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Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections 2023: Second Phase Voter Turnout Reach 70.93%; Election Day Incidents & Updates

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The second phase of elections in Chhattisgarh unfolded with a mix of incidents, including clashes and unfortunate events, yet maintaining an overall sense of peace.

The election on seventy assembly seats in the second phase remained peaceful, with a tentative voter turnout recorded at 70.93% at 5 PM on Friday. While Raipur witnessed the lowest voting at 58.83%, Balod recorded the highest voter turnout at 82.79%.

In the Naxal-affected Gariyaband district, a jawan of ITBP deployed in Bindranawagarh lost his life in a landmine trigger. The martyred jawan, identified as Joginder Singh, was on election duty when the incident occurred on Friday evening.

In Balodabazar district’s Kasdol assembly constituency, a tragic incident unfolded at polling booth number 76. A sixty-year-old woman, identified as Sahodara Bai, waiting in the queue suddenly collapsed and passed away. The Election Officer, Bhupendera Agarwal, confirmed her death, attributing it to a cardiac arrest.

Despite the overall peaceful conduct, some incidents of clash and violence were reported from Sarguja’s Sitapur, Raipur, Durg, Bilaspur areas. However, voters sealed the fate for 958 candidates (827 men, 130 women, and one third gender) participating in the second phase of polling.

District-wise voting percentages varied across the region:

Balod: 82.79%

Balodabazar-Bhatapara: 72.51%

Balrampur: 74.46%

Bemetara: 76.70%

Bilaspur: 62.77%

Dhamtari: 79.89%

Durg: 69.36%

Gariyaband: 75%

Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi: 78%

Janjgir-Champa: 69.95%

Jashpur: 71.41%

Korba: 73.31%

Korea: 73.56%

Mahasamund: 73.53%

Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur: 76.65%

Mungeli: 65.24%

Raigarh: 75.16%

Raipur: 58.83%

Sakti: 68.43%

Sarangarh-Bilaigarh: 74.58%

Surajpur: 80.12%

Surguja: 67.71%

The elections have sealed the fate of major political figures from both Congress and BJP. Notable figures include Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Agriculture Minister Ravindra Choubey, Urban Development Minister Shiv Deharia, PHE Minister Rudra Guru, PWD Minister Tamradhwaj Sahu, Deputy CM TS Singh Deo, Sports Minister Umesh Patel, Speaker Charan Das Mahant, Minister Amarjeet Bhagat, CM Baghel’s aide Devendra Yadav, and others.

For BJP, high-profile leaders such as MLA Brijmohan Agarwal, former Minister Rajesh Munat, former Health Minister Amar Agarwal, MP and BJP State President Arun Sao, Union State Minister Renuka Singh, former IAS OP Choudhary, and others are facing a crucial test.

Despite the discussions around agricultural loan waiver and increased paddy procurement prices, the election day witnessed a neck-to-neck fight between BJP and Congress. The impact of agriculture loan waiver and promises related to paddy procurement are significant topics among more than 2 million farmer families in this election.

Crime

Dawood Ibrahim Got Call From Mumbai Cop Seeking Money For Daughter’s Wedding; Ex-DGP Sivanandhan Breaks Silence

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Mumbai: In an intense conversation with Former Mumbai Police Commissioner and ex-DGP of Maharashtra D. Sivanandhan, Media Journalist Balakrishnan spoke about the nexus between some policemen and the underworld.

In a startling revelation, the Media journalist revealed that during his visit to Dubai some years back, he went to Dawood Ibrahim’s patatial house called the ‘White house’, where the underworld don had received a phone call from Assistant Mumbai Commissioner allegedly seeking money for the gangster’s daughter’s wedding.

In an exclusive conversation, Media Balakrishnan said, “While I was talking to him, his PA came and told him that there is a call for you.”

The journalist said that Dawood winked and told him to keep quiet. While listening to their conversation on speaker, Media journalist heard, “Sir apka beti ka shadi toh apka yaad aya meko.”

Dawood responded by asking, “Kitna Chahye?”

On this, the Assistant Police Commissioner replied saying, “Jo apko lage, Apka beti ka shaadi hai.” Dawood then reportedly sent him Rs 10 lakh.

Speaking on the issue, Sivanandhan explained that not every officer in Maharashtra’s 2.5 lakh with 50000 in Mumbai is corrupt, but since they are recruited from society, some do fall into its darker influences.”We recruit them from the society, and the society comes along with all black, yellow, green colours.”

The conversation came in context about the nexus between some policemen and the underworld.

When ex-DGP of Maharashtra D. Sivanandhan was asked about the nexus between some policemen and the underworld, so much so that people used to talk about gang war within the police. On this, the ex-top cop defended, saying, “Tell me, from where do the policemen come? They come from the same society where the criminals are also coming.”

Further explaining, he also revealed, “In many of the cases where some shootout took place and when we went to raid the criminal’s house, we use to see a police uniform hanging. When we ask, the policeman’s sister was married to the gangster.”

“It’s a society where they live very, very closely,” the top cop confirmed. In another revelation, without sharing the identity, he also added, “There are also policemen working in gangs now.”

He added that, “So when policemen are accused of participating on behalf of some gang or other, I would wouldn’t deny that. I would agree. He added that the irresistable amount of money given to the gangster is unbelievable. Policemen are succumbing to that.”

The cop further raised questions on the government and said, “What was the guarantee or what was the support given by the government for policemen to insulate themselves from such kind of irresistable offers.” “When the policemen is prosecuted, not even a lawyer is given to them,” the ex-DGP said.

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Crime

Mumbai Airport Customs Seize Drugs Worth ₹12.5 Crore, iPhones, Laptops And Liquor In Separate Cases; 6 Arrested

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Mumbai: In four separate operations, the Airport Customs officials during the period of October till October 28, have seized drugs collectively worth Rs 12.50 crores and iPhones, laptops, liquor bottles and cigarettes totally worth Rs 56 lakh.

According to the agency sources, on the basis of specific intelligence, the Customs officers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), intercepted three passengers arriving from Bangkok to Mumbai.

During the examination of the baggage, the Customs officers recovered 6.48 kg of suspected hydroponic weed (marijuana), with an illicit market value of approximately Rs 6.48 crores.

In another case, on the basis of specific information, the Customs officers intercepted two passengers arriving from Bangkok. During the examination of the baggage, the Customs officers recovered 3.98 kg of marijuana valued at Rs 3.98 crores.

In the third such case, on the basis of specific intelligence, the Customs officers intercepted one passenger arriving from Bangkok. During the examination of the baggage, the Customs officers recovered 1.94 kg marijuana, with an illicit market value of approximately Rs 1.94 crores.

In all the three cases, the narcotic substances were concealed inside the checked-in trolley bag carried by the six passengers, who were arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

In the fourth case, on the basis of profiling, the Customs officers at the airport intercepted three passengers arriving from Sharjah to Mumbai. During the examination of the baggage, the Customs officers recovered Apple Iphones 17 pro max (40 pieces), laptops (30 pieces), liquor bottles (12) and cigarettes collectively valued at Rs 56.55 lakh.

The said goods were concealed inside the checked-in trolley bag carried by the passengers, who were arrested under the provisions of Customs Act, 1962.

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National News

National Herald case: Delhi court defers proceedings till Nov 7

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New Delhi, Oct 30: A Special Delhi Court, hearing the money laundering case linked to the National Herald, has deferred the proceedings till November 7, seeking clarifications from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on certain aspects of its chargesheet filed against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, among others.

Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne, presiding over the matter at Rouse Avenue Court, said the clarifications were necessary before the court could proceed to take cognisance of the prosecution complaint filed by the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The case, which stems from the ED’s allegations that top Congress leaders conspired to acquire control over the assets of Associated Journals Limited (AJL) — the publisher of the National Herald newspaper — remains at the pre-cognisance stage.

In the previous hearing, the court had also directed the central agency to provide additional details regarding certain aspects of its investigation before any decision on taking cognisance could be made.

The ED, in its prosecution complaint, has accused Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and other senior Congress leaders of being involved in a conspiracy to usurp properties worth over Rs 2,000 crore belonging to AJL through Young Indian Pvt Ltd, a company in which the Gandhis hold a majority stake.

The Rouse Avenue Court had reserved its order on July 14 after hearing detailed arguments from the federal anti-money laundering agency as well as the proposed accused, including the Gandhis.

Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Sonia Gandhi, had described the money laundering allegations as “really strange” and “unprecedented”, claiming that no tangible assets were involved.

Further, Rahul Gandhi claimed that the All India Congress Committee’s attempts to revive the pre-Independence era newspaper were “misconstrued” as a bid to sell its assets.

Highlighting the non-profit objectives of the company, senior advocate R.S. Cheema, representing Rahul Gandhi, said National Herald was never a commercial institution and the AICC just wanted to bring the newspaper back on the rails.

The controversy surrounding the National Herald’s assets first surfaced in 2012 when BJP leader Subramanian Swamy filed a complaint in a trial court, accusing Congress leaders of cheating and breach of trust in the acquisition of AJL.

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