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New CJI Justice Chandrachud dismisses urgent listing of petition against stubble burning saying it won’t end pollution: Here are the facts

OpIndia Staff
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New CJI Justice Chandrachud dismisses urgent listing of petition against stubble burning saying it won’t end pollution: Here are the facts

At a time when the national capital Delhi and its surrounding regions continue to suffer deadly air pollution, the newly appointed Chief Justice of India, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, refused urgent listing of a petition seeking an end of stubble burning. Shockingly, the CJI also ruled that ending stubble burning will not end air pollution, despite the evidence that burning of farm residue during this period contributes significantly to air pollution in the region.

Advocate Shashank Shekhar Jha had mentioned the PIL today seeking urgent listing, but the CJI refused the plea. In his mention, advocate Jha said that banning of stubble burning can be effective in tackling the pollution issue, but the CJI didn’t agree with the observation. Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud, who took oath as the Chief Justice of India yesterday, said that enforcing the ban against every farmer will not work, and the country needs ‘some genuine solutions’.

“Let’s find some genuine solutions, this is not the way,” the CJI said. He also suggested that the matter is not judicially amendable, and therefore the court can’t take it up immediately. “There are some things that courts can do and some things courts can’t. We handle matters which are judicially amenable. We will not take it up immediately,” CJI DY Chandrachud reportedly said.

The PIL has been filed by advocate Shashank Shekhar Jha seeking directions to stop stubble burning by declaring it a criminal offence, which mentions the union government and the governments of Delhi NCT, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh as respondents. The Writ Petition has been filed under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution to protect the interest of the public at large who are suffering from air pollution.

Talking about the severity of the situation, the PIL cites the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) report released by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC), which says that residents of Delhi stand to lose 10 years of life due to air pollution. It mentions how the air quality index in Delhi has reached dangerous levels crossing 400+.

The petition then adds that stubble burning in the region continues, with 2,109 fire incidents recorded on November 1, out of which 1,842 incidents were from Punjab alone. “the situation is so worse that National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has recommended that the schools of Delhi must be closed in order to protect the children from severe air-pollution,” says the PIL.

Advocate Jha mentions that despite orders of the Supreme Court, the governments have not taken steps to ensure a complete ban on stubble burning, and in fact, it has increased by 21% in Punjab this year. The PIL states reports saying that the share of stubble burning in Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution jumped to 38 per cent, which is the main reason behind thick layer of pungent smog over national capital. The PIL also states how the AQI in the region continues to be in severe category.

Given these facts, the PIL raises several questions, which are:

  1. Whether stubble burning is a criminal offence?
  2. Whether states are responsible to stop stubble burning at any cost?
  3. Whether states have failed to stop stubble burning in their respective states?
  4. Whether state has the responsibility to curb pollution through multiple measures?
  5. Whether Apex Court being guardian of the Constitution is responsible to protect the future of India and look into this matter?

Therefore, advocate Jha petitioned the Supreme Court to issue directions in respect to stubble burning, to issue directions on pollution control measures like installation of smog towers, plantation drives, affordable public transport, etc. The petition also requests to set up a High-level committee under the Chairmanship of a retired Supreme Court Judge to tackle the air-pollution crisis due to stubble burning, to direct the governments to take responsibility of eliminating stubble burning. The petitioner also requested that the educational institutions should be closed and they should shift to virtual/online classes.

However, as mentioned above, the CJI refused urgent listing of the PIL despite the fact Delhi region is currently choking from severe air pollution. While CJI said that stopping farmers from burning stubble will not end air pollution, the fact is that stubble burning is a major cause of air pollution during this period, and if stopped, the pollution level will come down significantly.

According to data provided by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the share of stubble burning in PM.25 pollutants had jumped to 38% on November 3rd, the highest this season.

As per a study by the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) published earlier this year, biomass burning contributes the most to the air pollution of the national capital. The report also had said that pollution from firecrackers used on Diwali is insignificant, as the pollutants from Diwali firecrackers are heavy and they don’t even remain in the air for a day.

Biomass burning during winter includes stubble burning and burning of firewood etc for heat. The study titled  ‘Chemical speciation and source apportionment of ambient PM2.5 in New Delhi before, during, and after the Diwali fireworks’ studied pollution caused by Diwali firecrackers as compared to other sources. It concluded that biomass burning emissions rather than the fireworks drive the poor air quality in the days following Diwali.

The report said that biomass burning-related emissions rise steeply in the post-Diwali phase, and the average values increase by more than twice as compared to the pre-Diwali phase.

The study says that firecrackers mainly generate metallic elements, high levels of black carbon, and gaseous pollutants like carbon monoxide, along with oxides of sulphur and nitrogen. The study found that while the concentration of these elements peaked at around midnight on Diwali, their level plummeted to around one-third by the following day.

This and other earlier reports have concluded that Diwali firecrackers cause rise in pollution for a very short period, while stubble burning remains a major cause running into months. But the apex court has taken completely opposite stands on it. While the court today refused listing of the PIL against stubble burning, before Diwali this year the same court had refused to allow even green firecrackers in Delhi citing severe air pollution.

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari had moved the apex court challenging the blanket ban on firecrackers in Delhi, which goes against an earlier Supreme Court order denying such blanket bans. But despite the fact that the Delhi govt’s ban violated the court’s own order, the Supreme Court had refused to hear the matter before Diwali. The court had said “Let People Breathe Clean Air”, thereby ruling that Diwali is responsible for polluted air despite facts stating otherwise.

In fact, last year the Supreme Court even rejected a study by IIT Kanpur which also had concluded that  firecrackers are not among the top pollutants. When it was mentioned in the court that the IIT-Kanpur report does not list firecrackers even in the list of top 15 contributors to air pollution, a bench of Justices AM Khanwilkar and Sanjiv Khanna had commented that they do not need IIT to understand that firecrackers cause pollution.

The IIT-Kanpur report commissioned by the Delhi Government in 2016 had found that Diwali was not the major cause of pollution, and air pollution in Delhi were more than the Diwali day in days and weeks after Diwali. That report also had found that pollution caused by Diwali is extremely short-lived.

SC grants ‘house arrest’ of Gautam Navlakha even as agencies vehemently oppose: ISI links to more, read NIA charges against him

OpIndia Staff
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SC grants ‘house arrest’ of Gautam Navlakha even as agencies vehemently oppose: ISI links to more, read NIA charges against him

The Supreme Court pronounced today the order on the application of Bhima Koregaon accused Urban Naxal Gautam Navlakha, seeking transfer to house arrest on account of his medical condition. The NIA vehemently opposed the petition moved by Gautam Navlakha, with Kapil Sibal making a passionate plea in his favour, despite the overwhelming evidence against him. The Supreme Court on the 10th of November granted Navlakha’s request for house arrest.

The Supreme Court has allowed Navlakha to live with his partner without using the phone. He’ll be allowed to meet 2 members of his family, once a week. Navlakha to deposit a demand draft of Rs 2.40 lakh by name of Navi Mumbai CP, as the expenses to be incurred for constables’ deployment.

The Supreme Court said that the agencies will be allowed to inspect the house of Navlakha, however, “he should not be harassed”.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday had asked the NIA to inform it on Thursday about restrictions it wants in place in case the court decides to allow Bhima Koregaon violence case accused Gautam Navlakha’s plea to shift him to house arrest. The Supreme Court bench, comprising of Justices Justices K M Joseph and Hrishikesh Roy said, “We have already recognised house arrest as a form of custody…. We don’t know when you will succeed in convicting. What kinds of restrictions you want to put, you tell us that. And it is not as if it’s going to be there for eternity. We will try out… Not just age, it’s not as if he is in the best of health.”

The court expressed staggering concern for the health of Navlakha saying to the ASG, “Place whatever restrictions. At least let him remain in house arrest for a few days. Let’s try to work it out… How old are you? 68? So, you might understand”.

These comments by the Supreme Court were made even as ASG SV Raju, appearing for the NIA, detailed the grave charges against Navlakha and told the court that his health condition had improved and he had no complaints at the moment. “They want to obtain bail by hook or crook. They will say trial is being delayed. So many bail applications filed. Today discharge application filed”, ASG said.

The Bench then asked the ASG if his STPT levels were high. To that, the ASG said, “Not that high. It’s manageable. If you control your diet etc… Not something that you require house arrest. We will provide a mattress and cot, everything. We will allow him to bring home food also,” the ASG responded. An outraged Kapil Sibal then responded with exasperation, reminding the court of Stan Swamy, another Urban Naxal, who died of natural causes recently while in custody. The court also said that constables can be posted outside his home, however, the NIA said that house arrest was difficult to monitor. During the proceedings, the court also questioned how the NIA joined the dots between Navlakha and ISI, Ghulam Nabi Fai.

The NIA cited his ISI links and the fact that Navlakha has the propensity to send emails etc and therefore, it would be difficult to monitor him under house arrest.

At this juncture, it becomes imperative to analyse what the NIA charges are against Gautam Navlakha.

NIA charges against Gautam Navlakha

Gautam Navlakha was arrested in 2020 when 11 people were taken into custody for organising and giving provocative speeches during the Elgar Parishad event on the 31st of of December 2017. The event was organised by “activists” of Kabir Kala Manch in Pune. The NIA says that the event promoted enmity between different groups of people and caste groups, leading to violence and loss of life. The NIA investigation revealed that the organisers of Elgar Parishad were in touch with leaders of CPI (Maoist), a banned terror outfit under UAPA, and were spreading the ideology of Naxalism/Maoism to encourage unlawful activity.

The evidence, according to the NIA, suggests that the CPI (Maoist) allegedly chalked out “United From and Work in the basic Masses”, under which a detailed strategy and programme to unite the struggles of various “oppressed nationalities” into a common fighting united front against the common enemy, i.e. the “Indian State”.

The NIA said that according to them, “In taking up the national question, we must make a distinction between the nationalities of the North East and Kashmir on the one hand and those in the other states of India on the other. The former had never considered themselves as part of India since they were actually annexed by the British and added to India. The ruling classes of India have continued their occupation of the territories of these nationalities after the transfer of power despite promises made prior to 1947 that, in the present concrete conditions, we must extend complete and unflinching support to the demand for secession of these nationalities as long as their struggle is directed against our common enemies. But at the same time, we have to try to make them understand very patiently that without having a comprehensive plan and programme and without being part and parcel of the NDR, their complete political and economic emancipation cannot be fully achieved. We must try to give a revolutionary orientation to the nationality movements keeping in mind the fact that the leaderships of these movements often tend to strike a compromise with the ruling classes or even surrender their cause in the midst of the struggle“.

During the investigation, NIA established that the same strategies and tactics mentioned in the above para were allegedly adopted by the arrested accused, including the petitioner (Gautam Navlakha), Hany Babu, Rona Wilson, Varavara Rao and others.

NIA alleged during the investigation, they collected evidence that showed Navlakha and Hany babu MT were members of CPI (Maoist). They allegedly possessed “incriminating documents related to CPI (Maoist)” that are exclusively available only to the party members.

During the investigation, NIA found that arrested accused number 10, Anand Teltumbde was allegedly a senior member of CPI (Maoist) and worked in an urban area. He was in contact with other arrested accused, including Navlakha, accused Sudhir Dhawale, Rona Wilson, Surendra Gadling, Mahesh Raut, Shoma Sen, Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj, Arun Ferriera, Vernon Gonsalves, Stan Swamy, Hany Babu and other members of the CPI (Maoist) party along with accused Harshali Potdar and wanted accused Sudarshanda alias Katkam Sudarshan, secretary CRB and CCM of CPI (Maoist) party.

Furthermore, Navlakha was also the general secretary of CRDP and a member of the “Anuradha Ghandy Memorial Committee’ (AGMC). These two are front organisations of the CPI (Maoist). The investigation agency alleged that Navlakha has deep links with CPI (Maoist), and he supported Maoist ideology. He allegedly gave anti-government speeches at lectures and in various videos.

NIA alleged that there was evidence on record that Navlakha worked in the urban areas to unite ‘intellectuals’ against the Indian government to defeat them physically and otherwise. The investigation agency further stated Navlakha participated in a fact-finding committee and was assigned tasks to recruit cadres for the guerrilla activities of CPI (Maoist). He was allegedly aware of the young activists in urban areas like Delhi and Mumbai and states like Chhattisgarh who were ready to join and serve Maoist “revolution”.

NIA alleged he visited Dandkaranya, which is an advancing guerrilla zone of the Indian revolution. Jan Myrdal, a Swedish author and controversial personality infamous for his politics for Marxist-Leninist, had allegedly accompanied him.

Navlakha was allegedly involved in the ‘Coordination of Democratic Rights Organisation’ (CDRO) ‘s activities. He also received emails from CDRO. He allegedly fixed appointments and meetings between underground CPI (Maoist) leaders and active urban cadres on the pretext of ‘fact-finding missions’. The reference for the same is mentioned in a document titled ‘Our work in urban areas areas & ‘Strategy and Tactics of Indian Revolution’.

Navlakha was also in contact with Ghulam Nabi Fai via email and phone. Notably, Fai was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in July 2011 for accepting funds from the Pakistani intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Pakistani government. Fai reportedly did not disclose the origin of funds as required by US law.

As per NIA, Navlakha visited the USA thrice and addressed the ‘Kashmiri American Council’ (KAC) Conference organised by Ghulam Nabi Fai. He used the email address [email protected] to stay in touch with Fai and contacted me over phone calls as well.

Navlakha allegedly wrote a letter to US Court Judge who was hearing Fai’s case for clemency. He allegedly submitted letters to the US court on Fai’s behalf. Furthermore, Navlakha was allegedly introduced to a Pakistani ISI General by Fai for his recruitment on the directions of the ISI. NIA alleged the evidence showed his nexus and complicity with ISI and Fai.

NIA further alleged that Navlakha delivered speeches in support of the Kashmir separatist move and Maoist Movement at different programmes and forums. NIA also seized documents related to the formation of the CPI (Maoist) party, important press releases of CPI (Maoist), critical secret communications with the underground senior leaders and other strategic documents establishing alleged deep involvement in the party’s activities.

NIA also listed alias used by the accused that were revealed during a search at the premises of Hany Babu. As per NIA, Gautam Navlakha was called Darbar/G/GN. Amit Bhattacharya was called Ankush/Kanahi. Hany Babu got the alias HB/Venkar. Arun was Rupesh/A, Surendra was Vijay/S/SG, Varavara Rao was VV/Chief/Manyam Pituri, Sudha was Kaveri/S, Rona was Kuppu/R/RW, Shoma was Ajita/S/Shoma, Vernon was Shoom/Ashok/V, Malem was Sunit, Saibaba was S, and Degree Prasad was Sushil.

Documents submitted by NIA

NIA submitted a letter recovered from the laptops of Rona Wilson and Gautam Navlakha that was written by Katkam Sudarshan to Navlakha. The content revealed his role in open work activities and fact-finding missions across the country. Katkam Sudershan alias Anand is the Secretary of the Central regional Bureau and Central Committee member of CPI (Maoist).

Another letter submitted by NIA was sent from Anantwa to Mainibai that talked about the war on people programme in Mumbai, recruiting students to the AGM committee programme, internal disputes of the party members in Delhi and Fact Finding missions in Jammu and Kashmir, Bastar and more. It also mentioned that the responsibility of FF missions was given to Navlakha and Varunda. Mainibai is Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee Member of CPI (Maoist).

The investigating agency submitted a pamphlet recovered from Navlakha’s email account. It talked about a programme by the Committee for Protection of Democratic Rights Mumbai, on War on People, by Arundhati Roy and Gautam Navlakha in Mumbai. A letter from Anantwa to Mainibai also talked about the programme on the War on People in Mumbai and the participation of other Comrades.

A copy of Navlakha’s passport was also submitted with an entry Visa for Pakistan.

Documents related to Court proceedings against Fai at the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, were also submitted.

A letter from Surendra Gadling was submitted by the investigating agency that talked about PPSC (Persecuted Prisoners Solidarity Committee) work in Chhattisgarh (CG), allotment of Professional Revolutionaries(PRs) for various urban fronts etc. Gadling talked about efforts made by accused Sudha and Stan to conduct PPSC work following Prashant’s arrest. Prashant is an accused in the Gadchiroli case, in which GN Saibaba is also an accused. The letter allegedly mentioned that Gautam, along with Surendra, Rona and Sudha, had direct access and communication with Central Committee Members and senior leaders of the CPI (Maoist).

A letter from Sudha to Prakash was submitted that had the minutes of the meeting conducted at Nagpur on March 19, 2017. It talked about Sudha’s arrest and mentioned Navlakha and one other was in contact with separatists from Jammu and Kashmir. NIA said the “letter corroborates the references of the petitioner in the documents recovered from the co-accused in the present matter.”

A document dated March 13, 2018, was submitted that talked about the work report of C-1 prepared by Navlakha that mentioned the encounters, newcomer comrades, party discipline and appointment (APTs) etc.

A letter addressed to John Myrdal, Gautam and Anil were submitted that talked about their visit to Dandkaranya.

A letter from Navlakha to Sudarshan was submitted regarding the fact-finding at Chhattisgarh.

A document titled ‘Party Constitution’ was submitted that was recovered from Navlakha. It talked about the Constitution of CPI (M-L) [People’s War] and had an article and Maoist party agenda.

A letter recovered from Surendra Gadling’s laptop was submitted addressing Navlakha about a programme at Hyderabad organised by Varavara Rao. It also talked about the selection of reliable couriers as full-time members of the party.

A document pertaining to guidelines for International work was submitted by NIA that talked about the guidelines passed by the Central Committee (CC-2) meeting regarding coordination with Maoist parties across the globe and building the anti-imperialist international mass movement. It also talked about building an organisation of Indians across the globe to support the revolution in India.

A letter from Gaurav International Bureau, Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) to Gautam was submitted that talked about the situation of revolution in Nepal and appealed solidarity.

A letter sent by Gautam to the Gaurav International Bureau, Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) was submitted by the NIA that talked about issues on PLA (Peoples Liberation Army) merger with Army, revaluation in Nepal etc.

Bharat Jodo Yatra: Rahul Gandhi targets Gujarat a month ahead of assembly elections, complains about the state getting mega projects

OpIndia Staff
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Bharat Jodo Yatra: Rahul Gandhi targets Gujarat a month ahead of assembly elections, complains about the state getting mega projects

On Wednesday, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi who is in the Nanded district of Maharashtra as part of his ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ targeted the Gujarat government ahead of the upcoming State Assembly Elections. He alleged that projects such as the Tata-Airbus military aircraft partnership and the Vendanta-Foxconn semiconductor plant were stolen from Maharashtra and handed to Gujarat ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in the neighboring state. 

“These projects will be given to two-three industrialists who are the prime minister’s friends, and the country’s wealth is accumulating in their hands. Ports, infrastructure, telecom, agriculture sectors have been given to these people,” the Congress leader said while addressing a rally at Nanded on November 9. Gandhi further went on to criticize the Centre, saying that apart from money, employment and the future of the state’s youth were also being stolen away. 

The Gandhi scion also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of causing an ‘economic tsunami’ by implementing demonetization in November 2016. He also criticized the PM Modi-led union government over demonetization and unemployment during his speech. Meanwhile, the Congress leaders and supporters in the rally could be seen backing Gandhi’s claims by saying, “Gujarat is looting the state of Maharashtra”.

The Congress MP led the Bharat Jodo Yatra in the morning from Biloli in Maharashtra’s Nanded district. The participants, headed by Gandhi, arrived in Maharashtra on Monday night at Deglur in Nanded from the neighboring state of Telangana. Gandhi also visited a Gurdwara in Nanded on Tuesday and stopped momentarily at a few areas to speak with residents who had arrived to meet him.

Maharashtra recently lost two back-to-back mega industrial projects, the Vedanta-Foxconn and Tata-Airbus to Gujarat ahead of the state assembly elections in the neighboring state. While this led to an escalated blame game between the current Eknath Shinde-led government and the former Maha Vikas Aghadi government, the Shinde-Fadnavis government has assured that bigger, better projects, including a textile park, were coming to Maharashtra, the announcement for which is expected early next year.

The legislative Assembly election is scheduled to be held in Gujarat from December 1 to 5 in two phases, to elect 182 members of the 15th Gujarat Legislative Assembly. The votes will be counted and the results will be declared on December 8, 2022.

ISRO scientist says he is being threatened by spies to carry out espionage, adds in his letter to PM that Kerala Police is also involved

OpIndia Staff
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ISRO scientist says he is being threatened by spies to carry out espionage, adds in his letter to PM that Kerala Police is also involved

A Rocket scientist working at Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Praveen Maurya has alleged that some spies have been coercing him to share certain classified information on India’s space program with them and threatening him when he refused to yield to their demands. This, he alleged, is being carried out in connivance with some senior officers of ISRO and Kerala police.

Praveen Maurya, the scientist who alleged he was being pressed to carry out the espionage, took to Twitter on November 9, 2022, to share a link to his LinkedIn post in which he published a copy of the letter he wrote to India’s Prime Minister documenting the threats and harassment he has faced and requested for an Intelligence enquiry into the same.

Maurya included a copy of his letter to the Prime Minister dated August 5, 2022, to his November 9, 2022, LinkedIn post. He also shared that he has sent similar letters of complaint to the Home Minister and the ISRO Chairman.

Maurya said that currently, he is working on Gaganyaan, India’s first human space mission. A person named Ajikumar Surendren, who he alleged is working for some people in Dubai, approached him to carry out espionage. He promised him huge money in exchange for some confidential information from ISRO.

Praveen Maurya further alleged that Ajikumar Surendren offered him to become a permanent spy. When he refused, Ajikumar Surendren used his daughter to implicate him in a false POCSO case. This, Maurya alleged, was done in collusion with Kerala police. Some senior ISRO officers were also helping Ajikumar Surendren to execute his plan. Thereafter Ajikumar offered to take back the POCSO case if he agreed to comply with his demands, alleged Praveen Maurya.

In his LinkedIn post, Maurya also accused certain senior ISRO officers of simply discarding his letters with the ludicrous reason, “It is a staff grievance.” However, according to Maurya, the ISRO officials do not want a CBI or Intelligence inquiry into the complaint for the following reasons:

  • As some senior ISRO officers were helping the spies to execute their plan. So, the entire racket of these anti-national officers present in ISRO will come under the scanner of the intelligence bureau.
  • Officers from the Police department will also be under the IB scanner.
  • One of the senior officers in ISRO, who is the main player, is the relative of a former chairman of ISRO. If intelligence enquiry is approved, he will surely come under the scanner.

He further wrote, “IB is ready for an enquiry. All they need is an official request from the Department of Space which they are not giving for the reasons mentioned above.”

ISRO scientist accuses Kerala police of being involved in the racket

Praveen Maurya went on to level severe allegations against the Kerala police, sharing how he was tortured and intimidated by them at the behest of Ajikumar Surendren.

A copy of the letter addressed to the PM of India by ISRO scientist Praveen Maurya
A copy of the letter addressed to the PM of India by ISRO scientist Praveen Maurya
A copy of the letter addressed to the PM of India by ISRO scientist Praveen Maurya

In his letter to the PM of India, Praveen Maurya detailed how the Kerala police and some officers of ISRO implicated him in false POCSO and NDPS charges and how he was intimidated and harassed for not succumbing to the espionage demands.

Maurya claimed that because the Kerala police were actively involved in the entire racket and were continually pressuring him to give in to the demands, he was forced to leave Kerala and return to his native town of Uttar Pradesh. He urged India’s Prime Minister to launch an investigation into the matter in order to uncover the truth and punish the nation’s enemies.

Nambi Narayanan – the victim of persecution by the Congress party

It may be recalled here how in the year 1994, ISRO scientist Nambi Narayan had also become a victim of persecution by the Congress party. The political rivalry between the two factions of the Kerala Congress party led to the arrest of Narayanan, along with two other scientists D Sasikumaran and K Chandrasekhar, in November 1994. The Kerala police had levelled espionage charges under sections 3,4 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act against the scientists.

In 2018, the Supreme Court ordered a high-level probe to investigate the role of erring police officials in the espionage case relating to Nambi Narayanan. In April this year, the court directed the CBI to take over the probe and conduct further investigation into the case. 

Conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar again requests transfer to different jail, alleges threats and pressure by CRPF personnel in Mandoli Jail

OpIndia Staff
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Conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar again requests transfer to different jail, alleges threats and pressure by CRPF personnel in Mandoli Jail

On November 9, conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar’s counsel K Singh wrote to Delhi LG and urged him to transfer Sukesh and his wife to any other jail out of Delhi. In his letter, he alleged that Sukesh was assaulted by CRPF personnel inside the jail, resulting in severe injury to the genital area. He further added Sukesh was getting constant threats and pressure to withdraw complaints filed against AAP, Arvind Kejriwal, Satyendra Jail and Kailash Gehlot.

Singh said his client was assaulted by CRPF personnel on August 31 inside the jail, due to which he got a severe injury in his genital part. Sukesh was getting treated for the same at RML Hospital and GTB Hospital. The doctors have asked him to wear scrotal support to reduce the pain.

Furthermore, Singh alleged that following his complaints against Aam Aadmi Party, Arvind Kejriwal, Satyendra Jain, and Kailash Gehlot filed at LG’s office, he has been receiving threats. He added that Sukesh was being pressurised to withdraw the complaints and retract disclosure statements given to Economic Offence Wing (EOW) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) during the investigation.

Singh said Sukesh’s wife, Leena Poulose, who is lodged in Jail No 16, Mandoli Jail, Delhi, was threatened and abused by the senior jail officials in connection to the complaints filed by Sukesh. She was allegedly being pressurised to convince Sukesh to withdraw the complaints.

He said, “We humbly request you to consider his compelling circumstances and transfer him & his wife from Delhi Jail to any other jail across the country (away from the control of DG, Delhi Prisons) to ensure the safety of their life & limbs in view of above said complaints, recent threats & assault made against him.”

It is notable that this is the second plea by the jailed conman for transfer to another prison. He was originally lodged in Tihar Jail, and after he had repeatedly applied for transfer alleging harassment, he was shifted to Mandoli jail in Delhi by the Supreme Court in August this year. But now he is again seeking transfer, this time to a jail outside Delhi.

Content of the request sent by Sukesh’s counsel

Singh said, “My client Mr. Sukesh Chandrashakaran, S/o V. Chandrasekaran is an under trial prisoner lodged in judicial custody in Mandoli Jail No.14, at Ward no.1, in FIR No. 208/2021 dated 07.08.2021, registered at: Police Station: Special Cell, New Delhi. his wife is also lodged in Jail No. 16, Mandoli Jail, Delhi in connection with the same FIR.

My client has received constant threats and pressure to withdraw complaints filed before your good office against Aam Aadmi Party, Satyendra Jain, Arvind Kejriwal & Kailash Gehlot and also to retract from disclosure statements given to the EOW and ED during the investigation of the above said case. His wife is also being threatened and abused, by the senior jail officers in related to above said matter to convince her husband to withdraw the complaints etc.

Recently on 31.08.2022 he was assaulted by CRPF personnel inside jail, due to which he got severe injury in his genital part. His treatment is going on before RML Hospital and GTB Hospital. Doctors have advised him to wear scrotal support to reduce pain.

On behalf of our client we humbly request you to consider his compelling circumstances and transfer him & his wife from Delhi Jail to any other jail across the country (away from control of DG, Delhi Prisons) to ensure safety of their life & limbs in view of above said complaints, recent threats & assault made against him.

I am his counsel. He has handed over me his hand written request letter dated 07.11.2022, when I visited Mandoli jail to have legal meeting with him on 07.11.2022. upon his instruction, am placing it before you good office.”

Sukesh’s allegations against AAP

Sukesh Chandrashekhar has filed a complaint to the LG complaining against Kejriwal and his party, alleging they extorted money from him. In his complaint, he alleged to have paid Rs 10 crore for protection inside the jail and Rs 50 crore for party funds. He also alleged he was asked to raise funds for Punjab and Goa elections.

Arrest of Chandrasekhar

In 2017, Delhi Police arrested Sukesh Chandrasekhar for the first time for allegedly duping AIADMK leader of Rs 2 crores on the pretext he would help the politician in retaining the two leaves symbol of the party. He had claimed he would do that by bribing the Election Commission officials. Since then, 34 cases have been filed against Chandrasekhar under charges of attempt to murder, cheating, extortion, bribing public officials and more. A special cell of Delhi Police is investigating jail and police officials for alleged involvement in his crimes.

On December 31, his lawyer issued a statement on behalf of Chandrasekhar denying all the charges. He claimed government agencies were targeting him. He called himself a corporate lobbyist and refused to identify himself as a conman.

Joe Biden says Elon Musk’s relationships with other countries ‘worth looking into’, days after Musk asked people to vote Republican

OpIndia Staff
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Joe Biden says Elon Musk’s relationships with other countries ‘worth looking into’, days after Musk asked people to vote Republican

US President and Democrat leader Joe Biden on Wednesday said that the relationships of the new Twitter CEO Elon Musk with foreign countries are worthy of being ‘looked into’. This comes days after Musk appealed to the US public to vote for Republican candidates during the recently held 2022 mid-term elections. 

Joe Biden was at a White House press conference when he was asked, “Do you think Elon Musk poses a threat to U.S. national security? Should the US, using the tools you have, investigate his joint acquisition of Twitter with foreign governments, including the Saudis?”

Although Joe Biden told the media that Musk’s cooperation with other countries is “worthy of being looked at.” He did, however, clarify that he was not implying Musk had done anything inappropriate.

“I’m not saying whether or not he’s doing anything inappropriate. I’m suggesting that it’s worth being looked at. That’s all I have to say,” Biden added.

Notably, Elon Musk has openly supported the Republican candidates in a recent tweet. “To independent-minded voters: Shared power curbs the worst excesses of both parties, therefore I recommend voting for a Republican Congress, given that the Presidency is Democratic,” Musk tweeted on Monday ahead of the polls.

Further, Musk added, “To be clear, my historical party affiliation has been Independent, with an actual voting history of entirely Democrat until this year.”

In another tweet, he added, ”Hardcore Democrats or Republicans never vote for the other side, so independent voters are the ones who decide who’s in charge!” 

Notably, the friction between Elon Musk and Joe Biden is not new and the former has criticized Biden on multiple occasions. Musk has accused President Biden of ignoring Tesla, despite its success, and instead supporting legacy automakers and their unions. He even called Biden a ‘damp sock puppet in a human form’.

Elon Musk recently also proposed holding UN-supervised referendums in Ukraine to decide whether certain regions of the country should join Russia, in sharp contrast to the official US position on Ukraine. He also stated that Ukraine should hand over Crimea to Russia and then remain “neutral,” rather than aligning with either NATO or Russia.

While Musk received praise from Kremlin officials, he was chastised by many others, including Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Maharashtra Police finally complies with Bombay HC order, undertakes anti-encroachment drive around Afzal Khan’s grave at Pratapgarh fort

OpIndia Staff
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Maharashtra Police finally complies with Bombay HC order, undertakes anti-encroachment drive around Afzal Khan’s grave at Pratapgarh fort

On Thursday, the Maharashtra Police began the anti-encroachment drive to remove illegal construction near Afzal Khan’s tomb at Fort Pratapgad (Mahabaleshwar) in Satara. The Police said that the action has been taken in compliance with the orders issued by the Bombay High Court.

According to the local reports, the anti-encroachment drive began at around 6 in the morning after around 1,800 police personnel from four districts namely Satara, Pune, Solapur, Kolhapur, and Sangli Rural reached the police sub-divisional office at Wai. The officers reached the office on Wednesday evening and were deployed at Fort Pratapgarh early in the morning for the task.

Heavy security has been deployed in Pratapgarh, Mahabaleshwar, Wai, Karad, and Satara districts and Section 144 has been enforced in the areas. Collector of Satara Ruchesh Jayavanshi, Superintendent of Police Sameer Sheikh, Provincial Officer of Y Rajendra Jadhav, Deputy Superintendent of Police Dr. Sheetal Janeve Kharade, Tehsildar Sushma Patil Chaudhary of Mahabaleshwar and other senior officials have also reached the spot. However, media representatives have been barred from entering the premises.

Several illegal structures have been constructed around the tomb of Afzal Khan, the tyrant from Bijapur who was a staunch enemy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Several Hindu organizations including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad had demanded strict action against the illegal encroachment and sought direction leading to the demolition of the illegal structures. Notably, the Bombay High Court in 2017 directed the Maharashtra government to do away with illegal constructions around Afzal Khan’s grave.

Afzal Khan tried to kill Shivaji Maharaj, got disembowelled by the Chhatrapati’s famous ‘Wagh nakh’

On November 10, 1659, Afzal Khan, the Bijapur General barged onto Fort Pratapgarh near Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra. A few meters above its base, a Shamiyana was erected to welcome Khan who had come to meet Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Soon, pretending to hug Shivaji Maharaj, he tried to kill him. Aware of his motives, 29-year-old Chhatrapati swiftly scratched out Afzal Khan’s intestine with tiger claws. Khan collapsed on the spot and died screaming. To honour Afzal Khan’s right to a decent burial, he was buried at the same spot and a tombstone was placed over it.

Until over two decades ago, the grave of Afzal Khan was lying unnoticed inside the fort premises. However, it gained prominence only after some Muslim ascetics around the year 2000 claimed the grave and decided to build a shelter over it. Gradually over a decade, a permanent structure with an arcade from all four sides was raised on the grave. Covered with a tapering roof of asbestos sheets, the interior is said to have independent rooms for wandering Muslim ascetics who often take refuge in the newly developed ‘Shrine’.

The construction was carried out illegally in the name of a ‘Hazrat Mohammed Afzal Khan Memorial Trust’ which had occupied around 5,500 square feet of space on the fort. Further, in the year 2004, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) raised an objection against the illegal capture of land on the ASI-regulated site. The Hindu organization also demanded the removal of illegal construction and said that it would lead to agitation on the fort if no action is taken. The Mahabaleshwar Police then bolstered security around the fort and tomb.

Later a contempt petition was filed by Milind Ekbote, the founder-president of Samasta Hindu Aghadi and chief executive of Pratapgad Utsav Samiti against illegal construction on forest land around the grave of Afzal Khan. The PIL said that the original tomb was 5 square feet in size at the foot of the fort, but it was now encircled by 1,000 square feet of unlawful development. It also alleged that a number of other structures had taken over the fort, which is on territory owned by the forest department.

The Bombay High Court then directed the state government to do away with the illegal constructions around Afzal Khan’s grave. “Remove encroachments around Afzal Khan’s grave or send forest officials permanently to the forest if they can’t do their duty,” Justice SC Dharmadhikari of the Bombay High Court was quoted saying.

Afzal Khan’s grave at the foothills of Fort Pratapgarh in Satara district had truly been undergoing rapid changes in recent years. The Islamists had also started organizing fairs on the location. At present, the common public and media persons have been barred from entering the premises amid the ongoing anti-encroachment drive. Heavy security has been deployed in Pratapgarh, Mahabaleshwar, Wai, Karad, and Satara districts and Section 144 has been enforced in the areas.

Gujarat: Cricketer Ravindra Jadeja’s wife Rivaba gets BJP ticket, will contest from Jamnagar North

OpIndia Staff
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Gujarat: Cricketer Ravindra Jadeja’s wife Rivaba gets BJP ticket, will contest from Jamnagar North

Rivaba Jadeja, the wife of cricketer Ravindrasinh Jadeja is to contest the upcoming assembly elections in Gujarat. As per reports, Rivaba has got a BJP ticket from the Jamnagar North constituency.

Rivaba joined the BJP in 2019. She has been associated with the party and has been engaged in ground-level social work for the last few years.

Cricketer Ravindrasinh Jadeja also announced his support for PM Modi in June 2019.

Rivaba and Ravinsrasinh have been known for their charity work. Last year, they had made news for opening Sukanya Samriddhi bank accounts for 101 baby girls on the occasion of their daughter’s 5th birthday. Their efforts at creating awareness and helping the girl children become financially independent were praised by PM Modi. He had written a letter to Rivaba, praising her and her husband for their charity work.

Assam govt directs private madarsas to provide information about their location, profile of teachers, to Secondary Education Dept by Dec 1: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Assam govt directs private madarsas to provide information about their location, profile of teachers, to Secondary Education Dept by Dec 1: Details

On Wednesday, the Assam government asked the private madarsas in the state to provide detailed information about their institution including the location and profile of the teachers employed. The state said that the information shall be made available to the Secondary Education Department of the state government by December 1.

According to reports, the decision was taken in a meeting held at the Assam Police Headquarters in presence of the Director General of Police (DGP) Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta, director of secondary education Mamata Hojai, and other government officials. Representatives of madrasas including All Assam Tanzim Madaris Qaqmiya, All Assam Talimi Taraqqi Board, Madarsa Education Board Al Hafiz, and Adara Madaris Islamia who run private Madarsas in the state were also present at the meeting.

“The Madarsas will have to furnish the details to the directorate for secondary education via organizations under which they operate”, the official was quoted. Rajib Sakia, CRPO of Assam also said that a web portal would be developed where the information of all the private Madarsas will be uploaded. “The portal will be launched soon”, Sakia said.

Meanwhile, DGP Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta stated that police verification would mandatorily be conducted for those who come from outside of the state to engage as teachers in the private Madarsas. “There should be at least a 3 km distance between two Madarsas and the enrollment of each Madarsa should be at least 100 students”, he added.

Earlier in July this year, the state government had busted several jihadi terror modules being operated from a Madrasa. Later a Madarsa named Jamiul Huda Madrasa was also demolished under the Disaster Management Act & UAPA Act. According to the administration, the madrasa was built and operated without requisite permissions and was drawing electricity illegally.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma then had said that the state has become a hotbed of Jihadi activities, with terror modules being set up in Madrasas. “Jihadi activities in Assam have become an issue of grave concern, as several jihadi modules of Bangladeshi immigrants have been busted by the police. The aim of these madarsas has been to indoctrinate youth towards Sharia,” he said.

Later, the state formulated several rules to be followed by the Islamic schools. The government closed all the government run madarsas and converted them to general schools. Also several private madrasas in the state have come under scrutiny after instructors at these organizations were detained earlier this year for having alleged ties to Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT).

In September this year, Assam DGP held a meeting with representatives of Muslim groups to discuss the matter and sought their support in the crackdown on jihadi modules being run from mosques and madarsas. He asked many small madarsas set up by individuals that do not have any governing board to merge with larger institutionalised madarsas. He also asked the Muslim leaders to include general subjects like mathematics, science, computers, geography, history etc in madarsas apart from religious subjects.

Reportedly, 47 people this year, including teachers, have been jailed in the state for possessing suspected connections to fundamentalist organizations. The Assam Police has also handed over one case to the NIA.

Punjab: Dera Sacha Sauda follower accused in 2015 Bargari sacrilege case shot dead in Faridkot by unknown persons

OpIndia Staff
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Punjab: Dera Sacha Sauda follower accused in 2015 Bargari sacrilege case shot dead in Faridkot by unknown persons

In a shocking incident on Thursday, a person was shot dead in Punjab’s Faridkot by some unidentified attackers. The deceased person has been identified as Pradeep Singh who was a follower of Dera Sacha Sauda, an accused in a 2015 Bargari sacrilege incident, the police informed. 

The incident occurred while Pardeep was opening his shop in Kotkapura, they said, adding that Pradeep Singh’s gunman was injured in the incident.

“An incident of firing took place today where a man, Pradeep Singh, died while 3 people were injured. His security personnel did retaliatory firing too. We have received CCTV footage & have got some leads. Situation under control,” Pradeep Kumar Yadav, IG, Faridkot range told ANI.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann took to Twitter to condemn the incident and wrote in Gurumukhi, “Punjab is a peaceful state where brotherhood among people is quite strong. Nobody will be allowed to jeopardize the peace in Punjab. Police & civil officials have been given strict instructions to maintain peace in the state.”

In 2015, Pardeep Singh was accused of stealing a ‘bir’ (copy) of the Guru Granth Sahib in Faridkot. He was out on bail. 

Protests erupted in Faridkot following ‘sacrilege’ incidents in 2015. In October 2015, police opened fire on protesters in Behbal Kalan, killing two people and injuring several others in Kotkapura, Faridkot.

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the head of Dera Sacha Sauda, is serving a 20-year jail sentence for raping two female disciples at his ashram in Sirsa, where the dera is based. In August 2017, he was convicted by a special CBI court in Panchkula.

In the past, Punjab has reported cases where people accused of sacrilege were killed. On December 18, 2021, a man was lynched by the Sikh Sangat (Sikh devotees) in Amritsar’s Shri Harmandir Sahib Gurudwara (Golden Temple) for allegedly disrespecting the Sikh religion’s holiest book, Shri Guru Granth Sahib. In October 2021, one Lakhbir Singh, a Dalit Sikh was brutally murdered at the then heart of the farmer’s protest, Singhu border. His hands were chopped and his body was hung on a barricade by Nihang Sikhs over the allegation of trying to steal Sarbloh Granth, a Sikh holy book. In July last year, in Gurdaspur, an Army personnel Deepak Kumar was lynched in a Gurudwara over alleged sacrilege against Shri Guru Granth Sahib. 

Notably, Mohinder Pal Singh Bittoo, a Dera Sacha Sauda follower and the main accused in the 2015 Bargari sacrilege case, was murdered by two of his fellow inmates on June 22, 2019, in Patiala’s high-security Nabha prison. Gursewak Singh and Maninder Singh, two inmates, attacked him with rods and lynched him to death. He was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead.

The alleged cases of sacrilege of Sikh holy books have become a major political issue in the state, with some parties demanding a special law for it.

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