Page 2 - Anti-corruption

Jharkhand CM Soren receives fresh summons from ED in money-laundering case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued fresh summons to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren for questioning in a money-laundering case linked to an alleged land scam on Saturday

ED records voice sample of Sujay Krishna Bhadra in school jobs scam case

Enforcement Directorate sleuths on Thursday collected voice samples of Sujay Krishna Bhadra, one of the arrested accused in the school jobs scam, an ED official said. Bhadra, popularly known as 'Kalighat er Kaku' (uncle from Kalighat), is said to be close to the top leaders of the ruling TMC and was allegedly a key official in a couple of companies linked to them. The recording will be sent to Central Forensic Laboratory. Along with the recorded voice samples of Bhadra, the ED will also send the recordings they had collected as evidence while investigating the scam for the purpose of "matching", the official told PTI. His voice was recorded at the ESI Hospital at Joka here after being taken from the SSKM Hospital on Wednesday night. "The accused's voice was recorded at night at the ESI Joka Hospital. The samples were collected by our officers in the presence of two independent witnesses," he told PTI. About eight ED officers, one forensic expert and one technician were present in

Ecuador arrests 6 in prez candidate Villavicencio assassination case

The six men arrested as suspects in the assassination of an anti-corruption Ecuadorian presidential candidate are Colombian nationals, a police report said Thursday as authorities investigated the motive for a crime that shocked a nation already reeling from a surge in drug-related violence. The six men were captured hiding in a house in Quito, Ecuador's capital, said the report, which was reviewed by The Associated Press. Officers also seized four shotguns, a 5.56-mm rifle, ammunition and three grenades, along with a vehicle and a motorcycle, it said. Fernando Villavicencio, 59, who was known for speaking up against drug cartels, was assassinated in Quito on Wednesday, less than two weeks before a special presidential election. He was not a front-runner, but his death deepened the sense of crisis around organised crime that has already claimed thousands of lives and underscored the challenge that Ecuador's next leader will face. Ecuador's interior minister, Juan Zapata, had earlier

Munesh Gurjar to be interrogated in bribery case by anti-corruption bureau

The now suspended mayor of Jaipur Municipal Corporation-Heritage is "directly linked" to husband's bribery case and will be interrogated by the ACB

Punjab govt's anti-corruption helpline receives close to 8,000 complaints

The Punjab government's 'anti-corruption action line' has received close to 8,000 complaints since March 2022, an official statement said on Sunday. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann launched the helpline number in March 2022 that allows people to upload video/audio proof of officials asking for bribes or indulging in malpractices. The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), in its relentless pursuit of eradicating corruption, has made remarkable progress in its recent anti-corruption campaign, said an official statement. "From March 23, 2022, to the present date, the chief minister's anti-corruption action line (ACAL) has received a staggering 7,939 complaints accompanied by necessary evidence, signifying the unwavering commitment of the Punjab government to promote transparency and accountability in public administration," said the statement issued here. A spokesperson of the bureau said it is fully dedicated to its mission of eradicating corruption and encourages citizens to continue utilising

Over 1000 youths, students participate in anti-corruption rally in Nepal

Over a thousand youths and students participated in a anti-corruption rally here on Monday, demanding action against those involved in the fake Bhutanese Refugee scam. The rally was held as former deputy prime minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi and former home minister Bal Krishna Khand among several others were arrested last week in connection the scam, under which Nepali nationals were sent to the United States by forging fake documents of them being Bhutanese refugees. On Monday, the student organisations and youth bodies belonging to the ruling Nepali Congress, CPN Maoist Centre, CPN-Unified Socialist and CPN-Maoist Centre took out rallies at Bhrikutimandap area in Kathmandu. Holding placards with slogans "We know nothing but action against corrupt", "Investigate property of those in public post", "Zero tolerance to corruption", "Control price rise", "Our future is corruption free Nepal", the participants demanded fair probe in the Bhutanese Refugee scam. "A group of around 1,500

Pak anti-corruption watchdog seeks 14-day physical remand of Imran Khan

Pakistan's anti-corruption watchdog on Wednesday sought a 14-day physical remand of former prime minister Imran Khan as he was produced before a special court inside a high security police facility here for the hearing in a corruption case in which he has been arrested. The 70-year-old former cricketer-turned-politician was taken into custody by the paramilitary Rangers on Tuesday on the orders of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) by barging into a room of the Islamabad High Court where he came to attend a corruption case hearing. The New Police Guest House located in the premises of Police Lines Headquarters at Sector H-11/1 area of Islamabad was declared as a court for the purpose of hearing two cases against Khan. The first case is about Al-Qadir Trust allegedly causing more than Rs50 billion to the national exchequer. Khan was arrested on Tuesday in the case. He was produced in the Anti-Accountability Court No. 1 presided by judge Muhammad Bashir, the same judge who had

India bats for faster extradition of fugitive economic offenders at G-20

India on Wednesday emphasised on multilateral action rather than bilateral coordination to ensure faster extradition of fugitive economic offenders and recovery of stolen assets from abroad during the anti-corruption working group meeting of G20 nations here. The assertion assumes significance as the country has been putting in efforts to extradite fugitive economic offenders, including diamond merchant Nirav Modi and businessman Vijay Mallya, from different countries. In the inaugural session of the important anti-graft meet, Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said the corrupt find a way to park their proceeds of crime and it is such money that is pushed into evil activities. This is one of the major sources of terror funding. From illegal drugs that destroy young lives to human trafficking, from weakening democracies to sale of illegal arms, this dirty money funds many destructive enterprises, he said. Singh said there is a need for the global community to work

Unidentified people booked for swindling Rs 20 crore Delhi Jal Board fund

The ACB said that the department would investigate the role of the DJB officials and other private players in the alleged embezzlement that it claimed took place between 2012 and 2019.

Don't spare corrupt, don't be defensive: PM to Central Vigilance Commission

Showing unflinching support to anti-corruption agencies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said they "need not be defensive" while tackling graft even when some people with "vested interests" keep hollering and maligning them. Addressing the 'Vigilance Awareness Week' organised by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), the prime minister exhorted the panel, other agencies and officers to ensure that no corrupt person is spared no matter how powerful the individual may be. He said it is the responsibility of organisations like the CVC that no corrupt person gets "political or social refuge". "Every corrupt person should be held accountable by the society. It is important to build such an atmosphere. We are seeing that paeans are being sung for people already proven corrupt. People calling themselves honest do not feel the shame to go and get photographed with such corrupt people. This situation is not good for the Indian society," he said. Without taking any names, Modi said

CVC's Integrity Pledge: Mobilising citizens towards corruption-free India

The CVC has set four focal areas for organisations under its anti-corruption campaign - property management, asset management, record management, and technological initiatives

Telangana MLA poaching: ACB court sends 3 accused to 14-day judicial remand

Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) special court Judge on Sunday sent the three accused in the MLA poaching case to 14 days of judicial custody to Chanchalguda jail

Telangana MLA poaching case: Court refuses judicial remand of 3 accused

A Telangana court has rejected the request of Cyberabad Police to remand to judicial custody the three accused who were arrested for allegedly trying to poach four TRS MLAs

Delhi: PM Modi urges Interpol to speed up Red Corner Notices' process

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged the Interpol to speed up Red Corner Notices against fugitive offenders to help eliminate safe haves for the terrorists, corrupt and criminals. Red Notices are issued by Interpol to locate a fugitive who has fled the country where he is wanted. A member country can arrest or deport an individual against whom such a notice is circulated by Interpol. Inaugurating the 90th General Assembly of the Interpol, the prime minister flagged the need for global cooperation to deal with safe havens in different parts of the world where the corrupt find a way to park the proceeds of crime. He said such illicit money is often taken from some of the poorest people in the world, is pushed into evil activities and is one of the major sources of terror funding. From illegal drugs that destroy young lives to human trafficking, from weakening democracies to the sale of illegal arms, this dirty money funds many destructive enterprises, he said. "Yes, there a

Chinese Prez Xi's anti-corruption drive probed nearly 5 million officials

Chinese President Xi Jinping's signature anti-corruption drive has probed nearly five million officials since 2012, the ruling Communist Party said on Monday, a day after he warned that the party cannot rest, even for a minute in the fight against corruption. Addressing a press conference on the sidelines of the 20th Congress of the party, which began on Sunday, Xiao Pei, a deputy head of the party's anti-graft body said that some 207,000 party officials were punished in the last 10 years. Since Xi came to power in November 2012, more than 4.6 million officials around the country have been probed for corruption, Xiao said. Xiao added these cases included 553 officials at the ministerial level and above. The Congress with over 2,300 delegates is widely expected to endorse Xi for a third term, which will make him the only leader after the party founder Mao Zedong to continue in power for more than two-five year terms. Critics say Xi effectively used his anti-graft campaign to ...

Arrested AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan receives support from ex-Cong legislator

Former Delhi Congress MLA Asif Khan on Monday come out in support of AAP legislator Amanatullah Khan, who was arrested by the ACB, saying the BJP government at the Centre is "misusing" its agencies to "harass" minorities. Amanatullah Khan was nabbed by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) on September 16 in connection with a graft case. The ACB is probing alleged irregularities in the recruitment in the Delhi Waqf Board, which Amanatullah Khan heads as the chairman, and conducted raids at four places, including his residence in Okhla. Asif Khan claimed that the raids by the ACB at the AAP leader's house and other places has created panic among the local people in the area. However, he clarified that he was not giving a clean chit to the AAP MLA. "Why is the ACB harassing Khan's family and creating panic in Jamia Nagar area? I am totally against the misuse of agencies, particularly against minorities, by the BJP government at the Centre," said the Congress leader. The ACB had claimed

Waqf Board Case: Court sends AAP MLA Amanatullah to four-day ACB remand

A special court granted a four-day remand to the ACB to interrogate AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan in a case related to the alleged misappropriation of Delhi Waqf Board funds during his tenure as chairman

Delhi Waqf Board case: Court sends AAP's Amanatulah Khan to 4-day custody

A Delhi court on Saturday sent AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan to four-day custody of the Anti-Corruption Branch in a case related to alleged irregularities in the Delhi Waqf Board recruitment. Special Judge Vikas Dhull passed the order on a plea moved by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), which said it needed to interrogate Khan for a thorough investigation. In its plea seeking Khan's 14-day custody, the agency claimed that five of Khan's relatives were appointed in the board, while 22 were from Okhla, which he represents. A person whose income is Rs 4.32 lakh is receiving cash worth Rs 4 crore..., the prosecution told the court. It also added that an ACB official was manhandled and slapped during the searches conducted on Friday. The entire team was manhandled and fire arms were recovered, it said. The ACB had on Friday arrested Khan after conducting raids at his premises. They said during the searches, the ACB team was allegedly attacked by Khan's relatives and others known to the Ok

AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan arrested after raids by anti-corruption branch

The Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch on Friday arrested AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan in connection with a graft case, officials said. The ACB is probing alleged irregularities in the recruitment in the Delhi Waqf Board, which Khan heads as the chairman. The ACB on Friday conducted searches at Khan's house and other premises linked to him and seized Rs 24 lakh as well as two unlicensed weapons, the officials said. The ACB had issued a notice to Khan on Thursday for questioning in connection with the Prevention of Corruption Act case registered in 2020. The Okhla MLA was called for questioning at 12 pm on Friday. Khan, the chairman of the Delhi Waqf Board, had tweeted about the notice, claiming he has been summoned as he built a new Waqf board office. A senior official said the searches were conducted on Friday at the house of Khan and his other locations. A total of Rs 24 lakh in cash, two unlicensed weapon and some cartridges were seized, the official said. Earlier, the ACB had written

Delhi LG directs vigilance dept to process ACB, CBI requests timely

Lt. Governor V.K. Saxena on Tuesday reviewed the working of the Directorate of Vigilance (DoV).The LG issued detailed and strict instructions for ensuring efficiency, transparency and effectiveness in the functioning of the department.The Chief Secretary was also present in the meeting.Taking note of various violations and procedural lapses that had come to the fore recently in the Excise, Education and Public Works Departments etc., the LG asked the Chief Secretary to issue an office memorandum for creating awareness about the Rules/Regulations pertaining to Tender/Purchases/Procurement of Goods & Services and forewarn all employees that any deviation or violation of these would invite exemplary action under relevant rules."Saxena impressed upon strictly adhering to the timelines as prescribed by the CCS (CCA Rules, 1965) and the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) manual and issued instructions to ensure that the prescribed timelines are stuck to in initiation of disciplinary ..