MP businessman, wife die by suicide, alleging ED harassment; Agency denies claims
Bhopal: The deaths of businessman Manoj Parmar and his wife Neha Parmar, who were found hanging in their home in Ashta, Madhya Pradesh, on Friday, have triggered a heated political debate. A purported suicide note, which surfaced on social media, alleges harassment by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and pressure from BJP leaders, further intensifying the row.
The suicide note, addressed to several prominent figures, including the President of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, urges Gandhi and other Congress leaders to ensure the safety of the deceased couple's children. The note accuses the ED and BJP of targeting the family due to their political association with the Congress. Manoj Parmar’s children had supported Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra by gifting their piggybank, which the Congress has cited as a reason for the alleged harassment.
Congress leaders, including former Chief Minister Kamal Nath and state president Jitu Patwari, have claimed that the deaths are not suicides but "state-sponsored murders." Nath alleged that the ED and BJP government harassed Parmar to force him to join the BJP. Patwari visited the family and vowed to support them. He further accused investigative agencies of being misused to intimidate political opponents.
In response, Madhya Pradesh BJP media in-charge Ashish Agrawal condemned the Congress for politicising the incident. He accused Congress leaders of exploiting the tragedy for political gains and urged them to understand Parmar's legal history before making allegations.
The ED, in a statement, denied allegations of harassment and termed the deaths "unfortunate." The agency stated that searches were conducted on December 5 at four locations linked to Parmar and others under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with a bank fraud case. The ED claimed to have recovered incriminating documents, frozen a bank balance of ₹3.5 lakh, and identified four immovable properties linked to the case.
The investigation stems from a CBI FIR against Parmar and a senior Punjab National Bank (PNB) manager, accusing them of availing loans worth ₹6 crore under government schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Employment Generation Programme and Chief Minister Yuva Udyami Yojana. The ED alleges that the funds were diverted into personal accounts and withdrawn in cash to invest in properties.
Sub-Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) Akash Amalkar confirmed that a typed suicide note in the form of an application was recovered. However, he refrained from disclosing further details, citing the ongoing investigation. Statements from the grieving family are yet to be recorded.
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Vijay secures majority support, set to stake claim to form Tamil Nadu govt
Chennai: After four days of political uncertainty and intense negotiations in Tamil Nadu, actor-politician Vijay is learnt to have secured the numbers required to form the government, sources said.
Supporters gathered outside Vijay’s residence in Chennai on Friday evening, raising slogans in support of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam soon after reports emerged that the party had managed to secure majority support.
Sources said Vijay is expected to meet Tamil Nadu Governor R. V. Arlekar on Friday evening to stake claim to form the government. The meeting is likely to take place around 6 pm.
In its electoral debut in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, TVK won 108 out of the 234 seats, dealing a major blow to the 62-year political dominance of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
However, Governor Arlekar had reportedly made it clear that the party would not be invited to form the government without proving a clear majority. Even after two rounds of discussions on Wednesday and Thursday, the Governor is learnt to have maintained his stand that letters of support from at least 118 MLAs must be submitted in the 234-member Assembly.
Apart from Vijay, TVK had the backing of 107 MLAs. Vijay had contested from Tiruchy (East) and Perambur constituencies and won both seats, meaning he would have to resign from one seat before taking oath. This increased the need for additional support.
Amid the political developments, five MLAs from the Congress party, which reportedly moved away from the DMK-led alliance, extended support to Vijay. Vijay also held discussions with leaders of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Communist Party of India.
The VCK, CPI(M) and CPI had so far been allies of the DMK. At the same time, political discussions intensified in the state over speculation that the DMK could even explore a post-poll understanding with its long-time rival AIADMK to prevent an alternative government from taking shape.
Reports had been circulating since Friday afternoon that the VCK and Left parties were likely to support Vijay. Sources later said that the VCK, CPI(M) and CPI agreed to extend the support of two MLAs each, helping TVK cross the required majority mark.
All eyes are now on the Governor’s next move and the official announcement regarding the formation of the new government in Tamil Nadu.
