A Delhi court has granted the request of Delhi Police to extend the custody of AAP MLA Naresh Balyan by one day, who was arrested on Saturday in connection with an extortion case. Meanwhile, Balyan has moved for bail, stating that the purported audio evidence against him is not verified and that his arrest is an attempt to malign him. In another development, over 160 protesting farmers, including the president of Bharatiya Kisan Parishad Sukhbir Khalifa, were arrested in Noida while participating in a ‘Dilli Chalo’ march. The agitation, which began on November 25, is now in its eighth day.
A Delhi court has granted the request of Delhi Police to extend the custody of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Naresh Balyan by one day. Balyan was arrested on Saturday in connection with an extortion case.
The case relates to an alleged extortion attempt by Balyan on a businessman in the Tilak Nagar area. The businessman had approached the police with a complaint, alleging that Balyan had demanded Rs 10 lakh from him.
Balyan has moved for bail, stating that the purported audio evidence against him is not verified and that his arrest is an attempt to malign him. The court will hear his bail application on Monday.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police have said that they have gathered sufficient evidence against Balyan and that they are confident of securing a conviction.
In a related development, over 160 protesting farmers, including the president of Bharatiya Kisan Parishad Sukhbir Khalifa, were arrested in Noida while participating in a ‘Dilli Chalo’ march.
The agitation, which began on November 25, is now in its eighth day. The farmers are demanding the repeal of three farm laws passed by the central government.
This is not the first time that AAP MLAs have been arrested in connection with criminal cases. In 2015, AAP MLA Somnath Bharti was arrested on charges of domestic violence. In 2016, AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan was arrested on charges of rioting.
1. What is the alleged extortion case against AAP MLA Naresh Balyan?
Balyan is accused of demanding Rs 10 lakh from a businessman in the Tilak Nagar area.
2. What evidence does the Delhi Police have against Balyan?
The Delhi Police have said that they have gathered audio evidence of Balyan making the extortion demand.
3. Has Balyan been granted bail?
No, Balyan has not been granted bail. The court will hear his bail application on Monday.
4. Why have over 160 protesting farmers been arrested in Noida?
The farmers were arrested while participating in a ‘Dilli Chalo’ march to demand the repeal of three farm laws passed by the central government.
5. Have any other AAP MLAs been arrested in the past in connection with criminal cases?
Yes, other AAP MLAs, such as Somnath Bharti and Amanatullah Khan, have been arrested in connection with criminal cases in the past.
BR Patil, Congress MLA from Karnataka's Aland, has claimed that there was an attempt by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to steal votes leading up to the 2023 elections in the state. This allegation, backed by evidence of over 6,000 voter deletions, has been supported by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who has accused the BJP of systematically deleting the names of Congress voters. The BJP has denied these allegations, calling it a ploy by the Congress to discredit them and gain political mileage. However, Gandhi has hinted at more significant revelations to come.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, slammed the Karnataka government for the deteriorating state of Bengaluru's infrastructure, which has resulted in an IT company moving out of the city. He criticized Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for their negligence and corruption. Kumaraswamy appealed to the industries not to leave Bengaluru and promised to rebuild the city. He also called out the government for their failure in utilizing taxpayers' money for development and demanded answers for the same.
In a press conference, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi unveiled evidence showing a widespread conspiracy to delete voters from electoral rolls in India. He presented examples and detailed data indicating that the alleged operations were carried out through automated systems and coordinated at a centralized level. Gandhi claimed that these tactics were used to manipulate elections in several states, and also accused the Election Commission of facilitating this voter deletion.
During a press conference, Rahul Gandhi accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of aiding the suppression of votes belonging to marginalized communities like Dalits and minorities. The Election Commission denied the allegations, stating that no vote can be deleted online without proper procedures and investigation. However, the poll body did acknowledge failed attempts to delete votes in Karnataka's Aland constituency in 2023 and an FIR has been filed to investigate. The Congress leader claimed that the Election Commission is purposely obstructing investigations to hide the truth about these deletions.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi once again stirred up controversy by accusing the BJP and Election Commission of systematic voter fraud through manipulation of electoral rolls. In response, BJP MP Anurag Thakur fired back, accusing Gandhi of spreading baseless allegations and undermining democracy. The Election Commission has dismissed all of Gandhi's claims, citing that no voter's name can be deleted through online means without proper procedure.
Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi is set to address a press conference on Thursday, where he is expected to present evidence of alleged vote theft in Indian elections. Gandhi has been vocal about the issue in previous speeches, accusing the government of using unfair means to form their power. He also claimed that the Election Commission is working in collaboration with the ruling party. The Congress promised to provide proof to back their claims and expose corruption in the Mahadevapura Assembly segment in Karnataka.
The centre has directed the removal of 138 YouTube videos and 83 Instagram posts related to Adani, citing a Delhi court order. The move comes amid ongoing disputes over the Adani Group's involvement in various projects. This action has been met with criticism, with some questioning the government's interference in online content.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi revealed that the party has uncovered over 6,000 voter deletions in Aland constituency, Karnataka, ahead of the 2023 Assembly elections. According to their investigation, these deletions were not random or accidental but specifically targeted booths where the party was performing strongly. The deletions were carried out through fake applications and mobile numbers from outside Karnataka, raising concerns of an organized effort to manipulate the election process. Congress is calling for a thorough investigation to uphold the integrity of the democratic process.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has strongly criticized Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of protecting those involved in "vote chori" (vote stealing) and undermining democracy. He cited recent instances of voter deletions in Karnataka's Aland and fraudulent additions in Maharashtra's Rajura as evidence of systematic targeting of Congress voters. Speaking at a press conference, Gandhi urged for a fair and transparent election process to uphold the principles of democracy.
Congress MP and leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, held a news conference and claimed that the Chief Election Commissioner is protecting those who are destroying the Constitution and democracy in India. He also alleged that a group of people is systematically cutting the votes of minority groups who vote for the Congress party. In response, politicians from different parties have dismissed his accusations and stated that he is making these statements out of desperation and frustration.