The authorities at the famous Sankat Mochan temple in Varanasi received an anonymous letter here, warning them of a projected bomb blast on the temple premises. Vishambhar Nath Mishra, the chief priest of the temple, said that according to the letter a bigger blast, than that which took place in 2006, will hit the temple again.
On March 7, 2006, the Sankat Mochan temple, along with Varanasi Cantonment Railway station and the Shiv Ganga Express was shaken up by a series of high-intensity bomb explosions which killed 21 people and left more than hundreds injured.
“We received a letter threatening a bomb blast in Sankat Mochan Temple in Varanasi. The letter said that bombings were carried out earlier in the temple and a bigger blast will happen again. We informed the police and handed over the letter to them. We are taking precautions and police is investigating the matter,” Mishra told ANI on Wednesday.
Mishra furthered that since the letter claimed that the blast would be bigger in intensity than that which transpired in 2006, it was clear that the same group of anti-social miscreants were involved this time too.
Varanasi Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anand Kulkarni stated that few names and a mobile number were mentioned in the letter and cops are looking at all the angles to nab the culprits.
“The letter had some names and a mobile number. Prima facie it appears someone may have done it to create trouble for the person named in the letter due to personal enmity. This temple is an important place of worship in Varanasi and we have tightened security in the area,” Kulkarni told ANI.
An unknown terror group, Lashkar-e-Kahar (also known as Lashkar-e-Qahab) had claimed responsibility of the 2006 Varanasi attacks and had warned of similar attacks in other cities until and unless the government didn’t stop its “catch and kill” operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
Attorney General K.K. Venugopal told the Supreme Court on Wednesday that the government decided to send CBiI Director Alok Verma and special director Rakesh Asthana on leave because they were bringing disrepute to the investigative agency.
“Govt of India was watching with amazement as to what the top officers were doing, they were fighting like cats,” Venugopal was quoted as saying referring to the public accusations of corruption the officers made against each other.
K.K. Venugopal said the government was forced to intervene because the concerned individuals could not keep their dispute in-house. “After carefully examining material made available to Centre and after deliberation over the issues, Centre was satisfied that a situation had arisen wherein Centre had to take action to divest Alok Verma,” he stated in the Supreme Court.” “Our objective was to ensure that public confidence in the institution is not eroded, so both officers were sent on leave,” he added.
The Attorney General further said that the government has the power of superintendence over the CBI and it acted within its jurisdiction.
The CBI feud was out in the open after the agency was reported to have raided its own headquarters. The Union government then decided to send CBI Director Alok Verma and special director Rakesh Asthana on leave and M Nageshwar Rao was appointed to take over the duties and functions of CBI director. A report also made its way to the media during the entire drama where it was alleged that the phones of NSA Ajit Doval were tapped by the agency.
A Delhi court on Wednesday sentenced Former Coal Secretary HC Gupta to 3-year imprisonment in the coal block allocation case that occurred during the UPA-2 regime.
According to reports, the special court headed by judge Bharat Prasar has also awarded 3-year jail term for two IAS officers-KS Kropha and KC Samria, after the court found their involvement in the irregularities in the allocation of coal blocks in West Bengal during UPA-II government. All three were later released on bail after furnishing personal bonds of Rs 1 lakh each.
The Special Court in Delhi on November 30th had convicted 5 individuals including former Union Coal Secretary H.C. Gupta for alleged irregularities in allocation of coal blocks in West Bengal.
Vikash Metals and Power Limited (VMPL), the private firm to which the blocks were allocated has also been fined Rs.1 lakh. The court sentenced its Managing Director Vikash Patni and authorised signatory Anand Mallick to four years in jail. While Patni has been fined Rs 25 lakh, Mallick will have to pay Rs.2 lakh as fine.
However, the CBI had sought a maximum of 7-year imprisonment for the five convicted persons and had urged the court for a heavy fine on the private firm. The case is related to the irregularities in the allocation of Moira and Madhujore (North and South) coal blocks in West Bengal. The contract was awarded to Vikas Metal Power Ltd.
HC Gupta, who was the CoalSecretary from December 31, 2005, to November 2008, was also the chairman of the screening committee that allocated the coal blocks. He has been convicted in past in two other cases of coal block allocation and has been sentenced to jail for two and three years respectively. He is out on bail in both the cases.
Coal Scam, one of the biggest scams in Indian history had occurred during the Manmohan Singh led UPA government. Huge irregularities in the allocation of coal blocks had come to light in 2012 when the CAG had stated that the government had sold leases for 200 coal fields at low prices to benefit a few and cost the ex-chequer the loss of about 1.86 lakh crores.
After AgustaWestland middleman Christian Michel was extradited to India from Dubai last night, he was presented at the Patiala House Court in Delhi. The CBI sought custody of Michel, and the court sent Michel to a five-day custody of CBI.
In the court, Christian Michel was represented by advocate Aljo K Joseph.
Interestingly, Alijo Joseph is a Congress party leader, and he is the national in-charge of the legal department of Indian Youth Congress, the youth wing of the party. His Twitter and Facebook profiles clearly indicate his official relationship with the party. Going by his social media posts, he seems to be an active member of Congress party, as he regularly posts on politics and party related topics.
Aljo K Joseph was appointed as Youth Congress’ National In-charge of the Legal Department in July this year. The official Twitter handle had announced his appointment and posted a copy of the letter appointing him to the post.
Welcome Shri. Adv Aljo Joseph to the IYC family as the National In-charge of the Legal Department. We are certain that you will work with zeal and passion to fulfill Congress President Shri @RahulGandhi‘s vision and to strengthen IYC’s legal team across India. pic.twitter.com/Y49ecjstYE
He has been photographed several times with Congress leaders such as Kapil Sibal, Kamal Nath etc.
He has even been photographed with Justice Joseph Kurian.
One look at his Facebook account would also reveal his official position with the Congress and his commitment to the Congress party.
In the AgustaWestland case, one of the names that had come up was that of Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel. Interestingly, Christian Michel’s lawyer now, Aljo Joseph is seen here photographed with Ahmed Patel himself.
Christian Michel’s extradition was important for the truth to surface. In a case where Ahmed Patel and Sonia Gandhi’s names have been allegedly involved, one wonders how fair the probe would be and whether the Congress loyalist would even allow Christian Michel to spill the truth.
In a scathing attack on the Congress party, Prime Minister Modi during a public address at Sumerpur, Rajasthan has warned former Finance Minister and senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram that he will go to jail as well.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNWWjDFd8Lg]
Prime Minister Modi also appeared to target the Judiciary. He insinuated that Chidambaram was using his influence to escape going to jail. He said referring to the senior Congress leader, “This ‘Mahashay’ too, using the influence he gained during his time as a Supreme Court advocate, begs before the Court to extend his protection and the Court tells the government that he cannot be arrested. Then, he goes to the Court again and the Court again tells the Government that they cannot arrest him till a certain date. How long will you keep taking help from the Court? One day judgment will come out and you’ll be in jail as well.” Targeting Chidambaram senior, Modi said that the Congress leader believed that Bhagwan has granted wisdom to him only.
In his speech, the Prime Minister also reminded the crowd that the Karti Chidambaram, son of P. Chidambaram, went to jail due to corruption. Taking a dig a Chidambaram, he stated, “The person who himself was an advocate at the Supreme Court, who used to wield great influence there and used to appear before the Court on behalf of many vastly influential people, Modi has found such evidence after searching extensively for the truth, that his own son had to go to jail.”
Narendra Modi spoke about the Agusta Westland VVIP Chopper Scam as well. He said that the government had got hold of “Raazdaar” Christian Michel and his statements could create a lot of problems for the “Naamdaar”.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi was also targeted for his latest goof-up. Prime Minister Modi said that Rahul Gandhi does not even know the difference between Congress politician the late Kumbharam and the Ramayana character Kumbhakarna.
The states of Rajasthan and Telangana are to hold assembly elections on December 7.
In the wake of alleged middleman Christian Michel’s extradition to India yesterday, former Air Chief Marshal and a co-accused in the AgustaWestland corruption scam, SP Tyagi, lost his temper when media asked him to comment on the latest developments.
When asked about Christian Michel and his extradition related developments, SP Tyagi vented his spleen questioning media’s conduct. “Who are you to ask me such questions? You can’t intrude my privacy. Please be courteous while asking such questions,” he asked.
Christian Michel, a British businessman, accused of money laundering, bribery, and fraud in connection with the Rs 3,600 crore worth AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam was extradited to India from Dubai late last night. He is being accused of paying bribes to several politicians, bureaucrats and officials in exchange to get this deal.
SP Tyagi, along with his cousin Sanjeev Tyagi and Delhi-based lawyer Gautam Khaitan was accused of money laundering, fraud and corruption. The CBI arrested them in July this year on the charges of criminal conspiracy and illegal gratification in the VVIP chopper deal scam. However, in September 2018, Tyagis and the other accused were granted bail by the court on a bond of Rs.1 lakh each and the same amount as surety.
Tyagi and his cousin are accused of receiving bribes for modifying the specifications of choppers to benefit the seller. CBI asserted in their charge sheet that Tyagi even reduced the minimum ceiling height for choppers from 18,000 feet to 15,000 feet so as to ensure Agusta’s qualification as a seller. CBI has also alleged that Tyagi made several trips to Italy to meet the middlemen.
According to recorded conversations and documents shared by Italy with the CBI and ED, Agusta middlemen Haschke and Gerosa accompanied Tyagi to the airport of Milan. SP Tyagi was affectionately called as ‘gorgeous girl’ by Guido Ralph Haschke and Carlo Gerosa, the two middlemen in AgustaWestland deal. Earlier, in July 2018, Italy had refused to extradite the middlemen Haschke and Gerosa to India, citing no legal treaty between the two countries.
Christian Michel’s revelations are expected to spell doom for politicians, officials and military officers involved in the scam. Perhaps, this explains why SP Tyagi is gnawing at the current developments and is boorish towards the reporters asking him unsettling questions about the kickbacks involved in AgustaWestland deal.
In a landmark move, Union Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj, in her two-day visit to Abu Dhabi, has inked a currency swap deal with the UAE, which allows the two countries to trade in their own currency.
‘Currency Swap‘ pact allows trading by the two countries in their own currency and payments to import and export trade at pre-determined exchange rate without bringing in a third benchmark currency like the US dollars.
Sushma Swaraj who was in UAE to co-chair the 12th session of the UAE-India Joint Commission Meeting with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation held at ministry’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi, also held exhaustive discussions with her counterpart to step up cooperation in areas like trade, security and defence.
Both leaders agreed to boost cooperation in trade, security and defence. The leaders also decided to strengthen their resolve to combat extremism and terrorism in all its forms, regardless of the perpetrators and their intent.
Sheikh Abdullah said the UAE has always shared strong historical ties with India. He noted the bilateral relations are based on mutual respect, trust and aimed at enhancing the mutual benefit of the people.
The two countries signed another deal, which would enable both India and UAE to undertake development projects in Africa.
Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Raveesh Kumar also stated about the satisfactory pace of bilateral relations between the two nations, ”
Special relations with UAE
EAM @SushmaSwaraj called on Crown Prince of #AbuDhabi, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Both expressed satisfaction at the pace of our bilateral relations in a range of areas, attesting to our comprehensive strategic partnership pic.twitter.com/7s2zJELrS6
Later, while addressing members of the Indian community in Abu Dhabi, Swaraj hailed the contribution of the Indian emigrants in enhancing the bilateral relationship between both countries.
Swaraj in her two days visit also inaugurated the Gandhi-Zayed Digital Museum to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of Shaikh Zayed, the founder of the modern UAE and 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
The museum, which was announced during Shaikh Abdullah’s last visit to India in June, uses frontline technology to showcase rare photos, videos and objects representing life and works of both the leaders. It also reaffirms the historical ties between both the countries.
With nearly $50 billion bilateral trade, the two countries are one of the largest trade partners for each other and have made widespread investments. The UAE is the sixth-largest source of Indian oil imports and hosts a 3.3 million-strong Indian diaspora.
India and UAE have enjoyed strong bilateral lies after PM Narendra Modi assumed office. Crown Prince HH Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed was the chief guest for India’s Republic Day celebrations in 2017. Christian Michel, the wanted middleman in AugustaWestland scam was extradited to India from Dubai last night, a feat that many are speculating the result of healthy bilateral ties maintained between the two nations.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has planned to observe the Babri Demolition Anniversary on December 6 as Shaurya Diwas. Several other Akharas will reportedly join the VHP to mark the 26th anniversary of Babri Masjid demolition.
The day will be celebrated by organising various religious programmes. “Shaurya Diwas will be traditionally celebrated. In Ayodhya, the VHP and various Hindu organisations are likely to organise a number of religious programmes, including a hawan, so that a grand temple of Lord Ram is built,” said Sharad Sharma, VHP Spokesperson in Ayodhya.
He also said that special prayers to Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of learning, are likely to be held to prevent the politicians from obstructing the construction of the temple. “Sarva baadha mukti hawans (hawans seeking to get rid of all obstructions) too will be held”, he said. Sharma compared the Karsevaks who lost their lives during the Babri demolition with Jatayu who sacrificed his life trying to save Sita from Ravana. He said that tributes will be paid to the innocent karsevaks who faced bullets and lost their lives.
The Hindu organisation is also prepping up for the celebrations lined up after the Shaurya Diwas. According to the VHP Spokesperson, another Dharam Sabha is scheduled to be organised on Dec 9 in Delhi which is likely to be attended by over five lakh people. This will be followed by Gita Jayanti celebrations on Dec 18. According to the VHP Secretary of Awadh region, Bholendra, Gita Jayanti will be celebrated by holding pledge taking ceremonies at various places in the country which will continue for a week. Pledges will be taken for the construction of Ram temple. Apart from this Dharam Sabhas will be organised across the country on a smaller scale.
“On January 31 and February 1, we are going to organise a Dharam Sansad in Prayagraj in which more than 5,000 seers from across the country are likely to participate. Seers from southern states and north-eastern states have been specially invited for this,” Sharma said.
“We will celebrate the day as Shaurya Diwas, as it was on this day that Ram Janmabhoomi was liberated from a Mughal structure”, said Mahant Ramdas of Nirmohi Akhara. He said that the day will be celebrated like Diwali by lighting ghee lamps and lights in about 500 prominent Ashrams in Ayodhya.
Fugitive Businessman Vijay Mallya in a series of tweets has brought to fore a settlement offer for repayment of the principal amount he owes to various Public Sector Banks in India. This comes hours after the extradition of the wanted fugitive and middleman in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland chopper deal, Christian Michel from UAE to India.
The Indian government has been trying hard to extradite Vijay Mallya after he ran away to the UK on March 2, 2016. Mallya faces charges of defaulting on loans to the tune of Rs 9000 crores. The extradition trial which began at the London court on December 4 last year, is aimed at proving fraud case against Mallya and convincing the court that he will be subject to a fair trial in the country.
Politicians and Media are constantly talking loudly about my being a defaulter who has run away with PSU Bank money. All this is false. Why don’t I get fair treatment and the same loud noise about my comprehensive settlement offer before the Karnataka High Court. Sad.
In June, Mallya had made similar claims by releasing his letter written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said he was making every effort to settle his dues to banks but he had been made the Poster Boy of bank default.
In his series of Tweets, the liquor baron said that the now-defunct Kingfisher airlines incurred huge losses because of the soaring prices of Aviation Turbine Fuel(ATF). He also said at the time airline was operational crude price ascended to $140/barrel, which became a deterrent for the functioning of the airline. Mallya offered to pay the principal amount of loan to banks and asked them to accept it.
Airlines struggling financially partly becoz of high ATF prices. Kingfisher was a fab airline that faced the highest ever crude prices of $ 140/barrel. Losses mounted and that’s where Banks money went.I have offered to repay 100 % of the Principal amount to them. Please take it.
He also emphasised his ‘contribution’ of thousands of crores to the State exchequer made by his alcoholic beverage company (United Breweries Group). He assertively also denied any connection between his settlement offer and speculations about his extradition. He said that two are separate legal proceedings. He added that public money is of utmost importance and he is willing to make a ”100%” repayment.
I see the quick media narrative about my extradition decision. That is separate and will take its own legal course. The most important point is public money and I am offering to pay 100% back. I humbly request the Banks and Government to take it. If payback refused, WHY ?
There were reports that Mallya is reiterating the settlement offer and claiming innocence as his extradition verdict is soon to be announced, Mallya claimed that his settlement offer has been there since 2016.
In October, London court had ordered the confiscation and selling of 6 highly expensive cars in possession Mallya’s possession to repay Indian Consortium of Banks.
Last month, Mallya had suffered a setback in his quest to save his luxurious residence in London from foreclosure by Swiss bank UBS.
On 31st July this year, UK court had asked Indian authorities to submit a ‘step by step video’ of the prison where Mallya would be kept. CBI had submitted nearly 10 minute-long video, about the conditions of the prison where Mallya would be kept in. Mallya’s next hearing is on 10 December at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London.
Hypocrisy is a blissful kingdom. Condescension, guilt trips and pontifications are aplenty. While gullible masses go on feeling bashful about imaginary crimes sermoned by the woke overlords of liberal noble blood, the list of actions offending the woke overlords keeps growing. Be it celebrating pagan festivals like Diwali, Holi, Karwachauth and pagan practices like Jallikattu, or even indulging in activities we have thought perfectly normal so far, there are ways where they can be made to look barbaric and sinful.
PETA has made guilt tripping into an art. A fortnight before Diwali, they get conscious of the proposed fear psychosis of dogs. They had gone on a full-fledged rampage against Jallikattu, they are against milk and dairy products and they campaign against virtually any use that animals are put to. They even have issues with kites being flown during Makar Sankranti. As has been pointed out by several people, PETA goes on silent mode when countless goats and cows and slaughtered on Bakrid.
Taking their game several notches ahead, PETA has now launched a campaign against ‘Speciesism’, those who are wondering what does it mean, we have no definite answer. But looking at the way PETA is using it, it probably means using names of animals and birds in proverbial expressions.
Words matter, and as our understanding of social justice evolves, our language evolves along with it. Here’s how to remove speciesism from your daily conversations. pic.twitter.com/o67EbBA7H4
Going by the preaching, PETA is probably expecting us to stop using everyday proverbs and phrases that involve animals and birds because that is called the wrongful practice of ‘speciesism’. As per PETA’s own words, that is right as sinful as racism and homophobia.
Cruel, barbaric humans on social media were bound to react.
Why abuse poor flowers by using Anti-Plant language.@peta needs to get “Kingdom sensitive”. This is racism against plantae kingdom to appease organisms of higher more progressed Animalia kingdom. pic.twitter.com/CL7PsVNqmM
We wonder what if PETA decides to take its campaign against ‘Speciesism’ further and decides to ban names and phrases that involve any hints of the animal kingdom. ‘Nag’pur will be offensive for snakes and ‘Sing’apore will be an affront for poor lions. Turkey will be encouraged to consult Yogi Adityanath for a name change while New-Zealanders might be ordered to find another word to describe themselves than Kiwis. Thinking on that note, will usage of fossil fuel be considered blatant ‘Speciesism’ against dead Dinosaurs? PETA should enlighten us, ignorant souls.
Leonardo DiCaprio was in news recently. Firstly because he made a highly popularised documentary called ‘Before The Flood’, that spelt out the impending doom of climate change and shamed virtually every human on the planet for bringing it upon themselves. Then DiCaprio was found to be flying from one continent to another in private jets to receive ‘Green Awards. He celebrated lavish parties on board private yachts that guzzle fossil fuel and kept on preaching everyone about the burden of their carbon footprints.
Our own Bollywood celebrities, who are often found to be promoting ‘green Diwali’ while bursting firecrackers with pomp and ceremony in their own parties, pride themselves on being PETA’s ambassadors of vegetarianism while relishing meat dishes, are not much different either.
So is PETA. Ironically, the organisation that literally exists to guilt trip people for animal cruelty, is reportedly one of the worst offenders of animal cruelty itself. A 2017 study claimed that PETA had euthanised 76% of dogs and cats under its care at their Virginia headquarters in 2016 alone. 86% of the cats and dogs PETA took under its care have been killed since 1998. during the study, its own employees had confessed that PETA had routines killed even perfectly healthy animals.
We are living in a world where activism has become synonymous for hypocrisy. Celebrities endorsing eco-friendly practices do so from their private pools and lavish homes that have a greater carbon footprint than an entire village of common people. Women-rights activists debate over menstruation leaves while women in Muslim countries are killed for daring to remove their hijabs. Organisations like PETA are found focusing over trivial linguistics styles while being blind to a thousand other issues.
Perhaps it is time PETA realises that it takes much more to create awareness for a sustainable earth than promoting models wearing vegetable bikinis.
