New Delhi, July 3 (IANS) Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who remains under 14-day judicial custody (till July 12) in the corruption case linked to the alleged liquor policy scam, has petitioned the Delhi High Court for bail.

On Wednesday, his bail plea was mentioned before a bench presided over by Acting Chief Justice (ACJ) Manmohan for urgent listing.

CM Kejriwal’s lawyer urged the court that the bail plea be taken up for hearing on Thursday.

At this, the ACJ assured that CM Kejriwal’s bail petition will be heard on Friday, July 5.

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued notice on a plea filed by CM Kejriwal challenging his arrest by the CBI. A bench of Justice Neena Bansal Krishna asked the central agency to file its response by July 17 in the matter.

On June 26, CM Kejriwal was arrested by the CBI and was produced before the Rouse Avenue Court. Subsequently, he was sent to three-day CBI custody for interrogation.

Permission was granted to the CBI to produce CM Kejriwal in the special court after questioning him in Tihar Jail last week.

Recently, the Delhi High Court stayed a trial court order granting bail to CM Kejriwal in a money laundering case, saying that the documents and arguments were not appreciated by the lower court.

The Supreme Court, in May, had reserved its verdict on the petition filed by CM Kejriwal challenging his arrest and subsequent remand by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the excise policy case. He was ordered to be released on 21-day interim bail by the apex court in view of the general elections.

–IANS

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Kolkata, July 3 (IANS) The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday permitted Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, to stage a demonstration in front of Raj Bhavan over post-poll violence.

The single-judge Bench of Justice Amrita Sinha, while giving the permission, said that the dharna should be held for just four hours on July 14, which is a Sunday.

As per the order, the demonstration can be held by a maximum of 300 people without any weapons.

The agitation will be held from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. and no provocative statements can be made from the venue.

The programme should be conducted while strictly following pollution norms, the court said.

On Wednesday, the state government’s counsel also informed the court that the administration did not have any objection to the schedule of the demonstration.

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 3 (IANS) The Ministry of Panchayati Raj clarified on Wednesday that the Centre has released Rs 5,337 crore, as on June 28, as 15th Finance Commission grants to the gram panchayats in Kerala for 2020–21 to 2026–27.

For the 15th Finance Commission period, the funds were released to Kerala in the form of Untied (Basic) and Tied grants to rural local bodies for the years 2020-21 to 2023-24.

However, as per the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission, it is mandatory for the states to constitute State Finance Commissions Act upon their recommendations and lay the explanatory memorandum as to the actions taken thereof before the State Legislature on or before March 2024.

After March 2024, no grants will be released to the state that has not complied with the Constitutional provisions in respect of the state finance commission and these conditions.

The Ministry has in its letter dated June 11 and June 24 requested the states to provide the details of State Finance Commission.

The state government has submitted its Grant Transfer Certificate (GTC) of second installment of Untied Grants for FY 2023-24 vide letter dated June 7.

The GTC is being examined by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and being recommended for the release of the next installment (1st Installment for FY 2024–25) to the Ministry of Finance.

However, as of June 28, the Ministry is yet to receive a reply from Kerala furnishing details of the State Finance Commission, which is a mandatory condition for release of grants after March 2024.

The Ministry said the clarification has been issued in response to reports in some sections of Kerala media which alleged negligence on the part of the Central government in releasing the 15th Finance Commission Grants to the gram panchayats in Kerala.

–IANS

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Lucknow, July 3 (IANS) The noose has started tightening around godman Bhole Baba, aka Narayan Saakar Hari, whose religious discourse in UP’s Hathras district on Tuesday culminated in a devastating stampede that left at least 121 dead and a dozen others injured.

Though Bhole Baba’s name does not figure in the initial FIR filed in connection with the incident, the police have cordoned off his ashram in Mainpuri, following reports that the godman could be hiding in his palatial abode.

“We have found the location of his mobile phone to be near his ashram and we are keeping a close watch,” said a senior police official.

Meanwhile, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who visited Hathras on Wednesday has announced a judicial probe into the stampede incident.

He interacted with the injured persons in the hospital and took first-hand information about the circumstances leading to the tragedy.

“I had a conversation with several eyewitnesses and they informed me that the incident took place after the programme was over when the preacher of the Satsang was coming down from the stage. Suddenly several women started going towards him to touch him and the sevadars (volunteers) stopped them, due to which this accident happened. The administration was not allowed to enter inside by the sevadars,” the Chief Minister said at a press conference.

A video clip has also gone viral on social media which shows the godman leaving the venue in his car and hundreds of devotees running behind his car to gather the dust as a token of blessings.

The report submitted by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate claims that the behaviour of the godman’s sevadars was responsible for the incident, as they tried to push back the devotees which led to the stampede.

The report also says that the number of devotees who arrived at the discourse was three times more than the number for which permission had been sought.

In a related development, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) plea has been filed before the Allahabad High Court seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the Hathras stampede incident. The event was organised by self-styled godman, Bhole Baba, at Fulrai village under the Sikandrarau police station area of Hathras district.

The PIL plea, moved by advocate Gaurav Dwivedi, claims that the district authorities were “totally responsible” for its “negligent” act due to which the stampede occurred and that this type of inappropriate law and order situation in the state would lead to people losing faith in the government. It further states that the district authorities have mechanisms in place to prevent and control any unwarranted situations, and the state government is investing substantial public funds in new techniques for better administration but still such an incident occurred.

Further, the petitioner has submitted that he is very concerned about the safety of devotees who would be attending Maha Kumbh, the world’s largest religious gathering, which is scheduled to take place in Prayagraj in 2025.

–IANS

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Mumbai, July 3 (IANS) Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said on Wednesday that he has directed the district collectors to take strong action against officials found demanding money from women submitting applications seeking benefits under the Mukhyamantri Ladli Bahin Yojana.

He said the government would not tolerate such malpractices and the staff will face disciplinary action and suspension as it is committed to the implementation of the scheme to help eligible women across the state. These women will get Rs 1,500 per month which comes to Rs 18,000 annually.

Shinde’s warning came in the wake of complaints by legislators, especially from the opposition.

‘’I have already directed the district collectors that the scheme should be implemented in a hassle-free manner. The administration should take due steps for its effective implementation and the women should not face any inconvenience and harassment. The government will take stern action against the staff for negligence and demanding money,’’ he said.

The issue also came up for discussion in the Assembly when excise minister Shambhuraj Desai said that the CM has already announced that the government will take stern action against those demanding money from the women getting enrolled under the scheme. He told the House that in one case an official has already been suspended.

The CM’s announcement came after the government’s announcement to extend the deadline for submission of applications by eligible women under the Mukhyamantri Ladli Bahin Yojana upto August 31 following a large number of women turning up in district offices. The government has announced an increase in the age limit for eligible women to 65 years from 60 years.

–IANS

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