FREE PRESS The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms VOL. 13 NO. 286 | BHOPAL | FRIDAY | MARCH 29, 2024 | PAGES 16 `3 - EDITIONS: INDORE, BHOPAL, UJJAIN, MUMBAI, PUNE NO RELIEF FOR AK, IN ED CUSTODY TILL APRIL 1 RUSSELL BACKS KKR HEAD COACH SPORTS CHANDU PANDIT A court here Thursday extended the Enforcement Directorate custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal till April 1 in the excise policy case. The agency sought sevenday custody of the AAP chief, but the court said he has to be produced before it on April 1 at 11 am. The ED had produced him before Rouse Avenue court Special Judge Kaveri Baweja as his current sixday custody was ending on Thursday . The ED said in its fresh remand plea that during Kejriwal's custodial interrogation, his statements were recorded over five days but he was "giving evasive replies". It said statements of three other persons relevant to the case have also been recorded during the remand period. It said that during the ED custody, Kejriwal was confronted with C Arvind, the then personal secretary to deputy CM Manish Sisodia who was handed over the draft Group of Ministers (GoM) report for the 2021-22 excise policy at the residence of the chief minister. It said the statement of one of the AAP candidates in the 2022 Goa elections EDIT GOVT CAN’T BE RUN FROM JAIL CM NOT ABOVE LAW: ED NEW DELHI Arvind Kejriwal leaves from the Rouse Avenue Court in the excise policy-linked money laundering case, in New Delhi on Thursday. ‘ED wants to crush AAP’ Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Thursday said CM Arvind Kejriwal, during his remand hearing in a city court, sought to know whether just four statements against him in connection with the alleged excise policy scam were enough for his arrest. Kejriwal also said in the court that the objective of the ED probe into the alleged liquor scam was to "crush AAP and prove it was corrupt", said Bharadwaj who was present in the court. was also recorded during Kejriwal's ED custody. It revealed that the candidate Court refuses to remove Kejri as CM Delhi High Court on Thursday rejected a PIL seeking the removal of AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal from the post of Delhi CM following his arrest in the excise policylinked money laundering case. A bench headed by scting CJ Manmohan said the petitioner did not show any legal provision prohibiting the AAP leader from running the government post arrest to warrant any judicial interference. did not have any money and his election expenditure was "taken care of by r Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2021-2023; The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday said a chief minister was not above law even as Arvind Kejriwal questioned the rationale behind his arrest in the liquor policy case. Delhi CM, on being allowed to put forth his assertions in the Rouse Avenue court, questioned the ED's action and also the reason behind his arrest. ‘Not keeping well, being harassed’ Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal on Thursday claimed he is not keeping well and is being "harassed a lot". Sunita Kejriwal, who had come for her husband's court hearing, told reporters, "He has not been keeping well. His sugar levels are fluctuating. He is being harassed a lot. This tyranny won't last and people will give a reply." ED arrested Kejriwal in a money laundering case. the AAP Office Delhi only through their associates". CONTD. ON P8 WEATHER FP India rejects US remark on Kejri arrest, Germany tones down NEW DELHI India on Thursday said the US State Department's recent remarks on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is 'unwarranted' and asserted the country is "proud of its independent and robust democratic institutions" and committed to protect them from any form of undue external influences. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "Yesterday India lodged its strong objection and protest with the senior official from the US embassy with regard to the comments made by the US State Department," he said. The recent remarks by the State Department are "unwarranted," the MEA spokesperson said. Meanwhile, Germany has changed its tone after India summoned a senior German diplomat over their government's remarks on Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest. A German foreign office spokesperson exuded confidence in the Indian Constitution on Wednesday days , after his government said they expected Kejriwal to get an impartial trial. "The Indian constitution and I can say this from my own perspective as I was posted in India myself guarantees fundamental human values and freedoms. We share these democratic values with India as an important partner in Asia," official said. CINEMA OPEN LETTER TO CJI BY 600 LAWYERS To browbeat, bully others is vintage Cong culture: PM THE LETTER NEW DELHI Reacting to an open letter to the Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, which was signed by over 600 advocates on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that to "browbeat and bully others is the vintage culture of the Congress". The country's top advocates, including Harish Salve, Pinky Anand, Manan Kumar Mishra, Chetan Mittal, Hitesh Jain, and many others, sent an open letter to the CJI on Thursday morning, expressing their concern over the attempts made by vested interest groups trying to put pressure on the judiciary, influence the judicial process, and defame the courts, particularly in the politically sensitive cases. Throwing his weight behind the hundreds of lawyers protesting against such vested interests, PM Modi pointed out how the Congress wanted a 'committed judiciary' five decades ago but is now resorting to 'bullying tactics' for selfish interests. Taking to X, PM Modi wrote, "5 decades ago itself they had called for a 'committed judiciary' - they shamelessly want commitment from others for their selfish interests but desist from any com- Height of hypocrisy: Congress The Congress on Thursday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his criticism of the party over a lawyers' letter to the chief justice of India against a "vested interest group", saying the PM's brazenness in orchestrating an attack on the judiciary, in the name of defending it, is the "height of hypocrisy". mitment towards the nation." "No wonder 140 crore Indians are rejecting them," PM Modi added, in a veiled dig at the grand old party's flagging fortunes as the latter gets overpowered by its allies in the seat-sharing talks for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. The open letter, dated March 26, said, "Their pressure tactics are most obvious in the political cases, particularly those involving political figures accused of corruption." CONTD. ON P8 MTMC, security Marko, poorest among crorepati candidates agency, priests to face music MAHAKAL BLAZE: REPORT SUBMITTED THE BJP AND THE CONGRESS have fielded many crorepatis in first phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 19. Congress candidate from Shahdol Phundelal Singh Marko is the poorest among crorepatis. Another Congress candidate Nakul Nath from Chhindwara, is the wealthiest. Sidhi, Balaghat, Jabalpur, Chhindwara, Shahdol, and Mandla will vote in first phase Mukhtar Ansari dies of heart attack LUCKNOW: Jailed gangster and mafia turned politician Mukhtar Ansari, who suffered a heart-attack earlier in the day at the Banda jail and was taken to Banda Medical College hospital, was declared dead by the hospital. Earlier, his lawyer Naseem Haider, sitting outside the hospital, said,"I received information that he has been brought here, so I have come here." Security has been tightened in Mau, Ghazipur and Banda districts after news of Ansari's death. Ansari and his brother Afzaal Ansari had earlier claimed that Mukhtar was being posined in the jail. Mukhtar Ansari had written in the letter that the food given to him on March 19 was mixed with some poisonous substance. CONTD. ON P8 MTMC admin Sandeep Soni replaced by Mrinal Meena, CEO dist panchayat FP NEWS SERVICE Ujjain The three-member magisterial probe panel has blamed Mahakaleshwar Temple Management Committee (MTMC)'s administration, private security agency Krystal Integrated Services Ltd and unauthorised persons for the fire incident in garbhgriha (sanctum-sanctorum) of the Mahakaleshwar Temple during bhasmaarti on Dulhendi on March 25. Fourteen people had sustained burn injuries in the incident. A few heads are likely to roll in MTMC. Besides, private security agency personnel and a few panda purohits too are likely to face music. The panel, comprising Zila Panchayat CEO Mrinal Meena (IAS) and ADM Anukool Jain, submitted interim report to collector-cum-chairman of MTMC on Thursday evening. CONTD. ON P8 ACTION TO BE TAKEN AT THREE LEVELS According to sources, action against the guilty would be taken at the level of collector, MTC and the state government. State government is likely to take action on senior administrative officials. Likewise, employees of the private security company may also be axed. The panda and purohits who use to give access to unauthorised persons may also face music. "Primarily stringent action will be taken at the administrative level and police action will be initiated after completion of full inquiry into the case," sources said. RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY COMMITTEE w Modern fire alarm and fire fighting system in temple w Comprehensive security arrangements w Developing systematic pass system w Moving bhasmaarti darshan to be strengthened w Complete ban on carrying harmful materials inside temple including mobile phones w Emergency route in the temple w Only symbolic Holi in the temple on Rang Panchami. NAKUL NATH, the Congress candidate from Chhindwara, boasts a staggering net worth of Rs 698 crore, comprising movable assets worth Rs 650 crore and immovable assets worth Rs 48 crore. Following closely behind is VIVEK BUNTY SAHU, the BJP candidate from Chhindwara, with a total net worth of Rs 379,972,473, including movable assets worth Rs 52,231,218 and immovable assets worth Rs 327,741,255. ASHISH DUBEY, the BJP candidate from Jabalpur, secures the third position with a net worth of Rs 351,856,860, encompassing movable assets worth Rs 15,412,532 and immovable assets worth Rs 336,444,328. KAMLESHWAR PATEL, the Congress candidate from Sidhi, commands a total wealth of Rs 153,516,403, comprising movable assets worth Rs 73,171,920 and immovable assets worth Rs 80,344,483. RAJESH MISHRA, the BJP candidate from Sidhi, follows suit with a net worth of Rs 144,008,066, including movable assets worth Rs 27,008,066 and immovable assets worth Rs 117,000,000. FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE, the BJP candidate from Mandla, has a net worth of Rs 53,646,381, including movable assets worth Rs 25,819,125 and immovable assets worth Rs 27,827,256. BHARTI PARDHI, the BJP candidate from Balaghat, holds a net worth of Rs 59,018,167, with movable assets worth Rs 7,088,167 and immovable assets worth Rs 51,930,000. OMKAR SINGH MARKAM, the Congress candidate from Mandla, rounds up the list with a net worth of Rs 20,280,750, comprising movable assets worth Rs 12,980,750 and immovable assets worth Rs 7,300,000. SAMRAT SINGH SARASWAR, the Congress candidate from Balaghat, boasts a total asset value of Rs 122,120,064, with movable assets worth Rs 81,526,372 and immovable assets worth Rs 40,593,692. DINESH YADAV, the Congress candidate from Jabalpur, possesses a total net worth of Rs 58,507,374, comprising movable assets worth Rs 16,657,374 and immovable assets worth Rs 41,850,000. HIMADRI SINGH, the BJP candidate from Shahdol, holds assets worth Rs 49,380,267, with movable assets worth Rs 16,880,267 and immovable assets worth Rs 32,500,000. PHUNDELAL SINGH MARKO, the INC candidate from Shahdol, emerges as the poorest crorepati contender with a net worth of Rs 19,01,5772, including a movable asset of Rs 13,16,9032 and an immovable asset of Rs 5,84,6740. Taking a cue from universities in Taiwan, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV) is going to set up a Microelectronics Research Centre for semiconductor and chip design on the premises of Institute of Engineering and Technology . "It's is going to be a stateof-art centre," vice-chan- DOZEN CITIES record above 40 deg/cel; OUR STAFF REPORTER City.bhopal@fpj.co.in The capital city breached the 40 degrees Celsius mark on Thursday, touching 40.5 degree Celsius. It was among the 12 cities that recorded tempera- tures above 40 degrees. While Damoh recorded 42.5 degrees Celsius day temperature, in Bhopal, VARSITY TO HELP IN GETTING JOBS IN TAIWAN ‘ DAVV delegation in Taiwan for inking MoUs cellor Prof Renu Jain told reporters on Thursday . A five-member delegation led by VC and com- More than 600 lawyers, including senior advocate Harish Salve and Bar Council chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra, have written to the Chief Justice of India, alleging that a "vested interest group" is trying to put pressure on the judiciary and defame courts, especially in cases of corruption involving politicians."These tactics are damaging to our courts and threaten our democratic fabric," the lawyers drawn from across the country said in the latter dated March 26. CJI Chandrachud's leadership is crucial in these "tough times" and the apex court should stand strong, they said, adding it is not the time to maintain dignified silence. The letter, shared by official sources, targeted a section of lawyers without naming them and alleged that they defend politicians by day and then try to influence judges through the media at night. This interest group creates false narratives of a supposed better past and golden period of courts, contrasting it with the happenings in the present, the letter said. 'Hero No. 1' Govinda joins Shinde-led Shiv Sena MUMBAI: Bollywood actor Govinda, a mass entertainer of the 1990s who is known for his excellent comic timing and epic dance steps, on Thursday joined the ruling Shiv Sena in Mumbai, making a comeback in politics after a 14-year hiatus. The former Congress Lok Sabha MP joined the Shiv Sena in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at the time of election season. Govinda, who gave multiple superhit films in his decades-long career, made a blockbuster entry in electoral politics in 2004. CONTD. ON P8 Bhopal simmers at 40.5, India, China talk to Damoh records 42.5 resolve LAC issues A Ujjain, Narmadapura and Shahdol divisions, the temperature were much above normal. Bhopal recorded 40.5 degrees Celsius, a rise of 1.7 degrees Celsius and recorded a minimum of 23.8 degrees Celsius. Day as well as night temperatures were almost 4 degrees Celsius above normal in Bhopal. CONTD. ON P8 With Taiwan help DAVV to set up centre for semiconductor & chip design OUR STAFF REPORTER Indore QUALITY AT VALUE www.freepressjournal.in FIRST COME FIRST SERVE 38.80c. 22.20c Sunrise : 06.22 Sunset : 06.41 r RNI No. mpeng/2010/35815 The VC stated that the university would join "Taiwan-India Talent Connect" scheme of Indian government and ensure that students under the wings of DAVV get jobs in the country in East Asia. In collaboration with universities in Taiwan, DAVV is going to have student and faculty exchange programmes, seminars etc. The university is also going to launch a certificate course on the main languages spoken in Taiwan to enhance employability of its students in the East Asia country. prising DCDC Rajiv Dixit, IET director Sanjiv Tokekar, Dr Maya Ingle, and Dr Vaibhav Neema has lately returned from a weeklong tour of Taiwan. "We will take help from universities in Taiwan and carry out joint research at this centre," Jain said. The university signed MoUs with five leading universities in Taiwan mostly focusing on knowledge exchange on semiconductors, artificial intelligence and biomechatronics. The delegation also visited the famous Hsinchu Science Park in Taiwan. CONTD. ON P8 NEW DELHI Amid a lingering border row in eastern Ladakh, top diplomats of India and China held a fresh round of talks and both sides agreed to "maintain regular contact" through diplomatic and military channels, with no indication of any breakthrough. Both sides had an indepth exchange of views on how to achieve "complete disengagement" and resolve the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control during the 29th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC), the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday . The key meeting was held in Beijing on March 27, it said in a statement. Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the MEA led the Indian delegation. The Chinese delegation was headed by Director Gener- AFSPA extended for 6 month NEW DELHI: The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, under which an area is declared as "disturbed" for the convenience of security forces, has been extended in three districts of Arunachal Pradesh, eight districts of Nagaland and some other areas for six more months after a review of the law and order situation in these two northeastern states. al of the Boundary and Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the statement said. "In the interim, both sides agreed to maintain regular contact through diplomatic and military channels and on the need to uphold peace and tranquillity on the ground in the border areas in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and protocols," it said. CONTD. ON P8