Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the ‘Empowering Youth, Transforming J&K’ programme, in Srinagar, on June 20, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Poll preparations on, J&K to shape its future as a State soon, says PM Modi in Srinagar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in Srinagar amid tight security, said the day was not far when people will elect a new government and shape Jammu & Kashmir’s future as a State once again. He pledged to “teach a lesson to the enemies of J&K”, while referring to recent terror attacks. The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth more than ₹1,500 crore. He launched Competitiveness Improvement in Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project worth ₹1,800 crore and handed over appointment letters to 200 fresh government recruits.

Arvind Kejriwal granted bail in Delhi Excise policy case

A Delhi court granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi Excise policy of 2021-22. Vacation judge, Rouse Avenue Court, Niyay Bindu passed the order after hearing Mr. Kejriwal and the ED at length. The bail order was dictated by the judge in an open court on June 20 evening. The detailed court order is awaited. Mr. Kejriwal, earlier this month, had filed two bail applications in the Rouse Avenue Court, one for a seven days bail for treatment which was denied on June 5.

NEET, UGC-NET paper leaks: Government to form panel to improve NTA’s working, says Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the alleged irregularities in the recently held National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET), and the cancelled University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) were “an institutional failure of the National Testing Agency”. Mr. Pradhan has said that a reform committee consisting of technocrats, bureaucrats and scientists would be formulated, which would suggest improvements to the NTA’s working.

French journalist forced to leave India as MHA refuses to renew his work permit 

A second French journalist, working in India since 2011, said he had been forced to leave the country after the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) denied the renewal of his work permit without providing any reason. Earlier this year, French journalist Vanessa Dougnac, who had been living in India for 22 years, left the country after the MHA sent a notice citing “malicious reportage” and visa violations, asking why her OCI card should not be cancelled.

ECI receives 11 requests for EVM and VVPAT memory verification post results

The Election Commission of India has received 11 requests for memory verification of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPAT) from the recently concluded Lok Sabha and Assembly polls. These requests essentially mean rematching the votes polled in 5% of the EVMs in each of these constituencies. This is the first time that such requests have been received since the Supreme Court order of April 24 allowing verification on the request of the runners-up in any election.

UGC-NET exam cancelled to safeguard students’ interest, says Education Ministry official

A day after the UGC-NET was cancelled, Education Ministry officials said no complaints were received about the exam but a suo motu action was taken on the basis of inputs available with them to protect students’ interest. Education Ministry Joint Secretary Govind Jaiswal said the details of the inputs cannot be shared as the matter has been referred to the CBI and is currently under investigation

India shuns China’s calls to resume passenger flights after 4 years, officials say

China is pressing India to restart direct passenger flights after a four-year halt, but New Delhi is resisting as a border dispute continues to weigh on ties between the world’s two most populous countries, officials said. India-China relations have been tense since the biggest military confrontation in decades on their disputed Himalayan border killed 20 Indian and at least four Chinese soldiers in June 2020. Thousands of troops remain mobilised on each side.

IRCTC apologises to Vande Bharat passenger who found cockroach in food

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) apologised to a couple who found a cockroach in their meal while traveling on the Vande Bharat Express from Bhopal to Agra. After an X user Vidit Varshney took to the social media platform about his uncle and aunt finding an insect in their meal on the Vande Bharat Express, IRCTC responded by apologising for the incident and said they are taking it seriously.

Jaishankar reviews India-backed energy, connectivity projects during Colombo visit

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar undertook a day-long visit to Colombo and discussed progress on key energy sector initiatives that India and Sri Lanka have agreed to jointly undertake. Participating in a ceremony with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, he commissioned a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) and handed over new homes built with Indian assistance. In his first bilateral visit abroad after being re-appointed to the post in the newly installed coalition government, EAM Jaishankar focused mostly on progress made in the implementation of ongoing India-backed projects across the island nation, sources said

IIT Bombay imposes fine on 8 students for performing play that allegedly mocked Lord Ram

The Indian Institute of India (IIT) Bombay has imposed a fine of up to ₹1.2 lakh on eight students, who performed a play that allegedly mocked Lord Ram and portrayed the ‘Ramayana’ in a bad light, a fellow student said. The students had presented the play named ‘Raahovan’ on March 31 this year, as part of the Performing Arts Festival (PAF).

Kallakurichi hooch tragedy: Madras High Court to hear on June 21 a plea for CBI probe

The Madras High Court on Thursday agreed to hear a public interest litgation petition seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy that had so far claimed over 30 lives and left many others hospitalised. The petitioner insisted on a CBI probe since there was serious suspicion of the spurious liquor sale having taken place with the connivance of local politicians belonging to the ruling party and the police personnel.

Sanjay Singh seeks INDIA bloc’s support to get Delhi’s share of water from Haryana

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh sought the INDIA bloc’s support in the party’s fight to get Delhi’s share of water from Haryana. Mr. Singh said Delhi Water minister Atishi will be starting an indefinite fast from June 21 to get Delhi’s share of water from Haryana, which is ruled by the BJP.

Rain brings some relief to North India, heatwave conditions ease

Heatwave conditions have abated over large parts of North India, the India Meteorological Department said, but this is expected to be short-lived as dry conditions are expected to resurface over the weekend or early next week. “Heat wave conditions have abated from Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, north Rajasthan and many parts of Uttar Pradesh today the 20th June 2024. Scattered to fairly widespread light/moderate rainfall has been observed over Jammu, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, north Haryana-Chandigarh and north Uttar Pradesh during past 24 hours (Thursday). Isolated very heavy rainfall has also been observed over Uttarakhand during this period,” the IMD said on Thursday.

68 Indians among over 600 to die due to heat during Haj pilgrimage

A diplomat in Saudi Arabia said that 68 Indian nationals died during the haj pilgrimage this year marked by searing heath, bringing the overall tally to more than 600. “We have confirmed around 68 dead… Some are because of natural causes and we had many old-age pilgrims. And some are due to the weather conditions, that’s what we assume,” the diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told AFP.

T20 World Cup, AFG vs IND: After the Suryakumar show, Bumrah takes over

India had no trouble adapting to conditions in the West Indies. The move from USA to Barbados was seamless, as India crushed Afghanistan by 47 runs in its first Super 8 game on Thursday. Led by Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya, India passed the pitch test with flying colours to make a commanding 181 for eight. With ball in hand, Jasprit Bumrah (3/7) and the three spinners put the stranglehold on the Afghans.

New Delhi:

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been granted bail in the liquor policy case. Mr Kejriwal’s lawyer had argued the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had no evidence against him.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief is likely to come out of jail tomorrow, as the bail order has to reach the jail first.

His lawyer told the Delhi court that the ED’s entire case against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief rested on statements given by those who turned approver in the case.

The court denied the ED’s request to allow at least 48 hours to sign the bail bond in order for the central agency to challenge it before the relevant court.

“The statements are of those people who have confessed to being guilty. They are not saints here. They are those who are not only tainted, but it appears that some who were arrested were given a promise of bail, and promise of being granted pardon. Approvers. And there is another category who have not been arrested,” Mr Kejriwal’s lawyer had said earlier today, after which the court had reserved its order, only to announce the bail around 8 pm.

“Circumstances have to be so intrinsically linked (as to) lead to the guilt. These statements by tainted persons discredit the case of prosecution. There is no evidence that Rs 100 crore came from ‘South Group’. These are all statements. There is no evidence,” the Chief Minister’s lawyer said, referring to what the ED calls the ‘South Group’, a lobby from Telangana that allegedly conspired to grab liquor licences in the national capital.

The ED arrested Mr Kejriwal on March 21 over money laundering allegations while framing the Delhi liquor policy for 2021-22, which was later scrapped after the Lieutenant Governor raised red flags. The ED has alleged the money Mr Kejriwal got from the liquor sellers was used to fund the party’s campaign in Goa, since he is the convenor of the AAP.

Mr Kejriwal and the AAP have from the start maintained the Centre has been misusing its agencies to harass the Opposition with false cases.

New Delhi:

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal – on interim bail following his arrest in the alleged liquor policy scam – began his battle for regular bail Thursday afternoon in the city’s Rouse Avenue Court.

He has filed two pleas – for normal bail, and to extend the Supreme Court-ordered interim bail by a week, citing a battery of pending medical tests over potential “health complications” from his diabetes.

In the brief hearing that followed the Enforcement Directorate opposed both pleas. The federal agency sought at least two days to respond and took a swipe at the bail plea on health grounds.

The ED pointed out Mr Kejriwal – whom party sources told NDTV has led 67 rallies or roadshows and given 30 interviews since his release on interim bail – seemed to be in fine condition. The agency also seemed irked by the AAP leader filing his pleas a little over 48 hours before the bail period expires.

“He is not in custody… he is, today, in Punjab campaigning. His health does not hinder him from campaigning… and he moves bail on the last date so we get very little time (to argue),” the ED said.

“His conduct doesn’t entitle him for any orders today,” Additional Solicitor-General SV Raju, appearing for the central agency, told the court, which gave the ED time till 2 pm Saturday to respond.

The Rouse Avenue Court is also due to rule (on June 4, on counting day) on a point of cognisance on the ED’s supplementary chargesheet, which is linked to an associated money laundering case.

READ | Ready To Go To Jail 100 Times To Save Country: Arvind Kejriwal

Mr Kejriwal has been singularly active since his release from jail, leading his party’s charge (and contributing to that of the Congress-led INDIA bloc) ahead of polling in Delhi and Punjab. 

READ | “Give All 13 Seats To AAP”: Kejriwal’s Appeal To Punjab Voters

These are the states where the AAP is in power and send a combined 20 MPs to the Lok Sabha, but the curious case of the alliance with the Congress remains a point of interest. The parties are contesting together in Delhi but as rivals in Punjab, where state leaders have taken regular potshots at each other.

Meanwhile, Mr Kejriwal’s regular release plea today is key since it is the first time he has actively applied for bail. His interim release this month was ordered by the Supreme Court as it was hearing his challenge to the ED’s arrest. The court recognised him as an elected leader and not a habitual offender.

READ | Kejriwal Gets Big Supreme Court Relief. Interim Bail Till June 1

Mr Kejriwal’s interim bail expires June 1, or on completion of polling for the final phase of the Lok Sabha election. He is to report to Delhi’s Tihar Jail authorities 24 hours after that, i.e., June 2. On Tuesday he asked the top court to extend his freedom by seven days so he could finish the tests.

However, the court refused an urgent hearing and also seemed put out by the timing.

It was pointed out the plea could have been filed last week, when Justice Datta – part of the bench that granted interim bail – was hearing cases. “Why did you not mention this (then)…?” the court asked.

Mr Kejriwal was, though, given leave to move the lower court at this time, which he did this afternoon.

In earlier arguments Mr Kejriwal had underlined the row between himself and jail authorities over the supply of insulin. His AAP had claimed he was deliberately deprived of the “life-saving” drug.

READ | “Asking For Insulin Daily”: Kejriwal’s Letter To Jail Officials

That row also reached the courts after Arvind Kejriwal criticised Tihar jail and ED officials for being “petty” and “politicising” his well-being. The probe agency responded by claiming the Chief Minister had deliberately consumed foods high in sugar – like mangoes and toffees, in alleged violation of a prescribed diet chart – to place his health at risk and establish grounds for medical bail.

READ | Kejriwal Claims Tihar Officials’ “Negligence” Took Toll On Health

“My health condition is due partly to the insensitive behaviour of the prison authorities. One more week of bail will allow me to take stock of (possible) health complications,” he had argued.

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New Delhi:

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has filed a regular bail plea before a court in New Delhi, which is slated to hear it at 2 pm today, in connection with a money laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam.

Mr Kejriwal was ordered to be released on interim bail till June 1 by the Supreme Court in view of the ongoing general elections.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court registry had refused to accept the application moved by him seeking a seven-day extension of interim bail to undergo medical examinations, including a PET-CT scan.

The Supreme Court registry said that the top court had already reserved its verdict in the matter and the application seeking a 7-day extension has no relation to the main petition.

As Supreme Court had allowed him to move the trial court for obtaining regular bail, the application is not maintainable, it added.

As per the Aam Aadmi Party, Chief Minister Kejriwal’s health has deteriorated since he was arrested in the alleged Delhi excise scam.

The party has said that he has lost 7 kg in weight after his arrest and his Ketone levels are also very high indicating a serious medical disorder.

The party has further said that the Chief Minister was required to do medical tests and seven days were needed for this.

Earlier, the top court had directed him to surrender back to Tihar Jail on June 2.

The top court on May 17 had reserved its verdict on Chief Minister Kejriwal’s petition challenging his arrest and subsequent remand by the federal anti-money laundering agency in the excise policy case.

It said he could approach the trial court for a grant of regular bail notwithstanding the fact that the top court reserved judgment in the matter.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has petitioned the Supreme Court for a seven-day extension on his interim bail in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case. Citing serious health concerns, Mr Kejriwal highlighted the need for medical tests, including a PET-CT scan, following a weight loss of 7 kg and elevated ketone levels.

Mr Kejriwal was initially granted interim bail until June 1 by the Supreme Court to facilitate his participation in the Lok Sabha election campaign. As per the ruling, he is required to surrender and return to Tihar Jail on June 2.

Max Hospital’s medical team has already conducted preliminary examinations. The Chief Minister’s legal counsel argued that these tests are crucial for his well-being and requested the court to consider the extension to complete the necessary medical investigations.

The interim bail granted to Mr Kejriwal has sparked controversy, with BJP leaders alleging that he received “special treatment” from the Supreme Court. However, the justices involved in granting the bail have firmly stated that no exceptions were made in Mr Kejriwal’s favour.

The ongoing probe revolves around alleged irregularities in the formulation and implementation of the Delhi excise policy (2021-22). 

The excise policy, introduced to bring an overhaul to the national capital’s liquor business, promised a more modern shopping experience with discounts and offers. However, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena’s order to investigate alleged irregularities prompted the policy’s cancellation. The AAP accuses Mr Saxena’s predecessor, Anil Baijal, of making last-minute changes that adversely affected the policy’s revenue expectations.

AAP leader and former deputy chief minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia is already under judicial custody in connection with the case. Mr Sisodia, the former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on February 26 last year, while party leader Sanjay Singh, a Rajya Sabha member, was arrested by the ED on October 5 and was granted bail in April this year. 

New Delhi:

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday addressed his first press conference and held roadshows for the Lok Sabha election campaign, a day after the Supreme Court granted him interim bail for 21 days.

Mr Kejriwal, the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money-laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy case.

Addressing a press conference at the AAP’s office in the national capital, he revealed why he didn’t resign, a Bharatiya Janata Party’s continuous demand since he was arrested on March 21.

“The chief minister’s post is not important for me. I did not step down as the chief minister because a conspiracy was hatched to force me to resign on a fake case,” Mr Kejriwal said.

आप सब लोगों के बीच वापस लौट कर मुझे बेहद ख़ुशी हो रही है। हमें मिलकर अपने देश को तानाशाही से बचाना है, मैं अपनी पूरी ताक़त से लड़ूँगा, मुझे देश के 140 करोड़ लोगों का समर्थन चाहिए। https://t.co/QbUWA5dBHF

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 11, 2024

The BJP had been attacking the Delhi Chief Minister for not stepping down from the chief minister’s post despite being in custody for 50 days.

ALSO READ | Arvind Kejriwal Can’t Go To Office, Sign Files While Out On Bail

“If the prime minister wants to learn about fighting corruption, he should learn from Arvind Kejriwal. We sent the corrupt to jail and even our own ministers,” the AAP chief said.

“AAP Not Just A Party, It Is A Thought”

Arvind Kejriwal alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has “left no stone unturned to crush the AAP by sending its four top leaders to prison”.

He was the fourth senior AAP leader to spend time behind bars after Satyendar Jain, Manish Sisodia, and Sanjay Singh.

“They thought that the party would be finished. But AAP is not just a party, it is a thought, the more they destroy, the more our party will progress,” Mr Kejriwal asserted.

ALSO READ | BJP May Get 220 Seats, Won’t Form Government: Arvind Kejriwal’s Prediction

He told the AAP supporters that no one had expected that he would be able to come out in the middle of the Lok Sabha elections. “But because of your prayers and blessings of Lord Hanuman I am among you all,” he added.

“Kejriwal has fought against corruption. We have not spared even our ministers in corruption cases. They were sent to jail without the opposition and the media knowing about it,” he said.

“Missed People Of Delhi A Lot”

Arvind Kejriwal held his first roadshow for the Lok Sabha election campaign in the South Delhi constituency and said that he “missed the people of Delhi a lot”.

“I have come straight to you after being released from jail. I missed people of Delhi a lot. I want to thank crores of people who prayed and sent blessings to me,” he said.

pic.twitter.com/pLocAzgBFd

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 11, 2024

Mr Kejriwal recalled his 50 days in Tihar jail and said that his wife, Sunita Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and his ministers used to come to meet him.

“I used to ask my ministers about the welfare of people while in jail. During my stay in jail, I used to think what was my fault that I was arrested. My fault was that I provided good schools and hospitals for people. I provided health facilities to people. They (BJP) stopped my insulin for 15 days in jail,” he said.

“They want to shut everything to paralyse the Delhi government,” he charged.  

तानाशाही के ख़िलाफ़ पूरा देश एकजुट होकर लड़ने को तैयार है। लोकसभा चुनाव प्रचार के दौरान दक्षिण दिल्ली के महरौली में विशाल रोड-शो।
https://t.co/1uOBAc65Af

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 11, 2024

The Supreme Court has granted Arvind Kejriwal interim bail to enable him to campaign in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. He, however, has to surrender on June 2, a day after the last phase of the seven-phase poll will get over.