LIVE! NHRC notice to Bengal govt over JU student's death

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Mon, 14 August 2023

NHRC notice to Bengal govt over JU student's death

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23:58 SC relief for archbishop, sister in conversion case in MP

The Supreme Court Monday refused to stay the anticipatory bail granted by the Madhya Pradesh high court to an archbishop and a sister accused of forcing Hindu children to convert to Christianity at an orphanage.

The top court, however, issued notices to Archbishop Jerald Alameda, 77, and sister Lily Joseph on separate appeals by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the Madhya Pradesh government.

"Issue notice...We cannot stay the anticipatory bail and we cannot stay the observations of the high court also," a bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said.

The bench listed the pleas of the NCPCR and the state government for hearing after two weeks.

While granting anticipatory bail to the accused, the high court had said the complaint of conversion can be registered only by a person who is related by blood, marriage or adoption, guardianship or custodianship and no one else.

The high court had also said in the absence of a complaint by the aggrieved party, the police do not have jurisdiction to investigate an offence under the MP Freedom of Religion Act, 2021.

Archbishop Jerald Alameda and Lily Joseph were arrested after NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo had visited the Asha Kiran Institute in Katni district. -- PTI

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23:53 NHRC notice to Bengal govt over JU student's death

The National Human Rights Commission on Monday said it has sent a notice to the West Bengal government over reports of the death of a first-year Jadavpur University student on campus allegedly after being subjected to ragging.

The commission said in a statement here that it has taken "suo motu cognisance of a media report that a first-year student of Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal became a victim of ragging, and died on 10th August 2023, after falling from the second-floor balcony of the varsity's hostel".

"Reportedly, the fellow students of the victim had tried to bring the matter to the notice of the Dean but unfortunately, their efforts went in vain," the National Human Rights Commission statement said.

The commission also said that the media report indicates "negligence, lack of supervision and inherent failure" of the college administration due to which a young student, reportedly undergoing the trauma of ragging, lost his life.

The content of the media report, if true, amounts to a violation of the human rights of the student, it said.

Accordingly, the NHRC said it has issued a notice to the chief secretary of West Bengal, seeking a report within four weeks.

"It should include the reasons for the prima facie failure of the institution to take adequate steps to prevent ragging in accordance with the UGC regulation and the steps taken or proposed to punish the perpetrators," the commission added.

The report must also contain the measures being initiated by the state government for spreading awareness about the menace of ragging among the student community and teaching associations, the statement said. -- PTI

Odisha Raj Bhavan

23:39 Odisha Raj Bhavan cancels At Home function on I-Day

The customary 'At Home' function in Odisha Raj Bhavan on Independence Day will not be held on Tuesday.

While no specific reason was cited for the cancellation of the function, official sources said it has been decided due to unavoidable circumstances.

The announcement in this regard was done by Governor Odisha through its official X post.

"Due to unavoidable circumstances, the At-Home Function at Raj Bhavan proposed to be held on 15th August 2023 has been cancelled."

Prominent personalities are invited to the programme.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is scheduled to hoist the National Flag and take the salute in the state-level Independence Day celebration at the Exhibition Ground in Unit-III in Bhubaneswar.

The police has made elaborate security arrangements for the occasion.

It has taken preventive measures in the Maoist-infested districts of the state for the smooth celebration of Independence Day.

The commissioner of Bhubaneswar-Cuttack commissionrate of police, Soumendra Priyadarshi said, "A three-tier security arrangement has been made at the venue of the 77th state-level Independence Day celebration. At least 15 platoons of police force and 100 senior officials are deployed to ensure foolproof security for the celebrations." -- PTI

On the eve of India's 77th Independence Day, three-time Grammy Award winner Ricky Kej on Monday released a rendition of the country's National Anthem recorded with the largest orchestra ever at the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London.

The recording of 'Jana Gana Mana' features a 100-piece British orchestra from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and was recorded a few days ago in time for India's Independence Day on Tuesday.

Kej and the Indian mission in London called on members of the diaspora to share the one-minute-long video as they mark the milestone.

"A few days ago, I conducted a 100-piece British orchestra, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, to perform India's National Anthem at the legendary Abbey Road Studios, London," Kej tweeted.

"This is the largest orchestra ever to record India's National Anthem, and it is spectacular! The 'Jaya He' at the end gave me goosebumps. Felt great as an Indian composer :-) I am sharing this historic recording with every one of you this Independence Day -- use it, share it, watch it, but with respect :-) It is yours now. Jai Hind," he said.

The RPO is recognised as the UK's "most in-demand" orchestra, founded by Sir Thomas Beecham in 1946 -- a year before India's independence.

Its stated mission is to place orchestral music at the heart of contemporary society and, through collaboration with creative partners, foster deeper engagement with communities to ensure that live orchestral music is accessible to as inclusive and diverse an audience as possible.

"Ricky Kej, three-time Grammy Award winner, always innovative, always at the cutting edge of doing something new in the world of music. This year, we congratulate and thank Ricky for putting together a unique project -- celebrating India on its Independence Day with a recording and a performance of India's National Anthem with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London; the largest-ever orchestra to record the Indian National Anthem and put out as a tribute to India," said Vikram Doraiswami, the Indian high commissioner to the UK. -- PTI

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee

22:51 I-Day speech by PM Modi will be his last from ramparts of Red Fort: Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech this year will be his last as prime minister from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi.

Banerjee, while speaking at a pre-Independence Day programme organised by the TMC at Behala, also proclaimed that opposition bloc INDIA will soon take the field, adding "khela hobe (we will play)".

Khela hobe was a slogan that the ruling TMC had coined during the 2021 assembly poll campaign.

"Modiji's Independence Day speech tomorrow (Tuesday) will be his last speech as prime minister from the ramparts of the Red Fort," Banerjee said.

The chief minister also asserted that she believes that opposition bloc INDIA, of which the Trinamool Congress is a member, will emerge victorious in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

"INDIA bloc will decimate the BJP across the country. In Bengal, the TMC will decisively defeat the saffron party," she said.

Banerjee indicated that she does not harbour prime ministerial ambitions, stating that "Bengal does not want kursi (political position), it wants to dislodge the BJP sarkar."

The TMC supremo also alleged that there are corruption charges against the BJP government at the Centre, citing the Rafale aircraft purchase and demonetisation of high-value notes among "suspect" deals. -- PTI

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22:43 Did not find Monu link to Nasir-Junaid killing: DGP

Rajasthan director general of police Umesh Mishra on Monday said that police investigation did not find direct involvement of Bajrang Dal member and cow vigilante Monu Manesar in the killing of two men in Rajasthan in February.

He, however, said that Manesar's role in the 'background' of the crime is still under investigation.

Monu Manesar, a prominent face in Haryana for cow vigilantism, is one of the 21 accused named in the FIR for the killing of Junaid (35) and Nasir (27).

The charred bodies of the two cousins were found in a vehicle in Haryana's Bhiwani on February 16.

He was also accused of making inflammatory remarks before the recent communal violence in Nuh in Haryana but he has denied any wrongdoing.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, DGP Mishra said, "I would also like to inform that there is no direct involvement of Monu (Manesar) in this incident. In the background, his role is still being investigated."

On the cooperation from Haryana police in the case, he said the main issue is related to intelligence.

"We cannot say as to how much the Haryana police is supporting (us) in the case. It would not be appropriate to speak about it publicly. This is a fact that his (Monu Manesar's) role has not come to the fore," Mishra said. -- PTI

President Droupadi Murmu has approved 76 gallantry awards, including four Kirti Chakras posthumously and 11 Shaurya Chakras to personnel of the security forces, on the eve of the 77th Independence Day, officials said.

Of the 11 Shaurya Chakras, five have been named posthumously.

Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra are India's second-highest and third-highest peacetime gallantry awards after the Ashok Chakra.

"President Droupadi Murmu has approved 76 Gallantry awards to Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces personnel on the eve of Independence Day 2023. These include four Kirti Chakras (posthumous), 11 Shaurya Chakras, including five posthumous, two Bar to Sena Medals (gallantry), 52 Sena Medals (gallantry), three Nao Sena Medals (gallantry) and four Vayu Sena Medals (gallantry)," the defence ministry said in a statement.

The Kirti Chakra recipients who received it posthumously are -- Dilip Kumar Das, Raj Kumar Yadava, Bablu Rabha and Sambha Roy, all of the Central Reserve Police Force, it said.

The Shaurya Chakra recipients include five personnel who have been named for it posthumously, including Maj Vikas Bhambhu and Maj Mustafa Bohara of Army Aviation Squadron; Hav Vivek Singh Tomar of the Rajputana Rifles, Rifleman Kulbhushan Manta of the Rashtriya Rifles.

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22:21 50 nurses from across country to be part of I-Day Celebrations at Red Fort

A total of 50 nurses along with their family members from across the country have been invited as special guests to listen to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Tuesday.

According to the government, they will be part of 1800 special guests from various walks of life, ranging from Sarpanches of Vibrant Villages, teachers, farmers, and fishermen, who have been invited to participate in the Independence Day Celebrations at the iconic monument on August 15, 2023.

The initiative to invite people from all walks of life, across India, and be a part of the celebrations has been taken by the government in line with its vision of 'Jan Bhagidari'.

Members of the nursing community have expressed their appreciation for the Union government's initiative.

Anita Tomar, nursing officer, government of National Capital Territory of Delhi stated, "For inviting us to participate in the Independence Day celebration in New Delhi in recognition of our efforts during COVID, on behalf of the entire nursing community, I would like to thank PM Modi and the Government of India from the bottom of my heart."

Apart from it, Vandana Kaushik, a nursing officer from Safdarjung Hospital, said, "I express my regards to the government for recognizing our efforts and dedication during Covid. I also want to thank the government for its pro-nurses attitude that it has shown through various development schemes," said. -- ANI

21:52 5.4 earthquake detected in Meghalaya

An earthquake of 5.4 magnitude hit Meghalaya and the northern region of Bangladesh on Monday evening, officials said. There was no immediate report of any loss of life or damage to property, they said.

The earthquake took place at 8.19 pm, and the location was 49 km south-east of Cherrapunjee in Meghalaya, the National Center for Seismology said.

The depth of the quake was 16 km, it said.

"The epicentre was in Bangladesh, close to Dawki area of West Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya," said an official of the Regional Seismological Centre.

The tremor was felt in all districts of Meghalaya and also in parts of Assam and West Bengal.

"We have not received any report of loss of life or damage to property," said an official of the disaster management authority.

The northeastern states fall in the high seismic zone, and earthquakes frequently hit the region.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with Rameshwar/Rahul Gandhi on X

21:40 After viral video of vegetable vendor, Rahul Gandhi has lunch with him

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday had lunch with Rameshwar, a vegetable vendor who was seen in a recent social media video breaking down while talking about his hardships due to inflation.

Sharing his picture with Rameshwar, Gandhi said in Hindi on X, "Rameshwar ji is a lively person! In him, the glimpse of the affable nature of crores of Indians can be seen."

"Those who move forward with a smile even in adverse circumstances are truly 'Bharat Bhagya Vidhata (India's destiny makers)'," Gandhi said.

The Congress also shared their picture on X, earlier known as Twitter, and said, "Rameshwar ji had expressed his desire to meet the people's hero. They met up."

In pictures of the meeting shared by several people on X, Gandhi and Rameshwar can be seen having lunch at the former's home in Delhi and the two sharing light moments during the meeting.

In the viral video, Rameshwar was seen with his empty hand-cart, saying that he could not buy tomatoes as the prices were very high.

Asked if he would buy some other vegetable, he said, paise nahin hain and then broke down.

The video had gone viral and had been shared by Gandhi as well as several other Congress leaders to hit out at the government over rising prices. -- PTI

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21:30 Maha plans special body to aid Muslim students

Maharashtra minister Abdul Sattar said an institute will be set on the lines of the state-run SARTHI to provide educational and financial help to Muslim students.

Speaking at a function on Friday, the state minister for minority development said a policy to earmark district planning committee funds for development of minority communities will be unveiled soon.

The Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Research, Training and Human Development Institute focuses on empowering underprivileged students from the Maratha community.

He also said his ministry was committed to protecting Wakf properties and would ensure their optimal utilisation to help the community.

Sattar said the state government had official declared the dargah of Sufi saint Hazrat Janullah Shah Baba here as a pilgrimage site. -- PTI

A 16-year-old boy was detained on Monday for allegedly performing unnatural sex with a six-year-old girl in suburban Khar in Mumbai after luring her with chocolates, the police said.

The incident occurred on Sunday evening when the girl was playing outside her house.

The teenage boy approached her and lured her with chocolate.

He took her to his room where he committed the crime, an official said.

The accused and the victim are residents of the same locality, he said.

"After the incident, the victim was scared and started crying. When her parents asked her the reason, she narrated the incident," the official added.

The police registered an FIR on the complaint lodged by the parents of the girl under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code including 377 (unnatural offences) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offence Act.

Further investigation is underway, the official added. -- PTI

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20:45 India, China conclude 19th round of military talks

The 19th round of Corps Commander level talks between India and China in Chushul has concluded.

Both sides discussed issues related to disengagement along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh, Indian Army sources said.

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20:38 WR to convert 49 Mumbai local train services to 15-coach from tomorrow

In an attempt to accommodate more commuters, the Western Railway has decided to convert 49 suburban local train services from 12-car to 15-car from August 15, an official said on Monday.

With this, the total number of 15-car services will increase from 150 to 199, though the total number of suburban services will remain unchanged at 1,394, which includes 79 air-conditioned trains, a release stated.

The carrying capacity of each train will increase by 25 per cent, it said.

"The augmentation of 49 local train services from 12-car to 15-car will be a great boon for passengers," Sumit Thakur, chief public relations officer of Western railway said.

The Western Railway's suburban network is spread between Churchgate and Dahanu stations and is used by more than 30 lakh commuters every day. -- PTI

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20:31 Last lion cub at UP's Etawah Safari Park dies

The last lion cub at the safari park in Etawah has died, the sixth such death this year, officials said on Monday.

Deeksha Bhandari, director of Etawah Lion Safari Park, said the fifth cub of lioness Sona at the Lion Safari Park in Etawah died on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday.

She added that Sona had given birth to five cubs in July, four of which had died earlier.

In February, a five-day-old cub of a lioness Jessica passed away. Bhandari said that on Saturday evening, milk was given to the male cub, and when it started vomiting after some time, doctors at the park began treatment immediately.

The treatment lasted for two hours but the cub could not be saved, the park's director said.

The body of the cub has been sent to ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute at Izatnagar in Bareilly for post-mortem, she added.

According to the park's deputy director Jai Prakash Singh, of the other four cubs died earlier, "two were stillborn, another cub died due to dystocia, while the fourth died after it was injured after birth".

"At present there are 19 lions and lionesses in the lion breeding centre of the safari. Eleven were born in the breeding centre, of which 6 have died so far." -- PTI

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah

20:01 K'taka will scrap BJP's NEP from next year: Sidda

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said the National Education Policy will be scrapped in the state from the next academic year.

He said his government by scrapping the NEP, which was brought in by the previous Bharatiya Janata Party government, will try to provide education in accordance with the Constitution.

"NEP was implemented in Karnataka, when it was not introduced in any other BJP-ruled states....I want to tell one thing, this year there was a bit of delay, from the next year onwards we will change the NEP and will try to provide education in accordance with the Constitution, because BJP is anti-constitution and they believe in Manuwad," Siddaramaiah said.

Speaking at the general body meeting of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee in Bengaluru, he said NEP has to be scrapped after making necessary preparations, and as the academic year had begun by the time the election results were out and the government was formed, it has been continued this year, to avoid inconvenience to students in the middle of the year.

NEP has been opposed by students, parents and lecturers and teachers, he said, alleging the BJP has sacrificed the interest of students by implementing NEP in Karnataka even before other states implemented it. -- PTI

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19:27 Man stuck in 70-ft-deep pit in Punjab taken out after 45 hours

A worker who remained stuck in a 70-feet-deep trench for nearly 45 hours in Punjab's Jalandhar district was taken out on Monday afternoon, officials said.

Suresh (55) was taken out around 4 pm and rushed to Jalandhar civil hospital in an ambulance, they added.

Although there is no official word yet on his condition, the victim's co-worker Pawan said he was no more.

Suresh, along with Pawan, on Saturday had entered the pit as part of the ongoing construction for the Delhi-Katra Expressway to free some part of the boring machine that got stuck underneath.

While Pawan came out, Suresh got trapped after sand fell on him, officials said.

The pit was dug to erect a pillar as part of the expressway project.

The rescue operation started on Saturday evening and continued throughout Sunday and Monday.

The rescuers faced trouble in the operation as soft earth continued to cave in as they dug deeper to reach Suresh.

A team of the National Disaster Response Force conducted the rescue operation.

Earth excavation machines had also been pressed into service.

An official of the National Highways Authority of India on Sunday said both the workers, having experience in the job, were sent into the pit with oxygen cylinders and protective gear. -- PTI

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18:56 Inflation reaches 15-month high of 7.44% in July

Retail inflation jumped to a 15-month high of 7.44 per cent in July as prices of vegetables and other food items spiked, according to official data released on Monday.

The Consumer Price Index based inflation was at 4.87 in June and 6.71 per cent in July 2022.

Previously, high inflation was recorded at 7.79 per cent in April 2022.

The inflation in the food basket was 11.51 per cent in July compared to 4.55 per cent in June and 6.69 per cent in July 2022, as per the data.

The retail inflation in vegetables year-on-year was 37.43 per cent while the rate of price rise in 'cereals and products' was 13 per cent, showed the data released by the National Statistical Office.

Uttarakhand's Rishikesh recorded the highest rainfall, across the country, in a span of 24 hours on Monday morning with the India meteorological department data showing that it received 42 cm of rain during the period.

According to IMD, Rishikesh is followed by Himachal Pradesh's Kangra which received 27 cm of rainfall in the last 24 hours.

Taking to social media X, formerly known as Twitter, IMD said, "In the last 24 hours, intense rainfall has drenched various parts of India. Rishikesh in Uttarakhand takes the lead with a whopping 42 cm of rain, followed by Kangra, Himachal Pradesh at 27 cm. Stay safe and stay informed!"

Due to heavy rains in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh for a few days, normal life has been disrupted in both states.

Following heavy rains in Himachal, over two dozen people, including seven in Solan after a cloudburst, nine in Shimla temple collapse and seven in Mandi district, lost their lives and several are feared trapped. -- ANI

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18:25 Leopard suspected to have killed girl in Tirumala near Tirupati captured

A leopard, suspected to have mauled to death a 6-year-old girl recently, was captured by authorities near Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple on the way to Tirumala.

The leopard walked into the trap on Sunday night and has been shifted to Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park (Tirupati Zoo), a forest department official said on Monday.

"We captured the animal, but we don't know if it is the same leopard or not, so we are doing a DNA analysis with the local IISER team," additional principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) Shantipriya Pandey said.

The forest department has also collected urine sample and three strands of hair from the feline for analysis, besides blood stains and saliva samples from the place of attack to determine whether this was the same animal which killed the girl or involved in the earlier attack on a boy a month ago.

In case the captured animal is found to be the one which attacked the girl, Pandey said it will be retained in the zoo as it has tasted human flesh.

Unless the DNA analysis report is out, which could take a week, the authorities cannot exactly determine which animal had attacked as the pattern of attack on the girl was also suspected to be of a bear's as her scalp had been ripped off. -- PTI

A Bharatiya Janata Party leader succumbed to his bullet injuries on Monday morning, following which his supporters staged protests by blocking roads in Latehar district, police said.

Rajendra Prasad Sahu, a former vice-president of Latehar zila parishad, was shot at by motorcycle-borne unidentified gunmen near Doon school in Balumath area on Saturday evening.

He succumbed to his bullet injuries, sustained on the waist, stomach and leg, early on Monday while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Ranchi, Latehar superintendent of police Anjani Anjan said.

As news of his death reached his supporters, they blocked the Chatra-Ranchi and Balumath-Panki roads near Murpa More and burnt tyres, while also setting fire to a parked SUV.

The police later cleared the roads for the traffic, he said.

"A manhunt has been launched to nab the accused. We hope to arrest them soon," the SP said.

Condoling Sahu's death, Jharkhand BJP president and former chief minister Babulal Marandi said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, "The poor law and order of the useless Hemant government took another life." -- PTI

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

17:22 K'taka govt will fall, 25 MLAs ready to quit: BJP

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party legislator Basanagouda Patil Yatnal on Monday claimed that Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka will collapse before Lok Sabha polls next year, as about 25 legislators from the ruling party are ready to quit.

The MLA from Bijapur (Vijayapura) City also expressed hope that the BJP will once again come back to power.

"Congress which says it has got 135 seats is unable to sleep; if 30 people go out, the government will fall. 25 people are ready. Some ministers are behaving as though they have got all powers and are removing or transferring officials," Yatnal, a former Union minister, said addressing a crowd in Vijayapura.

Alleging that Muslim officials are being posted in Vijayapura, he asked, "What can you do by bringing in Muslims? I'm an MLA and they should abide by me....If any official plays any drama to oppress Hindus...We will come back in January. You guarantee...it is till March. You will be out before Lok Sabha (polls)."

"That's the reason both ministers from Vijayapura, who were behaving as though they were flying high after coming to power, have now toned down.... they have realised that 35-40 people are ready. If 30-35 people are ready the government will go," he added. -- PTI

The high court of Karnataka on Monday granted an interim stay on the FIR registered against Kannada actor-director and politician Upendra under the SC/ST Act, for the alleged remarks made during a Facebook live session.

Upendra had approached the Court seeking to quash the case registered against him alleging offences under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Though the case was not listed for hearing, his advocate moved the court and Justice Hemanth Chandanagoudar who heard the plea, granted the interim stay.

"A false, frivolous and publicity oriented complaint has been lodged against the petitioner for using a Kannada proverb. The petitioner has not insulted Dalits or persons belonging to SC and STs," his petition filed in the high court seeking quashing of the FIR at the Chennamana Achchukattu police station said.

As an interim relief, a stay on the proceedings and investigation in the case was sought.

Madhusudan KN, the assistant director at the social welfare department, had filed the complaint stating that the department has received complaints from the public about a live web session of the actor on August 12 where he allegedly made the offensive statement.

The FIR was lodged under Section 3(1)(r)(s) of the Act. -- PTI

The Supreme Court on Monday deferred for August 18 hearing on a plea challenging the Patna High Court's August 1 order giving the go-ahead for a caste survey in Bihar.

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti listed the plea filed by NGO 'Ek Soch Ek Paryas' on August 18 along with other pleas filed challenging the same order of the high court.

A counsel appearing for the petitioner challenging the high court order said that on the day of the high court order on August 1, the state government had late night issued a notification to complete the caste-based survey within three days.

The bench said it will consider everything on August 18 and by that time the judges will also go through the high court verdict.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, also appearing for the petitioners challenging the high court order, said the direction may be issued to the state to not publish the details of the survey till the pendency of pleas before the court.

Justice Khanna said that it will amount to an indirect stay on the survey without even hearing the other side.

"It will be without any application of mind. I don't want to do that. On August 18, we will hear all of you and all aspects", Justice Khanna told Rohatgi.

On August 7, the top court had refused to stay the Patna High Court's order giving the go-ahead for a caste survey in Bihar, and deferred the hearing on petitions challenging it to August 14.

Besides the plea filed by NGO 'Ek Soch Ek Paryas' another petition has been filed by Nalanda resident Akhilesh Kumar, who has contended that the notification issued by the state government for the exercise is against the constitutional mandate.

Kumar's petition says in terms of the constitutional mandate, only the Union government is empowered to conduct a census.

"In the present case, the State of Bihar has sought to usurp the powers of the Union of India by merely publishing a notification in the official gazette.It is submitted that the notification dated June 6, 2022 is against the Constitutional mandate of distribution of powers between the State and the Union legislature as enshrined under Article 246 of the Constitution read with Schedule VIIth of the Constitution and ultra vires the Census Act, 1948 read with Census Rules, 1990 and is therefore void ab initio (since beginning)," Kumar has said in his plea, filed through advocate Barun Kumar Sinha.

The plea submitted that the entire exercise of conducting a "census" by the Bihar government is without authority and legislative competence, and reeks of malafide.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has often insisted that the state is not conducting a caste census but only collecting information related to people's economic status and their caste so specific steps could be taken by the government to serve them better. -- PTI

Anwarul Haq Kakar was on Monday sworn in as Pakistan's caretaker prime minister to head a neutral political set-up to run the cash-strapped country and conduct the next general elections.

Kakar, the 52-year-old first-time Senator, is an ethnic Pushtun from Balochistan and a member of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) -- a party considered close to the powerful establishment of the country.

He was administered oath of the office by President Arif Alvi in a ceremony held at the Aiwan-i-Sadr (the President House) in Islamabad. He became the 8th interim prime minister of Pakistan.

Ahead of taking oath, Kakar resigned from the upper house of Parliament.

Kakar's name was agreed upon during the final day of consultations between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Leader of the Opposition in the dissolved National Assembly, Raja Riaz Ahmad on Saturday.

Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjarani on Monday accepted Kakar's resignation from the Senate ahead of the latter's swearing-in as the caretaker prime minister.

A day earlier, Kakar announced his resignation from the Senate as well as the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), which he founded in 2018.

According to Geo News, Kakar stepped down from his post because he wanted to be an impartial interim premier.

Since it was his responsibility to hold free and fair general elections in cooperation with the Election Commission of Pakistan, he had decided to resign.

A notification issued by the Senate Secretariat on Monday notified Kakar's resignation.

"Anwaarul Haq Kakar, a member Senate of Pakistan, has resigned his seat, as his principled stance of neutrality on becoming the caretaker prime minister, by writing under his hand in person before the Senate chairman," the notification said.

"The honourable Senate chairman has been pleased to accept the resignation and consequently his seat has become vacant in terms of clause (1) of Article 64 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan with effect from August 14," it added. -- PTI

CJI D Y Chandrachud

16:02 SC slams fake social media post quoting CJI

The Supreme Court on Monday termed as "fake" and "ill-intended" a social media post exhorting the public to protest against authorities using a file photograph and falsely quoting Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud.

A press note issued by the apex court said no such post has been issued by the CJI nor has he authorised any such post.

"It has come to the notice of the Supreme Court of India that a social media post (urging the public to protest against authorities) using a file photograph and falsely quoting the Chief Justice India is being circulated," it said, adding, "The post is fake, ill-intended and mischievous."

It said appropriate action is being taken about it in consultation with the law enforcement authorities.

Delhi Cabinet minister Atishi has been allocated Vigilance and Services departments following the competent authority's approval, according to an official notification issued on Monday.

With this, the number of portfolios held by Atishi has risen to 14.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had on August 8 made the recommendation to allocate the two departments, which were earlier handled by Cabinet minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, to Atishi.

The Lt Governor, in consultation with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, has allocated the Services and Vigilance departments to Atishi in addition to the portfolios she is presently holding, the notification issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) stated.

The recommendation of the chief minister to allocate the new portfolios to Atishi was received by the LG's office on August 8, officials said.

Lt Governor V K Saxena gave his approval on August 12, the day the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2023 was notified, they said.

Besides the two new departments, Atishi holds charge of 12 others including Education, Finance, Revenue, Public Works Department, Women and Child Development, Power, Tourism, and Planning. -- PTI

Ahead of Independence Day, the Punjab Police on Monday busted another terror module with the arrest of five people who were allegedly planning to commit targeted killings in the state, officials said.

The accused are operatives of Pakistan-based Harvinder Rinda and US-based Goldy Brar, said Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav.

The DGP said two foreign-made pistols were also seized from them.

"In a major breakthrough, @PunjabPoliceInd has busted a terror module in a joint operation with central agency and thwarted designs to disturb peace and harmony in Punjab," said Yadav on X.

"Five operatives of #Pakistan based Harvinder Rinda & #USA based Goldy Brar arrested with weapons in an intelligence-based operation of Counter-Intelligence. They were planning to commit targeted killings in #Punjab," he said.

"Preliminary investigations have revealed that apart from the weapons consignments, the accused have been receiving financial aid from the United States. Two foreign-made pistols were seized. Further investigations are being carried out to unearth the entire terror network," said Yadav.

According to the DGP, a case has been registered against the duo under relevant provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in Amritsar.

On August 13, police busted a terror module with the arrest of three people from Tarn Taran and also recovered three pistols from them. -- PTI

Opposition leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Monday claimed preparations are on to replace Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on "health grounds" after admitting him to a hospital.

He also claimed Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar met in Pune recently amid speculation about Shinde's likely replacement and in view of "talks among MLAs loyal to Ajit that he could be made the chief minister".

The buzz about the "health" of Shinde, who was at his native village in Satara, grew louder after his supporter and MLA Sanjay Shirsat recently claimed the CM has fallen sick as he works for 24 hours.

"Information is coming out about ongoing preparations to admit Eknath Shinde in a hospital and replace him with a new chief minister," Wadettiwar told a press conference in Gadchiroli city.

The Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly also claimed the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) has stated that Shinde is not keeping well.

"I fear that he (Shinde) may be admitted to a hospital for two months and may be replaced on medical grounds. People of Maharashtra are asking whether preparations are on to admit Shinde in a hospital on medical grounds," the senior Congress leader said.

Notably, Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana also referred to MLA Shirsat's claim about Shinde's "sickness".

"Shinde works for 24 hours, but it does not reflect anywhere in the state. If he has lost his sleep from the fear of losing his post anytime, it cannot be termed that he is working round-the-clock," the Saamana said in its editorial on Monday.

"If Shirsat's claims are true, Shinde should be admitted to an ICU and kept away from meeting (Deputy CMs) Devendra Fadnavis or Ajit Pawar. Shinde should be admitted to a good hospital in Mumbai or Thane," the editorial said sarcastically.

Interestingly, senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan last month claimed that Ajit Pawar, who is part of the Shiv Sena-BJP government, will be appointed as the chief minister around August 10.

This claim was dismissed by senior BJP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. -- PTI

Representational image

14:53 India, China hold 19th round of military talks

India and China on Monday held a fresh round of military talks with a focus on disengagement of troops in the remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh and ease overall tensions in the region.

The 19th round of Corps Commander level dialogue took place at the Chushul-Moldo border point on the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the region, military sources said.

The Indian and Chinese troops are locked in an over three-year confrontation in certain friction points in eastern Ladakh even as the two sides completed disengagement from several areas following extensive diplomatic and military talks.

The talks began at around 9:30 am and they are continuing, the sources said.

The Indian delegation is headed by Lt Gen Rashim Bali, the Commander of the Leh-headquartered 14 Corps. The Chinese team was to be led by the commander of the South Xinjiang military district.

In the 18th round of the military dialogue that was held on April 23, the Indian side strongly pressed for resolving the lingering issues at Depsang and Demchok.

Representational image

14:44 Chardham Yatra suspended following landslides

The Chardham Yatra was on Monday suspended for two days as torrential rains triggered landslides that breached the national highways to Badrinath, Kedarnath and Gangotri shrines, officials said.

As heavy rains pounded the Himalayan state causing house collapses and landslides, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a meeting with senior officials to review the situation.

The pilgrimage to Chardham -- Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath -- was suspended for two days in view of the rains and landslides blocking major highways, officials said.

India will be truly successful only when women occupy equal space in the society, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Monday.

Gandhi also said women must take their rightful place in politics and shape India's destiny.

The former Congress chief also shared a link for applying for the Indira Fellowship named after former prime minister Indira Gandhi.

The Indira Fellowship is an initiative of the Indian Youth Congress, a frontal youth wing of the Indian National Congress. The fellow will work closely with her respective district to further organise the 'Indira Activity Centre'. She will work in three major domains awareness, sisterhood and nation building, alongside democratic participation.

"India will be truly successful only when women occupy equal space in our society. Indira Fellowship seeks to empower women & transform politics. They must take their rightful place in politics and shape India's destiny - Aadhi Aabadi, Poora Haq!" Gandhi said on X, formerly known as Twitter. -- PTI

President Murmu gave her assent to 4 legislations on Saturday

14:19 247 bills received presidential nod between 2014 and 2022

On August 12 President Draupadi Murmu gave her assent to four legislations -- Digital Personal Data Protection Act, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, and Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act -- which were passed by Parliament in the just-concluded monsoon session.

How many bills have received the presidential nod so far? Archis Mohan finds out in Business Standard:

In response to Lok Sabha Member of Parliament Chandeshwar Prasad's question regarding bills received from states and Union territories (UTs) between 2014 and 2022, Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Kumar Mishra provided the following information in the Lok Sabha on August 1 this calendar year:

The Presidents of India gave their assent to 247 bills during the specified period.

Of these bills, the highest -- 24 -- were from Gujarat, followed by 23 from Uttar Pradesh (UP).

As for the number of pending Bills, the minister listed 95 bills that "have been processed in consultation with the nodal central ministries and departments".

In cases where observations were made by nodal ministries and departments, the states concerned were asked to provide clarifications and comments.

Due to the time-consuming nature of this consultation process and obtaining feedback from stakeholders, no fixed time schedule could be prescribed for the approval of these Bills.

The data provided does not include details of any Bill assented to or pending from Nagaland or from Jammu & Kashmir (which became a UT in August 2019).

A new twist has emerged in Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg's most anticipated cage fight.

On Sunday, Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg apparently called off his cage fight with the Twitter owner.

In a post on Threads, he said that he was going to "focus on competing with people who take the sport seriously".

"I think we can all agree Elon isn't serious and it's time to move on. I offered a real date. Dana White offered to make this a legit competition for charity. Elon won't confirm a date, then says he needs surgery, and now asks to do a practice round in my backyard instead," he said in the post.

Mark's post did not go down well with Musk.

Taking to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Musk threw some jabs at his tech rival.

"Zuck is a chicken," Musk posted.

In another post where an X user suggested Zuckerberg was "trying to chicken out" in the fight versus Musk, the latter replied, "He can't eat at Chic,-Fil-A because that would be cannibalism.?"

Replying to another user Musk added, "Can't wait to bang on his door tomorrow."

As per Variety, the Meta and X/Twitter CEOs first sparked conversations about a potential MMA-style cage match in a series of back-and-forth messages on their platforms.

Musk kicked off the exchange while replying to a June 20 Twitter thread where he wrote, "I'm up for a cage match if he is lol."

Recently Musk posted that the "Zuck v Musk fight' would be live-streamed via X with all proceeds going to charity.

Zuckerberg fired back at Musk, taking a subtle dig at X/Twitter, when he wrote on Threads, "Shouldn't we use a more reliable platform that can actually raise money for charity?"

Ahead of Independence Day, Rayees Mattoo, the brother of a Hizbul terrorist was seen hoisting the national flag at his residence in Jammu and Kashmir's Sopore.

A video showed Rayees, brother of Hizbul terrorist Javid Mattoo, waving the Tricolour from the window of his home was widely shared on social media.

Mattoo on Monday said that he waved the Tricolour without any pressure from anyone.

"I waved the Tiranga from my heart. There was no pressure from anyone. Saare jahaan se achha Hindustan hamara, hum bulbule hain iske ye gulistan hamara. There is development," he told ANI.

He further said, "For the first time I am sitting at my shop on 14th August. It used to be shut for 2-3 days. The previous political parties were playing games. My brother became one (a terrorist) in 2009, we don't know anything about him after that. If he is alive, I urge him to come back. The situation has changed, Pakistan can't do anything. Hum Hindustani the, hain aur rahenge."

Six people, among them three children, received injuries after being stung by jellyfish at Juhu beach in Mumbai on Monday, a civic official said.

The people were stung while walking close to the water on the beach shortly after midnight at around 12.20 am, the official from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said.

Three children in the age group of four to six years and two women and a man in their early 20s were injured, he said.

They were rushed to the nearby Cooper Hospital and discharged after treatment, the official said.

In 2018, several people were stung by jellyfish at Girgaon Chowpatty when they entered the sea for the immersion of idols during Ganesh Chaturthi festival. -- PTI

Representative image

13:31 In a first, Sikh recruit graduates from US Marine Corps with turban, beard

For the first time, a 21-year-old Sikh Marine has graduated from the elite US Marine Corps recruit training without having to shave his head or beard or give up the "articles of faith" that are considered sacred in Sikhism.

Private First Class Jaskirat Singh on Friday made history on completing his training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego after a federal judge ordered the military service in April to accommodate the recruit's religious practices, The Washington Times reported.

The order came nearly a year after three Sikhs and Jewish and Muslim recruits sued the Marines seeking religious accommodations.

The Army and Air Force accommodate Sikh recruits, attorney Giselle Klapper with the Sikh Coalition said, while the Navy offers more limited accommodations. The Marines were the most restrictive of the services.

He is likely the first enlisted Marine to graduate from recruit training while wearing articles of faith intrinsic to the Sikh tradition, specifically a beard and turban, Military.com quoted the Sikh Coalition which, along with other advocates, has helped him and more than 50 Sikh Americans secure military accommodations for religious wear.

Last year, a federal court of appeals granted a preliminary injunction allowing Singh to begin training without having to have his head and beard shaved, which is customary for recruits when they first arrive at boot camp.

The injunction also allowed Singh to wear religious articles such as turbans and patkas.

"Making it through Recruit Training is an achievement I am deeply proud to share with all of my brothers and sisters in my battalion," Singh was quoted as saying by the Messenger news website.

"The fact that I did it with my Sikh articles of faith, which posed no barrier to my achievement, is deeply meaningful to me personally," he said. -- PTI

Market regulator SEBI on Monday moved the Supreme Court seeking 15 more days to conclude the ongoing probe into the allegations of stock price manipulation by the Adani group.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), in its fresh application, said that it has examined and investigated 24 matters pertaining to the case.

"Out of the said 24 investigations/examinations, 17 are final and complete and approved by the Competent Authority in accordance with SEBI's extant practice and procedures, the regulator said.

The regulator said that the time for filing the report on conclusion of probe be extended by "15 days, or such other period as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit and necessary in the facts and circumstances of the present case."

Mobile internet service has been restored in Nuh district of Haryana, two weeks after it was suspended following communal clashes that claimed six lives, police said on Monday.

According to the police, the service was restored Sunday midnight.

Following the violence on July 31, mobile internet service was completely stopped by the government till 8 August. The suspension was subsequently extended till 13 August.

Six people, including two home guards and a cleric, died in the clashes that erupted in Nuh after a procession of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) was attacked by mobs on July 31 and spread to adjoining areas, including Gurugram.

Following sustained efforts by the Nuh district administration to restore normalcy, markets are now open in the violence-affected areas and people are visiting them.

Ten days after the violence, orders were given by the district magistrate to open all educational institutions. Schools are now functioning as usual.

Students are busy preparing for Independence Day celebrations. Police parade units are also preparing for the programme to be held at the district level.

"People have got a lot of relief after the services of Haryana State Transport buses were restored and they are not facing any kind of problem in visiting other destinations. Now the situation is quite normal," Deputy Commissioner Dhirendra Khadgata said. -- PTI

Sunny Deol-starrer Gadar 2 has collected Rs 134.88 crore net at the domestic box office in its opening weekend, the makers said on Monday.

Directed by Anil Sharma, the film is a sequel to Deol's 2001 blockbuster Gadar: Ek Prem Katha.

The actor has reprised his iconic role of Tara Singh in the film, which released in theatres on August 11.

The film had collected Rs 83.18 crore in the first two days of its release and on Sunday, it registered a surge of over 20 per cent.

The film has created a "non-solo, non-holiday release's fastest 100-crore milestone", the makers said in a press note.

"With each passing day, its dominance has only grown stronger, culminating in a staggering day three collection of Rs 51.70 crore net, amassing a colossal total of Rs 134.88 crore net," they said.

Produced by Zee Studios, the movie also features Ameesha Patel returning as Sakeena and Ukarsh Sharma as Charanjeet.

Gadar 2 is set in 1971 and follows Tara Singh's journey to Pakistan to rescue his son Charanjeet Singh from the Pakistani Army.

The original was set during Partition.

Shares of Adani group stocks fell on Monday after Deloitte resigned as auditor of the Adani group's port company.

Deloitte has resigned as auditor of the Adani group's port company, with the firm run by billionaire Gautam Adani saying the auditor wanted a wider remit over other firms in the conglomerate following the report of a US short seller.

Shares of Adani Enterprises tanked 5.41 per cent, Adani Transmission fell by 4.77 per cent, Adani Power declined by 4.23 per cent, Ambuja Cements dived 4 per cent and Adani Ports skidded 3.70 per cent on the BSE.

The stock of Adani Green Energy declined by 3.22 per cent, Adani Wilmar (3.14 per cent), Adani Total Gas (3 per cent), NDTV (3 per cent) and ACC (2.23 per cent).

In the equity market, the 30-share BSE Sensex quoted 335.61 points down at 64,987.04.

The resignation came weeks after Deloitte raised concern over certain transactions flagged in the report of Hindenburg Research.

In a statement, Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) confirmed the resignation and appointment of M S K A & Associates as the new auditor.

Deloitte has been the auditor of APSEZ since 2017. In July 2022, it was given another five-year term.

"In Deloitte's recent meeting with APSEZ management and its Audit Committee, Deloitte indicated a lack of a wider audit role as auditors of other listed Adani portfolio companies. The audit committee was of the view that the grounds advanced by Deloitte for resignation as statutory auditor were not convincing or sufficient to warrant such a move," it said.

The government on Monday announced service medals for 954 police personnel of various central and state forces on the eve of Independence Day.

According to the Union home ninistry's order, 230 personnel will be decorated with bravery medals, including a President's Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG).

The lone PPMG medal has been announced for CRPF officer Loukrakpam Ibomcha Singh. This is his second gallantry medal in service.

The other medals include 82 President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service and 642 Police Medal for Meritorious Service.

The maximum number of Police Medals for Gallantry (PMG) has been announced for the Jammu and Kashmir Police (55), followed by the Maharashtra Police (33), the Central Reserve Police Force (27) and Chhattisgarh Police (24).

These medals are announced twice a year, the other being on the occasion of Republic Day.

11:22 After Moon, ISRO getting ready for Sun mission

Aditya-L1, the first space-based Indian observatory to study the Sun, is getting ready for its launch soon, ISRO said on Monday.

The satellite, realised at U R Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru, has arrived at the ISRO's spaceport in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, the Bengaluru-headquartered national space agency said in an update on the mission.

"Mostly September first week," an ISRO official told PTI when asked about the date of the launch.

The spacecraft is expected to be placed in a halo orbit around the Lagrange point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth system, which is about 1.5 million kilometres from the Earth.

A satellite placed in the halo orbit around the L1 point has a major advantage of continuously viewing the Sun without any occultation/eclipses, ISRO noted. "This will provide a greater advantage of observing the solar activities and its effect on space weather in real time," it said.

The spacecraft carries seven payloads to observe the photosphere, chromosphere and the outermost layers of the Sun (the corona) using electromagnetic and particle and magnetic field detectors.

Using the special vantage point L1, four payloads will directly view the Sun and the remaining three payloads would carry out in-situ studies of particles and fields at the L1, thus providing important scientific studies of the propagatory effect of solar dynamics in the interplanetary medium.

"The suits of Aditya L1 payloads are expected to provide most crucial information to understand the problem of coronal heating, coronal mass ejection, pre-flare and flare activities and their characteristics, dynamics of space weather, propagation of particle and fields etc.," ISRO said. -- PTI

A day after his 19-year-old son died by suicide after failing to clear the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) exam twice, a man in Tamil Nadu's Chennai ended his life by hanging, the police said on Monday.

According to officials, the deceased, S Jegadeeswaran (19) was an aspirant, and hanged self a day earlier after having flunked the NEET examination twice.

When his father, identified as Selvasekar, returned home he was shocked to find his son hanging at his residence.

"After he failed in NEET exam twice, we admitted him again in a coaching institute for repeating the exam. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said in his manifesto that he would save children's lives and cancel the NEET exam but yet, they did not ban this exam. I am a single parent; nobody should face this situation. The CM should take immediate steps," Selvasekar had said on Sunday.

Unable to deal with the grief over his son's death, Selvasekar hanged self at his residence on Monday, the police said.

The body has been taken for post-mortem examination, and the police were looking into the incident.

Pic: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters

10:59 Expect tomato prices to fall to Rs 30/kg after 2 months

Prices of the majority of food items, led by tomatoes and other vegetables, have been on an upward trajectory since the past few months.

Incessant rains in major growing areas in July, that inundated fields and damaged standing crops, affected vegetable supplies in the urban and semi-urban areas.

But the price rise has not been limited to vegetables.

In fact, wheat, rice, spices, and even edible oil rates have shown an upward movement off late.

The bad news for several of the food items, especially vegetables, is that traders and market players say a quick turnaround should not be expected.

Anil Malhotra, a former member of Azadpur APMC and chairman of Vegetable Traders Association, said that tomato prices won't get down until the new crop from main growing regions of Maharashtra namely Sholapur, Nasik and from Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh starts hitting the market.

"We will get a price of Rs 30 per kg for tomatoes only after two months," Malhotra said.

A report by Bank of Baroda said that though the current tomato spike might bottom out in the coming months with the July-November arrival of harvest, one needs to be watchful of the onion price shock before the arrival of October-December harvest.

For tomato, much of the pass through has happened from wholesale to retail chain as the gap between the two has touched a high of Rs 19.7/kg in July 2023. But for onions, the pass through is much lower (gap at Rs 6.5/kg in July 2023).

'Against this backdrop, we see significant risks to the underlying H1 inflation trajectory. The second half of the year might get some comfort with the usual reversal in vegetable prices. For July 2023, we expect CPI to settle 5.8 per cent. The RBI in its coming policy would be continuing with its hawkish pause and might revise its inflation projection for Q2 upwards,' the Bank of Baroda report said.

-- Sanjeeb Mukherjee/Business Standard

10:39 7 killed in cloudburst in Himachal's Solan

A cloudburst in Jadon village of Himachal Pradesh's Solan districts left seven members of a family dead, police said on Monday.

Two houses were washed away in the cloudburst that took place on Sunday night and six people were rescued.

The dead were identified as Harnam (38), Kamal Kishore (35), Hemlata (34), Rahul (14), Neha (12), Golu (8) and Raksha (12), Superintendent of Police, Solan, Gaurav Singh said.

In another rain-related incident, several people are feared trapped in a landslide at Shiv temple in Summer Hill area of Shimla city.Rescue operations are underway.

In view of the heavy rains, all schools and colleges in the state have been ordered to be shut on Monday. -- PTI

The frequent meetings between Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar are tarnishing the image of senior Pawar, the Shiv Sena-UBT claimed on Monday.

It is "amusing" to see Ajit Pawar is frequently meeting (his uncle) Sharad Pawar and the latter is also not avoiding it, an editorial in the Sena-UBT mouthpiece Saamana said.

"There is a hunch that BJP's 'Chanakya' is trying to create some confusion by sending Ajit to meet senior Pawar. However, such meetings tarnish the image of Sharad Pawar and it is not good," it said.

The comments came two days after a 'secret' meeting between Sharad Pawar and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who is part of the Shiv Sena-BJP government in Maharashtra and heads the group of rebel NCP MLAs, at the residence of a businessman in Pune caused a flutter.

Sharad Pawar, whose NCP is an ally of the Shiv Sena-UBT and Congress in the state, on Sunday said his party will not go with the BJP though some "well-wishers" are trying to persuade him. He also said there was nothing wrong if his nephew Ajit Pawar meets him.

The editorial in Saamana said, "This daily game of creation of confusion has now gone beyond the minds of people. The people have become numb to it because of the current political games," the Marathi daily said.

It said Congress state president Nana Patole has described meetings between the Pawars as amusing.

"We would like to add to it by saying Ajit Pawar's decision to join hands with the BJP in the Maharashtra government has made the biggest fun of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's faction," the editorial said.

Notably, MLA Sanjay Shirsat, who is Shinde's supporter, recently claimed the chief minister works for 24 hours and hence has fallen sick.

Referring to it, the Marathi publication said, "Shinde works for 24 hours, but it does not reflect anywhere in the state. If he has lost his sleep from the fear of losing his post anytime, it cannot be termed that he is working round-the-clock."

Whenever Shinde loses sleep, he goes to his native place in Satara and takes some rest. Ajit Pawar is being blamed for his ill-health, it claimed.

Shinde's heartbeats have increased and his "mind has been unstable" since Ajit Pawar joined the government, it further claimed, adding that Ajit Pawar's frequent meetings with Sharad Pawar also started hurting their (Shinde faction's) "little brains".

There should be a health bulletin released about his current condition, it quipped. -- PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid tributes to those who lost their lives during India's partition and recalled the sufferings of people in that period on the occasion of the Partition Horrors Remembrance Day.

He said it is an occasion to remember the Indians who lost their lives during the partition, a reference to the large-scale communal violence at that time.

This day is also a reminder of the tribulation and struggle of those who were forced to migrate, he said, paying tributes to them.

Modi had announced in 2021 that August 14 will be observed as the Partition Horrors Remembrance Day. -- PTI

Two glasses on the door of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen president Asaduddin Owaisi's Delhi residence have been found broken, police said on Monday.

A senior police officer said that no stone or any other such thing was found in the vicinity of the broken glasses.

Police are checking the area and an investigation is underway, the officer said.

Owaisi had in February alleged that his residence in the national capital was attacked by unidentified miscreants and had claimed that to be the fourth such incident since 2014. -- PTI

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday asserted that if Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi contests the upcoming Lok Sabha election from Varanasi, the constituency against Prime Minister Narendra Modi then she will win for sure.

"Varanasi people want Priyanka Gandhi. If Priyanka Gandhi contests from Varanasi against PM Narendra Modi then she will win for sure. Varanasi people want Priyanka Gandhi. The fight for Raebareli, Varanasi, and Amethi is tough for the BJP," Raut said.

Talking on Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar he said that if former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Narendra Modi could meet, then why not Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar?

Talking about the speculations of Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar meeting, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader has said, If Nawaz Sharif and PM Narendra Modi can meet, then why not Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar? We get to know from the media that Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar met yesterday, Sharad Pawar will speak on it soon. I think Sharad Pawar invited Ajit Pawar for the INDIA bloc meeting."

Raut also said that even both Deputy CMs of Maharashtra are not happy with this current government.

"Anything can happen in politics. Ajit Pawar, Devendra Fadnavis and the people of Maharashtra are not happy with this current government," he added.

On Sunday, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar was asked about the secret meeting with Ajit Pawar, on which he said how the meeting became a secret one while it was held at someones residence.

"What is wrong with meeting my nephew? How it can become secret when it was held at someones residence. I was there at his residence," he added.

Pawar was then sworn in as a Deputy Chief Minister of the state. Maharashtras other Deputy Chief Minister is BJP's Devendra Fadnavis.

Ajit Pawar, nephew of Sharad Pawar along with eight Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLAs, switched over to the BJP-Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde)-led Maharashtra government recently. Ajit Pawar later claimed of having support from several MLAs of NCP.

Pawar was then sworn in as a Deputy Chief Minister of the state. Maharashtra's other Deputy Chief Minister is BJP's Devendra Fadnavis. -- ANI

A Pakistani intruder has been shot dead along the International Border in Punjab's Pathankot district, a Border Security Force official said on Monday.

He said the Border Security Force troops noticed some suspicious movement around 12:30 am near Simbal Sakol village in Pathankot.

The troops challenged the intruder but he did not stop and continued moving ahead. Sensing threat, they opened fire, killing the intruder on the spot, the official said.

On August 11, BSF troops neutralised a Pakistani intruder along the International Border in Tarn Taran district. -- PTI

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