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Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Massajog sarpanch murder case: Court rejects Valmik Karad's discharge plea, next date Aug 4
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: A special MCOCA court in Beed on Tuesday rejected former Parli municipal council chief Valmik Karad's plea seeking discharge in the case of abduction and murder of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. The court has reserved its decision on the plea against the seizure of Karad's movable and immovable assets. Karad, a close aide of NCP's then agriculture minister Dhananjay Munde, was described by the state CID as the "mastermind" behind the murder. On Dec 9, 2024, Deshmukh was abducted from the Umri toll naka and taken to Chincholi Takli Shiv, where he was subjected to torture before being killed, and his body was disposed of near Daithana phata in Beed. The murder sparked statewide agitation and protests. In a combined chargesheet filed on Feb 27, the CID concluded that Deshmukh's murder resulted from a larger conspiracy by Karad and his seven aides "to create a reign of terror by eliminating anyone coming in the way of their Rs2 crore extortion bid" on a renewable energy firm, which invested over Rs300 crore in a windmill plant at Kaij in Beed district. The Rs 2 crore extortion bid on Nov 29, 2024, is one of three cases, the other two being the abduction and murder of Deshmukh and the Dec 6 assault on the firm's employees. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ready for a Glow-Up? [Get Your Reading Now] Undo Glow-Up Packages from $15 [Sign Up] Undo Affect Your Future Now! (Book Today) Undo Following the court's order on Tuesday, Karad's aide, Vishnu Chate, and five other co-accused filed applications seeking discharge in the case. The prosecution opposed Karad's plea for bail in the case. "We have opposed Karad's bail plea and the discharge pleas filed by other co-accused," special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said. He said, "Today (Tuesday), we filed a plea requesting the court to frame draft charges against Valmik Karad and his associates under 12 to 13 different sections. The hearing on this plea will be held later. The discharge applications filed by the accused in the Deshmukh murder case have been submitted belatedly. As per legal provisions, such applications should be filed within two months of the chargesheet being submitted. However, they failed to do so. Hence, we have also urged the court to reject these applications. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for Aug 4." Meanwhile, Karad's lawyer Vikas Khade said they will approach the high court to challenge the trial court's rejection of Karad's discharge application. "A hearing on Karad's discharge plea was held, during which the court dismissed the application." Karad's bail application has also been submitted before the court. "Additionally, discharge applications have been filed by the lawyers of all the accused," Khade said. Further informing that arguments were also presented by both sides regarding the seizure of property, he said, "We submitted our plea to lift the restrictions on the frozen bank account. The hearing on this matter has been completed, and the court is expected to give its decision on the next date." Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: A special MCOCA court in Beed on Tuesday rejected former Parli municipal council chief Valmik Karad's plea seeking discharge in the case of abduction and murder of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. The court has reserved its decision on the plea against the seizure of Karad's movable and immovable assets. Karad, a close aide of NCP's then agriculture minister Dhananjay Munde, was described by the state CID as the "mastermind" behind the murder. On Dec 9, 2024, Deshmukh was abducted from the Umri toll naka and taken to Chincholi Takli Shiv, where he was subjected to torture before being killed, and his body was disposed of near Daithana phata in Beed. The murder sparked statewide agitation and protests. In a combined chargesheet filed on Feb 27, the CID concluded that Deshmukh's murder resulted from a larger conspiracy by Karad and his seven aides "to create a reign of terror by eliminating anyone coming in the way of their Rs2 crore extortion bid" on a renewable energy firm, which invested over Rs300 crore in a windmill plant at Kaij in Beed district. The Rs 2 crore extortion bid on Nov 29, 2024, is one of three cases, the other two being the abduction and murder of Deshmukh and the Dec 6 assault on the firm's employees. Following the court's order on Tuesday, Karad's aide, Vishnu Chate, and five other co-accused filed applications seeking discharge in the case. The prosecution opposed Karad's plea for bail in the case. "We have opposed Karad's bail plea and the discharge pleas filed by other co-accused," special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said. He said, "Today (Tuesday), we filed a plea requesting the court to frame draft charges against Valmik Karad and his associates under 12 to 13 different sections. The hearing on this plea will be held later. The discharge applications filed by the accused in the Deshmukh murder case have been submitted belatedly. As per legal provisions, such applications should be filed within two months of the chargesheet being submitted. However, they failed to do so. Hence, we have also urged the court to reject these applications. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for Aug 4." Meanwhile, Karad's lawyer Vikas Khade said they will approach the high court to challenge the trial court's rejection of Karad's discharge application. "A hearing on Karad's discharge plea was held, during which the court dismissed the application." Karad's bail application has also been submitted before the court. "Additionally, discharge applications have been filed by the lawyers of all the accused," Khade said. Further informing that arguments were also presented by both sides regarding the seizure of property, he said, "We submitted our plea to lift the restrictions on the frozen bank account. The hearing on this matter has been completed, and the court is expected to give its decision on the next date."
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Express Tribune
Massive wheat scam unearthed
Over Rs300 million worth of wheat has allegedly been embezzled from three procurement centres of the Punjab Food Department in Khanewal due to corruption, negligence and departmental apathy. Despite early warnings and internal reports, senior officials reportedly failed to take timely action. After the matter became public, authorities have now hinted at launching a formal inquiry. According to official sources, significant quantities of wheat have been misappropriated from three storage centers: 23,000 bags from Sardarpur Center, 27,000 bags from Kot Islam Center, and 13,000 bags from Bhatta Kot Center. During departmental checks prompted by public complaints, wheat bags worth more than Rs300 million were found damaged and decomposed. In some storage rooms, the wheat had turned completely black, and in certain piles of soil within the warehouses, wheat grains had even started to sprout. A sensitive intelligence agency in Punjab has identified three food centres in Khanewal and five in Multan where thousands of wheat bags have been misappropriated, and in some cases, the wheat has turned black. The agency has reported to the Punjab government that wheat worth Rs500 to Rs600 million has either been embezzled or spoiled. According to the report, when the Director in Multan exerted pressure on an inspector of one of the food centres, the inspector passed away, as he was facing a liability of Rs350 million in recovery. The food inspectors responsible during the time of the irregularities were: Malik Qasim and Ghazanfar Bhutta at Kot Islam Centre; Hasnain Siddiqui at Sardarpur Centre; and Rana Muhammad Sarwar at Bhatta Kot Centre. Sources fear that in addition to the negligence, a large quantity of good-quality wheat may have been sold in the open market, and blackened, unusable wheat mixed with soil was placed in the bags to cover up the theft. The wheat in question was procured in 2023 at the official rate of Rs3,900 per 40 kilogrammes. Despite being aware of the situation, the Deputy Director of Food Multan and the District Food Controller of Khanewal reportedly took no meaningful steps to address the issue. District Food Controller Muhammad Sufyan, when contacted for comment, acknowledged that some wheat had indeed spoiled. He attributed the spoilage to the ineffectiveness of the chemical treatment used for preservation. He claimed that an investigation into the matter is currently underway.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Express Tribune
Landowner 'mutilates' cowfor straying into his field
In a disturbing incident in Upper Khanpur, a cow was reportedly mutilated and killed by a landowner after wandering into agricultural fields. According to a complaint filed at Khanpur police station, Mehmoodur Rehman, a resident of Upper Khanpur, alleged that he had started a small livestock business with Muhammad Naeem in the village of Dhaniya Khanpur, where they raised and sold cows and calves. On July 13, his cow allegedly wandered off toward a stream — possibly in search of water — and entered a field owned by Chaudhry Qayyum. The complainant claimed that Qayyum set dogs on the cow and attacked it with stones and sticks, breaking its leg and causing severe injuries. Despite the cow's condition, it was not provided any assistance and reportedly died after suffering all day in the heat and sun. An eyewitness was also present during the incident. Mehmood stated that the cow had recently given birth, leaving the calf without milk. He further claimed that despite approaching the accused along with the witness to demand compensation, Qayyum refused to engage in any discussion. According to Mehmood, the cow was valued at over Rs300,000 and was a source of milk income. He cited the incident as a punishable offence under Section 429 of the Pakistan Penal Code and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1890, and urged authorities to take legal action and compensate his loss. Police have acknowledged receiving the complaint but stated that no formal action has been taken yet. The incident has sparked concern among residents over the rising cruelty toward animals. In response, Chaudhry Qayyum denied the allegations, stating that the cow fell from a 12-foot-high ledge due to fear of dogs and broke its legs. He claimed a butcher was called to slaughter the injured animal and described the cruelty claims as false accusations.
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Kumar Chander to take over as CEO of Consumer Care and Lighting, current MD Vineet Agrawal to retire next year
Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting said Kumar Chander, currently president – Southeast Asia and Yardley India, will take over as CEO, effective February 1, 2026, replacing Vineet Agrawal, managing director of Wipro Enterprises , who will retire in January next year after 40 years with the organization. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Artificial Intelligence Data Analytics Healthcare Cybersecurity CXO Design Thinking Project Management Management MBA Digital Marketing Finance Degree Operations Management Data Science others Data Science Others Product Management MCA Public Policy Technology Leadership healthcare PGDM Skills you'll gain: Duration: 7 Months S P Jain Institute of Management and Research CERT-SPJIMR Exec Cert Prog in AI for Biz India Starts on undefined Get Details Agrawal joined Wipro in 1985 and became CEO of Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting in 2002. Over the past two decades, he has led the transformation of the company into a global FMCG conglomerate. Under his leadership, Wipro Consumer Care completed 15 strategic acquisitions , significantly expanded its global brand portfolio, and grew Santoor into one of India's top two soap brands. Azim Premji, Chairman, Wipro Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., said, 'Vineet has played a defining role in shaping Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting into a formidable, globally respected business - growing it from Rs300 crore in 2003 to over Rs10,600 crore now, transforming it from a domestic player to a truly international business. He transformed Santoor into a leading Indian brand, led 15 strategic acquisitions, and built a strong platform for innovation and growth. His instinctive understanding of people, culture, and long-term value creation has left a lasting legacy. I thank him for his extraordinary contribution over four decades.' With 33 years at Wipro and a strong track record across India and international markets, Chander brings sharp strategic insight and executional depth. "His role in making us No. 1 in Malaysia's personal care market and top 3 in several others speaks to his leadership. Kumar's humility, fairness, strategy and business acumen make him exceptionally well-placed to lead us into the next chapter," added Premzi. When Vineet took charge in 2003, the business was primarily focused on vanaspati, soap, and lighting within India. Today, it operates in over 60 countries across categories including personal care, home care, skin care, foods, lighting, and seating products. "Together, we have built a global business rooted in strong systems, disciplined execution, and integrity. I am proud of the foundation we have laid and grateful for the opportunity to lead through a period of significant transformation. Our journey has been shaped by Wipro's long-term focus and commitment to building with purpose. I have full confidence in Kumar – his distinctive leadership style and global experience will guide Wipro to even greater heights," said Agrawal. Chander's appointment reflects a careful and considered succession process, the company said. He has been with Wipro Consumer Care for 34 years and has led operations across India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. As President – Southeast Asia and Yardley India, he played a key role in integrating Wipro Consumer Care's international acquisitions and establishing the acquired brands into leadership positions in these geographies. Beginning October 2025, Kumar will work closely with Vineet to ensure a smooth leadership transition . He will be based at the Wipro Enterprises headquarters in Bengaluru.
Business Recorder
16-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Rs50bn extra subsidies to power consumers: Planning ministry defies ECC decision
ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives has reportedly declined to comply with the Economic Coordination Committee's decision to allocate Rs50 billion in additional subsidies to power consumers over a three-month period, well-informed sources told Business Recorder. According to sources, the Planning Ministry has referred to a letter from the Finance Division dated May 16, 2025, and an Office Memorandum (OM) from the Power Division dated June 5, 2025, regarding the ECC's May 5, 2025 decision on 'tariff rationalization for the power sector – waiver of rebasing for up to 200 units.' The Planning Ministry argues that, under the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act 2019, funds under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) are to be allocated and released solely for duly approved development projects. The Ministry pointed out that the Federal Cabinet had approved the Rs50 billion reallocation from the PSDP during its meeting on July 8, 2024, based on a summary from the Power Division. However, the Finance Division subsequently revised the PSDP 2024–25 allocation downward—from Rs1,400 billion to Rs1,100 billion—via an Office Memorandum issued on July 26, 2024. As a result, ministries and divisions collectively surrendered Rs300 billion to absorb the reduction. Ministry seeks Rs1.6trn PSDP: FY26 budget on June 2 The Planning Ministry has stated that, in light of this overall reduction, it cannot surrender an additional Rs50 billion at this stage. However, it has no objection if the Finance Division reallocates the required funds from the Rs300 billion already surrendered by other ministries under PSDP 2024–25. It has advised the Power Division to approach the Finance Division accordingly. Official documents reveal that the ECC, on May 5, 2025, had directed the Planning Ministry to surrender Rs50 billion from the PSDP to the Power Division as part of the government's commitment to meet circular debt (CD) targets agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The Power Division had earlier informed the ECC that the Prime Minister's Office, on May 13, 2024, instructed it to finalize a plan for off-grid energy solutions, including the solarization of tube wells in Balochistan, for the FY 2024–25 budget. Subsequently, consultative meetings were held under the chairmanship of the Minister for Power and the Chief Minister of Balochistan. The sessions were attended by the Ministers for Commerce and State for Power, provincial ministers, secretaries, and energy experts. The recommendations from these meetings were presented to the Prime Minister on February 2, 2024. It was agreed to solarize approximately 27,000 agricultural tube wells, each eligible for compensation of up to Rs2 million, contingent upon disconnection from the national grid. The cost—estimated at Rs55 billion—would be shared between the federal government (70%) and the Balochistan government (30%). A detailed agreement, including implementation mechanisms via Standard Operating Procedures and a Steering Committee, was signed on July 8, 2024, by the Power Division Secretary and the Chief Secretary of Balochistan. The Cabinet gave formal approval on July 31, 2024. So far, Rs14 billion has been released via a Technical Supplementary Grant (TSG) from the National Food Security and Research Division's budget under the Prime Minister's National Programme for Solarization of Agricultural Tube Wells. The Power Division informed the ECC that the remaining Rs24.5 billion would need to be provided from the Rs50 billion additional subsidy allocation proposed by the Finance Division. It emphasized that, in order to meet the revised CD flow target of Rs337 billion by June 2025, it must utilize the entire Rs1.229 trillion subsidy allocated for the power sector. The Cabinet's July 8, 2024, approval to reallocate Rs50 billion from the PSDP to fund tariff differential subsidies is part of this subsidy allocation. While the Power Division agreed to allocate funds from its existing budget in the short term, it requested that any shortfall be reimbursed in June 2025 to meet IMF-agreed CD targets. To address the issue, the Power Division submitted two proposals: (i) Finance Division should surrender Rs50 billion from PSDP to the power subsidy lump provision in Demand No. 45, as per the Cabinet's July 8, 2024 approval; and (ii) a Technical Supplementary Grant of Rs24.5 billion should be transferred from Demand No. 45 of the Finance Division to Demand No. 33 of the Power Division, for the implementation of the solarization project in Balochistan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
