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Karnataka: RSS leader gets booked for speech against hijab in schools, Muslim ‘activist’ had claimed hate speech

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka: RSS leader gets booked for speech against hijab in schools, Muslim ‘activist’ had claimed hate speech

The Srirangapatna police in Karnataka has filed a case against RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat for allegedly making a provocative speech during the Sankeerthana Yatra, which was held on Sunday (24th December) to commemorate Hanuma Jayanti.

Bhat has become the target of a complaint filed by ‘activist’ Najma Nazeer Chikkanerale. The police have opened investigations under IPC Sections 294, 295, 298, 354 and 506.

In her complaint, Najma claims that Bhat has made disparaging remarks about Muslim women. “His speech was intended to incite unrest among people of various faiths. He has made fun of the legal system”, she claims.

“Bhat has issued such statements across Karnataka earlier. Several cases have been registered against him. Hence, the police should open a rowdy sheet against him,” Nazma mentioned in the complaint. 

Bhat had stated that if the girl (Bibi Muskan) had the courage, she should be allowed to attend college. He had said that she should chant Allah hu Akbar at her home or mosque, but Jai Shri Ram if she intends to go out. 

The RSS leader is alleged to have ‘spread religious hatred against Muslim women’ at a gathering during Sankeertana Yatra, which was organized by Hindu Jagrana Vedike as part of the Hanuma Jayanti celebrations, in Srirangapatna on 24th December.

Meanwhile, the district unit of the Women India Movement (WIM) has also filed a complaint against Bhat, seeking legal action against him for making derogatory remarks about Muslim women in Chamarajanagar on Tuesday (26th December). 

According to the complaint, Bhat made statements with the sole intention of abusing Muslim women. He has insulted Muslim women by claiming they are involved in ‘Love Jihad’ and allegedly linking Bibi Muskan to terrorists. The complaints demanded that the government take the matter seriously and arrest the RSS leader without succumbing to ‘political pressure’.

NCPCR visits Madrasa Arabia Faizul Islam in Chandigarh: No papers of recognition found, children have beating marks on body and all want to become ‘Muftis’

OpIndia Staff
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NCPCR visits Madrasa Arabia Faizul Islam in Chandigarh: No papers of recognition found, children have beating marks on body and all want to become ‘Muftis’

On 26th December, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) paid a visit to a Madarsa in Punjab’s Chandigarh and discovered that children there are being frequently beaten. The Madarsa visited by NCPCR Chairperson Priyank Kanoongo is Madrasa Arabia Faizul Islam in Chandigarh.

Kanoongo shared the video of the visit in which he could be seen inspecting the premises. He talked to the children residing in the Madarsa who revealed to him that 3 Hindu children also visit the Madarsa daily and are made to read Quran and Qaida. More than a dozen children residing in the Madarsa also revealed that around 300 children come to the Madarsa daily to learn Islamic books.

According to the NCPCR, minors who reside in the Madarsa, are also beaten by the authorities, marks of which could be seen on their fingers in the video shared by Kanoongo. “More than a dozen children living in the Madrasa are residents of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal. Children are beaten in Madrasa, all have marks of beating on their fingers. Children are being groomed and brainwashed in such a way that instead of becoming doctors or engineers, they want to become muftis,” he said.

Kanoongo, the chairperson of NCPCR also sought details about the education provided to the children at Madarsa but no details could be obtained. “some basic education is also given during the day, but the administration officials could not give any information about school-related recognition, affiliation, and government permission,” he added.

As per the NCPCR inspection, the children at the Madarsa are groomed to become Muftis and very few are interested in becoming doctors, engineers, or scientists. It could be seen in the video that one or two among a dozen raised their hands when asked who wanted to become doctors or engineers, but all of them raised their hands and affirmed when asked whether they wanted to become Muftis.

A mufti is an Islamic scholar who can legally rule on Islamic religious and personal matters. They are also authorized to make legal decisions or help judges in Islamic countries. Muftis are responsible for issuing a legal ruling or edict known as a fatwa. These rulings are non-binding and act as religious advice.

The school is believed to be located in an urban locality and has no library or computer-aided learning lab. The school provides only basic education to children from class 1 to 8. It was established in the year 1991 and is believed to have attained no government permission to run a school. “The administration officials could not give any information about school-related recognition, affiliation, and government permission,” Kanoongo affirmed.

The NCPCR visited the Madarsa on 26th December and sought relevant answers from the authority.

Delhi: Abdullah stabs Vinod to death for asking him to return his borrowed Rs 1,000, steals Rs 25,000 and two mobile phones; arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi: Abdullah stabs Vinod to death for asking him to return his borrowed Rs 1,000, steals Rs 25,000 and two mobile phones; arrested

On Tuesday (26th December), Delhi Police arrested 29-year-old Mohammad Abdullah for stabbing Vinod (age 29) to death in his rented residence in Madipur in west Delhi’s Punjabi Bagh area. The arrested murder-accused Mohammad Abdullah is a drug addict. He used to work as an electrician. He would repair electronic gadgets at Vinod’s house. On 21st December, Vinod asked Abdullah to give back his Rs 1000. They had a minor verbal altercation also. On 22nd December, Abdullah killed Vinod.

Officers from the Punjabi Bagh police station were alerted to an incident around 3:10 pm on December 22. Upon arriving at the scene, they discovered Vinod’s body in a pool of blood on a mattress. The area was thoroughly examined by a crime and forensic team, who gathered evidence. Subsequently, a murder case investigation was initiated at the Punjabi Bagh police station.

The police analysed footage from multiple CCTV cameras in the surrounding area and utilised technical surveillance to identify the suspect as 29-year-old Mohammad Abdullah. After conducting a series of raids, Abdullah was apprehended in Mukundpur. Additionally, the police recovered the knife Abdullah used in the crime, along with the clothes and shoes he wore during the incident.

The police stated that Abdullah, known to be a drug addict, was employed to fix electronic devices at Vinod’s residence. Investigations revealed that the day before the incident, Abdullah and Vinod had a verbal fight over outstanding payments. Vinod asked Abdullah to return his Rs 1000.

According to a police officer, “Vinod had gone to Abdullah’s house to demand his dues, about Rs 1,000-1,500. He did not find Abdullah there, which made him angry and he shouted at his family members. When Abdullah came to know about the misbehaviour, it irked him. The following day, he went to Vinod’s place and an argument took place between them. Abdullah then stabbed Vinod multiple times, causing his death.” According to the police, Abdullah admitted to the crime, stating that he murdered Vinod because Vinod had insulted his family.

Vinod’s family members have accused Abdullah of stealing Rs 25000 and two mobile phones after he killed Vinod. In an interaction with the media, Vinod’s aunt Taravati said, “A day before the murder, Abdullah had come here in the night. Both were fighting with each other. Vinod was asking him to return his Rs 800. Vinod said to Abdullah, ‘Brother, you have taken money as a hand loan from me, please return it to me I need it’. He did not give the money back. Then they abused each other. Mohammad Abdullah went back to his home.”

She further said, “The next day, Vinod’s brother Lokesh (alias Lucky) woke up in the morning. He gave tea to Vinod at around 10:30 a.m. Vinod slept again. His brother went to job. Abdullah visited the locality thrice. After Lucky went out for his job, Abdulah came upstairs. He killed Vinod in 10 minutes and vanished. He stabbed Vinod 11 times in the abdomen. Vinod was stabbed in the liver and Vinod’s intestine was also torn in the attack.”

She added, “None of us relatives was here at that time. These two brothers – Vinod and Lucky – lived in this rented room. At 2 p.m., Vinod’s sister came here to meet her brother. She lives in a rented house nearby. She saw Vinod lying in a pool of blood. She also noticed that his body was cold. She then shouted and cried aloud to inform the others. Then everyone else including the police was called. Then police came and investigated this.”

Taravati said, “When Vinod’s sister came here, the cupboard was open. Abdullah stole Rs 25000 from the cupboard. It was the amount hard earned and saved by these two brothers. Abdullah also stole a wallet and two mobile phones including a new phone worth Rs 15000 to 20000. He also took one Samsung phone. Vinod was an earning hand in the family. His sister has lost vision in her one eye. Their parents passed away when these siblings were very young.”

Taravati did not confirm that Vinod visited Abdullah’s place and insulted his family. She said that the altercation between the two took place just outside Vinod’s residence. She said, “The fight took place just here only. Vinod asked him to return the money. Abdullah denied. As a result, they argued. The next day, Abdullah visited the locality three times. He was angry. Spotting Vinod alone at the house, he came upstairs and stabbed him 11 times until he died. He then puts his dead body upside down so that anyone who sees Vinod should feel that he is asleep. When Vinod’s sister came and turned him up, she saw that his intestine was lying outside.”

She further said, “Vinod was an earning member of the family. He helped his sister. His sister lives with her two kids. There is no one else with her. Who will support them now? Whatever amount he had saved, Abdullah took it away after the murder. What if the house owner asks his brother to leave this place? Where will he go?”

The police investigation has revealed that Mohammad Abdulla is a drug addict. Informing more about the drug addiction among youths in this area, Taravati said, “Even young kids in this area consume hukka. They get this addiction at the age of 16 or 17. Many families in this area are disturbed by this. They even get drug injections. They do all kinds of addictions.”

Madhya Pradesh: Muslim community objects to removal of loudspeakers from mosques in Chhattarpur, ADM says ‘go to court’

OpIndia Staff
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Madhya Pradesh: Muslim community objects to removal of loudspeakers from mosques in Chhattarpur, ADM says ‘go to court’

On 26th December, members of the Muslim community led by the Sadar of Tanjim Ata-e-Mustafa Committee, Hazi Shehzad Ali, submitted an application to the Superintendent of Police (SP) and Additional District Magistrate (ADM) of Chhattarpur against the removal of the loudspeakers from mosques by the police. The loudspeakers are being removed after the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh issued a directive against the use of loudspeakers in religious places.

In their application, Muslims sought to stay on the action against the loudspeakers. Shehzad Ali alleged in a statement that in the directive issued by the Chief Minister, it was only mentioned that the sound levels of loudspeakers should be within the permitted levels. He further claimed that there was no directive to remove the loudspeakers from the religious places.

However, ADM categorically said that the action was being taken per the orders of the Supreme Court and the State Government. ADM further added if the members of the Muslim community felt the administration was doing something wrong, they were free to approach the court.

On 13th December, the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh issued a directive to prohibit “unregulated use of loudspeakers in religious establishments and other public spaces.” The bans on loudspeakers at religious places and meat sales in the open were the first orders issued by Mr Mohan Yadav after assuming the office of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister. Following the directives of the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal, the guidelines for the immediate implementation of loudspeaker usage were also issued.

‘Harappan civilisation is 7000 to 8000 years old’: Scientists studying DNA samples from Rakhigarhi site find

OpIndia Staff
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‘Harappan civilisation is 7000 to 8000 years old’: Scientists studying DNA samples from Rakhigarhi site find

In a major development in the study of Harappan Civilisation, the researchers from Deccan College Pune and the Central Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have found that human remains unearthed at an ancient site of Rakhigarhi – a village in the Hisar district of Haryana – date back roughly 8,000 years. The finding was made during the third round of excavations conducted by the ASI in collaboration with several teams from across the country, including Deccan College Pune researchers, Hindustan Times reported.

Dr. Amarendra Nath of the Indian Archaeology Department conducted the first phase of excavations at Rakhigarhi from 1997 to 2000, during which evidence of the North Harappan culture dating back to 2500 BC was discovered. Professor Vasant Shinde of Deccan College Pune led the second round of excavations at Rakhi Garhi from 2006 to 2013, collecting evidence and conducting DNA tests to establish that this culture was possibly over 4,000 years old. The ASI and Deccan College Pune have worked together over the past two years to complete the third phase of excavations at Rakhigarhi, led by ASI joint director Sanjay Kumar Manjul and Deccan College Pune assistant professor Prabhodh Shirwalkar.

Shirwalkar told HT that the Harappan culture is divided into three parts: East Harappan, Middle Harappan, and North Harappan (Modern). The previous two excavations discovered evidence of the Middle and Modern Harappan cultures stretching back about 4,000 years. However, evidence discovered during the third round of excavations indicates that the culture dates back 7,000 to 8,000 years. “The final report of the work is being prepared by our team,” Shirwalkar said adding that the research will continue for many more months.

Shirwalkar further elaborated, “Human ‘DNA’ has remained the same for 8,000 years which we have found during our research. When human traps were found here, they were thoroughly tested. Scientists have drawn conclusions based on this. A large burial ground was found here and it had human traps as well as animal traps.”

Shirwalkar revealed that clay pots, old silver and copper ornaments were discovered alongside utensils made of various metals, including gold and silver as well and a dinner set was discovered during the excavation. 

Large houses, drainage system, colourful clothes

During the excavations, a large settlement of the largest ancient houses ever was found underground. A courtyard along with a drainage system were also found in it. Moreover, there were two- to six-bedroom houses that were also available at that time. The clothing fashion of the people of that time is also known. The research team found a colourful worn piece of cloth, a shawl and a skirt.

“This research has found strong evidence that the Harappan civilisation is 7,000 to 8,000 years old. Scientists from the Department of Archaeology of India and Deccan College have worked together on the project. It is agreed that there was human habitation or civilisation in our country 8,000 years ago,” Shirwalkar asserted adding that the people back then were as advanced as they are in present times.

Back in 2019, it was reported citing a research study that the primary source of ancestry in modern South Indians is a prehistoric genetic gradient between people related to early hunter-gatherers of Iran and Southeast Asia. In a major blow to the Aryan Invasion Theory, the research found that the skeletal remains from the Rakhigarhi individual were from a population that is “the largest source of ancestry for South Asians”.

The study which involved the inspection of DNA samples of the skeletons found in Rakhigarhi, an Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC) site in Haryana, found no traces of the R1a1 gene or Central Asian ‘steppe’ genes, colloquially called the ‘Aryan gene’. In 2018 as well, OpIndia reported that researchers of the DNA study of Rakhigarhi skeletal remains have stated that they found no central Asian trace.

Christian institution found occupying 11 acres of Temple land in Tirunelveli, Madras HC orders eviction

OpIndia Staff
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Christian institution found occupying 11 acres of Temple land in Tirunelveli, Madras HC orders eviction

On 5th December, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court dismissed three writ petitions filed by the Mother Superior of Amali Girls’ Higher Secondary School and Amali Convent. In its order, the court upheld the eviction order, saying that the Amali Convent illegally occupied the property of Pillayan Arthasaam Kattalai that comes under Arulmigu Papanasaswamy Temple in district Tirunelveli. The court also criticised the petitioner for using children as a “smoke screen” to justify the illegal encroachment on temple land.

As per the court judgment accessed by OpIndia, Amali Convent challenged the eviction notice by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department served back in 2013 for the 11 acres of land originally owned by Pillayan Arthasaam Kattalai in Papanasam of Ambasamudram Taluk under district Tirunelveli of Tamil Nadu. The court confirmed that the Joint Commissioner has jurisdiction over encroachment and eviction issues under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act.

Encroachment by Amali Convent

The matter revolved around four pieces of land totalling 11 acres. As per the court records, petitioner Amali Convent originally possessed 44 acres of temple land that it took on lease. There was a dispute between the petitioner and the temple authorities, leading to a petition from the temple authorities to get the land back. The District Munsif Court at Ambasamudram dismissed the initial petition. An appeal was filed in the Sub Court at Tenkari in 1985.

During the first appeal, both parties came to a settlement under which the Amali Convent returned the land but kept 11 acres. As per the settlement between the two parties, Amali Convent would pay Rs 2,000 as the land’s rent per year and use it only for agriculture purposes.

Eviction notice served after illegal construction on agricultural land

However, in 2012, the temple authorities found that Amali Convent built superstructures on the land that went against the settlement conditions. The temple authorities sent an eviction notice on 22nd October 2012, which was received by the petitioner on 1st November 2012. When the petitioner did not return the land, the temple authorities filed a petition before the Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Tirunelveli. 

In its reply, petitioner Amali Convent admitted the land was on lease but claimed it was not only for agriculture purposes. The petitioner also contended that the temple authorities consented to build a school on the land. The petitioner gave an excuse that the school was built to uplift the women in the area and was not a commercial property. The petitioner also offered to purchase the land from the temple authorities. However, their reply did not stand in court, and an eviction notice was served under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act.

Notably, according to the HR&CE Act, any temple land can be leased for a specified period. If the occupant wishes to continue to hold the land, they must apply for a lease extension. In this case, the petitioner continued to occupy the land without extending the lease agreement, making it an unauthorised occupation. Furthermore, while the temple authorities provided all supporting documents to claim ownership of the land, the petitioner failed to submit any document that supported the claims of permission from the temple authorities to construct buildings on the occupied land.

Amali Convent used children as a ‘smoke screen’

The court noted that as the petitioner offered to buy the land, it had enough resources to construct the building elsewhere. When the petitioner argued that evicting the land would hamper the education of the girls studying there, the court criticised the petitioner for using the children as a “smoke screen”. The court said that the petitioner was served an eviction notice in 2013. They had enough time to shift the school elsewhere but continued occupying the land. Hence, the argument that it would hamper the children’s education did not stand. The court specifically highlighted that the petitioner manipulated the “children’s welfare” argument to evade legal accountability.

Furthermore, the court acknowledged that there was a need to minimise the disruption to the students and allowed a grace period till 31st March 2024, the end of the semester, to vacate the land. Though the court provided the said concession, it was firmly held that there was a need to safeguard the properties of religious and charitable institutions from wrongful occupation. The court also asked Amali Convent to submit affidavit that it will handover the land to the temple authorities by the end of March 2024.

60,000 jobs in UP: Yogi govt responds after social media raises concerns about the 22-year age limit for general category aspirants, relaxes by 3 years

OpIndia Staff
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60,000 jobs in UP: Yogi govt responds after social media raises concerns about the 22-year age limit for general category aspirants, relaxes by 3 years

On Tuesday (26th December), Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced from his X handle that the upper age limit for all categories of candidates appearing for the process of recruitment of the post of Reserve Civil Police in the state will be relaxed by three years.

This decision came after social media users raised concern over the age limits as this recruitment drive has come after 5 years. Those from the general category who were underage for the recruitment in 2018 were termed overage in 2023 without even getting an attempt. Now, they will get a chance to appear for the recruitment process with the new decision.

Yogi Adityanath posted on X, “The government is fully committed to the interests of the youth and their bright future. In this sequence, in the ongoing process for recruitment to the post of Reserve Civil Police in Uttar Pradesh Police, it has been decided to give relaxation of three years in the upper age limit for all categories of candidates.”

What was the exact problem with the police recruitment age limits?

Earlier, many popular social media handles had raised a concern over the prescribed age limits for the said posts in the police department for the general category aspirants.

X handle ‘The Skin Doctor’ posted, “The Uttar Pradesh Police has released over 60k constable vacancies, out of which 40k are reserved. Wait, there’s a reservation in age limits as well. A general male candidate must be between 18-22, while reserved candidates can be up to 31. This doesn’t make any logical sense. With most seats already reserved, why impose stringent age limits on general candidates? Will a general candidate suddenly become unfit after 22 while the reserved ones stay fit and active until 31?”

The Skin Doctor added, “The worst part is that these vacancies have been released after 5 years. This means that general males, who were underage during the last recruitment in 2018, will now become overage in this recruitment in 2023 without even having had one opportunity. This is extremely unfair Yogi Adityanath. The system is already skewed against them. Age relaxation should be provided, especially because many of them have become ineligible without getting even one chance for recruitment.”

Skin Doctor’s post went viral soon, with many users highlighting the unfairness of the age limit set for general category students.

Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board announced recruitment for 60244 posts

The Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board (UPPBPB) has initiated the application process for filling 60244 constable vacancies. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for these positions online at uppbpb.gov.in, starting on 27th December 2023. The deadline for submitting the online application is 16th January 2024, while the final date for application fee payment is 18th January 2024.

Selection for these posts will be based on a candidate’s performance in a written examination. Successful candidates in the written test will then proceed to the Physical Standard Test/Document Verification and the Physical Efficiency Test as part of the further selection process.

Congress leader Sam Pitroda ‘bothered’ that the nation is involved in Ram Mandir, says this is ‘not how modern nations are built’

OpIndia Staff
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Congress leader Sam Pitroda ‘bothered’ that the nation is involved in Ram Mandir, says this is ‘not how modern nations are built’

In another display of hatred for the Hindu sentiment by the Congress, Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress Sam Pitroda has said that “too much importance is being given to religion through the Ram Mandir and that democracy is being undermined.

His statement comes just weeks before the country is due to celebrate the inauguration of and the consecration ceremony at the Ram Mandir at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. Sam Pitroda is one of Rahul Gandhi’s most trusted advisors and aides. His statement about Ram Mandir adds to a series of anti-temple jibes he has taken in the past.

Sam Pitroda added, “So there are signals I’m getting which says we are in the wrong direction. When a nation is involved in Ram Temple, that bothers me. To me, religion is a personal thing. Don’t confuse it with the national agenda. The national agenda should focus on education, employment, growth, economy, inflation, health, environment, and pollution. Nobody talks about that.”

In a direct attack on the people of India, Pitroda added, “Everyone is talking about a Hindu temple. Everyone talks about Lord Ram. This is not how you build a modern nation.”

Speaking to news agency ANI, he said, “We have seen that the nations built on religion, whether it is Israel or Pakistan, are very different from the nations built on democracy, freedom, human rights, diversity, and inclusion like America. That’s what we want. Our founding fathers very clearly articulated, understood, and put it in our constitution that everybody is equal.”

He added, “I don’t care what religion you practice. I have to respect you for who you are. And not what religion you follow. I’m not going to dictate what you eat, or what you pray for. That’s your personal freedom. And when the entire nation is hung up on Ram Temple and Ram Janmabhoomi, and all this stuff, it really upsets me and bothers me.”

Sam Pitroda then ‘clarified’ his stance on religion by saying, “I said my wife is very religious. I am not a religious person. She has a little temple at home. It’s fine. She is entitled to do that. But don’t get me involved. I am not a religious person. That doesn’t mean I don’t agree with what she does. That’s her privilege. I have said earlier that I have outsourced my religion to my mother and my wife. They are doing a great job. I don’t interfere.”

Sam Pitroda concluded by saying that PM is spending all the time in temples and that “bothers him”. “Religion is something very personal. Don’t nationalize it. Don’t use it for political gains. A Prime Minister is spending time in temples all the time. It bothers me. I would rather have him go to schools, libraries and scientific institutions and not visit lots of temples. But that’s my view. People have to decide how they feel about it.”

Moreover, Sam Pitroda was asked by the agency to clear his stand on the Electronic Voting Machine. In 2018, the plenary session of the Congress party had passed a political resolution demanding ballot papers to replace the EVMs. Sam Pitroda was asked this question because of his recognition as a person who has worked on promoting the use of technology.

He said, “I am talking as a citizen whose vote matters. That is the first thing. I am speaking for every citizen whose vote matters and is valuable. It should be handled properly and you should give me confidence and trust as an election commission because you are independent. And if you don’t do, the Supreme Court should intervene. That’s one thing.”

Pitroda also called on INDI Alliance members to to pay attention to this issue than it has been given. “As a political person, I request my party to take this very seriously. I would request all the alliance members to pay much more attention to this than you have paid. It is not a simple issue. Don’t overlook it. Because the 2024 election is going to decide the destiny of the nation. It is going to decide the path that India takes in the future. And I am worried about it,” he said.

Detailing his “worries” on the matter, the Rahul aide said, “I’m worried about it because too much importance is given to religion. I see that democracy is being undermined. When the Prime Minister of a country for 10 years does not give a press conference, that bothers me. When everyone thinks that everything good that happens in the country is only because of the Prime Minister, that bothers me. When the Prime Minister has no problem giving name to a national stadium in his own name while he’s alive, that bothers me.”

This is not the first time that Sam Pitroda has given statements against Hindu temples. In June 2023, he said that temples would not create jobs. He also said that those who go to temples believe in BJP and RSS and that these people are only 30 per cent in number.

ED names Robert Vadra for the first time in PMLA case: How Rahul Gandhi too features in a web of dubious land deals with CC Thampi, Sanjay Bhandari

Nupur J Sharma
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ED names Robert Vadra for the first time in PMLA case: How Rahul Gandhi too features in a web of dubious land deals with CC Thampi, Sanjay Bhandari

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in its supplementary chargesheet has finally established a direct connection between the Gandhi son-in-law Robert Vadra, CC Thampi and arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari. The ED on the 22nd of December told the Special Court that CC Thampi, who worked for the absconding arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari, is a close aide of Robert Vadra – the husband of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. The link has been established by the ED in the supplementary chargesheet filed against CC Thampi and Sumit Chadha (said to be the brother-in-law of Sanjay Bhandari) in a money laundering case. This is the first time that ED has named Vadra in their chargesheet.

The ED chargesheet said, “The investigation revealed that CC Thampi is a close associate of Robert Vadra. Vadra, who not only renovated the property at 12 Bryanston Square, London, through Sumit Chadha but also stayed in the same. Further, Vadra as well as CC Thampi, purchased a huge chunk of land at Faridabad and had financial transactions with each other”.

The special court took cognizance of the chargesheet on the 22nd of December 2023, the ED press release said.

ED initiated the investigation based on searches as well as a Prosecution Complaint filed by the Income Tax Department under section 51 of Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015. ED investigation revealed that Sanjay Bhandari held various undisclosed foreign income and assets including properties at no. 12 Bryanston Square, London and 6 Grosvenor Hill Court, London. These assets are Proceeds of Crime as per the provisions of PMLA, 2002. CC Thampi and Sumit Chadha are involved in the concealment and use of these Proceeds of Crime.  

The prosecution complaint against arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari was filed on 1st June 2020, his 3 offshore entities, Sanjeev Kapoor and Anirudh Wadhwa. After due process, Sanjay Bhandari was declared a proclaimed offender and the UK had ordered his extradition to India. Sanjay Bhandari has challenged the extradition order. Following the investigation, properties worth Rs. 26.55 crores belonging to Sanjay Bhandari were attached by Indian authorities.

CC Thampi was arrested in 2020 and is currently out on bail. In February 2019, Robert Vadra was grilled for over 5 hours for his alleged links to CC Thampi. The Enforcement Directorate suspects kickbacks for a petroleum deal in 2009 were routed through the Sharjah-based company, allegedly controlled by a UAE-based NRI businessman, CC Thampi. Vadra was also questioned about owning Benami property in London along with CC Thampi and Sanjay Bhandari. Thampi has a company in UAE called Sky Light and in India, Skylight Hospitality Private Limited is allegedly linked to Vadra and is under the ED scanner for suspect land deals in Bikaner, Rajasthan. ED had served him a show-cause notice last year for violation of laws in the acquisition of agricultural and other lands in and around Delhi-NCR in deals amounting to over Rs 288 crore.

The Rahul Gandhi connection that OpIndia had revealed in 2019

So far, the connection has only been established between Sanjay Bhandari and Robert Vadra. However, in 2019, OpIndia had unearthed papers that liked Rahul Gandhi himself to Sanjay Bhandari through a string of dubious land deals involving HL Pahwa and CC Thampi – who the ED has now acknowledged is a close aide of Robert Vadra.

These papers related to the ED search conducted on one H L Pahwa on 3rd May 2017 and 4th May 2017. The land dealings are between Rahul Gandhi and H L Pahwa who was funded by C C Thampi – CC Thampi was known to be a close aide of Robert Vadra, and now, the ED has mentioned in their chargesheet that he was also a close aide of Robert Vadra.

According to the files seized by the Enforcement Directorate from HL Pahwa, Rahul Gandhi had purchased 6.5 acres of land located at Hassanpur, Palwal vide registration deed 4780 dated 3rd March 2008 from HL Pahwa for a measly Rs. 26,47,000. The land was purchased by making a cheque payment of Rs. 24,00,000 dated 12th January 2008 and Rs. 2,47,000 dated 17th March 2008.

But, File C page 57 of the seized ED files reveals that the stamp duty on this transaction was paid in cash and was not withdrawn by Pahwa. It thus becomes obvious that it was the buyer, in this case, Rahul Gandhi who paid the stamp duty.

Another revelation in the file (Page 60 of File C) is that Pahwa wanted to sell the land at Rs. 33,22,003 but agreed to sell only at Rs. 26,47,000 to Rahul Gandhi.

In the 2019 story, OpIndia revealed how not only Rahul Gandhi, but Robert Vadra and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had also purchased land from HL Pahwa. A sale deed dated 3 March 2008, shows nine acres of land in Hasanpur village in Haryana’s Palwal district was sold by Gurgaon resident H L Pahwa to Robert Vadra for Rs 36.9 lakh. Also, a sale deed from Rajasthan’s Bikaner district shows 4.63 acres of land in Basti village in Ganganagar tehsil was sold for Rs 8.5 lakh in April 2009, by 42-year-old Sarita Devi Bothra to Real Earth Estate Private Limited, a company based in New Delhi. The company’s director is Robert Vadra.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra too had purchased land from HL Pahwa. OpIndia had earlier reported how Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had purchased land and sold it back for an inflated price, 4 years later to the same person. That person was also HL Pahwa. On 28th April 2006, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had purchased land by paying Rs. 15,00,000 in 2 cheques from HL Pahwa, and then, on 17th February 2010, sold it back to HL Pahwa for Rs. 84,15,006 via several cheques.

Here the link between HL Pahwa and CC Thampi emerges.

When Priyanka Gandhi Vadra sold the land back to HL Pahwa for an inflated price, Pahwa paid Gandhi back in 5 instalments between 22nd May 2009 and 11th September 2009. The reason cited for the instalment payment was ‘non-availability of funds’.

The ED files at the time had revealed that HL Pahwa had received Rs. 54,00,00,000 (Rs 54 crores) from CC Thampi. 

The facts that emerge are these:

1. Rahul Gandhi purchased land from HL Pahwa at allegedly, a reduced price.

2. The land was also purchased from HL Pahwa by Robert Vadra and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. In several cases, the land was bought back by HL Pahwa at an inflated price even though his cash balance was negative.

3. To make good on the purchase, HL Pahwa took money from CC Thampi

4. CC Thampi and Sanjay Bhandari are close friends. As demonstrated, they had several financial transactions amongst themselves.

5. ED chargesheet now confirms that CC Thampi worked for Sanjay Bhandari and was also a close aide of Robert Vadra.

6.  Sanjay Bhandari is an arms dealer and close friend of Robert Vadra. He had received kickbacks in Defence deal and in Petroleum deal.

7. It is through this kickback that Sanjay Bhandari purchased benami properties from Robert Vadra, even paid for the renovation.

It is pertinent to note here that Sanjay Bhandari is an armed dealer. From 2012 to 2015, Sanjay Bhandari was lobbying to become the offset partner in the Rafale deal and Dassault refused to indulge him. The file related to the purchase of 126 Rafale jets had gone missing from the defence ministry and it was later found on the road. It is alleged that Bhandari had stolen the file. It is alleged that Bhandari used to photocopy crucial files and passed on to defence contractors that he had links with. Later, Arun Jaitley had alleged that while Rafale was being finalised during the Congress government, there were backroom talks about the Eurofighter. The questions deepened after rumours that Rahul Gandhi had met Eurofighter representatives in Germany.

Now that the ED has confirmed the close links between CC Thampi, Robert Vadra and arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari, the dubious land deals that connect Rahul Gandhi to Sanjay Bhandari through his dubious land deals via HL Pahwa and CC Thampi gain far more significance.

The exclusive 2019 article establishing links between Rahul Gandhi and Sanjay Bhandari can be read here.

‘High degree of trust, India-Russia relations the only constant in global politics’: Dr. Jaishankar in Moscow

ANI
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‘High degree of trust, India-Russia relations the only constant in global politics’: Dr. Jaishankar in Moscow

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said that while there have been ups and downs in relationships between all countries, the only constant in global politics has been the ties between India and Russia.

He also emphasised that in the fields of defence, space and nuclear energy, countries only cooperate with those with whom they have a “high degree” of trust.

The EAM was interacting with the Indian community at an event in Moscow on Tuesday.

Addressing the event, Jaishankar said, “Relationship between India and Russia, in many ways is exceptional…if one looks at last 60, 70, 80 years of politics among the major countries. They have had their relationships, but all these relationships have their ups and downs…Russia and China, Russia and USA, Russia and Europe, India and China, India and USA. You would see over time, there are good periods, there are difficulties, stresses and very good memories and great achievements”.

He also confirmed that he will be holding a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday during his 4-day visit to the country.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Jaishankar said that during his interaction, he urged the Indian community to contribute in deepening the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

“Interacted with the Indian community in Moscow. Appreciated their contribution to building a strong and steady collaboration between India and Russia. The Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership reflects experiences and sentiments of last 75 years. Urged the community to contribute to deepening of mutually beneficial cooperation. Their role in promoting close ties between our civil societies is invaluable. An #AtmanirbharBharat will deepen ties with Russia in a multipolar world,” Jaishankar posted on X.

During his address, the EAM further noted that over the last 70-80 years, both India and Russia have transformed a lot and a lot has also changed in world politics, but the relationship between New Delhi and Moscow has remained constant.

“To me, what is exceptional about India-Russia relationships. From the early 50s, for 70-80 odd years. There have been big changes in this period. The Soviet Union became the Russian Federation, big changes have happened in world politics, Russia has transformed, and India has grown. But, if there is one constant in world politics, it has actually been the relationship between India and Russia,” he said.

Jaishankar said that the cooperation between India and Russia in various fields also shows the quality of the relationship between the two countries.

“Russia is a special partner in a few areas – defence, nuclear energy..Today, in my presence and that of Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, we signed some important agreements pertaining to future units of the Kudankulam Nuclear Project. Typically, defence, nuclear and space, are collaborations you only do with countries with whom you have a high degree of trust. So, it’s not just we do the cooperation is reflective of the quality of the relationship,” he added.

The EAM acknowledged that India got a “very strong cooperation from Russia during its G20 presidency and affirmed New Delhi’s commitment to support Moscow’s presidency of BRICS grouping next year.

Jaishankar arrived in Russia on Monday for his four-day visit and said that he looked forward to his engagements.

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

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