Daily Briefing: SC reserves verdict on pleas against electoral bonds scheme; Mahua Moitra’s remarks on Committee chief

🚨 Big Story

Reserving its judgment on petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Electoral Bond Scheme-2018, a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court has said it is “slightly difficult to accept” the government’s contention that voters do not have the right to know the source of funding of political parties.

In the six years since the first petition challenging the scheme was filed, six Chief Justices of India took office and twice — in 2019 and 2021 — the Supreme Court declined to stay the legislation.

Yet, when the case was finally heard by a five-judge Constitution Bench, it only took six sessions – spread across three days – for the Court to conclude the hearing and reserve verdict.

⚡ Only in Express

The land off the Durgapur Expressway is dotted with mounds of soil and concrete, wildgrass, and dilapidated drainage pipes. Only small patches show signs of agriculture. Mamata Banerjee once led an agitation here against the Tata Motors’ Singur manufacturing plant that helped propel her party to power in West Bengal.

Fifteen years later, while the TMC continues its rule the state, and Tata Motors has been awarded a sizeable compensation, those who once farmed here say they are the only “losers”.

📰 From the Front Page

Lok Sabha’s Ethics Committee meeting witnessed stormy scenes Thursday after TMC MP Mahua Moitra, who had appeared before the panel to give oral evidence in connection with the cash-for-query allegations against her, walked out with Opposition members, accusing chairman Vinod Kumar Sonkar of asking her “undignified questions”.

With the Air Quality Index in Delhi breaching the 400-mark on Thursday, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said all primary schools will remain closed for the next two days. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) also banned non-essential construction activities and imposed restrictions on certain categories of vehicles.

Aligarh Muslim University has shortlisted its prestigious Women’s College principal for the job of Vice Chancellor — she could become the university’s first woman V-C — but the selection process has invited complaints and questions of propriety and conflict of interest. For, her husband chaired the meeting that included her in the list.

👩‍💻 Must Read

In an interview with The Indian Express, Congress leader Kamal Nath said that the BJP can’t claim credit for the Ram temple in Ayodhya, as it was Rajiv Gandhi who opened the locks of the temporary Ram temple at the disputed Babri Masjid site.

✍️ Exiled Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif returned home on October 21, and while his presence in Islamabad is potentially significant for the country’s politics, it is not so for its polity, writes former diplomat Vivek Katju.

The new global pact on tackling Artificial Intelligence risks is a big deal. Anil Sasi explains why, including India’s change in stance on the issue, the varied approaches of different countries and the Bletchley Park Declaration.

⏳ And Finally…

Speed, seam, swing, swag… Sriram Veera dissects the elements that make India’s trio of Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah the most devastating pace-bowling firm in the WC.

In Delhi Confidential, we track Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar’s meeting with Elon Musk, Centre earning Rs 500 crore from disposing of office scrap in the past one year, and more

🎧 We are taking a break from our regular programming today to present a special feature story about a woman who might just have the most unique job in the world — Melody G Fanai, who through her voice, mends relationships and brings people together.

Until next time,

Anamni Gupta and Navmi Krishna

Business As Usual by E P Unny