Today in History (17^th May 1769)

17 May 1769 – The East India Company imposed several restrictions on the weavers to ruin Bengal’s textile industry.

Let’s revise

A) The National Food Security Act was passed in ______

1. 2014
2. 2015
3. 2013
4. 2016

Ans. (c)

B) Kyoto is located in which country?

1. China
2. Japan
3. Indonesia
4. South Korea

Ans. (b)

C) The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan in ____

1. 1999
2. 2005
3. 1997
4. 1995

Ans. (c)

D) Find incorrect statement about Russia

1. Formerly it was USSR
2. The USSR was disintegrated in 2005
3. Current President of Russia is Vladimir Putin
4. Russia annexed Crimea in 2014

Ans. (d)

E) Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) was passed in ____

1. 1999
2. 1967
3. 2008
4. 2010

Ans. (b)

F) No person who is arrested shall be detained in custody without being informed, as soon as may be, of the grounds for such arrest nor shall he be denied the right to consult, and to be defended by, a legal practitioner of his choice. It is under which Article of the Constitution?

1. 21
2. 19
3. 22
4. 14

Ans. (c)

G) Every person who is arrested and detained in custody shall be produced before the nearest magistrate within a period of twenty-four hours. This has been provisioned under Article____

1. 21
2. 23
3. 22
4. 19

Ans. (c)

Summary of Today’s News

SC limits ED’s power to arrest PMLA accused

• The Supreme Court bolstered the right to personal liberty concerning the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). A person summoned by a designated special court under the PMLA is presumed not to be in custody. Such a person does not need to apply for bail under the stringent conditions of the PMLA.
• Justices A.S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan ruled that appearing before the special court via summons does not constitute being in custody. The judgment restricts the Directorate of Enforcement’s (ED) power to arrest after a special court takes cognisance of a case. The ED must apply separately for custody and provide specific grounds for custodial interrogation.

SC says Kejriwal is free to make ‘assumptions’

The Supreme Court said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was free to make “assumptions” when the ED complained that he “slapped the system” that bailed him out in the liquor policy case by spurring voters to give AAP a sweeping victory and save him further jail time.

Ahead of Ukraine peace conference, Swiss diplomat to hold talks in India.

• Swiss Foreign Secretary Alexandre Fasel arrives in India to meet Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) officials. The visit aims to push for India’s response to an invitation for the “Summit on Peace in Ukraine” in Burgenstock, Switzerland, on June 15-16.
• Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba discussed the invitation with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during their visits to Delhi. The Indian government has not yet decided whether to attend the summit or at what level.
• Fasel’s visit follows the signing of the India-EFTA trade pact, which includes Switzerland. He will meet Secretary (West) Pavan Kapoor to discuss the summit invitation, trade, and other bilateral issues.
• The summit organizers aim to include BRICS minus Russia and Global South countries to broaden the impact beyond U.S. allies and European nations. The goal is to have an open discussion on possibilities and reflections for peace in Ukraine.

IMD issues orange alert for several districts in Kerala.

Orange Alert Issued:
• For several districts in Kerala from May 19 due to very heavy rainfall.
Weather Conditions:
• Cyclonic circulation over Comorin area and south Tamil Nadu.
• Trough from cyclonic circulation to Lakshadweep causing widespread rain in Kerala.
Monsoon Forecast:
• Southwest monsoon likely to advance to south Andaman Sea, parts of southeast Bay of Bengal, and Nicobar Islands around May 19.
• Monsoon onset over Kerala expected on May 31 (± 4 days).
• Good rainfall activity predicted for June, indicating a bountiful southwest monsoon for Kerala.

Can parties be de-recognised or de-registered?

• Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RP Act) lays down the requirements for registration of a political party with the ECI.
• The Supreme Court in Indian National Congress versus Institute of Social Welfare & Ors (2002) had held that the ECI does not have power to de-register any political party under the RP Act.
• The ECI in its memorandum for electoral reforms (2016) has suggested amendment to the law that would empower the ECI to deregister a party.