Home Blog Page 6787

Vinod Dua refuses to face lady who accused him of molestation, probe committee dissolves itself in frustration

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Vinod Dua refuses to face lady who accused him of molestation, probe committee dissolves itself in frustration

The external committee set up by The Wire to probe sexual harassment charges against its consulting editor Vinod Dua has dissolved itself out of frustration after the committee was ‘unable to proceed further’ due to lack of unconditional consent.

The Wire set up an internal committee on 17th October 2018 following sexual harassment charges levelled against Dua by a filmmaker, Nishtha Jain who accused him of stalking and sexual harassment back in 1989. Dua, a Consulting Editor with The Wire, had denied the allegations. On 18th October, Jain put up a Facebook post where she said that at first, The Wire had put up an internal committee to probe into the matter, but upon realising that at the time of the incident, neither Jain nor Dua were employed at The Wire, they formed an external committee to probe into it.

The internal committee, however, had come with terms and conditions. They had asked Jain to respond with consent and complaint within 24 hours otherwise the case would be dismissed. She had expressed anger that the committee cannot dictate terms like this. She had asked for an external committee to look into the matter and asked for a five-member committee as is the norm against four-member what The Wire had set up an internal committee.

Later an external committee was formed to probe into the allegations comprising of Justice (Retired) Aftab Alam, a former judge of the Supreme Court, Justice (Retired) Anjana Prakash, a former judge of the Patna High Court, former Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh, Prof Patricia Uberoi and Prof Neera Chandhoke. While Jain had “expressed misgivings and raised questions relating to the manner in which the External Committee was formed”, especially since the committee was to set up its own terms and conditions, Jain sent her formal complaint to the committee on 26th October. The next day, the committee set up the procedures to be followed which included personally appearing before the committee and allow cross-examination by or on behalf of the other side.

On 3rd November, in a statement, Dua denied the allegations and countered allegations. He also asked the committee to treat it as his ‘full and final statement’. He refused to be cross-examined by Jain. On 24th November, Jain expressed her misgivings and raised questions on the constitution of the committee. She also raised objections to Dua’s stand that he would not let himself be cross-examined by anyone. The committee then urged Dua and Jain to not put up pre-conditions with regards to the proceedings.

To this, Jain responded to Dua’s 3rd November statement and countered Dua’s arguments in detail. Dua, however, continued to remain adamant and refused to be cross-examined. He even said that the committee set up by The Wire without informing him and he was given no choice but to participate in the inquiry ‘to clear his name’. Dua further added that “despite this”, he consented for the inquiry on condition that he would not participate in any cross-examination.

Dua had agreed to appear before the committee but continued to be adamant that he would not do so if either Jain or her representative was present. He had agreed to answer questions the committee would have on the ‘basis of his statement’ while continuing to dodge the cross-examination.

On the committee’s 3rd meeting held on 19th December, the committee tried to show that both, Jain and Dua are being uncooperative in the investigation by claiming that the consent of the parties is not unqualified. However, as seen above, while Jain has been cooperative, and even responded to Dua’s clarification, it was Dua who stonewalled the investigation by refusing to face Jain as well as participate in cross-examination.

Unless Dua withdraws his condition, the committee felt the investigation was not going anywhere and concluded that “no useful purpose would be served by prolonging the process and that it is unable to proceed further in this matter.” The committee further put on record “its frustration over a potentially useful exercise being aborted midway.” The committee, before dissolving, even recommended that should such a need arise in future, The Wire should take an unconditional consent in writing by all those concerned and abide by the procedures set by the committee.

The committee’s frustration at not being able to proceed further because of Dua’s arrogance and obstinance is evident as the committee had to dissolve itself before any conclusion is reached.

Bangladesh elections: Sheikh Hasina wins a consecutive third term with landslide victory

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Bangladesh elections: Sheikh Hasina wins a consecutive third term with landslide victory

Bangladesh’s incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has won a consecutive third term with a thumping majority of 288 seats out of 300. As per reports, the main opposition party BNP has been reduced to a mere 7 seats.

PM Modi has reportedly held a telephonic conversation with Sheikh Hasina and congratulated her on her victory.

This will be Hasina’s fourth term as PM and the third consecutive term since 2009. The outgoing Awami League government held 234 seats in the 300 seat parliament. The country has 10.4 crores registered voters but the percentage of voter turnout is yet to be shared.

In 2014, the main opposition BNP had boycotted the elections. Hasina’s Awami league had won 153 of the seats uncontested. In the current election, Awami League fought 10 years of anti-incumbency and a united opposition of former PM Khalida Zia’s BNP, Jatiya Oikya Prokriya led by Kamal Hossain, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, and Nagorik Oikya. The united opposition was named Jatiya Oikya Front and presented Kamal Hossain as its leader.

  Winning a whopping 288 seats this time, Hasina’s party has left only 7 seats for the opposition. The opposition leaders and many media outlets have been accusing of election rigging and foul play. But the Bangladesh Election Commission has stated that it is investigating the allegations of vote rigging.

As many as 18 people have reportedly died in poll violence yesterday. Many of them reportedly members of the ruling party. After cases of violence during campaigning phase, security had been beefed up for the elections. 6 lakh security personnel had been deployed and mobile internet services were shut down in several places to avoid law and order issues.

The leader of the opposition, Kamal Hossain has alleged that the elections were ‘farcical’ and demanded re-election. He reportedly alleged that the opposition alliance will convene today to decide on future action. He also added that a caretaker government should be formed to conduct re-elections.

The Awami League has denied the allegations of rigging. Sajeeb Wazid, Hasina’s son and Awami League leader has stated that elections were peaceful and long queues of voters were seen casting their votes peacefully in polling booths.

Hasina’s government has maintained a good relationship with the Narendra Modi led NDA government of India. The last 10 years of Hasina’s governance is credited with economic prosperity and boosting the GDP. Awami League has promised to raise minimum wages for the textile industry which is Bangladesh’s major export and take growth rate ahead to 10% from the current 7.8%.

Hasina’s archrival and former PM Khalida Zia, who was the leader of BNP, has been serving a 10-year prison term on charges of corruption and had been barred from contesting polls.

Hasina, called ‘Jananetri’ or the leader of the people, is widely regarded for her crackdown on Islamist extremists and her stand on the Rohingya issue. India shares a 4000 km long border with the Islamic majority country.

Sharing the trailer of ‘The Accidental Prime Minister’ was a masterstroke by BJP: Anupam Kher to OpIndia

Nupur J Sharma
-
0
Sharing the trailer of ‘The Accidental Prime Minister’ was a masterstroke by BJP: Anupam Kher to OpIndia

The Congress party has been up in arms about Anupam Kher’s latest movie, The Accidental Prime Minister. In an interview to OpIndia, veteran actor Anupam Kher spoke about the movie, based on Sanjaya Baru’s book, Congress criticism, BJP sharing the trailer of the movie and the process that helped him prepare for a role, that he calls, the most difficult role of his life.

How did the idea of this movie evolve and how did you decide to be a part of it? Considering you knew there would be controversies surrounding this movie.

When the movie came to me and the producers were introduced to me through Ashok Pandit, I immediately said no because of the same reason you are saying. I anyway keep talking about nationalism and with this movie, I thought people would say I have done this movie to further tarnish the image of Manmohan Singh and till that time, I had not read the book. After a few days, I saw Dr Manmohan Singh on television and out of my artistic curiosity, I tried to walk like him. When I tried to walk like him, I was a total disaster. And hence, purely from that point of view, I asked for the script. I wanted to take this up as a challenge. I asked the producers to give me 6 months to prepare. I watched hours of footage on Dr Manmohan Singh. The most difficult part was the voice modulation. I also understood that I was on razor’s edge. The difference between caricature and believability is very thin in this case. I was very conscious of the 35-year long baggage of acting career and that I had to do justice to it.

Playing Dr Manmohan Singh was also difficult because he doesn’t express much. We have never seen a picture of him laughing hysterically or making gestures. He expresses anger, hurt, disgust, happiness etc in the same expression. But as an actor, it was important for me to maintain that and yet express all the emotions that are required. That is why I call it the most difficult role in my career.

During the screening of the film, were there any threats? 

None. There were no threats or objections during the shooting. That is what is so surprising. This movie has been in the public domain for the last 4 years. We took the rights from Sanjaya Baru. If Congress had objections, they should have spoken up before. In fact, why did Congress not approach the courts when the book was released. When the book was released, Congress said it was for political mileage and that Manmohan Singh has been presented badly, but actually, nobody took any action. It is only when the trailer came out that people started raising objections.

Why do you think that is? They took no action against Sanjaya Baru but have been so vocal after the trailer release? 

When people want to do something, they convince themselves that whatever they are thinking is genuine. It has nothing to do with logic. Maybe they felt that the visual representation had more impact. Perhaps they thought the casting of the film was pro-BJP. I keep praising PM Narendra Modi and my wife is a member of parliament. Akshay Khanna is also the son of a BJP member of parliament. And to add to that, BJP also tweeted the trailer of the film, perhaps they thought that BJP got together to make the movie. People forget that if I have to say something in favour of anybody I don’t need to act in a movie and put my whole life’s work at risk. If they think I would put 35 years of work at stake to please somebody, they are illiterates.

Now, after all the screaming, they are saying it will probably be a “badly made film”. I can only say that those who don’t know the flavour can only talk in this manner.

It is a tragedy that instead of appreciating the performances, they are criticising the movie.

I am not an Accidental Actor. I am going to be playing an Accidental Prime Minister. These people have every right to talk about my intentions, but if they say the movie will be bad then they end up looking stupid.

In 2004, when Congress came back to power, they forced you to resign from the Censor Board. What did Congress have against you in 2004?

Nothing. They thought a change of regime means a change of people. Haven’t they done the same thing the moment they came into power in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh? Within 24 hours they transferred and changed everyone. They don’t trust people for their ability but for their affinity. Any political party for that matter. I got a call from Naveen Chawla and he asked me to resign. They, in fact, put the entire onus on the Left. The Left parties said that I was an RSS man and he should not be on the Censor Board. D Raja went to the I&B Minister and they wanted me to resign. I said I haven’t been hired for this job because of my political preference. That time, Kirron was not in BJP either. They just presumed that since I was appointed by Ravi Shankar Prasad, they wanted me to leave.

Considering what happened in 2004, what do you think of your prospects if Congress comes back to power in 2019 since there have been threats now as well?

“Bheega hua aadmi baarish se nahi darta” (A drenched man doesn’t fear the rains). Only people who have something to hide are scared, I have nothing to hide. I stay in a rented house. I did a play called “Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai”, where I have spoken of everything that went wrong in my life. I can’t turn today’s truth into a lie just because I might have to be scared in the future.

Some people have been saying this movie would perhaps project a softer side of Manmohan Singh and glance over the fact that he was complicit during all the scams during the UPA era

How can they comment without seeing the film? Besides, they should read the book. The Book, “The Accidental Prime Minister” hasn’t been written by some jeweller in Karol Bagh. The book has been written by Dr Manmohan Singh’s own media advisor. Let’s not become blind about what happened between 2004 and 2014. We knew who was controlling what. The whole world knows that. There is no surprise element. When you see the movie, one realises that there is an interpretation to it.

People have also said that BJP should not have shared the trailer of the film because it might have undermined the movie 

I don’t think one can expect a political party to not do politics. I think its a masterstroke by BJP to share the trailer. I am not defending anybody but during the Punjab elections when BJP and Akali Dal were in power there, didn’t every single politician including Rahul Gandhi share (information/promotion) of Udta Punjab movie? Didn’t they use the movie to say the government in Punjab is useless? We all have our favourite politicians but don’t expect politicians to follow a certain type of nature. It is silly to say that “why BJP has done this, I am angry”. They tweeted the movie trailer to say this is a good movie and based on it, this is how the Congress government was being run. Nothing wrong with it. In politics, one must know how to take mileage out of situations.

The Supreme Court itself delivered a verdict giving Rafale a clean chit, but yet, Rahul Gandhi has been at it challenging the authority of even the SC. Then why are people annoyed that BJP has shared a mere movie trailer?

Politics means taken mileage out of a particular situation.

So you personally don’t have an issue with it? Many are saying it might have undermined the film 

But everyday Arvind Kejriwal keeps sharing movies and its reviews. I have shown so many movies to Atal Bihar Vajpayee ji also. Films are not untouchable things. Even before this movie, Prime Minister Modi had spoken about the book by Sanjaya Baru. When Udta Punjab was released then Congress spoke about it. After Sacred Games, Rahul Gandhi had written a long tweet about freedom of expression. So what is the harm? Congress should refer to Rahul Gandhi’s tweet. I am sure Rahul must have told Congress to keep quiet since it is a freedom of expression issue.

I am happy that the film is being talked about. When a controversy surrounds the movie and if then the movie turns out to be bad, then it is an embarrassment. But if after the controversy, the movie turns out to be good, the sky is the limit. See what happened with Padmaavat. I am sure about this product.

There were rumours that the film might be banned in Madhya Pradesh. Though later Kamal Nath said there was no such decision. Are you privy to any information of any state contemplating a ban? 

“Behte hue dariya ko koi nahi rok sakta”. Some people are even saying that this film should be “ignored” and “should not be noticed”. Well, a priest told my mother to not think about the colour black on Saturdays and all her problems would be solved. But lo behold, she could think about nothing else other than the colour black on Saturdays. This is exactly the same. If Congress says they should ignore this film, it’s hilarious. ‘sardar ji ki pagdi’ can be seen everywhere. The best compliment came from my mother when she didn’t recognise me in a clip and thought it was the real Dr Manmohan Singh.

Do you feel bad about the fact that amidst this political controversy, one of your best roles is getting lost somewhere? 

If it’s the might of a full moon, we shouldn’t assume that just because Delhi is covered in clouds, the rest of the country cannot see the moon. I did feel bad for a moment, but I know once the movie is released, it would prevail.

1984 Sikh genocide: Convicted Congress leader Sajjan Kumar expected to surrender in court today

OpIndia Staff
-
0
1984 Sikh genocide: Convicted Congress leader Sajjan Kumar expected to surrender in court today

Former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar is expected to surrender before the Karkardooma court on Monday to serve life imprisonment awarded to him by the Delhi High Court for murdering five Sikhs in the Delhi Cantonment area during the 1984 Sikh genocide.

Sajjan Kumar had filed an appeal in the Supreme Court on December 20 after the High Court dismissed Kumar’s plea seeking more time till January 30 to surrender. The court, while awarding him a life sentence, had directed him to surrender by December 31 and had also asked to pay Rs 5 lakh as fine.

In his plea, Kumar had asked 30-days time to surrender as he ‘needed time to settle his children and grandchildren’ and also needed time to file an appeal in the Supreme Court against the HC verdict.

However, Delhi High Court had rejected an extension and ordered Kumar to surrender on December 31. Sajjan Kumar has now decided to approach the Supreme court against the Delhi High Court judgement once it reopens after winter vacation.

Meanwhile, HS Phoolka, one of the petitioners in the 1984-anti Sikh riots case, has requested to the victims of the 1984 Sikh pogrom riot to not visit the court on Monday. “It is apprehended that Sajjan Kumar might try to create disturbances around the court tomorrow, to use as an excuse not to surrender and ask for an extension. I request 1984 Sikh genocide victims not to go to the court tomorrow. He has not got any relief from the Supreme Court. So, he has to surrender,” he said.

Sajjan Kumar, a mainstream Congressman was convicted for the killing of five Sikhs in Raj Nagar area in Palam Colony in South West Delhi on November 1-2, 1984, and also burning down of a Gurudwara in Raj Nagar during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Sajjan Kumar’s conviction had caused Congress party a huge embarrassment as the party had mainstreamed the criminal Sajjan Kumar all along despite accusations and legal cases on his direct involvement.

Sajjan Kumar has stayed very close to the Congress party despite Congress party projecting otherwise. In 2004, the Congress party had brought Sajjan Kumar into the fore by allowing him to contest and win from Outer Delhi constituency. Senior Supreme Court lawyer HS Phoolka had alleged in the past that the Centre and police have protected Sajjan Kumar since 1984. He had said that there was ample evidence to show how the police and the government have been shielding him from the beginning. He had resigned later from the party.

The 1984 Anti-Sikh riots took place in the aftermath of the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, which resulted in brutal killings of more than 2800 people according to official figures. Congress leaders Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler were accused of a direct role in orchestrating the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India.

As we say goodbye to 2018, we take a walk down memory lane: A time when Kejriwal raised his voice against Congress’ corruption

OpIndia Staff
-
0
As we say goodbye to 2018, we take a walk down memory lane: A time when Kejriwal raised his voice against Congress’ corruption

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who came to power on the plank of non-corruption has now shifted his focus to being Congress’ groupie as we get ready for the 2019 General Election. Kejriwal has been trying very hard to be included in the ‘United Opposition‘ gang. However, AAP rebel leader Kapil Mishra has taken it upon himself to not let Kejriwal forget what he once stood for and remind us all what he now stands for.

In a series of tweets, Mishra shared videos where Kejriwal had once upon a time raised his voice against the rampant corruption under Congress rule. In fact, Kejriwal had not just ‘accused’ Sonia Gandhi of being involved in AgustaWestland scam, but he had even cited on “Italy court” to dish out the verdict that she is guilty along with her man Friday Ahmed Patel.


Except, the Italian appeals court in Milan had given its verdict that there was no evidence of graft.

And the one time when he was taking on the UPA-led central government, he had called for “Sonia Gandhi’s interrogation” for two days.


And how he had declared he’d rather die than tolerate ‘be-imaani‘ (cheaters, cheating). That he’d be standing against anyone who tries to ‘save’ Sonia Gandhi in AgustaWestland scam.


Not just Kejriwal, former AAP leader Ashutosh had also demanded Sonia Gandhi and Ahmed Patel should be arrested.


Amusingly, after Christian Michel was extradited to India, Kejriwal has not mentioned him even once in his sly tweets he is so fond of. Not even after Michel names one ‘Mrs Gandhi’ and ‘Italian lady’s son R’ in his interrogation with the ED. The radio silence from the anti-corruption crusader is quite deafening to say the least.

NIA conducts fresh raids in Delhi, Amroha to arrest five more suspects of the ISIS module

OpIndia Staff
-
0
NIA conducts fresh raids in Delhi, Amroha to arrest five more suspects of the ISIS module

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has continued its search to nab suspected Islamic State (IS) terrorists in Delhi and Amroha. The NIA along with Delhi Police’s special cell has arrested five suspected terrorists during this raids on Sunday.

According to reports, the NIA has seized several Islamic State (IS) pamphlets and weapons from the suspected terrorists. The joint raids by investigation agencies were conducted at Seelampur and Jaffrabad in Delhi and also Amroha, Uttar Pradesh. Maulvi Mohammad Suhail was a resident of Jaffrabad in Delhi and as per reports, the recent raids were made after a tip-off from Suhail.

Last week, the National Investigative Agency (NIA) in a joint operation with the Uttar Pradesh anti-terrorism squad had conducted raids on 17 locations in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh in connection with a new ISIS module named ‘Harkat ul Harb-e-Islam’.

According to the NIA, a Maulvi, a civil engineering student from Amity University in Noida, a third year BA student, an auto-rickshaw driver, welding shop owner and a garments business owner are among those who are accused and suspects. A woman believed to be linked to the module is also detained and is being questioned. Explosives including a rocket launcher were seized in large amounts by the agencies.

The total number of suspects arrested so far, in this case, has reached 15. The welding shop owned by brothers Raees and Saeed Ahmed was a crucial point in the case as several weapons and ISIS literature was seized from there.

The NIA IG had said that their level of preparedness suggests they wanted to carry out explosions in near future by remote control blasts and fidayeen attacks. A total amount of Rs. 7.5 lakh, 100 mobile phones and 135 sim cards were recovered along with laptops. A country made rocket launcher was also recovered. Reports claimed that the Ahmed brothers had made the rocket launcher and also stored chemicals for explosives, pipe bombs and other material in their shop.

Mufti Mohammad Suhail alias Hazrath is the alleged mastermind of the terror module and was regularly visiting Delhi to test the weapons he procured from illegal arms suppliers in Western UP’s Meerut and Hapur areas. Reportedly, he used the noise of Diwali crackers to cover up the sound to test-fire the pistols.

PM Modi visits the Cellular Jail in Andaman, pays tribute to Veer Savarkar; renames 3 islands after Subhash Chandra Bose

OpIndia Staff
-
0
PM Modi visits the Cellular Jail in Andaman, pays tribute to Veer Savarkar; renames 3 islands after Subhash Chandra Bose

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a visit to Andaman and Nicobar islands. He arrived at Port Blair on Saturday evening along with Home Minister Rajnath Singh for launching several infrastructural projects in the area. Modi reached Car Nicobar on Sunday where he congratulated the people for overcoming the impact of the 2004 Tsunami that had struck the island severely.

Assuring the people of better facilities, he said, “Along with the security of people at Car Nicobar, the government is making efforts to ensure employment for youth, education for children, medical care for the aged and facilities for the farmers”.

He announced that the government will build a seawall to deal with the problem of sea erosion. “The people here have been demanding a solution to the problem of sea erosion for a long time. I am glad to announce that the government has decided to erect a seawall to deal with the problem, the foundation of which will be laid today,” he said.

Modi also visited the Central Jail to par tribute to the great freedom fighter Veer Savarkar.


Thereafter he inaugurated the IIT at Arong and the Modern Sports Complex at a public meeting at Car Nicobar.


The Prime Minister hoisted the national flag at Port Blair to mark the 75th anniversary ofthe declaration of the formation of the Azad Hind government in 1943 by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.


He is also expected to release a postal stamp, coin and first day cover commemorating the Azad Hind. He will then inaugurate a 7MW solar power plant and a solar village. PM Modi also renamed 3 Andaman-Nicobar islands after Subhash Chandra Bose.


Ross Island is renamed to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island, Neil Island to Shaheed Dweep and Havelock Island will now be called Swaraj Dweep.

JDS leader takes discourse to another low, compares BJP leaders with street dog

OpIndia Staff
-
0
JDS leader takes discourse to another low, compares BJP leaders with street dog

Keeping the trend of abusing BJP leaders intact, Congress Karnataka ally Janta Dal Secular’s leader and Transport Minister DC Thamanna has compared BJP leaders with a ‘street dog’. The remark came after senior BJP leader Umesh Katti’s claim that 15 disgruntled MLAs from the alliance are willing to defect and join BJP.

Thamanna narrated a story by former CM JH Patel: “He recalled Patel saying an elephant was walking ahead of street dogs who were hoping something would fall from atop the tusker that they would eat. Neither did the food fall, nor the dogs got something to eat.” Thamanna then added that the story perfectly fits BJP leaders, who were claiming that 15 MLAs were going to defect the coalition.

Soon after the remark, state BJP Chief and leader of the opposition BS Yeddyurappa asserted that there are no efforts by BJP to destabilize the government in the state.

In the past too, Congress leaders have made similar remarks against PM Modi. Congress leader TB Jayachandra from Karnataka, in November this year, had said that the time has come to burn PM Modi alive. The opposition leaders such as Mani Shankar Aiyar have frequently abused Prime Minister Narendra Modi by referring to him ‘Chaiwala’ and ‘Neech Insan’ as an attempt to lower the dignity of Narendra Modi. Congress leaders like Manish Tiwari and Digvijaya Singh have often resorted to using derogatory words against the Prime Minister.

Before the assembly elections of Madhya Pradesh, Congress leader Raj Babbar had compared the devaluing rate of the Indian rupee to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aged mother. A video of Congress leader and former Minister CP Joshi had gone viral, in which he was seen claiming that only pandits, intellectuals, Brahmins know about Hinduism, and others like PM Modi should not talk about it.

Four AK-47 rifles looted from Congress leader’s residence, policemen and security personnel summoned

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Four AK-47 rifles looted from Congress leader’s residence, policemen and security personnel summoned

Suspected terrorists have robbed four AK-47 rifles from the residence of Congress legislator (MLC) Muzaffar Parray located in Jawahar Nagar area of Srinagar. The police have filed a case and ordered security officials to be on alert in Srinagar, reported ANI.

According to the reports, the terrorists have stolen the weapons from the official residence of Congress leader Muzaffar Parray. The Jammu and Kashmir Police have has already started an inquiry and also looking for the terrorists who had stolen them.


SP Pani, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Range has reportedly confirmed that four rifles have been missing. After facing severe difficulty to obtain funds and procure weapons, the terrorists have been resorting to stealing arms and ammunition from security forces.

Recently in September, a special police officer deployed with People’s Democratic Party (PDP) MLA, Aijaz Ahmad Mir had absconded with seven assault rifles of colleagues from a Police post guarding his residence at high-security Jawahar Nagar area in Srinagar.

We had earlier reported regarding the similar incident when few Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists had looted the weapons belonging terrorists of Zakir Musa‘s Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH), an Al-Qaeda affiliate present in South Kashmir.

Congress lies busted: UPA govt did not blacklist AgustaWestland, Modi govt did and never withdrew the blacklisting

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Congress lies busted: UPA govt did not blacklist AgustaWestland, Modi govt did and never withdrew the blacklisting

After the Enforcement Directorate told a court that Christian Michael, the middleman in AgustaWestland AW101 deal, has named some “Mrs Gandhi”, “the son of the Italian lady”, the Congress party is scrambling to protect the “family”. And the party is trying to do that with the only weapon they have nowadays, lies.

Briefing the media, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said that UPA government had blacklisted AgustaWestland, and Modi government removed the company from blacklisting on 22 August 2014. He also said that the AgustaWestland was given FIPB approval for FDI by the Modi government. Surjewala also said that Modi government allowed AgustaWestland to participate in the bid for navy helicopters.

Every sentence in the above para is a lie, and this is not the first time Congress is making these allegations. They have been alleging these for the last two years.


Let’s take them one by one.

Did UPA government blacklist AgustaWestland?

Congress party has been claiming for a long time that they blacklisted AgustaWestland company.


But the reality is, they did not. Although the UPA II government cancelled the VVIP chopper deal with the company, ordered a CBI investigation and recovered the money already paid, it did not blacklist the company. On 5 February 2014, then defence minister AK Antony had informed the Rajya Sabha that “no decision has been taken till date to debar the said company”.

The Finmeccanica group of companies, including the AgustaWestland, was blacklisted on 3 July 2014, means it was done by the Modi government.

The order dated 03/07/2014 blacklisting Finmeccanica including Agusta Westland
The order dated 03/07/2014 blacklisting Finmeccanica including Agusta Westland

Did Modi government withdraw the blacklisting of AgustaWestland?

It is an absolute lie that the companies blacklisting was withdrawn by the government. On August 2 this year, the defence ministry had released a list giving detail of companies debarred and suspended from doing business with the ministry of defence. And in this release, the list of suspended companies includes AgustaWestland and Leonardo S.p.A., into which Finmeccanica was merged in 2016, and four other group companies. Which means that the companies are still blacklisted. In the same list, it is clearly mentioned the companies were blacklisted on 3 July 2014.

Finmeccanica & group cos are still blacklisted
Defence ministry note dated 02/08/2018 informs that Finmeccanica & group cos are still blacklisted

Surjewala said that on 22 August 2014, Modi government whitelisted AgustaWestland, which is not true. The order issued by Defence Ministry’s vigilance department makes some modifications to the order blacklisting the company, it does not withdraw the blacklisting.

22/08/2014 order clarifies that Finmeccanica & group companies are barred from ongoing and future defence deals
22/08/2014 order clarifies that Finmeccanica & group companies are barred from ongoing and future defence deals

The order, shown above, says that if there are any contracts with Finmeccanica group companies which are already under execution, or already have been executed but only regular maintenance etc are needed, such deals can continue. But Finmeccanica and its group companies cannot be provided tender papers for bidding in defence deals, if it has already submitted tender that will not be considered, and even if it has been declared as the lowest bidder in a tender, such procurement process will be put on hold. This order makes it clear that Finmeccanica and its group companies can’t participate in ongoing and future deals, only past deals can continue. It can be noted that there were no past deals with the company, with the VVIP helicopter deal cancelled.

Did Modi government give FIPB approval for FDI by AgustaWestland in India?

An FDI proposal by AgustaWestland to set up a joint venture with Tata Sons was approved by the government of India on 2nd September 2011, when UPA was in power, not Modi. It is important to note that this was a completely private sector deal, and not linked to VVIP chopper or any other deal by the defence ministry. A defence company blacklisted by defence ministry means it can’t participate in defence ministry deals, it is free to do other business subject to fulfilling norms. The JV with Tata, known as Indian Rotorcraft, was for AW119Ke helicopter, which is a civilian utility helicopter. The foreign investor in the JV was AgustaWestland, the Netherlands. But as it later merged with AgustaWestland, Italy, they had submitted an application with the FIPB to change the company’s name to AgustaWestland S.p.A, Italy, and they also wanted to change the helicopter to be made in India to AW119Kx, an upgraded version. In 2015, these changes were granted by the Modi government, but the original FDI proposal was already approved during the UPA government.

Did Modi government allow AgustaWestland to participate in the tender for Navy helicopters?

In August 2012, Indian Navy had issued Request for Proposal (RFP) for Naval Utility Helicopters, and AgustaWestland was one of the companies that had submitted their techno-commercial proposal in March 2013, during UPA government, when the VVIP chopper scam was already known and the Indian government had already started investigations. After coming to power, the RFP was scrapped by the Modi government, as it was decided that the helicopters will be manufactured in India under make in India program.

In August 2017, the government issued Request for Information for the purchase of 111 Naval Utility Helicopters, along with 123 naval multirole helicopters. The RFI was sent to Lockheed Martin and Bell Helicopter of U.S., Airbus Helicopters of France, and Russian Helicopters of Russia. Several Indian companies submitted their bids with proposed joint ventures with these companies, and AgustaWestland did not submit any bid for the contract.

1...6,7866,7876,788...7,673Page 6,787 of 7,673