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I am here because the event head said we might get ₹300: Young man exposes Congress-led I.N.D.I. Alliance rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan

OpIndia Staff
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I am here because the event head said we might get ₹300: Young man exposes Congress-led I.N.D.I. Alliance rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan

Congress-led I.N.D.I. Alliance and its leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Akhilesh Yadav, Sharad Pawar, and Tejashwi Yadav have organized ‘Loktantra Bachao Rally’ at the Ramlila ground in the national capital against the arrest of Aam Aadmi Party’s national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on 31st March. However, a youngster has exposed the truth behind the crowd witnessed at the gathering. He mentioned that a mere sum of Rs 300 was used to convince him to be a part of the audience.

He stated, “I am Raj Varma. I am from Sonia Vihar. The event organiser told us to come here and spend some time, that’s it. The rally is not against anyone but in support of Arvind Kejriwal. We could also receive some money, around Rs 300. We only had to be seen among the crowd at the rally and that’s all.”

A traffic advisory has been issued by Delhi Police in light of the opposition’s demonstration. There will be controlled and possibly limited traffic on Ranjeet Singh Flyover from Barakhamba Road to Guru Nanak Chowk, Vivekanand Marg from Minto Road to roundabout Kamla Market, Hamdard Chowk, JLN Marg from Delhi Gate to Guru Nanak Chowk and Ajmeri Gate, round about Kamla Market to Guru Nanak Chowk from 9 am to 3 pm. The authorities recommended that commuters should cooperate by staying off the roads wherever feasible and taking public transportation, particularly metro services, as much as possible.

The AAP supremo was apprehended by the Enforcement Directorate on 21st March in connection with a money laundering case involving excise policies and will remain in the agency’s custody till 1st April. The Delhi High Court rejected Arvind Kejriwal’s request for temporary respite in the liquor policy scam case on 27th March. He filed an interim application to be released from ED custody immediately. Judge Swarana Kanta Sharma demanded that the agency respond to the chief minister’s plea contesting his detention and remand in the money laundering charge during the hearing. The court gave ED till 2nd April to submit its answer. The hearing is scheduled for 3rd April.

Meanwhile, on 29th March, the Hindu Sena filed a fresh plea in the Delhi High Court requesting Arvind Kejriwal to be removed from his position as chief minister. Vishnu Gupta, a social worker and National President of the Hindu Sena submitted the appeal, asking the court to order Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor to oust the chief minister Arvind Kejriwal from his office and manage Delhi on behalf of the central government.

It noted, “The parliamentary democracy is the basis feature of the Indian Constitution and Chief Minister being the head of the State Government he is a repository of constitutional responsibilities and trust. If the Chief Minister acts in a manner which offence rule of law and commits a breach of the constitutional trust reposed in him. In that eventuality, his dismissal from the Office of Chief Minister is inhibited in Article -164 of the Constitution of India. Therefore, Respondent No.4 (Arvind Kejriwal) is guilty of breach of constitutional trust for allegation of corruption and consequently his arrest.”

The Delhi Liquor Scam is a political scandal concerning the Delhi Government, which paved its way through the introduction of Delhi’s Excise Policy from 2021 to 2022. This policy brought private firms and enterprise companies into the retail liquor sector. The allegations involved favour to the owners and shareholders of private sectors, waivers and reduction of license fees and the creation of numerous licenses to all the new incoming enterprises, in exchange for bribery. Later the new policy was withdrawn and the government backed the old policy to be continued following massive charges of large-scale corruption. Senior AAP leaders including Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are already behind bars in connection with the scandal.

ED seeks help from Apple to unlock Arvind Kejriwal’s iPhone as he refuses to give the access code, the Delhi CM is being interrogated 5 hours daily

OpIndia Staff
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ED seeks help from Apple to unlock Arvind Kejriwal’s iPhone as he refuses to give the access code, the Delhi CM is being interrogated 5 hours daily

Investigators from the Enforcement Directorate, who have been holding Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in custody for more than a week, have reached out to Apple for assistance in accessing his iPhone. ED needs to access Kejriwal’s phone to retrieve data related to the Delhi excise scam, but the Delhi CM is refusing to give them the access code. AAP claims that ED will find AAP’s strategy for the Lok Sabha elections and therefore the agency can’t given access to the phone. As a result, ED will try to get access to Arvind Kejriwal’s mobile phone with the help of Apple.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate for alleged money laundering in connection with the Delhi excise policy scam also called the Liquor Policy scam case. The Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi on Thursday extended the custodial remand of the Delhi Chief Minister by four more days till April 1.

According to a report by The Indian Express, the Enforcement Directorate has not obtained any electronic evidence against the Chief Minister from his personal computers or desktops. However, four mobile phones, including his own, were confiscated. During his arrest on March 21, approximately Rs 70,000 was discovered at his residence, which was left undisturbed. The Chief Minister had powered off his iPhone and had not divulged his password.

The report said that senior officials involved in the case revealed that during questioning, Arvind Kejriwal asserted that if the Enforcement Directorate were to access his phone data and conversations, they would gain insight into the AAP’s “election strategy” and pre-election alliances. The Enforcement Directorate has officially reached out to Apple, the phone manufacturer, in an attempt to gain access to the CM’s iPhone. However, they were informed that a password was required to retrieve any data.

However, Apple is known to protect the privacy of its customers, and have refused such requests by law enforcement agencies to unlock iPhones earlier. As per the company, when the phones are locked with advanced encryptions, even they can’t override it. Notably, most smartphones including iPhones are set to erase all data if there is a certain number of failed attempts to unlock the phone.

In the USA, the FBI wanted Apple to rewrite the software to include the ability to override password protection, but the company didn’t comply. In one well-known case, the FBI took the help of an Australian company to unlock the iPhone of Syed Rizwan Farook, one of the perpetrators of the 2015 San Bernardino shooting, after Apple declined to attempt to unlock the phone despite a court order.

Arvind Kejriwal told the ED that he has possessed this phone for approximately a year and no longer has the device he used during the drafting of the liquor policy in 2020-2021. Senior officials stated that the AAP convenor undergoes questioning for approximately five hours everyday. The ED intends to request a four-day extension of his remand. If unsuccessful, they plan to seek his judicial custody.

According to the report, the officer said, “The Central Bureau of Investigation, which has registered the predicate offence in the case, may also ask for his custodial remand now or can be granted this even if the Chief Minister is in JC in Tihar Jail.”

Kejriwal reportedly informed the ED investigators questioning him that he refrained from responding to the summons before his arrest based on “legal advice.” According to the ED remand, Kejriwal stands accused of money laundering through the implementation of the new liquor policy and illicitly obtaining funds amounting to Rs 100 crore, with Rs 45 crore purportedly utilized for AAP’s 2021-22 election campaign in Goa. During his custody, Kejriwal has also been “confronted” with C Arvind, the former Personal Secretary to incarcerated Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. The remand application alleged that Arvind Kejriwal had delivered the draft Group of Ministers report on the liquor policy at Kejriwal’s residence.

The officers also said that Arvind Kejriwal was “confronted’ with “one or two more” key individuals linked to the case but their names were not disclosed. So far Kejriwal has denied all the claims made by other witnesses in their statements. He has either rejected them as lies or said that he does not remember them.

“Mukhtar Ansari was a mafia of conscience”: YouTuber Pragya Mishra sings paeans for convicted gangster since he had no rape case against him

OpIndia Staff
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“Mukhtar Ansari was a mafia of conscience”: YouTuber Pragya Mishra sings paeans for convicted gangster since he had no rape case against him

Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari was laid to rest on Saturday, 30th March, after he passed away due to cardiac arrest. However, after his demise, concerted efforts are being made to cast aspersions over his death, which was due to a health condition. However, conspiracy theorists have been running rumour mills alleging wrongdoing with wild claims of “slow poisoning through food”. In parallel, efforts are also being made to portray the convicted gangster as a ‘Robinhood’ figure who ‘wrongfully’ became a villain in the eyes of the law for fighting for the rights of the oppressed and decimating “feudal Lords”. 

In a bid to whitewash his crimes and to eulogise the convicted gangster, YouTuber Pragya Mishra shared an analysis with the caption, “Mukhtar Ansari won even after dying, it was not a funeral… there was a sea of people…analysis by Pragya”. 

In the 16-minute video, the YouTuber argued that Mukhtar Ansari’s funeral attracted the largest crowd for any gangster, which according to her shows that he was a “hero”. She says that the crowd hadn’t gathered because the gangster terrorised them but because they ‘loved him’.

Eulogising the convicted gangster, Pragya Mishra claimed that Mukhtar Ansari fought against ‘Feudalism’ and gave strength to backward classes and Dalits in Purvanchal. She continued by saying, “Because of him, the oppressed classes were able to sit on equal footing with feudal lords. He (Mukhtar) wiped out the fear and intimidation of the feudals.”  

According to the YouTuber, Mukhtar ended the so-called oppression of ‘feudals’ by decimating them. “In that attempt, he ended up becoming gangster in the eyes of the law”, she added. 

For the so-called fight against feudals, she said, “Mukhtar became a culprit in the eyes of law but messiah in the eyes of the public.” 

Pragya Mishra pontificated that despite being a notorious gangster, he was a hero of ideals and a mafia of living conscience as he had no rape cases filed against him. 

She said, “Itna bada badmash, itna bada gangster, itni badi takat, per koi rape ka case nhi na chedchad ka case… isliye malum chal rha hai ki wo kanoon ki nazar me gunda ho jo bhi ho logo ki nazar me hero tha, usulo ka hero tha, Zinda zameer wala mafia tha.”  (Translation – Despite so much notoriety and being a gangster, having so much power, he had no rape or molestation cases filed against him… therefore, it seems whatever he may be in the eyes of the law, a convicted gangster or whatever, but in the eyes of the people, he was a hero, a hero of principles, a mafia with a living conscience.)

Pragya Mishra added that because of this, there was no place even outside Qabiristan. 

She admitted that Mukhtar Ansari had more than 60 cases against him, and was convicted in 8 case,s while 21 were still ongoing and the cases included heinous crimes like murder, attempt to murder, Gunda act, arms act, and kidnapping. Notably, Mukhtar Ansari was also accused of inciting communal violence in Mau in 2005 and had also terrorised the common public by brandishing AK-47 in an open jeep. 

Later in the video, the YouTuber targeted the Judicial system and ranted that the biggest example of “Andha Kanoon” was that Mukhtar Ansari’s son was not granted bail to attend the funeral of his father but it granted bail to rapist Ram Rahim.

Pragya Mishra added, “This is the lifelong earning of Mukhtar Ansari that there were both Hindus and Muslims at the Qabristan.” 

She, however, claimed that she was not trying to sign a eulogy for Mukhtar Ansari, saying, “Let me clear one thing, I am not here to sing Mukhtar Chalisa, Mukhtar gatha.”

However, she then went on to justify Mukhtar’s criminal record, saying that in the Amrit Kal, it becomes imperative to ask why Mukhtar Ansari became a gangster. She asked were all those against whom he was fighting and those for whom he was “procuring” weapons innocent?

Pragya Mishra then goes on to list the numerous cases filed against the family members of Mukhtar Ansari. She said that they gave a run for their money to Mukhtar Ansari in terms of criminal cases against them, as his wife is accused in 11 cases, 2 brothers have been named in 10 cases, and 2 sons are accused in 14 cases. 

Portraying his family members in a positive light, she said that Mukhtar’s family members could have left the country but they didn’t, while citing the examples of economic offenders. 

In an attempt to vilify and run a smear campaign against UP CM Yogi Adityanath’s stern policy against organised crime and criminals, she argued that the administration’s action of decimating the crime syndicate is nothing but murder.   

Mishra admitted, “Mafia should be decimated as democracy can’t function on the barrel of a gun.” However, while raising concerns about ‘fake encounters’ and custodial deaths, she defended the Mafia by arguing why murder committed by the mafia should not be branded as decimating the so-called oppressor. 

She concluded by portraying UP CM as the murderer of his rivals, she said, “Kya ab UP me har raja apne dushmano ko aise hi mitti me milayega.” 

From Al Qaeda confidante to ISI asset: Exposing Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey, the Bangladeshi ‘journalist’ meddling in India’s internal matters

Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury
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From Al Qaeda confidante to ISI asset: Exposing Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey, the Bangladeshi ‘journalist’ meddling in India’s internal matters

Sitting in the United States, Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey – a member of Al Qaeda-connected ultra-Islamist Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has been playing important role in spreading disinformation against ruling Awami League; maintaining liaison with lawmakers and officials in the Capitol Hill through BNP’s representatives – William B. Milam and Jon Danilowicz – former American diplomats; and maintain relations PR and lobbyist agencies on behalf of BNP.

Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey has been in controversy for the last several years as he has been involved in spreading disinformation by utilizing the press accreditation cards that he has managed from the White House, State Department and the United Nations. Although a section of Bangladeshi press, especially Weekly Blitz, have been exposing activities of Ansarey for the past 2-3 years, Bangladesh authorities miserably failed in taking any steps either in getting his press accreditation cards revoked or exposing his connections with Al Qaeda and Pakistani spy agency Inter-Service Intelligence. Rather, some local newspapers in Bangladesh are promoting Ansarey by publishing his anti-Sheikh Hasina and anti-Awami League “reports”.

Ansarey succeeded in becoming a confidante of Tarique Rahman, son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia through Harris Chowdhury – political secretary to Mrs. Zia during 2001-2006. Within the BNP and Dhaka’s media circle, Harris Chowdhury was known as the “Hawa Bhaban man”. During the rule of BNp-Jamaat coalition government, Hawa Bhaban became an alternative power house, which was run by Tarique Rahman and his cohorts, wherefrom they were openly running all sorts of illegal activities including bribery and high-profile corruption.

It may be mentioned here that on November 3, 2008, the US ambassador to Bangladesh, James F. Moriarty in a confidential cable (Canonical ID 08DHAKA1143_a) to the Secretary of State, seeking suspending entry of Tarique Rahman to the United State, Ambassador James F. Moriarty wrote:

“Tarique Rahman, the notorious and widely feared son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, was released on bail from prison on September 3. He departed Bangladesh to seek medical treatment in the UK on September 11. Having served as the Senior Joint Secretary General of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Tarique is an extremely high profile political figure. Notorious for flagrantly and frequently demanding bribes in connection with government procurement actions and appointments to political office, Tarique is a symbol of kleptocratic government and violent politics in Bangladesh. His release occurred despite multiple pending cases against him on charges of, inter alia, corruption, extortion, bribery, embezzlement and tax evasion. With deep political ties that reach the highest court in the land, Tarique managed to manipulate the judicial process and overcome a concerted effort by the Caretaker Government to block his bail. We believe Tarique has several passports, including a new one in which the UK issued him a visa in September. Another passport contains a five year multiple-entry B1/B2 visa (issued May 11, 2005). We suspect that passport is being held by the government”.

Accusing Tarique Rahman of accumulating hundreds of millions of dollars, Ambassador James F. Moriarty wrote:

“Tarique reportedly has accumulated hundreds of millions of dollars in illicit wealth. There are multiple extortion cases pending against him, founded on the testimony of numerous prominent business owners who he victimized and exploited”.

The former US ambassador further wrote: “Tarique’s flagrant corruption has also seriously threatened specific US Mission goals. Embassy Dhaka has three key priorities for Bangladesh: democratization Bangladesh: democratization, development, and denial of space to terrorists. Tarique’s audaciously corrupt activities jeopardize all three. His history of embezzlement, extortion, and interference in the judicial process undermines the rule of law and threatens to upend the US goal of a stable, democratic Bangladesh. The climate of corrupt business practices and bribe solicitation that Tarique fostered derailed US efforts to promote economic development by discouraging much needed foreign investment and complicating the international operations of US companies. Finally, his flagrant disregard for the rule of law has provided potent ground for terrorists to gain a foothold in Bangladesh while also exacerbating poverty and weakening democratic institutions. In short, much of what is wrong in Bangladesh can be blamed on Tarique and his cronies”.

Although Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey became deputy press secretary to then prime minister Khaleda Zia, his main job was to implement orders from Tarique Rahman, which included handling bribery cash, maintaining liaison with terrorist entities including Harkartul Jihad al-Islami Bangladesh (HuJI-B), Jamaatul Mujahedin Bangladesh (JMB), United Liberation Front of Assom (ULFA), Hizbul Mujahedin and also Al Qaeda. In December 2001, when BNP hosted a team of Al Qaeda led by Ayman al-Zawahiri for weeks in Bangladesh, Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey played the role of coordinator, while he met Ayman al-Zawahiri several times on behalf of Tarique Rahman. He also has been actively involved in the August 21 grenade attack and 10-truck arms haul.

It may be mentioned here that, on August 21, 2004, at the direct instructions of Tarique Rahman, terrorists of BNP along with members of militancy outfits such as Harkat-ul-Jihad (HuJI) had launched grenade attacks targeting Sheikh Hasina and leaders of Awami League. According to the court verdict, this gruesome attack was a well-orchestrated plan through abuse of state power. And all the accused, including BNP Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman and former top intelligence officials, were found guilty and handed down various punishments for the grenade attacks that killed 24 people and injured scores. In the murder case, Tarique and 18 others were sentenced to life in prison.

Major General Gaganjit Singh, former Deputy Director General of India’s Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), said BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman was the mastermind of 10 truck arms haul in Chattogram [Chittagong] in 2004.

Talking to India Today and a television channel in Bangladesh, he said the arms were being supplied under direct patronization of the then BNP-Jamaat alliance to use Bangladesh as a sanctuary.

Ten trucks full of arms seized at Chittagong in April 2004 were meant not only for the United Liberation Front of Assom (ULFA) but also for a few other rebel groups in India’s northeast to destabilize the country, he added. “But he was operating in close coordination with DGFI and some NSI officials who had close links with Tarique Rahman (current acting chairman of BNP) and his cronies in what was then referred to as Hawa Bhaban (political office of BNP)”, disclosed Singh.

Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey’s involvement in these terrorist acts as well as his connections with various terrorist groups including Al Qaeda evidently proves – he actually is a pseudo-terrorist or mercenary of foreign jihadist groups.

Sitting in the United States, Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey is running several organizations namely ‘South Asia Perspectives’, ‘Right to Freedom’, and ‘Just News’ from 1015 15th St NW, Suite 600, Washington DC, 20005, where two more former American diplomats namely William B. Milam and Jon Danilowicz are working as BNP’s agents. Convicted terrorist and acting chairman of BNP, Tarique Rahman has been secretly funding these organizations as well as his foreign agents – William B. Milam and Jon Danilowicz. Milam and Danilowicz have not registered as lobbyists thus violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

The US Department of Justice says, “Penalty for a willful violation of FARA is imprisonment for not more than five years, a fine of up to US$250,000, or both. Certain violations are considered misdemeanours, with penalties of imprisonment of not more than six months, a fine of not more than US$5,000, or both”.

Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey succeeded in getting press accreditation cards from the White House, State Department and the United Nations by falsely proclaiming as the “US Correspondent” of his website named ‘Just News’. In his application for press accreditation cards, Ansarey made the false claim of “Just News” being based in Bangladesh. But in reality, there is no existence of ‘Just News’ in Bangladesh. Instead, this website is funded by BNP while Ansarey is shown as its editor and publisher.

Lately, Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey has started poking into India’s domestic issues and has been repeatedly extracting answers from the State Department and the United Nations. In the US, Ansarey is seen almost regularly meeting Pakistan embassy’s staff, particularly Muhammad Asim Raza while he also meets others such as Muhammad Taqi and Jamal Nasir.

It may be mentioned here that BNP has been termed Tier-III terrorist organization by US courts, while its acting chairman Tarique Rahman is a convicted terrorist who has been living in the United Kingdom since 2007.

Andhra Pradesh: 17-year-old polytechnic student ends life after telling her family that she was facing sexual harassment, probe committee formed

OpIndia Staff
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Andhra Pradesh: 17-year-old polytechnic student ends life after telling her family that she was facing sexual harassment, probe committee formed

On 29th March, a 17-year-old student in Vishakhapatnam allegedly committed suicide by jumping off her college building. Minutes before she took the plunge, the victim had a long conversation over text with her family where she said she was sexually harassed at the college. She further informed her family that the harassers took her photos and threatened to post them on social media; thus, she could not complain to the institute’s authorities or the police.

The student told her family over WhatsApp messages that she was allegedly facing sexual harassment by a faculty member and some students. The victim studied at a private polytechnic college and hailed from district Anakapalle of Andhra Pradesh. At around 10 PM on 28th March, the college authorities informed her family that she had gone missing. Her family called her, but she did not answer the phone.

At around 12:50 AM on 29th March, she finally responded to the family and told them not to be tense. In the conversation in Telugu, she said, “Don’t get tense. Listen to me. I cannot tell you why I am leaving; even if I do, you will not understand. Please forget about me. I am sorry. Mom and Dad, I am grateful that you gave birth to me and brought me up. My chapter is coming to an end.”

She then congratulated her sister, who is expecting a baby soon. She continued with a message for her younger sister and said, “Focus on your future and study whatever you like. Do not get distracted. Do not be influenced by others, unlike me. Always be happy and have a good life.”

The 17-year-old student wrote in a message to her father, “You may ask why I am not complaining to the faculty, but that won’t help. They (her harassers) have taken my photos and are threatening me. There are other girls as well. We aren’t able to tell anyone, and we are not able to avoid college, either. We are caught in between. If I file a police complaint or approach the authorities, they will release my photos on social media.”

“I am taking this decision because if I leave now, you will feel bad for a few years and forget later. But, if I am around, you will look at me and feel bad all the time,” she told her father before leaving a final message for her elder sister: “Sorry didi, I made you all tense, but I have to go,” she added.

Soon after getting the message, the family responded and told her that the police were on their way. They pleaded with her not to take harsh steps, but the 17-year-old student did not respond. Later, her dead body was recovered from the college premises.

In a complaint to the police, the father of the victim said, “I need to know why my daughter died. I brought her up with great love and care. She got good marks in her Class 10 exams, and we got her admitted to this college believing she would get a good education here.”

On the other hand, the diploma section principal, Dr G Bhanu Praveen, said men cannot access the women’s hostel. He claimed, “We keep observing all students. Men cannot go to the girls’ hostel. There are women wardens, so there is no chance of sexual harassment.” Notably, the principal claimed she was an average student and emphasised “there was no scope of sexual harassment in the college”.

Technical Education Commissioner Chadalavada Nagarani issued an order on 30th March to conduct a full investigation. A three-member team was formed for the investigation. Principal of Government Polytechnic, Pendurthi, Dr N Chandra Shekhar, has been appointed as the inquiry officer along with Dr K Ratan Kumar and Dr K Rajya Lakshmi, both from Government Polytechnic, Visakhapatnam.

A case was registered against the college management for abetment to suicide, besides other sections under Pocso and Andhra Pradesh Prohibition of Ragging Acts. Two police officers, including a woman sub-inspector, Nidigattu Sunita, visited the College for investigation. The phone of the girl has been seized and an investigation into the matter is underway. The WhatsApp messages in Telugu and English are being considered suicide note by the police.

Trouble mounts for Congress: IT department sends fresh notice for pending dues over Rs 1,745 crore for years 2014-15 to 2016-17, total outstanding now Rs 3,567 crore

OpIndia Staff
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Trouble mounts for Congress: IT department sends fresh notice for pending dues over Rs 1,745 crore for years 2014-15 to 2016-17, total outstanding now Rs 3,567 crore

The cash-strapped Congress is facing further difficulties as the Income Tax Department, on 30th March, sent new notices for the assessment years 2014–15 to 2016–17 and asked for pending payments of Rs 1,745 crore. The total demand by the IT department has increased to Rs 3,567 crore after these notices were added with the notice for the assessment years 1994–1995, and 2017–18 to 2020–21.

The new notifications for the assessment years 2014–15 to 2016–17 were received on the evening of 30th March. The new tax notifications, based on sources, are related to 2014–15 (around Rs 663 crore), 2015–16 (approximately Rs 664 crore), and 2016–17 (about Rs 417 crore). They added that political parties are no longer eligible for tax exemptions from the government and are now subject to full collection of taxes.

The sources revealed that “third-party entries” recorded in diaries, taken from some of the Congress’ leaders by investigation agencies during searches, have also been levied against the party. The main opposition party announced on 29th March that the IT department issued letters demanding payment of approximately Rs 1,823 crore. A tax claim for prior years has already resulted in the tax authorities taking out Rs 135 crore from the party’s coffers.

The Congress party reported that the Income Tax department had delivered notifications for five years (Assessment Year 1994-95 and AYs 2017-18 to 2020-21) asking for Rs 1,823 crore. According to media sources, the grand old party has a net worth of over Rs 1,430 crore. In addition, the IT Department handed Congress a notice for Rs 1,800 crore, which included interest and penalties for the fiscal years 2017–18 through 2020–21. This development transpired following the Delhi High Court’s denial of the Congress’ appeals against the department’s tax reassessment procedures.

The Delhi High Court’s bench of Justices Yashwant Varma and Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav stated that the pleas were turned down in accordance with their previous ruling that they would not tamper with the reassessment’s opening for an additional year.

The party had lost a case challenging the IT department’s raids in the Delhi High Court on 22nd March.

Additionally, the Congress party disclosed a total corpus of Rs 657 crore, net assets of around Rs 340 crore and cash equivalents of about Rs 388 crore for a total estimated value of Rs 1,430 crore in its most recent income tax return for AY 2023–2024. The move was prompted by the IT Department’s assertion that it found “incriminating material” during searches on two corporate entities in 2019, which exposed financial payments of approximately Rs 520 crore made to the Congress party.

According to the Income Tax Department, there are inconsistencies in Section 13 (A) of the Income Tax Act that prevent Congress from obtaining an exemption from paying income tax. Due to inaccuracies in IT reports for the assessment year 2018–19, the Income Tax Department has retrieved Rs 135 crore from bank accounts belonging to Congress.

Meanwhile, Congress intends to petition the Supreme Court to stop the IT Department from acting against its accounts. An amount of Rs 918 crore was raised in the demand notices they received for a number of fiscal years, with the greatest demand occurring in 2018–19, the year of the Lok Sabha elections.

President Murmu confers Bharat Ratna to former Deputy PM and BJP stalwart LK Advani at his residence

ANI
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President Murmu confers Bharat Ratna to former Deputy PM and BJP stalwart LK Advani at his residence

President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Bharat Ratna upon veteran Bharatiya Janata Party leader LK Advani at the latter’s residence in Delhi on Sunday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu were also present on this occasion.

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday conferred Bharat Ratna on four eminent personalities, including two former Prime Ministers, Chaudhary Charan Singh and PV Narasimha Rao. Former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur and agronomist MS Swaminathan were also conferred with the country’s highest civilian award.

The visit to Advani’s residence was decided keeping in view the ailing health of the veteran BJP leader.

Earlier in February, PM Modi announced that the senior BJP leader would be conferred the Bharat Ratna.Taking to the social media platform, PM Modi said the former Union Minister’s contribution to the development of India is monumental.

“I am very happy to share that Shri LK Advani Ji will be conferred the Bharat Ratna. I also spoke to him and congratulated him on being conferred this honour. One of the most respected statesmen of our times, his contribution to the development of India is monumental. His is a life that started from working at the grassroots to serving the nation as our Deputy Prime Minister. He distinguished himself as our Home Minister and I&B Minister as well. His Parliamentary interventions have always been exemplary, full of rich insights,” PM posted on X.

Born in Karachi, in present day Pakistan, on November 8, 1927, Advani through the years had served as the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party for the longest period since its inception in 1980.

Capping a parliamentary career of nearly three decades, he was, first, the Home Minister and, later, the Deputy Prime Minister in the cabinet of Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1999-2004).

Advani is widely regarded as an individual of great intellectual ability, strong principles, and unwavering support for the idea of a strong and prosperous India.

As confirmed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Advani has ‘never compromised on his core belief in nationalism, and yet has displayed flexibility in political responses whenever it was demanded by the situation’. 

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

Sita offers beef to Ravana, dances with him: Play insulting Hindu deities staged at Pondicherry University, ABVP launches protest

OpIndia Staff
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Sita offers beef to Ravana, dances with him: Play insulting Hindu deities staged at Pondicherry University, ABVP launches protest

On Friday (29th March), the Department of Performing Arts of Pondicherry University staged a play in the annual cultural festival Ezhini 2K24. However, the play insulted Hindu deities including Goddess Sita and Lord Hanuman. The ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad) protested against this in the university on 30th March. A statement in this regard was also issued by the student organisation on 31st March.

In an X post of ABVP Tamil Nadu, it was mentioned that the play showed Sita offering beef to Ravana and distorted Hanumanji’s character. The play also depicted Sita not objecting to her abduction by Ravana, and then it showed her dancing with Ravana, and. Massive protests were held by the outfit in the university campus against this play. ABVP posted, “ABVP PU Students protested against the recent incident held on 29th March 2024 at a fest organised by DPA, Pondicherry University Ezhini 2K24, where a play mockery of the Ramayana, including depicting Sita offering beef to Ravana and distorting Hanumanji’s character.”

In a statement, the ABVP said, “The ABVP Pondicherry University vehemently condemns the disgraceful incident that occurred during Ezhini 2K24, a department fest of the Department of Performing Arts, held on March 29, 2024. The event took a distressing turn when a play titled “SOMAYANAM” was staged, portraying a distorted and disrespectful depiction of characters from the revered epic, Ramayana.”

It added, “The drama depicted Sita’s character as “Geeta” dancing with “Ravana” portrayed as “Bhavana.” Shockingly, the portrayal included Sita offering beef to Ravana, and during the scene of Sita’s kidnapping, she was shown uttering, “I’m married, but we can be friends.” Such flagrant disregard for the sanctity of the Ramayana and its characters is deeply offensive and disrespectful to the beliefs of millions of people who hold this epic in the highest regard.”

ABVP further said in the statement, “This malicious act to present Ramayanam is a well-planned act by Communist and Left-led outfits on the Pondicherry University campus. Communist and Left-led outfits deliberately wanted to malign Lord Ram and question the sanctity of Maa Sita for which they had charted this play. Furthermore, in another disturbing scene, Hanumanji, portrayed as “Kanjaneya,” was subjected to mockery, with his tail depicted as an antenna used for communication with Lord Rama. These grievous acts not only ridicule the revered characters of Hindu Dharma but also incite communal disharmony by demeaning the beliefs and sentiments of the majority community.”

ABVP added, “ABVP firmly believes in the principle of freedom of expression but asserts that this freedom must be exercised responsibly, with due respect for religious beliefs and cultural sensitivities. While creative expression is encouraged, it should never be at the expense of hurting religious sentiments or fostering communal discord.”

ABVP further mentioned, “In light of this reprehensible incident, ABVP Pondicherry University demands swift and decisive action from the administration of Pondicherry University: 1. Immediate dismissal of the writer and director of the drama, Pushparaj (MPA 1st year), and the actors involved, namely Mithun Krishna, SreeParvathy, Adithya Baby and Vishakh Bhasi to serve as a deterrent against future instances of religious mockery and disrespect. 2. Stringent disciplinary action against Dr. Sharvanan Velu, Head of the Department of Performing Arts and other faculty (who else are involved), for overseeing and permitting the production of the offensive drama.”

Concluding its statement, the Hindu student organisation said, “ABVP stands unwaveringly in defence of the sanctity of beliefs and cultural heritage for all religions and thus demands the administration of Pondicherry University to take immediate against the Urban Naxals of Pondicherry University for fouling the greatest literature of Indian Culture Ramayanam to restore faith in the Pondicherry University’s commitment to tolerance, respect and diversity.”

Delhi: Instagram ‘influencer’ Pradeep Dhaka performs stunts on flyover to make reels, burns police barricade, arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi: Instagram ‘influencer’ Pradeep Dhaka performs stunts on flyover to make reels, burns police barricade, arrested

A 25-year-old YouTuber and Instagram influencer was arrested for doing stunts with his SUV on a busy flyover, and setting a police barricade on fire. The influencer, Pradeep Dhaka, was reportedly doing these stunts to record reels for his social media accounts. Dhanka has been charged with causing damage to public property and impeding the performance of official responsibilities, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police (outer) Jimmy Chiram. A fine of Rs 36,000 has also been slapped on him.

The car used for the stunts was seized at the Paschim Vihar East police station in accordance with the 39/112 MV Act, 100.2/177 MV Act, and 184 Motor Vehicles Act. Pradeep Dhaka had also posted videos of him pulling over on the main flyover at the outer ring road in Paschim Vihar during rush hour which led to road blockade and traffic congestion. Additionally, he was observed driving the vehicle with the door open on the flyover. Pradeep Dhaka also shared the video online where he is setting police barricades on fire.

On their X profile, Delhi Police posted a video ridiculing Pradeep Dhaka, demonstrating how his car was seized and a charge was brought against him. The authorities said, “Delhi Police took strict action under the Motor Vehicles Act against the accused who violated various traffic provisions for making reels, issued a challan, seized the vehicle, and registered a case under IPC sections for misbehaviour and assault on policemen and arrested him.”

Authorities confirmed that Dhaka was taken into custody and charged with assaulting police officers under the applicable provisions of the Indian Penal Code. It was discovered that the car was registered under Pradeep Dhaka’s mother’s name.

Jimmy Chiram provided information regarding the arrest, stating that on 29th March the police became aware of the incident after seeing footage of a “modified golden car” obstructing traffic close to Paschim Vihar. A man was seen in the video hindering traffic by standing in the centre of the main flyover at Ring Road in Paschim Vihar with his automobile parked behind him.

Using the social media profiles that were tagged in the reels, a group of Outer District officers identified the individual as Pradeep Dhaka, a Nangloi resident. He resisted arrest when a police team arrived at his house. Following a brief struggle, he was apprehended and his SUV was confiscated at the Paschim Vihar East police station under the applicable sections of the Motor Vehicles Act. The DCP noted, “The vehicle, ISUZU Hi-Lander, has been seized. It is registered in the name of his mother.”

According to the authorities, the accused has been charged with arson at the Nihal Vihar police station after seeing the second video, in which he set a barricade on fire. He and his family members were also booked for preventing public servants from discharging their duty as they resisted the police officers who went to arrest him from his house.

“He violated traffic rules and damaged government property. We request all content creators to follow traffic rules and obtain proper permission before shooting such videos,” the official stated.

Pradeep Dhaka describes himself as a producer, financier and real estate trader in his social media bio. He has over 857K followers on his Instagram account.

Recounting the 2008 Attack: Retired IPS officer Brij Lal details how Yogi Adityanath narrowly escaped ambush on his convoy by Mukhtar Ansari’s gang

OpIndia Staff
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Recounting the 2008 Attack: Retired IPS officer Brij Lal details how Yogi Adityanath narrowly escaped ambush on his convoy by Mukhtar Ansari’s gang

Among his long list of criminal cases, gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari was also an accused in the 2005 communal riots that broke out in Mau, where he and his gang members had terrorised the public by brandishing an AK-47 from an open jeep. Further, he was also accused of attacking the convoy of then Gorakhpur MP Yogi Adityanath who had challenged him and vowed to get Justice for victims of Mau communal violence.  

In 2008, Ansari and his henchmen ambushed the convoy of then-sitting MP from Gorakhpur Yogi Adityanath while it was en route to Azamgarh. Initially, the convoy was attacked by hurling stones, later petrol bombs were thrown to torch vehicles part of the convoy which was followed by indiscriminate gunfire. One person lost his life while six others were injured in the attack. However, Yogi Adityanath narrowly escaped the ambush because of the last-minute decision to switch to another car within the convoy, rather than remaining in his usual vehicle.

Speaking to News18, retired IPS officer Brij Lal who was then ADG Law and Order, recounted details of the 7th September 2008 attack on Yogi Adityanath’s convoy. The 1977 batch officer recalled that to bring the situation under control he had to be airdropped from the chopper along with an AK-47 rifle.

According to the retired IPS officer, the story goes back to 2005, when communal riots erupted in Mau. Brij Lal said, “During this time, the five-time MLA and mafia-turned-politician whose name cropped up for inciting the riots in Mau was seen waving an AK-47 from an open jeep.” 

The then Gorakhpur MP Yogi Adityanath had tried to visit Mau to meet the victims but he was not allowed to enter the district. He was stopped at Dohrighat, from where he was forced to return to Gorakhpur. At that time, SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav was the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.

Later, in 2008, Yogi Adityanath challenged Mukhtar Ansari and vowed that he would get justice for the victims of the Mau riots. For this, he had announced to take out a rally in Azamgarh against terrorism under the leadership of his Hindu Yuva Vahini. 

Speaking with News18, Brij Lal said, “Yogi ji had announced a rally against terrorism in Azamgarh under the leadership of the Hindu Yuva Vahini.” He added, “The chosen date was 7 September 2008 and DAV College ground was chosen as the venue for the rally.”

According to Brij Lal, Yogi Adityanath was thought to be travelling in a red SUV, which was part of a 40-vehicle convoy. Just before the cavalcade touched Azamgarh, it came under stone-pelting, followed by the hurling of petrol bombs and gun-firing. Following the attack on his convoy, Yogi Adityanath’s gunner also opened fire.

The former IPS officer added, “It was just a matter of coincidence that he changed the vehicle at the last moment and left his red SUV so his life was saved. It was a planned attack.” 

He remembered that when he heard about the attack, he quickly flew to Azamgarh in a helicopter and landed in Civil Lines.

He stated, “Since all other officials were already engaged, I took an AK-47 and asked the then-divisional commissioner to inspect the affected areas. I remember moving in the lanes of Azamgarh along with the AK-47. We carried out frequent raids and booked several people who indulged in violence.” 

According to the officer, it was a planned attack and Yogi Adityanath had a narrow escape because of the last-minute decision to switch to another car within the convoy. 

Nine years after the attack, he became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in 2017. Since then, the Yogi Adityanath government has launched a crackdown on organised crime and criminals in the state, clamping down on gangs and their activities. 

He had said, “Mafia dons and professional criminals are begging for their lives. There is no place for any mafia dons or criminals in UP.” 

Meanwhile, gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari had been behind bars since 2005. He had over 60 criminal cases pending against him and was lodged in the Banda Jail when his health deteriorated. Later, he was rushed to hospital where he died of cardiac arrest. On Saturday (30th March), he was laid to rest amid heavy security presence in Ghazipur’s Mohammadabad Darzi Tola. 

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