CBI inquiry into 'corruption' launched at 5 state branches of Red Cross
New Delhi, Mar 13: A CBI inquiry has been launched at the regional branches of the Red Cross Society in four states and a Union Territory over complaints of corruption and financial irregularities.
According to officials, the Union health ministry had received complaints about alleged corruption at the regional branches of the Red Cross Society in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, Karnataka and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
In Tamil Nadu, the ministry officials said serious allegations in the functioning of the state branch were brought to the notice of the governor, after which he requested the national headquarters (NHQ) of the Red Cross Society in Delhi in July 2020 for approval under the Prevention of Corruption Act to enable the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the matter.
"The accused chairman and other office-bearers of the Tamil Nadu branch obtained a stay from the high court in Chennai against investigation by the CBI. The stay stands vacated in June 2022. Currently, the chairman has resigned and the matter is with the CBI," the ministry said.
The governor has also dissolved the state managing committee and replaced it with an ad-hoc committee.
In Kerala, a case of misappropriation of funds in 2019 allegedly by the chairman and the vice-chairman led to the NHQ recommending dissolution of the managing committee.
A new managing committee is in place after an interim committee under a high court judge was appointed just after the dissolution of the state committee, a ministry official said.
The general secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands branch was holding on to the position for a long time without proper elections.
Based on a complaint, the matter was referred to the lieutenant governor of the Union Territory.
On the recommendations of the LG and with the chairman's approval, the general secretary has been removed, the officials said.
In Assam, a delay in the election of the state managing committee and a land dispute led the managing body members to visit the northeastern state and apprise the governor of the issues pertaining to the branch.
The high court ordered that elections will have to be held and a new state managing committee is in place now.
In Karnataka, a trust was registered in the name of Red Cross by the former chairman of the state branch.
An FIR has been lodged and now the trust stands dissolved, the officials said.
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.
Excavation of 'Mrityu Kup' begins in UP's Sambhal
Sambhal (UP) (PTI): The administration in this Uttar Pradesh district on Thursday commenced the renovation and excavation of the ancient "Mrityu Kup" (well of death) at Kot Purvi, located within the Sambhal Kotwali police station area.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to identify and restore wells that are believed to hold great religious and spiritual significance. According to locals, the well was abandoned several years ago and filled with debris, which will be cleared. The well is not only a historic landmark but also a sacred site where devotees believe they can attain salvation by bathing, the locals claim. The well is deeply-embedded in the region's spiritual fabric, with locals holding it in high regard for its mythological importance.
"Thursday marks the beginning of the excavation of the Mrityu Kup, a very ancient and revered site. The excavation is being carried out with the cooperation of the Nagar Palika. The well is immensely popular and its renovation will further strengthen our faith. The district administration has been highly supportive in ensuring the development of this important cultural and religious landmark," local councillor Gagan Varshney said.
Sambhal's Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Vandana Mishra said accompanied by a team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), she visited the Bhadrika Ashram Tirtha and Chaturmukh Kup in Hauz Bhadde Sarai. "After further study, the team will determine its age and give recommendations for its preservation," the SDM said.
She also highlighted the team's visit to Alam Sarai's Brahma Kup, commonly known as the Chaturmukh Kup, a well constructed with stones. The ASI team has collected samples for analysis and research. "In addition, the excavation of the Mrityu Kup is currently underway. We are evaluating the best methods to ensure its preservation. So far, we have identified around 15 out of 19 wells that are of great historical significance," Mishra said.
The excavation and renovation of the "Mrityu Kup" is expected to bolster Sambhal's religious tourism prospects, local officials claim. The structure is located close to the Shahi Jama Masjid, a court-ordered survey of which led to violence last month, leaving four people dead. The violence broke out after protesters clashed with security personnel during the survey of the Mughal-era mosque.
The protesters torched vehicles and pelted stones at police, who used tear gas and batons to disperse the mob. Around 20 security personnel had sustained injuries in the clash and the deputy collector had fractured his leg, officials had said. Internet services were suspended in the district in the wake of the violence.
Images shared on social media showed protesters pelting stones at the security personnel from atop buildings and in front of the Shahi Jama Masjid. Later, police personnel were purportedly seen cornering and hitting people as they tried to disperse a large crowd from a narrow alleyway.
Visuals also showed a lane strewn with a large number of slippers, bricks and stones. In another clip, some police personnel in riot gear were purportedly seen firing gunshots towards a lane while flames leapt and smoke billowed into the air in the background.
Several people were detained in connection with the violence. Tension was brewing in Sambhal since the mosque was surveyed on the orders of a local court following a petition that claimed that a Harihar temple stood at the site previously.
