Latest news with #Kochi-based
Hindustan Times
14 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Mithi River desilting fraud: ED searches properties of five contractors
MUMBAI: The Mumbai unit of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday conducted searches in Mumbai at eight properties of civic contractors as part of its money laundering investigation into the alleged irregularities in contracts to desilt the Mithi River, according to officials aware of the developments. Mumbai, India. June 30, 2025: View of the polluted Mithi River at the Powai area of Mumbai. The Mithi River flows through Salsette Island, which is part of the city of Mumbai. Mumbai, India. June 3, 2025. (Photo by Raju Shinde/HT Photo) (Raju Shinde) The searches were conducted at the properties of five contractors who had allegedly submitted bogus documents to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) related to silt dumping work, officials said. The investigation is based on an FIR registered by the Mumbai police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in May, in which 13 people and entities were booked for allegedly causing the BMC a wrongful loss of ₹65.54 crore. Earlier, on June 6, the ED had carried out searches at 18 locations across Mumbai, Kochi and Thrissur in connection with the investigation. The locations searched included the residential and/or office premises of actor Dino Morea and his businessman brother Santino Morea, BMC engineer Prashant Ramgude, civic contractor Bhupendra Purohit, alleged intermediaries Jay Joshi and Ketan Kadam, and Matprop Technical Services Pvt Ltd, a Kochi-based company that rented machinery and equipment for the desilting work. The ED had also questioned the Morea brothers in June, claiming they were associates of alleged intermediary Kadam. The brothers have denied all the allegations of their involvement in the case. On June 7, the ED said that its investigation and search operations had, prima facie, indicated that the accused people and others allegedly colluded to form a cartel intending to manipulate BMC's tenders related to desilting the Mithi River. 'This action effectively conferred a monopoly in [the] award of desilting contracts of Mithi River and caused payments at inflated rates for desilting works, resulting in undue gains to the contractors and associated parties, thereby causing financial loss to the public exchequer,' the agency had said in a statement. These undue financial gains were concealed by layering them through certain shell companies by the accused persons and others, the agency added. So far, during its searches, the ED has seized ₹7 lakh in cash and frozen 22 bank accounts/fixed deposits and a demat account. The total amount seized or frozen is more than ₹1.25 crore. Certain digital devices and incriminating documents were also seized that appeared to be relevant for further proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, according to the ED.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Holding the cards of tradition and culture — with ‘Malabar Shuffle'
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Rummy, Bluff, or Ass. Whatever the game, the cards are dealt and played with a poker face. And, with 'Malabar Shuffle' adding colour and taste to the hustle, the familiar deck of westernised face cards now wears a fresh, local twist — thanks to Kochi-based Anaswara Offset Printers and Dubai-based illustrator Treasa Maria Rajan. The result is playful yet elegant decks set in the traditional Kerala context. While kathakali-themed cards have been around for a while, 'Malabar Shuffle' is the first deck to reimagine all the face cards in full Kerala flair. Treasa, who casually sketched the first illustrations out of personal interest, never imagined her drawings would become a commercial deck. 'I started it just for fun. Being from a design background and connected to our roots, I found the idea of fusioning face cards exciting,' said Treasa. That's when 'Blankverse', Anaswara's stationery brand, spotted her work and pitched the idea of developing it into a full deck. Every card is a cultural artefact. Kings draped in kasavu mundu, queens decked up in traditional jewellery and intricate hairstyles, jokers inspired by 'ottanthullal' performers. All illustrated in rich detail. 'I once watched an ottanthullal performance and was fascinated by the humour and expression. That became my 'joker',' Treasa recalled. For the other cards, she drew inspiration from Raja Ravi Varma paintings, royal portraits at Tripunithura Hill Palace, and historical flicks such as 'Pazhassi Raja' and 'Urumi'. 'I wanted a visually rich feel. I played with my craft to reflect the flamboyance of card games and the charm of our traditions,' she explained.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
ED begins probe against Cong MLA
Kochi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has begun an inquiry against Muvattupuzha MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan regarding allegations of irregularities in a land deal in Idukki Chinnakanal. Sources said that the ED took the statement of the previous owner of the property in question. The case pertains to the allegation and subsequent vigilance case connected to irregularities relating to a resort constructed in Idukki. The ED is conducting the probe based on the case registered by the state vigilance and anti-corruption bureau (VACB). The MLA was listed as the 16th accused in the case. The allegation relates to a 50-cent land in Pappathi Chola of Chinnakanal. Earlier, the revenue department took action against the officials for conducting the transfer of the registry of the property. There are 21 accused listed in the vigilance case. The Congress MLA was accused by the CPM of irregularities in the purchase and registration of land, and Kuzhalnadan challenged the party to prove the allegations against his property dealings. The CPM's allegations came after Kuzhalnadan questioned the financial dealings of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter with a Kochi-based firm.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Nuns' arrest in Chhattisgarh State-sponsored terrorism, says Hibi Eden
Terming the recent arrest of two Catholic nuns from Kerala in Chhattisgarh on charges of alleged religious conversion and human trafficking as an incident of State-sponsored terrorism, Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden said he would raise the matter in the Lok Sabha, along with the increasing number of attacks on members of minority communities in northern India. Uniformed forces like the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the respective Government Railway Police (GRP) are behaving like affiliates of the RSS, he alleged. Nuns and other members of minority communities are increasingly being denied the rights guaranteed to them by the Constitution across the country. In this situation, the Lok Sabha must adjourn its sitting until the government makes a statement on the recent 'terror attack' targeting nuns—forcing them to hide their attire—and on the measures being taken to ensure the safety and security of religious minorities. Such incidents are a threat to the rule of law, he said. Sunday's arrest of the nuns raises serious questions about the safety and security of religious minorities in our country. Given the gravity of the situation and its potential implications for communal harmony and national security, it is imperative that the House discusses this matter at the earliest opportunity. The government's response to this incident, and the measures it proposes to prevent such events in the future, are of utmost importance, Mr. Eden added. Terming the arrest of the nuns as part of the 'Sangh Parivar agenda', the Kochi-based Archdiocesan Movement for Transparency (AMT) of the Syro Malabar Church said most Christians in northern India are living in fear of attacks. This is especially true in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. Nuns and others from the community have been doing voluntary service in such remote areas, where the government machinery has little presence, said Riju Kanjookaran, spokesperson of the movement. 'CBCI inaction' Sadly, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) is weak and unable to find solutions to such issues or initiate legal action. Their role ends with issuing a statement in the wake of such attacks. The CBCI has failed to initiate policy measures or bring international pressure to end such well-planned and coordinated attacks, he added.
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
KSUM's Innovation Festival shifts focus beyond startups and tech
One of the more noticeable additions is a flea market that features climate-conscious brands and circular economy models. The programming here is being shaped in part by Maatam, a Kochi-based collective working at the intersection of design, sustainability, and storytelling. 'The future of sustainability is through technology. But, of course, we want to showcase to all, especially those who push at the limits of technology, what's possible, even if it's small-scale,' says Visakha G Raj of Maatam. 'At the end of the day, you don't need to be a brand or a business to participate in climate action. You could be someone who composts, someone who repairs clothes, etc. That's also design thinking. That's also innovation,' she adds. In addition, two discussions are also planned. Titled 'What Can I Do?' and 'What Can We Do?', these bring together climate communicators, renewable energy practitioners, behavioural design experts and community architects to explore both individual and systemic responses to climate concerns. 'We've done product demos, pitch sessions, and investor meets. We'll continue to do those,' said a senior KSUM official. 'But there's growing interest among founders and students alike to understand how their work connects to the bigger picture.'
