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The Citizen
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
SCA overturns Nulane accused's acquittal and orders a retrial
The Nulane scam case was one of two matters in which the state tried and failed to seek the extradition of Atul and Rajesh Gupta from the UAE. Limakatso Moorosi, Seipati Dlamini, Iqbal Sharma, Ronica Ragavan and Dinesh Patel appear at the Bloemfontein High Court on 23 January 2023. Picture: Gallo Images/Volksblad/Mlungisi Louw The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has overturned Bloemfontein Judge Nompumelelo Gusha's decision to summarily acquit all the accused in the R24.9 million Nulane Investments fraud, money laundering and corruption scam, saying she committed 'numerous errors of law'. SCA Judge Cagney John Musi handed down judgment on Thursday, saying the leave to appeal has been granted. 'It is ordered that the respondents may be retried for the same offences in respect of which they were acquitted by the Free State High Court on 21 April 2023, as if they had not previously been arraigned, tried and acquitted: provided that a different Judge shall preside over the trial'. Nulane scam The Nulane scam case was one of two matters in which the state tried and failed to seek the extradition of Atul and Rajesh Gupta from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The case is based on allegations that R24.9 million was paid to Nulane Investment – a company owned by Sharma – to conduct a feasibility study for the Free State province's flagship Mohoma Mobung project, which paved the way for the controversial Estina/Vrede dairy project. Nulane was contracted by the provincial government on the basis that it had unique skills to perform the work. The state alleged that Nulane, however, had no employees on its books and in fact subcontracted Deloitte to produce the report, for which Deloitte was paid R1.5 million. It's alleged that the only change made to the Deloitte report was to identify Paras Dairy as a suitable implementing partner for the development of a milk processing plant in Vrede. ALSO READ: SCA asked to dismiss state's appeal on Nulane case amid questions about witness's testimony Acquittal In April 2023, seven of the eight accused, including former Free State government officials Peter Thabethe and Seipati Dhlamini, along with Nulane Investments director and Gupta associate Iqbal Sharma, successfully applied to be discharged under section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA) in the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein. High Court Acting Judge Nompumelelo Gusha also found former head of the Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Limakatso Moorosi, not guilty, and she was acquitted. Gusha, in her judgment, criticised the state's investigation and concluded that the testimony of the state's sole witness, Shadrack Cezula, who had been the acting supply chain manager at the Free State Department of Agriculture, was 'evasive'. She concluded that the state had failed to prove its case against the accused before the court. 'Errors of law' However, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) appealed the matter. The NPA's Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) maintained that Gusha erred on several key legal questions, which the SCA on Thursday concurred with. 'The High Court made numerous errors of law that resulted in the acquittal of the respondents. This is unfortunate, particularly in a case such as this, where it was prima facie established that scarce public funds were unlawfully extracted from the Department and channelled to the UAE, by fraud and the misuse of power. 'This subverted the aims of the Project to generate income through farming and alleviate poverty, undermines the functionality of democratic institutions, and endangers the rule of law. The trial in the High Court can be summed up in a single sentence: This was a failure of justice. Regrettably, this erodes public confidence in the criminal justice system.' Musi ruled. ALSO READ: Court hears how nearly R1 million was spent fixing welding at Estina Dairy Farm NPA welcomes judgment The NPA welcomed the SCA ruling, saying the judgment paves the way for IDAC to reinstate the case within a reasonable period. NPA spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga said the prosecution body remains resolute in its stance of effectively prosecuting and holding accountable those responsible for state capture-related corruption. 'Beyond this important case, IDAC has made significant progress in its efforts to ensure accountability for serious and complex corruption and related crimes stemming from the state capture era. 'It has enrolled 50 cases, declared 133 investigations and partnered with the Asset Forfeiture Unit to obtain freezing and preservation orders amounting to R14.3 billion with R8.2 billion in confiscation orders deposited to the Criminal Asset Recovery Account (CARA),' Mhaga said. Mhaga said convictions in complex corruption cases take time, and not just in South Africa. 'The NPA is making steady and important progress in this endeavour and will continue to execute its mandate without fear, favour or prejudice'. ALSO READ: NPA says it will reinstate Estina dairy farm case after it was struck off court roll
Time of India
04-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
17 modified food vehicles get licence cancellation notices for blocking traffic
Indore: In a concerted effort to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety, Indore regional transport office has issued notices to 17 modified vehicles being used for selling juice and other food items on city streets, to cancel their licences. These vehicles, often parked on side walks and roadsides, significantly impede traffic. The action was taken on the directives of collector Asheesh Singh during a recent road safety committee meeting, where he called for strict measures against illegally modified vehicles. Following the order, the municipal corporation provided the transport department with a list of 17 such vehicles seized during anti-encroachment drives. Consequently, the transport department issued notices to owners of these vehicles, demanding a response within seven days. Vehicle owners are required to appear at transport office with their vehicles and documents within the stipulated period. If a vehicle is found to be illegally modified during inspection, its registration will be cancelled. Vehicle owners must also present all relevant documents. ARTO Rajesh Gupta confirmed that notices have been issued to all vehicles on the list received. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Вот что поза во сне говорит о вашем характере! Удивительные Новости Undo Among the vehicles identified, six are registered in other states, specifically Gujarat and Maharashtra. ARTO Gupta stated that information regarding these interstate vehicles has been retrieved from the 'Vahan' portal. To facilitate registration cancellation, letters will be sent to the respective transport departments in those states. All vehicle details have been extracted from the portal, and notices have been dispatched to their registered addresses. This initiative is part of a broader directive from the district administration to take action against all vendors selling goods from vehicles on city footpaths and roads. Going forward, modified vehicles found in violation will be seized, and their registrations will be cancelled. Collector Asheesh Singh specifically ordered this action during the ongoing crackdown on footpath encroachments.
Entrepreneur
03-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Can India Come Out of Its Battery Import Dependency?
India's battery market is expanding rapidly, technologies are evolving, and policies are aligning—but until the country secures control over its supply chains and critical resources, its battery ambitions will continue to ride on a fragile charge Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Batteries are now indispensable to India's energy future. From powering electric vehicles to storing solar and wind energy, their role is central. Yet, behind this surge lies a fragile foundation—one marked by critical raw material dependency, technological gaps, and underdeveloped infrastructure. India's reliance on imported materials, especially lithium, cobalt, and nickel, presents a structural vulnerability. These critical minerals are sourced from a handful of countries like China, Chile, and Australia, leaving the Indian battery supply chain exposed to geopolitical friction, pricing shocks, and shipment delays. This, together with India's limited capacity to refine or process these raw materials locally, calls for a shift in strategy. India's battery market is growing at breakneck speed, fuelled by the country's aggressive push toward electrification, rising energy demand, and a government-backed shift to clean technologies. According to a report by ResearchAndMarkets, the sector was valued at USD 10.45 billion in 2025 and is projected to nearly double to USD 20.24 billion by 2031, rising at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.48 per cent. There is a shift from traditional lead-acid to lithium-ion batteries, these newer chemistries, particularly lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and nickel manganese cobalt (NMC), offer higher energy density, faster charging, and longer life spans, making them essential for applications ranging from urban mobility to grid stability. One of the most promising developments lies in battery recycling. Anupam Kumar, CEO, MiniMines, said, "With nearly 75 per cent of batteries in India still imported, there's a growing recognition that recycling is not just about waste management, but resource security. Recovering valuable materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel from used batteries will support local manufacturing and decrease reliance on imports." Recycling also feeds into the broader goal of a circular economy, where resources are reused rather than discarded. Rajesh Gupta, director, Recyclekaro, echoes this sentiment. "India is also likely to see a parallel growth in battery recycling and second-life use, essential to reducing import dependence on critical minerals," he notes. This evolution is being nudged along by growing demand from sectors beyond EVs—such as telecom, data centers, and solar—further deepening the battery market's reach into India's economic fabric. This optimism is backed by a suite of policy interventions. Schemes like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) for Advanced Chemistry Cells, FAME, and the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan are pushing the sector toward domestic self-reliance. Yet, it's clear that policy is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. Dr. Aanchal Jain, CEO of PMI Electro Mobility, believes India is "Entering a high-growth phase, shaped by clear policy direction and a growing demand for clean energy solutions." She points out that as giga-factories begin to scale and supply chains solidify, India will inch closer to being both a producer and exporter of advanced battery technologies. Pulkit Khurana, co-founder & CEO, Battery Smart, gives another alternative, "The Indian battery market is witnessing accelerated growth, driven by a confluence of factors," but the dependence on imports and the lack of a resilient supply chain loom large. "Battery swapping has emerged as a critical enabler," he says, citing the rising demand for cost-effective, scalable solutions in Tier I, II, and III cities. "With domestic cell manufacturing gaining traction, reliance on imports will reduce, and supply chains will strengthen." Read More Currently, India imports almost its entire requirement of Li-ion batteries. However, CareEdge Ratings expects India's import dependency to decline to approximately 20 per cent by FY27, despite significant growth in demand due to large-scale integrated capacities being built for Li-ion battery storage. Lithium-ion production is increasing, and alternative chemistries like sodium-ion and solid-state batteries are gaining traction. These innovations could reduce the sector's dependency on materials like cobalt, which are not only scarce but also raise environmental and ethical concerns due to mining practices. The convergence of government incentives, clean energy targets, and rising consumer awareness is reshaping both supply and demand. The drive for local manufacturing, including lithium-ion cell production, is also fostering market self-reliance. "We anticipate strong growth over the next five years, particularly in energy storage systems, electric vehicle batteries, and grid stability solutions," Mukesh Gupta, marketing head, MaxVolt Energy Industries. Still, despite this momentum, the structural deficiencies cannot be ignored. India's current dependence on imported cells, limited processing infrastructure, and fragmented supply chains make it highly susceptible to disruption. Building a resilient battery industry will require not just investment in manufacturing, but in upstream capabilities like mining, refining, and recycling. It will also demand international partnerships, robust R&D, and localized innovations suited to India's climate and mobility patterns. In short, India's battery story is one of both promise and pressure. The market is expanding rapidly, technologies are evolving, and policies are aligning—but until the country secures control over its supply chains and critical resources, its battery ambitions will continue to ride on a fragile charge.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Can battery recycling solve EV industry's growing e-waste problem?
This article is authored by Rajesh Gupta, Founder & Director, Recyclekaro. India is on the cusp of an electric vehicle (EV) revolution. The government's ambitious vision to achieve 30% EV penetration by 2030 is steering the country towards a cleaner, greener transport future. Yet, as the number of EVs on Indian roads surges, a new challenge is beginning to take shape—how to responsibly manage the growing volume of end-of-life batteries. Lithium-ion batteries , which power EVs, typically last between five to ten years. This means that the early adopters of electric mobility in India will soon start retiring their first sets of batteries. According to industry estimates, India could face the task of recycling up to 1.2 million EV batteries per year by 2030. By 2040, this figure may climb to over 14 million annually. If not properly handled, these spent batteries risk becoming a serious environmental liability. The urgency lies in the composition of these batteries. They contain valuable yet hazardous materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. If improperly discarded, these elements can contaminate soil and groundwater, posing threats to both human health and biodiversity. At the same time, these materials are finite and largely imported, often under complex and geopolitically sensitive supply chains. Recycling offers a compelling solution. By recovering critical minerals from used batteries, India can reduce its dependency on imports, lower its carbon footprint, and mitigate the environmental damage of improper disposal. Currently, however, the country recycles less than 5% of its lithium-ion batteries through formal channels. Most of the sector remains fragmented and unorganised, lacking the infrastructure and regulatory clarity needed to function at scale. MG Windsor Pro EV Review: More Range, Tech, Safety | TOI Auto To accelerate progress in this area, coordinated action across multiple fronts is essential. Policy support remains a top priority. Stronger enforcement of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) guidelines can ensure that battery manufacturers and importers take ownership of the full life cycle of their products. At the same time, the development of a countrywide battery collection network and high-quality recycling facilities will be crucial. Public participation is equally important. Consumers must be made aware of how and where to dispose of batteries responsibly. Without an informed citizenry, even the most sophisticated recycling systems will fall short. Finally, investment in research and development will be key. Emerging technologies can make battery recycling more energy-efficient and cost-effective, increasing both its scalability and accessibility. India is not alone in facing these challenges. The European Union has already laid down ambitious plans for battery recycling and circular economy frameworks. Collaborations under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council are bringing much-needed global perspectives to our domestic efforts. These cross-border partnerships can catalyse innovation, knowledge transfer, and funding in India's nascent battery recycling industry. With the Indian lithium-ion battery market projected to reach 260 GWh by 2030, the urgency of scaling battery recycling cannot be overstated. A robust recycling ecosystem will not only support India's clean energy goals but will also enhance its strategic autonomy in critical minerals. As we embrace the electric future, the challenge of managing battery waste must not be left behind. Recycling is not merely an environmental obligation—it is a national opportunity to lead in clean technology, secure vital resources, and create green jobs. The road to sustainable mobility must be circular, and battery recycling is the wheel that keeps it moving.
IOL News
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Unveiling Nampo: Mahindra's innovative presence at South Africa's agricultural show
When the President and Vice President make an effort to go to Bothaville in the Free State to attend on two separate days, then you know it's more than just a casual gathering of commercial farmers. If you've never heard of Nampo, well, then you're missing out on the biggest agricultural show in the Southern Hemisphere. Big in every way Last year, during the four days of the event, more than 200 aeroplanes and 75 helicopters landed at the little airstrip, making it one of the busiest airspaces in the country, and almost 87 000 people passed through the gates. That's just a few thousand short of a full FNB Stadium. Financial institutions and big corporations have permanent structures and there's apparently a waiting list of many hundreds that want to be there. It's more than just an agricultural show with all its ancillary products, it's an impressive gathering of a cross section of all South Africans. Trying to walk the 40 hectares display area in a day is impossible but when you stroll through there are implements the size of a town house selling for R22-million and you have no idea what it does. That's apart from the tractors and other motorised implements that feature some of the most high-tech digital features in the world. It's also a showcase of virtually every vehicle manufacturer in the country, looking to expose their products to a captive audience. Mahindra presence It's no surprise, then, that Mahindra was there with their array of vehicles on display. They've even built a permanent structure on the aptly named Mahindra Lane. While most of us know the marque for their bakkies and SUVs, they are also the world's largest manufacturer of tractors by volume, some of them on display at Nampo. "Mahindra started its journey in South Africa among the farming community, knowing full well that if it could prove its toughness and value for money to this segment, then the rest would follow," said Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra South Africa.
