Delhi Underground: Out of ideas

On International Day of the Girl Child last week, an NGO hosted a programme to celebrate the day with the release of a report. Before she began her official speech, the chief guest for the function, Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi, directly addressed the Australian High Commissioner, the Australian Ambassador on Women and Girl Child, with a ‘thank-you’ for the invitation. “Thank you for inviting me. Even though it was at a day’s notice or rather a three-hour notice.” The five-second pause following this statement saw a packed audience exchange nervous looks, all eyes on the NGO representatives.

BJP’s retort

Replying to AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal’s offer of funds for a toilet at the Delhi BJP headquarters, the party wrote back about the poor condition of toilets in his Assembly constituency — New Delhi. The BJP also advised Kejriwal to be part of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and ensure that toilets in his area are cleaned up. Finally, taking a pot shot at the New Delhi MLA, they stated that the tagline of an advertisement — no ullu banauing — fits Kejriwal’s brand of politics.

Tips and tricks

After an altercation between AAP MLA Rakhi Birla and BJP councillor Sanjana Singh in Rohini, both sides filed FIRs against the other. According to Singh, Birla went to the police station with bandages and stated in her complaint that BJP workers had beaten her. “When I went to the police station, the SHO told me that I should have also come with bandages in order to support my claims.” Singh claimed.

Brief shocker

Having attacked rival political parties for allegedly indulging in bribe-taking on various occasions, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal shocked the audience at a party gathering. “If someone offers you a bribe, do not say no. Record the conversation on your phone and engage with the person. Bring the money to me,” he said. Surprised initially, the audience soon burst out laughing when it realised what Kejriwal was getting at. Realising his mistake, Kejriwal corrected himself, “Paise nahin, video dena.”

Identity confusion

Sensitisation of police personnel towards those from the Northeastern part of the country does not seem to have been of much help. On Friday, police officers mixed up the names of Northeastern states while releasing details of a Mizo woman who died of stab wounds at a city hospital. Speaking to reporters, senior officers from the South district told reporters that the woman was from Manipur. The official release also mentioned the woman as a resident of Manipur. It was only late in the evening, when reporters pointed out the error, that a clarification was issued regarding the woman being from Mizoram and not Manipur.

Bringing change

The judge of the fasttrack court, which pronounced the judgment in the 2010 Dhaula Kuan gangrape case, appreciated the efforts of the prosecutor and amicus curiae. “Before parting, I feel it is my duty to place on record deep appreciation for the able assistance rendered by the public prosecutor and the amicus curiae,” the judge said. When he sought replies from them, the amicus curiae said, “I am very thankful for your appreciation. But I have one small request to make — none of the acknowledgments, issued by the FSL regarding deposits of the case, mentions that sample seals were deposited. It has become a practice in the FSL not to mention receipts of sample seals along with exhibits. I request you to mention something on this in your order.” The judge, agreeing on the counsel’s contention, made a mention of the FSL’s practice in his final order.

Murky waters

During a hearing regarding a polluted water body in Tughlaqabad, the High Court asked the government counsel to explain the scientific terminology used in the report. “The numbers in the report — are they maximum limits or minimum limits?” the court said. The counsel was, unfortunately, not able to provide an explanation probably because he was not briefed properly. Finally, the court simply accepted the lawyer’s submission that the water was highly polluted and directed that an “expert” should appear before court on the next date to explain the report.