By Chikamso Chukwuenyem for Mailonline

Published: 3:35 PM EDT, March 21, 2024 | Updated: 3:36 PM EDT, March 21, 2024

James Martin has announced his split from his partner of 12 years, Louise Davies, and has moved on with Arun Nayar’s ex-wife, personal trainer, Kim Johnson.

But the TV chef once had a Hollywood romance with James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli, who was 12 years his senior.

The pair dated for four and a half years with James, 51, later revealing the real reason behind their split in 2008 after previously calling her ‘the love of his life’.

As James moves on with Kim, the ex-wife of businessman Arun Nayar, who was previously married to actress Elizabeth Hurley from 2007 to 2011, MailOnline takes a look at his past relationship with producer Barbara, 63.

Who is Barbara Broccoli?

Barbara – who, along with half-brother Michael G. Wilson, has managed the James Bond franchise since 1995.

She began working in the Bond series at the age of 17, working in the publicity department of The Spy Who Loved Me (1977).

A few years later she was assistant director on Octopussy (1983) and became associate producer of the film The Living Daylights (1987).

Her most important role was as producer of the Bond films starring Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig.

Last year, Barbara said there was a “long way to go” in casting Craig’s replacement.

The actor called it quits two years ago after a fifteen-year stint spanning six films: Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012), Specter (2015) and No Time To Die (2021).

How did they meet?

The chef and the film boss first met at a charity auction in 2001 when Barbara, then 41, paid £18,000 to have him cook her a meal when he was 29 years old and a star on the rise.

They hit it off immediately and James cooked for her again at her birthday party, leading to a blossoming romance.

Reflecting on their romance, James previously wrote for the Mail: ‘Six weeks later I visited Barbara to prepare a meal for her and five friends. The evening was hilarious – and we just hit it off.

‘I didn’t know she was co-producer of the current James Bond films with her half-brother Michael G. Wilson. I just thought she was a wonderful woman.

‘The next day I told my then personal assistant Erica about the evening. She decided to play Cupid and called Barbara’s PA. It turned out that Barbara’s PA was trying to organize a surprise for her birthday, so I offered to cook.

‘Thus began my longest relationship, the most surreal, exciting and unforgettable four and a half years of my life.;

Hollywood lifestyle

While James was doing well at Ready Steady Cook and had books published, Barbara was at the ‘very top’ of Hollywood.

He recalled, “We had been together about three months when she invited me to go to Los Angeles with her. Her house was huge; the living room alone was twice the size of my house.

‘What am I doing here?’ I kept thinking. “How did this happen?”

“One day, while Barbara was away, I opened the door to a man dressed in a black suit, holding a silver plate with an envelope.

“Inside was a set of car keys with a prancing horse on the key ring and a note from Barbara that said: ‘Enjoy Beverly Hills, see you later, love B.’

On the ride was a silver Ferrari 360 Spyder, exactly the same as the black 360 I once had, but with a soft top that, let’s be honest, you have to have in Beverly Hills.

Divide

Yet it came to an end in 2008. And James wasn’t shy about speaking out about the issues they faced in their relationship.

He admitted that he was “a bit of a late starter when it came to women” and noted that when he accompanied Barbara to glitzy film premieres and hung out with the stars of Bond films, he felt “out of my depth, a spare part.” .

James – who had since moved on to Miss England 2001, Sally Kettle – explained to the Daily Mail in October 2008 how their age difference and wealth were getting in the way of their relationship.

Barbara had showered the chef with gifts, including a Picasso painting, and had once offered to buy him a £180,000 Aston Martin, but James confessed that his ‘manly pride’ stopped him from accepting such extravagant purchases.

James noted that while their age difference did not bother him, as he “always liked independent women,” it “didn’t help matters in public.”

He confessed: ‘When we went to events, I felt uncomfortable when people looked at me, this nobody, and probably thought, “He’s with her for the money.”

Despite the obstacles they faced, James insisted: “Barbara was the first real love of my life. I still think about her a lot and always will.’

He described their breakup poignantly, writing: ‘It’s hard to walk away from someone you love and who loves you so much.

‘Maybe it was the stupidest thing I’ve done in my life, but it was probably the wisest thing. Ultimately, I think this was the best thing, not only for Barbara and me, but for her children as well.”

To proceed

After his divorce from Barbara, James moved on to Miss England 2001, Sally Kettle, in the same year, before settling down with Louise for 12 years.

The TV chef, famed for his love life, quietly parted ways with his long-term partner Louise Davies in December, but the pair have remained ‘firm friends’.

Despite being together for more than a decade, James rarely spoke about Louise, only to admit that marriage was off the table for the couple as he was “quite happy” as he was and “didn’t feel the need to spend 60,000 dollars per day’. .’

James shocked fans this week when MailOnline exclusively revealed he had quietly split from his girlfriend of 12 years Louise and moved on with Kim Johnson.

The celebrity chef, 51, and his new love interest were spotted looking at watches at a store in Mayfair on Saturday.

Kim is the ex-wife of businessman Arun Nayar, who was previously married to actress Elizabeth Hurley from 2007 to 2011.

Kim and Arun first got together after their split in 2011 and tied the knot in July 2016, but divorced the following year.

However, they kept in touch after their divorce and have been photographed together at events in recent years.

This James Bond news has shocked us And stirred.

Aaron Taylor Johnson According to rumors, he will take over the role of James Bond The sun.

Taylor-Johnson, 33, best known for his roles in films like 2010 Super awesome and 2022 Bullet trainreportedly has a ‘formal offer’, which the actor is expected to sign in the coming days.

Production on the next Bond installment will begin later this year.

Once the paperwork is complete, Taylor-Johnson will take over the iconic role of Daniel Craig, which played Bond in five films over the course of 15 years. Craig, 56, last appeared as 007 in 2021 No time to die.

The sun reported that Taylor-Johnson was in the running alongside a number of high-end competitors, including the recent Oscar winner Cillian Murphy, Idris Elba, Henry Cavill And Happy Valley star James Norton.

Just last week, Taylor-Johnson was asked about the possibility of playing Bond, which has been rumored since Craig announced his departure.

“I find it charming and wonderful that people see me in that role,” he said Number in an interview published on March 13. “I consider it a great compliment.”

Taylor-Johnson, who also won a Golden Globe for his performance in 2016 Nocturnal animalscan next be seen in May The autumn mannext Ryan Gosling And Emily Bluntand that of Augustus Kraven the Hunterwhere he plays the titular superhero.

As for Craig, he first played Bond in 2006 Casino royalehe said he had no regrets about leaving the franchise behind.

“No, none at all,” Craig said on BBC Radio 4’s “Best of Today” podcast in December 2022. “I have spent 17 years of my life incredibly happy making this. I literally want to spend the next twenty years of my life trying to unpick everything and put it in one place, because it was incredible. I left it where I wanted it. And that with the last film I got the chance to do that.”

During his last appearance as in No time to die, James Bond’s character appears blown up and killed at the end of the film. According to Craig, it gave the franchise an opportunity to reinvent itself in his absence.

“I don’t know if it sounds insincere,” I said [James Bond producer] Barbara [Broccoli] Way back in 2006, ‘If I make all these movies, and we do it right, can we kill him,’ and she said, ‘Yes, we can,'” Craig recalled. “I thought about myself, about my postponed career and I tried to think about how that would work, but I also thought about what they were doing with Casino royale.”

Craig continued, “They had a chance to reset with that because they went back to the beginning. I thought you’d get another chance to reset. That seems like a good move to us.”

Aaron Taylor-Johnson has reportedly been formally offered the opportunity to play James Bond – taking over from Daniel Craig for the next films.

And the actor’s real Bond Girl is his wife Sam, 57, who is 24 years his senior and a  British film director and artist – with the pair having a fiercely private relationship. 

Actor Aaron, 33, met the filmmaker, 58, on the set of Nowhere Boy in 2009 and they share daughters Wylda Rae, 13, and Romy Hero 11, as well as Angelica, 26, and Jessie, 16, from Sam’s previous marriage to art dealer Jay Jopling.

When they first met on the film Aaron was just 18 and Sam was 42. They didn’t get together until after they finished the project where a ‘deep connection’ was formed. 

Sam has enjoyed a hugely successful filmmaking career with films such as Fifty Shades of Grey and has also directed the upcoming Amy Winehouse biopic Back to Black.

But she has also faced a fair amount of personal turmoil – having battled cancer twice. 

In December 1997, at age 30, she was treated for colon cancer. Then in 2000, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

She practices yoga and meditation, of which she has previously said: ‘I wouldn’t be able to survive everything without the meditation that I do. It’s what I think has made me able to cope with the madness.’

Sam was born in Croydon and grew up near Streatham Common in south London, with her younger sister Ashley and her mother Geraldine and father David.

Her father left the family when she was nine which she has previously described as a ‘sudden, very weird and abrupt’ split. She didn’t see her dad for the next 10 years.

Sam went to Beacon Community College in East Sussex and later attended Goldsmiths, University of London.

She then began exhibiting fine-art photography in the early 1990s and began working on her filmmaking with short videos during this time. 

She was nominated for the Turner prize in 1998, and was the winner of Most Promising Artist award at the 1997 Venice Biennale.

She then moved further into filmmaking and in August 2008, was chosen to direct Nowhere Boy, a biopic about the childhood of John Lennon. She was subsequently nominated for a BAFTA for the film. 

Last year Aaron gave a rare insight into their marriage and touched on their ‘creative partnership’. 

Speaking to Esquire the Kick-Ass star said despite collaborating with Sam on three films he ‘doesn’t think it’s accurate’ to suggest the couple’s relationship is rooted in their creative partnership.

Saying: ‘Yeah, we worked—I met Sam as actor and director. I think we’re really great at collaborating. But that’s not why I fell in love with her’.

Elsewhere in the conversation he discussed the couple’s home life and his shock that his children were already teenagers.

The family moved back to the UK from Los Angeles in 2022 and have since settled in Somerset where Aaron said he has pigs and bees and ‘loves’ life in the country.

The Bullet Train star also spoke about his upcoming acting gigs after originally opting to work less stay to home with his children when they were younger.

Saying: ‘I wanted, purely, to be with my babies, I didn’t want to be taken away from them. I battled with what that would be like.’ 

He later admitted to the interviewer: ‘I’ve probably talked to you more about my kids and Sam than I have with anybody. I’ve got really nothing to hide, and I’m secure in what we have. But I’m not going to unlock things that are actually precious to me.’

Aaron has also previously touched on their age gap which has come under scrutiny in the past. 

He said: ‘I’ve got really nothing to hide, and I’m secure in what we have. But I’m not going to unlock things that are actually precious to me.

‘I don’t really analyze our relationship. I just know that it works. I just feel secure and loved and safe. We have this very deep connection. We’re just in sync.’ 

Before Aaron Sam was married to art dealer Jay. They tied the knot in 1997 and had two daughters together, born in April 1997 and 2005, respectively.

In September 2008, the couple announced that they were separating amicably after 11 years of marriage.

Sam found out about her colon cancer at the end of 1997 – the same year she married Jay and welcomed their first daughter Angelica. 

She originally thought that her cancer symptoms were her body’s reaction to giving birth and had three GP visits where she was told she was just ‘recovering slowly’.

After her pain intensified she went to see a private doctor and was correctly diagnosed. 

The next day she went into hospital and had a foot-and-a-half of her colon removed and stayed in hospital for three weeks.  

Then, in the autumn of 1999, she found a lump in her armpit and subsequently had treatment for breast cancer.

She told The Guardian of the tough experience: ‘You go through all that, and you still don’t know if it’s gone. 

‘It’s all percentages: if you do this, you get this much percentage knocked off the possibility of recurrence. And it’s always something pathetic like three per cent.’

After overcoming cancer and her divorce she found happiness with actor Aaron.

In 2022 Sam dubbed her husband Aaron ‘father to all 4 girls’ as they celebrated 10 years of marriage. 

’10 glorious years. My incredible husband, father to all 4 girls. I love you, I love you, I love you. love conquers all,’ she wrote.

In honour of the marriage milestone, the pair decided to renew their ‘vows and confess our love in front of our nearest and dearest friends and family.’ 

‘It was a magical unforgettable day and the sun did not stop shining on us both,’ Aaron gushed on Instagram.

‘We are blessed beyond belief. Sammy you are my love, my life, my soulmate, my wife, my world!’

In 2011 then-Prince Charles presided over the ceremony in which Sam received her OBE in honor of her photography and artwork.

‘It’s such an incredible honor to receive this award — something I would never have dreamt of,’ she told the BBC. ‘It’s very gratifying for an artist to get recognition at this level.’

It comes as Aaron ‘has been formally offered the opportunity to play James Bond’, putting an end to months of speculation regarding Daniel Craig’s successor. 

He is yet to officially accept the role, but should he do so he will become only the seventh actor to play the iconic British secret agent since the franchise launched in 1962.

A recent poll suggested Idris Elba was still the public’s number one choice for the role, despite being 51 – old for a Bond candidate – and already ruling himself out of the running in order to focus on his crime drama, Luther. 

But Aaron, who is known for his roles in Nocturnal Animals, Kick-Ass, Nowhere Boy and Avengers: Age of Ultron, has landed the coveted part, reports The Sun.  

A source said: ‘Bond is Aaron’s job, should he wish to accept it. The formal offer is on the table and they are waiting to hear back.

‘As far as Eon is concerned, Aaron is going to sign his contract in the coming days and they can start preparing for the big announcement.’ 

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Aaron for comment. 

Responding to the rumours that he could step into Bond’s shoes last week, Aaron played coy, telling Numero: ‘I find it charming and wonderful that people see me in that role. I take it as a great compliment.’

He began acting as a child and has seen his career go from strength to strength, with three huge film appearance this year alone.

Aaron will be starring as a famous action star who goes missing in The Fall Guy, opposite Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt.

And he will also be appearing in the hotly anticipated remake of 1922 gothic horror Nosferatu, directed by Robert Eggers and featuring a star-studded cast, including Bill Skarsgård, Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp and Willem Dafoe.

But Aaron’s biggest upcoming role will see him rejoin the superhero universe, as he will be playing the titular role in Kraven the Hunter, the fifth film in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe.

He also has been nominated for two BAFTAs and previously won Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Globes for Nocturnal Animals.

The Bullet Train star’s name has been in the running for Bond for a while now, alongside fellow A-list contenders like Tom Hardy, Henry Cavill and recent Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy.

In October last year, the Mail exclusively revealed that Aaron was the ‘one to beat’ to take the iconic role, while Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan was looking likely to helm the next film in the franchise.

The insider said: ‘Aaron Taylor-Johnson is currently the hot favorite to step into the iconic role, he’s the first choice for Barbara Broccoli – he is the one to beat.’

They added of Christopher: ‘He is extremely interested in doing something very different with the franchise. If he can get his way with producers, then he is all for it.’

It’s the movie role that can transform unknown actors into global megastars – and now the British have had their say on who they want to be the next James Bond.

Thousands of Bond fans have cast their votes on who they want to replace Daniel Craig in the spy film franchise.

And topping the list is Luther star Idris Elba, who was the overwhelming favorite to perform after a survey of 2,000 Britons.

In the poll, commissioned by Lottoland, the 51-year-old beat the likes of Venom star Tom Hardy, Superman’s Henry Cavill and Oscar-winning man with the golden gong, Cillian Murphy, for the prized role.

Among the other top 20 A-listers who suggested they might be in the running were some left-wing stars such as House of the Dragons’ Emilia Clarke, James Norton, Emily Blunt and Helen Mirren. The sun revealed.

Bond is known for turning those who play 007 into global superstars.

And the franchise isn’t shy about casting stars out of left field to take on the role. The late Sean Connery, one of the most recognizable Bonds, had only appeared in a series of TV films when he accepted the role of a British spy in 1962’s Dr. No, with which he achieved international fame.

But while Idris was the first choice, fans may be left disappointed after the actor ruled himself out of playing the role last year so he could focus on his deal with Netflix, where he is starring in Luther: The Fallen Sun.

Idris brought up the ongoing discussions about the takeover of Ian Fleming’s famous British spy in February 2023.

When asked about the Luther film at the World Government Summit in Dubai, he said: “It’s very dark.

‘We’ve been working on the television show for about ten years and so the natural ambition is to bring it to the big screen, and so here we are with the first film.

“You know, a lot of people talk about another character that starts with J and ends with B, but I’m not going to be that guy.

‘I will be John Luther. That’s who I am.’

In August 2022, it was reported that Idris had left ‘years of talks’ with film bosses to take over the famous role.

He was the bookies’ favorite to replace Daniel Craig as super spy, but is keen to pursue other roles – and has even submitted a proposed list to producer Barbara Broccoli of actors who would play 007.

A source said The sun: ‘Fans and Barbara wanted Idris, but he wants to create something for himself.

“However, he has put forward names to play 007. He is ‘informally’ involved in the decision-making process, because he has been in discussions with producers for so long.’

MailOnline contacted representatives of Idris and James Bond producers at the time.

At the premiere of his film The Harder They Fall in 2021, when asked if he is considered the next 007, Idris said: ‘No, I’m not going to be James Bond.’

He told it too The Express about the rumors: “I’m probably the most famous Bond actor in the world, and I didn’t even play the part.”

Idris then added: “Enough is enough. I can’t talk about it anymore.’

Despite this, Ladbrokes awarded the actor a 3/1 for taking on the role after Daniel announced that 2021’s No Time To Die would be his final appearance as the character.

The bookmakers said at the time: ‘We have seen a huge interest in Idris Elba and have reduced his odds accordingly, so much so that he is now the clear favorite in our view to replace Daniel Craig as 007.’

Tom Hardy at 5/1, Rege-Jean Page 4/1 and Richard Madden 20/1 were also rumored to be in the running.

James Bond producer Barbara previously admitted that it will take a long time to choose Craig’s 007 replacement.

The filmmaker emphasized that it’s not as simple as choosing an actor to take on the iconic role of the friendly spy.

Speaking to Variety, Barbara said: ‘It’s a big decision.

‘It’s not just playing a role. It’s about a whole rethink of where we’re going.”

Earlier that same year, the blockbuster franchise’s producer confirmed that Idris was “part of the conversation” to become the next 007.

She told Deadline’s Crew Call podcast, “Well, we know Idris, we’re friends with him, and he’s a great actor.”

“And you know, it’s been part of the conversation, but it’s always hard to have a conversation when there’s someone in the seat.”

Barbara added that Bond bosses are in no rush to name the actor as they wanted the cast and crew to enjoy Craig’s latest film No Time To Die.

She said: ‘I think we’ve decided that until No Time To Die has had its run and Daniel has been able to – well, we’ve all been able to enjoy and reap the benefits of Daniel’s wonderful tenure, we’re not going to doing. think of or talk about someone else.’

The producer also hinted at a reimagining of the franchise. explaining: ‘It’s a reinvention of Bond. We’re trying to figure out where to go with him, we’ll talk about that.”

However, she added that any casting announcements are still a ways off, saying, “We’re reinventing who he is and that takes time,” she continued. “There is no script and we can’t come up with one until we decide how to approach the next film.

“I’d say filming will take at least another two years.”

SINGING in the shower with your partner can wash away relationship worries, experts say.

The combination of soapy water and songs increases the release of a chemical in the brain that strengthens the bond between lovers.

1

And the study even found that it can reduce the risk of divorce and “deepen understanding and empathy within a relationship.”

The report says: “Singing songs with deep emotional content together in the shower can significantly deepen the emotional bond between partners.

“Music and singing naturally release dopamine – known as the ‘feel-good’ neurotransmitter in the brain.

“This chemical boost not only improves mood, but also improves feelings of happiness and satisfaction within the relationship, contributing to a more positive shared environment.”

It adds: “Singing has been scientifically shown to reduce stress levels by reducing cortisol in the body.

“Singing together in the shower offers a dual benefit: It acts as a stress-reducing activity that also promotes emotional connection, reducing potential triggers for marital discord.”

A spokesperson for bathroom company Plumbworld, which commissioned the research, claimed: ‘Singing songs together in the shower can increase happiness and make couples feel closer to each other.

“It shows how music and doing things together can improve our relationships. It’s a nice way to communicate more.”

David Tennant gives himself a good wash as he transforms into the next James Bond for an upcoming Comic Relief sketch airing on Friday.

The actor, 52, looked dapper as he donned a black button-up jacket with red trim and buttons.

The Doctor Who star paired the smart jacket with an all-black suit and enjoyed his martini, shaken and not stirred, as he fully embraced the character.

Balancing the martini on the roof of his Comic Relief Aston Martin, David made sure he would travel in style in the vehicle.

Viewers will get the chance to get their hands on the stylish ride for themselves as Chris Evans and CarFest have donated the vehicle for the event.

David will join a host of co-presenters for the charity evening, while Sir Lenny Henry will present the fundraising show for the final time this year, after 39 years of presenting the comedy telethon.

Also co-presenting are Joel Dommett, Maya Jama, Davina McCall, Paddy McGuinness, Rosie Ramsey and Romesh Ranganathan.

The evening guarantees lots of fun with hysterical sketches, including David’s role as Bond.

Some of the country’s favorite stars will provide an evening of music, entertainment and comedy to keep audiences laughing.

Ahead of Sir Lenny’s departure, the evening will also include a sketch about the search for his replacement, with famous faces and Sir Lenny performing I’m Just Len, his own version of the Oscar-nominated song I’m Just Ken from the Barbie blockbuster.

The Traitors also returns as a cast of award-winning actors and comedians have signed up to play some of the most iconic characters from series two in a parody film version of the hit BBC One show.

Featuring a star-studded celebrity cast, Suranne Jones transformed into Claudia Winkleman, The Traitors: The Movie will bring to life some of the series’ most iconic moments with some of the nation’s favorite contestants.

Explaining why Red Nose Day is worth watching, Lenny told the BBC: ‘Because it will be packed with content, all your favorite presenters and loads of special surprises.

“It will probably be the best night of my life because it’s my last year as host and I know there will be a lot of surprises.

‘So you have to adapt to that. Plus all the incredible films the brilliant team created and worked so hard on. It will be very nice.’

The money raised by Red Nose Day will go to organizations helping to tackle homelessness, poverty and mental health, along with other causes in Britain and around the world.

Speaking about the fact that this is his last year as presenter of the show, Sir Lenny told BBC News: ‘I think I’ll be incredibly proud because it’s been a huge part of my life and to see a new generation people it moves forward – we have I’ve got Maya Jama, David Tennant, Romesh Ranganathan – there are such huge numbers of people coming to it.

‘It will be fantastic to leave knowing that – I’m getting emotional now – there’s a new group of people taking over and treating it the same way we did.’

He also said: ‘This is a good time to part ways and give a new generation the opportunity to take over and kick things off a bit.’

The better known names include steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, Sunil Bharti Mittal’s Bharti Airtel, Anil Agarwal’s Vedanta, ITC, Mahindra and Mahindra, DLF, PVR, Birlas, Bajajs, Jindals, Spicejet, IndiGo and the Goenkas.

The Election Commission (EC) recently uploaded data on electoral bonds of the State Bank of India (SBI) on its website. This action was taken to comply with the Supreme Court’s order and was implemented just a day before the court-imposed March 15 deadline. The list of entities that have purchased electoral bonds to make political donations reads like a who’s who of the business world. However, the top donor, according to the list released by the Election Commission on Thursday, is a lesser-known lottery company called Future Gaming and Hotel Services. Closely followed by Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL), the second largest donor, a prominent infrastructure company from Hyderabad recognized for its contributions to major projects such as the Zojila Tunnel.

“It may be recalled that in the said case, ECI has consistently and categorically weighed in favor of disclosure and transparency, a position reflected in the proceedings of the Hon’ble Supreme Court and also stated in the order,” said the press release.

While it is already known that the ruling BJP received the highest donation amount of over Rs 6,000 crore, followed by the Congress Party, the data dump only disclosed the amount donated by each entity or individual. It does not say who donated to which party. While most of the bonds were issued in the name of political parties, the donations to Congress and Samajwadi Party were made in the name of ‘President, All India Congress Committee’ and ‘Adyaksha Samajvadi Party’.

Top donors of electoral bonds

Future Gaming and Hotel Services bought possibly the highest number of bonds worth Rs 1,368 crore, followed by Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd at Rs 966 crore. Future Gaming was investigated by the Enforcement Directorate in March 2022.

The better known names include steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, Sunil Bharti Mittal’s Bharti Airtel, Anil Agarwal’s Vedanta, ITC, Mahindra and Mahindra, DLF, PVR, Birlas, Bajajs, Jindals, Spicejet, IndiGo and the Goenkas.

Among the well-known companies, Agarwal’s Vedanta Ltd bought Rs 398 crore worth of bonds, while Sunil Mittal’s three companies together bought a total of Rs 246 crore worth of bonds.

Steel magnate Lakshmi Niwas Mittal in his individual capacity bought Rs 35 crore worth of bonds. Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering, which has won contracts for several major infrastructure projects, bought bonds worth Rs 966 crore.

According to the data uploaded by the poll panel, the buyers of electoral bonds included Spicejet, IndiGo, Grasim Industries, Megha Engineering, Piramal Enterprises, Torrent Power, Bharti Airtel, DLF Commercial Developers, Vedanta Ltd., Apollo Tyres, Edelweiss, PVR, Keventer, Sula Wines, Welspun, Sun Pharma, Vardhman Textiles, Jindal Group, Phillips Carbon Black Limited, CEAT tires, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, ITC, Kaypee Enterprises, Cipla and Ultratech Cement.

Besides Lakshmi Niwas Mittal, donors through electoral bonds included Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Varun Gupta, BK Goenka, Jainendra Shah and one person going by the first name only Monika.

Ghaziabad-based Yashoda Super Specialty Hospital bought 162 bonds, mostly of Rs 1 crore each. Bajaj Auto bought bonds worth Rs 18 crore, Bajaj Finance Rs 20 crore, three IndiGo companies Rs 36 crore, Spicejet Rs 65 lakh and Rahul Bhatia of IndiGo bought bonds worth Rs 20 crore. Mumbai-based Qwik Supply Chain Pvt Ltd bought bonds worth Rs 410 crore and Haldia Energy Rs 377 crore.

Parties that have redeemed electoral bonds

The parties that have redeemed electoral bonds include the BJP, Congress, AIADMK, BRS, Shiv Sena, TDP, YSR Congress, DMK, JD-S, NCP, Trinamool Congress, JDU, RJD, AAP, the Samajwadi Party, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, BJD, Goa Forward Party, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha, JMM, Sikkim Democratic Front and the Jana Sena Party.

According to an earlier report by the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR), electoral bonds worth Rs 16,518 crore were sold between March 2018 and January 2024.

The BJP received the highest contributions through the electoral bonds worth Rs 6,566 crore or 54.77 per cent, followed by the Congress with Rs 1,123 crore or 9.37 per cent, and the Trinamool Congress Rs 1,092 crore or 9.11 per cent, had said it.

Jaya Thakur is a doctor associated with the Indian National Congress.

New Delhi: In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India dismissed the State Bank of India’s plea seeking more time to make public the information sought by the esteemed court today after it had earlier almost struck down the central government’s election financing program on February 15 destroyed. Do you know the faces behind the landmark judgment that led to the quashing of the Electoral Bonds Scheme?

Jaya Thakur, an appellant in the case against the electoral bond scheme, along with the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and CPI (M), expressed satisfaction over Monday’s Supreme Court order directing the State Bank of India.

“I am happy with this decision. The court has taken its decision considering the gravity of this issue,” Jaya Thakur, who filed the plea through her lawyer Varun Thakur, said in a report by Hindustan Times.

Who is Congress leader Jaya Thakur?

Jaya Thakur is a professional in the medical field who associates with the Indian National Congress. Its roots go back to Banda, a town in Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh, the report said. This gives her a formidable position in the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee, where she serves diligently as General Secretary.

Details of the judgment quashing the electoral bond scheme

The Supreme Court has brought up the State Bank on Electoral Bonds scheme and asked what steps you have taken in the last 26 days. “The SBI has only to open the sealed cover, collect details and provide information to the Election Commission,” the Supreme Court said. added.

Appearing for SBI, lawyer Harish Salve told the Supreme Court, “The SC has ordered disclosure of KYC details and bond amount. We have this information and can release it within two to three weeks. The court also ordered disclosure of donations received by political parties. If there is no need to bridge the two, we can release information within three weeks.”

Jaya Thakur moves SC to stop Center from appointing new ECs

A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking to restrain the central government from appointing the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners under Sections 7 and 8 of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Terms of Appointment and Tenures) Act 2023. .

Articles 7 and 8 lay down the procedure for the appointment of ECI members.

The application filed by Congress leader Jaya Thakur also sought direction to appoint members of the Election Commission in accordance with the Supreme Court’s judgment, which had ordered the setting up of a committee comprising the CJI, the Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition in Lok. Sabha for appointment.

After the resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel last week and the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey, two vacancies for election commissioners have arisen.

Advocate Varun Thakur, appearing on behalf of the petitioner, also mentioned the plea seeking an early hearing before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud. The court has asked the lawyer to send an email about this and will investigate the mention. Thakur had also earlier challenged the provisions of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Conditions of Office) Act, 2023.

(With input from agencies)