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Delhi Court frames corruption charges against Dhinakaran (Lead)
New Delhi, Nov 17 (IANS) In a setback to sidelined AIADMK leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran, a Delhi court on Saturday framed charges, including attempts to bribe Election Commission officials, in the “Two Leaves” symbol bribery case after rejecting his plea for discharge.
Special Judge Arun Bhardwaj framed charges under Section 120 B (criminal conspiracy), 201 (destruction of evidence) of the Indian Penal Code and under Section 8 (bribes to influence public servant) of the Prevention of Corruption Act against Dhinakaran.
As Dhinakaran was not present in the courtroom, the judge listed the matter for December 5 for recording Dhinakaran’s plea on charges framed against him.
The court has also framed criminal conspiracy and under Section 8 (bribes to influence public servant) of the Prevention of Corruption Act against Dhinakaran’s aide Sukesh Chandershekar and two others –T.P. Mallikarjun and B. Kumar in the case filed and probed by Delhi Police.
The court has also framed charges under Section 170 (impersonating a public servant), 201 (destruction of evidence), 419 (punishment for cheating by personation) 420 (cheating), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document), Section 474 (possessing forged document) of IPC.
After they pleaded not guilty and claimed trial, the court listed the matter for December 17 for recording the statements of prosecution witnesses in the case.
Meanwhile, the court discharged five other accused — Nathu Singh alias Naresh, Lalit Kumar K. Shah, Pulkit Kundra, Jai Vikram Haran and Narender Jain — in the case opining that in the absence of grave suspicion, no charge for conspiracy can be framed against him.
Dhinakaran, now an independent MLA and heading the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), is accused of having tried to bribe Election Commission officials to get the “Two Leaves” poll symbol for the faction led by his aunt V.K. Sasikala in the wake of the split in the AIADMK following the death of J. Jayalalithaa.
He was arrested on April 25 last year. He was granted bail on June 1 2017. The bribe amount is said to be of the order of Rs 50 crore.
“Chandershekar has conspired with Dhinakaran and Kumar and pursuant to that conspiracy, he (Chandershekar) accepted a sum of Rs 2 crore sent on behalf of Dhinakaran as a motive or reward for inducing by corrupt or illegal means officials of ECI to pass a favourable order in election symbol matter in favour of Dhinakaran faction,” the court said.
The court observed that there is sufficient evidence on record which shows that Chandershekar had contacted Kumar and had told him that he can influence officials of ECI in election matter.
The conversation between Chandershekar and Dhinakaran was recorded by Chandershekar himself. Later, Chandershekar disappeared the equipment on which telephonic conversation was recorded.
The Delhi Police on July 14 last year chargesheeted Sukesh Chandrashekhar, an aide of Dhinakaran under various sections of the Indian Penal Code related to forgery of valuable security, forgery for purpose of cheating, making a false document and criminal conspiracy among others and under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Later, in December 2017 police filed a supplementary chargesheet in the case naming Dhinakaran, his long-time friend Mallikarjuna, alleged middleman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, and others as accused in the case.
The police said a criminal conspiracy was hatched by Chandrashekhar, Dhinakaran and others to bribe the Election Commission officials.
The money recovered from Chandrashekhar was sent by Dhinakaran through illegal channels with the help of others, the police alleged.
–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.