LONDON (TIP): An Indian-origin couple in the UK, whose extradition was sought by India, has been convicted of exporting more than half a ton of cocaine to Australia after an investigation found that they were behind a front company that had sent the drugs by plane under a cover load of metal toolboxes.
Arti Dhir, 59, and Kavaljitsinh Raijada, 35, from Hanwell in Ealing were identified by the National Crime Agency (NCA) investigators after Australian Border Force intercepted the cocaine worth 57 million pounds upon its arrival in Sydney in May 2021, the agency said in a statement on Monday.
Dhir and Raijada denied exporting cocaine to Australia and money laundering. They were convicted of 12 counts of exportation and 18 counts of money laundering by a jury following a trial at Southwark Crown Court on Monday.
They will be sentenced at the same court on Tuesday.
The drugs had been shipped via a commercial flight from the UK and consisted of six metal toolboxes which, when opened, were found to contain 514 kilos of cocaine.
The drugs would have been worth up to 57 million pounds when sold in Australia, where prices are significantly higher than in the UK.
In the UK, a kilo of cocaine at wholesale is priced at around 26,000 pounds per kilo but in Australia, the same amount sells for 110,000 pounds.
Officers traced the consignment back to Dhir and Raijada, who had set up a front company called Viefly Freight Services with the sole purpose of smuggling drugs.
Both defendants had been directors of the company at different points since its incorporation in June 2015.
Raijada’s fingerprints were found on the plastic wrappings of the metal toolboxes containing the seized drugs, while receipts for the order of the toolboxes, worth 2,855 pounds were discovered at the couple’s home.
The NCA’s case was that there had been 37 consignments sent to Australia since June 2019, of which 22 were dummy runs and 15 contained cocaine.
Dhir had been employed by a flight services company at Heathrow from March 2003 until October 2016.
Raijada worked at the same company from March 2014 to December 2016.
NCA investigators believe that their knowledge of the airport freight procedures was used to cover their criminal activities.
Dhir and Raijada were arrested at their home in Hanwell on June 21, 2021, and officers seized 5,000 pounds worth of gold-plated silver bars, 13,000 pounds inside the home and found 60,000 pounds in cash in a safety deposit box.
Following further investigations, the pair were arrested again in February 2023.
NCA officers discovered almost 3 million pounds in cash hidden in boxes and suitcases at a storage unit in Hanwell, which Raijada had rented in his mother’s name.
Financial inquiries found they had also purchased a flat in Ealing for 8,00,000 pounds and a Land Rover for 62,000 pounds, despite declaring profits of only a few thousand pounds.
Investigations showed that both defendants held cash in bank accounts which far exceeded their declared income.
They had deposited almost 7,40,000 pounds in cash into 22 different bank accounts since 2019 and were further charged with money laundering.
The NCA will now start Proceeds of Crime proceedings against both defendants to strip them of their assets, it said.
Piers Phillips, NCA Senior Investigating Officer, said: “Arti Dhir and Kavaljitsinh Raijada used their insider knowledge of the air freight industry to traffic cocaine worth tens of millions of pounds from the UK to Australia, where they knew they could maximize their revenue.
“They kept their illicit profits in cash at their home and in storage units, as well as purchasing property, gold and silver to hide their wealth. These defendants may have thought they were removed from the misery caused by the drug trade, but their greed was fueling it.
“The NCA worked closely with our partners in Australia and the UK Border Force to dismantle the supply chain created by Dhir and Raijada and bring them to justice. We will continue to target class A drugs supply and the criminals overseeing it, both in the UK and overseas.”
Commander of the New South Wales Police Force Organized Crime Squad, Detective Superintendent Peter Faux, said the result was a great example of how law enforcement is working together to disrupt the international drug trade.
Det Supt Faux said: “The partnership between both authorities in Australia, and abroad, was the reason police were able to stop a sophisticated attempt at importing drugs via air freight into Australia and hold those responsible accountable.
“Serious and organized criminal networks often have no borders, which is why working collaboratively with our international counterparts is so important to tackle what is a global issue,” Faux said.
The couple was earlier accused of arranging the murder of their 11-year-old adopted son Gopal Sejani for an insurance pay-out in 2017.
The pair from Hanwell travelled to Gujarat to adopt Gopal in 2015, promising him a better life in London.
Tag: NRI
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Indian-origin couple convicted in UK of exporting over half ton cocaine to Australia
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Indian American jurist Amrith Kaur Aakre to lead EEOC’s Chicago district
CHICAGO (TIP): Indian American jurist Amrith Kaur Aakre has become the new director of the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) Chicago District, the federal agency announced, January 31.
Aakre, who most recently served as the legal director for the Sikh Coalition, began her new role on Jan 29, 2024. She took her oath on the Sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib.
“Ms. Aakre has a proven track record of creative problem solving, broad management experience, and a deep commitment to civil rights,” said EEOC Chair Charlotte A Burrows. “I am pleased that she will be joining the EEOC’s Chicago District.”
Aakre said, “I have incredible respect for the EEOC and its mission to advance equal employment opportunities for all, and I’m grateful to be appointed Chicago District Director. I look forward to working together with the dedicated members of the Chicago District to create impactful change and combat unlawful employment discrimination across our region.
“I am also excited to learn from the various stakeholder groups, civil rights and other professional organizations, and members of employee and employer communities how the Chicago District offices can best serve their needs,” she said. “I greatly appreciate the opportunity to continue engaging with civil rights work and am honored to lead the Chicago District moving forward.”
Prior to joining the Commission, Aakre led a national civil rights practice focused on high impact, systemic litigation matters in areas such as workplace discrimination, hate crimes, school discrimination, racial profiling, and bias-based policy issues.
Under her leadership, the Sikh Coalition drafted significant amicus briefs, including one cited by the Supreme Court in its most recent religious accommodation case, Groff v. DeJoy.
She also previously served as a prosecutor in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in Chicago for more than 11 years, during which time she directed efforts to expand access to restorative justice and rehabilitative courts.
Aakre currently serves on the Board of Directors for the ACLU of Illinois and the South Asian Bar Association (SABA) of Chicago, and the leadership committee for the American Bar Association’s Religious Liberty Section.
She is the 2022 recipient of SABA North America’s Public Interest Achievement Award, 2023 and 2021 recipient of SABA Chicago’s Public Interest Lawyer Award, and a 2017 recipient of the Asian American Coalition of Chicago’s Community Service award. She also has served as an Emerging Leaders Fellow for the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
Aakre earned dual bachelor’s degrees in applied science and technology engineering and English literature from The George Washington University, and her juris doctor from The University of Illinois at Chicago Law School.
The EEOC’s Chicago District is responsible for processing charges of discrimination, administrative enforcement, and the conduct of agency litigation in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and North and South Dakota, with area offices in Milwaukee and Minneapolis.
Photo: Amrith Kaur Aakre (second from left) with Thomas Colclough, director of field management programs, and her parents Rajinder and Navinder Mago at her swearing-in ceremony. -
Thirteen Indian Americans among 40 Science Talent Search finalists
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Thirteen Indian American high schoolers figure among top 40 finalists in this year’s Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. The 2023 finalists’ research projects showcase their breadth of knowledge, their commitment to addressing issues important to modern society, and their passion for STEM, according to a media release.
The finalists were chosen by a national jury of professional scientists from a pool of 300 scholars, based on their projects’ scientific rigor and their potential to become world-changing scientific leaders.
“We are thrilled to welcome this inspiring and highly talented class of Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists,” said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO, Society for Science and Executive Publisher, Science News.
“I am certain these extraordinary students will be following in the footsteps of our many accomplished alumni who are the forefront of breakthrough discoveries. The 2023 finalists will be using their leadership, intellect, creativity and STEM skills to solve our world’s most intractable challenges.”
Finalists will participate in a week-long competition in March 2024, during which they will undergo a rigorous judging process that goes beyond their own research to encompass other scientific disciplines and compete for more than $1.8 million in awards.
They will also have an opportunity to interact with leading scientists and share their research during a virtual “Public Day” event on March 12.
The top 10 Regeneron Science Talent Search 2023 winners will be announced during an awards ceremony on March 14, streamed live from Washington, DC.
In total, more than $3 million in awards will be distributed throughout the Regeneron Science Talent Search. The finalists are each awarded at least $25,000, and the top 10 awards range from $40,000 to $250,000.
Here is list of Indian American finalists:
Saraswathy Amjith, Tesla STEM High School, Redmond, Washington.
Project Title: A Novel Integrated Machine Learning Approach Utilizing Radar and Satellite Imagery for Selective Logging Remote Sensing Detection and Accompanying AI-Logging Map-Generating Webtool.
Aarav Arora, Del Norte High School, San Diego, California.
Project Title: A Mechanistic Basis for the Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant Severity.
Aditi Avinash, Rock Canyon High School, Highlands Ranch, Colorado.
Project Title: Model Validation and Preclinical Testing of Digestive Enzymes for Gluten Breakdown: A Move To Cure Gluten Intolerance and Celiac Disease.
Harshil Avlani, BASIS Chandler, Chandler, Arizona.
Project Title: Analyzing the Effect of Mid-Circuit Measurement (MCM) on Spectator Qubits.
Arav Bhargava, The Potomac School, McLean, Virginia.
Project Title: Low-Cost, 3D-Printed, Universal-Fit, Transradial Socket for Amputees in Developing Countries.
Arnav N. Chakravarthy, Homestead High School, Cupertino, California.
Project Title: Leveraging Mitochondrial DNA Mutations for Macrophage Lineage Tracing in Primary Human Tissues. Sarang Goel, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, Denton, Texas.
Project Title: IVY – Intelligent Vision System for the Visually Impaired: Innovative Low-Cost, AI-Based Eyeglasses To Help the Visually Impaired Overcome Mobility Limitations Through Navigational Assistance and Object Avoidance Algorithms and an Intuitive Vibration and Audio Guidance System.
Amanrai Singh Kahlon, Sanford School, Hockessin, Delaware.
Project Title: Enhancing Wearable Gait-Monitoring Systems: Identifying Optimal Kinematic Inputs in Typical Adolescents. Alexandra Mahajan, Cambridge Rindge & Latin School, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Project Title: A Novel Method To Determine Precise Stellar Radii and Temperatures of Low Mass Stars Using JWST Transits and Occultations.
Ekansh Mittal, Westview High School, Portland, Oregon.
Project Title: Harnessing Machine Learning and 3D Spheroid Cultures To Identify Biomarkers for Combating Drug Resistance in Breast Cancer.
Achyuta Rajaram, Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, New Hampshire.
Project Title: Automatic Discovery of Visual Circuits.
Rhea Rastogi, Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School, Montgomery, Alabama.
Project Title: Understanding How the Maternal Epigenetic Reprogramming Function of LSD1 Contributes to Inherited Developmental Disease.
Riya Tyagi, Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, New Hampshire.
Project Title: Using Computer Vision To Disentangle Features Enabling AI To Learn Self-Reported Race and Ethnicity From Medical Images. -
Indian American CEO Sanjay Shah dies in tragic accident while celebrating Ramoji City’s 25th anniversary
CHICAGO (TIP): In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Indian American Sanjay Shah tragically lost his life while commemorating his company’s 25th anniversary at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, India, on January 19.
According to reports, Shah, the CEO of Vistex, met with a fatal accident when an iron cage being lowered onto the stage malfunctioned and plummeted from a height of 15 feet. The cage was in the process of descending to the stage, assisted by ropes and pulleys with the aid of a rolling machine.
Tragically, one of the two wires connected to the iron cage unexpectedly snapped, leading to the entire structure crashing onto the concrete stage below.
Shah was rushed to a hospital, where he passed away on Friday morning. Vistex President Vishwanath Raju Datla, who was alongside Shah during the incident, suffered a head injury and is currently in critical condition.
Inspector M. Manmohan of the local Abdullapurmet police station informed a local newspaper that a specially designed wooden stage had been set up 20 feet above the concrete stage using a crane. It was secured with a 6 mm iron wire having two layers on both sides. He added that during the performance, one side of the rope suddenly snapped, resulting in the stage falling onto the people below, directly impacting Shah and Datla.
The Chronicle reported that the police are investigating Usha Kiran Events, the event management body of Ramoji Film City.
This heart-rending incident has cast a somber shadow over what was intended to be a joyful celebration.
“I am shocked and deeply saddened with the tragic demise of good friend, entrepreneur, philanthropist and Indiaspora member Sanjay Shah,” wrote M.R. Rangaswamy, founder of Indiaspora, in a Facebook post. “He was a lovely human being who led with quiet confidence and gave back generously including building a world class hospital in India. He will be sorely missed! May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti!”
According to the company website, Vistex was founded by Shah in 1999. It has offices in 20 locations worldwide and employs more than 2,000. The company’s clients include GM, Barilla, and Bayer.
“Under Sanjay’s leadership, Vistex has grown into a global organization dedicated to transforming how businesses across multiple industries bring their products and services to market by taking control of mission-critical processes,” the site says. Shah made headlines more than nine years ago when he purchased the most expensive condominium in Chicago’s real estate history – a penthouse located on the 89th floor of the Trump Tower, for a staggering $17 million in cash.
The 14,260-square-foot penthouse boasts five bedrooms and eight bathrooms, offering an unparalleled 360-degree view of Chicago’s skyline.
Initially listed at $32 million, Shah managed to seal the deal after engaging in nearly two years of negotiations with the Trump Organization. The American Bazaar reported, “Shah’s record-breaking $17 million purchase price surpassed the previous high-water mark in Chicago, set by hedge-fund billionaire Kenneth Griffin in 2012 when he acquired a full-floor penthouse in the Park Tower for $15 million. Nevertheless, Trump agreed to a deal that fell short of its $32 million asking price.” The penthouse is within the Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago, which has a total of 486 residential units. -
Five Indian restaurants named in ‘Yelp’s Top 100 US Restaurants 2024’
NEW YORK (TIP): Five Indian restaurants have earned spots on Yelp’s prestigious “Top 100 US Restaurants 2024” list, a compilation reflecting the culinary diversity and gastronomic excellence of America. This annual list is curated from the reviews and ratings shared by Yelp’s extensive food community, making it a highly anticipated and influential ranking in the dining industry.
Yelp.com and its accompanying apps provide a platform for users to contribute crowd-sourced reviews and insights about various businesses, including restaurants.
The five Indian restaurants that have secured places on this exclusive list are:
1. Little India in American Fork, Utah (ranked 19): The restaurant is known for its flavorful Chicken Tikka Masala and exquisite Butter Chicken, which are perfectly complemented by a variety of tandoori-baked naan, including the sweet Peshawari naan. Beyond its delectable cuisine, Little India offers a unique dining experience with vibrant decor, hand-painted murals, and a backdrop of Indian background music. The restaurant’s popularity is evident with packed crowds on Friday and Saturday nights, and the Singh family plans to expand with a third location in Highland, Utah, in March 2024.
2. Ocean Indian Cuisine in San Francisco, California (ranked 29): This Indian-Nepalese-Himalayan restaurant offers a fusion of traditional Indian flavors with Chinese classics like chow mein and dumplings. Managed by Tara Sharma, the menu includes dishes like Paneer Chowmein, Everest Chicken Momo Special, Butter Chicken Masala, and Chicken Tikka Masala, all celebrated for their rich flavors. The restaurant’s elegant ambiance with white tablecloths, chandeliers, and red-rose centerpieces ensures that every visit feels like a special occasion.
3. Tandoori Kitchen in Lafayette, Colorado (ranked 41): This restaurant introduces patrons to the flavors of the Himalayas through its Indian and Nepalese cuisine. Dishes such as Vegetable Samosas, Thukpa, and Himalayan Sweet Orange Chicken delight the taste buds. An all-you-can-eat lunch buffet on weekdays offers a wide range of options, including Chicken Tikka Masala and vegan dishes like Aloo Zeera and Chana Masala. Meat enthusiasts can savor tender tandoori kebabs marinated in a special seasoning and cooked in a traditional tandoori clay oven.
4. Sindoore in Nashville, Tennessee (ranked 78): Located near the Nashville airport, this restaurant is celebrated for its authentic North Indian cuisine prepared from scratch using fresh ingredients. Highlights include the sumptuous Butter Chicken and an array of vegetarian options like Malai Kofta, Channa Masala, and Dal Tadka. Sindoore’s diverse menu has received accolades from Yelpers who appreciate the deliciousness of dishes like samosas, pakoras, Fish Goan, Lamb Shanks, Kashmiri Naan, and mango chutney.
5. M & N’s Pizza in Bethesda, Maryland (ranked #82 overall): This pizzeria, located just outside Washington, DC, offers a unique twist with its “Whacky Pizza” menu, featuring inventive creations like the Aushak Pizza inspired by Afghan dumplings and the Dal Makhani Pizza showcasing Indian-style creamy black lentil curry. In addition to these unconventional pizzas, the restaurant serves traditional Indian curries such as Chicken Vindaloo and Achari Lamb, providing diverse options for patrons who appreciate the quality and friendly service. -
Indian American Dinesh Venugopal appointed as Infogain CEO
SAN FRANCISCO (TIP) : Infogain, a Silicon Valley-headquartered leader in human-centered digital platforms and software engineering services, has appointed Indian American executive, Dinesh Venugopal as its CEO, effective Feb 8. Venugopal will take over from Ayan Mukerji, who joined Infogain in 2018 as COO before becoming CEO in 2021, according to a company press release.
Venugopal joins Infogain with close to three decades of management experience. He was the CEO of PK, an experience engineering company, before its acquisition by Concentrix, where he became the President of Concentrix Catalyst. Venugopal also spent over a decade at Mphasis, serving in various roles, including President of Direct & Digital.
Rohan Haldea, Partner at Apax, said, “We are delighted to welcome Dinesh as the new CEO of Infogain. He brings a wealth of experience in digital transformation, experience engineering, and large deals, which closely complements Infogain’s growth strategy.” “We thank Ayan for his immense contribution to Infogain and for setting the stage for dynamic growth in the last six years,” he added.
“Infogain’s platform growth story over the last few years has been remarkable,” Venugopal said. “I’m delighted to join at an exciting time as Infogain positions its customers to succeed in the race for digital dominance.”
“Leading Infogain has been an extraordinary journey, and I extend my gratitude to Apax and the Infogain Board for this incredible opportunity.” said Mukerji. “Dinesh comes with a proven track record and is the perfect choice to steer Infogain into its next growth chapter. I wish him the very best.”
Infogain engineers’ business outcomes for Fortune 500 companies and digital natives in the technology, healthcare, insurance, travel, telecom, and retail/CPG industries, according to the release.
The company says it accelerates experience-led transformation of digital platforms using technologies such as cloud, microservices, automation, IoT, and artificial intelligence. It’s a multi-cloud expert across hyperscale cloud providers – Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform and Amazon Web Services.
Infogain, an Apax Funds portfolio company, has offices in California, Washington, Texas, the UK, and Singapore, with delivery centers in Seattle, Dallas, Montevideo, Kraków, Noida, Bengaluru, Pune, Gurgaon, and Mumbai. -
Indian community mourns tragic death of 4 compatriots who drowned at unpatrolled beach in Phillip Island, Australia
MELBOURNE (TIP) : The Indian community in Australia is mourning the tragic death of four compatriots, including three women, who drowned at an unpatrolled beach in Phillip Island this week.
Jagjeet Singh Anand, a 23-year-old male nurse, Suhani Anand and Kirti Bedi, 20-year-old nursing students, and Reema Sondhi, 43, died in the tragic incident on Wednesday. They were part of a group of about 10 people who were enjoying a day out at Phillip Island, near Melbourne in Victoria.
A close relative, who was too devastated to speak at length, said Sondhi was visiting her family in Australia and had arrived there two weeks earlier, the media reported.
Sondhi was the daughter-in-law of industrialist Om Sondhi from Phagwara in India’s Punjab state. Reema’s husband Sanjeev, too, was part of the group but he survived.
Jagjeet Singh Anand, a Melbourne-based nurse, was a permanent resident in Australia while Suhani Anand and Bedi were on student visas. The three younger victims were all residents of Clyde, a suburb of Melbourne.
Ravinder Singh, who is close to the family of the victims and is organizing a fundraiser, said the community was struggling to comprehend the scale of the tragedy.
“It is so sad, we have no words,” he media.
“They were very kind members [of Melbourne’s Indian community], they were very down to earth.
“This is a loss that will never be filled. It is the darkest day of my life.”
Singh said he also wanted to raise the community’s awareness of the danger of swimming at the beach, to try to prevent future heartache.
“It is very important to teach the community about rip currents,” he said.
Friends have also started a GoFundMe campaign to help “fulfil the wishes” of the family.
“Shivam, a registered nurse with a heart of gold, saved many lives throughout his career but was unable to be saved when needed himself. Suhani and Kriti, both nursing students, had planned to stay home and focus on their studies, but life had other plans,” campaign organizer Ankur Chhabra said.
“In this time of immense grief, we can come together, not just in mourning, but in a tide of compassion that lifts their families above the depths of despair.
“We can help by raising funds to assist the family in fulfilling their wishes, whether it be transporting the remains back to India or supporting the cremation ceremony in Australia,” Chhabra told a media channel.
The Indian high commission in Australia on Thursday in a post on X spoke about the “heartbreaking tragedy” in which “four Indians lost their lives”.
The commission said the consulate general of India in Melbourne was providing support to the family and friends.
Bass Coast Mayor Clare Le Serve, expressing her condolences to the victims’ families, said the Forrest Caves tragedy and other recent drownings had deeply saddened the Phillip Island community.
“Whilst we live in a beautiful region surrounded by beaches, this is sadly a tragic reminder of how dangerous the ocean can be,” she said.
Victoria Police Eastern Region Assistant Commissioner Karen Nyholm said the victims entered the water near Forrest Caves — close to Cape Woolamai — on the Bass Strait side of the Phillip Island’s south-eastern peninsula.
Off-duty lifeguards surfing nearby rushed to their aid after the group got into difficulty, pulling three people from the water unresponsively.
Life Saving Victoria commander Kane Treloar said lifeguards from Cape Woolamai were called at about 3.40 pm on Wednesday and a rescue boat retrieved the fourth person—all required CPR.
Three of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene while one of the 20-year-old women was resuscitated and flown to The Alfred. She died in hospital, police said on Thursday morning.
“We all worked tirelessly to help those people,” Ambulance Victoria manager Paul James said. “It’s tragic…only a week ago we had three other separate drownings here in Gippsland.”
Treloar said Wednesday’s tragedy was the worst drowning incident in Victoria in almost two decades.
“It’s not since 2005, [when] a tragedy occurred at Stingray Bay, that we’ve seen these sorts of numbers,” he said, referencing a drowning at Warrnambool’s Middle Island that killed five people from one family.
Treloar urged those on Phillip Island to swim at three patrolled beaches, including Cowes Beach on the protected Western Port side of the island.
“The exposed beaches along Bass Strait…are a dangerous, but really beautiful stretch of coastline that a lot of people want to come and enjoy this summer,” he said.
A spokesperson for Phillip Island Nature Parks, which manages the Forrest Caves area, said the authority would review warning signs at the beach, which already had a no-swimming symbol and met Australian standards.
Police are still trying to piece together what led to Wednesday’s tragedy but are not treating the deaths as suspicious. Emergency services warned against swimming at the relatively remote Forrest Caves beach.
Police will prepare a report for the coroner. -
Indian American ex-Pfizer employee convicted of insider trading on Covid-19 medicine clinical trials
NEW YORK (TIP): A 44-year-old Indian American former Pfizer employee has been convicted for insider trading by a federal court in New York for his scheme to reap illicit profits by trading on information about the results of a Covid-19 medicine’s clinical trials by the pharmaceutical giant.
Following a two-week trial, Amit Dagar of Hillsborough in New Jersey was convicted of one count of securities fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud last week, the Department of Justice said in a statement.
According to court documents, in November 2021, Dagar participated in an insider trading scheme to reap illicit profits from options trading based on inside information about the results of clinical trials of Paxlovid, a medicine used to treat Covid-19. At that time, he was an employee of Pfizer and assisted in managing the data analysis in specific clinical drug trials.
On November 4, 2021, Dagar learned that a Pfizer trial of Paxlovid- a medicine designed to treat mild to severe COVID-19 infection- had produced positive results.
The results were confidential and were meant to remain so until Pfizer publicized them the next day.
Later that same day, while the results remained confidential, he purchased short-dated, out-of-the-money Pfizer call options that expired days and weeks later.
Federal prosecutors said Dagar also tipped a close friend, who purchased similar call options.
The following day, Pfizer publicly released the results of its Paxlovid study before the market opening, and its stock price increased substantially, opening — and eventually closing — more than 10 per cent higher than the previous day’s closing price.
In the following weeks, Dagar sold his Pfizer call options for profits of more than USD 270,000, federal prosecutors alleged.
“As the jury’s swift verdict shows, the proof at trial was overwhelming that Amit Dagar stole information about Paxlovid from his employer, Pfizer, and used that illegal edge to profit in the stock market,” told US Attorney Damian Williams. “Combatting the corruption of our financial markets continues to be a top priority of this Office,” he added. A conviction in securities fraud carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, while that in conspiracy to commit securities fraud carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. -
Indian American Virginia couple convicted of forced labor of relative
NORTH CHESTERFIELD, VA (TIP) : An Indian American couple has been convicted of forcing an immigrant relative to provide labor and services at their store, and gas station including working as the cashier, preparing food, cleaning and managing store records.
Harmanpreet Singh, 30, and Kulbir Kaur, 43, were convicted by a federal jury last Friday in connection with their operation of a gas station and convenience store in North Chesterfield, Virginia, according to a press release from the US Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Virginia.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 8. Singh and Kaur face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and mandatory restitution for the forced labor charge.
The evidence presented at trial demonstrated that, between March 2018 and May 2021, the couple forced Singh’s cousin to provide labor and services at Singh’s store, including working as the cashier, preparing food, cleaning, and managing store records.
Singh and Kaur used various coercive means, including confiscating the victim’s immigration documents and subjecting the victim to physical abuse, threats of force and other serious harm and, at times, degrading living conditions, to compel him to work extensive hours for minimal pay.
In 2018, the defendants enticed the victim, then a minor, to travel to the United States with false promises of helping enroll him in school, the release stated.
After arriving in the United States, the defendants took his immigration documents and immediately put him to work. They also left the victim at the store to sleep in a back office for days at a time on multiple occasions.
They limited his access to food, refused to provide medical care or education, used surveillance equipment to monitor the victim both at the store and in their home, refused his requests to return to India, and made him overstay his visa.
The evidence further showed that Singh pulled the victim’s hair, slapped and kicked him when he requested his immigration documents back and tried to leave, and on three different occasions threatened the victim with a revolver for trying to take a day off and for trying to leave.
“These defendants engaged in an egregious bait-and-switch, luring the victim with false promises of an education in the United States and instead subjecting him to grueling hours, degrading living conditions, and a litany of mental and physical abuse,” said US.
Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia.
“The defendants exploited the victim’s trust and his desire to attend school in the United States, and then inflicted physical and mental abuse against him, all so they could keep him working for their profit,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
“Human trafficking is a disgraceful and unacceptable crime, and this verdict should send the very clear message that the Justice Department will investigate and vigorously prosecute these cases to hold human traffickers accountable and bring justice to their victims.” -
FIA Inaugurates 2024 Official Brochure with Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel
GANDHINAGAR, GUJARAT/ NEW YORK (TIP): The Federation of Indian Associations of NYNJCTNE (FIA) marked a significant milestone during their visit to India by collaborating with the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendra Patel, for the inauguration of FIA’s 2024 official brochure.
The meeting took place at Sachivalay, the esteemed address of the Chief Minister. In attendance were Ankur Vaidya, Chairman of the Federation of Indian Associations NYNJCTNE; Srujal Parikh, Board Member and Trustee of the FIA; and Rohit Korat of Gracia Marcom.
Chief Minister Shri Patel lauded the substantial contributions of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Non-Resident Gujaratis (NRGs) towards the development and prosperity of India and Gujarat. He underscored the significant strides Gujarat has made in maintaining a strong economic growth trajectory.
Mr. Ankur Vaidya presented the myriad efforts, initiatives, and activities that the FIA undertakes in serving the Indian diaspora. He emphasized the organization’s commitment to fostering a sense of community and cultural heritage among Indian diaspora.
On this occasion, Mr. Vaidya and Mr. Parikh, on behalf of FIA, conveyed their heartfelt compliments to the Chief Minister on the successful completion of the 10th biannual Vibrant Gujarat Summit. Additionally, they extended a formal invitation to Shri Patel for the 42nd Annual India Day Parade in New York City, slated for August 2024. This parade, celebrated with great fervor, is renowned for being the largest India Day parade outside India, held for the past 42 years.
The event concluded with a shared sense of pride and anticipation for the continued collaboration between the FIA and the state of Gujarat in fostering cultural ties and mutual growth.
For further information, please contact: info@fianynjct.org
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British-Indian dentist fined for dodging over 53K pounds in tax
A person or business is named publicly if they have deliberately defaulted on more than 25,000 pounds in tax
LONDON (TIP): An Indian-origin dentist in England’s West Midlands region has been ordered to pay 22,654 pounds by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for evading tax worth 53,528 pounds.
Jasbinder Singh, a resident of Coventry, was named publicly by the HMRC for deliberately defaulting on tax from April 6, 2012 to April 5, 2015 and April 6, 2015 to April 5, 2018, the Coventry Telegraph reported recently.
A person or business is named publicly if they have deliberately defaulted on more than 25,000 pounds in tax, according to HMRC. In the West Midlands, the biggest amount of tax avoided by a company was a whopping 243,647 pounds. It was said to have been owned by Daily Drinks 007 Ltd in Smethwick, Birmingham. Golden City Limited in Selly Oak, Matthew Electronics Limited in Birmingham and Solihull Financial Services Limited are some of the other companies in the West Midlands that have failed to pay tax.
Last year, an Indian-origin manufacturer was found guilty in what the HMRC described as one of the country’s largest ever “carousel” tax frauds.
Arif Patel was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for false accounting, conspiracy to cheat the public revenue, the onward sale of counterfeit clothing and money laundering. He was accused of trying to steal around 97 million pounds via VAT repayment claims on false exports of textiles and mobile phones. In 2019, two Indian-origin restaurateurs were banned from the formation, promotion or management of a company over tax evasion, which caused the UK tax department losses of more than 4 million pounds.
Sukdev Gill admitted that he caused companies he was a director of to conceal value-added tax (VAT) over six years, resulting in a loss of 1.97 million pounds to HMRC.
His business partner Inderjit Singh was disqualified for nine years for trading through successor companies, while also concealing VAT, resulting in a loss of 4.37 million pounds.
(Source: IANS) -
Two Indian students found dead in Connecticut under suspicious circumstances
HARTFORD, CT (TIP): Two students–one from Wanaparthy in Telangana and another from Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh–were found dead in their Connecticut accommodation, a family member said on Monday, January 15. The students were identified as G Dinesh (22) from Wanaparthy in Telangana and Nikesh (21) from Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh.
Family members of the Telangana student are clueless about the cause of his death and also of his roommate’s.
“Dinesh’s friends who live in a nearby room called us on Saturday night and informed us about his death and his roommate’s. We have no clue as to how he died,” Dinesh’s family members said.
According to a family member, Dinesh went to Hartford, Connecticut in the US for higher studies on December 28, 2023, while Nikesh reached a few days later.
Incidentally, they were mutual friends of some common friends and became roommates after going to the US.
A member of Dinesh’s family noted that they have sought the help of Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy and Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to bring back Dinesh’s mortal remains.
Wanaparthy MLA Megha Reddy has also chipped in to help bring back Dinesh’s body. He called on the family members of the deceased student and comforted them.
Further, a member of Dinesh’s family said they had no contact with Nikesh’s family members as the two went to the US only recently.
Similarly, even the Srikakulam district administration does not have any information on Nikesh yet.
Srikakulam Police Special Branch DSP K Balaraju noted that even the district collectorate did not receive information on Nikesh or his family members.
Expressing grief over the death of the student, Wanaparthy MLA T Megha Reddy met the deceased student’s family members in Wanaparthy town and conveyed his condolences.
The MLA spoke to Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy with regard to bringing the student’s dead body to India from the United States.
The Chief Minister responded positively and stated that arrangements would be made to bring back the body to his native place.
The student from Wanarpathy had gone to US on December 28, 2023 for higher studies, the MLA was informed. -
Sixteen Indian Americans elected fellows of National Academy of Inventors 2023 Class
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): As many as 16 Indian American inventors figure among 162 academic inventors in the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) 2023 Class of Fellows. Election as an Academy Fellow is the highest professional distinction awarded solely to inventors.
The 2023 class of Fellows will be honored and presented their medals by a senior official of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) at the NAI 13th Annual Meeting on June 18, 2024, in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The Indian American inventors in the list are: Arvind Agarwal, Florida International University; Sanjoy Banerjee, City University of New York; Ashok Gadgil, University of California, Berkeley; Balakrishna Haridas, Texas A&M University; M. N. V. Ravi Kumar, The University of Alabama; Prashant Kumta, University of Pittsburgh; Prashant Mali, University of California, San Diego; Dinesh Manocha, University of Maryland, College Park; Arumugam Manthiram, The University of Texas at Austin; Seemantini Nadkarni, Massachusetts General Hospital; Jagjit Nanda, Stanford University; Ravindra Pandey, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York; Niketa Patel, University of South Florida; Anil Sood, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Srinivas Sridhar, Northeastern University; and Karthikeyan Sundaresan, Georgia Institute of Technology.
The 2023 class of Fellows represents NAI’s foundational and continuing commitment to diversifying innovation on all levels, with underrepresented inventors comprising 33% of this year’s class, according to a media release.
This year’s class also showcases regional diversity with Fellows representing 35 US states and 10 countries, exemplifying the Academy’s belief that great innovators can be found everywhere.
“This year’s class of NAI Fellows showcases the caliber of researchers that are found within the innovation ecosystem. Each of these individuals are making significant contributions to both science and society through their work,” said Dr. Paul R. Sanberg, FNAI, President of the NAI.
“This new class, in conjunction with our existing Fellows, are creating innovations that are driving crucial advancements across a variety of disciplines and are stimulating the global and national economy in immeasurable ways as they move these technologies from lab to marketplace. We are honored to welcome these highly regarded innovators to the Academy and look forward to formally inducting them at our 2024 Annual Conference in the Research Triangle of North Carolina.”
The 2023 Fellow class hails from 118 research universities, and governmental and non-profit research institutions worldwide. This class includes 89 individuals from the Association of American Universities (AAU) institutions and 128 individuals from R1 universities that boast very high research activity.
Collectively, the 2023 Fellows hold over 4,600 issued U.S. patents. This year’s class includes 2 Nobel Laureates, 3 National Inventors Hall of Fame inductees, 22 members of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and individuals holding other honors and distinctions as well as senior leadership from universities and research institutions.
Their work spans across disciplines and exemplifies their dedication and inspiration to translating research into commercial technologies that benefit society, the release stated.
Since its inception in 2012, the NAI Fellows program has grown to include 1,898 exceptional researchers and innovators, who hold over 63,000 US patents and 13,000 licensed technologies. NAI Fellows are known for the societal and economic impact of their inventions, contributing to major advancements in science and consumer technologies. Their innovations have generated over $3 trillion in revenue and generated one million jobs. -
Indian man gets 4 years jail, six strokes of cane for molesting British woman: Report
SINGAPORE (TIP): A 25-year-old Indian national has been sentenced to four years of jail and six strokes of the cane for molesting a British woman at a night club in Singapore in 2022, according to a media report on Friday.
The incident happened in August 2022 when Erugula Eswara Reddy, who is in Singapore on a student pass, met the victim at a Turf Club road restaurant while she was intoxicated and waiting for her friends, The Straits Times reported. Taking advantage of the situation, Reddy forcibly lifted the victim from the chair and took her to a nearby field even though she constantly kept asking him to let her go.
He then molested the victim, laid her on the ground and undressed himself, the report said.
However, one of the male friends of the woman who was searching for her reached the spot after he heard screams of the victim calling for help. The victim’s friend on reaching the spot saw that Reddy was naked with the partially dressed victim lying face up and weeping. The friend then alerted the police. Officers arrived at the scene to arrest the offender. During the hearing, Deputy Public Prosecutor John Lu told the court, “While Reddy was forcibly taking the victim to the field, she constantly told him to stop and stay away from her”.
Reddy took away the mobile phone and molested the woman before undressing himself.
On Friday, Lu urged the court to sentence Reddy to four years’ jail and six strokes of the cane, adding, “During his interaction with the victim, the accused must have noticed that the victim was drunk, alone, and vulnerable, which is why the accused chose to take advantage of her.”
For committing the offence, Reddy could have been jailed for two to 10 years and caned.
(Source: PTI) -
Indian American official Sanjay Virmani to lead FBI counterterrorism division in DC
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): : Sanjay Virmani, a senior Indian American FBI official, has been named the special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Counterterrorism Division of the Washington Field Office by Director Christopher Wray.
He most recently served as deputy assistant director in the Counterterrorism Division at FBI Headquarters in Washington, DC, according to an FBI press release.
Virmani joined the FBI as a special agent in 2003 and was assigned to the San Francisco Field Office where he worked on cyber and counterterrorism matters. In 2007, he was promoted to supervisory special agent in the Counterterrorism Division.
In 2010, he was selected as the supervisory special agent to lead the San Francisco Field Office’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in the Oakland Resident Agency. In that role, he led a squad of agents, analysts, and task force officers working on international terrorism investigations.
In 2013, Virmani was selected to serve as Director of the INTERPOL Digital Crime Center at the INTERPOL Global Complex for Innovation in Singapore. In this role, he led the directorate in providing operational support to INTERPOL’s 190 member countries to address cybercrime threats.
In 2016, Virmani returned to FBI Headquarters as a unit chief of the Cyberterrorism unit, which was focused on identifying, obtaining intelligence on, and disrupting cyberterrorists and their networks globally.
In 2018, he was promoted to assistant section chief of the Counterterrorism Division’s Internet Operations Section, where he worked to foster partnerships within the US intelligence community and with international partners. In 2018, he also returned to the San Francisco Field Office as the supervisory special agent of the Private Sector Engagement squad, then was promoted to assistant special agent in charge over the Cyber Branch.
In 2021, Virmani returned to the Counterterrorism Division as section chief of the Strategic Partner Engagement Section, where he oversaw the FBI’s liaison efforts with the law enforcement community, US interagency, and private sector partners on counterterrorism-related matters.
In 2022, he served as the acting special agent in charge of the Tampa Field Office. The same year, he was promoted to deputy assistant director in the Counterterrorism Division.
He earned a bachelor’s in industrial engineering from California State Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo and received a master’s in business administration from the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California. -
Indian American community leader Tara Sreekrishnan running for California State Assembly
SACRAMENTO (TIP): Indian American community leader Tara Sreekrishnan, currently serving on the Santa Clara County Board of Education, is running for California State Assembly from District 26.
“Silicon Valley fosters innovation and attracts the world’s brightest,” she stated announcing her run. “I believe in Silicon Valley, yet it’s crucial to acknowledge the challenges our residents face: housing affordability, climate change, traffic congestion, and an education system that needs strengthening.”
“Addressing these challenges – and spending tax dollars efficiently and effectively – is why I’m running for State Assembly,” Sreekrishnan added.
Sreekrishnan, 30, has served on the county board of education since 2021. She currently serves as state Sen Dave Cortese’s deputy chief of staff and legislative director. She was previously Cortese’s chief of staff when he was a county supervisor.
She is also the co-founder of Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action—a nonprofit that seeks to combat climate change through education and public policy initiatives.
Sreekrishnan is endorsed by State Sen. Dave Cortese, state Sen. Nancy Skinner, Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Cupertino community leader Mahesh Nihlani, Ajay Bhutoria, White House Commissioner on Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Affairs, among others.
“As a child of immigrants growing up here, I benefited from the diversity and energy in this District,” she states on her website. “With an aim to pay it forward, I founded a non-profit organization that has empowered hundreds of students across Cupertino, San Jose, Santa Clara, and Sunnyvale to actively engage in the environmental sciences and conservation.”
“Connecting good schools to jobs of the future is why I serve our children as a Trustee on the Santa Clara County Board of Education – overseeing 270,000 students and balancing a budget of $300 million. I earned the confidence of our families and was re-elected in 2022,” Sreekrishnan stated.
“With professional experience across all levels of local government – school district, city, county, and state – I’ve written and passed legislation that developed housing for the homeless, modernized our schools, curbed youth drug overdoses, and expanded job training and apprenticeship programs,” she added.
“I’m running for Assembly because I understand what it takes to make California financially responsible, improve our education system so that our children have future career opportunities, and to make sure our communities are safe, clean and affordable,” Sreekrishnan stated.
Her inspiration for public service came from her immigrant parents: they taught her the value of education and to give back to her community, according to her website.
She carries on the legacy of her mother, who worked hard in our schools as a librarian and volunteer fundraiser. Tara herself is a former piano teacher at a Cupertino music academy.
Sreekrishnan graduated from Mills College, the oldest women’s college on the West Coast. After college, she set out to work as a community and political organizer for grassroots campaigns in the community and across the Bay Area. -
Indian-origin man, his girlfriend sentenced for their “wicked conspiracy” in London
LONDON (TIP): An Indian-origin man and his partner have been sentenced for breaking into gym lockers and stealing bank cards to pay for their lavish lifestyles in southeast London.
Ashley Singh (39) and Sophie Bruyea (20) of Widmore Road in Bromley, would visit gyms and rifle through victims’ lockers as they got busy in their workouts, the Metropolitan Police said on Monday.
The pair would then max out their victims’ credit cards on expensive tech and designer gear, before selling them on and using the cash to buy bags, shoes, holidays and a pedigree puppy.
The duo was sentenced at Croydon Crown Court on January 10 to conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation between January 2022 and January 2023 with a total value of 250,000 pounds.
Singh was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment while Bruyea received a 20-month sentence at a young offenders’ institute, suspended for two years.
The court also asked her to undergo a rehabilitation program and complete 120 hours of unpaid work.
The pair’s spree was noticed by a local officer, who realized there was a pattern and flagged it to detectives who are experts in economic crime.
A Lewisham-based team traced the pair’s phones, cars, and faces on CCTV and linked them all together.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police arrested them at Gatwick Airport on January 27, 2023, as they returned from Paris with 2,000 euros worth of designer goods.
At least 18 people were targeted in what the sentencing judge branded a “wicked conspiracy”.
The judge described the impact the pair’s “wide-ranging spree” had had on people, including instances where people no longer felt safe around strangers, or had suffered professionally due to the stress.
DC Luis Da Silva, from the Met’s economic crime team that investigated this case, said: “We know Londoners are worried about theft. It’s a horrible crime, and it causes a lot of stress, pain, and financial loss. That’s why we take this crime seriously and a whole team of us were committed to catching Singh and Bruyea.
“You couldn’t fail to be moved by the devastating impact their callous behavior had on people, and we hope that by catching them this offers victims a little bit of solace.” He urged anyone who has had something stolen to get in touch and said that the proceeds of the duo’s crimes will be used to help compensate the victims.
There were 18 fraud reports in total, with 14 in the Metropolitan area, one from Sussex, one from Hertfordshire and two reports from Cambridgeshire. -
Indian-origin Singapore lawyer Kasturibai Manickam suspended for falsely attesting documents
SINGAPORE (TIP): An Indian-origin lawyer who falsely attested that she had witnessed the signing of several property-related documents despite those not being signed in her presence was handed a one-year suspension.
The Law Society of Singapore argued for a 30 months’ suspension for Kasturibai Manickam—a lawyer with more than 25 years’ experience—acting for two siblings who were the registered owners of a condominium unit.
However, the Court of Three Judges, led by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, said this was an instance of a “grave error of judgement” rather than a character defect, according to a media report.
There was no dispute that the documents were signed by the intended signatories, Chief Justice Menon said.
Kasturibai’s error was to decide to attest that she witnessed the signing because she knew the parties and thought no harm would ensue, he said.
Santha Devi V Puthenveetil Kesava Pillay and her brother Raman Puthenveetil Kesava Pillay had sold the property in September 2020 to two individuals.
Kasturibai’s firm—East Asia Law Corporation—had acted for the siblings in several matters prior to the sale of the property. Raman’s wife was also a long-time employee of the firm.
In the course of acting for the siblings, Kasturibai prepared six documents for the transaction, all of which were signed by Santha Devi.
Between September 7, 2020, and November 5, 2020, Kasturibai signed as a witness to Santha Devi’s signature, even though the lawyer did not witness the signing.
Five of the documents, including a transfer instrument, were sent to the law firm acting for the purchasers.
Santha Devi later lodged a complaint with the Law Society of Singapore against Kasturibai and a disciplinary tribunal was appointed in May 2022 to formally investigate the matter.
The tribunal’s report, issued in October 2022, did not elaborate on the events leading to the complaint.
During the tribunal hearing, Kasturibai admitted that she signed as a witness to Santha Devi’s signature despite not having witnessed the signing.
Senior Counsel N Sreenivasan, Kasturibai’s lawyer, argued that she did not act for her personal benefit and that her motivation was to help her elderly clients avoid travel during the Covid pandemic.
He also argued that there was very little harm caused as the transaction was legitimate.
The tribunal found that Kasturibai’s act involved an element of dishonesty and constituted grossly improper conduct. The tribunal found that the case was serious enough to be referred to the court, which has the power to suspend or disbar lawyers. During the hearing on January 16, Sreenivasan said Kasturibai wanted to tender her deepest apologies to the court and to the profession.The court allowed the suspension to take effect on March 7 to give Kasturibai time to find another lawyer to take over her files. -
Indian-origin student in London dies after ‘psycho’ Tunisian boyfriend ‘nearly beheads’ her for ‘rejecting him’
LONDON (TIP): A Tunisian national has been locked up indefinitely in a psychiatric hospital for killing and nearly beheading a 19-year-old Indian-origin student at her university accommodation in London in 2022.
Maher Maaroufe, 24, stabbed his girlfriend Sabita Thanwani, an aspiring psychologist, in the neck at Arbour House student flats in Clerkenwell area of London on March 19, 2022.
Appearing before the Old Bailey last year, Maaroufe, of no fixed address, admitted manslaughter by means of diminished responsibility, saying he was suffering from schizoaffective disorder at that time.
He also pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by beating an emergency worker.
While sentencing him on Monday, Judge Nigel Lickley KC said Maaroufe carried out the attack during the “height” of a psychotic episode, the media reported. He said Maaroufe had been “aggressive” and “controlling” towards Thanwani during their relationship and hit her at least once, and that his behavior may have been part of his “emerging illness”. “Sabita had her whole life ahead of her. You ended her life. Your actions will continue to cause enduring pain and suffering,” the judge told Maaroufe.
The Old Bailey heard that Maaroufe, who entered the UK legally on an unknown date but had overstayed, was in the process of claiming asylum at the time of the incident. According to the prosecution, during his psychotic episodes, Maaroufe smoked cannabis and thought that Thanwani was a “male devil”.
The evening before the attack, they met outside a mosque and spent time in central London.
After they had returned to Thanwani’s accommodation, other students heard her shouting “stop”, “I can’t breathe” and “I beg you, don’t kill me”, following which emergency services were alerted.
Police saw blood stains around the bed, as well as blankets and duvets on the floor of Thanwani’s room.
She was pronounced dead at the scene at 6 am, and a post-mortem examination gave her cause of death as sharp force trauma to the neck. Maaroufe was found by police asleep under a tarpaulin in a garden shed, and allegedly head-butted a police officer while trying to evade arrest. Thanwani’s family, in a statement released at the time of her death, described her as “our angel” and said she had a “radiant smile and incredible heart”.
The family described Maaroufe as an “evil, sadistic murderer, his actions were calculated to kill her because she rejected him”. -
Wealthy Indian-origin couple, daughter found dead in US
BOSTON (TIP): A wealthy Indian-origin couple and their teenage daughter were found dead in their USD 5 million mansion in the US state of Massachusetts in an apparent domestic violence incident, according to media reports.
The bodies of Rakesh Kamal (57), his wife Teena (54) and their 18-year-old daughter Ariana were found in their Dover mansion around 7.30 pm on Thursday, Norfolk district attorney Michael Morrissey said.
Teena and her husband, who also went by Rick, had previously run a now-defunct education systems company called EduNova. The district attorney, who described the “terrible tragedy” as a “domestic violence situation”, said a gun was found near the husband’s body. He declined to say whether all three family members were shot dead, and by whom, a newspaper reported. The couple appeared to have faced financial problems in recent years, online records show.