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www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 4 CITY VIEWS April 24, 2026 FBI Director Kash Patel Sues The Atlantic For $250M, Alleging Defamation Indian Consulate In New York, IIT Bombay Hold Dialogue On US-India Partnership F BI Director Kash Patel sued the Atlantic and staff writer Sarah Fitzpatrick in federal court, alleging that the magazine ran a “sweep- ing, malicious, and defamatory hit piece” against him on Friday (April 17, 2026) with the intention of marring his reputation. In the complaint, filed in federal district court in D.C., Patel says he is seeking $250 million in damages plus any proceeds from the article. The Atlantic’s article contained exten- sive reporting – attributed to anonymous individuals – alleging Patel engaged in “excessive drinking” and “unexplained absences” while leading the FBI. The complaint alleges that several incidents detailed in the article are de- famatory. These incidents include that Patel was often intoxicated withWhite House and Trump administration staff, that meetings had to be rescheduled following nights that he drank, and that staff had to use “breaching equipment” to access rooms when Patel had report- edly been unreachable. “We stand by our reporting on Kash Patel, and we will vigorously defend The Atlantic and our journalists against this meritless lawsuit,” Anna Bross, a spokeswoman for the Atlantic, said in a statement. Under defamation law, Patel – as a pub- lic official – would likely have to demon- strate that the Atlantic acted with “actual malice,” a legal standard established in the landmark 1964 Supreme Court deci- sion in NewYork Times v. Sullivan. To reach that standard, Patel would have to prove not only that the Atlan- tic’s claims were false but also that they knew they were false and published with reckless disregard for the truth. “They are so demonstrably and obviously false, or easily refuted,” the complaint said, “that it was at best reckless to publish them.” -TheWashington Post T he Indian Consulate in NewYork headed by Consul General Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology Bombay Heri- tage Foundation, hosted an exclusive round- table April 19, 2026, on “Shaping India’s Future through Emerging Technologies” with Director, IIT Bombay, Dr. Shireesh Kedare. Dr. Kedare delivered a presentation on technology sov- ereignty and the vision of a Viksit Bharat. The session featured special remarks by the Dean of Columbia Engineering, Dr. Shih-Fu Chang. Consul General Pradhan spoke about tech- nology partnership between US and India. The IIT Bombay Dean Professor Upendra Bhan- darkar, delivered the vote of thanks. By Scott Nover By a StaffWriter Speakers and discussions at the Indian Consulate April 19, 2026, in a meeting with IIT Bombay. PHOTO COLLAGE: INDIAN CONSULATE PHOTO:DEMETRIUS FREEMAN/THEWASHINGTON POST FBI Director Kash Patel, seen in January. N ewYork Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar unveiled a sweeping package of “good government, ethics, and trans- parency” bills April 17, 2026, “to bring unprecedented checks and balances that ensure government works for the people, not the powerful,” her office said in a press release. Rajkumar’s bills seek to deal with no-bid contracts, relationships between contractors and public officials, and what she sees as unauthorized contrac- tors receiving public money, undisclosed lobbying pressure, and big-money influ- ence from corporations doing business with the government. “The Assemblywoman’s package comes following a series of scandals and improprieties involving government contracts, with NewYorkers clamoring for a government where decisionmakers act in the best interest of the people,” says the press release. “I have personally seen how corrup- tion at the state and city levels stalls government and stands in the way of helping people. That is why I am proud to introduce this anti-corruption pack- age, Rajkumar said, adding, “NewYorkers are sick of backroom deals, insider influ- ence, and a government that too often serves the well-connected instead of the public. The package includes: A10881 — Limits the use of no-bid contracts by setting strict, clearly defined conditions on when they are allowed. The bill requires competitive bidding in the absence of a Declaration of Emer- gency by the Governor. A10461 — Requires NewYork City con- tractors to disclose any personal or profes- sional relationships with public officers, ensuring potential conflicts of interest are brought into the open before contracts are awarded. A10462 — Prohibits government payments on NewYork City contracts to contractors who are not “properly” authorized, ensuring that all vendors and subcontractors are vetted and approved before receiving taxpayer funds. A9559 — Strengthens lobbying trans- parency in NewYork by requiring lobbyists to disclose their positions on specific bills, including amendments and appropria- tions. A826 — Closes a campaign finance loophole allowing businesses awarded contracts in NewYork City to give big donations. By a StaffWriter State Assemblywoman Rajkumar Unveils Slew Of Anti-Corruption Bills PHOTO:X @JENIFERRAJKUMAR Jenifer Rajkumar