Govt's tactic to divert attention from real issues: Cong on fresh FIR in Herald case
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Monday slammed the Centre over the filing of a fresh FIR in the National Herald case, describing the move as "harassment" by the Enforcement Directorate and a tactic by the Modi government to divert public attention from real issues.
Speaking to reporters here, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said the ED and the BJP government deserve a "Nobel Prize for fabricating a crime where none has been committed".
He described the action as a tactic to divert public attention from the country's major problems like "deteriorating" economy, unemployment and a "failed" foreign policy.
"The ED sees it as a case of money laundering where no money movement has taken place," the Congress leader said.
The Delhi Police has filed an FIR against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and other accused in the National Herald case on a complaint by the ED as part of the agency's money laundering probe into the high-profile case that alleges that the Gandhi family "abused" their position for personal gains.
Singhvi recounted the history of Associated Journals Limited, the company that publishes the National Herald, and explained its financial restructuring process. He pointed out that National Herald stood up to the British during the freedom movement.
It has often been observed that institutions founded on idealism have failed to perform well and this is precisely what has happened with AJL, he said.
He claimed that to keep the torch of ideals burning, the Congress provided loans to AJL and to free the company from debt, it was decided to convert the loans into equity, which was a common practice in businesses.
Singhvi said that AJL's debt was transferred to Young Indian, resulting in Young Indian holding 99 per cent of AJL's shareholding. He stressed that, as a not-for-profit company, Young Indian cannot make any profit, nor do its directors receive any salary or allowances.
Since no money was transacted, no profit was earned, and no movable or immovable property was transferred, the question of money laundering does not arise in this entire matter, the Congress leader claimed.
He questioned the ED's motive behind the current action, pointing out that a chargesheet has already been filed in this case, which is currently pending in the Rouse Avenue Special Court.
Singhvi said that he had argued four months ago that since there is no government complaint in this case, the ED has no role to play, and the court's decision is still pending.
"The BJP's politics is to tire out the opposition, embellish lies, and manipulate the agencies.
"This is a bizarre situation. No crime, no cash, no trail to find. The BJP still conjures a case of its own twisted mind. If justice is blind, then ED is colourblind — it only sees one colour, the opposition colour," he said.
"It is a case with no money movement, no movement of immovable property, and no mischief, yet the ED, in its imagination, sees money laundering," he claimed.
"Fiction has found a uniform. If vendetta were the syllabus, the BJP would graduate with honours. From a private complaint to a public circus, the National Herald case is the BJP's recycled obsession. The BJP manufactures a crime where none exists," Singhvi asserted.
"This is not the National Herald case, it's the National Harassment case," he claimed.
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Trekking without nature guide won't be allowed; Karnataka forest minister releases SOP
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre on Friday said that trekking will no longer be permitted on any approved trekking routes under the forest department, without a certified nature guide equipped with GPS-enabled walkie-talkies.
Speaking after releasing the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) formulated for the safety of trekkers, he said that there will be one local nature guide for every 10 trekkers. A maximum of 150 trekkers will be allowed per batch on any trekking route.
According to him, online registration for trekking is mandatory. Even if a single individual registers for a particular day, a guide will still be provided, and trekking without a guide will not be allowed.
He said the SOP was introduced following recent incidents, including a woman from Kerala who went missing for three days in the forests during a trek at Tadiandamol hill in Kodagu, and a minor girl who went missing and was later found dead near Manikyadhara in Chikkamagaluru, which is outside forest jurisdiction.
In a statement, the Khandre's office said that nature guides will be mandatorily equipped with GPS-enabled walkie-talkies on all trekking routes. "Additionally, a mobile app containing trekking route maps will be installed on trekkers' phones. This will help locate trekkers if they lose their way", it said.
As per the SOP, before the trek begins, trekkers will be briefed about the distance, duration, and local conditions.
"Instructions on how to respond if wildlife is encountered will also be provided. Loud devices, sharp metal objects, weapons, and campfires are strictly prohibited on trekking routes," it said.
The SOP further stated that separate toilets for men and women and drinking water facilities will be provided at base camps.
Directional arrow markings will guide trekkers along the route, and rest points will be created along the way, it said.
Citing the SOP, the statement said that nature guides must ensure that no trekker moves ahead of them or is left behind. Headcounts must be conducted at base camps and rest points.
"Guides must communicate with the base camp via walkie-talkie every 30 minutes. If there is no communication within an hour of the trek starting, base camp staff will contact the guide to confirm safety," it said.
The SOP states that minors must carry a consent letter from their parents or guardians, and senior citizens must provide a fitness certificate confirming their physical capability to undertake trekking. To be able to respond to unexpected health issues, trekkers and guides must carry a first aid kit.
However, flash photography, single-use plastics, and carry bags are prohibited and trekkers must bring back their waste and dispose of it only at base camps, as per SOP.
It further said that all trekking routes under the forest department will be integrated into the official website (https://aranyavihaara.karnataka.gov.in/) to enable advance booking of tickets.
