FEMA case: ED seizes cash, gold and silver bars after raids on Ahmedabad tobacco firm

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Ahmedabad, Feb 25 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) Ahmedabad Zonal unit conducted searches at nine locations in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, targeting the premises of Anas Group and its associated partners, officials said.

The group is involved in the processing, packaging, and manufacturing of tobacco products under the brand names “Amber Tobacco”, “Umda Tobacco”, and “Sama Filter Khaini”.

The action was taken under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999, following information from reliable sources indicating that members of the Nagariya family, associated with Anas Group and its partners, hold multiple overseas assets.

These include high-value properties and investments in Dubai, allegedly funded through hawala transactions and unauthorised banking channels.

During the searches, ED officials seized Indian currency totalling Rs 1.01 crore and foreign currency equivalent to approximately Rs 33.34 lakh.

Officials also recovered 16 gold bars, weighing 1.6 kg with foreign markings, valued at around Rs 2.5 crore, and 168 silver bars weighing approximately 80 kg, with a market value of about Rs 2 crore.

In addition, various documents and records revealing ownership of foreign properties in Dubai linked to the Anas Group and family members were confiscated.

“The searches were based on credible inputs regarding alleged violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act. The seizure of substantial cash, precious metals, and documents is aimed at uncovering the full extent of unaccounted overseas holdings by the group and its associates,” the official statement said.

The agency confirmed that further investigation is ongoing.

Officials are examining the seized records and assets to determine the channels used for transferring funds abroad and to identify other potential violations under FEMA.

–IANS

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TN govt to install Thiruvalluvar’s statue at JNU campus in Delhi

Chennai, April 16 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Minister for Tamil Development, Information and Publicity, M.P. Saminathan, has announced that a statue of the revered Tamil poet, philosopher, and saint Thiruvalluvar will be installed at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi at an estimated cost of Rs 50 lakh.

According to the minister, the statue will be erected near the International Auditorium on the JNU campus. The initiative aims to promote the timeless values of Thiruvalluvar’s literary masterpiece, the Thirukkural, among students and scholars across the country.

The announcement follows an earlier commitment made by JNU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit during a function commemorating Tamil poet Subramania Bharathi, where she stated that a statue of Thiruvalluvar would be established on campus.

Thiruvalluvar is the author of the Thirukkural, an ancient Tamil text consisting of 1,330 couplets that cover the moral, economic, and emotional dimensions of life, grouped under three main sections: Aram (Virtue), Porul (Wealth), and Inbam (Love).

It may be noted that a 41-metre-tall (135 ft) stone statue of Thiruvalluvar already stands on a small island off the coast of Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. Sculpted by renowned architect V. Ganapati Sthapati, who also designed the Iraivan Temple in Hawaii, the statue was inaugurated on January 1, 2000, by then Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi to mark the new millennium. On January 1, 2025, during its silver jubilee celebrations, the Tamil Nadu government officially designated the monument as the ‘Statue of Wisdom’.

The statue’s combined height, including its 38-foot (12-metre) pedestal, is 133 feet, symbolising the 133 chapters of the Thirukkural. The pedestal represents the 38 chapters of Virtue, while the statue itself embodies the themes of Wealth and Love. Thiruvalluvar’s right hand, with three fingers pointing skyward, signifies the unity of the three sections of the Kural.

Positioned at 61 metres (200 feet) above sea level, the monument also features a graceful bend at the waist, reminiscent of the cosmic dance poses of Hindu deities like Nataraja. The entire structure weighs approximately 7,000 tonnes.

The proposed statue at JNU is expected to serve as a cultural bridge and an enduring symbol of Tamil heritage in the national capital.

–IANS

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Rahul Gandhi’s attacks on ECI a ‘betrayal’ of constitutional values, TN BJP

Chennai, Aug 14 (IANS) Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson A.N.S. Prasad launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of a sustained 11-year campaign to undermine Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Prasad alleged that Rahul Gandhi’s recent “vote theft” remarks were an attempt to equate the ECI – an independent constitutional body – with the Congress party’s “corrupt and self-serving” governance legacy.

The senior BJP leader asserted that, unlike Congress administrations led by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh or current party president Mallikarjun Kharge, the ECI functioned with complete autonomy under the framework established by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

He described the Commission as a “globally respected institution” that conducts free and fair elections, and said Rahul Gandhi’s comments were an affront to India’s democratic ethos.

“These remarks betray the spirit of our Constitution and damage public trust in democratic institutions,” Prasad said.

According to the BJP spokesperson, Rahul Gandhi’s political strategy since 2014 has been marked by “baseless allegations” against PM Modi, which have repeatedly been disproven by electoral results, judicial scrutiny, and public support.

Citing episodes from demonetisation to the Rafale deal, farm law protests, the China border issue, and the GST rollout, Prasad claimed that Rahul’s campaigns collapsed in the face of facts and voter rejection. He also accused Rahul of fuelling caste, communal, and separatist divisions, rather than working for development and national unity.

On demonetisation, Prasad noted that Rahul Gandhi’s prediction of economic collapse proved wrong as digital payments flourished, even among street vendors.

He recalled how the ‘Chowkidar Chor Hai’ slogan in the Rafale case backfired, resulting in Rahul’s defeat in Amethi in 2019 and a subsequent court apology.

On the farmers’ protests, Prasad said PM Modi’s repeal of the farm laws brought no electoral gains for Congress, while the BJP retained voter confidence in key states.

Prasad also dismissed Rahul Gandhi’s accusations over the Citizenship Amendment Act, claiming it was a humanitarian measure aligned with India’s secular values.

He cited Rahul’s criticism of industrialists Adani and Ambani as politically counterproductive, pointing to investments by these companies in Congress-ruled states.

Similarly, he said Rahul Gandhi’s concerns over the China border were contradicted by allies and lacked evidence.

Referring to recent ECI rebuttals of “vote theft” claims in Maharashtra and Karnataka, Prasad said Congress had failed to provide proof, with even a state minister resigning. He urged Rahul to instead demand probes into alleged voter fraud in Rae Bareli, Wayanad, and Kolathur -charges raised by BJP MP Anurag Thakur.

Prasad concluded that unless Rahul Gandhi adopts a “constructive, patriotic, and development-oriented” political approach, Congress risks further electoral irrelevance as India advances toward becoming a global superpower by 2047 under PM Modi’s leadership.

–IANS

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Northeast is new epicentre of India’s development journey: Jayant Chaudhary

New Delhi, May 24 (IANS) The northeastern region is no longer on the periphery of India but is the new epicentre of India’s development journey, Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, said on Saturday.

Speaking at the ‘Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025’ here, the minister said that from Mizoram achieving 100 per cent literacy rates to the entrepreneurial spirit of its youth, the region exemplifies resilience and community strength.

“As we celebrate this transformation, we must nurture risk-taking, skill development, and ecosystem support to unlock its potential,” he told the gathering.

Mentioning the ‘Skilling for AI Readiness’ (SOAR) programme, which the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is currently developing in collaboration with Ministry of Education and NCVET, he added, “The future lies in AI, and India must lead by building indigenous models and preparing our youth for an AI-driven world”.

“Through ‘Skilling for AI Readiness’, we plan to equip students with tools to innovate ethically using AI. The collective spirit of the Northeast, paired with national support, is a beacon of progress. We must harness this energy, break old mindsets, and build a future where every young mind from Arunachal to Assam shapes India’s global narrative,” Chaudhary added.

The northeastern region is witnessing rapid growth and is on track to become one of the country’s major economic hubs.

“From the tea gardens of Assam to digital creators in Shillong, the Northeast is not waiting for change — it is architecting it. And it is time the rest of India, and the world, invests in that spirit,” said the minister.

On the sidelines of the summit, a dedicated ‘Udyamita se Atmanirbhar Pavilion’ set up by MSDE, showcased the entrepreneurial spirit of the northeast, featuring eight dynamic entrepreneurs trained by the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE).

The efforts of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in the northeastern region have empowered more than 49,000 youth with apprenticeship opportunities and entrepreneurship support to more than 3 lakhs through EAP and EDP programmes, since 2015.

–IANS

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