News Analysis India

Tag: Ministry of Home Affairs

  • CBI books Oxfam India over FCRA ‘non-compliance’, searches its office

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday lodged an FIR against the India-based entity of international non-profit organisation Oxfam, following a directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) citing ‘non-compliance’ and ‘violation’ under the Foreign Currency Regulation Act (FCRA).

    The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) also carried out searches at the office of Oxfam India in Delhi on Wednesday, officials said.

    Oxfam India is the second NGO against whom the home ministry has recommended a CBI probe. On March 20, the ministry recommended a probe against Aman Biradari, an NGO established by human rights activist Harsh Mander.

    The MHA directive was issued following inputs gathered by multiple agencies that detected several irregularities, violations, and non-compliance under FCRA 2010 by Oxfam which led to the authorities referring the matter to the CBI for investigation.

    The MHA in its letter to the CBI Director had stated: “though Oxfam India’s FCRA registration has ceased, it planned to circumvent FCRA by routing funds through other routes.”

    It alleged that Oxfam India had routed funds from its foreign affiliates such as Oxfam Australia and Oxfam Great Britain to certain NGOs and exercised control over the project. The agency will be investigating the various alleged violations and their scope between 2013 and 2020.

    Oxfam India was registered under the FRCA, 2010, for undertaking social activities, with its registration certificate being valid up to December 31, 2021.

    According to sources in the MHA, Oxfam India continued to transfer foreign contributions to various entities even after coming into force of the FCRA, 2020, which prohibited such transfers. The amendment came into force on September 29, 2020, but Oxfam India continued to transfer funds to other NGOs, violating provisions of the FCRA, 2010.

    Meanwhile, emails found during an income tax survey by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) revealed that Oxfam India was also planning to circumvent FCRA provisions by routing funds to other FCRA-registered associations or through the for-profit consultancy route. 

    The survey is also said to have outed it as a “probable instrument of foreign policy of international organisations and entities” that funded Oxfam India liberally over the years. 

    Sources said Oxfam India routed funds to the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) through its associates/employees in the form of a commission. Oxfam India’s TDS data shows a payment of Rs 12.71 lakh to the CPR in 2019-20 under section 194J.

    ALSO READ | FCRA licence of think tank Centre for Policy Research suspended

    Oxfam India also received foreign contributions amounting to Rs 1.50 crore (approx) directly into its FC utilization account instead of receiving the contribution via its designated FCRA account.

    In a statement earlier this month, Oxfam India said it is fully compliant with Indian laws.

    “Oxfam India is fully compliant with Indian laws and has filed all its statutory compliances, including Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) returns, in a timely manner since its inception. Oxfam India has been cooperating with all government agencies since its FCRA registration wasn’t renewed in December 2021,” the NGO said.

    The group has filed a plea in the Delhi High Court against the decision to not renew its FCRA registration, it said.

    “In times of growing inequality and greater need for action on poverty eradication, Oxfam India has been and will continue to work in the Public and National interest. Oxfam India believes this is our constitutional duty as an organisation, irrespective of obstacles and hurdles in the path,” it had said.

    READ MORE:

    ED attaches Rs 1.54-crores worth assets in money laundering case against Amnesty India

    Surveillance & Clampdown: ‘NGOs to be linked to central data hub with unique ID’

    Government likely to set up statutory body to govern ‘deviations’, illegal funds to NGOs

    Centre excludes 117 international agencies from FCRA ambit; can contribute funds unhindered

    NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday lodged an FIR against the India-based entity of international non-profit organisation Oxfam, following a directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) citing ‘non-compliance’ and ‘violation’ under the Foreign Currency Regulation Act (FCRA).

    The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) also carried out searches at the office of Oxfam India in Delhi on Wednesday, officials said.

    Oxfam India is the second NGO against whom the home ministry has recommended a CBI probe. On March 20, the ministry recommended a probe against Aman Biradari, an NGO established by human rights activist Harsh Mander.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The MHA directive was issued following inputs gathered by multiple agencies that detected several irregularities, violations, and non-compliance under FCRA 2010 by Oxfam which led to the authorities referring the matter to the CBI for investigation.

    The MHA in its letter to the CBI Director had stated: “though Oxfam India’s FCRA registration has ceased, it planned to circumvent FCRA by routing funds through other routes.”

    It alleged that Oxfam India had routed funds from its foreign affiliates such as Oxfam Australia and Oxfam Great Britain to certain NGOs and exercised control over the project. The agency will be investigating the various alleged violations and their scope between 2013 and 2020.

    Oxfam India was registered under the FRCA, 2010, for undertaking social activities, with its registration certificate being valid up to December 31, 2021.

    According to sources in the MHA, Oxfam India continued to transfer foreign contributions to various entities even after coming into force of the FCRA, 2020, which prohibited such transfers. The amendment came into force on September 29, 2020, but Oxfam India continued to transfer funds to other NGOs, violating provisions of the FCRA, 2010.

    Meanwhile, emails found during an income tax survey by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) revealed that Oxfam India was also planning to circumvent FCRA provisions by routing funds to other FCRA-registered associations or through the for-profit consultancy route. 

    The survey is also said to have outed it as a “probable instrument of foreign policy of international organisations and entities” that funded Oxfam India liberally over the years. 

    Sources said Oxfam India routed funds to the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) through its associates/employees in the form of a commission. Oxfam India’s TDS data shows a payment of Rs 12.71 lakh to the CPR in 2019-20 under section 194J.

    ALSO READ | FCRA licence of think tank Centre for Policy Research suspended

    Oxfam India also received foreign contributions amounting to Rs 1.50 crore (approx) directly into its FC utilization account instead of receiving the contribution via its designated FCRA account.

    In a statement earlier this month, Oxfam India said it is fully compliant with Indian laws.

    “Oxfam India is fully compliant with Indian laws and has filed all its statutory compliances, including Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) returns, in a timely manner since its inception. Oxfam India has been cooperating with all government agencies since its FCRA registration wasn’t renewed in December 2021,” the NGO said.

    The group has filed a plea in the Delhi High Court against the decision to not renew its FCRA registration, it said.

    “In times of growing inequality and greater need for action on poverty eradication, Oxfam India has been and will continue to work in the Public and National interest. Oxfam India believes this is our constitutional duty as an organisation, irrespective of obstacles and hurdles in the path,” it had said.

    READ MORE:

    ED attaches Rs 1.54-crores worth assets in money laundering case against Amnesty India

    Surveillance & Clampdown: ‘NGOs to be linked to central data hub with unique ID’

    Government likely to set up statutory body to govern ‘deviations’, illegal funds to NGOs

    Centre excludes 117 international agencies from FCRA ambit; can contribute funds unhindered

  • Those who do not want to see India safe attempt cyber attacks: Union Home Minister Amit Shah

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said those who do not want to see India safe attempt various types of cyber attacks and some countries have even created cyber armies.

    Addressing a conference on ‘cyber safety and national security’, Shah, however, said the central government is fully alert to deal with any such threats and is also upgrading itself to prevent all kinds of cyber attacks.

    “The cyber security is also linked with the national security in a way. Those who do not want to see our country safe, also attempt various types of cyber attacks. Some nations have even created cyber armies,” he said.

    The home minister said many new dimensions of cyber frauds will be seen in the coming days and the country has to make many preparations in terms of cyber space security. He said that cyber security is integral to national security and the Narendra Modi government is committed to making it robust.

    “We all know how important is cyber security and how it can contribute for the development of India. India’s progress is not possible without cyber security. Cyber security is integral to the national security and the Modi government is committed to making it robust,” he said.

    The home minister said that everyone knows that the misuse of cyber space is not new and various kinds of cyber crimes are seen very often that include malware attacks, phishing, attacks on critical infrastructure, data theft, online economic frauds, child pornography among others.

    Such crimes are expected to increase in the coming days, he said. He said the questions of privacy of citizens are already there and everyone has to be more careful in the context of critical information security.

    “Both data and information are going to become a huge economic force in the coming days, so we have to prepare ourselves for the security of data and information. Shah also cited the data on the increasing number of cyber crimes being reported in the country,” he said.

    “In 2012, a total of 3,377 cyber crimes were reported and it has gone up to 50,000 in 2020. The number of cyber crimes which were not reported could be in lakhs. We are resolved to create the most secured cyber atmosphere in the world,” he said.

    The home minister said the Ministry of Home Affairs has launched a cyber crimes reporting portal about three years ago and so far, 11 lakh different kinds of cyber crimes have been reported there. Besides, he said, there were over two lakh social media complaints which were registered on the portal.

    “This is going to increase in the coming days, because currently, 80 crore Indians are active online. This is a big number and as the prices of data go down, there will be more users,” he said. Shah said the government wants to progress in digitisation but at the same time, ensure a secured cyber place in India.

    He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision is to make every Indian technologically empowered and due to digitisation, there has been empowerment and technological advancement. The home minister said because of technology, 130 crore people in the country are getting benefits through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme.

    “For a country like India, this is a big revolution. Before 2014, we just could not think about it as there there were 60 crore families in the country who did not have any bank account. Forget about transferring benefits digitally, they did not even have a bank account,” he said.

    Shah said for getting benefits, people had to run from pillar to post and also face corruption. But now, by clicking a button, the prime minister can transfer Rs 6,000 each to 13 crore families which is a big development and at the same time, a challenge too. “There is a big challenge before us to protect the country from cyber frauds and other cyber challenges,” he said.

  • Union Home Ministry mulls to re-designate ‘second-in-command’ rank in Central Armed Police Forces

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Home Affairs has sought comments from central security forces on a proposal received from the CRPF to re-name the officer rank of ‘second-in-command’ as ‘additional commandant’ and end the “embarrassment” these personnel suffer in explaining their designation, officials said.

    A second-in-command rank officer of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and the Assam Rifles is an analogous post to the superintendent rank in the regular police establishment.

    Officers are inducted in CAPFs like CRPF, BSF, ITBP, SSB and CISF in the entry rank of Assistant Commandant and with the first promotion, they are designated as second-in-command (2IC in short) and subsequently as commandant which is equal to senior SP rank of the police.

    The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), country’s largest paramilitary with about 3.25 lakh personnel on its rolls, has recently written to the home ministry, stating officers of this rank find it “difficult to explain their rank and profile in civil society”.

    “Even in various government organisations, the rank of second-in-command is difficult to be explained. It goes without saying that a CAPF officer should take pride in his rank, but the rank of 2IC fails to add to the pride of the officers and rather becomes a matter of embarrassment,” the CRPF proposal accessed by PTI said.

    The paramilitary force has sought re-designating the 2IC rank as additional commandant, following which the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has written to the other four CAPFs and the Assam Rifles to furnish their comments.

    A home ministry officer said the issue was not that “tricky” and the ministry may issue a notification once the comments are received from all the forces and a decision is made. A second-in-command rank officer, as the name goes, is the deputy of the commanding officer of a CAPF unit or battalion.

    So, it will be appropriate if this designation is given a proper name, a senior CAPF officer said. For example, in the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), a 2IC rank officer is called Commandant and the officer immediately senior to him as Senior Commandant, he said. “A uniformity should be made in all the CAPFs vis-a-vis the 2IC rank,” another officer said.

    He said such a proposal of re-designating the 2IC rank was discussed many years ago between the CAPFs and the MHA, but nothing came out of it, the second officer quoted above said. The over 10 lakh strength CAPFs and the Assam Rifles are deployed for rendering a variety of internal security duties apart from border guarding and protecting VIPs.

  • Three-member advisory board of sitting HC judges constituted to review NSA cases 

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: An advisory board comprising three sitting judges of the Delhi High Court has been constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to review the cases registered under the stringent National Security Act (NSA). Those persons charged under the Act can be detained for up to a year without any charge.

    According to an official notification issued on Saturday, Justice Yogesh Khanna will be the chairman of the advisory board while justices Chandra Dhari Singh and Rajnish Bhatnagar will be members of the high-powered body. Such an advisory board is constituted under Section 9 of the 1980 Act.

    The NSA empowers the government to detain a person for up to 12 months without a charge if it considers the individual a threat to national security or to prevent him or her from disrupting public order. The detained person can be held for 10 days without being told the charges against him or her.

    As per the Act, the detainee can appeal only before the advisory board for relief but will not be allowed a lawyer during the trial.

    “In the case of every NSA detainee, the government concerned shall, within three weeks from the date of detention, place before the advisory board the grounds on which the order has been made and the representation, if any, made by the detainee.”, reported an agency.

     “The advisory board shall, after considering the materials placed before it and after hearing the detainee, submit its report to the government within seven weeks from the date of detention of the person concerned.” It added.

    The report of the board shall specify as to whether or not there is sufficient cause for the detention. In cases where the advisory board has reported that there is, in its opinion, sufficient cause for the detention of the person concerned, the government may confirm the detention order and continue the detention for such period as it thinks fit.

    The detainee against whom no sufficient cause for the detention will be found by the board, the government shall revoke the detention order and the detainee to be released forthwith.

    The detention of the person can continue without obtaining the opinion of the advisory board for a period longer than three months, but not more than six months where “such person had been detained with a view to preventing him from acting in any manner prejudicial to the defence of India.”

    The same detention policy will be applicable if the person is detained to prevent from interfering with the government’s efforts in coping with the terrorist, the security of India or the maintenance of public order, or the maintenance of supplies.

    It was during the Indira Gandhi government of 1980 that the NSA was enacted.

    Going by the data of the persons detained under the NSA ACT provided by the government in parliament in 2020, nearly 1,200 people across the country were detained in 2017 and 2018.

    Under the NSA Madhya Pradesh government detained the highest number of people followed by the Uttar Pradesh government. In Madhya Pradesh, 795 people were detained under the NSA in 2017 and 2018 while 466 were released by review boards and 329 were under custody.

    In Uttar Pradesh, of the 338 people detained under the NSA in 2017 and 2018, 150 were released by review boards and 188 were under detention.

    There is no official data available about NSA detainees since 2019. 

  • Centre mulls psychological evaluation of CAPF assistant commandant candidates

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The central government is mulling psychological evaluation of candidates for the post of assistant commandant in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), according to sources in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The proposal comes amid an increase in incidents of suicides and fratricides in the CAPFs. 

    A senior MHA official said the current syllabus and pattern of examination is being studied and the Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR) has been roped in to help design a blueprint to assess the psychological abilities of the candidates. The official added that the syllabus and pattern of the examination has remained untouched for around two decades.

    Besides introducing ways to assess the psychological well-being of the candidate, the ministry is also considering to analyze the technical and cyber knowledge of the candidates. In the current examination, there is not much emphasis on cyber and digital knowledge but insurgent-affected areas like Kashmir and Northeast and Naxal-affected areas require one to have a fair cyber knowledge, an official said. 

    The CAPFs comprise the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial  Security Force (CISF), National Security Guard (NSG),  Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). 

  • CBI botches up probe into 1996 cryptography equipment import case, accused acquitted

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: In a major embarrassment to the CBI, a special court has acquitted businessman Harish Gupta who was accused of attempting to import an encryption system from Siemens in Germany in 1995 on the basis of forged certificate of the National Security Guard (NSG), calling it a “botched up probe”.

    In a series of terse remarks, the court pointed out that the matter involved “serious threat to the safety and security of the nation” which needed “deeper investigation”, but it appears that the investigation officer (IO) “did not make even a shallow investigation”.

    “It appears that IO has purposefully not made an investigation either on his own or at the behest of some higher-up and thus, the possibility cannot be ruled out that all these were done to save the skin of the real culprit or maybe of the present accused, if at all he was involved,” Special Judge Harish Kumar said, acquitting Gupta from the charges of forgery.

    On a warm April afternoon in 1996 when the country was in the middle of parliamentary elections, NSG Squadron Commander Vimal Satyarthi received a letter from the Belgium Embassy asking him to reissue the end user certificate for the import of encryption equipment from Siemens NV, Germany.

    The equipment was only sold to law enforcement agencies of a country and Satyarthi had not issued any end user certificate for interception equipment which he was being asked to re-issue.

    The letter sent alarm bells ringing in the security establishment as the Belgium Embassy communique meant that someone was attempting to import the equipment with the help of forged end user certificate, dated December 18, 1995, purportedly issued by Satyarthi.

    The NSG carried out an internal enquiry following which its then Director General AK Tandon wrote to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) flagging the matter on May 9, 1996.

    Then-Joint Secretary in Union Home Ministry UK Sinha enclosed the copy of letters from Tandon, that of the Embassy of Belgium with end user certificate, and handed over the probe to the CBI on May 28, 1996 to undertake “thorough enquiry in view of its seriousness and damaging ramification”.

    The CBI started a preliminary enquiry nearly two months later which was followed by an FIR on October 12, 1996.

    During the probe, Satyarthi told the CBI that the NSG had received a letter from the then Joint Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry ESL Narsimhan, who later became Governor of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, addressed to the Intelligence Bureau with a copy marked to the MHA and NSG, that one Harish Gupta of Secure Telecom Pvt.Ltd. had in fact tried to import the equipment using a forged certificate and this equipment may be used by the national security agencies of different governments.

    The CBI claimed that Gupta was dealing in import of counter-surveillance equipment with his clientele involving government agencies like Narcotics Control Bureau, Enforcement Directorate, NSG, etc.

    The CBI alleged Gupta had attempted to import two encryption systems — T1285 CA including Key Generation Program CGP 2002 and Crypto Fill Device CED 2001 — from Siemens, for which end user certificate from a government law enforcement agency was needed.

    According to the CBI charge sheet filed on September 1998, Gupta allegedly forged the certificate to show it was purportedly issued by Satyarthi of the NSG and submitted it to Siemens.

    During the trial, 11 witnesses were produced by the CBI, including Narsimhan when he was the Governor of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, then Joint Secretary in MHA UK Sinha and senior officers of the NSG.

    Nearly 22 years after filing of the charge sheet, the trial court acquitted Gupta from charges of cheating (420 IPC) but convicted him of forgery (468 IPC) on December 22, 2021 and sentenced him to undergo sentence of three years with a fine of Rs 10,000.

    Gupta filed an appeal before the special CBI judge who acquitted him from the remaining charge of forgery and set aside his conviction.

    Acquitting Gupta, the special court noted that the CBI investigation officer, Akhil Kaushik, had not recorded statement of any of the witnesses of the CBI under Section 161 of the CrPC, except for that of Satyarthi.

    On how the name of Gupta cropped up, the court noted that except from a letter from Narsimhan having “hearsay reference” about Gupta using a forged end user certificate, there was nothing on record to show how the CBI concluded that the forgery was done by the businessman.

    The investigation officer did not make any investigation either from the Embassy of Belgium or from Siemens and did not even meet and record statement of Narsimhan whose letter had hearsay reference about the involvement of Gupta, it said.

    “Besides hearsay reference in the letter…, there is nothing on record showing how IO based his conclusion that it was Harish Gupta who attempted to import the above two systems and in the process forged end user certificate and sent them to Siemens NV,” it said.

    The judge marked a copy of the judgment to the CBI Director “to initiate appropriate action as per rules if he in his wisdom consider necessary, not only against the erring investigating officer but also against the then forwarding officer who forwarded the charge-sheet, if both or any of them is still in service; and also for taking steps to improve the quality of investigation by CBI’s official if needed by imparting adequate training”.

  • Centre’s decision to restrict flow of foreign funds would severely affect the ongoing humanitarian work: Oxfam India

    By Online Desk

    NEW DELHI: Oxfam India has said that the Centre’s decision to restrict the flow of foreign funds would severely affect the ongoing humanitarian work of setting up oxygen plants, delivering lifesaving equipment to hospitals and strengthening health workers amid the scare of Omicron variant of coronavirus.

    As reported earlier, Missionaries of Charity, Oxfam India, IIT Delhi, Jamia Millia Islamia, Indian Medical Association and Nehru Memorial Museum and Library are among nearly 6,000 entities whose FCRA registration deemed to have ceased on Saturday.

    As per the list released by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on January 1, 2022, Oxfam India’s FCRA registration renewal request has been denied which means that Oxfam India will not be able to receive foreign funds for any of its work in India from January 1, 2022.

    In a statement, Amitabh Behar, CEO of Oxfam India claimed, “Oxfam India has been working in public interest with the government, communities and frontline workers in the country for decades now. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Oxfam India joined hands with health departments, district administrations and ASHA workers across the nation to provide life-saving equipment and support. We are also working with various state governments to ensure bridging of the learning gap in school education due to COVID-19. We have worked to enhance women livelihood and worked with forest dwellers to ensure that they are not denied their rights. We have worked in some of the most flood-prone districts to make communities resilient and provide a lasting solution. The Ministry of Home Affairs decision to deny renewal of FCRA registration will severely hamper these collaborations which were providing relief to those who needed it the most during times of crisis”

    COVID-19 Response by Oxfam India

    This development severely hampers Oxfam India’s COVID-19 response ‘Mission Sanjeevani’ which is one of the largest among NGOs in India. Under the initiative, Oxfam India provided 6 Oxygen generating plants and distributed over 13,388 lifesaving medical equipment such as oxygen cylinders, BiPAP Machines, concentrators, and ventilators, over 116,957 safety and PPE kits, over 9929 diagnostic equipment such as thermometers and oximeters, and 20,000 testing kits in 16 states. The movement reached to over 141 district-level hospitals, 171 Primary Health Centres, and 167 Community Health Centres.

    “We trained and provided safety kit to over 48,000 ASHA workers in 9 states, who are the backbone of the primary healthcare system. We have delivered food ration to over 5.76 lakh people. And made cash transfers to over 10,000 people to the tune of INR 3.53 Crores to help them with their immediate needs during the pandemic,” the statement sai adding,  these include helping the most vulnerable communities including transgenders, sex workers, miners, rag pickers, cancer survivors, survivors of domestic violence, weavers, fisherfolk, construction workers, and those affected by floods and cyclones. The COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. As India stares at a possible third wave due to the Omicron variant, the restrictions on accessing funds will hamper our efforts to provide support in strengthening the public healthcare system.

    Since March 2020, Oxfam India was at the forefront whenever Prime Minister Narendra Modi called upon NGOs and civil society to join the fight against COVID-19 by helping government to strengthen health services and accelerate pace of vaccination drive. The Supreme Court  also acknowledged the contribution of NGOs in providing relief during the pandemic.

    Rapid Response to Natural Disasters and Crisis

    According to the statement, Oxfam India’s humanitarian team has been one of the first to respond to cyclone, floods, landslides, and earthquakes. This year we reached out to over 8000 people in Assam, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Bihar, and West Bengal. Since 2008, Oxfam India has provided relief to lakhs of people through its disaster relief response. This includes crucial food aid, water, hygiene kits, shelter kits and lifesaving equipment.

  • TMC holds protest outside MHA against police action in Tripura

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: A delegation of TMC MPs on Monday sat on a dharna outside the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) here over alleged police brutality and arrest of its youth leader in Tripura.

    The MPs also raised slogans against the home minister and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demanded an appointment with Amit Shah.

    “We want the home minister to listen to us. Both Shah and Modi need to answer for the violence that is happening in Tripura,” said TMC leader Sukhendu Sekhar Ray.

    TMC MP Saugata Ray said the protests were also against the arrest of party’s youth leader Sayani Ghosh in Tripura.

    The party alleged “mayhem” in BJP-ruled Tripura as Ghosh was arrested by the police and accused of attempt to murder.

    Party chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is also expected to arrive here later in the day.

    The Tripura Police on Sunday arrested actor-turned TMC leader Ghosh on charges of attempt to murder after she allegedly disrupted a meeting of state Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb by shouting “Khela hobe” (We will play) on Saturday night.

    Ghosh, the youth unit secretary of TMC West Bengal, was arrested after being called in for questioning in a police station in Agartala, a police official had said.

    The Supreme Court recently directed the Tripura Police to ensure that no political party is prevented from exercising its rights in accordance with the law for campaigning in a peaceful manner.

    The TMC has repeatedly alleged that its candidates were being prevented from campaigning by the ruling BJP supporters there.

  • SC to hear on November 22 plea seeking direction to Centre to take steps to deal with hate speech

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday said it would hear on November 22 a plea which has sought a direction to the Centre to examine various international laws and take appropriate “effective and stringent” steps to control hate speech and rumour- mongering in the country.

    A bench of Justices AM Khanwilkar and CT Ravikumar asked senior advocate Vikas Singh, who was appearing for the petitioner, to serve the copy of the plea to the ministries of home affairs, law and justice and the Law Commission — which have been arrayed as respondents in the petition.

    The apex court was hearing the petition, filed by lawyer and BJP leader Ashwini Upadhyay in his personal capacity through advocate Ashwani Dubey, which has also sought a direction to the Centre to take legislative steps to implement recommendations of the Law Commission to deal with the menace of hate speech and rumour-mongering.

    The top court said that the matter would be heard on November 22, when a separate plea, which also came up for hearing during the day, related to the issue would also be taken up.

    “The petitioner is filing this writ petition as a PIL…seeking writ/order/direction to the Centre to examine the international laws relating to ‘hate speech’ and ‘rumour mongering’ and take apposite effective stringent steps to control ‘hate speech’ and ‘rumour-mongering’ in order to secure rule of law, freedom of speech and expression and Right to Life, Liberty and Dignity of citizens,” Upadhyay has said in his plea.

    The petition further sought a direction that the courts, while awarding punishment for the offences against “public tranquillity, offences relating to elections etc”, shall pronounce sentences running consecutively and not concurrently.

    It urged that the government be asked to take appropriate steps to implement recommendations of Law Commission Report-267 on hate speech.

    “The injury to the citizens is extremely large because ‘hate speech and rumour-mongering’ has the potential of provoking individuals or society to commit acts of terrorism, genocides, ethnic cleansing etc. Hate speech is considered outside the realm of protective discourse,” it said.

    “Indisputably, offensive speech and rumour- mongering have devastating effects on people’s lives and risks their health and safety. Hate speech is harmful and divisive for communities and hampers social progress. If left unchecked, hate speech can severely affect not only the rule of law but also the right to life, liberty and dignity of the citizens,” the plea said.

    In 2012, around 50,000 citizens from north-eastern states moved from their residences across India and rushed to their native places after “circulation of false images of violent incidents that took place not in India but in Myanmar several years ago”, it said.

    The plea, which referred to the existing penal provisions in the Indian Penal Code (IPC), said hate speech is an incitement to hatred primarily against a group of persons defined in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief and it poses complex challenges to freedom of speech and expression.

    “A difference of approach is discernible between the US and other democracies. In the US, it is given constitutional protection; whereas under international human rights covenants and in other western democracies, such as Canada, Germany, and UK, it is regulated and subject to sanctions. In view of this, the petitioner is of the opinion that new provisions in IPC are required to be incorporated to address the issues elaborately..,” it said.

  • MHA appoints Rajwinder Singh Bhatti as ADG Border Security Force

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has appointed Rajwinder Singh Bhatti, a 1990-batch IPS officer, as ADG Border Security Force (BSF) on a deputation basis up to September 30, 2025, which is his date of superannuation, or till further orders.

    The state government is requested to relieve Rajwinder Singh Bhatti immediately to enable him to take up his new assignments at the Centre, as per the official MHA statement.

    Meanwhile, Pankaj Kumar Singh, a 1988-batch Rajasthan cadre IPS officer, on Tuesday took charge of the Border Security Force (BSF) as its Director-General.

    Son of retired IPS officer Prakash Singh, who served as BSF Director-General for several years, Pankaj took charge of the force from 1984-batch IPS officer SS Deswal, who was holding the additional charge of the BSF since Rakesh Asthana moved to Delhi Police as Commissioner.