BJP’s Jan Aakrosh Yatra failed, Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra successful: Ashok Gehlot

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December 2, 2022

Ashok Gehlot Congress Bharat Jodo Yatra — Image; PTI

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot took a swipe at BJP’s Jan Aakrosh Yatra launched by JP Nadda and said that the party’s rallies are a failure while the Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi is a success in the country.

The Chief Minister visited Jhalawar to take stock of the preparations for the Bharat Jodo Yatra which is likely to enter the state via Jhalawar on December 4.

Speaking to the reporters here, Gehlot said, “This is the toughest yatra after Independence that has been undertaken by Rahul Gandhi. Congress has a history of sacrifice. Rahul Gandhi has undertaken the same. I am happy that the yatra is entering Rajasthan. People of the state are waiting for his arrival on December 4 evening. BJP’s yatras are failing. They started a yatra yesterday but did not get any response, due to which the BJP is facing a lot of frustration.”

“There are five to seven chief ministerial aspirants in the BJP. There are fighting among themselves. They talk about us,” he added. Gehlot also took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Minor estrangements happen everywhere and in every party. If you hear the remarks of PM Modi on Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi, you will be ashamed of how such a big leader can make such comments,” he said.

The Chief Minister further said that the leaders of the Congress party will collectively make the Bharat Jodo Yatra successful.

“There are estrangements in every party, but the discipline of our leaders runs the party. All our leaders collectively will make the Bharat Jodo Yatra successful. We are committed to making the yatra a success,” he said.

The Yatra has so far covered parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra. The party’s general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with her husband Robert Vadra, also participated in the yatra last week.

Bharat Jodo Yatra, which began on September 7 from Kanyakumari, will cover a further distance of 2,355 km in its 3,570-km march. It will end in Kashmir next year. It is the longest march on foot by any Indian politician in the history of India, the Congress claimed earlier in a statement.

The Congress suffered a debacle in the assembly polls held earlier this year and the Yatra is seen as an attempt to rally the party rank and file for the upcoming electoral battles.

Sanjay Raut blasts BJP, Shinde govt over remarks on Shivaji, Maha-Karnataka border row

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ANI

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December 2, 2022

Sanjay Raut Maharashtra Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj — Image: PTI

Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Friday criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for maintaining “silence” over alleged objectionable remarks made against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj by some public figures and warned these “insults” to the Maratha warrior king will be avenged.

Raut said while the BJP is sensitive to comments perceived as insulting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the party remains quiet when it comes to remarks made against the 17^th-century Maratha warrior king, a revered figure in Maharashtra.

Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi and state Tourism Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha faced criticism for their recent remarks on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj which were deemed offensive.

Talking to reporters here, Raut also attacked the Eknath Shinde-led government over the festering Karnataka-Maharashtra border row and said the chief minister of Karnataka “spits” on the face of the current dispensation, but the state government has no self-respect.

The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader was reacting to the Karnataka government’s move to release water to some villages in Jath tehsil in Sangli district of Maharashtra. The tehsil is known to face water shortage.

“They (the government) should drown themselves in the water released by Karnataka. Maharashtra has never faced such an attack in the last 50-55 years. The CM of a neighboring state is challenging you… Where is your self-respect? The chief minister of Karnataka spits on the face of the government,” Raut said.

The border dispute dates back to 1957 after the reorganisation of states on linguistic lines. Maharashtra laid claim to the border district of Belagavi which was part of the erstwhile Bombay Presidency as it has a sizeable Marathi-speaking population.

It also laid claim to 814 Marathi-speaking villages which are currently part of Karnataka. Karnataka maintains the demarcation done on linguistic lines as final.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader alleged Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is being insulted every day. “The BJP is quiet on attacks on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and also Maharashtra’s insult. See how much love does the BJP have for Chhatrapati Shivaji. Mark my words. The insult of Chhatrapati Shivaji will be avenged,” the Member of Parliament warned.

Last month, Koshyari stoked a controversy by saying Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was an icon of “olden days”, a remark dubbed as an “insult” to the Maratha king and the state.

On Wednesday, the opposition in Maharashtra took offense to remarks on the 17^th-century warrior king made by Tourism Minister and BJP leader Lodha.

“At an election rally in Gujarat, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge compared Prime Minister Modi with demon king Ravan. The Prime Minister termed it as an insult to Gujarat and made it a big issue in the elections. In fact, I also did not like (Kharge) calling Modi as Ravan, but in Maharashtra, the same BJP and the Shinde faction are silent on insults to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” said Raut.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader claimed there was competition in the BJP to insult Shivaji Maharaj. “The BJP sees the insult of Modi, but not of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. There is competition in the BJP to insult Shivaji Maharaj,” he alleged.

Raut said the Shiv Sena as an organisation remains intact even after the rebellion by a section of MLAs, led by now Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in June.

“The Shiv Sena is still as it is. The rebellion by some MLAs does not make a difference. I don’t see any (political) future of these (rebel) MLAs because they are afraid and need security. Even people are angry with them. I know what’s going on in the Shinde faction. There are internal rifts. It will lead to a big blast one day and the tag of traitors will remain with them forever,” said the veteran parliamentarian.

It was not good for two Maha Ministers to visit Belagavi: Karnataka CM Bommai

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ANI

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December 2, 2022

Karnataka chief minister Basavraj Bommai Maharashtra Karnataka Border Issue — Image: PTI

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said it was not good for the two Maharashtra Ministers to visit Belagavi.

The two Ministers Chandrakant Patil and Shambhuraj Desai have been appointed to tackle the border issue with their legal team and have planned a visit to Belagavi, which is at the center of a controversy.

It is reported that the two are likely to meet leaders of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES), which has been spearheading the movement to merge Belagavi with Maharashtra. Their visit is taking place when the Maharashtra government’s petition regarding Belagavi was heard recently in the Supreme Court.

“Already our Chief Secretary has written to the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra through fax. In the given situation it is not good for them to visit here and hence, they should not come here. We have already communicated with them. The Karnataka government will continue to take steps that were taken in the past,” Bommai told reporters in Belagavi.

To a question, Bommai said the drinking water project in Jat Taluk in Maharashtra should take place. “The Kannada-speaking people in Jat Taluk of Maharashtra have been suffering for drinking water. In such a situation, the Maharashtra government has said that it has planned drinking water project. Let that project happen and people in that region get water,” Bommai said.

The Chief Minister had said in the past that the Panchayats of Jat Taluk had passed a resolution requesting merger of their Taluk with Karnataka in the wake of severe water crisis.

As Maharashtra raked up the Belagavi issue, Bommai said it would revisit the resolution passed by Jat Taluk Panchayats.

Chhattisgarh: Seven miners dies after limestone cave collapsed in Bastar

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ANI

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December 2, 2022

Chhattisgarh Bastar limestone cave collapsed — Image: ANI

Seven people, including six women, died after a limestone cave in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar collapsed on Friday.

All the victims were locals who had been extracting limestone for personal use, sources said.

According to the police, a team from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) reached the spot after being informed of the incident.

“Some family members from the nearby Malwa village were extracting limestone for personal use at the site. While they were at it, the limestone cave collapsed and all of them were buried in the debris. Of the seven persons who died, six were women and one man. Two of them were pulled out of the debris alive but were declared dead on being taken to a hospital,” Vikash Kumar, the CSP said.

“A team of officers are at the site looking for more persons buried under the debris,” he added.

Further information is awaited.

Dwayne Bravo announces retirement from IPL and appoints as bowling coach for CSK

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ANI

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December 2, 2022

Dwayne Bravo Retires from IPL — Image: PTI

Former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a player, but he will continue his journey with the league and his franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as a bowling coach for the next season of the league.

“Chennai Super Kings have appointed Dwayne Bravo as the team’s bowling coach ahead of IPL 2023. Bravo has called time on his playing days in the IPL, having played the tournament since its inception in 2008. L Balaji is taking a break for one year due to personal commitments, but he will be available for the Super Kings Academy,” said a statement from CSK.

Chennai Super Kings had parted ways with veteran all-rounder Dwayne Bravo and released the West Indian ahead of the IPL mini-auction.

“I am looking forward to this new journey because it is something, I see myself doing after my playing days is fully over. I enjoy working with bowlers and it’s a role I am excited about. From player to coach, I do not think I have to adjust much because while I am playing, I always work with bowlers and try to come up with plans and ideas on how to have that one step ahead of the batsmen. The only difference is I will no longer be standing at mid-on or mid-off!,” said Bravo.

“I never thought I would be the leading wicket-taker in the history of IPL. But I am just happy to be a part of IPL history!” added Bravo.

KS Viswanathan, Chennai Super Kings CEO, said: “Congratulations to Dwayne Bravo on a tremendous career in the IPL. He has been a crucial member of the Super Kings family for more than a decade and we are excited to continue the association. Bravo’s vast experience will be of immense value to our players and support staff. We are confident that our bowling group will thrive under his guidance.”

Bravo is the highest-ever wicket-taker in the IPL, with 183 wickets from 161 matches. The all-rounder has also scored 1560 runs at a strike rate of around 130, playing key parts in many victories for the Super Kings.

Bravo has been an integral part of the Chennai Super Kings since 2011. He was a part of Chennai Super Kings’ IPL victories in 2011, 2018 and 2021 and the Champions League T20 victory in 2014. He was also the first player to win the Purple Cap for most wickets in an IPL season twice (2013 and 2015).

Bravo has overall played 144 matches for Chennai Super Kings, picking up 168 wickets and scoring 1556 runs.

Anil Deshmukh’s bail plea deferred till Dec 6

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ANI

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December 2, 2022

100 CR Extortion Case Anil Deshmukh CBI — Image; PTI

The Bombay High Court on Friday postponed the hearing on the bail petition filed by former Maharashtra Home Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Anil Deshmukh till December 6 in connection with the Rs 100 crore extortion case filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The CBI has opposed the bail plea. Earlier on November 29, the High Court had deferred the bail plea hearing to December 2.

The former Maharashtra Home Minister on October 26 moved the Bombay High Court for bail in connection with the case after a special CBI court rejected Deshmukh’s bail plea on October 21.

Earlier, rejecting the bail application of Anil Deshmukh, the CBI court said that in this case, the statement of public witness Sachin Waze has been recorded by the CBI during the hearing of the bail application. He had been accused of asking policemen to collect Rs 100 crores illegally for him every month from bar owners in Mumbai.

“It is clear from the statements of the witnesses that Anil Deshmukh is the main conspirator in this whole case. The charges against him are very serious. In such a situation, if he is granted bail, he can influence the case and the witnesses,” the CBI court had said.

“Whatever medical facilities Anil Deshmukh needs is being given to him, so he cannot be granted bail even on medical grounds. CBI’s investigation is still in the preliminary stage, so it is not right to grant bail to Anil Deshmukh at this stage,” the court added.

Deshmukh continues to be in judicial custody in Arthur Road prison as he is also being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a corruption case.

Deshmukh was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in November 2021 and is currently in judicial custody.

According to the ED, Deshmukh had misused his position as state home minister and collected Rs 4.70 crore from various bars in Mumbai through some police of officers.

Earlier on October 11, the Supreme Court refused to cancel the bail granted to the former home minister in the money laundering case lodged against him by Enforcement Directorate (ED).

On October 4, the Bombay High Court had granted bail to Deshmukh in a money laundering case being investigated by the ED.

Rs 200 cr money laundering case: Nora Fatehi arrives ED office

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ANI

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December 2, 2022

Money Laundering Case Enforcement Directorate Nora Fatehi — Image: Facebook/ Nora Fatehi

Bollywood actor Nora Fatehi on Friday arrived at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office for questioning in connection with Rs 200 crore money laundering case involving Conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar.

On September 15, Nora was questioned by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police for more than four hours along with Pinky Irani, who apparently introduced Nora and Jacqueline Fernandez to the jailed conman.

However, the Patiala House Court granted interim bail to Jacqueline on November 15 on furnishing of a personal bond of Rs 2 lakh and one surety in the like amount.

Notably, statements of Nora Fatehi were recorded under section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 on September 12, 2021, and October 14, 2021, wherein she stated that she got a booking for a charity event.

During the event, she was gifted a Gucci Bag and one iPhone by Leena Paulose. (Wife of Chandrashekhar) Nora further stated that Leena Paulose had called her husband and put the phone on speaker where he thanked her and said they were her fans. She then announced that they would gift her a brand-new BMW car as a token of love and generosity.

According to ED, during the investigation, searches were conducted at various places linked to Sukesh Chandrashekar and his associates.

During the search, 16 high-end vehicles were seized under section 17 PMLA and these cars are either in the name of the firms of Leena Paulose or in the name of third parties.

It is further submitted that it has emerged that Sukesh knowingly created the structure for layering and transferring proceeds of crime and thus, actively participated in the process of money laundering.

Court orders 20 years of imprisonment for raping a minor

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PTI

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December 2, 2022

Court,Ballia,UttarPradesh, — Court | Image: Agencies/Representative

Aman has been sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping a nine-year-old girl in July, officials said on Friday.

Superintendent of Police RK Nayyar also imposed a fine of Rs one lakh on the convict Sunil Kumar.

The convict has been sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment, Nayyar said. The girl was raped on July 18, 2022, in Ballia village.

On the basis of the complaint lodged, a case was registered against the accused under various sections of the IPC and POCSO Act and a charge sheet was filed against him within a month, Nayyar said.

The trial in the case started on November 2 and after hearing the arguments of both sides on Thursday, Kumar was convicted and sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment.

CM Eknath Shinde govt offices will go paperless from April 2023

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PTI

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December 2, 2022

Eknath Shinde,Maharashtra, CM — Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra, CM | Image: Twitter/@mieknathshinde

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has said that the e-office system will be started at all government offices in the state from April 1 next year so that work speeds up and becomes ”paperless”.

Shinde made the announcement on Thursday after meeting V Srinivas, secretary of the central administrative reforms and public grievances department.

The e-office system will enable faster functioning and the business will also be paperless, the chief minister said.

Once all government offices switch to the e-office mode, officials can access files documents on their mobile phones as well, he added.

ISRO espionage case: SC cancels anticipatory bail to ex-officials

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ANI

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December 2, 2022

Supreme Court ISRO espionage case — Representative Image

The Supreme Court on Friday set aside the Kerala High Court order granting anticipatory bail to persons in connection with the 1994 ISRO espionage case relating to the framing of alleged scientist Nambi Narayanan.

A bench headed by Justice MR Shah remitted the bail applications back to the Kerala High Court and asked it to decide it as early as possible, within a period of four weeks.

The apex court also granted protection from arrest to the accused for five weeks as an interim arrangement till the High Court finally decides the matter.

The CBI had challenged the Kerala High Court order granting anticipatory bail to five persons. The apex court bench reserved the order on November 28.

The Kerala High Court had granted anticipatory bail to four accused the former Gujarat Director-General of Police (DGP) RB SreeKumar, former Kerala Director General of Police (DGP) Siby Mathews, two former police officers of Kerala S Vijayan and Thampi S Durga Dutt, and retired intelligence official PS Jayaprakash in connection with the case.

Seeking cancellation of anticipatory bail granted them, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had said the grant of anticipatory bail might derail the investigation in the case.

Earlier CBI had told the apex court that it has found in its probe that some scientists were tortured and framed in the matter due to which development of the cryogenic engine was hit and this led to India’s space programme going back by almost one or two decades.

Opposing the bail granted to the accused, CBI had said it is a “very serious matter” and there may be a larger conspiracy at the behest of foreign hands which is being investigated.

The CBI had alleged that there was a clear indication that the accused were part of a team, which had ulterior motives to torpedo the attempts of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for manufacturing the cryogenic engine.

It had registered a case against 18 persons for various offences, including criminal conspiracy, in connection with the arrest and detention of Narayanan, who was accused of spying in 1994.

The case relates to allegations of transfer of certain confidential documents on India’s space programme to foreign countries by two scientists and four others, including two Maldivian women.

CBI had earlier given a clean chit to Narayanan and said that the Kerala police had “fabricated” the case. The investigating agency stated that the technology ex-scientist was accused to have stolen and sold in the 1994 case did not even exist at that time and then top police officials in Kerala were responsible for his illegal arrest.

On September 14, 2018, the top court had appointed a three-member committee and directed the Kerala government to give Rs 50 lakh compensation to Narayanan for compelling him to undergo immense humiliation.

Terming the police action against Narayanan as a “psycho-pathological treatment”, the top court had also said that his liberty and dignity, basic to his human rights, were jeopardised as he was taken into custody and, eventually, despite all the glory of the past, was compelled to face “cynical abhorrence”.