ED searches on educational institutions linked to Parameshwara leads to political storm
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday launched searches at 16 locations in connection with the gold smuggling case allegedly involving Kannada actor Ranya Rao. Some of them are premises of educational institutions reportedly linked to Karnataka's Home Minister G. Parameshwara.
However, sources in the ED did not name any individuals. 'An educational Trust has diverted funds and made a payment of ₹40 lakh towards the credit card bill of Ranya Rao, allegedly on the instructions of an influential individual. No supporting vouchers or documentation were found to substantiate this payment,' an official said, refusing to name any individual.
'Targeted attack'
Meanwhile, the searches at the institutions linked to the Home Minister led to a political storm, with many Congress leaders alleging that it was targeted attack on a senior Dalit leader of the party.
'The ED raids on the educational institutions of Karnataka's Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara, one of the tallest SC Leaders, is a frustrated reaction of BJP & Modi Govt to giving of ownership rights to 1 Lakh SC-ST families yesterday at Hospet. The constant assault on Constitution and leaders of SC-ST-OBC communities across India has become a habitual pattern. The revenge seeking against @DrParameshwara is part of this sinister design,' said AICC general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, in a social media post. Similar reactions came from other senior leaders, including Jairam Ramesh and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Illegal foreign exchange
ED sources, meanwhile, speaking on the general nature of searches at 16 locations carried out on Wednesday, said that they included those of 'hawala' operators who 'facilitated illegal foreign exchange movement for gold procurement.'
'Several such persons have admitted to dealings with Ranya Rao,' said an official, adding that the buyers conceded that they bought gold allegedly from her and sold it to jewellers.
The locations related to 'accommodation entry operators', under suspicion for providing fake proofs of financial transactions and consultation incomes in Ranya Rao's accounts, were also covered. 'They have confessed to routing funds to Ranya Rao's accounts, without any genuine business transactions,' the official said.
It is alleged that one company had purportedly shown Ranya Rao as a supplier of construction labour and paid her 'a few crores of rupees'. She also allegedly indulged in money laundering through other companies.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
10 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Congress expels Digvijaya's brother, ex-MP Laxman after post-Pahalgam remarks
Bhopal: The Congress on Wednesday expelled former Madhya Pradesh MLA Laxman Singh from primary membership of the party for six years for 'anti-party activities'. A five-time member of Parliament (MP) and a three-time MLA, Laxman Singh is the younger brother of senior Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijaya Singh. After the Pahalgam terror attack, he had targeted leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Robert Vadra and Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah during a protest against terrorism in Raghogarh, Guna on April 24. Laxman Singh had said, 'Omar Abdullah is involved with terrorists, Congress should immediately withdraw its support to him in Jammu and Kashmir.' He also attacked Robert Vadra, saying, 'The statement of Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law says that Muslims are not allowed to offer namaaz on the road, so the terrorists attacked. How long will we tolerate his childish statements? Rahul Gandhi should also speak very thoughtfully. Such incidents are happening due to his foolishness.' Laxman Singh had also said, 'I was saying this in front of the camera, if Congress wants to expel me then they should do so.' 'Congress president has expelled Laxman Singh, former MLA, Madhya Pradesh, from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress for a period of six years with immediate effect due to his anti-party activities,' Tariq Anwar, member secretary of the Congress' Disciplinary Action Committee, said in a statement. The statement did not elaborate based on what 'anti-party activities' it had acted against Singh. The state Congress had made a recommendation to the party leadership for initiating action against him for his alleged anti-party activities and the matter was sent to the Disciplinary Action Committee. Congress media in-charge Mukesh Nayak said, 'Laxman Singh's expulsion is a big message that discipline is for everyone in the party. His primary membership has also been cancelled. Many times Laxman Singh has made statements that made the party uncomfortable.' Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Hitesh Bajpai said, 'Laxman Singh was speaking the truth, he was trying to bring Congress on the right path but, Congress likes arrogant people. Congress is captured by such people who want to run it like a company. Laxman Singh did a brave job. He should continue doing that.' On the question of joining BJP, he said that, it is his personal matter, BJP has nothing to do with it.
Time of India
14 minutes ago
- Time of India
Why for-profit colleges are poised to flourish under Trump's education policies
How new federal rules could boost for-profit colleges despite quality concerns. (AI Image) President Donald Trump's recent proposal to redirect federal funding from elite universities like Harvard to trade schools signals a significant shift in the US higher education landscape. While Trump lacks the direct authority to reroute the $3 billion in research grants appropriated by Congress, his push aligns with a broader Republican agenda aimed at boosting for-profit colleges and career training programs. These institutions, which have faced controversy and regulatory scrutiny in the past, now appear set for a resurgence under Trump's policies and a supportive Republican Congress. Trump's administration is advancing legislation and regulatory changes that benefit for-profit colleges, particularly through new workforce Pell grants and relaxed accreditation standards. These shifts could open federal aid to a wider range of short-term training programs, many operated by for-profit entities, despite ongoing concerns about educational quality and student outcomes. Federal policies open doors for for-profit education The House-passed tax and budget bill, formally known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, introduces new workforce Pell grants available to students enrolled in eight to fifteen-week workforce training programs. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2 BHKs starts at ₹ 72.6 Lakh | No Floor rise | Zero PLC Mahindra Happinest Tathawade Get Quote Undo While programs must be state-approved, they do not need to be accredited, a major departure from previous requirements. As reported by the Forbes, this change lowers the regulatory barrier for many for-profit institutions to access federal funds. Michelle Dimino, director of the education program at Third Way, told Forbes that the bill's quality assurance measures are weak. Eligible programs must meet a 70% completion rate and a 70% job placement rate, thresholds she describes as easily manipulated by predatory schools. "Sometimes colleges might look for students who are already employed right as a target audience because they know that they'll do good on a job placement measure," she said. Furthermore, Trump plans to overhaul the accreditation process, making it easier for for-profit schools to qualify for federal aid. Nicholas Kent, Trump's nominee for undersecretary of education and a former lobbyist for Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU), reflects the administration's sympathetic stance toward the industry. His nomination, as reported by the Forbes, awaits a Senate floor vote after passing the committee on a party-line vote. Investors rally behind for-profit colleges The financial markets have responded positively to the Trump administration's pro-for-profit stance. According to Jeffrey Silber, a senior analyst at BMO Capital Markets Equity Research, stocks in the sector surged after Trump's election. Adtalem Global Education's shares rose 61%, while Perdoceo Education Corporation saw a 46% increase, with notable jumps occurring immediately after the election, as quoted by the Forbes. CECU praised Trump's focus on career education and his suggestion to divert Harvard's funding to trade schools. "The best way to support trade schools is to reduce the regulatory burden facing private career schools while increasing funding that allows students interested in the trades to choose the highest quality school," the association stated, according to the Forbes. Concerns over quality and student outcomes Despite these policy shifts, experts warn about the risks of expanding federal aid to for-profit colleges without sufficient oversight. Michael Itzkowitz, founder of The HEA Group, highlighted troubling data showing 59% of certificate-granting institutions leave graduates earning less than $32,000 annually—roughly the income of a typical high school graduate—even ten years after enrollment, as reported by the Forbes. The rollback of key regulations, including the gainful employment rule and the 90/10 rule, both designed to protect students from poor-performing programs, further exacerbates these concerns. The House bill would also limit borrower defense protections that allow students defrauded by schools to cancel loans, a safeguard introduced during the Obama administration after the collapse of Corinthian Colleges. Dimino warned Forbes that expanding access without proper safeguards could invite abuses seen in the past. "Every time for-profit colleges have been given access to more federal aid, abuses have followed," she said. As the US faces economic uncertainty, Silber noted that for-profit colleges may be seen as a "defensive" investment, potentially attracting more students seeking quick retraining, even as the broader economy fluctuates. In summary, the combination of relaxed regulations, new funding streams, and a politically favorable environment positions for-profit colleges to expand rapidly under President Trump's education policies. However, this growth comes amid persistent concerns about educational quality and financial risks for students. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
The Hindu
14 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Electoral rolls prep in India one of world's most rigorous, transparent exercises: CEC
Preparation of electoral rolls in India is one of the world's most rigorous and transparent exercises, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has said before an international audience amid allegations of fudging in voter data. Electoral rolls are shared with recognised national and state parties in accordance with law every year during revision as well as before the elections, Mr. Kumar said in his keynote address at the Stockholm International Conference on Electoral Integrity on Tuesday (June 10, 2025). The CEC said the rolls have been shared with recognised political parties since 1960, with provision of claims, objections and appeals. The remarks come close on the heels of opposition parties, including Congress, alleging fudging of voter data to rig elections. The poll authority has dubbed these charges as absurd. Addressing the event, Mr. Kumar said preparation of voters list is one of the world's most rigorous and transparent exercises, reinforcing the accuracy and integrity of the electoral process. According to the Election Commission, the CEC noted that this robust mechanism has played a vital role in upholding electoral credibility across the country for years. Highlighting India's electoral integrity, scale and diversity, Mr. Kumar reaffirmed the role of the Election Commission in capacity building programmes for election management bodies (EMB) of countries around the globe. Over 100 participants representing EMBs of around 50 countries are taking part in the conference. He said the entire electoral process is closely monitored by political parties, candidates, general, police and expenditure observers and the media who, he stated, act akin to concurrent auditors at various stages. The CEC also highlighted the scale of coordination that underpins the conduct of elections in India. 'With over 20 million personnel, including polling staff, police forces, observers, and agents of political parties at the time of conduct of elections, the Election Commission becomes the world's largest organisation, surpassing the combined workforce of several national governments and major global corporations and ensures that India's nearly one billion electors are freely able to exercise their franchise,' he said.
