AAP MP Swati Maliwal on Friday took a jibe at her party for dismissing her assault allegations against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's personal assistant Bibhav Kumar as baseless, reported news agency PTI. She also said the AAP has given in under a "goon's pressure" and is now questioning her character. Commenting on the AAP's changed reaction to her allegation, the Rajyasabha MP said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has taken a "U-turn" two days after it accepted that Kumar had "misbehaved" with her. Her reaction came after AAP leader Atishi at a press conference said that the assault case is a BJP conspiracy to frame Kejriwal. Maliwal is the "face" of this "conspiracy" and the allegations levelled by her against Kumar are "baseless", Atishi said. Taking to X, Maliwal in a post in Hindi, said, "The leaders who joined the party (AAP) yesterday declared a worker who has been with it for 20 years an agent of the BJP. Two days ago, the party had accepted the truth in a press conference and, today, it has taken a U-turn." On Tuesday, senior AAP leader and MP Sanjay Singh had said that the incident with Maliwal was "highly condemnable" and had claimed that Kumar had "misbehaved" with her. Without naming Kumar, she said, "This goon is threatening the party (AAP) saying that 'if I get arrested, I will reveal all the secrets'. That is why he is roaming around in Lucknow and everywhere seeking shelter." "Today, under his pressure, the party gave in and to save a goon, my character was questioned by the entire party. No problem, I have been fighting alone for women of the entire country, I will fight for myself too. Do character assassination as much as possible, the truth will come out when the time comes," Maliwal said on X. हर बार की तरह इस बार भी इस राजनीतिक हिटमैन ने ख़ुद को बचाने की कोशिशें शुरू कर दी हैं। अपने लोगों से ट्वीट्स करवाके, आधि बिना संदर्भ की वीडियो चलाके इसे लगता है ये इस अपराध को अंजाम देके ख़ुद को बचा लेगा। कोई किसी को पीटते हुए वीडियो बनाता है भला? घर के अंदर की और कमरे की CCTV… — Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) May 17, 2024 The Delhi Police has registered an FIR against Kumar for allegedly assaulting Maliwal at the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's official residence. The FIR was registered after Maliwal's statement was recorded by a two-member team, led by Additional Commissioner of Police P S Kushwaha. It was at the Rajya Sabha member's residence in Central Delhi for nearly four and a half hours. Officials said the FIR has been registered under Indian Penal Code sections pertaining to violence against a woman. The development came two days after Maliwal went to the Civil Lines police station and alleged that a member of Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Kejriwal's personal staff "assaulted" her at the CM's official residence. Atishi said that Kumar has also filed a police complaint against Maliwal.
17 May,2024 08:51 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentA private bus enroute Uttarakhand for the Char Dham Yatra suddenly caught fire in Madhya Pradesh on Friday and was completely gutted, reported PTI. The bus had left from Maharashtra's Buldhana town carrying pilgrims for the yatra. No one was injured in the incident which took place in the afternoon as passengers quickly came out of the bus, a police official said. As per the PTI report, a total of 30 passengers, including eight children, were on-board the ill-fated bus when it caught fire near Kolaras town in Shivpuri district, Sub-Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) Vijay Yadav said. As soon as the travellers noticed smoke emanating in the bus, they immediately came out, a woman passenger said. Later, the bus was engulfed in flames which were doused by a fire tender, Yadav said. He further added that an electrical short-circuit appears to have been the cause of the blaze. The luggage of the passengers bound for Uttarakhand was damaged in the fire, the official added. A total of 60 passengers in two private buses had left from Buldhana town on May 15 for the popular pilgrimage to four sacred Hindu sites located in the Himalayas, he said. The Char Dham Yatra is a pilgrimage circuit in India that covers four holy sites: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. These sites are located in the Himalayas of Uttarakhand state. The pilgrimage is significant in Hinduism, with each site holding its own religious and spiritual importance. Devotees from all across the country travel to the state to embark on the pilgrimage usually around April or May. (With inputs from PTI) Char Dham Yatra 2024: Badrinath Temple opens for devotees amid chants and melodious tunes The Shri Badrinath Dham in Uttarakhand opened its doors for devotees at 6 am on Sunday morning after a break of six months. Amid melodious tunes by the Army Band and complete rituals, vedic chants and slogans of 'Badri Vishal Lal Ki Jai', the temple welcomed devotees, as per an ANI report. The shrine of Shri Badrinath Dham is located in Garhwal hill tracks in Chamoli district along the banks of Alaknanda River in the Uttarakhand state. Thousands of devotees thronged the entry of Badrinath Dham. The Char Dham Yatra commenced in Uttarakhand on May 10. For the last two days, all three Dhams including Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri have been bustling. On the first day, a record number of more than 29,000 pilgrims from India and abroad visited Kedarnath Dham. Welcoming the pilgrims, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami presided over the inaugural puja at Shri Kedarnath Dham temple, invoking prayers for the safe journey and spiritual fulfilment of all embarking on the Char Dham pilgrimage.
17 May,2024 08:02 PM IST | Shivpuri | mid-day online correspondentThe Swati Maliwal assault case is a BJP conspiracy to frame Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and she is the "face" of this, the AAP alleged on Friday, terming allegations levelled by her against Kejriwal's aide "baseless". The remarks of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) come a day after the Delhi Police registered an FIR against Bibhav Kumar, the personal assistant of Kejriwal, for allegedly assaulting Maliwal, the party's member in Rajya Sabha, at the chief minister's official residence. She had reached the CM's residence without an appointment and her intention was to level allegations against Kejriwal, senior AAP leader Atishi alleged at a press conference. "Today a video has surfaced that has exposed the lie of Maliwal. In her FIR, she has said she was brutally assaulted and she was in pain, and buttons of her shirt were torn. A video that has surfaced shows an entirely different reality," Atishi said. According to the FIR, Maliwal was "kicked and slapped seven to eight times" allegedly by Kumar. The FIR also stated that Kumar "did not relent" despite her asking him to stop. Maliwal has also claimed that Kumar hit her with "full force again and again" but no one came to her rescue. She also alleged that despite telling Kumar that she was menstruating and in pain, he did not budge. Atishi said the video shows Maliwal "comfortably sitting in the drawing room" and "threatening the security staff", and that "her clothes were not torn". "The video shows her threatening Kumar. The charges levelled by Maliwal are baseless. Maliwal insisted on meeting Kejriwal. She is Rajya Sabha MP and she should know that the CM has a busy schedule. Kumar told her that the chief minister is busy and unable to meet her. She shouted at him, pushed him and tried to enter the residential portion of the CM House," she claimed. "The whole incident proves that it was a BJP conspiracy and Swati Maliwal was made its face to frame Kejriwal," she alleged. Atishi said Kumar has also given a complaint to police against Maliwal. On Tuesday, senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh had said that the incident with Maliwal was "highly condemnable" and had claimed that Kumar had "misbehaved" with her. When Atishi was asked about Singh accepting misbehaviour with Maliwal, Atishi said, "AAP MP Sanjay Singh met Maliwal and he had only her version. But now this video has brought out the truth." 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
17 May,2024 06:56 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIThe Delhi Police Friday took AAP MP Swati Maliwal to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence to recreate the crime scene as it investigates the alleged assault on her there earlier this week, officials said. Her statement in the case was recorded before a magistrate at the Tis Hazari court earlier in the day. The police have registered an FIR under sections relating to culpable homicide, restraint and the use of criminal force against a woman with intent to c her. They have booked Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar over the assault. 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
17 May,2024 06:51 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIThe High Court Bar Association of Uttarakhand has filed a petition in the Supreme Court on the proposed shifting of the high court out of Nainital, reported PTI. The plea is in the form of a Special Leave Petition (SLP). On May 8, the Uttarakhand High Court had asked the state government to identify the most suitable land for the relocation of the high court. The decision had sparked a protest by the bar association which had approached the bench and opposed the order of shifting the high court out of Nainital. While the Bar was assured that the order had not been signed, the order was passed by the high court later on asking the state government to look for a suitable place for relocation of the high court. The high court has also created a portal to facilitate online public voting on the issue. The Dehradun Bar Association is in favour of the shifting of the high court. It has also decided to approach the Supreme Court seeking inclusion as a party in the SLP. All lawyers of the Dehradun Bar Association agree to the view that the high court should be shifted out of Nainital in the larger interest of the people of the state and the convenience of litigants, its president Rajeev Sharma said. The order had specified that the new location should be able to accommodate residence for judges, judicial officers and staff apart from court rooms, conference hall, chambers for at least 7,000 lawyers, canteen and parking space. It had also asked the state government to see if the sprawling campus of Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd (IDPL), Rishikesh, which is closed for several years, could serve as a relocation site for the high court. The high court directed the chief secretary to constitute a committee under the chairmanship of the registrar general comprising the principal secretary, legislative and parliamentary affairs; principal secretary, home; two senior advocates, a member nominated by the Uttarakhand State Bar Council, chairman of the Bar Council of India and one other. After taking the opinion of the concerned parties, this committee will submit a sealed report to the high court by June 7. Thereafter, the government's recommendation regarding suitable land for the establishment of the high court and the outcome of its options will be placed before the chief justice. The next hearing of this case has been fixed for June 25. (With inputs from PTI)
17 May,2024 06:21 PM IST | Nainital | mid-day online correspondentOdisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik led a roadshow in state capital Bhubaneswar on Thursday, seeking votes for his party Biju Janata Dal, reported PTI. Accompanied by his close aide VK Pandian, Patnaik also addressed people in between the roadshow, urging them to vote for 'conch' -- the election symbol of his party. The roadshow began at Ganganagar Chhak amid tight security with a large number of people lined up on both sides of the road to have a glimpse of the chief minister. "Though we have seen him on TV, this is an opportunity to see him physically," said Susama Behera, a housewife. Patnaik waved and greeted people as his vehicle proceeded through Gopabandhu Chhak, DAV School Unit-8, HDFC Bank Square, Mamtaj Ali School, Srikrishna Club, Behera Sahi, Bayababa Mutt Chhak and Master Canteen Square. The roadshow culminated at Sisu Bhawan Square. Before the roadshow, Patnaik said he was always elated to meet the people. Tight security arrangements were made, and traffic restrictions were imposed on certain areas in the city for the road show. Polling in Bhubaneswar is scheduled to be held on May 25. The BJD has fielded Manmath Routray against BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi in the Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha constituency. For the assembly elections, the party has re-nominated MLA Ananta Narayan Jena in Bhubaneswar Central, minister Ashok Panda in Bhubaneswar-Ekamra and MLA Susant Rout in Bhubaneswar North. Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik to contest from two assembly seats BJD president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will also contest from Kantabanji assembly constituency in Bolangir district of Western Odisha along with his traditional Hinjili seat in Ganjam district. This was announced by Patnaik himself on April 17 while releasing the 5th list of nine candidates for the Assembly elections in the state. Patnaik in 2019 assembly elections had also contested from two seats. He won from both Hinjili and Bijepur assembly segment in Bargarh district of western Odisha. However, Patnaik later resigned from Bijepur and retained the Hinjili seat
17 May,2024 05:59 PM IST | Bhubaneswar | PTIThe BJP's Chandigarh candidate Sanjay Tandon on Thursday took a jibe at the Congress' Manish Tewari, asking him to share with voters from where he will contest the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, reported PTI. Tandon said while Tewari has been claiming to be a national leader, it has always been a "mystery" why he changed his constituency in every election. "Now that he is contesting from Chandigarh, which constituency will he shift to in the 2029 elections?" Tandon asked. Manish Tewari, the INDIA bloc’s Lok Sabha candidate from Chandigarh, filed his nomination on Tuesday this week, accompanied by thousands of party workers. The BJP candidate also asked why the Congress nominees in Ludhiana and Anandpur Sahib, which were "rarely" represented by Tewari in the past, are not calling him to campaign for them. The Congress leader was the MP from Ludhiana between 2009 and 2014. He was elected from Anandpur Sahib in 2019. Tandon said Tewari is the only MP running from one constituency to another in the last 10 years for the simple reason that he has nothing to show to his voters. "He is playing a similar trick on voters in Chandigarh," the BJP candidate claimed. Acknowledging the problems of EWS flats at Dhanas Colony, Tandon reaffirmed his dedication to resolving the leasehold-to-freehold issue. He reiterated his promise to provide housing to underprivileged individuals through the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, once elected. Tandon exhorted the voters to come out in large numbers and ensure that the Union Territory achieves a record-breaking 90 per cent turnout figure. The Chandigarh constitunecy is set to go to polls on June 1 in the seventh and last phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024. Results are scheduled to be declared on June 4. (With inputs from PTI)
17 May,2024 05:28 PM IST | Chandigarh | mid-day online correspondentA 22-year-old man was allegedly stabbed to death while another got injured in a scuffle between two groups of friends at a wedding procession in Kota, Rajastan on Thursday reported news agency PTI. The deceased has been identified as Aman Singh Rajput (22) from Kotdi's Chawani area, and the injured is Ganesh Rathod alias Arvind (20) from Vigyannagar area. The two had reached Sinta village under Keshorai Patan police station to attend their friend Sachin's wedding on Wednesday night, Station House Officer (SHO) Keshorai Patan Babulal Meena said. An altercation broke out at midnight between the duo and their other two friends over "twisting and dancing at the wedding procession", SHO Meena said. Subsequently, Kumbhraj Meghwal and Kamal Kevat from the other group brandished a knife and fatally stabbed Rajput in the stomach, the SHO said. He added that Rathod, who intervened to save his friend, was also attacked by the accused.. The accused immediately fled the scene. Both Rajput and Rathod were rushed to MBS Hospital in Kota, where the former succumbed to his injuries early Thursday morning, SHO Meena said. Rathod is still undergoing treatment at the hospital, he added. As per the report, the victim's family lodged a complaint with the police. Following the complaint, the police registered a case of murder and attempt to murder against Meghwal of Sinta village and Kevat of Balita area under sections 302 and 307 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the SHO said. He said Meghwal and Kevat, who are also booked under sections 323, 341 and 34 of the IPC, were arrested from Kota on Thursday. The two accused were nabbed from Kota on Thursday and after initial interrogation, they have been arrested, Bundi Superintendent of Police (SP) Hanuman Prasad said. He added that further investigation into the matter is underway. SHO Meena said the victim's body was handed over to his family on Thursday morning after post-mortem. (With inputs from PTI)
17 May,2024 04:52 PM IST | Kota (Rajasthan) | mid-day online correspondentJanata Dal (Secular) MLA and former Karnataka Minister HD Revanna was granted interim bail in a sexual harassment case on Thursday by a Bengaluru court, reported news agency ANI. Revanna was given bail until Friday, shortly after receiving conditional bail earlier this week in a related kidnapping case involving an obscene video scandal. The 42nd Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court (ACMM) has announced that Revanna's primary bail plea will be heard on Friday at 3 p.m. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) argued against Revanna's bail request, while SP Jayna Kothari sought his judicial detention. However, Revanna's lawyer, Arun, said that the case is bailable. Revanna submitted the bail application following an FIR charging him with sexual harassment. The SIT objected, arguing that the FIR contained rape claims. The defence argued that the charges were against Prajwal, Revanna's son, not HD Revanna. The Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) noted that Revanna had not cooperated with the inquiry and demanded that he be returned to judicial custody. The judge questioned why custody was required if Revanna was recalcitrant. An SIT is investigating Revanna and his son for sexual harassment and criminal intimidation after receiving a complaint from a woman employed in their household. Previously, on May 14, Revanna was released from Parappana Agrahara Jail after being granted conditional bail in the kidnapping case, with a bond set at Rs 5 lakh. He was initially arrested on May 4 by SIT officials in connection with the case registered at the KR Nagar police station. (With inputs from ANI) SIT probing allegations of coercion The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged multiple instances of sexual abuse by Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna has initiated an inquiry to identify those who allegedly called a woman and “forced” her to register a “fake complaint” against the JD(S) leader, sources said on May 10. The move comes after the National Commission for Women said that one woman complainant who reached out to it claimed she was forced to register a fake complaint against the 33-year-old, who is the Lok Sabha poll candidate for Hassan and the grandson of JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda.
17 May,2024 04:02 PM IST | Bengaluru | mid-day online correspondentCongress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said he would treat Amethi and Rae Bareli equally when it comes to development if he wins from the neighbouring seat. Rahul is contesting the Lok Sabha poll from Rae Bareli, replacing his mother Sonia Gandhi. He has been an MP thrice from Amethi and was defeated in 2019 by sitting MP Smriti Irani. "If Rs 10 is spent for development work in Rae Bareli it would be the same for Amethi too...this is my promise," he said addressing a joint rally with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav in support of Congress candidate K L Sharma, a longstanding party confidante. He thanked Sharma for "selflessly" serving the people of the constituency for 40 years. He reiterated the party promise of giving Rs 8,500 to each youth per month Rs 1 lakh in a year -- if the party comes to power at the Centre. Rahul said his party would do away with the Agniveer scheme for recruitment in the armed forces and bring back the permanent appointment system with the provision of pension. Rahul and Akhilesh are set to address another rally in Rae Bareli ahead in the day. Sonia Gandhi is expected to be present. 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
17 May,2024 03:50 PM IST | Amethi | PTIDefence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted remarks from Pakistani leaders acknowledging India's growing power, reported news agency ANI. Singh, who is also the BJP candidate from Lucknow said that our neighbour Pakistan, which has never spoken favourably about our country, is acknowledging India's growth as a powerful nation. Addressing a public meeting in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow, Rajnath Singh said, "By 2027, India will rank third globally in terms of wealth. One of our neighbours, who has never spoken well of our country, and today their leaders are saying India is becoming a powerful country, and Pakistan is still backward." "The perception of India has changed worldwide. Leaders of all nations are now saying that the 21st century belongs to India," he added. Furthermore, the defence minister expressed confidence in winning the Lok Sabha polls, saying that political analysts believe the NDA will secure more than 400 seats. "Elections are underway in the country, with four phases already completed. Voting for the fifth phase will be held on May 20. After four phases, political analysts are confident that the BJP-led NDA will win more than 400 seats this time," Rajnath asserted. Earlier, a Pakistani lawmaker, Syed Mustafa Kamal, drew a comparison between India's achievements and the dire situation in Karachi, highlighting India's moon landing mission. The Muttahida Quami Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) leader noted that while India is achieving milestones like landing on the moon, Karachi is grappling with tragic incidents such as children dying in open gutters. "Today, the condition in Karachi is that, while the world is going to the moon, children are dying by falling into gutter in Karachi. On the same screen, there is news that India landed on the moon, and just after two seconds, the news is that a child died in an open gutter in Karachi," Kamal said in his address to the Parliament on Wednesday. Rajnath Singh is contesting the Lucknow Lok Sabha seat as a BJP candidate against Samajwadi Party (SP)'s Ravidas Mehrotra and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate Sarwar Malik for the Lucknow seat. Voting for the Lucknow parliamentary seat will take place on May 20 during the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha polls. (With inputs from ANI)
17 May,2024 03:47 PM IST | Lucknow | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
