Highlights: HC rejects CM Kejriwal's bail plea, next hearing on April 3

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9:55 PM

If President's Rule imposed in Delhi, it would be clear case of political vendetta: Atishi

Delhi cabinet minister Atishi on Wednesday said if President's Rule is imposed in the national capital in the aftermath of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, it would be a clear case of "political vendetta". The Delhi government will not be run from jail, Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena said on Wednesday in the backdrop of statements by AAP leaders that Arvind Kejriwal will continue as chief minister even if he is behind bars. Responding to Saxena's statement, Atishi, in an interview with PTI, cited The Representation of the People Act that disqualifies a lawmaker if he/she is convicted.

8:55 PM

Normalcy in ties with China will only be achieved based on traditional deployment of troops: Jaishankar

Normalcy in bilateral ties with China will only be achieved based on the traditional deployment of troops and that will be the prerequisite for the relationship going forward with Beijing, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday. "My first duty to Indians is to secure the border. I can never compromise on that," Jaishankar said while responding to a question on the current state of India's relations with China during his interaction with the Indian diaspora here in the Malaysian capital. He said every country wants "good relations with its neighbours. Who doesn't? But every relationship has to be founded on some basis."

8:53 PM

ED summons AAP's Goa chief, leaders in Delhi excise policy-linked money-laundering case

The ED has summoned Amit Palekar, the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Goa unit chief, and some other party leaders from the coastal state for questioning in a money-laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy on March 28, official sources said on Wednesday. The AAP leaders have been asked to depose at the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) office in Goa's Panjim on Thursday, the sources said. Palekar, who was the AAP's chief ministerial face during the February 2022 Goa Assembly polls, had recently said there was no evidence to prove that any illicit money was sent to the state, asserting that he and his party colleagues were ready to face any inquiry.

7:44 PM

Lok Sabha polls: BJP fields Navneet Rana from Amravati seat in Maharashtra

The BJP on Wednesday fielded independent Lok Sabha member Navneet Rana as its candidate from the Amravati parliamentary seat in Maharashtra. Rana had defeated Shiv Sena candidate and former Union minister Anandrao Adsul from Amravati in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Former Karnataka deputy chief minister Govind Karjol has been fielded from the Chitradurga Lok Sabha seat, the BJP said here. BJP leader A Narayanaswamy had won the Chitradurga parliamentary seat in the 2019 general election.

6:31 PM

ED files money-laundering case against Kerala CM's daughter Veena Vijayan, her IT firm

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a money-laundering case to probe charges that a Kochi-based private firm made illegal payments to an IT company owned by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter Veena Vijayan and some others, official sources said on Wednesday. The federal agency has registered the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and is expected to summon the alleged beneficiaries of these funds and others involved, the sources said.

5:59 PM

Delhi govt will not be run from jail, says Lt Governor VK Saxena; takes a dig at AAP dispensation

The Delhi government will not be run from jail, Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena said on Wednesday in the backdrop of statements by AAP leaders that Arvind Kejriwal will continue as chief minister even if he is behind bars. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 in the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case and subsequently remanded in the agency's custody till March 28 by a court here. AAP leaders on several occasions ruled out Kejriwal's resignation, insisting that he will run his government from inside the jail.

5:39 PM

LS polls: AAP leaders Jalandhar MP Sushil Kumar Rinku, MLA Sheetal Angural join BJP

In a setback to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, its Member of Parliament from Jalandhar, Sushil Kumar Rinku and Jalandhar West MLA Sheetal Angural joined the BJP on Wednesday. Welcoming the two legislators to the BJP, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the BJP is the largest political party in the world and people from different walks of life are joining it.

5:01 PM

Ukraine foreign minister to arrive in India tomorrow on two-day official visit

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, will reach New Delhi on 28 March 2024 for a two-day official visit at the invitation of the External Affairs Minister, MEA stated on Wednesday.

4:46 PM

Rameshwaram Cafe blast: NIA conducts raids in Bengaluru and Shivamogga

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) today raided various places, including Bengaluru and Shivamogga. According to media reports,  the ongoing raids are in connection with the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast in Bengaluru’s Rameshwaram Cafe on March 1.

 

4:24 PM

News update: ECI issues notice to Ghosh, Shrinate over 'undignified' remarks

The poll body has issued show cause notices to BJP MP Dilip Ghosh and Congress leader Supriya Shrinate for their remarks against West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and BJP's Lok Sabha candidate Kangana Ranaut respectively.

4:21 PM

Working to ensure money looted from poor in Bengal, attached by ED returned to them: PM Modi

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated today that he is working to ensure that nearly Rs 3,000 crore "looted" from poor people in West Bengal and attached by the Enforcement Directorate is returned to them. PM Modi made this claim in a telephonic conversation with Amrita Roy, a member of erstwhile royalty and BJP candidate against TMC's Mahua Moitra in Krishnanagar Lok Sabha constituency.

3:10 PM

ED registers case against Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter

Probe agency Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a money laundering case against Kerala CM's daughter Veena, IT firm owned by her, others in 'illegal' payments case.

2:52 PM

Blast in J-K's Poonch: Two suspects detained for questioning

Two suspects were detained in connection with a blast in the vicinity of a hospital in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district. We have received information of a suspected small intensity explosion-like sound from an area near Poonch hospital. Necessary investigation into the matter has been set into motion to ascertain the exact nature of the blast, a police spokesman said.

2:46 PM

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's health has deteriorated in ED custody: Report

The blood sugar level of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is diabetic, is wavering and his health has deteriorated in Enforcement Directorate custody, AAP sources claimed on Wednesday. Arvind Kejriwal's blood sugar level dropped to 46 Mg at one point of time and according to doctors, such a drop is "very dangerous", they claimed. Earlier in the day, the chief minister's wife Sunita Kejriwal said in a digital briefing that she had met him in ED custody and his sugar level was fluctuating.

2:23 PM

Enforcement Directorate searches residence of Firozepur Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Dhiman

2:20 PM

Delhi High Court to pass order on CM' Kejriwal's petition at 4:30pm

The Delhi high court is likely to pass an order on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s petition seeking immediate release in the Delhi liquor excise policy case around 4:30 pm. “Since I have not heard the other side, I am not reserving judgment. I will pass orders. Around 4:30/4:45pm, I will upload the order,” the judge said.

2:07 PM

Government holds meeting with US diplomat over US comments on CM Kejriwal's arrest

The government today held a 40-minute meeting United States' Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, who was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs' office in Delhi's South Block. This comes a day after the US State Department spokesperson said, "We encourage a fair, transparent, and timely legal process for Chief Minister Kejriwal."

1:42 PM

We object to remarks on legal proceedings in India; could otherwise set unhealthy precedents: MEA

"We take strong objection to the remarks of the Spokesperson of the US State Department about certain legal proceedings in India. In diplomacy, states are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others. This responsibility is even more so in case of fellow democracies. It could otherwise end up setting unhealthy precedents. India’s legal processes are based on an independent judiciary which is committed to objective and timely outcomes. Casting aspersions on that is unwarranted," the Ministry of External Affairs said today.

1:38 PM

Filing of nominations in the second phase of Lok Sabha polls to begin tomorrow: ECI

1:33 PM

News update: ED summons TMC leader Mahua Moitra for questioning

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra to appear for questioning in connection with an alleged violation of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999, news agency PTI reported today. Businessman Darshan Hiranandani has also been summoned tomorrow.

1:31 PM

Top US diplomat summoned by central government over comments on CM Kejriwal's arrest

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) today summoned the acting Deputy Chief of Mission of US Embassy in New Delhi a day after Washington's remarks over Arvind Kejriwal's arrest.

The development comes after the US State Department said it is monitoring reports of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest - and called on New Delhi to ensure "a fair, transparent, and timely legal process" for the jailed Aam Aadmi Party chief.

12:33 PM

Delhi BJP chief files complaint against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

"I have registered my complaint against the letters of Arvind Kejriwal. The country is governed by the Constitution and the Rule of Law, and there are certain things that everybody needs to follow. The letters issued by him should be investigated," said Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva over Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal issuing directions while in ED custody.

12:25 PM

News update: Delhi Assembly adjourned till April 1 after AAP MLAs raise slogans

Delhi Assembly adjourned till April 1 after AAP legislators raised slogans in the House against the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

12:20 PM

Arvind will reveal the truth in court on March 28: Sunita Kejriwal

He will reveal where the money of the liquor scam is, Sunita Kejriwal stated today.

12:15 PM

ED has not found any money linked to this so-called scam; they have found nothing: Sunita Kejriwal

12:13 PM

CM Arvind Kejriwal's counsel seeks his release today

Arvind Kejriwal's lawyer asks for the Delhi Chief Minister to be released today on interim bail. "Both arrest and remand are wrong," he argued. The Judge said that he needs to hear the other side too but assured Kejriwal's lawyer that the question of release will be taken up today. 

11:58 AM

Delhi Assembly adjourned amid protest by AAP MLAs against CM, Convenor Kejriwal's arrest

Proceedings of the Delhi Assembly were adjourned for 15 minutes shortly after the House convened on Tuesday as AAP MLAs protested against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest in a money laundering case.

 

Before the commencement of the session, the AAP MLAs staged a protest outside the assembly and raised slogans demanding Kejriwal's immediate release.

11:31 AM

ED raids multiple locations in Delhi and Punjab including residence of AAP leader Deepak Singla

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) today raided several locations in Punjab including the residence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Deepak Singla in Delhi and state's excise commissioner Varun Roojam in Chandigarh. While it is unclear if the raids are linked to the ongoing Delhi Excise Policy case, news agency PTI has reported that the probe agency is conducting raids as part of guava orchards compensation 'scam'-linked money laundering case.

11:26 AM

Delhi liquor policy case: ED conducts raid at 20 locations in Chandigarh

Probe agency Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids on Wednesday at 20 locations in Chandigarh, including the residence of the Punjab Excise Commissioner, in connection to the Delhi liquor policy case.

 

11:03 AM

ED's request for time in excise case a delay tactic: Kejriwal's counsel

ED's request for time to file reply to Kejriwal's challenge to arrest in excise case a delay tactic, says CM Kejriwal's advocate Singhvi in Delhi High Court.