IB, NIA, Press Council rubbish media's terror claim on PFI

[email protected] (CD Network)
November 3, 2013

New Delhi, Nov 3: The Intelligence Bureau (IB) and National Investigation Agency (NIA) have denied that they had shared with media any information on Popular Front of India of the media reports portraying Popular Front (PFI) of India as a terrorist organization.

pfi

The agencies made it clear that they had nothing to do with some newspaper reports dubbing the PFI as a terrorist organization in statements submitted to Press Council of India (PCI) as per the notice sent by the Council. PFI had filed a complaint last year to the Press Council against the tendentious news reports that appeared in some Hindi and English language newspapers linking the organization with terror activities.

The reports published by newspapers like the Asian Age, Deccan Herald, Sunday Guardian and the Pioneer, whose Editor is BJP MP in Rajya Sabha Dr Chandan Mitra had alleged that that PFI was a terrorist organization and was trying to develop relationship with Dalits and Maoists and human rights groups.

Of the 10 complaints filed, 5 were settled in July. But when some newspapers claimed that their reports were based on NIA and IB sources, Press Council sent a notice to both the agencies demanding either to confirm or deny the media claims. When the case was considered again for hearing on Monday VK Upadhyaya, Under Secretary of Home Ministry who appeared on IB's behalf submitted the statement which categorically refuted the claims of the newspapers.

In a similar statement NIA also denied having shared any exclusive information with the defending newspapers. Only Sunday Guardian stuck to their argument that their report was based on IB and NIA sources. Justice Markandey Katju, the Chairman of the Council asked the newspaper to produce the basis for their report or to publish the denial statements of both IB and NIA.

Justice Katju pointed out that it is not the duty of the Council to order the media to reveal the source, but it is the duty of the newspaper to provide information about the source. The advocates appearing for PFI said that it was an organization working for the development of the community. It had contributed 10 Rs lakhs to Uttarakhand Chief Minister's Relief Fund for the flood victims. Justice Katju said that it was unfair to blame an entire organization for some its members' crimes.

Since the very agencies have denied they shared information with the concerned newspapers the Council ordered them to publish the denial statement of the agencies. The Council also dismissed the Sunday Guardian's averment that it would affect the credibility of the newspaper.

According to a release issued by PFI, Justice Katju also asked Dainik Jagaran (Meerut) and Dainik Jagaran (Delhi) to publish a correction that PFI is not a terrorist organization. The Council also disposed of the complains of PFI against Inquilab, Navbharat Times, Deccan Chronicle and New Indian Express with an observation that they should be more careful with their facts while publishing reports.

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News Network
December 2,2025

DKSsiddu.jpg

Bengaluru: 'Nati koli saaru' (country chicken curry) considered one of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s favourites along with steaming hot idlis was on the breakfast menu at Deputy CM D K Shivakumar’s residence on Tuesday, according to official sources.

The spread also included 'nati koli' fry, vada and pongal, among other items, they said.

In an apparent show of unity, Siddaramaiah visited Shivakumar’s residence for breakfast, just days after the two leaders shared a meal amid a simmering power tussle in the state Congress.

Siddaramaiah drove to the Deputy CM’s residence in Sadashivanagar, where he was received by Shivakumar and his brother D K Suresh, who is a former Congress MP.

Suresh and Kunigal MLA H D Ranganath, a relative of Shivakumar, joined them for breakfast, which featured a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.

Speaking to reporters later, Siddaramaiah said Shivakumar had invited him during his visit to the CM’s residence for breakfast on Saturday.

Asked about the difference between the two meals, the chief minister said, "At his (Shivakumar’s) house it was non-veg, while at my house it was veg. He is a vegetarian, I am a non-vegetarian. I had not prepared non-veg. I told DK to get chicken from the village as you won’t get the original in Bengaluru."

Shivakumar said he had initially invited Siddaramaiah to his residence, but the CM had suggested visiting his place first and reciprocating later. "It was a vegetarian breakfast at the CM’s house on Saturday," he noted.

"Today, I invited him (the CM) to my house. He enjoyed the breakfast, which had his Mysuru taste," Shivakumar added. At this point, Siddaramaiah remarked that Shivakumar’s wife is also from Mysuru.

Saturday’s breakfast at Siddaramaiah’s official residence, held as part of efforts by the Congress high command to ease tensions in the leadership dispute between the two, reportedly included idlis and sambar, according to official sources.

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News Network
December 2,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 2: Mangaluru International Airport responded to a medical emergency late on Monday night. Air India Express flight IX 522, travelling from Riyadh to Thiruvananthapuram, was diverted to Mangaluru Airport after a passenger in his late 30s experienced a medical emergency on board.

The Airport’s Operations Control Centre received an alert regarding the passenger’s health condition. The airport activated its emergency response protocol, mobilising the airport medical team and coordinating with stakeholders including CISF, immigration, and customs. 

Upon landing, airport medical personnel attended to the passenger, assessed his condition, and arranged to shift him to a local tertiary-care hospital for further treatment. The passenger’s relatives accompanied the passenger, who incidentally received necessary medical care on board, which helped stabilise the situation.

Following the handling of the emergency, the flight departed for Thiruvananthapuram at 2:05 am on Tuesday.

"We appreciate the cooperation of all parties involved, and this incident reaffirms our ongoing commitment to prioritising passenger safety and readiness to respond to unforeseen emergencies with professionalism and care," the Airport spokesperson said. 

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News Network
December 7,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A 34-year-old fruit and vegetable trader in Mangaluru has reportedly lost ₹33.1 lakh after falling victim to an online investment scam run through a fake mobile app.

Police said the scam began in September, when the victim received a link on Facebook. Clicking it connected him to a WhatsApp number, where an unidentified person introduced a high-return investment scheme and instructed him to download an app.

To build trust, the fraudster asked him to invest ₹30,000 on September 24. The trader soon received ₹34,000 as “profit,” convincing him the scheme was genuine. Over the next two months, he transferred money in multiple instalments via Google Pay and IMPS to different scanner codes and bank accounts shared by the scammers. Between September 24 and December 3, he ended up sending a total of ₹33.1 lakh.

When he later requested a refund of his investment and promised returns, the scammers demanded additional payments, claiming he needed to pay a “service tax” first. Even after he paid a small amount, no money was returned, and the scammers continued pressuring him for more.

A case has been registered at the CEN Crime Police Station.

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