Latest news with #Chattopadhyay
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Clinching evidence on Majithia's links with drug dealers: Chattopadhyay
Former Punjab director general of police (DGP) Siddharth Chattopadhyay on Friday met the vigilance bureau (VB) team investigating the disproportionate assets case against Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia. During the meeting, Chattopadhyay claimed that Majithia had '100% links with drug smugglers' and stressed that there was ample evidence against him. Former Punjab DGP Siddharth Chattopadhyay arrives to join the ongoing investigation against SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia, at the Punjab Police Officers Institute in Chandigarh on Friday. (PTI) Chattopadhyay, who served as acting DGP in December 2021 under the Charanjit Singh Channi-led government, stated that he had shared crucial information about the ongoing drug-related investigation involving Majithia, which was initiated in 2021. He claimed that the evidence against Majithia in this case was sufficient and irrefutable. Majithia was booked under Section 25 (allowing premises to be used for committing a crime), Section 27-A (financing drug-related activities), and Section 29 (criminal conspiracy) of the NDPS Act on December 20, 2021, on Chattopadhyay's orders. The former DGP, who met VB officials at officers' mess in Sector 32, Chandigarh, further revealed that the investigation had uncovered evidence linking Majithia to drug trafficking operations dating back to 2012, though he alleged that the evidence had been suppressed due to Majithia's political influence. According to Chattopadhyay, this evidence was legally admissible in court, but had been intentionally withheld for years. 'I met with the vigilance officers to provide them with key insights from the investigation. The evidence has been on file since 2012 and is irrefutable. Majithia suppressed it because of his influence, but now it will be brought to light,' Chattopadhyay said. Chattopadhyay, however, clarified that though he met vigilance officers, he had not recorded his statement or joined the investigation formally. He explained that his purpose was to provide additional context and insights into the case, specifically to help the new investigating officers understand the evidence gathered during his tenure as the DGP. 'These are young officers, and I felt it was important to guide them. The evidence is already on record, and I wanted to ensure they use it in court. Majithia has tried to suppress it for years, but now justice will be served,' said Chattopadhyay. Majithia was arrested by the VB from his Amritsar residence on Wednesday under the Prevention of Corruption Act for allegedly laundering more than ₹ 540 crore of 'drug money'. On Thursday, a Mohali court remanded him to seven-day vigilance custody. A Mohali court on Thursday sent senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former minister Bikram Singh Majithia, who was arrested by the vigilance bureau from his residence in Amritsar on Wednesday Chattopadhyay's involvement in Punjab's drug investigations has not been without controversy. In December 2017, he led a special investigation team (SIT), appointed by the Punjab and Haryana high court, to probe alleged links between Moga senior superintendent of police Raj Jit Singh and Inspector Inderjit Singh in a drug trafficking case. However, Chattopadhyay's personal report on the issue was rejected by the high court, which ordered it sealed, as it exceeded the SIT's mandate. Two other members of the SIT had also raised objections to his actions. Ex-ED dy director Niranjan to also meet VB officials Former deputy director of Enforcement Directorate (ED) Niranjan Singh, who had summoned Majithia in the Bhola drug racket case, will also meet VB officials probing the case on Saturday. Niranjan had led investigations into the Jagdish Bhola synthetic drug money laundering case in 2014 and had formally summoned and questioned Majithia regarding his alleged role in the racket. Shortly after summoning Majithia, Niranjan was transferred to Kolkata in January 2015. The Punjab and Haryana high court intervened and revoked the transfer, allowing him to continue the probe.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Ex-DGP: 100% evidence to prove Majithia's nexus with drug traffickers, financial gains
Punjab's former DGP Siddharth Chattopadhyay said on Friday that there was '100 per cent evidence' to prove former state minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia's nexus with 'drug traffickers and financial gains'. 'There is strong evidence. There is 100 per cent evidence of his nexus with drug traffickers and financial gains. I came to tell the Vigilance Bureau. A case of NDPS was registered against Majithia on my instructions in 2021. I was the DGP then. He was a former minister and a powerful man. At that time, a lot had happened. This is what I came to tell the vigilance team about. I told them about what we had, the documents…our sources… and all the background we had. I have given them this background. This is the background bridging the gap so that they can do the right investigation,' Chattopadhyay told reporters after meeting Punjab Vigilance Bureau officials in Mohali in connection with their probe into an NDPS case against Majithia during his tenure as the DGP. 'We had evidence. We had very strong evidence during the regime of the 2012-2017 government (SAD-BJP government). But who was in the government at that time? I came to tell them that they had the evidence. A lot of it was eliminated, also. At that time, it was Majithia's government…Sukhbir Singh Badal's government. I am not saying Sukhbir Badal is involved, but the Vigilance has the information. This information was not used then,' Chattopadhyay said. The former DGP reiterated, 'We had solid proof then. A lot of money came from abroad. At that time, we needed to establish the links. The links have been established now. There are fake shell companies through which the money has been laundered. The Enforcement Directorate has also established the link. I have given the background to the Vigilance. I told them what the circumstances were at that time. I did not come to record my statement here. Not many people know about the background of the case. I was the DGP and was in a supervisory role. The case (in 2021) was registered on my direction.' Chattopadhyay said, 'In 2021, we again started an investigation. In 2022, I was removed…they are very powerful people. If we have to eliminate drugs, then police alone cannot do it. Everybody has to get together. I told the Vigilance that some evidence was also eliminated. I have 36 years of service. I will continue with the same statement.' Recounting the background, the former DGP said the high court had constituted an SIT in December 2017. 'The SIT submitted three reports. Those reports have details worth reading. Everything is worth knowing in those reports. We have good officers in the police. They have sacrificed their lives for the state, but there are black sheep,' Chattopadhyay said, referring to former AIG Ranjit Singh and Inspector Inderjit Singh, who were dismissed from their services. Chattopadhyay was appointed the SIT head. About the SIT reports submitted by him, Chattopadhyay said the reports had instances of extortion, arms, and possession of foreign currency by these police officials. 'These three reports have everything in detail. How corrupt officers and personnel were given out-of-turn promotions. In the case of Inspector Inderjit Singh, there were three cases of corruption registered against him. Everybody in the police force works hard. Yet, I have not seen anyone getting four promotions. What was so special about a Constable to appoint him as CIA chief?' Asked why no challan was presented before the court in the case, he said, 'Our responsibility was to submit a report. Our responsibility was not to produce a challah. How will challah be presented if the report was lying in a sealed envelope in the high court? You ask the high court that.'He said that drugs have ruined Punjab. 'There are drug traffickers and syndicates. Punjab cannot progress in this situation. Our youths are going abroad because every family is scared that they may not become addicts. Chattopadhyay's claim, SAD leader Arshdeep Singh Kler said, 'What is the credibility of the statement of such an IPS officer who was held guilty of chinks in Prime Minister's security. Not only that, he also faces several serious accusations. The family of Inderpreet Chadha from Amritsar had also levelled accusations against him after Chadha's suicide. Some women have also levelled allegations. He is also accused of providing security to proclaimed offenders and rape convicts.
News18
19-06-2025
- Science
- News18
Meet Eshan Chattopadhyay, Indian-Origin Cornell Professor, IIT Grad, Awarded Gödel Prize
Last Updated: From IIT-Kanpur to Gödel Prize: Eshan Chattopadhyay's work reshapes randomness and complexity theory. Eshan Chattopadhyay, an Indian-origin computer scientist and associate professor at Cornell University, has won the 2025 Gödel Prize. The Gödel Prize is one of the top honours in theoretical computer science. He shares the award with David Zuckerman of the University of Texas at Austin for a groundbreaking paper that tackles a long-standing challenge in computing: how to generate high-quality randomness from unreliable or weak sources. The research paper, titled 'Explicit Two-Source Extractors and Resilient Functions", was first presented in 2016 at the ACM Symposium on Theory of Computing, where it won the Best Paper award and was later published in the Annals of Mathematics in 2019. Chattopadhyay's work dives into randomness extraction, a crucial area in computer science and cryptography. One may think of it like this: if one had two rigged coins, this method would still find a way to give them fair, unpredictable outcomes. Though it might sound abstract to the uninitiated, its real-world impact is massive. Good randomness is the foundation of everything from secure communications and encryption to complex algorithms and data privacy. Without it, modern digital infrastructure becomes fragile. The paper's ideas have helped reshape how researchers approach pseudo-randomness, complexity theory and secure system design. Chattopadhyay, who did his BTech from IIT-Kanpur in 2011 and PhD from the University of Texas, has also held prestigious research positions at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton and the Simons Institute in Berkeley. Reacting to the award, he told Cornell it felt 'surreal and gratifying" to see his work recognised on such a global stage, as reported by LiveMint. The prize is jointly awarded by Special Interest Group on Algorithms and Computation Theory (ACM SIGACT) and the European Association for Theoretical Computer Science. The prize includes a $5,000 award. It recognises papers that have made lasting contributions to the field, both in theory and long-term relevance. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
Mint
18-06-2025
- Science
- Mint
Who is Eshan Chattopadhyay? All about Indian-origin professor awarded prestigious Godel Prize
Eshan Chattopadhyay, an Indian-origin computer scientist and associate professor at Cornell University, has received the 2025 Gödel Prize—one of the highest recognitions in the field of theoretical computer science. He shares the award with David Zuckerman of the University of Texas at Austin for their influential research on randomness extraction—an area crucial to encryption, cybersecurity, and algorithm design. The award was given for his breakthrough research paper titled 'Explicit Two-Source Extractors and Resilient Functions', which addresses a key challenge in computer science: how to generate high-quality randomness from unreliable sources, critical for secure computing and cryptographic systems. Published initially at the ACM Symposium on Theory of Computing (STOC) in 2016, where it also won the Best Paper award, and later in the Annals of Mathematics in 2019, the paper introduced new techniques that have since shaped major advances in pseudo-randomness and complexity theory. Chattopadhyay completed his BTech in computer science from IIT Kanpur in 2011, followed by a PhD at the University of Texas in 2016. He later held postdoctoral positions at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton and the Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing at UC Berkeley, two of the most prominent institutions in the field. Named after legendary logician Kurt Gödel, the Gödel Prize is jointly awarded by the ACM SIGACT and the European Association for Theoretical Computer Science. It honours papers that have made lasting contributions to the field of theoretical computer science. The research deals with randomness extraction- a fundamental concept in computer science and cryptography. It focuses on creating reliable randomness from two flawed or weak random sources, a challenge that has implications for everything from encryption systems to algorithm design. In simple terms, imagine flipping two unfair coins and still being able to extract fair, unpredictable results. That's the essence of what Chattopadhyay and Zuckerman achieved, turning weak inputs into strong, usable randomness. He told Cornell University that the recognition is an incredible honour. He shared that it feels 'surreal and gratifying' that the paper was placed in that category.
India Today
17-06-2025
- Science
- India Today
Indian‑origin professor wins Godel Prize for groundbreaking computer science work
A researcher of Indian origin, Eshan Chattopadhyay, who is an associate professor at Cornell University, has been awarded the 2025 Godel Prize, one of the most prestigious prizes in theoretical computer science. He is jointly honoured with David Zuckerman, a professor at the University of Texas at prize-winning paper, titled 'Explicit TwoSource Extractors and Resilient Functions', was first presented in 2016 and later published in the Annals of Mathematics in 2019. The work created a method—a twosource randomness extractor—that can convert two imperfect sources of random data into a strong random output, even if both sources are weak. This solved a key problem that had remained open for nearly 30 help generate reliable random data for computers, which is essential in fields like cryptography, secure communication, algorithms, and complex systems. Their contribution paves the way for better-designed systems and stronger cyber safety DETAILS AND PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND The Gdel Prize is awarded annually by ACM SIGACT and EATCS, alternating between ICALP and STOC conferences. Chattopadhyay and Zuckerman will receive the award in Prague at STOC2025, held from June 23 to Chattopadhyay earned his PhD from the University of Texas at Austin under David Zuckerman in 2016. He later joined Cornell in 2018 after postdoctoral work at IAS Princeton and Simons Institute, Berkeley. Zuckerman has been a leader in pseudorandomness research since the FOR INNOVATION IN THEORYTheir 2016 STOC paper was already honoured with a Best Paper Award at the conference . Apart from the Gdel Prize, Chattopadhyay has received other awards, including the 2024 NAS Held Prize, the 2023 Sloan Fellowship, and funding from NSF including a CAREER recognition highlights how deep, abstract research can yield practical tools—impacting algorithms, secure systems, and even the future of Watch
