Help flood-affected Kerala, urges Indian film fraternity
Mumbai, Aug 17 : As Kerala faces one of its worst-ever calamities due to torrential rain and floods, claiming at least 114 lives, film celebrities from across India have urged people to come forward and help people in the state.
From Bollywood celebrities like Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma and Abhishek Bachchan to southern film personalities like Dulquer Salmaan, Resul Pookutty and Siddharth -- the celebrities have not just shared helpline numbers, but have encouraged the citizens and the government to provide as much aid as possible.
Varun Dhawan: The situation in Kerala is quite bad with the floods. The state needs national media attention as well as well as resources from the central government, as well as support from Indian citizens. It is heartbreaking to see the people suffering there.
Anushka Sharma: The devastation caused in Kerala by the floods is gut-wrenching. Whatever we can do, we must. Kerala Floods.
Abhishek Bachchan: Tragic to see what is happening in Kerala floods please help in whatever way you can. Pray for Kerala.
Dulquer Salmaan: Urging and requesting the national media to focus and draw attention to Kerala floods! Each day is looking more grim for millions.
Bhumi Pednekar: This is horrifying. Just constantly praying for people to be okay. Must unite to help.
Shraddha Kapoor: Praying for everyone affected by the Kerala Floods. The state really needs our help and every donation, no matter how big or small, will count. Here are some details of how to donate to Chief Minister Of Kerala's distress relief fund and other helpline numbers.
Siddharth: I dare you. I beg of you! What do I have to do to make you read and share this? I did the Kerala Donation Challenge. It was awesome! Will you? Please?
Resul Pookutty: Do you all have any idea the extend of Kerala floods still it is not a national calamity! My Keralites we have to deal with this on our own! Jai Hind!
Meghna Gulzar: Every bit counts. Every wish and prayer, more.
Rahul Bose: Have spoken to a few friends and colleagues in Kerala. It is worse than any of us think. If you wish to donate now is the time. Now. Thank you. Kerala floods
Karthi: Just met the honourable Chief Minister of Kerala. I understand the state needs more funds than relief material. Please donate generously to Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund. Kerala floods.
Vicky Kaushal: No contribution will be too little and none too much. Kerala floods.
Suniel Shetty: Saluting the strength of the people of Kerala fighting the fury of nature ...praying the situation improves and you all remain safe. Kerala floods.
Harish Kalyan: Pray for Kerala floods. We all are with you.
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Excise policy cases: SC agrees to hear Sisodia's pleas seeking relaxation of bail conditions
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear AAP leader Manish Sisodia's pleas seeking relaxation of bail conditions which require him to report to the investigating officer on every Monday and Thursday in the corruption and money laundering cases related to Delhi excise policy.
A bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan issued notices to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking their responses on Sisodia's applications.
On August 9, the apex court had granted him bail in the corruption and money laundering cases linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam, saying long incarceration for 17 months without trial had deprived him of his right to speedy trial.
The apex court had imposed conditions, including that he shall report to the investigating officer on every Monday and Thursday between 10-11 am.
During the hearing on Friday, senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Sisodia, said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader has appeared before the investigating officers 60 times.
"I (Sisodia) am a respectable person," the senior advocate said.
Singhvi said that similar condition was imposed by the apex court on other accused in the case.
"The same ED has given no objection to all other accused," he said.
The bench said, "On the next date, we will clarify it."
"Issue notice, returnable two weeks," the top court said.
The former Delhi deputy chief minister was arrested by both the CBI and the ED in corruption and money laundering cases linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam.
He was arrested by the CBI on February 26, 2023 for purported irregularities in the formulation and implementation of the now scrapped Delhi excise policy 2021-22.
The following month, the ED arrested him in the money laundering case stemming from the CBI FIR on March 9, 2023. He resigned from the Delhi cabinet on February 28, 2023.
In its August 9 verdict granting bail to Sisodia in both the cases, the apex court had said it was high time that the trial courts and the high courts should recognise the principle that "bail is rule and jail is exception".
"We find that, on account of a long period of incarceration running for around 17 months and the trial even not having been commenced, the appellant (Sisodia) has been deprived of his right to speedy trial," it had said.
The top court had directed him to furnish a bail bond of Rs 10 lakh with two sureties of the like amount.
It had directed that Sisodia shall surrender his passport with the special court and not make any attempt either to influence the witnesses or to tamper with the evidence.
The apex court had set aside the May 21 verdict of the Delhi High Court, which had dismissed Sisodia's pleas seeking bail in both these cases.
The ED and the CBI had opposed his bail pleas.
