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ED raids on people linked to Vadra an act of vendetta: Congress
New Delhi, Dec 8 (IANS) The Congress on Saturday termed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) searches at the premises of some persons linked to Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s brother-in-law Robert Vadra as “blind vendetta” to settle political scores.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi said: “Facing a complete rout in the Assembly elections in the five states, the Modi government is back to its dirty tricks and malicious tactics.”
Targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government, he said the Modi government’s mask of anti-corruption crusader lies in shambles with successive scams getting uncovered over the last 54 months and zero action against fraudsters.
“Instead, the only tool which is being employed by the Modi government to hide its massive failures are mudslinging, muckraking and hatchet jobs by the dirty tricks department i.e. CBI or ED, to smear opposition leaders,” he said.
He said the illegal raids on the premises of Vadra and his associates is another episode of these “concerted conspiracies, blind vendetta acts and web of lies” to target the Congress.
His remarks came a day after the financial probe agency on Friday carried out searches at the premises of some persons linked to the firms of Vadra in connection with alleged commissions received by some people in defence deals. The searches were also carried out at the office of Skylight Hospitality in Sukhdev Vihar area of south Delhi.
Slamming the government, the Congress leader said: “All constitutional, legal and administrative norms are being thrown into a dustbin to target and tarnish an individual for sheer and petty political reasons.
He said the Central Bureau of Investigation, ED and Income Tax departments are acting as “slaves and bonded labours” dancing to the tunes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Accusing the BJP of vilifying Vadra, Singhvi said: “In last 54 months, Modi government has let loose a criminal conspiracy to vilify, denigrate and malign Vadra to settle political scores.”
“As all else failed, Modi government has unleashed all its agencies including ED, CBI and Income Tax to victimize Vadra in an utterly malafide manner,” he said.
He also alleged that the ED officers who raided the premises of Vadra’s office and people linked to him had a single line brief to “flout all norms and harass”.
“Yesterday, in a brazen affront to the rule of law and to the Constitution, on the polling day, officers of ED from Jaipur and Delhi raided the office of Vadra at Sukhdev Vihar, New Delhi,” Singhvi said, adding that it continued till Saturday 4.30 a.m.
He said the residence of his associate, his sister and her in-laws at Noida were also raided – all without any FIR or search warrant. The residence of the associate’s sister was also raided. The raids have been carried out in a completely illegal fashion with no employee or lawyer being permitted to enter the premises.
Singhvi said that four employees were also illegally detained for this entire period.
He said that Vadra through his lawyer submitted the last two sets of documents running to over 600 pages to the ED on November 26 and December 5.
Singhvi said the ED officers are being used as personal slaves and political agents of the Modi government to take political revenge against opponents.
–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.