The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has transferred a corruption complaint related to Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), observing that the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) failed to conduct a proper probe.

The order was passed on a public interest litigation filed by Madurai-based Venkatesan. He alleged that Gomathi, who joined MKU as a junior assistant in 2013, later rose to become a superintendent with the support of certain university officials.

The petitioner levelled several allegations, including illegal issuance of certificates, leaking of university documents, and acceptance of bribes in matters relating to research and affiliations. He also claimed that despite these complaints, the university administration merely transferred her instead of initiating strict action.

Venkatesan further alleged that Gomathi had purchased a house in Vandiyur and extended loans exceeding ₹2 crore to employees, which he said violated government service rules.

He told the Court that his complaint to the DVAC last year yielded no response. An RTI reply later revealed that the complaint had simply been forwarded to MKU. Subsequently, in January, the university registrar reportedly closed the complaint citing lack of prima facie material.

A division bench comprising Justices G Jayachandran and KK Ramakrishnan observed that vigilance authorities had acted merely like a “post office” by forwarding the complaint without conducting an independent inquiry. The judges stressed that corruption in universities is unacceptable and can adversely affect future generations.

Holding that a transfer becomes necessary when an investigative agency fails to perform its duty properly, the Court ordered that the case be handed over to the CBI and disposed of the petition.

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The post ‘Corruption In Universities Unacceptable’: Madras High Court Transfers Madurai Kamaraj Univ Corruption Case To CBI appeared first on The Commune.

Fresh developments in the Karur stampede case indicate that actor-politician Vijay may be named in the charge sheet, based on the findings of the ongoing Central Bureau of Investigation probe. While Vijay’s name does not figure in the original FIR, reports say the CBI is actively considering his inclusion following detailed questioning and a comparison of his statements with those of other witnesses.

During the latest round of interrogation, CBI officials reportedly confronted Vijay with a series of pointed questions that go to the heart of responsibility and decision-making on the day of the tragedy. Investigators asked why he arrived late at the venue, whether he was aware that disturbances and crowding were already unfolding below, and what concrete steps he took to avert danger. He was also questioned on why his vehicle was driven into the venue despite an overwhelming crowd, when he first realised there was a stampede risk, whether he knew trouble was brewing below the stage, and why he proceeded inside despite police advising against it.

Reports said the agency made it clear that Vijay’s answers to these questions would be crucial in determining whether his name is included in the charge sheet. The CBI is reportedly cross verifying his responses with statements earlier recorded from other party functionaries, looking for contradictions and inconsistencies.

Vijay was earlier questioned last week for nearly seven hours at the CBI headquarters in New Delhi as part of the investigation. During that session, he was reportedly given around 100 questions, initially in a checklist format, followed by a detailed cross-examination conducted in English. After a break for meals, the cross-examination resumed, with Vijay continuing to respond in English throughout.

Among the key questions put to him were why he continued speaking despite the crowd swelling beyond control, whether he followed police instructions at the venue, whether he rejected certain inputs given by the police, the time period for which he was permitted to speak, and the actual duration of his speech. According to reports, Vijay repeatedly sought to place the blame on the Tamil Nadu government, alleging that adequate security was not provided, the crowd was not controlled, and sufficient police protection was not ensured for the public.

The agency is said to be following strict and confidential investigation protocols in the case. A small team of trusted senior officers has reportedly been assigned, with access to files and internal deliberations tightly restricted to prevent leaks. Physical files are sealed and stored securely, while digital records are kept on isolated computer systems. All evidence including documents, call records, financial data, and CCTV footage is being analysed together to identify links and discrepancies. Witnesses are being examined in a planned sequence to ensure earlier statements are not influenced by later testimonies.

Reports also said that Vijay is being questioned alone in a secure room, as part of the CBI’s standard confidential interrogation method. The stated objectives of this approach include preventing destruction of evidence, protecting witnesses, avoiding political or media pressure, and building a strong, court-proof case.

Contrary to claims by some that the case would lose momentum after being handed over to the CBI, political sources say the agency has adopted an unusually firm approach. The investigation, they said, is being pursued with the same seriousness seen in high-profile cases that have shaken the country.

This has reportedly unsettled Vijay’s camp. Reports claim that Vijay has privately complained to close relatives and friends that the Tamil Nadu government could have continued the Karur probe on its own, that the Delhi-based investigation is proceeding in a very different manner, and that he has been unnecessarily dragged into the case.

The CBI is investigating the September 27 stampede at Velusamipuram in Karur, which occurred during a campaign meeting of Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, and claimed 41 lives, including women and children. In the first phase, the agency questioned over 200 people, including party functionaries, police officers, ambulance drivers, and vehicle owners. Subsequently, key TVK functionaries N Anand, Nirmal Kumar, and Aadhav Arjuna, along with senior police officials, were summoned to Delhi for questioning.

Vijay appeared before the CBI for the first round of questioning on 12 January 2026, where he was examined for over six hours. After seeking time citing the Pongal festival, he was summoned again for a second round.

Reports now indicate that the CBI is preparing to file the charge sheet in the first or second week of February, and that Vijay’s inclusion in the case is increasingly likely as the probe intensifies.

Source: OneIndia Tamil

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The post Karur TVK Stampede Tragedy: Vijay’s Name To Be Included In CBI Chargesheet? appeared first on The Commune.

The Central Bureau of Investigation is expected to issue a summons to John Arokiyasamy, adviser and chief strategist of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay, to appear for questioning, sources said.

The development comes in connection with the Karur tragedy that occurred on September 27 last year, when severe overcrowding at a public meeting attended by Vijay led to the deaths of 41 people. The CBI is investigating the incident, with the probe being monitored by a Supreme Court-appointed committee comprising retired Justice Ajay Rastogi and senior IPS officers Sumit Sharan and Sonal Mishra. According to officials, the investigation has now reached its final stages.

On 12 January 2026, CBI officials questioned Vijay at the agency’s headquarters in New Delhi for about seven hours. Senior Tamil Nadu police officers Davidson Devasirvatham and Joshi Nirmal Kumar were also examined during the same session.

As further questioning of Vijay is required, the CBI has issued a summons asking him to appear again on 19 January 2026. He is expected to comply and present himself for continued interrogation.

Following this, CBI sources said a decision has been taken to summon John Arokiyasamy as well. As reported in Dinamalar, Arokiyasamy played a key role in planning Vijay’s campaign tours and public meetings across several districts in Tamil Nadu, based on a strategy he designed.

The sources further stated that, during the Karur event, instructions were allegedly given to party functionaries and the vehicle driver to move beyond the location permitted by the police and park the vehicle at a distance before Vijay addressed the crowd. The reasoning cited was that if Vijay spoke from the police-approved spot, opposition from protesters gathered at the venue could escalate into stone-throwing towards the vehicle.

CBI officials are now seeking to ascertain how John Arokiyasamy received information suggesting the possibility of stone-pelting, who provided him with such information, and the credibility of that input. Statements made earlier by TVK members who were questioned as part of the probe reportedly indicated that the decision to move and park the vehicle away from the permitted location was taken on Arokiyasamy’s instructions.

Based on these aspects, the CBI has decided to call John Arokiyasamy for questioning and is expected to issue a summons to him shortly, the sources added.

Source: Dinamalar

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Investigation into the Karur stampede which killed 41 people on 27 September 2025 during a TVK rally has been handed over to the CBI as per the recent Supreme Court order.

Despite demands for an impartial probe from grieving families and political parties, the ruling DMK initially resisted a CBI investigation, insisting on state-appointed mechanisms, criticized as fear of independent scrutiny. With the apex court now placing the case under CBI supervision monitored by a retired Supreme Court judge, it is worth examining instances where the DMK’s demand for CBI probes has shifted depending on whether it was in power or in opposition.

When In Opposition, Demand CBI Enquiry

During the AIADMK regime (2011-2021), the DMK, as the principal opposition party, consistently demanded CBI investigations into numerous cases involving alleged corruption, administrative failures, and custodial violence. MK Stalin, as Opposition Leader, repeatedly called for central agency probes, positioning himself as an advocate for transparent investigations. Here is a comprehensive list of cases where DMK demanded CBI enquiry:

Gutka Scam (2017-2018)

The Madras High Court ordered a CBI probe on 25 April 2018, into the multi-crore gutka scam following a petition by DMK MLA J. Anbazhagan. MK Stalin, as Opposition Leader, strongly welcomed the court order and demanded the resignation of Health Minister C. Vijaya Baskar and DGP T.K. Rajendran for a fair probe. Stalin stated, “If the case has to be probed fairly, health minister C Vijaya Baskar and director general of police T K Rajendran must resign. In fact, we demand the resignation of the Palaniswami government”. He further said the public was aware about the gutka case and the high court had transferred it to CBI as it felt that probe by the DVAC would not be fair. After CBI raids in September 2018, Stalin demanded that the Governor sack the Health Minister and DGP if they did not quit on their own. He questioned why these officials had not been arrested while the bribe-giver and intermediaries were arrested by CBI.

Thoothukudi (Sterlite) Police Firing (2018)

On 29 May 2018, following the police firing that killed 13 protesters at the anti-Sterlite agitation, Stalin demanded action against senior police officials. DMK wrote to the Chief Secretary on 29 May 2018, demanding a CBI probe into the police firing.
Stalin stated that “the South Zone Inspector General, Deputy Inspector General of Nellai (Tirunelveli) range and all other officers who are involved should be booked for murder. They should be immediately suspended, and action should be taken against them”. When the Madras High Court ordered a CBI investigation on 12 August 2018, DMK “hailed” the court order.

Moulivakkam Building Collapse (2014-2016)

After the 28 June 2014 building collapse at Moulivakkam that killed 61 people, the then-DMK Treasurer MK Stalin filed a PIL in the Madras High Court seeking a CBI probe into the incident. Stalin insisted on a CBI probe, citing several statutory relaxations made by officials permitting the multi-storeyed building. He alleged that the builder had clout and nexus with some state ministers and that due to the “blessing” of the ministers, there was no inspection at all since 2011 by any planning or enforcement authorities.

On 28 June 2016, Stalin reiterated his demand for CBI investigation, arguing that the final report filed without completion of investigation required proper probe. He also led a well-attended rally of DMK workers and met the Governor on 12 July 2014, submitting a petition demanding a CBI inquiry.

Highway Tender Scam (2018)

The Madras High Court ordered a CBI probe on 11 October 2018, into corruption charges against Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS) made by DMK leader R.S. Bharathi. The DMK alleged that EPS, while heading the highways department, had allotted contracts worth Rs 4,800 crore allegedly based on favoritism to firms owned by his relatives.

The court transferred the case to CBI stating it was in the interest of transparency in the investigation. DMK organizing secretary R.S. Bharathi had approached the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) alleging discrepancies in the allotment of contracts for five highway projects.

Jayalalithaa’s Death (2017)

MK Stalin on 24 September 2017, urged the Centre to order a CBI probe into the death of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. He stated, “Given the fact that the Centre had helped in providing treatment, it has the responsibility to undo the mysterious knots in connection with her death. So, it must order a CBI probe immediately”.

Stalin characterized the one-member judicial commission appointed by the Tamil Nadu government as “just eyewash” and insisted that “if the Palaniswami regime was truly interested in going into the ‘mysteries’, it should prefer a CBI investigation”. He demanded that British expert Richard Beale and AIIMS doctors be brought under the ambit of the investigation.

Stalin also demanded the resignation of Chief Minister K. Palaniswami and his cabinet to facilitate a fair probe by CBI. He maintained this demand consistently, calling for CBI inquiry multiple times in 2017.

Tuticorin Custodial Deaths – Jayaraj and Bennix (2020)

Following the alleged custodial deaths of father and son P. Jayaraj (59) and J. Bennix (31) on June 22-23, 2020, in Sathankulam, Thoothukudi district, Stalin stated on 26 June 2020, that DMK would seek a CBI probe if the state government failed to carry out a proper investigation.

Stalin questioned, “Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, who takes care of the home department, must answer how the duo died under police custody”. He said the AIADMK government was trying to “cover up” the truth. The case was eventually transferred to CBI, which arrested police officers involved.

Pollachi Sexual Assault Case (2019)

After the Pollachi sexual assault scandal broke in February 2019, where a gang sexually assaulted and blackmailed numerous women, there was widespread demand for CBI investigation. The AIADMK government transferred the case to CBI on March 12, 2019. Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi alleged that one of the accused in the Pollachi sexual assault case had close ties to a minister from the ruling AIADMK, claiming the party sought to protect the accused. Speaking at Grama Sabha meetings in Kovilpatti, Kayathar, and Kazhugumalai, she credited DMK pressure for shifting the case to the CBI and called for an expedited investigation to ensure justice for the victims.

Cognizant Bribery Case (2019)

On 18 February 2019, after US courts fined Cognizant Technology Solutions $25 million for bribing Tamil Nadu officials to secure building permits for its Chennai development center, Stalin demanded a CBI probe.

Stalin said, “The company has told the US court that it had to pay Rs 26 crore as a bribe during construction of KITS Campus in Chennai to get electricity connection and environment clearance”. He demanded the DVAC should take help of CBI and Interpol to collect relevant documents and bring those involved to books.

Smart City Project Chennai (2018-2020)

Stalin called for a CBI probe into project tenders issued for implementing the Smart City mission, alleging nepotism by Municipal Administration Minister SP Velumani. He questioned how a tender worth Rs 149 crores was given to an inexperienced company.

Stalin demanded action against Minister SP Velumani and other bureaucrats by setting up a CBI ‘special inquiry committee’. He also raised questions in 2020 about the transfer of an official monitoring projects worth Rs 12,000 crore, including Smart City projects, asking whether the Chief Minister was ready to face a CBI probe.

NEET Impersonation Scam (2019)

On 3 October 2019, Stalin demanded a CBI probe into the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) impersonation scam to bring out the truth. He alleged that the government was a “mute spectator” and announced a CB-CID probe for an “eye wash”. Stalin said as per reports, over 50 candidates might have secured admission through foul means like impersonation, and the scam allegedly involved officials and middlemen from not only Tamil Nadu but other states as well.

Cash for MLA Sting Operation (2017)

After a sting operation in June 2017 purportedly showed AIADMK MLAs admitting that bribes were offered in gold and money to support the Sasikala faction during the trust vote, Stalin demanded a CBI probe. On 13 June 2017, after the Speaker refused to allow discussion on the issue, DMK staged a walkout from the Tamil Nadu Assembly. Stalin told reporters, “I raised matter in assembly and sought explanation from the 2 MLAs in the sting. Also demanded a CBI probe, but we were evicted”.

DMK also met the Governor on 17 June 2017, seeking the Palaniswami government’s dismissal and a CBI probe based on the sting operation. However, the Madras High Court on 29 June 2017, dismissed Stalin’s petition demanding CBI and DRI probe in the “Cash for vote” MLA sting.

Other Demands for CBI Probe

Stalin also demanded CBI probes in several other cases during his time in opposition, including:

• Delhi medical student death (2017): Stalin demanded CBI enquiry into the death of a Tamil Nadu medical student found dead in Delhi.
• Sekhar Reddy’s case (2019): Stalin demanded CBI probe into alleged payments by mining baron Shekhar Reddy to Tamil Nadu ministers and officials.
• Central projects worth Rs 17,000 crore (2020): Stalin challenged CM Palaniswami to order a CBI probe into projects funded by the Centre.

When In Power, Oppose CBI Enquiry

As the DMK came to power, they have opposed CBI inquiry for most of the cases that by its own nature, demand one.

Karur Stampede Case (2025)

The most recent and prominent case involves the tragic Karur stampede during TVK leader Vijay’s rally on 27 September 025, which claimed 41 lives. Initially, the Madras High Court refused a CBI probe and ordered an SIT investigation. When the Supreme Court subsequently ordered a CBI investigation on October 13, 2025, the DMK strongly opposed it.

DMK MP and advocate P. Wilson stated that the Supreme Court’s order was only interim, and they would file counter affidavits. The DMK characterized the CBI probe as politically motivated, alleging that “TVK has surrendered to the BJP” and claiming that “BJP waited for this opportunity”. DMK supporters portrayed this as Vijay “falling into the control of the BJP”.

Kallakurichi Hooch Tragedy (2024)

When 67 people died after consuming illicit liquor in Kallakurichi in June 2024, and the Madras High Court ordered a CBI probe in November 2024, the DMK government moved the Supreme Court to challenge this order. Law Minister S. Regupathy stated that the government opposed the CBI probe to ensure “victims get justice quickly,” arguing that transferring the case to CBI would delay proceedings. The DMK argued that 24 people had been arrested and the Goondas Act was slapped on 17, claiming the CB-CID investigation was progressing correctly.
DMK organizing secretary R.S. Bharathi defended the party’s position by stating, “The DMK never sought a CBI probe” and reminded critics that when they had sought an inquiry in the highway tender scam, it was the court that ordered CBI investigation, not their request.

Armstrong Murder Case (2024-2025)

When the Madras High Court ordered a CBI probe into the murder of BSP Tamil Nadu president K. Armstrong on 24 September 2025, the DMK government appealed to the Supreme Court against this decision.  The Tamil Nadu government, represented by Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra, argued that the Madras High Court had quashed a “comprehensive chargesheet running into 7,411 pages and arraying 30 accused persons” in a “casual manner”. The government contended that the high court was “swayed by extraneous considerations, including media narratives and prevailing political circumstances”. While the Supreme Court partially stayed the order quashing the chargesheet, it allowed the CBI investigation to continue.

Lavanya Suicide Case (2022)

In one of the most controversial cases, when the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on 31 January 2022, ordered a CBI probe into the suicide of 17-year-old student Lavanya, the DMK government filed a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court challenging this order.

The petition was filed by the Tamil Nadu government through the DGP, arguing against transferring the case from state police to CBI. However, the Supreme Court on 13 February 2022, refused to interfere with the High Court’s order, dealing a “huge setback” to the DMK government. The High Court had criticized both the local police and the Education Minister for their statements ruling out the conversion angle before proper investigation, stating the SP “probably forgot the virtues of silence”.

Idol Theft Cases (2018)

When the AIADMK government in 2018 transferred all idol theft cases from the court-appointed investigator IGP Pon Manickavel’s idol wing to the CBI, DMK working president M.K. Stalin strongly opposed this move.

Stalin stated, “When we demanded CBI probe into various other scams, the government refused. Why in this case the government wants to transfer the cases hurriedly to the CBI?”. He characterized the transfer as “politically motivated” and accused the government of running a “non-cooperation movement” against Manickavel. Stalin urged the government to drop the move and allow Manickavel to continue the court-monitored probe.

Kodanad Heist-cum-Murder Case (2019-2023)

Though DMK held protests and called for investigation into the 2017 Kodanad estate case, they notably did not transfer it to CBI after coming to power in 2021. When opposition leader Edappadi Palaniswami demanded the case be handed over to CBI, the DMK government maintained the investigation with CB-CID instead.
The case involved the murder of a security guard at former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s Kodanad estate bungalow. Despite completing “90% of the probe,” the DMK shifted it from state police to CB-CID in September 2022 rather than transferring to CBI. In 2024, Chief Minister Stalin stated the case would be probed “with support of Interpol,” but resisted CBI involvement.

Withdrawal of General Consent to CBI (2023)

The most significant institutional step taken by the DMK government against CBI jurisdiction came on 14 June 2023, when Tamil Nadu withdrew its general consent for CBI investigations in the state. This decision came hours after Enforcement Directorate arrested DMK minister V. Senthil Balaji in a money laundering case. The move meant that CBI would henceforth need prior permission from the Tamil Nadu government before conducting any investigation in the state.

Chief Minister Stalin criticized the BJP government at the Centre for adopting “backdoor tactics” against political opponents and condemned the ED searches in the state secretariat. The DMK characterized this as protecting federalism and preventing misuse of central agencies. Tamil Nadu became the tenth (later eleventh) Indian state to withdraw general consent to CBI, joining West Bengal, Rajasthan, Kerala, Punjab, Telangana, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, and Meghalaya.

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah has called on state and union territory officials to intensify efforts against drug trafficking by working closely with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to trace, locate, and bring back fugitives managing drug networks from foreign countries.

Speaking at the Second National Conference of Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) Chiefs, Shah urged states and central agencies to escalate their crackdown on drug smuggling at every level from border-level cartels to local peddlers. The event, organized by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), was attended by key officials from state police forces, central agencies, and intelligence units.

“The fight against narcotics needs to move beyond just catching petty peddlers. We must strategically dismantle three major types of drug cartels those operating at the borders, those distributing drugs across states from the entry points, and those responsible for local-level retail, even up to paan shops,” Shah said.

He emphasized the importance of a multi-tiered action plan at both state and district levels, urging each state to devise targeted strategies for all cartel types. He also called for monthly participation from all departments, not just police forces, to contribute a day solely for anti-narcotics efforts.

Shah outlined a three-pronged approach to combat the drug menace, a strategic plan for reducing demand, a compassionate approach towards harm reduction, and zero-tolerance policy towards drug cartels.

He further stressed the urgency of bringing international drug criminals under Indian jurisdiction, stating that extradition and deportation are critical tools in this battle. “The CBI has made significant progress, and I encourage all ANTF heads to work in close coordination with CBI Director Praveen Sood to strengthen an effective extradition framework not just for drug-related cases, but also terrorism and gang crimes,” he said.

Shah also recommended a more flexible and practical deportation process to quickly remove foreign nationals involved in drug-related offenses. He suggested establishing a collaborative mechanism between the NCB, CBI, and state police to handle such cases more effectively.

According to an official familiar with the discussions, NCB Director General Anurag Garg emphasized the need for states and UTs to identify foreigners, particularly those overstaying their visas and suspected of engaging in drug trafficking. The official revealed that approximately 16,000 individuals from African nations are suspected to be living illegally in India, with a significant number believed to be involved in narcotics trade.

Shah also directed state governments to establish dedicated financial investigation units to follow the money trail, monitor hawala networks, check cryptocurrency transactions, and strengthen cyber surveillance of drug traffickers. He further recommended that every state set up a narcotics-focused forensic unit, which would assist in evidence collection and reduce the likelihood of offenders securing bail easily.

(With inputs from Hindustan Times)

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The CBI, in collaboration with Gujarat Police and Central government Ministries, has succeeded in bringing back a fugitive from the UAE in connection with a money laundering and tax evasion case registered in Gujarat, an official said on Friday.

Harshit Babulal Jain, wanted by the Gujarat Police in a case of tax evasion, illegal gambling and money laundering, was deported from the UAE and handed over to the Gujarat Police on Friday at Ahmedabad International Airport, the official said.

Earlier, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) got the Red Notice published against Jain through Interpol on August 9, 2023, at the request of the Gujarat Police. Red Notices published by Interpol are circulated to all law enforcement agencies globally for tracking wanted fugitives.

The CBI, as the National Central Bureau for Interpol in India, coordinated with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs to get Jain back from the UAE to face criminal proceedings in the country, said a statement. The CBI coordinates with all law enforcement agencies in the country through Bharatpol for assistance via Interpol channels.

More than 100 wanted criminals have been brought back to the country in the last few years through coordination via Interpol channels, the CBI said in the statement. Earlier this week, the CBI coordinated the return of fugitive Mainpal Dhilla alias Sonu Kumar from Cambodia.

Mainpal Dhilla alias Mainpal Badli alias Sonu Kumar is a notorious criminal wanted by the Haryana Police in several cases. He was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, attempt to murder, illegal use of firearms and criminal conspiracy on March 29, 2013, in a case registered at Police Station Sadar Bahadurgarh in 2007.

He was also previously convicted in two more cases. While he was serving a sentence in jail, he was released on six weeks’ parole from Hisar Central Jail. “He was to return to jail by August 29, 2018, but he did not report back to jail and absconded,” the CBI said in its press release.

-IANS

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The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) informed on 13 August that it has arrested an absconding accused in a rape case related to post-poll violence after the 2021 West Bengal Assembly Elections.

According to a press statement issued by CBI, the Central agency registered the case on 30 August 2021. “It was further alleged that on 4 May 2021, the accused entered the house of the victim and committed rape on her,” the CBI statement read.

The CBI had filed a charge sheet against the accused on 5 May 2022, before the Court of Ld. Special Judge SC/ ST(POA) Act, Tamluk, Purba Medinipur. The accused was granted bail on 25 September 2024, by the Calcutta High Court The probe agency then filed a special leave petition (SLP) at the Supreme Court challenging the aforesaid order of the Calcutta High Court. Despite service of notice, neither the accused nor his advocate appeared before the Supreme Court.

“Thereafter, on 02.08.2025, a non-bailable warrant of arrest was issued against the accused and CBI was directed to produce him before the Supreme Court of India on 13.08.2025,” the CBI statement read. After concerted efforts and on the basis of technical inputs, the accused, who had been hiding near a mosque at Ilaychipur in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad, has been arrested and will be produced before the Supreme Court on Wednesday, as per the CBI statement. The arrested accused was identified as Usman Ali @ Ara @ Mir Usman Ali. Recently, the CBI has become active on the pending case of violence in West Bengal, which occurred after the 2021 Assembly elections.

In July, a Trinamool Congress legislator and two councillors of Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) were named as accused in the supplementary charge sheet in the 2021 post-poll violence case. The ruling Trinamool Congress, however, has claimed that it is a ploy by the BJP to put pressure on the ruling party leaders before the crucial Assembly elections in the state next year.

-IANS

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After four years, a prime absconding accused in the killing of a BJP worker, Abhijit Sarkar, in the 2021 post-poll violence was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on 26 June 2025.

The arrested person was identified as Arun Dey, for whom the CBI had earlier announced a reward of ₹50,000. He was one of the five main accused persons in the murder of Sarkar, a resident of the Kankurgachi area in North Kolkata, during the violence that broke out after the 2021 West Bengal Assembly election. Sources said Dey was finally arrested on Thursday from a secret hideout in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. However, further details on the matter are still awaited.

Four other prime accused persons in the case, namely Sukhdeo Podder a.k.a. Sukha, Gopal Das a.k.a. Vishal, Amit and Biswajit Das a.k.a. Bomba, are still absconding. All five of them were identified as Trinamool Congress strongmen in the area and were also known as close confidants of the ruling party legislator from Belegahta Assembly constituency in North Kolkata, Paresh Paul and Trinamool Congress councillor in Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), Swapan Samaddar.

Paul has already been questioned by the CBI sleuths in this connection. However, his name was not in the charge sheet filed by the CBI in the matter, which angered the family members of the slain BJP worker. To recall, Abhijit Sarkar was killed on 2 May 2021, soon after the results of the 2021 Assembly elections were declared, where Trinamool Congress bagged a landslide victory. The CBI took over the investigation from the Kolkata Police following an order of the Calcutta High Court.

In September 2021, a trial court in Kolkata declared the five accused absconders. Thereafter, CBI declared a reward of ₹50,000 on each of them. Finally, after over four years, one of the five accused and absconding persons has been arrested by the CBI sleuths. He might be presented at a special court in Kolkata later in the day, and the CBI counsel is expected to seek his custody for further interrogation, sources said.

-IANS

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In a significant breakthrough in an international narcotics case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in collaboration with the National Central Bureau (NCB) of Abu Dhabi and INTERPOL, has successfully brought back the return of Taher Salim Dola, a key accused in a major drug trafficking case, to India. Dola arrived at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (CSMI) Airport, Mumbai on Friday on flight AI-984 from Dubai as a deportee.

He is a wanted subject of the Mumbai Police in connection with FIR No. 67/2024 registered at Kurla Police Station, for allegedly operating a synthetic drug manufacturing factory in Sangli, Maharashtra. Authorities had seized 126.141 kg of Mephedrone (MD) — a banned synthetic drug — with an estimated street value of INR 2.522 million from the site linked to Dola and his associates. Investigations revealed that Dola had been running the illegal operation from abroad.

Following the discovery, the CBI facilitated the publication of a Red Notice through INTERPOL on November 25, 2024, upon a request by the Mumbai Police. Dola was subsequently arrested in the UAE on January 27, 2025, after being geo-located there by CBI officials working through INTERPOL’s International Police Cooperation Unit (IPCU).

In coordination with India’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), an official extradition request was sent to UAE authorities. After legal processes and diplomatic efforts, Dola was deported back to India today. INTERPOL’s Red Notices serve as global alerts to track down and detain fugitives wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence.

The CBI as the National Central Bureau for INTERPOL in India, coordinates with all Law Enforcement Agencies in India through BHARATPOL for assistance via INTERPOL channels. Over the past few years, more than 100 wanted fugitives have been successfully brought back to India using INTERPOL channels coordinated by the CBI. Dola will now be handed over to Mumbai Police and produced before a competent court. Further investigations into the broader drug network linked to his operations are expected to intensify in the coming days.

–IANS

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Fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi, who is wanted in connection with the Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud case, has been apprehended by the police in Belgium, according to sources in the CBI, who added that this was carried out at India’s request for his extradition. The 65-year-old was reportedly arrested on Saturday (April 12).

The businessman is living in Antwerp, Belgium, with his wife, Preeti Choksi, after obtaining a ‘residency card’ there. He is likely to seek bail, citing ill health and other reasons. Choksi and his nephew, Nirav Modi, are wanted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for allegedly defrauding the PNB of Rs 13,850 crore.

They allegedly used letters of undertaking (LoUs) and foreign letters of credit (FLCs) by bribing officials of the bank’s Brady House branch in Mumbai. The CBI has filed cases charging Choksi, his nephew Nirav Modi, their companies, bank staff, and others with conspiracy, cheating, and corruption. Choksi and Nirav Modi fled India in January 2018, weeks before the scam in the PNB surfaced.

According to reports, Choksi has been living in Antwerp with his wife, Preeti Choksi, a citizen of Belgium. A citizen of Antigua and Barbuda, he reportedly left the island nation for medical treatment. In 2021, he went missing from Antigua but was later found on another Caribbean island nation, Dominica. Choksi is the founder of Gitanjali Gems.

Nirav Modi remains in a UK prison as he continues to contest extradition proceedings initiated by Indian authorities. He was declared a fugitive economic offender (FEO) in 2019, while the ED’s plea against Mehul Choksi has been pending since 2018. Sources said that Choksi’s arrest was triggered after Indian agencies reactivated extradition requests when the Interpol Red Notice against him was removed. The ED and CBI, despite the deletion, pursued a fresh request, which ultimately led to his arrest in Belgium.

Sources said that efforts are underway to bring him back to India as soon as possible. However, legal hurdles in Belgian courts can delay the process. Official confirmation of Choksi’s arrest is awaited as also more details.

–IANS

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