Page 3 - Kapil Sibal

NewsClick row: SC defers hearing on pleas of founder, HR against arrest

The Supreme Court on Monday deferred post Diwali vacation hearing on pleas of NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and its HR head Amit Chakravarty against their arrest under anti-terror law UAPA. A bench of Justices BR Gavai Prashant Kumar Mishra told senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for both the accused, that it will take up the pleas after the vacation. Sibal said the matter is covered by the recent judgement of the apex court under which it was held that grounds of arrest has to be immediately shared with the accused but in this case, nothing was shared. He said there is an application for medical bail also pending before the court. The bench said it would take up the medical bail application along with the main matter after the Diwali vacation. On October 19, the top court had sought the response of the Delhi Police on pleas of Purkayastha and Chakravarty challenging the Delhi High Court order of October 13. The high court had on October 13 dismissed their pleas agains

Sibal takes a dig at PM Modi's free ration scheme extension for five years

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Monday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement that his government will extend the free ration scheme for five years, saying this was needed even after "10 years of Achche Din". In a post on X, Sibal said, "Global Hunger Index, India ranked 111 out of 125 countries (October 13, 2023). India rejects ranking. Now PM: Extends PMGKA Yojana for another 5 years so that 'people don't go to sleep hungry'." "This: After 10 years of 'Acchhe Din'?" the former Union minister said. Sibal, who was a Union minister during UPA I and II, quit the Congress in May last year and was elected to the Rajya Sabha as an Independent member with the Samajwadi Party's support. He has floated a non-electoral platform 'Insaaf' aimed at fighting injustice. Addressing a poll rally in poll-bound Chhattisgarh on Saturday, Modi had said the government will extend for five years the free ration scheme, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, covering 80 crore poor

Time for courts to wake up to blatant misuse of PMLA: Sibal on ED summon

It is time for courts to wake up to the blatant misuse of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal said on Wednesday, days after the Enforcement Directorate summoned Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for questioning. The probe agency was targeting leaders of almost all opposition parties, he alleged, adding that the ED and denial of bail to leaders has become a "political weapon" in the hands of the government. Kejriwal has been issued the summons under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and according to sources, the ED will record his statement in an excise policy-related case once he deposes at the probe agency's Delhi office at 11 am on November 2. Sibal, a prominent opposition voice and a senior advocate, in a post on X, said, "Kejriwal summoned by ED. ED targeting leaders of almost all political parties in opposition." "ED and denial of bail to leaders has become a political weapon in the hands of the government. Time for courts to wake

India must call for immediate ceasefire, says Sibal on Israel-Hamas war

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal Thursday said India must call for an immediate ceasefire in view of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and asserted that there is no space for being partisan in the unveiling tragedy. Sibal said the humanitarian crisis in Gaza with images of innocent children being maimed and decapitated, and civilians being killed is heart-rending and unacceptable. Over 1,400 people were killed in the unprecedented attacks on Israel by Hamas on October 7. Hamas has held more than 220 people hostage in Gaza. According to authorities in Gaza, around 6,500 people have been killed in retaliatory strikes by Israel. In a post on X, Sibal said, "Gaza Tragedy -- The humanitarian crisis in Gaza with images of innocent children being maimed, decapitated and along with civilians being killed is heart-rending and unacceptable." "India must call for an immediate ceasefire. No space for being partisan in the unveiling tragedy," he said. Sibal, who was a Union minister during UPA I and I

How many times will you use Lord Ram for political gain: Sibal to BJP

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Wednesday accused the BJP of using Lord Ram for political gain, and said the ruling party's governance does not display any of his virtues. Sibal's remarks came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted that a grand temple dedicated to Lord Ram is being built in Ayodhya. "Bhagawan Shri Ram bas aane hi wale hain (Lord Ram's arrival is imminent)," Modi said, asserting that prayers at the temple during the next Ramnavmi will spread happiness in the entire world. In a post on X, Sibal said, "To the BJP How many times will you use Lord Ram for political gain? Why don't you embrace the virtues of Lord Ram: His: valor, chivalry, loyalty, compassion, love, obedience, courage, and equipoise". "Your governance does not display any of these virtues!" Sibal said. Sibal, who was a Union minister during UPA I and II, quit the Congress in May last year and was elected to the Rajya Sabha as an Independent member with the Samajwadi Party's support. He has float

NewsClick row: Founder, HR head move SC against arrest in UAPA case

NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and its HR head Amit Chakravarty on Monday moved the Supreme Court against the Delhi High Court's refusal to interfere with their arrest and police remand in a case lodged under the anti-terror law UAPA. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra took note of the submissions of senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, appearing for Purkayastha and Chakravarty, that the matter needed urgent hearing and asked him to circulate the case papers. "This is the NewsClick matter. The journalists are in police custody. Here one of the accused is a 75-year old man, Sibal said. The CJI said he will take a call on the listing. On October 13, a Delhi High Court bench dismissed the plea against the arrest and subsequent police remand of Purkayastha and Chakravarty in the case. Both were arrested by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police on October 3. They subsequently moved the high court challenging the arrest as well as the

Kapil Sibal slams PM Modi for 'vote bank' remarks against Congress

'Where is the law? Where is the order? ED & CBI is the law? Manipur is the order?' asks the Rajya Sabha member to BJP

Newsclick row: Delhi HC agrees to hear plea against arrest of founder, HRD

The Delhi High Court on Friday agreed to hear during the day a plea against the arrest of NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and human resources department head Amit Chakravarty in a case lodged under anti-terror law UAPA. The matter was mentioned for urgent hearing by senior advocate Kapil Sibal before a bench headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma. This is the Newsclick matter. Arrest has been made illegally and in violation of the Supreme Court decisions, the senior lawyer said as he urged the bench to list the matter for hearing today itself. Alright, responded the bench, also comprising Justice Sanjeev Narula. Purkayastha and Chakravarty were arrested by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police on Tuesday. Police have sealed the NewsClick's office in Delhi. The portal has been accused of receiving money to spread pro-China propaganda. On Thursday, a trial court here had directed the city police to provide the duo with a copy of the FIR, citing a 2016 order of the Supreme

'Uncaring govt' must immediately remove CM: Sibal on Manipur situation

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Saturday hit out at the Centre over the situation in Manipur and said the "uncaring government" must immediately remove Chief Minister N Buren Singh and not let the state "burn" anymore. A fresh bout of violence broke out in Imphal on Tuesday, a day after photographs of the bodies of two youths -- a man and a girl -- who went missing in July were widely circulated on social media. A CBI team is currently investigating the killings in the northeastern state, which has been witnessing ethnic strife for nearly five months. In a post on X, Sibal said, "Manipur: An uncaring government must immediately remove CM Biren (Singh) and not let Manipur burn any more." "Shutters down on the Internet is no solution. Stop campaigning and deal with Manipur now!" he said. Sibal, a Union minister during UPA I and II, quit the Congress in May last year and was elected to the Rajya Sabha as an Independent member with the Samajwadi Party's support. He has floated a ...

'BJP rewards hate':Opposition slam BJP for giving Bidhuri poll duty in Tonk

Opposition leaders have criticised the ruling party for giving Ramesh Bidhuri poll duty in Tonk district of Rajasthan after he made offensive remarks against BSP MP Danish Ali in Parliament

'BJP's like the camel in tent' Sibal's dig after AIADMK walks out of NDA

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Tuesday took a swipe at the BJP over the AIADMK walking out of the National Democratic Alliance, saying that another ally has left them and those still with them are "opportunistic alliances with no ideological glue". Ending its four-year-old ties with the BJP, the AIADMK on Monday announced it was walking out of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and said it would lead a separate front for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The decision to break away from the NDA was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami at the AIADMK headquarters in Chennai. In a post on X, Sibal said, "AIADMK exits NDA. Yet another ally leaves them! Those still with them are opportunistic alliances with no ideological glue: Pawar & Shinde in Maharashtra & alliances in the North East." The BJP is like the "camel in the tent", he said. Sibal, a Union minister during UPA I and II, quit the Congress in May last year and was elected to Rajya .

Women reservation benefit only possible in 2034, says Kapil Sibal

Hitting out at the Modi government, former Union law minister Kapil Sibal on Sunday said the earliest the women's reservation can come into effect is 2034 Lok Sabha elections, alleging it was brought with an eye on the upcoming state and Lok Sabha polls. The Rajya Sabha MP made the remarks in his new 'Dil Se' initiative under which he will engage fortnightly in a conversation with a journalist on important issues. In the first episode he posted on social media, Sibal took questions on the women's reservation bill, the row over BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri's derogatory remarks against BSP MP Danish Ali, and his views on the new Parliament building. Asked about Bidhuri's remarks, Sibal said the BJP MP must be "expelled" from parliament. "I have not seen this in my 30-year-long career in parliament. Never seen such foul language, such venom and I was even surprised and shocked by the person presiding, who said I would look at the record and then delete it. I just don't understand this," Siba

Women's reservation: What major political leaders have said on the Bill

Since the 1990s, governments have tried to push through legislation to provide reservation to women in the Parliament and state Assemblies

Why Modi waited for almost 10 yrs: Sibal amid Women's Reservation bill

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Tuesday attacked the government amid speculation that the Women's Reservation Bill may be brought in Parliament, asking why did Prime Minister Narendra Modi wait for almost 10 years for it and saying that probably 2024 general elections is the reason. Minister of State Prahlad Singh Patel on Monday posted on social media platform X that the Cabinet has approved the bill, but deleted the post within an hour. While there was no official word on what transpired in the Cabinet meeting, which lasted for more than 90 minutes on Monday evening, speculation was rife that it approved the Women's Reservation Bill. In a post on X, Sibal said, "Women's Reservation Bill: Wonder why Modi ji, if introduced, waited for almost 10 years when almost all political parties are in support? 2024 is perhaps the reason." "But if the government does not provide quota for OBC women BJP may also lose UP in 2024! Think about it!" he said. Sibal, who was a Union minister during th

Some seen, some hidden: Landmark moments in old Parliament's history

If the walls of Parliament could speak they would reveal the many events in the House - some seen, some hidden; much heard, but much left unsaid

Forgot about craftsmen for 10 yrs, remembered them just before 2024: Sibal

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Monday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the launch of the PM Vishwakarma Yojana, alleging that he forgot about crafts persons for 10 years and remembered them just before 2024. Sibal's attack on the PM came a day after Modi launched the Rs 13,000-crore PM Vishwakarma Yojana for traditional artisans and craftsmen. In a post on X, Sibal said, "Vishwakarma Scheme: Hindu Mythology: Vishwakarma was divine carpenter and master craftsman of weapons of GodsModiji, far from divine, master craftsman of politics." "Forgot about craftsmen and carpenters for 10 years! Remembered them just before 2024! Convenient. No?" he said. The Lok Sabha polls are slated to take place in 2024. Sibal, who was a Union minister during the UPA 1 and 2 regimes, quit the Congress in May last year and was elected to the Rajya Sabha as an independent member with the Samajwadi Party's support. Under PM Vishwakarma scheme, artisans and crafts persons will be provided ..

Please inform us about real 'Mann ki Baat': Kapil Sibal's dig at govt

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal took a swipe at the government on Wednesday over a G20 booklet praising Mughal emperor Akbar, alleging that it has one face for the world and another for "India that is Bharat". Sibal cited a G20 booklet titled "Bharat: The Mother of Democracy", the 38th page of which talks about Akbar. "Good administration should embrace everyone's welfare, regardless of religion. That was the kind of democracy the third Mughal Padishah Akbar practised," the booklet said. In a swipe at the government, Sibal said on X, "G20 Magazine: Government hails Mughal emperor Akbar as proponent of peace and democracy! One face: For the world another: For India that is Bharat! Please inform us about the real mann ki baat!" The booklet said Akbar introduced the doctrine of "Sulh-i-Kuli ie universal peace, as a tool against religious discrimination". "To create a harmonious society, he propounded a new syncretic religion known as 'Din-i-llahi' or Divine Faith. He also established the

Article 370 case: Ready for election but cannot give timeframe, says Centre

Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta said that the exact timeframe for the conduct of elections cannot be provided as there are repeated law and order disturbances in the Valley

Is this not 'revri culture': Sibal's jibe at PM Modi over LPG price cut

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday over the reduction in LPG prices by the Centre, asking if this is not "revri culture". The government on Tuesday announced a Rs 200 per cylinder cut in prices of domestic cooking gas as it looked to counter the promise of cheaper LPG made by the Congress in upcoming Assembly elections in states such as Madhya Pradesh. In a post on X, Sibal said, "PM ji: Rs 400 relief for Ujjwala is not 'revri' culture? This is for poor households I guess. Glad you have remembered them. Am sure you will think of them more as 2024 approaches. But when Opposition parties give relief it becomes 'revri' culture! Jai ho!" Sibal, who was a Union minister during UPA I and II, quit the Congress in May last year and was elected to the Rajya Sabha as an Independent member with the Samajwadi Party's support. He has floated a non-electoral platform 'Insaaf' aimed at fighting injustice. At present, a 14.2-kg LPG cylinder in the

Will teacher be prosecuted or 'hate' culture allowed: Sibal on viral video

After a video of a teacher in Uttar Pradesh allegedly asked her students to slap a boy from a minority community went viral, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Saturday asked if Prime Minister Narendra Modi will condemn this publicly and the teacher be prosecuted or the culture of "hate" be allowed to flourish. The video purportedly showing a school teacher asking her students to slap a boy from what she is heard referring to as "Mohammaden" community and also passing objectionable remarks against the community has gone viral on social media, with Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra condemning the incident. The teacher can be seen asking the students of class 2 of a private school in Khubbapur village under Mansurpur police station area here to hit the hapless child. In a post on X, Sibal slammed it as "culture of hate" and said that a teacher of a private school in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar asked Hindu students to beat up a Muslim student in the classroom. "If .