Latest news with #CBI
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu stresses AI's role in preventing crimes
VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu underscored the vital role of technology in ensuring law and order, stating that peace and security are essential for investment and development. Speaking after inaugurating the 'AI 4 Andhra Police Hackathon' in Guntur on Friday, he urged the police to fully adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced tools for crime prevention and investigation. 'A State can prosper only when law and order are firmly under control. Technology must become a driving force in policing, making Andhra Pradesh a model for crime-free governance,' Naidu affirmed. The AI hackathon, jointly organised by the State police and four US-based AI firms, saw participation from over 160 teams focusing on AI solutions for policing. On the occasion, Naidu interacted with participants and stressed the need for technology-driven, data-backed policing, moving beyond traditional methods. 'We have introduced WhatsApp Governance for citizen services and are expanding CCTV and drone surveillance across the State,' he said, adding, 'The days of relying solely on traditional policing methods are over. It is encouraging to see AP Police recognising the importance of technology and organising this innovative event.' Pointing to the former minister YS Vivekananda Reddy murder case, Naidu said, 'There were many baseless allegations against me in connection with the case. I was targeted with defamatory slogans like 'blood history'. However, the truth came out through scientific investigation and digital tools like Google Takeout, used effectively by the CBI.' Issuing a warning to criminal elements, Naidu stated, 'Those involved in rowdyism, ganja trade, and crimes against women can expect the hammer to come down hard, with technology providing irrefutable evidence.' He further stated that his government will always encourage young people to join the technological revolution. 'Earlier, we promoted IT in Andhra Pradesh. Now, we are preparing to showcase Telugu talent globally through the upcoming Quantum Valley project. Just like the United States has Silicon Valley, Andhra Pradesh will soon be home to Quantum Valley. The world today demands: work locally, think globally, act globally. This is the direction we are moving towards,' Naidu stated. Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communication Dr Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha, and Director General of Police (DGP) Harish Kumar Gupta were also present at the event.
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
‘Expected to join Monday': Himachal drug officer shifted from Dharamshala to Shimla
Nishant Sareen — who was posted as the assistant drug controller (ADC) in Dharamshala — on Friday was deputed to the Directorate of Health Safety and Regulation in Shimla, with immediate effect, officials said. He is being probed on charges of 'forgery' and 'cheating'. The order, issued by the Secretary (Health) M Sudha Devi's office, read: 'The Himachal Pradesh Governor is pleased to depute Nishant Sareen, Assistant Drug Controller at Kangra (Dharamshala) CMO's office, to the Directorate of Health Safety and Regulation, Shimla, with immediate effect until further orders.' Confirming this, a senior officer said: 'Nishant Sareen has been directed to report at the Shimla-based headquarters immediately. He is expected to join on Monday.' This came days after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided seven premises linked to Sareen, his father-in-law Ramesh Kumar Gupta, and associate Dr Komal Khanna on June 22-23. The federal probe agency also claimed to have seized 40 bank accounts, fixed deposit receipts (FDRs), three bank lockers, over 60 unaccounted liquor bottles, and two luxury vehicles estimated to be worth Rs 32 lakh from his residence in Mohali's New Chandigarh, officials said on Thursday. According to the ED, the raids were conducted in connection with allegations of 'corruption', 'bribery', and 'misuse of official positions' during Sareen's previous posting as the ADC in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh. Sareen, however, claimed the 'true picture' of the seizures is not being presented. Alleging 'professional rivalry', 'malafide complaints', and 'personal vendetta' against him, Sareen told The Indian Express over the phone: 'Of the 40 bank accounts (seized), only three are in my name. The rest belong to my relatives including my wife, daughter, father-in-law, cousins, and others. Also, since when did used vehicles like a Scorpio qualify as luxury vehicles? The enforcement agencies failed to recover even a single penny of unaccounted money from my house. As for the liquor bottles, I have a valid permit from the department concerned to store them.' Meanwhile, the investigation into an FIR registered against Sareen, and two others was recently transferred from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to the Haryana Police in Panchkula. The FIR was registered at the Sector 20 police station, Panchkula, on October 29, 2022, against Sareen, Dr Khanna, Vinay Aggarwal, and several unidentified persons under the charges of forgery, cheating, and using fake documents. In May 2024, the FIR was transferred to the CBI, following a petition by complainant Jagbir Singh in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, stating that the role of certain senior Haryana Police officers was also under scanner in the case. Jagbir further said that to force him to take back the FIR, a false FIR was registered against him in Panchkula. On May 17 last year, Justice Manjari Nehru Kaul had ordered transfer of the probe to the CBI. 'Although the CBI registered a fresh FIR against the three suspects, following the high court's directions, two of them — Vinay Aggarwal and Dr Komal Khanna — approached the Supreme Court against the transfer of the probe to the CBI. The Supreme Court allowed their plea and transferred the case back to the Haryana Police in Panchkula. The matter is now being investigated by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Panchkula Police,' sources said. A senior Panchkula Police officer said: 'The case against Nishant Sareen, Vinay Aggarwal, Dr Komal Khanna, and others is being handled by the EOW. Nishant Sareen had joined the investigation before the case was transferred to the CBI. However, the Punjab and Haryana High Court later stayed the investigation, following a plea by one Jagbir Singh. The next hearing is scheduled for July 7.'
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
ED launches probe into ‘Rs 800 crore graft' case linked to Navi Mumbai dredging project
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a money laundering investigation into the Rs 800 crore graft case linked to the Capital Dredging Project at Nhava Sheva port in Navi Mumbai. The central agency registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) on Friday and initiated a probe to examine the money laundering aspect of the entire graft case, sources said. The ED's case is based on the predicate offence registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) around 10 days ago. The CBI lodged a case against former chief manager of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) Sunil Kumar Madabhavi, Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE), Mumbai, as well as several private individuals and entities. The other accused named in the First Information Report (FIR) include TCE director Devdutt Bose; M/s Boskalis Smit India LLP, Mumbai; and M/s Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt Ltd, based in Chennai. The case, registered on June 18, 2025, stems from allegations that a criminal conspiracy was orchestrated between JNPA officials and a consortium of private firms, one based in Mumbai and the other in Chennai, to siphon off public funds under the guise of project payments, the CBI said. According to the CBI, the alleged irregularities occurred during the execution of a Capital Dredging Project aimed at deepening the port's navigational channel to accommodate larger vessels. During Phase-I of the project, JNPA reportedly made excessive payments totalling Rs 365.90 crore to contractors for supposed over-dredging work. However, the payments came under scrutiny after it was revealed that during Phase-II, which coincided with the maintenance period of Phase-I, an additional Rs 438 crore was disbursed under the claim that no over-dredging had taken place in the previous phase, thereby contradicting earlier assertions. After lodging the FIR, the CBI teams raided the residences of former JNPA officials, offices of the private companies involved, and the premises of the consulting firm at five locations in Mumbai and Chennai. A large cache of project-related documents, digital devices, and evidence, allegedly indicating illicit investments made by public servants linked to the scam, has been seized during the exercise. 'The seized materials are currently under examination, and further inquiries are underway to determine the full scope of financial irregularities and identify all individuals involved,' a CBI spokesperson said. In coordination with the CBI, ED officials may soon summon the accused persons for inquiry, another source said.
India Gazette
4 hours ago
- India Gazette
CBI busts transnational cyber extortion syndicate, key operative held
New Delhi [India], June 28 (ANI): In a continuing crackdown under Operation Chakra-V, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted coordinated search operations at multiple locations in Ahmedabad and Mumbai on June 25 in connection with a transnational cyber extortion case, the probe agency said on Friday. CBI said that the searches led to the recovery of incriminating evidence. The main suspect behind a transnational cyber extortion syndicate was arrested on June 26 in Mumbai. 'The case pertains to a sophisticated international fraud network involved in cheating foreign nationals, particularly citizens of the United States and Canada, by impersonating government officials, threatening them with false allegations, and subsequently extorting funds. The proceeds of crime were found to be received in form of crypto currencies,' press release said. 'During the operation, the accused was found in possession of a well-organized ecosystem used for committing cyber frauds, which included, telecommunication setup, Pre-drafted scam scripts, Forged identity badges, and ID cards purporting to be of Canadian law enforcement authorities,' it added. Further, Virtual Digital Assets worth approximately USD 45,000 were seized from the possession of the accused. He was also found to be leading a lavish lifestyle, as evidenced by the recovery of luxury vehicles, high-end accessories, frequent foreign visits and substantial unaccounted wealth, CBI stated. 'Notably, the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) had earlier identified the 'Royal Tiger Gang', operated by the accused as a significant Consumer Communication Information Services Threat (C-CIST). The gang is accused of generating and transmitting unlawful robocalls impersonating government agencies, banks, and utility service providers in a systematic manner, aimed at deceiving and defrauding USconsumers,' CBI mentioned. The accused has been produced before the CBI Court and taken into a 4-day remand for interrogation. Further investigation is underway. (ANI)
Canada News.Net
5 hours ago
- Canada News.Net
CBI busts transnational cyber extortion syndicate, key operative held
New Delhi [India], June 28 (ANI): In a continuing crackdown under Operation Chakra-V, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted coordinated search operations at multiple locations in Ahmedabad and Mumbai on June 25 in connection with a transnational cyber extortion case, the probe agency said on Friday. CBI said that the searches led to the recovery of incriminating evidence. The main suspect behind a transnational cyber extortion syndicate was arrested on June 26 in Mumbai. 'The case pertains to a sophisticated international fraud network involved in cheating foreign nationals, particularly citizens of the United States and Canada, by impersonating government officials, threatening them with false allegations, and subsequently extorting funds. The proceeds of crime were found to be received in form of crypto currencies,' press release said. 'During the operation, the accused was found in possession of a well-organized ecosystem used for committing cyber frauds, which included, telecommunication setup, Pre-drafted scam scripts, Forged identity badges, and ID cards purporting to be of Canadian law enforcement authorities,' it added. Further, Virtual Digital Assets worth approximately USD 45,000 were seized from the possession of the accused. He was also found to be leading a lavish lifestyle, as evidenced by the recovery of luxury vehicles, high-end accessories, frequent foreign visits and substantial unaccounted wealth, CBI stated. 'Notably, the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) had earlier identified the 'Royal Tiger Gang', operated by the accused as a significant Consumer Communication Information Services Threat (C-CIST). The gang is accused of generating and transmitting unlawful robocalls impersonating government agencies, banks, and utility service providers in a systematic manner, aimed at deceiving and defrauding USconsumers,' CBI mentioned. The accused has been produced before the CBI Court and taken into a 4-day remand for interrogation.
