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LIVE: ED chargesheet is pure fiction, says Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

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Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Thursday that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) must have filed 5000 chargesheets in this government's tenure. CM Kejriwal further asked, how many of those chargesheeted were actually punished.

"ED's cases are fake. They don't file cases to end corruption. ED is used to poach MLAs, make and break the government. So, the ED chargesheet is pure fiction, the Delhi CM said. 


The Opposition leaders on Thursday demanded a discussion on the Hindenburg report against Adani Enterprises while also seeking the constitution of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) into the alleged aberrations. The like-minded Opposition parties held a meeting before the commencement of the day's Session of the Parliament to discuss strategy for the day. Several Opposition MPs have given suspension of Business notices to the respective Houses of Parliament on the issue. However, both Houses were adjourned soon after the Session began till 2 pm.

The Reserve Bank of India  has asked local banks for details of their exposure to the Adani group of companies, Reuters said citing government and banking sources said on Thursday.

Kerala journalist Siddique Kappan who was booked by the Uttar Pradesh government under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) released from jail after he was granted bail.

The Adani Group on Thursday released a video from its chairman Gautam Adani addressing investors on the withdrawal of the follow-on public offering (FPO). He says for him, the interest of investors is "paramount, and everything else is secondary". "To insulate the investors from potential losses, we have withdrawn the FPO. This decision will not have any impact on our existing operations as well as our future plans... The fundamentals of our company are very strong. Our balance sheet is healthy, and assets robust," her says in a video posted on YouTube.

Veteran Congress leader and former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday called the Union Budget 'callous', saying it has betrayed the hopes of the vast majority of the people. He said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman demonstrated how far removed the government is from the people and their concerns about life, livelihood and the growing inequality between the rich and the poor. "Let me begin by pointing out, with regret, that the FM has not mentioned the words unemployment, poverty, inequality or equity anywhere in her speech. Mercifully, she mentioned the word poor twice in her speech. I am sure the people of India will take note of who is concerned about the government and who is not," said Chidambaram.

Russia is mustering its military might in the Luhansk region of Ukraine, officials said Wednesday, in what Kyiv suspects is preparation for an offensive as the first anniversary of Moscow's invasion approaches. Also Wednesday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's government continued its crackdown on alleged corruption with the dismissal of several high-ranking officials, prominent lawmaker David Arakhamia said.

China gained a preferential trade partner status with the US in 2001 and since then, the US had to close 50000 production units and has lost more than four million jobs in the sector, he Singapore Post reported, adding that in 2023, the US was preparing to revoke the status to repair the damage done. US Republican Senators Tom Cotton, Ted Budd, Rick Scott, and JD Vance introduced the China Trade Relations Act on January 26 this year to end China's Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status, the report said.

9:27 PM

Don't think World Bank can interpret Indus Water treaty for us: Arindam Bagchi

India on Thursday questioned the World Bank's decision to appoint a Court of Arbitration and a neutral expert under two separate processes to resolve differences between New Delhi and Islamabad over the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir.
 
Last week, India issued a notice to Pakistan seeking a review and modification of the 62-year-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) for management of cross-border rivers following Islamabad's "intransigence" in handling disputes.
 
"I do not think they (World Bank) are in a position to interpret the treaty for us. It is a treaty between our two countries and our assessment of the treaty is that there is a provision of graded approach," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, the PTI reported.
7:59 PM

Delhi excise policy case: Court says sufficient grounds to proceed

A court here on Thursday took cognisance of a supplementary charge sheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against five individuals and seven companies in connection with the alleged Delhi excise scam.
 
The court also directed the representatives of the accused companies -- Trident Chemphar Ltd, Sri Avantika Contractors (I) Pvt Ltd, Organomix Ecosystems Pvt Ltd, Pernod Ricard India Pvt Ltd, KSJM Spirits LLP, Buddy Retail (TI) Pvt Ltd and Popular Spirits Pvt Ltd to appear before the court on the next date, the PTI reported.
7:36 PM

Karnataka HC extends status-quo on construction work around Isha's Adiyogi statue

The Karnataka High Court has extended its status-quo on construction and developmental works around the Adiyogi statue built at Avalagurki village in Chikkaballapura by Isha Foundation.

The advocate representing Isha foundation sought relief from the interim order. However, the court turned down the request, stating that there was no prejudice. Last month, the HC had allowed the unveiling of the statue on January 15, but without carrying out any further construction at the site.
 
When Isha Foundation requested the court to list the matter on Tuesday, the bench rejected the plea and said the date of hearing cannot be fixed on the demands of the litigant, the PTI reported.
7:01 PM

We have 400,000 BJP workers in Nagaland, ready for elections: Temjen Imna Along

6:15 PM

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar gave us blessings when we were in Guwahati, says Maha CM Eknath Shinde

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said on Thursday that spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar had given him blessings and told him that he would succeed when he and other rebel Shiv Sena MLAs were camping in a Guwahati hotel. Shinde was speaking at a farmers' gathering organized by Ravi Shankar's Art of Living Foundation at Watur village in central Maharashtra's Jalna district, the PTI reported.
6:00 PM

We conveyed firm rejection of so-called 'Khalistan' referendum: Arindam Bagchi

4:50 PM

No decision on implementation of Uniform Civil Code taken as of now: Rijiju

2:54 PM

BJP to begin Tripura assembly election campaign with 35 rallies

The BJP is set to launch its campaign for the Tripura assembly elections with 35 rallies on Friday.

Bharatiya Janata Party national president JP Nadda and Union Minister Smriti Irani will launch the campaign in the state.

Nadda will start the mega election campaign by holding a Vijay Sankalp rally in Tripura's Amarpur.

2:43 PM

Budget 2023: Nothing done in interest of people, says Bihar CM

Nothing is being done in the interest of people. Nothing has been done for poor states like Bihar. There was a provision of Rs 73,000 Cr in MNREGA in 22-23 but it has been reduced to Rs 60,000 Cr. Budget of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi also decreased: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar
2:24 PM

Three security personnel injured in IED blast in Jharkhand

Three security personnel were injured when an IED planted by Maoists exploded in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district on Thursday, a senior police officer said.

Based on information that top CPI (Maoist) leaders including Misir Besra, who was carrying a reward of Rs 1 crore on his head, have assembled in the jungle between Meralgada and Hathiburu villages, a joint team comprising CRPF, Jharkhand Jaguar and district armed police was rushed to the area when the IED planted by the Maoists exploded, Superintendent of Police, Ashutosh Shekhar said.

2:12 PM

Budget Session: Both Houses adjourned till tomorrow

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha adjourned till tomorrow.
2:01 PM

Karnataka CM calls Union Budget 2023 'growth-oriented'

It's a growth-oriented budget. Rs 10 lakh crore investment in the capital sector will generate employment and 5 trillion dollar economy can be achieved through this budget. There is a huge benefit for Karnataka in this budget: Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai
 
1:56 PM

LeT terrorist arrested as police cracks several blast cases in Jammu region, says J-K DGP

A government school teacher-turned Lashkar-e-Taiba-terrorist was arrested for allegedly carrying out multiple blasts, including one in a bus carrying Vaishno Devi pilgrims, Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Dilbag Singh said on Thursday.

The arrest of Arif, a resident of Reasi district, follows investigations in the recent twin blast case at Narwal in Jammu. An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted inside a perfume bottle was recovered from his possession, Singh told reporters here.

The Jammu and Kashmir police chief said this was the first time that such type of a bomb was recovered in the Union Territory.

1:37 PM

Punjab govt giving major push to food processing sector: Bhagwant Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has said that the state government is giving a major push to the food processing sector, which will create job opportunities for youth on one hand and immensely benefit farmers as well.

"The state government is giving a major push to the food processing sector in Punjab ..," Mann said.

The Chief Minister also said that the state government will soon set up 20 dedicated Rural Industrial Hubs across the state.

1:21 PM

President Murmu to undertake 2 day visit to Odisha on Feb 10

President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to undertake a two-day visit to Odisha on February 10.

She will attend the second convocation of Rama Devi Women's University in the state capital during her two-day visit to the state.

Sources said, it was the President herself, who had earlier evinced interest to attend the convocation of her alma mater and wrote to the Governor and Chancellor of the University, Ganeshi Lal, expressing her willingness for the same.

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First Published: Feb 02 2023 | 8:23 AM IST