After IT raids, Sonu Sood defends himself, albeit vaguely

by Argus News

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

"You don't always have to tell your side of the story. Time will," Sonu Sood said, starting philosophically and ending poetically, with a dash of patriotism.

Mumbai, Sep 20: Days after the Income Tax Department swooped down on Sonu Sood and his business associates, the Bollywood actor came out with a reaction here on Monday, devoid of any reference to the action against him.

"You don't always have to tell your side of the story. Time will," he said, starting philosophically and ending poetically, with a dash of patriotism.

In a tangential reference to the Sood Charity Foundation being targeted by the IT Department, he declared: "Every rupee in my foundation is awaiting its turn to save a precious life and reach the needy. ... In addition, on many occasions, I have encouraged brands to donate my endorsement fees for humanitarian causes too, which keeps us going."

Explaining his silence over the past days as IT sleuths conducted searches in at least 28 premises belonging to Sood and his business associates all over India, sniffing for evidence of tax evasion, the actor said: "I have been busy attending to a few guests hence was unable to be at your service for the last four days. Here I am back again in all humility. At your humble service, for life."

Giving a poetic twist to his predicament, he added: "Kar Bhalaa, Ho Bhalaa, Antt Bhale Ka Bhalaa (be good, do good, the end is always good for those who are good). My journey continues. Jai Hind."

Sood's reaction came after the IT Department pointed the needle of suspicion - without naming him - at alleged tax evasion of around Rs 20 crore by him and other questionable deals with his business partners pegged at another Rs 240 crore.

In an unusual official statement, the department's list of questionable actions on the part of the actor mentioned unutilised funds in the Sood Charity Foundation, fake contracts and circular transactions with his business partners-companies, diversion of funds through bogus accommodation entries' to evade taxes, and re-routing them back for making financial investments or buying property.
(IANS)

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UP: Yogi Adityanath's Transparent Initiatives Result In Job Opportunities For Youth

by Hemanta Pande

Lucknow, Dec 5: In a major accomplishment for Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the increased transparency in recruitments brought about in the state in recent years with the CM's initiatives, is not only ensuring the provision of employment to maximum number of youths, but also the appointment of the most deserving, meritorious and the eligible ones to vacant positions across sectors.

In this sequence, the state government held an appointment letter distribution ceremony for the second time in three days on Tuesday for the healthcare staff. The Chief Minister distributed appointment letters to a total of 278 assistant professors, 2142 staff nurses, and 48 Ayush Medical Teachers through public representatives in Lok Bhavan and other districts, read a statement from the chief minister's office.

Expressing their gratitude, newly appointed individuals attribute their success to the transparent recruitment process implemented by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The youth believe that transparency has played a crucial role in their obtaining employment and has given them an acute sense of responsibility towards the work as well.

Earlier on Sunday, CM Yogi had distributed appointment letters to 242 Assistant Boring Technicians at Lok Bhavan.
One of the new recruits Dr Ved Prakash Upadhyay expressed pride in receiving his appointment letter at Lok Bhavan, stating that CM Yogi's address inspires him to work with dedication and also pay attention to both the treatments of patients and the education of children.

Sarojini Devi, a newly appointed Staff Nurse from Barabanki, commended the complete transparency maintained in government department appointments across the state.

Dr Anjali Chaudhary, who received the appointment letter for the post of Assistant Professor in Sultanpur, thanked Prime Minister Modi and CM Yogi for the fair selection. She said that recruitment based on a fair process boosts "our confidence and inspires us to do something new every day."

Mohd. Faizan Ansari, who has been appointed as an Assistant Professor in Kanpur Dehat, praised the impartiality of the appointment process and expressed gratitude towards the Yogi government. He said, "The honest appointment process has increased our responsibility as well. We have to work hard to deliver good results."

Also Read: National News

Yet another candidate Shweta Singh, a resident of Deoria, who has been selected for Basti, said that the appointment has taken place in a completely fair and transparent manner.

"In Uttar Pradesh, eligibility is the only criterion for selection. We obtained employment only by meeting this criterion. For this, we thank the Yogi government", she added. (ANI)

Nadda Meets PM Modi, Discusses CM Probables For MP, Rajasthan & Chhattisgarh

by Hemanta Pande

New Delhi, Dec 5: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president JP Nadda on Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence here to discuss the names for the post of chief minister in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh where the saffron emerged victorious in the recently-concluded Assembly polls, a source said.

The BJP leadership has been holding discussions on the probable chief ministerial names since the results were announced on Sunday (December 3).

Senior party leaders, especially those who oversaw the election process in the three states, have met Nadda and Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday, as well as on Tuesday, to submit their feedback.

Read: BJP Will Win 400 Seats In Next Year's LS Polls: Goa CM

A source in the know of things said that Nadda is likely to share the feedback he received so far with Modi during his meeting with the Prime Minister.

The BJP retained power in Madhya Pradesh while it defeated the Congress in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh to wrest power from the grand old party.(IANS)

Odisha Tops List In Deaths Due To Accidental Fire

by Hemanta Pande

Bhubaneswar, Dec 5: Odisha continues to top the list of states registering the highest number of deaths due to accidental fire in the country.

The latest report of National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) on ‘Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India’ has revealed that 1219 persons including 906 males and 313 females died in fire accidents in the state during 2022.

Odisha recorded minor decrease in fire accident deaths in 2022 compared to 1248 deaths due to fire mishaps in 2021.

Meanwhile, Odisha also recorded 1222 fire mishaps which were highest among states in 2022. As per the report, the country witnessed as many as 7,566 cases of fire accidents during 2022.

The state accounted for 16.2 percent of the total fire mishaps occurred in the country in 2022.

As many as 446 persons including 403 males and 43 females died in 449 fire mishaps which occurred due to electric short circuit during 2022.

Also Read: Odisha Tops In Cyber Crime Cases Against Women Under IT Act: NCRB

The NCRB report also said that Odisha witnessed maximum accidental deaths due to the forces of nature such as lightning, heat or sun stroke, exposure of cold, drowning, falls, poisoning and accidental fire. The state has also recorded as many as 2445 accidental deaths due to these causes in 2022.

Similarly, Odisha with 316 deaths, held the third spot among the states with highest number of deaths due to lightning in 2022.

The NCRB report also reveals that Odisha after Maharashtra registered the maximum number of deaths due to accidental falls in 2022. The state registered 2324 deaths while Maharashtra reported 4236 persons died due to accidental fall in 2022.

After IT raids, Sonu Sood defends himself, albeit vaguely

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