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Akali leader who mocked Hinduism as ‘weak religion’ for anti-conversion laws now wants same laws to save Sikh women from forced religious conversions

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Akali leader who mocked Hinduism as ‘weak religion’ for anti-conversion laws now wants same laws to save Sikh women from forced religious conversions

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa in a series of Tweet has requested local political leaders of Kashmir including Mufti to come out in support of the Sikh community. He also made a demand for an anti-forced religious conversion law be passed in Jammu & Kashmir citing the example of Uttar Pradesh. 

This comes after two Sikh girls were reportedly abducted and converted to Islam in Kashmir. Of these, one girl who was married off to a Muslim boy is still missing.

Joining the ongoing protests in the valley, Sirsa said, “I am at Srinagar joining the protest with local Sikh community against forced Nikah and conversions of Sikh daughters who are forced to marry elderly of different religion. I urge Govt of India to take stern action against such kind of Nikah happening in the valley.”

Manjinder Sirsa in his Tweet demanded the return of favour from Kashmiri leaders for extending support during the anti-CAA protests. “I request local leaders of Srinagar and Mullanas & Muftis to come in support of Sikh daughters. Sikhs were at the forefront ensuring Muslim daughters reach home safely during CAA protests but no Muslim leader has come to raise voice against forced conversions of Sikh girls,” he wrote. 

The then BJP ally Shiromani Akali Dal had opposed the CAA which fast-tracked Indian citizenship for persecuted religious minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

Sharing videos of protestors demanding anti-conversion law, Sirsa Tweeted, “The local Sikh community of Jammu and Kashmir urges @AmitShah Ji to get a strong law implemented in Jammu & Kashmir (Just like Uttar Pradesh & Madhya Pradesh) mandating Permission of parents in inter-religion marriages to stop these forced Nikahs of Sikh minority girls.”

Sirsa during a media interaction also expressed that the Sikh community had no idea that this is how their brotherhood would be paid back where their daughters are being abducted and forcefully married to elderly men of other religions.

“We will not tolerate forced Nikah and conversions of Sikh daughters living in Kashmir who are forced to marry elderly of different religion Sikhs living in J&K urge @AmitShah for a law that mandates permission of Parents in inter-religion marriages,” he said.

Sirsa allegedly had mocked the same anti-conversion law when it was introduced by the Yogi Adityanath government while talking to the media during the ongoing farmer’s protest.

Manjinder Singh Sirsa’s comment on anti-conversion law and Hindus

In January this year, Sirsa, while attending the ‘farmer’ protests against the central government farm laws, Sirsra while responding to a misleading and factually incorrect question regarding forced religious conversion, said, “How is your religion (Hinduism) so weak that they need help of law to save their religion?” Sirsa was speaking about the same anti-forced religious conversion law he now wants implemented.

At around 15 minutes into the video one can hear Sirsa say, “Having this kind of religion is a sin in itself. That means there are flaws in your religion. You must remove these flaws in your religion. The ones who are religious leaders have flaws, remove them.”

Forced conversion in J&K

On June 26, a case of forced conversion came to light from Jammu & Kashmir. As per reports, an 18-year-old Sikh Girl from Badgam district was lured and forcefully converted to Islam.

Another case is of a girl from Mehjoor Nagar in Srinagar who attended a function of her Muslim friend. As per Bali, she was married off to a boy who attended the function. While the girl was not a minor, she is still missing.

Sikh community launch protest

The Sikh community along with the support of Sikh leaders have launched a protest demanding strict action and new laws. We earlier reported how the custody of one girl was handed over to the man instead of her family who were given a written assurance by the police. The girl’s family was also stopped from entering the court. 

Sardar Santpal Singh, President Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee-Budgam said, said, “The Police asked the family members of the girl to sit outside to avoid the crowd in the Court. However, all the relatives of the Muslim man were allowed in the Court. The judge recorded the statement of the girl in the absence of her family members and took note of the statements of the relatives of the Muslim man. No one from the family of the girl was called in the Court during the proceedings.”

Another Sikh man who was present at the scene said, “What kind of system is functioning in the Court that passes the judgement without hearing the girl’s family? Why was the judgement passed in a day? Why girl’s family was not allowed in the Court?” 

Tejinder Singh Sodhi, Reporter CNN News 18, said, “Sikh community in Kashmir is treated as second class citizens, nothing has changed for the community in the past 70 years. Why not a single person from the majority community is standing with Sikhs right now when the same Sikhs have always stood to protect their daughters.”

The voices demanding anti-conversion laws are getting stronger. 

Krishna Janmabhoomi trust offers bigger land to Muslims for mosque if they are willing to demolish Mughal-era Shahi Idgah Masjid

OpIndia Staff
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Krishna Janmabhoomi trust offers bigger land to Muslims for mosque if they are willing to demolish Mughal-era Shahi Idgah Masjid

An application has been filed before a Mathura Court by Sri Krishna Janmabhumi Mukti Aandolan Samiti, offering the Muslim parties that manage the mosque a larger piece of land if they are willing to demolish the controversial Shahi Idgah Masjid near the Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura.

According to the reports, the Hindu parties, represented by Sri Krishna temple trust and Sri Krishna Janmbhoomi Mukti Andolan Samiti, have put forward a peace proposal to offer a much larger piece of land to the Shahi Idgah Masjid management in Mathura if they accept the offer of shifting the mosque to another place.

The application was filed through advocate Mahendra Pratap Singh before the Civil Judge, Senior Division, Mathura. The plea informed the court that the Idgah masjid was built by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb with the stones of the temple after demolishing the temple.

“There are many stones in which Hindu scriptures are visible and the Mosque was built after destroying the temple on the orders of Aurangzeb.”

Petitioners cite Ram Mandir judgement to settle Krishna Janmabhoomi dispute

The petitioners cited the Supreme Court judgment in the Ayodhya Sri Ram Janmbhoomi case, in which the apex court had granted the land rights to Ram Lalla and had offered a large piece of land to Muslims construct a mosque. The petitioners prayed that the court to the court to consider their application and make it a part of the original suit that was earlier filed last year for the removal of the mosque.

Last year, on September 25, 2020, a suit was filed before the Civil Judge, Senior Division at Mathura, on behalf of child deity Bhagwan Shri Krishna Virajman. The suit that was filed through the next friend of the deity advocate Ranjana Agnihotri and six other plaintiffs prayed to remove the Shahi Idgah Masjid adjacent to the Shri Krishna Temple Complex at Mathura.

The plea had alleged that the Committee of Management of Trust Masjid Idgah, without any authority of law and in utter violation of decree of a court decree, with the help of some Muslims, put up a superstructure and had taken over the land of Katra Keshav Dev belonging to Shree Krishna Janmasthan Trust and the deity.

Krishna Janmabhoomi Nirman Nyas wants to reclaim mosque to build community hall

The Krishna Janmabhoomi Nirman Nyas has been trying to reclaim the four-and-a-half-acre land next to the mosque to use it as a ‘Ranga Manch’ for religious and cultural functions organised by it and the temple authorities.

Ever since the Babri mosque was demolished in 1992, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has been calling for the “liberation” of Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura and the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi.

Following the Supreme Court verdict on the Ram Janmabhoomi case, there has been a growing demand among Hindus to reclaim Kashi and Mathura, along with Ayodhya. Taking back the disputed sites of Kashi Vishwanath temple and Krishna Janmabhoomi temple at Mathura has now become a priority for various Hindu groups in the country.

The Gyanvapi Mosque was built by the Islamic invader Aurangzeb after destroying the original Kashi Vishwanath temple. However, the remnants of the ancient Hindu temple can still be seen on the walls of the Gyanvapi Mosque. The temple was an earlier restoration of the original Kashi Vishwanath temple, which was destroyed and rebuilt several times in history. The current Kashi Vishwanath was built on a site near the Mosque in 1777 by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar.

Sharad Pawar, other MVA leaders park cars on race track for athletes, ruining sports infrastructure worth crores

OpIndia Staff
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Sharad Pawar, other MVA leaders park cars on race track for athletes, ruining sports infrastructure worth crores

Former Indian Olympic Association president Sharad Pawar, Sports Minister Sunil Kedar, Cabinet Minister Aditi Tatkare and other ministers and dignitaries parked their vehicles on an race track for athletes in Pune’s Shivachhatrapati Sports Complex sparking controversy. 

As per reports, the ministers did not want to use the elevators to reach the second floor of the sports complex which houses a meeting room. To avoid the inconvenience, the ministers decided to take the cars up to the second floor of the complex and parked the cars on the athletic track. 

Reportedly, the cars were parked till the meeting came to an end, plausibly causing damage to the tracks. The loss due to damage of tracks could run into crores. This, while the parking lot of the sports complex was lying vacant.

The new synthetic track for athletes has been set up at the cost of Rs 2 crores in sports city at Mahalunge-Balewadi. The stadium is designed such that the runway is parallel to the second floor, where the meeting was to take place. Hence, the cars were brought and parked on the running track so that the VVIP politicians are not inconvenienced.

BJP leaders hit out at MVA leaders

Several BJP leaders have lashed out at the MVA government for displaying a brazen VVIP attitude.

Taking cognizance of the matter, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju Tweeted, “As it is we are lacking in sufficient sports facilities in our country. All the sports centers need proper care.”

BJP MLA Siddharth Shirole Tweeted, “#VIP Culture & Arrogance of the #MVA…Athletic track at Shivchhatrapati Sports Complex (#PUNE ) being used as a parking lot for Cars belonging Ex. IOA President @PawarSpeaks ji, Sports Cabinet Minister @SunilKedar1111 ji and MoS Sports @iAditiTatkare ji Courtesy : @mataonline.”

National in-charge of BJP’s IT department Amit Malviya also registered his protest. “At a time when Indian athletes are preparing for Olympics, Sharad Pawar, former IOA president and other MVA ministers, in a brazen display of arrogance, run their cars on the tracks of Shivchhatrapati Sports Complex (Pune), because they didn’t want to climb two flights of stairs!” Tweeted Malviya.

Sharad Pawar claims need to use CSR funds for developing sports infrastructure

Ironically, in the same review meeting held for the under-construction International Sports University at Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar urged private firms to invest in the development of sports infrastructure by making use of corporate social responsibility funds along with government funding.

“The International Sports University, Maharashtra will be instrumental in creating technical manpower for sports management, job creation in the sports sector and sports training. Athletes should take full advantage of these upcoming advanced facilities,” added Pawar.

Sports Minister says “won’t happen again”

Sunil Kedar reacting to the incident claimed, “Such incident will not happen in future. Once the international sports university starts, the grounds in the sports complex will be only used for the sports activities.”

However, an athlete on the request of anonymity who trains at the main athletic stadium revealed, “Officials always take such things lightly. Driving or parking a car damages the synthetic track. Already track has developed bubbles in between and such activities will make it worse for running.”

NHRC Committee invites stakeholders to interact on complaints related to post-poll violence in West Bengal

OpIndia Staff
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NHRC Committee invites stakeholders to interact on complaints related to post-poll violence in West Bengal

On June 27, National Human Rights Commission invited different stakeholders to interact with the committee members and discuss the complaints related to post-poll violence in West Bengal. The committee members would meet the stakeholders on June 27, 4 PM onwards and June 28, 10 AM onwards.

The Committee was formed by NHRC as per the direction of Calcutta High Court. The Committee constituted by Justice AK Mishra would look into various cases, complaints, allegations of violations of human rights, particularly in the post-poll period in the State of West Bengal.

The notification issued by NHRC reads, “As per the direction of Hon’ble High Court of West Bengal vide WP No.142-149/2021 & 167/2021 dated 18/06/2021, a Committee has been constituted by Mr Justice A K Mishra, Chairperson, NHRC, to look into the various cases, complaints, allegations of violations of human rights, particularly in the post-poll period in the State of West Bengal. The Committee, headed by Mr Rajiv Jain, Member, NHRC, has been touring various places of West Bengal and inquiring into the veracity of these complaints/allegations.

Notification by NHRC. Source: ANI

It further added, “In continuation of the same, few members of the Committee and the NHRC teams will be available tomorrow from 10 AMt 04 PM today (27/06/2021) and once again at 10 AM tomorrow (28/06/2021) for at least three hours at Staff Officer Mess, 3rd Signal Bn, CRPF, BN Block, Sector-V Saltlake, Kolkata to Interact with complainants/victims/petitioners/other stakeholders.”

The Committee said that the victims/complainants could meet the members irrespective of their caste, creed, religion, gender, ethnicity, or political affiliation. It further said, “Those who are unable to come can send their complaints/petitions/supporting evidences and documents at the following Email ID: [email protected] and or talk to the NHRC team member on the following Mobile No.: 8826705906 and 8799712259.”

Post poll violence in West Bengal

During post-poll violence, over two dozen BJP karyakartas were reportedly killed. In a report submitted by the Group of Intellectuals and Academicians (GIA), it was mentioned that those who suffered the wrath of TMC workers after winning the elections were from marginal sections of Hindu society who had voted for BJP. According to the reports, women were raped, houses were ransacked, shops were looted, and several Hindu families migrated to neighbouring states to save themselves from the goons of TMC.

Multiple women, in their testimonies to the Supreme Court, have revealed the brutal rapes, gang rapes and sexual assault as well as other atrocities unleashed upon them because of their support to the BJP.

Manipur: Cash reward announced for communities with highest inoculations in Sagolband constituency

OpIndia Staff
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Manipur: Cash reward announced for communities with highest inoculations in Sagolband constituency

MLA Rajkumar Imo of Sagolband Assembly Constituency, Manipur has announced cash rewards for localities within his constituency to strengthen the inoculation drive.

MLA Imo while on his review visit to Bijoy Govindo Centre announced the mobile vaccination strategy and rewards for inoculation.

“2nd phase of Mass vaccination started at Bijoy Govinda today. Urge everyone to register themselves and get vaccinated. Initiated double strategy of Mobile Vaccination across Sagolband starting from Amudon, where a team will be sent to each locality, enabling everyone to vaccinate am announcing vaccination reward/prize of Rs 50000/, Rs 30000/ and Rs 20000/ for the top three polling/localities which has the best vaccination ratio by the end of August,” Imo said in a Tweet. 

Talking about the need to ‘break the chain’, Imo as per a Imphal Free Press report said, “We have been able to vaccinate more than 50 percent of people in the assembly constituency till now, and we will never be safe till all of us are vaccinated.”

“However, there are some localities which have less vaccination ratio and there will be a push to increase vaccination in those areas, thus a double strategy of mobile vaccination and opening of normal vaccination centres is being taken up,” he added. 

The numbers for reward will be counted till the end of August this year. Imphal West district is currently leading in the vaccination drive with over 1 lakh 55 thousand doses of the Covid-19 vaccine administered to date.

Manipur vaccination drive 

Manipur which has a population of around 27 lakhs and 20 lakhs eligible for the vaccination, the state has administered 6,05,221 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine to date. 

As per reports, the Manipur Health authority aims to vaccinate at least 70% of the total eligible population by the end of this year. 

Manipur State Health Society, Dr. N Shyamjai during a media sensitisation program said, “As high as 12,000 doses were administered in a single day in May. So we’re targeting to vaccinate at least 70 percent of the eligible population.”

Manipur CM says ready to tackle third-wave

Inspecting the oxygen plant construction at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Imphal, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh assured that the state is completely prepared to fight the potential third wave of COVID-19.

He also informed that another oxygen plant with a capacity to provide 200 cylinders of medical oxygen is in its completion stage.

Biren Singh added, “The only effective means of avoiding COVID-19 is vaccination. All sections of people should get vaccinated. Some scheming people have been spreading a wild rumour about the efficacy of vaccines, which have been approved by experts. It’s disheartening that many people seem to believe this and are avoiding vaccination. If non-cooperation continues, the government will have to use force and people should not blame the police and the government.”

Bengaluru arrests eight Bangladeshi women, two Indian nationals for running human trafficking racket in the city

OpIndia Staff
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Bengaluru arrests eight Bangladeshi women, two Indian nationals for running human trafficking racket in the city

The Bengaluru police busted an illegal Bangladeshi human trafficking network in the city on Friday (June 26) and arrested eight Bangladeshi women and two Indian nationals from a ladies PG in Banaswadi, Bengaluru.

According to reports, the Bengaluru police raided the ladies PG located in the Banaswadi area in the city after receiving information about the presence of illegal Bangladeshi nationals. The police apprehended two Indian nationals, namely Anand and Anil.

The police said that Anil is married to a Bangladeshi national named Pooja aka Pinky, who returned to Bangladesh in April 2021 along with another Bangladeshi national named Kamal Hassan.

During the questioning, both the accused Anand and Anil identified the photographs of a person named Manjunath, aka Vishwanath, who is alleged to be the kingpin of the prostitution and human trafficking racket in Bengaluru. Both Anand and Anil admitted to having been part of the racket under Manjunath in the city.

Upon receiving the information, the Bengaluru police raided another PG near HSR Layout, where they arrested seven other suspected Bangladeshi nationals. During the questioning, the police found out that most of those apprehended women had Bangladeshi contact numbers saved on their mobile handsets. These illegal Bangladeshi nationals had claimed to be natives of Kolkata but possessed Aadhaar Cards issued from Mumbai and Gujarat.

According to Banaswadi Police officials, the arrested individuals from the PG have admitted to being natives of Bangladesh and provided their addresses in Bangladesh. The police officials said that they would be conducting a detailed enquiry to nab the remaining traffickers operating in the city.

The Bengaluru police are also ascertaining more details about the possible angle of narcotics, weapons or communal angle in the case.

PM Imran Khan urges Pakistani filmmakers to promote ‘Pakistaniyat’ and not copy Bollywood

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PM Imran Khan urges Pakistani filmmakers to promote ‘Pakistaniyat’ and not copy Bollywood

Pakistan is trying to recreate its image on the international platform. Imran Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan, has urged the filmmakers of the country to create original content instead of copying the Indian film industry. PM Khan was speaking at a short film festival in Islamabad. He said, in the initial days, the filmmakers saw Bollywood as a better industry and felt that if they would copy the Indian content, Pakistan’s film industry would flourish. The idea came from the fact that people used to go to Kabul to see Indian films, said Khan.

He said, “So the most important thing I want to say to young filmmakers is that according to my experience of the world, only originality sells — the copy has no value,” He urged the filmmakers to come up with new ideas and techniques. “So my (advice) to young filmmakers is to bring your own original thinking and don’t fear failure. It is my life’s experience that the one who is afraid of defeat can never win,” he added.

Khan said that while the film industry was trying to copy Indian content, the Pakistani television industry created original content, and several series got popular in India. Khan slammed the idea of popularizing the “soft side of Pakistan” and claimed that Pakistan had been wrongly depicted in the war against terrorism. He urged the Pakistani filmmakers to promote “Pakistaniyat” instead of copying Bollywood or Hollywood.

Khan’s attack on the Indian film industry

This is not the first time Imran Khan has attacked the Indian film industry in his speeches. In January 2021, he linked sex crimes in Pakistan to the content coming from Hollywood and Bollywood. He alleged that the content that is being imported from Hollywood to Bollywood to Pakistan is the reason behind sex crimes in Pakistan.

Last year he linked the rise of divorces in Pakistan to Bollywood. In August 2019, Pakistan had imposed a complete ban on drama, films and other Indian content in the country. The decision was taken as a part of several steps Pakistan took after the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

Kalyan Jewellers claim Mughals introduced nose rings in India, corrects misinformation after public outrage

OpIndia Staff
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Kalyan Jewellers claim Mughals introduced nose rings in India, corrects misinformation after public outrage

Kalyan Jewellers, one of the largest jewellery chain in India, recently sparked a controversy after it claimed that nose rings were first introduced in India by the Mughals. “Nose rings were first in India by the Mughals from the Middle East,” it alleged.

On Saturday (June 26), popular Twitter user Sunaina Holey pointed out that the ‘Marathi Nath’ page of the Kalyan Jewellers’ website erroneously attributed the introduction of nose rings to Mughals. She tweeted, “Nath Or Nose Rings weren’t introduced by Mughals in India. Please don’t twist the history. It exists since ancient times & became popular around the 9th & 10th centuries, when naths became a status symbol. Requesting you to write facts.”

Screengrab of the blog post by Kalyan Jewellers

Citing historical references, Hindu activist Saumya Mishra emphasised that nose rings were a part of 16 shringars (makeup) used by the Hindu women. “It was present even before Muslims came into existence,” she added.

Following the outrage on social media, Kalyan Jewellers was quick to issue a clarification. While responding to Sunaina Holey, the jewellery chain said, “Thank you for bringing this to our notice. We have updated the blog and corrected this error.”

At the time of writing this article, the contentious claim about Mughals was removed by Kalyan Jewellers. Nose rings are widely referred to as ‘Marathi Nath’ by people living in Maharashtra, Goa, Belgaum and Karwar. They wear the nose rings during pujas, marriages and other occasions of significance.

Screengrab of the updated blog post by Kalyan Jewellers

Tanishq removes controversial advertisement glorifying ‘love jihad’

In October last year, a massive outrage broke over various social media platforms with users calling for the boycott of the jewellery brand Tanishq for their contentious advertisement glorifying love jihad. The ad released on October 9 showed a pregnant Hindu woman walking with her mother-in-law, who distinctly belonged to the Muslim faith. The Muslim mother-in-law then led the Hindu daughter-in-law to the garden area, where the god-bharai ceremony was set up according to Hindu traditions.

Shocked, the daughter-in-law asked the mother-in-law why the ceremony was set up in that manner since “these things are not followed in the house”. To that, the smiling mother-in-law told her that while this might not be their tradition (since they are a Muslim family), making daughters happy was a universal tradition. The advertisement sparked massive outrage on social media websites, with more than 17,000 users tweeting with the hashtag ‘#Boycott Tanishq, calling for the boycott of the jewellery brand for promoting the concept of ‘love jihad’ and hurting the sentiments of Hindus.

Over Rs 4.5 crore paid by bar owners to Anil Deshmukh’s trusts via shell companies, ED reveals

OpIndia Staff
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Over Rs 4.5 crore paid by bar owners to Anil Deshmukh’s trusts via shell companies, ED reveals

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) during the remand hearing of ex-Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh’s personal secretary Sanjeev Palande and personal assistant Kundan Shinde on Saturday said that crores of rupees were channeled to his trust through dummy companies.

As per reports, Vaze collected Rs 4.70 crore from bar owners between December 2020 and February 2021 on the instructions of Anil Deshmukh. The money was then sent to Deshmukh’s private assistant, Kundan Shinde which was routed to Anil Deshmukh’s Nagpur-based educational trust run by his son through four shell companies.

According to the ED remand application, reviewed by The Indian Express, Vaze reportedly handed over Rs 4.70 crore collected from bars for “smooth functioning” as “good luck” money to Shinde.

Giving their statement to ED, some prominent bar owners revealed that in December, 60 orchestra bar owners paid Rs 40 lakh to Vaze as “good luck” which resulted in the collection of Rs 4.30 crore.

Rs 4.18 crore out of the total Rs 4.70 crore was deposited in cash with four Delhi-based companies- Reliable Finance Corporation Pvt. Ltd, VA Realcon Pvt. Ltd., Utsav Securities Pvt. Ltd. and Sital Leasing and finance Pvt. ltd. These firms then “donated” the entire money to Shri Sai Shikshan Sanstha Trust, an educational charitable trust headed by Anil Deshmukh’s family.

As per ED, the four Delhi-based shell companies are run by brothers Surendra Jain and Virendra Jain. In a statement to the ED, the Jain brothers revealed that they were asked to give “transfer/adjustment entries in garb of donation to Shri Sai Shikshan Sanshtha, Nagpur.”

“Accordingly money was received in form of cash on instruction of Deshmukh family and same was channelized through web of various companies to trust in garb of donations. A total of approx. Rs 4 crores were thus diverted to the said trust in the garb of loans/donations,” read the remand application.

The ED has also informed that the transactions were being looked after by Anil Deshmukh’s son Hrishikesh Deshmukh.

This application was submitted in the special court that was hearing the agency’s plea to grant custody of Shinde and Deshmukh’s private secretary Sanjeev Palande.

In an important update, the Special PMLA court has granted the custody of Kundan Shinde and Sanjeev Palande till 1st July to ED.

Advocates appearing for Shinde and Palande, however, have claimed ED’s probe to be ‘politically motivated’ and said that their clients in no way are linked to the case. 

Anil Deshmukh fails to turn up at ED office

As many as 24 companies directly or indirectly controlled by Anil Deshmukh’s family members or close associates are under the scanner.

As per the ED document, “The various bank account statements of these entities and individuals were analysed, and it was revealed that money was flowing from companies indirectly controlled by family members of Anil Deshmukh to companies directly controlled by family members of Deshmukh and vice-a-versa. An analysis revealed that there is no rationale for transfers and it can thus be said that these series of transactions were meant for inflating balance sheets and layering of money from one company to other.”

Anil Deshmukh, who was summoned by the ED, did not turn up before the directorate yesterday. Instead, his lawyers visited the ED office asking for a copy of the case filed and the documents related to it. 

ED carried out raids after establishing a money trail of Rs 4 crore extortion money

Around eight ED officials reached Deshmukh’s residence at 7.30 PM on Friday along with a team of Central Reserve Police Force personnel and began the search. The ED officials barred anyone from entering or exiting the residence as they continued their search.

The ED had raided the residence of Anil Deshmukh after establishing a money trail of Rs 4 crore, allegedly paid by about 10 bar owners in Mumbai to the then Home Minister Deshmukh over three months. Based on the new evidence, the ED had carried out searches at these locations, including Deshmukh’s residence and the premises of his personal assistant Kundan Shinde and personal secretary Sanjeev Palande.

Following the searches, Deshmukh’s aides were arrested under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after about nine hours of intense questioning.

Cops recover 8 tonnes of explosives from abandoned truck in Nagpur: Read details

OpIndia Staff
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Cops recover 8 tonnes of explosives from abandoned truck in Nagpur: Read details

On Friday (June 25), Rana Pratapnagar police recovered 8 tonnes of explosives from an abandoned truck at Chhatrapati Square in Nagpur.

As per reports, the vehicle was loaded with an ‘explosive’ consignment from Secunderabad in Telangana. The truck, bearing the number plate of Tamil Nadu, was heading to Raipur in Chattisgarh, West Bengal via Singroli in Madhya Pradesh. The consignment was to be delivered to a coal mine. However, the truck broke down near the newly constructed-double decker metro bridge in Chattrapati Square.

The driver, identified as one Dharmendra Pal, went out in search of a mechanic to repair the vehicle. However, instead of finding the mechanic, he started drinking alcohol. As such, the explosive-laden truck remained unattended. The city police found the vehicle, with the word ‘explosives’ written on its rear side. The Rana Pratapnagar police rushed to the spot but did not find anyone inside.

The officials then summoned the bomb detection and disposal squad (BDDS) and alerted the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). Reportedly, the police got in touch with the consignor and the consignee, based on the documents found inside the truck. They shared the driver’s details and the cops called Dharmendra Pal soon after. He explained the chain of events but soon switched off his phone. This raised suspicion of the cops.

Later, the driver showed up with a mechanic. The cops got the truck repaired and towed it to the Sonegaon police station. The ordeal lasted for about four hours and created a state of panic among the police and security officials. The police then booked Dharmendra Pal for abandoning the explosive-laden vehicle.

While speaking about the matter, senior police inspector Dinkar Thossar informed, “We have verified the consignments to be bonafide. The consignor was being summoned as the truck was being driven by a driver who was not accompanied by a cleaner or helper, which is dangerous and he was also found consuming liquor after leaving the truck on road.”

Twin blasts inside Jammu airbase

In an unrelated incident, averting a major terrorist attack, the Jammu Police on Saturday (June 26) nabbed two terrorists with arms, ammunition, and explosive materials from near the Wave Mall situated on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway. As per reports, the Jammu Police had received specific inputs about the presence of two terrorists on the outskirts of the city.

Reportedly, the two had been carrying out a recce of prominent locations before carrying out a terror strike. Out of the two, one 20-year-old terrorist in possession of 5kgs of IED was arrested by the police. An investigation is underway to ascertain whether their other accomplices have managed to enter the city. Search raids were later conducted across the city. Indian Air Force on Sunday tweeted that two low-intensity explosions took place in the technical area of Jammu Air Force Station.

The blasts took place at around 1:42 AM on Sunday and were so powerful they could be heard till 1 km distance. One explosion caused minor damage to the roof of a building while the other took place in an open area. A team of forensic experts and Bomb Disposal Squad reached the explosion site to determine the cause of the blast. No injuries or casualties have been reported due to the blast. The area was cordoned off and a probe was initiated.

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