A former Miss India, Shivankita Dixit, was tricked out of Rs 99,000 during a two-hour-long “digital arrest” by scammers pretending to be CBI officers. They accused her of serious crimes like money laundering and child kidnapping. After pressuring her to send the money, she and her family filed a cybercrime complaint.
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has removed 2.33 lakh inactive and non-compliant companies in the past five years as part of a major clean-up. The government is targeting shell companies, which are often involved in illegal activities like tax evasion and money laundering. States like Maharashtra and Delhi have been the biggest contributors to this issue, with major action taking place in 2022-23. This effort aims to improve corporate governance and reduce widespread non-compliance.
Honda has launched the new third-generation Amaze in India, starting at Rs. 7.99 lakh. The updated model brings a fresh look, improved interior, and new tech features, while keeping the same 1.2L petrol engine. Key updates include a bigger touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, ADAS, and a revamped design. The car is available in six variants, with deliveries starting next month.
ICICI Bank confirmed that Maharashtra GST authorities searched three of its offices on December 4, 2024. The bank is fully cooperating with the investigation. The searches are being carried out under sections 67(1) and 67(2) of the Maharashtra GST Act, 2017. The bank had recently reported strong financial results for Q2 FY 2024-25, showing significant growth in profits and loan portfolios.
EPAM, a digital transformation company based in the US, has opened its third office in Pune, India, marking another step in expanding its operations in the country. This new office follows the company’s earlier expansions in Bengaluru and Chennai. EPAM’s workforce in India has grown to nearly 9,600 employees. The Pune office will focus on offshore development centers, serving clients in industries such as banking and financial services. EPAM expects to continue growing in India and aims to have 10,000 employees by Q1 2025.
Airlines are facing higher costs and delays due to ongoing supply chain issues, which are impacting their ability to meet sustainability goals and provide smooth service. Although passenger traffic has bounced back, shortages in spare parts and longer maintenance times are forcing airlines to keep older planes longer and reduce some services. These challenges are pushing up costs and leading to market share losses, with more delays expected for at least two more years.
India’s Health Ministry has rolled out new rules for cigarette packs. These include warnings like “SMOKING CAUSES PAINFUL DEATH” and graphic images showing the dangers of tobacco. A helpline number to quit smoking will also be included. The new guidelines set specific rules for the font and colors of the warnings and images.
Over 2,200 companies moved their registered offices out of West Bengal to other states between 2019 and 2024. This includes 39 listed companies. The main reasons for these moves were easier operations, cost savings, and better control over management. Experts point out that poor infrastructure and complicated regulations are pushing businesses to leave, and they say Bengal needs to make changes to keep up with more business-friendly states like Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Two chartered accountants (CAs) and a cryptocurrency trader were arrested in a ₹640 crore cyber fraud case. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out searches at several locations, recovering ₹47 lakh in cash, important documents, and crypto assets. The fraud involved betting, gambling, part-time jobs, and phishing scams, with the money being transferred through over 5,000 Indian bank accounts to a payment platform based in the UAE.
The FSSAI has told e-commerce platforms to make sure the food products they sell match the claims on their labels and follow safety and quality rules. The guidelines focus on training staff on food safety and delivery, following labelling laws, and being clear about FSSAI licenses and product shelf life. These steps are meant to build consumer trust and ensure the authenticity of food sold online.