INDIA bloc's manifesto talks about finishing 'Shakti', says PM Modi in Telangana 2
Alleging that the INDIA bloc’s manifesto talks about finishing ‘Shakti’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the fight is between those who want to destroy ‘Shakti’ and those who worship them.
Addressing a rally, Modi said, for him, every mother and every daughter is a form of ‘Shakti’ and that he worships them.
He said the nation dedicated ‘Chandrayaan’s’ success to ‘Shiv Shakti’ and the opposition parties are talking of destroying ‘Shakti’.
”On Sunday in Mumbai, there was an INDI alliance rally after the announcement of the schedule for elections. They announced their manifesto in the rally. In Mumbai’s Shivaji Park, they said their fight was against ‘Shakti’. For me, every mother, every daughter is a form of ‘Shakti’. Mothers and sisters, I worship you as ‘Shakti’. I am Bharat Maa’s ‘pujari’,” he said.
”INDI alliance in its manifesto announced to finish/destroy Shakti. I accept their challenge. I will sacrifice my life for the security of mothers and sisters,” he further said.
Stating that people’s support to BJP is growing continuously in Telangana, Modi said as the voting day nears there is a BJP wave in Telangana, while Congress and BRS will get cleaned up.
The whole country is saying — more than 400 (seats for NDA) on June 4 (counting day), he further said.
Alleging that Congress has made Telangana its ‘ATM state’, he said the ”looted money is going to Delhi”. Addressing a rally of the INDIA alliance at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park after the conclusion of his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi won’t be able to win the Lok Sabha elections without “EVMs, ED, CBI and Income Tax”.
”Our fight against Modi is not on a personal level. Modi is a ‘mask’ who works for a ‘Shakti’ (power). He is a shallow man who doesn’t have a 56-inch chest,” Gandhi said.
People are "source of power" in Russia: Putin in victory speech 4
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his victory speech, extended his gratitude to the citizens of Russia for their active participation in the recently concluded presidential election, state-controlled media reported. Following the conclusion of the election, Russia’s Central Election Commission showed Putin securing a fifth term in office with over 87 per cent of the vote.
Speaking from the election headquarters, Putin emphasised the importance of every voice in shaping the destiny of the nation, Russia Today reported. “I would like to thank citizens of Russia, all of them, because we are one team,” said Putin, acknowledging the collective effort of the Russian people in exercising their democratic right. “The source of power in a country is the Russian people and the voice of every citizen of Russia,” he added, underscoring the fundamental role of public participation in governance.
Reflecting on the significance of the election, Putin remarked, “Out of every voice, we are building one commonwealth of the people of the Russian Federation.” He stressed the role of citizen engagement in driving the country’s progress across various sectors, including defence, science, and education, as reported by Russia Today. Amid challenging circumstances, Putin extended a special appreciation to the armed forces, acknowledging their dedication in safeguarding the nation’s interests. “I would like to express a special gratitude to our warriors, to those lads who are at the line of contact ensuring the conditions for the development and existence of our country,” Putin affirmed, highlighting the sacrifices made by those serving on the front lines.
Russia has finished voting in its seventh modern presidential election, spanning three days and including four new regions: Kherson, Zaporozhye, Donetsk, and Lugansk People’s Republics. The recent election witnessed a historic turnout, with over 74 per cent of Russia’s 112.3 million eligible voters participating between March 15 and 17, according to the Russian Central Election Commission (CEC) on Sunday. This level of engagement marks the highest in the country’s modern history, unmatched for over two decades, as reported by Russia Today.
Securing a crushing victory, Putin also said that he had agreed to a prisoner swap involving Alexei Navalny before the opposition leader’s sudden death in an Arctic prison in February. Calling Navalny’s death a ‘sad event’, Putin said there were other cases of people in prisons passing away.
In his address at his election headquarters on Sunday, Putin said, “As for Mr. Navalny–yes, he passed away. It is always a sad event. And there were other cases when people in prisons passed away. Didn’t this happen in the United States? It did, and not once.” Putin added that he was told of a proposal to exchange Navalny for prisoners held in Western nations days before the Opposition leader died in prison.
On February 16, jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny died.
DMK demands Tamil Nadu Governor Ravi's resignation after he refused to re-induct K Ponmudy as minister 6
After Tamil Nadu governor RN Ravi refused to induct K Ponmudy as a minister, DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai on Monday took on the governor calling for his resignation from the post.
Speaking to ANI, Saravanan said, “The governor’s behaviour day-by-day is going bizarre. He is a shame to the post of the governor. His actions are not supported by law, conventions and the Supreme Court. Ponmudy’s conviction was stayed by the apex court only to enable him to become an MLA. When he becomes an MLA, he suffers no disqualification to be a minister. This has been clarified by many Supreme Court judgements.”
“In Senthil Balaji’s case, the Madras high court said that if you are qualified for the post of an MLA, then there is no disqualification for you to be a minister,” Saravanan further said. Further, he pointed out that, by the Supreme Court’s stay on conviction, Ponmudy is automatically re-nominated as an MLA. Therefore, he ought to be made a minister.
“Who is this gentleman to comment upon it? Ultimately, the Supreme Court will decide. Is the governor not advised well? He is wasting the taxpayer’s money by flying to Delhi anytime,” he added. The DMK spokesperson also alleged that the BJP rewards those governors who behave worst.
“The worse you behave as governor, the BJP will reward the best. For example, former West Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankhar was made vice-president of India even though his behaviour as West Bengal governor was obnoxious,” he said. “We have information that Ravi is also eyeing the post of National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval. He wants to become the NSA,” Annadurai further said.
Meanwhile, disqualified Tamil Nadu minister and DMK senior leader K Ponmudy was reinstated days after the Supreme Court stayed his conviction and three-year jail sentence in a disproportionate asset case on March 13, 2024. Governor RN Ravi sent a letter to the state government on Sunday, that he cannot administer the oath of office to Ponmudy (DMK senior leader and former Higher Education Minister) as his conviction has not been struck down by the Supreme Court, citing the pendency of the case.
The Supreme Court on Monday rejected the bail plea of former Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain in the money laundering case, asking him to surrender forthwith. A bench of Justice Bela M Trivedi and Justice Pankaj Mithal dismissed the appeal filed by Jain.
The court also rejected the bail plea of the other two co-accused Ankush and Vaibhav Jain. On May 26, Satyendar Jain was granted interim bail for six weeks on medical grounds and later it was extended from time to time.
Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the Enforcement Directorate (ED), had taken court through concurrent findings of the trial court and high court and other details related to the case. Countering the ED submission, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Jain, had said that his client had been incarcerated for a year. He also remarked that probe agencies are trying to convert an income tax case into a money laundering matter.
The Senior Advocate urged the top court to grant bail to Jain saying that he is not a flight risk and threat to witness. The senior advocate also said that this is a matter of life and liberty for Jain. The Enforcement Directorate has opposed the bail plea of former Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain and had submitted before the top court that whenever he wants to be out of jail he moves bail on medical grounds and, stays in hospital. Whenever there is an argument on the bail in the court, he falls down, which is a strange coincidence. However, Jain’s counsel called the submission baseless.
Meanwhile, the hearing on Jain’s bail witnessed many twists and turns in December 2023, as Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud explained why the matter was listed before a different combination of bench as there was a matter relating to the extension of bail. CJI also mentioned the communication received from Justice AS Bopanna to take up part heard matter from him because he would not be able to hear the matter due to medical reasons.
Earlier, Jain’s bail plea was partly heard by a bench of Justices AS Bopanna and Bela M. Trivedi. Later, the matter was listed before a bench of Justice Trivedi and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma. Jain underwent surgery on July 21 last year. The interim bail given to Jain on medical grounds was extended from time to time.
On May 26, the top court granted interim bail to Satyendar Jain for six weeks in the money laundering case but imposed various conditions, including refusing to talk with the media or leaving Delhi without permission. Satyendar Jain has moved to the top court seeking bail in money laundering cases. He has challenged the Delhi High Court order dismissing his bail plea in the money laundering case against him.
On April 6, the Delhi High Court dismissed the bail plea of Satyendar Jain. The HC while dismissing the Satyendar Jain bail plea, stated that the applicant is an influential person and has the potential to tamper with evidence. On November 17, 2022, the trial court dismissed the bail petition of Satyendar Jain. He was arrested on May 30, 2022, under sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) by the Enforcement Directorate and is presently in Judicial Custody in the case.
The ED case is based on a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) complaint registered on the allegation that Satyendar Jain had acquired movable properties in the name of various persons from February 14, 2015, to May 31, 2017, which he could not satisfactorily account for.
Sakkari weathers Gauff storm to book Swiatek clash in Indian Wells final 9
Maria Sakkari endured a spirited fightback from Coco Gauff to stun the third seed 6-4 6-7(5) 6-2 in a rain-interrupted Indian Wells semi-final on Friday and set up an intriguing rematch of the 2022 title clash with Iga Swiatek.
U.S. Open champion Gauff looked far from her best early in the match as Sakkari draw first blood after a short rain delay by breaking the American third seed in the ninth game, before securing the opening set with ease. The players were forced off the court for a longer spell as the showers returned at the start of the second set, but Sakkari picked up from where she left off when the action resumed and tightened her grip on the contest with a double break.
But Gauff was not done and the 20-year-old rediscovered her rhythm in the high-octane second set to save three match points and go level at 5-5, eventually forcing a tie break which she dominated to set up a decider. Sakkari regrouped, reeling off the games in the third set to prevail in the late-night thriller.
Top seed Swiatek earlier produced a near-flawless display in chilly, windy conditions to cruise past Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk 6-2 6-1 and remain on track for her second title of the year. “For sure I’m happy with the performance. I think it was the cleanest match I played here. The focus was high throughout and I didn’t have any doubts,” said Swiatek, who has not dropped a set in the Californian desert this year.
“It’s already a great tournament.” The 2022 champion made her intentions clear early on with an aggressive start to break for a 2-1 lead and pulled further away when Kostyuk hit a double fault two games later.
The 21-year-old Kostyuk surrendered the opening set in 31 minutes and was put through the wringer again by world number one Swiatek at the start of the second set. A powerful smash at the net gave Swiatek another break. The four-times Grand Slam champion withstood some pressure from the 31st seed in the next game before building a 3-0 advantage.
Kostyuk appeared to struggle with a left foot problem and a medical timeout only delayed the inevitable, as Swiatek eased to a WTA Tour-leading 19th match win of the season, finishing off the match with a forehand winner.
Russian missile strike decimates civilians in Odesa, 20 dead in deadliest attack 11
At least 20 people have been confirmed dead in a devastating Russian missile strike that ravaged the Ukrainian city of Odesa, leaving in its wake a trail of death and destruction, CNN reported. Scores more have been injured in the attack, marking the deadliest assault on the Black Sea port city since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion, CNN reported.
The harrowing ordeal unfolded early Friday morning (local time) when a Russian missile, aimed at civilian infrastructure, tore through Odesa’s urban fabric. The initial strike caused chaos and carnage, claiming the lives of innocent civilians and injuring many others. However, the horror didn’t end there. In a sinister turn of events, emergency service personnel, rushing to aid the victims, found themselves ensnared in a second strike—a tactic ominously referred to as a “double tap,” a cruel hallmark of Russia’s tactics in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, according to a CNN report.
“This is the first time a double attack has happened in Odesa region,” remarked Maryna Averina, a spokeswoman for the State Emergency Service in Odesa, conveying shock and disbelief at the unprecedented escalation of violence. “First responders arrived at the site of the strike and immediately began to extinguish the fire, clearing the rubble and searching for victims. And then there was a second missile strike,” Averina recounted, underscoring the ruthlessness of the assailants.
Tragically, the second strike claimed the lives of eight rescuers, including Denys Kolesnikov, a 25-year-old firefighter whose selfless dedication cost him his life. The strikes occurred against the backdrop of Russia’s orchestrated presidential elections, where President Vladimir Putin seeks an extended tenure in power. The timing underscores the callous disregard for human life exhibited by the perpetrators, as reported by CNN.
As the toll of casualties continues to rise, with at least 73 people reported injured, including emergency service personnel, the resilience of Odesa’s inhabitants shines through amidst the devastation. Maria Slisovska, a local resident who witnessed the horror firsthand, recounted the terrifying moments as the missiles struck.
“At first our windows were still intact. Then about five minutes later there was a second blast. The ceilings were damaged… And then there was a strike after the paramedics arrived. The guys were dead. There were people covered in blood. We are now clearing the glass,” Slisovska shared, her words painting a vivid picture of the chaos and despair gripping the city. In a televised address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes as a “despicable act of cowardice,” vowing a resolute response against the perpetrators.
“Our Defence Forces will do everything to make Russian killers feel our just response,” Zelenskyy declared, his words resonating with a nation reeling from the horrors of war. Amidst the grief and anguish, condolences poured in from across the globe, with Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko extending sympathies to the bereaved families and Denise Brown, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, condemning the heinous attack.
Odesa, a strategic hub for Ukraine’s grain exports and naval operations, has endured relentless assaults in recent months, exacerbating the suffering of its resilient populace. The brazen attack serves as a stark reminder of the grim reality of war, as world leaders grapple with the escalating crisis in Ukraine. Last week’s close call, where a missile struck perilously close to President Zelenskyy and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, underscores the precariousness of the situation.
In the aftermath of the strike, Zelenskyy renewed his plea for international support, emphasising the urgent need for enhanced air defences to protect civilian populations, CNN reported.
Excise scam: Delhi court grants bail to CM Arvind Kejriwal in case against him for skipping ED summons 13
A Delhi court on Saturday granted bail to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in two complaints filed by the Enforcement Directorate against him for skipping summons in a money laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam.
The court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Divya Malhotra also allowed Kejriwal to leave the courtroom.
”Offence being bailable, accused Arvind Kejriwal is admitted to bail,” it said.
The court further directed the ED to hand over documents related to the complaints to Kejriwal. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed two complaints before the magisterial court, seeking Kejriwal’s prosecution for skipping multiple summonses issued to him in the case.
The latest complaint pertains to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor not honouring summonses no. 4 to 8 sent by the federal probe agency under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The ED had earlier moved the magisterial court seeking Kejriwal’s prosecution for not attending the first three summonses issued to him in the money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy.
Two employees of the Indian Coast Guard have been arrested for allegedly raping their colleague’s 15-year-old daughter in Mumbai, a police official said on Friday. The incident took place on October 17 of last year in the house of one of the two accused in a northern suburb of the city. The girl is a Class 10 student, while the accused Coast Guard employees are aged 30 and 23, the official said.
On the day of the alleged sexual assault, the teenager had returned from her coaching class and was alone in their home as her mother, younger sister and brothers had gone to attend a function and her father was on night duty. The 30-year-old accused, who lived on the same housing premises, allegedly knocked on her door and told the teenager that his wife had called her to their house for some work. The minor did not find anything suspicious as both families knew each other quite well and were on excellent terms. When the girl entered the flat of the accused, a second person who was already waiting inside gagged her and dragged the teenager to the bedroom. The duo then allegedly raped the girl, the official said.
Later, both men threatened to kill the minor and her father if she revealed the sexual assault to anyone, the official said. The 30-year-old accused also used to knock on her door whenever she was alone, the official said.
Unable to bear the trauma, the girl slipped into depression and required medical care. In December 2023, more than two months after she was sexually assaulted, she opened up in front of her mother and narrated her ordeal. The girl’s mother informed her husband, who filed an internal complaint with the Indian Coast Guard. On March 8, the girl wrote to senior Coast Guard officials, who helped her file a police complaint, leading to the arrest of the two accused. The two men have been booked for “gang rape on woman under sixteen years of age” under Indian Penal Code section 376DA and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Both have been remanded in police custody, the official added.
SC asks SBI why it did not disclose Electoral Bonds numbers, issues notice to bank 16
The Supreme Court on Friday took exception to State Bank of India (SBI) for not furnishing Electoral Bonds data with unique alphanumeric numbers, which help identify the bond, and issued notice to it while seeking the bank’s response on Monday. A five-judge Constitution bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said that the SBI has not fully complied with its March 11 order in which it had ordered the bank to disclose all details concerning Electoral Bonds.
The apex court in its order stated, “The judgment of the Constitution Bench clarified that all details of Electoral Bonds will be made available including date of purchase, name of purchaser, the denomination. It’s been submitted that SBI has not disclosed the Electoral bond numbers (alpha numeric numbers).” “Notice be issued to SBI. We direct Registry to issue notice to SBI returnable on Monday,” ordered the bench.
It also allowed the request of Election Commission of India seeking the return of Electoral Bonds’ documents handed over to the top court in sealed cover on two occasions. The poll panel told the bench that it did not retain any copies of these documents to uphold confidentiality and sought the return of the sealed envelopes to proceed with the court’s direction to upload data on its website.
The apex court said its Registrar Judicial shall ensure that documents are scanned and digitised and once the exercise is complete the original documents shall be given back to ECI and it will then upload them on the website on or before March 17. At the outset of the hearing, apex court said, “Who is appearing for the State Bank of India? They have not disclosed the bond numbers. It has to be disclosed by the State Bank of India.”
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta urged the court to issue notice to the bank since they may have something to say. The Supreme Court by its February verdict had struck down the Electoral Bonds Scheme which allowed for anonymous funding to political parties, and ordered the SBI to stop issuing Electoral Bonds immediately.
It had unanimously quashed the Electoral Bonds scheme as well as amendments made to the Income Tax Act and the Representation of People Act which had made the donations anonymous. It had asked SBI to furnish details and the details about each Electoral Bonds encashed by the political parties, which shall include the date of encashment and the denomination of electoral bond.
An Electoral Bond is an instrument in the nature of a promissory note or bearer bond which can be purchased by any individual, company, firm or association of persons provided the person or body is a citizen of India or incorporated or established in India. The bonds are issued specifically for the purpose of contribution of funds to political parties. Various petitions were filed before the top court challenging amendments made to different statutes through Finance Act 2017 and Finance Act 2016 on the ground that they have opened doors to unlimited, unchecked funding of political parties.
Paytm gets five handles to continue UPI transactions, existing one to continue 18
Fintech firm One97 Communications, owner of the Paytm brand, has got five handles in partnership with four banks to continue UPI transactions, as per an update on the NPCI website.
The company’s existing handle @paytm is among the five handles that users can continue using without the need to make any changes at their end.
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has approved @paytm and a closed user group UPI handle @ptyes for Paytm in partnership with Yes Bank.
NPCI has also approved @pthdfc with HDFC bank and @ptsbi with State Bank of India as a partner. However, these two handles are not active immediately.
Paytm spokesperson said users can continue to use @paytm handle seamlessly without the need to make any changes at their end.
On March 14, NPCI approved a third party application (TPAP) provider permit for Paytm in collaboration with SBI, Axis Bank, Yes Bank and HDFC bank for continuity of UPI transactions for the company’s users.
Paytm’s UPI transactions were earlier being carried out through Paytm Payments Bank (PPBL) that has been barred by the Reserve Bank of India from accepting deposits, credit transactions, or top-ups in any customer accounts after March 15.
One97 Communications Limited (OCL) holds a 49 per cent stake in PPBL, while company’s Founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma holds 51 per cent stake in the beleaguered bank.
