NATIONAL NEWS
Former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh meets Union Home Minister Amit Shah
Former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh met Union Home Minister Amit Shah at his residence in New Delhi on Wednesday, raising speculation over his future in politics. Singh arrived in the national capital on Tuesday, days after he quit as the chief minister of Punjab. The meeting assumes significance as Singh had not opened his cards but had claimed that he had not quit politics and would fight till the end. The veteran Congress leader had also launched a scathing attack on his bete noire, Navjot Singh Sidhu, who was appointed as the party’s Punjab unit president. Sidhu quit as the Punjab Congress chief on Tuesday. As regards his political future, Singh had said there were several options before him. Captain Amarinder Singh arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday, days after he quit as the chief minister of Punjab. Meanwhile, a day after he resigned as president of the Punjab Congress, Navjot Singh Sidhu on Wednesday hardened his stand, saying he will stick to his principles and continue his fight even if it means losing everything. Sidhu said that during his 17 years of political life, he had been working with a purpose to improve the life of people in Punjab and make a difference. Taking a principled stand on issue-based politics and sticking to it has been the core of his political journey, he added. Raising the Behbal Kalan police firing case of 2015, related to the Bargari sacrilege issue, which has been a political flash point in the State politics, Sidhu said people who had given a clean chit to the Badals and people who had fought for ‘blanket bail’ for the accused were today appointed to key posts such as Advocate-General. The people who were earlier talking about issues… where are they now and where are the resources through which we would have achieved our objective? asked Sidhu. The Congress party’s crisis in Punjab spiralled further on September 28, with Sidhu resigning from his post, Minister Razia Sultana quitting her post in support of him, and some other leaders too coming out in his support. Sidhu announced his resignation hours after portfolios were allocated by Channi. His suggestions on ‘choices of bureaucrats and ministers’ are believed to have been overruled by the party leadership. Also, the appointment of senior advocate A. P. S. Deol as Advocate-General was another reason for Sidhu’s decision, the close aide stated. Deol was counsel for former Director General of Police Sumedh Singh Saini, an accused in the Behbal Kalan police firing case of 2015.
Court’s power of contempt can’t be taken away even by legislatures, Supreme Court observes
Observing that the court’s power of contempt can’t be taken away even by a legislative enactment, the Supreme Court on September 29 held the chairperson of an NGO guilty of contempt for not depositing ₹25 lakh for scandalising and browbeating the court. We are of the view that the contemnor is clearly guilty of contempt of court and his action to scandalise the court cannot be countenanced, the top court said. A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and M.M. Sundresh said the chairperson of NGO, Suraz India Trust, Rajiv Daiya has been throwing mud at all and sundry, including the court, administrative staff and the State government. The power to punish for contempt is a constitutional power vested with this court which cannot be taken away even by a legislative enactment, the court said. The top court issued notice to Daiya and directed him to be present on October 7 for hearing of the sentence. With regard to recovery of money, the bench said it can take place as arrears of land revenue. The top court had issued contempt notice to Daiya as to why he should not be proceeded against and sentenced for his endeavour to scandalise the court. Daiya had told the bench that he did not have the resources to pay the costs imposed by the apex court and would approach the President of India with a mercy plea. The apex court was hearing an application filed by Daiya seeking recall of the apex court’s 2017 judgement by which it had imposed costs of ₹25 lakh on it for filing 64 PILs over the years without any success and repeatedly misusing the jurisdiction of the top court.
CBI probe shows violation of court ban on toxic material use in crackers: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court on Wednesday said a preliminary enquiry by the CBI into the firecracker industry, including in Tamil Nadu, revealed rampant violation of its ban on use of toxic ingredients like Barium and its salts. In an order in March 2020, the court ordered the CBI Joint Director in Chennai to conduct a detailed probe. The CBI was directed to examine the allegations of violation of the court ban in 2018. The CBI had filed a report in a sealed cover in the court. A Bench led by Justice M.R. Shah, referring to the contents of the report, observed that a chemical analysis of the samples of finished and semi-finished firecrackers and raw materials taken from the manufacturers showed Barium content. The court stated that loose quantities of Barium were purchased from the market. Firecracker covers did not show the manufacture or expiry dates. The court discussed why the manufacturers should not be asked to show cause why contempt action should not be taken against them. Everyday there is a celebration, but you should also be mindful of the people living around you… People who have asthma, Justice Shah remarked. The court posted the case for further hearing on October 6. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court prima facie brushed aside the manufacturers’ contention that thousands of employees earned their livelihood in the industry. Justice Shah retorted that we have to balance between employment, unemployment and the right to life and health of citizens. We cannot sacrifice the lives of many for a few. Our prime focus is the right to life of innocent people. The case gained significance with the onset of the wedding season and festivals like Dussehra and Deepawali. Everyday, there is a violation in this regard… in religious processions, political rallies, Justice Shah, accompanied by Justice A.S. Bopanna on the Bench, pointed out.
Locked up again, this is real picture of Kashmir: Mehbooba
Former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday accused the security forces of barring her from visiting a village in south Kashmir’s Tral. Locked up in my house today yet again for attempting to visit the village in Tral allegedly ransacked by army. This is the real picture of Kashmir that visiting dignitaries must be shown instead of GOIs (Government of India) sanitised and guided picnic tours, Mufti said. A PDP spokesman said policemen from the Ram Munshibagh Police Station locked up the main gate of Mufti’s residence and placed a mobile bunker to block it. Mufti had earlier alleged that the Army from Yagwani camp in Tral ransacked homes and ruthlessly thrashed a family on September 27. The daughter owing to her serious injuries was admitted to hospital. Not the first time that civilians from this village have been beaten up by army in this area, Mufti said. The police have not issued any statement on the move to restrict Mufti’s movement.
Covid Watch: Numbers and Developments
The number of reported coronavirus cases from India stood at 3,37,20,974 with the death toll at 4,47,855. Available evidence suggests that children aged 12 and above are at a high risk of contracting COVID-19 infection and must be prioritised for vaccination compared with younger children, said experts at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). They said schools should be reopened in a phased manner (beginning with primary schools) and allowed to function safely with appropriate implementation of multi-layered mitigation measures where children’s participation was essential. An opinion piece titled Reopening of schools during COVID-19 pandemic: a persistent dilemma published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research stated that there was ample evidence to suggest that children aged between one and 17 had similar susceptibility to a mild form of SARS-CoV-2 infection as in adults. However, the risk of severe disease and mortality in children was less. Meanwhile, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) decided on September 29 that schools for all classes, except those currently allowed (Class 9 to 12), will remain shut for the moment and will be allowed to open after conclusion of upcoming festive season. According to sources present in the meeting, the DDMA concluded that the situation related to COVID-19 was good, but the guard cannot be let down. In view of the upcoming festive season, Delhi Police and district administration directed to ensure enforcement of COVID-19 protocol and take care that gatherings taking place during the festive season are strictly in compliance with the laid down standard operating procedures (SOPs).
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Taliban write to DGCA for resumption of flights by Afghan carriers
The Taliban have written to India’s DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) requesting that Afghan carriers be allowed to resume commercial flights to the country, according to a senior government official. The letter from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan was addressed to DGCA Director General on September 7, 2021. The matter is being reviewed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the official said. Air connectivity between the two countries came to a halt after the Taliban closed the airspace over Afghanistan on August 16.
India, Australia sign ‘Terms of Reference’ for navy to navy talks
The Indian Navy and the Australian Navy on Wednesday signed the ‘Terms of Reference’ (ToR) for the conduct of the navy to navy talks under the framework of the ‘Joint Guidance for the India – Australia Navy to Navy Relationship’ document, signed by the two Navy Chiefs in August. This is the first such document signed by the Indian Navy with any country. The document set the navy to navy talks as the principal medium for guiding the bilateral cooperation, the Indian Navy said in a statement. The document would be pivotal in consolidating the shared commitment to promoting peace, security, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, it stated. The ToR detailed the modalities for engagement at various levels between the two navies and streamlined the process, an official source said. More such documents could be signed with countries in future, a second official source said. The document provided flexibility for the implementation of separate agreements based on the specific outcomes of the talks. The broad scope of the guidance was focused on developing mutual understanding, cooperating for regional security, collaborating in mutually beneficial activities and developing interoperability, the statement noted. The highlights of the document included close cooperation in regional and multilateral fora, including Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS), Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and expert working groups subordinate to the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus framework. The document was aligned to the ‘2020 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ agreed by the Prime Ministers and aimed to ensure shared approaches to regional and global security challenges. The inaugural navy to navy talk with Australia was held in 2005. Bilateral defence relations between India and Australia have significantly expanded over the years and they have also concluded a Mutual Logistics Support Agreement. Australia is also part of the Malabar naval exercise, which also includes Japan and the U.S. Australia has deployed a Liaison Officer at the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre for Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) as part of efforts to expand cooperation in maritime domain awareness.
