shot-button
Home > News > India News > Articles

Read India News

Lok Sabha elections 2024: Congress to release poll manifesto in Jaipur on April

The Congress will release its manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls on April 6, party's Rajasthan in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said Thursday. He said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi will release the party's manifesto at a public meeting in Jaipur.Randhawa was talking to reporters after the meeting regarding election strategy in the Congress' 'War Room' here. He said in today's meeting, the preparations for this public meeting were also discussed. Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra handed over responsibilities. He said there is enthusiasm among the leaders and the people, and more and more crowd will come to the public meeting. He said the people have come to know what they (the central government) have done for the people during their 10 years in office. On the question of Congress candidate Sudarshan Rawat expressing his desire not to contest the elections from Rajsamand after being named in the list, Randhawa said every party has to change the ticket from time to time. Many parties change tickets at the last moment, he added. Dotasra said on the occasion that our leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are coming and will release the party's election manifesto in the public meeting. Targeting the BJP government of the state, he said, "In four months, they have done only tours, speeches and mislead the people. Apart from this, they have done nothing else." Dotasra claimed that there is enthusiasm among the people about the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He described the electoral bonds as the biggest scam in the country. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

28 March,2024 06:40 PM IST | Jaipur | PTI
Representational Pic/File

Lok Sabha elections 2024: Rs 1.76 crore cash sized in Maharashtra's Gondia

The administration of Gondia district in Maharashtra has seized Rs 1.76 crore cash from two places ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2024, officials said, reported the PTI. According to the PTI, in the first case, the cash worth Rs 1.71 crore was seized at the check-post of Soni village and Rs 5 lakh from the Murdoli village check-post. The cash was possessed by people in contravention of the Election Commission of India's directives as one has to upload the details of the cash that he or she is carrying on the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) of the ECI, as per the PTI. Meanwhile, last week, Rs 23 crore cash, 17 lakh litre liquor, and 699 kg drugs from different parts of the state ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 in Maharashtra since March 1 were seized by the authorities, the state Chief Electoral Officer S. Chockalingam had said on Saturday, reported the PTI. Addressing a press conference, the CEO also said preventive action has been taken against 13,141 persons so far, as per the PTI. According to the news agency, as per the poll schedule for the 2024 general elections, Maharashtra, which sends 48 members to Lok Sabha, is scheduled to vote in five phases from April 19 to May 20. "The highest number of cash seizures at Rs 3.6 crore was in Mumbai suburban district," Chockalingam said. Maharashtra has 9.2 crore registered voters and 1,84,841 new voters have been added to the list between March 17 and 22, he added, the news agency reported. He said 10 nominations have been filed so far for the first phase of polling since March 20 including one nomination in Ramtek, five in Nagpur, two in Bhandara-Gondiya, and two in Gadchiroli-Chimur constituency. No nomination has been received in Chandrapur, as per the PTI. Earlier, the Election Commission of India (ECI) had last week announced that the Lok Sabha election in Maharashtra will be held in five phases on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13 and May 20. Counting of votes will be held on June 4. In the first phase, scheduled for April 19, 2024, voters in five key constituencies, including Ramtek, Nagpur, Bhandara Gondia, Gadchiroli Chimur, and Chandrapur, will cast their votes. (with PTI inputs)

28 March,2024 06:27 PM IST | Gondia | mid-day online correspondent
Arvind Kejriwal leaves from the Rouse Avenue Court. Pic/PTI

Court extends ED custody of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal till April 1

A court on Thursday extended the Enforcement Directorate custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal till April 1 in the excise policy case. The agency had sought seven-day custody of the AAP chief, but the court said he has to be produced before the court on April 1 at 11 am. The ED had produced him before Rouse Avenue court Special Judge Kaveri Baweja as his current custody was ending on Thursday. The ED said in its fresh remand plea that during his custodial interrogation, his statements were recorded on five days and that he was "giving evasive replies". It said the statements of three other persons have also been recorded during the remand. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

28 March,2024 03:56 PM IST | New Delhi | PTI
Arvind Kejriwal. File Pic

Delhi under constitutional crisis, Arvind Kejriwal should quit: BJP

The Delhi BJP Thursday demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in the excise policy case, alleging the city is facing a constitutional crisis. Addressing a press conference here, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva and party MP Manoj Tiwari said the AAP could have made anyone from the party chief minister after Kejriwal was taken into custody. "Delhi is under a huge constitutional crisis. If you have even scant regard for the people of Delhi who elected you, you could have made anyone (from AAP) chief minister," Tiwari said. Taking a dig at the Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party, Sachdeva said there is an internal tussle going on in the AAP for the chief minister's chair.He questioned the constitutional validity of running a government from the custody of a probe agency. "Show us one example in the entire world of somebody running the government from jail. If you have any ethics left in you, resign," Sachdeva said, asking why did the party get Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain to resin if functioning from jail is legal. On Wednesday, Delhi cabinet minister Atishi said if President's Rule is imposed in the national capital in the aftermath of Kejriwal's arrest, it would be a clear case of "political vendetta". She was responding to Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena's statement that the Delhi government will not be run from jail. "What is the constitutional provision he is drawing on? The law of the country is very clear. You have the GNCTD Act which is very clear that you cannot be the chief minister if you do not enjoy the majority of the House. These conditions do not apply. So, under what conditions will President's Rule be imposed?" she said.Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 in the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case and was subsequently remanded in the agency's custody till March 28 by a court. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

28 March,2024 03:16 PM IST | New Delhi | PTI
Representative image

Security forces seize explosives, Maoist literature in anti-Naxal op in Maha

During an anti-Naxal operation in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district, security personnel discovered gelatin sticks, wires, batteries, and Maoist literature, an official stated Thursday. Based on intelligence about the presence of Naxalites along the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border, security forces conducted an operation near Bhumkan Village. Superintendent of Police (SP) Nilotpal reported that armed cadres of "Kasansur Chatgaon Dalam and Aundhi Dalam from Chhattisgarh" were camped in the region, planning for subversive acts ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024.  According to a report in PTI, the Gadchiroli-Chimur (ST) Lok Sabha constituency, which is set for the first phase of voting on April 19, is a major source of anxiety. The operation, carried out by members of the C-60, an elite anti-Naxal team of the state police, and a Quick Action Team of the Central Reserve Police team (CRPF), resulted in a fire battle with the Naxalites. The firefight lasted all night Wednesday, forcing the Naxalites to flee into the darkness, the report added.  Per the PTI report, when security personnel searched the location on Thursday morning, they discovered explosives such as gelatin sticks, cables, batteries, solar panels, and Maoist literature. SP Nilotpal acknowledged that the anti-Naxal operation is still underway in the region. Earlier in February, the police in Gadchiroli had discovered two kilograms of explosives hidden underground by Naxalites intending to harm the law enforcement personnel. According to another agency report, the authorities had launched a search operation in the Gondri woodland area of Kurkheda taluka after receiving intel indicating Naxalite activities.  The Bomb Detection and Disposable Squads (BDDS) were dispatched to search the area for potential hazards, reported PTI.  During the search, the PTI report stated, the BDDS discovered two kilograms of explosives expertly disguised in a pressure cooker buried about two feet below ground. Quick action was taken to safely neutralise the explosives on the scene.According to the report, Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police Neelotpal said Gadchroli's anti-Naxal operation was augmented after the discovery of explosives.  Meanwhile, Maharashtra Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla had earlier said that police camps have reached areas that were once Naxal strongholds in Gadchiroli and assured that the menace will soon be eradicated with the support of citizens.

28 March,2024 02:41 PM IST | Gadchiroli | mid-day online correspondent
Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj. Pic/PTI

AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj claims: "Operation Lotus floated to break AAP"

Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj came down heavily on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday, alleging that the BJP had offered money, security and positions to AAP MLAs in Punjab to switch and join the BJP. "I think what Arvind Kejriwal was saying earlier has turned out to be true today --- Operation Lotus has been floated just to break AAP and topple our governments in Delhi and Punjab," said the AAP leader. Saurabh Bharadwaj also raised a question as to why AAP legislators from Punjab, Sushil Kumar Rinku, a Member of Parliament from Jalandhar, and Sheetal Angural, a Jalandhar West MLA, joined hands with the BJP in Punjab's Jalandhar, where the party was to come fourth in the elections. Speaking to the media on Thursday, Bharadwaj said, "If the BJP is in such bad condition in Punjab, why did it poach our MP (Sushil Kumar Rinku) and MLA (Sheetal Angural) yesterday? Our MLAs from Punjab told us yesterday that several MLAs in the state were offered money to switch and join the BJP and that they were offered Y+ security and positions. They were also given the offer to contest Lok Sabha elections." "Sushil Kumar Rinku's MP tenure has concluded. A model code of conduct is in place. He can do only one thing now, which is contest elections. You can ask anyone for an assessment. The BJP will come in fourth in Jalandhar, Punjab. They can do whatever they want, but they will be fourth. The question is, why would an MP join the BJP to come fourth?" said Bharadwaj. The AAP leader also said that three AAP Punjab MLAs had held a press conference wherein it was discussed that a majority of AAP MLAs received phone calls where they were lured to join the BJP. "I think what Arvind Kejriwal was saying earlier has turned out to be true today - Operation Lotus has been floated just to break AAP and topple our governments in Delhi and Punjab. But we are proud of our MLAs that they brought this to the knowledge of party leadership and held a press conference," said Bharadwaj. Earlier on Wednesday, two Aam Aadmi Party legislators from Punjab, Sushil Kumar Rinku and Sheetal Angural, joined the BJP, met its national president, JP Nadda, at his residence. Rinku, a Member of Parliament from Jalandhar, and Angural, a Jalandhar West MLA, met Nadda immediately after both of them joined the BJP at its headquarters here. Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar was also with them during the meeting. Rinku said that he had taken this decision for the development of Jalandhar. "I have taken this decision for the development of Jalandhar. We will take Jalandhar forward. We will bring all the projects of the Central Government to Jalandhar," he said. Rinku also alleged that no development work has been done in Punjab by the AAP government. "No development work has been done in Punjab by the AAP government. On the other hand, I am impressed by the developmental work initiated by PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also helped me a lot in the developmental work I have done in the Jalandhar constituency," Rinku said. Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar said, "Congress and AAP are two sides of the same coin. Sushil Rinku joined the party today. He is the only Lok Sabha MP of the AAP and they should be ashamed. "Sheetal Angural put out a statement saying that he has resigned from all the responsibilities he had in the AAP. Rinku is joining the BJP despite being announced as the AAP candidate from Jalandhar. He won the Jalandhar Lok Sabha constituency by a margin of 58,691 votes in a by-poll in 2023. On Tuesday, the Congress MP from Ludhiana, Ravneet Bittu, joined the BJP. Bittu is the grandson of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh, who was assassinated in 1995 in Chandigarh in a suicide bombing. In the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, Bittu defeated Simarjeet Singh Bains from the Lok Insaaf Party by 76,372 votes. In 2014, he defeated the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Harvinder Singh Phoolka with a margin of 19,709 votes. The BJP earlier this week announced its decision to contest the election in Punjab on its own after it severed ties with its long-time ally, Shiromani Akali Dal. Operation Lotus refers to the "poaching" or "bribing" of MLAs and MPs of other parties by the BJP, often to form governments in states where they do not have the majority. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.

28 March,2024 01:40 PM IST | New Delhi | ANI
A Ganeshamurthi/ X @KAnnamalai

Erode MP A Ganeshamurthi, who attempted to end his life, passes away

Member of Parliament (MP) A Ganeshamurthi of Tamil Nadu's Erode, who purportedly attempted suicide recently, died of his injuries on Thursday morning at a hospital in Coimbatore, according to MDMK sources and local officials.  According to a report in PTI, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed deep grief over Ganeshamurthi's death and recalled his illustrious political career within the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), including his time with MDMK leader Vaiko. Stalin hailed Ganeshamurthi's efforts and described him as an ardent diplomat, expressing his deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and party members. Vaiko, too, expressed shock and sent his condolences to Ganeshamurthi's family. Those who knew the MP were saddened by his sudden death. On March 24, the 77-year-old MP allegedly attempted to end his life by ingesting deadly drugs at his Erode property. Despite receiving rapid medical treatment, he was unable to recover from his injuries. The Erode Town police, who initially reported an attempted suicide, will now report a death by suicide. Following legal processes, the body was turned over to the Institute of Road Transport (IRT) Medical College Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Once completed, the body will be buried in Kumaravalasu village, the report added.  According to the report, Ganeshamurthi, who was elected as an MP in 2019 using the DMK emblem, had previously represented Palani in 1998 and Erode in 2009. A widower, the MP is survived by a son and a daughter. Vaiko denied accusations that Ganeshamurthi attempted suicide since he did not receive a nomination to run for Lok Sabha Elections 2024. He complimented the late MP's leadership abilities and recalled their long friendship since college, emphasising their shared dedication to party progress. Speaking to the reporters in Coimbatore, Vaiko said, "He was a brave and determined leader. There's no iota of truth that Ganeshamurthi made a suicide attempt over not getting a seat to contest the Lok Sabha elections 2024. The struggles during the student union days are still vivid in my mind. .. he was in charge of the Erode district of DMK and later joined hands with me to launch the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam." The death of Ganeshamurthi has left a gap in the political landscape, with condolences flooding in from all sides, including AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswai and BJP state president K Annamalai.  

28 March,2024 12:01 PM IST | Chennai | mid-day online correspondent
Dilip Ghosh/ File Photo

FIR against BJP leader Dilip Ghosh for remarks on Mamata Banerjee

An FIR has been registered against senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh at Durgapur Police Station for his comments regarding West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, confirmed an official on Thursday. BJP leader Ghosh faces charges under IPC sections 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and 509 (word, gesture or act insulting the modesty of a woman), respectively, reported PTI.  Ghosh while addressing the public had implied that Mamata Banerjee claims allegiance to other states when she visits them and questioned her commitment to West Bengal.  As per the news agency report, the FIR was initiated in response to complaints submitted by an advocate and other persons in Durgapur court.  Ghosh, who was previously the saffron party's state unit chief, apologised on Wednesday for his statements that had sparked a political controversy.  The BJP leader, per the PTI report, was also sent a show-cause notice by the Election Commission after the ruling Trinamool Congress filed a complaint against the politician for his remarks on Mamata Banerjee. The ECI has told Dilip Ghosh to respond to the notice by March 29.  The Election Commission said that the comments made by Ghosh were insulting and a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct.  Meanwhile, the saffron party too admonished the veteran leader for his "unparliamentary" views and said that they opposed the party's spirit. Ghosh, who has been fielded from the Bardhaman-Durgapur seat for Lok Sabha Elections 2024, then apologised for his choice of words and acknowledged the concerns raised by both his party and the people. Ghosh, known for stirring controversies because of his abrasive statements, acknowledged that he needed to be sensitive and said, "If it is so, I am sorry for that." Ghosh's previous clarification However, the BJP candidate for Lok Sabha Elections 2024 had previously defended himself saying that he was only commenting on Mamata Banerjee's political statement.  Ghosh, while mocking TMC's slogan of "Bangla Nijer Meye ke chai (Bengal wants its own daughter)", had said, "When she goes to Goa, she says she is the daughter of Goa. In Tripura, she says she is the daughter of Tripura. First, let her clarify." Dilip Ghosh, on Wednesday, speaking to the media had reportedly said that his comments stir controversy because he speaks "in front of those who commit injustice". He added, "Regarding the statement, I gave concerning the Honourable Bengal Chief Minister, I would like to say that I do not have any personal dispute, grudges or ill will towards her. I had merely countered and questioned the political statements she has given to mislead people. The question is that many people have objections to my use of language and words. Our (BJP) party as well as other parties have called it unparliamentary. If so, I am sad about it." With agency inputs

28 March,2024 12:00 PM IST | Kolkata | mid-day online correspondent
K Annamalai with PM Narendra Modi. Pic/PTI

Mid-Day Premium How debutant K Annamalai can enable BJP’s re-entry in Tamil Nadu

On Wednesday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore constituency K Annamalai filed his nomination for the Lok Sabha elections 2024. “BJP is confident of winning more than 400 seats this year at the Centre and that will include the representative from Coimbatore,” Annamalai said while speaking to the media after submitting his election papers. “The DMK and the AIADMK have joined hands to fight the BJP, but our fight is against those stopping Coimbatore’s development or selling ganja”. “We don’t talk about minorities or majority here. Coimbatore has the risk of being targeted by fundamentalists and extremists, and the State and Central governments should protect all the people here,” Annamalai said in his typical fiery style. The 38-year-old K Annamalai is one such leader who swiftly rose through BJP ranks and became the perfect fit for the party to foray into Tamil Nadu. In the state which sends 39 parliamentarians to Lok Sabha, the BJP has none. For the party to achieve its goal of winning over 370 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the electoral gains in the southern states play a major role. The BJP has a strong hold on the Hindi heartland; however, it has repeatedly failed to make any significant mark in southern India. PM Narendra Modi has visited Tamil Nadu at least seven times in 2024 so far. Even after the election schedule was announced, Modi chose Coimbatore for the first campaign rally. PM Modi’s frequent visits to the state highlight the party’s spirited cadre base led by K Annamalai is well-positioned and the BJP leadership’s belief in its ‘Singham’ leader Annamalai to ensure its foot-holding in Tamil Nadu. ‘Singham Anna’ to BJP’s prominent leader Annamalai is an interesting personality. His journey has been remarkable, transitioning from a tough police officer, where he earned the moniker ‘Singham Anna’, to becoming a firebrand politician. He hails from a simple agricultural family in the Karur district, studied mechanical engineering at a premier institute in Coimbatore and MBA from IIM-Lucknow. Annamalai cracked the UPSC and became an IPS of the 2011 batch in the Karnataka cadre. Also Read: Can BJP achieve its 370-plus seats target in 2024 Lok Sabha polls? In his eight-year career, Annamalai gained a reputation as a tough cop, leading undercover crackdowns on gutka sales, campaigning against drug abuse and several other actions as an IPS. However, he quit the force in 2019, resigning as the Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru. In 2020 he joined the BJP and in no time, he climbed ranks with sole focus on increasing the party’s footprints in the state. He became the youngest BJP state president. Though Annamalai lacks electoral victories; his fierce, confrontational approach and the boost he has given to the BJP on the ground have earned him accolades and followings from youngsters. Annamalai's relentless efforts to expand the BJP's influence in Tamil Nadu have been evident through initiatives like his extensive "En Mann, En Makkal" padayatra, which covered all 234 constituencies of the state. This grassroots approach has garnered widespread support. The fact that despite losing the assembly elections of 2021, he has been nominated for the Lok Sabha from Coimbatore constituency emphasizes the BJP’s strong backing for the young leader. Why the Coimbatore constituency is crucial for the BJP Winning the Coimbatore Lok Sabha seat would mean a re-entry of the BJP in Tamil Nadu. The BJP's association with Coimbatore dates back to 1998 when the city witnessed 12 bombings killing 58 people and injuring over 200. The attacks took place during BJP veteran and then deputy prime minister LK Advani’s visit to the city, and allegedly the blasts were targeting the election meeting Advani was scheduled to attend. PM Modi during his recent visit to Coimbatore ensured to pay homage to the deceased. Notably, the BJP had won the Coimbatore seat in 1998 and 1999. The communal sensitivity helped the BJP garner the Hindu vote bank. However, since then the BJP could not make any significant electoral gain in the state, or rather southern India. Tamil Nadu politics has always been dominated by the two major Dravidian parties, DMK and the AIADMK. However, since K Annamalai joined the BJP, he has left no stone unturned to activate the dormant BJP in the state. What expert say Political strategist Prashant Kishore speaking with the media recently said that the vote share of the BJP in Tamil Nadu is most likely to increase to double digits in the Lok Sabha 2024 elections. During the 2014 general elections, BJP's vote share in Tamil Nadu was 5.5 per cent and in 2019 it fell to 3.66 per cent. Political commentator Ashok Wankhede claimed that BJP’s target of winning over 370 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha is not possible. “They need to fill 67 more seats, and at present southern states is the only region where BJP can garner more seats. However, the chances are very dim.” “In states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala or Telangana, with stronger regional parties and Congress’ presence, BJP with extensive campaigning and excellent election management can increase its vote share. But winning a higher number of seats is difficult,” Wankhede said. The BJP is contesting 23 seats in Tamil Nadu for the upcoming Lok Sabha. It is also in alliance with the New Justice Party and other smaller parties. If BJP’s prominent candidate and face for Tamil Nadu, K Annamalai’s efforts will result electoral win for the party, only time can reveal. Tamil Nadu will go for the Lok Sabha elections in a single phase on April 19. The results will be declared on June 4.

28 March,2024 11:49 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashri Bhujbal
Representative image/iStock

Uttarakhand Police:Nanakmatta Gurdwara Kar Sewa head killed, SIT formed to probe

Uttarakhand Police Headquarters has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising officials of the Special Task Force and local police hours after the killing of Nanakmatta Gurdwara Kar Seva Pramukh, Baba Tarsem Singh, on Thursday morning. Additional police force has also been deployed in the Nanakmatta area of Udham Singh Nagar district to maintain peace and police have appealed to the Sikh community to maintain peace. Kar Seva Pramukh was shot dead by two bike-borne assailants around 6:30 am on Thursday. According to the police, Baba Tarsem Singh was rushed to the hospital in Khatima after being shot but was declared dead by doctors. Police officials have also contacted central agencies to share useful input, and a massive search operation is underway to nab the culprits. Police officials said they have also contacted the central agencies to share useful input related to this matter with them. The state police is confident of solving the murder. Uttarakhand, Director General of Police, Abhinav Kumar, said, "We received information around 7 am today that between 6:15-6:30 am, two masked assailants entered Nanakmatta Gurdwara and shot Kar Seva Pramukh Baba Tarsem Singh. He was rushed to the hospital in Khatima. But I have received inputs that he succumbed to his injuries. "This is a very serious matter...Senior officials have reached the spot. SSP is already there. DIG Kumaon is also reaching there, he will inspect the scene of the crime and speak to the locals. He will try to assess the situation there. For investigation of the incident, Police Headquarters has formed an SIT - this will comprise officials of STF and local Police," he added. DGP Abhinav Kumar also said that the case is being investigated on top priority and minutely. "The STF has been told to keep this as their top priority and probe all angles minutely. We have to not only identify the assailants but also the bigger conspiracy behind this murder, if any. We have also contacted the central agencies to share useful inputs related to this matter with us. I assure you that we will solve this matter soon and take strict action," said DGP. Meanwhile, SDM Khatima Ravindra Singh Bisht said that Law and order situation is normal in the area. "An unidentified person shot at Baba Tarsem Singh. He was declared brought dead at the hospital. Law and order situation is normal," said SDM.  This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

28 March,2024 11:28 AM IST | Udham Singh Nagar | ANI
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud/ File Photo

Group of lawyers write to CJI against 'vested interest group'

A group of lawyers, including senior advocate Harish Salve and Bar Council of India chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra, have written to the Chief Justice of India, alleging that a "vested interest group" is trying to pressure the judiciary and defame courts "on the basis of frivolous logic and stale political agendas". "Their pressure tactics are most obvious in political cases, particularly those involving political figures accused of corruption. These tactics are damaging to our courts and threaten our democratic fabric," their letter, dated March 26, addressed to CJI D Y Chandrachud said. The letter, shared by official sources, targeted a section of lawyers without naming them and alleged that they defend politicians by the day and then try to influence judges through the media at night. This interest group creates false narratives of a supposed better past and golden period of courts, contrasting it with the happenings in the present, the letter said, claiming that their comments are aimed at influencing courts and embarrassing them for political gains. The group of lawyers, who are behind the letter titled "Judiciary Under Threat-Safeguarding Judiciary from Political and Professional Pressure", number around 600 and also include Adish Aggarwala, Chetan Mittal, Pinky Anand, Hitesh Jain, Ujjwala Pawar, Uday Holla and Swarupama Chaturvedi, the official sources said. Though the lawyers behind the letter have mentioned no specific cases, the development comes at a time when courts are dealing with several high-profile criminal cases of corruption involving opposition leaders. Opposition parties have accused the central government of targeting their leaders as part of its political vendetta, a charge refuted by the ruling BJP. These parties, whose ranks include some noted lawyers, have joined hands against the recent arrest of Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case. Targeting critics, these lawyers have accused them of suggesting that courts in the past were easier to influence. This shakes the public's trust in courts, they said. "Their antics are vitiating the atmosphere of trust and harmony, which characterises the functioning of the judiciary," they said in their letter to CJI Chandrachud. They have also concocted an entire theory of "bench fixing" which is not just disrespectful and contemptuous but an attack on the honour and dignity of courts, the letter said. "They have also stooped to the level of comparing our courts to those countries where there is no rule of law and accusing our judicial institutions of unfair practices," it said. These critics have adopted the "my way or the highway" approach at work as they hail the decisions they agree with, but any decision they disagree with is trashed, smeared and disregarded, they said. "This two-faced behaviour is harmful to the respect a common man should have for our legal system," the letter said and claimed that this cherry-picking has been visible in very recent judgments too. "Some elements are trying to influence who the judges are in their cases and spread lies on social media to put pressure on them to decide in a particular way," they alleged in the letter. Questioning the timing, the lawyers said it is all happening when the country is headed for the Lok Sabha elections 2024. "We are reminded of similar antics in 2018-2019 when they took to their 'hit and run' activities, including fabricating wrong narratives. These efforts to belittle and manipulate the courts for personal and political reasons cannot be allowed under any circumstances," they said. They urged the Supreme Court to stand strong and take steps to protect courts from these alleged attacks. "Staying silent or doing nothing could accidentally give more power to those who mean to harm. This is not the time to maintain dignified silence as such efforts are happening for a few years and too frequently," they said, adding that the CJI's leadership is crucial in these "tough times".  This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

28 March,2024 11:24 AM IST | Delhi | PTI
This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK