National
J&K cabinet to discuss today report on reservations in govt jobs

Srinagar, June 18: Jammu and Kashmir cabinet headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is meeting on Wednesday evening to discuss the cabinet sub-committee (CSC) report on reservations in government jobs.
The CSC finalised its report on June 10, and the same will be tabled before the cabinet to take its call on the contentious issue that has constitutional and legal implications.
The report finalised on June 10 by the CSC will be discussed, and a view will be taken on how to proceed on the sensitive issue.
Of the five cabinet ministers in J&K, except the CM, three ministers are members of the CSC.
There has been unrest among the open merit candidates as the reservations under various categories in the UT have reached almost 70 per cent, leaving just 30 per cent of seats for the open merit candidates to compete among themselves when applying for a government job.
The cabinet will have to take the final call on the implementation of the CSC report and also the procedure to be adopted to implement the CSC recommendations.
The ruling National Conference (NC) election manifesto had promised to revisit the reservation policy to make it merit-friendly by providing open merit candidates the maximum share.
On December 10, 2024, the CSC was formed and asked to submit its report within six months.
For the Omar Abdullah-led government, taking the final call on reservations is going to be a tough call, as a cut in the reservation in any category will be a difficult task, but without that, there is no other way to give relief to open merit candidates.
As per the existing rules, 20 per cent reservation has been given to Scheduled Tribes (STs) including 10 per cent each to Gujjars and Bakerwals and Pahari Ethnic Tribes, 10 per cent to Resident of Backward Areas (RBAs), 10 per cent to Economically Weaker Sections, 8 per cent to Other Backward Classes, 8 per cent to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and 4 per cent to the residents of areas adjoining Line of Actual Control (ALC)/International Border (IB).
There is a 10 per cent horizontal reservation, including 6 per cent to ex-servicemen and 4 per cent to Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
Further, some candidates from the reserved category, who get selected in the general category, can also opt for jobs in the open category.
There was no reservation for OBCs till a year back, and only four per cent reservation was given under the category Other Social Castes (OSCs). The BJP-led Union government fulfilled the long-pending demand of the OBCs for reservation and passed a law in the Parliament, after which they got 8 per cent reservation.
Also, there was a 20 per cent reservation under the RBA category, which has been reduced to 10 per cent. There were allegations that influential persons got their villages included in the RBA category to avail the benefits of reservation for their kin.
The reservations in Jammu and Kashmir came into effect after the Reorganisation Act 2019 was passed by the Parliament. Even if the CSC recommendations are accepted by the cabinet and also passed by the UT’s Legislative Assembly, the question being asked is whether they can come into effect without the Parliament’s approval?
Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 includes provisions for reservations in jobs and admissions within the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. These provisions extend the existing reservation policies applicable to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other socially and educationally backward classes to J&K.
Crime
2002 import-export fraud case: CBI takes custody of Monika Kapoor in US

New Delhi, July 9: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken the custody of Monika Kapoor, an alleged economic offender, in the US and will bring her back to India, ending an over two-decade-long run from the law, officials said on Wednesday.
The development comes after Kapoor’s extradition from the US.
The CBI in a press release said the chase has ended after two decades “with the successful extradition of Fugitive Ms. Monika Kapoor, who is accused in a 2002 Import-Export fraud and was on run since then, from USA.”
According to the information provided by the Central agency, fugitive Monika Kapoor, Prop. of M/s Monika Overseas in conspiracy with her brothers, namely Rajan Khanna and Rajiv Khanna forged export documents viz. Shipping Bills, Invoices and Bank Certificates of Export and Realisation during the year 1998.
She obtained six Replenishment (Rep.) Licenses for the import of duty-free gold worth Rs 2.36 crore.
“In furtherance of the criminal conspiracy, they sold the said Rep. Licenses to M/s Deep Exports, Ahmedabad, on premium. M/s Deep Exports, Ahmedabad utilised the said licenses and imported duty-free gold, which caused a loss to the Government Exchequer to the extent of Rs 1.44 crore during the year 1998,” the press release mentioned.
The CBI, on the completion of the investigation, filed a charge sheet on March 31, 2004, against Monika Kapoor, Rajan Khanna, and Rajeev Khanna under sections 120-B r/w 420, 467, 468 and 471 of the IPC.
The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, District Court Saket, New Delhi, vide order dated December 20, 2017, had convicted Rajan Khanna and Rajeev Khanna.
The CBI said the accused, Monika Kapoor, did not join the investigation and trial; she was declared a proclaimed offender by the trial court on February 13, 2006. The Ld. Trial Court had issued an open non-bailable warrant of arrest on April 26, 2010, and a Red Corner Notice was also issued against her.
A request for extradition was sent by the CBI on October 19, 2010, to the US authorities. Following intense coordination with authorities in the US, a CBI team travelled to the country to take custody of the fugitive.
This extradition marks a major breakthrough in the pursuit of justice and reiterates CBI’s commitment to bringing fugitives to face the law in India, irrespective of international boundaries.
The CBI team is returning to India with the fugitive. Monika Kapoor is being produced before the concerned court and will now face the trial.
The press release said that the CBI remains steadfast in its mission to combat economic crimes and will continue to pursue all legal avenues to ensure that the fugitives are brought to justice.
National
Congress backs PM Modi’s BRICS stand, vows firm fight against terrorism

New Delhi, July 7: Backing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s firm stance on terrorism at the BRICS Summit, senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari on Monday expressed his complete faith that India will fight terrorism with full resolve and determination.
His remarks came in response to PM Modi’s statement at the global summit, where he called terrorism “the most serious challenge facing humanity” and emphasised that condemning terrorism must be a matter of principle, not convenience.
Speaking to Media, Pramod Tiwari supported the Prime Minister, stating, “At the BRICS Summit, voices should have been more vocal against terrorism. The platform should also raise social, economic, and global concerns of its member nations. India has consistently spoken for global peace and justice.
“I have full faith that our country will fight terrorism with unwavering determination. I wish those responsible for the recent attack in Pahalgam had been caught — it would have revealed who trained and supported them. Such information is crucial and would have commanded greater respect globally.”
Tiwari also took a swipe at US President Donald Trump, who recently lashed out at the BRICS alliance and warned of an “additional 10 per cent tariff” on countries aligning with what he termed “anti-American policies.”
“BRICS is for protecting nations who are in it. President Trump had previously issued similar warnings during his visit to India. At that time, Prime Minister Modi should not have laughed or responded lightly. He should have stood firm and reminded Trump that BRICS works on its own principles and is committed to its founding objectives,” said Tiwari.
The Congress leader criticised the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.
On Sunday, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar stated that extensive consultations had been held with political parties and acknowledged that “no one was satisfied” with the current status of the electoral rolls.
Reacting to the development, Tiwari said, “We are not satisfied with the Election Commission of India’s response. The documents required for voter list revision are unnecessarily complicated and impractical. If the process is designed to make it difficult for traditional voters who are against the BJP, Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, and minority voters, to remain on the rolls, then this raises serious questions about the Election Commission’s intent. If the ECI wants to remove them.”
He added that while some groups have approached the Supreme Court, others are considering forming “people’s courts” to ensure fairness.
“The Congress has always upheld the voter’s right to participate in democracy. We will continue to stand by that principle and ensure that all necessary documentation is provided,” he asserted.
Tiwari also took aim at the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar, particularly targeting Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan.
During a political rally in Saran district on Sunday, Chirag announced that he would contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections and urged his party workers to prepare for all 243 constituencies in alliance with the BJP and JD(U).
Mocking the move, Tiwari remarked, “The NDA in Bihar is a sinking ship. Chirag Paswan, despite being the son of a respected leader like Ram Vilas Paswan, is trying to stay afloat in turbulent political waters. If he’s contesting all 243 seats, it means internal cracks have widened and many alliance members are already looking for the exit door ahead of elections.”
He continued, “It’s clear that NDA leaders are aware they are going to lose many seats. Their desperation is evident. While they are forming the central government, they are losing their grip on the state. This creates confusion among their own allies.”
In the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, Chirag Paswan’s LJP had contested 137 seats but managed to win only one, Matihani. Despite this, Chirag currently holds a Lok Sabha seat and serves as a Cabinet Minister in the BJP-led central government, which includes JD(U) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) as key allies.
Crime
Man arrested in Delhi for trying to reactivate Baba Siddique’s mobile phone number

CRIME
Mumbai, July 7: Mumbai Police have arrested a man from Delhi for allegedly attempting to fraudulently take control of a mobile number belonging to late NCP leader Baba Siddique, which is linked to his family’s businesses.
The accused, identified as Vivek Sabrawal, was apprehended in the Burari area of Delhi and brought to Mumbai for further investigation.
According to officials, Sabrawal tried to reactivate Siddique’s phone number on a new SIM card with the intention of using it for cyber fraud. Police said the accused has a history of cybercrime, with prior cases registered against him.
He was out on bail in one such matter when he attempted this latest fraudulent act.
A case has been registered under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including provisions related to cheating, attempted offences, forgery, fabrication of records, and using forged electronic documents as genuine.
Authorities suspect that Sabrawal aimed to misuse the number for financial or digital scams.
The matter came to light after Siddique’s daughter, Arshiya Siddique, filed an FIR at Bandra Police Station in Mumbai. She reported that an unknown individual had fraudulently attempted to become the “authorised signatory” for her late father’s mobile number, which remains active and is associated with the family’s business interests, including Zears Business India LLP and a food venture she runs under the name Flavour Food Venture.
Police said the fraudster had created a fake email ID in the name of Shahzeen Siddique, Baba Siddique’s wife, and used it to contact Vodafone to enquire about the status of the authorised signatory on the mobile number.
In a more disturbing development, the individual accessed Shahzeen Siddique’s personal documents — including Aadhaar, PAN card, GST details, and the company’s letterhead — to support the fraudulent request.
Using these forged details, the accused submitted a request to Vodafone to update the signatory, listing fake identities such as Michael Sharma, Tarun Kumar, Avinash Arora, and Sumit Sharma.
On June 25, Vodafone responded to the request by CC’ing Shahzeen Siddique’s real email ID, which immediately alerted the family that an unauthorised application had been made using forged credentials.
Alarmed by the development, the Siddique family approached the police. While Sabrawal has been arrested for his involvement in the SIM card reactivation attempt, investigations are ongoing to determine whether there are additional suspects involved in the attempted fraud.
The complainant has urged Mumbai Police to trace the origin of the fake email ID and analyse the call data records (CDR) associated with the number listed in the request, citing fears of a possible connection with individuals involved in Baba Siddique’s sudden demise.
Mumbai Police have said further action will follow based on electronic and forensic analysis of the digital evidence, and more arrests may be made if links to a broader conspiracy are established.
Baba Siddique, a former Maharashtra minister, was shot dead in the Bandra area of Mumbai on October 12, 2024.
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