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Anti-CAA rioters in UP will still pay for the damages, under the new law: Read how misleading headlines are portraying half-truth

OpIndia Staff
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Anti-CAA rioters in UP will still pay for the damages, under the new law: Read how misleading headlines are portraying half-truth

The Supreme Court’s order on Friday directing the Uttar Pradesh government to refund the money obtained from people who destroyed public property during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests in the state has been reported in the media in a misleading manner.

The Supreme Court was hearing a plea filed by Parwaiz Arif Titu, who wanted the orders issued by the district administration to accused rioters to collect losses made to public property during the anti-CAA violence quashed. He was represented by Advocate Nilofar Khan who said the poor were unable to pay the sum attached by the government.

News portals have reported only the first portion of the order, saying the court has asked the UP government to refund the amount recovered from the anti-CAA rioters.

The report by India Today mentioned that “The Supreme Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to refund the complete amount collected after recovery notices that were issued to purported anti-CAA protestors were withdrawn by the state, following criticism by the top court.” The other portion of the order, though, was not mentioned.

the news report by India Today.

Similarly, other media portals and individuals also shared the first portion of the order. A Twitter user with username @Delhiite_ wrote, “Huge relief for Anti CAA protestors SC directs UP govt to refund crores recovered from anti_CAA_NRC_protestors.”

Barkha Dutt’s Mojo Story (@themojostory) tweeted “#SupremeCourt has directed the #UP government to refund the money received through recovery notices issued for damages caused to public property during the anti #CAA protests in 2019.”

Several misleading headlines and people rejoicing.

The actual order of the Supreme Court

On Friday, the Supreme Court ruled that money collected from persons accused of damaging public property during the anti-CAA agitations in Uttar Pradesh be returned.

However, the court made it very clear to all that the government can issue fresh notices against the rioters and can re-attach the properties under the new law that was brought by the UP government.

“The State as clarified is at liberty to proceed in accordance with the law that is the State legislation of 2021,” the court directed. This means the damages which were recovered can be recovered again by the State based on the outcome of the claims tribunals proceedings after issuing fresh notices under the Uttar Pradesh Recovery of Damages to Public Property Act, 2021, the court order stated.

The court order, screenshot from Bar and Bench article

Kanchan Gupta, senior advisor to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting tweeted revealing the misreporting of the news. He wrote, Hold the biriyani. Mute the music. Wipe your smiles. Alleged law handles and @PTI_News are (deliberately?) misreporting UP Govt withdrawing 2019 notices to #CAA vandals for damaging public property. SC has said damages must be recovered from CAA vandals, but under 2020 law.”

After the Uttar Pradesh government informed the Supreme Court on Friday that it has withdrawn the show cause notices addressed to anti-CAA protesters for damage recovery, a Bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and Surya Kant issued this order.

Recently on February 11, the apex court had directed that all the notices issued for recoveries by the district administration should be withdrawn and fresh notices under the Uttar Pradesh Recovery of Damages to Public and Private Property Act, 2020 could be issued.

Additional Advocate General Garima Prashad brought it to the notice of the bench today that on the 14th and 15th of February 2022, two government orders were issued under which show cause notices issued in 274 cases for the destruction of public property since December 2019 were revoked. She further stated that such instances would now be sent to the Tribunals established by the 2020 Act.

Violent anti-CAA protests and UP govt’s action against rioters

It’s worth noting that the Uttar Pradesh government had dealt with the damages to the public property done by violent mobs during the anti-CAA protests very strictly and had made clear that the properties of violence instigators will be seized and the damages will be recovered from them.

To collect damages from rioters, the Uttar Pradesh government brought the Uttar Pradesh Recovery of Damages to Public and Private Property Act, 2020. According to the law, the state would establish claims courts to examine and provide compensation for damages caused during protests, as well as to reimburse the costs of police and administrative actions taken to avoid damage to public property.

Delhi HC passes interim order in favour of Vikram Sampath, restrains Audrey Truschke and others from publishing defamatory content

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi HC passes interim order in favour of Vikram Sampath, restrains Audrey Truschke and others from publishing defamatory content

The Delhi High Court granted a preliminary injunction to eminent historian Vikram Sampath in his case against Audrey Truschke and others who addressed a letter to the Royal Historical Society bringing false allegations of plagiarism against him. The court has held that till the next hearing, no defendants are allowed to make any statements and publish any content that is defamatory in this case.

“Till the next date of hearing, defendants 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 are restrained from publishing the letter or any other defamatory material with respect to the plaintiff in any forum or social media as well as any other online or offline platforms,’ the Court ordered.

The HC bench of Justice Amit Bansal has also issued summons to Audrey Truschke, and the others in the case.

On the 14th of February, historian Vikram Sampath had filed a complaint with the Delhi High Court against controversial author Audrey Truschke and others, including social media site Twitter, for defamatory comments and false charges made against him on the platform. This came a day after a letter was published on Twitter on Sunday accusing Sampath of ‘Plagiarism’ in his 2017 address on Indian revolutionary Veer Savarkar.

Plagiarism charges were levelled against Sampath in connection with a journal article and his two-volume biography of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. According to the lawsuit, controversial professor Audrey Truschke, and two others, Ananya Chakravarti and Rohit Chopra, addressed a letter to the Royal Historical Society in London on February 11 raising severe charges of plagiarism.

Additionally, the complaint alluded to several defamatory tweets made by Abhishek Baxi and Ashok Swain, stating that they were posted with the malicious intent of harming Sampath’s professional reputation not only at the national level but also globally.

The court further noted that due credits were given for works used and the continued sharing of the defamatory content was causing considerable damage to Vikram Sampath’s career.

However, the Court stated that it was not issuing any particular orders to Twitter at this time. The Court issued notices in the case and scheduled it for hearing on 1st April.

Indonesia restores Hindu and Buddhist worship rights at Prambanan, Borobudur temples; declares them as global worship sites

OpIndia Staff
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Indonesia restores Hindu and Buddhist worship rights at Prambanan, Borobudur temples; declares them as global worship sites

The Indonesian government on February 11 allowed functioning of Hindu and Buddhist religious rituals at the Prambanan temple and Borobudur temple as it restored Asia’s most renowned sacred sites for the religious interests of Hindus and Buddhists in Indonesia and the World. It also officially launched Pawon Temple and Mendut Temple in Central Java as global worship sites for Hindus and Buddhists.

According to the reports, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed at Yogyakarta between the Indonesian government and religious leaders to agree upon functioning of religious rituals based on the main reason for their construction. Borobudur Temple embraces Mahayana Buddhism and was built in the 9th centuries CE during the reign of the Sailendra dynasty. While Prambanan Temple, constructed in the 10th century by the syncretic Hindu-Buddhist Mataram Kingdom, is the largest temple compound dedicated to Shiva in Indonesia.

Adung Abdul Rochman, Religious Affairs Ministry special staff coordinator said during the signing of a MoU in that the four temples have been mostly used for research, culture and tourism. This is after the Indonesian government took into consideration the rise in destruction of religious and cultural sites by the Muslim extremists. The Muslim extremists have destroyed world’s diverse cultural and religious heritages in Middle East, Africa, Europe and also North America.

Reports mention that the temples of Borobudur and Prambanan rest in the cultural heartland of Java. Java reportedly has majority of the Muslim population who tend to embrace humanitarian Islam as a source of universal love and compassion and have protected the pre-Islamic religious sites from the invaders.

Yogyakarta Governor Sultan Hamengku Buwono X meanwhile said that the MoU on temples being regarded as international sites for worship is the actualization of religious moderation, social cohesion, and harmony between religious communities in Indonesia. “The intention arises from the spirit of Oneness Amid Diversity which is Indonesia’s national motto. It is the key to developing a nation whose people value diversity amid the harmonious mosaic of a unified Indonesia”, he was quoted.

Indonesia
Sultan Hamengku Buwono X signing the MoU (Image source- baytarrahmah.org)

The MoU was signed on last week between the religious leaders and the Indonesian government supported by Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) Ministry, Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry as well as the Yogyakarta and Central Java provincial governments.

Bhima Koregaon case: Court denies bail to three accused, says prima facie evidence shows they wanted to overthrow Modi Govt, create unrest

OpIndia Staff
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Bhima Koregaon case: Court denies bail to three accused, says prima facie evidence shows they wanted to overthrow Modi Govt, create unrest

Three Naxal leaders charged in the Elgar Parishad – Bhima Koregaon case have been denied bail by a special court in Delhi, citing evidence that the trio, along with other members of the banned CPI (Maoist), plotted “serious conspiracy” to cause disturbance in the country and overthrow the Modi government, reports PTI.

The bail to the accused namely Sagar Gorkhe, Ramesh Gaichor, and Jyoti Jagtap, all members of the Kabir Kala Manch, was denied by the special NIA court judge D E Kothalika on February 14, Monday. The detailed order was made available on February 17, Thursday.

According to the court, a letter on record prima facie reveals that the CPI (Maoist) was hell-bent on eliminating the “Modi raj” and that they were planning another incident similar to the assassination of previous Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi by targeting PM Narendra Modi’s road shows.

“From the letters and documents placed on record, prima facie it can be gathered that the applicants along with other members of the banned organisation hatched a serious conspiracy to create unrest in the entire country and to overpower the government, politically,” the court said.

The evidence on record prima facie shows that the accused were not only members of the banned CPI (Maoist), but that they were also carrying out acts that furthered the organization’s goal, which is to undermine the nation’s democracy, the court added.

“The contents of the aforesaid letter prima facie speaks that the CPI (Maoist) was bent upon ending the Modi raj, that is the Modi-led government. Not only this, but they were also thinking to go for another incident, like the death of Rajiv Gandhi, by targeting the roadshows of Modi,” the court furthered while referring to the letter placed on record.

“If these allegations are taken into consideration in proper perspective, in that case, there will be no hesitation to prima facie conclude that there is prima facie case against the applicants that they have done an act with intent to threaten or likely to threaten the unity, integrity, security and sovereignty of India and with intent to strike terror in a section of the people in India by other means to likely to cause death of, or injuries to, any person or persons,” the court added.

The court went on to say that the evidence on record prima facie demonstrates that the applicants were actively involved in the planning of the Elgar Parishad summit in Pune.

The three aforementioned accused, Jagtap, Gorkhe and Gaichor were arrested in September 2020 and have been in custody since then.

Letters recovered by Pune police hinted at a ‘Rajiv Gandhi type incident’ being planned

It may be recalled that a letter was unearthed by Pune Police in 2018 suggesting plans to assassinate Prime Minister Modi in a “Rajiv Gandhi type incident” by “targeting road shows”. The police had then sought custody for the five people arrested and booked them under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act namely, Delhi based activist Rona Wilson, advocate Surendra Gadling, professor Shoma Sen and Mahesh Raut from Nagpur and Mumbai’s Sudhir Dhavle.

Without naming Modi, public prosecutor Ujjwala Pawar had then told the court that the email talked about “another Rajiv Gandhi type incident”. Pawar also submitted a letter which the police had claimed to have recovered from the laptops of those arrested.

Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon case

The Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon case pertains to an event organised at Shaniwar Wada by Kabir Kala Manch called Elgar Parishad on December 31, 2017. On the next day (January 1, 2018), violence took place at Bhima Koregaon, where lakhs of Dalits had gathered to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon, won by the British Army—comprising mostly soldiers from the Dalit community—against the Peshwas in 1818. On January 8 Pune Police lodged an FIR and the probe revealed that the event was organised by urban Naxals. A number of Naxal ideologues and urban Naxals were arrested including Stan Swamy, Hany Babu, Sudha Bharadwaj, Rona Wilson, Surendra Gadling, Mahesh Raut, Shoma Sen, Arun Ferreira, Vernon Gonsalves, Varavara Rao and Gautam Navlakha.

38 convicts awarded death sentences in 2008 Ahmedabad bomb blast case, 11 others get life imprisonment

OpIndia Staff
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38 convicts awarded death sentences in 2008 Ahmedabad bomb blast case, 11 others get life imprisonment

A special court in Ahmedabad announced the sentences in the 2008 Ahmedabad bomb blast case on Friday 18th February 2022. In the verdict, the court has awarded death sentences to as many as 38 convicts out of the 49 accused who were convicted in this case, while the remaining 11 have been sentenced to life imprisonment until death. Earlier on 8th February 2022, the court had convicted 49 out of 77 accused in the case. The serial bomb blasts that took place in Ahmedabad on 26th July 2008 had caused 56 deaths and 243 innocent citizens were injured in the blasts.

All the convicts virtually attended the court today when the sentences were awarded. As per law, the death sentences will need to be confirmed by the Gujarat High Court.

The list of all 49 convicts in the case is given below. The names of those who were awarded the death penalty among them will be known later when the detailed court order is made public.

1. Zahid Sheikh18. Sarfuddin Itti34. Abubasar Sheikh
2. Imran Sheikh19. Md. Sadiq Sheikh35. Abaas Sameza
3. Iqbal Sheikh20. Md Arif Sheikh36. Saifu Ansari
4. Samsuddin Sheikh21. Akbar Chaudhary37. Md. Saif Sheikh
5. Javed Sheikh22. Fazal Durani38. Zishan Sheikh
6. Asif Sheikh23. Nausad Sayed39. Jia-ur-Rahman
7. Atique Khiljee24. Ahmed Barelvi40. Tanveer Pathan
8. Mehdi Ansari25. Rafiq Afidi41. Abraar Maniyar
9. Safiq Ansari26. Amin Sheik42. Shaduli Karim
10. Rafiuddin27. Md. Mobin Khan43. Tausif Pathan
11. Arif Mirza28. Md. Ansar44. Md. Ali Ansari
12. Kabumuddin29. Gyasuddin Ansari45. Md. Ismail
13. Sibyl Muslim30. Arif Kagzi46. Kamruddin
14. Safdar Nagori31. Usmaan47. Aleem Kazi
15. Hafiz Mulla32. Yunus Mansoori48. Aniq Sayed
16. Sajid Mansoori33. Imran Pathan49. Md. Shaqil
17. Afzal Usmani  
Source: Dainik Bhaskar

The special court judge AR Patel had already acquitted 28 accused. Along with these punishments, judge AR Patel has also awarded various compensations to the deceased and the injured in this incident. Rs. 1 lakh compensation is awarded to those who were killed in this attack. Victims with serious injuries are awarded Rs. 50000 compensation while those having minor injuries are awarded a compensation of Rs. 25000. Besides, the court has also imposed a fine of Rs. 2.85 lakhs on all the convicts.

The arguments from the prosecution had concluded on 14th February 2022 and the verdict was awaited. These accused were convicted by the court under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, UAPA that is Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, Explosive Substances Act, and Damage to Public Property Act. The sections imposed include section 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 121 (a) (conspiracy to wage war or attempt to wage war against the nation) and 124 (a) (sedition), and Section 16(1)(a)(b) of the UAPA pertaining to terrorist acts.

On 26th July 2008, 20 serial bomb blasts had left the city of Ahmedabad in shock. The haunting memories of this terror attack still leave the people in a trauma-like situation. Within three weeks of the attack, major arrests, in this case, had taken place owing to the coordinated efforts of the Gujarat police and the ATS. A big network of the Indian Mujahidin terrorists was exposed. These terrorists were also involved in the bomb blasts in other cities of the country. Then Gujarat CM Narendra Modi had extended every possible support to the investigating officers in order to ensure that a strong case is built against the terrorists.

The Gujarat police had claimed that these attacks were executed as an attempt to take revenge for the 2002 post-Godhra riots. Indian Mujahidin was a section of the banned organization Students Islamic Movement of India that is SIMI. The terrorists have threat emails about these blasts to various news channels and media houses. Also, a few days after the blasts, a large number of live bombs were found and defused in Surat city of Gujarat.

Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn and Indian conglomerate Vedanta to make semiconductor chips in India with a ₹900 crore investment

OpIndia Staff
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Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn and Indian conglomerate Vedanta to make semiconductor chips in India with a ₹900 crore investment

Foxconn, the Taiwanese manufacturing company, has partnered with Anil Agarwal’s Vedanta group, an Indian oil, gas, and metals conglomerate, to make semiconductor chips in India.

Foxconn has announced that it intends to invest $118.7 million, or around Rs 900 crores, in a joint venture with Vedanta. Foxconn and Vedanta have signed a memorandum of understanding to manufacture semiconductors, which Foxconn describes as a “major boost to local electronics manufacturing in India.”

Vedanta will control the bulk of the shares in the JV, while Foxconn would be a minority partner, according to the MOU. The joint venture business will be led by Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal.

This action follows the unveiling of the Rs 76,000 crore PLI scheme by the central government for semiconductor manufacturing in the country, which aims to make India one of the world’s major semiconductor manufacturing hubs. It would provide financial assistance of up to 50% of the project cost to qualifying bidders under this initiative.

Vedanta group Chairman Anil Agarwal indicated last year that the company will invest around Rs 60,000 crore over the next three years to establish a chip manufacturing cluster.

According to Rajeev Chandrasekhar, minister of state for electronics and information technology, the government has also decided to prolong the application window for its massive incentive-backed semiconductor chip design and production plan. The change is intended to allow a plethora of prominent global semiconductor companies to submit bids as well. According to sources aware of the developments, the government is mindful that, given the enormity of the commitment, firms may want more time to submit formal proposals.

On Tuesday, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw commended the industry’s “superb” response to the government’s semiconductor manufacturing initiative.

He said, “I am really pleased that such a positive response has been received from semiconductor industry participants in such a short time frame.”

The Production Linked Incentive scheme

Following the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020, the government proposed 13 Production Linke Incentive (PLI) schemes aimed at encouraging big companies to expand output, strengthen supply chains, and promote exports. The total incentives under the PLI schemes, which cover industries like telecom, electronics, auto parts, pharmaceuticals, chemical cells, and textiles, were initially estimated to reach Rs 1.97 lakh crore over a five-year period.

On December 15 last year, the Union Cabinet approved a Rs 76,000-crore programme to promote semiconductor and display manufacturing, with a focus on capital assistance and production-linked incentives.

Several chipmakers, notably Intel, TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), and United Microelectronics Corporation, have expressed interest in building up semiconductor manufacturing facilities in India because of the attractive PLI programme.

According to the World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report, India’s GDP growth is expected to be 8.3 per cent this fiscal year and 8.7 per cent in 2022-23.  The Statistics show that the Modi government’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme would help India’s economy develop at 8.7% in the fiscal year 2022-23, outperforming emerging market rivals such as China.

After Congress-led Rajasthan govt, notorious radical Islamist outfit PFI gets support from Mamata Banerjee-led TMC govt in West Bengal

OpIndia Staff
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After Congress-led Rajasthan govt, notorious radical Islamist outfit PFI gets support from Mamata Banerjee-led TMC govt in West Bengal

The notorious radical organisation Popular Front of India (PFI) has also got support from Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government in West Bengal, on the same day the Congress-led Rajasthan government authorised the extremist outfit, set to be banned in India, to stage an annual march on February 17 to mark its formation day.

According to a report by ThePrint, the Popular Front of India organised a rally in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district on Thursday, February 17, where a representative of the ruling Trinamool Congress (Manirul Islam, TMC MLA from Farakka) was openly seen sharing a stage with members of the notorious Islamist organisation.

Screenshot taken from the article published by ThePrint

During the rally, the PFI national secretary Mohamed Shakif spewed venom against RSS by calling it a “cancer” and accusing it of dividing India’s Hindus and Muslims amid slogans of Allahu Akbar and PFI zindabad. The TMC MLA, in turn, stood shoulder to shoulder with the PFI leader, heaping praises for the “overwhelming” response the radical outfit received from the people of West Bengal, read the report.

TMC and Congress Govt in Rajasthan on the same plain

It may be recalled that only yesterday, the Ashok-Gehlot government in Rajasthan had also permitted the PFI to hold a protest in the state. On Thursday, radical Islamist outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) had organised a ‘unity march’ in Rajasthan’s Kota on the occasion of its annual ‘PFI Day’.

This came despite the PFI’s designation as a radical hate organisation by the National Investigation Agency and its documented involvement in a number of communal riots and conflicts, including the hijab row.

With its insensitive decision to let the rally take place in the state, the Congress government infuriated the BJP, which accused the former of legitimising the extremist organisation.

However, this isn’t the first time a TMC leader has been seen expressing support for the hardline group. TMC MP Abu Taher Khan sparked outrage in 2020 when PFI posters bearing his name were distributed in Murshidabad in support of anti-CAA-NRC protests.

PFI – a radical Islamic organisation

Ever since it was formed in 2006, the Popular Front of India (PFI) has been involved in several clashes. The radical Islamic outfit has been allegedly involved in several clashes and political murders. The radical Islamic organisation has been accused of having links with the banned Islamic terror group Students’ Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).

Several investigation agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), have named PFI in many cases. The first module of Islamic State that NIA busted in Kerala had some members of PFI. Along with its youth wing – SDPI, PFI perpetrates crimes against Hindus and is responsible for communal riots across the country.

The PFI is currently active in seven states of India. According to the Uttar Pradesh police, PFI has been active in different parts of India since 2010, and the members of this group have been involved in disrupting the peace and harmony in the country.

Most recently, the Popular Front of India along with Islamic organisations like the Jamaat-e-Islami have come under the scanner for being involved in orchestrating the Karnataka hijab protests. Several reports have emerged revealing how the notorious radical Islamic outfit Campus Front of India (CFI) – the student wing of Popular Front of India and banned radical terror outfit Jamaat-e-Islami Hind had counselled Muslim students to orchestrate the hijab controversy in Karnataka. 

It is worth mentioning that radical Islamic organisations such as PFI, SDPI and other associated organisations had come under the scanner in UP after the anti-CAA violence triggered in the state in the years 2020 and 2021. In addition, several leaders of the Popular Front of India were also named as accused in the Bengaluru riots that took place in August 2020.

Last year in January, the Yogi Adityanath-led UP Government had asked for a ban on PFI because of the violence caused by PFI members during the anti-CAA riots.

PFI members have been frequently found to be indulging in criminal activities, including murder with communal motives. Earlier in January, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had alleged that the PFI raised money through hawala channels for running terror camps in Kerala.

Besides this, it has been accused by the National Investigative Agency (NIA) of being involved in the controversial ‘love jihad’ cases in Kerala. The activists of its political arm SDPI were arrested for an ABVP worker’s brutal murder in Kerala’s Kannur. Furthermore, PFI members were accused of killing 42-year-old activist Ramalingam. The activist was brutally murdered for opposing forced religious conversions. In the past, the PFI members have been accused of chopping off the hands of a Kerala Professor for allegedly insulting the Islamic Prophet Mohammed.

In Kerala, most of its leaders were members of the banned Student Islamic Movement of India. Reportedly, the PFI was allegedly involved in at least 24 political murders in Kerala.

In February last year, during a rally to mark the Moplah Massacre of Hindus, PFI had paraded men dressed in RSS uniforms in Kerala. A video from the rally confirmed a lot of Islamic chanting, including “Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallah Muhammad ur Rasulullah”, and others chanted during the procession.

MEA fumes over Singapore PM’s comments on India: This is how Singaporeans were upset after Kejriwal’s ‘Singapore variant’ comment

OpIndia Staff
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MEA fumes over Singapore PM’s comments on India: This is how Singaporeans were upset after Kejriwal’s ‘Singapore variant’ comment

On Thursday (February 17), the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reportedly summoned Singapore High commissioner Simon Wong after the country’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong claimed that Indian Parliamentarians have pending criminal cases against them.

Citing sources, news agency ANI reported that India has dubbed the remarks of Singaporean PM as ‘unacceptable’ and ‘uncalled for.’ A source confirmed, “The remarks by the Prime Minister of Singapore were uncalled for. We are taking up the matter with the Singaporean side.”

Contentious remarks made by Singaporean PM about India

On Tuesday (February 15), Lee Hsien Loong delivered a 44-minute long speech in the Singaporean Parliament, during a debate on a report by the Committee of Privileges that probed accusations of lying by members of the Opposition Workers’ Party. The career politician commented about ‘political decline’ in India, Israel and the United Kingdom.

He remarked, “Most countries are founded and start off on the basis of high ideals and noble values. But more often than not, beyond the founding leaders and the pioneer generation, over decades and generations, gradually things change.”

“Things start off with passionate intensity. The leaders, who fought for and won independence, are often exceptional individuals of great courage, immense culture, and outstanding ability. They came through the crucible of fire and emerged as leaders of men and nations. They are the David Ben-Gurions, the Jawaharlal Nehrus, and we have our own too,” he further added.

While pondering about how Singapore can be protected from facing a decline in political probity, Lee Hsien Loong had alleged, “Nehru’s India has become one where, according to media reports, almost half the MPs in the Lok Sabha have criminal charges pending against them, including charges of rape and murder.”

The comments by the incumbent Singaporean Prime Minister wherein he insinuated that ‘Nehru’s India’ got somehow overshadowed by criminal Parliamentarians at present had drawn the ire of the Indian government. As such, the MEA summoned the Singaporean High Commissioner and expressed its displeasure.

Singapore was ‘offended’ by the reference of country-specific Covid-19 variant

In May last year, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter to claim that a new variant of Covid-19 was found in Singapore, which could result in India’s third wave. While resorting to fear-mongering, Kejriwal alleged that the new variant was extremely dangerous for children.

 His ‘ignorant’ claim not only embarrassed India on a global platform but also invoked strong reactions from the Singapore government. Simon Wong, Singapore High Commissioner to India, said that Singapore and India are solid partners in the fight against COVID-19, and the pandemic knew no boundary or political colour.

“Singapore Government called in our High Commissioner today to convey strong objection to Delhi CM’s tweet on “Singapore variant”. High Commissioner clarified that Delhi CM had no competence to pronounce on Covid variants or civil aviation policy,” the MEA clarified.

Wong said that the false statements by Arvind Kejriwal would invite actions under Protection from Online Falsehoods & Manipulation Act (POFMA), an act intended to mitigate misinformation in the country. However, he added that they are satisfied with the government of India’s clarification, putting an end to the matter.

ED intensifies crackdown on fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim and aides, to take his brother into custody in a money laundering case

OpIndia Staff
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ED intensifies crackdown on fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim and aides, to take his brother into custody in a money laundering case

In a money laundering case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) will take custody of Iqbal Kaskar, the brother of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim, on February 18, Friday. Kaskar, who is now imprisoned in Thane in an extortion case, will be brought before the special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court today.

Kaskar was made an accused in the money laundering case registered by the ED against Pakistan-based fugitive Dawood Ibrahim after his name had emerged during the interrogation of Salim Qureshi, a close aide of Chhota Shakeel, the dreaded underworld gangster and a high-ranking leader of Dawood Ibrahim’s D-Company.

Dawood Ibrahim’s brother Iqbal Kaskar is already lodged in a jail in Thane after he was arrested on September 9, 2017, for forcibly extorting one flat and ₹90 lakh as protection money from builder Suresh Jain.

On February 16, the special court in Mumbai had issued a production warrant against Kaskar in a money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Moreover, the court directed the Taloja Central Jail authorities to produce Kaskar before it after ED’s counsel Hiten Venegavkar requested the court to do so.

ED raids properties linked with Dawood Ibrahim

A day prior to this, on February 15, the ED had conducted raids in South Mumbai in connection with a money laundering case against underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and his aides. Close to 9 places in Mumbai and 1 in Thane have been raided by the ED including the residences of Dawood Ibrahim’s late sister Haseena Parkar and brother Iqbal Kaskar.

Recently, The ED has registered a money laundering case against Pakistan-based fugitive Dawood Ibrahim based on an FIR registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Among the premises raided by the ED, some are in the Nagpada area which was once the stronghold of Dawood. The ED is also reportedly investigating the Hawala angle, through which Dawood diverted his illegal money for spreading terrorism, promoting anti-national activities and creating a rift between religious groups in India.

A case under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) has already been registered against Dawood Ibrahim and his aides.

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