Home Blog Page 3089

PM Modi’s ‘Somnath’ moment as he unfurls the Dhwaja at Kalika temple in Pavagadh that was destroyed by Mahmood Begda

OpIndia Staff
-
0
PM Modi’s ‘Somnath’ moment as he unfurls the Dhwaja at Kalika temple in Pavagadh that was destroyed by Mahmood Begda

PM Modi on Saturday unfurled the Dhwaja atop the Kalika temple at Pavagadh, Gujarat, thereby inaugurating the redeveloped temple. Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi said that when the dream becomes determination and when determination becomes reality, one can imagine the happiness. He said that this moment fills his heart with special happiness.

“Can you imagine after five centuries, and after 75 years of independence, for over five centuries, there was no Dhwaja on the Shikhara of Kalika,” he said. He further said that just few days from now, ‘Gupt Navratri’ will commence and “just before the festivities, the Shaktipeeth of Mahakali is now in front of us in its full glory,” he said.

“Today after centuries, the Mandir of Kalika is in front of us in all its glory. It gives us immense pride. Today once again at the temple in Pavagadh temple, there is a flag on the Shikhara. This is not just symbol of our faith but it also proves that centuries may change, but the faith remains constant,” he said.

Speaking about the Bhavya Ram Mandir, the newly inaugurated Kashi Vishwanath Mandir and the Kedarnath Dham as well, PM Modi said how the temples are now being reestablished. “The New India along with its modern aspirations is going back to its ancient roots and civilisation and celebrating it. Every Indian is proud of it,” he said. The inauguration of newly renovated temple is one more step in nation building he said.

Speaking on Gujarat’s contribution to nation building, PM Modi said that the state has not only contributed immensely in the freedom struggle but also in the development of the nation. Gujarat is synonymous to India’s pride. Gujarat has contributed to nation building economically as well as spiritually, he said.

PM Modi further said that the journey to India reclaiming its spiritual heritage also started from Gujarat when Sardar Patel constructed the Somnath temple which was destroyed by Mahmood Ghazni and other invaders. “Today Pavagadh and Panchmahal are carry forward the legacy of Somnath,” he said.

Citing the folklore, he said how earlier whenever there would be wedding in the family, they would come and give an invitation to the deity presiding in the temple and at end of the day the Pujari would read out those invites to Maa. This custom is prevalent even now. Then, from the temple, on behalf of Maa, a gift would also be sent to the newly wed couple, he said.

Invoking poet Narmad, PM Modi said that Maa Kalika, Maa Amba, Somnath and Shri Krishna in Dwarka are protecting the state. “Narmad had said, ઉત્તરમાં અંબા માત, પૂરવમાં કાળી માત, છે દક્ષિણ દિશમાં કરંત રક્ષા, કુંતેશ્વર મહાદેવ; ને સોમનાથ ને દ્ધારકેશ એ, પશ્વિમ કેરા દેવછે સહાયમાં સાક્ષાત, જય જય ગરવી ગુજરાત. It means, in North there is Amba Maa, East has Kalika, South has Kunteshwar Mahadev and in the west there is Somnath and Dwarkesh which protect Gujarat,” he said. PM Modi said that whichever holy pilgrimage sites Poet Narmad mentioned in the song Jay Jay Garvi Gujarat, are now on new path.

Kalika Mandir which was once destroyed by Mahmood Begda and dargah constructed on it

Dating back to 11th or 12th century, the Kalika Mandir is one of the oldest temples. Mahmood Begda, one of the prominent invaders who set up the Gujarat Sultanate in the 15th century captured Pavagadh and destroyed the temple.

Dargah atop the temple because of which there was no Dhwaja on the mandir (image courtesy: deshgujarat.com)

Begda had completely destroyed the Shikhara and then to further insult the Hindus, right where the Shikhara was there in the garbhagruh (sanctum sanctorum), a Dargah of one Sadanshah Peer was constructed. After the attack, for over 500 years, no Dhwaja was unfurled at the Mandir.

In Hinduism, it is considered inauspicious to unfurl a Dhwaja on a Shikhara that is destroyed. Hence, for over 500 years, Maa, in her own temple, was stuck under a Dargah. The Dargah has now been shifted and the temple reclaimed.

Agnipath scheme: MHA reserves 10% vacancies for recruitment in CAPF and Assam Rifles for Agniveers, provides 3 years of age relaxation

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Agnipath scheme: MHA reserves 10% vacancies for recruitment in CAPF and Assam Rifles for Agniveers, provides 3 years of age relaxation

In a huge step to bolster the recruitment through the recently announced Agnipath scheme for the armed forces, the Ministry of Home Affairs has decided that 10% of the vacancies in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Assam Rifles will be reserved for Agniveers after the completion of their duty period under the Agnipath scheme.

In addition, the ministry has declared that Agniveers would be offered a three-year age relaxation above the specified maximum age restriction for service recruitment in CAPF. The ministry has also declared that 5 years of age relaxation will be provided for the first batch of Agniveers.

This move comes at a juncture when a lot of misinformation and apprehension is being spread against the scheme and its utility. By making this decision, the government has reiterated its former position that Agniveers would be provided with a variety of opportunities once their Tour of Duty is complete.

Several state governments have independently declared various perks for Agniveers apart from the announcement by MHA. Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, has announced that Agniveers will be given preference in police recruitment and other government offices in the state. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that individuals who return from the Agnipath scheme after four years will be prioritised in the Assam Arogya Nidhi project. This project gives financial support of up to Rs 1,50,000 to BPL families and families with less than Rs 10,000 in monthly income for general medical treatment.

Several other states, including Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Haryana, have announced that Agniveers will be given preference in government positions once their duty is over.

The Agnipath Scheme

The Government of India launched the Agnipath Scheme for the recruitment of youth into the Indian Armed Forces on June 15. Candidates recruited under this scheme will be referred to as Agniveers. They will be regulated by the Acts of the individual Armed Forces, Army, Navy, and Air Force once enrolled. They will be given a unique rank in their respective Armed Forces, distinct from the existing ranks.

The Agnipath initiative would first recruit over a four-year period. Following that, according to the requirements and rules of the individual Armed Forces, up to 25% of Agniveers from any given batch will be offered a regular cadre position based on their performance throughout their four-year engagement period.

Agniveers would be paid Rs 30,000/- a month for the first year, with an annual increase in salaries. A contribution to the Agniveer Corpus Fund of 30% of the salary will be withheld. The government will equal the money earned by Agniveers, and Agniveers would get around Rs 11.5 lakhs in hand as a Seva Nidhi package upon completion of their service. The amount that Agniveers get under Seva Nidhi will be tax-free.

Afghanistan: Gurudwara Karte Parwan in Kabul attacked by ISIS Khurasan terrorists, three blasts, casualties reported

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Afghanistan: Gurudwara Karte Parwan in Kabul attacked by ISIS Khurasan terrorists, three blasts, casualties reported

On Saturday, Gurudwara Karte Parwan in Afghanistan’s Kabul was attacked by terrorists belonging to the ISIS Khurasan. The president of the Gurdwara Dashmesh Pita Guru Gobind Singh Karte Parwan confirmed that the terrorists open fired at the Sikh religious place in the city.

“Gunmen have opened fire in the gurdwara. We are on the other side of the building right now. Some people are suspected to be dead, but details will be clear only when we move inside”, President Gurnam Singh was quoted.

According to the initial reports, there were around 25 people inside the Gurudwara when the attack took place. The terrorists are also said to have planted multiple bombs inside the Gurudwara. Though three explosions were heard this morning, the data of exact number of casualties is not yet confirmed.

Speaking to OpIndia, RK Singh, National Spokesperson BJP, said, “It is an unfortunate incident. I would request government to evacuate 165 Sikhs from Afghanistan at the earliest.” Reportedly, Gurudwara Karte Parwan is the central Gurudwara for the Sikh community in Afghanistan’s Kabul. The terrorists executed the attack at around 6 am local time when the Sikhs had gathered at the spot for ‘Parkash’, the morning prayer.

This is not the first time when a Gurudwara in Afghanistan’s Kabul has been attacked. Earlier in 2020, a lone Islamic State terrorist had rampaged through a Gurudwara in the heart of the Afghan capital, killing 25 worshipers and injuring eight. The terrorist had lobbed grenades and fired his automatic rifle into the crowd.

In the current case, the attack is suspected to have been carried out by the ISIS Khurasan. Three blasts have been reported from the spot resulting in suspected unconfirmed casualties. The story is developing. Details will be added once more information is available.

Audio messages reveal a complex pre-planned strategy was hatched to foment violence at the Secundrabad railway station over Agnipath Scheme: Report

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Audio messages reveal a complex pre-planned strategy was hatched to foment violence at the Secundrabad railway station over Agnipath Scheme: Report

As young ‘army aspirants’ went on a rampage in various parts of the country on June 17 over the recently announced Agnipath recruitment plan, a report by TOI reveals a complex strategy, allegedly pre-planned on WhatsApp, to foment violence and vandalism at the Secundrabad railway station under the guise of protests. Several audio messages have surfaced revealing that the violent protest against the central government’s Agnipath Recruitment Scheme at Secundrabad railway station was not spontaneous but pre-planned.

On June 17, in the Southern State of Telangana, ‘students’, dissatisfied with the Agnipath recruitment scheme, vandalised the Secunderabad railway station and set a train on fire. Visuals shared by news agency ANI showed an abandoned station, with smoke gushing out of a stationary train.

The frenzied mob also damaged shops belonging to small business owners, which were located at the station. One youth died, another is critical, and several others were injured after Telangana police were forced to open fire to quell the frantic mob.

Now, according to TOI, it has obtained audio messages that affirm that the protestors, who unleashed mayhem in the Secundrabad railway station on Friday, had clinically planned the attack. The news agency shared a message found on the mobile phone of one of the protestors that buttresses the conspiracy angle.

“When are you coming tomorrow to Secunderabad railway station? Come armed with petrol, tyres and old clothes. We will not find these at the railway station. So, if you bring these along, we can torch vehicles and trains and disrupt railway services,” read the message.

Another message circulating amongst protestors read, “It’s high time to stand up for your rights. Don’t give up the fight. Boycott TOD, conduct old recruitments..Chalo Vizag ARO.”

In yet another clip accessed by TOI a man is heard saying, The lion has arrived, now do what you can.

The report suggests that some protesters were allegedly assisted by tutors, who coached them for their entrance exams.

Meanwhile, a police officer was also quoted by the news agency as saying, “The conspiracy to strike Secunderabad railway station was hatched on Thursday and protesters were mobilised. A preliminary probe confirmed this.”

He further informed that some of the primary organisers founded Whatsapp groups such as Justice for Army CEE and Hakimpet Army Soldier. Police are using WhatsApp phone records to try to track down the perpetrators.

“At least 200 protesters boarded the Krishna Express to reach Secunderabad at 6 am. We have accessed multiple audio clips with appeals to carry petrol and set ablaze public property,” said the cop.

Violence against Agnipath scheme continued in several parts of the country

On June 17, mobs of people claiming to be armed forces aspirants took to the streets and destroyed public property under the pretext of ‘peaceful protests’ and demonstrations. While demanding a rollback of the government scheme, they vandalised public property, burnt trains and brought life to a standstill across the various Indian states.

While a school bus carrying small kids and teachers was attacked in Darbhanga in Bihar, in UP’s Mathura, the so-called young protestors hurled stones at an old couple passing through the road. Another video had gone going viral over the internet in which some protestors could be seen saying that if the government doesn’t repeal the scheme, they will become terrorists instead of joining the army. 

Several trains were set ablaze at various stations by the anti-Agnipath scheme protestors, resulting in the cancellation of large number of trains across the nation. Railway stations at Ballia in Uttar Pradesh, Samastipur and Aarah in Bihar, and Secunderabad in Telangana were attacked and trains were set ablaze by the rioting ‘youth.’ The East Coast Express was attacked and its coaches were set ablaze at Secunderabad Railway Station. Similarly, several coaches of the Jammu Tawi-Guwahati was burnt in Samastipur. Petrol bombs were also hurled in the vicinity, endangering the lives of individuals, particularly children, who were already terrified by the violence.

WhatsApp chats reveal a plot to stoke violence in Kanpur over the central govt’s Army recruitment scheme

Earlier in the day, another report emerged suggesting that much as the vandalism at Secunderabad railway station was pre-planned, a complete strategy to provoke rioting and vandalism in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh was also plotted on Whatsapp.

The Whatsapp messages, as accessed by the Times Now, revealed a plan devised by the rioters to torch a police station. “Chalo chowki phoonk dete hain (let’s burn down the police station),” read one of the messages of the WhatsApp group, demonstrating how social media and chat apps are used by rioters to mobilise support and plan for violence in the name of protest against the Agnipath scheme. The WhatsApp group wherein these kinds of inflammatory messages were circulated was named ‘Boycott TOD.’

The UP police are now probing if the violence that broke out in Kanpur over the Agnipath recruitment scheme was a part of the “larger conspiracy” by the rioters to throw the city into chaos, as the Whatsapp chats suggest that the vandalism and violence may have been planned in advance.

Gujarat: PM Modi visits Gandhinagar to meet his mother on her 100th birthday, washes her feet and seeks her blessings, watch

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Gujarat: PM Modi visits Gandhinagar to meet his mother on her 100th birthday, washes her feet and seeks her blessings, watch

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day official visit to Gujarat where he also met his mother as she turns 100 years old on June 18. PM Modi Saturday, visited his mother, Heeraben Modi, at her Gandhinagar residence to celebrate her 100th birthday.

Before the PM left his mother’s Gandhinagar residence, PM Modi washed his mother’s feet and sought her blessings.

PM Modi then performed aarti with his mother in the Mandir placed in the house and offered her prasad. He then adorned his mother with a garland of roses and a shawl. Visuals show PM Modi sitting on the floor next to his mother and spending some quality time with her before he left the house for other engagements. The meeting lasted for less than half an hour. 

A puja will also be held at Vadnagar’s Hatkeshwar temple on the occasion.

Heeraben Modi lives with the prime minister’s younger brother, Pankaj Modi, at Raysan village on the outskirts of Gandhinagar city.

PM Modi is also scheduled to visit the newly renovated Pavagadh Temple later in the day today where he will unfurl the flag after performing pooja. He will also take part in a meeting at the heritage forest nearby.

The Shree Kalika Mata temple is one of the oldest temples in the area. The temple has undergone two phases of redevelopment. The Prime Minister officially opened the first phase of the renovation in April of this year. Prime Minister Modi lay the foundation stone for the second phase of reconstruction in 2017. According to a government release, this involves a three-level extension of the temple’s base and ‘parisar,’ as well as the installation of utilities such as street lights and a CCTV system.

The renovation work of the temple has been completed by the trust at an estimated cost of Rs 12 crores, out of the estimated expenditure of Rs 125 crore for the development of the entire complex except for the temple.

PM Modi would also visit Vadodara to address around 4 lakh people including beneficiaries of various government schemes. The event is set to take place at Leprosy Hospital near Sardar Estate. PM Modi will also be dedicating sewage treatment plant in Anand which was built at a cost of Rs 16.3 crore. It will benefit 41,000 residents of Umreth.

This is PM Modi’s second visit to Gujarat this month.

Ex-cricketer Venkatesh Prasad gives befitting reply to Islamists’ taunts over Agnipath scheme violence

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Ex-cricketer Venkatesh Prasad gives befitting reply to Islamists’ taunts over Agnipath scheme violence

Former Indian cricketer Venkatesh Prasad on Friday gave a befitting reply to one Sahil Razvi, Tipu Sultan Party leader over the violence perpetrated by rioting mob in Bihar, Telangana and parts of Uttar Pradesh over the newly launched Agnipath scheme. In a bid to trigger a reaction from Prasad, Razvi tagged him on Twitter and asked him to comment on the rioting mob setting trains on fire over the Agnipath recruitment scheme announced my the Indian government.

In a snide remark, Razvi taunted Prasad and said how ‘his brothers’ have set the country on fire. “Why are you not speaking now? Tere munh mein dahi jam gaya?” ‘Munh mein dahi jamna‘ is a phrase which means one is unable to speak on something owing to restrictions.

Razvi is not the only one who taunted Prasad.

Financial fraud accused and Washington Post columnist Rana Ayyub too questioned former cricketer’s stand on the rioting mob.

They were joined by other Islamists who questioned the former cricketer’s so-called silence.

‘Poet’ Hussain Haidry, who has written dialogues for Karan Johar’s film ‘Takht’, too questioned Prasad.

More Islamists also joined in.

To all the taunts, Prasad tweeted how he condemns violence in name of protests and setting public property on fire is no way to protest.

He said that if there are grievances, the protestors can demonstrate peacefully but violence is absolutely not done. And that severe action must be taken against those indulging in such acts.

He then said that those who are maintaining silence over Nupur Sharma incident where she is getting death threats, should also speak up.

Prasad is not even a politician and like a concerned Indian citizen had earlier expressed shock at the way some people were baying for ex-BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma’s blood and calling for her beheading over remarks on Prophet Muhammad. He had shared image of an effigy of Sharma hanging outside Belagavi mosque in Karnataka and had appealed that this kind of madness needs to stop in the 21st century and how this kind of threats is not an answer. However, the above Islamists who want him to ‘condemn’ Bihar violence, have been not only demanding action against Sharma but have also not condemned call of violence against her. In fact, most of them rejoiced and even egged Middle Eastern countries to take action against Sharma, India and also other Indians in those countries who may be supporting Sharma’s freedom of speech wherein blasphemy should not lead to death.

Whatsapp chats reveal a plot to stoke violence in Kanpur over Agnipath scheme, UP Police to probe ‘larger conspiracy’ angle: Report

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Whatsapp chats reveal a plot to stoke violence in Kanpur over Agnipath scheme, UP Police to probe ‘larger conspiracy’ angle: Report

As the country continues to reel under the violent protests against the newly announced Agnipath recruitment scheme, a report published in Times Now sheds light on a comprehensive plot, allegedly hatched on Whatsapp, to incite violence and vandalism in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur under the pretext of carrying out protests.

The Whatsapp messages, as accessed by the Times Now, reveal a plan devised by the rioters to torch a police station. “Chalo chowki phoonk dete hain (let’s burn down the police station),” read one of the messages of the WhatsApp group, demonstrating how social media and chat apps are used by rioters to mobilise support and plan for violence in the name of protest against the Agnipath scheme. The WhatsApp group wherein these kinds of inflammatory messages were circulated was named ‘Boycott TOD.’

However, the Whatsapp chats are yet to be vetted.

In addition, the chats in the said Whatsapp group also revealed plans made by the participants to jam the highway and burn down a police station in Kanpur. The UP police have reportedly taken cognisance of the conversations in the Whatsapp group, collecting ample evidence against people plotting to set a police station on fire and block the highway connecting Kanpur to Hamirpur.

As per the report, similar kinds of other Whatsapp groups were also involved in inciting and planning violence, destruction and vandalism in the name of protests against the Agnipath scheme in Kanpur.

The UP police are now probing if the violence that broke out in Kanpur over the Agnipath recruitment scheme was a part of the “larger conspiracy” by the rioters to throw the city into chaos, as the Whatsapp chats suggest that the vandalism and violence may have been planned in advance.

WWE CEO Vince McMahon to step down amidst a probe into a $ 3 Million ‘hush money’ payment to a former female employee, daughter Stephanie to take over

OpIndia Staff
-
0
WWE CEO Vince McMahon to step down amidst a probe into a $ 3 Million ‘hush money’ payment to a former female employee, daughter Stephanie to take over

World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (WWE) announced that CEO Vince McMahon, who has led the company for the last 4 decades, would stand down from his post as CEO while the board investigates claims of misconduct against him. According to a statement released on Friday 17th June 2022, McMahon, who is also the chairman of the company, will continue to be responsible for the company’s creative work during this time. Vince’s daughter, Stephanie McMahon was named acting CEO and interim chairwoman by a special board committee.

The decision comes only days after the Wall Street Journal revealed, citing sources familiar with the matter, that McMahon made a hidden $3 million payment to a female former employee with whom he reportedly had an affair, as well as non-disclosure agreements with other employees. Similar agreements with John Laurinaitis, a former wrestler with the ring name ‘Johnny Ace’ who now handles WWE talent relations, are also being investigated.

In his statement on the matter, Vince McMahon said, “I have pledged my complete cooperation to the investigation by the special committee, and I will do everything possible to support the investigation. I have also pledged to accept the findings and outcome of the investigation, whatever they are.”

WWE’s board of directors said on Friday that it has retained independent legal counsel to assist with the investigation and would collaborate with a third party to evaluate the company’s compliance processes, human-resources function, and overall culture.

What are the allegations against Vince McMahon

As per Wall Street Journal, sources revealed that Vince made a secret $3 million payment to a former female employee with whom he allegedly had an affair. McMahon had other non-disclosure agreements regarding alleged misconduct with female employees that the board was investigating, the newspaper reported, citing the people. The probe, which began in April, also reportedly unearthed similar pacts made with former female workers on behalf of John Laurinaitis, who manages talent relations for WWE. The paper said it couldn’t determine how many such pacts were being reviewed.

Maharashtra Police says Nupur Sharma is not traceable, police team stationed in Delhi for 5 days but can’t find her

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Maharashtra Police says Nupur Sharma is not traceable, police team stationed in Delhi for 5 days but can’t find her

Maharashtra police have claimed that former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma is untraceable and they are looking for her. Several FIRs have been filed in several police stations in Maharashtra against Nupur Sharma over her statements on Prophet Muhammad. She is presently untraceable and the police are unable to locate her, according to Maharashtra government officials.

According to media reports, Maharashtra police have stated that Nupur Sharma remained untraceable for many days after multiple complaints were made against her following her so-called offensive statements against Prophet Muhammad, which triggered countrywide violence by Muslims. The Mumbai Police had filed a case against Nupur Sharma in Pydhonie police station after receiving a complaint from Irfan Sheikh, the joint secretary of the Muslim organization Raza Academy.

Nupur Sharma has been asked to appear before the police on June 25 in Mumbai’s Pydhonie police station in connection with her allegedly offensive comment about Prophet Mohammed during a tv debate. The FIR was registered on charges of hurting religious feelings, promoting enmity, and causing public mischief. 

According to Mumbai police, a team was dispatched to Delhi to interrogate Sharma about the complaints, but she was not found. In connection with the case, a squad of Mumbai police is on the search for the former BJP spokesperson. The Mumbai police, according to Maharashtra Home Ministry officials, have enough evidence to arrest Nupur Sharma in connection with the crime. The police team has been searching for her for five days in the national capital. It is notable that besides Mumbai, there have been multiple FIRs against Nupur Sharma at various places in Maharashtra.

Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil also alleged that Delhi police were not cooperating in service summons to Nupur Sharma and locating her.

Apart from Mumbai police, FIRs have been filed against Nupur Sharma by Thane police, Bhiwandi police and Mumbra police, after complaints were registered against her.

The Kolkata Police have also filed FIRs against Nupur Sharma, based on a complaint by Trinamool Congress minority cell general secretary Abul Sohail. The Kolkata Police summoned her to give her testimony on 20th June 2022. Delhi and Hyderabad police have also filed FIR against Nupur Sharma.

Noida police bust Chinese nationals living illegally in India, suspected to be the part of a spy ring

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Noida police bust Chinese nationals living illegally in India, suspected to be the part of a spy ring

The Gautam Buddha Nagar Police seem to have discovered what appears to be a Chinese spying network operating out of a village in the area. On Tuesday 14th June 2022, Noida Police raided a property in Gharbara village, which was revealed to be a Chinese-only club. Almost 20 Chinese nationals residing unlawfully in India utilized this club as a safe haven and gathering place. Apart from Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and West Bengal, the connections of this ring stretch far into India’s North-East as well.

Arrest on Indo Nepal border revealed the safe haven in Noida

According to a report by Firstpost, the raid was carried out in accordance with information from the Sashatra Seema Bal (SSB), which had apprehended two Chinese nationals on the India-Nepal border on Saturday 11th June 2022. Upon questioning, it was discovered that the two were residing with acquaintances in a village in the Noida suburbs. Following this, the Gautam Budh Nagar police raided a hotel in Gurugram where Chinese national Xue Fei (36) aka Kelay-a resident of Xinji, Hebei, and Petekhrinuo (22), a native of Kohima, Nagaland was arrested after they were not found at their home in Jaypee Greens in Greater Noida.

According to the authorities, 15 to 20 Chinese nationals fled as soon as they heard about the police operation, but six women were detained. Meenakshi Katayayan, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Greater Noida) said, “As per our information, there were at least 15 to 20 Chinese nationals at the bar at the time of the raid. However, by the time officials reached the spot, they had fled, leaving behind only six women.” According to sources, the prospect of a honey-trap operation running out of the club cannot be ruled out and is being probed.

The arrested Chinese were living illegally in India with fake Indian passport

The acquisition of a photocopy of Fei’s Indian passport sent the cops into a frenzy. Fei’s Chinese passport’s Indian visa had expired in 2019, and he had been residing in India unlawfully since then, according to officials. Fei’s Indian passport was granted by the Kolkata regional passport office using the bogus name ‘Kelay’. The Noida Police informed their West Bengal counterparts since this Chinese national’s Indian passport was granted to him at a Darjeeling address.

DCP Meenakshi Katayayan said, “This is the main cause of concern for investigating agencies as to how the Chinese national was issued an Indian passport from Kolkata. We have roped in other agencies and experts in Chinese matters to interrogate the arrested accused. That this English-speaking Chinese national is staying in for the past three years in India with an Indian passport under a fake name is a major cause of concern for the internal and international security of the country. We have informed the Ministry of External Affairs about the developments as well.”

The Intelligence Bureau (IB) has already been notified to examine the situation. Aside from the passport copy, the police seized machinery and equipment used in forging documents like Aadhaar and voter ID. Furthermore, multiple blank smartcards were recovered. The China bar is housed in a three-story property owned by a Gharbara village resident and rented out for five years.

There was a suspicion three months back

DCP Meenakshi Katayayan said, “A rent agreement between the owner and four people, including the arrested Chinese national and three Indians, was made in 2021 for the next five years. The bar had been running for the last year. We are currently on the lookout for the three business partners who are mentioned in the agreement.”

She added, “An inspection of the facility showed that it was designed in Chinese style. Its bar and restaurant had items mentioned in Chinese script with no mention of Hindi or English anywhere. It is suspected that illegal activities like drug abuse were also being carried out there though it is a matter of investigation.”

She further said, “Reports that the illegal bar is running had surfaced around three months back and excise officials and local police had visited the place for inspection. At the time, any information regarding the fact that it was being run by a Chinese national impersonating an Indian or that the bar/club is a safe house for Chinese nationals was not revealed to the police. An occasional liquor license was recently procured from June 6 to 12 by the owners. Once we get hold of the Indian accomplices of the arrested accused, things will be clearer.”

CCTV footage may reveal more details further

A currency-note counting machine has also been recovered from this building. The investigation teams are therefore checking for a fake currency racket operating via the Nepal route. The recovery of the machine is pointing towards the huge cash that used to be transacted in the club. For the last three days, police were also looking for the DVR (Digital Video Recording) of the CCTVs installed nearby. The police have now got the DVR and an expert is called on to recover the data from the same.

The Indians involved in the Chinese club

The police are searching for the jailed Chinese national’s three Indian associates. One of them is Ravi Natwarlal. Fei has consistently mentioned him as one of the Indians who signed the leasing deal for the club’s premises. The BMW that Fei was driving when he was apprehended outside one of Gurugram’s five-star hotels is also registered in the name of Ravi’s firm, which is situated in Panipat, Haryana.

A police official said, “This person’s name has been mentioned at several points and he seems to be the point of contact for the accused and others in India. We are contacting local police, but he seems to be absconding and his phone is switched off.”

A shell company was registered in Kanpur to route the money

The club ‘Tianshang Renjian’ (which means ‘Heaven on Earth’ in Chinese) is registered as a non-government private limited business with the Kanpur registrar of companies. It was registered on November 5, 2020, two days after the date on the rent agreement in Greater Noida. According to Ministry of Corporate Affairs documents, the company has two partners, including Ravi. The name of this firm may also be seen on various documents recovered from the detained suspect.

DCP Meenakshi Katyayan further stated, “During interrogation Petekhrinuo revealed that she met Xu Fei at a nightclub in Gurugram last year and got into a relationship with him after which they moved to rented accommodation in Jaypee Greens in Greater Noida.”

About the fake companies, she said, “One of the firms is registered in Ghaziabad which was checked by local police and the address was fake. Another one registered in Panipat, Haryana is also being checked and is most likely a fake one. The business firms have fake GST numbers as well. The girl was a big spender. Looking into her bank accounts, found transactions to the tune of nearly Rs 52 lakh spread over the last four or five months. There are shopping trips of over Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh at a time. The money to her bank accounts was being routed through the fake business companies established by the Chinese national. She has five bank accounts, out of which large transactions have been carried out in one account. There is a possibility that money laundering was being done. It is being investigated. They are also suspected of having transacted through Bitcoin.”

1...3,0883,0893,090...7,583Page 3,089 of 7,583