New Delhi (The Hawk): Aaftab Amin Poonawalla, who is suspected of killing his live-in partner Shraddha Walkar and then dismembering her body, will be presented in court in Saket on Saturday as his police detention comes to an end.
Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, the police will probably ask for a delay.
Poonawalla's polygraph exam was also left unfinished on Friday because investigators were unable to gather the data required to forward the case.
According to sources, detectives need time to get information out of Poonawalla.
For the past three days, the officials have been questioning him, according to a top Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) officer, and the polygraph test is expected to continue.
Poonawalla had admitted to the court during the last hearing on November 22 that Walkar had provoked him before going entirely silent.
The court then enquired as to whether he had experienced any abuse or problems while being questioned.
The court was informed by Aaftab that he was cooperating but couldn't remember everything at once and would provide updates as they came. He also admitted to the judge that hitting was a result of being provoked, according to his attorney, Avinash Kumar.
In 2018, Walkar and Poonawalla connected via the dating app "Bumble." They arrived in Delhi on May 8 and moved to the Chattarpur neighbourhood on May 15. Poonawalla is accused of killing her on May 18 before dismembering her body into 35 pieces and dispersing it over the course of 18 days.
The American crime drama "Dexter," which centres on a man with homicidal impulses who leads a double life, is said to have served as inspiration for him.
(Inputs from Agencies)

Aaftab Amin Poonawalla, who is suspected of killing his live-in partner Shraddha Walkar and then dismembering her body, will be presented in court in Saket on Saturday as his police detention comes to an end.

Aaftab will appear in court today, and the police anticipate asking for an extension of his detention

Kolkata (The Hawk): In relation to the teachers' recruitment scandal, a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court on Thursday extended the judicial custody of Partha Chatterjee, the former secretary general of the Trinamool Congress and minister of education for West Bengal, for an additional 14 days.
On January 5 of the following year, all seven defendants will be brought before the same court once more.
Selim Rahman, the attorney for Chatterjee, argued vehemently in court on Thursday, even challenging the CBI's ability to produce verifiable evidence in the case.
While making his case, he also made reference to the case of Ajmal Kasab, the key defendant in the 26/11 Mumbai tragedy.
"Although he was ultimately executed, he also underwent a thorough inquiry and legal process. However, in this instance, the investigative agency is not providing hard copies of any documents or evidence. I have never seen an investigation done in such a novel way. Let the investigating process move quickly, "Rahman countered.
Although the petitioner's attorney has levelled accusations of ineptitude, the CBI counsel countered that the rank or position of the accused has no bearing on the CBI's inquiry.
"The competency of CBI is under scrutiny. However, everyone is likely aware of what happened to Om Prakash Chautala and Lalu Yadav in CBI-investigated instances. The agency regularly updates the court on the status of its inquiry. Daily revelation of fresh perspectives during the course of the research is entirely normal. The accused, who are all people of great influence, are facing serious accusations. They must therefore be in custody in order for the inquiry to proceed smoothly "In his counterargument, the CBI lawyer stated.
After hearing from all sides, the court ultimately decided to prolong Partha Chatterjee's and the other six accused persons' judicial detention for a another 14 days.
(Inputs from Agencies)

In relation to the teachers' recruitment scandal, a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court on Thursday extended the judicial custody of Partha Chatterjee, the former secretary general of the Trinamool Congress and minister of education for West Bengal, for an additional 14 days.

14 another days added to Partha Chatterjee's judicial custody

Kyiv [Ukraine]: Ukraine's powerful business tycoon Ihor Kolomoisky has been arrested in a fraud and money laundering investigation on Saturday, CNN reported citing state media.  The State Department sanctioned Kolomoisky in March 2021 for his alleged involvement in “corrupt acts that undermined the rule of law and the Ukrainian public’s faith in their government’s democratic institutions and public processes.”
A Kyiv court ordered Kolomoisky to 60 days in pre-trial detention, meanwhile, the authorities are investigating fraud charges against him.  One of the most powerful oligarchs Kolomoisky's media and banking businesses have made him one of the richest men in Ukraine.  The US State Department has also accused him of using his "political influence and power for personal benefit," reported CNN.&nbsp;
Following that, the Shevchenkivskyi District Court ordered Kolomoisky to be held until October 31 and was provided the option of posting bail in excess of 500 million Ukrainian hryvnia (USD 14 million), CNN reported citing state media.  Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an address on Saturday thanked law enforcement following the arrest of Kolomoisky.  According to a Ukrainian online newspaper Kyiv Independent, "I thank the Ukrainian law enforcement for their determination to bring every case stalled for decades to a just conclusion," Zelensky said, adding that the law "must work." Additionally, Zelenskyy promised that there will be "no more decades-long 'business as usual' for those who plundered Ukraine and put themselves above the law and any rules," reported Kyiv Independent.  According to a state report, "If the businessman posts bail, he must fulfil a number of conditions – not leave the locality where he will be staying, appear for interrogations, and notify the relevant authorities of any change of residence, if any, CNN reported.  Moreover, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and Ukraine’s Bureau of Economic Security have started an investigation on Kolomoisky for fraud and laundering of criminally obtained property, reported CNN.  However, Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office is supervising the pre-trial investigation which will focus on Kolomoisky’s alleged role in the money laundering of over half a billion Ukrainian hryvnia (USD 130.5 million) by transferring funds abroad between 2013 and 2020 by allegedly using banks under his control.
—ANI

Ukraine's powerful business tycoon Ihor Kolomoisky has been arrested in a fraud and money laundering investigation on Saturday, CNN reported citing state media. 

Ukraine's business tycoon Ihor Kolomoisky arrested in fraud, money laundering case 

Prayagraj: Two students of Class 12 from a convent school were stabbed by a group of miscreants outside their school on Sadar Patel Marg in Civil Lines of Uttar Pradesh’ Prayagraj, said officials. The incident happened on Wednesday.  The injured students have been admitted to the SRN hospital where their condition was stated to be out of danger. Meanwhile, other students and passersby thrashed one of the alleged attackers who was also admitted to the hospital.  Police have detained three persons, including the prime accused, in connection with the incident.  DCP (city) Deepak Bhuker said the police have detained three youths, including the prime accused, a 19-year-old resident of Badshahi Mandi, who, along with his accomplices had arrived to settle some score with one of the two students who were attacked.  The DCP said, “It came to light that the girlfriend of the prime accused had asked him to warn one of the two students against talking to her younger sister’.  On Wednesday, the accused and his accomplices arrived outside the school and there was a heated argument, in the middle of which, the accused stabbed the student and his friend with a knife.
—IANS

Two students of Class 12 from a convent school were stabbed by a group of miscreants outside their school on Sadar Patel Marg in Civil Lines of Uttar Pradesh

Two Class 12 students stabbed outside school in UP, three arrested

Patna: As many as 36 youths were detained for "suspicious" activities in a raid jointly carried out by Gopalganj police and civil administration on Wednesday.
Police raided a three-storey building located at Lakhpatia Mor of Gopalganj town and detained them.
The police acted on the inputs of the local intelligence that the youths may possibly be from Bangladesh but are posing as natives of West Bengal on the basis of fake documents.
Police also suspect that some kind of training was on in the building.
The youths came under the radar of security agencies as their language and tradition differed from the local people. Moreover, they did not interact with the local residents.
On the basis of suspicion, the police seized their laptops, mobile phones and other documents, including an Aadhaar card, which belongs to a person named Dhirendra Kumar.
The local police are in the process of confirming the authenticity of the documents. The security agencies are on high alert and mounted surveillance on their activities.
However, the youths claimed that they were associated with a medicine company and living here in a rented room. Some of them also claimed that they are associated with coaching centres.
—IANS

As many as 36 youths were detained for "suspicious" activities in a raid jointly carried out by Gopalganj police and civil administration on Wednesday.

Thirty-six youths detained for 'suspicious' activities in Bihar

Srinagar: Local journalist Majid Hyderi has been booked under the harsh Public Safety Act (PSA) for intimidation, criminal conspiracy and extortion, official sources said on Tuesday. Majid Hyderi was arrested last week from his residence in Peerbagh outskirts of Srinagar city on a court order and was bailed out on Monday.
He was arrested immediately after his release on bail and was booked under the PSA.
Sources said he has been shifted to a jail in Jammu district where he will remain lodged till the PSA detention order lasts.
PSA is a harsh law which is normally used against anti-national and subversive elements.
The law provides for a maximum of two years detention without any trial.
A PSA detainee can, however, challenge his detention in the high court.
PSA was originally enacted when late Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah was the chief minister of J&amp;K in 1978. It was enacted to aggressively prevent timber smuggling.
The first PSA detainee in J&amp;K was a timber smuggler named Boub Khan of Ganderbal district. Over the years, the law has also been used against people believed to incite violence and hatred against the country.
—IANS

Local journalist Majid Hyderi has been booked under the harsh Public Safety Act (PSA) for intimidation, criminal conspiracy and extortion

Kashmir journalist Majid Hyderi booked under PSA

Srinagar: Former Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti on Friday welcomed the release of senior religious leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from house arrest. While Omar said that all eyes would now be on the Friday sermon at the Jamia Masjid. Mehbooba took a dig at BJP.
Omar said in his X post, “I welcome the step taken by the administration in J&amp;K to release Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from house arrest.
“I hope that they allow him to move freely, interact with people &amp; resume his social/religious responsibilities. Today eyes in Kashmir will be on the Mirwaiz as he delivers his first Friday sermon in Jamia Masjid after 2019.”
Mehbooba Mufti in her post said, "Finally Mirwaiz Umer Farooq will walk a free man after years of LGs admin’s denial about his detention. As a religious head he is held in high regard by muslims across J&amp;K. Unfortunate that a tussle has already begun between BJPs various political outfits to claim credit for his release."
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq will lead the Friday prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar on Friday after 4 years.
The management of the Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area of old Srinagar city known as the Anjuman-e-Auqaf Jama Masjid said that senior police officials visited the residence of Mirwaiz on Thursday to inform him that the authorities have decided to release him from house detention and allow him to go to Jamia Masjid for Friday prayers.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has been under house arrest in his city outskirts Nigeen residence since August 5, 2019 when Article 370 was abrogated, according to the senior leader and his supporters.
—IANS

Former Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti on Friday welcomed the release of senior religious leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from house arrest

Omar Abdullah welcomes Mirwaiz’s release from house arrest, Mehbooba says tussle in BJP for credit

Srinagar: Overwhelmed by emotions, senior separatist and religious leader, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said on Friday that the four years of detention under house arrest were the worst period of his life after the death of his father in 1990.
Mirwaiz Umar delivered the Friday sermon at the historic Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area of old Srinagar city today after he was set free from house arrest. Choked with emotion, he cried while ascending the pulpit at the Jamia Masjid. In his sermon, the Mirwaiz appealed for peace and appealed Kashmir Pandits to return back to the Valley.
"I was allowed to deliver the sermon at the Jamia Masjid after 212 consecutive Fridays. "People are aware that after August 4, 2019, I was kept under house detention and I was not being allowed to move out of my home due to which I couldn’t perform my duties as Mirwaiz.
" He said that after approaching the court, a few police officers visited him on Thursday and informed him that he is being released and can visit Jamia Masjid to offer Friday prayers.
"I cannot utter my sentiments, but it is all because of the prayers of people that I am here again to deliver the sermon," he said, adding that it was quite difficult for him to stay away from the pulpit for four years.
He said that after August 5, 2019, people have faced difficult times as J&amp;K’s special identity was snatched and was bifurcated in two UTs. "J&amp;K might be a territorial issue for many, but it is a humanitarian issue and must be resolved through dialogue. Despite advocating peace, it is unfortunate that I was branded as anti-national, anti-peace and separatist as well.
"As the Mirwaiz I have the responsibility to raise the voice for the people. Since Hurriyat Conference continued to raise the voice, but the media stopped using our statements. I want to tell my people that it is time to be patient, to keep faith in the Almighty. "Hurriyat believes that J&amp;K’s one part is in India while the rest two are in Pakistan and China and by merging them fully J&amp;K will be complete, as it was on August 14,1947.
"Referring to the statement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Ukraine issue, Mirwaiz said that he was right in saying that the present era is not of war. "We too have been advocating for the resolution of J&amp;K issue through dialogue. "Following the path of peace, we had to bear difficulties, but unfortunately, we were branded as separatists, anti-national and anti-peace. But we don’t have any personal ambition, we only want peaceful resolution of J&amp;K issue.
"It is because of our peaceful mission that we continue to appeal for the return of Kashmiri migrants." The Mirwaiz demanded release of all political prisoners, detained journalists, lawyers, civil society members and the youth."As the Mirwaiz I have the responsibility to raise the voice for the people. Since Hurriyat Conference continued to raise the voice, but the media stopped using our statements. I want to tell my people that it is time to be patient, to keep faith in the Almighty.
"Hurriyat believes that J&amp;K’s one part is in India while the rest two are in Pakistan and China and by merging them fully J&amp;K will be complete, as it was on August 14,1947."Referring to the statement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Ukraine issue, Mirwaiz said that he was right in saying that the present era is not of war.
"We too have been advocating for the resolution of J&amp;K issue through dialogue. "Following the path of peace, we had to bear difficulties, but unfortunately, we were branded as separatists, anti-national and anti-peace. But we don’t have any personal ambition, we only want peaceful resolution of J&amp;K issue.
"It is because of our peaceful mission that we continue to appeal for the return of Kashmiri migrants." The Mirwaiz demanded release of all political prisoners, detained journalists, lawyers, civil society members and the youth.
—IANS

Overwhelmed by emotions, senior separatist and religious leader, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said on Friday that the four years of detention under house arrest

Mirwaiz Umar appeals for peace in Friday sermon at historic Jamia Masjid

Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman, Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the vice chairman, had their judicial detention in the cipher case extended by a special court on Tuesday by 14 days now, reported Dawn. The cipher case refers to a diplomatic document which reportedly went missing from Imran Khan’s possession. The judicial remand of Khan and Qureshi has been extended till October 10. According to the PTI, it contained a US threat to depose Imran from office. It was discovered that the PTI chairman had been held on judicial remand in the cipher case after the Toshakhana case's three-year prison sentence was suspended, Dawn reported. Imran's special court proceedings are being held at the Attock jail "for security reasons," according to a notice from the law ministry. Notably, Imran's judicial detention along with Qureshi's was originally prolonged until September 13 and then again until September 26. The special court earlier this month denied the bail requests of both leaders. Imran then went to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to ask for post-arrest bail. The former premier had been sent to the Adiala prison, under an IHC order. However, security concerns and the lack of a documented order are the major reasons he is still being held at the Attock prison. The hearing was held behind closed doors today at the Attock prison, and it was presided over by Special Court Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain. Extensive security preparations were made outside the jail before the hearing, according to Dawn. The law ministry had yesterday issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the hearing to be held at the Attock jail. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) team and Imran's lawyers Salman Safdar and Umair Niazi attended the session. The PTI leader's attorneys Naeem Haider Panjotha and Latif Khosa also arrived at the jail to take part in the session. The ex-premier's legal remand was then extended to October 10. The court further directed the FIA to file a challan of the matter as soon as possible. The cipher controversy first emerged on March 27, 2022, when Imran Khan just days before his ouster in April 2022 brandished a letter, claiming that it was a cypher from a foreign nation, which mentioned that his government should be ousted from power, according to The News International report. He did not reveal the contents of the letter and the name of the nation that had sent it. However, a few days later Imran Khan named the United States and said that US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Affairs Donald Lu had sought his removal. The PTI chairman had claimed that he was reading contents from the cypher and said that "all will be forgiven for Pakistan Imran Khan is removed from power". —ANI

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman, Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the vice chairman, had their judicial detention

Pakistan: Imran Khan's Judicial Remand In Cipher Case Extended Till Oct 10

New Delhi [India]: Congress party on Thursday condemned the arrest of Punjab Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira and said that any such act is an abuse of power, and that Congress firmly and unitedly stands against it. "All India Kissan Congress Chairman, Sukhpal Singh Khaira's arrest is a proof of abuse of power and retaliation" Congress said on X
"The entire Congress family stands with him against this petty conspiracy to suppress his loud voice against injustice. We are not ready to bow down, not ready to stop. We will fight and win" tweeted the Congress Congress State President Amarinder Singh Raja Brar also condemned the detention of Khaira and termed the action as 'Jungle Raj'. "The recent arrest Sukhpal Khaira ji smacks of Political Vendetta, it is an attempt to intimidate the opposition and is a ploy of the AAP government to distract from core issues. We stand strongly with Sukhpal Khaira and will take this fight to its logical conclusion" said the Congress PCC Chief.  The Congress PCC Chief also met with the family of Sukhpal Khaira and assured them that the party would stand behind them.&nbsp;
Congress leader in the state Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa also took on the Bhagwant Mann for the detention of the Congress MLA "Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, governments don't last forever, I strongly criticize your dictatorial goon state. I assure all the cadres of Punjab Congress that we stand like a rock with the entire leadership of the party and every worker" said Bajwa in a video released on X.  The Congress also got support from the BJP over the arrest of Khaira, the BJP accused the AAP government of misusing the police. "If someone is accused of something, he must be summoned first and make him join the investigation and if he doesn't answer then arrest him...Punjab Police is being misused. Action is being taken against opposition leaders because they are speaking against the government" said BJP leader Manjinder Sirsa.  Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira on Thursday was detained by Punjab police in connection with the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. In an early morning operation on Thursday, a team of Punjab Police reached Khaira’s residence and conducted a raid in connection with an old case registered in 2015 under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in Jalalabad, Fazilka. Khaira was hosting a Facebook Live where he can be seeing arguing with police personnel as they raided his house this morning. A police official can be seen in the video telling Khaira that a SIT has been formed in an old drug smuggling case. In the video, Khaira is also seen raising slogans of "Punjab Sarkar murdabad" as the police personnel detain him.
—ANI

Congress party on Thursday condemned the arrest of Punjab Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira and said that any such act is an abuse of power

Congress trains guns at Punjab govt over arrest of Sukhpal Khaira

New Delhi [India]: Following the detention of Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira in connection with a 2015 drugs-related case, Aam Aadmi Party MP Sushil Gupta alleged that it is well-known that Congress MLA indulged in the drugs business and now proper investigation will be conducted. In an early morning operation on Thursday, a team of Punjab Police reached Khaira’s residence and conducted a raid in connection with an old case registered in 2015 under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in Jalalabad, Fazilka.
"The law will take its own course. It is well-known that Sukhpal Khaira ji indulged in the drug business. He kept getting protection from earlier governments. Now, a proper investigation will be conducted," Sushil Gupta.  The arrest of Sukhpal Khaira is expected to further dent the relations of AAP and the Congress which have come together to form the INDIA alliance at the centre. The state unit of the Congress has opposed any tie-up or seat-sharing arrangement with the AAP in Punjab. Reacting to the detention of Khaira, Senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa said that the party was firmly behind its leader.&nbsp;
"CM Bhagwant Mann, Governments don't last forever, I strongly criticize your dictatorial goon state. I assure all the cadres of Punjab Congress that we stand like a rock with the entire leadership of the party and every worker" Bajwa said in a video released on X. Sukhpal Singh Khaira was detained by Punjab police in connection with the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Khaira was hosting a Facebook Live where he can be seen arguing with police personnel as they raided his house this morning. A police official can be seen in the video telling Khaira that a SIT has been formed in an old drug smuggling case. Earlier in 2015, there are two cases originated with the unearthing of a cross-border drug smuggling network in Fazilka, Punjab, leading to the seizure of heroin, gold biscuits, weapons, cartridges, and Pakistani SIM cards and the second of a fake passport racket being run in Delhi. As the trial went on, nine smugglers, including Gurdev Singh, Manjit Singh, Harbans Singh, and Subhash Chander, were sentenced in October 2017 in connection with the Fazilka case. As per the chargesheet, Khaira was closely associated with Gurdev Singh, the leader of the Fazilka drug smuggling racket, and is accused of having sheltered him. The primary accusations against Khaira include supporting an international gang of smugglers, having sheltered him and receiving financial benefits from drug traffickers, and enjoying the proceeds of crime. On February 16, 2023, a Supreme Court bench of Justices BR Gavai and Vikram Nath quashed the summoning order against Khaira in the drugs case.
—ANI

Following the detention of Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira in connection with a 2015 drugs-related case, Aam Aadmi Party MP Sushil Gupta alleged

"Proper investigation will be conducted...," AAP on Sukhpal Khaira's detention

Kolkata (West Bengal): Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee slammed the Centre and Delhi Police over manhandling the party leaders who were protesting demanding the release of MGNREGA funds, and said that the BJP government have now crossed all limits to repress the voice of Bengal!” Mamta Banerjee took to X and said “Today is a dark, sinister day for democracy, a day when@BJP4Indiarevealed their disdain for the people of Bengal, their disregard for the rights of the poor and a complete abandonment of democratic values. First, they callously withheld crucial funds meant for the poor of Bengal and when our delegation arrived in Delhi, determined to peacefully protest and draw attention to the plight of our people, they were met with brutality – first at Rajghat and then at Krishi Bhavan.”
Mamata further mentioned Delhi Police as BJP’s strong arm who manhandled TMC workers and leaders for speaking the truth and challenging the powerful. “The Delhi Police, acting as the BJP's strong-arm, shamelessly manhandled our representatives who were forcibly removed and whisked away in police vans like common criminals, all because they dared to speak truth to power. Their arrogance knows no bounds and their pride and egotism have blinded them. They have now crossed all limits to repress the voice of Bengal!” Mamta Banerjee said on X. Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday termed the manhandling of the Members of Parliament including women by Delhi Police who were protesting at Krishi Bhawan demanding the release of MGNREGA funds, as a "black day for Indian democracy" and called for a campaign 'Raj Bhavan Abhiyan' in Kolkata on October 5 against the atrocities. The public will give an answer in the coming times and those who think that TMC will be stopped by these forces, are wrong. We will become stronger. Even the British did not behave with us like Modi Ji and the Delhi Police have done today," he said. Abhishek Banerjee, Derek O'Brien and other lawmakers including Mahua Moitra were detained by the Delhi Police after they staged a dharna inside Krishi Bhawan. The leaders were released by the police on the intervention night of Tuesday and Wednesday, nearly three hours after being detained.
—ANI

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee slammed the Centre and Delhi Police over manhandling the party leaders who were protesting demanding

"Delhi Police, acting as BJP's strong-arm": Mamata Banerjee on manhandling of TMC protesters

Tel Aviv: The Hezbollah on Saturday said Hassan Ali Dakdouk, the son of Ali Mussa Dakdouk, who is reportedly in charge of the organisation's operations in southern Syria, was killed, reportedly in Israeli drone attack.  Ali Mussa Dakdouk was responsible for training pro-Iranian militias in Iraq for attacking American forces.  He was detained by US forces in Iraq in 2007, but was later released.  Four people who were killed were from Hezbollah while one was a Syrian. The deaths happened in an alleged Israeli drone strike against a vehicle near the Syrian border in the Golan Heights.  Israel and Hezbollah were engaged in exchange of fire across the Lebanese border in which several Israelis were injured.  —IANS

The Hezbollah on Saturday said Hassan Ali Dakdouk, the son of Ali Mussa Dakdouk, who is reportedly in charge of the organisation's operations

Senior Hezbollah leader's son killed in Israeli drone strike

New Delhi: Ravi Uppal, one of the two main owners of the Mahadev online betting app, has been detained in Dubai by the local police on the basis of a red notice issued by the Interpol at the behest of the ED, official sources said Wednesday.
Uppal, 43, was detained last week in that country and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) authorities are in touch with the Dubai authorities to get him deported to India, they said.  The businessman is being probed by the ED in a money laundering case linked to alleged illegal betting through online apps apart from the Chhattisgarh and Mumbai Police crime branch.
The federal probe agency had filed a money laundering charge sheet against Uppal and another promoter of the Internet-based platform, Sourabh Chandrakar, before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Chhattisgarh's Raipur in October.  A red notice was subsequently issued against the two by the Interpol on the basis of the ED's request based on a court issued non-bailable warrant.  Process is on to find Chandrakant, 28, too, the sources said.  The agency had informed the court in the charge sheet that Uppal has taken a passport of Vanuatu, an island country in the Pacific Ocean, even as he has not renounced Indian citizenship.
Uppal, the ED said in the prosecution complaint, "generated and enjoyed proceeds of crime and is involved in their concealment and layering." It had alleged Uppal was "looking after the delivery of the liasioning money to the bureaucrats and politicians of Chhattisgarh through Chandrabhushan Verma", an assistant sub inspector of police, and some others.  The projected proceeds of crime in this case is about Rs 6,000 crore, according to the ED.  The agency had claimed in November, just before the first phase of Chhattisgarh assembly polls, that forensic analysis and statement made by a 'cash courier' named Asim Das have led to "startling allegations" that Mahadev betting app promoters have paid about Rs 508 crore to former Chhattisgarh chief minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel so far, adding these allegations were "subject matter of investigation".  Das had later submitted before the special court in Raipur that he had been framed as part of a conspiracy and he had never delivered cash to politicians.  The ED investigation has shown that Mahadev Online Book App is run from a central head office in the UAE, officials said. It operates by franchising "Panel/Branches" to their known associates on 70-30 per cent profit ratio, it had said.  Large scale hawala operations are done to siphon off the proceeds of betting to off-shore accounts, it had said.  Large expenditure in cash is also being done in India for advertising of betting websites to attract new users and franchise (panel) seekers, the ED had said.  The company promoters hail from Bhilai in Chhattisgarh and the Mahadev online book betting application is an umbrella syndicate arranging online platforms for enabling illegal betting websites.
—PTI

Ravi Uppal, one of the two main owners of the Mahadev online betting app, has been detained in Dubai by the local police on the basis of a red notice

Mahadev app owner Ravi Uppal detained in Dubai; ED seeks deportation

Mumbai/Raipur: Sourabh Chandrakar, one of the promoters of the Mahadev online betting app, has been put under 'house detention' in Dubai while Indian probe agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED), have been 'alerted' and are working through diplomatic channels to get him deported back to India, official sources said on Wednesday.
The Enforcement Directorate may also file a fresh charge sheet in this multi-crore money laundering case soon, they said.  The development comes weeks after Ravi Uppal, another promoter of the betting and gaming app, was detained by local authorities in Dubai on a red notice (RN) issued by Interpol at the behest of the ED.  The sources said Chandrakar's location in Dubai has been intimated to the federal agency and he has been put under 'house detention'.  Indian agencies are working, through diplomatic channels, to secure the deportation or extradition of the two who are vital to the money laundering and police investigation into the alleged illegal activities of the 'Mahadev Book Online' app that also have political links in Chhattisgarh and elsewhere, the sources said.
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The ED is also expected to file a fresh (supplementary) charge sheet in this case against two people arrested by it in November from Chhattisgarh — alleged cash courier Asim Das and police constable Bheem Yadav.  The agency, in its first charge sheet filed before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Raipur, had named Chandrakar and Uppal along with some others.  In this charge sheet, it had quoted the statement of Dilip Chandrakar, the uncle of Sourabh Chandrakar, that before Sourabh went to Dubai in 2019 he ran a juice shop named 'juice factory' along with his brother in Bhillai town of Chhattisgarh.  The ED claimed Sourabh Chandrakar got married at Ras Al Khaimah, UAE in February 2023 and about Rs 200 crore 'in cash' were spent for this event in which private jets were hired to ferry his relatives from India to the UAE and celebrities were paid to perform.  Uppal, 43, was detained last week in Dubai.
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Both businessmen are being probed by the ED in the money laundering case linked to alleged illegal betting through online apps, apart from investigations by the Chhattisgarh and Mumbai Police Crime Branch.  A red notice was issued against the two by Interpol on the basis of the ED's request that was based on a court-issued non-bailable warrant.  The projected proceeds of crime in this case are about Rs 6,000 crore, according to the ED.  The agency had claimed in November, just before the first phase of Chhattisgarh assembly polls, that forensic analysis and statement made by a 'cash courier' Asim Das have led to 'startling allegations' that Mahadev betting app promoters have paid about Rs 508 crore to former Chhattisgarh chief minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel, adding that these allegations were 'subject matter of investigation'.  Das had later submitted before the special court in Raipur that he had been framed as part of a conspiracy and he had never delivered cash to politicians.
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The ED investigation has shown that the Mahadev Online Book App is run from a central head office in the UAE, officials said. It operates by franchising 'Panel/Branches' to their known associates on a 70-30 per cent profit ratio, it had said.  Large-scale hawala operations are done to siphon off the proceeds of betting to off-shore accounts, it had said.  Large expenditure in cash is also being done in India for advertising betting websites to attract new users and franchise (panel) seekers, the ED had said.  The company promoters hail from Bhilai in Chhattisgarh and the Mahadev online book betting application is an umbrella syndicate arranging online platforms for enabling illegal betting websites, it is alleged.
—PTI

Sourabh Chandrakar, one of the promoters of the Mahadev online betting app, has been put under 'house detention' in Dubai

Mahadev app owner Sourabh Chandrakar detained in Dubai; ED may file fresh charge sheet

Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Friday said he was not allowed to offer congregational prayers at the Jamia Masjid here.
The Friday prayers were allowed at the historic grand mosque in the Nowhatta area of the city, but Mirwaiz, who is the chief priest of Kashmir and delivers the Friday sermon at the mosque, was not allowed to move out of his residence in Nigeen, located in the outskirts of the city. Mirwaiz denounced his repeated "house detention," especially on Fridays, to prevent him from delivering the Friday sermon and offering obligatory Friday prayers.
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In a statement, Mirwaiz said that after his release on September 22, — after four years of house detention since August 2019 — he has been allowed to go to Jamia Masjid only on three Fridays. "Since then, every Friday, I have been put under house arrest without being provided any reason for it by the authorities. "One doesn't know till when the ban on me continues. At their will and whim, the authorities close down or open the central Jamia Masjid to Muslims for prayers, and no one can ask why," he said. Congregational prayers were allowed at the Jamia Masjid on Friday last week after 10 consecutive weeks. Mirwaiz said that this "arbitrariness, disregard" for religious rights and sentiments of Muslims, and "strong-arm tactics" of the authorities, even on the basic human right to practice religion unfettered "is a telling sign of the time and situation we are living in." "It is also a mockery of the authorities' statements that 'things are great in J-K and I am a free man' who can go anywhere. "Those in charge of decision-making should revisit this policy and think long-term in the light of historical precedents," Mirwaiz said.
—PTI

Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Friday said he was not allowed to offer congregational prayers at the Jamia Masjid here.

Mirwaiz not allowed to offer Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid

Sultanpur (UP): Four people from Kashmir, including a woman, were detained for questioning by police in Uttar Pradesh's Sultanpur district as 'part of a vigil' in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to adjoining Ayodhya, officials said on Saturday.
Station House Officer (SHO) of Kotwali police station Sri Ram Pandey said they are from Poonch district and were detained from a hotel Friday night.  "The action was taken as part of a vigil being observed in the wake of PM Modi's visit to Ayodhya today (Saturday)," he said.
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The SHO said all four were questioned and their identity cards and other documents are being checked.  "They have told us that they work at a madrassa and have come to Barbanki to collect donations. They have also claimed that they visit different parts of the country during winter for this," the SHO said, adding that they will be released after basic questioning.
—PTI

Four people from Kashmir, including a woman, were detained for questioning by police in Uttar Pradesh's Sultanpur district

Ahead of PM Modi's Ayodhya visit, 4 from Kashmir detained in adjoining Sultanpur

Dehradun: Saurabh Vashisht, one of the eight Indian Navy veterans detained by Qatar on espionage charges returned home after months of captivity and said that the feeling of returning back home was difficult to explain into words. While speaking exclusively to ANI, Vashisht said, "It is very difficult to explain it in words. Every day for the past 17 months, we 8 Indian Navy soldiers have longed and hoped to get back with our families." "I want to express endless joy and endless gratitude to all the people responsible for us to be back with our families. This would not have been possible without the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was because of his personal involvement and interaction with PM Modi with Qatar MEA that I have been able to see the light of the day today," he said. "The credit goes out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, EAM S Jaishankar, External Affairs Ministry and the Indian Embassy. When I reached here, the first phone call I made to my wife, there were no conversations, only emotions flowing," he added. He further added, "My parents couldn't believe the situation when I video-called them. It is that something impossible has become possible." Saurabh Vashisht, detained by Qatar on espionage charges and later released by the authorities, received a warm welcome from his family in Dehradun yesterday. RK Vashisht, the father of Saurabh Vashisht, expressed joy and thanked External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for his efforts and said he acted like a form of Lord Hanuman in the safe and sound arrival of his son back to his hometown from overseas. Visuals from his residence depict his family's joyous reunion with the veteran as they received him with a prayer plate and floral garlands. After 18 months of captivity, Saurabh Vashisht set foot on his homeland along with seven other detained Indian Navy veterans on Monday after their death sentence was commuted earlier after New Delhi's diplomatic intervention. Navy officer Saurabh Vashishta's father, RK Vashisht, while speaking to ANI, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and said that they had brought back his son along with the other officers safely. "Foreign Minister Jaishankar gave us a lot of assurance. Whenever we used to meet him, he used to assure us and say that our main priority was to bring all eight Indian Navy soldiers back home from Qatar. He told us to trust him and said that he would bring all eight of them back home safe and sound," said RK Vashisht. "We will never forget the efforts of Minister Jaishankar. We will forever be grateful to him. He brought all of them back safely. It is a miracle, just like we used to hear back in the old days. He is a form of Hanumanji who brought them all together safely and soundly. His efforts have borne fruit," said the veteran's father. "We will follow all the methods and carry out all the procedures, and alternatives and be assured they will come home," he told us reassuringly. We are also grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi because all eight sons have returned to their homeland. This is a result of their efforts and personal involvement, he said. Saurabh Vashishtha, who returned home to Dehradun after 18 months from Qatar, told ANI, "Due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government, I have been able to meet my family. I am very happy to meet my family and thank PM Modi and Foreign Minister Jaishankar very much for this." Saurabh Vashishtha's wife, Manasa, also spoke to ANI on her husband's return and said, "Since the beginning, the government of India has supported us. They (govt) said that they'd be putting 100 per cent effort into bringing all 8 men back home and they kept their promise." "Prime Minister Narendra Modi, EAM S Jaishankar, the Indian embassy in Qatar and the entire govt were very supportive. Like my husband said we don't have words to explain. It feels like the nightmare that began on August 30, 2022, has finally ended and we have gotten up to a new day. We are thankful for the new lease of life," she said. Adding further she said, "I thank the government for the sincere efforts. They really stood by us and we always thought that we were just eight in a billion people but they showed us that each and every person out of the billion is very important." The men -- Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Saurabh Vasisht, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, Commander Amit Nagpal and Sailor Ragesh -- were detained in August 2022. Amid desperate pleas by the anxious kin of the Navy veterans to secure their release and safe passage back to their homeland, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had assured that it would mobilise all diplomatic channels and arrange legal assistance to bring them back. On December 28, 2023, Qatar's Court of Appeal commuted the death penalty awarded to all eight men in October 2023. The eight Indian nationals had been imprisoned in Qatar since October 2022 and were accused of allegedly spying on a submarine programme. The retired naval personnel were sentenced to death by a Qatar court on charges that have not yet been made public officially. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on the sidelines of the COP28 summit in Dubai and discussed bilateral partnerships and the "well-being of the Indian community" living in Qatar.&nbsp;
—ANI

Saurabh Vashisht, detained in Qatar on espionage charges, returns home after diplomatic intervention. Joy and gratitude abound as Indian Navy veterans reunite with families.

"Difficult to explain in words": Navy veteran Saurabh Vashisht on return home from Qatar

BJP leader Locket Chatterjee was on Friday detained by West Bengal Police while her party's women delegation was visiting restive Sandeshkhali, reported news agency PTI.
<a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1760911793285980175?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1760911793285980175%7Ctwgr%5E7fd7baeaceffdca5a18be2daab25ca4582095b2f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.deccanherald.com%2Findia%2Fwest-bengal%2Fbjps-locket-chatterjee-detained-after-partys-women-delegation-stopped-by-police-from-visiting-sandeshkhali-2907072" target="_self">https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1760911793285980175?</a>
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) team, which reached trouble-torn Sandeshkhali in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district on Thursday morning, received over 23 complaints of forcible land grabbing and torture during their interaction with locals.  Protests have rocked Sandeshkhali since the matter came to light. Armed with sticks, protesters set ablaze a thatched structure near a pond, venting their fury against the elusive TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his brother Siraj, who have been accused by locals in the case. The torched structure, it was revealed, belonged to Siraj.
—PTI

NCST investigates land grabbing, torture complaints. Public outcry targets TMC leaders.

BJP's Locket Chatterjee detained after party's women delegation stopped by police from visiting Sandeshkhali

New Delhi: A Class 6 student of a private school in northeast Delhi's New Usmanpur area was detained for allegedly killing a 14-year-old boy from his school, police said on Saturday.
The students had a fight over some petty issue outside the school and the accused punched the victim -- a student of Class 8 -- on the face, they said.  The alleged incident occurred on Friday. The police received a call from JPC Hospital around 4 pm about the victim, a resident of Brahmpuri.  The boy had injuries on his head, face and left hand. The place where the alleged altercation occurred was also littered with blood spots, the police said.  The victim died due to excessive bleeding from the nose, they added.  CCTV cameras installed in the locality were scanned and the 12-year-old accused was identified. He was apprehended late on Friday, the police said.
—PTI

A class 6 student from a private school in northeast Delhi's New Usmanpur is detained after a fatal altercation with a class 8 student, highlighting the urgent need for improved safety.

The Hawk

Tag : Detention

Aaftab will appear in court today, and the police anticipate asking for an extension of his detention

Pankaj Sharma

Tag : Detention

Aaftab will appear in court today, and the police anticipate asking for an extension of his detention

Pankaj Sharma

More about Detention