Canada’s top cop: ‘Copycats’ possibly using Lawrence name india news
New Delhi: The reversal of its earlier stance by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) not only marks a major turn in India-Canadian diplomatic relations but also reflects a conscious reframing of Canada’s official narrative around the alleged operations of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.Speaking about the Lawrence Bishnoi gang’s footprint on Canadian underworld crime, RCMP chief Mike Duhem told a Canadian news channel that some individuals may be using the Bishnoi name as copycats. “So when we are talking about the Bishnoi gang there are two things… the Nijjar case which is before the courts and I am not commenting… but in the last year some extortion files have also come to light which are linked or allegedly linked to the Bishnois. In this, sometimes the challenge you have is that when it comes to extortion some groups can use the name of Bishnoi to further their cause. So “Sometimes it’s a little difficult to sort out.”While the comment is significant given that Lawrence Bishnoi – who has been designated a terrorist entity in Canada – has recently been accused of repeated targeted killings and extortion threats, the difference also suggests, official sources believe, a shift toward a more detailed, evidence-based approach that seeks to separate local criminal opportunism from high-level international conspiracies. The RCMP appear to have pivoted their current investigation away from broader, more explosive claims of a broader, centrally-directed criminal network.The RCMP’s new stance, which is being seen as the outcome of discussions between PM Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney and two NSAs, Ajit Doval and Nathalie G. Drouin, is a blow to pro-Khalistan elements within Canada, who had used the “indulgences” of the previous arrangement in Ottawa to create the impression in Punjab and elsewhere that their “cause” has started gaining acceptance in foreign capitals. For years, these radical groups have used the “Indian interference” narrative as a shield to deflect scrutiny from their activities and gain sympathy from the Canadian public, their government, and the international community.
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Faithfully follow the directions of the Bombay High Court for filing annual audit report on the status of afforestation, which is to be done before or simultaneously with the 10 year period.Refusing to entertain the appeal against the HC’s December 12 order allowing the project, a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi said there was no doubt about the public benefit of the project, which would reduce congestion on the Western Express Highway.“The construction of this road is of great importance for the residents of Mumbai. We cannot stop every developmental project, however, it is equally important that the environment and conservation mechanisms are not compromised,” the bench said.Appearing for NGO Vanashakti, senior advocate CU Singh said, “The impugned decision allows diversion of 103.7 hectares of forest land comprising 45,675 mangroves in Malad Creek without any assessment of the environmental and ecological damage caused.”The Supreme Court bench said, “No mangroves should be removed unless public interest is paramount. There is no dispute that the coastal road project connecting Versova and Bhayandar is of utmost public importance.”Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the Supreme Court that to ensure the growth and health of the compensatory afforestation being done near the Tadoba Reserve Forest and the relocation of mangroves and plantations to a location 10 km away from the project site, annual audit reports will be filed for the next 10 years, as per the High Court’s direction.The CJI-led bench said that the annual report will give complete details of non-forest land used for afforestation. “In view of the safeguards included in the Bombay HC order, we see no reason to entertain the appeal,” it said.Explaining the beneficial effects of mangroves, which according to Vanashakti are highly effective in combating pollution and high tides, CU Singh said the approval given to the project by the High Court will allow the proponents to cut down the mangroves even before the Phase-II environment impact assessment and forest clearance.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that along with the project work, compensatory afforestation has already been done on 31 hectares of land.Solicitor General Mehta said the High Court has put strict conditions on the BMC to ensure adequate compensatory afforestation, their growth and survival for at least 10 years.
Noting that the right to travel abroad is an integral part of the right to life and personal liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution, Justice Sachin Dutta said that the continued operation of the LOC against the petitioners was an unjustified curtailment of their fundamental right. The HC noted that the investigation against the couple has been pending for more than five years, during which the petitioners have never attempted to evade the process of law and the charge sheet has not even been filed yet.“While this Court is conscious of the complexities arising in investigations involving cross-border financial transactions, the fact remains that the fundamental rights of the petitioners cannot be curtailed indefinitely due to the lengthy and uncertain investigation process… LOC for such an extended period, especially when the petitioners have not been summoned for many years and there is no allegation of non-cooperation, cannot be sustained.”