CIA director briefs Trump on Khashoggi investigation
Washington, Oct 26 : CIA Director Gina Haspel on Thursday briefed President Donald Trump on the investigations related to US-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was brutally killed inside Saudi Arabia's Istanbul Consulate, the White House said.
"The president received a briefing from director Haspel this morning following her return from Turkey. She briefed the president on their findings and her discussions," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said.
The White House did not provide any other details of the meeting. Haspel returned from Turkey last night. In Turkey, she met with officials involved in the investigations of the murder of the Saudi journalist Khashoggi. Turkish officials say they have audio of the proof of the murder.
In a news report, The Washington Post said that Haspel listened to the audio tape.
A person familiar with the audio said it was "compelling" and could put more pressure on the US to hold the kingdom accountable for the death of Khashoggi, the daily reported. Khashoggi was a contributing columnist for The Washington Post.
"This puts the ball firmly in Washington's court," Bruce Riedel, a former CIA official and scholar at the Brookings Institution, told The Washington Post.
"Not only will there be more pressure now from the media but Congress will say, 'Gina, we would love to have you come visit and you can tell us exactly what you heard'," he told the daily.
Haspel's briefing to Trump comes amidst latest change in Saudi stance in which it acknowledge that Khashoggi was murdered by its officials in a "premeditated" operation.
Meanwhile, Senator Jack Reed, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, alleged that the Saudis are still engaged in cover up.
"In the face of mounting evidence, the Saudis now admit Khashoggi's torture and murder was premeditated. But they are still engaged in a cover up," Reed said.
"The Saudi Crown Prince must direct those responsible to produce Khashoggi's body immediately so that an autopsy may be conducted and his family can have a proper burial. If the Crown Prince is unable or unwilling to do so, then it will become clear that he is complicit in the cover up," he said.
Reed alleged that Trump's feeble response to the brutal torture, murder, and apparent dismemberment of a journalist who was legally living in the United States shows a stunning lack of leadership.
"The Saudis ever-changing story underscores the need for an independent and credible international investigation of what happened to Mr. Khashoggi," he said.
"If President Trump abdicates his responsibility to hold the Saudis accountable then Congress must go it alone. Congress must follow the facts and act in a responsible, bipartisan manner to hold the killers, and those who ordered the killing, accountable," Reed said.
Senator Bernie Sanders said the brutal murder of Khashoggi demands that the US make clear that its support for Saudi Arabia is not unconditional.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Sheena Bora case: Indrani Mukerjea moves SC, seeks permission to travel abroad
New Delhi, Nov 26: Former media executive Indrani Mukerjea, accused of killing her daughter Sheena Bora, has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Bombay High Court ruling denying her to travel abroad.
A special court on July 19 allowed Mukerjea's plea to travel to Spain and the UK for 10 days between intermittent periods over the next three months.
The CBI approached the high court challenging the order passed by the special court but the high court quashed the special court order on September 27.
Mukerjea has now moved the apex court challenging the high court's verdict.
In her plea filed in the top court through advocate Sana Raees Khan, Mukerjea said she was a British citizen, and sought permission to visit Spain and her home country for "making necessary changes and amendments and taking care of pending work which cannot be transacted without her personal presence".
She argued the activation of a digital certificate was a must for all relevant work and administration in Spain and her physical presence was mandatory.
In its verdict, the high court noted Mukerjea wanted to travel abroad on the ground that she was a British national and was required to execute documents regarding her bank account and perform other work in Spain and the UK.
While setting aside the special court's order, the high court said if Mukerjea wished to perform these works from India, the statutory authorities back home would extend her the necessary support with the assistance of Embassy of Spain and the UK.
Mukerjea was arrested in August 2015 after the murder of Bora came to light. In May 2022, she was granted bail by the Supreme Court.
She has denied the allegations.
Bora (24) was allegedly strangled to death in a car by Mukerjea, her then-driver Shyamvar Rai and former husband Sanjeev Khanna in April 2012 in Mumbai. Her body was then burnt in a forest in the neighbouring Raigad district, according to the prosecution.
Bora was Mukerjea's daughter from her previous relationship.
The killing came to light in 2015 when Rai reportedly revealed about it during interrogation by police after his arrest in a separate case registered under the Arms Act.
Mukerjea's ex-husband Peter Mukerjea was also arrested for allegedly being a part of the conspiracy linked to the murder, probed by the CBI.
All the accused are currently out on bail.
