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Rafale deal: French anti-corruption NGO files complaint in France, demands probe

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Rafale deal controversy

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]While the battle over allegations of corruption in Rafale deal rages in India, with the Narendra Modi government stoutly resisting demands for any kind of investigation, a French legal organisation that examines illicit financial flows has filed a corruption complaint over the controversial Rafale deal with National Financial Prosecutor’s Office in France, according to a report published in Mediapart on Friday.

Sherpa, a Paris based NGO, seeking a probe into the allegations of money laundering and corruption in the deal, has sought to know under which conditions 36 fighter aircraft produced by Dassault Aviation were sold to India in 2016 and the choice of Anil Ambani’s Reliance as the offset partner which had no “experience in the manufacture of fighter jets” and was registered only “twelve days” before the announcement of the deal in 2015.

Sherpa lodged the complaint at the end of October with the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office highlighting “potential acts of corruption, granting of undue advantages, influence peddling, complicity of these offenses and money laundering,” according to a report on Friday by Mediapart.

“Everything indicates that it is likely to be a very serious matter,” William Bourdon, founder of Sherpa told Mediapart.

Sherpa says its complaint follows the one by a former minister and an anti-corruption lawyer to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against “Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ‘abuse of authority’ and ‘grant of undue advantages’ in connection with the sale of Rafale, and the facts revealed by Mediapart and Sherpa’s investigation.”

In October 2018, former BJP union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie, along with advocate-activist Prashant Bhushan moved the Central Bureau of Investigation with a complaint against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former defence minister Manohar Parrikar.

According to Sherpa, Narendra Modi, Anil Ambani, Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation, and the former Indian Minister of Defence, Manohar Parrikar have also been targeted in the complaint filed in New Delhi for “complicity”.

The complaint alleges the process to acquire the Rafale aircraft was accompanied by an abuse of authority that is prosecutable under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The NGO, in its press release, has said it expects the National Public Prosecutor’s Office to “promptly investigate the seriousness of the facts and the presumptions on the reported offences: potential corruption, grant of undue advantages, trading in influence, complicity of these offences, concealment of corruption and laundering of these offences.”

Sherpa, which filed the complaint at the end of October, calls itself an organisation with the “mission to protect and defend victims of economic crimes drawing on the power of the law and to fight against the new forms of impunity linked to globalization.”

“France cannot do less than India. Cooperation between both countries should be rapidly established, as it is always the case with international grand corruption investigation,” said Sherpa founder William Bourdon.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Mumbai Police book 3 unidentified shooters in Tiger Shroff firing case

Mumbai Police have registered a case against three unidentified individuals in connection with the firing at Tiger Shroff’s car in Mumbai’s Juhu area. The actor escaped without gunshot injuries, while two other people were injured.

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Mumbai Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against three unidentified individuals in connection with the firing incident involving Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff in Mumbai’s Juhu area. The case is under investigation as police work to identify those responsible for the shooting.

The incident took place on Sunday evening, October 18, when unidentified assailants opened fire at the vehicle carrying Shroff. The actor escaped without gunshot injuries, while two other people sustained injuries in the incident.

FIR registered against unidentified suspects

The police case names three unidentified individuals in connection with the firing. Investigators are examining evidence to establish the identities of the suspects and determine the circumstances surrounding the attack.

The registration of the FIR marks a formal step in the investigation. However, the identities of the accused have not been established in the report, and the case remains under investigation.

What happened during the firing incident

The shooting occurred in Mumbai’s Juhu area as Shroff was returning after playing football. The assailants reportedly opened fire at his car before fleeing.

The actor’s driver was among the two people injured in the incident. Police have been investigating the circumstances of the shooting and examining available evidence to trace those involved.

Investigation continues

Mumbai Police are continuing their investigation into the firing. The motive behind the attack and the identities of those responsible remain key questions for investigators.

A claim of responsibility attributed to individuals allegedly associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has also surfaced on social media. However, the alleged gang’s involvement should not be treated as established fact without official confirmation from the police.

Further details are awaited as the investigation progresses.

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Devendra Fadnavis says no one will be spared after firing at Tiger Shroff

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has assured strict action after gunmen opened fire at actor Tiger Shroff’s car in Mumbai’s Juhu area. Shroff suffered minor injuries, while two other people were injured.

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Tiger Shroff

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has assured strict action against those responsible for the firing incident involving Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff in Mumbai. The chief minister spoke to the actor after the incident and directed the Mumbai Police Commissioner to expedite the investigation and take action against the accused.

The shooting took place in Mumbai’s Juhu area on Sunday evening, October 18, when gunmen opened fire at the actor’s car as he was leaving a football venue. Tiger Shroff did not sustain any gunshot injuries but suffered minor injuries to his left hand from gunpowder and broken glass. Two other people, including his driver, were also injured in the incident.

Fadnavis directs police to speed up investigation

Following the incident, Fadnavis contacted Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti to seek details of the firing. He instructed the police to conduct a swift investigation, trace the accused and take strict action against those responsible.

The chief minister also spoke to Tiger Shroff and assured him of the government’s support, saying the accused would be traced and apprehended at the earliest.

The police have formed multiple teams to investigate the incident and identify those involved. According to reports published on October 19, 15 teams have been formed to track down the assailants.

Tiger Shroff suffers minor injuries in Mumbai firing

The incident occurred in Juhu as the actor was leaving a football venue in his car. Unidentified men allegedly arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire at the vehicle.

Although Tiger escaped direct gunfire, his driver sustained a gunshot injury. Another person, identified in reports as an autorickshaw driver, was also injured in the incident. Both were taken for medical treatment.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting and examining available evidence to identify the attackers.

Alleged gang claim under investigation

Following the firing, an audio recording and social media claims attributed to people claiming links to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang surfaced. The claims reportedly referred to Tiger Shroff’s association with actor Salman Khan. 

However, the authenticity of the claims had not been independently verified in the reporting available at the time. The claims should not be treated as confirmation of the attackers’ identity or the motive behind the shooting.

The investigation remains focused on identifying those who opened fire and establishing the circumstances behind the incident.

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Journalist files police complaint against Rahul Gandhi over push allegation

Journalist Richa Parashar has filed a criminal complaint against Rahul Gandhi and others, alleging that she was pushed while covering the Opposition’s march to the Supreme Court. The Congress has denied the allegation.

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Journalist Richa Parashar has filed a police complaint against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over an alleged incident during the INDIA bloc’s march to the Supreme Court in New Delhi on October 12. She has sought the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Gandhi and others, alleging that she was pushed while covering the protest.

Parashar submitted her complaint to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), New Delhi district, on Friday, seeking immediate action. She has said she was three months pregnant at the time of the alleged incident and accused those involved of mistreatment, threats and the use of force.

What Richa Parashar alleged in her complaint

Parashar alleged that she was reporting on the Opposition’s march when the incident occurred. According to her earlier account, she was waiting near a gate on the Supreme Court premises to seek a response from Gandhi when he allegedly grabbed her hand and pulled her forward. She further alleged that his security personnel pushed her away, causing her to fall on the Supreme Court steps.

In her complaint, Parashar said she asked Gandhi questions before he allegedly pushed her towards a gate. She claimed that the force caused her to lose her balance and fall, and that her repeated requests not to be pushed were ignored.

Parashar has sought legal action against Gandhi and others whom she alleges were involved. The complaint reportedly seeks action under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including Sections 74, 115(2), 131, 125 and 3(5). These provisions concern alleged assault or criminal force against a woman, voluntarily causing hurt, assault or criminal force, acts endangering human life or personal safety, and joint liability for acts committed with common intention.

The allegations and the sections cited in the complaint do not, by themselves, establish criminal liability.

Congress disputes the allegation

The Congress has challenged Parashar’s account of the incident. According to report, the party said a video released by the journalist did not show the sequence of events she described.

Congress leader Alka Lamba also questioned the circumstances surrounding the incident and accused those raising the issue of attempting to manufacture propaganda.

The allegations remain disputed. The complaint and the competing accounts should not be treated as an established finding of wrongdoing.

Incident took place during Opposition’s Supreme Court march

The alleged incident occurred on October 12, when Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders marched to the Supreme Court to submit a petition concerning alleged irregularities in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The Opposition has raised concerns about the voter-list revision process and alleged irregularities.

Parashar’s police complaint adds a legal dimension to the controversy surrounding the march. Any further action will depend on the police process and the relevant legal proceedings.

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