Latest news with #Haryana-based
Mint
3 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
‘You don't require him, you require a dictionary': SC to Haryana SIT probing Ali Mahmudabad's posts
The Supreme Court on July 16 asked why the Haryana Police Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted to investigate the two FIRs lodged against Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad over his two social media posts on 'Operation Sindoor', was 'misdirecting' itself. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi observed that the SIT was formed specifically to investigate the two social media posts and asked why it was expanding the scope. The top court directed the SIT to complete its inquiry within four weeks, legal news website LiveLaw reported. The bench pointed out that the SIT was constituted specifically to understand the true meaning of the social media posts and to ascertain if they constituted any offence. The bench asked why the petitioner's devices were seized. "We just want to know from what purpose they have seized devices? We will call them (officers)," Justice Kant told Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, who was representing the State. Noting that the petitioner has cooperated with the investigation and surrendered his devices, the Court relaxed his bail conditions and directed that he should not be summoned again. "You don't require him (Mahmudabad), you require a dictionary," Justice Kant said. The Court reiterated that the investigation must remain confined to the contents of the two FIRs and not become a broader inquiry. Mahmudabad, who teaches Political Science at Haryana-based Ashoka University, was arrested on May 18 for his remarks regarding press briefings on Operation Sindoor, India's military action in May on terror camps in Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in South Kashmir on April 22. The arrest was based on a complaint filed by Yogesh Jatheri, the general secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Yuva Morcha in Haryana, reports said quoting his lawyers. On May 21, however, the Supreme Court granted interim bail to Mahmudabad and directed the constitution of a three-member SIT to investigate the case. The Haryana Police said the two FIRs were lodged at the Rai Police Station in Sonipat – one based on a complaint from the chairperson of Haryana State Commission for Women, Renu Bhatia, and the other on the complaint of a village sarpanch. Mahmudabad's remarks were annexed to the commission's notice, and in one of them, he purportedly said right-wing people applauding Col Sofiya Qureshi should demand protection for victims of mob lynchings and "arbitrary" bulldozing of properties. Mahmudabad was alleged to have described the media briefings by Col Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh as "optics". "But optics must translate to reality on the ground, otherwise it's just hypocrisy," he added. The commission previously said an initial review of Mahmudabad's remarks raised concerns about the "disparagement of women in uniform, including Col Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh, and undermining their role as professional officers in the Indian Armed Forces". Mahmudabad, 42, is a historian, political scientist, writer, poet and a faculty at Ashoka University, Sonipat, Haryana. Born in Lucknow on December 2, 1982, Ali is the son of Mohammad Amir Mohammad Khan, popularly known as Raja Sahab Mahmudabad, who spent about 40 years in a legal battle to reclaim his ancestral property seized by the government under the Enemy Properties Act. Raja Saheb passed away in October 2023. Key directions and developments from the hearing: Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad is free to write articles and social media posts, except on the subjudice matter. -The Court clarified that its earlier orders did not restrict his expression. -The SIT does not need to summon him again for questioning. The Court noted that the petitioner has already joined the investigation and his devices have been examined. -The probe must be completed within four weeks, strictly limited to the language and content of the two Facebook posts related to the violence in Pahalgam. -Justice Surya Kant questioned the course of the SIT's probe, observing: 'Why is the SIT, on the face of it, misdirecting itself?' -The Court reminded the SIT that it was set up specifically to examine whether any offence was made out from the phrasing used in the posts—not to launch a roving inquiry. - Interim protection from arrest granted to Mahmudabad will continue.
Mint
3 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
‘You don't need him, you need a dictionary': SC on why SIT probing Ali Mahmudabad's posts is ‘misdirecting' itself
The Supreme Court on July 16 asked why the Haryana Police Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted to investigate the two FIRs lodged against Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad over his two social media posts on 'Operation Sindoor', was 'misdirecting' itself. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi observed that the SIT was formed specifically to investigate the two social media posts and asked why it was expanding the scope. The top court directed the SIT to complete its inquiry within four weeks, legal news website LiveLaw reported. The bench pointed out that the SIT was constituted specifically to understand the true meaning of the social media posts and to ascertain if they constituted any offence. The bench asked why the petitioner's devices were seized. "We just want to know from what purpose they have seized devices? We will call them(officers)," Justice Kant told Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, who was representing the State. Noting that the petitioner has cooperated with the investigation and surrendered his devices, the Court relaxed his bail conditions and directed that he should not be summoned again. "You don't require him (Mahmudabad), you require a dictionary," Justice Kant said. The Court reiterated that the investigation must remain confined to the contents of the two FIRs and not become a broader inquiry. Mahmudabad, who teaches Political Science at Haryana-based Ashoka University, was arrested on May 18 for his remarks regarding press briefings on Operation Sindoor, India's military action in May on terror camps in in Pakistan in the aftermath of Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26, people mostly tourists in South Kashmir on April 22. The arrest was based on a complaint filed by Yogesh Jatheri,the general secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Yuva Morcha in Haryana, reports said quoting his lawyers. On May 21, however, the Supreme Court granted interim bail to Mahmudabad and directed the constitution of a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the case. Haryana Police said the two FIRs were lodged at the Rai Police Station in Sonipat – one based on a complaint from the chairperson of Haryana State Commission for Women, Renu Bhatia, and the other on the complaint of a village sarpanch. Mahmudabad's remarks were annexed to the commission's notice, and in one of them, he purportedly said right-wing people applauding Col Sofiya Qureshi should demand protection for victims of mob lynchings and "arbitrary" bulldozing of properties. Mahmudabad was alleged to have described the media briefings by Col Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh as "optics". "But optics must translate to reality on the ground, otherwise it's just hypocrisy," he added. The commission previously said an initial review of Mahmudabad's remarks raised concerns about the "disparagement of women in uniform, including Col Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh, and undermining their role as professional officers in the Indian Armed Forces". Mahmudabad, 42, a historian, political scientist, writer, poet and a faculty at Ashoka University, Sonipat, Haryana. Born in Lucknow on December, 2, 1982, Ali is the son of Mohammad Amir Mohammad Khan, popularly known as Raja Sahab Mahmudabad, who spent about forty in a legal battle to reclaim his ancestral property seized by the government under the Enemy Properties Act. Raja Saheb passed away in October 2023. Key directions and developments from the hearing: Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad is free to write articles and social media posts, except on the subjudice matter. -The Court clarified that its earlier orders did not restrict his expression. -The SIT does not need to summon him again for questioning. The Court noted that the petitioner has already joined the investigation and his devices have been examined. -The probe must be completed within four weeks, strictly limited to the language and content of the two Facebook posts related to the violence in Pahalgam. -Justice Surya Kant questioned the course of the SIT's probe, observing: 'Why is the SIT, on the face of it, misdirecting itself?' -The Court reminded the SIT that it was set up specifically to examine whether any offence was made out from the phrasing used in the posts—not to launch a roving inquiry. - Interim protection from arrest granted to Mahmudabad will continue. (With inputs from Bar and Bench)
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
ICICI Prudential AMC, INOX Clean Energy among 5 companies that filed IPO papers last week: Full list
IPO Papers, Draft IPO Papers: A total of five companies including Orient Cables and ICICI Prudential, among others, filed draft papers with SEBI and BSE last week to raise funds through initial public offerings (IPOs). Here's a look at the complete list of companies that submitted IPO documents last week. ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company (AMC), a subsidiary of ICICI Bank, filed preliminary papers with capital markets regulator Sebi to seek approval to launch an initial public offering (IPO). The proposed IPO comprises an offer for sale (OFS) of 1.76 crore equity shares by promoter — UK-based Prudential Corporation Holdings, with no fresh issue component. Orient Cables (India) Ltd filed preliminary papers with capital markets regulator Sebi seeking its approval to raise Rs 700 crore through an initial public offering (IPO). As per PTI, the public offer comprises both a fresh issue and an Offer for Sale (OFS) by promoters. The fresh issue consists of equity shares worth Rs 320 crore, while the OFS comprises equity shares aggregating to Rs 380 crore, taking the total offer size to Rs 700 crore, according to the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP). INOX Clean Energy has confidentially filed draft papers with markets regulator Sebi to raise Rs 6,000 crore through an Initial Public Offering (IPO), reports PTI. According to the report, this could potentially become the largest Indian IPO in the clean energy and renewables sector. The company is engaged in the business of developing and operating renewable energy projects as well as manufacturing solar cells and modules through its subsidiaries INOX Neo Energies and INOX Solar. Aggcon Equipments International Ltd filed draft papers with markets regulator Sebi seeking its approval to raise funds through an initial public offering (IPO). The Haryana-based company plans to raise Rs 332 crore through fresh issuance of equity shares, besides, promoters would sell 94 lakh shares under the offer-for-sale, according to the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP). Proceeds from the fresh issue to the tune of Rs 168 crore would be used for payment of debt, Rs 84 crore for purchase of equipment and a portion would be used for general corporate purposes, reports PTI. Ethnic fashion player Kiaasa Retail on Friday said it has filed its preliminary papers with BSE's SME platform to raise funds through an Initial Public Offering (IPO). According to PTI, the IPO is entirely a fresh issue of up to 55 lakh equity shares. Expert Global Consultants is the sole book running lead manager while Purva Sharegistry (India) Pvt Ltd is the registrar for the IPO. (With inputs from PTI)
Mint
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Mint
Radhika Yadav murder: Neeraj Chopra reacts to tennis player's killing, says ‘...excellent examples of female athletes'
The murder of national-level tennis player Radhika Yadav has evoked a myriad reactions from the sporting community, including Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra. Radhika, 25, was shot dead by her father, Deepak Yadav, on the first floor of their house on Thursday, reportedly because he was mocked by villagers for earning a living from her tennis academy, which, in his eyes, diminished the family's dignity. The postmortem of the tennis player revealed that four bullets were removed from her body. "Four bullets were taken out from Radhika Yadav's body," said Dr. Deepak Mathur, a member of the medical team that conducted the autopsy, as reported by PTI. The tragic death of the Haryana-based tennis player has drawn condolences from athletes across the country. India's star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra also reacted to the incident, urging families to stand by one another to prevent such tragedies. The Olympic medallist highlighted that women athletes from Haryana are making the nation proud and emphasised that they should be celebrated and looked up to as role models. "I was speaking to a few people about this before. We already have some excellent examples of female athletes from Haryana doing wonders for the country. In families, you should support each other, and those (women athletes) who are doing well should be idolised and followed," NDTV quoted javelin star Neeraj Chopra as saying. Indian tennis players Sowjanya Bavisetti and Sharmada Balu also expressed their shock and grief over the tragic incident. "This is heart-wrenching. I only met her once at a tournament. She had the prettiest smile. I can't believe her own father could think of committing such a heinous crime. A whole life ahead of her has been taken away because of a stupid 'log kya kahenge' [what would people say]. Rest in peace, girl! May you get a better family in the next life," wrote Bavisetti on Instagram. Balu, a former national champion, wrote, "This is so heartbreaking and disturbing," on Instagram. During police interrogation, Deepak confessed to killing his daughter, saying that he had been upset after Radhika opened a tennis academy to coach children. "When I used to go to Wazirabad village to get milk, people used to taunt me, saying that I lived off my daughter's earnings. This troubled me a lot. Some people even questioned my daughter's character. I told my daughter to close her tennis academy, but she refused. This situation kept bothering me as it hurt my dignity. I was very troubled and stressed. Because of this tension, I took out my licensed revolver, and when my daughter Radhika was cooking in the kitchen, I shot her three times from behind, hitting her waist. I have killed my daughter," Deepak was quoted as saying by the Times of India.
Mint
10-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Illegal betting case: ED cracks down on gaming platform Probo, freezes assets worth ₹284 crore
The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday said it has frozen fixed deposits and shares worth more than ₹ 284 crore belonging to a Haryana-based company, as part of a money laundering investigation linked to illegal online betting. The action was taken under the criminal sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after the agency conducted searches for two days starting Tuesday at four premises in Gurugram and Jind in Haryana, belonging to the firm Probo Media Technologies Pvt. Ltd. and its promoters Sachin Subhaschandra Gupta and Ashish Garg, news agency PTI reported. The case pertains to alleged illegal online gambling, where complainants told police that they were "cheated" and "dishonestly" presented with a scheme of earning money through simple "yes or no" questions, while in reality, the scheme promotes "gambling" by luring players to invest more in the hope of earning higher returns. The investigation found that the app/website "defrauds" users by first presenting a misleading image of a genuine skill-based platform, but ultimately "exploits" them through a betting system where winning depends entirely on chance, not on the user's knowledge or abilities. According to the agency, the company described its platform as 'opinion trading', claiming that the game required knowledge and skill to play. "However, analysis of games shows that all the games can be answered with a 'Yes or No' and hence, there are only two possible outcomes, which makes it indistinguishable from gambling/betting, resulting in loss of hard-earned money of the users," the probe agency told PTI. The agency alleged that the app/website lacks any system to stop minors from signing up as users, does not carry out proper due diligence (KYC), and attracts new users with "misleading" advertisements while promoting opinion trading linked to election results. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) said the company had received ₹ 134.84 crore from foreign entities based in Mauritius, the Cayman Islands, and other locations, against the issue of 'preference shares'. "The searches resulted in seizure of incriminating documents and digital data. Investment in FDs and shares amounting to ₹ 284.5 crore and three bank lockers have been frozen during the searches," it added. 'Cooperating' in money laundering probe Online platform Probo on Thursday said it was "cooperating" with the Enforcement Directorate (ED). "In light of recent developments, we would like to assure all stakeholders and the public that Probo is cooperating with law enforcement authorities in the ongoing inquiries." "As pioneers of a nascent-yet-transformative technology in India's digital landscape, we remain confident that our commitment to compliance and innovation will help us emerge stronger through this process," a Probo spokesperson said in a statement to PTI.
