Monday, December 23, 2024
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Pakistan: Spy camera in Judges’ bedroom, colleague’s brother-in-law kidnapped, given electric shocks; ISI’s interference in Pak Judiciary

In an unprecedented development, six judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) have written a startling open letter against Pakistan secret agency ISI’s ‘interference in judicial matters’. In the letter, the judges have accused Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI of pressurising judges through the abduction and torture of their relatives. They have also alleged that ISI carries out surveillance inside their houses including bedrooms. 

The letter was addressed to Pakistan’s Chief Justice (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa and members of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), with copies sent to all Supreme Court judges. The SJC includes Justices Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Munib Akhtar, as well as the Chief Justices of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and Peshawar High Court, Aamer Farooq and Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, respectively.

In their letter, the judges asked whether it is Pakistan’s state policy to ‘intimidate’ and coerce judges to get favourable outcomes.

The letter cites instances of interference by ISI

The letter has highlighted seven instances claiming interference and intimidation “to influence the outcome of cases of interest” by the intelligence officials. 

They pointed out that when two out of three judges on the bench gave relief to PTI leader Imran Khan, they were pressurised by “operatives of the ISI” through friends and relatives. As per the letter, the court had rejected the plea to disqualify PTI leader Imran Khan for “concealing his alleged daughter” stating that the case was “not maintainable”. 

The letter stated that the situation got so stressful that one of the judges had to be admitted to a hospital due to high blood pressure. 

According to the six judges, they had informed the IHC chief justice and the then-CJP who claimed to have “spoken to the DG-C of ISI”. They were “assured that no official from ISI would approach the judges of the IHC”. However, the letter said that “interference on the part of intelligence operatives” continued even after IHC CJ’s assurance, the Dawn report added. 

According to Pakistani media reports, the judges also mentioned that armed ISI operatives had kidnapped the brother-in-law of one of the IHC judges. As per the letter, the victim was “administered electric shocks” and “forced to record a video” making false allegations against a judge.

Further, during routine maintenance last year, one of the IHC judges found that his official residence had been bugged with spy cameras which were concealed in his drawing room and bedroom. 

The letter added that when data from surve­illance equipment was rec­overed, it showed that “pr­i­vate videos of the judge and his family members” were stored on it. It further read, “The matter was brought to the attention of Chief Justice IHC. There has been no determination of who installed the equipment and who is to be held accountable.”

The six judges had also attached copies of letters they had written to the IHC CJ on 10th May last year and on 12th Feb 2024. 

They added that it was important to determine whether there was a “policy on the part of the executive … implemented by intelligence operatives” to intimidate judges.

Delhi: Kabir Nat alias Shakil Khalifa and Bablu Nat arrested in connection with the 8-year-old murder case of Bandhu Rai who had given them shelter

Two accused in a 2016 murder case under the jurisdiction of the Ranhola police station have been taken into custody by the Delhi Police Special Cell. The individuals have been identified as Kabir Nat, known as Shakil Khalifa, and Bablu Nat. The court pronounced them proclaimed offenders in 2018 and they were on the run for eight years.

Notably, the Delhi police’s SWR Special Cell gathers intelligence to keep an eye on anti-terrorist operations, investigate hiding places and capture terrorists, militants and smugglers. 25-year-old Kabir Nat, son of the Late Hadish Khalifa and 27-year-old Bablu Nat, son of Maman Nat, are residents of Kurshaha, Mohiddin Nagar, Samastipur, Bihar.

According to police, information about a body discovered lying in Som Bazar Gomti Garden was received at the police station in Ranhola, Outer District, on 3rd July 2016. Police informed, “Through preliminary investigation, the deceased was identified as Bandhu Rai, who originally hailed from district Samastipur, Bihar. He was working as a contractor in Delhi.”

According to family members, Bandhu Rai was asked by three people, Bablu Nat, Kabir Nat and Mohammad Aslam, who lived in the same village as the former, for assistance with a labour job in Delhi. As his family had returned to their hometown in Bihar, the victim extended an invitation to the trio to stay at his home in Delhi. Cops revealed, “In the intervening night of July 2-3, 2016, all three accused consumed alcohol together. An argument ensued during which the three accused persons devised a plan to kill Bandhu Rai and rob him of the money he had.”

Mohammad Aslam strangled Bandhu Rai and stole money from his pocket while the other two held Bandhu Rai’s hands and legs before absconding from there. All three of the accused disappeared after Bandhu Rai passed away. Asphyxia from manual strangulation was the cause of death, according to the post-mortem analysis. As a result, the Ranhola police station filed a murder complaint under sections 302/174A/34 of the Indian Penal Code with File No. 520/16, dated 9th July 2016.

The perpetrators have eluded arrest since 2016. On 22nd March the squad led by Inspector Sandeep Dabas and supervised by Assistant Commissioner of Police Sanjay Dutt obtained precise information that two individuals connected to the murder investigation will be in the vicinity of Najafgarh Anaj Mandi.

Consequently, a team was assembled and sent to Najafgarh where a trap was put into effect, leading to the development. Police then caught the pair who narrated the entire episode. The third accused is being sought after as an inquiry into the situation is in progress. He was also declared a proclaimed offender along with his arrested accomplices.

(With inputs from ANI)

UP: Imam threatens woman who left Islam for Hinduism, says repent to Allah or Muslims will kill her

In the Rampur district of Uttar Pradesh, a former Muslim woman who performed “gharwapsi” and embraced Hindu Dharma has complained to her relatives accusing them of gangrape. The victim also complained to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister about a mosque in Rampur’s Begum Bagh locality. There have been reports of gang rape of young girls and arms smuggling in this mosque. The mosque’s Imam is said to be one Raees, and several of his videos have gone viral on social media.

In these videos, Imam Raees is supposedly seen not only sitting in front of guns and obscene books but also threatening in the name of Allah’s terror the girls who have reverted to Hinduism.

Allegation – Earning by supplying women to officers

In one of the videos obtained by OpIndia over social media, Imam Raees is allegedly seen interacting with a naked girl. Several illegal weapons and cartridges are found scattered in front of him. Condoms and obscene books with half-naked photos of models are also seen. In this video, Maulana says, “They supply women. They deliver them to the officers. This is how they earn money. Everyone knows he is the one who committed the murder. The entire world knows. I just have to say… wherever you need, just make me say.”

Meanwhile, someone on the speakerphone inquires whether Imam Raees will speak in court. Raees responded again, saying that he is prepared to state all of this in court as well. In another video, when the girl sitting in front of Maulana discussed the rape of girls in the mosque, Imam Raees stated that he is willing to reveal everything. He went on to talk about the murder in Chamraua village, as well as the subsequent land grab. When the girl who was making the crying video asked the reason for raping her mother for 14 years, Imam Raees said, “If you had spoken to me earlier, I would have told everything. “Where have I not supported you?”

While speaking to OpIndia, the victim revealed that her maternal uncle was murdered. This murder was committed to gain control of 350 bighas of land. The victim accused her deceased maternal uncle’s relatives of murder, with Imtiaz as the main accused. It is claimed that after killing the girl’s maternal uncle, her mother was held hostage for 14 years. During this period, the girl’s mother is suspected of being raped for five years at Imam Raees’ mosque. The victim’s father died in 2012.

Threat – ‘Repent or Muslims will kill you’

Another footage obtained by OpIndia shows the victim and Imam Raees sitting face to face. The victim questioned whether Muslims would kill her. The Imam replied, “Yes, we will definitely kill.” The goal is to repent of Allah. Do this: May Allah forgive me for whatever mistakes I have made. I become this by deception or fear, therefore Allah forgive me. The punishment of the grave is very rigorous. Allah is kind to His servants.

“That Shia Wasim Rizvi is hiding from Muslims out of fear”

The girl making the video went on to question, “Will Allah forgive those who are born Hindu?” Imam Raees responded, “Why would he [Allah] forgive them?” No matter who is not an adherent of the Kalma. Such people have been murdered whose stings used to ring.” Notably, Imam Raees also mentioned Wasim Rizvi without using his name. He claimed that the Shia from Lucknow had been hiding out of fear of Muslims who claimed he had converted to Hinduism. Imam Raees added in the same video, “The one who recites the Kalma will certainly go to hell, but Allah will take him out of it.”

The girl asked Imam Raees, who was sitting in the front, what would happen if he performed the puja. On this question, the Imam stated, “When Allah created Muslims, He issued a fatwa everywhere directing them to kill non-Muslims. The fatwa has been issued. This is Hadith.”

800-900 girls in the madrasa from distant places

Another video of Imam Raees has gone viral on social media. In this video, the Imam mentions a Madrasa. The Imam stated that there were 800-900 girls who had travelled from far areas. When the girl recording the video inquired why those girls were not permitted to go out, Raees stated that if they were given permission, many would flee. Imam Raees further stated that once the first few instances of fleeing occurred, an extreme level of strictness was imposed. According to the Imam, girls can sit together and speak but are not allowed to go out.

Imam Raees goes on to explain in the same video that this is India’s second such madrasa, after Aligarh. He added that the girls were taken from here to Aligarh via Fazila. It has been claimed that this madrasa in Rampur had at least 200 rooms, all of which are occupied by girls. Imam Rais further stated that if the girl does not want to stay at the Madrasa and merely comes to learn, he will make arrangements for her to stay at the home of some Maqsood Bhai. Imam Raees estimated his fee to be Rs 6,000.

The victim told OpIndia that the madrasa is located in the Civil Lines area of Rampur district. The victim also stated that she wants the girls released because they are being held captive by several people, including Imam Raees.

Imam was seen attempting to rape

OpIndia found two other videos. In both videos, Imam Raees is seen attempting to rape a girl. He first strips a sleeping girl’s clothes and then attempts to rape her. After a while, Imam Raees is seen in another video attempting to tie his pyjamas. He is also seen attempting to hide something in polythene. Another video shows Imam Raees scrolling and listening to a communal video. 

The victim told OpIndia that Imam Raees kept her mother in his mosque for almost 5 years. It is said that during this time, he and several others gang-raped the victim’s mother. The victim alleges that all of these videos are from February 2024. The victim asserted that she is fighting for justice for her mother who due to her relatives and the Imam her mother was gang-raped after being held captive for 14 years.

Money Laundering: Case filed by ED against Veena Vijayan, daughter of Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, over allegations of ‘illegal payments’

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a money laundering case against Veena Vijayan, daughter of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, PTI reported on Wednesday (27th March) citing sources. The agency has also booked Veena Vijayan’s Bengaluru-based IT firm, Exalogic Solutions, and several others in this case. It is alleged that a private mineral firm made ‘illegal payments’ to Kerala CM’s daughter Veena and her company without it offering any service to the mining firm.  

The sources added that Enforcement Directorate has registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). It is expected to summon the people involved in this matter. 

According to the sources, ED has booked Veena and others after taking cognisance of a complaint filed by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO). The SFIO is an investigative arm of the Union corporate affairs ministry. 

According to reports, the SFIO is already investigating transactions suspected to be illegal payments for favours received by a mining firm from the Kerala government for sand mining in coastal areas of Alappuzha and Kollam.

The case came to light after an Income Tax Department report revealed that the minerals company Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) had made an “illegal payment” of Rs 1.72 crore to Exalogic Solutions. According to the IT Department report, these payments were made from 2018 to 2019, even though Veena’s IT firm had not provided any service to the mining firm company, CMRL.

Last month, the Karnataka High Court dismissed a plea filed by Exalogic Solutions against the probe initiated by the SFIO.

Earlier this year, on January 31st, Exalogic Solution, the IT company of Kerala CM’s daughter, approached the Karnataka High Court after the central government directed the SFIO to investigate the matter.

In its petition to the High Court, the IT firm argued that Section 212, under which the SFIO initiated an investigation, is a serious provision along the lines of those under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), as reported by the Indian Express. Such sections are used in serious cases involving hundreds of crores of rupees.

According to reports, the ED’s Kochi office has initiated action by filing an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) in connection with the allegations. ECIR is considered an equivalent to an FIR in police parlance. 

Double jolt to AAP: Jalandhar MP Sushil Kumar Rinku and MLA Sheetal Angural join BJP

On Wednesday (27th March), two Aam Aadmi Party leaders from Punjab – Sushil Kumar Rinku and Sheetal Angural joined the BJP in New Delhi. Rinku was the AAP MP from Jalandhar while Angural was the AAP MLA from the Jalandhar West assembly constituency. They were granted a certificate of primary membership of the party in the presence of state party President Sunil Jakhar and BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde.  

As per reports, BJP may field both of them in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. According to sources, the party may field Sheetal Angural from Jalandhar and Sushil Rinku from Hoshiarpur. 

Notably, AAP had already announced Rinku as their candidate from Jalandhar and several AAP leaders held talks to persuade him to stay in the party but the talks failed.

In the 2023 by-polls, Rinku secured victory from Jalandhar, Punjab, becoming a Lok Sabha MP with a lead of 58,691 votes. He was the only representative of AAP in the outgoing Lok Sabha.

Rinku was earlier an MLA on Congress ticket but he joined AAP on 23rd April last year. A day later, he was announced as the AAP candidate for the Jalandhar parliamentary constituency for by-polls.

Yesterday (26th March), BJP inducted Congress’ Lok Sabha MP from Ludhiana and the grandson of ex-Punjab CM Beant Singh, Ravneet Singh Bittu. He represented the Anandpur Sahib Lok Sabha constituency in Punjab from 2009 to 2014. During the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, Bittu defeated Shiromani Akali Dal’s (SAD) Dr Daljit Singh Cheema by 67,204 votes.

On the same day, state BJP President Sunil Jakhar put an end to reports about possible alliance between BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) stating that BJP will go sole in the state for Lok Sabha elections and will contest all 13 Lok Sabha seat in the state.

Hyderabad Horror: Mohammad Sameer Syed kills ‘best friend’ Praneeth Teja, slits throat, pulls out intestines; suspected victim of having relationship with his sister

A 20-year-old young man named Mohammad Sameer Syed viciously murdered his Hindu ‘best friend’ Praneeth Teja, also 20, on Sunday, 24th March. The incident transpired inside a parked private bus at APHB Colony grounds in Hyderabad, Telangana. The horrifying development surfaced when the vehicle’s driver came across the deceased in the evening. The accused has since been arrested.

The matter pertains to the Balanagar police station area. According to sources, the perpetrator had a long-standing friendship with the victim who lived on the same street close to the Balanagar police station, and the two grew up in close proximity. Sameer Syed stayed there with his mother and sister. He was reportedly suspicious that his friend Praneeth was having romantic relations with his sister, which fueled his brutal act while he was under the alleged influence of ganja.

The victim allegedly had a fight at Syed’s home on 23rd March over an issue. Sameer Syed then invited Praneeth Teja out of his house on the morning of the fateful day in the name of clarifying the issue. Sameer Syed took Praneeth to a parked private bus in Balanagar after consuming alcohol, and smoking ganja. The argument between the two started again inside the bus and then Syed murdered Praneeth brutally.

Sameer Syed assaulted Praneeth and cut open his neck and stomach, and proceeded to remove his intestines. Sameer Syed used a 15-inch knife for the heinous act.

Inspector Naveen Kumar of Balanagar gave a frightening account of the incident and confirmed that law enforcement had responded to the horrible deed. Action was taken by the authorities to secure the crime scene and make sure Praneeth Teja’s body was taken to Gandhi Hospital for the required post-mortem examinations. The deceased’s mother has registered a complaint. A case has been registered against Sameer Syed, and he has been arrested

Disgraced former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt convicted after 28 years in 1996 Drug Peddling case where he tried to frame an innocent lawyer

On Wednesday, the 27th of March, the disgraced former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt was convicted in the 1996 Drug Planting case of Palanpur under NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act). Bhatt’s conviction came after he was presented before the Palanpur sessions court during the day.

The NDPS case traces its origins back to 1996 during Sanjiv Bhatt’s tenure as the District Superintendent of Police in Banaskantha, when he fabricated evidence against a lawyer by placing 1.5 kg of opium in a hotel in Palanpur. 

Sanjiv Bhatt was arrested by the Gujarat CID on the accusation of falsely implicating the lawyer Sumersingh Rajpurohit by planting opium in a hotel room in Palanpur.

A probe by Rajasthan Police later revealed that Rajpurohit was innocent, and Banaskantha Police had deliberately framed him, and he was taken away forcibly from his residence in Pali, Rajasthan.

Sanjiv Bhatt is already serving life sentence in a case related to custodial death. In 2019, disgraced former IPS officer Sanjeev Bhatt was sentenced to life imprisonment in a custodial death case. The Jamnagar court pronounced its verdict sentencing Bhatt to life imprisonment in the 1989 custodial death case.

Bhatt was the prime accused in the 1989 custodial death case where he was posted as the ASP in Jamnagar. Bhatt had allegedly detained over a hundred people during a communal riot and one of them had died.

The case concerns with the death of one Prabhudas Vaishnani who had died to to the injuries inflicted upon him under police custody. Six other policemen along with  Bhatt were also the accused in the case.

‘I will not work for Khichdi Chor’: Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam furious over Uddhav Sena’s Mumbai candidate, gives one-week ultimatum to Congress leadership

On Wednesday (27th March), Shiv Sena (UBT) released the first list of candidates for Lok Sabha constituencies in Mumbai without ‘accommodating enough seats for Congress’. As a result, the development has stirred a rebellion in the I.N.D.I.A. bloc and its alliance partner Congress. Adopting a rebellious approach, Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam addressed a press conference to oppose UBT’s Mumbai North West candidate Amol Kirtikar.  


Congress’ former Mumbai President Nirupam described Kirtikar as a “Khichdi Chor” candidate.

Addressing the press conference in Hindi, Sanjay Nirupam said, “This morning Shiv Sena (UBT) has declared candidates on 4 seats of Mumbai and it will declare candidate on the 5th seat by tomorrow. They have given 1 seat to Congress as alms. I oppose this. I was involved in the seat negotiations between Shiv Sena and Congress. The UBT candidate from North West is accused of corruption. Uddhav Thackeray has made a Khichdi chor who did the Khichdi scam during the time of Covid his candidate. I declare that I will not work for such Khichdi chor candidate.”

According to reports, Nirupam had been seeking a Congress ticket from this constituency. However, in a hasty announcement, the party’s ally Shiv Sena UBT declared Kiritikar as an alliance candidate. Kirtikar is accused of irregularities in the distribution of ‘khichdi’ (porridge) to migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Congress leader Nirupam launched a scathing attack against the UBT candidate calling him ‘Khichid chor’, hours after the ED summoned him for questioning in the ‘Khichdi scam’ case.

Nirupam said that with such developments, Congress is “burying” the party adding that it should break its alliance with Shiv Sena (UBT). 

He said, “Shiv Sena should not take an extreme stand. This will cause a huge loss to Congress. I want to attract the attention of Congress leadership to intervene, if not then break the alliance to save the party. The decision of an alliance with Shiv Sena will prove self-destructive for Congress.”

He gave a one-week ultimatum for the Congress leadership to rectify things. He warned the party that if they fail to do so, he had all his options open. 

The rebellious Congress leader said, “I want to tell this to the top leadership (of Congress) that I will wait for a maximum of one week more and then will take a decision. All options are open for me, I am not in an option-less situation.”

Following the announcement, Nirupam took to his official X handle to state that “friendly fight” would be his first option in case Congress leadership doesn’t pay heed to his advice.  

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant hit back at Nirupam for his remarks against his party. Sawant asked, “Who is he (Nirupam)? I don’t know. There is discipline in our party. Once Uddhav Thackeray declares it (names of candidates) the matter is over.”

The ongoing war of words over seat-sharing has further strained the I.N.D.I. alliance ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. 

Congress sympathiser Tehseen Poonawalla criticises Uddhav Sena for declaring candidates on ‘Congress seats’, takes a dig that Uddhav Sena lost party, symbol and leaders

On Wednesday (27th March), Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) announced its first list of 17 candidates for the coming Lok Sabha elections. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction which is also a member of the opposition’s I.N.D.I. Alliance has miffed Congress as it was eyeing the Mumbai South West, Bhiwandi and Sangli seats.

In this vein, Tehseen Poonawalla, the Congress sympathiser and brother-in-law of Robert Vadra slammed the Shiv Sena (UBT) for unilaterally deciding to field candidates on the three seats Congress was seeking. Taking a swipe at Shiv Sena (UBT) for having lost its party, its symbol as well as its leaders, Poonawalla asserted that the party is not ‘trustworthy’.

“The #ShivsenaUBT which lost their PARTY, their Symbol and their leaders decided unilaterally to declare the name of the #LokSabhaElection2024 candidates from the three seats that the #Congress was seeking – Sangli, North West Mumbai, South Central Mumbai. As of today Congress is the strongest opposition party in Maharashtra. How long can we trust the #ShivsenaUBT!” Tehseen Poonawalla posted on X today.

It is pertinent to recall that in February last year, the Election Commission of India (ECI) had declared that the party name “Shiv Sena” and the symbol “Bow and Arrow” would be retained by the Eknath Shinde faction.

Shiv Sena (UBT) releases first list of candidates

Earlier today, Shiv Sena (UBT) released the first list of its candidates for the coming Lok Sabha elections. The party has fielded Anil Desai from the Mumbai South Central constituency. Shiv Sena (UBT) has also given tickets to former Union Ministers Anant Geete and Arvind Sawant from the Raigad and South Mumbai constituencies, respectively.

Interestingly, the Congress desired Mumbai South West, Bhiwandi, and Sangli for themselves. Congress had nominated Vishal Patil for Sangli, while the Shiv Sena (UBT) chose wrestler Chandrahar Patil.

Moreover, Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam wanted to fight the election from Mumbai North, but the Shiv Sena (UBT) nominated sitting MP Gajanan Kiritkar’s son Amol Kirtikar. Notably, Gajanan Kiritkar is currently a member of the Shive Sena led by CM Eknath Shinde.

Sanjay Nirupam asks Congress to break alliance with Sena (UBT)

Congress’s Sanjay Nirupam has even urged the party’s high command to break the alliance with Shiv Sena (UBT) saying that the party has taken an “extreme stand”.

“Shiv Sena should not take an extreme stand. This will cause a huge loss to Congress. I want to attract the attention of Congress leadership to intervene, if not then break the alliance to save the party. The decision of an alliance with Shiv Sena will prove self-destructive for Congress,” Nirupam said.

Notably, all current Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs received tickets, including Vinayak Raut from Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, Omraje Nimbalkar from Osmanabad (Dharashiv), Sanjay Jadhav from Parbhani, Arvind Sawant from Mumbai South, and Sanjay Deshmukh from Yavatmal-Washim.

According to Sanjay Raut, the party will contest 22 of the state’s 48 Lok Sabha seats, with the remaining candidates to be revealed within the next day or two. Reports say that Shiv Sena (UBT) intends to contest Palghar, Hatkanangale, and Kalyan-Dombivli seats.

Severe consequences for organising a protest in court: Delhi High Court cautions AAP legal cell planning protests following Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest

On Wednesday, 27th March, the Delhi High Court issued a strong warning against planning any protests within the premises of the capital’s courts. Notably, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legal cell had called for a massive protest in response to the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, who composed the division bench, expressed reservations on the viability of protests inside court buildings. The prospect of harsh penalties for organising protests inside the court was underscored by Justice Manmohan. He warned, “Consequences would be severe for organising protest in court. Courts cannot be withheld. Courts cannot be stopped.”

Advocate Vaibhav Singh brought up the matter in front of the bench stating that court property cannot be utilised for political ends. Judge Manmohan stated that he would address the matter tomorrow in the hope that “better sense will prevail”, and added, “Nothing will happen. Many people say a lot of things.”

The court also alerted attorneys planning to stage protests on court property, emphasising that they would face severe consequences based on the Supreme Court’s established legal guidelines. “We cannot take away someone’s fundamental right to approach the court. If someone does it, he will do it at their own peril, and we will take action if required,” pointed out Justice Manmohan.

Lawyers were supposed to assemble in all district courts at approximately 12:30 pm on 27th March to convey their disapproval of Arvind Kejriwal’s incarceration, according to advocate Sanjeev Nasiar, state head of the AAP’s legal cell. The Indian Bar Council had asked the legal community to desist from holding demonstrations within the courts. Earlier, BCI Chairman and Senior Advocate Manan Kumar Mishra issued a press release pleading for Delhi’s legal community to refrain from unjustified agitation or caving in to polarising politics.

BCI Chairman stressed the need to protect the honour and integrity of the legal profession and urged patience until a judge with the appropriate credentials confirms Arvind Kejriwal’s innocence or rules that his arrest was illegal or unjust.

A Delhi court had earlier remanded Arvind Kejriwal to the ED’s custody till 28th March after he was arrested on 21st March in connection to the now-scrapped liquor policy after he ignored nine ED summons.