FRIDAY 22 MARCH 2024 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC Twitter.com/thestatesman Facebook.com/thestatesman INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR BLINKEN TO VISIT TEL AVIV FOR TALKS ON HOSTAGE DEAL ANAND SHARMA OBJECTS TO CONG’S CASTE CENSUS P5 SENSEX 72,641.19539.50 WEATHER SUPREME COURT QUESTIONS TN GOVERNOR’S CONDUCT P9 NIFTY 22,011.95172.85 P4 GOLD 67,4201,090 ` vs $ 83.13 ED arrests Arvind Kejriwal Liquor policy case: AAP moves Supreme Court, urges urgent hearing over matter RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY D Max. 84 % Min. 44 % TEMPERATURE Max: 30.1 °C(-1) SUN RISES 6:21 hrs MOON RISES 16:07 hrs Min: 16.4 °C (0) SUN SETS 18:34 hrs MOON SETS 05:26 hrs THUMBNAILS People play musical instruments while taking out a 'Dola Yatra' from Shampur village, in Bhubaneswar on Thursday.  ANI I&B min cautions influencers against endorsing offshore online betting: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Thursday advised all endorsers and influencers on social media to refrain from promoting or advertising, including surrogate advertisements, of offshore online betting and gambling platforms. The Ministry has said that these advertisements have a significant financial and socio-economic implications of online betting and gambling on (P5) consumers, particularly the youth. Mary Kom named Chef De Mission for Paris Olympics: Sixtime women boxing World Champion Mary Kom was on Thursday appointed Chef de Mission of Indian contingent for the Paris Olympics, while veteran table tennis player and CWG champion Sharath Kamal will be the (P12) country's flag bearer at the Games. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 21 MARCH AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar alleged that whatever is happening shows the desperation of the Central govt, as they want to keep Arvind Kejriwal away from the elections, as they know they cannot defeat the AAP chief in the upcoming general elections. RAF and police personnel stand guard outside the home of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday.  ANI al convener. AAP minister Atishi said that the party has moved the Supreme Court for quashing the arrest and requested an urgent hearing tonight. “We have moved the Supreme Court for quashing the arrest of Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal, by ED. We have asked for an urgent hearing by the Supreme Court tonight itself,” she posted on X. Earlier, she told reporters about receiving the news that the probe agency has arrested Mr Kejriwal, and added that earlier also the party had said that Mr Kejriwal will run the government from jail. Heavy security arrangements were put in place outside the chief minister’s residence, while Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, who got there after the ED teams arrived, was denied entry inside. Mr Bharadwaj, while speaking to reporters outside the CM’s residence had said: “ED is inside, it seems there is a raid taking place, and CM may be arrested.” Delhi minister Atishi along with other AAP leaders, also reached the CM's residence but said that they were stopped from entering the house. Ms Atishi told media that the Central agency had come with the intention to arrest the chief minister. Delhi mayor and AAP leader Shelly Oberoi also reached the spot and said that people's blessings are with the AAP chief. There were barricades put outside the CM’s residence and security stepped up with the deployment of RAF personnel, while near the residence AAP workers started to gather and began to stage a protest. AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar alleged that whatever is happening shows the desperation of the Central government, as they want to keep Arvind Kejriwal away from the elections, as they know they cannot defeat the AAP chief in the upcoming general elections. They have not been able to find the proceeds of crime, which is very crucial in the PMLA probe, Ms Kakkar claimed. Supreme Court refuses to stay appointment of 2 ECs PARMOD KUMAR NEW DELHI, 21 MARCH The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to put on hold the appointment two Election Commissioners’ Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023, which dropped the Chief Justice of India from the panel for the selection of Election Commis- sioners. Dismissing all the applications seeking stay on the appointment of Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu as Election Commissioners, a bench of Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta said that elections are round the corner and stay on the appointment would result in “chaos and uncertainty”. Refusing to interfere with the appointments, the court issued notice on the plea challenging the constitutional validity of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act 2023. The court gave the Central government six-weeks’ time to respond to the notice. Stating that it will P12 SILVER 78,5001,500 MAINLY CLEAR SKY. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 33 AND 16 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. elhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in the liquor policy case on Thursday night, after he was quizzed for about two hours by the probe agency. Confirming the arrest of the Delhi chief minister, AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj posted on social media platform X: “CM is arrested.” Hours after Delhi High Court refused to grant interim protection from “coercive action” to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with Directorate of Enforcement's (ED) money laundering case linked to the liquor policy, the probe agency on Thursday evening reached Mr Kejriwal's official residence and questioned the AAP nation- KKR GEARING UP FOR MILLION-DOLLAR FACE-OFF ON SATURDAY pass a detailed order later, the bench said: “Now they (Election Commissioners) have been appointed, elections are round the corner... There are no allegations against persons appointed. You cannot say that the Election Commission is under the thumb of the executive. At this stage we cannot stay the legislation and it will lead to only chaos and uncertainty.” However, the bench questioned the Central gov- ernment for the speed in which the Search Committee shortlisted candidates and the speed with which two Election Commissioners were selected by the Selection Committee. Clarifying that it was not questioning the credentials of the Election Commissioners ~ Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu ~ the court said that it was questioning the procedure in which the selection was made. BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 85.200.18 India has transitioned to governance of transparency: Modi STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 21 MARCH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said Indian democracy has transitioned to a performancebased governance where shortages, corruption and discrimination have been replaced by transparency, accountability and opportunity. In his remarks at the leaders’ plenary of the 3rd Summit for Democracy, held virtually, he thanked President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol for continuing the initiative on international dialogue. He said the Summit for democracy has emerged as an important platform where democracies share experiences and learn from each other. In a few weeks from now, he said, the world will witness the largest festival of democracy in India, with around one billion voters are expected to vote. This will be the largest electoral exercise in the history of mankind, the Prime Minister said. The people of India will once again affirm their faith in democracy, he said. India has an ancient and unbroken culture of democracy. It has been the lifeblood of Indian civilization. Consensus building, open dialogue and free discussions have resonated throughout India's history. “That is why my fellow citizens consider India to be the mother of democracy,” he said. Over the last decade, he said, India has moved for- ward with the mantra of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Viswas, Sabka Prayas.” That is collective efforts for inclusive growth. “Reaching out to all sections of society, particularly the poor, women, youth and farmers has been our top priority in the true spirit of inclusivity,” he said. In the transition to a performance-based governance, he said, technology has played a crucial role as a great enabler. India's rapid progress in digital public infrastructure has revolutionized public service delivery and enhanced financial inclusion. “Riding on the power of youth and technology, India has rapidly developed into the world's third largest start-up ecosystem. Our 1.4 million elected women representatives at the grassroots level are our agents of change for womenled development,” he said. Today, India is not only fulfilling the aspirations of its 1.4 billion people, but it is also providing hope to the world that democracy delivers and democracy empowers, the Prime Minister said. Sonia accuses PM of trying to cripple Congress financially SC stays setting up of FCU by Central govt EC uploads fresh data on electoral bonds after SBI provides details STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE PARMOD KUMAR NEW DELHI, 21 MARCH NEW DELHI,21 MARCH NEW DELHI, 21 MARCH Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Thursday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of trying to cripple the Congress financially ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. She also claimed that the funds collected by the Congress are being frozen by the ruling dispensation and called it “unprecedented.” Addressing a Press conference at the party headquarters, the CPP chairperson, flanked by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chief Rahul Gandhi and senior party leaders KC Venugopal and Ajay Maken said: “A systematic effort is underway by the PM to cripple the Indian National Congress (INC) financially. Funds collected from the public are being frozen, and money from our accounts is being taken away forcibly. However, even under these most challenging circumstances, we are doing our best to maintain the effectiveness of our election campaign.” Stating that the issue was very “serious”, she added: “It affects not just the Congress, it impacts our democracy itself most fundamentally.” The CPP chairperson also slammed the ruling BJP over the electoral bonds and alleged that it has benefitted hugely from electoral bonds. “On the one hand, there is the electoral bond issue, which has been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. The electoral bonds have benefitted the BJP hugely. On the other hand, the finances of the principal opposition party, the INC, are under a determined assault. This is truly unprecedented,” she said. Notably, the Congress had called the electoral bonds scheme, which was struck down by the Supreme Court as a “black money conversion” scheme of the BJP government. Earlier, Congress president Kharge said for any democracy fair elections are very important, and it is necessary that all the political parties have the same level playing field besides equal resources. The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the notification issued by the central government for setting up fact check units(FCU) to verify the authenticity of the news items appearing on social media. Staying the notification issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2023, Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud heading a bench also comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra said that it involves serious constitutional questions. The notification setting up the fact check units (FCUs) was issued on Wednesday. “We are of the considered view that questions before the High Court deal with core questions on Article 19(1)(a). Pending adjudication by the High Court, we are desisting to deal on merits which may foreclose assessment by the third learned judge. We are of the view that notification dated March 20, 2024, after rejection of application of interim relief, needs to be stayed. The challenge to the validity of 3(1)(b)(5) involves serious constitutional questions and the impact of the rule on free speech and expression would need to be analyzed by the High Court," the bench said in its order. The challenge to the Information Technology Rules Amendment 2023, is being adjudicated by the Bombay High Court. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE The Election Commission on Thursday published on its website complete data on electoral bonds submitted by the State Bank of India as directed by the Supreme Court. The fresh data includes alpha-numeric numbers that can help match the purchasers of the bonds with the political parties that encashed them. “In compliance of Supreme Court's directions, contained in its order dated February 15, March 11, 2024 and March 18 (in the matter of WPC NO.880 of 2017), the SBI has provided the data pertaining to the electoral bonds to the Election Commission of India today,” read the communique issued by the poll panel. The Commission said it has uploaded the data on electoral The fresh data includes alpha-numeric numbers that can help match the purchasers of the bonds with the political parties that encashed them bonds on its website as received from SBI on "as is where is basis", which can be accessed at “url: https://www.eci.gov.in/candidate-politicalparty”. The two sets of data--552 pages of details of redemption by political parties and 386 pages of details of donors-cover electoral bonds purchased and redeemed from April 2019 until January 2024. Major parties which figure in the list are the BJP, Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Janata Dal (Secular), Nationalist Congress Party, Shiv Sena and Telugu Desam Party. The All India Trinamul Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal, YSR Congress Party, Biju Janata Dal, Aam Aadmi Party and Bharat Rashtra Samithi also find a mention in the list. The apex court had earlier directed that the bank provide complete disclosure, including the unique bond numbers, which would reveal the link between the buyers and the recipient political parties. The deadline for the disclosure was set for 21 March. The details of redemption by political parties include the serial number, date of encashment, name of the political party, last four digits of the account number, prefix, bond number, denomination, pay branch code and pay teller. The fresh details were submitted by the State Bank of India earlier in the day, in compliance with a Supreme Court order. End of Dhoni-era as CSK face RCB in season opener EC asks govt to halt bulk ‘Viksit TRIDIB BAPARNASH NEW DELHI, 21 MARCH The 17th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), starting Friday, could serve as the road to the “ultimate prize” that India skipper Rohit Sharma seeks to achieve of winning the T20 World Cup crown in the US and West Indies, starting 1 June, just a week after the conclusion of the IPL. The same holds for Rohit’s predecessor Virat Kohli, who will begin the competition in a blockbuster clash between the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk after a glittering opening ceremony on Friday. Close on the heels of the RCB women’s outfit ending the franchise’s title drought after winning the Women’s Premier League (WPL) crown earlier this week, the RCB men’s team will hope to emulate Smriti Mandhana & Co’s feats as t is one squad that has often promised much but has never won the IPL. Meanwhile, five-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings, will be led by a new skipper in Ruturaj Gaikwad, an announcement that in a way, signals the end of the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-era in the franchise’s history. “MS Dhoni has handed over Chennai Super Kings’ captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the start of IPL 2024. Ruturaj has been an integral part of Chennai Super Kings since 2019 and has played 52 matches in IPL during this period. The team looks forward to the upcoming season,” CSK said in a statement. Dhoni led the CSK to their fifth title triumph last season, despite playing with an injured knee which limited his mobility and was often (Turn to PG 12) Bharat’ WhatsAppmessages STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 21 MARCH The Election Commission of India on Thursday directed the Centre to immediately stop delivering bulk WhatsApp messages to people under the "Viksit Bharat Sampark" initiative to highlight the government's achievements. The ECI also issued transfer orders for non-cadre officers who were posted at leadership positions as District Magistrate (DM) and Superintendent of Police (SP) in four states ~ Gujarat, Punjab, Odisha and West Bengal. In a direction to the Elec- tronics and IT Ministry, the Commission said it has received complaints from various quarters that messages regarding 'Viksit Bharat' were still being delivered on citizens' phones. It asked the ministry to ensure that no delivery of WhatsApp messages takes place during the Model Code of Conduct(MCC) period. “Since the MCC is now in force, you are hereby direct- ed to ensure forthwith that no further delivery of 'WhatsApp messages' take place during MCC period. A compliance report in this regard may be sent immediately,” it said. The IT ministry had previously informed the Commission that the messages along with a letter from PM were sent before the MCC came into force on 16 March with the announcement of LS poll schedule. "... due to system architecture and network limitations it is possible that some letters have a delayed delivery," the ministry said in a communication to the Commission.