News for 'Samata'

Mumbai Cop Accused Of Assaulting Tempo Driver Over Fine

Mumbai Cop Accused Of Assaulting Tempo Driver Over Fine

Rediff.com2 May 2026

A police constable in Mumbai is accused of assaulting a tempo driver after an argument over a traffic violation fine.

ED Gets Nod To Arrest Godman In Money Laundering Case

ED Gets Nod To Arrest Godman In Money Laundering Case

Rediff.com19 May 2026

A special court has granted the Enforcement Directorate (ED) permission to arrest self-styled godman Ashok Kharat in connection with a Rs 70 crore money laundering case. Kharat, already facing rape and fraud charges, was produced before the Special PMLA Court on a production warrant from Nashik jail.

Self-Styled Godman Arrested In Money Laundering Case

Self-Styled Godman Arrested In Money Laundering Case

Rediff.com19 May 2026

Self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, already jailed for alleged rape and fraud, has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a Rs 70-crore money laundering case. The arrest follows court approval and is part of an ongoing investigation into a large-scale extortion racket.

Self-Styled Godman Extorted Crores Via Bank Accounts: ED

Self-Styled Godman Extorted Crores Via Bank Accounts: ED

Rediff.com20 May 2026

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, accusing him of systematic extortion and money laundering through a network of bank accounts. Kharat allegedly rotated over Rs 47 crore of ill-gotten money through 60 bank accounts, deceiving devotees by claiming divine powers.

Ajit Pawar plane crash: Kharat link sparks fresh doubts

Ajit Pawar plane crash: Kharat link sparks fresh doubts

Rediff.com6 Apr 2026

NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar has raised concerns about the 2024 plane crash that killed Ajit Pawar, following allegations of a link between a self-styled godman and unusual financial transactions.

How AI Helped Uncover Details in Godman's Case

How AI Helped Uncover Details in Godman's Case

Rediff.com6 Apr 2026

Activist Anjali Damania used AI to analyse call data records of a self-styled godman, claiming potential links to political figures and unusual financial activity.

ED Moves To Take Custody Of Godman In Money Laundering Probe

ED Moves To Take Custody Of Godman In Money Laundering Probe

Rediff.com2 May 2026

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached a special PMLA court in Mumbai seeking a production warrant against Ashok Kharat, a self-styled godman and astrologer, in connection with a money laundering case linked to rape and fraud allegations.

ED Moves To Take Custody Of Godman Ashok Kharat

ED Moves To Take Custody Of Godman Ashok Kharat

Rediff.com1 May 2026

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has requested a special PMLA court in Mumbai to issue a production warrant against Ashok Kharat, a self-styled godman-cum-astrologer, who is accused of rape and fraud and is currently in police custody in Nashik district, in connection with a money laundering case.

Activist Anjali Damania Justifies AI Use in Godman Case Amidst Controversy

Activist Anjali Damania Justifies AI Use in Godman Case Amidst Controversy

Rediff.com6 Apr 2026

Activist Anjali Damania defends her use of AI to analyse call data records of arrested godman Ashok Kharat, amidst opposition scrutiny and allegations of illegal activity.

NCP Leader's Sister Under Scrutiny in Godman's Financial Irregularities Case

NCP Leader's Sister Under Scrutiny in Godman's Financial Irregularities Case

Rediff.com13 Apr 2026

The sister of NCP leader Rupali Chakankar is being questioned in connection with the alleged use of her bank account by arrested self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, who is accused of financial irregularities and land grabbing.

Samrat Choudhary's govt wins trust vote in Bihar assembly

Samrat Choudhary's govt wins trust vote in Bihar assembly

Rediff.com24 Apr 2026

The BJP-led government in Bihar secured a vote of confidence in the state assembly, with Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary pledging economic development and significant investments. The motion was passed amidst heated debates and accusations between the ruling NDA and the opposition, highlighting political tensions and differing views on issues like women's reservation.

Samrat Choudhary's full circle: From sacked Rabri minister to Bihar CM

Samrat Choudhary's full circle: From sacked Rabri minister to Bihar CM

Rediff.com14 Apr 2026

It has been a chequered political journey for Samrat Choudhary, who began his political career as a minister in Bihar nearly three decades ago, only to be removed by the then-Governor following allegations about his eligibility.

JD-U veteran KC Tyagi ends long association with party

JD-U veteran KC Tyagi ends long association with party

Rediff.com17 Mar 2026

Senior JD(U) leader K C Tyagi has resigned from the party after a long association, stating his commitment to ideological principles and respect for Nitish Kumar remain unchanged. He plans to decide his future course of action soon.

'No difference': Former JD-U leader KC Tyagi joins RLD

'No difference': Former JD-U leader KC Tyagi joins RLD

Rediff.com22 Mar 2026

Former JD(U) leader KC Tyagi has joined the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), citing shared ideologies with Chaudhary Charan Singh and Ram Manohar Lohia. He aims to strengthen the party and champion the cause of farmers.

Nitish allows son to join politics, RS nomination likely

Nitish allows son to join politics, RS nomination likely

Rediff.com3 Mar 2026

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's son, Nishant Kumar, is set to enter politics, with a formal announcement expected from the JD(U). Party leaders express enthusiasm and anticipate a significant role for Nishant within the party.

Nitish set to step down as Bihar CM, to contest RS poll

Nitish set to step down as Bihar CM, to contest RS poll

Rediff.com5 Mar 2026

Speculation is rife in Bihar about Chief Minister Nitish Kumar potentially moving to the Rajya Sabha, leading to discussions about a possible BJP chief minister and a role for Kumar's son, Nishant. Senior BJP leaders have dismissed the rumours.

How Nitish Kumar managed to remain CM for 19 long years

How Nitish Kumar managed to remain CM for 19 long years

Rediff.com20 Nov 2025

Call it political opportunism or sagacity, his moves, in effect, have not allowed the Bharatiya Janata Party to appoint its own chief minister to date, despite enjoying a near hegemonic status nationally and the best performance in recently held assembly polls where the saffron party bagged 89 seats, followed by the Janata Dal-United with 85.

59% of Bihar's unregistered parties skip audit, donation reports

59% of Bihar's unregistered parties skip audit, donation reports

Rediff.com7 Nov 2025

A report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) reveals that a significant number of registered unrecognised political parties in Bihar have not made their mandatory financial disclosures public for 2023-24.

Bhujbal convenes OBC leaders' meet amid Jarange's Maratha quota stir

Bhujbal convenes OBC leaders' meet amid Jarange's Maratha quota stir

Rediff.com31 Aug 2025

Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal has convened a meeting of OBC leaders to discuss Manoj Jarange's demand for Maratha reservations under the OBC category.

When Nitish Kumar Took On Bihar Dons

When Nitish Kumar Took On Bihar Dons

Rediff.com20 Nov 2025

Nitish thought that his stakes as chief minister were far greater than his stakes in protecting one of his party MLAs. He could not allow his rule-of-law train to be derailed by a small rock on the track. On the contrary, if he removed it to keep the train moving at a steady speed he would gain strong public admiration and sympathy that would help him take the masses along in carrying out other tasks. A fascinating excerpt from Arun Sinha's Nitish Kumar And The Rise Of Bihar.

Owaisi's AIMIM plans to contest 100 seats in Bihar

Owaisi's AIMIM plans to contest 100 seats in Bihar

Rediff.com11 Oct 2025

According to political observers, the AIMIM sees a catchment area in Bihar, where Muslims are more than 17 per cent of the total population but have never got a proportionate representation in the state legislature.

Is The 'Bhunja Party' Really Running Bihar?

Is The 'Bhunja Party' Really Running Bihar?

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

Tejashwi Yadav and Prashant Kishore claim that a group of senior Janata Dal-United leaders and retired bureaucrats, locally dubbed the 'Bhunja Party', manages the state administration on Nitish Kumar's behalf.

Bihar deputy CM lied to SC to escape 1995 mass murder trial: Prashant Kishor

Bihar deputy CM lied to SC to escape 1995 mass murder trial: Prashant Kishor

Rediff.com29 Sep 2025

Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor alleges Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary escaped a murder trial by falsely claiming to be a minor. He demands Choudhary's dismissal and threatens to expose further financial irregularities.

Actor's wife, 2 others booked for reciting Pak poet's poem

Actor's wife, 2 others booked for reciting Pak poet's poem

Rediff.com21 May 2025

Police on Tuesday said they have started recording statements of people associated with the controversial Veera Sathidar memorial programme held on May 13 in Nagpur, where the poem was recited, while an official informed investigation into the case was at a sensitive stage.

'No One Can Dare To Experiment A Maharashtra In Bihar'

'No One Can Dare To Experiment A Maharashtra In Bihar'

Rediff.com25 Jul 2025

'After the 2020 Bihar assembly polls when our party got only 43 seats and our ally the BJP got 73 seats, Nitish Kumar refused to become chief minister and assured the BJP that he will support the government led by anyone.' 'But the BJP's top leaders told Nitish Kumar that as the NDA contested the polls under his leadership, the next government will be headed by him.'

Samata Party merges with the JD-U

Samata Party merges with the JD-U

Rediff.com30 Oct 2003

Samata chief George Fernandes will head the new party.

Shambhu Shrivastava quits Samata, joins Congress

Shambhu Shrivastava quits Samata, joins Congress

Rediff.com12 May 2003

The Samata Party general secretary made a scathing attack on party president and Defence Minister George Fernandes dubbing him 'the most unapologetic and vocal supporter of divisive forces'.

Raghunath Jha quits, split in Samata averted

Raghunath Jha quits, split in Samata averted

Rediff.com10 Jan 2003

Basistha Narain Singh has been appointed interim convenor of a committee to oversee the organisational elections in Bihar due in another two months.

Samata MLA held for abduction

Samata MLA held for abduction

Rediff.com24 May 2003

Samata rebel, Raghunath Jha, joins RJD

Samata rebel, Raghunath Jha, joins RJD

Rediff.com17 Feb 2004

Jha arrived at the RJD headquarters in Patna in a procession and joined the party in Yadav's presence.

Bhujbal disappointed over being left out of Maha cabinet

Bhujbal disappointed over being left out of Maha cabinet

Rediff.com16 Dec 2024

Senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal expressed disappointment at not being included in the new Mahayuti government in Maharashtra. He stated he would decide his future course after consulting with his constituency. Bhujbal was one of several prominent leaders excluded from the new cabinet, which was expanded on Sunday. The exclusion sparked reactions from other political figures, including former minister Deepak Kesarkar and Congress leader Bhai Jagtap.

Tehelka case: CBI arrests Samata Party leader

Tehelka case: CBI arrests Samata Party leader

Rediff.com27 Feb 2006

Jain was picked up in the national capital and placed under arrest after brief questioning, CBI sources said.

Samata Party MP surrenders in Chapra court

Samata Party MP surrenders in Chapra court

Rediff.com7 Jun 2003

Superintending engineer of Chapra electrical circle, Dinesh Rai, said Samata Party MP Prabhunath Singh and his supporters beat him mercilessly for erratic power supply in the region.

'Nitish Kumar Is Behaving Oddly'

'Nitish Kumar Is Behaving Oddly'

Rediff.com22 Mar 2025

'We used to discuss how image-conscious Nitish Kumar was and his sophisticated conduct in public life. All this has become a thing of the past.'

'I made a mistake by...': Nitish in presence of Nadda

'I made a mistake by...': Nitish in presence of Nadda

Rediff.com6 Sep 2024

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday termed his past alliances with arch rival Lalu Prasad Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal as a 'mistake' that he committed twice but was determined not to repeat again.

Nitish, Naidu hold key to Modi 3.0 as BJP falls short of majority

Nitish, Naidu hold key to Modi 3.0 as BJP falls short of majority

Rediff.com5 Jun 2024

With the Bharatiya Janata Party falling short of a majority in the Lok Sabha and needing the National Democratic Alliance partners to form the government at the Centre, Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal-United head Nitish Kumar and Telugu Desam Party's N Chandrababu Naidu have emerged as potential kingmakers.

Now, Bihar party bids to 'get back' mashaal symbol from Uddhav

Now, Bihar party bids to 'get back' mashaal symbol from Uddhav

Rediff.com22 Feb 2023

The delegation told Shinde that Samata Party was an old political outfit from Bihar and 'mashaal' (flaming torch) was its election symbol.