Home Blog Page 2375

Delhi Police arrest YouTuber Prince Dixit after his video celebrating birthday with a car rally on NH24 went viral

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Delhi Police arrest YouTuber Prince Dixit after his video celebrating birthday with a car rally on NH24 went viral

On Thursday, March 16, Delhi police took cognizance of a video going viral on social media where some people were seen standing on roofs of cars at National Highway 24 in Delhi’s Pandav Nagar. The people seen in the video were celebrating the birthday of YouTuber Prince Dixit. 

As per reports, prince Dixit has been apprehended by the police.

“Cognizance of the matter has been taken. We are inquiring into it to identify the offenders and to get the details of the time of the incident. Appropriate legal action shall be taken against the offenders,” Delhi Police said in a tweet.

Though viral now, the video was posted on Prince Dixit’s Instagram account in November last year. The YouTuber and his friends can be seen standing on the seats of the moving cars while driving at high speed, with loud music playing in the background.

According to Delhi police, Prince said that this video was shot on his birthday, November 16, 2022, while travelling from NH24 to Shakarpur. Prince and his supporters were standing on the cars. He also admitted that he had broken traffic rules and appealed to his YouTube subscribers to refrain from doing so.

Police are looking for those friends of Prince Dixit who along with him were creating a ruckus on the road on 16 November 2022.

Recently, two YouTubers Jorawar Singh Kalsi and Gurpreet Singh were arrested in Gurugram for throwing currency notes on the Golf Course road in Haryana from a moving Baleno car. The video of the incident wherein the accused persons were recreating a scene from a web series titled ‘Farzi’ went viral on social media. According to the police, the currency notes hurled in the viral video had ‘Manoranjan Bank of India’ written on them.

Britain set to display Koh-i-noor at the Tower of London as a ‘symbol of conquest’

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Britain set to display Koh-i-noor at the Tower of London as a ‘symbol of conquest’

On May 26 this year, the historic diamond Koh-i-Noor (mountain of light) will be put up for display as a ‘symbol of conquest’ at the Tower of London. The new exhibition, which has courted controversy since its announcement, reportedly will explore the history and origin of the diamond in utmost detail.

India has time and again demanded the repatriation of the Koh-i-Noor diamond from the United Kingdom, which currently sits in the crown worn by Queen Elizabeth II during her 1937 coronation.

During the exhibition, the colonial past of the 105.6-carat diamond would be explained and the manner it was ‘given’ (taken away) to Britain in 1849. Koh-i-noor had changed several hands over centuries and was possessed by Mughals, Afghan Emirs, Iranian Shahs, and Sikh rulers before being taken away by the British.

While speaking about the development to CNN, Tower of London’s media manager Sophie Lemangnen informed, “(The exhibit) references its long history as a symbol of conquest, which has passed through many hands.”

The controversial diamond, which is now part of Crown Jewels, was originally unearthed in central Southern India. Reportedly, the East India Company seized Koh-i-Noor from Maharaja Duleep Singh in 1849 and handed it over to Queen Victoria.

The diamond was then recut in 1852 by the royal jeweller, Garrad of London, to improve its brilliance. The story of Koh-i-Noor will be retold at the exhibition through a short film and a combination of projections and objects.

The event comes at a time when King Charles and his Queen consort Camilla are set to be crowned in Westminster Abbey in May this year. The keeper of the Jewel House, Andrew Jackson, said that the exhibition will provide visitors with a richer understanding of the jewels’ collection.

“We look forward to expanding the stories we are telling about the Crown Jewels,” he emphasised.

Cyclone Freddy hits Southeast Africa, leaves over 300 dead in Malawi

ANI
-
0
Cyclone Freddy hits Southeast Africa, leaves over 300 dead in Malawi

Tropical Cyclone Freddy left over 300 people dead after it ripped through southeastern Africa’s Malawi, CNN reported citing the landlocked country’s Department of Disaster Management Affairs.

Malawi’s Department of Disaster Management Affairs said the cyclone had killed as many as 326 people. The devastation in the wake of the tropical storm left survivors trapped and fighting for survival.

The authorities further stated that over 30 people from Chilobwe, one of the hardest-hit areas, have died and dozens remain missing as search and rescue efforts continue.

People could be seen on Monday using shovels, even bare hands, to search for the people in the rubble.
Speaking to CNN, Dorothy Wachepa, a mother of four, said she woke up to a deafening noise “resembling the sound of an aeroplane.”

“It was around 12 and I heard the sound accompanied by shouting from people upland,” she said.
What followed was a torrent of muddy water, accompanied by rocks and trees, sliding down the mountain. All her possessions were washed away.

“Everything is gone. I was doing a small-scale business selling vegetables because my husband died in 2014. I’ve been supporting the children from the little that I have,” she added, reported CNN.

Earlier, on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over the loss of lives in Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar from Cyclone Freddy.

He said India stands with the people of the affected countries in tough times.

On Tuesday, the Malawi Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change said the cyclone was “weakening but will continue to cause torrential rains associated with windy conditions in most parts of Southern Malawi districts”.

“The threat of heavy flooding and damaging winds remains very high,” the weather report said.
In Mozambique, at least 10 people were killed and 13 injured in the Zambezia province, CNN reported, citing state broadcaster Radio Mozambique.

Cyclone Freddy has broken records for the longest-lasting storm of its kind after making landfall in Mozambique for a second time, more than two weeks after the first.

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

Conman poses as Additional Director (PMO), gets Z-plus security and bulletproof SUV, arrested by Jammu & Kashmir Police

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Conman poses as Additional Director (PMO), gets Z-plus security and bulletproof SUV, arrested by Jammu & Kashmir Police

Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested a man who was posing as a top official of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The conman, identified as Kiran Patel, son of Jagdish Patel, a Gujarat resident posed as Additional Director ‘Strategy and Campaign’, in the Prime Minister’s office. By deceiving the administration, he also managed to obtain Z-plus security cover, a bulletproof SUV, and official accommodation at a five-star hotel in Jammu & Kashmir. Kiran Patel was reportedly staying at the Hotel Lalit in the valley.

The fraudster, however, was arrested on March 3 after the Jammu and Kashmir police received information about him. A case has been registered against the accused at Nishat police station under sections 419, 420, 467, 468, and 471 IPC of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

According to the FIR, “the said individual has intentionally induced people to do and omit to do activities, under a well-conceived strategy for getting monetary and material gains, by using deceit, forgery, and impersonation to dupe gullible people.”

Security personnel have seized fake identification cards of “PMO” from his possession.

Fake ID card recovered from conman Kiran Patel’s possession

According to reports, the ‘fraudster’ visited a number of locations in Kashmir, including Doodpatri in the Budgam district of central Kashmir. An SDM rank officer was with the “fraudster” when they arrived at Doodpathri.

Even some of the IAS officers were in awe of Patel as he was dropping names of high-ranking bureaucrats and political leaders in New Delhi, according to reports. Patel said that he had been assigned a mandate by the government to identify buyers for apple orchards in south Kashmir.

It’s interesting to note that the ‘conman,’ Kiran Patel, claims to hold a Ph.D. from Commonwealth University in Virginia, an MBA from IIM Trichy, an M Tech in Computer Science, and a BE in computer engineering as well.

PM Narendra Modi has done a lot for Sikhs and Sikhism: Former pro-Khalistan leader

ANI
-
0
PM Narendra Modi has done a lot for Sikhs and Sikhism: Former pro-Khalistan leader

The founder of Dal Khalsa and former pro-Khalistan leader Jaswant Singh Thekedar has lauded the work undertaken and accomplished by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the country’s Sikh community, saying that he admires the community and has done a lot for its people.

In an interview with ANI, Thekedar said, “Our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has done a lot for Sikhs and Sikhism. He loves our community. He has done a lot — ended the blacklists, opened Kartarpur Corridor, and talked about Chhote Sahibzadas (the sons of Guru Gobind Singh).” He said the Central government led by PM Modi has worked to meet major demands put forward by members of the Sikh community.

“The government has worked on major demands, and only a few demands and left to be fulfilled. All will be good if they agree to meet these demands,” he said.

Earlier, Prime Minister Modi had met prominent Sikhs from across the country at his official residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. The delegation thanked the Prime Minister for taking steps for the welfare of the Sikh community, and especially for honouring Chaar Sahibzaade through his decision to declare December 26 every year as Veer Baal Diwas.

Each member of the delegation honoured Prime Minister Modi with ‘Siropao’ and ‘Siri Sahib’.

PM Modi said people in many regions of the country are not aware of the contribution and sacrifice of Chaar Sahibzaade. He recalled that whenever he got an opportunity to speak in schools and in front of children, he always spoke about Chaar Sahibzaade.

The decision to observe December 26 as Veer Baal Diwas will go a long way in making children from different corners of the country aware of them, PM Modi said.

He thanked the leaders of the Sikh Community for visiting him, saying that the doors of his house were always open for them. He recalled his connection with them and the time spent together during the course of his stay in Punjab.

He also praised the spirit of service of the Sikh community, saying that the world needs to be made more aware of it. He said that his government was fully committed to the welfare of the Sikh community. He talked about several steps taken by the government in this regard.

He discussed the special arrangements that were made to bring back Guru Granth Sahib from Afghanistan with full honour while also talking about the steps taken by the government through diplomatic channels to open up the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for Sikh pilgrims.

In February last year, Prime Minister Modi met members of a Sikh-Hindu Delegation from Afghanistan at his 7 Lok Kalyan Marg residence. They honoured and thanked him for bringing Sikhs and Hindus safely to India from Afghanistan by virtue of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

Prime Minister Modi welcomed the delegation saying that they are not guests but are in their own house, adding that India is their home. He talked about the immense difficulties faced by them in Afghanistan and the help provided by the government to bring them to India safely.

He also talked about the significance of the CAA and its benefits for the community while assuring them of his government’s continuous support in future as well to resolve all issues and difficulties faced by them.

Prime Minister Modi also talked about the significance of the tradition of honouring Guru Granth Sahib, in light of which special arrangements were made to bring back Swaroop of Guru Granth Sahib from Afghanistan. He also brought up the immense love that he has received from Afghans over the years and fondly recalled his visit to Kabul.

Manjinder Singh Sirsa, who was also part of the delegation that met PM Modi, thanked him for sending help from India for bringing back the community safely, saying that when no one stood with them, Prime Minister Modi ensured constant support and timely help.

Other members of the delegation also thanked PM Modi for standing up for them in times of distress. They said that they had tears in their eyes when they heard him talking about making special arrangements to bring back the ‘Swaroop’ of Guru Granth Sahib from Afghanistan to India with proper reverence.

They also thanked him for bringing into force the CAA, which they said will be of immense help to the members of their community.

On Amritpal Singh, a pro-Khalistan leader and chief of ‘Punjab Waris De’ who made headlines following clashes with the police at Ajnala in Amritsar on February 23, Thekedar said he knows “nothing about Khalistan”. He added that Singh will not succeed in his plans.

“Amritpal is not a Khalistani, he knows nothing about it. But he has certainly made a lot of money in the name of Khalistan. I don’t think he will succeed in his plans going forward,” the former pro-Khalistan leader said.

On Pakistan’s intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence or ISI, he said it does not use an asset for a lifetime and will pick another person as soon as it is determined that the previous person is no longer of any use.

“When he (Amritpal Singh) was in Dubai, he was clean-shaven. He is not a (traditional) Sikh. He does not know anything about Sikh history. I must add that several more like him will crop up in the coming years. Because the ISI doesn’t run its assets for a lifetime. When they feel that a person is no longer of any use, they replace him with others who are in line,” Thekedar said.

He added that Pakistan would not let a separate Khalistan be carved out as it is aware that the pro-Khalistanis have their eyes on Lahore next.

“Pakistan knows that if a country of Sikhs comes into being, they will target Lahore next. They will come to Nankana Sahib and Panja Sahib. They won’t let this happen. It is Pakistan, not India, which is the real enemy of Khalistan,” he said.

The former pro-Khalistan leader cautioned the Punjab government of the Aam Aadmi Party against going soft on pro-Khalistan elements, saying that the regime under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was, in effect, helping the revival of the Khalistan movement by not taking timely action.

“This Punjab government is not capable of dealing with this (threat of revival of the Khalistan movement). There is not a single person in the administration who handle this. I feel that by not taking timely action, they are only aiding the revival of the Khalistan movement,” he said.

Suggesting that the Centre consider agreeing with the demands of the Khalistan leaders, he said it would stop the movement from growing further.

“Their demands for the release of Sikh political prisoners, and removal of Sikhs from Section 25B-2 could be met. It won’t bring any harm to the country if the government were to meet these demands. If the government accedes to their demands, this movement could be nipped in the bud. Every issue has a political solution. The government can also consider putting together a committee comprising former Khalistan leaders. Through such moves, the government can bring the Khalistan movement to an end,” he said.

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

Supreme Court says it is willing to relax restrictions in eco-sensitive zones around forests, SFI had vandalised Rahul Gandhi’s office over the issue

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Supreme Court says it is willing to relax restrictions in eco-sensitive zones around forests, SFI had vandalised Rahul Gandhi’s office over the issue

On Thursday, 16th March 2023, the Supreme Court implied that it may relax the restrictions in the eco-sensitive zones (ESZ) around protected forests and wildlife sanctuaries. Currently, there are restrictions on the construction of permanent structures and mining in the one-kilometre buffer zone around protected forests according to an order that the Supreme Court gave on 3rd June 2022. Justices BR Gavai, Vikram Nath, and Sanjay Karol were on the bench that heard this case. The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change and various state governments filed this case which sought relaxations to the buffer zone rulling.

Justice BR Gavai observed, “Prima facie, we are inclined to allow this modification application.” He also clarified that even if the order is modified, the restrictions on mining in the ESZ areas will remain unchanged. Justice BR Gavai essentially reaffirmed his remarks in the earlier hearing in this case on Wednesday in which he had said, “Whatever is prohibited, will remain prohibited, and whatever is regulated, will have to be regulated. But there can not be a complete ban on construction. Otherwise, it will again lead to the man-animal conflict.”

Additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati appeared for the Union Government. He submitted that stringent rules on the buffer zones around the protected forests and wildlife sanctuaries have caused certain practical difficulties. He urged that the zones be divided into three categories – one where ESZ notifications have been issued, second where a draft notification has been promoted, and third where proposals have been received.

K Parameshwar appeared in this case as an amicus curiae. He highlighted the issue of the conflict with the scheme under the Forests Rights Act 2006. He cited the case of the Sulthan Bathery municipality in Kerala, a predominantly tribal area that was entirely within the buffer zone around a protected forest, resulting in the prohibition of any new construction in that area. The locals residing in this area are forced to seek permission from a competent authority to continue ongoing projects. K Parameshwar said, “However, there should not be a carte blanche exemptions from all notifications. I do not know whether it would be possible to have little or no buffer zone at all.”

Advocate Jaideep Gupta appearing for the state of Kerala argued that the state has special circumstances as it has forest cover on more than 30% area of the state’s geography and high population density in the rest of the areas.

The Sulthan Bathery municipality and some residents also sought relaxation in the ESZ rules. The states of Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh were among the others seeking relaxation. Besides, he submitted that the medium and small towns of the state overlap with the forest areas, and human settlements in the immediate vicinity of the jungles share a common border with the protected forests. This affects the livelihoods of the residents of these areas if a blanket ban is imposed on the construction and developmental projects in these areas.

On 3rd June 2022, the Supreme Court mandated that each protected forest should have an eco-sensitive buffer zone of one kilometre around them. The court also directed in this order that no permanent structure can be built and no mining operation can be undertaken in this ESZ area.

This decision triggered protests in Kerala, as it was feared that thousands of people will lose their livelihoods due to this. Farmers in several areas in the state including Idukki, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, and Wayanad protested against the order, as they use the edges of the protected forests for farming. The state govt and the church supported them.

The office of Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad Kerala was vandalized by SFI workers on 24th June 2022 over the issue. The SFI workers were reportedly angry over Rahul Gandhi’s alleged silence over the Supreme Court order over maintaining an eco-sensitive zone. But Congress workers claimed that SFI was angry because Rahul Gandhi had already written a letter to Kerala CM over the issue.

Rahul Gandhi had said that the court order allows for some dilutions of the provision in the overwhelming public interest, and the state govt should take advantage of the same. However, the ruling LDF had termed the act of Rahul Gandhi writing to the CM over the issue as childish and immature. The left parties had said that the state govt has no role in this matter as it was a Supreme Court order, and only the central govt can intervene in it.

Apart from Kerala, several other states had also sought relaxations to the buffer zone order, including Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. It is notable that the apex court has already exempted Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Flamingo Thane Creek and Tungareshwar wildlife sanctuary near Mumbai from the order.

In the original order itself, the court had noted that a uniform ESZ rule may not be feasible in all cases and there could be specific instances of sanctuaries situated near metro regions where urban activities have come up over the years.

Delhi: Local Hindus and BJP leaders protest the demolition of 50-year-old Hanuman temple, party accuses AAP Govt of misinforming DDA

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Delhi: Local Hindus and BJP leaders protest the demolition of 50-year-old Hanuman temple, party accuses AAP Govt of misinforming DDA

On March 15, Wednesday, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) officials demolished a Hanuman temple built about fifty years ago. During the demolition drive the portrait of Lord Hanuman was also trampled. The temple was located in the city’s Shankar road area in the Rajendra Nagar neighbourhood. 

The demolition work was, however, halted as soon as locals and members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reached the site and protested against the same. The leaders accused the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi Government’s ‘religious committee’ of misleading DDA by issuing a wrong recommendation to demolish the 50-year-old Hindu temple.

Several videos of the demolition of the Hanuman Temple located in Rajendra Nagar in Delhi have emerged on social media.

In another video shared on Twitter, locals and Hindu outfit members are seen opposing the demolition drive and arguing with authorities amid ‘Jai Shree Ram’ chants.

BJP leader Adesh Gupta also shared a video of him and several other leaders sitting on a dharna to protest against the Delhi Govt, accusing them of the demolition of the temple.

According to reports, on March 15, police officers and bulldozers arrived at the temple. Members of the BJP and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) gathered as soon as they got the news of the demolition drive. They stood over the bulldozer and halted the demolition.

The BJP leaders while speaking with the media said that Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP is targeting Hindus and they misinformed the DDA so that this Hanuman temple could be demolished.

The media reports also quoted some police officials as saying that they were taking action against the illegal encroachments around the temple.

After protests erupted, a heavy police force was deployed in the area and the situation was brought under control.

It may be recalled how a similar situation arose in January 2021, when the demolition of a Hanuman Temple in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk sparked outrage in the Union Territory. The temple was demolished as part of the Delhi Government’s Chandni Chowk Renovation Plan, and the NDMC, which is controlled by the BJP, was in charge of the demolition. The BJP in Delhi, on the other hand, accused the AAP government of not safeguarding the Temple. OpIndia then detailed the blame game that ensued post the demolition.

‘Allah’ on dress during Melbourne Fashion Festival triggers outrage, designer issues apology

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘Allah’ on dress during Melbourne Fashion Festival triggers outrage, designer issues apology

Paypal Melbourne Fashion Festival (MFF) recently came under fire for the display of religious texts on the garments at the event, on Saturday, March 11. MFF was criticized over a dress by the label ‘Not a Man’s Dream’ with the Arabic phrase, ‘Allah walks with me’ emblazoned on it.

MFF and the designer Samantha Saint James who is also the founder of ‘Not a Man’s Dream’, issued an apology, on Sunday, for the incident. “The festival did not intend to disrespect anyone and we apologise for any offence caused,” it read.

MFF issued a formal statement in response to the controversy.

James conveyed, “I apologize for any offense or disrespect caused by certain pieces I showed in Saturday evening’s MFF runway. I have come to understand how some garments have caused offense. It was the opposite of my intentions and for that, I’m truly sorry.”

The apology has since been deleted, with only screenshots of the Instagram story being shared online. The label’s Instagram page has since been made private following the outcry.

At least two designs at the Melbourne event on the weekend featured the script in Arabic saying, ‘Allah walks with me,’ infuriating many. The festival has removed all designs from the label from its social channels while it investigated complaints about the designs.

In addition to publishing a post denouncing the occurrence, Eritrean-Australian Instagram model, Mona Khalifa, also put out a video, saying, “There is a fine line between art and disrespect and this falls way, way over disrespect.” She remarked, adding that there is no justification for anyone to add the name of Allah or other Islamic symbols to something like this. “It is transparent fabric,” she added.

“I could not contain my anger. I could not put this off any further. There is no reason for anyone to put the word ‘Allah’ or anything Islamic on something like this. My blood is boiling,” the model complained.

“To use religious texts or write Allah (God) in Arabic which is sacred to both Muslims and Arab Christians and also to have it styled in such a nude and immodest manner is wrong on so many levels. The pieces also had the models’ heads covered, which feels like a direct dig at hijab & Muslim women,” she stated in her post.

The design was inappropriate, according to Tarik Junaid Asmat, another model who was present at the show on Saturday night. “It is no secret that I grew up lovingly Muslims, so I have zero shame in sharing this, designers do better,” he wrote on his Instagram story. “To my Muslim brothers and sisters who witnessed this, I have you in my prayers. I’m not going to say anything else about this,” he said further.

Bilal Rauf, a spokesman for the Australian National Imams Council, called the attire offensive and pointed out that people of all faiths use the phrase Allah. “The use of certain words and symbols which carry a religious significance ought to be used with respect,” he commented.

“Sadly, there is an increasing incidence of sacred symbols and words being flippantly used. Allah, which means God in Arabic, is used by Arab-speaking Christians and Muslims around the world. It is unfitting for such a word to be used with discourtesy and disrespect as seemed to occur at the Melbourne Fashion Festival,” he voiced his displeasure.

The controversy comes after Channel 10’s flagship program, The Project, faced backlash over a joke about Jesus made live on air by a guest. Queer comedian Reuben Kaye, who was a guest on the show, made an ‘offensive’ joke about Jesus Christ. Co-hosts Waleed Aly and Sarah Harris issued an on-air apology a day later following criticism by the community.

Delhi police issues notice to Rahul Gandhi for details of women who allegedly told him during BJ Yatra that they were raped

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Delhi police issues notice to Rahul Gandhi for details of women who allegedly told him during BJ Yatra that they were raped

The Delhi Police has issued a notice to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over his recent claims that women in Kashmir had told him during his Bharat Jodo Yatra that they were gang rape victims. The police have asked him to give the details of those women so that action can be taken in those cases.

He had made the comments in Srinagar during the Bharat Jodo yatra, where he had said, “In one particular case I asked a girl, she had been raped, I asked her should we call the police, she said that don’t call the police then I will be shamed”. He also said that he had heard that women are still being sexually assaulted.

Rahul Gandhi also mentioned it in his already controversial speech in Cambridge university in the UK, where he said that when he was walking in Kashmir during his Bharat Jodo Yatra, two women had approached him and held his hand. He said that one of the women said, “my sister and me were gang raped by five guys”, when he talked to them.

He said that when he offered to call the cops, they declined, saying that they will be shamed and they will never get married if he calls the cops. According to Rahul Gandhi, they only wanted their ‘brother’ Rahul Gandhi to know what happened to them, and then walked away.

Now, taking cognizance of social media posts on Rahul Gandhi’s comments, the Delhi Police have sent a questionary to him and have asked him to give details about women who approached him regarding sexual harassment.

Police asked them to give details of those women so that they can be provided security, and action can be taken against the perpetrators.

NIA court convicts Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen-Bangladesh terrorist and IED expert Arif Hussain for dacoities in Bengaluru to raise funds for terror activities

ANI
-
0
NIA court convicts Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen-Bangladesh terrorist and IED expert Arif Hussain for dacoities in Bengaluru to raise funds for terror activities

A special court in Bengaluru has convicted an Improvised Explosives Device (IED) fabrication expert as the ninth accused in the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen-Bangladesh (JMB) dacoity case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on Thursday.

The terrorist, identified as Arif Hussain, was found guilty under Sections 120-B, 395, 452, 468, 471 of the Indian Penal Code, Sections 17, 18, 20, and 23 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, and Section 25(1A) of Arms Act, 1959. The accused has been sentenced to undergo seven years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine.

The convict, an expert at fabrication of IEDs, belongs to Panpara in the Barpeta district of Assam, said the anti-terror agency, adding “he was operating from various hideouts in and around Bengaluru, along with 13 other members of JMB.

“They were involved in committing dacoities across the city for raising funds (maal-e-ganimat) for the JMB cause,” said the NIA.

As an IED expert, the NIA said, Hussain had imparted training to his co-accused terrorist operatives in the preparation of IEDs.

After committing dacoity, the agency further said, Arif had sold the looted gold in Assam and the money generated was then used for furthering the activities of JMB in India.

NIA Special Court Bengaluru had earlier convicted three accused, namely Najir Sheikh, Habibur Rahaman, and Mosaraf Hossain, who had pleaded guilty and were awarded seven years rigorous imprisonment with a fine in November last year. Four accused persons namely Khador Kazi, Mustafizur Rahman, Adil Sheikh, and Abdul Karim also pleaded guilty later and were awarded seven years of rigorous imprisonment with a fine in January this year.

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

1...2,3742,3752,376...7,638Page 2,375 of 7,638