INDIA Bloc leaders enter 18th Lok Sabha together in a show of unity
New Delhi: All MPs from the Opposition INDIA bloc have entered the Lok Sabha together at the commencement of the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha. The leaders gathered at the location where the statue of Mahatma Gandhi was placed earlier, carrying a copy of the Constitution as a symbolic gesture of unity.
The Congress MPs also convened at the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) office in Parliament House earlier today.
The first session, which began today, will witness the oath-taking ceremony of newly-elected Members of Parliament. PM Narendra Modi and other prominent cabinet ministers have already taken their oath. A "Swagatam" cutout has been placed at the Parliament Makar Dwar to welcome the newly elected MPs.
Expectations for the first session are high, with the opposition planning to confront the BJP-led NDA government on various issues, including the election of the Speaker, allegations of paper leaks in NEET-UG and UGC-NET, and the appointment of the pro-tem Speaker.
President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath to Bharatiya Janata Party lMP Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Mahtab will oversee the oath-taking of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Leader of the Lok Sabha, and other members of the House.
The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will continue until July 3 for the oath/affirmation of newly elected Members. The 264th Session of the Rajya Sabha will commence on June 27 and conclude on July 3.
#WATCH | Delhi: INDIA bloc leaders including Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, protest in Parliament premises pic.twitter.com/QoFKaoavR0
— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2024
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Karnataka HC stays FIR order against minister over Rs 500 bet remark
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka High Court on Thursday stayed a magisterial order directing the registration of an FIR against state Home Minister G Parameshwara and the Deputy Commissioner of Tumakuru district over their alleged involvement in a Rs 500 bet.
"The context in which the alleged offence is made out prima facie lacks mens rea (guilty mind)," Justice Sunil Dutt Yadav said while granting the stay.
During a recent state-level pre-university kabaddi tournament in Tumakuru, Dakshina Kannada defeated Vijayapura 36–26 in the boys’ final.
After presenting the prize, Parameshwara jokingly remarked, "I lost Rs 500. I had placed a bet with the Deputy Commissioner that the Vijayapura team would win."
Based on a private complaint filed by H R Nagabhushan, the 42nd Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court ordered the registration of an FIR against Parameshwara over the remark and directed the police to initiate a probe.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Parameshwara said, "It seems I cannot crack jokes."
The minister said his comment during the match was casual and not intended to promote betting.
"I said it casually during a kabaddi match. In the countryside, we sometimes speak informally. Of course, it may be wrong in the eyes of the law, but what matters is the context in which I said it," he added.
