THURSDAY 16 1 BN JANUARY, 2025 epaper.morningstandard.in USERS FOR META APPS— WHATSAPP, FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM— IN INDIA facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard META INDIA APOLOGISES FOR ZUCK’S REMARK THAT NDA LOST LS POLLS B’DESH COURT PARESH BARUAH’S SENTENCE REDUCED The Bangladesh High Court has reduced ULFA leader Paresh Baruah’s life sentence in twodecade-old arms smuggling case to 14 years imprisonment. PAGE 9 The company on Wednesday apologised for CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s incorrect claim that the NDA government lost the 2024 Lok Sabha elections INADVERTENT ERROR, SAYS TECH FIRM’S V-P A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS  NEW DELHI  J8.00  PAGES 12 Meta India’s Vice President Shivnath Thukral took to X on Wednesday to tender an apology on behalf of the company for the “inadvertent error”. “Mark’s observation that many incumbent parties were not re-elected in 2024 holds true for several countries, BUT not India,” Thukral said responding to Union I&B minister Ashwini Vaishnaw’s criticism of the remark | P7 ED gets nod to prosecute Kejriwal, Sisodia Symbolism takes centrestage with M U K E S H R A N J A N @ New Delhi AMID the high-stake election campaign, the Centre has given its nod to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to prosecute Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for their alleged involvement in laundering proceeds of crime linked to the liquor scam case. Officials said on Wednesday ED received the orders from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs earlier this month. The latest development in the case pertains to alleged irregularities in the now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy for 2021-22. Both Kejriwal and Sisodia got bail in the case last year. The development is significant as a special PMLA court MHA SANCTION CAME EARLIER THIS MONTH FORMER CM ARRESTED ON MARCH 21 LAST YEAR The ED received the prosecution sanction orders from the MHA earlier this month, according to officials on Wednesday. The latest development in the case pertains to alleged irregularities in the now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy for 2021-22. Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by ED on March 21 last year under criminal provisions of PMLA and named in a chargesheet on May 17. ED claimed Kejriwal was responsible for overseeing the party’s fund and activities as the AAP’s national convenor. postponed framing of charges against Kejriwal after he had challenged the trial court’s decision to take cognizance of the chargesheet in the absence of specific sanction for prosecution under PMLA provisions. The CBI, which has also filed a chargesheet against Kejriwal under the Prevention of Corruption Act, received the sanction for prosecution from the MHA in August last year. It follows the Supreme Court’s November 6 ruling mandating the ED to obtain prior sanction for prosecution under Section 197(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code (now Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita) in money laundering cases, similar to what the CBI requires. Kejriwal and the AAP stand accused of accepting bribes from the ‘South Group’, a cartel that controlled the sale and distribution of liquor in Delhi and allegedly profited from the excise policy implemented by the Delhi government for 2021-22. To date, ED has conducted searches on 245 locations across the country, including Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai and other places. Apart from Kejriwal, Sisodia, AAP’s Sanjay Singh and Vijay Nair were also arrested in the case. 5-HOUR STANDOFF Impeached South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested on Wednesday over his failed martial law bid, becoming the first president to be detained in the country’s history | P9 I F R A H M U F T I @ New Delhi THE national capital woke up to dense fog and poor visibility , which disrupted operations of over 100 flights and 26 trains. While the minimum temperature dropped to 6oC, the maximum hovered around 18oC, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. Due to the severe cold, government schools that were scheduled to reopen on January 15 after the winter break remained closed. Amid sharp dip in air quality, GRAP-IV restrictions were reimposed. Departures were briefly put on hold at the IGIA early in the morning as low visibility OVER 100 conditions imFLIGHTS AND 26 TRAINS pacted operaAFFECTED BY tions. However, POOR VISIBILITY an update from Minimum the airport optemperature on erator DIAL on Wednesday at X at 2.20 pm 6°C, 1.4 notches stated, “Runlower than normal way visibility at Delhi Airport is THURSDAY'S improving, and FORECAST: fl i g h t o p e r a Minimum: 9°C tions are graduMaximum: 19°C ally resuming.” LIGHT SPELLS OF Several airSHOWER IN THE lines, including EVENING OR NIGHT IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet, issued advisories, urging passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport. Visibility significantly reduced during the morning hours, improved slightly during the day but declined as the , evening approached. On Tuesday, the MeT office issued an orange alert for dense fog and predicted rain, with cold weather expected to intensify in Delhi, Noida, and Gurugram. The IMD indicated that similar conditions are likely to persist on Thursday morning, with a possibility of light rain in the evening or night. BJP CANDIDATE IN SOUP TRAFFIC in New Delhi constituency came to a standstill on chilly Wednesday morning. Not because of any routine traffic jam, but unending cavalcades of poll contestants. AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal led the charge, with a grand show alongside his wife. In a departure, Kejriwal added a dash of ‘ladies first’ to his grand spectacle, with women supporters taking the front row in his mega roadshow — a symbolic move to highlight the party’s focus on women’s welfare, and also their votes. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a proper Kejriwal outing without a visit to the Hanu- The returning officer for the New Delhi segment has directed the police to probe an incident of BJP candidate Parvesh Verma allegedly distributing shoes to electors at a Valmiki temple in violation of the poll code. P3 man Mandir at Connaught Place. He also sought blessing at a Valmiki temple — a ritual he has diligently followed before any major political or legal challenges — be it elections, court appearances, or ED/CBI summons. Over the years, Kejriwal has consciously projected himself as a Hanuman Will kick in on Sunday, says Qatar premier; Trump takes credit for the ceasefire pact Sonia Gandhi inaugurates the new All India Congress Committee HQ at 9A, Kotla Road, in New Delhi on Wednesday | PTI Thick layer of fog, biting cold grip city amid worsening air A S H I S H S R I V A S TA V A @ New Delhi Deal reached to pause Gaza war, free hostages YOON ARRESTED AFTER GRAP-IV BACK temple tours, tridents and PPE kits Rahul’s claim of fighting Indian state draws BJP ire PA R V E Z S U LTA N A N D R A J E S H K U M A R T H A K U R @ New Delhi A rather sharp attack by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday against RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent remarks, drew heavy retaliatory fire from BJP’s biggies. At the inaugural event of the party’s headquarters here, Rahul criticised Bhagwat’s claim that India achieved “true independence” only after the Ram temple consecration, saying it amounts to treason. “Bhagwat has the audacity to say to the country what he thinks about the independence movement and the Constitution. What he said yesterday is treason… Because he is stating that the Constitution is invalid and the fight against the British was invalid... In any other country, he would have been arrested and tried,” Rahul claimed. Rahul went on to say that the BJP and RSS have captured almost every institution in our country, adding the Congress is now fighting not just both of them but the Indian state itself. In its pushback, the BJP launched a bazooka against Rahul for claiming the Congress was fighting the Indian state. Party president J P Nadda, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, IT cell head Amit Malviya and others castigated Rahul for his ‘objectionable’ remark, adding that it has exposed his mindset against India. The BJP and RSS have captured every single institution in this country and we are now fighting the BJP, the RSS and the Indian state itself Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader Congress has a history of encouraging all those forces who want a weak India. Their greed for power meant compromising the nation’s integrity J P Nadda, BJP president “I compliment Mr Rahul Gandhi for saying clearly what nation knows that he is fighting the Indian state. It is not a secret that Mr Gandhi and his ecosystem have close links with Urban Naxal and the deep state who want to defame, demean and discredit India,” Nadda alleged. Sitharaman wondered why Rahul carried a copy of the Constitution when he was using such language. Malviya said, “Rahul Gandhi has now declared an open war against the Indian State itself. This is straight out of George Soros’s playbook”. The Congress got its new headquarters 47 years after the party made bungalow No. 24, Akbar Road its temporary head office. Parliamentary Party chief Sonia Gandhi inaugurated the swanky office. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge said Indira Bhawan, the new HQ, had been built on the foundation of democracy, nationalism, secularism, inclusive development and social justice. AGENCIES The deal is expected to deliver an initial six-week halt to AFTER more than 15 months of fighting that is to be accompagruelling war, Israel and Ha- nied by the opening of negotiamas agreed to a ceasefire deal tions on ending the war altoand the release dozens of hos- gether. Egypt is exploring the tages, multiple officials con- possibility of opening the Rafirmed on Wednesday . fah crossing to sent aid. Trump, who had warned HaThe deal promises the release mas of hell to pay if it did not of dozens of hostages held by free the remaining capHamas in phases in extives before he took ofchange for the release fice, said, “We have a of hundreds of Palesdeal for the hostages in tinian prisoners in Isthe Middle East. They rael. It would also alwill be released shortly. low hundreds of Thank you!” thousands of people The deal comes after displaced in Gaza to mediators Qatar, Egypt retur n to what reand the United States inmains of their homes. tensified their efforts in Soon after the news recent days to cement an We have a deal broke, thousands of agreement. Qatari Prime for the hostages Gazans gathered in in the Middle Minister Mohammed groups, hugging and East. They will bin Abdulrahman Al taking photos with be released Thani said the deal their mobile phones to shortly. would come into effect mark the announceThank you on Sunday . ment in central Gaza’s Donald Trump Three officials from Deir el-Balah and oththe US and one from Haer area. Earlier, over mas confirmed that a deal had 100 hostages were freed from been reached, while Netanya- Gaza in 2023. hu’s office said that final details Trump said his Mideast enwere still unresolved, but that it voy, Steve Witkoff, would conhoped “details will be finalised tinue “to work closely with Istonight”. The pact is expected rael and our Allies to make sure to discussed by the Israeli cabi- Gaza NEVER again becomes a net on Thursday . terrorist safe haven”. US President Joe Biden Hamas triggered the war hailed the breakthrough agree- with its October 7, 2023, attack, ment, asserting it is the result which killed some 1,200 Israeof the pressure and isolation lis. Israel responded with a placed on Hamas along with de- fierce offensive that has killed termined US diplomacy . 46,000 Palestinians. bhakt, aligning with AAP’s ‘soft Hindutva’ line. The party has blended the strategy with welfare politics. His opponent, BJP’s Parvesh Verma also embarked on what his office described as a “spiritual journey”, seeking blessings at several temples before filing his nomination. His tour began at the Gauri Shankar Temple in Chandni Chowk, continued to Hanuman Mandir in CP and concluded at the Ma, harishi Valmiki Mandir. However, the “spiritual journey” took a sharp turn into “hardline optics” when Verma brandished a trident and a mace while standing atop his vehicle during his rally . CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 Exports down for the second month in a row in December ’24 EXPRESS NEWS SERVI CE @ New Delhi INDIA’s merchandise exports contracted 1% year-on-year even as imports rose 4.9% in December 2024, government data released on Wednesday showed. The trade deficit narrowed to $21.94 in December month-on-month compared to $32 billion in November as gold imports halved to $4.7 billion. In November 2024, gold imports had surged 186% year-on-year to $9.9 billion. In December 2023, the merchandise trade deficit was $18.76 billion. Services exports during the month rose by 3.25% year-onyear, while imports grew 12%. Total trade deficit (merchandise plus services) widened to $6.78 billion in December 2024 compared to $2.76 billion in the year-ago period. Merchandise exports during April-December 2024 were $321.71 billion compared to $316.65 billion during April-December 2023. Merchandise imports during the period were $532.48 billion compared to $506.39 billion a year ago. Merchandise trade deficit during the nine-month period of the current financial year widened to $210.77 billion from $189.74 billion a year ago. Total exports during AprilDecember 2024 is estimated at $602.64 billion, registering 6.03% growth. According to Deepali Agrawal, deputy MD of India Exim Bank, the trade data highlights India’s sustained growth momentum in non-oil, non-gems and jewellery exports, aided by robust contribution from labour, tech-intensive manufacturing sectors. Sue mastermind of Pannun plot, says top panel M U K E S H R A N J A N @ New Delhi RECORD PLAY India women posted their highest total in an ODI — it is also the highest for an Indian team across genders — 435/5, beating Ireland by 304 runs in Rajkot. Smriti Mandhana also scored the fastest women’s ODI hundred by an Indian | SPORTZPICS A high-powered committee set up by the government in the wake of a botched operation to bump off Khalistani radical Gurupatwant Singh Pannun on US soil, recommended legal action against ‘an individual’ who masterminded the plot. While the report did not name the individual, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) identified him as Vikash Yadav. In its lookout notice, the FBI said Yadav was wanted in a “murder-for-hire case; conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire; and money laundering”. The US District Court, Southern District of New York, issued an arrest warrant against him on October 10, 2024. The home ministry said in a statement that the panel was formed in 2023 to probe the individual’s links with the drug mafia and criminal gangs after allegations that a plot was hatched to disturb American security interest in 2023. “A f t e r a l o n g e n q u i r y, the Committee has recommended legal action against an individual, whose earlier criminal links and antecedents also came to notice during the enquiry,” the ministry said. Yadav was with the Research and Analysis Yadav and his co-conspirator arranged for an associate to deliver $15,000 in cash in New York as an advance payment for the murder —FBI’s wanted person notice Wing (R&AW) when the alleged plot to bump off Pannun went sideways. He was later sacked. The ministry said the panel recommended expeditious legal action against him. While announcing the constitution of the high-powered committee in November 2023, the External Affairs Ministry had said it will look into all relevant aspects of the matter. “The Enquiry Committee conducted its own investigations and also pursued leads provided by the US side. It received full cooperation from US authorities and the two sides also exchanged visits. The Committee further examined a number of officials from different agencies and also scrutinised relevant documents in this connection.” It added that the panel recommended “functional improvements in systems and procedures as also initiation of steps that could strengthen India’s response capability, ensure systematic controls and coordinated action in dealing with matters like this”. Yadav is accused of recruiting Nikhil Gupta in May 2023 to hire the killer, who turned out to be an undercover US agent. Gupta was arrested in Prague and was subsequently extradited to the US. In December 2023, Yadav was arrested by Delhi Police in a case of kidnapping and extortion lodged against him. He is currently on bail in this case. The home ministry’s statement comes days before president-elect Donald Trump takes the oath of office in the US.