<p>A Special Rouse Avenue Court on Friday framed charges against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and former state Law Minister Somnath Bharti in the case pertaining to the 2014 protest outside Rail Bhawan.</p>

<p>The accused pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.</p>

<p>Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal, on the other hand, discharged Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and former AAP leader Ashutosh of all charges in the case due to lack of evidence.</p>

<p>The court framed charges against the accused under the following Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) - 143 (unlawful assembly), 145(continuing unlawful assembly after commanded to disperse), 188(disobedience to order by public servant), 147 (rioting), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of duty), 353(force to deter public servant from duty), 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from duty) and 149(Every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence).</p>

<p>The court also ordered framing of charges against MLA Rakhi Bidlan under same sections but she was not present in the court.</p>

<p>The court in its order said that Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Rakhi Birla, Somnath Bharti are concerned, there is insufficient evidence to come to a conclusion that there exists a prima facie case and grave suspicion about the commission of the aforesaid discussed offences.</p>

<p>The court has slated commence of trial and prosecution of evidence in the case for July 26, 27, 29 and 30.</p>

<p>The court had on, July 2, reserved its order after the conclusion of arguments to determine the charges against the accused in the case.</p>

<p>AAP chief Kejriwal had violated the prohibitory orders under section 144 (unlawful assembly), by organising a protest outside the Rail Bhawan on January 20, 2014, demanding action against police officers who allegedly refused to cooperate with the Somnath Bharti.</p>


A Special Rouse Avenue Court on Friday framed charges against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and former state Law Minister Somnath Bharti in the case pertaining to the 2014 protest outside Rail Bhawan.

A Special Rouse Avenue Court on Friday framed charges against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and former state Law Minister Somnath Bharti in the case pertaining to the 2014 protest outside Rail Bhawan. The accused pleaded not guilty and claimed trial. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal, on the other hand, discharged Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and former AAP leader Ashutosh of all charges in the case due to lack of evidence. The court framed charges against the accused under the following Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) - 143 (unlawful assembly), 145(continuing unlawful assembly after commanded to disperse), 188(disobedience to order by public servant), 147 (rioting), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of duty), 353(force to deter public servant from duty), 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from duty) and 149(Every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence). The court also ordered framing of charges against MLA Rakhi Bidlan under same sections but she was not present in the court. The court in its order said that Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Rakhi Birla, Somnath Bharti are concerned, there is insufficient evidence to come to a conclusion that there exists a prima facie case and grave suspicion about the commission of the aforesaid discussed offences. The court has slated commence of trial and prosecution of evidence in the case for July 26, 27, 29 and 30. The court had on, July 2, reserved its order after the conclusion of arguments to determine the charges against the accused in the case. AAP chief Kejriwal had violated the prohibitory orders under section 144 (unlawful assembly), by organising a protest outside the Rail Bhawan on January 20, 2014, demanding action against police officers who allegedly refused to cooperate with the Somnath Bharti.

Court frames charges against Kejriwal, others in 2014 Rail Bhawan protest case

For the first time, activists demanding outright independence from Beijing will run for office

Hong Kong goes to the polls today and for the first time the semi-autonomous city will see young independence activists calling for a complete break from China run for office. The election for the Legislative Council is the most important one since 2014, when mass pro-democracy protests, calling for political reforms, got the city to a standstill. The election comes in the midst of increasing concerns in Hong Kong that Beijing is tightening its control over the politics, media and education. This fear has grown ever since five Hong Kong booksellers known for controversial titles about top Beijing politicians disappeared last year only to resurface in detention on the mainland. The disappearance fuelled a “localist” movement which grew out of the failure of the 2014 protests to win concessions on political reform from Beijing and is seeking a greater distance from China. The election comes in the midst of increasing concerns in Hong Kong that Beijing is tightening its control over the politics, media and education. While some young campaigners are demanding an outright independence, there are a few who demand a referendum. The harsher independence activists, slammed by Beijing and Hong Kong authorities for acting illegally by promoting the breakaway, were banned by the government from running in the election, leading to an outrage over political censorship. Polls predict some will win seats and victory for those who are standing would be a massive coup for the movement. But their numbers are still too small and the election is only partially democratic, making it almost impossible for the anti-Beijing camp ever to gain a majority. Forty of the Legislative Council’s 70 members will be directly elected by the public on today and the rest will be chosen by small voting blocs from special interest groups representing businesses and social sectors. Those seats usually go to pro-Beijing candidates. The pro-democracy camp wants to ensure it holds on to enough seats to block important bills, that need to be voted through by a two thirds majority. A loss of four seats would mean losing the veto power. On Saturday, five democrats dropped out of campaigning to consolidate voting behind those candidates with the best chance of winning. (WION with inputs from AFP) ?

Hong Kong prepares for first big vote since 2014 pro-democracy protests

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