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CBI begins inquiry against TMC MP Mahua Moitra in connection with cash-for-query case

Months after the cash-for-query scam surfaced, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) initiated an inquiry against TMC MP Mahua Moitra, news agency ANI reported citing CBI Sources on 25th November (Saturday). The CBI will probe allegations that she was taking bribes to raise questions in Parliament.  The investigation has been initiated at the direction of Lokpal. 

As per India Today, CBI sources said, “We have initiated an enquiry on orders of Lokpal. We have not registered a Preliminary Enquiry or FIR against Mahua Moitra as yet.” 

The CBI has registered a preliminary enquiry. This is the first step in which the probing agency will ascertain if the allegations merit a full-fledged investigation. If the CBI finds enough prima facie material during its preliminary enquiry, it can convert it into an FIR.

According to the media reports, the CBI enquiry has been initiated against Moitra based on a complaint from BJP MP Nishikant Dubey. He had accused the TMC leader of taking a bribe from businessman Hiranandani for “asking questions in Parliament”. 

Dubey had earlier asserted that Lokpal, on 8th November “ordered a CBI enquiry against accused Mahua Moitra for indulging in corruption at the cost of national security.”

Additionally, the Ethics Committee of Lok Sabha is also looking into the allegations against the TMC leader. Evidently, the Ethics Committee in its report recommended that Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra be expelled from Parliament. The Ethics Committee is reported to have recommended Mahua Moitra’s suspension on the grounds of “unethical conduct” jeopardising national security. 

The panel’s report stated that she shared her login credentials with unauthorised individuals. The draft revealed that Moitra made multiple trips to UAE, and her account was logged in 47 times from Dubai.

Notably, Moitra has accepted that she had shared credentials with Darshan Hiranandani. Following this development, it was recently reported that PAs of Lok Sabha MPs have lost access to Digital Sansad login. 

Meanwhile, it was also reported earlier that Darshan Hiranandani who is also an accused in this alleged scam, turned approver and accepted the allegations. In his affidavit, he said that Moitra gave him her Parliament username and password so he could post questions on her behalf. As reported earlier,  the IT ministry had stated that it had sent a report to the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee confirming that the TMC leader’s parliamentary ID was accessed 49 times from Dubai.

Gujarat: Azad Riyazuddin Ansari sentenced to three years in prison for derogatory post about Lord Ganesha on Facebook 

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On 25th November (Saturday), the Additional Judicial Magistrate Court of Valsad sentenced a Muslim man to 3 years in prison for making a derogatory post about Lord Ganesha on Facebook. Additionally, the court also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the convict, Azad Riazuddin Ansari for hurting the sentiments of the Hindu community with his derogatory post on Lord Ganesha. 

The case started five years back when Ansari insulted Lord Ganesha by uploading a post on Facebook during Ganeshotsav in 2018. Subsequently, a complaint was lodged in the matter and a case was registered in Valsad which finally culminated in the sentencing of the accused. 

As per media reports, the 34-year-old convict, Azad Riazuddin Ansari is a resident of Shalimar Apartment in Valsad. On 17 September 2018, he shared an offensive and blasphemous photo of Lord Ganesha on social media. Along with the photo, he also wrote a text making offensive and derogatory comments about the Hindu deity. He had shared an edited photo of a dog petting a statue of Lord Ganesha along with offensive commentary ‘Ganeshji ki pooja karta kutta’.

Following his derogatory post on the Hindu deity, many people opposed while some people from Hindu organisations reportedly went to the accused and garlanded him with shoes. Afterward, a case was registered against Azad Ansari for hurting the sentiments of the Hindu community by making a derogatory post. 

As per media reports, when the incident came to the attention of some Gaurakshaks namely Bakul Rajgor, Hemant Khernar, and other workers of the Hindu organisation in Valsad town, they went to his shop and lodged a protest. Reports also claim that angry Hindu protestors garland the accused Azad Riazuddin Ansari and took out a procession. 

Subsequently, a complaint was filed against Ansari at the police station for insulting Lord Ganesha. On 18th September 2018, the Valsad City Police arrested Ansari under Sections 153(A), 295(A), 114 of the IPC, and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act. Then the case went to the Additional Magistrate Court of Valsad. During the investigation, Ansari’s actions were proved in the court. At the end of the arguments, the court convicted the accused by considering the police complaint, witnesses, and evidence.

After 5 years of court proceedings, the Additional Judicial Magistrate Court of Valsad finally convicted Ansari under Section 248(2) of CrpC and Sections 153(A), 295(A) of IPC and Section 67 of the IT Act. The court sentenced Ansari to 3 years imprisonment and also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on him. A copy of the court order is available with OpIndia.

‘Muslim reservations anti-constitutional’, says Yogi Adityanath in an election rally in Telangana, accuses KCR of Muslim appeasement

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed a public meeting in Telangana’s Kumuram Bheem Asifabad assembly constituency on Saturday (25th November). During this, he fiercely targeted KCR for his Muslim appeasement policies. He also said that Muslim reservation is anti-constitutional and should not be allowed to be implemented under any circumstances.

The atmosphere is heated in Telangana as the state gears up for the upcoming legislative assembly elections. Eminent leaders from all political parties are actively engaging in public rallies, passionately advocating for their respective candidates. BJP’s star campaigner Yogi Adityanath is also on his Telangana tour for campaigning.

Yogi Adityanath said, “The politics of appeasement can be witnessed at its worst in Telangana today. This government marginalizes people of all castes from their rightful entitlements. Muslim reservation is anti-constitutional and should not be allowed to be implemented under any circumstances.”

He added, “BRS means Bhashtachar Rishwatkhori Samiti (Corruption and Bribery Party). The current situation in Telangana mirrors what Uttar Pradesh experienced before 2017. The Telangana government refuses to observe Liberation Day from Nizam. The BSP and Congress aim to lead the country towards a new partition. Vote for BJP. The BJP will abolish Muslim reservations, benefiting the OBC, SC, and ST categories.”

Yogi Adityanath also held a meeting at Vemulawada in Telangana and participated in corner meetings and road shows at Sanathnagar in Hyderabad. Assembly elections in Telangana will be held on 30th November. The results will be declared on 3rd December.

Jharkhand: Mob comprising of Farhan, Rehan, and Javed barge into a school and molest Hindu girls, forces them to chant ‘Islam Zindabad’

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In Jharkhand’s Ramgarh, girls returning home from school were surrounded by Muslim youths and forced to chant ‘Islam Zindabad’. When the girl students refused to do so, the youths attacked them with sticks and beat them up. The incident took place on Friday (24th November).

Around 24 individuals, including the girl students and boys who came to rescue them, were injured in this incident. All the injured were taken to the Ramgadh Civil Hospital for treatment. A complaint in this regard is registered at the Rajrappa police station against Mohammed Farhan, Mohammed Rehan, Mohammed Javed, Mohammed Danish, Mohammed Arshad, Mohammed Zishan, Mohammed Abuzar, Mohammed Sahil and other unidentified individuals.

The incident took place in the RB High School, Sandi at Chitarpur in the Ramgadh district of Jharkhand. The accused Muslim youths barged into the school at RB High School Sandi in Chittarpur in Ramgarh district on Friday and molested female students. When these girls and other boys in the school resisted this, they were brutally beaten by the accused. Two dozen of them were injured in this attack.

According to reports, on Thursday also, some students of the school were molested by these accused. On Friday, these molesters and a few other local goons barged into the school and molested and assaulted the female students and others who came ahead to rescue them. The aggrieved students went to the police station and created a ruckus. Station House Officer H N Singh assured action against the culprits.

Piyush Pandey, District Superintendent of Police said, “The case of assault on girl students by entering the school has come to the notice. It is under examination. Something can be said only after investigation.”

The students in the school alleged that the Muslim attackers also forced the victims to chant the slogan ‘Islam Zindabad’ and threatened that if they did not do so, they would not allow anyone to attend the school.

The police have launched a search for the accused. All the injured students were treated at the Ramgadh Civil Hospital. Regarding this matter, SDPO Kishore Rajak said, “It is too early to say anything, we are looking into the matter, and action will be taken against the guilty.” According to reports, when contacted, school principal Manoj Mitra’s mobile phone was found switched off.

The students being treated in the hospital told the media that the local Muslim youths regularly molested the female students of this school. A similar incident of molestation took place on Thursday leading to a minor altercation between the attackers and the students. The students from the Muslim community and their parents could not digest this and they came together on Friday to execute this attack.

Jharkhand state BJP president Babulal Marandi took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to condemn the incident and seek clarification from the government.

“The incident of the systematic teasing of school girls by Muslim boys and stone pelting on the girls after they protested the molestation today RV High School of Chhatarpur block under Rajrappa police station of Ramgarh district is very shocking. What is the fault of the girls? Only that they are Hindus? Or that there is a Hemant Soren government in the state that supports cruelty and criminals under the guise of religion? Girls are now feeling unsafe even in going to school. The government should clarify what kind of Jharkhand it wants to create,” Marandi tweeted in Hindi.

Rajasthan elections: Stone pelting in Fatehpur Shekhawati after supporters of Congress and independent candidates clash

On Saturday, November 25, an incident of stone pelting was reported near Bochiwal Bhawa in Fatehpur Shekhawati in Rajasthan’s Sikar district amidst polling for assembly elections. Clashes erupted between supporters of Congress candidate Hakim Ali Khan and independent candidate Madhusudan Bhinda during the voting over alleged fraud in voting.

A video of the incident went viral on social media, and it turned out that the stone pelting lasted for around thirty minutes. Following that, a heavy police force was deployed to keep the situation under control, and those involved in the clashes were apprehended. Rakesh, a Fatehpur Kotwali policeman, was also injured. It has been reported that the police had to open aerial fire to control the situation. The stone pelting incident has left the local residents terrified.

Earlier reports claimed that the voting process was interrupted at the polling booth due to stone pelting near Bochiwal Bhawan, however, the police denied it. Meanwhile, Fatehpur DSP Ramprasad said, “There has been stone pelting among some people after a verbal clash. Some people have been disbursed, and some people have been detained. We will take strict action. The polling is underway but this place (of clashes) is away from the polling booth. There is no hindrance to voting. Those who have not cast their vote yet should go and vote. Security would be provided for everyone.”

Meanwhile, Sikar SP Paris Deshmukh said that the police information about clashes and stone pelting near a gully in Bochiwal locality. He added that a police team including the SHO and CO arrived at the spot and took the situation under control. SP Deshmukh further informed that among the rioters, 7 to 8 have been detained and action will be taken against them after registering a case. The officer said that the area in question was already marked critical, however, the polling process continued peacefully.

After days of campaigning by key political parties, including the ruling Congress and BJP, voting in 199 of 200 assembly seats in Rajasthan began on Saturday. Following the death of Congress candidate Gurmeet Singh Koonar, elections in the Karanpur constituency were adjourned. The polls opened at 7 a.m., and voters can vote until 6 p.m. The ruling Congress seeks another term, while the BJP aims to unseat the Ashok Gehlot government.

Jobless since 2014: Telangana Minister KT Rama Rao slams Rahul Gandhi ahead of Vidhan Sabha polls

Ahead of the Telangana Vidhan Sabha elections, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader KT Rama Rao lashed out at Rahul Gandhi over his joblessness since 2014.

While speaking to ANI, he said, “Rahul Gandhi is jobless today because he and his party lost the job in 2014…That’s why he is reminded of joblessness today all of a sudden.”

“Did Rahul Gandhi or the Telangana Congress President ever write an entrance exam? Did they do any job (either in the private sector or any other field) for one day?” asked KT Rama Rao.

The Telangana IT Minister said that he wrote several entrance exams and worked at different places for 7-8 years before venturing into politics. “I want to ask the youth of Telangana whether these people (referring to Rahul Gandhi and the State President) have worked for one single day,” he was heard saying.

KT Rama Rao further added, “If the youth of the State fall for the hollow words of such leaders who never worked for a day, then, it will prove disastrous for them. ” He claimed that the BRS-run-Telangana government has recruited more people than any other State in the past 9.5 years.

Rahul Gandhi has meanwhile hit out at KT Rama Rao and his family. “The ministries that make the most money are under the KCR family (chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao, KTR and K Kavitha)…” he said.

“A large amount of money is made in land, liquor, and sand…All three ministries are under the KCR family… If you were not corrupt, these ministries would not have been under your family,” he further added. Elections in Telangana are scheduled to take place on 30th November this year.

Bharatanatyam performed for amusement of kings: Sri Lankan Islamic preacher equates the classical dance with prostitution, Muslim body apologises after Hindus protest

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A controversy has erupted in Sri Lanka after an Islamic preacher named Moulavi Abdul Hameed Sharaee made derogatory comments about Bharatanatyam and claimed that performers were courtesans trying to woo the king in one of his online sermons on the Tamil Dawah Media YouTube channel. The statement was made in response to a Bharatanatyam performance by males during Teachers Day festivities at one of the Islamic institutions. Following protests by Hindus after the comments, a Muslim body in the country has issued an apology and assured that action will be taken against the cleric.

Responding to the Bharatnatyam performance on teachers’ day, Moulavi Abdul Hameed Sharaee said, “It is regrettable that men performed Bharatanatyam, a dance generally associated with Parathis, in front of students in a way that made them look like women. In the past, courtesans were referred to as ‘Parathis.’ Bharatanatyam was once performed for the amusement of kings, with the implication that prostitutes would dance to create a sensual atmosphere for the kings.”

The cultural and artistic communities have been especially outraged by the shocking remarks which critics claim insult a highly esteemed art form and reinforce antiquated prejudices. Men and women alike perform the sacred and traditional dance known as Bharatanatyam, which has its roots in South India and carries great cultural and religious significance.

The remarks sparked a fierce outcry among Sri Lankan Hindus. Students from Batticaloa’s Swami Vipulananda Institute of Aesthetic Studies held demonstrations and pupils carried signs asking the religious leader to retract and apologise for his repulsive words.

Human rights lawyer and civil society leader Thamotharam Pratheevan of Sri Lanka issued a statement denouncing the comments and calling on the Moulavi to issue an immediate apology. Furthermore, he demanded that the latter face harsh consequences from the authorities for his derogatory comments on Hindu culture. Hindus in the country posted messages on social media expressing their fury.

Activist Thamotharam Pratheevan’s statement condemning the remark made by the Islamist preacher. (Source: Organiser)

Vaitheesvaran Eswaran Kurukkal, a renowned Hindu leader registered his protest on Facebook and wrote, “The online distribution of a video featuring remarks by a religious leader has caused great distress to the Hindu community. We wrote to the All Sri Lanka Andolan Ulama Council on behalf of the Hindu Gurumar Sangathan to communicate our disapproval and worry. During a press conference today, the Ulama Council voiced its concerns and severely denounced the statement.”

Meanwhile, All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama apologised and slammed the insensitive and bigoted statement of the preacher. A press release issued by them noted that a video posted on 9 November by a Muslim preacher regarding the Bharatanatyam dance and later another footage in which he apologised for his remarks was seen on social media. Commenting on religious and cultural values in this manner is contrary to Islamic guidance and reprehensible. It requested all the Mulsim clerics and common Muslims to refrain from making similar comments.

The Jamiyyathul Ulama Council general secretary Asheik M Arkam Nooramidh asserted, “We strongly condemn the Moulavi remark, which has hurt the sentiments of Hindus. Making speeches against other religions cultures and traditions is against Islam and we strongly condemn the statement.” A press conference on the matter was addressed at their group’s head office in Maligawatta which was also attended by significant Hindu religious leaders.

Shazna Zawahir, a Muslim social media personality released a clip in which she criticized Abdul Hameed Sharaee for what he said. The influencer also discussed how in the name of bayan (Islamic preaching) some Moulavi’s often make videos in which they abuse and denigrate Muslim women.

Following backlash on social media, Abdul Hameed Sharaee uploaded a video on the Tamil Dawah Media channel. He clarified that the purpose of his opinion was to reference Hindu experts about Bharatanatyam and not to upset the followers of the religion. He also showed regret if his utterances offended Hindus.

‘I respect Modi Sahab, will vote for him’: Artist Piyush Mishra says, and mentions that all communists eventually become dictators

On Saturday (November 25), Bollywood actor, theatre artist, and distinguished poet Piyush Mishra said that his vote would go to the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) as he is an admirer and follower of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Piyush Mishra asserted that what happened in the country from the year 2014 to 2023 is ‘miraculous’.

Piyush Mishra made these remarks on Hindi news channel AajTak’s ‘Sahitya 2023’ program. When asked about his political ideology and if he follows any political leader, Piyush Mishra said, “Main Modi sahab ki badi zabardast izzat karta hun (I respect Prime Minister Narendra Modi ardently). Bahot pasand karta hun (I truly admire him). Whatever has happened in India from 2014 to 2023 is miraculous. Main BJP ka nahin hun, Congress ka nahin hun lekin mera vote kyunki Modi Sahab hain isliye BJP ko jayega, ek vyakti ke taur par main Modiji ki izzat karta hun, Bhakt toh sirf bhagwan ka hun, andhbhakt toh kisi ka bhi nahin hun (My vote, because Modi sahab is there, will go to BJP, I am not a blind devotee of anyone).”

Prior to this, anchor Sudhir Chaudhary talked about Piyush Mishra’s days as a Leftist-Communist asking if he made a mistake, however, Mishra interrupted to say that it was not a mistake, a lot of his work was done during his leftist days but could not be publicised. Talking about his iconic songs like Husna and Ghar, Mishra said that he could muster the courage to bring these songs out only in 2010, and when in 2012 Coke Studio came to India, and when the ‘Gulaal’ movie was released in 2009.

The ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ actor, however, underscored that the communists-leftists are wicked people and that they “drank” his blood. “Badmash hain ye log..bahot badmash hain…arey khoon pi gaye mera..khoon pi gaye mera,” Mishra said.

Piyush Mishra then stated that after hearing his words about them, lefties would grow blood lust for him. He added that this happens, and it also happened earlier this year when he gave an interview to The Lallantop wherein he opened up about his days as a leftist-communist ‘activist’ and how communism “destroyed” his life.

The actor further outlined that the communists start with Karl Marx, Nicolae Ceausescu to Stalin and other communist leaders who end up becoming despots. “They do get thirsty for your blood. They will begin with Karl Marx, Ceausescu, then Stalin…eventually all the communists become dictators,” the actor said.

It is worth recalling that on May 6, 2023, Piyush Mishra in an interview with The Lallantop recounted how Communism left a scarring impact on his life and family. Mishra shared how the leftist ideology ruined his life for over twenty years.

“This communism has turned my life upside down…There was a time when Communists had a hold over me…for 20 years. And this happened in Delhi. They (Communists) teach you that ‘family’ is a bad concept and turn you against your father and mother. They tell you to work for the society. Are parents not part of this society?” the actor said back then.

Soumya Vishwanathan murder case: Delhi court sentences life imprisonment to four convicts

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The Saket Court of Delhi on Saturday sentenced four convicts to life imprisonment for killing TV journalist Soumya Vishwanathan in 2008.

The court sentenced life imprisonment to Ravi Kapoor, Amit Shukla, Baljeet Malik, and Ajay Kumar who were recently convicted under Indian Penal Code section 302 (murder) and Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) provisions for committing organised crime resulting in the death of any person.

The fifth convict, namely Ajay Sethi, has been sentenced to a period of three years of jail term in the case. He was earlier convicted under IPC Section 411 (dishonestly receiving stolen property) and MCOCA provisions for conspiring to abetting, aiding in, or knowingly facilitating organised crime and receiving proceeds of organised crime.

Additional Sessions Judge Ravindra Kumar Pandey while passing judgement in the case, directed that the sentence of the four accused will run consecutively. The Court also imposed a fine of Rs 7.25 lakh on convict Ajay Sethi.

The court however set off his sentence as he had already undergone over imprisonment in the case. On October 26, the court called for a pre-sentence report (PSR) before hearing the quantum of the sentence. The principal secretary of the Delhi government was directed to assign to any Probationary Officer (PO) for the task of submitting the PSR.

Additional Sessions Judge Pandey had earlier convicted four accused namely Ravi Kapoor, Ajay Kumar, Baljeet Malik and Amit Shukla for the offence of murder and running a crime syndicate under MCOCA. Another accused, Ajay Sethi was convicted of earning the proceeds of crime. Soumya Vishwanathan, a TV Journalist was shot dead on September 30, 2008, while returning home from work in her car around 3:30 am. Police had claimed robbery was the motive behind her killing.

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

99.2% of all mobiles sold in India are ‘Made In India’ now: Minister Ashwini Vaishnav reviews meteoric growth of phone manufacturing in India

Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnav, took to social media platform X to announce achievement in the mobile industry.

In a post, he revealed that the Indian mobile industry has experienced exponential growth, expanding by a remarkable factor of 20 in just nine years.

Minister Vaishnav posted on X, “Met Mobile industry to review progress. Industry has grown 20 times in 9 years. 2014: 78 per cent import dependent 2023: 99.2 per cent of all mobiles sold in India are ‘Made in India'”.

Reflecting on the industry’s trajectory, Minister Vaishnav highlighted a significant shift in import dependency. In 2014, a staggering 78 per cent of the mobile market relied on imports.

Fast forward to 2023, and a transformation has occurred – an impressive 99.2 per cent of all mobiles sold in India are now proudly stamped as ‘Made in India.’

The minister met with key stakeholders and leaders in the mobile industry to conduct a comprehensive review of the progress made.

The meeting served as a platform to acknowledge the industry’s achievements, discuss emerging challenges, and explore strategies for sustained growth.

The growth of the mobile sector has not only bolstered the domestic manufacturing ecosystem but has also contributed significantly to reducing India’s dependence on foreign imports. Notably, earlier Google had announced that it would start manufacturing its phones in India. Google follows an illustrious list of global smartphone brands, from Samsung to Apple, to kick-start assembling its marquee phones in the country.

Minister Vaishnav expressed his satisfaction with the industry’s resilience and commitment to the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

This remarkable achievement aligns with the government’s vision to enhance self-reliance and boost the manufacturing sector under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.

The mobile industry’s success story underscores India’s capability to transition from being predominantly import-dependent to emerging as a key player in mobile manufacturing on the global stage.

The meeting with industry leaders provided an opportunity for constructive dialogue on future prospects, technological advancements, and collaborative efforts to sustain and further amplify this success.

Minister Vaishnav conveyed his optimism for the continued growth of the Indian mobile industry and its pivotal role in the nation’s economic landscape.

As India cements its status as a manufacturing hub for mobile devices, the ‘Made in India’ label has become synonymous with quality and innovation.

Minister Vaishnav’s post not only celebrates the accomplishments of the industry but also signifies a moment of pride for the nation as it charts a course toward self-reliance in the technology sector. 


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