Latest news with #Sangwan
India Gazette
3 days ago
- General
- India Gazette
"Every day was new box of surprises...": Female cadet shares NDA graduating journey
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], May 30 (ANI): For Ishita Sangwan, who was among the first batch of 17 newly commissioned cadets who graduated from the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune on Friday, every day at the joint defence service training institute of the Indian Armed Forces 'offered a new box of surprises'. Reflected on her NDA journey, Sangwan said '...It feels amazing to be an ex-NDA. I had no idea about NDA as there was no one from a defence background in my family. When I joined, everything was new. It felt like every day was a new box of surprises, every day was something new...' The first batch of 17 female cadets graduated from the Academy today. The cadets celebrated their transformation into future officers of the Indian Armed Forces after three years of rigorous training at the premier tri-services academy. Cadet Harsimran Kaur, who also graduated in the first batch of female cadets, said, 'I was actually preparing for JEE Mains and then NDA came in between as a blessing. I was told by one of my friends that NDA is open for women as well. Then I thought of giving it a try. I just want to say that don't be afraid of anything. You can do whatever you want, just believe in yourself and go for it.' Cadet Udayveer Negi, who won the Commandant Silver Medal and the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Trophy for securing first position in B. Tech, expressed heartfelt emotions as he looked back at his training journey. Negi said, 'It is a very surreal moment for me and I cannot explain it in words. There are a lot of emotions right now, a lot of anxiety. Feeling really happy that my parents are here and just find a moment with me. The journey has been an interesting one. All the members of my family, most of them, have served in the defence forces. So from the start, it was always an inspiration for me that I had to join the defence forces one way or the other.' The graduation event was held at the NDA campus in Khadakwasla, Pune, and reviewed by General Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd), the current Governor of Mizoram and a former Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). The ceremony brought together cadets, proud parents, military officials, and dignitaries from across the country to witness the event. Calling it a 'significant and historic' event, General VK Singh praised the achievement of the graduating women cadets. 'Today is also a unique and significant day in the history of the academy. The first batch of women cadets will pass out today. This marks a historic milestone in our collective journey of our greatest inclusivity and empowerment. These women are a symbol of Nari Shakti. It's embodied not just in women's development but in women-led development,' the former COAS said. In August 2021, the Supreme Court (SC) ordered that women should be allowed to join the National Defence Academy (NDA). This ruling came after the government had previously been taking steps to implement the allowance of women into the NDA. The Supreme Court's decision was based on pleas filed by women seeking to be admitted to the NDA. Entry to NDA is through a common National written examination conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) followed by selection by Service Selection Board (SSB) with no demarcation or quota for any State or Union Territory. The first batch of female cadets joined NDA in August, 2022 (i.e. from the148th NDA course). 126 female cadets have joined NDA from 148th course till date i.e. the 153rd course. (ANI)
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Court rejects Balyan's bail petition in MCOCA case
New Delhi: A Delhi court on Tuesday rejected the bail plea of former AAP MLA Naresh Balyan in an organised crime case registered under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), pointing to perils of a politician-gangster nexus. Special judge Dig Vinay Singh said that "the criminal nexus between a politician and a gangster is perhaps the most perilous threat confronting a nation and... must be addressed with severity." Balyan was arrested on Dec 4, 2024, in connection with an organised crime syndicate allegedly run by gangster Kapil Sangwan. Special public prosecutor Akhand Pratap Singh, who appeared for Delhi police, opposed Balyan's bail plea. He said there was no change in circumstance. Police added that the allegations against the accused were serious and a supplementary chargesheet under Sections 3 and 4 of MCOCA had already been filed against him. The judge, rejecting Balyan's argument that he filed certain complaints against Sangwan with police, said this does not bolster his case at this juncture, as the transcript of the audio conversation between him and Sangwan indicated a fallout. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Alerta: Você tem zumbido no ouvido? Dica de ouro pode aliviar! Zumbido no ouvido Undo "This conversation suggests an active criminal nexus between the applicant and Kapil Sangwan," the judge said, adding that the court found no reasonable ground to believe the applicant was not involved. Balyan, through his counsel, advocate MS Khan, told the court that he himself had filed at least three complaints of extortion against Sangwan. The counsel also told the court that he was falsely implicated in the matter and that the investigation into his alleged role was completed. Citing a Supreme Court judgment, the court said that even if one may not have a direct role relating to the commission of an organised crime, when the nexus of such a person with an accused, who is a member of a crime syndicate or a nexus related to the offence of organised crime is established, that would be sufficient to attract MCOCA.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Delhi court rejects ex-AAP MLA Naresh Balyan's bail: ‘Criminal nexus between politician and gangster most perilous threat to nation'
Noting that the criminal nexus between a politician and a gangster was the 'most perilous' threat to a nation, a Delhi court on Tuesday rejected the bail plea of former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Naresh Balyan in an organised crime case. 'The criminal nexus between a politician and a gangster is perhaps the most perilous threat confronting a nation and its citizens, and must be addressed with severity,' Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh of Rouse Avenue Court said in his order. Balyan, the former Uttam Nagar MLA, was arrested on December 4 last year in a case lodged under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). At that time, the MLA was in police custody in connection with an extortion case lodged against him. The same evening he was granted bail in the extortion case, he was nabbed in the MCOCA case. Police officers said Balyan's name cropped up in a separate extortion case involving gangster Kapil Sangwan, who is reportedly operating from the UK. The MCOCA was invoked against Sangwan in 2024. Balyan was the alleged facilitator to settle the extortion demand made by Sangwan to a businessman. The police also claimed they had two witnesses statements against Balyan. In the extortion case, Balyan was arrested on November 30 last year, hours after the BJP played an audio clip of what it claimed was a purported conversation between him and Sangwan. '…the transcript of the audio conversation between the applicant (Balyan) and Kapil Sangwan indicates a potential fallout due to unknown reasons. This conversation suggests an active criminal nexus,' the court said while rejecting the second bail plea moved by Balyan in the case. Balyan, who was represented by advocate M S Khan, argued in court that he had himself filed at least three complaints of extortion against Sangwan. 'If their relationship deteriorated subsequently and complaints were filed by the applicant, this does not absolve him from involvement in organised crime or abetment during the relevant timeframe; he must face the consequences. Even otherwise, the veracity of his complaints remains to be determined, which can only occur during the trial,' the judge said in his order. Balyan also argued that he had been falsely implicated in the matter and that the investigation regarding his alleged role had been completed. It was his lawyer's contention that there existed no 'continuity of unlawful activity' which is a prerequisite for claiming that an organised crime had occurred. Merely relying on past FIRs and chargesheets without 'any new offence', Khan argued, was not sufficient to invoke the MCOCA. 'A review of the numerous FIRs against the crime syndicate from 2021…reveals that …as many as 17 FIRs were lodged against the syndicate, and following the approval grant (required to proceed under MCOCA), besides the current FIR, additional FIRs have been registered against the syndicate,' the court observed, rejecting the claims of the defence counsel. It also noted that cognizance had been taken in four FIRs pertaining to the syndicate in the last 10 years.
News18
10-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Pro-Terrorist TikTok Accounts Post Videos Of Terror Camps Hit By India During Operation Sindoor
Last Updated: Several videos were uploaded on TikTok, Google and YouTube that appear to be filmed at Markaz Taiba camp in Muridke, the LeT headquarters demolished by India on May 7. As tensions between India and Pakistan escalated following 'Operation Sindoor', some social media accounts expressing support for a Pakistan-based terror group linked to al-Qaeda have surfaced after posting videos from Pakistani terror groups targeted by Indian airstrikes. Sky News found several videos posted on TikTok, YouTube and Google that appear to be filmed at Markaz Taiba camp in Muridke, which serves as the headquarters of the Lashkar-e-Taiba. The captions and usernames contained expressions of support for the LeT and a group called '313'. Markaz Taiba, established in 2000 in Pakistan's Punjab province's Muridke, is Lashkar-e-Taiba's main training hub. It serves as a centre for arms training, physical drills, and radicalisation programmes for recruits from Pakistan and abroad. What Do These Videos Show? Several videos uploaded by the pro-terrorist handles showed armed men patrolling the streets, while one clip, showing children practising martial arts inside the terror camp, which was struck by Indian airstrikes, is captioned, 'We are young warriors, and we fight the non-believers." The number '313' appears to refer to the 313 Brigade, a proscribed terror organisation in Pakistan. A TikTok video posted to the Google page for Markaz Taiba showed a man walking in the street with a gun. The account that posted that video wrote in their description, 'Lashkar Taiba, Mujahid Force, '313' and Markaz Taiba Muridke", self-proclaiming their support for the Pakistan-based terror groups. 'Brigade 313 is al Qaeda in Pakistan. It's an umbrella organisation for members of several groups like Taliban, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Haqqat ul-Jihad-al-Islami, Jaish-e Muhammad, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Jundullah," said Muskan Sangwan, senior intelligence analyst at TRAC, a terrorism research and analysis consortium. The TRAC has reported an increase in TikTok videos and other social media posts that refer to '313', and most of the accounts are related to each other. 'They [the TikTok users] mostly use '313' as a hashtag… trying to push that hashtag to as many people it can reach on social media," she told Sky News. After comparing the videos from the strike location and the video released by the Army conducting the strike, the UK-based media outlet confirmed that the videos posted by these social media groups were from the terror camps. 'Go To War' One of the videos on TikTok was captioned 'bring your arms and ammunition and go to war". The text on the screen of the TikTok is '313' and he is carrying a gun. Sangwan explained that these social media posts are helpful in pushing propaganda on social media which could generate a lot of significance in terms of recruitment and local support. India launched 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7, targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) after the barbaric Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that left 26 tourists dead. Indian forces neutralised nine high-value sites linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and dealt a decisive blow, crippling the operational infrastructure of both groups. The Markaz Taiba complex in Muridke serves as Lashkar-e-Taiba's main training hub and carries substantial historical and strategic importance. In 2000, Osama Bin Laden contributed Rs 10 million towards the construction of a mosque and guest house on the site, which later played a key role in orchestrating the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 10, 2025, 23:48 IST
Hindustan Times
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Balyan used position to extort, laundered gains: Delhi Police charge sheet
Former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Naresh Balyan, who was arrested last year in an alleged case of extortion, coerced landowners into selling their properties below market value by invoking the name of UK-based gangster Kapil Sangwan, the Delhi Police's crime branch has alleged in a supplementary charge sheet filed last week. The Crime Branch submitted the charge sheet before the Rouse Avenue Court, naming Balyan, the former MLA from Uttam Nagar, along with three others, Vijay Gahlot alias Kalu, Sahil alias Poli, and Jyoti Prakash alias Baba. All the accused have been charged under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) for their alleged links to Sangwan's extortion network. While the court had already taken cognisance of MCOCA sections in a previous charge sheet filed against Balyan's co-accused, on Monday, it also acknowledged an additional charge under the Arms Act. The case has now been listed for scrutiny of documents. According to the charge sheet, accessed by HT, Balyan used his political clout to financially support Sangwan's syndicate and shield its members from arrest. 'Balyan purportedly supplied information regarding potential targets who could be subsequently threatened by Kapil Sangwan alias Nandu and his associates for purpose of making extortion calls,' the police has said in the charge sheet. The charge sheet also cites the confessional statements of two others accused in the case, Rohit alias Anna and Sachin alias Chikara, who have allegedly said they operated under Sangwan's directions. Sangwan had told them he had a 'cordial relationship' with the local MLA, Balyan, the police said. Sachin further claimed that Balyan not only provided extortion targets but also helped launder the proceeds of crime by investing in real estate, the charge sheet says. The police said Sangwan advised gang members not to mention Balyan's name publicly to avoid suspicion. The charge sheet states that Balyan would first arrange for property sale agreements to be executed in the name of Umed Singh, a gang member who is currently absconding. He would then create legal disputes over the properties and deploy Sangwan to issue threats to genuine sellers, forcing them to sell at reduced prices. Police have identified three such properties, in Bindapur, Uttam Nagar, and Kakrola, where Balyan allegedly intervened and facilitated coercive sales to Sangwan's associates. The original owners of these properties have been made witnesses in the case. 'Such acts were carried out by accused (Balyan) to obtain pecuniary gain and securing undue economic or other advantages by involving syndicate head Kapil Sangwan to issue life threats to bona fide owners of the said properties who are witnesses in the present case,' the charge sheet reads. The police have also said that Balyan handed over cash to gang members who would collect it outside his office on two wheelers. Balyan allegedly used virtual private networks (VPNs) and an encrypted messaging app to communicate with Sangwan in the UK. To evade detection, he reportedly used phones registered in the names of family members. He deposited the extortion proceeds in his wife's bank account, where large transactions were recorded during the probe, the crime branch has claimed. The police have also named Sangwan, Umed Singh, and one Amardeep Lochab in the charge sheet. Lochab is accused of identifying targets and collecting extortion money. Police said they are initiating proceedings to declare these individuals proclaimed offenders. Balyan had on Wednesday withdrawn his bail application in the MCOCA case from the Delhi high court. He now plans to move the Rouse Avenue Court. He was earlier granted bail in a separate extortion case on December 4, but was later arrested under MCOCA following the registration of the current case in August 2023 by the Crime Branch's anti-gang squad. The first FIR in this matter was lodged on May 31 last year after a complainant reported receiving a ₹1 crore extortion demand from a caller identifying himself as Kapil Sangwan. An audio clip of a purported conversation between Balyan and Sangwan, allegedly discussing extortion of local traders, forms part of the police's evidence. Sangwan is a gangster from Najafgarh in Delhi with over 20 criminal cases against him, including the murders of Haryana politician Nafe Singh and BJP leader Surendra Matiala. Sangwan has been operating from the United Kingdom for the past five years, as per the Delhi Police. The Crime Branch took Balyan into custody in December 2024 in the extortion case.
