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Delhi Jal Board money laundering: Enforcement Directorate files charge sheet against 4

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Delhi Jal Board money laundering: Enforcement Directorate files charge sheet against 4

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a charge sheet on Saturday against a former DJB Chief Engineer, a contractor, a CA and a former NBCC officer in Delhi Jal Board money laundering case. It is a case of alleged corruption in tendering of flow metre procurement.

The agency has filed a charge sheet of 140 pages along with documents numbering in 8000 pages. Special Judge Bhupinder Singh has listed the matter for consideration on the charge sheet for April 1.

The ED has charged three persons, namely Jagdish Arora, Anil Kumar Agarwal, Arora’s close aide Tejendra Pal Singh and former NBCC officer Devender Mittal. A firm, NKG, has also been accused.

Arora is a former Chief Engineer of the Delhi Jal Board and Anil Kumar Agarwal is a contractor. Both have been arrested by the ED.
ED has also made a firm NKG an accused in this case. Its director has died, that’s why he is not been accused.

Special public prosecutor (SPP) alongwith Snehal Sharda and Ishan Baisla appeared for ED and submitted that it was a case of money laundering and a charge sheet has been filed against four persons.

He said that former NBCC officer Devender Mittal issued a certificate to NBCC and on that basis, NKG was awarded tender. NKG had booked a flight ticket for Mittal. He provided a fake document to NKG.

ED also submitted that investigation is going on. It was also submitted that one note sheet without signature was prepared and its copy was available with DJB and others.

The agency said that there is a proceeds of crime of Rs 6.36 crore. Out of this, Rs 56 lakh was transferred by Tejendra Pal Singh to Arora.

It is alleged that the accused awarded the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) contract for supply, installation, Testing and commissioning (SITC) of electromagnetic flow metres and corresponding O&M operations for five years to M/S NKG Infrastructure Ltd on September 20, 2018 for a total negotiated cost of Rs 38,02,33,080, despite the fact that the company did not meet the technical criteria.

It is alleged by the ED that accused received an illegal gratification to the tune of Rs. 3 crore from M/S NKG infrastructure limited and M/S Integral screws Industries and awarded the contract of DJB worth Rs 38 crores for Supply, Installation, Testing and commissioning (SITC) to M/s NKG infrastructure Ltd. Thereafter, NKG infrastructure limited subcontracted the work to M/S Integral screws Industries, the proprietorship firm of Anil Kumar Agarwal.

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

J&K govt to restore Martand Sun temple, destroyed by Muslim-ruler Sikandar Butshikan to Islamise Kashmir, a statue of King Lalitaditya to be installed

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J&K govt to restore Martand Sun temple, destroyed by Muslim-ruler Sikandar Butshikan to Islamise Kashmir, a statue of King Lalitaditya to be installed

In a historic development, the government of Jammu and Kashmir has decided to restore the iconic Martand Sun temple in Anantnag which is a significant Hindu religious site as well as erect a statue of its King Lalitaditya who oversaw its construction. The administration issued an official order regarding the same on 27th March. The notification is signed by Neeraj Pandita, Under Secretary to the Government.

The official statement read, “Principal Secretary to the Government, Department of Culture shall take a meeting to discuss the matter regarding protection/conservation/restoration of the ancient temples in Kasmir with installation of statue of Emperor Lalitaditya Muktapida in the premises of Martand Sun Terrple situated at Anantnag, in his office chamber (Room No. 2/40) Civil Secretariat Jammu on 01.04 2024 at 2:30 PM.” It also urged the officials to be present at the aforementioned meeting at the given time and date.

Jammu and Kashmir govt initiates efforts to restore Martand Sun Temple


Not long ago, a ‘Kalash’ originally from Ayodhya found its place at the Ram Temple situated on the grounds of the renowned Sun Temple in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district. Residents, along with devotees from Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, came together to install this ‘kalash’, which was among those sent to various Ram temples for this purpose.

Last month, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, paid a visit to the Martand Sun Temple where he offered his prayers. During his visit, he took part in the Mahayagya organized by the Shri Martand Tirath Trust, expressing his prayers for the peace, progress, and prosperity of everyone.

The ancient Martand Surya Temple in Kashmir

The temple is believed to have been built in the 8th century AD, but attempts were made to destroy it several times between 1389 and 1413. It is believed that Hindu ruler Lalitaditya built the Martand Surya Temple in honour of the Sun God or Bhaskar in the 8th century AD. Lalitaditya was a Surya (Sun) Dynasty Kshatriya. The temple’s style of construction and the expertise displayed in it were unprecedented in world history. The Vastu science of architecture has been employed, and the building is designed so that the Sun’s rays fall on the Surya idol throughout the day.

According to historical documents, the Martand Surya Temple in Kashmir was destroyed on the orders of Muslim ruler Sikandar Shah Miri or Sikandar Butshikan (Idol-breaker), a sobriquet he earned from Islamists of the medieval times for his propensity to attack and destroy temples belonging to kafirs (infidels).

Though the cities, towns, and ruins of Lalitaditya’s era are not easily located, the remnants of the large Martand temple, which the emperor had built at the pilgrimage site of the same name, are an example of the expertise of the Kashmiri Hindu builders of ancient times.

World leaders in multiple forums including G20 in India kept telling me, you can’t let Trump win: Claims Joe Biden

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World leaders in multiple forums including G20 in India kept telling me, you can’t let Trump win: Claims Joe Biden

US President Joe Biden has claimed that at multiple meetings, wherever he goes to attend them, including the G20 meeting in India, the world leaders express support for him and implore that you can’t let the former US President Donald Trump win in the upcoming presidential elections.

His remarks came as President Biden addressed a public event during his election campaign in New York and said that world leaders always say that their democracies are at stake.

“And — but whether it’s the G20 meeting in — in India or whatever the meeting where there are other heads of state, I am not exaggerating when I say — and I say it in front of the press without giving the names — almost every one of the world leaders finds an excuse to get me alone for a moment, put their hand on my arm, and say, “You can’t let him win.” “My” — meaning his country or her country — “my democracy is at stake. My democracy is at stake.” Biden said.

“And, again, it’s not an exaggeration. Think about it. This is a guy who walked away from NATO. Th– told Putin he could do whatever he wants if they’re not paying their dues. As I said, he’s working — talks about — anyway,” he added.

President Biden also highlighted Donald Trump’s statement that he would encourage Russia to do whatever it wants with the countries that don’t spend 2 per cent of their GDPs on defence.

“Just — just look at what he’s done. The rest of the world is wondering what in the hell is happening to us. And they’re relieved, not because I’m so special but that I’m not Trump. I’m serious. I wish it was because they thought Biden was such a wonderful guy,” Biden said.

“I think they respect me. I think they listen to me. But the point is, it’s because they’re scared to death for their countries if he were to win again,” he added.

Earlier, Republican front-runner Donald Trump said that, as president, he warned NATO allies that he “would encourage” Russia “to do whatever the hell they want” to countries that are “delinquent” as he ramped up his attacks on foreign aid and longstanding international alliances.

Speaking at a rally in Conway, South Carolina, Trump recounted a story he has told before about an unidentified NATO member who confronted him over his threat not to defend members who fail to meet the trans-Atlantic alliance’s defense spending targets.

But this time, Trump went further, saying had told the member that he would, in fact, “encourage” Russia to do as it wishes in that case.

“‘You didn’t pay? You’re delinquent?’” Trump recounted saying. “‘No I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay. You gotta pay your bills.’”

NATO allies agreed in 2014, after Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, to halt the spending cuts they had made after the Cold War and move towards spending 2 per cent of their GDPs on defence by 2024.

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

Uttar Pradesh: Thousands gather and chant slogans in support of gangster Mukhtar Ansari during his funeral in Ghazipur, break barricades

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Uttar Pradesh: Thousands gather and chant slogans in support of gangster Mukhtar Ansari during his funeral in Ghazipur, break barricades

On Saturday (30th March), dead gangster Mukhtar Ansari was buried at his ancestral Kali Bagh graveyard in Mohammadabad, located in the Ghazipur district of Uttar Pradesh. Mukhtar Ansari died on Thursday, 28th March, after his health deteriorated in jail. Thousands of supporters of the gangster Ansari attended his funeral. The gathered crowd even chanted slogans of ‘Mukhtar Ansari Zindabad’ during the funeral procession. A chaos erupted during this time as the supporters of the dead mafia don broke barricades in an attempt to enter the graveyard.

Earlier, a large crowd gathered outside the house of Mukhtar Ansari in Mohammadabad in Ghazipur before the funeral procession started. During this, some people also shouted slogans of ‘Mukhtar Ansari Zindabad’. Tight security arrangements were made in Ghazipur and Mau areas ahead of the burial of the gangster. A large number of police forces were deployed near Mukhtar Ansari’s house and outside the graveyard.

Afzal Ansari, Omar Ansari, and the entire family of the dead gangster were present at the funeral. The funeral procession started at around 9.25 am with the police force and security agencies constantly monitoring the situation. A security cordon was set up at the graveyard, about half a kilometre from Ansari’s residence. Mukhtar Ansari was buried at the graveyard around 10.35 am next to the graves of his parents.

At the time when the procession reached near the graveyard, people in the procession created a ruckus, and rushed to enter the graveyard. The people in the procession with the dead body also had a brief scuffle with the police as seen in the video. As per the Police, only the family was supposed to enter the graveyard. But the gathered crowd broke through the gates of the graveyard and the police had to resort to a brief lathi charge to disperse the crowd.

Mukhtar Ansari, a convicted criminal in murder and extortion case, and an under trial accused in several other criminal matters, died after a heart attack in the Banda jail. This is not the first time that a criminal’s funeral procession saw such massive crowds. Even during the funeral processions of terrorists Yakub Memon and Burhan Wani, thousands had gathered and raised slogans in their memory.

President Murmu confers Bharat Ratna on LK Advani, Narasimha Rao, Charan Singh, and two others

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President Murmu confers Bharat Ratna on LK Advani, Narasimha Rao, Charan Singh, and two others

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 central government announced five names for the Bharat Ratna this year, which also included BJP leader LK Advani.

Sources said that President Murmu will pay a visit to senior BJP leader LK Advani’s residence and confer him with the prestigious award. This was decided given the ailing health of the veteran BJP leader Advani, they added.

Former PM Charan Singh’s award was received by his grandson, Jayant Singh, and PV Narasimha Rao’s award was received by his son, PV Prabhakar Rao.

MS Swaminathan’s daughter, Nitya Rao, received the award for her father and Karpoori Thakur’s award was received by his son, Ram Nath Thakur.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP National President JP Nadda, Congress leader and LoP Mallikarjun Kharge were present among other leaders on the occasion.

Born on June 28, 1921, in Karimnagar, Telangana, being an agriculturist and an advocate, Narasimha Rao joined politics and held some important portfolios. He was the Minister of Law and Information, 1962-64; Law and Endowments, 1964-67; Health and Medicine, 1967 and Education, 1968-71, Government of Andhra Pradesh. He was the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh from 1971-73 and General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee from 1975-76.

Trained as a plant geneticist, Swaminathan’s significant contributions to India’s agricultural sector have earned him a reputation as the scientific leader of India’s green revolution movement. His work has been instrumental in the agricultural renaissance of India.

Born in Karachi, in present-day Pakistan, on November 8, 1927, Advani has 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 Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1999-2004).

Karpoori Thakur was born in 1924 in one of the most backward sections of society, the Nai Samaj. He was a remarkable leader whose political journey was marked by his unwavering commitment to the marginalised sections of society. He served as the Chief Minister of Bihar and was a key figure in the struggle against social discrimination and inequality. His commitment to affirmative action gave representation and opportunities to the poor, oppressed, exploited and deprived sections of the country.

Chaudhary Charan Singh was born in 1902 at Noorpur in Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh, in a middle class peasant family. He shifted to Meerut in 1929 and later joined the Congress. He was first elected to the UP Legislative Assembly in 1937 from Chhaprauli and represented the constituency in 1946, 1952, 1962 and 1967. He became Parliamentary Secretary in Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant’s Government in 1946 and worked in various departments such as Revenue, Medical and Public Health, Justice, Information etc.

In June 1951, he was appointed Cabinet Minister in the State and given charge of the Departments of Justice and Information. Later, he took over as the Minister for Revenue and Agriculture in the Cabinet of Sampurnanand in 1952. When he resigned in April 1959, he was holding charge of the Department of Revenue and Transport.

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

Guyanese President shuts up BBC ‘journalist’, schools him for lecturing on climate change

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Guyanese President shuts up BBC ‘journalist’, schools him for lecturing on climate change

In a video that went viral on social media on Friday (29th March), Guyanese President Irfaan Ali was seen lambasting BBC ‘journalist’ Stephen Shakur for virtue-signalling the South American nation about ‘climate change.’

Shakur tried to guilt-trip the Guyanese President over the recently discovered oil reserves in the country and questioned his commitment to attaining carbon neutrality.

At that point, Irfaan Ali interjected, “Let me stop you right there…Do you know that Guyana has a forest forever that is the size of England and Scotland combined? A forest that stores 19.5 gigatonnes of carbon? A forest that we have kept alive.”

The BBC ‘journalist’ then remarked, “Does that give you the right to release all of this carbon?” On hearing that, the Guyanese President snapped, “Does it give you the right to lecture us on climate change?”

“I am going to lecture you on climate change because we have kept this forest alive that stores 19.5 gigatonnes of carbon that you enjoy, that the world enjoys, that you don’t pay us for, that you don’t value, that you don’t see a value in, that people of Guyana has kept alive,” Ali added.

He is a member of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and was elected the President of Guyana in 2020.

It must be mentioned that the Modi Government felicitated him with the ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Samman (Overseas Indian Award)’ in 2023.

He breached the constitution: Hindu Sena President files new petition in Delhi HC seeking removal of Arvind Kejriwal from the post of chief minister

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He breached the constitution: Hindu Sena President files new petition in Delhi HC seeking removal of Arvind Kejriwal from the post of chief minister

The Hindu Sena on 29th March filed a fresh petition in the Delhi High Court against Aam Aadmi Party’s national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, seeking his removal from the Chief Minister’s post. Hindu Sena’s National President and social worker Vishnu Gupta filed the appeal, requesting that the court direct Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor to remove Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal from his position and administer Delhi via the LG on behalf of the union government.

According to the recently filed Public Interest Litigation, Arvind Kejriwal abused the constitutional trust placed in him by the Indian Constitution since the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested him for a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) offence. The plea highlighted, “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.”

It conveyed, “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 plea read, “Since, Arvind Kejriwal as a Chief Minister of NCT of Delhi is in the custody of the Enforcement of Directorate till date. Since he is implicated in a serious offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, as well as the Prevention of Corruption Act and as a result of it he has been arrested by the investigating agency under the PMLA. Therefore, he is no longer eligible under any law to continue as the Chief Minister after his arrest i.e. 21.03.2024.”

It mentioned, “The Constitution of India did not visualize a situation where in the event of arrest the Chief Minister can run his government either from judicial custody or from Police custody. However, it is not settled law that constitutional courts can interfere with the provisions of the Constitution to ensure purity in administration and governance.”

Manoj Narula v. Union of India was cited in the application which further stated, “The Hon’ble Supreme Court has been pleased to observe that, in a democracy, the people never intend to be governed by persons who have criminal antecedents. This is not merely a hope and aspiration of the citizenry but the idea is also engrained in the apposite executive governance. It would be apt to say that when a country is governed by a Constitution, apart from constitutional provisions, and principles of constitutional morality and trust, certain conventions are adopted and grown.”

The plea pointed out that Arvind Kejriwal violated the constitutional trust placed in him by the Indian Constitution as soon as he was taken into custody concerning the case which was filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. Therefore, he should have resigned prior to being placed under arrest by the investigating agency following constitutional morals. However, Arvind Kejriwal decided to remain the Chief Minister and lead the administration from either judicial or police custody.

It noted, “Be it as it may the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal as Chief Minister is in violation of constitutional trust which is inhibited in Article 164 of the Constitution of India as explained in the case of B.R. Kapur v. State of Tamil Nadu 2001(7) SCC 231. Therefore, the Governor is under constitutional obligation to dismiss Arvind Kejriwal from the office of Chief Minister.”

In addition, the plea asserted that aside from being under the custody of the central investigative agency, the Delhi government has not been enforcing Articles 154, 162, and 163 since 21st March (the day of the arrest), because there have been no cabinet meetings to support and counsel the governor in the performance of his executive duties.

It affirmed, “The Governor in accordance with Constitution is the basis structure of the Constitution of India and parliamentary democracy and if this situation has arisen where Constitution is not working, in that eventuality Writ of Mandamus may be issued to the Respondents for taking actions to implement the Constitutional Scheme for working of the Constitution of India,”

The petition demanded that Arvind Kejriwal be removed from his position and provided examples of multiple verdicts to support its arguments. Notably on 28th March, a division bench led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan dismissed a PIL of a similar nature, observing that the petitioner, Surjit Singh Yadav, had not demonstrated that there was a legal obstacle preventing the imprisoned chief minister from maintaining office. The bench, also comprising Justice Manmeet PS Arora announced, “It is for the other wings of the government to examine in accordance with the law.”

“There may be difficulties. It will be practically very very difficult. We accept all that. (But) Is there any scope for judicial interference in this, on this issue,” the court asked and added, “This court is of the view that there is no scope for judicial interference vis-a-vis the relief sought for removal of respondent no. 4. It is for the other wings of the government to examine in accordance with the law.”

Taliban to resume stoning women publicly for adultery to implement Sharia law strictly in Afghanistan

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Taliban to resume stoning women publicly for adultery to implement Sharia law strictly in Afghanistan

In a voice message on state television, Taliban chief Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada has said that women in the country would be publicly flogged and stoned to death for adultery. He also said that the Taliban would continue fighting against Western democracy and advocated strict imposition of Sharia in Afghanistan. Akhundzada stated that the international community’s backing of women’s rights conflicted with the Taliban’s strict adherence to Islamic Sharia law.

The Taliban head said, “Do women want the rights that Westerners are talking about? They are against Sharia and clerics’ opinions, the clerics who toppled Western democracy. I told the Mujhaideen that we tell the Westerners that we fought against you for 20 years and we will fight 20 and even more years against you. It did not finish [when you left]. It does not mean we would now just sit and drink tea. We will bring Sharia to this land. We will now bring Sharia into action.”

Akhundzada added, “You say it’s a violation of women’s rights when we stone them to death. But we will soon implement the punishment for adultery. We will flog women in public. We will stone them to death in public. These are all against your democracy but we will continue doing it. We both say we defend human rights – we do it as God’s representative and you as the devil’s.”

Notably, many liberal media houses had portrayed the new Taliban rule in Afghanistan, that started in September 2021, as the more moderate one and praised it. However, the declaration highlights the challenges encountered by Afghan women under Taliban regime and provokes worries regarding the Taliban’s approach towards human rights.

Trouble mounts for AAP, days after CM Kejriwal’s arrest, ED summons another top minister Kailash Gehlot in Liquor Policy scam

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Trouble mounts for AAP, days after CM Kejriwal’s arrest, ED summons another top minister Kailash Gehlot in Liquor Policy scam

The Enforcement Directorate has summoned Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) another top minister Kailash Gehlot to appear before it in connection to the money laundering case related to the Liquor Policy scam. Gehlot has been asked to appear before the ED today (Saturday, March 30) at 11 am.

Kailash Gehlot is the AAP MLA from Delhi’s Najafgarh and is currently the minister for home, transport, and law in the Delhi government.

Kailash Gahlot has reportedly been asked to appear for questioning in the matter and to have his statement recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), according to ED sources.

The summons comes just days after Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal was arrested in the case.

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.

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

Interestingly, this is not the first time that the AAP minister Kailash Gehlot has come under the scanner of law agencies. Earlier too, 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 crore of jewellery and cash of Rs. 37 lakhs. The raid was conducted on 25 October 2018.

Earlier that month, the Income Tax Department on Wednesday had conducted raids on multiple premises associated with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi minister Kailash Gahlot in connection with an alleged tax evasion case. The IT officials had conducted searches in at least 16 locations in Delhi and Gurgaon. Reportedly, the places linked to the AAP leader were raided by a team of 30 Income tax officials. 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 crore in several “shell” companies.

Gujarat: Bharuch Court denies bail to Adil who posed as Arya Patel to lure a Hindu girl; Sessions Court calls the case an eye opener for young generation

OpIndia Staff
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Gujarat: Bharuch Court denies bail to Adil who posed as Arya Patel to lure a Hindu girl; Sessions Court calls the case an eye opener for young generation

On Tuesday (26th March), the Sessions Court in Bharuch City of Gujarat rejected the bail plea of Adil Abdul Patel in Bharuch’s Love Jihad case. Adil Abdul Patel was arrested about three months ago. In this case, the court has rejected the bail application and called it an ‘eye opener for today’s young generation’. The court has held that Adil Abdul Patel deliberately created a fake ID and trapped the Hindu girl. He did this for about four years. The court has also held that if Adil is released on bail, it will send a wrong message to society.

The case came to light in January this year. A Hindu girl from Bharuch had accused a person named Adil, a resident of Chavaj village, of trapping her on Instagram by befriending her using a Hindu name. Adil was arrested after an FIR was registered at Bharuch Rural police station in this regard. Since then, the case has been going on and the police have already submitted the charge sheet.

After the chargesheet was filed, Adil applied for bail in March 2024, which was heard by the Sessions Court. On 26th March, the court dismissed the petition. In his plea, Adil had claimed that a false complaint had been filed to frame him in this case and said that now that the charge sheet was filed, he should be released on bail.

The public prosecutor opposed the bail application. Giving details of the case, he said that the accused befriended the girl by creating a false ID on Instagram and presented himself as ‘Arya Patel’, a Hindu youth despite him being a Muslim. Not only that, he also lied that his parents died in an accident years ago despite him living with his parents.

The prosecution stressed the necessity of considering the modus operandi of the accused. It was argued that if granted bail, there is a possibility of the accused repeating the offence, endangering other innocent girls. Moreover, as both the accused and the victim hail from the same village, releasing the accused could lead to potential tampering with evidence.

The government lawyer contended that due to the gravity of the offence committed by the accused, it is imperative to send a strong message to society to prevent any recurrence of such acts. Therefore, the bail application should be denied.

After hearing the arguments of both the parties, the court said that it would not be going into the merits of the case at present and there was no need to discuss the evidence as it would be discussed during the trial. But based on the material available on record, it is so clear that the accused had created a false ID and contacted the victim, the court added. The court made it clear that even after meeting the girl in person, the accused identified himself as ‘Arya Patel’ instead of disclosing his real name.

The court mentioned, “Already the accused was misleading the victim and proposed to her despite being married and living with his wife. The two were not familiar with each other earlier, and the accused assumed the fake name to contact the victim and to some extent succeeded. Such an act should be condemned.”

The court further said, “Given the modus operandi of the accused, if the application is allowed, it will encourage such elements to exploit the girls by trapping them with false promises. If the accused is released, the elements looking for opportunities to exploit innocent girls will get licences.”

The court also said, “In this case, the accused has not only played with the sentiments of the victim of another religion but has also done injustice to his wife.” The court observed, “The present case may be considered as an eye opener for today’s young generation who blindly, without any hesitation accept friend requests on social media without ascertaining the reality of the sender.”

After hearing the arguments of both sides, the court rejected the bail application considering the evidence, modus operandi and facts of the accused. Adil will remain in jail. The order was issued on 26th March. A copy of the court order is available with OpIndia.

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