Latest news with #SpecialInvestigationTeam
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Supriya Sule alleges ‘₹4,800-crore scam' in Ladki Bahin Yojana
Nationalist Congress Party (SP) MP Supriya Sule on Tuesday (July 29, 2025) accused the Maharashtra government of committing a '₹4,800-crore scam' in the Mukhyamantri Maajhi Ladki Bahin Yojana and demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the alleged irregularities. Her allegations come two days after the Maharashtra government announced a temporary suspension of ₹1,500 monthly aid to 26.34 lakh beneficiaries following a verification drive that reportedly revealed the presence of thousands of ineligible beneficiaries, including 14,000 men, on the list. State Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare had said that the eligibility of the suspended beneficiaries would be verified by their respective District Collectors. Ms. Sule questioned the process through which the government had verified and identified the beneficiaries. 'The government rejects, on the smallest of pretexts, applications of people trying to access health, education, and crop insurance schemes. How did the system allow men to receive cash payments through direct benefit transfers?' she said. Pinning the blame regarding the 'irregularities' on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, the Baramati MP said, 'Men must take the responsibility. I won't accuse Tatkare as the decision was passed by the State Cabinet unanimously.' The Ladki Bahin scheme was launched in August 2024 ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly election held later that year in November. The scheme was considered one of the reasons for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance's victory in the poll. However, after the election, the government started a scrutiny of the beneficiaries to weed out illegal beneficiaries. 'If the matter is not investigated, then we will raise the demand for a probe in Parliament,' the NCP (SP) leader told mediapersonsin New Delhi.
The Hindu
10 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
First verdict in rape cases against Prajwal Revanna expected on July 30
The trial in one of the four cases of sexual abuse and rape against Prajwal Revanna, former Hassan MP, concluded on July 18 and orders were reserved for July 30. The case concerns a 48-year-old woman who was working as a help at the family's Gannikada farmhouse in Hassan and was allegedly raped twice and the act recorded by the accused on his mobile phone. She was allegedly abducted at the behest of Prajwal's parents, former Minister H.D. Revanna and Bhavani Revanna, to prevent her from testifying against their son after the scandal broke out in April, 2024. She was rescued from a farmhouse in K.R. Nagar by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by B.K. Singh, Additional Director-General of Police (ADGP), Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The trial in the rape case against Prajwal started in the Special Court of Sessions for criminal cases against former present MPs and MLAs on May 2, 2025, and the trial was completed with daily hearings in just over two months. Senior advocates Ashok Nayak and B.N. Jagadeesha were special public prosecutors in the case. Judge Santosh Gajanan Bhat presided over the trial and is expected to deliver the verdict on Wednesday. The SIT filed a 1,632-page charge sheet with 113 witnesses in the case in September, 2024. Prajwal was booked under Sections 376(2)(k) (being in a position of control or dominance over a woman, commits rape on such woman), 376(2)(n) (repeated rape on the same woman) of the Indian Penal Code, and 66E (violation of privacy) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, among other sections. The charge sheet alleges that the victim was raped by the accused twice in 2021 — once at the family's Hassan residence and a few days later at the family's Bengaluru residence. The accused allegedly recorded the video in the first instance. In the video, recovered by the SIT, the victim is reportedly seen resisting the advances and crying and breaking down. Though Prajwal's face is not visible in the video, forensic analysis report indicates that it was him in the video. Moreover, the victim had kept her saris in a wardrobe where she was working and analysis found Prajwal's DNA on one of them. These form key evidences in the case, sources said.
Hindustan Times
12 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
SIT starts digging at Dharmasthala site after witness points to 13 mass graves: Report
The investigation into the alleged mass burials in Dharmasthala has entered a critical phase, with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) initiating the exhumation of bodies at identified burial sites in Dharmasthala village, located in Belthangady taluk of Dakshina Kannada district. Members of the Special Investigation Team, constituted to probe the Dharmasthala mass burial case, investigate the site of the alleged burial, at Dharmasthala.(PTI) According to a report by The New Indian Express, the first round of digging began on Sunday at a location next to the Nethravathi bathing ghat, one of the 13 sites flagged by the witness-complainant in the case. A group of labourers was brought to assist in the excavation under tight supervision. (Also Read: Ex-Bengaluru top cop slams 'goonda' film fans for misogynistic troll attacks on Ramya) The complainant was escorted to the site by SIT officials, including International Security Division SP Jitendra Kumar Dayama, the investigating officer, along with Puttur Assistant Commissioner Stella Varghese and Belthangady Tahsildar Pruthvi Sanikam. Experts from the Forensic Sciences Laboratory (FSL) and Scene-of-Crime Officers (SOCO) were also present to ensure procedural and scientific integrity, the report added. The entire exhumation process is being videographed by SIT personnel as part of the official documentation. Earlier in the day, a briefing session was held at the SIT office in Belthangady, led by DIG M N Anucheth, before the team moved to the site. 'We will check the veracity of his claims based on the outcome at the first spot itself. If not, we will keep on digging as we have 13 spots identified,' said an SIT officer, speaking on condition of anonymity according to TNIE report. The investigation has garnered significant public attention following the complainant's claim of 13 burial or cremation sites, all located around Dharmasthala. The SIT had officially begun groundwork on July 28, acting on the detailed statement provided by the witness. The coming days are expected to be crucial as officials attempt to validate the claims through forensic evidence gathered at these locations. (Also Read: Is Coimbatore the next Bengaluru? Viral post hypes city's silent rise, internet agrees)
India Today
a day ago
- Politics
- India Today
Where is your public apology? Top court raps BJP minister over Col Qureshi remarks
The Supreme Court on Monday pulled up Madhya Pradesh Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for failing to issue a proper public apology over his controversial remarks against Operation Sindoor hero Colonel Sofiya a hearing, a bench comprising Justice Suryakant and Justice Joymala Bagchi questioned the minister's intentions and said they were "suspicious of the bonafides" behind Shah's court was particularly angered by the absence of a formal, public apology from the "This man is testing our patience. Where is your public apology?" the bench asked, taking exception to a social media video posted by Shah, which the court said does not qualify as a "proper" bench directed Shah's lawyer to submit full details of the apology and where and how it had been published. It was made clear that the minister must demonstrate genuine remorse in a public and meaningful is currently facing an inquiry by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which was set up following the court's SIT, in its submission, informed the court that it had recorded statements from 27 people, including journalists, and is now reviewing videos and other materials related to the incident. The team has been given 90 days to complete its probe and has committed to filing the final status report by August the court also criticised the SIT's approach, questioning why Shah's statement was recorded before collecting testimonies from those affected by his comments."What is so significant to record his statement? The statements of those who felt hurt and victimised by his statement — those should have been recorded," remarked the response, the SIT assured the court that victim and witness statements were also part of the investigation and that all relevant material is being analysed before final conclusions are matter has now been adjourned to August 18. The court has directed that one of the three SIT members must be present during the next hearing and submit the status report outlining the outcome of the stirred a row when he, while speaking at a government event in May, said that the Prime Minister had sent a "sister from the same community" as those in Pakistan to avenge the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. The remark was made with reference to India's Operation Sindoor strikes, which were spearheaded by Qureshi along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, on May case has sparked public outrage and renewed calls for accountability among public figures in their comments regarding the armed forces.- EndsTrending Reel
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
Nagpur SIT to lead state-wide probe into Shalarth ID scam and bogus teacher recruitment
In a major development, the Maharashtra police department has entrusted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed in Nagpur with the responsibility of investigating a growing scam involving fake teacher appointments and misuse of the government's Shalarth portal across the state. Approved by the Director General of Police, the SIT will not only handle cases registered in Nagpur but also take charge of similar complaints from other districts, ensuring a coordinated probe into what appears to be a deep-rooted racket in the state's education system. At the centre of the scam is the alleged manipulation of the Shalarth portal, a digital system meant to manage school employees' service and salary records. Investigators have found that the platform was used to generate fake IDs and appointments for individuals who never went through the legitimate recruitment processes and were not on the school roll. The first FIRs were registered at Sadar Police Station and Cyber Police Station in Nagpur under serious charges including cheating, forgery, criminal breach of trust, conspiracy and offences under the IT Act. As the investigation progressed, the scope of the scam became clearer, pointing to its spread beyond Nagpur. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 2) Nityanand Jha has been appointed to lead the SIT. Under his leadership, the team will now investigate cases linked to this scam in other districts as well. He has also been given the authority to bring in more officers if needed to support the investigation. Meanwhile, police in Jalgaon district have also registered three FIRs at Chalisgaon City Police Station under similar charges. While local police are continuing their efforts, findings from the SIT in Nagpur suggest that these aren't isolated incidents, but part of a broader, organised racket that could affect the integrity of the education system in multiple districts. To streamline the investigation, all documents and case files related to this scam, regardless of which district they were registered in, will be handed over to the Nagpur SIT. The team has been instructed to act swiftly and file regular updates on the progress of the investigation. The order was issued by Special Inspector General of Police Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma on Monday.
