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BMC invites bids for removal of illegal cycle track from Powai lake, 10-km track opposed by environmentalists was pet project of Aaditya Thackeray

OpIndia Staff
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BMC invites bids for removal of illegal cycle track from Powai lake, 10-km track opposed by environmentalists was pet project of Aaditya Thackeray

On Tuesday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation issued a tender notice confirming the removal of illegal cycle tracks and other existing work from the banks of Powai Lake and the restoration of the said area to its original position in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The 10 km long cycle track project made using the latest ‘Gabion technology’ was undertaken by the BMC during the reigns of the MVA government headed by CM Uddhav Thackeray. The project had massive support from the then Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray, as it was his pet project.

The news was confirmed by Maharashtra BJP leader Nitesh Rane who said that taxpayers hard earned money (Rs 66 lakhs) was used by the MVA government to execute this ‘childish act’. “The illegal cycle track built on the banks of Powai lake is going to be removed. Aditya Thackray should pay back Rs 66 lakhs which is taxpayers’ money. Baap ki Mumbai nahi hai..Yaad rakna,” he tweeted.

This is nine months after the Bombay High Court held that work on the cycling track around Powai Lake was illegal and directed the civic body to immediately remove all constructions carried out so far and restore the reclaimed portions. On May 6, 2022, the Bombay High Court said that the construction of the cycling and jogging track around the lake violated the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules.

The division bench of chief justice Dipankar Datta and justice VG Bisht was hearing the public interest litigations (PILs) filed by IIT students Omkar Supekar and Abhishek Tripathi through advocate Rajmani Varma and NGO Vanashakti on April 25, challenging the construction of the track.

The petitioners had argued that building the 10-km cycling route would negatively affect the lake’s indigenous Indian marsh crocodiles’ ability to maintain their natural environment. Through attorney Manoj Shirsat, activist Zoru Bathena had also submitted an intervention application, arguing that there was no need for a separate bicycle path because the IITians already used a six-kilometer route that runs beside the lake. Activists, environmentalists, and locals all disagreed with the plan.

The IITians further complained that the track would disturb the lake’s natural flora and animals and ruin the wetland’s ecology. The petitioners said that the Supreme Court had issued a ruling in 2009 emphasizing the protection of wetlands, and they were asking for the BMC to follow that ruling. Furthermore, the PIL requested documentation proving the lake had been declared unnoticeable, allowing the reclamation of the environmentally vulnerable Powai wetland.

The Powai Lake, located in Mumbai’s eastern suburbs, is regarded as a wetland. It was built in 1891. Its water is utilized for industrial purposes only because it was deemed unsuitable for human consumption. According to the Central Institute of Fisheries Education, the lake has a catchment area of 6.61 square kilometers and a water spread area of 210 hectares. As part of its ambition to establish bicycle tracks across the city, the BMC had suggested constructing a 10-km track around Powai Lake in 2021. The then-state Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray also extended support to this proposal.

Several locals and environmentalists had been opposing the project since the beginning. They said that the project would cause harm to the natural habitat of the crocodiles residing in the lake. In November 2021, around 670 people including green activists and environmentalists signed a letter seeking the scraping of the cycle track through Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Powai lake, and around Virar lake. The letter was then sent to the then CM Uddhav Thackeray’s office but it was not acknowledged. The environmentalists also did not receive any response from the CM’s office regarding the issue.

Notably, several environmentalists staged a protest demanding the protection of the lake and the removal of the illegal cycle track project.

The Aam Aadmi Party had also staged a protest calling Aaditya Thackeray childish. The AAP workers said that Thackeray wanted to convert the city into his playground. ‘When he wants penguins, he gets penguins, when he wants a zoo in the middle of Aarey, he gets and zoo, and now, he wants a cycle track around the fragile area between Powai and Virar lakes. Mumbai is not Thackeray’s private ground for experiments,” Sumitra Shrivastava, AAP Mumbai working president had said then.

However, the BMC has recently issued a tender notice confirming the removal of illegal cycle tracks and other existing work from the banks of Powai Lake and the restoration of the said area to its original position in Mumbai.

Pi le pi le… or mere raja: Rajkot Police makes drunk baraatis dance, recreate ‘drinking games’, watch videos

OpIndia Staff
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Pi le pi le… or mere raja: Rajkot Police makes drunk baraatis dance, recreate ‘drinking games’, watch videos

Rajkot Police on Monday made drunk baraatis, men who were part of wedding procession, dance and recreate their drinking game as they detained them and file a case against them. The videos of policemen apprehending them and making them recreate the scenes have gone viral.

The videos were shared by Gujarat Tak, a Gujarati news portal of India Today group. In the first video, the police official is asking one drunk man whom was he offering the alcohol? He points out the person and then the police official asks him to recreate the scene how he was offering him the alcohol. In the background, another man is just dancing. The police official then asks whom did he offer the alcohol next and the drunk man then pointed another person in the group. They again recreated the scene while dancing.

In second video, the police official asks the accused whether they were dancing also in drunken state and then asked them to recreate the dancing scene.

Alcohol sale and consumption is prohibited in Gujarat.

Earlier it was reported that in a wedding procession, one gangster and his friends were found drinking alcohol and dancing. In the viral video, it was also seen the gangsters offering a gun to the groom. The police had started investigation in that matter. The men could be heard dancing to ‘pi le pi le o mere raja’ from the film ‘Tiranga’.

It is not yet clear whether the men arrested by Rajkot Police were part of this wedding.

Congress CM in Himachal Pradesh boasts how he helped Adani-owned cement factories to resume operations, Rahul Gandhi silent

OpIndia Staff
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Congress CM in Himachal Pradesh boasts how he helped Adani-owned cement factories to resume operations, Rahul Gandhi silent

On Monday (February 20), two Adani Group-owned cement plants that had shut shop since December last year resumed their operations in Himachal Pradesh, following the intervention of Congress CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

In a tweet, the Chief Minister’s Office informed, “Our Govt is committed to working for the greatest common good of the society. In the 3rd meeting held with Truck Operators today, we have been successful in resolving the issues & ending the 67-day long dispute.”

The development comes despite Rahul Gandhi hurling abuses, spreading falsehoods and accusing the Adani Group of crony capitalism. As such, it comes as no wonder why the Congress scion has remained silent about the party pacifying its relations with Gautam Adani.

The Background of the Controversy

On Monday (February 20), the 67-day standoff in Himachal Pradesh between Adani Group-owned cement plants and truck unions ended after the two sides agreed on new freight rates.

The Adani-owned cement plants in Barmana and Darlaghat of Himachal Pradesh had been closed since December 15 as the truckers protested against Adani Cement lowering the transportation rates to ₹6 per tonne per km (PTPK).

Reportedly, the market rate is ₹10.58 PTPK in Dalarghat and ₹11.41 PTPK in Barmana. Both the cement companies and the truck operators have now settled upon ₹10.3 PTPK for single-axle trucks and ₹9.3 PTPK for multi-axle vehicles.

The stalemate ended following a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, with both sides deciding to resume operations on Tuesday (February 21).

The government had earlier said that it was incurring a daily loss of over ₹1 crore in taxes due to the closure of the plants. The Adani Group completed the $6.5 billion acquisition of Ambuja Cements and ACC in September 2022.

Days after Congress came to power, the plants closed down over the freight dispute. The reopening of the Barmana and Darlaghat plants is expected to help in the economic, social, and overall development of the state.

Rahul Gandhi and his doublespeak on the Adani Group

In September 2022, Rahul Gandhi insulted a female journalist from NDTV because the controversial media house was acquired by the Adani group.He repeatedly told the female journalist that she has a ‘new owner’ before eventually moving on to not answering her original question.

The Congress party had also helped ‘mainstream’ the disinformation that the Adani group, which manages the operations of the Mundra port, was somehow responsible for 3000 kg of heroin found in a shipment from Afghanistan in September 2021. In reality, the contraband was caught by government authorities after due cooperation by port officials in a joint operation.

The Adani group was forced to issue a media statement in a bid to nullify the unsubstantiated claims of the grand-old party. In June 2022, Rahul Gandhi amplified fake news published by the Leftist propaganda outlet, The Wire, which suggested that PM Modi influenced a deal in Sri Lanka at the behest of the Adani group.

Even though the Sri Lankan president rejected any such collusion or favour for any specific company, Rahul Gandhi seemed upset that an Indian company won a bid for a project in Sri Lanka.

Again in April 2022, the Congress IT cell Head Saral Patel tweeted fake news about ‘Adani Apples’ and alleged that they were dominating the market over the produce of local farmers. On being called out on social media, he quietly deleted his tweet without citing any apology or word of regret.

In March 2021, Rahul Gandhi accused PM Modi of helping his ‘two friends’ Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani. When reports emerged that Gautam Adani gained the highest amount of wealth in 2021, it was a perfect moment for Rahul Gandhi to use the news to attack industrialists.

Interestingly, the Congress scion, who had been accusing the Modi government of being hands-in-gloves with the industrialists of the country, has never explained why the Congress-ruled Rajasthan government announced ₹65000 crores worth of investment from the Adani group in Rajasthan.

Delhi: Newborn child declared dead by Delhi govt-run hospital, handed over to family in a surgical glove box

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi: Newborn child declared dead by Delhi govt-run hospital, handed over to family in a surgical glove box

On Sunday (February 19), a family accused the Delhi government-run Lok Nayak Hospital (LNJP) of gross medical negligence and prematurely declaring their newborn dead.

They also alleged that the hospital authorities handed the baby over to them in a surgical glove box. As per reports, a 7-month-pregnant woman named Rukhsar was admitted to the LNJP hospital on Friday (February 17).

When she delivered a premature baby on Sunday, the doctors allegedly declared the premature baby ‘dead’ and handed over the body (wrapped in a sheet) in a surgical glove box.

It was only after a few hours that the family, which hails from the Mustafabad area of Northeast Delhi, discovered that the baby was still alive. A video of them ‘unboxing’ the child has now gone viral on social media.

Reportedly, the family was also not provided with any papers. While speaking about the matter, the brother-in-law of Rukhsar claimed, “My brother Abdul brought the baby home and we were preparing for the funeral.”

He added, “However when we opened the box, we noticed some movements in the infant’s hands and feet. We rushed to the hospital, but there was no one to address us. The guards were rude, the doctors refused, we couldn’t even meet and inform the mother that the child was alive.”

LNJP hospital initiates probe into the matter

The family immediately rushed to the hospital to inform the doctors but was instead met with uncooperative hospital staff, as per reports. They were also unable to meet and inform the mother that the child was alive.

After they informed the police, the doctors at LNJP hospital eventually agreed to admit the baby. However, the hospital denied the family’s claims and stated that it was a case of an aborted foetus.

The medical director of Lok Nayak Hospital, Dr Suresh Kumar, stated that the baby weighed only 490 gm and was born in a 23-week-old condition. He added, “When the matter was brought to light, the child was again admitted to NICU (neonatal intensive care unit). The baby is currently on life support and alive.”

Dr Kumar further stated that the hospital has initiated a detailed inquiry into the incident. He added that the authorities are taking the best measures for the newborn baby’s care. Reportedly, the family members of Ruksar have not filed any complaint against the hospital or doctors.

Sufi singers sing songs praising Allah at the Mahashivratri festival in Himachal Pradesh in the presence of CM Sukhu

OpIndia Staff
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Sufi singers sing songs praising Allah at the Mahashivratri festival in Himachal Pradesh in the presence of CM Sukhu

On February 19, Sufi singers Sabri brothers Aftab Sabri and Hashim Sabri sang songs praising Allah at the week-long International Shivratri Festival in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was the Chief Guest at the festival organised by the Himachal Pradesh government.

Apart from the Sabri brothers, other local singers performed Pahari, Hindu and Punjabi songs. A singer from Bilaspur, Rakhi Gautam, sang a number of Bollywood songs including “Bahon mein chale aao”, “Ladka aankh maare”, “Saat samundar paar” and “Ishq di gali vich no entry” at the Shivratri Festival. Other artists included Mohit Kumar, Surajmani, Indrajeet Singh and more.

In a statement, Bharatiya Janata Party condemned the government and said, “After winning the election, the Congress leaders said they defeated Hindutva. Is this act proof of that? What does Congress want to prove by singing Qaeeali of Allah Hu in the Devbhoomi where the Hindu population is 97 per cent, which is called Choti Kashi, and Shivratri is celebrated at International standard.”

BJP added, “We are not against any religion but the Hindu festival stage where it took place. Congress government of the state should apologise for hurting Hindu sentiments.”

Netizens reacted to the Sufi performance

Netizens criticised the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government for organising a Sufi concert at Mahashivratri Festival. Twitter user Mr Sinha said, “Trust me, this is not any Qawwali program but the opening ceremony of “International Shivratri Mahotsav” being organised in Himachal Pradesh.”

Twitter user Piha02526 said, “Himachali people chose Allah Hu over Om Namah Shivay just for OPS and 300 unit free electricity.”

Twitter user StarBoy2079 said, “Enjoy the Mahashivratri festival at Mandi (HP). Organised by Congress Govt of Himachal Om Namah Shivay to Allah Hu for OPS n 300 unit free electricity.”

The 7-day festival will continue till February 24.

Darul Uloom Deoband issues fatwa saying shaving beard is not allowed in Islam, students who trim or shave to be expelled

OpIndia Staff
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Darul Uloom Deoband issues fatwa saying shaving beard is not allowed in Islam, students who trim or shave to be expelled

On Monday, Darul Uloom Deoband, the biggest Islamic seminary in India issued a fatwa warning the students against trimming their beards. The seminary stated that any student who would trim or shave his beard would be ostracized from the institution.

According to the reports, the notice was issued by Maulana Hussain Ahmad Haridwari, who oversees Darul Uloom’s education division. He mentioned in the notice that shaving or trimming of beard is a wrong practice as per Islam and that the students at the college shall never get their beards shaved.

The letter made it quite clear that any current student who shaves would be dismissed from the university. It added that any student attempting to enter the university for the next semester by shaving off his beard would not be admitted to the premises.

Reiterating that the students who shave beards would be ostracized, the notice stated that the university would not tolerate student disobedience. The fatwa further recalled that on February 6, four of the Darul Uloom Deoband students were dismissed for trimming their beards. Reports mention that the students had issued a letter of apology to the seminary, but the latter did not heed.

The fatwa issued by the seminary has been welcomed by the Ulema of Deoband, Maulana Mufti Asad Qasmi. Maulana Mufti Asad Qasmi of Madrasa Jamia Sheikhul Hind, who is also a former student of Darul Uloom said that everything that Hazrat Mohammad Sahib has adopted is Sunnat. “Every Muslim should spend his life by following Sunnat and Shariah principles. It is Sunnah to keep a handful of beards in Islam. If the beard growing more than this is cut, then there is no harm in it. But it should be maintained,” he said.

Earlier, the Ulema had issued a fatwa against Mulsim women and had barred them from taking “unnecessary photographs” and uploading them on social media. Also, Darul Uloom Deoband had issued a fatwa against the Mulsim women from shaping eyebrows or donning a haircut. The seminary had said that any woman who shapes eyebrows or gets a haircut is indulging in un-Islamic behaviour.

Delhi Jal Board’s Naresh Singh arrested in Water Bill Scam, accused of siphoning off Rs 20 crores

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi Jal Board’s Naresh Singh arrested in Water Bill Scam, accused of siphoning off Rs 20 crores

On February 20, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested the Joint Director of Delhi Jal Board, Naresh Singh, for allegedly siphoning off Rs 20 crores in a water bill scam. He was arrested after ACB questioned him for hours. Reports suggest that Singh received bribes worth Lakhs from the directors of Aurrum and Fresh Pay.

In a statement, ACB said he allegedly did not reconcile the bill payments with the company, which was his duty as the board’s Deputy Director. In December 2022, an FIR was registered in the alleged e-kiosk water bill scam of Rs 20 crores. During the investigation, several employees of Aurrum and Fresh Pay were arrested.

Reports suggest that the three accused in the case, 56-year-old Raju Nair, 52-year-old Gopi Kumar Kedia and Dr Abhilash Vasikuttan Pillao, are senior officials at an IT company. They were awarded the contract for setting up automotive bill payment collection machines at DJB offices. ACB alleged that the company continued collecting the money until 2020 despite the contract ending in 2019. Though Nair is a resident of Moscow, Russia, he has an Indian Passport.

In a statement, ACB JCP Madhur Verma said that Singh received bribes from the directors of two accused companies, Arrum and Fresh Pay. The contract between DJB and the accused companies for extended for the first time in 2015. Since then, Singh allegedly helped the companies extend the contract to collect bill payments from e-kiosks until 2020. He said, “He allegedly kept silent over the reconciliation of water bills while getting the extension done for the Fresh Pay company.”

The investigation is underway, and the ACB is trying to establish if other government officials or bank employees are involved in the case.

Son of Uddhav Thackeray’s party MLA attacks singer Sonu Nigam, injures two other associates

OpIndia Staff
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Son of Uddhav Thackeray’s party MLA attacks singer Sonu Nigam, injures two other associates

On February 20, son of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray group) MLA Prakash Phaterpekar’s son Swapnil allegedly attacked singer Sonu Nigam after a concert. In the attack, Nigam’s close associates, Hari Prasad and Rabbani Khan, got injured, and the singer fell on the stairs. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media. A case has been filed under Sections 341, 337 and 323 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

As per reports, when Nigam was leaving the event venue from backstage, Swapnil approached him for a selfie. The singer refused the same, after which he tried to take selfies forcefully. His bodyguard came in between to protect Sonu. Nigam’s associates also tried to stop him, but Swapnil pushed them. In the video, Nigam’s associates could be seen falling off the stairs. Rabbani is the son of Sonu Nigam’s guru and mentor Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan.

Speaking to the media, Nigam said he had filed a complaint as people should understand that forcing someone to get a selfie is wrong. He said, “I was asked to get a selfie, to which I refused. The person grabbed me. Later I came to know he was Swapnil Phaterpekar. My close associate Hari Prasad came to my rescue, and Swapnil pushed him too. I was also pushed. When Rabbani came to save me, he was pushed as well. He narrowly escaped serious injuries. Rabbani was lucky there was no metal [where he fell].”

‘Uddhav’s Sena reduced to Gundo Ki Sena’ – BJP reacted to the incident

Bharatiya Janata Party’s national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said, “Once again, the true face of the Uddhav Sena, which has now reduced to Gundo Ki Sena, has come to the fore where MLA of Uddhav’s Sena Prakash Phaterpekar’s son attacking Sonu Nigam and other artists merely for a selfie. This shows the sense of arrogance and entitlement and also the violent politics and violent ways that are pursued by the Uddhav Ki Sena. It also shows that this is not one incident but a serial offender as far as violence is concerned. They have attacked a 60-year-old Navy veteran, and they have attacked other people, also physically and violently. Now they attacked artists, including Sonu Nigam. It only showed the mindset and the approach that Uddhav Sena now believes in.”

“This is complete political frustration and something that the people of Maharashtra have totally rejected. Today, Uddhav Ji should tell us whether he will take action on this MLA. Whether he will take action on his son? Whether such kind of politics is condoned by him or condemned by him. This is the true face of Uddhav Ji Ki Sena, and unfortunately, today, we once again witnessed the politics of violence and gundagardi that has now become a norm for these people,” he added.

Police statement

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Hemrajsingh Rajput said, “After a live concert, Sonu Nigam was coming down from the stage when a man held him. After objection he pushed Sonu Nigam & two other men with him from the steps, one of those two men sustained injuries. The accused’s name is Swapnil Phaterpekar.” He added, “As per interaction with Sonu Nigam, the incident didn’t seem to be intentional, it was done by a single person. The volunteers then controlled the situation. Only one name in FIR. It’s just a case where the singer was held by the accused maybe due to the intention of having a photo.”

Nigam was performing at the Chembur Festival, organised by MLA Prakash Phaterpekar. MLA’s son allegedly misbehaved with Nigam’s manager Saira and asked her to leave the stage. When Nigam was leaving the stage, he asked for a selfie, which the singer refused. The agitated son of the MLA pushed the bodyguard and then pushed the singer. Rabbani sustained injuries and was rushed to Zen Hospital in Chembur.

George Soros linked organisation wanted Alt News’ Mohammed Zubair to win Nobel Peace Prize

OpIndia Staff
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George Soros linked organisation wanted Alt News’ Mohammed Zubair to win Nobel Peace Prize

On February 20, Alt News’ co-founder and dubious fact-checker Mohammed Zubair shared a screenshot of the Times Now report. He sarcastically wrote, “*Viewers! Exclusive information coming in here. Here’s how Mohammed Zubair is linked to George Soror*. Meanwhile Yashaswi Ji”

Zubair mocked Times Now for establishing link between Alt News and Soros. Source: Twitter

The screenshot was from a program where the media house showed that Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) and The Poynter Institute for Media Studies, which runs International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), were both funded by George Soros’s Open Society Foundations. Both PRIO and IFCN have some connection to Alt News and Mohammed Zubair. Here is the video from Times Now that was broadcasted on February 17.

‘License to Fact Check

IFCN recognised Alt News as an established media house to fact-check claims on the internet in 2019. The association between IFCN and Alt News made it possible for Alt News’ co-founders Pratik Sinha and Mohammed Zubair to run propaganda as per their choice on the internet for one year as a signatory of IFCN. In 2020, Alt News’ signatory was not renewed at IFCN for unknown reasons. It is listed under expired signatories on Poynter’s website.

As per the Open Society Foundations’ website, Poynter received four grants. The first grant of USD 25,000 was given in 2016 for Global Fact-Checking Summit. The second grant of USD 300,000 was given in 2017 to “expand support for fact-checkers around the world by increasing reporting, writing, teaching, convening and thought leadership of the International Fact-Checking Network, a project of the Grantee’s”.

In 2018, a grant of USD 122,000 was provided “to provide salary support for the International Fact-Checking Network so the grantee can continue their charitable and educational work”. In 2019, another grant Of USD 45,000 was given to establish a pan-European fact-checking network.

PRIO’s funders’ list has Soros’s foundation all over

On the income page of PRIO, the Open Society Foundations has been mentioned four times. The last payment to PRIO was made in 2021. The amount was not mentioned on the page. PRIO got payment from OSF in 2020, 2019 and 2018. Information on previous years was not available on the website. On Open Society Foundations’ website, one grant worth USD 140,000 was found that was given in 2017.

OSINT Twitter user The Hawk Eye shed more light while commenting on Zubair in his tweet. He said, “PRIO:nobel nominator for Harsh Mander & Alt New, funded by OSF, RAND etc. IFCN: approved “non-partisan” Alt News as a signatory in 2018 is funded by OSF, Omidyar etc.” He added, “Don’t assume yourself so important to be linked with Soros. They fund an ecosystem, not individuals.”

Speaking to OpIndia, he said, “The org PRIO that nominated Karwan-e-Mohabbat, Harsh Mander’s NGO and co-founders of Alt New, Pratik Sinha and Md Zubair are supported by Open Society Foundation, RAND Corporation etc. Similarly, the international fact check Network (IFCN), a project of Poynter, approved Alt News as a signatory in 2019. The assessor was left-leaning Kanchan Kaur. A point must be noted here that being a “non-partisan” fact-check body is an important criterion. There was a huge outrage over this approval, and people questioned the credibility of such an assessment. The badge has to be renewed every year, but Alt News didn’t apply for the reason best known to them & IFCN. Now Poynter is also funded by OSF, Omidyar etc.”

“Despite hardly any possibility of contesting for a Nobel peace, such favours are done strategically to add credentials at international forums. Now they are known as “Nobel Peace Prize nominees”. Imagine! The orgs like OSF, Ford Foundation or Omidyar are policy & governance-controlling proxies. They invest in their assets to develop a favourable ecosystem,” he added.

The Human Rights Law Network link

Investigative journalist Vijay Patel also added to the information on links between Alt News and Soros’ foundation. As per his tweet, Advocate Colin Gonsalves, who represented Mohammed Zubair in the court, has a foundation named Human Rights Law Network (HRLN). Open Society Foundations funded it along with Ford Foundation and others.

Furthermore, Pratik Sinha’s mother, Nirjhari Mukul Sinha, used to run a branch of HRLN in Gujarat. She is one of the directors listed in the company details of Pravda Media Foundation, the parent company of Alt News. Alt News has not disclosed its funding and expenditures on its website for years. The links to Archived pages of the screenshots can be seen here and here.

Hyderabad: Mohammad Zakeer calls off wedding after bride’s family gives used furniture as dowry

OpIndia Staff
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Hyderabad: Mohammad Zakeer calls off wedding after bride’s family gives used furniture as dowry

On Sunday, February 19, a man in Hyderabad named Mohammad Zakeer called off his wedding, claiming that the bride’s family was giving him second-hand furniture as dowry, reports Times Now. A case has been filed against him, and an investigation is currently underway.

According to the report, the marriage of the 25-year-old Zakeer, who works as a bus driver in Moulali, was fixed with 22-year-old Heena Fatima, who lives in Bandlaguda’s Rehmat Colony.

On Sunday, the wedding was scheduled to take place at a mosque, and all preparations were made accordingly. The place was decorated, guests were invited, and a variety of dishes were prepared.

The bride’s family waited a long time for the groom’s family to arrive, but they never did. The bride’s father inquired and discovered that Zakeer and his family had canceled the wedding.

The bride’s father informed the media that when he arrived at the groom’s house and questioned the family, they expressed dissatisfaction with the furniture that had been provided to them.  They said the furniture was used and demanded more things in dowry, he added.

The bride’s father has filed a police complaint alleging that Mohammad Zakeer refused to marry his daughter because he claimed he was offered secondhand furniture as dowry. He further claimed that when he went to question the family, he was abused and turned away.

The Hyderabad Police said that a case had been filed against the groom under Sections 420, 406, and 3 and 4 of the Domestic Violence Act. Further probe is underway, the police added.

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