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Three directors of real estate firm Amrapali sent to police custody

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Three directors of real estate firm Amrapali sent to police custody

Amrapali promoter Anil Sharma and two other directors of the real estate group were sent to police custody from inside a courtroom in the Supreme Court today (Tuesday, October 9) for not handing over documents relating to accounts to forensic auditors.

A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and UU Lalit, hearing the matter in connection with a bunch of cases filed by aggrieved homebuyers said the company directors had been “playing hide and seek” with the court and told the police to keep the directors – Anil Kumar Sharma, Shiv Priya and Ajay Kumar – in custody for as long as the company doesn’t submit its accounts.

The three were taken away from the court premises.

By not providing the documents, the judges said the company directors were “trying to interfere with the administration of justice”.

The court sought to know whether the money invested by the homebuyers were diverted for some other purposes. An audit has been ordered for this, but the documents remained elusive and the bench came down heavily on Sharma and two directors who had been summoned.

“We don’t know if it will take one day or one month. But you will be in custody until all the documents are given to the auditors,” said the bench as it directed the Delhi Police and Noida Police to work together to seize the pertinent documents.

It said that the policemen will escort the trio to Amrapali offices and other places from where the documents are to be recovered.

“You will now be released only after the auditors are satisfied that they have received all the documents,” clarified the bench, as it further issued formal notices of contempt of court.

It has also ordered for confiscation of the passport of the trio while fixing October 24 as the next date of hearing.

Amrapali Group has failed to hand over possession of flats to around 42,000 homebuyers, according to media reports. The property developer has been facing the wrath of the Supreme Court after homebuyers moved the court for not getting their flats delivered on time.

On 24 September, the judges had ordered the company to hand over all documents within 24 hours after hearing the company’s former auditor Anil Mittal told the court that over Rs 2,900 crore invested by homebuyers was diverted by nine companies to buy shares in 37 other companies.

The top court was also told that no income tax returns were filed by the company between 2015 and 2018.

The judges have already brought in the state-owned National Buildings Construction Corporation Ltd (NBCC) to complete 16 Amrapali projects in Noida and Greater Noida.

Last month, the court had also appointed a debt recovery tribunal officer to oversee the sale of unencumbered assets of the beleaguered real estate company to raise funds to complete Amrapali’s unfinished housing projects.

The judges had warned the company directors about strict action at earlier hearings also when its lawyer sought time to produce the documents. “Why are you saying this? Do you want your premises sealed? Next time we will not wait to hear you,” Justice Lalit said.

It is the third such incident in the recent past when people have been arrested inside the courtroom, said News18. It said Subrata Roy was arrested over not complying with the court order to refund the money meant for reimbursing the investors. In the same case, another person was arrested inside the courtroom over resiling from his stand to buy a property of Sahara group.

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India hits back at Shehbaz Sharif at UN, says terror will have consequences

India hit back at Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s UN speech, with New Delhi warning that terrorism will have consequences.

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India has responded to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks at the United Nations, delivering a strong message on terrorism and warning that such actions will have consequences.

The response came after Mr Sharif addressed the UN and raised issues concerning India and Pakistan. New Delhi rejected the narrative presented by the Pakistani prime minister and highlighted the issue of terrorism.

India’s message was delivered by Petal Gehlot, who represented New Delhi in the response to Pakistan.

India warns Pakistan over terrorism

India’s response focused on Pakistan’s record and its approach towards terrorism. New Delhi made clear that terrorism cannot be separated from its consequences and that those responsible cannot expect such actions to go unanswered.

The Indian side also pushed back against the claims and allegations made by Mr Sharif during his UN speech.

The exchange comes amid continuing tensions between India and Pakistan, with terrorism remaining a major point of disagreement between the two countries.

Shehbaz Sharif’s UN remarks

In his address, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke about India-Pakistan relations and raised several issues concerning New Delhi.

India subsequently exercised its right of reply to respond to Pakistan’s statements at the United Nations.

New Delhi’s response underlined its position that terrorism remains a serious issue in the relationship and that there would be consequences for terrorist actions.

The latest exchange at the UN adds to the continuing diplomatic confrontation between the two neighbouring countries.

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Veeramani POCSO case: Vijay questions Stalin over earlier probe

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has questioned MK Stalin over the handling of the Veeramani POCSO case, while Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected anyone.

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Actor Vijay

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C Joseph Vijay has questioned DMK president MK Stalin over the handling of the POCSO case involving Gem Granites founder R Veeramani. The political exchange follows renewed investigation into allegations involving minor girls.

Vijay’s remarks came as the ruling TVK stepped up its questions about how the case was handled during the previous DMK government. The party’s IT wing has alleged that the earlier investigation was weakened and questioned why a final report was filed.

The allegations have been rejected by the DMK. Stalin has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to protect anyone in the case and has called the allegations false and defamatory.

What did Vijay say about the Veeramani case?

Vijay questioned Stalin over the handling of the case and demanded an explanation from the former chief minister.

The TVK has specifically questioned why action was not taken against Veeramani during the previous administration and why the earlier investigation resulted in a closure report.

The party has also raised questions about the role of officials involved in the earlier investigation. These are political allegations made by the TVK and have not been established as facts.

What is the Veeramani POCSO case?

The case concerns allegations of sexual abuse of minors involving R Veeramani, the founder of Gem Granites.

The case came under renewed scrutiny after a special POCSO court rejected an earlier closure report and ordered further investigation. The expanded probe has subsequently identified additional alleged survivors who were minors at the time of the alleged offences, according to current reporting.

The investigation is also examining the circumstances surrounding the earlier probe and whether there were any lapses in how the case was handled.

What has MK Stalin said?

Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected Veeramani.

He has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to shield anyone in the case. Stalin has also said that everyone responsible for the alleged offences, including anyone who aided or attempted to protect the accused, should face the law.

The DMK president has further said that the focus should remain on securing justice for the affected girls rather than making political allegations.

Why has the case become a political issue?

The Veeramani case has become the subject of a political dispute between the ruling TVK and the DMK over the handling of the earlier investigation.

The TVK is questioning the previous government’s handling of the case, while the DMK has denied that it intervened to protect the accused.

At this stage, claims about political interference or deliberate weakening of the earlier investigation should be treated as allegations unless established by the ongoing investigation or judicial proceedings.

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Women wrestlers challenge Brij Bhushan’s acquittal in sexual harassment case

Four women wrestlers have challenged the acquittal of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar in a sexual harassment case.

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Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

Four women wrestlers have approached a Delhi court challenging the acquittal of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case.

The wrestlers have also challenged the acquittal of co-accused Vinod Tomar. The matter is scheduled to be heard by a Special Judge at the Rouse Avenue Courts.

The appeal challenges the order passed by an Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate on August 3, 2026, when Brij Bhushan and Tomar were acquitted in the case.

Wrestlers challenge court’s reasoning

In their appeal, the wrestlers have argued that the acquittal order is legally unsustainable and that the evidence was not assessed appropriately.

They have also alleged that the order relied on assumptions about how victims of sexual assault and harassment were expected to behave instead of assessing the evidence and circumstances of the complainants.

The challenge seeks judicial scrutiny of the findings that resulted in the acquittal of Brij Bhushan and Tomar.

Brij Bhushan was acquitted in August

The Rouse Avenue court acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on August 3 in the sexual harassment case involving women wrestlers. The court’s decision followed consideration of the evidence and statements presented during the proceedings.

The case had emerged after several women wrestlers accused the former WFI chief of sexual harassment. The allegations had led to a major protest by wrestlers in 2023.

The latest appeal means the acquittal is now being challenged before a higher court.

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