Jharkhand, J&K assembly high polling

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Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday registered a record 71.28 percent turnout in the first phase of incident-free Assembly elections when people ignored boycott calls by separatists and cold conditions to cast their votes in 15 constituencies.

Jharkhand also recorded a high turnout of nearly 62 percent in the 13 Naxal-affected constituencies in the opening phase of the five-phased polls in both the states.In J & K, a 61.23 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the 2008 Assembly polls for these 15 seats–6 in Jammu division, 5 in Kashmir Valley and four in Ladakh. Today’s polling was spread over seven districts.

The overall turnout in the state in the Assembly elections in 1996 and 2012 was 53.92 per cent and 43.69 per cent respectively.

“Polling has gone off absolutely peaceful without any incident. It was 100 per cent flawless polls and there was not a single incident which vitiates poll process,” Deputy Election Commissioner Vinod Zutshi told reporters in Delhi.

Dealing a serious blow to separatist politics, thousands of voters had lined up before polling stations. Nearly 10.52 lakh voters were eligible to vote.

Separatist groups like all the factions of Hurriyat Conference and JKLF have called for a boycott of the polls and a general strike as well in the state which has been affected by militancy for over 25 years.

A total of 123 candidates including seven ministers were in the fray with the ruling coalition partners National Conference and Congress and the Opposition People’s Democratic Party(PDP) and BJP fighting for the spoils.

In five Kashmir Valley constituencies, two in Ganderbal district recorded 68 per cent turnout — an increase of 13 per cent from 2008 assembly polls — while three in Bandipora district recorded 70.30 per cent, registering an increase of 11 per cent.

Sonawari consituency in the Kashmir Valley recorded a turnout as high as 80.10 percent.

A total 61.92 per cent votes were cast in 13 of the 81 assembly seats in Jharkhand as the polling in the Maoist-hit state passed off by and large peacefully.

The percentage (of votes) could be updated later, an official with the Election Commission here said.

The constituencies which went to polls in Jharkhand today are Chatra(SC), Gumla (ST), Bishunpur (ST), Lohardaga (ST), Manika (ST), Latehar (SC), Panki and Daltonganj, Bishrampur, Chhatarpur (SC), Hussainabad, Garhwa and Bhawanathpur.

In six seats of Jammu division, two constituencies in Doda district recorded a turn out of 76 per cent while it was 70 per cent each for the four seats in Kishtwar and Ramban districts.

While there was increase of eight per cent in Doda district and nearly four per cent in Ramban district, Kishtwar district recorded a drop of over three per cent.

The four constituencies of Ladakh region, which normally witnesses high voter turnout, marked a decrease in number of voters exercising their franchise.

In two constituencies of Leh district, the turn out was 57 per cent, down from 61.88 per cent in 2008 assembly polls and substantially down from 68.23 per cent registered during the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year.

In Kargil district, 59 per cent voters cast their votes against 72.90 per cent in 2008 elections.

Early morning chill and fog failed to dampen the spirits of the voters who had assembled at the polling stations an hour before the scheduled start of voting.

The voting time had to be extended in several polling stations to allow those voters, who were already inside the polling station premises, to cast their votes.

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115 terrorist groups busted in China

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Nov 26,

In China, 115 terrorist groups have been busted in Xinjiang during the current and ongoing campaign against terrorism. The campaign was launched after a deadly attack in the regional capital of Urumqi in May that left 31 dead and 94 injured. Authorities say some 52 people have surrendered to police.

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Hong Kong: 116 arrested in clashes with pro-democracy protesters

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Nov 26

Police in Hong Kong say more 116 people have been arrested overnight in clashes with pro-democracy protesters. The unrest came as the authorities, acting on a court order, began dismantling a protest camp in the Mong Kok commercial district. Hongkong police has initiated the removal of pro-democracy protesters this began peacefully on yesterday but spiralled into violence overnight as protester numbers swelled. Protesters fought running battles on the streets around Nathan Road, with police using batons and pepper spray. Hence the Student protest organizers were reportedly arrested in Hong Kong on today, as police cleared out a protest site in Mong Kok district, according to student groups’ social media reports. Protest leaders Joshua Wong and Lester Shum were taken into custody as reported in E channels. Further news came as Hong Kong police cleared out barricades and tents from Mong Kok district the site of pro-democracy rallies

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18th SAARC Summit begins in Kathmandu

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Nov 26

The two-day 18th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation has started in Kathmandu, today, with an agenda to improve connectivity among member states for boosting trade, collectively fighting the poverty and illiteracy. The theme of the summit is ‘Deeper Regional Integration for Peace and Prosperity’. The inaugural session was formally inaugurated by Nepal Prime Minister Mr. Sushil Koirala in the presence of all heads of government from seven other member countries. The outgoing Chairperson of SAARC, President of Maldives, Mr. Abdulla Yameen handed over the chairmanship of the present SAARC Summit to Mr. Koirala. The Summit is going on as heads of government of member nations are addressing it.
Modi said on Tuesday on his second visit to the Himalayan country in 100 days as both sides inked nine agreements, further cementing their close ties.
Modi, who in his departure statement said the fact that he was visiting Nepal twice in the six months since he took over “reflects the importance we attach to our unique and special relations with Nepal”, also held delegation-level talks with his Nepali counterpart Sushil Koirala.Modi, who is here to attend the 18th SAARC Summit, urged Nepal to frame its much-awaited constitution early and on the basis of consensus.

Addressing a gathering during handing over of a 200-bed trauma centre built by India, Modi said writing the constitution was “taking too much time” and urged Nepal to finish the work on the basis of consensus and not majority.

He said the constitution should be like a bouquet, with each flower representing each strata of the Nepali society – the Madhesis, the Maoists and Pahadis – providing them rights.

Modi said India will not interfere and has never interfered in Nepal’s affairs, but added that “Nepal’s happiness is reason for us to smile, so write it fast”.

Political parties have set Jan 22 as the deadline to draft the constitution.

The trauma centre has been built by India at a cost of Rs.1.5 billion in the city’s Bir Hospital, the oldest medical facility in the country.

Among the dozen agreements inked was one for project development agreement (PDA) for the Arun III Hydropower project.

Both sides also kicked off a Kathmandu-Delhi bus service being run by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC).

Modi also handed over the keys of a Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter to the Nepali army and a mobile soil testing laboratory to the country.

He said a “lot of trust” has been put into their bilateral relations.

A “big horsepower engine” of trust has been fitted into their relations in the 100 days since his last visit to Nepal in August, he said.

Referring to his decision not to visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, as well as Janakpur and Muktinath, which both Hindus and Buddhists hold as sacred, Modi said it was due to paucity of time.

“This time, I was keen to go by road because I wanted to see the difficulties the people of Nepal and Indians on that side face and help mend matters. But due to shortage of time, I could not do it,” he said.

The prime minister said he was aware of the disappointment of the people in the three places and assured them that he will visit them in the near future.

He said the bilateral decisions that were stuck for the past 25 years were now being pushed forward.

“Between my first visit, and my second, decisions have been taken to change lives in Nepal, and give happiness to India,” the prime minister said.

Modi said the hydropower projects – Pancheshwor, Upper Karnali and Arun III – that were stuck for many years have been pushed forward and that all the Nepal parties have shown farsightedness in backing the projects with India.

He said a new electricity transmission line was being set up between the two countries.

“One new transmission line of 1,000 MW is being installed, and Nepal will light up,” he said.

Modi said the $1 billion line of credit which he had announced during his last visit was being finalised.

Both countries also inked the Motor Vehicles Act that would allow regular bus service between the two nations.

The other agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) inked include on setting up of a Nepal Police Academy, on tourism and traditional medicines, Sister City Agreements between Janakpur and Ayodhya, Kathmandu and Vanarasi, and Lumbini and Bodhgaya.

Modi later called on President Ram Baran Yadav at his office in Sheetal Niwas.

The Indian prime minister also held a meeting with leaders of the largest party Nepali Congress at Soaltee Hotel, where he is staying, as well as with members of other political parties.

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Pakistan sought greater involvement with the observer nations in the eight-member SAARC bloc, saying it should build on convergences and minimise divergences and called for a “dispute-free” South Asia.The remarks by Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, addressing the 18th SAARC summit, come in the backdrop of China making efforts to be made an active member from observer status.

“I also wish to emphasise the importance of the role of SAARC observers. SAARC can benefit from its interaction with them. The gap between promise of SAARC and reality of its accomplishments needs to be breached. We should build on convergences and minimise divergences and most of all seek to augment complementarities for the greater good of the people of the region,” he said.

China, a observer in the grouping, has been pushing for getting a permanent membership of SAARC.

However, India’s position has been that SAARC should enhance cooperation among the existing members before considering its expansion.

Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Koirala had yesterday said that the member nations should talk about China’s membership.

In his address, Sharif said the member countries should enhance cooperation in combating various challenges including that of energy security, poverty, unemployment and called for addressing the issues unitedly.

“My vision for our region is a dispute free South Asia where instead of fighting each other, we jointly fight poverty, illiteracy, disease, malnourishment and unemployment. We should investment to unleash their creativity, talent and enterprise. We need our bond of trusts so that we can solve our problems,” Sharif said.

Referring to recent floods in the region, he said there was a need for sharing of hydrological data among the member countries.

Calling for greater cooperation, Sharif said SAARC must capture imagination of its people.

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Alliance Française de Delhi

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Dear friends,

Anne Maniglier selects for us on a regular basis the best art video projects world wide. Join us for the 4th session on 4th of December at your favorite venue.

See you all there?

Warmest regards,

Jean-Philippe.

Jean-Philippe Bottin

Directeur, Alliance Française Delhi

Délégué Général Inde Népal, Fondation Alliance Française

72 Lodi Estate, New Delhi 110 003, India

Indian mob: (91) 9560004641 (also reachable on Whatsapp and Viber)

French mob: (33) 618593520 (also reachable on Whatsapp and Viber)

Skype: jeanphilippebottin

Twitter: @JPBottin

Dear friends,

We will organise an event on 1st of December for World AIDS Day. Please join us and/or forward this information and the attached documents to anybody who would be interested.

Warmest regards,

Jean-Philippe.

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Prashant Bhushan’s complaint against CBI director Ranjit Sinha

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Prashant Bhushan’s complaint against CBI director Ranjit Sinha

From: Media Cell AAP <mediacellaap@gmail.com> Tue, 25 Nov ’14 6:42p

To: undisclosed-recipients:;

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Please find below the complaint filed with the Anti Corruption Branch of Delhi Police for registration of FIR against CBI Director Ranjit Sinha by senior Aam Aadmi Party leader and noted Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan. He has sought a FIR against him for offences under the Indian Penal Code and prevention of corruption act :

Dated: November 25, 2014

To,

The Station Head Officer

Anti-Corruption Branch

New Delhi.

Dear Sir,

Sub: Complaint for investigation concerning abuse of office & criminal misconduct by CBI Director Mr. Ranjit Sinha

The instant complaint concerns the rampant abuse of office and criminal misconduct by Mr. Ranjit Sinha as the CBI Director.

CBI is the premier investigation agency in the country and millions of people have reposed their faith in the institution. The Supreme Court and the High Courts in India have also reposed their faith in the CBI by entrusting it with the investigation of major scams and important cases.

CBI has been investigating several important cases like the 2G spectrum allocation scam, coal block allocation scam, Karnataka mining scandal etc. As head of the CBI, Mr. Ranjit Sinha was taking several important decisions in these important cases relating to whether a chargesheet should be filed, who should be prosecuted and for what offence, who should be arrested, what should be the line of investigation, how should the CBI conduct its cases in courts etc.

Now the evidence has surfaced, that Mr. Sinha deliberately tried to save certain influential persons from prosecution in the 2G scam, coal scam etc by abusing his position as the CBI Director.

It has also now come to light that while Mr. Sinha was abusing his authority to save certain persons from prosecution, he was meeting accused/potential accused (or their agents/lawyers) in important cases being investigated by the CBI, repeatedly at his residence without the presence of other CBI officers.  The entry register of 2013 and 2014 maintained at the gate of the official residence of the CBI Director Mr. Ranjit Sinha, i.e. 2, Janpath, New Delhi shows that he was having meetings, several of them late at night, at his residence, without any of the investigation officers being present, with several accused persons in prominent cases like 2G scam, coal scam, and with hawala operators like Mr. Moin Qureshi. A copy of the aforesaid register is annexed as Annexure A.

The entry register shows that top officials of the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) have met Mr.Sinha quite frequently in the last 15 months, by one count, 50 times at his official residence. These two officials appear to be Tony Jesudasan (PR Manager and director in several ADAG companies)and AN Sethuraman (group president of ADAG). The cars in which they arrived at Sinha’s residence are reportedly registered in the name of ADAG. These visits happened contemporaneously with the developments of Mr. Sinha attempting to destroy the CBI’s prosecution case against accused Reliance and its 3 officers. The fact that Mr. Sinha met these two individuals of the Reliance ADAG at his residence has been admitted by Mr. Sinha in several interviews.

There are visits by several coal scam accused like Vijay Darda and Devendra Darda that happened while Mr. Sinha was trying to close coal scam cases against them. There are entry records of several accused or their agents/lawyers who are the subject matter of CBI investigations. The aforesaid entry register of Mr. Sinha’s residence runs into hundreds of pages and contains thousands of hand-written entries. The entries contain specific details including the name of the visitor, date & time of visit and the vehicle number, which can easily be verified by any investigation. The authenticity of the register can be easily verified by an investigation and the guards posted at the gate of Mr. Sinha’s official residence can be questioned.

Interfearence in the conduct of 2G investigations and prosecutions

Mr. Sinha made repeated attempts to jeopardize the CBI’s prosecution case against accused M/s Reliance Telecom, its accused officials Mr. Gautam Doshi, Mr Hari Nair, Mr. Surendra Pipala, as well as the case against M/s Swan Telecom, Mr. Shahid Balwa and Mr. Vinod Goenka. CBI has filed a chargesheet in April 2011 against M/s Reliance and its 3 top executives for creating a company M/s Swan Telecom, through a maze of shell companies, out of about Rs 1000 crore of Reliance’s funds. Reliance was ineligible to apply since it was already a license holder. Therefore, it created Swan which then applied for license and was favoured by the then telecom minister Mr. Raja for allocation of telecom license and 2G spectrum. At the time of applying, the company has to state in the application form that it does not hold any existing telecom license, which M/s Swan falsely stated.

The Special Court, exclusively dealing with 2G scam cases, was pleased to take cognizance of the said chargesheet and was pleased to frame charges against all the accused. That six accused in the matter who are currently undergoing trial (which is at an advanced stage of defence evidence) filed individual petitions seeking quashing of the charges against them in the Supreme Court. In reply to these petitions, a single consolidated counter affidavit was filed by the CBI in the Supreme Court on 04.03.2014. This affidavit was settled by Shri U U Lalit, then Special Public Prosecutor appointed by the Supreme Court.

Despite the fact that CBI had already filed affidavit in the Supreme Court, a decision was taken by the CBI Director that the consolidated counter filed by the CBI requires “reconsideration” and separate replies for each individual petition be filed by the CBI. An application was drafted by CBI to be filed in the Supreme Court to seek more time to file six separate affidavits. The aforesaid draft application was communicated to Shri Lalit vide communication dated 01.04.2014. The said communication reads: “As you are aware, in complicance of order dated 21.01.2014 of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, a consolidated counter affidavit was filed by CBI through undersigned on 04.03.2014… After filing of said consolidated counter affidavit the matter was reconsidered in CBI and the competent authority has now decided to file separate counter affidavits in respect of each of the 6 petitions.” No explanation was provided in the communication as to what suddenly necessitated the filing of separate affidavits since a consolidated affidavit had already been filed which was settled by Shri U U Lalit.

To the above communication, it is learnt that Shri Lalit responded by stating: “I am firmly of the view that it is not at all necessary for CBI to make a request for time to file separate affidavits. The common counter affidavit filed is good enough to take care of the matters in issue.” It is learnt that Shri Lalit informed the CBI that since the 2G matters were not listed for hearing, so in the meantime CBI may prepare drafts of the proposed separate counter affidavits, as long as they are consistent with the consolidated reply already filed.

Vide letter dated 24.06.3014, the CBI supplied copies of two draft counter affidavits to Shri Lalit by stating that “Competent authority in CBI has approved draft separate parawise replies to each petition. Draft parawise replies to WP(C) No. 205/2013 and WP(C) No. 17/2014 filed by Shahid Balwa and Gautam Doshi respectively, duly approved by the Competent Authority in CBI, are attached herewith for your kind perusal, vetting and settling the same.”

The said draft affidavits, shockingly, completely reverses the stand the CBI has taken in its chargesheet and before the trial court. CBI in that affidavit stated that since Swan was sold off by Reliance to Mr. Balwa after the date of application and before the license was granted, therefore, Swan was eligible on the date license was granted. This kind of dishonest affidavit, which would mark a reversal of CBI’s stand, would have possibly saved Reliance, its officers, Mr. Balwa etc. from being convicted. Paragraphs 24.24 to 24.27 of draft counter in WP(Crl) 205/2013 and paragrpah 24.35 of draft counter in WP(Crl) 17/2014 point to clear attempt to destroy their own case against Reliance and other accused. It is clear that the CBI tried to admit the very case of the accused raised in their defence in order that they may be shielded from criminal liability.

Shri Lalit, realising the full import of the CBI filing the proposed affidavits, categorically stated the proposed affidavits “should not be filed at any stage under any circumstances”. Shri Lalit highlighted the fact that the proposed affidavits were contradictory to the CBI’s own chargesheets and stated that “any such attempt will tantamount to weakening the case of the Prosecution in a fundamental way”. He further sought answer to the following questions: “A. Who has drafted these aforesaid paragraphs? B. Under what authority could the matter be attempted to be reconsidered? C. Which provision of law empowers such reconsideration at this stage? D. Once the chargesheet is filed with the assessment of the Department, as regards facts in issue, the public prosecutor takes over the matter and it is for him to present the matter before the Court. Having projected the view as stated in the chargesheet up to the stage of examination and closure of prosecution evidence, will it be right and justifiable for the Director/Department to reconsider the matter? E. Will such an act not impinge upon the independence of the investigating officer as bestowed upon him by the Code of Criminal Procedure?”

Shri Lalit then categorically stated: “On merits, in my considered view, the alleged re-assessment is complete misconceived. At best, it may be the individual opinion of a person. What weightage can be given to such view-point? In the given circumstances, in my view, no weightage can be given to such a point of view. Under the circumstances, you are directed not to attempt any such filing of separate replies. For the purposes of the present matters, the consolidated reply filed earlier is more than sufficient. Please treat the matter as closed. Needless to say, you are not to file any such separate replies without consultation with and approval of the Special Public Prosecutor.”

Even more shockingly, on 22.07.2014, the CBI Director entered a noting in response to Shri Lalit’s letter stating that since Shri Lalit is being appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court, CBI would “rake up” the issue after he is so appointed. The Director CBI has admitted the aforesaid paragraphs, objected to by Shri Lalit, are “extracts of my notings from the case file”. He has recorded: “The Ld. Spl P P, however, has not opined whether the facts contained in draft counter-affidavits are relevant or otherwise. Instead, issues have been raised which affect the basic functioning of the CBI and the authority of the Director. Be that as it may, since he has directed the CBI not to file any affidavit with facts which may affect the case in a fundamental way, we may not agitate this issue any further at the moment. We may consider raking up this matter in the interest of justice when the new Spl P P is appointed by the Hon’ble Apex Court shortly.”

The Director CBI entered a noting on 15.05.2014 in a file entitled ‘Madras High Court Matter’ directing the investigation officers to submit a detailed report on eight issues. The issues, raised by the Director are precisely the issues raised by Reliance and other accused in their defence. These issues concern with the fact whether Tatas had complied with their roll-out obligations for their CDMA service before applying for Dual Technology licence. The CBI has chargesheeted Mr. Raja for favouring Reliance by granting them the dual technology license while delaying the same for Tatas. The accused in their defence have argued that Tatas were guilty of non-fulfillment of their rollout obligations, though the same is only a contractual violation and not a criminal offence.

The above course was strongly objected to by both the DIG Shri Rastogi and the investigation officer Shri Vivek Priyadarshi. Both have repeatedly recorded serious reservations about reopening the investigation on the points being raised by Reliance and other accused before the trial court. Both pointed out that the trial is at an advanced stage of the defence evidence, and the CBI has repeatedly submitted that all investigation in the above matter has been completed. They also pointed out that the matter had earlier been closed with the approval of the previous Director CBI and any reopening of this line of investigation would have serious negative repercussions on the trial. However, when this file was put up to the Director CBI, he overruled the investigation officers and directed detailed investigation into the issues. DIG Shri Rastogi then stated that since he did not agree with this line of investigation, he be allowed to recuse himself from the case.

DIG Shri Santosh Rastogi had asked to be relived from the investigations as the CBI Director was repeatedly trying to destroy the case. After this, Shri Rastogi was transferred out of the 2G case investigations by the CBI Director because of the firm stand taken by him, as highlighted above. This was done despite the fact that Supreme Court had directed the CBI not to make any change in the composition of the 2G investigation team. Moreover, the Director CBI initiated disciplinary proceedings against Shri Rastogi and ordered that a cautionary note may be issued to the officer.

Mr. Sinha also made repeated attempts to delay the case against former telecom minister Mr. Dayanidhi Maran. CBI had developed a water-tight case against Mr. Maran for favouring M/s Aircel after it was bought over by M/s Maxis by granting it several licenses which were refused earlier. CBI had found a money trail in which a whopping Rs 650 crores were invested by M/s Maxis to buy shares at a hugely inflated price in a new company called Sun Direct Tv owned by Mr. Maran’s brother. All the investigation officers had opined that a chargesheet must be filed. However, Mr. Sinha referred the matter for the opinion of the Attorney General even without taking the opinion of the Director of Prosecution (in violation of the CBI manual). This led to considerable delay and ultimately the Attorney General refused to give his opinion saying there is no difference of opinion in terms of CBI manual. The matter was then referred to the Director of Prosecution who also said that chargesheet ought to be filed in the matter. Mr. Sinha then raised doubts about the sustainability of the entire case and again referred the matter for the opinion of the Attorney General citing difference of opinion on the need for filing a chargesheet. This time the Attorney General gave a strong opinion in favour of filing a chargesheet. Having been left with no option, Mr. Sinha then approved filing of a chargesheet.

The above sequence of events have been verified by the Special Public Prosecutor in the 2G cases Shri Anand Grover by examining all the CBI’s internal files. Based on Mr. Grover’s report, the Hon’ble Supreme Court has on 20.11.2014 directed Mr. Sinha not to interefere in 2G investigations and trial and to recuse himself from the case. A copy of the said order dated 20.11.2014 is annexed asAnnexure B. The report submitted by Shri Grover can be obtained by the ACB from him.

Interference in the Coal Scam investigations

As the coal investigations progressed, it came to light that Mr. Sinha, along with a few other senior officers of the level of the Joint Directors, was repeatedly overruling the investigation officers and forcing them to not to register FIRs/RCs in cases where PEs had been registered. He even forced them to file closure reports in cases where FIRs had already been registered.

Faced with such a situation, the Supreme Court, vide order dated 28.03.2014, directed the CBI to submit their reports to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) in cases where Inquiry Officers had recommended registration of a Regular Case, but had been overruled by the CBI Headquarters. Later, the CVC, agreeing with the investigation officers, categorically recommended registration of Regular Cases in as many as 14 such cases in the first instance. Supreme Court directed the CBI to abide by the view taken by the CVC. This clearly shows that the decision taken at the level of the CBI Director to close these cases was wrong and amounted to subverting the process of investigation.

Now, it has come to light that Special Public Prosecutor appointed by the Supreme Court in the coal scam cases Shri R S Cheema has disagreed with the findings of Mr. Sinha to file closure reports in several FIRs despite the fact that evidence of criminal culpability had been found against several companies, influential accused and public servants. Reportedly, Shri Cheema has written as many six letters to Mr. Sinha for preparing sketchy closure reports. The closure reports of CBI have now all been rejected by the Special Court dealing with coal scam cases after finding them to be totally slipshod. A newsreport published in the Indian Express is annexed as Annexure C.

In February this year, CBI Director Ranjit Sinha overruled his agency colleagues to say there was no reason to prosecute Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Darda, his son Devendra Darda, former Coal Minister Santosh Bagrodia and former Coal Secretary H C Gupta in the coal blocks allocation scam. Vijay Darda had written to then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pushing for a coal block in Bander, Chhattisgarh, to AMR Iron and Steel Pvt Ltd, which transferred Rs 24.6 crore to a firm owned by Darda’s son after AMR got the block. On receipt of Sinha’s objections, the CBI’s Additional Legal Advisor, who had previously recommended prosecution, did a U-turn and cleared the Dardas. Barely two months later, Sinha himself did a startling U-turn and gave orders to file a chargesheet against the Dardas, this time citing the same arguments he had once vehemently objected to. The chargesheet was filed on March 27 this year against the Dardas and AMR director Manoj Jayaswal. This curious flip-flop-flip coincides with visits of Devendra Darda to the Sinha residence. Between February 2 and February 14, 2014, Devendra Darda made five visits to the Sinha residence. This period coincides with detailed debates within the CBI before recommending prosecution against the Dardas, former coal minister Santosh Bagrodia, former coal secretary H C Gupta and Jayaswal.

The CBI’s key allegations against AMR: Vijay Darda tried to influence the outcome of coal block allotment by writing letters in favour of AMR to the Prime Minister who was the then coal minister; his son Devendra Darada represented AMR in Screening Committee that allotted coal misrepresenting as Director of the company and gave misleading information to the committee; a Jayaswal firm gave an unsecured loan of Rs 24.6 crore to a Darda company. In addition, the CBI also claimed that it had found evidence that while settling a “family feud,” Jayaswal in July 2008 made a provision for 26% shares of “coal block applicant companies to the person who is instrumental in getting the (Bander) Coal Block allotted”. The CBI also claimed to have records of meetings at various locations between Darda and Jayaswal.

The case recommending chargesheet against Darda and others was sent to Sinha on February 4. Significantly, on February 2 and February 3, Devendra spent 20 minutes and 15 minutes respectively at Sinha’s residence, according to the visitor’s logbook. In total, he made nine visits between February 2 — this was his first visit since the logbook was opened in May 2013 — and March 28. CBI records show this is same period in which it changed its stand several times before filing the chargesheet. On February 13, Sinha wrote a strong rebuttal to the findings of his officers. Devendra Darda met Sinha at two more occasions between February 4 and February 13. Sinha made five key observations countering the arguments of his officers. He said that the case was built merely on “circumstantial evidence;” there was nothing wrong in Devendra Darda attending the screening committee meeting on behalf of AMR because he had disclosed this fact; there was no evidence to link the 24.6-crore payment with the allotment of the coal block, and anyways this money was paid back with interest (significantly, this fact was not mentioned anywhere in the file). A news report on this published in The Indian Express is annexed as Annexure D.

Dealings with Moin Qureshi

By one count, meat exporter Mr. Moin Qureshi met the CBI Director at his residence about 90 times in the last 15 months. All these meetings are reflected in the entry register of the CBI Director’s residence. Moin Qureshi is under the income tax investigation for hawala dealings.

Mr. Moin Qureshi has been under extensive investigation by the Director of Income Tax (Investigations) and his premises have been raided by the Income Tax authorities. Several important documents and his computers have been seized by the DGIT. The Income Tax Department has prepared a detailed appraisal report. The said appraisal report goes into the details of the illegal operations of Mr. Qureshi and his dealings with various individuals, including their conversations over Blackberry Messenger (BBM). Amongst others, there are several coded conversations between Mr. Qureshi and former CBI Director A P Singh relating to delivery of money, fixing of meetings etc.

Some of these messages centre around Pradeep Koneru, businessman and son of Prasad Koneru, a co-accused in a case of disproportionate assets filed by CBI against Andhra politician Jaganmohan Reddy; Aditya, an employee of Qureshi; V V Laxminarayana, a CBI Joint Director who had investigated the case; and of course, Qureshi. The messages have one common theme: Pradeep seeking Qureshi’s help in the bail applications and discharge petitions filed by his father and his brother Madhu Koneru who is also an accused in what is commonly referred to as the Emaar-APIIC case. On May 8, 2013, Pradeep, Director of Trimex group, sent a message to Qureshi, asking, “What’s the best time to meet boss?” Qureshi responded: “Afternoon”. The BBM texts reveal that a few days later, Pradeep was still persuading Qureshi to set up a meeting with “boss”, whose identity becomes clearer in another exchange between the two on May 20. Pradeep to Qureshi: “It’s important to meet boss. Do we have an appointment?”. Qureshi’s reply: “Meeting confirmed today 2.30 pm”. Pradeep, again: “Where do I meet you?” Qureshi’s response: “2 pm Defence Colony.” Qureshi’s residence and office were in Delhi’s Defence Colony. The logbook at Sinha’s residence showed that one “Kureshi”, in a car bearing the registration number DL-7CG 3436, was there at 2.40pm that day. The car mentioned in the text reportedly belongs to Qureshi.

The content of the coded texts between the exporter and Pradeep Koneru are important to note. On July 13, Pradeep texted Qureshi: “I have sent 25 diaries today.” In the same series, Koneru texted Qureshi: “Dog has left. Can boss speak to new JD?”. Qureshi responded: “Boss will call him to Delhi.” Significantly, in another message, Qureshi told Pradeep: “Met Boss. He will speak to JD Chennai.” In July 2013, CBI Joint Director V V Laxminarayana, who had filed several chargesheets against Jaganmohan Reddy was repatriated to his parent cadre after the completion of his tenure even though there was a move to grant him an extension.

In August 2013, Pradeep’s father Prasad approached Chennai High Court seeking relaxation in his bail condition – the plea was granted. In this context, another set of messages between Pradeep and Qureshi assume significance. On August 13, Pradeep texted: “There is small delay. 250 mtr work will start from tomorrow”. Qureshi replied: “Do it asap. Its not good”, and later added: “Pls finish remaining 450 mtr work. Thanks. I got reminder.” Here are some of Pradeep’s messages to Qureshi during that period: “Another 45 days to complete work. Business very bad. Pls help”; “Discharge petition of Madhu coming on October 13.” When I-T officials asked Qureshi what the “work” mentioned in the messages was, he told them that he was referring to silk fabric. Then there’s an exchange of texts between Qureshi and Aditya, an employee of Qureshi’s firm Forum Sale. Aditya wrote: “Received 50L from Pradeep”. During questioning by I-T officials, Qureshi said he could not “recollect the identity of Pradeep” mentioned in the text. However, investigators have in their possession an email received by Aditya on September 7, 2013, which refers to the discharge petition filed in court by Madhu Koneru. The sender’s ID is pradeep@trimexgroup.com. A copy of a newsreport on this published in The Indian Express is annexed as Annexure E.

Conclusion

The above facts show that Mr. Ranjit Sinha has committed various offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act relating to criminal misconduct by a public servant, as well as under Section 217 and 218 of IPC. The offences of bribery can also be established by a thorough investigation.

Therefore, I request you to kindly get this matter thoroughly and impartially investigated after registering an FIR. Please note that registration of FIR is mandatory (after the authoritative Supreme Court judgment of 2014) once there are allegations of cognizable offences having being committed. It is important to note that almost all of the offences have been committed in the territory of Delhi.

Though the Central Government has issued a notification on 23^rd July 2014 that the jurisdiction of the ACB, Delhi Police shall not extend to the officers of the Central Government, but that notification is in violation of the Criminal Procedure Code which vests the jurisdiction of criminal cases on the State Police based on the territory and not on potential accused in the case. Therefore, since the ACB clearly has jurisdiction as the law stands today, I request you to kindly register an FIR in the matter. If the ACB feels that it does not have the jurisdiction, then this complaint may kindly be transferred to the Delhi Police Station which has jurisdiction. This matter cannot be effectively investigated by the CBI since it involves two Directors of CBI and might involve their other officers.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

Prashant Bhushan

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Categories : Education, Legal, Media, Politics

BJP, BSP & Cong leaders join AAP

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From: Media Cell AAP <mediacellaap@gmail.com> Tue, 25 Nov ’14 7:01p

To: undisclosed-recipients:;

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A number from leaders from the BJP, Congress and the BSP joined the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi on Tuesday (November 25) in presence of party leaders Sanjay Singh and Ashutosh.

Former chairman of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation standing committee and BJP councillor from ward number 24, Bhati (Chattarpur), Kartar Singh Tanwar joined the AAP with a large number of his supporters.

Tanwar promised to work for clean politics and expose the BJP misdeeds in the MCD, which the saffron party has been ruling since seven years and has been converted into a den of corruption. Tanwar has been elected a councillor for the second consecutive term from this ward in South Delhi.

Another councillor Reeta Chauhan, who represents the Bakhtawarpur ward in Narela assembly constituency also joined the AAP. She is currently an independent and had quit the BSP after the 2012 MCD elections.

BSP leader from Narela, Sharad Kumar Chauhan also joined the AAP. He had contested the 2008 assembly election and had narrowly lost from Narela with a margin of 800 votes. He said the AAP is the only party in Delhi which is fighting for the poor and downtrodden.

Former BJP youth leader Vijay Bansal, who has been the state secretary of the Delhi unit of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, attended the AAP press conference and announced his decision to join the party.

Congress leader from Mundka assembly constituency, Dharampal Lakra, who has been a member of the Food Corporation of India and a former secretary of District Congress Committee also joined the AAP.

The AAP leaders made it clear that leaders from other political parties who do not have a past criminal record and do not face any other serious allegation are welcome to join the party for changing the politics of the country. (ENDS)

Regards.

AAP Media Cell

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Categories : Politics

Piyush Goel ‘Helpless’ No R&D > Inefficient Polluting ENERGY

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November26, 2014 (C) Ravinder Singh ravinderinvent@gmail.com

Piyush Goel is Smart Honest & Efficient is ‘Totally Helpless’ in
Handling Complexities of Power Sector. R&D is ABSENT in ENERGY SECTOR,
Commercially Viable Wind Power, LED & Solar Power are ‘Project Funded’
than ‘Consumers Directly Buying’.

When India is rated as World’s Most Energy Efficient nation it also
means huge COST to the Poor Indian Economy as well. Revenue of
Petroleum Companies minus Petroleum exports alone exceed Rs.15,00,000
crores in 2013-14 – add Rs.5,00,000 crores for Power Generation &
Distribution including cost of coal and hydro power still over 50%
population has either no Electric Connection or just a ‘Lamp
Connection’.

In addition India is excepted to Annually Invest in 20,000 MW
Conventional, 8,000 MW of Wind, 20,000 MW Solar, Plus other Renewable
Energies = 50,00MW and T&D all adding up to Rs.6,00,000 crores
including Interest on Bank Loans.

This all adds up to Rs.25,00,000 Crores and Yet >>

>> Indians are Expected to Install Invertors, Generators to overcome Power Cuts, India builds are Mainly LAME DUCK DAMS Run of River kind that Cost Twice but Store No Water, Provide No Flood Protection, No Irrigation & No Municipal Water Supply.
>> 75% Indians use Farm Waste and Wood for Cooking can’t afford LPG or Kerosene. Add Health Cost of Pollution of Rivers, Ground Water & Air at Rs.500,000 crores
>> This INDIRECT COST adds up to Rs.10,00,000 crores.

Direct & Indirect Cost of ENERGY $600B is 33% Of $1.8T GDP
YET THERE IS NO ENERGY R&D OR TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOPED

Specialized Agencies NABARD & SIDBI too Fund & Promote Projects Than
R&D & R&D Based Companies – Often Supporting LUNATIC Projects of NGOs
like CHECK dams – since the building of CHECK DAMS, 95% of 202 Dams in
Gujarat do not fill up even High Rainfall season.

In World’s BIGGEST R&D SCAM – TERI, CSE, DA and Hundreds More NGOs
Repeatedly SUCK Up Foreign AID & SIDBI, NABARD Resources for BOGUS
Research over 40 Years, YET TO DEVELOP ANY COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGY.

200 million Households On Average Install 1000W Solar Panels System
[Require Just 100 sq.ft each] is 200,000 MW Installation Of Commercial
Technology That Do Not Require Any PROJECT FUNDING. SMALL COMPANIES
WHO ARE TO EXECUTE THESE ORDERS ARE NOT SUPPORTED BY SIDBI OR NABARD.

THERE IS NO MONITORING OF UTILIZATION OF REPEATEDLY SECURING FOREIGN
AID & INDIAN FUNDS TO NGOs OFTEN TO SABOTAGE MULTI PURPOSE HYDRO
POWER, RURAL DEVELOPMENT etc.

Ravinder Singh, Inventor & Consultant, INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND PROJECTS
Y-77, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016, India. Ph; 091- 9718280435, 9650421857
Ravinder Singh* is a WIPO awarded inventor specializing in Power,
Transportation, Water, Energy Saving, Agriculture, Manufacturing,
Technologies and Projects.

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Categories : Energy, Politics

WomenDialogue on Wednesday afternoon, November 26th 2014

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WomenDialogue on Wednesday afternoon, November 26th 2014

From: Media Cell AAP <mediacellaap@gmail.com> Tue, 25 Nov ’14 7:42p

• AAP unveils Women Dialogue on Wednesday afternoon
• Gul Panag, Kanchan Chaudhary & Manisha Lath Gupta main speakers
• Delhi Dialogue team to present its vision for women in Delhi

Aam Aadmi Party will launch the Women Dialogue, the second phase of the Delhi Dialogue on 26 November (Wednesday), its second foundation day.

Delhi Dialogue, an innovative initiative to engage with the residents of the national capital was launched with a successful Youth Dialogue at Jantar Mantar on November 15.

Youth Dialogue resulted in a five-point agenda of Degree, Income, WiFi, Sports and Drug-Free City.

The Women Dialogue on Wednesday will see the culmination of multiple expert conferences and deliberations by the Women';s Wing of the Aam Aadmi Party with common women of the city.

Bollywood actor and AAP leader Gul Panag, first woman DGP of the country Kandhan Chaudhary (on whose life popular TV serial Udaan was made) and former vice-president of Axis Bank Manisha Lath Gupta will be among the main speakers of the Women Dialogue.

Despite the solemn assurances enshrined in the Indian Constitution, women in Delhi continue to be treated as second-class citizens by every conceivable index. The truth is that the status of girls and women has deteriorated over the past six decades. A carefully crafted set of policies and affirmative action together with continuous efforts is required to change patriarchal mindsets and attitudes at all levels.

The AAP envisions a Delhi in which women will be acknowledged and treated as equal citizens in their own right; where they will not be governed by male-dominated values, which determine their societal and familial roles.

We have been engaging the experts and policy experts, businesses, government bureaucrats and other domain thought leaders on women, to talk about what the Aam Aadmi Party can do to make Delhi a safe, secure, happy and better place for our women to live in.

Over the past two weeks, the Delhi Dialogue team led by Ashish Khetan, Meera Sanyal and Adarsh Shastri have met with stakeholders on these issues ranging from bureaucrats, government employees and elected representatives, businesses, non-profits, journalists and other interesting persons with expertise.

They have looked at focus areas related to security, safety, sanitation, last mile connectivity, transportation, gender justice issues, entrepreneurship and jobs. Women Dialogue will attempt to look at every issue and policy from the lens of a woman.

Lalita Ramdas, a renowned activist and ex-Chairperson of Greenpeace International and Meera Sanyal, ex-CEO of Royal Bank of Scotland is leading the engagement with civil society. Atishi Marlena, a Rhodes Scholar from Oxford and one of the main coordinators of the Vision Swaraj and Manifesto teams, is leading the policy team on women';s issues.

Bandana Kumari, the President of the AAP Women’s Wing, Reena Gupta, District Coordinator and Richa Pandey Misra have coordinated the meetings on the ground in every ward and assembly constituency in Delhi in the last 10 days. Ms. Preeti Sharma Menon will be coordinating the Women Dialogue event on the ground.

The programme will begin at 3 PM at Open Theatre, Talkatora Garden, Park Street, New Delhi..

Regards.

AAP Media Cell