‘UN in crisis’ must overcome ‘cynicism’ blocking UNSC reform: Jaishankar 

Patna, March 20 (IANS) The controversy surrounding the tragic death of Disha Salian, former manager of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, has resurfaced. In a new twist, Sushant’s cousin, Neeraj Kumar Singh Bablu, has urged the Maharashtra government to reopen the investigation into her demise, stating that it could unravel crucial details related to Sushant’s death.

This development comes five years after Disha Salian’s death. Her father, Satish Salian, has approached the Bombay High Court, demanding an FIR be filed against Shiv Sena-UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray and others. His lawyer confirmed that the petition will be processed by Thursday, marking a significant step in a case that has long been shrouded in mystery.

Neeraj Kumar Singh Bablu spoke to IANS, sharing his concerns: “After all these years, this issue has come back into the spotlight. Disha’s death occurred just days before Sushant was found dead. We’ve always believed there’s a connection. Disha was also murdered, but the police covered it up. Now, her father has come forward and confirmed what we’ve been saying for so long, that there was external pressure on him. We urge the current government to investigate this case thoroughly, because once the truth comes out about Disha’s death, it will shed light on Sushant’s case as well. The two are linked, and both cases need to be investigated together.”

The petition by Disha’s father seeking a CBI probe into her death has reignited political tensions. Maharashtra Minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane called for the arrest and interrogation of Aaditya Thackeray in connection with Disha’s death, intensifying the controversy.

On the other hand, Aaditya Thackeray has dismissed the renewed focus on Disha Salian’s death as an orchestrated attempt to deflect attention from more pressing issues. Reacting to the petition, Thackeray stated on Thursday that the ongoing attempts to link him to the case were part of a long-running effort to defame him. He claimed that the timing of this revival was aimed at diverting the public’s focus, especially following recent statements by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on the relevance of Aurangzeb’s tomb.

Disha Salian died on June 8, 2020, after falling from the 14th floor of a building in Malad suburb of Mumbai. Initially, the police filed an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and ruled out foul play. Just days later, on June 14, actor Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead in his Bandra apartment, sparking a nationwide debate. The police initially classified it as a suicide, but the case was later transferred to the CBI, given the public outcry and growing suspicions surrounding the circumstances of his death.

–IANS

jk/vd

Jaipur, Jan 17 (IANS) Reacting to the closure of Hindenburg Research, Rajasthan Cabinet Minister Kirori Lal Meena described it as the “end of an anti-national campaign.”

“The closure of Hindenburg Research marks the end of a propaganda campaign orchestrated by Congress to defame the nation and its industrialists,” said Meena.

He further added that it is a positive development as it puts an end to efforts by anti-national forces to weaken the country.

“Congress leveraged Hindenburg’s reports to create nationwide disruption and undermine our economy. Their aim was to prevent Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India the third-largest economy in the world,” he claimed.

Hindenburg Research, founded in 2017, became well-known for its reports on companies and individuals in the securities market.

The firm’s founder and renowned short-seller Nate Anderson recently announced its closure on the company’s official website.

In his statement, Anderson clarified that there were no specific reasons, dangers, or personal issues behind the decision to shut down the firm.

“There is no significant risk, health concern, or major personal matter driving this decision,” Anderson noted.

The closure of Hindenburg Research has sparked a political debate, with some viewing it as a move that could impact global market dynamics.

Meanwhile, Meena’s remarks underline the sentiment that its closure is a step toward stability and national progress.

Hindenburg Research, the US-based short seller that had targeted several business entities.

In a recent update on the Hindenburg website, Founder Nate Anderson confirmed that Hindenburg Research will be disbanded.

Nathan Anderson announced that the closure of the firm was a strategic decision made after the successful completion of their investigative projects.

He disclosed that the shutdown had been in the works for several months, with the team finalising their last investigations.

–IANS

arc/dan

Koppal, March 8 (IANS) In a major development, Karnataka Police arrested two persons on Saturday in connection with the horrific incident of three persons committing gang rape on two women, a tourist from Israel, and a female local homestay owner and killing a male Indian tourist who was with them.

The incident was reported from the Gangavathi Rural police station located close to the UNESCO heritage site Hampi.

The arrested persons are identified as 22-year-old Mallesh aka Handi Malla and 21-year-old Chetan Sai Sillekyatar. Both are arrested by the Koppal Rural police. Both the arrested accused are locals and residents of Sainagar in Gangavathi taluk in Koppal district.

Another accused, their close associate has managed to escape from the police and the special teams have intensified the hunt for him.

The preliminary investigations have revealed that the accused approached the victims on the pretext of asking for money for petrol. The victims had given them Rs 20 and asked them to leave. However, the accused started an argument with them asking for Rs 100 and started assaulting them.

They attacked the tourists and locals, a group of five persons, with stones and hands. They had pushed three men into the canal and sexually assaulted two women, a female from Israel and a local homestay owner.

Two of the accused gang raped the local homestay owner, while the female Israel national was raped by one of the accused, sources stated. More details are yet to emerge regarding the exact sequence of events and on nature of sexual assault.

The victims have not known each other and had become friends after their arrival to the homestay.

Koppal SP Ram L Arasiddi stated on Saturday that a woman from Israel and home stay owner were sexually assaulted. The tourists had gone to the spot for star gazing, they had carried a guitar with them. Two tourists, one from Nasik in India and another from America have managed to swim out of the canal after being pushed by the accused persons.

Another tourist from Odisha who had not come back from the canal has been found dead in the canal. His body was recovered from the canal at 10.30 am on Saturday, he stated.

The rape victims are recovering at the hospital while the body of the tourist from Odisha was found in the Tungabhadra Left Canal near Sanapura village near Gangavathi town on Saturday.

The deceased tourist has been identified as 40-year-old Beebas.

The authorities had launched a search operation for him after the incident came to light.

The other two victims, who were also pushed into the water had managed to come back to the bank of the canal and saved their lives.

The incident had taken place on Thursday night when the homestay owner had taken female tourists from Israel, and the US, a male tourist from Odisha and the deceased to the banks of Tungabhadra Left Bank Canal near Sanapura village near Gangavathi town for stargazing.

When the tourists were stargazing on the banks of the Tungabhadra canal, the accused who came to the spot on a bike, approached them on the pretext of asking for petrol and started demanding money from them.

After being refused money, they attacked the group with stones, pushed the others into the canal, and raped the women.

The 29-year-old homestay owner, one of the victims of the sexual assault, has filed a complaint with the police regarding the incident.

The accused have disappeared after committing the crime.

The police stated that medical tests have confirmed sexual assault on the victims.

Police sources state that the incident had taken place at 3 am in the morning and it has not come to the notice of the locals.

The police are also investigating whether the victims were high as they could not take on three persons even as they were five of them. Since the victims are in shock, the police are presently focusing on nabbing the rapists.

–IANS

mka/dan