Mike Hankey appointed as new US Consul General in Mumbai

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August 8, 2022

Mike Hankey, a senior foreign service officer was appointed as the new consul general of the United States in Mumbai, an official statement said on Monday.

Hankey, who succeeds the former Consul General David J Ranz assumed his duties on Sunday, an official statement from the US Embassy in India stated.

Prior to this, Hankey served as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Amman. He also headed the Palestinian Affairs Unit at US Embassy in Jerusalem from its establishment in early 2019 as the lead for US engagement with the Palestinians.

A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, he was previously deputy to the chief of mission of US Consulate General Jerusalem and the Consul General at the US Consulate General in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, where he led an inter-agency team promoting commercial and security ties in the heart of the Saudi oil industry.

Since joining the Foreign Service in 2001, Hankey has led teams to build deep and productive links with political, economic, and media partners across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.

In Egypt before and during the Arab Spring, he advanced engagement with both Muslim and Christian communities. In earlier tours, he promoted economic development in northwestern Iraq, American consular and commercial interests in Yemen, and media professionalism in Nigeria.

In Washington, he led worldwide media outreach to promote global security, disarmament, and economic prosperity as well as the team advancing American engagement with South Asia audiences.

Fluent in Arabic, French, and Tamil, Hankey received his Bachelor’s Degree in international affairs and journalism from George Washington University, with a focus on South Asian studies and his Master’s Degree in second language education from Indiana University.

Hankey, who is also a former journalist has worked on many key assignments in the middle-east and Africa.

Prior to the Foreign Service, he worked as a newspaper reporter and as an international affairs editor for a news service covering the United Nations, and in support of US government public affairs outreach on Arab-Israeli and South Asian issues.

He has written a textbook for learning Nigerian Pidgin English. He will be accompanied to Mumbai by his wife and their two sons, the statement said.

The Consulate General seeks to promote US-India relations and progress towards common goals through information outreach, dialogue and exchange in western and central India, including Mumbai and the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Goa, it added.

Prophet row: Relief for news anchor Navika Kumar, SC grants interim protection from arrest

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PTI

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August 8, 2022

navika kumar, times now, nupur sharma, supreme court, sc, prophet row — Image: Twitter

The Supreme Court on Monday granted interim protection from arrest to Navika Kumar in connection with FIRs lodged against her over controversial remarks made by former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma on Prophet Mohammad during a TV debate moderated by the news anchor.

A bench of Justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli issued notices to the Centre, West Bengal government and others on Kumar’s plea seeking quashing of proceedings initiated against her.

Sharma’s remark on the Prophet during a TV debate had triggered protests across the country and drew sharp reactions from many Gulf countries. The BJP subsequently suspended her from the party.

EOW raids premises of senior cooperative society official in Jabalpur

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ANI

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August 8, 2022

A team of the Economic Offence Wing on Monday morning raided the residence and office of an assistant manager of Madhya Pradesh’s cooperative society department, police said.

The raid was conducted at the premises of Panna Lal Uike at Imlai in Jabalpur, Deputy Superintendant of Police AV Singh said.

The raiding team found assets disproportionate to his income and registered a First Information Report (FIR).

Panna Lal has two plots approx 4,000 sqft in village Jamgaon, 3.55 hectare agricultural land in village Imlai, 1.67 hectare agricultural land in village Jamgaon, 5 acres agricultural land in village Doli, 1.38 hectare agricultural land in village Jamgaon, officials said.

Separately, last week, Madhya Pradesh Economic Offences Wing (EOW) conducted raids at the residence of a senior clerk of the Medical Education Department in Bhopal and seized a large amount of cash, gold and property-related documents.

According to EOW, they were constantly receiving complaints about the disproportionate assets of Hero Keswani, a senior clerk posted in the Medical Education Department in Satpura Bhawan.

“Hero Keswani, currently drawing a salary of around Rs 50,000 per month, has several properties exceeding his income. We got information about it and raided his house,” Superintendent of Police (EOW) Rajesh Mishra had said.

Court sentences former Coal Secy. HC Gupta to 3 years imprisonment

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ANI

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August 8, 2022

A Special CBI Court of Delhi on Monday awarded three years imprisonment to former Coal Secretary HC Gupta in a coal scam case after finding irregularities in the allocation of a Maharashtra coal block.

The court also awarded two years imprisonment to former joint-Secretary K S. Kropha and four years to director Mukesh Gupta of Nagpur-based firm M/s Grace Industries Ltd in the coal scam case.

The Special judge Arun Bhardwaj (Coal Scam) Rouse Avenue Court on Monday while pronouncing the Judgement on sentencing also imposed a fine of Rs one lakh on HC Gupta, 50,000 Rs on KS Kropha, two lakhs on Mukesh Gupta and 2 lakhs on Nagpur based firm M/s Grace Industries Ltd.

The same court last week convicted H C Gupta Under section – 120B and section – 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, K S. Kropha, Under section – 120B and section – 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, Mukesh Gupta, Director of M/s Grace Industries Ltd. under section – 120B and section – 420 IPC and M/s Grace Industries Ltd. under section – 120B and section – 420 IPC.

The court convicted them in the Coal Scam case related to the allocation of the Lohara East Coal block situated in Maharashtra. CBI had registered on September 20, 2012 under section – 120B r/w 420 IPC r/w 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of the PC Act, 1988.

On completion of the investigation, a charge sheet under section – 420 IPC was filed by CBI against M/s Grace Industries Ltd. and Mukesh Gupta, Director of the company in the Court on October 28, 2014.

Special Judge while discussing the role of Public Servants of Ministry of Coal, Govt. of India and government of Maharashtra in the alleged crime on January 19, 2015, ordered further investigation into the matter with a direction that the evidence collected during further investigation, may be placed before the Competent Authority for the consideration of the issue of sanction to prosecute the public servants namely K. S. Kropha, the then Joint Secretary, Ministry of Coal and V. S. Sawakhande, the then Director, Directorate of Geology and Mining, Nagpur, Govt. of Maharashtra under section – 19 of the P.C. Act, 1988.

The Court on August 10, 2015, took cognizance of the offences punishable under section – 120B r/w 409/420 IPC r/w 13(2) r/w 13(1)(c) & (d) of the PC Act, 1988 and substantive offences.

Accordingly, the summons was issued to the accused persons for their appearance before the Court. During the course of the trial total of 34 witnesses had been examined by the prosecution/CBI to prove its case.

According to the CBI, allegations against the convicts M/s Grace Industries Ltd. and Mukesh Gupta during the period between years 2005 to 2011 in New Delhi, Maharashtra and other places, in furtherance of the common object of the criminal conspiracy hatched with other co-accused persons i.e. H.C. Gupta, K. S. Kropha and cheated Ministry of Coal, Government of India by dishonestly and fraudulently inducing the Ministry of Coal to allocate “Lohara East Coal Block” situated in the state of Maharashtra in favour of M/s GIL on the basis of false information about net worth, capacity, equipment and status of procurement and installation of the plant.

CBI also stated that the said company in its application claimed its net worth as Rs. 120 Crores whereas its own network was 3.3 crores only Company falsified its existing capacity as 1,20,000 TPA against 30,000 TPA.

In a video order dated August 25, 2014, the Supreme Court of India cancelled the entire allocations of Coal Blocks.

Vide order dated: January 19, 2015, Special Judge of the trial court had observed that the working of the officers of the Prime Minister’s office also does not appear to be above Board.

The trial of this case was conducted by Sanjay Kumar, Deputy Legal Advisor of CBI as he was appointed by the Supreme Court vide order September 1, 2014 passed by the Supreme Court of India in Coal Scam.

Money laundering case: Mumbai court remands Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut to judicial custody till 22 Aug

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PTI

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August 8, 2022

sanjay raut, raut, ed, enforcement directorate, ed custody, varsha raut — Image: ANI

A special court on Monday remanded Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut to 14-day judicial custody in a money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in the redevelopment of a Mumbai ‘chawl’.

The court allowed Raut’s plea for home food and medicines, but refused to pass an order on his prayer for bedding.

The judge said as per the prison manual, jail authorities make adequate bed arrangements.

Raut, 60, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on August 1 in connection with alleged financial irregularities in the redevelopment of the Patra Chawl (row tenement) in suburban Goregaon.

He was produced before special PMLA judge MG Deshpande at the end of his ED custody on Monday.

The federal probe agency did not seek further extension of his custody. The judge then sent Raut in judicial custody.

The ED probe pertains to alleged financial irregularities in the redevelopment of the Patra ‘chawl’ and related financial transactions involving Raut’s wife and associates.

Maharashtra Cabinet Expansion: Devendra to be Home Minister

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Web Team

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August 8, 2022

Devendra Fadnavis 1 — Maharashtra Cabinet Expansion: Devendra to be Home Minister 7

The cabinet expansion in Maharashtra is likely to happen this week after a series of meetings to settle pending issues that were holding up the move amid wrangling over the Home Ministry in the state, sources have said.

The expansion of the Maharashtra cabinet will take place “before you can even imagine”, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had told reporters in Delhi in response to questions on the induction of new ministers.

Both Fadnavis and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde were in Delhi over the weekend as Mr Shinde along with 22 other chief ministers attended a NITI Aayog meeting.

Fadnavis is likely to get the Home portfolio, clearing the path for cabinet expansion in Maharashtra which has been functioning with a two-member cabinet since June 30.

Fadnavis announced that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has been given the responsibility to coordinate efforts to better the BJP’s performance in Baramati, the Pawar family stronghold in western Maharashtra, from where Sharad Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule is the MP.

Fadnavis has said the BJP has embarked on a mission to improve its footprint in Maharashtra in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections by identifying 16 parliamentary constituencies where opposition parties have had a consistent winning streak.

India defeat WI in 5th T20I; won series by 4-1

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ANI

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August 8, 2022

Ravi Bishnoi’s four and Axar Patel’s three-wicket haul guided India to victory against West Indies by 88 runs and clinch the series by 4-1 at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill on Sunday.

Chasing the target of 189, West Indies got off to the worst start as they lost their three wickets in the powerplay to Axar Patel, Jason Holder (0) Shamarh Brooks (13) and Devon Thomas (10).

West Indies kept on losing wickets and after ten overs of the innings, their score read 64-4. Captain Nicholas Pooran was lbw by Kuldeep in the eighth over.

Bishnoi bagged two wickets in the 12th over. He sent Rovman Powell (9 off 13 balls) and Keemo Paul (0) lbw to the pavilion.

In all the struggle, Shimron Hetmyer brought up his half-century in the 26 balls and shortly after he was sent back to the pavilion by Ravi Bishnoi.

West Indies lost 6 wickets for a total of 88 and the next four wickets fell within just 12 runs handing India the 88 runs victory.

Earlier, opted to bat first, India scored 188 runs thanks to Iyer’s half-century, which opened the innings for the first time in T20Is.

Hardik Pandya (28) and Deepak Hooda (38) both contributed crucial runs in the death and middle overs. The Shreyas Iyer and Hooda pair gathered 76 runs in only 7.1 overs and their partnership was stunning as the duo kept hitting many fours and sixes.

After the middle order batters, Sanju Samson and Dinesh Karthik were unsuccessful to leave a mark. It was the stand-in captain who displayed his trademark big-hitting abilities and smashed 28 runs in 16 balls to help India put a total of 188 on the board.

Brief score: India 188/7 (Shreyas Iyer 64, Deepak Hooda 38; Odean Smith 3-33) vs West Indies 100 all out (Shimron Hetmyer 56, Shamarh Brooks 13; Ravi Bishnoi 4-16).

Mumbai to get heavy rains from Monday; orange alert issued

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Web Team

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August 8, 2022

After a dry weather spell over the past few days, heavy rains made a come back to the city on Sunday. The IMD in its five day district forecast gave out an orange alert for Mumbai, Thane and Palghar starting from Monday.

An orange alert by the IMD indicates heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places be very likely.

A warning has also been issued to fishermen by the IMD. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the high sea from Monday till August 9.

IMD said that the existing meteorological conditions bringing in the heavy rains include an offshore trough at mean sea level rains high runs from south Maharashtra to north Kerala.

“Also a cyclonic circulation over central parts of Karnataka & neighbouring states as well as a cyclonic circulation over north Coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining West central Bay of Bengal.

Under its influence, a low pressure area has formed over the same region and is likely to become more marked during next 24 hours,” said the IMD.

Mumbai cops now get to grill loan app Koko accused

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Web Team

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August 8, 2022

Three men, arrested by economic offences wing (EOW) of state crime branch for running dubious loan apps in connivance with Chinese and cheating many people in Odisha, were taken on remand by Mumbai Police for interrogation.

Police took Nitin Mallik, arrested on July 15 from Delhi, on 15-day remand. Mallik was director of Good Start Business Services Pvt Ltd, a shell company which operated an illegal loan app, Kredit Gold.

The other accused, Rakshith and Sushanth, who were from Karnataka, were granted a 12-day remand to Mumbai Police. The duo was arrested from Bhubaneswar on June 10 fo r illegally running the loan app Koko.

Liquor companies seek hike in prices of Indian made foreign liquor

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Web Team

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August 8, 2022

Liquor representative Image — Image for representative purpose

The liquor industry, especially those selling Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL) and wines, have requested the state to allow them a hike in prices in the range of Rs 85 to Rs 125 per 750 ml bottle, depending on the respective segments and brands.

This they claim is a bid to cope with the inflationary trends that have increased costs in production.