Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena Thursday has approved temporarily dissolving the Delhi Dialogue and Development Commission (DDCD) and removal of its non-official members, till a mechanism is developed for screening and selection of domain experts as its vice chairman and members, as per the rules.

The Delhi High Court has sought the stand of the National Testing Agency (NTA) on a petition by a NEET candidate alleging 'out of syllabus' question in the entrance examination.

The petitioner claimed one question in the physics section was based on 'radioactivity' when 'radioactivity topic' was not a part of the syllabus for this year's NEET-UG. The petitioner also alleged a "manifest error" with respect to another question for which NTA declared the "incorrect option" as the right answer.

A vacation bench of Justice Dharmesh Sharma granted two weeks' time to the counsel appearing for the authorities -- Centre, NTA and National Medical Commission, to file their response to the petition.

"Learned counsels for respondents No.1 to 3 are present on advance notice and a request is made to grant time to file a short affidavit. Let the same be filed within two weeks from today," said the bench in the order passed on June 24. The petitioner said although he is a "successful candidate", his overall ranking has been adversely affected due to the errors committed by the NTA.

Members of the NSUI gathered at Jantar Mantar at 1:15 PM to protest alleged exam irregularities by the NTA. Leftist student organizations, including AISA, KYS, BsCEM, and DISHA, are on an indefinite strike, demanding the NTA be scrapped and calling for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The police have currently halted the protests.

A slew of important agendas are set to be tabled at the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD)’s monthly house meeting on Thursday. These include a four-time increase in parking fees during the imposition of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) guidelines, the maintenance and upgradation of infrastructure at 13 electronic tax machines, and the establishment of a cow’s digestive process-inspired purification plant among others.

The MCD generally increases parking fees after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) imposes GRAP guidelines due to pollution issues in the national capital every year. However, if the agenda gets approved in Thursday’s house meeting, an automatic increase of 4 times will be imposed during GRAP-II.

Water Minister Atishi was discharged from Lok Nayak Hospital on Thursday morning. She had been admitted late on the night of June 25 after her health deteriorated during her indefinite hunger strike over the Delhi water crisis and the supply of water from Haryana.

#WATCH | Delhi Minister Atishi discharged from Lok Nayak Hospital.

She was brought here on the late night of June 25 after her health deteriorated during her indefinite hunger strike over Delhi water crisis and supply of water from Haryana. pic.twitter.com/UDsj3LJwfy

— ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2024

In response to Kejriwal's arrest, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announced they would boycott President Droupadi Murmu's address to the joint session of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on Thursday. AAP General Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP, Sandeep Pathak, criticized the BJP for Kejriwal's arrest. He stated "Today we will protest in the Rajya Sabha against the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and we will boycott the President's address. The President and the Constitution are supreme and when dictatorship is done in the name of justice, it is important to raise our voices,". Currently, AAP MPs are protesting and raising slogans of " Stop the dictatorship" within the Parliament premises.

A wall of a vacant plot collapsed due to rain in southwest Delhi's Vasant Kunj area on Thursday, police said.

They said no one was injured in the incident.

"We are investigating the matter. CCTV footage shows no one was around when the wall collapsed," a senior police officer said.

Heavy rain lashed parts of Delhi in the morning. (PTI)

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal arrived at CBI headquarters after the CM was brought here by CBI on a 3-day remand in the excise policy case.

#WATCH | Delhi | Sunita Kejriwal, wife of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, arrives at CBI headquarters after the CM was brought here by CBI on a 3-day remand in the excise policy case pic.twitter.com/d4SFo49ygH

— ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2024

A Delhi court on Thursday allowed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal and his lawyer to meet him for 30 minutes every day. The court also allowed them to carry his prescribed medicines and home-cooked food during the remand period. 

The court sent Kejriwal to three-day custody of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), hours after the probe agency arrested him in connection with the excise policy case.

he Delhi High Court on Wednesday granted interim bail for six weeks on medical grounds to businessman Amit Katyal, who was arrested in the Enforcement Directorate’s money-laundering case linked to the alleged land-for-jobs scam.

A single-judge bench of Justice Dharmesh Sharma said in its order, “Having bestowed my thoughtful consideration to the submissions advanced by the learned counsels for the rival parties and on meticulous perusal of the relevant record of the case, this Court finds that evidently in terms of the report of the Deputy Superintendent, Central Jail No. 7, Tihar, Delhi, the dietary requirements for the health and survival of the petitioner are being provided only partially to him.”

Read more here.

"Arvind Kejriwal got bail on 20th June. Immediately ED got a stay. The very next day CBI made him an accused. And today he was arrested. The whole system is trying to ensure that the man does not come out of jail. This is not the law. This is a dictatorship, this is an emergency," said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal on X.

The CBI formally arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday and sought his five-day custody in a corruption case related to the alleged excise scam.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was seen being escorted out of Rouse Avenue Court by police after the excise policy hearing concluded on Thursday.

VIDEO | Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal being escorted out of Rouse Avenue Court by police after hearing in excise policy case concludes. pic.twitter.com/ANeP7tZm9b

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 26, 2024

Delhi court reserves order for 4 PM on CBI plea seeking 5-day custody of Arvind Kejriwal in excise 'scam' case.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal addressed the Court asserting that CBI sources fabricated information in the media. He clarified, 'I have not made any statement holding Sisodia responsible. Yesterday, I made it clear that neither AAP nor Sisodia can be blamed.' The court acknowledged Kejriwal's assertion, stating, 'I have reviewed your statement, and CM never said it was Sisodia's idea.'

Advocate Vivek Jain, representing Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal case, stated that 'MSR had previously informed the ED that his interaction with the CM lasted only five minutes and did not involve any discussion regarding the excise policy.' Jain further asserted that the proceedings were being manipulated, noting that these statements had been available for a considerable period. He added, 'Both Vijay Nair and Chanpreet Singh, whom they allege have connections to me, are already on bail in the CBI case.'

Advocate Vivek Jain representing Kejriwal in the court asserted 'More than 14000 opinions came and their allegation is that 7 opinions were fabricated. How do I know all this? Because everything has been argued in the Manish Sisodia case. 0.06% of opinions are allegedly fabricated. And what is my role? I (Kejriwal) did not even hold the portfolio back then?' Jain continues to argue that the Ministers were consulted and the public was consulted...the report was even sent to the LG who gave seven recommendations. The cabinet had approved the recommendations.

During the court proceedings, Senior Advocate Vikram Chaudhri argued that the CBI's request for Arvind Kejriwal's custody was based on the need to uncover a larger conspiracy, confront him with evidence, and address his allegedly evasive responses."The materials must be perused by the Court before granting them (the CBI) the custody of Kejriwal. The best evidence of the agencies are their most tainted accused", Chaudhri said. 

Senior Advocate Vikram Chaudhri representing Kejriwal questions the timing of the arrest. He argues, "They were waiting for the pronouncement of my bail order. They could've arrested me on June 2 when I surrendered....the CBI says I will influence witnesses...which witness will I influence? This is only their thinking."

Senior Advocate Vikram Chaudhri representing Kejriwal argued in the Court that, 'In none of the four chargesheets (filed by the CBI), is there a reference to me.' Chaudhri further questions the necessity and timing of arrest. He says, 'MSR's son became an approver...they joined the ruling party's allies (TDP) and all their sins were washed. 'They've been cutting, copying and pasting from somebody else's investigation. Whatever material they're citing, existed prior to them requesting my custody" , added Chaudhri. 

Arguing against the CBI’s arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s lawyer in Rouse Avenue court said, “Who will police the police? Who will CBI the CBI? They’re trying to carve out a case when none exists.” Vikram Chaudhri also questions the necessity to arrest is the first aspect that the Lordships have to determine. The next aspect will be the necessity to remands says Chaudhri. 

Public Prosecutor DP Singh in his argument says, ' We need him in CBI custody because we want to show him certain documents and confront him. This can't be done in judicial custody.' He also asserted 'Kejriwal doesn't remember anything...he doesn't even remember going to Goa.' Singh also adds the CM went there 11 times and has no recollection?

In response to the CBI's arguments in the Delhi Chief Minister excise policy scam case, the Court asked Public Prosecutor DP Singh, "What is the material against Kejriwal?"

Singh responded that Magunta S Reddy, a member of the South Group, met Kejriwal at the CM Secretariat. During this meeting, Kejriwal allegedly told Reddy to provide monetary funding to AAP. He further stated "K Kavitha contacted Reddy over phone and requested for a meeting in Hyderabad...it is on this day that AAP communications in charge (Vijay Nair) visited Hyderabad."

Singh argued that Kejriwal needs to be in CBI custody to show him certain documents and confront him, which cannot be done in judicial custody.

Public Prosecutor DP Singh, representing the CBI, presented in court that in March 2021, members of the South Group stayed at Delhi's Oberoi Hotel for four days. During this time, a policy report prepared by the South Group was handed over to C. Arvind, the secretary of Sisodia, by Sisodia himself. The report comprised 36 pages. 

In continuation to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's case hearing, the Public Prosecutor DP Singh, representing CBI asserted, 'We now have evidence that the 'South Group' was responsible for formulating the policy.'

Public Prosecutor DP Singh, representing the CBI, explained that during the process, public opinion was solicited. He said "Some officers included a dissent note by some. Sisodia was angry...the officer who added the dissent was admonished...he was changed." The officer who added the dissenting note was reprimanded and subsequently replaced. Singh also mentioned that the file containing the note remains missing till date. "The report compiled by the South Group was taken as the report of the group of ministers (who were responsible for the policy)" said Singh. 

Public Prosecutor DP Singh, representing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), stated, 'We have traced the precise trail of 45 crores allegedly used in the Goa elections by the AAP.' He also further accused AAP members of manipulating the policy and they (CBI) have evidence for that. 'There were some officers who weren't happy...they were not ready to sign the policy...he was changed,' Singh said. 

After the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Public Prosecutor DP Singh, representing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), made several statements regarding the case. He said, "The evidence shows that the South Group dictated the formulation of the policy. Even before the policy was officially announced, efforts began to identify beneficiaries aligned with it." He further remarked, "The notification process was rushed, and no formal meetings were convened. The Chief Minister was leading these efforts." Singh also noted that the South Group was present in Delhi, ensuring the policy's swift notification.

The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, in a corruption case in connection with the alleged excise policy scam. The CM  has been lodged in the Tihar Jail ever since he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in an alleged money laundering case on March 21.

A formal arrest in the CBI case means Kejriwal could still be in jail for now, irrespective of the Supreme Court’s decision on his bail in the ED case. However, the standard of bail is different under the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act than the stringent Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

As CBI seeks custody of Kejriwal, his lawyer senior advocate Vikram Chaudhari is asking the special court to hear the accused before allowing remand. 

Section 41 of the Code of Criminal Procedure allows a police officer to arrest a person without an order from a magistrate and without a warrant if the offence is a cognizable or serious one. 

However, since Kejriwal is currently in judicial custody, CBI requires the court’s nod to arrest him.

During the court proceedings, Public Prosecutor DP Singh, representing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), questioned, "Can the counsel for the accused continue to argue endlessly when we haven't even taken any action yet?"

In response, Senior Advocate Vikram Chaudhri, representing Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, countered, "Is there a rule that denies us a hearing unless the accused is arrested?"

Judge Rawat says " Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has not been formally arrested so far...they only needed production warrants as he was in Judicial custody."

After Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was presented in court, Public Prosecutor DP Singh, representing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), stated, "I am not required to seek the accused's permission or submit applications to them to continue my investigation. My only requirement is to obtain the Court's permission."

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal produced before the Court on Wednesday in money-laundering case related to the excise policy scam.

Advocate Vivek Jain and others representing Delhi Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal moved an application seeking supply of the application moved before the court earlier based on which CBI was granted permission to question him. 

"We only got to know about this through the media," Jain said.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday visited Delhi Cabinet Minister Atishi at the LNJP hospital here.

Atishi was hospitalised on Tuesday due to her worsening health conditions while on an indefinite hunger strike to demand water for the national capital amid its ongoing scarcity.

The AAP leader, who holds multiple portfolios in the Delhi government, was admitted to the emergency ICU at the Lok Nayak Hospital, and doctors said Tuesday that her condition was stable.

Atishi had begun her hunger strike on June 21. It ended with her hospitalisation. (PTI)

Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal will be produced before Special Judge Amitabh Rawat shortly. His wife Sunita Kejriwal has also reached the Court.

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal reached the lock up in Rouse Avenue on Wednesday. He is expected to be produced before the court shortly, where the CBI is likely to request his custody.

The Supreme Court Monday quizzed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) over the felling of trees in the national capital’s protected Ridge area and sought to know if the Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G), the Chairman of the Authority, had anything to do with it.

A bench of Justices A S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, which perused a report of a committee set up by DDA to enquire into the matter, said the emails purportedly sent by the Executive Engineer to the contractor referred to a “site visit by the L-G on February 3” and that “emails state the L-G, after the visit, directed to clear the trees”.