'Pakistani spy' arrested in Kolkata; sensitive documents seized
Kolkata, Aug 26: A 36-year-old man, who was allegedly working as a spy for Pakistan, was arrested in Kolkata and several sensitive documents were seized from his possession, a senior police officer said on Saturday.
Acting on a tip-off, Kolkata police personnel picked up the man from his residence in Howrah on Friday night and arrested him after hours of grilling in the Special Task Force's office in Kolkata.
The accused hails from Darbhanga district of Bihar.
"The arrested man was found directly involved in activities prejudicial to the safety of the country," the officer said.
"Secret information in the form of photographs, videos and online chats were found in his mobile phone. These were sent by him to a suspected intelligence operative of Pakistan," the officer said.
His mobile device has also been seized, he added.
Initial investigations revealed that the man was working with a courier service company in Kolkata and he had earlier stayed in Delhi.
"The accused has been living in Howrah area for the last three months after relocating from Delhi. He was picked up Friday from there and after grilling was examined at our office," he said.
A local court remanded him to police custody till September 6.
The man was arrested under various sections of the IPC and Official Secrets Act.
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Chandrashekhar Swamiji apologises for remark on denying voting rights to Muslims
"If my statement has upset our Muslim brothers, I deeply regret it."
Bengaluru: Kumara Chandrashekharanath Swamiji, head of the Vishva Okkaliga Mahasansthana Mutt, has expressed regret over his controversial statement suggesting that "Muslims should be denied voting rights."
In a press release, Swamiji clarified, "Muslims are also citizens of this country. Like everyone else, they too have voting rights. If my statement yesterday has caused discomfort to our Muslim brothers, I sincerely apologise for it."
He further added, "Okkaligas are inherently tolerant of all religions. We have always treated people of every faith equally. Our Mutt maintains cordial relations with Muslims, and they frequently visit us. Similarly, we attend their weddings and other joyous occasions. Hence, there is no intolerance towards this community." Swamiji appealed to the public to disregard the controversy surrounding his remark.
The controversial statement was made during a farmers' rally, ‘Raita Gharjana,’ organised by the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, Karnataka Pradesh, at Freedom Park, Bengaluru, on Tuesday. Addressing the gathering, Swamiji had said, "A law should be enacted to deny voting rights to the Muslim community, and the Wakf Board should be abolished."
The remark drew widespread criticism from political leaders and the public alike. Following the backlash, Swamiji issued his apology, stating, "Muslims are also citizens of this country. Like everyone else, they too have voting rights. If my statement yesterday has caused discomfort to our Muslim brothers, I sincerely apologise for it."
