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Rameshwaram Cafe blast suspect possibly linked to ISIS Ballari module as similarities in modus operandi surface: Reports suggest citing official sources

OpIndia Staff
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Rameshwaram Cafe blast suspect possibly linked to ISIS Ballari module as similarities in modus operandi surface: Reports suggest citing official sources

In a shocking development in the probe into the Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe blast, reports are now emerging suggesting a possible link between the suspect and the Ballari ISIS module.

Reports citing official sources have pointed at several similarities between the blast and the cases linked to the ISIS module, although whether the ISIS Ballari module is still active is yet to be confirmed. One of the similarities mentioned in the reports is the assembly of the improvised explosive devices (IED).

Moreover, the execution of the blast also appears to have similarities with previous such blasts in the state including the Mangaluru cooker blast.

In December last year, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested eight terrorists in the ISIS Ballari module case including its leader Minaz. The NIA swooped down on 19 locations spread across Ballari and Bengaluru in Karnataka; Amaravati, Mumbai and Pune in Maharashtra; Jamshedpur and Bokaro in Jharkhand and Delhi.

The raids also led to the seizure of explosive raw materials, such as Sulphur, Potassium Nitrate, Charcoal, Gunpowder, Sugar and Ethanol, sharp-edged weapons, unaccounted cash and incriminating documents, along with smartphones and other digital devices.

The accused had planned to use the explosive raw materials for the fabrication of IEDs, which were to be used for carrying out terror acts. Another similarity is that the Bengaluru blast too appears to be a lone wolf attack so far like the Mangaluru cooker blast case.

The CCTV footage obtained from the Rameshwaram Cafe after the explosion showed a person wearing a white hat and mask, carrying a backpack and wearing spectacles entering the Rameshwaram Cafe.

Image source: Republic

The investigating team seized a timer, battery, circuit, panel, and wire associated with the explosive device. The suspect terrorist posed as a customer and put a bomb in the hotel while pretending to have breakfast.

The materials needed to make the device were forwarded to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for further examination.

Other than the ISIS Ballari module, a link to Lashkar-e-Taiba’s module led by terrorist Abdul Karim Tunda aka “Doctor of Bomb” is also emerging. Tunda was acquitted in a terrorist bombing case in Rajasthan just a day before the attack in Bengaluru.

Notably, the NIA had also foiled a suicide attack planned by the Lashkar module in Bengaluru last year. The Rameshwaram Café blast is also being attributed to the PFI module, a SIMI offshoot based in Uttar Pradesh’s Deoband.  

ISIS is increasing its influence in Karnataka, while PFI struggles to reorganise owing to financial constraints and monitoring by central agencies. Security agencies are concerned about ISIS’s access to funding and the radicalization of former PFI jihadis.

As per reports, several suspects have been detained by the police but the arrest of the accused has not been confirmed yet. The accused is suspected to have fled towards Tamil Nadu.

NIA to probe Rameshwaram Cafe blast case

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has handed over Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe blast probe to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which has re-registered the case and started an investigation. The case was handed over to the NIA last week following the visit of an NIA team to the blast site.

As reported earlier, the blast took place at the cafe on March 1 in Bengaluru’s Whitefield area where several people were injured following an explosion that occurred during the busy lunch hour. Over half a dozen people got injured after a low-intensity blast took place in The Rameshwaram Cafe, a popular eatery in Bengaluru’s Brookfield area. Earlier, the Bengaluru Police had registered a case under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Explosives Substances Act in connection with the explosion at the cafe.

Modi Ka Parivar: How ‘family jibe’ of Lalu Prasad Yadav at PM Modi gave BJP its new campaign tool, the redux of ‘Main Bhi Chowkidar’

OpIndia Staff
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Modi Ka Parivar: How ‘family jibe’ of Lalu Prasad Yadav at PM Modi gave BJP its new campaign tool, the redux of ‘Main Bhi Chowkidar’

On Sunday (3rd March), Lalu Prasad Yadav stirred the hornet’s nest by making vicious personal attacks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

While addressing a rally in Patna, the RJD supremo claimed, “Modi talks about dynastic politics, but what is dynastic politics? You (Modi) should explain why you don’t have children. What can we do if Narendra Modi does not have his own family?”

Lalu Prasad Yadav, who was convicted in the fodder scam case and is now out on bail, further claimed that PM Modi is not a Hindu.

He was heard saying, “(Modi) keeps bragging about the Ram temple. He is not even a true Hindu. In Hindu tradition, a son must shave his head and beard after the death of his parents. Modi did not do so when his mother died.”

While Lalu Prasad Yadav assumed that he would garner support for RJD by targeting PM Narendra Modi’s personal life, the political strategy has now backfired on the I.N.D.I. Alliance partner.

Public shows support to PM Modi

On Sunday (3rd March), popular Surat-based businessman ‘Mr Sinha’ lashed out at Lalu Prasad Yadav and told the RJD leader that the countrymen are the family members of PM Modi.

In a tweet, he stated, “Hey @laluprasadrjd, PM Modi is not alone…I’m his family…We all are his family…I’ve changed my profile name…Fellow BJP supporters too can do the same…”.

‘Mr Sinha’ suffixed his name on X (formerly Twitter) with the words ‘Modi’s family.’ He appealed to BJP supporters to follow suit.

Soon after, other social media users also rallied behind PM Modi and described the Prime Minister as part of their family.

Others expressed the desire to add ‘Modi’s family’ to their names but couldn’t due to the limitations of the X (formerly Twitter) platform and job-related concerns.

PM Modi hits back

On Monday (4th March), PM Modi responded to the personal attacks against him and stated that 140 crore Indians are his family. “Jiska koi nahi uska Modi hai (The person who has no one has Modi on his side),” he stated.

“140 crore countrymen are my family. Today, crores of daughters, mothers and sisters of the country are Modi’s family. Every poor person in the country is my family,” he emphasised.

PM Modi further added, “Those who have no one, they also belong to Modi and Modi belongs to them. My India-My family, with the expansion of these feelings, I am living for you, fighting for you and will continue to fight for you, to fulfill my dreams with determination.”

‘Modi Ka Parivar’ campaign

With the 2024 Lok Sabha elections just around the corner, convicted politician Lalu Prasad Yadav gave a fresh campaign idea to the ruling BJP government at the Centre.

Prodded by overwhelming public support, Cabinet Ministers began suffixing their names on X(formerly Twitter) with ‘Modi ka Parivar.’ Top BJP leaders such as Amit Shah, JP Nadda, Nitin Gadkari and Anurag Thakur wasted no time in throwing their weight behind the Prime Minister.

And thus came into existence the second version of ‘Main Bhi Chowkidar’ campaign, which proved to be a game-changer during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Interestingly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to his countrymen as ‘parivarjano (family members)’ during his speech from the ramparts of Red Fort on the occasion of 76th Republic Day.

The Opposition seems to have inadvertently played into the hands of the BJP and helped strengthen the party’s narrative ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

‘Main bhi Chowkidar’ campaign of BJP

In the run-up to the 2019 elections, Congress scion Rahul Gandhi repeatedly lied about the Rafale deal at all his rallies and mocked PM Modi by saying ‘Chowkidar Chor Hai‘.

Soon after, BJP supporters online began prefixing their names with ‘Chowkidar’. The campaign was started by Surat-based businessman ‘Mr Sinha.’ When it became trending on social media, the BJP leaders also began following suit.

First came a personal appeal from the Prime Minister himself to back the #MainBhiChowkidar tagline on twitter which he followed up by changing his name to “Chowkidar Narendra Modi” on his Twitter profile. It followed a digital stampede.

Prime Minister Modi tweeted a video to remind everyone that their ‘Chowkidar’ (watchman) was standing firm and serving the nation. As millions turned ‘chowkidar’ overnight, Congress’ jobe of ‘chowkidar chor hai’ failed to capitalise.

It must be mentioned that Prime Minister Modi seems to have a knack for converting condescending, elitist remarks on his humble beginnings thrown at him as ‘insults’ by Congress leaders into a matter of pride.

During the run-up to the 2014 elections, Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar had taken a dig at Prime Minister Modi’s humble beginning as a tea-seller and said that Modi can distribute tea but can never be the Prime Minister.

Modi had then converted that remark as a badge of honour and held ‘Chai Pe Charcha’, discussion forums over tea across the nation as a way to connect directly to voters.

Jharkhand: 21-year-old woman gang-raped by 3 co-workers after being given spiked drink, two arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Jharkhand: 21-year-old woman gang-raped by 3 co-workers after being given spiked drink, two arrested

A day after the brutal gang rape of a Brazilian woman was reported from Dumka, Jharkhand, another horrific case of gang rape has come to the fore from the same region. A 21-year-old woman dancer from Chhattisgarh was gang-raped by her male co-dancers on 3rd March in Palamu district of Jharkhand.

According to the reports, the accused persons fed the girl some intoxicated substance, after which the girl became unconscious. The accused persons then dragged the girl into a car and gang-raped her.

Confirming the incident, SDPO Rakesh Singh said that the two accused persons have been arrested in the case, and the search is on to nab the third co-accused. “The girl has been admitted to the local hospital and is undergoing treatment. Her medical tests will be done as a part of the procedure,” he added.

The incident is said to have happened late Saturday (2nd March) night in the Vishrambaug Police Road area near Ranchi. The police said that the accused left the girl unconscious and fled from the spot after brutally raping him.

As per the reports, the victim had come for an event in Palamu, Jharkhand. However, she went with her co-workers to some other event at Husainabad as the planned event at Palamu got cancelled on the spot due to some reasons.

“The accused while on the way to the event fed the girl with intoxicated substance and gang-raped her. They later left her unconscious and fled from the spot,” Singh confirmed. The police also added that the probe is on to find and nab the third accused while the police have already arrested two others on Sunday (3rd March).

Earlier, a brutal gang rape of a Brazilian woman was reported from Jharkhand. A tourist woman was brutally gang raped by seven persons in the Kurmahat region of Hansdiha police station area in Jharkhand’s Dumka district in the early hours of Saturday, 2nd March.

Three people have been detained in the case and are being interrogated in the matter by the authorities. The police are conducting raids to arrest the rest of the unknown number of accused.

According to the information available, two tourists from Spain, a female and her Spanish partner had left on two different bikes. They both took a break in the Hansdiha police station limits close to Kurmahat since it was getting late in the evening. The details indicate that at around 10 PM, approximately 7 to 8 young men from the neighbourhood arrived at the location, and thrashed the couple before sexually assaulting the woman.

The couple detailed their ordeal on social media, revealing bruises on their faces.

Speaking in Spanish, the victim said, “Something happened to us that we would not wish on anyone, seven men raped me, they beat us and robbed us.” The Brazilian influencer tearfully said her attackers did not steal much “because what they wanted was to rape me”.

Investigations are underway.

‘WB Police deliberately filed fake cases of molestation against ED officers’: CBI to Calcutta HC in Sandeshkhali probe hearing

OpIndia Staff
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‘WB Police deliberately filed fake cases of molestation against ED officers’: CBI to Calcutta HC in Sandeshkhali probe hearing

On Monday (4th March), the Central Bureau of Investigation informed the Calcutta High Court that the West Bengal Police deliberately filed fake cases of molestation against the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers. “State Police filed false cases of molesting women by ED officers. This is the case, where the State Police wanted to implicate ED Officers in false cases,” the CBI said.

The Court was hearing one of the cases filed in the Sandeshkhali issue. The ED mentioned its plea concerning the arrest of accused Shahjahan Sheikh, who was apprehended last week by the West Bengal Police for subjecting several women to sexual assault and forcibly taking over tribal lands.

Meanwhile, the advocate representing Sheikh claimed that the ED had filed the maximum number of cases against Sheikh overnight. “The ED itself said that only 4 IPC cases are pending against me. But in my absence before this court, this 4 becomes 41 overnight. I am unable to understand this change in numbers,” he said seeking anticipatory bail for Sheikh.

However, the central agency demanded exclusive custody of Sheikh and said that the accused could have been arrested in 40 cases but at present, he has been arrested only in two FIRs which include cases related to attacks on ED Officers. This is because the Court earlier allowed permission for arrest by keeping the order for ED to investigate the matter.

The advocate representing the state police meanwhile claimed that the local villagers attacked the ED officers and that the police were not pre-informed about the ED raids at Sheikh’s place. “When the ED Officers went there, the local police weren’t informed that they would be going to raid Shahjahan Sheikh’s premises. Local villagers assaulted officers of ED. Only after the assault, the ED informed Sandeshkhali Police Station but the said police had no jurisdiction and the competent local station was informed,” Adv Datta said.

To which the CBI clarified saying, “Our allegation isn’t against the local police. Our case is that in this case a sitting minister was involved and that the accused whose premises were to be raided was a leading member of the ruling party. Then our complaint (on attacks) was diluted by the local police and a serious offence of section 307 which was made out, wasn’t invoked.”

ASG Raju representing the CBI said that the police custody in any case cannot be extended beyond 15 days and that the State Police only wants to frustrate the probe and pass time till 15 days.

He also said that the state police filed false cases of molesting women by ED officers. “This is the case, where the State Police wanted to implicate ED Officers in false cases,” he said.

Fact-finding committee confirms State police siding Sheikh:

This comes a day after a fact-finding team headed by former Patna High Court Chief Justice L Narasimha Reddy visited several villages in the conflict-ridden Sandeshkhali region to begin a first-hand probe. The team’s first-hand investigation concluded that the area has been prone to serious human rights abuses.

“There are major human rights violations in Sandeshkhali. After Shahjahan’s arrest, the police’s behavior was complimentary towards him. He was seen walking like a king (following his arrest). There must be many like Shahjahan in Bengal,” informed Retired Inspector General Rajpal Singh, a member of the team after the visit.

One of the members, Bhavna Bajaj talked about the alarming state of affairs in Sandeshkhali. She called the incident “heart-wrenching” and addressed how challenging it was to uncover the truth because of police and government meddling and shielding. She pointed out, “They don’t want the facts to come to light.”

On 25th February, the fact-finding team attempted to travel to Sandeshkhali but was halted in their tracks by the state police, who attributed their actions to prohibitory orders issued under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The Central fact-finding team was granted permission to visit Sandeshkhali on 28th February by Justice Kaushik Chanda’s single-judge bench, following the filing of a suit in the Calcutta High Court. 

Sahajahan Sheikh’s arrest and his overall influence

Shahjahan Sheikh, a Trinamool Congress strongman was taken into custody by the West Bengal Police on 28th of February night from the Bamanpukur area at Minakhan in North 24 Parganas. He was sent to 10 days in police custody by a court in connection with an assault on Enforcement Directorate officials on 5th January during the course of a raid. He managed to evade the authorities for fifty-five days after he was accused of sexual assault and land grab by hundreds of women on Sandeshkhali.

On 8th February this year, hundreds of women in Sandeshkhali took to the streets to protest against land grabbing, non-payment of wages and sexual violence committed by Trinamool Congress goon Sheikh Shahjahan and his two aides Shiba Prasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar. Popularly referred to as ‘Betaj Badshah‘ Shahjahan Sheikh is an influential person in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali, an area that is adjacent to the Bangladesh border.

The Block Development Officer (BDO) has received more than 700 complaints against him in six days of excesses against villagers in the last six days. He was also the mastermind behind the assault on Enforcement Directorate officials who had reached to execute a raid on his residence as part of an investigation into the ration scam.

Meanwhile, 50 allegations of “sexual abuse and land grab” against the Trinamool leader and his accomplices have been filed by tribal families with the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes. A total of 1,250 complaints, 400 of which had to do with land-related matters, were reported to the state government officials.

Assembly resolution for freedom of Kashmiris: Shehbaz Sharif becomes PM of bankrupt Pakistan and immediately rakes up Kashmir

OpIndia Staff
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Assembly resolution for freedom of Kashmiris: Shehbaz Sharif becomes PM of bankrupt Pakistan and immediately rakes up Kashmir

After forging a deal with PPP and six other smaller parties, PML-N leader and newly elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif delivered the victory speech in Pakistan’s National Assembly on Sunday (3rd March). In his maiden speech after the formation of the new government, the PML-N leader listed out the challenges Pakistan is currently facing. 

Sharif warned the House that Pakistan was facing an alarming debt crisis so bad that even the expenditures of the National Assembly were being paid after borrowing money. PM-designate Shehbaz Sharif added that the country needed “deep surgery” otherwise its citizens and politicians would have to continue to hang their “heads in shame”. 

In the speech dominated by praise for his brother Nawaz Sharif, economic and social dismay in Pakistan, and an aggressive stance against Imran Khan-led PTI, Shehbaz Sharif raked the Kashmir issue on priority in his speech. Pertinent to note that it has been a futile, ill-customary practice for all Pakistani politicians to rake up the Kashmir issue to rally their core voter base, ticking the Army’s check box and paying lip service to the so-called Islamic cause.     

Addressing the National Assembly, Shehbaz Sharif claimed that Pakistan would not become part of any “great game” and that his government would increase the number of friends. He also pledged to build and improve ties with all leading nations, including its neighbours. “We will keep ties with neighbours on the basis of equality,” he added.

While claiming to build ties with neighbour, he raked the Kashmir issue and went further to equate it with Palestine. 

Shehbaz Sharif lamented, “Let’s all come together and the National Assembly should pass a resolution for the freedom of Kashmiris and Palestinians.” 

How will we pay the salaries of armed forces and civil servants: Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif in NA

Apart from highlighting the debt crisis, Shehbaz Sharif pledged to revive Pakistan’s debt-trapped economy and eradicate terrorism. He stressed that Pakistan is facing an alarming debt crisis where even the expenditures of the National Assembly were being paid by borrowing money. 

He added, “But if we decide to do a deep surgery and bring changes in the system, basic reform and I have no doubt that Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari and others will agree that we can either get rid of a life of debt or we move forward with heads down in shame.” 

The PML-N leader wondered, “How will we pay the salaries for armed forces and how to pay the civil servants,” adding that reforming the economy was the biggest challenge faced by the country.

He also emphasised the burden of debt stating that the country was required to pay billions of rupees in interest only.

In a bold claim, Shehbaz stated that his government would work hard and set a goal to become a member of G20 countries by 2030. Notably, the G20 or Group of 20 is an intergovernmental forum of the world’s powerful countries including major developed and developing economies.

He delivered the speech amidst continuous sloganeering by the members of Imran Khan’s party members against alleged “mandate thieves.”

Hung assembly results led to hefty negotiations

For those unversed, Shehbaz Sharif was recently elected as the 24th prime minister of Pakistan, and for a second time since 2022. During the voting in the newly-elected National Assembly, Shehbaz secured 201 votes while his challenger Omar Ayub Khan from the jailed Imran Khan-led PTI got only 92 votes.

In his speech, the 72-year-old Shehbaz profusely thanked his elder brother and three-time former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif and his alliance parties for putting their trust in him and allowing him to head a coalition government after last month’s election resulted in a hung Parliament. In an election marred with institutional rigging, PTI-backed Independent candidates led in the results with around 92 seats, PML-N emerged as the single-largest party with 75 seats followed by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s PPP with 54 seats. 

After hefty negotiations and backdoor dealings, Shehbaz’s victory was expected as he gained the support of seven other parties and he also enjoyed the tacit backing of the Pakistan Army which controls every activity in Pakistan behind the scenes.

Regarding the coalition government, Shehbaz justified it stating that as no party secured a clear parliamentary majority, it was “the democratic way” that “like-minded parties may form a coalition government”.

Meanwhile, the outgoing Pakistan President Arif Alvi is slated to administer the oath of Prime Minister’s post to Shehbaz Sharif in a ceremony at the President’s House at 3 pm on Monday (4th March).

140 crore people my family: PM Modi responds to out-on-bail convicted politician Lalu Prasad Yadav’s comments on Modi’s family

ANI
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140 crore people my family: PM Modi responds to out-on-bail convicted politician Lalu Prasad Yadav’s comments on Modi’s family

Prime Minister Narendra Modi targeted the opposition coalition, INDIA bloc over nepotism and corruption during his address at Adilabad in Telangana on Monday.

PM Modi said that the 140 crore people in the country are his family adding that his life is an open book.

“The leaders of the INDI alliance, deeply engrossed in corruption, nepotism and appeasement, are becoming nervous. When I question their ‘Parivarvad’, they have started saying that Modi has no family,” the Prime Minister said.

“My life is an open book, 140 crore people of the country are my family. Today, crores of daughters, mothers and sisters of the country are Modi’s family. Every poor person in the country is my family. Those who have no one, they also belong to Modi and Modi belongs to them. They say ‘Nene Modi Kutumbam’ (I’m Modi family),” he said.

“The countrymen know and understand me very well, keeping track of my every moment. Sometimes when I work till late night and the news is out, lakhs of people from across the country write to me asking me not to work so much, take some rest,” he said. The Prime Minister affirmed to continue his ‘fight’ to fulfil the dreams of the people.

“I live with feelings Mera Bharat, Mera Parivaar. I am living for you, fighting for you and will continue to fight for you, to fulfill your dreams with determination,” he said.

He further highlighted the development initiatives taken up by the central government in the last 10 years of its governance. “To date, over 15 lakh people have sent their suggestions for the Viksit Bharat Action Plan. Over 3,75,000 stakeholders have become active participants in this plan. Also, 3,000+ meetings have been held on the Viksit Bharat vision till now,” he said.

“Around 11 lakh youth from across 1,200 universities have also become part of this journey. And this way, we are moving ahead to build a Viksit Bharat, together!,” PM Modi said.

PM Modi listed the development projects completed in short span of time while criticising those questioning the projects labelling it as ‘election baits’.

“Those labelling the development projects as a ‘Chunavi’ tactic must be given an account of the last 15 days. In the last 15 days, we have inaugurated 2 IITs, 1 IIIT, 3 IIMs, 1 IIS and 5 AIIMS,” he said.

“In the last 15 days, we inaugurated the world’s largest storage scheme for farmers. 18,000 cooperatives were computerised. Over 2000 railway projects have been inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for. Moreover, it was also during the last 15 days only that projects worth over 1.5 lakh crore for the oil and gas sector have been dedicated to the country. The list doesn’t end here. These 15 days have built the Atmanirbhar Bharat!,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated, laid the foundation stone of and dedicated to the nation multiple development projects worth more than Rs 56,000 crore in Telangana’s Adilabad on Monday.

The multiple projects related to power, rail and road sector have been launched by the Prime Minister today.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, State BJP chief and Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, Telangana governor Tamilisai Soundarajan were also present at the event.

“Today the land of Adilabad is witnessing many development trends not only for Telangana but for the entire country. Today I got the opportunity to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of more than 30 development works here. These projects worth more than Rs 56 thousand crore will write a new chapter of development in many states of the country including Telangana,” the Prime Minister said while addressing the gathering.

PM Modi dedicated NTPC’s 800 MW (Unit-2) of Telangana Super Thermal Power Project in Telangana’s Peddapalli and dedicated 660 MW (Unit-2) of North Karanpura Super Thermal Power Project in Jharkhand’s Chatra. The Prime Minister emphasised the development works taken up for Telangana by the Centre.

“Today, everyone is talking about India’s pace of development. Over the past 10 years, how work gets done has changed in India. Our government has taken special care of Telangana. For us, development means the progress of the marginalised,” he said.

“Telangana is going to complete 10 years of its formation. The Central government is trying its best to fulfil the aspirations that people had back then. We have inaugurated the second unit of NTPC which has a capacity of 800 MW energy generation. This will enhance Telangana’s energy production capabilities and provide solutions for other related issues,” the Prime Minister said.

He also dedicated the Fly Ash Based Light Weight Aggregate Plant at Sipat, Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh; STP Water to Green Hydrogen Plant at Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh.

Further, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of Singrauli Super Thermal Power Project, Stage-III (2×800 MW) in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh; Flue Gas CO2 to 4G Ethanol Plant at Lara, Raigarh in Chhattisgarh; Sea Water to Green Hydrogen plant at Simhadri, Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh; and Fly Ash Based FALG Aggregate Plant at Korba in Chhattisgarh.

“National highways have also been inaugurated today. Enhanced connectivity through railways and highways will further enhance Telangana’s pace of development. It will not only reduce the time taken for travel but also boost the tourism and hospitality sector, thereby increasing employment opportunities in the region,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister laid the foundation of Bundelkhand Saur Urja Limited’s (BSUL’s) 1200 MW Jalaun Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Park in Jalaun, Uttar Pradesh.

He inaugurated three solar power projects of Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) in Jalaun and Kanpur Dehat in Uttar Pradesh and also Naitwar Mori Hydro Power station along with associated transmission line in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi.

PM Modi inaugurated ReNew’s Koppal-Narendra Transmission Scheme for evacuation of 2500 MW power from Renewable Energy. Prime Minister dedicated the newly electrified Ambari – Adilabad – Pimpalkhuti rail line to the nation. He also laid the foundation for two major National Highway projects connecting Telangana with Maharashtra and Telangana with Chhattisgarh through NH-353B and NH-163.

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

1998 Congress-JMM bribery case: PM Modi welcomes Supreme Court verdict overruling judgment that granted immunity to MPs, MLAs on graft charges

OpIndia Staff
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1998 Congress-JMM bribery case: PM Modi welcomes Supreme Court verdict overruling judgment that granted immunity to MPs, MLAs on graft charges

A seven-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court on Monday (4th March) ruled that an MP or MLA cannot claim immunity from prosecution on a charge of bribery in connection with the vote or speech in the Parliament or Legislative Assembly.

In a unanimous view, the SC’s Constitution Bench overruled the 1998 judgement in the PV Narasimha Rao case. The seven-judge bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud also comprised Justices Bopanna, Sundresh, Narasimha, Pardiwala, Sanjay Kumar and Manoj Misra.

Welcoming the verdict, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X saying, “A great judgment by the Hon’ble Supreme Court which will ensure clean politics and deepen people’s faith in the system.”

In the PV Narasimha Rao case, the Congress Party with Narasimha Rao as its Prime Minister had given bribes to some members of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and urged them to vote against the No Confidence motion moved against Rao in 1991.

The majority judgment in this case had held that a lawmaker was immune to prosecution even if he/she took money to vote on the floor of the House.

A recent case in point is Mahua Moitra’s cash for query incident wherein the now-expelled TMC MP had asked questions on the floor of the House against Adani on behalf of businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for bribe including expensive gifts and cash. Moitra had done so by giving access of her Parliamentary account login details to Hiranandani who submitted questions against Adani.

Overruling the verdict, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud observed, “We disagree with the judgment in PV Narasimha case which grants immunity to a legislator for alleged bribery for making a speech or vote in a particular manner in the House that has wide ramifications.”

The top court held that corruption and bribery by legislators destroy the functioning of Indian Parliamentary democracy. The bench headed by the CJI said that the bribery is not rendered immune citing Article 105 or 194.

“A member indulging in bribery indulges in a criminal act which is not essential for casting a vote or giving a speech in the legislature,” the CJI said.

The Supreme Court said that the interpretation of PV Narasimha judgment is contrary to Articles 105 and 194 of the constitution.

The court said that the interpretation which has been placed on the issue in question and the judgment of the majority in PV Narasimha Rao results in a paradoxical outcome where a legislator is conferred with immunity when they accept a bribe and follow through by voting in the agreed direction.

Chief Justice Chandrachud further observed that the offence of bribe is crystallised on the taking of illegal gratification and it does not depend on whether the vote or speech is given later.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had told the bench that the privilege was granted to ensure that lawmakers vote and perform their duties fearlessly.

He said, “Court should not be influenced by extreme examples.. like an agreement being made for bribe inside the parliament.. it can also happen that the transaction to transfer such bribe also happens inside the parliament.”

He contended that the Narasimha Rao ruling inadvertently shields individuals accepting bribes once an action (like delivering a speech or casting a vote influenced by the bribe) is completed.

Speaking after the verdict, Advocate Ashwini Upadhyay said that the apex court through its judgment made it clear that if any legislator takes bribes to ask questions or cast vote in the legislature will not be immune to prosecution.

He said that the accused legislator will not be treated with any special protocols but will be charged with corruption.

Case in point – Mahua Moitra’s Cash for Query case

The country witnessed Investigation by the Parliamentary ethics committee into charges against former TMC MP Mahua Moitra revealed that Moitra had provided the login credentials of her Parliamentary account to businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for expensive gifts, bags, and even money.

The charge was eventually accepted by the former MP herself. Moreover, Mahua Moitra had also asked questions against Adani on the floor of the Lok Sabha to benefit Hiranandani. Hiranandani had admitted to paying cash, lavish gifts to Moitra, and having access to her Lok Sabha login credentials. Moitra was expelled based on the recommendations of the ethics committee report.

(With agency inputs)

‘You are no layman. You are a minister. You should know the consequences’: SC raps Udhayanidhi Stalin over remarks on Sanatana Dharma

OpIndia Staff
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‘You are no layman. You are a minister. You should know the consequences’: SC raps Udhayanidhi Stalin over remarks on Sanatana Dharma

The Supreme Court on Monday (March 4) expressed sharp disapproval of Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s comments on Sanatana Dharma.

A bench consisting of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta was handling a petition filed by Udhayanidhi Stalin to combine the first information reports (FIR) lodged in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka over the controversial remarks made by the DMK leader.

Upon taking up the petition, Justice Datta addressed Stalin’s counsel, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, stating, “You are misusing your Article 19(1)(a) right. You are misusing your Article 25 right. And now you are invoking your Article 32 right? Do you not comprehend the implications of your statements?”

Singhvi, while clarifying that he is not defending Stalin’s remarks, highlighted that his client is facing FIRs in six different states and is merely seeking their consolidation. In response to the bench’s suggestion to approach the respective high courts, Singhvi said, “I would have to approach six high courts, constantly entangling myself…This seems like persecution before the prosecution.”

Justice Datta reiterated his disapproval of the petitioner’s remarks: “You are not an ordinary individual. You are a minister. You ought to be aware of the repercussions.”

Singhvi referred to the Supreme Court’s rulings in the cases of Amish Devgan, Arnab Goswami, Nupur Sharma, and Mohammed Zubair, where the consolidation of FIRs from multiple states was permitted. He explained that he was seeking similar relief in this case.

Following persistent persuasion by Singhvi, the bench eventually consented to review the plea and scheduled it for Friday. They requested Singhvi to submit the precedents for the record.

Udhayanidhi Stalin and his objectionable remarks on Sanatana Dharma

On Saturday (September 2), the Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development of Tamil Nadu said, “Mosquitoes, dengue, flu, malaria, corona – we should not oppose these things. They’ve to be eradicated completely.”

“The same is the case with Santanam (Hinduism). Our first work should be to abolish/eradicate Sanatanam instead of opposing it. So, my appreciation to you all for giving an apt title to the meeting,” he stated. 

Later, he went on a tirade against the Hindu civilisational religious philosophy on social media. While taking to X (formerly Twitter), Udhayanidhi Stalin wrote, “Sanatan Dharma is a principle that divides people in the name of caste and religion.”

“Uprooting Sanatan Dharma is upholding humanity and human equality…I spoke on behalf of the oppressed & marginalized, who suffer due to the Sanatan Dharma. I spoke on behalf of the oppressed & marginalized, who suffer due to the Sanatan Dharma,” he reiterated his sinister plan.

Yogi Adityanath will be blown up with a bomb – UP Police receives call threatening the Chief Minister, initiates investigation

OpIndia Staff
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Yogi Adityanath will be blown up with a bomb – UP Police receives call threatening the Chief Minister, initiates investigation

On Saturday, 2nd March, a threatening call was made on the designated number of Uttar Pradesh Police Head Constable Udham Singh at around 10 PM. When Singh picked up the call, the caller threatened that CM Yogi Adityanath would be blown up. Upon asking the location of the caller, the person immediately hung up.

Reports suggest that an unidentified young person made the call on the Crime Intelligence Unit (CIU) number allotted to Udham Singh. The caller said, “Chief Minister Yogi Adityanth could be blown up with a bomb.”

Following the call, Head Constable Singh immediately informed his seniors about the call. Reportedly, four teams have been formed to investigate the matter. The mobile number from which the call was made is being traced by the police.

OpIndia accessed the FIR registered in the matter. The FIR suggested that on 2nd March 2024, Udham Singh received a call at 10:08 PM. The caller told him that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath would be blown up with a bomb. When he asked the caller his name and address, he abruptly disconnected the call.

Source: UP police

Speaking to the media, SHO Mahanagar, Akhilesh Mishra, said that an FIR has been registered based on the complaint of Udham Singh under Section 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

UP CM Yogi Adityanath has received threats on multiple occasions. In January this year, a youth named Ajit Yadav sent a message on social media where he used derogatory language for CM Yogi and threatened to kill him. In April 2021, a threat call was made on 112 where the caller threatened to kill CM Yogi Adityanath in four days.

Chhattisgarh: 12 booked for insulting Hindu Gods and Brahmins in a public event; Christian organisers appealed to break EVMs during elections

OpIndia Staff
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Chhattisgarh: 12 booked for insulting Hindu Gods and Brahmins in a public event; Christian organisers appealed to break EVMs during elections

On Monday (4th March), Jashpur police filed a hate crime report against 12 people for using soiled and insulting language against the Hindu and Brahmin communities on a public forum in the state of Chhattisgarh. The Police are said to have taken action after the video went viral over the social media platforms. 

The clip that was released on the internet is related to a ‘public awareness program’ that was organised on 27th February 2024 under the joint supervision of Bharat Mukti Morcha, Rashtriya Christian Morcha, and Rastriya Ekta Parishad Kunkuri Police Station boundaries in Kunkuri, Jashpur.

In the viral video, the speakers can be seen using derogatory language towards the Hindu community and Brahmins, as well as instigating people against Hinduism. It is additionally alleged that an appeal was made at the conference to break EVMs during the Lok Sabha elections. The speaker at the event could also be seen making derogatory remarks about Hindu deities and Pandit Dhirendra Shastri of Bageshwardham. Videos of provocative speeches by the speakers are being circulated on the internet.

Karnail Singh, the district president of Vishva Hindu Parishad Jashpur took cognizance of the video and filed a formal complaint with the police. “The speakers insulted Hindu Gods and Goddesses, for which they must be punished. The entire Hindu and Brahmin community has also been insulted. The communities are enraged and are demanding strict punishment,” the complainant said.

The VHP leader further stated that a speaker also questioned the results of three state assembly elections held in 2023. He said that 10 lakh voters were registered in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, but 10.5 lakh actually voted. As a result, the EVM is being called into question. He accused him of vote-stealing.

The speakers are also said to have railed against Brahmins. The Utkal Brahmin community has expressed displeasure about this.

Jaspur SP Shashi Mohan Singh stated that police received a report regarding significant violations such as hate-mongering and encouragement of religious sentiments against other communities. Based on the complaint, police filed a FIR against the 12 suspects.

The FIR in the case has been registered under sections 153 (A), 153 (B), 295 (A), 505 (2), 109 and 294 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

The persons booked in the FIR have been identified as Sunil Khalkho, resident of Godhi police station Bagbahar, Shyam Sundar Maravi, resident Kunkuri, Meera Tirkey, resident Kansabel, Blasius Tigga, resident Ambikapur, Sanjay Saxena, resident Kapu Raigarh, Remish Tirkey, resident Kansabel, Dinesh Bhagat, resident Coconut Dand Police Station Kansabel, Harsh Kujur, resident Pirai police station garden, Roopnarayan Ekka, resident of Jashpur and others.

Further investigations are underway.

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