National
Aircel-Maxis case: SC to hear Karti’s plea for quashing CBI, ED summons
New Delhi, Dec 8 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Friday said it will hear in January a plea by Karti Chidambaram, son of former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, seeking the quashing of CBI and ED summons in the Aircel-Maxis case.
Alleging that Central government was “misusing” its agencies to harass him, Karti Chidambaram also sought the quashing of the order of provisional attachment.
A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud said the plea will be heard in January next year and the copy of the petition was served on Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta for response by the Central government.
Questioning the issuance of the summons by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate, Karti Chidambaram said nothing has been found about his alleged role in the grant of Foreign Investment Promotion Board approval to Global Communication Services Holdings Ltd, a subsidiary of Maxis, for investing in Aircel when his father was Finance Minister.
The case is also part of the 2G spectrum scam.
By its February 2 order, the Special court, trying 2G cases, had discharged the Maran brothers – Dayanidhi and Kalanithi – in the case, holding that that there was no prima facie case warranting the framing of charges, he has said.
Referring to the two reports of February 20, 2013 and September 9, 2014 submitted to the Supreme Court in sealed cover by the CBI, Karti Chidambram says the reports, on the CBI’s investigation into alleged wrongdoing in FIPB approval in the Aircel-Maxis matter, after being perused by the top court, were directed to be kept back in the sealed cover.
He said that had there been any indication of illegality or irregularity in the matter, the top court would have ordered action, but nothing of the sort happened.
“It can be reasonably inferred that the reports did not disclose any illegality or irregularity in the grant of FIPB approval” by the Finance Ministry when P. Chidambaram was the Finance Minister in UPA government.
Meanwhile, special public prosecutor in 2G cases, senior counsel Anand Grover, sought clarification on his appearance in the matter, saying he has been asked to stay away as it was not a 2G case.
He told the bench that he was appointed Special Public Prosecutor for 2G cases by the top court and sought its clarification.
–IANS
pk/him/vd
National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.