Court Asks Bengal Cops To Produce Case Diary In Probe Team Attack FIR

The Calcutta High Court directed the West Bengal police on Monday to produce the case diary in the FIR filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on a mob attack on its officials when they went to search the premises of TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh at Sandeshkhali on January 5.

A lawyer, claiming to represent Mr Shajahan, prayed for permission to be added as a party in the matter.

Justice Jay Sengupta directed that the case diary be produced on Tuesday when the matter will be taken up for hearing again.

The Enforcement Directorate raided Mr Sheikh's house on January 5 in connection with an alleged ration distribution scam in West Bengal.

Justice Sengupta noted that a counsel approached the court claiming to represent the accused Sajahan Sheikh, but was yet to have the necessary vakalatnama, a written document which authorises a lawyer to represent a person in a legal proceeding.

"He prayed that his client ought to have an audience here. But, he is not having the vakalatnama at present," the court said.

Justice Sengupta directed that in the event the counsel is able to procure a vakalatnama, he will be at liberty to file an application for addition of party for his client.

The Enforcement Directorate has issued a look out circular against Shajahan Sheikh.

Enforcement Directorate's counsel submitted before the court that the agency found links to Shankar Addhya, who has been arrested by the agency, and Mr Shajahan during its investigation into the alleged ration distribution scam.

The Enforcement Directorate has arrested state's Forest Minister Jyoti Priya Mallick, who held the Food and Supplies portfolio from 2011 to 2021, and is at present in judicial remand in the case.

The state's counsel submitted that four people have been arrested in connection with the attack on the Enforcement Directorate officials.

Justice Sengupta asked how only four people were arrested when it has been alleged that hundreds were involved in the attack on the Enforcement Directorate officials.

The Enforcement Directorate's counsel also submitted that despite a murderous attack on the officials, milder sections of IPC were given in the FIR filed by the officials of Najat police station, within the area of which Ms Shajahan's house is located, on the complaint by the agency.

The Enforcement Directorate  has stated that three of its officers were injured and their belongings were snatched in an attack on them at Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district on January 5.

It was stated that vehicles of Enforcement Directorate officials and the CRPF personnel were also damaged by the mob.

Another single bench of the high court had on January 11 ordered an interim stay on proceedings in an FIR against Enforcement Directorate officials who went to search the premises of Mr Shajahan.

The Enforcement Directorate had moved the court praying for quashing of the FIR lodged at the Nazat police station in North 24 Parganas district against its officials, claiming that false allegations were foisted against them.

In the FIR, one Didar Baksh Molla, stated to be a caretaker of Sheikh's residence, accused the Enforcement Directorate officials of theft, outraging modesty and beating women and children when they went to raid Shajahan's house on January 5.

Three FIRs were registered on that day in connection with the incident.

The first FIR was lodged by Didar Baksh Molla, at 10.30 am, a second FIR was filed suo motu by the Nazat police on the incident on the basis of a general diary by a sub-inspector of the police station at 1.30 pm and the third was by the ED at around 8.10 pm.

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Nitish Kumar Attends Lalu Yadav's Makar Sankranti Feast Amid Rift Rumours

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday treated himself to a Makar Sankranti feast hosted by RJD president Lalu Prasad, belying recent speculations that the alliance between the two had hit a rough patch.

Mr Prasad's younger son and heir apparent Tejashwi Yadav, who is also the state's deputy Chief Minister, expressed delight over the visit of the chief minister and made light of the speculations of a rift in the ruling Mahagathbandhan.

"We were pleased to have at our place the honourable chief minister on a day we have been, since long, treating people to 'dahi chuda' (flattened rice with curd), items made of 'til' (sesame) and 'konhre ki sabzi' (pumpkin stew). Other colleagues in the cabinet have been dropping in as well. We welcome them all," said Yadav, who briefly interacted with the posse of journalists.

The young RJD leader blamed the opposition BJP in the state and a section of the press for speculations of a trust deficit which grew strong ever since Mr Kumar took over as the JD(U) national president, replacing Rajiv Ranjan Singh "Lalan" who gave up the post-mid-term.

"Ever since Lalu-ji and Nitish-ji joined hands, the BJP has been scared. Also, we are running a government that has delivered on its promise of job creation on a large scale. As such, there is no need for any explanation on the various theories that have been doing the rounds," asserted Mr Yadav.

Notably, a section of the press had claimed that Lalan ran afoul of Nitish Kumar after he allegedly hatched a conspiracy to dethrone the latter so that Mr Yadav could take over as the CM.

Lalan has reacted by slapping legal notices on the outlets concerned and claimed that he relinquished the top party post to focus more on his Lok Sabha constituency and that it was upon his request that Kumar, the JD(U)'s de facto leader, agreed to take over as the party chief.

Interestingly, Lalan also walked beside Kumar when the two leaders emerged from the CM's residence and walked down to 10, Circular Road, the government bungalow allotted to Prasad's wife Rabri Devi, in her capacity as a former chief minister.

The elderly couple flashed a broad smile at Mr Kumar, who caused a flutter with his optics, but chose not to take any questions from journalists while sauntering back from the RJD leaders' place.

A host of other senior leaders from the JD(U) also turned up at the feast, including ministers Ashok Choudhary, Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and Sanjay Kumar Jha besides state unit chief Umesh Kushwaha.

Mr Yadav, who held fort engaging with the media contingent, was asked about the perception that the JD(U) was running out of patience by the "delay" in finalisation of a seat-sharing formula because Mahagathbandhan partners were coming up with competing claims.

"How do you know that such a formula has not been arrived at in Bihar? Who knows, it may have been finalised," cryptically said the RJD leader, whose party has been entrusted with negotiating, on behalf of junior partners Congress and Left, with the JD(U).

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Why Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu Is Talking Tough: Explainer

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu's demand that India withdraw its troops stationed in the country by mid-March is the newest in the anti-India rhetoric in the island nation that has started over the last few years. The number of troops -- 88 -- is too few to be a threat, which is what their presence is being portrayed as.

The troops have been stationed in Maldives since 2010 as part of a bilateral ties that involve training of Maldivian troops in combat and reconnaissance. They also provide help with humanitarian aid and medical evacuations for the residents of the remote islands.

Domestic politics of Maldives

President Muizzu is widely seen as a pro-China leader, a departure from his predecessors who pursued a pro-India policy. One of the key slogans for his campaign was "India Out'. The coalition government of the People's National Congress & the Progressive Party of Maldives party is currently following the pro-China policy to remove what they call the Indian influence.

Ahead of the Presidential election held in Maldives at the end of September, supporters of the People's National Congress of President Muizzu had pushed a narrative that the Ibrahim Mohamed Solih-led Maldivian Democratic Party was influenced by India.

The formal demand for troop removal was first made around two months ago -- shortly after the Muizzu government came to power in September, riding on an anti-India agenda.

Anti-India build-up

India's gift of two military Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters helicopters to Maldives for rescue ops have been portrayed as creation of military presence.

An agreement for the UTF Harbour Project agreement, signed in February 2021 -- under which India was to develop and maintain a harbour and dockyard at Uthuru Thilafalhu near Maldives capital Malé -- has been a subject of intense speculation. A section of local media claimed that the project would eventually lead to the building of an Indian naval base there.

Fuelled by social media, a diplomatic row with India started as Maldivian ministers made derogatory comments following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's widely circulated post about his visit to the Lakshadweep islands. Three ministers who made harsh comments, were, however, removed.

China factor

President Muizzu's demand for the removal of Indian troops was also made days after his visit to China, when the two nations upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

China is interested in expanding its influence in Maldives owing to its strategic position in the Indian Ocean. The islands are located on the one of the busiest maritime trade highways through which nearly 80 per cent of China's oil imports pass.

Maldives and China have signed 20 important agreements during President Muizzu's visit. China has given Male an aid of 130 million dollars which will be spent on the development projects.

Should India be concerned

The foreign ministry is yet to comment on Male's demand for troop withdrawal.

Former foreign minister Shashi Tharoor has warned about the increasing proximity between China and Maldives.

"There is no doubt about the fact that China has been attempting to expand its influence throughout our periphery. They have been increasingly influential in everyone of our neighbouring countries, everyone, without exception," he said.

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क्या वर्ल्ड कप या आईपीएल के मैच फिक्स होते हैं, जब BCCI उपाध्यक्ष से पूछा सवाल

इस बात में कोई शक नहीं कि भारत में क्रिकेट के करोड़ों दीवाने हैं. लेकिन यह बात भी सच है कि देश में ऐसे भी लोग शायद करोड़ों में ही हों, जो इस खेल को शक की निगाह से देखते हैं.

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"Beyond Human Control": Sonu Sood's Plea After Being Stuck At Airport For 3 Hours

With a dense fog blanket wreaking havoc on flight operations amid the ongoing winter season, actor Sonu Sood shared a scene of horrifying chaos in the waiting area of an airport. 

The actor, known for his goodwill, urged the started passengers to treat the crew of airlines with kindness.

In a post on X, the actor wrote, "The weather Gods have their own moods, beyond human control!! I have been patiently waiting for the last 3 hours at the airport. I know it's difficult but request everyone to be polite with the airline crew. They are doing their best! Often times I see visuals of people behaving very rudely with them. We need to understand some situations are beyond anyone's control and everyone deserves to be respected."

See the post here:

The weather Gods have their own moods, beyond human control!! I have been patiently waiting for the last 3 hours at the airport . I know it's difficult but request everyone to be polite with the airlines crew.They are doing their best! Often times I see visuals of people behaving… pic.twitter.com/C0T8t8c3oQ

— sonu sood (@SonuSood) January 14, 2024

The post has amassed over 31,000 views on X along with an array of comments from the netizens. A user wrote, "You are simply Great Sonu Sood, Sir."

"Politeness, responsible and patient is in our genes, we are forgetting it, we need to just restore it," another user expressed.

Earlier, actor Radhika Apte shared her ordeal at an airport when she and other co-passengers were locked inside the aerobridge after the flight was delayed. The actor did not name the city or the airlines.

Sharing photos and videos on Instagram, the 'Sacred Games' actor said that the passengers were put in the aerobridge after the flight was delayed and the airlines staff locked them in.

"Today morning I had an flight at 8:30. It's 10:50 now and the flight has still not boarded. BUT the flight said we were boarding and put all the passengers in the aerobridge and LOCKED IT," she said.

Radhika Apte shared a clip of several people behind a locked glass door. Some of the passengers were seen talking to the security staff in the aerobridge.

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VIDEO: लाइव मैच में गेंद लेकर भागने लगा शख्स, फखर ने जड़ा बड़ा छक्का

फखर जमां ने न्यूजीलैंड के खिलाफ दूसरे टी20 मुकाबले में अर्धशतकीय पारी खेली. हालांकि उनका ये अर्धशतक टीम के काम नहीं आया. मेजबान कीवी टीम ने हैमिल्टन टी20 में पाकिस्तान को 21 रन से हराकर 5 मैचों की सीरीज में 2-0 की बढ़त बना ली है.

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From Coal Miner's Son To Taiwan's President-Elect: All About Lai Ching-te

Pugnacious, stubborn, and a "pragmatic worker for Taiwan's independence", veteran politician Lai Ching-te will step into the international spotlight as the democratic island's next president to navigate an increasingly turbulent relationship with China. 

The 64-year-old Harvard graduate rode to victory in Saturday's election on the promise that he would defend Taiwan's democracy and resist Beijing's claims on the island.

His win delivers an unprecedented third consecutive term for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and in his victory speech Lai hailed it as a "victory for the community of democracies".

"We are telling the international community that between democracy and authoritarianism, we will stand on the side of democracy," he said.

He has vowed to continue outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen's policies of building up Taiwan's military capabilities as a defence deterrence against a potential invasion from China. 

But his outspokenness -- which he has moderated in recent months on his path to the presidency -- has drawn the ire of Beijing. 

China regards him as a "stubborn worker" for Taiwan's independence and a "saboteur of peace", warning that the soft-spoken politician would be the cause of "war and decline" for the island.

"There are strong doubts on China's side about his deep-seated convictions", said Mathieu Duchatel, head of the Asia programme at Montaigne Institute in Paris, adding that at this stage, "(Lai) wants above all to reassure".

Son of a coal miner 

Unlike most of Taiwan's political elite, Lai rose from humble origins. 

Born in 1959, Lai was raised by his mother alongside five other siblings in a rural hamlet in New Taipei City, after his coal miner father died when he was a toddler.

After he graduated from Harvard University, he returned to work in a hospital in southern Taiwan before turning his attention to politics in 1996 during the Third Taiwan Strait Crisis. 

"My defining moment came as China's military adventurism... threatened our shores with live fire exercises and missiles," he wrote in an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal last July. 

"I decided I had a duty to participate in Taiwan's democracy and help protect this fledgling experiment from those who wished it harm."

He served as a lawmaker, a mayor of the southern city of Tainan and a premier before he was tapped to be vice president to President Tsai Ing-wen, whom he will now succeed.

Under Tsai's two-term tenure relations with China plummeted -- with all high-level communications cut off -- as she defended the island's sovereignty and refused to acknowledge Beijing's claim over it. 

During his campaign for office, Lai stuck to her stance that Taiwan is "already independent", and does not need to formally declare itself separate from China. 

He has also said he is willing to have exchanges with China "on the preconditions of parity and dignity", explaining that closer ties for economic prosperity should not be traded for Taiwan's sovereignty. 

"Accepting China's 'one-China' principle is not true peace," he said, referring to a Beijing doctrine that Taiwan is a part of China. 

"Peace without sovereignty is just like Hong Kong. It is a false peace."

'Much fiercer'

During his time as premier, he was more vocal than Tsai about the issue of independence, which some say has top allies like the United States -- Taiwan's main weapons provider -- concerned about how he will handle relations with China. 

"The question will be to what extent Lai can stick to the cautious and moderate pathway carved out by Tsai," said Amanda Hsiao of the International Crisis Group. 

Sarah Liu of the University of Edinburgh said a Lai administration would continue on a path of "less economic reliance on China". 

"Through strengthening its international standing, Taiwan will gain more allies to further consolidate its democracy," she said. 

Tsai made a reference to his pugnacity in a campaign ad released this year ahead of the poll. 

"You are much fiercer than I am... you step up and fight with others," she said in a slickly edited commercial that showed the two driving along a picturesque highway. 

"But I did it for the safety of my country... because protecting Taiwan's democracy is the most important," Lai responded before Tsai handed him the steering wheel. 

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युवराज सिंह की टीम इंडिया में होगी वापसी? निभाना चाहते हैं ये रोल

युवराज सिंह साल 2007 टी20 विश्व कप और 2011 वनडे क्रिकेट वर्ल्ड कप विजेता टीम के हिस्सा थे. युवी ने 2007 टी20 विश्व कप में एक ओवर में लगातार 6 छक्के जड़े वहीं वनडे विश्व कप में वह प्लेयर ऑफ द टूर्नामेंट रहे. युवी ने टीम इंडिया में नए रोल के साथ वापसी करने की इच्छा जाहिर की.

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Assets Worth Rs 3.46 Crore Of Sub-Postmaster Attached In Money Laundering Probe

A land parcel and bank balances worth Rs 3.46 crore of a sub-postmaster in West Bengal have been attached as part of a money-laundering probe against him for allegedly claiming investors' deposits by forging their signatures, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said on Friday.

A provisional order has been issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for attaching the properties of Lakshman Hembram.

Hembram is a sub-postmaster in the postal department of West Bengal. The ED's case stems from an FIR registered at the Moyna police station in Purba Medinipur district.

The ED said Hembram used to effect premature or final closure of term-deposit accounts apparently by "forging" signatures of the account holders and transfer the amount or maturity proceeds of those accounts to the saving accounts of the same account holders without their knowledge.

"Thereafter, he used to siphon off the said amount from their savings accounts by way of fraudulent withdrawals again apparently by forging signatures of the account holders.

"The instances of withdrawals of amounts exclusively from savings bank accounts of the depositors and term deposit were observed without knowledge of the account holders as none of these withdrawals found mention in the relevant passbooks of the depositors," the federal agency said in a statement.

These withdrawn amounts, to the tune of Rs 4.12 crore, were used by the accused to purchase movable and immovable assets and for personal use and are proceeds of crime according to the PMLA, it said.

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पाटीदार के अर्धशतक से भारत का मुंहतोड़ जवाब, पहले ही दिन बनाया दबदबा

इंडिया ए और इंग्लैंड लॉयंस के बीच 2 दिवसीय प्रैक्टिस मैच के पहले ही दिन भारत ने दबदबा बना लिया. स्पिनर मानव सुतार की शानदार गेंदबाजी के बाद ओपनर रजत पाटीदार के नाबाद अर्धशतक की बदौलत भारत ने इस मुकाबले पर शिकंजा कस लिया है.

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Karnataka R-Day Tableau Rejected, Siddaramaiah Writes To Rajnath Singh

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh requesting him to allow the state to showcase its tableau themed 'Brand Bengaluru' in the Republic Day parade at 'Kartavya Path' this year.

Expressing his displeasure over the Centre's denial to present its tableau, he said the decision had hurt the sentiments of Kannadigas.

In a letter addressed to Mr Singh, which he shared on 'X', Siddaramaiah said Karnataka has been taking part in the Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path, New Delhi, with its tableau for the last 14 years consecutively.

He underlined that Karnataka has won numerous prizes for its tableaux in the Republic Day parades with various themes, such as Maha Mastakabhishek of Bhagwan Baahubali (2005), Architecture of Hoysala (2008), Bidari Art of Bidar (2011), Bhootaradhane (2012), Channapattana Toys (2015) and Traditional Art Forms of Karnataka (2022).

Each tableau in Karnataka shows the rich culture, folklore and traditions of the state.

The theme 'Brand Bengaluru' was selected from among the five themes proposed by Karnataka for the 2024 Republic Day parade.

"The state had presented the key-model and the music before the selection committee and it had asked us to attend the next meeting with certain modifications. However, after the last round of meeting, Karnataka has not been included in the 2024 Republic Day parade to be conducted at Kartavya Path. Instead, the tableau has been accommodated in the 'Bharat Parv' section at the Red Fort," Siddaramaiah said.

According to him, the tableau themed 'Brand Bengaluru' depicts how the iconic city of Bengaluru has leapfrogged in development and yet is firmly rooted in its culture and tradition.

The state's contribution to 'Vikasit Bharat' is immense - be it technology, entrepreneurship or tax contribution. The grand Terminal-2 of the Kempe Gowda International Airport is the newest feather in its cap. It has been declared as one of the most beautiful airports in the world by UNESCO, the chief minister pointed out.

"The decision not to allow Karnataka tableau at this year's Republic Day parade has hurt the sentiments of Kannadigas. The exclusion has met with strong disappointment from the people of Karnataka," Siddaramaiah said.

"To avoid hurting the sentiments of seven crore Kannadigas, it is requested to allow Karnataka to showcase its tableau themed 'Brand Bengaluru' in the Republic Day Parade 2024 at Kartavya Path, instead of limiting it to 'Bharat Parv' exhibition at the Red Fort," he added. 

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Video: 427 दिन बाद टी20 में रोहित शर्मा की वापसी, शर्मनाक ढंग से हुए आउट

Rohit Sharma got out on duck अफगानिस्तान के खिलाफ चयनकर्ताओं ने उनको इस फॉर्मेट में चुना और 427 दिन के बाद बतौर कप्तान वह एक बार फिर से मैदान पर उतरे. टॉस जीतकर रोहित शर्मा ने पहले गेंदबाजी चुना. अफगानिस्तान ने भारत के सामने 20 ओवर में 5 विकेट पर 158 रन का स्कोर खड़ा किया. कप्तानी में पुराना रंग दिखाने वाले भारतीय दिग्गज बल्लेबाजी में नाकाम रहे और शर्मनाक तरीके से आउट होकर वापस लौटे.

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रोहित- गिल के बीच भारी ड्रामा, दोनों एक ही छोर पर पहुंचे, देनी पड़ी कुर्बानी

भारत और अफगानिस्तान के बीच पहले टी20 मैच में गजब ड्रामा देखने को मिला. मोहाली के पंजाब क्रिकेट संघ आईएस बिंद्रा स्टेडियम में भारत की पारी के पहले ओवर की दूसरी ही गेंद पर कन्फ्यूजन देखने को मिला. एक ही छोर पर दोनों ओपनर्स पहुंच गए और एक को अपने विकेट के रूप में कुर्बानी देनी पड़ी.

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'हूर की परी' हैं इन 5 क्रिकेटर्स की पत्नियां, खूबसूरती ऐसी की हो जाएंगे लट्टू

भारतीय क्रिकेट टीम इस साल बांग्लादेश के साथ 2 टेस्ट और 3 मैचों की टी20 सीरीज खेलेगी. दोनों टीमों के बीच यह सीरीज सितंबर में आयोजित होगा. हालांकि यह सीरीज कब से शुरू होगी अपनी शेड्यूल की घोषणा बाकी है. दोनों टीमों के बीच मुकाबला बेहद रोमांचक होने की उम्मीद है. इस दौरान बांग्लादेशी क्रिकेटर्स की पत्नियां भी सुर्खियां बटोरती हैं. इन क्रिकेटर्स की वाइफ बेहद खूबसूरत हैं जो टॉप क्लास ऐक्ट्रेस को खूबसूरती में मात देती हैं.

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"Enough Is Enough": UK Warns Iran-Backed Houthi Rebels Over Red Sea Attacks

UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps on Wednesday warned Iran-backed Huthi rebels to end their attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

Shapps told Sky News there was "no doubt" Tehran was involved and providing weapons and intelligence. "Enough is enough," he said. "We must be clear with the Huthis that this has to stop and that is my simple message to them today: Watch this space".

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