On Thursday (3rd November), two individuals in Delhi were arrested for extorting Rs 12.8 lakh from an elderly man by threatening to share obscene screenshots of his video call with a woman on the internet. The arrested individuals have been identified as Rajasthan residents Barkhat Khan (32) and Rizwan (22). They were arrested by a team from Shahdara’s Cyber cell.
The saga began on 18th July, when the victim received a WhatsApp video call from an undressed woman. According to police, by the time the man could understand anything, she had taken a screenshot of the call with the victim’s face.
Soon after, he began receiving calls from various mobile numbers, each of which claimed to be from Cyber Crime Delhi. “They threatened to upload the screenshot of him online and demanded money,” the Police said.
When the victim did not pay attention, the accused threatened him again. “The accused threatened him again, and the elderly man transferred Rs 12,80,000 into the accused’s bank account,” the police stated.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Rohit Meena, the team first apprehended Barkhat Khan in Alwar. Three mobile phones and several SIM cards were found in his possession.
During his interrogation, it was discovered that a syndicate was operating to defraud and extort people through such video calls, Meena said, adding that multiple raids were conducted and Rizwan was apprehended in Deeg.
Police have stated that additional interrogations are underway.
Elections in Bangladesh are scheduled to take place in January 2024. Sheikh Hasina-led-Awami League is seeking re-election for the third consecutive term. She has been the Prime Minister of the country since 2009.
With just two months away from the elections, the United States government, its agencies and the embedded media are called out for orchestrating a ‘regime change operation’ in Bangladesh.
Attempts are now being made to distort the public perception of incumbent Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and present her as an ‘autocratic leader.’ The Joe Biden-led-US government is accused of election interference under the pretext of ‘saving democracy’ and conducting ‘free and fair elections’ in the Islamic Republic.
On Thursday (2nd November), Time magazine put Sheikh Hasina on its front cover and accused the Bangladeshi Prime Minister of comprising democratic values in the country.
It published a contentious article titled ‘Sheikh Hasina and the Future of Democracy in Bangladesh’ to cast aspersions about the state of affairs in the nation. This bears an uncanny resemblance to Time magazine’s hitjob against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
The targeting of Sheikh Hasina by the US government’s embedded media apparatus comes just days after US Ambassador to Bangladesh, Peter Haas, directed the ruling Awami League to engage in dialogue with the Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Testing the parties' interest in dialogue, the US Embassy in #Bangladesh calls for the parties to sit together "without preconditions"https://t.co/hYLFnDArPo
Haas went out of his way to conduct a meeting with Bangladesh’s Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal and claimed, “Any action that undermines the democratic elections process — including violence, preventing people from exercising their right to peaceful assembly and internet access – call into question the ability to conduct free and fair elections.”
On Saturday (28th October), the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs of the US State Department tweeted, “The United States condemns today’s political violence in Dhaka. We call for calm and restraint on all sides and will review all violent incidents for possible visa restrictions.”
The development came hours after members of the Opposition BNP clashed with the police and engaged in violence in the hopes of ousting the ruling Awami League government.
The United States condemns today's political violence in Dhaka. We call for calm and restraint on all sides and will review all violent incidents for possible visa restrictions.
In May this year, US Secretary of State Antony Blinkedn introduced a new visa policy, restricting the travel of Bangladeshis who are supposedly involved in undermining democratic elections in Bangladesh.
He had said in a tweet, “Today, I announced a new visa policy to promote free and fair elections. Under this policy, we can impose visa restrictions on individuals and their immediate family members if they are responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh.”
Today, I announced a new visa policy to promote free and fair elections. Under this policy, we can impose visa restrictions on individuals and their immediate family members if they are responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) May 24, 2023
“Our message today to the people of Bangladesh is that we stand behind you,” the spokesperson for the US State Department, Matthew Miller, justified the arm twisting.
.@StateDeptSpox discusses new policy to restrict the issuance of visas for Bangladeshi individuals believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining Bangladesh’s democratic election process: “Our message today to the people of Bangladesh is that we stand behind you.” pic.twitter.com/FdvtCp2rzP
In July 2023, Miller dismissed allegations of electoral interference by the US government in Bangladesh.
He claimed in defence, “I don’t know why anyone would object to us calling for free and fair elections. And as I said in response to another question earlier, we don’t consider it interference in internal affairs when other countries raise our elections process with us. We welcome those discussions as an opportunity to strengthen our democracy, and we don’t know why any other countries would object.“
“We do not support one political party over the other; we support a genuine democratic process,” the spokesperson for the US State Department justified its government’s policy to undermine foreign governments in the name of ‘saving democracy.’
On Bangladesh elections
We support a genuine democratic process ——— Matthew Miller State Department Spokesperson, USA
Earlier on February 14, 2023, the Counselor of the State Department, Derek Chollet, visited Bangladesh and warned, “The United States’ strongest partnerships in the world are with strong democracies. And, to the extent democracy is weakening anywhere, it’s going to be a limiting factor in our ability to cooperate.”
“It doesn’t mean we won’t cooperate, it doesn’t mean our relationship won’t be important, but it just will be a limiting factor when it comes to business investment,” he further threatened.
In December last year, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas attended a political event, aimed at highlighting the cases of ‘forced disappearances’ supposedly carried out by the Sheikh Hasina government.
@USAmbBangladesh Peter Haas, met families of victims of enforced disappearance in #Dhaka where they shared their ordeal over the years.
In December 2021, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Bangladesh police’s anti-terror unit, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), alleging human rights abuses.
‘Surrogate’ targeting of Bangladeshi government
Besides its official handles, agencies and diplomats, the United States is casting aspersions on the Sheikh Hasina government through its ‘surrogate’ think tanks, media outlets and sponsored individuals.
For instance, on 29th October, Derek J Grossman of the American think tank ‘RAND Corporation’ tweeted, “Bangladesh is on the verge of political chaos.”
On 26th October this year, the Organisation Mondiale Contre la Torture (OMCT) published a contentious article titled ‘Bangladesh: Government must end torture ahead of elections’ to insinuate that Sheikh Hasina is an oppressive leader with no ‘tolerance’ for dissent.
Screengrab of the article by OMCT
Controversial ‘journalist’ Michael Kugelman, who was part of an anti-India propaganda webinar in 2020, wrote a detailed piece in Foreign Policy, justifying pressure tactics adopted by the Joe Biden administration against the Bangladeshi government.
Screengrab of the article by Michael Kungelman
In August this year, Foreign Policy published an article titled ‘Washington Can Give Bangladesh’s Democracy the Kiss of Life’, rationalising US interference in the 2024 Bangladesh elections.
Sheikh Hasina reacts to US attempt to undermine her govt
The constant virtue signalling has prompted a bitter war of words between the Sheikh Hasina government and the United States. “Is (US President) Biden holding dialogue with Mr Trump? If Biden sits with Trump for dialogue, then I will hold the dialogue (with opposition),” the Bangladeshi PM pointed out.
She emphasised, “No dialogue with the killers. This is Bangladesh. People of the country also do not want any dialogue with killers. “BNP is a terrorist party, as a terrorist party they need to get a good lesson.”
Although Sheikh Hasina has repeatedly reiterated her commitment to conduct free and fair elections, the US government has refused to budge.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina accused the United States of seeking a regime change in the country. “They are trying to eliminate democracy and introduce a government that will not have a democratic existence,” Hasina said in Parliament.#Bangladeshpic.twitter.com/jvNx9tRo6D
Through its agencies, favourable media houses and representatives based in Bangladesh, the United States is adamant about ‘regime change operation’ in the name of restoring democracy.
“They (US) are trying to eliminate democracy and introduce a government that will not have a democratic existence…It’ll be an undemocratic action,” she said in a statement in April this year.
India must be wary of ‘US interference’ in 2024 Lok Sabha elections
The disturbing development in India’s neighbourhood must be a wake-up call for us ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Having said that, the usual suspects have already hinted that a nefarious ‘regime change’ operation is underway in the country.
In January this year, a Congress-friendly journalist named Anil Tyagi claimed that Rahul Gandhi-led-Bharat Jodo Yatra was a ploy by foreign powers to execute a regime change in India.
He emphasised, “They (foreign powers) wanted to stop the rise of Nazism in India. And who is the man who can do that task? He is none other than Rahul Gandhi, the leader of a large party (Indian National Congress). He has 40 MPs and several MLAs in different States. There is no better alternative.”
“Rahul Gandhi has not been able to highlight the fear factor (Darr ki baat) and the concerns of the global powers. I am breaking news on your channel (Satya Hindi). In the past 4 months, people from different countries, who support a regime change in India, have come here,” Tyagi claimed.
He added, “Those foreign agents are working on tools of regime change in India. This is why Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo yatra is important. What is not important is whether or not he will go to Kashmir and unfurl the tricolour.”
“Rahul had undertaken the 3400 km walk and completed the objective (of the foreign powers). He had successfully communicated what he intended on doing,” Tyagi pointed out.
Is Soros behind Adani issue to target Modi?
George Soros says- "Modi will have to answer on Adani in Parliament. This will significantly weaken Modi's stranglehold on India's federal govt."
In February 2023, Far-left billionaire George Soros had earlier called for the ouster of the Modi government through a ‘regime change’ operation, which he shrewdly labelled ‘democratic revival.’
Again in June this year, US ‘journalist’ Fareed Zakaria asked the US government to invest in regime change tactics instead of seeking healthy bilateral relations with India. “Far better to ally with India’s society itself, expanding ties with its businesses, press, NGOs, cultural groups and others,” he was heard saying.
There have been speculations about Congress scion Rahul Gandhi’s secret visit to the White House during his 10-day tour of the United States.
According to this report Rahul Gandhi went to the White House. Doesn’t say who he met there. The visit has been kept a secret by both sides. pic.twitter.com/BVwsD6rN8X
— Sunanda Vashisht (@sunandavashisht) June 7, 2023
His recent mysterious trip to Uzbekistan has also added to allegations of him being a party to a ‘regime change’ ploy in India. A free and fair election, devoid of foreign interference, is integral to India’s democracy and there cannot be any compromise on it.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have completed the encirclement of Gaza City, the force announced on X, formerly Twitter, on day 28 of the Israel-Hamas war. “The IDF’s priorities are to bring home the children, women and men, who are being held hostage by Hamas and to make sure Hamas will no longer have the ability to attack Israelis. The IDF is doing everything in its power to achieve this,” IDF posted on X.
The IDF’s priorities are to bring home the children, women and men, who are being held hostage by Hamas and to make sure Hamas will no longer have the ability to attack Israelis.
The Israeli War Room said that the Gaza City defense lines are collapsing and that the IDF may be able to reach the city center within hours as they move closer to leadership hideouts. The head of the terrorist group Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, has reportedly fled to Iran.
#BREAKING Gaza City defense lines collapsing, IDF may be able to reach the city center within hours as they move closer to leadership hideouts; Haniyeh to urgently fled to Iran (✍️Ron ben-Yishai, Ynet)
Meanwhile, attacks from the Palestinian terrorist group continue from underground tunnels in Gaza, however Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the IDF is advancing. “We’re at the height of the battle. We’ve had impressive successes and have passed the outskirts of Gaza City. We are advancing,” Netanyahu reportedly said.
היום עם הלוחמים שלנו בשטח. יש לנו הצלחות מאוד מרשימות, אנחנו כבר יותר מבפאתי העיר עזה. אנחנו מתקדמים. שום דבר לא יעצור אותנו.
אנחנו נתקדם. אנחנו נתקדם וננצח, ונעשה את זה בעזרת ה' ובעזרת הלוחמים הגיבורים שלנו.
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) November 2, 2023
Gaza City is the centre of Hamas’ terror organisation. Chief of Israel’s military engineers, Brigadier General Iddo Mizrahi said that the troops were encountering mines and booby traps. “Hamas has learned and prepared itself well,” he said.
As the Israeli forces advance further into Hamas’ terror den in Gaza City, the IDF has issued a statement calling for the evacuation of civilians from the area. IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari said, “Israel is not at war with the civilians of Gaza which is why we have encouraged the exit of wounded people from Gaza into Egypt. Our war is against Hamas.”
We the IDF are facilitating the entry of water, food, medicine and medical equipment for the civilians of Gaza.
This is a war between Hamas—a terrorist organization—and the IDF, who are responding to the October 7 Massacre.
The IDF has called on the civilians in northern Gaza and Gaza City to move south, away from Hamas strongholds in the north next to Gaza City. “In the north, there is intense fighting. In the south, there is access to humanitarian aid. We will provide corridors for your safe way to move south,” the IDF has announced.
The IDF has lost 19 soldiers since it launched the ground invasion of Gaza to respond to Hamas terror attack. Among the martyrs was Indian-origin Israeli soldier Staff-Sgt. Halel Solomon. He hailed from Dimona in southern Israel, an area also known as ‘Little India’.
????
Staff-Sgt. Halel Solomon was an @IDF soldier of Indian origin, and he has fallen fighting Hamas terrorists in Gaza.
Meanwhile, the US House of Representatives has approved a bill for $14.3 billion in aid to Israel in its fight against the terrorist group. Israel has declared at the beginning of the war its intent to eradicate Hamas from Gaza once and for all as it advances further into Gaza targeting terror infrastructure.
This has left the terrorist group turning to Iran and Hezbollah even as the latter has been launching attacks on Israel from Lebanon at the northern border. Hezbollah chief Nasrallah is expected to deliver a speech on the Israel-Hamas war on 3rd November, which will likely indicate whether the terrorist group and Tehran are going to be directly involved in the attacks against Israel. The Houthis of Yemen have already aided Hamas and launched a “large number of ballistic missiles and drones” towards Israel.
On Friday (3rd November), a video surfaced on the internet showing TV ‘actress’ Urfi Javed getting arrested by the Mumbai Police due to her fashion sense. Two women police officers arrived at one of the Starbucks outlets in Mumbai where Urfi was spotted and asked her to accompany them to the police station. On asking the reason for detention, the Police said that people had complained about her clothes.
The video of the incident is going viral over the internet in which the two women police officers could be seen forcing Urfi Javed to sit in the police vehicle due to her clothes. Javed, meanwhile, could be seen wearing a backless top during the incident.
The video was first posted by one of the renowned paparazzi Instagram accounts named ‘Viral Bhayani’. Bhayani expressed shock and captioned the video which read, “What!! Is this for real?”. The netizens, meanwhile, indicated that the video was scripted and that the arrest of Javed was fake.
“This police looks more like that shown in the Rohit Shetty films,” said one of the users. “Where is the warrant to arrest??” another userasked. “This looks fake, why are the police making reels now?”, another user commented.
Screenshot from Instagram post
Urfi Javed is a TV ‘actress’ and is widely known for her very different fashion sense. She is known to wear ‘unique’ clothes, sometimes made out of safety pins or gunny bags or even mobile sim cards. “It’s my will, my wish. I’ll dress however I want to,” she claims.
Earlier, the ‘actress’ had been in the news after being attacked by Islamists for wearing skimpy clothes. In April this year, the ‘actress shared an image of herself in a bikini on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. Her Islamist followers didn’t take kindly to it and harassed her for not dressing modestly at the Islamic festival.
The actress had also revealed how her family, notably her father, disparaged and physically tormented her until she ran away from home at the young age of 17. In another interview in 2021, she disclosed that she did not practice Islam and would never marry a Muslim.
As India registered a record 302 runs win over Sri Lanka in ICC World Cup 2023, former Pakistani cricketer Hasan Raza claimed on Thursday (2nd November) that Indian bowlers are getting some different balls from ICC or BCCI.
On a Pakistani news channel, the former Pakistani cricketer said that ICC or BCCI is providing some special balls only to Indian bowlers due to which Indian bowlers are getting swing even on batting pitches. Hasan Raza also asserted that there should be an ‘inspection’ of balls provided by ICC.
ICC Might Give Different Ball to Indian Bowlers thats why they are Getting Seam and Swing More Than Others.Ex Test Cricketer Hasan Raza.#CWC23#INDvSLpic.twitter.com/7KCQoaz0Qs
“We are not able to understand batsmen playing against other teams but whenever India begins their bowling, bowlers like Shami and Siraj look like when we used to play Allan Donald and Makhaya Ntini in South Africa. There used to be a shine on the ball on one side and there it used to seam and swing, but here I think even the ball is getting changed in second innings. The way ICC is giving these balls, or maybe the third umpire or BCCI is giving…I think these balls should be inspected,” Raza said.
Hasan Raza further asserted that there is no “hardness” in the new ball and that there is some “extra layer or coating” on the ball used by Indian bowlers. The former Pakistani cricketer was shocked at the outstanding performance of Indian bowlers, especially Shami and Siraj and doubted that there was something “wrong” with the balls. It is amusing how the former Pakistani cricketer claims that Indian bowlers are getting special balls instead of appreciating them for their outstanding performance but finds nothing wrong with South Africa’s bowling when the South African bowlers are also performing well in the World Cup.
Hasan Raza also alleged that decisions are being made in favour of India in the matter of DRS. Hasan Raza’s bizarre assertions triggered hilarious reactions from Indian netizens.
One X user wrote, “Chandrayaan-3 uper se dew bhi chhirak deta hai ground me jab bhi Indian batsman batting karne aatey h (Chandrayaan-3 sprinkles dew when Indian batsmen come out to bat).”
Chandrayaan-3 uper se dew bhi chhirak deta hai ground me jab bhi indian batsman batting karne aatey h .
Another X user slammed the Pakistani cricketer saying “It’s puzzling to see the decline in their reverse swing skills now.”
People whose entire history revolves around ball tampering can't be expected to think beyond that. Pakistan used to excel in cricket, especially in the era with fewer cameras and their mastery of reverse swing. It's puzzling to see the decline in their reverse swing skills now.. pic.twitter.com/b7AtJvTX1A
“People whose entire history revolves around ball tampering can’t be expected to think beyond that. Pakistan used to excel in cricket, especially in the era with fewer cameras and their mastery of reverse swing. It’s puzzling to see the decline in their reverse swing skills now,” another X user posted.
Led by a Mohammed Shami fifer, the Indian bowlers restricted Sri Lanka to just 55 runs, winning their seventh game in succession and confirming a semifinal spot. Other than Shami, Mohammed Siraj took three wickets, while Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah both struck once. Earlier, India made 357/8 in 50 overs against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, powered by half centuries from Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer.
In a shocking case of rape and religious conversion in Ujjain, a Muslim youth seduced a Hindu girl and took her to Ajmer, according to a report by Dainik Bhaskar. He raped her and then took her to his in-laws’ in Rajgarh Biaora. The girl managed to connect with her mother on the phone and narrated the ordeal following which the police arrested the accused.
The victim is a college student who lives in the Noorani Masjid street in Nagjhiri area. She told the that she knew the accused, Farzan Khan, who lived in the area, for the last four years. She was reportedly approached by Farzan a few days ago who said to her that he loves her and wants to marry her. When she refused to marry him, Farzan began to pressure her to convert.
On 27th October, at 9 am, Farzan called the victim near Indore’s Aurobindo Hospital. Here the two kept roaming in Rajbada. Farzan took her to Ajmer that very night. He allegedly attempted to rape her in a hotel near Delhi Gate. “If I refused, he threatened to kill my family members. After this, I had to obey him,” Dainik Bhaskar quoted the victim.
Surprisingly, the victim said that after Ajmer, the accused took the victim to Rajgarh Biaora. Here, they were received by his wife and father-in-law. It was here that the victim found that Farzan was already married. This is when the girl called her mother and told her about the whole incident. After this, the police arrested the accused Farzan and handed over the victim to her family.
In less than a year after losing a one-day cricket match to India by a massive 317 runs, Sri Lanka displayed another miserable performance against host India in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup. Chasing a target of 358 runs, the Sri Lankan team wound up its innings in just 55 runs in 19 overs. India won the match by 302 runs, continuing its unbeaten winning spree in the tournament.
Sri Lanka had won the toss and captain Kusal Mendis opted to field first, saying that the pitch will be better for batting in the second innings. India skipper Rohit Sharma was happy, as he said that he would have batted first had he won the toss, adding that the pitch is good to bat on first. Indian team scored 357 for 8 after 50 overs.
While Rohit Sharma was out early, other batsmen of the team prevented any more upset, with Subham Gill and Virat Kohli putting runs on the scoreboard. Gill was out after scoring 92, who was soon joined by Kohli after scoring 88. However, Shreyas Iyer continued India’s scoring spree, with important contributions by KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja. The Indian team ended its innings after scoring 357 in 50 overs, giving a target of 358 runs to Sri Lanka.
However, the Sri Lankan team started to collapse immediately after starting its innings, with Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj leading the Indian attack. The first Sri Lankan wicket was taken by Jasprit Bumrah after opener Pathun Nissanka was declared LBW for duck, and it opened the floodgate for the return of Sri Lankan batsmen to the pavilion.
Siraj and Shami took wickets in quick successions, and the Sri Lankan top order was out in just 10 overs, scoring just 14 runs. After that, it was just a question of how big the winning margin will be. Indian bowlers moved quickly to wrap up the Sri Lankan innings in less than 20 overs.
Mohammed Shami took 5 wickets by spending 18 runs in 5 overs, while Siraj took 3 wickets for 16 runs in 7 overs. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja took one wicket each to finish the Sri Lankan batting line up.
On 15 January this year, Sri Lanka lost to India by a massive 317 runs to India, after it was all out in 73 after India set a target of 391. This is the highest margin in one day cricket matches. Today’s margin of 302 places the match in the 4th spot in the list of largest margins.
The drama surrounding TMC MP Mahua Moitra’s questioning by the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee in the ‘cash for query’ scam is intensifying. Hours after the Trinamool Congress Party leader stormed out of the meeting accusing the panel of asking ‘filthy’ questions, she shot a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. In the strongly worded letter, Moitra accused the panel of “sordid, unethical and prejudiced” conduct during the hearing.
Equating the ethics panel proceeding to ‘cheerharan’ (disrobing), the TMC MP alleged that the panel chairperson Vinod Kumar Sonkar, instead of asking questions pertinent to the matter, exhibited a preconceived bias by questioning her in a ‘malicious’ and ‘defamatory’ way.
She wrote, “The committee ought to designate itself under a name other than Ethics Committee as it has no ethics and morality left. Instead of asking questions pertinent to the subject, the Chairman exhibited a preconceived bias by maliciously and clearly in a defamatory way questioning me, so much so that 5 of 11 members present walked out and boycotted the proceedings in protest at his shameful conduct”.
The letter came after Mahua Moitra stormed out of the Parliament Ethics Committee meeting earlier today. While leaving the meeting, Moitra accused the panel of asking “filthy questions”. The committee, however, hit back saying she did not cooperate and left to avoid answering more questions.
The panel chief Vinod Sonkar said the committee had been tasked with conducting a comprehensive probe into the matter and that instead of cooperating, Moitra turned angry. He also accused Mahua Moitra of using objectionable words against him and the panel’s functioning.
Another panel member, Aparajita Sarangi, said Moitra “behaved in an angry, arrogant manner when asked about Darshan Hiranandani’s affidavit.”
Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra appeared before the Parliament Ethics Committee on Thursday, November 2. The TMC leader disposed before the committee in the ‘cash for query scam’ in which she has been accused of misusing her Parliamentary privilege for monetary benefits.
Notably, Mahua Moitra is being questioned based on reports received by the Ethics Committee from three Union Ministries namely Home, Information Technology and External Affairs ministries, along with other documents and evidence.
The Parliament Ethics Committee meeting where Mahua Moitra was summoned for questioning in the ‘cash for query scam’ on Thursday (November 2) ended abruptly after the TMC MP stormed out of the meeting. While leaving the meeting, Moitra accused the panel of asking “filthy questions”. The committee, however, hit back saying she did not cooperate and left to avoid answering more questions.
As she made her way out of the Parliament, some journalists questioned her on what sought of ‘filthy’ and personal’ questions were asked. The TMC MP retorted angrily, “They are picking on anything. Talking any rubbish. ‘You have tears in your eyes’, they said. Do I have tears in my eyes, you see tears?” Moitra said as she put her hands on her cheeks.
In a video posted by ANI, Mahua Moitra along with BSP MLA Danish Ali looked visibly agitated as they walked out of the ethics committee hearing.
#WATCH | Delhi: Opposition parties MPs including TMC MP Mahua Moitra and BSP MP Danish Ali, walked out from the Parliament Ethics Committee meeting.
TMC MP Mahua Moitra appeared before the Parliament Ethics Committee in connection with the 'cash for query' charge against her. pic.twitter.com/EkwYLPnD1O
Meanwhile, opposition MPs who walked out of the meeting along with Mahua Moitra responded to the media by alleging that the committee asked ‘personal’ and ‘unethical’ questions and that details of the meeting were leaked to the media while it was ongoing. An Opposition MP said “it was too much”.
Janata Dal (United) MP Giridhari Yadav, who was also present there, said, “They asked personal questions to the Mahua Moitra. They do not have the right to ask personal questions, so we walked out.”
Congress MP Uttam Kumar Reddy also retorted, “The whole line of questions it seems that he’s (Parliament Ethics Committee Chairman) acting on somebody’s behest. It is very, very bad. For two days we have been asking him some things…They are asking her (Mahua Moitra) where are you travelling? Where are you meeting? Can you give us your phone records?… There is no evidence of any cash transfer…”
The panel members, meanwhile, shot back saying that this was Moitra’s tactic to evade questioning.
“Mahua Moitra did not cooperate with the committee and the investigation. The Opposition members also made allegations in anger and suddenly walked out of the meeting to avoid answering more questions,” the ethics committee chairperson Vinod Sonkar said, accusing Mahua Moitra of using objectionable words against him and the panel’s functioning.
“Danish Ali, Girdhari Yadav and other opposition MPs tried to accuse the committee and walked out… The committee will sit and decide the further action,” Sonkar added.
#WATCH | Chairman of Parliament Ethics Committee, Vinod Sonkar says, "Instead of giving answers, she (Mahua Moitra) got angry and used unparliamentary language for the Chairperson, and Committee members. Danish Ali, Girdhari Yadav and other opposition MPs tried to accuse the… https://t.co/rIAz38FxoUpic.twitter.com/aA4I4E26AF
Another panel member, Aparajita Sarangi, said Moitra “behaved in an angry, arrogant manner when asked about Darshan Hiranandani’s affidavit.”
According to reports, during questioning, Moitra reportedly informed the committee that the charge against her was based on a “sour personal relationship.”
It appeared that during her cross-examination, the issue escalated as most of her deposition revolved around her relationship with Supreme Court attorney Jai Anant Dehadrai, as she appeared to blame him for leaks and the allegations.
Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra appeared before the Parliament Ethics Committee on Thursday, November 2. The TMC leader disposed before the committee in the ‘cash for query scam’ in which she has been accused of misusing her Parliamentary privilege for monetary benefits.
Notably, Mahua Moitra is being questioned based on reports received by the Ethics Committee from three Union Ministries namely Home, Information Technology and External Affairs ministries, along with other documents and evidence.
The panel had sought information from the three ministries after a meeting held on October 26.
The committee had inquired about several things, including whether her login IP addresses and her locations matched.
It may be recalled that 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.
It is notable here that businessman Darshan Hiranandani, who has admitted to getting access to Mahua Moitra’s Lok Sabha login ID and password, lives in Dubai.
All the political parties are campaigning in full swing for the upcoming state assembly elections. Meanwhile, on 2nd November Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Kanker in Chhattisgarh where he addressed a rally and fiercely targeted the Congress. While he was addressing the rally, he noticed a schoolgirl holding his painting while she stood in the crowd.
The schoolgirl, identified as Akansha Thakur by PTI, was holding her hands up with a sketch of PM Modi. After noticing the same, he expressed his appreciation for the sweet gesture and thanked the girl who has been identified as Akansha Thakur. He also promised to write her a letter.
The Bharatiya Janata Party stalwart stated, “Daughter, I have seen the picture. You did incredibly well. You have my blessing. However, you would exhaust out. You’ve been standing for a long time. You should sit down. I request the police personnel to take the image from the little girl and it would reach me. Note down your address on it. I would definitely write you a letter.”
He added, “She desires to gift the painting to me. Please take it and deliver it to me. Thank you very much, beta! You jot down your address on it. You can count on my letter to arrive.”
VIDEO | Akansha Thakur, a schoolgirl, gifted PM Modi a sketch of him, during an election rally in Chhattisgarh's Kanker earlier today.
PM Modi asked the girl to mention her address on the back of the sketch, and promised that he will send her a letter.… pic.twitter.com/WhtOILWgFj
Following the PM’s instructions, the personnel present there took the sketch from the girl after she noted her name and address.
Afterwards, PM Modi severely criticised the Congress administration in the street during his speech to the large crowd of people gathered there. “You have witnessed the Congress government’s failure over the last five years. Only the bungalows, vehicles and residences of Congress leaders have been developed throughout the duration.”
He charged that the Congress party ignored the state when it was in power in Delhi. “However, we have taken all steps for the development of the state of Chhattisgarh. BJP is always working for the betterment of the region. The goal of our party is to defend all underprivileged, backward and tribal people. A storm is brewing in support of BJP in Chhattisgarh and a glimpse of it is also visible in Kanker.”
PM Modi accused, “Congress has given you poor and dilapidated schools and hospitals. It has created a new record of bribery in government offices,” in a stinging attack on the incumbent state government. He added, “It is Modi’s pledge, and I am promising you this today that once the BJP government is formed in Chhattisgarh, the work under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana is going to be expedited.”
The state election is scheduled to be held in two terms on 7th November and 17th November to elect all 90 members of Chhattisgarh’s legislative assembly. The results are scheduled to be announced on 3rd December.
