Latest news with #AmitKaushik
Mint
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Mint
Tesla rolls into India with junior crew and remote senior leadership
American electric vehicle (EV) giant Tesla's long-awaited India entry is taking shape, but with some quirks. For one, there's no heavyweight local captain at the wheel yet. The foray is being led remotely by the company's Asia-Pacific executives. For another, it is lapping up sales and business executives from rivals Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and MG Motor India, but at junior-to-mid experience levels. Then, the hype of its entry is dimmed somewhat by the absence of glitz in showrooms that its luxury rivals flaunt, even as it aims for the rich consumer with cars priced upwards of ₹60 lakh. Experts said the hiring strategy and placement of stores in wealthy corners of cities like Delhi and Mumbai is a sign that Tesla will solely focus on the niche premium luxury market. 'Given how Tesla is positioning itself in the Indian market, they will need executives with experience of premium cars," Amit Kaushik, managing director at auto analytics firm Urban Science India, said. 'However, what has been notable is that the company has not gone for a very senior hire to drive its foray in the Indian market." The company utilized its senior executives in Hong Kong to train and support the new sales representatives deployed by the company here in India, according to two people aware of the matter. Public social media posts by Tesla's new hires indicate that Andy Lo, learning and development manager at Tesla and Kenneth Lui, regional sales manager of certain South East Asian nations, were among the executives spearheading the training processes. Along with bolstering sales presence, Tesla also hired executives from firms like Jio-bp to help expand its charging network in the country. For instance, it hired Atanu Pramanik in April, a former deputy general manager of EV Charger Operations at Jio-bp. Sagar Tripathi, handling business development and enterprise sales at Tesla, joined in June from MG Motor where he was lead of dealer development of the western region. Most of the hires are from junior to mid-level, with maximum experience around 10-15 years. In the absence of a senior Indian hand, executives from Asia Pacific region are leading the firm's charge. Isabelle Fan, Tesla regional director for South East Asia, led the company's launch in the Indian market. During her presentation to mediapersons on Monday in the national capital, Fan highlighted that new locations for showrooms will be decided based on interest for vehicles and feedback from the Indian team. The company has disclosed that it is working on service centres in Delhi NCR and Mumbai, and installing a supercharger in Bengaluru, with first deliveries scheduled to begin from September. A request for comment from Tesla remained unanswered till press time. Mum is the word While the industry pieces together the strategy of the latest entrant from its public moves, Tesla executives refuse to take any questions on its strategy, booking numbers, or about competition from Chinese rival BYD, which has managed to dethrone it as the number one electric vehicle (EV) seller of the world. 'We are not allowed to discuss details about any plan yet," one Tesla executive present at the launch said, adding that the company doesn't have a dedicated base in India yet from where it is crafting its strategy. Kaushik said that the Indian market is unique and Tesla's cars will also have to pass the test of Indian roads, especially given their low ground clearance compared to SUVs of Indian car makers. While the positioning of its cars is luxury, Tesla's showroom in Delhi stood out for its no-frills approach with bare minimum extra features, unlike its rivals like Mercedes and BMW which have been working on increasing the premium experience for customers. Tesla's Delhi showroom, located in a posh locality of Aerocity, displays two variants of Model Y priced at ₹59 lakh and ₹67 lakh. Anurag Singh, advisor at Primus Partners, a consultancy, suggests that Tesla is looking to woo customers using a combination of its premium digital capabilities and work processes that it is known for globally. 'As of today, they will have to pay high duties, (cars) would be priced high and, hence, would have to target the premium customers first," Singh said. However, Tesla's strategy in India faces the limitation of capabilities and regulatory approvals to offer fully automatic services of its cars, for which it is known globally. The company's chief executive officer Elon Musk has repeatedly bet on increasing automation of its cars, and is focusing on robocabs in its home market. But in India, it has been forced to offer a basic advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) in the Model Y. The company's entry is also coming at a time when India's luxury car market reached an all time high of 51,000 units sold in FY25, but saw growth slow to 3%.
News18
23-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Delhi Police forms special Operation Cell to monitor terror activities online
New Delhi, Jul 23 (PTI) The Delhi Police has constituted 'Operation Cell", a dedicated team of cyber experts that will monitor terrorism-related activities on social media, dark web and bomb threats, an official said on Wednesday. The newly formed unit will function under the Special Cell, the anti-terror unit of the force, he said. 'The Operation Cell will primarily focus on monitoring Khalistan terrorism-related activities, both within India and from foreign entities, particularly via social media platforms," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Amit Kaushik said. The DCP said that a wanted criminal, identified as Akashdeep, associated with the banned terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International has been arrested by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police. Akashdeep was wanted in multiple cases, including a grenade attack on Qila Lal Singh police station in Punjab's Batala on April 7 and illegal supply of arms to criminals in Delhi, he said. 'Operation Cell has already started working and is giving better results," the DCP said. Another police officer, on the request of anonymity, said that the expert team will also check the dark web for the bomb related calls and emails. The team has been tasked with round-the-clock surveillance of suspicious online content, digital footprints of banned outfits, and any material that may pose a threat to national security, the officer added. The officer said that Operation Cell will maintain a strict 24×7 vigil on the online activities of proscribed terrorist organisations, including Babbar Khalsa International, Indian gangsters based in foreign countries and cross-border networks suspected of engaging in or promoting radical activities. 'The Cell will actively monitor various social media handles and internet-based communications used by terrorist groups. Any suspicious post or digital content will be flagged immediately and reported to the seniors," the officer added. The officials said the increasing use of digital platforms for radicalisation, recruitment and communication by terror outfits has necessitated the formation of a specialised monitoring cell. 'This is a proactive step to stay ahead of terror elements who are increasingly operating through virtual networks. By tracking their movements in the digital space, we aim to prevent any attempt to disrupt peace and security in the capital," the officer added. The Operation Cell will also coordinate with central intelligence agencies and state police units to share real-time intelligence and support ongoing investigations related to terror funding and sleeper cells. With the working of the Operation Cell, the Delhi Police aims to enhance its digital surveillance capabilities and ensure the safety of citizens by neutralising threats at the earliest stage possible. The team will also search the source involved in sending bomb threats to multiple schools and colleges in the national capital, according to the officials. In mid-July, some schools and colleges in Delhi received a wave of hoax bomb threat emails. Between July 14-16, around 10 institutions — nine schools and one college — were targeted, and by July 18, about 45 more schools had received threats, bringing the weekly total to approximately 55 to 60 such alerts. However, all were declared false after thorough inspections by police, bomb squads and fire services. One sender, a 12-year-old student, was traced and counselled. 'Authorities continue investigating threats, which were routed via anonymous servers using Virtual Private Networking and dark web platforms. The incident disrupted academics and heightened parental anxiety. PTI BM NB view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
NDTV
07-07-2025
- NDTV
Cab Driver By Day, Gang Member By Night: Delhi Cops Arrest Neeraj Bawana's Associate
New Delhi: A 34-year-old man, who was a cab driver by day in Mumbai and a member of Neeraj Bawana gang by night, was arrested after evading arrest for nearly three years, police said on Monday. The accused, identified as Sonu, was declared a proclaimed offender in a 2022 arms trafficking case, they said, adding that the accused had shifted base to Mumbai and taken up work as a cab driver to evade the police radar. "Sonu revealed that he had studied up to Class 10 and joined the Neeraj Bawana gang through local contacts in Panipat," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Amit Kaushik said. The DCP said that he played a role in procuring and supplying firearms, and even after relocating to Mumbai, he remained in touch with some gang members. In September 2022, one of his associates, Sachin, was arrested by Bawana police, and four pistols, two magazines, 79 live cartridges and five barrel cleaning rods were recovered from two vehicles. The accused managed to flee and went underground soon after. In April 2023, a local court declared him a proclaimed offender, the DCP said. To avoid arrest, he moved to Mumbai and assumed a low-profile existence, working as a driver and staying away from public attention. On July 2, Sonu was tracked and arrested from Madh Island in Mumbai. He was produced before a magistrate in Borivali, Mumbai, and a transit remand was obtained. Two of Sonu's associates, Arvind and Deepak Pakasma, are still absconding and are suspected to be abroad. Sonu is also previously involved in a case registered under the UP Excise Act in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, in 2019.
India Gazette
22-06-2025
- India Gazette
Delhi Police arrest absconding accused in attempt to murder, robbery case of Jind
New Delhi [India], June 22 (ANI): The Delhi Police's Special Cell has arrested an absconding accused individual wanted in a sensational extortion, robbery and attempt to murder case that occurred in Jind, Haryana. The accused, Naseeb, was caught with a firearm, a Beretta pistol with live cartridges, and a scooty used in committing the crime. Speaking to ANI, DCP Special Cell Amit Kaushik, said that the accused was apprehended near Khanda Chowk, Chander Vihar, near Vikas Puri, Delhi, on June 21. The team of Special Cell, South-Western Range, led by Inspector Sandeep Dabas acted on specific intelligence and laid a trap to catch the accused. The case was registered dated June 14, 2025, under relevant sections at Narwana City Police Station, in Jind, Haryana. The complainant was shot and robbed of Rs 2.5 lakh at his grocery store in Choupda Patti, Narwana. One Beretta pistol, three live cartridges, one scooty were used in the crime. Naseeb (32) is an illiterate resident of Sultanpuri, Delhi. He came into contact with criminal elements in search of quick money and was involved in an armed robbery in Narwana. 'The accused, Naseeb, is a resident of Sultanpuri, Delhi. On 13th June, four men entered a grocery store in Jind, held the owner at gunpoint, demanded Rs 50 lakh, and looted Rs 2.5 lakh,' said the DCP. 'Three of the accused were arrested by Haryana Police. We received information that the fourth accused was in Delhi. Naseeb was arrested yesterday evening. A pistol and the scooty used in the crime have been recovered from him,' he added. The accused has been arrested under relevant sections of law, and further interrogation and investigation are in progress. (ANI)
Mint
06-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Who pays for cancelled rides? Maharashtra's new cab rules stir industry debate
Maharashtra's new policy for cab aggregators has raised concerns across the ride-hailing ecosystem, particularly over a provision for penalties if a driver cancels a booking. While the policy introduces a penalty of ₹ 100 or 10% of the fare (whichever is lower) to be credited to the rider, it is unclear whether the cost will be borne by the driver or the cab aggregator. In addition to cancellation charges, two other provisions are also expected to spark further debate: the introduction of mandatory meter pricing and a surge pricing cap of 1.5 times the base fare, which could limit driver incentives during high-demand periods such as festivals, peak hours, or adverse weather conditions. The Maharashtra government officially rolled out the Aggregator Cabs Policy 2025 on 1 May, aiming to regulate app-based cab services. The policy was developed following Supreme Court directives urging states to regulate the sector. The rules are expected to be notified later this week, Maharashtra's state officials said. Here's an overview of the provisions that have raised concern among industry players. Industry executives from the ride-hailing industry told Mint that the policy imposes an undue compliance burden on platforms that act purely as intermediaries. Since aggregators do not own vehicle fleets, they argue they lack the control necessary to manage driver behaviour around cancellations. 'Usually, it's the driver cancelling the ride—the platform has no incentive to do that. Aggregators don't own vehicles, so they cannot enforce the kind of control fleet operators can," said an executive from the industry close to the matter. Driver-led unions have also raised concerns that the cancellation clause could shift the financial burden onto drivers. 'Cancellation will likely get pushed onto drivers, further making it difficult for them to sustain their livelihood," said Shaik Salauddin, national general secretary of the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT). However, some experts said the policy introduces accountability and may be a step toward greater professionalism in the sector. 'These penalties are expected to go to the aggregators that should further pass on to the drivers, leading to more professionalism in the game. The ultimate beneficiary of this discipline-based structure is going to be the end consumer, which is a welcome move by the government," said Amit Kaushik, managing director at Urban Science, an automotive consultancy firm. Still, concerns persist about implementation. Executives noted that drivers often reject rides informally, forcing users to cancel their trip. 'Drivers can game the system—delay pickups until the customer cancels, for instance. And if I'm a driver facing cancellation penalties, I'd rather switch to a platform that doesn't charge me," said an executive representing the companies, speaking on condition of anonymity. 'Even models like Namma Yatri and Sahakar Taxi should fall under the same compliance lens. You can't regulate one segment while letting others operate freely," they added. While Mint's queries to Uber and Ola did not elicit a response, Rapido said it may remain partly unscathed. Rapido functions as a software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider, charging drivers a one-time subscription fee and taking no commission from fares. As a result, it considers itself a technology provider, not a traditional aggregator. It operates on a model where no commissions are charged from drivers, and 100% of the fare goes directly to the driver's account, 'with no intervention or settlement on the platform," a company spokesperson said. Instead, it charges drivers a one-time software subscription fee, addressing the 'dissatisfaction with high commissions charged by other platforms," the company said. 'This is akin to digitisation of offline negotiation as to an app based negotiation," the company clarified, adding that, "we don't face the problem of ride cancellation from the drivers on Rapido." The model mirrors those of other platforms such as Namma Yatri and inDrive, which also bypass the conventional aggregator structure. Also Read: Uber's lifeline off the table for BluSmart as EV depreciation becomes key contention Industry executives fear that despite the central government's Motor Vehicle Aggregators Guidelines, 2020, state-specific regulations will require aggregators to constantly adjust their software, resulting in a compliance nightmare and increased costs. 'Jurisdictionally, it will be a software nightmare. Each state-specific tweak increases the cost of compliance, which eventually makes the business model unviable. Compliance shouldn't increase to an extent where business models begin to look like charity," said an executive from the ride-hailing industry. Industry players also pointed out that the current regulatory environment may incentivise both drivers and platforms to shift toward Saas-based formats, which are largely exempt from such regulation. 'You now have models like Namma Yatri, Sahakar Taxi, and Rapido. If these continue to grow, drivers will naturally be drawn to them. The question is: Are we unintentionally pushing all aggregators to adopt this format just to avoid compliance?" said another industry official. Also Read: Rapido takes on Ola, Uber with 'low-cost' guarantee airport cab service The provision on surge cap of 1.5 times the base fare which could curb pricing flexibility during high-demand periods is also likely to backfire, experts said. 'Surge isn't just about profits—it's also how you incentivize drivers to respond to demand spikes. If the government itself uses surge pricing in other services, clearly the model has merit," said another executive, representing the companies, speaking on condition of anonymity. Surge pricing, also known as dynamic fare pricing, is implemented by the state-owned Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) for train tickets during peak times. In regulated industries like airlines, this pricing strategy helps manage demand and optimize service availability. The mandatory meter pricing may not be a feasible model, industry executives said, noting that customers switched to alternative platforms in the first place because traditional models were unreliable. 'Customers jumped to these platforms for two reasons: easier access to cabs and more predictable pricing. While meters are intended to make fares transparent, the lack of other technological innovations (like app-based fare estimates) still leaves consumers with an uncomfortable feeling of fare unpredictability and service availability," said an executive from the ride-hailing industry. Maharashtra state officials maintained that this policy is essential to ensure fare transparency and curb exploitation of riders. They emphasised that these new rules aim to strike a balance between consumer protection and driver welfare, improving service reliability and safety in Maharashtra's fast-growing urban mobility sector. As of now, there is no publicly announced formal feedback window for stakeholders or the public to submit comments on the policy. However, the state transport department has indicated that operational guidelines are being finalised and will be communicated to all stakeholders soon. While Maharashtra's new policy attempts to bring greater accountability and protect consumer interests, the execution will be closely watched, particularly for its impact on driver earnings, platform viability, and the broader future of app-based mobility in India. Also Read | The curious case of Ola's scooter 'sales' without invoices
