in Kottayam on Tuesday evening where mourners gathered continued their protests over Kerala Police’s apathy and inaction shown after Kevin’s family reported his kidnapping. The police reportedly lathi charged several times to control the mourners at the funeral.

It was reported that the police personnel at the Gandhi Nagar station kept ignoring Kevin’s family after they went to report his kidnapping. The police neither registered a kidnapping case nor issued a lookout alert for the Innova vehicle in which Kevin was taken by armed men from a relative’s house. It is being alleged that Kevin could have been saved had the police taken prompt action.

Kevin was from a ‘Dalit Christian’ family and worked as an electrician. Neenu is reportedly from an upper caste affluent Christian family. Neenu’s family, especially her father and brother were vehemently opposed to their relationship. It is reported that Neenu’s mother is a Muslim. After a 3 year long relationship, Neenu and Kevin had married and registered their wedding at the sub registrar’s office on May 25th. Kevin was killed 2 days later.

After locals and media outlets raised voices against the police inaction, Gandhi Nagar station Sub Inspector MS Shibu and another ASI were suspended. SP Mohammad Rafique had been reportedly transferred. The Kerala Human Rights Commission has stated that it is a case of honour killing and asked the state police to submit a report within 3 weeks on whether there was any negligence of duty on part of the police staff.

Jignesh Mevani, an elected representative, peddles photoshopped image, target-bullies private citizen

OpIndia Staff
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Jignesh Mevani, an elected representative, peddles photoshopped image, target-bullies private citizen

In what can be seen as hitting a new low for Jignesh Mevani, who was earlier caught spreading misinformation about the death of a labourer, shared a photoshopped image of a popular speaker and columnist Shefali Vaidya, who has often exposed left-wing and ‘liberal’ hypocrisy and on several occasions bullied and threatened.

Tweet by Jignesh Mevani which he has now deleted.

Mevani shared an image where Vaidya was Photoshopped next to an image of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Art of Living’s Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and the image was juxtaposed next to an image from the film ‘Oh My God’ which takes on superstitions and fake self-styled godmen.

Acting like a lowly troll, Vadgam MLA Jignesh Mevani, who was associated with Aam Aadmi Party before breaking away and fighting elections last year, targeted a private citizen, Shefali Vaidya, just because their ideologies don’t match. Mevani got called out for his troll-like behaviour which bordered on target-bullying an individual.


Some even asked Twitter to act as swiftly against harassment of right-wing women as it does for people with different political ideology.

Eventually, Jignesh deleted the tweet, but he did not apologise to either of the people involved in the Photoshopped image for the harassment.

This is not the first time an elected representative has bullied a private individual. Earlier, Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien had lowered the dignity of the house and defamed Twitter users by reading out propaganda material written by abusive troll masquerading as a journalist, Swati Chaturvedi, accusing them of giving criminal threats to other people while being followed by Prime Minister Modi.

While most of those who cry ‘harassment’ from ‘paid trolls’ on Twitter remained silent, some even encouraged Mevani since it has since received over 600 retweets and 2,200 likes. Mevani had contested as an independent candidate with the support of Congress in Gujarat elections held in December last year.

The ‘Maharishi Karl Marx’ book is real, but alas, not published by JNU

K Bhattacharjee
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The ‘Maharishi Karl Marx’ book is real, but alas, not published by JNU

Images have been circulating on social media of a book titled ‘Maharishi Karl Marx’ authored by one Shriram Sharma Acharya. The book has invited much ridicule and mockery from people who found the title book highly amusing.

The first picture which depicts the cover of the book, the logo of JNU is seen in the top right corner of the page. In the second picture which shows the inside of the book, words on the bottom left corner state that the book was published by the propaganda department of JNU. Those bits were probably photoshopped on the cover page for humour and mockery.

After a little bit of digging on the internet, we discovered that contrary to the image being circulated, the book was published by an organization called All World Gayatri Pariwar (AWGP) and is available for purchase on their website. The Wikipedia page of the author reveals that he was a distinguished social reformer, philosopher, a visionary and the founder of the AWGP and is popularly known as Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya by the members of the organization he founded. He has several authored several other books on spirituality apart from the one on Karl Marx.

The title of the book reveals the obsession of Indians to adapt the current rage in the world to the Indian context. Although it unclear when the book was first published, it is evident that at the time the book was authored, communism was a dominant force in world politics as the Shriram Acharya passed away in 1990. And since 2000, when liberalism is the most dominant force in world politics, we witness various spiritual leaders emphasize the inherent ‘liberal’ nature of Hinduism regardless of the merits of the case.

There seems to be a dormant need for the Indian population to force it every western ideology in the Indian context and perhaps communism is just one of them, albeit, the most violent one.

Manipur becomes the first North-East Indian state to get solar toilets

OpIndia Staff
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Manipur becomes the first North-East Indian state to get solar toilets

In a boost to both Swacch Bharat Mission and clean energy, Manipur has become the first state in North-East and third in India to have solar toilets.

The toilets are installed at Ibudhou Marjing hill Heingang of Manipur by Tourism Director, Waikhom Ibohal last week. He said, “I met an entrepreneur while attending a global summit in Guwahati recently where I was introduced to the technology of solar toilets. I immediately thought of using such toilets in Manipur”.

Solar Toilets also produces energy and converts the waster materials.

The solar panels attached to the top of the toilets absorb heat energy to generate power and also converts the waste material produced from the toilets. Manipur intends to install 100 solar toilets before 2nd October, beginning with tourist places and eventually covering rest of the state. Earlier, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have had solar toilets installed.

The solar power production in country has been given a boost by the Prime Minister Modi. Solar energy is being used extensively throughout the country. Earlier, Vishakapatnam railway station had become a fully energy efficient railway station with the installation of 1000 kw solar photo-voltaic systems. Similarly, Tatya Tope stadium in Bhopal has been converted as the first completely solar powered non-cricket stadium. India has joined hands with countries like France to promote solar energy through initiatives like International Solar Alliance. Recently, India has also signed agreements with France to promote solar energy in the country.

‘It’s not a ceasefire but suspension of ops’: Rajnath Singh clarifies on the govt’s controversial decision

OpIndia Staff
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‘It’s not a ceasefire but suspension of ops’: Rajnath Singh clarifies on the govt’s controversial decision

Home Minister Rajnath Singh clarified on Tuesday that the controversial decision taken by the government with respect to terrorists in Kashmir was not a ceasefire but ‘suspension of operation’ due to Ramzan.


Last week, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat hinted at an extension of the suspension of combat operations if an atmosphere of peace prevailed in the state. However, he asserted that any terrorist activity would force the government to rethink such a decision. Rajnath Singh has also stated recently that the government is ready for talks with Hurriyat if the separatists agreed to it. “I have already said that we are ready for dialogue with all stakeholders in Kashmir. If Hurriyat comes forward for talks, we don’t mind talking to them. Whoever wants to talk with us, we are ready for talks,” he said.

The government’s decision to suspend operations in view of Ramzan came as a shock to many, especially because thus far, it has appeared to be ruthless in dealing with terrorists in Kashmir. Last year alone, the security forces eliminated over a hundred terrorists in Kashmir. Even after suspension of operations, the Indian A’Itrmy recovered heavy arms and modern weaponry from terrorists slain along the LoC in Kashmir.

CBI books Air Asia CEO Tony Fernandes, Congress era lobbyist Deepak Talwar among others

Sanghamitra
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CBI books Air Asia CEO Tony Fernandes, Congress era lobbyist Deepak Talwar among others

The Central Bureau of Investigations today registered a case against Air Asia CEO Tony Fernandes and some other persons for alleged violation of norms in obtaining international flying licenses. According to reports, the CBI has also raided six premises in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru and conducting searches.

Cases have been reportedly lodged against Air Asia Group CEO Tony Fernandes, the company Air Asia, Travel food owner Sunil Kapoor, Aviation consultant Deepak Talwar, Director of Air Asia R Venkatraman, Director of SNR Trading Rajendra Dubey and some unnamed government officials.


Fernandes has been reportedly accused of lobbying government officials to relax the 5/20 rule, in which a company needs to have a minimum of 5 years experience in the aviation sector and own at least 20 aircraft to obtain an international flying license. Air Asia has also allegedly flouted the norms under the Foreign Investment Promotion Board. The CBI has reportedly alleged that Fernandes, in connivance with certain government officials obtained clearances, got the 5/20 rule removed and had regulatory policies changed to acquire international flying licences for his company.

Aviation consultant Deepak Talwar is an infamous lobbyist who reportedly made over Rs 1000 crores during the Congress government’s era.

We had earlier reported how the Tax Department chargesheet against Talwar, a self-proclaimed corporate consultant (a fancy name for a lobbyist), accused him of receiving massive kickbacks worth Rs. 1000 crore between 2008 and 2011 for influencing aviation policies of the UPA government to favour his ‘clients’. The charges against Talwar were :

  • Received kickback of $9.8 million from Air Arabia for helping the airline secure more destinations
  • Received kickback of $9 million from Qatar Airways
  • Helped Dubai based airline Emirates to get bilateral agreements amended to enable larger passenger access in the Indian market
  • Helped Air Asia in obtaining operating permits

Deepak Talwar was perhaps was as powerful as Niira Radia if not more. His exploits were not limited to these. He was caught in several instances and in fact, his proximity to the Congress had also emerged. Congress leader Digvijaya Singh’s name emerged in the files recovered by IT department in 2016, from the raids on Talwar’s premises. The recovered data allegedly show that Singh and his family members were frequently upgraded on international flights, mostly on Emirates

Rajya Sabha MP and legal activist Subramanian Swamy had reportedly filed a PIL in Delhi High Court requesting suspension of international flying licenses granted to Air Asia.

Muslim youth held in Agra for vandalising Hindu idols to allegedly stoke communal tension

OpIndia Staff
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Muslim youth held in Agra for vandalising Hindu idols to allegedly stoke communal tension

A case of idol vandalism in a Hindu temple has been reported from the Shahganj region of Agra in Uttar Pradesh, as reported by Patrika. As per the report, the accused is reported to have vandalised a Hanuman and Durga idol to try and instigate communal tension. The report also claims that such vandalism of the temple has also been reported in the past.

As reported by Jansatta, on Monday morning when devotees went to the temple, which is situated in an area inhabited by a mixed population of Hindus and Muslims, they noticed the idols vandalised.

The devotees then caught hold of an individual reportedly trying to flee the temple premises, who when questioned identified himself as Sonu Khan. When he was further grilled by those present, he proceeded to change his statement multiple times, which increased their suspicion.

As per a tweet by ANI, the accused was assaulted by the locals after being tied to a tree, following which he was handed over to the police. The news agency claims that the accused in “mentally challenged”:


The Jansatta report claims that following the assault, the accused confessed that he was instructed to carry out the vandalism, in exchange of money. During the chaos, police and members of Hindu organisations reached the spot. The police later took the accused in their custody.

As per an Amar Ujala report, after the news of the incident spread, a crowd started gathering which resulted in communal tension spreading through the region, though no violence was reported.

The broken idols were soon replaced by new ones.

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