Aditi Khanna &Amp;Amp; Neelabh Srivastava

Stories by Aditi Khanna &Amp;Amp; Neelabh Srivastava

Supported terrorists because...: Pak defence minister's big admission

Supported terrorists because...: Pak defence minister's big admission

Rediff.com   25 Apr 2025

Pakistan Defence Minister Khwaja Asif has admitted the country's history of supporting, training and funding terrorist organisations as 'dirty work' for the West, a mistake for which he said Pakistan had suffered.

ED to restore Rs 15K cr to victims of frauds; returns Rs 31,951 cr so far

ED to restore Rs 15K cr to victims of frauds; returns Rs 31,951 cr so far

Rediff.com   21 Apr 2025

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has earmarked assets worth about Rs 15,000 crore that will be restored to victims of real estate, Ponzi and other frauds across India during the current financial year. The agency has been "aggressively" initiating this provision for restitution since last year to ensure rightful claimants duped by financial crime get their dues. The ED has already restored Rs 31,951 crore worth of assets under this provision, including Rs 15,201.65 crore from 2019-21 in cases related to Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and the National Spot Exchange Limited (NSEL). The ED Director has issued directions to all regions to actively work on cases marked for restitution of assets worth Rs 15,000 crore during the financial year 2025-26.

ED books Sonia, Rahul in National Herald case; Cong says vendetta

ED books Sonia, Rahul in National Herald case; Cong says vendetta

Rediff.com   15 Apr 2025

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a chargesheet against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others on charges of money laundering in the National Herald case. The chargesheet, filed on April 9, names Congress leaders Sam Pitroda and Suman Dubey as accused persons. The case pertains to the alleged fraudulent takeover of properties valued over Rs 2,000 crore belonging to the Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the publisher of the National Herald news platform. The ED alleges that Young Indian, a private company "beneficially owned" by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, "acquired" AJL properties for a mere Rs 50 lakh, significantly undervaluing its worth. The case has been transferred to Special Judge Vishal Gogne's court for further proceedings.

Sitharaman on how India will remain an engine of growth despite Trump's tariff

Sitharaman on how India will remain an engine of growth despite Trump's tariff

Rediff.com   8 Apr 2025

The resilience of the economy and strength of domestic demand will continue to make India an engine of growth amid the rapidly evolving global trade landscape as a result of US tariffs, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in London on Tuesday.

India appeals UK court ruling on Bhandari extradition

India appeals UK court ruling on Bhandari extradition

Rediff.com   14 Mar 2025

The Indian government as respondent in Sanjay Bhandari extradition case has sought permission from the London high court to appeal against the discharge of the defence sector consultant wanted in Delhi to face charges of alleged tax evasion and money laundering.

Pro-Khalistanis target Jaishankar's convoy in London, India reacts

Pro-Khalistanis target Jaishankar's convoy in London, India reacts

Rediff.com   6 Mar 2025

The group waving separatist flags was barricaded and monitored by a significant police presence outside the venue on Wednesday night, with officers rushing to restrain the man as he ran past the barricade in an attempt to block the path of the minister's car pulling at an Indian flag.

UK condemns security breach during Jaishankar's visit

UK condemns security breach during Jaishankar's visit

Rediff.com   6 Mar 2025

The UK has strongly condemned a security breach involving a pro-Khalistan extremist rushing towards External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's convoy in London. The incident took place as Jaishankar was leaving the Chatham House think tank on Wednesday evening. The protester was swiftly taken aside by officers of the Metropolitan Police, with no arrests being confirmed so far. The UK said such attempts to "intimidate, threaten, or disrupt" public events are "completely unacceptable". The incident comes after Jaishankar's talks with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, during which both leaders covered the entire gamut of bilateral ties, including the relaunched Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, regional and global issues. The MEA has condemned the security breach and the provocative activities of the "small group of separatists and extremists", calling on the UK to "live up to their diplomatic obligations".

Donald Trump's move suits India: Jaishankar

Donald Trump's move suits India: Jaishankar

Rediff.com   6 Mar 2025

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has stated that the US administration under President Donald Trump is moving towards multipolarity, which aligns with India's interests. He also revealed that India and the US have reached an agreement on the need for a bilateral trade pact. Jaishankar touched upon various foreign policy issues including India's role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the trajectory of the BRICS grouping, and relations with China during a session at the Chatham House think-tank in London.

Minor girl charged with killing 80-year-old Indian origin man in UK

Minor girl charged with killing 80-year-old Indian origin man in UK

Rediff.com   16 Dec 2024

A 12-year-old girl has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of 80-year-old Bhim Sen Kohli, who was killed in a park near Leicester in September. Kohli was attacked while walking his dog and died in hospital from a neck injury. A 15-year-old boy, who was 14 at the time of the incident, has also been charged with murder in connection with the case.

No buyer for Gandhi's Dandi march garland at UK auction

No buyer for Gandhi's Dandi march garland at UK auction

Rediff.com   12 Dec 2024

A garland presented to Mahatma Gandhi during the iconic Dandi March of the Indian freedom struggle in 1930 failed to meet its estimated price at a UK auction. The garland, which was presented to Gandhi by the wife of his personal physician, Dr Balvantrai N Kanuga, was offered as part of an "Islamic and Indian Art" sale by Lyon & Turnbull in London. Despite failing to find a buyer at the auction, the auction house said it has received significant interest since the sale and hopes to sell it to the highest bidder.

ED probe against Sidda's wife: Irregularities found

ED probe against Sidda's wife: Irregularities found

Rediff.com   3 Dec 2024

Evidence of several irregularities have been detected in the transfer of 14 sites by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) to B M Parvathi, the wife of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, according to the Enforcement Directorate.

UK PM's office apologises for Diwali reception menu

UK PM's office apologises for Diwali reception menu

Rediff.com   15 Nov 2024

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office on Friday apologised for a 'mistake' in the organisation of its Diwali reception at 10 Downing Street after some British Hindus objected to non-vegetarian food and alcohol being served at the gathering.

British author Samantha Harvey wins Booker Prize for space novel

British author Samantha Harvey wins Booker Prize for space novel

Rediff.com   13 Nov 2024

British author Samantha Harvey has won the 2024 Booker Prize for her 'ambitious and beautiful' Orbital, which becomes the first novel set in space to win the GBP 50,000 literary prize selected from a historic shortlist that was dominated by women this year.

NSG out, Amit Shah, Rajnath come under CRPF security

NSG out, Amit Shah, Rajnath come under CRPF security

Rediff.com   16 Oct 2024

The Union government has ordered the complete withdrawal of the counter-terrorist commando force NSG from VIP security duties and handing over its nine "high-risk" VIPs to the CRPF by next month, official sources said Wednesday.

India ranks 105th in Global Hunger Index, in 'serious' category

India ranks 105th in Global Hunger Index, in 'serious' category

Rediff.com   12 Oct 2024

India's GHI Score is based on the values of four component indicators: 13.7 per cent of the population is undernourished, 35.5 per cent of children under five are stunted with 18.7 per cent of them being wasted, and 2.9 per cent of children die before their fifth birthday, the report notes.

UK auction house withdraws sale of 'Naga Human Skull'

UK auction house withdraws sale of 'Naga Human Skull'

Rediff.com   9 Oct 2024

A United Kingdom auction house has withdrawn a 'Naga Human Skull' from its lots for a live online sale on Wednesday following outcry in India over the issue.

Pak origin man convicted of murdering Indian restaurateur in UK

Pak origin man convicted of murdering Indian restaurateur in UK

Rediff.com   13 Sep 2024

Khalid was on Wednesday found guilty of murdering Pattabhiraman following a trial at Reading Crown Court that lasted 28 days.

Phishing link mimicking MoD found in Indian cyberspace, targets govt data

Phishing link mimicking MoD found in Indian cyberspace, targets govt data

Rediff.com   5 Sep 2024

The advisory has asked government staffers to delete such an e-mail if received in their inbox.

Centre may deploy additional BSF troops in Punjab to check drone threat

Centre may deploy additional BSF troops in Punjab to check drone threat

Rediff.com   25 Aug 2024

The request is under "active consideration" of the Union home ministry, he said.

After riots, UK to train school kids to spot fake news

After riots, UK to train school kids to spot fake news

Rediff.com   11 Aug 2024

Schoolchildren will be taught how to spot extremist content and fake news online under proposed changes to the curriculum in the wake of far-right riots across United Kingdom cities fuelled by misinformation on social media.