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Hong Kong: Multinational company loses $25 million after finance worker gets scammed with deep fake video call featuring CFO and staff

A finance worker at a multinational firm in Hong Kong was tricked into paying out USD 25 million to fraudsters who used deepfake technology to pose as the company’s chief financial officer, CNN reported, citing Hong Kong police.

The elaborate scam saw the worker duped into attending a video call with what he thought were several other members of staff, but all of whom were in fact ‘deepfake’ recreations, Hong Kong police said at a briefing on Friday.

“(In the) multi-person video conference, it turns out that everyone [he saw] was fake,” senior superintendent Baron Chan Shun-ching told the city’s public broadcaster, RTHK.

Chan said the worker had grown suspicious after he received a message purportedly from the company’s UK-based CFO. Initially, the worker suspected it was a phishing email, as it talked of the need for a secret transaction to be carried out.

However, the worker put aside his early doubts after the video call because other people in attendance had looked and sounded just like his colleagues, Chan said.

The police officer further said that the worker believed that everyone else on the call was real and agreed to remit a total of 200 million Hong Kong dollars (around USD 25.6 million), CNN reported.

The case is one of several recent episodes in which fraudsters have used deepfake technology to modify publicly available video and other footage to cheat people for money.

Hong Kong police said they had made six arrests in connection with such scams.

Chan said that eight stolen Hong Kong identity cards – all of which had been reported as lost by their owners – were used to make 90 loan applications and 54 bank account registrations between July and September last year.

According to the police, AI deepfakes had been used to trick facial recognition programs by imitating the people pictured on the identity cards, on at least 20 occasions, CNN reported.

The scam involving the fake CFO was only discovered when the employee later checked with the corporation’s head office.

Hong Kong police did not reveal the name or details of the company or the worker.

Meanwhile, authorities across the world are growing increasingly concerned at the sophistication of deepfake technology and the nefarious uses it can be put to.

In January, AI-generated pornographic images of the American pop star Taylor Swift spread across social media, underscoring the damaging potential posed by artificial intelligence technology, as reported by CNN.

The photos – which show the singer in sexually suggestive and explicit positions – were viewed tens of millions of times before being removed from social media platforms.

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

Darbhanga: Lone Hindu family in village harassed, forced to convert by Mohammad Guddu and Mohammad Laddu, police denies communal angle, says ‘land dispute’

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A Hindu family is being forced to convert to Islam in Bihar’s Darbhanga. The family has alleged assault and objectionable things are being thrown at them.

This family is the only Hindu family in a Muslim-dominated village. They are being harassed in various ways. The victim has made these allegations against Mohammad Guddu and his five brothers including Mohammad Laddu.

The case is of Muria village of Bhalpatti OP police station area in ​​Darbhanga. Rajdhan Devi lives here with her family. It was only when her son Vicky approached DM Rajeev Roshan with his problem that the matter caught the media’s attention.

In the application given to the District Magistrate through her son, the victim has alleged that the entire village area where her family lives belongs to Muslims. Hers is the only Hindu family in the village.

In this situation, people from the Muslim community are not only harassing her continuously in various ways but they also enter her house to create a ruckus.

Rajdhan Devi’s son Vicky has also alleged that objectionable items are thrown inside his house by people of the Muslim community.

Vicky, while talking to Dainik Bhaskar, has made allegations against the family of Mohammad Guddu and Mohammad Laddu. Vicky said that Guddu and Laddu are 5 brothers and they want his family to leave their home or accept Islam.

According to media reports, Vicky said that now he feels that Hindus do not have the right to live under the Constitution. “That’s why all the officials are making us do the rounds,” he reportedly said.

The victim’s family alleges that they have been making rounds of the offices for the last three years but they are not being heard.

District Magistrate Rajeev Roshan has said that a boy had come to meet them in this regard. After receiving the application, the Sadar Sub-Divisional Officer has been directed to immediately reach the village, investigate the entire matter and take necessary action.

Update: The Bihar police have in this case denied any communal angle. The police have issued a statement saying that it is a land dispute between the parties without any communal angle. The report on the police statement can be read here.

Gujarat Police gets 2-day remand for Islamic preacher Mufti Salman Azhari in hate speech case, bringing him from Mumbai to Junagadh

 Gujarat Police has got a two-day remand of Islamic Preacher Mufti Salman Azhari from a Mumbai Court in an alleged hate speech case.

According to officials, the Gujarat Police had on Sunday evening sought Mufti Salman Azhari’s remand, and a Mumbai Court granted his transit remand to them on Sunday evening, allowing the police to take him to Junagadh.

“They (Police) had applied for his transit remand; we opposed that and we had also said that he was illegally detained. The notice that needs to be served to us as per the law wasn’t given to us…he has been sent to a 2-day transit remand. We have been told that he will be taken to Junagadh (Gujarat),” Azhari’s lawyer Arif Siddiqui told reporters.

Earlier in the day, a team of Gujarat police reached Mumbai and detained Mufti Salman Azhari in connection with an alleged hate speech case it is probing.

After he was brought to Ghatkopar Police Station, a large crowd gathered outside the police station, demanding his release.

The Mumbai Police, however, stated that the crowd had been dispersed and brought under control.

“In Mumbai, there is peace, the Ghatkopar area is also peaceful. Don’t believe any rumours. I want to tell the people of Mumbai that, for them, Police are on the road,” DCP Hemrajsingh Rajput said.

Following the arrest of Azhari, the National spokesperson of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, Waris Pathan, claimed that the preacher had not delivered any provocative speech and that he must be given justice.

“The due process of law must be followed; he must be given a notice under Section 41 A. We have full faith in the law and order that we will get justice. He did not give any provocative speech; he made all the clarifications. When actual hate speeches are given, why doesn’t the government take any action then, why have no arrests been made then?” Waris Pathan said while speaking to reporters.

Mufti Salman Azhari’s lawyer, Wahid Sheikh, told the media, “Around 35-40 policemen gathered at the residence of Mufti Salman Azhari. Mufti Sahab cooperated with the police. We were told that a case has been registered against him under section 153 B (for promoting enmity between different religious groups), in Gujarat. He has now been detained illegally.

Speaking on the viral video leading to the arrest, he said that “no religious sentiments were hurt in the speech given by him, no provoked statement has been given. The VHP and RSS staged a demonstration outside a police station due to which a suo-moto FIR was registered.”

“Maulana Mufti Salman Azhari came to the police station with them and also cooperated but there is no reply yet…Maulana Mufti Salman Azhari is ready to cooperate but the police are not giving any reply…” Sheikh said.

Notably, Junagadh Police took action against Mufti Salman Azhari after a video of an inflammatory speech allegedly delivered by the preacher went viral on social media.

Azhari requested his supporters not to protest. “…Neither am I a criminal, nor have I been brought here for committing a crime. They are doing the required investigation and I am also cooperating with them. I am ready to be arrested if it is in my destiny…” he said.

The alleged speech was delivered at an event held on an open ground near the ‘B’ division police station in Junagadh on the night of January 31.

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

Death toll in Chile wildfires rises to 99, emergency declared

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Deadly wildfires in Chile have claimed at least 99 lives till now, reported CNN citing the government’s Legal Medical Service (SML).

A state of emergency has been proclaimed as smoke engulfed the coastal cities of Chile, forcing residents in core regions to flee their homes.

President Gabriel Boric announced on Sunday, following his visit to the affected districts, that Monday and Tuesday would be designated as national mourning days in honour of the fire victims, CNN reported.

He also stated that the death toll “will increase significantly,” in a press conference on Sunday.

The governor of the Valparaiso region, Rodrigo Mundaca, announced on Sunday that a curfew was being enforced in the towns of Vina del Mar, Quilpue, Villa Alemana, and Limache so that officials could concentrate on putting out the fires.

Valeria Melipillan, the mayor of Quilpue, told CNN Chile that the fire was “probably the largest ever” in the area and that around 1,400 homes had been damaged.

Although the evacuation attempts had been effective, Melipillan noted that several residents of the impacted areas had expressed a reluctance to leave their houses.

“Pray for the deceased and injured victims of the devastating fires that have affected central Chile,” Pope Francis urged people to pray for those who lost their lives in wildfires, in a post on X.

Meanwhile, Chile’s President Boric said in a televised statement on Saturday that the defence ministry would send additional military personnel to the impacted areas and would provide all required supplies.

The fires triggered evacuations in several regions of central Chile. In February 2023, fires in the country swept through more than 400,000 hectares and killed more than 22 people.

Though this year’s fires have not spread as widely, Toha said they are “multiplying rapidly” and are spreading closer to urban areas, so the potential to affect more people and structures is “very high”, as per NBC News.

The fires broke out as Chile faces a heat wave that has affected other Latin American countries as well. Boric declared a state of emergency, and red alerts were issued for at-risk areas. (ANI)

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


Rashritya Hindu Dal president booked for pasting ‘Mandir’ sticker on Gyanvapi ‘Masjid’ signboard in Varanasi, Roshan Pandey says it is a temple now after court order

On 2nd February (Friday), Varanasi’s Lanka Police lodged an FIR against a Rashritya Hindu Dal president Roshan Pandey for pasting posters and circulating videos on social media to allegedly outrage religious feelings. Notably, Pandey, a resident of Gangotri Vihar colony in the Samne Ghat area, affixed a sticker with ‘Mandir’ written on it over the signboards displaying Gyanvapi “Masjid” to make the final signboard read, ‘Gyanvapi Mandir’ both in English and Hindi. He did it soon after the Varanasi District Court allowed Hindus to perform puja inside Vyas Cellar in the Gyanvapi mosque structure.

As per a Times of India report, Pandey hails from the Gaya district of Bihar, and is the state secretary of the Hindu Samaj Party (HSP). He was booked under sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc), 505(2) (dissemination of a rumour or unsettling news about a religion, race, language, or community), 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, that are intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of IPC and 67 IT Act.

In a video released before the case was filed, Roshan Pandey said that after the Varanasi district court allowed Hindu puja in the Gyanvapi basement, now it is a temple, and therefore he covered the Masjid in the signboard with a sticker saying Mandir. He said that after the court order, what he did is legally right. He noted that CM Yogi Adityanath has said that calling Gyanvapi a mosque is wrong, and the recently published ASI report also says that the mosque was constructed after demolishing a temple.

Pandey added that the signboard was creating confusion among devotees visiting Kashi, and therefore he changed the signboard to remove this confusion. Notable, Roshan Pandey has been appealing to the administration to change the board, and had written to the CM and tourism department in the state. He said that after his applications were not accepted, he and his organisation Rashritya Hindu Dal decided to do it themselves.

He further said that the Varanasi District Administration was threatening to take action against him for the act. He appealed to CM Yogi Adityanath to take cognisance of the matter to ensure that he is not harassed by the police.

In the meanwhile, it is being further alleged on social media that Roshan Pandey has also been booked under various sections of SC/ST Act. 

Meanwhile, the Varanasi police have launched a manhunt to apprehend Roshan Pandey who is reportedly absconding.  

Lanka inspector Shivakant Mishra said that the FIR was lodged based on the complaint of Nagwa outpost in charge Ajay Yadav. He alleged that Pandey made the posters on letter pads of the Hindu Samaj Party and Hindu Seva using words that spread religious fanaticism, affecting peace and tranquillity in the region. 

As per reports, Pandey’s criminal records include cases under sections 295A and 505 of the IPC at Cantt police station, and sections 153A, 295A, 505 of the IPC, and 67 IT Act at Bhelupur police station.

The incident and the disputed claim about the structure being a “Masjid”

On 1st February, Roshan Pandey affixed two stickers with ‘Mandir’ written on it in Hindi and English over a signboards displaying “Gyanvapi Masjid”. By covering the ‘Masjid’ text with the Mandir sticker, the final text on the signboard read ‘Gyanvapi Mandir’ in both the languages.

The incident took place after the Varanasi district court had allowed Hindu devotees to worship in the basement of the Gyanvapi structure dubbed as Masjid by the Muslim petitioners and sections of the media. However, legal proceedings are ongoing to ascertain whether the ‘disputed’ structure has Hindu character and/or was built on a pre-existing Hindu Mandir. Furthermore, the Allahabad High Court also declined an interim stay on the Varanasi court order allowing Puja inside ‘Vyas Tehkhana’ in the Gyanvapi complex.

It is important to note that recently the ASI’s survey report was recently made available to both the petitioning sides and the media. OpIndia had extensively covered the 850 pages+ ASI Survey report on the Gyanvapi structure in which the premier scientific agency on such issues categorically stated that a large Hindu temple existed at the place where the present structure is located. The ASI in its survey found Shivling, miniature temple, idols of Hindu gods, and more buried in Gyanvapi cellars which were ‘deliberately blocked’ with debris. 

Trader’s body CAIT advises traders to switch from Paytm to other payment apps following RBI’s order against Paytm Payments Bank

On Sunday (4th February), the Trader’s body – the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) issued a cautionary advisory to traders. In its advisory, it asked traders to switch from Paytm to other payment options for business-related transactions in the wake of RBI’s order against Paytm payments bank (PPB). RBI has barred PPB from onboarding new consumers with immediate effect adding that banking transactions have to be stopped from 29th February. 

In the cautionary advisory, the CAIT stated, “The Reserve Bank of India has imposed certain restrictions, prompting CAIT to recommend that users take proactive measures to protect their funds and ensure uninterrupted financial transactions. Large number of small traders, vendors, hawkers, and women are making payments through Paytm, and as such RBI restrictions on Paytm could lead financial disruption to these people.”

The traders’ body also sought action against the PPB if irregularities would be found against it. “CAIT believes that if there is any evidence of fund irregularities, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) should investigate Paytm Payment Bank,” the release added.

In the statement, CAIT National President BC Bhartia and Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said that the restrictions imposed by RBI on Paytm have raised concerns about the security and continuity of financial services provided by the platform.

Bhartia and Khandelwal urged traders to look into alternate payment methods that are compliant with regulatory guidelines to reduce risk.  

Further, Khandelwal also emphasised the urgency of this advisory and urged traders to act promptly. He asked them to make informed decisions to mitigate any potential adverse effects on their financial operations.

The officials further stated that the major reason for the ban on Paytm Payment Bank was the creation of millions of accounts without proper identification. 

Khandelwal added, “The process of Know Your Customer (KYC) was not completed for these accounts. Moreover, transactions involving millions of rupees were conducted without proper identification, raising concerns about money laundering.”

RBI’s action against Paytm Payments Bank

Notably, on 31st January, the RBI directed Paytm Payments Bank not to onboard new customers with immediate effect. Moreover, all banking transactions including fund transfers using any mode will be terminated from 29th February. The action was taken over persistent non-compliance and continued material supervisory concerns in the bank, warranting further supervisory action, the RBI had stated in a press release.

News agency PTI citing sources reported that money laundering concerns and questionable dealings of hundreds of crores of rupees between popular wallet Paytm and its lesser-known banking arm had led the Reserve Bank of India to clamp down on the Paytm Payment banks run by Vijay Shekhar Sharma.

Kanhaiya Lal-like attack in Bhavnagar: Hindu tailor alleges police not adding Hanuman Chalisa angle and pressurising to change statement, police say accused being released

A brutal Kanhaiya Lal-like murderous assault recently surfaced from Gujarat’s Bhavnagar where a Hindu tailor was attacked with Iron rods. The victim has asserted that he was brutally attacked for playing Hanuman Chalisa, but the cops are dismissing this claim. The victim has accused Sahil, Shaukat, and Munna of attacking him for playing Hanuman Chalisa at his shop. He has alleged that the police are not mentioning the Hanuman Chalisa angle in the FIR and forcing him to change his statement. 

However, Police have denied the angle of Hanuman Chalisa in the recent incident. The police have said that there is nothing like this and all legal proceedings have been completed.

According to the victim, even though he gave all the details to the police, the Hanuman Chalisa angle was not mentioned in the FIR and the complaint was not even read to him. Later, when he was taken to the district police chief’s office, he alleges that he was not heard there either. 

Police did not mention Hanuman Chalisa in FIR: Victim

Speaking to OpIndia, victim Rajendra Chauhan stated that pressure was being exerted on him to change his statement. He said that he has been harassed frequently for playing Hanuman Chalisa. Some time ago, when he played Hanuman Chalisa at his shop, Bilal came there to stop him from playing Hanuman Chalisa. Bilal reportedly asked, “Why are you playing the Hanuman Chalisa here? It disturbs us” and had a brawl. However, the police did not mention any of these issues in the FIR registered for the attack.

He further stated, “On Saturday (3rd February 2024), I was taken to the SP office, where I told them all these details when asked. Also, I further told them that I was attacked by the same persons, but they avoided the matter. They were saying that this is wrong. Now how can I convince them?”

It is alleged that the Police shot a video of the victim’s statement, police deny

The victim has alleged that the police pressured him to change his statement. According to his allegations, the police were shooting a video of him. According to his statement, the local police called him for questioning on Saturday (February 3), where he recounted all the details and said that the accused had been consistently harassing him for playing Hanuman Chalisa, but the officer said, ‘You are lying’. According to his allegations, the Police had shot his video during this conversation and it was shot in the angle in which only he appears in the video. The reason given is that the video has been shot to calm the situation.

Victim Rajendra Chauhan also alleged that the police had made special arrangements for the accused to eat in the lockup. He has demanded that the truth should be added to the FIR and the accused should be prosecuted and brought to justice.

Police deny the allegations, say the matter is calm and accused will be released

On the other hand, the police are still denying these allegations. KC Rehwar, the officer investigating the incident, told OpIndia in a conversation, “The victim says that earlier there was a quarrel over the Hanuman Chalisa and since then there has been a head-to-head clash over small matters, but there is nothing like that in the current incident.” The police have refused to add the Hanuman Chalisa angle in the case.

Importantly, while the accused persons were detained by the police, now they are being released, according to the police.

The police officer added, “On the first day, preventive action was taken against the accused. It has been more than 24 hours now that they will be released. The legal proceedings have been completed, now the accused are being released.” On the other hand, he denied the allegations of videotaping the victim.

The Bhavnagar’s Kanhaiyal Lal-like brutal assault

On 1st February, a Hindu tailor Rajendra Chauhan who lives in Bhavnagar’s Kumbharwada, was working at his shop when the accused came and attacked him with an iron pipe and threatened to kill him.

As per the FIR, two days ago there was an altercation with the accused Shaukat, who lived next door, after which he filed a complaint against him, in which Bilal was also named. It is mentioned in the FIR that the attack was carried out to retaliate against him for filing the complaint.

The victim said in a conversation with OpIndia and other media channels that he was attacked for playing Hanuman Chalisa. He alleged that playing Hanuman Chalisa has led to frequent clashes with the Muslims. The police, on the other hand, are saying that there is no mention of Hanuman Chalisa in the current incident and therefore it has not been mentioned in the FIR.

‘Those who ruled after independence were ashamed of our own culture’ – PM Modi attacks Congress for ignoring Hindu sacred places

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On 4th February, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a public meeting at Guwahati, Assam and unveiled an ambitious vision for the development of the country’s North East region. PM Modi emphasised the country’s transformative changes under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government. During his speech, he touched upon key achievements, plans, and a commitment to empowering the region’s people.

During his address, PM Modi highlighted the significance of the region, especially the importance of sacred places like Kamakhya Devi Mandir, where he laid the foundation of the Kamakhya Divya Lok Project.

Citing the failure of the previous governments to develop sacred places, PM Modi said those who ruled the country after independence were ashamed of our culture. He said, “Unfortunately, those who ran the government in the country after gaining independence did not understand the importance of these sacred places of faith. They created a trend of being ashamed of their culture and history for political gain. Any country cannot develop by erasing its past, forgetting it, and cutting its roots.

He expressed his satisfaction with his government’s work in the past ten years to develop the country’s heritage by making it part of its policy. He said, “As a result, we are witnessing changes in various corners of Assam. In Assam, places associated with faith, spirituality, and history are connected to modern facilities. Along with the campaign to preserve heritage, the development campaign is progressing rapidly.”

PM Modi emphasised the substantial progress that the country has made in the past ten years. He cited the multi-fold increase in development expenditure. While speaking about the railway network development, he noted, “Since 2014, the length of railway tracks has increased by more than 1900 kilometres, and the railway budget has seen a nearly 400 per cent increase compared to the period before 2014.”

PM Modi addressed the issue of infrastructure in the country and pointed out that Rs 11 lakh crore have been allocated for the development. Hi said, “In the ten years before 2014, the budget for infrastructure was approximately Rs 12 lakh crores. Our government is set to spend almost the same amount in just one year, showcasing the scale of upcoming developmental projects.”

PM Modi also underscored the focus on clean energy. He announced a massive solar rooftop initiative in the budget to install solar panels on the rooftops of one crore families. The project was first announced after Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha. The initiative aims to reduce electricity bills and encourage households to generate and sell surplus energy.

PM Modi also talked about the “Lakhpati Didis” project, where the government aims at turning three crore women into “Lakhpati”. PM Modi said, “In the past year, we have already witnessed one crore sisters becoming ‘Lakhpati Didis,’ and now we aim to extend this to three crores. This initiative has proven transformative for countless women in self-help groups nationwide.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked about the importance of connectivity and stressed that improving connectivity would alleviate the problems faced by the nation’s people. Two new highway projects were inaugurated in Itanagar to improve regional connectivity. While concluding the speech, PM Modi assured the nation that developing India is his commitment. He said, “The dream you have for a prosperous and developed India is also my commitment. I guarantee that under the Modi government, no effort will be spared to fulfil your dreams.”

Thousands of people attended the public meeting showcasing the overwhelming support of PM Modi for his development agenda in Assam and the entire North East region.

Uttar Pradesh: Gangster Atiq Ahmed’s Greater Noida house “Mannat”, named after Shah Rukh Khan’s house, to be seized

The Yogi Adityanath government is relentlessly working to wipe out the illicit mafia empire of the late Atiq Ahmed. Now, the authorities have attached his Greater Noida home, which has been estimated to be around Rs 4 crore. The property located at sector 36, which is named “Mannat“, will be attached by the police under section 14(1) of the Gangster Act.

Reportedly they are preparing to run a bulldozer on bungalow number A 107 which derived its name from Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s famous mansion in Mumbai’s affluent Bandstand area of upscale Bandra West. The reason behind it is that the mobster was a huge fan of the actor and thus named his favourite place after the latter’s home.

Mannat was built by Atiq Ahmed in 1994 for the education of his sons who attended a university located in Greater Noida. However, rather than being employed for the intended purpose, it began to be used to perform unlawful and criminal activities. He used to hold meetings here with his operatives whenever he travelled to Delhi. Many land deals were finalised behind its four walls.

It consequently turned into a sanctuary for lawbreakers. Notably, his son Asad and shooter Ghulam came to Mannat through Kanpur after carrying out the murder of Umesh Pal last year. They had come to retrieve the money, which was discovered to be buried here during the police inquiry. They absconded from there after some time. The mobster reportedly sent his special men who were fugitives to hide here. Police have searched every single room of the house and sealed it.

Atiq Ahmed’s prior bank records were examined by the Octopus team of police and additional research unearthed the truth. The squad looked up his bank account information and couldn’t find any record of purchasing it which meant that he bought the house with proceeds of crime. This luxurious three-story home has all the comforts. His cronies were also unaware of it. It was only known to Atiq and Ashraf’s family members.

According to City Deputy Commissioner of Police Deepak Bhukar, Prayagraj Police Commissioner Ramit Sharma’s court directed the confiscation of Atiq Ahmed’s house under the Gangster Act. He was allotted this 500 square meter plot in 1994 after which he built the house there. The police also sought the help of the administration, development authority and the bank during the probe.

The police are pursuing the illegal belongings of Atiq Ahmed. The law and the government are clamping down on his assets and his gang’s black money. 16 illegal properties situated in Prayagraj which were occupied by him were attached last year. Prayagraj Police Commissionerate had attached 5.0510 hectares i.e. about 20 bigha land of Atiq Ahmed in Kathula Gospur of the Airport police station area under the Gangster Act. The value of these properties was reportedly about Rs 12 crore and were registered by his operatives at very low prices. His mason Hublal revealed information on them as he was scared after the mafia’s murder on 15th April 2023.

Hublal unveiled all the secrets of gangster Atiq Ahmed before the police. He mentioned that 16 properties were registered in his name on 14th August 2015. A charge was filed in the Khuldabad police station in 2020 regarding the assets which belonged to 14 Dalit farmers but were filed under Hublal’s name after intimidation and death threats to the real owners. Gangster act was imposed against Atiq, Niaz, Zahid, Riaz and Mohammad Sheikh.

The issue was investigated by the Cantt police station but no action was taken. However, after the group broke up following the deaths of Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Azeem alias Khalid Azim the cops established their dominance in the community after which people eventually spilled out the truth about the dreaded don.

Atiq Ahmed had contested from the Varanasi parliamentary seat in 2019. He had declared total assets of 25 crores in the election affidavit. The affidavit listed that he had more than a dozen bank accounts. However, apart from this, he had fraudulently created intangible wealth. He had amassed an empire of Rs 1200 crore. Most of these properties were acquired via unlawful possession.

However, the countdown of his began in the year 2020. The majority of his illicit belongings were either seized or destroyed by the authorities and police. Government officials now own his 417 crore property, while the remaining 752 crore property has been demolished. The primary issue is that his family is dispersed throughout the country.

He used to forcefully take over the lands of people and threatened to kill them. He boasted, “Go wherever you want but you won’t get the land back.” Unknown gunmen would frequently establish a boundary around someone’s plot out of nowhere before it was discovered that the property now belonged to Atiq. He once personally went to acquire land close to PGI in Lucknow along with his armed gang. The hundreds of cars in the convoy terrified the citizens of the capital however, the cops had no control over him.

The Enforcement Directorate had raided 15 of his relatives’ properties before Atiq and his brother were shot dead. It contained more than a hundred documents pertaining to illicit and benami properties. It was also disclosed at the time that he had purchased other homes in the high-end neighbourhoods of Prayagraj and Lucknow.

Atiq and his family were listed as the registered owners of these properties. The agency also found proof of a 5900-square-meter bungalow valued at Rs 47 lakh in Lucknow that had been authorised in the mafia’s name. This Gomtinagar plot was listed for just 29 lakh rupees in 2013 even though the circle rate gave it a worth of Rs 47 lakh. It is allegedly priced more than one crore at the moment.

Uttarakhand cabinet approves Uniform Civil Code (UCC) report, bill likely to be tabled in Assembly on 6th February

The Uttarakhand Cabinet on Sunday approved the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) report in a meeting held at the Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s residence.

The bill is likely to be tabled in the Uttarakhand Assembly on February 6.

A meeting under the chairmanship of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was held at his residence.

The UCC drafting committee, led by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, submitted the draft to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday.

The UCC proposes uniform civil laws for all communities in the state. The draft was handed over to the Chief Minister by the five-member committee headed by retired Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai.

Once implemented, Uttarakhand will become the first Indian state after independence to adopt the UCC.

At an event organised at the Mukhya Sevak Sadan at the Chief Minister’s Camp Office, Dhami on Friday said, “We promised our people to bring the UCC in Uttarakhand before the Assembly goes into session. The rollout of the UCC will be in line with a resolution adopted by the BJP.”Earlier on Friday, CM Dhami said it was an important day for the people of the state as the UCC will help realise the vision of ‘Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat’.

The UCC drafting panel also comprised retired justice Pramod Kohli, social activist Manu Gaur, former Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Shatrughan Singh and Vice Chancellor of Doon University, Surekha Dangwal.

The drafting panel was given a total of four extensions, the latest being 15 days in January this year. The UCC will provide a legal framework for uniform marriage, divorce, land, property and inheritance laws for all citizens, irrespective of their religion. The passage of the UCC Bill will mark the fulfillment of a major promise made by the BJP to the people of the state in the run-up to the 2022 Assembly polls.

Earlier, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami informed that the draft report consists of 740 pages and has four volumes, which include suggestions from 2,33,000 people in the state.

“The village, which is known as the last village of India, was referred to by the PM as the first village, so the committee started the work of taking suggestions from their only, and other 43 places. A total of 2,33,000 people gave suggestions on it which includes 10 per cent families of Uttarakhand,” Chief Minister Dhami said.

At its very first meeting in the second term, in March 2022, the Dhami government decided to constitute a committee to prepare a draft for the UCC.


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