Patna, Oct 3: Bihar Rural Works Minister Ashok Choudhary on Friday dismissed corruption allegations levelled against him by Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor, saying that mere accusations do not make anyone guilty.

Speaking to reporters in Patna, he said, “If anyone can prove I own even one dhur of land, I am ready to become that person’s slave. My wealth is in the public domain, and anyone can verify it.”

He added, “If someone says I am in partnership with Trump (Donald Trump), will anyone believe it? Let anyone prove that I or my family own one dhur of land or even property worth Rs 1 crore. No political career has ever ended merely because of allegations, and mine will not either.”

The minister emphasised his long political journey, saying, “I have been in politics since my student life. I served as the Congress state president for over four years and distributed tickets. In 2020, I was the executive president of JD(U). Those who think they can finish my career by just making allegations are mistaken. I will continue to be in Bihar politics, and no one can stop me.”

On the defamation case he filed against Prashant Kishor, Minister Choudhary said that he has received Kishor’s reply and his legal team is examining it.

Earlier, on September 23, Ashok Choudhary filed a Rs 100 crore defamation notice against Kishor.

The minister had demanded an unconditional written and public apology from Kishor within seven days, failing which, he had threatened criminal proceedings and a civil suit for damages.

In response, Kishor, on September 29, criticised Ashok Chaudhary for amassing illegal assets worth Rs 200 crore and taking hefty commissions on government contracts.

Kishor claimed to have documentary proof of Ashok Chaudhary’s alleged disproportionate assets and demanded that the minister withdraw a legal defamation notice of Rs 100 crore and issue a public apology within seven days, failing which, he would raise the matter with the Governor and the courts.

Bengaluru: Police in Bengaluru have launched an investigation after a woman accused her husband of secretly filming their private moments and blackmailing her into having sex with his clients abroad.

The case has been registered at the Puttenahalli Police Station against the husband, Syed Inamul Haq, and three others on charges of conspiracy and harassment.

According to the complaint, Haq had installed a hidden camera in the couple’s bedroom without his wife’s knowledge. The footage, she alleged, was later shared with his friends overseas and used to threaten her. “The accused has captured private photos and videos without my consent and has shared it with his friends who are abroad,” she told police.

The woman further said her husband pressured her into meeting the demands of his clients. “He had threatened to leak the photos and videos online if I don’t accept these demands,” the complaint reads. The allegations extend to physical abuse, with claims of assault during the marriage.

The woman also accused Haq of hiding the fact that he was already married when he wed her, describing this as a deliberate deception. She alleged that the marriage quickly turned into a cycle of intimidation and violence.

Police have filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Haq and three others for their alleged involvement. Investigators confirmed that relevant sections of law have been invoked, and further inquiries are underway to verify the woman’s claims and collect additional evidence.

New Delhi, Oct 3: In a swift rescue operation, Delhi Police on Friday successfully rescued a 7-year-old boy kidnapped from the national capital and taken to Haryana.

According to the press release issued by Vikaspuri Police Station, the child was abducted by a man identified as Ajay Verma, a former live-in partner of the boy’s mother, who allegedly used the child as leverage to force her to return to him.

The dramatic incident unfolded on September 28, when the mother filed a complaint at Vikaspuri Police Station, reporting that her son hadn’t returned home from school the previous day. She suspected Ajay Verma, a resident of Hansi, Haryana, with whom she once shared a live-in relationship, of having kidnapped the boy. The motive soon became chillingly clear: Verma was attempting to blackmail the complainant into resuming their relationship.

Under the overall supervision of Garima Tiwari, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Tilak Nagar, a dedicated team was formed under Inspector Rajveer Singh, SHO Vikaspuri, and led by Inspector Deepak Dahiya, with SI Sandeep Yadav spearheading the investigation. An FIR (No. 349/25 under sections 137(2)/140 BNS) was swiftly registered.

Acting with urgency, the team combed through CCTV footage around the school and identified two individuals abducting the child on a motorcycle. Despite Verma repeatedly switching off his mobile phone to evade detection, the police team employed advanced surveillance techniques and social media tracking to follow his digital trail.

After intensive efforts, a breakthrough came when Verma’s associate, Ajay (a resident of Vikaspuri), was traced. It was discovered that Verma had contacted him via Instagram to arrange a pistol. His interrogation led police to a farmhouse in Hansi, Haryana, where Verma was hiding with the kidnapped child and two other associates.

A sub-team that had already been deployed in Hansi for three days sprang into action and rescued the child unharmed. The accused, including Verma, were arrested on-site. Simultaneously, Ajay (from Delhi) was nabbed, and a country-made pistol was recovered from his residence, leading to a separate case under the Arms Act.

The four accused arrested are: Ajay Verma, 24, the main accused, a graduate, who is a mobile repair technician in Hansi, with no previous criminal history.

Another accused, Amit, 18, a tent worker from Hisar, provided shelter to Verma post-kidnapping.

Sachin, 20, a factory worker, gave shelter to the accused; he has a previous Arms Act case registered against him.

Ajay (Delhi), 20, a sweeper, drove the kidnappers to Hansi on his bike and returned alone.

Police revealed that Verma had become obsessively possessive during his past relationship with the complainant. After she left him due to his abusive and suspicious behaviour, he hatched a plan to kidnap her son and pressure her into returning. Threat messages sent to the mother suggested he might harm the child if she didn’t comply.

In a commendable operation that spanned Delhi and Haryana, the Delhi Police cracked the case within days, rescued the child safely, and dismantled what appeared to be a nascent kidnapping syndicate. The recovery of an illegal weapon and the arrest of all accused have sent a strong message to criminal elements.

A team, which was already present in Hansi for three days, was sent to the location, and Ajay Verma was located in the farm of District Hansi with the kidnapped child and two of his associates. The child was rescued unharmed, and the accused were placed under arrest.

The successful recovery of the kidnapped child within a short span, coupled with the arrest of all conspirators and the seizure of an illegal weapon, has not only restored the faith of the community in the police force but also delivered a strong message against anti-social elements.