Arrested on the charges of opening fire at the Delhi Police officials and inciting riots in the national capital, accused Shahrukh Pathan, whose image of brandishing a gun at the Delhi police personnel had symbolised the anti-Hindu riots in Delhi, had buckled under pressure, presumably on the realisation that he may face jail time for his criminal activities. Admitting to his crimes, Pathan, in his statement to the police, said that he is willing to cooperate with the law enforcement officials and identify the other accused from the protest footage and help in their arrest.
In his disclosure statement, Pathan claimed that he was brainwashed by the protests after watching a YouTube video on anti-CAA protests at Maujpur Chowk and thus decided to join the demonstrations. He joined the protests, pelted stones and fired at the police, his statement said.
“On February 22, 2020, I saw on YouTube that a protest against CAA had started at Maujpur Chowk and got excited. Two days later at around 11 am, I went to Maujpur Chowk, where two groups, pro-CAA and anti-CAA, started pelting stones at each other. I also started pelting stones, and I also had a pistol with me, which I pointed at police officers and fired. I can identify the other accused from the protest footage and help in their arrest. I made a mistake, please forgive me,” the statement read.
Shahrukh has been charged in two cases. He has been booked under rioting and under relevant sections for allegedly pointing a gun at head constable Deepak Dahiya during the riots on February 24. His name is also included in a charge sheet in connection with the Maujpur incident on February 24, where violence erupted between pro-CAA and anti-CAA groups and later spread to other parts of Northeast Delhi. Pathan was arrested from Uttar Pradesh in March and is currently held in judicial custody.
As per the present case, two policemen—Raman and Deepak and a passerby Rohit Shukla sustained injuries because of the violence that broke out at Maujpur Chowk on February 24. According to the charge sheet, constable Raman could not identify the rioters who injured him. Shukla identified Aatir, Gulfam and Osama through pictures, who were later arrested and sent to judicial custody. Another witness had identified Sajjad through CCTV footage but he has since then been untraceable, the charge sheet said.
Delhi High Court rejects Shahrukh Pathan’s bail plea
The statement from Shahrukh comes on the heels of the Delhi High Court’s refusal to grant a reprieve to the accused. Last week, the Delhi High Court denied granting relief to Shahrukh Pathan—and observed that while Pathan intended to become a hero but he will now have to face the consequences of taking up arms against the Delhi police. Justice Suresh Kumar Kait said he was not disposed to grant relief to Shahrukh Pathan, after which his counsel withdrew the plea.
The court dismissed the plea as withdrawn. The advocate representing Shahrukh had sought bail for his client on the grounds that he had to take care of his ailing 76-year-old father who is not well and has no one to look after him. Justice Kait then said, “While committing an offence, you forget everyone. Now you are thinking about your aged and ailing parents.
‘Civil Society’ organisations often use the veneer of humanitarian efforts and charity to engage in wholesale fraud. As much as NGOs and foundations would like to claim otherwise, too many of them engage in behaviour that cannot be deemed ‘civil’. We have reported extensively on such organisations, In this report, we shall discuss the background of one such organisation, Care India.
Recently, Smriti Irani had hit out at one of the top functionaries of Care India, Neera Saggi, for soliciting donations in the name of the Government of India. As it turns out, Care India is not the legal name of the organisation even though that is the name it advertises itself as. The actual legal name of the organisation is CARE India Solutions for Sustainable Development.
The tweet by Smriti Irani
Carre India also claims to work with state governments and in projects involving the central government. According to its website, it has been supporting the Bihar government in the health sector for the past 10 years and is also helping them deal with the Coronavirus crisis. It was also hired by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as the central training agency for Integrated Child Development Services-Common Application Software (ICDS-CAS), which is a scheme in partnership between the GoI and states.
As evidenced by Smriti Irani’s tweet above, functionaries in the NGO are known to use their work with governments to then solicit funds. Given the nature of the organisation and their work, it is perhaps a necessity to investigate its background.
Neera Saggi
The Neera Saggi mentioned above is in a soup of her own. She is accused of involvement in the multi-crore IL&FS fraud. An audit discovered that transactions worth over Rs. 6000 crores undertaken by IL&FS Financial Services Limited (IFIN) were in violation of governance norms. It was soon after the scam came to light after several of its subsidiaries defaulted on huge loans. The debt of the entire group was upwards of Rs. 90,000 crores.
Neera Saggi was the director at the IFIN between 2015 and July 2016. She claimed that she was innocent of the allegations levelled against the directors as she had separated ways with the firm in 2016. However, that is contrary to the findings of the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO). An interim order by NCLT, Mumbai in July 2019 records the findings of the SFIO.
The order states, “With regard to proposed Respondent No. 336, Neera Saggi, SFIO has stated in its complaint before the Special Court at Mumbai that the independent Directors and CFO of the company are appointed with the objective to help the company in improving corporate credibility and governance standard but they ignored al alarming indicators and failed to save the interest of the company and its stakeholders by not raising of these issues in the Board Meetings and remained a mute spectator.”
Excerpt from the relevant Interim Order
“It is revealed that in connivance with each other, the Independent Directors, Directors, CFO of the IFIN, group CFO abused their positions and used various modus operandi to continue lending from IFIN to group entities, by causing wrongful loss to IFIN & its stakeholders such as investors and creditors whose money it was misusing for fraudulent lending, which ultimately resulted in the ultimate loss to the company, and its creditors,” the order added.
It concluded, “Investigation further revealed that the Audit Committee members and the Independent Directors, Director, CFO of the IFIN and group CFO of the IL & FS were aware of the stressed asset portfolio, the modus operandi used for granting loans to group companies of existing defaulting borrowers in order to prevent their being classified as NPA.”
The Foreign Funding of Care India
As has been mentioned above, the actual legal name of Care India is ‘CARE India Solutions for Sustainable Development’. In its submissions to the Home Ministry, Care India revealed that it had secured Rs. 153,99,47,426.00 as donations for social purposes and Rs. 3,49,83,017.00 for educational purposes. A significant amount of its donations came from CARE organisations abroad. Other prominent donors were Amazon Development Centre India Private Limited and United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
USAID donated Rs. 2,47,24,054.00 to Care India in 2018-19 and Amazon Development Centre contributed Rs. 29,19,281.00. The total contribution from foreign sources during the financial year was Rs. 157,49,30,443.00 and as a transfer from a local source was Rs. 6,66,49,693.00. When this amount is added to the carried forward foreign contribution at the beginning of the year and the interest in income, its total foreign contribution amounts to Rs. 222,40,70,098.00.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs
Care India funds Evangelical Organisations
One of the organisations that Care India diverted its funds to is the Evangelical Social Action Forum. On its website, it does not advertise its missionary activities, however, the ‘Evangelical’ in its name is obviously a giant red flag. The organisation has received huge donations from Care India. It operates in Kerala. It received upwards of Rs. 52 lakhs from Care India in 2018-19.
Its website states, “Based on the conviction that the command of Jesus Christ, “Love your neighbour as yourself’’ has a social dimension, they brainstormed for several months on how to translate their conviction into action. Coupled together with their mustard seed-like faith and their conviction resulted in the birth of Evangelical Social Action Forum (ESAF) in 1992 to serve the poor and the marginalised and create opportunities for their holistic development.”
The website also states. “The story of ESAF is akin to the growth of a mustard seed. A humble beginning that flourishes to be impactful and providing shelter to many. The seeds were sown in the early 1990s. Burning issues of the day like unemployment of the educated youth and abject poverty in the rural households made a few members of the Kerala Evangelical Graduates’ Fellowship (EGF) think radically about the relevance of their faith in addressing the social problems around them.”
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs
Other top functionaries of Care India
Other top functionaries of Care India apart from Neera Saggi include Yamini Aiyar, the daughter of senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar. She is a Board Member at the organisation. Her father is, of course, known to make horrendous remarks against the BJP and Prime Minister Modi and is infamous for allegedly asking for Pakistan’s help in defeating Narendra Modi in one of his visits to the country.
Apart from her, there is Shyam Divan who happens to be a senior Supreme Court advocate and works primarily on civil litigation across banking, securities law, arbitration, administrative law and environmental law. Gautam Chikermane, the Vice President of Observer Research Foundation, also sits on its board.
Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli blamed India of conspiring to topple his government on Sunday. He was addressing a meeting held in Kathmandu on the birth anniversary of late communist leader Madan Bhandari. Oli is facing criticism from the public and from inside the ruling Nepal Communist Party over mismanagement during the Chinese coronavirus pandemic and land grabbing by China.
New map irked India, claims Oli
Oli said during his address that India is trying to bring down the government because his government published the new map of Nepal that depicts Indian territories of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura as part of Nepalese territory. He said (in Nepalese), “A conspiracy is being hatched to remove me for releasing the country’s new map and getting it adopted through Parliament. In light of these discussions, the media reports from New Delhi, embassy’s activities and meetings in different hotels in Kathmandu, it’s not difficult to understand how people are openly active to topple me.”
Oli added, “Nepal’s nationalism is not so weak that someone can dream of removing the country’s prime minister for publishing the new map and making it part of the Constitution…It is unthinkable.”
#Gravitas | Is Nepal’s ruling party headed for a split? A new report has claimed that rival factions within the Nepal Communist Party are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli (@PM_Nepal). @palkisu gets you the details. pic.twitter.com/kybQeuBM1k
As per a report by WION, Oli’s position as PM of Nepal is on shaky grounds as rival factions want Oli out. As per the report, former Nepal PM and communist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal has been demanding his resignation as he wants to be the PM again. As per the report, he whipped up the ‘national pride’ in Nepal to hide his poor management of Chinese coronavirus and took an adverse position against India. And while it worked for a while, the move did not help him longer, especially after China encroached over Nepal’s land near the Nepal-Tibet border.
No comments from India
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has not released any statement or remarks over Oli’s allegations. A few days back, MEA released a report that rejected Nepal’s claims on the three said locations. India described the new map of Nepal as an “artificial enlargement of territorial claims” and said that Nepal should create a positive atmosphere for talks to resolve border issues.
Alleged land-grabbing by China
While fissures are emerging between India and Nepal, China has allegedly encroached 64 hectares of land in Nepal. The Chinese Army had asked the villagers on the Nepal-China border to move somewhere else. Some pillars distinguished between the lands of Nepal and China. Those pillars are missing from the border as well. China also changed the path of rivers acting as natural borders between the countries and allegedly increased its territory. On 24th June Nepali Congress passed a resolution in parliament to urge the government to take back land invaded by the Chinese army.
Nepalese actions against India
In the last few months, Nepal has caused enough trouble for India. The problems between the two nations are not limited to the map row. Nepalese police opened fire on the Indian side and killed one farmer while injuring three. There were reports that Nepal’s radio stations are playing anti-India songs across borders.
During the meeting of the Nepal Communist Party’s standing committee, the majority of the members showed support for Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda.” Oli skipped the session that took place on Friday.
Syed Ali Geelani, a separatist leader in Jammu and Kashmir, has reportedly resigned from the Hurriyat Conference, a conglomerate of separatist groups in the Valley. In an audio message shared by journalist Aditya Raj Kaul, the 90-year-old Geelani could be heard saying, “Keeping in mind the present circumstances, I have decided to step away from the Hurriyat Conference.”
BIG: Hardline Separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani quits Hurriyat Conferrnce. Major setback to Pakistan and ISI. Geelani issues an audio statement after detailed two page letter, announcing the end of his association with hardline separatist group in Kashmir. pic.twitter.com/j3HtEIyQLh
The separatist leader, who is believed to be on the payroll of Pakistan and its intelligence agency ISI, has also written a detailed two-page letter highlighting the reasons behind his resignation from the Hurriyat Conference. As per the letter, Geelani was sidelined by the Pakistani chapter of Hurriyat in the key-decision making process for the past 2 years. Besides, he revealed that his colleagues also began to maintain distance from him.
The letter written by Geelani clearly reveals that he was being sidelined by Pakistan chapter of Hurriyat Conference and that they were making key decisions since past two years. Geelani is also unhappy with some of his colleagues who were free but maintained distance from him. pic.twitter.com/ihRMCTSJ99
Earlier in February, there were reports that Geelani’s health has been deteriorating and amid rumours of his death, the security in the valley was increased.
Syed Ali Shah Geelani is considered as the senior-most Hurriyat leader, which itself is sponsored by Pakistan. Geelani was previously a member of Jamaat-e-Islami Kashmir but later on founded his own party by the name of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat. He has served as the Chairman of the All Parties Hurriyet (Freedom) Conference, a conglomerate of separatist parties in Jammu and Kashmir.
Geelani became an MLA from Sopore constituency first in 1972 and went on to become MLA for two more terms.
On Monday, Dilbag Singh, the Director-General of Police (DGP) in Jammu and Kashmir, informed that the Doda district has been freed of terrorism after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Masood and two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists were killed, in an encounter with security forces the Khulchohar area in Anantnag.
As per reports, Masood was wanted in a rape case in Doda and was absconding ever since he committed the crime. Later, he joined terror-outfit Hizbul Mujahideen and began operating from Kashmir. “Doda district in Jammu Zone becomes totally militancy free once again as Masood was a last surviving terrorist of the Doda District,” DGP Dilbag Singh was quoted as saying.
With today’s operation at Khull Chohar by Anantnag Police along with 19 RR,CRPF in which 2 LET terrorists including one district commander & one HM commander Masood were neutralised, Doda district in Jammu Zone becomes totally militancy free once again.@Sandeep_IPS_JKPpic.twitter.com/sCvioo2f3X
Two pistols, one AK-47 and ammunition were recovered from the terrorists. The Army confirmed that three terrorists were eliminated during the cordon and search operation, abbreviated as CASO. On the basis of a tip-off about the hideout of the terrorists, a joint team of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the 19 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) of the Indian Army and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) tightened the cordon in the Runipora Khulchohar area. The terrorists then fired shots at the security personnel, following which a gunfight ensued between the two sides.
116 terrorists neutralised this year
As per reports, the number of terrorists that have been neutralised in the Kashmir Valley has risen to 116 this year. The slain terrorists also include 7 top commanders of different terrorist organisations. As a matter of fact, this joint military operation is the 13th encounter conducted in June and has killed over 40 terrorists.
Tral has been a hub of Hizbul Mujahideen since 1989 was also freed from the clutches of terrorism this year. One of the top commanders of Hizbul Mujahideen, namely, Riyaz Naikoo, was also eliminated this year. Reportedly, the terror outfit primarily targets security personnel.
At least five people have reportedly lost their lives as militants attack Karachi stock Exchange in Pakistan’s Karachi. As per reports, people from inside the building are being evacuated. As per reports, three militants seem to have been eliminated.
As per reports, at least one security guard is injured inside the building.
It seems someone managed to get inside the stock exchange building as videos showing blood ok the stairs and at least one guard injured inside the building. #UGC videos #PSX#attack#Karachi#WARNING: blood and gore in videos, viewer discretion advised. pic.twitter.com/o0EpefJIa3
In a recent interview with The Wire journalist Arfa Khanum Sherwani, actor Manoj Bajpayee shut down the former when she tried to put words in his mouth, peddle her agenda and stir controversy. When Arfa insinuated whether or not India would remain a democratic country in the future, Bajpayee said, “I am not an expert. But, I believe that nothing will happen to the democracy of India. I am hopeful. I don’t know why people are afraid.”
काफी दिन बाद कुछ अच्छा देखने को मिला । पत्रकार जी यह मनोज जी है ।
While the journalist was expecting the actor to make a positive affirmation to her beliefs and opinions, Bajpayee chose to do otherwise. “There is an election every 4-5 years in the country. Whoever is afraid (that democracy will cease to exist) can contest elections against the government.” In the hopes that the actor would say something of her liking, Arfa pestered, “Javed Jaffri told me in an interview that actors steer clear of politics and those with opinions do not get work in Bollywood. Is this true?” Bajpayee replied, “I don’t think so.”
Displaying a clear disdain for the movie ‘Padmavat’, Arfa inquired whether movies in Bollywood are created with a sinister purpose to defame a ‘particular community.’ The actor stated, “I watched Padmavat and felt that we are necessarily stoking a controversy. Take the example of the movie, Mughal-e-Azam. Is there anything historically true about the movie? No, it wasn’t. When I watched the film, I had no problem.”
Recounting his experience of watching the movie ‘Uri’, based on India’s surgical strike against Pakistan, Manoj Bajpayee conceded that he got emotional watching the last rites of the character who played brother in law of actor Vicky Kaushal in the movie. “I was so engrossed in the film that I had tears. I even called Vicky and appreciated the film.” Interestingly, the same news portal mocked the film Uri as filled with ‘toxic, hyper-nationalism.’
Arfa Khanum Sherwani and art of fearmongering
The Wire journalist Arfa Khanum Sherwani has been regularly indulging in fear mongering, especially claiming that the democracy as we know it in India is dead and we are heading towards what she likes to call ‘Nazi Germany‘. During the anti-CAA protests, where scores of Islamists and ‘liberals’ protested against granting Indian citizenship to persecuted religious minorities from three neighbouring Islamic countries of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, Arfa was found suggesting protesting Muslims to adopt more of an ‘inclusive strategy’ and avoid using their Muslim identity so that they could garner more support. Amid the coronavirus outbreak, she was also found defending the Tablighi Jamaat, a Muslim evangelical event which emerged as the initial hotspots for coronavirus outbreak in India.
The aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has reportedly issued a show-cause notice to the Head of flight safety and operations at Air Asia after pilot and Youtuber Gaurav Taneja levelled serious allegations against the airline. Sharing the new development in the case, Taneja wrote, “For those who are standing by me – DGCA has sent a show-cause notice to Air Asia for serious public safety issues raised by me. All I want is a fair investigation.”
The DGCA show-cause notice to the airlines reportedly concerns about issues of pilot fatigue and questionable landing techniques employed by the airlines to save fuel.
The renowned pilot also stated that even though he was suspended by Air Asia for asking the same questions as asked by DGCA, he remains hopeful that justice will prevail. The airline acknowledged the receipt of the notice and further they are cooperating and assisting the regulator in the fact-finding process.
Earlier, the senior officials of DGCA informed that a probe had been launched against Air Asia. In a Twitter post, DGCA said that it took cognisance of the matter and the approach of the airline towards safety protocols. It assured to take appropriate action based on the outcome of the investigation.
Taneja, in his viral video, said that when he flew on 23rd March, he noticed that the company was not following safety regulations marked by the DGCA. He tried to sort it out on his level but things did not work out the way they were supposed to. Later on, 24th March, he reportedly denied flying, stating lack of safety norms, and on 25th March, India was put under a complete lockdown that resulted in a complete shutdown of Airline operations, both domestic and international.
Taneja had alleged that the airlines has been forcing pilots to land in ‘flap 3 mode’, considered to be cost-effective but not prescribed by the DGCA. He had alleged that the company has been ignoring safety protocols in order to save fuel.
He said, “The airline has money and resources but failed to provide even the smallest things to ensure passengers and airline staff safety. The ‘chalta hai’ attitude in India is a huge problem in the Airline industry.” He added if anything goes wrong in the flight, it would have been his neck on the line, and not the airlines. The first thing airlines do after any problem during the flight is grounding the pilot and, in adverse cases revoking his or her license.
Our neighbouring country Pakistan which grapples with multiple problems including an unprecedented economic crisis accelerated by Chinese coronavirus outbreak, has now given a call for ‘buying locally produced’ goods. Thankfully, no one has publicly urged the Pakistani administration to train more homegrown terrorists, a product the country aces in.
The call to buy ‘Made in Pakistan’ products gained momentum after Pakistan’s science and technology minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain announced that Pakistan has successfully manufactured 8-10 ventilators and is now looking at increasing manufacturing output such that soon enough Pakistan will export ventilators too.
In fact, it seems like Pakistani government has also officially asked its citizens to buy more locally produced goods.
#پہلےمیراپاکستان Until and unless the manufacturing sector and exports are strengthened, Pakistan’s economy will not be able to achieve high growth rate,” stated a press release@TM__Rockspic.twitter.com/LKxp6qSsId
Amusingly, a Pakistani news channel in the parody nation reported hike in petrol prices as an ‘achievement’ of the Imran Khan government.
Only in Naya Pakistan, petrol price hike = govt achievement. 'Positive reporting' ki bhi koi hadd hoti hai. ??♀️ pic.twitter.com/PtX1uBHjzo
— Naila Inayat नायला इनायत (@nailainayat) June 28, 2020
The news anchor can be heard saying that all the worries vanished after petrol price hike as ‘petrol had disappeared when it was cheaper’. Price of petrol in Pakistan went from Pakistani Rs 74.52 to Rs 100.10 per litre, an increase of Rs 25.58 per litre. Price of diesel rose from Rs 80.15 to Rs 101.46 per litre, an increase of Rs 21.31 per litre.
Pakistan crisis
These tweets and support for Imran Khan came pouring at a time Khan’s government is on the verge of a collapse amid economic crisis which got worse owing to Chinese coronavirus pandemic. Pakistani ministers and and cabinet members don’t really see eye to eye on several issues. Khan has been accused of breaking his election promises and doing exactly what he had promised to fight at one point in time. After promising to serve the people and not the Pakistani army, Khan replaced all civilians in his government with Army generals and even used relief money to pay his bills.
Recently, Khan also drew flak for feasting on 135 traditional dishes during his visit to Larkana in North-west Sindh where he had gone to review hospitals situation. Amid crippling economic crisis, Khan had an entourage of 37 protocol vehicles. Further, PTI-led coalition ally Balochistan National Party has decided to part ways as Khan government failed to implement accords and breaking of promises to Balochistan people. Khan’s government has 184 seats in the national assembly and with Balochistan National Party withdrawing support, he will be left with 180 members. Khan needs 172 seats to hold on to power.
A video has emerged of a Covid-19 patient who is complaining about no ventilator support and lack of attention in a hospital in Erragadda of Hyderabad. The family shared the video after the 35-year-old patient died on 26th June due to coronavirus infection complications. As per the reports, he was admitted to the government Chest hospital after complaining about a high fever on 24th June.
Man claims hospital negligence in viral video
The incident took place on 26th June, and the video surfaced on social media on Sunday, after which it got viral. In a short selfie video, the man said, “They have removed the ventilator and have not responded to my plea for the last three hours to provide oxygen support. My heart has stopped and only lungs are working, but I am unable to breathe, daddy. Bye daddy. Bye, all. Bye, daddy.”
Hospital denied allegations
Mahboob Khan, superintendent of the Chest Hospital denied the allegations. He said, “The ventilator support was very much there, but the patient was in such a critical stage that he could not feel the oxygen supply.” The man died of heart collapse. There have been some cases in the country where young people between the ages of 25-40 are dying because of Covid-19 infection in the heart. “They are provided oxygen, but they feel it insufficient,” he added.
The hospital superintendent has added that usually, coronavirus patients die due to infections in the lung. But they are seeing a recent phenomenon where many patients, particularly in the 25-40 age group, has been succumbing to the disease due to the infection spreading to the heart. Khan added that patient was already in a critical stage at the time of infection and there was not much they could do.
Ordeal of the grieving father
The father of the deceased said that his son sent the video minutes before dying in the hospital. His last rites were performed on Saturday. He alleged that his son complained in the video that when he asked the hospital about removing the ventilator, the staff said, “you’ve had enough.”
Many cases of negligence and mismanagement on local government’s or hospital’s part have emerged in different parts of the country in the last few months including Delhi, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
