Donald Trump nominates Kash Patel as FBI Director amid criticism of agency
Washington DC: US President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Kash Patel, a former defence department chief of staff and a staunch ally, to head the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Patel, who has often criticised the agency, would replace Christopher Wray if confirmed.
Trump praised Patel, calling him a defender of justice and an advocate for accountability and the US Constitution. Patel, a former prosecutor and national security aide, has previously proposed limiting the FBI’s powers and criticised what he refers to as “government tyranny” within the bureau.
The announcement also included nominations for other key positions. Trump named Chad Chronister, a Florida sheriff with over 30 years of experience, as the head of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Additionally, Charles Kushner, a real estate developer and father of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, was nominated as the ambassador to France.
All three nominations require Senate confirmation.
Patel’s nomination signals Trump's focus on reforming federal agencies. His history with Trump dates back to his role as senior counsel to the House Intelligence Committee during the 2017 investigations into Russian election interference.
The FBI has yet to comment on Patel’s nomination. Current director Wray, appointed by Trump in 2017, has faced criticism from the president-elect over the FBI's handling of investigations related to Trump.
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Three company directors held in Rs 100-crore investment fraud in Kochi
Kochi (Kerala) (PTI): Police on Sunday arrested three directors of a firm accused of cheating hundreds of investors of over Rs 100 crore through a fake investment scheme linked to agricultural tourism here, officials said.
The accused were identified as Muraleedharan, Ashik Murali and Akhil Murali, all natives of Thrissur.
The arrests were made by the Kalamassery police in connection with a fraud involving ATCOS (Agri Tourism Cooperative Society), a firm headquartered at Pathadipalam here.
Police said the company had promised high returns by collecting investments from the public in the agricultural tourism sector, but allegedly cheated hundreds of people and fled with the money.
ATCOS was registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act and operated 13 branches across various districts in Kerala, besides a branch in Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, officials said.
When investors failed to receive their promised returns or the invested amount, complaints were filed with the police.
Officials said around 54 cases have been registered against the firm in 32 police stations across the state, including 29 cases at the Kalamassery police station alone.
Following instructions from Kochi City Police Commissioner K S Mahesh Kumar, a special investigation team was formed under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Shehensha and Thrikkakara ACP Manoj Kumar.
The team traced the accused to an apartment in Amala Nagar in Thrissur, where they had been hiding after secretly renting the flat, officials said.
The bank accounts of the accused have been frozen, and steps have been initiated to trace their assets, officials said.
Police also conducted a raid at the company’s office at Pathadipalam and seized several documents related to the case.
The accused were produced before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Kalamassery, which remanded them to judicial custody and sent them to Kakkanad jail.
Police said they would seek the custody of the accused for further interrogation as the investigation continues.
