Emaar case: CBI arrests Andhra Pradesh home secretary

Posted on: 30 Jan 2012

NEW DELHI: The CBI on Monday arrested senior IAS officer and Andhra Pradesh principal home secretary B P Acharya in a case relating to alleged irregularities in land transfer and sale of villas and apartments in a township in the state.

The township has been jointly developed by state-run Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) and Dubai-based infrastructure firm Emaar.

A 1983 batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre, Acharya, who was the then Managing Director of the APIIC, has been named by the agency in the FIR and his residences were searched in August last year.

He was called for questioning at the CBI office in Hyderabad and was later taken into custody, agency sources said here.

Recently, the CBI has arrested Sunil Reddy, said to be a close aide of Kadapa MP Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, in the case.

The CBI on August 17 registered a case against Acharya and the real estate developer on instructions of the state high court under IPC sections pertaining to cheating, criminal conspiracy and provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act.

The case relates to alleged dilution of APIIC equity from 49 per cent to 26 per cent in the land development project in Manikonda, Hyderabad, which was being developed jointly by the corporation and Emaar.

It has also been alleged that villas and apartments were shown underpriced in the documents causing losses to the exchequer, CBI sources said.

The agency has so far made three arrests including that of Acharya in the case.
PTI

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Emaar case: CBI arrests Andhra Pradesh home secretary

Posted on: 30 Jan 2012

NEW DELHI: The CBI on Monday arrested senior IAS officer and Andhra Pradesh principal home secretary B P Acharya in a case relating to alleged irregularities in land transfer and sale of villas and apartments in a township in the state.

The township has been jointly developed by state-run Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) and Dubai-based infrastructure firm Emaar.

A 1983 batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre, Acharya, who was the then Managing Director of the APIIC, has been named by the agency in the FIR and his residences were searched in August last year.

He was called for questioning at the CBI office in Hyderabad and was later taken into custody, agency sources said here.

Recently, the CBI has arrested Sunil Reddy, said to be a close aide of Kadapa MP Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, in the case.

The CBI on August 17 registered a case against Acharya and the real estate developer on instructions of the state high court under IPC sections pertaining to cheating, criminal conspiracy and provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act.

The case relates to alleged dilution of APIIC equity from 49 per cent to 26 per cent in the land development project in Manikonda, Hyderabad, which was being developed jointly by the corporation and Emaar.

It has also been alleged that villas and apartments were shown underpriced in the documents causing losses to the exchequer, CBI sources said.

The agency has so far made three arrests including that of Acharya in the case.
PTI

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Stopping outsourcing to hurt both US and India, warns Pranab

CHICAGO: Worried over the adverse fallout of protectionism, finance minister Pranab Mukherjee on Monday said if the US stops outsourcing jobs to India, profitability of both the economies will be hurt. '...if US stops outsourcing jobs from India to some extent profitability of the economies will be affected,' Mukherjee told reporters here. Speaking at the end of a two-day visit,

Stopping outsourcing to hurt both US and India, warns Pranab

CHICAGO: Worried over the adverse fallout of protectionism, finance minister Pranab Mukherjee on Monday said if the US stops outsourcing jobs to India, profitability of both the economies will be hurt. '...if US stops outsourcing jobs from India to some extent profitability of the economies will be affected,' Mukherjee told reporters here. Speaking at the end of a two-day visit,

Ice cream case: Rauf ready to undergo lie detector test

 Story Dated: Monday, January 30, 2012 16:4 hrs IST 

Kozhikode: Controversial businessman and kin of Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty, K A Rauf, who had made several allegations against the former Monday said that he was ready to undergo lie detector test in the ice cream parlour case.

He said that he has sent a letter on the issue to ADGP Vinson M. Paul, who was the chief of the special investigation team (SIT), which submitted its report to the High Court Monday.

The probe by the SIT in the case was on the allegations made by Rauf, against his estranged relative Kunahlikutty, that the minister had allegedly destroyed evidence and used money to influence witnesses and fabricate evidence in the case in 2006. Two former judges -- Justices K Narayana Kurup and K Thankappan, former advocate general M K Damodaran, former state Attorney P C Iype were among those questioned by the SIT.

The case, which surfaced during the late 1990s, relates to allegations that an ice cream parlour in Kozhikode was used to lure young women into prostitution. Kunhalikutty, who was a minister in the previous UDF government, had to quit in 2004 following the allegations. He, however, did not figure as accused in the case. Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan had also filed a petition in the High Court seeking a CBI probe into the case, which was earlier dismissed by the court.

Ice cream parlour case: SIT files final report before HCKochi: The Special Investigation Team, set up by Kerala government to probe fresh allegations against Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty in the Ice cream parlour scandal case, Monday filed its final report in the High Court. 

The report was submitted in a sealed cover before a division bench, comprising Chief Justice Manjulla Chellur and Justice P R Ramachandran Menon. SIT chief Vinson M Paul, Additional DGP (Crime) was also present in the court. 

The probe was ordered by the previous LDF government headed by V S Achuthanandan following fresh allegations made by K A Rauf, an estranged relative of Kunahlikutty, who alleged that the minister had allegedly destroyed evidence and used money to influence witnesses and fabricate evidence in the case in 2006. Two former judges -- Justices K Narayana Kurup and K Thankappan, former advocate general M K Damodaran, former state Attorney P C Iype were among those questioned by the SIT. 

The case, which surfaced during the late 1990s, relates to allegations that an ice cream parlour in Kozhikode was used to lure young women into prostitution. Kunhalikutty, who was a minister in the previous UDF government, had to quit in 2004 following the allegations. 

He, however, did not figure as accused in the case. Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan had also filed a petition in the High Court seeking a CBI probe into the case, which was earlier dismissed by the court.

Ice cream case: Rauf ready to undergo lie detector test

 Story Dated: Monday, January 30, 2012 16:4 hrs IST 

Kozhikode: Controversial businessman and kin of Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty, K A Rauf, who had made several allegations against the former Monday said that he was ready to undergo lie detector test in the ice cream parlour case.

He said that he has sent a letter on the issue to ADGP Vinson M. Paul, who was the chief of the special investigation team (SIT), which submitted its report to the High Court Monday.

The probe by the SIT in the case was on the allegations made by Rauf, against his estranged relative Kunahlikutty, that the minister had allegedly destroyed evidence and used money to influence witnesses and fabricate evidence in the case in 2006. Two former judges -- Justices K Narayana Kurup and K Thankappan, former advocate general M K Damodaran, former state Attorney P C Iype were among those questioned by the SIT.

The case, which surfaced during the late 1990s, relates to allegations that an ice cream parlour in Kozhikode was used to lure young women into prostitution. Kunhalikutty, who was a minister in the previous UDF government, had to quit in 2004 following the allegations. He, however, did not figure as accused in the case. Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan had also filed a petition in the High Court seeking a CBI probe into the case, which was earlier dismissed by the court.

Ice cream parlour case: SIT files final report before HC Kochi: The Special Investigation Team, set up by Kerala government to probe fresh allegations against Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty in the Ice cream parlour scandal case, Monday filed its final report in the High Court. 

The report was submitted in a sealed cover before a division bench, comprising Chief Justice Manjulla Chellur and Justice P R Ramachandran Menon. SIT chief Vinson M Paul, Additional DGP (Crime) was also present in the court. 

The probe was ordered by the previous LDF government headed by V S Achuthanandan following fresh allegations made by K A Rauf, an estranged relative of Kunahlikutty, who alleged that the minister had allegedly destroyed evidence and used money to influence witnesses and fabricate evidence in the case in 2006. Two former judges -- Justices K Narayana Kurup and K Thankappan, former advocate general M K Damodaran, former state Attorney P C Iype were among those questioned by the SIT. 

The case, which surfaced during the late 1990s, relates to allegations that an ice cream parlour in Kozhikode was used to lure young women into prostitution. Kunhalikutty, who was a minister in the previous UDF government, had to quit in 2004 following the allegations. 

He, however, did not figure as accused in the case. Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan had also filed a petition in the High Court seeking a CBI probe into the case, which was earlier dismissed by the court.

India to ask US, Pak to extradite nine 26/11 accused

 Story Dated: Monday, January 30, 2012 18:42 hrs IST 

New Delhi: India is all set to ask the United States and Pakistan to extradite nine persons involved in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack that include Pakistani- American terrorist David Headley, LeT founder Hafiz Saeed and two ISI officers. Government sources said the extradition requests to the US and Pakistan will be sent "very soon" as all the nine persons were directly involved in the conspiracy as well as executing the India's worst terror strike.

The move comes a month after the National Investigation Agency chargesheeted LeT operative Headley, Hafiz Saeed, Mumbai attack mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, Headley's accomplice and Pakistani-Canadian Tahawwur Rana and al-Qaeda operative Illyas Kashmiri for plotting terror attacks in India including the 26/11 strikes.

Sajid Malik, handler of Headley, and Abdul Rehman Hashmi, former Pakistani Army officer, were also named in the charge- sheet besides two officers Major Iqbal and Major Samir Ali who believed to be working for Pakistan's spy agency.

The extradition requests will be sent to the US despite the fact that Headley had entered into a plea bargain with American authorities to escape harsh sentence. Both Headley and Rana are at present in custody of US authorities and NIA has only got a limited access to Headley.

The seven others are believed to be in Pakistan and New Delhi does not have any extradition pact with Islamabad. "We hope that American and Pakistani courts will take cognisance of our requests and give judgements in favour of their extradition as all the nine were involved in one of the gravest crime in the world in recent time," a source said.

NIA had registered a case against 50-year-old Headley and Rana on November 12, 2009, and later on added other names after investigation by central security agencies showed a large number of people involved in terror activities against the country. 50-year-old Rana was found guilty by the US court of terror activities in Denmark but absolved of his role in the 26/11 strikes in Mumbai.

NIA, while registering a case against Rana and Headley under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and for conspiring to wage a war against the country, had alleged Headley had visited India "several times before 26/11 and once after" the Mumbai terror strike which left 166 people dead.

Barring Headley and Rana, NIA has secured an Interpol Red Corner Notice against all the seven accused including Saeed and Lakhvi who is said to be in a Pakistani jail facing trial for conspiring the 26/11 attack.

India to ask US, Pak to extradite nine 26/11 accused

 Story Dated: Monday, January 30, 2012 18:42 hrs IST 

New Delhi: India is all set to ask the United States and Pakistan to extradite nine persons involved in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack that include Pakistani- American terrorist David Headley, LeT founder Hafiz Saeed and two ISI officers. Government sources said the extradition requests to the US and Pakistan will be sent "very soon" as all the nine persons were directly involved in the conspiracy as well as executing the India's worst terror strike.

The move comes a month after the National Investigation Agency chargesheeted LeT operative Headley, Hafiz Saeed, Mumbai attack mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, Headley's accomplice and Pakistani-Canadian Tahawwur Rana and al-Qaeda operative Illyas Kashmiri for plotting terror attacks in India including the 26/11 strikes.

Sajid Malik, handler of Headley, and Abdul Rehman Hashmi, former Pakistani Army officer, were also named in the charge- sheet besides two officers Major Iqbal and Major Samir Ali who believed to be working for Pakistan's spy agency.

The extradition requests will be sent to the US despite the fact that Headley had entered into a plea bargain with American authorities to escape harsh sentence. Both Headley and Rana are at present in custody of US authorities and NIA has only got a limited access to Headley.

The seven others are believed to be in Pakistan and New Delhi does not have any extradition pact with Islamabad. "We hope that American and Pakistani courts will take cognisance of our requests and give judgements in favour of their extradition as all the nine were involved in one of the gravest crime in the world in recent time," a source said.

NIA had registered a case against 50-year-old Headley and Rana on November 12, 2009, and later on added other names after investigation by central security agencies showed a large number of people involved in terror activities against the country. 50-year-old Rana was found guilty by the US court of terror activities in Denmark but absolved of his role in the 26/11 strikes in Mumbai.

NIA, while registering a case against Rana and Headley under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and for conspiring to wage a war against the country, had alleged Headley had visited India "several times before 26/11 and once after" the Mumbai terror strike which left 166 people dead.

Barring Headley and Rana, NIA has secured an Interpol Red Corner Notice against all the seven accused including Saeed and Lakhvi who is said to be in a Pakistani jail facing trial for conspiring the 26/11 attack.

Jeddah Indian mission steps up effort to repatriate Indians
DUBAI: The Indian mission in Jeddah has stepped up efforts to repatriate citizens from the country who have overstayed their Haj and visit visas and issued 200 outpasses after the Saudi government announced an amnesty for such overstayers.

"We request this category of stranded workers to report to their consulate and process their repatriation as quickly as possible before the authorities close their doors to such applicants," S D Moorthy, consul (welfare) at the Indian Consulate General in Jeddah said, describing it as a good news for the overstayers.

According to him, around 10,000 more Indian overstayers are living in the region. The Saudi government offered an amnesty for visa overstayers for a period of one year from September 2010 to September 2011.

During the last amnesty period, the consulate repatriated some 15,000 Indians, who came under the category, Moorthy said. He said that his mission had so far issued 200 outpasses.

The Saudi Arabia government has set up a detention camp (Tarheel) in Jeddah to register visa overstayers for repatriation to their respective countries, a news report has said.

According to the report, the concessionary rule will apply only for those who have overstayed their Umrah, Haj and visit visas to the country.

Quoting sources in Jeddah, the Arab News report said that the Tarheel authorities have set up a special cell with five counters to attend to the cases of overstayers.

The authorities have not stipulated a deadline for the intake of such overstayers. However, prospective applicants are routing their applications through their respective missions with the necessary travel documents, said the report.

A public announcement has been displayed on the notice board of the detention camp requesting people who have overstayed their visas to report personally for repatriation home.

Applicants should submit their passports or the outpasses issued by their respective missions together with air tickets. The applicants will be fingerprinted to ensure that they have come into the Kingdom for the specified purpose.

Those who have overstayed their visit visas will be required to pay a fine in accordance with the length of the period of overstay. Sri Lankan Consul General Adambawa Uthumalebbe said that this category of overstayers is minimal among Sri Lankans.

Jeddah Indian mission steps up effort to repatriate Indians
DUBAI: The Indian mission in Jeddah has stepped up efforts to repatriate citizens from the country who have overstayed their Haj and visit visas and issued 200 outpasses after the Saudi government announced an amnesty for such overstayers.

"We request this category of stranded workers to report to their consulate and process their repatriation as quickly as possible before the authorities close their doors to such applicants," S D Moorthy, consul (welfare) at the Indian Consulate General in Jeddah said, describing it as a good news for the overstayers.

According to him, around 10,000 more Indian overstayers are living in the region. The Saudi government offered an amnesty for visa overstayers for a period of one year from September 2010 to September 2011.

During the last amnesty period, the consulate repatriated some 15,000 Indians, who came under the category, Moorthy said. He said that his mission had so far issued 200 outpasses.

The Saudi Arabia government has set up a detention camp (Tarheel) in Jeddah to register visa overstayers for repatriation to their respective countries, a news report has said.

According to the report, the concessionary rule will apply only for those who have overstayed their Umrah, Haj and visit visas to the country.

Quoting sources in Jeddah, the Arab News report said that the Tarheel authorities have set up a special cell with five counters to attend to the cases of overstayers.

The authorities have not stipulated a deadline for the intake of such overstayers. However, prospective applicants are routing their applications through their respective missions with the necessary travel documents, said the report.

A public announcement has been displayed on the notice board of the detention camp requesting people who have overstayed their visas to report personally for repatriation home.

Applicants should submit their passports or the outpasses issued by their respective missions together with air tickets. The applicants will be fingerprinted to ensure that they have come into the Kingdom for the specified purpose.

Those who have overstayed their visit visas will be required to pay a fine in accordance with the length of the period of overstay. Sri Lankan Consul General Adambawa Uthumalebbe said that this category of overstayers is minimal among Sri Lankans.