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West Bengal: Congress state unit plans massive protests even as Rahul Gandhi extends support to Mamata

OpIndia Staff
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West Bengal: Congress state unit plans massive protests even as Rahul Gandhi extends support to Mamata

The bonhomie between the Opposition parties was palpable at the dramatic ‘Dharna’ organized by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee following a team of CBI officials being detained by the state police.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi was quick to lend his support to the Trinamool supremo, making a remarkable U-Turn from his earlier stand on the matter where he had accused her of protecting the accused.

Now, it appears, while the Congress party at the national level is supporting Trinamool, their state unit is planning to organize massive protests against their supposed ally for their alleged involvement in chit fund scams.

Congress president Somendra Nath Mitra told News18, “At the national level, our stand is to be with all the parties including Trinamool who are against the BJP. But in the state politics, state Congress will fight with both the TMC and the BJP.” Mitra further claimed that Congress supporters had been killed by the TMC and their MLAs and MPs were forced to join them. “Given this, how can you expect me to join hands with the TMC in Bengal?”

The state unit of the Congress party has been at odds with the national wing of the party for a long while now. Last year in August, while the Gandhis met Mamata, the then state Congress chief, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary, called Mamata a ‘chameleon’, ‘Trojan Horse’ and ‘Dictator’.

The national unit of the Congress party appears to be sacrificing its state unit due to its larger anti-BJP agenda. It raises a serious question about the kind of leader Rahul Gandhi is. The state unit of Congress claims that their supporters have been murdered by the TMC and yet Rahul Gandhi appears to be willing to ignore those murders and embrace the TMC due to his personal ambition of being the Prime Minister.

Ultimately, it appears the sacrifices of the Congress workers will go in vain as the national leadership has already made up its mind to lend its support to the Trinamool Congress. Since the party leadership has abandoned them, it appears to be only a matter of time before people from the state unit of Congress abandon the party as well.

AG KK Venugopal files a contempt plea against Prashant Bhushan for his malicious tweets

OpIndia Staff
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AG KK Venugopal files a contempt plea against Prashant Bhushan for his malicious tweets

The Attorney General KK Venugopal has filed a contempt petition against advocate Prashant Bhushan for his vindictive and reckless tweets regarding the appointment of interim CBI director M Nageshwar Rao.

Bhushan had tweeted that the appointment of Rao had happened without the consent of the high-powered committee comprising of the PM, Chief Justice of India and the Leader of the Opposition. But, when the case was heard last week, AG Venugopal had furnished the document proving that the appointment of Rao was indeed approved and signed by the high-powered committee.


Prashant Bhushan defended his tweet, claiming that the opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge told him that no discussion regarding the appointment of interim CBI director had taken place in the HPC meeting.

Citing the minutes of the meetings extracted by the AG KK Venugopal, he claimed that the signatures of Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge testify that the decision of appointing the interim director of the CBI was taken with his consent.

The relevant part highlighted and relied upon by Venugopal in his defence read as: “The Central government may post a suitable officer to look after the duties of Director, CBI till the appointment of a new Director CBI.”

He argued that since the minutes were signed by all three members of the HPC, all the three were aware of and party to the decision taken at the meeting. Thus, the proclamation made by Bhushan couldn’t be true as the leader of the opposition himself signed the document and he could not have denied it to Bhushan.

In the petition, KK Venugopal contends that without applying to the court for the minutes of the meeting, Bhushan went ahead and chose to level serious allegations against the Attorney General for India and the Government of India and questioned the integrity of the AG. “This is not only rash but also exhibits malice and dishonesty. It is obvious that Bhushan attempted to generate publicity through the press and social media”, the petition states.

The petition also stated that the actions employed by the respondent to alter the pending proceedings might grievously affect the administration of justice and hence the petition requested that contempt of court be initiated against Bhushan.

This is not the first time that a contempt petition has been filed against Bhushan. A contempt petition was filed against him for making reckless imputations against the Judiciary. Prashant Bhushan’s flip-flop regarding Alok Verma’s appointment and removal is well documented. There’s also an interminable list of instances when Prashant Bhushan had made or share unverified facts on his Social Media accounts to score petty political brownie points.

Mamata’s democracy: After Yogi Adityanath, Shivraj Chouhan and BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain also denied permission to hold rallies in Bengal

OpIndia Staff
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Mamata’s democracy: After Yogi Adityanath, Shivraj Chouhan and BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain also denied permission to hold rallies in Bengal

Amid the political chaos ensuing in the state of West Bengal, in yet another attempt to impede political rallies of Bhartiya Janta Party, BJP leaders Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Shahnawz Hussain have also been denied permission to land helicopters in the state.

On February 3, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aditiyanth had to call of his two scheduled public rallies in the state, in wake of denial of permission by the state government. Despite this, he had addressed a public rally at Balurghat in West Bengal’s district of South Dinajpur, via telephone.

According to reports, Yogi Adityanath was scheduled to address a rally at South Dinajpur’s Purulia district today. But, as he was denied permission to land at the district too, he has decided to take a road trip to the venue. Yogi, reportedly, is scheduled to fly from Lucknow to Jharkhand’s capital Ranchi, and then take a chopper to Bokaro district. From there, the UP CM will travel to Purulia by road, covering a distance of around 53 km.

There is still uncertainty hanging over Yogi’s scheduled rally as the permission for the rally has been reportedly cancelled after the permission for helicopter landing was denied.

Yogi Adityanath had, however, shared a Tweet earlier today that he will address the people of Bengal in Purulia today.

Former CM of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan was supposed to address a public rally at Kharagpur on February 6, but which seems tough as field permission to land at Kalaikunda (defense airbase) has not been granted. Shahnawaz Hussain was also scheduled to address a public gathering at Murshidabad district’s Lalbagh area. But, similarly, like Yogi Adityanath and Shivraj Singh Chauhan, he has also been denied permission to land, putting his events at jeopardy.

The state of West Bengal is witnessing a massive political turmoil as the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had resorted to ‘dharna’ politics on February 3, to allegedly save herself from Saradha chit fund scam investigation. In unprecedented scenes, the Kolkata Police had forcefully detained eight CBI officials who had gone to visit police commissioner Rajeev Kumar to obtain crucial information regarding the Saradha scam. Subsequently, the central agencies had approached the Supreme Court, alleging the state machinery and police of deliberately obfuscating facts and hampering the investigation into the Sardha Chit Fund Scam.

It is indeed ironic, that the CM of West Bengal claims to fight for democracy while not allowing leaders from opposition parties to address rallies in her state.

After facing a massive setback, Mamata Banerjee tries to downplay by claiming a ‘moral victory’

OpIndia Staff
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After facing a massive setback, Mamata Banerjee tries to downplay by claiming a ‘moral victory’

Suffering a massive setback after the Supreme Court directed Rajeev Kumar to appear before the CBI, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee tried to downplay the embarrassment by claiming a ‘moral victory’ while expressing her respect for the judiciary, reports ANI.

Taking a cue from the Congress party, Mamata Banerjee speaking to the media said, “I think it’s our moral victory. We have respect for the judiciary and This order was passed earlier also that they can call mutually. Rajeev Kumar never said I will not be available. If you need any clarification, you can come.”

“They came to arrest. The court said no arrest. We are grateful for the order. We welcome the verdict. Our case is strong. We never said we will never cooperate. We have sent five letters.” said Mamata after the SC order on Kolkata top cop Rajeev Kumar.

A three-member bench headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi ordered the Police Commissioner to make himself available for the investigation and cooperate fully. The CJI further clarified that Kolkata Police chief Rajeev Kumar cannot be arrested by the CBI. The Supreme Court issued a notice to Commissioner Of Police Kolkata, DGP and Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government on contempt plea. The court has asked to file their response by 20th February. The Supreme Court has said that the Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar will appear before the CBI in Shillong, Meghalaya as a neutral place.

The Central Bureau of India (CBI) on Monday had filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court alleging that there are several incriminating material and correspondence collected during the investigation by the CBI against the senior police officials as well as senior politicians.

The affidavit further states that while the SIT was carrying out the investigation, crucial evidence such as laptops and mobile phones were handed over to the main accused in Saradha scam case, Sudipto Sen, by the investigating officer of West Bengal Police working under direct supervision of Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar.

Major setback to Mamata: CJI directs Kolkata Police chief to appear before the CBI and cooperate in the investigation

OpIndia Staff
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Major setback to Mamata: CJI directs Kolkata Police chief to appear before the CBI and cooperate in the investigation

The Central Bureau of India (CBI) today filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court alleging that there are several incriminating material and correspondence collected during the investigation by the CBI against the senior police officials as well as senior politicians. The affidavit further states that while the SIT was carrying out the investigation, crucial evidence such as laptops and mobile phones were handed over to the main accused in Saradha scam case, Sudipto Sen, by the investigating officer of West Bengal Police working under direct supervision of Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar.


The CBI further stated that such return of crucial evidence to main accused by the SIT, despite High Court monitoring the case, shows connivance of SIT to a larger conspiracy wherein local authorities obstructed the probe and also attempted to destroy evidence prior to transfer of the case to the CBI by the Supreme Court.

Read also: What did Sudipta Sen write in his 2013 letter that Mamata Banerjee is so nervous about Saradha scam investigation?

The three-member bench headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi said that the Supreme Court will direct the Police Commissioner to make himself available for the investigation and cooperate fully. The CJI further clarified that Kolkata Police chief Rajeev Kumar cannot be arrested by the CBI. The Supreme Court issued a notice to Commissioner Of Police Kolkata, DGP and Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government on contempt plea. The court has asked to file their response by 20th February. The Supreme Court has said that the Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar will appear before the CBI in Shillong, Meghalaya as a neutral place.

Mysuru: Minor girl sexually abused, Church officials held under POCSO Act

OpIndia Staff
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Mysuru: Minor girl sexually abused, Church officials held under POCSO Act

On Monday, the Mysuru police have arrested three pastors (religious leaders associated with protestant Churches) for allegedly raping a teenager in Mangaluru. All the three Christian priests have now been charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, reported Star of Mysore.

According to the reports, the mother of the victim hails from Mysuru had approached the Karnataka High Court alleging that three pastors had raped her daughter. The court had ordered the Karnataka police to take up the case. The Narasimharaja Police had registered an FIR on Sunday and arrested the rape accused pastors on Monday.

The victim’s mother had told the court that the pastors had approached her and promised to provide her daughter employment in Mangaluru, 200 km away from Mysuru. They also promised the mother Rs 1 lakh as assistance towards building a house. The trio has also been booked for kidnap and abuse in the name of caste under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act.

KT Balakrishna, the Mysuru police commissioner, had reportedly said the girl was taken to Mangaluru by the priests in November. “Subsequently, when the mother visited the girl she saw that her daughter was used as domestic help and she found out that she was also sexually assaulted,” he said.

The mother had also alleged that the rape accused pastors had kept her daughter captive in a house and sexually abused the minor girl. The accused were identified as Bennet Amman, Joshua Amman, and Sebastian, who hails from Balmatta in Mangaluru.

However, the police team has now arrested the priests but they could not find the victim. “While the victim was not there, we have apprehended the priests,” said the police officer.

According to the Narasimharaja Assistant Commissioner of Police C. Gopal, the victim’s mother has not been traced so far as they could not find her at the address. He said that the complaint was registered on the directions of the High court.

The country has been rocked by repeated rapes and other abusive incidents at Churches, as recently Franco Mulakkal, a Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jalandhar, was arrested and released on bail later for allegedly raping a 44-year old nun at a guest house in Kuravilangad in May 2014. Similarly, Father Johnson V Mathew, a priest of Malankara Orthodox church was accused in the rape and sexual abuse of a married woman belonging to the fold was arrested in July.

In another incident, a 60-year-old pastor named Chandra Kumar belonging to a local church in Nagaland was arrested for allegedly raping a 10-year-old girl in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district.

In another incident, a 33-year old Catholic priest, Father Prakash Damor was arrested in Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh for abetting a 17-year-old girl’s suicide.

Recently, a special Mahila Court in Cuddalore had sentenced a church priest to 30 years in prison and nine others to life in prison for their involvement in the horrifying 2014 Tittakudi rape case, which involved two minor girls.

The Kleptocrat’s Club: Arun Jaitley takes on the Opposition

OpIndia Staff
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The Kleptocrat’s Club: Arun Jaitley takes on the Opposition

Arun Jaitley today took to Facebook to write a blog, ripping apart the facade of ‘United Opposition’ which seems to be divided by regions, united by corruption.

His blog, first published on Facebook, titled, “The Kleptocrat’s Club” is reproduced below:

Mamata Banerjee’s disproportionate over-reaction to the CBI wanting to interrogate the Kolkata Police Chief has flagged several issues for a public discourse. The most important being that a Kleptocrat’s Club now aspires to capture the reigns of India.

The Chit Fund Fraud and its Investigation

The West Bengal Chit Fund Fraud was unearthed in 2012-13. Its investigations were handed over to the CBI by the Supreme Court. The Court monitored these investigations. The CBI has interrogated and even arrested some people. Many have been granted bail. If a Police Officer is also required to be interrogated, how does it become a “super emergency”, “assault on Federalism”, or “destruction of Institutions”? What is the strategy behind Chief Minister’s disgraceful and disproportionate reaction? What is her strategy in inviting all other leaders belonging to every opposition to join her on the Dharna? It would be a gross error to assume that she did this because of a routine investigation involving a Police Officer. She did it to defocus from other opposition aspirants for the highest office and to project herself as the nucleus of India’s opposition. Her speeches attack Prime Minister Modi but her strategy is aimed to defocus some of her other colleagues in the Opposition and hogging the centre stage.

Can a State assault Federalism?

Federalism is not a slogan. It is a delicate balance of the Centre-State relationship. Our Constitutional framework clearly defines the sharing of functions between the Centre and the State. It does not permit an overlap. There are Central agencies and organizations which conduct legitimate investigation in States. Today the CBI is being brutally prevented by physical force and detention of its officer from investigating a crime legally within its jurisdiction, in the State of West Bengal. It is a textbook illustration of a State Government assaulting Federalism. Can a State Government prevent the Income-tax Department from collecting taxes in a State? Can another State Government prevent the NIA from proceeding to arrest a Terrorist located in the State? Can the Enforcement Directorate be prevented from investigating or arresting a smuggler or money-launderer physically located in a State? Obviously the answer is No. If any of these is visible, it would be a case of a State assaulting Federalism. The prevention of a Central investigating agency discharging a function given to it by the Supreme Court is a direct assault on Federalism.

The new Kleptocrat’s Club

Technology has been a great enabler in detection of improper monetary transactions. Traceability of transactions has become simpler and the footprints of illegality can be traced. This has empowered all investigative agencies both at the Centre and at the State Governments to unearth financial crimes including corruption.

When Mamata Banerjee decided to sit on a Dharna she received support of many opposition parties. There is an important commonality between them. They are all in Opposition and aspire to be in power. Most of them, or their affiliates are today being investigated, prosecuted and in some cases have also been convicted for crimes of corruption. Her ally from Bihar represents the party of the convicted. The friend from Andhra Pradesh runs a party of contractors, thekhedaars and money-launderers. Her two friends from Uttar Pradesh represent the scandalous legacy of corruption. Her Anarchic brother from the Delhi Government is at his wits end because the penny stock companies of his Ministerial colleagues have been found out. Curiously, the AICC President somersaulted his position from Saradha being a scam to “shoulder-to-shoulder” support to the scamster. This somersaulter belongs to the first family of the Congress Party where most members of the family are on bail. It has been argued in the past that the Opposition is going in for a non-ideological short-lived coalition. India cannot afford instability. It has also been argued that the choice in the next Election will be either Modi Vs. Chaos or Modi Vs. Anarchy. Mamata Banerjee’s latest acrobatics are the best evidence of the kind of governance India’s opposition can provide. But more importantly those who have lent support to the West Bengal Dharna are those who are battling serious allegations of economic improprieties, criminal misconduct and even corruption. Can “New India” be ever run by this Kleptocrat’s Club?

Agra: Communal violence erupts between two communities, Akram, Yusuf and others accused of attacking Dalit houses

OpIndia Staff
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Agra: Communal violence erupts between two communities, Akram, Yusuf and others accused of attacking Dalit houses

Communal tension erupted in Teela Nandram of Mantola area in Agra on Sunday night after violent clashes took place between the Dalit and the Muslim communities. The fight led to stone pelting and around half a dozen rounds of firing which resulted in many people getting injured. Heavy security was deployed to ward off further violence as communal tension continued till Monday.

As per reports, a Dalit boy named Pramod son of Jaini Prasad, had gone to bring a bucket of water from a nearby RO plant around 8 pm on Sunday. When he was returning, two Muslim boys identified as Shahrukh and Salman allegedly made Pramod trip and fall down which led to a confrontation between them.

As per reports, when Pramod reached with his family members to confront Salman and Shahrukh, men named Yusuf, Akram and others had already gathered more than a hundred of their supporters. The violent mob then proceeded to attack the houses of the Dalit community in the area.

People from both the communities came face to face and violence erupted. According to Pramod, people from Muslim community attacked the Dalit locality including his own house and the houses of his relatives. Reports have stated that Akram, Yusuf, and their supporters have fired bullets and threw glass bottles at houses of the Dalits.

Many of the Dalit boys have been injured in the violence. Considering the extreme tension in the areas heavy police force and PAC were deployed in the area. People from both the sides who were involved in the violence are absconding and the police are on a look-out for them.

2G and IRCTC scam accused extend support to Mamata Banerjee who is protesting against Saradha chit fund scam investigation

OpIndia Staff
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2G and IRCTC scam accused extend support to Mamata Banerjee who is protesting against Saradha chit fund scam investigation

DMK leader Kanimozhi, who was acquitted in the 2G spectrum case in December 2017 and fodder scam convict Lalu Yadav‘s son Tejashwi Yadav, who himself is accused in IRCTC scam, reached Kolkata last night to extend their support to West Bengal Chief Miniter Mamata Banerjee who has been protesting against CBI investigation in the multi-crore Saradha chit fund scam.


Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who has been an accused in the cash-for-votes scam, is expected to reach Kolkata later today, reports Republic TV. Meanwhile, National Herald scam accused, who is currently out on bail, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who said Congress is ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with Mamata, who is trying to block Supreme Court ordered probe in a corruption scam, has chosen to stay away from Kolkata.

Unprecedented scenes have unfolded in Kolkata since Sunday evening when Kolkata Police detained five CBI officials who had reached Kolkata top cop’s residence in connection with Saradha Chit Fund scam probe. The West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has since been sitting on a ‘Dharna’ against the central government. Meanwhile, the CBI has also moved to Supreme Court regarding the non-cooperation of the Bengal government and the state police. The Supreme Court will hear the case later today.

Doors of NDA closed forever for Chandrababu Naidu: Amit Shah

OpIndia Staff
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Doors of NDA closed forever for Chandrababu Naidu: Amit Shah

Coming down heavily on Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, BJP President Amit Shah said that the doors of the NDA alliance have closed the door for him forever. Shah made the remarks while addressing a public meeting after flagging off a bus yatra of State BJP President Kanna Laxminarayana at Palasa town in Srikakulam district.

“I want to assure the people of Andhra Pradesh and BJP workers that we have closed NDA’s doors forever for Naidu. He will not find a place in the alliance,” Shah said. Shah accused Naidu of switching loyalties to stay in power. He said that he has started off as a Congress MLA, then he joined N T Rama Rao’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) when Congress lost to enjoy power but later betrayed him. “He later joined the TDP formed by N.T. Rama Rao (NTR) and enjoyed power. When he got the opportunity, he betrayed NTR who had promoted him, captured power and the entire party,” said the BJP President.

Calling Naidu a “U-turn Chief Minister”, Shah recalled how Naidu had joined the NDA when Atal Bihari Vajpayee became the PM and later left it as well after the NDA government fell. “But at the opportune moment, he stabbed NTR in the back and stole his party. When Atal Bihari Vajpayee became the prime minister, Naidu joined the NDA, but left it soon after the NDA government fell in 2004,” Shah added.

Shah further said, “Chandrababu Naidu kept wandering for 10 years. When he realised that he can’t come to power on his own, he joined hands with Modiji and NDA. Now he has left NDA and making allegations against Modiji.”

He claimed that the NDA government gave 10 times more funds to Andhra Pradesh than the Congress government and asked Naidu to clarify why he still severed ties with the Modi government. “You should tell people why you severed ties with the Modi government which provided more funds to the state. It is clear that you are not bothered about development. you are only interested in corruption,” Shah asked.


He accused Naidu of putting the blame on BJP government to gain sympathy when he felt that the people were angry with the way he was running the government and was trying to make his son the CM.

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