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Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Punjab vigilance raids realtor hours after he joins BJP; political vendetta, says leader
The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) Saturday conducted searches at three premises linked to real estate developer and former Akali leader Ranjit Singh Gill in Chandigarh's Sector 2, barely 12 hours after he was inducted into the BJP by Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini. Gill and and the BJP strongly condemned the action, accusing the AAP government of indulging in 'political vendetta'. The Vigilance Bureau, however, claimed to have uncovered details of suspicious financial transactions running into crores between Gillco Developers — the Mohali-based realty firm founded by Gill — and entities linked with Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia who is currently in jail after being arrested in a disproportionate assets case. Gill was the 'halka in-charge' of Kharar for the Akali Dal till he quit the party in July. He was widely tipped to join AAP, especially after ruling party's Kharar MLA, Anmol Gagan Maan, announced her resignation and decision to quit politics on July 19. However, she took back her resignation the very next day. A senior vigilance official said that the searches at Gill's residence was in furtherance of the investigations into an FIR (No. 22, dated June 25) registered at Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) Police Station Flying Squad, SAS Nagar, against Majithia. The official added that searches were carried out three premises linked to Gillco Developers in Punjab and Chandigarh. 'During the searches, the Bureau uncovered details of suspicious financial transactions running into crores between Gillco Developers and entities linked with Majithia. Further investigations are ongoing,' the official said. Majithia was held on June 25. According to the FIR registered by the Vigilance Bureau, its preliminary investigation has revealed that more than Rs 540 crore worth of 'drug money' was laundered in several ways and Majithia had allegedly facilitated it. The official added that after registration of FIR against Majithia, certain suspicious financial links and transactions between Gillco Developers and some of the entities had come to notice. 'These were developed in a meticulous manner by conducting investigations. To conduct further in-depth inquiries into these transactions and to gather relevant evidence, the Vigilance Bureau conducted these searches in accordance with procedure established by law,' the official said. Bureau officials said several incriminating documents, electronic devices and other evidences have been seized in the ongoing searches. An official spokesperson said that the search operations were conducted strictly in accordance with the legal procedures and the search was still underway. 'Electronic devices and relevant documents were also seized during the searches', he added.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
SIT retrieves crucial video evidence in liquor scam case
1 2 Vijayawada: In a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into the multi-crore liquor scam, the special investigation team (SIT) retrieved incriminating video footage that is expected to intensify the legal and political ramifications of the case. According to highly placed sources, SIT officials secured never-before-seen visuals that reportedly show a key accused counting large bundles of cash, suspected to be proceeds from the illegal liquor trade and electoral operations. The individual seen in the video has been identified as Venkatesh Naidu, a close aide of YSRCP leader and former MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy. Naidu, who is named as Accused No. 34 in the liquor scam case, was arrested recently and is currently in judicial custody. The SIT extracted the video footage from his mobile phone using advanced digital forensics. The videos were originally deleted and encrypted, but SIT officials managed to recover them using specialised technological methods. The recovered video reportedly shows Venkatesh Naidu at a farmhouse in Hyderabad, counting wads of cash. SIT sources indicate that the money visible in the video is separate from the Rs 11 crore already seized in the case. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top Cardiologists: Losing a Hanging Tummy Comes Down To This 1 Thing The Health Guide Learn More Undo Preliminary findings suggest that these funds were likely used during the recent general elections, although officials emphasised that further verification is underway. Investigators believe the new footage could prove to be a turning point in the probe, as it provides visual corroboration of cash handling that may be linked to the alleged kickbacks and illegal transactions uncovered during raids in Hyderabad and Andhra Pradesh. Officials said the SIT team was tracking digital footprints and communication records for weeks before recovering this data. The SIT also revealed that it recovered additional deleted video content from the mobile phones of other accused individuals. These include encrypted files that were believed to be wiped months ago. Forensic experts employed by the SIT used cutting-edge software tools to retrieve and decrypt the data. With the inclusion of this new evidence, officials believe the investigation now possesses a robust and technically irrefutable body of proof against multiple accused. The SIT submitted the videos as part of its documentation to the court, and further arrests or chargesheets are likely in the coming days. The liquor scam, which has drawn national attention, involves allegations of large-scale corruption in the procurement and distribution of alcohol in Andhra Pradesh. Several political functionaries, bureaucrats, and middlemen are under the scanner for their suspected roles in routing illegal funds through hawala networks and shell companies. The SIT's findings are expected to further tighten the noose around prominent figures in the case, with sources suggesting that the political leadership connected to the accused is now under heightened scrutiny. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Encroachments in Satluj will be identified through drones, Punjab official informs NGT
Ferozepur: The Punjab govt will identify encroachments in Satluj River through drones. With Rs 5.82 crore kept in the budget, the government will get this work done from an agency through outsourcing, Hardeep Singh Mehndiratta, chief engineer of the water resources dept of the Punjab Government informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) during a hearing in this matter. It is worth mentioning that the 47-km-long area of Sutlej from Hari Ke Head Works to Hussainiwala often remains dry due to non-release of water. Due to this, people have encroached here. The TOI had published a report revealing these encroachments in Dec 2022, but no action was initiated by the government against the encroachers. Gradually, the matter reached the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The NGT repeatedly questioned the officials about the delay in this matter, but they did not give any satisfactory answer. During the latest hearing, the NGT asked the Punjab government to file a fresh affidavit in this matter. During the recent hearing held on July 28, chief engineer Mehndiratta appeared virtually and informed the NGT that the work is being delayed due to the large area from Hari Ke Headworks to Hussainiwala. He had sought help from the Central Water Commission (CWC), but instead of help, he was advised to get mapping done through an external agency through outsourcing. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Compare Spreads: Bitcoin vs Ethereum CFDs IC Markets Learn More Undo Therefore, now a revised MoU has been signed with the Survey of India to provide satellite images for the demarcation of the flood-affected plain area. When the NGT asked for records in this regard, the Punjab authorities could not produce any records. On this, the NGT said no such details are on record, even the date of the MoU signed with the Survey of India or the revised MoU has not been mentioned. The NGT said the last affidavit in this matter was also filed on Jan 23, 2025. Therefore, a new affidavit should be filed within two weeks, in which the steps taken for the demarcation of the flood-affected plains in the above area and the progress made in this regard should be disclosed. The next hearing on this matter will be on Oct 7. Social worker Shanti Thamman, who filed a case in the NGT in this regard, said the Punjab chief secretary has not yet filed a fresh affidavit in this matter, while the NGT has asked to file the affidavit within two weeks. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
