India News
Journalist Vinod Verma arrested over sex tape of Chhattisgarh minister
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7 years agoon
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Police charge the veteran journalist for extortion and blackmail as Opposition parties and mediapersons express shock, say this is an attack on press freedom
Veteran journalist Vinod Verma, who was part of a fact-finding team constituted by the Editors Guild of India which probed cases of alleged intimidation of journalists by the Chhattisgarh government last year, was on Friday arrested from Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh on charges of extortion and blackmailing a minister in the Raman Singh-led BJP government.
Verma claimed that the police action against him was because he was in possession of a pen drive that had video footage purportedly showing a senior minister of the Chhattisgarh government in a compromising position with a woman. The senior freelance journalist, who has formerly worked with the BBC Hindi Service and served as digital editor of Amar Ujala, has claimed that he was arrested before he could break the ‘story’ about Chhattisgarh’s PWD, environment and transport minister, Rajesh Moonat.
However, the Chhattisgarh police which nabbed Verma from his residence in Ghaziabad’s Indirapuram with help from their UP counterparts in the wee hours of Friday, refuted the journalist’s claim.
The Chhattisgarh police, which said Verma was arrested on charges of blackmail and extortion, possessed about 500 porn CDs, Rs 2 lakh in cash, a pen drive, a laptop and a diary at his Mahagun Mansion apartment residence in Indirapuram.
Raipur Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Shukla claimed that Verma had also been booked under stringent provisions of the Information Technology (IT) Act for possession and attempted circulation of pornographic content. The Raipur SP said that the complainant in the case against Verma was a man named Prakash Bajaj (a member of the Chhattisgarh BJP unit’s working committee).
“Bajaj has lodged a complaint at the Pandri police station (in Raipur, Chhattisgarh) that he was being harassed over phone by an unidentified caller who told him that he had a CD of his master (Chhattisgarh minister Rajesh Moonat),” Shukla told mediapersons.
The police official, however, declined to comment on whether the CDs reportedly recovered from Verma’s possession actually showed Moonat engaging in illicit sexual activity and did not offer any details on the exact nature of the alleged extortion and blackmailing charges being slapped against the senior journalist.
Verma , on his part told mediapersons while he was being taken by the police to the Ghaziabad district court, that the Chhattisgarh government was not happy with him and was trying to frame him under charges of extortion and blackmail.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Verma told journalists that the sex CD purportedly featuring Rajesh Moonat, who happens to be a close aide of Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh, was already in the public domain and that he had nothing to do with its production.
The Chhattisgarh police claim that the complainant in the case, Chhattisgarh BJP leader Prakash Bajaj had told them that Verma had threatened to distribute the sex CD “if he was not given what he asked for”.
“During the probe, the police came to know about a shop where the CD in question was copied. The shopkeeper told the police that one Vinod Verma had got 1,000 copies made of the CD,” Raipur SP Shukla said.
As news of Verma’s arrest spread, many senior journalists from the electronic and print media gathered outside the Ghaziabad police station.
In Raipur, inspector general of police Pradeep Gupta told reporters that Verma;s arrest was made because the confiscated CDs could malign the reputation of a prominent person and that the police was trying to obtain his remand to bring him to Raipur for interrogation.
Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh PWD minister Rajesh Moonat who allegedly features in the sex CD, convened a press conference in Raipur and claimed that the “sex CD is fake” while he requested chief minister Raman Singh to have the matter investigated.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]However, the pre-dawn police action against Verma – a member of the Editors Guild of India – has evoked sharp criticism from the media fraternity and Opposition leaders, many of whom had reached the Ghaziabad court to condemn the arrest or took to social media to term the incident as a reminder of the days of Emergency and a crackdown against journalists who question the BJP.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_raw_html]JTNDYmxvY2txdW90ZSUyMGNsYXNzJTNEJTIydHdpdHRlci10d2VldCUyMiUyMGRhdGEtbGFuZyUzRCUyMmVuJTIyJTNFJTNDcCUyMGxhbmclM0QlMjJlbiUyMiUyMGRpciUzRCUyMmx0ciUyMiUzRVNyJTIwSm91cm5hbGlzdCUyQyUyMFZpbm9kJTIwVmVybWElMjhmb3JtZXJseSUyMHdpdGglMjBCQkMlMjklMjB3YXMlMjBwaWNrZWQlMjB1cCUyMGxhc3QlMjBuaWdodCUyMGF0JTIwM0FNJTIwYnklMjBVUCUyMGFuZCUyMENoYXR0aXNnYXJoJTIwUG9saWNlLiUyMEVtZXJnZW5jeSUyMGRheXMlMjBhcmUlMjBoZXJlJTIxJTNDJTJGcCUzRSUyNm1kYXNoJTNCJTIwdXJtaWxlc2glMjAlMjglNDBVcm1pbGVzaEolMjklMjAlM0NhJTIwaHJlZiUzRCUyMmh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGdHdpdHRlci5jb20lMkZVcm1pbGVzaEolMkZzdGF0dXMlMkY5MjM3MTE2MDk3MjUyNjM4NzMlM0ZyZWZfc3JjJTNEdHdzcmMlMjU1RXRmdyUyMiUzRU9jdG9iZXIlMjAyNyUyQyUyMDIwMTclM0MlMkZhJTNFJTNDJTJGYmxvY2txdW90ZSUzRSUwQSUzQ3NjcmlwdCUyMGFzeW5jJTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZwbGF0Zm9ybS50d2l0dGVyLmNvbSUyRndpZGdldHMuanMlMjIlMjBjaGFyc2V0JTNEJTIydXRmLTglMjIlM0UlM0MlMkZzY3JpcHQlM0U=[/vc_raw_html][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Prior to his formal arrest and the court granting his custody to the Chhattisgarh police, Verma too posted a series of tweets conceding that he had a sex CD of a Chhattisgarh minister and that journalists were being 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India News
BJP, AIADMK walk out of Tamil Nadu assembly over budget and rupee symbol controversy
Tamil Nadu’s BJP and AIADMK MLAs walked out of the Assembly, protesting the DMK’s budget, rupee symbol swap, and alleged TASMAC scam, intensifying political tensions ahead of the 2025 elections.
Published
8 hours agoon
March 14, 2025
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) staged a walkout from the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Friday as the state’s 2025-26 budget was being presented. The opposition parties accused the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government of presenting an unproductive budget while also protesting the controversial rupee symbol swap and allegations of corruption in the state-run liquor agency, TASMAC.
BJP Calls Budget a ‘Cover-Up’
BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit chief, K Annamalai, termed the budget an “eye-washing exercise” and criticized the government for not addressing key concerns. “Our four MLAs walked out for a simple reason—the whole budget is an eye-wash. There is nothing productive about it,” Annamalai said.
The walkout highlights the growing tension between the DMK and opposition parties, particularly as the state gears up for next year’s Assembly elections. Tamil Nadu has traditionally been resistant to BJP’s nationalist politics, making the upcoming polls a critical test for the party.
Re-Ru Swap Sparks Controversy
The budget presentation also reignited the ‘Re-Ru’ symbol controversy, with the BJP strongly opposing the replacement of the rupee symbol (Re) in the budget logo with the Tamil letter (Ru), which is commonly used to denote currency in the state.
Annamalai accused the DMK of creating unnecessary division. “The Tamil Nadu government wanted to change the rupee symbol and created so much ruckus,” he stated. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also slammed the change, calling it a “secessionist move” that signals a “dangerous mindset.”
The DMK, however, defended the decision. Party leader Saravanan Annadurai dismissed the controversy, stating, “There is nothing illegal… This is not a ‘showdown’. We prioritize Tamil, and that is why we went with this.”
Liquor Scam Allegations
Apart from the rupee symbol row, the BJP and AIADMK also targeted the DMK over alleged financial irregularities in TASMAC, the state-run liquor agency. BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan cited an Enforcement Directorate (ED) report that flagged multiple irregularities and unaccounted cash worth Rs 1,000 crore.
“Our walkout is on two issues—the first is the ED’s findings of financial irregularities in TASMAC, and the second is the disrespect shown to the rupee symbol,” Srinivasan said.
AIADMK’s Position
The AIADMK, which has been cautious in its stance on the ‘Hindi imposition’ debate, has been more vocal in attacking the DMK over the alleged liquor scam. Party leader and former Chief Minister E Palaniswami led a walkout of over 60 AIADMK MLAs, demanding the immediate resignation of the DMK government over the allegations.
The opposition parties are drawing parallels between the Tamil Nadu TASMAC scam and the Delhi excise policy case, which led to the BJP’s resurgence in the national capital.
India News
Shiv Sena leader shot dead in Punjab’s Moga after being chased on bike
Shiv Sena leader Mangat Rai Manga was fatally shot in Punjab’s Moga after being chased on a bike. A 12-year-old boy was also injured. Police have initiated an investigation.
Published
8 hours agoon
March 14, 2025
In a shocking incident, a district president of a Shiv Sena faction, Mangat Rai Manga, was shot dead in Punjab’s Moga on Thursday night. The attack also left a 12-year-old boy injured, police confirmed on Friday.
Attack on Mangat Rai Manga
The incident took place around 10 pm when Manga had gone to buy milk. According to reports, three unidentified assailants opened fire at him, but the bullet missed and instead hit a young boy nearby. Sensing danger, Manga tried to escape on his two-wheeler but was pursued by the attackers. During the chase, they fired again, fatally hitting him before fleeing the scene.
Medical Response and Investigation
Police rushed Manga to the hospital, but doctors declared him ‘brought dead.’ Meanwhile, the injured child was first admitted to Moga Civil Hospital and later shifted to another medical facility for better treatment.
Authorities are currently investigating the case and verifying which faction of Shiv Sena Manga was associated with.
Reactions and Parallel Incidents
Joginder Sharma, national president of right-wing group Vishwa Hindu Shakti, expressed grief over the killing. “We got to know that some miscreants shot Manga dead. As soon as we got the information, we reached the hospital,” he said.
Manga’s daughter also demanded justice, stating that her father left home at 8 pm and was later informed at 11 pm about his death.
In another violent incident the same night, three motorcycle-borne attackers entered a salon in Bagiana Basti and opened fire on the owner, Devender Kumar. One bullet struck Kumar in the leg, after which he was taken to Moga Civil Hospital and later referred to another facility.
Police Investigation
DSP City Ravinder Singh confirmed that two shooting incidents took place on Thursday night—one at the salon and another on Stadium Road, where Manga was killed. “Manga’s body has been kept in the mortuary, and an investigation is underway,” he said.
Police are currently searching for the assailants and analyzing possible motives behind both shootings.
India News
PM Modi extends Holi greetings, calls festival a symbol of unity and enthusiasm
PM Modi, President Murmu, and Rajnath Singh extend Holi wishes, emphasizing unity, cultural richness, and the joy of the festival.
Published
11 hours agoon
March 14, 2025
As India immerses itself in the vibrant hues of Holi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his heartfelt greetings, emphasizing the festival’s role in strengthening unity and bringing new energy to people’s lives.
“I wish you all a very Happy Holi. This festival filled with joy and happiness will infuse new enthusiasm and energy in everyone’s life and will also deepen the colours of unity among the countrymen,” PM Modi shared on X.
President Murmu and Rajnath Singh share warm wishes
President Droupadi Murmu also greeted citizens on the auspicious occasion, highlighting Holi’s significance as a festival of unity and cultural heritage.
“Heartiest greetings to all countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Holi, the festival of colours. This festival of joy gives the message of unity, love, and harmony. This festival is also a symbol of India’s precious cultural heritage,” President Murmu posted on X.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also extended his wishes, praying for happiness and good health for all.
“Heartiest greetings to all of you on the auspicious festival of Holi. May this festival fill your life with the colours of happiness and good health,” he said.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath celebrates at Gorakhnath Temple
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath marked the festival by applying gulal to cows and calves at Gorakhnath Temple, adding a traditional touch to the celebrations.
Across Uttar Pradesh, Holi celebrations have begun with immense enthusiasm. In Aligarh, people embraced each other and played with colors, embodying the festival’s spirit of togetherness.
Holi festivities bring joy and unity across India
The festival, known for its vibrant colors and joyous atmosphere, saw people across the country applying gulaal, dancing to folk music, and celebrating with friends and family. In Sambhal, processions were carried out before 2:30 PM, in accordance with arrangements for Jumma Namaz. Superintendent of Police KK Bishnoi assured that police deployment was in place to ensure a peaceful celebration.

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