The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids at three locations in Kashmir Valley in connection with a terror conspiracy case. During the raids, the NIA seized incriminating literature and digital devices. The searches were carried out at the residential premises of sympathizers, cadres, hybrid terrorists, and over-ground workers linked to various Pakistan-backed terror outfits, including Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Al-Badr, and Al-Qaeda. The day-long raids and searches were conducted at locations in Srinagar and Budgam districts as part of NIA’s investigations into activities of recently-formed terrorist groups. The case relates to the hatching of a conspiracy, both physical and in cyberspace, and plans by the proscribed terrorist organizations to unleash violent terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir using sticky bombs, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), and small arms. The NIA had registered the case on June 21, 2020, and has searched 51 locations so far.
Extortion Ring Linked to Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi Dismantled by Punjab Police
Punjab Police have apprehended three operatives involved in running an extortion racket backed by gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The arrested individuals have been identified as Rohit Bharadwaj from Zirkapur, and Mohit Bharadwaj and Arjun Thakur from Chandigarh. The police have recovered Rs 14.78 lakh from Rohit Bhardwaj and several incriminating pieces of evidence from the accused’s mobile phone. DGP Yadav stated that the trio duped their victims by using an online gambling platform called ‘Diamond Exchange’ and luring them into betting on a nominal fee to gain significant profits. The victim would ultimately lose money, and the accused would offer credit starting from lakhs. Later, they would charge hefty interest on the amount, adding up to crores of rupees. The accused had tied up with some of Bishnoi’s gang members, sitting in jail and abroad, to intimidate victims. The police are still making inquiries to locate the fraudulent website’s owner and its origin.
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Lawrence Bishnoi is a notorious gangster and an accused involved in the murder of prominent journalist and activist Gauri Lankesh. He is suspected of having links with numerous criminal gangs. He is currently serving a sentence at the High-Security Nabha prison in Punjab.
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Irregularities in Indore Mall during Digvijaya Singh’s tenure as CM to be investigated again, says state BJP chief
The BJP president of Madhya Pradesh, V D Sharma, has announced that a case related to alleged violation of rules over the construction of a shopping mall in Indore during Digvijaya Singh’s tenure as MP’s chief minister will be reopened soon. Sharma did not elaborate on whose orders the case would be reopened. Back in 2014, a final status report submitted by the CBI stated that the ex-CM, then chief secretary A V Singh, and former housing and environment minister Chaudhary Rakesh Singh did not have a role in this case. In unrelated news, Sharma attacked former Congress presidents Rahul Gandhi and Digvijaya Singh, claiming that genes which are symbols of slavery are still present in their blood. Rahul Gandhi had previously criticized the Indian government and Prime Minister Modi while speaking at an event in the US. However, Sharma countered this by saying that Modi’s leadership is being appreciated across the world.
The shopping mall at the heart of this case is Treasure Island in Indore. The CBI previously cleared Digvijaya Singh of any wrongdoing back in 2014 when a final status report submitted to the district court. Sharma’s announcement has raised questions about the reasons why the case is being reopened and whose orders it was reopened upon.
V D Sharma is the current BJP president in Madhya Pradesh and represents the Khajuraho constituency in the Lok Sabha. He is known for his controversial statements and has been criticized by the opposition for his divisive remarks.
BJP accuses Rahul Gandhi of channeling Jinnah’s spirit while abroad
BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his trip to the US. Naqvi accused Gandhi of being possessed by the spirit of Muhammad Ali Jinnah or thinking like a member of al-Qaida while abroad, adding that he should seek exorcism when he returns to India. Naqvi also accused Gandhi of trying to defame India and claimed that the Congress party used Muslims like chewing gum. Earlier in the day, Gandhi had criticised the government for misusing agencies and distracting from pressing issues like unemployment and inflation.
The Bharatiya Janata Party, also known as the BJP, is one of the two major political parties in India, along with the Indian National Congress. The BJP was founded in 1980 and espouses the principles of Hindu nationalism.
Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi is a senior BJP leader who has served as the Minister of Minority Affairs and the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs. Naqvi has been a member of the BJP’s National Executive since 1991 and is known for his work promoting minority rights in India.
Implementation of 5 Guarantees After Cabinet Meeting, Says Karnataka CM
The Karnataka Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, has announced that a decision on implementing five schemes that were promised by the Congress ahead of the May 10 Assembly elections in India will be made on June 2. The schemes include free bus travel for women, free electricity up to 200 units, and 10kg of free rice for every member of families from below the poverty line. Speaking to reporters after holding meetings with senior ministers and bureaucrats on May 31, Siddaramaiah confirmed that all five promises would be implemented. The government had made the decision before the elections, he said. The Bharatiya Janata Party, which currently holds power in the state, has criticised the Congress Party for the complexity of some of the schemes.
Youth Arrested in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh for Kidnapping and Raping a Minor
A 22-year-old man named Rajesh Bind was arrested in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh for allegedly abducting and repeatedly raping a 15-year-old girl for four months. The girl’s mother had filed a complaint after the accused threatened and abducted the girl on January 11th. After taking her to Haryana and Kolkata, Bind brought her back to Ballia when she became pregnant. The police rescued the minor on May 26th and five days later, Bind was apprehended based on a tip-off near the Rajpur trisection. As per the survivor’s statement, relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act have been added to the case against the accused. The girl is currently three months pregnant.
PM Modi criticizes Congress in Rajasthan rally, dedicates nine years of BJP governance to people
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the Congress party during a political rally in Rajasthan, claiming they had been responsible for misguiding and depriving the poor. Modi contrasted this to the nine years of government under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which he said had been focused on good governance and the service of citizens. He also highlighted the achievements of India, stating that the country’s progress was being recognised on a global scale. Modi has been increasingly active in Rajasthan in recent months, preparing for the upcoming state elections later this year.
Company mentioned: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
The Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP, is a political party in India that advocates for Hindu nationalist policies. The party is currently in power in the national government as well as several state governments across India.
Person mentioned: Narendra Modi
Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of India, serving since 2014. Before his role as Prime Minister, he served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
NSUI Protests Inclusion of Savarkar Course in DU Syllabus
NSUI activists protested outside Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh’s office against the inclusion of a course on Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in the BA (Political Science) syllabus. Teachers claim that the university has replaced a paper on Mahatma Gandhi in the fifth semester Political Science syllabus with one on Savarkar. Students affiliated with the Congress-backed National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) alleged that the university included the course on Savarkar under pressure from the Centre. The NSUI has also demanded the addition of another chapter on Dr BR Ambedkar in the Philosophy course. The protesters submitted a memorandum to the university administration opposing the changes to the syllabus.
The Congress-backed National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) is a student wing of the Indian National Congress party.
Yogesh Singh is the Vice-Chancellor of Delhi University.
India’s Fourth Quarter GDP Demonstrates 6.1% Growth Boosted by Strong Domestic Demand
India’s economy grew by 6.1% in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year, demonstrating growth in demand for goods and services in the domestic market as well as consumer confidence. This figure also accounts for a full fiscal year GDP growth of 7.2% year-over-year. In response to heightened food prices caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has raised the cost of living globally, inflation rates fell to between 5.5% to 6.5% in the January-March quarter after reaching 7.8% in April last year. With India avoiding the negative impact of removing fiscal stimulus efforts during the pandemic, the country’s stronger consumer spending and improved income growth have resulted in higher domestic demand when compared to other leading economies. Economists predict that India’s growing economy could potentially help the country solve issues in job creation.
The Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) is an independent think tank located in Mumbai that tracks and analyzes economic and public policy trends that affect India.
Sujan Hajra, the Chief Economist at Anand Rathi Securities in Mumbai, used his expertise to explain improved consumer spending and income growth as the reason for better domestic demand in India when compared globally. Hajra also commented that as India didn’t put into effect large fiscal stimulus programs during the pandemic, it avoided negative impacts when these programs were removed.
