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Mon, 01 July 2024
PM may reply to Motion of Thanks debate tomorrow
Timeline Refresh
23:55 Fleeing in woman's dress, wife's attacker caught in Odisha bus
The Odisha police on Monday arrested a man who, in his bid to flee after attacking his wife and her brother, boarded a bus wearing a woman's dress, but the stubble peeping through the dupatta exposed his identity to fellow passengers.
The 42-year-old man was sitting in the bus among women passengers wearing a blue kameez and a pink legging.
He also had a red bindi on his forehead and a dupatta with which he had covered his face.
However, the woman sitting next to him noticed his stubble through the dupatta and raised an alarm.
As he tried to flee, other passengers stopped him and informed the police.
He was arrested later, said Pradeep Pradhan, an officer of Kenrapara district police.
The passengers were not aware that the man, identified as Bikram Das, was fleeing after assaulting his wife and brother-in-law in Madhusudanpur village under Patkura police station. -- PTI
23:43 PM may reply to Motion of Thanks debate tomorrow
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to respond on Tuesday evening to the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President's address, sources said.
The 16-hour debate in Lok Sabha commenced this morning, with the House set to sit till late Monday night.
The debate is likely to conclude on Tuesday evening, following which Modi would respond, the sources said.
The debate on the Motion of Thanks could not begin on Friday due to repeated disruptions caused by the Opposition over the NEET exam paper leak issue. -- PTI
File image
23:32 Indian woman dies on Qantas flight from Melbourne to Delhi
A 24-year-old Indian woman who was travelling from Melbourne to New Delhi in a Qantas flight died on the spot when she developed a medical condition while the aircraft was still on the ground, according to a media report on Monday.
Manpreet Kaur, who had dreams of becoming a chef, boarded the aircraft ready to fly from Melbourne to Delhi on June 20 and died onboard after the student reportedly "felt unwell' hours before arriving at the airport but managed to board the flight without any issues.
According to a friend, Kaur was travelling to India to see her parents for the first time since she moved to Australia in March 2020.
The friend said Kaur fell on the floor and "died on the spot' when she went to put on her seatbelt.
The plane was still attached to the gate in Melbourne when cabin crew and emergency services rushed to help her.
"When she got on the plane, she was struggling to put her seatbelt on," her friend Gurdip Grewal told the Herald Sun newspaper.
"Just before her flight started, she fell in front of her seat and died on the spot."
It is understood that Kaur likely died of tuberculosis, an infectious disease that mostly affects the lungs. -- PTI
Andhra Pradesh deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan/ANI Photo
23:04 Pawan Kalyan rejects salary over Andhra's financial crisis
Andhra Pradesh deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Monday said he declined to accept his salary and any special allowances, including new furniture for his office, considering the precarious financial condition of the state.
The deputy CM said that officials at his camp office recently asked him about its renovation and purchase of furniture, but he rejected those privileges.
"They (officials) asked what to do about the camp office (renovation) and repairs. I told them not to do anything and leave it alone. I told them not to buy any new furniture and I will bring it on my own if it is needed," said Kalyan, addressing a meeting after he participated in the welfare pension disbursal programme.
The actor-politician further mentioned that officials from the Secretariat came to get his signature on documents related to his salary of Rs 35,000 for attending the House for three days. -- PTI
Shatrughan Sinha
22:47 Thank you to everyone who has been concerned: Luv on father Shatrughan's health
Actor Luv Sinha on Monday thanked well-wishers for their concern over his father Shatrughan Sinha's health, reiterating the veteran star-MP is admitted to a hospital in Mumbai after he developed a "strong fever" and not because he underwent a surgery.
The 77-year-old was taken to the medical facility some time last week for an annual check-up as well.
One should steer clear of "unverified news", Luv said.
"In regard to my father's health I'd like to clarify that there was no surgical procedure, and one shouldn't believe unverified news."
"We took my father to the hospital for his annual checkup, and because he had a strong fever. Thank you to everyone who has been concerned," he wrote on X.
Sinha, popular for '70s and '80s films such as Mere Apne, Kalicharan, Vishwanath, Kaala Patthar and Dostana, was earlier this month elected as TMC MP from West Bengal's Asansol in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
On June 23, he and his wife, actor-politician Poonam Sinha hosted their actor-daughter Sonakshi Sinha's wedding to her longtime partner and "Double XL" co-star Zaheer Iqbal. -- PTI
File image
22:36 Civil services prelims result declared
The results of the civil services (preliminary) examination, 2024, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, was declared on Monday.
The examination was held on June 16, according to an official statement.
Candidates are also informed that marks, cut off marks and answer keys of the examination will be uploaded on the UPSC's website only after the entire process of the civil services examination and Indian forest service exmination is over i.e. after the declaration of final result.
The UPSC has a facilitation counter near the examination hall building in its premises at Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi.
Candidates may obtain any information or clarification regarding their result, the statement said. -- PTI
Congress MP Selja
22:15 A Raja, Selja in chairpersons' panel to help Birla run LS
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday named a panel of chairpersons to help him run the house proceedings.
Birla named Jagdambika Pal, P C Mohan, Sandhya Rai, Dilip Saikia, Selja, A Raja, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Krishna Prasad and Avdhesh Prasad on the panel.
Members of the panel of chairpersons preside over the house proceedings when the speaker is not in the chair, and enjoy all powers vested in the speaker.
The 18th Lok Sabha was constituted following the recent parliamentary elections.
21:57 Court rejects Kejriwal's plea for 2 more meetings with lawyers
A court in Delhi on Monday rejected an application filed by jailed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal seeking directions to the prison authorities for granting two additional meetings with his lawyers through video conferencing.
Special judge Kaveri Baweja noted that as per the plea, Kejriwal is facing around 30 litigations across the country and on the grounds of the right to fair trial, he requires two additional meetings with his lawyers through video conferencing (VC) for discussing the cases.
"It is not in dispute that a similar application filed by the applicant (Kejriwal) seeking the same relief, ie, additional legal meetings with his lawyers was dismissed by this court vide a detailed order dated April 10, 2024," the court said.
It said the present application disclosed no new or fresh reasons to take a view different from the earlier order.
"Counsel for applicant has failed to convince the court as to how the applicant is entitled to two additional legal meetings through VC on the same grounds which have been discussed and dealt with in the earlier order," the court said.
It said during the arguments, Kejriwal's counsel was asked to withdraw the application and to move a fresh application with additional or fresh grounds, if any, which the advocate refused.
"Thus, having considered the submissions made and the observations already made vide order dated April 10, 2024, I see no reason whatsoever to allow the application under consideration," said the judge dismissing the plea.
Shiv Sena-UBT leader Anil Parab/ANI Photo
21:46 Sena-UBT's Anil Parab wins Mum Graduates seat
Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray leader Anil Parab on Monday won the Maharashtra Legislative Council polls from Mumbai Graduates constituency by defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party's Kiran Shelar.
Parab received 44,784 votes while Shelar got 18,772 votes.
A total 0f 67,644 voters had exercised their franchise in the polling on June 26.
Out of the total votes polled, 64,222 were held valid, and the quota for winning was 32,112 votes.
Parab polled 44,784 in the first preference voting and was declared elected. -- PTI
21:28 RBI appoints two new executive directors
The Reserve Bank of India on Monday announced the appointment of Arnab Kumar Chowdhury and Charulatha S Kar as executive directors. Chowdhury and Kar will look after three departments each.
Kar has been appointed as executive director with effect from July 1 while Chowdhury has been appointed ED with effect from June 3, 2024, according to the RBI.
Prior to being promoted as executive director, Chowdhury was serving as chief general manager-in-charge in the department of supervision.
As executive director, he will look after Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation, foreign exchange department, and international department, the RBI said in a statement.
Prior to being promoted as executive director, Kar was serving as chief general manager-in-charge in the human resource management department, the RBI said in a separate statement.
She will look after the department of communication, human resource management department, and Right to Information (First Appellate Authority).
Kar is a post-graduate in commerce from the University of Mumbai and Diploma in Treasury and Forex management. She is also a Certified Associate of IIBF. -- PTI
21:00 Lonavala drowning: All 5 bodies found, search ends
The bodies of all five people swept away in a waterfall near Bhushi Dam in Pune's Lonavala area were found on Monday with that of the last missing person, a 4-year-old boy, being fished out in the evening, an official said.
The five, comprising a woman and four children, drowned at around 12:30pm on Sunday and bodies of three of them were recovered some hours later, while that of a girl was fished out earlier on Monday morning, he said.
"The body of Adnan Ansari was recovered this evening, after which the search operation was called off," said Suhas Jagtap, senior inspector of Lonavala police station.
The bodies of Shahista Liaqat Ansari (36), Amina Adil Ansari (13) and Umera Adil Ansari (8) were found by rescuers some hours after search-and-rescue operations started at the site on Sunday afternoon.
Police, Navy divers and other rescue teams resumed the search for the two missing children on Monday and recovered the body of Mariya Ansari (9) from a reservoir near the accident spot.
A video of the incident showed some 9-10 persons holding on to each other while water gushed downhill all around them, before a woman and a boy and then a girl get swept away as their grip loosened. -- PTI
20:43 2 children among 9 killed in truck-car collision in Rajasthan
Six women and two children were among nine people killed in a head-on collision between a truck and a car in Rajasthan's Karauli district on Monday, the police said.
Four people were injured in the accident that occurred near Dundapura crossing in Mandarayal town of the district, they said.
The deceased were related and hailed from Mandrayal.
They were returning home after offering prayers at a temple in Karauli, the police said.
"Nine people, including six women, were killed and four others were injured in the accident. They were going to Sheopur after offering prayers at Kailadevi temple," Karauli superintendent of police Brijesh Jyoti Upadhyay said.
The police said the fatalities included a man. -- PTI
20:29 Lawyer's murder: Police remand of JK HC Bar Association ex-chief extended by 6 days
The police remand of Mian Abdul Qayoom, former president of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association, was extended by six days by a designated NIA court in Jammu on Monday.
Qayoom was arrested on June 25 for his alleged involvement in the murder conspiracy of fellow advocate Babar Qadri in 2020.
The 76-year-old accused, a prominent figure in Kashmir associated with the All Party Hurriyat Conference, was taken into custody by the State Investigation Agency of the Jammu and Kashmir police.
Qadri, a human rights expert, was fatally shot at his residence in September 2020. During the court proceedings, the judge noted that the investigation is still at an initial stage and further remand of the accused is necessary for the progress of the case.
"After considering the rival submissions of the parties, perusal of the latest entries in the case-diary and giving thoughtful consideration to the matter, it is noticed that investigation of the case...is still at an initial stage."
"Therefore, his further detention in the custody of the police is imperative as the investigation agency is required to be afforded an opportunity to elicit all the possible information from the accused for further progress of the investigation," third additional district and sessions judge (TADA/POTA) Jatinder Singh Jamwal said in his two-page order. -- PTI
File image/Courtesy china-defense.blogspot
20:09 China deploys 2nd aircraft carrier off Philippine coast
China has deployed its second aircraft carrier 'Shandong' which was spotted patrolling waters off the Philippine coast as Manila stepped up efforts to assert its claims over a shoal in the disputed South China Sea firmly opposing Beijing's counterclaims.
Shandong, an aircraft carrier with a displacement of about 70,000 tonnes, was seen patrolling the waters off the Philippines which serves as a deterrence against "continuous Philippine provocations" on Chinese islands and reefs in the South China Sea, state-run Global Times media reported on Monday.
The aircraft carrier is likely on a scheduled exercise that could also prepare it for a potential far sea voyage into the West Pacific, it quoted Chinese experts as saying.
Shandong's deployment comes after the People's Liberation Army deployed major surface combat ships, including large and medium destroyers as well as the main amphibious landing ship in the South China Sea as the maritime territorial conflict with Manila escalated. -- PTI
Delhi transport minister Kailash Gahlot test rides the newly introduced Mohalla Bus/ANI Photo
19:34 Delhi govt's mohalla bus service likely to be rolled out within a month
The Delhi government's ambitious Mohalla bus service is expected to be rolled out within a month with transport minister Kailash Gahlot forming a committee to inspect approved prototype of the bus.
The Mohalla Bus Scheme aims to deploy nine-metre-long electric buses to provide neighbourhood or feeder bus services.
The Kejriwal government plans to introduce 2,180 such buses by 2025, catering specifically to areas which have limited road width or which witness overcrowding.
The prototype of the bus has already been approved, officials said.
"The inspection of the bus is already going on at Manesar in accordance with the Central Motor Vehicles Rules.
The minister has also formed a committee to inspect the bus in terms of the specifications required by the department.
"This will take a fortnight. We hope to complete this process by July 7. Following these clearances, the buses will be put on the roads for trial for a week," said an official privy to the development.
The committee formed by the minister comprises officials from DIMTS, DTC and the transport department.
After the trial is completed, orders will be placed with the concerned company.
"It depends on the production of these buses by the company. As soon as we receive the first lot, we plan to roll out the scheme," he added. -- PTI
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh
19:11 Manipur CM denies report on resignation, asks media not to spread rumours
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Monday described a report on his resignation as unfounded and asked the media not to spread rumours.
Singh also claimed that it is an attempt by political rivals who want to take advantage of the prevailing situation in the state which has been in the grip of violence since May last year.
His statement came three days after a media outlet reported that Singh is likely to resign soon.
"Manipur is passing through a troubled time. In such a crucial time, the leaders of Manipur can't afford to be weak. We are fully confident of our abilities," the chief minister said.
Addressing the Manipur issue is more important, Singh told reporters after attending a programme in Imphal on the implementation of three new criminal laws across the country.
"The rumours (on resignation) are possibly spread by those who want to be CM and ministers, as well as the opposition,' he said. The chief minister said that his government communicates regularly with the PMO and the Union home ministry on the Manipur situation.
"If we leave, who will lead the people? More chaos will be created. We have to guide the people," said Singh who heads a BJP government in the northeastern state. -- PTI
Rahul speaks in LS
18:44 BJP goes to speaker against Rahul's LS speech
Union ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Kiren Rijiju on Monday accused Rahul Gandhi of denigrating the responsible position of the Leader of Opposition with his "extremely irresponsible" speech in the Lok Sabha.
They also accused the Gandhi of inflicting "grave insult" on Hindus by allegedly linking them with violence and spreading untruth.
Rijiju said the ruling BJP has challenged many of the claims made by Gandhi in his speech in the Lok Sabha and has sought action from the speaker.
He will have to substantiate or tender an apology, the parliamentary affairs minister said, slamming his allegations on Agnipath scheme and compensation for the residents of Ayodhya during development projects there.
Over Rs 1,253 crore compensation was given to local shopkeepers and others, and they were helped in relocation, Vaishnaw said.
BJP Rajya Sabha member Sudhanshu Trivedi said the Congress has a history of insulting Hindus, as he cited former home ministers P Chidambaram and Sushil Kumar Shinde's alleged terrorism barbs for the religion.
Gandhi, he said, took his oath as an MP this time not in the name of God but "solemnly affirmed".
"In 2014, he had taken oath in the name of "Ishwar" in Hindi. What has changed since 2014?" he asked.
18:22 Another man killed in mob attack in Bengal, 4th case in less than a week
A man was beaten to death allegedly by a mob in West Bengal's Hooghly district on Monday, making it the fourth such incident in the state in less than a week, the police said.
While the first such case came to light in Kolkata on June 28, two more fatal assaults were reported on June 29 and 30.
The victim was identified as Biswajit Manna, a resident of Naita Malpaharpur gram panchayat in Tarakeswar area of Hooghly district, they said.
Two persons have been detained in connection with the crime, a senior police officer of Hooghly Rural Police said, adding that a suo moto case has been lodged by the police.
Initial probe revealed that Manna was called by the accused, who were known to the family when he was sleeping at his residence on Sunday night, the police said.
The police said Manna had taken a loan of around Rs 50,000 from the accused and had failed to repay the loan amount.
"At his friend's place, the accused tied Manna and continued beating him till he became unconscious. The mother of the victim along with her daughter-in-law somehow rescued him and took him to the nearest hospital where he succumbed to his injuries," they said. -- PTI
Maharashtra ex-minister Pankaja Munde/File image
17:57 BJP fields Pankaja Munde among 5 for Maha council polls
Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday announced the candidatures of OBC leader and former minister Pankaja Munde and four others for the upcoming polls to the state legislative council.
The biennial elections for 11 seats of the Upper House of the state legislature will be held on July 12.
The party, in a release, named Munde, former MLA Yogesh Tilekar, Parinay Phuke, Amit Gorkhe and Sadabhau Khot as its candidates.
Munde, the party's national general secretary, lost the state assembly polls in 2019 and the recently held Lok Sabha elections from Beed against NCP-SP's Bajrang Sonawane.
Among other candidates, Tilekar hails from Pune, Khot is from Sangli, and Gorkhe is a BJP functionary from Pimpri Chinchwad and belongs to the Matang community, one of the backward classes in the state.
Phuke is from Nagpur and known to be close to BJP leader and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The six-year term in office of 11 MLCs, elected by the Members of Legislative Assembly, is due to end on July 27 on their retirement.
The biennial election to the upper house of the state legislature is being held just months ahead of assembly polls, which are due in October. -- PTI
A view of Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur/ANI Photo
17:45 Underground parking project at Deekshabhoomi stayed: Fadnavis after protests
Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said the underground parking project at Deekhshabhoomi monument in Nagpur has been stayed, the decision coming after hundreds of followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar held protests.
Ambedkar embraced Buddhism along with thousands of his followers, mainly Dalits, at Deekshabhoomi on October 14, 1956.
The protesters claimed the ongoing construction of the underground parking facility may cause structural damage to the revered memorial.
Making a statement in the assembly, Fadnavis said, "The decision to stay the underground parking as part of the development plan has been taken considering the sentiments of locals. A meeting of all stakeholders will be convened and a decision will be taken through consensus."
A sum of Rs 200 crore had been allocated for the Deekshabhoomi development plan, which was prepared in consultation with the Deekshabhoomi Memorial Trust, the deputy CM told the assembly.
Earlier in the day, Nagpur police commissioner Ravindra Singhal said the situation at the site was under control. -- PTI
17:27 NEET designed for rich: Rahul in Parliament
Recalling his interactions with students, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Monday referred to the medical entrance exam as a "commercial exam" and said that students appearing for NEET alleged that the exam is designed for "rich students and not meritorious students."
Participating in the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President for her address to a joint sitting of Parliament, Rahul Gandhi targeted the BJP-led government over the paper leak issue and said that there is fear among everyone in the nation.
"NEET students spend years and years preparing for their exams. Their family supports them financially, and emotionally and the truth is that NEET students today do not believe in the exam because they are convinced that the exam is designed for rich people, not meritorious people. I have met several NEET students. Every single one of them tells me that the exam is designed to create a quota for rich people and to create a passage for them into the system and is designed not to help poor students. The students prepare for months and months," Rahul Gandhi said.
"There is fear among, youth, farmers, women and the disabled. In fact not in the whole country there is fear among their own (BJP) party. This is truth and that's why you guys are not shouting now," he said.
He further demanded a separate one-day discussion on the issue in the Parliament. "We wanted a one day discussion on NEET. It is an important issue. More than two crore students have been affected. Paper leaks have happened on 70 occasions," he said.
The NEET UG examination was conducted by the National Testing Agency on May 5 at 4,750 centres in 571 cities in the country and 14 cities abroad with 23 lakh candidates appearing for the examination. The results were declared on June 4, which immediately caused a hue and cry with aspirants raising multiple issues.
An unprecedented 67 candidates achieved a perfect score of 720 marks out of 720 led to widespread protests in the country. The Supreme Court ruled that the "grace marks" awarded to some students should be scrapped and provided the affected candidates with the option to either take a re-test or retain their original scores, excluding the grace marks.
17:21 Northwest India records warmest June since 1901: IMD
Northwest India recorded its warmest June last month since 1901, with a mean temperature of 31.73 degrees Celsius, the India Meteorological Department said on Monday.
The monthly average maximum temperature in the region settled at 38.02 degrees Celsius, 1.96 degrees Celsius above normal. The average minimum temperature stood at 25.44 degrees Celsius, 1.35 degrees Celsius above normal, according to IMD data. Northwest India recorded a mean temperature of 31.73 degrees Celsius in June, 1.65 degrees Celsius above normal and the highest since 1901, IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said.
Northeast India recorded a 33 per cent rainfall deficit in June, which Mohapatra attributed to the sluggish advance of the monsoon over the northern and eastern parts of the country due to the lack of weather systems.
"Only one low-pressure area developed towards the end of June. Normally, we get three low-pressure systems. The Madden-Julian Oscillation was not favourable, and therefore, we could not get enhanced convection and low-pressure systems," he said.
The absence of active western disturbances, mainly during the June 10 to June 19 period, was also a reason for the longer dry spell and heat wave prevailing over northwest and central India. He said only three western disturbances, against a normal of four to five, were observed across north India (June 5-10, June 19-25, and June 26-28). PTI
17:14 How much did it rain in June?
For July, intense spells of rain, accompanied by isolated thunderstorms, cloud-to-ground lightning, and gusty winds, are expected in Punjab and adjoining Himachal Pradesh, southwest and adjoining extreme northwest Madhya Pradesh, east Uttar Pradesh and adjoining extreme north Chhattisgarh, southeast Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, south Gujarat, south Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, south Karnataka, north Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, and Meghalaya, as per the IMD.
Take a look at the image alongside to understand how poor June rains have been.
In addition to these areas, light to moderate rainfall is anticipated at a few places, with isolated thunderstorms, cloud-to-ground lightning, and gusty winds likely to affect Odisha, Konkan, Goa, south Madhya Maharashtra, Kerala, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Lakshadweep, and the Nicobar Islands.
16:35 Rahul points out camera not on him in Parl today
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi points out in Lok Sabha when the camera wasn't focusing on him during his speech.
It may be recalled that Sansad TV was in the eye of the storm for allegedly giving less screen time to opposition leaders last year when the Parliament was in session and Manipur was being talked about. The Congress had claimed the public broadcaster focused on the Lok Sabha Speaker '71 per cent of the time' during Rahul Gandhi's speech on Manipur violence.
16:29 Abhayamudra is the symbol of Congress: Rahul
Update: Participating in the debate on the motion of thanks on the President's Address, Rahul Gandhi targeted the BJP-led government and alleged there has been "a systematic attack" on the idea of India.
"There has been a systematic and a full-scale assault on the idea of India, the Constitution and on the people who resisted the attack on the Constitution. Many of us were personally attacked. Some of the leaders are still in jail. Anyone who resisted the idea of concentration of power and wealth, aggression on poor and Dalits and minorities was crushed. ..I was attacked by the order of Government of India, by the order of the Prime Minister of India...The most enjoyable part of it was the 55 hours of interrogation by ED...," he alleged.
"Abhayamudra is the symbol of Congress...The Abhayamudra is the gesture of fearlessness, is the gesture of reassurance and safety, which dispels fear and accords divine protection and bliss in Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism and other Indian religions....
"All our great men have spoken about non-violence and finishing fear...But, those who call themselves Hindu only talk about violence, hatred, untruth...Aap Hindu ho hi nahi," the Congress leader said.
16:10 Mahua Moitra's fiery speech in Parl: You paid price
TMC MP Mahua Moitra speaking in Parliament: "The last time I stood here I was not allowed to speak. But the ruling party has paid a very heavy price for throttling the voice of one MP. In an attempt to suppress me, the public made 63 of your members sit permanently..."
15:57 Rahul Gandhi speaks on NEET in Parliament
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi says, "NEET students spend years and years preparing for their exam. Their family supports them financially, and emotionally and the truth is that NEET students today do not believe in the exam because they are convinced that the exam is designed for rich people, not meritorious people. I have met several NEET students. Every single one of them tells me that the exam is designed to create a quota for rich people and to create a passage for them into the system and is designed not to help poor students...."
15:41 Rs 2000 notes: Rs 7,581 cr worth notes still with public
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Monday said 97.87 per cent of the Rs 2000 denomination banknotes have returned to the banking system, and only Rs 7,581 crore worth of the withdrawn notes are still with the public.
On May 19, 2023, the RBI announced the withdrawal of Rs 2000 denomination banknotes from circulation.
The total value of Rs 2000 banknotes in circulation, which was Rs 3.56 lakh crore at the close of business on May 19, 2023, has declined to Rs 7,581 crore at the close of business on June 28, 2024.
"Thus, 97.87 per cent of the Rs 2000 banknotes in circulation as on May 19, 2023, has since been returned," the central bank said in a statement. The facility for deposit and/or exchange of the Rs 2000 banknotes was available at all bank branches in the country till October 7, 2023.
15:33 Agniveer is use and throw labour: Rahul in Parl
Speaking on the Agniveer scheme for entry into Armed Forces, LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi says, "One Agniveer lost his life in a landmine blast but he is not called a 'martyr', 'Agniveer' is a use & throw labourer."
Objecting to LoP Rahul Gandhi's statement, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, "He (Rahul Gandhi) should not try to mislead the House by making wrong statements. Financial assistance of Rs one crore is given to the family of the Agniveer who sacrifices his life while protecting our borders or during war."
15:25 Constitution says I need to take LoP seriously: PM
After LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi attacks him, PM Modi responds by saying, "Calling the entire Hindu community violent is a very serious matter."
Modi objects to Rahul Gandhi's remarks when he said, "Modi, BJP, RSS not the entire Hindu community."
The PM says, "Democracy and the Constitution have taught me that I need to take the Leader of Opposition seriously."
Responding to LoP Rahul Gandhi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Lok Sabha says, "The Leader of Opposition has categorically said that those who call themselves Hindu talk of violence and do violence. He doesn't know that crores of people proudly call themselves Hindu. Connecting violence with any religion is wrong. He should apologise."
15:10 Rahul holds up pic of Lord Shiva... Speaker says...
Update: In a fiery speech in the Lok Sabha on Monday, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on the ruling BJP, asserting that Hinduism is not about spreading fear, hatred and falsehoods.
His remarks came during a discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the president's address to a joint sitting of Parliament. Prime Minister Narendra Modi intervened during Gandhi's speech, stating that calling the entire Hindu society violent is a serious issue.
Gandhi retorted, saying "the BJP and the RSS are not the entire Hindu society".
The Congress leader further emphasised that all religions talk about courage, citing Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism to underline the importance of fearlessness.
He accused the BJP of launching systematic attacks on the Constitution and the fundamental idea of India, noting that millions of people have resisted the ideas proposed by the ruling party.
"I was attacked on the orders of Prime Minister Modi. There were 20-plus cases (against me), (my) house was taken away, 55 hours of interrogation by the ED," Gandhi said.
"Despite these challenges," the MP from Rae Bareli expressed pride in the collective effort to protect the Constitution.
"It feels nice that BJP people are now repeating 'Jai samvidhan' after me," he said. Gandhi also expressed his contentment at being in the opposition.
"I am happy and proud to be in the opposition. For us, there is something more than power, it is the truth," he said.
During his speech, Gandhi showed a picture of Lord Shiva, which prompted Speaker Om Birla to remind him that rules do not allow displaying placards in the House. Gandhi reiterated that all religions, including Islam and Sikhism, emphasise courage and the importance of being fearless. PTI
14:58 Justice within three years of registering FIR: HM
Update: Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Monday that justice will be delivered up to the level of the Supreme Court in all cases registered under the new criminal laws within three years of the registration of an FIR.
Addressing a press conference after the new criminal laws were implemented, Shah expressed hope of a reduction of crime in future as 90 per cent conviction was expected under the new laws.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) came into effect on Monday. The new laws replaced the British-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively. "Justice can be received up to the Supreme Court within three years of the registration of the FIR," he said.
The home minister said with the implementation of the three criminal laws, India would have the most modern criminal justice system in the world. "The new laws brought in a modern justice system, incorporating provisions such as Zero FIR, online registration of police complaints, summonses through electronic modes such as SMS and mandatory videography of crime scenes for all heinous crimes," he said.
Shah said first case under the new laws was about motorcycle theft registered in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior at 10 minutes past midnight. He said the new laws would give priority to providing justice, unlike the colonial-era laws that gave primacy to penal action. PTI
14:55 Modi, BJP, RSS, not entire Hindu community: Rahul
From Parliament: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi says, "There has been a systematic and a full-scale assault on the idea of India, the Constitution and on the people who resisted the attack on Constitution. Many of us were personally attacked. Some of the leaders are still in jail. Anyone who resisted the idea of concentration of power & wealth, aggression on poor & Dalits and minorities was crushed.
"I was attacked by the order of Govt of India, by the order of the Prime Minister of India...The most enjoyable part of it was the 55 hours of interrogation by ED."
PM Modi is present in Lok Sabha.
"The PM says that (Mahatma) Gandhi is dead and Gandhi was revived by a movie. Can you understand the ignorance?' Another thing I noticed is that it is not just one religion that talks about courage. All religions talk about courage.
"All our great men have spoken about non-violence and finishing fear... But, those who call themselves Hindu only talk about violence, hatred, untruth, 'Aap Hindu ho hi nahi'.
After LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi attacks him, PM Modi responds by saying, "Calling the entire Hindu community violent is a very serious matter."
Rahul Gandhi says, "Modi, BJP, RSS not the entire Hindu community."
14:38 Justice replaces punishment today: HM on new laws
Justice replaces punishment in the three new criminal laws that came into force today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said today. Shah, who led the exercise to review the country's criminal law system, told the media today that 77 years after Independence, the country has a completely 'swadeshi' legal system.
With the overhaul of the colonial-era criminal code, an "Indian soul" has been added to the justice system, he said, "The provisions are such they many groups would be benefited. Many sections from the British era have been replaced by sections in sync with today."
On crimes relating to violence against women, Shah said the new law provides for recording the survivor's statement at her home and also mentioned an online FIR facility that will shield her from social stigma.
File pic
14:11 Your habit to comment: Speaker chides Maran
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday chided DMK leader Dayanidhi Maran, saying it has become a habit for him to make comments when someone is speaking.
His remarks came when BJP leader Anurag Thakur was initiating the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on President's Address.
"Senior leader Maran ki aadat pad gayi, baite baite comments karne ki (It has become a habit for Maran to make comments)," Birla said and asserted that such a thing was wrong.
Continuing his speech, Thakur took a swipe at the DMK and reminded them that one of their party leaders had termed 'sanatan dharma' as a disease that should be eradicated.
"When I talk about vikas and virasat (development and legacy)," it is the right for Maran to protest as his party leader only made comments against sanatan dharma. "Sanatan tha, Sanatan hai, Sanatan rahega (Sanatan was there, is there, will continue to be there)," Thakur said.
When some members in the Opposition benches protested, Birla intervened and said the member had mentioned that sanatan will continue to be there. "Do you have any objection with that," he asked. PTI
Bengal guv CV Ananda Bose. File pic
13:20 Guv seeks report from Mamata on flogging of couple
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose on Monday sought a report from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on the flogging of a couple in public in Uttar Dinajpur district's Chopra, officials said.
"The governor is shocked by the incident, which was caught in a video, and called it "barbarous"," they said.
"He condemned the incident and has sought an immediate report from CM Banerjee," an official told PTI. The police on Sunday registered a case after the video of the incident that happened on Friday went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage.
PTI could not independently verify the video. The man seen in the video beating up the couple with a bamboo stick was identified as Tajmul alias 'JCB', claimed to be a local TMC leader. He was arrested.
The couple was allegedly engaged in an illicit relationship because of which they were flogged on the direction of a kangaroo court, according to police. PTI
13:09 Rahul enjoyed power without responsibility: BJP
BJP leader Anurag Thakur on Monday listed out various economic achievements of the NDA government in the last 10 years and took a swipe at Rahul Gandhi, saying he was enjoying power without responsibility till he became the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
Initiating the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on President's Address, Thakur said the Lok Sabha elections have kept those against the Constitution in the Opposition benches for the third time.
While congratulating Gandhi on becoming the Leader of Opposition, Thakur said the Congress leader now has power with responsibility and "absentee landlordism will not work".
For the last many years, Gandhi was enjoying power without responsibility, Thakur said and asserted that it was an "agnipariksha" for the Congress leader now.
"Will he sit in Lok Sabha all day?... he is not there (even) now," the BJP leader remarked. Gandhi was not in the House when Thakur made the remarks and there were protests from the Opposition members.
Thakur said India was once a fragile economy but in the last 10 years, the country has become the world's fifth-largest and also the fastest-growing economy in the world.
"There was economic failure, crony capitalism and scams during the Congress rule while there have been no charges of corruption against Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government in the last 10 years," Thakur said. PTI
Tajimul Haque
12:39 TMC worker who beat couple sent for medical tests
Tajmul Haque alias JCB, who is accused of beating two people including a woman in Chopra, West Bengal, was brought to a local hospital for medical examination after he was arrested by the police in Islampur.
In a viral video, he was seen beating up two people including a woman in a kangaroo court. He will be produced before the ACJM Court Islampur today.
He got the name JCB because he 'destroys his opposition', locals say.
Police registered a case on the basis of the video of the June 28 incident and arrested Tajimul of Dighalgaon village in Lakhipur gram panchayat under the Uttar Dinajur district.
On the Chopra incident, West Bengal Speaker Biman Banerjee says, "Police are investigating the matter. I am not supposed to make any statement on (TMC MLA) Hamidul Rehman's statement. I can say that this thing should not have happened."
12:32 Kejriwal challenges arrest by CBI in Delhi HC
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal challenged in Delhi High Court on Monday his arrest by the CBI in a corruption case related to the alleged excise policy scam.
The AAP national convenor also challenged a trial court's June 26 order by which he was remanded to three-day custody of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
On June 29, he was sent to judicial custody till July 12 by the trial court. Kejriwal was arrested by the CBI on June 26 from Tihar jail, where he was in judicial custody in a related money-laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate. PTI
11:59 I don't switch off mic, control not with me: Speaker
In the Lok Sabha today: Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi raises the NEET irregularities issue, in the House. He says, "A message is disseminated to the country, from Parliament. We want to give a message to students that NEET issue is important for the Parliament. So, to send this message we want the Parliament to discuss this."
Earlier Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and the House congratulated Skipper Rohit Sharma and entire Team India on winning the T20 World Cup.
Amid Opposition protest in the Lok Sabha, the Speaker says, "Outside the House, some MPs level allegations that the Speaker switches off the mic. The control of the mic is not in the hands of the one who sits on the Chair."
Stock market in June
11:25 Markets trade firm amid buying in blue-chip stocks
Equity benchmark indices climbed in early trade on Monday amid buying in blue-chip stocks like Reliance Industries and Bharti Airtel along with a rally in Asian markets.
The 30-share BSE Sensex rose 69.63 points to 79,102.36 in early trade. The Nifty went up by 37.85 points to 24,048.45. Among the Sensex pack, Maruti, JSW Steel, Bharti Airtel, Tata Steel, Reliance Industries, Tech Mahindra, Infosys and Nestle were the biggest gainers. NTPC, Power Grid, ICICI Bank and Larsen & Toubro were among the laggards.
11:21 Stop misusing agencies: INDIA bloc protests in Parl
Several INDIA bloc MPs staged a protest in Parliament premises on Monday against the alleged misuse of probe agencies by the government to "target" Opposition leaders.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and several leaders of the INDIA bloc, including those from the TMC and AAP, participated in the protest on the steps leading to the Makar Dwar in Parliament.
The Opposition leaders carried placards which read "stop misusing agencies to silence opposition" and "BJP mein jao bhrashtachar ka licence pao (Join the BJP and get a licence for corruption)".
Some AAP MPs also displayed posters of Delhi Chief Mijister Arvind Kejriwal standing behind bars. The Opposition protest comes days after a court here sent Kejriwal to judicial custody till July 12 in a corruption case related to the alleged excise scam. He was formally arrested by the CBI last week.
Previously, he was arrested by the ED in a money-laundering case linked to the policy. He was recently granted bail by a trial court that was stayed by Delhi High Court.
Former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren was released on Friday after the state high court granted him bail in a money laundering case, observing that he was not guilty, and there was no likelihood of the petitioner committing an offence on bail. PTI
Lonavala is lush, green and beautiful in the rains
11:00 Lonavala tragedy: Search on for 2 missing kids
Police, Navy divers and other rescue teams on Monday resumed the search for two missing children who along with three other family members got swept away at a waterfall near the Bhushi Dam in Pune's Lonavala area, officials said.
After the tragic incident on Sunday, the rescue teams had recovered the bodies of a 36-year-old woman and two minor girls.
Search was on for the other two missing children - Adnan Sabhahat Ansari (4) and Mariya Aqil Ansari (9), according to police.
"The search operation for the two children resumed on Monday morning with the rescue teams of the Vanyajeev Rakshak Maval, Shiv Durg Trekkers Organisation and the Navy divers," an official from Lonavala police station said.
A heart-wrenching video of the incident showed a group of people, including those who lost their lives, being swept away by the gushing water caused by intense rainfall in the region.
A search team on Sunday recovered the bodies of Shahista Liaqat Ansari (36), Amima Adil Ansari (13) and Umera Adil Ansari (8) from the reservoir downstream. According to the police, 16-17 members of a family from Sayyad Nagar in Pune's Hadapsar area had hired a private bus to visit the scenic spot near Lonavala for a picnic on the rain-soaked Sunday.
Members of the Ansari family went to see the waterfall close to the Bhushi Dam but were caught unawares when the water flow rose due to intense rain in the area and were swept away, a police official said on Sunday.
A relative said the family members travelled from Mumbai for a wedding a couple of days ago.
On Sunday, more than 15 members hired a bus to go to Lonavala for a picnic, he said. As the monsoon season begins, thousands of visitors flock the Bhushi and Pavana dam areas, often disregarding warnings from the police and local authorities to avoid unknown areas. A police officer estimated that more than 50,000 people visited Lonavala on Sunday. PTI
10:24 New Army Chief's family cherishes historic moment
Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi touches the feet of his brother and other relatives as he takes over as the new Chief of Army Staff.
An ace infantry officer with vast experience in operations, General Upendra Dwivedi, took over the command of the Indian Army on Sunday. The 30th Chief of the Indian Army belongs to the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles and was Vice Chief of Army Staff from February this year. He hails from Madhya Pradesh and has studied in Sainik School Rewa (MP).
He joined the prestigious National Defence Academy in January 1981 and was commissioned into the 18th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles on December 15, 1984, which he later commanded in the Kashmir valley and the deserts of Rajasthan.
Chhaya Sharma, Delhi Police Special CP (Training)
10:12 Get set go! Delhi cops trained on new criminal laws
As the new criminal laws came into force on Monday, Chhaya Sharma, Delhi Police Special CP (Training), stated that over 45,000 officers in the force have been trained for the change.
The Special CP mentioned that special booklets have been prepared to ease the implementation process.
The three new criminal laws, namely Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860; the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973; and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, which came into effect from Monday.
"FIRs will be registered under these sections from today. Our training for this began on February 5. We prepared booklets that helped us easily train our officers so they can be prepared for the coming changes," the Special CP said.
"The pocket booklet, divided into four parts, contains the transition from IPC to BNS, new sections added to BNS, categories that now come under seven years of punishment, and a table containing sections needed for everyday policing," she said.
CP Sharma stated that the first round of training was provided to the IOs in all stations and also to potential IOs who might be posted in major stations in the future.
"Now, at least 45,000 officers in the Delhi Police are trained and ready for the changes introduced by the new criminal laws. We have also established a team to assist officers with any questions regarding the implementation of these laws. This team serves as an FAQ resource, providing support and clarification as needed during the implementation process," CP Sharma said.
She also highlighted that the best part of the new system is that it focuses on 'justice' rather than 'punishment' with a victim-centric approach.
"For the first time, great emphasis has been given to digital evidence. Now, the evidence will be recorded digitally. The role of forensic experts has been enhanced," she added.
She further said that old cases registered under the IPC, CrPC, and Indian Evidence Act will be tried under the same old laws until final disposal.
"Law doesn't function on a retrospective basis. So, the law is that the old cases (registered earlier) will be dealt with under IPC and CrPC. But when new cases are registered from today, July 1, sections of BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) will be invoked. Similarly, the process of investigation that begins today will follow Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and not CrPC.
Old cases will be dealt with under old sections - CrPC and IPC. New cases will be dealt with sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)," she said.
The first FIR under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, was registered at Kamla Market Police Station in the national capital on Monday. The case has been registered against a street vendor under Section 285 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for obstruction on the footbridge of New Delhi Railway Station and making sales.
The three new laws that came into effect today received Parliament's nod on December 21, 2023. President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on December 25, 2023, and it was published in the official gazette on the same day. -- ANI
Representational image
10:05 Pushed off train, Jammu youths Army dreams dashed
A mere objection to smoking by a group of travellers inside a train compartment has turned the world of Jammu-based Tushar Thakur upside down. The 23-year-old, who was on a trip to realise his dream of donning the olive green, was pushed off the moving train by three youths near the Ludhiana railway station, leaving him paralysed from the waist down for life.
Read the report here.
HM Amit Shah
09:53 Bulldozer justice: Cong on new criminal laws
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday claimed that the three new criminal laws were passed "forcibly" after suspending 146 MPs in the last Lok Sabha, and asserted that the INDIA bloc will not allow such "bulldozer justice" to prevail in the country's parliamentary system.
The three new criminal laws came into effect in the country on Monday, bringing far-reaching changes in India's criminal justice system. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) take into account some of the current social realities and modern-day crimes.
The new laws replaced the British-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively.
In a post in Hindi on X, Kharge said, "After the political and moral shock in the elections, Modi ji and the BJP are pretending to respect the Constitution, but the truth is that the three laws of the criminal justice system which are being implemented from today, were passed forcibly after suspension of 146 MPs."
"INDIA will no longer allow this 'bulldozer justice' to prevail in the parliamentary system," he asserted.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who piloted the laws, had said the new laws would give priority to providing justice, unlike the colonial-era laws that gave primacy to penal action. From Monday, all fresh FIRs will be registered under the BNS. However, cases filed earlier will continue to be tried under the old laws till their final disposals. PTI
09:36 NTA announces retest result for NEET
The National Testing Agency announced the revised rank list for the medical entrance exam NEET-UG on Monday, officials said.
The revised result was announced after a retest was conducted for candidates who were earlier awarded grace marks to compensate for loss of time as the exam on May 5 started late at six centres.
For the retest conducted at seven centres on June 23 following a Supreme Court order, 48 per cent of the 1,563 candidates did not appear. National Testing Agency (NTA) officials reported that 813 of the 1,563 candidates appeared for the retest while the others opted for the marks without the grace. PTI
Representational image
09:26 First case under new penal code registered in Delhi
The first FIR under Section Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, was registered at Kamla Market Police Station in the national capital Delhi. Three new criminal laws come into effect from today.
The case has been registered against a street vendor under Section 285 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for obstruction under foot over bridge of New Delhi Railway Station and making sales.
According to the FIR, the accused has been identified as Pankaj Kumar, a resident of Barh, Bihar. The police in the FIR mentioned that the accused was selling tobacco and water on a cart near the main road, which was causing hindrance and trouble to the commuters.
When the police patrolling in that area asked the accused to remove his cart, he ignored the officials. The Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been replaced with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the CrPC with Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Indian Evidence Act has been replaced with the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has 358 sections (instead of 511 sections of IPC).
A total of 20 new crimes have been added to the Sanhita, and the imprisonment sentence has been increased for 33 crimes. The amount of fine has been increased in 83 crimes and mandatory minimum punishment has been introduced in 23 crimes. The penalty of community service has been introduced in six crimes and 19 sections have been repealed or removed in the Act.
Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita has 531 sections (in place of 484 sections of CrPC). A total of 177 provisions have been changed in the Sanhita and nine new sections as well as 39 new sub-sections have been added to it. The act has added 44 new provisions and clarifications. Timelines have been added to 35 sections and audio-video provision has been added at 35 places.
A total of 14 sections have been repealed and removed in the Sanhita. Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam will have 170 provisions (instead of the original 167 provisions, and a total of 24 provisions have been changed. Two new provisions and six sub- provisions have been added and six provisions have been repealed or deleted in the Adhiniyam.
09:09 Colonial-era IPC out, new criminal laws take effect
Three new criminal laws came into effect in the country on Monday, bringing far-reaching changes in India's criminal justice system. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) take into account some of the current social realities and modern-day crimes.
The new laws replaced the British-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively. From Monday, all fresh FIRs will be registered under the BNS. However, cases filed earlier will continue to be tried under the old laws till their final disposals.
The new laws brought in a modern justice system, incorporating provisions such as Zero FIR, online registration of police complaints, summonses through electronic modes such as SMS and mandatory videography of crime scenes for all heinous crimes.
The new laws have tried to address some of the current social realities and crimes and are going to provide a mechanism to effectively deal with these, keeping in view the ideals enshrined in the Constitution, official sources said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who piloted the laws, had said the new laws would give priority to providing justice, unlike the colonial-era laws that gave primacy to penal action.
"These laws are made by Indians, for Indians and by an Indian Parliament and marks the end of colonial criminal justice laws," he had said. Shah had further said the laws were not just about changing the nomenclature but bringing about a complete overhaul.
"Soul, body and spirit" of the new laws is Indian," he had said. Justice is an umbrella term that encompasses both the victim and the culprit, the home minister had said and added these new laws would ensure political, economic and social justice with an Indian ethos.
According to the new laws, judgment in criminal cases has to come within 45 days of completion of trial and charges must be framed within 60 days of first hearing. Statement of rape victims will be recorded by a woman police officer in presence of her guardian or relative and medical reports have to come within seven days.
Organised crimes and acts of terrorism have been defined, sedition has been replaced with treason and video recording of all search and seizures made mandatory.
A new chapter on crimes against women and children has been added, buying and selling of any child made a heinous crime and there is a provision for death sentence or life imprisonment for gang rape of a minor. Offences against women and children, murder and offences against the State have been given precedence in the new law. -- PTI
08:57 T20 WC champions stuck in Barbados due to hurricane
Indian cricket fans might have to wait a little longer to see their T20 World Cup-winning heroes back in the country as the Rohit Sharma-led side's travel plans have been impacted by a hurricane in Barbados.
Reports said that hurricane Beryl, originating in the Atlantic, had intensified with maximum sustained winds of 210 kmph.
The Category 4 hurricane was about 570km east-southeast of Barbados and there are reports that the airport in Bridgetown will shut in the evening.
The Indian team was supposed to take an Emirates flight from New York via Dubai.
A source told PTI that the plan now is to fly the team back to India on a charter flight.
"The team was supposed to leave from here (Bridgetown) to New York and then reach India via Dubai. But now the plan is to get a charter flight straight from here to Delhi. A meeting with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also being considered," a source said.
The Indian contingent, including support staff, families, and officials, consists of about 70 members.
India had ended their 11-year wait for an ICC trophy on Saturday, overcoming South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling contest to win the T20 World Cup for the second time.
Player of the match Virat Kohli smashed a 59-ball 76 to guide India to 176/7 before restricting South Africa to 169/8 to lift the trophy they had last won in 2007.
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