US imposes over 300 per cent penalty on companies who bribed HAL, Railways, IOC

US imposes over 300 per cent penalty on companies who bribed HAL, Railways, IOC

Monday, 16 December 2024 | J Gopikrishnan for The Pioneer| New Delhi

With controversies raging on the United States Department of Justice indicting Adani Group for bribing 265 Million Dollars to multiple solar energy companies in India, recent orders from the American authorities, shows that many US firms which gave the bribes in India and other countries, have settled the case by paying more than 300 per cent penalty to avoid prosecution. The US-based research and design firm Moog Inc was caught for bribery of more than half-a-Million Dollars to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Indian Railways settled their case with US Securities and Exchange Commission by paying more than 1.68 Million Dollars.

The IT giant Oracle Corporation, caught for charges of corrupt practices and bribery of more than 6.8 Million Dollars in Indian Railways, and organisations in United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Turkey, settled the case by paying a fine of 23 Million Dollars to the US Treasury as per the orders of US Securities and Exchange Commission. US-based chemical manufacturing company Albemarle Corporation was caught by the US Department of Justice for bribing Indian Oil Corporation and companies in Indonesia and Vietnam for more than 63.5 Million Dollars settled the case by paying a hefty fine of more than 198 million dollars to avoid prosecution.

As per the orders on October 11, 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Moog Inc through its Indian subsidiary Moog Motion Controls Private Limited (MMCPL) bribed officials in Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), South Central Railway and Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) under the Ministry of Railways to bag contracts. “In August 2020, shortly after engaging Agent A, Moog brand was added to the supplier list for an upcoming South Central Railway (SCR) tender notice… then tender notice listed Moog, along with one additional supplier for potential supplier for a specific part in the SCR tender…

“In September 2020, Moog Inc’s India subsidiary MMCPL won the SCR contract for $34,323. In April 2022, Agent A invoiced MMCP for “commission charges,” which several MMCPL employees knew included the improper payments to Government officials to eliminate competition and win contract awards. The payments were falsely recorded as legitimate contractor services,” says the SEC Order, adding that 10% was the bribe commission in the Railways contract.

The SEC order detailing bribery in HAL says in November 2021, Moog bagged $ 1,399,328 valued contract for parts and services related to the April 2021 contract tender. Investigation found that 2.5% commission was received as a bribe by “a HAL official.” As per the eight page order, Moog Inc paid more than 5,00,000 Dollars as bribe for getting contracts in HAL and Railways.

The US Department of Justice’s order dated September 28, 2023 says Albemarle Corporation bagged big contracts in Indian Oil Corporation and companies in Indonesia and Vietnam by corrupt practices and bribing of more than 63.5 million dollars. Albemarle is supplying refining solutions to more than 700 refineries across the world and dealing with Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) from 2009 to 2017. The 46 page order says Albermale started paying bribes to IOC officials to get it removed from the “Holiday List” in 2009.

“Albemarle paid approximately $1.14 Million in commission to India intermediary company relating to Indian Oil Corporation business and obtained approximately $11.14 million in profits on that business between approximately 2009 and 2011,” said the Order. Albemarle was caught for bribery by US authorities in 2017 for 63.5 Million Dollars and then settled the case in September 2023 by paying a hefty fine of more than 198 Million Dollars to avoid prosecution. The 46-page Order imposing fine on Albemarle says the US company also engaged in corrupt practices with an Indian private refinery. However the name of the private refinery is not mentioned in the Order.

The September 27, 2022 dated Order of Securities and Exchange Commission says that the IT giant Oracle Corporation was engaged in corrupt practices and bribery in India, UAE and Turkey. “In 2019, Oracle India sales employees also used an excessive discount scheme in connection with a transportation company, a majority of which was owned by the Indian Ministry of Railways… One of the sales employees involved in the transaction maintained a spreadsheet that indicated $67,000 was the “buffer” available to potentially make payments to a specific Indian SOE (State Owned Entity) official.

“A total of approximately $330,000 was funneled to an entity with a reputation for paying SOE officials and another $62,000 was paid to an entity controlled by the sales employees,” states the 10-page order of Securities and Exchange Commission imposing hefty fine of Rs.23 Million Dollars on Oracle, caught for bribery amount of 6.8 Million Dollars.

The Punished

• Moog Inc caught for bribery of over a half a Million Dollars in HAL, Railways settled the case with United States Securities and Exchange Commission by paying a penalty of more than 1.68 Million Dollars.
• Oracle Corporation, caught for bribery of more than 6.8 Million Dollars in Indian Railways, UAE and Turkey, settled the case by paying a penalty of 23 Million Dollars.
• Albemarle Corporation caught for bribery in Indian Oil Corporation & companies in Indonesia & Vietnam for more than 63.5 Million Dollars settled the case by paying a penalty of more than 198 Million Dollars to avoid prosecution.

(Source : The Pioneer)

डीएमआरसी ने तुगलकाबाद-एयरोसिटी कॉरिडोर पर सबसे लंबी भूमिगत सुरंग का निर्माण पूरा किया

डीएमआरसी ने तुगलकाबाद-एयरोसिटी कॉरिडोर पर सबसे लंबी भूमिगत सुरंग का निर्माण पूरा किया

बुधवार, 04 दिसंबर 2024| पीटीआई

दिल्ली मेट्रो रेल कॉरपोरेशन (डीएमआरसी) ने बुधवार को चरण-IV के तुगलकाबाद-एयरोसिटी कॉरिडोर पर तुगलकाबाद एयरफोर्स लॉन्चिंग शाफ्ट और मां आनंदमयी मार्ग के बीच सबसे लंबी भूमिगत सुरंग का निर्माण पूरा कर लिया।

बयान में कहा गया है कि 105 मीटर लंबी सुरंग खोदने वाली मशीन (टीबीएम) आज सुबह 2.65 किलोमीटर लंबी सुरंग खोदने के बाद मां आनंदमयी मार्ग स्टेशन पर पहुंच गई।

एरोसिटी-तुगलकाबाद कॉरिडोर के हिस्से के रूप में इस खंड पर ऊपर और नीचे की आवाजाही के लिए दो समानांतर गोलाकार सुरंगों का निर्माण किया जा रहा है।

उन्होंने कहा कि अन्य समानांतर सुरंग पर जनवरी 2025 में सफलता मिलने की उम्मीद है।

नई सुरंग का निर्माण लगभग 16 मीटर की औसत गहराई पर किया गया है और सुरंग में लगभग 1,894 रिंग्स स्थापित की गई हैं, जिनका आंतरिक व्यास 5.8 मीटर है।

सुरंग निर्माण कार्य में कई महत्वपूर्ण तकनीकी चुनौतियां सामने आईं, जिनमें सीवर लाइन का स्थानांतरण और कठोर चट्टानी सतह से होकर आवागमन शामिल था।

बयान में कहा गया है कि इस सुरंग का निर्माण पृथ्वी दाब संतुलन विधि (ईपीबीएम) तकनीक का उपयोग करके किया गया है, जिसमें पूर्वनिर्मित सुरंग के छल्लों से कंक्रीट की परत बनाई गई है।

इन सुरंग के छल्लों को मुंडका में स्थापित एक पूरी तरह से मशीनीकृत कास्टिंग यार्ड में ढाला गया था। इसमें कहा गया है कि कंक्रीट के खंडों को जल्दी मजबूती प्राप्त करने के लिए स्टीम क्योरिंग सिस्टम से ठीक किया गया था।

मौजूदा निर्मित संरचनाओं के नीचे सुरंग के निर्माण के दौरान सभी आवश्यक सुरक्षा सावधानियाँ बरती गईं। बयान में कहा गया है कि आस-पास की संरचनाओं पर लगे अत्यधिक संवेदनशील उपकरणों से ज़मीन की हलचल पर नज़र रखी गई, ताकि यह सुनिश्चित किया जा सके कि कोई ज़मीन धंसी हुई न हो।

अब तक स्वीकृत चरण IV कार्य के तहत 40.109 किलोमीटर भूमिगत लाइन का निर्माण किया जा रहा है। एरोसिटी-तुगलकाबाद कॉरिडोर में कुल 19.343 किलोमीटर भूमिगत खंड हैं।

(Source: PTI & The Pioneer)

आन्ध्रा प्रदेश व तेलंगाना में 5•7 डीग्री की तीव्रता के भुकंप के झटके महसुस किए गए

आन्ध्रा प्रदेश व तेलंगाना में 5•7 डीग्री की तीव्रता के भुकंप के झटके महसुस किए गए

राष्ट्रीय भूकंप विज्ञान केंद्र ने बताया कि बुधवार सुबह तेलंगाना के मुलुगु में 5.3 तीव्रता का भूकंप आया।

भूकंप से किसी के हताहत होने या संपत्तियों को कोई बड़ा नुकसान होने की तत्काल कोई खबर नहीं है। भूकंप सुबह 7.27 बजे आया। भूकंप के झटके तेलंगाना और आंध्र प्रदेश में कई जगहों पर महसूस किए गए।

मुलुगु के निकट वारंगल के कई निवासियों ने बताया कि सुबह करीब 7.30 बजे उन्हें कुछ सेकंड के लिए असामान्य झटका महसूस हुआ।

छत के पंखे हिलने लगे और अलमारियों से सामान गिरने लगा। राष्ट्रीय भूभौतिकीय अनुसंधान संस्थान (एनजीआरआई) के सेवानिवृत्त वैज्ञानिक पूर्णचंद्र राव ने पीटीआई को बताया कि तेलंगाना और आंध्र प्रदेश में पांच से अधिक तीव्रता के भूकंप बहुत कम देखे जाते हैं। उन्होंने याद किया कि 1969 में मंदिर शहर भद्राचलम में 5.7 तीव्रता का भूकंप दर्ज किया गया था, हालांकि छोटे भूकंप भी दर्ज किए गए हैं।

उन्होंने कहा कि बुधवार को आए 5.3 तीव्रता के भूकंप के बाद अगले कुछ दिनों तक झटके आ सकते हैं, लेकिन घबराने की कोई जरूरत नहीं है।

(स्रोत : पी०टी०आई० & द पायनियर)

Navy's commitment ensures nation's safety, prosperity: PM Modi

Navy's commitment ensures nation's Safety, Prosperity :

 PM Modi

Wednesday, 04 December 2024 | PTI | New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday lauded the Indian Navy on Navy Day, saying its commitment ensures the safety, security and prosperity of the nation.

Navy Day is observed as an acknowledgement of the Navy's seminal role in the country's defence, and December 4 was chosen to commemorate its valour against Pakistan during the 1971 war when it inflicted heavy losses on the enemy.

"On Navy Day, we salute the valiant personnel of the Indian Navy who protect our seas with unmatched courage and dedication. Their commitment ensures the safety, security and prosperity of our nation. We also take great pride in India's rich maritime history," the prime minister said in a post on X.

(Source : PTI & The Pioneer)

Kolkata hospital says it won't treat Bangladeshi patients

Kolkata hospital says it won't treat Bangladeshi patients

Saturday, 30 November 2024 | PTI | Kolkata

A hospital in north Kolkata's Manicktala area said it would not treat patients from Bangladesh amid protests over the alleged atrocities on minority Hindus in the neighbouring country.

An official of the JN Ray Hospital on Friday said the decision was forced by insults meted out to the Indian flag by Bangladeshi nationals.

"We have issued a notification that from today till an indefinite time we will not admit any Bangladeshi patient for treatment. This is primarily because of the insults they have shown towards India," said hospital official Subhranshu Bhakt.

He urged other hospitals in the city to do the same as a mark of protest against the alleged atrocities on minorities in Bangladesh.

"Seeing the tricolour being insulted, we have decided to stop treating Bangladeshis. India has played an important role in their independence but despite that, we are witnessing anti-India sentiments. We hope other hospitals will support us and take similar steps," he added.

(Source ; PTI  & The Pioneer)

Over 150 two-wheelers gutted in fire at Varanasi's Cantt railway station

Over 150 two-wheelers gutted in fire at Varanasi's Cantt railway station

Saturday, 30 November 2024 | PTI | Varanasi (UP)

Over 150 two-wheelers were destroyed in a fire that broke out at a parking stand in Varanasi's Cantt railway station, officials said on Saturday.

There were no reports of any casualties.

The incident took place on Friday night when the fire erupted near the platform one parking stand, according to railway officials.

Upon receiving information about the incident, teams from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) along with the fire department rushed to the spot to douse the flames, they said.

The blaze was brought under control but over 150 vehicles were reduced to ashes, they added.

Additional Divisional Railway Manager Lalji Chaudhary expressed regret over the incident.

He said that the parking stand was set up for railway employees and because of the fire there has been a lot of damage.

There has been no loss of life of any kind in the fire, Chaudhary said, adding that a committee has been formed to investigate the matter.

(Source : PTI & The Pioneer)

Hindu American groups praised Trump for promising to protect rights of Hindus globally

Hindu American groups praised Trump for promising to protect rights of Hindus globally

Friday, 01 November 2024 | PTI | Washington

Hindu American groups have applauded Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump for promising to protect the human rights of Hindus across the world, including the US and Bangladesh and protect them from the "anti-religion agenda of the radical left."

In his Diwali greetings on Thursday, Trump strongly "condemned the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities in Bangladesh", which he said remains in a “total state of chaos.”

“It would have never happened on my watch. Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the world and in America. They have been a disaster from Israel to Ukraine to our own Southern Border, but we will Make America Strong Again and bring back Peace through Strength,” he said.

“We will also protect Hindu Americans against the anti-religion agenda of the radical left. We will fight for your freedom. Under my administration, we will also strengthen our great partnership with India and my good friend, Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi,” Trump had said.

Utsav Sanduja, founder and chairman of Hindus for America First told PTI in an interview that they are very grateful to President Trump.

"I'm very grateful to President Trump, eternally grateful and eternally appreciative. It sucks that Kamala Harris hasn't said anything about this issue. I think that there's going to be a big change in this election coming from this,” Sanduja said.

HinduAction also thanked Trump for his statement.

“As you rightly pointed out, the situation of the Hindus in Bangladesh is precarious. Below is a summary head with regularly updated data on the atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh,” it said.

“Thank you President Trump for showing moral clarity and unequivocally condemning anti-Hindu pogroms in Bangladesh,” said Indian-American Nathan Punwani.

“Trump is a great man and, a great leader, full credit goes to him for wishing all the Hindus, Buddhists, and Jain Sikhs a very blessed Diwali. I think Trump really, really cares about these communities. He really understands what's going on in Bangladesh. He sees the ongoing persecution of Hindus. He is concerned about religious minorities that are suffering right now in that country,” Sanduja said.

“He has done such a great favour to millions of Americans who are concerned about human rights issues. To deliver on Diwali, such an auspicious day, such a magnificent thing. I'd like to say that many of us in the Hindu community played a small part in persuading President Trump's team, talking about this, giving briefings, and putting papers together,” he said.

“We are seeing that 60 per cent of Indian Americans are supporting Kamala Harris. In the last election, I think 68 per cent supported Biden. There's a dip in support for the Democratic presidential candidate. Trump, last time around, had 22 per cent of the Indian American community. Now he's at 32 per cent. This is according to Carnegie Endowment's latest survey on Indian American attitudes,” he said.

“With this statement, it's going to open up the eyes of more Indian Americans, Hindu Americans, and so on. They're going to give President Trump the vote,” Sanduja said.

(Source: PTI & The Pioneer)

Ravindra Jadeja's three-wicket burst piles pressure on New Zealand at tea on Day One

Ravindra Jadeja's three-wicket burst piles pressure on New Zealand at tea on Day One of the Third Test match

Friday, 01 November 2024 | PTI | Mumbai

Ravindra Jadeja spearheaded India's charge back into the contest with three wickets as New Zealand stumbled to 192 for six at tea on the opening day of the third and final Test here on Friday.

Jadeja (3/53) broke a stubborn 87-run fourth wicket stand between Will Young (71) and Daryl Mitchell (53 not out), while also accounting for Tom Blundell (0) and Glenn Phillips (17) to help India keep the visitors in check.

Jadeja's effort was a reward for toil that the home team bowlers put in for a large part of the second session, with Young and Mitchell forging a sturdy stand.

At tea, the burly Mitchell was batting on 53 off 96 balls with three fours having thoroughly struggled in the heat and humidity to score his first fifty of the tour. He was accompanied by Ish Sodhi (1 not out).

If India had the momentum swinging their way with spinners Washington Sundar (2/50) and Jadeja coming to the fore towards the end of the morning session, it appeared lost due to the break as New Zealand resumed formidably.

Both Young and Mitchell blunted out the Indian spin threat with consummate ease, the sweep and reverse sweep being their go-to weapons as the two right-handers put the home team bowlers to a stern test once again.

Young continued his flourish as he brought up his fifty with a six off Washington to make steady progress, until Jadeja ended his steady march towards a possible triple figure score.

As both the teams reeled under the baking sun with humidity perhaps draining more out of the players than the heat, it was only a matter of time to see how long the visitors could maintain their resistance in such testing conditions.

Young, who hadn't kept a foot wrong since his arrival in the middle showing attractive range of strokes combined with resolute defence, saw his innings end when Jadeja got one to spin away from his forward defence with the ball settling into Rohit Sharma's hands at first slip.

With his tails up, Jadeja showed glimpses of finding his best as he cleaned up Blundell for a three-ball duck, hitting the timber by getting one to turn away from his defensive bat.

Phillips, who played for the turn with Jadeja's delivery angling in, was cleaned up too.

With his three-wicket burst, Jadeja moved up to the fifth spot in the list of highest wicket-takers for India in Tests, leapfrogging former pace bowling teammates Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma, with 312 wickets.

Mitchell battled hard against both Indian bowlers and the weather since he appeared to be struggling the most with the conditions. In a session infused with frequent drink breaks for all players, Mitchell rarely missed an opportunity to consume fluids and even laid flat on his back.

(Source: PTI & The Pioneer)

न्यूजीलैंड ने पहली बार भारत में टेस्ट क्रिकेट सीरीज में विजय प्राप्त की, दूसरा मैच 113 रनों से जीता

 

न्यूजीलैंड ने पहली बार भारत में  टेस्ट क्रिकेट सीरीज में विजय प्राप्त की, दूसरा मैच 113 रनों से जीता

न्यूजीलैंड ने भारत को तीन मैचों की टेस्ट सीरीज के दूसरे मैच में 113 रनों से करारी शिकस्त दी है। न्यूजीलैंड ने लगातार दूसरा मैच जीतकर सीरीज पर कब्जा कर लिया है। पुणे के महाराष्ट्र क्रिकेट एसोसिएशन स्टेडियम में न्यूजीलैंड ने दूसरी पारी में 255 रन बना कर भारत को जीत के लिए 359 रनों का लक्ष्य दिया।

जवाब में भारतीय टीम के बल्लेबाजों ने एक बार फिर निराश किया। यशस्वी जायसवाल को छोड़कर अन्य बल्लेबाज रन बनाने के लिए संघर्ष करते हुए नजर आए। 359 रनों के जवाब में भारतीय टीम दूसरी पारी में सभी विकेट खोकर 245 रन ही बना सकी। यशस्वी जायसवाल (77) और रविंद्र जडेजा ने सबसे ज्यादा 42 रन बनाए।

न्यूजीलैंड ने पहली पारी में 259 रन बनाए थे, इसके जवाब में पहली पारी में भारतीय टीम सिर्फ 156 रन ही बना सकी। न्यूजीलैंड को पहली पारी के आधार पर 103 रनों की बढ़त मिली थी। पहली पारी में 103 रनों की बढ़त के साथ न्यूजीलैंड ने दूसरी इनिंग में 255 रन बनाए और भारत के सामने 359 रन का लक्ष्य रखा। दूसरी पारी में भारतीय टीम 245 रन ही बना सकी और 113 रनों से मैच गंवाया।

NZ 259 & 255 (न्यूजीलैंड के प्रथम एवं द्वितीय पाली के स्कोर)

IND 156 & 245 (भारत के प्रथम एवं द्वितीय पाली के स्कोर)

(स्रोत : दैनिक हिंदुस्तान)

BJP retains Hariyana while NC - Congress combine wins J&K elections 2024

 BJP retains Hariyana while NC - Congress alliance wins J&K elections 2024

By : P.B.Sharma

Beating all Exit Poll findings and media forecasting, BJP retained the majority in assembly elections. It is going to be third consecutive term in power for BJP. 

BJP nullified the Anti incumbency effect, Farmers agitations, Wrestlers  resentments etc. and won the assembly elections.

BJP won 48 assembly seats, which is  well clear of majority mark of 45 assembly seats. And Congress is able to win 37 seats. Just 5 seats had gone to others , i.e. independents and smaller parties.

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat won her seat by defeating her nearest BJP candidate.

In J&K elections National conference and Congress combine group won 49 seats while BJP won 29 seats.

Omar Abdullah is almost certain to be the Chief Minister of J&K.

For the first time AAP has won a seat and so the party has got it's representation in the 5th assembly. Already it has it's representation in 4 states of Delhi, Punjab, Gujrat and Goa. It has failed miserably in Hariyana where it is unable to even open it's account.

Jadeja seventh Indian to take 300 Test wickets

 

Jadeja seventh Indian to take 300 Test wickets

Monday, 30 September 2024 | PTI | Kanpur

Ravindra Jadeja on Monday became the seventh Indian to take 300 Test wickets when he dismissed Khaled Mahmud in the second game against Bangladesh here.

Jadeja had Mahmud caught and bowled to bring an end to Bangladesh's first innings on day four. Bangladesh were bowled out for 233 shortly after lunch.

The other Indian bowlers who have taken 300 Test wickets or more include table leader Anil Kumble (619), R Ashwin (524), Kapil Dev (434), Harbhajan Singh (417), Ishant Sharma (311) and Zaheer Khan (311).

With his feat in his 74th match, Jadeja also became the second quickest to complete the double of 300 wickets and 3000 runs in Test cricket behind England great Ian Botham.

(Source: PTI & The Pioneer)

Hathras horror: 11-year-old boy killed as sacrifice for school's prosperity by owner; 5 held

Hathras horror: 11-year-old boy killed as sacrifice for school's prosperity by owner; 5 held

Friday, 27 September 2024 | PTI | Agra

An 11-year-old child was killed as part of an alleged sacrificial ritual performed by the owners of his school in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras to make it more prosperous, police said on Friday.

Besides the owner and director of the school, the principal and two teachers were also arrested for their alleged involvement in the incident, they said.

Police said the postmortem report of the class two student revealed that he was strangled.

DL Public School owner Jasodhan Singh, who is said to believe in 'tantrik rituals', asked his son Dinesh Baghel, the director of the school, to sacrifice a child for the prosperity of the school and his family.

Principal Laxman Singh and two teachers -- Ramprakash Solanki and Veerpal Singh -- have also been held by police.

Police has lodged an FIR against them under the section 103 (1) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, against five of them and they have been sent to jail.

"The student has been identified as Kritarth (11) studying in class second of the DL Public school," Ashok Kumar Singh, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), Hathras told PTI.

"On September 23, the student was abducted from the school's hostel by teacher Ramprakash Solanki, Dinesh Baghel and school owner Jasodhan Singh. Jasodhan Singh believes in 'tantra' practice and asked his son to sacrifice a child for the prosperity of school and his family," he said.

They took the student to a secluded place for the sacrifice but the student woke up and began crying, the officer said.

"After that he was strangulated. Another teacher Veerpal Singh and school principal Laxman Singh were also present at the spot and were guarding the place," he said.

Police further said that the accused told the child's parents that Kritarth was not well as was being taken to a hospital in Baghel's car. Family members of the child, however, stopped the car and informed police about Kritarth's death, police said.

Later, postmortem report showed that he died due to strangulation.

In the police investigation, the accused informed police that the student was killed for 'sacrifice' for the prosperity of school and the owner's family," the ASP said.

(Source:The Pioneer)

SC grants bail to Kejriwal in excise policy corruption case

SC grants bail to Kejriwal in excise policy corruption case

Friday, 13 September 2024 | PTI | New Delhi

The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the corruption case lodged by the CBI in connection with the excise policy 'scam', saying prolonged incarceration amounts to unjust deprivation of liberty.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan granted the relief to Kejriwal on furnishing a bail bond of Rs 10 lakh, and two sureties of like amount.

Kejriwal, who was arrested by the ED in the excise policy case on March 21, was granted interim bail on May 10 for campaigning in the Lok Sabha polls and has been in jail since June 2 when he surrendered.

The top court directed Kejriwal not to make any public comment on the merits of the case and added that terms and conditions as imposed in the ED case would also be applicable here.

The top court, while granting him bail in the ED case, had said that Kejriwal cannot visit his office or the Delhi Secretariat and not sign any official file unless absolutely necessary to obtain the Lieutenant Governor's sanction.

It said completion of trial was unlikely to occur in the immediate future and rejected the apprehension of tampering by Kejriwal.

Justice Bhuyan, who wrote a separate judgement, concurred with Justice Kant on grant of bail.

However, Justice Bhuyan questioned the timing of Kejriwal's arrest by the CBI and said the agency's aim was to frustrate grant of bail to him in the ED case.

I fail to understand the CBI's urgency to arrest Kejriwal on cusp of release in the ED case when it did not do so for 22 months, Justice Bhuyan said.

He said the CBI can't justify arrest and continued detention citing evasive replies by Kejriwal, and added that non-cooperation cannot mean self-incrimination.

"The CBI must dispel notion of being a caged parrot, must show it is an uncaged parrot," Justice Bhuyan said.

It would be travesty of justice to keep Kejriwal in custody when he has got bail in the ED case on the same grounds, he said.

Justice Bhuyan said he has serious reservations on the conditions imposed in the ED case on Kejriwal which bar him from entering the CM's office and signing files.

"I am not commenting on conditions imposed on Kejriwal due to judicial discipline as it was in separate ED case," he added.

The bench had on September 5 reserved its verdict on the pleas.

Kejriwal has filed two separate petitions challenging the denial of bail and against his arrest by the CBI in the corruption case filed by the central agency.

The AAP chief was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on June 26. He has challenged in the apex court the Delhi High Court's August 5 order which upheld his arrest in the corruption case.

On July 12, the apex court had granted interim bail to Kejriwal in the money laundering case.

The top court had referred to a larger bench, preferably of five judges, for in-depth consideration of three questions on the aspect of "need and necessity of arrest" under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

During the arguments on September 5 on Kejriwal's plea in the corruption case, the chief minister had vehemently opposed in the apex court the CBI's contentions that he should have approached the trial court first for bail in the corruption case.               Questioning the maintainability of Kejriwal's pleas, Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, appearing for the CBI, had submitted that even in the money laundering case in which he had challenged his arrest by the ED, he was sent back by the apex court to the trial court.

(Source : PTI & The Pioneer)

Probe agency must be above board, CBI should dispel notion of being caged parrot: Justice Bhuyan

Probe agency must be above board, CBI should dispel notion of being caged parrot: Justice Bhuyan

Friday, 13 September 2024 | PTI | New Delhi

Observing that the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal by the CBI was unjustified, Supreme Court judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan on Friday came down heavily on the premier agency for arresting the Delhi chief minister in the corruption case linked to excise policy 'scam', and said it must dispel the notion of being a caged parrot.

Writing a separate concurring judgement granting bail to the AAP supremo, Justice Bhuyan questioned the timing of Kejriwal's arrest by the C.B.I. and said its aim was to frustrate grant of bail to him in the ED case.

Justice Surya Kant did not find any illegality in the CBI arrest.

"CBI is a premier investigating agency of the country. It is in the public interest that CBI must not only be above board, but must also be seen to be so. Every effort must be made to remove any perception that investigation was not carried out fairly and that the arrest was made in a high-handed and biased manner.

"In a functional democracy governed by the rule of law, perception matters. Like Caesar's wife, an investigating agency must be above board. Not long ago, this court has castigated the CBI comparing it to a caged parrot. It is imperative that CBI dispels the notion of it being a caged parrot. Rather, the perception should be that of an uncaged parrot," Justice Bhuyan wrote.

The top court judge said when Kejriwal has been granted bail under the more stringent provisions of PMLA, further detention by the CBI in respect of the same predicate offense has become wholly untenable.

"When the CBI did not feel the necessity to arrest the appellant for 22 long months, I fail to understand the great hurry and urgency to arrest the appellant when he was on the cusp of release in the ED case," Justice Bhuyan said.

He said the CBI can't justify arrest and continued detention citing evasive replies by Kejriwal, and added that non-cooperation cannot mean self-incrimination.

"The CBI must dispel notion of being a caged parrot, must show it is an uncaged parrot," Justice Bhuyan said.

It would be travesty of justice to keep Kejriwal in custody when he has got bail in the ED case on the same grounds, he said.

Justice Bhuyan said he has serious reservations on the conditions imposed in the ED case on Kejriwal which bar him from entering the CM's office and signing files.

"I am not commenting on conditions imposed on Kejriwal due to judicial discipline as it was in separate ED case," he added.

The excise policy was scrapped in 2022 after the Delhi lieutenant governor ordered a CBI investigation into alleged irregularities and corruption involving its formulation and execution.

According to the CBI and the ED, irregularities were committed while modifying the excise policy and undue favours extended to licence holders.

(Source : PTI & The Pioneer)

PoK residents should join India; we consider them our own unlike Pak: Rajnath

PoK residents should join India; we consider them our own unlike Pak: Rajnath Singh

Sunday, 08 September 2024 | PTI 

:

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday asked the residents of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to come and join India as "we consider you as our own unlike Pakistan which treats you as foreigners".

Addressing an election rally in the Ramban assembly constituency in support of BJP candidate Rakesh Singh Thakur, the Union minister came down heavily on the National Conference-Congress alliance over its poll promise of restoring Article 370 and said it is impossible as long as the BJP is there.

He welcomed the "sea change" in the overall security situation in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, and said youths now carry laptops and computers instead of pistols and revolvers.

"Support the BJP to form the next government in J-K so that we can facilitate massive development in the region. There will be so much development that the people in PoK on seeing this should say that we do not want to live with Pakistan and instead will go to India," the defence minister said.

He said that recently an affidavit was filed by the additional solicitor general in the neighboring country stating that PoK is a foreign land.

"I want to tell PoK residents that Pakistan is considering you foreigner but the people in India do no consider you as such. We consider you as our own and so come and join us," he said.

(Source : PTI & The Pioneer)

Russian helicopter with 22 persons onboard goes missing

Russian helicopter with 22 persons onboard goes  missing

Sunday, 01 September 2024 | AP | Moscow

Rescuers are searching for a helicopter that went missing in Russia’s far east on Saturday with 22 people on board.

The Mi-8 helicopter took off close to the Vachkazhets volcano in the Kamchatka region, but did not arrive at its destination as scheduled, Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency said in a statement. It said it believed that 19 passengers and three crew members were on board.

The Mi-8 is a two-engine helicopter designed in the 1960s. It is widely used in Russia, where crashes have been frequent, as well as in neighbouring countries and many other nations.

(Source : AP & The Pioneer)

West Indies beat South Africa by 8 wickets in 3rd T20, sweep series 3-0

West Indies beat South Africa by 8 wickets in 3rd T20, Sweeps series 3-0

Wednesday, 28 August 2024 | AP | Tarouba (Trinidad)

Nicholas Pooran blasted 35 runs from 13 balls to lead the West Indies to an eight-wicket win over South Africa in the rain-shortened third Twenty20 cricket international, securing a 3-0 series sweep.

Rain delayed the start of play by an hour and returned in the fifth over of the South Africa innings, reducing the match to 13 overs per innings.

South Africa was 23-0 when the rain started and Tristan Stubbs dashed 40 from 15 balls to help the visitors post 108-4 after a slow start. Stubbs hit five fours and three sixes for 38 runs from boundaries. He finished the series with 144 runs at a strike-rate of 178.

Pooran almost matched him, hitting two fours and four sixes. The West Indies was 60-2 when Pooran was out to the fifth ball of the fourth over and coasted to victory with 22 balls remaining.

Shai Hope made an unbeaten 42 from 24 balls and Shimron Hetmeyer scored 31 from 17 deliveries in an unbroken partnership of 56 for the third wicket.

“Obviously coming out on top is what we wanted. We wanted to win the series 3-0,” West Indies captain Roston Chase said in a television interview.

“Before the match, at the team meeting after everyone had spoken, I just asked the boys to give me the victory because you want to start well and I just want to thank the guys for the support and the way they played with their heart today.”

No overs were lost when rain delayed the toss. The West Indies eventually won the toss and chose to bowl, with an eye on the threat of further rain.

South Africa began cautiously in humid conditions and the first boundary of its innings didn't come until the fourth over, hit by Ryan Rickelton from the bowling of Matthew Forde. The first six of the innings came from the next ball.

The rain returned and forced the players from the field for 70 minutes, leaving South Africa on the back foot when it resumed. Reeza Hendricks was out three balls after the resumption, but that brought Stubbs to the crease and he did his best to blast South Africa to a competitive total.

Stubbs hit 6, 4, 6 from consecutive balls in the 11th over bowled by Obed McCoy and 4, 6, 4 in the final over bowled by Forde. He was out with two balls left in the innings.

Pooran then blasted the West Indies into an winning position with his brilliant 13-ball cameo. He finished with a strike rate of 269.

Hope hit four sixes in his innings and Hetmeyer hit four fours and a six as the West Indies completed a comprehensive win.

The West Indies beat South Africa 3-0 in a Twenty20 series prior to this year's T20 World Cup, which it co-hosted with the United States, and now has swept South Africa again. But in between, South Africa eliminated the West Indies from the World Cup.

“It was a tough one today. Obviously it was stop-start with the rain which hurt us quite a bit,” South Africa captain Aiden Markram said. “Conditions changed quite a bit throughout the game as well.

“I think we got the tougher of the conditions. That being said I think there are several areas we can improve on as a team to play better cricket in tough conditions.

(Source : AP & The Pioneer)

Rape case registered against actor Sidhique

 Rape case registered 

against actor Sidhique

Wednesday, 28 August 2024 | PTI | Thiruvananthapuram

A rape case has been registered against Malayalam actor Sidhique following a female actor's allegation that he sexually assaulted her in 2016, police said on Wednesday.

An FIR under sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) has been registered against the actor at Museum police station, a senior police officer said.

 The case was registered under the IPC as the offence allegedly occurred in 2016. This is the second FIR against a high profile film personality following the allegations of sexual harassment against various directors and actors in the wake of revelations in the Justice Hema Committee report.

 The first case, under IPC Section 354 (assault or criminal force on woman with intent to outrage her modesty), was against director Ranjith on a complaint by a female actor from West Bengal regarding an incident which occurred in 2009. She had alleged that the director had touched her inappropriately with sexual intent after inviting her to act in the movie Paleri Manikyam in 2009.

Following the allegation by the actor, Ranjith had resigned from his post as chairman of Kerala Chalachitra Academy. Sidhique had also resigned from his post as general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) following the allegations against him.

The Justice Hema Committee was constituted by the Kerala government after the 2017 actress assault case and its report revealing instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry.

Amidst allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation cropping up against several actors and directors, the state government on August 25 announced the establishment of a seven-member special investigation team to probe them. Subsequently, more complaints surfaced.

(Source: PTI & The Pioneer)