Don’t shed crocodile tears, answer real questions: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta to Kejriwal

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, Feb 27 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday said that former CM Arvind Kejriwal of the AAP is guilty before the people of the city and the reprieve offered to him by the trial court in the liquor policy scam is not the final truth but merely a part of the legal process.

“The truth will ultimately prevail and, therefore, Kejriwal should not shed crocodile tears,” the CM said, taking a swipe at the AAP National Convenor, who broke down before newspersons after the trial court discharged him and others in the case on Friday.

The CM made it clear that her government has full respect for the judiciary and honours court decisions. However, portraying this verdict as a “clean chit” is misleading, she said.

“The court, in its order, referred to a ‘lack of evidence’. Insufficient evidence and being completely innocent are two different things. The legal process is not yet complete, and the matter may go to the High Court,” the CM said.

Chief Minister Gupta said she wants to raise some questions that the people of Delhi deserve answers to.

“If the liquor policy was so excellent and revenue-enhancing, why was it withdrawn as soon as the investigation began? Why was there a U-turn by scrapping the new policy and reverting to the old one? If there were no flaws in the policy, why was it not continued? Why did the wholesale profit margin increase from five per cent to 12 per cent, and who benefited from it? Why were changes made to the licensing structure that later raised serious concerns? Under what circumstances were these changes made, and who was the real beneficiary?” she asked.

She stated that during the investigation, it emerged that around 160 to 170 mobile phones were changed over a period of approximately 200 days. Why was there a need to change such a large number of phones? she questioned.

“Why were questions raised regarding digital records? If there was nothing to hide, why did such circumstances arise? All of this creates serious suspicion, she said.

“The Supreme Court had earlier noted prima facie indications of large-scale financial transactions in its orders. Similarly, the Delhi High Court had also treated the matter as serious,” Rekha Gupta said.

Chief Minister Gupta said that the CAG report had indicated a potential revenue loss of thousands of crores of rupees.

“That money belongs to the people of Delhi. Public trust is the greatest capital of any government. If that trust has been shaken, accountability must be fixed. If someone calls himself “staunchly honest,” why were there allegations of evading investigation? Why were there reports of summons being ignored? A truly honest leader does not run from questions, but faces them and provides answers,” she said.

The CM said that the people of Delhi have already delivered their political verdict, adding that now the judicial process will move forward.

“Higher courts will re-examine the evidence, and facts will emerge. We have full faith in the judicial system,” said Rekha Gupta.

The Chief Minister stated firmly that respecting the law is everyone’s responsibility, but no one is above accountability. The truth will come out, and the final verdict is yet to be delivered.

–IANS

rch/uk

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Maharashtra: Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad assaults canteen staff, blames it on ‘rotten food’

Mumbai, July 9 (IANS) A political storm has erupted after a video surfaced showing Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad assaulting a canteen worker at the state-run Akashvani MLA Guest House in Mumbai. A wave of anger and outage followed but he presented his unapologetic stance and justified the act claiming that he was served ‘rotten food’.

The incident, which has taken place during the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Maharashtra Assembly, has drawn severe condemnation from various quarters and has quickly gone viral on social media.

The video shows Gaikwad, who represents Buldhana, slapping and punching a canteen worker allegedly over the “poor quality of food” served to him, particularly a portion of dal that he claimed was spoiled and stinking.

The MLA’s aggressive outburst has triggered widespread outrage and political criticism.

However, speaking to IANS, Gaikwad attempted to justify the assault, insisting that the food was indeed unfit for consumption.

“I had ordered food from the Akashvani canteen — rice, dal and curry. After the first bite, I felt something was wrong with the food. By the second bite, I vomited. The food was completely rotten, the dal was spoiled,” he said.

He claimed that this was not the first time he had raised concerns over food quality at the canteen.

“Earlier also, I have repeatedly asked the canteen owner to give good quality food. Thousands of people come here — don’t make them sick by serving bad food. You cook 15-day-old eggs and spoiled chicken, which is not fair,” he said.

Defending his actions further, the MLA said, “That day, I also went to the manager with the food that I was served and asked him to smell it. He even admitted that the food smelled bad. I asked other workers in the canteen to smell it, and they agreed with me. So I reacted in my own style. If someone doesn’t understand Hindi, Marathi, or English — or even my request with folded hands — and repeats the same mistake, then I had to take these steps.”

Gaikwad claimed he did not know the identity of the worker.

“I don’t know the person’s name or religion. All I knew was that he was playing with my life, and I reacted,” he added.

As the video spread, political leaders, including those from Shiv Sena (UBT), condemned the MLA’s behaviour.

In response, Gaikwad recalled a previous controversy involving Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and then-MP Rajan Vichare, who in 2014 was accused of force-feeding a fasting IRCTC employee during Ramzan.

“He force-fed the waiter and assaulted him. At least I did not do that. I did not insult the food. Additionally, I did not do anything wrong. I don’t care what people say,” Gaikwad remarked.

–IANS

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Masala Bond a major financial scam benefitting Canadian firm: CWC member Chennithala

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 1 (IANS) Senior Congress leader and CWC member Ramesh Chennithala on Monday alleged that the Masala Bond issue is one of the biggest financial scams in Kerala’s history and claimed it directly benefited a Canadian firm with links to the controversial SNC-Lavalin case.

On Monday the news surfaced that the ED has served notices to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, former Finance Minister Thomas Isaac among others over alleged violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) in the issuance and use of Masala Bonds by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).

Chennithala accused CM Vijayan and Isaac of favouring the Canadian pension fund CDPQ by issuing Masala Bonds at an excessively high interest rate of 9.72 per cent when similar Indian bonds were available internationally between 5.5 and 7.5, and World Bank rates were just around 2.5 per cent.

Chennithala argued that while CDPQ held a 20 per cent stake in SNC-Lavalin — the Canadian engineering and construction company involved in the Rs 375-crore case in which CM Vijayan was the seventh accused — the Masala Bond deal was structured to favour the Canadian firm through a private placement even before it was publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange.

“The bonds were secretly allotted before March 29, 2019, and the money had already reached KIIFB. Yet on April 1, the Chief Minister went to London only to formally announce the listing,” he said, alleging it was a political showcase masking a pre-arranged transaction.

He pointed out that other development loans, such as those from the ADB, were available at less than 4 per cent, and Kerala had previously secured funds for Kochi Metro at 1.35 and Water Metro at 1.55 per cent.

However, Masala Bonds worth Rs 2,150 crore were taken at 9.72 per cent, costing the state Rs 1,045 crore in interest alone, with a total repayment of Rs 3,195 crore.

“The only true beneficiary was CDPQ,” he said.

Chennithala also dismissed the recent Enforcement Directorate notice as an election-season gimmick, claiming it was intended to dispel perceptions of a “hidden alliance” between the BJP and CPI(M).

“Like in the gold smuggling case this, too, will fade because of the warm relationship between Narendra Modi and Pinarayi Vijayan,” he alleged.

He further added that even the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had recorded rule violations in the issuance of the bonds.

–IANS

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Two Jodhpur businessmen die in Thailand; bodies found in hotel pool, repatriation expected today

Jaipur, Dec 4 (IANS) Two businessmen from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, vacationing in Thailand with their families, died under mysterious circumstances after being found in the swimming pool of their hotel. The exact cause of their drowning is not yet known.

The deceased have been identified as Anil Kataria, owner of Jiman Restaurant in Ratanada, and Harish Dewani, a noted glass artist who ran a specialised glass workshop in the same locality. Both were travelling with their wives and children, who remain in Thailand.

According to initial information, the incident occurred on the evening of December 1. The two reportedly entered the pool for a swim when one of them began to drown, and the other probably lost his life while trying to rescue him. However, the sequence of events has not been officially confirmed.

When the duo failed to return to their rooms for nearly 90 minutes, their wives began searching for them and alerted hotel staff. CCTV footage later showed both men drowning. Their bodies were recovered shortly after from the swimming pool.

Harish’s elder son and a relative of Anil have since travelled to Thailand to complete legal procedures. The process is understood to be complete, and the bodies are expected to reach Jodhpur by Thursday evening. They have not yet issued any statement.

A pall of grief hangs over both families in Ratanada. Relatives and neighbours have gathered, though many are avoiding conversations due to shock. Sources said Anil’s elderly father has not yet been informed because of health concerns.

Harish Dewani was also known internationally for his expertise in trans-print glass engraving. His sandblasted glasswork drew widespread appreciation, and tourists often visited his Jodhpur workshop to view his creations. He also trained international students through online sessions to promote the craft.

Further details are awaited once the families return from Thailand.

–IANS

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