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CPI-M demands NIA file appeal in Mecca Masjid acquittals
Hyderabad, April 18 (IANS) The CPI-M on Wednesday demanded that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) file an appeal against the acquittal of the accused in the Mecca Masjid blast, which it termed as “latest mockery of justice”.
The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) adopted a resolution to this effect at its 22nd Congress here.
“The 22nd Congress of the CPI-M expresses profound shock at the acquittal by the NIA Special Court on April 16 of all those arrested in connection with the Mecca Masjid bomb blast case. It expresses deep concern that central agencies responsible for investigation and prosecution of crimes are increasingly biased in favour of Hindutva forces,” the resolution read.
It said that there is a “pattern in acquittals of the accused owing allegiance to the Sangh Parivar in various cases of terrorism and bomb blasts”.
Nine people offering Friday prayers at the Mecca Masjid were killed and 58 injured in the bomb blast on May 18, 2007.
“The judgment stated that the acquittal was based on ‘lack of evidence’,” said the resolution, noting that Naba Kumar Sarkar alias Swami Aseemanand, and four others, all having close connections to the Sangh Parivar, were released immediately. Aseemanand is also an accused in the Samjhauta Express and the Ajmer Dargah bomb blasts, based on his own, signed confessional statement, it added.
“Earlier he was acquitted in the Ajmer Dargah case as well. A similar injustice occurred when the Malegaon blast accused were acquitted. The question is if all those accused have been acquitted, then who is responsible for these terrible killings?” the CPI-M resolution said.
The party noted that in the Mecca Masjid case, as many as 64 witnesses turned hostile and added that the resignation of the judge, K. Ravinder Reddy, immediately after he pronounced his judgment had “added new questions to an already questionable decision”.
“The 22nd Congress of the CPI-M demands that the NIA file an appeal against this judgment, and appeals to the people to protest against this latest mockery of justice,” it said.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.