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Bhupesh Baghel paid Rs 508 cr by Mahadev Betting App promoters, accused Asim Das agrees he was sent to ‘deliver’ cash to Baghel: ED

OpIndia Staff
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Bhupesh Baghel paid Rs 508 cr by Mahadev Betting App promoters, accused Asim Das agrees he was sent to ‘deliver’ cash to Baghel: ED

On 6th January, reports emerged suggesting that Congress leader and the former chief minister of Chhattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel has been named in a supplementary chargesheet that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed in connection with the money laundering case investigation linked to the alleged illegal gaming and betting through the Mahadev online book application.

The chargesheet is related to the allegations that Bhupesh Baghel had received Rs 508 crores from the promoters of the Mahadev App.

On January 1, the agency filed a new chargesheet in the matter before a special court in Raipur. The PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) special court received the chargesheet. Shubham Soni, Amit Kumar Aggarwal, Rohit Gulati, Bhim Singh Yadav and Asim Das are the five individuals named in the chargesheet.

ED told a court that Asim Das, the arrested accused, has withdrawn his denial and he stands by his testimony. Das had, notably, claimed he had been sent to “deliver” cash to former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel but later he denied making the statement. Now, once again, he has retracted his denial of having made the charges, saying he stands by the statement.

The agency highlighted that Asim Das confirmed in his statement that he received instructions from Subham Soni, a well-known person in Mahadev Online Book to give Bhupesh Baghel a sizeable sum of cash.

According to the chargesheet, on 25th October Subham Soni summoned Asim Das to Dubai and presented him with money to be passed to the Congress senior leader. The allegations were further supported by a voicemail that was found on Asim Das’s phone in which Shubham Soni gave him directions to transfer between Rs 8 and 10 crore to the Congress stalwart when he returns to India.

The Enforcement Director told a court that Asim Das, before the recent Chhattisgarh assembly elections which witnessed the victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party, worked as a courier for the promoter of the Mahadev betting app in India.

The central agency had arrested Das from a hotel in Raipur in November 2023 just before the Assembly polls in Chhattisgarh after the central agency recovered a sum of Rs 5.39 crore from his hideouts.

The agency informed that promoters of the Mahadev App were sending this money to a particular politician in Chhattisgarh. Asim Das acknowledged that Subham Soni had entrusted him with the assignment to bring the money to Bhupesh Baghel. The email exchanges between Subham Soni and other witnesses, such as Chandrabhushan Verma suggested that Bhim Singh Yadav served as a middleman for Mahadev Online Book when it came to the payment of “liaisoning money.”

The previous disclosure of Bhim Singh Yadav’s role in supplying the “liaisoning money” came to light through Chandrabhushan Verma in his testimony recorded under section 50 of PMLA, 2002.

The agency had previously revealed in its chargesheet that the reportedly illicit proceeds from the app were distributed as bribes to state officials and legislators. It asserted in November that before the first round of the Chhattisgarh elections, a forensic inquiry and Asim Das’s statement had led to “startling allegations” that the promoters of the Mahadev betting app had handed over approximately Rs 508 crore to Bhupesh Baghel.

Baghel, however, refuted the allegations and claimed that the accusations were manufactured to “malign” his reputation.

The Bharatiya Janata Party criticized the Congress shortly after the anti-corruption charges that the former chief minister was involved in the Mahadev betting app case. It declared that he was a “corrupt CM” and his party had robbed the populace of Chhattisgarh.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla voiced, “Bhupesh Bhagel was paid over Rs 500 crore in bribes because, for the Congress party, Chhattisgarh has always been an ‘ATM machine’. During the elections, this money was sent to Baghel and it was caught red-handed.”

Mahadev betting App owner accuses former Chattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel of being involved in the scam

On 5th November 2023, Shubham Soni, one of the primary culprits in the Mahadev Betting App case published a video in which he purported to have provided Bhupesh Baghel Rs 508 crores and implicated him of being complicit in the scam.

According to him, extortion began when he met with a man called Verma. He was required to give the latter Rs 10 lakh each month. After some time, Verma requested him to come see “someone” when he called after his men had been arrested once more. Shubham Soni pointed out that Bhupesh Baghel was the “someone” in question and alleged to have sent in a written statement regarding the arrangement he brokered with him.

Following a search operation on 2nd November last year, the Enforcement Directorate which is looking into the Mahadev app for possible money laundering activities on the next day revealed that it uncovered through new evidence that regular payments had previously been made and Bhupesh Baghel obtained about Rs 508 crore from the promoters of the Mahadev app. The agency seized Rs 5.39 crore in cash on 2nd November before the state election.

Bihar: Two different teams turn up to represent the state in Ranji Trophy, police intervenes after scuffle between officials over who will represent Bihar

OpIndia Staff
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Bihar: Two different teams turn up to represent the state in Ranji Trophy, police intervenes after scuffle between officials over who will represent Bihar

Bihar cricket is making news for all the wrong reasons these days. Either it is the poor state of the Moin-ul-Haq stadium, or the fight between state cricket association President and the Secretary. Now, things have turned truly bizarre as 2 teams arrived to represent Bihar for their Ranji Trophy match against Mumbai.

The team that had reached the ground first was picked by the BCA president Rakesh Tiwary, while the other team was chosen by secretary Amit Kumar. Both of the sides wanted to play the match and represent Bihar.

The confusion led to a delayed start to the game after heated exchanges and a scuffle between the officials of the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) who were present at the ground. The match eventually began around 1 pm after intervention by local police.

Eventually, the team selected by BCA President Rakesh Tiwary played the game. Interestingly, there was not a single common name in the 2 selected teams.

Speaking to Indian Express, Tiwary said, “We have picked the team on merit and that is the right team. You see the talent that is coming from Bihar. We have a cricketer (Sakib Hussain), who is picked in the IPL. We have a 12-year-old prodigy making his debut in the game. The other is being picked by the secretary who is suspended, so it can’t be the real team.”

In response, the BCA Secretary Amit Kumar said, “First things first: I won the election, and I am an official secretary of the BCA. You can’t suspend a secretary. Secondly, how can a president select a team? Have you ever seen BCCI president Roger Binny announcing the squad? You will always see the signature of Secretary Jay Shah.”

Bihar is playing in the Elite group of Ranji Trophy. 12 years and 284 days old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who played for the Bihar team, has become the fourth-youngest Indian to make his debut in a recorded first-class match.

Hyderabad woman Fareeda Begum trafficked to Oman by Shenaz Begum, pleads Center government to rescue her

OpIndia Staff
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Hyderabad woman Fareeda Begum trafficked to Oman by Shenaz Begum, pleads Center government to rescue her

A 48-year-old woman from Golconda, Hyderabad, named Fareeda Begum has claimed she was trafficked to Muscat, Oman. Fareeda said she was drawn to the Gulf country by a woman named Shenaz Begum who offered her a job as a housemaid. Fareeda’s sister has written to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar requesting that Fareeda be rescued from the Arab country. Fareeda Begum was reportedly promised a salary of 1,400 Dirhams (around Rs 31,700) in Dubai apart from accommodation and meals.

The saga began when Fareeda Begum was seeking a job to support her financially poor family. Reports say that when she was in India, she was offered the job of a housemaid in Dubai and not Oman. Moreover, Fareeda was assured that she can return to India if finds the job unsatisfactory. Subsequently, Fareeda accepted the job offer and left for Dubai on 4th November 2023. She went to the UAE on a visitor visa valid for 30 days. She was given the job to work as a housemaid in an Arab’s home upon her arrival in Dubai.

Fareeda became ill after working for a month and asked to go back home to India. The agent, however, refused to return her passport. Following this, she was admitted to the hospital. Afterwards, the agent trafficked Fareeda Begum to Muscat, Oman, promising her return to India. Meanwhile, her health worsened, and she was diagnosed with a kidney infection.

Fareeda’s sister Fahmeeda Begum requested in her letter that the Minister of External Affairs rescue her sister. Taking to X, Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) spokesperson Amjed Ullah Khan shared the Hyderabad woman’s information as well as her sister’s request to Dr S Jaishankar to rescue Fareeda from Oman.

Fareeda also pleaded with the central government to save her in an emotional video. In the video, she can be heard whispering, claiming that she was told to keep her voice soft. Fareeda stated that she was in a lot of pain and that her children and husband were concerned for her.

Responding to Amjed Ullah Khan’s X post, the Indian Embassy in Oman informed that the officials are in contact with the affected woman and requisite assistance will be provided to her for her repatriation. “Embassy officials have spoken with Fareeda Begum. All assistance will be provided for her early repatriation in coordination with local authorities,” the Indian Embassy in Oman posted.

Speaking to PTI, Fahmeeda said, “My sister, Fareeda Begum, went to Dubai for work through an agent, but she fell sick after 21 days of working there. In that condition, she was again sent to Muscat for work. She is unable to even talk on the phone as her health continues to deteriorate. I request that the Indian Embassy rescue my sister and bring her back home.”

Mob of 800-1000 attacked with intention to kill: Enforcement Directorate on attack during raid on TMC leader in West Bengal

OpIndia Staff
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Mob of 800-1000 attacked with intention to kill: Enforcement Directorate on attack during raid on TMC leader in West Bengal

On Friday (5th January), the Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued a statement after its team, along with CRPF, and journalists was attacked and their vehicles were targeted in Sandeshkhali of North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal. In its statement, the probe agency said that a violent mob comprising 800-1000 people attacked the ED team with CRPF, with an intention to cause death. It added that the attackers were carrying sticks and stones.

“As officers with the assistance of CRPF Personnel were trying to pursue to get door opened even by trying to contact the concerned person. At the time, his mobile location indicated that he was inside this house. Thereafter, ED team was taken by surprise that within half an hour, crowd /mob of around 800-1000 persons marching towards them with weapons in their hands such as lathis, stones, bricks etc. and gheraoed the ED officials and CRPF personnel. Suddenly, they started attacking the ED officials and CRPF personnel and started pelting stones and brick at them and attacked the officers as well as CRPF personnel (27 in Nos in two premises) with stones/lathis / hands (using physical force) and also raising/shouting slogans against the ED officers and the Central Government,” the ED said adding that the attackers also damaged ED’s vehicles.

The probe agency added that the mob is suspected to be instigated by TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his associates. It further informed that three of its officials had been injured in the mob attack and admitted to hospital for treatment. In addition to injuring the on-duty ED officials, the violent mob also stole their laptops, mobile phones, wallets, cash and other belongings.

“ED officials while discharging their duties were badly attacked by crowds (suspected to be instigated by Sahajahan Sheikh and his associates). Three officers have suffered grievous injuries as the mob has marched towards the ED officials with an intention to cause death. They are receiving medical attention at the hospital. Other officers had to escape from the place of the incident without conducting search to save their lives as the mob became very violent and even chased the officials so as to deter the officials from performing their official duty. The Mob also snatched/robbed/stole the personal/official belongings of the ED officials such as their mobile phones, laptop, cash, wallets, etc,” the ED statement reads.

Meanwhile, ED had made the requisite complaint to jurisdictional Police for registration of FIR and necessary action against culprits.

Taking to X on Friday, the probe agency posted, “ED was conducting searches on the three premises of Sahajahan Sheikh, Convenor of TMC, North 24 Parganas in case of PDS scam of West Bengal. During the searches. On one of the premises, ED team with CRPF personnels was attacked by 800-1000 people with an intention to cause death as these people were carrying weapons such as Lathis, stones & bricks. In this incident 3 ED officials have been grievously injured. Injured ED officials are being admitted to hospital for treatment. Violent mob also snatched/robbed/stole personal/officials belongings of ED officials such as their mobile phones, laptop, cash, wallets, etc. and badly damaged some of the ED vehicles.”

Notably, other than ED officals, it was reported that a journalist was also attacked by the violent mob on Friday. As reported earlier, a news correspondent of News18 Bangla was also attacked. His car was also damaged and the camera of the journalist crew was also broken by these goons. Due to the assault by Shahjahan Sheikh’s supporters on the ED officials, the planned raid on the TMC leader could not be completed.

Public Distribution System Scam

On 26th October, ED raided the residence of West Bengal Minister Jyoti Priya Mallick in Kolkata in connection to a corruption case related to ration distribution. Mallick is a senior TMC leader serving as the forest minister of Bengal. Previously, he held the food minister portfolio. In response to the raid, CM Mamata Banerjee strongly criticised the central agency and accused the BJP-led government at the centre of using such actions as part of a “broader strategy” ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Interestingly, Mallick’s daughter Priyadarshini reportedly deposited Rs 3.37 crores in her bank account after the 2016 demonetisation. Being a school teacher, she draws an annual salary of 2.48 lakhs. During ED’s interrogation, she claimed to have earned the money as tuition fees. Furthermore, ED found a deposit of Rs 4.3 crores in the IDBI bank account of Mallick’s wife, Mandipa. ED arrested Mallick over an accusation of laundering Rs 95 crores using shell companies.

Sharad Mohol shot dead in Pune: Read about the gangster suspected of killing Indian Mujahideen terrorist in jail using the drawstring of his pyjama

Gopal Tiwari
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Sharad Mohol shot dead in Pune: Read about the gangster suspected of killing Indian Mujahideen terrorist in jail using the drawstring of his pyjama

Gangster Sharad Mohol was shot in the Sutardara locality in the Kothrud area of Pune on Friday (5th January) by unknown miscreants. The incident sent shockwaves through the city. 46-year-old Sharad Mohol was immediately taken to the Sahyadri Hospital first and then to the Sassoon Hospital where he succumbed to injuries and was declared dead. He was attacked allegedly over a financial dispute within his gang. Sharad Mohol is accused of killing an Indian Mujahideen terrorist Qateel Siddiqui when lodged in the Yerawada Jail in Pune in June 2012.

Sharad Mohol was passing through the Sutardara area of Kothrud when three to four unidentified accused miscreants on bikes fired bullets towards Mohol. The accused fled after the firing.

A team of Kothrud police reached the spot and an investigation is underway. The police have identified Sahil, also known as Munna Polekar, residing in Sutardara, as the primary suspect. An investigation has been launched to apprehend him and his accomplices. A mob of 500 to 1000 people was present at the Sassoon Hospital in the evening as this news spread.

Supporters of Sharad Mohol gathered in Sassoon Hospital. Image Source: Maharashtra Times

Pune City Police Commissioner Ritesh Kumar said, “Prima facie, it is suspected that the attack on Sharad Mohol was the fallout of an internal rivalry within his gang over a financial dispute.”

Senior police inspector Hemant Patil of Kothrud station said, “Three to four unidentified assailants fired two rounds at Mohol from close range at Sutardara in Kothrud around 1.30 p.m. Mohol sustained bullet wounds and was rushed to a hospital. Police teams have been dispatched in search of the assailants.”

Sharad Mohol’s wife Swati Mohol joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in April 2023. BJP leader Chandrakanth Patil and Pune’s mayor Murlidhar Mohol were present in that program. Swati Mohol is the President of the Swarad Foundation in Kothrud. According to reports, the couple used to do some social work in this area through this foundation.

Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister and home minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “This incident will not lead to a gang war anywhere in the state nor will there be any law and order problem. The notorious gangster was murdered by his accomplices over some internal dispute. Whoever the goons are, the government always works in a manner to eliminate them. So no one would try to wage such a gang war in the state after this incident.”

A Brief History of Sharad Mohol

Sharad Mohol was from a village in Mulshi taluka. He grew up under very poor conditions. His parents were farmers. Sharad Mohol was earlier working as a driver of gangster Sandeep Mohol. However, after the murder of Sandeep Mohol in Pune, Sharad Mohol entered the world of crime.

In the 1990s and 2000s, many gangs in Pune used to collect ransom from various businessmen and entrepreneurs. Adolescent teenagers from various wrestling akharas of villages near Pune were directly recruited into these gangs. Paud, Pirangut and Mulshi areas led in numbers in these gangs.

Seventeen years have passed since the fatal event in 2006 when Sudhir Rasal from the Marne Gang was murdered by Sandeep Mohol of the Baba Bodke Gang. Following Sudhir Rasal’s killing, a violent gang conflict erupted in Pune. In retaliation for Rasal’s murder, members of the Marne gang targeted and killed Sandeep Mohol.

Sandeep Mohol. Image Source: Policenama

The murder of Sandeep Mohol was the turning point of Sharad Mohol’s entry into Pune’s underworld. After Sandeep’s murder, the gang war in Pune increased drastically. Sharad Mohol took over the Baba Bodke gang after Sandeep Mohal’s murder. He avenged Sandeep’s murder in 2010.

Kishor Marne. Image Source: The Indian Express

In January 2010, Sharad Mohol killed Kishor Marne. Kishor Marne was the head of the Marne gang. He was the mastermind of the Sandeep Mohol murder. Sharad Mohol was sentenced to life imprisonment by the court for Kishor Marne’s murder. He was later released on bail. After this, Sharad Mohol was charged with multiple cases of murder, attempt to murder and kidnapping. He was also arrested by the police. But he would commit a crime, go to jail, and come out.

Did Sharad Mohol kill an Indian Mujahideen terrorist in jail?

During one such trip to jail, Sharad Mohol was lodged in the Yerawada Jail in Pune. There he allegedly had an altercation with an inmate over some minor issue. That inmate was none other than the Indian Mujahideen terrorist Mohammad Qatil Jafar Mohammad Siddiqui alias Sajjan alias Sajan alias Shahzada Salim alias Qatil Siddiqui. During the German bakery bomb blast, Qatil had tried to place a bomb near the famous Dagdusheth Ganapati in Pune. The ATS investigation had revealed that he was an Indian Mujahideen terrorist. He was also allegedly involved in the Bangalore Chinnaswamy stadium blasts and Delhi Jama Masjid blasts.

Qatil Siddiqui. Image Source: The Hindu

One day, somebody among the incarcerated convicts in the Yerawada Jail managed to enter the Anda Cell where the Indian Mujahideen terrorist was lodged. He strangulated the terrorist with a drawstring of Bermuda pants and killed him on the spot. Sharad Mohol and his gang member Alok Bhalerao were the suspects in this murder that took place on 8th June 2012. Both were acquitted in this case in 2019. The case went on trial for eight years, with several witnesses examined, but both were eventually acquitted after some witnesses withdrew.

Social Work with wife and murder on marriage anniversary

The charge of killing a terrorist inside the jail gained a social image for Sharad Mohol. After coming out of jail, he started frequently appearing in public programs. He started sharing the stage with some local political leaders. Meanwhile, he also started a foundation called the Swarad Foundation for ‘Social Work’. His wife joined the BJP in April 2023. However, his exposure to the criminal world was still intact in some or other form. Today, Sharad Mohol was killed on his marriage anniversary allegedly over some internal financial dispute within his gang.

Swati Mohol joined the BJP. Image Source: Policenama

The Marathi film ‘Mulshi Pattern’ based on gang wars in Pune is loosely based on the gang war between the Baba Bodke gang (which later converted into the Mohol gang) and the Pintu Marne gang. It is directed by Pravin Tarde. Its Hindi remake ‘Antim’ featured Salman Khan.

Supreme Court does not like NewsClick approaching them directly, but concedes to their plea anyway: What Kapil Sibal was contending

OpIndia Staff
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Supreme Court does not like NewsClick approaching them directly, but concedes to their plea anyway: What Kapil Sibal was contending

The Supreme Court on Friday (January 5) issued notices to investigating agencies like Delhi police, CBI, and ED for their response to NewsClick’s plea seeking guidelines for the search and seizure of digital devices. Notably, the Supreme Court said that it was not happy that the media group approached it directly without going to lower courts, but then agreed to hear the plea.

NewClick is facing probes after it was found that the digital media portal is funded by Chinese propaganda machinery. It has been alleged that a large amount of funds to the news portal allegedly came from China to ‘disrupt the sovereignty of India’ and cause disaffection against the country. In October 2023, Newsclick founder and editor Prabir Purkayastha and its HR head Amit Chakravarty were arrested by Delhi Police under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The police had also raided offices NewsClick and seized digital devices of the portal, its journalists and other staff.

The Supreme Court was hearing a writ petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution by NewsClick and Prabir Purkayastha. In the plea, they have sought the issuance of guidelines regarding the search, seizure, examination, and preservation of digital devices and data seized by law enforcement agencies. Advocate Kapil Sibal representing the petitioners said, “No procedure of law was followed, no documents are given. Nothing is done.”

The plea contended that the seizure of digital and electronic devices by Delhi Police is illegal, and it has severely impacted the portal’s operations. They claimed that the searches and seizures were not only an infringement on fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution, but also violated legal safeguards under the UAPA, the Code of Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, and the Delhi High Court Rules. 

NewsClick and Prabir Purkayastha claimed that as there is no due process prescribed for such seizures, it is stifling free speech and undermining of fundamental rights. Therefore, they filed the plea under Article 32 of the constitution, which provides right to move the Supreme Court for enforcement of fundamental rights.

However, the Supreme Court bench of bench of Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta was reluctant to accept the plea under Article 32. Justice Gavai said, “We don’t appreciate everyone coming directly under Article 32.”

Kapil Sibal arguing for the petitioners said that the court is already hearing similar petitions on this issue. He pointed out PILs filed by Foundation for Media Professionals and a group of five academicians seeking guidelines for the seizure of personal electronic devices by investigating agencies. During the hearing of those pleas, Additional Solicitor SV Raju had assured the court that the union government will soon come up with robust search and seizure guidelines, and in the meantime, all central agencies will follow the 2020 Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Manual on digital evidence.

“They’ll stop our business, seize everything, put people inside. It’s very unfair,” Kapil Sibal argued.

After hearing the arguments, the bench agreed to issue notice to probe notices on the plea. The court also tagged the petition with other existing petitions with the same demand, to form comprehensive guidelines on search and seizure of digital devices by investigating agencies.

UP govt issues ‘Paying Guest certification’ to 75 new building owners in Ayodhya

ANI
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UP govt issues ‘Paying Guest certification’ to 75 new building owners in Ayodhya

In line with the preparations for the consecration ceremony of Lord Ram to be held on January 22, an increasing number of people are being included in the Paying Guest Scheme in Ayodhya. More than 500 building owners have been connected with it so far.

In this sequence, Commissioner Gaurav Dayal and District Magistrate Nitish Kumar presented certificates to 75 new building owners in the Commissioner Auditorium on Friday. The process of connecting new building owners through the scheme is progressing continuously.

Notably, Ayodhya Development Authority’s consultant, Rakesh Singh and building owners were present during the distribution event.

Commissioner Gaurav Dayal requested that, as a resident of Ayodhya, everyone must provide good facilities to the guests. He further appealed to the building owners to provide the best facilities to their guests, making them feel at home.

DM Nitish Kumar said that by joining this scheme, everyone must keep the tradition of hospitality alive. If we provide them with better facilities, our cultural relationship will strengthen, and more people will visit. Everyone should pay special attention to cleanliness and behave well towards guests.

If we take care of these aspects, guests will leave with pleasant memories, and they are likely to visit again. This will not only strengthen building owners financially but also contribute to the exchange of ideas, culture, and more, he added.

It is noteworthy that the Home Stay/Paying Guest Scheme is inspired by the spirit of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’, which is an important scheme of the UP Government and is being run by the Tourism Department.

Under the Paying Guest Scheme, building owners who have 2 to 5 additional rooms in their house can join this scheme and benefit from generating additional income.

Depending on the facilities in their rooms, they can earn daily rents ranging from Rs 1500 to Rs 2500 for accommodating travellers/pilgrims.

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

Indian Navy rescues all 21 crew members including 15 Indians of hijacked vessel near Somalia, pirates abandon hijacking attempt after warning issued

ANI
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Indian Navy rescues all 21 crew members including 15 Indians of hijacked vessel near Somalia, pirates abandon hijacking attempt after warning issued

After a high-voltage drama in the high seas, all 21 crew members including 15 Indian nationals from the hijacked vessel MV Lila Norfolk off Somalia coast were safely evacuated by the Indian Navy on Friday.

“Indian Navy’s Swift Response to the Hijacking Attempt of MV Lila Norfolk in the North Arabian Sea. All 21 crew (incl 15 Indians) onboard safely evacuated from the citadel. Sanitisation by MARCOs has confirmed absence of the hijackers,” the Indian Navy said in a statement.

The attempt of hijacking by the pirates was probably abandoned with the forceful warning by the Indian Navy, MPA of interception by Indian Naval warship, the statement read.

INS Chennai is in the vicinity of MV and rendering support to restore the power generation and propulsion, and commence her voyage to next port of call.

Indian Navy’s elite Marine Commandos are still carrying out sanitisation operations in other parts of the vessel, the military officials told ANI.

According to the officials, MARCOS didn’t found any pirates on the hijacked vessel. The rescued crew has informed that the pirates had fired at the ship during hijack attempt after which they all hid themselves in the citadel.

INS Chennai diverted from her Anti-Piracy patrol and intercepted the MV at 3:15 pm on Friday.

“MV was kept under continuous surveillance using Maritime Patrol Aircraft, Predator MQ9B and integral helos. The Indian Navy Marine Commandos present onboard the Mission Deployed warship boarded the MV and have commenced the Sanitisation,” the earlier statement from Indian Navy stated.

In another development, Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar issued directives to the Indian warships operating in the Arabian Sea to take the “strictest possible action” against the pirates, defence officials said.

Earlier, the Indian naval warship INS Chennai reached the hijacked vessel MV Lila Norfolk off Somalia coast and issued a warning to the pirates on board to abandon the vessel

Earlier, the officials had informed that Merchant vessel MV Lila Norfolk was hijacked by pirates 300 nautical miles east of Somalia, while it was sailing from Port Du Aco in Brazil and was bound for Khalifa Bin Salman in Bahrain.

The Indian Navy’s Mission Deployed Platforms responded swiftly to the hijacking attempt on board a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier after it received a message on the UKMTO portal indicating boarding by approximately five to six unknown armed personnel on Thursday evening, the Indian Navy said in a statement

In response to the situation, the Indian Navy launched an Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and diverted INS Chennai, deployed for maritime security operations, to assist the vessel.

CBI moves Karnataka High Court challenging state Congress govt’s decision to withdraw case against Deputy CM DK Shivakumar

ANI
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CBI moves Karnataka High Court challenging state Congress govt’s decision to withdraw case against Deputy CM DK Shivakumar

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has moved the Karnataka High Court after the state government dropped the CBI case against Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

The High Court is hearing the plea filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal challenging the state government’s withdrawal of consent for the CBI probe.

The Congress-ruled Karnataka government, in November, approved a proposal to withdraw the CBI probe against DK Shivakumar in the alleged disproportionate assets case.

Talking about the state cabinet’s nod to the proposal, Congress leader and Karnataka Law Minister HK Patil said the former BJP-led state government’s decision to hand over the case to CBI was “not in accordance with the law”.

This decision triggered a massive political fight in the state between the BJP and the Congress with the former criticising the state cabinet’s decision as “totally illegal”.

Karnataka BJP chief BY Vijayendra urged Shivakumar to trust the legal process and not support such cabinet decisions and demanded that the Chief Minister revoke this decision.

“The decision taken by the state cabinet pertaining to DK Shivakumar’s disproportionate assets case The decision of the cabinet is totally illegal under the Constitution. I request our deputy CM, DK Shivakumar, that if you have faith in the legal process and legal remedy, then please don’t entertain such decisions taken by the cabinet…I demand CM take back this decision. Crores of money have been seized in Karnataka and other states. When the ED is investigating the entire issue, then the decision of the cabinet is completely illegal,” Karnataka BJP chief BY Vijayendra said.

The Congress government however has defended its decision, claiming the case against DK Shivakumar was politically motivated.

“BJP can only threaten. They tried it through social media and agencies. Since yesterday they have been doing the same thing in the disproportionate case of DK Shivakumar. BJP is just spreading misinformation on this issue. The case against DK Shivakumar was politically motivated and it was filed to control Congress and Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar because they (BJP) were losing the elections” Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge said. 

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

Ram Mandir represents sacrifice and devotion of the common man: Sister of the Kothari brothers who were killed on the orders of ‘Mullah Mulayam’

OpIndia Staff
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Ram Mandir represents sacrifice and devotion of the common man: Sister of the Kothari brothers who were killed on the orders of ‘Mullah Mulayam’

An emotional Purnima Kothari is all set to be in attendance at the landmark consecration ceremony of Ram Mandir on 22nd January of this year. She is the sister of 22-year-old Ram Kothari and 20-year-old Sharad Kothari, karsevaks (people who offer their services for free to a religious cause) who lost their lives during the Ram Janmbhoomi movement on 2nd November 1990 to the violence unleashed by the then government of Mulayam Singh Yadav in Uttar Pradesh. The two Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) members went to Ayodhya from Kolkata soon after Diwali thirty-three years ago to serve the cause of Ram Mandir. However, like many of their fellow karsevaks, they never returned home.

On 11th January, Purnima Kothari and her daughter are heading from Kolkata to Ayodhya where they will remain until 23rd January, the day following the temple’s inauguration event. Even though her parents witnessed both of their sons die for the temple movement, she revealed that they were grateful that their sons sacrificed their lives in defence of their beliefs. She visits Ayodhya during every Diwali to revisit her memories with her brothers. However, this time she believes that their souls would at last find peace.

Purnima Kothari stated in an interview with News18, “They walked all the way from Banaras to Ayodhya. The first day they went inside and, amid all the security, they actually planted their flag. The next day they saw newspapers report that nothing had happened and karsevaks could not do anything. So they decided to go a second time. This time, there was violence. Both my brothers were hiding, but they heard someone crying. They came out and were shot by some goons”.

Tears continued to well up in her eyes as she conveyed, “Sangh seniors came and invited my daughter to the Ram Mandir consecration. We are very happy because we know that our brothers’ sacrifice will not go in vain. When Modiji will participate in Pran Pratistha, my brothers will be smiling from above.”

Memories of her deceased brothers are everywhere in her home. According to her, the Ram Mandir is the result of the efforts and devotion of the average person. She further voiced, “If a memorial for those who died for it comes up in the area, then that will be great.” Furthermore, she expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well and asserted that it was his efforts that ultimately brought the dream of the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya to fruition.

A few days ago, Poornima Kothari emphasised in a previous statement that the individuals who delivered the order to fire on Kasevaks shouldn’t be allowed to attend the consecration ceremony, rather they should be punished. She brought up Mulayam Singh Yadav’s 2017 remark in which he defended his decision and argued that it was appropriate for police to use force against the karsevaks in order to preserve the nation’s integrity and unity.

Bloodshed of Hindus on the streets of Ayodhya

On the auspicious day of Kartik Purnima at 9 in the morning, thousands of devotees of Lord Ram including women and the elderly, together with Hindu saints began marching towards the location of the disputed Ram Janmbhoomi on 2nd November 1990. The security personnel lined up on the road to obstruct their path since they had been ordered to prevent them from reaching the location.

The Hindu devotees would sit and begin reciting Bhajans (religious songs) and chanting the name of Lord Ram whenever the security guards sought to stop them. They touched the feet of the cops stationed to prevent them from moving forward. The latter would step back and the karsevaks would advance each time they did this. The karsevaks were unarmed and yet they remained undeterred.

This continued in an unending cycle until the Inspector General issued directives and the police officers intervened. The karsevaks were subjected to tear gas shells and lathis but the unwavering Ram Bhakts did not back down or show signs of weakness. Unexpectedly, security personnel began to react by firing their weapons. Numerous Hindu devotees were shot and killed. The security guards reportedly pursued and targeted Hindus in every lane and side street leading to the Ram Janmbhoomi and the streets quickly turned into a battlefield.

The Kothari brothers were among the many karsevaks who began to assemble in front of Hunumangarhi on the fateful day. Hunumangarhi was situated close to the disputed structure that was later destroyed. Police stopped the gathering led by Vinay Katiyar of Bajrang Dal from proceeding.

They were all sitting on the road in protest and began to sing “bhajans” when all of a sudden, policemen who were acting on the orders of the then chief minister Mulayam Singh opened fire on the assembly and drove the karsevaks away. Head injuries claimed a lot of lives. A stampede occurred at the Saryu Bridge, resulting in several fatalities. Eyewitnesses disclosed that the Kothari brothers tried to raise a saffron flag atop the Babri Masjid but were ultimately defeated by the assault directed at the karsevaks.

The official investigation after the incident found that 16 people had died in the firing, but the toll was far higher in reality. The Daily Aaj stated that as many as 400 people had lost their lives in the violence inflicted by the then-Samajwadi Party-ruled state.

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