Shahim Mohammed of Bajpe elected HIF Qatar's new president
Doha: Shahim Mohammed Sheikh, a resident of Bajpe, Mangaluru, was unanimously elected as the President of the Highland Islamic Forum Qatar unit during the 9th Annual General Body Meeting held in Doha on Friday, January 12, 2024.
The election saw the unanimous selection of other office bearers, including Mohammed Faizel Sheikh as the general secretary and Rizwan Ahmed as the treasurer. Core members of the team, Suhaib Ahmed, Faheem Ahmed, Naveed Ahmed, Shafakath Hussain, Rasheed Abdulhameed Kakinje, and Riyaz, were also chosen.
Sheikh Usman, a member of the Indian Friends Circle and the chief guest, commended the works of HIF, emphasizing the importance of charity in Islam, encompassing both deeds and financial contributions. He particularly praised the young generation for their efforts and applauded the exemplary works carried out by HIF.
The outgoing president, Shafakath Hussain, presided over the meeting, welcoming attendees. Rizwan Ahmed presented the Annual General Report of 2023, highlighting the forum's accomplishments over the past two years.
Various leaders from different organizations attended the meeting, with Faheem Ahmed serving as the master of ceremony.
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Gold smuggling case: Judicial custody of Kannada actress Ranya Rao, two others extended until Apr 21
Bengaluru, Apr 07 (PTI): A court here on Monday extended the judicial custody of Kannada actress Ranya Rao, and two others until April 21 in connection with a gold smuggling case. Ranya, businessman Tarun Raju, and jewellery dealer Sahil Jain are accused of orchestrating the illegal import of gold worth over Rs 12.56 crore from Dubai to India.
The case came to light on March 3, 2025, when Rao alias Harshavardhani Ranya was apprehended at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport with 14.8 kilograms of gold allegedly smuggled from Dubai. Subsequent investigations revealed that Ranya had made 45 solo trips to Dubai between 2023 and 2025, raising suspicions of her involvement in a broader smuggling network.
Further scrutiny uncovered her association with Vira Diamonds Trading, a Dubai-based firm she co-founded in 2023 with actor and businessman Tarun Raju. Authorities allege that this company was used as a front for smuggling operations. Raju, also known as Virat Konduru, was arrested following evidence of his involvement in purchasing gold in Dubai and facilitating its illegal transport to India.
Investigations also implicated jeweller Sahil Jain, who is suspected of assisting Ranya in selling approximately 49 kilograms of smuggled gold valued at over Rs 40 crore. Jain allegedly managed hawala transactions, transferring significant sums to Dubai, and received commissions for his role in the operations.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has presented substantial evidence linking the accused to the smuggling activities. The court previously denied bail to Raju, citing the serious nature of the economic offense and potential flight risk due to his frequent international travel history.
