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Crime

‘Last Chance’: SC seeks Vijay Mallya’s presence in contempt case hearing

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The Supreme Court on Thursday gave a final opportunity to fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya to appear before it before it pronounces sentence in contempt case filed by banks, in which he was found guilty.

A bench of Justices U.U. Lalit and S. Ravindra Bhat said the court has found Mallya guilty of contempt and punishment has to be imposed. Going by normal logic, the contemnor has to be heard, but he has not appeared before the court so far, it said.

Senior advocate Jaideep Gupta, who is amicus curiae, submitted that the matter may be adjourned for short time with an expression that this could be the final opportunity.

Justice Bhat observed that Mallya has abstained from the hearing so far, and in the next hearing, the same thing will happen, and then the court would have to pronounce sentence in absentia.

Justice Lalit added that he was given multiple opportunities.

Justice Bhat said this cannot become a gateway for courts of first instance to adopt this method, and it has to be specifically mentioned that circumstances in the present case were extraordinary.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta clarified that it was not the Indian government stand that some confidential proceedings against him are pending in the UK, rather it was the stand of the UK government which was delaying his extradition. The bench agreed to take on record Mehta’s submissions.

The bench noted the amicus says that principles of natural justice were sufficiently complied with and adequate opportunity was given to the contemnor, the matter can be adjourned for a short time, and a final opportunity should be given.

After hearing arguments, the top court scheduled the matter for further hearing in the last week of February. It also clarified that if Mallya is not present in the hearing, then the matter will be taken to its logical conclusion.

According to a judgment delivered on July 14, 2017, Mallya was found guilty of contempt for not paying Rs 9,000 crore dues to the banks despite repeated directions. Additionally, he was also accused of not disclosing his assets and also secretly trying to dispose of the assets to defeat the purpose of recovery proceedings.

On October 6, 2020, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has told the Supreme Court that the UK Home Office has intimated that there is a further legal issue which needs to be resolved before Mallya’s extradition takes place and this issue is outside and apart from the extradition process having effect under the UK law.

The affidavit had said that Mallya’s surrender to India should, in principle, have been completed within 28 days after he lost the appeal against extradition. However, the UK Home Office then intimated India of the further legal issue.

On November 2 last year, the top court had asked the Centre to file a status report on extradition of the fugitive businessman within six weeks, and on November 30, it said it will begin hearing on sentencing of him in contempt of court, in which he was held guilty in July 2017.

Crime

I gave the builder’s name to Mumbai Police – Jhishan Siddiqui, former MLA

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Mumbai: Jhishan Siddiqui, former MLA from Bandra, has claimed to have given important information to Mumbai Police regarding Baba Siddiqui murder case. Jhishan Siddiqui said in a press conference that he has given the name of the concerned builder to the police and has handed over all the evidence to the police for investigation in this case. He says that now the security situation in Bandra has worsened and fear and anxiety has increased in the area due to this incident.

Jhishan further said that after the chargesheet is filed, more information related to this case will come to light and many important things will be revealed from the evidence obtained by the police. Jhishan Siddiqui had asked some important questions to the police after meeting the Chief Minister and he believes that these questions will be answered soon.

Jhishan Siddiqui says that he is going to ask for time to meet Devendra Fadnavis, so that this matter can be discussed soon. He expects from Mumbai Police that the investigation will be done in a proper manner and the right decision will be taken soon.

At present, an in-depth investigation is underway on the Baba Siddiqui murder case and what will be the direction of this case will be clear in the coming times.

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Business

Mumbai: Social Activist Demands Action Against Police Officers For Negligence In Torres Multi-Crore Scam Investigation

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Mumbai: In a serious development concerning Torres massive financial fraud case, a Social Activist Shashikant Kawale has called for action against police officers who allegedly neglected their duty despite receiving prior warnings about fraudulent activities. 

Social Activist Shashikant Kawale wrote a letter addressed to senior law enforcement authorities, including the Commissioners of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai Police, the Maharashtra Cyber Crime Department, the Economic Offences Wing, and the Enforcement Directorate, has raised serious questions about the delay in action against fraudulent companies operating in Mumbai and surrounding areas. The letter highlights gross negligence by responsible officers despite early warnings regarding Torres Scam.

Whistle Blower Flags Concerns

The Whistle blower Shashikant Kawale had previously flagged concerns, urging the authorities to investigate the legality of these companies’ operations, government-issued licenses, mandates, board of directors, and operational documents. Specifically, the letter called for a detailed probe into the working methods and financial inflows/outflows of the company, Records of investors and agents involved and The suspiciously high monthly returns promised by the Torres Company.

About The Allegations

The letter alleges that had an inquiry been launched promptly, it would have prevented many investors from falling prey to false promises, sparing them from financial devastation. Despite explicit warnings that the companies were preparing to flee after defrauding investors, no significant action was taken.

The Social Activist Kawale has demanded an inquiry into officers who failed to act on the provided information, urging that those found guilty be held accountable under applicable regulations. The letter further appeals for systemic reforms to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.A social activist from Dharavi, Shashikant Kavale, first raised red flags in November last year and approached the Shivaji Park police and EOW, highlighting Torres’ dubious practices.

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Crime

RG Kar verdict: Tight security in Kolkata court; parents appeal to people not to end stir for justice

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Kolkata, Jan 18: With just a few hours left for a special court in Kolkata to deliver its verdict on the rape and murder of a woman doctor of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata in August last year, the entire court premises have been wrapped under a blanket of security since early Saturday morning, even as her parents issued a last-moment appeal to the public not to end the fight for justice.

The cops of Kolkata Police have raised layers of barricades within the entire court premises apprehending that there will be a major gathering of common people, representatives of the civil society as well the state’s medical fraternity.

On Saturday morning, the mother of the victim issued a last-minute appeal through social media to the common people not to end the movement with the verdict being pronounced later in the day by the special court.

“If the dreams of our deceased daughter do not get justice, her life-long achievements would become fruitless. We pray that no girl faces such pain which my daughter faced. All those who are responsible should not be spared at any cost. They should be punished so that no other daughter faces the same pain like ours,” the appeal from the victim’s mother read.

According to them, Saturday’s verdict will be the first step in this direction.

“The real justice will be achieved only when all the masterminds behind the crime are brought within the ambit of the investigation and punished. We all should raise the demand not for just the sake of my daughter but for the sake of security of all the daughters,” her appeal read.

“As a mother all I can say is that I have lost everything. But I will continue my fight for other daughters till justice is achieved,” her appeal concluded.

On Friday evening, the parents of the victim expressed apprehension that their quest for justice for their daughter would be limited to conviction and sentencing of the “sole prime accused” in the case Sanjay Ray, an erstwhile civic volunteer attached to Kolkata Police, thus allowing the “suspected” conspirators involved in “tampering” and “altering” with the evidences in the matter, of remaining behind the curtains forever.

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