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Time of India
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Have proof': Punjab ex-DGP Chattopadhyaya meets vigilance team probing DA case against SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia
Chandigarh: Former Punjab director general of police (DGP) Sidharth Chattopadhyaya said on Friday there was evidence showing that SAD leader was working in "connivance" with drug smugglers and making "financial gain". Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The former officer, who had come to meet the vigilance bureau (VB) team which is probing the latest case against the SAD leader, said there was "much evidence" against Majithia in 2012 itself. "In 2012, it was Bikram Majithia and Sukhbir Badal's govt. I am not saying that Sukhbir was involved. I am talking about political interference. Why it was hushed up then, will you ask them?" Chattopadhyaya said in reply to a query. Chattopadhyaya, who ordered the registration of an FIR against Majithia in Dec 2021 when he officiated as Punjab DGP for less than a month, met officials of the VB, which has registered a disproportionate assets (DA) case, and members of a special investigation team (SIT), which is probing a previous FIR registered against Majithia in 2021 under the NDPS Act. Chattopadhyaya apprised the serving officers of what led to the registration of the 2021 FIR and "facts" that emerged at the time. The latest DA case — in which Majithia was booked on Wednesday and arrested from his Amritsar home the same day — has been registered based on investigations by the SIT probing the 2021 FIR against Majithia. He had been granted bail in the drugs case. "Hundred percent. Hundred percent. There is proof, and it will come in front of you," Chattopadhyaya told reporters in Chandigarh when asked if any "direct link" came out in his probe between Majithia and drug smugglers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He added evidence pertained to Majithia's connivance with drug smugglers and "financial gain". Chattopadhyaya said he informed the two teams about documents that he had got and the entire background of the case. "...so that they (VB & SIT) do their investigations in the right manner and present their side in court in the right manner," said the former DGP. "I want to tell you that neither I was questioned nor I got my statements recorded." A senior VB officer said they had requested Chattopadhyaya to "come and brief (them) about the background of the case, money trail, and other details". The officer said information provided by Chattopadhyaya would be brought on record. Asked if there was any attempt to destroy evidence, Chattopadhyaya answered in the affirmative. "I told [the VB & SIT] which all evidences were destroyed. I told everything," he said. EX-OFFICER SLAMS 'BLACK SHEEP' 'Wrongdoings of on-the-run AIG' Former DGP Sidharth Chattopadhyaya also spoke about the Punjab and Haryana high court-constituted SIT in Dec 2017 to probe the nexus between drug traffickers and enforcement agencies. He said the SIT headed by him gave three reports detailing at length the misuse of the NDPS Act, extortions, and the money trail of ill-gotten wealth by some of "the black sheep" who brought a bad name to Punjab Police. Chattopadhyaya said reports detailed the wrongdoings involving dismissed and on-the-run AIG Rajjit Singh and properties allegedly amassed by him from the drug money 'Sacked inspector got 4 promotions' Chattopadhyaya said dismissed and jailed inspector Inderjit Singh, who was not even a regular howildar but made CIA inspector, was given four promotions despite the fact that he faced 15 departmental inquiries and had four cases, three of them of corruption, registered against him. The former DGP said the reports mentioned in detail the recovery of drugs, illegal weapons, foreign currency, and many more things and how rules were given a go-by to give promotions to such officials. The reports, he said, highlighted how instead of doing their duty, such police officers "mercilessly committed crimes". SAD hits back: Court asked for proof for 4 years Hitting back, Shiromani Akali Dal spokesperson Arshdeep Singh Kler, in a video message, questioned former DGP Sidharth Chattopadhyaya's "credibility". "What is the credibility of an IPS officer who placed the security of the Prime Minister at stake? This is not the only matter where the PM's security was put at stake; there are other serious allegations against him," Kler said. "For your information, the false case against Majithia in 2021, under Congress govt, was registered under your (Chattopadhyaya) signatures when you were a one-month DGP. The high court has been asking for evidence for four years, but you could not give evidence there. The case went up to the Supreme Court, and you could not give evidence there. This means the case in which you are investigating officer when you were DGP in 2021, the challan could not be presented in that case. Now, in the DA case, he is saying he is becoming a witness," said Kler. VB calls ex-ED officer Niranjan Singh too for help Punjab vigilance bureau (VB) has called Enforcement Directorate retired deputy director Niranjan Singh to assist with information in connection with the DA case registered against Majithia. An ED status report in the Punjab and Haryana high court by Niranjan Singh had eventually formed the basis of registration of the drugs case against Majithia in 2021. The VB has called Niranjan Singh to come and assist with information on Saturday at its office in Mohali at 12:30 pm.
Hans India
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
BJP MP terms Cong's SIT, KLIP probes as hogwash
Hyderabad: Medak MP Raghunandan Rao has stated that the Congress-led state government is more focused on gaining media attention than on addressing the real issues facing Telangana. Speaking to the media on Friday, he heavily criticised the government for what he termed 'inadequate investigations' into the phone tapping scandal and the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) controversies. He pointed out that the government claims a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to look into a matter that has been ongoing for 18 months, raising concerns that the probe is merely a way to settle scores between the Congress and the BRS. He criticised the SIT for its 'lack of sincerity' and alleged that the government lacks the determination to arrest those who have committed wrongdoings. Raghunandan Rao revealed that phone tapping began during the by-election in Dubbak in 2020. He claimed he filed ten complaints with the then DGP, asserting that the police were listening to his phone calls, but no action was taken. He now alleges that the SIT is sending notices through social media, targeting individuals working at Gandhi Bhavan, who then provide statements suggesting everyone involved is being investigated. He expressed disbelief that his previous letters of complaint have seemingly not reached the SIT. The MP questioned why, despite officials acknowledging the phone tapping, the prime accused, Prabhakar Rao, has not yet been remanded. He asserted that 'the investigation remains incomplete, and they seem to be stalling under the pretence of an ongoing inquiry.' He asked, 'Are the Congress leaders honest?' and claimed that 'unrelated Congress leaders are being called in' to the probe. Expressing doubts about the outcomes of the probe, he stated that the results might ultimately be described as 'Gadida Guddu' , a Telugu idiom for something worthless. He challenged the SIT's sincerity, claiming they are ignoring his case and focusing on the PCC President instead. He further added, 'I have information about who tapped our phones during the Dubbak by-election and when it happened. I am ready to disclose this, but the SIT lacks the courage to reach out. They are politicising this case as they see fit.' The BJP leader also alleged that the Congress government was not committed to bringing to justice those involved in the KLIP corruption case. He charged that the government has allocated 'Indiramma houses' to party members, citing a recent case where a young man committed suicide after being denied land in the Mallannasagar colony. He questioned if this was proper governance, given the government's lack of response to such a tragic incident. Finally, Raghunandan Rao lashed out at the State government for failing to conduct local body elections while blaming the Centre on BC reservations. He said the BJP-led NDA government does not support religion-based reservations, which he claimed is unconstitutional. He suggested that if the Congress removes the 10 per cent of religious-based reservations from its BC reservations bill, the Centre would consider it for a way forward.
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Congress leader Heera Jotwa, son held in ₹7.3 crore MGNREGA rural jobs scheme case
Ahmedabad: Congress leader Heera Jotwa, his son Digvijay, and MGNREGA operator Rajesh Tailor were arrested on Friday for their alleged involvement in financial irregularities amounting to ₹ 7.3 crore in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme, which provides 100 days of guaranteed wage employment to rural households, police said. Started in 2005, MGNREGS was envisaged as a demand-based rural asset creation scheme to provide livelihood security through 100 days of guaranteed wage employment to every rural household. (Representative photo) A special investigation team (SIT) is probing the fraudulent diversion of funds meant for rural development projects in Hansot, in Gujarat's Bharuch district, an officer said. The financial irregularities, uncovered by the district rural development authority (DRDA), involved fake work completion certificates and forged documents, with funds transferred to accounts linked to the Jotwa family and others. 'Congress leader Heera Jotwa, his son Digvijay, and MGNREGA operator Rajesh Tailor were arrested on Friday,' Bharuch superintendent of police (SP) Mayur Chavda said. Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi alleged political vendetta and demanded a judicial probe, while also calling for action against government officials who sanctioned the flawed works. Started in 2005, MGNREGS was envisaged as a demand-based rural asset creation scheme to provide livelihood security through 100 days of guaranteed wage employment to every rural household. It has been described as a poverty alleviation, social security, infrastructure building, and participatory development programme. However, various studies have also pointed out leakages and failings in the programme due to poor implementation. Jotwa was summoned from his home in the Gir Somnath district on Thursday and brought to Bharuch, where a special SIT team has been probing the misuse of funds allocated for road construction and development works in 56 villages across the Amod, Jambusar, and Hansot talukas, a police officer requesting anonymity said. Also Read: Men dressed up in sarees to claim MNREGA funds in place of women The irregularities came to light following a detailed audit that found glaring discrepancies in MGNREGA-funded projects, including the use of machines instead of manual labour, the supply of substandard materials, and inflated billing by contractors. Police said more arrests may follow in the coming days. Jotwa, a prominent leader from the Saurashtra region, had contested the 2022 Gujarat Assembly elections from Keshod and the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from Junagadh. The Bharuch district administration lodged an FIR on May 30 after receiving the audit findings, and an SIT was formed to investigate the matter.
Hindustan Times
13 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Varanasi gang-rape case: Can't be denied that the accused committed the crime, says SIT
VARANASI The special investigation team formed to find out the truth behind the allegations of a 19-year-old girl that she was raped by 23 people during seven days between March 29 and April 4 submitted its report on Thursday. Based on the findings of the investigation, it cannot be denied that the accused committed the crime, the team concluded. Investigation revealed that during the period of disappearance, the victim was seen coming and going independently and with some of the accused. (Pic for representation) 'Investigation found the presence of several accused with the victim at different places on different dates during the period of disappearance. In such serious cases, the Supreme Court and high court have given various important guidelines and decisions, emphasizing that the statement of the victim be given priority. In this context, as per the statement of the victim, and the facts found in the investigation, it cannot be denied that the accused committed the crime,' the SIT stated. Commissioner of police, Mohit Agarwal, confirmed that the SIT submitted the report. During the investigation by SIT, all the evidences were examined by compiling CDR of various persons, statements of witnesses, CCTV footage, Instagram IP logs of the victim, statement of the victim, statements of the accused and their family members. Investigation revealed that during the period of disappearance, the victim was seen coming and going independently and with some of the accused. Meanwhile, she was seen visiting a mall and Chausatti Ghat with her friends. During the period of alleged incident, the victim borrowed mobile phones from about 11 different persons and used them to log in to Instagram and also made calls to many people. When the victim was asked why she did not go home or tell anyone about the incident, she said that she was scared to go home, and due to fear and shame, she did not tell anyone about the incident, the SIT said. The victim's mother lodged a complaint with the police that her daughter went missing from the house on March 29. The police registered a missing complaint, and the girl was recovered from the house of her friend on April 4. The victim's mother alleged that her daughter was sexually assaulted by some people at different locations during her period of disappearance. Thereafter, the police registered a case and arrested 14 accused. Moreover, on April 17, kin of the accused submitted an application to the commissioner of police, demanding that an investigation be conducted in the matter. The commissioner constituted an SIT chaired by deputy commissioner of police, Varuna Zone, Pramod Kumar. The team completed the investigation and submitted a report.
Indian Express
15 hours 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.
