‘Injured Flydubai pilot stable’: Indian Mission in Saudi Arabia

New Delhi, April 6 (IANS) The Delhi High Court on Monday issued notice on a recusal application filed by AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, who appeared in person and sought that the matter relating to the alleged excise policy case be heard by a Bench other than that of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma.

The development came during the hearing of a plea filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) challenging a trial court order discharging Kejriwal, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and other accused in the corruption case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021–22.

At the outset, Kejriwal submitted before the Delhi High Court that he had filed an application seeking the recusal of Justice Sharma and requested that it be taken on record.

Appearing in person, the former Delhi Chief Minister said he wished to avail his legal right to argue the matter himself.

Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, strongly objected to the recusal plea, terming the allegations “baseless” and “contemptuous”.

“Some people in this country make a career out of making allegations. This is for the first time that this respondent has made baseless allegations against this august institution. It’s not only frivolous and vexatious, but it’s contemptuous also,” SG Mehta submitted.

The Centre’s second-highest law officer added that while the probe agency had no objection to Kejriwal appearing and arguing in person, he could not adopt a “hybrid” approach. “If Mr Kejriwal wants to appear personally, he will have to continue to appear personally. He cannot come once in the court for pure theatrics and thereafter let his lawyer argue. This forum is not for theatrics,” SG Mehta argued.

He also highlighted that, except for a few respondents, most respondents — including Kejriwal — had failed to file their replies despite earlier directions of the Delhi High Court, and cautioned that if the recusal pleas were ultimately rejected, it should invite contempt proceedings.

In response, Kejriwal contended that, as per procedure, a petitioner appearing in person cannot directly file an application without orders of the Delhi High Court, and therefore sought that his plea be formally taken on record. Kejriwal reiterated that he intended to argue the matter himself.

Taking note of the submissions, Justice Sharma said it would issue notice on the application and directed that replies be filed. The judge also observed that if any other party wished to move a similar application seeking recusal, the same could be filed so that all such pleas could be decided together.

The Delhi High Court further directed that written submissions be placed on record and listed the matter for further hearing on April 13 at 2:30 p.m.

The Delhi High Court is presently seized of multiple connected matters arising out of the trial court’s February 27 order, which had discharged all accused, holding that the material on record did not disclose a larger conspiracy in the formulation of the now-scrapped excise policy.

The CBI has challenged the discharge order, terming it “perverse”, while the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sought expunction of adverse observations made against it by the trial court.

Separately, Kejriwal has already approached the Supreme Court challenging the decision of the Delhi High Court Chief Justice to reject his request for transfer of the CBI’s plea from the Bench of Justice Sharma.

In his writ petition before the apex court, Kejriwal assailed the communication issued by the Registrar General of the Delhi High Court conveying that Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya — the master of the roster — had declined to reassign the matter on the ground that it had been allocated as per the roster.

The petition contended that the refusal to transfer the case gives rise to a “grave, bona fide and reasonable apprehension” regarding the fairness and impartiality of the proceedings.

Kejriwal has also referred to earlier instances where bail was denied to certain accused by Justice Sharma but later granted by the Supreme Court.

He has additionally filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) challenging certain observations made by the Delhi High Court while hearing the CBI’s revision plea.

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 14 (IANS) Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth on Tuesday reviewed the functioning of the Canteen Services Department (CSD) during the 80th meeting of the Board of Control Canteen Services (BOCCS) in Ranchi, an official said.

The meeting deliberated on key operational and administrative issues aimed at further improving the efficiency of the Canteen Services while enhancing the quality of services extended to serving personnel, ex-servicemen and their dependents, the official said in a statement.

Seth said that the ongoing transformation of CSD is the result of continuous reforms and a beneficiary-centric approach focused on meeting the evolving aspirations of the Defence Forces community.

In line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, ‘Sehkar se Samriddhi’ and ‘Vocal for Local’, CSD is consistently promoting indigenous products through its supply network, he said.

The meeting also discussed issues related to enhancement of budgetary support for CSD, modernisation of depots, extension of Central and State Government subsidies on electric two-wheelers purchased through CSD, induction of products manufactured by various cooperative institutions into the supply chain, and various human resource-related matters.

Senior officials of the Ministry of Defence, Defence Services and CSD attended the meeting, said the state.

Seth noted that the products manufactured by Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited, Khadi and Village Industries Commission, National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited, National Cooperative Organics Limited, and other cooperative organisations are being inducted into the CSD product portfolio in a phased manner.

This initiative, he said, will provide greater market access and encourage artisans, tribal communities, farmers, and cooperative institutions, while promoting indigenous manufacturing and inclusive economic growth.

As part of his visit, the minister also visited CSD Depot Ramgarh, one of the five pilot depots identified for modernisation.

He reviewed the existing infrastructure and ongoing efforts to transform the depot into a modern warehousing and logistics facility capable of meeting the growing operational requirements of the CSD.

The initiative is expected to serve as a model for the phased upgradation of CSD depots across the country, said the statement.

–IANS

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Srinagar, June 4 (IANS) J&K Peoples Conference President and MLA Handwara Sajad Gani Lone on Wednesday lashed out at National Conference and its current administration, accusing them of targeting Kashmiris and running a system steeped in “lies, inaction, and brazen corruption.”

Addressing a press conference, Lone said the National Conference has no power to impact anyone except the common Kashmiri.

“They are going after the very people who voted for them. And those who didn’t, they are being treated with callousness. This is exactly what we expected from them,” Lone remarked.

He went on to cite alleged rampant corruption and inefficiency in the current setup.

“We will begin collecting evidence. They have done no work to date—just lie after lie. Where is the government? What have they delivered to the people?” he questioned.

Taking a swipe at the frequent official review meetings, he said, “They’ve been holding these meetings for aeons here—only to sip tea and eat Kebabs. In our time, too, these review meetings meant nothing. Do you think Germany, Japan, the UK or the US became first-world nations through review meetings? It takes hard work, day and night, to build a nation.”

He also raised concerns about the over-centralisation of power in the Chief Minister’s office.

“The CM is handling 28 to 30 departments alone. Is he even human? If ministers can’t be appointed out of fear or indecision, what is the point of being in power?”

He criticised the system still being run by commissioner-secretaries as it was decades ago, asking, “Why did people even vote if nothing was meant to change and ministers were only meant to stay busy with transfers?”

Lone also expressed concern over the ongoing termination of government employees, calling it a damaging and repetitive tactic.

“This has been happening for 30 years under every regime. It creates unrest. Targeting Kashmiris must stop. Until Kashmiris are at peace, peace in South Asia will remain a distant dream.”

Highlighting the economic downturn, he said, “Economic activity in Kashmir has come to a halt. There’s a dire need to rebuild market confidence and revive the economy.”

–IANS

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