Edison & Iselin Indian News Corner


September 7, 2022 - Edison's Indian community will celebrate the Hindu festival Dasara Navratri this year on Ocober 1, 2022..........Read More

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August 23, 2022 - Come August 31, 2022, get ready for the annual celebration of Ganesh Utsav this year once again at the Woodbridge Center Mall near Oak Tree Road.........Read More

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March 28, 2022 - Fremont, CA Indian, Dileep Kumar Reddy Kamujula (35) is charged today by a federal grand jury with insider trading securities fraud scheme related to San Francisco based Cloud Communications company Twilio, Inc.

Dileep Kumar Reddy Kamujula allegedly engaged in illegal securities trading.....Read More

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March 18, 2022 - Mountain House, CA resident and former employee of Apple, Inc, Dhirendra Prasad (52) was charged yesterday in federal court for allegedly defrauding his former employer of millions of dollars, money laundering and tax evasion...................Read More

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March 2, 2022 - Lake Elsinore, Riverside County Indian Anuj Mahendrabhai Patel (32) was isentenced today to 108 months in federal prison for participating in an international fraud scheme to defraud elderly by posing as federal agents threatening arrest.................Read More

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February 25, 2022 - Irvine, Orange County based Indian Budamala Raghav Reddy (35) was charged with fraudulently obtaining more than five million in COVID-relief loans for three sham companies.

Budamala Raghav Reddy fled after authorities searched his Orange County residence on February 23, 2022, but was arrested at the US-Mexico border...........Read More

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February 11, 2022 - Bay area Indian IT company PerfectVIPs' CEO Namrata Patnaik (42) and HR Manager Kartiki Parekh (56) are charged with fraud in obtaining “Specialty Occupation” visas and one million dollar money laundering today in San Jose federal court..................Read More

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November 23, 2021 - Sunnyvale, CA based Indian IT Staffing Company owner Kishore Kumar Kavuru was sentenced to 15-months in prison for H-1B visa fraud today by U.S. District Judge Judge Edward J. Davila.

Kishore Kumar Kavuru, according to the indictment, falsified over 100 H-1B visa applications and obtained more than $1.5 million in fraud proceeds...................Read More

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December 9, 2020 - San Jose, CA Indian IT professional and a former Cisco employee Sudhish Kasaba Ramesh (31) was sentenced on Wednesday December 9, 2020 to 24 months intentionally accessing a protected computer without authorization and causing damage.

Sudhish Kasaba Ramesh was charged with one count of intentionally accessing a protected computer without authorization and recklessly causing damage, in violation of 18...................Read More

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September 25, 2020 - NYC Indian and Plainview, NY retail store owner Amardeep Singh (45) entered into a Deferred Prosecution Agreement with United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York today to resolve the COVID-19 price gouging criminal case under Defense Production Act.

According to the terms of Deferred Prosecution Agreement, Amardeep Singh will donate COVID Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) valued at more than $450,000........Read More

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August 13, 2020 - Come August 22, 2020, get ready for the annual celebration of Ganesh Utsav this year once again at the Woodbridge Center Mall near Oak Tree Road........Read More

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July 17, 2020 - Sohrab Sharma (29), co-founder of cryptocurrency company Centra Tech pleaded guilty today for conspiring to commit securities fraud, wire fraud, and mail fraud in connection with a scheme to induce victims to invest more than $25 million dollars worth of digital funds.

Centra Tech, a Miami, FL based company was co-founded by Sohrab Sharma along with Raymond Trapani and Robert Farkas.

Centra Tech was purported to offer cryptocurrency-related financial products and soliciting investors to purchase securities in the form of digital tokens through, among other means, an initial coin offering (“ICO”)...........Read More

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June 30, 2020 - The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) filed a federal lawsuit today against Cisco Systems and two of its managers Sundar Iyer and Ramana Kompella employed at company's San Jose headquarters for allegedely discriminating against an Engineer because he is Dalit or "Untouchable".

Besides caste discrimination, the other charges of law suit against Cisco and its two managers Sundar Iyer and Ramana Kompella include harassment and retaliation................Read More

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June 29, 2020 - Prabjot Nagra (26) a citizen of India was arrested today and charged by criminal complaint for attempting to smuggle more than 9000 pounds of marijuana into the United States.

According to the criminal complaint filed against Prabjot Nagra..........Read More

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June 24, 2020 - NYC Indian Ophthalmologist Ameet Goyal (57) from Rye, NY has been charged today in a superseding indictment for fraudulently obtaining Government-guaranteed loans intended to help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic while on pretrial release.

NYC Indian Eye Doctor Ameet Goyal was previously indicted for healthcare fraud offenses related to Medicare and Medicaid billing in November 2019.

And, due to pending criminal charges, Dr Ameet Goyal and his ophthalmology practice The Eye Assocates Group were ineligible for Covid-19 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) administered by Small Business Administration. .............Read More

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April 24, 2020 - NYC Indian and Plainview, NY retail store owner Amardeep Singh (45) is charged today under Defense Production Act for hoarding and selling scarce COVID-19 essentials such as face masks, face shields, surgical gowns and disinfecting products at inflated prices.

Amardeep Singh a.k.a Bobby Singh and Bobby Sidana owns and operates a network of retail entities (Singh Entities)........Read More

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February 13, 2020 - Uber Driver, a Citizen of India and a recent resident of Philadelphia, PA Jaswinder Singh (30) is sentenced to 12 months in prison today for knowingly transporting illegal aliens for financial gain into the United States.

Jaswider Singh was charged in May 2019 for transporting illegal aliens in Syracuse, NY Federal court........Read More

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February 5, 2020 - Monroeville, PA resident Makhan Singh (53) pleaded guilty February 3, 2020 to one count of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud.........Read More

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December 31, 2019 - Bucks County, PA Indian Dentist Dr. Pranathi V. Reddy was ordered today to pay a penalty of 150,000 to resolve allegations of Opioid-Mishandling and diversion for personal use.

Besides the penalty of of $150,000, Dr. Pranathi Reddy was:.......Read More

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December 9, 2019 - Jeetendra Harish Belani (37), an Indian businessman and operator of drug distribution entity LeeHPL Ventures, pleaded guilty today to drug importation, smuggling and money laundering offenses in Pittsburgh, PA federal court.

Belani Guilty Plea
Jeetendra Harish Belani, a/k/a Jeetu's guilty plea includes:.........Read More

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November 26, 2019 - Hedge fund Premium Point Investments founder, CEO & CIO Anilesh Ahuja (51) is sentenced to 50 months in prison prison in connection for securities fraud-related offenses.

The sentencing of NYC Indian Anilesh Ahuja is followed by his conviction by a jury trial for engaging in a securities mismarking scheme from 2014 to 2016 on July 11, 2019........Read More

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November 22, 2019 - Easton, PA resident Ashok Singh (58) was found guilty today of raping a woman after helping her find a place to live in Richmond Hill, Queens in a re-trial.

The two-week-long re-trial of Pennsylvania Indian Askhok Singh was followed by a 2018 hung jury........Read More

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November 20, 2019 - The outdoor ice skating rink in Edison is now open for the 17th season.

Located in Roosevelt Park adjacent to the Menlo Park Mall on Parsonage Road, Edison's Family Outdoor Ice Skating Rink offers recreation and fun for the entire family....Read More

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October 11, 2019 - Los Angeles based Indian broker Damanpreet Singh (34) was sentenced today in Sacramento to nine additional months in prison for failing to self-surrender to serve his original prison sentence.

Damanpreet Singh was originally sentenced to two years in prison on September 14, 2018 and was ordered to self-surrender to begin serving his prison time on January 4, 2019.

Instead of self-surrendering as per the court order............Read More

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September 12, 2019 - Eight NYC Indians from Long Island City, Richmond Hill, Deer Park, Jamaica etc. are arrested today for distributing millions of Opioid pills imported from India.

The eight NYC Indians allegedly received and repackaged misbranded Tramadol and other drugs at a warehouse in Queens, NY and shipped to individuals and entities in the United States.

The eight NYC Indians arrested and charged in the Opioid drug trafficking case are:............Read More

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September 05, 2019 - Multiple Federal complaints have been filed by U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California today charging three Bay Area Indians and 27 others with multi-million dollar scheme to receive referrals for Medicare patients.

The 30 people charged with Medicare kickback scheme include CEO of Amity Home Health, 13 Doctors, six Nurse/Case Managers, five Marketers, one Marketing Director and one Social Worker..........Read More

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August 30, 2019 - Queens, NYC Indian Realtor Reshmi Maharaj (53), has been sentenced to up to six years in prison for stealing nearly $600,000 in payments from prospective homeowners for the purported “short sale” of several Queens and Brooklyn properties in 2015.

Conviction of Reshmi Maharaj
Indian real estate agent Reshmi Maharaj was convicted on August 12, 2019 following a four week bench trial on the charges of:............Read More

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August 26, 2019 - Kamal Zafar (51) and Jamal Zafar (48) of South Huntington, NY and Armughanul Asar (68) of College Point, NY were charged in transnational call center fraud scheme targeted at thousands of individuals in the United States.

The three NYC Indians allegedly impersonated federal employees and netted over $2 million from victims across the United States............Read More

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August 23, 2019 - Glendale, CA Indian Software Engineering and IT Consulting Company Assigncorp has paid $48,193 to one employee.........Read More

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August 20, 2019 - Edison's Indian community will celebrate the Hindu festival Dasara Navratri this year on Ocober 5, 2019..........Read More

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August 05, 2019 - Tracy, CA Indian IT Staffing Company operator Abhijit Prasad (52) was convicted of 21 counts of H-1B visa fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft today by a federal grand jury.

According to the evidence presented at the trial in San Francisco........Read More

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August 03, 2019 -The 15th Annual Oak Tree Road India Day Parade will start around 1PM at the intersection of Oak Tree Road and Cinder Road (behind Lincoln Technical Institute) in Edison and go down Oak Tree Road and end around 8PM at Middlesex Ave in Iselin........Read More

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July 31, 2019 - A Pakistan Day Parade and Festival will be celebrated on Oak Tree Road in Edison / Iselin on Sunday, August 18, 2019.

This is the fifth year that Edison, NJ Pakistanis have organized a parade on Oak Tree Road,.......Read More

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July 21, 2019 - The 2019 Ganesh Festival is celebrated from September 2 to September 8, 2019.

And, 2019 Ganesh Utsav near Oak Tree Road like the earlier years will once again feature a 14-ft tall idol of Lord Ganesh.......Read More

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July 21, 2019 - The 2019 NYC Ganesh Utsav festival celebrations are scheduled to take place at YMCA – Padavan-Preller Fields in Bellerose,........Read More

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July 17, 2019 - Bail bondswoman and hotel owner Hema Patel (51) from McAllen, TX was sentenced today to three years of imprisonment for smuggling illegal aliens from Indian in Central Islip, NY federal court.

Besides the three year imprisonment, Hema Patel was ordered by the court to forfeit her:.......Read More

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July 11, 2019 - Hedge fund founder, CEO & CIO Anilesh Ahuja (51) and former trader Jeremy Shor (44) of Premium Point Investments (PPI) were found guilty today of securities fraud-related offenses in Manhattan federal court.

New Rochelle, NY resident Anilesh Ahuja and Jeremy Shor of New York, NY were convicted after a six-week trial in Manhattan federal court.......Read More

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May 31, 2019 - Mamunar Khan a.k.a Mumunar Khan (59) co-owner of Deshi Bazaar Halal grocery store in Queens was indicted by a federal grand jury today on charges of arson.......Read More

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May 24, 2019 - Gunjt Malhotra (30) of Ghaziabad, India, and Gurjeet Singh (22) and Jas Pal (54) of Queens, NY were charged in million dollar computer repair fraud scheme targeted at elders today..... Read More

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May 24, 2019 - An unnamed New York City Indian is among 31 criminal aliens arrested by the New York office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations during the five day “Public Safety” operation from May 9-23, 2019.

Besides the Indian national,..................Read More

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April 16, 2019 - Indian student Vishwanath Akuthota (27) of Albany, NY pleaded guilty today to causing damage to computers owned by The College of St. Rose.

According to the charges filed in the case, Akuthota, a citizen of India on a US Student Visa, used “USB Killer Device” on February 14, 2019 to destroy computer equipment and caused more than $58,000 in damage to The College of St. Rose..............Read More

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April 5, 2019 - Mohan S. Saini (63), of Arlington, MA resident was sentenced to three days in jail (time served) yesterday for transporting an illegal alien Anil Singh within the United States.

In addition to three-day jail term, Saini was slapped with three years of supervised release, 100 hours of community service,.............Read More

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March 28, 2019 - Jayesh Patel (49), co-owner of Econo Lodge Inn & Suites near Syracuse airport, and Munchies convenience store in Solvay, NY pleaded guilty today to money laundering and selling crack cocaine.............Read More

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March 23, 2019 - Anjaneyulu Katam (46), a Rochester, NY resident and co-owner of Indian IT companies Prosoft and Reliance IT Services was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison March 22, 2019 for securing illegal H-1B visas for Indian nationals.

Located in Monroe county, both Prosoft and Reliance offer IT staffing and consulting services through petitioning H1-B visas for beneficiaries residing in India.

While Anjaneyulu Katam was President of Prosoft, Reliance IT Services was managed by his wife Mahalakshmi Cheruvu...............Read More

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September 14, 2018 - Edison's Indian community will celebrate the Hindu festival Dasara Navratri on Ocober 13, 2018.

Dasara festival this year is celebrated from October 9-18, 2018....Read More

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August 06, 2018 - Come September, get ready for annual celebration of Ganesh Utsav this year at the Woodbridge Center Mall near Oak Tree Road.

The 2018 Ganesh Festival is celebrated from September.......Read More

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July 29, 2018 - India Day Parade on Oak Tree Road in Edison / Iselin this year is scheduled for Sunday, August 12, 2018.........Read More

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Sat Verma Sentenced to Prison for Credit Card Fraud
January 31, 2018 - Iselin, NJ resident Sat Verma (65) was sentenced to one year in prison January 30, 2018 in $200 Million international credit card fraud conspiracy.

Sat Verma previously pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of access device fraud.

According to documents filed and statements made in court:
Verma was originally charged in February 2013 as part of a conspiracy to fabricate more than 7,000 false identities to obtain tens of thousands of credit cards. He is one of the last 22 defendants to be sentenced in this scheme.

The scheme involved a three-step process in which the defendants would make up a false identity by creating fraudulent identification documents and a phony credit profile with the major credit bureaus; pump up the credit of the false identity by providing bogus information about that identity’s creditworthiness; then borrow or spend as much as they could without repaying the debts. The scheme caused more than $200 million in confirmed losses to businesses and financial institutions.

The scope of the criminal fraud enterprise required the conspirators to construct an elaborate network of false identities. Across the country, the conspirators maintained more than 1,800 “drop addresses,” including houses, apartments and post office boxes, which they used as the mailing addresses for the false identities.

... Verma admitted he effected transactions with access devices issued to another person.
Besides the one year prison term, Sat Verma of Iselin, NJ was sentenced to three years of supervised release, ordered to forfeit $270,000 and fined $1,000.

Other Iselin Indian Criminals
In addition to Sat Verma, Indian jewelry store Raja Jewelers owner Vijay Verma (Iselin, NJ) was also sentenced to prison in the $200 Million international credit card fraud conspiracy.

Vijay Verma was sentenced to 14 months in prison and was also ordered to forfeit $451,258.87 along with his co-owner Tarsem Lal (Iselin, NJ).

Court Documents & Post Related to 200 Million Credit Card Fraud
Iselin NJ Indian Jeweler Going to Prison
Iselin Indian Crooks Forfeit $451,259
Vijay Verma, Tarsem Lal $451,259 Forfeiture Judgement
Vijay Verma Indictment
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August 25, 2017 - Edison's Indian community will celebrate the Hindu festival Dasara Navratri on September 30, 2017 on the last day of nine-day festival.

Dasara festival this year is from September 20-30, 2017.

...Read More

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July 25, 2017 - A Pakistan Day Parade and Festival will be celebrated on Oak Tree Road in Edison / Iselin on Sunday, August 20, 2017.

This is the third time Pakistanis have organized a parade on Oak Tree Road, the business hub in Middlesex County with dozens of stores and restaurants that cater to immigrants from South Asia.....Read More

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July 24, 2017 - India Day Parade on Oak Tree Road in Edison / Iselin this year is scheduled for Sunday, August 13, 2017.

India Day Parade is organized annually to celebrate India's Independence Day on August 15........Read More

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May 31, 2017 -Prepare yourself for an early celebration of Ganesh Utsav this year at the Woodbridge Center Mall near Oak Tree Road.

The 2017 Ganesh Festival is celebrated from August 25, 2017 to August 29, 2017.......Read More

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September 5, 2016 - Edison's Indian community will celebrate the Hindu festival Dasara Navratri on October 1, 2016.

Dasara festival this year is from October 1 - 11, 2016.

Edison Dasara Festival 2016 image © OakTreeroad.us
Dushahra Navratri Festival - October 1, 2016
The 2016 Dushahra Navratri festival celebrations are scheduled to take place on October 1 at Lake Papaianni Park, 100 Municipal Blvd, Edison NJ 08817 across the street from Edison City Hall....Read More

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August 7, 2016 - India Day Parade on Oak Tree Road in Edison / Iselin this year is scheduled for Sunday, August 14, 2016.

India Day Parade is organized annually to celebrate India's Independence Day on August 15.....Read More

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Pakistan Day Parade 2016 on Oak Tree Road

July 23, 2016 - A Pakistan Day Parade and Festival will be celebrated on Oak Tree Road in Edison / Iselin on August 21, 2016.

This is the second time Pakistanis have organized a parade on Oak Tree Road, the business hub in Middlesex County with dozens of stores and restaurants that cater to immigrants from South Asia.

Indians, of course, have been celebrating India Independence Day through parades and floats for several years now.

Pakistan Day Parade - Details
Pakistan Day Parade starts @ 12PM at Shezan restaurant at 1673 Oak Tree Road in Edison, and will end at the intersection of Oak Tree Road and Middlesex Avenue in Iselin.

Like last year, the second Pakistan Day parade will include floats and bands depicting the culture of Pakistan.

Pakistan Day festival also includes live music, cultural celebrations and food vendors serving Pakistani cuisine on Middlesex Ave in Iselin.

If you plan on visiting, get there early because parking around Oak Tree Road will be tight.

Oak Tree Road is home to a few restaurants like Sunshine Palace, Shalimar Grill and Kandahar serving Pakistani and Afghani food. Celebrate Pakistani Independence Day with a plate of Kebabs, Chicken Biryani and a glass of Kashmir Tea during your visit to the area.

Related Information
Parking on Oak Tree Road
Getting There

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January 20, 2016 - Akshat Mehta will receive the coveted Eagle Scout rank on January 30, 2016 following his completion of an important project that greatly enhanced the music program at J. P. Stevens High School on Grove Avenue in Edison (NJ).

Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Scouting program of...Read More

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January 12, 2016 - The TD Bank at 2064 Oak Tree Road in Edison was robbed Saturday, January 9.

Edison Police said a Black man handed a note to one of the tellers demanding cash...Read More

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December 17, 2015 - This festive season, the Indian Business Association of Iselin has brought Christmas to the Oak Tree Road area.

A Christmas tree has been set up at India Square near Oak Tree Road, the major Indian shopping hub in New Jersey....Read More

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Edison Police Dept. Recruiting Police Officers
September 28, 2015 - Attention Oak Tree Road desis, here's your chance to wear a police uniform and impress your girlfriend, wife, auntie, uncle, friends and family.

The Edison Police Department is looking for Auxiliary Police Officers.

Edison Police Dept Auxiliary Police Officers with Anil Kapoor image © OakTreeroad.us
Edison Auxiliary Police Officers with Anil Kapoor
(Image Courtesy: Edison Police Dept.)
Here are the details of the recruitment:

Postion: Auxiliary Police Officers

Duties: Assist with traffic control functions, crowd control and security, road closures, extra patrols in public parks and properties, and call outs for emergency or disaster situations

Qualifications: 18 years and older, a US Citizen, possessing a high school diploma or G.E.D, good physical condition, possess a valid N.J. Driver’s License and able to pass a criminal background check and interview. Applicants should be Edison Residents or from towns within close proximity to Edison Township that do not have Auxiliary Police Officers of their own

How to Apply: Contact Sgt. Robert J. Dudash Jr., Auxiliary Police Liaison at 732-248-6442 or e-mail rdudash@edisonpd.org. Download Applications Edison Township Website: www.edisonnj.org or www.edisonpoliceaux.com

Last Date: Completed applications must be mailed or dropped off to the Edison Police Department, Police Administration Bureau, 100 Municipal Blvd. Edison, NJ. 08817, Attention: Sgt. Robert J. Dudash Jr., Auxiliary Police Liaison. Applications must be submitted by 4PM on October 30, 2015 for 2016 appointment

Salary: Jeeero i.e. Volunteer Position

Benefits: Pose for Photos with visiting Bollywood Stars

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September 27, 2015 - Bravo Subbu Gundapaneni, Bravo!

I doff my existential Fedora to you!

Truly Sir, You're a savant!

What Hamlet spoke in great dirge of the late King, the much lamented father lately a Ghost, is more apt in your instance, Sir!

He was a man. Take him for all in all.
I shall not look upon his like again.
- Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 1
Baby, genuflect before the infinitely superior intellect of Subramaniam Narayana Gundapaneni.

Men like Subbu walk the Earth but seldom.

Gundapaneni Who?

Yo man, who the heck's Subbu Gundapaneni?

Yeah, yeah, I hear the impatient desi dolts shrieking in the stands.

Subbu Gundapaneni's brilliant claim to fame is to file a trademark application for Hyderabad Dum Biryani with the US Patent and Trademark Office....Read More

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September 25, 2015 - Iselin (NJ) businessman Nilay D.Shah, 39, has been arrested on charges of stealing over $52,000 from Wyoming motel owner Ramesh Patel.

Patel placed orders for hotel supplies for his motels in Wyoming in January 2014 and made part payments to Nilay Shah's Iselin company d’Hotel Supplies, located on Green St (off Oak Tree Road in Iselin)....Read More

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September 14, 2015 - In retrospect, Jersey City Indian restaurant Eggomania should have stayed under the radar and not bothered to try to register a trademark.

But hindsight is always 20/20.

Owned by an Indian-American startup Anubhav, Eggomania operates an egg-focused restaurant at 14 Liberty Avenue in Jersey City and plans to expand to 1546 Oak Tree Road in Edison soon.

Kellogg Opposition
Once Eggomania filed an application with the US Patent and Trademark Office in September 2014 for the mark "eggomania" the filing went through the usual scrutiny by the agency's attorneys.

In January 2015, the USPTO attorneys considered "eggomania" entitled to registration and published a notice of opposition allowing potentially aggrieved parties to oppose the proposed registration.....Read More

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September 12, 2015 - Sukh Sagar Bhavan Indian vegetarian restaurant at 1546 Oak Tree Road in Iselin has closed.

Started in late 2014, Sukh Sagar Bhavan offered both lunch ($7.99) and dinner ($10.99) buffets.

Despite the lure of Oak Tree Road as the principal shopping and dining destination for Indians across New Jersey, Sukh Sagar Bhavan (which used to be open all 7-days) failed to survive for even a year.

Sukh Sagar was a successor to Volga Indian restaurant......Read More

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September 2, 2015 - Prepare yourself for Ganesh Utsav 2015 celebrations at the JK Golden Mall on Oak Tree Road in Edison.

Ganesh Utsav on Oak Tree Road will once again feature a 14-ft tall idol of Lord Ganesh.

Once you surrender to Ganesh and prostrate at his feet, good things start raining as all obstacles vanish.

Lord Ganesh's blessings guarantee a H1B Visa at the American Embassy ......Read More

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August 14, 2015 - To mark India's Independence Day, the Indo-American Cultural Society is planning a special function on Oak Tree Road in Iselin on Saturday, August 15, 2015.

Some members of the Indo-American Cultural Society will hoist India's flag at the First Presbyterian Church (1295 Oak Tree Road)......Read More

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August 2, 2015 - A Pakistan Day Parade and Festival will be celebrated on Oak Tree Road in Edison / Iselin on August 16, 2015.

This is the first time Pakistanis have organized a parade on Oak Tree Road, the business hub in Middlesex County with dozens of stores and restaurants that cater to immigrants from South Asia.......Read More

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Horror! Casinos May Come Near Edison
June 9, 2015 - Clueless Middlesex County politicians are pushing for a casino in Central New Jersey.

Should their plans materialize, the casino will likely come up near Edison, the largest city in Middlesex County.

At present, New Jersey has casinos only in Atlantic City a.k.a dying city (because of closing of multiple casinos in recent years and the consequent layoffs).

As a first step, Middlesex County and Somerset County lawmakers have introduced an amendment for one casino each in Central Jersey and North Jersey.

Other New Jersey counties are also pitching for casinos in their jurisdictions.

Before the proposed casinos can see the light of day, both houses of the Legislature must approve the amendments with three-fifths majorities by August 3, 2015 and then voters must approve the amendment.

Plans to open more casinos in the state when existing ones in Atlantic City are struggling or closing reveal a bankruptcy of ideas among New Jersey legislators.

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June 2, 2015 - H1B Visa and tax fraudster Sandipkumar Patel of Edison (NJ) has been sentenced to 30-months in prison for his crimes.

Patel had previously pleaded guilty on September 4, 2014 to facilitating entry of Indian immigrants illegally into the US by falsifying their employment and visa applications through fraudulent payroll checks and forms.

US District Court Judge William H. Walls handed down the stiff sentence for Sandipkumar Patel in Newark (NJ) on Tuesday, June 2, 2015.....Read More

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Balwinder Singh Killed Near Oak Tree Road
February 12, 2015 - Tragedy struck an Indian family when a savage in a pickup truck killed 41-year-old Balwinder Singh at 11:20PM Tuesday, February 10, 2015 on Wood Avenue near Oak Tree Road in a hit and run incident.

Balwinder died at the scene of the crime.

The driver of the pickup truck fled without stopping to render assistance to Balwinder.

Woodridge Police believe the hit-and-run vehicle is a silver or white, early 2000s model GMC Sierra pickup truck.

If you have any information about this hit-and-run incident, please call Woodbridge Police Department Traffic Unit and speak to Sgt. Eric Nelson or Patrolman Angelo at 732-634-7700.

Balwinder Singh is a resident of Iselin, NJ.

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Oak Tree Rd Jewelry Store Robbed
January 21, 2015 - Two men robbed Gold Palace Jewelry, an Indian jewelry store at 1546 Oak Tree Rd, Iselin NJ 08830, on January 4, 2015.

Police said one of the suspects pistol-whipped an employee to force him to open the jewelry store safe.

One of the perps assaulted the victim multiple times with a handgun leaving him with injuries.

It's not clear if the thieves took only cash or if jewelry was also part of the loot.

Besides gold and diamond jewelry, Gold Palace Jewelry sells coral, rubies and other precious and semi-precious stones.

If you have any information that can help to solve the case, please call Woodbridge Police Dept. Detective Jorge Quesada 732-634-7700 at ext. 2114 or Sgt. John Roesler at ext. 7338
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Shreyans Desai Going to Prison
December 5, 2014 - Edison resident Shreyans Desai has been sentenced to 15-months in prison for defrauding investors.

Desai, 27, who was former President of ShreySiddh Capital LLC of Iselin, confessed before District Judge William Martini of Newark Federal Court to bilking investors of over $250,000.

Besides the prison term, Judge Martini punished Desai with three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution of $121,250.

New Jersey prosecutors say Shreyans Desai misled investors about the licensing and registration status of his company to get them to give money to him so that he could trade securities on their behalf. Desai then sought to retain control of the funds invested with him by providing investors with inflated values of their investments.

Shreyans is also said to have inflated the amount of commissions he purportedly earned through trading those funds.

Shreyans Desai Court Documents:
Shreyans Desai Plea Agreement with Government
Shreyans Desai Indictment

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Edison Indian Accused of Sexual Abuse
Shyam Sundrani, a motel owner from Edison (NJ), has been accused of sexually abusing a 29-year-old woman.

Shyam's indictment reveals that the alleged incident happened on August 21, 2012 at the Baldwinsville Microtel Inn & Suites in Baldwinsville, NY.

The case is being prosecuted by Onondaga county attorney Susan Azzarelli.

Shyam (49) was arrested on March 28, 2014 and released on bail of $10,000.

His arraignment took place on October 17, 2014.

Shyam Sundrani should be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Navratri Festival on Oak Tree Road
October 3, 2014 - Edison and Iselin Indians will celebrate the Hindu festival Navratri on Oak Tree Road.

Dasara Navratri Festival Edison © image OakTreeRoad.us
Navratri Festival - Oct 3-4, 2014

Navratri festival is scheduled to take place in the bowling alley parking lot (behind RajKamal Indian Restaurant) at the the corner of Minebrook Road and Oak Tree Road in Edison.

The two-day program includes singing bhajans, Garbha dancing and prayer.

Tickets for the program may be purchased at the door or from Indian stores on Oak Tree Road.

Dates - Oct. 3 (Friday) and Oct. 4 (Saturday)
Ticket price - $5 (Friday) $6 (Saturday)
Hours: 8:30PM-1AM

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October 1, 2014 - Desi criminals Vijay Verma and Tarsem Lal of Iselin (NJ) have signed a plea deal with the U.S. government agreeing to the imposition of a criminal forfeiture money judgment of $451,258.87 for participating in a huge credit card fraud scheme.

Verma and Lal also agreed that $374,600.82 in cash seized at Raja Jewelers (Jersey City) by authorities shall be forfeited to the U.S. government as part of the criminal forfeiture money judgment of $451,258.87.

The forfeiture is part of the sentence to be imposed on Verma and Lal.

If all goes according to plan with the forfeiture payments, Vijay Verma will get back $1.9 million in jewelry and gold seized by the government from Raja Jewelers.

Case Background
Vijay Verma and Tarsem Lal were part of a large group that pleaded guilty to participating in a credit card fraud and bank fraud scheme.

Verma used his Jersey City-based Raja Jewelers to carry out the massive credit card fraud involving multiple conspirators. The fraud involving Vijay Verma et al is said to have caused losses of $204 million to businesses and financial institutions.

Vijay Verma Patel, Tarsem Lal Court Documents:
Vijay Verma, Tarsem Lal $451,259 Forfeiture Judgement
Vijay Verma Indictment


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Bear Kills Darsh Patel
September 22, 2014 - Darsh Patel (22) of Edison was mauled and killed by a bear in Apshawa Preserve, a wooded section of West Milford (NJ) in northern New Jersey.

The tragic incident happened on Sunday, September 21, 2014.

Patel along with four others were hiking through Apshawa Preserve when they encountered the black bear.

The others managed to escape but Patel fell victim to the bear.

A police search team found Darsh's body at 5:54PM.

Police found a bear nearby and killed it.

Exercise Caution
Bear sightings and encounters are not unusual in New Jersey.

Hikers must exercise great caution when moving around on foot, particularly in wooded parts of the state.

The 576-acre Apshawa Preserve, which includes the 40-acre Butler Reservoir, is popular among hikers and birdwatchers.

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September 5, 2014 - Desi H1B Visa and tax fraudster Sandipkumar Patel of Edison has pleaded guilty to facilitating entry of Indian immigrants illegally into the U.S.

Sandipkumar Patel falsified employment and visa applications of Indian immigrants through fraudulent payroll checks and forms.

H1B Visa Fraud Scheme
According to court documents, Sandipkumar Patel, principal of IT services firm Software Programming and Consulting, Mercury Staffing Inc and Medical Staffing International collected tens of thousands of dollars from Indian immigrants to fraudulently secure and extend H1B Visas......Read More

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14-ft Ganesh Coming to Oak Tree Road
August 4, 2014 - Get ready for Ganesh Utsav celebrations on Oak Tree Road in Edison.

Ganesh Utsav will feature a 14-ft tall idol of Lord Ganesh, a favorite God for millions of Indians.

Scheduled from August 29-August 31, the Ganesh festival will include regular Poojas and cultural programs.

There will be three Aartis daily (10AM, 1PM and 8PM).

Admission to Ganesh Utsav is free.

If you have blessings of Lord Ganesh, nothing can stop you.

Ganesh Utsav Location: JK Golden Mall, 1680 Oak Tree Rd, Edison, NJ.

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Edison Indian Crook's Prison Term Delayed
August 19, 2014 - Desi crook Shreyans Desai's sentencing date has been pushed back.

Edison (NJ) resident Desai, 27, who was former President of ShreySiddh Capital LLC of Iselin, was scheduled to be sentenced on August 13, 2014 for cheating investors of over $250,000.

But for reasons that are not clear the sentencing has been postponed.

Desai - New Sentencing Date
Desai's new sentencing date is October 15, 2014 at 10:00 AM before Judge William J. Martini.

Barring a miracle, Desai will get a prison term of several years for his crime.

Only the exact length of Desai's prison term remains uncertain.

The desi crook has already admitted to bilking investors of over $250,000.

The crime to which Desai has pleaded guilty carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 file. The judge may also order Shreyans to pay restitution to the victims and is certain to order forfeiture as well.

Shreyans Desai Court Documents:
Shreyans Desai Plea Agreement with Government
Shreyans Desai Indictment

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Shame - Esha Deol is Grand Marshal
July 26, 2014 - Esha Deol is not only a flop queen of Bollywood but also one of the worst actresses in India.

Yet the India Business Association has picked this creature as Grand Marshal of the 10th India Day Parade 2014 on Oak Tree Road to celebrate India's Independence day.

Esha Deol's only claim to fame is that she happens to be the daughter of Hema Malini and Dharmendra.

In a country of 1.2 billion people are there no talented people that we stoop to pick up dregs like Esha Deol?

Talented Indian-American actor Omi Vaidya will be the Chief Guest of the India Day Parade.

India Day Parade is scheduled for August 10, 2014.

Details
India Day Parade will start at 1:30PM at the intersection of Oak Tree Road and Cinder Road (behind Lincoln Technical Institute) in Edison and go down Oak Tree Road and end at Middlesex Ave in Iselin.

There will be about 25 floats as part of the parade.

Get there early because parking in the Oak Tree Road area is bound to be tight.

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June 20, 2014 - Iselin, NJ resident and Indian jewelry store owner Vijay Verma has pleaded guilty to participating in a credit card fraud scheme.

For his crime, Verma will soon be heading to prison.

Vijay Verma used his New Jersey jewelry store Raja Jewelers to carry out a massive credit card scheme involving multiple conspirators.

The fraud scheme involving Vijay Verma and several others is said to have caused losses of $204 million to businesses and financial institutions.

Vijay Verma is the 18th person to plead guilty to the fraud scheme.

On Friday, June 20, 2014, Vijay Verma pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Anne E. Thompson in Trenton federal court to conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

The count to which Vijay Verma pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,00 fine, or twice the gain or loss caused by the offense.

Credit Card Fraud Scheme
Court filings say 46-year-old Vijay Verma owned and operated Raja Jewelers located in Jersey City where he allowed co-conspirators to use fraud cards.

Vijay Verma split the proceeds of the phony transactions with conspirators.

Vijay Verma's prison sentencing date is September 25, 2014.

Court Documents on Vijay Verma

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Defeat for Oak Tree Road Business Association


Edison Town Council has awarded Indian Business Association a seven-year contract to run the annual Oak Tree Road Parade in Edison Township.

Indian Business Association's victory is a huge defeat for Oak Tree Road Business Association.

Indians everywhere forever fight over things small and big.

And New Jersey Indian businesses on Oak Tree Road in Edison and Iselin are no different.

For the last four years, Indian Business Association and Oak Tree Road Business Association have been engaged in a bitter fight over the right to organize a parade on Oak Tree road to celebrate Indian Independence Day.

The fight between the two associations has made Indians look like jokers.

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Edison Indian Crook Shreyans Desai Pleads Guilty
Shreyans Desai of Edison, New Jersey, has pleaded guilty to defrauding investors.

On May 5, 2014, Desai, 27, former President of ShreySiddh Capital LLC of Iselin admitted before District Judge William Martini of Newark Federal Court to cheating investors out of more than $250,000.

Some of Desai's victims hailed from Edison and Piscataway, both in New Jersey.

According to court filings, Shreyans Desai misled investors about his licensing status and registration status of the company to get them to entrust their money to him so that he could trade securities on their behalf. Desai then sought to retain control of the funds invested with him by providing investors with an inflated value of their investments.

The 27-year-old Edison Indian is also said to have inflated the amount of commissions he purportedly earned through trading those funds.

Desai will be sentenced to prison on August 13, 2014.

The wire fraud to which Desai pleaded guilty carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 file.

May Lord Shri Ramji give Shreyans Desai the strength to endure his prison term.

Court Documents: Copy of Shreyans Desai's Court Indictment
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Reporting Suspicious Activity on Oak Tree Road
How to Contact Woodbridge Police Department image © OakTreeRoad.us
Woodbridge Police Notice

Woodbridge Township Police Department is asking Oak Tree Road visitors and businesses to report any suspicious activity to the department by calling 732-634-7700 for non-emergencies.

Please call 911 Only for Emergencies.