The fourth edition of the Pan-India Coastal Defence Exercise Sea Vigil 24 concluded successfully on Thursday. The exercise was conducted in two phases: Phase-I extended from November 13-19 while Phase-II was conducted over a 36-hour period, across all coastal states and Union Territories of India. The exercise demonstrated India’s unwavering commitment to strengthening its maritime security and coastal defence mechanisms. Spanning the entirety of India’s 11,098 km coastline and its Exclusive Economic Zone of 2.4 million square kilometers, Sea Vigil 24 witnessed the participation of more than 21 agencies across six ministries. These included the Indian Navy, Army, Air Force, Indian Coast Guard, State Marine Police, Customs, Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Port Authorities and Fisheries department, among others. The two days of Phase-II of the exercise witnessed extensive deployment of more than 550 surface assets from various maritime security agencies and 60 air sorties with flying time of about 200 hours along the entire coastline of the country. Coastal Defence and Security Readiness Evaluation (CDSRE) phase of the exercise, conducted for over a period of seven days prior commencement of tactical phase, witnessed a comprehensive audit of over 950 critical coastal locations. The audit included Fishing Landing Centres, Lighthouses, Major and Non-Major ports, Coastal Police Stations, offshore assets, Coastal VAs/ VPs and others. Notably, for the first time, officials from the National Security Council Secretariat participated in the CDSRE activities in Gujarat and West Bengal. Focus and objectives Sea Vigil 24 focused on enhancing coastal defence of the country. Enhancing security of vital maritime assets such as Oil Rigs, Single Point Moorings (SPMs), Cable Landing Stations, Non-Major Ports and nuclear installations along the coast has been one of the major focus areas during this exercise and numerous initiatives were taken towards it. The Indian Air force has deployed Air Defence Systems on offshore platforms/Oil Rigs to secure offshore infrastructure. Special emphasis was provided for safety and security of merchant ships wherein, simulated hijacking, Naval Cooperation and Guidance to Shipping and re-routing of Indian merchant vessels was undertaken. Fishing communities of all states participated actively in the exercise and had enthusiastically been involved in various duties with the maritime forces. The exercise also featured an expanded community outreach programme aimed at fostering grassroots awareness of maritime security in youth especially National Cadet Corps (NCC), Bharat Scouts and Guides, and students of coastal areas. The initiatives were organised by the Navy to build a robust security-conscious coastal ecosystem which would reinforce nations coastal defence. Strengthening inter-agency coordinationAs a key component of India’s Coastal Defence Architecture, Sea Vigil 24 served as a platform for evaluating inter-agency coordination and identifying gaps in India’s coastal security infrastructure. The seamless collaboration between the participating agencies highlighted their readiness to counter evolving maritime threats. Legacy and visionSince its inception in 2018, Sea Vigil has played a pivotal role in India’s coastal defence preparedness. By simulating real-time scenarios, the exercise provides valuable insights into the nation’s maritime defence capabilities. The lessons learnt from the exercise aid in making the Coastal Defence Architecture more robust and resilient to the prevailing situation. The successful culmination of Sea Vigil 24 underscores India’s steadfast resolve to safeguard its maritime borders and Indian Navy’s commitment to handle its responsibilities of ‘Overall Maritime Security’. With enhanced inter-agency cooperation, robust preparedness, and active community engagement, the exercise marks another milestone in fortifying the nation’s Coastal Defence posture against emerging security challenges.
22 November,2024 08:57 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentParty President Mallikarjun Kharge has deputed All India Congress Committee (AICC) observers to oversee the post-poll scenario in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, news agency ANI reported.According to a press release issued by AICC, former Rajasthan Chief Minister (CM) Ashok Gehlot, ex-Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel and Dr G Parameshwara are the observers for Maharashtra. For Jharkhand, the party has announced the names of Tariq Anwar, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Krishna Allavuru as observers. The counting for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024 will be on Saturday.In the western state, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in alliance with Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party. Their alliance Mahayuti, which is currently in power, is facing a tough battle against the opposition Maha Vikas Agadhi (MVA), comprising the Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar). One needs to secure atleast 145 seats to secure a majority in the 288-seat assembly.In the 81-seat assembly of Jharkhand, the BJP seeks to defeat the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) party.The BJP is in alliance with the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), Janata Dal (United), and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), while the JMM-led alliance consists of the Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist).The ruling Mahayuti is poised to retain power in Maharashtra and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) also has an edge to form government in Jharkhand, exit polls predicted on Wednesday after the polling concluded in the two states.Most exit polls also predicted that MVA would put up a strong show in Maharashtra but is unlikely to cross the majority mark.According to the P-MARQ exit poll, the Mahayuti alliance would win 137-157 seats whereas MVA would get 126-147 seats and others two to eight seats.Chanakya Strategies projected that Mahayuti will win 152-150 seats, MVA 130-138 seats, and others six to eight seats.In Jharkhand, exit polls suggested that the BJP-led NDA might replace the JMM-led alliance. The elections, held in two phases for 81 assembly seats, indicated a strong showing for the BJP-led alliance.According to Chanakya Strategies, NDA is expected to win 45-50 seats, the JMM-led alliance 35-38 seats, and others three to five seats. The Peoples Pulse exit poll predicted 44-53 seats for NDA, 25-37 for the JMM-led alliance, and five to nine seats for others. (With ANI inputs)
22 November,2024 08:08 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Supreme Court of India on Friday announced that it will deliver a verdict on Monday regarding several petitions aimed at removing the terms 'secular' and 'socialist' from the Preamble of the Indian Constitution, reported news agency ANI. A bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar reviewed the petitions, during which they remarked that the concept of socialism in India is primarily understood as a commitment to a "welfare state." The bench emphasised that secularism is an integral part of the Constitution's basic structure,and the 42nd Amendment had been examined by the Supreme Court earlier as well. The Supreme Court was hearing petitions filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, along with lawyers Balram Singh, Karunesh Kumar Shukla, and Ashwini Upadhyay. Earlier, the bench reiterated that the ideals of secularism and socialism in the Preamble of Indian Constitution should not be interpreted solely through the western lens. "Socialism can also mean that there should be equality of opportunity and the wealth of a country should be distributed equally. Let's not take the Western meaning. It can have some different meanings as well. Same with the word secularism," the bench had said. BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, who is one of the petitioners, had said that the two words inserted in the Preamble through the 42nd Constitution Amendment Act of 1976 during Emergency, cannot bear the date of the original Preamble, which was framed in 1949. Swamy in his petition had said that the two words, inserted in the Preamble violated the basic structure doctrine enunciated in the famous Kesavananda Bharati judgement by a 13-judge bench in 1973, by which Parliament's power to amend the Constitution was barred from tinkering with the basic features of the Constitution, stated ANI. Swamy further asserted that the framers of the Constitution had deliberately chosen not to include these terms, claiming that their addition imposed specific political ideologies on citizens and infringed upon their right to choose. He maintained that such amendments exceeded Parliament's authority under Article 368 of the Constitution. It was further stated that Dr BR Ambedkar had rejected the incorporation of these words, as the Constitution cannot thrust upon the citizens certain political ideologies by taking away their right to choose, stated PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
22 November,2024 06:26 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentAmid alleged bribery and fraud allegations by the prosecutors in the United States (US) against Gautam Adani, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President KT Rama Rao on Friday questioned why the Chief Minister Revanth Reddy-led Telangana government is not cancelling business ties with the Adani group despite Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's request."The man who is wrong in Maharashtra, whose investment is not right for Maharashtra, whose Dharavi project in Maharashtra is not right... how does he suddenly becomes good after crossing the border? How did an investment of crores come into being? The Telangana Government has signed an MoU (memorandum of understanding) with Adani's company. We are asking Rahul ji and Revanth ji only one question: if a small country like Kenya can cut off its entire business with Adani, then why is the Telangana government, which is a Congress state, not cancelling it even after Rahul Gandhi's request?" questioned KT Rama Rao.According to news agency PTI, Rao further asked, "Why did Adani give you Rs 100 crore? Disclose this also once. If Adani is not good for the country, as Rahul Gandhi says, then how will it be good for us [Telangana state]? Please answer once about this. Rahul Gandhi can't be running with the hair and hunting with the hound. That is not how this works, he has to take a stand, if he's clear in his mind that Adani is a fraud, then his government in Telangana needs to cancel all the MoUs..."Responding to the Gautam Adani bribery, fraud case controversy, Gandhi on Thursday called for Adani's arrest and said that it is "clear" and "established" that the Adani Group Chairman has broken both American and Indian laws.Meanwhile, Opposition parties on Thursday pressed for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the alleged bribery allegations, with Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleging that a key player in the "corruption scandal" is the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), is a Government of India company, reported PTI.The Adani Group has denied the allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of Adani Green. Reacting to the Gautam Adani bribery, fraud case controversy, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said that the law will take its own course and slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (With ANI inputs)
22 November,2024 06:22 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP SP) leader Rohit Pawar on Friday alleged that some 25-30 BJP workers mob at midnight tried to enter the strong room where EVMs of Karjat-Jamkhed constituency, from where he contested, are kept, reported the PTI. Sitting MLA Rohit Pawar is pitted against BJP leader and former state minister Ram Shinde in Karjat-Jamkhed in Ahilyanagar (formerly Ahmednagar) district, some 120 kilometres from Pune. "Around 25-30 BJP workers attempted to forcefully enter the strongroom where the EVM machines were stored at midnight in Karjat Jamkhed in in Ahilyanagar. However, my party workers, along with CRPF personnel, handled the situation patiently and foiled the attempt, for which I am thankful!" Rohit Pawar said on social media platform X. भाजपच्या सुमारे २५-३० कार्यकर्त्यांनी मध्यरात्री ईव्हीएम मशीन ठेवलेल्या स्ट्रॉग रुममध्ये घुसण्याचा प्रयत्न केला, परंतु माझे कार्यकर्ते आणि CRPF च्या जवानांनी संयमाने परिस्थिती हाताळत हा प्रयत्न हाणून पाडल्याबाबत त्यांचे आभार! याबाबत गुन्हा दाखल करताना भाजपच्या दबावाखाली असलेल्या… — Rohit Pawar (@RRPSpeaks) November 22, 2024 Rohit Pawar claimed he approached police but, under the influence of the BJP, they chose to "harass us instead of cooperating". "The Election Commission should take appropriate note of this matter. This attempt by BJP workers shows the goondagardi as they are scared of defeat. However, within the next 24 hours, the people of Karjat-Jamkhed will put an end to this hooliganism through democratic means, without fail," he asserted. Maharashtra Assembly election 2024 were held on Wednesday, while results will be counted on Saturday. Meanwhile, the local administration on Thursday said all arrangements, including a robust three-tier security system, have been made for Saturday's counting of votes polled in the 21 Maharashtra assembly constituencies in Pune district, according to the PTI. Voting for the 288-member assembly concluded on November 20. "We have a total of 21 constituencies in Pune district. Of these, the counting of votes for eight constituencies in Pune city will take place at Food Corporation of India (FCI) godown in the Koregaon Park area. "The counting of votes of seats in rural parts of Pune district will take place in respective constituencies. All necessary arrangements in terms of logistics and security have been completed," said collector and returning officer Suhas Divase, as per the PTI. The counting will start on Saturday (November 23) at 8 am with postal ballots followed by EVM votes, he said. Divase said a three-tier security system has been put in place for protection of EVMs as per Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines. The first layer is being manned by central security forces, the second by the State Reserve Police Force and the third by the state police. Strong rooms housing EVMs are under CCTV surveillance and its footage is being made available to candidates, informed the collector. The strong rooms will be opened in the presence of observers and candidates, and then the EVMs will be brought out and taken to counting tables, said Divase, the news agency reported. (with PTI inputs)
22 November,2024 05:59 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentThe Biju Janata Dal (BJD) which was in power in Odisha from 2000 till June 2024, on Friday, firmly dismissed allegations that state government officials accepted bribes from the Adani Group in relation to renewable energy supply agreements and described these claims as "false and not based on fact," reported the PTI. The controversy arises from charges filed by the US Department of Justice against Adani Group, its chairman Gautam Adani, and seven others, including his nephew Sagar Adani. They are accused of bribing officials in multiple states, including Odisha, to secure contracts for solar power, potentially leading to profits exceeding USD 2 billion over two decades. In response to the allegations, the Adani Group has categorically denied any wrongdoing, labelling the US prosecutors' claims as "baseless" and that the conglomerate is "compliant with all laws." Former Odisha Energy Minister and BJD MLA, PK Deb, stated that the allegations are unfounded and emphasised that the Odisha government has no involvement in the agreements related to power supply. "The Government of Odisha has nothing to do with the agreement. Whatever agreement was done that remained confined among Gridco, the distribution company and the SECI (Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited), a central PSU. The state government has no role in all these matters though the administration was informed regarding the PSA", Deb told PTI. He claimed that there is a difference in power distribution between Odisha and other states. "We in Odisha have privatised the power distribution while other states are doing the job directly. Here Tata Power is doing the distribution part of the electricity supply", he said, adding that the agreement may involve Adani, SECI, Gridco and the distribution company, stated PTI. "All the agreements on power get the approval of the OERC (Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission), an autonomous body. The Gridco is also semi-autonomous. Therefore, the state government has no direct role in the agreements. Neither the Energy department minister nor the secretary are involved in all such agreements," Deb said. Gridco, a state-owned enterprise, is responsible for the bulk purchase and sale of electricity within Odisha and trades surplus power with neighbouring states. This structure reinforces the argument that the state government does not directly engage in the agreements concerning power distribution. (With inputs from PTI)
22 November,2024 05:20 PM IST | Bhubaneswar | mid-day online correspondentThree persons, including two women, were killed and nine others hospitalised following a gas leak after a blast in a reactor at a fertiliser plant in Maharashtra's Sangli district, an official said on Friday, reported PTI. The incident took place around 6.30 pm on Thursday at the Myanmar Chemical Company in Shalgaon MIDC of Kadegaon tehsil in the district, he said, reported PTI. Police said a reactor at the fertiliser plant exploded releasing chemical fumes. "Due to the gas leak, some 12 people in the unit were affected and taken to hospital. Of them, two women workers and a security guard have died. Nine others are being treated," said Sangram Shewale, senior inspector of Kadegaon police station, reported PTI. Sangli Superintendent of Police Sandip Ghuge said the gas leak is suspected to be ammonia. Seven of the injured persons have been admitted to Sahyadri Hospital in Karad and five of them are in the ICU, said another official. The two women who lost their lives have been identified as Suchita Uthale (50) of Yetgaon in Sangli district and Neelam Rethrekar (26) of Masur in Satara district, the official said. Thane: Gas leak at chemical factory in Ambernath In September, a gas leak was reported at a chemical factory in Ambernath, located in Thane district, according to officials from the Ambernath Fire Brigade, repored news agency ANI. The incident occurred during a gas venting process at the factory, causing the gas to spread across the surrounding area. Upon receiving the alert on the gas leak, fire brigade personnel promptly arrived at the scene to assess the situation, reported ANI. Residents in the vicinity of an industrial zone complained of eye irritation and breathing difficulties as a thick haze enveloped the area after a suspected gas leak from a factory in Maharashtra's Thane district, an official told PTI. The situation is under control and there were no injuries or hospitalisations, Yasin Tadvi, Chief of the Disaster Management Cell of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) told PTI. Panic ensued after smog-like conditions prevailed in the Morivali MIDC area of Ambernath town, on the outskirts of Mumbai, around 11 pm on Thursday, the official told PTI. After receiving complaints about a burning sensation in the eyes and breathlessness, local firefighters investigated the source of the haze, which was traced to a chemical company. They also advised people to stay indoors as a precaution. Officials said a phosphorous-based chemical at the factory caused a dense white smoke, which spread through the area, reported PTI. The manufacturing activities at the company have been halted temporarily, the official added. (With inputs from PTI and ANI)
22 November,2024 02:48 PM IST | Sangli/Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentDravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) spokesperson Saravana Annadurai on Friday claimed that the roots of corruption in Tamil Nadu can be traced back to a power agreement signed by former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa with the Adani Group, reported ANI. Annadurai pointed out that current Electricity Minister Senthil Balaji has confirmed that the Tamil Nadu Electricity Department has not entered into any power purchase or power sale agreements with the Adani Group. "Let us not forget that it was Jayalalithaa, the then-CM, who met with Adani and entered into an agreement for 25 years to purchase one unit of electricity for Rs 7.05. So, the corruption started when Jayalalithaa signed a power agreement with the Adani Group directly. Senthil Balaji (Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister) has clarified that we have had no track with the Adani group as the Tamil Nadu Electricity Department has never entered into any kind of power purchase agreement or a power sale agreement with the Adani Group directly," Annadurai said. The DMK spokesperson highlighted a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) established in 2020 between the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) and the Tamil Nadu government, which occurred while the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) was in power. "They said that the MoU/agreement/power purchase agreement/power sale agreement between SECI (Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited), which is the BJP Government's creation, and the Tamil Nadu Government first took place on 19.05.2020 when the AIADMK Government was in power. When we came to power, we decreased the price from Rs 2.81 to Rs 2.61," Annadurai added. Accusing SECI of acting as a "broker" for the Adani Group, he said, "It is the SECI which is mandated by the BJP government, creation of the BJP government which has acted as a broker for the Adani group. The officials of the SECI should be investigated and then only will we come to know the truth." The YSR Congress Party responded to the controversy by clarifying that there are no direct agreements between Andhra Pradesh distribution companies (DISCOMs) and the Adani Group. "It is necessary to mention that SECI is a Government of India enterprise. There is no direct agreement between AP DISCOMs and any other entities including those belonging to the Adani group. Therefore, the allegations made on the State Government, in the light of the indictment are incorrect," YSR Congress Party said in a statement on Thursday. In the midst of these accusations, the Adani Group has categorically denied the allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission regarding bribery and fraud involving its directors. BJP's Sambit Patra bashes Rahul Gandhi over Adani bribery case, says he's trying to tarnish PM Modi's image. Watch Video: Meanwhile, the BJP has asserted that the law will take its course regarding these matters, while also criticising Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his comments on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (With inputs from ANI)
22 November,2024 02:12 PM IST | Chennai | mid-day online correspondentManipur Police on Friday arrested seven more individuals related to the arson and property damage incidents involving elected members on November 16, bringing the total number of arrests to 32, reported the ANI. Police officials stated that the new arrests were made on Wednesday and Thursday. “In connection with cases related to arson/damage of properties of elected members on 16.11.2024, Manipur Police arrested 07 (seven) more persons on 20.11.2024 and 21.11.2024 in addition to the 25 (twenty-five) persons arrested on earlier days", Manipur police officials said on a post on X (formerly Twitter). In connection with cases related to arson/damage of properties of elected members on 16.11.2024, Manipur Police arrested 07 (seven) more persons on 20.11.2024 and 21.11.2024 in addition to the 25 (twenty-five) persons arrested on earlier days. They have been identified as follows… — Manipur Police (@manipur_police) November 21, 2024 Those arrested have been identified as Wahengbam Jyotikumar Singh (26), Khundrakpam Bikram Singh (41), Monish Nepram (31), and Aribam Mirachandra Sharma (41),.Elangbam Harison Singh alias Dada (34), Lourembam Norojit Singh alias Nonni Singh (40), Laimayum Kedarnath Sharma (37), stated ANI. Manipur Police also mentioned that further investigation in the case is ongoing. In response to the ongoing tensions in Manipur, police forces have intensified search operations and area domination efforts in vulnerable districts, both in the hills and valleys. Movement of 50 and 432 nos. of vehicles carrying essential items along NH-37 and NH-2 has been ensured, stated ANI. To ensure the safe passage of these vehicles, stringent security measures have been implemented at various sensitive locations, including the establishment of 105 checkpoints across the state. Notably, no detentions have been reported in connection with violations at these checkpoints. In a recent political exchange, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh criticised Congress leader P Chidambaram following Chidambaram's social media post, which he later deleted, blaming Singh for the ongoing crisis. Singh countered by accusing Chidambaram of being a "root cause" of the violence affecting the state. Meanwhile, several MLAs from Manipur convened to pass a resolution outlining their demands. They urged the central government to reconsider the enforcement of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the region. Additionally, the resolution by the MLAs called for military operations against Kuki militants, who are implicated in the recent deaths of six individuals, including women and children, in Jiribam. Furthermore, the resolution advocated for the transfer of three significant cases to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). These cases include investigations into the killings of six civilians, the brutal burning of a woman, and the killing of a woman farmer. The recent spike in violence, following the discovery of six bodies, has led the state government to suspend internet services in seven districts as a precautionary measure to maintain order and prevent further escalation. (With inputs from ANI)
22 November,2024 01:01 PM IST | Imphal (Manipur) | mid-day online correspondentThe civil and criminal charges filed by the US Department of Justice against billionaire Gautam Adani and seven other individuals over an alleged multi-million-dollar bribery scheme could lead to severe legal consequences, including arrest warrants and potential extradition attempts, according to a prominent US attorney. Adani, who ranks as India’s second-richest man, and his nephew Sagar Adani are among those accused of paying bribes to unidentified state government officials in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. These bribes were allegedly intended to secure contracts for the purchase of expensive solar power, a deal that could have earned the group more than USD 2 billion over the next two decades. However, the Adani Group has denied the charges, labelling them "baseless" and asserting that the conglomerate is fully compliant with all applicable laws. Ravi Batra, a well-known Indian-American attorney, explained that US Attorney Breon Peace has the authority to issue arrest warrants against the accused individuals and serve them in the countries where they reside. Should the country in question, such as India, have an extradition treaty with the United States, then, under the bilateral agreement, the nation must cooperate in turning over the accused individuals. Batra further explained that extradition is generally mandatory unless exceptional circumstances arise, citing the refusal to extradite former Chilean president Augusto Pinochet due to humanitarian grounds. "The India-US Extradition Treaty, signed in 1997, obliges cooperation between both nations," Batra said. "Extradition typically occurs unless there are rare exceptions, which are unlikely to apply in this case." As per PTI reports, the US Department of Justice has indicted Adani, Sagar Adani, and Vneet S Jaain, the former CEO of Adani Green Energy, on five counts related to conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud, in connection with misleading investors and securing funds based on false statements. In addition, other individuals associated with the scheme, including executives of Azure Power Global and former employees of a Canadian institutional investor, have been charged with violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. US Attorney Breon Peace stated that the accused individuals orchestrated an extensive bribery scheme to secure multi-billion-dollar contracts by corrupting Indian government officials. According to the US Justice Department, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act prohibits such payments to foreign officials to secure improper advantages. The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has also charged Adani and his nephew with violating anti-fraud provisions of federal securities laws. Batra concluded by noting that the charges have significant implications, especially in light of the US's extended reach into global capital markets. "If the defence does not present a strong counter to these serious allegations, the charges could result in grave consequences for the accused," he said. The case continues to unfold, with US authorities pursuing legal action against the accused, and the Adani Group vowing to contest the charges. (With inputs from PTI)
22 November,2024 12:34 PM IST | New YorkThe Special Task Force (STF) of Assam police recovered and seized fake Indian currency notes (FINC) worth Rs 4.59 lakh and arrested a person in the Sonapur area in Kamrup (Metro) district, ANI reported. The person arrested has been identified as Ali Ahmed (42), a resident of Assam's Lakhimpur district. CPRO of Assam police, Pranab Jyoti Goswami said that in the ongoing investigation of STF in the Fake Currency Case, a raid was launched in the Kharikata area under Sonapur police station jurisdiction by STF Assam on Thursday evening, after which an accused was arrested. "During the raid, the STF team recovered and seized Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) of face value Rs 4,59,000 (918 notes of denomination 500), one Mobile Phone, and 8 numbers of tape. The team also arrested Ali Ahmed (42), a resident of Lakhimpur district. Further investigation is underway," Pranab Jyoti Goswami said. In another operation, an STF team seized 121 grams of heroin and arrested one person in the Kamrup district's Boko area on Thursday. The accused has been identified as Sorif Ali (41). Police also recovered one mobile phone and cash from his possession, ANI reported. According to the Assam Police CPRO, an STF squad chased and stopped a public vehicle in the Boko area inside the boundaries of the Boko police station in the state's Kamrup district after receiving information about potential contraband smuggling. "From a vehicle, a person was apprehended and upon search a total of 9 soap boxes containing heroin weighing 121 grams were recovered which were duly seized following all norms of NDPS/BNSS. The team also recovered one mobile phone and cash from his possession. The apprehended person was identified as Sorif Ali (41 years old)," Pranab Jyoti Goswami said, ANI cited. Manipur: Assam rifles, police seize 578 grams of heroin worth Rs 2.31 cr Assam Rifles, in a joint operation with Manipur Police, recovered 578 grams of heroin worth around Rs 2.31 crore in the global market on Sunday in Senapati district in Manipur, officials said, ANI reported. According to an official release, the operation, conducted on NH-02 between Tadubi and Mao Gate in Senapati district, was based on credible intelligence, ANI cited. The forces successfully seized the contraband at Marty's Park, Mao Gate, on the National Highway, as stated by HQ IGAR (East). The seized heroin, along with the vehicle and the individual involved, has been handed over to the Mao Police Station for further investigation. According to HQ IGAR (East), the forces were able to successfully seize the contraband in Marty's Park, Mao Gate, on the National Highway. The seized heroin, along with the vehicle and the individual involved, has been handed over to the Mao Police Station for further investigation, ANI cited. (With inputs from ANI)
22 November,2024 12:05 PM IST | Guwahati | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
