New Delhi, Aug 25: Following the violence that broke out at Jantar Mantar on July 20 and the large-scale protests that followed, the Delhi Police has decided to overhaul and strengthen its intelligence-gathering mechanism to ensure better preparedness during major demonstrations and planned public gatherings.

According to sources, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar has directed the Intelligence Wing and the Special Branch to gather and analyse at least 10 key pieces of information before any major or planned protest.

On July 20, a large number of protesters gathered in and around Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Around 30,000 people took to the streets and attempted to march toward Parliament demanding action against the paper leaks and other examination-related irregularities. As the situation deteriorated, clashes broke out between the police and the protesters. The police used force, leading to widespread criticism.

Following this incident, the police’s intelligence system was reviewed. Officials felt that they lacked adequate and accurate prior input regarding the number of protesters, their mobilisation, and the role of various organisations.

Therefore, according to sources, the Delhi Police Special Branch has been instructed to develop more detailed and usable intelligence inputs, rather than simply gathering information about the location of the protest and estimated crowd.

The police will now also profile the people participating in the protest. They will also identify how many people are coming from which state, how they are being mobilised, and the role of key leaders and organisers. Efforts will also be made to understand the protest agenda and their main demands in advance.

The police will also gather information about where the protesters are staying, their local contacts, and their local connections in Delhi.

Sources said that information will also be gathered about their connections with various organisations, potential sources of funding for the protest, and the logistical arrangements made for the crowd.

This means that the police will no longer focus solely on where and when the protest is taking place, but also on identifying who is organising the protest, who is mobilising the demonstrators, where they are coming from, their local contacts, and how the entire protest has been prepared.

The Police Commissioner has also issued strict instructions regarding the wireless communication system. To ensure rapid exchange of information between police personnel on the ground and senior officers during protests, the wireless network has been thoroughly inspected, and any deficiencies identified have been immediately addressed.

According to sources, the purpose of this entire exercise is not to prevent any protests, but to better assess the law and order situation during large public events.

Particular attention will be paid to protests that attract large numbers of people from outside Delhi or involve multiple organisations.

Jaipur, Aug 25: A major financial irregularity case has surfaced in Jaipur after the Income Tax Department filed a complaint against Chartered Accountant Abhishek Jain, alleging that he issued 3,168 Form 15CB certificates without adequate documentation and verification.

According to the complaint, the certificates were used to facilitate foreign remittances totaling nearly Rs 23,956 crore over three financial years. The case came to light after the Income Tax Department’s Directorate of Investigation conducted a survey operation on August 18.

The office of CA Abhishek Jain in Jaipur’s Patrakar Colony area was also inspected during the operation. According to the department’s complaint, documents recovered during the survey contained details of Form 15CB certificates issued in connection with foreign remittances.

Following the survey, Mintu Lal Meena, Deputy Director of the Income Tax Department, filed a complaint at the Patrakar Colony police station, leading to the registration of an FIR against Jain.

The Income Tax Department has alleged that foreign remittances of approximately Rs 23,956 crore, were made on the basis of the 3,168 certificates. According to the FIR, the transactions took place during the financial years 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24.

The department has also raised questions about the financial profiles of several individuals and entities linked to the transactions. The complaint alleges that some of them either had not filed income tax returns or reported little or no significant business activity or income, despite large sums being remitted abroad in their names.

The FIR alleges that the required documentation was not properly examined before the certificates were issued. Form 15CB certification for certain foreign payments involves examination of the underlying transaction and relevant tax and financial documents. The Income Tax Department has specifically raised questions over the alleged verification of agreements, account-related documents, Tax Residency Certificates and Form 10F.

The complaint alleges that required verification procedures were not adequately followed. The complaint alleges that foreign remittances were made through approximately 40 firms, entities and trusts that the department has described as suspicious or allegedly bogus.

The FIR cites transactions involving approximately Rs 8,788 crore in the name of one individual and around ₹9,775 crore in the name of another. The Income Tax Department has sought further investigation into these transactions and the entities involved.

However, these are allegations contained in the complaint and will have to be established through the investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings. CA Abhishek Jain has been named as the prime accused in the FIR.

The case invokes Sections 318(4), 234, 229 and 35 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), according to the complaint. The police are expected to examine bank accounts, foreign remittance records, Form 15CB certificates and documents linked to the companies and entities involved.

Investigators will also look into the role of individuals who initiated the remittances, as well as any intermediaries or other persons who may have been involved.

The investigation will determine whether the alleged irregularities were limited to the issuance of certificates or were part of a larger financial network. At this stage, the allegations remain under investigation, and no final conclusion regarding the culpability of the accused can be drawn until the investigation and legal process are completed.

New Delhi, Aug 25: Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput on Tuesday said that while religious freedom must be respected, students should also follow the dress-code rules prescribed by educational institutions, reacting to the Allahabad High Court ruling on wearing a hijab with a school uniform.

Rajput stressed the importance of following the dress-code rules laid down by individual educational institutions.

“There is one law across the country, and everyone is allowed to practice religious harmony. However, the school uniform is governed by the rules of the school administration. So, the rules of the school administration should not be violated, so that all students maintain uniformity…” Rajput told media.

Janata Dal (United) National General Secretary Shyam Rajak said courts should take people’s religious, social and educational freedoms into consideration while passing orders.

Rajak said political leaders should not comment on judicial orders but emphasised the need for courts to consider broader issues affecting people.

“Regarding the order passed by the Hon’ble Judge of the Allahabad High Court, we cannot comment on a court order. However, it would be appropriate if such orders are passed while taking into consideration people’s religious, social, and educational freedoms. Today, whether it is the Supreme Court, High Courts, or lower courts, crores of cases are pending everywhere. People come and go, and some even die, but they do not get justice on time. I am not alleging anything against them, but my point is that the Hon’ble courts and judges should consider the people who have been suffering for years and focus on disposing of cases as quickly as possible. Creating a different kind of atmosphere by giving higher priority to only certain issues does not seem right…” Rajak said.

Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ashutosh Verma, reacting to the same ruling, said his party would abide by whatever decision is eventually taken by the Supreme Court. He also questioned why a student should not be allowed to wear a hijab along with the prescribed school uniform if it is worn as part of her faith.

“There are two things. We will abide by whatever the Hon’ble Supreme Court says. But what is the problem with wearing a hijab along with a school uniform? If a person wears a hijab as part of their faith, there should be no problem with it…” Verma said.

The reactions came after the Allahabad High Court, in a significant ruling, clarified that a student does not have a right to alter the dress code prescribed by an educational institution according to personal preferences.

The court dismissed a petition seeking directions to school authorities to allow a student to wear a headscarf in addition to the uniform prescribed by the institution.

The petition was filed by a minor girl studying at a private school in Prayagraj. According to the case details, the student had completed her high school education and was seeking admission to Class 11 in the same institution.