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Mahatama Gandhi’s wheelchair-bound relative summoned by Surat official to second-floor office

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7 years ago

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Mahatama Gandhi’s wheelchair-bound relative summoned by Surat official to second-floor office

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The granddaughter-in-law of Mahatma Gandhi Shivalaxmi Gandhi suffered difficulty trying to register a charitable trust when an official of the charity commissionerate in Surat criticized a representative of her for “using” Gandhi’s name and also added that the work will only be done if she would personally visit the office.

“The descendants of Sardar Patel never used to take his name. Why are the descendants of Mahatma Gandhi taking his name to get work done?” Assistant charity commissioner of Surat RV Patel asked when Parimal Desai, who on behalf of Shivalaxmi Gandhi had gone to the charity Commissioner’s office to get a newly formed trust registered.  Desai had been trying for four months to get the work done.

On Monday afternoon, all the trust members of Dr Shiva and Kanu Ramdas Gandhi Charitable Trust took the wheelchair-bound Shivalaxmi to the office of Assistant Charity Commissioner Officer R V Patel. This time, the work was done within ten minutes.

A couple of months ago, Shivalaxmi expressed Parimal Desai her desire to start a trust to use her life’s savings and pension for the education of underprivileged students of Surat.

Shivalaxmi, who holds a doctorate in biochemistry and has worked as a research scientist in the United States, settled down in Bhimrad village in Surat after the death of her husband, Kanu Gandhi on November 7, 2016. Kanu Gandhi, the son of Ramdas Gandhi, was 87 when he died. He had been a mathematician who worked as a scientist in NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration, US). The couple had left the US a few years ago and settled in Surat.

On account of her age and poor health, Dr Shivalaxmi pressed Desai to register the trust right away. Acting on her request, Desai, along with his son Hardik Desai, Balvant Patel of Bhimrad village and one Ravi Juneja, got the documents ready. Desai tried for four months to get the paperwork cleared.

Around a month ago, finally Assistant charity commissioner RV Patel of Surat Charity Commissioner’s office told Parimal Desai that the settler (donor) of the trust must come personally to get the work done. His office is located on the second floor of the building with no elevators.

“I told him that Dr Shivalaxmi is 92 years old and cannot come to the office due to her old age and illness, Parimal Desai told The Indian Express. “I also offered to pick up and drop the officials in my car to Dr Shivalaxmi’s place and back. Patel refused, saying there is no such provision.” That is when Desai informed the official that Dr Shivalaxmi was the granddaughter-in-law of Mahatma Gandhi and that she wanted to open the trust for the education of underprivileged students. “Patel, in front of 20 people (other applicants), told me loudly ‘The descendants of of Sardar Patel never use his name. Why are the descendants of Mahatma Gandhi using his name to get work done?’” Desai said.

Feeling insulted by the officials’ behavior he came back and told the happenings in front of the members of the trust where Dr Shivalaxmi was also present.

“One of the trust members told us that the work would be done if they were to pay a bribe of Rs 5,000 to the official,” said Desai. “Shocked by this, Dr Shivalaxmi told me she would not pay a bribe and would go to the charity commissioner’s office herself and get the documents cleared.” And so she did on Monday.

(Source: Indian Express)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Asish Banerjee found dead in Rampurhat, Mamata Banerjee aide’s death shocks TMC

Former West Bengal deputy speaker and five-time Rampurhat MLA Asish Banerjee was found dead at a Trinamool Congress office in Birbhum.

Published

13 hours ago

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August 16, 2026

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Mamata Banerjee

Former West Bengal Assembly deputy speaker and Trinamool Congress leader Asish Banerjee was found dead at a party office next to his residence in Rampurhat, Birbhum district, on Sunday morning.

Police said his body was found hanging and was sent for postmortem. A large crowd gathered outside the Trinamool Congress office after news of his death spread.

Who was Asish Banerjee?

Asish Banerjee had served as the deputy speaker of the West Bengal Assembly when Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee was the state’s chief minister. He was also a five-time MLA from Rampurhat.

He had served as Bengal’s education and agriculture minister after Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress first came to power in the state.

Banerjee contested the West Bengal Assembly election earlier this year but lost the Rampurhat seat to BJP’s Dhruba Saha.

Asish Banerjee’s recent party role

Banerjee stepped down as chairman of the Trinamool Congress’s Birbhum district core committee in June. At the time, he said he would continue as a general member of the party.

He lived in the Hattalapara neighbourhood of Rampurhat, with the party office where his body was found located next to his house.

BJP gains in Birbhum

The BJP won six of the 11 Assembly constituencies in Birbhum in the latest state election. This marked a significant change from 2021, when the Trinamool Congress had won 10 seats in the district while the BJP had secured one.

Police have sent Asish Banerjee’s body for postmortem as the circumstances surrounding his death are being investigated.

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IPS Officer Nupur Prasad gets Medal for Meritorious Service after Sushant Singh Rajput probe

IPS officer Nupur Prasad, who led the CBI investigation into Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, has been selected for the Medal for Meritorious Service this year.

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2 days ago

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August 15, 2026

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IPS officer Nupur Prasad, who led the CBI investigation into actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, has been recognised with the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) this year.

A 2007-batch AGMUT cadre officer, Ms Prasad recently returned to the Delhi Police after completing her tenure with the CBI. She is currently serving as Joint Commissioner of Police in the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), where she oversees investigations involving financial and economic crimes.

The award is part of this year’s recognition for police personnel for distinguished and meritorious service. Such honours recognise contributions in areas including investigation, crime prevention, public service, law and order and administration.

Nupur Prasad’s role in Sushant Singh Rajput case

Ms Prasad came into national focus during the CBI investigation into the death of Sushant Singh Rajput, who was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14, 2020.

The case was transferred to the CBI in August 2020 following a complaint by the actor’s family and a legal dispute over jurisdiction.

During her tenure with the agency, Ms Prasad supervised key aspects of the investigation, including the examination of witness statements, forensic evidence and medical records.

In 2025, the CBI filed closure reports, saying its investigation found no evidence of foul play, abetment to suicide or criminal conspiracy in the actor’s death.

Career across Delhi Police, CBI

Ms Prasad has served in several positions during her career, including assignments in the Delhi Police, CBI, Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal.

Before joining the CBI, she held senior positions in the Delhi Police and became the first Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Shahdara. During her tenure, she worked on establishing the district’s policing framework following its creation.

She also led operations targeting drug networks and illegal gambling activities while focusing on crime-prevention measures.

Later, as DCP of North Delhi, she oversaw security arrangements for major events, including Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort and Delhi University elections.

Community-focused policing initiatives

Beyond investigations, Ms Prasad has been associated with community-focused programmes involving women’s self-defence, youth development, cyber safety and drug de-addiction.

During her CBI tenure, she was also associated with several prominent investigations. Media reports have linked her to cases concerning businessman Vijay Mallya and the AgustaWestland helicopter deal.

Current role in Delhi Police

After completing her assignment with the CBI, Ms Prasad returned to the Delhi Police and took charge as Joint Commissioner of Police in the Economic Offences Wing.

The latest recognition adds to her career spanning investigations, policing and public service across several challenging assignments.

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Kharge, Rahul Gandhi skip Independence Day event for 2nd straight year

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi skipped the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort for the second consecutive year.

Published

2 days ago

on

August 15, 2026

By

Rahul Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi skipped the 80th Independence Day celebrations at Delhi’s Red Fort for the second consecutive year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the Independence Day celebrations at the historic venue on Saturday.

The absence of the two senior Congress leaders comes amid strained relations between the ruling party and the Opposition, which further deteriorated during the Monsoon Session of Parliament that concluded on Thursday.

2024 seating controversy

Rahul Gandhi had attended the Independence Day celebrations in 2024 but his seating arrangement triggered a controversy. The Congress leader, who holds the status of a Cabinet minister as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, was seated in the second-last row during the ceremony at the Red Fort.

The Opposition had criticised the seating arrangement, calling it an insult to the people. The Defence Ministry, which organised the event, said the arrangement had been modified to accommodate Olympians at the venue.

According to protocol, the Leader of the Opposition is seated in the front row during ceremonial events.

Opposition-ruling party tensions

Relations between the government and the Opposition remained tense during the Monsoon Session, which ended on Thursday.

The session saw repeated clashes between the two sides, with both the Opposition and the ruling party blaming each other for the low productivity of Parliament.

The session began on July 20, with students marching towards Parliament on the first day. Twelve bills were passed during the session, while detailed discussion took place on only one legislation, concerning paper leaks.

The Congress, along with the Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party, also boycotted the customary tea party hosted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla after the House was adjourned sine die.

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