Daily Briefing: Satya Pal Malik on CBI raids at his residence; tensions grip Sandeshkhali again; and more

Multiple properties linked to former J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik were searched by the CBI yesterday as  part of its probe into alleged corruption in the award of a contract for a hydel project in Jammu division’s Kishtwar district.  Speaking to The Indian Express, Malik said the raids were “uncalled for” since he was actually a whistleblower and complainant in the case.

⚡Only in the Express 

‘Dis/Agree: The Best of Both Sides’ | After Ram temple in Ayodhya, and in an election year, what does the revival of controversy on Kashi and Mathura mean?

“Going ahead, we need consensus, not conflict, on Kashi and Mathura,” writes Shazia Ilmi.

“Effects of placing the majority’s religion on a pedestal are now plain to see,” writes Pratinav Anil. 

📰 From the Front Page 

Billionaire Elon Musk’s social media company X (formerly Twitter) has said that it has received orders from the Indian government to block certain accounts and links, failing which the platform and its employees could face potential penalties including significant fines and imprisonment.

Tension gripped Sandeshkhali once again yesterday after a group of residents staged fresh protests and allegedly set fire to an ‘alaghar’ (guard room) of a fishery that they claimed had been built on land grabbed by local TMC leaders. Following the incident, the administration invoked prohibitory orders under CrPC Section 144 in nine areas under five gram panchayats of Sandeshkhali.

👩‍💻 Must Read

In a first, an international team of physicists from the Anti-hydrogen Experiment: Gravity, Interferometry, Spectroscopy (AEgIS) collaboration achieved a breakthrough by demonstrating the laser cooling of Positronium. During the past few years, several rounds of experimental runs were performed in an accelerator beam hall of the CERN before the AEgIS team tasted success.

A group of investors that sought an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) of the parent company of Byju’s have questioned the management over Rs 1,700 crore given out as billings and commission to its affiliated reseller in Dubai. The debt-laden edtech firm has called the amount “grossly overstated”, adding that the outstanding net amount is around Rs 614 crore. We report. 

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has proposed a pilot study to check the feasibility of open book exams for Classes 9 to 12. Through this pilot, the Board aims to study the time taken by students to complete such tests and gather feedback of teachers and students. We explain.

⌛ And Finally…

When Bruna Alves, a Brazilian woman working with a surrogacy firm in Tel Aviv, wanted to freeze her eggs at 32, she chose India instead of her employer. Comparing global rates, including those of her home country Brazil, Bruna ended up paying Rs 1.5 lakh for the procedure, which would have cost her Rs 3.50 lakh in Brazil and Rs 4.50 lakh In Israel.

Delhi Confidential: Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary has crossed over to the ruling NDA, but not without ambiguity. His X handle shows the contrast — the pinned post at the top is “Dil Jeet Liya”, which he wrote after the Centre announced Bharat Ratna for his grandfather Chaudhary Charan Singh, while his latest post says he can “understand the anger” of Bengal-cadre IPS officer Jaspreet Singh, who was allegedly called “Khalistani” by BJP protesters at Sandeshkhali.

In the latest episode of our ‘3 Things’ podcast, we cast a glance at Ameen Sayani’s iconic career, and hear from veteran singer Usha Uthup, filmmaker Saeed Mirza, and Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien, who remember the radio legend very fondly.

Until next time,

Ayesha Jain and Rahel Philipose Pynumootil