Category: India

Haldwani is in the grips of communal violence after an “illegally built” madrasa was demolished. Two people have died and over 100 have been injured.

Communal tension gripped the Haldwani area of Nainital district on Thursday evening after violence broke out in Banbhoolpura over the demolition of an “illegally built” madrasa, officials familiar with the matter said. The district magistrate of the district has imposed a curfew in Banbhoolpura. A ‘shoot-at-sight’ order has also been issued against the rioters.

Nainital district magistrate Vandana Singh on Friday morning revised the death toll to two, from three-four mentioned on Thursday evening, due to some “confusion”. More than 100 people, primarily police personnel, have also been injured in the Banbhoolpura violence so far. Vandana said the curfew has been imposed in Haldwani to maintain law and order situation, while internet services have also been suspended in the city, adding that an order to keep schools in the area shut has also been issued.

Key updates on Haldwani communal violence:

• Curfew was imposed in Halwani after residents reportedly set vehicles on fire and hurled stones, injuring at least 100 people, over the demolition of an “illegally built” madrasa.
• Police said most of the injured were hospitalised after the violence in the city’s Banbhoolpura area were police personnel and municipal workers involved in the demolition of a local madrasa.

• Senior superintendent of police Prahlad Meena said a notice was served earlier on the madrasa constructed illegally on government land.
• Nainital district magistrate Vandana said at the violence outside the Banbhoolpura police station, some people fired (it is being confirmed whether they were illegal or legal weapons). “In response, the police fired in the air. The identification of the deceased is being done. We will have to wait to ascertain whether they have died in the police firing or firing by people among them,” the DM said.
• Vandana claimed that the rioters tried to torch the Banbhoolpura police station. “At that time, our policemen were present at the police station. The police force, however, controlled them and didn’t allow them to enter the police station. The violence then spread to Gandhi Nagar area near Banbhoolpura,” she said.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/haldwani-communal-violence-3-4-killed-over-100-injured-schools-closed-internet-suspended-latest-updates-101707436509704.html

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Divya Malhotra asks Delhi CM to appear before the court on February 17; AAP chief has skipped all ED summons till now

The Rouse Avenue court here on Wednesday issued a summons to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on a plea filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which has alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief was not complying with the agency’s repeated notices in the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy scam.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Divya Malhotra took cognisance of the ED’s complaint and asked the Delhi Chief Minister to appear before the court on February 17.

“….from the contents of the complaint and the material placed on record, prima facie offence under Section 174 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 is made out and there are sufficient grounds for proceeding under Section 204 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 against accused Mr. Arvind Kejriwal,” the court said.

The court noted that the copies of the summons in question requiring Mr. Kejriwal’s attendance to give evidence in connection with the investigation or proceedings under PMLA have been addressed to the respondent/proposed accused at his official email address.

“…the respondent of the summons i.e. the proposed accused was legally bound to attend in-person in pursuance of the same but purportedly he failed to do so,” the court stated.

‘Summons are illegal’

Reacting to the court’s order, senior AAP leader and Delhi Minister Atishi said: “We respect the court order. We will keep our side before the court on why Arvind Kejriwal did not appear before the ED on the five summons. We will tell the court how the five summons were illegal.”

She said that the BJP first holds a press conference and tells the public that the ED will arrest Mr. Kejriwal and immediately after the press conference, ED’s summons comes.

“This shows that the summons is a political conspiracy to call Arvind Kejriwal to the ED office and arrest him. The ED is not doing any investigation. The ED has only one intention. The BJP wants to use ED to crush AAP, defame Arvind Kejriwal and destroy him politically,” Ms. Atishi added.

The AAP leader said that the courts in the country should know how the Central government is using the ED and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against its political opponents.

Source : https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/excise-policy-case-court-asks-kejriwal-to-appear-on-february-17-on-eds-plea/article67821304.ece

The home ministry has recommended the immediate suspension of the Free Movement Regime between India and Myanmar that allows tribes along the border to travel up to 16 km inside the other country without a visa.

Days after announcing that a fence would be constructed along the entire 1,643-km-long Myanmar border to facilitate better surveillance, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday that the Centre has decided the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar will be scrapped to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic structure of India’s northeastern states bordering Myanmar.

In his post on X, Shah said, “It is Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s resolve to secure our borders. The MHA has decided that the FMR between India and Myanmar be scrapped to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic structure of India’s North Eastern States bordering Myanmar. Since the Ministry of External Affairs is currently in the process of scrapping it, MHA has recommended the immediate suspension of the FMR.”

In January, The Indian Express had reported that the Centre had decided to start the tender process for an advanced smart fencing system for the entire India-Myanmar border. “We are going to end the FMR along the India-Myanmar border soon. We are going to put up fencing along the entire border. It will be completed in the next four and a half years. Anyone coming to this side will have to get a visa,” a source said.

In September 2023, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh had urged the Centre to permanently wind up the FMR along the India-Myanmar border to curb “illegal immigration”. He also said the state was working towards a National Register of Citizens and fencing of the border with Myanmar. Manipur shares around 390 km of porous border with Myanmar, of which only about 10 km is fenced.

The border between India and Myanmar runs along four states — Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. The FMR is a mutually agreed arrangement between the two countries that allows tribes living along the border to travel up to 16 km inside the other country without a visa. Under the FMR, every member of the hill tribes, who is either a citizen of India or a citizen of Myanmar and who is a resident of any area within 16 km on either side of the border can cross over on production of a border pass with one-year validity and can stay up to two weeks.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/free-movement-regime-india-myanmar-amit-shah-9150557/

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, PM Narendra Modi today praised former PM Manmohan Singh. PM Modi was speaking during the farewell of the House’s retiring members.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, commended former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s contribution and said Singh ‘worked even in a wheelchair’.

The Prime Minister’s remarks came while he addressed the House during the farewell of retiring members of the Rajya Sabha.

“I remember in the other House, during the voting, it was known that the treasury bench would win, but Dr Manmohan Singh came in his wheelchair and cast his vote,” Prime Minister Modi said.

“This an example of a member being alert of his duties,” he added.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/manmohan-singh-worked-even-in-wheelchair-pm-modi-praises-former-pm-in-farewell-speech-2499116-2024-02-08

A 53-year-old man died on Thursday after a portion of the Gokulpuri metro station, located on the Pink Line of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) collapsed. The man was on his scooter when the wall’s debris fell over him.

The deceased was identified as Vinod Kumar — a resident of the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Colony of nearby Karawal Nagar area.

A fire department official said that a call regarding the incident was received at 11:10 am, following which four fire tenders were rushed to the spot. A total of five persons, including the deceased were injured in the incident.

Kumar, who was grievously injured after being stuck under the debris, was rescued by the Delhi Fire Services personnel and sent to a nearby hospital, however he succumbed to his injuries.

Meanwhile, the other four injured persons were sent to GTB Hospital in Dilshad Garden. In the incident, two motor cycles and two scooters were also damaged.

Source: https://www.news18.com/india/delhi-gokulpuri-metro-station-part-collapse-incident-people-injured-fire-engines-police-8770926.html

The Congress leader clarified that Modi was born to the Teli caste which was given the OBC tag by BJP in 2000.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/modi-wont-ever-allow-caste-census-to-be-conducted-as-he-wasnt-born-in-obc-rahul-gandhi-says-during-yatra-2885782

The police said that the security at the borders has been tightened, and arrangements have been made, so that people don’t face any trouble.

A huge traffic jam is being reported in Noida, in light of the farmers’ protest and their subsequent march to Parliament.

Since morning, there has been a massive traffic jam at Delhi-Noida border, as a mega rally was announced by the farmers today, and the police had tightened the security at the borders.

Several two-wheelers and four wheelers were struck in the jam at Sarita Vihar in the morning, and there was also a heavy traffic jam reported on the Delhi to Noida route.

The police have stepped up security in view of the protest and all the borders have been sealed for 24 hours.

“Section 144 has been imposed & all the borders have been sealed for 24 hours. Heavy security deployment at all the borders. Arrangements have been made so that the people do not face any trouble. Security has been heightened. We are in talks with the farmers. All the vehicles are being checked,” DIG, Addl. CP (L&O), Shivhari Meena said.

Visuals showed long traffic jams on the Delhi-Noida expressway amid police barricades set up to check every vehicle entering the national capital.

Farmers in Noida and Greater Noida have been protesting since December 2023 with demands for hiked compensation, and developed plots against their land acquired by the local development authorities in the past.

In view of this, the farmers’ groups called for a ‘kisan mahapanchayat’ and a protest march to Parliament in the national capital on Thursday to meet their demands.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/massive-jam-at-delhi-noida-border-routes-diverted-as-uttar-pradesh-farmers-march-to-parliament-2499087-2024-02-08

Students from these schools were being sent back home with their parents.

A bomb threat email was sent to some schools in Chennai on Thursday, after which police swung into action, and reached the schools with bomb disposal squads.

Students in these schools were sent back home with their parents, while the police conducted anti-sabotage checks.

The police have urged people not to panic, and said that action is being taken to identify the culprit who sent the emails.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/chennai-schools-get-bomb-threats-students-sent-home-cops-on-spot-2499183-2024-02-08

The home ministry has recommended the immediate suspension of the Free Movement Regime between India and Myanmar that allows tribes along the border to travel up to 16 km inside the other country without a visa.

Days after announcing that a fence would be constructed along the entire 1,643-km-long Myanmar border to facilitate better surveillance, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday that the Centre has decided the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar will be scrapped to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic structure of India’s northeastern states bordering Myanmar.

In his post on X, Shah said, “It is Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s resolve to secure our borders. The MHA has decided that the FMR between India and Myanmar be scrapped to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic structure of India’s North Eastern States bordering Myanmar. Since the Ministry of External Affairs is currently in the process of scrapping it, MHA has recommended the immediate suspension of the FMR.”

In January, The Indian Express had reported that the Centre had decided to start the tender process for an advanced smart fencing system for the entire India-Myanmar border. “We are going to end the FMR along the India-Myanmar border soon. We are going to put up fencing along the entire border. It will be completed in the next four and a half years. Anyone coming to this side will have to get a visa,” a source said.

In September 2023, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh had urged the Centre to permanently wind up the FMR along the India-Myanmar border to curb “illegal immigration”. He also said the state was working towards a National Register of Citizens and fencing of the border with Myanmar. Manipur shares around 390 km of porous border with Myanmar, of which only about 10 km is fenced.

The border between India and Myanmar runs along four states — Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. The FMR is a mutually agreed arrangement between the two countries that allows tribes living along the border to travel up to 16 km inside the other country without a visa. Under the FMR, every member of the hill tribes, who is either a citizen of India or a citizen of Myanmar and who is a resident of any area within 16 km on either side of the border can cross over on production of a border pass with one-year validity and can stay up to two weeks.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/free-movement-regime-india-myanmar-amit-shah-9150557/

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday announced India’s plan to build a fence along the Indo-Myanmar border to facilitate better surveillance just like it has barricaded the border along with Bangladesh

According to Shah, who posted about this major development on X, said that India will construct a fence along the entire 1643-kilometer-long Indo-Myanmar border. A patrol track along the border will also be paved for better surveillance.

“Out of the total border length, a 10 km stretch in Moreh, Manipur, has already been fenced. Furthermore, two pilot projects of fencing through a Hybrid Surveillance System (HSS) are under execution,” Shah added.

The home minister also announced that the fencing work covering approx 20 km in Manipur has also been approved, and the work on the same will start soon.

Manipur shares around 390 km of border with Myanmar, but only about 10 km has been fenced so far. In July last year, the state government shared data that around 700 illegal immigrants entered the state.

Besides, Mizoram has seen an influx of anti-Junta rebels in thousands since the military coup in Myanmar on February 1, 2021. According to government estimates, several thousand refugees have been living in different parts of Mizoram since the coup.

Source: https://www.news18.com/india/india-to-fence-1643-km-long-indo-myanmar-border-special-patrol-track-for-surveillance-amit-shah-8768788.html

Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma reportedly met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to explain his position on the RBI action but he was told to directly deal with the regulator.

A comprehensive probe could reportedly be initiated against Paytm after ascertaining relevant details from the RBI. An ET report claims the Enforcement Directorate is likely to formally investigate the issues flagged by the central bank.

BT could not independently verify the report. The development comes after CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma and finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman met where he apprised the minister of the clampdown.

He was reportedly told to deal directly with the regulator.

The company has maintained there are no ongoing ED probes into the company or Sharma. “We must clarify that reports suggesting an impending probe into Paytm or its associate Paytm Payments Bank by the Enforcement Directorate, based on an RBI report, are factually incorrect and without foundation,” it said.

The company also issued a denial in a stock exchange filing on February 4.

“Neither the company nor its founder and CEO are being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate regarding inter alia money laundering. In the past, certain merchants/users on our platforms have been subject to enquiries and on those occasions, we have always cooperated with the authorities,” it had said. “We would like to set the record straight and deny any involvement in anti-money laundering activities. We have always cooperated with the authorities. We would like to set the record straight and deny any involvement in anti-money laundering activities. We have and continue to abide by Indian laws and take regulatory orders with utmost seriousness.”

Source: https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/corporate/story/paytm-crisis-finance-ministry-tells-vijay-shekhar-sharma-to-sort-it-out-with-rbi-416464-2024-02-07

The Indian mission in the US has assured assistance to an Indian student who was attacked in the city of Chicago by four armed robbers. Syed Mazahir Ali, who hails from Hyderabad, was attacked this week near his house in a chilling video that has since gone viral.

“Consulate is in touch with Syed Mazahir Ali and his wife in India Syeda Ruquiya Fatima Razvi and assured all possible assistance. Consulate has also contacted the local authorities who are investigating the case,” the Indian mission said in a post on social media platform X.

‘PLEASE HELP ME’
In the video, Mazahir Ali was seen bleeding profusely as he narrated how he was kicked and punched by the robbers who also snatched his phone. “Four people attacked me. I was returning home with a food packet in my hand. I slipped near my house and the four people kicked and punched me. Please help me,” he said. After the news about the attack broke, Mazahir Ali’s wife wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, expressing concern about her husband’s wellbeing.

“After some time I got in touch with him but he was in shock and unable to talk to me and his entire face was bleeding. I am very much worried about the safety and security of my husband in Chicago, USA. I request you to kindly help him in getting the best medical treatment and if possible kindly make necessary arrangements so that I can travel to the USA along with my three minor children to be with my husband,” she wrote.

Source: https://www.news18.com/india/indian-student-chased-attacked-by-four-men-in-chicago-phone-snatched-on-cam-8769124.html

Following the massive fire that broke out at a firecracker factory in Madhya Pradesh’s Harda on Tuesday, police have taken two persons into custody, while a third is being interrogated in connection with the case. As many as 11 persons lost their lives and 200 others sustained injuries in this terrifying incident.

SP (Harda) Sanjeev Kanchan said, “We have taken two people — Rajesh Aggarwal and Somesh Aggarwal — into custody from Sarangpur,” adding that, “Another accused, Rafiq Khan, is being questioned.”

The fire led to several explosions while also triggering panic among locals in the nearby areas. The incident occurred in the Bairagarh locality on Magardha Road, on the outskirts of Harda town, approximately 150 km from the state capital, Bhopal.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 4 lakh for the families of the deceased while the injured will be provided free treatment.

LATEST UPDATES IN THE HARDA FIRE INCIDENT-

• SP (Harda) Sanjeev Kanchan on Wednesday said that now two persons — Rajesh Aggarwal and Somesh Aggarwal — have been taken into custody from Sarangpur, while another accused, ‘Rafiq Khan’ is being questioned.
• Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav met the injured people admitted to Bhopal’s Hamidiya Hospital.
• “Out of the 12 patients brought here, one has lost life. There are 11 patients as of now. Two are undergoing an operation. I met 9 patients… The rescue operations are underway… I have asked for an inspection report of similar places from all the districts… I will go to the spot tomorrow after the assembly session… We have ordered an inquiry. We will take an action which they will remember…” CM Yadav said.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the kin of the deceased from PMNRF.
• “Distressed by the loss of lives due to the mishap at a cracker factory in Harda, Madhya Pradesh. Condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones. May those injured recover at the earliest. The local administration is assisting all those affected,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a social media post.
• One person was detained in connection with the tragic incident that claimed 11 lives. “One person has been detained and an FIR registered,” Inspector General (IG), Narmadapuram, Irshad Wali was quoted by PTI as saying. The identity of the person taken into custody was not immediately clear.
• The Madhya Pradesh government formed a three-member committee to be headed by the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) to conduct a detailed investigation into the explosion at the firecracker factory. Other members of the committee include  Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Intelligence, Jaideep Prasad and Public Works Department (PWD) Secretary RK Mehra.
• Earlier in the evening, Bhopal Police Commissioner Harinarayanachari Mishra noted that a 20-km long green corridor was created to ensure no inconvenience in the local traffic system while efforts were underway to bring the injured persons to the hospitals.

Source: https://www.news18.com/india/mp-harda-blast-11-killed-cm-mohan-yadav-meets-injured-in-hospital-one-detained-top-points-8768954.html

While Iran has adopted a visa-free policy for Indian tourists, booking a flight to Iran from India can be quite tricky.

Iran is making travel to the country super-easy for Indian tourists. The government announced on Tuesday that visa for citizens of India have been abolished from February 4, 2024 – on a list of conditions.

However, booking a flight from an Indian city to an Iranian city can be tricky. We will get to that in a bit.

First, have a look at the conditions under which you can travel visa-free to Iran:

1. Indians holding ordinary passports will be allowed to enter the country without a visa once every six months, with a maximum stay of 15 days. Point to note: The 15-day stay period cannot be extended.

2. The visa abolition only applies to individuals entering Iran for tourism purposes.

3. If Indian nationals wish to stay for a longer period or make multiple entries within a six-month period, or require other types of visas, they must obtain the necessary visas through the respective representations of the Islamic Republic of Iran in India.

4. The visa abolition outlined in this approval specifically applies to Indian nationals who enter the country just through the air border.

What it means: You can now visit Iran for tourism, for a period of 15 days, without a visa. Under these new visa rules, you can stay for 15 days in Iran within a 180-day period.

What about flights from India?

Here, have a look:

The same holds true for flights from India to Iran on Yatra.

On Google Flights, meanwhile, there are various options to fly to Iran from Indian cities like New Delhi and Mumbai.

The big question: Why?

The short answer: US and international sanctions. Till Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Iran was the most sanctioned country in the world. Iran’s foreign policy and nuclear programme have led to severe sanctions from several countries.

These sanctions also mean that Indian travel booking websites cannot list an Iranian airport online.

We spoke to a MakeMyTrip agent who told India Today that there are several such airports which are not available online when a customer tries to book a flight.

However, the agent told us that you can call MakeMyTrip up if you need to book a flight from India to Iran, and they can do it offline for you.

Basically, you and I cannot book a flight from India to Iran directly, online, on any of the Indian ticket-booking platforms.

Similarly, Havana, which is the capital of Cuba, another country grappling with US sanctions, is also not listed on the MakeMyTrip airport dropdown list.

So… how do you book a flight to Iran?
The easiest way to book a flight to Tehran, the capital of Iran, or other Iranian cities, is doing so on the respective airline’s website. You can also call ticket-booking platforms like MakeMyTrip, as explained above, and ask them to book a flight for you.

Various international carriers fly from Indian cities to Iranian cities via, mostly, stops in the Middle East. Airlines like Emirates, FlyDubai, Oman Air, Air Arabia, Qatar Airways have connecting flights from Indian cities to Tehran.

If you want to fly with an Iranian carrier like Iran Air or Mahan Air, the best way to do it is by calling the airline and directly booking with them.

The Air India flights that never took off
In 2016, reports said that Air India was planning to restart flights to Iran after a two-decade hiatus. Air India Express, the then-national carrier’s low-cost brand, was supposed to fly from New Delhi to Tehran thrice a week.

Before the 2017 plans, Air India had resumed its flights to Tehran on March 16, 1991, but had to suspend operations soon after, due to the geographical turmoil in the Middle East.

Air India’s 2017 announcement came shortly after world powers lifted their sanctions on Iran, following a deal with Iran to curb its nuclear ambitions.

Air India also had issues with US EXIM bank, whose loans funded nearly all the airline’s international fleet, including Air India Express’s Boeing 737s. The sanctions being lifted meant Air India could fly these EXIM bank-funded aircraft into Iran.

However, in May 2018 came former US President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, followed by harsher sanctions on Iran, “Today’s action sends a critical message. The United States does not make empty promises. When I make promises, I keep them.”

The Air India Express flight to Tehran never took off. In the years in between, Air India’s ownership also passed from the government to Tata.

The background
While India and Iran have diplomatic relations dating back to 1950, the international sanctions against Tehran have had its impact on India-Iran relations. India and Iran have also differed on key foreign policies. India has expressed strong opposition to Iran’s nuclear programme too.

In 2011, the Indian oil ministry was forced to pay off debt through a banking system via Turkey because excessive economic sanctions against Iran led to the US$ 12 billion annual oil trade between India and Iran being put on hold.

Iran’s continual backing of Pakistan in the India-Pakistan conflict has also not been easy for India. Add to this international sanctions on Iran, a complete ban on Iranian air carriers by the US, and frosty relations between Iran and the US.

Source:https://www.indiatoday.in/lifestyle/travel/story/iran-is-visa-free-for-indian-tourists-but-booking-a-flight-is-bumpy-2498434-2024-02-06

The police said they were professional fishermen and had started from Kuwait on January 28.

MUMBAI: Three persons from Kanyakumari were apprehended in a Kuwaiti fishing trawler on Tuesday morning by the crew of Chaitrali, a patrol boat of the Yellow Gate police station. They were stopped by the coastal police at Prongs Lighthouse, about four nautical miles from the Gateway of India, and taken to Colaba police station.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Sanjay Latkar, DCP, Port Zone, said, “The men claimed they were from Kanyakumari and worked for a company in Kuwait. They decided to run away from there as they were neither paid for two years nor given food regularly. Their passports too were confiscated by their employers. They navigated their way to Mumbai with the help of a GPS device, and took ten days to reach our shores. Our crew checked them and handed them over to the Colaba police.” The trio claimed they were checked twice en route to Mumbai, added Latkar.

The three have been identified as Nitso Ditto, 31, J Sayyantha Anish, 32, and Enfant Vijay Vinay Anthony, 32. The police said they were professional fishermen and had started from Kuwait on January 28.

“We are questioning them,” said a Colaba police officer. “They could not give us proper answers since they speak neither English nor Hindi properly. We are yet to decide whether we need to take any action against them. But they are actually victims even though their way of re-entering the country was illegal.”

The Kuwaiti vessel, 30 meter long, coming undetected to Mumbai is a big lapse on the part of the Navy and Coast Guard, which regularly patrol the seas with aircraft, helicopters and sea vessels. Naval sources claimed that they had first stopped the vessel at Prongs Lighthouse and then alerted the police. However, DCP Latkar said it was the police who had stopped the vessel and alerted the Navy.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/trio-in-kuwaiti-boat-intercepted-by-coastal-police-navy-claims-it-caught-them-101707245339056.html

Uttarakhand UCC Bill: The Uniform Civil Code was tabled in the Uttarakhand Assembly Tuesday morning and, among other points, says children born out of live-in relationships will receive legal recognition.

Individuals in, or planning to enter, live-in relationships in Uttarakhand must register themselves with district officials once the Uniform Civil Code becomes law, with parental consent required for those below the age of 21 who wish to live together. Mandatory registration of such relationships extends to individuals who “any resident of Uttarakhand… in a live-in relationship outside the State”.
Live-in relationships will not be registered in cases that are “against public policy and morality”, if one partner is married or in another relationship, if one partner is a minor, and if consent of one partner was obtained by “coercion, fraud, or misrepresentation (with regard to identity)”.

A senior official told NDTV a website is being prepped to accept details of live-in relationship, which will be verified with the District Registrar, who will conduct a “summary inquiry” to establish the validity of the relationship. To do so, he may summon either or both partners, or anybody else.

Should registration be refused, the Registrar must inform in writing his/her reasons.

The “termination” of registered live-in relationships requires a written statement, in a “prescribed format” that can invite police investigation if the Registrar feels reasons for the relationship ending are “incorrect” or “suspicious”. Parents or guardians of those under 21 will also be informed.

Failure to submit live-in relationship declarations, or providing false information, could land one in jail for three months, a fine of ₹ 25,000, or both. Anyone who fails to register a live-in relationship will face a maximum of six months in jail, be fined ₹ 25,000, or both. Even a delay in registration, by as little as a month, will trigger a jail term of up to three months, a fine of ₹ 10,000, or both.

Among other key points in the section on live-in relationships in the Uniform Civil Code that was tabled in the Uttarakhand Assembly Tuesday morning are that children born out of live-in relationships will receive legal recognition; i.e., they “shall be a legitimate child of the couple”.

This, the same official told NDTV, means “rights of all children born out of wedlock, in live-in relationships, or via incubation, will be the same… no child can be defined as ‘illegitimate'”.

Also, “all children will have equal rights in inheritance (including parental property)”, the official said, drawing attention to the language of the UCC, which refers to “child” and not “son” or “daughter”.

A woman “deserted by her live-in partner” can claim maintenance, the UCC draft also said, although it does not specify what constitutes “desertion”.

Uttarakhand’s Uniform Civil Code: Explained
A Uniform Civil Code, or UCC refers to a set of laws applicable to all citizens, and is not based on religion when dealing with marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption, among other personal matters.

A common civil code for Uttarakhand was one of the major poll promises made by the BJP in the run-up to last year’s assembly election, which the party won.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/uttarakhand-uniform-civil-code-live-in-relationships-registration-register-live-in-relationships-or-face-6-month-jail-uttarakhand-civil-code-5003753

In light of the deteriorating security situation in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, India issued a travel advisory urging its citizens to refrain from traveling to the region.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has asked Indian citizens in Myanmar’s Rakhine state to leave the troubled region immediately in view of the deteriorating security situation.

It also urged Indians to refrain from travelling to the Rakhine state because of the prevailing situation.

“In view of the deteriorating security situation, disruption of means of telecommunications, including landlines, and severe scarcity of essential commodities, all Indian citizens are advised not to travel to the Rakhine State of Myanmar,” it said.

“Those Indian citizens who are already in the Rakhine State are advised to leave the State immediately,” the MEA said.

Myanmar has been witnessing widespread violent protests demanding restoration of democracy since the military seized power in a coup on February 1, 2021. The Rakhine state and many other regions have witnessed severe fighting between armed ethnic groups and the ruling junta since October last year.

The hostilities between the two sides saw a rapid spike since November in several key Myanmarese towns and regions near the border with India as well, fueling concerns in New Delhi over the possible ramifications for the security of Manipur and Mizoram.

The Myanmarese military has been using airstrikes targeting its opponents and those carrying out an armed struggle against the ruling regime.

Myanmar shares a 1,640-kilometre border with a number of India’s northeastern states, including militancy-hit Nagaland and Manipur. Last week, India had called for a complete cessation of violence in the country and its transition towards inclusive federal democracy.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/myanmar-rakhine-india-citizens-travel-advisory-leave-immediately-security-concerns-2498531-2024-02-07

Monkey fever or Kyasanur Forest Disease is a tick-borne haemorrhagic fever that has claimed two lives in Karnataka. All about the symptoms and prevention tips.

Monkey fever or Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) has claimed two lives in Karnataka calling for urgent action and implementation of preventive measures to contain spread of the disease. The tick-borne haemorrhagic fever, usually contracted by monkeys, is caused by KFD virus which is an arbobirus of the family Flaviviridae. An 18-year-old girl and a 79-year-old man have so far succumbed to the disease, out of 49 positive cases in the state. The initial symptoms of the viral disease are sudden fever, headache, body ache, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea. while severe disease with haemorrhagic symptoms may occur later. It is important to control tick populations in wildlife, particularly monkeys, to prevent the spread. (Also read: India on the verge of eliminating ‘black fever’ kala-azar, second deadliest parasitic disease)

Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) commonly known as Monkey Fever is a viral haemorrhagic disease that was first identified in 1957 in the Kyasanur Forest in the Western Ghats of India. It is caused by KFD virus (KFDV) which is an arbovirus of the family Flaviviridae.

“Initially confined to the Western Ghats of Karnataka, the disease has expanded its presence over the past decade, with reported cases extending to neighbouring states along the Western Ghats, such as Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. The disease’s burden is on the rise, reflecting a shift in its epidemiological profile and establishing it as an emerging tropical disease in India,” says Dr Laxman Jessani – Consultant Infectious Disease, Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai.

“Recently, 31 cases have been detected in Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district with patients either being treated at home or admitted to hospitals but are reported to be stable. This indicates ongoing transmission and the need for continued surveillance and preventive measures in affected areas,” says Dr Jessani.

How does Monkey fever spread?
“Infection occurs through tick bites carrying the virus or, less commonly, contact with infected animals, primarily monkeys. Symptoms include fever with possible haemorrhagic and/or neurological features. While approximately 80% of patients recover without post-viral symptoms, around 20% may develop severe haemorrhagic or neurological issues. Estimates suggest that around 500 human KFDV infections occur annually with a case fatality rate of 3-5%. As it is life-threatening and there is lack of effective countermeasures, KFDV is classified as a Biosafety level 4 (BSL4) pathogen,” says Dr Jessani.

Symptoms of Monkey Fever
After an incubation period of 3 to a week post-tick bite, monkey fever starts abruptly with fever, chills, headache, and severe exhaustion.

“As the disease progresses, symptoms can escalate to include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhoea, meningitis, confusion and even haemorrhagic signs like nose bleeds and bleeding gums. Without proper supportive treatment, complications like shock, dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, haemorrhage and organ failure can arise and become fatal,” says Dr Shruti Sharma, Consultant-Internal Medicine, Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital.

“The virus has a 3-8 day incubation period and manifests in two or rarely four stages. In the first phase, symptoms include sudden fever, headache, body ache, conjunctiva inflammation, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea. Clinical examination reveals lymphadenopathy, hepato-splenomegaly, weakness, and fatigue. Haemorrhagic symptoms may occur, with most patients recovering in 10-14 days,” says Dr Jessani.

“The initial symptoms often include a sudden onset of high fever accompanied by chills. Severe headaches and muscle pain are common, making the infected person feel extremely unwell. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea may occur, impacting the digestive system. In severe cases, it can lead to bleeding tendencies, which may result in a range of complications,” says Dr Manjusha Agarwal, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine Global Hospitals, Parel, Mumbai.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/monkey-fever-kills-2-in-karnataka-symptoms-preventive-tips-and-all-you-want-to-know-101707136645891.html

The man’s conviction for unlawfully procuring citizenship or naturalisation will result in the automatic revocation of his US citizenship when he is sentenced.

An Indian American has pleaded guilty to procuring US citizenship based on fraud documents and telling lies, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has said.
Following an investigation by the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Jaiprakash Gulvady, 51, who now lives in Florida pleaded guilty to procuring citizenship or naturalisation unlawfully, misusing evidence of citizenship or naturalization, making false statements in a passport application, and using a passport secured by false statements.

Gulvady faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.

His conviction for unlawfully procuring citizenship or naturalisation will result in the automatic revocation of his US citizenship when he is sentenced. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, Gulvady came to the United States in 2001 on a temporary business visa.

In August 2008, less than two weeks after divorcing his wife — a US citizen he had married the year before — he married another US citizen. Based on that marriage, he adjusted his immigration status and became a lawful permanent resident in June 2009.

Two months later, in August 2009, he travelled to India for the first time since his 2001 arrival in the United States.

While in India, he married an Indian woman. On a subsequent visit to India, Gulvady and his Indian spouse conceived their first and only child, who was born in January 2011.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/indians-abroad/indian-american-jaiprakash-gulvady-pleads-guilty-to-naturalisation-and-passport-fraud-5002269

The objective of the Bill is to bring greater transparency, fairness and credibility to the public examination systems, the legislation stated.

The Narendra Modi government on Monday introduced a bill to curb cheating and other unfair means in various public examinations.

The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, moved by the ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions mentions the kinds of unfair means in examinations that are punishable by law once enacted, and the punishment for the offences.

“The objective of the Bill is to bring greater transparency, fairness and credibility to the public examination systems and to reassure the youth that their sincere and genuine efforts will be fairly rewarded and their future is safe,” the bill stated.

“The Bill is aimed at effectively and legally deterring persons, organised groups or institutions that indulge in various unfair means and adversely impact the public examination systems for monetary or wrongful gains,” the bill added.

Offences under this bill

The bill identifies the following unfair means and offences during public examinations.

1. Question paper or answer key leaks

2. Participation in collusion with others to effect question paper or answer key leaks

3. Accessing or taking possession of question paper or an Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) response sheet without authority

4. Providing solution to one or more questions by any unauthorised person during a public examination

5. Directly or indirectly assisting the candidate in any manner unauthorisedly in the public examination

6. Tampering with answer sheets including OMR response sheets;

7. Altering the assessment except to correct a bona fide error without any authority

8. Willful violation of norms or standards set up by the central government for conduct of a public examination on its own or through its agency

9. Tampering with any document necessary for short-listing of candidates or finalising the merit or rank of a candidate in a public examination

10. Deliberate violation of security measures to facilitate unfair means in conduct of a public examination

11. Tampering with the computer network or a computer resource or a computer system

12. Manipulation in seating arrangements, allocation of dates and shifts for the candidates to facilitate adopting unfair means in examinations

13. Threatening the life, liberty or wrongfully restraining persons associated with the public examination authority or the service provider or any authorised agency of the Government; or obstructing the conduct of a public examination

“It is obvious that he has defaced the ballot papers, he needs to be prosecuted. Why is he looking at the camera,” the Court remarked, and asked the RO to be present in court in the next hearing.

The Returning Officer of the Chandigarh Municipal polls should be prosecuted as he can be clearly seen defacing the ballot papers on video to influence the election results, the Supreme Court said on Monday [Kuldeep Kumar vs UT Chandigarh and ors].

A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra took strong exception to such conduct by the Returning Officer and condemned him for ‘making a mockery of democracy.’

“It is obvious that he has defaced the ballot papers. He needs to be prosecuted. Why is he looking at the camera? Mr Solicitor, this is a mockery of democracy and murdering democracy. We are appalled. Is this behaviour of a returning officer? Wherever there is a cross at bottom, he does not touch it but when it is at the top, he alters it. Please tell returning officer that Supreme Court is watching him,” the CJI remarked.

The Court proceeded to issue notice to Returning Officer Anil Masih and also directed that entire records of the municipal elections be sequestered with the High Court Registrar General.

“Let the ballots and videography too be preserved,” the Court added.

It directed Masih to be present in Court on the next date of hearing (February 19) to explain his conduct.

The Court further effectively stayed any activity on the part of the Municipal Corporation for the time being.

“The ensuing meeting of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation on February 7 shall be deferred till the next date. Let the papers be handed over to the High Court Registrar general by today 5 PM. List on the next Monday week,” the Court ordered.

The bench was hearing a plea by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor Kuldeep Kumar challenging the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s refusal to grant an immediate stay on the election result in which a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate was declared elected as the Chandigarh Mayor.

BJP’s Manoj Sonkar was elected as Mayor on January 30 after he bagged 16 votes against the 12 votes received by the Congress-AAP candidate Kumar.

This was despite the fact that the AAP-Congress alliance had a majority in the house with 20 members.

Eight votes were rejected in the process as invalid, which constituted votes of the AAP-Congress alliance.

Kumar initially approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court in the matter, alleging fraud in BJP’s win and forgery in the rejection of the eight votes. The High Court had last week only issued notice and listed the matter for hearing after three weeks.

Kumar then moved the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the operation of the notification that has been or may be issued for the appointment of Sonkar as the Mayor.

Before the High Court, Kumar had also prayed for a fresh election in a free and fair manner under the supervision of a retired High Court judge.

He had alleged that in complete departure from the practice and rules, the Presiding Officer Anil Masih had refused to allow the nominees of parties to monitor the counting of votes.

The plea further stated that there were three baskets in front of the Presiding Officer – one each for the candidates of the AAP-Congress alliance and BJP and one for invalid votes.

Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/murder-of-democracy-chandigarh-mayor-polls-returning-officer-prosecuted-supreme-court

Officials said all flights to and from Srinagar airport were cancelled on Sunday because of snowfall. Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was also closed for traffic following a landslide

Overnight snowfall cut off Kashmir on Sunday from the rest of the world, with flights getting cancelled en masse and landslides blocking arterial roads.

Officials said all flights to and from Srinagar airport were cancelled on Sunday because of snowfall. Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was also closed for traffic following a landslide.

“All flights have been cancelled for the day due to bad weather at Srinagar,” an official of the Airports Authority of India said.

In a statement issued in Mumbai, private carrier IndiGo said six of its flights — four to Srinagar and two to Leh — were cancelled due to bad weather, PTI reported.

Karnataka: According to the new fare structure, cabs have been categorised into three classes based on the cost of the vehicle. Check details here.

The Karnataka Transport Department announced new fare structure for city taxis and those operating through app-based aggregators like Uber and Ola on Saturday.

As per the new order released by the department, fares for app-based cab aggregators, as well as city taxis, would be uniform. Also, the revised fares would be applicable across the state with immediate effect, news agency PTI reported.

Before this, the fares were different for the two categories of taxis.

Karnataka: What’s new fare structure for taxis
According to the new fare structure, cabs have been categorised into three classes based on the cost of the vehicle.

For vehicles whose purchase cost is ₹10 lakh or below, the minimum fare has been fixed at ₹100 for up to four km with a charge of ₹24 for every additional km.
For those costing between ₹10 lakh and ₹15 lakh, the minimum fare is ₹115, and per km cost ₹28.
For those costing above 15 lakh, minimum fare is set at ₹130 with ₹32 charged for each additional kilometre.
According to PTI, the order clearly states that no cab aggregators will be allowed to collect extra charges.

Waiting charges and GST
As for waiting charge, the first five minutes is free, after which passengers would be charged Re 1 for every minute.

“In addition, app-based aggregators can collect five percent GST as well as toll charges from the passengers,” the new order stated.

“For cabs booked between 12 am and 6 am, operators can charge an extra 10 percent,” the order stated.

Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/jharkhand-assembly-ex-cm-hemant-soren-alleges-governors-role-in-his-arrest-says-raj-bhavan-instrumental-in-11707119515823.html

Delhi news: AAP said that no law prevented the police from handing over the notice to the Chief Minister’s office. They also claimed that Delhi Police had brought along media teams just to make a spectacle and malign the Chief Minister’s reputation.

Delhi news: The officials of Delhi Police Crime Branch have sought a reply from Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal within three days. Today, a team of cops reached the residence of CM Kejriwal once again as notice is given to only the person on whose name it has been issued, sources said. This comes after the office of the Delhi Chief Minister claimed that they are ready to receive the notice but the officials of Delhi Police’s crime branch are not giving him a receiving note for the same.

Notice only handed to person on whose name it has been issued: Delhi police after CMO’s claims

The Delhi Police came to serve notice to the chief minister in connection with the Aam Aadmi Party’s allegations against the Bharatiya Janata Party of trying to buy AAP MLAs. AAP leaders however claimed that the Police officials had refused to give a recieving note when Arvind Kejriwal’s office offered to accept the notice.

“This is so embarrassing for Modi Govt. BJP is totally exposed today. Yesterday, all BJP spokespersons alleged CM offfice did not receive police notice. Today, they are exposed. Police ACP deliberately not delivering notice to CM office” AAP Minister and MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj said.

On its social media page the AAP claimed that no law prevented the police from handing over the notice to the Chief Minister’s office. The AAP also claimed that the Delhi Police had brought along media teams just to make a spectacle and malign the Chief Minister’s reputation.

“Modi’s Crime Branch exposed. BJP’s police could not even answer a single question Modi sent police to Kejriwal ji’s house to create drama. In which law is it written that notice can be given only to the Chief Minister personally? It is clear that BJP just wants to create drama” the AAP posted on X.

Previous notice by Delhi Police to AAP leaders:

Earlier on Friday, apart from Kejriwal, the police officials, seeking evidence, also knocked on the doors of AAP minister Atishi’s residence. However, as per sources, both the AAP leaders were not present at their respective residences.The Aam Aadmi Party has accused the BJP of trying to topple the elected Delhi government through a campaign dubbed “Operation Lotus 2.0”.

Addressing a press conference, last week, senior AAP leader Atishi claimed that the BJP has approached several AAP MLAs with bribes and threats in a bid to induce defection.

BJP’s Operation Lotus 2.0:

“BJP has started ‘Operation Lotus 2.0’, and is trying to topple the democratically elected AAP government in Delhi. 7 MLAs of the AAP have been contacted by the BJP, and have been told, that Arvind Kejriwal will be arrested soon, after which AAP MLAs will be rifted apart. They are in touch with 21 of our MLAs, using whom they aim to topple the Delhi government. Those 7 MLAs have been offered Rs 25 crores each… Operation Lotus is the tactic used by the BJP to come into power in states, where they are not democratically elected… Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Arunachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh are examples,” the AAP leader had said.

“In Delhi, they are going to our MLAs and saying that Kejriwal is going to go to jail and then we will call all the MLAs to ourselves and form the BJP government in Delhi, but I want to say that the Aam Aadmi Party is not afraid. Not a single MLA is afraid,” she added.

Source: https://www.indiatvnews.com/delhi/arvind-kejriwal-delhi-police-crime-branch-notice-seeks-reply-from-chief-minister-within-3-days-sources-bjp-operation-lotus-2-0-atishi-latest-updates-2024-02-03-915093

Jharkhand floor test: Champai Soren government will face a crucial trust vote in the state assembly at 11 am today.

Jharkhand’s new chief minister, Champai Soren will face the floor test at 11 am today, to prove his majority in the assembly. The politician assumed the top post after his boss Hemant Soren resigned before being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate last week. The ruling JMM-led alliance, which had sequestered its MLAs in a resort in Hyderabad to prevent poaching, brought back its leaders to Ranchi on Sunday evening.

While the JMM is asserting that the floor test is “just a formality” since they have the support of 47 MLAs, the BJP on Monday claimed the coalition’s move to hide its MLAs shows a lack of confidence.

Here are the top updates:

1. According to JMM’s Manoj Pandey, the floor test is just a “formality”. “The spirit of the opposition is already low seeing the numbers and the unity of the INDIA alliance. The figure can also cross 48. Our party, our alliance is united,” he said. JMM general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya said the Champai Soren government has the support of now less than 47 MLAs.
2. BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo said that whatever the result may be of the floor test, “Jharkhand has lost”. “The way Jharkhand was humiliated in front of the national and international community is absolutely shocking. A chief minister was a fugitive on the run for 40 hours without any trace, without any contact with the top officials of the state. The people of the state were left at their own mercy,” he said.
3. Jharkhand leader of opposition Amar Kumari Bauri also hit out at the previous state government led by Hemant Soren, saying that instead of fulfilling the promises, they gave priority to corruption. “We hope he (Champai Soren) will fulfill the promises for which they were elected…Their (JMM and Congress) MLAs are still in custody. Today in the Assembly, we want to know what their (MLAs) conscience will say,” he said.
4. On Sunday, the JMM-led alliance MLAs, who were at a resort in Hyderabad for the past three days, were flown back to Ranchi. Upon arrival, they exuded confidence to win the trust vote, claiming that they have the support of 48 to 50 legislators. JMM lawmaker Mithilesh Thakur claimed that some of the BJP MLAs are also in support of the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ in the state.
5. Champai Soren formed a government on Friday, amid allegations of a deliberate delay by the governor. He has claimed the support of 47 MLAs in the 81-member Jharkhand assembly. The BJP-led NDA has 29 MLAs in the assembly, including BJP’s 26 MLAs and AJSU’s three.
6. After Hemant Soren was arrested on January 31 by the ED in an alleged land scam case, his close aide Champai Soren went to the governor claiming the support of 47 MLAs.
7. However, some MLAs did not sign the support letter but they are still with the coalition.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/champai-soren-to-face-floor-test-today-bjp-says-jharkhands-ruling-alliance-not-confident-top-updates-101707093000396.html

Both the accused, who were actively working for Bishnoi and Goldy Brar gang, had a criminal history. They had several cases registered against them in Chandigarh and Haryana. Some of these included attempt to murder, extortion and robbery, and under the Arms Act.

Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s aide Mandeep Singh alias Chotta Mani of Chandigarh has been arrested by Punjab Police anti-gangster task force (AGTF). The gangster had allegedly provided hideouts to accused involved in singer Sidhu Moose Wala’s murder and facilitated the escape of gangster Deepak Tinu in 2017.

Mani was arrested along with his accomplice, Jatinder Singh of Gobindpura Mohalla in Manimajra, Punjab Police chief Gaurav Yadav said on Saturday. The police have also seized two .32 calibre pistols along with 12 live cartridges from their possession, said the Punjab Police chief.

After receiving inputs about Chotta Mani’s presence in Zirakpur, AGTF teams under the supervision of AIG Sandeep Goel and led by DSP Bikram Brar, tracked their location and arrested him along with his accomplice.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/mirror-now/crime/gangster-lawrence-bishnois-aide-who-helped-moose-wala-shooters-arrested-article-107394963

The scam was unearthed after a video showing brides at the event garlanding themselves went viral on social media. Visuals also show some men dressed as grooms hiding their faces.

15 people, including two government officials, have been arrested in Uttar Pradesh for their alleged involvement in a massive wedding fraud.
The scam was unearthed after a video showing brides at a mass wedding event garlanding themselves went viral on social media. Visuals also show some men dressed as grooms hiding their faces.

The community wedding was held on January 25 in the Balia district of Uttar Pradesh.

Officials say about 568 couples got married at the event, however, later it was found that several were paid to pose as brides and grooms.

A local alleged that both men and women were paid between ₹ 500 and ₹ 2,000 for posing as brides and grooms. “Some Women had no one. They were wearing the varmala (garland) themselves. We came to know that people are being paid between ₹ 500 to ₹ 2,000,” Vimal Kumar Pathak said.

A 19-year-old man told NDTV that he was offered money to pose as a groom. “I went there to see the wedding. They made me sit there. They said that they will give me money. Many were being made to sit,” said Raj Kumar.

BJP MLA Ketki Singh was the Chief Guest at the community wedding.

On being asked about the involvement of the government officials in the alleged fraud, MS Singh said, “They informed me just two days before the event. I had suspected there was something fishy. But now a complete investigation is being done” she said.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/balia-wedding-fraud-uttar-pradesh-wedding-fraud-women-garland-themselves-men-hide-faces-mass-wedding-fraud-unearthed-4990448

A cancer-stricken young girl with “no hope” of recovery has been saved after doctors gave her a stem cell transplant using blood from a newborn baby’s umbilical cord. Eight-year-old Sarah Marica received the experimental treatment when chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant failed to cure her acute myeloid leukemia (AML). She was diagnosed with the rare blood cancer at the age of four.

“When I heard the doctor first diagnose Sarah with leukemia, I started crying at the word, but even worse, we were told this was a rare, harder-to-treat leukemia. She had to start chemotherapy immediately as her blood results were so bad, she could have died at any time,” her mother, Simona Marica, recalls in a university release.

Sarah, from Cornwall in the United Kingdom, underwent multiple treatments after her 2019 diagnosis. AML affects approximately 100 children and young adults annually in the U.K. Her initial recovery, especially following a bone marrow transplant from her brother David, showed promise. However, the cancer continuously returned, each time diminishing her chances of survival.

“She needed immediate chemotherapy due to her critical blood results. We thought we were returning to normalcy after six months of treatment in Bristol. But by February 2020, the leukemia had returned,” explains Marica, a staff nurse in Cornwall.

Sarah’s battle led her to the pioneering cord blood stem cell transplant at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital (RMCH). Understanding the gravity of her daughter’s condition, Marica consented to this experimental treatment, knowing it might be Sarah’s only remaining option.

Despite the odds, Sarah’s resilience shone through.

“Sarah has been through so much over the last few years, but she has been so brave. She has been my rock and she is such a cheerful, determined girl who loves school and playing with her friends,” Marica adds. “As a result of this research, Sarah is now fully enjoying life. She is my inspiration, and this treatment has given us all our lives back.”

The team at RMCH discovered that children who had a cord blood transplant, after chemotherapy didn’t work, were nearly five times more likely to be free from both the disease and GVHD (graft versus host disease — common transplant complication) than those who had different types of stem cell transplants.

“Our research shows remarkable results. Cord blood, rich in stem cells, when combined with white blood cell transfusions, helps in rapid immune recovery and effectively combats such aggressive cancers,” says Professor Rob Wynn, Director of the Paediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Programme at RMCH and a key figure in Sarah’s treatment.

Source: https://studyfinds.org/cancer-patient-umbilical-cord/

A 26-yea-old Darjeeling resident, who was travelling with relatives, has alleged that she was molested by a fellow passenger mid-flight.

Indian airlines have been lately facing challenges to cope with unruly passengers’ behaviour. Incidents of such incidents have spiked in the last one year, now, a 26-yea-old Darjeeling resident, who was travelling with relatives, has alleged that she was molested by a fellow passenger mid-flight.

However, what came to shocking to many is that both the airline crew on board and CISF personnel at Bagdogra dissuaded her from filing a complaint. The alleged accused even admitted touching her inappropriately.

Both the airline crew on board and CISF personnel at Bagdogra asked the woman to not file the complaint saying that in the absence of any evidence, it would be her word against his and asked her to let him off with an apology. An airline spokesperson said the cabin crew promptly intervened to address the situation.

The woman, according to a report of Times of India, is currently preparing for civil services examination and was travelling by SpiceJet flight SG 592 on January 31. She was originally given an aisle seat behind the three seats occupied by her boyfriend, his mother and his ailing father.

The woman’s mother asked her to move to the row alongside as only one of the three seats was occupied. To this, a fifth-year student at a law school in Kolkata agreed to shift and gave the seat to the woman. However, he moved and sat in the middle seat, next to the one occupied by the woman, instead to the empty window seat.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/spicejet-passenger-alleges-in-flight-molestation-claims-crew-dissuaded-her-from-filing-complaint-article-107394056

Kejriwal has chosen not to adhere to the five summons issued by ED on different dates since November 2023 in connection with the investigation into the alleged Delhi Excise Policy scam.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached a court in Delhi against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for not complying with the central agency’s summons in the Delhi excise policy case.

The complaint case has been filed by ED for non-attendance in compliance with Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act which lays down powers of ED regarding summons, production of documents etc.

The case was heard by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Divya Malhotra today.

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju appeared and made submissions for ED. The court has put up the matter for further consideration on February 7.

Kejriwal has chosen not to appear before the central agency despite issuance of the five summons to him on different dates in connection with the probe into the alleged scam.

Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders like Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are already in custody in the same case.

AAP has termed the summons issued by ED as “politically motivated” and also claimed that the central agency was planning to arrest the Chief Minister.

The case

The ED’s probe into money laundering contentions stems from a case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on August 17, 2022 in connection with alleged irregularities in the Delhi Excise Policy for 2021-22.

The CBI case was registered on a complaint made by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on July 20, 2022.

The ED subsequently registered a case on the money laundering angle against the accused persons on August 22, 2022.

It has been alleged that a criminal conspiracy was hatched by AAP leaders, including former Deputy Chief Minister Sisodia and other unidentified and unnamed private persons/entities during the stage of the policy’s formulation.

Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/ed-delhi-court-against-arvind-kejriwal-not-complying-summons-delhi-excise-policy-case

Thousands marched across the main city of Leh in freezing temperatures, shouting slogans demanding statehood for Ladakh, among other things.

A complete shutdown was observed across Ladakh as thousands marched demanding statehood and constitutional protections under the sixth schedule for the Union Territory.
Protests were jointly organised by the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance.

Thousands of men and women marched across the main city of Leh in freezing temperatures, shouting slogans demanding statehood for Ladakh, the implementation of the sixth schedule of the Constitution, and also separate parliament seats for Leh and Kargil districts.

The shutdown was observed despite the Centre’s announcement to hold a second round of talks with representatives of the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance.

The Centre has already constituted a high-powered committee headed by Minister of State (Home Affairs) Nityanand Rai to address the demands of the people of Ladakh.

The people of Ladakh said they couldn’t live under an unending bureaucratic rule in the Union Territory and only a full statehood – where they elect their representatives to govern the region – could fulfil their demand.

In December, the Center held its first meeting in Ladakh and asked both the bodies from Leh and Kargil to submit their demands.

Ladakh was carved out as a separate Union Territory after Article 370 was scrapped and the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated and downgraded into two Union Territories in August 2019.

In a scathing attack on Congress, Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee said she has her doubts if the party will win “even 40 seats” in the upcoming general elections.

Days after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ditched Congress in her state ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the Trinamool Congress supremo launched a scathing attack on the grand old party and cast doubt on its vote count in the upcoming polls.

Mamata Banerjee said that she has doubts whether Congress would be able to secure “even 40 seats” in the upcoming general elections.

Addressing a public gathering in Bengal’s Murshidabad, Banerjee said, “Congress, I don’t know if you will win 40 seats out of 300. Why such arrogance? You came to Bengal, we are an INDIA alliance. Tell me at least. I came to know from the administration. If you have guts, defeat the BJP in Varanasi. You lose in places where you won earlier!”

“We have not one in Uttar Pradesh. You have not won in Rajasthan. Go and win those seats. I will see how daring you are. Go and win in Allahabad, win in Varanasi. Let’s see how daring a party you are!” she said.

Referring to Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’s Bengal leg wherein the Congress leader was seen interacting with ‘beedi’ workers, Mamata Banerjee said, “Now a new style has surfaced… of a photo shoot. Those who have never gone to a tea shop now show that they sit with beedi workers. They are all migratory birds.”

In the video, as shared on Congress’s official handle on X, formerly Twitter, Rahul Gandhi can be seen seated with a group of tobacco sellers, mostly women. He is seen engaging in a conversation regarding their revenue and trade.

Mamata Banerjee’s attack on the Congress and Rahul Gandhi comes days after her declaration of riding solo in her state in the upcoming elections.

Following days of a verbal spat between the TMC and Congress, Mamata Banerjee said she was willing to offer Congress two seats in her state. However, days later, she announced her decision to ditch the Congress, which is the TMC’s fellow ally in the Opposition’s INDIA bloc.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mamata-banerjee-attacks-congress-lok-sabha-election-opposition-india-bloc-2496835-2024-02-02

Dhami also expressed hope that the Uttarakhand UCC would act as a template for other state governments to follow suit.

Based on the recommendations made by a high-powered committee on UCC submitted to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in Dehradun on Friday, the state government is gearing up to introduce a Bill in the Assembly next week to implement a common civil code in the state.

“There has been a long-standing demand in the country for UCC. According to Article 44 of the Constitution, states can bring UCC. We will discuss the matter in the form of the Bill accordingly in the House,” Dhami told reporters in Delhi after having received the report earlier on Friday morning.

Dhami also expressed hope that the Uttarakhand UCC would act as a template for other state governments to follow suit.

“A new chapter on UCC would begin and we hope this will pave the way for other states to bring in similar laws,” Dhami said.

The introduction of a common code dealing with laws that guide marriages, divorce, maintenance, inheritance and adoptions was one of the major promises made by the BJP in the last state Assembly polls in 2022. To examine the issue, the Dhami government had formed a five-member panel headed by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Desai.

The draft code submitted by the committee on Friday runs into 400 sections and is part of the 740-page report in four volumes.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/uttarakhand/uttarakhand-to-introduce-ucc-bill-in-assembly-next-week-2877849

Since last year, the BJP and Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) leaders have been competing for the Kalyan East Legislative Assembly seat.

BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad was arrested by police on Saturday for allegedly opening fire at Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) leader Mahesh Gaikwad at the Hill Line Police Station in Ulhasnagar, Maharashtra.

Gaikwad and a supporter reportedly sustained injuries from five bullets. The incident occurred during a conversation between BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad and city chief Mahesh Gaikwad in the presence of senior inspector Anil Jagtap at the police station.

The Shiv Sena leader has been badly injured in the incident and is under medical supervision at Thane’s Jupiter hospital.

“Mahesh Gaikwad and Ganpat Gaikwad had differences about something, and they came to the police station to make a complaint. At that time, they talked, and Ganpat Gaikwad fired at Mahesh Gaikwad and his people. Two people have been injured in this. An investigation is underway,” said DCP Sudhakar Pathare.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/maharashtra-bjp-mla-allegedly-shoots-at-shiv-sena-shinde-leader-inside-police-station-101706925943807.html

If you are immunised before puberty, cervical cancer is preventable and curable

As model and actress Poonam Pandey passed away after a battle with cervical cancer at 32, according to her manager, it raises concerns about the lack of awareness around cervical cancer, the need for prevention and the stigma around it. And yet there’s a vaccine which, when taken by girls before puberty, can stop its incidence in the first place.

Pandey’s manager said that the actor was diagnosed in the last stage of the dreaded disease sometime ago. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in India. As per a WHO report released on February 1, new cases of cervical cancer among Indian women is 17.7 per cent.

What causes cervical cancer?

Abnormal cells start growing and clustering around the cervix, which is the lower, narrow end of the uterus that connects to the vagina. It is caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted during sex. Although the virus is removed by the body’s immune system, if it’s a high risk one, like HPV 16 or HPV 18, the chances of it remaining stubborn and causing cancer jump. There are 200 HPV viruses that sexually active people are infected with at some point in their lives. That doesn’t mean that all will develop cancer but a vaccine is needed to eliminate any risk.

What are signs and symptoms?

No discernible symptoms in the early stages. In the later stages, patient reports unusual vaginal bleeding, including post-coital bleeding, bleeding between periods or after menopause, watery or foul-smelling vaginal discharge and pelvic pain.

Source : https://indianexpress.com/article/health-wellness/poonam-pandey-death-cervical-cancer-hpv-vaccine-9140562

The panel suggests the law be put to use only when there is cause for substantial harm and such harm materialises

The 22nd Law Commission has recommended that criminal defamation should be retained within the scheme of criminal laws in India, the Law Ministry said on Friday.

The panel submitted its report to the Ministry on Thursday. In its report, the Law Commission argued that the right to reputation is derived from Article 21 of the Constitution that guarantees the right to life and personal liberty and that is why it has to be protected.

“Reputation is something which can’t be seen and can only be earned. It’s an asset which is built in a lifetime and destroyed in seconds. The whole jurisprudence around the law on criminal defamation has the essence of protecting one’s reputation and its facets,” it said.

The matter was referred to the Law panel by the Law Ministry in August, 2017.

Noting that it could be argued that criminal prosecution for defamatory statements stands opposed to the freedom of speech and expression, the Law panel advised exercising caution.

“Speech ought to be illegal only where it is meant to do substantial harm and when such harm materialises,” the panel cautioned.

Referring to the issue of punishment, it said the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 has added a provision of community service as an additional punishment.

Source : https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/law-commission-recommends-retaining-criminal-defamation-within-the-scheme-of-criminal-laws/article67805792.ece

Kejriwal skipped the fifth summons issued to him by the Enforcement Directorate for questioning in a money laundering case linked to an alleged liquor policy scam

The BJP on Friday dared the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to move court and get the ED summons issued to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal quashed if the party believed it to be “illegal”.

Kejriwal skipped the fifth summons issued to him by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning in a money laundering case linked to an alleged liquor policy scam on Friday, and instead joined AAP leaders and workers in a protest near the BJP headquarters on DDU Marg.

Kejriwal is not going to the ED for questioning because he knows that corruption has been done and is trying to evade answering to the probe agency, Union Minister and senior BJP leader Meenakashi Lekhi said in the Parliament House complex.

“Neither the courts not any authority has any patience with this kind of behaviour, for the simple reason that they go by what the law is and what it demands,” she said, adding a sitting chief minister is expected to adhere to the law.

Earlier the day, the AAP said that Kejriwal will not appear before the agency for questioning and alleged that the summons issued to him was “illegal”. The party also alleged that the BJP wants to topple its government in Delhi by getting Kejriwal arrested.

He skipped the ED summons but went to stage “drama” in front of the BJP headquarters, Lekhi charged.

The AAP leaders used to say earlier that any person holding a post should first resign and then face investigation. But, here a sitting chief minister is not joining investigation, let alone resigning from his post, she said.

Lekhi also rubbished the AAP’s charge that the BJP wanted to topple the Kejriwal government.

“BJP does not need to topple the government because people in your party know precisely that you are not a worthy chief minister nor a worthy leader and they are leaving you,” she said.

Source : https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/approach-court-and-get-enforcement-directorate-summons-to-arvind-kejriwal-quashed-if-its-illegal-bharatiya-janata-party-to-aam-aadmi-party/cid/1997922

Nirmala Sitharaman also told News18 on the issue of jobs that there is a lot of shift in the way employment is panning out in India and only looking at indicators pertaining to the formal economy will not give the full picture. She also criticised opposition parties like the DMK and Congress for their ‘anti-Hindu’ and ‘separatist’ voices

A day after shattering expectations of a populist pre-election Budget, union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a freewheeling interview with Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi said that the Narendra Modi government has been executing the principle of empowerment, “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Vikas”, in every way. She said that the Interim Budget was presented with the clear understanding that several programmes, which were launched with the empowerment of citizens in mind over the last 10 years are reaching the ground, and the beneficiaries are already speaking about it on their own. While maintaining that the government is aiming for sustained growth with an eye on inflation, she said that a white paper will be released soon detailing the “mismanagement” of the economy during the UPA years and the course corrections that had to happen under PM Modi. Full interview:

Nirmala ji, thank you very much once again for giving us this exclusive, very special interview. Like every year after the Budget, through our News18 network, through CNBC TV18, CNBC Awaaz, CNN-News18, you will be able to reach every nook and corner of the country, and investors are glued into moneycontrol.com tracking every twist and turn of the Budget. Thank you so much. My first question, a somewhat obvious question…no sops, no populist measures, even in the 2019 Interim Budget, the government had announced some sops like tax rebates, there were some announcements for the farmers, but none this time. Seems like a very confident Prime Minister going into 2024 elections. You’ve never looked more relaxed to me before. What was going on in your mind while drafting this?

Well, thank you for having me, after the Budget, like every year. It’s a great opportunity to talk to your viewers and also for others who are watching this programme, more with keenness to know about the Indian economy. Yes, the Budget yesterday did not have any sops announced. We treated it like a true ‘vote on account’, an Interim Budget before an election, and also, an Interim Budget which is being presented with the clear understanding that the several programmes, which were launched with empowerment of citizens in mind over the last 10 years are reaching the ground, and the beneficiaries are already on their own speaking about it. The power of word of mouth is very strong. So, when a beneficiary gets truly the benefit and without any middlemen playing a role in it, they really understand that the intent of the government is what they’ve said is what is getting executed. So, I place a lot of trust in the word of mouth, which has helped in schemes like Ujjwala, PM Awas Yojana, PM Mudra Yojana, SVANidhi Yojana, all of which, have benefited the small households and people who want to do their business and who don’t have money to give for collateral; no properties to give.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/7-growth-possible-white-paper-on-inherited-economic-mess-soon-finance-minister-exclusive-interview-8764186.html

Indian civilian replacements, Maldivian defence personnel for three air assets there

India will withdraw its military personnel from the Maldives between March and May, but will continue to operate the two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft in the island nation with the help of Indian civilian replacements and Maldivian defence personnel.

This was the key takeaway from the second meeting of the high-level core group between Indian and Maldivian officials in New Delhi Friday.

The Maldives Foreign Ministry statement said “both sides agreed that the Government of India will replace the military personnel in one of the three aviation platforms by 10 March 2024, and will complete replacing military personnel in the other two platforms by 10 May 2024”.

The Ministry of External Affairs did not spell out any timeline in its statement, but said both sides “agreed on a set of mutually workable solutions to enable continued operation of Indian aviation platforms” that provide humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the people of Maldives.

Sources said the only “workable solution” for continued operation of Indian platforms turned out to be replacing them with Indian civilian personnel and Maldivian defence personnel who are trained in operating the three platforms.

Around 80 Indian military personnel are stationed in the Maldives to operate these platforms. On January 14, after the first meeting of the core group, the Maldives government had set a March 15 deadline for India to withdraw its military personnel from the country.

Source : https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-military-personnel-3-aviation-platforms-maldives-9141397

Dense fog in Delhi-NCR disrupted train and flight services on Friday. The weather department anticipated a reduction in fog density after February 4 and 5.

Parts of Delhi-NCR woke up to dense fog on Friday, even as rain lashed some north Indian states a day earlier.

According to news agency ANI, train and flight services were affected due to lowered visibility in the national capital. Delhi’s IGI Airport reported zero visibility since 6 am today.

Visuals shared on social media showed dense fog on streets in Delhi.

The India Meteorological Department said very dense fog was observed over some parts of Delhi at 5.30 am today.

Dense fog was also observed in isolated pockets of Haryana, Rajasthan, East Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha, it said, adding, moderate fog was seen in isolated pockets of West Bengal.

The IMD also shared a satellite image indicating fog/low clouds over south Punjab, south Haryana, Delhi, northeast Rajasthan, southwest Uttar Pradesh, extreme southwest Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.

On Thursday, Delhi experienced a minimum temperature of 12.3 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature reached 18.6 degrees Celsius.

The weather department said it anticipated a rise in rainfall in February, “exceeding 122 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA).”. LPA is the average rainfall recorded in a region over a specific time.

The density of fog will reduce and noticeable changes in weather will be seen after February 4 and 5, the weather department said.

RAIN, SNOW IN OTHER STATES
Several parts of Rajasthan received light showers on Thursday, owing to a western disturbance in the region.

The weather office forecast the activation of another new western disturbance on February 3-4, leading to a strong possibility of light to moderate rain coupled with thunderstorms in some parts of Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaipur, and Bharatpur divisions.

Meanwhile, moderate to heavy snowfall continued in the high hills and tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh the same day, while the state capital received the first snowfall of the season, bringing cheers to residents, tourists and farmers.

Shimla was wrapped in a thin blanket of snow, while the 5-km stretch between Kufri and Fagu was entirely covered in snow.

Video shows Lahaul Spiti covered in a blanket of thick snow. Schools and colleges in the region were ordered shut till February 3 due to heavy snowfall.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-weather-north-india-rain-forecast-dense-fog-trains-flights-disrupted-coldwave-2496537-2024-02-02

The police registered a case of murder and began questioning the family. The father soon broke down and confessed to the crime, the police said.

A man frustrated with his teen son watching obscene videos on his phone and teasing girls in school poisoned his drink and killed him in Maharashtra’s Solapur last month, the police said. The man, identified as Vijay Battu, has been arrested.
On January 13, the police received a missing person’s report about a teen. Soon, they were alerted about a boy’s body being found.

The family identified the body as their missing son Vishal and a subsequent autopsy revealed he was poisoned.

The police registered a case of murder and began questioning the family. Noting discrepancies in their responses, the police took the boy’s father into confidence, who soon broke down and confessed to the crime, the police said.

According to the police, Mr Battu claimed his son would not study. He used to tease girls in his school and watch obscene videos on his phone, he allegedly told the cops. Vishal turned a deaf ear to his parents’ requests asking him to mend his ways. Soon, complaints started coming in from his school as well, he further said.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/maharashtra-man-kills-teen-son-for-teasing-girls-watching-obscene-videos-on-phone-police-4975850

The Delhi Police said that it has not permitted any demonstration by the political parties in the capital.

The Delhi Police on Friday said it remains on alert and has beefed up the security around the central parts of the city, including ITO, in view of the demonstrations planned by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the national capital.

The AAP has called for a protest outside the BJP headquarters over alleged cheating in the Chandigarh mayoral election, while the BJP said it will mount a demonstration near the AAP office against the alleged corruption of the Arvind Kejriwal-led government.

Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann will also take part in the protest, reported claimed.

Incidentally, the protest will take place on the same day that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has asked Kejriwal, who is also the national convenor of the AAP, to appear before it in connection with its investigation into a money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in the Delhi excise police 2021-22.

The Delhi Police said it has not permitted any demonstration by the political parties in the capital.

“Police did not give permission for the demonstration. Police have received information about the arrival of Aam Aadmi Party workers from many areas of Delhi and also from Punjab,” news agency ANI quoted the police as saying.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/delhi-police-on-alert-ahead-of-aap-vs-bjp-protests-today-ito-security-tightened-101706833005032.html

On the final day of hearings of the 7-judge Constitution Bench on the issue of granting minority status to the Aligarh Muslim University, the bench and petitioners dwelled to see whether the Amendment Act of 1981 restored the position of AMU as it was before 1951 or was amendment done “half-heartedly”. The 1981 Act amended Section 2(l) of the AMU Act to state that “University” means the educational institution of their choice established by the Muslims of India, which originated as the Muhammad

The 1981 Act amended Section 2(l) of the AMU Act to state that “University” means the educational institution of their choice established by the Muslims of India, which originated as the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College, Aligarh, and which was subsequently incorporated as the Aligarh Muslim University.

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, during the hearing, noted that while the 1981 Amendment Act does endeavour to bring back the Muslim voice into the AMU, apart from a few cosmetic changes, the Amendment did not seem to restore the AMU’s position as per its original Act in 1920. The changes brought in seemed rather a half-hearted job.

The CJI expressed, “A thing that is worrying us is the 1981 Amendment does not restore the position prior to 1951. In other words, the 81 Amendment does a half-hearted job …they were placating that sentiment. But when it actually came to the brass stacks, they didn’t go back to the positions prior to 1951. And what they did was it brought the Muslim voice into the AMU administration as we see it. But it still stops short, even the Parliament which had the power to do, it still stops short of taking us back to the 1920 Act. They made a few concessions but they never took it back to 1920, it could be reflected upon.”

Dr Rajeev Dhavan, presenting the rejoinder arguments from the University’s side, explained that to understand the intention of the Parliament in bringing about the said Amendment, the whole scheme and purpose of the Amendment has to be taken note of. He drew out the similarities between the 1920 Act and the 1981 Amendment to show that the latter wholeheartedly intended to promote educational and cultural advancements of Muslims in particular.

“We have to look at the purposes of the University. And these are writ large, I’ll read out of the amended Act, the purposes your lordships will find in the original act – to promote oriental and Islamic studies and to give instructions in Muslim theology and religion and to impart moral and physical training. Now what was added in 72 was to promote the study of religion, civilization and culture in India and see which is important which comes in 81- to promote especially the educational, promote especially the educational, and cultural advancements of Muslims in India.”

Dr Dhavan further emphasized the importance of understanding the purpose of the legislation while construing the law. He added, “It is the purposes of the statute which will also run alongside. We cannot read the Act minus the purposes of the Statute. This is the fundamental distinction we wish to make, that you go by the purpose, you go by the empowerment and to that extent the statute is crystal clear.”

Twin Test Of ‘Establish & Administer’ Misconceived By The Respondents – Urges Sr Adv Kapil Sibal

In a major part of his rebuttal arguments, Senior Adv Kapil Sibal, supporting the minority status for AMU, emphasised that it is not required under Article 30 to prove mandatorily for a minority community that it has both established and directly administered the educational institution. As per Sibal, Article 30 gives one the right to administer the institution. However, such administration has to be seen in a fluid context, where the establishing community may sub-delegate its administering powers to a non-minority.

Source: https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/article-30s-test-is-not-that-minorities-must-administer-the-institution-themselves-amu-case-petitioners-to-supreme-court-day-8-248260

The Maoists were 400-500 fighters strong, including 200 from one of their most dangerous battalions — the Battalion 1 of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) headed by their new chief Barse Deva — officials said.

The three Central Reserve Police Force personnel who were killed in an encounter with Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region succumbed to shots inflicted by snipers positioned at a distance of around 100 metres, officials have said.

The encounter on the border of Sukma and Bijapur districts went on for four hours in the Tekalgudem forests. It began around 12.30 pm, when security forces were cordoning off the area around a newly established police camp.

Their operation involved the CRPF’s elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), the Special Task Force (STF) and the District Reserve Guard (DRG). STF personnel were on the two ends of the formation, while the CoBRA Battalion 201 team was in the middle and moving ahead when Maoists opened fire, taking tactical advantage of open land in the forest.

The Maoists were 400-500 fighters strong, including 200 from one of their most dangerous battalions — the Battalion 1 of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) headed by their new chief Barse Deva — officials said.

Wearing helmets and bulletproof jackets, Maoist fighters fired at security forces using Barrel Grenade Launchers, AK47s, INSAS rifles and LMG guns. They also had around six sniper teams, officials said.

“Even as the CoBRA battalion managed to fight back bravely, the sniper team took down two of them, as well as a CRPF constable,” an official said.

The three personnel were identified as Pawan Kumar (30) from Madhya Pradesh and Devan C (29) from Tamil Nadu, both from the CoBRA 201 Battalion, and Lambadhar Singha (35) from Assam, who belonged to the 150 Battalion of the CRPF.

“The Maoists had managed to corner the CoBRA team when two anti-mining vehicles and a reinforcement of 100 men from CRPF and DRG were sent to support the forces. The 10-odd jawans in each of the two bulletproof vehicles drove into the Maoists’ formation, firing at them. The Maoists got frightened by this and broke formation. At least four Maoists were killed and more were injured,” the official said, adding that the “quick move of using the vehicles helped us avoid more casualties”. The CRPF was also able to evacuate nine of its personnel from the spot using the bulletproof vehicles.

The setting up of a new police camp in Tekalgudem has been seen as a major step in the security forces’ fight against Maoists. It took two years to establish this camp after one was set up in Silger, around six kilometres away.

Tekalgudem had seen another deadly encounter between Maoists and security forces in 2021, in which 23 soldiers were killed by PLGA’s Battalion 1, after which security forces had to pull back.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/snipers-killed-crpf-men-chhattisgarh-maoists-9139969/

The submission was made in an application before additional sessions judge Hardeep Kaur of Patiala House court

Five of the six accused arrested in the Parliament security breach case informed a Delhi trial court on Wednesday that they were being tortured, forced to sign on blank papers and given electric shock to confess to their involvement in the crime and their association with Opposition parties.

The submission was made in an application before additional sessions judge Hardeep Kaur of Patiala House court.

The sixth accused, Neelam Azad, along with the five others, were produced before the court on Wednesday following which their judicial custody was extended till March 1.

The five accused — Manoranjan D, Sagar Sharma, Lalit Jha, Mahesh Kumawat and Amol Shinde — informed the court that they were forced to sign around 70 blank papers. “Accused persons were tortured/given electric shock to sign and confess (to) the commission of crime under the UAPA and their association with national political parties,” they told the court.

The court sought a reply from Delhi police’s special cell, which is probing the case, and fixed February 17 for hearing the application.

During an earlier hearing, Neelam had told the court that a woman officer had forcibly obtained her signature on 52 blank papers.

In December last year, Manoranjan and Sagar had jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery with canisters emitting yellow smoke and shouted slogans.

Around the same time, Amol and Neelam had thrown smoke canisters outside the Parliament complex.

Lalit, the alleged “mastermind”, had circulated videos of the protest outside the Parliament complex on social media and fled to Rajasthan where his stay was arranged by an accomplice, identified as Mahesh Kumawat.

Source: https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/parliament-security-breach-case-five-of-six-accused-cry-torture-in-jail/cid/1997472

Champai Soren, who was named by Hemant Soren as his successor, will take oath as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand today. On Thursday, Jharkhand Governor CP Radhakrishnan appointed Champai Soren as the Chief Minister designate but asked him to prove majority in 10 days.

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) veteran Champai Soren, who was named by Hemant Soren as his successor, will take oath as the Chief Minister on Friday, between 12 pm and 2 pm, sources said. On Thursday, Jharkhand Governor CP Radhakrishnan appointed Champai Soren as the Chief Minister designate, but asked the latter to prove his majority in 10 days.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has refused to hear Hemant Soren’s plea against his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a land scam. The top court asked the former Jharkhand Chief Minister to approach the High Court instead.

This development came a day after Hemant Soren was sent to judicial custody for a day after he was produced before a special PMLA court in Ranchi.

Here are the latest developments in this big story:

• Besides Champai Soren’s swearing in as Chief Minister, Congress leader Alamgir Alan and Rashtriya Janata Dal’s (RJD) Satyanand Bhogta will be taking oath as Jharkhand Cabinet ministers on Friday.
• A special three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, and comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, MM Sundresh and Bela M Trivedi heard Hemant Soren’s plea against summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate and his arrest by the probe agency. Soren had sought quashing of summons, calling it “illegal and impinge on his fundamental rights”.
• Hemant Soren had first moved the Jharkhand High Court. However, senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the former Jharkhand Chief Minister, later told the CJI-led bench that the plea would be withdrawn from the High Court. On Thursday, both appeared for Hemant Soren before the Supreme Court and mentioned his plea as an urgent listing.
• The Enforcement Directorate has claimed in its investigation into the land scam that Hemant Soren illegally acquired and possessed land parcels of approximately 8.5 acres. The probe agency made this claim on Thursday while producing the former Jharkhand Chief Minister before a PMLA Court in Ranchi.
• In his plea, Hemant Soren said his is a clear case of abuse of law by the Centre and misuse of central agencies to harass him, and in doing so, destablise the democratically elected Jharkhand government. He further claimed the central agency is acting at the behest of the BJP-led Centre to fuel its “political ambition” in the state and also in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.
• Before Champai Soren met the Jharkhand Governor on Thursday, the ruling coalition of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Congress and Rashtriya Lok Dal released a video statement of the 43 Opposition MLAs backing the Chief Minister designate. Later, Champai Soren was accompanied by Congress legislative party leader Alamgir Alam, RJD MLA Satyanand Bhokta, CPI (ML) L legislator Vinod Singh and lawmaker Pradeep Yadav to meet Governor CP Radhakrishnan.
• In an attempt to ring-fence ruling coalition MLAs and thwart poaching bids by the BJP, the majorilty alliance in Jharkhand planned to shift their MLAs to Hyderabad on Thursday. Two chartered planes were supposed to take 39 coalition MLAs, including Hemant Soren’s brother MLA Basant Soren, to Hyderabad, but their flight failed to take off due to poor weather and low visibility.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/hemant-soren-jharkhand-political-crisis-arrest-enforcement-directorate-land-scam-supreme-court-champai-soren-oath-2496545-2024-02-02

According to the complaint, the alleged incident took place in the Deoli Road flat in 2023, the official added.

The Delhi Police has registered a rape case after a former “Big Boss” contestant and television actor accused her “friend” of raping her in a south Delhi flat, an official said on Wednesday.
According to the complaint, the alleged incident took place in the Deoli Road flat in 2023, the official added.

“We have registered an FIR under Section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code at Tigri police station against one person. No arrest has been made so far. Teams have been formed to investigate the matter,” a senior police officer said.

The actor gained popularity during her stint on the “Bigg Boss” reality show. Originally from Mumbai, she also models and has worked in television serials.

Police sources said that, according to the complaint, the accused invited the actor to his residence where he offered her food and drinks.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/former-big-boss-contestant-accuses-friend-of-rape-case-filed-in-delhi-4968790

District magistrate S Rajalingam held a two-hour-long meeting with police commissioner Ashok Mutha Jain and divisional commissioner Kaushal Raj Sharma before the prayers

Hindu prayers were offered at 3am on Thursday at southern cellar of the Gyanvapi Masjid for the first time in three decades a day after a local court gave the go-ahead for it at the 17th-century mosque complex.

District magistrate S Rajalingam, who held a two-hour-long meeting with police commissioner Ashok Mutha Jain and divisional commissioner Kaushal Raj Sharma before the prayers, said the order of the district court has been complied with.

District judge AK Vishvesha on Wednesday said Shailendra Kumar Pathak Vyas, who moved the court for permission for prayers, and a Kashi Vishwanath trust-appointed priest-appointed will be allowed to enter the premises. He granted Vyas family the right to resume prayers in the southern cellar of the mosque abutting Kashi Vishwanath Temple for the first time since December 1993.

The order is expected to have reverberations on linked suits over the contested Varanasi shrine and similar petitions over a mosque in Mathura.

Advocate Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi, who represented Vyas, said it is a matter of great joy that the court order has been complied with.

Akhlaque Ahmad, the mosque committee’s lawyer, said the Vyas family never performed puja in the basement. “No idol was in the cellar. It is wrong to say that the members of the Vyas family had the cellar. The basement is in the possession of the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee [which manages the mosque].”

The Vyas family was considered the hereditary owner of the southern cellar of the mosque, where the maternal grandfather of the petitioner conducted prayers to Ganesha, Hanuman, Nandi, and other deities.

All four cellars of the mosque were sealed in the aftermath of the Babri Masjid demolition in December 1992 amid fears of law-and-order problems. Permanent barriers were also erected at that time.

In September 2023, Vyas filed a plea in the court of civil judge (senior division) for appointing the district magistrate or any suitable person he nominated as the receiver of the cellar. He sought direction for allowing the plaintiff, co-pujaris, and devotees to perform puja there.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hindu-prayers-offered-at-southern-cellar-of-gyanvapi-masjid-1st-time-in-decades-101706761968912.html

A case was registered against the school superintendent, headmistress of the primary school, headmaster of the secondary school and a person who brought the food from outside.

Thane: Police registered an FIR against four persons on Thursday, a day after more than 100 students of a private ashram school in Maharashtra’s Thane district suffered from food poisoning after consuming the mid-day meal, an official said.

A total of 117 students, including 48 girls, were admitted to the Shahapur sub-district hospital after they suffered from food poisoning on Wednesday, Shahapur tehsildar Komal Thakur told

The Sant Gadge Maharaj Primary and Secondary Ashram School (residential school for tribal children), where the incident took place, is located at Bhatsai in Shahapur taluka on the outskirts of Mumbai.

The school houses 290 students from Classes 1 to 10 and 168 of them, who were present on Wednesday, were served the food brought from outside, Thakur said.

Students were served food (pulao) and a sweet dish (gulab jamun) following which they experienced vomiting and other symptoms of food poisoning, the official said.

They were immediately rushed to the hospital, she said.

The food was brought from outside on the occasion of the first death anniversary of a villager from Bhatsai, she added.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/maharashtra/fir-against-four-after-100-students-suffer-from-food-poisoning-in-thane-school-2874272

Sources said Soren had asked the ED to allow him to resign first before his arrest was recorded and the investigators agreed to it. Governor CP Radhakrishnan accepted the resignation.

The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday arrested Hemant Soren, moments after he demitted the office of Jharkhand chief minister, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with its probe into an alleged land scam in the state, people familiar with the development said.

Soren, in a video message before his arrest said, “The ED has come to arrest me today. After questioning me for the entire day, they have decided to arrest me in a planned manner, on an issue which is not linked to me. They (ED) found no evidence, they even tried to tarnish my image by conducting raids in Delhi.”

Source:https://www.deccanherald.com/india/jharkhand/arrested-in-a-planned-manner-watch-hemant-sorens-video-message-before-he-was-taken-in-by-ed-2874300

Indian warship INS Sumitra rescued 19 Pakistani crew members of a fishing vessel after their Iranian-flagged fishing vessel was attacked by pirates on the east coast of Somalia, officials said on Tuesday.

Amid the attack on the merchant navy vessels in the Red Sea, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday that India’s greater capability, its own interest and reputation today warrant that it actually help in difficult situations. Responding to a question on the interaction at the IIM Mumbai, he said that the Indian Navy has deployed 10 of its ships in the region.

“India’s greater capability, our own interest and our reputation today warrant that we actually help out in difficult situations,” he said.

Source: https://english.jagran.com/india/jaishankar-responds-to-india-out-campaign-in-maldives-neighbours-need-each-other-10130455