Latest news with #SupremeCourt-ordered
Indian Express
2 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Back in public eye: Madhya Pradesh minister who put party in a spot with remarks on Col Sofiya Qureshi
After his remarks on Operation Sindoor caused an uproar, Madhya Pradesh Tribal Welfare Minister Vijay Shah made his first public appearance in 17 days when he visited the family of a rape-murder victim in Khandwa. Shah was booked by the Madhya Pradesh Police last month after saying in a public meeting in Mhow on May 11 that India taught a lesson to those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack using 'their own sister'. While he did not name anyone, it has been alleged that he was alluding to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who had briefed the media when Operation Sindoor was underway. The minister is now under investigation by a Supreme Court-ordered special investigation team (SIT), and had not been seen in public until May 28, when he visited the grieving family of a woman who was gangraped and murdered in Khandwa district's Khalwa region. Both the Madhya Pradesh High Court and the Supreme Court have reprimanded the minister for his statement, and Shah has apologised for the comments three times. The ruling BJP went into damage control mode, and the central leadership of the party is yet to take a call on Shah's future. While his visit to Khandwa on May 28 marks his first public outing since the backlash, he did not speak to the media. Local BJP sources said Shah spent over two hours with the victim's family and promised both financial support and systemic interventions. He reportedly handed over a Rs 60,000 cheque, committed to building a tin roof for the family's house, and promised further financial assistance, sources said. 'He also said that a young girl in the family who had dropped out of school would be re-enrolled. Monthly monitoring meetings are to be initiated in the area to track school dropouts,' a BJP leader said. The Opposition Congress had launched a sarcastic 'missing minister' campaign, plastering posters across Indore and Bhopal with his photograph and a mock reward of Rs 11,000 for anyone who could find him. During this period, Shah skipped the special Cabinet meeting in the historic Rajwada palace to commemorate regional icon, Ahilyabai Holkar, on May 20 and another special Cabinet meeting hosted in the scenic town of Pachmarhi on Tuesday, to honour tribal icon and freedom fighter, Raja Bhabhoot Singh. Shah had also skipped the 300th birth anniversary events of Ahilyabai Holkar, for which Prime Minister Narendra Modi had arrived in Bhopal on May 31. The Supreme Court has extended the operation of its interim order protecting Shah from arrest. It also closed the suo motu proceedings pending before the Madhya Pradesh High Court as it is already seized of the matter. The SIT had submitted its report to the Supreme Court, which contained investigation details like forensic evidence, and sought more time for the probe.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Linguistic mistake', claims Vijay Shah in fresh apology
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah, who is facing a Supreme Court-ordered inquiry for his comments on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, on Friday issued a video apology, calling his remarks a "linguistic mistake". Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Five days before the hearing in SC, when the SIT probe is to be submitted, Shah released a 45-second video on X where he said he did not intend to "offend any community", and that he has "sincerely apologised to the entire , sister Colonel Sofiya and all the countrymen". This time, the apology was with folded hands and without the phrase: 'if anyone is hurt.' On Monday, SC had dismissed his first apology as 'crocodile tears'. Shah, the tribal affairs minister, has not been seen in public since his May 11 remarks triggered nationwide outrage and an FIR was registered in Manpur police station of Indore on the orders of MP high court. In the video, Shah says: "Jai Hind. I was sad and distressed by the Pahalgam massacre. I have always had a deep love for the country and respect for Indian Army. The words spoken by me have hurt our community, religion and the people of the nation. This was a linguistic mistake by me. My intention was not to hurt any religion, caste or community. It was by mistake that I uttered those words and am totally apologetic to Indian army, sister Sofiya Qureshi and the people of the country. With folded hands, I again apologise to you."
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Subvention Scheme: Greater Noida, Yeida give details to CBI for probe
The Noida, Greater Noida, and Yamuna Expressway authorities have begun preparing and handing over documents to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with a Supreme Court-ordered probe into alleged collusion between real estate developers and banks in so-called subvention schemes. The apex court, on April 29, directed the CBI to undertake a probe to unearth a possible nexus between builders and banks in sanctioning huge amounts under the scheme without following any due diligence. Following the apex court's directive, the authorities have identified 24 housing projects—11 in Greater Noida, nine in Noida, and four in Yamuna City—that are under scrutiny. These schemes were initially promoted by builders, promising to pay EMIs on home loans until possession was handed over. But many builders defaulted, and the projects were either stalled or abandoned, leaving buyers saddled with debt and no homes. The court's intervention came after receiving over 170 petitions from more than 1,200 homebuyers across the country. Subvention schemes involve a tripartite agreement between the buyer, banker, and developer. Under these, buyers typically pay between 5% and 20% up-front, while the bank loans the rest to the developer in instalments. The developer pays the interest on a loan for a certain fixed period, usually two to four years, until the buyer takes possession. The buyer starts paying back the loan in equated monthly instalments after this. Yeida CEO Arun Vir Singh confirmed that documents for the four Yamuna City projects—including Supertech's Upcountry and Oasis Realtech's Grandstand—have been submitted. 'We've handed over all related files to the CBI as per the Supreme Court order,' Singh said. Shailendra Bhatia, officer on special duty, has been named Yeida's nodal officer for the investigation. In Greater Noida, the authority's additional CEO Saumya Srivastava said they have submitted records for 11 projects, including Supertech's Ecovillage 2 and 3, AVJ Heights, Earthcon, and Future World. 'We will continue to support the CBI in the probe,' he said. The Noida authority, meanwhile, is yet to provide its documentation. CEO Lokesh M said they have received a request from the CBI and appointed a nodal officer, but will submit files once formally asked. Projects under the scanner in Noida include Supertech Capetown, Blossom Zest, Mahagun Mezzaria, and Jaypee Green Orchard. The CBI has asked the authorities for comprehensive records—land allotments, lease deeds, approved building plans, payment histories, and official correspondence with developers. The court-mandated probe follows allegations that banks sanctioned full loans without due diligence, violating Reserve Bank of India and National Housing Bank norms. Buyers say banks are now pursuing them for recovery despite incomplete construction. 'The sad part is that the banks are taking action against innocent buyers. The builders misused the funds, and the buyers are suffering,' said Arun Kumar, a buyer from Supertech Capetown. The Supreme Court has also approved seven preliminary enquiries—one specific to Supertech, five regional (covering Noida, Greater Noida, Yamuna City, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad), and one for other metro cities. The court has ordered the appointment of nodal officers from the RBI, state RERAs, and housing ministries, and deputation of police officers from UP and Haryana. Three chartered accountants will assist with forensic audits.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Time of India
Alert bank manager, cops foil cyber fraud against retd BHU prof
Varanasi: Prompt action by a bank manager to seek the help of police saved a retired Banaras Hindu University (BHU) professor and medical practitioner, Dr PR Gupta, from becoming a victim of digital arrest and losing his savings to cyber fraudsters, on Wednesday. Under pressure from the fraudsters, Gupta went to terminate his pre-mature fixed deposits to fulfil their demand. The bank manager, noticing Gupta's distress, tried to understand the reason and alerted the police. Gupta, who later released a video message to thank the police and bank officials after explaining the act of the cyber fraudsters, was initially not ready to reveal the reason for his distress. Sensing something fishy, the manager called inspector Lanka Shivakant Mishra. After taking Gupta into confidence, the inspector alerted the cybercrime cell officers who immediately swung into action. Gupta told police that two days back a young man called him up and said he was under Supreme Court-ordered investigation in a bank fraud case. He instructed Gupta to stay inside his chamber and not to disclose anything about their interaction. The fraudster arranged a video call for Gupta with a person he claimed was his senior officer. Gupta was instructed to call the fraudster twice every day and then he was instructed to transfer money into their account to settle the matter.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Madhya Pradesh sets up SIT, tribal affairs minister Vijay Shah skips cabinet meet
BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh minister for tribal affairs Vijay Shah - who faces a Supreme Court-ordered probe for his crass remarks on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi - was not seen at the state cabinet meeting in Indore on Tuesday even as a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to probe the controversial remarks. The SIT was set up by DGP Kailash Makwana on Monday night, within hours of SC's directions. It comprises IG-Sagar range Pramod Verma, a 2001 batch IPS officer, DIG-SAF Kalyan Chakraborty (2010 batch), and Dindori SP Vahini Singh (2014 batch). The team will submit a status report by May 28. On Tuesday, Shah's absence was all the more glaring as the meeting was specially held in Indore in honour of the 300th birth anniversary of Queen Ahilyabai Holkar. Ministers posed for pictures with the historic Rajwada Palace as the backdrop. Shah was the lone one missing. Asked why he was absent from the cabinet meeting, state BJP president VD Sharma said, "Sometimes ministers do not attend meetings for certain reasons. Vijay Shah might have had such a reason." "He (Shah) said something which is before Supreme Court . SC has given an order, an SIT has been constituted. After the report is submitted, the Supreme Court will hear the case. Whatever the apex court's decision, the state govt and the party are committed to it. SC's order will be followed. The matter is sub judice, it is not advisable to speak on this now," Sharma added.
