Category: TOP STORIES

Lucknow, Jan 14 (IANS) In a major crackdown on one of Uttar Pradesh’s biggest recruitment exam scams, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday filed a supplementary chargesheet against 18 accused persons. These individuals include alleged mastermind Rajiv Nayan Mishra in the UP Police Constable Recruitment Exam–2023 paper leak case.

The chargesheet was filed before the Special Judge, CBI Court, Lucknow, designated as a Special Court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

The ED investigation was initiated based on an FIR registered on March 6, 2024, by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (UPSTF) at Kanker Kheda police station in Meerut. During the probe, multiple other FIRs related to the same conspiracy—registered across different dates and police stations—were identified and clubbed with the investigation.

According to the ED, the accused persons hatched a well-organised criminal conspiracy to leak question papers of both the UP Police Constable Recruitment Examination–2023 (UPPCRE-2023) and the UP Review Officer/Assistant Review Officer Examination–2023 (RO/ARO Exam). The leaked papers were allegedly sold to candidates for hefty sums, who memorised the questions and answers before appearing in the exams conducted in February 2024.

Investigators further revealed that money generated from the RO/ARO exam paper leak was used to finance the UP Police Constable exam leak, exposing a layered and self-sustaining fraud network.

As part of the money laundering probe, the ED identified assets worth Rs 1.02 crore as Proceeds of Crime (POC) and attached them through a Provisional Attachment Order dated August 6, 2024, which was later confirmed by the PMLA Adjudicating Authority, New Delhi.

Earlier, Ravi Attri and Subhash Prakash had been arrested by the agency. They were arrested on November 18, 2024. A chargesheet against seven accused, including these two, was filed on January 10, 2025, and the court has already taken cognisance. The case is currently under trial.

The ED stated that further investigation is being conducted. The agency has indicated that more disclosures and legal action may follow in the sprawling exam scam that rocked the state’s recruitment system.

–IANS

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Bengaluru, Jan 14 (IANS) Purported audio clips of a Karnataka Congress leader from Chikkaballapur district allegedly abusing and threatening a woman Municipal Commissioner have triggered outrage and raised serious concerns in the state on Wednesday.

The controversy, arising out of the removal of a banner, has proved to be a major embarrassment for the ruling party.

It may be recalled that a clash between BJP and Congress workers in Ballari over a banner recently resulted in the death of a Congress worker. Even before the Congress-led government could recover from that incident, a fresh case of alleged misconduct by a Congress leader against a senior woman officer has triggered widespread anger.

The incident allegedly involves local Congress leader Rajeev Gowda, who is accused of hurling abuses and issuing threats to Sidlaghatta Municipal Commissioner Amrutha Gowda over the phone.

Rajeev Gowda is a KPCC state coordinator and the defeated Congress candidate from the Sidlaghatta Assembly constituency.

According to the allegations, Gowda was enraged over the removal of an illegally-installed banner from the middle of the road and threatened the Commissioner in abusive language. The Municipal Commissioner has filed a complaint stating that the threats were issued after municipal authorities removed the unauthorised banner.

As per the complaint, during the phone conversation, Rajeev Gowda allegedly issued serious threats, stating: “I will set you on fire, beat you with slippers, and incite riots.”

In the first purported audio clip, Gowda is allegedly heard asking the Municipal Commissioner: “Did you order the removal of the banner? If the banner is removed, I will come there and set it on fire. Who removed it? He must reinstall it. Otherwise, I will show who I am.”

At this point, the woman officer, addressing him as “sir”, asks him to mind his language while speaking about officials. She explains that the banner was removed following an accident and has been kept at the office.

Gowda is then allegedly heard saying: “I won’t remain human if I come there. Everyone will be chased out of this taluk.”

The officer asks him to listen and informs him that no permission was taken for the banner and that it was installed illegally. This reportedly angers Gowda further, and he allegedly says that if he decides, no one will be able to work even for a second. The officer again asks him not to use abusive language.

Gowda is also allegedly heard saying that people will beat officers with slippers and that he will show it by coming with people from all wards.

In another purported audio clip, Gowda is allegedly heard telling the officer: “If you disconnect the call, you will face consequences. I know what is happening. I am quiet only because someone from my community is there. I am being patient. If you do not reinstall the banner, you will regret it. There are issues in every ward. I will come with people, stage a dharna, and you will have to run out of this region.”

He further allegedly says: “I am not my father’s son if I do not do this. I will show you what responsibility is. I thought you belonged to my caste and stayed quiet, but you are trying to act smart. I will show you what your responsibility is.”

He is also allegedly heard saying: “If any banner is found installed without permission, I will get you beaten up.” The officer counters him by asking what he means by getting them beaten up.

The issue has sparked a major political controversy in the state, with the BJP demanding the arrest of Rajeev Gowda under the Goonda Act.

–IANS

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Pune, Jan 14 (IANS) In a sensational claim that has stirred Maharashtra’s political circles, Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar has accused the previous BJP-Shiv Sena alliance government of inflating the cost of an irrigation project by Rs 110 crore to collect “party funds.”

The allegations come at a time when the NCP is contesting municipal elections in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad independently, leading to a direct face-off with its state-level ally, the BJP.

Speaking at a press conference in Pune, Ajit Pawar claimed that before the NCP came to power in 1999, the then-government had significantly hiked project costs.

Talking about the Purandar Lift Irrigation scheme, he said, “The Maharashtra Krishna Valley Development Corporation (MKVDC) was under my jurisdiction. I still have the records.”

“The Purandar scheme was originally estimated at a certain amount, but when I took over, I found the cost had escalated to Rs 330 crore. When I questioned officials about how the cost jumped by Rs 110 crore, they told me that Rs 100 crore was added because ‘party funds’ were required, and officials added another Rs 10 crore on top of that.”

Deputy CM Pawar further asserted that he had cancelled the inflated scheme at the time.

“I have the signed documents as evidence. If I had released these files earlier, it would have caused a massive stir because the signatures are right there,” he added.

The timing of these remarks is significant as NCP is currently in a bitter struggle for dominance in the Pune region against both NCP (SP) and the BJP.

Earlier in the week, Pawar had also targeted the BJP by reminding the public that those who once accused him of a “Rs 70,000 crore irrigation scam” are now sitting in power with him.

DCM Pawar’s latest “bomb” is seen as a direct hit on his current cabinet colleagues, as a BJP leader held the Irrigation Department in the 1990s. However, the BJP has reacted sharply to the allegations.

Revenue Minister and former state BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule questioned Pawar’s silence for the last 25 years. “We have an agreement that, despite political differences, there should be no personal malice. We don’t understand why Ajit Pawar is acting this way,” Minister Bawankule said.

“Pawar is a senior leader, and we did not expect this from him. If he had these files and evidence in 1999, why did he stay silent until now? He should have disclosed this back then,” Bawankule said.

Minister Bawankule suggested that Pawar’s outbursts might be a result of “negative feedback” regarding the NCP’s prospects in the upcoming Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal elections.

–IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 14 (IANS) Three-time legislator Ayisha Potty has strongly countered the CPI(M)’s criticism branding her a “class traitor” following her decision to join the Congress, questioning what she called the party’s selective use of labels.

It was on Tuesday that Potty was officially given membership of the Congress party.

She asked whether the same term was applied to leaders such as P. Sarin and Shobhana George, who had earlier moved from the Congress to the CPI(M).

Responding to allegations of betrayal, Potty accused Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal of failing to complete even the development projects she had initiated during her tenure.

She said several of the programmes she conceptualised were either stalled or left unfinished, despite her repeatedly raising the issue with the minister.

“When someone works sincerely and completes responsibilities entrusted by the party on three occasions, and is later told there is no space left, how else should that be described?” she asked.

Incidentally Potty is a three time legislator from Kottarakara starting from 2006 and in 2021 she was not given a renomination and in her place Balagopal was given the seat and he went on to become the Finance Minister.

She also stated that she was deliberately excluded from programmes she herself had launched, and that this marginalisation was now being described as ideological betrayal.

Potty said the CPI(M) should allow individuals the freedom to express grievances openly within the party.

The CPI(M), however, rejected her claims and accused her of being driven by political ambition.

Party General Secretary M.A. Baby said Potty had been given ample opportunities, pointing out that she had served as an MLA three times and as District Panchayat President.

“The claim that she was sidelined has no basis,” he said, adding that her decision to leave the party did not command respect.

He also stated that her exit would not have any significant impact on Kottarakkara or the broader electoral outcome in Kollam district.

Meanwhile, the Congress has moved swiftly to project Potty as a key asset in Kottarakkara.

Party leaders believe her popularity among women and various community organisations, combined with the Congress’ traditional vote base, could tilt the balance in a constituency the UDF has not won in nearly two decades.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 14 (IANS) Marking the 66th anniversary of their diplomatic relations earlier this week, India and Cuba have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation based on mutual respect, collaboration, and solidarity.

Diplomatic ties between the two countries were established in 1960, with India being among the first Asian nations to recognise the Cuban Revolution. The relationship was strengthened by early high-level interactions, including visits by Che Guevara and Fidel Castro, and engagements with India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

Bilateral engagement witnessed significant momentum last year, highlighted by a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Brazil.

High-level exchanges also included visits by Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Eduardo Martínez Díaz to India and Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita to Cuba, during which agreements were signed to enhance legal and cultural cooperation.

India remains a key partner in Cuba’s pharmaceutical sector and both sides are exploring collaboration in biotechnology, IT, tourism, agriculture, energy, and mining. Cooperation has also expanded in capacity building, with Cuban professionals participating in ITEC programmes and new initiatives in healthcare, traditional medicine, and disaster response.

Academic, cultural, sports, and renewable energy cooperation further strengthened bilateral ties during the year. Both countries expressed confidence that the partnership will continue to grow in 2026, with India’s BRICS Chairship expected to create new opportunities for engagement.

In November, guided by the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world is one family — India stood in solidarity with the people of Cuba following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa and delivered approximately 20 tonnes of Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) materials to Havana.

The gesture reaffirmed bonds of friendship and humanitarian cooperation. The consignment included a special Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita, and Maitri (BHISHM) medical trauma unit, essential medicines, electricity generators, tents, bedding, kitchen and hygiene kits, solar lanterns and other essential items to aid recovery efforts.

Expressing gratitude to India, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Eduardo Rodríguez Parrilla took to his social media, stating, “We thank India for the donation of numerous supplies for the victims in the east of Cuba due to hurricane Melissa. Thank you, esteemed EAM S. Jaishankar, for this noble gesture from the Indian government.”

–IANS

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Indore, Jan 14 (IANS) Senior BJP leader and Madhya Pradesh Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya on Wednesday said that “challenges will not be resolved by speaking ill of each other” and can only be addressed through collective effort.

The Minister made the remarks in the backdrop of the contaminated water tragedy in Indore’s Bhagirathpura area while addressing a state government programme under AMRUT 2.0 (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) in the city.

“Challenges will come and go, and we will have to face them. They won’t be resolved by speaking ill of each other. Those who are protesting here in Indore, I can tell them what the BJP has done for the development of Indore,” Vijayvargiya said, in an apparent reference to the opposition Congress, which has been accusing the BJP government over the water contamination incident.

Highlighting the years-long effort behind making Indore the cleanest city in the country, Vijayvargiya said he would challenge anyone who wants to debate the issue.

“You are insulting the people of Indore just because of one incident. Those who have questions on Indore’s cleanliness should think twice before questioning,” he said.

In a scathing attack on the Congress, Vijayvargiya further said the people of Indore struggled for years for Narmada water.

“Indore’s development can’t be imagined without Narmada,” the BJP leader said, adding that the opposition had insulted the sanitation workers who have helped make Indore the cleanest city in the country.

Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava, who also addressed the event, said the water contamination tragedy in Bhagirathpura was painful for the people of Indore and Madhya Pradesh and steps are being taken to ensure that such an incident never occurs in future.

Bhargava, who has been under fire from both the opposition Congress and the BJP after water contamination resulted in a health crisis and several deaths in recent weeks, said the Bhagirathpura tragedy has taught many lessons to Indore.

Notably, the state Congress last week questioned Indore’s tag as the cleanest city.

Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Umang Singhar, who visited Bhagirathpura, had accused the BJP government of submitting a “fake report” on Indore’s cleanliness.

–IANS

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Chandigarh, Jan 14 (IANS) The Haryana Right to Service (RTS) Commission has termed the practice of issuing electricity bills on an average basis for a long period and subsequently serving consumers with one-time excessively high bills in cases related to Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) as a serious case of administrative negligence.

Citing a case, the commission spokesperson said they found the consumer either did not receive bills for a long time or was issued negative bills, which were not payable. Thereafter, an electricity bill of approximately Rs 2.38 lakh was issued.

Even after the complaint was lodged, the rectification was carried out in a phased and incomplete manner, exposing the irresponsible working of the officials concerned, it said.

The commission also observed that the mandatory prior notice and minimum time limits prescribed under the Electricity Supply Code were not followed.

Exercising its penal powers under Section 17 (1) (h) of the Haryana Right to Service Act, 2014, the commission ordered the imposition of a Rs 5,000 fine on two officials responsible for preparing incorrect sundry entries and directed each of them to pay Rs 1,000 as compensation to the consumer.

Also, the commission expressed dissatisfaction with those officials who approved the incorrect sundry and directed that their names be recorded in the commission’s records.

The commission ordered that the consumer be paid additional compensation at the rate of Rs 500 for each billing cycle wrongly issued since July 2022. This amount shall initially be paid by the corporation from its own funds and may later be recovered from the erring agency or officials.

In another case from Hisar district, electricity bills were issued on an average basis in two power accounts of a consumer from March 2020 to February 2024.

Earlier, bills used to reflect a bi-monthly consumption of around 160 units, but later, one account showed consumption of approximately 45,000 units, resulting in a bill of more than Rs 3 lakh, while the second account reflected consumption of about 20,000 units, leading to a bill of Rs 98,000.

The commission termed this as imposing an excessive financial burden on the consumer and causing severe mental harassment.

–IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 14 (IANS) CWC member and legislator Ramesh Chennithala on Wednesday asserted that the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) would return to power in Kerala with a decisive mandate, winning more than 100 seats in the upcoming Assembly elections, expected to be held in April this year.

He said that the public mood across the State was clearly in favour of a change in government, a reality that, according to him, only the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has failed to recognise.

Addressing the media in Thiruvananthapuram, Chennithala pointed to the UDF’s strong performance in recent panchayat and parliamentary elections as clear evidence of growing public support.

“The people of Kerala want a change. That desire is unmistakable,” he said, expressing confidence that the electoral verdict would reflect this sentiment.

Responding to speculation over possible political realignments, Chennithala said discussions would become relevant only if Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K. Mani decided to exit the Left Democratic Front (LDF).

He noted that Jose K. Mani’s party had repeatedly stated that it remained part of the LDF.

“Trying to pull a party that is firmly within another front is not the right approach. Unless they themselves express interest in leaving, such discussions have no relevance,” he said.

Chennithala also referred to the recent remarks made by three-time former CPI(M) legislator Ayisha Potty after her exit from the CPI(M), describing them as politically significant.

He recalled her statement that the Communist Party she had joined was not the party that exists today.

“She comes from a Communist family. When someone like her speaks about the degeneration of the party, it must be taken seriously,” he said.

Clarifying the UDF’s political strategy, Chennithala said expanding the alliance’s mass base did not mean poaching parties, but consolidating support among like-minded people committed to secular and democratic values.

He said voters had endorsed this approach in successive elections.

On the controversy surrounding housing projects in Wayanad, Chennithala accused the CPI(M) of spreading misinformation.

He said that after the Congress purchased land for housing, the Left was now branding it a wildlife corridor.

“The land has been certified as habitable, and houses will be built there,” he said, urging the media not to amplify what he termed the CPI(M)’s campaign of falsehoods.

–IANS

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Agartala, Jan 14 (IANS) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said on Wednesday that he would again raise the issue of the killing of Tripura student Angel Chakma with his Uttarakhand counterpart Pushkar Singh Dhami during a meeting in New Delhi to expedite the investigation in the murder.

Angel Chakma was killed in Dehradun in an alleged racially-motivated attack.

On Wednesday, the Chief Minister visited Angel’s family at their residence in Nandan Nagar, on the outskirts of Agartala, and assured them of all possible support.

Later, in a post on his X handle, Saha said: “Visited the house of late Angel Chakma at Nandannagar, Agartala, and met his grieving parents and family members. I expressed my heartfelt condolences and assured them of all possible support from the State Government. I will also take up the matter with the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami Ji, to ensure the investigation is expedited..”

Speaking to the media later, Saha said that he would visit the national Capital on January 18 to attend a two-day meeting from January 19–20 of all Chief Ministers, during which he would discuss the Angel Chakma killing with his Uttarakhand counterpart.

“Chief Minister Dhami had earlier informed me that five of the accused have been arrested and a financial reward has been announced to nab the sixth accused. Since the incident, I have been in constant touch with the Uttarakhand government,” Saha said.

According to the Chief Minister, the attackers first assaulted Angel’s younger brother, Michael Chakma, and when Angel tried to protect his brother, he was violently attacked by the assailants on December 9 in the BJP-ruled state.

The Tripura government has already provided an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh to Angel’s family and is considering extending further help.

The Uttarakhand government has also provided an ex gratia of Rs 4.12 lakh to the bereaved family, while the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) has extended Rs 3 lakh as financial aid.

Angel Chakma, a 24-year-old MBA final-year student, succumbed to his injuries on December 26 after battling for life for 18 days in a hospital in Dehradun.

The family has demanded a CBI probe into the incident.

The killing triggered widespread outrage across all eight northeastern states, with several Chief Ministers and leaders from almost all political parties, including the BJP, Congress, Tipra Motha Party and Left parties, demanding strict punishment for those involved.

Several organisations held candlelight marches, torch rallies and protest programmes in Agartala and other places to condemn the incident.

Meanwhile, senior BJP leader from Uttarakhand and former Rajya Sabha member Tarun Vijay also met Angel’s family recently and demanded the strictest punishment for the murderers.

Condemning the incident, Vijay had said exemplary punishment must be awarded to deter such crimes in the future. He added that the Tripura Chief Minister had held several discussions with his Uttarakhand counterpart regarding the case.

Vijay also proposed that Angel Chakma’s younger brother, Michael Chakma, be provided a government job in Tripura to ensure the family’s financial stability. He further suggested the formation of a special Northeast cell within the Uttarakhand Police to address cases of racial abuse and discrimination.

–IANS

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