Torres Jewellery Ponzi scam: Accused Mohammad Tausif Riyaz claims whistleblower status in bail plea
Mumbai: Mohammad Tausif Riyaz, arrested in connection with the Torres Jewellery fraud case, has moved a special court for bail, claiming he acted as a whistleblower. He alleged that law enforcement agencies were aware of the fraud since June last year but failed to take timely action.
Riyaz was taken into custody by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) on 25 January for his alleged role in the scam. In his bail application, he contended that he had alerted authorities about the fraudulent operations before the scam was publicly reported. He stated that a group of Ukrainian nationals had approached him for assistance in setting up a jewellery business in India, and he had worked as a consultant at the store.
On 4 January, Riyaz reportedly sent emails to multiple agencies, including the Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai police, as well as SEBI and RBI, raising concerns about Torres. He claimed to have provided evidence that Rs 200 crore in illegal cash was collected, converted into cryptocurrency, and transferred abroad.
He further alleged that Torres had been issued multiple notices in June, October, and November, indicating that authorities had prior knowledge of the wrongdoing. Over 10,000 investors have lodged complaints against Torres, alleging a total fraud of Rs 117.63 crore.
Riyaz is among those arrested based on a complaint filed at Shivaji Park police station by a 31-year-old vegetable vendor. The complainant alleged that he and his family invested Rs 4.55 crore, while 37 others known to him invested Rs 8.93 crore. The company had promised 6% returns on purchases of Moissanite bracelets but allegedly defaulted after initially paying investors to build trust.
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.
Bihar: Over 150 children fall ill after consuming 'mid-day meal' in Saharsa
Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
