Hedge fund Anson Funds and Hindenburg Research founder Nathan (Nate) Anderson are facing heightened scrutiny as allegations of market manipulation and securities fraud have been levelled against them. Court filings have revealed that Anson Funds allegedly collaborated with Anderson to orchestrate targeted short-selling campaigns. From the screenshots of the documents shared by the Market Frauds website, Anson dictated the content of Hindenburg’s reports, undermining claims that the organisation conducted independent research. Regulatory bodies, including the US SEC, are probing these activities, with potential charges looming.
Adding to the intrigue, reports suggest that there might be a link between Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra and Anson Funds co-founder Moez Kassam’s wife, Marissa Siegal Kassam. The two may have known each other as they both worked for JP Morgan in the past. Moitra served as Vice President for nearly 12 years before joining politics. On the other hand, Marissa held various positions at JPMorgan in London, Hong Kong, and New York.
This connection has raised questions about the motivations and affiliations driving the attacks on the Adani Group, which OpIndia had earlier reported were allegedly fuelled by kickbacks Moitra received to raise parliamentary questions against Adani.
The accusations against Anson Funds include links to organised crime and allegations of profiting from manipulated stock price declines, as detailed in court filings and investigative reports. Meanwhile, Moitra’s possible ties to Marissa Kassam and Anson Funds’ co-founder, if proven, will add more layers of complexity to the narrative, particularly as Hindenburg Research’s role in global market disruptions faces growing criticism.
Mahua Moitra targeted the Adani Group on multiple occasions
An October 2023 report from OpIndia revealed that BJP MP Nishikant Dubey accused Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra of receiving cash and gifts from businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for raising parliamentary questions benefiting his business interests. The report detailed Moitra’s queries in the Lok Sabha, targeting Paradip Port and Adani Group, which aligned with Hiranandani’s projects. Notable questions included those about port agreements, telecom services, and natural gas distribution.
Allegations also surfaced that her queries on Adani-run ports and energy policies favoured Hiranandani’s competitive business interests. Moitra denied wrongdoing, asserting her independence, but OpIndia’s reports highlighted overlaps between her parliamentary activities and Hiranandani’s business pursuits, intensifying scrutiny of her motives. These allegations, combined with her possible link to Marissa Siegal Kassam, wife of Anson Funds’ co-founder, have raised questions about her role in the larger narrative of financial and political manoeuvres surrounding the Adani Group.
Disclaimer: OpIndia has not confirmed links between Mahua Moitra and Marissa Siegal Kassam in any capacity. These are only speculations based on available news reports and profiles of Marissa Siegal Kassamand Mahua Moitra.
The 1978 communal riots in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, have come back under the spotlight as a government order issued in 1993 to withdraw eight out of 16 cases related to the riots has surfaced on social media. The order was issued by the then-Mulayam Singh Yadav government. The decision to withdraw the cases has sparked widespread outrage, particularly among the victims of the riots, who have accused the then government of denying them due justice.
The order in question was signed by the then-special secretary RD Shukla and addressed to the Muradabad District Collector. It stated that the government under Mulayam Singh Yadav had decided to withdraw eight cases connected to the communal violence that erupted on 30th March 1978. Following the riots, 16 cases were initially filed by the police. The victims argued that the withdrawal of cases not only diluted justice but also erased their chance to hold the perpetrators accountable.
Source: Republic TV
Allegations against political leaders
There are allegations that those cases were withdrawn under the influence of senior politicians, including Azam Khan and former Sambhal MP Shafiqur Rahman Barq. Victims have asserted that political interventions in the cases favoured the accused while ignoring the devastation faced by the Hindu community during the riots.
One of the riot victims, Vishnu Sharan Rastogi, said in a statement that the violence began on 29th March 1978 in the early morning. Hindus faced widespread murders, arson, and destruction of commercial establishments. Several Hindu families were forced to flee the area. Another victim, Nitish Garg, said that his family’s shop was set on fire. They had to migrate in search of a safe location.
Riot files under investigation
Responding to the uproar, the Uttar Pradesh government under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s leadership has directed the Muradabad district administration to reopen the case files. Media sources have revealed that 10 files related to the riots have been located so far. The records are being examined to identify if there were any lapses in the investigation process. Reports suggest that several cases were closed without recording statements from victims or conducting thorough investigations.
The records of the 1978 riots are available up to 1993. Officials have alleged that documentation of the case files beyond that period is missing. The administration has assured a fresh inquiry into all the cases, aiming to address the long-standing grievances of the victims.
Earlier this month, the Yogi government decided to reopen cases of Sambhal violence after a statement given by the CM in the state Assembly. CM Yogi highlighted, “In 1978, 184 Hindus were collectively burned alive, and a curfew was imposed for several months. Riots happened again in 1980-1982, leading to one death each year. In 1986, four people were killed, followed by five deaths between 1990-1992, and two in 1996. This pattern of violence continued.” Taking a jibe at the opposition, the Chief Minister stated, “Since 1947, 209 Hindus have been murdered in Sambhal, yet not a single word has been spoken in support of the innocent victims. Those shedding crocodile tears never said even two words for them.” He further remarked, “The Bajrang Bali temple in Sambhal, which is being uncovered today, was not allowed to open by these people since 1978.”
The horrific riots of 1978
Sambhal has a long history of riots. Over time, these riots became a means for the Muslim population to drive Hindus out of the Sambhal municipal area. In 1947, when India gained independence, Hindus made up 45% of the area’s population, while Muslims accounted for 55%. However, over time, the Hindu population in the region has dropped to 15-20%, and Muslims now account for 80-85%.
A Hindu teacher’s daughter was raped, and his wife was abducted
Media reports suggest that the riots began after Holi celebrations on 29th March 1978 and claimed 184 lives. This led to a month-long curfew in the area. At that time, Banwari Lal Goyal, a prominent businessman in Sambhal, was brutally murdered during the riots. In the same riots, the daughter and wife of a Hindu teacher were abducted and brutally raped by Manzar Shafi, who played a key role in inciting violence against Hindus. The teacher’s wife was later rescued by Hindus. The families of Banwari Lal Goyal and the Hindu teacher left Sambhal after the riots.
24 Hindus were burnt alive using tyres and sugarcane husk
When the riots broke out, Banwari Lal urged several Hindu shopkeepers to hide at his brother-in-law Murari Lal’s house. However, Muslim traders tipped off the rioters. A mob of Islamist rioters then broke the gates of Murari Lal’s house using a tractor and brutally killed 24 Hindus. They piled sugarcane husks and tyres around the dead bodies and set them on fire. The situation was so grim that many Hindus had to perform symbolic cremations of their loved ones using effigies at Brijghat.
Banwari Lal begged to be shot but was hacked to death
According to the internal report accessed by OpIndia, Banwari Lal went to the riot-affected area despite warnings from his wife and son. He told them, “All Muslims are like my friends and brothers. Everyone works with me. Nothing will happen to me,” and went to the area. When he reached the area, Muslim rioters captured him. The rioters then cut off his legs. Then taunted him, claiming he had come to collect money using his hands and then cut off his arms, and finally slit his throat.
During this torture, Banwari Lal begged the rioters to shoot him instead. However, his pleas were ignored. The horrific incident was witnessed by Hardwari Lal Sharma and Subhash Chandra Rastogi, who managed to save themselves by hiding inside a drum. During the massacre, Hardwari Lal’s brother, a high school student, was also killed by the rioters.
In 1995, Banwari Lal Goyal’s family permanently left Sambhal. According to the internal report, Banwari Lal’s family was pressured by former Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal, Dr Shafiqur Rahman Barq. His son, Zia-ur Rahman Barq, is currently an MP from Sambhal. Notably, he has been named in a case related to the violence in Sambhal that broke out on 24th November 2024 during the Jama Masjid survey.
Daniel Stephan Courney, a US-origin Christian missionary who was news last year for inciting Kukis against Meiteis in conflict-ridden Manipur and carrying out illegal conversion activities while on a tourist visa has now expanded his tentacles to Nepal.
On 5th January this year, Courtney, who calls himself a “missionary pastor” and “street preacher” published a Facebook post announcing his arrival in Nepal.
He has since then been involved in proselytization activities in the Hindu-majority country. “Headed out to preach here in Nepal and distribute New Testaments and tracts in the local language. Thank you for your prayers,” Daniel Stephan Courney posted on Facebook.
In a subsequent post, Courney shared a video wherein he along with a fellow missionary Sajan Shreshtha was giving a speech glorifying Jesus Christ and propagating Biblical beliefs in a busy market while the locals passed by.
Screengrab of the Facebook Post
Uploaded on the Facebook page of Liberating Truth, a Nepal Christian group and its YouTube channel, the video featuring Daniel Stephan Courney and Sajan Shreshtha has garnered thousands of views. Upon checking the Facebook page of Liberating Truth, OpIndia came across numerous videos featuring Daniel Stephan Courney giving speeches and distributing Christian proselytization-related literature to Nepali Hindus and other non-Christian locals earlier this month and in December 2024.
In one of his Facebook posts published on 16th January, Courney expressed his disdain for ‘idolatrous religion’ as he wrote, “Man-made idolatrous religion does not afford the consolation of a clear conscience, but the condemnation of a seared conscience.”
Screengrab of the Facebook Post
Another post demonstrating Courney’s hate for Hinduism and Hindus of India reads, “Christian, are you thankful that you don’t worship demons? Thank the true God! I wrote this 14 years when living in a slum in India: “One man here recently gouged out his eyes because he believes one of his Hindu gods appeared to him in a dream and told him to do this. I am thankful I worship a God who does not ask his children to maim and torture themselves for Him.”
Screengrab of the Facebook Post
Raising alarm over Courney’s conversion activities and alleged attempts at carving out a Christian nation in a Hindu-majority Nepal, Bangladeshi journalist Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhary wrote on X, “Daniel Stephen Courney, who funds terrorist and separatist groups has started religious conversion in Nepal and working to create a separate state inside the country by forming “Army of Evangelists”.
? Daniel Stephen Courney, who funds terrorist and separatist groups has started religious conversion in Nepal and working to create a separate state inside the country by forming "Army of Evangelists".@Nepalipost@MofaNepal@kathmandupostpic.twitter.com/XB1TlTKn3R
During his time in Nepal in December 2024, Courney picked a Hindu temple to lure Hindus towards Christianity. Sharing a video of his propaganda, the evangelist wrote, “See how eagerly Nepalis gather on the grounds of a Hindu temple to hear the Word of God being preached. Scores of New Testaments translated into the Nepali language were distributed, as well as countless Gospel tracts written by Sajan Shrestha. Thanks to Sajan for also interpreting and preaching!”
Screengrab of the Facebook Post
It is amusing that while Courney on numerous occasions expressed his hatred for idol-worshipping Hindus, he juxtaposed the settings of an average respectable Hindu house in India and an average American household and emphasised that while a nice Hindu house as a Pooja room, wherein idols of Hindu deities are installed and a diya is lighted regularly, a nice American house features a TV room, for worship of the pantheon of football, baseball, Netflix, ad nauseam.
“Every respectable Hindu house in India and Nepal features a *puja* room (*puja* literally means propitiatory ritual worship), to light the *diya* (small oil lamp) and offer supplication for good fortune for the day. Like the puja room in the house we rent, it is typically a small, closet-like room with a ledge to hold a pantheon of idols. (Every nice house in a America features a TV room, for worship of the pantheon of football, baseball, Netflix, ad nauseam.) Our Lord declared in Matthew 6:6: “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Does your home feature a prayer closet, even a sanctum sanctorum (holy of holies)? How often do you frequent it? We do not need to have one, but our priorities are certainly displayed by the layout of our homes! May we “PRAY WITHOUT CEASING” (1 These. 5:17) and remember that every Christian home should be temple to the living God,” Courney wrote.
Screengrab of the Facebook Post
Interestingly, Courney was recently in Israel’s Jerusalem where he was carrying out conversion activities and was arrested for the same. The controversial evangelist was later put under house arrest by the Israeli police only to be released three days later.
Screengrab of the Facebook Post
It must be noted that in Nepal, an erstwhile Hindu Rashtra, Christian conversion is rampant with the community’s population having skyrocketed by 68% since 2011. OpIndia has time and again reported about Christian missionaries offering miraculous cures and financial inducements to poor and vulnerable people both in Nepal and India to lure them into Christianity.
Daniel Stephan Courney’s anti-Hindu activities in India
Daniel Stephan Courney entered India on a tourist visa in the year 2009, stayed for over a decade and participated in and supervised conversions to Christianity throughout what was formerly Andhra Pradesh. He stayed with his pastor friend in Gantur who advised him that he would have to marry locally if he wished to stay in India forever. So he got married to a Guntur District Telugu local and managed to safeguard his “Conversion Mission.”
In 2017, Courney was deported and blacklisted from India, however, in the year 2023, he re-entered India on a tourist visa. involved in proselytization activities in Manipur under the pretext of doing social service (distributing blankets and mattresses) and preaching Christianity. He later also distributed Bibles and delivered hate speech against Hindus and the BJP-led Indian government even though it is illegal to propagate any religion or undertake religious conversions in India while on a tourist visa.
On 5th August 2023, Daniel Stephan Courney posted a live video from Manipur and claimed that Christians were being persecuted and that the community was being deliberately targeted. “Christianity here is being deliberately targeted. There is a conflict between the Meitei and Kuki people. So Kukis are tribal Christians and they are being systematically persecuted. They are being run out of their homes. Their villages are burnt due to their Christian identity,” he said.
OpIndia reported earlier how the Christian missionary from the United States was spreading against the democratically elected Modi government and called it a “radical Hindu government” while accusing the government of inciting violence against Christians in Manipur and said that northeast India is a holy land of Christians. Not to forget, ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had earlier raised concerns about an American conspiracy to carve out a separate Christian nation by including parts of northeast India, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
In several of his social media posts, Courney was found spreading hatred against Meitei Hindus accusing them of feeling jealous and threatened by the ‘prosperity’ of Christian Kukis. He also broadly wished that the chief architect of India’s Constitution Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar should have converted to Christianity instead of Buddism. While he emphasised that the Indian constitution allows the propagation of religion, he did not mention that the same is not allowed for those arriving in India on tourist visas.
OpIndia found a video of Courney spreading hatred against the Indian government and Hindus in Manipur under the pretext of preaching Christianity. “The Hindus many times tried to kill me for preaching about Jesus. They put ropes around my neck. They beat me with sticks. They threw me on the ground and stepped on my head. They say you must say Jai Shri Ram or else we’ll kill you. And I said I will not wear tika (kumkum on forehead), I will not praise your God. They hit me in my face as I refused to say, Jai Shri Ram. I am Christian. I follow Jesus. Once they hit me so hard that I fell unconscious for 15 minutes. The Government of India might not help you but Lord will,” he said.
While in one of his posts, Courney tried to trash the allegations of carrying out illegal conversion activities in India and Nepal by saying that “I have been accused of bringing Christian nationalism to India and Nepal.” There is ample evidence of him inciting Kukis in Manipur against the Indian government and Hindus at a time when the Kuki-Meitei conflict was at its peak and the Indian authorities were working to restore peace and normalcy in the state.
Notably, several foreign elements have been trying to make inroads into the conflict-torn Manipur to back Christians in the state in some way or the other. In May 2024, the Manipur government rejected aid announced by the European Union for the families which suffered from hailstorms and heavy rain. EU had claimed that aid worth €250,000 (over 22.6 million Indian rupees) was made for the state of Manipur via humanitarian partner ADRA (Adventist Development and Relief Agency), which is a ‘humanitarian agency’ operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. OpIndia’s deep dive into ADRA’s activities found that the organisation, which is run by a church, uses these activities to convert vulnerable people to Christianity.
Multiple cases against Daniel Stephan Courney
Interestingly, back in 2017, Courney was convicted by a district judge at Lincoln Magistrate Court on two counts of religious and racially motivated public order offences in Lincolnshire after he made offensive comments against the Muslim community while speaking at an event in the High Street.
Daniel Stephen Courney was apprehended by police in April 2021 for stalking an abortion doctor in Englewood, NJ, using a camera and microphone-equipped drone outside Metropolitan Medical Associates on Engle Street. He also attempted to prevent patients from entering the reproductive health services clinic, which was found to be in violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act.
In 2021, Daniel Stephen Courney along with two other missionaries were charged in New Jersey with violating the state’s anti-bias intimidation statute, specifically for “shouting homophobic rhetoric directly in front of Allure Salon” after preaching to the gay salon owner and an employee.
Notably, Courney, who is reported to be a US Army veteran, has also been accused of coordinating the supply of weapons, explosives, advanced communication devices, drones, and “logistics” to violent outfits in Manipur and other northeast Indian states. In December 2024, an old video, most probably from August 2023 went viral on social media wherein Courney who came on a tourist visa was seen distributing bulletproof jackets and drones to Kuki militants to monitor their enemies—Meitei Hindus in a strife-torn area.
While his anti-Hindu propaganda and Christian conversion activities in Indian states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Manipur, particularly targeting vulnerable Hindus and tribals have already been a major concern, Daniel Stephan Courney’s proselytization and his intrusive and annoying ‘street preaching’ tactics in Nepal is concerning as to how come foreign nationals are being allowed to enter countries like India and Nepal and openly run hateful and divisive agenda coupled with Christian conversion in India while replicating the same in Nepal.
Senior Delhi Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit, who is also the party’s candidate for the New Delhi constituency, has filed civil and criminal defamation lawsuits against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Chief Minister Atishi and MP Sanjay Singh and others.
The lawsuits stem from accusations made by the two AAP leaders during a press conference on December 26, 2024, in New Delhi, where they alleged that Dikshit had accepted “crores of rupees” from the BJP and conspired with the party to sabotage AAP’s chances in the upcoming elections.
Dikshit, who vehemently denies these claims, has termed them as baseless and defamatory. He is seeking Rs 10 crore in damages for the harm caused to his reputation.
The civil defamation case was listed for hearing on Monday before the bench of Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, but the matter was adjourned until February.
Advocate Sarim Javed appeared for the Plaintiff Sandeep Dikshit in the matter before Delhi High Court.
Meanwhile, in a related criminal defamation case, the Rouse Avenue court in Delhi last week issued notices to Atishi and Sanjay Singh. The notice, issued by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Paras Dalal, asks the AAP leaders to appear on January 27, 2025, to respond to the charges.
Dikshit’s complaint, filed through his lawyer Sarim Naved, accuses the two AAP leaders of making unsubstantiated defamatory statements during their press conference. The complaint states that Atishi and Sanjay Singh alleged that Dikshit and the Congress party had colluded with the BJP to defeat AAP. According to the complaint, the accusations were made without any material evidence to back them up.
The complaint further highlights that Atishi shared a live stream of the press conference on her X (formerly Twitter) account, with the caption: “BJP is helping Congress in the Delhi election.” The tweet, which has garnered over 30,000 views, along with the widespread media coverage of the defamatory statements, has further damaged Dikshit’s reputation, the complaint claims. Dikshit argues that these actions clearly amount to defamation, as they were made with the intent to harm his standing.
The legal notice regarding the defamatory statements was sent on January 2, 2025, but the defamatory tweet remains accessible online, continuing to tarnish Dikshit’s image. Dikshit is determined to pursue both civil and criminal charges to hold Atishi and Sanjay Singh accountable for their actions.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, delivered an inspiring message, emphasising that dreams are not exclusive to the wealthy but are the reward for those who dare to believe in them and relentlessly pursue their goals with hard work.
The Adani Group chairman opened his speech expressing gratitude for the parents, teachers, and students of Adani International School. He thanked parents for placing their trust in the school to nurture future leaders and praised the educators as the institution’s “silent heroes” for their transformative role.
He highlighted that the school was not a standalone project but an integral part of a larger vision to build holistic communities where world-class education forms a central pillar.
Linking the roots of the school’s vision to the reflective pause offered by the global pandemic of 2020, Mr Adani said the school’s design integrates sustainability, innovation, and open spaces to foster academic excellence and a connection to nature.
Mr Adani recounted stories from his modest upbringing in Banaskantha and Ahmedabad, reflecting on how early life challenges and the core values instilled by his parents—courage, trust, and commitment—profoundly influenced him. He shared how his father’s trust-based business practices and his mother’s resilience in preserving family unity left a lasting impact, shaping the foundational principles that now define the ethos of the Adani Group.
At the age of 16, Mr Adani set out on his entrepreneurial path in Mumbai, armed with limited resources but limitless aspirations. He reflected on the excitement of earning his first commission as a diamond trader, emphasizing the value of perseverance, learning from failures, and the courage to dream big. He openly recognized that while life experiences offered wisdom, formal education enhanced knowledge more rapidly, expressing his deepening admiration for the power of education.
He reminded parents that children inherit values alongside wealth. Mr Adani advocated for instilling resilience, empathy, and service-oriented mindsets while nurturing global citizens connected to India’s heritage. To educators, he reiterated the pivotal role they play in shaping futures, urging them to inspire beyond academics and prepare students for life’s dynamic challenges
Addressing students, Mr Adani described the unprecedented opportunities of modern India. He encouraged them to embrace dreams without limits, pursue relentless learning, and build legacies that uplift society. He stressed that failure is an integral part of success, urging resilience as a defining trait. Adani’s mantra: Dream relentlessly, learn continuously, and build for the greater good.
“Dream Relentlessly: Don’t limit yourself to small ambitions. As young minds, you are in the best position to dream fearlessly. You have the gift of curiosity, the energy to experiment, and the courage to take risks. India stands at the cusp of greatness and it needs visionaries like you — those who dare to think beyond boundaries, challenge the status quo, and find solutions that others might find impossible,” Mr Adani said.
Goading students to learn, Mr Adani set another guiding principle for students. “Learn Relentlessly: The future no longer belongs to the most talented or the strongest. It belongs to those who are willing to learn. Your pace of learning will be your differentiator.”
And lastly, Mr Adani urged students to build and in the process, help others. “Build Relentlessly: Your dreams and your learnings hold meaning only when they build something larger than yourself. Whether for your community, your country, or the world, strive to make a difference. Success is most fulfilling when it uplifts others.”
Concluding his address, Adani shared his aspiration for Adani International School to produce a hundred leaders, innovators, and visionaries. He encouraged students to forge unique paths, push boundaries, and create meaningful change. He dreams that the school will be remembered as a launchpad for remarkable achievements and transformative leadership.
On Sunday (19th January), Iranian media reported that popular singer Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo, professionally known as Amir Tataloo, has been sentenced to death by an Iranian court.
The development followed an appeal against his conviction for blasphemy. According to a report in the newspaper Etemad, “The Supreme Court accepted the prosecutor’s objection” to a previous five-year jail term for offences including blasphemy.
It added that the case against the singer was reopened, and this time he was sentenced to death for insulting Prophet Mohammed. The verdict, however, is not final, and Amir can appeal against it.
Amir is followed by a large number of music lovers in Iran and across the Middle East. The decision came at a time when there has been a spike in crackdowns on artists and celebrities who challenge the strict cultural norms imposed by the Iranian government.
In 2018, the 37-year-old underground musician shifted to Istanbul. However, in December 2023, Turkish police handed him over to Iran. Since then, he has been living in detention. Amir has also been sentenced to 10 years for promoting “prostitution,” spreading “propaganda” against the Islamic Republic, and publishing “obscene content.”
Amir is known for combining pop, rap, and R&B in his singing. Earlier, he was courted by conservative politicians as a way to connect with young and liberal-minded people in Iran. In 2015, he published a song in support of Iran’s nuclear programme, which resurfaced in 2018.
Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi arrested for online concert without hijab
Amir is one of many artists facing action by Iranian authorities. On 14th December, Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi was arrested for performing an online concert without wearing a hijab.
Parastoo’s lawyer, Milad Panahipour, confirmed the reports to local media in Iran. Panahipour said in a statement, “As of noon today, we were unaware of the whereabouts of my client, Parastoo Ahmadi.
Regrettably, we have learned that she was arrested today in Mazandaran province.” However, later the police released the singer.
The screening of Kangana Ranaut starrer “Emergency” at the Harrow Theatre in London was disrupted by Khalistani separatists who reportedly stormed into the building and began yelling “Khalistan Zindabad” slogans while demonstrating against it which led to disarray and chaos in the place. They called for the movie to be immediately halted and claimed that the Sikh community was inaccurately portrayed in it. They also got into a furious confrontation with the moviegoers in the theatre who fought back. The audience asked for the film to continue despite the forceful assertions of the separatists.
#BREAKING: Khalistani radicals with faces covered storm inside a Cinema Hall in London, UK to disrupt screening of the film #Emergency. Shameful, under watch of UK Govt against freedom of speech. No action taken by British Police. @KanganaTeam@AnupamPKherpic.twitter.com/pKVApwAqUd
Videos of the incident have gone viral on social media, showing Khalistanis shouting slogans and clashing with the audience inside the movie theatre. The movie theatre’s management has not yet filed an official complaint despite this major ruckus. However, they promised to improve the security system. According to them, more security personnel will be deployed to ensure that such situations never arise again.
British lawmakers & law enforcement have repeatedly fallen hostage to Islamists & Khalistanis under the notion of human rights & multiculturalism. As highlighted in the @ColinBloom report, this unchecked disproportionate appeasement risks turning these groups into a greater… pic.twitter.com/zZBUb1ujRk
Local law enforcement took the instance seriously and looked into the movie theatre’s CCTV footage. However, no accused has been arrested so far. According to the police, an investigation is underway to find the offenders and prosecute them. Meanwhile, at least three locations in the United Kingdom have stopped showing the movie “Emergency.” It was removed from Hounslow, Feltham Cineworlds, Birmingham Star City Vue, and Wolverhampton Cineworld.
The movie produced by Zee Studios is based on true events from the life of former Prime Minister late Indira Gandhi and the nationwide Emergency imposed by her in the 1970s. However, the venture has been in controversy from the start as Sikh organizations have protested against its story and alleged that the community has been shown in a negative light due to which many cinema halls in Punjab refused to showcase it.
The film was initially slated for release in September of last year, but it was denied a certificate by the censor board after which the filmmakers had to make minor edits and changes before submitting it to the board again. “Emergency” eventually came out on 17th January after facing many hurdles and issues.
How the UK has become a hotbed of extremists
The disruption faced by Kangana Ranaut’s ‘Emergency’ in a London cinema hall is emblematic of the UK’s plunge into the abyss of extremism and hooliganism, most notably exemplified by the recent discussions around the Pakistani grooming gangs that spotlighted the misplaced sense of political correctness harboured by British lawmakers that allowed criminals to run amok without being brought to reckoning. Not just Khalistanis, the UK has been a sanctuary for all kinds of criminals—be it financial frauds, rapists, or rioters, they have found refuge and shelter in the United Kingdom.
Nothing exemplifies this notion more than the issue of Pakistani grooming gangs raised by American billionaire Elon Musk, who slammed the UK Prime Minister for handling ‘grooming gangs’ in the UK, with particular reference to the notorious Rotherham scandal. He criticized UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for not effectively prosecuting these gangs during his time as Director of Public Prosecutions.
The Labour government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the United Kingdom, then came under heavy criticism for its approach to addressing the issue of Pakistani Muslim grooming gangs, also referred to as rape gangs. Prime Minister Starmer not only dismissed calls for a national inquiry into historical child sexual exploitation but also labelled demands for an investigation into Pakistani rape gangs as a “far-right” stance. This provoked a widespread backlash, with criticism pouring over on the Labour Party for not acting against Pakistani Grooming gangs for fear of being labelled as “Islamophobic”—a label thrown around by Islamists and their apologists to target governments and ostracise individuals seeking to enforce law and order, particularly against Muslim fundamentalists and criminals.
In the name of secularism and to steer clear of being branded as “Islamophobic”, the British legislators allowed Pakistani grooming gangs to have a free run, not enforcing stringent laws to stop them from their appalling exploitation of young girls in the United Kingdom. The case underscores Britain’s steady and irreversible descent to extremism, prioritising political correctness and misguided belief in promoting secularism at the expense of justice, morality, and integrity.
The controversial short-seller Nathan (Nate) Anderson, who is behind the infamous Hindenburg Research, is facing serious allegations of colluding with hedge funds like Canada’s Anson Funds. The information has come to light via court filings submitted in Ontario courts as part of a defamation lawsuit. These documents point to coordinated efforts that may have violated securities laws. The revelations made in the court documents cast doubt on Anderson’s earlier claims that his organisation worked independently.
Notably, a December 2024 report in BNN Bloomberg pointed out that the head of Anson hedge fund, Moez Kassam, said his firm has shared research with several sources including Hindenburg’s Anderson.
Court documents expose Hindenburg-Anson collusion
The documents, which have been brought to the fore by an investigative website named ‘Market Frauds‘, reveal that Anderson collaborated with Anson Funds to produce targeted reports. Interestingly, Anson appeared to have dictated the content and price targets. The screenshots of the email exchanges shared by the website suggest that Anderson lacked editorial control over the reports, which he had earlier claimed. In one of the emails shared, Anson referred to sending a “final draft”, while Anderson sought confirmation on whether there was “more” that needed to be done.
These emails are part of a detailed investigation and show that Anderson was acting as a distributor for Anson’s research rather than an independent analyst. Media reports suggest that these findings are in line with the accusations against Anson that it orchestrated short-selling campaigns and profited from stock price declines that were triggered by the reports published by Hindenburg Research.
The US probe against Anson Funds
BNN Bloomberg report from December last year noted that the US Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had intensified their investigations into alleged market manipulation involving Anson Funds and other bearish firms. The scrutiny follows a series of revelations from court filings submitted to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice as part of a complex defamation lawsuit. These filings suggest coordinated efforts by Anson and its affiliates to influence stock prices through undisclosed payments and collaborative reports.
In June last year, Anson Funds Management and Anson Advisors Inc, both affiliates of Anson, agreed to pay $2.25 million to settle SEC claims. The allegations involved the failure to disclose payments made to external publishers of bearish research, including Citron’s Andrew Left. While the settlement did not involve an admission of wrongdoing, it drew attention to the controversial practices of Anson and its collaborators.
The SEC’s case against Left alleged he manipulated markets through exaggerated social media posts and extreme price targets while unwinding his bets behind the scenes. Left has pleaded not guilty, arguing the SEC is enforcing rules that do not exist. However, court filings reveal Anson’s financial ties with Left, including over $1 million allegedly paid for bearish content on companies such as Namaste Technologies and India Globalization Capital. Emails disclosed in the Toronto lawsuit suggest Anson worked with other short sellers, including Hindenburg’s Nate Anderson, in orchestrating reports to drive stock prices down.
SEC scrutiny and looming charges
The website said that the documents indicate that multiple US securities laws were breached, including Sections 17(a) and 17(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As Anson failed to disclose its role in preparing reports, it could lead to charges of fraud. Furthermore, Anson’s practice of shorting stocks while influencing their prices through negative campaigns mirrors illegal “pump-and-dump” schemes.
The website further noted that the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is expected to intensify its investigation, with potential charges against both Anderson and Anson likely by 2025.
Hindenburg Research shuts down
On 15th January, Nate Anderson announced that he would disband the firm. In a personal note published by Nathan Anderson on Hindenburg Research’s website on Wednesday, he said that the toll of the “rather intense, and at times, all-encompassing” nature of the work was behind his decision to disband the firm founded in 2017. When asked for a specific reason to disband Hindenburg Research, Anderson said, “There is not one specific thing—no particular threat, no health issue, and no big personal issue.”
Breon Peace’s resignation
Interestingly, Nathan Anderson’s announcement to disband Hindenburg Research comes just days after US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace, who brought fraud and bribery charges against Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani and seven other executives, announced his resignation.
OpIndia reported about Breon Peace’s links with Hungarian billionaire and regime change specialist George Soros. Breon Peace’s spouse Jacqueline Jones-Peace is the Director of Development & Senior Attorney at Equal Justice Initiative, which is based in Montgomery, Alabama. The non-profit and human rights organisation was founded by Bryan Stevenson who also serves as its Executive Director. However, the interesting part is that he is also a member of the Open Society Foundations US Programs board, which establishes an evident relationship between the Peace couple and George Soros.
The timing of Hindenburg Research’s sudden shutdown has raised many questions. Not to forget, the decision has come right after Rep Lance Gooden, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, wrote to Attorney General Merrick Garland on 14th January 2025 and demanded that all the documents and records related to the Justice Department’s decision to probe Adani Group.
Hindenburg Research’s attacks on Adani
In January 2023, Hindenburg published a report accusing the Adani Group of financial irregularities, leading to a significant drop in the company’s stock price. The group at the time had rubbished these claims.
The Hindenburg report alleged stock manipulation and fraud by the conglomerate. The case is related to the allegations (part of a report by Hindenburg Research) that Adani had inflated its share prices. After these allegations were published, there was a sharp fall in the shares of various Adani group companies’ stocks.
In January 2024, the Supreme Court refused to transfer the probe into the allegations of stock price manipulation by the Adani group to an SIT and had directed market regulator SEBI to complete its probe into two pending cases within three months. By June 2024, Adani group companies’ share prices recovered to their pre-Hindenburg report prices.
On 10th August 2024, Hindenburg Research posted a cryptic message on X saying, “Something big soon India”.
The same day, they released a report that claimed that SEBI chief Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch had investments in an offshore firm used in the Adani money siphoning case. The report also alleged that the SEBI chairperson’s involvement showed a lack of transparency in the market regulator when it came to investigating the Adani group.
The next day on 11th August, SEBI chief Madhabi Buch and her husband released a joint statement, calling the report baseless and saying that their financial records were an open book. In a detailed joint statement issued later in the day by Madhabi Buch and husband Dhaval Buch rejected all allegations of Hindenburg as baseless.
In September 2024, Hindenburg Research claimed that Swiss authorities had frozen more than USD 310 million in funds across several Swiss bank accounts over money laundering allegations against Adani Group. The Adani conglomerate strongly rejected the claims made by Hindenburg Research.
It is notable here that Hindenburg’s claims were used by Indian Opposition parties to target the Modi government suggesting the political motives behind the targeting the Adani Group and Indian stock markets ahead of the general elections in 2024. The speculations became confirmation soon when George Soros himself declared that the Adani issue would be raised in the Indian Parliament and Modi would have to answer, indicating that the incident was another of the larger efforts he supports to attack ‘nationalistic governments’ around the world.
Hindenburg shared report on Adani with China-linked hedge fund 2 months before publication
This is not the first time Hindenburg has been accused of sharing report with a hedge fund before publishing it. Earlier in July 2024, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) said in a notice that Hindenburg Research reportedly shared an ‘advance copy’ with one of their clients two months prior to the publication of their report on Adani.
As per reports, Hindenburg had shared its report on Adani with their client two months prior to publication, enabling them to make ‘unfair’ profits from the stock price movements in a brokered deal using the report. The SEBI notice details how Kingdon Capital, led by New York-based hedge fund manager Mark Kingdon, and a broker linked to Kotak Mahindra Bank, profited significantly from the nearly 150 billion dollar loss the 10 companies under Adani Groups faced in the stock market.
The SEBI notice highlights that Hindenburg Research used ‘non-public’ and misleading information about the Adani Group to create a panic in the Indian stock market.
As per reports, Hindenburg’s response to the SEBI notice has acknowledged the prior sharing of information with the said broker but it has claimed that SEBI is trying to ‘silent’ them for exposing Adani. Hindenburg’s response admits that the vehicle used to bet against Adani Enterprises Ltd belonged to Kotak Mahindra International Ltd, a Mauritious-based firm owned by Kotak Mahindra Ltd.
‘Hindenburg and Kingdon partnered to target Adani’
Hindenburg’s response to SEBI has disclosed that Hindenburg and Kingdon Capital partnered to orchestrate a strategic move against Adani Group and benefitted from short-selling Adani stocks.
On Kingdon Capital’s recommendation, Kotak Mahindra Bank created an offshore fund named the Kingdon India Opportunity Fund. It served as a critical vehicle for Kingdon Capital to engage in short selling of Adani Group’s shares. The creation and utilisation of this fund was part of sophisticated strategies employed by Kingdon Capital to leverage financial markets to their advantage.
In a major update to the Sambhal violence case, the Uttar Pradesh police have exposed the lies spread by Islamists about the killing of 4 men during ‘protests’.
The police on Sunday (19th January) revealed that two of the four people from the crowd had been shot by the accused Mulla Afroz. He is associated with the notorious Sharik Satha gang.
The police denied the allegations of firing and said that only tear gas shells were fired on the day of violence by the authorities to control the crowd.
The Islamists earlier alleged that the police had deliberately targeted the Islamists who were ‘protesting’ to save the contested Shahi Jama Masjid site on 24th November last year.
They stated that 4 of their men had been shot by the authorities in an attempt to flee the crowd from the spot. However, the police have several times in the past denied the allegations of firing and claimed that the authorities had only fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.
Further investigations into the case revealed that two of the four men had been shot by an Islamist only and not by the police. The accused identified as Mulla Afroz has been arrested by the police and is being interrogated.
Mulla Afroz arrested by the Police (Amar Ujala)
Additional Superintendent of Police Shrishchandra commented on the matter and said, “During the violence, Mullah Afroz along with his associates had targeted the police and opened fire.
Meanwhile, in the chaos, some bullets hit his associates and people in the crowd. Bilal and Ayaan died due to Mulla Afroz’s bullet. He is a member of the international auto lifter Shariq Satha gang who smuggles stolen vehicles and weapons.”
He further added that the police amid the investigations have recovered the 32-bore pistol and cartridges used in firing from the accused. 15 blank cartridges and 3 charger clips looted from the police during the chaos have also been recovered from him.
The authorities meanwhile reiterated that the accused had fired the bullets at the police and during the attack, the bullets mistakingly hit Bilal and Ayaan who later died of severe injuries.
2024 Sambhal violence
It is crucial to note that on 24th November last year, massive violence erupted in the Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh after Islamists rioted and pelted stones against the police injuring more than 20 officers.
The First Information Reports (FIRs) of this incident revealed how the mob targeted the police.
While on one hand, the people associated with the perpetrators played victim, the FIR stated that a group of 700-800 Muslims gathered about 100 meters away from the structure at around 8:45 that morning.
The crowd then began raising slogans before turning violent. The boys also hurled stones at the cops making the police target.
The official complaint filed by a sub-inspector posted in Kotwali Nagar, Sambhal added that the mob was determined to drive out the police team that had arrived to survey the contested mosque.
According to the sub-inspector, it was illegal in the district for more than five persons to congregate given the survey of the disputed site was underway.
As a result, the police repeatedly advised the people to return home. However, the raging crowd remained unaffected by the appeals and kept pushing the policemen as they moved forward.
The culprits continued to abuse the police personnel and threw stones at them during this period. According to the sub-inspector’s accusation, the Muslim radicals were targeting the police as part of a conspiracy that took a violent turn after November 24th.
Islamist agrees that he pelted stones at the police
It was earlier reported that an Islamist from Sambhal in an exclusive conversation with Pakistan cleric Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza on YouTube live agreed to have pelted stones at the authorities and non-Muslims.
The Islamist identified as Muhammad Akil said that it was Friday and the Islamist mob was furious over the claims of a temple beneath the 300-year-old Masjid and pelted stones at the administration and the non-Muslims to protect the interest of the site.
In the video, Akil could be heard saying that the Islamist stone pelting forced the police to initiate firing at the mob which allegedly resulted in the death of 3-4 Muslims.
He also said that the non-Muslims were illegally claiming ownership of the Masjid and stating that it was a temple. Akil justified the stone pelting and said that the acts of Hindus and the local administration irked the Islamists who pelted stones on the former on Friday.
Sambhal:- Md. Akil Admits to Stone Pelting by Muslims During Mosque Survey on Video Call with Pak Cleric Md Ali Mirza. pic.twitter.com/qDiGwx3Kmx
On 19th November, a court-mandated survey was conducted at Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. The court ordered the survey in response to a petition filed by Supreme Court Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, and seven co-plaintiffs, asserting that the mosque occupies the site of a temple dedicated to Bhagwan Kalki. The site in question is a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act of 1904. A heavy police force was deployed in the area to ensure the survey proceeded peacefully.
However, on 24th November, during the second round of court-mandated survey at Jama Masjid, Islamist mobsters gathered outside the mosque and engaged in violence. They pelted stones at police, opened fire at police personnel, and set ablaze vehicles and shops. More than 20 policemen were injured.
Following this, the Supreme Court of India stayed the hearing in the District Court, Sambhal, in response to a plea filed by the Muslim side. Furthermore, the survey report submitted by the Advocate Commissioner has been ordered to be sealed and not to be opened till an order is passed by the High Court in the matter. A judicial committee was formed by CM Yogi Adityanath to investigate the cause of the violence.
Detailed coverage of the Sambhal violence and the Jama Masjid legal case can be read here.
So far 60-70 arrested, police looking for 89 more accused
The state police so far have arrested around 60-70 Islamists, including 4 women for their involvement in the stone pelting against the administration on 24th November. The police are further looking for 89 more accused who are still absconding. It has also been learned that the suspected mastermind of the violence in the given case Sharik Satha, is a member of Dawood Ibrahim’s gang.
Reports suggest that he has over 50 cases registered against him in various states. A few years ago, he reportedly fled to Dubai. Police believe that he not only provided funding for the Sambhal violence that took place on 24th November but also supplied weapons used by his operatives to carry out the attack. The intelligence unit in Sambhal has identified five more suspected terrorists with links to the area. Two key names that have surfaced during the investigation are Shahid Akhtar and Usman Hussain, who are suspected of facilitating the delivery of weapons and funding for the violence.
In a crucial update to the case of gang-rape of a Dalit athlete that had come to the fore recently from Kerala, the police have arrested 13 more accused, now taking the total of arrested accused individuals to 57. The police stated that all the accused persons involved in the case, except two who have gone abroad, have been arrested in the case.
A Dalit athlete who is currently 18 years old, was reportedly abused by 62 individuals over the last five years in Kerala. The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) filed a complaint after she disclosed the horrible events in a counseling session, prompting the Pathanamthitta police to start these proceedings. The matter came to light when a non-governmental organization (NGO) called Mahila Samakya paid a visit to her household as part of their routine work.
The NGO brought the issue to the attention of the Pathanamthitta district’s Child Welfare Committee after the girl described the ordeal she endured since 13 years of age. Earlier, on 16th January, 44 of 59 total mentioned accused had been arrested. However, in the past few days, the police have arrested 13 more accused persons.
The individuals named in the FIR are Amal (18), Adarsh (20), Shivakumar (21), Umesh (19), Sreeju (18), Aji (19), Ashwin (21), Sajin (23) Subin (24), CK Vineeth (30), K Ananthu (21), S Sandeep (30), S Sudhi also known as Sreeni (24), and Prajith Kumar (24) in Elavumthitta. P Deepu (22), Anandu Pradeep (24), Aravind (23), Vishnu (24), Binu Joseph (39), Abhilash Kumar (19), Abhijith (19), Joji Mathew (25), Ambadi (24), Aravind (20), Kannan (21), Akku Anand (20), a minor, Nandu (25), Shamnad (20), Afsal (21), Ashiq (20), Nidhin Prasad (21), Abhinav (18), Karthik (18), Sudheesh (Kannappan) (27), Nishad (Appu) (31), Achu Anand (21), Lijo (26), and Shinu George (23) in Pathanamthitta along with Akash (19) and Akash (22) in Pandalam.
As per the police, the last accused arrested was a 25-year-old individual arrested from his home on Sunday, 19th January. DIG S. Ajeetha Begum, who is in charge of the inquiry commented on the matter and stated earlier that around 30 FIRs had been filed in the case. She revealed that the cases had been filed at four police stations under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act.
“Two of the accused are absconding. They are abroad at present. We are considering issuing Look out Circulars for them. We are also planning to issue a Red Corner notice for them through Interpol,” the authority confirmed.
Notably, the case in the gruesome assault was filed on January 10th. The girl during Mahila Samakya’s visit revealed that she had been abused threatened and blackmailed by 62 accused. She said that she was 13 when her ‘friend’ Subin began sexually abusing her. He, who was 6-7 years older than the victim, sexually assaulted her, took pictures and videos, and then used them to pressure her into doing a sexual favor to a friend.
Law enforcement stated that this acquaintance brought in two more men who also exploited the teenager. Her photos and contact details were shared with different groups of men and young boys throughout the following years, and many of them contacted her through social media including Instagram and WhatsApp.
The individuals who have been detained consist of truck drivers, fishermen, and daily wage laborers. Some of them are also married. Among the perpetrators are at least five former classmates from her educational institutions. Two of the accused were underage at the time of the offence and four of the accused are minors. Furthermore, the victim reported that several incidents involved multiple perpetrators, leading to the filing of FIRs for gang rape.
The investigation disclosed that the girl met a number of the accused at a private bus station in Pathanamthitta after which she was driven to several locations where she endured the heinous violations. According to the investigation, a young man she met on Instagram took her to a rubber farm in Ranni last year when she was in the twelfth grade, where he and three other individuals assaulted her. Authorities pointed out that the probe found she was gang-raped at least five times, including in January 2024 at the Pathanamthitta General Hospital and inside a four-wheeler.
Other offenders include peers, rival athletes, and sports coaches. More than 30 policemen, including women, make up the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is supervised by District Police Chief VG Vinod Kumar and headed by Deputy Superintendent of Police PS Nandakumar. The SIT is conducting further investigations into the case and planning to Look out Circulars for the 2 accused currently residing abroad.
