March 2023 - Page 46 of 63 - Lokmarg

Sisodia To Be Produced Before Court At 2 pm

By LokMarg 10th March 2023

The Rouse Avenue Court on Friday allowed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to produce Delhi former Deputy Chief Minister and arrested AAP leader Manish Sisodia before it at 2 pm today.

Sisodia was arrested on Thursday by ED in a money laundering in connection with Excise policy case.
He was arrested during his Judicial custody in Tihar Jail where he was lodged in CBI case.

Special Judge MK Nagpal on Friday allowed the ED plea seeking the production of Sisodia in the court. Court also noted that the ED is seeking 10 days remand of Sisodia.

Court noted that this is an application filed by ED through Advocate Naveen Kumar Matta under 267 CrPC seeking production and remand of accused Manish Sisodia for a period of 10 days.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday arrested former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia in the liquor policy case, after hours of questioning at Tihar Jail.

Sisodia was arrested by the CBI in the liquor policy case on February 26 and was sent to 14-day judicial custody on March 6.

The ED also made another arrest in the case earlier, taking Hyderabad-based businessman Arun Ramchandra Pillai into its custody.

The ED, on Thursday, summoned Bharatiya Rashtriya Samiti (BRS) MLC and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao’s daughter K Kavitha for questioning in the liquor policy case.

Sisodia was arrested by the CBI earlier in its ongoing investigation of a case related to alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD). Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court sent him to Judicial Custody till March 20.

ED, last year, filed its first chargesheet in the case. The agency said it has, so far, undertaken nearly 200 search operations in this case after an FIR was filed, taking cognisance of the CBI case registered on the recommendation of Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena.

The CBI inquiry was recommended on the findings of the Delhi chief secretary’s report filed in July showing prima facie violations of the GNCTD Act 1991, Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR)-1993, Delhi Excise Act-2009, and Delhi Excise Rules-2010, officials had said.

In October, the ED had raided nearly three dozen locations in Delhi and Punjab following the arrest of Sameer Mahendru, managing director of Delhi’s Jor Bagh-based liquor distributor Indospirit Group, in the case and arrested him later.

The CBI filed its first charge sheet in the case earlier.

The ED and the CBI had alleged that irregularities were committed while modifying the Excise Policy, and undue favors extended to license holders. It was further alleged that the license fee was waived or reduced and the L-1 licence was extended without the competent authority’s approval. The beneficiaries diverted “illegal” gains to the accused officials and made false entries in their books of account to evade detection.

Further, it was alleged that the Excise department had decided to refund the Earnest Money Deposit of about Rs 30 crore to a successful tenderer against the set rules. Even though there was no enabling provision, a waiver on tendered licence fees was allowed from December 28, 2021, to January 27, 2022, due to Covid-19, it was alleged further.

This allegedly caused a loss of Rs 144.36 crore to the exchequer, the agencies claimed. (ANI)

Deepika Poses, Greets Paps Before Flying For Oscars

By LokMarg 10th March 2023

The final countdown has begun. Ahead of the 95th Academy Awards, Deepika Padukone, who has been selected as one of the presenters this year, flew to the US. The pictures and videos of Deepika at Mumbai airport surfaced online on Thursday night.

The ‘Gehraiyaan’ actor was dressed in all-black. She chose a turtle-neck black sweater, teaming it up with a black blazer. The nerdy black glass added to the glam quotient of Deepika. The ‘Padmaavat’ actor posed for the paparazzi stationed at the airport. She smiled, and greeted them saying ‘Thank You.’ Even Deepika shared a gratitude emoji on the post of a paparazzo, who shared the video on Instagram.

Deepika took to Instagram on March 3 to share a post with the names of all the presenters.

The list also includes Dwayne Johnson, Michael B. Jordan, Riz Ahmed, Emily Blunt, Glenn Close, Troy Kotsur, Dwayne Johnson, Jennifer Connelly, Samuel L. Jackson, Melissa McCarthy, Zoe Saldana, Donnie Yen, Jonathan Majors, and Questlove.

Deepika made head turns with her Gothic-inspired look at the Paris Fashion Week just a few days back. Deepika wore Louis Vuitton’s leather stud button coat at PFW. She accentuated her dress by carrying a stylish black bag. She paired the coat with black long boots and laced stockings.

Meanwhile, on the film front, Deepika has already started the shoot of ‘Fighter’. In this movie, she will be seen opposite Hrithik Roshan for the first time. Helmed by Siddharth Anand, ‘Fighter’ also stars Akshay Oberoi, Karan Singh Grover, and Anil Kapoor in pivotal roles.

She also has ‘Project K’ with Prabhas and megastar Amitabh Bachchan. Fans will also see her in ‘The Intern’ remake with Big B. (ANI)

Sikh Leader Charged With Plotting To Burn Down Gurdwara In California

By LokMarg 10th March 2023

A former Bakersfield City Council candidate, Rajvir “Raj” Singh Gill, 60, was arrested last weekend on suspicion of trying to hire hit men to shoot members of one of Bakersfield’s largest Sikh temples, Gurudawara Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Ji Khalsa Darbar, and burn down the property, US-based bakersfield.com reported.

Bakersfield is a city in Kern County, California, United States.
The Sikh leader, Gill who was under a temporary restraining order not to harass the temple, was taken into custody on Saturday after being accused of six counts of solicitation to commit a criminal act, according to the police. Records, however, show that Gill has since been released from jail.

Gill had won less than 7 percent of the vote in November’s Ward 7 election. According to a temple elder, Sukhwinder Singh Ranghi, Gill has in recent months shown up at the property, disrupting prayers and threatening members of the congregation, and carrying a gun before being arrested at one point. There are no records of his arrest prior to Saturday.

According to Ranghi, the repeated confrontations were due to a dispute over more than USD 800,000, contributed by members of the congregation, that was supposed to reimburse a corporate entity set up to buy the temple out of foreclosure in July 2020, bakersfield.com reported.

“It’s the greed that most likely got to him,” Ranghi said through a translator.

Bakersfield.com, couldn’t reach Gill for a comment.

Manpreet Kaur, a City Councilwoman, who won last fall’s election and sometimes prays at the temple just south of Panama Lane, said she knew of the restraining order against Gill but was unaware of the conflict’s details. She called the allegations against him unfathomable.

“It’s really heartbreaking. It is. It’s frightening and I’m just hoping the community stays safe,” she said, as quoted by bakersfield.com

A Bakersfield Police Department spokesman declined to address what may be the reason behind Gill’s actions. The officer didn’t elaborate on the case.

According to the Sikh elder, Ranghi, Gill offered USD 10,000 to two Hispanic men to kill certain leaders of the congregation who are involved in the court cases, including Ranghi. He said Gill drove the men around the city pointing out the homes of the temple leaders he wanted to be killed. This information came to temple leadership from an associate of the intended hit men, bakersfield.com reported.

Ranghi alleged that Gill had instructed the men on how they could burn down the temple by exploiting faulty electrical wiring, installed by his own workers when the temple was built more than a decade ago.

Ranghi showed part of a video he said captured Gill unplugging microphones still in use during a religious service at the temple.

Gurudawara Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Ji Khalsa Darbar is one of Bakersfield’s best-attended Sikh temples, with more than 500 members. It hosts an annual celebration in late October that draws thousands. (ANI)

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Xi Jinping Elected Chinese President For 3rd Term

By LokMarg 10th March 2023

Xi Jinping was on Friday unanimously appointed as Chinese President for the third time, making him the country’s longest-serving leader since founding father Mao Zedong, Nikkei Asia reported.

According to Nikkei Asia, thousands of delegates at the National People’s Congress (NPC)in Beijing voted on Xi’s appointment as president and head of the military for another five years. However, the process was a formality in China’s rubber-stamp parliament after Xi, 69, was confirmed as chief of the ruling Communist Party at a twice-a-decade congress in October.
All 2,952 NPC delegates cast a ballot approving a new mandate for Xi. Previously, the NPC had ditched term limits, clearing the way for Xi to potentially rule for life.

Delegates also voted to install Vice Premier Han Zheng as China’s vice president, a largely ceremonial position.

A sweeping set of reforms, including setting up a new financial sector watchdog and national data agency, was approved in a move that may herald tighter restrictions on key sectors of the world’s Number 2 economy, according to Nikkei Asia.

Mary Gallagher, a political science professor at the University of Michigan, as quoted by Nikkei Asia, said: “Xi Jinping is doing two things at the same time. He is centralizing power to the centre while also strengthening the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] at the expense of the state. Doing these two things at once is unprecedented in the reform era.”

The moves could make it more difficult for local municipalities to govern themselves, Gallagher added, as they grapple with shouldering huge virus curb costs incurred under Xi’s signature zero-COVID policy and slumping revenue from a slowing property market.

“Effective local governance will be more difficult under these conditions though local governments will be more compliant with the center,” Gallagher told Nikkei Asia.

Xi’s appointment on Friday comes as a new premier and cabinet are set to be confirmed over the weekend before the NPC wraps up on Monday.

Nikkei Asia recently reported that China is slowly becoming a suffocating police state like the former Soviet Union as President Xi Jinping wanted the security apparatus under his direct grip.

The sources have expressed concern over the possibility of creating a new police and state security organization, which would be placed under the direct command of Xi, the “core” of the party’s Central Committee.

These concerns came after the communique issued on Tuesday after a three-day session of the party’s leadership — known as the second plenary session of the party’s 20th Central Committee.

As per the sources cited by Nikkei Asia, Xi is planning to beef up organizations related to state security and public security under a completely non-traditional framework. (ANI)

Partnership With India Most Consequential: US Commerce Secretary Raimondo

By LokMarg 9th March 2023

Calling India and US partnership most consequential, US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo expressed her optimism on India and US relationship.

Raimondo, who is on a visit to India, will participate in the US-India Commercial Dialogue and CEO Forum that will be held on March 10 to discuss cooperation in various sectors that could unlock new trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.
“We’ve been optimistic for US-India relations. Our partnership with India is one of our most consequential relationships and I think one of our most promising bilateral relationships, as we look forward. The reason for that, I think is we share a common set of values along with a commitment to promoting free open based order to both the security and prosperity and we also share opportunity to expand our economic relationship”, said the Secretary in a telephonic press briefing.

“Reaffirming our role as trusted partners to each other. Creating jobs, in both of our countries, establishing more secured supply chains. We’re excited to be doing that to pave the way for greater trade and investments between our two economies”, she added.

Calling the Boeing and Air India deal as historic that was signed few weeks ago, Gina Raimondo said that it reflects the strength of our economic relationship.

“This is a moment of significant opportunity for both of our countries, and we have some looks to the future. I am very encouraged by the progress that we are making, Minister Goyal and I will convene meeting tomorrow on Friday of the US- India Commercial Dialogue and the US-India CEO forum. I’m thrilled to say that 10 US CEOs of leading US companies travelled with me for the forum”, she said in the briefing.

“I heard unanimous enthusiasm just a few weeks ago, Boeing and Air India announced an order for 220 aircraft, which is a historic deal that reflects the strength of our economic relationship”, she added.

Further talking about her meeting with External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, the Secretary mentioned that they agreed to launch an India – US strategic trade dialogue led by the Foreign Secretary from the Ministry of External Affairs of India and Under Secretary, Bureau of Industry and Security in US Department of commerce.

“I am very pleased to say that I had a meeting with the Minister of External Affairs Dr Jaishankar and we launched a new initiative called the India US strategic trade dialogue and that will be led in the US by the commerce department. So this is exciting where we’re going to deepen our engagement with India to specifically around the area of aligning our export controls and sharing information with one another”, said the Secretary.

The Secretary who visited Delhi on Wednesday also took part in the Holi celebration hosted by Rajnath Singh.

“I am here in New Delhi and it is really an honour to be here and I want to thank all of the minister to have so graciously hosting me while I stand here. Special, thanks to Mr. Goyal my counterpart, and also a special thanks to Minister Singh who invited me to his home yesterday with his family, to celebrate Holi with him which was a fantastic experience”, said Raimondo. (ANI)

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Kaushik Cremated In Mumbai, Nation Bids Tearful Adieu

By LokMarg 9th March 2023

Veteran actor Satish Kaushik, who passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest on Wednesday night, was cremated at Mumbai’s Oshiwara crematorium on Thursday evening.

The late actor’s mortal remains were brought to Mumbai from New Delhi after a post-mortem earlier on Thursday.
The post-mortem report of the veteran actor and filmmaker confirmed that his sudden demise was caused by a heart attack.

“His death was caused by a cardiac arrest. No injury marks were found on his body and neither was there any traces of alcohol in his system. There were also no signs or indications of any foul play. His blood and viscera samples have been preserved and sent for investigation,” said a source.

A host of Bollywood celebrities arrived at the late actor’s residence to pay their respects to him and extend condolences to the bereaved family.

Among those who paid a visit to the actor’s kin were his close friends Anupam Kher, Javed Akhtar and Boney Kapoor. Salman Khan also paid his last respects to Kaushik.

Farhan Akhtar, Shilpa Shetty, Pankaj Tripathi, Ranbir Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor, Aruna Irani, Anu Malik, Abhishek Bachchan, Ishaan Khatter, David Dhawan, and Rakhi Sawant were also spotted outside the late actor’s residence.

Kaushik was a versatile actor, writer, director and producer, who made his mark in the Indian film industry with his captivating performances and unique sense of humour. He gained recognition in the 1980s and 1990s for his work in popular films such as ‘Mr India’, ‘Saajan Chale Sasural’, and ‘Judaai’.

Over the years, Satish established himself as one of the most sought-after character actors in Bollywood, often playing supporting roles integral to the plot. He was also known for his work as a writer and director, having directed films such as ‘Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja’ and ‘Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain’.

Satish started his career as a stage actor, featuring in plays across Delhi before moving to Mumbai to pursue his dream of a career in Bollywood. (ANI)

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‘Unwholesome Misadventure’ To Denigrate India: Dhankhar Hits Rahul

By LokMarg 9th March 2023

In a veiled attack on Congress MP Rahul Gandhi who recently delivered a lecture at Cambridge University in the UK, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday said while India is having its moments of glory G20 presidency, some parliamentarians are engaged in the thoughtless unfair denigration of our well-nurtured democratic values

Vice President Dhankhar released a book on Mundaka Upanishad written by Dr Karan Singh.
Addressing the gathering at the event, Dhankhar said India is the most functional democracy that has evoked global recognition. India is setting global discourse on many issues.

“How ironic how painful! While the world is applauding our historic accomplishments as a functional vibrant democracy, some amongst us including parliamentarians are engaged in the thoughtless unfair denigration of our well-nurtured democratic values. How can we justify such wanton orchestration of a factually untenable narrative,” he said.

In a veiled attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks in the UK, the Vice President said, “Mark the timing of this unwholesome misadventure – While India is having its moments of glory– as President of G20 and there are people outside of the country working in overdrive to denigrate us. Such misplaced campaign mode to taint and tarnish our parliament and constitutional entities is too serious and exceptional to be ignored or countenanced. No political strategy or partisan stance can justify compromising of our nationalism and democratic values.”

“If I observe silence on this misadventure-orchestration by a Member of Parliament outside the country which is ill-premised, unwholesome and motivated, I would be on the wrong side of the Constitution. It will be constitutional culpability and outrage of my oath of office,” Dhankhar said.

“How can I sanctify a statement that mikes in Indian Parliament mikes are put off? How can people say so? Has there been any illustration?” he stated.

In reference to the Emergency, Dhankhar said the country has a dark chapter of political history. Proclamation of Emergency was the darkest period any democracy can suffer.

He said Indian democratic polity is now mature and there can be no repeat of that.

Dhankhar said, “Anyone who says so, inside or outside the country, that in Indian Parliament Mikes are put off… Imagine this being done after having held the floor for nearly 50 minutes. Such kind of wanton and misadventure to run down our democratic values cannot be countenanced.”

Vice President said if he observes silence, the mass majority of people who believe in the nation will be silent forever. He said the country cannot allow such type of narrative to gain momentum by those elements who wish to antidote India’s rising growth.

“You run down our judiciary on foreign soil. Where on the planet is a judiciary that acts with lightning speed?” he said adding India’s judiciary is made with the most brilliant minds in the world.

He said the contemporaneous scenario in the temples of democracy is worrisome.”Disruption and not decorum is the order of the day,” Dhankhar said.

“Undoubtedly our people are concerned and anguished with projection as disruptors of proceedings, shouters of slogans and practitioners of indecorous conduct -throwing papers and whipping out mikes and walking into the well of the house? Our Parliamentarians need to exemplify conduct worth emulating,” he added.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said it is the duty of every Indian living around the world to protect democracy” India’s democracy.

The Congress MP, who was on a visit to the UK, criticised the Centre alleging that an attack has been unleashed on the basic structure of Indian democracy.

The Congress MP, who is visiting the UK, criticised the Centre alleging that an attack has been unleashed on the basic structure of Indian democracy.

Rahul Gandhi in an interaction at the Chatham House in London termed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) a “fundamentalist” and “fascist” organisation alleging that it has captured pretty much all of India’s institutions.

He said, “The nature of democratic contest in India has completely changed and the reason is that one organisation called RSS – a fundamentalist, fascist organisation has basically captured pretty much all of India’s institutions.”

Rahul Gandhi further said Europe and the US are not doing enough to restore democracy in India as they are getting trade and money from the country. “Why Europe and the US – the defenders of democracies were oblivious of how a huge chunk of democracy in India has come undone?” he questioned.

The Congress leader also mentioned how the various institutions in the country were under threat.

“It shocked me how successful they have been at capturing the different institutions of our country. Press, Judiciary, Parliament, and Election Commission are all under threat and are controlled in one way or the other,” Rahul Gandhi said.

“You can ask any Opposition leader as to how agencies are used. My phone had Pegasus on it, which was not happening when we were in power,” he added.

The Congress MP highlighted the condition of the Dalits and minorities in India.

He said, “In India, you can see what is being done to Dalits, tribals, and minorities. It is not that Congress is saying it. There are articles in the foreign press all the time that there is a serious problem with Indian democracy.” (ANI)

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Pak National Arrested Near International Border In Punjab’s Gurdaspur Sector

By LokMarg 9th March 2023

The Border Security Force (BSF) on Thursday afternoon arrested a Pakistani national near International Border in Punjab’s Gurdaspur sector.

Identified as Aamir Raza, a resident of Sialkot district in Pakistan, the Pakistani intruder was held by the BSF troops ahead of border fence in the area of Border Outpost Nikka in Gurdaspur sector, said the BSF.
As per the force, the intruder had crossed the International Border and entered into the Indian territory.

“During initial questioning the intruder revealed his name as Aamir Raza, a resident of District Sialkot, Pakistan,” said the BSF, which is responsible to guard 3,323 km India-Pakistan International Border.

Further questioning with the intruder is in progress, mentions the BSF in a statement.

This is the second arrest in last two days. The BSF’s 144 Battalion personnel deployed at Rajatal Border Outpost in Punjab’s Amritsar Sector near International Border had intercepted a Pakistani intruder on the intervening night of March 8-9. The intruder was trying to enter into Indian territory.

The BSF said the intruder was fired upon by its troops on duty and subsequently arrested.

During initial questioning, the BSF said, the intruder revealed his identity as a Bangladeshi national.

His questioning is also being carried out and next course of action will be taken.

Another Pakistani intruder was held by alert Border Security Force (BSF) troops in the Gurdaspur sector of Punjab on Thursday afternoon.

In a statement, BSF informed that the troop arrested a Pakistan national ahead of border fence in the area of Border Out Post Nikka in the Gurdaspur sector. The intruder had crossed International Border and entered into the Indian territory.

During initial questioning, he revealed his name as Aamir Raza, a resident of Distt Sialkot, Pakistan. His further questioning is in progress.

Earlier in the day, BSF troops held a Pakistani intruder in the Amritsar sector early morning.

In a statement, BSF informed that an intruder from Pak side was trying to enter India on the intervening night of 8-9th March at Border Out Post in Rajatal in Amritsar sector.

He was fired upon by the BSF troops on duty and subsequently arrested.

His search was conducted. During initial questioning he revealed his identity as a Bangladeshi national.

His questioning will be further carried out and next course of action will be taken. (ANI)

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2 Boeing Of SpiceJet Deregistered

By LokMarg 9th March 2023

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has cancelled the registration of two aircraft of SpiceJet, Boeing-737Max aircraft, following the request of a foreign-based lessor on the request of the Indian aviation regulator.

Senior official from regulator confirmed and said, “Under the provisions of Irrevocable De-registration and Export Request Authorisations (IDERA) it has happened.”
However, the airline company SpiceJet said in a statement that the move will not have an affect on the operations.

“The cancellation of the registration of the two aircraft will not affect the operations,” it said.

” While one of the aircraft is grounded for a long period and was to be returned earlier, the other is being returned due to certain engine issues with lessor. Both aircraft are being returned in the most efficient manner consensually,” SpiceJet statement added.

Meanwhile, two more planes were also deregistered last year following a request from another foreign lessor after SpiceJet defaulted on payment of lease rent.

Recently Budget carrier SpiceJet has restructured over USD 100-million outstanding dues to Carlyle Aviation Partners, into equity shares and compulsorily convertible debentures (CCDs). Aircraft lessor Carlyle Aviation Partners is the commercial aviation investment and servicing arm of Carlyle’s USD 143-billion Global Credit platform.

The transaction will wipe out over USD 10-million debt of SpiceJet, thereby strengthening its balance sheet for future expansion. The move will substantially deleverage the company’s balance sheet. (ANI)

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Priyanka-Nick Celebrate Holi With Preity- Goodenough

By LokMarg 9th March 2023

Global icon Priyanka Chopra and her husband Nick Jonas, recently celebrated Holi, with actor Preity Zinta and her husband Gene Goodenough.

Taking to Instagram, Priyanka shared a picture on her stories and wrote, “Happy Holi to all celebrating! As you can tell we take it very seriously.”

Preity also shared some glimpses from her celebration and thanked Priyanka and Nick for hosting such a fun Holi.

“Happy Holi everyone What a fun day today turned out to be. Thank you @priyankachopra & @nickjonas for being such gracious & fun hosts. Absolutely loved celebrating Holi with you guys. Thank god it was not raining & the sun was out. I’m sleeping like a baby tonight after all the dancing & yummy food #Happyholi #Desivibes #Ting,” she captioned the post.

In one of the pictures, Preity and Gene could be seen posing with Nick, Priyanka, and other guests smeared in gulaal.

Soon after the ‘Kal Ho Na Ho’ actor shared the video fans flooded the comment section with red hearts and fire emoticons.

“Preity and Pri,” a fan commented.

Another fan wrote, “Looks fab! Happy holi.”

Meanwhile, on the work front, Priyanka will be next seen in an upcoming spy-thriller web series ‘Citadel’ which will stream on the OTT platform Amazon Prime Video from April 28, 2023, with two adrenaline-fueled episodes, followed by a new episode released weekly every Friday through May 26.

In Citadel, Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden play elite spies who work for an organisation called Citadel.

The series is also getting an Indian adaptation. Raj and DK are creating the Indian version of Citadel featuring Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu in the lead roles. (ANI)

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