Delhi Police have detained another man named Tahsin Saiyed in connection with the attack on Delhi CM Rekha Gupta on 20th August during a Jan Sunvai (Public Grievance Hearing). This comes after police nabbed the attacker, named Rajesh Bhai Khimji Bhai Sakariya, on the day of the incident.
Saiyed, from Rajkot, was detained for questioning after police discovered that he had transferred ₹ 2,000 to Sakariya. He was interrogated in Rajkot, along with four others, before being taken to Delhi on Friday night (16th August).
According to reports, Saiyed revealed during interrogation that he had known Sakariya for 10 years. He told the police that he was familiar with Sakariya’s aggressive behaviour. He added that Sakariya told him about his plan to visit Delhi to meet CM Rekha Gupta on Monday (18th August) and asked for ₹5000. But Saiyed gave him only ₹2000. Sakariya also sent a video of the Shalimar Bagh-located residence of CM Rekha Gupta to Saiyed.
Tahsin Saiyed further said that Sakariya told him that he was going to meet the CM regarding the issue of stray dogs. Sakariya is also said to have shared his plan to attack CM Rekha Gupta with Saiyed. When police asked Saiyed as to why he did not inform the police about Sakariya’s plan to attack the Delhi CM, he said that he ignored it, thinking Sakariya was joking. The police, however, were not convinced by Saiyed’s clarification. Saiyed’s phone has been seized by the police for examination.
After Sakariya’s arrest, his mother told the media that he was a dog lover and was upset with the Supreme Court’s recent order on relocating stray dogs to shelters.
Rajesh Sakariya’s criminal history
Rajesh Bhai Khimji Bhai Sakariya, who is an auto-driver, has five criminal cases pending against him. Legal action was taken against Sakariya in 2017, 2020 and twice in 2022 under the provisions of the Gujarat Prohibition Act, 1949 and the Code of Criminal Procedure. He was reportedly found involved in liquor smuggling.
In 2021, he was deported under Section 56 of the Bombay Police Act. According to police, in 2017, he was charged with hitting a person on the head with a sword and thrashing him with a bat used for washing clothes. In 2022, after a fight with his wife, Sakariya cut his head with a blade to scare his family members, and received nine stitches.
In July this year, the temple town of Dharmasthala was hurled into a storm of sensational allegations. A former sanitation worker, C.N. Chinnaiah, claimed that between 1995 and 2014, he had buried “hundreds of bodies” in the region, victims of murders that were allegedly hushed up. His testimony, unbacked by a shred of evidence, was enough for the Congress-led Karnataka government to constitute a Special Investigation Team. For two weeks, SIT officers scoured forests, riverbanks, and ghats, looking for mass graves.
Yet as the dust settles, the story stands exposed as a monumental hoax. C.N. Chinnaiah was arrested by the SIT and produced before the Belthangady court, where he confessed to lying. His testimony crumbled during questioning. What he revealed was even more damning: he was just a pawn in a larger conspiracy.
Dharmasthala hoax ‘whistleblower’ arrested, confesses to being a part of a larger conspiracy
According to reports, Chinnaiah admitted to SIT investigators that he was recruited in Tamil Nadu late last year. A group of masterminds approached him, offered money, and promised protection if he played his role. They told him his fabricated testimony would trigger outrage, cause a domino effect, and prompt others to come forward. He would not need to fear consequences, because once the scandal was mainstream, the temple would be tarnished, and he would be shielded.
“I was given training in Bengaluru,” he reportedly told investigators. “I was told how to answer when questioned by the police. I would act as the mastermind instructed. I am just the character here; the mastermind was someone else.”
Chinnaiah even tried to bolster his falsehood with props. He presented a skull to the court, claiming it belonged to one of the victims he buried. But when pressed, he could not reveal where he had obtained it. His inconsistencies piled up. SIT officers confirmed that 17 of the 18 sites he pointed to yielded nothing. At one spot, bones were recovered, but preliminary inquiry showed they belonged to a recent case of suicide. Forensic analysis will confirm the details, but the larger narrative already lies in tatters.
The mask has truly fallen off. What was presented as a witness of conscience was in fact a stage-managed pawn in a conspiracy to malign Dharmasthala, its temple trust, and dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade.
Propaganda machinations: Amplifying unwarranted allegations against Hindu temple under the guise of ‘journalism’
The narrative was powerful in its theatrics: a town renowned for its temple, dharmic traditions, and charity allegedly hiding a mass killing field. For weeks, the media treated the story as a serious national issue.
And yet, the investigation yielded nothing. No mass graves were found, no crimes substantiated. Finally, the whistleblower himself was arrested by Karnataka Police for providing false information. The Dharmasthala horror story collapsed under the weight of reality.
But what remained was the damage. The reputational injury to Dharmasthala, the insinuations cast on the Sree Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Temple Trust, and the smearing of its dharmadhikari, Veerendra Heggade. It was a
The more important question, however, is how an allegation so fantastical, so lacking in evidence, managed to gain mainstream traction. And the answer lies in the ecosystem of propaganda that thrives in today’s media, an ecosystem in which The News Minute and its editor Dhanya Rajendran play a crucial role.
Every conspiracy that gains ground has identifiable actors. There is the originator who makes the claim, the political forces who weaponise it, the ecosystem of activists and influencers who circulate it, and most critically, the amplifiers, the respectable media outlets that give the allegation legitimacy under the cloak of carrying out “balanced” and “measured” journalism.
The News Minute falls into this category. It never directly accused Dharmasthala, but its relentless coverage of each allegation, its grave contextualisation of every SIT update, and its insistence on treating the claims as worthy of national attention sustained the narrative long after it should have died. By repeatedly reporting the allegations, TNM transformed a baseless story into a live controversy. Thus, far from reporting facts, the issue morphed into one where Dharmasthala and its famous temple became a focal point of uninformed discussions and unwarranted vilification.
This is the subtlety of propaganda by amplification. TNM did not hurl wild accusations; it merely gave them space, analysis, and oxygen. But had the allegation been about madrassas engaging in mass rapes, or a mosque hiding criminal activity, would The News Minute have treated it with the same “balanced” seriousness? Would it have hosted explainers and timelines on the possibility of hundreds of Hindu girls trafficked through religious networks? The answer is obvious, as witnessed on countless instances in the past.
But that is not all — even as The News Minute postured on the moral high ground, it cynically used its Dharmasthala coverage to raise donations, effectively monetising what has now been exposed as a baseless vilification of the temple town.
This is the most disgusting aspect of the Dharmasthala Case.@thenewsminute was trying to raise money through the Dharmasthala Fake News.
Even Newslaundry's Manisha Pandey says people should donate to 'Independent Media' citing this case! pic.twitter.com/cCfEx2dh8U
The “nuanced” and “balanced” coverage appears only when the target is Hindu institutions. When it is about sexual crimes in churches or radicalisation programs running in mosques, The News Minute very conveniently ignores to report them or simply try to underplay such incidents.
The bias in covering Dharmasthala hoax vis-a-vis Ajmer scandal, Kerala Story, and Uttarakhand encroachments
The bias becomes even more glaring when contrasted with the Ajmer sex scandal verdict of August 20, 2024. After thirty-two years of legal struggle, a district court sentenced six men to life imprisonment for the mass rape and blackmail of over 100 schoolgirls in Ajmer in the early 1990s. The accused were not nobodies. They included leaders of the Ajmer Youth Congress like Farooq Chishti, Nafees Chishti, and Anwar Chishti, along with Khadims of the Ajmer Dargah.
The victims were mostly Hindu girls, many of whom were trapped, raped, photographed, and then blackmailed into bringing more girls into the network. Some were driven to suicide. It was one of the largest sex scandals in Indian history, politically and communally charged, with immense implications. And yet, The News Minute, which breathlessly covered unsubstantiated claims against Dharmasthala, had virtually nothing to say about Ajmer. No special coverage, no timelines, no grave explainers. The verdict of one of India’s most notorious crimes was buried in silence.
The same selectivity marked TNM’s coverage of The Kerala Story. When a film depicted the testimonies of women lured into relationships, converted, and trafficked as ISIS brides, TNM routinely dismissed it as a propaganda movie. The victims’ own words, their harrowing ordeal, were brushed aside because the perpetrators in the story were Islamists.
A real case of grooming, trafficking, and radicalisation was downplayed and ridiculed, while an entirely fictitious claim of mass murders in Dharmasthala was elevated into a national controversy. This inversion of priorities reveals a pattern: amplify unproven allegations against Hindus, dismiss proven crimes by Islamists, and erase stories where Hindus are the victims.
This pattern also extends to stories of illegality and encroachment. In Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, authorities uncovered multiple cases of mosques and Islamic seminaries illegally occupying government land, forest areas, and even pilgrimage routes. These encroachments led to demolitions and political confrontations, with clear documentary evidence of wrongdoing.
But here too, The News Minute was absent. There were no series of investigative reports, no timelines tracing the illegalities, no editorial outrage about land-grab by religious institutions. The same newsroom that displayed unhealthy obsession with Dharmasthala’s fabricated scandal had no appetite for investigating real encroachments by Islamic institutions in Uttarakhand. By choosing what not to cover, TNM effectively ensured that Hindu institutions alone are projected as suspect, while Islamic ones escape scrutiny.
The same goes for instances of Love Jihad, which seldoms finds a mention in The News Minute’s coverage. And when it does, the ‘media’ outlet often dismisses it as a figment of ‘Right-Wing imagination’, insulting the sufferings of thousands, if not lakhs of women, who have been through the horror of Love Jihad — victimised by Muslim men who lure them into a relationship under false pretences, only to force them to convert and coerce them into abiding Islamic edicts.
Propaganda amplifiers: How Zubair aided The News Minute and others to propagate Dharmasthala hoax
The ecosystem that sustained the Dharmasthala hoax also reveals how propaganda gains reach. Figures like Mohammed Zubair and Pratik Sinha of Alt News, and journalists aligned with Newslaundry, often amplify these “nuanced” reportage by means of tweeting and sharing reports on social media with the unstated aim of showing the Hindu institutions in the bad light. It cannot be denied that by propagating such baseless conspiracies, such characters try to effect public opinion on why Hindu places of worship should continue to remain under government control — a phenomenon vigorously opposed by vociferous public speakers like Dr Anand Ranganathan and J. Sai Deepak.
Nevertheless, when such characters shared TNM’s coverage, it lended an additional layer of credibility to the myth that Dhanya and her organisation was trying to weave. Zubair even hailed The News Minute for its relentless coverage of the Dharmasthala story, using their reports to amplify his own agenda against Hindu institutions. But once the SIT found nothing, once the whistleblower himself was arrested, Zubair quietly deleted his celebratory tweet. Not a word of apology, no clarification, no acknowledgement of error.
Tweet insinuating wrongdoing in Dharmasthala temple was deleted by Zubair without any clarification
The retreat was as silent as the initial amplification was loud. This is their method: amplify Hindu “wrongdoing” aggressively, but shamelessly scoot away when the narrative falls apart. For some time now, Zubair and his ilk has been expertly deploying this weapon — attack Hindu beliefs from someone else’s shoulders and make a dash when held accountable. When this strategy fails to work, he does what he is best at: selective amnesia.
Zubair is notorious for unleashing Sar Tan Se Juda gang against former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma after he accused her of making remarks against Prophet Muhammad in 2022. More than three years later, Zubair is yet to offer a “fact check” to prove what Nupur said was fake. He continues to evade responding to queries on his “fact-check” on Nupur’s claims.
And the hypocrisy becomes staggering when we recall that in cases where Muslim clerics are convicted of raping minors inside mosques, or when mosques are demolished for illegal encroachment, this entire ecosystem suddenly develops amnesia. The relentless coverage model applies only one way. The same Zubair who nitpicks Hindu priests’ speeches forgets to highlight when Muslim clerics make contentiously communal remarks. The same TNM that runs explainers on Dharmasthala conspiracies cannot find space for Ajmer, for Uttarakhand encroachments, or for victims of Islamist grooming.
The trap of false moral equivalence
The wider strategy behind this selective outrage is the creation of false equivalence. Every time a real scandal implicates Muslims—Ajmer, Bishop Franco, ISIS recruitment—the ecosystem tries to construct a Hindu counter-scandal. Thus “Bhagwa Love Trap” is invented to counter “Love Jihad.” “Jai Shri Ram” is equated with “Allahu Akbar” so that there is always a Hindu equivalent ready to balance and rationalise extremism as not being exclusive just to Islam. Rationalist murders are used to paint Hinduism as intolerant, equating it with Abrahamic blasphemy laws. Dharmasthala’s hoax was useful in this sense: to create a manufactured Hindu horror story to balance the weight of Ajmer or Kerala Story, to ensure that no one community appears uniquely culpable.
Seen from an engineering perspective, the propaganda pipeline is efficient. Allegations enter as raw material. Amplifiers like The News Minute process them into “serious issues.” Propaganda peddlers like Zubair and Sinha distribute them widely. Political actors and paid social media trolls then try to build a narrative that pushes such conspiracy theories into national discourse, where truth becomes the first casualty and sensationalism takes precedence. When proven false, the feedback loop is silence, deletion, and denial of responsibility. By then, the reputational damage is already done.
How Hindu institutes are just one manufactured allegation away from vilification
The unravelling of Chinnaiah and his admission that he was tutored, rewarded, and directed by others should end this scandal once and for all. But it must also serve as a warning. Dharmasthala was not just a hoax; it was a case study in how Hindu institutions are vulnerable to manufactured narratives. It showed how easily a temple town could be smeared, how quickly “neutral” media could amplify lies, and how seamlessly propagandists could ride on that coverage.
Meanwhile, Hindu tragedies like Ajmer are ignored, Hindu victims of grooming are dismissed as propaganda, and Islamic institutions caught in illegality are shielded by silence. Until this cycle of selective outrage is exposed and confronted, every Hindu institution remains one manufactured allegation away from vilification, and every Hindu victim remains one editorial choice away from erasure. Dharmasthala’s hoax has collapsed, but the ecosystem that birthed it is very much alive, and it is perhaps on the prowl for another Dharmasthala to vilify.
In a shocking case from Greater Noida, a young woman named Nikki was set on fire by her husband and in-laws for dowry.
A disturbing video has surfaced showing her in flames, limping down the stairs, just hours before she died on the way to a hospital in Delhi on Thursday (21st August). The horrifying act was witnessed by Nikki’s 6-year-old son.
Fighting back tears, he told people around him, “They first put something on mumma. Then they slapped her before setting her on fire using a lighter.” When asked if his father did it, the boy quietly nodded in agreement.
Nikki had been married to Vipin Bhati for nine years. But her family says she was constantly harassed for dowry. Her elder sister Kanchan, who is also married into the same family, said she saw Nikki being burnt alive right in front of her.
“They wanted Rs 36 lakh as dowry. They kept saying we didn’t get enough at the wedding. Last night they attacked both of us. Between 1.30 am and 4 am, they beat me too. They said, ‘We got dowry for one, what about the other? You are better off dead. We will marry again.’ I tried to save Nikki but couldn’t,” Kanchan said, breaking down.
A video has emerged showing Nikki’s husband and her mother-in-law beating her and dragging her by the hair. Another clip shows Nikki lying on the floor with severe burn injuries.
She was rushed her to Fortis Hospital, but she was later referred to Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital. Sadly, she died on the way.
After a complaint made by her sister, police lodged a case at Kasna police station against her husband Vipin, brother-in-law Rohit, mother-in-law Daya, and father-in-law Satveer. Vipin has been taken into custody, and the others are still absconding.
The incident has created furore in the region. Large numbers of people had gathered outside the police station seeking rigorous punishment for the accused. They were holding placards with the inscription “Justice for Nikki.
Gujarat police have unearthed a scam where four Syrian nationals allegedly raised donations in the name of Gaza victims and used the money for personal luxury. Police have arrested one accused, identified as 23-year-old Ali Meghat Al-Azhar, from a hotel in the Ellis Bridge area in Ahmedabad. The accused hails from Damascus. Three other accused remain at large.
Speaking to the media, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Sharad Singhal said that the police recovered $3,600 and Rs 25,000 in cash from the accused. The other three accused have been identified as Zakaria Haitham Alzar, Ahmed Alhabash and Yousef Al-Zahar. All of them are Syrian nationals and were staying at the same hotel. Lookout notices have been issued to prevent them from escaping India.
Entry via Kolkata and suspicious movements
During investigation, police found that the group entered India on tourist visas. They landed in Kolkata on 22nd July. On 2nd August, they moved to Ahmedabad. The accused allegedly visited mosques and showed videos of starving families in Gaza to seek donations. The police added that they did not find any evidence that the money ever reached Gaza.
Speaking to PTI, Singhal said, “It is a matter of investigation why they first went to Kolkata and then came here, and if they are really into fund-raising or doing a recce for some other purpose. Recovery of US dollars and some digital transactions also raise suspicion. We are now scanning CCTV footage of the area to know more about their movements and links.” He added that prima facie, the men appeared to be in touch with suspicious people.
Anti-terror agencies join probe
Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad and National Investigation Agency (NIA) have joined the investigation to ascertain the group’s intent and trace where the collected funds were sent. CCTV footage is being reviewed to establish their networks. Police added that the arrested man admitted that the money was used to support their “lavish lifestyle”. Notably, by collecting donations, all of them have violated their visa conditions. The government has started the process to blacklist and deport them.
Israel-Hamas war in Gaza
On 7th October 2023, terrorist group Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,300 innocent Israelis and foreign nationals and injuring hundreds of others. Several Israelis and foreign nationals were abducted and taken hostage in Gaza. Following the attack, Israel launched a massive military campaign against Hamas with the aim of uprooting the terrorist outfit.
Since then, thousands have been killed in Gaza as collateral damage as Hamas obstructed local Palestinians from leaving. Furthermore, Hamas, on several occasions, obstructed humanitarian aid sent from all over the world, including food and medicines, worsening the crisis. Hamas’s aim is to blame Israel for the famine in Gaza City and surrounding areas. Hamas could have ended the war by releasing the hostages but it failed to do so, leading to the Israel-Hamas war continuing for almost two years.
Four researchers from Gauhati University have secured a patent for a plant-based formulation to address obesity and its related complications. The patent to Dr Manas Das, Pritimoni Das, Dr Pranjan Barman, and Dr Naba Kumar Hazarika was officially granted on August 20 by the Indian Patent Office.
The patent, numbered 569904, protects a unique herbal combination of two widely known plants, chamber bitter (Phyllanthus urinaria), traditionally used for urinary ailments, and Malabar nut (Adhatoda vasica), used for treating coughs and respiratory issues). By blending equal portions of both plants and preparing an extract using a water, ethanol mix, the researchers developed a novel therapeutic solution.
Laboratory trials of the formulation on mice have demonstrated promising outcomes, including reduced body fat, lower levels of harmful cholesterol such as triglycerides and LDL, and overall weight reduction. This marks the first reported use of these plants in combating obesity.
Assam education minister Ranoj Pegu congratulated the scientists and posted a copy of the patent certificate on X.
Congratulations to Dr. Manas Das, Mrs. Pritimoni Das, Dr. Pranjan Barman, and Dr. Naba Kumar Hazarika of @GauhatiUniv for receiving Patent No. 569904 for their invention, “A Polyherbal Formulation for the Treatment of Obesity Induced Complications and the Method of Preparation… pic.twitter.com/JE3QEvXcs9
He said, “This achievement highlights the power of academic research, and I urge all higher education institutions to foster such innovation that transforms knowledge into solutions for society.”
Prof Nani Gopal Mahanta, Vice Chancellor of Gauhati University, said, “The patent reflects the institution’s focus on turning traditional knowledge into practical health aids. It is a proud moment for the University as it highlights our commitment to scientific innovation rooted in cultural wisdom. This accomplishment also sets an inspiring example for our students and researchers, reaffirming that Gauhati University remains a pioneer in impactful and socially relevant research.”
The Dharmasthala “mass burial” case has seen yet another twist after it fell apart. Sujata Bhat, a Karnataka elderly woman, had previously stated that her daughter went missing in Dharmasthala, a temple town in Dakshina Kannada district. Her narrative initially stoked the controversy surrounding reports of sexual assault and clandestine burials.
However, after the investigation and excavation by SIT found that there was no evidence of any mass burial, recently she said that that her daughter, MBBS student Ananya Bhat, never existed.
Now, as per a report by NDTV, she has made another U-turn, saying she was pressured into denying her daughter’s existence.
“It’s true, I have a daughter. The YouTube channel made me say that forcibly,” she said when asked why she had earlier dismissed her own claim. This contradictory testimony has once again left the case clouded in confusion.
A row of changing statements
At first, Sujata Bhat had said that her daughter, 18-year-old medical student Ananya Bhat, went missing in Dharmasthala in May 2003. She even filed a complaint with the police after the ‘masked man’ CN Chinnayya claimed that he was forced to burry the bodies of hundreds of women and minor girls after their rape and murder at Dharmasthala.
However, those claims have been proven false, after which she told a YouTuber that Ananya never existed. In an interview to a YouTube channel InsightRush, Sujata claimed that she made the false claims because she had a grouse that her grandfather’s ancestral property was given away without her signature. She had said, “Girish Mattannavar and others provoked me and made me claim that my daughter had gone missing in Dharmasthala,” and apologised for making false claims.
And now, she has changed her stand yet again, saying she was pressured into giving a false statement that she never had a daughter. She said that the channel InsightRush made her say that.
Her changing claims have added confusion to a case already surrounded by mystery. Earlier in the day, the key figure in the controversy, CN Chinnayya (better known as Chenna or the “masked man”), was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). He had initiated the case and said that hundreds of women and young girls were killed and buried in Dharmasthala, but investigators now say he fabricated the story.
The SIT withdrew his witness protection after cross-questioning and arrested him for perjury.
Political showdown follows explosive claims
Chenna’s sensational charges caused a political firestorm in Karnataka. The government, however, accused the BJP of trying to derive political mileage from the issue and assured action against whoever has broken the law. The Dharmasthala family themselves met the Chief Minister and said that we are doing a good job, said Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
What Sujata Bhat said on Friday
Adding to the confusion, Sujata Bhat had made a very different statement just a day earlier, on Friday, 22nd August. While speaking to a YouTube channel, she confessed that she never had a daughter named Ananya Bhat. She claimed that activists Girish Mattannavar and T Jayanti had brainwashed her into lying as part of a campaign against Dharmasthala.
She said she was told to create a story that her daughter, an 18-year-old medical student, had disappeared from the temple town in 2003. In her earlier statements, she had even described being kidnapped, assaulted and kept in a hospital in Bengaluru, where she was in a coma. On Friday, however, she admitted it was all fabricated.
“There was never any daughter named Ananya Bhat,” she said, adding that the picture circulated as her daughter’s was fake too. She explained that she was dragged into the false narrative due to a property dispute between the temple administration and her grandfather.
Bhat’s apology to the people of Karnataka
Sujata Bhat also issued an emotional apology. “Yes, for the people of Karnataka, for the devotees of Dharmasthala…I ask the people of this state, and the whole country, to forgive me…” Bhat said, making it clear that she had not been paid nor requested to pay money to give her statement. She requested devotees of Dharmasthala and the public of Karnataka to forgive her for offending their religious feelings.
In the meantime, the Special Investigation Team on Friday (22nd August) directed Sujatha Bhat to appear before its office in Belthangady.
What the SIT found so far
As the allegations gained traction, the SIT launched an extensive investigation. Beginning on 29th July, the team dug up several sites pointed out by Chenna, who had claimed he buried victims there. Out of 13 sites identified, five were excavated by 30th July, but no remains of women were found. On 31st July, some human bones were recovered from a sixth site, but officials confirmed they belonged to a man. Around 15 bones were found in total, though no skull was recovered.
Investigators also came across a debit card belonging to a woman and a PAN card belonging to a man. Upon tracing the PAN card, it was discovered that it belonged to a man named Suresh from Nelamangala taluk. His father attested that Suresh was an alcoholic and passed away due to jaundice in March 2025.
The Origins of the Controversy
The case began when Chenna, claiming to be a former sanitation worker at the Lord Manjunatha shrine in Dharmasthala, approached police on 3rd June. He said that between 1995 and 2014, he was forced to bury the bodies of women and minor girls. To support his claim, he produced skeletal remains, he said he had exhumed.
A week later, he appeared in court fully covered, reaffirming his claims. Given the seriousness of the allegations, the Karnataka government ordered the formation of an SIT on 19th July. Chenna then provided 13 supposed burial sites, which led to the excavation drive.
But as site after site yielded nothing, the case began to unravel. Even the skull Chenna had submitted to the court was tested at two hospitals and confirmed to belong to a man who had died about 30 years ago. At the final site, where Chenna had claimed up to 100 bodies were buried 16 feet underground, Ground Penetrating Radar found nothing. When the site was dug up, again, no remains were discovered.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Karnataka Congress MLA KC Veerendra on Saturday (23rd August) in connection with an illegal betting case. The MLA, who is also known as ‘puppy’, was arrested in Gangtok, Sikkim. Puppy’s arrest comes a day after the ED raided multiple locations linked to him. A transit remand has reportedly been obtained by the officials for bringing him to Bengaluru for further investigation.
On Friday (22nd August), the ED conducted searches at several locations in different parts of the country, including Gangtok, Chitradurga District, Bangalore City, Hubballi, Jodhpur and Mumbai under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The probe agency reportedly seized ₹12 crore in cash, including ₹1 crore in foreign currency comprising bundles of 100 US dollars, 10 and 20 British pounds, 500 dirhams and 100 and 50 euro currency notes.
ED arrested KC Veerendra, Karnataka's MLA from Chitradurga constituency, from Gangktok in connection with illegal online and offline betting case and recovered amount of approximately Rs 12 crore in cash, including approximately Rs 1 crore in foreign currency, gold jewellery… pic.twitter.com/BlHzQdStkd
In addition to that, the agency also recovered gold jewellery worth ₹6 crore, silver articles worth 10 kgs, international casino membership/reward cards – MGM casino, Metropolitan Casino, Bellagio casino, Marina casino, Casino Jewel. Multiple credit and debit cards of various banks, luxury hospitality membership cards of Taj, Hyatt and the Leela, and 4 cars. The ED blocked 17 bank accounts and two bank lockers belonging to the MLA.
As per reports, ED also seized several property-related documents from the premises of the MLA’s brother, KC Nagaraj and his son Pruthvi N Raj. Veerendra’s another brother, KC Thippeswamy, and Pruthvi N Raj allegedly handled his operations of online gaming from Dubai. “Many property related documents were also seized from the premises of Veerendra’s brother K C Nagaraj and his son Pruthvi N Raj. His other associates like another brother K C Thippeswamy are handling operations of online gaming from Dubai,” the probe agency reportedly said.
The agency also reportedly conducted searches at the Congress MLA’s properties in Goa, including Puppy’s Casino Gold, Ocean Rivers Casino, Puppy’s Casino Pride, Ocean 7 Casino and Big Daddy Casino. An ED statement said that the Congress MLA has been running several online betting apps. “Search has revealed that the accused is running several online betting sites in the name of King567, Raja567, etc. Further, the brother, KC Thippeswamy, of the accused is operating three business entities from Dubai, viz, Diamond Softech, TRS Technologies, and Prime9Technologies, related to the call centre services and gaming business of KC Veerendra Puppy,” the ED statement said.
The name of the 50-year-old MLA from Chitradurga emerged in an illegal online and offline betting case. According to ED, he had gone to Sikkim to lease a casino.
“পথাৰ! তোমাৰো স্বীকৃতি আছে, তুমি কোনোবা আদিতম মানুহৰ সংগ্ৰামৰ ইতিহাস আৰু সভ্যতাৰ স্তৰে স্তৰে একোটা নিৰ্ণয়-সূত্ৰ।”
The above lines from a poem by famed Assamese author Ram Gogoi means – “Oh, field! You too have recognition, you symbolize history of struggle of ancient man and you are a determinant to every step of civilizational progress.” Indeed, ever since the arrival of Ahoms in 1228 AD to this land of Brahmaputra and Barak, of enchanting hills and lush greens, Assam has grown culturally, economically, and socially. Ancient Sanskrit literature mentions the names ‘Pragjyotisha’ (meaning City of Eastern Astrology) and ‘Kamrupa’ (where Kamdev regained his Rupa or form) – both of which signify the rich cultural and religious heritage of Assam.
Assam has seen its share of turmoil over last few decades. Right from the Assam Movement (1979-1985) that saw protests against illegal immigrants, to the Assam Accord being signed on 15th August 1985, the State has gone through a roller coaster journey. Today, the State has 33 districts, and is the most populous State in N-E India.
Assam a cornerstone to ‘Act East Policy’
Ever since BJP assumed the mantle of governance at the Center in 2014, the erstwhile ‘Look East Policy’, that was enunciated in 1991 by PM Narasimha Rao’s government, was made more action-oriented and outcome-based through ‘Act East Policy’. A more proactive role in East Asia as envisaged under the policy required NE India to play a pivotal part in this. A sustained focus that ensued by Central Gov on NE India led to a gradual turnaround of this territory, with Assam benefiting a great deal too. The 2021 Assembly elections saw BJP securing 60 out of 126 seats, with a vote shareof 33.6%. NDA at 75 seats comfortably won.
Last decade has seen the ‘double engine government’ of NDA, at the State and Centre, lead to an unprecedented development for the region. From economy to empowerment of women, social security to secular fabric, the State has witnessed holistic growth. In the first of a three-part series, I will focus on how the State has made a turnaround to its economy, courtesy the dual prowess of BJP at Center and State.
Economic indicators have improved over last decade
Assam’s economy is currently ranked as 3rd fastest growing economy in the country. The State’s GSDP has grown 113% from 2020-21 to 2024-25, reaching ₹7.25 Lakh Crore. From 2012-13 to 2021-22, the State’s real GSDP has grown at an average rate of 6.3%, which is higher than the national average of 5.6 %.
Capital expenditure has more than doubled, from ₹12,000 Cr in 2020-21 to ₹26,000 Cr in 2024-25. It is interesting to note that the State’s nominal per capita income as a ratio of India’s nominal per capita income had declined steadily over the years, until 2014 – post which the ratio has increased slowly.
(Source: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), August 2023. Back series with 2011-12 base has been taken from Economic and Political Weekly Research Foundation (EPWRF).)
It is noteworthy that prior to 2014, Assam received only ₹1.27 Lakh Crore as devolution grants and grant-in-aid, that has now increased to ₹4.49 Lakh Crore. This goes to show the focus present day Central Gov has on Assam and N-E in general. To promote greater investments, the State has adopted the North East Industrial Investment Promotion Policy and Industrial Policy of Assam to facilitate business through fiscal incentives and multi-year concessions to investors.
Assam Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) has implemented an Export Promotion Industrial Park (EPIP) at Amingaon, near Guwahati in the district of Kamrup, at an estimated cost of US$ 3 million. Also, Industrial growth centres with supporting infrastructure have been set up at Balipara in the Sonitpur district and Matia in Goalpara, at an estimated cost of US$ 4.5 million and US$ 5.3 million respectively.
The tenets of ‘Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas’, that drive GoI’s actions, entails a focus on development of all sectors. No better example of same than Assam, where sectors spanning from Agriculture and Manufacturing, to Real estate and Banking, have shown impressive growth over last decade.
One key enabler to investments has been investor summits like Advantage Assam Summit, that had its first edition in 2018. From then on, till Summit 2.0 that was held in February 2025, the State’s economy has grown from ₹2.75 Lakh Crore to ₹6 Lakh Crore, being fueled by growth across sectors.
Key sectors have flourished Setting up of Industrial parks has aided growth too, notable ones being as below:
Name of the park
Destination (District)
Departments
Project cost
Plastic Park
Tinsukia
Deptt. of Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Govt. of India
₹93.65 million (US$1.12 million) ;
Means of Finance:
Department of Chemical & Petrochemicals, Govt. of India: ₹40 million (US$480,000)
and
Industries & Commerce Department, Govt. of Assam: ₹53.65 million (US$640,000)
Mega Food Park
Nalbari
Ministry of Food Processing Industry
₹75.98 million (US$910,167.72)
Bamboo Technology Park
Kamrup
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
₹62.28 million
(US$746,141.09)
Jute Park
Nagaon
Ministry of Textile
₹49.57 million
(US$594,636.12)
Tea Park
Kamrup(R)
State Government
₹35.32 million (US$423,494.64)
Crude Oil and Natural Gas
Assam accounts for 14.3% of India’s total crude oil production. For the period 2019-20 to 2022-23, royalty contributions from crude oil production amounted to ₹19, 291.17 Crore, while that from Natural gas totalled ₹1,851.12 Crore.
Several development initiatives have been announced aimed at enhancing Assam’s position in the energy sector. These initiatives include the Numaligarh Refinery Expansion Project, the North East Gas Grid, the Paradip-Numaligarh Crude Pipeline, the establishment of Ethanol Plants including the launch of NRL’s Plant to produce ethanol from bamboo.
In 2023, Vedanta Ltd’s Cairn Oil & Gas, India’s largest private oil and gas exploration and production company, started test production from its Hazarigaon field in Assam, becoming the first company in the country’s northeast to commence gas flow from a Discovered Small Field (DSF) block.
Renewable Energy
Assam has made significant strides in green energy objectives, and several solar power projects have been launched across the state. With a target of producing 1,000 MW of electricity over the next three years, Assam aims to emerge as a hub for renewable energy.
Aligning with Sustainable Development Goals, Assam’s solar policy, formulated in 2017, encourages the deployment of grid-connected solar power plants on the rooftops of various establishments, promoting eco-friendly electricity generation and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Emerging Semiconductor Hub
The Assam Electronics (Semiconductor, etc.) Policy, 2023, has outlined guidelines around investments in Compound semiconductors, Silicon Photonics Sensors Fab, and Semiconductor Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging facilities. Aside of attractive incentives, an additional 40% of Capex assistance will be provided by State Gov.
In March 2024, PM laid the foundation of Tata Group’s ₹27,000 Cr indigenous ‘Semiconductor Assembly and Test Facility’ in Jagiroad. The facility is expected to commence partial operations by 2025 and will be capable of producing 48 million chips daily.
Investor-friendly policies of Assam
The policy environment has been conducive post 2014 as well. One example being the Cess Utilisation Policy for small tea growers declared on 30th May, 2015, that has enabled small and marginal tea growers, as also facilitated welfare of tea laborers. The Industrial and Investment Policy of Assam, 2014 has laid down fiscal incentives for investors in Assam, that includes pointers like:
Tax Exemption – Includes Value Added Tax exemption, Entry Tax exemption, Luxury and Tax Exemption
Subsidy on quality Certification/Technical know how
20% State Capital Subsidy on cost of PV Modules upto 20 KW
Assam key to Viksit Bharat
As the State targets USD 143 billion of economy by 2030, it also holds the added responsibility of being the largest State in NE India. Through the 2023 modification of the Industrial and Investment Policy (IIPA) 2019, Assam has secured investments of ₹133.64 billion (US$1.6 billion) and 17,800 jobs in the last 14 months. The Assam cabinet has accepted 21 applications under the Industrial and Investment Policy of Assam (IIPA), 2019, and 14 MoUs have already been inked with companies such as PepsiCo India, Star Cement, Jericho Chemicals, and others. All of this at a breakneck pace!
As 2026 dawns near, and Assam gets ready to elect 126 members of its Legislative Assembly yet again, it remains to be seen if the Gateway to North-East continues its economic growth trajectory with the kind of astute governance witnessed over past decade, or the State dials back down to the erstwhile era of Naxalism, insurgency, and instability.
2026 will decide if ‘A’ for Assam can still hold the key to Viksit Bharat 2047!
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has once again underlined that India will take decisions only in its national interest, even if they don’t align with the expectations of other countries. He said that if USA and European countries don’t like Russian oil, they should not buy petrochemical products from India which are derived by refining Russian crude oil.
Speaking at the Economic Times World Leadership Forum, he defended India’s continued imports of Russian crude oil while also admitting that trade talks with the United States remain stuck on key issues. Jaishankar made it clear that India’s decision to buy oil from Russia is both in its own interest and in the global interest. “At the end of it all, we make decisions that are in national interest,” he said, adding that energy security is non-negotiable for a growing economy like India.
Taking on criticism from Western countries, Jaishankar said India’s oil trade should not be singled out. “It is presented as an oil issue, but it’s still not applied to the largest importer, China. Arguments used to target India have not been applied to China,” he pointed out.
He also issued a blunt response to those questioning India’s stance. “If you don’t like it, don’t buy it. But Europe buys, America buys. If you don’t like it, don’t buy from us,” he remarked.
#WATCH | Delhi: At The Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, "It's funny to have people who work for a pro-business American administration accusing other people of doing business. If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, don't… pic.twitter.com/rXW9kCcVuv
Jaishankar reminded the audience that when global oil prices were shooting up in 2022, many nations had no problem with India purchasing Russian oil because it helped keep prices in check. “That time, people said if India wants to buy Russian oil, let them, because it would stabilise prices,” he recalled.
Responding to American allegation of India making profits by selling petrochemical products refined from Russian oil, he said that it was funny that a pro-business administration is accusing India of doing business.
Why India buys Russian oil
Explaining India’s position further, Jaishankar said that crude oil purchases from Russia not only support India’s domestic needs but also help keep international prices stable. “Yes, it is in our national interest, but it is also in global interest,” he said.
He recently visited Russia for annual bilateral talks, where discussions included expanding trade. Meanwhile, Jaishankar reaffirmed that India’s stand on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict is clear-cut. “We desire an early cessation of hostilities,” he mentioned, reiterating that India desires peace while managing its economic interests.
In addition to the oil issue, Jaishankar also addressed the issue of trade relations with the United States, which has hit a roadblock after Trump administration’s demand for more concessions from India. He admitted that the negotiations are not making progress but asserted that talks for a trade deal are ongoing.
“Right now, there are issues; it is pretty open, but it’s not like we never had issues before. Other parts of the relationship are strong,” Jaishankar said.
The Trump administration has imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods exported to the US, effective from 7th August. Another 25% tariff on India’s crude oil trade with Russia is expected to take effect from 27th August.
Jaishankar said that while India is willing to talk, it has ‘red lines’ in negotiations. “We are committed to protecting the interests of farmers and small businesses,” he explained.
India–US relations beyond trade
Despite the differences, Jaishankar described India–US ties as broadly positive. “We are two big countries; we need to have conversations, and we will see how it goes,” he said.
#WATCH | Delhi: At The Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, "Negotiations (India-US trade negotiations) are still going on. But the bottom line is we have some red lines. Negotiations are still going on in the sense that nobody said the negotiations… pic.twitter.com/deCHoeDSrx
He noted that every American administration has had its own approach. “President Trump’s style is unconventional. Earlier, under President Obama, there was even a proposal for a ‘G2’ arrangement with China,” he said, highlighting that ups and downs in diplomacy are natural.
Despite tensions on tariffs and oil imports, Jaishankar assured that India and the US are still engaged. “Communication channels are open,” he added, stating that coordination remains in other fields despite differences on trade and energy policies.
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Japan on 29th August this year, it will be more than just another bilateral visit. Tokyo plans to invest about ¥10 trillion (approximately $68 billion) in India over the next decade, exceeding its previous commitment of ¥5 trillion for five years in 2022.
The visit is more than just a bilateral ritual. India has emerged as an indispensable partner for Japan, which shares concerns about China’s growing aggression, in the midst of a shifting global order.
The United States, Japan’s other strong ally, is also embroiled in a tariff war at the same time. After months of negotiating, Washington has lowered the baseline tariffs on Japanese exports from the original threatened 25% to 15%.
The agreement was more of a new tariff “floor” than a compromise. This implies reduced profit margins and a reevaluation of their international strategy for Japanese businesses. It means an opportunity for India.
Why India gains from US-Japan trade friction
Japan and the United States are considered to be the closest of allies. However, Washington’s economic nationalism has solidified into tariffs, even against allies.
All nations now face the default threat of a 15–20% “world tariff” unless they reach special agreements with the United States.
To prevent worse, Japan has to accept a 15% tariff agreement. The US and the EU struck a similar agreement a few days later.
The lesson is clear for Japan. There is a risk to its overdependence on US markets. Profits must be safeguarded elsewhere if tariffs are to remain in place. India is becoming more and more like “elsewhere.”
Japan requires scale, India provides it. With American tariffs eroding profitability, Japanese companies must find a base with reduced prices and high consumption. India’s 1.4 billion population, rapidly increasing middle class, and predicted 6.4% GDP growth by 2025 (IMF) make it the sole viable alternative to both China and the tariff-heavy US market.
Strategic autonomy pays dividends. India has steadfastly opposed joining blocs, whether they be Western sanctions regimes or the RCEP in East Asia. As Japan seeks diversification without relying on China, New Delhi is the ideal hedging partner due to its balanced autonomy.
The macro landscape is evolving. Japan’s inflation is hovering above the BoJ’s target, and markets are pricing in future rate hikes, indicating that the historic era of ultra-cheap yen finance is coming to an end, even if the yen remains weak in the short term. This encourages Japanese capital to seek higher returns elsewhere, just where India can position itself.
Beyond Japan, there is pressure, recent rounds of US-Indian negotiations have been called off, and India itself faces the threat of additional US tariffs in the absence of a bilateral agreement. Washington has threatened more duties if oil geopolitics and other irritants continue, and a planned round of negotiations in late August was cancelled. The need for India to (i) derisk export mixtures and (ii) strengthen third-country partnerships that reduce market risk is heightened by this.
India-Japan partnership is mutually beneficial
As the United States strengthens its tariff wall against friends like as Japan and the EU, India is emerging as the greatest tariff-free partner of choice.
The India-EFTA FTA will take effect on October 1, 2025, while the UK FTA has already been negotiated. This means that Japanese investments in India will immediately get access to Europe. PM Modi may position this as a geopolitical arbitrage that India offers.
Semiconductors and advanced electronics: Make India a “plus-one” to Japan’s semiconductor renaissance. Japan’s Rapidus project intends to achieve 2-nm production by 2027, with strong METI support and global partners. Tokyo has also established a Japan-India Semiconductor Supply Chain Partnership and hosts a formal Japan-India Semiconductor Policy Dialogue. India should propose a Rapidus-India “design, packaging, and talent” corridor headquartered on Bengaluru/Hyderabad and Gujarat’s Dholera, in line with India’s PLI and OSAT initiatives.
Infrastructure and Connectivity: From the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train to the North-East road corridors, Japanese ODA has previously supported India’s most ambitious connectivity initiatives. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has funded the development of almost 750 kilometres of new roads, improving connectivity throughout the North-East region. Aside from physical connectivity initiatives, Japan has been actively involved in regional water supply and sanitation projects. In Guwahati, for example, JICA has funded and supported measures to upgrade water delivery infrastructure.
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project is the main symbol of India-Japan economic cooperation. It marks not only India’s first high-speed rail line, but also Japan’s desire to export cutting-edge infrastructure know-how. It was largely funded by highly concessional Japanese ODA loans and built with Shinkansen technology.
The Gujarat segment is scheduled to be completed by December 2027, with full commissioning in December 2029. The Indian government is pushing for additional Japanese engagement in India’s national high-speed railway project, and Japan is expected to submit proposals for routes other than the one currently under development in western India, which will use Shinkansen bullet train technology.
Security and partnerships: India and Japan’s security collaboration has evolved into a multifaceted strategic alliance founded on mutual interest and trust. Their 2008 Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation established a comprehensive framework for partnership, ranging from intelligence sharing and maritime coordination to counterterrorism and peacekeeping.
This foundation was strengthened by subsequent agreements, including the 2014 Memorandum on Defence Exchanges, the 2015 pacts on Defence Equipment & Technology Cooperation and Military Information Protection, and the 2020 Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services (RPSS) arrangement, which allows for logistical support. In 2024, a Memorandum of Intent was signed to co-develop the UNICORN mast for Indian naval vessels, marking a significant step forward in defense technology collaboration.
The significance of PM Modi’s visit to Japan
Realpolitik is another factor in this visit. PM Modi wants to demonstrate that India not only endures but also benefits from world unrest. India transforms the trade conflict into supply chains, capital flows, and geopolitical leverage while others respond to it.
As part of their efforts to expand the India-Japan partnership, leaders from both countries will look into areas such as intelligence-sharing mechanisms, semiconductor supply chains, rare earth elements that are essential for electric vehicles, and more general economic-security cooperation, including coordination through the Quad framework.
China’s aggression is changing the Indo-Pacific, which means that both democracies have less options and more necessities.
Japan’s move toward India, as seen by expanding defense equipment and technical cooperation, nuclear exemption, cooperative exercises such as Malabar, Maritime Partnership Exercises, and rising technology collaborations, is a planned hedge against regional instability.
Both states avoid ideological alliances and instead create a flexible, interest-driven security architecture through the Quad, SCRI, and bilateral ties. This improves deterrence without formal entanglements.
Prime Minister Modi’s trip to Tokyo will be more than simply another bilateral meeting; it will be an opportunity to showcase India’s progress to the globe. India under Modi stands out as a reliable and potent ally at a time when China is attempting to exert dominance through threats and the US is applying tariff pressure to partners.
India is now viewed as a key player in Asia’s future, as evidenced by the bullet train, new chip projects, defense ties, and Japan’s enormous investment plan.
This visit demonstrates that India is becoming a nation that shapes global trends rather than merely responding to them. India is emerging under Modi’s leadership as self-assured, dependable, and prepared to take the lead globally.
