Yamuna

Delhi: Three Teens Drown To Death In Yamuna

Three teenage boys died after drowning in the Yamuna River, while one still remains missing, police said on Monday.

Two boys, aged 17, one 16-year-old, and one 15-year-old, drowned in the river.

According to the police, a PCR call was received at Police Station Burari regarding the drowning of three individuals, and police officials immediately reached the spot.

Police said that all individuals were residents of Rampark, Loni, Ghaziabad and were enrolled in the 10th class at Govt Boys School Khajuri, Jyoti Vidya Niketan, Rampark, and Tukmirpur Govt Boys School, Loni.

“The four boys were friends and lived in the same colony (Rampark, Loni),” police said.

Police mentioned that as per the local inquiries, they left their homes around 11 AM today and when they did not return, their parents initiated a search and reached the Yamuna riverbank, where their clothes were discovered.

“Subsequently, the DM East Rescue Boat Club Team and three fire tenders were summoned. The Rescue Boat team located three bodies, but one remains to be located. The three recovered bodies have been transferred to the Mortuary Sabzi Mandi,” police said.

Further search operations is underway for the fourth individual. (ANI)

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NZ Navy Chief Receives Guard Of Honour In Delhi

The Chief of the Royal New Zealand Navy, Rear Admiral David Proctor, was accorded a Guard of Honour in Delhi on Tuesday.

Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Hari Kumar, received Rear Admiral David Proctor at the South Block. The two naval officers shook hands and greeted each other.

Earlier, Admiral David Proctor laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in Delhi and paid respects to the fallen soldiers.

Notably, bilateral relations between India and New Zealand were established in 1952. The two nations have cordial and friendly relations rooted in the linkages of Commonwealth, parliamentary democracy and the English language, according to Ministry of External Affairs. In 2011, New Zealand identified India as a priority country in its “Opening Doors to India” policy, which was reiterated by New Zealand in 2015.

On February 13, New Zealand’s High Commissioner to India, David Pines said that both nations are working to address the trade barriers and find ways to stimulate the demands.

The bilateral trade between India and New Zealand stood at USD 1 billion in 2022-23. India is New Zealand’s 11th largest trading partner.

Speaking to ANI, Pine stated that the governments of both nations feel “a lot better could be done,” highlighting that the current focus is on bringing together the business groups of two countries so that they can identify the opportunity for trade.

“Trade in goods between the two countries is still pretty low. It’s about a billion dollars a year in both directions. And both governments often feel that we could be doing a lot better. So the first thing we are really focusing on is actually getting the business groups talking to each other. So getting them together into more regular habits of dialogue,” he said.

When asked what is being done to remove the trade barriers, he said, “We’ve done a lot of work on regulations that were affecting our exports of logs to India, making sure that India’s very legitimate concerns that wood come to you without introducing the pests and making sure those.”

“We have done similar work to allow Indian mangoes to be expected or exported to New Zealand, which I’m pretty happy about when I go home. I’ll be able to have nice things,” he added. (ANI)

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Arvind Kejriwal

Senior Civil Servants Receiving Threats If They Implement Scheme: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal claimed that senior civil servants of the Delhi government are not cooperating with the state government in implementing a scheme related to one-time settlement of unpaid water bills, saying that they are being threatened by “higher office,” indicating at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

“This scheme was passed by June 13, 2023. But it has not been implemented yet. For that it needs to be brought to the cabinet. The Finance Secretary is saying that he will not give his comments, and the UD (Urban Development) Secretary is saying that he will not bring the bill to the cabinet without comments. Officers have stated in writing that they will not implement this. Officers are saying that they are being threatened of suspension, expulsion, or raids by the ED and CBI. They are ready to resign. This is a constitutional crisis. We have asked the LG to intervene,” Kejriwal said speaking in a press conference after his address in the Assembly on Monday.

Speaking in the Assembly, Kejriwal said that since Delhi is not a full-fledged state, it has fallen prey to “dirty” and “low-level politics” by the central government.

“Delhi has a problem. Though Delhi is half a state, I don’t think it has five per cent of statehood. If it had been a full fledged state, no officer would have dared not to follow the directive of Ministers and Chief Minister. He would have been immediately suspended. Delhi is under the threat of dirty and low-level politics. Since Delhi is not a full fledged state, the real power is with the central government. They central government is run by a different party who do not want the elected government to function in Delhi properly,” the Chief Minister said.

On the crisis of people not paying their water bills, Kejriwal said, “There are around 27 lakh consumers. 40 per cent do not pay their bills because they think their bill is frivolous.”

The Chief Minister said that such bills may have been generated because during the pandemic, meter readings could not be taken properly.

On the one-time settlement scheme that the government wants to bring, Kejriwal said, “If in the recent two years, if you think that two or more readings are proper, the water bill for the entire unpaid period will be generated by multiplying the months with the meter reading for that month.”

Explaining in detail the settlement scheme in the press conference, the Chief Minister said, “The Delhi government has come up with a one-time settlement scheme. Under this, in the last 2-4 years of which you have not paid the bill, if two of the bills are logical, as determined by you and the Jal Board, will be set as an average and multiplied by the number of months of the unpaid time, and a water bill will be generated.”

Speaking in the Assembly about the administrative hurdles being faced by his government, Kejriwal said, “We want the scheme to come to the Cabinet. For that, we need the comments of Finance Secretary. But the Finance Secretary wrote on the file that he would not be giving comments…The UD secreatary said that he will not let the scheme be tabled in the cabinet till the Finance secretary gives his comments…Senior IAS officers started crying saying that they are being threatened by the higher office.”

In a scathing attack at the BJP, Kejriwal said, “BJP hates Delhites. They want to destroy Delhi. They did not pay the rent for mohalla clinics for three months, did not pay bills, stopped yoga classes…Till I am alive, I will stand like a wall against the BJP.”

“The LG said that he does not have any information about the matter. Even if you call these officers, the scheme will be passed by evening. If they do not approve this, the LG can suspend them,” he added.

The Chief Minister also assured Delhi residents not to pay their bills till the time the one-time settlement scheme is implemented.

On skipping summons by the Enforcement Directorate for the sixth time, Kejriwal said, “The ED should wait for the court to decide before issuing a fresh summon.”

On Chandigarh Mayor Manoj Sonkar resigning ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on allegations of irregularities in the vote-counting process, the Aam Aadmi Party chief said, “Their Mayor resigned yesterday. This shows that they were wrong. They had won the election through malpractice. If they do not win elections, they buy people.” (ANI)

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BJP

Modi Arrives At Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam Ahead Of BJP’s National Convention

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi on Saturday to attend a two-day national convention of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) here.

BJP national president JP Nadda welcomed the Prime Minister on his arrival. PM Modi then visited an exhibition held at the Bharat Mandapam.

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

and other senior leaders arrived earlier on Saturday at Bharat Mandapam to attend the convention.

A meeting of the party’s national office-bearers will be held, followed by the hoisting of the party flag by National President Jagat Prakash Nadda to inaugurate the national convention.

Later, JP Nadda and PM Modi will address the party members at the convention.

As per party sources, two proposals are likely to be presented during the meeting. The first proposal will focus on political issues, particularly emphasising Modi’s vision of a developed India, while the second proposal is likely to be a gratitude note towards the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

The convention will witness the participation of various dignitaries, including ministers from the central cabinet, national and state-level party officials, members of the national council, current and former MPs, MLAs, members of legislative councils, former state presidents, coordinators of the Lok Sabha clusters, mayors, chairpersons of municipal corporations and municipalities, district panchayat presidents, district presidents, district coordinators, state coordinators of various fronts, media, and social media and IT cell coordinators. (ANI)

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Kejriwal

Kejriwal Moves Motion Of Confidence In Delhi Assembly

After alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is trying to poach AAP MLAs and topple his government, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal moved a Motion of Confidence in the assembly on Friday.

The proceedings of the House will take place on Saturday and the motion will be taken up for discussion.

The House has been adjourned till tomorrow.

This is the fifth Budget session of the seventh Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

The Budget session that convened on Thursday is expected to continue till February 21.

Earlier, CM Kejriwal alleged that the BJP was conspiring to topple the Aam Aadmi Party government and that some of his party MLAs had been offered bribes to leave the party and break his government.

“Recently, they (BJP) have contacted our 7 MLAs from Delhi and said-We will arrest Kejriwal after a few days. After that, we will break the MLAs. Talks have been held with 21 MLAs. Talking to others as well. After that, we will topple the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi. You also come, we will give you Rs 25 crore and get you to contest the elections on BJP ticket,” Kejriwal posted on X.

“Although they claim that they have contacted 21 MLAs, but as per our information, they have contacted only 7 MLAs so far and all of them have refused,” Kejriwal said.

The Delhi CM said that this means that “I am not being arrested to investigate any liquor scam, but they are conspiring to topple the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi.”

“In the last nine years, they have hatched many conspiracies to topple our government. But they did not have any success. God and the people always supported us. All our MLAs are also strongly united. This time also, these people will fail in their nefarious intentions,” Kejriwal said.’

The Delhi CM further claimed in his post that the BJP knows how much work the AAP government has done for the people of Delhi, and despite all the obstacles created by the BJP, the AAP government in Delhi has accomplished so much.

“The people of Delhi love ‘AAP’ immensely. Therefore, it is not in their power to defeat AAP in the elections. So they want to topple the government by making arrests on the pretext of a fake liquor scam,” said the post by Kejriwal.

Senior AAP leader Atishi also claimed that the BJP has approached several AAP MLAs with bribes and threats in a bid to induce defection.

The AAP leader said, “BJP has started ‘Operation Lotus 2.0’, and is trying to topple the democratically elected AAP government in Delhi. 7 MLAs of the AAP have been contacted by the BJP, and have been told, that Arvind Kejriwal will be arrested soon, after which there will be a rift among AAP MLAs. They are in touch with 21 of our MLAs, using whom they aim to topple the Delhi government.”

“Those 7 MLAs have been offered Rs 25 crores each… Operation Lotus is the tactic used by the BJP to come into power in states, where they are not democratically elected… Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Arunachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh are examples,” she added. (ANI)

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Delhi Chalo Protest

Delhi Chalo Protest: Farmers Clash With Police at Shambhu Border

Haryana police detained several protesting farmers as they marched towards Delhi on Tuesday.

The protesting farmers were seen attempting to break the multi-layered barricades using their tractors and hand weapons.

Scenes of chaos filled the Shambhu border as the police tried to stop the protestors from entering the national capital.

Visuals from the border showed farmers running towards nearby farmland on the sides of the road as police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protestors.

Concrete slabs, iron nails, barricades, barbed wires, police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed by the police at several parts of the border.

Speaking on the protest, Sibash Kabiraj, IG, Ambala Range said, “We welcome the farmers coming from Punjab but if they travel on tractors it will create problems for the people.”

“They can travel on buses, trains or foot. If they come on tractors, we will not allow them. Section 144 has also been imposed,” he added.14:37 13-02-2024

Union Minister Arjun Munda, in response to the farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, emphasized the necessity of time and deliberation to address the concerns raised by the farming community.

“We care about the interests of the farmers. It is not our concern if someone is doing politics over this issue. We have always been ready for talks and discussions and we are ready to do everything possible to find a solution to this issue.”

Arjun Munda is among the team of ministers holding talks with the farmer leaders that also includes Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal, MoS Nityanand Rai and Punjab Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal.

The farmers have put forth 12 demands before the central government for which they’re marching to Delhi.

The protest this time has been called by Sanyukt Kisan Morcha and Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee led by farmer union leaders Jagjeet Singh Dallewal and Sarwan Singh Pandher.

According to the protesting farmers, the centre promised them better crop prices after which they ended the 2021 protest.

They are demanding to enact a law guaranteeing a minimum support price (MSP) for all crops, as recommended by the Swaminathan Commission report.

They are also demanding a complete debt waiver and a scheme to provide pensions to farmers and farm labourers.

The farmers have also urged to scrap the Electricity Amendment Bill 2020 and are demanding to reintroduce the Land Acquisition Act of 2013, ensuring consent from farmers and compensation at 4 times the collector rate.

Further, they are demanding to punish those involved in the Lakhimpur Kheri killings.

An appeal to provide 200 days of employment per year and a daily wage of Rs 700 under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA) linking it with farming has also been made by the farmers.

Also, a demand to provide compensation to the families of farmers who died during the protests in 2021 and a job for any family member has been put in place. (ANI)

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Fighting Delhi’s Pollution is Not a Seasonal Gig

Fighting Delhi’s Pollution is a Full-time Job; Not a Seasonal Gig

Air pollution is now no longer something anyone living in Delhi or the National Capital Region (NCR) is concerned about. Residents are not talking about it anymore. The media don’t care about it either – you won’t find coverage of the issue in any publication, local, regional, or national. Barely three months ago, Delhi was choking. On November 5 last year, the Air Quality Index (AQI), a measure of particulate matter in the atmospheric air that we breathe, had touched 382; around the same time in some of the city’s adjoining suburbs, it had crossed 400. On February 10, as I write this, AQI in Delhi was 186 (as per data on the website); and in Gurgaon 177.

No wonder there’s little concern about air pollution now. AQI has sharply declined since January, almost halved by some measures. Yet, this might be the right time for India to ramp up its fight against air pollution. Every year, beginning in the end of October and lasting well into January, air pollution levels in India rise to dangerous levels, hazardous even. Those are the colder months and as we know cold air traps emitted particulate matter and the density of pollutants in the air increases. Then, as it starts to get warmer, the particulate matter disperses and pollution levels decline.

AQI measures the density of five pollutants in the air: ozone, particulates, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. Tiny particulates are most harmful for the respiratory system as they get embedded in the lungs and can lead to a host of serious health problems from breathing-related ailments to death. An AQI level that is higher than 300 is classified as “Hazardous”, which means that the entire population of a city or a region is at risk of health effects and the only safe bet is to stay indoors, avoid outdoor activities and follow health advisories.

Everybody knows that warnings such as those mean nothing in India. People have to be outdoors. Many have to work outdoors, and life has to go on no matter what. Ironically their lives face increasing levels of risk. Consternation and concern about pollution peaks with the AQI level: the higher the AQI the more the outrage and worry. When the AQI levels fall, those worries disappear. That cyclical variation in concern about pollution is as predictable every year as the cycle that the AQI levels follow.

That cycle has to be broken. Let’s consider today’s aforementioned pollution levels in Delhi and Gurgaon. At 186 and 177, respectively in Delhi and Gurgaon, the AQI levels (at the time that I write this) are considered “Unhealthy”. That is, everyone, including those who are otherwise healthy, may begin to experience health effects; sensitive groups, such as people with existing respiratory conditions, are at significantly higher risks; and the warning is to limit outdoor activities, especially strenuous ones. Well, is anyone in Delhi or the NCR heeding these warnings? Silly question, because after all, “unhealthy” is better than “hazardous”.

GRAP(pling) with the pollution

Yet, the time to tackle air pollution in Delhi and the NCR (as well as in an ever-lengthening list of Indian cities and towns) may be now. Unfortunately, thus far the response to the pollution problem has been short-sighted. In the Delhi & NCR area (as well as in some other Indian cities), there is something called the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Introduced by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), GRAP triggers specific actions that escalate depending on the level of pollution in a city as measured by the AQI level.

When the level is “Moderate” to “Poor”, GRAP triggers restrictions on construction activities, vehicular emissions, and industrial processes. When it is “Very Poor” to “Severe”, more steps such as banning diesel generators, closing brick kilns, and implementing the odd-even vehicle rule (cars with odd registration numbers are allowed on one day and those with even numbers the next day). If pollution reaches “Emergency” levels, even stricter steps are added such as shutting down schools, restricting outdoor activities, and enforcements are made tougher.

In theory, GRAP seems well-calibrated. In practice, it has failed. GRAP was introduced nearly eight years ago. In eight years, the pollution problem in Indian cities has worsened at an alarming pace. Every year, especially during the colder months, which ought to be called the “pollution season”, peak AQI levels become higher.

GRAP has faced challenges mainly because the various agencies involved are unable to efficiently coordinate their actions. Also, GRAP is triggered only when pollution actually happens. It is a sort of post facto action, a retroactive system that is triggered only after the problem has already occurred.

Getting a long-term solution

To seriously tackle air pollution in Indian cities, particularly in the NCR where it is acute every year, a longer term, sustained plan is required. A plan that is constant and not triggered only when things get truly out of hand.

Many countries have tackled chronic air pollution problems. In developed countries, which are less densely populated and where industrial activity, particularly in heavy industrial sectors that consume more energy and spew more effluents, has already ebbed, the problem of pollution is less acute. Yet some of the energy conservation and recycling measures followed by them could be lessons. More important, though, are the sorts of solutions that cities in China have been able to find. Ít is a combination of these lessons that Indians must adopt to tackle air pollution in its large cities. And they have to be implemented constantly; not episodically.

ALSO READ: Biofuel Push Will Help Farmers, Curb Pollution

In China, sprawling metropolises such as Beijing and Shanghai made headlines because of uncontrolled pollution levels less than 10 years ago. Today, things have improved. The Chinese government and authorities have taken significant steps to combat air pollution. They’ve implemented strict emission standards for vehicles and industries. Investments in renewable energy, afforestation, and urban green spaces have also been done to improve air quality.

The key lies in implementation. City states such as Delhi and its burgeoning satellite cities of Gurgaon, Noida, and Faridabad, have not had big success with controlling construction activity. In a developing country with a population as large as that of India’s and one that is constantly urbanising, construction becomes a constant activity as demand for housing grows unabated. Then there is the difficult task of zoning in urban areas. Despite decades of effort, polluting factories and manufacturing facilities merge with residential areas in Indian cities, which often become messy sprawls of residential and commercial activity.

Vehicular traffic in Indian cities continues to grow. The number of vehicles in Delhi and NCR is estimated at more than 15 million by some sources. Despite periodic expansions, the area’s public transport system is overcrowded and as the number of middle-income households increases, the number of personal vehicles such as cars and two-wheelers increases too. Many of these add to the emissions that contribute to air pollution.

Integrating pollution control and development

To tackle pollution, India must integrate environmental concerns into its overall development plans. Rather than treating pollution control as an isolated issue, it should be part of a broader strategy. This would require involving multiple stakeholders including different government agencies, local communities, industries, and NGOs. Collaborative efforts can lead to better policy formulation and implementation.

India will also have to revamp and make its real-time data on pollution more accurate. That could help monitor the results of anti-pollution efforts better. It could also improve public accountability and drive more action on the part of communities and individuals.

Nothing works as well as carrots and sticks, particularly when they are in the form of incentives and penalties. India could introduce special taxes on polluting activities (e.g. emissions, waste disposal) and provide incentives for cleaner practices (e.g. renewable energy adoption). Industries have to be held responsible and accountable for pollution. Penalties for non-compliance should be significant.

To be sure, India does have fiscal incentives to address pollution and encourage more sustainable practices. These measures aim to make waste generation, energy production, and transportation sectors more environment-friendly. India has proposed incentives worth $12.4 billion to encourage power plants to install emission-curbing equipment and develop infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs). What it needs to work on, however, is to make the penalties stricter for polluters.

Indian industry needs to adopt less polluting, cleaner technologies, which can be a challenge and also expensive in a developing country. And invest in more research and development for sustainable solutions.

Finally, there is the challenge of urban planning. Can Indian cities continue to expand in unlimited ways? Should urban planners and city authorities curb such unfettered urban expansion and instead aim at compact cities that are well-planned urban areas with efficient public transportation, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, and green spaces.

Ideally, such cities would encourage waste reduction and recycling and develop efficient waste management systems. They would limit plastic waste through bans, alternatives, and awareness campaigns. And their residents would have access to education about the impact of pollution on health and the environment.

All that sounds like a great utopian dream. Yet, while it is true that achieving development targets hand-in-hand with environmental goals is a balancing task that is fraught with huge challenges, it is not impossible to achieve. In some parts of large cities in India, pedestrian zones, albeit tiny and limited, are being developed; school students have been active in their efforts to spread awareness of the harms of pollution; and there is the beginning of a shift towards alternative energy to fuel growth. Sadly, though, a lot more will have to be done. Tackling air pollution in India’s big cities is a full-time assignment. Not a seasonal job.

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Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal

Delhi Court Takes Cognizance Of ED’s Complaint, Issues Summons To Kejriwal

The Rouse Avenue Court on Wednesday took cognizance of the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) recent complaint filed against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for not complying with the summons issued by the central probe agency in the Delhi liquor policy money laundering case.

The Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Divya Malhotra, while taking cognizance of the complaint, issued summons to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and directed him to appear before the court on February 17.

The ED on Saturday filed a fresh complaint case under sections 190 (1)(a) and 200 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, Section 174 of the Indian Penal Code, Section 63 (4) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), for non-attendance in compliance of Section 50 of PMLA.

On February 2, Kejriwal skipped the Enforcement Directorate’s summons for the fifth time in connection with the money laundering probe related to irregularities in the Delhi excise policy 2021-22 case. The fresh summons to the Delhi Chief Minister followed the fourth summons, which he had skipped on January 18.

While skipping the fifth summons, the party called it “unlawful.”

Kejriwal has so far skipped four previous summons issued by the ED on January 18, January 3, November 2, and December 22, calling them “illegal and politically motivated.”

According to the ED, agency wants to record Kejriwal’s statement in the case on issues like the formulation of policy, meetings held before it was finalized, and allegations of bribery.

In its sixth charge sheet filed in the case on December 2, 2023, naming AAP leader Sanjay Singh and his aide Sarvesh Mishra, the ED has claimed that the AAP used kickbacks worth Rs 45 crore generated via the policy as part of its assembly elections campaign in Goa in 2022.

The excise policy was aimed at revitalizing the city’s flagging liquor business and replacing a sales-volume-based regime with a licence fee for traders. It promised swankier stores and a better buying experience. The policy introduced discounts and offers on the purchase of liquor for the first time in Delhi.

Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena’s move to order a probe into alleged irregularities in the regime prompted the scrapping of the policy. The AAP has accused Saxena’s predecessor, Anil Baijal, of sabotaging the move with a few last-minute changes that resulted in lower-than-expected revenues.

Two senior AAP leaders, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh–are already under judicial custody in the case.

Sisodia, who was the then Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, was arrested by the CBI on February 26 following several rounds of questioning. On October 5, the ED arrested Singh, who is a Rajya Sabha member. (ANI)

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Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)

Sanjay Singh Allowed To Visit Parliament Again To Take Oath

The Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi on Tuesday permitted Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh for the second time to go to Parliament in police custody and take oath as a Rajya Sabha MP. The court has allowed Singh to go to Parliament on February 8 or February 9.

Special Judge MK Nagpal while allowing Sanjay Singh’s application stated that on February 3, 2024, this court had directed the jail authorities to take the accused to Rajya Sabha under judicial custody for administration of oath as a member.

However, it has been submitted that though he was taken to the Rajya Sabha the oath could not be administered to him due to certain reasons and hence he is directed to be taken again to the Rajya Sabha on February 8 and February 9, 2024, said the Court.

The court further directed that the applicant shall be taken to Rajyasabha from judicial custody and under appropriate security for administration of oath on either of the above dates on which he may be required to visit for the above purpose. In this regard, the Jail superintendent is being directed to communicate with the Rajya Sabha Secretariat.

The Court has allowed Singh’s Lawyer to visit Tihar Jail to meet Sanjay Singh to take his signatures on relevant documents.

Advocates Rajat Bharadwaj and Mohd Irshad appeared for Singh in the matter and Special Public Prosecutor Naveen Kumar Matta appeared for the Enforcement Directorate.

It was submitted by the counsels for Singh that certain documents are required to be signed by the accused and these have to be submitted in the concerned office of Rajya Sabha so that the applicant can be called for administration of oath and the date will then be finalised by said office only.

On February 5, 2024, Sanjay Singh was not sworn in as Rajya Sabha MP as Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar refused to allow him to take the oath and stated that proceedings of the Upper House are regulated by the listed business which is notified in the bulletin. Oath taking of Sanjay Singh wasn’t listed in the business of the House and no communication from Rajya Sabha on this matter ever came for consideration.

Singh was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy.

Last week, the Delhi High Court kept the order reserved on a regular bail plea moved by Singh in Delhi’s Excise policy case. He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on October 4, 2023, in the case.

In its reply filed by ED in the bail matter, the probe agency has opposed the bail petition of Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh and alleged that he was involved in creating a special purpose vehicle to launder the proceeds of crime that would have been generated from the business arising out the policy changes as conspired by him and his co-conspirators.

Sanjay Singh was then involved in acquiring, possessing, concealing, dissipating and using proceeds of crime generated from the Delhi Liquor Scam pertaining to the policy period of 2021-22, said ED. (ANI)

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Maliwal Begins Her Rajya Sabha Stint With Hanuman Temple Visit

Maliwal Begins Her Rajya Sabha Stint With Hanuman Temple Visit

Ahead of the start of the interim budget session, Aam Aadmi Party leader Swati Maliwal offered prayers in Hanuman Temple at Connaught Place, Delhi on Wednesday.

“Today, before taking oath in the Rajya Sabha, CP took blessings by bowing his head at the feet of Bajrang Bali at the ancient Hanuman temple. Jai Shri Ram, Jai Bajrang Bali,” Swati Maliwal posted on X.

The former Delhi Commission for Women chief will take the oath as a Rajya Sabha Member of AAP today.

“This budget should be such that it benefits the women, the farmers, the poor, the youth and also the middle class,” said Aam Aadmi Party leader Swati Maliwal.

Earlier on January 12, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) members Sanjay Singh, Swati Maliwal and ND Gupta were elected unopposed as Rajya Sabha members.

After being elected Rajya Sabha MP, Swati Maliwal said that she would fulfil her duties with true devotion and honesty.

“A new responsibility is starting today. Thousands of women came today to encourage them. I assure all the people of Delhi that I will serve you with true devotion and honesty. Gratitude to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal,” Swati Maliwal said.

The AAP leader has also called for the government to take special interest in issues relating to crimes against women.

“Women across the country are breaking all barriers and obstacles to move forward… Women’s safety is a burning issue in the country. Every hour, crimes against women and children are only increasing. It is my request to the central government to pay special attention to this issue and come up with a hard-hitting solution to this problem… If a person sitting at the helm of the government indulges in such crimes, they should be tried even more strictly. Additionally, I demand laws to protect domestic helpers from such crimes…” the AAP leader had said on the occasion of Republic Day.

The three candidates had filed their nominations on January 8 in the national capital.

AAP has renominated Sanjay Singh and ND Gupta for a second term, while Swati Maliwal, who was the former Chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), has been sent to the Rajya Sabha for the first time. Swati Maliwal is replacing Sushil Gupta. (ANI)

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