Have no direct involvement in QNet operations: Ferreira

By

-

January 29, 2014

Former world billiards champion Michael Ferreira on Wednesday claimed he has no direct involvement in the operations of the multi-level marketing firm QNet, which is under the scanner in connection with the alleged Rs 425 crore scam.

Ferreira (75) turned up before the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) for the third day today. He was grilled for nearly two hours and his statement was recorded, following last week’s directive by a sessions court to present himself for questioning.

In a statement, Ferreira claimed he told investigators today that he invested in Vihaan Direct Marketing Selling Ltd, the Indian franchisee of QNET, but clarified he had no direct control over the business operations.

Ferreira is alleged to be an 80 per cent share holder in Vihaan firm.

“My role was limited to that of a share holder. I have not received any dividend from the company so far,” he told police.

Later, Ferreira reiterated his commitment to co-operate with the law and visit EOW whenever the police want him to do so.

“I have very high respect for the Mumbai police and full faith in the country’s judicial system,” he said.

“I have an unblemished record and I will not do anything that will tarnish my image,” the Padmashree awardee said after returning home.

According to police, Ferreira earned crores through his association with the company for years and participated in and promoted the firm’s schemes extensively.

The ace cueist will be called for questioning again in the next few days, police said.

Mumbai Police had on January 2 issued a lookout notice against Ferreira after he failed to appear before it despite summons in the second week of December asking him to turn up and explain his association with the company.

QNet is accused of duping investors by offering to sell magnetic discs, herbal products and holiday schemes allegedly through fraudulent practices, police said.

It has also been accused of using the banned binary pyramid business model for its multi-level marketing schemes to lure investors.

The EOW has arrested nine team leaders of QNet in connection with the alleged scam so far.

The accused have been charged with cheating and forgery under relevant sections of the Prize, Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act 1978, police said.

Mirge’s remarks on women and rape ‘insensitive’: Praful Patel

By

Afternoon Voice

-

January 29, 2014

NCP on Wednesday disassociated itself from the remarks on women and rape made by a member of Maharashtra Commission for Women belonging to the party, saying they are “insensitive”.

“The person concerned who has made such a statement is insensitive, has no business to do it and does not belong to the NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) in any capacity for us to react and take notice of,” NCP leader and Union Minister Praful Patel said here.

“I am hearing her name (Asha Mirge) for the first time that I should react to somebody who claims to be from my party. If at all somebody has made such an insensitive statement, we will take action if the person belongs to our party,” he added.

Dr Asha Mirge, a gynaecologist from Akola, had said girls should be mindful of their body language and attire so as not to invite the attention of potential rapists and asked why the Delhi gang-rape victim went out for a late night movie show.

HC Stays execution of NBW against Preity Zinta

By

Afternoon Voice

-

January 29, 2014

The Bombay High Court stayed the execution of a non-bailable warrant issued against actor Preity Zinta for failing to appear before a magistrate in a cheque bounce case.

Justice Revati Mohite Dere stayed the warrant issued by the Andheri metropolitan magistrate after Zinta failed to appear before it to record her statement in the case.

“Zinta had filed an application before the magistrate requesting the court to record her statement through her lawyers. This is permitted by the Supreme Court by one of its judgments,” Zinta’s advocates Vishwajit Sawant and Subhash Jadhav said. However, the magistrate refused to hear the application and issued a non-bailable warrant against Zinta and posted the matter for hearing on February 10. The actor approached the high court challenging the warrant.

“The High Court stayed execution of the warrant and has kept the petition for hearing on January 30,” Jadhav said.

The cheque bounce case was filed by scriptwriter Abbas Tyrewala who had written script for her film ‘Ishkq In Paris’.

According to the complaint, a cheque of Rs 18.9 lakh issued by Zinta had bounced.

Thackeray, Tendulkar, Azmi among water bill defaulters

By

Afternoon Voice

-

January 29, 2014

Late Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and SP leader Abu Asim Azmi are among the two lakh water bill defaulters in Mumbai.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which recently made public the list of defaulters on its website, has named several biggies including former Maharashtra Chief Minister AR Antulay for non-payment of dues.

The civic body has recovered massive dues of over Rs. 1,000 crore from over two lakh defaulters in the metropolis as on January 16, 2014.

“The list has been prepared based on information received from 24 ward offices and comprises names of all defaulters from commercial, industrial and domestic connections categories,” a civic official said.

The BMC would soon consider action against these defaulters based on the amount they have to pay, the official said.

When contacted, a source close to the Thackeray family told that they would check into bills pending.

While Mr. Azmi said, “There is no bill pending from my side. Due to the mismanagement of the civic body they might have not sent the bill. I have checked with the manager of my hotel and no bill is pending. If at all the bill is pending I will pay it within a day. I will send notice to the BMC for including me in the defaulters list.”

Six Convicted by NIA Court in 2009 Fake Currency Case

By

Afternoon Voice

-

January 29, 2014

A special National Investigation Agency court convicted six persons for possessing and circulating Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) in May 2009.
Special NIA judge Prithiviraj Chavan convicted six arrested accused- Abdul Shaikh, Mohammed Aizul, Ravi Dhiren Gosh Nooruddin Bari, Mohammed Samad and Aizul Shaikh – under relevant sections of Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activates (Prevention) Act.
This case happens to be the first investigated by NIA in the city after it was set up post 26/11 attacks to probe and prosecute pan-India crimes, terror-related cases and offences affecting the ‘sovereignty, security and integrity of India’.
The quantum of sentence is likely to be pronounced on Thursday.
The Anti-Terrorism Squad of Maharashtra police had arrested the accused on May 14, 2009 from near Star Cinema at Mazgoan in south Mumbai, after they received the tip-off that they were planning to exchange money.
The ATS had also seized from them 75 fake Indian currency notes of Rs. 1000 denomination. Though the preliminary investigation was carried out by ATS, NIA took over the investigation on June 19 2009.
In the 1000-page charge sheet filed on November 6, 2009, the prosecution named one Shaukat as the kingpin of the racket and accused a ‘hostile’ neighbouring country for supporting the crime.
Further according to the charge sheet, the six accused are part of a larger racket and are attempting to destabilise country’s economy with an intention to abet terrorist activities.
Special public prosecutor Rohini Salian told that court has taken circumstantial evidence into account to convict all the accused. Salian added that three accused are still wanted in the case.
In the trial that commenced in December 2012, the prosecution had examined 39 witnesses.

HC asks Centre to file reply on Domestic Violence Act section

By

Afternoon Voice

-

January 29, 2014

The Bombay High Court gave a last chance till March 5 to Union government for filing its reply on a petition challenging the constitutional validity of a section under the Domestic Violence Act which allows cases to be filed only against males.

The petition filed by a mother-daughter duo has challenged the validity of Section 2(q) of the Act restricting the definition of ‘respondent’ to adult male members.

The petition was filed in February 2013, following which the bench issued a notice to Ministry of Women and Child Welfare seeking its reply. However, the ministry is yet to respond.

“The ministry has been given three chances since February last year. But you (ministry) are still seeking time. We are giving you one last chance now. File reply by March 5. No further time will be given,” Chief Justice Mohit Shah said.

According to petitioners Kusum Harsora (53) and her mother Pushpa Harsora (78), the section under the said Act makes an unreasonable, unfair and arbitrary distinction in the definition of ‘respondent’.

“Even female family members can be perpetrators of domestic violence. By restricting the definition of respondent to a domestic violence case to adult male members, the entire purpose of the Act is defeated. The section must be declared as unconstitutional and violation of the rights of women,” according to the petition.

The petition was filed after a single judge of the high court in February last year quashed a case filed by Kusum against her sisters and sister-in-law under the Domestic Violence Act. While junking the case, the high court took the view that no case under Domestic Violence Act can be made out against female relatives.

Kusum had filed complaint in a metropolitan magistrate in October 2010 against her two sisters, Anita and Chandrika, brother Pradeep and his wife Hiral. Kusum had alleged that the four were harassing her and her mother Pushpa.

MNS protest against toll politically motivated: Uddhav

By

Afternoon Voice

-

January 29, 2014

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray today dubbed Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s violent agitation at toll plazas as “politically motivated,” with an eye on the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly polls.

“In Kolhapur, the Shiv Sena agitation against toll was a success with the support of locals. But, when one hears of vandalisation of toll nakas in Mumbai, Thane, Pune under the cover of darkness, we should understand that those who were sleeping all the while on issues concerning the common man, have woken up and started their poll campaign,” he said.

The state government had to take note of the Kolhapur agitation as the corruption in levy of toll came out before the people, he noted in an editorial in today’s edition of party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’.

“Shiv Sena-BJP-RPI alliance declared that if voted to power in the Assembly elections, Maharashtra would be toll free. However, some parties who were sleeping all the while suddenly woke up and vandalised toll nakas,” he said.

Accusing the MNS of double standards on the issue of toll, Uddhav said some time back “some people” had appointed private auditors to count the number of vehicles at toll plazas in the state.

“However, the auditors disappeared as if the issue of toll was a thing of the past. How is it that stones are being pelted from behind the curtains?” he asked.

Uddhav said the need of the hour was to look for an alternative to levy of toll and stop corrupt practices in it.

“You need political insight and will to do that…This government has none,” the Sena leader said.

Admitting that toll was introduced by the previous Sena-BJP government, he said, “Because of the toll, six lane Pune-Mumbai Expressway came up. People happily paid it because of the comfort travel. There were never potholes. But can you say the same thing for roads in Kolhapur, Nashik. Why should we pay toll for bad roads?”

Uddhav also said “politicians-toll companies nexus” has now been exposed and levy of toll has to be scrapped. People of the state have seen through the falsehood of those who damage toll nakas for political gains and the “drama” will not last long, he added.

Raj Thackeray’s MNS workers have been on the rampage, vandalising toll plazas in different parts of the state following their leader’s diktat not to pay the levy and “thrash” those who raise a voice against it.

After Rahul’s remarks, AAP joins chorus for SIT probe in 1984 riots

By

Afternoon Voice

-

January 29, 2014

After Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP, the Aam Aadmi Party has also backed the demand by the victims of 1984 riots that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) be constituted to probe the carnage on the streets of Delhi that had left thousands dead.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday met Lt Governor Najeeb Jung to press for action on the long standing demand. “I discussed it with the Lieutenant Governor and he is very positive about it. We will discuss the special investigation team formation and its terms in the next cabinet meeting,” he said.

Although the SIT probe demand was part of the AAP manifesto, the timing of Kejriwal’s move suggests that he may be looking to put the Congress in a tight spot given the furore created by Rahul Gandhi’s recent comments on the issue.
Rahul Gandhi brought the 1984 riots back into focus after he, in an interview to a news channel, sought to differentiate the role of governments during the anti-Sikh riots in Delhi and in the post-Godhra riots in Gujarat. The Congress vice president also refused to apologise for the riots saying he was not involved in them or in the Congress party at that time.

While Rahul accepted that some Congress men were probably involved in the riots, he stressed that they have gone through a legal process and some of them have been punished for it

The demand for a probe into the deadly riots is a long standing one and has gained more strength over the years given the slow pace of the trial against the accused. Senior Congress leaders Jagdish Tytler, Sajjan Kumar are among those who have been accused of instigating rioters to go on a killing spree to take revenge for the assassination of then prime minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards.

Counsel for the 1984 victims, HS Phoolka, who has been leading the initiative to get an SIT probe the riots, said, “Never ever such manslaughter occurred, hardly anyone was found guilty, it is a blot on India. Many witnesses are still alive, evidence is still there.”

Phoolka said that he agreed with Rahul Gandhi that 1984 riots were “different” as in Gujarat riots, 131 persons were awarded life imprisonment, 10 awarded the death sentence and one minister was sentenced to 28 years imprisonment, but hardly anyone has been punished for the riots of 1984.

The senior counsel also said that Congress’ unwillingness to constitute a SIT probe on 1984 riots reeks of double standards when the party had fully supported the formation of SIT to probe the Gujarat riots.

No PM can revoke J&K’s special status: Omar

By

Afternoon Voice

-

January 29, 2014

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said no Prime Minister can revoke Article 370 of the Constitution granting special status to the state “without calling into question” its accession to India.

Dismissing a question on whether he was worried at the prospect of BJP’s Narendra Modi becoming the Prime Minister, Omar said, “It does not matter whether he is the Prime Minister or the President or (holds) any other position.”

“Constitutionally, he cannot revoke Article 370 without calling into question the accession of J&K to India. Now as Prime Minister of India, if he wants to rewrite accession to India, he is welcome to it. But I do not think any Prime Minister would be as foolhardy as that,” he said.

Omar was answering questions in BBC’s ‘Hard Talk’ programme during which he more then held his ground in the face of tough questioning by its well-known anchor Stephen Sackur who focused on the insurgency, role of the armed forces and the State’s accession to India.

The Chief Minister was asked about Modi’s suggestion for a debate on Article 370 to which he had responded by offering to do that debate with the BJP leader “at any time, any place”.

He said Modi had not responded to this himself but “one of his minions gave a statement that he is too busy to discuss Article 370 and, to make it worse, he is far too more important to discuss it with somebody like you (Omar)”.

Sackur remarked that he would be “extraordinarily worried” because Modi could be the next Prime Minister if opinion polls were to be believed because the BJP leader favours doing away with J&K’s special status. “I am not worried,” Omar told him.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said no Prime Minister can revoke Article 370 of the Constitution granting special status to the state “without calling into question” its accession to India.

Dismissing a question on whether he was worried at the prospect of BJP’s Narendra Modi becoming the Prime Minister, Omar said, “It does not matter whether he is the Prime Minister or the President or (holds) any other position.”

“Constitutionally, he cannot revoke Article 370 without calling into question the accession of J&K to India. Now as Prime Minister of India, if he wants to rewrite accession to India, he is welcome to it. But I do not think any Prime Minister would be as foolhardy as that,” he said.

Omar was answering questions in BBC’s ‘Hard Talk’ programme during which he more then held his ground in the face of tough questioning by its well-known anchor Stephen Sackur who focused on the insurgency, role of the armed forces and the State’s accession to India.

The Chief Minister was asked about Modi’s suggestion for a debate on Article 370 to which he had responded by offering to do that debate with the BJP leader “at any time, any place”.

He said Modi had not responded to this himself but “one of his minions gave a statement that he is too busy to discuss Article 370 and, to make it worse, he is far too more important to discuss it with somebody like you (Omar)”.

Sackur remarked that he would be “extraordinarily worried” because Modi could be the next Prime Minister if opinion polls were to be believed because the BJP leader favours doing away with J&K’s special status. “I am not worried,” Omar told him.

Amid outrage, government denies ordering khaas aadmi treatment for MPs at airports

By

Afternoon Voice

-

January 29, 2014

Amid public outrage, the government today said a demand by parliamentarians for special privileges from private airlines and airports will not be sanctioned.

Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh denied that private airlines had been asked to offer MPs privileges like free snacks, use of VIP lounges, priority clearances and a protocol officer. Many of these privileges are already granted to MPs when they use the government’s Air India.

The MPs’ unabashed demand for khaas aami treatment was discussed by a parliamentary panel in December and sent to the civil aviation regulator or DGCA. But Mr. Singh told that no guidelines were issued.

Their wish-list comes at a time Arvind Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are drawing huge public support for refusing the VIP privileges that are usually bestowed upon and eagerly exercised by politicians.

“To be demanding special privileges for ‘VIPs’ in this political atmosphere takes a special kind of disconnect with reality,” tweeted Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Union Minister Praful Patel, who headed the Civil Aviation Ministry earlier, said if an MP “is given a little respect, I don’t think this should be blown out of proportion.”

“There is nothing to suggest that there is preferential treatment beyond the point that certain courtesies are extended. Every carrier extends courtesies to Commercially Important Persons, along with VIPs,” he added.