1. Accused Held in Sri Lanka ‘Suspected Handler’
The software engineer suspected by authorities in Sri Lanka of providing technical and logistical support to the suicide bombers of 21 April 2019 attack, was also a suspected handler of two IS operatives arrested by Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) two years back.
Reportedly, Sri Lankan software engineer identified as Aadhil Ameez, a 24-year-old, was link between groups that attacked churches and hotels in Sri Lanka and killed more than 250 people. He was taken into custody on 25 April, four days after the attacks.
According to ATS officials, two suspects, identified as Mohamad Kasim Stimberwala, a laboratory technician with a hospital in Ankleshwar and Ubed Ahmed Mirza, a practising lawyer in Surat were arrested on 25 October 2017. The duo followed the ideology of Islamic State and was planning to carry out a lone wolf attack on a synagogue in Khadia area of Ahmedabad.
(Source: DNA Ahmedabad)
2. DRI Busts Drone Smuggling Racket, Kingpin Held From Ahmedabad
An international racket involving smugglers from Pakistan, China, Myanmar and India to import high-end drones (remotely-piloted aircraft) into the country through the north-eastern border, has been busted, the Ahmedabad unit of the DRI has said.
While the shipment of drones and other related items, worth Rs 1 crore, was intercepted and seized by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in March, the Ahmedabad-based mastermind, whose identity was not revealed, was arrested on Thursday, a release by the DRI.
The drones were smuggled into India from China through Myanmar. It was also revealed that some Pakistan-based smugglers and their firms were also involved in the entire racket.
(Source: Business Standard)
3. Gujarat: Two Months After Journalist’s Death, Police Say They Found His Cellphone
Two months after a 26-year-old TV journalist, Chirag Patel, was found charred to death under mysterious circumstances on the outskirts of Ahmedabad city, the Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) has said that they have found the cell phone of the victim.
According to Assistant Commissioner of Police (DCB, Ahmedabad) BV Gohil, Patel’s cell phone was found with a man who is employed as a driver and lives in a colony at Kathwada village of Ahmedabad. Police claimed that Anil Vaghela had picked Patel’s phone on the morning of March 16 when his body was found.
“The man has been identified as Anil Vaghela, who is a cab driver and lives not far from where the body of Chirag Patel was found. According to Vaghela, on the morning of March 16, around 5 am, as he left his house in his cab, he found a motorcycle and a cellphone lying on the road. However, the journalist’s body was located in the bushes. Therefore, he claims that he couldn’t see the body and he left the site with the cellphone,” Gohil said.
(Source: Indian Express)
4. One Held After Video Shows Man on Bike Luring Lion With Bait
A person was detained in Gujarat on Thursday, 16 May, after a video surfaced in which a man was purportedly seen dragging an animal carcass behind his motorcycle apparently to lure a lion, a forest official said.
Taking serious note of the incident, Chief Conservator of Forests, Junagadh Wildlife Circle, DT Vasavada, said strict action would be taken against those found harassing lions in the state.
In the nearly 15-second clip, which went viral on social media platforms, a man was seen dragging the carcass, apparently of a cattle, tied to his two-wheeler with the help of a rope.
Lured by the bait, a male lion was then seen appearing from the bushes and chasing the carcass for some distance.
(Source: Business Standard)
5. Surat Cops Ban 'Cruel & Violent' Birthday Celebrations in City
Smearing cake on the face or giving birthday bumps could land one in trouble in Surat as police have imposed a ban on such "cruel and violent" birthday celebrations at public places, saying such acts not only disturb others, but also jeopardise people's lives.
A notification imposing a ban on such birthday celebrations at public places, such as gardens, roads, BRTS corridors and bridges, was issued by Surat Commissioner of Police, Satish Sharma, on 14 May. It will remain in effect till 12 July.
As per the notification, those found guilty of violating this order would face arrest under section 188 of the IPC for "disobeying an order duly promulgated by public servant".
The notification said that Surat police have taken the decision after receiving complaints from people.
(Source: Times of India)
6. Man Seeks Help From Gujarat High Court to Get Back Wife
The Gujarat High Court on Thursday, 16 May, sought a response from the police after a 25-year-old man moved court claiming that his newly-wed wife has been illegally detained by his father-in-law and sought the court's help to get her back.
The man alleged that he is unable to contact his wife for the past one month and afraid that his father-in-law might have killed her to save the family's honour, or would have forced her to get married again.
The single-judge bench of Justice VP Patel issued notice to the police authorities directing them to produce the girl before court by Wednesday. The man told the court that he and his wife were in love for the past eight years before getting married on 8 March.
He alleged that his in-laws, who belong to the Patel community, were against the marriage as he belongs to scheduled caste.
(Source: DNA Ahmedabad)
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