New Delhi, May 24: In a major breakthrough, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has brought back fugitive economic offender Angad Singh Chandok from the US to India.

Chandok is wanted in connection with a high-profile bank fraud and money laundering case and had been absconding for a long time.

He was deported by US authorities and landed at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport early Saturday morning.

CBI officials immediately took him into custody upon arrival. He is expected to be produced before a special CBI court later on Saturday, where the agency is likely to seek his custodial remand for further interrogation.

Chandok’s return marks a significant step in India’s efforts to crack down on economic fugitives who evade justice by fleeing abroad. It also reflects increased cooperation between Indian and international law enforcement agencies, particularly the United States, in tackling financial crimes with cross-border implications.

Chandok, 34, was sentenced to six years in prison by a US court in 2022. The court found him guilty of operating a long-running and complex money laundering network while living in California.

According to the ruling, Chandok created and used multiple shell companies to launder millions of dollars obtained through fraudulent means — initially via an online tech support scam and later through a fake online travel fee scheme.

The court noted that Chandok had a team of at least five individuals working under him and maintained direct communication with high-ranking international members of the criminal syndicate. He was also declared an international fugitive at the time of these offences.

His deportation is expected to strengthen India’s resolve in pursuing economic offenders and bringing them to justice, regardless of their location.

Mumbai, May 24: Shiv Sena Social Media In-charge, Rahool Kanal, in letters addressed to the Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has made a strong plea for the suspension of flights from Mumbai to Istanbul until Turkey clarifies its stand on terrorism and distances itself from supporting Pakistan.

He expressed concern on Friday over Turkey’s recent actions in supporting Pakistan against India’s fight against terrorism.

“Given the gravity of the situation, I strongly believe that India should revaluate its relationship with Turkey,” he said.

“Mumbai being a significant contributor to India’s tourism industry (36 per cent of total tourism) has a substantial impact on international relations. Indians are among Turkey’s biggest visitors and spenders. However, until Turkey publicly denounces its support for Pakistan in India’s fight against terrorism, I urge the government to consider banning all flight services from Mumbai to Turkey,” Kanal added.

He said the three flights from Mumbai to Istanbul by Turkish Airlines and one flight by Indigo on May 29 should be suspended.

“Banning these flights would be befitting response to Turkey’s actions, demonstrating India’s commitment to national security and sovereignty,” he added.

The potential measures which were suggested were: Diplomatic Action, immediate suspend of diplomatic relations with Turkey; Economic sanctions by restricting trade and investment between the countries; Raising the issues on international forums to build global consensus against Turkey’s actions and imposing a tourism ban.

According to Kanal, India accounts for 30 per cent of total tourists in turkey, with more than three lakh people visiting the country in 2024.

Earlier on May 22, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India expects Turkey to strongly urge Pakistan to end its support to cross-border terrorism.

“We expect Turkey to strongly urge Pakistan to end its support to cross-border terrorism and take credible and verifiable actions against the terror ecosystem it has harboured for decades. Relations are built on the basis of sensitivities to each other’s concerns,” Jaiswal added.

Following Turkey’s alleged support for Pakistan, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security revoked the security clearance of a Turkish firm Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd, citing national security concerns.

Celebi has filed a plea in the Delhi High Court against the decision.

Chennai, May 24: In the wake of a deadly rockslide at a stone quarry in Sivaganga that claimed six lives, the Tamil Nadu Department of Geology and Mining has issued a statewide directive to inspect stone quarries and tighten safety protocols.

According to the order, deputy and assistant directors in each district must conduct safety inspections in at least 10 quarries every month and submit detailed reports to the Commissionerate.

District Collectors and Zonal Joint Directors of mining have also been directed to supervise inspection efforts and ensure strict enforcement of regulations.

The initiative is aimed at addressing growing concerns over safety violations and illegal operations in the state’s stone quarrying sector.

Activists have long alleged rampant irregularities, including the unauthorised use of explosives, which they say are responsible for the increasing number of fatal incidents in recent years.

In one such incident, three people died in an explosion in Virudhunagar, while another worker was killed in Tirupur after an oxygen cylinder exploded during unloading.

A communication from the mining department to all districts underscored the life-threatening risks posed by rockslides and blasts. It cited poor adherence to safety guidelines and regulatory conditions as key contributors to the accidents.

The department emphasised the urgent need for inspections to enforce proper safety. The Sivaganga rockslide is the latest in a string of quarry-related accidents in Tamil Nadu, particularly as the demand for M-sand in construction has increased the scale of quarrying operations.

In August last year, two people died in a blast at an illegal quarry in TN Palayam near Gobichettipalayam. Investigations into the Sivaganga accident are currently underway.

Police officials said they are awaiting drone survey results and a technical analysis of the quarry operator’s blasting methods.

“The revenue and mines department has completed drone surveys across all five quarries in Sivaganga district,” an official confirmed.