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SC asks Ghaziabad court to defer PMLA case proceedings against Rana Ayyub

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The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it will hear on January 31, a plea by journalist Rana Ayyub against the summonses issued by a Ghaziabad court in connection with a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case.

The top court asked the Ghaziabad court to adjourn the hearing on January 27 and scheduled it after January 31.

Advocate Vrinda Grover, representing Ayyub, submitted before a bench comprising justices Krishna Murari and V. Ramasubramanian, that petitioner has been summoned by a Ghaziabad court and sought a stay on the coercive proceedings. The counsel argued that she is challenging the jurisdiction and cognizance of this case by PMLA court in Uttar Pradesh and added no part of the offence occurred there. Grover said the liberty of her client is at stake, and questioned whether ED be allowed to drag her to any court in the country.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the ED, opposed her submissions. Mehta said crowdfunding is the new device where you collect money and added, why can she not file for anticipatory bail like all litigants? Every litigant is equal before the eyes of law.

After hearing arguments, the bench said it will hear the case on January 31 and in the meantime Ghaziabad special court is requested to adjourn the hearing fixed on January 27 to a date after January 31. The top court clarified that this order is being passed because the hearing before it cannot be concluded today due to paucity of time and not on merits.

The ED, in October last year, had filed a charge sheet against Ayyub, accusing her of cheating the public and utilising charity funds worth Rs 2.69 crore for creating her personal assets, and also violating the foreign contribution law.

Ayyub moved the apex court seeking quashing of the proceedings initiated by the ED in Ghaziabad. The plea contended that the alleged offence of money laundering occurred in Mumbai, while citing lack of jurisdiction.

A special PMLA court in Ghaziabad, in November last year, had taken cognizance of the prosecution complaint filed by the Enforcement Directorate and summoned Ayyub. The special court said that from the perusal of the entire record there is sufficient evidence as to a prima facie case for taking cognizance against Rana Ayyub with regard to commission of offence.

The special court has noted the alleged offence is connection with obtaining illegally money from the general public in the name of charity via ‘Ketto’ platform, which is an online crowdfunding platform, in three campaigns without any kind of approval, raising huge amounts in the bank account of her sister and father and later transferring the same to her own bank account which was not used for the intended purpose.

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Navy sounds alert in Mumbai coastal area, asks fishermen to stop fishing in sensitive areas

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Mumbai, May 9: Amid escalating border tensions, the Indian Navy held a crucial meeting with the fishermen from Mumbai and advised them not to go for fishing in sensitive areas.

This was necessary as the ‘shoot to kill’ instructions have been issued if they enter the area designated by the Navy.

Authoritative sources said that in view of maritime security, a warning has also been issued asking the fishermen not to go along the coastline.

Further, a survey of fishing boats in Mumbai will be conducted, and their data will be collected with the help of an app.

Sources said that some boats of Gujarati fishermen have been seized by Pakistan, while the fishermen have been released. Their boats have been confiscated. Sources said that the Navy has sounded an alert hinting that Pakistan may use those confiscated boats against the country, as done during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

According to sources, the alert has been sounded not only in Mumbai but also in Konkan and other coastal areas. In Konkan, the movement of security forces has increased in the coastal areas, and strict security is being maintained here. In addition, citizens are being asked to inform the police immediately if they witness any suspicious boats or movements.

The Navy’s move comes at a time when it conducted targeted operations in the Arabian Sea against Pakistan following a major escalation in tensions.

Pakistan attempted missile strikes in Jammu and Kashmir and drone strikes in other parts of India. Military stations at Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur were targeted by Pakistani-origin drones and missiles along the International Border. The threats were swiftly neutralised using kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities in line with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). “No casualties or material losses were reported,” the defence ministry said in a post on X. “India remains fully prepared to defend its sovereignty and ensure the safety of its people,” it added.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is expected to hold a meeting with the senior officials during the day to review the preparedness. The meeting comes after Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a meeting with the Director Generals of the border guarding forces to assess the situation. He also discussed airport security with the Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

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Rajasthan alert: Bomb-like object found in Jaisalmer, probe underway

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Jaipur, May 9: A bomb-like object was discovered in a residential area of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan on Friday, triggering a massive security operation.

The explosive was found in the Jogi Colony of Kishanghat around 10 a.m., following which Army personnel swiftly evacuated the entire area. The bomb was safely removed by the Army team, preventing a potential disaster.

The situation in Jaisalmer remains tense, with the police enforcing a city-wide blockade. Heavily armed personnel have been deployed, and checks are being carried out on all incoming and outgoing vehicles.

Entry is being allowed only after thorough document verification, and all suspicious activity is under close surveillance.

In light of the high alert, blackouts were observed across six districts on Thursday night, including Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner, Sri Ganganagar, and Pali. Airports in the border districts have been completely shut down, with airspace appearing deserted as all routine flights have been diverted. The affected airports include Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Kishangarh.

Railway services have also been severely impacted. In Jaisalmer, train number 12468 (Jaipur-Jaisalmer), which departed on May 8, operated only up to Bikaner and was partially cancelled between Bikaner and Jaisalmer. Similarly, train number 12467 (Jaisalmer-Jaipur), scheduled for May 9, is now operating from Bikaner instead of Jaisalmer, with partial cancellation on the Jaisalmer-Bikaner route.

In Barmer, four trains scheduled for May 9 have been cancelled entirely. These include train numbers 14895 (Bhagat Ki Kothi-Barmer), 14896 (Barmer-Bhagat Ki Kothi), 04880 (Munabao-Barmer), and 54881 (Barmer-Munabao). The state is also on high alert following two recent attempted attacks by Pakistan.

On the night of May 7-8, missiles were fired at Indian airbases in Uttarlai, Nal, and Phalodi, which were intercepted mid-air by India’s advanced S-400 air defence system. The second attempt occurred around 9 p.m. on May 8, when swarm drones targeted military bases in Jaisalmer and Pokaran. These drones were also neutralised before causing any damage.

In response to these threats, the Rajasthan government has ordered the closure of schools and colleges in Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Barmer, and Sri Ganganagar until further notice. Coaching institutes in Sri Ganganagar have also been shut down.

Fireworks have been banned in Bikaner and Sri Ganganagar, while drone flying has been prohibited in Kota until July 7 and is already banned in Bikaner.

To bolster administrative readiness, nine Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) officers have been deployed to critical border areas to assist with disaster response and maintain law and order.

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Proud of our military, nation stands united: Samajwadi Party’s Nadvi

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New Delhi, May 9: In the wake of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the terror attack in Pahalgam, Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Mohibbullah Nadvi on Friday lauded the Indian Armed Forces for their strong and decisive response to Pakistan’s aggression following Operation Sindoor.

The Indian forces responded to unprovoked attacks from Pakistan firmly, gaining widespread support and admiration from across the nation. Terming the response as a “moment of pride for the entire nation”, Nadvi emphasised the bravery and unity of the Indian people.

Speaking to IANS, Nadvi said, “It is a moment of pride for the whole country. We are all proud of our military, which is courageously giving a befitting reply to the enemy. Today, the entire nation stands united. Clearly, such action should have been taken a long time ago in response to Pakistan’s shameful behaviour. Though delayed, this step was necessary.”

He strongly remarked that India would not rest until Pakistan’s terror infrastructure is dismantled completely.

“Until the terror factories in Pakistan are completely shut down, and until our armed forces achieve their objectives, we must remain firm. Today, we are proud that all political parties, all religions, and every Indian citizen are standing together. We salute the bravery of our soldiers,” he added.

Nadvi’s remarks come at a time when international concern is mounting over the possibility of an escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Addressing comments made by US Vice President J.D. Vance, who expressed hope that a nuclear war would be avoided, Nadvi responded firmly.

“Of course, no one wants a nuclear war. But for over 50 years, India has endured pain in Kashmir that no one else, not even the US, Russia, or any global power, can truly understand. We have warned Pakistan many times to abandon its path of terrorism. They did not listen, and now they are facing the consequences of their actions,” Nadvi stated.

As tensions continue to rise, calls for international intervention to pressure Pakistan into dismantling terror networks have intensified.

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