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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

Red flag to green steel

Ex-Maoists forge new destiny in Gadchiroli Gadchiroli: The rugged, forested terrain of Gadchiroli district, long synonymous with the violence and deep-rooted anti-establishment tenets of the ‘Red Ideology’, is now witnessing a remarkable social and industrial transformation. At the Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd. (LMEL) plant in Konsari, once-feared Maoist operatives are shedding their past lives and embracing a new, respectable existence as skilled workers in a cutting-edge Direct Reduced Iron...

Red flag to green steel

Ex-Maoists forge new destiny in Gadchiroli Gadchiroli: The rugged, forested terrain of Gadchiroli district, long synonymous with the violence and deep-rooted anti-establishment tenets of the ‘Red Ideology’, is now witnessing a remarkable social and industrial transformation. At the Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd. (LMEL) plant in Konsari, once-feared Maoist operatives are shedding their past lives and embracing a new, respectable existence as skilled workers in a cutting-edge Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) and pellet plant. This ‘green steel’ project, part of LMEL’s push for an integrated steel complex in the region, is functioning not just as an industrial unit but as a crucial pillar in the Maharashtra government’s surrender-cum-rehabilitation policy. So far, LMEL, in coordination with the state government and the Gadchiroli Police, has provided employment and training to 68 surrendered Maoists and 14 members of families affected by Naxal violence, a total of 82 individuals, offering them a definitive pathway back to the mainstream. The Shift The transformation begins at the company’s dedicated Lloyds Skill Development and Training Centre at Konsari. Recognizing that many former cadres had limited formal education, the company implements a structured, skill-based rehabilitation model. They are trained in essential technical and operational skills required for plant administration, civil construction, and mechanical operations. For individuals like Govinda Atala, a former deputy commander, the change is palpable. “After surrendering, I got the right to live a new life,” Atala said. “I am very happy to get this job. I am now living my life on my own; there is no pressure on me now.” Suresh Hichame, who spent over a decade in the movement before surrendering in 2009 too echoed the sentiments. He realized the path of violence offered neither him nor his family any benefit. Moreover, his self-respecct was hurt. He knew several languages and carried out several crucial tasks for the banned organization remaining constantly under the shadow of death. Today, he works in the plant, receiving a steady monthly salary that enables him to care for his family—a basic dignity the ‘Red Ideology’ could never provide. The monthly salaries of the rehabilitated workers, typically ranging from Rs 13,000 to Rs 20,000, are revolutionary in a region long characterized by poverty and lack of opportunities. Trust, Stability The employment of former Maoists is a brave and calculated risk for LMEL, an industry that historically faced stiff opposition and even violence from the left wing extremist groups. LMEL’s management, however, sees it as an investment in inclusive growth and long-term stability for the district. The LMEL has emphasized the company’s commitment to training and facilitating career growth for the local populace, including the surrendered cadres. This commitment to local workforce upskilling is proving to be a highly effective counter-insurgency strategy, chipping away at the foundation of the Maoist movement: the exploitation of local grievances and lack of economic options. The reintegration effort extends beyond the factory floor. By providing stable incomes and a sense of purpose, LMEL helps the former rebels navigate the social transition. They are now homeowners, taxpayers, and active members of the community, replacing the identity of an outlaw with that of a respected employee. This social acceptance, coupled with economic independence, is the true measure of rehabilitation. The successful employment of cadres, some of whom were once high-ranking commanders, also sends a powerful message to those still active in the jungle: the path to a peaceful and prosperous life is open and tangible. It transforms the promise of government rehabilitation into a concrete reality. The plant, with its production of iron ore and steel, is physically transforming the region into an emerging industrial hub, and in doing so, it is symbolically forging the nation’s progress out of the ashes of extremism. The coordinated effort between private industry, the state government, and the Gadchiroli police is establishing a new environment of trust, stability, and economic progress, marking Gadchiroli’s transition from a Maoist hotbed to a model of inclusive and sustainable development.

Dalit actress accuses Domino India honcho of rape, fraud

Updated: Feb 27

Domino India

Thane/Mumbai: After a Bombay High Court order, the Thane Police have initiated a probe into sensational allegations of rape by a Mumbai actress against business honcho, Shyam Sundar Bhartia, head of the Jubilant Bhartia Group that runs the India operations of the global giant, Dominos Pizza.


When contacted by The Perfect Voice, a top Thane Police officer confirmed the FIR (Feb. 22) lodged with Kapurbawadi Police Station while the victim’s lawyer Sofiya Shaikh also corroborated the ongoing developments in the high-profile case.


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The FIR was lodged after the Bombay High Court (Feb. 18) Justice Revati Mohite-Dere and Justice Neela Gokhale’s directive to the Thane Police, while disposing of the Thane-based Dalit victim’s Feb. 10 plea, levelling accusations of multiple rape incidents in Singapore, New Delhi and Mumbai, besides financial frauds.


The 34-year-old actress contended that she sought judicial intervention as the Thane Police dilly-dallied on her complaint of Nov. 11, 2024 against Bhartia, 73, for three months.


Irked by the delays, the court sought Thane Police’s Assistant Commissioner of Police Rajkumar Dongre via video-conference, where he assured that the FIR would be registered after recording the victim’s statement – though no arrests have been so far.


Besides Bhartia - ranked 80th on Fortune India’s list of richies last year – the FIR has named Bollywood networker Kamaljeet Singh, his wife Pooja Kamaljeet Singh and their daughter Mallika.


Bhartia is a prominent figure in India Inc., with multiple ventures, plus business and family connections with top media and business houses.


As per the plea and FIR, the victim started acting in films in 2022 and through producer Hashim Khan, came in contact with Pooja Kamaljeet Singh in 2023.


Through the Singh couple, she first met Bhartia on May 3, 2023 at Hotel Taj in Santacruz, when he promised to make her a ‘big star’, and he called her and Pooja Singh for a meeting in Singapore (May 18-24, 2023).


She said that Bhartia came to pick them up at the airport on morning of May 19, 2023, took them to his home, and that evening had a party where Pooja Singh forced her to have drinks, or their host would be upset.


Apparently intoxicated by the drinks and feeling fuzzy, the victim said that Bhartia thrust himself and raped her, abused her, while Pooja Singh shot the acts on her mobile which she later threatened to make viral; while the brutal sexual assaults continued for the next three days.


On return to Mumbai, Pooja Singh said in order to become a big star such compromises have to be made, continued blackmailing her and summoned her to ITC Maratha Hotel near the airport on June 26.


There, Bhartia raped the victim, and again called her to Pooja Singh’s Versova flat, later Taj Land’s End in Bandra, Hotel Novotel in Andheri and the sexual assaults continued at different places including New Delhi, over the next few months.


Around October 2023, Pooja Singh floated a film production company, Flying Colours Pvt. Ltd., with Kamaljeet and Mallika - plus the victim - as the Directors, in which Bhartia committed a funding of Rs. 50 crore.


Subsequently, in March 2024, Bhartia invested just Rs 9.44 crore, which Pooja Singh ‘transferred’ into her personal account without the knowledge of the victim.


As per the plea, Pooja Singh also colluded with a CA, Chandra Prakash to fraudulently misuse her digital signature and chucked her off from the post of the company’s Director.


At one point, the victim underwent a surgery for which the company paid Rs 20 lakhs, and under orders of Pooja Singh, half the amount was transferred to her account.


When the distraught victim approached the police on November 11, 2024, Kamaljeet Singh was furious and called her up at home on January 11, 2025 to hurl a string of abuses, threats and ultimatum to make the video clips viral.

Kamaljeet Singh made crass comments on her physique, called her a “neech, SC chamar” (lowly person belonging to a Scheduled Caste) and even threatened to kill her, as per the victim’s complaint.


In their order, the judges said that “the police shall investigate the case on its own merits in accordance with the law” and also made it clear that they had gone into the merits of the victim’s complaint.’


Bhartia denies sexual assault allegations

Jubilant Bhartia Group Chairman Shyam S Bhartia has denied allegations of sexual assault, saying he will cooperate with the investigating agency, a regulatory filing said on Tuesday.


Terming the allegations in the FIR as "baseless, false and disparaging", Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd (JFL) filing, quoting Bhartia, said it was made with a "clear malafide intent against him".


According to a section of the media, rape and money fraud allegations were levelled by a Bollywood actress, whose name has not been revealed, against Bhartia and his one associate.


"... the Company has received a statement from Mr Shyam S Bhartia, Chairman, Jubilant Bhartia Group, in his personal capacity, where he denies all the allegations as they are baseless, false and disparaging, and made with clear malafide intent against him," said JFL, which operates fast-food chains - Domino's Pizza and Dunkin' Donuts.


It further said the order of the Bombay High Court specifically states that the police shall investigate the case on its own merits.


Moreover, the court has also made it clear in the order that they have not dwelled on the merits of the complaint in any manner whatsoever.


"As a respectable citizen, Shyam S Bhartia would fully cooperate with the investigation agency as and when called upon to do so," it said, adding that "as the investigation in this matter is ongoing, no additional comments can be made at this stage".


Moreover, Bhartia has further requested that the privacy of the family be respected, the statement added.


JFL also confirmed that the reports have no material impact on the company or its operations.

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