News Highlights: Spectrum auction 2023-24 concludes successfully

The live blog session has concluded. For more news, views and updates, stay tuned with Moneycontrol.com.

A CBI team on Wednesday visited a school in Jharkhand's Hazaribag and quizzed its principal in connection with the alleged irregularities in medical entrance test NEET, an official said.

The CBI team interrogated the principal of Oasis School Dr Ehsanul Haque, who was the district coordinator of the NEET-UG exam in Hazaribag, for several hours and took him to a Charhi-based guest house in Hazaribag where he and a few other persons were reportedly quizzed till late evening, news agency PTI quoted sources as saying.

-- The Bureau of Immigration has slapped a penalty of Rs 1 lakh on IndiGo for alleged visa-related violations.

-- In a regulatory filing, IndiGo's parent InterGlobe Aviation said there is no material impact on financials, operations or other activities of the company due to the fine.

-- The penalty of Rs 1 lakh has been imposed by the Bureau of Immigration which comes under the home ministry.

At least 14 people have been killed in landslide, flooding and lightning incidents in various parts of Nepal within the last 24 hours with the onset of monsoon, says National Disaster Risk Reduction And Management Authority (NDRRMA), Nepal.

Light to moderate rain was recorded in many parts of Rajasthan while Bikaner was the hottest place in the state on June 26 with a maximum temperature of 43 degrees Celsius.

According to the police in Pali district, a 12-year-old boy and his six-year-old sister died after a shop's balcony collapsed due to rain. Three others were injured in the incident, police said.

Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed an unprecedented influx of tourists over the last few years, with 300 percent annual increase in the foreign arrivals, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said.

Addressing 'J&K Tourism Development Conclave' at the SKICC here, Sinha said the influx has been a result of the policies of the administration and stimulus given to the industry.

"We have witnessed unprecedented growth post Covid pandemic and roughly 300 per cent YoY (Year-on-Year) increase in foreign tourists,” the Lt Governor said.

-- Spectrum Auction 2023-24 concludes successfully today.

-- Rs 11,340 Crores revenue received through the auction of a total quantum of 141.4 MHz spectrum.

-- The unsold spectrum will again be put to auction next time, the Ministry of Communications informed on June 26.

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal tweets, "Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra met visiting Senior Deputy FM Takehiro Funakoshi of Japan in New Delhi today. Following on the heels of the FOC held in February 2024, the meeting provided the opportunity to exchange views on bilateral relations, and regional and global issues of mutual concern."

An earthquake of magnitude 4.5 on the Richter Scale occurred today at 19:09 IST in Bishnupur, Manipur, the National Center for Seismology informed.

Two more terrorists have been killed by security forces in an encounter that broke out earlier today in J&K’s Doda.

Delhi Court remands Delhi Chief Minister and AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal to CBI custody for three days in connection with the Excise Policy Case.

Central Industrial Security Force today took over the security of NTPC-Coal Mining Project (CMP), Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. This unit is headed by a Commandant rank officer. With this induction, the total units under CISF security cover has risen to 358 as on date.

Investment commitments of more than Rs 2,000 crore are expected to be announced in energy storage, electric vehicle and green hydrogen sectors at the India Energy Storage Week 2024 in July, the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) said on Wednesday.

The IESA is set to host its annual flagship international event, India Energy Storage Week (IESW) International Conference and Exhibition from July 1 to 5, 2024, in New Delhi, a statement said.

Commenting on the meeting, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, “Discussed our deep concern at the impact of continuing violence and instability in Myanmar on our border. India is open to engaging all stakeholders in addressing this situation. Particularly flagged illegal narcotics, arms smuggling and trafficking in persons as priority challenges. Sought cooperation for early return of Indian nationals trapped in Myawaddy. Pressed for credible security protection for our ongoing projects in the country. Urged early return to the path of democratic transition in Myanmar. India stands ready to help in any manner.”

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) searched a dozen locations in Chhattisgarh’s Naxal-infested region as part of its investigation into the gruesome murder of BJP leader Ratan Dubey by CPI (Maoist) cadres, the NIA informed.

The Special People Representative Court rejected the bail plea of rape accused and suspended JD(S) Prajwal Revanna in connection with a complaint registered at Holenarasipura police station against him and his father, HD Revanna.

AAP leader Reena Gupta says, "The court has not given the order yet, the judge will sit again at 4:30 pm and then the order will be given. Today the CBI tried its best because there is no case, they wanted to plant some news and sensationalise it. The biggest issue is that CBI has had these 50 thousand documents for 2 years; they never called Arvind Kejriwal. When did Arvind Kejriwal become the accused from being the witness?”

“The court has reserved its decision...The CBI has not presented anything new which they have not had for a long time, so this was a direct political conspiracy that Kejriwal ji should not come out, so today an attempt is being made to arrest him through the CBI...”

“It is a very complicated matter. The law is taking its course. He will be held accountable. As of now, only Delhi is in focus. Delhi model was replicated in Punjab. There is a bigger scam in Punjab. Only Rs 100 crore is in question in Delhi, Rs 1000 crore has been looted in Punjab and used in personal works. When it comes to bail, he only talks about faith in law. He had withdrawn application from SC. I was seeing a report, Arvind Kejriwal was passing the buck to Manish Sisodia. There is something wrong.”

Thane Crime Branch and Thane Anti Extortion Cell have busted international sex racket, two agents including three women were arrested from Thailand; further investigation underway," says Shivraj Patil, DCP of Thane Crime Branch.

One terrorist has been neutralised in an ongoing encounter in Gandoh, Doda, J&K Police informed.

Special CBI Court in Patna sends Baldev Kumar, alias Chintu, and Mukesh Kumar, both accused in the NEET Paper Leak Case, to CBI remand.

The Kerala Legislative Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution urging the Centre to conduct a thorough investigation into alleged irregularities during the NEET and NET examinations.

Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court reserves order in CBI’s plea seeking Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s remand in liquor policy case. Court indicates that it will pass an order in the evening today.

NATO appointed Mark Rutte as its next secretary-general on Wednesday, putting the outgoing Dutch prime minister in charge of the world's biggest security organisation at a critical time for European security as war rages in Ukraine.

Rutte's appointment was sealed by NATO ambassadors during a meeting at the 32-nation alliance's headquarters in Brussels. US President Joe Biden and his counterparts will formally welcome him to their table at a summit in Washington on July 9-11.

The Bombay High Court has dismissed a petition filed by women students challenging a directive from their college that imposed a ban on headgear such as hijab, burka, stoles, caps, and naqab in the classroom.

Arvind Kejriwal's lawyer, Vikram Chaudhari, has asserted that the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal violates Section 41 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sought 5-day custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with an excise 'scam' related corruption case. The move comes amidst speculation of Kejriwal being granted bail today.

Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused the BJP of orchestrating Kejriwal's arrest in a "fake case" out of panic over the possibility of him being granted bail.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was taken out of the courtroom for tea and biscuits after his sugar levels dropped. He was then escorted to the Ahlmad room for further care.

During proceedings, the CBI counsel highlighted that a Group of Ministers approved a report without discussing the proposed wholesale model. The report, which favored the policy, was accepted without any minutes recorded or deliberation on the wholesale model. Moreover, the commission for liquor sellers was raised from 5 to 12 percent.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) attempted to fabricate comments from specific individuals. According to Singh, the probe agency possesses evidence indicating that AAP was actively seeking these comments, and they have seized relevant chats as evidence.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) formally arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday. This development followed the Rouse Avenue Court's permission for the CBI to examine Kejriwal in the courtroom and present the material justifying his arrest.

Kejriwal appeared at the Rouse Avenue Court on Wednesday morning, accompanied by his wife Sunita Kejriwal, for a hearing in the excise policy case.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear Kejriwal's petition challenging the Delhi High Court's interim stay on his bail in a money laundering case linked to the liquor excise policy.

Earlier, the CBI had interrogated Kejriwal in Tihar Jail on Tuesday and recorded his statement regarding the Excise Policy case.

The Supreme Court has commenced hearing on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's plea challenging the Delhi High Court's interim stay on his regular bail in the Delhi excise policy case investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, informed the court that the Delhi Chief Minister has been arrested by the CBI.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. Kejriwal is currently being informed about the grounds of his arrest in the courtroom.

Special Public Prosecutor DP Singh, representing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), stated that the agency could have carried out its investigation before the elections but decided against it. "We could’ve done the exercise before the elections but we did not. It is only after he went back, we sought permission," Singh explained. He expressed disappointment over the political dispensation's actions, saying, "It is very unfortunate when a political dispensation does something of this sort where they are dealing with suitors before finalising the policy."

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday stayed the trial court order that granted Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal bail in the money laundering case related to the alleged excise scam. The High Court held that the lower court did not "appropriately appreciate" the material presented by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

A vacation bench of Justice Sudhir Kumar Jain noted that the ED's arguments against the bail order required serious consideration. "The Vacation (trial) Judge, while passing the Impugned Order, did not appropriately appreciate the material/documents submitted on record and pleas taken by ED and the averments/grounds as raised in the petition under section 439(2) of the Code require serious consideration," Justice Jain said.

"Accordingly, the present application is allowed and the operation of the Impugned Order is stayed," the court concluded.

After the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) examined Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Tihar Jail and recorded his statement related to the Excise Policy case, Delhi BJP president Virendraa Sachdeva suggested that Aam Aadmi Party leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj, Atishi, and Sanjay Singh should question the Congress party. He emphasized that the case the CBI is investigating was originally lodged by the Congress.

The CBI examined Kejriwal on Tuesday and recorded his statement. They also received permission to produce Kejriwal before the concerned trial court on Wednesday.

The Delhi High Court has criticized the trial court's dismissal of the voluminous material presented by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), calling it "totally unjustified." The High Court stated, "Observation by the trial court that voluminous material cannot be considered is totally unjustified, and it shows that the trial court has not applied its mind to the material."

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav arrived at Lok Nayak Hospital to meet Delhi minister and AAP leader Atishi, who was admitted after her health deteriorated during an indefinite hunger strike over the Delhi water crisis and water supply from Haryana.

The United States has banned Julian Assange from returning without permission, the Department of Justice announced on Tuesday. Assange, the WikiLeaks founder, has been released in a US territory and has boarded a plane bound for Canberra, Australia. This decision comes as part of a plea agreement, following Assange's involvement in the publication of classified US documents in 2010, which sparked a prolonged international legal controversy.

Congress MP K. Suresh, the INDIA bloc's candidate for the Lok Sabha Speaker post, stated that the government compelled the INDIA Alliance to contest the election. He clarified that they initially did not intend to contest against the Speaker, but were approached by the government without assurances on the Deputy Speaker post. Despite seeking reassurances up until the morning of the election day, none were provided. Suresh criticized the NDA leadership for their inflexible stance and lack of cooperation with the Opposition regarding the Deputy Speaker position, attributing the current election to their unwillingness to collaborate.

Congress MP K. Suresh addressed the TMC's concerns over the "unilateral decision" regarding the INDIA bloc's candidate for the Lok Sabha Speaker post. He stated that the issue was resolved in a meeting held at Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge's residence. TMC leaders Derek O'Brien and Kalyan Banerjee attended the meeting, understood the situation, and agreed to cooperate with the bloc.

Due to heavy rains, the Nilgiris district administration has declared a one-day holiday for schools in the Gudalur and Pandalur areas.

North Korea has fired a suspected ballistic missile towards the sea off its east coast, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff. This launch, occurring on Wednesday morning, follows North Korea's warning of a "new demonstration of deterrence" after recent US military drills with South Korea and Japan. Further details of the missile launch have not been provided by South Korean officials.

In a significant blow to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the Liberal Party lost the by-election in the Toronto-St. Paul constituency, a seat it has held for over 30 years. This surprising defeat, reported by CBC News, marks the first time since the 1980s that a Conservative candidate has been competitive in this urban Toronto riding. The Liberals' loss in this stronghold highlights the challenges Trudeau's party is currently facing.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with journalists from 10 Eurasian countries during their visit to India. He discussed India's long-standing ties with these nations, recent transformations in India, and prospects for the Global South. Jaishankar appreciated the journalists' interest in fostering greater exchanges with India.

Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had a phone conversation on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing situation in Ukraine. The Russian ministry highlighted concerns over the escalation risk due to continued US weapon supplies to Ukraine.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi plans to visit Moscow from July 7-10 for a major annual summit to strengthen India's strategic partnership with Russia. This will be Modi's first visit to Russia since 2019, as previous visits were delayed due to the pandemic and the Ukraine war. The visit aims to discuss the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing dialogue and diplomacy, and is expected to boost political ties between Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Good morning! Welcome to Moneycontrol's live coverage of top news and headlines. Stay tuned for all the updates.