News Analysis India

Category: Nation

  • From INDIA Bloc’s Delhi Rally, Women Leaders Take Charge Against BJP, Modi |

    New Delhi: As Congress-led INDIA bloc today held its first united rally in Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan, women leaders took the centre stage at the beginning with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s wife Sunita Kejriwal, former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren’s wife Kalpana Soren and former Jammu and Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti. Women hit out at the Narendra Modi led central government for destroying the democracy and carrying out vendetta politics amid the ongoing tussel war eyeing the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections.

    The women trio basted the BJP government on Sunday during the ‘Loktantra Bachao’ rally organised by the INDIA-bloc. The opposition INDI Alliance organised a ‘maharally’ with the aim of ‘protecting’ and addressing various concerns including the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal and Hemant Soren. The opposition is accusing the centre of ‘abusing’ Central investigative bodies against Opposition leaders.  

    Sunita Reads Delhi CM’s Six Guarantees 

    Arvind Kejriwal’s wife read out the letter from Delhi CM and announced the ‘Six Guarantees’ that the CM formulated inside the jail cell. Sunita quoted Arvind Kejriwal and said, “Today, I’m not seeking votes. Instead, I extend an invitation to all 1.4 billion Indians to collectively devise a new India….Even from behind bars, I contemplate the anguish of Mother India. Together, let’s usher in a new era for our country.” She further appealed the public and entrust this alliance with the responsibility to construct a new India with a fresh vision. 

    #WATCH | Delhi: At the Maha Rally at the Ramlila Maidan, Arvind Kejriwal’s wife Sunita Kejriwal reads out his message from the jail.

    Quoting Arvind Kejriwal, Sunita Kejriwal says, “I am not asking for votes today… I invite 140 crore Indians to make a new India… India is a… pic.twitter.com/rCPuMYhoex
    — ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2024

    During the rally, Sunita Kejriwal read out the letter penned by the CM, which outlined six guarantees on behalf of INDIA. These commitments include ensuring round-the-clock electricity nationwide, providing free electricity to the underprivileged across the country, establishing top-notch government schools in every village and locality, establishing neighbourhood clinics in every village and locality, ensuring fair prices for crops to farmers as per the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission, and according full statehood status to Delhi. 

    Modi Government Is Most Corrupt: Mehbooba Mufti 

    At the Maha Rally held at Ramlila Maidan, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti made the veiled remark on the central government, she said, the Modi government is the most corrupt government. They have indulged in corruption through fund embezzlement and now using ED for recovery. “Presently, the nation faces challenging circumstances. Individuals are being detained without proper investigation. This resembles the ‘Kalyug ka Amrit Kaal’… I’m not referring to specific individuals like Umar Khalid or Mohammad Zubair; rather, I’m addressing your chosen representatives… It’s not unexpected for me. Both Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, along with myself, former CMs, are currently under house arrest… Anyone who defies the law is deemed a traitor…” the former CM of J&K said. 

    मोदी सरकार सबसे भ्रष्ट सरकार है।

    चंदा चोरी से मोदी सरकार ने भ्रष्टाचार किया है। ED लगाकर वसूली की है।

    हम संविधान को बचाने के लिए यहां आए हैं।

    : लोकतंत्र बचाओ महारैली में @jkpdp की अध्यक्ष @MehboobaMufti जी pic.twitter.com/AxjT4wCHEf


    — Congress (@INCIndia) March 31, 2024

    “Jharkhand Will Not Bow Down, INDIA Will Not Bow Down” 

    Meanwhile, JMM’s Kalpana Soren used the platform to voice her concern surrounding her husband’s arrest, She said, “Two months ago, Hemant Soren was put in jail. Now, it is up to the people to uproot the dictator.” She added that Jharkhand Will Not Bow Down nor will the INDI Alliance. “I stand before you representing half of the female population of India and nine percent of the tribal community… Today’s assembly on this historic ground bears witness to the fact that you have all gathered from every corner of the nation to put an end to the dictatorship…” Kalpana Soren added.

    दो महीने पहले हेमंत सोरेन जी को जेल में डाला गया।

    जनता जनार्दन है, जनता ताकतवर है। भारत की जनता सबसे बड़ी है।

    अब जनता को ही तानाशाह को उखाड़ फेंकना है।

    झारखंड झुकेगा नहीं
    INDIA झुकेगा नहीं

    : लोकतंत्र बचाओ महारैली में JMM की नेता कल्पना सोरेन जी#SaveDemocracy pic.twitter.com/a1wH4fN1m9
    — Congress (@INCIndia) March 31, 2024

  • Who Is Sambhavi Choudhary? Youngest ST Lok Sabha Candidate And LJP’s Nominee From Samastipur |

    The Lok Janshakti Party, led by Ram Vilas, announced its chosen contenders for all five constituencies on Saturday in the Lok Sabha elections, following the NDA’s agreement on seat allocation. Chirag Paswan, the party’s leader, will be running from Hajipur, while his brother-in-law Arun Bharati has been nominated for Jamui, aiming to uphold the constituency’s legacy, previously represented by Chirag in two terms in the Lok Sabha. 

    A notable inclusion in the lineup is the selection of Sambhavi Choudhary, the daughter of JD (U) Minister Ashok Kumar Choudhary, to stand for the reserved seat of Samastipur. Sambhavi, aged 25 years and nine months, hails from a family deeply rooted in politics, making her the youngest Dalit woman candidate to vie in the Lok Sabha elections.  

    Who is Sambhavi Choudhary?  

    At 25 years old, she is the youngest Dalit woman contender in the Lok Sabha elections. Her grandfather, Mahavir Choudhary, held a ministerial position in Bihar under the Congress Party.  

    After obtaining her master’s degree in sociology from the Delhi School of Economics, Sambhavi embarked on her doctoral studies, focusing on the “intersectionality of gender and caste in Bihar politics.” She completed her undergraduate studies at Lady Shri Ram College. Sambhavi is married to Saayan Kunal, the son of Acharya Kishore Kunal, a philanthropist and scholar who previously served as an IPS officer. Acharya Kishore Kunal is renowned for his efforts in appointing several Dalit priests in Bihar temples.  

    Sambhavi Choudhary said that she feels immensely honoured to have been afforded the opportunity to participate in the Lok Sabha elections at such a young age. She added that it instills a profound sense of responsibility, particularly considering my family’s political legacy and the exemplary standards set by my father and grandfather, as reported by The Indian Express.  

    Sambhavi got married to Shayan Kunal, the son of former IPS Kishor Kunal. According to her Facebook profile, she completed her Ph.D. in sociology from Amity University. Speaking of her job profile, she holds the position of director at Gyan Niketan School in Patna. Besides this, she actively participates in social activities. 

  • Lok Sabha Polls: In 8th Candidate List, BJP Bets On Turncoats In Odisha, Punjab; Fields Ex-Ambassador From Amritsar |

    The Bharatiya Janata Party has so far announced the names of 118 candidates for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. The party released its eighth list of 11 candidates yesterday which had names of several turncoats and even a surprising name of a foreign ambassador. The list had names from three states – Punjab, Odisha and West Bengal. The list puts BJP way ahead of the Congress as the grand old party is yet to announce names on the majority of seats. The Congress has so far released names of 218 candidates. 

    BJP’s Odisha List

    The BJP nominated Bhartruhari Mahtab from the Cuttack Lok Sabha seat. A sitting MP from the seat on the BJD ticket, Mahtab recently joined the BJP. Mahtab, a six-time MP, had on March 22 resigned from the BJD. Other names in the list include Rabindra Narayan Behera, a former director of the National Informatics Centre, from Jajpur and Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi from Kandhamal. The BJP had earlier announced candidates for 18 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha.

    BJP’s Punjab List

    The saffron party surprised everyone by fielding former Indian ambassador to the United States Taranjit Singh Sandhu from the Amritsar seat in Punjab. Hans Raj Hans, who lost their party ticket from North West Delhi, has now been fielded from the Amritsar seat. Former AAP MP Sushil Kumar Rinku, who recently joined the BJP, got a ticket from the Jalandhar seat while former Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu got a ticket from Ludhiana. Dinesh Singh Babbu has replaced star Sunny Deol from the Gurdaspur seat. The party also fielded Preneet Kaur, wife of Capain Amarinder Singh, from Patiala.

    Why Sandhu From Amritsar?

    The BJP has been actively working to expand its support base among Sikhs, who constitute a majority in Punjab, with hopes of making significant gains in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The party is particularly focused on reclaiming the Amritsar seat, which it hasn’t held since Navjot Singh Sidhu’s victory in 2009. However, Sidhu, now with the Congress party, currently holds the seat, represented by Gurjeet Singh Aujla. Both Arun Jaitley and Hardeep Singh Puri, BJP candidates and current Union ministers, faced defeat in the 2014 and 2019 elections respectively.

    BJP, Congress Candidate List So Far

    On March 2, released a list of 195 candidates. On March 13, it announced the names of 72 candidates. On March 21, the BJP released a list of 9 candidates for Tamil Nadu. On March 22, the party released another name of 15 candidates. On March 24, the party announced the names of 111 candidates and on March 26, the party announced three more candidates – two from Rajasthan and one from Manipur. The party released its seventh list on March 27 which had two names. On March 30, the party released the eighth list of 11 candidates. With this, the party has so far announced the names of 118 candidates. 

    Congress released its first list of 39 candidates on March 8. This was followed by 43 candidates in the second list on March 12, 57 candidates on March 21, 3 candidates on March 24, 46 candidates on March 46, 5 candidates on March 25, 5 candidates on March 26, 14 candidates on March 27 and 5 candidates on March 29. The party additionally announced the name of KV Gowtham from Karnataka’s Kolar on March 30. With this, the party has announced names of a total of  218 candidates for the Lok Sabha polls.

  • Aryaka Akhoury: Know About Ghazipur DM In Who Had Heated Argument With Mukhtar Ansari’s Brother Afzal |

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  • Global Leaders Wants Me To Win Election, Joe Biden On 2024 US Prez Polls |

    New Delhi:  US President Joe Biden has claimed that during his meeting with global leaders, including at the G20 summit in India, almost every one of them showed respect towards my governance and told me not to let come Donald Trump in 2024, as they feel Trump victory would put their democracy in danger.

    “Trump says if he loses again in November, there will be a “bloodbath.” What the hell is with this guy? I’m really serious. It concerns me the most,” Biden said, agency PTI reported.

    While addressing the media, the US President inflated the support he is receiving from world leaders. “And but whether it’s the G20 meeting in India or whatever the meeting where there are other heads of state, I am not exaggerating when I say it in front of the press without giving the names, almost every one of the world leaders finds an excuse to get me alone for a moment, put their hand on my arm, and say, You can’t let him win,” he said.

    “I think they respect me. I think they listen to me. But the point is, it’s because they’re scared to death for their countries if he (Trump) were to win again,” Biden said.

    Biden emphasized that all Americans including Democrats, independents, and Republicans should say that there is no place ever for political violence or physical violence in the country’s political framework.

    Biden also slammed Trump for walking away from Foreign policy, “This is a guy who walked away from NATO…told Putin he could do whatever he wants if they’re not paying their dues,” Biden said.

    Former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton joined President Biden on Thursday night in New York for the most financially successful fundraiser of the 2024 campaign, PTI reported. 

    “We’ve got not just a nominee, but frankly a party and an entire infrastructure that increasingly seems unconcerned with the essence of America,” former president Obama said. 

    “But we also have a positive story to tell about the future,” he further added.

  • Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Congress Releases List Of 27 Star Campaigners For J&K; Check All Names |

    New Delhi: The Indian National Congress (INC) released a list of 27 star campaigners on Saturday for Jammu and Kashmir, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, among others.

    These leaders will campaign for the party candidates in Jammu and Kashmir during the Lok Sabha elections scheduled to be held in five phases. The list of star campaigners for the parliamentary elections in J-K was submitted by INC general secretary KC Venugopal to the Secretary Election Commission of India.

    The list of star campaigners included Mallikargjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Ambika Soni, KC Venugopal, Sachin Pilot, Bharatsingh Solanki, Vikar Rasool Wani, GA Mir, Tariq Hameed Karra, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Revanth Reddy and Harish Rawat.

    The list of 27 names also included Pramod Tewari, Pawan Khera, Ranjeet Ranjan, TS Singh Deo, Imran Pratapgarhi, Raj Babbar, Pirzada Mohd Sayeed, Manoj Yadav, Tara Chand, Raman Bhalla, Chowdhary Lal Singh, GN Monga, Shameema Raina and Akash Bharat.

    The following leaders of the Indian National Congress would be campaigning as per Section 77 (1) of the Representation of People Act 1951 for the first and second phases of general elections to the Lok Sabha from Jammu and Kashmir in 2024.

    Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held soon after the Lok Sabha polls, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said earlier, as he announced the dates for the general election and four state polls, as well as 26 Assembly by-polls.

    The Lok Sabha polls in the Union Territory will be held in the first five phases on April 19 (Udhampur), April 26 (Jammu), May 7 (Anantnag-Rajouri), May 13 (Srinagar) and May 20 (Baramulla).

    The counting of votes will be taken up on June 4.

     

  • Congress To Stage Massive Nationwide Protest Today Against Income Tax Notices |

    New Delhi: In response to notices from IT department,  Congress party is all set to stage a nationwide protest today. The party has been asked to pay over Rs 1,800 crore.

    Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal has directed all state branches to organize protests at the headquarters of PCC (Pradesh Congress Committee) and district Congress Committees on Saturday.
    “Eight years of Income Tax returns of the INC have been reopened on baseless, manufactured grounds to levy patently illegal Income Tax demand orders totalling thousands of crores of rupees. This is nothing but a blatant and naked attack on the very principals of democracy,” Venugopal said in a letter addressed to party workers on Friday.

    “Now in a patently illegal and undemocratic action, the Income Tax Department – has launched its next premeditated, diabolical campaign against the INC. Eight years of Income Tax returns of the INC have been reopened on baseless, manufactured grounds to levy patently illegal Income Tax Demand orders totalling thousands of crores of rupees. This is nothing but a blatant and naked attack on the very principals of democracy,” he stated in a letter.

    “In light of this egregious attack on democracy and the imposition of tax terrorism on our party amidst the crucial Lok Sabha elections, All Pradesh Congress Committees (PCCs) are requested to hold massive public demonstrations at the State and District headquarters in their respective states tomorrow and the following day, involving senior leaders and party functionaries. Massive protest demonstrations shall be held in all constituencies, led by our party candidates. Protest demonstrations, including Mashal Juloos, shall be conducted in all districts by the District Congress Committees,” he added.

    General Secretary and spokesperson of Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee Swarnim Chaturvedi said the BJP-led central government is continuously attacking democracy and democratic systems in the country.

    Public demonstrations will be organised by the district Congress committees at all the district headquarters of Rajasthan on Saturday, he said.

    All senior leaders, office bearers, and workers of the Congress will participate, he added.

    As part of a well-planned conspiracy of the central government, the bank accounts of the Congress party were frozen and now undemocratic action is being taken against it by the Income Tax Department which has asked it to pay Rs 1,823.08 crore, he said.

  • Indian Navy Warship Thwarts Hijacking Of Iranian Vessel By Armed Pirates In Arabian Sea

    The Indian Navy on Friday said that it successfully intercepted the Iranian Fishing Vessel ‘Al Kambar 786’, which had been hijacked. The incident occurred this evening, approximately 90 Nautical Miles South West of Socotra in the Arabian sea. It was reported that the vessel had been boarded by nine armed pirates. Further details awaited.

  • LIVE | Mukhtar Ansari’s Death: Mukhtar Ansari’s Body Left From Banda To Ghazipur Amid Tight Security |

    Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari died following a heart attack on March 28. He was 63. The Uttar Pradesh government has imposed Section 144 across the state while security have been beefed up in several areas including Mau, Banda, Ghazipur, Balia and Pryagraj where the gangster had wide influence. Ansari was brought to Banda Medical College hospital after his health deteriorated. Ansari breathed his last in the hospital.

    ZEE News पर माफिया मुख्तार अंसारी की मौत के बाद का सबसे पहला वीडियो#BreakingNews #MukhtarAnsari #HeartAttack #MukhtarAnsari pic.twitter.com/ndacOLbaqj
    — Zee News (@ZeeNews) March 28, 2024

    The district hospital issued a statement confirming Ansari’s death. “Convicted/under trial prisoner Mukhtar Ansari, son of Subhanallah, age 63, was admitted to the emergency ward of Rani Durgawati Medical College, Banda at 8.25 pm by the prison officials after the complaint of vomiting and unconsciousness. The patient was administered treatment by a team of nine doctors. However, despite efforts, the patient died due to cardiac arrest,” said the hospital.

    #BigBreaking | दिल का दौरा पड़ने से मुख्तार अंसारी की मौत, डॉक्टरों ने मुख्तार को मृत घोषित किया#BreakingNews #MukhtarAnsari #HeartAttack @vishals12517801 @vishals12517801 pic.twitter.com/iK8OAZ1zJo
    — Zee News (@ZeeNews) March 28, 2024

    The postmortem will be videographed as well. His body will be cremated tomorrow in Ghazipur.

    Check Live Updates Here:

    4:45 PM After the post-mortem, Mukhtar’s body is being taken from Banda to Ghazipur. The viscera has been preserved during the post-mortem. Mukhtar’s elder son Abbas Ansari is in jail. In such a situation, a post-mortem was done in the presence of the younger son Umar Ansari. Videography was done. 

    4:30 PM: Mukhtar Ansari’s son Omar Ansari and Abbas Ansari’s wife Nikhat Ansari have reached Banda Medical College to collect the body. Mukhtar’s body can now leave for Ghazipur at any time.

    4:15 PM: Asaduddin Owaisi mentioned the ‘slow poison’ claim of Mukhtar’s family and asked for a fair investigation into the death of a gangster-turned-politician. 

    4:00 PM: Mukhtab Ansari’s post mortem has been completed and now he will be taken to funeral. 

    3:40 PM: Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court in Banda asks additional CJM to conduct probe into the death of Mukhtar Ansari and submit a report within a month.

    3:30 PM: A judicial inquiry has been ordered by the Chief Judicial Magistrate Banda, the three-member team will conduct a magisterial investigation into the death of Gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari.

    2:29 PM: Mukhtar Ansari’s son Umar Ansari says, “It (postmortem) is their procedure. I have written a letter that it should be done by doctors of AIIMS Delhi. We don’t trust the medical system, government and administration here…You know why I am saying this…Panchnama is done. DM has to make a decision. Let’s see what he decides. The postmortem has not begun…We hope that the court will help investigate the suspicions that we are expressing. We will consult our legal team. We are confident that this is not a natural death but an orchestrated murder.”

    #WATCH | Mukhtar Ansari’s son Umar Ansari says, “It (postmortem) is their procedure. I have written a letter that it should be done by doctors of AIIMS Delhi. We don’t trust the medical system, government and administration here…You know why I am saying this…Panchnama is… https://t.co/EKsC0SM0be pic.twitter.com/L19DwGU9b7
    — ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2024

    1:10 PM: A panel of five doctors have finished Mukhtar Ansari’s post-mortem in Banda. His body will be handed over to his family at 2 pm, according to sources.

    12:46 PM: Mukhtar Ansari Death: “It is unfortunate that Akhilesh Yadav is demanding resignation,” says KC Tyagi. “It is unfortunate that Akhilesh Yadav is demanding resignation of CM Yogi Adityanath. Akhilesh Yadav had been a custodian of law and order when he was the CM. He (Akhilesh Yadav) should not issue such statements on the death of a criminal,” says JD(U) leader KC Tyagi on the opposition parties raising questions over Mukhtar Ansari’s death. 

    11:19 PM: Wife of Krishnanand Rai – former BJP MLA, Alka Rai said, “What can I say? This is the blessing of the Almighty. I used to pray to him for justice and the justice has been served today. We never celebrated Holi…”

    #WATCH | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh | Wife of Krishnanand Rai – former BJP MLA who was killed by Mukhtar Ansari – Alka Rai says, “What can I say? This is the blessing of the Almighty. I used to pray to him for justice and the justice has been served today. We never celebrated Holi… pic.twitter.com/SyMFo4TXey
    — ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2024

    10:05 PM: Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav slams ‘government anarchy’ in 1st reaction to Mukhtar’s death. 

    हर हाल में और हर स्थान पर किसी के जीवन की रक्षा करना सरकार का सबसे पहला दायित्व और कर्तव्य होता है। सरकारों पर निम्नलिखित हालातों में से किसी भी हालात में, किसी बंधक या क़ैदी की मृत्यु होना, न्यायिक प्रक्रिया से लोगों का विश्वास उठा देगा:

    – थाने में बंद रहने के दौरान
    – जेल के…
    — Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) March 29, 2024

    9: 15 AM: Sibgatullah Ansari, Mukhtar Ansari’s elder brother, claimed on Friday that the latter has been “unwell” for nearly two weeks, alleging that he was not being “given any treatment despite raising an alarm again and again.”
    He also claimed that the administration did not inform him and he learned about his brother’s death through the media.

    8:28 AM: BSP chief Mayawati tweets, “The apprehensions and serious allegations made by Mukhtar Ansari’s family regarding his death in jail require a high-level investigation so that the facts of his death can come to light. In such a situation, it is natural for his family to be sad…”

    मुख़्तार अंसारी की जेल में हुई मौत को लेकर उनके परिवार द्वारा जो लगातार आशंकायें व गंभीर आरोप लगाए गए हैं उनकी उच्च-स्तरीय जाँच जरूरी, ताकि उनकी मौत के सही तथ्य सामने आ सकें। ऐसे में उनके परिवार का दुःखी होना स्वाभाविक। कुदरत उन्हें इस दुःख को सहन करने की शक्ति दे।
    — Mayawati (@Mayawati) March 29, 2024

    8:24 AM:  Preparations for Mukhtar Ansari’s funeral under way at Kali Bagh Graveyard

    #WATCH | Ghazipur: Preparations for the funeral of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari underway at Kali Bagh Graveyard. pic.twitter.com/JxXD6rxliN
    — ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2024

    8:10 AM: Abbas Ansari to appeal in high court for parole in order to attend last rites of father Mukhtar Ansari.  

    7:45 AM: Mukhtar Ansari’s portmostem to take place at 10 AM. Umar Ansari’s arrival is awaited. 

    7:27 AM: Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which bars large gatherings, has been imposed across the state. Additional security personnel have been deployed in the Banda, Mau, Ghazipur and Varanasi districts.

    6:43 AM: Shops to remain close at Mohammadaband faatak today. 

    6:37 am: Security strengthened in Firozabad, following the death of Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari after suffering from cardiac arrest. Police conducted a flag march in the area, and an alert has also been issued in the entire state, said IG Aligarh Range Shalabh Mathur. “After the death of Mukhtar Ansari, an alert has been issued in the entire state. There is also an alert in the area regarding this and now SSP Aligarh is with us and taking stock regarding this. Police administration will remain alert on all these points. All the officials will monitor the spread of rumours on social media,” he added.

    6:19 am: Umar Ansari, son of Mukhtar Ansari said, “I was not told anything from the administration side, I came to know about it through the media… But now the whole nation knows everything… Two days ago I came to meet him, but I was not allowed… We said earlier also and even today we will say the same about the allegation of giving slow poison. On March 19, he was poisoned in the dinner. We will move to the judiciary, we have full faith in it…” 

    23.57 pm: Former Bihar Deputy CM and leader of RJD Tejashwi Yadav also raised question on Ansari’s death. “Sad news was received about the demise of former UP MLA Shri Mukhtar Ansari. We pray to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear the loss. A few days ago he had complained that he had been poisoned in jail, yet it was not taken seriously. This is not fair and humane. Constitutional institutions should take suo motu cognizance of such strange cases and incidents,” he said.

    23.45pm: Mukhtar Ansari will be creamted in Ghazipur tomorrow. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is likely to visit Ghazipur tomorrow. Meanwhile, the UP Police has asked people to vacate the area after hundreds of people gathered at Ansari’s home in Ghazipur.

    23.30pm: Congress questions the death of Mukhtar Ansari. Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput said that there is a jungle raj in Uttar Pradesh. He demanded a probe in the death of the gangster. His death raises a serious question on the BJP government, said Rajput. Congress leader Pappu Yadav termed Ansari’s death as institutionalised murder. 

    23.20 pm: The UP government has decided to keep safe visceral samples of Ansari as there were allegation of him being poisoned in the jail.

    23.10 pm: Uttar Pradesh Police is closely monitoring social media posts as well. Any derogatory tweet or posts aimed at provoking sentiments are being monitored. Police said that it will take strict action in case of any violation.

    23.00 pm: A significant meeting is underway at the Chief Minister’s residence. DGP Prashant Kumar and ADG Law and Order Amitabh Yash are present. The events at the Chief Minister’s residence are under close observation. In any case, unpleasant incidents should be avoided, says Chief Minister Yogi.

    10.55pm: Tomorrow is Friday, prompting high alert in the main mosques of the state. Sensitive Muslim areas will be closely monitored following Mukhtar Ansari’s death. Surveillance of all districts in Purvanchal, including Gazipur, will be conducted from the police headquarters in Lucknow. Forces will remain stationed outside major mosques after Friday prayers. Last year, Atik Ahmad was murdered during the month of Ramadan. Similarly, Mukhtar Ansari also passed away during the month of Ramadan.

    Death Following Deteriorating Health

    Earlier, Mukhtar Ansari was shifted from Uttar Pradesh’s Rani Durgawati Medical College to jail after his discharge on Tuesday. Mukhtar Ansari was admitted to a hospital after he complained of abdominal pain in jail. Ansari’s lawyer, Naseem Haider, had claimed that the former MLA in the Uttar Pradesh assembly is experiencing difficulty speaking.

    Ansari was elected as an MLA from the Mau constituency five times – twice on Bahujan Samaj Party ticket and then on Samajwadi Party’s ticket. He last contested the assembly polls in 2017. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in a case related to the use of forged documents for obtaining an arms licence in 1990. This was the eighth case in which the he was convicted.

    In December 2023, the MP/MLA Court of Varanasi convicted Mukhtar Ansari for intimidating Mahavir Prasad Rungta, a witness in the murder case of 26-year-old coal businessman Nand Kishor Rungta. Ansari was sentenced to five and a half years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 10,000. Last year, on October 15, the Enforcement Directorate seized lands, a building, and bank deposits valued at over Rs 73.43 lakh as part of the money laundering probe involving Mukhtar Ansari.

  • ‘Kejriwal Ko Aashirvaad’: Delhi CM’s Wife Seeks People’s Support, Shares WhatsApp Number |

    NEW DELHI: AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal’s wife Sunita Kejriwal shared a video message on Friday, urging people to reach out to the Delhi Chief Minister and express their support to him. She also shared a phone number. “You can send your messages of support, anything you want to tell him on this number”, she said. She added, “Every one of your messages will reach him…I will deliver these to him in jail.”

    Appeal For Support Amid Legal Battles

    Sunita Kejriwal, while addressing the public, initiated the “Kejriwal ko Aashirvaad” campaign, encouraging individuals to send their blessings and well-wishes to the Chief Minister through a WhatsApp number. This appeal comes amidst Arvind Kejriwal’s extended custody following his arrest on March 21 in connection with the purported liquor policy scam. Despite the legal entanglements, Sunita Kejriwal remains resolute in rallying support from the citizens.

    Legal Proceedings And Extensions

    Arvind Kejriwal’s detention, which has now been extended until April 1, stems from allegations concerning money laundering linked to the Excise Policy. The recent court proceedings saw the Delhi Chief Minister himself presenting arguments, questioning the validity of his arrest based on limited evidence and statements. He emphasized the need for a fair and thorough investigation, dismissing the accusations against him as politically motivated.

    ED’s Allegations And Political Ramifications

    The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has levelled accusations against Kejriwal, implicating him in orchestrating the controversial excise policy and allegedly benefiting from illicit gains. However, Kejriwal and his legal team vehemently deny these claims, asserting that the charges are part of a broader agenda to undermine the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and destabilize the elected government in Delhi.

    Court’s Notice To ED

    In response to Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest and subsequent remand, the Delhi High Court has issued notices to the ED, signalling a potential legal battle ahead. The court, while recognizing the significance of fair hearings, has scheduled further proceedings for April 3, 2024. This development underscores the complexity and gravity of the legal challenges facing the Chief Minister.

    The court, while fixing the matter for April 3, 2024, further stated that any release order from custody will amount to enlarging the accused/petitioner/ Arvind Kejriwal on bail or interim bail, as an interim measure. The writ jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India is not a ready substitute for recourse to the remedy of bail under Section 439 of the Cr.P.C. ordinarily.

    Arvind Kejriwal, through his plea, alleged that the DOE has, at the time of his arrest failed to establish that the petitioner is guilty of committing activities stipulated under Section 3, i.e., be it one of concealment, possession, acquisition, or use of proceeds of crime, as much as projecting it as untainted property or claiming it to be so.

    According to Kejriwal’s plea, both the arrest and the remand order are illegal and he is entitled to be released from custody. The plea stated that without there being any material in possession of the Enforcement Directorate on the basis of which the petitioner (Arvind Kejriwal), can be believed to be guilty of an offence, the petitioner is being illegally and arbitrarily arrested by ED in the evening of March 21.

    The trial court on March 22, sent Arvind Kejriwal to ED remand till March 28. ED alleged that the Aam Adami Party (AAP) is the major beneficiary of the proceeds of crime generated in the alleged liquor scam. The agency claimed that Kejriwal was directly involved in the formation of the excise policy.

    It also claimed that due to the actions of Arvind Kejriwal involving excise policy formulation, hatching the conspiracy of kickbacks with the South Group members, and eventually using part of the proceeds of crime generated out of this scheduled offence in the election campaign of the AAP for the Goa Assembly elections, it is clear that all these activities were not only done with his knowledge but also his active collusion.

    Excise Policy Case Background 

    Kejriwal was arrested by the central agency late Thursday night on charges of corruption in relation to the case. It is the first time in independent India that a serving Chief Minister has been arrested. The move came after Kejriwal skipped multiple summons by the investigation agency, nine in total, calling them “illegal”. The case pertains to alleged irregularities and money laundering in framing and implementing the Delhi Excise Policy 2022, which was later scrapped.

    While Kejriwal was not named in the FIRs registered by the ED or the Central Bureau of Investigation in the Delhi excise policy case, his name first found a mention in the ED’s chargesheet, wherein the agency claimed that he allegedly spoke to one of the main accused, Sameer Mahendru, in a video call and asked him to continue working with co-accused and AAP communications-in-charge Vijay Nair. Nair was among the first people to be arrested by the CBI in the case, in 2022. Subsequently, former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh were arrested in connection with the case.