Haryana lawyer arrested for spying for Pak visited Punjab to get money for terror funding
Gurugram(PTI): A resident of Nuh district, who was arrested in November on charges of spying for the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI, allegedly visited Punjab 5 times in the last three months to transact money for terror funding, a senior investigating officer said on Tuesday.
The accused, identified as Rizwan, who is an advocate by profession, allegedly conducted a transaction of approximately Rs 45 lakhs with hawala traders involved in terrorist funding, the officer added.
This terror funding network is believed to have links to Pathankot, with handlers operating in various cities across Punjab, working to launder funds received through hawala. It is said that hawala traders have transferred over Rs 1 crore within a short timeframe, much of which was intended to bolster the terrorist network in Punjab, according to police sources, according to police sources.
In connection with this case, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Nuh police initially detained Musharraf, a friend of Rizwan, who was later released after questioning. Subsequently, the SIT arrested Ajay Arora, a resident of Malaysian Patti in Jalandhar, Punjab. He has been accused of sending money to Rizwan through Hawala and facilitating the transactions, police said.
Following Arora's arrest, three additional suspects were apprehended in Amritsar, Punjab, by the SIT. The police are currently interrogating the three suspects, identified as Sandeep Singh, Amandeep, and Jaskaran, who are being held on an 8-day police remand. More arrests are expected in this investigation, police added.
According to officials, the police presented the accused in court at night.
Officials from the Punjab National Bank (PNB) in Tauru confirmed that Rizwan maintains an account with them, but the police have instructed them not to disclose any information regarding Rizwan's account to anyone.
"We are providing the police with the information they require about Rizwan's bank account. Senior police officers have visited the bank multiple times," said Surender Kumar Meena, the bank's manager, although he refused to provide any details about Rizwan's account.
"During interrogation, Rizwan revealed many secrets, including having taken his fellow lawyer, Musharraf, from Bainsi village with him, although Musharraf was unaware of the true purpose of Rizwan's repeated visits to Punjab. Consequently, the investigating team was released after questioning," an investigating officer of the SIT said.
A senior police officer mentioned that suspicious activities, such as terrorism, are being closely monitored. Individuals suspected or known to be involved in such activities are being identified, and their backgrounds are under thorough investigation.
"The SIT team is investigating the bank details, transactions, and even the mobile locations of the suspects. Their daily activities are also being closely monitored. The matter is related to the security of the country, and an in-depth investigation will be conducted", he added.
In May, police arrested Mohammad Tarif, a resident of Kangarka village in the Tauru area, for allegedly sharing sensitive military information with Pakistani handlers and supplying Indian SIM cards to agents at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi.
Arman, a resident of Rajaka village, was also arrested in May for alleged spying.
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.
CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
