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CBI gets 3-day custody of CM Kejriwal in liquor policy case

New Delhi, June 26, 2024
A court here on Wednesday sent Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to CBI custody for three days in connection with the corruption case linked to the alleged liquor policy scam case.

The order was passed by vacation judge Amitabh Rawat on the CBI’s application seeking five-day custody of the Aam Aadmi Party supremo for interrogation.

Earlier in the day, CM Kejriwal, when produced before the Rouse Avenue Court, was formally arrested by the CBI. Permission was granted to the CBI to produce CM Kejriwal in the special court on Wednesday after he was questioned by the agency in Tihar Jail.

During the hearing on CBI’s plea seeking his custody, Kejriwal said that he did not blame any of his party leaders, including former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, for alleged irregularities in the framing of the now-scrapped liquor policy.

Addressing the court, he alleged that the CBI sources were building a false narrative in the media to malign the image of the ruling party in the national capital and its leaders.

“I have never testified that Manish Sisodia is guilty. Manish Sisodia is innocent, AAP is innocent, I am innocent,” he said.

However, the CBI counsel stressed that custodial interrogation of CM Kejriwal was necessary as he shifted the entire onus onto former Deputy CM Sisodia, who handled the liquor portfolio at the relevant time.

Judge Rawat had then reserved his order on the CBI’s application.

In a related matter, Kejriwal withdrew his plea filed before the Supreme Court challenging the interim stay ordered by the Delhi High Court on his release on bail in the money laundering case linked to the same case.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the AAP supremo, submitted before a vacation bench of Justices Manoj Misra and SVN Bhatti that a fresh plea would be moved before the apex court in view of the latest decision of the Delhi High Court staying the trial court order granting bail to CM Kejriwal in the money laundering case.

In its final verdict pronounced on a plea filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Delhi High Court on Tuesday said that the trial court’s vacation bench did not apply its mind to the entire material and it ought to give equal opportunity to the ED to argue the bail application.(Agency)

International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking: Punjab Police destroys 83kg heroin and other drugs

Chandigarh, June 26, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)

Amidst the ongoing war against drug waged on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police, to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Wednesday, destroyed over 83 kg of heroin, 10,000 kg of poppy husk, 100 kg of ganja, 4.52 lakh pills/capsules at 10 different locations across the state.

Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav made a surprise visit at a drug disposal site— Punjab Chemical and Crop Protection Limited— in Dera Bassi, SAS Nagar to check the ongoing disposal of drug consignments belonging to districts including Kapurthala, SAS Nagar,

Fatehgarh Sahib, Roopnagar and all STF Ranges. The DGP was accompanied by Special DGP Special Task Force (STF) Kuldeep Singh, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Rupnagar Range Nilambari Jagdale and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) SAS Nagar Dr Sandeep Garg.

DGP Gaurav Yadav, while addressing the media, said that this huge quantity of drug consignments pertaining to 626 NDPS cases are being disposed of in a transparent manner by 33 Districts/Commissionerates and Units of Punjab at 10 different location in the state. He also took a stock of ongoing drug disposal/destruction of the remaining districts/units via Webex meeting.

Pertinently, Punjab Police has disposed of at least 2700 kg of heroin, 3450 kg of opium, 1.77 lakh kg Poppy Husk, 1.40 crore pills/tablets and 2 lakh injections since the formation of the CM Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government government. The last drug disposal was held on June 7, 2024 throughout the state of Punjab.

The DGP, while unequivocally giving message of “Say No to Drugs”, appealed the people to stay from any kind of drugs as addiction to narcotics could cost them their life. He also exhorted the people of the State to join Punjab Police in its fight against drugs and do share information if they found anyone smuggling or supplying drugs.

“Together, let us pledge to fight against drugs with unwavering resolve. Let us protect our youth, our families, and our future,” he said, while reiterating the commitment of the Punjab Police to make Punjab a drug-free state.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that following the directions of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police has adopted a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)— to eradicate drugs from the state.

Intensifying our strategy on controlling drug supply at Point of Sale at Mohalla and Village level, he said that, all the Police officers have categorically been asked to trace the forward and backward linkages of all the cases being registered under the NDPS act and take strict action against those found in collusion with the drug smugglers.

Meanwhile, following the strenuous efforts of the Punjab Police to root out drug menace from the state, Heroin recoveries have jumped 6.83 times (683%) since 2017.

ACTION AGAINST DRUGS SINCE MARCH 2022

Big Fish Held With 2kg and Above Heroin: 356

Properties Forfeited: 459 properties worth Rs 200 crores

Total Heroin Recovered: 2324 Kg

Total Opium Recovered: 2239Kg

Total Poppy Husk Recovered: 106 tonnes

Total Ganja Recovered: 2613Kg

Total tablets/capsules/injections/vials of Pharma opioids Recovered: 4.16 crores

⁠Drones recovered: 187

Congress pushed Jalandhar in a mess; looted crores meant for development and beautification: AAP

Jalandhar/Chandigarh, June 26, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab cornered the Congress candidate for Jalandhar west Surinder Kaur. The AAP said that being a deputy mayor Surinder Kaur did nothing for Jalandhar west or Jalandhar city. Most of the time her office remained locked and she could be complacent in Jalandhar smart city funds scam.

Addressing a press conference in Jalandhar on Wednesday, the AAP leader and cabinet minister Harjot Singh Bains asked five questions to the Congress candidate through the media. Harjot Bains said that Surinder Kaur was deputy mayor of Jalandhar for five years and an MC for about 20 years.

But the question is while being MC and Deputy Mayor what has she done for the Jalandhar west and its people. The AAP leader asked the Congress candidate why her office mostly stayed locked while she was deputy mayor. Why didn’t she go among the people, listen to their problems and address them?

The AAP Minister also questioned Surinder Kaur about the scam of Smart City funds. He said that she should tell the people whether she was involved in that scam or not, and if not then why she stayed silent on the scam of 760 crores. Today Jalandhar’s roads, streets and sewage are in a terrible condition, where did all the money go?

Bains said that the responsibility of the maintenance of roads, streets, street lights, sewage systems etc. falls on the local body of the city where Surinder Kaur completely failed the people. He said that she didn’t even go to her office, never conducted any meetings with the councillors to solve these issues. She owes people an explanation for this failure.

The AAP leader said that Surinder Kaur being a deputy mayor only gave one gift to Jalandhar west that is a huge mountain of waste in Varyana. Harjot Bains said that why didn’t she do anything about it.

He said that today in Varyana the conditions are even liveable, whose responsibility is that? He said that the area is also suffering from lack of drinkable water. So, how many water bodies or tubewells did she give to this constituency.

Aam Aadmi party’s Lok Sabha candidate Pawan Kumar Tinu was also present in this press conference. He said that this by-election was imposed on the people of Jalandhar west by an incompetent and corrupt leader. Congress candidate from Jalandhar West Surinder Kaur has been a councilor and senior deputy mayor for 20 years.

Can she tell the people any of her achievements for the development of Jalandhar West during her entire tenure as Senior Deputy Mayor?

AAP’s five questions to Surinder Kaur

Question 1. As a senior deputy mayor, why was your office shut and why were you absent from the office all the time? Have you ever met the 23 councilors and taken their feedback, let alone solving the Jalandhar West Constituency’s issues?

Question 2. Why did you never say anything about the billions of rupees scam of the Smart City Project, which took place in a Congress corporation, when the Congress government was in Punjab?

Question 3. What did the Congress Corporation do to solve the basic problems like roads, sewage, cleaning of drains, garbage in Jalandhar?

Question 4. Garbage mountain in Varyana dump has become a disaster for people. In the cleanliness survey of the year 2018, 19, 20, why Jalandhar could not come in the list of the first 100 cities of the country, what was the reason?

Question 5. How many tube wells did the Congress candidate install in her area to bring clean drinking water to the people?

Visit to State jails promises positive change for women prisoners: Raj Lali Gill

Chandigarh, June 26, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)

In a proactive move aimed at improving the lives of women prisoners, Raj Lali Gill, Chairperson of the Punjab State Commission for Women, visited Rupnagar District Jail this Tuesday. This initiative underscores the Punjab government’s commitment, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, to enhance the welfare of women across the state.

During her visit, Chairperson Raj Lali Gill focused on assessing and enhancing essential facilities for women inmates. She actively listened to their concerns and assured them of swift resolutions. The presence of the Punjab State Commission for Women reaffirms its steadfast dedication to upholding women’s rights and supporting their reintegration into society.

Addressing the women prisoners during a cultural event, Chairperson Raj Lali Gill highlighted the Commission’s mission to provide legal, medical, and educational assistance to incarcerated women. “We are committed to addressing your challenges and empowering each of you to rebuild your lives,” she stated.

Chairperson Raj Lali Gill also commended the inmates for maintaining a positive attitude despite their challenges.

Further intensify crackdown on big fishes involved in drug trade: Punjab CS Anurag Verma directs STF

Chandigarh, June 26, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)

The Chief Secretary Mr. Anurag Verma on Wednesday batted for strict compliance with the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Bhagwant Singh Mann to curb the menace of drugs.

Chairing a state level meeting of the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD), the Chief Secretary Mr. Verma asked the Special Task Force (STF) of Police to focus on big drug traffickers who deal with commercial quantities and ensure strict punishment to them for their crimes.

Underlining the need for publicity of Sec 31 of the NDPS act, he said that it is the need of the hour to publicise the stringent provisions of this act regarding punishment to habitual offenders. Likewise, Mr. Verma batted for effective training of Investigating Officers/ District Attorneys to ensure that the violators of the law get rigorous punishment.

The Chief Secretary Mr. Verma said that the officers should ensure zealous compliance with the orders of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Bhagwant Singh Mann regarding the confiscation of property of the drug peddlers.

He said that no stone should be left unturned for this noble cause as it is a crusade against drugs and the state government has adopted a zero tolerance policy against this curse.

Mr. Verma said that the war against drugs should be transformed into a mass movement with the support of the general public and effective coordination between concerned departments along with central and state agencies adding that a detailed SOP regarding it has already been issued.

Emphasised on State Government’s commitment to the war against drugs on the eve of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Chief Secretary also said that a checklist of SOP shall be carried out by the IO during the investigation and all the steps taken should be duly tick marked by him on the finalization of the report.

He also underscored the need for improving the monitoring of chemists across the state adding that the violating chemists who are repeatedly flouting the law should be severely punished by dismissing their licenses.

He further said that out of around 30,000 Retail sale and whole sale chemists, only 134 wholesale chemists and 463 retail sale chemists have been allowed to stock and sell restricted drugs formulations.

Mr Verma said that as per the directions of the Chief Minister Mr. Bhagwant Singh Mann, massive awareness activities should be started in the schools and colleges along with the promotion of sporting activities so that the unbounded energy of youth is channelized in a positive direction.

Mr. Verma also directed the Taxation department to explore GSTIN and E way bills to monitor the movement of trucks carrying narcotic and psychotropic items. He also said that district level NCORD meetings should be held regularly to ensure better coordination between all the agencies at the state level.

The Meeting was attended by Special Chief Secretary Revenue KAP Sinha, Additional Chief Secretary Excise and Taxation Vikas Pratap, DGP Gaurav Yadav, Secretary Home Gurkirat Kripal Singh, Special DGP Special Task Force Kuldeep Singh,

Secretary Health Ajoy Sharma, Director General School Education Vinay Bublani, Secretary Home Jaswinder Kaur, Director Social Security, Women and Child Development,

Shena Aggarwal, Director SCERT and Director Elementary Education Amaninder Kaur Brar, Special Secretary Home Amandeep Kaur, Zonal Director NCB Chandigarh Amanjit Singh besides representatives of various central agencies.

Dangerous conspiracy to disturb peace and communal harmony and to blame it on Sikhs: SAD Working Committee warns Panth, Punjabis

Chandigarh, June 26, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)

The Shiromani Akali Dal today cautioned the people of Punjab against “ a deep rooted conspiracy to set the State aflame again by disturbing the hard earned atmosphere of peace and communal harmony and to BLAME IT ON Sikhs to defame Punjabis in general and the Sikhs in particular.

“A dangerous and devious conspiracy is already at work for communal polarization in Punjab for petty political gains.

The old game is being played again to inject communal hatred and violence in the State and to put the blame for it on Sikhs so as to vilify our youth as was done in the eighties,” said a resolution passed at a meeting of the Working Committee of the party.

The Working Committee further emphasized that peace and communal harmony were prerequisites for progress and prosperity of the people of Punjab.

The party however reiterated its total commitment to the cause of peace and communal brotherhood as taught by the great Guru Sahiban. “We have made sacrifices for this sacred cause and we will not flinch from our responsibility in this regard,” said the Working Committee.

In a separate and unanimous Resolution, the Working Committee placed its full faith in and appreciation in the “determined and committed leadership of the party president Sardar Sukhbir Singh Badal”. It also authorized the president to reconstitute and restructure the party as per the party’s constitution. “ The Committee members also condemned attempts to tarnish the image of the President.

Although there was a strong demand from members for “disciplinary action against some leaders who have been playing into the hands of the enemies of Panth and Punjab”, the party president Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal counseled “patience, forbearance and a large hearted approach based on humility taught to us by the great Guru Sahiban towards all.“

After this, the Working Committee passed a resolution which said,”We are a fully democratic party with historic traditions for internal discussion. There is room for everyone’s views, even critical, on the party platform. So there is no justification for violating decorum and discipline to harm the party.

The party appealed to “erring members” not to play the enemies’ game at a time when the Khalsa Panth, Punjab and the party are already a target of anti-Sikh and anti-Punjab conspiracies which the members have themselves publicly spoken about in the past,” said the WC members said.

In a another resolution, the party said it would further intensify its efforts towards achieving the goal of a truly federal structure in the country with genuine fiscal and administrative autonomy to the states.

“India is a country, with diverse cultures, languages, religions and regions. Strong states mean a strong nation. The essence of India is diversity but it recognizes unity while preserving this rich diversity.”

The meeting also condemned incidents of attacks on Sikhs in the country and blamed it on “provocative communal utterances of important leaders in the ruling party, such as Kangana Ranaut.”All these incidents can be a part of an ongoing conspiracy for communal polarization”.

Junaid, Jaideep Ahlawat, Siddharth P. Malhotra open up on facing difficulties over ‘Maharaj’

New Delhi, June 26, 2024
Actors Junaid Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat and filmmaker Siddharth P. Malhotra has finally spoken up about facing a “hiccup” before the release of their film “Maharaj” and said that they did not intend to hurt anyone’s sentiments and that the film was made with sensitivity.

Junaid, who made his debut with “ Maharaj”, based on events related to the 1862 Maharaj Libel Case, stirred controversy before its release after a stay order was passed on a plea which claimed that the film hurt certain religious sentiments.

On June 21, the Gujarat High Court lifted its temporary stay on the release of “Maharaj” on streaming giant Netflix, as it was claimed it did not target the religious sentiments of a certain sect as alleged by its members.

Talking to IANS, Malhotra said that the film was written based on the book and the court case available against an ideology.

“I really don’t know what to say because my film, when we wrote the script based on the book or the details of the court case available, is against one man’s ideology. Junaid (in the film) says ‘meri problem inse nahi, inke soch se hai’. He is fighting against just one person’s ideology and not the community…”

He stressed that neither him nor his team would hurt anyone’s sentiments.

“Even with Jaideep Ahlawat, in his entire take… does he say sorry for what I did. He never does because his character thinks what he is doing is right. So, it’s a clash of ideologies,” he said.

For the director, it was a ‘David and Goliath’ story.

“Now that people have seen the film, they have understood that we never intended not even one person’s sentiment,” he said.

Junaid, who is the son of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, said that the film was made with a lot of “sensitivity”.

“It is a sensitive film and Sid sir has made it with a lot of sensitivity as well. I think at the end the film came out and people liked it… So, I think in the end we have not hurt anybody,” he told IANS.

Actor Jaideep Ahlawat said that they “intended to make this film as a story”.

“Which is actually about a few things but never against something that they should feel hurt about those emotions… Our intentions were clear to not hurt anyone’s sentiments and that’s how we came out as winners,” said Jaideep.(Agency)

‘No one likes a quiet goodbye’: Yuvraj pens special note as Warner retires from international cricket

New Delhi, June 26, 2024
As veteran batter David Warner’s storied 15-year international cricket career came to a quiet close following Australia’s elimination from the T20 World Cup, former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh penned a heartfelt note for his former IPL captain.

The duo played for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL from 2016 to 2017 when Warner was the captain and also led the franchise to its maiden title.

Warner ended his international career in stages, playing his last ODI during Australia’s triumphant 2023 campaign in India, his final Test against Pakistan in early 2024.

His final appearance in the Australian jersey, which was against India, ended on a disappointing note: he scored six runs from six balls before edging a delivery from Arshdeep Singh to slip, where Suryakumar Yadav took a well-executed low catch.

Frustrated, he punched his bat with his right hand and walked off the pitch with his head bowed.There was no guard of honour or standing ovation to mark the moment.

“No one likes a quiet goodbye, but that’s the game of life mate. Well done on an incredible career @davidwarner31! Yuvraj wrote in ‘X’

“From smashing boundaries on the park to nailing Bollywood moves and dialogues, you’ve done it all in true #Warner style. A feared batsman, a lively teammate and a true entertainer on and off the field.

“It was a pleasure sharing the dressing room with you buddy. Go well #legend and enjoy your well-deserved time off with the lovely family,” he added.

Away from international cricket, he has had a prolific franchise T20 career, especially in the IPL, and in 2021 became just the fourth batter to pass 10,000 runs in T20.(Agency)

Study explores adolescents at risk of depression from social media use

New Delhi, June 26, 2024
Social media use does not raise the risk of depression in all adolescents, revealed a study on Wednesday which found parental hostility and peer bullying as major risk factors driving teenagers to mental health conditions.

Early social media use has previously been linked with an increased risk of depression among teenagers and young adults.

The findings, published in the Journal of Adolescence, suggest that social media use does not impact all adolescents in the same way.

Researchers from Brigham Young University in the US found certain factors may make social media more risky or protective regarding depression.

These include greater parental hostility, peer bullying, anxiety, reactivity to stressors, and lower parental media monitoring.

“If the teenager is already in a vulnerable position (being bullied or having hostile parents or parents who don’t monitor their teenager’s media), then social media is much more likely to be harmful,” said corresponding author W. Justin Dyer, from the varsity.

Dyer said, “This is especially true if there is more than 3 hours of use a day.”

On the contrary, warm and supportive friends and parents and “moderate amounts of social media use (less than 3 hours a day) may be a good thing.”

They stressed individualised approaches to determine the benefits and harms of social media on young people’s mental health.

Dyer noted that adolescents can greatly benefit if parents guide them “as they navigate social media. That guidance may make all the difference.”

The study is based on 488 adolescents living in the US who were surveyed once a year for 8 years (beginning in 2010 when the average age for participants was 13 years old).(Agency)

Malaika Arora skips wishing Arjun Kapoor on birthday, shares cryptic post about ‘trust’

Mumbai, June 26, 2024
As Arjun Kapoor turned 39 on Wednesday, actress Malaika Arora, who was dating the actor, shared a cryptic message about trust.

Malaika took to Instagram on Wednesday morning, where she shared a quote, which read: “I like people that I can trust with my eyes closed and my back turned.”

On Tuesday night, Arjun had a birthday bash, where Janhvi Kapoor, Shanaya Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Natasha Dalal, and Mohit Marwah were seen at his home. However, Malaika’s absence led to chatter about their “break up” once again.

In May, rumours about the two breaking up started doing the rounds on social media.

A source close to IANS back then had shared that: “Going by Arjun’s body language and how he is right now, it has happened. They have been dating for so long, hence it has been very peaceful, dignified, and respectful. Malaika and Arjun are still amicable with each other.”

In 2018, rumours about the two dating started doing the rounds. However, in 2019, Arjun and Malaika made their relationship Instagram official.

Talking about his upcoming work, Arjun will next be seen in “Singham Again” in shades of grey. Filmmaker Rohit Shetty shared a new look of the actor on his Instagram stories.

In the poster, Arjun is seen flashing a mysterious smile and has blood all over his face. He is holding a sickle in his hand.

Rohit captioned it: “Happy Birthday Arjun Kapoor”.

To which, the actor replied: “Sir what a gift!! Ek aur ‘Danger’ reveal on birthday”.(Agency)

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