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.

Mumbai: The Malad police have arrested singer Vipul Chheda, 37, for allegedly cheating a jeweller of Rs 5.41 lakh. Absconding for a month, Vipul was caught on September 25.

The singer, who runs Dharma Associates, bought a diamond bracelet from Saisiddhi Jewellers in Borivali West through marketing assistant Rima Chheda, who earns commissions by referring customers. On April 22, Vipul asked Rima to bring the bracelets near Malad’s Bata showroom. He bought one bracelet and issued a cheque, which bounced. He neither paid nor returned the bracelet.