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‘This has angered every Indian’: PM Narendra Modi says after RTI reply reveals Congress gave Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka

OpIndia Staff
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‘This has angered every Indian’: PM Narendra Modi says after RTI reply reveals Congress gave Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka

On Sunday (31st March), Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a post from his X handle to reveal how Congress callously gave away the Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka during Indira Gandhi’s regime. He also quoted a news report by the Times of India which says that an RTI reply shows the way Congress ceded this 1.9 square km of land about 20km from Indian shore to Sri Lanka.

PM Narendra Modi wrote in his post, “Eye-opening and startling! New facts reveal how Congress callously gave away Katchatheevu. This has angered every Indian and reaffirmed in people’s minds- we can’t ever trust Congress! Weakening India’s unity, integrity and interests has been Congress’ way of working for 75 years and counting.”

The Katchatheevu Island, nestled within the confines of the India-Sri Lanka border near Rameswaram, has evolved into a contentious focal point, giving rise to a burgeoning call for its repossession. Historically, this island has served as a shared enclave for Tamil fishermen hailing from both India and Sri Lanka. The year 1974 witnessed a pivotal juncture when the island transitioned hands, as the then-Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, relinquished its sovereignty to Sri Lanka as part of a bilateral accord.

According to the news report Modi embedded in his post, an RTI application in this regard was filed by Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai. According to this report, shocking information was unearthed by the reply to this RTI application. The report says that official documents and parliamentary records illustrate how India’s wavering stance led to its failure to assert control over the island in the Palk Strait. It shows that the reluctance of Congress towards claiming the Katchatheevu island dates back to the Nehruvian era.

As per this report, shortly after gaining independence, Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, asserted its sovereignty by stating that the Indian Navy, then known as the Royal Indian Navy, required its permission to conduct exercises on the island. In October 1955, the Sri Lankan Air Force conducted its exercise on the island, further emphasising its autonomy. The position taken by Sri Lanka was documented in a memorandum from the first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, on May 10, 1961, where he downplayed the matter as insignificant.

Nehru’s memorandum forms a section of a document drafted by the then Commonwealth Secretary, YD Gundevia, which the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) circulated as background material to the Informal Consultative Committee of Parliament in 1968. Nehru wrote, “I would’ve no hesitation in giving up claims to the island. I attach no importance at all to this little island and I would have no hesitation in giving up our claims to it. I do not like this pending indefinitely and being raised again in Parliament.”

The Ministry of External Affairs said, “The legal aspects of the question are highly complex. The question has been considered in some detail in this ministry. No clear conclusions can be drawn as to the strength of either India’s or Ceylon’s claim to sovereignty.”

Notably, the then attorney general M C Setalvad had opined in 1960 that India had a stronger claim on the island formed by a volcanic eruption. The documents reveal that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)’s Joint Secretary (Law and Treaties), K. Krishna Rao, expressed uncertainty initially but ultimately concluded that India possessed a strong legal argument that could be utilized to secure fishing rights. This legal contention remains relevant today as it underlies the ongoing plight of numerous Indian fishermen who are detained by the Sri Lankan Navy in waters surrounding the island. This is why the issue of the Katchatheevu island will be important in Tamil Nadu in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as well.

On 10th August 2023, a renewed discourse surfaced concerning the Katchatheevu island casting a spotlight on the historically enduring relationship between the two nations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi accentuated this matter during his parliamentary address, as he responded to the opposition’s no-confidence motion. Now, the Prime Minister has posted about the new details about the Katchatheevu island obtained in an RTI filed by K Annamalai. A detailed history of this island and how it was given to Sri Lanka by Indira Gandhi can be read here.

Bihar: Mohammad Ansari kills 6 members of his family in Motihari, later commits suicide

OpIndia Staff
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Bihar: Mohammad Ansari kills 6 members of his family in Motihari, later commits suicide

On Friday (29th March), Mohammad Iddu Mian Ansari from the Motihari district in Bihar committed suicide after killing his wife and children with a sharp weapon.

A day later, his body was found cut into two parts on the railway track. His head and torso were found at different places on the track. Railway police recovered the body from near the Sugauli railway station.

Iddu Ansari killed his wife, 4 daughters and brother-in-law. He killed his second wife and three daughters on Thursday when he was out on bail. 4 years ago he was jailed for killing his daughter from his first wife.

Iddu Ansari killed his wife Afrina Khatoon and three daughters by stabbing them in the neck with a sharp weapon while they were sleeping in their house in Babaria village of Paharpur police station area of the district late on Thursday (28th March) night.

The deceased are identified as Reshma Khatun (age 47), Awrula (age 12), Shabnam (age 10), and Shahzadi (age 9).

The accused Iddu Ansari escaped from the spot after the murder. The police reached the spot and called the forensic team and the dog squad. After the investigation, the police raided several locations to arrest the murderer Iddu Ansari.

Late on Friday evening, Motihari Superintendent of Police Kantesh Mishra announced a reward of Rs 15,000 and appealed to the people that this amount would be given as a reward for giving information about the accused. But later the dead body of the accused was reportedly found at a railway track near the Sugauli railway station.

Sugauli railway station chief Dharmendra Kumar said, “On Friday night, a man died under Danapur Sugauli Intercity train number 15516. An FIR has been registered and a post-mortem has been conducted. The body is yet to be identified. However, according to information received from social media, it is the body of Iddu Ansari of Babaria village of Paharpur police station area. Information has been given to the relatives of Iddu Ansari and the people of the village so that they can visit here and the body can be identified.”

Iddu Ansari worked as a daily wage labourer. He married twice. He had two sons and a daughter from his first wife. He killed his daughter from his first wife a few years ago and was jailed in this case. The first wife died a long ago. Later, he came out on bail. From the second wife, he had five daughters. He killed his second wife and three daughters and then committed suicide. According to reports, he had also killed his brother-in-law.

Enforcement Directorate interrogates ‘suspended’ TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan in land grab case, discovers illegal financial transactions

ANI
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Enforcement Directorate interrogates ‘suspended’ TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan in land grab case, discovers illegal financial transactions

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) interrogated Sandeshkhali accused now-suspended TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan in connection with the land grab case.

Shahjahan has been accused of forcibly occupying several lands in the Sandeshkhali area of West Bengal, according to ED sources.

ED also found many illegal financial transactions in the shrimp import and export business.

The ED filed two Enforcement Case Information Reports (ECIR) against him.

One ERIC was regarding ration (PDS) corruption, the source of which was found in a letter written by Jyotiprioryo Mallik, former Bengal food minister.

The other one was filed in regard to unlawful dealings in export-import transactions. This ECIR has allegations of forcible land acquisition.

As per the ED sources, Shahjahan was interrogated in relation to the second ERIC, which involved land grab allegations, on Saturday.

Earlier, suspended TMC strongman Sheikh Shahjahan was sent to judicial custody in the Sandeshkhali Enforcement Directorate (ED) assault case.

Before that, on the directive of the Calcutta High Court, the Crime Investigation Department (CID) of Kolkata Police handed custody of Sheikh Shahjahan to the CBI.

Issuing a contempt notice to the CID, the high court ruled on Wednesday that the case pertaining to the attack on ED officials be handed over to the CBI along with the custody of the prime accused, Shahjahan.

The court further observed that state police played ‘hide and seek’ in the matter.

After allegedly evading capture for nearly two months, the suspended TMC leader was apprehended by the West Bengal Police on February 29th.

The women of Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district have accused Shahjahan and his aides of grave excesses and atrocities.

Multiple women on the island accused Shajahan and his aides of “land-grab and sexual assault” under coercion.

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

Gururgram Police books Elvish Yadav and Fazilpuriya for illegally using snakes in music video ‘32 Bore’, action taken on court order

OpIndia Staff
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Gururgram Police books Elvish Yadav and Fazilpuriya for illegally using snakes in music video ‘32 Bore’, action taken on court order

On Saturday (30th March), Gurupram Police stated that it has filed a case against YouTuber and Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner Elvish Yadav and singer Rahul Yadav alias Fazilpuriya for using prohibited snakes and abusive language during the shooting of the song 32 Bore. The case has been registered at the Badshahpur Police Station, Gurugram under Section 294 of IPC (Obscene acts or songs). 

SHO of Badshahpur police station, Satish Deshwal stated that the case has been registered following a court order under Section 156(3). 

Deshwal said, “We have received an order from the court that an FIR should be registered against Elvish Yadav and singer Fazilpuriya under section 156(3). An FIR has been registered under sections of the IPC, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and Wildlife Protection Act…” 

The officer added that a notice will be sent to them and their statements will be recorded. 

He added, “We will verify the record and a notice will be sent to them (Elvish Yadav and singer Fazilpuriya) after further investigation. The complainant has provided a link (of video) in the FIR, after the joint investigation of the complainant party, all the evidence will be collected.”

Notably, in the music video 32 Bore, several reptiles, including multiple snakes and large lizards, are used.

Earlier this month on 17th March, Noida Police arrested YouTuber Elvish Yadav in connection with a snake venom case. Later on 23rd March, the Gurugram court granted him bail.

The FIR against Yadav was filed on complaint of a functionary of Menaka Gandhi’s NGO People For Animals. 

Yadav was linked to a case in November last year involving the supply and ingestion of snake venom at a Noida rave party. The Drugs Department, the Forest Department, and the Noida Police jointly busted the event and arrested five people identified as Jaikaran, Rahul, Titunath, Narayan, and Ravinath. Some unmanned individuals are also named in the report.

The Noida police had recovered 9 snakes, including 5 cobras from the accused men. The reptiles were reportedly caught from different places and their venom was sold at exorbitant prices.

The Noida police filed an FIR against the social media influencer after his involvement came to light when they questioned the five arrested culprits.

Delhi court refuses bail to former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, says he not only funded the Delhi riots but also participated in it

ANI
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Delhi court refuses bail to former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, says he not only funded the Delhi riots but also participated in it

A Delhi Court has dismissed the regular bail application of Tahir Hussain, accused in the larger conspiracy of the Delhi riots under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai of Karkardooma Court dismissed the plea in view of the bar under UA(P)A and the role attributed to him as per the statement of witnesses.

“Thus, in view of the facts as discussed above and the bar under Section 43(D)(5) of UA(P)A, the Court does not find the case of the applicant to be a fit case for granting bail,” the court said in the order passed on March 30.

The accused was arrested based on the present FIR on April 6, 2020, in connection with the case related to the conspiracy of the North East Delhi riots of 2020. The charge-sheet was filed on September 16, 2020, after the completion of the investigation.

Subsequently, supplementary charge-sheets were also filed and the matter is pending on the question whether the investigation is complete or not.

The court said that in the case in hand, after going through the record, it is of the view that the allegations against the accused are prima facie true.

“As far as the role of the applicant as shown by the prosecution is concerned, the record shows that the applicant, while participating in the conspiracy, not only funded the activities of the riots but also participated in the other activities that led to the riots,” the court said.

The court further said that the statements of some prosecution witnesses as recorded under Section 161 CrPC and other material on record clearly show the role of the present applicant.

The Court also said that one of the witnesses to the prosecution is Rahul Kasana, who clearly states the role of the applicant regarding the distribution of money to the protesters in order to make preparations for the riots, meeting of the present applicant with the other co-accused persons.

“It is also on record that the applicant got his licenced revolver released just two days before the alleged incidents and used the same as 22 spent or used cartridges were recovered from his house,” it said.

Besides this, allegedly, the applicant got approximately Rs 1.5 crore in cash, which was used in the rioting and the said fact has been confirmed through the statements of different witnesses and the examination of relevant bank accounts, the court said.

Accused Tahir Hussain sought regular bail on various grounds, including that of parity with other accused persons.

It was submitted by the counsel that many co-accused persons, namely Natasha Narwal, Devangana Kalita, Asif Iqbal alias Tanha, Faizan Khan and Ishrat Jahan, have already been granted bail in the present FIR and as the applicant has much better case than them, he is also entitled to bail on parity as well.

Further, the order of granting bail to the co-accused persons Natasha Narwal, Devangana Kalita and Asif Iqbal, was challenged by the State to the Supreme Court of India, but the

petition of the State has been dismissed vide order dated May 2, 2023, the counsel submitted.

The court rejected the contention and said that, giving an opinion specifically about the co-accused persons, the High Court concluded that limitations and restrictions on the grant of bail under Section 43D(5) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, do not apply. As such, it is important to note that the opinion of the High Court is with respect to the co-accused persons

It was also contended by the Counsel for the applicant that the alleged acts of the applicant cannot be termed as terrorist act and do not constitute the offences under Section 13,16, 17 & 18 of UA(P)A.

The Court said that it is not in agreement with this contention of the Counsel. Definition of

‘Terrorist Act’ as provided under Section 15 of the UA(P)A clearly shows that even if some inflammable substance, fire arms, or lethal weapons are used that are likely to cause death or injury to any person or cause loss, damage or destruction to any property, such an act would fall under the definition of a terrorist act.

“In the case in hand, the allegations against the applicant, as mentioned earlier, are such that his acts may fall under the definition of a terrorist act. As such, at this stage, it cannot be said that the provisions of the UA(P)A as mentioned in the charge-sheet are not applicable to the applicant,” the court held.

Special public prosecutor (SPP) Amit Prasad opposed the bail application. He contended that the rejection of bail is a rule and to allow the bail is an exception under the UA(P)A.

The judgment as relied upon by the prosecution makes it clear that bail must be rejected as a rule if, after hearing the public prosecutor and after perusing the final report or the case diary, the court arrives at a conclusion that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the accusations are prima facie true, the court said.

“As already mentioned, in the case in hand, after going through the record, the court is of the view that the allegations against the accused are prima facie true,” the court held.

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

Love Jihad in Rajasthan: Imran traps a Hindu woman under false pretences, later abducts and gang-rapes her with Anwar and a Muslim cleric

OpIndia Staff
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Love Jihad in Rajasthan: Imran traps a Hindu woman under false pretences, later abducts and gang-rapes her with Anwar and a Muslim cleric

A shocking case of love jihad and gang rape has come to light in Chirawa of Jhunjhunun in Rajasthan. The victim was abducted from the Mandrella police station area of Jhunjhunu and was taken to Haryana’s Hisar. The accused have been identified as Imran, his brother Anwar and a cleric (Maulvi) among others. Furthermore, Imran forcibly married her in Hisar and held her as a hostage where she was repeatedly sexually assaulted for a few days.

A case has been registered against Imran, Anwar and the cleric at the Mandrella police station. An investigation has been launched into the matter and the girl’s statement was also recorded at Chirawa court on 28th March, reported Zee Rajasthan.

According to the information, the female sold products for a company online and had an Instagram account for the same purpose. The registered First Information Report (FIR) revealed that she received a message from Imran on the social media app who had created his ID under a Hindu name. Initially, he inquired about the products but later began sending her obscene photographs and videos.

Afterwards, he compelled her to send him nudes and explicit videos of herself. He even threatened to defame her in the Mandrella neighbourhood if she refused to comply with his orders. On 12th March he reached there in a car and kidnapped the girl at gunpoint. Anwar and a cleric were also present in the vehicle. The trio knocked her unconscious and took her to an unknown location.

Imran married the girl in a Hindu ceremony at an institution while she was incapacitated after which was imprisoned and subjected to regular sexual abuse at the hands of the accused and two to three other individuals. On 16th March, she took an opportunity and somehow managed to escape from there. She then called her family members who reached Hisar along with cops and eventually found her.

Meanwhile, Advocate Vinod Verma, Bharatiya Janata Party leaders Ishan Mishra, Ashok Sharma and others have demanded strict punishment for the perpetrators. Ishan Mishra added that there should be an inquiry into the Mandrella region since there are active gangs that engage in love jihad and religious conversion there.

Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections: 10 BJP candidates including CM Pema Khandu elected unopposed after 4 opposition candidates withdraw nominations

OpIndia Staff
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Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections: 10 BJP candidates including CM Pema Khandu elected unopposed after 4 opposition candidates withdraw nominations

On Saturday (30th March), Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pawan Kumar Sain told reporters that 10 BJP candidates have been elected unopposed following the closure of the nomination withdrawal period. Notably, only one candidate had filed nomination papers in six assembly constituencies and they were already set to win the polls unopposed. In four other constituencies, only two candidates had filed nomination papers. In these four assembly constituencies, rival candidates withdrew their nomination papers, leaving only the BJP candidates.

According to the official, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and his deputy Chowna Mein are among these 10 BJP candidates who have been elected unopposed in the state assembly polls. 

Pawan Sain added that Pema Khandu was the only person to file a nomination from the Mukto assembly constituency in Tawang district, while Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein won the Chowkham seat uncontested after his lone rival Bayamso Kri of the Congress withdrew his nomination on Saturday, the last day for withdrawal of nomination papers.

He said, “Single nomination paper has been filed in six assembly constituencies while in four others, opposition candidates withdrew their papers.” 

Here is the list of 10 BJP candidates along with their constituencies who have won the elections before a single vote is cast:

  1. Pema Khandu – Mukto
  2. Chowna Mein – Chowkham
  3. Ratu Techi – Sagalee
  4. Jikke Tako – Tali
  5. Nyato Dukam – Taliha
  6. Mutchu Mithi – Roing
  7. Hage Appa – Ziro-Hapoli
  8. Techi Kaso – Itanagar
  9. Dongru Siongju – Bomdila
  10. Smt Dasanglu Pul – Hayuliang

Even though 10 seats won unopposed in the 60-member house is a big number, it is still 1 less than the 11 seats won unopposed by Congress in the state in 2014. Arunachal Pradesh has a history of candidates winning elections unopposed. 4 candidates had won unopposed in 1999, 1 in 2004, 3 in 2009, 11 in 2014, and 3 in 2019.

Following the development, incumbent CM Pema Khandu expressed happiness and tweeted, “Celebrated the unopposed win of 10 @BJP4Arunachal Assembly candidates with Hon Minister and in-charge Shri @TheAshokSinghal ji along with Hon’ble Deputy CM Shri @ChownaMeinBJP Ji and party karyakartas at BJP karyalay.” 

He credited PM Modi and his state government’s all-round development initiatives for these victories. The post further stated, “It’s all because of the people’s love and trust in #ModiKiGuarantee and our dedication in ensuring all-round development of the state.” 

Hailing the big achievement, Assam Minister and in-charge of Arunachal Pradesh elections, Ashok Singhal expressed hope of scripting new history by winning all 60 assembly seats and two Lok Sabha seats.  

Taking to X, he wrote, “I have full faith that in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the candidates of the Bharatiya Janata Party will be declared victorious with a huge majority on both the seats of Arunachal Pradesh and along with that, the Bharatiya Janata Party will win 60 out of 60 seats of the Legislative Assembly and a new history will be created. #AbkiBaar400Paar.” 

Earlier, OpIndia had reported that six BJP candidates were bound to get elected ‘unopposed’ after no other candidates filed nomination papers on the 27th of March, the last day of filing nominations from these assembly constituencies.

Arunachal Pradesh assembly has a total strength of 60 members while it has 2 Lok Sabha seats. The polling will be held on 19th April in the state. The BJP has fielded its candidates in all 60 Assembly constituencies in the state, Congress is contesting on 34 seats. The National People’s Party has fielded candidates for 29 seats. The NCP and the Peoples’ Party of Arunachal (PPA) have nominated 17 and two candidates, respectively, for the coming assembly elections.

In the last state elections, BJP secured 41 seats. Later, seven MLAs from other parties, including the Janata Dal-United, joined the saffron party.

The 2019 assembly elections marked a major win for the BJP as it formed its first elected government in Arunachal Pradesh that year. Earlier, Chief Minister Khandu had formed a BJP-led government in 2016 after defecting from the Congress to the People’s Party of Arunachal and later merging it with the BJP.

Meanwhile, two National People’s Party (NPP) members and three Congress MLAs recently joined the BJP camp.

ED questions Delhi Minister Kailash Gehlot for 5 hours in liquor policy scam case, confirms that middleman Vijay Nair lived in his official bungalow

OpIndia Staff
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ED questions Delhi Minister Kailash Gehlot for 5 hours in liquor policy scam case, confirms that middleman Vijay Nair lived in his official bungalow

Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gehlot left the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office after about 5 hours of questioning by the ED officials. At around 11 AM, he reached the ED office after the agency summoned him in the money laundering case linked to the Delhi Liquor policy scam case.

Speaking with the media after the questioning, Kailash Gehlot claimed that he responded to all the questions asked by the ED officials. Distancing himself from the illegal funding row, he claimed that he was unaware of the Goa poll campaign as he was never a part of it.  

However, the AAP Minister confirmed that Vijay Nair, former AAP communications in-charge an a key accused in the Delhi liquor policy scam case, had stayed at the official bungalow in Civil Lines allotted to him. Gehlot claimed that the house was vacant as his family had declined to shift from their private residence.

He told reporters, “Whatever questions were asked to me, I answered all of them.” 

Regarding Vijay Nair’s stay at his official bungalow, he said, “The government bungalow was allotted to me in Civil Lines, but I have always stayed in my private residence in Vasant Kunj because my wife and kids didn’t want to move from there. Vijay Nair was living in the bungalow allotted to me… No cross-questioning was conducted…”

However, he said that he is not aware whether Vijay Nair is living in the house at present.

Notably, Kailash Gehlot’s official bungalow is located next to the Chief Minister’s residence. Nair was allotted Gehlot’s house even though he didn’t hold any official post. Moreover, he also operated from the Camp office of Arvind Kejriwal. Vijay Nair was the man who received ₹100 crore from the South Group on behalf of Arvind Kejriwal and AAP.

Responding to a media query that he responded on his first summons, while Delhi CM had ignored nine summons, Gehlot said that he appeared on his second summons. The first summons was issued one month ago during assembly proceedings. I had sought some time, he added. 

The MLA from Najafgarh, Gehlot was part of the panel that prepared the draft of the controversial Delhi government’s liquor policy for 2021-22 which was later scrapped following accusations of wrongdoings and corruption. According to the ED, the draft liquor policy was leaked to the ‘South Group’.

According to the ED, Gehlot allowed then AAP communication in-charge Vijay Nair to use his official residence while the liquor policy was being drafted. The ED earlier stated that the AAP Minister Kailash Gehlot had repeatedly changed his mobile numbers.

Meanwhile, while speaking with reporters following ED questioning today, Gehlot distanced himself from the Goa poll campaigning team stating, “I have never been part of the Goa election campaign and I am unaware of what happened…”

Earlier in the day, OpIndia reported that legal troubles could be mounting for AAP Minister Atishi Marlena. Marlena was AAP Goa In-charge when Rs 45 crores, proceeds of crime generated from liquor scam as per ED, was used for campaigning in the state assembly elections. 

The developments come after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested in this case. He is currently in ED custody, till 1st April. 

IT Department seizes jewellery worth over Rs. 2 crores and Rs. 37 lakh in cash from AAP Minister Kailash Gehlot

This is not the first time that the AAP minister Kailash Gehlot has come under the scanner of law agencies. Earlier, the I-T department seized unaccounted jewellery worth Rs. 28 lakhs from a locker in the name of Delhi minister Kailash Gahlot and his wife. The total seizure amounts to Rs. 2 crores of jewellery and cash of Rs. 37 lakhs. The raid was conducted on 25th October 2018.

Earlier that month, the Income Tax Department had conducted raids on multiple premises associated with AAP leader and Delhi minister Kailash Gehlot in connection with an alleged tax evasion case. The IT officials had conducted searches in at least 16 locations in Delhi and Gurgaon. 

I-T officials had earlier claimed that they found documents showing the Delhi Cabinet Minister evaded Rs 120 crore in taxes. The documents recovered from the minister’s premises showed office boys, peons, and other employees were extended loans and held equity worth Rs. 70 crores in several “shell” companies.

Congress got crores in cash, claims of ‘tax terrorism’ misleading and unfounded: Report

OpIndia Staff
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Congress got crores in cash, claims of ‘tax terrorism’ misleading and unfounded: Report

The Congress party’s claims of ‘tax terrorism’ against central agencies are baseless, a report published on NDTV which cited government sources said. The sources assert that the ongoing assessment proceedings stem from seized incriminating material, as these would have become time-barred on March 31 of this year.

According to the report, the Congress was well aware of these proceedings and was provided with ample time to respond, including during hearings in the Delhi High Court where the party’s plea was denied relief.

Earlier alleging that its bank accounts were frozen due to a ₹200 crore penalty from Income Tax authorities, Congress announced on Friday receiving a fresh tax notice amounting to ₹1,800 crore. This notice covers the assessment years 2017-18 to 2020-21 (financial years 2016-17 to 2019-20), including penalty and interest.

Officials revealed that income tax searches in April 2019 uncovered cash receipts by the Congress from Megha Engineering, a major donor in the electoral bonds scheme, and others. These findings purportedly emerged during raids on associates of Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath.

Allegedly, the total cash receipts between 2013-14 and April 2019 amounted to ₹626 crore, encompassing proceeds from an alleged corruption scandal. Officials claimed this was substantiated through various means, such as documents found during searches, WhatsApp messages, and recorded statements.

Citing Section 13A of the Income Tax Act, officials noted that political parties are exempt from tax on money received if specific conditions, including not accepting amounts over ₹2,000, are met. They argue that Congress violated these conditions, thus becoming liable for tax on its entire income.

“The Congress has managed to secure a stay because the Income Tax department has presented detailed, corroborated evidence in court records. If Congress believes it is innocent, it should release the entire assessment order to the public, and the truth will be revealed,” the report quoted sources as saying.

On Thursday, the Delhi High Court dismissed four petitions by the Congress against income tax reassessment proceedings for the 2017-18 to 2020-21 assessment years.

In response, Congress claims it has received two more tax notices in addition to the ₹1,800-crore demand. Youth Congress members protested in Delhi against what they label as the BJP-led Central government’s “tax terrorism.”

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh remarked on Saturday, “The Congress is under attack, receiving repeated notices. We received two more notices on Friday night, making six after our press conference yesterday. I’m unsure how many more will follow.”

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar commented, alleging that these notices are evidence of the BJP’s fear of the Congress and the INDI alliance. “The BJP understands they will lose the elections, so they attempt to instil fear. I received an Income Tax notice last night regarding a resolved matter,” he claimed.

‘Least expected from a party that says Ladki Hoon Lad Sakti Hoon’: Saina Nehwal slams Congress leader for his sexist ‘kitchen’ jibe at BJP candidate

OpIndia Staff
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‘Least expected from a party that says Ladki Hoon Lad Sakti Hoon’: Saina Nehwal slams Congress leader for his sexist ‘kitchen’ jibe at BJP candidate

On Saturday, March 30, ace shuttler Saina Nehwal took to social media to slam Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa for his misogynist ‘kitchen’ remark against a BJP female candidate.

London Olympic bronze medalist Saina Nehwal posted, “Woman should be restricted to the kitchen”- This is what a top Karnataka leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa ji has said. This sexist jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party’s candidate from Davanagere Gayathri Siddeshwara ji is least expected from a party that says Ladki Hoon Lad Sakti Hoon.”

She added, “When I won medals for Bharat on the play field what would the Congress party have preferred I should have done? Why say that when all the girls and women dream of achieving big in any field they like – On one hand, we are doing Nari Shakti ko Vandan. The Women’s Reservation Bill has been passed under the leadership of our PM Modi sir and on the other hand Nari Shakti ka Apmaan & misogynistic people.. Really upsetting.”

On Friday (29th March), veteran Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa courted controversy after he made a sexist jibe at BJP candidate Gayathri Siddeshwara.

While speaking at a party meeting, Shamanur Shivashankarappa claimed “It’s one thing to know how to talk, but they know only to cook in the kitchen, the opposition party doesn’t have the strength to talk in front of the public.”

He made contentious remarks about Gayathri Siddeshwara, a BJP candidate from the Davangere parliamentary constituency. Gayathri is also the wife of ex-Union Minister GM Siddeshwara.

Condemning the sexist jibe aimed at her by a seasoned politician, Gayathri Siddeshwara said that the Congress leader had insulted all women by making this statement.

She said, “Shamanur Shivashankarappa has insulted women with his remarks. Are we confined only to the kitchen? Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given importance to women’s empowerment. But these people keep insulting women.”

She also said, “The old man doesn’t know how much women have progressed, he doesn’t know the love with which all women cook at home for men, children and elders.” Now, badminton player Saina Nehwal has come ahead to condemn the statement by the Congress leader.

Meanwhile, the BJP has complained about Shamanur Shivashankarappa to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

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