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1993 Mumbai bomb blast: Key accused confessed to receiving training in Pakistan, CBI files chargesheet

Jhankar Mohta
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1993 Mumbai bomb blast: Key accused confessed to receiving training in Pakistan, CBI files chargesheet

The CBI on Thursday filed a charge sheet against Ahmed Kamal Shaikh alias Ahmed Lambu, one of the prime accused in the Mumbai 1993 serial blasts case. The charge sheet has been filed five and a half months after his arrest.

Shaikh was absconding for almost two decades before he was declared a proclaimed offender and apprehended in Gujarat on June 1, 2018.

In the charge sheet submitted by the CBI before the TADA court, the CBI claimed that Shaikh was an ‘active member’ involved in the plotting of the conspiracy and was present in Dubai in January 1993, ‘working in close association’ with absconding accused Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar and his brother Anis Kaskar.

The charge sheet included a list of 11 witnesses and also a copy of Shaikh’s confession, in which he had confessed to his alleged involvement in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blast, his visit to Dubai, where now deceased, convicted accused, Mustafa Dossa had informed him and others about the conspiracy and it also mentioned how he had gone to Pakistan for arms training.

Shaikh had given his confessional statement before the magistrate’s court but had retracted when he was produced before the special TADA court in June.

Referring to the conspiracy meeting which held in Dubai before the Mumbai blast, the CBI said that in the meeting which was headed by Dawood and attended by absconding prime accused Mohammed Dossa and convicted accused Feroz Khan and Mohammed Salim Mira Shaikh, Ahmed Lambu along with four other accused were sent to Pakistan to receive training in handling arms and ammunition, throwing hand-grenades and making bombs. The Mumbai bomb blast was planned to avenge the Babri Masjid demolition.

The CBI has booked Shaikh on charges including murder and criminal conspiracy of the IPC as well as the now repealed Terrorism and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act.

The CBI claimed that Shaikh had absconded to Dubai in 1995 after he learned that a co-accused had named him in a confessional statement.

The agency further alleged that Shaikh was assisted by absconding accused, Mohammed Dossa to procure a resident visa of UAE. It added that Shaikh was also given a fake passport and a job as an electronics salesman in Dubai.

The charge sheet alleged that in 2011, Shaikh arrived at the Chennai airport with a passport under the name of Ahmed Kamal Shah Walidiyat Haji Kamal. The CBI said that he had destroyed his previous two passports, one which showed his travel to Pakistan and another fake one made in 2011. It added that since his return to the country, Shaikh was living on rent with his family in various places in Mumbai.

On March 12, 1993, a series of blasts had occurred in Mumbai, leading to the death of 257 people and injuring 713. A charge sheet was filed by the CBI, naming 189 accused.

There have been two phases of the trial so far. While a death penalty has been awarded to Yakub Memon in the first phase, six men were convicted in September last year. Among them, Taher Merchant and Feroz Abdul Rashid Khan were given the death penalty.

French NGO that complained against Rafale has been accused of ‘destroying reputation to gain media attention and funds’

OpIndia Staff
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French NGO that complained against Rafale has been accused of ‘destroying reputation to gain media attention and funds’

The fear-mongering of the opposition with regards to the Rafale deal got a new lease of life as news trickled in that a French NGO, Sherpa, headed by one William Bourdon has filed a complaint with the national financial prosecutor’s office in Paris against the Rafale defence deal. The NGO was immediately hailed as an ‘anti-corruption’ crusader, which may as well be. However, William Bourdon hasn’t been an alien to his share of controversies in the past.

Sherpa, headed by William Bourdon has been accused in the past of meddling in the affairs of African countries to get media coverage and funds in exchange. A detailed report was published in International Policy Digest that detailed his exploits in Africa and termed him as a media hungry person.

Reportedly, Bourdon was closely associated with Mohamad Ould Boumataou when he filed corruption charges against the Mauritian President, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, Bouamatou’s cousin and political opponent. Sherpa was also entirely funded by an organization both Bourdon and Bouamtou were board members of in 2015 and 2016. Three relatives of the Mauritian President are set to file a defamation suit against the lawyer-businessman.

Sherpa has also been involved in a number of failed corporate lawsuits. The NGO filed human rights charges against corporate giants like Samsung Electronics and Vinci Construction Company. The latter vigorously denied the allegations that it violated the rights of migrant workers in Qatar helping build the football stadiums for the 2022 World Cup and initiate defamation proceedings against the NGO.

Quite clearly, Sherpa and Bourdon have acquired widespread notoriety for their antics around the world. It does not bode well for political discourse in the country that people are willing to take the claims of anyone as gospel truth without verifying their credentials.

Sabarimala: Communist Kerala govt now suggests setting aside 2 days for women pilgrims of all ages

OpIndia Staff
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Sabarimala: Communist Kerala govt now suggests setting aside 2 days for women pilgrims of all ages

The Communist Kerala government, after heaping atrocities on Sabarimala devotees, has now suggested the Kerala High Court that two days could be set apart for women pilgrims of all ages to offer prayers at the Sabarimala hill shrine.

The Communist government gave the suggestion during the hearing of a petition moved by four women devotees seeking protection for women of all age groups to offer prayers at the shrine beside facilities for smooth pilgrimage.

The petition was filed by Reshma Nishanth, Shanila Sajeesh, Dhanya V S and Surya M, that came up before a division bench, comprising Chief Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice
A K Jayasankaran Nambiar. In the PIL, the four women suggested devoting two to three days exclusively to women of all ages who are willing to visit the shrine. The State government agreed with the suggestion of the petitioners.

The petitioners claim that they are ardent devotees of Lord Ayappa, who have been observing the ‘Vritham’ and wearing black dresses since the Supreme Court verdict came out. They complained that they have not been able to visit the shrine due to protests by the devotees and therefore they seek a directive to the government to ensure facilities and arrangements for smooth pilgrimage for all women and to provide adequate and sufficient protection.

Meanwhile, a bench of justices P R Ramachandra Menon and N Anil Kumar ordered the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the shrine, not to divert funds to the state government without prior permission of the court.

The state government had claimed that the expenses were being met by the government but the TDB expressed its willingness to provide food and accommodation to the police at Sannidhanam, the temple complex. The Kerala government had earlier lifted the restrictions imposed by it at the Sabarimala including section 144 after an interim order of the High Court.

The Sabarimala temple reopened for the third time on Nov 16 since the Supreme Court verdict for the two-month-long pilgrimage season.

Idols broken, parts thrown into nearby sewer in old Shiva temple in UP

OpIndia Staff
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Idols broken, parts thrown into nearby sewer in old Shiva temple in UP

In an incident of apparent religious hatred, some unidentified elements have desecrated the idols of Lord Shiva and his family in an old Shiva temple in the village of Sungarpur Behda in Uttar Pradesh as per reports. Some idols were thrown in the nearby sewer. The police administration has hastily got new idols installed in the temple to pacify the villagers.

As per reports, the broken Shiva idol was first seen by the temple priest on Friday morning. He then informed the about the incident to the Village Pradhan Rajpal Singh and Temple Committee President Hrishipal. On searching the other idols were found lying in the nearby sewer.

On receiving the news of the incident, ASP Dinesh Kumar, CO Arun Kumar, Tehsildar Radhey Shyam Sharma, and Station Inspector Satyendra Kumar reached the village with police and PAC.

As per the report in Jagran, the Police discovered a note from the temple premises. Though all the details of the content of the note are not clear yet, the report claims that the note mentions how an amount of 40 lakhs was collected from the people of a certain community and were handed over to one Jamil who allegedly hired a person by paying him Rs 2 lakhs to desecrate the idols. The note also reportedly warns the Gurjar communities to leave the village.

The villagers are demanding the arrest of the culprits. The police have been investigating the case and have assured that the miscreants will be caught soon.

However, this is not the first incident of its kind. The village has reportedly witnessed few such incidents before as well. In the year 2013, people of ‘another community’ had objected against the use of loudspeaker at the Shiva temple. The Police had to step in to pacify the situation and actions against many people were taken. In 2017, there was another confrontation between the two communities regarding the Siddhapeeth in the village.

Security tightened at Ayodhya ahead of ‘Super Sunday’ events organised by Hindu organisations

OpIndia Staff
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Security tightened at Ayodhya ahead of ‘Super Sunday’ events organised by Hindu organisations

Two lakh Ram Bhakts will descend in Ayodhya tomorrow, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have claimed. The RSS has termed it the ‘Hunkar Sabha’. Demands for the construction of Ram Mandir have been gaining momentum lately with the matter getting delayed further in the Court.

The Shiv Sena will hold a separate event of its own as well on what is being dubbed ‘Super Sunday’ by the media. As per reports, about 25,000 Shiv Sainiks have reached Ayodhya on Saturday morning. Sena Supremo Uddhav Thackeray will reach Ayodhya later in the day. He is expected to attend the Maha Aarti on the banks of the Sarayu and hand over a silver brick to Saints for the construction of the Ram Mandir. The Shiv Sena is demanding the center to bring an ordinance to construct Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
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Meanwhile, the state police are on high alert in view of the ‘Dharam Sabha’ at Ayodhya. A contingent of BSF, CRPF, RAF 70 companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and 4,000 personnel of civilian police have been deployed at Ayodhya to maintain law and order. “The police force deployed in Ayodhya has been directed to remain on high alert. The entire district has been divided into eight zones and 16 sectors to strengthen security,” a senior officer said. Section 144 has also been imposed on the Ram Janambhoomi premises.

A senior RSS official reportedly said that ‘Super Sunday’ would be witness to the “last Dharam Sabha in Ayodhya” after which there would be “no more Dharm Sabhas and construction of Ram Mandir would begin.” Sanjay Raut on Friday had said, “The Babri mosque was demolished in 17 minutes, how long does it take to prepare papers to bring an ordinance.” He had also added that from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to UP cabinet, the BJP is ruling everywhere.

With BJP governments in both the state and center, the pressure is on the BJP to start the construction of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya at the earliest.

Congress lies yet again, this time about prices of LPG cylinders

OpIndia Staff
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Congress lies yet again, this time about prices of LPG cylinders

Congress seems to have run out of innovative poll strategies and like the quintessential one trick pony, it has resorted to blatant lying over and over again. This time, Congress took to Twitter to lie about LPG prices under the Congress regime and those under the Modi regime.


After taking a juvenile dig saying Prime Minister Modi uses “Mitrogen” gas for cooking, Congress’ official handle on Twitter goes on to say LPG is selling at exorbitant prices, Rs. 1000 in some states.

It then plugs a graphic that shows during Congress, LPG was being sold at Rs. 344.75 and now, the same gas cylinder is being sold for Rs. 942.

Congress, rather craftily, misleads its voters thoroughly.

LPG cylinders are sold at two different rates across the country. One, which is the subsidized rate, the other, is the non-subsidized rate where people have started giving up their subsidies voluntarily since the Prime Minister had urged people to do so.

Congress has conflated the two to further their rhetoric.

Following are the prices of non-subdized LPG cylinders across the four metropolitan cities as on November 7th 2018.

Source: Indane

It must be borne in mind that if someone avails the option of buying subsidized LPG cylinders, the difference of price between that and the non-subsidized cylinder is paid by the government.

From the prices mentioned, it is evident that Congress is quoting the price of non-subsidized LPG cylinders. The Congress quoted the price as being Rs. 942, and on the Indane Gas website, as on 7th November 2018, the price of non-subsidized LPG cylinders in Delhi was Rs. 942.50.

Now, if one goes by the graphic shared by Congress, one is to assume that the price of non-subsidised LPG cylinders in Delhi during the Congress regime was Rs. 344.75. This is however far from the truth.

In December 2013, when the Congress government was in power, to May 2014, when the Congress’ regime ended, the price of LPG, the prices were well within the same range. In fact, it touched a record of Rs. 1241 in January 2014.

Source: Here

It is thus evident that Congress was not comparing non-subsidised LPG prices during its own regime and Modi regime.

The only logical explanation is that Congress maliciously compared subsidized prices during the Congress era to non-subsidized prices now.

The prices of subsidized LPG’s as on 7th November 2018 were as following

Source: Indane

Since Congress took the non-subsidized price of Rs. 942 of Delhi, the subsidized price of LPG in Delhi as on 7th November 2018 is 507.42.

Now, is this price astronomically higher than what it used to be during the Congress regime?

If we look at more or less the same period in 2013, the prices of subsidized LPG in Delhi, one sees that in December 2013, the price of LPG was Rs 414

Then we take a look at what the prices of subsidized LPG’s were like even before 2013, during the Congress government’s rule. In 2004, the price of subsidized LPG was Rs. 241.6. By 2009, it climbed to 279.7 and by 2013, it increased to Rs. 414.

Source: Here

Interestingly, in the entire chart of subsidized LPG prices, right from January 2004 to today, we couldn’t find a single figure of Rs. 344.75 that has been quoted by the Congress.

In fact, if one looks at the increase in prices of subsidized LPG cylinders, one realises that the increase in 10 years of Congress government and that of 4.5 years of Modi government are poles apart. The prices, in Mumbai for example increased by 66.4% during 10 years of Congress and has increased by 11.5% in 4.5 years of the Modi government.


Here is how the price of subsidized cylinder grew when the Congress government was in power. Whereas, since the BJP has come to power, the increase in prices has halted substantially. Following is the chart for BJP.

Comparison of price increase of subsidised LPG cylinders during Congress and BJP govt

It is thus evident that Congress was wrong on several counts.

  1. They compared subsidized prices during Congress regime to non-subsidized prices during Modi government
  2. Congress failed to mention the time frame of comparison
  3. Congress failed to mention the city
  4. Failed to mention that the rate of price growth during Congress far exceeded that under the BJP regime.

Perhaps Congress would do well to get their information straight before making a mockery out of themselves by spreading lies that are so easily caught.

LeT has formed death squads and is monitoring PM Modi, assassination plot by Hafiz Saeed: TimesNow

OpIndia Staff
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LeT has formed death squads and is monitoring PM Modi, assassination plot by Hafiz Saeed: TimesNow

News channel Times Now has claimed that they have accessed an intelligence report which says that the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba has been monitoring movements of PM Modi and the PM is being treated as the number 1 target of the dreaded terrorist group.


The report claims that the channel has accessed an internal security note by the Intelligence Bureau which claims that a sleeper cell of the dreaded terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba has penetrated into Delhi’s Lutyens area where all the offices and residences of the ministers and top bureaucrats are located.

The report claims that Lashkar has formed death squads and has been tracking the movements of PM Modi in and around the area. The document also reportedly says that the Lashkar sleeper cell has reconnoitred the route from 7, Lok Kalyan Marg (the PM’s residence) to his office in the South Block. It also says that the death squad has received orders from their commander Hafiz Saeed to assassinate PM Modi.

The report goes ahead to state that before the 26/11 attacks, David Coleman Headly was given the exact same task of monitoring the important buildings and routes in specific locations. The report further states that the intelligence agencies have received several clues and important pieces of information over the last few months and the security around the Raisina Hill area has been tightened significantly.


In the last few days, the security agencies have completely blocked off public access to the offices of ministers in the North and South blocks. Though there were displeasures and questions regarding the sudden change in security arrangements, Times Now claims that it is because of the recent information that the LeT has reconnoitred the PM’s travel route from his official residence to PMO.

The report also claims that additional security cordons and outposts can now be seen on the route and also around the PM’s residence and office.

In the past too, there have been numerous instances of terrorist attack threat to the PM’s life. In December 2015, a major plot to attack the PM by LeT was foiled when the security agencies arrested the terrorists who had infiltrated into the Indian border through the LoC. In July this year too, there was a high alert issued to intelligence agencies over a possible LeT plot to target the PM and the parliament.

After the Maharashtra police began investigating the Bhima-Koregaon violence, several alleged Urban Maoists were arrested. It was revealed from a letter found by the police that the alleged Urban Maoists had also discussed of a plot to assassinate the PM in a ‘Rajiv Gandhi type’ incident.

Announcement: OpIndia is now a separate legal and business entity

Rahul Roushan
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Announcement: OpIndia is now a separate legal and business entity

OpIndia started as a part-time effort by three professionals and it has only grown since then. We have worked with relentless focus to show how a certain section of the mainstream media distorts facts and maligns those who dare to question them.

OpIndia too was mocked and maligned – and that process has not stopped, nor it will stop ever, we are sure – we were treated as outcasts, branded ‘trolls’ (we don’t complain), personal lives of people associated with the website were targeted, but we persisted.

While we made these powerful enemies, what kept us going was the fact that we made many friends too. We could create a community that stood by us and continues to support us to this day.

A major step the in evolution of OpIndia was taken when, in October 2016, Swarajya magazine group decided to support us. OpIndia was made part of Swarajya group and a much-needed support system was provided to the brand.

A few months back, we realized that both Swarajya and OpIndia could aim for independent growth where neither of us needs to subsidize the other or need to curtail their own ambitions for sake of the other. We started exploring the possibility of OpIndia being run not just as an independent brand, but as an independent legal and business entity as well.

A new entity was formed, but the challenge of finding the resources to sustain the operations remained. Digital news industry is in a flux, with the very basic business model of journalism itself under strain. When even big brands are finding it challenging to find the right business model, how could OpIndia survive? Such questions did scare us, however, we were too emotionally invested not to try.

In the past few weeks, our resolve to chart out an independent path got only strengthened. We requested our readers to pay for the content, voluntarily, and the result was overwhelming. This helped us and a couple individuals who were willing to back us, gain confidence, that we are ready to start a new chapter.

We still don’t have a profitable business model, not anywhere close, but we have a lot of faith in what we are doing, and we are counting on the goodwill that we have been able to generate till now.

With that, we are formally announcing that OpIndia is now a new and separate entity. We are not part of the Swarajya group anymore. We thank Swarajya group for the hand holding and wish them the very best in whatever they do.

This is a leap of faith and it is faith that team OpIndia has in abundance. We know you will support us in this journey as we embark upon this unchartered territory.

Rahul Roushan,
Mentor, tormentor, CEO, whatever
OpIndia (Aadhyaasi Media & Content Services private limited)

CBI initiates probes against NFDC on charges of illegal payments to Anurag Kashyap

OpIndia Staff
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CBI initiates probes against NFDC on charges of illegal payments to Anurag Kashyap

Central Bureau of Investigation has initiated an enquiry into allegations of financial embezzlement and non-compliance with prescribed norms against National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). According to reports, a letter served to NFDC director (finance) N Shaikh by CBI anti-corruption division, states that a probe has been set up to investigate financial irregularities in firms like Kashyap Films, Sun TV, UFO Movies and individuals Anurag Kashyap and Dibakar Banerjee.

Charges against Anurag Kashyap and Dibakar Banerjee

The case pertains to allegations of undue payments made by NFDC to Anurag Kashyap and Dibakar Banerjee, keeping at stake the established norms of the organisation.

The payments amount Rs 40 lakhs to UFO movies and Rs 62 lakhs to Anurag Kashyap. Reports suggest that transferred amount to Kashyap was for the 2010 movie The girl in Yellow Boots. Another payment of Rs 1.5 crores, also under scrutiny, was made for the movie The Lunchbox. CBI alleges that payments to Kashyap were in contravention to norms of the corporation. NFDC can not fund movies if it has not co-produced them.

Dibakar Banerjee, along with Kashyap, is alleged to have received money into personal accounts, which were supposed to be received by joint accounts.

CBI has directed NFDC to provide documents for the probe at earnest. It has particularly asked for IT statements of both directors.

Other charges

Other charges comprise of allotment of advertisements to channels, not chosen by DAVP or The Directorate of Advertising & Visual Publicity, which is a nodal agency to undertake multi-media advertising and publicity for various Ministries and Departments of Government of India.

“Bill payments were made without telecast certificates from third-party monitoring agency as prescribed in EMA (Electronic Media Advertisement) Policy resulting in an overpayment of 38,41,800 to M/s Sun TV Network Pvt Ltd,” the CBI letter to N Shaikh reads. NFDC is also charged for over-payment to firms like UFO.

Denial of Charges

While there has been no denial of charges by Dibakar Banerjee, Kashyap has denied the charges fully. He has categorically denied charges, of receiving funds into personal accounts. Similarly, UFO movies have also denied charges of excess payments.


Information and Broadcasting ministry in 1975 had constituted NFDC. Smriti Irani had demanded investigation against NFDC, during her tenure at Ministry of I&B. It is according to observations made by her officials, that CBI is constituting probe.

Media peddles fake news about BJP becoming the top advertiser on television

Raju Das
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Media peddles fake news about BJP becoming the top advertiser on television

On 23rd November, Economic Times ran a story titled Ahead of polls, BJP becomes the number one advertiser on television. It claimed that according to the latest data from Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has become number one advertiser on Indian television in the week ended November 16.

The story said that BJP was ahead of other advertisers like Hindustan Unilever, Reckitt Benckiser, Amazon and others. The story mentions that BJP ranked as number one advertiser across all channels, up from number two in the previous week.

The story was soon followed by other media houses and all of them published the same story. It soon became viral on Social Media, and leaders from opposition parties were quick to spread the same.


As per some reports, the Congress party went ahead and demanded a probe by the Election Commission into BJP becoming ‘top advertiser’.


The claim that BJP has surpassed traditional advertisers like HUL was a surprising news, so we decided to check the source of the news. The weekly television advertising and viewership data are uploaded on the BARC website, so we headed there to verify the report. When we selected to see the top 10 advertisers for the week ended November 16, we were presented with the following table.

As you can see, forget being the number 1 advertiser for the week, BJP is not even in the top 10 list. As per the BARC data, Hindustan Lever Ltd (they are still using the old name for the company) is the top advertiser for the week ending November 16. HUL is followed by Reckitt Benckiser, ITC, Procter & Gamble, Ponds India, Wipro, Cadburys, Brook Bond Lipton, Godrej Consumer Products and Marico in the list of ten, all predictable top advertisers on television, with BJP nowhere to be seen.

From the BARC website, it is clear that BJP has not become the top advertiser in the country and it is a fake news.

But why a media house like Economic Times publish such a baseless news? On the BARC website, there is one more category for advertises on television, top 10 brands. And on that list, BJP is occupying the top place for the same week, followed by Netflix and Trivago. So, BJP is the top advertised brand on TV for the week, but it was not the top advertiser as media reports claiming.

If companies like HUL are in top advertiser list, why they don’t feature in the top brand list, you may ask. The answer is simple, FMCG behemoths like HUL, ITC etc have dozens of products for which they advertise on TV. This means, although they spend the highest amount on advertisements, that amount is divided among various brands. For that simple reason, BJP has emerged as the top advertised brand as the party’s advertising is not divided among numerous brands like consumer goods companies. That is also the reason why Netflix and Trivago are on the list because these companies do not have multiple brands to divide their advertising.

There is a fundamental difference between becoming a top advertiser and top advertised brand. And to claim one as the another is definitely a fake news.

The BARC data is publicly available online, even then how and why the media houses spread this fake news, that is a big question. One media house may have done a mistake, but it can’t be believed other media houses covering the story didn’t check the source website even once. This must be a deliberate attempt at spreading misinformation regarding BJP ahead of elections. On this issue, Congress is perhaps right, Election Commission should inquire into the matter to find out the root of this fake news.

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