India

Kolkata, June 3 (IANS) Trinamool Congress supremo and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, the party's general secretary, will attend a meeting of the opposition INDIA bloc on June 8 in the national capital.

Incidentally, Abhishek Banerjee is supposed to appear at the headquarters of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the West Bengal Police at Bhabani Bhavan in South Kolkata on June 8 for interrogation in an ongoing probe into the signature mismatch case involving Trinamool Congress legislators.

Initially, Abhishek Banerjee was summoned at the CID office on June 1. However, instead of appearing on that day, he sought 15 days to appear on the pretext of his physical condition after being assaulted by the public at Sonarpur in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal in the afternoon of May 30.

However, in the evening of June 1, the CID sleuths served him a second notice asking him to appear at the CID office on June 8.

“After the results of the West Bengal Assembly polls were declared on May 4, Mamata Banerjee said that she will start a renewed movement against the Bharatiya Janata Party, not just at the state-level but also at the national-level in association with other constituents of the INDIA bloc. Her decision to attend the INDIA bloc meeting at New Delhi today will be the first step in this direction,” said a party legislator, who refused to be named.

He also said that almost all the frontline leaders of the INDIA bloc alliance posted their reactions on social media regarding the attack on Abhishek Banerjee in Sonarpur on May 30

“The list included the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi; Congress’ national President, Mallikarjun Kharge; former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Akhilesh Yadav; Aam Aadmi Party chief and former Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal; and the Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, among others. Abhishek also thanked them by reposting all those posts. All of them had expressed solidarity with Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee in this moment of crisis. That solidarity will be further strengthened at the meeting of the INDIA bloc on June 8," said the Trinamool MLA.

--IANS

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Mathura, June 3 (IANS) A startling case of sexual exploitation and blackmail under the guise of spirituality has emerged from the Govardhan area of Mathura, where police have arrested a man posing as a ‘sadhu’ who allegedly used online religious discourses and bhajan-kirtan sessions to target educated young women employed in well-paying jobs, officials said on Wednesday.

According to the police, the accused is a qualified mechanical engineer who allegedly lured women through spiritual gatherings, administered intoxicants to them, sexually assaulted them, and later blackmailed them using objectionable photographs and videos that he secretly recorded.

The case came to light after the sister of one of the victims, who was residing in a rented accommodation within the jurisdiction of the Govardhan police station, submitted a written complaint to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shlok Kumar.

As per the complaint, the victim is a native of Chhattisgarh and a third-semester B.Sc. Nursing student. She had travelled to Mathura on May 15 to celebrate her birthday with her sister, who was undergoing an internship at IOCL in the Radhakund area and was living as a tenant in the house owned by the alleged ‘sadhu’.

Investigators said the victim’s sister had come into contact with the accused, identified as Abhishek Mishra, through a local bhajan-kirtan group. On the night of May 15, the accused allegedly offered the victim a glass of milk, claiming it was ‘Prasad’.

Shortly after consuming the drink, the victim reportedly fell ill and lost consciousness. Police said the accused then allegedly subjected her to obscene acts while she was unconscious. When she attempted to resist, he allegedly threatened to kill her.

The victim later managed to leave the premises and returned to her home in Chhattisgarh, where she narrated the incident to her mother. However, fearing social stigma and public embarrassment, the family initially chose not to approach the authorities.

According to the complaint, the matter escalated when the accused allegedly contacted the victim through a video call and demanded Rs 5 lakh, threatening to circulate her private photographs on social media if the money was not paid.

Following the alleged extortion attempt, the victim informed her father about the entire incident. He subsequently brought her to Mathura and approached the SSP, detailing the allegations. Acting on the complaint, police registered a case at Govardhan police station on May 25 and launched an investigation.

As the probe progressed, investigators uncovered what they described as a broader pattern of similar offences. Police said preliminary findings indicated that the accused had allegedly targeted several other women using a similar modus operandi. Following these revelations, officers contacted the families of other alleged victims to gather additional information.

Police identified the accused as Abhishek Mishra, originally from Odisha, who completed a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Roorkee in 2021.

After graduation, he reportedly secured employment with a company offering an annual salary package of around Rs 20 lakh. However, he later resigned from the position and had been residing in a rented house in Radhakund, Govardhan, for the last three years.

Investigators said Mishra, who also operated under the name Adhikarta Narayan Das, allegedly leveraged online spiritual discourses and religious outreach programmes to attract educated women, particularly those employed in major corporate firms with substantial salary packages.

Police allege that after establishing trust, he would invite women to his residence, administer intoxicating substances, sexually exploit them, and secretly record photographs and videos. These materials were then allegedly used to extort money from the victims.

According to investigators, the funds allegedly obtained through blackmail were used by the accused to purchase property in Radhakund, where he also established what he described as an ‘ashram’.

Speaking to IANS, SP (Rural) Suresh Chandra Rawat said a police team arrested Abhishek Mishra from his residence in Radhakund on Monday evening. During the operation, police also rescued two young women and a young boy from the premises. Officials said all three have been sent to a de-addiction centre for treatment and counselling.

The investigation further revealed that the accused allegedly facilitated so-called Gandharva marriages, informal unions based on mutual consent, between educated young men and women. Police claim that after arranging such relationships, he would allegedly manipulate the women through psychological influence and establish physical relationships with them.

Officials said the accused primarily targeted women with technical and professional backgrounds, particularly B.Tech graduates employed by multinational companies. During searches, police recovered more than a dozen objectionable photographs and videos involving different young men and women from the accused’s mobile phone.

Police said the accused remains in custody and is being interrogated. Investigators are examining additional aspects of the case, including the possibility of more victims and the wider network of activities allegedly operated from the so-called ashram.

--IANS

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Kochi, June 3 (IANS) The Kerala High Court on Wednesday granted transit anticipatory bail to Mohammed Farmaan, husband of Kumbh Mela viral sensation Monalisa Bhosle, in a criminal case registered by Madhya Pradesh Police following a complaint filed by her father.

Justice Kauser Edappagath granted Farmaan one month’s protection from arrest, allowing him time to approach the appropriate courts in Madhya Pradesh and seek regular anticipatory bail.

The court directed that Farmaan shall not be arrested until the expiry of the one month.

The order came while considering the anticipatory bail plea filed by the inter-faith couple.

The court had reserved its verdict on Tuesday after hearing detailed arguments from both sides.

Farmaan has been booked under various provisions including the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including allegations of abduction and forgery.

The Madhya Pradesh Police case alleges that Monalisa was a minor at the time of marriage and that Farmaan obtained the marriage certificate through fraudulent means.

Appearing for the couple, advocate M. Sasindran argued that the allegations were false and that the couple had fallen in love while filming and later decided to marry at Neyyattinkara in Kerala.

He submitted that Monalisa’s father had initially accepted the relationship but later changed his stand after returning to Madhya Pradesh.

The counsel told the court that Monalisa had filed an affidavit explaining the circumstances of the marriage and asserting that she was an adult at the time.

Her Aadhaar card, election identity card and bank account details were produced as evidence of her age.

The couple also informed the court that they feared threats, including possible honour violence, if they returned to Madhya Pradesh.

They alleged that attempts were being made to portray Monalisa as a minor by cancelling her original birth certificate and relying on another certificate allegedly belonging to her younger brother.

Monalisa has already approached the Madhya Pradesh High Court challenging the cancellation of her birth certificate.

Opposing the plea, Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, appearing for the Madhya Pradesh authorities, argued that the Kerala High Court was not the appropriate forum since the case was registered in Madhya Pradesh.

He relied on a Supreme Court judgment regarding the jurisdiction of courts in transit bail matters.

The prosecution also argued that since offences under the SC/ST Act had been invoked, the anticipatory bail plea was not maintainable due to statutory restrictions.

Earlier, the Kerala High Court granted interim protection from arrest to the couple after examining the marriage certificate produced by them.

The latest order provides temporary relief to Farmaan but leaves the larger legal battle over the marriage, age dispute and allegations raised by the Madhya Pradesh Police to be decided by the competent courts.

--IANS

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Kolkata, June 3 (IANS) Within 24 hours of the arrest of a Trinamool Congress councillor, another councillor of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has been arrested on charges of extortion and corruption.

The total number of Trinamool councillors of KMC to be arrested over corruption charges has risen to three, said the police on Wednesday.

According to a senior officer of the Kolkata Police, officers of Garfa police station arrested Arijit Das Thakur, a councillor of ward number 106 of KMC, on Tuesday night.

He was accused of extorting money from local promoters and businessmen by threatening them.

A written complaint was filed that he had been trying to extort money by influencing construction and business-related matters in the area for a long time. The police arrested him after the primary investigation revealed the truth. The officers of Garfa police station first summoned the councillor for questioning. Later, after a long interrogation, they arrested him.

Earlier on Tuesday, the police arrested Trinamool councillor Sachin Singh of ward number 36 of Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC).

According to Lalbazar (Kolkata Police headquarters) sources, there are allegations of extortion against the arrested councillor. On Tuesday afternoon, police personnel from Narkeldanga police station went to arrest Sachin. At that time, a section of local residents protested in front of his house. They alleged that Sachin was also involved in threatening and beating up opponents.

According to police sources, Sachin was accused of post-poll violence in 2021 after state Assembly election results were declared. That year, he won the KMC elections on a Trinamool Congress ticket for the first time.

On May 23, the Thakurpukur police arrested Sudip Polle, a Trinamool councillor of Ward No. 123 of Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Chairman of Borough No. 16, in an extortion case.

Since the BJP formed a government in the state, there has been a crackdown on illegal and criminal activities involving the Trinamool Congress leaders. The police have been active in taking action against anti-social elements and often acting against Trinamool Congress leaders against whom allegations of breaking the law were raised. In the last one month, a large number of Trinamool councillors across the state have been arrested by the police across the state on charges of corruption and extortion.

--IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, June 3 (IANS) The Kerala Assembly witnessed a heated confrontation on Wednesday over allegations of politically motivated transfers of employees after the change of government, with former Chief Minister and Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan accusing power brokers and agents of controlling postings.

The government, however, rejected the allegations, saying transfers were carried out strictly according to established norms.

The Opposition’s adjournment motion seeking a discussion on alleged revenge transfers was disallowed by the Speaker, following which the Opposition staged a walkout.

Raising the issue, CPI(M) legislator V. Joy alleged that transfers were being made without following any criteria and that preferred individuals were being given postings of their choice.

He claimed that 207 transfer orders had been issued across 33 departments, affecting more than 2,000 employees.

Replying to the charges, State Minister Sunny Joseph said the transfers were not politically motivated but were carried out as part of routine administrative procedures.

He said all transfers had been made only after following the prescribed rules and norms.

The Minister pointed out that May was a period when a large number of employees retire, and vacancies arise, naturally leading to changes in postings across departments.

A transfer in one post often results in a chain of changes in several other locations, he said.

Rejecting the Opposition charge that employees were being harassed, Sunny Joseph said the government had not taken any action aimed at lowering the morale of employees.

He assured the House that if there were genuine complaints, they would be examined sympathetically.

The Minister also referred to an earlier discussion in the Assembly in 2016 when Vijayan took over, on alleged irregular transfers, saying the explanation given then was similar, that changes in postings were part of normal administrative functioning.

After the Speaker ruled that there was no need for an adjournment debate based on the Minister’s reply, Pinarayi Vijayan alleged that office-bearers of a ruling front-affiliated organisation were behind the transfer decisions and questioned who had authorised such actions even before the new government formally assumed office.

He alleged that those nearing retirement, women employees, sick persons and members of weaker sections were being targeted and shifted to distant locations.

“Who gave this directive? Under what authority did these senior officials do this?” he asked.

He claimed that the Kerala Administrative Tribunal had stayed several transfers, which he described as illegal, and demanded disciplinary action against officials responsible.

Vijayan warned that the involvement of power brokers and agents in administrative decisions could lead to corruption and chaos.

He recalled that when the Left government came to power in 2016, it introduced transfer guidelines and implemented an online, transparent system.

He also alleged that contract workers attached to Kudumbashree were being removed, calling the move inhumane.

The Opposition demanded cancellation of transfers allegedly made by bypassing norms and action against those responsible.

The dispute ended with the Opposition walking out of the Assembly in protest.

--IANS

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New Delhi, June 3 (IANS) A massive fire broke out at the multi-storied Lemon Green Restaurant in Delhi's Malviya Nagar on Wednesday morning, officials said.

Three people were rescued and taken to the hospital, while a search for others is underway, they added.

Upon receiving the information, ten fire tenders were immediately dispatched to the scene.

The fire was soon brought under control.

Taking to X, AAP leader Somnath Bharti said, "Massive fire in a multi-storied building in Hauzrani, my assembly constituency, today around 8.30 a.m., casualties possible. Majorly South African nationals."

Search and rescue operations are still underway, and further details are awaited.

This comes a day after ten people were injured after a suspected LPG cylinder explosion led to the collapse of a building in Delhi's Mukundpur area on Tuesday morning.

The Delhi Fire Service received a distress call at around 9:37 a.m. reporting what appeared to be an explosion, followed by the collapse of a residential structure. Emergency teams were immediately mobilised to the site as rescue operations got underway.

According to fire department officials, five fire tenders were rushed to the location soon after the information was received. Rescue personnel and local authorities launched a search operation to check for people trapped under the debris and to prevent any further mishap.

Preliminary information suggests that the incident occurred in a building that was being used as a utensil polishing facility.

The exact cause of the blast is yet to be officially established, though initial investigation indicates that an LPG cylinder explosion may have triggered the collapse.

Officials said the blast was powerful enough to bring down a single-storey structure spread across an area of nearly 250 square yards.

Officials said further details regarding the cause of the explosion and the condition of the injured are awaited.

--IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, June 3 (IANS) The investigation into the attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials after their search at the residence of former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan in connection with the CMRL-Exalogic monthly payment case has now shifted focus towards the alleged conspiracy behind the violence, with both the state police and the central agency intensifying their probes.

A 30-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed under the direct supervision of the Cantonment Assistant Commissioner to investigate the case. Museum Station House Officer R. Prasanth is heading the probe, supported by five inspectors and seven sub-inspectors.

The team has already recorded statements from ED officials in Kochi, including Assistant Director Sanith Reddy, and collected key documents, including the search warrant related to the raid.

ED officials have reportedly told the SIT that the attack was not a spontaneous protest but a planned assault.

The agency has maintained that the incident involved a larger conspiracy aimed at obstructing its official duties.

The SIT is now examining whether political leaders or local party functionaries played a role in mobilising the attackers.

Investigators are focusing on digital evidence, including phone records and WhatsApp messages of those who allegedly took part in the attack.

The calls made immediately before and during the raid, and communications between leaders and workers, are being examined with the help of the cyber cell.

Officials believe these records could reveal whether there was a coordinated plan behind the violence.

So far, around 300 identifiable persons have been named in the case registered by the Museum Police, while 25 people have been arrested.

Police have identified 46 people from visuals of the incident and are attempting to track down others.

The ED, however, has raised concerns that the investigation should not remain limited to lower-level workers and should extend to those who allegedly directed the attack.

The agency is also considering intervening in the bail proceedings of the arrested accused before the Sessions Court.

It has begun collecting video footage and other evidence to oppose bail and establish the alleged conspiracy.

The ED has informed the Union Home Ministry about the incident and is exploring the possibility of seeking a CBI investigation, citing the attack as a serious assault on a central agency.

The agency has pointed to similar instances where the CBI took over investigations after attacks on ED officials in other states.

The case has triggered political controversy after R. Prasanth, the SIT head, was appointed as the investigating officer.

As the state president of the Kerala Police Officers Association, he is considered close to Left organisations, prompting Opposition criticism over possible bias. However, the officer now faces the challenge of ensuring a fair investigation in a politically sensitive case.

A Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Thiruvananthapuram had observed that the incident was not merely a public protest but an organised attack targeting ED officials and CRPF personnel.

With the ED, state police and courts closely monitoring the developments, the investigation is expected to become a major political flashpoint in Kerala, especially as the probe moves towards identifying those allegedly behind the attack.

--IANS

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New Delhi, June 3 (IANS) West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on former Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, dismissing her allegations of 'illegal houses' in Gujarat and criticising her recent protest.

Reacting to Banerjee’s claim that 70 per cent of houses in Gujarat are illegal, Ghosh questioned the basis of her remarks. “Did she go and check it herself whether it is legal or illegal? Their own house is illegal; keep this in mind first,” he said.

Ghosh also took aim at Banerjee’s protest meeting in Kolkata, where she vowed to continue fighting the BJP. Rejecting claims that the gathering drew significant support, he said, “It wasn’t massive; it was forced. Neither the party’s MPs nor MLAs attended. Only those with no other place to go, people enjoying privileges, were present…”

In another swipe at the Trinamool leadership, Ghosh said, “Those people who used to abuse our leaders by taking their names are now the same ones who are garlanding them and offering prayers. Time does change, but the public knows what all they have done. When the public evaluates and judges, that will be right. Who are we to decide otherwise?”

The remarks came after Banerjee addressed a protest organised against what she described as attacks on Trinamool workers following the Assembly election verdict that brought the BJP to power in West Bengal.

Addressing supporters, Banerjee declared that she would continue her political battle against the BJP. “For us, it’s a do-or-die battle,” Mamata Banerjee said, surrounded by supporters raising slogans against the BJP. “Some people are betraying us to break the Trinamool Congress. Anti-BJP parties will meet in Delhi to decide on our country-wide course of action,” she said.

Banerjee also alleged that she was facing an unprecedented situation after losing power. She said former chief ministers Jyoti Basu and Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee never had to face protests outside their homes after electoral defeats.

The former chief minister arrived at the protest venue after her party’s request for its preferred location was denied. “We were not given permission to set up a stage or use microphones,” Mamata Banerjee said.

She further asserted that she would stand by party workers despite political setbacks and would not abandon them even if other leaders chose to leave.

--IANS

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Patna, June 3 (IANS) Students in the Musallahpur Haat area of Patna on Wednesday appeared anxious about their studies following the vandalism and gunfire at Khan Sir's coaching institution, raising concerns that it would affect their exam preparations.

The incident involved stone-pelting, vandalism, and allegations of gunfire at the Centre.

Tension gripped the Musallahpur Haat area of Patna on Wednesday morning after a violent clash late Tuesday allegedly involving students and supporters associated with the coaching institutes of educator Khan Sir and Gyan Bindu Coaching Centre.

The incident involved stone-pelting, vandalism, and allegations of gunfire at the Centre.

Speaking to IANS, a student, Mayank Yadav, said, "The most important thing is that educational institutions should never be attacked. In fact, no one should be subjected to such attacks, but an attack on an educational institution is particularly damaging as it tarnishes the image of the entire state of Bihar."

"It will affect us. We are preparing for exams, and now the coaching centre will be closed for god knows how many days. This will significantly affect our studies too. This act was condemnable, and we demand strict action against the accused," he added.

Another student, Ajay Kumar, speaking to IANS, said, "The incident happened yesterday at around 10:15–10:20 p.m. We had left from here around 10:00 p.m. After leaving, I went back to my room and then up to the terrace, where I was talking to my father. At around 10:20 p.m., I heard a loud sound that seemed like a gunshot, although I wasn't sure what it was. Later, when I was watching the news, I got to know that the coaching centre was attacked. This should not have happened."

According to a preliminary investigation, a dispute between students of the two coaching institutes escalated into a large-scale confrontation.

Groups gathered near Khan Classes and allegedly hurled stones at each other, creating panic in the densely populated educational hub.

Local shopkeepers reportedly shut their establishments, while pedestrians rushed to safety amid the chaos.

A security guard employed at Khan Classes sustained a head injury during the violence and was admitted to a hospital for treatment.

The coaching institute's banner was also torn down during the disturbance.

Following the incident, senior police officials, including Patna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kartikeya K. Sharma, along with other officers and multiple police teams, reached the spot to assess the situation and restore order.

Kadamkuan police station SHO Janmejay Kumar stated that written complaints have been received from both parties.

Representatives of Khan Classes have alleged that individuals from the rival side opened fire.

Gyan Bindu Coaching Centre has similarly accused persons linked to Khan Classes of firing during the clash.

Police officials have indicated that the allegations are being investigated and that conclusions will be drawn only after examination of evidence and witness statements.

Speaking after the incident, Khan Sir claimed that the attack was linked to the growing popularity of his institute and its low-cost educational model. He questioned why some people objected to affordable education and argued that quality education should remain accessible to economically weaker students.

He further alleged that attackers vandalised the coaching office and fired shots during the incident. According to him, CCTV footage has been handed over to investigators, and the institute's security guard has identified some of the alleged attackers as persons associated with a nearby coaching centre.

Khan Sir also called for enhanced security arrangements.

--IANS

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Washington, June 3 (IANS) The United States Trade Representative (USTR), under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, has proposed to impose an additional 12.5 per cent tariff on India and 59 other economies over allegations of using forced labour to produce imported goods.

In a statement, USTR claimed that 60 economies have failed to enforce rules against imported goods made via forced labour.

"Under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 that the acts, policies, and practices of 60 economies related to the failure to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labor is unreasonable and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce, and are thus actionable under Section 301(b) of the Trade Act," the statement read.

Ambassador Jamieson Greer said the failure of “our most important trading partners to address the importation of goods made with forced labor is unacceptable”.

“This creates a dynamic where American workers are forced to compete globally on an unlevel playing field,” Greer added.

“We will no longer tolerate this disparity. Some trading partners have taken initial steps to prevent the importation of forced labor goods, including through USMCA and commitments in Agreements on Reciprocal Trade. However, each of our trading partners must do more to ensure that trade does not perversely encourage and entrench forced labor globally,” he mentioned.

For economies that impose a forced labour import prohibition, that have committed to impose and enforce such a prohibition through an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, or economies that have imposed a partial regime with the effect of preventing the importation of certain forced labour goods, the US Trade Representative proposes 10% as the rate of additional duties.

For all other economies, the US Trade Representative proposes 12.5 per cent as the rate of additional duty.

The USTR also proposes a textile mechanism that would allow for a certain volume of apparel and textile imports from certain economies to enter the United States at a reduced Section 301 tariff rate, said the statement.

The USTR will hold hearings about the proposed actions on July 7, 2026.

--IANS

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