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Thu, 06 April 2023
T'gana BJP chief gets bail in question paper case
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Telangana BJP president Bandi Sanjay Kumar
23:52 T'gana BJP chief gets bail in question paper case
A court granted bail to Telangana BJP president and MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar who was arrested over the alleged leak of secondary school exam papers.
The principal judicial magistrate court in Hanamkonda district granted bail to Kumar on furnishing a personal bond of Rs 20,000 with two sureties.
The Telangana BJP chief was directed not to leave the country without the court's permission.
It also asked him not to tamper with the evidence, and cooperate with the investigation.
Sanjay Kumar, a Lok Sabha MP from Karimnagar constituency, was named as prime accused in the case relating to the alleged circulation of Class 10 (SSC) Hindi examination question paper in groups of an instant messaging app.
He was arrested by the Warangal police on Wednesday on charges of criminal conspiracy and malpractices, among others.
Sanjay Kumar and three others arrested in the case were on Wednesday remanded in judicial custody till April 19 by a local court in Hanamkonda and they were lodged in a jail in Karimnagar.
Sanjay Kumar had filed a bail application which the court accepted tonight after hearing the arguments and counter-arguments.
The photo of the SSC Hindi question paper was posted in a group of the app by one of the accused on April 4 and subsequently shared in other groups by the second accused (a former journalist), who had also sent it to Sanjay Kumar and several others, police had said. -- PTI
Prakash Raj
23:32 Get ready to answer citizens' questions, Prakash Raj tells Kichcha Sudeep
A day after Kannada superstar Kichcha Sudeep confirmed he would campaign for the Bharatiya Janata Party, another south star Prakash Raj took a jibe at him for choosing a 'political party'.
Taking to Twitter on Thursday, Prakash wrote, "Dear Sudeep.. as an artist loved by everyone.. I had expected you to be a voice of the people. But you have chosen to colour yourself with a political party .. WELL .. Get ready to answer ..every question a citizen will ask YOU and YOUR party...@KicchaSudeep#justasking."
Kichcha Sudeep hogged the limelight throughout Wednesday amid speculations of his joining BJP.
Addressing a joint press conference with CM Basavraj Bommai, Kichcha Sudeep said, "I had no necessity to come here, and I have not come here for any platform or money. I have come here only for a person. I have high regard for CM Mama (Bommai). That's why I am announcing that I am giving my full support to Bommai sir".
On being asked if he agrees with the ideology of BJP, Sudeep said, "As a citizen, I totally respect certain decisions PM Modi has taken, but that's my perspective. But that has got nothing to do with me sitting here today". -- ANI
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23:17 20 road junction black spots in Mumbai that killed 132 in 3 years to be redesigned
Twenty major accident-prone "black spot" road junctions in Mumbai that have claimed 132 lives between 2019 and 2021 will be redesigned following a survey by the World Resources Institute India and Global Designing Cities Initiative, a civic official said on Thursday.
The WRI India and GDCI surveyed these spots in 2021-22 and are now preparing designs to upgrade their infrastructure to make them safer for vulnerable road users like pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, a release said.
From 2019 to 2021, a total of 132 people were killed and 429 were seriously injured at these 20 black spots in Mumbai, with Amar Mahal junction in Ghatkopar leading with 24 fatalities and 46 serious injuries, it said.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will receive technical assistance from Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety partners, including GDCI and WRI India for the redesigning of these 20 spots.
A meeting on this issue concluded on Thursday and was attended by Ulhas Mahale, deputy municipal commissioner (infrastructure) and others, after which experts and foreign dignitaries visited and inspected five junctions, including Amar Mahal, the release said.
"These locations are a priority since they record a high number of deaths and injuries compared to other locations in the city. We will introduce design changes at these locations to reduce the number of crashes and save lives," Mahale said. -- PTI
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23:03 Violent scenes at al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem; India calls for calm
Against the backdrop of violent scenes at al-Aqsa mosque in East Jerusalem, India on Thursday urged all sides to maintain calm.
According to reports, the Israeli police stormed the mosque on Wednesday and clashed with dozens of Palestinians inside its compound triggering widespread condemnation.
"Our position on the Palestine question has been clear and consistent. We are committed to supporting all efforts to resume direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians to achieve a two-state solution," external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a media briefing.
He was replying to a question on the violent scenes at the mosque.
"At this sensitive time, we would urge all sides to maintain calm," he said. -- PTI
22:47 XBB.1.16 accounts for 38% of Covid cases in India
The newly emerged recombinant coronavirus variant XBB.1.16 has been observed in different parts of the country, accounting for 38.2 per cent of the infection till date, according to the latest INSACOG bulletin.
The bulletin of March 27, which was released on Thursday, said among the samples collected till the third week of March 2023, XBB continued to be the most commonly circulating Omicron sublineages.
Noting that Omicron and its sublineages continue to be the dominant variants in India, the bulletin said an increase in infection rate has been observed, especially in western, southern and northern parts of India.
"A newly emerged recombinant variant XBB.1.16 has been observed in different parts of India, accounting for 38.2 per cent of the infection till date,' the bulletin said.
The bulletin further said a few BA.2.10 and BA.2.75 sublineage was detected in some part of the country whereas XBB was the most prevalent sublineage of the Omicron variant.
The INSACOG said globally, nearly 3.7 million new cases and 26,000 deaths have been reported in the last 28 days. -- PTI
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22:29 Maharashtra logs 803 new Covid cases, 3 deaths; active tally rises to 3,874
Maharashtra on Thursday recorded 803 fresh coronavirus cases, a sharp jump of 234 from the tally a day ago, while three more patients succumbed to the infection in the state, the health department said.
With these new additions, the state's overall COVID-19 tally rose to 81,47,673, while the death toll increased to 1,48,454, the department said in a bulletin.
The state recorded 569 cases and two fatalities on Wednesday.
Mumbai registered 216 cases and one fatality linked to the respiratory illness, said the bulletin.
Thane city and Jalna district accounted for the other two coronavirus-related deaths in the state, it said.
Maharashtra's coronavirus fatality rate stood at 1.82 per cent, while the recovery rate was 98.13 per cent.
The bulletin said 687 patients recovered from the coronavirus infection in the last 24 hours, taking their cumulative count to 79,95,232 and leaving the state with 3,874 active cases.
The health department said 11,385 new coronavirus tests were conducted in the state, pushing up their total tally to 8,66,75,772. -- PTI
PTI Photo
21:59 'PMO official' Kiran Patel handed over to Gujarat police
Alleged conman Kiran Patel, who was arrested in Jammu and Kashmir for posing as a senior PMO official, was on Thursday handed over to the Gujarat police, officials said.
They said the Gujarat police had sought his custody which was granted by the court of the chief judicial magistrate in Srinagar.
Patel was handed over late afternoon. He will be taken to Gujarat on Friday, the officials added.
Patel was arrested by the police from a five-star hotel here last month for allegedly posing as an 'additional secretary' in the central government and enjoying security cover, besides other hospitality.
He was on his third visit to the Kashmir valley when he was nabbed by alert security officials on March 3.
Patel had claimed to have been given a mandate by the government to identify buyers for apple orchards in south Kashmir.
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21:50 8 ex-Navy personnel's case reaches Qatari court
A case relating to the detention of eight former Indian Navy personnel in Qatar is being heard by a local court in the Gulf nation, even as India remained engaged with the authorities concerned to secure their release.
Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India will keep a close watch on the case.
The Indian nationals have been in detention for close to seven months.
The Qatari authorities have not yet publicly made any charges against the Indians who were working for private firm Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services.
"We understand that the case has been referred to the court by the public prosecution. The first hearing was held on March 29 which was also attended by the defence lawyer appointed for the case as well as our officials," Bagchi said.
He said the Indian embassy in Doha continues to be in touch with the families of the detained Indians and is extending necessary consular and legal assistance.
"We have also requested another round of consular access. The government attaches high priority to the matter and remains engaged with the Qatari authorities regarding the case," Bagchi said.
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21:35 Govt signs ceasefire pact with 3 Naga insurgent groups
The Centre on Thursday extended the ceasefire agreement signed with three Naga insurgent groups for another year.
In a statement, the Union home ministry said the ceasefire agreements are in operation between the government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland/NK, National Socialist Council of Nagaland/ Reformation and National Socialist Council of Nagaland/K-Khango.
"It was decided to extend the ceasefire agreements for a further period of one year with effect from April 28, 2023 to April 27, 2024 with NSCN/NK and NSCN/R and from April 18, 2023 to April 17, 2024 with NSCN/K-Khango. These agreements were signed on April 6, 2023," it said.
On September 8, 2021, the central government had signed a ceasefire agreement with a faction of the Naga insurgent led by dreaded militant Niki Sumi, on whom the National Investigation Agency had announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for allegedly killing 18 Indian Army soldiers in Manipur in 2015.
These groups are breakaway factions of dominant NSCN-IM and NSCN-K.
The government of India had signed a framework agreement with NSCN-IM on August 3, 2015 in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to find a permanent solution.
The framework agreement came after over 80 rounds of negotiations spanning 18 years, with the first breakthrough made in 1997 when the ceasefire agreement was sealed after decades of insurgency in Nagaland which started soon after India's independence in 1947. -- PTI
BSP MP Danish Ali
21:23 BSP's Danish Ali meets Modi, seeks restoration of minority scholarship
Bahujan Samaj Party MP Danish Ali on Thursday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged him to restore the recently scrapped scholarship schemes for minorities as well reinstate the four per cent reservation to Muslim OBCs in Karnataka.
Ali met the prime minister to discuss a host of issues and handed him a letter with his demands.
"I compliment you for your commitment to 'Sabka Sath, Sab ka Vikas, Sab ka Vishwas'. However, some elements are trying to create hurdles and sabotage your efforts. They are trying to push the Muslim community to the ghettos of darkness and backwardness," the BSP MP said in his letter to Modi.
"The community's sorry state of existence has been reflected in Sachar Committee report in 2005. I would like to draw your kind attention to some of the key issues, which, if addressed, could turn the community into a massive human resource that would help achieve your laudable target of turning India into a five trillion dollar economy and make our country the 'Vishwaguru'," he said.
Among the demands that Ali put forward before the prime minister included providing scholarship to the meritorious minority community students.
"I request you to kindly help revive the various scholarship schemes by the Central and the state governments," he said in his letter. -- PTI
Mallikarjun Kharge and Jairam Ramesh (left)
21:02 BJP plans privilege notice against Kharge, Jairam
The Bharatiya Janata Party is submitting a breach of privilege notice in Rajya Sabha against Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Jairam Ramesh for allegedly "disrespecting the sanctity of the chair" by their remarks on Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar, ruling party sources said on Thursday.
Two BJP MPs are moving the notice, they said in what is being seen as the party's strong defence of Vice President Dhankhar against what it believes is the opposition's repeated swipes at him.
Ramesh had used the "cheerleader" jibe at Dhankhar over his criticism of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remarks in Britain.
The BJP has alleged Gandhi insulted Indian democracy through his statements.
Kharge had said presiding officers cannot display their biases or loyalty to the ruling party.
While Kharge is the Leader of the Opposition in the Upper House, Ramesh is the chief whip.
These remarks are aimed at "disrespecting the sanctity of the chair," a source in the ruling establishment said. -- PTI
20:37 Sidhu meets Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka in Delhi after release from jail
Congress leader and former MP Navjot Singh Sidhu on Thursday met Rahul Gandhi and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and said he can be jailed or intimidated but will not backout from his commitment towards Punjab or his leaders.
Sidhu, who completed his jail term in a 1988 road rage case, was released from the Patiala jail on April 1.
"Met my Mentor Rahul ji and Friend, Philosopher, Guide Priyanka ji in New Delhi Today. You can Jail me, Intimidate me, Block all my financial accounts but My commitment for Punjab and My Leaders will neither flinch nor back an inch!!," he tweeted and also shared a picture of him with the Gandhi siblings.
Sidhu walked free after spending nearly 10 months in Patiala jail in the 1988 road rage case and slammed the Centre, alleging that democracy was in chains and institutions have turned slaves in the country.
Sidhu was appointed the Punjab Congress chief ahead of last year's assembly elections in Punjab, in which the Congress was ousted out of power by the new entrant Aam Aadmi Party.
It was at the behest of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi that Sidhu joined the Congress and the former MP considers Rahul as his mentor. -- PTI
20:18 An overview of works transacted in 17th Lok Sabha
The Budget session of Parliament ended on Thursday amid noisy protests by the Opposition over the Adani issue, a matter which virtually washed out the 25-day-long second leg and all six bills including the crucial Finance Bill were passed with any debate.
This session, Lok Sabha functioned for only 45 hours as against its scheduled 133.6 hours because of disruptions, according to a think tank that compiles the data.
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19:39 Gyanvapi: Plea in SC over sealing of area in mosque
The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid committee Thursday moved the Supreme Court over the continued sealing of the wazukhana, the pool where worshippers wash themselves before offering prayers, at the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi during the holy month of Ramzan.
The apex court had on November 11 last year extended till further orders the protection of the area where a 'Shivling' was claimed to have been found.
The matter was mentioned on Thursday before a bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud.
Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for the masjid committee, requested the bench to take up the matter for hearing soon, contending the holy month of Ramzan is underway.
He said due to the sealing of an area inside the mosque, the access to bathrooms has also been stopped.
The CJI said the matter is scheduled to come up on April 21.
Ahmadi urged since the month of Ramzan has started an earlier date would be better.
"Why don't you file an IA (interlocutory application)? We can list the IA on April 14," the bench said.
On March 28, the apex court had agreed to list for hearing on April 21 a plea of the Hindu side seeking consolidation of all suits filed in a Varanasi court pertaining to the Gyanvapi mosque complex row.
The bench had taken note of the submissions of lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain that the district judge of Varanasi has deferred five times the decision on a plea seeking clubbing of all civil suits pertaining to the dispute. -- PTI
Dia Mirza
19:26 Dia Mirza joins Hollywood actor Edward Norton for UNEP documentary series
Actor Dia Mirza has teamed up with Hollywood star Edward Norton for a documentary series Restore: Films From the Frontiers of Hope for the United Nations Environment Programme.
The actor, who is the goodwill ambassador for UNEP, and the UN Secretary General's advocate for Sustainable Development Goals, has narrated "Big Ocean States" as part of the documentary.
It is a story about how countries such as St. Lucia, Comoros, and Vanuatu teamed up to overturn severe environmental threats.
Mirza, 41, said she is honoured to be associated with the series that talks about how marine life can be protected.
"It was an absolute honour to be a part of this global project and tell the story of St. Lucia, Comoros, and Vanuatu that are showing by example how marine ecosystems can be protected for the benefit of all stakeholders and the creation of a blue economy," the actor said in a statement.
Mirza, who recently starred in "Bheed", said citizens and younger generation need to come together to tackle climate crises.
"What moved me most about this story is that the citizens took ownership of the dying mangroves and the dwindling marine life and came together to ensure that the future generation would have a sustainable, thriving environment," she added.
As per the press note, the project is an attempt to amplify stories from 10 places around the globe where people have made a positive impact on the environmental crisis. -- PTI
Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde
19:09 Marathi rapper booked for song 'defaming' Maharashtra govt
The police in Maharashtra's Thane district registered a case against a Marathi rapper for allegedly defaming the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government though his video song.
A Shiv Sena activist at Ambernath in the district had lodged a complaint against rap singer Raj Mungase over a song he recently uploaded on YouTube which uses words such as pannas khoke (fifty cartons) and chor (thieves), said a police official on Thursday.
A First Information Report was registered on Tuesday against Mungase under Indian Penal Code sections 501 (defamation), 504 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace) and 505(2) (statements creating enmity between classes) at Shivajinagar police station in Ambernath, he added.
No arrest has been made, the official said.
Leaders loyal to Uddhav Thackeray have often accused the MLAs of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena who rebelled last year and brought down the Thackeray government as chor and ones who took khoke or cartons of money to switch sides.
Shinde became chief minister last year with the BJP's support after splitting the Shiv Sena.
Incidentally, Nationalist Congress Party leader and former minister Jitendra Awhad had on Tuesday shared Mungase's video song on Twitter and said that he hoped the police would not arrest him. -- PTI
Mehbooba Mufti's daughter Iltija/Twitter
18:42 Mehbooba's daughter gets passport to study in UAE
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti's daughter Iltija has been issued a passport for a limited period of two years to allow her to study abroad despite an adverse report by the CID, officials said on Thursday.
Iltija, 35, had moved the Jammu and Kashmir high court in February for issuance of the passport for her studies after her application for the travel document was not cleared.
Her passport had expired on January 2 and she had applied for a fresh one in advance on June 8 last year.
According to a letter written by the regional passport office to the additional solicitor general, Iltija, who wishes to pursue higher studies, has been issued passport which is valid from April 5, 2023 till April 4, 2025.
Quoting the letter, the officials said the CID/Police verification report received from special director general of police J&K in February does not favour for issuance of passport to the petitioner.
The officials said passport officer (Srinagar) Davinder Kumar sought a detailed report from the CID on any charge sheet and FIR against the petitioner but the department refused and reiterated their initial report shared by them on February 16.
"Given the circumstances especially that the applicant seeks to pursue higher studies (Masters) in UAE, this office issued passport ... valid up to 04/04/2025," Kumar said in his letter.
Iltija told PTI that by issuing her the passport, no favour has been extended and wondered why the validity was for only two years whereas the travel document is valid for 10 years. -- PTI
Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com
18:22 Govt cautions against betting advertisements in newspapers, media platforms
The government on Thursday cautioned media organisations against carrying advertisements of betting platforms, days after mainstream English and Hindi newspapers carried such promotional content.
The Union ministry of information and broadcasting has taken strong exception to the recent instances of mainstream English and Hindi newspapers carrying advertisements and promotional content of betting websites.
In an advisory, the ministry advised media entities, media platforms and the online advertisement intermediaries to refrain from carrying advertisements or promotional content of betting platforms.
An official statement said the advisory has been issued to all media formats, including newspapers, television channels, and online news publishers and showed specific examples where such advertisements have appeared in the media in recent times.
The ministry also objected to the promotion by a specific betting platform encouraging the audience to watch a sports league on its website that prima facie appears to be in violation of the Copyright Act, 1957.
The advisory noted that the provisions of the Norms of Journalistic Conduct of the Press Council of India mention that "newspapers should not publish an advertisement containing anything which is unlawful or illegal." -- PTI
18:03 Anil's decision hurt me: AK Antony
AK Antony on his son Anil Antony joining BJP: "Anil's decision to join BJP has hurt me. It is a very wrong decision. India's base is unity and religious harmony. After 2014, Modi govt came to power, they're systematically diluting diversity and secularism. BJP believes only in uniformity, they're destroying the constitutional values of the country."
The Congress came down heavily on Anil K Antony for joining the BJP, accusing him of "betraying his father and veteran party leader A K Antony on "Maundy Thursday".
KPCC chief K Sudhakaran said Anil had not been given any party responsibilities and that his joining the BJP was not a matter of concern for the Congress.
"Today (Maundy Thursday) is the day of Judas (Iscariot) who betrayed Jesus Christ for a payment of 30 silver coins. Many such things will happen on that day. This (Anil joining BJP) should also be seen as such an incident," Sudhakaran told reporters.
Anil K Antony
17:43 Cong compares Antony's son joining BJP to Judas
The Congress here came down heavily on Anil K Antony for joining the BJP, accusing him of "betraying his father and veteran party leader A K Antony on "Maundy Thursday".
KPCC chief K Sudhakaran said Anil had not been given any party responsibilities and that his joining the BJP was not a matter of concern for the Congress.
"Today (Maundy Thursday) is the day of Judas (Iscariot) who betrayed Jesus Christ for a payment of 30 silver coins. Many such things will happen on that day. This (Anil joining BJP) should also be seen as such an incident," Sudhakaran told reporters.
Reacting sharply, the KPCC chief said it was Anil's "present to his father" on Maundy Thursday.
Soon after joining the BJP, Anil Antony said, "Many of the Congress leaders believe that their duty is to work for a particular family, but I believe that my duty is to work for the people. PM Modi has a clear vision to make India a developed country in the next 25 years."
According to the Bible, one of Christ's twelve disciples, Judas Iscariot, made an agreement with the authorities to betray Jesus in exchange for 30 pieces of silver, on a Wednesday, which came to be known as Holy Wednesday.
On the next day, which came to be known as Maundy Thursday, signifying the Last Supper of Christ, when Jesus joined his disciples after a prayer, Judas kissed him on the cheek to help authorities identify him.
Following Judas's betrayal, they took Jesus away and later crucified him on a Friday, which came to be known as Good Friday among Christians. PTI
Pic: KBK Graphics
17:36 RBI repo rates in 2022 and 2023
The Reserve Bank of India today decided to keep the key benchmark interest rate -- repo rate -- unchanged at 6.5 per cent with readiness to act should the situation so warrant, Governor Shaktikanta Das announced on Thursday, after a two-day monetary policy meeting.
17:19 MHA recommends CBI probe against Oxfam India
The Union Home Ministry on Thursday recommended a CBI probe into the affairs of Oxfam India for alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, sources said.
The home ministry found that Oxfam India continued to transfer foreign contributions to various entities even after registering under the FCRA, which prohibits such transfers. During a survey carried out by the Income tax department, multiple emails were found which revealed that Oxfam India was allegedly planning to circumvent provisions of the FCRA by routing funds to other FCRA-registered associations or through the for-profit consultancy route, sources said.
The survey also "exposed" Oxfam India as a probable instrument of foreign policy of foreign organisations or entities, which have funded the organisation liberally over the years, they said.
Oxfam India, which is registered to carry out social activities, allegedly routed funds to the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) through its associates and employees in the form of commission, sources said. Following these findings, the home ministry recommended a CBI probe into the affairs of Oxfam India, they said. PTI
16:57 Mandaviya to hold Covid review meet with states
Amid a nationwide upward trend in the COVID cases, Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya will chair a review meet with the health ministers of all states and Union Territories on Friday afternoon, sources said.
On Wednesday, the Covid empowerment working group also conducted a review routine meeting. Dr V K Paul, Dr Rajiv Bahl, DG, ICMR and other senior health officials attended this meeting.
According to the sources, this was a review meeting to know the COVID situation and preparedness in the country. The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) also attend the meeting.
"We need to remain alert but there is no need to worry. Currently, the sub-variant of Omicron which is circulating in the country hasn't increased hospitalisation," Mandaviya said on Covid19 situation in the country.
India on Thursday recorded 5,335 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours with daily positivity rate (3.32 per cent and weekly positivity rate (2.89 per cent), nearly 20 per cent higher cases then yesterday recorded according to the Union Health Ministry data updated at 8 am.
It is the highest single-day rise in the last nearly six months, the ministry said in its updated data on Thursday. -- ANI
The PM wished party workers on the BJP's foundation day today
16:24 BJP discovered its strength in 2014: Jaishankar
BJP leader and External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar while commenting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement that "BJP draws inspiration from Lord Hanuman to fight corruption" on Thursday said that the BJP discovered its strength in 2014 and "kept discovering since then."
"The way lord Hanuman discovered his strength and then performed the task, the same way we discovered our strength in 2014 and kept discovering since then," Jaishankar said.
Earlier in the day, while virtually interacting with the party workers, PM Modi said, "Today India is realizing its potential just like the power of lord Hanuman. BJP party gets inspiration from lord Hanuman to fight corruption, law and order. If we see the whole life of lord Hanuman, he had a 'Can Do' attitude that helped him in bringing all kinds of success."
He added, "Hanuman Ji can do anything, does it for everyone, but does not do anything for Himself! This is what the Bharatiya Janata Party derives inspiration from!"
Extending greetings to the party workers, PM Modi said," Today we all are celebrating the foundation day of our party. I congratulate each and every BJP worker dedicated to the service of Mother India." -- ANI
Pic: KBK Graphics
16:16 Sensex, Nifty rise for 5th day in a row
Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty closed higher on Thursday, extending the winning streak to the fifth straight session after the RBI unexpectedly kept policy rates unchanged as global banking woes added uncertainty to the economic outlook.
Buying in index majors HDFC Bank and Reliance Industries also added to the optimism in the equity market. Bouncing back from early fall, the 30-share BSE Sensex rose by 143.66 points or 0.24 per cent to settle at 59,832.97. During the day, it advanced 260.75 points or 0.43 per cent to 59,950.06. The broader NSE Nifty gained 42.10 points or 0.24 per cent to finish at 17,599.15 after falling in initial trade.
15:59 Inflation held at 6% despite Covid, Ukraine war: FM
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said the inflation has been kept at six per cent or below despite adverse circumstances as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Price rise is a matter on which the Centre is very sensitive and responsive, she said.
Sitharaman said the pandemic and the conflict had a bearing on the prices of commodities which India import, adding that the government has taken measures including giving subsidies. "Will you compare the situation prevailing everywhere, particularly after COVID, particularly after Russia and Ukraine war? The (prices of) commodities we import are all sky-rocketing. They are not produced in India. We totally import. Is that price rise mine? But that price hits me. And there, I have to give support," the Minister said.
"Even in this adverse circumstances inflation has been kept at six per cent or below. There are times it goes up. Then we work together with RBI and say please control it," Sitharaman said.
"Wherever it is not possible -- for instance the crude oil and cooking gas, which are imported -- the government tries to give subsidy, she said. It may not be enough, but we try to give subsidy," she said. "We have to allow import on a higher basis and reduce customs duty so that more edible oil can come," Sitharaman said.
"These are both short and medium term steps so that inflation can be brought down so that Samanya Praja or ordinary citizen and their suffering can be brought down," Sitharaman said. PTI
15:24 Former defence minister AK Anthony's son joins BJP
Anil Anthony, Congress leader and son of former defence minister AK Anthony, joins BJP, in the presence of Union ministers Piyush Goyal and V Muraleedharan.
15:23 Amit Shah to visit Uttar Pradesh on Friday
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will undertake a day-long visit to Uttar Pradesh on Friday during which he will inaugurate the 'Kaushambi Festival-2023' and launch and lay foundation stone of various development projects worth Rs 4,567 crore in Azamgarh, officials said.
Shah will first travel to Kaushambi district where he will inaugurate the Kaushambi Festival-2023 and launch or lay foundation stone of various development projects at gram sabha Fasaiya. In the afternoon, he will lay the foundation stone of the Hariharpur Sangeet Mahavidyalaya at Namdarpur in Azamgarh, officials said. PTI
15:11 Maharashtra being run like underworld: Raut
Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday attacked the Maharashtra government and claimed the state was being like the underworld that once operated in Mumbai.
Criminals and the corrupt are being protected and the "chief minister and deputy chief minister are running their gangs", Raut, a key aide of former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, told reporters.
"This (Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis dispensation) is not a government. The state is being run like the underworld that operated from pockets of Thane and Mumbai. The chief minister and deputy chief minister are running their gangs," Raut alleged.
On the Supreme Court on Thursday refusing to entertain a plea by 14 political parties alleging arbitrary use of Central agencies against opponents, Raut said the way the Bharatiya Janta Party is celebrating after the apex court's order shows their happiness.
"The ED (Enforcement Directorate) and CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) are being misused against political opponents. Why is no action being taken against those who have been cleansed in the BJP washing machine," he said.
The "washing machine" reference is often made by opponents of the BJP who claim politicians being probed by agencies get a reprieve or are absolved after they join the saffron party. PTI
14:45 Adani was not given undue favours: Sitharaman
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday came down heavily on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for making baseless allegations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Adani issue, and described him as a "repeat offender" in levelling such charges.
"If Rahul Gandhi really thinks that Adani has been given all these things (undue favours), it is not true," Sitharaman said responding to questions at a press conference at the State BJP office in New Delhi. "Let me also say he's now becoming a repeat offender in terms of putting baseless allegations against the Prime Minister. We saw that prior to the 2019 elections, now he's doing it again. He doesn't seem to learn any lessons from all these false allegations that he wants to level against the Prime Minister," she said.
Sitharaman also sought to know why Gandhi did not raise a voice against the "undue favour" to Adani by the Kerala government and a solar power project to the company in Rajasthan. "It was the (then) Congress government (in Kerala), which gave on a platter the Vizhinjam Port to Adani. It was not given on the basis of any tender. Now this is not this (Congress) government but the CPM government. But what stopped him from asking and demanding that Kerala cancel that order?" Sitharaman said. The "entire solar power project" has been given to Adani in (Congress-ruled) Rajasthan. "What stops Rahul Gandhi?" PTI
14:36 They are so desperate: Modi on 'kabr' remark
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) social justice is not just a political but the party follows it in letter and in spirit.
While addressing the BJP workers on the party's 44th Foundation Day, PM Modi said, "BJP is working with the mantra of Sabka Saath-Sabka Vikas-Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas. We have always given topmost priority to social justice and empowerment in our hearts and working style. Social justice is not a part of political sloganeering for us but an article of faith for us."
He added, "BJP lives social justice...follows it in letter and spirit. Getting 80 crore people free ration is a reflection of social justice. The facility of free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh to 50 crores poor without discrimination is a strong expression of social justice.
"I firmly believe that the devotion, dedication and power of our Karyakartas, and our Mantra of 'Nation First' will keep inspiring us!"
Modi also lashed out at the Congress over its dynastic politics, PM Modi, "Today BJP is leading a new political culture in the country and what is the culture of Congress and other parties like it? All these parties are hostages of familyism, dynasty, casteism and regionalism, whereas BJP's political culture is to take every countryman along."
Prime Minister Modi said that the Opposition never imagined that Article 370 would be history one day. "Seeing their corrupt deeds exposed, people with imperial mindset are filled with frustration, so now these people have openly started threatening to dig Modi's grave," he said.
"They cannot digest the work BJP is doing. Today, they have become so desperate that they have openly started saying 'Modi teri kabr khudegi'. But I want to say that these people will keep on conspiring against us but they don't know that poor, deprived, dalits, tribals are protecting the lotus."
14:29 Air India hires more than 3,800 staff in six months
Air India on Thursday said it onboarded more than 3,800 staff across crew and other functions, and rolled out more than 29 new policies for employees in the last six months as part of the initiatives under its five-year transformation plan.
Loss-making Air India, which is being piloted by the Tata Group since January last year, is putting in USD 200 million in information technology systems and is also committed to investing USD 400 million to completely refurbish existing aircraft.
It has also placed orders for 470 planes. 'Taxi', the first phase of the transformation plan Vihaan.AI, that focussed on "addressing legacy issues of the airline at scale and laying the foundation for future growth" has concluded, the airline said and added that now the second phase 'Take Off', -- that will focus on developing the platforms, processes and systems needed to build toward excellence -- has commenced.
Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson said the first six months of the transformation journey has made great strides in tackling many issues that had built up over the years and the airline has come a long way in establishing foundations for growth.
13:49 Never in 52 years... Kharge on Oppn forced into mute
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday accused the Narendra Modi government of not walking the talk on democratic principles and causing disruptions in Parliament to divert attention from the Opposition's demand for a JPC probe into the Adani issue.
Addressing a joint press conference of opposition leaders at the Constitution Club after a "Tiranga March" from Parliament House to Vijay Chowk, he said the government's intention was to get the Budget Session washed out.
He said the government talks a lot about democracy, but it does not follow what it says, and asserted that the Opposition was unitedly fighting for democracy and the Constitution.
"The budget of Rs 50-lakh crore was passed in just 12 minutes, but they (BJP) always allege that the opposition parties have no interest and they keep disturbing the House," Kharge said.
"The disturbance was created by the ruling party. Whenever we made a demand, we were not allowed to speak. This has happened for the first time in my public life of 52 years and never has such a thing happened earlier," he said.
The government's "intention was to get the Budget Session washed out and we condemn this attitude", the Congress chief said and added that "if this continues, democracy will be finished and we will move towards dictatorship".
He said the issues raised by 18 to 19 opposition parties was on the Adani matter and how his wealth increased to Rs 12 lakh crore in just a period of 2 to 2.5 years.
"Why are you fearing from constituting a joint parliamentary committee probe even when the BJP will have its say as it will have majority members...Something is fishy, that is why the government is not agreeing to order a JPC probe into the Adani issue," Kharge said.
He said the government did not answer on the Adani issue in Parliament and instead diverted attention by demanding Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's apology over his remarks in the UK. The demand for the JPC probe was made to ensure transparency in the Adani case as MPs of opposition parties would have got an opportunity to inspect the documents related to the issue, the Congress chief said.
He also raised the issue of Gandhi's disqualification as member of Lok Sabha, saying while he was disqualified at "lightning speed", a BJP MP convicted and given a three-year sentence was not disqualified even after 16 days. PTI
13:45 LS functioned for 45 hours, Rajya Sabha 31 hours
Parliament could function much less than the planned duration with daily protests and frequent adjournments disrupting the second half of the Budget Session, data compiled by a think tank showed.
According to it, the Lok Sabha functioned for over 45 hours against a scheduled duration of 133.6 hours while the Rajya Sabha worked for over 31 hours out of 130 hours.
This translates to Lok Sabha functioning for around 34.28 per cent of its scheduled duration and 24 per cent for the Rajya Sabha, the PRS Legislative Research said. Both Houses witnessed repeated adjournments of the Question Hour throughout the Session.
The Lok Sabha could take questions for 4.32 hours while the figure for Rajya Sabha was worse at 1.85 hours for the entire Budget Session. In his concluding remarks, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said the House held discussions on the General Budget for 14.45 hours, and 145 MPs participated in it. Discussions on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address were held for 13 hours and 44 minutes with the participation of 143 MPs. In the Lok Sabha, eight government bills were introduced and six were passed, while 29 questions were answered orally, Birla said. PTI
The compartment of the Alapuzha-Kannur Express that was set on fire
13:26 Train arsonist undergoes medical examination
The man suspected of starting a fire onboard a train in Kerala which led to the death of three, including a toddler, was brought to the southern state by road on Thursday morning after being caught in Ratnagiri in Maharashtra on the previous day.
Presently he is being examined by a team of doctors at the Kozhikode Medical College, Kerala Police Chief Anil Kant told reporters. Kant said doctors from all disciplines, including orthopedics and general medicine, and forensics are examining him.
"We have not started questioning him. We will begin questioning him once he is cleared for it by the medical team," he said. Kant also said which provisions of law, including UAPA, should be invoked against the suspect -- Shahrukh Saifi -- and whether there were others behind the fire incident, would be decided after he was questioned.
"We are happy that we were able to trace him well in time. It was due to a combined effort by the SIT, central intelligence agencies and Maharashtra police," he said.
Regarding the persons injured in the arson attack on April 2 night, the State Police Chief said that one of them had 35-40 per cent burns while the rest were stable. Saifi was taken to the medical college for examination in a four-vehicle convoy which included a bus full of police commandos.
At the hospital too, tight security arrangements were in place to avoid any member of the public or the press coming close to the suspect, according to visuals shown on TV channels.
According to police, the incident was probably pre-planned as he was carrying petrol in a bottle in his bag. Subsequent to the tragic incident on April 2, the Kerala Police had constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to identify and apprehend the assailant. After a sketch of the assailant was released by Kerala Police based on the statements of passengers who witnessed the incident, the suspect was caught from Ratnagiri by Maharashtra ATS. PTI
13:14 Pause, not pivot: RBI on hold in key rates
Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das on Thursday made it clear that the decision to hold rates should be seen as a pause, and not as a pivot.
The rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will act on the rates as and when necessary, Das said. "If I have to characterise today's monetary policy in just one line...it's a pause, not a pivot," Das told reporters in the customary interaction with reporters after the announcement of the policy review.
Earlier in the day, the six-member MPC voted unanimously to keep the repurchase or repo rate unchanged at 6.50 per cent, surprising analysts who were expecting the central bank to make a final 25 basis points hike before opting to pause. Das said RBI is keen to assess the cumulative impact of the rate actions done till now.
There has been a cumulative hike of 250 basis points since May 2022. Deputy Governor Michael Patra said RBI has marginally upped its FY24 growth estimate to 6.5 per cent primarily on assumption of a decline in the average oil price to USD 85 per barrel as against USD 90 per barrel earlier. PTI
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma
12:53 Largest batch of 1,700+ constables join Assam Police
A total of 1,715 newly-recruited unarmed constables of the Assam Police, including 535 women, passed out of the Lachit Borphukan Police Academy on Thursday, making it the largest batch in the state's history, officials said.
This 178th batch of the Assam Police is the first batch of the academy, which was upgraded from the earlier Police Training College that was set up in 1947, they said.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Director-General of Police (DGP) GP Singh took the salute from the new recruits at the passing out parade at the academy's campus in Dergaon in Golaghat district.
"You will face a lot of challenges in duty. With courage, integrity, honesty and accountability, you will have to serve the people and the nation," Sarma told the new recruits.
He said that at times, the distance between people and police grows due to misuse of the uniform, leading to hatred towards the force in the minds of the common man.
12:41 India reports 5,335 Covid cases, highest in 6 months
A total of 5,335 fresh COVID-19 infections were recorded in the country in the last 24 hours, marking a significant jump from Wednesday's tally of 4,435 cases, the Union health ministry said.
It is the highest single-day rise in the last nearly six months, the ministry said in its updated data on Thursday.
The COVID-19 cases in India have seen an upward trend in the past few days with the daily fresh infections ranging between 2,994 on April 1 to 3,824 on April 2 and 3,641 on April 3 and 3038 on April 4 and 4,435 on April 5.
India's active Covid caseload currently stands at 25,587 with a daily positivity rate of 3.32 per cent, the ministry said. With 2,826 recoveries in the last 24 hours, the total number of recoveries stands at 4,41,82, 538. India's recovery rate currently is at 98.75 per cent, it further stated.
Under the Nationwide Vaccination Drive, India has so far administered 220.66 crore Covid vaccine doses of which 1,993 doses were administered in the last 24 hours.
The ministry further stated that the weekly positivity rate currently stands at 2.89 per cent. Amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Wednesday said lawyers are free to appear virtually in the court in wake of the rising number of Covid cases. -- ANI
File pic
12:15 Slogans, scarves, protests... LS session ends
Lok Sabha's Budget session ended as scheduled on Thursday with Speaker Om Birla announcing that the House had been adjourned sine die (for an indefinite period) as opposition MPs kept up their protest for a JPC probe into the Adani issue.
The protest began as soon as the House met for the day. Opposition members came to the well raising slogans and carrying placards with their demands written on them.
The Speaker said the behaviour of opposition members had lowered the dignity of the House and they had "systematically" disrupted proceedings. "Such behaviour," he added, "is against the parliamentary system and not good for the House or the country."
Opposition MPs ignored the speaker's pleas and continued their protests. After completing his customary valedictory speech, Birla announced the adjournment of the House sine die. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several ministers, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, were present in the House.
Most BJP members were wearing saffron scarves to coincide with the foundation day of the party. The Lok Sabha has not been functioning properly since the second part of the budget session began on March 13 due to protests by opposition and treasury benches.
While the opposition has been demanding a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into fraud allegations against the Adani Group, the treasury benches are demanding an apology from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his democracy is under attack remarks in London. Rahul Gandhi was also disqualified from the House during the session after he was convicted by a court in Gujarat in a criminal defamation case. PTI
11:37 Markets bounce back after RBI's policy decision
Equity benchmark indices recovered early lost ground and were trading in the positive territory in Thursday mid morning trade after RBI kept the repo rate unchanged at 6.5 per cent even as inflation is trending above its tolerance level.
Bouncing back from early fall, the 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 176.91 points to 59,866.22 after the RBI policy announcement. The broader NSE Nifty also gained 44.2 points to 17,601.25 after falling in initial trade.
In early trade, the Sensex had fallen 165.16 points to 59,524.15 while the NSE Nifty had declined 45.5 points to 17,511.55. The rate increase has been paused after six consecutive rate hikes aggregating to 250 basis points since May 2022.
Announcing the bi-monthly monetary policy, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will not hesitate to take action in the future. While keeping the interest rate intact, Das said core inflation remains sticky. Core inflation generally refers to inflation in manufactured goods.
"RBI's pause is like Sachin stroke on a tricky pitch but with eyes set in and having the luxury of hitting the ball where ever he wanted. RBI had the option of a rate hike or a pause. The pause was not entirely unexpected. "RBI will watch developments and data before taking the next call. The market expects RBI to fetch maximum run and win the match on inflation and growth, no matter which direction they hit the ball," said Nilesh Shah, MD, Kotak Mahindra Asset management Company Ltd.
Among the Sensex firms, State Bank of India, Bajaj Finance, IndusInd Bank, Larsen & Toubro, Bajaj Finserv and Reliance Industries were the major winners. HCL Technologies, Axis Bank, Tech Mahindra, Maruti, Titan, ICICI Bank, Hindustan Unilever and Nestle were among the laggards.
11:24 No bail for former Delhi minister Satyendar Jain
The Delhi High Court dismisses the bail plea of former Delhi minister Satyendar Jain in the money laundering case. The court says Jain is an influential person and may tamper with evidence.
The bench had kept the order reserved on March 21 after the conclusion of the submissions made by the defence and prosecution sides after multiple hearings in the matter.
While arguing Additional Solicitor General SV Raju appeared for Enforcement Directorate contented that money laundering is crystal clear against Jain and other co-accused. In his bail plea, Jain said, "I appeared before ED on 7 occasions. I have cooperated and participated in the investigation. I was arrested 5 years down the line in 2022".
On November 17, 2022, the trial court dismissed the bail petition of Satyendar Jain. He was arrested on May 30, 2022, under sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) by Enforcement Directorate and is presently in Judicial Custody in the case.
11:11 RBI revises FY24 growth projection to 6.5%
The Reserve Bank on Thursday marginally revised upwards the economic growth projection for the current fiscal to 6.5 per cent, from its earlier estimate of 6.4 per cent.
Unveiling the first bi-monthly monetary policy of 2023-24 fiscal, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said the GDP growth in the first quarter of 2023-24 is expected at 7.8 per cent. The growth for second, third and fourth quarter of the current fiscal has been projected at 6.2 per cent, 6.1 per cent and 5.9 per cent, respectively.
The World Bank in its latest 'India Development Update' (IDU) has slashed the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) forecast to 6.3 per cent, against the earlier estimate of 6.6 per cent in 2023-24. Asian Development Bank also expects India's economic growth to moderate to 6.4 per cent due to tight monetary conditions and elevated oil prices, as compared to 6.8 per cent expansion for the financial year ended March 2023. PTI
Cops at the site of the incident
10:46 Tyre burst, broken car... train arsonist's journey
The man suspected of starting a fire onboard a train in Kerala which led to the death of three, including a toddler, was brought to the southern state by road on Thursday morning after being caught in Ratnagiri in Maharashtra on the previous day.
The on-road journey of suspect Shahrukh Saifi to Kozhikode, however, witnessed some dramatic events. After entering Kerala by road in the wee hours, as the police SUV carrying Saifi in the rear seat proceeded towards Kozhikode, one of its tyres burst and the vehicle could not be used.
Subsequently, after waiting on the roadside for more than an hour, the vehicle arranged by the Edakkad police in Kannur district for onward journey did not start, delaying the journey further. Another vehicle had to be arranged before the police team and the suspect could proceed to Kozhikode.
On the night of April 2, an unidentified man had set fire to passengers after pouring petrol on them when the train reached Korapuzha bridge near Elathur.
Nine people suffered burn injuries and are undergoing treatment at various hospitals. The bodies of a woman, an infant, and a man, who went missing from the train after the fire, were recovered from the tracks near Elathur railway station. Police believe they fell off the train or attempted to get down after seeing the fire. According to police, the incident was probably pre-planned as he was carrying petrol in a bottle in his bag.
Subsequent to the tragic incident on April 2, the Kerala Police had constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to identify and apprehend the assailant. After a sketch of the assailant was released by Kerala Police based on the statements of passengers who witnessed the incident, the suspect was caught from Ratnagiri by Maharashtra ATS. PTI
10:31 RBI keeps repo rate unchanged at 6.5%
Update: The RBI monetary policy committee (MPC) decided to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 6.50 per cent and other policy rates were also kept unchanged.
"The monetary policy committee decided unanimously at 6.50 per cent with a readiness to act if the situation so warrants," Das said. The RBI Governor also said that the withdrawal of accommodation and that the repo rate hike has been paused only for this meeting.
RBI projects 5.2 pc inflation for FY24, 5.1 pc in Q1. Das said that the current financial year points towards softening of inflation; war against inflation to continue until there is durable decline.
RBI marginally raises GDP growth projection for FY24 to 6.5 pc from earlier estimate of 6.4 pc.
09:41 Bihar Youtuber booked under NSA over fake videos of migrants 'being attacked'
YouTuber Manish Kashyap, who has been sent to judicial custody till April 19 for posting fake videos of migrant labourers from Bihar 'being attacked' in Tamil Nadu, has been booked under National Security Act, a Madurai Police official said.
On Wednesday, Madurai district court sent the Bihar-based YouTuber to judicial custody till April 19.
Kashyap was arrested from Bettiah in Bihar on March 18, for posting fake videos of migrant labourers from Bihar 'being attacked' in Tamil Nadu. -- ANI
On Wednesday, Madurai district court sent the Bihar-based YouTuber to judicial custody till April 19.
Kashyap was arrested from Bettiah in Bihar on March 18, for posting fake videos of migrant labourers from Bihar 'being attacked' in Tamil Nadu. -- ANI
08:51 HC order on Satyendar Jain's bail plea likely today
The Delhi high court is likely to pronounce on Thursday its order on the bail plea of jailed former Aam Aadmi Party minister Satyendar Jain in a money laundering case being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Jain, arrested on May 30 last year by the agency, is accused of having laundered money through four companies allegedly linked to him.
Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma is scheduled to pronounce the verdict on Thursday.
The high court had reserved the order on the bail plea on March 21 after hearing arguments of the counsel for the ED and the AAP leader.
Satyendar Jain had earlier submitted that no case was made out against him and he has fully cooperated in the investigation and there was no requirement to continue his incarceration after the filing of the charge sheet.
The AAP leader has challenged the trial court's November 17, 2022 order by which his bail plea was dismissed on the ground that he was prima facie involved in concealing the proceeds of crime.
Besides him, the trial court had also denied bail to two co-accused -- Vaibhav Jain and Ankush Jain -- saying that they 'knowingly' assisted Jain in concealing the proceeds of crime and were 'prima facie guilty' of money laundering.
The high court, which had also reserved its order on the bail pleas of Vaibhav and Ankush, will also pronounce the order on their petitions.
The bail pleas of all three accused were opposed by the ED.
The ED's counsel had argued that the AAP leader's stand that there are no proceeds of crime can be 'demolished' by the material on record which also shows that he was 'in the thick of things'.
In its reply filed in the court, the agency has said that the bail plea of Satyendar Jain, who was a sitting minister at the time of the alleged offence, should be dismissed as his release would obstruct further investigation and there is CCTV footage from Tihar jail, where he is in judicial custody, to show that he is an 'influential person' who may influence witnesses and frustrate the proceedings.
The ED had arrested Jain in the money laundering case based on a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) first information report (FIR) lodged against Jain in 2017 under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
He was granted regular bail by a trial court on September 6, 2019, in the case lodged by the CBI.
"Money laundering is crystal clear. Their case is that Satyendar Jain has nothing to do with it. I have to establish that Satyendar Jain was in the thick of these things," Additional Solicitor General S V Raju had argued before the high court. -- PTI
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08:29 Delhi cops to allow Hanuman Jayanti procession in Jahangirpuri, but...
On the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, Delhi police has given permission to take out the Shobha Yatra in the Jahangirpuri area within a certain distance.
Hanuman Jayanti will be observed today.
"The route has been prepared. In order to maintain law and order, permission has been given to take out the Shobha Yatra within a certain distance. Discussion held with the organising committee and an appeal have been made to take out the Yatra as per law and order," said Delhi Police on Shoba Yatra in Jahangirpuri area on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti.
Earlier, Delhi Police had denied permission to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and another group to undertake processions in the Jahangirpuri area of the national capital on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti on April 6.
Delhi Police told ANI that VHP and another group had sought permission to take out processions for Hanuman Jayanti but keeping in view the law and order situation, organisers were denied permission.
On April 16 last year, clashes had broken out between two communities in the area during a 'Shoba Yatra' on Hanuman Jayanti.
Police said that elaborate security arrangements have been put in place in the Jahangirpuri area ahead of Hanuman Jayanti.
However, later taking cognisance of recent violence that broke out between two groups in West Bengal and Bihar during the Ram Navami procession, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an advisory to all states to ensure the maintenance of law and order in preparation of Hanuman Jayanti.
The MHA has also advised through its advisory for peaceful observance of the festival, and monitoring of factors that could disturb communal harmony in society. -- ANI
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01:47 India elected to UN Statistical Commission for four-year period
In a significant victory, India has been elected to the UN Statistical Commission for a four-year period in a "competitive' election.
India secured an overwhelming 46 out of 53 votes.
A second candidate is yet to be decided between South Korea and China and the balloting process will resume later in the day for electing the remaining AsiaPacific States member.
India was elected by secret ballot while Argentina, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Ukraine, the United Republic of Tanzania and the United States of America were elected by acclamation for a four-year term of office beginning January 1, 2024.
"India elected to the highest UN statistical body for a 4-year term beginning on 1 January 2024! Congrats Team @IndiaUNNewYork for coming through so strongly in a competitive election," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in a tweet Wednesday.
He added that India's "expertise in the field of statistics, diversity & demography has earned it a seat on the UN Statistical Commission.'
The United Nations Statistical Commission, established in 1947, is the highest body of the global statistical system bringing together the Chief Statisticians from member states from around the world.
It is the highest decision making body for international statistical activities, responsible for setting of statistical standards and the development of concepts and methods, including their implementation at the national and international level. -- PTI
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00:50 Over 700 booked after communal tension in Uttarakhand's Haldwani
The police have booked over 700 unnamed people after a clash between two groups in a Haldwani locality over some namazis performing wazu at a public space, an official said on Wednesday.
Tension broke out between the two communities in Bhotia Parav area of Haldwani in this district on Monday evening when some people belonging to Hindu organisations objected to Muslim religious practices being held in the Awas Vikas colony.
Although namaz was being offered in the house of Advocate Zafar Siddique, objections were raised over an open public plot nearby being used for the ritual 'wazu' before offering namaz.
Muslims perform azu' or ritual ablution before offering 'namaz'. Witnesses claimed that tension escalated when some members of a Hindu outfit gathered in the area and allegedly slapped Imam Shahid Hussain who was presiding over the collective namaz offering ceremony.
Hussain filed an FIR with the police.
Later, Siddique, the owner of the house where namaz was being offered, also filed an FIR.
SHO Bhotia Parav Harendra Chaudhary reached the spot with the police force and sealed the advocate's property on finding that it was an illegal construction, officials said, adding the clashing sides were brought to the police station. -- PTI
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00:38 Delhi logs 509 Covid cases, positivity rate at 26.54%
Delhi's COVID-19 positivity rate breached the 25 per cent mark on Wednesday as the city recorded 509 fresh cases in a single day.
The positivity rate stood at 26.54 per cent, while no new fatalities were logged.
Delhi had recorded 521 cases on Tuesday, the highest single-day rise since August 27 last year, and one fatality, according to data shared by the city health department.
The positivity rate stood at 15.64 per cent.
The city had recorded 573 positive cases on August 27 last year with a positivity rate of 3.62 per cent along with five deaths.
The city's COVID-19 death toll remains at 26,533.
With the fresh cases, the city's infection tally has increased to 20,12,064.
The data showed that 1,918 Covid tests were conducted on Tuesday.
Delhi has witnessed an increase in the number of fresh Covid cases over the last few days amid a sharp rise in the figure of H3N2 influenza cases in the country.
The Delhi government is keeping an eye on the spurt in Covid cases in the national capital and is "prepared to face any eventuality", Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said on Friday.
Addressing reporters after chairing a review meeting on the Covid situation, Kejriwal had said there was no need to worry for now and that the city government was taking all required steps. -- PTI
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