Kerala HC extends interim order restraining arrest of ED officer
Mr. Kumar had filed an anticipatory bail petition before the court, claiming his innocence and alleging that he was falsely implicated in the case with ulterior motives. He contended that the businessman somehow wanted to wriggle out of the probe that had been initiated against him by the ED for allegedly siphoning off ₹24 lakh and that the Vigilance case against him was part of a bid by the businessman to escape legal action.
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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Business community raises alarm over recent high-profile killings across state
Patna: A recent surge in criminal incidents across Bihar, particularly the brutal murder of prominent businessman Gopal Khemka, has triggered widespread concern. Alarming statistics and a string of high-profile killings have shaken the police. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Khemka, a well-known businessman and owner of Magadh Hospital, was shot dead around 11.45pm on July 4 at the main gate of his apartment in the Gandhi Maidan police station area of Patna. The murder has not only exposed glaring security lapses in the capital but also drawn attention to a disturbing and escalating pattern of violence targeting businesspersons across the state. In just the first half of 2025, at least eight prominent members of Bihar's business community have fallen victim to fatal attacks. These include real estate developer Anjani Singh, who was gunned down near the Kandap PACS warehouse in Patna; land dealer Razi Ahmad, killed in Nalanda; and Bhagalpur-based grocery merchant Vinay Gupta, who was shot by masked men. Other victims include real estate businessman Ramesh Chandra in Muzaffarpur, jeweller Sanjay Agarwal in Gaya, hospital owner Surbhi in Patna, and cloth merchant Vinod Mehta in Bhagalpur. The statistics are chilling. From Jan to May 2025 alone, Patna recorded 116 murders, averaging one killing every 25 hours. The capital also saw 48 robberies, 36 rapes, 10 incidents of dacoity, 33 cases of chain snatching and 13 instances of extortion. The alarming rise in violent crime prompted a major reshuffle in June with the transfer of the central range inspector general (IG), Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) and three city superintendents of police (city SPs). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Among the most shocking cases was that of Anjani Singh, a land dealer who was shot dead on the night of June 22 near the Kandap PACS warehouse on the Sohgi-Kandap road in Punpun, Patna. Singh was attacked by bike-borne assailants who shot him at close range below the neck. On June 19, land dealer Razi Ahmad was murdered in Panhesa village of Nalanda district. Police arrested five suspects in connection with the case and recovered the weapon used in the killing. Earlier on May 4, Vinay Gupta, a grocery store owner, was shot dead by masked criminals in the Naugachia Market area of Bhagalpur's Hadia Patti. While an investigation is underway, no arrests have been made so far. In another high-profile case, Ramesh Chandra, a real estate businessman, was shot outside his office in Muzaffarpur in March. Police managed to arrest two suspects, though the key conspirator remains at large. On March 22, Surbhi, the director of a private hospital in Patna, was shot dead inside her office chamber. Her husband and several others have been arrested in connection with her murder. April saw the killing of Gaya-based jeweller Sanjay Agarwal, who was murdered during a robbery at his shop. The incident is believed to be linked to extortion threats he had received. In Jan, Bhagalpur cloth merchant Vinod Mehta was stabbed to death near his residence. Investigators suspect motives of extortion or personal enmity. The killings have sent shockwaves through the state's business community. President of the Bihar Industries Association, K P S Keshari, expressed serious concern over the spate of attacks. "We demand police patrolling to be increased in commercial and sensitive areas. A secure and favourable environment for industries in the state. The intelligence network should be strengthened. Intensive police checks should be arranged at the entry and exit points of the city," he said.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Punjab Police foil target killing plot linked to Canada-based gangster, 3 arrested
In a major breakthrough, Moga Police, along with the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) and Counter-Intelligence, successfully foiled a target killing plot planned by Canada-based gangster Lakhvir Singh alias Landa Harike. Police personnel stand guard during a protest in Patiala. (Representational Image/ANI) Police arrested three key operatives who, according to initial investigations, were acting on Landa Harike's instructions to kill Dr Aniljeet Kamboj. In a post on X, DGP Punjab Police wrote, 'In a major breakthrough,@MogaPolice, in a joint operation with Anti-Gangster Task Force (#AGTF) & Counter-Intelligence, foils a target killing plot orchestrated by #Canada-based Gangster Lakhvir Singh @ Landa Harike and apprehends three key operatives.' An exchange of fire took place during the operation, in which the accused were shot in the legs. All three were taken to the Civil Hospital for treatment. Based on human intelligence and technical surveillance, the joint team dismantled the gang's plan and prevented a serious threat to public safety. "Preliminary investigation reveals that the arrested accused were acting on the directions of Lakhvir Singh @ Landa Harike to eliminate Dr. Aniljeet Kamboj. During the operation, an exchange of fire took place between the police and the accused, in which the accused sustained gunshot injuries to their legs. They have been shifted to Civil Hospital for treatment. Backed by human intelligence and technical inputs, the team successfully dismantled this targeted killing module, averting a serious threat to public safety," the post read. The police recovered two pistols (.30 bore) with 10 live cartridges, one pistol (.32 bore) with three live cartridges, and a car used by the accused. An FIR has been registered at the Fatehgarh Panjtoor police station. Further investigation is ongoing to uncover more links connected to this gang. "Recovery: 2 pistols (.30 bore) with 10 live cartridges, 1 pistol (.32 bore) with 3 live cartridges and 1 car. An FIR has been registered at PS Fatehgarh Panjtoor. Further investigation is underway to trace the module's forward and backward linkages. @PunjabPoliceIndremains committed to a zero-tolerance policy against gangsters and to ensuring public safety through well-coordinated, intelligence-led operations," the post further read.
Hans India
2 hours ago
- Hans India
RTI reveals Kerala govt sponsoring visit of spy suspect Jyoti Malhotra
The Kerala government has come under heavy fire after it was revealed that Jyoti Malhotra, a social media influencer recently arrested on espionage charges, had visited the state as part of a government-sponsored tourism promotion campaign. Malhotra, a Haryana-based vlogger, is now accused of leaking sensitive information to Pakistan. Shockingly, her entire trip across Kerala was facilitated and funded by the state's Tourism Department under an official influencer outreach initiative. Documents obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act confirm that her travel, accommodation, food, and even filming arrangements were handled by a private agency contracted by the department. She was among 41 influencers selected to promote Kerala as a global tourist destination. During her multi-city visit, Malhotra toured Kochi, Kannur, Kozhikode, Alappuzha, Munnar, and Thiruvananthapuram. She arrived in Kerala via Kannur airport after travelling from Delhi to Bengaluru. Her vlogs included visuals of Theyyam performances and scenic locations, all of which were shared on her YouTube channel Travel with Jo and other social media platforms. She eventually returned to Delhi by train. At the time of her visit, no suspicions had been raised regarding her activities. However, her arrest in May 2025 under the Official Secrets Act has now cast a shadow over the episode. Central intelligence agencies are probing whether her video content may have served as a cover for intelligence-gathering. Investigators are also examining whether she accessed strategically sensitive locations or communicated with Pakistani handlers during her stay. Adding to the growing alarm, Haryana Police have confirmed that Malhotra had visited Pakistan shortly before the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir - raising serious questions about her potential ties to ISI operatives. Amid the controversy, Kerala's Tourism Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas defended the decision to bring Malhotra to the state. He insisted that the program was launched with good intentions and followed the precedents set by previous governments. 'This was part of a larger influencer campaign aimed at promoting Kerala. Everything was done transparently and in good faith,' Riyas said. 'This is not a government that facilitates espionage. The media must understand how government systems work. No one could have foreseen this.' However, opposition parties were quick to respond. Both the Congress and the BJP criticised the state's failure to conduct adequate background checks on the influencers invited under official programs. They demanded accountability for what they termed a 'serious lapse in judgment' that could have had national security implications. The ongoing investigation has triggered a wider debate on the intersection of tourism promotion and national security. Many are now calling for more rigorous vetting procedures for individuals participating in government-sponsored initiatives, especially those involving sensitive travel routes or infrastructure. With Malhotra still in custody and the probe expanding, the Kerala government finds itself on the defensive, scrambling to contain the fallout from what is now being called one of the most embarrassing intelligence lapses linked to a state-sponsored tourism effort.
