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Delhi Court Clears Former Coal Secretary And Others In Coal Scam Case

December 11, 2024, 11:33 pm

A Delhi special court on Wednesday acquitted six individuals, including former Coal Secretary H.C. Gupta, in a high-profile case linked to the allocation of two coal blocks in Odisha. The accused, which included senior public servants and private sector officials, faced charges of conspiring to mislead the Ministry of Coal during the allocation process.

Special Judge Sanjay Bansal ruled that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that fraudulent misrepresentation occurred. Those acquitted included Gupta, Navabharat Power Pvt. Ltd. (NPPL), its Chairman P. Trivikrama Prasad, Managing Director Y. Harish Chandra Prasad, former Joint Secretary in the Coal Ministry K.S. Kropha, and ex-Director of Coal Allocation K.C. Samaria.

The court determined that no evidence supported allegations of cheating, as no actions were induced by false claims. Judge Bansal stated, “When the application has been found to be complete, when the applicant company NPPL was eligible, and when no misrepresentations were made, no question arises regarding the existence of any conspiracy.” The prosecution could not substantiate claims of a criminal conspiracy or breach of trust, the judge noted.

The CBI had accused NPPL, under the leadership of Y. Harish Chandra Prasad and P. Trivikrama Prasad, of colluding with Gupta, Kropha, and Samaria between 2006 and 2008 to deceive the Ministry of Coal by providing false information about the company’s land holdings and net worth. These alleged misrepresentations were claimed to have led to the allocation of two coal blocks, Rampia and Dipside of Rampia, to the company.

However, the court found the prosecution’s evidence insufficient to support the charges. With the inability to establish any criminal conduct, all six accused were acquitted, marking a significant blow to the CBI’s investigation into the alleged coal scam.

Delhi Court Issues Summons To Actor Dharmendra In Garam Dharam Dhaba Cheating Case

December 10, 2024, 1:15 am

Veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra and two others have been summoned by the Patiala House Court in Delhi in connection with a cheating case involving the ‘Garam Dharam Dhaba’ franchise. The summons were issued by Judicial Magistrate Yashdeep Chahal based on a complaint by Delhi businessman Sushil Kumar, who claimed he was lured into investing in the franchise.

The judge noted that the evidence provided suggests the accused induced the complainant with the intent to cheat. The court ordered the accused, including Dharmendra (listed as Dharam Singh Deol), to appear on charges of cheating under sections 420, 120B, and 34 of the IPC, along with criminal intimidation under section 506 of IPC for two of the co-accused. The next hearing is scheduled for February 20, 2025.

The complaint states that in April 2018, the co-accused approached Kumar, promising a lucrative investment in a Garam Dharam Dhaba franchise in Uttar Pradesh. Kumar was told that branches in Delhi’s Connaught Place and Haryana’s Murthal were generating monthly turnovers of Rs 70-80 lakh. He was assured a 7% profit on his Rs 41 lakh investment and offered full support for the setup.

Also Read: Sunny Deol Shares Heartfelt Video as Dharmendra Turns 89

After further meetings and exchanges, Kumar was asked to invest Rs 63 lakh and secure land for the business. The complainant made an initial payment of Rs 17.70 lakh, and land was purchased in November 2018. However, no further progress was made, and the respondents failed to inspect the land or engage with the complainant. Despite numerous attempts to contact them, the complainant alleges he was threatened if he pursued the matter further.

An inquiry conducted by the police previously concluded that the issue was one of breach of contract, which was a civil matter and did not warrant criminal action. However, the court has now taken cognizance of the case, leading to the issuance of summons against the accused.

SC Transfers Trial of Cheating Case Against Remo D’Souza to Delhi Court

November 22, 2024, 7:40 pm

On Friday, the Supreme Court ordered the transfer of the trial against choreographer-turned-director Remo D’Souza from Ghaziabad to Delhi’s Karkardooma court. The decision came after hearing D’Souza’s plea, challenging the rejection of his petition by the Allahabad High Court.

Background of the Case

The case dates back to 2016, when an FIR was filed against D’Souza under sections 420 (cheating), 406 (criminal breach of trust), and 386 (extortion by putting a person in fear of death or grievous hurt) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The complainant accused D’Souza of encouraging him to finance a movie, promising to double the amount invested. However, the director allegedly failed to honor his promise, leading to the legal dispute.

D’Souza’s legal team argued that the case was originally a civil matter concerning a breach of agreement, but it had been wrongly converted into a criminal one. They further submitted that the trial should be moved to Delhi for convenience.

Supreme Court’s Decision

The Supreme Court, agreeing with the request, said that transferring the trial to Delhi would be beneficial and stated that there was no reason to delay the trial proceedings. The case will now be handled in Delhi’s Karkardooma court.

The decision is seen as a significant step in ensuring the trial moves forward expeditiously.

Rajasthan Acts to Protect Bikaner House

November 21, 2024, 5:09 pm

The Rajasthan government has taken prompt action to safeguard Bikaner House, a heritage property in New Delhi, from an attachment order issued by a Delhi court in favor of Enviro Infra Engineers Pvt Ltd for a recovery amount of Rs 50 crore.

Bikaner House, located near India Gate, was constructed in 1929 by the Bikaner royals in art deco and colonial styles with Gothic elements. It features a spacious ballroom now used as an art gallery and houses popular restaurants.

The Rajasthan government has appointed Additional Advocate General Shiv Mangal Sharma to take all necessary legal steps to protect the property and obtain a stay on the attachment order. The government acknowledged that previous officials exhibited “laxity,” failing to take timely measures to protect the state’s assets.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the government has issued immediate instructions for corrective action. Sharma is tasked with securing the property and may approach higher courts to prevent the attachment.

Bikaner House holds significant historical and cultural value for Rajasthan, and its attachment has raised concerns among state authorities. The attachment order stems from an unpaid arbitral award of Rs 50 crore in favor of Enviro Infra Engineers. The court noted that the debtor failed to provide an affidavit of its assets despite multiple reminders.

The Rajasthan government plans to investigate the apparent negligence by previous legal representatives and establish accountability. Mr. Sharma is expected to file for an urgent stay on the attachment order and explore all legal avenues to protect the state’s interests.

AAP Leader Satyendar Jain Granted Bail in Money Laundering Case After Two Years

October 18, 2024, 4:41 pm

A Delhi court granted bail to former Delhi minister Satyendar Jain on Friday in a money laundering case, after he had spent 18 months in custody. Special Judge Vishal Gogne noted the significant delay in the trial and the likelihood that proceedings would take a long time to commence and conclude.

Jain, a leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on May 30, 2022, on charges related to money laundering linked to four companies allegedly associated with him. The case originates from a First Information Report (FIR) lodged against Jain by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2017 under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Bail Conditions

The judge granted bail on the condition of a ₹50,000 bail bond, along with two sureties of the same amount. Jain had previously challenged a trial court decision made on May 15, which denied him default bail. In response to his petition, the high court issued a notice on May 28 seeking the ED’s response.

Jain argued that the ED failed to complete its investigation within the statutory period, claiming that the incomplete charge sheet was filed to deny him his right to default bail under Section 167(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

Jain’s arrest by the ED was part of a broader investigation, which also saw Ankush Jain and Vaibhav Jain arrested on June 30, 2022. Satyendar Jain had previously been granted regular bail by a trial court on September 6, 2019, in the CBI case.

Delhi Court Grants Engineer Rashid Interim Bail Extension in Terror Funding Case Until October 28

October 15, 2024, 4:27 pm

The Patiala House Court in Delhi has extended the interim bail of Engineer Rashid, an independent Lok Sabha MP from Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, until October 28, 2024, in connection with a terror funding case. The extension was granted on medical grounds concerning Rashid’s father.

Court Directives and Plea Status

Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh ordered Rashid to surrender to jail authorities by 12 noon on October 28. The court also postponed the decision on Rashid’s regular bail plea until the same date. Previously, the judge had granted Rashid interim bail on September 10 to allow him to campaign for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) verified the medical documents related to Rashid’s father and did not oppose the extension of his interim bail.

Engineer Rashid has a controversial history. In 2005, he was arrested by the Special Operations Group (SOG) in Srinagar for allegedly supporting militants and spent over three months in custody. Although he faced charges of anti-national activities, the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Srinagar later dropped all charges against him on humanitarian grounds.

In August 2019, Rashid was arrested again under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Despite being incarcerated, he filed his nomination for the 2024 parliamentary elections from jail, winning by a significant margin of 204,000 votes against former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Delhi Court Permits Yasin Bhatkal to Hold Virtual Meeting with Ailing Mother

September 26, 2024, 9:03 pm

Delhi’s Patiala House Court on Thursday allowed Yasin Bhatkal, a notorious terrorist and one of the founders of the Indian Mujahideen (IM), to meet his ailing mother via video conference (VC). Bhatkal had initially sought custody parole to meet his mother in person, but the court opted for a virtual meeting instead.

The Additional Sessions Judge, Dr. Hardeep Kaur, ordered the Jail Superintendent to facilitate this one-time video conference between Bhatkal and his mother. The court specified that the interaction should be conducted in Hindi and allowed the Jail Superintendent to record the conversation if necessary for security reasons.

Legal Representation and Request

Advocate MS Khan, along with Qausar Khan, Prashant Prakash, and Rahul Sahani, represented Yasin Bhatkal in this matter. Currently incarcerated in Delhi’s Tihar Jail, Bhatkal sought parole to meet his mother, who recently underwent cardiac surgery.

In his plea, Bhatkal referenced Para 1203 of the Delhi Prison Rules, 2018, which permits custody parole in situations such as death, marriage, serious illness of a family member, or other emergencies approved by the DIG (Range) of prisons.

Background on Yasin Bhatkal

Yasin Bhatkal, whose full name is Syed Mohammed Ahmed Zarar Siddibappa, is a convicted terrorist and one of the co-founders of the Indian Mujahideen (IM), a banned terrorist organization. Along with Riyaz Bhatkal and Iqbal Bhatkal (unrelated to him), he founded the IM in 2005, which has been responsible for multiple deadly attacks across India.

Bhatkal was captured in 2013 and sentenced to death by a Hyderabad court in 2016 for orchestrating several terrorist attacks, making him one of India’s most wanted criminals before his arrest.

Delhi Excise Case: Court Extends Kejriwal’s Judicial Custody Till August 27

August 20, 2024, 4:29 pm

The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi has extended the judicial custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal until August 27, 2024, in connection with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Delhi excise policy case. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja scheduled the matter for further hearing on August 27, the same day the court will review the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) supplementary chargesheet filed against Kejriwal and others.

Senior Advocate D.P. Singh represented the CBI in the hearing. Last week, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the CBI seeking its response by August 23 on Kejriwal’s bail plea and his challenge against the Delhi High Court’s order upholding his arrest in the corruption case.

A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan refused to grant interim bail to Kejriwal despite arguments from his counsel, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who cited health grounds. The bench stated, “We are not granting any interim bail. We issue notice.”

Singhvi argued that Kejriwal was granted interim bail on three occasions in the related money laundering case, despite the stringent provisions of Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). He questioned why Kejriwal was being denied regular bail in the CBI case, which is governed by the less stringent Prevention of Corruption Act, terming Kejriwal’s arrest by the CBI as an “insurance arrest.”

The Supreme Court was hearing Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest and a separate bail plea. Earlier, on August 5, the Delhi High Court had upheld his arrest, deeming it “legal.” The court dismissed Kejriwal’s challenge against his arrest, stating that the CBI proceeded only after gathering sufficient evidence and obtaining the necessary sanctions in April 2024.

The High Court’s order highlighted concerns that Kejriwal could influence witnesses, noting that several witnesses came forward only after his arrest. It emphasized that Kejriwal, being a distinguished public figure and recipient of the Magsaysay Award, could potentially exert significant control and influence over witnesses.

Kejriwal was first arrested by the ED on March 21, 2024, as part of a money laundering investigation linked to alleged irregularities in the now-cancelled Delhi excise policy of 2021-22. Subsequently, on June 26, 2024, the CBI arrested Kejriwal while he was still in ED custody.

The court will now take up the matter on August 27.

Sukesh Chandrasekhar Associate Granted Bail

August 16, 2024, 11:02 pm

A Delhi court has granted bail to Deepak Ramdani, an accused in a cheating and extortion case linked to conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar. Ramdani was arrested in August 2021 for allegedly acting as a cash courier for Chandrasekhar.

The court granted bail considering Ramdani’s prolonged custody of three years and the fact that some co-accused in the case have already been released on bail. The court also noted that the trial is yet to commence.

Ramdani was accused of being involved in a conspiracy with Chandrasekhar to cheat and extort Japna Singh by impersonating a Union Law Secretary. The prosecution argued against bail, citing evidence linking Ramdani to the crime, including recovered phone data and money transfers.

Despite the prosecution’s opposition, the court found that the charges against Ramdani did not warrant the stringent provisions of the MCOCA and granted him bail.

The case against Sukesh Chandrasekhar and his associates is ongoing.

Delhi Court Acquits Man Of Dowry Death Charges, Citing Insufficient Evidence

August 11, 2024, 1:03 pm

Delhi’s Dwarka Court recently acquitted Satender Gautam of dowry death charges, citing doubts about the evidence presented. The court highlighted the distinction between “may be true” and “must be true” in its judgment. Additional Sessions Judge Sharad Gupta found that the prosecution did not provide convincing or cogent evidence to support the charges under Section 498A IPC (cruelty for dowry) and Section 304B IPC (dowry death).

“Prosecution case may be true but criminal jurisprudence says that prosecution case must be true. There is a long distance between “may be true” and “must be true,” the court said.

“It is a cardinal principle of criminal jurisprudence that an accused is presumed to be innocent. The burden lies on the prosecution to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt. The prosecution is under a legal obligation to prove each and every ingredient of offence beyond any doubt, unless otherwise so provided by any statute. This general burden never shifts, it always rests on the prosecution,” ASJ Gupta said in the judgement passed on July 29.

The court found that the prosecution failed to provide evidence showing that the accused had encouraged or caused the deceased to commit suicide through any instigation, action, or omission. The prosecution’s claim was that a quarrel occurred between the deceased and the accused the day before her death. The court noted that disputes between spouses are common and part of daily life. It concluded that the mere argument between the accused and the deceased did not indicate that the accused intended to incite Poonam Sharma’s suicide.

“This is especially more so as there is nothing on record except the testimony of the deceased’s friend regarding the said fight and even she in her examination in chief stated that she thought it to be a normal quarrel between husband and wife. Hence, even the offence under Section 306 is not made out in the facts of the present case,” the court said.

Gautam faced charges after an FIR was lodged against him at Najafgarh police station in 2011. The FIR was based on a complaint by Kamlesh Devi, who claimed that her daughter had taken her own life due to harassment and dowry demands from Gautam. Advocate Pujya Kumar Singh contended that the accusations against Gautam were false and that he had been wrongly implicated in the case.

The accused claimed that following his wife’s death, he learned that her parents and other family members had been harassing her over phone calls regarding their inter-caste marriage. He also asserted that he was being falsely accused because the deceased’s family disapproved of his marriage to her.

Poonam Sharma, who committed suicide on November 26, 2011, had married Gautam in a love marriage in 2009 in Khurja, UP. At the time of her death, they were living in Najafgarh.

Delhi HC Criticizes Civic Agencies Over Drain Deaths of Mother Child Duo

August 6, 2024, 5:44 pm

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday sharply criticized the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for its handling of a tragic incident in East Delhi’s Ghazipur, where a mother and child died after falling into an uncovered drain.

Acting Chief Justice Manmohan expressed grave dissatisfaction with the MCD’s performance and suggested that the case might prompt a recommendation to dissolve the MCD due to persistent inefficiencies. The court noted criminal negligence by civic authorities and emphasized the need for accountability.

The court has instructed the MCD to submit a new status report, including photographs, within a week. It also ordered the Delhi Police and Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to provide status reports to offer a comprehensive update on the situation.

The Deputy Commissioner of Shahdara South Zone assured the court that immediate action would be taken to clean the problematic drain. However, the court has yet to determine whether the DDA or MCD is responsible for the incident, pending a police investigation.

The High Court bench, led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, expressed serious concern about the Ghazipur incident and criticized the broader civic management issues.

The DDA claimed that the body was found near their drain, but the area in question is under the MCD’s jurisdiction. The plea also seeks accountability from the contractor responsible for the drain and a comprehensive audit of ongoing drain construction projects, including flood mitigation measures.

The petitioner, Jhunnu Lal Srivastava, called for immediate policies to address flood-like situations and the covering of all open drains in Delhi with proper signage to ensure public safety.

The tragic deaths of Tanuja (22) and her child Priyansh (3) occurred after heavy rainfall on July 31. The plea alleges that the DDA violated its own 1986 circular, which mandates that no manhole should be left uncovered to prevent such accidents. It argues that the lack of a flood management policy and uncovered drains compromise the health and safety of Delhi’s residents, leading to frequent fatalities.

Delhi Coaching Deaths: Driver Manuj Kathuria Granted Bail; Delhi Court Criticises Police’s Investigation

August 2, 2024, 11:44 pm

Manuj Kathuria, the SUV driver involved in the tragic incident that led to the deaths of three UPSC aspirants at Rau’s IAS coaching centre, was released from Tihar Jail on Friday. This came after he was granted bail by Delhi’s Tis Hazari Court on Thursday, as reported by news agency ANI.

The incident occurred on July 27, when three UPSC candidates drowned in the basement library of Rau’s coaching centre after rainwater flooded the institute’s basement in Old Rajinder Nagar. The Delhi Police have arrested seven individuals in connection with the incident, including Rau’s CEO, Abhishek Gupta, and coordinator, Deshpal Singh.

In response to the tragedy, Rau’s IAS Study Circle announced a compensation of ₹50 lakh for the families of each of the three deceased students. The institute’s advocate, Mohit Saraf, stated that half of the compensation amount would be given immediately, with the remaining portion to be disbursed within six months or upon the release of the CEO, whichever is earlier.

Despite the compensation offer, civil service aspirants have been protesting for six days, deeming the compensation inadequate and accusing the institute of trying to downplay the severity of the issue.

High Court’s Criticism of the Police Investigation

The Delhi High Court criticized the police’s handling of the investigation. During a hearing of a PIL requesting a thorough investigation, the high court expressed its disapproval of the police’s actions.

The high court questioned the logic behind arresting the driver, Manuj Kathuria, for merely driving his car through a flooded road, which led to water entering the building. The court criticized the police for failing to question officials from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi or seize relevant documents from the civic body, which could have been crucial evidence.

The bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela transferred the probe into the drowning of the three aspirants to the CBI to ensure a transparent investigation and maintain public trust.

The court remarked, “The way the police were proceeding in the matter, it could have ‘fined the water, saying ‘how dare it enter the coaching centre’s basement.’”

Delhi Court Grants Bail To SUV Driver In Tragic Case Of IAS Aspirants Deaths

August 1, 2024, 6:51 pm

Tis Hazari Court in Delhi has released a 50-year-old businessman, Manuj Kathuria, on bail. Kathuria was arrested for the killing of three UPSC aspirants at Old Rajendra Nagar on July 27.

It was alleged that Kathuria had driven his SUV headlong through the rain-flooded street in Central Delhi, which caused the water to overflow and breach the gates of the Rau’s IAS Study Circle building, causing its basement to flood. The police arrested Kathuria after a video went viral on social media that showed him speeding past the coaching institute and damaging the building’s gate.

Kathuria’s wife, Shima, came out claiming that her husband was just dropping two guests at the metro station and leveled accusations against the Delhi Police for trying to falsely implicate him.

The Tis Hazari Court had earlier on Wednesday refused bail to Kathuria and four co-owners of the basement. Judicial Magistrate Vinod Kumar said, “The allegations against the applicant are serious in nature.” “Perusal of CCTV footage prima facie shows that he is being tried to be warned of the dangers ahead by some passersby but he did not pay any heed. The allegations against the accused are serious in nature,” the magistrate said.

Keeping the facts and circumstances of the case as well as the seriousness of the offences in view, the applicant/accused prayer-seeking enlargement on bail appears to be untenable at this stage, and as such, the present application deserves to be dismissed. Accordingly, the present bail application is dismissed.

The three UPSC aspirants, two women and one man, have tragically died after being trapped in the basement library of Rau’s IAS Study Circle in view of severe flooding caused by a heavy downpour in the capital.

Delhi Court Denies Pre-Arrest Bail to Puja Khedkar Accused of Falsifying Information

August 1, 2024, 6:12 pm

A Delhi court on Thursday rejected the anticipatory bail request of former trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who is accused of cheating and forging documents to secure selection in the Civil Service Examination. This decision follows the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) cancelling her candidature amid a massive controversy.

During the hearing, Khedkar claimed she was being targeted for filing a sexual harassment complaint against an officer and sought anticipatory bail “to establish her innocence.” The prosecution opposed the application, asserting that she had “cheated the system.”

Khedkar, selected as an IAS officer in the 2023 batch of the Maharashtra cadre, is accused of forging documents, including a Physical Disability Certificate and Non-Creamy Layer Certificate, to obtain OBC reservation in the examination. She allegedly faked her identity to attend the UPSC examination beyond the permissible limit.

Public prosecutor Atul Srivastava argued that the investigation is “at a very nascent stage” and that her custodial interrogation is required. “These kinds of persons who cheat the system must be dealt with very seriously. This person has abused the process of law,” he submitted, adding that the chances of her continuing to abuse the law remain.

Delhi Court Halts Sale Of ‘Defamatory Book’ On Yes Bank Founder Rana Kapoor

July 15, 2024, 1:59 pm

A Delhi court has issued an injunction preventing the sale or distribution of a book about Yes Bank founder and former MD Rana Kapoor, following a defamation suit filed by Kapoor. The book, titled ‘Yes Man: The Untold Story of Rana Kapoor’ by journalist Pavan C. Lall, was released in December 2020.

The injunction will remain in effect until the court resolves Kapoor’s lawsuit against the author and publisher.

Additionally, the court ordered the removal of related news articles from a digital news platform.

On July 10, district judge Naresh Kumar Laka of Tis Hazari Court noted that Kapoor had, on the surface, demonstrated that the book damages his reputation and is not entirely based on facts.

“Balance of convenience will lie in favour of the plaintiff (Kapoor) because reputation of the plaintiff, once defamed in eyes of the reader, cannot be reversed, if he finally succeeds in the present case…” the court said.

The court said, “The defendant will have only monetary loss, which is not greater than the reputation of the plaintiff because there is a general saying that it takes long years to build a reputation for a person/institution but just a moment to spoil it.”

Kapoor argued that the book would impact ongoing investigations related to his banking activities.

Delhi Court Acquits Man Of Rape Charges After 9 Years Due To Lack Of Credible Testimony

July 14, 2024, 6:35 pm

Nine years after being charged with rape, a man has been acquitted by a Delhi court, which found the alleged victim’s testimonies unclear, inconsistent, and lacking credibility. The allegations were not supported by other material evidence. Additional Sessions Judge Priyanka Bhagat of the Tis Hazari district court acquitted Mahender, who had been charged by the Subzi Mandi police station under provisions for rape and criminal intimidation.

The prosecutrix stated that in 2014, Mahender took her to Nainital, spiked her food, and raped her after she fell unconscious also filmed the act.

Upon her return to Delhi, the accused allegedly threatened to share the video and raped her again at an under-construction building while keeping her confined.

“…The testimonies of prosecution witness 12 or victim are not clear, cogent, credible and trustworthy and the same are not corroborated by other material evidence,” the court stated in its verdict on July 9.

“For the reasons stated above, this court is of the considered opinion that the prosecution has failed to prove the case against the accused beyond reasonable doubt. Hence, accused Mahender is hereby acquitted,” the bench said.

The court noted that the prosecution’s case relied solely on the woman’s statement, highlighting significant contradictions in her account of the food being spiked, which undermined the credibility of her claims.

Concerning the allegations of rape at the under-construction building, the court pointed out that the alleged victim acknowledged the presence of other workers there when she met Mahender. The court deemed her claim of being raped in a location with others present as unlikely, especially since she reportedly cried, as stated in her complaint.

Additionally, the court found it unconvincing that she did not seek help from the workers or file a police report immediately, undermining her assertion that she was raped under threat of having the video circulated.

Regarding the alleged wrongful confinement from November 11 to 15, 2014, the court again highlighted her contradictory statements.

Delhi Court Delays Verdict On Arvind Kejriwal’s CBI Custody Request

June 29, 2024, 3:33 pm

Delhi’s Rouse Court has reserved its decision on the case involving Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal, whose three-day custody with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) ended on Saturday. Kejriwal was arrested by the CBI on Wednesday in connection with a liquor policy case. Initially seeking five days of remand to confront him with evidence, the CBI was granted three days.

The CBI has argued that Kejriwal’s custody was necessary to present him with pertinent documents related to the case. They alleged that Kejriwal implicated former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, attributing the privatization idea to him. Kejriwal refuted these claims in court, asserting his innocence and that of other AAP leaders, including Sisodia.

“I am innocent, and so are the other AAP leaders, including Manish Sisodia,” Kejriwal stated in court. “I deny blaming Sisodia. The CBI is manipulating media headlines to falsely portray my involvement.”

In addition to this case, Kejriwal is also detained in Tihar jail concerning his alleged involvement in a money laundering investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The Delhi liquor policy case revolves around allegations of irregularities in the 2021-22 excise policy, including modifications, undue favors to licensees, and the extension of L-1 licenses without prior approval.

While the CBI focuses on corruption charges, the ED is investigating the money laundering aspect of the case.

Delhi Liquor Policy Case: Arvind Kejriwal’s CBI Custody Ends, Set to Appear Before Delhi Court Today

June 29, 2024, 9:48 am

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is set to appear in court today as his three-day custody comes to an end. Kejriwal was arrested by the CBI on Wednesday in connection with the liquor policy case and will appear before the Rouse Avenue court at 7 pm.

The CBI had requested five days of remand but was granted three, arguing that Kejriwal’s custody was necessary to confront him with evidence and documents. The agency also claimed that Kejriwal had implicated former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, attributing the privatization idea to him.

Kejriwal’s lawyer, Vikram Chaudhary, opposed the CBI’s plea for custody, calling it an abuse of power and requesting access to documents.

During the hearing, Kejriwal addressed the court, asserting his innocence and that of other AAP leaders, including Sisodia. He accused the CBI of manipulating media headlines to falsely portray his involvement and denied blaming Sisodia.

Kejriwal is currently in Tihar jail in connection with an alleged money laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The Delhi liquor policy case involves alleged irregularities in the 2021-22 excise policy, including modifications, undue favours to licensees, and the extension of L-1 licenses without prior approval. The CBI is probing corruption charges, while the ED is investigating the alleged money laundering aspect.

In July 2022, Delhi’s then Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena recommended a CBI probe into the AAP government’s 2021-22 excise policy, citing “deliberate and gross procedural lapses,” according to a report by Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar.

Following the Home Ministry’s directions for an inquiry, the CBI registered a case in August 2022 against Manish Sisodia, three Delhi government officials, ten liquor licensees, and others.

The CBI’s FIR states that the accused were involved in recommending and making decisions about the 2021-22 excise policy without the approval of the competent authority, intending to extend undue favours to the licensees post-tender.

Breaking: Delhi Court Extends Arvind Kejriwal’s Judicial Custody Till July 3

June 19, 2024, 2:48 pm

A Delhi court heard Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s bail plea in a money laundering case related to the alleged excise scam, extending his jail stay until July 3, on Wednesday.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) informed the court that the case revolved around Kejriwal’s role. Additional Solicitor General SV Raju stated, “The matter boils down to his role,” clarifying that the allegations of Kejriwal demanding a Rs 100 crore bribe were made by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), not the ED.

Kejriwal’s lawyer argued during the hearing that despite various chargesheets being filed, his client had not been accused in any of them. He highlighted that while several people had been arrested in the earlier stages, none of the charges were related to Kejriwal.

Previously, the matter had been adjourned by Additional Sessions Judge Mukesh Kumar after the ED requested more time to file a reply.

The judge also addressed an application filed by Kejriwal seeking permission for his wife to join the proceedings of the medical board through video conference to determine his health condition and treatment. The judge directed the concerned jail authorities to respond to this application. The ED requested an adjournment of the matter until June 25, but the judge emphasized that he would prioritize the accused’s convenience for the next hearing date, not the ED’s.

Regarding Kejriwal’s previous application for interim bail on medical grounds, which was dismissed on June 5, the judge directed the Tihar jail authorities to ensure his medical needs were met while in judicial custody.

Delhi court: Extensive Campaigns Indicate Kejriwal Not Suffering From Life-Threatening Ailment

June 6, 2024, 4:15 pm

A Delhi court recently dismissed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s plea for interim bail on medical grounds in a money laundering case related to an alleged excise policy scam, stating that his extensive campaigning activities did not indicate any serious or life-threatening ailment. The court, presided over by Special Judge Kaveri Baweja, extended Kejriwal’s judicial custody until June 19 and scheduled a hearing on June 7 regarding his application for default bail.

The judge emphasized that Kejriwal’s participation in campaigning tours and events suggested that he did not suffer from a severe health condition warranting bail. The court also mentioned that Kejriwal’s request for bail to conduct medical tests related to diabetic ketoacidosis and weight loss lacked sufficient grounds for relief.

Despite denying interim bail, the judge directed the Tihar jail authorities to ensure Kejriwal’s medical needs were addressed during his custody. The court ordered the revival or reconstitution of a Medical Board from AIIMS, as previously directed, to assess Kejriwal’s health condition and conduct necessary diagnostic tests within three days.

During the hearing, the Enforcement Directorate opposed Kejriwal’s plea, highlighting his active campaigning during the Lok Sabha elections and questioning the sudden claim of illness when faced with surrendering.

Kejriwal surrendered at Tihar jail on Sunday as his interim bail granted by the Supreme Court expired. The case revolves around alleged corruption and money laundering in the Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22.

The court’s decision underscores the legal complexities surrounding Kejriwal’s bail plea amid ongoing investigations and legal proceedings in the money laundering case. The upcoming hearing on June 7 will further determine the course of action regarding Kejriwal’s bail status.

Chinese Visa Scam Case: Congress Leader Karti Chidambaram Granted Bail By Delhi Court

June 6, 2024, 11:54 am

On June 6, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court granted regular bail to Congress leader Karti P. Chidambaram in the ongoing money laundering case linked to the Chinese visa scam, according to ANI.

In April, Special Judge Kaveri Baweja granted interim bail to three accused on personal bonds of ₹1 lakh each. These included Chidambaram’s former chartered accountant S. Bhaskararaman, Vikas Makharia, and Mansoor Siddiqi.

The Case Details

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) registered a money laundering case against Karti Chidambaram and others concerning the issuance of visas to 263 Chinese nationals in 2011. At the time, Karti’s father, P. Chidambaram, was the Union Home Minister.

The ED has yet to establish the total volume of laundered money. The alleged payment of a ₹50 lakh bribe, mentioned in the CBI case, is not considered the sole basis of the present case. The ED’s case is registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) following a CBI FIR.

Lok Sabha Election Win

Recently, Karti Chidambaram was in the news for his victory in the Sivaganga Lok Sabha constituency in Tamil Nadu, where he defeated AIADMK’s Xavierdass by a margin of 2,05,664 votes. He secured 4,27,677 votes in the June 4 election.

After the results, Chidambaram told ANI, “The people of Tamil Nadu have rejected the BJP’s Hindutva politics and have voted for a federal, secular, and inclusive government. This victory is clear in the election results.”

He emphasized that Tamil Nadu’s decisive support for the INDIA alliance, led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, reflects the state’s desire for a federal, secular, and egalitarian government.

The INDIA alliance, comprising the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Congress, won 22 and 9 seats in Tamil Nadu, respectively.

Delhi Court Notifies Enforcement Directorate On Arvind Kejriwal’s Bail Pleas

May 30, 2024, 2:44 pm

Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court has sent a notification to the Enforcement Directorate regarding the interim and regular bail pleas filed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. These bail requests are set to be reviewed on June 1 at 2 pm.

Earlier, the Supreme Court’s registry declined to list Kejriwal’s plea seeking an extension of interim bail, stating that the lower court was available for his appeal. As the court had not yet delivered its verdict on Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest, the registry clarified that his petition for extending interim bail was separate from the main case.

In response, Kejriwal submitted a fresh plea to the Supreme Court, urging a seven-day extension of his interim bail and requesting an urgent hearing before a vacation bench on May 28. Currently in recess, the Supreme Court is not in regular session.

Given relief by the court until June 1 to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections and surrender the following day, Kejriwal is seeking an extension of interim bail by a week. Health concerns, including issues with kidney function and significant weight loss, form the basis of Kejriwal’s appeal.

Kejriwal’s party highlighted his declining health, noting a weight loss of 7 kg since his arrest and elevated ketone levels, indicating potential symptoms of a serious illness.

While the Supreme Court bench reserved its decision on the plea challenging his arrest, it permitted Kejriwal to seek bail from the trial court.

Swati Maliwal Assault Case: Delhi Court Extends Police Custody Of Bibhav Kumar

May 28, 2024, 6:50 pm

Delhi’s Tis Hazari Court has extended the police custody of Bibhav Kumar for an additional three days in connection with the Swati Maliwal assault case. Following a court hearing, visuals captured police personnel escorting Kumar out of the courtroom.

#WATCH | AAP MP Swati Maliwal assault case | Delhi’s Tis Hazari Court extends Police custody of Bibhav Kumar for three more days.

Visuals from the court as Police personnel bring him out after hearing. pic.twitter.com/g8Dk5fnFyh

— ANI (@ANI) May 28, 2024

Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal, representing the AAP, went to the Civil Lines police station to file a complaint. She alleged that she had been mistreated b\y Arvind Kejriwal’s aide, Bibhav Kumar. The The case continues to draw significant attention as the investigation progresses.

Delhi Court Denies Bail For Umar Khalid In Delhi Riots Case

May 28, 2024, 2:58 pm

Delhi’s Karkardooma court has delivered a significant verdict, rejecting the bail application of former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) former student leader Umar Khalid in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots.

Umar Khalid, an accused in a case filed under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) linked to the Delhi riots, had filed a regular bail application seeking release from custody. This marks his second attempt at securing bail in the matter.

The court’s decision to dismiss Khalid’s bail plea underscores the gravity of the charges levelled against him and the complexity of the legal proceedings surrounding the Delhi riots case. The rejection of bail indicates the court’s assessment of the evidence and arguments presented during the hearing.

The Delhi riots erupted in February 2020 and resulted in widespread violence in the national capital. The case against Khalid is part of the broader investigation into the events surrounding the riots, with authorities diligently pursuing justice for the victims and holding accountable those deemed responsible for instigating or participating in the violence.

Khalid’s involvement in the Delhi riots case has drawn considerable attention, given his prominence as a former student leader and activist. His continued detention pending trial reflects the seriousness with which the authorities are approaching the legal proceedings and underscores the complexities involved in adjudicating cases of such magnitude and sensitivity.

Delhi court rejects the bail of the JNU former student leader Umar Khalid in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots.

Delhi Court Summons BBC In Banned Documentary Case: Know Why?

April 29, 2024, 8:15 pm

Delhi court has issued fresh summons to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) at its UK address concerning a banned documentary. This action comes after previous attempts to serve the summons were unsuccessful. The matter has been scheduled for further hearing in August, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal battle.

The August hearing will likely provide an opportunity for both parties to present their arguments and for the court to deliberate on the next steps in the case. The outcome of the hearing could have implications not only for the specific documentary but also for broader discussions on freedom of expression, media regulations, and cross-border legal procedures.

Banned BBC documentary matter | Delhi court issues fresh summons to BBC at UK address. Summons issued earlier were not served. Matter listed in August for further hearing.

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2024

Why has Indian Government Banned The BBC Documentary?

India has banned the BBC documentary due to its airing of a controversial documentary titled “India: The Modi Question,” focusing on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handling of the 2002 Gujarat riots and his relationship with the country’s Muslim minority. The documentary delves into sensitive historical events, including communal violence in which over 1,000 people died, sparking renewed scrutiny and criticism of Modi’s leadership.

The ban comes amidst accusations from New Delhi of a “colonial mindset” by the BBC, leading to strained relations and threats of disruption in U.K.-India ties. The Indian government has invoked emergency powers under its information technology laws to block the film and prevent its dissemination on social media platforms like Twitter and YouTube.

Delhi court awards 3-year sentence to convict in minor sexual assault case after nine years

April 17, 2024, 5:51 pm

Delhi court has sentenced a man to three years in jail for sexually assaulting a minor girl in 2015, after a nine-year trial. The convict, who was 19 years old at the time of the incident, has been granted bail to appeal the judgment in the high court. Special judge (POCSO) Babita Punia, while delivering the verdict on April 8, noted that the convict, a first-time offender, had exhibited good conduct in jail.

The court emphasized the need to balance punishment with other considerations, stating, “Society demands that offenders be punished for their crimes. However, a court must strike a balance and must not over-emphasise one factor.” Additionally, the court awarded Rs 3 lakh compensation to the victim, who was 16 years old at the time of the assault.

Considering the convict’s poor financial condition, the court directed the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) to take appropriate action. The judge acknowledged the victim’s suffering and noted that while monetary compensation cannot fully address her pain, it can help her acquire skills or education for a degree of independence.

The convict’s counsel sought leniency, highlighting his age (around 28 years), family circumstances (parents deceased, unmarried brother in native village), and employment as a salesman earning Rs 12,000 per month. In contrast, the additional public prosecutor argued against leniency, advocating for the maximum punishment for the convicted offence.

BLS leader K Kavitha produced before court in Delhi excise policy case

April 12, 2024, 12:20 pm

K Kavitha, the leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), made an appearance in court on Friday morning at Rouse Avenue after being detained by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in relation to a suspected liquor policy fraud. The Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was approached by a spirits businessman from the “South Group” who was looking for support with his business. Kejriwal allegedly promised this support, and the CBI used this evidence to request a five-day jail detention for Kavitha. Significant evidence, the CBI alleged, including statements from people connected to the case and conversations on WhatsApp.

The central probe agency elaborated, stating, “Dinesh Arora, an accused turned approver, confirmed in his statement that Abhishek Boinpally informed about the transfer of Rs 100 crores to Vijay Nair. Statements from Hawala operators corroborate payments totaling Rs 11.9 crores. Chats recovered from Buchibabu indicate her involvement in a partnership with Indospririts. Despite being blacklisted, licenses were allegedly granted to Indospririts due to pressure from accused Manish Sisodia.”

Kavitha, daughter of former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, was arrested by the CBI while already in judicial custody for a money laundering case. The CBI arrested her on Thursday for her alleged involvement in the liquor policy scam under sections of criminal conspiracy and falsification of accounts, among others.

Previously, on April 6, Kavitha was examined by the CBI in Tihar Jail in connection with the case. The CBI informed Special Judge Kaveri Baweja that they had already conducted the examination on April 6 and opted not to file any further reply.

The Delhi Court had granted permission on April 5, 2024, for the CBI to examine Kavitha during her judicial custody in Tihar Jail at any time during the ensuing week. Through their application, the CBI sought court authorization to interrogate Kavitha and record her statement regarding WhatsApp chats recovered from Buchi Babu’s phone and documents related to a land deal allegedly involving a payment of Rs 100 crores to the Aam Aadmi Party in kickbacks.

On Tuesday, the Rouse Avenue Court remanded K Kavitha to judicial custody until April 23, 2024. This came after her recent arrest by the Directorate of Enforcement in connection with a money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy.

Delhi court dismisses Arvind Kejriwal’s plea seeking increase in number of legal meetings during judicial custody

April 10, 2024, 12:05 pm

A Delhi court has rejected a plea from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, seeking to increase the number of legal meetings with his lawyers from two to five times a week. Kejriwal argued that due to facing multiple FIRs in various states, there is a substantial amount of legal work requiring more frequent meetings.

Special Judge Kaveri Baweja dismissed the plea, with Special Counsel Zoheb Hossain representing respondent authorities opposing it. Hossain argued that the request for five legal meetings per week goes against the Jail Manual, which permits only one legal meeting per week and allows for two in special circumstances. Kejriwal already receives two legal meetings as per the manual.

The court’s decision comes after the Delhi High Court recently upheld the legality of Kejriwal’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in an Excise Case. The High Court stated that Kejriwal’s repeated failure to comply with summons for over six months was a factor in his arrest.

Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 in connection with the excise policy case and was later sent to judicial custody until April 15, 2024, by the trial court. The ED has alleged that the Aam Adami Party (AAP) is the major beneficiary of proceeds of crime generated in the alleged liquor scam.

Delhi Court extends judicial custody of BRS leader K Kavitha till April 23 in Excise Policy Case

April 9, 2024, 1:04 pm

The Rouse Avenue Court on Tuesday extended the judicial custody of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavitha till April 23, 2024, in relation to the excise policy money laundering case.

The Special Judge, Kaveri Baweja, allowed the plea of the Enforcement Directorate, stating that she’s made attempts to influence the witnesses, and tampered with evidence and hence her judicial custody should be extended by 14 days.

Advocate Nitesh Rana appeared for K Kavitha and opposed the ED plea, stating that there’s nothing new since she was arrested, there are no new grounds. The application doesn’t mention anything.

Meanwhile, the Court had refused to permit K Kavitha to address personally/orally and said she could give her submissions in written form.

Advocate Zoheb Hossain along with Naveen Kumar Matta and Simon Benjamin appeared for the Enforcement Directorate in the case while Advocates Nitesh Rana, Deepak Rana and Mohit Rao appeared for accused K Kavitha.

Recently, the same court had allowed the CBI plea to quiz/examine K Kavitha during judicial custody in the Tihar Jail on any day of the coming week.

CBI, through the application, sought court permission to interrogate, quiz and record the statement of BRS Leader K Kavitha regarding WhatsApp chats recovered from Buchi Babu’s phone and documents to a Land deal post which 100 crores were allegedly paid to Aam Aadmi Party in Kickbacks

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) arrested K. Kavitha MLC, Telangana Legislative Council, on March 15, 2024, in the case of the Delhi Liquor Policy Scam. A search was also conducted at the residence of K. Kavitha in Hyderabad on March 15, 2024. During the search proceedings, the ED officials were obstructed by the relatives and associates of K. Kavitha, said ED through a statement.

ED investigation revealed that K Kavitha along with others conspired with the top leaders of AAP including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia to get favours in the Delhi Excise policy formulation and implementation. In exchange for these favours, she was involved in paying Rs 100 Crore to the leaders of AAP.

Through acts of corruption and conspiracy in the formulation and implementation of Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, a continuous stream of illegal funds in the form of kickbacks from wholesalers was generated for the AAP. Further, K. Kavitha and her associates were to recover the proceeds of crime paid in advance to AAP and to generate profits or proceeds of crime from this entire conspiracy, stated ED.

To date, the ED has conducted searches on 245 locations across the country, including Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai and other places. 15 people, including Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and Vijay Nair from AAP, have been arrested in the case so far.

ED has filed 1 Prosecution Complaint and 5 Supplementary Complaints in the case so far.
Further, out of the proceeds of crime generated, assets worth Rs 128.79 crore have been traced so far and have been attached via provisional attachment orders dated January 24, 2023, and July 3, 2023. Both the attachment orders have been confirmed by the adjudicating authority in New Delhi.

ED has filed its first chargesheet in the case. The agency said it has so far undertaken nearly 200 search operations in this case after filing an FIR taking cognizance of a CBI case that was registered on the recommendation of the Delhi Lieutenant Governor.

The CBI inquiry was recommended on the findings of the Delhi Chief Secretary’s report filed in July showing prima facie violations of the GNCTD Act 1991, Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR)-1993, Delhi Excise Act-2009, and Delhi Excise Rules- 2010, officials had said.
The ED and the CBI had alleged that irregularities were committed while modifying the Excise Policy, undue favours were extended to licence holders, the licence fee was waived or reduced and the L-1 licence was extended without the competent authority’s approval. The beneficiaries diverted “illegal” gains to the accused officials and made false entries in their books of account to evade detection, the probe agencies said.

As per the allegations, the excise department had decided to refund the earnest money deposit of about Rs 30 crore to a successful tenderer against the set rules. Even though there was no enabling provision, a waiver on tendered licence fees was allowed from December 28, 2021, to January 27, 2022, due to COVID-19, the probe agency said and there was an alleged loss of Rs 144.36 crore to the exchequer.