Home Blog Page 4083

IMA chief’s petition against a court order asking him to not use the platform to propagate religion rejected

OpIndia Staff
-
0
IMA chief’s petition against a court order asking him to not use the platform to propagate religion rejected

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed the Indian Medical Association chief JA Jayalal’s appeal against a trial court order asking him to abstain from using the organisation’s platform to propagate any religion and warning him that loose comments are not expected from a person who is chairing such a prestigious organisation.

A single-judge bench comprising of Justice Asha Menon rejected the petition asking Jayalal to rather concentrate on the welfare of the medical fraternity instead of using his position to spread religion.

Earlier this year, the trial court had observed that “saying Christianity and Allopathy are same and is a gift of the western world would be the “most inaccurate assertion”.

The trial court heard the matter in connection with a suit filed by one Rohit Jha, who had alleged in his plea that Jayalal had started a slanderous campaign against Hindu religion by promoting Christianity

A suit was filed by one Rohit Jha who had alleged that Jayalal had started a defamatory campaign against the Hindu religion by promoting Christianity under the pretext of proving the superiority of Allopathic medicines over Ayurvedic medicines in treating COVID-related complications. Jha had submitted a news article dated March 30, 2021, published in Nation World News along with a TV news debate clip of Jayalal and Baba Ramdev.

This is the second time that the Delhi High Court had pulled up Dr Jayalal for using his platform to propagate Christianity. Earlier in June, the court had come down hard against the IMA chief, asking him to not use his position and the organisation in disseminating any particular religion.

The judge also asked the IMA chief not to indulge in any activity contrary to the principles enshrined in the Constitution of India and maintain the dignity of the position chaired by him.

Use hospitals to convert Hindus to Christianity: Dr Jayalal

Dr Jayalal, in his interview earlier this year, had claimed that Christian doctors are blessed with a special ability to provide “holistic healing”, which includes spiritual, mental and social healing.

“Normally in the medical profession, we talk about the physical curing. But as a Christian, I believe we are not just here to physically cure, but God Almighty has called us to give holistic healing, which includes the spiritual healing, the mental healing, and the social healing,” he had said.

What Dr Jayalal was implying here is that by the virtue of their faith, Christian doctors are gifted with a paranormal ability to effect just not physical curing but mental and spiritual healing as well. He then goes on to say more Christian doctors are required to work more in secular institutions, mission institutions, and medical colleges, who can impart “Christian healing” to the patients.

If Dr JA Jayalal’s utterances are to be believed, he harbours missionary zeal to convert the weak and the vulnerable to Christianity in “secular organisations” that he serves and has contempt for Hindu nationalism and the Government of India.

Further, he said that the coronavirus pandemic has provided “the urgent need of the proclamation of the Gospel to people who are suffering from the virus has allowed us to share the Gospel even in secular institutions”.

In another interview to Christianity Today, Jayalal had said that it was the Church that took care of the poor people, implying that the government did not do anything. He had said that despite the hardships, difficulties, and restrictions that came in the wake of the pandemic, Christianity was growing.

Watch: Toddler draws inspiration from Mirabai Chanu, imitates her heroics from Tokyo Olympics

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Watch: Toddler draws inspiration from Mirabai Chanu, imitates her heroics from Tokyo Olympics

The viral video of a toddler imitating Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu’s Olympic heroics is winning the internet. 

Following every action of Chanu, the little girl can be seen powdering her hands, bowing down to the barbell and then lifting it.

She can also be seen cheering and waving on completing the task successfully. 

The video was retweeted by Chanu herself who commented, “So cute. Just love this.”

Being appreciated widely, the video has been shared by multiple netizens who have congratulated the little girl for drawing inspiration from real-life heroes. 

A user by the name Monika Sharma Tweeted, “This is what happens when even one girl achieves something big she becomes inspiration to many more for the future.”

While another user was elated to note that Chanu’s win will motivate more young girls to join sports.

Mirabai Chanu brings a medal for India

Mirabai Chanu on Saturday, in a proud moment for India, finished second in the 49kg category of weightlifting to secure a silver medal.

However, reports of Chanu being eligible for gold is also making rounds since Monday. As per an ANI report, China’s Zhihui Hou who won the women’s 49kg weightlifting gold has been asked to undergo a doping test by the authorities at the Tokyo Games. If Zhihui fails the test, it would make Mirabai the first woman ever to win a Gold medal in weightlifting for India.

Assam: Man crushed by an elephant after crowd teases a herd of elephants, video goes viral

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Assam: Man crushed by an elephant after crowd teases a herd of elephants, video goes viral

On July 25, a man identified as Pascal Munda died as an elephant crushed him to death. The incident took place on NH 39 near Morongi Tea Estate in Numaligarh of Upper Assam. As per reports, a herd of elephants was passing by when it was confronted by a group of labourers and passersby on the National Highway. The tea garden workers allegedly teased the gentle giants while they were crossing the road. As a result, one of the elephants got irked and chased down the crowd.

In the viral video shared by IFS officer Parveen Kaswan, it appeared that the workers teased the elephants who were calmly crossing the road. One can even hear the bikers honking in the background. Some people appeared to be provoking the herd but they stepped back as the elephants passed by.

One can see a man in purple t-shirt waving yellow bag-like thing that seemed to have provoked the elephant. Subsequently, one of the elephants got irked and chased the crowd. While trying to run away from the elephant, Pascal fell and was crushed by the agitated gentle giant. He was rushed to the Golaghat Civil Hospital, where he was declared dead.

Samajwadi Party leader spreads fake news days after it was already debunked

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Samajwadi Party leader spreads fake news days after it was already debunked

On July 26, Samajwadi Party leader and spokesperson IP Singh published a tweet in which he alleged that an officer of Uttar Pradesh Police had beaten up an unarmed woman. He posted images as well where a Police officer could be seen sitting on the woman. However, the said claims have already been debunked days ago after SP Chief and former UP CM Akhilesh Yadav tried to propagate the same fake news on July 17.

Fake news published by Samajwadi leader IP Singh. Source: Twitter

IP Singh called the fake news an ‘unannounced emergency’

In his tweet, IP Singh said, “Goon of Yogi’s Police beating a woman while sitting on her. What law under IPC or CrPC gives a right to the Police to beat a woman? CM Yogi Adityanath has turned UP into a Police state. Sisters and women are not safe in UP. The Human Rights Commission is silent. It is an unannounced emergency.” Kanpur Dehat Police again refuted the claims. By the time this report was published, IP Singh was yet to removed the misleading tweet making fake claims.

The fake claims were debunked last week

On July 18, OpIndia published a detailed report debunking the fake news shared by former CM Akhilesh Yadav. It was reported that Kanpur Dehat Police had issued a written and video statement debunking the misleading nature of his tweet.

According to the Police, Mahendra Patel, station-in-charge, Bhognipur police station, had gone to the Durgadaspur village to arrest one Shivam Yadav who had allegedly threatened a candidate in panchayat elections. However, the wife and mother of the accused intervened to protect him from arrest.

Arti Yadav, the wife of the accused, pulled Mahendra Patel by the collar to the ground. Kanpur Dehat Police also published the full video of the incident. In that longer video of the incident, the woman was seen trying to strip off her blouse in a bid to implicate the police official in a false charges of molestation. A man was also seen provoking the cop, while he stood his ground in a non-aggressive manner. From the videos, it was clear that the police officer was the victim and not the aggressor in the incident.

Reportedly, mainstream media agencies like Hindustan Times and NDTV continued to take the fake news forward even after Police refuted the false claims.

Man kills wife after sex in a cave near Nainital, 6 months after he married her to escape rape charges

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Man kills wife after sex in a cave near Nainital, 6 months after he married her to escape rape charges

On July 26, Delhi Police arrested a man from Delhi identified as Rajesh for killing his 26-year-old wife, Babita. He had married her in December 2020 after she accused him of rape. Rajesh led the Police to the spot along the Nainital-Haldwani highway, where he allegedly dumped the body. After recovering the body, Rajesh was arrested and a case has been filed under Sections 302 (murder) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) against Rajesh.

Sub Inspector Narendra Singh led the team of Delhi Police to Nainital. He said that woman had accused Rajesh of rape, after which he was arrested and sent to jail. “Rajesh was released from jail after filing an affidavit that he will marry Babita. Both got married in December 2020,” he added.

As per reports, Babita and Rajesh used to work together in a mall and they got into a relationship. They also got into physical relationship and Babita got pregnant. When she asked Rajesh to marry her he refused. Subsequently in July 2020 she filed a rape complaint against Rajesh when he was taken into police custody. To escape the punishment, he signed an affidavit that he will marry her. But he was not happy with the marriage.

Babita went missing in June

On June 15, Babita’s parents filed a missing report at Dwarka Police station, Delhi, as she was missing since June 11. During the investigation, the Police traced her location on June 12, 2021, near Hanumangarh temple, Nainital. Vijay Mehta, officer-in-charge, Tallital police station, District Nainital, was contacted by Delhi Police for further investigation. According to Mehta, they traced Rajesh’s phone around the same time and found out he was also in Nainital.

Rajesh initially denied any role in her disappearance

Initially, during interrogation, Rajesh denied any role in her disappearance. However, later he claimed that he decided to kill his wife as she and her mother were harassing him. As per Police’s report, he convinced Babita to come along to Udham Singh Nagar on the pretext of checking on his mother. They further went to Nainital and left on June 12.

On the way back, he switched of Babita’s mobile. Hindustan Times quoted Mehta saying, “About 13 km from Nainital, he expressed his desire to have a physical relationship with his wife at a secluded place. He took her to a cave. After having sex, he strangled his wife.”

He then returned to Delhi and few days back he returned to Uddham Singh Nagar and went to Nainital again for a vacation with his former lover.

Police have arrested him, and further investigation is underway.

Raj Kundra’s alleged porn company’s net profit target was over Rs 30 crores for 2023-24, SBI account in Kanpur with crores of rupees seized

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Raj Kundra’s alleged porn company’s net profit target was over Rs 30 crores for 2023-24, SBI account in Kanpur with crores of rupees seized

The first charge sheet filed by the Mumbai police in case related to the pornography racket run by businessman Raj Kundra has a presentation attached that reportedly reveals the revenue and profit targets for a ‘back-up’ pornography venture planned by Kundra.

As per a Midday report, Kundra in this presentation projected gross revenue of around Rs 146 crore and net profit of over Rs 30 crore for Bollyfame Media Limited (back-up venture) for the year 2023-24.

The presentation recovered projected gross revenue of Rs 36 crore and net profit of around Rs 5 crore for 2021-22 and gross revenue of around Rs 73 crore with the same net profit for 2022-23. This projection, however, increased exponentially for the year 2023-24. 

Commenting on the development, a Crime Branch official said, “The documents were seized from Umesh Kamat. Kundra was not arrested when we filed the first charge sheet. As the investigation progresses, we will get more clarity about Bollyfame and the same will be covered in a supplementary charge sheet.”

The charge sheet does not specify whether the projection was for Bollyfame specifically or some other company.

Kundra had devised Plan-B

Bollyfame Media Limited was launched as Plan B by Kundra to shift content after his app HotShot came under the scanner. In the WhatsApp chats found, Kundra, with his former personal assistant and co-accused Umesh Kamat, reportedly expressed relief at the existence of BF (Bollyfame) after HotShot was pulled down by Google and Apple over policy violations.

“WhatsApp chats between Kamat, Kundra and his brother-in-law Pradeep Bakshi clearly state that he had the Plan B in the form of Bollyfame in case HotShot faces legal issues. He was also planning to get celebrities to live-stream on Bollyfame saying it will bring more revenues and subscriptions than Hotshot that has uploaded content,” the officer confirmed.

Bank accounts seized

The Mumbai Crime Branch has directed the State Bank Of India to seize two bank accounts belonging to Kundra and his actor wife Shilpa Shetty at the Kanpur branch. 

As per reports, the SBI authorities informed that crores of rupees have been deposited in these two bank accounts.

Quoting sources, an ANI report revealed that Raj Kundra’s production company was being run by one Arvind Srivastava and that the money was being transferred to Srivastava’s wife Harshita.

“We have also found major deposits from his account to the Kanpur account of a woman. We have found that this woman was the wife of one of his employees. We are hoping financial auditing will help provide a clear picture of the money flow in the case,” said an officer. 

Srivastava’s father who said he is unaware of his son’s employment or money resource informed that there was a lookout notice for Arvind in February 2021. “In the last two years, Arvind has not come home and he sends money from time to time in the name of household expenses,” he added.

Raj Kundra changed phone anticipating arrest: Reports

As per reports, businessman Raj Kundra was anticipating his arrest after the Mumbai Police arrested nine people in connection with the pornography racket case in March this year. Subsequently, he changed his phone so that data from his device could not be recovered.

When asked about his old device, Kundra said he got rid of it when he bought a new one. 

“Police believe that the old phone contains many important pieces of evidence and is looking for it,” said an official. 

Technical experts have also been roped in as the Mumbai Police believes a majority of the pornographic content was deleted from the servers of the Viaan Industries, owned by Kundra.

‘Kundra is not cooperating’

The Crime Branch is expected to seek further custody of Kundra as he is not cooperating with the investigation, reports said. “He is not cooperating in the ongoing probe. We have found many documents regarding financial transactions and digital files. We will seek further custody to examine these,” said a senior officer.

Kundra whose custody ends today will be produced before the court again for a remand hearing.

Arrest of Raj Kundra in pornography case

On July 19, actor Shilpa Shetty’s husband, Raj Kundra, was arrested by Mumbai Police for his alleged role in creating and publishing pornographic films on mobile application HotShot.

Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale said, “Businessman Raj Kundra has been arrested by the Crime Branch in a case relating to the creation of pornographic films and publishing them through some apps. We have arrested Raj Kundra in this case on July 19, 2021, as he appears to be the key conspirator of this. We have sufficient evidence regarding this. The investigation is in progress.”

London court declares fugitive Vijay Mallya bankrupt

OpIndia Staff
-
0
London court declares fugitive Vijay Mallya bankrupt

On July 26, the Insolvency and Companies Court of the London high court declared Indian fugitive and businessman Vijay Mallya bankrupt. Chief Insolvency and Companies Court (ICC) judge Briggs said, “There is no evidence he will go back to India to face trial, so I find insufficient evidence he will pay the debt in full in a reasonable period of time. I shall adjudicate Dr Mallya bankrupt.”

The orders would take effect immediately, however, he still has an option to seek permission to appeal from a higher court.

In May 2020, Mallya had lost the court cases against extradition to India. However, he has not returned to face trial. After the orders passed by the London Court, he has to submit all his assets, including credit cards, bank accounts etc., to a bankruptcy trustee. The actual value of his assets and liabilities would be established after investigation, and the trustee would assess the relevant assets that could be sold to repay the creditors.

As per the law, if a person is declared bankrupt, he or she must cooperate with the trustee. All the bank accounts belonging to that person would be frozen, leaving a small part of the money owned to buy essentials. Mallya would not be allowed to act as a director of any company or create a new company without permission from the court. He would not be allowed to borrow more than £500 without declaring he is bankrupt. The Individual Insolvency Register would now include his name.

In a tweet Mallya said, “ED attach my assets worth 14K crores at behest of Govt Banks against debt of 6.2K crores. They restore assets to Banks who recover 9K crores in cash and retain security over 5K crores more.Banks ask Court to make me Bankrupt as they may have to return money to the ED. Incredible.”

The consortium led by the State Bank of India had sought to declare Mallya bankrupt as he had failed to clear the judgment debt of Rs 10,763 crore (roughly £1.05 billion) as ordered by the Debt Recovery Tribunal of Karnataka in January 2017. The tribunal is registered in the English courts. The debt owed by Mallya was driven from the personal guarantee he had given for the loans borrowed by Kingfisher Airlines.

The banks that are part of the consortium Bank of Baroda, Corporation bank, Federal Bank Ltd, IDBI Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Jammu & Kashmir Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank, Punjab National Bank, State Bank of Mysore, UCO Bank, United Bank of India and JM Financial Asset Reconstruction Co. Pvt Ltd as well as an additional creditor.

The court rejected Mallya’s appeal

The application for a stay on the bankruptcy and permission to appeal was rejected by the Judge, saying Mallya had no prospect of success. Advocate Philip Marshall QC who is representing Mallya in the court, had argued that the Indian banks had received Rs 5,776.2 crore after the DRT sale of UBL shares owned by Mallya in India. The majority of these shares were sold on June 23 this year.

He further added that shared worth 770 crores had been realised. However, they are yet to be transferred to the banks. Mallya’s shares were attached by the Enforcement Directorate under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). On May 24, PMLA court, Mumbai, had ordered to sell and transfer the money raised to the banks.

Marshall, in his arguments, said, “there are a number of other assets which although not yet realised are held with the DRT officer and can be realised. If we combine all that together, you end up with a figure well in excess of the petition debt.” He further added that there is an ongoing case in India to challenge the 11.5% interest imposed on the DRT judgement debt. Mallya’s counsels in India have argued that banks are not treating him equally to other citizens of India who owe the banks similar amounts and called it a breach of Article 14 of the Constitution of India.

However, while rejecting the plea, Judge Briggs said, “My understanding is that he is resisting extradition. The petitioners could be made to return the money after trial as nine different parties, including Mallya, challenged the May 24 order, and there are 40 creditors. There is a real risk the liquidator would require all the proceeds of the UBL sales to be paid to him to pay the creditors.”

‘Attack on democracy’ cries TMC as Prashant Kishor’s team detained for COVID protocol in Tripura

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘Attack on democracy’ cries TMC as Prashant Kishor’s team detained for COVID protocol in Tripura

The news of the 23-member team of poll strategist Prashant Kishor’s company I-PAC (Indian Political Action Committee) being detained by Agartala police went viral on social media yesterday. Busting the misinformation, the Tripura government has issued a clarification saying that the members were held to undergo the RTPCR test mandatory for visitors as per the Covid-19 guidelines. 

This comes after the Trinamool Congress cried vendetta against the company that led them to win the 2021 West Bengal state assembly elections. “This is shameful. The IPAC team came and from night they are undergoing verification and they are almost in house arrest. Is the BJP scared of this democracy?” asked Ashish Lal Singh who has recently been made the TMC state president for Tripura. 

As per reports, the I-PAC team is currently in Tripura to conduct baseline studies ahead of state assembly elections. They already met some influential politicians including BJP leaders in the state and are planning to conduct perception study.

“Our people have been literally put under house arrest for what reason we don’t know. We are looking into the matter,” claimed the I-PAC team.

A senior official from the Chief Minister’s Office, in an interview with the India Express, however, clarified that the I-PAC team was asked to stay indoors at their hotel since they are in a large group and the government wants to avoid any unwanted spread of Covid-19.

Commenting on the misinformation, Tripura West SP Manik Das revealed, “They are around 22 people of IPAC team. They had been visiting various places around Agartala city. Now Tripura is under a partial lockdown. And people visitors arriving at airport must carry COVID test report. We have only asked them to undergo RTPCR.”

“Results of their(I-PAC members) RTPCR test will come tomorrow. They said they were here for some research-related work that is being investigated. After getting COVID test results & outcome of probe, decision will be taken on their release,” Das added.

Tripura police in a quote to Rohan Dua- a Times of India journalist said, “No FIR has been registered yet. Matter is under investigation. We are also checking if there’s any violation under Epidemic Diseases Act, Disaster Management Act.”

“7 of them came on Jul 20 & other five came later. They visited several places,” they added. 

TMC blames BJP

Pinning the blame on BJP, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee tweeted, “The fear in @BJP4Tripura before even @AITCofficial stepped into the land, is more than evident! They are so rattled by our victory in #Bengal that they’ve now kept 23 IPAC employees under house arrest. Democracy in this nation dies a thousand deaths under BJP’s misrule!”

TMC allegedly believes that the BJP is “scared” of its party expanding base across the country.

Prashant Kishore had said he would quit ‘this space’ (political consultancy) after TMC’s win in West Bengal but had not made his next move clear since then. Denying claims of joining politics and wanting to explore an alternative career, Kishore was seen meeting NCP supremo Sharad Pawar regularly in the recent past.

West Bengal: BJP official from Madhav Nagar found dead, party says TMC miscreants murdered him

OpIndia Staff
-
0
West Bengal: BJP official from Madhav Nagar found dead, party says TMC miscreants murdered him

Political violence in West Bengal continues unabated as another death of a BJP worker has been allegedly murdered in the state. Samresh Pal, a 36-year-old active BJP official from Madhav Nagar, Kadwip assembly constituency was found dead on Monday.

The BJP claimed that Pal was murdered by the goons of the ruling Trinamool Congress Party, adding that it testifies to the fact that there is no law and order in the state.

Accusing the ruling dispensation of Mamata Banerjee of political cleansing of opposition workers, the leader of opposition in West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari said Pal had to pay with his life for believing in exercising democratic rights.

Post poll violence in West Bengal

Using violence as an instrument to subdue their political opponents has become a distinctive feature of the TMC rule in West Bengal. Ever since the Mamata Banerjee-led retained power in the state, the persecution of dissenters and opposition workers has only intensified.

Post-poll violence has become a leitmotif of news emerging out of Bengal following the declaration of results. Umpteen number of violence against political opponents have been reported from the state. In an overwhelming number of such incidents, the victims have been BJP supporters and workers while the accused were said to be the supporters of the TMC party. More than a dozen BJP workers have lost their lives in the post-poll violence that ensued following the victory of the TMC party in the assembly elections.

The violence unleashed against them forced hundreds of BJP party workers and supporters to flee their villages along with their families. They crossed over to Assam where they have been provided temporary shelter under the supervision of minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. It is not just the BJP but even CPI(M) which has accused the TMC of killing its workers. Reports of attacks on BSF jawans have also emerged in the media.

On June 2, 2021, a month after Mamata Banerjee came back to power, the BJP said 37 of its workers were killed in the post-poll violence that convulsed the state. There were reports that said women in West Bengal were raped, assaulted and, in some cases, even killed, just because they adhered to a different political ideology.

Recently, a victim who was raped by the TMC goons in front of her father shared her harrowing ordeal with OpIndia. She narrated how she was attacked and sexually assaulted by her perpetrators associated with the TMC party.

In the aftermath of the assembly election results, TMC goons wreaked havoc, attacking and plundering the houses of their opponents. In one such attack, TMC goons lynched BJP worker Avijit Sarkar to death.

Six Assam police personnel killed amidst Assam-Mizoram border dispute: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Six Assam police personnel killed amidst Assam-Mizoram border dispute: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Six police personnel lost their lives in the ongoing Assam-Mizoram border dispute, chief minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma informed on Monday evening.

Tensions rose along the Assam-Mizoram border after reports of firing between the police of both states emerged. According to Assam Police, their Mizo counterparts opened fire at them at Lailapur.

Earlier today, the two chief ministers—Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga and his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma clashed on Twitter and sought Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s help to end the matter. Sarma had posted a tweet urging Chief Minister of Mizoram Zoramthanga to investigate why civilians from his states were holding sticks and trying to incite violence on the Assam-Mizoram border.

There is an ongoing conflict over land between the states of Assam and Mizoram. The statement from Assam’s CM came after Mizoram’s CM published a video from his official Twitter account urging Home Minister Amit Shah to take immediate action over increasing tension across the border between the two states.

On Saturday last week, the home minister held a meeting in Shillong on the border disputes between the North-Eastern states.

The dispute along the Assam-Mizoram border

The dispute has escalated in recent times. Cachar Superintendent of Police Nimbalkar Vaibhav Chandrakant said on Thursday that forces from both sides have been deployed in the area.

On Sunday night, eight huts that belonged to Mizo farmers were allegedly set on fire by miscreants.

Clashes had erupted along the border in October 2020 as well. Around 20 huts were incinerated on that occasion.

1...4,0824,0834,084...7,654Page 4,083 of 7,654