The Supreme Court today stayed a Patna High Court order setting aside the election of BJP MP Chhedi Paswan and said it would examine whether politicians need to mandatorily declare every offence or only the heinous crimes registered against them at the time of nomination.
The court made the observation as it stayed the High Court order setting aside the election of Paswan, the Lok Sabha MP from Sasaram (reserved) constituency in Bihar, for “suppressing” details of criminal cases pending against him.
Paswan had defeated then Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar in the 2014 general elections.
“We have to go in depth. It’s a serious issue. We have to see whether every offence or only serious offences are covered under the earlier judgement of the court,” a bench of Justices Ranjan Gogoi and P C Pant said while admitting the case.
Senior advocate Harish Salve appearing for Paswan said he had three cases against him, of which two cases have punishments of six months while the third one was for blocking of traffic in a protest.
He said that non-disclosure of such offences cannot be said to be amounting to “corrupt practices”.
Senior advocate C S Vaidyanathan appearing for one Ganga Mishra said Paswan has declared the offence in his 2010 poll affidavit but did not do so in the 2014 general elections.
He said that as per earlier judgement of the apex court, every individual contesting the election has to mandatorily declare all offences.
“The question here is that criminal cases are lodged against a politician for blocking the road in protest in which a chargesheet has been filed but charges are not framed. Can this suppression of facts by a politician during nomination deprived voters to make an informed choice,” the bench asked.
“Does this non-disclosure of criminal antecedents on part of a candidate amount to exercise of ‘undue influence’ and does this concealment or suppression deprive the voters to make an informed and advised choice,” the bench said while posting the matter for listing in January.
The apex court had on February 5 last year held that the election of a candidate, who has concealed his or her criminal antecedents during nomination process, should be declared null and void.
After 51 days, curfew was today lifted from Kashmir, except for few police station areas, but normal life continued to be hit by the strike called by separatists.
Clashes were reported from a number of places in Srinagar city and parts of Budgam district but nobody was hurt in these incidents, police said.
“Curfew has been lifted from Kashmir except from Pulwama town and the areas in Srinagar falling under the jurisdiction of police stations M R Gunj and Nowhatta,” police said.
The curbs were lifted following improvement in the situation, a police official said.
“However, the security forces will remain deployed in strength in sensitive areas of the Valley to maintain law and order,” the official said.
Curfew was clamped in entire Valley on July 9 following violence in the aftermath of Wani’s killing in an encounter in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district a day earlier. The violence has left 68 people, including two cops, dead and several thousand injured.
While public transport continued to be off roads, there was increased movement of private cars and auto-rickshaw.
However, schools, colleges and other educational institutions and shops remained closed due to the strike called by separatists groups.
The attendance in government offices also showed upward trend with majority of employees reporting for work. The banks were also open and witnessed massive rush of customers as soon as they opened.
Mobile internet continued to remain suspended in the entire Valley, where the outgoing facility on prepaid mobiles remained barred.
During the day, groups of miscreants pelted stones on security forces at Chattabal, Kani Kadal, Khanyar and Batamaloo areas of Srinagar, the police official said.
The security forces used tear gas to chase the protestors but no one was hurt in these incidents, the official said.
He said reports of clashes between stone-pelters and security forces were also received from Chadoora, Kremshora and Mazhama areas of Budgam district.
The separatist camp, which is spearheading the agitation in the Valley over the civilian killings during the protests against Wani’s killing, has extended the strike call in the Valley till September 1.
Launching a fresh attack on the LG and the Centre, Arvind Kejriwal today charged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to reverse numerous decisions of the AAP government through Najeeb Jung and remove DCW chief Swati Maliwal who, he claimed, will be “arrested” soon.
Kejriwal’s outburst on microblogging site Twitter came a day after Jung said that he was in the process of overturning and rectifying “illegal decisions” taken by the AAP government following the August 4 Delhi High Court verdict.
Kejriwal claimed the Lt Governor and the Centre wanted to “reverse” numerous decisions of public importance, including the decision to increase minimum wages and holding discoms accountable for unscheduled outages, among other measures.
He said Najeeb Jung was “subverting” democracy to protect his “chair”.
On the CAG row, the Delhi Chief Minister said the auditor “vehemently refuses” to audit advertisement expenses of centre and other states.
“Why? CAG under pressure from BJP?,” he questioned.
“Sources- LG n PMO hell bent on removing Swati Maliwal 4 doing gud job. She’ll be arrested coming week n then removed,” he claimed in a tweet.
“LG hell bent on removing the team which made mohalla clinics and saved money on flyovers.
“Increase min wages in Delhi. Is it illegal? Sources: Big companies met Modiji n opposed it. Now LG sitting on that file.
“Hold power cos accountable- make them pay compensation for unscheduled power cuts. Is it illegal? LG sitting on it.
AAP govt asked for land for 10 hospitals from DDA. Modi’s LG refused. Was our demand illegal?” the CM said in a series of tweets.
Referring to Jung’s statement that he has tried to keep his intervention in the government restricted to the bare minimum, Kejriwal said, “If this is ‘least interference’, then what is ‘high interference’? Shameful subversion of democracy to protect chair.”
“Guys. Can u name 1 positive thing that Modiji or his LG did for Delhi so far? Only created hurdles. Negative people.
“Essence of Indian democracy so far. Thats why both parties (BJP and Congress) are jointly opposing AAP everywhere tooth and nail,” the AAP chief said.PTI
Actress Jacqueline Fernandez looked glamorous as she walked the ramp for designer Rajesh Pratap Singh’s latest collection inspired by Punjabi suit.
While the 31-year-old actress looked every bit of diva, the designer gave a miss to his own show at the ongoing Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive and according to the organisers, he had to fly due to “unavoidable circumstances”.
Rajesh, however, left a video message praising his showstopper and sharing collection details.
“Due to some personal reason I couldn t be with you all. I hope you all enjoyed the show today. I personally really enjoy trends which influence the entire country. I was impressed with the way the show was conceived.
“This collection is inspired by Punjabi suit, which my friend Rohit Bal made me understand,” the designer said in the video.
The silhouettes were crafted with paper, silk, linen & cotton woven in-house imparting a washed organic feel.
Known for his textures the designer again included bold, retro, off-kilter stripes, crosshatch grainy textures and ikats in his range. And has influences from school girl uniforms and the iconic Punjabi salwar-kameez.
Jacqueline, whose film ‘The Flying Jatt’ has released this week, was excited to walk for the designer and praised his work.
“I end up laughing a lot on ramp and stuff. I was asked to be calm and composed. I tried my best to do that. It was fun to walk the ramp. I am huge fan of Rajesh’s work.
“I just feel he makes things so elegant and wearable. All the outfits that were showcased today I can wear them like every single day. He is fantastic and I am honoured to be walking for him,” she said.
Apart from Jacqueline, actor Imaad Shah and supermodel Ujjwala Raut also took to the ramp for the show presented by Reliance Trends.
The show closed the third day of the fashion extravaganza that will end on August 28 with designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee briging down the curtains.PTI
Quota agitation spearhead Hardik Patel has demanded the release of Patel youths convicted in various riots cases of 2002, but alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not facilitate it as he now wants to project himself as a “secular” leader to the world.
Patel in a letter to Modi, has listed 102 Patel community members, who have been awarded life imprisonment in different riot cases of 2002.
“Everybody knows that Narendra Modi first became chief minister of Gujarat taking the benefit of 2002 riots and then become Prime Minister of the country,” Hardik Patel said in a letter addressed to Modi accusing him of being responsible for the carnage.
“Many Patidar youths have been sentenced (by courts) in riots cases. I have given a list below,” he said in the letter.
Patel is at present residing in Udaipur, as he has been asked to stay outside Gujarat by the State High Court as part of one of his bail conditions.
“All these Patel youths are rotting in jails of Gujarat.
Modiji is now Prime Minister. He can recommend to the President for release of Patel youths involved in riots and get them released,” Hardik said in the letter.
“But, I know Modiji will not do that as he wants to show the country and the world that he is a secular person. Modiji has misused Gujaratis and particularly Patidars,” Hardik alleged.
He then goes on to give a list of various riots cases and number of youths convicted by courts in this connection.
A year back, Hardik had started his agitation with a demand for inclusion of his community in the OBC category for reservation.
Violence had erupted after he held a mega rally here on August 25 last year in which government and private property worth crores of rupees were damaged and 11 persons, including one policemen, were killed.
Later, he was arrested on sedition charges and spent about nine months in jail. He was released thereafter following which he formed a new team for his agitation.
His old associates like Ketan Patel and Chirag Patel, who were co-accused in sedition case with him have alleged that the young leader has amassed wealth in the name of Patel quota agitation. They have also accused him of ruining the agitation due to his ambition of becoming a leader at a young age.PTI
With an aim to attract investments in Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will embark on a five-day US tour from tomorrow.
“During his visit, Chouhan will meet potential investors and apprise them of prevailing favourable conditions and investment opportunities in the state,” an official of the Public Relations Department said today.
The Chief Minister will reach New York on August 28 where he will be welcomed by the Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP), he said.
On August 29, he will be meeting prospective investors including Rajeev Kaul, MD of The Kaul Group, Tara Nathan, EVP PPP MasterCard, a representative of Pfizer, Hamilton, a representative of Xylem (a water focus innovation and technology company), Claudio Lilienfeld, Director, Government Affairs, Asia Pacific.
The Chief Minister will also meet top officials of major companies on August 30, including Chaitanya Kanojia, Co-founder, Starry, Jeff Toll, CEO, Managing Principal, RMC, Peter Barkey, Principal, RMC, Anupam Sarwaikar, CIO RMC, and Rajeev Nair, Founder and CEO of Solarinno, the official said.
During this visit, a number of MoUs are expected to be signed. Chouhan will have important meetings with leading business leaders on August 31 as well and will be back home on September 2.PTI
The probe into allegations of official apathy levelled by Olympian marathon runner O P Jaisha has been delayed as the athlete is recovering from Swine Flu and will need at least a week’s rest.
Jaisha, who returned from Rio with fever and body ache last week, was hospitalised yesterday after she tested positive for H1N1, two days after another athlete Sudha Singh was found to be suffering from the same disease.
“Jaisha has been hospitalised for H1N1 and at this point in time, the athlete will not be allowed to travel. She needs rest for at least six to seven days,” Sports Authority of India’s Dr Sarla told PTI here.
Since Jaisha is not permitted to travel, the probe into the allegations of official apathy levelled by her will be delayed.
The committee, which was formed a Tuesday, was supposed to submit its report in seven days from the date of its formation.
Sports Minister Vijay Goel had constituted a two-member committee consisting of Onkar Kedia, Joint Secretary (Sports) and Vivek Narayan, Director (Sports) to enquire into the allegations.
Jaisha, who had finished 89th in the marathon event, had alleged that no water or energy drinks were made available by the Indian officials during her event, leaving her completely exhausted at the end of the race. She had fainted after crossing the finishing line.
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI), however, has asserted that the athlete herself refused any such arrangement when approached a day before the event.
Jaisha, after returning from Brazil, claimed that officials from all other countries provided refreshments to their runners at designated points set up every 2.5 km.
Sahara chief Subrata Roy today offered in Supreme Court to pay an additional Rs 300 crore to Security and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) but said the amount should be adjusted as bank guarantee.
A bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur directed that the matter be listed next week after senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Roy, mentioned the matter before it.
“I am ready to pay additional Rs 300 crore but this amount should be adjusted as a bank guarantee,” Sibal told the bench that also comprised Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud.
On August 3, the Supreme Court had extended the parole of Roy till September 16 with a condition that he has to deposit Rs 300 crore with SEBI.
Roy’s parole, granted on humanitarian grounds following the death of his mother, was extended after he had deposited Rs 300.68 crores, giving him the opportunity to raise the remaining amount to secure bail in the case.
The apex court had allowed the Sahara group to go ahead with sale and alienation of their properties to raise an amount of Rs 5,000 crore as a bank guarantee which they have to deposit in addition to Rs 5,000 crore to get bail for Roy.
For Roy’s interim bail, the court had put conditions like depositing Rs 5,000 crore in cash and a bank guarantee of equal amount and tough terms, including payment of the entire Rs 36,000 crore, which includes interest, to be paid back to the investors.
The Sahara chief had earlier told the court that by December, the group would be in a position to fulfill all the conditions and talks were going on with Canara Bank for Rs 1,500 crore bank gaurantee.
The apex court had passed an order on March 29 stating that SEBI would also not sell any property owned by the beleaguered group for a price less than 90 per cent of the circle rates for the area in question without the permission of the court.
While granting parole to Roy, the apex court had said they were free to meet prospective buyers of properties and move within the country under police escort.
The apex court had earlier asked SEBI to initiate the process of selling “unencumbered” properties of Sahara group, whose title deeds are with the market regulator, to generate the bail money for release of the group chief.PTI
The ongoing unrest in Kashmir has led to a whopping Rs 6,400-crore loss to the economy of the Valley, with businesses being badly hit due to curfew and separatist sponsored strikes.
Tourist and other business activities in Kashmir have come to a halt for the past 49 days after protests erupted in Kashmir following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on July 8.
Clashes between protesters and security forces have claimed the lives of 66 people and left thousands of others injured.
Shops, business establishments, private offices and petrol pumps have been shut as the separatists groups have called for a complete strike to protest the civilian deaths in the violence after Wani’s killing.
The separatists have announced periods of relaxation, but they are usually in the night which does not help the traders who allege that there have been instances of masked youths or even security forces forcing the shopkeepers to down the shutters.
“Kashmir is suffering losses of about Rs 135 crore daily. This estimates to over Rs 6,400 crore so far,” Mohammad Yaseen Khan, president Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF), said here.
Khan, however, said these figures were based on the daily business six months ago.
He said the trader community wants the Kashmir issue to be resolved permanently
The state government has suffered revenue losses close to Rs 300 crore in the past one-anda-a-half months.
“The collection of levies and taxes has come down drastically since the unrest began. The sales tax collection has been the worst hit,” an official in the Finance department said.
Similarly, tourism, considered to be the mainstay of Kashmir’s economy, has also come to a stand still.
“People are turning away from Kashmir due to the unrest,” a tourism player said here.
He said that hotels and houseboats were empty and famous tourist spots were looking desolated.
An official of the Tourism Department, who did not wish to be named, admitted that tourism in the Valley was on decline but said they were “helpless”.
“What can we do? The department is helpless. We cannot go outside the state and ask people to visit the Valley.
“How can we even expect people to visit the Valley when the situation is such,” the official said.
Till this situation is addressed and the issue resolved, the tourism would continue to be affected, he said.
south Delhi area and later referred to Apollo Hospital. He died of dengue shock syndrome,” a hospital source said.
12-year-old Muskan, a resident of Shaheen Bagh here, had died on July 29, while Deepak (19), from Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh, succumbed to the disease on July 27, both at Safdarjung Hospital.
The civic bodies, however, have acknowledged only these two death cases so far.
Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan’s sister-in-law had also died of dengue on August 12 at Apollo Hospital.
This year, dengue cases were reported rather early. The disease had claimed its first victim on July 21 when a girl from Jafrabad in northeast Delhi died at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital.
Doctors have advised people to keep themselves adequately hydrated and not resort to self-medication, and also to go for blood test before rushing to get admitted in hospital.
“Only in severe cases should they go for hospitalisation.
Also, it is extremely important to note that platelet transfusion is only needed in dengue cases where the platelet count is less than 10,000 and there is active bleeding.
“Unnecessary platelet count can cause more harm than good.
Adequate hydration is the best management approach to dengue while monitoring crucial signs,” said Dr K K Aggarwal, Secretary General, Indian Medical Association.
Last year, the city saw a staggering 15,867 dengue cases — the worst in 20 years — with the disease claiming 60 lives, as per municipal reports.
In 2015, only six cases were reported in June, while 36 were registered in July.
In 1996, a severe outbreak of dengue had occurred in Delhi when about 10,252 cases and 423 deaths were reported.