Latest news with #Rout
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Students, activists unite against plastic use
Berhampur: Several college students, social activists, and retired teachers participated in a rally on Thursday to raise awareness about plastic pollution, promote tree plantations, and call for the protection of water bodies. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The rally was organised by the Berhampur-based Aryabhatta Foundation. Participants marched through the town urging people to "say no to plastic" and adopt eco-friendly alternatives like cotton and jute bags. The foundation, which has worked for nearly two decades on environmental causes, also flagged off a symbolic awareness chariot—an electric vehicle adorned with green slogans such as "plant and protect trees" and "conserve water bodies." Fitted with a low-noise sound system, the vehicle will tour Ganjam and neighbouring districts to spread the message. Sudhir Rout, president of the Aryabhatta Foundation, underscored the health hazards of plastic use. In a bid to restore degraded landscapes, the foundation also launched its annual seed ball drive. Rout said preparations have begun to produce two lakh seed balls, which will be scattered across bald hilltops just before the monsoon. "We've already helped revive greenery in around 20 degraded hills over the past decade. This year, we aim to take up two more," he said. Additionally, the organisation plans to plant six lakh trees in hill areas, another 1,000 saplings and 2,000 palm trees along the banks of the Rushikulya river.
New Indian Express
31-05-2025
- New Indian Express
ED deputy director, associate arrested for accepting Rs 20 lakh bribe from businessman in Odisha
BHUBANESWAR: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday arrested deputy director of Enforcement Directorate (ED), Bhubaneswar zonal office, Chintan Raghuvanshi, a 2013-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, and his associate Bhaghti for allegedly accepting Rs 20 lakh bribe from a quarry owner and businessman Ratikanta Rout. Bhaghti, a private individual, was reportedly caught red-handed by CBI sleuths on Thursday evening while accepting the bribe amount from Rout on behalf of the senior ED official. Both Raghuvanshi and Bhaghti were then interrogated at CBI office here, and arrested on Friday. As per the CBI FIR, Rout, who belongs to Kalarahanga in Bhubaneswar, has stone quarry and crusher business in Dhenkanal. He had lodged a complaint alleging Raghuvanshi had first demanded a bribe of `5 crore for not arresting him in connection with a case related to financial irregularities. He had, however, reportedly reduced the amount to Rs 2 crore later while assuring Rout to settle the case. He had asked Rout to pay Rs 50 lakh as the first installment through Bhaghti on Thursday, the FIR stated. Rout had last year received summons from the ED after a case was registered against him. On January 8, 2025, the central agency had conducted simultaneous searches at his office, residence and properties of a few acquaintances.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
CBI arrests ED dy director in ‘bribery' case
Bhubaneswar: The CBI on Friday arrested Chintan Raghuvanshi, deputy director of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Bhubaneswar, and another middleman Bhakti Binod Behera for allegedly demanding bribe from a miner for sparing him in a money laundering case. Even though CBI FIR stated Raghuvanshi's 'direct role' is being investigated, agency sources said they have found prima facie evidence against him. According to a complaint by businessman Rohit Kumar Rout with the CBI on May 28, the ED had initiated a money laundering case against him in 2020 concerning alleged financial discrepancies in his stone crusher operations in Dhenkanal district. On Jan 8 this year, the ED conducted searches at his residence and office in Bhubaneswar. Subsequently, he received a summons in March and was questioned at the ED office. Rout alleged that Raghuvanshi, a 2013 batch IRS officer, through his intermediary Behera, demanded Rs 5 crore to give him a clean chit in the case. The alleged deal also included assurances against his arrest and attachment of properties, including his hospital. The amount was subsequently brought down to Rs 2 crore, Rout stated in his complaint. Behera told Rout to deliver the initial payment of Rs 50 lakh at 11am on Thursday. "CBI sub-inspector Ayan Mishra verified the complaint. The verification confirmed Bhakti's (Behera) instructions to Rout regarding the Rs 50 lakh initial payment towards the total Rs 2 crore bribe demand," CBI's FIR stated. According to sources, while the deal was being finalised inside a building in Saheed Nagar area on Thursday evening, CBI personnel intervened. CBI sources said Rout had taken Rs 20 lakh as part payment. Raghuvanshi and Behera were taken to the CBI office where they were detained and faced questioning. "Both of them were arrested on Friday. They were remanded in judicial custody following rejection of their bail pleas," a CBI source said. "As direct role of Chintan Raghuvanshi could not be verified at this stage, it was decided to proceed the case only against Behera, and to look into Raghuvanshi's role during investigation. Hence, a regular case is registered against Bhakti," the FIR added.
Hindustan Times
30-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
ED officer arrested by CBI in Odisha first demanded ₹5 crore for settling case
NEW DELHI: Chintan Raghuvanshi, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) deputy director, arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), initially demanded ₹5 crore from a Bhubaneswar-based businessman for settling a money laundering case registered against him, but later settled for a ₹2 crore bribe, according to the CBI's first information report (FIR) in the case. An ED official said the federal agency would also initiate disciplinary action against Raghuvanshi and could investigate him for money laundering if the CBI probe reveals that he has received bribes in the past and generated proceeds of crime. Raghuvanshi was arrested by a CBI team late on Thursday following a complaint by businessman Ratikanta Rout who has a stone mining and stone crusher business in Dhenkanal. According to the FIR reviewed by HT, Ratikanta Rout submitted a written complaint about the bribery allegations to CBI on May 28. Rout's complaint, which is part of the FIR, said he received a summons from ED's Bhubaneswar office in 2024 and learnt that a money laundering case had been registered against him by ED. Searches were also conducted at his premises on January 8, 2025. Rout said in the complaint that he was again summoned to the ED office in March this year. During this visit, Raghuvanshi called Rout to his chamber and asked him to contact a private person, Bhaghti, if he wanted relief in the case. He added that Bhaghti first told him about the ₹5 crore demand after discussions with Raghuvanshi. Rout added that at his request over a FaceTime call, the ED officer agreed to reduce the money to ₹2 crore. Rout said he was told to pay ₹50 lakhs, the first instalment of the ₹2 crore bribe to settle the case, and to not arrest him. Raghuvanshi, a 2013 batch Indian Revenue Service officer (Customs and Indirect Taxes), was arrested in the trap laid by CBI.
India Today
13-05-2025
- India Today
Man posts pics of 'unbearable experience' on Air India Express flight after AC failure
A Gurugram-based man travelling from Delhi to Bhubaneswar on an Air India Express flight raised serious concerns online after the aircraft's air conditioning allegedly failed mid-air. Photos shared from the flight showed visibly distressed passengers coping with extreme a now-viral post on LinkedIn, Tusharkant Rout shared his ordeal on flight IX-1128 from Delhi to Bhubaneswar. He alleged that the air conditioning system on board was non-functional for almost two hours, which made the cabin conditions extremely the situation as 'critical', Rout said the flight took off at 3:55pm and passengers struggled to manage the heat. 'The AC is not working, and passengers are facing unbearably hot conditions while flying. One of the passengers' health became very serious,' he wrote. He also said that several passengers raised complaints during the flight and urged the airline to treat the incident as a priority. 'Please take this matter seriously so that such situations don't happen again in the future,' he added, sharing images of passengers sweating and visibly a look at the post here:Air India Express reacted to the post with an apology. The airline explained that the AC may feel less effective during boarding and taxiing due to operational constraints such as open doors and limited power supply. However, it insisted that the system becomes fully functional after sorry for the delay and any discomfort you experienced. We appreciate your feedback and remain committed to improving our services,' the airline said in its LinkedIn users flooded Rout's post to express their concerns. They called for better safety and service checks before flights depart. 'Was the inspection not done before take-off, or was the checklist filled randomly?' a user asked. Another user shared a personal experience, saying, 'My recent flight was terrible. Passengers behind me were creating a nuisance, and when I complained, the staff ignored it. Even the food I pre-booked was served cold.''This has happened to me too on a recent flight from Kolkata to Port Blair. If these issues persist, they risk losing loyal customers,' one of the users said. This article will be updated if Tusharkant Rout adds any updates to his viral Watch
