India News

After Jay Amit Shah, NSA Ajit Doval’s son Shaurya puts BJP in a spot

Published

9 years ago

November 4, 2017

After Jay Amit Shah, NSA Ajit Doval’s son Shaurya puts BJP in a spot

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Congress attacks BJP over report alleging ‘conflict of interest’ in Shaurya Doval running India Foundation that has four Union ministers, BJP’s Ram Madhav as directors

Weeks after questions over BJP national president Amit Shah’s son Jay Shah’s business dealings were silenced through judicial gag orders, the saffron party now finds itself in a spot over allegations made against another son – that of Ajit Doval, National Security Adviser and close confidante of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

A report published by The Wire, on Saturday, raised the possibility of a “prospect of conflict of interest” in the running of India Foundation, an influential think-tank, of which NSA Ajit Doval’s son Shaurya Doval is the executive director. The Foundation has as its directors Nirmala Sitharaman and Suresh Prabhu, Union ministers for defence and commerce respectively along with MJ Akbar and Jayant Sinha, ministers of state for external affairs and civil aviation respectively. In addition to the four members of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s council of ministers, the Foundation also lists Ram Madhav, the influential BJP national general secretary with his roots in the RSS, as its director.

The news report says: “the India Foundation’s opaque financials, the presence of senior ministers as directors and the fact that executive director Shaurya Doval’s day job is running Gemini Financial Services – a firm that specialises in ‘transactions and capital flows between the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) and the emerging Asian economies’ – also raise the prospect of conflict of interest and lobbying, problems Narendra Modi had promised to banish forever from the corridors of power.”

The report goes on to say that “every event the Foundation organises is attended by key decision-makers in that field, which in turn guarantees not just a full house but also sponsorship – both by government bodies and private companies, Indian and foreign” and that “despite the presence of ministers on its board of directors, it refuses to part with any information about its source of revenue.”

Reacting sharply to the allegations and speculations raised in the report by The Wire, former Union minister and Congress veteran Kapil Sibal, on Saturday, demanded a CBI inquiry against the India Foundation and said that “Prime Minister Narendra Modi should fire all the four ministers who are on the board of the India Foundation. We want to ask Modiji when he will fire them”.

Sibal’s broadside against the BJP and Prime Minister Modi came soon after Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at the saffron party, drawing parallels between the rise in fortunes of Amit Shah’s son and the purported impropriety by the son for Modi’s National Security Adviser.

The Congress vice president tweeted:[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Much to the chagrin of the BJP, the Congress had coined the name – Shah-Zada – for Amit Shah’s son Jay Shah when The Wire published a story about a 16000-fold rise in the junior Shah’s company’s turnover during the period since Modi became Prime Minister in May 2014. Rahul’s ‘Ajit Shaurya Gatha’ was a clear reference to the meteoric rise of India Foundation, run by NSA Ajit Doval’s son Shaurya.

The report in The Wire claims that its author, senior journalist Swati Chaturvedi had sent a detailed questionnaire “to all six high-profile directors” of the India Foundation seeking their response the speculation of a possible conflict of interest and over the issue of propriety, or the lack of it, in the association of top ministers with a think-tank whose founder also deals with company that directly or indirectly have dealings with the Union government.

The report states that: “The ministers chose not to reply while Madhav promised that the ‘appropriate person’ would respond with answers. That never happened. All that Shaurya Doval was prepared to tell The Wire when asked about the source of the foundation’s revenue was: “Conferences, Advertisement, Journal.” He did not answer questions about the origins of this revenue or explain how the India Foundation, which he said was registered as a trust, financed its day-to-day operations, including the rent for its posh premises on Hailey Road in Lutyens’ Delhi, and salaries for its staff.”

“The Wire wrote to the four ministers who serve as directors about the propriety of the India Foundation hosting events funded by donations or sponsorship from companies that may have business matters with their ministries. ‘Would you accept that there is a conflict of interest involved in you serving as a director on a foundation that receives funding, directly or indirectly, from foreign companies,’ The Wire asked Nirmala Sitharaman, ‘especially those that have dealings with ministries you have handled such as commerce and industry, and now defence?’ Similar questions were put to Prabhu, Akbar and Sinha. Till the time of publication, none of them chose to reply,” the report adds further.

By Saturday evening, #AjitKiShauryaGatha had become a top trending subject on Twitter with several users, many Congress leaders and sympathizers, journalists, activists and people not favourably disposed towards the BJP sharing the report and posing questions to the BJP over the party’s silence on the issue.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Up Next

PV Sindhu hits out at IndiGo Airlines after ground staff “behaved rudely”

Don't Miss

Private detective, wife arrested for taking Rs 1 cr extortion-money from IAS officer

India News

India stresses mutual respect in ties with Italy after Congress’ Meloni remark

India stressed mutual respect and understanding in its ties with Italy after Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, made remarks involving Giorgia Meloni.

Published

6 hours ago

August 14, 2026

APNLive Desk

India underlined the importance of maintaining mutual respect and understanding in its relationship with Italy, a day after Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handling of foreign policy.

The Ministry of External Affairs said India and Italy share strong bilateral ties and expressed its commitment to further strengthening the relationship.

“We share deep and strong ties with Italy, and we are committed to further strengthening this relationship,” the MEA said. It added that friendship and bilateral relations between countries should be maintained within a framework of mutual respect and understanding.

The statement came after a political controversy over remarks made at a Congress event in Delhi.

Rahul Gandhi’s mock hug draws BJP criticism

At the Congress event, Rahul Gandhi greeted party leader Sandeep Dikshit with a mock hug. Gandhi had earlier criticised the Prime Minister’s approach to diplomacy, suggesting that it was being reduced to symbolic gestures such as hugging foreign leaders.

Dikshit then brought Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni into the exchange with a remark, following which Rahul Gandhi played along.

The episode drew sharp criticism from BJP leaders, who accused the Congress leader of using inappropriate language against the Prime Minister and lowering the dignity associated with the office of the Leader of Opposition.

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi questioned Rahul Gandhi’s conduct and said India required mature leadership. He also criticised remarks in which Gandhi had referred to the government as “jokers and clowns”.

BJP leaders target Rahul Gandhi

Union Minister Giriraj Singh also attacked Rahul Gandhi, describing him as “mentally frustrated” and questioning his conduct.

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj said Rahul Gandhi’s language was inconsistent with the dignity expected from the Leader of Opposition.

BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla also criticised the Congress leader, saying that while disagreement with Prime Minister Modi was legitimate, bringing a foreign woman leader into what he described as a crude joke was neither appropriate nor statesmanlike.

The MEA’s statement, meanwhile, focused on India’s bilateral relationship with Italy and reiterated that mutual respect and understanding remain important to maintaining ties between the two countries.

India News

Assam BJP leader Bikash Dhar found dead, 5 arrested for murder

BJP leader Bikash Dhar, 52, was found dead in an abandoned house in Assam’s Sribhumi district after being reported missing on August 12. Police have arrested five people in connection with the alleged murder.

Published

6 hours ago

August 14, 2026

APNLive Desk

A 52-year-old BJP leader who had been missing for two days was found dead in Assam’s Sribhumi district on Friday, with police alleging that he was murdered.

Bikash Dhar, a resident of Chagalmowa village under Bazaricherra police station, was found dead inside an abandoned house in the Yogicherra area near the Tripura border on Friday morning.

Dhar’s family had filed a missing complaint on August 12 after he left home following a phone call.

According to his son Madan Dhar, Bikash left around 1 pm after saying that he had to attend an emergency meeting. When he did not return and his phone was switched off, the family began searching for him and later approached the police.

Five arrested in murder case

Sribhumi Superintendent of Police Leena Doley said an investigation was launched after the missing complaint was received. The probe was conducted under the supervision of the Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime).

Police said five people have been arrested in connection with the alleged murder. They were identified as Abdul Salam, Sifat Ali, Abdul Ahad, Saiful Ali and Badrul Haque.

According to the police, interrogation of Abdul Salam revealed that the accused had an enmity with Dhar. Police alleged that the group killed him and dumped his body near a water body.

Another person, identified as Sunam Miya, was named during the investigation and reportedly fled to Tripura on the night of the incident.

Police find injury and cut marks on body

Police said injury and cut marks were found on Dhar’s body, and a murder case has been registered.

During the recovery of the alleged weapon, police said accused Badrul Haque attempted to escape from custody. A police constable was injured during the incident.

Police said they fired at Haque’s leg to prevent him from escaping, resulting in a bullet wound.

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Dhar’s death and the alleged involvement of the accused is underway.

India News

Jharkhand CID raids multiple locations in JPSC exam irregularities case

Jharkhand CID conducted raids across several districts to arrest seven accused in a case involving alleged irregularities in JPSC competitive examinations.

Published

16 hours ago

August 14, 2026

APNLive Desk

The Jharkhand Crime Investigation Department (CID) has conducted raids at several locations across the state as part of its investigation into alleged irregularities in competitive examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC).

According to a CID press release, the searches were carried out to arrest seven accused named in Case No. 16/2026 and execute warrants issued against them.

The accused have been identified as Aditya Pandey, Pawan Kumar Singh, Ravishankar Kumar, Santosh Kumar Singh, Sanand Prakash, Lalu Kumar Yadav and Saurabh Kumar Pandey.

The CID conducted searches in several districts as part of efforts to apprehend the accused. The agency said its investigation into the case is continuing.

CID examining evidence in exam irregularities case

The case relates to alleged irregularities in various competitive examinations conducted by the JPSC.

As part of the investigation, the CID has begun matching OMR carbon copies obtained during the probe and examining other evidence collected in the case.

The agency said further action would be taken according to law on the basis of the evidence gathered. It added that legally permissible action against those found involved in the case is underway.

ABVP protests over JPSC, JSSC exams

The CID raids come amid protests over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in examinations conducted by the JPSC and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

On August 13, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) held protests in several cities, demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe and strict action against those responsible.

In New Delhi, students and ABVP workers protested outside Jharkhand Bhawan, calling on the Jharkhand government to take steps to restore confidence in the examination system.

According to the ABVP, similar protests were held in Lucknow, Kolkata, Guwahati, Agartala, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Surat, Gorakhpur, Jodhpur, Kota, Raipur, Bhubaneswar, Varanasi and Prayagraj, as well as at university campuses.

The student organisation has sought an impartial CBI investigation into alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations. It has also demanded cancellation of the JSSC CGL examination, citing concerns over its integrity, along with fresh examinations where irregularities have been reported.

Meanwhile, JPSC-JSSC aspirants continue to protest at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi. The ABVP has also alleged that students protesting peacefully on August 10 and 11 faced lathi-charge, water cannons and arrests.

Jharkhand CID has conducted raids at multiple locations in connection with alleged irregularities in JPSC competitive examinations and efforts to arrest seven accused named in Case No. 16/2026.

The action comes amid continuing student protests demanding a CBI probe into alleged JPSC-JSSC exam irregularities.