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“Some MPs’ assets have increased five times in as many years”

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“Some MPs’ assets have increased five times in as many years”

Mudda panel congratulates activist SN Shukla for taking the initiative after apex court says not just candidates, their spouses and dependents, too, should reveal source of income and property while filing nomination

Friday’s Mudda discussed the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment which makes it compulsory for political candidates to disclose their source of income along with their assets.

On February 16, in a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court said that all political candidates contesting an election will have to disclose their source of income, including that of their spouses and dependent children. Presently, the candidates have to disclose the details of their assets and also that of their spouses and three dependents. The judgment delivered by a bench headed by Justice J Chelameswar came in response to a petition filed by NGO Lok Prahari. The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) had also given examples of such politicians in the Supreme Court, whose wealth had increased exponentially in the past years.

The show was anchored by Akshay Singh. The panellists were retired PCS Baba Hardev, CB Pandey of the Naitik Party, the petitioner, SN Shukla, Major General Anil Verma (retired), head and national coordinator, Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), Congress spokesperson Omkar Nath Singh, BJP spokesperson Baleshwar Tyagi and APN consulting editor Govind Pant Raju.

The APN show presented a report on the increase in the property of politicians in recent years. Shukla called the decision a milestone. He said there were cases in which some of the parliamentarians’ assets increased five times in five years. He said that it is important that the candidates while contesting elections reveal the source of their income as well, so that voters come to know whether the ‘sudden’ increase shown in the property is through valid sources or not. He informed the audience that his NGO had given the names of 257 MPs to the income tax department for investigating but the I-T department could investigate only 11 parliamentarians.

Anil Verma of ADR started by congratulating Shukla for the victory he got in court and said that the judgment has to be read so as to understand what has become of the other prayers made in the petition since declaration of income source was just one of the requests. He explained how presently the political candidates escape by mentioning unspecified random professions in their affidavits. “Some of the candidates had mentioned agriculture, social service and business as their professions. One of the candidates who had mentioned government service as his profession had shown his annual income to be Rs 3 crore. Now which government service gives you an annual income of Rs 3 crore?” asked Verma.

Govind Pant Raju was a little pessimistic about how the decision is going to change the future because he felt that the politicians can always come out with a legal loophole to hide their corruption.

Shukla had a solution. He said that the other prayers in the PIL also ask for the cancellation of nomination of guilty lawmakers. He said that there must be a permanent machinery to take care of such cases. “We have presented a framework of such machinery before the apex court. We have also submitted the list of parliamentarians whose assets increased exponentially and asked the court the matters be individually investigated,” Shukla said.

—Compiled by Lilly Paul

India News

Delhi LG VK Saxena directs probe into remarks against Kangana Ranaut by Congress leader Supriya Shrinate

The Delhi Police will investigate who was behind the said social media post and whose mobile phone was used for the purpose.

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Delhi lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena today sought a detailed probe from Delhi Police commissioner Sanjay Arora in relation with the alleged defamatory social media post made by Congress’s Supriya Shrinate against actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut.

Reportedly, BJP candidate from New Delhi Bansuri Swaraj had given a complaint to the LG seeking probe and registration of an FIR against Shrinate for outraging the modesty of a woman. Subsequently, the Delhi LG has forwarded the complaint to the Delhi Police Commissioner, directing a scientific investigation in the matter and initiation of legal action, if necessary.

Reports said that the Delhi Police will also investigate who was behind the said social media post and whose mobile phone was used for the purpose. A major controversy erupted on Monday after an objectionable post from Supriya Shrinate’s social media handle against Kangana Ranaut, who has been announced as the BJP candidate from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi.

Responding to the remarks, Kangana Ranaut said that they must free the daughters from the shackles of prejudices and must rise above the curiosity about their body parts. She added that people must refrain from using sex workers’ challenging lives or circumstances as some kind of abuse or slur. She concluded that every woman deserves her dignity. As the controversy intensified, the Congress leader asserted that someone else had posted the objectionable content from her handle. 

Meanwhile, the Election Commission on Wednesday issued a show cause notice to Congress leader Supriya Shrinate for her derogatory remarks against Kangana Ranaut. The Election Commission observed that the remarks are undignified and in a bad taste. The election body asked the Congress leader to respond to the commission by Friday. In the notice, the Election Commission stated that the statements made by the leader is prima facie violative of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) being in force ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. 

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Bollywood actor Govinda joins Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena

Govinda on his official induction in the party by CM Eknath Shinde said he is joining Shiv Sena and it is a blessing from God. He said he thought he would not enter politics again. Govinda said Mumbai looks cleaner and better now.

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Bollywood actor Govinda joined Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena on Thursday ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra. In 2004 Govinda contested from Mumbai North Lok Sabha on a Congress ticket and earned the nickname of a giant slayer as he defeated BJP’s Ram Naik. He resigned from the party and said that he had decided to take a break from politics.

Govinda on his official induction in the party by CM Eknath Shinde said he is joining Shiv Sena and it is a blessing from God. He said he thought he would not enter politics again. Govinda said Mumbai looks cleaner and better now. He said his parents had a good relationship with Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.

Shiv Sena leader Krishna Hedge met the Bollywood actor at his residence in Juhu. Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde said the actor’s joining the Shiv Sena does not come with a rider. Govinda said whatever work is assigned to him, he will do it to the best of the ability. He said he was a part of the 14th Lok Sabha and has returned to politics after 14 years.

Speaking about his role in politics, the actor said he would transform the film city of Mumbai. He did not reply when he was asked about contesting elections. Govinda said everybody has seen the same level of progress in Maharashtra in the last 2 years, as it has been seen in the country in the last 10 years. He said he is going to focus on the beautification of the state and work towards the growth of art and culture.

Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora welcomed Govida into the party and said he has known the veteran Bollywood actor for almost 25 years. He recalled the 2004 election and said both of them had fought elections together.

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To browbeat, bully others is vintage Congress, says PM Modi after lawyers express concern over attempts to undermine judiciary

Lawyers, including Harish Salve and Bar Council chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra, wrote to CJI DY Chandrachud, alleging that a vested interest group is trying to put pressure on the judiciary and defame courts, particularly in cases of corruption involving politicians.

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PM Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Congress party after more than 600 lawyers and some bar associations across the country wrote to the Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, expressing concerns over attempts to undermine the judiciary’s integrity using political and professional pressure.

Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi wrote that to browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture. He recalled that five decades ago, the party itself had called for a committed judiciary, adding that they shamelessly want commitment from others for their selfish interests, but desist from any commitment towards the nation. He concluded that no wonder, 140 crore Indians are rejecting them.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comments followed after lawyers, including Harish Salve and Bar Council chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra, wrote to CJI DY Chandrachud, alleging that a vested interest group is trying to put pressure on the judiciary and defame courts, particularly in cases of corruption involving politicians.

The lawyers said the tactics used by the vested interest group are damaging the courts and threatening democratic fabric. They stated that Chief Justice Chandrachud’s leadership is crucial in these tough times and the Supreme Court should stand strong, adding it is not the time to maintain dignified silence.

Without naming, the letter also targeted a section of lawyers and alleged they defend politicians by day and then try to influence judges through the media at night. Furthermore, they claimed that some elements are trying to influence who the judges are in their cases and spread lies on social media to put pressure on the judges to decide in a particular way.

In addition, the All Manipur Bar Association had also written to CJI DY Chandrachud highlighting the need to speak out against underhanded attacks on the judiciary on Wednesday. In its letter, the bar association said that it was extremely concerned about recent trends where vested interest groups were trying to defame the courts with frivolous logic and stale political agendas.

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