India's political landscape is ablaze with activity! From the ongoing debates surrounding the new farm bills and their impact on rural India, to the upcoming state elections shaping the national narrative, the stakes couldn't be higher. Key political figures are maneuvering strategically, with alliances shifting and power dynamics constantly in flux. The opposition's challenge to the ruling party is intensifying, sparking vigorous debates on crucial policy matters including economic reforms and social justice initiatives. Parliamentary proceedings are filled with heated exchanges, reflecting the deep divisions within the nation. This evolving political climate directly impacts the lives of every Indian citizen, influencing everything from economic opportunities to social welfare programs. Stay informed about the latest developments in Indian politics, from crucial legislative decisions to grassroots movements, by exploring Abtak.com for in-depth analysis and breaking news updates. Understanding the intricacies of our political system is crucial; stay engaged, stay informed, and stay ahead.
NEW DELHI: Boosting his chances of securing premature release, Delhi high court Tuesday noted "demonstrable indicators of reformation" in Santosh Kumar Singh, convicted in the 1996 rape and murder case of DU law student Priyadarshini Mattoo.Deciding a batch of petitions by murder convicts, including Singh, challenging the rejection of their plea for remission, HC asked the Sentence Review Board (SRB) to consider their applications afresh in next four months.Justice Sanjeev Narula outlined "an element of reformation" in Singh and underlined that the nature of the original crime cannot, by itself, be the sole ground for denying premature release.'Singh's conduct, reform can't be ignored' Specifically, in Singh's case, the high court disapproved of SRB's comments that his conduct in jail is not necessarily a barometer of what he may do outside prison."In the present batch of cases, despite a prima facie reformative conduct and intent exhibited by the convicts, correlation to such material considerations is conspicuously absent," the court observed, faulting the SRB for rejecting the plea by Singh and others only due to the gravity, cruelty and perversity of the crime, and the objections raised by police and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).The court found the argument that jail behaviour wasn't an indicator of a person's reformation "deeply problematic". "While the heinousness of the offence and the views of investigating agencies are undoubtedly relevant, they cannot operate to the exclusion of other equally material considerations such as post-conviction conduct, demonstrated reform, educational and vocational achievements, and institutional assessment through placement in open prisons," the court noted.It pointed out that SRB made "no effort" to evaluate the petitioner's "demonstrable reformative progress, including advanced educational qualifications, documented good conduct and participation in rehabilitation programmes."Justice Narula also highlighted that Singh was at present lodged in an open prison, which entitles him to exit the prison complex daily between 8am and 8pm for gainful employment as a legal consultant."As noted above, the placement in such a prison category is a reflection of the positive reformative conduct of the convict. This is a critical indicator of reform which the SRB has failed to even acknowledge, let alone evaluate," it observed.In an 82-page verdict, HC detected little indication the SRB "undertook any nuanced or individualised assessment of the petitioners' present psychological stability and emotional rehabilitation, behavioural disposition, institutional conduct or potential for reintegration. The apparent lack of depth in these foundational reports undermines the deliberative exercise that SRB is expected to undertake."The court gave SRB three months to convene its next meeting to consider the plea of Singh and two other convicts."In doing so, SRB shall ensure due application of mind to each case and make a reasoned decision within a period of four months from the date of this judgment," the high court specified, laying down in detail what each official involved in the process must do as per guidelines of the jail manual.It ordered the superintendent of the prison housing the convict to prepare a revised note with a clear recommendation and reflect the official's opinion about the prisoner's conduct, mental and physical health, participation in reformative activities and overall suitability for premature release. Next, a senior police officer of appropriate rank shall prepare a report assessing the convict's conduct, antecedents, present risk profile and community impact in a balanced and evidence-based manner.It further directed that the deputy commissioner of police/superintendent of police concerned must furnish a report as required under relevant rules. Where any objection to premature release is raised, it must be supported by cogent reasons, including any credible threat perception or risk of recidivism. "Mere reiteration of the gravity of the original offence shall not suffice," the high court said, adding that inputs from the district probation officer shall also be submitted afresh."It must be a detailed and individualised inquiry into the desirability of the prisoner's release, addressing, on the basis of relevant material, the convict's family and social background, reintegration prospects, community acceptance and any demonstrated reformation of character or attitude," the court noted. It further laid down guidelines for SRB while considering remission pleas of convicts. The board must also conduct psychological assessment of the convicts which was not done in this case, it pointed out.
New Delhi, Dec 4 (PTI) "On the face of it you are a corrupt person. Crores of rupees were recovered from your premises," the Supreme Court on Wednesday told former West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee, held in an alleged cash-for-job scam in the state. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan, which reserved its verdict on the bail plea of Chatterjee, questioned the enforcement directorate (ED) over his continued incarceration saying he cannot be kept inside for an indefinite period. "On the face of it you are a corrupt person. Crores of Rupees were recovered from your premises. Wha ...Read More >
Kolkata, Jan 21 (VOICE) The West Bengal government on Tuesday approached the Calcutta High Court, challenging the special court's verdict sentencing Sanjay Roy, convicted in the rape and murder of a junior doctor of state-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, to life imprisonment. State Advocate General Kishor Datta has approached the division bench of Justice Debangshu Basak and Justice Shabbar Rashidi seeking a "death penalty" for the convict. The division bench has admitted the petition from the state government. After the court pronounced the quantum of sentence, Chief Minister Mama ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], February 7 (ANI): The Delhi High Court on Friday reserved the order on an application moved by Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid seeking custody parole to attend ongoing parliament session amidst jurisdictional row. However, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), while opposing the custody parole, stated that Rashid Engineer does not need to respond to any questions. They emphasized that this request is generic and pointed out that Engineer has no speech to deliver. Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra appeared for NIA also argued that taking an oath and campaigning are separate m ...Read More >
Bengaluru, June 5 (PTI) In a major development, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday suspended Bengaluru police commissioner B Dayananda and several other senior police officials in connection with the stampede outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium that killed 11 people. He also ordered the arrest of representatives of the RCB team, the event management firm DNA Entertainment Private Limited, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), hours after an FIR was registered against them under various charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The state government ...Read More >
The Supreme Court of India has said that mere harassment is not sufficient to hold someone guilty of the offence of abetting suicide, and there must be clear evidence of direct or indirect incitement. Photograph: ANI Photo The observations came from a bench of justices Vikram Nath and P B Varale which delivered its verdict on an appeal challenging a Gujarat high court order which refused to discharge a woman's husband and her two in-laws for allegedly harassing her and driving her to suicide. ...Read More >
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has raised concern over terminally ill prisoners languishing in Maharashtra's jails and asked the state govt to consider proper implementation of an advisory on grant of medical bail or to place them in house arrest. A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan on Monday said they visited the Yerwada central prison in Pune on Sunday and met with prisoners, particularly women inmates, and inspected the condition there. The bench referred to a ...Read More >
Chennai, May 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) Three men have been arrested in connection with the brutal murder of an elderly couple in Tamil Nadu's Erode district on April 28, said police on Monday. The accused also allegedly confessed to their involvement in a triple murder that occurred in Tiruppur district in November 2024, currently under investigation by the CB-CID. The arrested have been identified as P. Aachiappan (48), N. Madeswaran (52), and R. Ramesh (54), all residents of Arachalur in Erode district. The victims, Ramasamy (72) and his wife Bakkiyam (63) of Megaraiyan Thottam, Uchimedu near S ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], May 21 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) trainee officer Puja Khedkar, accused of forging her documents to obtain eligibility for the 2022 Union Public Service Commission test. A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma asked Khedkar to cooperate in the probe. Also Read | Security Scare in Kolkata: Police Launch Probe After Drone-Like Objects Spotted Over Sky, Centre Seeks Report From West Bengal Govt. During the hearing, the bench said, "What is the grave crime she has committed? ...Read More >
Bengaluru, Jun 5 (PTI) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday ordered the suspension of Bengaluru police commissioner and several senior police officials in connection with the stampede in front of Chinnaswamy Stadium here, which left 11 people dead. He has also ordered the arrest of representatives of RCB, DNA event managers and Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), while handing over the probe to the one-man judicial commission headed by retired High Court judge of Karnataka Justice Michael Cunha. The stampede occurred on Wednesday evening in front of the stadium, where a ...Read More >
New Delhi: Nearly three weeks after businessman Arun Lohia was fatally shot inside his SUV near Chhatarpur Metro Station in South Delhi, two of the alleged shooters were injured and arrested during a police encounter on the Chirag Delhi-Khanpur stretch on Thursday. Investigations revealed that the killing stemmed from a land dispute. A third suspect was also taken into custody.According to police, the murder took place on May 15. The victim, Arun, a resident of Aya Nagar and owner of several local warehouses, was attacked around 1 pm while returning from Saket Court with his father, Rambir Loh ...Read More >
Haridwar: A woman politician has been arrested for allegedly letting her boyfriend and others repeatedly rape her 13-year-old daughter in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. The horrifying crime, which occurred between January and March, was exposed when the minor bravely confided in her father, prompting a police investigation that led to the arrest of the accused. The accused was arrested with her boyfriend and one more. According to police reports, the minor was gang-raped multiple times, often in the presence of her mother. The minor, who had been living with her father following her parents' separat ...Read More >
New Delhi: Three Indian citizens vanished mysteriously in Tehran. Darkness closed in as hope seemed lost. A ruthless Pakistani gang with potential links to ISI snatched them away, casting a shadow of fear. But relentless Indian diplomats refused to back down. Against all odds, a daring rescue mission ignited. Now, the captives are free, and a chilling game of espionage comes to light. The Punjab-based trio - Amritpal Singh from Hoshiarpur, Jaspal Singh from SBS Nagar and Hushnapreet Singh from Sangrur - had landed in Iran on May 1. Promised a clandestine route to Australia via Dubai and Tehra ...Read More >
The police have registered a case under the POCSO Act and other relevant sections Haridwar: A former BJP office-bearer in the holy city of Haridwar has been arrested for allegedly allowing her boyfriend and others to sexually abuse her 13-year-old daughter. Sumit Patwal, the woman's partner, has also been arrested, and the police are on the lookout for another accused, said a senior official. The minor had accused her mother of subjecting her to sexual abuse, said Paramendra Doval, Senior Supe ...Read More >
ALSO READ: Lucknow Shocker: 3-Year-Old Girl, Sleeping Under Metro Station, Raped In Alambagh Area; Her Condition Critical Ashish Srivastav, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Central Lucknow, who visited the crime scene on Wednesday night itself, identified the accused as Deepak Verma. While talking to the news agency ANI, DCP Srivastava said, " On the morning of June 5, at 10 am, a complaint was registered that a 2.5 year old girl had been raped... A case was registered and five teams were formed... As per the CCTV footage of the scooter, the accused was identified as Deepak Verma... ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 11 (PTI) A Delhi court has sought a report from police commissioner Sanjay Arora asking why no efforts were made to arrest a man who was serving 10 years in jail in a drugs case but jumped interim bail in 1998 to be held only recently. Additional sessions judge Ekta Gauba Mann was hearing the proceedings regarding a 1994 FIR registered in Jama Masjid Police Station, wherein the investigating officer produced the accused Ashok Kumar Yadav before the court. The court noted the IO's submissions that Yadav was convicted under Section 20 (contravention in relation to cannabis plant ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 17 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld Madras High Court's November 20, 2024, order directing a CBI probe into the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy, which claimed the lives of 68 people in Tamil Nadu. A bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice J. Mahadevan dismissed a special leave petition filed by the ruling DMK government, stating: "Having heard the learned Advocate General appearing for the petitioners and having gone through the materials on record, we see no good reason to interfere with the very well-reasoned judgment of the High Court." The High Court, in it ...Read More >
Thane, Dec 26 (VOICE) A couple has been arrested in connection with the abduction, rape and murder of a 13-year-old girl in Maharashtra's Thane district. Coming barely after the Badlapur sexual assault on two nursery class girls in August, this is the second case that has sparked outrage with people demanding the noose for the alleged perpetrators - Vishal Gawli, 35 and his wife Sakshi Gawli, 25. Vishal Gawli is accused of kidnapping the girl from near her home, where she was playing on Monday, taking her to his house, assaulting, raping, killing and then dumping her body near a cemetery in ...Read More >
Bengaluru, January 14: In a heart-wrenching incident, a 26-year-old woman allegedly threw her four young children into a canal in Karnataka's Vijayapura. According to the reports, the woman took this extreme step allegedly due to financial distress. A case has been registered, and the police have launched a probe. According to the Indian Express, the woman was identified as Bhagyashree Bhajantri. The bodies of her two daughters, Tanushree (5) and Suraksha (3), were recovered later that day while search operations continued for her 13-month-old twin sons. Bengaluru Shocker: Man Slits Wife's Th ...Read More >
LUCKNOW: Hours after the abduction and rape of a three-year-old girl sleeping with her mother under a bridge near Alambagh metro station, the accused was killed in an encounter with Lucknow police early Friday.The accused, identified as Deepak Verma, a habitual offender with multiple criminal cases lodged across city police stations, was traced through CCTV footage that captured him fleeing with the child on a white scooter around 3.30 am on Thursday.Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Zone) Ashish Srivastava said multiple police teams were formed immediately after the incident, and a rewar ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Former head of Air India and chairman of the Railway Board Ashwani Lohani is the new Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) director. The official order for his appointment was issued on Wednesday. A 1980-batch officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineering (IRSME), Lohani is known for turning around various organisations during his illustrious career. Following his retirement from IRSME service, he joined the GMR Group as the CEO. According to the order dated June 4, his appointment to the post of director, Prime Ministers Museum and Library in the rank and pa ...Read More >
Kuldeep Singh Sengar is also serving a 10-year jail term in connection with the custodial death of the Unnao rape victim's father. Kuldeep Singh Sengar sought interim bail on the grounds that he was suffering from various ailments The Delhi High Court on Thursday granted a two-week interim bail on medical grounds to expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar who is serving life term for raping a minor in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao in 2017. A bench headed by Justice Prathiba M Singh suspended the sent ...Read More >
The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to eight convicts in the infamous 1987 Hashimpura massacre case of 38 persons by the personnel of the Provincial Armed Constabulary. IMAGE: File photograph of Muslims in Meerut staging a protest demanding justice in the 1987 Hashimpura massacre case. Photograph: PTI Photo/Rediff archives A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih took note of the submissions of senior advocate Amit Anand Tiwari, appearing for four convicts, that t ...Read More >
New Delhi: Former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, accused of cheating and wrongly availing OBC and disability quota benefits in the civil services examination, has moved the Supreme Court for anticipatory bail. A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma is scheduled to hear the plea on January 15. Khedkar has challenged the December 23 2024 Delhi High Court order which refused to grant her anticipatory bail. The high court said a strong prima facie case was made out against Khedkar and an investigation was required to unearth the "larger conspiracy" to manipulate the system ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday decided to grant anticipatory bail to former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, accused of cheating and wrongly availing OBC and disability quota benefits in the civil services examination. The matter was heard by a bench consisting of justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma. "What is the grave crime she has committed? She is not a drug lord or a terrorist. She has not committed 302 (murder). She is not an NDPS offender", said the bench. "You should have a system or software. You complete the investigation. She has lost everything and will not ge ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 5 (ANI): The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, has taken suo motu cognizance of a press release issued by the Press Club of India, New Delhi, highlighting the alleged brutal assault of two journalists by police in Bhind district, Madhya Pradesh. The incident reportedly took place on May 1, 2025, under the supervision of the District Superintendent of Police. 'NHRC, India takes suo motu cognisance of the reported assault of two journalists by police in Bhind district, Madhya Pradesh,' in a post in X, NHRC stated. https://x.com/India_NHRC/status/193056213 ...Read More >
Bengaluru stampede: Coming down heavily on lax policing in the aftermath of the stampede that took place during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) victory parade, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Thursday suspended senior Bengaluru police officers including city Police Commissioner 'with immediate effect'. Informing of the steps taken after 11 people were killed in the stampede on Wednesday, the chief minister said, "Cubbon Park Police Station Police Inspector, Station House Master, Station House Officer, ACP, Central Division DCP, Cricket Stadium in-charge, Additional Commissioner of Police, ...Read More >
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar expressed grief over the stampede near Chinnaswamy Stadium, lamenting the loss of lives and the damage to Bengaluru's reputation. He dismissed opposition allegations and accusations of playing politics, emphasizing the government's responsibility.Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday turned emotional over the loss of lives due to the stampede near the Chinnaswamy Stadium and said that Bengaluru has lost its image due to the incid ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], January 22 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Madhya Pradesh government on a plea seeking a CBI/SIT investigation into the murder of a 20-year-old Dalit woman along with her two family members in Madhya Pradesh's Sagar. A bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and Aravind Kumar sought a response from the Madhya Pradesh government and CBI on the plea also seeking immediate and effective police protection for the members of the family of the deceased. Also Read | Suicide Pact Tragedy: Pregnant Teenage Girl Jumps off 3rd Floor of Building in Surat, Lover Who ...Read More >
Kolkata: Probing the murder and rape of the class VIII student in New Town, cops have found that accused Soumitra Roy (22) is an undertrial accused in a four-year-old dowry death case at his hometown in Nadia's Dhantala. He was accused of torturing and killing his former wife for dowry. Cops said in a case dated Aug 2, 2021, Roy was arrested by officers of Dhantala PS. "He got bail in 2022 and then left Nadia with his family and remarried 13 months ago. He still has to appear in a Nadia court in connection with the case on a regular basis," an officer said. TOI on Monday quoted his wife Mous ...Read More >
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 5 (ANI): The Karnataka High Court on Thursday issued a notice to the state government over the stampede incident near the Chinnaswamy Stadium that claimed the lives of 11 people and left several injured. The High Court took suo motu cognisance of the incident and asked for a further status report. 'News items have been published in various newspapers, narrating the tragedy that happened when 11 persons died and 75 were injured during the course of the victory celebration of RCB. This court is taking cognisance of the incident,' the High Court said. 'Senio ...Read More >