In a major relief for Praful Patel, a court in Mumbai has overturned an order by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to attach his properties worth over Rs 180 crore. The properties were allegedly acquired illegally from the widow of a notorious drug lord and close associate of Dawood Ibrahim. Rejecting the ED's action, the court stated that the properties were not connected to money laundering and were wrongfully targeted.
Praful Patel's Properties Unfrozen: A Detailed Overview
Background
Praful Patel, a senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has been facing allegations of financial impropriety for several years. In 2022, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached properties worth over Rs 180 crore belonging to Patel, claiming that they were illegally acquired from the widow of Iqbal Mirchi, a notorious drug lord and close aide of Dawood Ibrahim.
Recent Developments
However, in a major setback for the ED, a Mumbai court overturned the attachment order in August 2023. The court ruled that the properties were not connected to money laundering and had been wrongfully targeted.
Allegations and Investigations
The ED had alleged that Patel had purchased the properties from Mirchi's widow, Hajra Memon, at a price far below the market value. They further claimed that the funds used for the purchase were proceeds of crime.
Patel has denied any wrongdoing, stating that the properties were acquired through legitimate means and that the allegations against him were politically motivated.
Political Fallout
The case has had significant political ramifications. The NCP, Praful Patel's party, is an important ally of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra. The unfreezing of Patel's properties is seen as a setback for the BJP-NCP alliance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What were the specific allegations against Praful Patel?
Why did the court overturn the ED's attachment order?
What is the political impact of this case?
Has there been any further action by the ED or other agencies?
What is the current status of Praful Patel's properties?
The passing of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the age of 92 due to age-related health issues has left the nation in mourning. Singh, who was admitted to AIIMS Delhi on Thursday evening, is being remembered for his economic revolution and progressive changes during his tenure. Political figures, including Priyanka Gandhi's husband Robert Vadra, have expressed their condolences for Singh's family and praised his service to the country. This is a developing story, stay tuned for updates.
The streets of Patna, Bihar have been filled with chaos and tension as aspiring candidates for the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) staged protests and attempted to gherao the BPSC office. With allegations of irregularities in the BPSC exams, the aspirants are demanding the cancellation and re-examination of the exam. The situation escalated when the protesting students were met with force by the police, leading to a standoff between the two groups.
A viral post claims that Udhayanidhi Stalin mocked Hinduism and proclaimed himself as a proud Christian. However, our investigation revealed that the video was edited to misrepresent Stalin's remarks. In his full speech, Stalin also identified as a Muslim and a Hindu, promoting religious equality and unity. Reports and the original footage of the speech further prove that the viral video was misleading.
A delegation of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, including prominent Ministers and MLAs, visited the Khanauri border to meet Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on a hunger strike for farmers' rights. Concerned about his deteriorating health, they urged him to seek medical treatment. The party also criticized the Central government for failing to fulfill its promises to the farmers and offered their support in the ongoing struggle.
Aspirants of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) have been protesting for eight days now, demanding a re-examination of the 70th BPSC exam. Independent MP Pappu Yadav has joined the protest and appealed to opposition MPs and MLAs to show their support. YouTuber and educator Faisal Khan, known as Khan Sir, has also joined the protest and urged the BPSC to consider the plight of the students. The BPSC aspirants have previously met Bihar BJP President Dilip Jaiswal and have also protested against changes in the exam pattern and the normalisation process.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu wished Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the global Jewish community a happy Hanukkah, a festival that celebrates hope and freedom. In his message posted on X in English and Hebrew, PM Modi expressed his hope that the radiance of Hanukkah would bring peace, strength, and hope to everyone's lives. President Murmu also extended her warmest greetings to Israel President Isaac Herzog on this auspicious occasion.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has accused the BJP of planning to declare Parvesh Verma as its chief ministerial face for the upcoming Delhi Assembly Elections. This comes amid a heated political battle between AAP and BJP, with Kejriwal claiming that the BJP is upset with the successful schemes launched by his party and is resorting to distributing money to sway voters. The authenticity of these claims has been debated, with Kejriwal challenging Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj to resign if these accusations are found to be false.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited Madhya Pradesh to extend his greetings to CM Mohan Yadav on the completion of one year in office. Dhami, along with Yadav, inaugurated the renovated Lakha Banjara Lake and laid the foundation stone for various public welfare projects in the Bundelkhand region. Dhami praised the progress of the region under Yadav's leadership and also mentioned the upcoming visit of PM Narendra Modi to lay the foundation of the Ken-Betwa river interlinking project.
Government leaders from across the country came together in Delhi at a special ceremony to pay their respects to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 100th birth anniversary. CM Chandrababu Naidu praised Vajpayee's leadership and his significant contributions to India's development, stating that his vision and ideas will always be remembered. Vajpayee, who passed away in 2018, was known for his leadership and important role in shaping India's future.
On the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to the late political leader for his remarkable contributions to India's progress and transformation. PM Modi highlighted Vajpayee's achievements, including the Golden Quadrilateral project, nuclear tests, and his dedication to strengthening democracy and the Constitution. He also recalled the challenges India faced before Vajpayee took office in 1998, emphasizing the significant impact of his leadership on the country.