New Delhi : In view of the Lok Sabha elections to be held in 2024 and the upcoming Assembly elections, the BJP in an organisational reshuffle on Tuesday, appointed new state presidents in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Punjab and Jharkhand.
BJP President J.P. Nadda has appointed former Union Minister D Purandeshwari as the new state President of Andhra Pradesh. Purandeswari, who had joined the BJP in 2014, is daughter of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) founder N. T. Rama Rao. She replaced Somu Veerraju.
Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy has been made the President of Telangana. Kishan Reddy, currently Union minister for tourism and culture, replaced Bandi Sanjay, who is also an MP.
Assembly elections in Telangana are due to be held later this year while Assembly polls in Andhra Pradesh are scheduled along with Lok Sabha elections next year.
In view of the assembly elections to be held this year in Telangana, former state minister Etela Rajendra has also been appointed as the chairman of the Election Management Committee.
Along with this, Nadda has also announced the appointment of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy as a member of the party’s national executive.
Sunil Jakhar, who switched to BJP from Congress, has been given the command of Punjab, whereas former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi has been appointed as the new president of Jharkhand.
New Delhi : Vegetables like potatoes, tomatoes, and onions are constants of most Indian meals but the recent surge in the prices of these staples has caused major disruptions to the monthly budgets of many households.
In 2016, onions brought tears to consumers’ eyes, and now it is tomatoes that have turned sour.
According to recent reports, the price of tomatoes has skyrocketed from Rs 15 per kg in the first week of May to an astonishing Rs 120-150 per kg in various regions across the country.
Wholesalers say that the price of vegetables have doubled in one week and their sales have been reduced by 40 per cent.
“I am selling tomatoes at Rs 120 per kg while bottle gourd (lauki) is being sold at Rs 60 per kg. The coriander, which we usually gave as complimentary, is now at 300 per kg. Cauliflower is at Rs 160 per kg and ginger is being sold at Rs 400 per kg, ” said Manoj Kumar, a wholesale dealer of vegetables in Delhi and Noida.
Meanwhile, the online vegetable selling apps have also witnessed rates spiking and Blinkit is selling tomatoes at Rs 150 per kg, bottle gourd at Rs 61 for 400g-600g.
“English cucumber rate has spiked to Rs 62 per 500 g–600 g. Green peas is at Rs 43 per 250 gram, ” as per Blinkit.
The recent surge in tomato prices has been attributed to the impact of heavy rainfall on the supply chain. Vegetable vendors and wholesalers are pointing towards the rains as the primary cause behind the disruption in tomato supply, leading to a significant increase in retail prices of this crucial kitchen staple.
The abundant rainfall is likely to have adversely affected the cultivation, transportation, and overall availability of tomatoes, resulting in scarcity and a subsequent rise in prices in the retail markets.
“Customers are feeling the strain of these soaring prices, with many forced to cut back on their vegetable purchases in an attempt to manage their budgets effectively. In the national capital, the sharp increase in tomato prices can be attributed to the limited supply from states like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, ” said Suresh, another wholesale dealer.
“The tomato stock is limited in mandis and we are also buying limited stock as the sale has gone down. We hope the prices will come down soon, ” said Anil, a vegetable seller at Laxmi Nagar.
New Delhi- Delhi Urban Development Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj on Tuesday wrote to Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena, requesting him to withdraw his order to demolish the Hanuman Temple in Chhawla in South-West district.
Bhardwaj stated that AAP MLA Gulab Singh had informed him about the order issued by the L-G to demolish the Hanuman Temple located in Singh’s constituency.
Bhardwaj said the local residents are both angry and anxious about the matter.
“Today, while inspecting a drain in the Najafgarh area, my party MLA (Singh) took me to the Chhawla Hanuman Temple. Many people had also gathered there. The locals informed me that the temple was built after numerous road accidents occurred in the area. They believe that no major accidents took place there after the temple was established, ” Bhardwaj said.
Bhardwaj also claimed that the temple does not affect traffic movement since it was constructed in a specific corner. “The Delhi government has also constructed a flyover in the area to ensure smooth traffic flow. Demolishing the temple just before the opening of the new bridge will be a bad omen and a significant insult to the faith of the locals, ” Bhardwaj said.
New Delhi-The Delhi High Court on Monday denied bail to former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s bail plea in the 2021-22 excise policy case being probed by the Enforcement Directorate.
A bench of Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma said that Sisodia was not able to meet the twin conditions for grant of bail under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), and the triple test for grant of bail.
High Court observed that the order of the special judge M K Nagpal of Rouse Avenue Court denying bail to Sisodia was well reasoned and does not hold any illegality or infirmity.
“Learned Special Judge has passed a reasoned order on the basis of the material available on record. This court has also rejected the bail application of the accused… titled as Manish Sisodia v. CBI dated May 30, 2023, ” Justice Sharma said.
The probe agency had arrested Sisodia on March 9, after CBI had arrested him on February 26.
Justice Sharma also denied bail to co-accused persons Hyderabad businessman Abhishek Boinpally, AAP’s communications incharge Vijay Nair and General Manager of Pernod Ricard India Benoy Babu.
The court said that the allegations against Nair are serious, he was a close associate Sisodia and that there is no infirmity in the trial court order which rejected his bail plea, too.
Sisodia was denied bail by the high court in the CBI case also on observing that the allegations are very serious.
The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has upheld the acquittal of Border Security Force (BSF) personnel who were charged in the case of an Army patrol firing incident during the Kargil War, LiveLaw reported.
A bench of Justices Sanjay Dhar and Rajesh Sekhri noted that there was no evidence to establish that the accused had deliberately fired upon the Army patrol party. The defendants had been acquitted by the Sessions Court of charges under Sections 302/307/34 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC).
The incident in question occurred on the night of July 16 and July 17, 1999, when a BSF bunker allegedly fired upon an Army patrol party led by Lieutenant Sanjiv Dahiya. Three soldiers were killed, and another was severely injured.
Initially considered an accidental death, the situation changed when the injured soldier, Sepoy Keshav Singh, revealed that the BSF personnel had opened fire after the patrol party attempted to signal them using a flashlight.
Based on Sepoy Singh’s statement, a First Information Report (FIR) was filed, and an investigation ensued. The prosecution presented its case, highlighting the alleged deliberate actions of the BSF personnel and the absence of evidence suggesting a threat to the BSF bunker. They also presented reports indicating that the bullets recovered from the deceased soldiers matched the weapons issued to the accused.
In their defense, the defendants argued that the prosecution’s case relied on indirect evidence and failed to establish a motive for the alleged attack. They claimed that witness testimonies were inconsistent and contradictory.
After reviewing the evidence, the trial court concluded that the defendants’ involvement was based only on suspicion and subsequently acquitted them. The State of Jammu and Kashmir appealed the acquittal, arguing that it was a miscarriage of justice.
The High Court, upon careful examination of the evidence, found discrepancies in the testimonies and inconsistencies in the statements of witnesses, including Sepoy Keshav Singh. The court noted that the lack of corroboration and medical evidence weakened the prosecution’s case. Additionally, it emphasized that coordination issues between the Indian Army and the BSF, amidst the breakout of the Kargil War, contributed to the unfortunate incident.
The High Court ultimately dismissed the appeal, stating that suspicion alone cannot replace legal proof, and conviction cannot be sustained based on surmises and conjectures.
New Delhi- Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Monday said that BJP’s operation in Mumbai has strengthened the opposition resolve.
“Yesterday, when the BJP washing Machine restarted in Mumbai with its Income Tax, CBI, ED (ICE) detergent, BJP-inspired obituaries on Opposition unity were being planted. The obit writers will be disappointed, ” Ramesh said.
He said that the next meeting of the opposition parties — which met in Patna on June 23 — will be held in Bengaluru on July 17 and 18. “If anything the Mumbai operations have strengthened opposition’s resolve, ” Ramesh said.
His remarks came after Congress General Secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal announced that second meeting of opposition parties will be held in Bengaluru on July 17 and 18.
The second meeting of the opposition parties comes two days prior to crucial Parliament’s Monsoon Session that will begin on July 20 and will continue till August 11.
The Opposition meeting was initially supposed to take place in Shimla. However, on Thursday (June 29), NCP Supremo Sharad Pawar said that the venue has been shifted to Bengaluru.
The fresh dates of the second meeting of the Opposition parties comes a day after a split in the Nationalist Congress Party’ (NCP) following Sharad Pawar’s nephew Ajit Pawar’s rebellion and alliance with the BJP-Eknath Shinde government in Maharashtra.
He took oath as Deputy Chief Minister along with eight more party MLAs in the state government and claimed stake as the real NCP.
Meanwhile, AAP and Congress continue to remain at loggerheads over Congress not clearing its stand on Centre’s ordinance row.
A day after the dust of the Maharashtra political quake hovers in the air, the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi got into a war-mode with Shiv Sena (UBT) MP and Chief Spokesperson Sanjay Raut predicting that the state will soon get a new Chief Minister, here on Monday.
Speaking to mediapersons, Raut said that the Shiv Sena CM Eknath Shinde’s days are numbered and even its ally BJP has perceived this.
“At best, he is a ‘temporary guest’ (‘kuchh dinon ka mehmaan’). The Speaker’s verdict on the disqualification of 16 MLAs including Shinde has to come soon. The BJP has realised that Shinde has outlived his utility and the NCP split is to safeguard their position later, ” said Raut.
The Sena (UBT) leader added that Ajit Pawar has become Deputy CM for a record 5th time, “but his target is higher, the post of CM”.
“After the Speaker’s verdict, there will be a change of guard in the state and Ajit Pawar’s deal is for the top post. The state will get a new CM soon, ” Raut reiterated.
He added how the BJP has been rattled by its May rout in Karnataka and all recent surveys indicating an even worse debacle for it in Maharashtra whenever the elections are held here.
“All this is being done to salvage their position in the state. First they broke the Shiv Sena and now they have split the NCP, but the people of the state are watching all this and will not spare them, ” he declared.
Pulling the government’s ears, Raut lamented that Sunday (July 2), the bodies of the 25 (out of 26) victims of the Buldhana bus tragedy on early Saturday, who hailed from different parts of the state, were being given a mass cremation in Buldhana.
“As their pyres burnt, in Mumbai there was rejoicing, handshakes and hugs in Raj Bhavan where the new Deputy CM and Ministers were sworn-in… This was improper, they should have at least waited for the cremation fires to extinguish before their celebrations, ” said Raut.
Touts help people with illicit cash in exchanging the now withdrawn currency notes of Rs 2,000 with lower denomination tenders, purportedly in connivance with bank staff. A report by Tehelka SIT
“I got exchanged currency notes of Rs 2000 worth Rs 2 crore with lower denomination tenders within 24 hours of the RBI announcing its decision to withdraw high-value banknotes from the banking system. Of course, all this was black money. During this time, I have come across people who have their rooms filled with illicit cash — all Rs 2000 notes. Trust me, I will get all your Rs 2000 notes worth Rs 10 lakh swapped with other denominations on the same day, but you will have to pay me 15 percent as commission”. This is Surendra Bhati, a member of the cash mafia — which has sprung to life following the RBI decision to withdraw Rs 2K notes from circulation — for you. Surendra Bhati, a resident of Greater Noida, who runs transport business, further told Tehelka that during 2016 demonetization also, he had helped people in getting rid of the banned notes. This is the second time that the cash mafia has become active. It may be mentioned that post 2016 demonetization too, the CBI and the ED had arrested several people, including some bank officials, for illegal exchange of revoked currency.
For someone involved in the illegal business of assisting people with undisclosed money in getting rid of their high-value currency notes, Surendra Bhati comes across as a very ordinary looking person. He behaves affably with those approaching him for currency exchange to gain their confidence. To allay misgivings, if any, about his identity, Bhati would show them identity documents like Aadhaar card, Pan Card, Voter I-card and his driving license. He even encourages the clients to visit his home in Greater Noida and meet his parents. All this is done to allay any apprehension of those who would entrust him with large amounts of cash. He tells clients that as he is an ordinary person with a family to feed, he can never run away with their cash.
Bhati has a group of people working for him. His two associates, Rajesh Kumar and Harish bring clients, who are willing to pay five per cent commission while exchanging their Rs 2000 notes with lower denomination currency.
Tehelka carried out this investigation after the RBI decided to withdraw Rs 2000 denomination banknotes from system in pursuance of its ‘clean note policy’, and advised the public to deposit the withdrawn notes in their bank account or exchange them for other denominations in the period between May 23 and September 30, 2023.
During the investigation, we first met Rajesh Kumar, who promises people that he would get their Rs 2000 banknotes swapped with other denominations in no time. We gave Rajesh a fictitious deal that we have Rs 10 lakh in cash comprising only Rs 2000 notes, and we want to exchange these with currency notes of other denominations.
Reporter- Accha 10 lakh se agar zyada ho 2000 ke note?
Rajesh- 30 crore tak keh diye hain mainey.
Reporter- Hain?
Rajesh- Agle bande ko maine kaha hai agar 30 crore tak aa jaye to kya usko change karega..kehta hai haan kar dunga…
Reporter- 2000 ke 30 crore?
Rajesh- Haan wo hi kaha hai maine, bas usmein samay lagta hai, mainey usko keh diya hai ek mahiney tak ka samay de dunga, wo keh raha tha ek month to nahi, wahan jakar hi pata chalega kitna time lagega…maine kaha theek hai
[While agreeing to our request, Rajesh boasted that he can even manage an exchange up to Rs 32 crore of Rs 2000 currency notes]
While keeping Rajesh’s Rs 32 crore deal offer aside, we asked him whether he can get our cash of Rs 10 lakh in Rs 2000 notes exchanged from a bank. Rajesh assured us that he would get the job done. He said that the exchanged money can be transferred to our bank account or put in fixed deposits, or can even be given in cash.
Reporter – Ye batao 2000 ke note band ho gaye hain, 30 September tak badle jaa saktey hain..to 2000 ke note pade hain. kisi ke pass.. 10 lakh badalwa do?
Rajesh- Ho jayega.. kaise badalwao gey?
Reporter- Aap batao ?
Rajesh- Dekhiye 24 ghantey ka time chahiye kam se kam, 2 din lag jatey hain.. uske baad account mein dale jayenge ya phir FD kiya jayega ya cash diya jayega.
[Rajesh assured us that he would get Rs 10-lakh cash of Rs 2000 notes exchanged from the bank in 24 hours.]
When asked to spell out how our Rs 2K notes would be exchanged, Rajesh said that he would take Rs 10 lakh cash in two tranches of Rs 5 lakh each. Two days after we hand over the cash, we can get our money back in our account or through FD, or in cash of lower denomination notes.
Reporter- Rajesh bhai kaam kaisey hoga mujhe tareeke se batao ?
Reporter- Accha 5 pehle jayenge, 5 baad mein.. total 10 lakh hain unke pass.
Rajesh- Ji haan…ho sakta hai 10 lakh ek saath bhi chaley jaye.
Reporter- 10 lakh ek hi baar mein badal jayen.
Rajesh- Haan magar usmein lagega aapko 2 din ka time..
Reporter- Theek hai.
Rajesh- 2 din ke baad aap FD karogey to FD, ya paise kaho to paise..jaisa aap kaho
Reporter- Cash dilwa do.?
Rajesh- Theek hai.
[Rajesh told us that cash of 10 lakh would be exchanged in two days. He gave us the options of having the money deposited in bank or getting it in cash. We opted for the latter option. ]
When asked whether he had exchanged Rs 2000 notes before, Rajesh said that he is not directly involved in this note exchange business, but his friend, who has tie-up with a bank manager, organizes the exchange of withdrawn notes.
Reporter- Dekho pehle ye batao tumne karaya hai abhi tak?
Rajesh- Mainey nahi karaya mera ek dost hai, usne karaya hai, uska manager se direct connection hai
Reporter- Kaunsi bank se?
Rajesh- Abhi pata laga leta hoon?
[ Rajesh discloses that it is his friend who is hands on organizer of entire exchange process]
After making a call to his friend, Rejesh told us that his friend had advised that we should first get Rs 2 lakh exchanged instead of full Rs 10 lakh. This, he said, would help in building confidence. The remaining Rs 8 lakh can be exchanged within a few days of the first exchange.
Reporter- Batao Rajesh kya keh rahe hain ?
Rajesh- Wo ye keh rahe hain, pehle aapko dene padege 2 lakh, wo jama kar denge hum..aapko 24 ghantey mein aa jayengey aapke pass theek hai…aapko bhi vishwas ho jayega, hame bhi.
Reporter- Cash aa jayega?
Rajesh- 500 ka cash le lo, account mein dalwa lo ya FD karwa lo…uske hisaab se phir vishwas bhi ho jayega.. phir jitna karwana chaho karwa lena..
Reporter- Accha jaise 2 lakh hamare ho gaye.. bache 8 lakh.. wo kitne din mein ho jayenge?
Rajesh- Wahi hai 2-3 days..
Reporter- Hafta maan ke chalo poora ho jayega
Rajesh- Haan exchange ek haftey tak ho jayega
Reporter- Kis bank se?
Rajesh- Wo abhi nahi pata.
[ Following his friend’s advice, Rajesh told us to give only Rs 2 lakh for exchange in the first instance. This will make us more reassured before parting with the remaining Rs 8 lakh, he explained.]
In order to ensure that there is no trust deficit, Rajesh told us that he was going to introduce us to his friend. Rajesh told us to see all his identity proofs, like Aadhaar, pan card, driving license, his residence etc before closing the deal. Checking the identity of the person whom you are going to entrust with your cash is of paramount importance, he insisted.
Rajesh- Wo keh rahe mein apna ID dikhaonga, ghar makaan dikhaonga, aadhar dikhaonga, gadi jo chal rahi hain meri uska licence dikhaonga, aur wo kya kehtey hain RC wo bhi aapko check karwaonga
Reporter-Meri RC ?
Rajesh- Nahi-nahi aapka to maal hai, wo apna is liye dikhyenge, pata chale ye banda fraud hai ya nahi.. wo keh raha hai, aap mere gaon bhi pahuchna, mere ghar walon se aur aas pass bhi mere bare mein poochna, k bhaiya ye yahin rehta hai ya kahin aur.?
Reporter- Wo apni keh rahe hain?
Rajesh- Haan ke bhaiya mein fraud to nahi hoon na, wo apni keh rahe hain..
Reporter- Sahi baat hai bhai hamara to paisa jayega, aadmi paisa lekar bhag jaye..?
Rajesh- Aapne diya ekattha wo gayab ho jaye..kya karoge, kahan dhoondoge ?
Reporter- 10 lakh lekar bhag gaya.?
Rajesh- Ab suppose mein hi hoon.. mainey aapse le liya 2 lakh , aur nikal liya yahan se, mainey to koi proof nahi diya na aapko.
Reporter- Aap kiraye par rehtey ho waise bhi.
Rajesh- Haan uska to ghar makaan sab kuch hai.
[ Rajesh told us we can make every enquiry we consider necessary about his friend as, after all, cash worth Rs 10 lakh is involved in the deal.]
After this, Rajesh fixed our meeting with his friend, Surendra Bhati at around 1 p.m. He reassured us that the person involved in this note exchange business is his friend and we need not worry about anything.
Reporter- Haan rajesh ye batao ye aajayenge ek baje, tum bhi rahoge meeting mein, kaam ho jayega ye guarantee hai ?
Rajesh- Guarantee hai..agla proof de raha hai apna.
Reporter- Aur isne badalwaye bhi hain?
Rajesh- Haan.
[Rajesh fixed our meeting with his friend Surendra Bhati and assured us that our work will be done.]
Rajesh told us that he had another client who wanted to exchange Rs 5 lakh cash in Rs 2000 banknotes.
Rajesh- Ek aur banda hai mera.. uske bhi change karwane hai..
Reporter- Kitney, 5 lakh hai 2000 ke note, uske bhi badalwane hain, baat hui aapse?
Rajesh- Haan, meri baat hui hai, usne 2-3 din ka time diya hai
Reporter- Kahan ka hai wo ?
Rajesh- Filhaal yaha ka hi hai.
[Rajesh claimed that another client has approached him to for conversion of Rs 2K notes worth Rs 5 lakh, but he can wait for 2-3 days.]
Rajesh now told us that he will charge 5 percent as his commission for the work.
Reporter- Tumhara kya hoga usmein?
Rajesh- Dekho ji mujhe bhi kuch chahiye, aapse milne aaye hain…wo bhi lega.
Reporter- Kitna chahiye?
Rajesh- Aapki khushi se, aapki khushi rahey..
Reporter- Phir bhi aapne kuch socha to hoga haan bhai mein itne lunga?
Rajseh- Socha to maine ye tha ki 5% percent lunga?
Reporter- Jo bhi total amount hoga uska 5%?
Rajesh- Ji …baki aapke uper hai…
[Rajesh demanded 5 percent cut for the job though he left the matter to our discretion]
Rajesh now introduced us to Surendra Bhati, his friend about whom Rajesh had been talking to us. We told Surendra Bhati that we have Rs 10-lakh cash in Rs 2000 notes, and want to exchange it with other denominations.
Reporter-Haan batao bhai Surendra Bhati..
Bhati- Haan bhai batao.. pehle to aap ye batao kitna hai..?
Reporter- 10 lakh rupees, 2000 ke note hain..
Bhati- Bas.?
[For some reason, Bhati expressed his surprise at the proposition saying that he was expecting a bigger amount from us for exchange.]
Bhati told us that we will get the exchanged money for our Rs 10-lakh cash of Rs 2000 notes the same day. It will either be transferred to our bank account or will be given in cash.
Bhati –Same day mil jayega…same day de dengey han.han
Reporter- Same day, 10 lakh rupees, 2000 ke note ?
Bhati- Same day han..han..account mein daal denge…aur batao?
Reporter- Bahut acchi baat hai ye to…
Reporter- Matlab hamarey account mein direct ya cash dogey..?
Bhati- Agar aap cash kaho to cash bhi de denge..
Reporter-Cash bhi mil jayega.?
Bhati- Agar cash chahiye to cash… account mein kahogey to account mein dal jayega.
Reporter- Aur note kaun kaun se hongey..500 ke ?
Bhati- Haan.. 500 key.
[Bhati said that he will get cash worth Rs 10 lakh of 2000-rupeee notes exchanged with Rs 500 notes on the same day.]
However Bhati, later, explained, that it all depended on the availability of Rs 500 notes in the bank on particular day. If notes are available, then we will get our exchanged amount on the same day. Otherwise bank manager will ask us to wait for a day.
Reporter- Kyunki unka hai black money.
Bhati- Dekho mein aapko batata hoon agar..bank mein hua 500 ka note to same day de dunga usey…agar ek percent bank manager bola ki aapko kal dunga to mein aapko doosre din dunga.
Reporter- Koi baat nahi..
[ Bhati says whether we get the amount on the same day or on the subsequent day depended on the availability of Rs 500 notes in the bank.]
We told Bhati that RBI has fixed Rs 20,000 as a limit to exchange Rs 2000 notes at a time. To this, Bhati said that since he had a tie-up with the manager of a government bank, we should not worry about the amount of money to be exchanged.
Reporter- Kyunki limit jo hai ek din ki note badalney ki 20,000 hai..unko aa rahi thi dikkat.
Bhati- Yahan to bhai bank manager se vaasta hai…aisa nahi hai ke ussey baat karni hai ussey baat karni…yahan to bhaiya kaam hi hai..pehle apna jo kaam personal.. jo kaam uskey baad ye hi hai..
Reporter- Bank jaan sakta hoon sir…branch nahi pooch raha.?
Bhati- XXXXX bank
Reporter- Sarkari bank hai.?
Bhati- Haan bhai koi dikkat nahi hai…
[ Bhati told us that as he has a direct link with the manager of a government bank so we need not worry about whether our money is going to be exchanged or not.]
When we expressed our anxiety over cash of Rs 10 lakh to be handed over for exchange, Bhati, in order to allay our fears, asked us to check his whereabouts before going into the deal. He suggested that we should see his house, meet his parents, check whether he lives on the given address or not. He then went on to show all his identity proofs like his Aadhaar card, pan card, voter I-card, driving license etc to gain our confidence.
Reporter- Bhati ji ye batao…paise ki kya guarantee hai paisa safe hai hamara 10 lakh rupees.?
Bhati- Bade bhai.. pehle to ye hai….aap pehle mera ghar dekh lo, 10 logon se pehle ye pehchaan karo ke, pata karo ye isi ka ghar hai ya kiraye ka…ghar jakar aapko ye bhi pata padh jayega ke ye Surendra key mata pita hai ya nahi hain….
Reporter- Dekho ji, Rajesh ji ke through miley ho aap.. to hamey to poora bharosa hai…
Bhati- Pehchaan patra,
Reporter- PAN card hai ye to aapka..
Bhati-Pan card, aadhar card, pehchaan patra
Reporter- Arey itna mat dikhao, aadhar card hi bahut hai..
Bhati- Ye licence
Reporter- Accha gadi bhi hai… sarey documents de diye aapney.
[We told Bhati that since we had met him through Rajesh, so we trusted him.]
Bhati told Tehelka reporter that he had exchanged an amount of Rs 2 crore of Rs 2000 notes recently. He further claimed that he had seen rooms filled with illicit cash in the form of Rs 2000 notes in some homes during these days.
Reporter- Aur abhi 2000 ke note change karwa chukey ho aap isi 2023 mein..?
Bhati- Bhai mein aapse keh raha hoon ki aapke pass kuch nahi hai..mainey aisey aisey log dekh rakhey hain jinke kamre ke kamre bhare pade hain…
Reporter- 2000 ke noto key ?
Bhati-Haan.
[ Bhati told us that the amount of cash we were giving for exchange was no big deal as he had recently exchanged cash worth Rs 2 crore in Rs 2000 notes.]
Bhati claimed that he can even manage a currency exchange in a day up to Rs 2 crore in Rs 2000 notes, depending on the availability of the cash in the bank.
Reporter- To kitna tak badal jayega, ye to mainey 10 lakh bataya.. aagey agar note kisi ke aatey hain to kitney tak ka badalwa dogey aap bank se…same day ?
Bhati- Do crore… 24 ghantey mein.. aaj subah aap 10 baje paisey de do…kal subah bank khultey hi paisey de dunga..
Reporter- 2 Crore ?
Bhati- Haan…
Bhati- Kyunki jo bank manager order karta hai wo aagey ke liye karta hai..ki mujhe itna cash chahiye.. theek hai na…agar aap ye kaho ki mujhe saath k saath hi chahiye..agar bank mein itna cash hai, to cash mil sakta hai..agar bank mein cash nahi hai to cash nahi mil sakta..
Bhati- Kyunki aagey k liye bank manager ko order dena padta hai..k aagey k liye mujhe note chahiye..
Reporter- matlab aap 2 crore tak ke 2000 k note badalwa dogey..?
Bhati- Haan…
[Bhati claimed that in 24 hours, he can get Rs 2 crore in Rs 2000 notes exchanged from the bank, depending on the availability of cash in the bank ]
Now, Bhati tells how much he would charge for his services. He demanded 15 percent commission for the note exchange. He claimed that all of them, including the bank manager, cashier and the man in charge of the van which brings cash to the bank will share the spoils.
Bhati- Main bataon bhai ismein commission kiska hota hai…bank manager ka hota hai, cashier ka hota hai…aur jo gadi jo lekar aati hai uska bhi hota hai…
Reporter- Gadi jo bank mein paisa lati hai.. wo kyun leta hai bhai ?…
Bhati- Wo isliye leta hai, kyunki bank ki koi shakha to hai nahi, koi yahan hai…koi wahan…wo kehta hua aata hai ki aaj aapka cash itna hi ho payega…to wo isliye leta hai…
Reporter- Accha 15% mein sabko batega?
Bhati- Haan bhai sabko batega..
Reporter- Ismein aapka manager ka kitna hoga?
Bhati- Bhai main manager ko kitna dunga, is cheez par mat jao yaar
Reporter- Accha aapko 15% chahiye…15% kitna ho gaya hamara?
Bhati- Aap hi hisab laga lo, pade likhe ho.
Reporter- Hain….1.5 lakh ho gaya, to ye dedh lahk aapko advance chahiye hoga ya kaam honey k baad.?.
Bhati- Kaam honey ke baad
Reporter- Idhar hum aapko 10 lakh denge, agle din aap ya same day aap humko cash de dogey 10 lakh ka..?
Bhati- Haan
Reporter- 500 ke note,,, 500 ke note nahi hue to aap keh rahe ho agle din ho jayega ?
Bhati- Haan..
Reporter- Agle din bhi jo milega wo 500 k note hi hongey na?
Bhati- Haan 500 ka hi milega.
Reporter- Issey neeche ka to nahi milega..?
Bhati- Nahi..
[ Bhati gave a short shrift to our query as to what will be the exact share of each of stakeholders in this note exchange deal.]
Bhati tells us that we will have to collect the exchanged cash from him at the location to be given by him later. But there was a caveat: after we leave his place with the money, he will not responsible for anything concerning the cash.
Reporter- Accha jo aap humko 10 lakh cash dogey wo hum kahan se collect karengey, bank se ?
Bhati- Main dunga..
Reporter- Ghar se ya kahan se ?
Bhati – Main aapko apni location de dunga..ke aapko yahan aana hoga…aap aao..jab tak paise mere haath mein hain,paison ko dus baar gino, 10 baar gino, 10 baar… paise mere haath se aapke pass jayengey uske baad aap kaho ye note asli hai, nakli hai…uski meri koi zimmedari nahi hai.
[ Bhati told us we can count the cash for any number of times before leaving his place. But once we leave his place, his responsibility with regard to the cash will be over.]
When asked who will collect the cash from us and drop it to the bank for exchange, Bhati said he himself will collect the cash from us and drop it to the bank.
Reporter- Accha cash hamse lekar kaun jayega..?
Bhati- Bhai mein hi lekar jaunga.. aur kaun lekar jayega..?
Reporter- Ya hum bank mein pahucha de..?
Bhati- Nahi sir nahi nahi..
Reporter- Bank mein nahi..
[ Bhati replied in negative when we asked him whether we ourselves can drop the cash at the bank.]
Meanwhile, Bhati also assured us that we will not face any harassment from police while carrying cash in the area where he operates. However, the responsibility of safely carrying the cash after we leave the area would lie with us, he clarified.
Bhati – Aisa hai mein aapko batata hoon, suno jaisey hum 5 log hain, hum aapas mein apna imandari se kaam kar rahe hain, ke hamara kaam hona chahiye…lekin hamey 6 bande ki ye nahi pata k uske mann mein kya hai…aap jano mujhe…agle bande ko mein jaanta hoon, is baat ki mujhe nahi pata aap cash kahan se laye ho…jo aapki taraf se police system hoga wo aap jano, mujh tak baat nahi aani chahiye, jo meri hogi wo main jaanu..
Reporter- Yani police aur thane ki zimmedari aap le rahe ho.. aap apne elakey ki..?
Bhati- Haan
Reporter- Aur hamarey area ki hamari…?
Bhati- Haan Aapki
[ For the smooth exchange of Rs 2000 notes, Bhati asked us to take care of the police of our area, while he will take care of the police of his area]
Before closing the deal, we once again broached the issue of safety of our money. To buttress his argument, Bhati said that post 2016 demonetization also, when people had approached him to get rid of the banned notes, he had assured them that the job would be done but they would have to put their faith in me.
Bhati- Bhai mainey jis time notebandi hui thi, us time mainey 50-50 rupai change karwaye they, 50—50 , haan lekin us samay bhi maine ye kahi ki aap mujhe jaantey ho, doosre bande ko nahi jaantey, aap paisey mujhe do, jis din mein time doon, mere ghar aao, le jao apna paisa, le jao, mein aapko nahi jaanta na tum mujhe jaantey.
[ Bhati said that post 2016 demonetization also he could help people in managing the banned notes only because they had placed faith in him]
After Rajesh and Surendra, Tehelka reporters now met Harish, a driver by profession. Harish said that his boss, whose car he drives, is into note exchange business and he could help us in converting our cash worth Rs 10 lakh of Rs 2000 notes into tenders of lower denominations. He immediately called his boss. After he hung up his phone, he told us that the deal is on, and his boss will charge 5 percent commission for the service.
Reporter- Kis se baat hui aapki ?
Harish- Boss se.
Reporter- Boss se jinki gadi chalatey ho.?
Harish- Maine sir se baat ki thi.
Reporter- 2000 k note ,10 lakh ke, kya bole wo?
Harish- Badalwa denge
Reporter- kitne din mein ?
Harish- Ek din.
Reporter- Wo kitna bata rahe hain commission?
Harish – Itna hi bata rahe hain ..5%.
Reporter- 5%.
[Harish after talking to his boss told us that his boss can help us in exchange of high-value banknotes.]
Post 2016 demonetization exercise, Central Bureau of Investigation [CBI] and Enforcement Directorate [ED] arrested several people, including some bank officials for illegally exchanging the banned currency and indulging in money laundering. In 2023, six years after demonetization drive, when RBI has decided to withdraw the Rs 2000 denomination banknotes from circulation, and has given people of nearly a 4-month window — from May 23 to September 30 —to deposit these notes in their bank accounts or exchange them for lower denomination tenders of , the cash mafia is back in the business.
Tehelka investigation has exposed three such persons who are ready to help people in getting rid of high-value banknotes of Rs 2000 — that too in a day or two. They demanded commission ranging from 5 percent to 15 percent for their dubious service. We found during the investigation, that touts promise note exchange up to Rs 2 crore in just 24 hours, while according to the RBI guidelines, one can exchange only 10 notes at a time. They also claimed that till date, after the RBI announced the withdrawal of Rs 2000 notes, they had already converted Rs 2 crore of high-valued notes into currency of other denominations.
Amritsar, July 1 – Aam Admi Party Member Rajya Sabha Raghav Chadha and her fiancé Parineeti Chopra who is Bollywood actor paid obeisance in the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) here today.
This is their visit after the pre-wedding function (engagement ceremony) that was held in the month of May in the Kapurthala house in New Delhi attended by the top leadership of AAP.
Before paying obeisance, both Chadha and Chopra performed Sewa in the LANGAR (Community kitchen) of the Sri Harmandir Sahib where they washed utensils of visiting devotees. Earlier they arrived in the Sri Harmandir Sahib amidst tight security of Punjab police which remained present in the marbled periphery of the Harmadhar Sahib with them.
The Cover Story by Tehelka’s Special Investigation Team this fortnight, ‘Cash Mafia is Back’, finds that after the RBI announced its decision on May 19, 2023 to withdraw Rs 2000 notes from circulation, touts have once again become active in getting withdrawn currency notes of Rs 2,000 exchanged with lower denomination tenders.
Indeed the RBI’s move to withdraw Rs 2000 notes from circulation was a stark reminder of the ghosts of demonetisation to those who had stacked huge currency of this denomination. The central bank justified the move by stating that the banknote was introduced to meet the currency requirement after Rs 500 and Rs 1000 banknotes were withdrawn in November 2016, and that by now it had fulfilled its objective. It also cited its ‘Clean Note Policy’ to contend that these notes were nearing the end of their estimated life span.
However, for some it hit the panic button and a reminder of the horrors of a “nation in the queue”. The note was also an object of ridicule, particularly due to bizarre claims at the time of its introduction, of a nano chip implanted in these. Finding opportunity in adversity, the touts have once again become active. As of March 2023, the share of Rs 2,000 notes in the total value of banknotes in circulation was 10.8%. Little doubt, the RBI announcement, coming just over six-and-a-half years since the 2016 demonetisation when bank notes worth Rs 15.41 lakh crore were scrapped, triggered a sense of déjà vu. To add to it, exchange of Rs 2,000 bank notes was limited to Rs 20,000 at banks at a time and Rs 4,000 per day in remote locations.
Tehelka’s SIT recorded on hidden camera touts boasting that they can exchange these notes in a jiffy. One tout claimed, “I got exchanged currency notes of Rs 2,000 worth Rs 2 crore with lower denomination tenders within 24 hours of the RBI announcement. Of course, all this was black money. During this time, I have come across people who have their rooms filled with illicit cash — all Rs 2000 notes”.
The tout told the reporter who went as a decoy customer, “Trust me, I will get all your Rs 2000 notes swapped with other denominations on the same day, but you will have to pay me 15 percent as commission”. The Greater Noida based man, who runs transport business, told that during 2016 demonetization too his exchange business had flourished. Another tout who was offered a fictitious deal agreed to exchange notes claiming in chaste Hindi “30 crore tak keh diye hain mainey”.
Post 2016 demonetization, the CBI and the ED had arrested several people, including some bank officials, for illegal exchange of revoked currency and indulging in money laundering. The re-emergence of cash mafias calls for a repeat action!
