News Analysis India

Tag: Smriti Irani

  • ‘Congress can only practice vote bank, appeasement politics’: Shah, Irani hit out at Rahul

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday targeted Rahul Gandhi over the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, saying the Congress leader had once said India is not a nation and is now out to “unite” the country wearing a “foreign-make” T-shirt.

    Addressing the Rajasthan BJP’s booth functionaries, he also hit out at the state government over the murder of Udaipur tailor Kanhaiya Lal by Muslim extremists and the Karauli violence and alleged the Congress can only practice politics of vote bank and appeasement.

    Taking aim at Gandhi, he said, “I want to remind Rahul baba and other Congress members about his speech given in Parliament.

    Rahul baba had said India is not a nation.

    Rahul baba, in which book have you read this? This is the nation for which lakhs and lakhs of people have sacrificed their lives.”

    “The one who said India is not a nation is now on a yatra to unite India wearing a foreign T-shirt,” he said, referring to the BJP’s swipe at the Congress leader for wearing a Burberry T-shirt reportedly costing over Rs 41,000.

    Gandhi is out to “connect” Bharat but he needs to study Indian history first, Shah said.

    He claimed that Congress cannot work for development.

    “It can only work for appeasement and vote bank politics.”

    The Congress, he said, will be left with nothing after the BJP forms government in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, the only two states where it is in power on its own.

    Union Minister Smriti Irani on Saturday slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his party’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ questioning him on who has harmed the unity of India that required the opposition party to take out such a campaign.

    Making an indirect reference to Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar, Irani also took a dig at Gandhi for being in the company of people who allegedly chanted “anti-India” slogans.

    “Rahul Gandhi is on the way to unite India but he should answer first who dared to break India. You make a person a member of your party who had shouted the slogan ‘Bharat Tere Tukde Honge, Insha Allah’,” Irani said at Doddaballapura in Bengaluru.

    She was addressing the gathering at the Bharatiya Janata Party’s ‘Jana Spandana’ programme celebrating the ruling party’s three years in office in Karnataka.

    Irani expressed her shock over Gandhi’s remark in Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu that the fight is now against the structure of Indian state and the opposition.

    “With all seriousness, I am making this charge of sedition. I am shocked at Rahul Gandhi’s statement that he is fighting against the Indian state. You have waged a war against India. I am shocked by your hunger for power,” Irani, who represents Amethi Lok Sabha constituency, said.

    The Union Minister for Woman and Child Welfare charged that during Congress rule in Maharashtra a terrorist’s grave was beautified with marble tiles in Mumbai and that attacker was responsible for the killing of around 250 people.

    Irani also alleged that when the Centre under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was fighting against COVID-19 pandemic and succeeded in developing an indigenous vaccine, the Congress was spreading lies asking people not to use it.

    She also slammed the ‘sycophants of Gandhi family’ for using derogatory remarks against President Droupadi Murmu, the first tribal person to hold the highest post in India.

    The Union minister charged that the Congress could not “digest” the statue of iconic freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose being inaugurated at ‘Kartavya Path’ in New Delhi as the party did not issue any statement favouring the step.

    JAIPUR: Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday targeted Rahul Gandhi over the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, saying the Congress leader had once said India is not a nation and is now out to “unite” the country wearing a “foreign-make” T-shirt.

    Addressing the Rajasthan BJP’s booth functionaries, he also hit out at the state government over the murder of Udaipur tailor Kanhaiya Lal by Muslim extremists and the Karauli violence and alleged the Congress can only practice politics of vote bank and appeasement.

    Taking aim at Gandhi, he said, “I want to remind Rahul baba and other Congress members about his speech given in Parliament.

    Rahul baba had said India is not a nation.

    Rahul baba, in which book have you read this? This is the nation for which lakhs and lakhs of people have sacrificed their lives.”

    “The one who said India is not a nation is now on a yatra to unite India wearing a foreign T-shirt,” he said, referring to the BJP’s swipe at the Congress leader for wearing a Burberry T-shirt reportedly costing over Rs 41,000.

    Gandhi is out to “connect” Bharat but he needs to study Indian history first, Shah said.

    He claimed that Congress cannot work for development.

    “It can only work for appeasement and vote bank politics.”

    The Congress, he said, will be left with nothing after the BJP forms government in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, the only two states where it is in power on its own.

    Union Minister Smriti Irani on Saturday slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his party’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ questioning him on who has harmed the unity of India that required the opposition party to take out such a campaign.

    Making an indirect reference to Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar, Irani also took a dig at Gandhi for being in the company of people who allegedly chanted “anti-India” slogans.

    “Rahul Gandhi is on the way to unite India but he should answer first who dared to break India. You make a person a member of your party who had shouted the slogan ‘Bharat Tere Tukde Honge, Insha Allah’,” Irani said at Doddaballapura in Bengaluru.

    She was addressing the gathering at the Bharatiya Janata Party’s ‘Jana Spandana’ programme celebrating the ruling party’s three years in office in Karnataka.

    Irani expressed her shock over Gandhi’s remark in Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu that the fight is now against the structure of Indian state and the opposition.

    “With all seriousness, I am making this charge of sedition. I am shocked at Rahul Gandhi’s statement that he is fighting against the Indian state. You have waged a war against India. I am shocked by your hunger for power,” Irani, who represents Amethi Lok Sabha constituency, said.

    The Union Minister for Woman and Child Welfare charged that during Congress rule in Maharashtra a terrorist’s grave was beautified with marble tiles in Mumbai and that attacker was responsible for the killing of around 250 people.

    Irani also alleged that when the Centre under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was fighting against COVID-19 pandemic and succeeded in developing an indigenous vaccine, the Congress was spreading lies asking people not to use it.

    She also slammed the ‘sycophants of Gandhi family’ for using derogatory remarks against President Droupadi Murmu, the first tribal person to hold the highest post in India.

    The Union minister charged that the Congress could not “digest” the statue of iconic freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose being inaugurated at ‘Kartavya Path’ in New Delhi as the party did not issue any statement favouring the step.

  • UP: Amethi lekhpal, who failed to recognise Smriti Irani over phone, faces probe

    By PTI

    AMETHI: A probe has been ordered against a lekhpal, who failed to recognise Amethi MP and Union minister Smriti Irani over phone, for not discharging his duties, officials said on Monday.

    A resident of Poore Pahalwan village under Musafirkhana tehsil had on August 27 given a complaint letter to Irani saying that after the death of his father, who was a teacher, his mother Savitri Devi is entitled for pension, whose verification has not been done by lekhpal Deepak.

    The complainant, Karunesh (27), further said due to which his mother is not able to get the pension. On this, Irani, Union Minister of Women and Child Development, phoned the lekhpal, but he could not recognise her.

    Chief Development Officer (CDO) of Amethi Ankur Lathar on Monday told PTI that as per the letter of Karunesh, it is a case of laxity on the part of Musafirkhana lekhpal Deepak, and he has not discharged his duties.

    Lathar said that sub-divisional magistrate Musafirkhana has been asked to probe the matter, following which action will be taken.

    On Saturday, when the Union minister had called up the lekhpal on the complaint of Karunesh, the lekhpal could not recognise her.

    After this, the CDO took the phone from the minister, and told the lekhpal to meet him at the office.

    The lekhpal is posted at Gautampur gram sabha under Musafirkhana tehsil.

    AMETHI: A probe has been ordered against a lekhpal, who failed to recognise Amethi MP and Union minister Smriti Irani over phone, for not discharging his duties, officials said on Monday.

    A resident of Poore Pahalwan village under Musafirkhana tehsil had on August 27 given a complaint letter to Irani saying that after the death of his father, who was a teacher, his mother Savitri Devi is entitled for pension, whose verification has not been done by lekhpal Deepak.

    The complainant, Karunesh (27), further said due to which his mother is not able to get the pension. On this, Irani, Union Minister of Women and Child Development, phoned the lekhpal, but he could not recognise her.

    Chief Development Officer (CDO) of Amethi Ankur Lathar on Monday told PTI that as per the letter of Karunesh, it is a case of laxity on the part of Musafirkhana lekhpal Deepak, and he has not discharged his duties.

    Lathar said that sub-divisional magistrate Musafirkhana has been asked to probe the matter, following which action will be taken.

    On Saturday, when the Union minister had called up the lekhpal on the complaint of Karunesh, the lekhpal could not recognise her.

    After this, the CDO took the phone from the minister, and told the lekhpal to meet him at the office.

    The lekhpal is posted at Gautampur gram sabha under Musafirkhana tehsil.

  • UP: Amethi lekhpal, who failed to recognise Smriti Irani over phone, faces probe

    By PTI

    AMETHI: A probe has been ordered against a lekhpal, who failed to recognise Amethi MP and Union minister Smriti Irani over phone, for not discharging his duties, officials said on Monday.

    A resident of Poore Pahalwan village under Musafirkhana tehsil had on August 27 given a complaint letter to Irani saying that after the death of his father, who was a teacher, his mother Savitri Devi is entitled for pension, whose verification has not been done by lekhpal Deepak.

    The complainant, Karunesh (27), further said due to which his mother is not able to get the pension.

    On this, Irani, Union Minister of Women and Child Development, phoned the lekhpal, but he could not recognise her.

    Chief Development Officer (CDO) of Amethi Ankur Lathar on Monday told PTI that as per the letter of Karunesh, it is a case of laxity on the part of Musafirkhana lekhpal Deepak, and he has not discharged his duties.

    Lathar said that sub-divisional magistrate Musafirkhana has been asked to probe the matter, following which action will be taken.

    On Saturday, when the Union minister had called up the lekhpal on the complaint of Karunesh, the lekhpal could not recognise her.

    After this, the CDO took the phone from the minister, and told the lekhpal to meet him at the office.

    The lekhpal is posted at Gautampur gram sabha under Musafirkhana tehsil.

    AMETHI: A probe has been ordered against a lekhpal, who failed to recognise Amethi MP and Union minister Smriti Irani over phone, for not discharging his duties, officials said on Monday.

    A resident of Poore Pahalwan village under Musafirkhana tehsil had on August 27 given a complaint letter to Irani saying that after the death of his father, who was a teacher, his mother Savitri Devi is entitled for pension, whose verification has not been done by lekhpal Deepak.

    The complainant, Karunesh (27), further said due to which his mother is not able to get the pension.

    On this, Irani, Union Minister of Women and Child Development, phoned the lekhpal, but he could not recognise her.

    Chief Development Officer (CDO) of Amethi Ankur Lathar on Monday told PTI that as per the letter of Karunesh, it is a case of laxity on the part of Musafirkhana lekhpal Deepak, and he has not discharged his duties.

    Lathar said that sub-divisional magistrate Musafirkhana has been asked to probe the matter, following which action will be taken.

    On Saturday, when the Union minister had called up the lekhpal on the complaint of Karunesh, the lekhpal could not recognise her.

    After this, the CDO took the phone from the minister, and told the lekhpal to meet him at the office.

    The lekhpal is posted at Gautampur gram sabha under Musafirkhana tehsil.

  • Everyone needs to remember Emergency when India was locked by ‘some people for their selfishness’: Irani

    She said this during an address at the Manishi Mahila Mahavidyalaya here while on a visit to her parliamentary constituency.

  • Company owned by Smriti Irani’s husband shares GST number with Goa bar, says Congress leader; BJP rubbishes claim

    By PTI

    PANAJI: Former Congress secretary Girish Chodankar on Wednesday claimed that a company owned by Union minister Smriti Irani’s husband shares the address with the bar which his party has alleged was operated illegally by her daughter.

    The controversial Silly Souls bar and restaurant operates from the same address – House No.

    452, Bouta Vaddo, Assagao – from which a company controlled by Irani’s husband and family, Eightall Food and Beverage, conducts its primary business, Chodankar said.

    The ruling BJP in Goa rubbished Chodankar’s claim, adding he wasn’t competent enough to speak on the issue.

    The Goods and Services Tax (GST) number allotted to the Irani family company at the Assagao address is also the GST number of the Silly Souls Cafe and Bar, Chodankar said.

    Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant should make a statement on the Silly Souls bar issue, the former Goa Congress president told reporters.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi should drop Irani from the cabinet over the issue, he added.

    The minister has denied having any links with the controversial bar based in North Goa’s Assagao village.

    Chodankar referred to a TV interview that Zoish Irani, the 18-year-old daughter of Smriti Irani gave to well-known food critic Kunal Vijayakar.

    “In the interview, Zoish nods in assent when Vijayakar asks her if the Silly Souls restaurant is hers.

    “”Let me introduce you to a very, very young entrepreneur,” Vijayakar says. This is Zoish Irani. Correct? This is your restaurant?” And Zoish Irani says, “Yeah” and nods,”” Chodankar said.

    He said the Instagram account of Zubin Irani, the minister’s husband, includes “co-founder @sillysoulscafe Goa” as part of his biographical details.

    Reacting to Chodankar’s claims, Goa BJP spokesman Urfan Mulla questioned the Congress leader’s authority to pass remarks against Smriti Irani.

    “Chodankar was sacked as Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president and is currently a nobody in his party,” Mulla said.

    PANAJI: Former Congress secretary Girish Chodankar on Wednesday claimed that a company owned by Union minister Smriti Irani’s husband shares the address with the bar which his party has alleged was operated illegally by her daughter.

    The controversial Silly Souls bar and restaurant operates from the same address – House No.

    452, Bouta Vaddo, Assagao – from which a company controlled by Irani’s husband and family, Eightall Food and Beverage, conducts its primary business, Chodankar said.

    The ruling BJP in Goa rubbished Chodankar’s claim, adding he wasn’t competent enough to speak on the issue.

    The Goods and Services Tax (GST) number allotted to the Irani family company at the Assagao address is also the GST number of the Silly Souls Cafe and Bar, Chodankar said.

    Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant should make a statement on the Silly Souls bar issue, the former Goa Congress president told reporters.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi should drop Irani from the cabinet over the issue, he added.

    The minister has denied having any links with the controversial bar based in North Goa’s Assagao village.

    Chodankar referred to a TV interview that Zoish Irani, the 18-year-old daughter of Smriti Irani gave to well-known food critic Kunal Vijayakar.

    “In the interview, Zoish nods in assent when Vijayakar asks her if the Silly Souls restaurant is hers.

    “”Let me introduce you to a very, very young entrepreneur,” Vijayakar says. This is Zoish Irani. Correct? This is your restaurant?” And Zoish Irani says, “Yeah” and nods,”” Chodankar said.

    He said the Instagram account of Zubin Irani, the minister’s husband, includes “co-founder @sillysoulscafe Goa” as part of his biographical details.

    Reacting to Chodankar’s claims, Goa BJP spokesman Urfan Mulla questioned the Congress leader’s authority to pass remarks against Smriti Irani.

    “Chodankar was sacked as Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president and is currently a nobody in his party,” Mulla said.

  • Delhi HC comes down on Congress leaders for “belligerent personal attacks” on Smriti Irani, daughter

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has said that Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh, Pawan Khera, Netta D’Souza along with others conspired to “launch a tirade of false scathing and belligerent personal attacks” on BJP leader Smriti Irani and her daughter, who are neither owners of the restaurant in Goa nor have they ever applied for the licence for food and beverages at the eatery, as alleged.

    The high court said the statement made by three Congress leaders are in the “nature of slander and seem to be bogus with malicious intent,” to intentionally subject Irani to a “great public ridicule” and “to injure the moral character and public image” of the BJP leader and her daughter.

    The remarks were made by the high court while perusing the documents placed before it in a civil defamation suit filed by Irani, the Minister for Women and Child Development, against the three Congress leaders.

    The high court’s order, in which it had on July 29 issued summonses to three Congress leaders on the civil defamation suit, was uploaded on the court’s website On Monday.

    The high court has also asked them to take down tweets and other social media posts on allegations levelled against the union minister and her daughter.

    “I have perused the various documents on record, particularly, the show cause notice dated July 21, 2022, issued by the Government of Goa, office of Commissioner of Excise, which has been addressed to one Anthony Dgama, and not to the plaintiff (Irani) or her family members.”

    Considering the documents on record it is clearly seen that there was no license that was ever issued in favour of the plaintiff or her daughter. The plaintiff or her daughter are not the owners of the restaurant. It has also been established by the plaintiff prima facie that the plaintiff or her daughter never applied for license.

    “Neither the restaurant nor the land on which the restaurant exists is owned by the plaintiff or her daughter even the show cause notice issued by the Government of Goa is not in the name of the plaintiff or her daughter. All these facts have also been affirmed in the affidavit by the plaintiff,” Justice Mini Pushkarna said in her 14-page order.

    Irani has filed a defamation suit against the Congress leaders for allegedly making baseless and false accusations against her and her 18-year-old daughter.

    The high court said since the plaintiff commands an esteemed position as a minister in the Government of India and considering the nature of her public office, there is immense public glare and scrutiny of any information about her in the public domain.

    “Defendant nos. 1 to 3 (Congress leaders) have conspired with each other and other individuals and organisations to launch a tirade of false, scathing, and belligerent personal attacks on the plaintiff and her daughter with a common motive to malign, defame and injure the reputation, moral character and public image of the plaintiff and her daughter,” it said.

    The high court said it was of the considered view that the statements made by the Congress leaders are in the “nature of slander and seem to be bogus with malicious intent, only to garner the highest amount of viewership thereby intentionally subjecting the plaintiff to a great public ridicule”.

    It added that “Plaintiff (Irani) has made out a prima facie case and balance of convenience lies in favour of the plaintiff and against the defendants”.

    The high court has also passed an interim injunction directing the Congress leaders to remove from social media the allegations made against Irani and her daughter.

    The court said in case the defendants fail to comply with its directions to remove tweets, retweets, posts, videos, and photos from social media concerning the allegations made against Irani, and her daughter within 24 hours, social media platforms Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube shall take down the material.

    Irani’s action came after the Congress leaders alleged that her daughter Zoish Irani ran a bar illegally in Goa and also targeted the minister over this, demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi sack her from his Cabinet.

    “After seeing the documents placed on record and the excerpts of the press conference, I am of the prima facie view that slanderous and libelous allegations have been made against the plaintiff without verifying actual facts. Great injury has been caused to the reputation of the plaintiff and her family in view of the various tweets and re-tweets which have been followed the press conference carried out by the defendants,” the judge said.

    The high court said there is an imperative need to protect the reputation of an individual, least to say, that of the plaintiff who is a respected member of the society and esteemed member of the Union Ministry.

    The judge further said, “I deem it expedient to pass an ad-interim injunction directing defendants 1-3 (Congress leaders) to delete and remove the allegations, video of impugned press conference dated July 23, 2022, and the contents linked to the same “, published against the plaintiff from all the social media platforms, namely, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.”

    The matter has now been listed for further hearing before the court and registrar on November 15 and August 18, respectively.

    NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has said that Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh, Pawan Khera, Netta D’Souza along with others conspired to “launch a tirade of false scathing and belligerent personal attacks” on BJP leader Smriti Irani and her daughter, who are neither owners of the restaurant in Goa nor have they ever applied for the licence for food and beverages at the eatery, as alleged.

    The high court said the statement made by three Congress leaders are in the “nature of slander and seem to be bogus with malicious intent,” to intentionally subject Irani to a “great public ridicule” and “to injure the moral character and public image” of the BJP leader and her daughter.

    The remarks were made by the high court while perusing the documents placed before it in a civil defamation suit filed by Irani, the Minister for Women and Child Development, against the three Congress leaders.

    The high court’s order, in which it had on July 29 issued summonses to three Congress leaders on the civil defamation suit, was uploaded on the court’s website On Monday.

    The high court has also asked them to take down tweets and other social media posts on allegations levelled against the union minister and her daughter.

    “I have perused the various documents on record, particularly, the show cause notice dated July 21, 2022, issued by the Government of Goa, office of Commissioner of Excise, which has been addressed to one Anthony Dgama, and not to the plaintiff (Irani) or her family members.”

    Considering the documents on record it is clearly seen that there was no license that was ever issued in favour of the plaintiff or her daughter. The plaintiff or her daughter are not the owners of the restaurant. It has also been established by the plaintiff prima facie that the plaintiff or her daughter never applied for license.

    “Neither the restaurant nor the land on which the restaurant exists is owned by the plaintiff or her daughter even the show cause notice issued by the Government of Goa is not in the name of the plaintiff or her daughter. All these facts have also been affirmed in the affidavit by the plaintiff,” Justice Mini Pushkarna said in her 14-page order.

    Irani has filed a defamation suit against the Congress leaders for allegedly making baseless and false accusations against her and her 18-year-old daughter.

    The high court said since the plaintiff commands an esteemed position as a minister in the Government of India and considering the nature of her public office, there is immense public glare and scrutiny of any information about her in the public domain.

    “Defendant nos. 1 to 3 (Congress leaders) have conspired with each other and other individuals and organisations to launch a tirade of false, scathing, and belligerent personal attacks on the plaintiff and her daughter with a common motive to malign, defame and injure the reputation, moral character and public image of the plaintiff and her daughter,” it said.

    The high court said it was of the considered view that the statements made by the Congress leaders are in the “nature of slander and seem to be bogus with malicious intent, only to garner the highest amount of viewership thereby intentionally subjecting the plaintiff to a great public ridicule”.

    It added that “Plaintiff (Irani) has made out a prima facie case and balance of convenience lies in favour of the plaintiff and against the defendants”.

    The high court has also passed an interim injunction directing the Congress leaders to remove from social media the allegations made against Irani and her daughter.

    The court said in case the defendants fail to comply with its directions to remove tweets, retweets, posts, videos, and photos from social media concerning the allegations made against Irani, and her daughter within 24 hours, social media platforms Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube shall take down the material.

    Irani’s action came after the Congress leaders alleged that her daughter Zoish Irani ran a bar illegally in Goa and also targeted the minister over this, demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi sack her from his Cabinet.

    “After seeing the documents placed on record and the excerpts of the press conference, I am of the prima facie view that slanderous and libelous allegations have been made against the plaintiff without verifying actual facts. Great injury has been caused to the reputation of the plaintiff and her family in view of the various tweets and re-tweets which have been followed the press conference carried out by the defendants,” the judge said.

    The high court said there is an imperative need to protect the reputation of an individual, least to say, that of the plaintiff who is a respected member of the society and esteemed member of the Union Ministry.

    The judge further said, “I deem it expedient to pass an ad-interim injunction directing defendants 1-3 (Congress leaders) to delete and remove the allegations, video of impugned press conference dated July 23, 2022, and the contents linked to the same “, published against the plaintiff from all the social media platforms, namely, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.”

    The matter has now been listed for further hearing before the court and registrar on November 15 and August 18, respectively.

  • Goa restaurant case involving Smriti Irani’s daughter: Portuguese Civil code cited in defence by owners

    By PTI

    PANAJI: A Portuguese-era law, which transfers the property ownership rights of a man to his wife after his death, has been cited in defence by the owners of a restaurant in Assagao village in North Goa, which the Congress claimed was linked to Union minister Smriti Irani’s daughter.

    An activist-lawyer had filed a complaint, in which he alleged that the licence to run the upmarket restaurant – ‘Silly Souls Café and Bar’ – was obtained “illegally” and that it was renewed this year in the name of a person who died in 2021.

    The Congress had last week alleged Irani’s daughter was linked to the property, a charge rejected by the minister.

    During the first hearing in the case conducted by state Excise Commissioner Narayan Gad on Friday, the family members of Anthony DGama, in whose name the licence for the restaurant was issued, told the authorities that it is entirely their business and no other person is involved in it.

    Talking to reporters after the hearing, advocate Benny Nazareth, who represents the DGama family, said the Portuguese Civil Code mandates that when a spouse dies, his or her powers are transferred to the partner.

    He said that the application for renewal of the licence was done my the family members after the death of Anthony.

    The Portuguese Civil Code is still in force in Goa.

    Social activist and lawyer Aires Rodrigues, who is the complainant in the case, had pointed out to the excise commissioner that the renewal of licence was sought on behalf of Anthony, more than a year after his death.

    Anthony DGama’s son Dean was present during the hearing of the case.

    The lawyer representing the DGama family said that as per the Portuguese Civil Code, the ownership of the property is jointly done in the name of husband and wife.

    “But when the husband dies, the power is automatically transferred to the spouse. So nothing actually needs to be done further,” he added.

    Meanwhile, Merlyn, the wife of late DGama, in her written submission dismissed all the allegations made by Rodrigues in his complaint before the excise commissioner.

    On Friday, while posting the next hearing in the matter for August 22, the excise commissioner had framed two issues for determination, the first one being whether the excise licence was obtained on the basis of false and inadequate documents and through misrepresentation of facts, while the second one is whether there were any procedural irregularities on the part of the excise officials.

    Meanwhile, Goa Town and Country Planning Department on Saturday ordered its inspection following allegations that it was built after illegal land-filling.

    Activist and lawyer Aires Rodrigues, who had filed a complaint for alleged excise law violation against the restaurant, has also claimed that it was constructed by illegally filling up low-lying land.

    The complaint was filed with the Town and Country Planning Department two days ago.

    Chief Town Planner Rajesh Naik on Saturday asked the Senior Town Planner of North Goa district to “inspect the site and take urgent necessary action as per the law,” official sources said.

    PANAJI: A Portuguese-era law, which transfers the property ownership rights of a man to his wife after his death, has been cited in defence by the owners of a restaurant in Assagao village in North Goa, which the Congress claimed was linked to Union minister Smriti Irani’s daughter.

    An activist-lawyer had filed a complaint, in which he alleged that the licence to run the upmarket restaurant – ‘Silly Souls Café and Bar’ – was obtained “illegally” and that it was renewed this year in the name of a person who died in 2021.

    The Congress had last week alleged Irani’s daughter was linked to the property, a charge rejected by the minister.

    During the first hearing in the case conducted by state Excise Commissioner Narayan Gad on Friday, the family members of Anthony DGama, in whose name the licence for the restaurant was issued, told the authorities that it is entirely their business and no other person is involved in it.

    Talking to reporters after the hearing, advocate Benny Nazareth, who represents the DGama family, said the Portuguese Civil Code mandates that when a spouse dies, his or her powers are transferred to the partner.

    He said that the application for renewal of the licence was done my the family members after the death of Anthony.

    The Portuguese Civil Code is still in force in Goa.

    Social activist and lawyer Aires Rodrigues, who is the complainant in the case, had pointed out to the excise commissioner that the renewal of licence was sought on behalf of Anthony, more than a year after his death.

    Anthony DGama’s son Dean was present during the hearing of the case.

    The lawyer representing the DGama family said that as per the Portuguese Civil Code, the ownership of the property is jointly done in the name of husband and wife.

    “But when the husband dies, the power is automatically transferred to the spouse. So nothing actually needs to be done further,” he added.

    Meanwhile, Merlyn, the wife of late DGama, in her written submission dismissed all the allegations made by Rodrigues in his complaint before the excise commissioner.

    On Friday, while posting the next hearing in the matter for August 22, the excise commissioner had framed two issues for determination, the first one being whether the excise licence was obtained on the basis of false and inadequate documents and through misrepresentation of facts, while the second one is whether there were any procedural irregularities on the part of the excise officials.

    Meanwhile, Goa Town and Country Planning Department on Saturday ordered its inspection following allegations that it was built after illegal land-filling.

    Activist and lawyer Aires Rodrigues, who had filed a complaint for alleged excise law violation against the restaurant, has also claimed that it was constructed by illegally filling up low-lying land.

    The complaint was filed with the Town and Country Planning Department two days ago.

    Chief Town Planner Rajesh Naik on Saturday asked the Senior Town Planner of North Goa district to “inspect the site and take urgent necessary action as per the law,” official sources said.

  • ‘Rashtrapatni’ row: Smriti Irani calls on President Murmu as Congress raises heat against the Union Minister

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Union Minister Smriti Irani on Friday met President Droupadi Murmu here, a day after leading the charge against the Congress over party leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury’s ‘rashtrapatni’ remark.

    Both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned on Friday amid uproar over Chowdhury’s comments and other issues.

    ““Had the privilege of calling upon the Honourable President of India Droupadi Murmu Ji along with MOS,” Irani said in a tweet.

    A major political row broke out on Thursday over Chowdhury’s ‘rashtrapatni’ remark.

    The BJP launched an all-out offensive against Congress and accused Chowdhury of hurling a “deliberate sexist insult” at President Murmu and demanded an apology from Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.

    Chowdhury, who is the leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, said he never intended to disrespect the President and his ‘rashtrapatni’ remark was a “slip of the tongue”.

    The visit comes amid the backdrop of Congress stepping up its attack against the Union Minister for having a face-off with Sonia Gandhi earlier in the lower house over Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury’s “rashtrapatni” remark and demanded action against her.

    Congress MPs staged a protest in front of the Gandhi statue in the Parliament complex demanding an apology from the government for Irani’s confrontation with Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday.

    The Congress MPs met in the Parliament and decided on their strategy at a meeting of Congress Parliamentary Party chaired by Sonia Gandhi, after which they caused disruption in both houses of Parliament with slogans against Irani and demanding her sacking as a minister.

    The Congress has accused Irani of “heckling” Sonia Gandhi inside the lower house.

    The party has already complained against Irani to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla with a demand that the matter be referred to the privileges committee for action against her.

    The Congress also took strong objection to the manner in which Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal made references to party chief Sonia Gandhi in the Rajya Sabha.

    Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge sought to raise the issue in the house, but was not allowed to speak during the ‘zero hour’ under Rule 258.

    Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, “Leader of the Opposition Kharge ji not allowed to raise a legitimate point of order in the Rajya Sabha because of hungama by BJP MPs and Ministers. Adjourned till 12 noon.”

    Referring to Sitharaman and Goyal’s remarks in Rajya Sabha, Kharge said that it is a time-honoured convention that reflections or critical remarks should not be made on the other House or members of the other House.

    He also said that no person who is not a member of the House can be referred to in a derogatory manner or in any other way afflicting his or her reputation.

    On Thursday, the row that began with Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury calling President Droupadi Murmu “rashtrapatni”, went notches up when the party accused BJP MPs of subjecting its president to “brutal heckling, verbal assault and physical intimidation” in the Lok Sabha.

    Congress MPs, protesting against the alleged misbehaviour with Gandhi, were joined by their colleagues from the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).

    Chowdhury’s remark on India’s first tribal president has drawn a fresh battleline between the Congress and the BJP, which too has demanded an apology from Sonia Gandhi.

    As the Lok Sabha adjourned soon after 12 noon on Thursday, Gandhi walked across to the treasury benches and sought to know from BJP member Rama Devi why she was dragged into the issue.

    Irani intervened and was seen gesturing towards Gandhi and apparently protesting against Chowdhury’s remark.

    Gandhi tried to ignore Irani’s protestations, but was soon seen gesturing towards the minister and speaking angrily.

    NEW DELHI: Union Minister Smriti Irani on Friday met President Droupadi Murmu here, a day after leading the charge against the Congress over party leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury’s ‘rashtrapatni’ remark.

    Both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned on Friday amid uproar over Chowdhury’s comments and other issues.

    ““Had the privilege of calling upon the Honourable President of India Droupadi Murmu Ji along with MOS,” Irani said in a tweet.

    A major political row broke out on Thursday over Chowdhury’s ‘rashtrapatni’ remark.

    The BJP launched an all-out offensive against Congress and accused Chowdhury of hurling a “deliberate sexist insult” at President Murmu and demanded an apology from Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.

    Chowdhury, who is the leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, said he never intended to disrespect the President and his ‘rashtrapatni’ remark was a “slip of the tongue”.

    The visit comes amid the backdrop of Congress stepping up its attack against the Union Minister for having a face-off with Sonia Gandhi earlier in the lower house over Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury’s “rashtrapatni” remark and demanded action against her.

    Congress MPs staged a protest in front of the Gandhi statue in the Parliament complex demanding an apology from the government for Irani’s confrontation with Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday.

    The Congress MPs met in the Parliament and decided on their strategy at a meeting of Congress Parliamentary Party chaired by Sonia Gandhi, after which they caused disruption in both houses of Parliament with slogans against Irani and demanding her sacking as a minister.

    The Congress has accused Irani of “heckling” Sonia Gandhi inside the lower house.

    The party has already complained against Irani to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla with a demand that the matter be referred to the privileges committee for action against her.

    The Congress also took strong objection to the manner in which Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal made references to party chief Sonia Gandhi in the Rajya Sabha.

    Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge sought to raise the issue in the house, but was not allowed to speak during the ‘zero hour’ under Rule 258.

    Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, “Leader of the Opposition Kharge ji not allowed to raise a legitimate point of order in the Rajya Sabha because of hungama by BJP MPs and Ministers. Adjourned till 12 noon.”

    Referring to Sitharaman and Goyal’s remarks in Rajya Sabha, Kharge said that it is a time-honoured convention that reflections or critical remarks should not be made on the other House or members of the other House.

    He also said that no person who is not a member of the House can be referred to in a derogatory manner or in any other way afflicting his or her reputation.

    On Thursday, the row that began with Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury calling President Droupadi Murmu “rashtrapatni”, went notches up when the party accused BJP MPs of subjecting its president to “brutal heckling, verbal assault and physical intimidation” in the Lok Sabha.

    Congress MPs, protesting against the alleged misbehaviour with Gandhi, were joined by their colleagues from the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).

    Chowdhury’s remark on India’s first tribal president has drawn a fresh battleline between the Congress and the BJP, which too has demanded an apology from Sonia Gandhi.

    As the Lok Sabha adjourned soon after 12 noon on Thursday, Gandhi walked across to the treasury benches and sought to know from BJP member Rama Devi why she was dragged into the issue.

    Irani intervened and was seen gesturing towards Gandhi and apparently protesting against Chowdhury’s remark.

    Gandhi tried to ignore Irani’s protestations, but was soon seen gesturing towards the minister and speaking angrily.

  • Sonia-Smriti face-off: Congress MPs protest in Parliament premises, demand government apology; BJP hits back

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha proceedings were disrupted on Friday after opposition staged protests and BJP members countered, leading to adjournment of the House till 12 noon immediately after it assembled for the day.

    As soon as the House met at 11 am, opposition members, mostly Congress MPs, came to well-shouting slogans against the government.

    BJP women members, who were standing in the second row of the Treasury benches, too stood up and shouted counter slogans.

    Kirit Solanki, who was in the chair, first requested the members to sit down in their respective seats.

    Solanki repeated his request but the members ignored his pleas following which he adjourned the House till 12 noon within a minute of assembling.

    The House had seen noisy scenes on Thursday when Union Minister Smriti Irani led the charge against Congress for its Lok Sabha leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury’s comment on President Droupadi Murmu, terming her as ‘Rashtrapatni’ Irani had also demanded an apology from Congress president Sonia Gandhi for Chowdhury’s remark, leading to vociferous protests from opposition members and counter-protests from treasury benches.

    The House could not function properly due to the pandemonium and adjourned for the day after witnessing repeated brief adjournments.

    There was also a face-off between Gandhi and Irani during an interval, inviting allegations and counter-allegations from both sides.

    Gandhi and Chowdhury attended the House on Friday.

    However, front row of the Treasury benches was not occupied when the House met in the morning.

    Lok Sabha proceedings have been disrupted mostly due to the opposition protests, seeking a discussion on price rise and GST rate hike on some food items, even since the Monsoon Session began on July 18.

    Four Congress MPs — Manickam Tagore, Ramya Haridas, TN Prathapan and S Jothimani – were also suspended last Monday for rest of the session for protests and carrying placards inside the House.

    Congress MPs staged a protest in front of the Gandhi statue in Parliament on Friday to demand an apology from the government following the face-off between Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Union minister Smriti Irani.

    On Thursday, the raging row over Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury calling President Droupadi Murmu “rashtrapatni” escalated with the opposition party accusing BJP MPs of subjecting its president to “brutal heckling, verbal assault and physical intimidation” in the Lok Sabha.

    Congress MPs, protesting against the alleged misbehaviour with Gandhi, were joined by their colleagues from the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).

    Chowdhury’s remark on India’s first tribal president has drawn a fresh battleline between the Congress and the BJP, which has demanded an apology from Sonia Gandhi.

    As the Lok Sabha adjourned soon after 12 noon on Thursday, Gandhi walked across to the treasury benches and sought to know from BJP member Rama Devi why she was dragged into the issue.

    Irani intervened and was seen gesturing towards Gandhi and apparently protesting Chowdhury’s remark.

    Gandhi tried to ignore Irani’s protestations, but was soon seen gesturing towards the minister and speaking angrily.

    Suspended Rajya Sabha members TMC’s Derek O’Brien and AAP’s Sanjay Singh spent the night at the protest site near the entrance of Parliament.

    TMC’s Dola Sen and Mausam Noor were there at the site till midnight.

    The opposition parties sat on a relay protest in Parliament premises protesting against the suspension of 24 MPs in both Houses of Parliament.

    On Thursday, three more MPs were suspended.

    The opposition parties have demanded a discussion on price rise in Parliament.

    Meanwhile, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Friday said the Lok Sabha will only function after Sonia Gandhi apologises for party MP Adhir’s remark against the President.

    A major political row broke out on Thursday over Chowdhury’s ‘rashtrapatni’ remark with the BJP launching an all-out offensive against the opposition party, accusing Chowdhury of hurling a “deliberate sexist insult” at President Droupadi Murmu and demanding an apology from the Congress chief.

    Chowdhury, who is the leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, said he never intended to disrespect the President and his ‘rashtrapatni’ remark was a “slip of the tongue”.

    In a series of tweets, Dubey said, “The BJP wouldn’t tolerate the insult of the tribal community.

    Lok Sabha will only function after the apology of Mrs Gandhi”.

    Dubey also charged that Congress has a history of misusing democracy and Parliament.

    In 2012, Congress had given 10 notices against then BJP president Rajnath Singh for just speaking about the family’s (Gandhi family) trust, he added.

    NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha proceedings were disrupted on Friday after opposition staged protests and BJP members countered, leading to adjournment of the House till 12 noon immediately after it assembled for the day.

    As soon as the House met at 11 am, opposition members, mostly Congress MPs, came to well-shouting slogans against the government.

    BJP women members, who were standing in the second row of the Treasury benches, too stood up and shouted counter slogans.

    Kirit Solanki, who was in the chair, first requested the members to sit down in their respective seats.

    Solanki repeated his request but the members ignored his pleas following which he adjourned the House till 12 noon within a minute of assembling.

    The House had seen noisy scenes on Thursday when Union Minister Smriti Irani led the charge against Congress for its Lok Sabha leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury’s comment on President Droupadi Murmu, terming her as ‘Rashtrapatni’ Irani had also demanded an apology from Congress president Sonia Gandhi for Chowdhury’s remark, leading to vociferous protests from opposition members and counter-protests from treasury benches.

    The House could not function properly due to the pandemonium and adjourned for the day after witnessing repeated brief adjournments.

    There was also a face-off between Gandhi and Irani during an interval, inviting allegations and counter-allegations from both sides.

    Gandhi and Chowdhury attended the House on Friday.

    However, front row of the Treasury benches was not occupied when the House met in the morning.

    Lok Sabha proceedings have been disrupted mostly due to the opposition protests, seeking a discussion on price rise and GST rate hike on some food items, even since the Monsoon Session began on July 18.

    Four Congress MPs — Manickam Tagore, Ramya Haridas, TN Prathapan and S Jothimani – were also suspended last Monday for rest of the session for protests and carrying placards inside the House.

    Congress MPs staged a protest in front of the Gandhi statue in Parliament on Friday to demand an apology from the government following the face-off between Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Union minister Smriti Irani.

    On Thursday, the raging row over Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury calling President Droupadi Murmu “rashtrapatni” escalated with the opposition party accusing BJP MPs of subjecting its president to “brutal heckling, verbal assault and physical intimidation” in the Lok Sabha.

    Congress MPs, protesting against the alleged misbehaviour with Gandhi, were joined by their colleagues from the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).

    Chowdhury’s remark on India’s first tribal president has drawn a fresh battleline between the Congress and the BJP, which has demanded an apology from Sonia Gandhi.

    As the Lok Sabha adjourned soon after 12 noon on Thursday, Gandhi walked across to the treasury benches and sought to know from BJP member Rama Devi why she was dragged into the issue.

    Irani intervened and was seen gesturing towards Gandhi and apparently protesting Chowdhury’s remark.

    Gandhi tried to ignore Irani’s protestations, but was soon seen gesturing towards the minister and speaking angrily.

    Suspended Rajya Sabha members TMC’s Derek O’Brien and AAP’s Sanjay Singh spent the night at the protest site near the entrance of Parliament.

    TMC’s Dola Sen and Mausam Noor were there at the site till midnight.

    The opposition parties sat on a relay protest in Parliament premises protesting against the suspension of 24 MPs in both Houses of Parliament.

    On Thursday, three more MPs were suspended.

    The opposition parties have demanded a discussion on price rise in Parliament.

    Meanwhile, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Friday said the Lok Sabha will only function after Sonia Gandhi apologises for party MP Adhir’s remark against the President.

    A major political row broke out on Thursday over Chowdhury’s ‘rashtrapatni’ remark with the BJP launching an all-out offensive against the opposition party, accusing Chowdhury of hurling a “deliberate sexist insult” at President Droupadi Murmu and demanding an apology from the Congress chief.

    Chowdhury, who is the leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, said he never intended to disrespect the President and his ‘rashtrapatni’ remark was a “slip of the tongue”.

    In a series of tweets, Dubey said, “The BJP wouldn’t tolerate the insult of the tribal community.

    Lok Sabha will only function after the apology of Mrs Gandhi”.

    Dubey also charged that Congress has a history of misusing democracy and Parliament.

    In 2012, Congress had given 10 notices against then BJP president Rajnath Singh for just speaking about the family’s (Gandhi family) trust, he added.

  • Watch Out: Devi Awards is back in Kolkata to salute the city’s women achievers!

    Express News Service

    The first woman graduate was from Kolkata. So was the first female doctor. Even the first woman scientist to receive a DSc was from this city. A few of the most significant reforms such as widow remarriage, banning of Sati apart from women’s education that would form an integral part of any women’s manifesto also originated from this state. This year the Devi Awards instituted by The New Indian Express returns to this city that has held aloft the flag of women’s emancipation over the past two centuries.

    To be held at ITC Sonar on July 29, the prestigious awards ceremony will see 15 women from very diverse fields of professions being felicitated. And this year former union cabinet minister Dr Subramanian Swamy will be the chief guest of honour who will be giving away the awards.

    “We are delighted to bring the most credible Devi awards back to the city of the goddess. We have an extraordinary list of women achievers this time who span the spectrum from machine learning to pulmonology, sport to cinema, design to dance. This is our 21st edition and Kolkata’s Devis will be a great addition to an already remarkable group of over 250 Devis,” says Prabhu Chawla, editorial director, The New Indian Express and The Sunday Standard.

    The Devi awards ceremony was held in Kolkata for the first time on August 31, 2019. Nine women from diverse fields of entrepreneurship, film, fashion, dance, culture and fitness were felicitated. The awardees included social entrepreneur Madhu Neotia, filmmaker Pritha Chakraborty, fashion designers Laldinsangi, Lalsangzeli, Lalrinpuii, educator Parmita Sarma, danseuse Alokananda Roy, designer Sujata Chatterjee, fitness entrepreneur Ritu Agarwal, Green crusader Temsutula Imsong and ONganic Foods founder Ekta Jaju. The event was well-attended by Kolkata’s crème de la crème including RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group chairman Sanjiv Goenka and his wife Preeti Goenka, industrialist Harshvardhan Neotia, CK Dhanuka, artist Shuvaprasanna, National Award-winning director Srijit Mukherji, filmmaker Subhrajit Mitra, and actor-MP Nusrat Jahan among others.

    This year, too, the 21st edition of Devi Awards will felicitate an even diverse collection of women achievers from Kolkata who have left their mark in medicine, science, sports, history, literature, dance, fashion, social work, environment, and cinema.

    Like last year, the glittering event’s platinum partner is RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group. The associate partners include Senco Gold and Diamonds, National Jute Board, Softline by Rupa & Company, Placid Ltd, Pentonic Brands Linc Ltd and the outdoor partner is Selvel One.

    Devi Awards will be held on July 29, 4 pm onwards at ITC Sonar.

    (This story originally appeared on indulgeexpress.com)

    The first woman graduate was from Kolkata. So was the first female doctor. Even the first woman scientist to receive a DSc was from this city. A few of the most significant reforms such as widow remarriage, banning of Sati apart from women’s education that would form an integral part of any women’s manifesto also originated from this state. This year the Devi Awards instituted by The New Indian Express returns to this city that has held aloft the flag of women’s emancipation over the past two centuries.

    To be held at ITC Sonar on July 29, the prestigious awards ceremony will see 15 women from very diverse fields of professions being felicitated. And this year former union cabinet minister Dr Subramanian Swamy will be the chief guest of honour who will be giving away the awards.

    “We are delighted to bring the most credible Devi awards back to the city of the goddess. We have an extraordinary list of women achievers this time who span the spectrum from machine learning to pulmonology, sport to cinema, design to dance. This is our 21st edition and Kolkata’s Devis will be a great addition to an already remarkable group of over 250 Devis,” says Prabhu Chawla, editorial director, The New Indian Express and The Sunday Standard.

    The Devi awards ceremony was held in Kolkata for the first time on August 31, 2019. Nine women from diverse fields of entrepreneurship, film, fashion, dance, culture and fitness were felicitated. The awardees included social entrepreneur Madhu Neotia, filmmaker Pritha Chakraborty, fashion designers Laldinsangi, Lalsangzeli, Lalrinpuii, educator Parmita Sarma, danseuse Alokananda Roy, designer Sujata Chatterjee, fitness entrepreneur Ritu Agarwal, Green crusader Temsutula Imsong and ONganic Foods founder Ekta Jaju. The event was well-attended by Kolkata’s crème de la crème including RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group chairman Sanjiv Goenka and his wife Preeti Goenka, industrialist Harshvardhan Neotia, CK Dhanuka, artist Shuvaprasanna, National Award-winning director Srijit Mukherji, filmmaker Subhrajit Mitra, and actor-MP Nusrat Jahan among others.

    This year, too, the 21st edition of Devi Awards will felicitate an even diverse collection of women achievers from Kolkata who have left their mark in medicine, science, sports, history, literature, dance, fashion, social work, environment, and cinema.

    Like last year, the glittering event’s platinum partner is RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group. The associate partners include Senco Gold and Diamonds, National Jute Board, Softline by Rupa & Company, Placid Ltd, Pentonic Brands Linc Ltd and the outdoor partner is Selvel One.

    Devi Awards will be held on July 29, 4 pm onwards at ITC Sonar.

    (This story originally appeared on indulgeexpress.com)