Bengaluru, Aug 30: In a major twist in the alleged Dharmasthala murders case, the complainant, Chinnaiah, has revealed his connections with activists and also disclosed details of a trip to Delhi prior to making sensational allegations of rape and the murder of hundreds of women and girls in the temple town located in Karnataka’s Mangaluru district, sources confirmed on Saturday.

Following these revelations, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) brought the complainant to Bengaluru and conducted searches and ‘mahazar’ (on-site investigation) operations at the residence of T. Jayanth, one of the leading activists opposing the temple management. After several hours of search and mahazar proceedings, the SIT officials took the complainant — known as the “mask man” — to the office of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

On Sunday, he will be taken to the residence of another activist, Girish Mattennanavar, and later to Salem in Tamil Nadu, sources added. Following the search operations, activist T. Jayanth told the media that the mask man had approached him with a skull about one-and-a-half years ago.

He claimed to have provided the mask man food and shelter at his home solely with the intention of ensuring justice. Jayanth also revealed that he had travelled to Delhi with Girish Mattennanavar (another activist), Sujatha Bhat (another complainant), and the mask man in a rented car to meet certain individuals. He also disclosed that they had met a well-known religious seer during the trip.

“If this is considered a crime, let the authorities punish me. I am ready. I haven’t received any notice from the SIT yet,” he said. Meanwhile, some neighbours have alleged that Jayanth was involved in drug peddling activities in Bengaluru. They also claimed that despite approaching the police, no action was taken.

In response, Jayanth denied all allegations, saying that one of the neighbours — who was evicted from the building — is making false accusations out of personal vengeance. He added that he is willing to face any investigation. Sources further said that the SIT is now focusing on the first skull the complainant initially produced.

The team is currently questioning the complainant and awaiting the DNA and soil analysis report from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL). Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara has said that it is impossible to ask the SIT to submit its report on the alleged Dharmasthala murder case within a time-bound framework.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Parameshwara said, “We have only asked the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to expedite the probe into the alleged Dharmasthala murder case. It is not possible to ask them to submit a report within a fixed timeframe.” He added that it is currently unclear which direction the investigation is heading.

“If the investigation is completed early, the report will be submitted accordingly. Otherwise, the SIT will continue probing the case until they reach a conclusion,” he said. In a major development on July 11, the unidentified complainant — who claimed he had been forced to bury the bodies of women and girls who were raped and murdered in Dharmasthala — appeared before a court in Mangaluru district and recorded his statement.

He requested that the bodies be exhumed in his presence and alleged that the victims bore clear signs of sexual assault. According to him, the bodies were found without clothing or undergarments and had injuries consistent with violent sexual abuse.

These revelations have sent shockwaves across Karnataka. Following the claims, a retired Supreme Court judge and several activists have demanded a Supreme Court- or High Court-monitored SIT probe into the alleged Dharmasthala murders, which may involve the deaths of multiple women, girls, and destitute men.

In addition, the whistleblower reportedly submitted a skull — allegedly recovered from one of the burial sites — to the SIT. He was given protection under the Witness Protection Act and facilities were extended. The police sources said that the protection under the Act given to the mask man has been revoked. Following the serious allegations by the mask man, the authorities had excavated 17 points in temple town Dharmasthala.

IANS

Pune, Aug 30: Indian shuttlers entered finals with assured gold in the mixed doubles and another spot in women’s doubles in the semifinals of the ongoing Late Sushant Chipalkatti India Junior International Grand Prix at the P. E. Society’s Modern PDMBA Sports Complex here on Saturday.

In mixed doubles, C. Lalramsanga and Taarini Suri advanced to the final after overcoming Japan’s Shuji Sawada and Aoi Banno 19-21, 21-12, 21-13 in a 49-minute clash. In the other semifinal, Vansh Dev and Shravani Walekar rallied back to defeat compatriots Bornil Aakash Changmai and Zenith Abbigail 16-21, 21-13, 21-19, also in 49 minutes. With both Indian pairs advancing, the mixed doubles final will be an all-India affair, confirming a gold medal for the hosts.

In women’s doubles, Aanya Bisht and Angel Punera registered a thrilling win over Japan’s Anri Yamanaka and Sona Yonemoto 21-19, 22-24, 21-15 in a battle lasting 1 hour and 22 minutes. The Indian duo will now take on Japan’s fifth seeds, Aoi Banno and Yuzu Ueno, in the final.

Meanwhile, other Indian shuttlers competing in the semifinals fell short against their opponents, concluding their campaigns in the tournament. The event continued to witness a series of stellar performances by India’s emerging shuttlers.

In the women’s singles quarterfinals, unseeded Indian shuttler Diksha Sudhakar produced a brilliant performance to upset ninth seed Pimchanok Sutthiviriyakul of Thailand 21-11, 19-21, 21-9.

Meanwhile, Dianka Waldia fought past compatriot Rishika Nandi 21-9, 13-21, 21-12. In the mixed doubles quarterfinals, India’s Bornil Aakash Changmai and Zenith Abbigail pulled off the biggest upset of the day by defeating the top-seeded pair Bhavya Chhabra and Angel Punera 23-21, 21-17 in an all-India encounter.

The tournament, organized by the Poona District Metropolitan Badminton Association (PDMBA) under the auspices of BWF, BAI, and MBA, has seen Indian juniors dominate with impressive wins and key upsets.

IANS

Varanasi, Aug 30: The world-famous Banarasi saree and silk industry is facing a severe impact due to tariffs imposed by the US. Following the imposition of tariffs, large orders from the US are being cancelled, and foreign traders have started returning shipments, say traders.

According to the Varanasi Textile Industry Association, if this situation persists, the city could suffer losses of up to Rs 300 crore annually. This crisis has put the livelihoods of thousands of artisans at risk, and the industry is now staring at large-scale unemployment.

Rajan Bahl, vice president of Banarasi Textile Industry Association, stated: “Exports of Banarasi sarees will decline by 15 to 20 per cent due to these tariffs. Handloom products will be the most affected. Though the current losses may appear small, the future impact will be severe.

Every year, exports worth Rs 200 to Rs 300 crore were sent to the US, which is now under threat. Orders are being cancelled, and no new orders are coming in. I firmly believe this is not a minor loss; it is a major blow to Banaras and its industry. Orders are being cancelled, and we cannot expect fresh orders going forward.”

He further added that the number of handlooms is already decreasing, and these tariffs will only accelerate the decline. He appealed to the government for immediate intervention to save the industry.

Local saree trader Sarvesh Kumar Srivastava said: “The tariffs have seriously impacted our business. Recently, goods worth Rs 10 lakh were returned. The weavers’ livelihoods are in jeopardy. Finished products have been put on hold, and payments are stuck. I employ 20 workers, and holding Rs 20 lakh worth of goods has caused significant losses.”

He explained that traders, already facing economic challenges, are now under increased pressure due to the tariffs. Srivastava demanded that the government exempt handloom and handicraft sectors from GST.

“Removing the 5 per cent GST on handloom and handicrafts would provide relief to the industry. It would boost demand in the domestic market and attract the middle class back to Banarasi sarees,” he said.

He added: “I believe GST exemption could bring a revival in the industry, providing support to weavers and traders alike. The tariff-related crisis has not only caused economic losses but also endangered the livelihoods of thousands of artisans and their families. The government must intervene immediately. Without prompt action, this industry could slip into deeper crisis.”

IANS

New Delhi, Aug 30: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Japan continues to resonate beyond diplomatic corridors, as industrialist Baba Kalyani shared a powerful anecdote reflecting the Prime Minister’s deep understanding of cultural nuances and his proactive diplomacy in promoting India as an investment destination.

In a video shared by Modi Story, a popular X account, chronicling the Prime Minister’s leadership journey, Baba Kalyani recalled a memorable moment from one of PM Modi’s earlier visits to Japan. Then leading a delegation of Indian industrialists, the Prime Minister displayed a symbolic gesture designed to connect deeply with Japanese business culture, which values unity and collective purpose.

“We were around 30 to 40 Indian business leaders in a room with more than 300 Japanese CEOs,” Kalyani said. “Narendra Modi turned to us and said, ‘Stand up. Tell them that India is ready for business. That we have a red carpet ready for you.'”

The simple yet impactful gesture — where the entire Indian delegation stood up in unison and extended an open invitation to invest in India — struck a chord with the Japanese audience.

Kalyani noted that PM Modi had keenly observed how collective action and symbolism are deeply embedded in Japanese society, and he used that knowledge to send a strong, unifying message of intent and hospitality.

“It was a moment of cultural alignment. The Japanese saw seriousness, commitment, and unity. That’s what left an impression,” Kalyani added. Since then, substantial Japanese investments have steadily poured into India. This anecdote, now gaining traction online, is being seen as another example of PM Modi’s strategic acumen and cultural intelligence in diplomacy — traits he has consistently displayed, from his days as Chief Minister of Gujarat to his current role as Prime Minister of India.

PM Modi’s most recent visit to Japan — where he held summit talks with his counterpart Shigeru Ishiba — marked a further deepening of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

Key announcements included: Japan’s investment target of 10 trillion yen (nearly Rs 60,000 crore) in India over the next decade, a new defence cooperation framework, and a 10-year roadmap to scale up economic engagement.

Speaking in Tokyo on Friday, Prime Minister Modi underlined the significance of the bilateral relationship: “India-Japan cooperation is vital for global peace, stability, and prosperity. Together, we are building a new and golden chapter in our partnership.”

As India looks to attract greater foreign investment and forge resilient global alliances, such episodes reaffirm how PM Modi combines economic ambition with personal diplomacy — crafting messages not just for boardrooms, but for hearts and minds across borders.

IANS

New Delhi, Aug 30: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Rahul Vijay, a Senior Manager with the Airports Authority of India (AAI), on charges of embezzling public funds worth nearly Rs 232 crore, a statement from the agency said on Saturday.

The case was registered following a complaint from AAI, which alleged that Vijay, during his posting at Dehradun Airport, masterminded a systematic scheme of fraud by manipulating both official and electronic records.

The CBI investigated the case on the basis of the complaint of the AAI. According to the CBI, between 2019-20 and 2022-23, the accused created duplicate and fictitious assets, and inflated the value of existing ones — sometimes by simply adding zeros to the entries — to evade scrutiny.

Through these manipulations, about Rs 232 crore was allegedly diverted into his personal bank accounts. Preliminary investigation has revealed that Vijay subsequently transferred large portions of the misappropriated money into trading accounts, using them for speculative transactions and siphoning public funds for personal gain.

It has been alleged that Vijay, who was the authorised signatory in AAI’s official bank accounts with the State Bank of India, created three different user IDs to facilitate a clandestine transfer of funds.

According to the CBI, Vijay transferred money to a contractor of the AAl, and for the same work, he transferred money to his own account by inflating the figures. On August 28, CBI teams carried out searches at his official and residential premises in Jaipur.

The raids led to the recovery of incriminating documents, including records related to immovable properties, valuable securities, and other assets suspected to be linked to the fraud. Vijay has since been arrested, and officials said further investigation is underway to trace the money trail and identify possible collusion.

IANS

New Delhi, Aug 30:  Abubacker Siddique who operated as a lone wolf was arrested by the Andhra Pradesh police recently. The police termed him as a big fish, with advanced bomb making skills. During his questioning, he had told the police that he was operating alone and was inspired by the preachings of Zakir Naik, a wanted criminal in India, currently living in Malaysia.

The agencies have been on the look out for Naik for several years now. Naik, however, remains free in Malaysia and has no restrictions. He had even travelled to Pakistan recently where he was given a rousing welcome. Naik may not have dedicated terror modules or may not plan strikes.

However, he remains an institution by himself and his speeches and radical school of thought continues to inspire many to either indulge in violence or take the terror path. Naik had managed to flee India in 2016.

He is wanted in India for cases relating to money laundering and inciting extremism through his hate speeches. Naik is unwelcome in many countries since his speeches manage to incite the youth into taking extreme paths.

Over the years, India has made several requests to Malaysia to have him extradited, but the country has refused to entertain the plea. In 2019, the then Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir Mohammad had said that his country had the right not to extradite Naik, if he would not be accorded justice in India.

The Abubacker Siddique case is a grim reminder that Naik remaining in the open continues to pose a security risk for India. His influence is not just limited to India, but to other countries as well.

The 2016 Dhaka cafe attack which claimed 22 lives had a Naik link to it. Although he was not involved in the planning, the attackers had said that it was his speeches that inspired them to carry out the strikes.

The Indian agencies say that Naik could be considered to be more dangerous than any terror group. It is his speeches, which makes him lethal. His speeches and messages that reach millions of people online is what is causing a worry for security agencies.

While the Malaysian government has refused to extradite him, India would have hoped that the ban that was imposed on Naik in 2019 would have continued. However in February, Malaysian minister, Saifuddin Nasution Islamil said that there are no ban orders on him from giving public speeches.

While Naik had openly declared his support for the Al-Qaeda, he is not officially part of any terror group. He functions on his own, but manages to get the message through. The Indian agencies say that he is the most dangerous preachers in the world.

His messages are rabid and he has very good convincing skills which make him even more dangerous. Moreover unlike other rabid preachers who deliver their speeches either in Urdu or Arabic, Naik does so in English.

This has ensured that he has a much wider reach and hence more people especially the youth follow him blindly. Naik’s ability to radicalise people through his hate speeches was recognised by Pakistan.

He was given a red carpet welcome in Pakistan, despite objections by India. The Pakistan trip was equivalent to a state visit and during the same, he met with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz. Indian officials say that Naik has managed to play it smart.

Unlike outfits such as the Islamic State, he does not give open calls to carry out attacks. In fact he never speaks about attacks. However his style of operation is extremely dangerous as he manages to put out his message, which eventually ends up radicalising the youth.

Be it the case of Abubacker Siddique or the Dhaka Cafe attackers, Naik has had no direct role to play in it. However the attackers themselves had said that they were inspired by his speeches. In such an event it is very hard to pin him down and Naik manages to get away with free speech. However it is the same speech that would have done the damage.

IANS

Noida, Aug 30: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday inaugurated the Raphe mPhibr Drone Manufacturing Unit and Defence Equipment and Engine Test Facility in Sector-81, Noida.

Speaking at the event, CM Yogi said the establishment of state-of-the-art facilities for drones, aircraft engines, and aerospace testing marked a major achievement for India’s defence sector in the face of evolving global challenges.

“India has been facing challenges since 1947, and Operation Sindoor has demonstrated the nation’s power in this new era of warfare. If you have strength, the world bows before you. When Shastra (epics) and Sastra (weapons) go hand in hand, peace prevails,” he said.

The Chief Minister cited the examples of Maharana Pratap’s valour and the symbolism of the lion as strength and authority. Highlighting Uttar Pradesh’s contribution to national defence, he said nine ordnance factories were operational in the state, while 12,500 acres of land had been allocated for the Defence Corridor spread across Agra, Aligarh, Jhansi, Chitrakoot, and Kanpur.

He added that a BrahMos missile unit set up in Lucknow had already proven its capabilities during Operation Sindoor. Congratulating the new unit, Yogi assured that the state government was committed to the security of the country and to supporting defence manufacturing.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the facility as a milestone in India’s scientific and defence innovation. “This unit is dedicated to the nation and represents a revolution in defence technology. The company that began in 2017 with just 10 people now has more than 3,600 scientists and engineers,” he said.

Claiming that the drones produced at the facility cannot be detected by defence systems in the US or China, Singh called it India’s most innovative aircraft manufacturing hub. “This technology will instil fear in the enemy,” he added.

He also noted that Uttar Pradesh, once considered difficult for industrial investment due to poor law and order, had now become the first choice of investors under Yogi Adityanath’s leadership.

Drawing on global examples, Singh pointed out that drones have become central to modern warfare, as seen in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Recalling the Pokhran nuclear tests of 1998, he said India had always forged ahead despite opposition.

The Defence Minister further said that within just 14 months, equipment developed by this company in collaboration with DRDO had been successfully deployed in Operation Sindoor — a feat made possible by a blend of determination, science, and the courage of India’s armed forces.

IANS

Bengaluru, Aug 30: Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, on Saturday, described the signature campaign initiated by retired Supreme Court judges against Union Home Minister Amit Shah as “inappropriate”.

Speaking at a gathering in Bengaluru on the topic “Parliamentary System in the Largest Democracy in the World”, Union Minister Rijiju criticised the Congress and other opposition parties. He said that the signature campaign — launched in the backdrop of the Vice-President’s election — was “unconstitutional” and “inappropriate”.

He emphasised that the election of the Vice-President is a purely political matter and said that the retired judges’ actions have sent a concerning message: that even during their tenure, they may have been ideologically biased. “A few retired judges wrote a letter against Amit Shah and started this campaign.

They should not have interfered in the Vice-President’s election process, which is strictly political,” Rijiju reiterated. He also named the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and senior Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra, condemning their use of derogatory language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his family. “Such developments are not in the interest of the nation,” he stressed.

“We represent a party that is democratic in nature and treats opposition leaders with respect. It is inappropriate for the Opposition to use derogatory language against the Prime Minister and his mother,” Union Minister Rijiju added. He asserted that the BJP and NDA allies always contest elections on democratic principles.

In contrast, he accused the Congress of blaming the Election Commission of India (ECI) whenever they lose elections. “What’s the point of blaming the ECI when the people are simply not voting for the Congress?” he asked. Unon Minister Rijiju also took a jibe at Rahul Gandhi, noting, “Rahul Gandhi has lost three parliamentary elections and is now venting his anger on the country, the people, and the Constitution.

If the people aren’t voting for you, how is that our fault?” Commenting on a proposed law that seeks to remove a Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or Minister from office in case of a 30-day imprisonment, he described it as “fair and justified”. “If you haven’t committed a crime, you will be granted bail. Why the fear? Only those with something to hide are opposing this law,” he remarked.

He also said, “The Congress has ruled the country for 60 years. Given the current language and conduct of its leaders, people will never vote them back to power.” During his address, Union Minister Rijiju also spoke at length about the uniqueness of India’s parliamentary system. He highlighted its differences from the Westminster model and stressed the importance of understanding the Constitution and its spirit.

He said that India’s Constitutional system is a unique blend of Legislative, Executive, and judicial functions, where Members of Parliament can also hold Ministerial positions. In contrast, he added that the US system does not allow Senators or Congressmen to become Ministers — Secretaries are appointed separately and are answerable to House committees.

Union Minister Rijiju noted that Indian MPs have a dual responsibility: they serve as lawmakers and also act as problem-solvers for their constituents, who frequently approach them with personal concerns and requests for help.

He acknowledged that the high expectations and constant demands from constituents can be overwhelming and require a careful balance with legislative duties. He lamented the declining standard of discussions in Parliament, attributing it to changing times and shifting priorities. Union Minister Rijiju emphasised the value of honesty and integrity in public life, citing his own approach to politics and governance as an example.

He also criticised the media’s current focus on sensationalism and controversy, rather than substantive issues and constructive journalism. He concluded by underscoring the importance of the Constitution and the need to ensure justice for the common people — not only through courts but also through alternative means.

IANS