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CBI Spl Director Rakesh Asthana goes to Delhi HC fearing arrest, gets reprieve till Oct 29

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CBI Spl Director Rakesh Asthana goes to Delhi HC fearing arrest, gets reprieve till Oct 29

Number two in CBI, special director Rakesh Asthana, who approached the Delhi High Court today (Tuesday, October 23) to seek protection against arrest in a corruption case, has been given relief till Monday, October 29, when the case comes up for hearing again.

Asthana is named as accused No. 1 in an FIR filed by CBI last Tuesday, media reports said.

Asthana had approached the high court seeking its direction that no coercive action be taken against him.

Asthana’s petition comes hours after CBI officer Deputy Superintendent of Police Devender Kumar, Asthana’s team member and accused No. 2 in the FIR who was arrested yesterday, asked the high court to cancel the bribery case filed against them.

Devender Kumar was arrested for “falsification of records” in connection with bribery allegations involving its Special Director Rakesh Asthana.

Asthana urged the court that no coercive step be taken against him since the CBI has already arrested DSP Devender Kumar. At this, the court, while observing that it would prefer not to use the term “no coercive steps”, directed that “status quo be maintained with regard to petitioner (Asthana)”.

Justice Najmi Waziri also issued notice to CBI Director Alok Verma, Joint Director A K Sharma and the Department of Personnel and Training on separate petitions by Asthana and Devender Kumar.

The court did not intervene in the arrest of Kumar and sought the CBI’s stand on his plea seeking quashing of the FIR lodged against him. The court will hear the matter next on October 29.

In his petition, Deputy Superintendent of Police Devender Kumar said he was being made “a scapegoat” and the case filed against them was false, frivolous and an afterthought.

Kumar insisted that he was an “upright police officer” with an excellent service record. The officer said he had been investigating the case against meat exporter Moin Akhtar Qureshi and others and was implicated because he had unearthed the truth in this case and was going to arrest “several accused person”.

Kumar, who was earlier the investigating officer in a case involving Moin Qureshi, was arrested on Monday by the CBI on the allegations of forgery in recording the statement of businessman Sathish Sana Babu, who had alleged to have paid bribes to get relief in the case.

Sana Satish Babu who alleged that two Dubai-based brothers – Manoj Prasad and Somesh Prasad – claimed that they were acting on behalf of the CBI special director and allegedly struck a deal for Rs 5 crore to protect him in a case that the agency registered against controversial meat exporter Moin Qureshi. Former CBI director AP Singh is also an accused in the case.

Devender Kumar, who was Investigating Officer in the Moin Qureshi case as part of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Asthana, was arrested around 2 pm Monday. The CBI had earlier searched Kumar’s office in the CBI building.

According to the FIR, businessman Sana Sathish Babu, a witness in the Moin Qureshi case, allegedly paid bribes to Asthana for getting relief in investigation from the CBI SIT headed by him.

The CBI said Kumar was arrested on the allegation of “falsification of records in an ongoing investigation”, that he had allegedly fabricated Sana’s statement “as an afterthought plan to corroborate the baseless allegations” made by Asthana against the CBI Director to the CVC (Central Vigilance Commissioner)”.

They said the agency was also looking into the alleged role of other members of the special investigation team headed by Asthana.

Asthana, who was booked by the agency on bribery charges in an unprecedented action, had complained against Verma on August 24, 2018.

After Kumar’s plea to the court following his arrest, Asthana moved the court as his ongoing war with Director Alok Verma escalated.

On Tuesday, media reports said, CBI director Alok Verma wrote to the PMO asking for Asthana to be suspended. He also wants Asthana repatriated to his parent Gujarat cadre as he is “unfit” to serve in the CBI. A formal communication to the PMO is significant as it creates direct accountability for the prime minister.

Verma will retire in January and Asthana, is said to be Modi and Amit Shah’s choice to succeed him as director. In fact, even before Verma was appointed, Asthana officiated as CBI director for a few months.

Meanwhile, a Delhi court allowed the CBI to quiz in custody for seven days its Deputy Superintendent of Police Devender Kumar.

Special CBI Judge Santosh Snehi Mann remanded Kumar to the custody of CBI, which had sought ten days of custodial interrogation of the accused official alleging that it has recovered incriminating documents from his office and residence.

The probe agency has claimed that Kumar was part of an extortion racket being run in the garb of the investigation. Kumar’s counsel, however, opposed the submission and moved a bail plea before the court.

CBI has also sought the court’s nod to add some more sections in the present FIR against accused including Kumar. Kumar was arrested yesterday.

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In Nagpur, Rahul Gandhi says true meaning of caste census is justice

“Different institutions of government are formed by the Constitution. If there was no Constitution, then the Election Commission would not have been formed,” he said.

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Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Wednesday that the true meaning of a caste census is justice, adding that his party will also “break the wall of 50 per cent” reservation limit.

Addressing the Samvidhan Samman Sammelan in Nagpur, the former Congress chief hit out at the BJP and its ideological parent Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), accusing them of attacking the Constitution and thereby attacking the voice of the country.

Ahead of the November 20 Maharashtra Assembly elections, the event was organised at the Suresh Bhatt Hall in Reshimbagh area of Nagpur, which is adjacent to Dr Hedgewar Smruti Mandir, a memorial of RSS founder Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar.

Attack on Constitution by RSS-BJP is an attack on the voice of India, Gandhi said. He explained the idea behind the Constitution and said it is not just a book but it is a way of life. He said what is written in the Constitution has been said by many great personalities like Lord Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi, and Phule.

“It is written in it that there should be equality among all, every religion, every language, every caste should be respected,” the Congress leader said.

“Different institutions of government are formed by the Constitution. If there was no Constitution, then the Election Commission would not have been formed,” he said.

India’s education system, IIT, IIM, primary education system, and secondary education system were created because of the Constitution, he said, adding that “if this is removed, you will not get a public school, public hospital, public college”.

Gandhi also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his comments on Congress leader, saying, “Whenever I talk about caste census, Modiji says that Rahul Gandhi talks about dividing the country. But I am telling the country that 90% of the people of India are not participating in the progress of the country.”

He added, “If you see tribal, Dalit, backward people, you will see them standing in MNREGA queue or working as laborers. You will not find these people in the media or the judiciary.”

“Whatever the BJP-RSS people say or do… Caste census will be conducted in India and the wall of 50% reservation will be broken,” he said.

The Rae Bareli MP recalled a meeting that he attended recently in his constituency where he asked the officers to introduce themselves. Gandhi said when the introduction started, he did not find a single name belonging to the Dalit and OBC categories.

“From corporate to judiciary, we do not see people from Dalit, OBC and tribal communities. This is the situation everywhere, where we cannot see 90% of India,” Gandhi added.

The senior Congress leader also spoke on how the idea of caste census came to him, saying, “When he was interacting with the public, a small voice came to him – caste census. But then gradually this voice grew bigger. We have named it caste census, but its real meaning is justice.”

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Indian exporters may face higher tariff under Trump’s America First agenda

The US stands as India’s largest trading partner, with annual trade exceeding $190 billion.

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With Donald Trump all set to become the 47th President of the United States, Indian exporters may face high customs duties on products such as automobiles, textiles, and pharmaceuticals if the new administration pursues its “America First” agenda, according to trade experts.

The experts have also indicated that Trump might tighten H-1B visa regulations, which could raise costs and hinder growth for Indian IT companies. With over 80 per cent of India’s IT export revenues stemming from the US, these changes could make the sector vulnerable to shifts in visa policy.

The US stands as India’s largest trading partner, with annual trade exceeding $190 billion.

Ajay Srivastava, founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), said that Trump might extend tariffs beyond China to include India and other nations, citing Trump’s earlier statement that India is a large tariff abuser and his October 2020 statement labeling the country as the tariff king. These comments hint at the likelihood of more challenging trade negotiations during Trump’s second term.

“His America First strategy is expected to advocate for protective measures, including reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods, which could hinder key exports such as automobiles, textiles, and pharmaceuticals, diminishing their competitiveness in the US market,” Srivastava stated.

However, he also said that a tougher US policy towards China could potentially open up new markets for Indian exporters.

The bilateral trade in goods between the two countries stood at $120 billion in 2023-24 as against $129.4 billion in 2022-23.

A GTRI report had earlier stated that according to WTO’s World Tariff Profiles 2023, the US also imposes high duties on items like dairy products (188 per cent), Fruits and vegetables (132 per cent), cereals and food preparations (193 per cent), oilseeds, fats and oils (164 per cent), beverages and tobacco (150 per cent).

International trade expert Biswajit Dhar remarked that Trump is likely to increase tariffs across different sectors to fulfill his MAGA (Make America Great Again) mandate. “With Trump’s return to power, we are headed toward a new era of protectionism,” Dhar predicted, pointing out that sectors such as electronics might be adversely affected.

Furthermore, Dhar raised concerns about the future of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), emphasising, based on Trump’s past decision to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), there may be uncertainty surrounding IPEF’s stability. Launched on May 23, 2022, the 14-nation bloc could face challenges ahead.

Ajay Sahai, Director General of the Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO), stated, “While we might see Trump advocating for more balanced trade, disputes around tariffs are likely to arise amid rising protectionist trends and stricter immigration policies.”

Agneshwar Sen, Partner for Tax and Economic Policy (International Trade) at EY India, said that the US might strategically implement high tariffs to promote domestic manufacturing and adjust existing supply chains, potentially leading to increased tariffs on Indian exports such as textiles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and engineering products.

“India may need to look for alternative markets, which would be challenging, or consider retaliatory tariffs on US exports. Alternatively, we should prepare for a trade deal that is appealing to the US, not only protecting our existing interests but also facilitating new opportunities,” Sen noted.

Additionally, Srivastava pointed out that Trump’s concerns regarding outsourcing could result in policy changes affecting IT exports. H-1B visa regulations are crucial for facilitating the movement of skilled IT professionals from India. “A stricter immigration approach from Trump could potentially alter visa rules, thereby raising costs for Indian IT companies,” he explained, PTI reported.

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FIR filed against Mithun Chakraborty for provocative speech

According to reports, the complaint against Chakraborty pertains to a speech he made during a BJP programme at the EZCC in Salt Lake area on October 27, based on which police registered an FIR at Bidhannagar South Police Station.

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A case was registered against actor-turned-BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty by West Bengal Police on Wednesday for allegedly delivering a provocative speech during a party programme in North 24 Parganas district last month.

According to reports, the complaint against Chakraborty pertains to a speech he made during a BJP programme at the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC) in Salt Lake area on October 27, based on which police registered an FIR at Bidhannagar South Police Station.

The programme, which took place in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, was organised to kick off the West Bengal leg of the BJP’s membership drive.

“We have started an investigation into the case,” said a senior officer of Bidhannagar police reported by PTI.

BJP state president and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar described the FIR a result of vendetta politics. Chakraborty has not commented on the FIR yet.

“There is nothing provocative in his speech. These are nothing but attempts to intimidate him by using police as a political tool,” the BJP state president said.

Chakraborty, who was awarded India’s highest film honor, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, earlier this year, asserted on October 27 that the “masnad” (throne) of West Bengal will be claimed by the BJP following the 2026 Assembly elections. He pledged to utilise all necessary efforts to accomplish this objective.

During his address at a program organised by the EZCC, Chakraborty stated, “In 2026, the masnad will be ours, and we will undertake all actions required to achieve this goal.”

In reference to TMC MLA Humayun Kabir’s communal comments directed at BJP supporters during the Lok Sabha elections, Chakraborty cautioned against any attempts to intimidate voters affiliated with the saffron party, encouraging them not to abstain from participating in the forthcoming Assembly elections. He called upon the booth-level workers of the BJP to firmly resist any such efforts.

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