HC grants bail to 72-year-old alleged Naxal operative accused in 2019 Gadchiroli blast case

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July 15, 2022

Bombay High Court, Sathyanarayana Rani, Naxal operative, — Image: Agencies

The Bombay High Court on Friday granted bail to Sathyanarayana Rani, a 72-year-old alleged Naxal operative, who is accused in the 2019 Gadchiroli blast case.
Fifteen security personnel of the Quick Response Team (QRT) and one civilian were killed in an explosion on May 1, 2019 in Gadchiroli in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region.

A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and V G Bisht granted bail to Sathyanarayana. A detailed order with reasons and conditions imposed would be made available later.

Sathyanarayana is currently lodged in the Arthur Road prison in Mumbai. His late wife Niramala Uppuganti was also named as an accused in the case. The duo was arrested in 2019. Uppuganti died of cancer in April this year.

Sathyanarayana, in his bail plea filed through advocates Yug Chaudhry and Payoshi Roy, said that there was no evidence against him and that he has spent almost three years in jail as an undertrial and deserved to be let out on bail.

While initially the Gadchiroli police was probing the case, it was later transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The NIA in its charge-sheet had claimed that Rani was a part of the conspiracy meeting held nearly a year before the attack and that this meeting was attended by around 300 Naxal members. The attack was allegedly planned to avenge the death of 40 persons by security personnel in 2018.

The accused in the case have been booked under sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and for murder and criminal conspiracy of the Indian Penal Code.

Istanbul: Uyghur rights activists demonstrate against China’s participation in FIVB Volleyball League

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ANI

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July 15, 2022

Advocating the rights of the Uyghur community, several activists from the Union of International East Turkistan NGOs on Thursday infiltrated a volleyball stadium in Turkey and disrupted the scheduled game between China and Italy, local media reported.

The activists from the Union of International East Turkistan NGOs were demonstrating against China’s participation in the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Nations League being held in Ankara Stadium in Turkey.

However, the local authorities prevented the activists from disrupting the game, and Italy won the game by 3-1. Recently, a series of demonstrations and events were held around Turkey.

Several human rights activists around the world have been staging protests against China’s atrocities against Uyghurs, especially in July commemorating the 13th anniversary of the Urumqi massacre, which occurred on July 5, 2009, in Xinjiang, a painful memory for the Uyghur diaspora.

On July 5, the Union of International East Turkistan NGOs and Uyghur Academy Foundation organized a day-long protest at Ulus Square, Ankara, which saw the participation of over 150 people.

The event highlighting the anger against the Chinese government for the heinous Urumqi massacre in 2009 was attended by leaders of Turkey’s political parties.

Good Party Vice President Ridvan Uz and Future Party Vice President Hakverdi Altug attended the event. This was not an isolated protest in Turkey as earlier Islamic scholars and intellectuals had gathered in Istanbul in mid-June for an international conference to highlight the Uyghur genocide and to support their struggle with the Chinese Communist Party.

The Center for Uyghur Studies provides strategic policy recommendations and presents research reports to interfaith entities, related international organizations and governments on the people of East Turkistan/Xinjiang.

Maharashtra: 1 held, 4 booked for negligence in Vasai landslide incident

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ANI

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July 15, 2022

The crime branch arrested one person for negligence in connection with the Vasai landslide incident in which two people were reported dead while two others were severely injured.

The team of Vasai Unit 02 (Crime Branch) under (Mira Bhayandar Vasai Virar) MBVV Police Commissionerate arrested Ajit Singh, an owner of a realty company, last night from the Kandivali area of Mumbai.

Singh, who had constructed the Mitwa chawl, has been booked under IPC section 304 and also Sections 52,53 and 54 of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act (MRTP) Act, 1966 Kandivali area of Mumbai late last night.

The team of Vasai Unit 02 (Crime Branch) under (Mira Bhayandar Vasai Virar) MBVV Police Commissionerate arrested Ajit Singh, an owner of a realty company, last night from the Kandivali area of Mumbai.

Singh, who had constructed the Mitwa chawl, has been booked under IPC section 304 and also Sections 52,53 and 54 of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act (MRTP) Act, 1966 Kandivali area of Mumbai late last night. Video Player is loading.

The Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC) had registered two FIRs at the Waliv police station against a total of 5 persons.

In the second FIR, a case has been registered against Shailendra Nishad, Ratnesh Pandey, Anil Kumar Dubey, and an unidentified real estate agent under the MRTP Act.

A landslide incident was reported in the Vasai area of Palghar district on Wednesday following heavy rainfall which has been pounding several parts of the state.

Earlier, Maharashtra Chief Minister expressed his grief over the incident and took note of the situation. “The relatives of the deceased will be provided Rs 4 lakh each from Palghar District Collector’s Natural Disaster Fund and Rs 2 lakh each from Vasai Virar Corporation. Besides, he instructed the concerned administration to pay Rs 50,000 each to the injured for treatment,” tweeted Eknath Shinde.

A red alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday is said to continue for several districts of Maharashtra, including Raigad, Palghar, Nashik, Pune, Satara, and Kolhapur.

There is an Orange alert for rainfall today in Mumbai, Thane, Gadchiroli, Chandrapur, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and Nandurbar. According to IMD fairly widespread/widespread light/moderate rainfall and thunderstorm/lightning with isolated heavy rainfall are expected over Maharashtra and several other states during the next four to five days.

On Monday, various temples submerged under the Godavari river in Nashik, due to incessant rain over the past three days

France defeat Belgium in Women’s Euro 2022

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ANI

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July 15, 2022

France defeated Belgium in a tight-knitted game by 2-1 in the last match of Matchday2 in the Women’s Euro 2022 here at New York Stadium, South Yorkshire on Thursday.

France saw most of the ball in the match with 60 per cent possession on their side while also creating a lot of chances with a total of 7 shots on target of a total of 27 shots attempted. Belgium looked weak on the other side with only 2 shots in the whole game with one of them being on target.

Kadidiatou Diani gave France an early lead in the match with a headed effort that at the back post. The left-back of France, Sakina Karchaoui assisted the goal with a great lofted ball to the right winger who converted the effort from the six-yard box within 6 minutes of the starting of the match.

Diani got the chance to score a brace in the 15th minute through a tap-in but the ball was parried out by Belgium Goalkeeper Nicky Evrard. The right-footed effort was yet again provided by Karchaoui who was looking dangerous on the left wing for France by constantly creating chances for the team.

In the 17th minute, the French number 9 Marie-Antoinette Katoto had to be taken off the ground as she suffered an injury. It was a major blow for the French team getting their main striker out of the game in the early minutes. She was replaced by striker Ouleymata Sarr.

France was looking comfortable as the game hit the 30-minute mark. Though in the 36th minute Belgium bounced back with a goal from Janice Cayman. An amazing through ball came from Tessa Wullaert as Cayman stretched out to level the score for Belgium. France was quick to gain the lead with a goal from Griedge Mbock Bathy who converted the goal from a short-range header in the 41st minute of the game.

The French number 10, Clara Mateo assisted the goal from a cross which was followed from a corner taken by Mateo herself.

The goal marked the end of the first half. It was a very dominating performance from France with numerous efforts created but after all that Belgium was still in the game thanks to the maiden effort from Belgium left winger Cayman.

Man posing as IPS officer on matrimonial sites arrested in Mumbai

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ANI

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July 15, 2022

A man was arrested for duping a woman and posing as an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer in Mumbai, according to the police. The accused, identified as Abhijeet Parmeshwar Gadhave, used to pose as an IPS officer and claimed that his father was a retired army officer in a fake profile on matrimonial websites.

On the complaint of the woman who was duped by the accused, the Sakinaka Police started the investigation. Police arrested the accused from a building in Ghatkopar on Wednesday.

According to the victim, the accused had introduced himself as an IPS officer and had promised her a job with a company at the Mumbai Airport.

The accused took over Rs 70,000 for providing an ID and joining letter for the company. However, when she contacted the officials at the company, she discovered that the ID and letter were fake. Further investigation into the matter is underway.

ED summons Mumbai’s ex- Police Commissioner Sanjay in NSE-co location scam

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ANI

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July 15, 2022

Enforcement Directorate summoned former Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjay Pandey today in an NSE-co location case. He has been asked to appear before them in Delhi for questioning in the illegal phone tapping of an NSE personnel matter.

On July 9, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) questioned Sanjay Pandey in connection with the illegal phone tapping of National Stock Exchange (NSE) employees. On Friday, following the orders of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), CBI registered a fresh case in the alleged NSE co-location scam that involves the phone tapping of NSE employees.

A senior CBI official informed that searches are underway across the country. The fresh First Information Report (FIR) mentioned the names of former NSE Chief Chitra Ramakrishna, Ravi Narain, and former Mumbai Commissioner Sanjay Pandey for allegedly tapping the phones of NSE officials and other irregularities.

According to a CBI official, it was said that Pandey was not reachable but he himself appeared for CBI’s interrogation. Pandey is a 1986-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer who retired from service on June 30.

During the investigation, it has been found that Pandey is closely related to the functioning and activities of a company called Isec Securities Pvt. Ltd. The company had conducted a security audit of NSE around the time when alleged irregularities had taken place. Isec Securities company was incorporated by Pandey in March 2001 and he quit as its director in May 2006.

His son and mother took over the charge of the company. It has been alleged that illegal phone tapping of NSE employees was done between 2009-17.

Kerala HC grants bail to actor Sreejith in POCSO case

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ANI

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July 15, 2022

The Kerala High Court on Friday granted bail to Malayalam actor Sreejith Ravi in a POCSO case against him for alleged indecent conduct towards two minor girls in public.

The bail was granted on the basis of the argument that he is being treated for a personality disorder.

The alleged incident took place on July 4 and Ravi was arrested by the Thrissur West police on July 7.

According to the police, the actor was sitting in his car and when the two minors (aged 11 and 5) came, he got out and allegedly exhibited his genitals.

The incident took place in the Thrissur district of Kerala. Earlier, the Thrissur Additional Sessions Court had dismissed his bail plea, after which he had approached the Kerala High Court.

Mizoram logs 119 fresh COVID-19 cases, tally at 2,30,348

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PTI

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July 15, 2022

Covid,diseases — Image:Representative/Agencies

Mizoram registered 119 new COVID-19 cases with a single-day positivity rate of 20.24 percent, pushing the tally to 2,30,348, a health department official said on Friday.

The coronavirus death toll, however, remained at 706, he said. On Thursday, the state had reported 105 fresh infections.

Mizoram has the second highest number of active cases in the northeastern region, at 1,067, after Assam (3,150), as per official data on Friday.

The new cases were reported from Aizawl district (61), Lunglei (38), Saitual (14), Champhai (4), and Hnahthial (2).

A total of 2,28,575 people have so far recovered from the disease, including 16 since Thursday, the official said.

The state has thus far tested 19.43 lakh samples for COVID-19.

Heroin worth Rs 80 lakh seized, two arrested in Assam

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PTI

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July 15, 2022

Heroin worth nearly Rs 80 lakh was seized and two persons, including a woman, were arrested in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district, police said on Friday.

Around 122.22 gms of the narcotic, hidden in soap boxes, and around Rs 5,000 were seized from the duo, who were intercepted by police patrolling team at Dokmoka when they were coming in a motorcycle from Dimapur in Nagaland on Thursday evening.

The arrested man was identified to be a resident of Bihar’s Vaishali district and the woman of Bhuragaon in Morigaon district of Assam, the police said.

The seized heroin is worth about Rs 80 lakh in the international market, it added.

NATO & G7 nations tighten noose around China

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ANI

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July 14, 2022

CHINA 1 — NATO & G7 nations tighten noose around China 11

The recent North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in Madrid and G7 summit held in Germany have exerted pressure on China’s ambitions and “coercive policies” in the Indo-Pacific.

European leaders have grown increasingly wary of China in recent years, and those views have hardened after Beijing has refused to condemn the “Russian invasion of Ukraine,” reported Global Strat View. China has been included in NATO’s “Strategic Concept,” adopted at the bloc’s summit in Madrid, Spain, on June 29-30 for the first time.

It lays out the security challenges facing the 30-country military alliance while outlining a course of action and suggests China’s ambitions and “coercive policies” challenge the allies’ interests, security, and values.

China found a special mention in both the summit’s communique and the ‘Strategic Concept’ document. NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg remarked China is not an adversary, but it does represent serious challenges to the alliance, reported Global Strat View.

He further averred that “China’s growing assertiveness and its coercive policies have consequences for the security of Allies and our partners.” The new Strategic Concept outlines NATO’s transformation in line with the NATO 2030 agenda adopted at the 2021 Summit.

The messaging was clear that in addition to NATO’s “Euro-Atlantic” focus, the alliance is eager to expand its strategic influence in the Indo-Pacific region and tackle the emerging China challenge.

The statement further noted, “We urge NATO to stop provoking confrontation by drawing ideological lines, abandon the Cold War mentality and zero-sum game approach, and stop spreading disinformation and provocative statements against China.”

Meanwhile, the NATO alliance warned that Beijing is working to “subvert the rulesbased international order, including in the space, cyber and maritime domains,” which would have direct strategic implications for the US and its alliance partners in Europe and outside.

Although it was the first-time inclusion of China in NATO’s policy document and the G7’s communique, this trend will continue in future summits as well, reported Global Strat View.