New Delhi, Nov 13: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Manoj Gaur, Managing Director of Jaypee Infratech Limited, in a money laundering case linked to the alleged siphoning of money paid by homebuyers for the construction of flats, according to sources on Thursday.

The Enforcement Directorate had in May carried out searches at 15 premises linked to Manoj Gaur’s flagship real estate development companies — Jaypee Infratech Ltd., and Jayprakash Associates Ltd, as well as their associated entities.

During the operation, officials seized hard cash to the tune of Rs 1.7 crore, along with financial records, digital data, and property documents registered in the names of promoters, their family members, and group companies.

The raids were carried out across Delhi, Mumbai, Noida, and Ghaziabad as part of an ongoing investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

IDBI Bank had first filed a petition against Jaypee Infratech Limited (JIL) in the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Allahabad, after JIL defaulted on a payment of over Rs 526 crore. The NCLT initiated the insolvency process on August 9, 2017.

The insolvency case gained national attention due to over 21,000 homebuyers who had booked flats in JIL projects being left in the lurch as money had been diverted from construction projects, primarily in Wish Town, Noida.

The Supreme Court intervened to protect their interests, eventually leading to an amendment to the IBC that classified homebuyers as financial creditors, giving them a vote in the resolution process.

The case involved extensive legal proceedings, including disputes over transactions where JIL’s assets were mortgaged to secure the debts of its parent company, Jaiprakash Associates Limited (JAL).

After several rounds of bidding, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) approved a resolution plan submitted by the Suraksha Group in May 2024. Under this plan, Suraksha is to complete the unfinished projects and pay enhanced compensation to farmers as part of the land acquisition terms.

Guwahati, Nov 13: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said the state government would remain “uncompromising against those who glorify violence”, as police intensified a crackdown on individuals posting inflammatory and offensive content on social media following the recent Delhi blasts.

Taking to the social media platform X, the Chief Minister informed that 15 persons have been arrested across Assam in connection with objectionable posts that allegedly attempted to justify or celebrate the blasts.

He said that the government has directed the police to act firmly against any attempt to disturb communal harmony or spread hatred through online platforms.

“In connection with the offensive social media posts following the Delhi blasts, 15 persons have been arrested across Assam so far. Assam Police remains uncompromising against those who glorify violence,” CM Sarma wrote on X.

According to the Chief Minister, nine persons were arrested overnight in addition to six arrests made earlier.

The latest arrests include Rafijul Ali from Bongaigaon, Forid Uddin Laskar from Hailakandi, Inamul Islam and Firuj Ahmed alias Papon from Lakhimpur, Shahil Shoman Sikdar alias Shahidul Islam and Rakibul Sultan from Barpeta, Nasim Akram from Hojai, Taslim Ahmed from Kamrup, and Abdur Rohim Mollah alias Bappy Hussain from South Salmara.

Earlier, six others had been arrested from different districts for similar offences.

Police said that all 15 individuals were apprehended for posting or sharing content that allegedly glorified acts of terror or attempted to spread communal tension.

A senior police officer said that Assam Police’s cyber teams are actively monitoring online activities and will continue to take strong action against anyone found misusing social media.

“We are keeping a close watch on digital platforms. No one will be spared if found promoting violence or disturbing public peace,” the official added.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma issued a sharp warning on Wednesday in the wake of the recent Delhi blast, describing it as a grim reminder that education alone cannot prevent radicalisation.

On Wednesday, he called the Delhi blast incident a “new dimension of extremism”, saying that the nation must re-examine its assumptions about what drives people towards terror and ideological violence.

The Chief Minister’s statement underscores the state government’s zero-tolerance policy toward online extremism and its commitment to maintaining peace and social order across Assam.

Mumbai, November: ( By Kamar Ansari)

In a major action against corruption in the judiciary, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Mumbai has arrested a Court Officer attached to the 14th Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Mazgaon, for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹15,00,000, while the Metropolitan Magistrate, Eijazuddin Sallauddin Kazi, has gone absconding.

As per the official ACB release, the arrested accused has been identified as Shashikant Ramchandra Nayak (age 40), Court Officer, 14th Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Mazgaon, Mumbai, while the absconding accused is Eijazuddin Sallauddin Kazi (age 55), Metropolitan Magistrate, 14th Court, Mazgaon, Mumbai.

According to the ACB investigation, both accused had demanded ₹25,00,000 from a complainant, who is an advocate, in connection with a case pending before the Mazgaon Court since 2015. After negotiations, the demand was reduced to ₹15,00,000.

The complainant, unwilling to pay the bribe, approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Mumbai and lodged a formal complaint.

After verifying the allegations, a trap was organized on November 10, 2024, at the 14th Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Mazgaon. During the operation, Court Officer Shashikant Ramchandra Nayak was caught red-handed while accepting ₹15,00,000 on behalf of Metropolitan Magistrate Eijazuddin Kazi.

The ACB seized the bribe amount at the spot, arrested Court Officer Nayak, and initiated further investigation. Magistrate Eijazuddin Kazi fled the location and is currently absconding.

An offence has been registered under Sections 7(a) and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018), for demanding and accepting a bribe by a public servant.

The investigation is being conducted under the supervision of Additional Commissioner of Police (Administration), ACB Mumbai, Ms. Nimisha Soni, assisted by Assistant Commissioner of Police Shailesh Sawant and Police Inspector Sunil Raje from ACB Mumbai Division.

The ACB has launched a manhunt to locate and arrest the absconding Metropolitan Magistrate Eijazuddin Sallauddin Kazi.