This is the story of how financial manipulations in the name of early completion bonus resulted in a massive financial loss for the state treasury.

What is the Scam?
The Purvanchal Expressway was one of CM Yogi Adityanath’s flagship projects. The construction was monitored closely by him. However, an audit report by the Principal Accountant General (A&E) Uttar Pradesh reveals a shocking financial mismanagement amounting to ₹104.01 crore.

According to the CAG report, the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) violated rules and granted early completion bonuses without following proper norms. The report further highlights that the project was marked as “completed” before the actual completion, allowing contractors to claim additional funds fraudulently.

Understanding the Early Completion Bonus Manipulation
Early completion bonuses are meant to reward contractors for finishing projects before the deadline. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has strict guidelines for these bonuses, which should be around 0.03% of the project cost. However, in the case of Purvanchal Expressway, the bonus was raised to 0.04%, inflating the payout to ₹104.01 crore.

Moreover, the government sanctioned an additional ₹92.95 crore under the pretext of “early completion.” When 12% GST was added, the amount surged past ₹104 crore.

Bigger Financial Loss: ₹540 Crore Impact
This overpayment is not the only financial blow. The inflated bonus rate led to an overall loss of ₹540 crore to the exchequer. The CAG report explicitly mentions that UPEIDA failed to adhere to the standard EPC Agreement (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction), which governs financial transactions in such projects.

Mismanagement in Toll Plaza Allocations
The scam is not limited to construction bonuses. The CAG report (Reference No: OBS-331054, Para 2) also exposes irregularities in the allocation of toll plazas. The government undercharged stamp duty by ₹35.59 crore, leading to another financial loss for the state.

What Does the CAG Report Say?
The official CAG findings highlight:

1. Excessive bonus payments: ₹104.10 crore paid in violation of government norms.
2. Unjustified bonus rate increase: From 0.03% to 0.04%, leading to a ₹540 crore loss.
3. Violation of NHAI guidelines: Bonus granted before actual project completion.
4. Undercharged stamp duty: ₹35.59 crore loss due to misallocation of toll plazas.

Conclusion
The Purvanchal Expressway scam is a major financial scandal under the Yogi Adityanath government. While the expressway was projected as a milestone in infrastructure development, the financial irregularities highlight a systemic failure in governance.

Will the government take responsibility and ensure justice? Or will this scam be buried under bureaucratic silence?

Stay tuned with New Delhi Post for further updates on this unfolding scandal.

The post Purvanchal Expressway Scam: How Yogi Government Overpaid Contractors? first appeared on New Delhi Post.

The chargesheet names eight accused, including Walmik Karad, a close aide of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Maharashtra’s former Minister of Food and Civil Supplies, Dhananjay Munde. Karad has been identified as the chief conspirator. Munde, under mounting political pressure, resigned from his ministerial position on Tuesday, though sources in the SIT indicated that no new names would be added to the chargesheet unless fresh evidence emerges.

According to the chargesheet, the videos were not just a record of the crime but were intended to send a chilling message to anyone opposing the extortion racket operated by Karad and his associates. Deshmukh had previously thwarted their extortion attempt at a windmill energy project by Avaada Energy in Massajog village. The chargesheet alleges that Karad ordered the attack after Deshmukh’s intervention disrupted their plan to extract Rs 2 crore from the company.

Two days before the murder, Karad reportedly instructed Sudarshan Ghule, one of the arrested accused, to “take care of Deshmukh.” On December 9, Deshmukh was abducted and tortured between 3:46 pm and 5:53 pm. The videos, ranging from 5 seconds to 2 minutes and 4 seconds, were recovered from the phone of accused Mahesh Kedar. A panch witness who observed the examination of the phone provided detailed descriptions of the footage, which has been cited in the chargesheet.

The witness’s statements paint a chilling picture of the torture. Describing one of the videos, the witness said: “Video 1 is being played in which five people are seen abusing and beating a man wearing a white-grey check shirt with weapons like a wrench pipe… and kicking him.” In another video, the witness described seeing “five people… punching and kicking the person… Also, a person wearing a black T-shirt is seen removing the pants of the person who is being beaten.”

One of the most disturbing clips showed Deshmukh being forced to utter demeaning statements under duress. According to the witness, “A person forces this person to say ‘Sudarshan Ghule ha sarvancha baap aaheyt (Sudarshan Ghule is everyone’s father)’. He then stands on top of this person and appears to urinate on him.”

Another video depicted Deshmukh stripped to his underwear, visibly injured, as one of the assailants pulled his hair back and forced him to speak while another person filmed the scene. Describing a photograph retrieved from Kedar’s phone, the witness stated: “In this photo, a battered and injured person is seen sitting in a white-grey checkered shirt. His back shows multiple black, reddish sores.”

The chargesheet also revealed that Deshmukh was abducted in a light-coloured Scorpio with the license plate number F 333, which was clearly visible in one of the videos.

According to a source close to the investigation, “The accused wanted to make an example of Deshmukh and hence they recorded the video. They wanted to use it to threaten anyone who tried to get in the way of them demanding extortion money.”

The chargesheet further mentions that on December 6, Karad’s men allegedly visited the windmill energy project site to halt operations as their extortion demand had not been met. However, Deshmukh intervened, forcing them to retreat. The next day, Karad allegedly called Ghule, instructing him to “take care of the sarpanch” or risk losing control over the extortion racket.

As the details of the chargesheet emerged, opposition parties intensified their attacks on the Maharashtra government, demanding a deeper probe into Munde’s alleged links to the case. BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule accused the state administration of shielding influential figures involved in the crime. Protests erupted across Beed district, with villagers blocking highways and demanding justice for Deshmukh.

Sources in the SIT, however, indicated that no new names would be added to the chargesheet unless further evidence was found. “The chargesheet names eight accused against whom we have found evidence in connection with the murder of Santosh Deshmukh. Based on the evidence so far, no new names will be added. Unless some new evidence crops up, the chargesheet will have no new names,” said a source.

The brutality of Deshmukh’s murder has raised questions about the nexus between politics and crime in Maharashtra’s rural areas. As demands for a CBI probe grow louder, the focus shifts to ensuring justice for a sarpanch who dared to stand against corruption and paid with his life.

The post Extortion, Torture, Murder: How Beed Sarpanch’s Killing Unraveled a Political Web first appeared on New Delhi Post.

A recent Right to Information (RTI) reply and a tweet by congress president Mallikarjun Khare has revealed a shocking gap in financial transparency regarding the scheme. The MWCD disclosed that the Modi government had spent a whopping Rs 952.4 crores on the BBBP scheme over the last 11 years. However, when asked about the utilization of these funds, the ministry failed to provide any concrete details. The revelation has raised serious concerns about accountability in one of the government’s flagship programs aimed at protecting and educating girls.

Unhappy with the vague response, whistleblower Ajay Bose escalated the matter by filing an appeal with the Final Appellate Authority (FAA). In a new reply dated today, the FAA provided a detailed breakdown of the amount allocated to each state under the scheme. However, this reply has exposed more disturbing discrepancies. It revealed that since the inception of BBBP, a total of Rs 49697.17 lakhs (Rs 496.97 crores) had been allocated to the states. This figure starkly contrasts the earlier claim of Rs 952.4 crores spent by the ministry.

This means that there is a staggering discrepancy of nearly Rs 455 crores. The question now arises—where did this massive sum of money go? Was it misappropriated? Diverted? Or is this yet another instance of bureaucratic corruption?

The staggering financial irregularities have sparked outrage among activists and citizens alike. The BJP-led central government, which has long prided itself on transparency and accountability, now finds itself in the eye of a storm over mismanagement of funds meant for one of its most celebrated social welfare programs. The Opposition has also seized the opportunity to question the government’s handling of the scheme and has demanded a high-level probe into the missing Rs 455 crore.

With such serious allegations hanging over the BBBP scheme, the MWCD must come clean about where the funds have actually gone. If the government truly stands by its promise of empowering girls in India, it must first ensure that the funds allocated for their welfare are not lost in bureaucratic black holes.

The missing Rs 455 crore is more than just a financial discrepancy—it is a question of trust, governance, and the future of millions of girls who depend on this scheme for their education and protection. The Modi government must now answer the burning question: Where did the money go?

Launched in 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BBBP scheme was intended to address declining child sex ratios and promote the education and well-being of the girl child. The program was designed to be implemented across multiple districts in India, with funds allocated for awareness campaigns, incentives for girl child education, and strengthening of government institutions working on gender-related issues.

However, various reports and newspaper findings have repeatedly pointed out that a significant chunk of the funds allocated under this scheme was spent on publicity rather than direct benefits for the target beneficiaries.

The RTI, filed by Ajay Bose, sought details on the breakdown of how the Rs 952.4 crore was spent. While the government confirmed the total expenditure, it did not disclose specific utilization details. This omission raises questions about whether the funds were effectively used to improve the condition of girls or if a large portion was merely spent on promotional activities such as advertisements, hoardings, and media campaigns.

Social activists have criticized the government’s failure to provide utilization details. “If nearly Rs 1,000 crore has been spent on this scheme, the public has the right to know where and how it was used. Without transparency, such schemes lose credibility,” says Ajay Bose, the whistleblower.

Transparency advocates argue that the government’s reluctance to disclose fund allocation raises suspicions about financial mismanagement. “While awareness is important, the primary focus of the scheme was supposed to be the improvement of girls’ education and healthcare. If money is not reaching the grassroots, then the scheme’s effectiveness comes into question,” said a former bureaucrat who worked on gender policies.

Following the RTI revelation, opposition leaders and activists are demanding a comprehensive audit of BBBP spending. “This is public money meant for the betterment of girls in India. If funds are being misused or wasted on promotions instead of tangible benefits, the government must be held accountable,” said an opposition leader.

Several activists are also calling for an independent audit by agencies like the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to investigate whether funds have been effectively used for their intended purpose.

While the BBBP scheme was launched with noble intentions, the lack of transparency in fund utilization puts its effectiveness in doubt. The Modi government must address these concerns by making expenditure details public and ensuring that future allocations truly benefit the girls who need them most. As public pressure mounts, it remains to be seen whether the government will come forward with detailed expenditure reports or whether another flagship scheme will fall under the shadow of financial mismanagement.

The post RTI Shocker: Rs. 455 Crore ‘Vanishes’ from Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme says Congress president Kharge first appeared on New Delhi Post.

The sacred Amarnath Yatra, revered by millions, faces an existential threat as the pristine environment of Kashmir is being systematically destroyed by unchecked human greed and rampant illegal constructions. In Pahalgam, once a paradise on earth, the greed of hoteliers and the complicity of local authorities have wreaked havoc on its delicate ecosystem. The damage is now so severe that experts are calling it a man-made climate disaster, with far-reaching consequences for the region’s water supply, biodiversity, and the future of the Amarnath pilgrimage itself.

When a hotelier razes hundreds of ancient Alpine trees, devastating the green cover and fragile soil structure, authorities have the audacity to label this ecological plunder as an “environmental disaster”—not to seek accountability, but to shield the influential hotelier from any legal consequences. The once-crystal-clear waters of the Lidder River, a lifeline for both locals and pilgrims, have been poisoned, rendered unfit even for washing hands as raw sewage from hotels and guesthouses is dumped directly into the river. The green zones of Pahalgam, meant to be preserved as protected areas, are being re-designated as non-green by those in power, paving the way for politically connected elites to construct massive hotels and commercial establishments.

“This greed is not limited to Pahalgam. The lush green meadows of Gulmarg and Sonmarg are being ravaged, their beauty stripped away by unchecked tourism and illegal infrastructure. The once-majestic Jehlum River, which has been the lifeblood of Kashmir’s civilization for centuries, is now a garbage dump, polluted all along its course.”

Nature is now reacting with equal fury. Unprecedented floods, erratic rainfall, and diminishing snow cover have become the new normal. The sacred ice Shivlingam at the Amarnath Cave, once known for its majestic size, is now melting at an alarming rate, a direct consequence of the warming climate and environmental degradation.

Shabir Ali, a social activist from Anantnag, voiced the collective anger of Kashmiris: “Climate change in Kashmir is purely a man-made disaster. You did it all for tourism but there will be no tourists to stay in your hotels now. Your fake cry over the drying up of springs, rivers, and streams will only further the anger of nature. The people in power, the wealthy hoteliers, and the corrupt bureaucrats have all played their part in this destruction. Now, nature is giving them the response they deserve.”

“The Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA), entrusted with protecting the region’s environment, recently issued notices to demolish 300 illegal constructions. Yet, in a glaring display of corruption and political interference, Masarat Hashim, the CEO of PDA who spearheaded the crackdown, was abruptly transferred.”

This transfer is widely seen as an attempt to shield the wealthy encroachers who wield enormous political influence. Senior PDP leader Waheed Para openly criticized the move, stating, “Just a day after CEO Pahalgam identified 300 illegal constructions violating the green belt, he was abruptly removed. This exposes how deep political interference runs in shielding these violations.”

President of JK Peace Forum, Satish Mahaldar, condemned the inaction of the government and said, “I strongly condemn the way the government is handling this. Our pleas have fallen on deaf ears. Amarnath is in great danger due to looming natural disasters. Shockingly, no one from the Kashmiri Pandit community is part of the Shrine Board, raising serious concerns about the protection and management of this sacred pilgrimage.”

Dr. Sandeep Mawa, a prominent Kashmiri Pandit leader, revealed the shocking scale of corruption, saying, “A well-organized mafia is working in Pahalgam. Reckless and unprecedented illegal commercial structures are being raised without any concern for the environment. This has resulted in the depletion of snow and rainfall due to rising temperatures caused by deforestation and human intervention.”

“Unfortunately, many bureaucrats, politicians, and even officials from the police department have constructed illegal buildings, completely disregarding Hindu sentiments and environmental sustainability.”

Dr. Raja Muzaffar, a renowned RTI activist and environmental expert, warned that if this continues, Pahalgam would turn into a dry, barren land in the next 30 years, and the Amarnath pilgrimage would cease to exist. He added, “We have already seen yatris losing their lives due to natural disasters, and this crisis will only worsen if human greed is not curtailed.”

The situation has grown even more alarming as journalists who dare to expose the truth are facing threats and intimidation. The reporter who is reporting this piece, is being systematically targeted by the organized mafia. Attempts to silence independent journalism have intensified, revealing the power of the political-construction nexus that profits from environmental destruction.

“The fate of Amarnath Yatra and Kashmir’s environment now hangs in the balance. This crisis is not merely about a pilgrimage—it is about the survival of Kashmir’s ecosystem, its people, and its culture. Immediate and decisive action is required to halt illegal constructions, restore environmental balance, and protect those speaking the truth. The world is watching, and Kashmir is demanding justice.”

The question remains—Will the powers that be act in time, or will human greed and corruption destroy yet another sacred site?

The post Illegal Constructions Endanger Amarnath Yatra, Kashmir’s Ecology first appeared on New Delhi Post.

“Launched in 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BBBP scheme was intended to address declining child sex ratios and promote the education and well-being of the girl child. The program was designed to be implemented across multiple districts in India, with funds allocated for awareness campaigns, incentives for girl child education, and strengthening of government institutions working on gender-related issues.”

However, various reports and newspaper findings have repeatedly pointed out that a significant chunk of the funds allocated under this scheme was spent on publicity rather than direct benefits for the target beneficiaries.

The RTI, filed by Ajoy Bose, sought details on the breakdown of how the Rs 952.4 crore was spent. While the government confirmed the total expenditure, it did not disclose specific utilization details. This omission raises questions about whether the funds were effectively used to improve the condition of girls or if a large portion was merely spent on promotional activities such as advertisements, hoardings, and media campaigns.

“Social activists have criticized the government’s failure to provide utilization details. “If nearly Rs 1,000 crore has been spent on this scheme, the public has the right to know where and how it was used. Without transparency, such schemes lose credibility,” says Ajoy Bose the whistleblower.”

Transparency advocates argue that the government’s reluctance to disclose fund allocation raises suspicions about financial mismanagement. “While awareness is important, the primary focus of the scheme was supposed to be the improvement of girls’ education and healthcare. If money is not reaching the grassroots, then the scheme’s effectiveness comes into question,” said a former bureaucrat who worked on gender policies.

“Following the RTI revelation, opposition leaders and activists should demand a comprehensive audit of BBBP spending. This is public money meant for the betterment of girls in India. If funds are being misused or wasted on promotions instead of tangible benefits, the government must be held accountable.”

Several activists are also calling for an independent audit by agencies like the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to investigate whether funds have been effectively used for their intended purpose.

While the BBBP scheme was launched with noble intentions, the lack of transparency in fund utilization puts its effectiveness in doubt. The Modi government must address these concerns by making expenditure details public and ensuring that future allocations truly benefit the girls who need them most. As public pressure mounts, it remains to be seen whether the government will come forward with detailed expenditure reports or whether another flagship scheme will fall under the shadow of financial mismanagement.

The post Rs. 952.4 Cr spends On Beti Bachao Beti Padhao But Govt Says ‘NO’ To Details first appeared on New Delhi Post.

Despite its unauthorized status, the tent city functioned with full access to essential utilities, including water and electricity. This begs the question: how did a grand setup of such magnitude materialize with official infrastructure, yet authorities remained oblivious? It seems implausible that such a large-scale operation could have existed without at least tacit approval from Kumbh Mela officials.

• Water and electricity could have been illegally tapped from nearby authorized sources, including existing public or private supply lines.

• Officials may have manipulated records to show that these connections were part of authorized facilities.

Following the fire, authorities acted swiftly, registering an FIR against the operators and shutting down the illegal encampment. Initial investigations revealed the presence of VIP facilities such as a luxury restaurant, a dedicated yagya (ritual fire) area, and geysers. While the administration justified its actions as necessary for compliance with safety regulations, deeper scrutiny suggests that the illegal enterprise could not have flourished without active collusion from key officials.

This was not an isolated fire incident at the Maha Kumbh. On January 19, 2025, another blaze in Sectors 19-20, caused by a gas cylinder explosion, razed 20-25 tents. While no casualties were reported in either incident, the recurring fires highlight glaring safety violations and administrative lapses.

Given the scale of the Kumbh Mela, it is evident that key departments, including the Kumbh Mela administration, the electricity board, and the Jal Nigam (water supply department), either ignored or actively facilitated these violations. Unauthorized access to utilities would have required technical expertise and assistance from within these departments. It is suspected that local contractors and junior engineers acted as intermediaries, enabling the illegal connections.

• Who approved water and electricity connections?
• Were there fake documents used for approvals?
• Did any official receive kickbacks?
• Were complaints raised and ignored?

A thorough audit of official records is essential to determine how water and electricity connections were approved for an unregistered establishment. Crucial questions remain unanswered: Were fake documents used to obtain these approvals? Did any officials receive kickbacks in exchange for facilitating these illegal connections? Were any complaints raised regarding the unauthorized settlement, and if so, why were they ignored?

A review of financial transactions, official permits, and whistleblower testimonies could shed light on potential cover-ups.

Further investigation has revealed that the land for the illegal tent city was allegedly measured and allocated by Kumbh revenue officers (Lekhpal) and the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) without official permission. This raises another critical set of questions. How did such a large area get allocated without proper approvals? Why did law enforcement and administrative officials fail to detect an unauthorized settlement within a high-security event? How could a Lekhpal allocate land freely while common pilgrims struggled for basic access?

• The illegal tent city could not have operated without the support of officials from departments such as the Kumbh Mela administration, electricity board, and Jal Nigam (water supply department).
• It is likely that some officials deliberately ignored the violation in exchange for bribes or were directly involved in facilitating the operation.

This discrepancy suggests a deliberate misuse of administrative power to benefit select individuals.

With room rates of ₹20,000 per night, the illegal operation generated crores in illicit profits. A rough timeline suggests the following questions which needs to be answered. The illegal tent city operated for at least 20 days while the Construction likely took an additional 10 to 20 days. The entire scam spanned 30 to 40 days.

Shockingly, this occurred under the jurisdiction of a dedicated Maha Kumbh administration, AI surveillance with 2,700 cameras, and direct oversight from the Chief Minister. Yet, the fraud remained undetected until the fire incident.

The burning question remains: were authorities deceived, or did they knowingly turn a blind eye? If so, why was there no internal accountability? Identifying the main conspirators is crucial for long-term reforms. The key officials in charge of land allocation, utility approvals, and law enforcement should be scrutinized. The financial records of implicated individuals should be thoroughly examined to uncover any suspicious transactions.

• Water and electricity could have been illegally tapped from nearby authorized sources, including existing public or private supply lines.
• Officials may have manipulated records to show that these connections were part of authorized facilities.

The Prayagraj Maha Kumbh is not just a religious event; it is a testament to India’s cultural and administrative prowess. If corruption can thrive despite stringent surveillance, what does this say about governance at large? The government must take decisive action to punish the guilty and enforce stricter oversight to prevent such scams in the future.

Will the investigation hold the culprits accountable, or will the case be buried under political pressure, as has happened in previous instances? The answer will determine whether faith in the system can be restored or whether this remains yet another tale of unchecked corruption in India’s grandest religious gathering.

The post Tent City Scam Rocks Maha Kumbh first appeared on New Delhi Post.

At the resettlement colony of Delhi- Majnu Ka Tila, in make shift homes specially brought up in the narrow lanes several Pakistani Hindu refugees who ran away from Pakistan in fear of persecution, are all set to vote for the first time in India. Making them a part of the electoral process with a sense of pride. These Pakistani Hindus, who are now proud Indians are excited at the proposition of being part of the democratic process. A fundamental right for all Indians by virtue of the constitution.

“It is to be noted that there are around 300 Pakistani Hindus will be voting in the Delhi assembly elections this time who have been granted Indian citizenship in 2024 under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) 2019. All these people have applied for voter ID cards ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections.”

Under this new law, the government granted citizenship to this group in May this year. After a wait of 10 years, they have managed to get in to the democratic process. Moreover, their views reflect their inclination towards BJP as a thanks giving gesture for giving them a smooth passage into India and establishing their Indian Identities. They say, equivocally, that the consolidated vote will go the party or person whom the Pradhan will decide. So, it’s a clear and consolidated package for BJP at least this time.

After going through years of hardships firstly in Pakistan where suppressive elements have always zeroed in on the minority community, and secondly after coming to India for documentation and other related work which were essential. For most of them more than voting, they are contended with the fact that they are now being identified by the Union of India as their own sons and daughters. A dream of dignified life and participation comes true.

With a family of 17 members, middle aged Janaki has been living at the resettlement colony for more than a decade. This is the first time when she will be voting to elect the state government. She clearly states that for them, ‘Viksit Bharat’ is what they would be voting for. Clearing the air on which election symbol she would be casting her vote. Among the seventeen family members only eight have been lucky enough to clear the hurdles and become Indian citizens guarded with voter cards.

“Others are still in the process of completing the formalities required for citizenship. She thanks the BJP led government for speeding the citizenship process and helping te family for making ration cards. Janaki says: “He gave us citizenship and helped us for ration cards. We are grateful, but we also want space to live and opportunities for our children to grow.”

Moreover, she is not alone. Many of the Pakistani Hindus who are now citizens of India aspire for They want better housing, access to quality education, affordable utilities and job opportunities.

Another new ‘Indian’ Shiviram, who arrived just a month ago, is hopeful about his future in India. He wants to be a tailor in which he excels.  “I want to stay here and work as a tailor. I have applied for a visa extension and I hope to get an Aadhaar card soon. That will open many opportunities for me in India,” he says.

For many of these refugees, their votes will reflect collective decisions, often guided by their community leader, which makes it amply clear that the voting will be en-masse and tilted towards one party. And in this case, as a thanking gesture for giving citizenship, it will be going to the BJP candidate. At least for the first time when they are voting.

“This year, issues like water, electricity, better living condition or education does not matter to these voters. Turning a blind eye towards the developmental processes initiated in Delhi or the nation. The Pakistani Hindus are more interested to give a ‘vote of thanks’ to the BJP as a return gift gesture for allowing them a passage to India and giving them shelter over their heads.”

For women like Baldevi, voting is just not empowering them but also addresses the challenges being faced by her community. “We don’t want much, just a dignified life and a chance for our children to build a better future,” says Maya, another citizenship aspirant and waiting for her voter ID to arrive. “We have been living here for over a decade and want the government to build permanent homes for us. This area is familiar. We have built our lives here. Moving elsewhere would mean starting from scratch,” she said.

A new group of Pakistani Hindu refugees has recently arrived while some residents are gearing up to vote, facing uncertainty and hardships as they await citizenship.

Running a small mobile phone outlet in the area, Satram, has been living in the refugee colony since 2013. He will be one of the first voters in Delhi elections from the lot. He says: “It feels good to finally be a part of the voting population. My parents and I will vote as per our Pradhan’s instruction. Despite the challenges, we believe we can manage and move forward.”

“Though they have got citizenship while more are in the offing, their struggle for a happy life here are far from over. Their life will be a delicate balance between survival and hope. Despite leaving Pakistan, issues such as sanitation, electricity costs, education and housing will be an integral part of their concern. Education too will be a important aspect when they face the real India after attaining citizenship.”

Another young girl Mohini, a drop out from school due to financial issues, shared her part of the story amidst aspirations for a better future ahead. “I always wanted to become a police officer but that dream seems impossible now. All I expect from the government is some skill-based opportunities so that I can earn a living with dignity,” she said.

According to a report, Radha is among the 300 Pakistani Hindus who have recently been granted Indian citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) 2019. All these people have applied for voter ID cards ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections. Under this new law, the government granted citizenship to this group in May this year.

“Radha said that I got the citizenship certificate earlier this year. We have recently applied for voter ID card. This will be the first time I will vote like a true Indian. I hope that whichever government comes to power will allow us to stay here and support us.”

Basti (Resettlement Camp) Pradhan Dharamveer Solanki said that 217 families live in the camp, whose total number is about 1000. Solanki came to Delhi from Sindh, Pakistan on a religious visa in 2013 along with many other Hindu families. He said that 300 of these people have applied for voter ID card. While more are in the list of applicants. They also have Aadhar cards and we hope to get ration cards soon.

50-year-old Puran, who came to Delhi in 2013, said that in Pakistan we were farmers. We fled from there to escape oppression. Here we are happy, but there is a shortage of land for farming. If the government gives us land on lease on the banks of Yamuna, we can grow anything and feed our families. Puran has two wives and 21 children. 20 of them are married and he wants to secure land for farming.

The post First Time ‘Pakistani’ Hindus To Vote In Delhi Elections first appeared on New Delhi Post.

Is Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar all set to receive the prestigious Bharat Ratna in early 2025? the political circles both in the national capital and Patna are abuzz with the news after Janta Dal United (JDU) put-up posters in Patna before the JDU convention in October this year.

More recently, on December 25^th, Union Minister Giriraj Singh also demanded Bharat Ratna for Nitish Kumar.  Singh’s remarks gain significance in light of the Bihar BJP leadership’s recent comments stipulating that the NDA would contest the upcoming State Assembly elections under the leadership of JD(U) chief and incumbent CM Nitish Kumar.

Since then, there is a curious ‘whisper mongering’ among the political circles. On October 5, this year, JDU party convention was organized in Patna. An executive committee meeting was also convened which was to be chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. A couple of days before the convention, hoardings with pictures of Nitish Kumar and senior JDU leaders were put up outside the JDU office and at important intersections of the city. Through the posters, a demand was made to the Government of India to award Bharat Ratna to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Interestingly, The Government of India conferred Bharat Ratna to 5 distinguished personalities in a single year 2024.

“The opposition parties in Bihar, including Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) slammed the government for ‘pressure tactics’ by JDU.”

In response to queries regarding the qualifications of Nitish for Bharat Ratna, JDU leaders came up with a list of achievements of the government under CM Nitish Kumar.  The leaders opined that after the formation of JDU government in 2005, the image of Bihar has changed globally, crime has reduced, education and health facilities have improved, there is a complete and successful liquor ban in the state.  The JDU also slammed the opposition, particularly the RJD, for turning Bihar into a ‘Bimaru State’ during their rule of more than two decades.

The whispering in the political circles also opined that the demand is not possible without a green signal from Nitish Kumar himself. Kumar, who loves to be in the limelight might have been the entire idea and is not a sudden demand by the party cadres. This may have been a part of a thoughtful strategy of Kumar.  

If one looks closely at the political graph of Nitish Kumar and JDU, it would be easy to find that nothing can be done without the knowledge of the chief minister now. This comes after party leader Bhim Singh had once without permission said that Nitish Kumar could be the face of the Prime Minister. On this Nitish Kumar had reprimanded him and since then there is a blanket ban on public comments by the lower cadre of the party without approval directly from Nitish Kumar particularly on issues which can jeopardize the future prospects of JDU relations with BJP. Interestingly, though Nitish knew about the posters during the convention, he attended the convention and said nothing about the issue of Bharat Ratna. Making it clear that he had the knowhow of the developments and had no problems with raising the issue.

 “Nitish Kumar understands his importance with the BJP at the centre. BJP has less options and despite having less seats Nitish was made the CM and perhaps BJP will have to project Kumar yet again in the upcoming Elections. BJP has less choices to pick from so his demands will be taken seriously at the centre.”

Nitish knows that If this bet works, then he will have the power to rebranding himself in Bihar. Despite the fact that his critics have named him ‘Paltu Ram’ for his habit of switching sides off and on.

However, if Nitish Kumar’s name is proposed for Bharat Ratna, he will be the second sitting Chief Minister, to get the highest civilian award of the country. The first being Dr. Bidhan Chandra Rai, who was the Chief Minister of West Bengal.

Bharat Ratna award was started in the year 1954 by the then President Dr. Rajendra Prasad. Since then, only 6 Chief Ministers have been awarded the Bharat Ratna. Most of them posthumously.  

Govind Ballabh Pant was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1957. Pant participated in the country’s freedom struggle. At the same time, after independence, he became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. He exemplary work includes the upliftment of farmers of Uttar Pradesh during his tenure.

West Bengal Chief Minister Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy is considered the creator of modern Bengal. He became the Chief Minister of West Bengal on 23 January 1948. He is one of the few people who received the degree of FRCS and MRCP simultaneously in India. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1961.

Kumaraswamy Kamaraj took over as the Chief Minister of Madras State in 1954. His nine-year tenure as CM in Madras (now Tamil Nadu) is seen as the best period of administration. Under Kamaraj’s leadership, Madras’s industrial and agricultural sector developed on a large scale. He was awarded the President of India Award in 1976.

Former Chief Minister of Bihar Karpoori Thakur was conferred the nation’s highest honor posthumously by the President of India Droupadi Murmu after 35 years of his death recently.

The post Is Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Being Conferred with Bharat Ratna in 2025? first appeared on New Delhi Post.

“The highlight of his political career as the prime minister was the 1998 nuclear deal with America, which he stood by ended the era of sanctions placed on India after the Pokhran 2 nuclear tests of 1998 with partial sanctions by IAEA that covered only the civil nuclear facilities and placed it at the Centre of the international community and secured India a place at the nuclear club high table.”

In 2009, Dr. Singh became the Prime Minister for a second time and the western world saw how a person on merit can rise to the top. A boy who used to study under the street lamps, went to the top institutions such as Oxford and Cambridge due to sheer dedication and commitment towards education. He was never a caste leader or a divisive policy maker.  His only rise to the prime minister’s post was due to his academic learning, and excellence in various bureaucratic roles.

He gently steered the Indian economy towards a radical flip from the policies of the past. All what was required was a strong leadership supported with firm and steady policies to steer the nation out of the situation when the entire world was reeling under financial depression. Dr. Singh during his tenure, led from the front and inculcated economic policy decisions and political moves which were in national interest.

“During his decade long tenure as prime minister, the man despite being one of the humblest world leaders was subjected to intensive media trials. The journalists who could not even spell out a single word now, without sanctions from a few leaders, had the audacity to ask unfair and intense questions from which Dr. Singh never shied away. Instead, he took all the questions whether good or bad, sane or insane, he never disparaged the institution of free media. He was of the view that the power of dialogue and criticism is good for a healthy democracy. Unlike now.“

Since the early 1990s, the middle class became supportive of the new economic policies as they brought tangible economic benefits to them in the form of tax breaks and raising of the personal income tax ceiling. Moreover, foreign investment and expansion of industries, particularly the service sector, provided opportunity for job change and higher salaries for the middle class.

New opportunities provided by the success of economic reforms contributed to expansion of the service industry, specifically IT and BT, and contributed to the rise of the salaried class of women.

Besides the emergence of a vibrant middle class with spending power, the policies gave birth to a new generation of industrialists and entrepreneurs who began to compete globally. The outcome was real GDP clocking over 8% every year since 2004, accompanied by a jump in innovation and start-ups.

The size of the middle class increased as the percentage of people living below poverty line declined from 37% in 2004-05 to 22% in 2011-12. Many people joined the aspirational class owing to the UPA’s policy of ‘reforms with a human face’, and inclusive policies, such as Food Security Act and Employment Guarantee Act, which were designed to protect the poor.

“Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh contested elections only once in his political career, but could not win. This was during the 1999 Lok Sabha elections. The Congress president was Sonia Gandhi. To bring back the Congress which was out of power since 1996, Sonia Gandhi had decided to field all her top leaders in the elections. On Sonia’s insistence, Manmohan Singh also agreed to contest the elections. However, the experience of contesting elections was not good for him. That is why he never contested the Lok Sabha elections again.”

Manmohan Singh lost the 1999 election by about 30 thousand votes. BJP’s Vijay Malhotra got 261230 votes on the South Delhi Lok Sabha seat and Congress’ Manmohan Singh got 231231 votes. The electoral defeat on the South Delhi Lok Sabha seat came as a shock to Manmohan. After this, he started feeling that his electoral career ended as soon as it started, but it did not happen. Manmohan Singh remained on his Rajya Sabha seat. Not only this, Congress also kept him as the leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha. In 2004, once again Congress offered Manmohan Singh a ticket for the Lok Sabha elections, but he refused and never contested the elections again.

The post Indeed, History will be kind Dr. Singh! first appeared on New Delhi Post.

The crucial questions are:

1. whether our country’s Supreme Court will ask the Indian government if it has purchased Pegasus – often described as the most dangerous spyware known to humankind; and
2. whether this has been misused to spy on the government’s critics and political opponents, as well as certain insiders including Union Ministers.

The US District Court has judged that NSO Group was liable for violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act by accessing WhatsApp’s computers without authorization and that the privately-owned Israeli firm had the intent to defraud WhatsApp. The court also ruled that NSO Group had violated California state’s Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud Act.

Judge Hamilton’s 16-page judgement ruled that NSO Group had intentionally destroyed evidence and/or concealed evidence. Her court then imposed sanctions on NSO Group and stated that it would start hearings on damages to be imposed on the company from 24 January 2025 onwards.

On 10 December 2024, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court of India comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan ordered that the case on alleged misuse of Pegasus by the government, which has been pending from August 2022, be heard on 7 March 2025.

“Several petitions have been filed in the country’s apex court, including one by the writer of this article, alleging that Pegasus has been used in an illegal manner against journalists, lawyers, civil society activists, judges, government officials and politicians, among others.”

Pegasus is the name of a mythical winged horse that figures in Greek mythology. It is considered to be the world’s most powerful cyberweapon, a zero-click-bait spyware that can be misused to listen to, read, and view conversations, text, and audio messages as well as videos over electronic mail and text communications on cellular phones. Unlike in the past when the user of a mobile phone had to click on a link to enable malware to enter the user’s device, a person whose phone has been infiltrated by Pegasus is completely unaware if, how, when and where the phone has been “infected” or “compromised.”

Pegasus has reportedly been deployed to track not just the political opponents of those in power, but also those within reigning governments who rulers want to spy on. It has reportedly been used on heads of government such as France’s President Emmanuel Macron and the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, and their aides.

Several governments including those in France, Spain, Germany, Poland, Hungary, the United States and even, Israel (when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s predecessor Naftali Bennett was in power in Tel Aviv) have formally investigated whether Pegasus was illegally used in their respective countries. But not the government of India. Why?

The alleged misuse of Pegasus in this country and many other countries across the world, including Mexico, Hungary, France, Morocco, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Pakistan, was first exposed by the Paris-based international non-government organization, Forbidden Stories, which received a data leak of some 50,000 phone numbers that had apparently been infected by Pegasus. Amnesty International joined Forbidden Stories in its investigation.

“These phone numbers were shared with more than 80 journalists working in 17 media organizations in different countries, including The Wire in India. Whereas many of the users of the phones that were allegedly infected were unwilling to have their phones forensically examined, some (including this writer) agreed. The information inside the phones were scrutinized by technical experts in Europe (engaged by Amnesty International) and in Canada (at the Citizen Lab in Toronto). The worldwide investigation took more than three months to complete and its findings were disclosed in July 2021.”

After several petitions were filed in the Supreme Court here, the then Chief Justice of India (CJI) N V Ramana asked the Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, who represents the Union government, to answer a simple and straightforward question. CJI Ramana asked if any agency or department of the Indian government (or, for that matter, a state government) had purchased or used Pegasus. Instead of answering “yes” or “no” Mehta said he would not answer the question because national security interests could be jeopardized.

On 27 October 2021, CJI Ramana constituted a three-member committee to examine the issue. The committee was headed by retired Supreme Court judge, Justice R V Raveendran, and comprised Alok Joshi, former Director of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) in the Cabinet Secretariat and a 1976 batch officer of the Indian Police Service; and Sundeep Oberoi, Chairman of the sub-committee of the International Organisation of Standardisation, International Electro-Technical Commission, and its Joint Technical Committee.

The committee was supported by another panel of three technical experts: Naveen Chaudhary, a professor of cybersecurity and digital forensics at the National Forensic Sciences University, Gujarat; Prabaharan P, an expert on cyber security and a professor at the Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, Kerala; and Ashwin Anil Gumaste, a professor of computer sciences and engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay.

“A day before CJI Ramana retired on 26 August 2022 he observed in the open court that the Indian government had not cooperated with the panel he had appointed. He wryly remarked: “We will say one sentence – the government did not cooperate with the technical committee on scrutiny of the devices for Pegasus spyware.”

CJI Ramana was presiding over a three-judge bench alongside Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli. He opened the voluminous three-part report in court and stated the technical committee had examined 29 phones and found malware in five of them but could not conclusively state if the malware was indeed Pegasus. CJI Ramana said the Raveendran committee’s report would be uploaded on the Supreme Court’s website but that the technical committee’s report would be uploaded after redacting certain portions, as committee members had requested that personal data not be disclosed.

CJI Ramana said the Raveendran committee had recommended changes in the existing law on surveillance and also suggested that the protection of privacy be enhanced “along with the cyber secrecy of the nation.” The CJI said the committee’s recommendations and observations could be made public.

The bench stated: “Such a course of action taken by the respondent – Union of India, especially in proceedings of the present nature which touches upon the fundamental rights of the citizens of the country, cannot be accepted…The mere invocation of national security by the State does not render the Court a mute spectator.”

“Despite CJI Ramana’s public statements, late at night on August 25, 2022, the report was “re-sealed” and kept in the custody of the Secretary General of the Supreme Court. The Leaflet website commented: “The decision to keep the two reports under wraps, despite the CJI’s oral commitment to upload them on the Supreme Court’s website, disappointed those who expected some degree of transparency from the highest court.”

Former CJI Ramana said the case was to be heard after a month. It was not. Two Chief Justices (U U Lalit and D Y Chandrachud) were appointed and then they retired. 

Meanwhile, in September-October 2023, several MPs, politicians opposed to the Narendra Modi government and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, individuals working in the office of Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and journalists, received an “alert” on their iPhones by Apple that read: “State-sponsored attackers may be targeting your iPhone … These attackers are likely targeting you individually because of who you are or what you do. If your device is compromised by a state-sponsored attacker, they may be able to remotely access your sensitive data, communications, or even the camera and microphone.”

The government claimed that this alert was part of a global move by Apple.

The Indian Telegraph Act of 1885 specifies the circumstances under which the Union government and state/provincial governments can intercept or tap telephones in the event of a “public emergency” or in the “interest of public safety” as per Section 5(2) of the Act. Such tapping or interception can also take place in the “interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of an offence.”

“There are certain safeguards that protect a citizen from misuse of the interception process. In 1997, in the case People’s Union for Civil Liberties versus the Union of India, the Supreme Court observed that the right to have a telephone conversation in the privacy of one’s home or office is part of each citizen’s right to life and personal liberty (as enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution of India), which cannot be curtailed except according to the procedure established by law.”

The Court clarified that this section does not confer unguided and unbridled power on investigating agencies to invade a person’s privacy and laid down the following safeguards: The tapping of telephones is prohibited without an authorizing order from the Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, government of India or the Home Secretary of the concerned state government, and that this order, unless renewed, shall cease to have authority at the end of two months from the date of issue and cannot remain in operation beyond six months. All copies of the intercepted communication are supposed to be destroyed as soon as their retention is considered not necessary.

In pursuance of the Supreme Court judgement, the Indian Telegraph (First Amendment) Rules, 1999, were framed and notified and a similar notification titled, the Information Technology (Procedures and Safeguards for Interception, Monitoring and Decryption of Information) Rules were notified a decade later in 2009.

These laws and rules may appear adequate but the terms and definitions mentioned are open to interpretation and misuse/abuse by law-enforcing agencies and those in positions of power and authority. That’s essentially the problem with a government that, contrary to its claims, does not want transparent governance or wishes to protect the human rights and civil liberties of its citizens, in the opinion of this writer.

A spokesperson of the Indian National Congress Randeep Singh Surjewala has demanded that WhatsApp disclose the names of the 300-odd Indians whose phones were allegedly infected by Pegasus. But will the multinational technological giant headed by 40-year-old Mark Zukerberg oblige? Your guess could be as good as mine.

Portions of this article have been based on an earlier article titled “Indian Supreme Court’s Silence on Pegasus Legitimizes Spying on Critics” written by the author and published in the website of the Washington D C based Centre for the Study of Organized Hate on 8 December 2024. The link to the article: https://www.csohate.org/2024/12/08/indian-use-of-pegasus/

(The writer is an independent journalist, author, publisher, documentary film-maker, music video director, and a teacher. He can be contacted at paranjoy@gmail.com. His personal website is www.paranjoy.in and his YouTube channel is Paranjoy Online.)

The post Will Supreme Court of India heed US indictment of maker of Israeli spyware Pegasus? first appeared on New Delhi Post.