Supreme Court Rejects Manish Sisodia's Curative Petition Seeking Bail

The Supreme Court has rejected Manish Sisodia's curative petition challenging the top court decision rejecting his bail plea in liquor policy irregularities.

A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, with justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai and SVN Bhatti dismissed the curative petition filed by Manish Sisodia.

"We have gone through the Curative Petitions and the connected documents. In our opinion, no case is made out within the parameters indicated in the decision of this Court in Rupa Ashok Hurra vs Ashok Hurra," the top court said in its March 13 order.

"The Curative Petitions are dismissed," the top court said.

Earlier on December 13, the top court rejected former Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Siodia's review petition against top court order denying him bail in the excise policy irregularities case.

On October 30 2023 the top court dismissed Manish Sisodia's bail plea.

The court had earlier noted that the existing excise policy was changed to facilitate and get kickbacks and bribes from the wholesale distributors by enhancing their commission/fee from 5 percent under the old policy to 12 percent under the new policy. Accordingly, a conspiracy was hatched to carefully draft the new policy, deviating from the expert opinion/views to create an eco-system to ensure unjust enrichment of the wholesale distributors at the expense of

government exchequer or the consumer. The illegal income (proceeds of crime, as per the DoE) would partly be recycled and returned in the form of bribes, it noted.

The probe agency has alleged that Vijay Nair, who was the middleman, a go-between, a member of AAP, and a co-confident of the appellant - Manish Sisodia, had interacted with Butchi Babu, Arun Pillai, Abhishek Boinpally and Sarath Reddy, to frame the excise policy on conditions and terms put forth and to the satisfaction and desire of the liquor group.

The policy favoured and promoted cartelisation and large wholesale distributors with high market share because of extraneous reasons and kickbacks, were ensured to earn exorbitant profits, CBI alleged, which was noted by the court.

The top court had earlier also noted the CBI's submission that the excess amount of 7 percent commission/fee earned by the wholesale distributors of Rs. 338,00,00,000 (rupees three hundred thirty-eight crores only) constitute an offence as defined under Section 7 of the PoC Act, relating to a public servant being bribed. (As per the DoE, these are proceeds of crime). This amount was earned by the wholesale distributors in a span of ten months.

On July 3, 2023, the Delhi High Court denied him bail in both matters being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate.

In February 2023, Manish Sisodia was arrested by the CBI for alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of now-scrapped Delhi's new excise policy. The policy was withdrawn amid allegations of foul play by the opposition. Manish Sisodia is currently in judicial custody.

According to the CBI, Manish Sisodia had played the most important and vital role in the criminal conspiracy and he had been deeply involved in the formulation as well as the implementation of the said policy to ensure the achievement of the objectives of the said conspiracy.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Pregnant US Teacher Collapses In Class And Dies Weeks Before Baby Was Due

Tragedy struck a rural New York school community.  Pregnant teacher Courtney Fannon, 29, died
unexpectedly just weeks before welcoming her first child. Mrs Fannon, a beloved special education teacher at Kendal Central School, was found unresponsive in her classroom, shortly after sending her husband a quick text on Friday, USA Today reported. 

Mrs Fannon proceeded through that day much like any other after the final bell at Kendall Central School, collecting her thoughts and belongings before departing for home. Shortly after she sent a message to her husband, she was found unconscious in her classroom, as reported by Matthew Smith, a dear friend of the couple, on GoFundMe.

Mrs Fannon, expecting her first daughter, Hadley Jaye, was taken to a nearby hospital, where life-saving efforts began for both mother and daughter. Tragically, they died later that evening.

“The world lost 2 beautiful souls, Courtney Fannon and Hadley Jaye Fannon, long before we were ready to live in a world without them. They were called to eternal rest the night of March 8th, after a very tragic and unexpected turn of events,” according to the GoFundMe post. 

The GoFundMe campaign has garnered approximately $47,623 as of Wednesday. These funds will be allocated to cover various final expenses, such as medical bills, and funeral service costs, and to provide short-term financial support for Mrs Fannon's husband, Kurtis.

The media outlet reported that Mrs Fannon had taught special education in the district since 2018. 

“Courtney was a special education teacher who served her students with passion and joy each day,” Schools Superintendent Nicholas Picardo said in a message, USA Today reported.

“When she wasn't in her classroom sharing her love and gift for teaching with her students, she could be found walking our halls with a smile and a friendly hello,” he added.

Mr Smith in his lengthy post on GoFundMe wrote that Mr Kurtis is living the “worst nightmare of having to return to a home, filled with baby toys, bottles, furniture and a finished nursery, that will no longer be filled with the cooing sounds and shuffling of a newborn.”

Mrs Fannon was due to give birth “in just 4 short weeks,” he wrote.

“For those who did not have the wonderful opportunity to meet or get to know Courtney, there is an endless amount of positive and good things that can only be said about her,” Smith continued.

“She was loving, genuine and organized in a way that always placed her students ahead of herself, ultimately changing the lives of her students and caregivers, always for the positive,” he wrote.

Smith also addressed the unborn girl in his tribute.

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Caught On Camera: 22 Lions Unleash Hunting Fury On Herd Of Impala

A Zimbabwean family on vacation witnessed a fierce lion hunt targeting a herd of impala at Matusadona National Park. The intense encounter, captured on video by Simeone Lategan, has been uploaded to Latest Sightings' YouTube channel, offering a rare glimpse into the power and precision of lion hunting tactics.

The video showcases the ensuing chaos as the startled impalas attempt to escape the approaching predators. Despite their agility, the lions manage to successfully take down one unlucky antelope.

 

While celebrating her father's 70th birthday on a houseboat on Lake Kariba, Mr Lategan documented the 22 lions dividing their forces to flank a large herd of impalas.

Describing the event, Mr Simeone recounted, "During our boat safari, we witnessed buffaloes and elephants, which was truly awe-inspiring. However, as we were returning to the main boat, we observed movement and activity on Fothergill Island, approximately 500 meters away. Initially resembling lions from a distance, it became clear as we approached: there were 22 lions in the midst of hunting down impalas".

"The lions were all split up, with half surrounding the herd while the others sat in ambush close to the water's edge; this resulted in chaos. The herd began scattering and running in all directions. Some of the impalas came within inches of being caught, while others managed to make a safe escape," he added.

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Crew Song Ghagra: Kareena Kapoor, Tabu And Kriti Sanon's Party Anthem

The new song from the film Crew is out and it's a fun-riot. In the song titled Ghagra, the three lead actors of the film Tabu, Kriti Sanon and Kareena Kapoor can be seen dancing their heart out at a pub. Dressed in their party best, the leading ladies put their party shoes on and let their hair down. The video also features glimpses of Diljit Dosanjh, Kapil Sharma and Rajesh Sharma. In one scene, Tabu can be seen dancing while Kapil Sharma showers money on her. The three ladies are handed out a handsome amount of money in another scene. Money seems to be a leitmotif in the song. After all, how can one party without money?

The film song Ghagra is a new rendition of Ila Arun's Ghagra. Bharg has composed the music and words are by Juno and Srushti Tawade. Romy and Srushti Tawade have sung the song. Sharing the song Kareena Kapoor wrote, "Grab your #Ghagra, and get groovin' with your #Crew!Song out now #CrewInCinemasOnMarch29." Take a look:

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Before the release of the song, Kareena teased fans with a glimpse of the song. "Money makes the world go round, and so does our #Crew Stay tuned for #Ghagra. Song out today," she wrote in the caption. Take a look:

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The song Naina from Crew was released a few days back. It has been composed by Raj Ranjodh and the lyrics are by Raj Ranjodh and Badshah. It has been sung by Diljit Dosanjh and Badshah. Sharing the song Kareena Kapoor wrote, "Get ready to turn up the heat and groove to the most sizzling track of the year! #NainaSong, out now #CrewInCinemasOnMarch29." Take a look:

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A post shared by Kareena Kapoor Khan (@kareenakapoorkhan)

Other than Kareena Kapoor, Tabu, Kriti Sanon, Crew also stars Diljit Dosanjh. Comedian-actor Kapil Sharma will also feature in the film in a cameo appearance. The film has been directed by Rajesh Krishnan and it is slated to release in theatres on March 29, this year.

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"I Am 83": Congress Chief On Senior Leaders 'Opting Out' Of Lok Sabha Polls

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday rejected suggestions that senior party leaders are shying away from contesting the Lok Sabha polls and said that if workers ask him to fight the elections he may do so.

He, however, indicated that he may not enter the poll fray this time with age being a factor.

Mr Kharge was elected as an MP from Karnataka's Gulbarga in 2009 and 2014 and had lost in 2019.

Asked about reports that senior leaders were opting out of contesting the Lok Sabha polls, Mr Kharge said, "It is wrong that we are backing out. I am 83 years old, you (journalists) retire at 65...So I am 83."

"If given a chance, everyone goes and tells our party workers (that I should fight)...if they say then I will definitely fight. Look, sometimes we are at the back, sometimes we are at the forefront. We also have a list of ten people asking for the same seat," he said.

On another question about the comparison between PN Narendra Modi's guarantees and those of the Congress, Mr Kharge said, "They stole our guarantee. We started in Karnataka, won the elections, later we did it in Telangana. ...Modi Saheb is stealing our guarantee and saying 'this is our guarantee'."

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Suryakumar To Miss First Two Games Of IPL 2024? Report Makes Big Claim

India's ace T20 batter Suryakumar Yadav is currently undergoing rehabilitation at Bengaluru's National Cricket Academy post an ankle surgery but it is still not clear whether he will be available for the first two games of the Mumbai Indians in the upcoming Indian Premier League. Mumbai Indians will start its campaign on Sunday, March 24, against last year's runners-up Gujarat Titans, and it is a race against time for the world No. 1 T20 batter, who is working hard at the NCA to get back to peak match fitness. "Surya's rehabilitation is on track and he will certainly 'Return to Play' in the IPL itself. However it is still not clear whether the NCA's Sports Science and Medical Team will give clearance to play in the first two away games against Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad (March 27)," a BCCI source told PTI on condition of anonymity.

If one goes by Surya's Instagram handle, he has been seen doing a lot of Strength and Conditioning (S&C) routines but he hasn't yet uploaded any of his batting videos, which will give a fair indication of how he is shaping up.

"There are still 12 days to go before MI play their first game but it could be a race against time to get fit by the first match itself," the source said.

Surya is the most vital player in India's T20 set-up with a strike-rate of 171-plus and 2,141 runs in 60 T20 games. He has four T20I hundreds to his credit.

Much of India's chances in the T20 World Cup in the Americas (USA and West Indies) will depend on how Surya plays. And even for MI to have a successful campaign, Surya's availability from the start is paramount.

Surya last played in South Africa, where he led the national team in the T20 format.

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Poll Body Asked By Supreme Court To Publish Electoral Bonds Data By Friday

The Election Commission is likely to make the electoral bonds data public on its website soon after the expected disclosure by the State Bank of India. The Supreme Court yesterday ordered the State Bank of India to submit the details of electoral bonds to the Election Commission by close of business hours today. The poll body was in turn asked by the court to make this data public on its website by Friday (March 15).

A five-judge constitution bench asked tough questions to the SBI, which unsuccessfully sought extension of time till June 30 to disclose the details of electoral bonds. The court asked senior advocate Harish Salve, who was representing the bank, about the steps taken by the SBI to comply with its landmark February 15 order that scrapped the scheme of anonymous political funding.

"Mr Salve, our judgement is dated February 15, 2024. We are now on the 11th of March. In the last 26 days, what extent of matching has been done by you? What steps have you taken in the last 26 days? The application is absolutely silent on that," Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said.

The top court had earlier directed the SBI, the authorised financial institution under the scheme, to submit the details of the electoral bonds purchased since April 12, 2019 till date to the Election Commission by March 6.

The SBI, however, filed an application before the court two days before the expiry of the deadline seeking an extension of time until June 30 for complying with the directions. In its application, the SBI had contended that the retrieval of information from "each silo" and the procedure of matching the information of one silo to that of the other would be a time-consuming exercise.

Mr Salve said if the matching exercise was to be done away with, the SBI could complete the exercise within three weeks.

"We had not told you to do the matching exercise. We have asked you for a plain disclosure," the Chief Justice said.

"Even your FAQs (frequently asked question), which were shown to us during the hearing, indicate that for every purchase, you have to have a separate KYC (know your customer)," the bench said, noting, "Therefore, it is very clear that every time somebody made a purchase, a KYC was mandated".

The Supreme Court also put the SBI on notice that it may be inclined to proceed against it for "wilful disobedience" of its February 15 verdict if the bank failed to comply with its directions and timelines.

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