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Maharashtra: Viral video shows corpses of Covid patients wrapped in garbage bag and polythene being taken for cremation

OpIndia Staff
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Maharashtra: Viral video shows corpses of Covid patients wrapped in garbage bag and polythene being taken for cremation

Amidst the rising cases of Coronavirus-related deaths in the state of Maharashtra, it has now come to light that the bodies of the deceased are being wrapped in garbage bags. On Monday (April 12), Maharashtra BJP leader Kirit Somaiya shared harrowing visuals of corpses that were being taken for cremation from the Saket Global Hospital in Thane.

In the said video, it could be seen that the dead bodies were carried in stretchers and placed in the hearse. One of the corpses had a black garbage bag taped over it while the face was wrapped in a polythene bag. A total of 3 other bodies of Coronavirus patients were found wrapped in white plastic that was clearly not the prescribed body bags. The corpses were placed side-by-side in the vehicle and ferried to the crematorium. The vehicle, bearing the registration number MH04 KF2932, is registered in Thane.

“Now Thackeray Sarkar using Plastic/Kachara Bags to Pack #COVID Dead body,” Kirit Somaiya tweeted. He questioned the government over the manner in which the dead bodies were being disposed. The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with many activists and residents questioning the apathy of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government towards the deceased individuals.

While speaking about the matter, an official informed TOI, “There could possibly be a shortage of body bags as the volume of deaths has risen in the last few days, forcing the staff to use bedsheets to wrap the bodies.” Reportedly, the Saket Global Covid hospital in Thane had been facing a shortage of body bags. Meanwhile, the Thane Municipal Corporation has dismissed the allegations. Additional commissioner at Thane Municipal Corporation, Ganesh Deshmukh, claimed that no bedsheets were used to wrap the dead bodies.

8 Coronavirus dead bodies burnt on a single pyre in Maharashtra

Earlier on Wednesday (April 7), a civic official informed that the corpses of 8 Coronavirus patients were burnt on a single pyre due to a lack of space in a makeshift crematorium in the Beed district of Maharashtra. Reportedly, residents in Ambajogai town had opposed cremating Covid-19 infected bodies in the crematorium. As such, the civic authorities had to take the corpses to a new space on Mandwa road. The area is about 2km away from the town.

Chief Officer at Ambajogai Municipal Council said, “We had to set up one large pyre and cremate eight bodies on Tuesday. It was a big pyre and the bodies were kept at a certain distance from each other.” He had also unveiled plans to make the temporary crematorium waterproof before the onset of the monsoon season. It must be mentioned that Maharashtra is witnessing a tremendous spike in Coronavirus cases and fatalities. The state has 5,66,278 active cases and has witnessed 58,245 fatalities as of April 13.

West Bengal: 14 crude bombs recovered from Murshidabad district ahead of 5th phase polling

OpIndia Staff
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West Bengal: 14 crude bombs recovered from Murshidabad district ahead of 5th phase polling

Another deliberate attempt to spread fear and violence amidst polling in West Bengal was thwarted successfully by the security agencies. As reported by ANI, 14 crude bombs were recovered from the poll-bound Shamsherganj area in Murshidabad district on Monday. 

The bombs were then disposed of by the Bomb Disposal Squad.

Murshidabad district is set to go for polling in the fifth phase of assembly elections on April 17.

Illegal arms manufacturing unit busted in Bharatpur

Vigilance across West Bengal has been intensified after multiple such raids led to the recovery of bombs and illegal arms since polling began in the state. In another such incident, the police had recovered bombs, bomb-making equipment, gunpowder and bullets from an illegal arms manufacturing unit in the Madral Joychanditala area of Bhatpara in North 24 Parganas district on Saturday.

The voting in the Bhatpara constituency in North 24 Parganas will be held on April 22 along with Nadia Part II, East Bardhaman Part II and Uttar Dinajpur.

Fatal violence in fourth phase of polling

Violence triggered at the polling station in Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar after an 18-year old was shot dead allegedly by TMC goons.

The situation went downhill from there with the locals attacking the CISF personnel in an attempt to snatch their weapons which led to the death of four youths in retaliatory fire by the CISF.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah blamed Mamata Banerjee’s instigating speech for the flaring violence in the state.

EC bans Mamata Banerjee for 24 hours

In an order passed by the Election Commission, West Bengal’s incumbent CM Mamata Banerjee has been banned from campaigning for 24 hours after her statement was found to be a violation of the Model Code of Conduct. 

“West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has in violation of provisions of Model Code of Conduct… made insinuating and provocative remarks laden with a serious potential of a breakdown of law and order and thereby adversely affecting the election process,” the EC said in a statement.

To register her protest against the order, Mamata Banerjee has decided to sit on a dharna from 12 noon today.

TMC MP Derek O’Brien also reacted to the order and labelled April 12 as Black Day of democracy.

Pfizer wanted Brazil, Argentina to put military bases, Federal reserve as collateral: Why India kept Pfizer away and how the usual suspects are wrong

Jinit Jain
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Pfizer wanted Brazil, Argentina to put military bases, Federal reserve as collateral: Why India kept Pfizer away and how the usual suspects are wrong

As India is afflicted by the resurgent wave of the coronavirus outbreak, with the indigenous-made vaccines running low on stocks, several individuals have used this adversity to urge the government to do away with the rules governing the approval of the emergency use of vaccines in India and allow Pfizer to sell its COVID-19 vaccines in India without conducting any bridge trials in the country.

With the daily coronavirus caseloads touching a new high, thanks to the inexorable spread of the infection in states like Maharashtra, the clamour for allowing Pfizer to sell its COVID-19 vaccine in the country has only grown stronger. Incidentally, the left-leaning and the self-proclaimed journalists are at the forefront of this campaign, pressurising the central government to waive off obligations that a vaccine manufacturing company has to fulfil before permitting them to sell their vaccines.

Earlier in February, the central government’s expert panel had rejected drugmaker Pfizer’s application seeking an emergency nod for its Covid-19 vaccine after the company insisted on a waiver of a clinical trial in India. The company wanted to sell its vaccine in India but was not inclined to hold the trials, which would have granted them the protection of being held responsible for any untoward side-effects caused among the recipients of its vaccine.

Latin countries accuse Pfizer of asking them to pledge sovereign assets, military bases to cushion against any adverse fallout of its vaccine

Apparently, India was not the only country where Pfizer wanted to ram its way through the vaccine market without being held accountable for any possible adverse outcomes. Latin countries had accused Pfizer of ‘high-level bullying’ during COVID-19 vaccine negotiations, alleging that the Pharma behemoth had demanded additional indemnity against civil lawsuits citizens might file in relation to Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine.

“Pfizer reportedly asked governments in Argentina and Brazil to put up sovereign assets, including military bases and federal bank reserves, as collateral for potential future legal costs,” a report published on Pharmaceutical Technology said.

Besides demanding safeguard from civil lawsuits, officials from Latin countries who were part of the negotiation revealed that the company also wanted protection against cases brought forth due to its own negligence, fraud or malice.

Indian left-liberals, foot soldiers of Pfizer’s PR campaign?

Despite the unreasonable demands made by Pfizer of the countries across the world, several motivated individuals want the Indian government to cave into the demands of the pharmaceutical giant and allow its vaccines to be sold in the country. This makes one wonder if the left-leaning liberals are unaware of Pfizer’s bullying tactics elsewhere in the world or are simply acting as foot-soldiers in the company’s PR campaign to railroad the Indian government into approving its vaccine.

A bridging trial is a supplementary trial performed in a new region or country to get more clinical data on efficacy, safety and dose regimen. But, the left-leaning liberals and journalists are now passionately arguing against holding clinical trials in the country and advocating its usage without trial. Ironically, these are the same set of folks who had demanded the Indian government to revoke the emergency use approval granted to indigenously made vaccines in January 2021. They had then argued that the clinical trials were not conducted and therefore vaccines should not be approved.

However, now they have changed their tune, asking for approval to the Pfizer vaccine even when the company has been accused by other countries of making unreasonable demands to protect itself from any repercussions resulting from the administration of its vaccines.

The left journalists have, more often than not, championed a cause that is detrimental to the country. Earlier in January 2021, when India needed rapid vaccination to avoid the resurgent wave of coronavirus outbreak, the left-leaning liberals had indulged in raising aspersions on the efficacy of the Made in India vaccines, thereby engendering doubts in the minds of people regarding the vaccines. The scepticism caused by their utterances delivered a significant blow to India’s vaccination drive and the country could have scaled its immunisation campaign much more quickly if the liberals had not raised questions on the vaccines made in India.

Now, a few months later, the left-leaning liberals have no qualms with a foreign company wanting to sell its vaccine without conducting trials here. In fact, they are passionately exhorting the government to forgo clinical trials for the foreign pharmaceutical company that is reported to have asked countries to pledge their sovereign assets, military bases and financial reserves to protect itself from any adverse fallout. This duplicity betrays where the loyalty of the Indian left-liberal journalists lies, and it is clearly not with India.

CBI summons former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, SP-rank officers to interrogate him

OpIndia Staff
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CBI summons former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, SP-rank officers to interrogate him

The Central Bureau of Investigation has summoned the former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh for interrogation on Wednesday. Deshmukh is accused of corruption by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh.

The development comes a day after the premier agency recorded the statements of Deshmukh’s personal assistant Sanjeev Palande and Secretary Kundan Shah at the Defence Research and Development Organisation guest house in Mumbai.

According to sources, Deshmukh will be questioned by SP-rank officers of CBI. Till now, the agency has recorded the statements of Param Bir Singh, suspended Assistant Police Inspector Sachin Vaze, ACP Sanjay Patil and complainant Jaishri Patil.

Besides, a team of CBI has also interrogated a bar owner Mahesh Shetty who visited the Crime Intelligence Unit office from 4-6:30 pm on March 3 where he allegedly saw Mansukh Hiren and convicted cop Vinayak Shinde.

Supreme Court dismisses Anil Deshmukh, Maha govt appeals seeking review of Bombay HC’s order allowing CBI enquiry

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court bench of Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Hemant Gupta dismissed the appeals of Deshmukh and the Maharashtra government against the Bombay HC order directing a preliminary enquiry by the CBI.

“Given the serious nature of allegations, and the personas involved, the matter do requires an independent probe agency for investigation. It is a matter of public confidence,” the SC bench observed.

The Bombay High Court had ordered a CBI inquiry on the basis of a PIL filed by Dr Jaishri Patil. Terming the case as ‘extraordinary and unprecedented’, the Bombay High Court had also said that after the preliminary inquiry ordered by it, the CBI would be free to decide further course of action. Therefore, if the CBI does find evidence against Anil Deshmukh in the allegations levelled against him by Parambir Singh, an FIR would be registered in the case subsequently. 

Anil Deshmukh under the scanner for corruption charges levelled by former top cop Param Bir Singh

A controversy erupted on February 20 when former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh levelled serious allegations of corruption against then Home Minister Anil Deshmukh. Singh alleged that Deshmukh had asked Sachin Vaze to collect Rs 100 crores per month from bar and hotel establishments in Mumbai.

In a letter addressed to chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, Deshmukh rubbished the allegations levelled against him, stating that the former Mumbai Police Commissioner was making the accusations because he was transferred from his position due to serious lapses in the Antilia bomb scare.

Kanpur: AIMIM’s posters calling for the beheading of Yati Narsinghanand and Wasim Rizvi removed, FIR registered

OpIndia Staff
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Kanpur: AIMIM’s posters calling for the beheading of Yati Narsinghanand and Wasim Rizvi removed, FIR registered

The Kanpur unit of All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen has put up incendiary ‘sar tan se juda’ posters, calling for the beheading of Dasna Devi Temple head priest Narsinghanand Saraswati for his remarks on Prophet Muhammad.

One of the hoardings in Kanpur showed the head of Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati severed from his body. Along with the decapitated body of Narsinghanand Saraswati, the poster also displayed a beheaded Wasim Rizvi, the former chairman of the Shia Central Board of Waqf in Uttar Pradesh.

Another despicable poster had a dog and a child urinating on Narsinghanand Saraswati and Wasim Rizvi, respectively. The poster also demanded that Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati and Wasim Rizvi be hanged.

The Kanpur Police has said on social media that the posters have been removed and an investigation into the matter has been initiated.

Ever since Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati has made remarks on Prophet Muhammad, he has come under the firing line of AIMIM leaders, who have been making dog whistles for the decapitation of the Dasna Devi Temple head priest.

AIMIM protests the arrest of 4 Muslim men who were taken into custody for pasting posters against Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati

On April 09, Balaghat Police arrested four men from the Muslim community identified as Mateen Ajhari, Kasim Khan, Sohaib Khan and Raza Khan for pasting posters against Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati on Jama Masjid Road in the city. They were protesting against the Dasna temple priest for allegedly making statements against Prophet Muhammad.

It is pertinent to note that this arrest comes as a larger number of Muslims gathered at the Islamia Ground in Bareilly on 9th April, demanding action against Yati Narsinghanand. Amid the slogans to behead the priest, clerics gave a speech asking for his arrest.

A delegation of five members of AIMIM wrote to police urging them to take legal action against Dasna Devi Temple priest for his remarks on April 1 at the Press Club of India. Nazim Khan, district-in-charge of AIMIM, said, “Instead of taking action against the saint who has hurt the sentiments of the entire Muslim community, four members of our community have been arrested for putting up his posters.” He further added that the right to peaceful protest had been turned down by the state government. “People often burn effigies, hit it with slippers to register their protest against anyone, including the Prime Minister, but no action has ever been taken,” he said.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi slams Dasna Devi Temple head priest Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati

Earlier this month, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi lambasted Dasna Devi Temple head priest Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati saying he insulted the Prophet.

Ranting on Twitter, the Hyderabad MP said that insulting Prophet is unacceptable and asked “can these criminals acting as religious teachers get over their unnatural fixation with Islam?”

“Insulting Prophet (SAW) is unacceptable. Can these criminals acting as religious teachers get over their unnatural fixation with Islam? For something that you do not like, you do spend a lot of time on it. I’m sure there’s enough in your own belief system that you can discuss,” said Owaisi.

Remarks by Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati on Islam

On April 1, Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati, head priest of Dasna Devi Temple in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, had spoken at an event held at the Press Club of India when he urged Hindus to be fearless in highlighting the characteristics of Prophet Muhammad.

“If Islam’s reality, for which Maulana says, ‘If you speak about Muhammad, we will behead you, Hindus should get rid of this fear. We are Hindus. If we can about the characteristics of Lord Ram, and other Hindu deities, then Muhammad is nothing for us. Why could not we speak about Muhammad and speak the truth?” Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati had exclaimed.

AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan called for the beheading of Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati as ‘punishment’ for criticising Prophet Muhammad. He also got an FIR registered against the priest in Delhi. Subsequently, FIRs were registered against Khan in Delhi and Ghaziabad for his call for the beheading of the priest.  

Kanpur police remove posters, registers FIR

In the latest update, the Kanpur police have stated that after the removal of the posters and an investigation, they have now registered an FIR regarding the issue.

In a tweet, the Kanpur police informed that the FIR has been lodged in Chamanganj station under sections 153 A and 295 A. They added that the culprits are being identified.

Woman’s fear of cockroaches leads couple to change houses 18 times, husband files for divorce

OpIndia Staff
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Woman’s fear of cockroaches leads couple to change houses 18 times, husband files for divorce

A couple in Bhopal has changed 18 houses in three years of marriage due to the wife’s fear of cockroaches. The husband, a software engineer by profession, tired of being embarrassed amongst friends and family is planning to file for divorce, as reported by Amar Ujala.

The husband was made aware of his wife’s phobia for the first time after their marriage in 2017. Allegedly, the wife on spotting a cockroach in the kitchen ran for help screaming and refused to enter the kitchen thereafter. Apparently, the scream was so loud that it frightened the family members. She had been adamant on shifting to a new house since then.

The couple changed houses for the first time in 2018 but unfortunately the trail did not stop there. The couple since then have changed 18 houses, says the report. 

The man claimed that he has taken his wife to many private psychiatrists including one at AIIMS for treatment but she refuses to take any medication prescribed. The wife on the other hand alleges that her husband does not understand her problem and is trying to declare her mentally ill by getting her on medications. 

To give their marriage a last chance, the couple visited BHAI Welfare Society, an organization that works for men trapped in fake dowry and domestic violence cases. The duo was counseled by a Zaki Ahmed, the founder of this organization, but nothing seemed to work.

Claiming that he and his family are embarrassed and tired of this routine, he has decided to seek legal help and file for a divorce. 

Election Commission bans Mamata Banerjee from campaigning for 24 hours: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Election Commission bans Mamata Banerjee from campaigning for 24 hours: Details

The Election Commission has banned West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from campaigning for 24 hours, from 8pm on the 12th of April to 8pm on the 13th of April.

Mamata Banerjee was banned from campaigning due to comments where she appealed for the Muslim community to vote along communal lines. The ban was also due to comments where she urged women to ‘gherao’ central security forces apart from “false allegations” that the security personnel may intimidate voters to cast their votes for a particular political party.

After Mamata Banerjee asked people to ‘gherao’ the security personnel, a mob had attempted to snatch their weapons during the 4th phase of the West Bengal Assembly Elections on the 10th of April. 4 people lost their lives as the security personnel were forced to act in self-defense.

Earlier, the Trinamool Supremo had appealed to her ‘minority brothers and sisters’ to not allow their vote to be divided.

Amid rising cases of COVID-19, Delhi HC allows Nizamuddin Markaz, once a hotspot, to be made operational for devotees

OpIndia Staff
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Amid rising cases of COVID-19, Delhi HC allows Nizamuddin Markaz, once a hotspot, to be made operational for devotees

As India once again grapples with the resurgence of coronavirus cases in the country, Delhi High Court has allowed the Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi to make the Masjid Bangle Wali operational for devotees to offer prayers. This decision comes nearly a year after the Markaz Nizamuddin of Tablighi Jamaat had been shut down after it had turned into a hotspot for the outbreak of coronavirus.

While passing the order, the Delhi High Court said that since the month of Ramzan is starting from 14th April the Mosque can be reopened, however, it should be done accordance with the COVID-19 guidelines issued by Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).

The order came following the central government’s proposal that a list of 200 people can be submitted to the police but only 50 people may enter the mosque at a single time to comply with social distancing norms. 

Rejecting the centre and Delhi Police’s submission, Justice Mukta Gupta observed: “It is an open place. They don’t have to have a fixed (number of) devotees when no other religious place has….”

Anybody can wish to go to a temple or mosque or church and a specific list of 200 persons cannot be given by anyone, Gupta added. “A 200-people list is not acceptable; that cannot be,” said the Court. It, however, said that a list of persons managing the mosque can be given to the local SHO.

As per the order passed by the court, an inspection of the mosque in presence of the local SHO will take place on Monday to measure the area for determining the number of people who can offer namaz at the place, in accordance with social distancing norms, and marking the spots where prayer mats can be put for devotees. Asking the authorities to file a status report, the court listed the case for hearing on Tuesday.

Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi reopened on the occasion of Shab-e-Barat

Almost a year after it shut, the Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi reopened for the first time on March 30 on the occasion of Shab-e-Barat. According to reports, around 50 Muslims offered prayers on Shab-e-Barat at the 6-storeyed building, amidst tight security. 

The Waqf Board, represented by Ramesh Gupta and advocate Wajeeh Shafiq, had urged the Court to allow ‘some Muslims’ to pray at the mosque inside the Markaz. They also asked the Court to decide the matter before April 13 as many Muslims want to offer prayers during Ramazan. On March 24, the Union government told the Delhi High Court that 50 people chosen by the Waqf Board can offer prayers inside the Markaz.

Tablighi Jamaat event in Hazrat Nizamuddin and Coronavirus super-spreader

The Tablighi Jamaat congregation, which took place in Nizamuddin Markaz in the first half of March last year, became a mega-spreader of coronavirus in India, with members hiding from authorities and carrying the infection to almost all states in India. The persons who had attended the event, and their family members and those who came into contact with them tested positive regularly, contributing to the increase in the number of coronavirus cases in the country.

We had then reported extensively how the Tablighi jamaat event had wreaked havoc in the country.

Actress Mahima Chaudhry rallies for both TMC and BJP candidates in West Bengal: Here’s her explanation for the unusual event

OpIndia Staff
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Actress Mahima Chaudhry rallies for both TMC and BJP candidates in West Bengal: Here’s her explanation for the unusual event

Ahead of the upcoming 5th phase of the State Legislative polls in West Bengal, actress Mahima Chaudhry was spotted campaigning for the BJP in the North 24 Parganas district.

In a video shared by Zee 24 Ghanta journalist Piyali Mitra on Monday (April 12), Chaudhry was seen holding an election rally in support of BJP leader Sabyasachi Dutta in Dumdum Park. She stood alongside him in an open jeep and waved at people. Dutta is the BJP candidate from the Bidhannagar Vidhan Sabha constituency.

However, a week earlier, Mahima Chaudhry was spotted participating in the election rally of the Trinamool Congress. On April 5, she campaigned for the TMC leader Madan Mitra in his constituency of Kamarhati. Even during the TMC rally, she stood alongside Madan Mitra in a red coloured jeep, made victory signs and waved at the people. Her campaign for both parties comes at a time when the State is witnessing violence and clashes between the BJP and the TMC.

While responding to the tweet by journalist Piyali Mitra, actress Mahima Chaudhry dismissed charges of being associated with either of the two political parties in West Bengal. “I don’t belong to any party.I know both candidates for a decade now. I came to support MR Madan Mitra in 2011 & MR Sabyasachi when he was mayor. I don’t change my friends if they change their political party. I support friends NOT a particular party,” she tweeted. The actress had featured in various films including Dhadkan, Dil Hai Tumhaara, Dil Kya Kare, Lajja and Pardes.

Screengrab of the tweet by Madan Mitra

The 5th phase of the West Bengal polls will be conducted on April 17. A total of 319 candidates will be contesting for the 45 constituencies. Reportedly, about 1.12 crore electorates will be voting during the 5h phase. While the BJP is contesting all the 45 seats, TMC is contesting on 42 of them.

OpIndia Exclusive: Tata Communications suffers data leak, hackers claim to have sold access to company’s servers, over 50GB data still up for sale

Anurag
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OpIndia Exclusive: Tata Communications suffers data leak, hackers claim to have sold access to company’s servers, over 50GB data still up for sale

After Facebook and Mobikwik, hackers have claimed to got access to another major tech giant in India. As per two posts by hackers on a hackers’ forum, they have gained access to Tata Communications servers. In the posts, the hackers are offering backdoor entry to anyone who is willing to pay $9000 for the servers.

Access to servers sold, claimed hackers

In a March 15 post, the hackers claimed that they have got access to the servers of Tata Communications. They were offering access for $18,000 in the form of Bitcoins. The buyer would get:

  • Access partners
  • Access to the internal network
  • Access to the webserver
  • Access to DB’s
  • +30 Billion billable transactions
  • Access to all SMS and telecom servers
March 15 post by hacker

The hackers offered a discount if needed. By March 11, the hackers dropped the price substantially and asked for $9,000 in Bitcoins. However, when we tried contacting the hackers, they claimed that the access to Tata servers had been sold. On inquiring further whether the person who got access to the servers can access them remotely, the hacker said the servers are behind firewalls, and the buyer did not buy bypass from them. However, with the information they have, they can use Web Shell access to gain persistent access to the company’s databases.

What exactly is the Web Shell access?

A Web Shell is a malicious script used by threat actors with an intent to escalate and maintain continuous access to an already compromised web application or server. It has to be noted that a Web Shell cannot attack or exploit the remote vulnerabilities on its own. However, it is the second step of an attack.

In this case, the threat actors would use the vulnerabilities exiting on the Tata Communication servers, which they learnt about from the data bought from the hacker. Using the vulnerabilities, they can initiate a social engineering attack to attain file upload capabilities and transfer of malicious files or the Web Shells. Some of the common functionalities include, but not limited to, shell command execution, database enumeration, code execution and file management.

Databases worth 50 GB up for sale

According to the second post by the hackers, they are willing to sell the 50GB Database of Tata Communications. They might have gained access using the vulnerabilities they talked about in the previous post. The hackers alleged that the database contains

  1. Customers details: username – password (plaintext) – servers information – servers logs – phone numbers and etc.: If hackers are to be believed, this will provide the buyer access to the server credentials of Tata Communications’ customers.
  2. CRM and Organizational automation DB’s: Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Organizational automation Database contains information of the sales that the company has made over time and information about its customers. Such a system helps the company to track and manage the engagement between customers and responsible teams at the company. This system is used for both existing and prospective customers. If someone gets access to this information, it can be used to get detailed information of the contracts between the company and the customer. In the wrong hands, it can potentially cause financial losses to the company.
  3. Employees Emails Backup: This is the most dangerous set of information that the hacker has offered in the database. Employees emails backup can provide a lot of information about the company processes, customer details, projects the company is working on, in-house trade secrets and much more. It is still unclear how much information is available to the hackers. Another point that one has to keep in mind here is that the access to the servers has already been sold. If the hackers have provided correct information, someone might have already started accessing the databases using the vulnerabilities exploited by the hackers.
  4. Servers access information (usernames – passwords (plaintext) – IP): The hackers claim that they are providing passwords in plaintext format. That means they have already been dehashed. In this case, if the information is correct, anyone who has access to this database will be able to access different servers and exploit the data available on the said servers.
  5. Admin panels information (usernames – passwords (plaintext) – URLs): Using this information, the buyer of the database can access admin panels at Tata Communications, making the trade information vulnerable to leas.
  6. Internal networks Maps and diagrams
  7. Employees Maps
March 26 post by hacker

The sample data

OpIndia got access to the sample of the database. There were a total of eight files and one folder in the sample data. In the folder, there were some invoices dating back to 2016-17. These invoices were issued by one of the Tata Communications business partner and telecom giant Etisalat. Both companies had signed MoU in 2013 to build multi-service regional network infrastructure in UAE.

sample invoice (screenshots from sample data)

In a file titled Tel-data-2021, details of Tata Communications clients’ network usage was found. The majority of the clients mentioned in this list were from Saudi Arabia.

Client information from Saudi Arabia (screenshots from sample data)

Another file shared by the hacker had usernames, passwords in text format (possibly dehashed) and email addresses and other details of one of Tata Communications clients that is a Cloud Communication Platform provider. Notably, one of the users had his phone number as the password. When we reverse checked the number, it turned out to be registered to the same name, which weighs in for the authenticity of the data.

Username and password of a client of Tata Communications (screenshots from sample data)

The hacker also shared a sample of SMS servers of Tata Communications. It has to be noted that the services of Tata Communications are used by several companies, including banks, institutes, government organizations and more. In this particular file, we were able to check the numbers of the users and what messages they exchanged. The messages ranged from October 2020 to March 2020. Please note that this was only a sample, and the hackers have claimed to have access to the latest data dump.

SMS server sample (screenshots from sample data)

Another database potentially has information of the internal invoices.

Accounts information sample including invoice details (screenshots from sample data)

There is still a lot of information in the sample data dump that we believe should not be shared anywhere. The screenshots included in this report are not even 0.1% of the data the hackers provided in the data sample.

Tata Communications is yet to comment

We have contacted Chief Technology Officer at Tata Telecommunications via email and waiting for their reply. Once they provide us with any information about the alleged leak/breach, we will update the story.

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