IIM-Bengaluru students want director out, allege caste discrimination

BENGALURU: Protesters gathered in large numbers at Freedom Park on Wednesday, demanding swift action over allegations of caste discrimination at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM-B). Organised by the All India OBC Students Association (AIOBCSA), Dr BR Ambedkar Association of Engineers (BANAE), and OBC Federation of India, the protesters demanded the resignation of IIM-B Director Professor Rishikesha T Krishnan, accusing him of violating reservation policies and neglecting diversity and inclusion on campus. They also criticised the institution for failing to uphold constitutional mandates on equity and inclusion. Sikha M, a protester, told The New Indian Express that RTI findings show a glaring lack of representation at Indian Institute of Management Bangalore. Protesters want immediate enforcement of reservation on campus Out of 120 sanctioned faculty positions, only 110 are filled, and just 16 are held by individuals from marginalized communities five from Scheduled Castes (SC), one from Scheduled Tribe (ST), and ten from Other Backward Classes (OBC). Protesters slammed the severe under-representation as a violation of constitutional principles of equity and social justice in higher education. They called for the immediate enforcement of reservation policies for SC, ST and OBC candidates across all faculty, staff and student positions. They also demanded the creation of dedicated grievance redressal cells for SC, ST and OBC communities at IIM-B, to handle caste-related complaints and ensure accountability. Kiran Kumar Gowda, an IIMB student and national president of AIOBCSA, accused the administration of harassing faculty members who advocate diversity and inclusion. He claimed that these actions create a hostile environment for marginalised communities, aggravating exclusion and discrimination. Gowda also alleged that many faculty from marginalized backgrounds face caste-based discrimination but are reluctant to speak out due to the fear of being identified. IIM-Bangalore, however, strongly denied the allegations made during the protest and emphasised its commitment to an inclusive work environment for all, including SC/ST and OBC communities. In a statement, IIMB highlighted its Diversity and Inclusion Cell and Grievance Redressal Committee (DIGRC) as key resources for addressing grievances and ensuring a discrimination-free atmosphere. The institute is also implementing reservation for faculty positions in line with the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers Cadre) Act 2019. IIMB has made special recruitment efforts in 2021, 2022 and 2023, bringing over 10 new faculty members from reserved categories since 2019. The institute encourages feedback within its service rules, welcoming constructive input to further enhance inclusivity, the statement read. The protesters plan to escalate the issue with the President, Prime Minister and Central Education Minister, urging them to intervene and take swift action against IIM-B.

GIFT Nifty down 75 points; here's the trading setup for today's session

The 23,780-23,800 range will serve as critical resistance for the index. On the downside, the 50-weekly simple moving average (WSMA) is placed near 23,300, which will provide short-term support for the index. Overall, the short-term trend is down till index remains below 23,800, said Hrishikesh Yedve of Asit C Mehta Investment Interrmediates.

NCR residents look for second home in the hills to escape smog

The rising demand for second homes in serene locations like Kasauli and Rishikesh is a direct result of increasing pollution levels in the NCR. Homebuyers are seeking refuge in these destinations, drawn by their clean air, natural beauty, and peaceful environments, said Amar Kapoor, founder of Terra Grande by Eldeco Group, which is developing vacation homes at Kasauli and Rishikesh.

UPI brought many people into financial system: Expert

BENGALURU: India has set a global example by breaking down barriers and enabling millions of people to participate in the financial system, RBI Innovation Hub CEO Rajesh Bansal said on Monday. He was speaking during a two-day international symposium organised by the Indian Institute of Management-Bengaluru (IIM-B), on digital innovations, financial inclusion and sustainability. The event brought together industry leaders, policymakers and academicians to explore how fintech innovations can drive financial inclusion and sustainability. Bansal highlighted how initiatives like Aadhaar and UPI boosted financial inclusion, making banking accessible even in remote areas. IIM-B Director Dr Rishikesha T Krishnan spoke about Indias evolving digital finance landscape, emphasising the need for a more distributed network of service providers to ensure broader financial access. The symposium featured several sessions, including a panel discussion on Digitalisation and Financial Inclusion. Experts from institutions like London School of Economics, Karnataka Planning Commission and British International Investment shared insights on Indias digital infrastructure and the path to rapid financial inclusion. A session on Innovations and Business Models for Sustainability highlighted scalable and paperless solutions integrating green energy and digital mobility. Industry leaders highlighted the importance of academic-industry collaboration to advance sustainability efforts. The event also included a fireside chat by Amazons Amit Nanda and keynotes from global sustainability experts.

Two Famed Pupils of Pt Ravi Shankar Underscore Importance of Having a Guru

Hyderabad: Two legendary Hindustani classical instrumentalists took Hyderabadi audience in the palm of their hands with their virtuoso renditions. Exclusive interactions with them provided insights on the connection between life and music. Grammy-nominated flautist Ronu Majumdar and Grammy-winning slide guitarist Vishwa Mohan Bhatt are highly acclaimed musicians (both are recipients of Padma Bhushan and Sangeet Natak Academy awards), who are widely recognised for carrying forward the legacy of their revered guru, Pandit Ravi Shankar. The two captivated the city audience with their stunning performances during the Bade Ghulam Ali Khan music festival, under the auspices of Sangitanjaly Foundation, at Ravindra Bharati here on Sunday. The proceeds of the show are earmarked for Autism Ashram. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle about his time spent with Pt Ravi Shankar, Majumdar said that he understood the concept of spiritual loneliness from his guru. At that time I was unable to fully understand it, but now I can beyond its mere technical sense: the thehraav (pause) between two notes. You can hold a note for long and create magic. It is about being one with your instrument; you are so immersed that you tend to forget that someone is listening to you. You meet the raag where the aatma and parmaatma blend. What you like is liked by the audience also because the music is so refined at that stage. He said that his association with Hyderabad goes back a long way. He performed with Pt Ravi Shankar in the late 1980s and even shared the stage with tabla maestro Zakir Hussain. Pandit Bhatt, who won the 1993 Grammy for the album A Meeting by the River with Ry Cooder, said Pt Ravi Shankar was a complete guru; a god to me. I learnt a lot watching him closely, including the technical aspects of music; life itself so to say. He taught me to be honest, disciplined and punctual and concentrate on what I am doing and that too with integrity. The two amazing exponents spoke about the shifts in music and how accessing good music was a struggle in their learning days. The internet has simplified things for learners, albeit at its own cost, they said. In my days, I was thirsting for some good music. I wanted to hear Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, but where was the problem. We had to depend on radio broadcasts and akashvani. Nowadays, it is just a click away. I even utilise my bathing time to listen to songs on YouTube, Pt. Bhatt said. They opined that the internet has helped music reach a larger audience and democratised the world of music. This is the golden time for any kind of music. You can become popular within months, Bhatt said. Majumdar said that it is both a boon and bane but for learners, YouTube can guide you to ifs and buts to go about your passion. Guidance is lacking. You can listen, learn, create and upload your music on platforms like YouTube and Spotify but it cannot tell you the finer aspects, which only a guru can. It is good to reach a mass audience. In my time, finding record companies was a daunting task, he said. On how artificial intelligence (AI) could change the world of music, Bhatt said, It is intelligent and at the same time quite dangerous. It can destroy many significant things. I hope that this is not misused. Creativity is within you. AI is just a medium to help you express your ideas the way you wish because sometimes it is difficult for us to define our ideas. Interview with Flautist Ronu Majumdar Music becomes transcendental when there is spiritual loneliness in renditions Interview with Grammy nominated flautist Ronu Majumdar, who performed at Ravindra Bharathi on Sunday, as part of Bade Ghulam Ali Khan music festival organised by Sangitanjaly Foundation. He is a disciple of Pandit Ravi Shankar. Excerpts: Would you like to talk about your association with Hyderabad? RM: My association with Hyderabad goes way back. I used to perform here with my guru, Pandit Ravi Shankarji. Later, I had the opportunity to bring together many artistes like Bickram Ghosh and Roop Kumar Rathod, on the same platform for the One World Fusion. I also had the privilege of performing alongside Zakir Hussain at Hussainsagar. Hence, there are many fond memories of this city. Is there any defining moment that made you decide to dedicate your life to music? RM: Honestly, I never thought of music as a career in the beginning. For any musician, music starts as a passion, a hobby. Even today, it cannot be just a professionits something you do because youre deeply passionate about it. I was born in Varanasi and my first concert was alongside my brother at New Era High School in Mumbai, when I was 13. From the age of six, I had been playing the flute, while balancing my studies with hours of practice. But it was during my first concert when I realised that there was nothing else I could do. Music was my calling. When did you decide that flute was going to be your instrument? RM: I never really decided to play the flute. It was something my father gifted me. In Varanasi, I used to play with flutes as toys, even breaking many of them. It wasnt a conscious decisionit just happened. The flute is often seen as a folk instrument, not always on par with other classical instruments. How do you respond to that? RM: Youre right as historically the flute is considered a folk instrument that is often used in tribal music or bhajans, rather than in classical settings. But it was Pandit Pannalal Ghosh, who, in the 1930s, revolutionised its role in Indian classical music. He introduced the flute in solo performances and jugalbandis, including for serious ragas like Raga Darbari. This shift had a profound impact, and today the flute is accepted in the same league as the sitar and sarod, which were traditionally seen as the primary instruments for classical music. The flute is also associated with Lord Krishna. Do you think its spiritual and devotional aspects have influenced its place in classical music? RM: Yes, there is a spiritual and devotional aspect to the flute, particularly in folk traditions where its associated with Lord Krishnas bansuri. However, the acceptance of the flute in classical music came with the contribution of great musicians like Pandit Pannalal Ghosh. Over time, weve seen the flute become a serious classical instrument, capable of conveying the depth and emotion of ragas, alongside its more devotional connotations, with equal dexterity. Whats your take on fusion music, and where do you see the flute fitting into that genre? RM: Fusion music is an area where the flute excels. The instruments versatility allows it to seamlessly transition across different pitches and octaves, making it ideal for fusion genres. You can easily switch between different types of flutes, like C-sharp, D, or A, to suit the requirements of the music. This flexibility makes the flute a perfect fit for fusion. Do you think young people are also getting attracted to the flute these days? RM: Absolutely. Flute playing is becoming more popular, and youll see young people playing the instrument in every corner of the country. On that count, it has caught the attention of many. I notice more and more youngsters picking it up, which is unprecedented. What do you think about the interest of young people in classical music? Has it increased in recent years? RM: Yes, I believe interest in classical music has increased, especially among younger audiences. Todays youth seek something new, and classical music is finding its place in their lives. However, classical music faces the challenge of adapting to shorter formats. In the past, we would perform a long aalap or a detailed rendition of a raga. But now, to engage younger audiences, we need to condense it into more digestible packages. For example, jugalbandisboth south and north Indianare becoming more popular. While older generations still believe in long, detailed renditions, younger audiences want something thats compact yet rich in content. Its about making it engaging while still honouring the tradition. Do you think platforms like YouTube and Spotify are changing how young people learn and listen to classical music? RM: Music, especially classical music, is traditionally passed down through the 'guru-shishya' tradition. While platforms like YouTube can teach you 'what' to do, they cannot teach you 'what not to do'. I have come across students in the US saying I learnt this from YouTube, but they often miss the finer detailsthe nuances of a raga and the proper way to phrase a note. A video cant correct you if you go wrong, whereas a teacher can guide you. Technology can assist, but it cant replace the depth of learning that comes from personal instruction. Could you share an anecdote from your time with your Guruji? RM: One of the most memorable moments was when I was recording the album 'Chants of India' with George Harrison. At that time, I was learning Raga Parmeswari from Pandit Ravi Shankarji. He was listening to me play, but he kept telling me that there was no spiritual loneliness in my notes. At first, I didnt understand what he meant. But after many trials, I finally succeeded, and he blessed me, saying, You are ready now. You will be the first flute player to play my raga. That precise moment, when I truly understood what he meant, was the turning point of my life. What did he mean by spiritual loneliness? RM : As I matured in music, I came to understand that it refers to the space, the silence, between two notes that creates the magic in music. It's that emptiness or gap that gives music its soul. Whether youre performing for an audience or playing alone at home, the magic happens when youre able to fill that silence with deep, personal expression. Initially, I was copying the notes mechanically, but Guruji was teaching me that true music comes from a place of inner stillness and spiritual connection. Its that sense of aloneness with your instrument that allows you to bring music to life. Your son Hrishikesh has been performing with you for some time now. What advice would you give him and other young classical musicians? RM: I always tell Hrishikesh to be true to himself. Find your own identity, go beyond the teachings Ive given you, and discover your own voice. To be a legend in this field, you must contribute something new, something unique. A true legend doesnt simply mimic but bring something fresh to the table, something unexpected. It's about creating that awakening in your musica moment when you know youve played something extraordinary. That comes from within. A true masterpiece is born from your own soul, and when you play with that connection, the music becomes transcendental. Interview with Viswa Mohan Bhatt, Grammy winning instrument player Viswa Mohan Bhatt won Grammy for his album 'A Meeting By the River' with Ry Cooder in 1993. He was a disciple of Bharat Ratna Pandit Ravi SHankar, renowned Sitar player and music composer. Viswa Mohan Bhatt is known for the invention of a 20-stringed instrument 'Mohan Veena'. He performed at Ravindra Bharathi on Sunday on occasion of Bade Ghulam Ali Khan music festival organised by Sangitanjaly Foundation. The organisation felicitated him with a Lifetime Achievement award. Could you share the journey behind the invention of the Mohan Veena? VMB: The idea for the Mohan Veena started in 1966 or 1967, when I had a simple thought: to create an instrument that could combine the sound and technique of several traditional Indian instruments veena, sitar, sarod, santur, and sarangi all in one. Then, quite serendipitously, a German lady came to India to learn Indian music on her guitar. When she left, we bought her guitar for 25 rupees. It sat there, tempting me to do something with it. I began experimenting with it, but I felt the sound was somewhat lonely. So, I added sympathetic strings, inspired by the sitars principle. These strings vibrate on the same frequency as the main strings and resonate without being struck. This idea of sympathetic resonance became the core of my design. Pandit Brijbhushan Kabra ji had already introduced this guitar to Indian classical music, and I added to it by incorporating 12 sympathetic strings, a tumba (a resonator), and other features. The result was the Mohan Veena, with a total of 20 strings. I also created another instrument, the Vishwa Veena, which combines the 20 strings of the Mohan Veena with 15 harp strings totaling 35. However, it became difficult to manage, so I now primarily perform with the Mohan Veena. I made my debut performance in 1970 in Mumbai, and I still remember the headline: 20-year-old artiste steals the limelight. That was a huge encouragement for me. From there, my journey continued, performing at major Indian classical music conferences, receiving awards, and gaining recognition. Thats more than 50 years in your musical journey. Looking back, what has been the most memorable or transformative experience? VMB: There are many memorable moments, but the biggest encouragement came from my Guru, Pandit Ravi Shankarji. His blessing meant everything to me. He once told me, You will rule the world. What you have done with this instrument is unparalleled, and you will receive your due recognition soon. His words were powerful and guided me through my journey. Later, receiving prestigious awards like the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, the Tansen Award, and the Grammy was validating, but for me, the true reward is the respect from my peers and the satisfaction of knowing Ive contributed to Indian classical music. The Padma awards and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award are particularly meaningful to me, as they recognise the artistry and tradition of my work. But I dont chase awards; I am content with my music and my life. Could you share your experience of winning Grammy? VMB: I would say I was the one who popularised Grammy in India, as most people were not aware. Nowadays everyone talks about Grammy and the award popularises me. For me, the prestige comes from Padma awards and Sangeet Natak Akademi award. What are some life lessons you learned from Pandit Ravi Shankar that you carry with you? VMB: There were so many lessons. He was not only a great musician but a complete Guru to me. I observed him closely his discipline, punctuality, how he conducted himself, and how he ran his programmes. Beyond the technical aspects, he taught me important life values: be honest with your work, be honest with others, be disciplined and punctual and always perform with integrity. These lessons have stayed with me throughout my career. You mentioned how media and technology have transformed music, with platforms like YouTube and Spotify making music more accessible. Whats your perspective on this? VMB: These platforms are a wonderful way to spread music. Theyve completely changed the landscape. In my time, we were starving to hear good music. I wanted to listen to Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, but where could I find it? We were dependent on Akashvani (radio), and sometimes youd only hear rare broadcasts. Now, with just a click, you can listen to anything, anywhere. Even I use YouTube to listen to music when Im bathing! Its a golden era for music, where exposure is just a click away, and artistes can become popular in months. But there's also artificial intelligence (AI) emerging in music production. What do you think about this? VMB: AI is certainly intelligent, but it can be dangerous too. It can help us express ideas, but if misused, it could harm the very essence of creativity. AI can replicate music, but it lacks the emotional depth and spiritual connection that human creativity brings. While AI may assist in composing or producing, true creativity comes from within usits deeply connected to our soul and experience. Do you think AI can truly replace the kind of creativity and spirituality associated with classical music? VMB: Creativity is within you. I live in the U.S., and my daughter is learning about AI. AI can help you express ideas, as it gets difficult to define them sometimes but AI needs to be used appropriately.

Rishikesh Municipal Corporation launches plastic banks to combat waste and empower women

Rishikesh Municipal Corporation is tackling plastic waste. The city is recycling and reusing plastic. Plastic banks are collecting bottles. A 'Waste to Wonder' park features recycled plastic structures. A women's self-help group is managing user charges for garbage collection.

Ahead of Market: 10 things that will decide D-Street action on Monday

The Nifty index has formed a Doji candle near its 200-day exponential moving average (DEMA) support at 23,540, indicating uncertainty. Immediate support is at 23,500-23,540, with a break below 23,500 potentially targeting 23,300-23,200. While the short-term trend is down, a pullback rally remains possible if Nifty holds above 23,500, according to Hrishikesh Yedve of Asit C. Mehta Investment Intermediates.

1951 Rolls Royce ordered by Nehru for Baroda 'maharani' becomes flashpoint in marital dispute

New Delhi : A 1951 model antique hand-made classic Rolls Royce car, a single model till date valuing more than Rs 2.5 crore at present and ordered by first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru for the erstwhile 'maharani' of Baroda, has become a major bone of contention in a matrimonial dispute in the Supreme Court. The dispute of the estranged couple has reached the apex court after the Gwalior bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court quashed a case lodged by the woman against her husband for alleged dowry demand and cruelty. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan, which on Wednesday heard the plea of the woman through senior advocate Vibha Datta Makhija, asked both the parties to explore the possibility of settlement through mediation. If both settle the dispute amicably then there is nothing like that, Justice Kant observed, and asked the parties to give one more try to settle the dispute. It noted, Senior counsel/counsel for the parties jointly state that though mediation had earlier failed before different forums, however, it is worth trying under the aegis of the Supreme Court Mediation Centre to give one more opportunity to the parties for amicable resolution of their dispute. Considering Makhija's request, which was agreed to by the other side, the bench appointed senior advocate R Basant as a mediator. We, accordingly, appoint R Basant, senior advocate and former judge of the High Court of Kerala to be the mediator. The parties may contact R Basant to fix a date for interaction, as may be convenient to all sides, the bench ordered and posted the matter for further hearing on December 18. The woman, who is a permanent resident of Gwalior, claimed that she belongs to a highly reputed family whose ancestor was admiral in the navy of Chhatarpati Shivaji Maharaj and was declared ruler of Konkan region. The husband belongs to a family which has an Army background and runs an educational institution in Madhya Pradesh. The woman claimed that her estranged husband and his family had continuously harassed her with dowry demands of Rolls Royce car and a flat in Mumbai, a charge denied by the man. For that the high court failed to consider that since inception the Respondent No. 1 & 2 had a mala fide intention of demanding the Rolls Royce car which is one of its kind and it is handmade by HJ Mulliner & Co. for Maharani Baroda Chimna Bai Sahib Gaekwad ordered on her behalf by first Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru and one flat in Mumbai. When the demands of the respondents were not met, they started denying the marriage and making false and frivolous allegations against the petitioner and started assassinating her character, her plea said. Assailing the high court order of December 5, 2023, she said in her petition, ... it is clear that the respondent No. 1 (husband) and 2 (father of husband) have shown their fascination for the Rolls Royce car belonging to the father of the petitioner (woman) and in that context they expected to receive the said car in gift and with regard to flat at Mumbai and non-fulfillment of this dowry demand was precisely the reason for not taking petitioner to her matrimonial home. The husband has lodged a case of cheating and forgery against her estranged wife, her parents and relatives in preparation of marriage certificate, while the woman lodged a case for dowry harassment and cruelty. Her FIR was quashed by the high court terming it as an afterthought. The woman in her plea said, The aforesaid dowry demand was exorbitant; the petitioner's family was not in a position to fulfill the same; besides this there is no custom of giving dowry in the family and community of the petitioner. Therefore, the said demand of dowry was not conceded by the parents of the petitioner and the message was clearly conveyed to the respondents' family. The husband in reply doubted the sanctity of marriage between the two that took place April 20, 2018 at Rishikesh in Uttarakhand and said, The whole occasion was treated as a 'symbolic marriage' required for astrological reasons as per the petitioner's family guru. Parties have not stayed together for a single day as man and wife. He, in his reply filed through advocate Anshuman Srivastava, said till date the parties have not cohabited and the purported marriage remains unconsummated. The husband claimed that the woman fraudulently got the purported marriage between the parties registered at Gwalior and denied ever demanding the Rolls Royce car and a flat in Mumbai as dowry.

CJI issues fresh roster, first 3 benches to hear PILs

NEW DELHI: Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna has come out with a fresh roster for allocation of new cases to 16 benches of the Supreme Court and it has been decided that the first three courts presided over by the CJI and the two senior-most judges will hear letter petitions and PILs. The roster for the assignment of fresh cases was notified by the apex court registry under the CJIs order and has come into effect from November 11. The fresh petitions arising out of letters written by the citizens to the apex court and the new public interest litigations (PIL) will be heard by the benches presided over by the CJI, Justice BR Gavai and Justice Surya Kant, the two senior-most judges. Besides the letter petitions and the PILs, subject-wise, the CJI-led bench will be dealing with a maximum number of issues, including those related to social justice, disputes related to election of the President, Vice-President and other cases related to election of MPs and MLAs, habeas corpus matters and arbitration. The benches, presided over by Justice Kant, will hear election-related pleas. Former CJI U U Lalit was allocating PILs to all the benches. This practice was discontinued by his successor, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, who had implemented a more diverse and flexible approach to case assignment. The new roster is seen as an attempt to consolidate judicial efficiency while maintaining transparency in case distribution. The subject-wise allocation of cases has been done for 16 senior judges who will be presiding over benches. Justice JB Pardiwala, who was sharing the bench with former CJI Chandrachud, will now be dealing with direct and indirect tax matters besides ordinary civil cases. Besides the three senior-most judges, the other 13 judges are justices Hrishikesh Roy, AS Oka, Vikram Nath, JK Maheshwari, BV Nagarathna, CT Ravikumar, MM Sundresh, Bela M Trivedi, PS Narasimham, Sudhanshu Dhulia, JB Pardiwala, Dipankar Datta and Pankaj Mithal. The 16 senior judges, now tasked with overseeing these cases, will preside over a range of subject-specific benches, ensuring that each judge is assigned cases based on their expertise. Justice Pardiwala will now be responsible for direct and indirect tax matters, in addition to handling ordinary civil cases. This marks a notable shift in the way judicial responsibilities are being managed. Also in top court SC stays HC order on Jkhand postings An SC bench on Thursday stayed the Jharkhand High Court verdict that directed the CBI to enquire into the alleged irregularities in the appointments and promotions made in the state legislative assembly. The plea said the HC erred in directing the CBI enquiry in the absence of any criminality. Petition on hate speeches dismissed A two-judge bench on Thursday dismissed a PIL that sought intervention against inflammatory speeches by public figures, alleging these statements endanger national unity, security and promote divisive ideologies. The bench observed that there is no difference between hate speeches and wrong assertions.

SC refuses pre-arrest bail to Odisha BJP MLA Jayanarayan Mishra in cop assault case

NEW DELHI: In a huge setback to senior BJP leader and Sambalpur MLA Jayanarayan Mishra, the Supreme Court on Thursday rejected his anticipatory bail plea in connection with the case of slapping a female police officer during a protest in 2023. Mishra, the then leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, had been accused of assaulting the police officer Anita Pradhan during a protest outside Sambalpur collectorate. A two-judge bench of Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice SVN Bhatti rejected the plea of Mishra leaving him open for arrest anytime. The bench observed, Those in leadership positions have to set an example for public behaviour. Earlier on February 1 this year, the apex court had granted him interim protection from arrest. Senior lawyer and former additional solicitor general (ASG) Maninder Singh appeared for Mishra. The BJP leader, in his defence, claimed that the previous BJD government had registered a false case against him. As per the victim and also the complainant in the case, inspector in-charge of Dhanupali police station Pradhan, Mishra had assaulted her after accusing her of taking bribes, during a BJP protest in Sambalpur on February 15 last year. Mishra, however, denied the charge and claimed that rather, Pradhan, had pushed him. Initially, the Orissa High Court had rejected the petition of Mishra seeking interim relief of anticipatory bail in the case, prompting him to knock the doors of the Supreme Court for relief. Singh had earlier told the court that his client is an MLA and the LOP (leader of Opposition) in the state Assembly, and he was not even summoned in the case. Mishra should be arrested, demands BJD The state high court should have considered all these things in the case and granted relief to him, he had said. Along with Singh, advocate Sarthak Nayak also appeared for Mishra in the case before the Supreme Court. Soon after the verdict, the BJD demanded immediate arrest of Mishra. The SC in its judgement has expressed unhappiness over the behaviour of Mishra by stating that those in leadership position should create example by their behaviour, BJD Rajya sabha MP Sulata Deo said. Deo said the BJD demands immediate arrest of Mishra as the Supreme Court has also lifted the interim protection given to him.

SC denies pre-arrest bail to Odisha BJP leader Jayanarayan Mishra accused of assaulting woman police officer

New Delhi: Supreme Court Thursday dismissed an anticipatory bail plea of Odisha MLA and BJP leader Jayanarayan Mishra who is accused of slapping a female police officer during a protest outside Sambalpur Collectorate in 2022. A bench comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti rejected the plea of Mishra, who was represented by senior lawyer []

SC denies pre-arrest bail to Odisha BJP leader accused of assaulting woman police officer

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed an anticipatory bail plea of Odisha MLA and BJP leader Jayanarayan Mishra who is accused of slapping a female police officer during a protest outside Sambalpur Collectorate in 2022. A bench comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy and S V N Bhatti rejected the plea of Mishra, who was represented by senior lawyer Maninder Singh, saying, Those in leadership positions have to set an example for public behaviour. Mishra, in his reaction, said he was not aware of the development in the top court. However, he claimed that the previous BJD government had made a false case against him. They (BJD) were in government and made a case against me under section 307 of IPC. This is totally politically motivated..., he told reporters. The allegations against Mishra traced back to February 15, 2022 when a BJP-led protest was held outside the Sambalpur Collectorate. During the protest, which involved a sit-in demonstration by BJP supporters, Mishra allegedly assaulted the female police officer after she approached him to control the advancing crowd. The case alleged that Mishra used profane language, touched the officer inappropriately and slapped her on the cheek. The charges against him include outraging the modesty of a woman, criminal intimidation, defamation, obscenity, wrongful restraint and using criminal force on a public servant. The leader has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the officer was the one who acted aggressively against him. Following the denial of his bail application by the Orissa High Court on November 16, 2023, Mishra sought relief from the top court, saying his custodial interrogation was unwarranted since the alleged incident occurred in broad daylight and was recorded on video. Mishra's plea described the case as politically motivated, claiming that local adversaries orchestrated the charges to harass and damage his reputation.

How Rolls-Royce car ordered by Jawaharlal Nehru ruined marriage of Gwalior royal family's daughter

A Gwalior royal descendant's marriage to an Indore businessman's son ended in legal turmoil. The couple, engaged in March 2018 and married in Rishikesh, never resided together. The groom's family accused the bride's family of financial deception, while the bride alleged dowry demands, including a vintage Rolls-Royce. The Supreme Court intervened, aiming for conciliation.

Justice AS Oka new member in SC Collegium

NEW DELHI: The five-member Supreme Court Collegium, now headed by the new Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, includes A S Oka as one of its members. The reconstitution of collegium is a consequential event after the superannuation of former CJI DY Chandrachud on November 10. The five-member collegium, which is responsible for recommending judges for apex court, and high court judges, would comprise the CJI and Justices B R Gavai, Surya Kant, Hrishikesh Roy and A S Oka. The recent reshuffle also established a three-member Collegium responsible for appointing HC judges, comprising the CJI, Justices Gavai Surya Kant.

SC relief for Shivraj Singh in defamation case

A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SV N Bhatti sought Tankha's response in four weeks on the plea of Chouhan and BJP state president VD Sharma and former minister Bhupendra Singh who have challenged the October 25 order of the Madhya Pradesh high court refusing to quash the defamation case.

Uttarakhand: Man beaten, paraded over alleged molestation

A Muslim man identified as Sahil was beaten and paraded through the streets of Uttarakhands Rishikesh district by a right-wing mob who accused him of molesting and threatening a Hindu girl. The incident came to light on Sunday, November 9, when video of the incident surfaced on social media, sparking outrage. The footage shows Sahil, Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Waqf row: Of land ownership and beyond

The controversy around the Waqf Board serving notices to farmers and others, which had its genesis in the small village of Honawad in Vijayapura, has slowly become a State-wide and even a national issue, with the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Waqf Amendment Bill visiting Karnataka on November 7. The Hindu Rishikesh Bahadur Desai visits Honawad and takes stock of the larger ramifications of the issue

Rules for recruitment to public services cannot be changed midway after beginning of selection process: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Thursday held that once the selection process for posts began, the rules of the game could not be changed midway, unless the relevant rules expressly permitted the same. The Bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice Hrishikesh Roy, Justice PS Narasimha, Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Manoj Misra ruled [] The post Rules for recruitment to public services cannot be changed midway after beginning of selection process: Supreme Court appeared first on India Legal .

Recruitment rules for govt jobs can't be changed midway unless prescribed: SC

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday held that recruitment rules for appointment in government jobs cannot be changed midway unless it is prescribed.A five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud held that 'rules of the game' once set before the start of recruitment process cannot be tinkered with midway. The selection rules should not be arbitrary and be in accordance with Article 14 of the Constitution, the bench also comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy, PS Narasimha, Pankaj Mithal and Manoj Misra said. The top court unanimously held that transparency and non-discrimination should be the hallmarks of the public recruitment process and candidates should not be taken by surprise by change of rules midway.

Recruitment Rules For Govt Jobs Cant Be Changed Midway Unless Prescribed: SC

NEW DELHI, Nov 7: The Supreme Court on Thursday held that recruitment rules for appointment in government jobs cannot be changed midway unless it is prescribed. A five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud held that rules of the game once set before the start of recruitment process cannot be tinkered with midway. The selection rules should not be arbitrary and be in accordance with Article 14 of the Constitution, the bench also comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy, PS Narasimha, [] The post Recruitment Rules For Govt Jobs Cant Be Changed Midway Unless Prescribed: SC appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Supreme Court permits LMV licence holders to drive transport vehicle with less than 7500 kg weight

The Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that a person holding a driving license for a light motor vehicle (LMV) without any specific endorsement was allowed to drive a transport vehicle having an unladen weight of less than 7500 kg. The Constitution Bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice Hrishikesh Roy, Justice PS Narasimha, [] The post Supreme Court permits LMV licence holders to drive transport vehicle with less than 7500 kg weight appeared first on India Legal .

SC Rules LMV License Holders Can Drive Transport Vehicles Under 7,500 kg

NEW DELHI: In a big ruling on Wednesday, the Supreme Court of India clarified that individuals holding a light motor vehicle (LMV) driving licence are legally allowed to drive transport vehicles with an unladen weight of up to 7,500 kg. This judgement, delivered by a five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, challenges previous decisions by insurance companies that rejected claims in accidents involving LMV licence holders driving transport vehicles. Justice Hrishikesh Roy, who authored the unanimous verdict, stated that there was no solid evidence linking LMV licence holders to an increase in road accidents. He further emphasized that drivers with LMV licences, who spend a significant amount of time on the road, have valid concerns that should not be dismissed on technical grounds. The bench, which also included Justices P.S. Narasimha, Pankaj Mithal, and Manoj Misra, had reserved the judgement on August 21. During the proceedings, Attorney General R. Venkataramani informed the court that consultations to amend the Motor Vehicles (MV) Act, 1988, were nearing completion. The court urged the Centre to speed up the amendment process. The case stemmed from disputes over insurance claims following accidents involving transport vehicles driven by individuals with LMV licences. Insurance companies had previously contested claims, arguing that such drivers were not authorized to operate these vehicles. They claimed that courts and motor accident claim tribunals often ruled in favor of the insured, overlooking the licensing requirements. With this ruling, insurance companies will now need to revise their approach to handling claims involving transport vehicles driven by LMV licence holders, as the Supreme Court has confirmed that these drivers are legally permitted to operate vehicles weighing under 7,500 kg. JSW Group to Invest Over $30 Billion in Electric Vehicle Sector Amid Govt Support Mahindra Set to Launch Two Electric SUVs: XEV-9e and BE-6e This Month-End Hyundai Unveils Teaser for Ioniq 9 Electric SUV, Global Launch Set for November

Uttarakhand: Launched recently, air ambulance no life saver

DEHRADUN: The air ambulance service in Uttarakhand, launched by PM Narendra Modi recently, encountered difficulties in responding to the bus accident in Almoras Marchula, which claimed 36 lives on Monday. The air ambulance service, designed to provide critical care and medical assistance in emergencies especially in remote areas was unable to provide timely medical aid to the victims. According to sources, Pinnacle Aviation, which has a tripartite agreement with the Uttarakhand government and AIIMS, had sent its helicopter for periodic maintenance to Meerut at the time of the accident. The state had secured the Centres approval for the countrys first helicopter ambulance service, citing its difficult geographical conditions. On October 29, the PM inaugurated the helicopter ambulance service for AIIMS Uttarakhand. While the new service is a promising step towards improving emergency medical response in the region, its effectiveness was put to the test during the bus accident. Unfortunately, both helicopters were unavailable when the emergency situation arose, said a source. This temporary setback left the helicopter ambulance service without a viable option to respond to emergencies. But the state government swiftly provided an alternate helicopter to transport the injured to Ramnagar Hospital. Speaking to this daily, Dr Madhur Uniyal, a senior surgeon at AIIMS Rishikesh said, One pilot, two technical officers, and one navigator are deployed in the air ambulance service. This team is supported by a 12-member team of doctors, nursing staff, and other experts who are trained to provide critical care during emergency airlifts. The air ambulance service at AIIMS Rishikesh has taken a leap forward with its 6-seater chopper, specially designed to navigate the challenging terrain of Uttarakhand. This state-of-the-art chopper has received the green light from the Director General of Civil Aviation, permitting it to land at AIIMS Rishikesh, ensuring seamless transportation of patients to this premier medical facility, sources revealed. The choppers six-seat capacity allows a medical team to accompany patients, providing critical care en route. This is especially crucial in emergency situations where every minute counts, said Dr Uniyal. With its advanced medical equipment and experienced crew, the ambulance service is equipped to handle a range of medical emergencies, from trauma cases to organ transplants. Sources at AIIMS disclosed, A significant partnership has been forged between the AIIMS, the state government, and Pinnacle Aviation, to enhance emergency medical transportation in the region. According to AIIMS officials, The tripartite agreement sets the stage for efficient collaboration and delivery of critical care services via air ambulance. The delay in operationalising the air ambulance service has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the disaster response model in Uttarakhand .

Justice Roy, CJI exchange banter on 'intellectual resources'

Justice Hrishikesh Roy playfully remarked on the Supreme Court's recent judgments, complimenting Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud's extensive contributions to the court's 'intellectual resources' while also lightheartedly requesting contributions from other benches in the CJI's remaining days in office.

Good News For Sr Citizens: PM Modi Expands Ayushman Bharat, Launches Rs 12,850-Cr Healthcare Projects

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has introduced new healthcare initiatives valued at approximately Rs 12,850 crore, which include extending the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme to senior citizens aged 70 and above. These initiatives were launched on the ninth Ayurveda Day, marking the birth anniversary of Dhanvantari, a revered figure in traditional Indian medicine. Modi inaugurated phase II of the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in the national capital. This expansion includes a Panchakarma hospital, an Ayurvedic pharmacy, a sports medicine unit, a central library, an IT and startup incubation center, and a 500-seat auditorium. In a groundbreaking move, Modi introduced drone-based healthcare delivery services at 11 healthcare institutions, including AIIMS facilities in Rishikesh, Bhopal, Guwahati, Jodhpur, and Patna. This technology aims to enhance healthcare accessibility by quickly transporting medical supplies. In addition, Modi launched a helicopter emergency medical service from AIIMS Rishikesh to facilitate swift medical care delivery. A new U-WIN portal was also launched, focusing on digitizing the vaccination process for pregnant women and children. This initiative is designed to streamline vaccine administration for children and expecting mothers against 12 preventable diseases. A dedicated portal for allied and healthcare professionals was unveiled to serve as a centralized database for healthcare institutions and professionals across the country. Modi further inaugurated three medical colleges in Madhya Pradeshs Mandsaur, Neemuch, and Seoni districts and introduced facility extensions across AIIMS locations, including in Bilaspur, Kalyani, and Gorakhpur. Additional infrastructure such as a Super Speciality Block in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, and a Critical Care Block in Bargarh, Odisha, was also inaugurated. To strengthen nursing education and healthcare infrastructure, foundation stones for five nursing colleges in Madhya Pradesh and 21 critical care blocks across states like Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka were laid under the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission. Modi also opened a new ESIC hospital in Indore, with additional hospitals planned in Haryana, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. This expansion is expected to serve over 55 lakh ESI beneficiaries nationwide. New research centers were also initiated, including a yoga and naturopathy institute in Odisha and Chhattisgarh, as well as specialized centers in NIPER locations for medical device development, bulk drugs, and antiviral drug research. Boosting the Make in India initiative, Modi inaugurated five new projects under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme in locations like Vapi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. These facilities will produce critical medical devices, such as body implants and emergency care equipment, supporting the growth of Indias healthcare manufacturing sector. Rozgar Mela: PM Modi Distributes 51,000+ Appointment Letters PM Modi Urges Vigilance Against 'Digital Arrest' Scams in Mann Ki Baat Address

PM Modi launches projects worth Rs 12,850 cr, extends Ayushman Bharat for all over 70 yrs

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched development projects worth nearly Rs 12,850 crore and extended his government's flagship health insurance scheme Ayushman Bharat to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above. The major push in the health sector was unveiled on the occasion of the ninth Ayurveda Day and the birth anniversary of Dhanvantari, the Hindu god of medicine. Modi also inaugurated phase II of India's first All India Institute of Ayurveda in the national capital which includes a Panchakarma hospital, an Ayurvedic pharmacy for drug manufacturing, a sports medicine unit, a central library, an IT and startup incubation centre, and a 500-seat auditorium among others. In an innovative usage of drone technology to enhance service delivery and make healthcare more accessible, Modi launched drone services at 11 tertiary healthcare institutions. These are AIIMS-Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, AIIMS-Bibinagar in Telangana, AIIMS-Guwahati in Assam, AIIMS-Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, AIIMS-Jodhpur in Rajasthan, AIIMS-Patna in Bihar, AIIMS-Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh, AIIMS-Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh, AIIMS-Raipur in Chhattisgarh, AIIMS-Mangalagiri in Andhra Pradesh and RIMS-Imphal in Manipur. The prime minister also launched a helicopter emergency medical service from AIIMS Rishikesh, which will help deliver medical care speedily. Modi launched a U-WIN portal that seeks to benefit pregnant women and infants by fully digitising the vaccination process. It will ensure timely administration of life-saving vaccines to pregnant women and children (from birth to 16 years) against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases. Further, the prime minister launched a portal for allied and healthcare professionals and institutes. It will act as a centralised database of existing healthcare professionals and institutes. Modi also inaugurated three medical colleges at Mandsaur, Neemuch and Seoni in Madhya Pradesh, besides facility and service extensions at various AIIMS -- Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh, Kalyani in West Bengal, Patna in Bihar, Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, Guwahati in Assam and in New Delhi, which also include a Jan Aushadhi Kendra. Modi also inaugurated a Super Speciality Block in Government Medical College at Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh and a Critical Care Block in Bargarh, Odisha. The prime minister laid the foundation stones of five nursing colleges in Shivpuri, Ratlam, Khandwa, Rajgarh and Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh, 21 critical care blocks at Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Manipur, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan under the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, and several facilities and service extensions at AIIMS in New Delhi and Himachal Pradesh's Bilaspur. Among other projects, Modi inaugurated an ESIC hospital at Indore in Madhya Pradesh and laid the foundation stone for such hospitals at Faridabad in Haryana, Bommasandra and Narasapur in Karnataka, Indore in Madhya Pradesh, Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, and Atchutapuram in Andhra Pradesh. These projects are expected to bring healthcare benefits to around 55 lakh ESI beneficiaries. The other projects whose foundation stones were laid include a central research institute in yoga and naturopathy at Khordha in Odisha and Raipur in Chhattisgarh, centres of excellence at NIPER-Ahmedabad for medical devices, at NIPER-Hyderabad for bulk drugs, NIPER-Guwahati for phytopharmaceuticals, and NIPER-Mohali for anti-bacterial anti-viral drug discovery and development. In a major boost to the Make in India initiative in the healthcare sector, the prime minister also inaugurated five projects under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for medical devices and bulk drugs at Vapi in Gujarat, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh and Nalagarh in Himachal Pradesh. These units will manufacture high-end medical devices, such as body implants and critical care equipment, along with important bulk drugs.

Modi to inaugurate health projects worth over Rs 12k cr, Telangana bags three

Hyderabad : Three infrastructure projects related to Telangana were figured in a slew of inaugurations and laying the foundation stone of multiple projects pertaining to the health sector worth around Rs.12,850 crore across the country on October 29 at All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take part in these events to be organized on the occasion of Dhanvantari Jayanti and 9th Ayurveda Day, according to a statement issued by PMO. In an innovative usage of drone technology to enhance service delivery to make healthcare more accessible, the Prime Minister will launch drone services at 11 Tertiary Healthcare Institutions. These are All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bibinagar in Telangana, Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, Guwahati in Assam, Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, Jodhpur in Rajasthan, Patna in Bihar, Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh, Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh, Raipur in Chhattisgarh, Mangalagiri in Andhra Pradesh and RIMS Imphal in Manipur. He will also launch Helicopter Emergency Medical Services from AIIMS Rishikesh, which will help deliver speedy medical care. Modi will also lay the foundation stone of four Centres of Excellence at NIPER Ahmedabad in Gujarat for medical devices, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Hyderabad in Telangana for bulk drugs, NIPER Guwahati in Assam for phytopharmaceuticals, and NIPER Mohali in Punjab for anti-bacterial anti-viral drug discovery and development. In a major boost to Make in India initiative in the healthcare sector, Prime Minister will inaugurate five projects under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for medical devices and bulk drugs at Vapi in Gujarat, Hyderabad in Telangana, Bengaluru in Karnataka, Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh and Nalagarh in Himachal Pradesh. These units will manufacture high-end medical devices, such as body implants and critical care equipment, along with important bulk drugs. These are in addition to the flagship scheme Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). The Prime Minister will launch expansion of health coverage under PM-JAY to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above. This will help provide health coverage to all senior citizens regardless of their income. It has been the constant endeavour of the Prime Minister to provide quality healthcare services all across the country, the statement added.

U'khand landslide risk escalates: 500 new hotspots identified, 60 per cent of govt schools declared unsafe

DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand's rugged terrain is witnessing a worrying rise in landslide-prone zones, with 500 new hotspots identified during this monsoon season. The SDC Foundations Uttarakhand Disaster and Accident Analysis Initiative report attributes most of these vulnerabilities to unchecked construction activities. Moreover, a staggering 60% of government school buildingstotaling 11,465have been deemed structurally unsound, posing significant risks to students and staff. A recent report by the SDC Foundation reveals a disturbing trend in the state. The report, focusing on damages caused by the monsoon in July, August, and September, underscores Uttarakhands growing susceptibility to landslides. According to the report, new landslide zones are emerging annually in the state. This alarming finding highlights the urgent need for mitigation measures to prevent devastating landslides, which have become a recurring menace in Uttarakhands hills. Landslides hit village in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, several houses damaged The state government has taken steps to address this issue by establishing the Uttarakhand Landslide Mitigation and Management Centre to identify landslide-prone areas and provide sustainable solutions. Additionally, efforts are being made to treat 44 landslide zones permanently between Rishikesh and Rudraprayag. Anoop Nautiyal, founder of the SDC Foundation, emphasised the need for Uttarakhand to strengthen its disaster management and climate action measures, citing the states increasing vulnerability to landslides and climate-related disasters. Speaking to The New Indian Express , Nautiyal said, Our report highlights the increasing landslides during the monsoon season, devastation in Kedarnath, frequent road closures, and new challenges. Nautiyal stressed that Uttarakhand must bolster its disaster management system and address gaps in climate action to mitigate risks posed by its unique geography and climate.

Uttarakhand to set up seven pine needle briquette units to prevent forest fires

DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand's forest department is gearing up to tackle the frequent forest fires that plague the state's mountainous regions during summer months. To mitigate these fires, the state government has decided to establish seven briquette-pellet units to utilise pine needles, a primary fuel source for forest fires. The Uttarakhand government has instructed officials to identify entrepreneurs for setting up pine needle collection and processing units, a move that's expected to help prevent forest fires. According to government sources, The initiative will provide significant relief in controlling forest fires, as pine needles act as a catalyst during such incidents. Uttarakhand's Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal has announced a plan to tackle forest fires and boost the local economy. In an exclusive conversation with TNIE , Minister Uniyal revealed, We're setting targets for pine needle collection in each pine-covered forest range and establishing at least one briquette/pellet unit in every such range. Minister Uniyal explained that this initiative aims to promote sustainable forest management, reduce wildfire risks, and generate employment opportunities for locals. The dryness and oil content of pine needles makes them instantly catch fire, often resulting in immense losses to biodiversity, forests, environment, and the local economy, added Minister Uniyal. Seven new units will be established across the state to harness pine needles, announced Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal. We've identified entrepreneurs for these units - three in Almora, two in Champawat, and one each in Garhwal and Narendranagar - and agreed to provide the necessary support, Minister Uniyal explained. Uttarakhand's Additional Chief Conservator of Forests, Nishant Verma, has issued a directive to divisional forest officers to boost the utilization of collected pine needles. As per the instructions, the existing units will be motivated to ensure maximum utilization of pine needles, leading to increased production of briquettes, Verma stated. Uttarakhand's devastating forest fires have claimed 10 lives so far this year, according to official data. The tragic toll includes an elderly woman who succumbed to her injuries at AIIMS Rishikesh after bravely attempting to extinguish a blaze threatening her farm. Additionally, three Nepali labourers lost their lives near their workplace in Almora, highlighting the dire consequences of these fires. Uttarakhand's forest fires have been a persistent problem, claiming six lives by May 8, the highest toll since 2016. This year's blazes have ravaged 689.89 hectares of forest land, with 575 incidents reported since November 1, 2023.

Cyclone Dana Effect: 198 Trains Cancelled on Oct 23, 24, 25

BHUBANESWAR: Due to the impending landfall of Cyclone Dana on October 24-25, 2024, a total of 198 trains95 up and 103 down trainshave been canceled for October 23, 24, and 25. The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has issued a bulletin outlining the cancellations, which include major trains such as the Howrah-Secunderabad Express, Shalimar-Puri Super Fast Express, New Delhi-Bhubaneswar Express, Howrah-Bhubaneswar Express, and many others. These cancellations affect various trains traveling to and from major hubs like Secunderabad, Bhubaneswar, Chennai Central, and Howrah. The full list of cancelled trains provides details on specific routes and dates for both up and down directions. This disruption is a preventive measure to ensure the safety of passengers and railway infrastructure during the cyclones landfall. Passengers are advised to check for further updates and make alternative travel arrangements accordingly. Here is the detailed list of cancelled trains: Down Trains 1. Train No. 17016: Secunderabad to Bhubaneswar 23.10.2024 2. Train No. 12840: Chennai Central to Howrah 23.10.2024 3. Train No. 12868: Puducherry to Howrah 23.10.2024 4. Train No. 22826: Chennai Central to Shalimar 23.10.2024 5. Train No. 12897: Puducherry to Bhubaneswar 23.10.2024 6. Train No. 18464: SBC to Bhubaneswar 23.10.2024 7. Train No. 08442: Brahmapur to Bhubaneswar 24.10.2024 8. Train No. 20842: Visakhapatnam to Bhubaneswar (VB) 24.10.2024 9. Train No. 22874: Visakhapatnam to Digha 24.10.2024 10. Train No. 18118: Gunupur to Rourkela 24.10.2024 11. Train No. 11019: CSURATM to Bhubaneswar 23.10.2024 12. Train No. 22820: Visakhapatnam to Bhubaneswar 24.10.2024 13. Train No. 08532: Visakhapatnam to Brahmapur 24.10.2024 14. Train No. 12509: Bangalore to Guwahati 23.10.2024 15. Train No. 12842: Chennai Central to Howrah 24.10.2024 16. Train No. 22808: Chennai Central to Santragachhi 24.10.2024 17. Train No. 15227: Bangalore to Muzaffarpur 24.10.2024 18. Train No. 18046: Hyderabad to Howrah 23.10.2024 19. Train No. 20838: Junagarh Road to Bhubaneswar 24.10.2024 20. Train No. 22503: Kanyakumari to Dibrugarh 23.10.2024 21. Train No. 22973: Gandhidham to Puri 23.10.2024 22. Train No. 20807: Visakhapatnam to ASR 25.10.2024 23. Train No. 18448: Jagdalpur to Bhubaneswar 24.10.2024 24. Train No. 08534: Palasa to Cuttack 24.10.2024 25. Train No. 08422: Gunupur to Cuttack 25.10.2024 26. Train No. 06095: Tambaram to Santragachhi 24.10.2024 27. Train No. 12246: Bangalore to Howrah 24.10.2024 28. Train No. 12704: Secunderabad to Howrah 23.10.2024 29. Train No. 08444: Palasa to Bhubaneswar 24.10.2024 30. Train No. 22888: Bangalore to Howrah 23.10.2024 31. Train No. 03429: Secunderabad to Malda Town 23.10.2024 32. Train No. 12864: Yesvantpur to Howrah 23.10.2024 33. Train No. 18418: Gunupur to Puri 24.10.2024 34. Train No. 06087: Tirunelveli to Shalimar 23.10.2024 35. Train No. 08412: Bhubaneswar to Baleswar 24.10.2024 36. Train No. 02832: Bhubaneswar to Dhanbad 24.10.2024 37. Train No. 12074: Bhubaneswar to Howrah 25.10.2024 38. Train No. 12893: Bhubaneswar to Sonepur 25.10.2024 39. Train No. 22823: Bhubaneswar to New Delhi Rajdhani 25.10.2024 40. Train No. 08441: Bhubaneswar to Brahmapur 24.10.2024 41. Train No. 09059: Surat to Brahmapur 23.10.2024 42. Train No. 18419: Puri to Jayanagar 24.10.2024 43. Train No. 18304: Puri to Sambalpur 24.10.2024 44. Train No. 12892: Puri to Bangiriposi 24.10.2024 45. Train No. 08428: Puri to Angul 24.10.2024 46. Train No. 08414: Puri to Talcher 24.10.2024 47. Train No. 12843: Puri to Ahmedabad 24.10.2024 48. Train No. 08423: Puri to Daspalla 24.10.2024 49. Train No. 17479: Puri to TPTY 24.10.2024 50. Train No. 18425: Puri to Durg 24.10.2024 51. Train No. 22202: Puri to Sealdah 24.10.2024 52. Train No. 18421: Puro to Sonepur 24.10.2024 53. Train No. 12838: Puri to Howrah 24.10.2024 54. Train No. 18452: Puri to Hatia 24.10.2024 55. Train No. 18477: Puri to Rishikesh 24.10.2024 56. Train No. 12801: Puri to New Delhi 24.10.2024 57. Train No. 12896: Puri to Shalimar 24.10.2024 58. Train No. 18410: Puri to Shalimar 24.10.2024 59. Train No. 20823: Puri to Ajmer 24.10.2024 60. Train No. 08404: Puri to Khurda Road 24.10.2024 61. Train No. 18126: Puri to Rourkela 25.10.2024 62. Train No. 08475: Puri to Nizamuddin 25.10.2024 63. Train No. 20836 (VB): Puri to Rourkela 25.10.2024 64. Train No. 12278: Puri to Howrah 25.10.2024 65. Train No. 18416/18414: Puri to Barbil-Paradeep 25.10.2024 66. Train No. 08432: Puri to Cuttack 25.10.2024 67. Train No. 12822: Puri to Shalimar 25.10.2024 68. Train No. 12875: Puri to Anand Vihar 25.10.2024 69. Train No. 08410: Puri to Khurda Road 25.10.2024 70. Train No. 18417: Puri to Gunupur 25.10.2024 71. Train No. 18022: Khurda Road to Kharagpur 24.10.2024 72. Train No. 08456: Khurda Road to Kendujhargarh 24.10.2024 73. Train No. 08454: Cuttack to Bhadrak 25.10.2024 74. Train No. 08438: Cuttack to Bhadrak 25.10.2024 75. Train No. 18038: Jajpur Keonjhar Road to Kharagpur 25.10.2024 76. Train No. 08462: Paradeep to Cuttack 25.10.2024 77. Train No. 08406: Paradeep to Kendujhargarh 25.10.2024 78. Train No. 08408: Paradeep to Cuttack 25.10.2024 79. Train No. 08446: Paradeep to Cuttack 24.10.2024 80. Train No. 18044: Bhadrak to Howrah 25.10.2024 81. Train No. 08032: Bhadrak to Baleswar 25.10.2024 82. Train No. 08064: Bhadrak to Kharagpur 24.10.2024 83. Train No. 08522: Visakhapatnam to Gunupur 24.10.2024 84. Train No. 07470: Visakhapatnam to Palasa 24.10.2024 85. Train No. 12074: Bhubaneswar to Howrah 24.10.2024 86. Train No. 12822: Puri to Shalimar 24.10.2024 87. Train No. 12844: Ahmedabad to Puri 26.10.2024 88. Train No. 18424: Daspalla to Bhubaneswar 25.10.2024 89. Train No. 12278: Puri to Howrah 24.10.2024 90. Train No. 18418: Gunupur to Puri 25.10.2024 91. Train No. 08522: Visakhapatnam to Gunupur 25.10.2024 92. Train No. 18526: Visakhapatnam to Brahmapur 24.10.2024 93. Train No. 20836 (VB): Puri to Rourkela 24.10.2024 94. Train No. 22896 (VB): PURI to KOAA 25.10.24 95. Train No. 08012: DSPL to BBS 25.10.24 96. Train No. 03229: PURI to PNBE 25.10.24 97. Train No. 03102: RMM to BBS 25.10.24 98. Train No. 08416: BAM to TATA 24.10.24 & 25.10.24 99. Train No. 20892 (VB): PURI to HWH 25.10.24 100. Train No. 22840: PURI to VZM 24.10.24 & 25.10.24 101. Train No. 08442: BAM to BBS 25.10.24 102. Train No. 20895: BBS to ROU 24.10.24 103. Train No. 08430: PURI to JER 24.10.24 & 25.10.24 UP Trains 1. 12703: Howrah-Secunderabad 24.10.2024 2. 12821: Shalimar-Puri 24.10.2024 3. 12552: Kamakhya-Bangalore 23.10.2024 4. 22824: New Delhi-Bhubaneswar 23.10.2024 5. 22603: Kharagpur-Villupuram 24.10.2024 6. 12073: Howrah-Bhubaneswar 24.10.2024 7. 18045: Shalimar-Hyderabad 24.10.2024 8. 12277: Howrah-Puri 24.10.2024 9. 22851: Santragachhi-Mangalore 24.10.2024 10. 12841: Shalimar-Chennai Central 24.10.2024 11. 12663: Howrah-Tiruchchirappalli 24.10.2024 12. 03230: Patna-Puri 24.10.2024 13. 18478: Rishikesh-Puri 23.10.2024 14. 18409: Shalimar-Puri 24.10.2024 15. 12881: Shalimar-Puri 24.10.2024 16. 12802: New Delhi-Puri 23.10.2024 17. 08011: Bhanjapur-Puri 24.10.2024 18. 12837: Howrah-Puri 24.10.2024 19. 12863: Howrah-Bangalore 24.10.2024 20. 18047: Shalimar-Vasco Da Gama 24.10.2024 21. 12839: Howrah-Chennai Central 24.10.2024 22. 22644: Patna-Ernakulam 24.10.2024 23. 06090: Santragachhi-Chennai Central 24.10.2024 24. 03101: Kolkata-Puri 23.10.2024 25. 12514: Silchar-Secunderabad 23.10.2024 26. 08555: Bhadrak-Daspalla 25.10.2024 27. 22504: Dibrugarh-Kanyakumari 23.10.2024 28. 08415: Jaleswar-Puri 25.10.2024 29. 12891: Bangiriposi-Puri 25.10.2024 30. 18021: Kharagpur-Khurda Road 25.10.2024 31. 12816: Anand Vihar-Puri 24.10.2024 32. 22895 (VB): Howrah-Puri 25.10.2024 33. 18043: Howrah-Bhadrak 24.10.2024 34. 08031: Baleswar-Bhadrak 24.10.2024 35. 08063: Kharagpur-Bhadrak 24.10.2024 36. 08453: Bhadrak-Cuttack 24.10.2024 37. 08437: Bhadrak-Cuttack 24.10.2024 38. 18037: Kharagpur-Jajpur Keonjhar Road 24.10.2024 39. 18303: Sambalpur-Puri 24.10.2024 40. 22839: Rourkela-Bhubaneswar 24.10.2024 41. 18125: Rourkela-Puri 24.10.2024 42. 20835 (VB): Rourkela-Puri 24.10.2024 43. 20832: Sambalpur-Shalimar 24.10.2024 44. 18451: Hatia-Puri 24.10.2024 45. 18117: Rourkela-Gunupur 24.10.2024 46. 22865: Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (Mumbai)-Puri 24.10.2024 47. 18426: Durg-Puri 24.10.2024 48. 02831: Dhanbad-Bhubaneswar 24.10.2024 49. 08427: Angul-Puri 25.10.2024 50. 08413: Talcher-Puri 25.10.2024 51. 18415: Barbil-Puri 24.10.2024 52. 20891 (VB): Tata-Brahmapur 24.10.2024 53. 08455: Kendujhargarh-Khurda Road 25.10.2024 54. 08405: Kendujhargarh-Paradeep 24.10.2024 55. 18413: Paradeep-Puri 24.10.2024 56. 08533: Cuttack-Palasa 24.10.2024 57. 08431: Cuttack-Puri 24.10.2024 58. 08421: Cuttack-Gunupur 24.10.2024 59. 08461: Cuttack-Paradeep 24.10.2024 60. 08407: Cuttack-Paradeep 24.10.2024 61. 18423: Bhubaneswar-Daspalla 24.10.2024 62. 09060: Brahmapur-Surat 24.10.2024 63. 08521: Gunupur-Visakhapatnam 24.10.2024 64. 07471: Palasa-Visakhapatnam 24.10.2024 65. 22873: Digha-Visakhapatnam 25.10.2024 66. 22819: Bhubaneswar-Visakhapatnam 25.10.2024 67. 08531: Brahmapur-Visakhapatnam 25.10.2024 68. 20837: Bhubaneswar-Junagarh Road 24.10.2024 69. 18447: Bhubaneswar-Jagadalpur 24.10.2024 70. 18417: Puri-Gunupur 24.10.2024 71. 18420: Jayanagar-Puri 26.10.2024 72. 08424: Daspalla-Puri 25.10.2024 73. 18422: Sonepur-Puri 25.10.2024 74. 12895: Shalimar-Puri 25.10.2024 75. 20824: Ajmer-Puri 29.10.2024 76. 08476: Nizamuddin-Puri 26.10.2024 77. 12277: Howrah-Puri 25.10.2024 78. 20835 (VB): Rourkela-Puri 24.10.2024 79. 12821: Shalimar-Puri 25.10.2024 80. 18021: Kharagpur-Khurda Road 24.10.2024 81. 12073: Howrah-Bhubaneswar 25.10.2024 82. 12894: Sonepur-Bhubaneswar 24.10.2024 83. 20831: Shalimar-Sambalpur 25.10.2024 84. 08521: Gunupur-Visakhapatnam 25.10.2024 85. 18525: Brahmapur-Visakhapatnam 25.10.2024 86. Train No. 20841 (VB): BBS to VSKP 25.10.24 87. Train No. 08411: BLS to BBS 25.10.24 88. Train No. 08443: BBS to PSA 24.10.24 89. Train No. 08441: BBS to BAM 24.10.24 & 25.10.24 90. Train No. 17015: BBS to SC 25.10.24 91. Train No. 18463: BBS to SBC 25.10.24 92. Train No. 22974: PURI to LIMB 26.10.24 93. Train No. 20896: BBS to RMM 25.10.24 94. Train No. 20835 (VB): ROU to PURI 25.10.24 95. Train No. 08429: BBS to DSPL 24.10.24 & 25.10.24

This Is The Limit: Chief Justice On Lawyer's Hrishikesh Mukherjee Error

The Supreme Court witnessed a Gol Maal moment today when a lawyer referred to Justice Hrishikesh Roy as Justice Hrishikesh Mukherjee -- a hilarious mix-up with the renowned filmmaker.

Kejri to face trial as SC rejects plea in PM degree row

A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti noted that a separate bench of the apex court had junked the plea filed by AAP leader Sanjay Singh on April 8 in the same case, who is a co-accused in the case.

Lalkuan-Bandra Superfast Train Service Launched by Uttarakhand CM Dhami

Dehradun (Uttarakhand): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurartedthe Lalkuan-Bandra Superfast train from his official residence in Dehradun on Monday through a virtual event. Today, with the blessings of Neem Karoli Baba, we have fulfilled the long-standing demand for train service from Lalkuan to Bandra. I congratulate everyone on this achievement, Dhami said.He noted that the new train service would greatly benefit travelers from Mumbai heading to the Kumaon region, including Haldwani, Almora, and Pithoragarh. I am sincerely grateful to Prime Minister Modi and the Railway Minister for their support, he added. The Chief Minister highlighted that this service would provide devotees visiting places like Baba Kainchi Dham and Jageshwar with better travel options. He expressed optimism about the future of Indian Railways, stating, Under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, we are entering a golden age for the railways. Made in India trains like Vande Bharat represent our self-reliance and modernization. Dhami also mentioned that the dream of connecting the mountains by rail would be realized with the upcoming Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail line, with survey work on the Tanakpur-Bageshwar rail line already completed and construction to begin soon. Efforts will be made to expand rail services from Uttarakhand to major cities like Kashi and Ayodhya. Our double-engine government is implementing many schemes to connect every citizen with the development mainstream, he said. Member of Parliament Ajay Bhatt echoed the sentiment, describing the direct rail service from Lalkuan to Mumbai as a long-awaited demand now fulfilled. This new service will benefit the entire Kumaon region, as well as tourists visiting various religious and scenic sites here, he added. The new train, numbered 22544, will depart Lalkuan on Mondays at 07:45 AM and arrive at Bandra Terminus on Tuesdays at 08:30 AM. It will travel through major stations such as Rudrapur City, Rampur, Moradabad, Ghaziabad, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Mathura, Kota, Vadodara, and Surat. On its return journey, it will leave Bandra Terminus on Tuesdays at 11:00 AM and reach Lalkuan on Wednesdays at 01:15 PM. For passenger convenience, the train will feature one 2 AC coach, two 3 AC coaches, three AC economy class coaches, six sleeper class coaches, and four general class coaches. All coaches are LHB, ensuring safety and comfort for passengers. Know the New Train Ticket Booking Rules: Advance Reservation Period Cut to 60 Days Diwali, Chhath Puja: Special Trains Announced, Check Details Here

Remarks on PM's degree: Kejriwal faces defamation trial in Gujarat as SC upholds summons

New Delhi : Former Delhi chief minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal is facing criminal proceedings in a defamation case over his alleged remarks over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's educational qualification after the Supreme Court on Monday dismissed his plea to quash summons. A Gujarat Metropolitan court had summoned Kejriwal and AAP's Sanjay Singh in the defamation case over their alleged sarcastic and derogatory statements related to PM Modi's educational degrees. Gujarat University Registrar Piyush Patel had filed the defamation case against the politicians over their alleged comments after the Gujarat High Court set aside an order of the chief information commissioner (CIC) for providing information about Modi's degrees under the Right to Information Act. A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and S V N Bhatti noted that a separate bench of the apex court had junked the plea filed by AAP leader Sanjay Singh on April 8 in the same case, who is a co-accused in the case. We must have a consistent approach. Having regard to that view, we would not like to entertain the present plea. The same is dismissed, said the bench. The top court, however, said all contentions were left open to be decided in the trial and it was expressing no opinion on the merits of the case. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Kejriwal, submitted Patel was not an aggrieved party in the matter. If at all the statement was defamatory, it is for Modi to file a criminal defamation case and not for the Gujarat University registrar, he said. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the University, said a separate bench of the apex court had already dismissed Singh's petition on April 8. Mehta said the degree had been uploaded on the university website and referred to the dismissal of the CIC order by the Gujarat High Court. Arguing that no case of defamation was made out, Singhvi stated that Kejriwal merely asked why the university was not publishing Modi's degree. The bench, however, rejected Kejriwal's plea. The high court had on February 16 dismissed the pleas by Singh and Kejriwal seeking quashing of the summons issued against them in the defamation case. Both had challenged in the high court the summons issued by a trial court in the case filed by the Gujarat University and the subsequent order of the sessions court dismissing their revision pleas against the summons. According to the complainant, the two politicians made defamatory statements at press conferences and on microblogging platform X, targeting the university over Modi's degrees. Their comments against the Gujarat University were defamatory and hurt the prestige of the institution, which has established its name among the public, he alleged. Their statements were sarcastic and intentionally made to hurt the prestige of the university, he added. On March 31, 2023, the high court quashed the 2016 order of the CIC asking Gujarat University to provide information on Modi's degrees to Kejriwal, and observed the AAP chief's RTI plea appeared to be politically vexatious and motivated instead of being based on sound public interest considerations.

Remarks on PMs degree: SC upholds summons against Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea filed by former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal challenging an order of the Gujarat High Court refusing to quash summons in a defamation case over his alleged remarks over Prime Minister Narendra Modis educational qualification. A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Relief to Tharoor in defamation proceedings

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday in its order extended by four weeks the stay on the trial court proceedings against Congress MP Shashi Tharoor in a defamation case filed for his alleged scorpion on Shivling remark targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A two-judge bench, led by Justice Hrishikesh Roy and also comprising Justice SVN Bhatti has granted four weeks time to Delhi Police and the complainant to file their responses to Tharoors plea. The interim order (of stay on the defamation proceedings) to continue, the bench said in its order on Monday. Tharoor had in September last week moved SC against a trial courts order seeking his personal appearance on Tuesday in the defamation case.

Scorpion remark against PM: SC extends stay on defamation proceedings against Tharoor

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday extended by four weeks the stay on the trial court proceedings against Congress MP Shashi Tharoor in a defamation case filed for his alleged scorpion on Shivling remark targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.A bench comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti has granted four weeks' time to Delhi police and the complainant to file their responses to Tharoor's plea. The interim order (of stay on the defamation proceedings) to continue, directed the bench. Additional Solicitor General Rajkumar Bhaskar Thakare, appearing for the Delhi police said that the primary question was whether or not the complainant, BJP leader Rajiv Babbar, was an aggrieved party. Thakare and Babbar's counsel subsequently sought time to file their responses to the petition. On September 10, the top court had stayed the defamation proceedings before a trial court in the case. Tharoor moved the top court against the Delhi High Court's August 29 order, which refused to quash the defamation proceedings against him, asking him to appear before the trial court on September 10. Tharoor's counsel previously argued that neither the complainant nor the members of the political party could be called an aggrieved party. The counsel further stated that Tharoor's comment was protected under the immunity clause of the defamation law, which stipulates that any statement made in good faith was not criminal. Tharoor was stated to have merely made a reference to an article published in the Caravan magazine six years prior to the statement. The top court had expressed surprise that in 2012, when the article was originally published, the statement was not defamatory. Eventually it is a metaphor. I have tried to understand. It refers to the invincibility of the person referred to (Modi). I do not know why somebody has taken objection here, Justice Roy had remarked earlier. While refusing to quash the proceedings against Tharoor, the high court had said, prima facie, imputations like scorpion on Shivling against the prime minister were despicable and deplorable. It had said that prima facie, the remark defamed the prime minister, the BJP as well as its office-bearers and members. The high court further said there was sufficient material before the judicial magistrate for summoning him under Section 500 (punishment for defamation) of the IPC. The complainant alleged that his religious sentiments were hurt by the Congress leader's remark. In October 2018, Tharoor had reportedly claimed that an unnamed RSS leader had compared Modi to a scorpion sitting on a Shivling. The Congress leader purportedly said it was an extraordinarily striking metaphor.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath's Mother, Savitri Devi, Hospitalized Again: Condition Stable

Lucknow: Utta r Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's mother, Savitri Devi, aged 80, has again fallen ill. Due to this, she was admitted to Jolly Grant Hospital (Uttarakhand), where doctors have described her condition as stable. Savitri Devi has been kept in a separate ward of the hospital, so that she can be taken care of properly and can get rest. On Tuesday, she was immediately taken to the hospital after her health suddenly deteriorated. A special team of doctors is constantly monitoring her condition and treating her. Even before this, her health has deteriorated many times and she has to be hospitalized often. In June this year too, when her health deteriorated, she was admitted to AIIMS Hospital in Rishikesh, where she was taken care of. Savitri Devi lives in Panchur village of Yamkeshwar block of Uttarakhand, where her daughter also lives with her. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has always been sensitive towards his mother's health and keeps inquiring about her health from time to time. Savitri Devi leads a simple life in her village, and even after her son became the Chief Minister, she has not made any major changes in her lifestyle. Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi Calls for Justice Following Baba Siddiqui's Tragic Killing Violence Erupts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 11 Killed in Tribal Clash, Peace Efforts Underway Former Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih Criticizes Current Leader for Contradictory Stance on India

An Isha Yoga Practitioner Recounts Her Experiences

Advanced yogis from the Himalayas do their sadhana at Isha. There was this one time at the Ashram, a hardened yogi from Rishikesh sat in meditation in Dhyanalinga for 13 hours straight, fell at Sadhgurus feet shedding tears and silently walked away. Universal consciousness everything is One which is just a theory now, Continue reading An Isha Yoga Practitioner Recounts Her Experiences The post An Isha Yoga Practitioner Recounts Her Experiences appeared first on OurVoice | WeRIndia - Analysis & Opinion .

No criminal cases on scribes for criticising govt: SC

A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti said in democratic nations, the freedom to express one's views is respected and the rights of journalists are protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.

Shouldn't file cases against scribes if writings perceived as criticism: SC

Criminal cases should not be slapped against journalists merely because their writings are perceived as criticism of the government, the Supreme Court said on Friday. A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti said in democratic nations, the freedom to express one's views is respected and the rights of journalists are protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. The bench was hearing a plea filed by journalist Abhishek Upadhyay, who has sought quashing of an FIR lodged against him in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly publishing a news report on the caste dynamics of the general administration in the state. Merely because writings of a journalist are perceived as criticism of the government, criminal cases should not be slapped against the writer, the bench said. While issuing a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government seeking its response on the plea, it said, In the meantime, coercive steps should not be taken against the petitioner in connection with the subject ...

India sees increase in startup incubators; South India leads the pack: IIT-Madras, IIM-Bangalore report

NEW DELHI: The number of incubators in the Indian ecosystem has grown steadily, with more than 1,100 active incubators dotting the Indian startup ecosystem, said the latest report released on Friday. A joint research report jointly released by NSRCEL, the startup incubator at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore and the Centre for Research on Start-ups and Risk Financing (CREST) Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras highlighted that the southern region leads the pack, housing 45 percent of all incubators and having the highest density of incubators. Chennai has a high proportion of academic incubators (82 per cent), whereas Bengaluru and Gurugram have a high proportion of industry incubators at 71 per cent and 84 per cent, respectively, according to the report India Incubator Kaleidoscope 2024. Moreover, tier-I cities house almost half of all incubators 48 per cent. The mix of incubators hosted by academic institutions, industry, and the public sector shows significant variation across cities. The incubator density is 0.8 incubators per million population, whereas countries like the US, the UK, and China range between 8 and 10 incubators per million population. This indicates the need for setting up more incubators in the country, the report added. IIT Madras startup may give life to hyperloop dreams Incubation is sought after by students, young professionals, women founders, and those with modest financial resources. This is a positive trend that indicates that the support system is working for those who need it, the report said, adding that the rate of incubation is high among deep tech sectors such as AI/ML, data analytics, biotech, and other sectors. All of them have an incubation rate upward of 12 percent. The contribution of the incubated startups to the economy has also been significant. The annual average revenues in the initial years for every 100 incubated startups have been about 1590 crores. The average value of assets for every 100 incubated startups by the ninth year from incorporation has been estimated at 10627 crore. However, the revenue performance of startups associated with industry incubators is 50 percent higher as compared to those supported by academic incubators, it said. Launching the report, Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa and ex-CEO of NITI Aayog, said, In the growth of the Indian startup ecosystem, incubators play a very crucial role, and their contribution has been expanding in recent years. Conceptualised initially to facilitate the formation of start-ups, today, Incubators perform multiple roles, such as bringing together scientific and business expertise, channelling capital to promising start-ups, and increasing awareness of startups in society. For the government, incubators are becoming the last link in identifying startup beneficiaries for various schemes and monitoring their progress. I am happy to note that two of the best institutions in the country have joined hands in bringing this timely as well as relevant publication on incubators. Their findings vindicate the policy emphasis on incubators while giving suggestions on how the incubation landscape can be further enriched through various interventions, he added. Prof. Rishikesha T. Krishnan, Director, IIM Bangalore, said, The value of innovation cannot be overstated. Incubators play an important role in supporting the unique needs of diverse creators not only by accelerating grassroots development but also by levelling the playing field. Among the various significant findings of this collaborative research undertaking is that the cities of Chennai and Bangalore lead the startup ecosystem with their high concentration of industry and academic incubators. As IIMB stands at the heart of Indias knowledge capital, we look forward to continuing our sustained contribution to the citys deep rootsits history and investment in the future of growth and innovation, he said. Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, said, For Bharat to become a superpower, we must aspire to make our country a startup nation. This effort involves interactions between multiple stakeholders. This report addresses this crucial point and the challenges.

India U-19 coach Kanitkar says players will gain by playing in longer format

India coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar felt both sides would gain a lot playing the longer format, It was a fabulous match

Uttarakhand's drone sector fails to take off: Underdeveloped infrastructure mars state's ambitions

DEHRADUN: Despite the Uttarakhand government's drone policy and the Information Technology Development Agency's (ITDA) initiatives to integrate unmanned aerial technology across various departments, the state's drone infrastructure continues to lag, hindering the realization of its full potential. While several companies have been empaneled for drone services, the lack of dedicated drone corridors hampers growth. Currently, only one corridor in Uttarkashi is operational. The Uttarakhand government's plan to create dedicated drone corridors across the state has failed to take off, despite obtaining necessary approvals from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The proposed corridors aimed to enable seamless drone operations in all districts, interconnected for efficient navigation. A department official, requesting anonymity, revealed, One of the primary objectives behind creating drone corridors was to ensure that drone routes do not interfere with air services. However, the project has stalled for nearly two years. The state's drone promotion and usage policy, introduced in 2023, emphasizes leveraging drone technology for various applications. Despite this, the lack of progress in establishing drone corridors raises concerns about Uttarakhand's ability to harness the full potential of drone technology. With the state's first drone centre of excellence already established in Dehradun, the delay in implementing drone corridors may hinder Uttarakhand's ambitions to become a hub for drone technology. Uttarakhand's plans to create dedicated drone corridors have been grounded due to the state's strategic location, resulting in numerous restricted areas. As a border state, drone operations in these areas require military clearance, posing a significant hurdle. Currently, the only operational drone corridor is between Dehradun and Uttarkashi. This corridor has already been utilized by AIIMS Rishikesh to provide healthcare services via drones. Districts prone to natural disasters, such as Rudraprayag and Chamoli, face frequent road blockages due to landslides throughout the year. In these situations, drones could have been utilized as an alternative for medical emergencies and other critical services, an official noted. The state's drone promotion policy aims to leverage drone technology for various applications, but the lack of progress in establishing drone corridors may hinder Uttarakhand's ambitions to become a hub for drone technology.

Congress MLA Kirit Patel writes to PM Modi; row over Navratri celebrations escalates

AHMEDABAD: The ongoing controversy between the BJP and Congress over Navratri celebrations has now escalated to the national level, reaching the Prime Ministers Office. Congress MLA Kirit Patel has written a formal complaint to Prime Minister Modi, alleging that Gujarat's Education Minister, Rishikesh Patel, is obstructing the Navratri festivities. The dispute sparked political tensions, drawing attention to the clash between the two-parties over religious and cultural events. In a sudden turn of events, the chancellor of North Gujarat University revoked the permission for NSUI's Navratri festival at the last minute, despite having initially approved it. Undeterred, NSUI went ahead with their Garba program on October 1, 2024, on the university grounds, drawing a significant crowd, including Congress leaders and students, with Patan MLA Kirit Patel among them. The controversy deepened after the event, prompting MLA Kirit Patel to escalate the matter by writing a formal complaint to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In his letter to the Prime Minister, Kirit Patel expressed his disappointment, stating, It is with great pain that I inform you Navratri was organized by the-students of Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, Patan, on 1/10/2024, after-administrative approval. As per 72(J), the university has the right to rent-its grounds for such a program and this was initially granted. he continued. However, at the last moment, efforts were made by Education Minister Rishikesh Patel to cancel the religious Navratri program. I personally met him on 1/10/2024 and requested him to instruct the University to allow the event to proceed, but instead, he directly called the chancellor and asked him to revoke the permission, he added. He further questioned the motives behind the decision, writing, On one hand, the state government celebrates Vibrant Navratri at Ahmedabad's GMDC, with their leaders photos prominently displayed. It is difficult to understand under whose pressure the state education minister took such steps to halt the-religious festival in Patan. In his letter to the Prime Minister, MLA Kirit Patel expressed his concerns stating, You, Prime Minister, also fast and worship during Navratri, reflecting the deep cultural and religious significance of the festival. Yet, on the other-hand, Gujarat's Education Minister is attempting to halt religious worship-under the pressure of certain individuals. He further added, While efforts are being made to stop a festival of devotion, no-action is taken to curb the open corruption happening within the university. In his letter to the Prime Minister, Kirit Patel also outlined several instances of corruption within North Gujarat University. Notably, Patel was a prominent figure in the 2015 Patidar agitation in North-Gujarat, a region both he and Health Minister Rishikesh Patel hail from. During the Patidar movement, tensions between the two leaders were evident, with an indirect clash marking the political dynamics of the time. This background adds further complexity to the current controversy surrounding the Navratri festival-cancellation.

Char Dham Yatra starting point may change next year: This could be the new location

Uttarakhand authorities are considering starting the Char Dham Yatra from Haridwar, rather than Rishikesh. The feasibility of this change is being studied, and a final decision will be made before the next yatra season. This move aims to boost Haridwar's local economy and improve the pilgrimage experience for devotees.

SC issues notice on Delhi CM Atishi, Kejriwal's plea in defamation case

The Supreme Court on Monday sought response from the Delhi government and BJP leader Rajiv Babbar on a plea of Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal challenging the high court order refusing to quash a defamation case against them. A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti issued a notice in the matter and stayed the proceedings in the trial court. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Atishi and Kejriwal, submitted that the defamation case has been filed by Babbar, as authorised representative of BJP Delhi. BJP, neither central nor Delhi, has not filed any complaint. Babbar is not the person I have allegedly defamed, he submitted. Senior advocate Sonia Mathur, appearing for Babbar, stated that the BJP leader has filed the case on behalf of the party. Both Atishi and Kejriwal has challenged the September 2 order of the Delhi High Court, which had refused to quash the proceedings against them and other AAP leaders over their remarks about ..

Defamation case: SC to hear plea of Atishi, Kejriwal on Monday

The Supreme Court would hear on Monday a plea of Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal challenging a high court order that refused to quash a defamation case against them over remarks on the alleged deletion of the names of 30 lakh voters belonging to some communities from the electoral rolls. A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and S V N Bhatti on Friday took note of the submissions made by senior advocate Sonia Mathur, who appeared in the court on behalf of BJP leader Rajiv Babbar, that her caveat was not mentioned in the office report and she could not file a response as the petition was served to her late on Thursday evening. The bench listed the matter for hearing on Monday. Representing Atishi and Kejriwal in the court, senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi said he can argue the matter on September 30. Atishi and Kejriwal have challenged the September 2 order of the Delhi High Court that refused to quash the proceedings against them and other Aam Aadmi Party (A

Defamation case: SC to hear CM Atishi, Kejriwal's plea on September 30

The Supreme Court on Friday deferred hearing on a plea of Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal challenging the high court order refusing to quash a defamation case over their remarks on alleged deletion of names of 30 lakh voters belonging to some communities from electoral rolls. A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti noted the submission of senior advocate Sonia Mathur, appearing for BJP leader Rajiv Babbar, that her caveat was not mentioned in the office report and she could not file response as the petition was served late evening on Thursday. The bench listed the matter for hearing on Monday. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Atishi and Kejriwal, said he can argue the matter on September 30. Both Atishi and Kejriwal has challenged the September 2 order of the Delhi High Court by which it had refused to quash the proceedings against them and other AAP leaders over their remarks about alleged deletion of names of voters, saying the

cant-call-any-part-of-india-pakistan-cji-chandrachud-on-karnataka-hc-judges-remarks

The Supreme Court on Wednesday closed suo motu proceedings initiated over alleged objectionable comments made by a Karnataka High Court judge during court proceedings. A five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud noted that Karnataka High Court judge Justice Vedavyasachar Srishananda, who had made those observations, had on September 21 tendered an apology for his comments in the open court there. We can't call any part of the territory of India as Pakistan, the CJI observed. The bench, also comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, B.R. Gavai, Surya Kant and Hrishikesh Roy, observed that courts have to be careful not to make comments in the course of judicial proceedings which may be construed as being misogynistic or for that matter prejudicial to any segment of the society. Casual observations may well reflect a certain degree of individual bias particularly when they are likely to be perceived as being directed to a particular gender or community, the bench said. The top court had on September 20 taken suo motu cognisance of the high court judge's alleged objectionable comments against a woman lawyer during the court proceedings in a case and his reference to a Muslim-majority area in Bengaluru as Pakistan in another. In video clips, which went viral on social media, Justice Srishananda was seen reprimanding a woman lawyer and reportedly made some objectionable comments when she intervened in an ongoing hearing. The judge, in another case related to landlord-tenant dispute, referred to a Muslim-dominated locality in Bengaluru as Pakistan. At this stage, we request the Registrar General of the High Court of Karnataka to submit a report to this court after seeking administrative directions of the Chief Justice of the High Court of Karnataka, in regard to the subject matter which has been referred to above, the apex court had said on September 20.

SC closes proceedings initiated over comments made by Karnataka HC judge

The Supreme Court on Wednesday closed suo motu proceedings initiated over alleged objectionable comments made by a Karnataka High Court judge during court proceedings. A five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud noted that Karnataka High Court judge Justice Vedavyasachar Srishananda, who had made those observations, had on September 21 tendered an apology for his comments in the open court there. We can't call any part of the territory of India as Pakistan, the CJI observed. The bench, also comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, B R Gavai, Surya Kant and Hrishikesh Roy, observed that courts have to be careful not to make comments in the course of judicial proceedings which may be construed as being misogynistic or for that matter prejudicial to any segment of the society. Casual observations may well reflect a certain degree of individual bias particularly when they are likely to be perceived as being directed to a particular gender or community, the bench said. The

'Can't call any part of India as Pakistan': CJI on objectionable remarks made by Karnataka HC judge

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday closed suo motu proceedings initiated over alleged objectionable comments made by a Karnataka High Court judge during court proceedings. A five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud noted that Karnataka High Court judge Justice Vedavyasachar Srishananda, who had made those observations, had on September 21 tendered an apology for his comments in the open court there. We can't call any part of the territory of India as Pakistan, the CJI observed. The bench, also comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, Surya Kant and Hrishikesh Roy, observed that courts have to be careful not to make comments in the course of judicial proceedings that may be construed as being misogynistic or, for that matter, prejudicial to any segment of the society. Casual observations may well reflect a certain degree of individual bias, particularly when they are likely to be perceived as being directed to a particular gender or community, the bench said. The top court had on September 20 taken suo motu cognisance of the high court judge's alleged objectionable comments against a woman lawyer during the court proceedings in a case and his reference to a Muslim-majority area in Bengaluru as Pakistan in another. In video clips, which went viral on social media, Justice Srishananda was seen reprimanding a woman lawyer and reportedly made some objectionable comments when she intervened in an ongoing hearing. The judge, in another case related to landlord-tenant dispute, referred to a Muslim-dominated locality in Bengaluru as Pakistan. At this stage, we request the Registrar General of the High Court of Karnataka to submit a report to this court after seeking administrative directions of the Chief Justice of the High Court of Karnataka, in regard to the subject matter which has been referred to above, the apex court had said on September 20. Karnataka HC curbs livestreaming of court proceedings after controversy over Judge's remarks

Can't call any part of territory of India as Pakistan: CJI on Karnataka HC Judge's objectionable comments

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday closed suo motu proceedings initiated over alleged objectionable comments made by a Karnataka High Court judge during court proceedings.A five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud noted that Karnataka High Court judge Justice Vedavyasachar Srishananda, who had made those observations, had on September 21 tendered an apology for his comments in the open court there. We can't call any part of the territory of India as Pakistan, the CJI observed. The bench, also comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, B R Gavai, Surya Kant and Hrishikesh Roy, observed that courts have to be careful not to make comments in the course of judicial proceedings which may be construed as being misogynistic or for that matter prejudicial to any segment of the society. Casual observations may well reflect a certain degree of individual bias particularly when they are likely to be perceived as being directed to a particular gender or community, the bench said. The top court had on September 20 taken suo motu cognisance of the high court judge's alleged objectionable comments against a woman lawyer during the court proceedings in a case and his reference to a Muslim-majority area in Bengaluru as Pakistan in another. In video clips, which went viral on social media, Justice Srishananda was seen reprimanding a woman lawyer and reportedly made some objectionable comments when she intervened in an ongoing hearing. The judge, in another case related to landlord-tenant dispute, referred to a Muslim-dominated locality in Bengaluru as Pakistan. At this stage, we request the Registrar General of the High Court of Karnataka to submit a report to this court after seeking administrative directions of the Chief Justice of the High Court of Karnataka, in regard to the subject matter which has been referred to above, the apex court had said on September 20.

SC rejects Amit Goenka's plea against KPMG as auditor in Shirpur Gold case

The bench consisting of Justice Hrishikesh Roy said they found no infirmity with the Bombay High Court order of August 14, which had dismissed Goenka's plea

Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Rail Project Advances: 176 km Of Tunnels Completed, 11 Stations Under Construction To Enhance Char Dham Connectivity

Video: 6-Foot-Long Snake On Platform Causes Panic At Rishikesh Station

Panic unfolded at Rishikesh's Yognagari railway station today when a snake was spotted slithering along the platform, sending passengers into a frenzy.

SC takes cognisance of objectionable comments of Karnataka HC judge against woman lawyer

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday took suo motu cognisance of alleged controversial and objectionable comments made by a Karnataka High Court judge against a woman lawyer during court proceedings.A five-judge bench comprising senior judges, including Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, assembled in the morning to take cognisance of the comments made by Justice Vedavyasachar Srishananda of the high court during judicial proceedings. The bench sought a report from the high court on the comments of the judge. Attention has been drawn to media reports to the comments made by Justice...of Karnataka High Court during the court proceedings. We request the Karnataka High Court to submit report after seeking instructions from the Chief Justice of the high court, the CJI said. We may lay down some basic guidelines, the bench, which also comprised Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, Surya Kant and Hrishikesh Roy, said. The CJI said this exercise of filing a report maybe carried out in next two days and the report be filed with the secretary general of the apex court.The plea is now fixed for hearing on Wednesday. In a viral video of the court proceedings, the judge was seen reprimanding a woman lawyer on Thursday and reportedly made some objectionable comments. Senior advocate Indira Jaising took to 'X' to urge the CJI to take suo motu judicial note of the comments.

SC takes cognisance of 'objectionable' comments of Karnataka HC judge against woman lawyer

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday took suo motu cognisance of alleged controversial and objectionable comments made by a Karnataka High Court judge against a woman lawyer during court proceedings. A five-judge bench comprising senior judges, including Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, assembled in the morning to take cognisance of the comments made by Justice Vedavyasachar Srishananda of the high court during judicial proceedings. The bench sought a report from the high court on the comments of the judge. Attention has been drawn to media reports to the comments made by Justice of Karnataka High Court during the court proceedings. We request the Karnataka High Court to submit report after seeking instructions from the Chief Justice of the high court, the CJI said. We may lay down some basic guidelines, the bench, which also comprised Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, Surya Kant and Hrishikesh Roy, said. The CJI said this exercise of filing a report maybe carried out in next two days and the report be filed with the secretary general of the apex court. The plea is now fixed for hearing on Wednesday. In a viral video of the court proceedings, the judge was seen reprimanding a woman lawyer on Thursday and reportedly made some objectionable comments. Senior advocate Indira Jaising took to 'X' to urge the CJI to take suo motu judicial note of the comments. Telangana HC initiates suo motu contempt case against BJP MP Raghunandan over remarks on judges

After Karnataka HC judges Pakistan remarks, SC seeks report

The Supreme Court initiated suo motu proceedings regarding controversial remarks made by a Karnataka High Court judge during hearings. A five-judge bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and including Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, Surya Kant, and Hrishikesh Roy, convened to address the issue. They ordered the Karnataka High Court to provide a report Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

EKA Mobility partners with Skyline Motors to deploy electric buses in Uttarakhand

Jammu Tawi: EKA Mobility (Pinnacle Mobility Solutions Pvt. Ltd.), a leading electric vehicle manufacturer and a subsidiary of Pinnacle Industries, has announced the supply of EKA 9 electric buses Skyline Motors (India) Private Limited for deployment in Uttarakhand. The e-buses are operating on the Dehradun-Rishikesh route via Haridwar, covering a daily distance of 300 kilometers. [] The post EKA Mobility partners with Skyline Motors to deploy electric buses in Uttarakhand appeared first on Northlines .

SC grants bail to indigent convict without surety, cites plight of indigent prisoners

NEW DELHI: In a humanitarian and justice-centred approach, the Supreme Court on Wednesday granted bail to a convict who was unable to pay the surety for his release in a POCSO case. The Court noted that the justice system cannot turn a blind eye to convicts in such situations. The justice delivery mechanism cannot be oblivious of the plight of indigent convicts who are unable to provide local surety. For their incapacity to meet the bail terms, the applicant (convict) continues to languish in jail notwithstanding the bail order passed in his favour as far back as on May 3, this year, by this court, said a three-judge bench of the top court led by Justice Hrishikesh Roy, Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, and Justice S.V.N. Bhatti. The bench further added, It would be a travesty of justice and a violation of Article 21 if a convict cannot get the benefit of a bail order for his inability to furnish local surety. This will infringe the rights guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution for the person, who continues to be detained despite a bail order in his favour. The Supreme Court granted bail considering the fact that the convict, Ramchandra Thangappan Aachari, had already served more than half of his 10-year sentence in a child sexual assault case. Having considered the circumstances here, we deem it appropriate to say that the petitioner (Aachari) be released on bail on his personal bond without insisting on local surety, to ensure compliance with this Courts bail order of May 3 this year, the bench stated. Aachari was sentenced to 10 years in prison in the POCSO case. His counsel submitted to the Court that although the bail order had been passed more than four months ago, the petitioner remained in Kolhapur Central Prison due to his inability to furnish a local surety.

Alleged involvement in crime no ground for demolition of property, says SC

NEW DELHI: In a strong observation against the bulldozer justice system, the Supreme Court on Thursday criticised the law enforcement agencies of Gujarat state while hearing a writ petition filed by one Javedali Mahebubmiya Saiyed. In a country where actions of the State are governed by rule of law, the transgression by a family member cannot lead to demolition of their legally constructed house or it would be equivalent to running a bulldozer over the laws, the bench said in its order. The top court also said that the alleged involvement in the crime is no ground for demolition of a property. It also noted the alleged crime has to be proved through due legal process in a court of law. The apex court also went on to say that the threats of demolition of the house of an accused in a country governed by the Rule of Law are inconceivable. A three-judge bench of the apex court, led by Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and S V N Bhatti, passed certain scathing observations against the Gujarat govt, while hearing a writ petition filed by one Javedali Mahebubmiya Saiyed against the state. The court cannot be oblivious to such demolition threats which are inconceivable in a nation where law is supreme. Otherwise such actions may be seen as running a bulldozer over the laws of the land, the bench said. The court further directed the parties and law enforcement agencies to maintain a status quo with respect to the Saiyed's property. While issuing notice to the Gujarat government, and seeking its reply, the apex court fixed the matter for further hearing after four weeks. The petitioner said that threats were issued for demolition of his house as an FIR was registered against one family member in September 2024. The petitioner's counsel referred to the revenue records of Village Kathlal in Kheda District to point out that he is recorded as a co-owner of a said land. He also relied upon the resolution passed on August 21, 2004 of the Kathlal Gram Panchayat which granted permission to build residential house over the said land. He said three generations of the petitioners family are residing in the said houses for last about two decades. The counsel also said that when the FIR was lodged against one family member, the municipal authorities have threatened to bulldoze the petitioners family home.

Remarks against PM Modi: SC stays proceedings against Shashi Tharoor

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor (PTI) Congress MP Shashi Tharoor (PTI) New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed proceedings before a trial court against Congress MP Shashi Tharoor in a defamation case lodged against him for his alleged scorpion on Shivling remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and R Mahadevan issued notice to the Delhi government and the complainant in the case. The notice is returnable in four weeks. Tharoor has moved the top court against Delhi High Court order which refused to quash defamation proceedings against him on August 29. The Congress leader had sought setting aside of the trial court's April 27, 2019 order summoning him as an accused in the criminal defamation complaint filed by Rajiv Babbar as also the November 2, 2018 complaint. The criminal complaint was filed against Tharoor in the trial court by Babbar, who claimed that his religious sentiments were hurt by the Congress leader's statement. In October 2018, Tharoor had claimed that an unnamed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader had compared Modi to a scorpion sitting on a Shivling. The Congress leader had said it was an extraordinarily striking metaphor.

SC stays defamation case against Shashi Tharoor, cites 'Scorpion on Shivling' metaphor

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday (September 10) stayed the proceedings in the criminal defamation complaint againstCongress MP Shashi Tharoorover a scorpion sitting on a Shivling remark made about Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018. Tharoor, an MP from Thiruvananthapuram, was scheduled to appear before the trial court on Tuesday in response to the defamation suit filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Rajiv Babbar. The Supreme Court, comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy and R. Mahadevan, issued notices to the complainant Babbar and the Delhi government regarding Tharoor's plea to quash the defamation case. The bench directed the parties to file their detailed responses and scheduled the matter for further hearing in four weeks. During Tuesdays hearing, advocate Muhammad Ali Khan, representing Tharoor, argued that the statement was shielded under the immunity clause of the defamation law, which protects comments made in good faith from criminal liability. Khan also contended that Tharoors remark was derived from a 2012 article about Modi when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. Tharoor had approached the Supreme Court on Monday against a Delhi trial court's order, which mandated his personal appearance in the defamation case initiated by BJP leader Rajiv Babbar. Advocate Mohammed Ali Khan, appearing for Tharoor, submitted that he merely quoted from an article published by The Caravan magazine in 2012, which contained an alleged remark by an unnamed RSS leader comparing Narendra Modi to a scorpion sitting on a Shivling. While speaking at the Bangalore Literature Festival in 2018, Tharoor quoted this expression and termed it an extraordinarily striking metaphor, the counsel said. Following this, Babbar filed the defamation suit against Tharoor. On Tuesday, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud and including Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, did not grant Tharoor's request for an urgent hearing but assured his counsel that the Court would consider the matter. Please send an email. We will look at it, the Court instructed his lawyer. Earlier, on August 9, the Delhi High Court had rejected Tharoor's plea to dismiss the criminal defamation case. Justice Anup Kumar Mendirattas ruling overturned the previous interim order that had halted the proceedings, mandating the parties to appear before the trial court on September 10. The High Court stated that there were insufficient grounds to dismiss the case at this stage, noting, There are no justifiable reasons to dismiss the proceedings at this stage. Tharoor contends that he was merely echoing a quote from Gordhan Zadaphia, which has been in the public domain for several years. His defense argues that Tharoors comments were not original opinions but a repetition of an existing statement, and that Babbar, the complainant, lacks standing under Section 499 (Defamation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to file the case. Tharoors legal team has asserted that Babbars complaint is baseless and misleading, and that the trial courts summons was both erroneous and contrary to established criminal jurisprudence principles.

SC stays proceedings against Shashi Tharoor over remarks against PM Modi

The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed proceedings before a trial court against Congress MP Shashi Tharoor in a defamation case lodged against him for his alleged scorpion on Shivling remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and R Mahadevan issued notice to the Delhi government and the complainant in the case. The notice is returnable in four weeks. Tharoor has moved the top court against Delhi High Court order which refused to quash defamation proceedings against him on August 29. The Congress leader had sought setting aside of the trial court's April 27, 2019 order summoning him as an accused in the criminal defamation complaint filed by Rajiv Babbar as also the November 2, 2018 complaint. The criminal complaint was filed against Tharoor in the trial court by Babbar, who claimed that his religious sentiments were hurt by the Congress leader's statement. In October 2018, Tharoor had claimed that an unnamed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS

21-cities-see-40-reduction-in-major-pollutants-which-are-they

By Mohit Sharma A reduction of 40 per cent in PM 10 pollutants has been witnessed in 21 cities, including Varanasi, as per the latest environment ministry data. Particulate Matter (PM 10), a major air pollutant, are particles with a diameter of 10 micrometres or less which are small enough to pass through the throat and nose and enter the lungs and can cause various illnesses. While reviewing the Clean Air Action Plans being implemented in 131 cities, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said that 21 cities have shown a 40 per cent reduction in PM 10 levels as compared to 2017-18 and 51 cities have achieved 20 per cent reduction in the proliferation of harmful pollutant into the air. Major causes of PM 10 are dust from unsealed roads, smoke from fires, sea salt, vehicular exhausts, pollution from industries, incomplete combustion, cooking and chemical reactions in the atmosphere. According to the data, the cities that performed better and achieved 40 per cent reduction include Varanasi, Dehradun, Dhanbad, Firozabad, Moradabad, Kohima, Kanpur, Greater Mumbai, Rishikesh, Kadapa etc. The cities that fared worst in terms of achieving the targets include Meerut, Hubli-Dharwad, Ujjain, Nagpur, Madurai, Chennai, Ludhiana, Pune etc. that saw recorded an improvement up to only 10 percent in the PM 10 levels. In Delhi, where the annual concentrations of PM10 have increased significantly over the last two decades making the national capital the second-most polluted capital city in the world, the reduction in PM 10 levels was between 10 to 20 per cent as per the data revealed by the Centre. Other cities that fall in this category include Thane, Howrah, Jhansi, Devanagree, Patiala, Jaipur, Alwar, Latur etc. This comes a week after the Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai in a letter to the presidents of Delhi units of the BJP and Congress, requested for positive suggestions to help reduce the citys pollution for incorporation into the Winter Action Plan. Rai cited a report of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and claimed that only 31 per cent of the pollution in the capital is caused locally while the rest comes from NCR, referring to stubble burning in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Air pollution in Delhi, especially in the months of October-November, has long been a point of contention between the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government and the opposition parties, especially the BJP. Yadav who chaired the 4th meeting of the Apex Committee of National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) on the occasion of Swachh Vayu Diwas (International Day of Clean Air for blue skies) on Sunday said that a performance-based grant of Rs. 19,612 crore has been allocated to 131 cities for implementation of city action plans from 2019-20 to 2025-26. Out of this, Rs. 11,211 crore has been provided so far to achieve the targets of 40 reduction and National Ambient Air Quality Standards by 2025-26. The minister also highlighted the creation of 3776 hectares of Nagar Van/Vatikas under Nagar Van Yojana in 64 cities. He also commended the extensive tree plantation drives conducted in 131 cities under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, a global campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

21 Cities Under NCAP Cut PM10 Pollution by Over 40 pc Since 2017-18, Shows CPCB Data

New Delhi: Ninety-five of the 131 cities covered under the National Clean Air Programme have shown an improvement in air quality, with 21 reducing PM10 pollution by more than 40 per cent compared to 2017-18 levels, CPCB data shows.The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) also said that only 18 of the 131 National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) cities adhered to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM10, set at 60 micrograms per cubic metre. The 21 cities and urban agglomerations that achieved more than 40 per cent reduction in PM10 pollution are Varanasi, Dhanbad, Byrnihat, Bareilly, Firozabad, Dehradun, Tuticorin, Nalagarh, Moradabad, Khurja, Trichy, Kohima, Lucknow, Kanpur, Kadapa, Sivasagar, Sunder Nagar, Agra, Greater Mumbai, Rishikesh and Parwanoo. Fourteen cities, -- Ahmedabad, Ghaziabad, Rajkot, Jalandhar, Raebareli, Amritsar, Kolkata, Jammu, Silchar, Vijayawada, Naya Nangal, Dimapur, Baddi and Jodhpur -- reduced PM10 pollution by 30-40 per cent, compared to 2017-18 levels. Khanna, Durgapur, Kurnool, Dera Baba Nanak, Vadodara, Allahabad, Asansol, Hyderabad, Gorakhpur, Ranchi, Bengaluru, Akola, Ananthapur, Durg Bhilainagar, Surat and Noida recorded a 20-30 per cent reduction in PM10 levels during the same period, the data showed. A 10-20 per cent reduction in PM10 pollution was recorded in 21 cities -- Delhi, Howrah, Thane, Latur, Nellore, Gajraula, Alwar, Chittur, Kala Amb, Mandi Gobindgarh, Amravati, Patiala, Jaipur, Ongole, Chandrapur, Nashik, Jhansi, Sangli, Kota, Devanagere and Rajahmundry. India launched the NCAP in 2019 with a target to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30 per cent by 2024, using 2017 as the base year. The target was later revised to a 40 per cent reduction by 2026, using 2019-20 as the base year. In practice, only PM10 concentration is being considered for performance assessment. Surat was on Saturday ranked as the top major city in India for air quality improvements, followed by Jabalpur and Agra. The Union environment ministry presented the National Clean Air City Awards during the Swachh Vayu Survekshan - 2024, held at a national workshop celebrating the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies in Jaipur. While Surat, Jabalpur and Agra secured the top three positions among cities with populations of more than 10 lakh, Firozabad (Uttar Pradesh), Amravati (Maharashtra) and Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh) were recognised as the best among cities with populations between three and 10 lakh. Raebareli (Uttar Pradesh), Nalgonda (Telangana) and Nalagarh (Himachal Pradesh) topped the list among cities with populations under three lakh. Swachh Vayu Survekshan is an initiative by the environment ministry to rank cities based on the implementation of activities approved under the city action plan and air quality in cities covered under NCAP. These cities were awarded for significant improvements in air quality through various best practices to reduce air pollution. Key activities included paving roads, promoting mechanical sweeping, bioremediation of legacy waste, solid waste management, converting reclaimed land from dump sites into green spaces, greenbelt development, intelligent traffic management systems, and Miyawaki afforestation.

Trade Setup For Sept. 9: Nifty Faces Key Support Test At 24,735 After Sharp Sell-Off

The index has formed a bearish engulfing candle on the weekly scale, and the next major support is near 24,480, said Hrishikesh Yedve of Asit C. Mehta Investment Interrmediates Ltd.

21 cities under NCAP cut PM10 pollution by over 40% since 2017-18: CPCB

Ninety-five of the 131 cities covered under the National Clean Air Programme have shown an improvement in air quality, with 21 reducing PM10 pollution by more than 40 per cent compared to 2017-18 levels, CPCB data shows. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) also said that only 18 of the 131 National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) cities adhered to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM10, set at 60 micrograms per cubic metre. The 21 cities and urban agglomerations that achieved more than 40 per cent reduction in PM10 pollution are Varanasi, Dhanbad, Byrnihat, Bareilly, Firozabad, Dehradun, Tuticorin, Nalagarh, Moradabad, Khurja, Trichy, Kohima, Lucknow, Kanpur, Kadapa, Sivasagar, Sunder Nagar, Agra, Greater Mumbai, Rishikesh and Parwanoo. Fourteen cities, -- Ahmedabad, Ghaziabad, Rajkot, Jalandhar, Raebareli, Amritsar, Kolkata, Jammu, Silchar, Vijayawada, Naya Nangal, Dimapur, Baddi and Jodhpur -- reduced PM10 pollution by 30-40 per cent, compared to 2017-18 ...

HC collegium told to reconsider 2 judges elevation

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that a High Court Chief Justice could not unilaterally reject a judicial officers candidature for appointment as an HC Judge. The court asked the CJ-led Himachal collegium to consider the names of two district judges Chirag Bhanu Singh and Arvind Malhotra for selection as HC judges. A two-judge led by Justice Hrishikesh Roy and comprising Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra set aside a Himachal HC CJs decision not to consider these two judicial officers for HC judgeship. The names were referred to Himachal HC by the SC collegium for reconsideration. In the last week of August, the top court had reserved the verdict on a plea filed by these two senior district and sessions judges of Himachal Pradesh, alleging that their merit and seniority were not considered for judgeship in the state High Court by its collegium. Earlier, the HP HC had submitted its response in a sealed cover to the top court to the plea filed by two district and sessions judges of HP Chirag Bhanu Singh and Arvind Malhotra alleging that their seniority, merit and other factors were not considered for judgeship in the state HC by their collegium. The top court acknowledged the sealed cover report of the HP HC filed on behalf of the Registrar General and recorded the submissions before reserving the verdict. The plea, filed by judges Singh and Malhotra, said that the HP HCs collegium had ignored their merit and seniority and overlooked CJI DY Chandrachud-led Supreme Court collegiums recommendation of their names for elevation to the HC from the service quota. On May 13, the top court, after hearing the two judges plea, issued notice to the Registrar General of the HC seeking a detailed report on whether the state HC collegium reconsidered the names of these two senior most District Judicial Officers in accordance with the SC Collegiums recommendation of January 4. The SC had earlier made it clear that it is essential to examine the matter in terms of the facts and the information reviewed by the HC collegium. Senior advocate Arvind P Datar, appearing for the petitioner judges, told the bench that under the in-service quota, the judicial officers who are junior to his clients, were recommended for the judgeship of the same HC.

Disproportionate assets case: Supreme Court stays Madras HC order directing T.N. Ministers Ramachandran and Thennarasu to face trial

A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and P K Mishra issued notice to the Tamil Nadu government on an appeal filed by the ministers. The matter is posted for hearing after four weeks.

SC asks HP HC collegium to reconsider names of two judicial officers for elevation as HC judges

NEW DELHI, Sept 6: The Supreme Court on Friday asked the collegium of the Himachal Pradesh High Court to reconsider the names of two senior-most district and sessions judges for elevation as judges of the high court. The apex court observed that the high court chief justice could not individually reconsider a recommendation and it could only be done by a high court collegium, acting collectively. A bench of Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra delivered its verdict [] The post SC asks HP HC collegium to reconsider names of two judicial officers for elevation as HC judges appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

'Domain of governance': SC refuses to entertain plea for caste census

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea seeking direction to the Centre for conducting a socio-economic caste census for the welfare of backward and other marginalised sections, saying the issue falls in the domain of governance. A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti allowed the petitioner P Prasad Naidu to withdraw his plea in which he had sought a direction for expediting the enumeration of data for census. What can be done about this? The issue is in the domain of governance. It is a policy matter, the bench told senior advocate Ravishankar Jandyala and advocate Sravan Kumar Karanam, appearing for the petitioner. Jandyala submitted that several countries have done it but India is yet to do. The Indra Sawhney judgement of 1992 (Mandal Commission verdict) has said that this census has to be done periodically, he contended. The bench told him it was dismissing the petition as the court could not interfere in the issue. Sensing the mood of the court

SC refuses to entertain plea for caste census, says issue in domain of governance

A Bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti allowed the petitioner P Prasad Naidu to withdraw his plea in which he had sought a direction for expediting the enumeration of data for census

Excise policy 'scam': SC grants bail to ex-AAP functionary Vijay Nair in PMLA case

The frail man was rescued from the inhabitable conditions and admitted to a hospital. The frail man was rescued from the inhabitable conditions and admitted to a hospital. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to former AAP communication in-charge Vijay Nair in a money laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam, saying liberty is sacrosanct. Relying on the legal principle of ail is rule and jail is exception cited by a coordinate bench, the top court said pre-trial incarceration cannot be a punishment. A bench comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti noted that Nair has been in jail for the last 22 months in the money laundering case where the maximum punishment is seven years. On August 12, the bench had sought a response from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on the bail plea of Nair. Nair, who was arrested by the agency on November 13, 2022, had challenged the trial court's July 29 order dismissing his default bail plea. On July 3 last year, the Delhi High Court had refused to grant bail to Nair and other co-accused in the money laundering case. The money laundering case stems from a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR which was lodged after Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena recommended a probe into the alleged irregularities in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.

Excise policy scam: SC allows bail plea of Vijay Nair

New Delhi: The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday allowed a plea filed by former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) communications incharge Vijay Nair, seeking bail, in the money laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. A Bench presided over by Justice Hrishikesh Roy noted that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in October last year, Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Excise policy scam: SC grants bail to ex-AAP functionary Vijay Nair

The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to former AAP communication in-charge Vijay Nair in a money laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam, saying liberty is sacrosanct. Relying on the legal principle of ail is rule and jail is exception cited by a coordinate bench, the top court said pre-trial incarceration cannot be a punishment. A bench comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti noted that Nair has been in jail for the last 22 months in the money laundering case where the maximum punishment is seven years. On August 12, the bench had sought a response from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on the bail plea of Nair. Nair, who was arrested by the agency on November 13, 2022, had challenged the trial court's July 29 order dismissing his default bail plea. On July 3 last year, the Delhi High Court had refused to grant bail to Nair and other co-accused in the money laundering case. The money laundering case stems from a Central Bureau of Investig

Fianc turns monster: Man rapes his fiance in Rishikesh, bites her multiple times, calls friends to molest her

Ashu came to the victim's house in Ghaziabad and lured her to a trip to Rishikesh. He took her to a hotel in Rishikesh where he snatched her phone. He then raped her and physically assaulted her. Photographs that surfaced on social media showed bite and injury marks on the victim's body. The horrifying ordeal of the victim did not stop there.

SC reserves verdict on ineligible arbitrator's ability to nominate another

The Supreme Court on Friday reserved its verdict on the vexed legal question of whether a person ineligible to become an arbitrator can nominate another as one. Before the arguments concluded, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud that the focus should be on ensuring that arbitration as a mechanism to resolve disputes was strengthened. During the arguments on Friday, the bench heard the submissions of several lawyers including senior advocates Mahesh Jethmalani, N K Kaul and Gourab Banerji. This is an issue where our focus on this side should be to ensure that arbitration as a mechanism is strengthened and, therefore, I started by saying that any arguments on either of the extremes would do harm to the cause which we are all concerned with, Mehta told the bench, also comprising justices Hrishikesh Roy, P S Narasimha, J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra. The top court had on August 28 commenced hearing arguments on th

SC adjourns hearing on Vijay Nair's bail plea in Delhi excise policy scam

The Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned hearing on the bail plea of former Aam Aadmi Party communication in-charge Vijay Nair in a money laundering case related to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. A bench of justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti deferred the matter after the counsel for the ED sought a weeks' time for filing a counter affidavit. Reluctantly, time prayed for is granted, the bench said. The top court had issued notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on August 12 on the plea of Nair while noting that he has been in custody for two years. Appearing for Nair, senior advocates Abhishek Singhvi and Vikram Chaudhary submitted before the court on August 12 that he was arrested on November 13, 2022, and he has challenged the trial court's July 29 order dismissing his default bail plea. Earlier, on July 3 last year, the high court refused to grant bail to Nair and other co-accused in the money laundering case. The money laundering case stems from a Central Bureau

Chief Justice Gets - And Gives - Pronunciation Lesson In Kolkata Case

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud today corrected himself on the pronunciation of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital and said he had been pronouncing Kar as Kaar and Supreme Court judge, Justice Hrishikesh Roy, had pointed out the error

Supreme Court resumes hearing on issue of driving licence for LMV

The Supreme Court on Wednesday decided to resume its hearing on the legal question of whether a person holding a driving licence for a light motor vehicle is also entitled to drive a transport vehicle with an unladen weight not exceeding 7,500 kg. A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud took the decision after Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, said though the consultations to amend the Motor Vehicles (MV) Act 1988 were almost complete, but the proposed amendments are yet to be tabled before Parliament. The top most law officer said the amended Bill can be presented before Parliament in the Winter session and suggested the bench either defer the hearing till it is cleared by the House or proceed with the matters. The bench, also comprising justices Hrishikesh Roy, P S Narasimha, Pankaj Mithal and Manoj Misra, said as it has already heard the matter for some time and hence, it will proceed with the hearing without waiting for .

EXPLAINER | Mineral Rights verdict hailed and panned at the same time

A recent ruling of a nine-judge Supreme Court bench on mineral rights turned out to be a double-edged sword. While it settled a 35-year-old dispute by giving states the right to impose taxes on minerals within their respective geographies, it also punched an estimated Rs 1.5-2 lakh crore hole in the Centre and the mining industrys wallets. For, it allowed states to demand retrospective tax on all transactions made after April 1, 2005. Just for comparison, the total financial impact of the Seventh Central Pay Commission that strained the exchequer was estimated at a little over Rs 1 lakh crore. When the bench ruled on July 25 that states have taxation rights, it was celebrated for its wisdom to strengthen fiscal federalism. But the second part of the verdict on August 14 to apply it retrospectively was panned because of the wider impact on the economy as it threatened to fuel inflation further. Though the retrospective tax will kick in on the All Fools Day after two years, and the payment has been staggered over the subsequent 12 years, it can be expected to raise the cost of mining so as to mop up additional revenue. When coal gets pricey, it raises the cost of electricity and has a cascading effect on the value chain of manufacturing. Expensive steel adversely impacts the infrastructure and real estate sectors. Ditto for other minerals. Look inward Lets remember, the whole controversy stems from conflicting verdicts of two Constitution benches of the Supreme Court, necessitating a third larger bench to settle the divergence. In other words, it is a judicial mess for which more that the mining sector will bleed. On October 25, 1989, a seven-judge bench led by Sabyasachi Mukharji ruled that mineral royalty is tax, in the India Cement v. State of Tamil Nadu case. The bench said state legislatures lack the competence to impose taxes on mineral rights because the matter is covered by the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 or MMDR Act. But on January 15, 2004, a five-judge bench led by R C Lahoti arrived at the opposite conclusion that royalty is not tax, in the State of West Bengal v. Kesoram Industries, and attributed the India Cement ruling by the larger bench to an inadvertent error. It went on to say that the power to levy tax on mineral rights vests with the state legislatures but is subject to any limitations laid down by Parliament. Ever since, various states exercised their legislative powers to impose taxes on mineral bearing land by applying their mineral value or royalty as the yardstick. They spawned a series of legal challenges. One such plea began in the Patna high court in 1999 and travelled to a three-judge Supreme Court bench, which on March 30, 2011, referred the dissonance between India Cement and Kesoram to a nine-judge bench. The matter became more acute after the Goods and Services Tax regime kicked in from 2016. For, if royalty is not tax, mine operators would have to pay GST on all mineral extractions. More than a decade later, the nine-judge bench was set up by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud last year to take up four cases, the oldest one pending for more than two decades. The Supreme Court ought to introspect as to why it took such a long time to set up the bench. The bench, after hearings on mineral rights from February 27 this year, overruled the India Cement judgment by a majority of 8:1. The 200-page judgment was authored by the Chief Justice of India for himself and on behalf of justices Hrishikesh Roy, Abhay S Oka, J B Pardiwala, Manoj Misra, Ujjal Bhuyan, Satish Chandra Sharma and Augustine George Masih. But on whether the ruling will apply retrospectively, the bench said it generally does not prefer the prospective doctrine while upholding the legislative competence of legislatures. Prospective application, it reasoned, would result in a peculiar situation where legislations enacted by various states on mineral levy would be invalidated though the India Cement verdict had been overruled. It would also force states to refund the amount collected as tax through an enabling legislation. Though the Centre sought to assure it would not demand any recoveries or seek refunds from states, the court did not consider it. However, taking into consideration the lapse of more than three decades since the India Cement ruling and more than a decade since the matter was referred to a larger bench, the court decided that state governments will waive the interest accrued on the principal due till July 25 this year. The nub on the matter Interpreting a few entries in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, which deals with the powers of the Centre and the states and matters on the concurrent list, was at the heart of the dispute. While Entry 50 of List II says, states can levy Taxes on mineral rights subject to any limitations imposed by Parliament by law relating to mineral development, Entry 49, List II puts Taxes on lands and buildings in the state basket. And Entry 54 of List 1 gives the Centre the right to Regulation of mines and mineral development to the extent to which such regulation and development under the control of the Union is declared by Parliament by law to be expedient in the public interest. The bench ruled that royalty is not a tax but a contractual consideration paid by the mining lessee to the lessor for enjoyment of mineral rights. The payments made to the government cannot be deemed to be a tax merely because the statute provides for their recovery as arrears. As for the legislative power to tax mineral rights, the majority verdict said it vests with the state legislatures. Parliament, it pointed out, does not have legislative competence to tax mineral rights under Entry 54 of List I, since it is a general entry. Since the power to tax mineral rights is specified in Entry 50 of List II, Parliament cannot use its residuary powers in that matter, the bench ruled. However, Entry 50 of List II envisages that Parliament can impose any limitations on the legislative field created by that entry under a law relating to mineral development. But as of now, the MMDR Act has not imposed any such limitations. On balance, the scope of the expression any limitations is wide enough to include the imposition of restrictions, conditions, principles as well as prohibition, it ruled. The bench went on to establish that the yield of mineral bearing land in terms of the quantity of mineral produced or the royalty, can be used as a measure to tax the land. Justice B V Nagarathna was the lone dissenter. In her dissenting verdict, she said royalty is in the nature of a tax or an exaction and the Centre does have the power to levy it. She, however, concurred with the CJI that the scope of the expression any limitations under Entry 50 of List II is wide enough to include imposition of restriction, conditions, principles as well as prohibition by Parliament by law. The State legislatures have legislative competence under Article 246 read with Entry 49-List II to tax lands and buildings but not lands which comprise mines and quarries or have mineral deposits as mineral bearing lands do not fall within the description of lands (under Entry 49-List II), she said in her 193-page verdict. With complete unanimity on the powers of Parliament to legislatively impose restrictions, including prohibition, on mining rights of states, it remains to be seen if an innovative solution can be found out, as some experts suggest, to stop the hemorrhaging of the national exchequer. Ironically, it would mean enacting a law that would apply retrospectively to kill a retrospective order. Scope of limitations The use of the expression any before limitations under Entry 50 of List II indicates that the scope of the limitations is expansive and includes all or every limitation that could be imposed by Parliament by law relating to mineral development. The expression any has to be construed in its context, taking into consideration the scheme, purpose, and subject matter of the enactment, or in this case, the scheme of distribution of legislative powers under the Constitution, the majority judgment said Over the years Mining of minerals like coal, iron ore, copper, lead and zinc has been going on in the country from time immemorial However, the first recorded history of mining in India dates back to 1774 when the English Company was granted permission by the East India Company for mining coal in Raniganj M/s John Taylor & Sons started gold mining in Kolar Gold Fields in 1880 The first oil well was drilled in Digboi in 1866 - seven years after the first ever oil well was drilled anywhere in the world, viz. in Pennsylvania State, US in 1859 Mining activities, however, remained primitive and modest in scale till the beginning of the 21st century In 1895, the Government of India initiated steps to frame legislative measures for the safety of workmen In 1897, the first major disaster in mining hit the Kolar Goldfields, killing 52 people Shortly thereafter, the Khost Coal Mine disaster in Baluchistan (now in Pakistan) killed 47 people Both disasters hastened the formulation of safety laws and the first Mines Act was enacted in 1901 The Act was superseded by the Indian Mines Act, 1923, which was again replaced by the present Mines Act, 1952. This Act came into force on July 1, 1952 The Mines Act, 1952 applies to mines of all minerals within the country, including the offshore mines within territorial water limits. Major changes were incorporated in this Act in 1959 and 1983 Source: DGMS

SC dismisses plea challenging certain provisions of Constitution & section 149 of BNS

New Delhi, Aug 16: The Supreme Court has dismissed with a cost of Rs 10,000 a petition which sought declaring as unconstitutional certain provisions of the Constitution and section 149 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Section 149 of the BNS deals with punishment for collecting arms or ammunition with the intention of waging war against the Government of India. A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti passed the order while dealing with the plea which sought declaring [] The post SC dismisses plea challenging certain provisions of Constitution & section 149 of BNS appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Trade Setup For Aug 16: Nifty Faces Key Resistance At 24,400

As long as the Nifty stays below 24,230, downward pressure is likely to persist, says Hrishikesh Yedve of Asit C Mehta Investment Intermediates.

SC allows states to recover royalties on minerals from Centre and mining firms from April 2005

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the Centre's plea for prospective effect of its July 25 verdict , which upheld the power of states to levy tax on mineral rights and mineral-bearing land, and allowed them to seek refund of royalty from April 1, 2005 onwards, from Centre and mining lease holders. This order of the top court would give a financial impetus to the mineral rich states. At the same time, the apex court clarified and said in its verdict that the tax arrears can be paid to states by Centre over a staggered period of 12 years from April 1, 2026. Centre opposes SC plea for refund of mineral royalties to states after landmark verdict While affirming legislative competence of states to levy tax and royalty on minerals, apart from Central levies, the apex court said that the mineral rich States should not impose penalties or tax for past dues. On July 25, in a significant ruling, the 9-Judge bench of the Supreme Court, had held that states have competence and power to levy tax on mineral bearing lands. The majority judgment -- 8:1 -- authored by the Chief Justice led bench D Y Chandrachud, said that the payments made to the government cannot be deemed to be a tax merely because a statute provides for its recovery in arrears. Royalty is not in the nature of tax. We conclude that the observation in India Cements judgment stating that royalty is tax is incorrect. Payments made to the government cannot be deemed to be a tax merely because a statute provides for its recovery in arrears. ruled that royalty on extracted mineral is not a tax, the apex court's nine-judge bench had ruled on July 25. The other judges, who also were unanimous and agreed to the CJI's views were; Justices Hrishikesh Roy, Abhay S Oka, J B Pardiwala, Manoj Misra, Ujjal Bhuyan, Satish Chandra C Sharma and A G Masih. The only judge who was dissenting was Justice B V Nagarathna, who had a different view on the issue. I hold royalty is in nature of the tax. States have no legislative competence to impose any tax or fee on mineral rights. Entry 49 is not related to mineral-bearing lands. I hold India cement decision was correctly decided, Justice Nagarathna said. The legislative power to tax mineral rights lies with the State legislature and the Parliament does not have the legislative competence to tax mineral rights, the top court said in its ruling. The SC also made it clear that the Parliament could not use its residuary power regarding this subject matter. So the State legislature has the legislative competence under Article 246 read with Entry 49 of List 2 to tax mineral bearing lands. The Supreme Court had on March 14 reserved its verdict on the controversial issue of whether the royalty payable on minerals is a tax under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, and if only the Centre is vested with the power to levy such exaction or states also have the authority to impose levies on mineral bearing land in their territory. The nine-judge bench of the top court, headed by CJI Chandrachud heard the matter on eight days, while dealing with a batch of 86 appeals filed by different state governments, mining companies and public sector undertakings. During the hearing, the top court had said the Constitution vests the power to impose tax on mineral rights not in Parliament alone but also the states and underlined that such authority should not be diluted.

Delhi excise policy scam: SC notice to ED on bail plea of AAP's Vijay Nair

The Supreme Court on Monday sought a response from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on the bail plea of the Aam Aadmi Party's former communication in-charge Vijay Nair in a money laundering case related to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti issued notice to the central agency and sought its response within four weeks. It is submitted that the petitioner is in custody for nearly 2 years since he was arrested by the CBI and has been in continuous custody of the ED...Issue notice, the bench said. Senior advocates Abhishek Singhvi and Vikram Chaudhary, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that Nair has been in jail for almost two years. Referring to the Manish Sisodia case, they said there were 353 witnesses and the trial has not commenced till date. Nair, who was arrested on November 13, 2022, has challenged the trial court's July 29 order dismissing his default bail plea. Earlier, the high court had on July 3 last year refus

Gujarat teaching scam: Teachers live in US, Canada but get their salary credited to their accounts

AHMEDABAD: A native of Gujarat, Bhavna Patel is a government primary school teacher as per government records. But she lives in the US and draws her monthly salary back home without fulfilling her duties. A few such cases have come to light lately wherein proxies were found serving instead of those on the payroll. This could well be a tip of the iceberg. Bhavna Patel, as per records, serves as a teacher at Banaskantha primary school. She is a native of Panchha village in Danta taluka. It has come to light that her monthly salary is credited into her account every month while she lives in the US and visits her village once a year during Diwali. The case of Bhavna Patel came to light when the acting principal of the school alerted the district primary education officer, the education department, and the education minister in writing. In response, the education department has ordered an investigation and mandated appropriate action. Minister of State for Education Prafulla Panseria sounded defensive while commenting on the case. He said: The salary of the teacher residing abroad has not been disbursed since January 1, 2024. The teacher has been on intermittent leave. An inquiry will be conducted to review the situation and appropriate action taken. State Government spokesperson Minister Rishikesh Patel said, We will conduct a thorough investigation, examining everything from the passport office records to the attendance sheets. This issue will be fully transparent, and a comprehensive inquiry will be carried out. Following the revelation of the case in in Danta taluka, two additional cases have emerged in Kapadvanj and Vav talukas. Ashish Patel, a teacher at Wata Shivpura Primary School in Kapadvanj, and Darshan Patel, a teacher at Uchpa village primary school in Vav, have both been found absent and neglecting their duties for an extended period. Both have been drawing their monthly salaries. It has come to light that a proxy teacher named Vijay has been teaching the students in place of Ashish Patel. Gujarat government rejects 40 per cent of tribal claims over forest land When media persons visited the school Vijay managed to flee the place. The school principal Arjan Rathore claimed ignorance of the situation. Kapadvanj Taluka Development Officer Mahipat Chauhan, upon learning of the issue, ordered a thorough investigation and appropriate action. Darshan Patel, a primary school teacher from Uchpa village in Vav taluka, has been residing in Canada for the past two years. Yet he remains on the payroll. Local villagers claim that no action has been taken against Patel due to possible backing of authorities in the education department. Uchpa Primary School Principal B B Barot confirmed that Patel has been absent since November 10, 2022, without authorized leave, and that repeated notifications have gone unaddressed. Similarly, Kavita Das, a primary school teacher at Ranchodpura village in Kadi taluka, Mehsana district, has been missing from her post for over nine months, reflecting a troubling pattern of absenteeism across the state. Dr. Sharad Trivedi, the Mehsana District Primary Education Officer, stated, Kavita Das, a teacher from Ranchodpura Primary School, went abroad with the education department's permission, which was initially granted for a period of three months. Notices have been issued twice for her non-appearance beyond this period. If she fails to respond to these notices, action will be taken against her in accordance with the rules. Drugs enter India through ports in Gujarat: TNCC chief K Selvaperunthagai

Dehradun Diary | Assembly speaker inaugurates art gallery

Uttarakhand Assembly Speaker Ritu Khanduri Bhushan inaugurated a grand art gallery at the Himalayan Cultural Auditorium, showcasing artworks created by Cadet Officers of the Indian Military Academy (IMA). Praising the artistic talents of the IMA officers, speaker Bhushan remarked, This art gallery is an excellent example of the artistic prowess and creative perspective of our armed forces. These artworks not only demonstrate a deep understanding of art but also reflect patriotism and dedication. Ritu Khanduri Bhushan commended the IMA officers for their unique initiative. Sawan utsav celebrated at Dhamis residence Sawan Utsav celebrations at the CMs residence on Sunday featured cultural programmes based on Teej, showcasing Uttarakhands folk songs and dances. Chief guest Gurmeet Kaur welcomed all the women gathered, saying, We have come together to celebrate Sawan Utsav. The earth blooms in Sawan, and Uttarakhand is adorned with greenery everywhere. Geeta Dhami said, Haritalika Teej is a festival of beauty, love, joy, and marital bliss. It brings us all on one platform and embodies our nations cultural legacy and highlights the connection between nature and humans. RS MP pushes for AIIMS Rishikesh expansion Dr Naresh Bansal, Rajya Sabha MP from Uttarakhand, has highlighted the need for the expansion of AIIMS Rishikesh in the Upper House. He emphasised that AIIMS Rishikesh, located in Dehradun district, serves not only the people of Uttarakhand but also those from western Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. The ever-increasing patient load has put additional pressure on AIIMS Rishikesh, making it essential to expand its facilities and increase the number of medical and nursing staff to provide timely treatment, he said. He reminded the House that the foundation stone was laid on February 2, 2004, by then Union minister Sushma Swaraj. Narendra sethi Our correspondent in Uttarakhand narendrasethi@newindianexpress.com

They were unwarranted, scandalous: SC expunges HC judge's remarks against apex court

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday expunged the observations made by a single judge bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the apex court in a contempt case, saying they were scandalous and unwarranted.A five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud, however, refused to initiate proceedings against Punjab and Haryana High Court Judge Rajbir Sehrawat for his critical observations. The bench, also comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, B R Gavai, Surya Kant and Hrishikesh Roy, referred to judicial discipline and said it expected greater caution to be exercised in future while dealing with orders of higher courts. It said neither the apex court nor high courts were supreme and supremacy is actually of the Constitution of India. During the hearing, the bench, which took suo motu cognisance of the matter, said it was pained by the observations made by the high court judge. It said unnecessary observations have been made with regard to so many things in the high court's order. The bench said judges are not aggrieved by the orders passed by higher courts and judicial discipline has to be maintained. Justice Sehrawat was critical of an apex court order staying contempt proceedings initiated by the high court. Seen at a psychological plane, this type of order is actuated, primarily, by two factors, firstly a tendency to avoid owning responsibility of the consequence which such an order, in all likelihood, is bound to produce, under a pretence that an order of stay of contempt proceedings does not adversely affect anybody, and secondly, a tendency to presume the Supreme Court to be more 'Supreme' than it actually is and to presume a High Court to be lesser 'High' than it constitutionally is, he had said in his order passed on July 17.