Veteran US Judge Alvin Hellerstein oversees high-stakes case against Venezuelan Prez Nicolas Maduro
New York: At 92, US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, one of the longest-serving judges on the federal bench, is once again at the centre of a case with global implications, as he presides over the criminal proceedings against deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, appeared before Judge Hellerstein in a Manhattan courtroom on Monday, where they entered pleas of not guilty to charges including narco-terrorism and drug trafficking. The case traces back to a 2020 indictment and forms part of a broader investigation that has unfolded over nearly 15 years, already resulting in the conviction of Venezuela’s former intelligence chief, Hugo Armando Carvajal.
Hellerstein’s involvement adds considerable weight to the proceedings. Appointed to the US District Court for the Southern District of New York in 1998 after being nominated by then president Bill Clinton, he has built a reputation for handling complex and politically sensitive cases. A Columbia University Law School graduate, he began his legal career serving in the US Army between 1957 and 1960 before moving into private practice.
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Over the decades, the judge has overseen a wide range of landmark cases. He has ruled on several civil lawsuits arising from the September 11, 2001 Al-Qaeda attacks, and has repeatedly been involved in matters touching the highest levels of US politics. At times, this brought him into direct conflict with US President Donald Trump, including when he rejected an attempt to move Trump’s New York hush money case to federal court. More recently, he blocked efforts by the Trump administration to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members without granting them court hearings.
Hellerstein has also been a key figure in major financial and corporate fraud cases. In September, he sentenced tech entrepreneur Charlie Javice to over seven years in prison for defrauding JPMorgan Chase in a $175 million deal. He later handed down an 18-year sentence to Bill Hwang, founder of investment firm Archegos Capital Management, in another high-profile fraud conviction. Last year, he presided over a jury trial that found BNP Paribas’s activities in Sudan had supported the regime of former ruler Omar al-Bashir, awarding damages of $20.75 million to Sudanese plaintiffs.
Beyond criminal and financial cases, the judge has also delivered rulings with lasting human rights implications. In 2015, he ordered the US government to release photographs documenting the abuse of detainees in Iraq and Afghanistan, a decision that drew international attention.
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Delhi demolition drive violence: Portion of mosque's property razed, claims Owaisi
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (PTI): AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday alleged that a portion of a Waqf-owned property of a mosque in Delhi was demolished and blamed the "black" Waqf (amendment) Act.
An anti-encroachment drive near the Faiz-e-Elahi mosque in Delhi's Ramlila Maidan area on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday triggered violence as many people hurled stones at police personnel amid a social media post claiming that the mosque, opposite the Turkman Gate, was being demolished.
Five police personnel were injured in stone pelting, prompting the police to lob tear gas shells.
"At 1:30 AM, the property of a mosque near Turkaman Gate was razed. It is a Waqf property as per a gazette notification of 1970. The demolition drive is just the beginning after passing the Waqf Act in Parliament. People should understand the happenings in the country and give a strong message to the ruling parties through their votes," Owaisi said while addressing a rally for Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar civic polls.
He alleged that the Delhi High Court had passed an incorrect order despite a Gazette notification issued in 1970 declaring the property as Waqf land.
"The High Court decided the title of the mosque when it had no right to do so. The Delhi Waqf Board also failed to take appropriate legal action by not filing a review petition," he said, adding that the matter would now be taken to the Supreme Court.
Owaisi further alleged that the Waqf Act, which he termed a "black law," was being used to seize Muslim religious properties.
"This law was made by PM Narendra Modi with the support of Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar, and Chandrababu Naidu. It is being used to snatch our mosques and graveyards. What happened in Delhi is only the beginning," he said.
He appealed to voters in Maharashtra to oppose Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar in the upcoming local body elections.
"People must vote against those responsible for this Act and stand with AIMIM if they want to protect their religious places," he said.
Speaking about constitutional values, Owaisi said the Preamble of the Constitution begins with “We, the people” and not “Bharat Mata.” Referring to the celebration of 150 years of Vande Mataram in Parliament, he said no one spoke about Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s emphasis on freedom of thought, faith, expression, and religion.
He also said that the preamble of our constitution starts with 'we the people' and not Bharat Mata.
Referring to the celebration of 150 years of Vande Mataram in Parliament, he said no one spoke about Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s emphasis on freedom of thought, faith, expression, and religion.
"Ambedkar wrote that this country belongs to everyone, but nobody stood up to say that," Owaisi said.
He also said that the Constitution permits Muslims to worship Allah.
"No Muslim MP said this in Parliament, but I did. I said we will say only ‘La ilaha illallah’. Others bowed their heads, but I did not compromise with the fundamentals of my religion or the Constitution," he added.
Maharashtra AIMIM president Imtiaz Jaleel, who also addressed the rally, said the party lost the previous Lok Sabha elections due to internal divisions.
"The same group is active again in the municipal elections. This time, we are fighting on two fronts — against our political opponents and against people from our own side," he said.
Referring to the recent attack on his car, Jaleel said, AIMIM would not be intimidated.
"Those involved in illegal businesses think they can scare us, but we completed the rally. The police must take action, and we are closely watching the case. We will not be afraid of those who have illegal businesses," he said.
Owaisi also commented on the incident, demanding strict action against those involved.
"I will visit that area in the next few days. I am not afraid. I always go where people challenge me,” he said.
