1. Kanhaiya Moves SC; Vikram Singh Chauhan Gets Felicitated
JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar moved the Supreme Court on Thursday for bail, citing “fear for the safety of life and limb”. The Delhi sessions court had compelled him to approach the apex court directly for his release.
The bench of Justices J Chelameswar and Abhay M Sapre agreed to hear the bail plea on Friday, saying, “There is an extraordinary situation prevailing over there, so we are going to hear it.”
.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fmt=webp&width=720)
It now appears the video which showed JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar shouting so-called ‘anti-national’ slogans, could have been doctored, according to two TV channels – India Today TV and ABP News.
Vikram Singh Chauhan, the man wanted for the Patiala House Court twin assaults, was felicitated by lawyers at the Karkardooma courts for his “stand against anti-nationals”, even as he ignored summons from the Delhi Police on Thursday according to The Indian Express.
Syed Qasim Ilyas, 62, the father of the other wanted man in the JNU fracas, Umar Khalid — who was allegedly the chief organiser of the event where “anti-India slogans” were chanted — said his son has been targeted because he was a Muslim, reports Hindustan Times.
2. Kanhaiya’s Mother Refuses Protection
Kanhaiya Kumar’s family doesn’t want protection that has been provided to them on the orders of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. The order came after the arrested JNU Students’ Union president was beaten up outside the Patiala House Court on Wednesday, according to The Telegraph.
When so many policemen could not ensure the safety of Kanhaiya in Delhi what is the use of having security persons here? It’s better that the police should protect Kanhaiya. We do not need security; the whole society is with us.Prince, Kanhaiya’s Younger Brother to The Telegraph
The four armed policemen that turned up at Kanhaiya’s house in Bihat village, Begusarai district – around 120 km east of Patna – were turned away by the family.
3. Is Delhi Destination for the Next VYAPAM?
A scandal in the DSSSB, which reports to the Delhi government, could embarrass the ruling AAP which is on a promotional overdrive after completing one year of governance in the capital.
The Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB) that hires clerical staff for the city government faces allegations of a Vyapam-like scandal after complaints that it allowed some candidates to cheat during a recruitment test, according to Hindustan Times.
A complaint filed with the Delhi anti-corruption branch alleges that 42 candidates who cleared the initial two stages of the hiring process that started in June 2014 were either siblings or close relatives and were allowed to sit next to each other at the same exam centre. This means they were given a free hand at cheating.
BJP legislator Vijender Gupta wrote to lieutenant-governor Najeeb Jung demanding a CBI investigation. Gupta said a CBI inquiry was needed because the alleged scam involves people who set the questions for the exam, the press where the papers were printed, book publishers, invigilators and data operating agencies. He also alleged that around 30 questions were “directly lifted” from a book published by an Agra publisher.
The scandal is being seen by many as Delhi’s VYAPAM.
4. Intranet Tariffs Won’t Be Regulated Says TRAI Chief
Trai chairman RS Sharma has said that the telecom regulator’s recent order prohibiting differential tariffs for data applies only to services provided through the internet, and not on content provided through closed networks which do not travel over the internet, according to The Times of India.
While the 8 February order – Prohibition of Discriminatory Tariffs for Data Services Regulations – clearly orders equality in pricing of content over the internet, it makes an exception for data services that are provided over “closed electronic communications networks” (CECN).
Internet and net neutrality activists fear the exception may prompt telecom operators to offer lucrative content over intranet – or virtual private networks and closed user groups that they form with their subscribers – at subsidised rates, or below the prices charged over the internet.
5. Disproportional Assets Case: Co-accused’s Accountant Records Statement Against Himachal CM
The accountant of an apple trader — who allegedly moved money for Virbhadra Singh— recorded his confessional statement before a magistrate in Delhi divulging details that might spell trouble for the Himachal Pradesh CM, reports The Indian Express.
Saroj Singh, an accountant with apple trader Chunni Lal Chauhan, who is a co-accused in the CBI case, recorded his statement before a magistrate under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), revealing how money, allegedly belonging to Virbhadra, was moved by Chunni Lal and how records were fudged to show it as agricultural income.
The CBI has been carrying out an inquiry against Virbhadra and his family members for allegedly amassing disproportionate wealth adding up to Rs 6.03 crore during his tenure as steel minister in the UPA-II government.
6. Jat Agitation in Haryana Turns Violent
On the third day of the ongoing Jat agitation in Haryana, protesters set motorcycles on fire and turned violent, reports The Times of India. Protesters blocked roads, including national highways, in new areas of the state on Thursday while intensifying the agitation even after the Haryana government announced it would increase the quota for economically weaker sections (EWS) to 20 percent from 10 percent, in an attempt to pacify the community. Police resorted to teargas shells and lathi charge on protesters in Rohtak on Thursday.
Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, apart from around 20 companies of police, have been deployed in the town.
The administration imposed Section 144 of CrPC in many towns across the state and asked protesters to immediately clear the roads. Around 1,500 vehicles, including oil tankers, are unable to move beyond Sampala town on NH-10 connecting Rohtak to Delhi because of the blockade. Leader of Dalal Khap, Captain Man Singh, said they would continue the agitation till the state government brings a legislation in the assembly fixing reservation for Jats. Rohtak’s acting superintendent of police, Saurabh Singh, told the paper that almost half a dozen persons had been arrested so far.
7. Hardik Patel Starts Indefinite Hunger Strike in Jail
On Thursday, Patidar quota stir leader Hardik Patel started an “indefinite hunger strike” inside the Central Jail in Surat where he is lodged in connection with a sedition case. According to The Indian Express, Hardik had written to Jail Superintendent RN Pandey on 16 February stating that 18 February onwards, he would go on an indefinite fast. He demanded the immediate release of all quota stir leaders and reservation benefits for the community. According to jail authorities, the 22-year-old Patidar leader refused to take food or water since morning. They, however, said he was “alright”.
On 19 October last year, police in Surat had arrested Hardik on charges of sedition for allegedly inciting fellow activist Vipul Desai to kill a handful of policemen instead of committing suicide.
8. India Still Waiting For Western Intelligence on ISI Links in 26/11 Attacks
India is still waiting for western intelligence services to share evidence gathered by them while monitoring conversations of Lashkar-e-Taiba commanders in the months before the 26/11 attacks, according to a report in The Indian Express. The report said it was likely western intelligence services shared much less than they know and withheld material that could damage their relationship with the ISI.
The UK’s super-secret Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) was monitoring key operatives including Lashkar communications head Abdul Wajid, international operations head Sajid Mir, and overall military chief Zaki-ur-Rahman Lakhvi, said the report. They had gathered the electronic records of the commanders communicating with each other and with the ISI as the strikes in Mumbai were being planned, the report added.
9. BJP Says Yes to Timeline on PDP Demands
BJP has agreed to hold talks on the PDP’s key demand to fix timelines for “some points” in the Agenda for Alliance, the mutually agreed pact between the two parties, according to The Indian Express.
Madhav held a meeting on Wednesday with PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti in Srinagar to iron out differences between the two sides. The BJP general secretary, however, denied reports that the party has agreed to withdraw the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Kashmir. But it is likely the coalition government will examine the need for de-notifying ‘disturbed areas’ like Kathua and Srinagar.
The PDP leaders are expected to be in the national capital when the Parliament session begins on 23 February. They will meet with BJP leaders to discuss the way forward.
Click here to read more.
Stories from The Quint
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)