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CBI raids premises of 6 arms
dealers NEW DELHI, Oct 10: The Tehelka ghost today returned to haunt former Defence Minister George Fernandes when CBI filed a corruption case against him, the then Naval chief Admiral Sushil Kumar and Jaya Jaitley, who was accused of receiving a bribe of Rs two crore in the Rs 1,150 crore Barak Missile deal with an Israeli firm in 2000. After conducting raids in the premises of six defence dealers in 35 places in the national capital, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chandigarh and Sangrur in Punjab, the agency announced the registration of an FIR against the three, besides Samata Party treasurer R K Jain, arms dealer Suresh Nanda and unnamed officials of Defence Ministry and Isareli firm — Israel Aircraft Industries Limited. Without taking anybody’s name, the CBI spokesman told reporters that the then Defence Minister, the then Naval Chief and the then President of a political party (Jaya Jaitley, Samata Party President), who functioned from the residence of the Minister, were named in the FIR as accused. He said Rs two crore was allegedly paid to Jaitley at his official residence. The agency alleged that the contract for seven Barak Anti-Missile Defence (AMD) Systems and 200 missiles was signed in October 2000 with the Israeli firm despite opposition from Defence Reasearch and Development Organisation (DRDO) because of the availability or feasibility of the indigenous ‘Trishul’ system for adaptation to Navy. In the FIR, the CBI allged that former Samata Party tresurer R K Jain had also allegedly received several lakhs of rupees for pushing the Barak deal through and Fernandes had overruled the opinion of DRDO. It alleged that Admiral Sushil Kumar colluded with other accused and put up a note directly to the Minister to import six Barak AMD Systems. The Naval Chief had misrepresented facts by citing a DRDO concurrence given three years earlier when Trishul System was in its initial stages of development. In fact, it said, Kumar had discussed this matter that very day with the then DRDO Chief, who had opposed the proposal. Fernandes not only approved the proposal for import of Barak AMD Systems but tried to get the proposal approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security despite objection by the then Defence Secretary. The proposal had also been processed on a single tender basis and the negotiated note of 268.63 million dollar (Rs 1125 crores) was also in excess of the earlier quoted rate by 17 million dollar (about Rs 71 crores), for which, there is no proper justification. Prima facie evidence has also come forth indicating receipts of remittances from abroad from the Israeli firm, other firms connected with it into the accounts of the Jain and two other arms dealers. Sushil Kumar was made the Chief of the Naval Staff after the dismissal of Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat. The CBI registered three fresh cases into the Defence deals which included the purchase of Barak Missile, Rs 220 crore Armoured Recovery Vehicle and Rs 151 crore Krasnopol Terminally Guided Munition. The Khannas-Vipin, Aditya and Arvind (the Congress MLA from Sangrur in Punjab) — had allegedly acted as middlemen in a defence deal with South Africa’s Denel, the sources said. Aditya Khanna is already facing the heat from the Enforcement Directorate for his alleged role in Iraq’s oil-for-food scam. While there were no arrests so far, the sources did not rule out the possibility. Sudhir Chowdhury, a leading arms dealer of the country, came under the scanner along with Suresh Nanda, son of former naval chief Admiral S Nanda, as the CBI conducted searches at their premises. They played an active role in the purchase of the Israeli Barak missile system. India had acquired nine Barak systems for Rs 1,160 crore with 200 missiles worth Rs 350 crore. CBI had registered a Preliminary Enquiry against "unknown public servants" of the defence ministry and R K Jain (former Samata Party treasurer and an associate of George Fernandes) on October 20 last year. The office and residence of another arms dealer, M S Sahani, was also searched by the CBI for his alleged involvement in the deal to purchase the Krasnopol terminally guided munitions after the Tehelka expose. The CBI, sources said, they would try and ascertain the role of these persons in relation to other cases being probed by the agency. The CBI has registered nearly a dozen cases on defence deals signed during the previous NDA regime, besides the case related to the supply of anti-material rifles by South Africa’s state-owned arms manufacturer Denel. The agency is also probing allegations of irregularities in the purchase of special ammunition for 155mm howitzers for Rs 166.44 crore, spares for the 155mm guns worth Rs 97.65 crore and special clothing and mountaineering equipment worth Rs 95.15 crore. Among other deals referred to the CBI were those for acquiring automatic grenade launchers (Rs 52.13 crore), bulletproof jackets (Rs 51.65 crore), multi-purpose boots (Rs 30.37 crore), charging/generating sets (Rs 28.15 crore), sleeping bags (Rs 20.69 crore), surveillance radars (Rs 9.86 crore) and sniper rifles (Rs 9.54 crore). (Agencies) |
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Widows meet Kalam, oppose clemency to Guru NEW DELHI, Oct 10: Widows of security men who died in the Parliament attack today met President A P J Abdul Kalam to plead against mercy for Mohammad Afzal who faces execution in connection with the 2001 terror strike. "We told the President that if one terrorist is spared, 100,000 more will come up," Ganga Devi, widow of Sub-Inspector Nanak Chand, said after meeting Kalam. "It’s karva chauth (a religious occasion when women pray for long life for their husbands) today and we pleaded for execution of Afzal." Seven women, who lost their husbands in the Parliament attack, were part of an eleven-member group that petitioned to Kalam that Afzal deserved no clemency and that there should be a fixed time limit for the Council of Ministers to give advice to the President on mercy petitions. "We told the President that no politician should be allowed to give a decision on mercy petitions. In this case especially, let there by a final decision by December 13," All India Anti-Terrorist Front (AIATF) chief M S Bitta, who led the group, said, referring to the upcoming anniversary of the Parliament attack. A former Youth Congress leader, Bitta, in a memorandum to Kalam, described the calls of support for Afzal by "some political parties" as indicative of "selfish motives". The memorandum, which said Afzal deserved no compassion, also referred to terror attacks in Mumbai, Malegaon, Delhi and Ayodhya. The widows alleged they faced demand for bribes in securing allotment of petrol pumps as a source of livelihood promised to them after they lost their husbands.(PTI) |
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Fierce gunbattle in Surankote Excelsior Correspondent POONCH, Oct 10: Four Army soldiers including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and a Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) ‘area commander’ were killed and another jawan was injured in an encounter in Surankote tehsil of this district early today. It was after a long gap that Army suffered four fatal casualties in a single operation in this border district. Official sources said troops of Rashtriya Rifles had laid an ambush last night at village Chamrerh near Chitti Bhatti in Surankote tehsil after developing an information about the movement of two top Lashkar militants in the area. The militants had reportedly managed to observe movement of troops in the area and laid their ambush some distance short from that of the Army personnel. As the ultras didn’t turn up till 5 am, the Army personnel started returning to their camp. Enroute, the militants who had laid an ambush resorted to heavy firing on the soldiers, who retaliated. A brief but heavy exchange of firing took place between the two sides in which four Army personnel sacrificed their lives and another jawan was injured. A militant was also killed in the operation while his associate managed to escape. Enforcement of Army and police rushed to the spot after getting a report of the gunbattle and cordoned off the area. A search operation has been launched in the area to trace the militant, who managed to escape during exchange of firing, the sources said. Bodies of the Army jawans were shifted to a Military Hospital. Injured jawan has also been hospitalised. Army jawans killed in the operation have been identified as JCO Naib Subedar Arun Dass, Sepoy Neta Ji, Keshav Ram Naushad and Mahesh Kumar, all from Rashtriya Rifles. The injured was Havaldar Janveer Singh. His condition was stated to be out of danger. A Lashkar ‘area commander’, who was killed in the operation, has been identified as Abu Jabran alias Ali. His associate, however, remained untraced, the sources said, adding a search operation was going on in the area. One AK-47 rifle, three magazines and seven rounds were recovered from the slain militant, who was believed to be a Pakistani and was operating in Surankote tehsil for past quite sometime. He was involved in a series of militant activities in the border district. Bodies of the Army jawans were in the process of being sent to their native towns. According to sources, the militants had advantage of taking position atop a hill from where they could see movement of the Army personnel from a distance. "This was the reason that the militants managed to inflict four casualties on the Army", the sources said. In a search operation, Army and Commando Group Surankote recovered some explosive devices from village Marhot in Surankote tehsil last night. No arrests were made from the spot. |
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J&K allocated Rs 719 cr from Union Direct Taxes Pool By Mohinder Verma JAMMU, Oct 10: Jammu and Kashmir has received three times the amount it has contributed as Income Tax, Corporation Tax and Wealth Tax in the net proceeds of Union Direct Taxes for the development purpose. All these taxes are being realised by the Income Tax Department. While Corporation Tax is realized from the corporate houses, Income Tax is being paid by non-corporate establishments like firms, traders and individuals. In Wealth Tax category, every citizen of the State falls. In the financial year ending March 31, 2006, Income Tax Department collected Rs 257 crore as Corporation Tax, Income Tax and Wealth Tax from the entire State, an official data available with the EXCELSIOR revealed. As against the total contribution of Rs 257 crore under three heads of Income Tax, Corporation Tax and Wealth Tax in the net proceeds of the Union Direct Taxes, Jammu and Kashmir received Rs 719 crore from the Central Government under pool of the Union Direct Taxes. Of Rs 719 crore, Rs 438.24 crore has been received under Corporation Tax, Rs 280.14 crore under Income Tax and Rs 60 lakh under Wealth Tax head, the official data indicated. As compared to the financial year of 2004-05 when J&K contributed Rs 187 crore as Income Tax, Corporation Tax and Wealth Tax in the net proceeds of the Union Direct Taxes, in financial year 2005-06 the State has increased its contribution by Rs 70 crore. Against the contribution of additional Rs 70 crore, J&K received Rs 106 crore more amount from the Central Government during the current financial year as compared to the previous year when it received Rs 613 crore under the heads of Corporation Tax, Income Tax and Wealth Tax. The data is a clear indication that evasion of any sort of tax would not help the State and its people in any way. Rather by disclosing their exact income and paying taxes accordingly, the people of the State can contribute in its development which is ultimately for them only. Sources in Income Tax Department said that despite generating such a huge resources for the State, the Department was not getting expected cooperation from the State Government Departments. When contacted, Income Tax Commissioner Virendra Singh said "we expect better cooperation from the Departments of the State Government so that evasion of taxes could be detected". The IT Department has started awareness campaign in every nook and corner of the State not only to apprise the traders and Government officials about the amendments in the Income Tax Act but also apprise them that by paying taxes they are not losing but gaining in the shape of development of the State, he disclosed. More contribution means more allocation of funds by the Central Government under the pool of Union Direct Taxes, the IT Commissioner said. |
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Terrorist elements growing: Blair LONDON, Oct 10 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said India will provide "credible evidence" to Pakistan regarding the July 11 Mumbai blasts, taking advantage of Islamabad’s offer of cooperating in curbing terrorism. The two countries are in the process of setting up a joint mechanism to fight terrorism, which they had agreed to in Havana, Cuba. Addressing a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Tony Blair after their 90-minute talks, he said the Mumbai and London attacks are reminders of the common terrorist threats faced by the two countries. Singh and Blair condemned terrorism "wherever and whenever it occurs," with the British Prime Minister emphasizing that there was a need to send out a strong message that terrorism "cannot be tolerated." "No country, or Government or State should support it," he said. With regard to India’s contention that Pakistan’s ISI and terror groups based there are responsible for the July 11 Mumbai blasts, Singh said in reply to a question "we will take advantage of that (Pakistan’s offer to cooperate) and will provide them, what we consider, is credible evidence." Singh was responding to a question about Pakistan’s offer to cooperate in investigations into the Mumbai blasts in the wake of India’s contention that ISI and Pakistan-based terror groups like Lashkar-e-Toiba had been behind the serial train blasts in the commercial capital. Terrorism figured prominently in the talks between Singh and Blair and the Indian side is believed to have shared evidence regarding the Pakistani involvement in the Mumbai blasts. Blair said an announcement regarding new measures of cooperation will be made soon. "We agreed that there is need for a coherent global effort with shared perspectives and commitments to combat terrorism wherever and whenever such attacks take place," Singh said after the talks. Blair said the two countries would be strengthening cooperation against terrorism as both "tragically" faced terrorism in London and Mumbai and shared common goal. Noting that terrorist elements were growing, the British Prime Minister said his country and India needed to cooperate and "we are doing that." Blair said it was the world’s tragedy that terrorism is everywhere, adding the solution was that solution was that the right-thinking people, of any religion, should stand up against it. Rejecting any comparison between the nuclear test conducted by North Korea and India acquiring nuclear weapon, Tony Blair said that North Korean situation was "very different" because that country was in breach of international obligations. Singh also said that Pyongyong was in violation of international obligations and there was no parallel between the test conducted by North Korea and India. Singh said India did not want emergence of another nuclear weapon State as this was not "in our interest". In an obvious reference to Pakistan, Singh said India’s own security had suffered because of "clandestine proliferation emanating from our neighbourhood". He pointed out that New Delhi had expressed its concern over the North Korean nuclear test because "we do not want further erosion of non-proliferation system". India, he said, had supported the six-party talks aimed at persuading North Korea not to go ahead with the weaponisation. Firmly rejecting any comparison between India and North Korea, Blair said that India had been strongly adhering to its international obligations while North Korea has been "going the other way round". North Korea "is very much a separate case", he said. "The tragedy of North Korea is not just nuclear test but the fact is its people are living in oppression, mass poverty and starvation", he said. Welcoming China’s strong stand against the North Korea nuclear test, Blair said it was essential to revise six party talks. (Agencies) |
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‘Avalung’ order under
process NEW DELHI, Oct 10: The Government today assured troops stationed at the Himalayan heights on the Siachen glacier that bureaucratic redtape would be dispensed with while securing essential equipment and clothing items for them. Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee — who toured the area today alongwith Army Chief General JJ Singh — promised that there will be no delay in the procurement of essential equipment and clothing items, especially those required for the jawans in the extreme weather conditions of Siachen. Addressing the jawans at the base camp at Zingrulwa, the Minister observed that special shoes — effective in very low temperatures upto minus 50 degrees celsius — would soon be provided to the armed forces personnel deployed in the highest battle field of the world. At present, the shoes worn by the jawans are not very effective at temperatures less than minus 20 degree celsius, it may be noted. Mukherjee also announced that an order for a newly-introduced item ‘avalung’ was under processing — the item will go a long way in saving the lives of Jawans trapped in avalanches. In view of the harsh conditions prevailing on the Siachen glacier, the Government had decided to rush "the full stock of clothing authorisation to these areas before the onset of winter", the Minister announced. Mukherjee further commended the soldiers for their hardwork in the difficult Siachen terrain protecting the borders and ‘bringing about improvement in the situation in Jammu & Kashmir’. Accompanied by Army Chief Gen JJ Singh and 14 Corps General Officer Commanding Lt Gen JK Mohanty, Mukherjee conducted an aerial survey of the border areas and thereafter interacted with the jawans and officers at the forward logistic base ‘Kumar’ and shared a cup of tea with them. The Minister enquired about the wellbeing of the troops and conveyed Diwali greetings to them and their families, said an official spokesperson here. There was considerable enthusiasm among the jawans as they spoke to the Defence Minister, the Army Chief and the area GoC, the spokesperson added. Earlier, before proceeding for the aerial survey, Mukherjee and Gen JJ Singh planted a sapling each at the base camp. Brigade Commander Brig Om Prakash informed the Defence Minister that arboculture and waste management drives had been launched by the Army to clean up the environment. As part of the programme 120,000 saplings had been planted so far. (UNI) |
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Mufti discusses situation with Sonia Excelsior Correspondent NEW DELHI, Oct 10: People's Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today called on Congress president and UPA chairperson Mrs Sonia Gandhi and discussed the prevailing political and security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Both Mufti Sayeed and Mrs Gandhi expressed satisfaction over the functioning of the coalition Government in the State. They also resolved to carry forward the alliance to empower democratic institutions and facilitate complete return of peace and prosperity to the strife-torn State. After the meeting, Mufti Sayeed said that during his term as Chief Minister, the turnaround in the State’s situation would not have been possible without the support of the Congress high command. "Changes of great importance and substance, both on political and economic fronts, witnessed by the State since October 2002 have enhanced people’s sense of security and has liberated them from the siege mentality," he said. Conveying PDP’s approval for resumption of the dialogue with Pakistan, Mr Sayeed said it is a significant and positive move towards consolidation of the peace process. He said despite obstacles the peace process between India and Pakistan must continue. Expressing satisfaction with the meeting, the Mufti said that Mrs Gandhi, with great sincerity of purpose, wants to see an immediate end to human tragedies in Jammu and Kashmir so that the people in the State could prosper with their counterparts in other parts of the country. |
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LONDON, Oct 10: Leading hotelier and Rajya Sabha member Lalit Suri died here early this morning following a massive heart attack. 60-year-old Suri, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Hotel Group, is survived by his wife Jyotsna and three sons and a daughter. An automobile engineer, Suri, who was born in Rawalpindi in Pakistan on April 15, 1947, was hail and hearty last evening and had attended a reception hosted by Indian High Commissioner Kamalesh Sharma in honour of visiting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Family sources said he suffered a massive heart attack in the wee hours and was rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead. His wife Jyotsana and some other family members were with him when he breathed his last. His body would be flown to Delhi late tonight for the last rites. The family decided to have the cremation on Thursday instead of Wednesday as it happened to be his wedding anniversary. Suri, who became Rajya Sabha member as an independent from Uttar Pradesh in 2002, was here as part of the FICCI delegation for the India-UK investment summit to be addressed by the Prime Minister today. He was a diabetic and he had suffered a heart attack in the past, the family said. Suri and Sunil Mittal, Chairman of the India-Britain partnership network, were among the last few to meet the Prime Minister at the High Commission reception. Friends and relatives of Suri gathered at his Panchsheel Park residence in the capital immediately after the news of his demise spread. (PTI) |
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‘Train forces in biological strikes’ HYDERABAD, Oct 10: Advocating the need for developing security forces by the State Governments on the model of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today said the security forces should be trained to tackle biological, chemical and radialogical terror strikes. "In the fast growing economic scenario, more and more units of various sectors need security and it would be better if State Governments too develop such forces", Patil said after reviewing a passing out parade at National Industrial Security Academy here. He said the terror strikes may come in any form and the security forces should update the combat technology even in biological, chemical and other modern warfare to fight the growing menace of terrorism. Patil also suggested that more women should be brought into the security force adding that the Centre would provide all help to widen the base of CISF, which today guards PSUs, airports, financial institutions, IT units and other sensitive installations. An effective security apparatus should be evolved to frustrate the sinister plans of terrorists and militants, he said adding that the nation was facing new challenges with left wing extremism spreading to 12 States. After a 53-week training module 163 officers, including nine women, belonging to the 21st batch of Assistant Commandant and 30th batch of sub-inspectors and executives passed out at a colourful ceremony. Director General of CISF SIS Ahmed and NISA director Anurag Sharma also spoke on the occasion. Later, a fire fighting demonstration, created a flutter with the wind blowing towards the VIP gallery. After it was extinguished, the enclosure was engulfed by thick smoke and fog and the chief guest and other top brass were escorted to safety by security men.(PTI) |
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AEE, Patwari held taking bribe Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 10: In two separate operations, State Vigilance Organisation today caught red handed an Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) of R&B and a Patwari while accepting bribe. The AEE of Truck Terminal Division, Srinagar, PWD (R&B), identified as Fiaz Ahmed Zargar, was caught while accepting Rs 20,000 as illegal gratification from one Gh Mohd Mir of Dangarpora, Nowagam, for releasing a bill amounting Rs 3 lacs on account of a construction work. Mr Mir had earlier lodged a complaint with the Vigilance Organisation that AEE Fiaz Ahmed was demanding 10 percent of the bill amount as illegal gratification for passing the bill. In another operation, Gh Mohammad Kumar, Patwari Halqa Sagipora Sopore, was caught red handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 2500 from one Khurshid Ahmed Lone of Sagipora. The accused Patwari had demanded and accepted the illegal gratification for effecting mutation of 14 kanals of land purchased by the complainant from a local of Sagipora. SVO has taken both the accused into custody for further investigations and registered cases. |
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NEW DELHI, Oct 10: A man broke into the residence of Samajwadi Party Lok Sabha MP Rashid Masood in a high-security locality in Lutyens Delhi in an abortive theft attempt. He broke open a room of the servants quarters at Masood’s residence on Bishambar Das Marg here last night and tried to decamp with Rs 10,000. According to the MP’s Secretary J K Sharma, a driver found early in the morning that the room was open and the lock of an almirah broken with the cash missing. The household staff found the man, identified as Kapil, in an inebriated state in the room. The 19-year-old vagabond was handed over to the police, Sharma added. He has been arrested and booked on charges of theft and forced entry. Masood represents Saharanpur seat in the Lok Sabha.(PTI) |
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