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All voters have been verified and checked: Muzaffarpur district administration fact checks ‘journalist’ Rajdeep Sardesai who was trying to claim Bihar SIR is done “hastily”

OpIndia Staff
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All voters have been verified and checked: Muzaffarpur district administration fact checks ‘journalist’ Rajdeep Sardesai who was trying to claim Bihar SIR is done “hastily”

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) campaign by the Election Commission in the election-bound state of Bihar has been relentlessly targeted by the opposition and its ecosystem. From threatening to boycott the elections to labeling the process as voter fraud, various allegations have been directed at the EC by the anxious leaders of the Mahagathbandhan and their supporters.

Notably, these accusations have been repeatedly debunked by the relevant authorities. Nevertheless, this controversy doesn’t seem to be subsiding any time soon.

Now, India Today journalist Rajdeep Sardesai quoted a Dainik Bhaskar report to assert that the entire procedure is being conducted in a rushed manner.

Sardesai wrote, “We need a ‘purification’ of electoral rolls but a hastily done revision is not the solution,” on social media. He also lauded the media outlet for its “fine reporting” and for being the only “Hindi mainstream newspaper consistently raising the issue.”

The report was published on 10th August concerning polling station number 370 in 94-Muzaffarpur assembly, stating the presence of several voters at the same residential address.

However, the Muzaffarpur district administration swiftly countered Rajdeep’s attempt to question the crucial campaign. “Concerning the aforementioned report, it is important to note that in the Draft Roll of SIR 2025, there are 629 voters registered at polling station number 370 (which was polling station number-293 prior to the rationalization of polling stations)”, they stated

“Within this group, serial numbers 82 to 350 are listed under house number 27. In the most recent voter list published on 07.01.2025, before SIR 2025, the total number of voters at this polling station was 686, with serial numbers 97 to 384 recorded solely under house number 27,” Muzaffarpur administration further conveyed and highlighted that the house number assigned to voters in the electoral list is provisional and notional.

The administration mentioned that it is not derived from the actual house number or the voter’s identification number. There is no connection to the family and during the special intensive revision only the verification of eligible voters was conducted. They further said that the house number appears in the electoral list prior to the intensive revision. No alterations of any sort have been made to the house number during the drive.

The authorities further added, “It is noteworthy that in the final submission electoral list dated 07.01.2025, the voters in the specified house number of this polling station was similar and no objections were raised by the voters concerning this matter during the special intensive revision.”

The SIR drive is designed to eliminate fraudulent voters and ensure that only eligible individuals retain the right to participate in elections. Members of various political parties have also been invloved throughout the process.

According to the updated list, around 65 lakh names have been struck off the rolls in the state. The struck-off names primarily consist of deceased persons or those who could not be located at their registered addresses. But what’s surprising is the large-scale deletion of names in some districts, particularly in Muslim-dominated Kishanganj. Here, a record 1.45 lakh names have been removed from the list. This amounts to an astonishing 11.8% of the district’s total voter base. It can easily tip an election in which even a 4–5% margin can make a difference.

On 3rd August, the Election Commission of India (ECI) revealed that it has received 941 claims and objections related to Bihar’s draft electoral roll. However, not a single complaint out of the 941 has been filed by any political party including the Indian National Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).


Supreme Court orders removal of all stray dogs, asks ‘who will bring back the people who died of rabies?’, says anyone obstructing will face legal action

OpIndia Staff
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Supreme Court orders removal of all stray dogs, asks ‘who will bring back the people who died of rabies?’, says anyone obstructing will face legal action

On 11th August, the Supreme Court of India directed the authorities in Delhi to pick up all stray dogs, especially from vulnerable localities. The court passed the order while hearing a suo motu case on the rising number of dog bite cases and rabies fatalities caused by stray dog bites in the National Capital. The court warned that strict action will be taken against any and all organisations and individuals who obstruct the process. The order will extend to outskirts that is Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurugram.

‘Will they be able to bring back those who have fallen prey to rabies?’

A Bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan expressed alarm over recent reports, including a Times of India article, highlighting how elderly people and children remain the most affected by rabies. Justice Pardiwala emphasised that the matter was being pursued in the public interest and sentiments should not cloud decisive action. He directed, “Pick up dogs from all localities and shift them to far-off places.”

Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta thanked the Bench and stated that parents he had spoken to appreciated the court for taking action and stressed the need to safeguard children’s lives. He flagged grave concerns about the situation in several parts of Delhi and its outskirts and noted that previous relocation efforts were stalled due to a stay order obtained by a dog rights activist.

This prompted Justice Pardiwala to pointedly ask whether these activists could bring back those who had lost their lives to rabies.

Strict directives for shelters and dog-free localities

In its order, the Court directed the NCT of Delhi, MCD and NDMC to create dog shelters with adequate staff for sterilisation and vaccination. The court ordered the installation of CCTV cameras to ensure no dogs are released back onto the streets. Furthermore, the court told the authorities to begin picking up stray dogs immediately, giving priority to vulnerable localities, and to create a dedicated force if needed.

“The first and foremost exercise must be to make all localities free of stray dogs,” the order stated, adding that there must be no compromise in carrying out the exercise. It warned that individuals or organisations obstructing the rounding up of stray dogs would face legal action.

“Any hindrances that may be caused in smooth and effective implementation of aforesaid directions would be viewed as contempt of this Court and we shall be proceed to take appropriate action,” The court said.

OpIndia is doing a series on the stray dog menace in India which can be checked here.

Delhi High Court says sterilisation is not the solution, seeks stray dog rehabilitation policy

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi High Court says sterilisation is not the solution, seeks stray dog rehabilitation policy

On 6th August, the Delhi High Court stressed the urgent need to remove stray dogs from the streets and rehabilitate them in institutional shelters. The Court stated that measures must go beyond sterilisation and said that the ABC programme has failed in the National Capital despite being “touted for decades” as the solution.

Justice Mini Pushkarna was hearing a matter related to stray dog activist Pratima Devi, whose shanty was demolished by the MCD in 2023. Pratima Devi was providing food and shelter to around 200 stray dogs at that time, leading to massive outrage among animal lovers.

The Court observed that dogs are “the most loved animals of the world and a great friend of humans. It should be ensured that they are protected and treated with dignity”. She further highlighted the problem of the increasing number of stray dogs in the city by stating, “either dogs should be at home, or at a shelter. Not on roads eating garbage. Humans and dogs both are suffering. Neither humans are safe, nor dogs due to this.”

Sterilisation centres non-functional

The Court noted that the Delhi Government’s only proposal so far was sterilisation, which falls in line with the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023. However, the ABC centres in the city, as the Court observed, are non-functional and the objective behind them is not being met. The Court remarked, “Sterilisation isn’t working at all. It’s not the solution,” and brought the ABC Rules under scrutiny as they have failed to control the stray dog population in the country.

The Court also recorded in its order that 78 veterinary hospitals in Delhi are currently non-operational. During the hearing, it was revealed that around 200 dogs housed in a temporary shelter were to be released back onto the streets as the shelter was to be demolished by the MCD. It raised serious concerns, as more stray dogs mean a higher possibility of stray dog attacks and animal–human conflict.

Data shows thousands bitten in Delhi

As per data presented in the Lok Sabha, Delhi recorded 17,874 dog bite cases in 2023 and 25,210 dog bite cases in 2024. In January 2025 alone, the city saw 3,196 cases. There is a clear spike in stray dog bite cases in the National Capital. The figures underline the scale of the problem, with the High Court’s observations reinforcing that the current ABC framework is failing to control the menace.

The Supreme Court of India recently took suo motu congnisance of the stray dog menace in the country after a Times of India report highlighted death of a young girl child due to rabies.

OpIndia is doing a series on the stray dog menace in India which can be checked here.

Pakistani Army chief Munir issues nuclear threat against India from US soil, quotes Islamic verses to explain war against India, report says Ambani’s pic shown as a ‘target’

Anurag
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Pakistani Army chief Munir issues nuclear threat against India from US soil, quotes Islamic verses to explain war against India, report says Ambani’s pic shown as a ‘target’

On 9th August (local time), Pakistan’s military chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has reportedly issued a nuclear threat against India while speaking at a dinner in Florida, United States. According to a report in The Print, Munir warned that if Pakistan faced an existential threat in a future war, “we are a nuclear nation, if we think we are going down, we’ll take half the world down with us.”

Nuclear warning from US soil

This is the first time a Pakistani military leader has issued such a nuclear threat from US soil against a third country. The dinner, where the remarks were made, was hosted by businessman Adhnan Asad, who is the honorary consul of Pakistan in Tampa. Munir also commented on India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and warned that it would starve 250 million people.

He reportedly threatened to blow up the dam India is building. He said, “We will wait for India to build a dam and when it does, we will destroy it with 10 missiles.” Munir emphasised that Pakistan had “no shortage of missiles” and claimed the Indus River was “not the Indians’ family property.”

Notably, the Indus Waters Treaty was suspended by India following the Pahalgam terrorist attack that claimed the lives of 26 Hindus. Terrorists linked to The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, killed Hindus after confirming their identity.

Islamic verses and war references

According to the report, Munir referred to a previous social media post which he admitted to having got done, which featured Surah Fil and a photograph of Indian business tycoon Mukesh Ambani, to signal what Pakistan would “do the next time.” Surah Fil recounts a Quranic story where birds dropped stones on enemy war elephants and destroyed them. It was a direct threat to the life of the Indian businessman.

Munir reportedly said Pakistan would “start from India’s East, where they have located their most valuable resources, and then move westwards.” Notably, Bangladesh’s interim chief Muhammad Yunus had also threatened to occupy the Seven Sisters, the seven states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura, in India’s northeast.

Mocking India and using analogies

Munir did not stop there and went on to mock India for its refusal to publicly reveal its losses during the “Four-Day war” of May. He said, “Sportsman spirit is a virtue.” He compared India to a “shining Mercedes” and Pakistan to a “dump truck full of gravel,” suggesting that a collision would hurt the car more than the truck. However, while doing so, he inadvertently admitted that Pakistan stands nowhere when it comes to comparison on economic levels with India.

Religious justification for Pakistan’s destiny

Munir described Pakistan as one of only two states founded on the basis of the Islamic profession of faith, alongside the Prophet Muhammad’s Medina. He incorrectly claimed that Medina was renamed Tayyiba, and said God had rewarded Medina with resources, just as Pakistan would be blessed with rare earths, minerals, and hydrocarbons.

The guests at the event were not allowed to carry mobile phones. This report is based on a reconstruction of the speech by The Print, based on statements by several guests.

American F-35B jet of British Navy makes emergency landing again, this time in Japan, after a jet from same carrier was stranded in India for 5 weeks

OpIndia Staff
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American F-35B jet of British Navy makes emergency landing again, this time in Japan, after a jet from same carrier was stranded in India for 5 weeks

A F-35B fighter jet of the British Navy made an emergency landing at an airport in Japan after facing technical issues. As per a report by Japanese broadcaster NHK, the jet landed at Kagoshima Airport in Kirishima City just after 11.30 AM on 10th August.

The airport office said that the fighter pilot contacted air traffic control stating that he was experiencing a possible mechanical problem and wishing to make an emergency landing. Accordingly, the jet was allowed to land at the airport.

As a result, the airport’s runway was closed for around 20 minutes, and some scheduled flights were delayed. However, after the jet was moved to a taxiway and safety at the airport was confirmed, airport operations resumed.

Reportedly, the fighter jet is part of the British aircraft carrier, the HMS Prince of Wales. The British military is currently deploying several ships, including the Prince of Wales, to the Western Pacific. They are conducting a joint training with the Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force and the U.S. military until the 12th.

This is the second such incident with the F-35B of the British Navy, that too from the same carrier. Earlier in June, a F-35B made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala after facing bad weather and hydraulic system failure. The aircraft could not take off after landing on 14th June, and several teams of technicians failed to repair it at the airport for weeks.

After over three weeks, a Royal Air Force (RAF) transport aircraft carried equipment and experts to fix the jet. The jet finally left India on 22 July, after being stranded for five weeks.

While F-35 is one of the most advanced and complex fighter jet, its naval variant, the F-35B, is even more complex. This is because of the short takeoff and vertical landing capability.

First made-in-India chip to be rolled out very soon, our next big priority should be becoming self-reliant in technology: IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

OpIndia Staff
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First made-in-India chip to be rolled out very soon, our next big priority should be becoming self-reliant in technology: IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

Union Information and Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday said that India’s first made-in-India chip will be rolled out “very soon” as six semiconductor plants are under construction in Gujarat, Assam and Uttar Pradesh. Addressing the ‘Next-Gen Mobility for a Next-Gen City’ programme here, the Minister said, “Today there are six semiconductor plants under construction in our country and very soon we’ll see the first made in India chip roll out of these factories.”

Emphasising government’s resolve for the easy accessibility of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, Vaishnaw said, “AI is shaping our world today. Our Prime Minister’s vision is of democratising technology. It should be accessible to all. It should not be limited to a few. It should be available to all. That’s why we have done the India AI mission in which 34,000 GPUs (Graphics Processing Units) are available today as a common compute facility for all our innovators.”

“The price of these GPUs is just less than USD 1 per hour. And this is the most affordable common computer facility in the entire world,” the Minister added.

Speaking at the same event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also emphasised India’s priority to become “self-reliant” in the technology sector, stating that the country will soon have its “Made in India” chip as the semiconductor mission gains momentum. PM Modi stressed that the journey of “Viksit Bharat” will move forward hand in hand with the Digital India initiative. He noted that with the India AI Mission, the country is advancing towards global AI leadership.

“Our next big priority should be becoming self-reliant in technology. The journey to a Viksit Bharat will move forward hand in hand with Digital India. Through initiatives like the India AI Mission, India is advancing toward global AI leadership. He added that the Semiconductor Mission is also gaining momentum, and India will soon have its own Made-in-India chip”, PM Modi said.

In May, the Union Cabinet approved India’s sixth semiconductor manufacturing unit in Jewar in western Uttar Pradesh. It will be established near Jewar Airport through a joint venture between the HCL Group and Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn.

The sixth unit is expected to generate employment for around 2,000 people and will help significantly in strengthening India’s semiconductor ecosystem. The unit at Jewar will have a 20,000 wafers per month capacity, and the chips will have 36 million (3.6 crore) per month.

Among other five semiconductor plants, four are in Gujarat: Tata Electronics–PSMC Semiconductor fab, CG Power–Renesas–Stars Microelectronics ATMP unit, Micron Technology’s ATMP unit and Kaynes Semicon ATMP unit, while the Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test (TSAT) Unit is in Assam.

In 2024, the Government of India launched a comprehensive initiative called the India AI Mission aimed at positioning India as a global hub for artificial intelligence (AI) research, innovation, and adoption. The mission focuses on developing AI solutions across key sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, smart cities, and infrastructure to drive socio-economic growth.

The strategy includes capacity building, development of research ecosystems, and partnerships between government, industry, and academia. The government has also approved the Semicon India programme with a total outlay of Rs 76,000 crore for the development of a semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in the country.

On the other hand, to promote the semiconductor ecosystem, the central government, in June, introduced pioneering reforms in the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) rules. The reforms aim to address the specialised needs of the semiconductor and electronics component manufacturing sectors.

Since manufacturing in these sectors is highly capital-intensive, import-dependent and involves longer gestation periods before turning profitable, rule amendments have been carried out to promote pioneering investments and boost manufacturing in these high-technology sectors.

Going further, Vaishnaw informed that India has become the top supplier of smartphones to the United States, with electronics manufacturing now worth Rs 12 lakh crore. He said that India’s electronic production has grown six times in the last 11 years.

The Minister further pointed out the exponential rise in electronic exports, which have increased eightfold to reach 3 lakh crore rupees. Vaishnaw also noted India’s position as the world’s second-largest manufacturer of mobile phones, underscoring the country’s expanding role in the global electronics market.

“Our electronic production has grown 6 times in the last 11 years. Today, electronics manufacturing has touched 12 lakh crore rupees. Electronic exports have increased by 8 times… Today, it has grown to 3 lakh crore rupees. India has become the second-largest manufacturer of mobile phones in the world” he said.

According to official government data, India has made significant progress in mobile and electronics manufacturing, becoming the world’s 2nd largest mobile manufacturing country. In 2014, India had only 2 mobile manufacturing units, but fast forward to today, the nation boasts over 300 manufacturing units, underscoring a significant expansion in this vital sector.

In 2014 -15 only 26 per cent of the mobile phones which were being sold in India were made in India, the rest were being imported. It is worth mentioning that today, 99.2 per cent of all mobile phones which are sold in India are made in India. The manufacturing value of mobile phones has surged from Rs 18,900 crore in FY14 to a staggering Rs 4,22,000 crore in FY24.

Tezpur University in Assam develops low-cost device based on smartphone to detect Tuberculosis, files patent application

OpIndia Staff
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Tezpur University in Assam develops low-cost device based on smartphone to detect Tuberculosis, files patent application

A team of researchers from Tezpur University has created an affordable, portable device that can detect Tuberculosis (TB) using a smartphone, offering new hope for early and accessible diagnosis in rural India.

Designed for rural healthcare

Developed under the leadership of Prof Pabitra Nath from the Department of Physics, the device is specifically tailored for areas with limited medical infrastructure. Unlike conventional TB testing, it does not require chemical dyes or expensive laboratory facilities. Instead, it harnesses the natural glow (autofluorescence) of TB bacteria for detection, supported by a built-in heating system that improves accuracy.

Weighing less than 300 grams and costing under ₹25,000, the device is light, cost-effective and easily portable. These features make it a practical solution for regions where advanced healthcare facilities and trained technicians are scarce.

Overcoming challenges of current methods

Currently, the World Health Organisation and India’s National TB Elimination Programme recommend LED fluorescence microscopy (LED-FM) as the gold standard for TB screening. However, as Prof Nath explained, LED-FM has limitations due to its reliance on costly equipment, chemical staining agents such as auramine-O, and trained personnel for sample preparation. Its dependence on laboratory settings makes it unsuitable for many rural areas.

“The device we developed leverages the principle of autofluorescence, a natural property of certain microbial cells, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis. By integrating a heating element within the sensor system, the device amplifies the natural fluorescence signal, enabling trace-level detection without stains or dyes,” Prof Nath said.

Team effort and recognition

The project team includes research scholars Biprav Chetry and Chunuranjan Dutta, Dr JP Saikia and Santanu Goswami from the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, and Abhijit Gogoi from Labdig Innovations and Systems Pvt Ltd. A patent has already been filed (Indian Patent Application No. 202431035472), and the findings have been published in the international journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics.

Congratulating the researchers, Vice Chancellor Prof Shambhu Nath Singh said the innovation has the potential to make a significant impact in the fight against TB, particularly in underserved rural communities.

Rising hate crimes against Indians in Ireland: Elderly Indian man harassed in Dublin days after 6-year-old girl assaulted in Waterford

OpIndia Staff
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Rising hate crimes against Indians in Ireland: Elderly Indian man harassed in Dublin days after 6-year-old girl assaulted in Waterford

Attacks on Indians in Ireland continue to grow, with yet another alarming incident taking place in Dublin. In this case, a 60-year-old man was the victim of racial harassment while he was waiting at a bus stop with his family.

One of the victim’s friends posted the story on Reddit. The daughter of the man described how she, her sister, and her father were waiting at the bus stop when two young boys, about seven or eight, came up to them. Initially, the boys asked to take selfies with her father. However, the atmosphere soon soured. They started teasing him, and one of them even seemed to reach into his wallet.

“We tried to remain calm and ignore their behavior. But then one of the boys blocked my father’s way and made grabbing gestures towards his crotch,” the girl said.

The girl stated that the experience left the family in a state of helplessness. “My father was harassed by a child in front of his daughters. Given the present atmosphere for people of colour in Ireland, and being cognizant of the laws, it was disappointing that there was no recourse available. No one should be made to feel threatened in public places regardless of where they are from,” she added.

Second such case within a week 

This is the second instance in a week that an Indian citizen living in Ireland has been attacked in a racist manner. Previously, in Waterford City, an Indian-origin six-year-old girl, Nia Naveen, was physically attacked and abused verbally by a gang of 12- to 14-year-old children. The assailants punched her face and neck, they pulled her hair, and inserted a bicycle wheel into her private area while using racial abuse, directing her to “go back to India.”

Her mother, Anupa Achuthan, said that the experience left Nia highly traumatised and afraid to venture out. “She is not sleeping well, and she’s afraid to play outdoors now,” Anupa said. Although familiar with the children who carried out the attack, she does not want them punished but would like them to undergo counselling so that they learn the damage that they have inflicted.

A series of racially motivated attacks

Sadly, these two are part of an alarming trend. At least five racist attacks on Indians in Ireland have been known since July 2025.

Just a day after the attack on Nia, an Indian-origin cab driver, Lakhvir Singh, was brutally assaulted in Ballymun, a suburb of Dublin on 5th August. Two men in their early twenties attacked Singh with a bottle, leaving him bleeding heavily from the head. Singh, who has lived in Ireland for 23 years, said the men shouted “go back to your own country” before fleeing.

Laxman Das, a Kolkata-born sous chef who works in Dublin, was assaulted by three individuals close to the Hilton Hotel on his way to work on 3rd August. They made off with his phone, cash, and electric bicycle, and he was left with injuries.

On 19th July, a 40-year-old Indian citizen who was employed at Amazon was attacked, stabbed in the face, and robbed partly naked by a group of teenagers in Tallaght, Dublin. He was in Ireland for just three weeks.

A 32-year-old data scientist named Santosh Yadav was assaulted by six teens outside his apartment in Dublin. He was beaten over his head, neck, chest, and legs and sustained a broken cheekbone along with several other injuries.

Community concerns growing

The assaults have raised concern among Ireland’s Indian community. The Indian Embassy in Ireland has already released an advisory suggesting citizens exercise caution, particularly at night and in less populated areas.

Prashant Shukla, head of the Ireland India Council, claimed anti-immigrant politics in Ireland have been stoking such hostility. “Indian-origin individuals are being blamed unjustly for issues like the housing shortage. It is a false and dangerous narrative,” he said.

The Council has also sent a letter to Irish ministers calling for tougher legislation to hold parents responsible when their children are involved in racist attacks.

Robert Vadra earned ₹58 crore illegally in Gurugram land deal, proceeds of crime routed through various companies: ED says in chargesheet

OpIndia Staff
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Robert Vadra earned ₹58 crore illegally in Gurugram land deal, proceeds of crime routed through various companies: ED says in chargesheet

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a chargesheet against Robert Vadra, husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, alleging he generated and laundered ₹58 crore in illicit proceeds from a fraudulent land transaction in Shikohpur, Gurugram.

According to the ED’s investigation, the proceeds of crime were routed through two companies linked to Vadra, ₹5 crore via Blue Breeze Trading Private Limited (BBTPL) and ₹53 crore via Sky Light Hospitality Private Limited (SLHPL). These funds, derived from alleged criminal activities, were reportedly used by Vadra to acquire immovable properties, make investments, provide loans, and settle liabilities for his group companies.

The case stems from a 2018 First Information Report (FIR) filed by Haryana Police, which accused former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, DLF Ltd., and others of cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy, and corruption. The ED registered its money laundering probe in December 2018.

Details from the chargesheet reveal that Sky Light Hospitality purchased 3.5 acres of land from Onkareshwar Properties Pvt. Ltd. for ₹7.5 crore as per the sale deed, though the actual agreed amount was Rs ₹crore. The cheque mentioned in the deed was never encashed.

As per the chargesheet, this deal led to an alleged stamp duty evasion of ₹45 lakh. The ED says this was part of a quid pro quo arrangement, where the land transfer occurred without genuine payment in exchange for Vadra’s influence to secure a commercial license for Onkareshwar Properties in the same area.

Vadra’s associates, Satyanand Yajee and Kewal Singh Virk, along with companies such as Sky Light Realty and Onkareshwar Properties (now SGY Properties), are also named in the chare sheet.

The charges highlight misrepresentation in the transaction, which the ED says facilitated the laundering of funds into various assets.

ED has already attached 43 immovable properties worth ₹38.69 crore, including land in Bikaner, commercial units in Gurugram, Mohali, Noida, and residential flats in Ahmedabad. Some of these assets are held directly by Robert Vadra, while others are in the names of his companies like Sky Light Realty, Real Earth Estates, and Artex etc.

Pakistani journalist Asad Ali Toor barred from flying to US, highlights growing attacks on journalism in Pakistan and shrinking space for those who dare to voice the truth

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistani journalist Asad Ali Toor barred from flying to US, highlights growing attacks on journalism in Pakistan and shrinking space for those who dare to voice the truth

Pakistani journalist Asad Ali Toor was stopped from boarding his flight to Washington, US, late on Friday, 8th August (local time) at Islamabad International Airport. He was on his way to attend a 12-day International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) arranged by the US State Department, an established exchange program that brings together professionals from across the globe for discussion and learning.

According to Toor, immigration officers informed him that his name was on Pakistan’s Exit Control List (ECL), which is also referred to as the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL). It meant he would be unable to fly. He repeatedly inquired why his name appeared on the list, but nobody gave him any answer.

For him, it was not just about being prevented from travelling; it was another means of silencing him and stopping him from voicing his opinions. “In Pakistan, journalism and speaking truth to power have been turned into crimes,” journalist Toor said in a statement after the incident. “Yes, I committed this crime and I will keep committing it”, he said.

Asad Ali Toor also referred to Pakistan’s fall in the World Press Freedom Index, where the country fell from rank 152 to rank 158 this year. He attributed this to what he refers to as a “hybrid regime” for making it more difficult for journalists.

This is not the first time Toor has been in trouble due to his profession. His life has been one of threats, harassment, and even violence. One of the most dangerous incidents involved him being attacked at his apartment in Islamabad in May 2021.

Journalist Asad Ali Toor said in a statement to police that at about 11 p.m., the doorbell rang. Upon opening the door, a man trained a pistol on him and instructed him to step aside. When he attempted to flee, the man threatened him with a gun. Two other men entered almost immediately. They pushed him into his bedroom, bound him, gagged him, and beat him.

“They threw me to the ground and instructed me to remain silent or else they would shoot me,” Toor explained to police later. One of the attackers repeatedly hit him on the elbows with the butt of the pistol, he said, so he was in severe pain.

Toor said that the men identified themselves as members of Pakistan‘s influential military intelligence agency, the ISI. The ISI has previously been accused by rights groups of being involved in kidnappings, torture, and even murders of reporters.

The assailants asked Toor how he supported himself and was funding himself, and compelled him to recite slogans in honour of the army and the ISI, and against India, Afghanistan, and Israel.

The army’s press centre did not issue a reaction to the accusations then. The assault outraged media practitioners and human rights activists, who viewed it as an extension of a consistent campaign to silence the media.

Almost four years on, Toor says there is little difference. Pakistani journalists continue to receive threats, get arrested, and get barred from travelling. Being prevented from travelling abroad to attend an international programme, he feels, is no arbitrary act; it’s a message.

That message is straightforward: you may voice your opinions, but only within the boundaries established by the powers that be. Cross them, and you will be reminded precisely who owns the gate.

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