ED attaches UAE-based fugitive’s Gurugram properties valued at Rs 90 crore

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, Feb 27 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached properties worth Rs 90.04 crore in Gurugram linked to the UAE-based fugitive Inderjeet Singh Yadav, who is allegedly involved in coercive settlements of loans given by private financers and other crimes, including murder and cheating and fraud involving over Rs 110 crore, an official said on Friday.

The ED’s Gurugram Zonal Office attached various plots, residential and commercial properties owned by Yadav and his wife Reena Kumari, the official said in a statement.

The ED had issued provisional attachment order under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, on Thursday for attaching the immovable properties.

The ED initiated the investigation on the basis of more than 15 FIRs registered and charge sheets filed by Haryana Police and Uttar Pradesh Police against Yadav and his associates under various provisions of the Arms Act, 1959, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

“In the FIRs, it has been alleged that Yadav, owner and key controller of Gem Records Entertainment Private Limited (operating as ‘Gems Tunes’), is a known strongman involved in criminal activities like murder, extortion, coercive settlements of loans given by private financers, fraud, cheating, illegal land grabbing, and violent offences,” the ED statement said.

Yadav is wanted in various cases by the Haryana Police and is currently absconding and operating from the UAE, it added.

The ED investigation revealed that corporate houses like Apollo Green Energy Limited and others allegedly availed huge private loans from private financers based in Dighal at Jhajjar in Haryana and issued postdated cheques as security.

“The investigation established that Yadav acted as a strongman and enforcer, who facilitated coercive settlements of these high-value private loan disputes running into hundreds of crores of rupees, through threats, intimidation and the use of armed associates/local armed gangs with the involvement of organised crime syndicates operating from abroad,” the ED said.

Yadav has also been named to be involved in the murder of a Dighal-based financier and is reportedly absconding in that case, the central probe agency added.

Investigation so far has unearthed proceeds of crime amounting to more than Rs 110 crore attributable to Yadav, which were subsequently utilised for acquisition of immovable properties, luxury vehicles and maintenance of a lavish lifestyle, while declaring minimal income in his tax returns.

“Despite being given multiple opportunities, Yadav has not joined investigation by allegedly residing in the UAE thereby evading due process of law,” the ED said.

Earlier in this case, the ED had conducted search operations at various premises related to Yadav and other related persons/entities resulting into seizure of cash amounting to Rs 6.41 crore, jewellery valued at Rs 17.4 crore, five luxury vehicles, multiple cheque books and documents relating to immovable properties valued at Rs 35 crore and other incriminating documents and digital data.

–IANS

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EU, India free trade pact to be world’s largest deal: Ursula Von Der Layen

New Delhi, Feb 28 (IANS) India and the European Union have agreed to go ahead with a free trade agreement this year, which will be “the largest deal of this kind” in the world, European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen said on Friday.

“A free trade agreement between the EU and India would be the largest deal of this kind anywhere in the world. I am well aware it will not be easy. But I also know that timing and determination count and that this partnership comes at the right moment for both of us,” Ursula Von Der Leyen, who is on a two-day visit to India, said.

“This is why we have agreed with Prime Minister Modi to push to get it done during this year. And you can count on my full commitment to make sure we can deliver,” she said.

In an oblique reference to US President Donald Trump’s high-tariff policy, Ursula Von Der Leyen said the 27-nation bloc, as well as India, are facing “geopolitical and geoeconomic headwinds” and “a more aggressive posture from major powers”.

“The EU and India have potential to be one of the defining partnerships of the century. Our partnership will be around trade and technology, security and defence, and connectivity. Batteries, pharma, chips, clean hydrogen will be among areas of focus,” she said.

The announcement comes in the wake of the geopolitical and geoeconomic churn that is taking place with Trump embarking on an ‘America First’ policy that has added to global uncertainties. The trade war that Trump has triggered has cast a shadow on the revival of the world economy. Pressure has also mounted on European countries to divert more resources to prop up defence, which could hit the production of other goods and spending on social welfare.

The EU is also exploring a future security and defence partnership with India, modelled on the lines of agreements that have been signed with Japan and South Korea.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held discussions with his European Union counterpart on Friday morning.

“Had a candid and insightful discussion with EU Trade Commissioner Macros Sefcovic over breakfast today on the India-EU FTA and the progress of the Trade and Technology Council. Exciting times are ahead as we work towards elevating our trade & investment ties to the next level as trusted partners,” the Indian Minister posted on X.

–IANS

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TDP MPs meet PM Modi, HM Shah; discuss Andhra Pradesh-related issues

New Delhi, Aug 11 (IANS) Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MPs on Monday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss key issues concerning Andhra Pradesh.

The TDP MPs led by parliamentary party leader Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu along with Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu and Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications, Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani had separate meetings with the Prime Minister and the Home Minister.

Lavu Krishna said on behalf of TDP Parliamentary Party, they presented to the Prime Minister a comprehensive report analysing the Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes of the Government of India, and their implementation status in Andhra Pradesh.

“We also expressed our appreciation for Operation Sindhoor, a testament to India’s resolve in safeguarding national security, and discussed the importance of protecting farmers’ interests in ongoing and future trade negotiations to ensure fair opportunities and sustainable livelihoods,” he posted on X.

The TDP Parliamentary Party leader stated that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, the NDA led Government remains steadfast in its commitment to fast-tracking Andhra Pradesh’s development and prosperity.

The TDP MPs later had a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah. Lavu Krishna said they discussed key issues concerning Andhra Pradesh and explore avenues for accelerating the state’s development.

Meanwhile, Ram Mohan Naidu posted on X that they submitted a representation seeking the expeditious approval of the FCRA application of Rural Development Trust (RDT), Anantapur.

The Civil Aviation Minister stated that Andhra Pradesh is committed to advancing the Government of India’s mission of inclusive rural development.

“The FCRA approval for RDT is essential to ensure the continuation of its transformative initiatives, particularly in the Anantapur region. For decades, RDT has been a lifeline for vulnerable communities, delivering impactful interventions in healthcare, education, women’s empowerment, livelihoods, and sports. Its work touches over 4.5 lakh families across more than 3,900 villages, with a significant footprint in Anantapur, one of the most drought-prone districts in the country. Approving the FCRA application will enable RDT to sustain and scale its service to the people who need it most,” he added.

Hindupur MP BK Pardhasaradhi, Anantapur MP G Lakshminarayana, Rajya Sabha members Beeda Masthan Rao, Sana Satish, MLAs from Anantapur and Hindupur region Kalva Srinivasulu, Paritala Suneetha, MS Raju, A. Surendra Babu, D. Venkateshwara Prasad and Paritala Sriram were present.

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Plea in SC seeks protection of all wetlands under 2017 conservation and management rules

New Delhi, Dec 22 (IANS) A plea has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking direction that all wetlands of size less than 2.25 hectares be notified and protected under the provisions of the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017.

The application for direction has been filed in the pending matter relating to the conservation of wetlands and other water bodies also, including ponds, tanks, canals, creeks, and water channels.

The applicants, Manu Bhatnagar and Vikrant Tongad, said that the fast shrinking of water bodies, including wetlands, such as ponds, lakes, oxbows, johads (traditional rainwater harvesting wetlands), tanks, channels, streams, reservoirs etc., is posing an unprecedented grave danger to the very drinking water needs of millions of citizens across the country, endangering the water security and very survival of countless citizens.

“It is not only vital but an urgent, emergent, pressing need to preserve, protect and augment all water bodies, including but not limited to wetlands, whether natural or man-made, so as to be able to provide and fulfil the basic drinking water needs of millions of citizens across the country, in the least,” stated the application.

It added that water bodies such as ponds, lakes, oxbows, johads, tanks, channels, streams, reservoirs etc. are constantly and alarmingly being encroached across the country as they are not recognised and recorded in the revenue records/maps.

The plea prayed that all water bodies, whether natural or man-made, at their highest flood level, be legally protected and wetlands, including seasonal or whose water-spread shrinks in the lean season or otherwise, be recorded in the revenue records/maps at their highest spread, during a normal monsoon.

The plea referred to the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti’s First Census Report on Water Bodies, published in April 2023.

“The census enumerated a total of 24,24,540 water bodies across the country, out of which 97.1 per cent (23,55,055) are in rural areas and only 2.9 per cent (69,485) are in urban areas. (O)ut of 24,24,540 enumerated water bodies, the information on ‘water spread area’ has been reported in respect of 23,37,638 water bodies. Out of these 23,37,638 water bodies, 72.4 per cent of water bodies have a water spread area less than 0.5 hectares, whereas only 3.1 per cent of water bodies have a water spread area more than 5 hectares,” said the plea.

In 2017, the Supreme Court had directed the preparation of brief documents of 2,01,503 wetlands by the states and the protection of these wetlands under Rule 4 of the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010.

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