Jammu, Nov 24: The Jammu Sub-Zonal Office of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Jammu and Kashmir said on Monday that the agency has attached immovable property worth Rs 1 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

A press statement by the ED said, “The Jammu Sub-Zonal Office of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached immovable property worth nearly Rs 1 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

“The provisionally attached property comprises industrial land at Panipat, Haryana, of M/s Vidit Healthcare Private Ltd., Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh, the ED initiated investigation in respect of case registered by the Jammu NCB against M/s Vidit Healthcare (Managing Partner, Neeraj Bhatia) Niket Kansal and others for illegal diversion of a codeine-based cough syrup (CBCS), “Cocrex”, for misuse as intoxicant/drug, from manufacturer, M/s Vidit Healthcare,” the statement added.

“ED investigation revealed that M/s Vidit Healthcare supplied CBCS to entities viz. M/s S.S. Industries, M/s Kansal Industries, M/s Nouveta Pharma, M/s Kansal Pharmaceuticals and N.K Pharmaceuticals (all operated and controlled by Niket Kansal r/o Delhi) during 2018-24, to the tune of about Rs 16.74 crore. Part of such illegally diverted CBCS was supplied to Raees Ahmed Bhat, a resident of Srinagar, from whom large quantities of CBCS was seized on January 14, 2024 by NCB.”

“ED investigation further revealed that M/s Vidit Healthcare earned gross profit estimated to be nearly Rs 2.92 crore as proceeds of crime from the sale of codeine-based cough syrup (CBCS) to entities operated by Niket Kansal viz. M/s S.S. Industries, M/s Kansal Industries, M/s Nouveta Pharma, M/s Kansal Pharmaceuticals and N.K Pharmaceuticals. Earlier in this case, ED has conducted search at the premises of Neeraj Bhatia and Niket Kansal on February 13, 2025, resulting in seizure of cash amounting to Rs 32 lakh and jewellery valued at Rs 1.61 crore from the residential premises of Neeraj Bhatia and in furtherance of investigations, ED has further attached immovable property in the form of land at Panipat of M/s Vidit Healthcare, worth nearly Rs one crore.”

“Further investigation is underway,” the statement said.

Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi condemned the hooliganism of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal at Kalyan Ideal Pharmacy College and said that in this country, there is a market of division and hatred in the name of Hindus and Muslims. Offering prayers in the country is not a crime. It is obligatory for Muslims to offer prayers at the prescribed time. Therefore, if someone offers prayers, worships and practices, then why object to it? He said that arrangements for prayer rooms are necessary in institutions where students want to worship. The way in which students were forced to apologize is completely wrong and hooliganism. I demand that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the administrative body take strict action against such sectarians so that no one can enter an educational institution and force students to apologize. He said that Shivaji Maharaj, in front of whose statue students were forced to apologize, was a secular king. There were Muslims in his army. The way in which the miscreants have committed hooliganism is worrying. Action must be taken against it. He said that praying is not a crime in the country. The administration of Ideal Pharmacy College in Kalyan’s Ambernath was responsible for protecting Muslim students, but the administration did not do so. It was negligent in its responsibility.

The students who offered prayers were forced to apologize. Azmi said, “I request Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to order the provision of rooms for prayers in educational and other institutions and take strict action against this politics of hatred. Only then will brotherhood flourish in Maharashtra and the country.” He said, “Why is there a controversy over prayers everywhere and then hatred is created by giving it a Hindu-Muslim color? Now the water has risen above the head. The government should pay attention to this.”

Chennai, Nov 24: In a devastating road accident, six passengers were killed and more than 20 others were injured when two buses collided head-on near Duraisamipuram, close to Kadayanaallur in Tenkasi district.

The incident occurred around 11 a.m. and immediately sent shockwaves through the region.

According to police sources, a private KSR bus was travelling towards Tenkasi when it reached Duraisamipuram junction. At the same time, another bus — operated by MR Gopalan Travels and heading from Kovilpatti to Tenkasi — was approaching from the opposite direction. In a split second, both vehicles rammed into each other with immense force, trapping several passengers inside.

Local residents, who rushed to the spot upon hearing the loud crash, joined police and fire-rescue teams in pulling out the injured.

The Tenkasi district administration, led by District Collector and District Superintendent of Police reached the site within minutes and is supervising rescue operations, which are still underway.

The injured have been admitted to Tenkasi Government Medical College Hospital, where several remain in critical condition. Officials fear that the death toll may rise.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos, with shattered glass and twisted metal scattered across the road. Several passengers had to be extricated using hydraulic cutters, and emergency teams faced considerable difficulty due to the impact of the collision.

Monday‘s accident comes at a time when Tamil Nadu has witnessed multiple fatal mishaps in a short span, raising serious concerns about road safety and vehicle regulation.

Just days ago, four members of a family died in Tiruvannamalai district after their car collided with a lorry. In another incident in Coimbatore, two college students were killed when their motorcycle was hit by a speeding bus.

Last week, three persons lost their lives in Ramanathapuram after a private van overturned due to reckless driving. Data from the state transport department indicates that Tamil Nadu continues to rank among the states with the highest number of road fatalities in India.

Police officials say speeding, fatigue of long-distance drivers, and poor enforcement continue to be major factors.

As rescue teams continue their work at Duraisamipuram, authorities have ordered a detailed enquiry into the cause of the collision. The tragic accident has once again underscored the urgent need for stricter safety protocols and regular inspection of private buses operating on busy inter-district routes.