INDIA

Puducherry, Aug 7 (IANS) An older man lost his life on Thursday after a factory compound wall collapsed near the Mettupalayam lorry terminal in Puducherry following heavy rains.

The wall, measuring approximately 25 feet in length and 15 feet in height, gave way and fell on three individuals, vendors running a small roadside eatery and their customers, trapping them under the debris. Witnesses reported hearing screams as bystanders rushed to alert authorities.

Personnel from the Fire and Rescue Services, the Public Works Department (PWD) and the police arrived promptly at the site.

Firefighters and police used fire tenders, ambulances and JCB machinery to extricate the victims.

While two women were rescued alive and taken to the government hospital for treatment, the older man succumbed to his injuries.

Chief Minister N. Rangasamy visited the site soon after the incident to inspect the area and review the rescue operations. District Collector Kulothungan, Minister Sivakolundhu, and MLAs A.K.D. Arumugam and Azhaganantham accompanied the Chief Minister.

Rescue operations have now concluded, with officials confirming that three people were trapped in the debris.

Two were rescued, while one fatality was reported.

The incident has caused a major stir in the locality, with residents expressing concern over safety standards in industrial areas, especially during the monsoon season.

–IANS

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Hyderabad, Aug 7 (IANS) All India Congress Committee (AICC) has appointed Naveen Pettem as the chairperson of social media department of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee.

According to AICC General Secretary K. C. Venugopal, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has approved the appointment of state chairperson, convenors, coordinators and co-coordinators of the social media department of TPCC.

Naveen Pettem was earlier the coordinator of the social media department. He is also a member of the State Transport Authority.

K. Ujwal Reddy and P. Vamshi Krishna have been appointed as convenors of the department.

Ambala Sive Kumar, Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, Veerapuram Ram Laxman, Geetha Ainala, MD Abid Ali and Susheel Kumar have been named as the coordinators.

According to the AICC statement, M. Bhargav Naidu, S. N. Dinesh and Fareeduddin will be the co-coordinators.

The AICC president has also approved the appointment of Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy as the state chairperson of the media and publicity department of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee.

Kiran Kumar Reddy is the Member of Parliament from Bhongir constituency.

He took to X to thank Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, K. C. Venugopal and AICC leaders for entrusting him with the responsibility of state chairperson of the Media & Publicity Department of TPCC.

“I pledge to work tirelessly with TPCC leadership to effectively articulate our governance, fulfil our promises, and strengthen the party’s voice across Telangana,” he said.

Meanwhile, Geetha Ainala has declined to accept her appointment as one of the coordinators of the social media department.

Geetha, who is the state convenor of TPCC Media and Communications, while thanking for the appointment, posted on X that she was not accepting this. She requested Naveen Pettem to remove her name from the list.

The reasons for her refusal to accept the appointment were not immediately known.

Meanwhile, supporters of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) have criticised the Congress party for Naveen Pettem’s appointment as the chairperson of the social media department of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee.

–IANS

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Jaipur, Aug 7 (IANS) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma met the Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and discussed issues related to the state’s development and public welfare.

During the meeting on Thursday, the Chief Minister briefed the Union Minister on the progress of key development projects and welfare schemes being implemented by the state government.

He also expressed gratitude to Union Minister Amit Shah for the Yamuna Water Agreement.

The two leaders discussed strengthening the cooperative sector in Rajasthan, accelerating the holistic development of border areas, and enhancing security arrangements.

Chief Minister Sharma shared pictures of his meeting with Union Minister Shah on his official X account and said, “Today, I met with the Union Home and Cooperation Minister @AmitShah ji in New Delhi and expressed my gratitude for the Yamuna water agreement. During this time, I received valuable guidance on various topics related to the overall development of Rajasthan, making good governance even more effective, issues concerning public interest, as well as the empowerment of the cooperation sector, internal security, strengthening of border areas, comprehensive development of border districts, and making security arrangements even more effective.”

“Under the visionary leadership and guidance of the Prime Minister @narendramodiji, the double-engine government is continuously working with full commitment to realise the resolve for the overall, inclusive, and rapid development of Rajasthan,” he said.

Chief Minister Sharma also met Union Minister for Labour and Employment, and Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya.

The discussions focused on expanding opportunities for Rajasthan’s youth in skill development, employment, innovation, and sports.

The two leaders also deliberated on strengthening the state’s sports ecosystem, developing world-class infrastructure for athletes, and promoting youth leadership through the MY Bharat initiative.

The Chief Minister later called on Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu.

During the meeting, both leaders discussed expanding air connectivity across Rajasthan, including improving links between major cities in the state and domestic as well as international aviation networks. They also reviewed opportunities to strengthen the state’s aviation infrastructure to support tourism, trade, and economic development.

“Today, in New Delhi, I met with the Union Civil Aviation Minister @RamMNK Ji and held detailed discussions on important topics such as expanding air connectivity in Rajasthan, constructing new airstrips, and connecting the state’s major cities to international-national air networks. In line with the vision of the esteemed Prime Minister @narendramodi Ji’s ‘Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik’ (UDAN), our government remains steadfastly committed to developing modern aviation infrastructure in the progressing state of Rajasthan,” Chief Minister Sharma said on his X account.

–IANS

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Amaravati, Aug 7 (IANS) A 28-year-old medico was declared brain-dead after she was allegedly run over by a car at a mall in Rajamahendravaram in East Godavari district.

Police have arrested two youths, who were allegedly under the influence of alcohol.

The incident occurred on Tuesday but came to light on Thursday after CCTV visuals were widely circulated on social media.

Priyanka, a postgraduate student at GSL Medical College, was riding pillion on a scooty as she was coming out of the mall with a friend. The car hit the bike from behind near the main gate.

Even as the rider and security guards at the gate tried to react, the car rammed into the bike again and ran over the young woman, causing severe head injuries. The vehicle sped away even as guards and passersby raised an alarm.

The critically injured medico was admitted to a local hospital and later shifted to Hyderabad, where doctors declared her brain-dead.

Police identified the arrested youths as Suravarapu Daswant, who was driving the car, and Andrew Joseph Edwards. Both are students at an engineering college in Namavaram, near Rajamahendravaram.

According to police, the duo had come to the mall to watch a movie but were denied entry as they were drunk. They allegedly misbehaved with mall staff before leaving, and later ran over a medico near the gate.

Deputy Commissioner of Police A. Subhash said both youths were arrested and a case registered against them. Another case was filed for their rude behaviour with the mall staff.

–IANS

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Bhopal, Aug 7 (IANS) The Madhya Pradesh State Election Commission has asked election officials to ensure error-free conduct of polls, saying even a minor lapse in the election process can undermine public confidence.

Addressing a state-level training workshop for Deputy District Election Officers and Master Trainers here on Thursday, State Election Commissioner Manoj Shrivastava said maintaining the credibility of elections was the foremost responsibility of poll officials.

“Even a small lapse in election-related work can become a cause of distrust. Resolve all your doubts during the training workshop and share your valuable suggestions,” he added.

Shrivastava said local body elections are comparatively more sensitive as they are held at the grassroots level, making the role of election officials even more crucial.

He said the Commission is also examining measures to strengthen the election process, including webcasting of polling stations and simultaneous voting through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

“The Commission is considering webcasting of the polling process. Detailed discussions are also underway on conducting polling simultaneously through Electronic Voting Machines. While adopting the latest election technologies, officials must ensure that voters have complete confidence in these systems because they always remember the sanctity of the voting process,” he added.

Calling local body elections the “laboratory of democracy”, Shrivastava said Madhya Pradesh has introduced several innovations in election management, including 50 per cent reservation for women in local bodies.

He also directed officials to ensure real-time reporting through mobile applications during polling to improve monitoring.

Referring to cooperative federalism, the State Election Commissioner said Madhya Pradesh has provided EVMs on rent to Tripura, Sikkim, Maharashtra and Rajasthan for conduct of local body elections.

State Election Commission Secretary Dinesh Shrivastava said the Commission has emerged as a leader in electoral innovation and asked officials to take the training seriously, saying even a minor procedural error during elections is unacceptable.

–IANS

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Bhubaneswar, Aug 6 (IANS) The state Mission Shakti Department on Thursday signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre for Research in Schemes and Policies (CRISP) and the NSE Foundation to implement Project BLESS, a three-year initiative aimed at preventing distress migration by strengthening livelihood opportunities, skill development and entrepreneurship among vulnerable rural families.

The department, in an official statement, said the MoU was signed at Lok Seva Bhawan in the presence of Chief Secretary Anu Garg and Mission Shakti Secretary Manasi Nimbhal.

The project will be implemented in collaboration with the Odisha Livelihoods Mission (OLM). “Project BLESS seeks to identify families vulnerable to migration before they leave their villages and connect them with sustainable livelihood opportunities, skill development programmes, financial services and government welfare schemes. The initiative aims to address the root causes of distress migration by creating long-term livelihood opportunities in rural areas,” the department noted.

It added that the project will cover 69 blocks across eight districts—Balangir, Bargarh, Kalahandi, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Rayagada—benefiting around 8.81 lakh rural families and 86,468 Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Around 550 Jeevika Sakhis selected from SHGs will support implementation at the grassroots level.

The programme will be executed through SHGs, Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) and Gram Panchayat Level Federations (GPLFs). Under the project, a mobile application-based vulnerability assessment will be conducted at the household level.

The initiative will also focus on strengthening community institutions, preparing family-specific livelihood plans, providing market-driven skill development training, developing digital market platforms and extending support services for migrant workers at destination locations. Vulnerable families will be linked with livelihood opportunities, skill enhancement, credit facilities and government welfare schemes based on their specific needs. In cases where migration remains unavoidable, workers will be supported with access to fair wages, legal assistance and social security benefits.

The project will also ensure continuity of nutrition, healthcare and pre-primary education services for children of migrant families while further strengthening SHGs and their federations to enhance women’s economic empowerment.

–IANS

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Gandhinagar, Aug 6 (IANS) Gujarat’s Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) inspected 134 food business establishments across the state and collected 29 samples as part of its enforcement drive against prohibited analogue dairy products on Thursday, while 1,053 kg of suspected products worth more than Rs 2.82 lakh were destroyed.

The action follows the state government’s decision to impose an immediate statewide ban on the production, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of unstandardised analogue paneer, cheese and butter under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

The prohibition was announced after laboratory testing and inspections found products resembling dairy items being made with vegetable oils and other non-dairy ingredients instead of milk fat, raising concerns over consumer deception and food safety.

The state government said the ban covers analogue dairy products that imitate paneer, cheese and butter but use vegetable oils or other non-dairy substances in place of milk fat.

Standardised products such as frozen desserts, processed cheese and mixed-fat spreads are exempt.

The government has warned that manufacturers, traders, hotels, restaurants, caterers and other food business operators violating the prohibition will face legal action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Health Minister Praful Pansheriya said: “The decision followed months of enforcement action by the FDCA against analogue dairy products across Gujarat.”

In Ahmedabad, the Municipal Corporation’s Health Food Department said it has intensified inspections of establishments involved in the paneer trade following the state government’s order.

The department said it collected 218 paneer samples during the past six months, of which 57 were declared substandard.

Among these, 23 samples were found to be analogue paneer, while 34 samples contained milk fat above or below the prescribed standards.

Cases have been filed before the Adjudicating Officer under Sections 51 and 52 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with penalties of up to Rs five lakh applicable in such cases.

The corporation also said 22 paneer samples were collected on Thursday and sent to the Public Health Laboratory for analysis.

It warned that any establishment found manufacturing, storing, transporting, distributing or selling analogue products, or compromising public health, could face sealing of premises, cancellation of licences and prosecution under the Food Safety and Standards Act and the Gujarat Provincial Municipal Corporations Act.

In Rajkot, the Municipal Corporation’s Health Branch inspected Fortune Milk and Food Products at Lati Plot and collected three samples comprising analogue cheese, low-fat protein paneer and Purica brand paneer.

The establishment was also issued a notice directing it to maintain hygienic conditions and proper storage practices.

The Gujarat government’s latest action follows earlier enforcement measures against analogue paneer in the state, including mandatory disclosure requirements for eateries serving analogue products, and comes a day after neighbouring Maharashtra announced a similar prohibition on analogue paneer.

–IANS

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Shillong, Aug 6 (IANS) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday said the state government is carrying out a comprehensive assessment of the recurring flash flooding in the Jorabat area along the Assam-Meghalaya border, while working closely with the Assam government to identify both immediate and long-term solutions.

Describing the issue as a matter of serious concern, Sangma said officials are examining multiple factors responsible for the repeated inundation instead of attributing it to a single cause.

“We are studying all the aspects and looking at whatever measures we can put in. There could be different reasons behind the flooding, and we want to address the problem comprehensively,” the Chief Minister said.

He pointed to the altered topography in the area as one of the major concerns, saying infrastructure development has created a bowl-like depression beneath the main flyover, making the location vulnerable to rapid water accumulation during heavy rainfall.

“There is a concern because of the bowl-like structure created due to the road construction. The level below the main flyover is quite deep, which allows water to collect quickly, leading to flooding within a short period,” Sangma said.

The Chief Minister stressed that the issue extends beyond Meghalaya’s jurisdiction and requires coordinated action with neighbouring Assam, as Jorabat is located on the inter-state boundary and serves as a key gateway connecting Guwahati with Shillong and the rest of the Northeast.

“We are all concerned about the situation. The Deputy Commissioners of both states are coordinating closely, and we hope to find both temporary and permanent solutions. This is an important issue for us,” he added.

Jorabat, situated at the foothills of the Meghalaya Plateau, receives runoff from the surrounding hills, while also acting as a drainage convergence point for stormwater flowing from the rapidly urbanising outskirts of Guwahati. The combination of natural terrain and increasing urbanisation has made the area particularly susceptible to waterlogging during the monsoon.

The recurring floods have repeatedly disrupted traffic on the busy Guwahati-Shillong National Highway, affecting thousands of commuters, transport operators, businesses and local residents on both sides of the border.

The Meghalaya government said it is evaluating engineering, hydrological and drainage-related aspects of the problem in consultation with Assam to develop a sustainable solution that can mitigate flooding and improve resilience along the crucial transport corridor.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 6 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday issued a clarion call to citizens, particularly the youth, to celebrate National Handloom Day with the same enthusiasm and spirit as Friendship Day.

The Prime Minister urged the youth to buy handloom products and share “Get Ready With Me” (GRWM) videos on social media to promote India’s rich weaving heritage.

In a two-minute Instagram reel shared on Thursday night, PM Modi recalled the historical significance of August 7, 1905, when the Swadeshi Movement was launched against British rule, laying the foundation for the idea of a self-reliant India.

“Friends, we must not forget 7 August 1905. It was on this day that the Swadeshi movement began, with people across the country joining the struggle against British rule,” he said.

Drawing a parallel with the recently celebrated Friendship Day, the Prime Minister appealed: “Just as you celebrated Friendship Day with great warmth, celebrate Handloom Day too. Celebrating Handloom Day means supporting the livelihoods of weaver families who create fabrics by hand”.

He encouraged citizens to purchase at least one handloom product and create videos showcasing their favourite handloom garments, including “Get Ready With Me” videos, using the hashtag #NationalHandloomDay.

“Every post is a tribute to the skilled artisans who preserve India’s rich cultural heritage,” PM Modi said, adding that the initiative would contribute to the vision of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat by empowering weaver families economically.

The Prime Minister noted that every handloom product carries the story of an artisan’s dedication, and choosing handloom is not merely a fashion statement but a way to support the ‘Vocal for Local’ movement.

–IANS

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Deoria (Uttar Pradesh), Aug 6 (IANS) Quality education is the foundation of a brighter future. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Uttar Pradesh government has been working towards strengthening basic education across the state. In the past few years, government schools have seen many changes in terms of infrastructure and the availability of modern educational facilities to provide better learning opportunities to the students.

This change is exemplified well by PM SHRI Composite School Sahwa, Deoria. The school has developed modern facilities including smart classrooms, advanced laboratories, and learning spaces that focus on the overall development of students. Along with academics, special attention is being given to students’ cultural and physical growth.

Students at the school expressed their happiness with the facilities available. They said that the well-equipped library and computerised labs have made learning easier, more engaging, and interactive.

The PM SHRI Composite School, Sahwa, has emerged as a trusted educational centre for children from nearly 22 villages in the surrounding area. This is evident from the increasing demand for admissions as families now have confidence in this school for their children’s education.

The school is not limited to traditional classroom learning but also provides exposure to modern educational tools through its Science Lab, ICT Lab, Astronomy Lab and Learning through Doing Lab. The facilities allow students to practically explore concepts and develop scientific thinking.

The school has also had a notable success in academics. Till now, 16 students of PM SHRI Composite School, Sahwa have been selected for the national-level INSPIRE Award and 64 students got scholarships through the NMMS examination. These successes demonstrate the benefits of better learning facilities and dedicated teaching.

Basic Education Department said many PM SHRI schools in the district have become examples of excellence with modern infrastructure and a student-friendly learning environment.

District Basic Education Officer Dr Ram Jiavan Maurya told IANS about the achievements of the PM SHRI Composite School, Sahwa. He also highlighted the progress made in government schools in Deoria, with better infrastructure, modern facilities and enhanced learning opportunities for students.

Anamika Singh, a student, said the school has good learning facilities like smart classrooms, a good library and modern laboratories that allow learners to comprehend concepts better and enhance their learning experience.

Another student, Jolly Singh, said that facilities available at the school, especially computerised labs and modern learning resources, make studies more interesting and help students to gain practical knowledge.

Parent Ranu Singh said that PM SHRI Composite School, Sahwa, has become a trusted choice for parents because of its quality education, improved facilities, and positive learning environment. Another parent, Umapati Singh, appreciated the transformation of the school and said that modern facilities and dedicated teachers are helping children receive better education close to their homes.

School principal Muhammad Gazanfar explained that the school focuses on activity-based learning through facilities such as the Science Lab, ICT Lab, Astronomy Lab, and Learning by Doing Lab to provide students with practical and innovative education.

A few years ago, primary education in Uttar Pradesh faced several challenges, but with continuous efforts under CM Yogi Adityanath’s vision, government schools have undergone a major transformation.

–IANS

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New Delhi/Aizawl, Aug 6 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted search operations at 10 residential and business premises across Assam and Delhi in connection with a money laundering probe into an organised cross-border areca nut smuggling racket, the central probe agency said on Thursday.

The searches, carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, targeted premises linked to eight accused allegedly involved in smuggling areca nuts (Burmese betel nut) from Myanmar into Mizoram and their subsequent sale and distribution through a network of purchasers and financiers based in Assam and Delhi, the probe agency said in a statement.

The ED’s Aizawl Sub-Zonal Office has conducted the search operations under the PMLA on Wednesday at 10 residential and business premises linked with Jakir Hussain, Kabir Hussain, Anjan Kumar Paul, Pinku Paul, Romi Jain, Anowar Hussain, Khalil Uddin and Dipankar Deb, located in Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj (Sribhumi) districts of southern Assam and in Delhi.

The search was conducted in connection with investigation into an organised network engaged in cross-border smuggling of Areca nuts from Myanmar into Mizoram and their onward sale and distribution to purchasers/financiers based in Assam and Delhi.

The ED initiated investigation on the basis of FIR registered by the Anti-Corruption Branch of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Imphal against unknown public servants and private persons, pursuant to directions issued by the Gauhati High Court on July 16 in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL).

The FIR/PIL alleged large-scale smuggling of Areca nuts from Myanmar into Champhai district of Mizoram, using fraudulent e-way bills and forged documents, despite owners not being GST registered.

E-way bills amounting to around Rs 86.25 crore under CGST and Rs 251.19 crore under SGST were found to have been issued during the Financial Year of 2021-22 to 2023-24, with bordering Zokhawthar in Mizoram emerging as a major transit point.

Both Champhai and Zokhawthar have huge unfenced border with Myanmar.

The statement said that the ED investigation has revealed a layered, three-tier structure used for smuggling and sale of Myanmar-origin Areca nuts.

At the first tier, Burmese suppliers handed over consignments of Areca nuts, without customs clearance, to Mizoram-based facilitators at godowns established at Champhai, near the India-Myanmar border.

These facilitators, including Lalhnemi, Zosangpuii, Zonunsanga and others arranged onward supply of the smuggled Areca nuts to a group of purchasers/financiers based in Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi districts of southern Assam.

Bank analysis has revealed that transactions in crores of rupees were conducted between the parties.

At the third tier, the Assam-based financiers further sold Areca nuts, or routed sale proceeds, to purchasers/financiers based outside the Northeast region.

Romi Jain, proprietor of M/s Ganpati Traders in Delhi, was found to have conducted huge transactions with Silchar and Mizoram-based entities involved in the illegal smuggling of Areca nuts.

Investigation has revealed that Myanmar-origin Areca nuts procured through this chain were ultimately supplied to buyers situated in Delhi, West Bengal (including Kolkata and Falakata), Nagpur and Uttar Pradesh.

Earlier, search action under the PMLA was conducted on June 4 at nine premises in Champhai in Mizoram, covering persons/entities engaged in procurement of smuggled Areca nuts from Burmese suppliers.

Financial analysis of the bank accounts covered during the said search, read together with statements recorded under the PMLA of the Mizoram-based facilitators, established a money trail leading to the persons at Silchar and Delhi.

During the course of the current search and recording of statements under the PMLA, several persons admitted to having remitted the said amounts to the Mizoram-based facilitators and entities towards purchase of Burmese-origin Areca nuts, corroborating the money trail already established during investigation.

The ED statement said that it also emerged that multiple bank accounts had been opened and operated in the names of persons other than the actual beneficial owners, apparently to route and layer the sale proceeds of the smuggled Areca nuts.

These persons paid Mizoram-based facilitators money for using their bank accounts and business permits, including GST registrations for Burmese-origin Areca nut trade.

They arranged for purchase of smuggled Areca nuts from Myanmar and sold them to purchasers all across the country through the businesses of Mizoram-based facilitators.

During the search operations, signed blank cheques, property documents and other incriminating documents relating to the money trail of the proceeds of crime, digital devices and mobile phones containing incriminating material were recovered and seized.

Further investigation is underway.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 6 (IANS) The CBI arrested four accused during raids at multiple locations in Punjab and Delhi and seized 15 laptops and digital devices from members of a gang targeting US nationals as part of an international tech-support fraud and extortion racket, an official said on Thursday.

The accused were identified as Sourabh Rana (kingpin), Indermohan Singh, ⁠Harneet Singh and ⁠Jappandeep Singh, the CBI said in a statement.

The CBI conducted raids on the intervening night of August 5 and 6 at 10 locations across Punjab and Delhi, including a fake call centre running from the premises of the main accused (kingpin) at Mohali, said the statement.

During the searches, incriminating material including more than 20 mobile phones, 15 laptops/ tablets, multiple hard disk/pen drives/ memory cards, huge amount of cash, incriminating documents and crypto wallets were seized, the CBI said.

The members of the syndicate posed online as representatives of tech companies, financial institutions, and law enforcement agencies, the CBI said.

They deployed pop‑ups on computer screens showing counterfeit Microsoft toll‑free numbers that directly connected victims to fraudulent call centres run by the syndicate, it said.

The accused would then mislead the victims into transferring money under the guise of repairing their systems. They also falsely alleged that their targets were implicated in grave offences such as child pornography, thereby coercing them into making crypto-currency ransom payments through crypto-currency ATMs, the CBI said.

The defrauded crypto-currency proceeds were then routed through multiple crypto wallets for fund transfer out of US. These proceeds of crime were later laundered through operators based in Delhi, the CBI said.

One of their victims was a Florida (US) resident who was deceived in 2022 by the fraudsters by falsely warning that her personal and financial information was compromised and that illegal material had been planted on her computer, the CBI said.

Under pressure, she deposited $4,40,000 through multiple transactions into a Bitcoin ATM. The funds were routed to a specific wallet address and subsequently transferred to accounts controlled by the accused, the CBI said.

Another New Jersey (US) resident was targeted using the same modus operandi in 2023. She was misled into believing that her computer was compromised and her banking details were being accessed by unknown entities. She was forced to deposit $1,30,000 into Bitcoin ATMs, the CBI said.

–IANS

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