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Meet the ‘experts’ behind the UNHRC statement supporting donation fraud accused WaPo columnist and accusing India of ‘harassing’ her

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Meet the ‘experts’ behind the UNHRC statement supporting donation fraud accused WaPo columnist and accusing India of ‘harassing’ her

On February 22, the Special Rapporteurs of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations Irene Khan and Mary Lawlor alleged that “far-right Hindu nationalist groups” had intensified attacks and threats against the alleged journalist and money laundering accused Rana Ayyub.

They further alleged the attacks were in response to her “reporting on issues affecting minority Muslims in the country, her criticism of the Government for its handling of the pandemic and her comments on the recent ban on hijabs in schools and colleges in Karnataka.”

They said, “The lack of condemnation and proper investigation by the Government, coupled with the legal harassment it has itself inflicted on Ms Ayyub, has only served to falsely legitimise the attacks and attackers and further endangered her safety.”

While mentioning the ongoing investigation against her, they said, “As with many of the spurious and defamatory accusations made against Ms Ayyub in retaliation for her reporting, the experts said, the false allegations can be traced back to a far-right social media group.” The Special Rapporteurs further alleged the Indian government failed to address the “threats” to Ayyub and did not provide the required security.

The UN statement incited a sharp and strong reaction from India.

Who are Special Rapporteurs to Human Rights Council?

Irene Khan and May Lawlor are Special Rapporteurs and “Independent Experts” and part of Special Procedures of Human Rights Council. It is notable that these are independent experts and are not United Nations’ staff or receive any salary from the United Nations. The statements made by UN Special Procedures, though often shared by UN CHR, cannot be said to be the official statement of the United Nations.

It is further notable that India at United Nations has strongly objected to the allegations. In response to the allegations, India said, “Allegations of so-called judicial harassment are baseless & unwarranted. India upholds the rule of law but is equally clear that no one is above the law. We expect SRs to be objective & accurately informed. Advancing a misleading narrative only tarnishes @UNGeneva’s reputation.”

Rana Ayyub is facing investigation for allegedly siphoning off the money she had collected in the name of charity using a crowdfunding platform. She had reportedly collected donations from around the world in the name of Covid relief work and had kept the amounts in her personal bank accounts, in violation of the law.

Irene Khan, Amnesty International and China

One of the Special Rapporteurs who had released the above statement is Irene Khan. Notably, Khan, who hails from Bangladesh, has been a regular critic of India and has often tried to interfere in India’s internal matters using her position on International platforms. The Hawk Eye, the same Twitter user who did the first expose on Rana Ayyub, shared details of her anti-India interests.

According to the official profile of Irene Khan on UNCHR, she was Secretary-General of Amnesty International from 2001 to 2009. Interestingly, Khan had to leave the organization in 2009 after she was accused of receiving over USD 700,000 from the organization. Under her leadership, Amnesty faced criticism for supporting Moazzam Begg, the former Guantanamo detainee and its links to Islamist groups. 

Amnesty International is a dubious organization that has indulged in anti-India activities for a long time. Despite the non-issuance of FCRA licenses for its Indian chapter, the organization kept receiving foreign funds in India. After strict action from the Indian government in 2020, when ED froze its accounts, the organization closed its Indian chapter.

She was also director-general of the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), as mentioned by another Twitter user Sagorika. Her profile on UN suggests she was part of IDLO from 2012 to 2019. China is a major contributor to IDLO and has been part of the collective since 1989. In 2017, IDLO and China had signed a memorandum on the “One Belt One Road” initiative.

Another aspect of Irene’s connection to China is that the dragon was behind her appointment at the UN. In 2020, a China-led panel had appointed her as the world monitor on free speech. UN Watch categorically mentioned in a report that Khan enjoys close ties with the Communist regime. In an op-ed on the appointment, Human Rights Activist and International Lawyer Hillel C Neuer raised objections.

Neuer said, “Only in the Orwellian world of the UNHRC would a totalitarian regime that systematically silences, jails and crushes dissenting voices, and which operates the notorious Great Firewall of China to block Internet content from its people, be allowed to lead the process in selecting the next UN special rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression.” He also pointed out how Irene always praised China but never talked about Uyghur Muslims facing atrocities in China.

Mary Lawlor: Supporting Urban Naxals and making repeated false allegations against India

Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders at United Nations, is the co-author of the anti-India rant on the investigation against Rana Ayyub. Lawlor is also linked to Amnesty International. She was director of the Irish chapter of the organisation from 1988 to 2000.

Lawlor had repeatedly targeted India for arresting Bhima-Koregaon violence accused Stan Swamy, who died of old age-related illness in 2021. On his death, she had said his death would “forever remain a stain on India’s human rights record.”

She had been meddling in India’s internal matters and tried her best to paint a negative picture of India on the international platform in Swamy’s case. However, she conveniently ignored that the Indian security agencies had found evidence against Swamy and the court had found these allegations legitimate multiple times to refuse bail. There were allegations that Indian authorities did not provide medical assistance to Swamy, but contrary to the allegations, he was provided with the best possible medical care.

She also raised objection over the arrest of Kashmiri separatist activist Khurram Parvez who was arrested by the investigating agencies in a terror funding case. NIA had arrested Parvez in November 2021 on the charges of terror funding. He was booked under Sections 17 (raising funds for the terrorist act), 18 (conspiracy), 18B (recruiting of any person or persons for the terrorist act), 38 (offence relating to membership of a terrorist organisation), and 40 (raising funds for a terrorist organisation) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

On February 22, a Delhi court sent him and two others to NIA custody February 25 for interrogation linked to the arrest of former IPS officer Arvind Digvijay Negi in connection to sending sensitive documents to terrorist organisation LeT.

It is notably both Special Rapporteurs had written to the government of India in November last year over investigation against Rana Ayyub and sought further details. In that letter as well, they had alleged the government of India was not providing security to Ayyub.

Allegations against Rana Ayyub

Rana Ayyub is facing an ED investigation for allegedly siphoning off the money she had collected for charity via crowdfunding platforms. On February 10, OpIndia had reported that ED seized Rs 1.77 crore in Ayyub’s and her family’s accounts under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The ED has, in its attachment order, said, “Rana Ayyub has cheated the general Public Donors in a pre-planned manner and with the intention to cheat the general public donors”.

A few days after the expose, Ayyub alleged in a statement that she was being framed for her “journalism” and she did not misuse the money. However, all her claims were debunked by a Twitter user Hawk Eye who was the first to share details of alleged charity fraud last year.

Central govt clamps down on pro-Khalistan channel on various mediums, was having links with Sikh For Justice terror group

OpIndia Staff
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Central govt clamps down on pro-Khalistan channel on various mediums, was having links with Sikh For Justice terror group

The Central Government has ordered the blocking of apps, websites and social media accounts having close links with banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) on Tuesday released a statement banning the foreign-based youtube channel ‘Punjab Politics TV’ linked with SFJ which is banned in India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The statement read that the ban on the YouTube channel was in consonance with the intelligence inputs which reported that the channel was attempting to use online media to disturb public order during the ongoing state assembly elections. On February 18, thus, the Ministry used emergency powers under the IT Rules to block the digital media resources of ‘Punjab Politics TV’, the statement said.

The statement released by MIB read, “The contents of the blocked apps, websites and social media accounts had the potential to incite communal disharmony and separatism; and were found to be detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, and public order.” It was observed by the government that the launch of new apps and social media accounts was timed to assert influence during the ongoing state assembly elections in India.

The statement issued by the MIB also enclosed screenshots of the Instagram page and YouTube channel belonging to the Punjab Politics TV which were blocked by the ministry.

In January, the Khalistani outfit ‘Sikhs for Justice’ was found threatening lawyers attending Supreme Court hearing in the Prime Minister’s Security breach matter in Punjab and had also taken responsibility for the same. It was about time that the wings of separtist sentiments on Indian social media were clipped by the authorities.

Karnataka HC refuses to allow Muslims in Udupi’s Bhandarkar College to wear hijab in class while case hearing continues

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka HC refuses to allow Muslims in Udupi’s Bhandarkar College to wear hijab in class while case hearing continues

On Monday, the Karnataka High Court refused to permit the Muslim students of Bhandarkar College of Arts and Science, Udupi to wear hijab on the college premises. The plea was filed by two hijab-wearing girl students who sought orders be given to the college in Udupi to allow wearing the religious attire while attending classes.

The two girls in the plea claimed that they have been wearing hijab with school uniforms since the first day of college admission and that there is a specific rule that permits Muslim students to wear hijab. They accused the college of initiating the hijab row in the first place by not allowing them to enter the college wearing hijab posing the government orders.

According to the reports, the plea filed by two BBA students further referred to the Karnataka State University Act and said that there was no rule under the UGC act or the Karnataka State University Act which advised uniform to the college students except a requirement for ‘decent attire’. They also stated that the hijab concept was unnecessarily being given a political angle.

It is pertinent to note that the High Court on February 10 had declared that no one should be allowed to wear their religious attire inside the educational institutions until the matter is pending in the Court. A single-judge bench of Justice Krishan S Dixit today reiterated the stand and observed that the hearing was progressing before the full bench and that no other relief could be granted.

Reports mention that the Court had already de-linked the present petition while it was hearing a batch of petitions seeking to declare wearing of hijab as an Essential Religious Practice, to the larger bench on February 8.

The hijab controversy in Karnataka has gained momentum since the first week of January after eight Muslim girls were denied entry to classes in a Udupi college because they were wearing hijab. The college authorities had informed that the hijab was not a part of the uniform dress code mandated for the students. The Muslim girls, adamant on wearing hijab, then filed a petition in High Court seeking permission to attend classes with hijab. They stated that wearing the hijab was their ‘fundamental right’ granted under Articles 14 and 25 of the Indian Constitution and ‘integral practice of Islam’.

The controversy spiralled as Hindu students in Karnataka styled with saffron scarves around their necks, protested against Muslim girls continuing to wear Hijab to the college. Tensions also prevailed at some educational institutions in Udupi, Shivamogga, Bagalkote and other parts as incidents of stone-pelting and violence were reported from various parts of the state.

Badaun: Samajwadi Party supporter Khalid Siddiqui shoots dead a man who predicted BJP’s victory

OpIndia Staff
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Badaun: Samajwadi Party supporter Khalid Siddiqui shoots dead a man who predicted BJP’s victory

In the Kabulpura region of the Badaun district in Uttar Pradesh, a young man Sharik was shot to death over an election argument. As per police, the murder was perpetrated when a political argument became a bit too hot. The perpetrator is absconding till now and the dead body has been sent for autopsy. The incident reportedly occurred on the night of February 19.

Sharik, a resident of Ramzanpur village in Badaun’s Kadar Chowk district, worked as a dish technician. He used to go for a walk after supper each day. As per reports, he went out for a walk on Saturday night as well. The accused, Khalid Siddiqui, runs a grocery store at a busy junction in the Kabulpura area. Sharik and other onlookers sat at the same shop and began speculating on the outcome of the Uttar Pradesh elections. Sharik predicted that the BJP will win the state, whereas Khalid backed the SP. On this subject, they both had a disagreement, which eventually escalated into a brawl.

When the situation escalated, local residents began intervening in the fight between Khalid Siddiqui and Sharik, but the situation had already spiraled out of hand. Khalid pulled out his gun and shot Sharik in the midst of the scuffle.

Soon after the incident, the accused Khalid Siddiqui escaped. Sharik was taken to the adjacent district hospital, but he was referred to Bareilly from there. Sharik died on the way to Bareilly.

The UP Police is currently on the lookout for Khalid. “A young guy was shot and murdered in an argument in the Kabulpura neighborhood. A case has been filed against the accused, and he is now being searched” said CO City Alok Mishra. After receiving the information regarding the murder, SP Dehat Siddharth Verma and SP City Praveen Singh Chauhan arrived at the spot and questioned eyewitnesses.

Trump’s ‘Truth Social’ hits the No 1 position on Apple’s App store within 24 hours of launch

OpIndia Staff
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Trump’s ‘Truth Social’ hits the No 1 position on Apple’s App store within 24 hours of launch

On February 21 (local time), hours after its debut on Apple’s App store, former United States President Donald Trump’s social media app Truth Social grabbed No 1 position on the Top Charts. The app marks ex-President Trumps return to social media after he was banned by several platforms last year following US Capitol Hall violence in January 2021.

Screenshot of App on Apple App Store. Source: Apple App Store

The app was launched on the intervening night of February 20 and February 21, shortly past midnight. By early Monday, it was the top free app available on the App Store. Those who had pre-ordered the app got it automatically downloaded on their devices.

Pertaining to the overwhelming response to the app, several users reported they were either having trouble registering on the app or were added to the waitlist. The users said they got a message saying, “Due to massive demand, we have placed you on our waitlist.”

Donald Trump Junior had announced on February 15 that the “favourite President” was making a comeback on social media. Around 500 users were invited to test the app in the testing phase.

Trump was banned in 2021 from social media app

Following January 6, 2021 violence at US Capitol Hall allegedly involving Trump supporters, ex-President’s social media accounts were withheld by Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Trump was accused of posting messages that incited violence.

In March last year, he had hinted to launch his own social media platform. In October, Trump had announced plans of launching Truth Social very soon. Truth Social has been developed by Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) led by Devis Nunes, former Republican US Representative. The platform is expected to attract users who feel their views and ideology are being suppressed by the social media giants.

On Sunday, during an interview with Fox News, Nunes said, “This week we will begin to roll out on the Apple App Store. That’s going to be awesome because we’re going to get so many more people that are going to be on the platform. Our goal is, I think we’re going to hit it, I think the by the end of March we’re going to be fully operational at least within the United States.”

TMTG funding

In December last year, TMTG had raised $1 billion from private investors. It is also planning to list in New York through a merger with Digital World Acquisition Corp (DWAC). The company would receive $293 million in cash from DWAC unless any of its shareholders redeem the shares. Once the DWAC deal closes, the $1 billion TMTG has raised would be made available for the company. However, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the US Financial Industry Regulatory Authority is investigating the financial activities of DWAC that has delayed the deal between DWAC and TMTG for a few months.

Delhi HC sends notices to Central, Delhi govt over BJP leader Ashwini Upadhyay’s PIL seeking to bring Madrasas, Vedic Pathshalas under ambit of RTE

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi HC sends notices to Central, Delhi govt over BJP leader Ashwini Upadhyay’s PIL seeking to bring Madrasas, Vedic Pathshalas under ambit of RTE

On February 22, on notice has been sent by the Delhi High Court to the Central Government and Delhi state government over a PIL questioning certain provisions of the Right to Education Act (RTE), 2009. The Public Intrest Litigation was filed in the High Court which demanded Madrasas, Vedic Pathshalas and other institutions imparting religious education to be brought under the fold of the RTE.

The petition moved by BJP leader Ashwini Upadhyay challenged sections 1(4) and 1(5) of the Right to Education Act stating they deprive educational excellence to Madarsas, Vedic Pathshalas and educational institutions imparting religious instructions in the country. In the petition, the relevant sections have been challenged with Articles 14, 15, 16, 21, 21A of the Constitution stating them as ‘arbitrarily irrational’ and ‘violative of the principles of the Constitution.

“The hallmark of the compulsory education system is syllabus and curriculum which must be equally and uniformly applied across the board, so as to ensure conditions, in which each child are placed on an equal playing field, competent to take on the challenges of real-world and empowered to avail the opportunities which life offers in its myriad circumstances, equally,” stated the petition to the Delhi HC. The plea also stressed that the RTE should not be restricted to ensuring only free and compulsory education, but must be extended to equal quality education without discrimination on the social-economic religious-cultural background.

The plea demanded a common syllabus and curriculum for all the children while stating, “Compulsory education which mandates every child to attend school but lacks in providing an effective common curriculum is worse than providing no education at all.”

With a view to achieving common and compulsory education up to 14 years of age, the plea stated that the changes in RTE would achieve a “code of common culture, removal of disparity and depletion of discriminatory values in human relations”. “It would also enhance virtues and improve quality of life, elevate the thoughts, which advance constitutional philosophy of equal society” the plea added.

BJP leader Upadhyay has argued that after the Muslim Personal Law Board members met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in 2012, Madrasas were removed from the ambit of RTE. “To showcase their so-called secular credentials, Gurukuls and Vedic Schools were also removed alongside Madrasas under the umbrella of RTE. Today a situation has evolved where the government is unaware of what has been taught in the Madarsas because they don’t fall under the law,” he added while posting a video on Twitter.

The petition by Ashwini Upadhyay was moved to the Delhi High Court after his plea in the Supreme Court was refused to be heard. While the Supreme Court refused to comment on the merits of the case, The Delhi High Court has listed the matter for hearing on March 30, 2022. Meanwhile, The Two-member bench of Justice Jyoti Singh and Justice DN Patel is seeking responses from all respondents while sending notices to the Central Government and Government of NCT of Delhi with respect to the same.

MoS for PMO shares a throwback video on PoK hours after Russia recognised two newly independent nations from Ukraine: Watch

OpIndia Staff
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MoS for PMO shares a throwback video on PoK hours after Russia recognised two newly independent nations from Ukraine: Watch

On Tuesday (February 22), the Minister of State for Prime Minister’s Office Dr Jitendra Singh shared a snippet from a 2019 speech in the Lok Sabha to commemorate the historic Parliamentary resolution on Jammu and Kashmir that was adopted on February 22, 1994. The development coincides with the recent decision of the Russian government to identify rebel-held territories in Ukraine as independent nations.

While speaking in the Lower House of Parliament, the BJP lawmaker had said, “There are no two opinions about the fact that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. This Parliament had passed a resolution about the same in 1994. It was done by the government of PV Narasimha Rao and we had supported it then. The only dispute that exists is how and when we can retrieve the other part of Kashmir that continues to remain under the illegal occupation of Pakistan.”

He had emphasised, “We are often accused of deteriorating the condition of Jammu and Kashmir after we came to power in 2014. We formed the government with PDP in 2015. You (Congress) have ruled over the Union territory for 50-60 years. Did you leave behind a ‘Ram Rajya’ that we have somehow destroyed after coming to power?”

“What you handed us was a legacy of a series of blunders committed in the Union territory, starting from the infamous Nehruvian blunder. If only the then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru would have allowed his Home Minister Sardar Patel to handle Jammu and Kashmir as he did with other princely States, then, the future of the Union territory would have been different,” he concluded.

The Parliamentary resolution of February 22, 1994, reads, “On behalf of the People of India, this House firmly declares that the State of Jammu & Kashmir has been, is and shall be an integral part of India and any attempts to separate it from the rest of the country will be resisted by all necessary means.”

Russia recognises the independence of rebel-held territories in Ukraine

In an unprecedented move on Monday (February 21), Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that his government will recognise the independence of rebel-held territories in Eastern Ukraine. The pro-Russian rebels are backed by the Russian government and have been fighting Ukraine’s military for the past 8 years.

As such, Russia has declared that parts of Ukraine i.e. Donetsk and Luhansk as independent people’s republics. Putin had also ordered Russian troops to enter the ‘newly independent territories’ for peacekeeping functions. The move was condemned by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said, “We are not afraid…will not give anything away to anyone.”

Meanwhile, the West had expressed fears of Russia officially invading the eastern part of Ukraine. US President Joe Biden signed an executive order outlawing new investments by Americans in the newly ‘independent’ territories. The White House has made it clear that the sanctions would increase if Russia further invaded Ukraine.

“It’s unacceptable, it’s unprovoked, it’s unwarranted … some suggestion that they are peacekeeping is nonsense,” remarked Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the Russian move was in violation of international law and undermined the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine.

There are as many as 100,000 Russian armed forces troops stationed at the Ukrainian border. The United States and NATO have called the military moment around the border unusual. US President and European leaders have repeatedly warned Russia against the possible invasion of Ukraine. In December, US intelligence reported Russia might begin a military offensive in Ukraine in early 2022.

Attorney General grants consent for contempt of court proceeding against Ajeet Bharti for second time, says ‘Court bashing has become pastime’

OpIndia Staff
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Attorney General grants consent for contempt of court proceeding against Ajeet Bharti for second time, says ‘Court bashing has become pastime’

On Tuesday, Attorney General KK Venugopal granted consent to initiate contempt of court proceedings against YouTuber and journalist Ajeet Bharti for his alleged objectionable remarks against the Supreme Court of India. “The statements are vulgar, vituperative, outrageous and gross and undoubtedly tend to lower the authority of the Supreme Court and would seriously undermine the confidence of the people in the institution”, the Attorney General said while granting consent to initiate contempt against Bharti.

According to reports, the consent under Section 15 of the Contempt of Courts Act has been granted on a letter sent by a lawyer, Pratik Kumar. This is the second instance when the Attorney General has granted sanction against Bharti for his alleged derogatory video about the Supreme Court and its judges. Earlier in the month of September, Attorney General had sanctioned to initiate contempt proceedings alleging that the video posted on the YouTube channel of Ajeet Bharti’s media initiative DO Politics had ‘scurrilous’, ‘vituperative’ and ‘highly derogatory’ words against Supreme Court and its judges.

Attorney General KK Venugopal today said that bashing court had become a pastime for some. The allegations pertain to a video titled “Ajeet Bharti Roasts Supreme Court, High Courts” posted to the DO Politics channel on June 24. In the video almost 24 minutes in length, Bharti is accused to have made objectionable comments against the Judiciary.

Later in July, a law student named Kritika Singh from Dr Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University had written to the attorney general for sanction to initiate contempt proceedings against Ajeet Bharti. The law graduate had alleged that the journalist maligned the reputation of the Courts using vile and obscene language. The letter claimed that Bharti had levelled allegations of nepotism, rampant corruption and directing protests across the country.

“The foundation of justice delivery system has always been so strong that it never allowed anyone to obstruct the way towards equal justice by publicly using abusive language against the Hon’ble Courts and its Hon’ble Judges. As a responsible citizen of this country and a student of law, I would be failing in my duty if I turned a blind eye to this grave attack on the integrity of my Hon’ble Supreme court and its Hon’ble judges”, Singh said in her letter.

Reports mention that as per Section 15 of the Contempt of Courts Act, the consent of Attorney General is required before the Supreme Court can hear a criminal contempt of court petition filed by a private individual.

Gangubai Kathiawadi in legal trouble ahead of release, Congress MLA Amin Patel files PIL in Bombay High Court

OpIndia Staff
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Gangubai Kathiawadi in legal trouble ahead of release, Congress MLA Amin Patel files PIL in Bombay High Court

Ahead of its cinematic release on February 25, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ will have to face a legal battle in the Bombay High Court. Legal troubles have loomed over the Alia-Bhatt starter after Congress MLA Amin Patel and some residents of Kamathipura have filed separate pleas in the Bombay High Court citing discontent over the portrayal of some portions in the film.

On Tuesday, Congress MLA from Mumbadevi, Mumbai Amin Patel filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Bombay High Court against the release of the film. Patel’s plea is likely to be heard by a single member bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta today. On February 17, the MLA also met Amit Vilasrao Deshmukh, the Minister for Cultural Affairs in Maharashtra to submit a memorandum regarding serious objections with respect to the trailer of the film. Amin Patel argued that the film maligns the image of the Kamathipura locality and the Kathiawadi community residing in Mumbai.

A similar plea was also moved in by some residents of Kamathipura in the Bombay High Court to seek change in the use of the name “Kamathipura” used in the film. The Bench led by Justice GS Patel will be hearing the plea tomorrow, February 23. Earlier, Gangubai’s adopted family alleged that the film tarnishes Gangubai as a ‘prostitute’ while asserting that she always fought for the rights of prostitutes in her life. Notices were sent to the makers of the film and charges of defamation have also been levied against them. 

Alia Bhatt starter ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ is directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and is all set to release in the cinemas on February 25. The film is an adaptation of Hussain Zaidi’s book ‘Mafia Queens of Mumbai’ which records the life of Gangubai Kothewali, a matriarch of a brothel in Mumbai’s Kamathipura.

Swapna Suresh, main accused in Kerala gold smuggling case joins NGO, assumes charge as Director, women empowerment & CSR

OpIndia Staff
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Swapna Suresh, main accused in Kerala gold smuggling case joins NGO, assumes charge as Director, women empowerment & CSR

Swapna Suresh, one of the main accused in the Kerala gold smuggling case, joined an NGO named High Range Development Society (HRDS) India on February 18. The NGO which is based in Palakkad, offered Suresh the post of Director, Women empowerment and CSR at its office in Thodupuzha with a monthly salary of Rs 43,000.

According to the reports, she joined the organisation at the Skill Training Centre of HRDS India’s office in Thodupuzha after she was issued the offer letter on February 12. The appointment of Swapna Suresh has emerged into a huge political controversy with rising accusations against her to have attained the position because of her alleged affiliation with the RSS and BJP. People have also claimed that the NGO is backed by the RSS or BJP. Suresh on Sunday confirmed that she was being harassed and that unnecessary controversy was being weaved around her new job.

She clarified that she had to follow all the given procedures to get the position as Director, Women empowerment and CSR in the NGO and that it was quite an ordinary job with an ordinary salary of just Rs 43,000. She said that she had taken up the job to look after her children and her old mother.

“Let me live. Let me raise my children and take care of my mother. Please do not harass me by creating unnecessary controversies. I have no intention to harm or hurt anyone, so please leave me alone”, she was quoted.

The HRDS meanwhile opined that she was appropriate for the position as she is equipped with excellent communication and vast contact network. The HRDS also said that it saw no harm in appointing Suresh as the Director of the organisation amid the gold smuggling case as she has not been convicted yet.

This is specifically after the Kerala State Commission for SC/STs initiated proceedings against NGO over complaints alleging that they constructed uninhabitable houses for Adivasis in Attappadi and elsewhere. Suresh reiterated that relentless attempts have been made to deliberately harass her and requested the public to stop giving political angle to her employment.

BJP denies allegations, says the NGO has no links with their party

BJP state president K Surendran also has denied the allegations of the NGO being affiliated to RSS or BJP and said that the private company was headed by a former leader of SFI. “The NGO has no connection with BJP”, Surendran was quoted.

It is important to note that Swapna Suresh is the primary defendant in the Kerala gold smuggling case where the customs officials at the Thiruvananthapuram international airport ceased gold weighing over 30 kilograms and valued at almost Rs 15 crore. The action was initiated against Suresh and other diplomats in 2020 after the custom officials got information that the suitcase carrying gold was a part of a huge smuggling network involving rampant misuse of diplomatic passports.

Earlier in the month of February 2021, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s Principal Secretary M Sivasankar, who is also an accused, in his autobiography had already declared Suresh as guilty in the case and accused her of deceiving him. Swapna Suresh then lambasted the senior bureaucrat and exposed that Sivasankar was aware of the diplomatic luggage and that everything she did while on the run from police was on Sivasankar’s orders.

She stated that they were close and that after taking voluntary retirement, Sivasnakar wanted to settle down with her in Dubai. She also said that Sivasankar deliberately orchestrated the NIA’s involvement in the gold smuggling case in order to keep Swapna quiet. Accusing him of manipulating, exploiting and destroying her life, Suresh said that the book published by Sivasankar narrated his version of the controversial episode.

Reports mention that HRDS India is an NGO that works for the betterment of tribal people in the state. Its activities include the construction of pre-fabricated houses for Adivasis. Guru Atma Nambi is its president and Aji Krishnan is its secretary. The organisation’s main source of resources includes CSR funds from corporate and foreign donations. With its three skill training centres in Thodupuzha, Coimbatore and Kannur, the NGO also undertakes farming activities like medicinal plant cultivation in Adivasi inhabited areas.

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