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Woman entitled to maintenance on breakup after a live-in relationship: Madhya Pradesh High Court

OpIndia Staff
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Woman entitled to maintenance on breakup after a live-in relationship: Madhya Pradesh High Court

In a major development in Live-in Relationship, the Madhya Pradesh High Court recently ruled that a woman living with a man for a considerable period is entitled to maintenance after a breakup, even if they are not legally married. The court gave this ruling while dismissing a petition by a 38-year-old man Shailesh Bopche. The petitioner had challenged the trial court’s verdict which directed him to pay a monthly allowance of Rs 1,500 to respondent Anita Bopche (48), his wife/ex-live-in partner. The couple also had a child together. 

A bench of Justice JS Ahluwalia ruled that maintenance cannot be denied if there is “evidence of cohabitation” between the couple. Justice Ahluwalia cited the findings of the trial court which concluded that the man and woman had been living as husband and wife. The bench further ruled that the birth of a child within the relationship cemented the woman’s right to monthly maintenance.

As per the case, petitioner Shailesh Bopche had challenged the trial court’s ruling to pay maintenance arguing that the respondent (Anita) could not prove if they had got married in a temple. Notably, the trial court also found that the marriage between Shailesh and Anita did not happen at a temple. 

However, the trial court noted that since Anita had a child with Shailesh, she was entitled to an allowance.

In its order, the trial court had noted, “The trial court has not given a specific finding that the respondent is not the legally wedded wife of the applicant. However, the findings are that the respondent could not prove the rituals as well as the fact that marriage was performed in the temple, but later on, the trial court gave a finding that since the applicant and respondent were living as husband and wife for a considerable long time. The respondent has also given birth to a child, therefore, the respondent is entitled to maintenance.” 

Justice Ahluwalia upheld the trial court’s order noting that the only “bone of contention” of the petitioner’s counsel is that since the “respondent is not the legally wedded wife, (the) application under Section 125 of CrPc is not maintainable”. 

According to Section 125 of the CrPc, if an individual with adequate resources declines to support his wife, who is incapable of maintaining herself, he must pay a monthly allowance. 

The High Court remarked, “Since the applicant and respondent were residing as husband and wife for a considerably long time and in the absence of any specific finding by the Trial Court that respondent is not a legally wedded wife of the applicant, this Court is of considered opinion that the Trial Court did not commit any mistake by awarding maintenance to the respondent under Section 125 of CrPC.” 

Uttar Pradesh: Muslims of Amroha protest Congress candidate Danish Ali while going to namaz; hundreds gherao the MP and attempt to vandalise the car

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Muslims of Amroha protest Congress candidate Danish Ali while going to namaz; hundreds gherao the MP and attempt to vandalise the car

On Friday (5th April) Muslims in Amroha took to the streets to oppose the Congress MP candidate Danish Ali while he was going to offer namaz in the evening. The mob of Muslims angry over his candidature from the Congress party gheraoed the cavalcade of the MP and attempted to vandalise his car. The angry Muslims in the mob also raised slogans against Danish Aliu and created a huge ruckus.

Danish Ali was earlier an MP from the Bahujan Samaj Party but recently he got an MP ticket from the Congress party for the Amroha Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh.

MP Danish Ali, accompanied by his supporters, visited the Jama Masjid in Amroha on Friday, followed by a campaign stop in Naugaon Sadat to solicit votes from the residents. Upon his arrival at the Jama Masjid in Naugaon Sadat Nai Basti to offer prayers, his car was promptly encircled by a sizable crowd of local Muslims.

Upon finding himself surrounded, Danish Ali chose to remain seated inside the car. Amidst the commotion, a youth attempted to climb onto the car’s bonnet. However, several individuals were observed trying to calm the agitated crowd. Notably, Pratik, the son of Samarpal Singh, MLA from the Naugaon Sadat assembly seat, was seen actively working to diffuse the tension among the angry constituents.

The irate crowd demanded answers from Ali regarding his performance over the past five years, particularly his work in Naugaon Sadat. It was only after the dispersal of the assembled mob that Ali’s car was able to proceed forward. Those in the crowd recorded the entire incident on their mobile devices. Later in the evening, two videos depicting the gherao of the MP’s car circulated widely on social media platforms. It is alleged that the individuals causing the disturbance are linked to the Samajwadi Party.

The footage depicting a crowd surrounding the vehicle of MP Danish Ali is rapidly gaining traction on social media platforms. The Congress party has nominated Danish Ali as its candidate for the Amroha Lok Sabha constituency. Previously, Ali secured victory in the 2019 elections under the BSP banner. However, he faced suspension from the BSP over accusations of engaging in anti-party activities.

Guardian article claims India was inspired by Jamal Khashoggi murder to kill terrorists in Pakistan, here is how this proves it is a work of fiction

Raju Das
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Guardian article claims India was inspired by Jamal Khashoggi murder to kill terrorists in Pakistan, here is how this proves it is a work of fiction

The Guardian on 5th April published an article claiming that the Indian government ordered the assassination of several terrorists in Pakistan. The report based on anonymous Pakistani ‘sources’ was meant to attack the Modi government accusing it of indulging in ‘extra-territorial killings,’ however, the report ended up giving ammunition to the Modi govt and BJP by claiming that the govt is taking actions against terrorists even in foreign countries.

The article authored by anti-India propagandist Hannah Ellis-Petersen was riddled with errors, raising questions on the quality of research that went behind it. While Modi government would not dislike the ‘allegation’ that it killed terrorists in Pakistan, the fact is that there is no evidence backing the claims made by Guardian, and the entire article is based on anonymous “Indian and Pakistani intelligence operatives” who allegedly spoke to the Guardian.

The article claims that R&AW (incorrectly spelled Raw by Guardian) was inspired to kill enemies abroad after the assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey. The report quotes an anonymous Indian official, “It was a few months after the killing of Jamal Khashoggi that there was a debate among the top brass of intelligence in the prime minister’s office about how something can be learned from the case. One senior officer said in a meeting that if Saudis can do this, why not us?”

The report further cited, “What the Saudis did was very effective. You not only get rid of your enemy but send a chilling message, a warning to the people working against you. Every intelligence agency has been doing this. Our country cannot be strong without exerting power over our enemies.”

However, this entire claim proves that the entire article is work of fiction. Here is why.

The article talks about India killing terrorists in Pakistan, but Jamal Khashoggi was not a terrorist, he was a journalist highly critical of the Saudi government. And the most important point, he was killed inside Saudi consulate in Istanbul, proving without that doubt he was killed by the Saudi govt.

First, while there are claims that India is behind the mysterious murder of terrorists in Pakistan, there is no evidence of the Indian govt taking such extreme against journalists critical of the govt. In fact, there are dozens of journalists, many with known links with India’s enemies like George Soros, and such journalists continue to keep attacking the Modi government without any fear daily. Therefore, the claim that India will take inspiration from the murder of a journalist is completely unbelievable.

More importantly, Jamal Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate (wrongly called Saudi Embassy by the Guardian report) on 2 October 2018, which means it was clear that Saudi government officials were behind the murder. After killing the journalist, the Saudi officials cut the body into pieces, wrapped them in plastic and put in suitcases, which were taken out the consulate.

At first the Saudi govt had denied that he was killed in the consulate, but it was busted after Turkey disclosed audio recordings of Jamal and the Saudi hit squad inside the consul office, which proved the murder. Turkey had initially claimed that the recordings were obtained from Khashoggi’s Apple Watch, saying that he turned on recording on his watch while entering the consulate and then uploaded the clips to his phone and iCloud.

However, experts had ruled out this possibility, and later it was proved that the Saudi consulate was bugged by Turkey, because audio recordings of conversations among Saudi operatives before Jamal entered the building were also revealed. It is open secret that host countries often bug embassies and consulates, because these offices also work as bases for intelligence operations of the respective countries. Therefore, murder of Jamal Khashoggi was not a secret mission, even though Saudi may have hoped to keep it secret. He was almost openly murdered by a Saudi hit squad, on the orders of Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, inside a campus under surveillance by the host country.

Further, the claim is an officer said that killing of Jamal Khashoggi was “very effective” is completely false. US had come close to imposing sanctions against Saudi Arabia for the murder, and the murder was widely condemned across the world. And no, every intelligence agency is not killing journalists in diplomatic locations in foreign countries, it was a single incidence which will probably be never be repeated in near future.

While intelligence officials may advocate running kill missions in foreign countries, they are unlikely to suggest a Jamal Khashoggi like operation. It was like a gangster killing his enemy in own den, and not a secret assassination by an intelligence agency.

Therefore, the claim that India’s R&AW officials were inspired by this murder to kill terrorists in Pakistan is completely meaningless. It is unlikely that any Jihadi terrorist will enter India’s diplomatic missions in Pakistan, giving Indian operatives a chance to kill them. Moreover, Indian High Commission in Islamabad and other diplomatic locations in Pakistan are certainly under high surveillance of Pakistan’s ISI, which means any ‘secret killing’ in those places are not possible.

Indian govt has denied ordering any killings anywhere in the world. But even if agencies wanted to carry out such missions, Jamal Khashoggi murder certainly can’t be an example to follow. Countries across the world do execute such murders, which took place most commonly during the cold war, when USA and Russia targeted its enemies in foreign countries. Similarly, Israel is also known to have executed such operations.

Therefore, if India wanted to conduct such operations, the officials will study such operations by Israel, Russia, USA and other countries, not the Jamal Khashoggi murder. This proves that the entire article by Guardian is work of fiction.

Moreover, the article claims that two Indian intelligence officers talked to it and revealed all India’s dirty secrets. The article has been authored by anti-India propagandist Hannah Ellis-Petersen, Aakash Hassan and Pakistani ‘journalist’ Shah Meer Baloch, and it is highly unlikely that any real Indian intelligence officer will talk to them and reveal India’s alleged kill missions in Pakistan.

Since the Narendra Modi government came to power in 2014, the government’s record in keeping secrets is impressive. While earlier the media will often report upcoming govt decisions, such ‘leaks’ have completely stopped under the NDA govt. Media didn’t get any hint before the govt announced demonetisation, abrogation of Article 370, Covid-19 lockdown, Balakot air strikes and many other such decisions.

Any discussion on ordering kill in a foreign country will involve even more secrecy, and will be known to a very few select people. Therefore, the claim that the Guardian journalists were able to access what Indian Intelligence officials discussed about eliminating terrorists in Pakistan is highly unlikely, and almost impossible.

Therefore, while India could have played a role in the murder of some terrorists in Pakistan, even though the govt has denied it, the fact is that the Guardian article offers no concrete evidence to back its claims. The entire report is more likely a work of fiction, presenting claims, imaginations and unproven assumptions as fact.

Kerala: Migrant worker Ashok Das of Arunachal Pradesh beaten to death by a mob for visiting a female co-worker; 10 arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala: Migrant worker Ashok Das of Arunachal Pradesh beaten to death by a mob for visiting a female co-worker; 10 arrested

Ten individuals were apprehended following an instance of mob lynching in Muvattupuzha, Kerala. The incident occurred when a 24-year-old migrant worker Ashok Das was allegedly tied to a pole and fatally beaten by the mob on Thursday (4th April) for visiting one of his female co-workers. Ashok Das hailed from Arunachal Pradesh. Soon after the incident, he was admitted to the hospital but he succumbed to the injuries and died on Friday.

Ashok Das had come to Kerala in search of a job and was living in rented accommodation in Valakam, Muvattupuzha. He worked as a cook. As per the First Information Report (FIR), the victim was tied to a pole and questioned by a group of residents when he visited his female acquaintance, who lived in the same vicinity, on Thursday evening.

Ashok Das had suffered severe injuries as a result of the assault. He was taken to a nearby general hospital in an injured state. He was later shifted to to the Kolencherry Medical College Hospital where he succumbed to the injuries and died on Friday.

So far, the Kerala police have arrested ten individuals in this case. Initially, a case was filed under Section 174 of the Indian Penal Code for failure to adhere to an order from a public servant. However, after an initial investigation, the charge was elevated to include Section 302 of the IPC, which deals with murder.

The Kerala police stated that they are actively investigating the factors surrounding the attack. It’s noteworthy that the woman whom Asok Das had visited did not file any complaint against him.

China could deploy Artificial Intelligence including AI anchors and memes to disrupt 2024 Lok Sabha poll in India: Microsoft

OpIndia Staff
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China could deploy Artificial Intelligence including AI anchors and memes to disrupt 2024 Lok Sabha poll in India: Microsoft

Tech giant Microsoft has warned that after a test run in the Taiwan presidential election, China could potentially utilise Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated content to influence the Lok Sabha poll in India. According to a Microsoft Threat Intelligence report, state-sponsored cyber groups in China would also attempt to target polls in South Korea and the United States with assistance from North Korea.

The report pointed out, “With major elections taking place around the world this year, particularly in India, South Korea, and the United States, we assess that China will, at a minimum, create and amplify AI-generated content to benefit its interests. Despite the chances of such content affecting election results remains low, China’s increasing experimentation in augmenting memes, videos, and audio will likely continue and may prove more effective down the line. We can expect to see North Korea continue to steal cryptocurrency to fund space, missile, and nuclear programs as well as launch supply-chain attacks on the defence sector.”

The research stated that in the early fall and winter of 2023, India, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and the United States were the targets of a Chinese cyber actor named Flax Typhoon, which often targets the telecommunications industry. According to the Microsoft study, Storm-1376, an actor associated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), shared videos featuring an AI-generated anchor in both Mandarin and English and claimed that the upheaval in Myanmar was caused by the United States and India.

The technology giant further asserted that the communist country is polling people on their areas of difference to sow discord and potentially sway the outcome of the United States presidential election. It is doing this by creating bogus social media profiles. “China has also increased its use of AI-generated content to further its goals around the world. North Korea has increased its cryptocurrency heists and supply chain attacks to fund and further its military goals and intelligence collection. It has also begun to use AI to make its operations more effective and efficient.” the blog post read.

It mentioned, “The Taiwanese presidential election in January 2024 saw a surge in the use of AI-generated content to augment IO operations by CCP-affiliated actors. This was the first time that Microsoft Threat Intelligence has witnessed a nation-state actor using AI content in an attempt to influence a foreign election. The group we call Storm-1376, also known as Spamouflage and Dragonbridge, was the most prolific.”

The post added, “Storm-1376 has promoted a series of AI-generated memes of Taiwan’s then-Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate William Lai, and other Taiwanese officials as well as Chinese dissidents around the world. These have included an increasing use of AI-generated TV news anchors that Storm-1376 has deployed since at least February 2023.”

A cyber gang with ties to the Chinese state claimed to have attacked the Home Ministry, the PMO (Prime Minister’s Office), and companies including Reliance and Air India in February. The investigation revealed that the hackers also gained access to 95.2 terabytes of Indian official immigration data. The compromised data was shared on GitHub.

A seven-phase Lok Sabha election is scheduled to commence on 19th April and conclude on 1st June. On 4th June, the poll results will be announced. Interestingly, Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month to talk about the use of artificial intelligence and the threat posed by deepfake content created with a variety of AI techniques. PM Modi remarked, “In a vast country like India, there is always a possibility of misguiding through deepfake. What if somebody puts out an obnoxious piece on me? People may believe it initially.” 

He highlighted, “I think that there is a significant risk of misuse when a powerful technology like AI is placed in unskilled hands, in untrained hands. I suggest that we should start with clear watermarks on AI-generated content to prevent misinformation. This isn’t to devalue AI creations but to recognise them for what they are. Also, in the case of deepfakes, it is crucial to acknowledge and present that a particular deepfake content is AI-generated along with the mention of its source. These measures are really important, especially in the beginning. We, thus, need to establish some Dos and Don’ts.”


2-minute interview with MK Stalin after 3 years of wait: ‘Neutral journalist’ Rajdeep Sardesai, who had danced on AAP victory, now plays drums for the opposition

अनुपम कुमार सिंह
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2-minute interview with MK Stalin after 3 years of wait: ‘Neutral journalist’ Rajdeep Sardesai, who had danced on AAP victory, now plays drums for the opposition

A large section of the nation’s media frequently refers to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a dictator in an attempt to undermine his democratic credentials and unparalleled popularity. Germany-based YouTuber Dhruv Rathee even created a propaganda video to demonstrate how India is turning to dictatorship rather from its democratic moorings.

Ravish Kumar met Dhruv Rathee recently, presumwbly to cash in on the popularity that Rathee enjoys substantial popularity among Congress supporters who are desperately throwing their weight anyone and everyone who helps them in stopping the Modi juggernaut. Rajdeep Sardesai has also been engaged in propaganda for many years. Initially, they targeted Narendra Modi for the 2002 Gujarat riots and attempted to portray him as ‘Hitler’ for not holding a press conference.

The issue is that having a press conference by the prime minister is no longer relevant in this day and age, as there are so many outlets, including TV, YouTube and other social media platforms that can be utilised to convey the message. PM Modi is even connected to the remotest parts of India through his radio show. This class of alleged journalists regularly praise the opposition leaders and degrade the prime minister over press conferences that have no relevance in this time and age of social media and pervasive connectivity. They constantly change their ‘heroes.’

Rajdeep Sardesai’s wife Sagarika Ghosh, a former journalist turned TMC Rajya Sabha MP, for instance, wrote that strangers were smiling at each other when Arvind Kejriwal won in Delhi. Barkha Dutt remembered her photographic skills after Uddhav Thackeray triumphed in Maharashtra. Similarly, this section of media plays the role of “courtier” for Sharad Pawar, Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav at different times.

Now, Rajdeep Sardesai had a chance to speak with MK Stalin, the leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the chief minister of Tamil Nadu. This was an opportunity, as Rajdeep Sardesai himself claimed was granted three minutes after three years of waiting. That interview concluded in just two minutes as well. Rajdeep Sardesai asked him some questions about the 2024 Lok Sabha Election. How come Rajdeep Sardesai refrained from labelling the leader who granted an interview for the first time in three years as a dictator?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi did his first interview with Thanthi TV, a Tamil TV channel prior to the general election. Although this illustrated that how much he cherishes the nation’s geographical diversity, Rajdeep Sardesai remained silent on it. MK Stalin, however, referred to All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) as his primary competitor in his interview and rejected the Modi influence in Tamil Nadu. Rajdeep Sardesai’s joyous expression at the beginning of the interview is noteworthy.

While speaking about MK Stalin, Rajdeep Sardesai was unable to conceal his joy. In this interview, MK Stalin claimed to secure all 40 seats in Tamil Nadu. He declared that since his party came to power in the state, all the promises have been fulfilled and the new programs have significantly benefited women. He announced a landslide victory in Tamil Nadu. PM Modi, he alleged, was disseminating lies in his speeches.

After Rajdeep Sardesia spoke about the allegations of nepotism and corruption made against the chief minister by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he brought up the topic of electoral bonds and said nothing more. Everyone is now aware of the amount of money donated to each party since all electoral bond data is available to the public. The ‘Future Gaming’ company which generated a lot of stir had donated the most money to DMK. Moreover, this list included all parties and not only the BJP.

The most striking thing about this interview is that Rajdeep Sardesai neglected to inquire about Annamalai, the BJP’s state president in Tamil Nadu and an upcoming leader in the southern state. Once an IPS officer, Annamalai is now so prominent in Tamil Nadu that he is discussed in the national media. He frequently attends conferences, rallies and padayatras with BJP workers. They are putting in a lot of effort at work. However, out of fear that MK Stalin might become upset, Rajdeep Sardesai did not even bring up his name.

Three years and just a two-minute interaction. Now, what more could poor Rajdeep Sadesai have done and asked? The fact that he is content with this two-minute interview is different because an opposition leader was in front of him. He did not belong to the BJP, hence Rajdeep Sardesai will abstain from calling MK Stalin a tyrant on social media. Indeed, there are a lot of cuts in the video. The two-minute video has multiple edits. People are now asking Rajdeep Sardesai what he had for lunch. He interviewed Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan while eating fish.

He didn’t ask Mamata Banerjee about the violence during the West Bengal election since doing so would have prevented him from eating “Rasgulla.” Later, it was discovered that “Rasgulla” can occasionally be used in place of an MP for the upper house. Rajdeep Sardesai routinely expresses confidence in the opposition leaders regarding their victory. Notwithstanding his spouse’s status as a Rajya Sabha MP, he continues to allege impartiality.

Watch another Rajdeep Sardesai video in which he was pounding the drum for the AIADMK-SDPI (Social Democratic Party of India) election campaign. He appeared to be “jumping” or almost ” leaping ” in this footage. It meant that even if he beats the drum for a political party, he is still ‘fair’ but if someone talks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public welfare initiatives, they turn into a ‘godi media.’ This gang of journalists has been playing this game for a long time.

It’s nothing because in 2020, following the Aam Aadmi Party’s success in the Delhi assembly election, Rajdeep Sardesai was so delighted that he began to dance in his television studio. The same bunch of journalists create a sorrowful environment when the BJP wins anywhere. Can we count on them to provide us with honest news? He’s no stranger to dubious journalism. He has danced for the opposition before and now he is playing the drums for them.

Gross misuse of power by Police machinery: Supreme Court expresses shock over Police tutoring witnesses, asks Tamil Nadu DGP to take action against erring Police officers

OpIndia Staff
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Gross misuse of power by Police machinery: Supreme Court expresses shock over Police tutoring witnesses, asks Tamil Nadu DGP to take action against erring Police officers

On Friday (5th April), the Supreme Court rebuked Tamil Nadu police for tutoring witnesses in a murder case, noting that this amounts to “gross misuse of power by the Police machinery”. After slamming the Police, the apex court directed Tamil Nadu’s Director General of Police (DGP) to initiate a probe and take action against the erring police officials in accordance with the law. The court asserted that the police can’t be allowed to tutor the witnesses.

The bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Pankaj Mithal made the above remarks while quashing the verdicts of the High Court and a trial court that convicted and sentenced two persons in a 2007 murder case. 

Expressing shock over Police tutoring witnesses, the bench remarked, “This kind of interference by the Police with the judicial process, to say the least, is shocking. This amounts to gross misuse of power by the Police machinery. The Police cannot be allowed to tutor the prosecution witness. This conduct becomes more serious as other eyewitnesses, though available, were withheld.” 

The court also expressed surprise that both the trial court and the Madras High Court had overlooked that the Police had tutored the witnesses during the trial phase in this case. 

It observed, “We are surprised that both the Courts overlooked this critical aspect.” 

Subsequently, the bench asked the Tamil Nadu DGP to initiate a probe against the erring Police officials. The Court ordered, “Needless to add, appropriate action shall be initiated against the erring officials in accordance with the law.” 

After examining the trial court records, the bench pointed out that a day before the testimony of five prosecution witnesses was recorded, they were called to the police station and tutored how to depose in a particular manner adding that this raised questions on the genuineness of the prosecution. 

It stated, “One can reasonably imagine the effect of ‘teaching’ the witnesses inside a Police Station. This is a blatant act by the police to tutor the material prosecution witnesses. All of them were interested witnesses. Their evidence will have to be discarded as there is a distinct possibility that the said witnesses were tutored by the police on the earlier day.”

While overturning the verdict of the lower courts, the court remarked, “Therefore, adverse inference must be drawn against the prosecution. Hence, there is a serious doubt created about the genuineness of the prosecution case.”

The case pertains to a murder case that occured in 2007. Manikandan and Sivakumar, the two suspects, were accused of murdering an individual named Balamurugan on October 4, 2007. Balamurugan was killed after a dispute erupted over the delivery of idlis at his home by Manikandan.

‘NIA orchestrated the attack, case being probed involved chocolate bomb blast’: Mamata Banerjee downplays assault on NIA by TMC supporters

OpIndia Staff
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‘NIA orchestrated the attack, case being probed involved chocolate bomb blast’: Mamata Banerjee downplays assault on NIA by TMC supporters

Hours after supporters of a TMC leader launched an unprovoked attack on a National Investigation Agency (NIA) agency team in Bhupatinagar village in Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee gave a clean chit to the attackers.

While speaking about the matter during a public meeting in Balurghat, she claimed, “They are trying to beat us with CBI, NIA, Income Tax and ED…When I was exiting the Hemtabad village, the journalists repeated the talking points of the NIA, CBI and ED.”

“They were asking me about the attack in Bhupatinagar. Tell me who orchestrated the attack? The women in the village did not carry out the attack. The NIA engineered it,” Mamata Banerjee brazened out.

“The traitor (Gaddar) knows that he will lose the elections so they are going house to house and harassing people,” the TMC supremo claimed without furnishing any evidence.

It must be mentioned that the NIA team had visited the Bhupatinagar village to probe a bomb blast, which took place in December 2022 and claimed the lives of three people. Mamata Banerjee was quick to dismiss the gravity of the situation and dubbed it ‘chocolate bomb blast’.

“In 2022, a chocolate bomb (firecrackers burnt during the occasion of Diwali) exploded at a house,” she was heard saying. In visuals shared on social media by the news agency ANI at that time, it could be seen that the blast caused significant damage to the building (which would not have been possible had it been chocolate bombs).

It however did not stop the West Bengal Chief Minister from comparing the high-intensity explosion to the act of burning firecrackers.

Mamata Banerjee accuses NIA of ‘committing atrocities’ on women

During her speech, Mamata Banerjee also claimed that NIA officials intruded into the homes of women of Bhupatinagar village and committed atrocities on them.

“Now, if the NIA goes to the house of women late at night to commit atrocities (atyachar), will the women wear bangles and do nothing about it? Won’t they defend their honour and dignity?” she brazened out.

“You want to enter people’s houses at night. You want to arrest all booth Presidents of the TMC. We do not want an Election Commission that works for the BJP and changes officers deployed by our government,” she alleged.

“Why is the EC not stopping the atrocities of the ED, CBI and the Income Tax Department? The State police will maintain security and law and order in the State throughout the year but the BSF, CISF, and CRPF will take over all operations during the elections?” Mamata Banerjee continued to fear monger about central forces.

Mamata Banerjee further claimed, “NIA and CBI are like brothers to the BJP. ED and Income Tax Department are the funding boxes of the BJP.

“Baseless”: India rubbishes Ottawa’s allegations of ‘election interference’ in Canadian elections

OpIndia Staff
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“Baseless”: India rubbishes Ottawa’s allegations of ‘election interference’ in Canadian elections

India has strongly rejected the allegations of Indian interference in the Canadian general elections, rubbishing it as “baseless”. Incidentally, the Ministry of External Affairs noted that the core issue has been the other way around stating that it is Canada that has been interfering in the internal affairs of India.

The country’s stern response comes a day after a report in the Canadian media alleged India’s interference in previous elections held in Canada. 

Notably on 5th April (Friday), the Canadian media reported that the country’s spy agency, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has alleged that India and Pakistan attempted to “interfere” in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections in Canada.  

Earlier this week, on 4th April, the CSIS released certain documents in which it claimed that the Government of India had tried to use its proxy agency in Canada in 2021, as per an unclassified summary written by the CSIS.

These documents by the CSIS alleging India’s interference were tabled as part of the Federal Commission of Inquiry which has been inquiring about “possible meddling” by India, China, Russia, and other countries in the 2019 and 2021 elections, the CBC reported.

While India has rejected the allegations describing them as “baseless”, the Canadian intelligence agency’s director had also stated that the intelligence can’t be necessarily treated as “fact”. 

Conspicuously, the Canadian media report pointed out that CSIS Director David Vigneault clarified that intelligence is not necessarily fact, hence, it may require further investigation while all documents caution about the summaries being possibly uncorroborated, single-sourced, or incomplete. 

India has maintained its stance which it cleared in February this year. Back then, responding to media reports, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said, “We have seen media reports about the Canadian commission inquiring into. We strongly reject all such baseless allegations of Indian interference in Canadian elections.” 

He added, “It is not the government of India’s policy to interfere in the democratic processes of other countries. In fact, quite on the reverse, it is Canada which has been interfering in our internal affairs.” 

Furthermore, the developments come amid strained diplomatic relations between India and Canada following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s remark in his parliament accusing India of the killing of the Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year. India had rejected the allegations and has constantly pressed Canada to show ‘any evidence’ to back its allegations against India. Nearly 6 months after Trudeau aired the allegations against India, Canada has yet to produce any evidence in this regard, prompting a senior leader of his ally country, New Zealand to ask, “Where is the evidence?”

In March this year, New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters had asked Canada to show evidence, if it had any, that could link India with the alleged murder of the Khalistani terrorist, Nijjar.  

Despite New Zealand being an integral member of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, he cast doubt on the “quality” and “reliability” of information shared by the intelligence group. 

Peters had said, “..look, sometimes when you’re hearing Five-Eyes information, you’re hearing it and saying nothing. It is coming past you. You don’t know the value or the quality of it, but you’re pleased to have it. You don’t know whether there is going to be substantial material value or nothing.”

He added, “As a trained lawyer, I look okay, so where’s the case? Where’s the evidence? Where’s the finding right here, right now? Well, there isn’t one.” 

His remarks were in line with the CSIS Director who also asserted that “intelligence inputs” can’t be treated as fact as it has to be corroborated in multiple ways. Some intelligence agencies had earned notoriety for ‘falsifying intel’ to achieve pre-determined end goal, the most infamous being the ‘Weapons of Mass Destruction’ claim to invade Iraq. 

Enforcement Directorate files complaint after AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan skips six summons in Delhi Waqf Board money laundering case

OpIndia Staff
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Enforcement Directorate files complaint after AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan skips six summons in Delhi Waqf Board money laundering case

On 5th April, The Enforcement Directorate (ED) approached Rouse Avenue Court against Amanatullah Khan, an MLA from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), for failing to appear as required by the central agency in a money laundering case related to irregularities in hiring employees and leasing property for the Delhi Waqf Board. He was summoned to be questioned on the 23rd and 31st of January, the 9th, 19th and 26th of February and the 4th of March, but he has not complied, according to the agency.

ED invoked sections 190 and 200 of the Criminal Procedure Code for filing a complaint in the court of additional chief metropolitan magistrate Divya Malhotra against the AAP leader for failure to cooperate with the summons under Section 50 (power to issue summons) of the Prevention of Money Laundering (PMLA) Act and refusal to participate in the inquiry. Divya Malhotra, the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM), scheduled a hearing for 6th April.

The court had earlier denied Amanatullah Khan‘s request for anticipatory release in this matter. He is accused of obtaining “huge proceeds of crime” in cash through the unauthorized hiring of employees, per the agency’s case. He then invested the money to buy real estate under the identities of his associates.

Three of his suspected colleagues were among the five accused against whom the ED had issued a chargesheet in November 2023. The chargesheet did not include Amanatullah Khan as an accused party. According to the agency, properties were bought on his instruction. The chargesheet asserted, “It is further revealed that out of Rs 36 crore, Rs 8 crore mentioned to be transacted directly by Khan in cash.”

The Delhi government suffered financial losses and the lawmaker made illicit gains when he illegally appointed people to the Delhi Waqf Board against non-approved and non-existent vacancies, based on a 2016 Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case that prompted the ED to launch its investigation. It was also stated that he had illegally leased away Waqf Board properties.

The ED then filed charges against him for money laundering. The federal agency maintained that the AAP MLA used his connections to buy real estate in order to launder his illicit wealth. He previously sought anticipatory relief from a Delhi court, however, the motion was denied on 1st March. Later, on 11th March, the Delhi High Court denied his application for anticipatory bail.

The issue is related to a property in Okhla valued at Rs 36 crore that was purchased using illegal monies at the behest of the AAP MLA who handed over Rs 8 crore in cash. The ED took into consideration prior First Information Reports that had been filed by the Delhi Police, CBI and Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) during the inquiry. The agency provided proof of a monetary transaction of Rs 27 crore and declared that the property was purchased at the politican’s request.

Zeeshan Haider, his partnership company Skypower, Javed Imam Siddiqui, Dawood Nasir and Qausar Imam Siddiqui were all included in the chargesheet that the ED had launched in the case. The charge included Amanatullah Khan’s improper appointment to the Delhi Waqf Board chairmanship.

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