Month: January 2022

Kerala High Court on Saturday ordered the handover of the mobile phones used by Malayalam actor Dileep and other accused in a case allegedly threatening the investigating officials probing the 2017 actress assault.

Court ordered them to hand over the phones to the registrar general of the High Court in a sealed packet before 10.15 am on Monday.
The Single Judge Bench of Justice P Gopinath said, “If the accused wants to go to the Supreme Court then they can.”

When the accused refused to hand over the mobile phones, the Court said, “If you object to hand over your phone, a rape accused can say tomorrow that he will not give a potency test.”

The application seeking to hand over the phones used by the accused was moved by Additional Public Prosecutor P Narayanan with Director General of Prosecution TA Shaji against the anticipatory bail plea filed by Dileep and others.

In the application, the prosecution has accused actor Dileep and others of attempting to destroy critical evidence. It also informed the Court that Dileep and other accused refused to hand over the mobile phones which were used by them.

The prosecution further said, “Petitioners are demonstrably not co-operating with the investigation as directed by this Honourable Court in the order dated January 22, 2022, and for that reason alone the protection granted to the petitioners is liable to be revoked.”

Crime Branch of Kerala Police registered this case against Dileep and five others on January 9 for allegedly threatening the investigating officials. Dileep is named as the first accused in the FIR. Anoop, who is Dileep’s brother, and Suraj, Dileep’s brother-in-law are the second and third accused. Appu, Babu Chengamanad are the other accused. One more accused is yet to be identified.

Dileep is also the eighth accused in the actress assault case for alleged conspiracy. The case pertains that an actress who worked in Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu films was allegedly abducted and molested inside a car by a group of men who had forced their way into the vehicle on the night of February 17, 2017. (ANI)

A fire broke out in the pantry car of Gandhidham-Puri Express train near Nandurbar station in Maharashtra on Saturday.

“Fire detected in Pantry Car of 12993 Gandhidham-Puri Express at about 10.35 hrs while the train was entering Nandurbar station”, the Railway Ministry stated.
The fire brigade was informed while the fire extinguishers of the station and the train were being used in dousing the flames, informed the Railways. The Pantry car has been separated from the train.

The Railway Ministry confirmed that all the passengers are safe and have been safely evacuated. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

“A medical team and other paramedical staff immediately rushed to the site. There have been no injuries. The train comprises of total 22 coaches and the pantry car was the 13th coach,” Western Railway informed. (ANI)

Days ahead of the Budget Session of the Parliament, the Rajya Sabha Secretariat has released a Code of Conduct for its members.

The direction for the ‘Code of Conduct’ came from Chairman of the Upper House M Venkaiah Naidu, informing that “Committee on Ethics in its Fourth Report presented to the Council on the March 14, 2005 and adopted by it on April 20, 2005 had inter alia considered the Code of Conduct for Members enumerated by the Committee in its First Report which was also adopted by the Council. The Committee felt that the Code was quite comprehensive and endorsed the same. It recommended that the Code of Conduct may be published in Bulletin Part II on the eve of each Session for information of and compliance by the Members.”
As per the statement, of the rules of procedure and the conduct of business lists that the members of Rajya Sabha should “acknowledge their responsibility to maintain the public trust reposed in them and should work diligently to discharge their mandate for the common good of the people.”

It further states: “They must hold in high esteem the Constitution, the Law, Parliamentary Institutions and above all the general public. They should constantly strive to translate the ideals laid down in the Preamble to the Constitution into a reality. The following are the principles which they should abide by in their dealings.”

As per the rules and regulations, members must not do anything that brings disrepute to the Parliament and affects their credibility, and members must utilise their position as Members of Parliament to advance general well-being of the people.

It also states that in their dealings if Members find that there is a conflict between their personal interests and the public trust which they hold, they should resolve such a conflict in a manner that their private interests are subordinated to the duty of their public office.

Members should always see that their private financial interests and those of the members of their immediate family do not come in conflict with the public interest and if any such conflict ever arises, they should try to resolve such a conflict in a manner that the public interest is not jeopardised, the bulletin said.

It also stated that members should never expect or accept any fee, remuneration or benefit for a vote given or not given by them on the floor of the House, for introducing a Bill, for moving a resolution or desisting from moving a resolution, putting a question or abstaining from asking a question or participating in the deliberations of the House or a Parliamentary Committee.

Members should not take a gift which may interfere with honest and impartial discharge of their official duties. They may, however, accept incidental gifts or inexpensive mementoes and customary hospitality. Members holding public offices should use public resources in such a manner as may lead to public good.

If members are in possession of a confidential information owing to their being Members of Parliament or Members of Parliamentary Committees, they should not disclose such information for advancing their personal interests, as per the rules.

Members should desist from giving certificates to individuals and institutions of which they have no personal knowledge and are not based on facts. Members should not lend ready support to any cause of which they have no or little knowledge.

The ‘Code of Conducts lists that members should not misuse the facilities and amenities made available to them, they should not be disrespectful to any religion and work for the promotion of secular values and they should keep uppermost in their mind the Fundamental Duties listed in Part IVA of the Constitution.

Members of the Upper House are expected to maintain high standards of morality, dignity, decency and values in public life.

The Rajya Sabha has been a ground of confrontation between the treasury benches and the opposition both in the last Winter Session as well as the Monsoon Session of 2021.

Twelve opposition members of Rajya Sabha were suspended for the entire Winter Session by Chairman Naidu after a Motion was moved by the Government.

These members allegedly tried to intimidate security personnel, cause physical harm to them and intimidate the chair on the last day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

The suspended MPs included Priyanka Chaturvedi and Anil Desai from Shiv Sena, Dola Sen and Shanta Chettri from TMC, Elemaram Kareem and Binoy Vishwam from Left parties, Phulo Devi Netam, Ripun Bora, Rajamani Patel, Syed Nasir Hussain and Akhilesh Pratap Singh from Congress.

A Motion was moved on the first day of the Winter Session by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi under Rule 256 of Raja Sabha Rules. On the last day of the Winter Session TMC leader Derek O’Brien was also suspended for the remaining part of the Session.

The parliament session will begin amid electioneering for assembly elections to five states.

President Ram Nath Kovind will address the joint sitting of two Houses on January 31 and the Union Budget will be presented on February 1.

Rajya Sabha is likely to function from 10 am till 3 pm on working days while the Lok Sabha will function from 4 pm to 9 pm.

The first part of the Budget Session will begin on January 31 and will continue till February 11. The second part of the budget session will be held from March 14 to April 8. (ANI)

India has reported 2,35,532 new COVID-19 cases and 871 deaths in the last 24 hours, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday.

As per government data, there was a decline in the daily positivity rate to 13.39 per cent from 15.88 per cent on Friday. The weekly positivity rate also dipped to 16.89 per cent from 17.47 per cent yesterday.
India’s active caseload currently stands at 20,04,333 while the active cases account for 4.91 per cent of total cases.

With 3,35,939 recoveries from the infection reported in the last 24 hours, the cumulative recoveries mounted to 3,83,60,710. The recovery rate of the country has also improved to 93.89 per cent from 93.60 per cent on Friday.

In the last 24 hours, 17,59,434 tests were conducted, the ministry said.

The death toll is at 4,93,198 and the case fatality rate is 1.21 per cent.

In the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination drive across the country, 165.04 crore vaccine doses have been administered so far. Notably, India’s vaccination drive commenced on January 16, 2021. (ANI)

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal said on Friday that on being elected to power, the party will transform the state so that children who have immigrated to Canada will return.

He was addressing a public meeting in Jalandhar.
“We will make such a Punjab that children will no longer go to Canada, but rather the ones who have left the country for Canada will return. We have to bring these children back,” said Kejriwal.

He stressed that the upcoming election in the state is an important one since it offers people another alternative in form of AAP, which he said is an honest party.

“While distributing tickets to the candidates, I checked if they had done anything wrong previously. Bhagwant Mann, our CM candidate is a really honest man. He has been an MP for seven years. When you are elected as an MLA, you get big houses, cars and crores of rupees in Swiss Bank accounts. But he still lives in a rented house. This is the type of Chief Minister and government that Punjab needs. Both Akali-BJP alliance and Congress looted Punjab, turn by turn.”

Highlighting his party’s success in Delhi, he said, “In Delhi, people gave us a chance. Now they are so happy with us that we got to form our government for the third time. This time we got 62 seats. We are fulfilling Babasaheb Ambedkar’s vision of good education for everyone. We improved the government schools in Delhi and now on one bench, children of judge, doctor and a rickshaw puller can study. This vision has to be fulfilled in entire India and Punjab too. We also improved the government hospitals and are providing free treatment to all in these hospitals. This can happen in Punjab too. Your vote can help.”

Kejriwal promised the audience that on coming to power, his government will take strict action against people who commit sacrilege against any religion.

Commenting on issue of drugs in the state, he said they are being sold openly because governments collude with the peddlers and assured that on coming to power, his government will put an end to the drug addiction issue and provide employment to the youth.

“Channiji does nautanki. He files FIR and roams around telling everyone that an FIR is filed while the peddlers are still roaming free,” he said.

Kejriwal said that electricity is expensive in the state though it generates electricity. “But Delhi takes electricity from others and still provides it for free, uninterrupted. Our party will do the same in Punjab on being elected to power,” he added.

Talking about his move to give Rs 1,000 to every woman in the state on being elected to power, he remarked, “Now all political parties are after me. They say I distribute money for free. I do not commit theft, robbery. Rather I stop them from committing theft. Whatever money is left after that, I give it to the people. What wrong have I done? Why do they feel inconvenience giving Rs 1,000 to their sisters and mothers every month?”

Kejriwal remarked that a lot of improvements have to be made in agriculture and trade in the state.

“In my years in politics, I have learnt that the government has no shortage of funds. Rather there is a shortage of good intentions. Good intentions can make anything happen. On one side, there is Channi, whose relative was raided by ED on allegations of corruption and illegal sand mining. On the other side, are the politicians alleged to be selling drugs. How can Punjab stay safe with them ruling the state? I request you all to give AAP a chance. If we do not work, we will never come here and ask you for your votes,” he added.

Punjab will go to the polls on February 20. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)

The Delhi government will soon make the ‘pollution under control’ (PUC) certificate mandatory for filling fuel at petrol pumps. The draft policy will be placed for public opinion before being notified, the official statement from the Office of Environment Minister said on Friday.

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said, “This is a very ambitious policy being brought by our government. North India including Delhi face grave air pollution particularly in winter, with this policy, vehicles will be mandated to have their PUC certificate with them at the fuelling station. Thus, pollution levels of every single vehicle in the state will be kept in check from time to time.”
Rai said, “the policy will effectively help us ensure that polluting vehicles do not ply in Delhi and residents can enjoy cleaner air.”

Reena Gupta, Advisor to the Environment Minister said, “the Delhi Government has taken yet another revolutionary step to link valid PUC certificates and fuel purchase. This affirms the commitment of the chief minister Arvind Kejriwal government towards ensuring clean air for all citizens of Delhi.”

Vehicle owners will have to carry their PUC certificate to the fuel pump. In case the PUCC is found invalid they will have to get it reissued at the pump, the release read.

The pollution under control (PUC) certificate is an important means for vehicles issued through registered PUC centres to control vehicular tailpipe emissions.

Delhi has around 966 such centres spread over 10 zones. They are instrumental in monitoring vehicular pollution and certifying the fitness of vehicles as per emission norms. Random checks are also done by Pollution Level Test Inspectors to ensure that accurate certificates are being issued by the PUC centres, the release said.

As per department experience, PUCC enforcement is highly effective when conducted at fuel stations, thus it has been proposed to make PUC certification mandatory for refuelling of vehicles at Petrol Pumps in Delhi in view of the importance of non-polluting vehicles on road amidst the poor air quality levels of Delhi, it added.

Along with the approval of the policy, the government is also working on setting up technology-based methods for effective implementation of this policy to ensure those vehicle owners as well as petrol pump owners, don’t face any inconvenience and there are no long queues because of checking of PUC certificate.

It is noteworthy that the Delhi government has been taking effective vehicular pollution initiatives throughout.

These can broadly be categorized into Technical and Non-Technical Measures. The Non-Technical instruments include measures like a better traffic management system, augmentation in public transport systems, generating mass awareness, and drives for checking adulteration.

The Technical Instruments for controlling vehicular pollution include improvement in vehicular technology, improvement in the quality of fuels, switching over to cleaner vehicles as well as fuels, implementation of stringent emission norms for both new and in-use vehicles, and an efficient PUCC system, it said in a press statement. (ANI)

Congress leader Harish Rawat on Friday filed his nomination from Lalkuwa Assembly Constituency for the Uttarakhand Assembly elections.

The Congress on Wednesday released its third list of candidates in which the party has changed the seat of Harish Singh Rawat and four other leaders.
Mahender Pal Singh has been fielded from Ramnagar.

The last date of filing the nomination is January 28.

The change has been done after the crisis within the party due to infighting among the leaders, as one of the working presidents of Uttarakhand Congress Ranjeet Rawat was uncomfortable with the Candidature of Harish Rawat from Ramnagar Assembly Constituency.

Notably, Congress has given the ticket to the daughter of Harish Rawat, Anupama Rawat from Hardwar Rural constituency defying its own policy of ‘one seat, one family’.

Uttarakhand is slated to go to Assembly polls on February 14 and the counting of the votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday filed a charge sheet against eight terrorists in the ISIS Kerala module case.

Those named in the charge sheet are identified as Deepthi Marla alias Maryam, Mohammed Waqar Lone alias Wilson Kashmiri, Mizha Siddeeque, Shifa Haris alias Ayesha, Obaid Hamid Matta, Madesh Shankar alias Abdullah, Ammar Abdul Rahiman and Muzamil Hassan Bhat.
NIA had registered the case on March 5 last year pertaining to terrorist activities of Mohammed Ameen alias Abu Yahya, a resident of Kerala, and his associates.

Yahya and his associates, the NIA said, have been running various ISIS propaganda channels on different social media platforms such as Telegram, Hoop and Instagram for propagating the violent Jihadi ideology of ISIS and radicalizing and recruiting new members for the ISIS module.

Earlier, NIA had filed a chargesheet against three accused persons in this case on September 8 last year.

“Investigation has revealed that all the eight accused persons charge-sheeted today are affiliated with banned terrorist organisation ISIS and were involved in radicalising, recruiting, organising terror funds and grooming like-minded gullible Muslim youth through different secured social media platforms to perform Hijrat to ISIS-controlled territory for joining ISIS,” said the NIA. (ANI)

Union Minister of Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju on Friday countered former Vice President Hamid Ansari’s latest controversial statement on the atmosphere of intolerance and insecurity for Muslims in the country and said that before 2014, communal riots and violence were regular, but India is more peaceful now.

Taking to the micro-blogging platform, Rijiju said, “Some isolated incidents do take place at an individual-community level, but Indian culture is always inclusive. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mantra is ‘Sabka-Sath Sabka-Vikas Sabka- Vishwas Sabka-Prayas’.”
“What Hamid Ansari Ji said is wrong. I belong to a minority community and I can proudly say that India is the safest nation,” he added.
The Law and Justice Minister also added that the minorities facing trouble in any of India’s neighboring countries prefer to seek refuge in India because India is safe. “Let’s be grateful to our great nation,” he said.

Slamming those who “enjoy the best freedom and privilege in India”, Rijiju said, “Why do some people who enjoy the best freedom and privilege in India join the anti-India propaganda peddled by foreign-based anti-India forces? What’s the satisfaction that they acquire by defaming India? At least, people in remote villages without facilities are loyal to the motherland.”

Recently, Ansari has made a controversial statement on Hindu nationalism.
Addressing the Indian American Muslim Council program, Ansari had said, “Hindu nationalism is a matter of concern. People are being divided on religious lines in the country. Controversy is being created among the people regarding nationality.”

“Especially people of a particular religion are being instigated. Intolerance is being fueled and an atmosphere of insecurity is being created in the country,” he had added.
Ansari has faced political backlash for this statement. (ANI)