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BharatPe sacks Madhuri Jain, wife of Ashneer Grover over financial irregularities

OpIndia Staff
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BharatPe sacks Madhuri Jain, wife of Ashneer Grover over financial irregularities

On February 22, BharatPe terminated Madhuri Jain Grover, wife of Ashneer Grover, from her post of the controller over allegations of ‘misappropriation of funds’. As per a report in Economic Times, she has been named in the initial investigation by Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) investigation over financial irregularities in BharatPe. Notably, she has been financial in charge of the company since October 2018.

ET quoted an unnamed official of the company saying she allegedly used company funds for personal purchases. He said, “It seems that the company has found certain financial irregularities in the company’s books and has strong proof on funds being ‘used’ for personal purchases. This is also linked to the audit, which is currently ongoing, but the final copy is not yet tabled in front of the board.”

Another person known to the matter said, “The interesting bit here is that the company is not treating her as a key managerial personnel hence they have taken this call of firing her immediately before the final report is tabled for board’s review.”

Jain had written to the BharatPe board over ‘alleged’ resignation

Earlier, on February 18, it was reported Madhuri Jain had written to the board of BharatPe alleging she never tendered her resignation that was “accepted” by the company. In her letter to the board, she had alleged her resignation defied every known norm of corporate governance and propriety. Notably, her resignation was offered by her husband Ashneer Grover in the January 19 board meeting. He had immediately took back his decision and called it spontaneous.

In her letter to the board, Jain had said, “Neither did I have any information about the same (alleged resignation), nor have I tendered any such resignation.” She further alleged the resignation was accepted only because she was the wife of Ashneer. She also reminded the board that her role in the company was beyond her relationship with Grover. Jain was asked to be on compulsory leave of absence on January 20.

Notably, on February 20, Jain had also written to independent consultant A&M demanding an explanation on how the contents of the probe into the financial practices of the company were leaked. In a report by A&M, it was alleged that Jain and her family members, brother Shwetank Jain and brother-in-law Deepak Jagdishram Gupta, were involved in financial irregularities at the company. Though the report was submitted on January 25, Suhail Sameer, Chief Executive of BharatPe, had already sought her registration on January 20.

Allegations against Ashneer and Madhuri

In the last two months, two different sets of allegations have been laid down against Ashneer Grover and his wife, Madhuri Jain Grover. In January this year, it was reported that the couple had misbehaved with a Kotak Mahindra Bank employee over a phone call last year. The Bank had allegedly failed to finance their application and buy shares of FSN E-commerce Ventures that runs cosmetics platform Nykaa.

Later in February, the independent investigation agency A&M found that there were irregularities in the company’s books. The first allegation was linked to anomalies in recruitment, while the second concerns paying non-existent vendors. Madhuri Grover, Ashneer Grover’s wife and her brother, Shwetank Jain, are reportedly linked to both the financial wrongdoings. The second allegation was linked to dealings with non-existing vendors and payments of penalties to avoid show-cause notices.

Gurugram: Maulvi Hasan, Taiyab, Waris and five others arrested for raping two minor girls inside madarsa, blackmailing with videos

OpIndia Staff
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Gurugram: Maulvi Hasan, Taiyab, Waris and five others arrested for raping two minor girls inside madarsa, blackmailing with videos

The Gurugram Police on Tuesday arrested Maulvi Mohammed Hasan and 8 of his relatives for gang-raping two minor girls and recording the crime inside their madarsa. The criminals had used the videos of the heinous crime to blackmail the families of the victims and had demanded Rs 10 lakhs.

They had then published the video on social media after the families failed to pay the amount.

The matter came to light when the father of one of the victim girls came across the video of the little ones getting raped. The video had gone viral over social media by the time he reached Gurugram Police station and registered a complaint.

According to the reports, the criminals identified are Maulvi Mohammad Hasan, Jahulhak, Fakhruddin, Mustak, Yunus, Mustafa, Taiyab and Waris. The father informed the Police that the men had demanded Rs 10 lakhs to delete the video. They published the video on social media as he could arrange only Rs 6 lakhs.

The incident took place at a madarsa in Punhana, Gurugram.

The Police were further informed that the girls used to go to the madarsa for Islamic study. Maulvi Mohammed Hasan’s relatives named Taiyab and Waris also often used to visit the madarsa. They kept eye on the girls for a long time and eventually bribed Maulvi to let them sexually assault the minor girls.

Taiyab and Waris then approached the minor girls and had raped them several times. They also recorded the video of the assault and continued to physically abuse the girls by threatening them to make the video viral.

Maulvi Mohammad Hasan, Jahulhak, Fakhruddin, Mustak, Yunus and Mustafa then warned Taiyab and Waris of the risk involved in keeping the video with them. They deceitfully obtained the video and threatened the family of the girls for Rs 10 lakhs.

The Police has charged the criminals under various sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO) and the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) and has assured to take strict action against those involved in the crime. The investigations are underway.

Biden announces sanctions against Russian banks and ‘elite’ over Ukraine issue, says working to keep gas prices in control

OpIndia Staff
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Biden announces sanctions against Russian banks and ‘elite’ over Ukraine issue, says working to keep gas prices in control

On February 22, Joe Biden, the President of the United States of America called Russia’s recognition of the DPR and LPR breakaway regions out of Ukraine as an ‘invasion’ and announced the first set of sanctions against the breakaway republics. He added further sanctions would be imposed if Russia continued the incursions.

The sanctions have been imposed in the light of an announcement by Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on Monday where he signed a decree after deliberations with the Russian national security council and recognized the two separate nations out of Ukraine. Later, he has approved the deployment of Russian troops as ‘peacekeeping forces’ in the DPR and LPR regions too.

In his statement, Biden said, “This is the beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia has now undeniably moved against Ukraine by declaring these independent states.” He questioned by what authority Russia declared new countries. He said, “Who in the Lord’s name does Putin think gives him the right to declare new so-called countries on territory that belonged to his neighbours? This is a flagrant violation of international law, and it demands a firm response from the international community.”

The US has placed Russian elites and two banks on the Specially Designated Nationals list. The decision has put the banks and elites out of the US banking system. They would not be allowed to trade with Americans. All the US assets of the institutes and elites were frozen with the sanctions.

The two banks that got sanctions imposed against them are VEB Bank and Promsvyazbank, the military bank of Russia. Promsvyazbank deals in defence deals-related transactions. 42 subsidiaries have also been included in the list. These two banks are state-owned and have been accused of playing a strategic role to improve the defence and economy of Russia.

These sanctions would cut off Russia from Western financing. He said, “As Russia contemplates its next move, we have our next move prepared as well. Russia will pay an even steeper price if it continues its aggression, including additional sanctions.”

Though the US would continue to provide defensive assistance to Ukraine, Biden said there were no intentions to fight Russia. However, additional US forces have already been stationed in Europe to ensure support for Baltic allies, including Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Apart from the state-owned banks, sanctions have been imposed on Russian elites that are allegedly close to President Putin. Some of the elites included in the list are Aleksandr Bortnikov, director of the Federal Security Service (and his son, Denis), Sergei Kiriyenko, a former prime minister of Russia (and his son, Vladimir), and Petr Fradkov, chief executive of Promsvyazbank Public Joint Stock Company.

As per US’s statement, over 80 per cent of Russia’s daily foreign exchange transactions globally are in US dollars. Around half of the international trade by Russia is conducted in dollars. With the sanctions imposed on Russia, none of its financial institutions would be spared, including the largest banks.

In an earlier order, Biden had prohibited any US investment by a business or individual in the DPR and LPR regions. He had also forbidden any import into the USA from these regions and export of USA goods, services or technology into the said regions.

Gas price worries the US

There are concerns that the current situation would have a direct impact on the gas prices in the US. Biden said his administration is monitoring the supply chain and working on ensuring undisruptive global energy supplies to keep the price and inflation in control. He said, “This will blunt gas prices. I want to limit the pain the American people are feeling at the gas pump. This is critical to me.”

Russia’s reaction awaited

Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson, Kremlin, said President Putin had not watched Biden’s speech and would first look at what the US had outlined before responding.

Russia declared two new nations out of Ukraine

On February 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized two independent nations from Ukraine’s Donbas region. He also ordered the Russian Army to launch “peacekeeping operations into the area”. Putin signed a decree recognizing the two nations, Donetsk People’s Republic and the Lugansk People’s Republic, in the presence of Russian-backed separatist leaders Denis Pushilin (DPR) and Leonid Pasechnik (LPR). They agreed on cooperation and friendship.

Bharuch mass religious conversion case: Bail application of three accused rejected, read details

Nirwa Mehta
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Bharuch mass religious conversion case: Bail application of three accused rejected, read details

A local court in Bharuch, on Monday, rejected bail application of the three accused in the Bharuch mass religious conversion case. Three of the accused, Ibrahim Puna Patel alias Jitubhai Punabhai Vasava, Aiyub Barkat Patel alias Ramanbhai Barkatbhai Vasava and Yusuf Jivan Patel alias Mahendrabhai Jivan Patel, had moved court and applied for bail after a charge sheet was filed in the case.

The accused’s lawyer, while arguing that the sections of SC/ST Atrocities Act levelled against the accused were not applicable against them since the accused and the complainant, both belong to the Scheduled Tribe. Advocate Vora had claimed that since the accused had professed Islam faith, since they belonged to Scheduled Tribe before conversion to another faith, their status of being Scheduled Tribe is not diluted. Hence, the SC/ST Atrocities Act does not apply to them.

Public Prosecutor P B Pandey, however, argued that the FIR registered in the case is an example of communal discord which has been propagated by applicants with an ulterior motive of creating tension amongst the two sects of society. He also said that filing of charge sheet is no new ground for applying again for the bail.

Bharuch mass conversion case

OpIndia had reported that in November 2021 an FIR was registered against Fefdawala Haji Abdullah, Salahuddin Sheikh and others on complaint of one Pravin Vasava of Kankariya village in Amod Taluka of Bharuch district in Gujarat where allegations of religious conversion of people from Vasava community (Scheduled Tribe) to Islam was carried out by luring them with financial gains like job, house, prospective bride for marriage. The FIR stated how the funds from foreign countries were routed to India for helping with the activities of said religious conversion.

The tentacles of the racket were also linked to the Uttar Pradesh mass religious conversion racket that was busted in June-July 2021 where along with Umar Gautam, Salahuddin Sheikh was also one of the main accused. It was alleged that through Sheikh’s NGO AFMI, funds were routed by Fefdawala and others and the same were used for anti-social activities. In December, 2021, the Home Ministry cancelled the FCRA registration of the NGO. Sheikh is currently in Uttar Pradesh Police’s custody while Fefdawala is absconding.

On 15th November 2021, a case was registered at Amod Police Station Part A under Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act under section 4, 5, 4-G along with Indian Penal Code section 120 (B), 153 (B) (C), 506(2), 153A (1), 295 (K), 466, 467, 468, 471, Atrocities Act section 3 (2) (5-a), 3 (2)(5) and Information Technology Act, 2000 section 84-C against nine accused. The nine accused were: Shabbir Bakerywala (Amod), Samaj Bakerywala (Amod), Abdul Aziz Patel (Kankaria, Amod), Yusuf Patel (Kankaria, Amod), Ayub Barkat Patel (Kankaria, Amod), Hasan Tisli (Achhod, Amod), Fefdawala Haji Abdullah (Nabipur, currently, London, UK), Ismail Achhodwala alias Delawala (maulvi) (Achhod, Amod) and Ibrahim Patel (Kankaria, Amod).

You can read our ground report on this here.

Does the Quran really mandate hijab or burqa for Muslim women? Here’s how the Karnataka High Court discussed the issue

OpIndia Staff
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Does the Quran really mandate hijab or burqa for Muslim women? Here’s how the Karnataka High Court discussed the issue

In the Karnataka High Court, a churn is taking place as to whether wearing the Hijab can be held as an ‘essential religious practice’ of the Islamic faith. Arguments from both sides have cited different sources and interpretations of the Quran. Senior Advocate Devdatt Kamat who was appearing on behalf of the petitioners has quoted The Holy Quran’s translation as available on the website Quran.com.

On February 22, Advocate General Prabhuling Navadgi argued that the interpretation cited by the petitioners was from a website which is created by a few volunteers and is not the authorised version of it. The court has taken the reference of previous cases including the Shah Bano case, Ismail Faruqui case (which dealt with the acquisition of Babri structure) and others to verify as to which interpretation of the Quran has been authorised by Indian Judicial courts in earlier cases.

SA Devadatt Kamat’s arguments

On the first day of hearing of the case February 08, Senior Advocate Devdatt Kamat appeared before the court while referring to the Kerala High Court judgement on the allowance of Hijabs in schools. Quoting from paragraph 13 of the judgement, “Kamat read, “Religious practice cannot be tested on the secular thoughts or any other consideration outside the religious authority,” Arguing over what constitutes an essential practice, he said that it should be determined on religious beliefs alone and not based on secular notions. Kamat then referred to the verses from the Quran which talk about wearing a veil as described by the interpretation given on the website Quran.com.

In Surah 24 verse 31, it has been mentioned that women should be let to draw their veils over their chests, and not reveal their ‘hidden adornments’ to ‘guard their chastity.’

Screengrab of Quran.com citing verse 24.31

An interpretation of the verse by Dr Mustafa Khatab says, “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity, and not to reveal their adornments except what normally appears. Let them draw their veils over their chests, and not reveal their ˹hidden˺ adornments except to their husbands, their fathers, their fathers-in-law, their sons, their stepsons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons or sisters’ sons, their fellow women, those ˹bondwomen˺ in their possession, male attendants with no desire, or children who are still unaware of women’s nakedness. Let them not stomp their feet, drawing attention to their hidden adornments. Turn to Allah in repentance all together, O  believers, so that you may be successful.”

The second verse quoted by Kamat (Surah 24, verse 33) talks about not forcing one’s ‘slave-girls’ into prostitution. In case they are forced into the same for achieving short-term gains of this world, Allah will be merciful to them – the verse says. Kamat put before the court the above two verses saying that they talk of Hijab and that it is wearing the same is demanded in the Quran. Kamat repeated his stance on February 10, by quoting verse 24.31 calling the prescription of a headscarf is ‘specifically prescribed’ in the Holy Quran.

AG Prabhuling Navadgi’s submission challenging the Plea

On the eighth day of the Karnataka Hijab case hearing, Advocate General Navadgi continued his submission arguing wearing hijab does not constitute to be an essential religious practice as shown by the petitioners – especially by SA Kamat. The basis of the AG’s arguments as presented today was to establish whether citations in the Quran count as essential practices and whether their interpretations are mandated or are ‘prescriptions’. He referred to the Mohd Hanif Qureshi case that considered the issue of whether cattle slaughter restrictions interfered with religious practice.

Concluding that there exists no direct evidence as to prove that sacrifice of a cow as ‘obligatory’, he connected the dots of the case to the Hijab row. “What is optional is not compulsory; What is not compulsory is not obligatory; What is not obligatory is not essential,” he added. He then stated that there is a dichotomy in the petitioner’s argument to wear the Hijab as a free expression guaranteed by article 19(a) while also quoting article 25 which allows citizens to practice compulsory (Fundamental) religious practices. According to him, Article 19 (a) deals with freedom of ‘choice’ whereas Article 25 deals with the right to practice ‘Compulsion’.

In such a case, it is evident according to the petitioner’s own argument that there seems to be confusion on whether wearing hijab is a choice or a compulsion. Furthermore, AG Navadgi pointed out that the source mentioned by the petitioner Advocate Kamat was an interpretation by the website Quran.com which is created by a few volunteers and is not authorised.

He then referred to Sura 24, verse 31 which was put before by Kamat earlier before the Court. AG Navadgi repeated it saying, “Say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty, that they should draw their veils over their bosoms..and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers…” Referring to the verse, Chief Justice Krishna Dixit pointed out at ‘hijab’ is not as such directly mentioned. AG repeated that he wanted to point out the same.

AG Prabhuling Navadgi then quoted another verse (33.59) which deals with women wearing veils from the holy Quran.

Screengrab of Quran.com citing verse 33.59

According to the website Quran.com, it read, “O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful. It is evident that the Hadith in the Quran is asking women to cover their bodies while the CJ was quick to point out that it only talks about a dress which is a long gown and not a headdress.

The Advocate General has argued before the court that the source on which the petitioners have relied also does not mention hijab. He further added that if all submissions by the petitioners calling hijab an essential religious practice are concerned, a judicial declaration based on a religious sanction is being sought. “(Here) The element of choice goes away. A woman concerned becomes obligated by religious sanction to wear that particular dress,” he added.

While concluding his observations, AG Navadgi said, “For a large number of petitioners who represent women organisations, I am making a statement, dignity of the women must be kept in mind.”The Karnataka High Court intends to close the hearing by the end of this week. For wearing of hijab to whether to be termed as an essential religious practice, both sides of the spectrum argued in the court in length.

‘Won’t harm anyone to the extent of ending someone’s career’: Indian cricketer Wriddhiman Saha refuses to name journalist who threatened him

OpIndia Staff
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‘Won’t harm anyone to the extent of ending someone’s career’: Indian cricketer Wriddhiman Saha refuses to name journalist who threatened him

Indian cricketer Wriddhiman Saha said on Tuesday, February 22 that he would not disclose the name of the journalist who allegedly forced him for an interview and then used disdainful language to deride him for not responding.

In a series of Tweets, the cricketer said that he would keep the name of the journalist to himself on grounds of “humanity looking at his/her family”. He, however, warned that if he faces a similar situation in the future he would not “hold back”.

I was hurt and offended. I thought not to tolerate such kind of behaviour and didn’t want anyone to go through these kind of bullying. I decided I will go out and expose the chat in public eye, but not his/her name, wrote Saha.

“My nature isnt such that I will harm anyone to the extent of ending someone’s career. So on grounds of humanity looking at his/her family, I am not exposing the name for the time being. But if any such repetition happens, I will not hold back,” further Tweeted Shah.

In his last Tweet, he thanked “each and everyone who has shown support and extended their willingness to help”.

Notably, in an interview with The Indian Express, the cricketer had echoed a similar opinion saying that he will not reveal the identity of the journalist who threatened him even if the BCCI asks him.

“I haven’t received any communication from the BCCI yet. If they ask me to reveal the name (of the journalist), I would tell them it was never my intention to harm somebody’s career, to pull a person down. That’s why I didn’t reveal the name in my tweet. That’s not the teaching of my parents. The main purpose of my tweet was to expose the fact that there’s someone in the media who does such things, disrespecting a player’s wish,” Saha was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

Wriddhiman Shah’s decision to not expose the name of the journalist who had sent him a threatening message came after cricketers like Pragyan Ojha and Harbhajan Singh and former stars like Virender Sehwag had urged Saha to name the journalist in question.

Notably, ever since Shah put out a Tweet exposing how a “Respected” journalist had threatened him, several members of the Indian cricket fraternity have come out in support of the cricketer. Ravi Shastri, the former India team head coach, in fact, urged BCCI president Sourav Ganguly “to dive in”.

The Indian Cricketers Association earlier in the day condemned the threatening message sent to Saha.

The BCCI on Monday said it will probe the matter.

Wriddhiman Saha shares chat with journalist forcing him for an interview

On Saturday, Indian cricketer Wriddhiman Saha took to Twitter to share a screenshot of disturbing messages sent to him by a journalist forcing him for an interview and then using disdainful language to deride him for not responding.

“After all of my contributions to Indian cricket..this is what I face from a so called “Respected” journalist! This is where the journalism has gone,” Saha wrote in his tweet as he shared the screenshot.

This revelation from Saha came after the Indian selection committee headed by Chetan Sharma announced the India team for the T20I and Test series against Sri Lanka, leaving out Wriddhiman Saha from the squad.

China scuttling probe into the origin of coronavirus, including deploying army officer to assume charge of Wuhan lab: Report

OpIndia Staff
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China scuttling probe into the origin of coronavirus, including deploying army officer to assume charge of Wuhan lab: Report

According to a report published in Providence Magazine, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s deployment of an army officer to assume charge of Wuhan lab, proving that the govt of China was never upfront about the virus’s origins and that it was all a ruse to create misleading narratives.

It may be recalled that last year in February, Chinese military scientist and a high-level officer in the People’s Liberation Army, Major General Chen Wei was reportedly selected to take over a secretive virus laboratory in Wuhan, raising conspiracy rumours that the Covid-19 crisis could be linked to the army. Reports had then suggested that Chen Wei was flown into Wuhan by the CCP government before taking over as director of the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Meanwhile, the report by Providence further stated how the Chinese govt tried to keep COVID origin investigations at bay by deliberating its propaganda media to create an elaborate online disinformation campaign centred on an internet persona claiming to be a Swiss biologist to mislead the public about the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.

Notably, Dr Wilson Edwards, a self-described Swiss virologist, had alleged on Facebook that the US was exerting undue political pressure on the WHO to blame China for the coronavirus. However, Edwards was not a real person, as the Swiss embassy in Beijing stated in August 2021.

The report spoke about another incident, wherein a Chinese journalist was put in jail for documenting the Wuhan lockdown. On December 30, 2020, OpIndia had reported how Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan, who was detained by the Chinese government in May this year for reporting on the Wuhan virus, was sentenced to four years imprisonment on December 28. 37-year old Zhan was accused of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”, a charge that is very commonly invoked against critics and activists in China. 

Further, in its effort to scuttle the probe into the origin of coronavirus, China attempted to provoke a trade war with Australia after Canberra demanded an independent probe into the origins of COVID.

Around February 2020, when the pandemic expanded from Wuhan to the rest of the world, the CCP put a gag order on any publications about COVID-19’s origin.

On December 24, 2020, OpIndia reported that Chinese ophthalmologist Li Wenliang had tried to warn his friends and associates about a strange SARS-like virus affecting the people of Wuhan. He used the ubiquitous Chinese social media app WeChat to express his concerns with his friends. However, the Chinese Communist Party, with its tools of surveillance detected the messages and chastised the Doctor for spreading “rumours”. It swiftly moved to remove any references made to coronavirus on the app.

As early as January 1, China censored keywords related to coronavirus and criticism of Chinese Premier Xi Jinping. The report probing the censorship in China also found that as the outbreak swelled, WeChat, owned by Chinese firm Tencent, blocked more words to block Chinese people from knowing facts about the raging COVID-19 pandemic.

In fact, the authoritarian control over the information regulation is so sweeping in China that barely days after thousands were reported to have contracted the coronavirus, China censored all inconvenient information related to the disease and its adverse fallout within the country. It stopped reporting the number of coronavirus cases altogether.

However, reports from some journalists and activists revealed that the number of coronavirus cases in China was significantly larger than what the CCP was claiming. But, CCP not only threatened and intimidated the whistle-blowers, but it also pulled down all the reports that challenged CCP’s utopian view of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Lab leaks do occur, and they are common enough that the government discloses them. Taiwan officially verified a SARS-COV-2 lab leak in December 2021. However, in early 2020, a lab infection occurred in China, but the CCP never formally disclosed the incident, raising the question of whether the lab leak was an accident. The leak hypothesis has also been labelled a “conspiracy” by Western virologists and media.

Leftists protest murder of Islamist organisation member Anish Khan, who was protesting against Mamata Banerjee, govt orders police crackdown

OpIndia Staff
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Leftists protest murder of Islamist organisation member Anish Khan, who was protesting against Mamata Banerjee, govt orders police crackdown

On Tuesday (February 22), the West Bengal police carried out a lathi charge against members of left-wing student organisations after they took a protest rally in Kolkata against the alleged murder of ‘student leader’ Anish Khan. The deceased was a member of the Islamist outfit ‘Indian Secular Front (ISF)’ and had protested against Mamata Banerjee’s government for 130 days.

As per reports, a protest march was conducted by students of the Aliah University in Kolkata. During the demonstration, they formed a human chain at Park Circus 7-point crossing and then started moving in the direction of the former State Secretariat, Writers Buildings.

They later changed course and started marching on College street. The Kolkata police had set up barricades to prevent the students from moving forward. When the protestors tried to break through barricades, the police resorted to lathicharge to pacify the situation. Cops also detained a few people, who took part in the protests.

In a tweet, the left-wing All India Students Association (AISA) wrote, “Condemn the brutal lathicharge by WB Police on protestors of Mahakaran Abhiyan against the murder of Aliah University student #AnishKhan! Many students, including AISA activists Sayantan and Arpan, arrested! Release all protestors immediately! Shame on Mamata’s WB Police!”

The State unit of AISA claimed that over 100s of students were arrested by the West Bengal police on the behest of the Trinamool Congress government.

At Jadavpur University, a scuffle broke out between students of left-wing organisations and TMC supporters. “Tension at Jadavpur University as Left students protesting against Anish Khan death case accuse TMC supporters of beating them up. Rubbishing the allegation, TMC leader says JU students were giving provocative slogans but they are exercising restraint,” informed journalist Soumyajit Majumder.

Earlier, protests were also carried out by Islamist outfit, Student Islamic Organisation (SIO) of India. They demanded a probe in the involvement of police in the alleged murder of Anish Khan.

According to the family of the deceased student leader, Khan was allegedly killed on the night of February 18, 2022, by 4 uniformed police officers and civic volunteers. He was allegedly pushed off the 3rd floor of his own house in Amta in the Howrah district of West Bengal. He was a vocal critic of the Mamata Banerjee government.

“It was around 12:30 am that four persons came to our house and identified themselves as policemen from the Amta police station. One of them stood with me on the ground floor. He was carrying a firearm. The other three took my son upstairs. Moments later, I heard a huge thud and found that my son was lying in a pool of blood. As I raised the alarm, all the four persons fled,” said Salem Khan, Anish Khan’s father.

MHA to probe Ilker Ayci as allegations of Al-Qaeda connections had emerged after he was named new Air India chief

OpIndia Staff
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MHA to probe Ilker Ayci as allegations of Al-Qaeda connections had emerged after he was named new Air India chief

The Ministry of Home Affairs will carry out a thorough background check of Ilker Ayci, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of Air India. Soon after the announcement of his appointment as the head of Tata’s recently acquired Air India, allegations of his connections to the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda had emerged.

News agency PTI quoted people familiar with the development, saying such background checks are common for foreign nationals in case they get appointed to the key positions in any Indian company. Notably, the process of the security clearance of Ayci will begin only after MHA receives any communication from any one of the Civil Aviation Ministry, the Tata Group of the nodal ministry. Sources suggested MHA might take support from external intelligence agency RAW for background checks on Ayci.

Ayci’s connection to Turkey and Al-Qaeda

Twitter user BhikhuMhatre wrote a detailed thread on why the investigation in Ayci is necessary. Though it is a common practice to do background checks of foreign nationals, in the case of Ayci, there are allegations against him that cannot be ignored.

Ayci has been a close aide of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Notably, the Turkish President is a close supporter of Pakistan and often stands against India on the International platform. Turkey is currently in the Grey List of Financial Action Task Force (FATF), just like Pakistan, over the allegations of terror funding.

Ayci has been connected to Erdogan since 94 when he became Mayor of Istanbul. At that time, Ayci was appointed his advisor. Ayci was later appointed as the chairman of Turkish Airlines and had resigned from the post in January 2022.

Apart from his association with Erdogan, according to a report in Atalayar in 2020, Ayci, who was the former chairman of the Turkish Investment Support and Promotion Agency (ISPAT), had promoted private investments and ventures by Yasin al-Qadi, the former alleged Al-Qaeda financier. As per the report, Ayci had met al-Qadi in Cengiz Aktürk’s personal office. Aktürk was also a suspect and trusted member of al-Qadi.

Al-Qadi, an Egypt-born Saudi national, was singled out by the United States Department of Treasury and the United Nations Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee for alleged links to financing terrorist groups. Sanctions were applied against him, and his assets were frozen by several investigating agencies. However, his name was later removed from the blacklist after several courts had cleared his name.

Erdogan’s sons, Necmettin Bilal and Al-Qadi, were prime suspects in a corruption investigation in 2013. However, Erdogan allegedly used his powers to prevent the arrest and cover up the crimes.

Bajrang Dal activist Harsha murder case: Six accused including Qasif, Syed Nadeem, Rihan arrested, all six have criminal records

OpIndia Staff
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Bajrang Dal activist Harsha murder case: Six accused including Qasif, Syed Nadeem, Rihan arrested, all six have criminal records

Karnataka police have so far arrested a total of 6 individuals in connection with the murder of Bajrang Dal activist Harsha, Shivamogga SP Laxmi Prasad informed on Tuesday, February 22. According to ANI, the SP added that all 6 arrested accused have criminal records.

The top police official was further quoted as saying that the Karnataka police have also detained 12 others for questioning in the murder case. Each accused will be interrogated separately to know the motive behind the killing of Harsha, further informed SP Laxmi Prasad.

Media reports suggest that the arrested accused have been identified as Qasif (Kasif), Syed Nadeem, Mujahid, Rihan alias Qasi, Afan and Asif. Accused Qasif allegedly has ten criminal cases registered against him.

The main conspirators Syed Nadeem and Qasif and one other were apprehended from Bengaluru on February 21. The other three have been nabbed Tuesday, February 22.

Addressing a press conference on the murder of the Bajrang Dal activist, SP Laxmi Prasad added that there were few eyewitnesses who testified that Harsha was was chased and killed by the accused who approached him in a car.

Notably, one of the six accused identified as Qasif, who was nabbed on February 21, had also confessed during interrogation that he along with 4 others came in a car and attacked Harsha when he was drinking tea at a canteen on Sunday night. After attacking him with sharp weapons, the accused fled the crime scene.

In view of the tense situation, the district administration has declared a holiday for schools and colleges today as well. Prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC are also in force here.

Harsha was stabbed to death on February 20 night at Bharathi Nagar allegedly by seven people. Harsha was a member of the Hindu organisation, Bajrang Dal, and was seen sporting saffron shawls to demand uniformity in the dress code of schools and colleges. It has come to light that he was issued threats by Islamists in 2015 over alleged ‘blasphemous’ social media posts.

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