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‘Rahul disrupting Parliament to avoid discussion’, says BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia

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New Delhi, Aug 5: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of deliberately disrupting Parliament to avoid a discussion on the Modi government’s record of bringing fugitive offenders back to India from abroad.

The BJP claimed that between 2019 and 2026, the Centre successfully brought back 274 fugitives from 36 countries and described it as government’s commitment for bringing offenders to justice in India.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, the party’s national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia questioned why Parliament was repeatedly being disrupted and blamed Rahul Gandhi for the ongoing impasse.

“A very important subject needs to be discussed today. Everyone is wondering why the Leader of the Opposition, the immature, irresponsible, part-time Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, is not allowing Parliament to function. Why is it that the immature, part-time, irresponsible Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, is preventing Parliament from functioning?” Bhatia said.

He alleged that the political contest in the country represented a clash of two contrasting ideologies, claiming, “On the other side, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi only works to divide the country. Standing with anarchic elements makes one anarchic as well,” he said.

Highlighting what he described as the achievements of the Modi government, Bhatia said the figures relating to the extradition and return of fugitive offenders should make every Indian proud.

He said that under the Modi government’s zero-tolerance policy, 274 fugitive criminals had been brought back to India from 36 countries between 2019 and 2026.

“On average, 40 fugitives have been brought back every year. No matter where they were hiding in the world, they were tracked down, arrested, and brought back to India. They will now face trial under the law. That is the strength of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he added.

Drawing a comparison with the previous Congress-led government, Bhatia urged people to examine the difference in performance and claimed, “You will get the answer to why Rahul Gandhi does not want Parliament to function. When these figures are placed before Parliament, the people will ask why such political will was not visible during the Congress government’s tenure.”

The BJP spokesperson further claimed that during the period from 2004 to 2013, only around four fugitives were brought back annually.

“That means, 40 fugitives in 10 years. On one hand, 40 fugitives are brought back in one year, and on the other hand, 40 are brought back in 10 years. This data demonstrates that India has become more effective in bringing criminals to justice,” he added.

Bhatia also said the Modi government had recovered nearly Rs 19,000 crore from returned fugitive offenders and alleged that the previous Congress governments lacked the political resolve required to pursue such individuals.

Raising questions about the nature of the offences committed by the returned fugitives, he said many of them were accused in serious criminal cases.

“A question naturally comes to mind, and I would like to place it before you. What crimes had these fugitives committed? These are people accused of serious offences. There are 53 accused of sexual offences, including rape and POCSO crimes against children; 42 are accused of organised crime and gangster activities; 18 are accused of human trafficking and kidnapping; 17 are accused of terrorist and anti-national activities. Terrorists have been brought back. Nobody can look at India with an evil eye,” he said.

Bhatia further stated that the list also includes 16 accused booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act for drug trafficking, 12 individuals accused in counterfeit currency and cybercrime cases, along with several others wanted for fraud and financial offences.

The BJP leader also accused Rahul Gandhi of failing to discharge his responsibilities as Leader of the Opposition, alleging that he avoids participating in Parliament while frequently making what he termed “absurd” remarks against Prime Minister Modi and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

“It is the responsibility of the LoP, especially when Parliament is in session, to attend the House, engage in debate, present facts, and raise issues concerning the public on the floor of Parliament. However, the LoP shies away from the very temple of democracy; he is afraid,” Bhatia said, adding that Rahul Gandhi “suffers from Modi-phobia and RSS-phobia.”

During the press conference, Bhatia also referred to the anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, describing August 5 as a historic day in India’s constitutional journey and crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the decision.

“August 5 is a moment of pride and honour for every Indian. Seven years ago, the central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, took the historic decision to fully integrate Jammu and Kashmir into the mainstream of the Indian Constitution by revoking Article 370. This decision was in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution and provided a new impetus to national unity,” he added.

Crime

CISF seizes foreign currency worth Rs 1.13 crore at Kolkata airport

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Alert personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) detected foreign currency worth approximately Rs 1.14 crore concealed in the hand baggage of two passengers bound for Bangkok at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata.

The detection took place around 10:20 a.m. on October 19 during routine security screening at the International Terminal Security Hold Area. A CISF screener noticed suspicious images in the X-ray scans of the hand baggage carried by the two passengers scheduled to travel to Bangkok on Bhutan Airlines flight B3700. The bags were subsequently referred for physical examination.

During the inspection, CISF personnel recovered USD 1,19,900, equivalent to approximately Rs 1,13,64,002, concealed inside false bottoms of the two bags. The foreign currency had been wrapped in newspaper in an apparent attempt to conceal it from security personnel.

Of the total amount recovered, USD 74,900 was found in the hand baggage of one passenger, while USD 45,000 was recovered from the other passenger’s bag.

Following the prescribed formalities, both passengers, along with the seized currency, were handed over to the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Customs for further investigation and necessary legal action.

On October 20, the passenger from whose baggage USD 74,900 was recovered was taken by AIU/Customs officials to the District and Sessions Court for further legal proceedings following the investigation and seizure. The second passenger was released by Customs after the issuance of a detention receipt for the USD 45,000 recovered from the passenger’s baggage.

CISF in a release reiterated its commitment to maintaining aviation security through effective screening procedures, alert surveillance and professional conduct by its personnel. According to officials, the detection stresses the importance of coordinated action between airport security personnel and Customs authorities in addressing suspected financial and currency-related violations.

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Crime

Gujarat: Man held after 0.77 grams of mephedrone found in ‘porter’ delivery parcel

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A 27-year-old businessman was arrested by Naroda police after 0.77 grams of suspected mephedrone, valued at Rs 1,540, was found in a parcel being delivered through the Porter application near Nana Chiloda Circle in Ahmedabad, police said on Wednesday.

The case came to light after police received a control-room message about a suspicious parcel that had arrived for delivery through the application.

The substance was examined preliminarily by a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) officer in the presence of panch witnesses and was found to be mephedrone, a synthetic drug.

Police seized the substance and initially registered an offence against three unidentified mobile phone holders under Sections 8(c), 22(a) and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

During the investigation, they traced and arrested the man suspected of ordering the consignment through the parcel.

The accused was identified as Priyang Sanghvi (27). He is a businessman who lives in Aram Park Flats in the Sabarmati area of the city. He is originally from Shirodi village in Rajasthan’s Sirohi district.

According to the police, the suspected method involved using a mobile phone number belonging to a witness to log in to the Porter application.

Drug consignments were allegedly packed separately in zipper bags and sent through the delivery service. An intermediary was allegedly used to distribute the drugs to different customers for sale.

The police said the arrest followed instructions from senior officers to curb the illegal sale and transportation of narcotic substances and detect offences related to them.

“The operation was conducted by Naroda police personnel under the supervision of Senior Police Inspector B M Katariya,” officials said.

The police seized 0.77 grams of mephedrone, valued at Rs 1,540. The investigation concerns the alleged use of a parcel delivery application to transport the substance and its subsequent distribution through an intermediary.

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Crime

Bihar: 75-year-old man stabbed to death; woman and her son injured

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A 75-year-old man was allegedly stabbed to death, while a woman and her 25-year-old son were injured in a violent clash between neighbours at Rohda Kala village under Barharia police station limits in Bihar’s Siwan district on Wednesday.

The deceased was identified as Rama Nandan Prasad, son of the late Garib Bhagat.

The injured were identified as Baby Devi, 44, and her son Kishan Kumar, 25.

The injured were taken to the Barharia Community Health Centre for treatment. While Kishan received primary medical care, Baby Devi was referred to Siwan Sadar Hospital due to her critical condition.

According to Kishan Kumar, his grandfather was sitting outside the house drinking tea while his mother was cooking, and he was asleep.

Hearing a commotion, he went outside and found his grandfather lying in a pool of blood.

He then heard his mother crying from inside the house and rushed in, where he allegedly saw neighbours attacking her with knives. When he tried to intervene, he was also injured in the attack.

Kishan claimed that he had no prior dispute with the neighbours and said the reason for the attack was unclear.

With the help of residents, two alleged assailants were apprehended and handed over to the police.

After receiving information, the Barharia police reached the village and launched an investigation.

A Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team was also called to collect evidence from the scene.

The police have set up a camp in the village amid tension following the incident.

Barharia Station House Officer Chhotan Kumar said a patrolling officer was initially sent to the spot, after which he reached the village to investigate the incident.

He said an FIR has been registered against the named accused based on Kishan Kumar’s statement.

The two detained suspects are being questioned, while the motive behind the incident remains unclear.

Police said further action would be taken based on the investigation.

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