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Maharashtra

SC refuses to release Nawab Malik and Anil Deshmukh to vote in MLC election

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 The Supreme Court on Monday denied the pleas of Maharashtra Nationalist Congress Party lawmakers Nawab Malik and Anil Deshmukh to be released temporarily to cast their votes in the ongoing state Legislative Council election.

Minutes before the poll, a vacation bench of Justices C.T. Ravikumar and Sudhanshu Dhulia declined to grant interim relief to NCP leaders, who moved the top court challenging the Bombay High Court order, which last week refused to grant them temporary release.

However, the top court said a further interpretation of Section 62(5) of the Representation of the People Act, will be considered by it to examine whether arrested lawmakers — MLAs and MPs – could be allowed to vote in elections to Rajya Sabha and legislative councils. Section 62 (5) imposes a bar on a prisoner from voting.

Senior advocate Meenakshi Arora, appearing for the petitioners, submitted before the bench that polling is being held on Monday, as she pressed for an interim relief. The lawmakers sought temporary release from prison – under escort protection — to cast their votes in the election, which is underway.

During the hearing, the bench noted that regarding the entitlement of vote, the question is whether the person is in prison or not.

“If you are in prison, in connection with preventive detention, there’s no bar at all but if it’s falling under money laundering (which doesn’t fall into exception)… prima facie Section 62(5) applies,” the bench told the petitioners’ counsel.

Both NCP leaders are lodged in prison in separate cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Arora argued that by closing her clients right to vote, the constituency is being deprived to cast its vote in the council. “Through me, as an elected representative I represent my constituency. It’s just not me but my constituency which is also there,” she argued.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, citing a top court judgment, submitted that the validity of Section 62 (5) has been upheld.

Earlier, during the day, the top court expressed its disinclination to take up the matter, saying this should go before the Chief Justice first, before allowing an urgent listing. Arora vehemently argued that the matter requires urgent hearing since the election is scheduled on Monday itself. The bench said it would see whether the matter can be taken up for hearing after lunch.

Crime

New India Cooperative Bank: Bollywood Actress Preity Zinta Received ₹1.5 Crore Loan Remission, Reveals EOW Probe

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Mumbai: Bollywood actress Preity Zinta received a loan remission by New India Cooperative Bank. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) is looking into Hiren Bhanu, the former chairman of the bank, for allegedly approving loans in return for bribes, as per reports.

The investigation has revealed that the actress benefitted from a remission on her loan. The police said that on January 7, 2011, a loan of Rs. 18 crore was sanctioned to actress Preity Zinta. The loan was declared a Non-Performing Asset (NPA) on March 31, 2013. The amount was later settled at Rs. 10.74 crore, and a remission of Rs. 1.55 crore was granted to her. The amount was paid on April 5, 2014, according to a report by Media quoting an EOW officer.

In February, the Kerala Congress unit alleged that the bank had waived off a Rs 18 crore loan in exchange for Preity Zinta’s support for the BJP. In response, Zinta clarified that she had an overdraft facility with the bank over 12 years ago, which was fully repaid more than a decade ago. She stated that her account had been closed since then, refuting any claims that she benefited from the bank’s financial issues.

While replying to the post of the Congress Kerala, Actress stated “No I operate my social media accounts my self and shame on you for promoting FAKE NEWS ! No one wrote off anything or any loan for me. I’m shocked that a political party or their representative is promoting fake news & indulging in vile gossip & click baits using my name & images. For the record a loan was taken and FULLY PAID BACK – over 10 years ago. Hope this clarifies and helps so there are no misunderstandings in the future.”

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) officer mentioned that they are reviewing the documents from the bank as part of their investigation.

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Crime

Kunal Kamra petitions Madras HC for transit anticipatory bail in controversial remarks case

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New Delhi, March 28: Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, who is facing multiple criminal cases over the “traitor” jibe towards Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, on Friday petitioned the Madras High Court seeking transit anticipatory bail.

Kamra’s plea was mentioned for urgent hearing before a bench of Justice Sunder Mohan, who assured to examine the matter later in the day.

Mumbai’s MIDC police station on Monday registered a Zero FIR against Kamra for cracking an allegedly objectionable joke during a stand-up comedy show.

The Khar Police booked Yuva Sena general secretary Rahool Kanal under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Maharashtra Police Act.

They also detained 20 Sena activists. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone 9, Dixit Gedam said two offences have been registered at Khar police station.

One is against Kamra for derogatory comments, while the other is against people who vandalised the Unicontinental hotel where the shoot of Kamra’s comedy show took place.

He further added that the investigation is underway. Shiv Sena has condemned the “distasteful and defamatory” remarks made by Kamra during his recent performance at the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai, where he performed a parody song targeting Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Police have already booked Kamra under section 356(2) (defamation) of the BNS.

The Mumbai Police had served two summons to Kamra, who has not yet appeared to give his statement.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Legislative Council on Thursday accepted a privilege notice against Kamra and forwarded it to the Privileges Committee.

“I have accepted the notice of breach of privilege against Kunal Kamra and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare and have sent it to Privilege Committee chairman Prasad Lad. The future course of action regarding the motion will be decided by the committee,” said Upper House Chairman Ram Shinde.

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Maharashtra

Protest by tying black bands in mosques against Waqf Bill

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Mumbai: On the appeal of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Muslims in Mumbai city tied black bands and protested against the Waqf Bill on Jummatul Vida. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has demanded the withdrawal of the Waqf Amendment Act 2024. Along with this, Namazis offered Namaz by tying black bands in all the mosques of Mumbai city. Mumbai Police has made tight security arrangements for Jummatul Vida.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board had appealed to the Muslims to offer Jummatul Vida Namaz by tying black bands in protest against the Waqf Amendment Bill. Muslims have protested on the appeal of the Waqf Board. Muslims protested against the appeal of the Muslim Personal Law Board against the conspiracy of the government to deprive Muslims of their monasteries, mosques and charitable institutions by passing the Waqf Bill.

Jummatul Vida was celebrated as Yaumul Quds along with the protest against the Waqf Bill. Prayers were offered in mosques for the oppressed Palestinians. Special prayers were also offered in mosques for the protection of Waqf properties. Khutba of Alvida, Alvida, Mahe Ramzan was read.

Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar had also issued strict security arrangements and orders in view of Jummatul Vida. Police had issued an alert in view of Jummatul Vida and Gudi Padwa, which is why Jummatul Vida was completed peacefully.

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