The CBI FIR that was lodged in 2018 described Varma as a non-executive director in Simbhaoli Sugars in 2012 and lists him as “Accused number 10”. The charge is of criminal misconduct, cheating and criminal conspiracy against all the accused
Justice Yaswant Varma’s name had figured in a CBI FIR and an Enforcement Directorate ECIR earlier when he was non-executive director of a company prior to his elevation as a judge of the Allahabad High Court in 2014. CNN-NEWS18 has a copy of the CBI and ED documents that feature Varma as an accused in the matter.
However, last year, the Supreme Court set aside an Allahabad HC decision to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Simbhaoli Sugars matter.
The CBI FIR that was lodged in 2018 described Varma as a non-executive director in Simbhaoli Sugars in 2012 and lists him as “Accused number 10". The charge is of criminal misconduct, cheating and criminal conspiracy against all the accused.
Justice Varma, who was serving presently in the Delhi High Court, is under fire after the Supreme Court collegium proposed transferring him to Allahabad High Court following a suspected amount of cash recovered from his official residence. An in-house inquiry is also being marked against Varma by the Supreme Court.
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What the 2018 FIR said
A CBI FIR was registered against Simbhaoli Sugar Mill on February 2018 by Oriental Bank of Commerce. The company allegedly took heavy loan to distribute among farmers for their agricultural equipment and other needs but later misappropriated it and transferred the loan amount into its other accounts. There was a clear-cut diversion of funds, it was alleged. The money received by the company has been used for purposes other than agreed upon, the FIR said.
The bank had declared Simbhoali Sugars Limited as suspected fraud for an amount involving Rs 97.85 crore for the reason of misappropriation and criminal breach of trust and the same was reported to the Reserve Bank of India on 13.05.2015.
An FIR was registered by CBI against 12 persons and Yashwant Varma’s name figured on tenth number as non-executive director of the company. Five days after the CBI FIR in the predicate offence, the Enforcement Directorate also filed a complaint on 27.02.2018 under Section 3/4 of Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, at Police Station- Enforcement Directorate, District-Lucknow.
The Supreme Court last year said the HC erred in ordering a CBI probe in the matter as no investigation was warranted. The apex court, however, added that authorities were not precluded from taking action for fraud in accordance with law.
Sources say Varma’s name was struck off from the FIR by the CBI a short while after the FIR was lodged, and the agency had informed the court that his name is being removed.
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Ajit Pawar, while hosting the iftar party, emphasised India's diverse culture and warned against any divisive forces against Muslims. His remarks came amid a heated Aurangzeb row in the state.
Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar during an iftar party in Mumbai. (Ajit Pawar/X)
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar hosted an iftar party in Mumbai, where he emphasised India’s diverse culture and warned against any attempts to threaten Muslims amid the ongoing row over Aurangzeb that has engulfed the state.
Speaking during the iftar party in Marine Lines, Mumbai, on the occasion of Ramadan, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-Ajit Pawar) supremo said, “India is a symbol of unity in diversity. We should not fall into the trap of any divisive forces."
“We have just celebrated Holi, Gudi Padwa and Eid are coming – all these festivals teach us to live together. We should all celebrate it together because unity is our real strength. I want to assure you that your brother Ajit Pawar is with you," Ajit Pawar said in a show of solidarity with Muslims.
Pawar further said that Ramadan is not limited to only one religion and it symbolises humanity, sacrifice and self-discipline. He said the sacred month inspires people to understand the suffering of the needy and purifies not just the body but also the mind and soul.
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“Anyone who shows an eye to our Muslim brothers and sisters, if anyone tries to create a fight between two groups and takes law and order in his hands, whoever he is – he will not be spared, he will not be forgiven," Ajit Pawar further said during the event.
Aurangzeb Controversy In Maharashtra
This came after the Aurangzeb controversy in Maharashtra following the release of the movie ‘Chhava’, where Hindu groups demanded the Mughal ruler’s tomb be razed down. Chhaava, based on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s life, has reinforced his image as a martyr, intensifying anti-Aurangzeb sentiments in Maharashtra.
The row gained further significance after Nagpur, the headquarters of the RSS, witnessed unrest near Chitnis Park in the Mahal area on Monday, as two groups clashed with each other following an alleged burning of a religious text, leaving several policemen injured.
The Nagpur Police on Thursday arrested nine more people in connection with the March 17 clashes, bringing the total number of arrests to more than 100. A curfew was imposed and prohibitory orders were placed in parts of the city following the unrest.
Ajit Pawar had earlier rebuked Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane following the latter’s claim that Muslims were not part of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s army and said these remarks were detrimental to Maharashtra’s cultural heritage and communal harmony.
Pawar said Shivaji Maharaj never discriminated against anyone on the basis of caste or creed. “Political leaders, whether in the government or Opposition, must exercise caution while making statements, to ensure that communal discord is not created. Maharashtra is home to a large number of patriotic Muslims. There is evidence that during Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s reign, several Muslims played a key role," he added.
BJP Vs Congress Over Iftar Party
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Meanwhile, a separate row erupted between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress after a veteran leader of the latter party attended an iftar party at the Pakistan High Commission on Thursday.
The BJP attacked Congress after Mani Shankar Aiyar’s visit to the Pakistan High Commission, saying, “It is no longer the Indian National Congress. It has become PPP – a Pakistan-friendly party." According to official sources, no government representative attended the event.
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said that “Congress loves Pakistan". “This makes it clear that whether it’s Mani Shankar Aiyar or any Congress leader, they have a love for Pakistan in their hearts," Bhandari said.
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India said that it gives careful and special attention to improvement of infrastructure for the development of border areas, in order to facilitate the economic development of these areas.
India said that it was aware of China's announcement about the establishment of so-called two new counties (Credits: PTI)
India has reacted sharply to China’s announcement about the establishment of two new counties in the border region, parts of which fall in Ladakh. The government informed Parliament on Friday that the Centre has filed a “solemn" protest through diplomatic channels regarding the matter.
“The Government of India has never accepted the illegal Chinese occupation of Indian territory in this area. The creation of new counties will neither affect India’s long-standing and consistent position regarding India’s sovereignty over the area, nor lend legitimacy to China’s illegal and forcible occupation of the same," said Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh in a written response to a query in the Lok Sabha.
The ministry was asked whether it was aware of China establishing two new counties in the Hotan prefecture, incorporating Indian territory in Ladakh. It also inquired about the strategic and diplomatic measures taken by the government to address the situation.
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The query also sought details about the protests India has lodged against the “creation of these counties," along with any responses, if received, from the Chinese government.
“Government of India is aware of the announcement by the Chinese side regarding the establishment of so-called two new counties in the Hotan prefecture of China. Parts of the jurisdiction of these so-called counties fall in India’s Union Territory of Ladakh," he said.
Adding that the government was aware that China is “developing infrastructure in the border regions," the MoS mentioned, “The government gives careful and special attention to the improvement of infrastructure in border areas, in order to facilitate the economic development of these areas, as well as to meet India’s strategic and security requirements."
According to the ministry, the budget allocation for border infrastructure has seen a notable increase over the past decade (2014-2024). The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) alone has incurred expenditures three times higher than in the previous decade.
“The length of road networks, bridges, and the number of tunnels have all grown significantly compared to the earlier period. This has enhanced connectivity for local communities and provided improved logistical support for our armed forces," the ministry informed.
The government continues to keep a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on India’s security and takes all the necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, the minister said.
The government remains vigilant in observing any developments impacting India’s security and is taking all necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, it stressed.
