Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Eknath Shinde, along with his deputies Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Thursday night to discuss a power-sharing agreement in the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti alliance had secured a landslide victory in the state assembly elections. Fadnavis, a former CM under whom the BJP crossed the 100-seat mark for the third consecutive time in the 288-member state assembly, is seen as the frontrunner for the top executive position in Maharashtra. Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar stated that a decision regarding ministerial positions for the Mahayuti alliance partners – BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP – would be made during Thursday night's meeting with Shah. The alliance leaders also indicated that a new government could be in place in Maharashtra latest by December 2. Shinde travelled to the national capital with senior party leaders Uday Samant and Shambhuraj Desai. Earlier, Fadnavis had met Pawar at the residence of NCP leader Sunil Tatkare. Outgoing CM Shinde had a separate meeting with Shah ahead of the Mahayuti coalition's discussions. Arriving from Mumbai, Shinde drove straight to Shah's residence on Krishna Menon Marg, where BJP president Jagat Prakash Nadda was already present, news agency PTI reported. 'Will abide by PM Modi, Amit Shah's decision' Speaking to reporters, Shinde confirmed that he would not be an obstacle to the formation of the new government in the state and would abide by the decision made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah. This paved the way for BJP to nominate its candidate for the next CM of Maharashtra. “This ‘ladka bhau (beloved brother)' has arrived in Delhi and the ‘ladka bhau’ designation is higher than anything else for me,” Shinde remarked. Political speculation is rife regarding the central BJP leadership’s consideration of social equations in Maharashtra before making a decision on the CM's position. This opens up the race for the role among BJP leaders from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Maratha communities. Shiv Sena leaders are advocating for Shinde to remain as CM, pointing to the success of the ‘Ladki Bahin’ initiative and his approach to bringing governance directly to the people. Caste dynamics have played a significant role in the debate over the chief ministerial post, with a large proportion of the 288 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Maratha community. Shinde unlikely to accept Deputy CM's role Fadnavis, a Brahmin, first became Maharashtra’s CM in 2014 and briefly in 2019. "If the writ of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) prevails, the chances of Fadnavis becoming CM are bright," a source suggested, according to PTI. A close aide of Shinde indicated that the caretaker CM is unlikely to accept the post of a deputy in the new government. However, Shiv Sena Spokesperson Sanjay Shirsat stated that Shinde would remain in the cabinet, though he would not take up the deputy CM position. "It does not befit someone who has already served as chief minister," Shirsat told PTI. He added that Shiv Sena would nominate another leader for the deputy CM's role. Shinde’s son, Shrikant, who is a Member of Parliament (MP), earlier expressed pride in his father for exemplifying "alliance dharma" by prioritising collective governance over personal ambition. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance achieved a remarkable victory in the recent assembly elections, winning 230 seats in the 288-member House. Recovering from its losses in the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won 132 seats, the most among the Mahayuti alliance partners. Shinde's Shiv Sena secured 57 seats, while Pawar's NCP won 41. The Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a significant setback, with the party securing just 16 seats, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) winning 10 seats, and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) securing only 20 seats. The Maharashtra assembly elections were held on November 20, with results declared three days later. On Tuesday, Shinde submitted his resignation as CM to Governor CP Radhakrishnan. The governor asked Shinde to continue as caretaker CM until the formation of a new government. (With PTI inputs)
28 November,2024 11:42 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIIndia has tested a nuclear-capable ballistic missile with a range of around 3,500 km from a nuclear-powered submarine in the Bay of Bengal, in a major boost to its nuclear deterrence and strategic capabilities, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday. With the test, India became part of a small group of nations having the capability to fire a nuclear missile from land, air and undersea. The K4 missile was tested from submarine INS Arighaat off the coast of Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, the officials quoted above said, adding that it was the first test of the submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from a submarine. The solid-fuelled missile was tested at least five times in the last few years from submersible platforms. The people cited above said the missile was tested for almost its complete range. The second Arihant-class submarine INS Arighaat was commissioned into the Indian Navy on August 29 with an aim to strengthen India's nuclear deterrence. It has the distinction of having the indigenous systems and equipment that were conceptualised, designed, manufactured and integrated by the Indian scientists, industry and naval personnel. In the last few years, India has been enhancing its overall military capabilities and test-fired a range of missiles with varying ranges. Over 10 days ago, India successfully flight-tested a long-range hypersonic missile off the coast of Odisha. The weapon can strike with extreme speed and evade most air defence systems. Generally, hypersonic missiles, capable of carrying conventional explosives or nuclear warheads, can fly in the range of five times the speed of sound (Mach 5 which is roughly 1,220 kilometres) per hour at sea level. However, some advanced versions of hypersonic missiles can even fly at the speed of over 15 Mach. At present, Russia and China are way ahead in developing hypersonic missiles while the US is in the process of developing a range of such weapons under an ambitious programme. Hypersonic missiles are considered highly manoeuvrable and agile as they can change course mid-way. The ballistic missiles, which can also fly at Mach 5, have limited manoeuvrability in view of predetermined trajectories. India is focusing on bolstering its combat capabilities against the backdrop of China's aggressive military muscle-flexing. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
28 November,2024 11:03 PM IST | New Delhi | PTISeven people have been arrested for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl, who is now 23 weeks pregnant, at Doomdooma in Assam's Tinsukia district, police said on Thursday. The girl was lured to a secluded spot while she was playing with her friends and taken to a different location where she was allegedly raped by seven persons which included four minors, Tinsukia Superintendent of Police, Gaurav Abhijit Dilip said. "The girl is approximately 23 weeks pregnant. During our investigation. We have all the evidence, including the medical report, which confirms that the girl was sexually assaulted. We will file the charge sheet soon and ensure that justice is served", he said. The incident came to light much later as the families of the accused persons had threatened the victim's family with dire consequences if they reported the matter to the police. The incident was reported to the police after several women and social organisations took up the matter. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
28 November,2024 10:45 PM IST | Tinsukia | PTIWith Cyclonic Storm 'Fengal' approaching the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, a senior IMD official said that there was will be fairly widespread moderate rainfall in most of the parts of the state. Chennai Regional Meteorological Centre Director S Balachandran told ANI that the deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal now lies at about 310 km southeast of Nagapattinam and 410 km southeast of Puducherry and south-southeast of Chennai at about 480 km. "It is likely to move north-northwestward and likely to cross between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram by the morning of the 30th morning. Under the influence of this system, rainfall is likely to occur in the next 2-3 days, fairly widespread moderate rainfall in most of the parts of Tamil Nadu," he said. "As far as heavy rainfall is concerned, next 24 hours, one-two places in Delta districts, Chengalpattu and Viluppuram are going to experience it. Tomorrow, one-two places in Delta districts and Viluppuram, Cuddalore, Puducherry and Chengalpattu will receive extremely heavy rainfall," he added. The IMD official also advised the fishermen not to venture into the sea up to November 31. Meanwhile, the Indian Navy has activated a comprehensive disaster response plan as Cyclone Fengal intensifies in the Bay of Bengal. The Eastern Naval Command, in coordination with Headquarters Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area (HQTN&P), has activated a robust disaster response mechanism to mitigate the cyclone's potential effects. Focusing on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, naval authorities are working closely with state and civil administrations to ensure rapid response capabilities. Vehicles are being loaded with essential relief materials, including food, drinking water, and medicines, while specialised Flood Relief Teams (FRTs) are being positioned in vulnerable areas. Cyclone Fengal, which is forecast to intensify within the next 48 hours, is expected to bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, and possible flooding to Tamil Nadu's coastal regions. Authorities have urged residents in low-lying and coastal areas to remain vigilant and adhere to safety advisories. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
28 November,2024 10:39 PM IST | Chennai | ANIThe Manipur government on Thursday announced that classes in schools and colleges in Imphal Valley districts and Jiribam would resume from November 29 after a hiatus of 13 days. Educational institutes in these districts have remained closed since November 16 after the dead bodies of three women and three children in Jiribam were recovered from the Jiri and Barak rivers in Manipur and Assam respectively. An order issued by the Directorate of Education- Schools said, "Normal classes will resume for all schools of the state, government, government aided, private and central schools from November 29." The government educational institutions or government-aided colleges under the Higher and Technical Education Department, including state universities, will resume classes with effect from Friday, a separate order said. Violence escalated in Manipur after three women and three children belonging to the Meitei community had gone missing from a relief camp in Jiribam after a gunfight between security forces and suspected Kuki-Zo militants resulted in the deaths of 10 insurgents on November 11. Bodies of those six were later found. Meanwhile, the state government ordered relaxation of curfew from 5 am to 4 pm on Friday in all five valley districts to enable people to purchase essential items and medicines, according to an official order. "Due to developing law and orders situation in the district, there is need to relax restriction on movement of people to facilitate the public to purchase essential items including medicines and food items. Restriction of movement of people outside their residences is hereby lifted for Friday from 5 am to 4 pm" according to a government order. District Magistrates of Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Kakching and Thoubal issued the order separately. "The relaxation, however, shall not include any gathering/ sit-in protest/ rally without obtaining approval through competent authority" the order read. More than 250 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo groups since May last year. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
28 November,2024 10:33 PM IST | Imphal | PTIJMM leader Hemant Soren was sworn in as the 14th Chief Minister of Jharkhand in a grand ceremony on Thursday, marking the beginning of his fourth term, news agency PTI reported. The event was attended by senior leaders of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who heads the Trinamool Congress. Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar administered the oath of office and secrecy to the 49-year-old tribal leader, who reaffirmed his commitment to working for the welfare of all sections of the state, particularly the poor, deprived, and exploited. "This Jharkhand government will work day and night for all sections of the people, including the poor, deprived, and exploited... Abua (our) government," Soren stated shortly after taking the oath. He later dedicated the moment to the struggles of Jharkhand's "immortal brave martyrs" and "great revolutionaries" in a post on X. "Today's emotional moment is dedicated to crores of people of Jharkhand," he wrote. Before taking the oath, Soren and his wife Kalpana along with their two sons sought blessings from his father and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) supremo Shibu and his mother Rupi. After the ceremony, he paid floral tributes to tribal icons such as Birsa Munda and Sido-Kanho. He then proceeded to the Project Building to begin his fourth tenure as Chief Minister, PTI reported. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Soren on X and wrote, "Congratulations to Shri Hemant Soren on taking oath as Jharkhand CM. Best wishes to him for his tenure ahead." The other INDIA bloc leaders who attended the ceremony including Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav, and Rashtriya Janata Dal's (RJD) Tejashwi Yadav. Women to get monthly aid of Rs 2,500 After taking office, Soren announced an increase in financial assistance to women in the 18-50 age group under the Maiyan Samman Yojna. The monthly financial aid will now be Rs 2,500, up from Rs 1,000, according to a key promise made during the election campaign. Soren's alliance won 56 seats in the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured only 24 seats. Soren himself retained his Barhait seat with a margin of 39,791 votes, marking the JMM's highest-ever tally in the state legislature. Soren took to X before the ceremony to emphasise the importance of unity among the people of Jharkhand, stating that their strength lies in their collective resolve. "Our unity is our biggest weapon. We can neither be divided nor silenced. Whenever they push us back, we move forward. Whenever they try to silence us, our voice of rebellion and revolution grows louder," he wrote. Soren’s victory has significant political implications for the state. The JMM-led coalition had faced a fierce electoral battle, especially with issues concerning the state's tribal community. Soren’s comments were seen as a veiled reference to the BJP-led Central Government. He reiterated his firm stance, saying, "Our fight is firm and unceasing. The struggle continues and will continue till the last breath." In terms of governance, Soren’s cabinet held a meeting where eight key decisions were made, though no new ministers were sworn in. Among the decisions was the formation of a panel to study the plight of the "marginalised" tea tribes in Assam, which had been a contentious issue raised by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during the election campaign. Additionally, the Jharkhand government has decided to initiate legal action to recover Rs 1.36 lakh crore from the Centre in lieu of coal dues, PTI reported. Soren had previously appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to clear these dues, which he claimed were obstructing the state's development. Soren’s first official meeting after his re-election was with Prime Minister Modi in Delhi, where the two discussed important state matters. The newly formed cabinet will convene for an assembly session from December 9-12, with JMM legislator Stephen Marandi acting as the pro-tem speaker until a regular Speaker is elected. As Soren embarks on his fourth term, the formation of his new cabinet is still pending. Congress is expected to receive four ministerial berths, while RJD will likely get one, along with a possible representation for Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation. (With PTI inputs)
28 November,2024 10:29 PM IST | Ranchi | mid-day online correspondentThe Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Friday a petition challenging the November 19 order of a district court, which directed that a survey be undertaken of a Mughal-era mosque in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal. According to the cause list of November 29 uploaded on the apex court website, a bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna is scheduled to hear the plea filed by the Committee of Management, Shahi Jama Masjid, Sambhal. The plea has sought an ex-parte stay on the operation of the November 19 order passed by the civil judge. "The hot haste in which the survey was allowed and conducted all within a day and suddenly another survey was conducted with a notice of barely six hours has given rise to widespread communal tensions and threatens the secular and democratic fabric of the nation," it said. Tension has been brewing in Sambhal since November 19 when the court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid was carried out following claims that a Harihar temple previously stood at the site. Violence erupted on November 24 as protesters gathered near the mosque and clashed with security personnel, leading to stone pelting and arson. Four people died and scores of others were injured in the violence. The plea filed in the apex court claimed the manner in which the survey was ordered in this case and in some other matters will have an immediate impact in the number of cases recently filed across the country concerning places of worship where such orders will have a "tendency to inflame communal passions, cause law and order problems and damage the secular fabric of the country". It has sought a direction that the report of the survey commissioner be kept in a sealed cover and status quo be maintained in the Sambhal mosque until the matter is decided. The plea has also sought the apex court's direction to the effect that surveys should not be ordered and executed as a matter of course in cases involving disputes over places of worship without hearing all parties and allowing sufficient time to the aggrieved persons to seek judicial remedies against the order of survey. It said the Shahi Jama Masjid at Chandausi in Sambhal has been standing since 16th century and has been in continuous use by the Muslims as a place of worship. "While there had been no dispute so far with regard to the aforesaid Jama Masjid, a suit was filed on November 19, 2024, by eight plaintiffs terming the Jama Masjid 'Shri Hari Har Temple' and seeking, inter alia, directions that the plaintiffs have a right to access qua the Jama Masjid and further seeking injunction against the defendants from creating any hurdle in the access of the mosque which the plaintiffs term as a temple," it said. The plea said that on November 19, the civil judge heard the suit ex-parte and allowed the application seeking the appointment of an advocate commissioner for a survey of the mosque within hours. "The order dated November 19, 2024, also contained no reasons at all as to why such an application was being considered ex-parte and why was it being allowed the same day," the plea stated. "Evidently, the above-said order directs a survey 'as per the application' and has given neither any reasons nor any terms of reference for the survey". The plea claimed that within a span of two hours of the order, the advocate commissioner, along with a police force and others, arrived at the mosque to conduct a survey. The survey started at 6 pm and continued till 8.30 pm, it said. "While the petitioners were preparing for their legal remedies against the ex-parte order and the survey on November 19, just before the midnight of November 23/24, 2024, the circle officer came to inform the president of the petitioner committee that suddenly another survey will be conducted the next morning i.e. November 24, 2024," the plea claimed. It said that before the petitioner had the chance to fully comprehend and avail any remedies against the second survey, by 6.15 am on November 24, the survey commissioner arrived with heavy police presence and advocates of the plaintiffs and commenced the survey. "The hot haste in which the matter proceeded and a subsequent survey was suddenly conducted, gave rise to apprehensions in the mind of the residents of the area, which brought them outside their house. As per reports, the police opened fire at the protesting citizens and six innocent lives have been lost as a result of firing with many injured," it claimed. Referring to the "extraordinary circumstances", the petitioner has urged the apex court to intervene and stay the proceedings of the civil suit pending before the civil judge. The plea claimed that rampant ordering of surveys, where belated claims on mosques are made, was emerging as a pattern. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
28 November,2024 10:27 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIIn a miraculous turn of events, a seven-year-old boy, who was kidnapped from Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh more than 30 years ago, has been reunited with his family, news agency PTI reported. Now 38, Raju shared his ordeal, recounting that after being abducted in September 1993, he was handed over to a truck driver who took him to Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. "The kidnappers kept me in a room located in the middle of a barren area, where I was forced to take care of sheep and goats. Each night, I was chained and locked in the room," he said. According to PTI, his father Tula Ram said that the kidnapping took place when Raju and his sister were returning home from Deen Bandhu Public School in Sahibabad. After an argument with his sister, Raju sat by the roadside when three people arrived in a tempo and abducted him, Tula Ram, a retired Delhi Government employee, stated. A first information report (FIR) was lodged at Sahibabad Police Station. Despite extensive searches, however, the police were unable to trace Raju, and Tula Ram later received a ransom letter demanding Rs 8 lakh. Unable to pay the amount, Tula Ram left the matter to fate, and the investigation eventually went cold. For three decades, Tula Ram lived in uncertainty about his son's fate. But on November 27, the family's nightmare came to an end as Raju returned home, PTI reported. After initial reluctance, Raju's mother and sisters identified him by a mole on his chest and a depression in his skull. Sharing his ordeal, Raju said he was given only one roti and tea as meals twice a day. However, he said he remained hopeful that one day he would reunite with his family. His fate took a turn when a Sikh businessman from Delhi, who was purchasing sheep and goats in the area a few days ago, saw Raju being beaten and tied to a tree. Moved by Raju's plight, the businessman decided to help him. The businessman took Raju with him on his truck and dropped him off at the Ghaziabad border, with a note stating that he was from Noida and had been kidnapped in 1993, police officials said. Raju eventually made his way to Khoda police station in Ghaziabad, where officers arranged food and shelter for him. After three days of intense searching, Khoda police finally located Raju's family. The reunion was a moment of immense joy for Tula Ram. Assistant Police Commissioner (ACP) Rajneesh Upadhyay of Uttar Pradesh Police stated that after completing all the necessary legal formalities, Raju was successfully united with his family. "The case, which had once seemed hopeless, has now brought an emotional closure for both Raju and his family after more than three decades of anguish," said the officer. (With PTI inputs)
28 November,2024 07:54 PM IST | Ghaziabad | mid-day online correspondentNationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Ajit Pawar on Thursday stressed the need to expand the party at the national level following its significant success in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. Speaking at an NCP meeting in the national capital, Pawar highlighted the importance of working towards restoring the party's status as a national political force. "Our party was once a national party. To reclaim that status, we need to work harder now. We will fight, and we will achieve success," he said. According to news agency ANI, Pawar also announced plans for a national convention to be held after December, during which responsibilities within the party will be assigned. "Whoever demonstrates the ability to deliver results will be given opportunities. We want to bring the younger generation forward and ensure women receive full opportunities. Women have shown strong support for the Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra. This election marks the first time such a large number of MLAs from any alliance have been elected," he added. According to ANI, the NCP chief also criticised the Opposition for questioning the reliability of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) used in the Maharashtra polls. Praful Patel lauds party's performace in Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh "In the parliamentary elections, the EVMs were acceptable because the results favoured them [Maha Vikas Aghadi]. However, when the assembly election results are different, they conveniently blame the EVMs," he remarked. NCP Member of Parliament (MP) Praful Patel, reflecting on the party's progress, said that it is now recognised in three states. "We will not stop. To regain the status of a national party, our next target is the Delhi Assembly Elections. We will contest, and I am confident we will make an impact and achieve success," Patel said. According to ANI, Patel also stated, "I congratulate Ajit Pawar and all the other party workers and leaders for Mahayuti's tremendous victory in Maharashtra. The NCP was once a national party, but in recent years, its reach has diminished. However, we have seen a turnaround recently, winning seven seats in Nagaland and three in Arunachal Pradesh, where we secured 10.6% of the votes." The Maharashtra Assembly election results were declared on November 23, but the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti alliance is yet to finalise its choice for Chief Minister. The BJP emerged as the largest party with 132 seats in the 280-member Maharashtra Assembly, while its allies— the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and NCP — won 57 and 41 seats, respectively. (With ANI inputs)
28 November,2024 06:55 PM IST | Delhi | mid-day online correspondentAn Enforcement Directorate (ED) team conducting searches related to a money laundering case linked to cyber fraud was reportedly attacked at a farmhouse in Delhi on Thursday, resulting in one officer sustaining minor injuries. A person has been detained by the officials in connection with the matter, reported news agency PTI. The ED team, led by Enforcement Officer Suraj Yadav in the Bijwasan area of the national capital, was executing a raid at a farmhouse owned by chartered accountant Ashok Kumar Sharma when the attack took place. Following the incident, the ED filed a First Information Report (FIR) regarding the altercation. Despite the injury, the officer continued the search after he was given first aid. The Delhi Police received reports about the manhandling of the ED team and promptly dispatched the Kapashera Station House Officer (SHO) along with additional staff to the scene. Notably, two female officers from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were also part of the raiding team. In connection with the attack, Yash, a relative of farmhouse owner Ashok Kumar Sharma, has been detained for questioning. Both Sharma and Yash are alleged to have played roles in the assault on the ED personnel. Ashok Kumar Sharma, who is a chartered accountant (CA) by profession, owns the farmhouse. "Yash, who is relative of Sharma, has been apprehended in connection with the attack and is being further interrogated," police said. The ongoing investigation is part of a broader inquiry into the PYYPL app, which has been linked to various cyber crimes, including phishing scams, QR code frauds, and fake part-time job schemes that have deceived numerous victims. The search operations were launched in Delhi after the ED got inputs from the I4C and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), stated PTI. Sources indicate that proceeds from these cybercrimes were funneled through approximately 15,000 'mule' accounts, and withdrawn using debit and credit cards. This illicit money was reportedly transferred to virtual accounts on the UAE-based Pyypl payment aggregator, which was subsequently used to purchase cryptocurrency. The operation is believed to involve several chartered accountants coordinating the fraudulent activities. Investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of the network involved in these frauds. (With inputs from PTI)
28 November,2024 06:26 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentMahindra & Mahindra (M&M) on Tuesday upgraded its electric vehicle lineup with the launch of two cutting-edge electric SUVs, BE 6e and XEV 9e at Mahindra Research Valley, Chennai. M&M Executive Director and CEO for Auto and Farm sectors Rajesh Jejurikar, "We believe we have a very competitive offering which will create a category," stated PTI. Ex-showroom price range for BE 6e and XEV 9e starts from Rs 18.90 lakh and Rs 21.90 lakh, respectively. Both models are part of Mahindra’s INGLO Electric Origin platform, marking a significant shift in the company’s EV offerings. The go-to-market strategy will roll out in a phased manner starting January 2025. Deliveries are expected to begin by late February or early March 2025. Key Features The company said that the BE 6e comes with a range of 682 km per charge while the XEV 9e features a range of 656 km per charge. Mahindra claimed that the battery charges from 20 per cent to 80 per cent in just 20 minutes and that it comes with a lifetime warranty on the battery Overall ground clearance of XEV 9e and BE 6e is 207 mm to ensure smooth rides. The SUV cars come with MAIA, which is Mahindra Artificial Intelligence Architecture for seamless driving experiences. One of the quietest in-car environments with UV protection and smart air filtration. To enhance the ownership experience, Mahindra is introducing 500 specialists from luxury automotive brands for pre-purchase test drives. Additionally, 400 tech experts will provide dedicated support, backed by Mahindra Research Valley in Chennai. The automaker is setting up an all-new manufacturing line for EVs at its Chakan plant, which has an installed capacity of 1.2 lakh units per annum. Mahindra also revealed its new brand logo known as "Unlimit Logo," inspired by the infinity symbol. Founded in 1945, the Mahindra Group is one of the largest and most admired multinational federation of companies with 2,60,000 employees in over 100 countries. It enjoys a leadership position in farm equipment, utility SUVs, information technology and financial services in India and is the world's largest tractor company by volume, stated ANI. Mahindra Group has a strong presence in renewable energy, agriculture, logistics, hospitality, and real estate. The group is also setting up a new EV manufacturing line at its Chakan plant with a capacity of 1.2 lakh units annually. The company has committed over Rs 12,000 crore to its EV business. (With inputs from ANI, PTI)
28 November,2024 05:05 PM IST | Chennai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
