Uncategorized
Backdoor channels active to revive India-Pak ties

With Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the ruling and a coalition government set in place, Islamabad and New Delhi have been working towards activating backdoor channels for talks to revive the stalled relationship between the nuclear powered neighbours.
The development is being seen as a major step with an intent to push forward the relationship between India and Pakistan towards normalcy through bilateral engagements, talks and addressing each other concerns to find a mutual ground of understanding.
Relations between the two countries have remained strained for years now and took a turn for the worse in August 2019 when India revoked special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
In responde, Pakistan downgraded diplomatic ties and suspended bilateral trade and insisted that until India reverses its decision, there can be no talks on any issue between the two countries.
“Even before the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took charge, the two countries were talking to each other, albeit quietly,” said an informed source.
“Those contacts have led to the renewal of the ceasefire understanding in February 2021 and since then the truce is holding, with no major incident of ceasefire violation.”
While the ceasefire agreement gave hopes of a forward movement towards more engagements on bilateral level between the two countries, it did not yield any positive results of openings during the tenure of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
However, under the new government set-up in Pakistan, there is renewed efforts by the two sides to explore ways and means to de-escalate tensions and revive the stalled relations.
“Call it backchannels, Track-II or behind-the-scene talks, I can only confirm that relevant people in both countries are in touch with each other,” another official source said
It should be noted that immediate results of these back channel engagements are unlikely as both sides have put forward tough preconditions for resumption of dialogue, the source added.
“Pakistan’s policy is clear. We want to engage with everyone, including India. However, Narendra Modi’s hardline government may not show flexibility on the issue of Kashmir.
“India is inclined to the re-engagement but reluctant to offer something that would help Pakistan resume the dialogue,” the source added.
The source also revealed that Western countries, including the US and UK, who he said are trying to open some formal channels of communications, are also facilitating the backdoor channels of engagement between India and Pakistan.
“India is eager to first resume trade and then other ties with Pakistan. New Delhi is willing to meet wheat shortage of Pakistan by entering into a government-to-government agreement.”
Uncategorized
SC quashes Gujarat Police FIR against Cong MP Imran Pratapgarhi

New Delhi, March 28: The Supreme Court on Friday quashed an FIR registered in Gujarat against Congress Rajya Sabha member and poet Imran Pratapgarhi for allegedly disturbing social harmony.
Pronouncing its verdict, a bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan said that no criminal offence was made out and allowed Pratapgarhi’s plea to quash the complaint alleging that a video posted by the Congress leader on Instagram, which featured a poem, was inciting unrest and harming social peace.
“Even if a large number of persons dislike the views expressed by another, the right of a person to express the views must be respected and protected. Literature, including poetry, drama, films, satire, and art, enriches human life,” observed the Justice Oka-led Bench of the apex court.
After the Gujarat High Court had turned down Pratapgarhi’s plea to quash the FIR, he moved a special leave petition before the Supreme Court.
In an interim order passed on January 21, the Justice Oka-led Bench shielded Pratapgarhi from arrest as it issued a notice to the Gujarat government in the matter, and also, in the meantime, ordered that no coercive steps should be taken against the petitioner in any manner on the basis of the impugned FIR.
During the course of the hearing, the apex court raised questions over the registration of an FIR. “Please see the poem. It’s ultimately a poem. It is not against any religion. It is not against any particular community. Please apply your mind to the poem,” remarked the Justice Oka-led Bench.
The complaint against Imran Pratapgarhi dates back to January 3, when a complaint was filed at the Jamnagar police station by an advocate’s clerk. The complainant alleged that a video posted by Pratapgarhi on Instagram, which featured a poem, was inciting unrest and harming social peace.
Refusing to quash the FIR, the Gujarat HC stated that as a lawmaker, the Congress leader should have acted responsibly and respected the legal process. It further directed him to submit an affidavit clarifying the origin of the poem used in the video.
Pratapgarhi was asked to specify whether the poem was written by him or sourced from elsewhere, and if so, provide the details of its author.
He told the High Court that the poem in question was either written by the renowned poets Faiz Ahmed Faiz or Habib Jalib. He stated that he had found the poem through online sources, including Internet forums and chat rooms, but could not provide a definitive source.
He presented screenshots from an AI tool (ChatGPT) to support his claims. He argued that the poem, which promotes love and non-violence, was harmless and did not constitute a criminal act. However, the prosecution disagreed, asserting that as a parliamentarian, he had a responsibility to act with caution and not to incite public unrest through social media.
The police had issued a notice to Imran Pratapgarhi on January 4, asking him to appear on January 11, but he failed to cooperate with the investigation.
The Gujarat High Court highlighted that Imran Pratapgarhi’s action could not be defended simply based on his status as a public figure. His failure to appear before the authorities and his lack of clarity about the origin of the poem were key factors in turning down his petition. The Gujarat HC ultimately dismissed Pratapgarhi’s plea, reinforcing that lawmakers must uphold the law and act responsibly.
Uncategorized
Rana’s interrogation will expose ISI-Lashkar links in Mumbai attack, says Ujjwal Nikam

Mumbai, Jan 25: Renowned Special Public Prosecutor of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, Ujjwal Nikam, has hailed the US Supreme Court’s decision to extradite Tahawwur Rana, an alleged conspirator in the 26/11 terror attacks, to India.
“This is a major victory for the Indian government,” Nikam stated while addressing the media on Saturday.
He explained that Rana’s appeal to the US Supreme Court, which argued against extradition citing his conviction in a Chicago court, was firmly rejected.
“The U.S. government opposed his petition, emphasising the need for him to face trial in India. The US Supreme Court’s decision paves the way for his extradition,” Nikam elaborated.
Talking about the potential impact of Rana’s interrogation, Nikam said, “This is an essential step forward. His questioning might unveil new dimensions of the Pakistan Army’s involvement in the 26/11 terror attack.”
Recalling his earlier interrogation of David Coleman Headley, a key conspirator in the Mumbai attack case, Nikam added, “Headley revealed the deep-seated collusion between Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Similarly, Rana’s testimony could provide critical insights into the ISI-Lashkar nexus.”
Prominent political figures also commented on the development. Maharashtra BJP MLA Ram Kadam credited Prime Minister Modi’s effective foreign diplomacy for the extradition.
He said, “The path has been cleared to bring Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India. This is a major triumph for the country. His interrogation will once again expose Pakistan’s infamous role in global terrorism.”
Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena (UBT), however, asked when other culprits would be brought to justice.
“This is a routine judicial process. While it’s commendable, we must also question the broader issue. When will other culprits like Nirav Modi, Dawood Ibrahim, and Tiger Memon be brought to justice? These matters cannot be overlooked.”
NCP (SP) leader Fahad Ahmad said, “While it is better late than never, we must focus on extracting as much information as possible from the accused. However, this should be a non-partisan effort, free from attempts to seek political credit or portray oneself as a hero. An investigation into the delays in handling this case is necessary to ensure such incidents do not recur in the future.”
Earlier, the US Supreme Court cleared Tahawwur Rana’s extradition to India, dismissing his review petition against the move, that is being seen as an outcome of President Trump assuming charge of the country.
Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, is wanted in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks case. This was Rana’s last legal chance not to be extradited to India.
Rana on November 13 filed a “petition for a writ of certiorari” before the US Supreme Court which was denied by the top court, a day after Donald Trump was sworn in as the American President.
Rana, 64, is currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Los Angeles.
Uncategorized
CAG Report On Delhi Liquor Policy Scam Case: ‘₹ 2,026 Crore Loss’, ‘Violation In Issuance of Licences’ – DETAILS

New Delhi: A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on the now-scrapped excise policy by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi pointed out several “lapses” in the policy. The CAG report claimed that Rs 2,026 crore loss was incurred to the exchequer. The report was released days ahead of the Delhi Assembly Elections 2025. The report alleged that AAP leaders got “kickbacks”. Notably, it is a draft CAG report as it is yet to be tabled in the Delhi Assembly.
The CAG report also claimed that licence norms were flouted. Notably, the then deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia was heading the excise department when the policy liquor excise policy was introduced in Delhi. The report highlighted that Sisodia ignored recommendations by the expert panel over the policy.
It also pointed out that arbitrary decisions were taken without any approval from the Lieutenant Governor.
– The 2021 liquor policy caused a whooping loss of Rs over 2,000 crore.
– The entities bidding for the license were not financially strong, yet they were allowed to bid.
– The approval from the then Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and the cabinet was not taken.
– Deviation from the objectives of the policy.
– There is a lack of transparency.
– Violation in the issuance of licences.
Breakdown of the total losses:
As per the CAG report, some of the retailers did not surrender their licences before the expiry of the policy and they were not rendered by the AAP government causing the loss of Rs 890 crore. Zonal licensees were granted exemptions, which reported caused an additional loss of Rs 941 crore. Meanwhile, another license fee waiver of Rs 144 crores was also granted to zonal licensees on the pretext of the COVID restrictions.
The AAP questioned the existence of the CAG report on the Delhi liquor policy scam case.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress lhit at the AAP over the repoprt.
“… CAG has revealed the whole story of the corruption of AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, who has played the role of a broker by destroying the happiness of Delhi… This is the same CAG report which Arvind Kejriwal used to wave in 2013 to fight against Sheila Dikshit and today the same CAG report has declared Arvind Kejriwal corrupt…” BJP leadre Manoj Tiwari told ANi.
“CAG has said that there has been a scam of Rs 2000 crores in the liquor policy… Now it is clear that he (Arvind Kejriwal) has done wrong… He has emptied the government treasury. If Rs 2000 crores have been spent in 6 months due to the liquor policy. If that scheme was still running, we would have suffered a loss of Rs 10,000-12,000 crores,” Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit stated as reported by the news agency.
-
Crime3 years ago
Class 10 student jumps to death in Jaipur
-
Maharashtra6 months ago
Mumbai Local Train Update: Central Railway’s New Timetable Comes Into Effect; Check Full List Of Revised Timings & Stations
-
Maharashtra6 months ago
Mumbai To Go Toll-Free Tonight! Maharashtra Govt Announces Complete Toll Waiver For Light Motor Vehicles At All 5 Entry Points Of City
-
Maharashtra6 months ago
False photo of Imtiaz Jaleel’s rally, exposing the fooling conspiracy
-
National News6 months ago
Ministry of Railways rolls out Special Drive 4.0 with focus on digitisation, cleanliness, inclusiveness and grievance redressal
-
Crime6 months ago
Baba Siddique Murder: Mumbai Police Unable To Get Lawrence Bishnoi Custody Due To Home Ministry Order, Says Report
-
Maharashtra5 months ago
Maharashtra Elections 2024: Mumbai Metro & BEST Services Extended Till Midnight On Voting Day
-
National News6 months ago
J&K: 4 Jawans Killed, 28 Injured After Bus Carrying BSF Personnel For Poll Duty Falls Into Gorge In Budgam; Terrifying Visuals Surface