LIVE! Israeli strike kills Indian-origin aid worker

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Tue, 02 April 2024

Israeli strike kills Indian-origin aid worker

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23:44 Kerala TTE pushed off moving train by migrant worker, dead

In a shocking incident, a Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) met with a tragic fate after allegedly being pushed by a passenger, who was travelling without a ticket, from a moving train in this central Kerala district on Tuesday.

Police said the incident occurred on Tuesday evening in the Velappaya area under the Thrissur Medical College police station limits.

The victim has been identified as K Vinod, a resident of Ernakulam.

According to police, Vinod, while performing his duties, fell from the moving train after being allegedly pushed by the passenger in question.

The incident occurred aboard the Patna-bound train that originated from Ernakulam.

The police swiftly responded to the incident, and the accused passenger was apprehended in Palakkad.

Railway officials said that the passenger, allegedly a migrant worker, pushed Vinod from the moving train after being questioned regarding his lack of a ticket.

It is also suspected that another train, traveling in the opposite direction, ran over his body.

The incident happened after the departure of the Ernakulam-Patna Express from Thrissur station.

His colleagues remembered Vinod, who is in his mid-40s, as a sincere officer who has also taken on small roles in some movies. -- PTI

Zomi Frankcom, one of the six international aid workers with the World Central Kitchen, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the war-torn Gaza along with the Palestinian driver, was of Indian descent, according to reports.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that 43-year-old Frankcom was among those killed and demanded full accountability from the Israeli government.

"This is someone who was volunteering overseas to provide aid through this charity for people who are suffering tremendous deprivation in Gaza. And this is just completely unacceptable," he said.

"We want full accountability for this because this is a tragedy that should never have occurred."

The woman, born to an Australian father and a Mizo mother, was on a mission to provide relief to the people of war-torn northern Gaza when the convoy she was traveling in came under fire late Monday, media reports said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged that Israeli forces carried out the strike that killed seven aid workers in Gaza.

'Unfortunately over the last day there was a tragic incident of an unintended strike of our forces on innocent people in the Gaza Strip,' he said in a statement on Tuesday.

He said that officials 'will do everything for this not to happen again'.

The food charity, founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres, said it was immediately suspending operations in the region.

'Despite coordinating movements with the IDF, the convoy was hit as it was leaving the Deir al-Balah warehouse, where the team had unloaded more than 100 tons of humanitarian food aid brought to Gaza on the maritime route,' it said.

'This is not only an attack against WCK, this is an attack on humanitarian organizations showing up in the most dire of situations where food is being used as a weapon of war. This is unforgivable,' said WCK CEO Erin Gore.

The seven killed are from Australia, Poland, United Kingdom, a dual citizen of the US and Canada, and Palestine. -- PTI

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22:52 Gurugram restaurant sealed, licence cancelled

The food and safety department here cancelled the licence of La Forestta cafe-cum-restaurant where five people were allegedly served dry ice instead of a mouth freshener, officials said on Tuesday.

The department also sealed the restaurant located in sector 90, they said.

Gurugram Food Safety Officer Ramesh Chauhan said that a reply was sought from the restaurant in this matter within 15 days.

But even after 15 days, there was no response from the restaurant management. So, action was taken against them and their licence was cancelled, he added.

Five diners vomited and suffered bleeding in the mouth after consuming the dry ice served to them in an apparent mix-up at the eatery.

According to the complaint lodged by one of them, they had gone to the La Forestta restaurant on the night of March 3.

A video of the incident, which has gone viral on social media, showed the five friends purportedly vomiting blood. The police said earlier that two of the five people were still hospitalised.

The Gurugram police had arrested the restaurant manager on March 5 and the waitress, who served the dry ice to the diner, on March 8.

22:21 Byju's plans to lay off 500 more employees

Byju's is laying off about 500 employees, including from sales, amid a financial crunch, sources said, even as the troubled edtech firm maintained that it is in the final stages of business restructuring to streamline operations.

The layoff in the embattled edtech company began 15-20 days ago, sources said, adding that it would impact 500 employees.

They, however, pointed out that the edtech player might not have to resort to further rationalisation, except in the 'worst case scenario'.

The latest round of job cuts will impact sales functions, teachers and some tuition centres.

There was no official word from Byju's, which has been embroiled in a legal dispute with some of its investors, with regard to the layoffs.

Few staff members were purportedly communicated about the development over the phone.

When contacted, Byju's spokesperson, in an email response, said, "We are in the final stages of a business restructuring exercise announced in October 2023 to simplify operating structures, reduce the cost base, and better cash flow management".

"As you are also aware, we are going through an extraordinary situation in the company because of the ongoing litigation with four foreign investors, where every employee and the ecosystem is going through tremendous stress, given the present circumstances," the spokesperson said.

Byju's said that it regrets the "unfortunate situation" the company has been forced into.

"Still, it is something that we will put behind us soon with majority investor support for the USD 200 million rights issue. We request everyone's understanding of the individual and collective stress on the system, which might be prompting some unforeseen situations for the departing employees," Byju's spokesperson said.

Byju's had earlier indicated that the business rehaul exercise would impact nearly 4,500 people, and subsequently in October and November of 2023, as many as 2,500-3,000 people were laid off.

Considering that nearly 3,000-3,500 people have been affected by layoffs so far, it still leaves the possibility for further retrenchment of 1,000-1,500 people.

Byju's recently informed its employees that there will be a delay in the disbursement of March salaries.

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22:00 Delhi HC to hear all pleas against Centre's ban on 23 dog breeds

The Delhi high court on Tuesday transferred to itself several petitions challenging the Centre's ban on the sale and breeding of 23 breeds of ferocious dogs.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet PS Arora observed that these are "very ferocious dogs" and they are "hounding upon children".

The court said once the division bench is seized of the matter, all other similar petitions pending before single judges shall also come to it and heard together.

"Once the division bench is seized of the matter, all such cases should come here. In fact, all single judges must send their related matters here. We will summon the case files here. You file an impleadment application in the other pending PIL and we will hear you. We can't have so many PILs on this," the bench said and added that "multiple petitions on the same issue would only create complications and delay the disposal of the matter".

The Pet Lovers' Association challenged the Centre's March 12 notification on the ground that the ban has been imposed on 23 dog breeds without consulting or inviting objections and suggestions from stakeholders.

To this, the bench said, "Every dog lover or dog owner or association cannot be made a party and heard, that is impossible."

"This has happened on our directions. It can't be that we direct the central government to examine and then we say the central government can't pass such an order. We will see and examine it," it further said.

The division bench said it has already issued notice on a similar PIL and disposed of the current petition, granting liberty to the petitioner organisation to file an impleadment or intervention application in that matter.

The bench also transferred to itself the petitions pending before single judges on the same issue and listed the matter for hearing on April 9.

On March 12, the Centre directed states to ban the sale and breeding of 23 breeds of ferocious dogs, including Pitbull Terriers, American Bulldog, Rottweilers and Mastiffs, amid rising instances of pet dog attacks.

The directive issued to states and Union territories bars people from keeping these 23 breeds of dogs as pets.

In a letter to chief secretaries of all states and Union territories dated March 12, the Union government's department of animal husbandry and dairying also said these breeds of dogs already been kept as pets should be sterilised to prevent further breeding.

On April 1, a single judge of the high court sought the stand of the Centre on a petition by a professional dog breeder and a doctor, who was an "enthusiast of a special category dogs".

In the petition, they alleged that the ban on the sale and breeding of these 23 breeds was arbitrary and violative of the Constitution.

The plea claimed no studies were conducted to conclude that the breeds were "ferocious" and ought to be banned and that the direction violated one's right to practise any profession, trade or business, guaranteed under the Constitution.

21:30 'Ram' Arun Govil owes car loan of Rs 14 lakh

Actor Arun Govil, who played the role of Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan TV serial owns a Mercedes worth Rs 62.99 lakh and has moveable assets worth over Rs 3.19 crore, while his wife Shrilekha Govil has moveable assets worth over Rs 2.76 crore.

As far as immovable assets are concerned, the worth of total immovable assets of Govil is over Rs 5.67 crore, while that of Shrilekha is more than Rs 2.80 crore.

The Bharatiya Janata Party candidate owes over Rs 14.64 lakh as car loan.

Neither Govil nor his wife possesses any arms.

The actor who killed the demon Ravan on the TV screen, has no criminal cases registered against him, his affidavit said.

According to the election affidavit filed by Govil in Meerut on Tuesday, the 72-year-old BJP candidate is a resident of Versova in Andheri West area of Mumbai.

He is a voter of the Versova assembly constituency.

Govil has Rs 3.75 lakh cash in hand, while his wife has a little over Rs 4.07 lakh cash in hand.

He has over Rs 1.03 crore in bank account, while Shrilekha has more than Rs 80.43 lakh in her bank account.

The actor has invested over Rs 1.22 crore in shares and over Rs 1.43 crore in mutual funds.

His wife has invested more than Rs 1.43 crore in shares.

Govil has jewellery weighing 220 gram worth Rs 10.93 lakh, while Shrilekha has jewellery weighing 600 gram worth Rs 32.89 lakh.

Govil owns a plot in Pune while his wife has a flat in Andheri West area of Mumbai.

Govil has said he was born in Meerut and spent first 17 years of his life in the city.

He did his Class 10th from Government Inter College, Meerut in 1966, and he passed his Class 12th from Government Intermediate College Saharanpur in 1968.

He did BSc from a Shahjahanpur College, affiliated to Agra University, in 1972.

Earlier in the day, Govil filed his nomination in the collectorate in Meerut as the BJP candidate.

The state BJP leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, party's regional unit president Satendra Sisodia and outgoing MP Rajendra Aggarwal, were present on this occasion.

Polling in Meerut is scheduled in the second phase on April 26. -- PTI

IAGE: Veteran actor and BJP candidate Arun Govil during the nomination rally for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 Meerut on Tuesday. Photograph: ANI Photo

Indian Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar, a specialised Pollution Control Vessel, on Tuesday made a port call at Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam as part of its ongoing overseas deployment to the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries, officials said.

This deployment is a testimony to the ICG's commitment to 'bolster bilateral relationships' and 'enhance international cooperation' with friendly countries, the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

'The deployment of Samudra Paheredar to the ASEAN region reflects India's shared concern and resolve towards marine pollution, promoting safety and security through maritime cooperation. Prior to Ho Chi Minh, the vessel had visited Manila, Philippines, to demonstrate a seamless continuation of diplomatic maritime engagements in the ASEAN region,' it said.

The ship is equipped with specialised marine pollution control equipment and a Chetak Helicopter in pollution response configuration, designed to contain and recover spilled oil and augment the operation.

The ICG ship is on an overseas deployment to the ASEAN countries -- the Philippines, Vietnam and Brunei -- from March 25 to April 12.

Samudra Paheredar, with an integral helicopter, made a port call at Ho Chi Minh as part of its ongoing overseas deployment to the ASEAN countries, the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

'During the three-day visit, the crew will engage in professional interactions focusing on marine pollution response, maritime search and rescue, and maritime law enforcement. The activities will also include cross-deck training, subject matter expert exchanges, sports events and passage exercise with the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG),' it said.

The visit not only aims to strengthen ties between the ICG and VCG, but also showcases India's indigenous shipbuilding capabilities.

In addition, 25 National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets aboard the vessel will participate in a walkathon and beach clean-up activities, officials said.

Since 2015, the ICG and VCG have an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which institutionalised the cooperative engagements between the two maritime agencies, it said.

The visit of the ICG specialised vessel to these countries is in pursuance with India ASEAN initiative for marine pollution announced during the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus in Cambodia in 2022. -- PTI

Mahua Moitra

20:36 ED files PMLA case against Mahua, Hiranandani

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a money laundering case against TMC leader Mahua Moitra and businessman Darshan Hiranandani in connection with an alleged cash-for-queries scam case, official sources said on Tuesday.

The federal agency filed the enforcement case information report (ECIR), the ED equivalent of a police FIR, against the two, taking cognisance of a CBI complaint, the sources said.

The ED case was registered two-three days ago.

It has been probing them under the civil sections of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and has called Moitra and Dubai-based businessman Hiranandani in this case for questioning but they have not disposed till now, citing official engagements.

The CBI had last month conducted searches, after filing its FIR, at the premises of Moitra, a former TMC MP from Krishnanagar seat in West Bengal. She has been renominated by the Trinamool Congress led by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee to contest in the upcoming general elections.

The CBI registered an FIR against her and Hiranandani on the directives of Lokpal which has instructed the agency to file its report within six months, CBI officials had said.

The Lok Sabha had expelled Moitra last December for "unethical conduct". The former MP has challenged her expulsion in the Supreme Court.

The Lokpal issued the directions to the CBI after receiving findings of its preliminary inquiry into the allegations made by BJP Lok Sabha member Nishikant Dubey against Moitra.

He has alleged that Moitra had asked questions in the Lok Sabha in exchange for cash and gifts from Hiranandani to mount an attack on industrialist Gautam Adani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi among others.

In a bid to check the spread of misinformation during the Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission on Tuesday launched a "Myth vs Reality Register" that will be updated regularly to include the latest fake news busted.

With the proliferation of misinformation and false narratives, this proactive initiative seeks to ensure that voters have access to accurate and verified information throughout the electoral process, the poll panel said.

The microsite was launched by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu.

The register will be continuously updated to include the latest busted fake information and fresh frequently-asked questions, the EC said.

Nationalist Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said the mood of the people has changed and it is now against PM Narendra Modi.

Addressing a press conference in Nagpur, Pawar also said there was 'no thinking yet' on who would be the INDIA bloc's prime ministerial face.

"I can see clearly that the mood of people has changed. It is now against PM Modi," Pawar said.

"In the present regime, institutions are being attacked," he added.

Asked how the INDIA bloc seat sharing for the Lok Sabha elections will look like finally, Pawar said, "I am not an astrologer."

On the Supreme Court granting bail to AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh in a money laundering case related to the Delhi excise policy, Pawar said, "This is a good thing."

"Injustice was done to him. Now the real picture will come out," he added.

"We Maha Vikas Aghadi want him," Pawar said, replying to a query on Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi fielding candidates in some seats.

Asked if the NCP split will affect his group's prospects, Pawar said, "People will vote for candidates capable of defeating the BJP."

"There is no such thing," Pawar said, when asked if his friendly relations with Nitin Gadkari were behind his party not fielding a candidate against the Union minister.

"Voting is yet to take place," Pawar said, when asked if his daughter Supriya Sule will win the Lok Sabha election from Baramati, where she is pitted against Sunetra Pawar, wife of his estranged nephew Ajit Pawar.

When pointed out that PM Modi has made a plan for things to be done in the first 100 days of his government's third term in office, Pawar said, "Modi is wise in all aspects."

To a query on China unilaterally renaming places in Arunachal Pradesh, the former defence minister said, "Our government is not taking national interests seriously." -- PTI

The Delhi high court granted divorce to celebrity chef Kunal Kapur on Tuesday on grounds of cruelty meted out to him by his estranged wife, saying the woman's conduct towards him was devoid of dignity and empathy.

The high court allowed Kapur's appeal challenging a family court's order denying him divorce and said it is a settled position of law that making reckless, defamatory, humiliating and unsubstantiated allegations against a spouse in public amounts to cruelty.

"In the light of the aforenoted facts of the present case, we find that the conduct of the respondent (wife) towards the appellant (husband) has been such that it is devoid of dignity and empathy towards him.

"When such is the nature of one spouse towards the other, it brings disgrace to the very essence of marriage and there exists no possible reason as to why he should be compelled to live while enduring the agony of living together," a bench of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Neena Bansal Krishna said.

The estranged couple got married in April 2008 and a son was born to them in 2012.

In his plea, Kapur, who was a judge in television show Master Chef, accused his wife of never respecting his parents and humiliating him.

On the other hand, the woman accused him of making false allegations to mislead the court and said she always tried to communicate with her husband like a loving spouse and was loyal towards him.

However, he kept her in the dark and concocted fabricated stories to obtain a divorce, she had alleged.

The court said though discords are an inevitable part of every marriage, when such conflicts take the form of disrespect and inconsideration towards a spouse, the marriage itself loses its sanctity.

"It is relevant to mention here that within two years of marriage, the appellant has established himself as a celebrity chef, which is a reflection of his hard work and determination....

"Considering the aforesaid facts, it is only prudent to observe that these are mere allegations made by the respondent to disrepute the appellant in the eyes of the court and such unsubstantiated claims have the effect on one's reputation and therefore, amounts to cruelty," the bench said.

As a section of Vistara pilots continue to protest against pay revision, at least 15 senior first officers resigned from the airline recently, sources said on Tuesday.

The airline operates a little over 300 flights daily and has a fleet of 70 planes comprising A320-family aircraft and Boeing 787s.

Over the past few weeks, the Tata group airline has been grappling with simmering discontent among pilots, with many first officers of its A320 fleet reporting sick.

The sources said at least 15 senior first officers resigned from Vistara and joined a domestic budget carrier.

A Vistara spokesperson declined to comment on the resignations.

The airline has around 800 pilots and the senior first officers who resigned

had completed their conversion training that allowed them to operate wide-body Boeing 787 planes. However, they did not get the duty for flying the 787 aircraft, the sources said.

The airline, which is in the process of merging with Air India, has introduced new contracts for its pilots that seek to bring pay parity with those from Air India. However, many Vistara pilots have been protesting as the fixed component of compensation has been reduced and there are more flying-linked incentives that are subject to certain conditions.

With the non-availability of crew hitting Vistara's operations resulting in significant flight cancellations over the last few weeks, aviation regulator DGCA has asked the airline to submit a daily report on flight cancellations and delays. The civil aviation ministry is also monitoring the situation.

K Chandrashekar Rao

18:53 KCR's nephew held in case of trespass, attempt to murder

A nephew of former Telangana chief minister and Bharat Rashtra Samiti president K Chandrashekar Rao, was on Tuesday arrested in connection with a case for allegedly trespassing into the land of a private firm in Hyderabad and attacking some persons, police said.

The case was earlier registered against Chandrashekar Rao's nephew K Kanna Rao and others on March 3 at Adibatla police station based on a complaint from a representative of the company who accused them of trespassing on 10,890 square yards of the company's land and attacking the caretakers of the land.

An FIR was registered against Kanna Rao, who has been named as accused number 4, and others under relevant Indian Penal Code sections including 307 (attempt to murder), 147 (rioting), 447 (criminal trespass).

The Telangana high court had recently dismissed the petitions of some of the accused including Kanna Rao seeking to quash the proceedings against them in the case.

He (Kanna Rao) has been arrested in connection with that case and is being sent to judicial remand, a senior police official told PTI.

In the complaint, the representative said their company purchased the plot (land) in 2020 and subsequently the ownership of this plot was transferred to their associate entity in 2023.

As per the FIR, on March 3 the accused and his associates criminally trespassed into the land, demolished the compound wall and assaulted the caretakers there with stones and rods.

They later set on fire a hut and container where the caretakers used to stay.

The complainant alleged when he came to know about the matter, he rushed to the spot and questioned the accused, for which they abused him and threatened to kill him and his family.

Incidentally, the BRS chief's daughter, K Kavitha, was arrested recently by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Delhi Excise Policy scam. -- PTI

18:23 Women flyers held for hitting CISF personnel

Two women in their forties were detained at the Karipur airport in Kozhikode and then handed over to police for allegedly hitting Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel who intervened in the argument between passengers and Indigo staff following grounding of a flight to Bengaluru due to technical reasons.

An airport official said the Indigo aircraft was grounded due to technical reasons and the passengers were later accommodated on another flight in the afternoon.

The police said the flight which was grounded was scheduled to leave at 8.10 am.

Thereafter, at 10.40 am another flight was there to Bengaluru but it was full and the passengers of the earlier flight could not be accommodated in that, leading to the argument with the airline staff.

The CISF personnel, on security duty at the airport, intervened to calm the passengers and during that two women allegedly hit them, police said.

"The CISF called us with a complaint. They said they have detained the women. We have sent officers to take them into custody," an officer of Karipur police station said. -- PTI

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday urged the Indian government to adopt a "tit-for-tat" approach in response to China's efforts to rename places in Arunachal Pradesh.

Sarma suggested that India should counter by assigning its own names for 60 "Tibetan areas of China."

"My request to Government of India is that we should give 60 geographical names to Tibetan areas of China," Sarma told reporters in Diphu, Assam.

While maintaining that "it should be always tit-for-tat", the CM added, "But I don't want to comment as it is a policy decision of the Government of India. But if they have named 30, we should name 60."

China had released a fourth list of 30 new names of various places in Arunachal Pradesh amid Beijing's stepped-up assertions in recent weeks to re-emphasise its claim over the Indian state.

The ministry of external affairs has firmly rejected the attempts by China to rename places in Arunachal Pradesh and asserted that assigning "invented names" will not alter the reality that the state "is, has been, and will always be" an integral and inalienable part of India.

17:14 Satyameva Jayate: AAP on Sanjay Singh's bail

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to grant bail to the party's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh in a money-laundering case linked to the excise policy case, calling it "big day for democracy in the country and a moment of hope".

In a joint press conference, AAP leaders claimed that the court order "exposed" that the entire liquor scam case was based on statements "extorted" from witnesses and approvers.

Singh was brought to a hospital on Tuesday morning and he is likely to be discharged on Wednesday, an official source told PTI.

Singh was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped excise policy on October 4.

"This is a big day for democracy in the country and a moment of happiness and hope," Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said in the press conference. Atishi, also a cabinet minister in the Delhi government, said that for two years AAP leaders have been targeted in fake cases and arrested.

"In the court proceedings, two important things have come before the people -- ED had no response when the Supreme Court asked where is the money trail; and that the entire case of the ED is based on approvers' statements who were pressured to give statements against Kejriwal," she said.

KBK Infographics

17:03 Stock markets snap 3-day winning run

Stock markets snapped the three-day gaining run on Tuesday with benchmark Sensex dropping by 110 points due to profit-taking in select private bank and auto shares amid weak trends from the US markets and foreign fund outflows.

The 30-share BSE Sensex declined by 110.64 points or 0.15 per cent to settle at 73,903.91. During the day, the index dropped by 270.78 points or 0.36 per cent to a low of 73,743.77. The broader NSE Nifty dipped 8.70 points or 0.04 per cent to 22,453.30. Both Sensex and Nifty scaled lifetime high levels in intra-day trade on Monday before settling around 0.5% higher. -- PTI

Exuding confidence about the BJP's '400 paar' (400-plus) target, senior party leader Amit Shah on Tuesday said there is no match between the NDA led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the INDIA bloc which he called an alliance of 'pariwarwadis' (dynasts) and 'brashtacharis' (corrupt persons).

The union home minister said he believed the BJP would win all 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka as well. There is no match between the BJP-led NDA and the Congress-led INDIA alliance, he said, accusing the opposition bloc of rampant corruption and scams.

"There is also no match between Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who never takes leave, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who travels abroad as summer sets in," he added.

"In the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, there is BJP and NDA under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on one side -- and we are in the election fray under Modi's leadership -- while on the other side there is this alliance of 'pariwarwadis' (dynasts) and 'brashtacharis' (corrupt) -- the INDIA alliance," Shah said.

Addressing party workers and leaders here, he said he has travelled to about 60 per cent of the states across the country, and claimed that everywhere people are chanting slogans of "Modi, Modi'.

"Prime Minister Modi has placed a '400-paar' target in front of all the BJP workers this time. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, people of Karnataka gave 43 per cent votes and gave us 17 seats. In 2019, with 51 per cent votes, they gave us 25 seats. But this time my request to people and party workers is to ensure 60 per cent votes and win all 28 seats for the BJP alliance," he added.

Shah was addressing the 'Shakti Kendra' (a collective of 3-5 booths) leaders and workers from Bangalore North, Bangalore Central, Bangalore South, Bangalore Rural and Chikkaballapur segments on Palace Grounds.

Noting that he can say with full confidence that the BJP-JD(S) will win all 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka, Shah said they will not let Congress open its account in the state. "On one side there is Narendra Modi, who worked for 23 years as chief minister and prime minister; in 23 years, the opposition could not put even 25 paise of corruption allegation against Modi," he said.

"For 23 years, Modi with transparency has set an example in the country. On the other side, there is this 'ghamandiya' (arrogant) alliance of corruption."

During the 10 years of Congress rule under Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi, there was a scam and corruption of Rs 12 lakh crore, he further claimed, and also hit out at Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar over the issue of corruption.

"People of Karnataka don't like corruption," he said. Listing out various scams reported by the media under UPA rule such as "Coal Block, Commonwealth, 2G, INX Media, Aircel, Land-for-Job, Jammu Kashmir Cricket Association", among others, Shah said the Congress, which was allegedly involved in scams of about Rs 12 lakh crore, is competing with Modi.

"There is a clear option before the people of the country: on one side there is Narendra Modi who ran the administration for 23 years without even a paise of corruption, while on the other side is Congress that was involved in scams of Rs 12 lakh crore. These people, whenever they get power, not only indulge in corruption, their mind is never focused on serving people," he claimed. Stating that he has been working with Modi for 40 years, Shah said Modi is probably the only person in the world who was CM and PM for 23 years, and did not take a single day's leave.

"He always worked for 'Bharat', did not take a single day's leave. While Rahul 'baba' on the other hand, goes abroad as the summer sets in. Every six months, the Congress keeps searching for him," he said. "There is no match. The whole country is unitedly standing with Narendra Modi," he asserted. -- PTI

16:42 Blow your own conch

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami presented a conch to PM Modi at the Vijay Shankhnad rally of the BJP held in Rudrapur.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah claimed on Tuesday that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has no moral right to seek votes from the electorate, as he accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of betraying and doing injustice to the people of the State over the issue of delay in release of drought relief funds in particular.

He said BJP's alliance partner and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy should have asked Shah, who is on a visit to the State for Lok Sabha election campaigning, to give drought relief assistance to the State.

"Let Amit Shah come or Narendra Modi (PM) come or J P Nadda (BJP President) come. Let any one come. Amit Shah is the head of the high power committee, has he given drought relief? What moral right does he have to ask for votes from the people of Karnataka?" Siddaramaiah asked while talking to reporters.

"Has he (Shah) given drought relief? Amit Shah is its Chairman (high powered committee). Have they (Centre) given -- permission to the Mekedatu project, environmental clearance to the Mahadayi project, compensation as recommended by the 15th finance commission, Rs 5,300 crore promised to Upper Bhadra project? Why should people vote for them? Amit Shah actually, he has no moral right," he added.

Karnataka has declared in 223 out of 240 taluks as drought-hit; 196 of them were categorised as severely drought affected. It's been five months since his government first approached the Centre seeking drought relief but not even a rupee has been given to the state, the Chief Minister said.

Three memorandums have been given since October; also the central team had come for inspection and they had submitted their report to the union government.

"I had personally met PM Narendra Modi on December 19, Amit Shah on December 20, he had said he will call a meeting and decide on December 23 itself. How many days have passed since then? Did they give? It has been five months till now they have not given drought relief. Is Amit Shah giving the money from his house? Is it a 'Bhikshe' (alms)? It's our money, our tax money," the Chief Minister added.

More than BJP leaders, Kumaraswamy has become the party's spokesperson, when issues concerning injustice to the state by the Centre are raised, Siddaramaiah said.

"Tell me, whether it is injustice and betrayal to seven crore Kannadigas or not?" "Definitely the people of Karnataka will teach a lesson. Don't people understand ? they should understand," he added. Shah on Tuesday held a joint meeting with BJP-JD(S) coalition leaders. He will also be attending meetings and programmes of BJP before holding a road show in Channapatna in the evening.

16:15 These IPL matches rescheduled due to polls?

Kolkata Knight Riders' home IPL game against Rajasthan Royals was on Tuesday advanced by a day to April 16, while Gujarat Titans-Delhi Capitals fixture in Ahmedabad was also rescheduled by the BCCI which did not give any reason for the move.

The first phase of the Lok Sabha polls will be held on April 19.

The PTI had on Monday reported that the KKR-RR tie was set to be rescheduled due to Ram Navami, but the Board did not specify any reason for the rescheduling of matches on these two dates.

"The fixture between Kolkata Knight Riders & Rajasthan Royals, which was earlier scheduled to take place on April 17, 2024 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata will now be played a day prior on April 16, 2024.

"The Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad was earlier scheduled to host the match between Gujarat Titans & Delhi Capitals on April 16, 2024. The fixture will now be played on April 17, 2024," the BCCI said in a statement. It was learnt that Kolkata Police expressed its inability to provide adequate security cover for what will be KKR's third home game of the 17th IPL season, just three days after they host the Lucknow Super Giants.

16:05 Provide proof or face action: BJP to Atishi

Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva on Tuesday slammed AAP leader Atishi challenging her to provide details of her allegation that she was approached to join the saffron party or be prepared for a legal action.

Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Sachdeva said that his party will take legal action against Atishi if she fails to provide proof to her claim that the BJP approached her to join it through her close friend.

"If Atishi fails to provide details of the person who she claims approached her on our behalf to join the BJP, we will take legal action against her. She can't put baseless allegations against us and get away with it," Sachdeva said. Meanwhile, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari demanded an apology from the AAP minister warning her to be prepared to face legal action if she does not provide proof to her claim.

"We want Atishi to tender an apology for putting a false allegation against us or provide proof of the person who approached her. We will take legal action if she does not back her claim by this evening," he said.

Earlier in the day, Atishi claimed that the BJP approached her through a "very close" person to join the party or be prepared to be nabbed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) within a month.

"I was approached by the BJP through a person very close to me who asked me to join the BJP to save and enhance my political career or I will be arrested within a month," she said addressing a press conference. PTI

The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) on Tuesday released a list of 40 star campaigners to bolster the party's electoral prospects in Maharashtra ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

"As per provisions under section 77 (1) of Representation of the people Act, 1951 the "Star Campaigners LOKSABHA ELECTIONS 2024, names approved by the State President Shri. Jayantrao Patil are sent as follows," a release brought out by the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) read.

The list included Sharad Pawar, Anil Deshmukh, Jitendra Avhad, Supriya Sule, Jayant Patil among others.

The Nationalist Congress Party headed by Ajit Pawar announced a list of 37 star campaigners in Maharashtra.

The list includes National President Ajit Pawar, National Working President Praful Patel, State President and MP Sunil Tatkare, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Cooperation Minister Dilip Valse Patil, Former Speaker of the Legislative Council Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar, Agriculture Minister Dhananjay Munde, Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif, Food and Drug Administration Minister Dharmarao Baba Atram, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Anil Patil, Deputy Speaker of Legislative Assembly Narhari Jhirwal, Sports Minister Sanjay Bansode, Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare, Former Union Minister Subodh Mohite, National General Secretary Brijmohan Srivastava, KK Sharma, Syed Jalaluddin.

Maharashtra, with its 48 Lok Sabha seats, is the second-largest contributor to the lower house of Parliament after Uttar Pradesh.

More details on the bail to Sanjay Singh:

The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted bail to AAP leader Sanjay Singh in a money laundering case related to the Delhi excise policy irregularities case. The court order came after the ED chose not to oppose Sanjay Singh's bail plea.

A bench led by Justice Sanjiv Khanna directed the release of Sanjay Singh on bail during the pendency of trial in a money laundering case relating to excise policy irregularities.

The Enforcement Directorate informed the SC that the agency has no objection to Sanjay Singh getting bail.

The ED response came after the court sought to know from the investigating agency whether it needed further custody of AAP leader Sanjay Singh in the excise policy case.

The court observed that Sanjay Singh had spent six months in jail.

The Supreme Court clarified that Sanjay Singh will be released on terms and conditions to be fixed by the trial court. The court also made it clear that concession shall not be cited as precedent.

Meanwhile the court said that Sanjay Singh may continue with his political activities. In the meantime the top court disposed of the Sanjay Singh another plea challenging his arrest and remand in the case observing that it has become infructuous.

The top court was hearing AAP leader Sanjay Singh's plea against the Delhi High Court order refusing to grant him bail in the excise policy irregularities case.

Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh has approached the Supreme Court against the Delhi High Court order refusing to grant him bail in connection with an excise policy irregularities case.

In his bail plea, Sanjay Singh has challenged the Delhi High Court order dated February 7, 2024. Sanjay Singh moved to the High Court when, on December 22, 2023, the trial court dismissed his bail.Sanjay Singh was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on October 4, 2023, in the case.

According to ED, Sanjay Singh was alleged to be involved in creating a special purpose vehicle to launder the proceeds of crime that would have been generated from the business arising out of the policy changes as conspired by him and his co-conspirators.

ED had also stated that Sanjay Singh has been in possession of certain confidential documents pertaining to the investigation of this case that are not in the public domain.

Sanjay Singh in the Delhi High Court denied charges and said that he is guilty of any criminal wrongdoing or any violation of the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in any manner whatsoever and therefore, the applicant's life and liberty must be protected from unwarranted and unjustified encroachment at the hands of the Directorate of Enforcement on the basis of a false, malicious and motivated case without any merit. -- ANI

On his first visit to the 'Devbhoomi' since the passage of the Uniform Ciivi Code (UCC) Bill in the Uttarakhand Assembly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday tore into Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying that the party which ruled the country for 60 years and has been out of power for only 10 was talking about "setting the nation ablaze".

In a veiled jibe at the Congress MP, who is seeking a resh term in the Lok Sabha from Wayanad in Kerala, PM Modi labelled as a scion of the royal Congress family.

"The prince of the royal Congress family has declared that if the country elects Modi for a third term (at the Centre), the country will go up in flames. Those who ruled the country for 60 years and has been out of power for only 10 are now talking about setting the country on fire. Wouldn't you all give a befitting reply to such people? This time, don't even allow them in the field of battle," PM Modi said at a rally at Rudrapur in Uttarakhand on Tuesday.

In another salvo at the Congress, PM Modi said they are so engrossed in appeasement that they could never give primacy to national interest.

"Congress is so engrossed in appeasement that it can never think of the national interest. This is a party that turns a blind eye to infiltrators. Conversely, the BJP, through the CAA, gave citizenship to those who believe in India. However, the Opposition, including the Congress, are standing against it. We all know that it is mostly the (persecuted) Dalits and Sikhs who crossed over into India from other countries," he said. -- ANI

In a veiled jibe at the Congress MP, who is seeking a resh term in the Lok Sabha from Wayanad in Kerala, PM Modi labelled as a scion of the royal Congress family.

In another salvo at the Congress, PM Modi said they are so engrossed in appeasement that they could never give primacy to national interest.

14:33 SC grants bail to AAP leader Sanjay Singh

Update: The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted bail to AAP leader Sanjay Singh in a money laundering case related to the Delhi excise policy scam.

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna, Dipankar Datta and P B Varale ordered the release of Sanjay Singh, who has been in jail for six months. The Enforcement Directorate said it has no objection if the AAP leader Sanjay Singh is given bail in the case. PTI

The Enforcement Directorate tells the Supreme Court it has no objection if AAP leader Sanjay Singh is granted bail in Delhi excise policy scam case. Details awaited.

14:18 'Ram' files his nomination from Meerut

Veteran actor Arun Govil of TV serial 'Ramayan' fame on Tuesday filed nomination as the BJP candidate from Meerut Lok Sabha seat. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya was present with Govil during the nomination.

After filing his nomination, Govil said that he wanted to thank the BJP leadership for trusting him and making him a candidate from Meerut. Govil said he is getting massive public support.

"Arun Govil has filed his nomination papers today. There is tremendous confidence among the workers and the people that BJP will achieve the target of winning all 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh and 400 seats in the entire country," Dy CM said.

The actor, who became a household name after essaying the role of Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar's "Ramayan", was on March 24 fielded by the BJP from the Meerut Lok Sabha seat.

Replying to a question about which party BJP sees as its rival, Maurya said, "According to us, there is no one in competition." There is no opposition anywhere. There is a tussle among SP, BSP and Congress. Our preparations are from 2024 to 2047 (when UP state assembly elections are to be held)," he said. PTI

AAP MLAs on Tuesday met Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal and asserted that the Delhi chief minister should not step down and continue to run the government from jail.

Kejriwal is in judicial custody till April 15 after his arrest last month by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money-laundering case linked to his government's now-scrapped excise policy.

During the meeting on Tuesday, the AAP MLAs told Sunita Kejriwal that two crore people of Delhi stand with the chief minister and he should not resign at any cost, party leaders said.

Of the AAP's 62 MLAs in Delhi, 55 were present during the meeting.

Four MLAs are out of station while three -- Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain -- are in jail, the AAP leaders said.

The BJP has demanded that Kejriwal should resign as chief minister following his arrest in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam. PTI

Three children have been wounded in a shooting at a school in the city of Vantaa in Finland, reports the BBC, quoting the police.

Police say they responded to the incident at Viertola school on Tuesday and urged local residents to remain indoors.

They said a suspect had been arrested.

The school has 800 students and 90 staff. Witnesses told public broadcaster YLE that two ambulances had left the scene.

Police said all those caught up in the incident were minors and three of them had been wounded.

Ending speculations of a rift with the NDA over seat allotments for the Lok Sabha, which gained ground after his resignation from the central cabinet, Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP) president Pashupati Kumar Paras called on BJP national president JP Nadda at the latter's New Delhi residence on Tuesday.

Sulking after the NDA set aside five Lok Sabha seats in Bihar for the Chirang Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), including Hajipur which he currently represents in the Lower House, Paras, in a media briefing, accused the BJP of 'injustice'.

Taking to his official handle on X, Nadda posted in Hindi that the LJP faction led by Paras will extend full support to all the 40 NDA candidates in Bihar, in a broad indication that he has settled his differences with the ruling faction at the Centre going into the Lok Sabha elections.

"Met our NDA ally and head of RLJP @PashupatiParas at my residence in New Delhi. As a valued NDA member, Pashupati-ji did good work under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Our alliance will remain strong going into the Lok Sabha elections and his (Paras's) party will extend full support to all 40 NDA candidates in Bihar. He will throw his weight behind our candidates and ensure their victory in the elections," Nadda added.

In reaction to Atishi's allegation that she was approached by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to join them or else she'd be arrested by the Enforcement Directorate, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that the only person who has fooled her is Arvind Kejriwal.

"No one except Arvind Kejriwal has fooled you. He has destroyed several lives before her," Sirsa said in a video statement on Tuesday.

Suggesting that Atishi must be under pressure, Sirsa said, "When Arvind Kejriwal gave their names to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), they felt that they are the next in turn because Kejriwal has given them away.

Asking Atishi to reveal the name of her close aide from whom she claims she got the blackmail threat from the BJP. Sirsa said, "Atishi claims that he has gotten a message. She should reveal the name of her close aide so that the ED can arrest him."

Sirsa also said that the BJP will not take in such a corrupt leader like her and she can inform her aide. "BJP will not take in such a corrupt leader like Atishi and even will not allow her to walk outside its office," Sirsa said in a post on 'X'. -- ANI

Aviation watchdog DGCA has asked Vistara to submit a daily report on flight cancellations as well as delays, and is also monitoring the situation to ensure minimum inconvenience to passengers.

The move comes against the backdrop of non-availability of pilots forcing Vistara to cancel a significant number of flights in recent days. In a statement on Tuesday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said that in view of the various flight disruptions of Vistara, it has asked the airline to submit daily information and details on the flights that are being cancelled and delayed.

The officials of the DGCA are also monitoring the situation to ensure compliance with requirements for providing facilities to passengers in case of flight cancellations and delays. This is to minimise the inconvenience to passengers.

On Monday, the airline cancelled around 50 flights due to non-availability of crew and many flights were delayed. Vistara, which is in the process of getting merged with Air India, has temporarily decided to cut flights amid crew issues. PTI

The Delhi CM is allowed to meet six people in jail

12:16 Kejriwal spends restless night in jail, sugar low

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has been remanded in judicial custody till April 15 in the excise policy case, paced up and down his 14X8 feet cell on his first night in Tihar jail, managing only to sleep for a while, a prison official said.

According to prison officials, Kejriwal was brought to Tihar jail at 4 pm on Monday and was medically examined before being sent to his cell where he is staying alone. His sugar level was below 50 at that time and medicines were given to him on the advice of doctors, he said.

India's first sitting chief minister to be lodged at Asia's largest prison has been kept in jail number two. His wife and children are likely to meet him on Tuesday, an official said.

The chief minister was given tea in the afternoon and was served home-cooked food for dinner, a source said on Tuesday, adding that he has been given a mattress, blankets and two pillows. He slept on a cement platform for some time and was seen walking in his cell late in the night, the source said.

In the morning, Kejriwal's sugar level was still low and he is under the watch of Tihar jail doctors, prison officials said. He is allowed to have home-cooked food in lunch and dinner and it will be served daily, till his sugar level comes to normal, they said. Kejriwal, who is also the AAP national convener, meditation in his cell in the morning after which he was served tea and two biscuits, sources said.

Two personnel from Tihar Jail Security and a jail warder have been deployed outside his cell. Jail authorities are keeping a watch on him through the CCTV cameras, while a quick reaction team has also been deployed near his cell, officials said.

The books he had requested -- Ramayana, Mahabharata, and 'How Prime Ministers Decide' -- have been provided to him. He has also been allowed a religious locket that he wears.

As per the rules, Kejriwal has given a list of six people whom he would like to meet. The list includes his wife Sunita Kejriwal, their son and daughter, his private secretary Bibhav Kumar and AAP general secretary (organisation) Sandeep Pathak. -- PTI

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar

12:03 Two BJP MPs from Bihar set to join Congress

Two BJP MPs, Ajay Nishad and Chepdi Paswan, from Bihar are set to join the Congress today, reports MI Khan.

Sources said that after the BJP denied tickets to both of them to contest the Lok Sabha elections, they were upset and got in touch with the Congress.

Nishad is an incumbent MP from Muzaffarpur and Paswan is from Sasaram.

In Bihar, the Congress is contesting nine out of 40 seats following the seat- sharing formula of the Mahagathbandhan, and the party is reportedly in search of strong candidates to face the challenge of the BJP-led NDA in the state.

A former MP Arun Kumar is also likely to join the Congress.

Representational image

12:02 Three terror associates arrested in J-K's Baramulla

Security forces on Tuesday arrested three terrorist associates from Sopore area of Baramulla district in Jammu and Kashmir, police said. A pistol and other incriminating materials were recovered from their possession, a police spokesman said.

He said the security forces established a joint checkpoint and noticed three suspicious persons attempting to flee from the spot.

"However, the alert party apprehended them tactfully. They have been identified as Faisal Ahmad Kachroo, Aquib Mehraj Kana and Adil Akber Gojree. During search, a pistol, mobile phones and other incriminating materials were recovered from their possession," the spokesman said.

A case under relevant sections of law has been registered against the trio. PTI

Supreme Court begins hearing in the misleading advertisement case filed against the Patanjali Ayurveda Yoga guru Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved's Managing Director Acharya Balkrishna. Both are in the Supreme Court pursuant to the summons issued to them to appear in person in the case.

"You should have made sure affidavit is filed in pursuance of your solemn undertakings," the Supreme Court tells Ramdev, and the Patanjali MD on the misleading ads issue.

"Sometimes things should reach logical conclusion," the court said on Patanjali's plea for grant of more time to file fresh affidavit in the case.

"This is absolute defiance. Not just SC, every order passed by courts across country has to be respected. You have to abide by undertaking given to court, you have broken every barrier," the court said.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta tells the court, "What has happened should not have happened."

Ramdev says he requests the court to note his presence and unconditional apology.

The court says, "We are wondering why the Union chose to keep its eyes shut when Patanjali was going to town saying there were no remedy for Covid in allopathy."

The Supreme Court during the last hearing severely criticised Patanjali for failing to obey its directives and directed Ramdev and company's Managing Director Balkrishna to be personally present before the court today.

After the hearing, an unconditional apology was submitted to the court, stating that Patanjali's intention was only to exhort the citizens of this country to lead a healthier life by using its products.

KBK Infographics

10:51 Gross GST revenue crosses Rs 20 lakh crore in 2023-24

Financial year 2023-24 marked a milestone with total gross GST collection of Rs 20.14 lakh crore, exceeding Rs 20 lakh crore with a 11.7 per cent increase compared to the previous fiscal year. The average monthly collection for this fiscal year, that ended in March 2024 stood at Rs 1.68 lakh crore, surpassing the previous year's average of Rs 1.5 lakh crore.

10:37 I will be arrested unless I join BJP: Atishi

Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi says, "BJP through one of my close aides approached me to join their party to save my political career. They said if I do not join the BJP then in the coming one month I will be arrested by ED..."

"In the coming two months before the Lok Sabha elections, they will arrest four more AAP leaders -- Saurabh Bharadwaj, Atishi, Durgesh Pathak and Raghav Chadha..."

She added that, "Yesterday the ED took Saurabh Bharadwaj and my name in the court, on the basis of a statement which is available with ED and CBI for one-and-a-half years, this statement is in the charge sheet of ED. This statement is also in the chargesheets of CBI, so what was the reason for raising this statement? The reason for raising this statement was that now the BJP feels that despite Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, and Satyendra Jain being in jail, the Aam Aadmi Party is still united and strong. Now they are planning to put the next line of leadership of the Aam Aadmi Party in jail..."

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was taken to jail on Monday afternoon after the conclusion of his Enforcement Directorate custodial remand. The ED cast the Delhi Chief Minister as the "kingpin" in the alleged scam, and told the court the AAP leader had given "evasive replies" and concealed information relevant to the investigation.

The BJP has been rattled by the success of the INDIA bloc's Ramlila Maidan rally on Sunday and has realised that sending Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to jail would not lead to the disintegration of the AAP, she asserted.

Kejriwal, arrested on March 21 by the ED in connection with a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped excise policy of his government, was on Monday sent to judicial custody till April 15 by a city court.

The AAP has accused the BJP of wanting to impose President's rule in Delhi by poaching its legislators and breaking the party. The AAP's Kirari MLA Rituraj Jha claimed he was offered Rs 25 crore to join the saffron party.

Arvind Kejriwal at the Rouse House Court yesterday

10:08 Breakfast at 6:40 am: Kejriwal's 1st day at Tihar

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who was sent to 15-day judicial custody a day ago, in connection with now scrapped liquor policy case began Tuesday morning with tea and breakfast in Tihar Jail as per the prison rules, sources said.

On April 1, a Delhi court remanded Kejriwal to 15-day judicial custody in the excise policy case and sent him to Tihar Jail till April 15. The court has permitted him to have home-cooked meals and carry with him the prescribed medications for his diabetes.

According to the sources, the Delhi Chief Minister lodged in Jail Number 2 of the high security Tihar Jail was given an isolation room and was provided with a table and a chair to keep three books, as per the court's order.

"Kejriwal slept on his own bed, which was different from the regular one provided by the jail authority. Since the area was small, he could have faced difficulty but didn't complain about it," the sources in the Tihar jail said on Tuesday.

They further said that officials saw him keeping his devices like a sugar sensor and glucometer, Isabgol, glucose, and toffees on his table. The court had directed jail authorites to allow Kejriwal to carry these items to be used in case of sudden dip in his sugar levels.

On Tuesday, the Delhi Chief Minister woke up early and was served breakfast and tea at 6:40 am. "After an early lunch, he will have to go back to his cell at 12 noon and have to stay there till 3 pm," the sources said .

File pic

10:02 Rough seas along Kerala coast due to low pressure

A low atmospheric pressure which formed in the South Atlantic Ocean more than a week ago and moved into the Indian Ocean was the reason behind the sudden and rough seas experienced in many coastal areas of Kerala two days ago, according to the INCOIS which came up with an explanation for the weather phenomenon.

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), a central government agency that issues weather warnings for fishermen in the country, has found that as a result of the low pressure system moving into the Indian Ocean, very high waves -- which reached 11 meters at some places -- were created and reached the Kerala coast, KSDMA said in a statement on Tuesday.

09:52 I'm happy to be in BJP, says Maneka Gandhi

Days after BJP MP Varun Gandhi was denied a ticket from his constituency, his mother and BJP MP Maneka Gandhi, on her 10-day visit to Uttar Pradesh's Sultanpur, broke silence and expressed happiness to be a part of the party.

On being asked what Varun Gandhi would do now, she replied, "Ask him what he wants to do. We will consider this after the elections. There is time."

"I am very happy that I am in the BJP. I thank Amit Shah, PM Modi and Nadda Ji for giving me the ticket. The ticket was announced very late, so there was a dilemma as to where I should fight. From Pilibhit or Sultanpur. I am grateful for the decision the party has taken now," she said.

She further added, "I am very happy that I came back to Sultanpur because this place has a history where no MP came back into power again in Sultanpur."

It was her first visit to Sultanpur after getting the ticket. On her 10-day visit to the district, she will pay a visit to 101 villages of the entire Lok Sabha constituency.

She was given a warm welcome by the party leaders and workers at various places like Katka Guptarganj, Tatianagar, Tedhui, Golaghat, Shahganj Square, Dariyapur Tiraha and Payagipur Square.During this, Maneka Gandhi also paid respect to the statues of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay. -- ANI

Mahua Moitra campaigning at Krishnanagar

09:20 Win will be fitting reply to my LS expulsion: Mahua

Exuding confidence in securing her Krishnanagar Lok Sabha seat with a bigger margin, senior TMC leader Mahua Moitra feels that her victory would be a fitting response to the conspiracy to expel her from Lok Sabha last year and tarnish her reputation through raids and summons by central agencies in a cash-for-query case.

She asserted that despite all efforts by the BJP to "sound the death knell" for constitutional democracy, India is too great a country to be destroyed by the fascists. Moitra, who was re-nominated by the TMC from the same Krishnanagar seat after being expelled last year, accused the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) of acting as "political agents of the saffron camp".

In an interview with PTI, Moitra said the Election Commission has "lost its independence" since commissioners are handpicked by a selection committee where the Centre has two-thirds majority.

"There is no doubt about my victory. It is about how big the margin will be, which will be decided on June 4. I live here and have been among my people for the past five years and even before that as an MLA. So there is a very strong connection, and frankly, there is no election mode as such here," she said.

She won by a margin of over 60,000 votes in the 2019 elections, bagging 45 per cent of the total votes polled.

"My victory would be a fitting response to the conspiracy to expel me and tarnish my reputation," the 49-year-old politician said. Moitra, known for her outspokenness and fiery debates in the Lok Sabha, was expelled from the Lower House in December last year after a parliamentary Ethics Committee's report held her accountable for accepting gifts and illegal gratification.

The former investment banker with JP Morgan Chase, who had dubbed the expulsion recommendation by the Ethics committee as a "prefixed match by a kangaroo court", claimed the BJP has been trying to destroy democracy in the country.

"I have been saying this since my first speech in Parliament. The BJP is sounding the death knell for India as a constitutional democracy But India is too great a nation to be destroyed by these fascist thugs, she said. Asked why the people of her constituency would believe her side of the story instead of the version propagated by the BJP," Moitra said she is the daughter of the soil.

"This is my Karmabhoomi and my Dharmabhoomi. My people will back me 100 per cent, she said. While the cash-for-query controversy brought an abrupt end to her first term as a parliamentarian, it undeniably enhanced her stature within the party, with unwavering support from the TMC top leadership and the entire opposition.

Speaking about the CBI raids at her premises and summons by the Enforcement Directorate, which she has skipped, Moitra alleged those agencies are an integral part of the BJP.

The CBI conducted a raid on her property regarding the cash-for-query case, prompted by the anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal's directive following allegations from BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, which she rejected. -- PTI

09:01 SP changes candidate for Meerut LS seat

The Samajwadi Party on Monday changed its Lok Sabha poll candidate for Meerut and announced the name of its nominee for the Agra (Reserved) seat in Uttar Pradesh.

In a list shared on X on Monday night, the Akhilesh Yadav-led party said Atul Pradhan and Suresh Chand Kadam will be its candidates from the Meerut and the Agra (Reserved) parliamentary seats, respectively.

The Samajwadi Party had earlier fielded Bhanu Pratap Singh from Meerut against BJP candidate and actor Arun Govil who became famous for his role as Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan.

Pradhan is the sitting MLA from Sardhana.

Polling in Meerut is scheduled in the second phase (April 26) and in Agra, in the third phase (May 7) of the seven-phase general elections. -- PTI

The crew of 20 Indians and a Sri Lankan of the container vessel that collided with a key Baltimore bridge last week is "busy with their normal duties" and will remain on board until the investigation into the accident is completed.

"It is confirmed there are 21 crew members on board. The crew members are busy with their normal duties on the ship as well as assisting the National Transportation Safety Board and Coast Guard investigators on board," a spokesperson of Grace Ocean Pte and Synergy Marine told PTI.

The crew is on board the container vessel Dali that collided with the 2.6-km-long four-lane Francis Scott Key Bridge over the Patapsco River in Baltimore in the early hours of March 26. The 984-foot cargo ship was bound for Colombo, Sri Lanka.

On how long the crew would have to stay on board the ship, the spokesperson said, "At this time, we do not know how long the investigation process will take and until that process is complete, the crew will remain on board."

The Singapore-flagged Dali is owned by Grace Ocean Pte Ltd and managed by the Synergy Marine Group. Earlier, the non-profit organisation Baltimore International Seafarers' Center had said that the Indian crew on board the container vessel was "healthy".

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in Delhi earlier said that there were 20 Indians on board Dali and the Indian embassy in Washington was in close touch with them and local authorities.

Last week, US authorities began interviewing personnel on board Dali. The Synergy Group had said in a statement that the NTSB boarded the vessel on Wednesday and collected documents, voyage data recorder extracts, and other evidence as part of their investigation.

Grace Ocean and Synergy has confirmed the safety of all crew members and two pilots aboard the vessel. They, however, reported one minor injury and said the injured crew member has been treated and discharged from a hospital.

00:05 SC seeks responses on complete VVPAT count

In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Monday sought responses from the Election Commission and the Centre on a plea seeking a complete count of VVPAT slips in polls as opposed to the current practice of verification of only five randomly-selected EVMs through VVPAT paper slips.

The Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) is an independent vote verification system which permits an elector to see whether his vote was cast correctly.

The VVPAT generates a paper slip which can be viewed by the voter and the paper slip is kept in a sealed cover and can be opened in case of a dispute.

The top court, on April 8, 2019, had ordered the poll panel to increase the number of EVMs that undergo VVPAT physical verification from one to five per assembly segment in a parliamentary constituency.

A bench comprising justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta took note of the submissions of lawyers representing activist Arun Kumar Agrawal seeking a complete count of VVPAT slips in elections as opposed to the verification of only five randomly-selected EVMs through VVPAT paper slips.

It issued notices to the Election Commission (EC) and the central government on the plea which may be listed for hearing on May 17. Senior lawyer Gopal Sankaranarayanan and advocate Neha Rathi appeared for Agrawal.

The plea assailed the EC's guideline that mandates that VVPAT verification shall be done sequentially, one after the other.

The plea said if simultaneous verification is done and more officers are deployed for counting in each assembly constituency, then complete VVPAT verification can be done in a matter of five-six hours.

The government has spent nearly Rs 5,000 crore on purchase of nearly 24 lakh VVPATs but presently, VVPAT slips of only approximately 20,000 VVPATs are verified, it said.

Given that many questions are being raised by experts with regard to VVPATs and EVMs and the fact that a large number of discrepancies between EVM and VVPAT vote count have been reported in the past, it is imperative that all VVPAT slips are counted and a voter is given an opportunity to properly verify that his vote as cast in the ballot is also counted by allowing him to physically drop his/her VVPAT slip in the ballot box, the plea said.

The top court issued the notice and tagged it with pending matters on the issue. -- PTI

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