1. In CBI vs CBI, SC’s Crucial Hearing on Alok Verma’s Petition Today
The Supreme Court is likely to take on Friday, 26 October, a decision on whether the move to strip Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director Alok Verma of his responsibilities was legal, even as Opposition parties threatened to launch an agitation against the government which, they say, is undermining the country’s institutions.
Friday’s hearing, in addition to a petition by Verma, will also include a petition filed by non-profit organisation Common Cause, which approached the Supreme Court on Thursday with a request to assign a special investigation team (SIT) to probe corruption charges against CBI special director Rakesh Asthana.
(Source: Hindustan Times)
2. 1,400 Arrested for Violence During Sabarimala Protest
In a state-wide crackdown that began on Wednesday, 24 October, the Kerala police have arrested 1,400 people in connection with the violent protests against the entry of young women into the Sabarimala temple earlier this month.
Police have filed 440 cases and issued lookout circular for 210 persons allegedly involved in the protests at Nilackal, Pampa and Sabarimala. Sources said 150 persons had already been identified.
State Police Chief Loknath Behera confirmed the arrests. The operation was led by district police chiefs. Those arrested, including women, have been booked under various Sections from rioting to destruction of public property, attacking people and deterring public servants from discharging their duty.
(Source: The Hindu)
3. P Chidambaram Charged with Money Laundering in Aircel-Maxis Case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) said on Thursday, 25 October, that it has filed money-laundering charges against former Finance Minister P Chidambaram in connection with its probe into the Aircel-Maxis case.
ED has charged Chidambaram and others with allegedly laundering Rs 1.16 crore for approval given by the Congress leader to a foreign investment worth Rs 3,560 crore by Global Communication and Holdings, a wholly owned subsidiary of Maxis Berhad, Malaysia, when he was finance minister in 2006.
The ED alleged that the investment proposal was approved by Chidambaram in violation of the rules and regulations governing the foreign direct investment policy. Besides Chidambaram, the ED has named three individuals and six companies, including Maxis, as accused in the case.
(Source: Hindustan Times)
4. Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia Get Bail in ‘Assault’ Case
A Delhi court on Thursday, 25 October, granted bail to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia and 11 AAP MLAs in the case of alleged assault on Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal said all the accused are “highly placed persons” and have deep roots in society, apart from being elected members of the Legislative Assembly of Delhi.
“Since all the accused persons have not been arrested during the investigation, (and) have cooperated in the investigation… Further, it is stated in the charge sheet that the need for arrest of these accused was not there during investigation. Therefore, in the facts and circumstances of the case, they are admitted on bail on furnishing a personal bond and surety bond of Rs 50,000 each,” the court said.
The court imposed certain conditions with the bail. “The accused will not tamper with evidence or intimidate or approach any witness in this case or try to influence the trial in any manner. In case of change of address, they will intimate the court.” The court posted the matter for scrutiny of documents on 7 December.
(Source: The Indian Express)
5. Madras HC Upholds Disqualification of 18 ‘Dissident’ MLAs
In a shot in the arm for the beleaguered Edappadi Palaniswami government, the Madras high court on Thursday, 25 October, upheld the disqualification of 18 MLAs owing allegiance to rebel AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran, who had floated his own outfit Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam.
Bringing down the curtains on the more-than-a-year long legal battle, which had seen a split verdict, justice M Sathyanarayanan, the third judge appointed by the Supreme Court to hear and decide the matter, pronounced the verdict in a packed court hall, bringing jubilation to the chief minister’s camp.
6. EC Rejects Office of Profit Case Against 27 MLAs
President Ramnath Kovind has dismissed a plea to disqualify 27 ruling Aam Admi Party MLAs of Delhi for allegedly holding office of profit by being appointed as chairpersons of Rogi Kalyan Samitis attached to various city hospitals.
The order, which is based on the recommendation of the election commission, brings huge relief for AAP legislators, who will now continue to remain in their positions.
The President signed the order dismissing the plea based on an opinion given by the Election Commission (EC) in July, a senior poll panel functionary said on Thursday, 25 October, reports PTI.
(Source: Hindustan Times)
7. India Cannot Go for Unstable Coalitions: NSA Ajit Doval
As political parties across the country ramp-up their efforts to garner support for 2019 general elections, NSA Ajit Doval – PM Modi’s most trusted lieutenant, on Thursday, 25 October, said that India needs a stable government for next 10 years as “weak coalitions will be bad” for the country.
The National Security Advisor asserted that weakened democracies tend to make a country softer. He said India cannot afford to be a soft power for the next few years and it will be compelled to take hard decisions.
India needs a strong, stable and decisive government for the next 10 years to achieve its political, economic and strategic objectives, Doval said on Thursday, while delivering the Sardar Patel Memorial Lecture in New Delhi. He claimed that in the past four years, the country’s “national will” has been aroused, PTI reported.
(Source: The Indian Express)
8. Woman Accusing Vikas Bahl Files Affidavit
The woman who has accused director Vikas Bahl of sexual harassment told the court on Thursday, 25 October, that she was filing an affidavit to put on oath that she stands by her statement to a portal stating that she was “sexually assaulted” by Bahl.
The court was hearing a petition filed by Bahl seeking Rs 10 crore in damages from his former partners in Phantom Films, directors Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane, and three media organisations for alleged defamation.
The woman submitted the affidavit to the court through senior counsel Navroz Seervai and lawyer Neha Mehta. Seervai told the court that after the hearing on Tuesday and after reading the newspapers, the client overcame her reluctance to submit the affidavit because having already been subjected to sexual harassment, she felt as if “it would add insult to injury if her credibility and her words were to be disregarded”.
(Source: The Indian Express)
9. To Recover Dues from Anil Ambani Firms, 24 Creditors Move Tribunal
At least 24 operational creditors of debt-ridden Reliance Communications and Reliance Telecom have moved various benches of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in Mumbai against the two firms of Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group, to recover dues, under Section 9 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), according to Tribunal records.
Of the creditors that have moved court, at least 11 firms have settled or are in the process of settling the dispute with Anil Ambani’s firms through NCLT. The disputes of the remaining 13 firms with RCom and Reliance Telecom are yet to be resolved.
(Source: The Indian Express)
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