Month: August 2022

The Gujarat government on Monday told the Supreme Court that there is a strong case made out against the social rights activist Teesta Setalvad for some of the most serious offences whereby criminal conspiracy was hatched for and by fabricating false evidence with a clear intention to get a conviction of several persons for capital punishment in 2002 Gujarat riots case.

The affidavit of the Gujarat government stated that the FIR against Setalvad for falsifying evidence related to the riots, is not solely based on a top court judgment but is backed by evidence.
It said that investigating agency has “collected sufficient material which shows that Setalvad not only wields substantial influence herself and through several other persons protecting her for their own personal interests but is found to be exercising such influence over witnesses since 2002 onwards. It is submitted that such influence is by using money as well as administering or getting the threats administered.”

Systematic efforts were made to ensure that both oral and other evidence is fabricated, the affidavit stated.

It further said, “Investigation conducted so far has brought irrefutable material on record to substantiate the contents of the FIR that the applicant (Setalvad) along with other accused persons had done various criminal acts of omission and commission to achieve political, financial and other material benefits by means of executing the conspiracy.”

The statements of witnesses established that Setalvad conspired with a senior leader of a political party, it added.

The government said, “The witnesses establish that the conspiracy was enacted by the present petitioner along with other accused persons at the behest of a senior leader of a political party. It is submitted that the petitioner had held meetings with the set political leader and had received large amounts of money. It is submitted that it has come on record by way of the statement of a witness that such money was not part of any relief related Corpus,”

“The present investigation focuses on how and why the petitioner and others fabricated evidence and the motive behind the same and the method of fabrication, mode of falsification, nature of the conspiracy and the persons involved. This investigation is, therefore, independent from what is judicially adjudicated by the judgment dated June 24, 2022, passed by this Court. The reliance on the said judgment by the petitioner in present proceedings is merely to make out an unsustainable ground to directly approach this Court and is an attempt to be treated specially. This is an attempt to abuse the process of law,” it added while opposing the plea of Setalvad’s bail.

The response was filed on the petition of Setalvad seeking interim bail in a case in which she was arrested for allegedly fabricating documents to frame innocent people in the 2002 Gujarat riots cases.

“The conduct of the petitioner, to abuse the process of law and attempts to corrode the sanctity and purity of criminal judicial process by creating, submitting and using false evidence and falsely charging innocent persons. It is submitted that the claim of the petitioner that she has never been involved in tutoring of witnesses is found to be false in the ongoing investigation based on statements of several witnesses.”

Earlier, a bench of Justices UU Lalit, Ravindra Bhat and Sudhanshu Dhulia had earlier sought the Gujarat government’s response on her plea.

Setalvad has approached the top court against the August 3 order of the Gujarat High Court which issued notice to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) seeking its response to bail applications filed by Setalvad and former Gujarat Director General of Police (DGP) RB Sreekumar and posted the hearing on September 19.

Setalvad and Sreekumar had approached the High Court after their bail applications were rejected by the Ahmedabad city sessions court.

On July 30, the Ahmedabad sessions court had refused to grant bail to Setalvad and Sreekumar while noting that the accused appeared to have aimed to “destabilise” the Gujarat government and defame the state for their ulterior motives.

They were arrested by the Ahmedabad Police Crime Branch on June 25 on the basis of a First Information Report (FIR) registered against them under sections 468 (forgery for cheating) and 194 (fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction for capital offences) of the Indian Penal Code.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to probe the case has alleged that Setalvad and Sreekumar were part of a larger conspiracy carried out at the behest of late Congress leader Ahmed Patel to destabilise the then Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government led by Narendra Modi, who was the Chief Minister of Gujarat at the time.

Former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt is also an accused in the case.

The FIR against Setalvad, Sreekumar, and Bhatt was registered after the Supreme Court had on June 24 dismissed the plea filed by Zakia Jafri, widow of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, challenging the clean chit given by the SIT to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several others in 2002 Gujarat riots.

Ehsan Jafri was among 69 people killed during the violence at Gulberg Society in Ahmedabad on February 28, 2002. Zakia Jafri has challenged the SIT’s clean chit to 64 people including Narendra Modi who was the Gujarat Chief Minister during the riots in the State.

She had alleged a “larger conspiracy” behind the post-Godhra incident riots.

However, the SIT in the apex court had opposed the plea of Jafri saying there is a sinister plot behind the complaint to probe the “larger conspiracy” behind the 2002 Gujarat riots and the original complaint by Jafri was directed by Teesta Setalvad, who levelled allegations just to keep the pot boiling. (ANI)

Mukesh Ambani, while addressing the virtual Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Reliance Industries on Monday, introduced daughter Isha Ambani as the “leader” of the group’s retail business.

This conspicuous gesture came as a strong indication that the billionaire was gradually handing over key responsibilities in the conglomerate to the next generation.
“At a time when a bright future is beckoning Reliance, what gives me optimism is our huge reservoir of young, dynamic and best-in-class talent. Our next-gen leaders are confidently taking over the reins across businesses,” Mukesh Ambani said.

The business magnate also indicated the direction which the younger members of the leading business clan were taking.

“Akash and Isha have assumed leadership roles in Jio and Retail respectively. They have been passionately involved in our consumer businesses since inception. Anant has also joined our New Energy business with great zeal. In fact, he is spending most of his time in Jamnagar,” Mukesh Ambani informed shareholders.

He added that all three were being “mentored” on a daily basis by senior leaders, including himself and those on the board of directors.

Earlier this year, son Akash Ambani was appointed as chairman of the Reliance’s telecom arm Reliance Jio Infocomm.

Speaking at the AGM, Isha Ambani announced that Reliance Retail will launch an FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) business this year.

“The objective of this FMCG business is to develop and deliver products that solve every Indian’s daily-needs with high quality products at an affordable pricing,” Isha Ambani said.

In her address, she said Reliance Retail had served over 200 million registered customers through brick and mortar stores as well as digital platforms.

“Our digital commerce platforms continued their growth with nearly six lakh orders being delivered every day, an increase of 2.5 times over last year. JioMart, delivering in over 260 towns, was rated India’s number one trusted brand for online grocery,” she said.

JioMart works on a hyperlocal delivery model, and is India’s largest deployment of omni-channel capabilities. “We invested in acquisitions and partnerships during the year to enter new categories, strengthen our service capabilities, and extend our reach to new markets. We continue expanding our reach to more customers through addition of store network and merchant partners,” she said.

Reliance Retail has achieved a record of Rs 2 lakh crore turnover and an EBITDA of Rs 12,000 crore is among the Top-10 retailers in Asia.

Meanwhile, Reliance Jio is all set to launch high-speed 5G telecom services by Diwali this year in multiple key cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.

Subsequently, it intends to expand its 5G network to each and every town, tehsils and talukas across the country by December of 2023, which is nearly 18 months from now.

Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani made the announcement while addressing the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting via immersive and interactive metaverse technology. Jio will deploy the latest version of 5G called standalone 5G. It will invest Rs 2 lakh crore on 5G infrastructure.

Besides Metaverse, AGM was live on different social media platforms apart from their homegrown HD video conferencing application JioMeet. It is probably the first company globally to conduct its annual general meeting on a virtual reality platform and various social media platform.

Investors were eagerly waiting to know the launch details of 5G services from the Reliance top boss. RIL’s telecom arm Reliance Jio Infocomm topped in India’s 5G spectrum auction bidding.

Reliance Jio Infocomm has acquired spectrum in 700MHz, 800MHz, 1800MHz, 3300MHz and 26GHz bands in the recently-concluded 5G auctions conducted by the Department of Telecommunications, where the government received around Rs 1.5 lakh worth of bids.

Launched six years ago, Jio has created multiple world records during its rollout of the largest 4G network in the shortest period of time. Jio’s 4G network provides the highest quality, most affordable digital services to over 400 million loyal and delighted customers. Jio is expected to now raise the bar even further with its 5G services.

The 5G rollout is also expected to bring more development in remote data monitoring in sectors such as mining, warehousing, telemedicine, and manufacturing, among others.

Reliance Jio, Adani group, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea were the four major participants in the spectrum auction. (ANI)

Former Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, who resigned from the grand old party recently said that he was “forced” to leave.

Speaking to media persons in the national capital, Azad said, “I have been forced to leave my home.”
Taking a dig at the Congress over his resignation, he said, “Modi is an excuse, they have had an issue with me since the G23 letter was written. They never wanted anyone to write to them, question them.”

“Several (Congress) meetings happened, but not even a single suggestion was taken,” added Azad.

Azad on Friday resigned from all posts of the party citing the “immaturity” of Rahul Gandhi whom he blamed for “demolishing the consultative mechanism” in the party.

In a hard-hitting 5 page note to party interim president Sonia Gandhi, Azad claimed that a coterie runs the party while she was just a nominal head and all the major decisions were taken by “Shri Rahul Gandhi or rather worse his security guards and PAs”.

The development comes days after Azad resigned from the organisational post of Jammu and Kashmir.

Hitting out at Rahul Gandhi, Azad wrote, “Since the 2019 elections the situation in the party has only worsened. After. Rahul Gandhi stepped down in a ‘huff’ and not before insulting all the senior Party functionaries who have given their lives to the party in a meeting of the extended Working Committee, you took over as interim President. A position that you have continue to hold even today for the past three years.”

Several political leaders from Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday met veteran leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is planning to launch a new national party, a day after tendering resignations from all posts of Congress.

“MLAs from Jammu and Kashmir are here. A few more-some senior leaders and ex-ministers-will come in the evening. Azad Sa’ab said a national party will be formed, we’ll begin from J&K and the upcoming poll will be fought strongly. Don’t want to reply to comments, we’ll reply with a victory,” said ex-Congress leader Salman Nizami.

The meeting came within 24 hours of Azad’s resignation from all posts in Congress and it holds importance as the polls in the valley are likely to be held later this year.

“Under the leadership of Azad ji we will launch a national party and the work will begin from Jammu and Kashmir. Azad ji will go to J&K and will form an alliance with like-minded parties and leaders. All the criticism coming Azad Ji’s way will be answered by winning elections,” ex- Congress leader Salman Nizami had earlier announced.

The decision to launch a new national party came just hours after the veteran Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, in a letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi resigned from all positions of the Congress party including the primary membership. (ANI)

Assam Police have arrested two more persons linked with Al-Qaeda Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) in the Barpeta district.

Amitava Sinha, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Barpeta district told ANI that two persons were arrested for their alleged link with AQIS/ABT.
So far, 37 persons have been arrested linked with AQIS/ABT in Assam.

Meanwhile, the district administration and police have been conducting an eviction drive in a Madrasa in the Barpeta district since Monday morning.

Amitava Sinha said that the Madrasa was illegally constructed on government land and there is a link between the arrested two persons and the Madrasa.

Meanwhile, a Madrasa named Shaikhul Hind Mahmudul Hasan Jamiul Huda Islamic Academy located at Dhakaliapara in Barpeta district of Assam and linked with terror suspect was demolished by the district administration and police of Barpeta district on Monday morning.

According to police, two Bangladeshi terrorists linked with AQIS/ABT had stayed at the Madrasa.

One among two Bangladeshi terrorists Md Suman alias Saiful Islam was arrested by police earlier but another terrorist is still absconding.

The Principal of Shaikhul Hind Mahmudul Hasan Jamiul Huda Islamic Academy, Mahmunur Rashid was also arrested by police.

Akbar Ali who helped both Bangladeshi terrorists in their illegal activities along with his brother Abul Kalam Azad have also been arrested by Barpeta district police last night.

During the eviction drive, heavy security personnel was deployed at the location. (ANI)

Ahead of chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s confidence motion in the Assembly, the Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday hit out against a “major scam” by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party accusing it of not honouring its manifesto promise of building 500 new government schools.

The BJP alleged that the Delhi government had indulged in corruption in the construction of new classrooms by giving tenders to “selected contractors”
Gaurav Bhatia of the BJP alleged Kejriwal did not take any note of the report submitted over two years ago by the Central Vigilance Commission, which highlighted irregularities in the construction of classrooms in government schools in Delhi.

The Delhi LG V K Saxena has sought a report from the Chief Secretary over the delay of 2.5 years on part of the Vigilance Department in acting on the CVC inquiry report into the construction of additional classrooms in Delhi Government Schools.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Gaurav Bhatia said, “AAP’s manifesto promised 500 new schools in Delhi. The new schools didn’t come up but, in a pre-planned manner, they sought a report from the Public Welfare Department.

“Submitted at the behest of Arvind Kejriwal, the report stated that additional classrooms will be built and new schools won’t be built. Now it is said that extra rooms will be built in the schools, but new schools will not be opened. There was a requirement of 2,400 rooms in the schools, but this was increased to 7,180,” Bhatia said.

The BJP leader alleged that there was a hike of 50 to 90 per cent in the cost of construction of the classrooms.

“50-90 per cent hiked construction cost was shown, overlooking provisions of CPWD manual, for profit so that tender can be given to select contractors. Matter of concern as CVC inquiry report that a major scam took place, was sent to Delhi government Vigilance secretary 2.5 years back,” he alleged.

Bhatia alleged that due to the escalation of cost as shown in the report of the PWD, 6,133 classrooms were supposed to be built, however, only 4,027 classrooms were built.

“6133 classrooms were supposed to be built due to the escalation in the cost. However, only 4027 classrooms were built. According to an estimate, Rs 326 crore cost escalation took place. It was more than 53 per cent from the tender amount,” Bhatia said.

BJP Delhi Chief Adesh Gupta alleged that Kejriwal appointed an architect, who is a close consultant of Minister Satyendar Jain, who is in jail in connection with a money laundering case, was appointed without tender and sought a probe into the matter.

“Everything happens via tender. He (Delhi CM) arbitrarily appointed an architect, a consultant close to jailed minister Satyendar Jain – Babbar and Babbar. He appointed a consultant without tender. It should be probed,” said Gupta.

“It has been found that Babbar and Babbar Associate too was appointed by Delhi government without tender. This is a matter of grave corruption,” he alleged. (ANI)

All-rounder Hardik Pandya is the man of the moment as he helped Team India defeat Pakistan by 5 wickets in an Asia Cup Group A match at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.

Chasing a target of 148, Hardik hit three boundaries and a six in the last two overs to take India home with two balls to spare. His stellar performance has won everyone’s hearts.

Hailing him as a “star”, Hardik’s wife and actor Natasa took to Instagram and shared a picture of him and captioned it as “proud.”

She added a red heart emoji and star emoji to the caption.

In the 19th over Hardik smashed three boundaries and took India to near the win as they needed seven runs in six balls. In the last over Nawaz gave a big blow to the Indian team as he dismissed Jadeja after scoring 35 runs in 29 balls. Dinesh Karthik then came to bat. Hardik then smashed a huge six on the fourth delivery of the last ball and took his team home by five wickets against Pakistan.

Earlier in the day, Hardik starred with the ball, picking three for 25 in his four overs to restrict Pakistan to 147.

Hardik has been in superb form ever since he has come back to the Indian team in full force. (ANI)

After India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan in the second match of the Asia Cup 2022 in Dubai, the former federal minister of Islamabad Chaudhry Fawad Hussain blamed Shahbaz Sharif-led country’s “imported” government for losing the cricket match.

Taking to Twitter, the former Information and Broadcasting Minister of Pakistan said that loosing match in Dubai is not the team’s fault but the present government is “manhoos” (unlucky).

“It’s not the team’s fault, the imported government is the unlucky,” Fawad Hussain said in a tweet (roughly translated from Urdu).

There are several reports surfaced over the Pakistan government’s negligence toward its players.

It is to be noted that during Commonwealth Games earlier this month, a Pakistani mediaperson Shiraz Hassan compared Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s style with the attitude of leaders from the neighbouring country.

“This is how India projects their athletes. Pooja Gehlot won bronze and expressed sorrow as she was unable to win the Gold medal, and PM Modi responded to her. Ever saw such message from Pakistan PM or President? Do they even know that Pakistani athletes are winning medals” Hassan had tweeted.

A gesture by PM Modi, who told a heartbroken athlete, that her Commonwealth Games bronze medal called for a celebration and not an apology earned accolades on social media as users globally lavished praise at his inspiring leadership.

The cricket match seemed lagging in the beginning with KL Rahul, and Rohit Sharma making an early exit however the spines straightened with Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya taking India towards victory inch by inch.

The crucial partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya helped India defeat arch-rivals Pakistan in a thrilling clash by five wickets in the second match of the Asia Cup 2022 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Jadeja smashed 35 while Pandya hammered 33* in 17 balls. For Pakistan, Mohammad Nawaz bagged three and Naseem Shah scalped two wickets.

Chasing 148 runs, India got off to a bad start as they lost their opener, KL Rahul, without even scoring a run. Rahul’s wicket brought Virat Kohli out on the crease, who is playing his 100th T20I today.