No interim relief Centre plans
Guterres emphasised: “The region and the world cannot sustain another war. It is crucial to de-escalate and defuse the current situation.”
He further implored: “We must retreat from the edge of conflict.”
In a significant intensification, Iran targeted Israel with numerous drones and missiles late Saturday evening. This direct assault, which was in retaliation to an unattributed attack on the Iranian embassy in Syria on April 1, has heightened the ongoing conflict in Gaza, leading to frequent skirmishes involving Iran’s allies in the region, such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis.
At the same council meeting, Robert Wood, the US deputy ambassador to the UN, demanded a clear condemnation of Iran’s offensive by the council members. He stressed the council’s duty to respond to Iran’s actions and mentioned that the US would consider further steps to hold Iran accountable.
Wood stated unequivocally: “Should Iran or its affiliates act against the US or escalate hostilities with Israel, they will be held accountable.”
The session witnessed tense
exchanges between the Iranian and Israeli representatives, each calling for sanctions against the other.Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran’s ambassador to the UN, defended his country’s actions as necessary and justified, criticising the Security Council for not denouncing the attack on Iran’s diplomatic premises in Syria. He stated that Iran had no alternative but to react, clarifying that Iran does not desire an escalation or war but will defend itself against any threats or aggression.
Iravani called on the Security Council to fulfill its role and confront the true threat to global peace and security, urging immediate and severe measures to force Israel to cease what he described as a genocide in Gaza.
Conversely, Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan labelled Iran as the foremost global terrorism sponsor and a rogue state. He urged the world to abandon its indifference, to censure Iran, and to recognize the gravity of the situation.Erdan declared: “Israel has the right to respond to this provocation, which has crossed all boundaries.”
He implored the Security Council to classify the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity and to impose comprehensive sanctions on Iran without delay.
inspection of non-scheduled aircraft and helicopters by the Income Tax department, airport authorities and the SPs of concerned districts.
“The Commission during reviews had always emphasised that there will be multi-pronged surveillance on all modes of transport -- check posts and nakas for road transport, Coast Guard for coastal routes and DMs and SPs alongside agencies for air routes including checking of helicopters and non-scheduled flights,” the statement said.
Asked about Rahul Gandhi’s helicopter being checked, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the prime minister’s
helicopter and the home minister’s helicopter should also be checked.
“The day before yesterday, my car was also checked, my shaving cream was taken out, my toothpaste was taken out, my entire suitcase was taken out. I remained silent, I said, whatever has to be done, do it . ... check the Prime Minister’s chopper, check the Home Minister’s chopper, check all the choppers, level the playing field (should be there),” he said.
“You are an impartial institution, a constitutional institution, understand your rights and treat all parties equally. Don’t give special category status to the Prime Minister, don’t give special category status to the Home Minister. If you want to check the vehicles, do it, if you want to check the chopper, do it, we have no objection,” he said.
In response, Justice Khanna directed the issuance of a notice, stating: “Let a notice be issued.”
The Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, representing the ED, assured the court that the probe agency would respond to the petition.Singhvi pressed for an expedited hearing, underlining the urgency of the matter. However, Justice Khanna indicated a reasonable but not immediate date, prompting Singhvi to continue questioning the timing of Kejriwal’s arrest.
Singhvi highlighted that despite the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the ED filing eight chargesheets in the excise case, Kejriwal had not been implicated in any. He underscored the absence of Kejriwal’s name in 15 statements recorded over a significant period.
The bench, acknowledging its familiarity with the case, reiterated its decision to issue a notice to the ED, setting a deadline for their response by April 24, with a subsequent rejoinder due by April 27.
The case revolves around allegations of corruption and money laundering in the development
and execution of Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22, subsequently annulled. Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 following the high court’s denial of protection from coercive action by the ED.
Currently held in judicial custody at Tihar Jail, Kejriwal has contested his arrest, labelling it an assault on democratic principles and urging the apex court to declare the case against him illegal.In his plea, Kejriwal criticised his arrest as politically motivated, based on contradictory statements from co-accused turned approvers. He warned against setting a precedent for the ruling party to detain political opponents on baseless charges before elections, thereby undermining constitutional principles.