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New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Kharge says Congress would not let BJP-RSS weaken Constitution; calls Modi ‘sardar of lies'
MYSURU: All-India Congress Committee (AICC) President Mallikarjun Kharge said that the Congress and the people of the country will never allow the BJP and RSS to try to weaken or change the Constitution. Speaking at the Congress government's Sadhana Samavesha in Mysuru on Saturday, Kharge said that he, accompanied by LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, will visit all the states to organise people to protect the Constitution as part of its 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, and Jai Samvidhan' campaign. 'If the BJP tries to change the Constitution, it will lead to their downfall. They also question Dr BR Ambedkar's role in drafting it... but members of the drafting committee themselves have clarified that Ambedkar was its principal architect. Modi should remember that he became CM and PM because of the Constitution,' the Congress president said. He said that PM Narendra Modi visited 42 countries, but when innocent people were being killed in Manipur, he didn't have the courage to visit that state. Calling PM Modi a 'Sardar of lies,' Kharge said that the former has betrayed the trust of the people. 'Rs 5 lakh to every citizen, 2 crore jobs annually, doubling farmers' income, curbing inflation, ending corruption and terrorism... none have been delivered. Modi is the 'sardar of lies' who has shattered people's trust,' he said. He also referred to the Union Minister Nitin Gadkari's statement that the number of poor is increasing and wealth is getting centralised in the hands of some wealthy people, which is contrary to the Prime Minister's claim that poverty has reduced. Kharge also took a dig at the BJP for its 'Congress-mukt Bharat' slogan. 'If Congress had just a few more seats in the Lok Sabha, Modi wouldn't have returned as PM. Modi claimed he would win over 400 seats but barely managed 220. Ego always leads to downfall,' he said.
NDTV
6 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Delhi Orders Probe Into Rs 145-Crore 'Scam' In Jai Bhim Coaching Scheme
Delhi: The Jai Bhim Mukhyamantri Pratibha Vikas Yojana, a scheme meant to fund free coaching at private institutes for underprivileged students during the Aam Aadmi Party government, is now at the centre of a political and financial controversy. Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Wednesday ordered an Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) probe into an alleged Rs 145-crore scam linked to the scheme during the Covid period. The announcement was made by Delhi's Home and Education Minister Ashish Sood and SC/ST Welfare Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh while addressing a press conference, alleging large-scale irregularities under the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. "The Jai Bhim scheme was started to help SC/ST/OBC/EWS/Minority students prepare for competitive exams like UPSC and NEET, but during the pandemic, it became a tool for embezzlement," Mr Sood said. He added that coaching institutes prepared a bill payment of Rs 145 crore between July 2021 and August 2022-far beyond the scheme's original budget of Rs 15 crore. Out of 13,000 student claims submitted by coaching centres, only about 3,000 could be verified, Mr Sood said, adding, the rest allegedly lacked documentation, signatures, or any record of attendance. "The average coaching cost is Rs 1 lakh for IAS, Rs 50,000 for MBA/CLAT, Rs 30,000 for SSC/LIC, Rs 25,000 for Group-C exams and Rs 10,000 for interview preparation," he said. "Even if we consider that all 3,000 verified students took IAS coaching, the maximum cost would be around Rs 30 crore. How did it become Rs 145 crore?," Mr Soon added. He alleged that AAP has insulted Dr Ambedkar's legacy and turned a welfare scheme into a nexus of corruption. Following a recommendation from Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the LG approved a detailed probe by the ACB into what is now being referred to as an "alleged coaching scam." The investigation will focus on 35 coaching centres that failed to provide verified data for even 100 students, SC/ST Welfare Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh said. He said the scheme, which began in 2018, was intended to create educational opportunities for Dalit students. "Instead, it was allegedly turned into a money-making racket. We owe it to the students to investigate this thoroughly," Singh said. 'Witch Hunt, Not Governance': AAP Responds The Aam Aadmi Party has hit back, calling the probe a "politically motivated witch hunt." In a statement, AAP accused the BJP-led government of using state agencies to target opposition leaders instead of focusing on governance. "Six months into power, the BJP has offered no solutions to Delhi's real problems-just endless vendetta politics," the party said, adding, "The functioning model of education and health has been dismantled. Now, instead of delivering on promises like Rs 2,500 to women, they are digging up old files to attack AAP." The party also alleged that civic issues such as power cuts, sewer overflows, and fee hikes in private schools have worsened under the BJP's watch.
India Gazette
12-07-2025
- India Gazette
CBI registers case in custodial death of temple guard in Tamil Nadu
New Delhi [India], July 12 (ANI): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case on Saturday against police personnel of Sivagangai District, Tamil Nadu, in connection with the alleged custodial death of Ajit Kumar, who was posted as a temple guard at Madapuram Temple, the agency said in a release. 'Earlier, the State of Tamil Nadu had transferred the investigation of FIR No. 303/2025 of Police Station Thiruppuvanam, Sivagangai District, registered in connection with the custodial death of Shri Ajith Kumar to the CBI,' it said. The CBI has registered the case under section 103 of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023 and taken over the investigation, it added. On June 30, family members of a temple guard from Sivaganga who died in police custody have alleged that the cause of death of the 28-year-old was not natural, and he passed away allegedly after being beaten and tortured during police interrogation. Ajit Kumar was initially detained for questioning regarding a theft at the Madapuram Kaliamman temple in Tirupuvanam, where he worked as a security guard, the district Superintendent of Police said. AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami condemned the incident and demanded a judicial inquiry into the matter and to provide compensation for Kumar's family. In a post on X, Palaniswami said, 'Ajit Kumar, a security guard at the Madapuram temple in Sivagangai district, was reportedly arrested and interrogated by the Thirupuvanam police following a complaint that he had stolen 9.5 sovereigns of gold jewellery from a female devotee's car. During the interrogation, Ajit Kumar allegedly died due to police assault. His relatives, refusing to accept his body, have launched a protest.' In a post on X, Palaniswami said, 'Ajit Kumar, a security guard at the Madapuram temple in Sivagangai district, was reportedly arrested and interrogated by the Thirupuvanam police following a complaint that he had stolen 9.5 sovereigns of gold jewellery from a female devotee's car. During the interrogation, Ajit Kumar allegedly died due to police assault. His relatives, refusing to accept his body, have launched a protest.' 'Where is the Chief Minister who once wrote a movie review saying, 'I watched Jai Bhim, it shook my heart'? Weren't you the one who blatantly lied even in the State Assembly during the Vignesh lock-up death case? Will we hear the same kind of lies as a response to this case, too? If the police believe someone has committed a crime, they must arrest and produce them before the court, following due legal process. They cannot take the law completely into their own hands,' he further said. 'I strongly condemn this puppet Chief Minister who cannot even manage the police force that functions directly under his control. Regarding the death of Ajit Kumar, the temple guard, at the Thirupuvanam police station, I urge this so-called DMK 'Stalin-model' government to immediately form a committee headed by the District Judge to conduct a full investigation, take legal action against those responsible for this death, and provide compensation to the family of the deceased,' Palaniswami said. Sivaganga District SP said that after this incident, six policemen of the crime branch unit involved in the questioning were placed under suspension by the District Superintendent of Police, and an investigation was underway. Kumar was picked up by police for questioning following a complaint filed by two women, Sivakami and her daughter Nikitha, who alleged that about 10 sovereigns of gold jewellery had gone missing from their car. On June 26, Niktha, from Tirumangalam in the Madurai district and her 76-year-old mother Sivakami had travelled by car to the temple. Niktha had parked her vehicle near the temple premises and reportedly handed over the keys to Ajit Kumar, requesting him to park it aside. As he claimed he did not know how to drive, he is said to have arranged for someone else to move the car. After their darshan at the temple, Niktha received the car keys back from Ajithkumar. Upon checking, she found that 9 1/2 sovereigns of gold jewellery kept inside the car were missing. When she questioned Ajit Kumar, he allegedly denied any knowledge of the missing valuables. Following this, Niktha lodged a complaint with the police. A special team from the Manamadurai crime branch arrived at the temple and took Ajithkumar in for questioning in a police van. Later that evening, police claimed that Ajit Kumar developed sudden health complications. He was first taken to a private hospital in Sivaganga and then referred to another hospital in Madurai. However, doctors at the hospital declared him dead on arrival. Kumar's family members and friends alleged that he died as a result of police assault during interrogation. (ANI)
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Actor Karthi's upcoming film with director Tamizh titled 'Marshal'
Picture Credit: Facebook Actor Karthi's upcoming film with director Tamizh, best known for having made the film 'Tanakaaran', has now been titled 'Marshal', its makers announced on Thursday. The makers also announced that the film had officially gone on floors after poojas were performed. Dream Warrior Pictures, one of the production houses producing the film, took to its X handle to make the announcement. "We are pleased to reveal #Karthi29's title as 'MARSHAL'. With auspicious blessings and larger than life dreams, special poojas were held today. Let the action begin!! #Marshal @Karthi_Offl," it said. The film, which will feature Kalyani Priyadarshan as the female lead, will also have actors Sathyaraj, Prabhu, Lal, John Kokken, Easwari Rao and Murali Sharma in pivotal roles. Actor Karthi, for his part, took to his X timeline to say, "Dear Friends, Taking a new step forward with all your love and blessings!! #Marshal #மார்ஷல் begins from today!!" On the technical front, Marshal will have music by the young music sensation Sai Abhyankkar and cinematography by Sathyan Sooryan. Well known editor Philomin Raj will be the editor of the film. Production design will be by Arun Venjaramoodu. The film is to be produced by S R Prakash Babu and S R Prabhu on behalf of Dream Warrior Pictures and is to be co-produced by Ishan Saksena. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giá vàng đang tăng mạnh trong năm 2025 — Các nhà giao dịch thông minh đã tham gia IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo It may be recalled that the makers had released a poster of a ship along with the announcement that the film would be made this year. Director Tamizh, who is best known as an actor for his performance as the antagonist in director T J Gnanavel's courtroom drama 'Jai Bhim', featuring actor Suriya in the lead, made his mark as a director with the Vikram Prabhu-starrer Taanakaaran. Meanwhile, it may be recalled that Karthi has already completed shooting for director P S Mithran's eagerly awaited spy thriller 'Sardar 2'.
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- The Hindu
Tamil Nadu: Jai Bhim Rajakannu's custodial death in 1993 and striking parallels to Sivaganga Ajith Kumar case
A chilling custodial death that occurred 32 years ago at the Kammapuram police station in Vridhachalam, South Arcot District (present-day Cuddalore), has disturbing parallels with the recent illegal detention and murder of Ajith Kumar, a temple security guard, in Sivaganga district. In March 1993, Kadirvel Padayachi, a locally influential man, lodged a complaint at the Kammapuram station alleging theft of 43 sovereigns of jewellery from his house. He claimed some members of the Kuravar community from a nearby village were spotted in the area the previous night. Acting on the complaint, Sub Inspector Anthonisami and five policemen visited the house of Rajakannu, an agricultural labourer from the Kuravar community on March 20. Rajakannu was not at home, so they detained his wife Parvathy, two of their children — Mariappan (25) and Ravi (13)—and his brother-in-law Rathnam (55), and brought them to the station. All four were beaten with lathis. Also Read | The custodial death case behind Jai Bhim When Rajakannu learnt of their detention, he rushed to the station around noon on March 21. The police detained him and released the others. The next day, when Parvathy returned with food, she found her husband stripped, tied to a window bar and being beaten. He collapsed during the assault, but the police continued caning him. 'When I questioned them, I was again beaten and couldn't even breathe,' she later recalled in court. As his condition deteriorated, a homeopathy doctor was summoned. He administered an injection and applied ointment to Rajakannu's wounds. After the doctor left, the police resumed the torture. They later instructed Parvathy to leave. Also Read | Meet Justice K Chandru, the inspiration behind Suriya's 'Jai Bhim' Around 6 p.m., Parvathy returned to her village, only to hear from locals that police had come by earlier and claimed Rajakannu had escaped from custody. Fearing the worst, Parvathy, with the help of local activists, sent telegrams (used in the pre-email days) to the Chief Minister and the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court. She alleged that the police had killed her husband and disposed of his body to cover up the crime. For a month, Rajakannu remained missing. DATA | Custodial deaths: Police convictions remain zero in Tamil Nadu and beyond With the help of her lawyer K. Chandru — who later became a judge of the Madras High Court — Parvathy filed a habeas corpus petition seeking Rajakannu's production in court. The police maintained that he had escaped, and a 'man missing' case was registered. But the court chose to probe further. During CB-CID's probe, IPS officer B. Perumalsamy who was heading the agency, stumbled upon a case at the Meensurutty police station in neighbouring Tiruchi district — around 40 km away — where an unidentified male body had been found near a temple some weeks earlier. The body had been photographed before a post-mortem was conducted. The autopsy revealed multiple injuries including fractured ribs. The doctor concluded that the death was caused by shock and haemorrhage, and that all injuries were ante-mortem. 'External injuries 1 to 4 could have been caused by beating with lathi. The fracture of ribs may be due to fisting and kicking on the chest. External injuries 1 to 4 are simple while the fracture of the ribs is grievous. Death would have occurred 24 to 36 hours prior to autopsy,' the doctor noted. WATCH | Sivaganga custodial death - The chilling murder of Ajith Kumar Photographs confirmed the body was Rajakannu's. The Kammapuram police had fabricated the escape story, taken Rajakannu's naked body and dumped it far from the crime scene to evade scrutiny. 'The identification of the dead body and the cause of death, the time of death and other circumstances together with the report submitted before us disclose offences punishable on various counts including under Section 302, I.P.C. and 302 read with Section 34, Sections 218 and 220, I.P.C. establish the place of occurrences as the Kammapuram Police Station and identify the offenders including the fourth respondent,' the High Court noted. The acclaimed Tamil film Jai Bhim (2021) was based on Rajakannu's life. While the film ends on a hopeful note, in reality, Rajakannu never returned. DATA POINT | Police convicted for recent custodial deaths in India: zero As the High Court observed in 1994: 'This case is only one such example where indifference after the complaint was lodged, of the men in power and senior police officers and casual approach of the courts... cause severe blow to the truth... If such people... rise to the occasion and act promptly, real danger to the system and the polity can be avoided.' Eventually, the policemen involved were convicted and sentenced to imprisonment. In an ironic parallel to the Ajith Kumar case, the missing jewels in Rajakannu's case were never traced.
