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Arvind Kejriwal Arrested in Liquor Policy Scandal: CBI Investigation Updates

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Arvind Kejriwal Arrested in Liquor Policy Scandal: CBI Investigation Updates

Arvind Kejriwal Arrested in Liquor Policy Case: Latest Updates

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the liquor policy case. The CBI presented Kejriwal in Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court, noting that while they could have taken this step before the Lok Sabha elections, they chose not to.

Examination and Legal Proceedings

On Tuesday, the CBI questioned Kejriwal in Tihar Jail, recording his statement regarding the excise policy case. Concurrently, Kejriwal withdrew his plea from the Supreme Court, which challenged the Delhi High Court’s interim stay on his bail order. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, informed a vacation bench of Justices Manoj Misra and SVN Bhatti that Kejriwal plans to file a more substantial appeal, following a detailed order passed by the high court on June 25.

The Delhi High Court had stayed the trial court’s bail order for Kejriwal, emphasizing that the trial court should have ensured compliance with the twin conditions of section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) before granting bail. The high court criticized the vacation judge for not thoroughly considering the essential documents provided by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Background of the Case

Kejriwal has been in custody since March 21, with a brief period of interim bail granted by the Supreme Court for election campaigning. The case revolves around alleged irregularities in Delhi’s now-scrapped 2021-22 excise policy. The CBI began investigating these allegations following a recommendation from Delhi’s lieutenant governor in July 2022.

Asaduddin Owaisi’s “Jai Palestine” Slogan Causes Lok Sabha Controversy

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Asaduddin Owaisi’s “Jai Palestine” Slogan Causes Lok Sabha Controversy

Owaisi Sparks Controversy with “Jai Palestine” Slogan During Lok Sabha Oath

All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi sparked controversy on Tuesday during his oath-taking for the 18th Lok Sabha by ending with the slogan “Jai Palestine.” Owaisi, who was re-elected as the MP from Hyderabad, took his oath in Urdu and concluded with the slogans “Jai Bheem, Jai Telangana, Jai Palestine.” This unexpected inclusion of “Jai Palestine” led to immediate objections from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs, including Shobha Karandlaje. Radha Mohan Singh, who was presiding over the ceremony, announced that the slogan would be expunged from the official records, but BJP MPs continued to protest briefly.

Union Minister G Kishan Reddy later criticized Owaisi’s choice of slogan, calling it “absolutely wrong” and against the rules of the House. Reddy remarked, “He does not say ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ while living in India… People should understand that he does unconstitutional work while living in the country.”

In defense, Owaisi questioned the objections, stating, “Other members are also saying different things… I said ‘Jai Bheem, Jai Telangana, Jai Palestine’. How is it wrong? Tell me the provision of the Constitution [that I violated]. You should also listen to what others said. I said what I had to. Read what Mahatma Gandhi had said about Palestine.”

Owaisi, a prominent voice for Muslims in India, won his seat by a large margin of over 3.38 lakh votes against his BJP rival Madhavi Latha. Despite criticism that AIMIM is the “B team of BJP,” Owaisi has been actively trying to expand his party’s influence across India, though with limited success. Known for his strong opposition to BJP and RSS, Owaisi has been outspoken against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC), and National Population Register (NPR).

18th Lok Sabha Session Begins: Opposition Protests, PM Modi Takes Oath

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18th Lok Sabha Session Begins: Opposition Protests, PM Modi Takes Oath

Lok Sabha Session Updates: Opposition Protests and Oath-Taking Ceremony

On Monday, leaders from the Opposition bloc INDIA, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, staged a protest outside Parliament. They held copies of the Constitution, expressing their discontent with the BJP-led NDA government.

Inside Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the oath as a member of the 18th Lok Sabha and will serve as the Leader of the House. Pro-tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab is administering the oath to the newly elected MPs. Earlier in the day, President Droupadi Murmu swore in BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker.

Congress and INDIA bloc MPs boycotted the oath-taking ceremony, protesting the appointment of Mahtab as pro-tem Speaker instead of Congress MP K Suresh. The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will run until July 3. Following the swearing-in of MPs, the election for the Lok Sabha Speaker is scheduled for June 26, and President Murmu will address a joint session of both houses on June 27.

Key Highlights

  • President Murmu swore in Bhartruhari Mahtab as pro-tem Speaker, who then invited PM Modi to take his oath.
  • President Murmu appointed five MPs to assist the pro-tem Speaker, but three Opposition MPs boycotted the assistance.
  • The session is expected to be contentious, with the Opposition set to challenge the government on various issues, including the Speaker’s election, exam paper leaks, and pro-tem Speaker appointment disputes.
  • The Opposition also plans to address rising prices, food inflation, heatwave deaths, and exam irregularities.

The new Lok Sabha Speaker will be elected on June 26 by a simple majority vote. Until then, the pro-tem Speaker will handle essential functions.

18th Lok Sabha Overview

  • The 18th Lok Sabha begins following the general elections, with the NDA securing 293 seats, the INDIA bloc winning 234 seats, and Congress holding 99 seats.
  • The final session of the 17th Lok Sabha was held from January 31 to February 10, 2024.

Ajit Doval reappointed as NSA for third times

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Ajit Doval reappointed as NSA for third times

Ajit Doval has been reappointed as the National Security Advisor, and PK Mishra as the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, effective from June 10, according to a government announcement today. Their appointments will last as long as Narendra Modi is Prime Minister or until further notice.

Both Doval and PK Mishra will hold the rank of cabinet ministers during their tenure. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet also approved the reappointment of Amit Khare and Tarun Kapoor as advisors to the Prime Minister’s Office for two years, starting June 10, with the rank and scale of Secretary to the Government of India.

These reappointments highlight the Prime Minister’s confidence in these officials, particularly Doval and Mishra, who have served in these crucial roles for many years. Doval, a former Intelligence Bureau director, has been the National Security Advisor since 2014. A 1968-batch IPS officer from the Kerala cadre, Doval was the first policeman to receive the Kirti Chakra, India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award.

As head of the national security establishment, overseeing all anti-terror and intelligence agencies, Doval is one of the country’s most influential officials. PK Mishra, a 1972-batch IAS officer from the Gujarat cadre with a PhD in Economics/Development Studies from the University of Sussex, became the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister in 2019, succeeding Nripendra Misra. Prior to this, he served as the Additional Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister.

Kuwait City Fire Kills Dozens, Many Indian Workers Injured

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Kuwait City Fire Kills Dozens, Many Indian Workers Injured

Deadly Fire in Kuwait City Claims Dozens of Lives, Many Indian Workers Affected

A fire broke out in a six-story building in Kuwait City, which housed nearly 160 workers from the same company. Eyewitnesses reported that some people jumped from the fifth floor to escape the flames, resulting in fatalities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on X, stating, “The fire mishap in Kuwait City is saddening. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. The Indian Embassy in Kuwait is closely monitoring the situation and working with the authorities there to assist the affected.”

Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said the Indian ambassador has visited the site of the incident. “Deeply shocked by the news of the fire incident in Kuwait City. There are reportedly over 40 deaths and over 50 have been hospitalized. Our Ambassador has gone to the camp. We are awaiting further information,” he said.

The Indian embassy in Kuwait has issued a helpline number, +965-65505246, and stated that some Indian workers were involved in the fire accident and they are providing all possible assistance. Ambassador Adarsh Swaika visited Al-Adan hospital, where over 30 Indian workers injured in the fire are being treated, and assured them of full support from the embassy. Hospital authorities reported that almost all patients are stable.

Junior Foreign Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh will travel to Kuwait to help the injured and coordinate with local authorities for the early repatriation of those who died. “As directed by PM Narendra Modi, MoS for External Affairs KV Singh is urgently travelling to Kuwait to oversee assistance to those injured in the fire tragedy and to coordinate with local authorities for early repatriation of mortal remains of those who have died in this unfortunate incident,” said a spokesperson.

Indians make up 21 percent (1 million) of Kuwait’s total population and 30 percent (approximately 900,000) of its workforce.

A senior police officer told Reuters that the building was used to house workers, and many were rescued, but unfortunately, several deaths occurred due to smoke inhalation. Authorities had previously warned against overcrowding in worker accommodations. The fire was eventually contained, and the cause is under investigation. Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad al-Yousuf al-Sabah visited the site and ordered the arrest of the building’s owner, attributing the tragedy to the greed of real estate owners.

NEET UG 2024 Controversy: Ayushi Patel’s Score Mix-Up Sparks Outcry Against NTA

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NEET UG 2024 Controversy: Ayushi Patel’s Score Mix-Up Sparks Outcry Against NTA

In the midst of the controversy surrounding the NEET UG 2024 results, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has become embroiled in another issue, this time involving Ayushi Patel from Lucknow. Patel’s result was mistakenly uploaded under the wrong application number, displaying a score of 335 marks instead of her expected 715 out of 720, calculated based on the agency’s answer key.

Ayushi Patel, calling it a “NEET scam,” contested the result, insisting her performance merited a much higher score. Her ordeal came to light through a viral video where she explained that on June 4, while attempting to check her result, she encountered an error message indicating that her result was not generated. She also mentioned receiving an email from the NTA stating that her results were delayed due to purported damage to her OMR sheet.

The NTA responded to these serious allegations by clarifying that no such communication had been sent to any students regarding damaged OMR sheets. They affirmed the integrity of the OMR sheets and the accuracy of the scores in their official records. The NTA urged all candidates to obtain their scorecards exclusively from the official website, exams.nta.ac.in/NEET.

Congress Claims Suresh Gopi Wants to Quit Ministerial Post Hours After Swearing-In

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Congress Claims Suresh Gopi Wants to Quit Ministerial Post Hours After Swearing-In

On Monday, the Kerala unit of the Congress claimed that actor and BJP MP Suresh Gopi “wants to quit” just hours after taking the oath as the Minister of State. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Kerala Congress took a jab at the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, suggesting that Gopi, who was sworn in as a minister on Sunday, now “wants to quit because he wants to do films!” The post criticized the BJP and Modi, questioning why Gopi could not decide on his priorities before taking the oath in the name of God and the constitution.

However, Suresh Gopi refuted these claims in a statement to CNBC-TV18, saying, “I have already accepted the ministerial position, and I have been sworn in.” Gopi, the first and only BJP MP from Kerala, won the Thrissur seat in the recently concluded Lok Sabha Elections 2024. He has become a prominent figure representing the ‘Modiyude Guarantee’ (Modi’s Guarantee) promise to Kerala. He was inducted into the Union Council of Ministers in PM Modi’s government, taking his oath at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday.

After his victory in Thrissur, Gopi had previously stated, “As an MP, I can do the work of various ministries. I do not want to be a minister. There can be new revolutionary working platforms.” He emphasized his commitment to implementing projects for the people of Kerala, seeking cooperation from the relevant ministries.

Following the election results on June 4, Gopi expressed his elation to ANI, saying, “I am in totally an ecstatic mood. What was very impossible became gloriously possible…it was not a 62-day campaign process, it was an emotional carriage for the past seven years…I work for Kerala as a whole. My first pick will be to have AIIMS.” On the day of his swearing-in ceremony (June 9), Gopi mentioned he was not expecting to be in the Council of Ministers, stating, “As an MP, I have to work to expand the BJP in the South.”

Kalki 2898 AD: Pre-Sales Surge Past $500K Milestone in the USA

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Kalki 2898 AD: Pre-Sales Surge Past $500K Milestone in the USA

Amidst towering expectations, “Kalki 2898 AD,” the mytho sci-fi drama featuring renowned stars Prabhas and Deepika Padukone, is poised for a grand debut on June 27, 2024. Directed by the talented Nag Ashwin, this high-budget extravaganza promises an unparalleled cinematic experience.

The anticipation is palpable, as evidenced by the astounding ticket sales. With pre-sales in the USA already surpassing $500K in gross revenue, achieving over $2 million before the theatrical release seems like a cakewalk for the film. The excitement is expected to escalate further after the unveiling of the theatrical trailer.

Tomorrow’s grand trailer launch is eagerly awaited. Alongside Prabhas and Deepika, the film boasts a stellar cast, including Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Disha Patani, Pasupathy, Brahmanandam, and Rajendra Prasad.

Produced under the prestigious Vyjayanthi Movies banner by Ashwini Dutt, the film promises to be a grand production. Santhosh Narayanan’s music is set to take the audience on an unforgettable journey. Additionally, the release of the film in IMAX and the potential for a 3D version only add to the excitement.

Education Ministry to Review NEET-UG 2024 Results After Controversy

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Education Ministry to Review NEET-UG 2024 Results After Controversy

New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Education has formed a four-member panel to reassess the results of over 1,500 students who were awarded grace marks due to time loss during the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET-UG) for undergraduate medical course admissions, the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced on Saturday. The announcement of NEET 2024 results on June 4 sparked widespread controversy, with many aspirants and parents demanding an investigation and a “re-exam,” alleging that the exam was leaked at certain centers, resulting in high scores for some students. There has been significant outrage over the pre-medical entrance examination, particularly regarding the “inflation of marks” for 1,563 students who were compensated for lost time.

Students from at least six centers in states such as Meghalaya, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Surat, and Chandigarh reported issues during the exam, including receiving the wrong question paper, damaged OMR sheets, or delays in distributing OMR sheets, which prevented them from getting the full 3 hours and 20 minutes to complete the test. According to NTA officials, the four-member panel, led by a former Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) chairperson, will re-examine the results of these 1,563 students.

NTA Director General (DG) Subodh Kumar Singh stated that the committee will investigate the compensatory marks awarded to these students and submit its recommendations within a week. Based on these recommendations, the results of the affected candidates may be revised to ensure the counselling and admission processes remain unaffected. Singh assured that the grace marks awarded have not impacted the qualifying criteria for the exam and that reviewing the results will not delay the admission process.

When questioned about the formula used to provide grace marks, Singh explained that it was based on a 2018 Supreme Court judgment addressing time loss faced by candidates. However, the exact formula was not disclosed, with Singh mentioning that students were compensated based on the questions they attempted within the available time.

Regarding the possibility of re-conducting the exam for certain students, Singh said that it would depend on the committee’s recommendations. He emphasized that the goal is to ensure no student is disadvantaged due to lost time. Singh also denied allegations of paper leaks and irregularities at exam centers, asserting that the exam’s integrity remained intact.

Addressing concerns about six of the 67 toppers coming from the same center in Haryana, Singh noted that an analysis revealed the average marks of students from that center were higher than those of at least 23 lakh other students. These students were already high scorers and further benefited from the grace marks awarded due to time loss.

Previously, the NTA stated that the increased number of toppers was due to changes in National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) textbooks and an overall easier question paper. A specific issue arose with a Physics question that had different correct answers depending on whether students used old or new NCERT textbooks. As a result, the NTA awarded five marks to all students who selected either of the two correct options, increasing the scores of 44 students from 715 to 720 and consequently raising the number of toppers.

The committee will not address the issue related to the Physics question marks. The NEET-UG 2024 results have also led to a political row, with opposition parties including Congress and the AAP calling for an investigation into the matter.

Narendra Modi Re-Elected as NDA Leader, Promises Good Governance

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Narendra Modi Re-Elected as NDA Leader, Promises Good Governance

New Delhi: Narendra Modi has been chosen again as the leader of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). He thanked the people for giving him another chance to serve and promised to provide good governance.

The newly elected MPs from the NDA met this morning in the Central Hall of the old Parliament Building to discuss forming the cabinet before the swearing-in ceremony.

The NDA won 293 seats in the recent Lok Sabha elections, but the BJP got only 240 seats, which is less than what they had in 2019.

BJP leader Pralhad Joshi announced that all the NDA parties agreed to elect Narendra Modi as their leader.

A total of 21 NDA leaders signed a resolution praising PM Modi for his work in building the nation, helping the poor, and promoting development, and said they are all working together in these efforts.

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