Tag: Delhi

Delhi liquor

BJP Holds Protest Against AAP Over Delhi Liquor Scam

By LokMarg

Delhi Police detained Bharatiya Janata Party workers and leaders as they staged protest in the national capital on Thursday against the Aam Aadmi Party government over the Delhi Liquor Policy case.

The visuals from the scene showed a huge number of BJP members staging protests and raising slogans against the AAP government and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.

The visuals showed several BJP workers being detained along with BJP Delhi president Virendra Sachdeva.

“Our struggle is against the corruption of Arvind Kejriwal and this battle of ours will continue,” said Virendra Sachdeva during the protest.

The Delhi liquor scam or the excise policy case pertains to allegations that the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22 allowed cartelisation and favoured certain dealers who had allegedly paid bribes for it, a charge that has been strongly refuted by the AAP.

The ED and the CBI had alleged that irregularities were committed while modifying the Excise Policy, undue favours were extended to licence holders, the licence fee was waived or reduced and the L-1 licence was extended without the competent authority’s approval. The beneficiaries diverted “illegal” gains to the accused officials and made false entries in their books of account to evade detection.

As per the allegations, the Excise Department had decided to refund the Earnest Money Deposit of about Rs 30 crore to a successful tenderer against the set rules. Even though there was no enabling provision, a waiver on tendered licence fees was allowed from December 28, 2021, to January 27, 2022, due to COVID-19.

This allegedly caused a loss of Rs 144.36 crore to the exchequer, which has been instituted on a reference from the Union Home Ministry following a recommendation from Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on the evening of October 4, 2023, in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.

Sanjay Singh was arrested following a day-long questioning session by ED officials at his Delhi residence.

In February 2023, AAP leader Manish Sisodia was also arrested by the CBI for alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of Delhi’s new excise policy. The policy was withdrawn amid allegations of foul play by the Opposition. (ANI)

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Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC)

Delhi HC Commutes Death Sentence Of Ariz To Life Imprisonment

By LokMarg

The Delhi High Court on Thursday commuted the death penalty awarded to Ariz Khan to life imprisonment in the Batla House Encounter case in which Delhi Police Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma was murdered.

The Court refused to confirm the death penalty awarded by the Trial Court in a judgement passed in 2021.

However, the bench of Justice Siddharth Mridul and Justice Amit Sharma upheld the conviction against Ariz Khan passed by the Trial Court. The bench accordingly disposed of the reference for confirmation of the death sentence awarded to Ariz Khan.

The sentence of the death penalty was given to Khan by Delhi’s trial court for the murder of Delhi Police Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma on August 18, 2023, the bench of the Delhi High Court kept the order reserved after hearing all sides.

In March 2021, the trial court awarded Ariz Khan a death sentence in the matter. Another convict, Shahzad was awarded a life sentence.

Later, both convicts challenged their conviction and sentence. Shahzad, however, died in jail during the pendency of the appeals, and the proceedings against him were abated.

While arguing for the state, the additional public prosecutor (APP), Rajesh Mahajan, submitted that the convicts were present in the flat at the time of the Batla House encounter. He also submitted that it is a case of the murder of a police officer while discharging his lawful duty, and this crime shook the conscience of society.

“It is the rarest of rare cases. Both Shahzad Ahmed and Ariz Khan deserved the death sentence. There is sufficient evidence and a statement of witness to this effect”, he noted.

He also argued that there was no chance of reforming Ariz Khan.

On the other hand, advocate MS Khan, counsel for Ariz Khan, argued that the conviction in this case was bad in law as the trial court did not appreciate the material facts of the case.

He also argued that the appellant was neither present at the flat nor had he absconded.

The counsel for the appellant, Ariz Khan also disputed the recovery of documents related to him. He said that if these documents were recovered from the flat, why did this fact not come to the knowledge of the investigation officer until 2014?

Advocate Khan also referred to the report of the inspection of the site by 11 forensic experts, which stated that there were no bullet marks on the sides of police personnel standing in the flat. But there were bullet marks on the side of the accused standing. It shows that there was one-sided firing from the end of the police.

He also argued that, as per the prosecution Ariz had escaped to Nepal. He got married there and was teaching at a school there. It shows that he has already been reformed. In these circumstances, his appeal should be allowed.

A trial court had convicted and sentenced him to life imprisonment for the murder of Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, who was leading the police team during the Batla House encounter. It was alleged that the terrorists opened fire on Delhi Police personnel.

The counsel for the convict also produced some photographs depicting the adjacent buildings to L18. The counsel for the convict also argued that the other buildings were high under iron grills and there was no route to escape.

According to Delhi police, Shahzad and Ariz had escaped from the spot and were arrested later. Later, convict Ariz Khan was arrested, and a supplementary charge sheet was filed against him. After the trial, the court held him guilty and awarded him a death sentence.

The team of special cell of Delhi Police had reached in the Batla House area on inputs to nab the Indian Mujahideen operatives who were involved in the serial blast of September 13, 2008, in Delhi. (ANI)

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Ariz Khan

Delhi HC To Deliver Judgment On Death Penalty Confirmation To Ariz Khan Tomorrow

By LokMarg

The Delhi High Court is scheduled to pass judgment on Thursday on confirmation of the death penalty awarded to Ariz Khan. Ariz Khan was convicted by the Saket District Court for the murder of Delhi Police Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma.

The Court also scheduled to pass an order on the appeal moved by Khan challenging his conviction and sentence by the trial Court.

The Division bench of Justice Siddharth Mridul and Justice Amit Sharma is to pass its verdict tomorrow on the matters.

On August 18, 2023, the bench kept the order reserved after hearing all sides.

In March 2021, the trial court awarded Ariz Khan a death sentence in the matter. Another convict Shahzad was awarded a life sentence. Later both convicted had challenged their conviction and sentence. Shahzad, however, died in jail during the pendency of the appeals and the proceedings against him were abated.

While arguing for the state the additional public prosecutor (APP) Rajesh Mahajan submitted that the convicts were present in the flat at the time of Batla house encounter. He also submitted that it is a case of murder of a police officer while discharging his lawful duty and this crime shook the conscience of the society.

It is the rarest of rare cases. Both Shahzad Ahmed and Ariz Khan deserved the death sentence. There is sufficient evidence and statement of witness to this effect.

He also argued that there was no chance of reform of Ariz Khan.

On the other hand, advocate MS Khan, counsel for Ariz Khan, argued that the conviction in this case was bad in law as the trial court did not appreciate the material facts of the case.

He also argued that neither the appellant was present at the flat and neither had absconded from the spot.

The counsel for the appellant Ariz Khan also disputed the recovery of documents related to him. He said that if these documents were recovered from the flat, why did not this fact come to the knowledge of the Investigation Officer till 2014?

Advocate Khan also referred to the report of the inspection of the site by 11 forensic experts which stated that there were no bullet marks on the side of police personnel standing in the flat. But there were bullet marks on the side of the accused standing. It shows that there was one-sided firing from the end of the police.

He also argued that as per prosecution Ariz had escaped to Nepal. He got married there and was teaching in a school there. It shows that he has already been reformed. In these circumstances, his appeal should be allowed.

A trial court had convicted and sentenced him to life imprisonment for the murder of Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, who was leading the police team during the Batla House encounter. It was alleged that the terrorists opened fire at Delhi Police personnel.

The counsel for the convict also produced some photographs depicting the adjacent buildings to L18. The counsel for the convict also argued that the other buildings were high under iron grills and there was no route to escape.

According to Delhi police Shahzad and Ariz had escaped from the spot and were arrested later. Later, convict Ariz Khan was arrested and a supplementary charge sheet was filed against him. After the trial, the court held him guilty and awarded death sentence.

The team of special cell of Delhi Police had reached in the Batla House area on inputs to nab the Indian Mujahideen operatives who were involved in the serial blast of September 13, 2008 in Delhi. (ANI)

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Amanatullah Khan

Amanatullah’s Properties Searched In PMLA Case

By LokMarg

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has conducted search operations at 13 locations in Delhi linked to Aam Aadmi Party legislator Amanatullah Khan, and his associates under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA).

The searches were conducted on Tuesday in the case related to the illegal recruitment of staff in the Delhi Wakf Board and illegal personal gains by way of unfairly leasing out its properties during the chairmanship by Amanatullah Khan during 2018-2022, ED said in a press release.

ED initiated an investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by the CBI under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

“Further three (03) more FIRs registered by Delhi Police are under investigation by ED as the role of Amanatullah Khan and his associates came into light,” the ED said.

ED alleged that its investigation revealed that Amanatullah Khan has acquired “huge” proceeds of crime out of the said criminal activities in cash and this cash amount was invested in the purchase of various immovable properties in Delhi in the name of his associates.

During the search proceedings at these premises, ED alleged that several incriminating records and evidence in the form of physical and digital evidence had been seized which indicate the role of AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan, in the offence of money laundering.

Earlier Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal challenged PM Narendra Modi to prove that AAP leaders were involved in any scams.

“The raid on Amanatullah yesterday is a part of Modi ji’s plan to end AAP. Kejriwal has committed a bus scam, road scam and electricity scam, I am challenging Modi ji to show proof. All these investigations that are going on are fake and their purpose is not to end corruption. Their aim is only to harass the opposition. Modi ji has become very arrogant. When the king of a country becomes so arrogant, then how can that country progress?” said Kejriwal.

Speaking on the raids on his residence, AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan said that the ED didn’t show any FIR on the basis of which the raids were conducted.

“They did not show me any FIR copy, they just said that we have come to search the house in a 2016 case in which I am already out on bail. They were at my house for 12 hours. My mother has breathing problems and was given a nebulizer 3-4 times. Everyone was troubled but these people did not agree,” Amanatullah Khan said.

The raids at the premises of AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan came close on the heels of the arrest of fellow AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh in connection with the Delhi excise policy ‘scam’. (ANI)

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Dalai Lama Tibet

Dalai Lama Arrives In Delhi For Medical Check-Up

By LokMarg

Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama arrived at Delhi airport on Sunday afternoon for his medical health check-up.

Visuals show a convoy of cars belonging to the Delhi police lined up in a queue as the Tibetan leader gets out of his car and makes his way to the city.

The spiritual leader left for the national capital early morning today from Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh.

Visuals showed the spiritual leader arriving at the Kangra Airport in Dharmshala in his car accompanied by monks. Devotees lined up in a queue to catch a glimpse of the Tibetan leader.

As per sources, Dalai Lama had earlier skipped the session for Taiwanese teachings scheduled for October 2-3 due to bad health.

Sources also told ANI that his upcoming visit to Sikkim can be postponed due to health reasons.

Speaking to ANI, Dalai Lama’s personal secretary, Chhime Rigzin said that there was nothing to worry about and that the Tibetan guru would be back in the next couple of days.

He also informed ANI that the spiritual leader will arrive at the hotel in the national capital today and will visit the hospital, probably AIIMS for a health check-up.

Earlier, Dalai Lama expressed grief over the loss of lives and widespread damage to property that occurred in Sikkim as a result of the flash floods on Tuesday night, his office informed.”In a letter to Prem Singh Tamang, Chief Minister of Sikkim, today, His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed his sadness about the loss of life and widespread damage to property that has occurred in Sikkim as a result of the flash flood that took place in the Teesta River Valley last night,” read a press statement.”I offer my condolences to families who have lost loved ones,” he wrote, “as well as others affected by this disaster, and pray for their welfare,” Dalai Lama said.

The Tibetan spiritual leader further said that, as a mark of his solidarity with the people of Sikkim, he has asked the Dalai Lama Trust to make a donation towards relief and rescue efforts. (ANI)

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Delhi and Hiaryana over the water crisis

Atishi To Raise Issue of Tax On Online Gaming At GST Meet

By LokMarg

Ahead of the 52nd Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council meeting on Saturday, Delhi Finance Minister Atishi criticised the Centre over the imposition of 28 per cent tax on online gaming industry, adding that the Coucil should consider withdrawing the tax evasion notices on companies in the sector.

In an address ahead of the GST Coucil meeting, which is currently in progress in the national capital, Atishi said, “Despite the opposition of the Delhi government, a 28 per cent tax was imposed on the online gaming industry. Even before this tax was imposed, the GST Council sent tax evasion notices worth Rs 1.5 lakh crores to the online gaming industry over the last six years. I am going to take up this issue at the meeting today. Will demand the withdrawal of tax notices to the online gaming sector.”

She added that the online gaming is considered a “sunrise sector” but the decisions being made and implemented by the GST Council will significantly and negatively impact the industry.

“The online gaming sector employs over 50,000 people. Online gaming is considered a sunrise sector in the startup sector, but the GST Council recently took a decision to impose 28 per cent GST on online gaming. It will have a huge impact on this industry,” she added.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is presiding over the 52nd GST Council meeting at the Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in New Delhi on Saturday.

The meeting is being attended by Union Minister of State for Finance, MP Poonia, along with Finance ministers of various States and Union Territories (with Legislature), as well as senior officials from both the Union government and the states.

The GST Council convenes periodically to deliberate on matters related to the GST regime, including tax rates, policy changes, and administrative issues.

The 52nd meeting is aimed at discussing critical issues affecting the Indian tax system and finding collaborative solutions.

The meeting outcomes are expected to have a significant impact on the country’s economy going forward.

It’s part of the government’s ongoing efforts to refine the GST system to enhance efficiency and promote economic growth.

The decisions and recommendations arising from the 52nd GST Council meeting will be closely watched by various stakeholders, including businesses, policymakers, and the general public, as they have the potential to influence taxation, trade, and overall economic dynamics in the country. (ANI)

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Bail Plea of Prabir Purkayastha

NewsClick Peddled False Narratives In Lieu Of Crores Of Illegally Routed Foreign Funds: Delhi Police

By LokMarg

The Delhi Police’s Special Cell, in its FIR against NewsClick founder and Editor-in-Chief Prabir Purkayastha, stated that People’s Dispatch Portal, owned and maintained by PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt. Ltd. has been used for intentionally peddling false narratives through paid news in lieu of crores of rupees of illegally routed foreign funds as part of a conspiracy.

It is further learnt that foreign funds include those from big Chinese Telecom companies such as Xiaomi and Vivo, among others.

“Foreign funds in crores have been infused illegally in India by Indian and Foreign entities inimical to India in pursuance of conspiracy with the intention to disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India, to cause disaffection against India and to threaten the unity, integrity, and security of India,” Delhi Police stated in the FIR.

Delhi Police through a remand application on Wednesday alleged that NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha conspired to peddle the narrative that Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh are disputed territories with the help of a Shanghai-based company.

Delhi Police informed the court through the remand application that secret inputs revealed that Prabir Purkayastha, Neville Roy Singham (said to be an active member of the Propaganda Department of the Communist Party of China) and some other Chinese employees of Neville Roy Singham-owned Shanghai-based Company by the name of StarStream have exchanged emails which expose their intent to show Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh as not part of India.

The remand plea further stated that such attempts by these persons reveal their conspiracy to peddle a narrative, both globally and domestically, that Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh are disputed territories.

“Their attempts to tinker with the northern borders of India and to show Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh as not parts of India in maps amount to an act intended towards undermining the unity and territorial integrity of India,” Delhi Police stated.

The accused persons also conspired to disrupt supplies and services essential to the life and abet damage and destruction of property by protraction of farmers’ protests through such illegal foreign funding, they added.

Meanwhile, Purkayastha on Friday moved the Delhi High Court seeking the quashing of FIR registered against him and others. His plea also challenged a trial court order granting remand to him and HR Head Amit Chakravarty in the matter.

On Thursday, Patiala House Court of Delhi allowed a plea moved by Prabir Purkayastha and Amit Chakravarty for the supply of a copy of FIR to them.

Since April 2018, such fraudulent funds in crores of rupees have been received by PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt. Ltd through illegal means during a short span of five years from Worldwide Media Holdings LLC, USA and others, the remand report stated.

“Such foreign funds have been fraudulently infused by one Neville Roy Singham through a complex web of several entities including Worldwide Media Holdings (incorporated by Jason Pfetcher, a close associate of Neville Roy Singham, People Support foundation (Jodie Evans, wife of Neville Roy Singham being director), Justice and Education Fund, GSPAN LLC (owned by Neville Roy Singham), The Tricontinental Ltd Inc US, Centro Popular De Midas, Brazil,” it added.

It was learnt that both Tricontinental India Pvt Ltd and GSPAN India Pvt Ltd were incorporated by The Tricontinental Ltd, USA and GSPAN LLC USA respectively to infuse funds in India by circumventing the existing rules for receipt of foreign funds by NGOs.

Further, it is learnt that Gautam Navlakha who has been a shareholder in PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt Ltd since its inception in the year 2018, remained involved in anti-Indian and unlawful activities such as actively supporting banned Naxal organisations and having anti-national nexus with Gulam Nabi Fai who is an agent of ISI of Pakistan.

It was also learnt that Gautam Navlakha has been associated with Prabir Purkayastha since 1991 when they incorporated Sagrik Process Analyst Pvt Ltd, stated Delhi Police. (ANI)

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Canadian Diplomats

Report: Canadian Diplomats Outside Delhi Moved To Kuala Lumpur, Singapore

By LokMarg

Amid the ongoing diplomatic standoff between India and Canada in light of the latter’s allegation of Indian involvement in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Toronto-based media publication, CTV News, claimed in a report that a majority of the Canadian diplomats working in India, outside the national capital, have been moved to either Kuala Lumpur or Singapore.

The report comes a day after the Indian side sought reduction of Canada’s diplomatic staff in India.

In a weekly presser on Thursday, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Arindam Bagchi told reporters, “Given the much higher presence of diplomats or diplomatic presence here…and their continued interference in our internal matters, we have sought parity in our respective diplomatic presence. Discussions are ongoing on the modalities of achieving this”.

“Given that Canadian diplomatic presence is higher, we would assume that there would be a reduction,” he added.

Stating that India’s focus is on achieving ‘parity’ in terms of its diplomatic presence, the Ministry of External Affairs called for a reduction in Canadian diplomats in India citing their continued “interference” in India’s “internal matters”.

Amid the diplomatic sabre-rattiling between the two countries, New Delhi suspended visa operations to Canada and called for a reduction in Canadian diplomatic staff in India.

CTV News, in its report, claimed that Ottawa has until October 10 to trim the number of Canadian diplomats serving in India to a level comparable to that of Indian diplomats serving in Canada.

While earlier reports stated that 41 diplomats would have to depart, people the CTV News contacted, said the request is particular to one of parity.

Earlier, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged during a debate in Parliament, claimed the Indian government was behind the fatal shooting of Nijjar.

Trudeau, during a debate in the Canadian Parliament, claimed that his country’s national security officials had reasons to believe that “agents of the Indian government” carried out the killing of the Canadian citizen, who also served as the president of Surrey’s Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara.

However, India has outrightly rejected the claims, calling it ‘absurd’ and ‘motivated’.

Notably, Canada has yet to provide any public evidence to support the claim about the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Softening his tone amid the diplomatic tensions, Trudeau said Ottawa wants to “work constructively with India”.

Nijjar, who was a designated terrorist in India, was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area in Canada’s Surrey, British Columbia on June 18. (ANI)

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Neha Dhupia

Neha Excited About Her OTT Debut Series

By LokMarg

Actress Neha Dhupia is about to make her OTT debut with a quirky comedy show that explores contemporary human relationships from the viewpoint of a nuclear family.

Expressing her excitement, Neha shared, “I am thrilled to be part of this wonderful project that not only marks my debut in the OTT series space.”

While sharing details about her upcoming web series, she added, “It’s a fun concept and I can’t wait to explore a whole new gamut of quirks that the project and script tied in with it”.

The show, which focuses on family-centric humour, will be filmed in Delhi and Mumbai. It is being helmed by a debutant director and will go on floors in late October. The show depicts contemporary human relationships from the viewpoint of a nuclear family.

Neha is also known for her roles in ‘Kyaa Kool Hain Hum’, ‘Garam Masala’, ‘Chup Chup Ke’, ‘Shootout at Lokhandwala’, ‘Ungli’, ‘Tumhari Sulu’, ‘A Thursday’, ‘Lust Stories’, which was an anthology of short films produced by Ashi Dua and she is now foraying for the first time into the space of a full-fledged digital series. (ANI)

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Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic VP Pena Visits Taj Mahal

By LokMarg

The Vice President of the Dominican Republic, Raquel Pena Rodriguez, visited the famous Taj Mahal on Thursday.

Rodriguez arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday on a three-day visit to India. She met President Droupadi Murmu and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, India signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in ocean sciences and medical product regulation with the Dominican Republic.

The MoUs were signed during a meeting between the Dominican Vice President and her Indian counterpart, Jagdeep Dhankhar, in the national capital.

Vice President Rodriguez on Wednesday stated that the future of bilateral relations between New Delhi and the Dominican Republic is ‘bright’, while extending support for India in its bid to become a permanent member of the reformed United Nations Security Council.

She said further that the two countries can act as bridges and gateways for each other to boost people-to-people ties. “The Dominican Republic can be a window for India to Latin America and the Caribbean while India can be the door for the Dominican Republic to South Asia and beyond,” she said at the event.

“The Dominican Republic is ready to take the qualitative leap with India. The future of our bilateral relationship is bright,” she added.

Following the inking of MoUs, a joint statement was released in which Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and his Dominican Republic counterpart strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and stressed on the need for the international community’s concerted and coordinated action to combat terrorism.

The joint press release of the meeting between Jagdeep Dhankhar and Raquel Pena Rodriguez reads, “Strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. They emphasized the need for concerted and coordinated action by the international community to combat terrorism, by adopting a zero-tolerance approach. They also called for an expeditious finalization and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the UN framework.”

The two leaders acknowledged the “critical importance” of maintaining regional stability and peace. Vice President Dhankhar and Rodriguez emphasized the need for continued close coordination between the two countries in multilateral organizations on respective national candidatures and global issues of mutual interest. (ANI)

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