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Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023 Results: Congress books flights and resorts for winning MLAs: Reports

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023 Results: Congress books flights and resorts for winning MLAs: Reports

On May 13, as the election results were being announced for the Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023, Congress reportedly booked Eagleton Resort in Bengaluru to shift the winning MLAs from three districts named Dharwad, Hubli and Belgaum. At the time this report was published, Congress was leading over 118 seats and moving towards forming government in the states.

The party also made some special arrangements in the remote area of Karnataka to take the MLAs to Bengaluru. A clearer picture of the election results would be out between 12 PM and 1 PM. However, the current trends show Congress in the lead to the extent that if BJP and JD(S) come together, they would not be able to form a government.

Top leaders of both Congress and BJP had various road shows, rallies and election campaigns in the state. Notably, since 1985, any incumbent government in Karnataka has not returned to power. The trend appeared to have followed the trends of Assembly Election Results in Karnataka for 2023.

The Kerala Story is a mission: Director Sudipto Sen after the movie releases in 37 countries, including over 200 screens in US and Canada

OpIndia Staff
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The Kerala Story is a mission: Director Sudipto Sen after the movie releases in 37 countries, including over 200 screens in US and Canada

Amidst all the controversies and an outstanding box office performance, The Kerala Story which has already turned into a national phenomenon was also released for the international audience in 37 countries on Friday comprising more than 200 screens alone in the United States and Canada.

“The country was in denial of the long-existing issue in the state of Kerala. The Kerala Story is a mission which is beyond the creative boundaries of cinema, a movement that should reach the masses all over the world and raise awareness,” stated an elated Sudipto Sen whose directorial venture has created wonders at the box office. He was in conversation with a group of Indian American reporters during a virtual news conference.

Vipul Amrutlal Shah, the producer of the movie remarked, “The film’s subject was hidden from the masses and deserved to be told. We made the film in order to initiate deliberation worldwide.”

He added, “This is a very bold, honest and true film which in the beginning got no support, today stands at the point of releasing worldwide with a spectacular box office success in just 6 days.” The interaction was organised by its Impact Advisor Priya Sawant and community leader Vijay Pallod.

Notably, The Kerala Story which was released on May 5 has minted more than 80 crores at the domestic box office in the first seven days of its release and is speeding towards 100 crore which it already has earned with its worldwide collections.

The multilingual project has been in the news since its trailer was released. It faced opposition from Muslims, liberals and the opposition parties alike who called for a prohibition on its screening. West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee went as far as to ban it in the state.

The decision was challenged by the filmmakers in the Supreme Court. Now, the court has issued a notice to the government in West Bengal seeking to know the rationale behind the action on the film.

Additionally, there is an unstated ban on the movie in Tamil Nadu. Furthermore, people connected to the movie including its director, are subjected to serious threats and are hence provided police protection as a result.

However, despite all the objections, it is being loved by the masses which is reflected in its tremendous box office success. With such an excellent response, it is projected to effortlessly bring in 200 crores in its second week.

The Kerala Stroy featuring Adah Sharma in the lead role revolves around a Hindu girl, Shalini Unnikrishnan from Kerala who is brainwashed to accept Islam by her Muslim friend, gets married to a Muslim man and goes to Syria along with her spouse where she is sent to the ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) also known as IS (Islamic State) and is tortured there.

Parineeti Chopra-Raghav Chadha engagement: Priyanka Chopra arrives in Delhi for her cousin sister’s big day

ANI
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Parineeti Chopra-Raghav Chadha engagement: Priyanka Chopra arrives in Delhi for her cousin sister’s big day

Actor Parineeti Chopra and AAP leader Raghav Chadha’s engagement is finally happening today, and global star Priyanka Chopra just arrived in Delhi to be with her sister on her special day.

On Saturday morning, Priyanka made a hush-hush exit from the Delhi airport. Several shutterbugs who were stationed outside the airport caught glimpses of Priyanka. In the papped images and clips, Priyanka is seen greeting the lensmen with folded hands. Without revealing anything, she quickly made her way to her car.

Dressed in a brown-coloured oversized hoodie, Priyanka looked uber cool in her airport look. She teamed up her comfortable outfit with a black coloured cap.

Seems like Priyanka will attend the engagement ceremony of Parineeti and Raghav sans her husband Nick Jonas and daughter Malti Marie.

‘Kapurthala House’ here in New Delhi is the destination for the ring ceremony. If reports are to be believed, Raghav will be seen in a minimalist achkan designed by his maternal uncle, fashion designer Pawan Sachdeva and Parineeti will opt for a subtle Indian outfit from Manish Malhotra.

The ceremony is expected to kick-start at 5 in the evening and will be undertaken as per Sikh rituals. The ceremony will begin with a Sukhmani Sahib Path followed by Ardas at 6 pm.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and other politicians are expected to attend the function.

Parineeti and Raghav’s dating rumours began after they were spotted together at a lunch date in Mumbai in March.

Neither Parineeti nor Raghav officially confirmed their relationship but an AAP leader had in March congratulated them over their “union”. Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjeev Arora shared a collage of Parineeti and Raghav’s pictures.”I extend my heartfelt congratulations to @raghav_chadha and @ParineetiChopra. May their union be blessed with an abundance of love, joy, and companionship. My best wishes,” he said in a tweet.

Reportedly, Parineeti and Raghav studied together at the London School of Economics and have been friends for a long time.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Parineeti will be seen sharing screen space with Diljit Dosanjh in ‘Chamkila’. Helmed by Imtiaz Ali, the film revolves around two popular Punjabi singers Amarjot Kaur and Amar Singh Chamkila.

Raghav Chadha is a member of the Rajya Sabha from Punjab.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

As Congress gains edge in early trends, Congress credits Rahul Gandhi already: Is Karnataka yet another relaunch of the prince?

Amit Kelkar
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As Congress gains edge in early trends, Congress credits Rahul Gandhi already: Is Karnataka yet another relaunch of the prince?

The counting for the Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023 is currently underway and the early trends suggest that Congress holds the edge over rival Bharatiya Janata Party. Ecstatic with the early lead, the Congress party gave credit already to the one leader who has any right to get any credit in the party, Rahul Gandhi.

Ignoring Karnataka stalwart and state Congress President DK Shivakumar and former Chief Minister and Chairperson of state Congress committee Siddaramiah, the party’s official Twitter handle chose to promote Rahul Gandhi for the good results. Even Congress President, Karnataka’s own Mallikarjun Kharge was ignored.

Using the audio of the song ‘Unstoppable’ by Sia over visuals of Rahul Gandhi, the official Congress handle wrote- I’m invincible, I’m so confident Yeah, I’m unstoppable today.

Interestingly, the first thought of the party after getting news about the good performance was not to thank the local leaders who worked hard on the ground, or even the voters for showing faith in the party, but to again credit the scion of the Gandhi-Nehru family.

In an election where the Congress party focused on micromanaging at the ground level and fought on local Karnataka issues, one would have expected that the local leaders would have got the credit first, however, that was not to be as it was once again the Gandhi family walking away with the credit.

This is hardly an aberration though, as it has been the case for well over a decade since the party started trying to launch Rahul Gandhi as a serious national option. Every defeat since then has been put on the shoulders of the local leadership, while every victory has been directly credited to Rahul Gandhi, even if he had little to do with the success, as the case in Karnataka.

Yet another relaunch and attempt to build ‘Brand Rahul’ through Karnataka results

Rahul Gandhi is the politician in India with the maximum launches. In their attempt to make Rahul Gandhi a serious contender for the PM post, the Congress party has launched him repeatedly, but with little to show for it in terms of results.

Under Rahul’s leadership, the Congress party has faced rubbings in successive Lok Sabha elections, has been wiped out of several states, and has become a bit part player in quite a few other states. However, all those poor results haven’t deterred the party from attempting another relaunch.

In fact, with the space for the opposition’s PM candidate getting crowded, Congress has started launching him with a greater frequency as it tries to remain the main opponent to BJP and PM Modi. Mamata Banerjee, Nitish Kumar, KCR, and even Arvind Kejriwal without any Lok Sabha MP have tried to position themselves as the main opponent of PM Modi. With such competition around, Congress wants to ensure that in any opposition alliance, the party’s prince gets to be the face of the alliance.

The last attempt to build “Brand Rahul” was the lengthy Bharat Jodo Yatra, for which the party even ignored elections in the crucial state of Gujarat as the top leadership was busy promoting Rahul Gandhi and his political pilgrimage across India. Expectedly, the party was almost wiped out in Gujarat, and later, went on to lose in North Eastern states as well, a region where Congress used to rule not so far back.

However, as expected, Rahul Gandhi’s leadership did not even get a mention, forget getting any blame, for those poor performances. But now, when Congress is looking set to be the largest party in Karnataka, and should even get a simple majority on its own, the party has put Rahul Gandhi back in focus so that he can get the credit for the win.

Will the credit for Karnataka’s win finally help Rahul Gandhi emerge as a viable option during next year’s Lok Sabha elections or will we see yet another relaunch of the Prince, we will wait and find out.

Farooq Abdullah asks youth to recite Quran, Srinagar Mayor Junaid Mattu declares him a ‘blasphemer’ over presence of Hindu idols: What happened

OpIndia Staff
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Farooq Abdullah asks youth to recite Quran, Srinagar Mayor Junaid Mattu declares him a ‘blasphemer’ over presence of Hindu idols: What happened

On Friday (May 12), the Mayor of Srinagar Junaid Azim Mattu courted controversy after he declared Farooq Abdullah a Gustaakh-e-Rasool (blasphemer). Mattu, who has been serving as the mayor of the city since 2018, also labelled the former CM of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir as an apostate. He drew his sweeping conclusions based on the presence of Hindu idols in the residence of Farooq Abdullah.

In a tweet, Junaid Azim Mattu wrote, “An apostate to Islam, a Gustaakh-e-Rasool (see recent pictures from Dr Sahab’s residence below) has the Audacity to become a Khateeb and an evangelist on and off.”

Screengrab of the tweets of Junaid Azim Mattu

“Show me one Muslim home where a model of Gumbad-e-Khizra and Masjid-e-Nabawi can be subjected to this casual disrespect? Dear Dr. Farooq Sahab, you have every right to be in politics and have your views and propound them – including your theatrics,” he brazened it out.

The Mayor of Srinagar also uploaded several images of Farooq Abdullah’s home wherein an idol of Nataraj is seen placed atop the dome of a mosque’s replica.

“But for the sake of Allah (SWT) -— please don’t use Quran and Salah in these theatrics to lay claim to a theological and moralistic pedestal which is in complete contrast to your life, your beliefs and your actions and that of your household,” he emphasised.

Junaid Azim Mattu made contentious remarks in response to the statement of Farooq Abdullah to the Muslim community to offer Namaz and recite the Quran.

The ex-CM of Jammu and Kashmir appealed to the youth to follow the Islamic teachings in letter and spirit, offer prayers and recite the Holy Book. “Those who can’t recite the Holy Quran should at least listen to it,” he added.

Abdullah also pointed out that he was able to do Umrah in Saudi Arabia due to the will of the Creator despite his ailing health. Junaid Azim Mattu, however, took offence to the presence of Hindu idols in the former CM’s home under the pretext that ‘idolatry’ is prohibited in Islam.

Islamists attack Farooq Abdullah over the presence of Hindu idols in his house

Mattu tried to use the imagery to paint Farooq Abdullah as an apostate and blasphemer, hoping to turn away the latter’s voters away. And received overwhelming support from fellow Islamists.

One ‘I m Ahmed’ targeted the former CM of Jammu and Kashmir for allowing his daughter Sara to marry a Hindu (Sachin Pilot).

“Now, he is lecturing on Islam and Quran. He has married off his own daughter to a Hindu. Marrying to a Non-Müslïm is hãrãm in Islam written in Qur’an. Qur’an says its hãrãm, anyone’s opinion doesn’t matter,” one Islamist tweeted.

“He did not ask everyone to visit Hindu temple. I think he must have forgotten,” mocked one Owais Raja.

When Junaid Azim Mattu hailed Aurangzeb as Hafiz-e-Quran

This is not the first time that the Mayor of Srinagar has stooped to such levels for political vendetta. In May last year, Mattu hailed the Mughal tyrant Aurangzeb despite being well aware of the unspeakable atrocities committed by the latter on the Hindu community. 

“May Allah (SWT)’s mercy and blessings be upon Hafiz-e-Quran, Shahenshah Hazrat Muhi-ud-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb (R.A.) and his grave,” he had tweeted. Mattu is also the President of the Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party’s Youth wing.

It must be mentioned that he had earlier opposed the abrogation of Article 370 by the Indian Parliament.

The Kerala Story shows cancelled in the UK over a delay in certification by the British Board of Film Certification, Netizens outraged: Details

OpIndia Staff
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The Kerala Story shows cancelled in the UK over a delay in certification by the British Board of Film Certification, Netizens outraged: Details

Sudipto Sen’s film The Kerala Story is continuing its phenomenal run at the Indian box office despite the controversies and efforts to ban the film. The Adah Sharma starrer was set to release in the United Kingdom on May 12, however, the films’s release has been deferred supposedly due to delays caused by the British Board of Film Certification (BBFC). 

The moviegoers were surely upset with the development as they expressed their disappointment on Twitter. In response to a tweet by one ‘DesiDiva’, Cineworld, a British cinema operator said that the screening of The Kerala Story has been cancelled as the film did not receive an age rating on time for the film’s release on May 12.

“Hi, we are sorry that the upcoming performances of The Kerala Story have been cancelled. This is due to the film not receiving an age rating in time for the scheduled release date, all affected customers will be contacted and refunded. Apologies for any disappointment caused,” Cineworld tweeted.

Taking to Twitter, the BBFC informed that The Kerala Story is still going through its classification process adding that the film will be available for screening in the UK after receiving age rating and content advice.

“The Kerala Story is still going through our classification process. Once the film has received a BBFC age rating and content advice, it will be available to be screened in UK cinemas.”

Netizens called out BBFC for failing to give the film a classification before its scheduled release date and even questioned freedom of speech in the UK. 

One Ravi Ladva wrote, “The #UK doesn’t get to lecture #India on free speech. The @BBFC decided not to give the #KeralaStory story a classification. Emails to customers without explanation. The hypocrisy of allowing multiple shows about various depictions of #ISIS – just not where Hindus are the victims?”

Another Twitter user named Malika pointed out that while The Kerala Story has been released in the USA, France, and Canada, the BBFC has yet given a certification. 

“A movie playing in local Canadian and American cinemas is not being given certification by  @BBFC. That is the state of censorship in the UK. Then they want to lecture others on free speech. For reference the movie is sold out in Toronto theaters,” Malika tweeted. 

One Adit who goes by the username (@ABritishIndian) called out the hypocrisy of the British government as he added that by delaying the release of The Kerala Story, the British government is demonstrating its “political madness”. 

“The brazen duplicity & hypocrisy of the British government continues to loom over us. #KeralaStory which was unjustifiably delayed preventing the release on the basis of unclear technicalities at first by the @bbfc is not releasing in the UK theatres this weekend. This is not political correctness but political madness demonstrated by the agency. As part of the #BritishIndian diaspora, we would implore @NadineDorries @SuellaBraverman & @RishiSunak to intervene & ensure this telling story is allowed to be broadcasted in British theatres to ensure we can prevent more of our daughters getting swayed by Islamists & turning into #ShamimaBegum,” Adit tweeted.

Meanwhile, “Hindu Genocide Watch” highlighted that the BBFC usually certifies a film in one watch which means in one day, however, in the case of The Kerala Story, the BBFC is apparently causing a deliberate delay in issuing the certification. 

While BBFC is yet to give certification to The Kerala Story, the film was released on 200 screens in the USA on Friday.

At the Indian box office, the movie, which had a relatively modest budget, proceeded to grow in momentum and managed to earn 81.36 crores in its initial seven days of release. It garnered 8.03 crore on its first day which was Friday. 

The film’s story revolves around the life of Shalini Unnikrishnan, a Hindu girl played by Adah Sharma who is brainwashed into embracing Islam by her Muslim friend, married a Muslim man, and escapes to Syria along with her spouse where she is sent to ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) and is tortured there.

“Am a small party, there is no demand for me,” says JDS’ Kumaraswamy

ANI
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“Am a small party, there is no demand for me,” says JDS’ Kumaraswamy

As the counting of votes for the Karnataka Assembly polls began on Saturday, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai exuded confidence in the Bharatiya Janata Party emerging victorious with an absolute majority.

The counting of votes began at 8 am today across the State amid tight security. “Today is a big day for Karnataka as the people’s verdict for the state will be out. I am confident that BJP will win with absolute majority and give a stable government,” Bommai said while speaking to the media. The Chief Minister also visited the Hanuman temple in Hubballi.

The exit polls which were out after voting ended on May 10 predicted a hung assembly with some showing Congress returning to power with a majority. Most of the exit polls had predicted that the BJP will fall short of the halfway mark, 113.

Congress is expected to have a clear edge in Karnataka in the assembly elections conducted on May 10 with four exit polls giving it a full majority and some predicting a hung assembly with an advantage to the party.

In such circumstances, the JD(S) can likely play the role of a kingmaker. However, JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday said that he has not been contacted as yet for the formation of the government in case of a cliffhanger, adding that he is hoping for a good show.

Speaking to the media ahead of the counting, Kumaraswamy cited the exit polls which predicted nearly 30-32 seats to JD(S) and a clear edge to the Congress party with some even predicting a majority for the grand old party and said that according to the predictions, there is no need for him to explore options.

“In the next two to three hours, it will become clear. Exit polls show that the two national parties will score in a big way. The polls have given 30-32 seats to JD(S). I am a small party, there is no demand for me…I am hoping for a good development,” he said.

“No one has contacted me till now. Let us see the final results first. According to the exit polls, there is no need for options. Let us see,” the JD(S) leader added.

The exit polls, which were released after the polling ended in Karnataka, predicted that Janata Dal-Secular JD(S) would not touch the 37 seats it won in the 2018 polls but will continue to be a strong regional player in the state. If Karnataka throws up a hung assembly, the JD-S could emerge in the role of kingmaker.

The fiercely contested election that saw high-pitch campaigns from the political parties is crucial for both BJP and Congress. Hectic electioneering by leaders of various political parties saw BJP allowing Union Ministers and Chief Ministers to campaign with their full force.

The Congress on the other hand worked hard to wrest power from the BJP that is striving to break the 38-year-old pattern of alternating governments and retain its power in the state.

Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, held various roadshows, rallies and elections campaigns. An incumbent government has not returned to power in Karnataka after a full term of five years since 1985. 

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Tamil Nadu Governor dismisses reports that he approved use of NSA on YouTuber Manish Kashyap: How media, liberals and Islamists spread the fake news

OpIndia Staff
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Tamil Nadu Governor dismisses reports that he approved use of NSA on YouTuber Manish Kashyap: How media, liberals and Islamists spread the fake news

Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan has issued a statement dismissing the fake news circulating online that the governor has approved the use of the National Security Act against Manish Kashyap. Taking to Twitter to dismiss the rumours, Raj Bhavan clarified that Governor R.N. Ravi has not approved the use of NSA against the individual from Bihar.

The press release said, “It has come to our notice that a message is being circulated in social media quoting Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu has approved an action under National Security Act against an individual from Bihar. It is clarified that the information is not true. Hon’ble Governor has not approved any National Security Act against any individual himself.”

The statement further added, “We request the citizens not to share/promote such unverified forwards or contents. Appropriate action under the law will be initiated against those found propagating false and misleading information.”

The “news” of the approval by the governor for the use of NSA was published by several leading newspapers. The archived link of the report can be accessed here. It was added that Manish Kashyap will have to spend at least 11 months in jail now without any relief since the Governor has approved the use of NSA by the Tamil Nadu government.

Soon, the usual suspects from social media jumped on this news and amplified it online, repeating with glee the 11-month period.

However, now it has come to light that the Hon’ble Governor gave no such approval for the use of the stringent NSA.

Tamil Nadu police slapped NSA on Manish Kashyap

Earlier, Bihar-based YouTuber Manish Kashyap was slapped with the stringent National Security Act (NSA), a Madurai Police official informed on April 6. A special team of the TN police arrested Kashyap from Bihar. It brought him to Tamil Nadu on transit remand after the Madurai Crime Branch police registered a case against him.

Kashyap, arrested in the case related to the fake videos of attacks on migrant workers from the state in Tamil Nadu, appeared before the Madurai district court on Wednesday and was remanded to judicial custody.

Kashyap had moved a plea in the Supreme Court on April 5, seeking interim bail and clubbing of FIRs registered against him. However, that request was denied by the Supreme Court.

CBI registers case against former NCB officer Sameer Wankhede for seeking Rs 25 crore to not name Aryan Khan in the cruise ship drug case

OpIndia Staff
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CBI registers case against former NCB officer Sameer Wankhede for seeking Rs 25 crore to not name Aryan Khan in the cruise ship drug case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against IRS officer Sameer Wankhede and four others for demanding Rs 25 crore bribe in exchange of not naming Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan in the cruise ship drug case. Reportedly, the former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officer had sought the bribe from Shah Rukh Khan to keep his son out of the case.

However, a report by Mint said that Sameer Wankhede had sought Rs 25 crore from the owners of Cordelia ship, where a drug party was busted by NCB in 2021.

The investigation agency is also conducted raids at Sameer Wankhede’s residence and other places in connection with the bribery case. The CBI conducted searches at his 29 premises in Mumbai, Delhi and Kanpur, amongst others in this regard. The CBI further alleged that Wankhede, two former NCB officials, and some private workers had already collected Rs 50 lakh of the demanded Rs 25 crore bribe.

Sameer Wankhede was the Mumbai zonal chief of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), when he and others raided the Cordelia cruise ship at the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal in October 2021. Aryan Khan was arrested in the alleged drug bust case on the ship on October 2, 2021.

Charges of drug possession, consumption, and trafficking were slapped against Aryan Khan. His friend Arbaaz Merchant and cruise guest Munmun Dhamecha were among the others arrested. Aryan was booked for attempting consumption of drugs under Section 27, attempting an offence under Section 8 (c) (possession), Section 28 (abetment) and Section 29 (conspiracy).

However, he was granted bail by the Bombay High Court and was released after spending 22 days in jail. No drug was found on him, and later NCB gave him a clean chit due to lack of sufficient evidence.

While granting bail, the Bombay High Court said that WhatsApp chats found in Aryan’s mobile disclosed “nothing objectionable”, nor was there any evidence to show that Merchant, Dhamecha or others had hatched any conspiracy to commit drug offences.

Wankhede faced several allegations of irregularities and corruption during his tenure at NCB, following which he was transferred and an internal inquiry was ordered for a few of his controversial cases. The NCB’s SIT (Special Investigation Team) that had re-examined the Aryan Khan case, and gave clean chits to 6 out of the 14 accused, including Aryan Khan.

No decision taken by the cabinet on imposing emergency in Pakistan: Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb

ANI
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No decision taken by the cabinet on imposing emergency in Pakistan: Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb

Pakistan’s Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb on Friday refuted reports that emergency would be imposed in the country and said that no such decision was taken during the cabinet session.

State broadcaster PTV News quotes her as saying: The reports in the media about the implementation of emergency in the country are baseless. No decision was taken in the cabinet meeting regarding the implementation of the state of emergency.” She requested the media not to run any news without verifying it first.

The reports of the emergency came after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) barred authorities from arresting PTI chairman Imran Khan in cases, including those that are undisclosed, registered across the country until Monday, May 15, Dawn reported.

The court also granted protective bail to the former prime minister in three terrorism cases registered against him in Lahore and the Zille Shah murder case.

Earlier in the day, a separate IHC bench accepted Imran’s bail in the Al-Qadir Trust case for two weeks.

The verdict came a day after the Supreme Court termed his arrest “invalid and unlawful”.

It also stopped authorities from arresting the PTI chief till May 17 in any case registered in Islamabad after May 9, Dawn reported.

A division bench, comprising Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz, granted Imran a two-week bail in the Al-Qadir Trust case, in connection with which the Rangers had whisked him away from the Islamabad premises on May 9.

The PTI chief’s bail plea was heard and disposed of in courtroom No.2.

During the hearing, Justice Aurangzeb asked Imran if he condemned the violence that ensued after his arrest, to which the PTI chief’s lawyer replied in the affirmative. The judge then asked the former premier to submit a declaration in court stating the same.

The hearing had initially begun after a nearly two-hour delay, with the media reporting that officials were conducting a security sweep outside the courtroom, Dawn reported.

But it was halted shortly after it began at 1 pm on account of Friday prayers.

Geo News, meanwhile, reported that judges had left the courtroom after “pro-Imran” slogans were raised.

When the hearing resumed after 2.30 pm (local time), Imran was present in the courtroom as his legal team and lawyer Khawaja Haris presented his arguments, Dawn reported.

Haris contended before the court that the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) actions were illegal, saying that the NAB could only issue an arrest warrant after an inquiry had formally been turned into an investigation.

He said the PTI got to know through media reports that NAB had formally initiated an investigation against Imran. Harris also said the PTI chief had approached the IHC on May 9 seeking the NAB report in the inquiry but was arrested before he could enter the courtroom.

At one point during the hearing, the court asked the petitioner if he was provided with a questionnaire in connection with the case, to which Haris replied in the negative.

He said Imran was issued a call-up notice which he did not appear for but, instead, submitted a written reply. Haris further said the accountability watchdog was “biased”.

The court then accepted Imran’s bail plea, directing the NAB prosecutor general and Imran’s lawyers to come prepared at the next hearing. It also said that it would decide whether Imran’s bail should be cancelled or extended at the next hearing, Dawn reported.

After the hearing concluded, Dawn.com’s correspondent outside the court said a sea of PTI workers and supporters celebrated in the streets.

Separately, an IHC bench comprising Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri and Justice Ejaz Ishaq Khan granted the PTI chief protective bail in three terrorism cases registered against him in Lahore for 10 days.

During the hearing, the PTI chief told the court that Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah had warned of arresting him again, saying that there was no rule of law in the country currently.

Earlier, Justice Jahangiri also approved Imran’s protective bail in a case pertaining to the death of Zille Shah, a PTI worker who was killed during a party rally in Lahore earlier this year, for 10 days against surety bonds worth PKR 50,000, Dawn reported.

On the other hand, the ruling coalition — Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) president Maulana Fazal-Ur-Rehman called on the nation to march towards Supreme Court and protest against the release of Imran Khan. He asked the party workers to resort to violence if touched or harmed by the security forces. 

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

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