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“Anti-reservation parties”: Dalit leader Mayawati slams Congress and Samajwadi Party, rules out any alliance with them in future

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“Anti-reservation parties”: Dalit leader Mayawati slams Congress and Samajwadi Party, rules out any alliance with them in future

Targeting the Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) over reservations, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Sunday called both parties ‘anti-reservation’ and ruled out any future alliance with them.

In a series of posts on X, Mayawati said that the followers of Baba Saheb, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, will never forgive the Congress Party for not honouring Baba Saheb, the chief architect of the Constitution, with the title of Bharat Ratna both during his lifetime and after his death.

“Also, when Kanshi Ram ji, who gave impetus to Baba Saheb’s movement, died, this Congress, while having a government in the centre, did not declare a single day of national mourning in his honour and neither did the SP government declare a state mourning. Be cautious of such double standards of thinking, behaviour and character,” Mayawati said.

She also questioned, Why did the Congress not conduct the National Caste Census in its government before the BJP came to power at the Centre and they are talking about it now?

“Whereas the BSP has always been in favour of it, because its conduct is very important in the interest of the weaker sections,” she said.

“Not only this, the silence of Congress, SP, BJP, etc. in the face of the ongoing conspiracy to make the reservation given to SC/ST under the Constitution ineffective and abolish it through classification and creamy layer, is this their love for Dalits? Be careful,” Mayawati added.
The BSP Chief also asserted that SC, ST and OBC classes have to stand on their own now.

“Will it be in the interest of the SC, ST and OBC classes to enter into an alliance with these anti-reservation parties, like the SP and Congress, in any election? This will not happen at all, so now they have to stand on their own, this is the advice,” she said.

Meanwhile, addressing a gathering at the Samvidhan Samman Sammelan in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, on Saturday, Rahul Gandhi said, “If anyone thinks that the caste census can be stopped or the 50 per cent barrier in reservation will remain, let me tell you, they are dreaming.”

“Neither the caste census will stop, nor the socio-economic survey, nor the institutional survey, nor will the 50 per cent barrier (in reservation) remain… because the people of India have made up their minds; the order has come from the people, now the Prime Minister must accept this and enforce the order. And if he does not enforce it, then other Prime Ministers will do it,” he said.

He added that the Congress party is protecting the constitution through the caste census.

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

The EU’s growing obsession with censorship: Arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov signals a threat to digital freedom

OpIndia Staff
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The EU’s growing obsession with censorship: Arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov signals a threat to digital freedom

On Saturday, 24th August, Russian-French billionaire and founder of the Telegram messaging app, Pavel Durov, was arrested at Bourget Airport outside Paris. He was travelling abroad on his private jet when he was detained due to an outstanding arrest warrant in France, linked to a preliminary police investigation against him.

According to reports, the investigation focuses on the lack of moderation on the Telegram app, which police claim has facilitated criminal activities. Telegram has approximately one billion users and is widely used in Russia, Ukraine, and the republics of the former Soviet Union. After Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and WeChat, Telegram is the seventh most popular social media platform globally.

Pavel was born in Russia and developed Telegram with his brother in 2013. In 2014, Pavel Durov left Russia after refusing to comply with government demands to shut down opposition communities on the VKontakte social media platform, which was later sold.

Since Russia launched its military operation against Ukraine, Telegram has become the primary source of unfiltered information from both sides. The information shared is often graphic, particularly concerning the war and politics.

Notably, the Russian Foreign Ministry has stated that its embassy in Paris is monitoring the situation surrounding Pavel Durov and has called on Western non-governmental organisations to demand his release. This statement is significant given that since 2018, Russia has been blocking Telegram after the app refused to comply with court orders to grant security agencies access to users’ encrypted messages.

On X, Elon Musk quoted a post talking about recent arrests made in the name of not following government orders or guidelines, and said, “Dangerous times.”

In recent times, the European Union has become increasingly aggressive on digital freedom. Pavel’s arrest cannot be seen as an isolated incident. Just a few months ago, the EU threatened Elon Musk with sanctions if X (formerly Twitter) did not comply with its content moderation policies. Recently, when Musk hosted an X Space with former U.S. President Donald Trump, the European Commission issued a threatening letter to Musk, expressing concern over the management of alleged harmful information on X.

The message the EU is sending is clear: fall in line with their censorship rules or face the consequences. Notably, Telegram, with over a billion users, has long been a barrier against government control over free speech and its users’ freedom of expression. Telegram has repeatedly refused to bow to government pressure to release data about its users, which has now made it a target for the EU.

Other tech giants, including WhatsApp, Facebook, and YouTube, have either faced action or bowed down to censorship demands. WhatsApp has faced increasing pressure from EU regulators to weaken its security features in the name of public safety. Facebook and YouTube have been accused of bowing to government pressure on several occasions to censor the content published on their platforms.

Ironically, the EU prides itself on being a bastion of human rights, but it is now becoming a master of censorship. Telegram and X are under consistent scrutiny for their content. Tomorrow, it could be any other platform that dares to allow uncensored content.

Pakistan Supreme Court revises its judgement saying Ahmadiyyas have a right to follow their religion following pressure from hardliner Islamists

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan Supreme Court revises its judgement saying Ahmadiyyas have a right to follow their religion following pressure from hardliner Islamists

On 22nd August, Pakistani media reported that the Pakistan Supreme Court revised its judgement in Ahmadiya Mubarak Sani’s case. The revision came after hardliner Islamists protested against the Paragraphs in Supreme Court judgement where it said Ahamadiyaas have a right to follow their religion.

Supreme Court removed the so-called controversial paragraphs from the Ahmadiyya Mubarak Sani’s judgment following the protests by Islamists. The court accepted the federal government’s appeal to “correct” the judgment by removing the paragraphs that had irked Islamists and Islamic organisations in Pakistan, putting even the life of a Supreme Court judge in danger.

In its recent order, Pakistan’s apex court ruled that the expunged paragraphs 7, 42, and 49-C from the original decision cannot be used as judicial precedents. The decision followed objections raised by Islamic leaders, several of whom were present in court during the review order.

According to reports, the removed paragraphs mentioned the banned book and proselytisation activities of the Ahmadi community. During the hearing, the court was advised by Maulana Fazlur Rehman to limit its role in granting bail. In its order, the court stated that the federal government had sought a review of the previous judgment considering the recommendations from the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII). Notably, following the judgment, riots erupted in Pakistan, and Islamists had barged into the Supreme Court judge’s house.

Earlier, the apex court had sought assistance from religious leaders, including Mufti Taqi Usmani and Maulana Fazlur Rehman, on the matter. The three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, asked them to identify errors in the judgment. The Islamic leaders suggested that the court either revise the decision or annul it completely.

Mufti Taqi Usmani, who resides in Turkiye, recommended the removal of paragraphs 7 and 42, citing concerns over the interpretation of proselytisation. The federal government, through the Attorney General, informed the court that parliament and religious leaders had urged the government to request the apex court’s intervention in the matter as a second review was not feasible under civil procedure.

Chief Justice Isa said, “I pray after every namaz that no wrong decisions are made,” highlighting the importance of judicial integrity. He also expressed respect for parliament, referencing his attendance at its 50th anniversary.

Background of the Case

On 24th July, the Supreme Court of Pakistan upheld the petition by the Punjab Government asserting that religious freedom and the right to profess religion are subject to laws, morality, and public order. The decision came in the case related to the conviction of Mubarak Ahmad Sani under the Punjab Holy Quran (Printing and Recording) (Amendment) Act, 2021. The issue in the matter was that the law was enacted after the so-called crime was committed by Sani, which led to his bail and release. However, the Punjab (Pakistan) government filed a review petition seeking modification to clarify constitutional rights concerning law, public order, and morality.

Following the judgment, Islamist mob comprising thousands is protesting in Pakistan against Supreme Court Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa. Isa, who was appointed the Chief Justice of Pakistan in November last year has been facing death threats and protests since February this year after he ordered the release of a Ahmadiyya man Mubarak Sani. On the 29th of May, a three-judge bench including Chief Justice Isa, Justice Irfan Saadat Khan, and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan reserved its decision.

The protesting Islamists are demanding CJP Faez Isa’s resignation. On 19th August, a large number of protesters from various Islamist groups breached Islamabad’s highly secured Red Zone, storming the Supreme Court entrance gates to protest the Pakistan apex court verdict in the Mubarak Sani case.

In the February ruling, Justice Isa granted bail to Ahmadiyya man Mubarak Ahmad Sani who was accused of blasphemy in 2019 for distributing pamphlets promoting his religious beliefs. Sani was convicted under the Punjab Holy Quran (Printing and Recording) (Amendment) Act, 2021. However, the 3-judge bench led by Justice Isa noted that Sani was charged for an offence not criminalised until 2021. Consequently, the top court granted bail to Sani and ordered his immediate release. Soon after, Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and other Islamists launched a hate campaign against Qazi Faez Isa. In Peshawar, around 3000 people blocked the roads in February and raised slogans like “Death to Qadianis” etc. The agitation of Islamists compelled the Supreme Court to issue a statement ‘defending’ its decision in the Mubarak Sani case.

Israel Defense Forces launch strikes in Lebanon, hits places from where terror organisation Hezbollah was planning to launch attacks on Israel

OpIndia Staff
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Israel Defense Forces launch strikes in Lebanon, hits places from where terror organisation Hezbollah was planning to launch attacks on Israel

On Sunday, August 25, Israel Defense Forces confirmed on X (previously Twitter) that the Israeli forces have launched a preemptive strike against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. The strikes came after Israeli and U.S. intelligence said there is expected to be a major missile and drone attack on Israel by the terror organisation Hezbollah.

The strikes on Lebanon apparently took place late on Saturday, August 24. Notably, the tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have been rising since the October 7 terror attack by Palestinian terrorist group Hamas on Israel.

In the days leading up to the Israel attack, Hezbollah had said that it is preparing to launch a major attack against Israel in retaliation for the assassination of its top military commander in Beirut by Israel.

In its Post, IDF said, “In a self-defense act to remove these threats, the IDF is striking terror targets in Lebanon, from which Hezbollah was planning to launch their attacks on Israeli civilians.”

Israel Defense Forces spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said, “The IDF identified the Hezbollah terrorist organisation preparing to fire missiles and rockets toward Israeli territory. In response to these threats, the IDF is striking terror targets in Lebanon.”

Ahead of the attacks, the Golan Regional Council in Israel had instructed all residents in the Golan Heights to remain near shelters until further notice, canceling agricultural, educational, and other public activity.

With Israel’s strikes on Iran-backed Islamic terror outfit Hezbollah, the situation in Middle East has grown more tense, with the prospect of a full scale war looming large.

Uttar Pradesh: Headmaster Jamal Kamil sexually assaults minor Dalit girl on pretext of cutting her nails in Meerut, Tuition teacher Syed Wasik Ali arrested in Rampur for sexually assaulting 7-year-old girl

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Headmaster Jamal Kamil sexually assaults minor Dalit girl on pretext of cutting her nails in Meerut, Tuition teacher Syed Wasik Ali arrested in Rampur for sexually assaulting 7-year-old girl

Two heinous cases of teachers sexually assaulting their minor female students have come to light from Uttar Pradesh. In Meerut, a headmaster named Jamal Kamil (50) has been arrested for molesting a minor Dalit girl inside a government school. The victim is an 11-year-old girl currently studying in Class 4th. The incident took place on Friday (23rd August). The locals caught hold of the accused headmaster and thrashed him before handing him over to the Police. Meanwhile, in Rampur, a tuition teacher named Syed Wasik Ali has been arrested on charges of sexually abusing a seven-year-old girl. 

According to reports, the first incident took place in the Mawana police station area of Meerut. A woman hailing from the Scheduled Caste community lodged a complaint with the Police. In her complaint, she said that her daughter studies in class 4th in a government school which falls in this Police station area. A 50-year-old man named Jamal Kamil is the headmaster of this school. 

On Friday, Principal Jamal Kamil was inspecting the nails of the students. He was also trimming the nails of students who had long fingernails. When the victim’s turn came, Kamil saw her nails and called her to his office where he made the girl sit on a chair. Subsequently, he started cutting her nails.   

According to the complaint, while cutting her nails, the accused Principal Jamal Kamil lifted the dress of the minor girl and started doing obscene acts. The victim got scared and somehow she managed to free her hands and ran out of his office crying. 

After some time, her family came to know about the incident. Along with other villagers, they rushed to the school. Some local women started thrashing the accused Principal and the video of the Principal’s thrashing is now doing rounds on social media.  

After receiving the information, the police immediately reached the spot and took the accused headmaster into custody. Parents of other students enrolled in this school accused the Principal of asking their children to massage him.  

In their complaint, the victim’s family has demanded strict action against the accused headmaster. Mawana Deputy SP Saurabh Singh told reporters that the statement of the victim has been recorded. Based on these statements, a case has been registered against Jamal Kamil under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, SC/ST, and POCSO Act. The matter is being investigated and other necessary legal action is underway. 

Meanwhile, in the Rampur case, a tuition teacher identified as Syed Wasik Ali, a resident of Kunda at Rampur Kotwali, has been arrested for sexually abusing a seven-year-old girl, the Police said on Saturday (24th August). 

Rampur Superintendent of Police (SP) Vidyasagar Mishra said that based on a complaint received at the Ganj police station in this regard, a case was registered under the POCSO Act on Friday night. He said that an investigation is underway in the case and the girl has been medically examined. 

In their complaint, the family stated that the accused sexually abused the girl on Friday evening when he came to teach her.

‘No Dalit, tribal or OBC women in Miss India list’: After media, bureaucracy and ministers, Rahul Gandhi indulges in caste profiling of beauty pageant winners

OpIndia Staff
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‘No Dalit, tribal or OBC women in Miss India list’: After media, bureaucracy and ministers, Rahul Gandhi indulges in caste profiling of beauty pageant winners

On Saturday (24th August), Congress leader and the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi doubled down on his caste census plank. While demanding a caste census at an event in Uttar Pradesh’s Praygraj, Rahul Gandhi went a step further as he indulged in caste profiling of winners of beauty pageants. During the event, the Congress leader alleged that 90% of the population did not have representation in the system. He then brazened it out saying that when he checked the list of Miss India winners, he could not find any women from Dalit, tribal, or OBC community. 

Earlier, the Congress leader did caste profiling of bureaucrats, judges, Ministers, media persons and on one occasion, his heated questions led to the near-lynching of a journalist.

“…I checked the list of Miss India to see if there would be any Dalit or tribal woman in it, but there was no women from Dalit, tribal or OBC. Still the media talks about dance, music, cricket, Bollywood but does not talk about farmers and labourers,” Rahul Gandhi was quoted saying by the news agency ANI. 

However, his remarks led to a field day for netizens who slammed the Congress leader for stooping to a new low and indulging in caste profiling of beauty pageant winners. Netizens questioned whether Rahul Gandhi is demanding reservations in the Miss India contest like govt jobs. Some of the X users also pointed out that his bizarre statement was factually incorrect, as many of the beauty queens from India are from minority communities.

BJP leader and National Secretary of the party’s youth wing – BJYM, Tajinder Bagga lashed out at Rahul Gandhi. Bagga listed out names of several Miss India winners who hailed from minority or socially backward communities. He added that had the Congress leader studied a little before making the statement, he wouldn’t have made himself a subject of ridicule.  

Apart from sharing the names of 21 Miss India winners, Bagga wrote, “Rahul Gandhi is an idiot but if he had at least studied before making a statement, he wouldn’t have made himself a subject of ridicule. Let’s increase his knowledge a little. Miss India contest started in this country in 1947 and these sisters from minority communities became winners in it.”

Resorting to Rahul Gandhi’s logic, journalist and popular X user, Ajeet Bharti retorted to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks saying, “I made a list of Gandhi family, there is not a single Dalit or minority in it.”

Another X user wrote, “Gem from #RahulGandhi, I checked the list of Bollywood and Miss India there is no SC, ST, OBC & Minority. Though his data is wrong but have to say this guy has gone seriously mad to check caste in Miss India. God save Country from going this mad guys hand.”

While several X users have pointed out that over a dozen women hailing from the minority community have become Miss India in the Independent history of India, it is pertinent to note here that Miss India is a beauty pageant in which the contestants are judged for their physical attributes and based on the answers to the few questions posed to them. There is no quota, reservation, or prohibitions in the beauty pageant for representation of any community. Moreover, this contest is held by a private organisation and the government has nothing to do with it.

Additionally, while a nationwide caste census has not been conducted for several decades, the Congress leader’s assertion that the SCs, STs, OBCs, and minorities comprise around 90% of the country’s population seems to be factually incorrect.

Union cabinet approves ‘Vigyan Dhara’ scheme by merging 3 umbrella schemes under Science & Technology Dept with an outlay of ₹10,579 crore for five years

OpIndia Staff
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Union cabinet approves ‘Vigyan Dhara’ scheme by merging 3 umbrella schemes under Science & Technology Dept with an outlay of ₹10,579 crore for five years

The Union Cabinet on Saturday, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved continuation of the three umbrella schemes, merged into a unified central sector scheme namely ‘Vigyan Dhara’ of Department of Science and Technology (DST).

The scheme has three broad components:

  1. Science and Technology (S&T) Institutional and Human Capacity Building,
  2. Research and Development and
  3. Innovation, Technology Development and Deployment.

The proposed outlay for the implementation of the unified scheme ‘Vigyan Dhara’ is Rs.10,579.84 crore during the 15th finance Commission period from 2021-22 to 2025-26.

The merger of the schemes into a single scheme would enhance efficiency in fund utilization and establish synchronization among the sub-schemes/programs, a statement issued by the union cabinet said.

The primary objective of the ‘Vigyan Dhara’ scheme is to promote S&T capacity building as well as research, innovation and technology development towards strengthening the Science, Technology and Innovation ecosystem in the country. Implementation of the scheme will strengthen the S&T infrastructure of the country by fostering well-equipped R&D labs in the Academic Institutions.

The scheme endeavours to promote research in areas such as basic research with access to the international mega facilities, translational research in sustainable energy, water, etc. and collaborative research through international bilateral and multilateral cooperation. It will also contribute to building critical human resource pool to strengthen the science and technology landscape and expand the R&D base of the country towards improving the Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) researcher count. Focused interventions will be taken up to enhance the participation of women in the field of Science and Technology (S&T) with the ultimate goal of bringing gender parity in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI).

The scheme would reinforce the efforts of the government towards promoting innovations at all levels, starting from school level to higher education, and for the industries and startups through targeted interventions. Significant support will be extended to increase collaboration between academia, Government, and also with industries.

All the programs proposed under the ‘Vigyan Dhara’ scheme would be aligned with the 5-year goals of DST towards realising the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The research and development component of the scheme will be aligned in line with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). Implementation of the scheme would follow the globally prevailing yardsticks while in alignment with the national priorities.

Department of Science & Technology (DST) acts as the nodal department for organising, coordinating and promoting S&T activities in the country. Three central sector umbrella schemes were being implemented by DST towards promoting Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in the country viz. (i) Science and Technology (S&T) Institutional and Human Capacity Building, (ii) Research and Development and (iii) Innovation, Technology Development and Deployment. These three schemes have been merged into the unified scheme ‘Vigyan Dhara’.

Centre approves Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), to benefit 23 lakh central government employees

OpIndia Staff
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Centre approves Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), to benefit 23 lakh central government employees

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for government employees, marking a significant step toward ensuring an assured pension for central government workers. This scheme is expected to benefit 23 lakh central government employees and could potentially cover up to 90 lakh employees if state governments adopt the same model.

Set to take effect on April 1, 2025, the UPS introduces various benefits, including a guaranteed pension amounting to 50 per cent of the average basic pay earned during the last 12 months before retirement. To be eligible, employees must complete a minimum of 25 years of service. For those with shorter service periods, a proportional pension will be provided, as long as they have served for at least 10 years.

A key feature of the scheme is the guaranteed minimum pension of ₹10,000 per month for employees who retire after serving at least 10 years. Additionally, the scheme includes a family pension provision that ensures surviving spouses or family members receive 60% of the employee’s pension immediately upon their passing.

In a significant move to enhance financial security for government employees after retirement, the Cabinet has approved a scheme that not only guarantees a pension but also incorporates inflation indexation.

“The scheme includes inflation indexation benefits, with dearness relief tied to the All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (AICPI-IW), aligning it with the provisions for current employees,” the government stated in a presentation following the Cabinet decision.

Retirees will also receive a lump sum payment upon retirement, in addition to gratuity. This lump sum will be calculated as one-tenth of their monthly earnings—comprising salary and dearness allowance—at the time of retirement for every six months of service completed. Importantly, this payment will not affect the amount of the assured pension.

In a noteworthy provision, the scheme applies to past retirees under the National Pension System (NPS) who have already retired. These retirees will receive arrears for the previous period, with interest calculated at Public Provident Fund (PPF) rates.

The UPS offers flexibility by allowing current and future employees to choose between the NPS and the new scheme. However, once a choice is made, it is final. Notably, there will be no increase in the employee contribution under the new scheme. Instead, the government will raise its contribution from 14 per cent to 18.5 per cent to facilitate the implementation of the UPS.

The central government’s initiative sets the stage for state governments to adopt a similar framework, potentially extending UPS benefits to a large number of state government employees currently under the NPS, the statement added.

“We are proud of the dedication of all government employees who play a crucial role in national progress. The Unified Pension Scheme ensures dignity and financial security for government employees, reflecting our commitment to their well-being and a secure future,” Modi said in a post on X.

Punjab: 2 assailants open fire at NRI in front of his wife and kids at his Amritsar’s residence; incident caught on CCTV cameras

OpIndia Staff
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Punjab: 2 assailants open fire at NRI in front of his wife and kids at his Amritsar’s residence; incident caught on CCTV cameras

On Saturday (24th August) morning, two motorcycle-borne assailants barged into the house of a non-resident Indian (NRI) and fired shots at him from point-blank range, leaving him seriously injured. The incident took place at the victim’s residence in Daburji village which is on the outskirts of Amritsar city. The victim has been identified as Sukhchain Singh, a 43-year-old US citizen who recently returned from the US.  

The entire incident was captured in multiple CCTV cameras installed in the victim’s house. In the video which is going viral on social media, Singh’s family members including his wife and two children from his first marriage can be seen pleading before the assailants to spare Singh’s life. When Singh resisted, they manhandled him and opened fire at him from close range. The assailants, however, fled from there after their pistols jammed.    

As per reports, Singh is currently stable.

According to the Police, Singh was going for a morning walk when the motorcycle-borne assailants intercepted him outside his residence. They took him inside his house and asked him for the registration documents of his luxury car. This led to an altercation after which the assailants manhandled Singh and fired three shots at him. 

As per reports, Sukhchain Singh is a US citizen and he came back to Amritsar around 20 days ago. Recently, he bought a luxury car worth Rs 1.5 crore. The armed assailants barged inside his house on the pretext that they wanted to enquire about his car’s registration certificate. Once inside the house, they opened fire at him. 

His family members have demanded strict action against the accused. According to his family members, the family of Singh’s first wife was behind the attack. They have lodged an FIR against five family members of his ex-wife, ANI reported.

The Police said that two of the bullets hit Singh in the head and near the chest after which he was rushed to a private hospital. The Police added that a forensic team has reached the spot and an investigation is underway.

Additional deputy commissioner of police Harpal Singh said, “The incident took place at 7.15 am. CCTV shows the victim was brushing his teeth when two men turned up at the gate and started enquiring about who had made the registration certificate (RC) of his Mercedes car parked in the courtyard. When Sukhchain asked them who they were, they pulled out two pistols and forcibly took him inside. After an argument, they fired three shots, two of which hit him. The assailants came with the aim to eliminate him, but one of their pistols malfunctioned.”

The ADCP added that Sukhchain Singh was rushed to hospital in a critical condition and he is not able to speak. 

ADCP Harpal Singh added that the police were probing various angles. The ADCP further stated, “We are trying to trace the assailants. The victim’s first wife committed suicide in 2022. Her family got an FIR registered against the family, but he was held innocent. He was getting threats from his former in-laws. We are also taking this case into consideration in the probe. The faces of assailants are clearly visible in the CCTV footage, soon we will trace them.”

As per reports, the AAP government has asked the Amritsar Police Commissioner to take immediate action in the matter. 

Opposition slams AAP government for failure to maintain Law and Order in the state

It is pertinent to note that a similar incident unfolded in Punjab, yesterday. On Friday, strangers forcibly entered the house of a 53-year-old woman and killed her in Jujhar Singh Avenue in Amritsar. 

The back-to-back attacks inside the houses of the victims in Punjab have prompted opposition parties including BJP, Siromani Akali Dal (SAD), and Congress to launch scathing attacks on the Aam Aadmi Party government in the state. They have lambasted the Bhagwant Mann government for failure to maintain the law and order situation in the state. 

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal said the attacks in Amritsar on two consecutive days show the deterioration of the law and order situation in Punjab. 

He said, “Punjabis are not safe even at home. Chief minister Bhagwant Mann should quit on moral grounds.” 

BJP leader, Manjinder Singh Sirsa slammed the AAP government saying, “Daylight murders, extortion and gangster interviews from jail, threats, etc have become the new normal in the state. What is Punjab Police doing?”

NIA chargesheets social media influencer Bobby Kataria and his associate in human trafficking case involving Chinese companies that forced victims into cybercrime

OpIndia Staff
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NIA chargesheets social media influencer Bobby Kataria and his associate in human trafficking case involving Chinese companies that forced victims into cybercrime

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday chargesheeted two accused including bodybuilder and social media influencer Bobby Kataria, in an organised human trafficking case involving Chinese companies. Kataria was arrested by Gurugram Police in May this year in an NIA-police joint operation on the charge of sending people abroad on the pretext of helping them finding jobs, and then forcing them to commit cybercrimes.

Apart from Kataria, his associate Ankit Shokeen, currently based in Laos, is also been named in the chargesheet. A statement issued by NIA said that Ankit is still absconding.

NIA investigations have revealed that both the accused, along with others, were involved in recruiting and transporting innocent jobseekers using deception and false inducements. The victims were lured and then handed over to Chinese companies in Laos, where they were forced to carry out cyber frauds/scams under harsh, strenuous and restrictive conditions, NIA said. The companies involved in the crime are based in the Golden Triangle SEZ in Laos.

After the victims arrived in Laos, the Chinese companies used to confiscate the passports of the victims and force them into cybercrime activities. They were also subjected to physical and mental torture in the event of non-performance or refusal to carry out cyber frauds, investigations by NIA have revealed.

The probe agency said that the conspiracy was hatched by Bobby Kataria along with co-accused Ankit Shokeen and others. Together, they had incorporated MBK Global Visa Private Limited, a visa consultancy, and by taking advantage of his popularity among youth, Bobby was attracting job seeking youth with lucrative job offers in countries like Singapore.

After taking advance payments, he would persuade the victims to go to Laos. Many of the victims were eventually rescued from the scammers’ clutches by the joint efforts of the Indian Embassy at Laos and local law enforcement.

Investigations in the case are continuing, in order to identify the other accused involved in the racket and demolish the entire syndicate, NIA said.

Earlier it was reported that Kataria confessed that he used to cheat people by luring them with jobs in foreign countries, and going abroad, the victims were forced to commit cyber fraud. Kataria and his accomplice Manju Singh used to post job vacancies in foreign countries through their social media handles to lure their targets.

As per police, the gang opened offices in several places including Gurugram, Sikar (Rajasthan), Greater Faridabad and Nabha (Punjab). He has so far sent 33 people abroad, of which 12 were sent to Armenia, 2 to Singapore, 4 to Bangkok, 3 to Canada and 12 to Laos. Ankit Shokeen lives in Laos and he collaborated with Kataria in India for the human trafficking operation.

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