Afternoon Briefing: ED claims 1,800-acre land grab by Jharkhand mafia; Giriraj Singh lashes out at Rahul Gandhi, more

Union minister Giriraj Singh on Monday criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and suggested that Gandhi should use technology to consult his grandmother, Indira Gandhi, about the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Singh’s remarks came after Gandhi claimed that the RSS sees India as a single idea, while the Congress sees it as a diverse set of ideas. Singh responded that Gandhi does not understand the historical context when his grandmother was involved in critical battles against Pakistan, implying that Gandhi should seek historical insight into the role of the RSS in that era. Digging deeper

Earlier this year, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren was released on bail in the land fraud case (PTI Photo) (PTI)

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigating a land fraud in Jharkhand has found that 1,800 acres of tribal land, which was deemed unsaleable under the Chota Nagpur Tenancy (CNT) Act, were illegally seized by mafia groups. The land was transferred through forged documents and falsified data. The federal agency has ₹3,000 crore in proceeds of crime and received numerous complaints about the scam. The operation involved making fake deeds using fake identities and manipulated data at offices and registries in Kolkata and Jharkhand. This investigation follows the arrest and release of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren earlier this year. Digging Deeper

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Focus on entertainment

Akshay Kumar and director Priyadarshan are reuniting for a film after 14 years, their last collaboration being 2010’s *Khatta Meetha*. The news was announced on Akshay’s 57th birthday, with a motion poster for their upcoming project *Bhooth Bangla* being unveiled. The poster features Akshay standing next to a black cat in front of a haunted house, while Akshay humorously drinks milk from a bowl. Akshay shared his excitement about the collaboration on Instagram, thanking fans for their birthday wishes and saying that he was excited to share the film. Fans responded enthusiastically, celebrating the reunion and the birthday announcement. Digging Deeper

Sports activities

Jasprit Bumrah’s inclusion in India’s squad for the first Test against Bangladesh has generated less excitement than expected, overshadowed by Rishabh Pant’s return from his car accident. The BCCI announced the 16-member squad on Sunday, immediately after the first round of the Duleep Trophy. Despite Bumrah’s expected absence from the first Tests of the home season due to concerns over his stress fractures and preparation for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and New Zealand series, his inclusion was a notable surprise. Reports had suggested that Bumrah would return later in the season, making his early call-up unexpected and significant. Digging deeper

Lifestyle and health

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were spotted together at the US Open Men’s Finals, accompanied by Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his wife, Brittany. Swift, wearing a red gingham sundress by Reformation, embraced the lively atmosphere of the match, singing along, enjoying drinks and sharing sweet moments with Kelce. Her dress, which featured wide shoulder straps, a sweetheart neckline and a pleated skirt, was accessorized with gold accessories and retro sunglasses. The pair attended the match between Jannik Sinner and Taylor Fritz at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Swift’s country-inspired outfit contrasted with the tenniscore trend seen by other celebrities. Digging Deeper

It’s trending

Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal, with a net worth of ₹9,300 crore, is among the 23 billionaires in Gurgaon but is the city’s second richest person. The title of Gurgaon’s richest belongs to Nirmal Kumar Minda, chairman of UNO Minda, whose wealth exceeds Goyal’s by more than three times. According to the Hurun India Rich List 2024, Minda’s net worth is ₹30,800 crore (approximately $3.6 billion), making him the richest person in Gurgaon and the 91st richest in India. Digging Deeper