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HC issues notice to EC on plea against Akali Dal
New Delhi, April 18 (IANS) The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notice to Election Commission and others on a plea seeking cancellation of registration of the Akali Dal as a political party.
A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C. Hari Shankar issued notice to Akali Dal, the Election Commission, the Punjab State Election Commission, the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committe, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, Gurdwara Election Commission and others and posted the matter for September 12.
The court was hearing a plea filed by social activist Balwant Singh Khera through counsel Prashant Bhushan and Indira Unninayar.
Khera, in his plea, told the court that Akali Dal obtained registration as a political party by committing fraud and forgery.
“The party falsely undertook to be ‘secular’ in its application for registration in 1989 as a political party, by fabricating a document titled ‘Rules and Regulations’, and filing it along with its application merely to appear to be complying with Section 29A of The Representation of People Act which requires such undertaking for political parties to get themselves registered,” he said.
However, the Akali Dal has always remain a religio-political party which has maintained its public alignment with Sikh religion by contesting elections to the religious bodies like SGPC and DSGMC, the plea said, adding its public alignment with the Sikh religion is also evident through its religious symbolism in order to capture and consolidate its vote-bank among the Sikh electorate.
The party has committed several such frauds or a ‘series of frauds’ and fabrication of documents in order to remain qualified as a valid political party, the plea said.
The Constitution, the Representation of People Act and the Supreme Court prohibit political parties from alignment with any religion.
The petitioner said that the Akali Dal knowingly committed fraud and continues to enjoy the benefits of registration as a political party although it has always been a “religious based political party”.
Formed in the 1920s, as the political wing of SGPC, the apex religious body of the Sikhs, the party later, tried to control the SGPC , Khera said alleging that the EC has failed, despite its duties and powers, to set aside the void registration.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.