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: On what was to be the darkest day for a nurse from Kerala, an unexpected ray of hope came from thousands of miles away. Nimisha Priya, who had been sentenced to death in Yemen for the murder of loca business partner, had her execution halted just hours before it was to take place. At the centre of this dramatic turn was a quiet but powerful intervention by India's Grand Mufti, Sheikh Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar. A native of Kollengode in Kerala's Palakkad district, Nimisha left for Yemen in 2011. She worked as a nurse in the capital, Sanaa. Like many others from India's nursing diaspora, she hoped for a better life for her family. But her journey soon spiralled into something far more tragic. In 2014, her husband and daughter returned to India due to the worsening civil war and financial struggles. She stayed behind, hoping to continue sending money back home. She partnered with a Yemeni national, Talal Abdo Mahdi, to open a clinic required by local law for foreign medical professionals. But that partnership soon became a prison. Mahdi allegedly forged documents to falsely claim he was married to her. He then seized her passport and reportedly subjected her to violence and drugging. In desperation, Nimisha tried to retrieve her documents by sedating Mahdi in 2017. But the dosage turned fatal. In panic, she and a female colleague dismembered his body and hid the remains in a water tank. She was arrested soon after. In 2020, a Yemeni court sentenced her to death. The country's Supreme Judicial Council upheld the verdict in November 2023. And the execution was scheduled for July 16, 2025. As Nimisha's family scrambled for legal help, diplomatic intervention hit a wall. India has no official diplomatic ties with the Houthi-controlled region of Yemen, where she is imprisoned. The Indian government admitted as much to the Supreme Court, stating that there was "nothing much" it could do. But far from the legal corridors, an elder statesman of Islamic jurisprudence quietly stepped in. Sheikh Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar, also known as the Grand Mufti of India, began reaching out to Yemen. Sheikh Kanthapuram contacted Islamic scholars in Yemen directly. He pleaded for humanity. He urged them to explore a path rooted in Islamic principles - 'Diya' (blood money) instead of capital punishment. "In Islam, instead of killing, there is also a practice of giving Diya (compensation). I requested them to accept Diyaat as the party is ready here for it. There are talks going on about whether my request has to be accepted," the Grand Mufti told ANI. He did not know the victim's family personally. Still, he extended himself across oceans. "Islam has another law. If the murderer is sentenced to death, the family of the victim has the right to pardon. I do not know who this family is, but from a long distance, I contacted the responsible scholars in Yemen. I made them understand the issues. Islam is a religion that places a lot of importance on humanity," he told reporters. The scholars whom Sheikh Kanthapuram reached out to responded with urgency. They met. They deliberated. And they acted. "After I requested that they intervene and take action, the scholars met, discussed and stated that they would do what they could. They have officially informed us and sent a document stating that the date of execution has been postponed, which will help facilitate the ongoing discussions," he said. He did not stop there. "I have also informed the Central government about the discussions and the process. I have also sent a letter to the Prime Minister's Office," he added. The document, in Arabic, was shared by him on Instagram. It stated that the death sentence scheduled for July 16 had been postponed "until further notification" following a directive from the Attorney General of Yemen. The halt in execution is not an end. It is a moment of breathing room. Nimisha's family is now hoping to reach a settlement through the concept of Diya, recognised under Yemen's Sharia law. Reports suggest the family is prepared to offer Rs 8.6 crore as blood money to the victim's relatives. Officials in India have been in touch with the prosecutor's office and prison authorities in Yemen throughout the ordeal. But it was the voice of a religious leader that broke through the diplomatic impasse. Sheikh Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar is a towering figure in South Indian Islamic scholarship. Born in Kerala, he is the president of the All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama. His moral authority extends well beyond the subcontinent. He is known for balancing theological purity with a deep empathy for real-world human suffering. His role in the Nimisha's case is an example. He wielded no political power. He made no loud demands. Yet his appeal, grounded in faith and compassion, created a pause in what had seemed inevitable. For Nimisha's mother and daughter in Kerala, this moment is nothing short of a miracle. They know that the fight is not over. But for now, the gallows have been pushed back. And it was a scholar from their own state who gave them that chance.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said the Karnataka government and the Centre should resolve the issue in connection with the release of financial assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to the state for drought management. The matter came up before a bench comprising justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan. Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, requested the bench that he needed some time to file an affidavit in the matter. "You should resolve it," the bench said. During the hearing, the bench queried, how much amount has been released so far? ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 18 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked Punjab authorities to promptly tackle the health situation of farmers' leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal who is on fast unto death for over 20 days and to take "extraordinary steps" to ensure his health. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan cautioned Punjab authorities on the repercussions if anything untoward happens to the farmer's leader. Also Read | 'Mukadma, Mulzim, Ilzam, Ittila, Chashmdeed': BJP Government in Rajasthan To Replace Urdu Terms in Policing With Hindi Words. "The entire state machinery will b ...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 >
Guwahati, Jun 5 (PTI) The Assam Congress on Thursday demanded a CBI inquiry into alleged illegal stone mining in Karbi Anglong district in violation of a Supreme Court order. Addressing a press conference here, former Rajya Sabha member Ripun Bora also alleged that Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Chief Executive Member Tuliram Ronghang was allowing illegal activities in the district in nexus with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. "Large-scale illegal stone mining is taking place in the hills of Karbi Anglong in violation of the Supreme Court order. The SC had banned mining in and around K ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 12 (VOICE) The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered that no fresh suits would be registered under the Places of Worship Act in the country, and in the pending cases, no final or effective orders would be passed till further orders of the Apex Court. A Special Bench headed by CJI Sajiv Khanna asked the Union government to file within four weeks its reply to the clutch of petitions challenging the validity of the 1991 Act, which prohibits the filing of a lawsuit to reclaim a place of worship or seek a change in its character from what prevailed on August 15, 1947. The Bench, also c ...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 >
Passengers step in to defend Indian-American family against the aggressive woman An American woman has been placed on United Airlines' no-fly list after launching a racist attack on a celebrated wedding photographer and his Indian-American family on a shuttle bus at Los Angeles International Airport. The woman, Karen, was caught on camera making vile racist comments towards photographer Pervez Taufiq and his family, including two children. She told Taufiq's kids to "shut up" and then launched into a racist attack saying "Your family is from India, you have no respect for the rules... Indians ...Read More >
The Supreme Court halted new temple-mosque legal battles. The court will review the 1991 law impacting religious site status. This law froze the status of religious sites as of August 15, 1947. Several cases, including Gyanvapi and Shahi Idgah, challenge this law. The law's validity is being questioned. The court's decision impacts ongoing and future disputes.In its ruling on the keenly-watched Place of Worship Act case, the Supreme Court said on December 12 that no new Mandir-Masjid suits are to ...Read More >
New Delhi: In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has directed that no new lawsuits related to places of worship (temples, mosques, or shrines) can be filed until further notice. This decision was made during the ongoing hearing of petitions challenging the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. The ruling prohibits the lower courts from issuing any survey orders or interim orders that might alter the status or nature of any religious site. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice Sanjay Kumar, and Justice K.V. Vishwanathan, issued this order while hearing sev ...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 >
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 >
New Delhi [India], February 3 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Monday sought the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) report on the examination of certain leaked audio tapes which allegedly implicate Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh for instigating ethnic violence in the state. A bench of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar said the CFSL report should be submitted in six weeks in a sealed cover. Also Read | Bengaluru Water Crisis: Residents Brace for Harsh Summer As Groundwater Levels Drop Dangerously Low. The bench then posted the hearing in the week commenci ...Read More >
Gandhinagar, Feb 4 (PTI) The BJP government in Gujarat on Tuesday formed a committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to assess the need for the Uniform Civil Code in the state, and also draft a bill for the same. While the Opposition said the decision was aimed at diverting attention from pressing issues ahead of the upcoming local body polls, the government claimed rights of the tribal communities will be protected if the UCC is implemented. The five-member committee, to be headed by Justice (retd) Ranjana Desai, will submit its report within 45 days, following which a decision abou ...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 >
An Indian fried chicken dish was named among the top 10 worldwide (Photo Credit: iStock) A wide variety of fried chicken dishes are prepared in regions around the world. From lesser-known traditional delicacies to staple snacks famous in multiple countries, exploring these dishes can be a fascinating exercise. Taste Atlas, the popular food and travel guide, has even curated a list of the 'Best Fried Chicken Dishes' across the globe. It recently updated the same as per its ranking data for December 2024. A single Indian dish was named among the top 10. Chicken 65, a lip-smacking treat from Sou ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 11 (ANI): The case of Bengaluru Techie Atul Subhash who died by suicide citing alleged harassment by his estranged wife has opened up a debate on misuse of ant--dowry lawy. Mumbai-based lawyer Abha Singh described the case as a 'gross misuse of law,' stating that false charges and harassment led to the death of the victim, suffering from harassment from his wife and in-laws. Lawyer Abha Singh also emphasized that the misuse of dowry laws could ultimately deny justice to those who genuinely need protection. Also Read | Atul Subhash Suicide Case: 4 People ...Read More >
Kolkata: BJP on Saturday criticised urban development minister Firhad Hakim over a video where the Kolkata mayor is purportedly heard making a comment on minorities. Hakim had made the comment while addressing an educational conference recently. Hakim said BJP was using his quote out of context and he was only referring to the gulf between the educated and the uneducated. "As education spreads, the gulf will be bridged and there will be one identity," said Hakim. Saying that he would never play ...Read More >
Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal's hunger strike enters its 17th day. His health is critical. The Supreme Court urges dialogue between the government and Dallewal. Dallewal demands MSP guarantee and other farmer-centric issues. He has written an open letter to the Prime Minister. Farmers' organizations continue their protests at the Punjab-Haryana border.The Supreme Court on Friday expressed serious concern over the deteriorating health of Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who ...Read More >
Punjab '95 Controversy: Diljit Dosanjh has been awaiting the release of his highly controversial film for a couple of years now. The film has been completed and kept on hold for longer than expected due to several reasons. It was recently announced that the biopic will skip India and will be released internationally without any cuts on February 7, 2025, but has been postponed yet again indefinitely. Dosanjh took to his Instagram stories on 20th January mid-night and wrote, "We are sorry and it pains us to inform you that Punjab '95 will not release on 7th Feb due to circumstances beyond our c ...Read More >
Jammu: Hours after 37-year-old Sumit Jandyal of the Vijaypur area of Samba district, was shot dead in broad daylight in the heart of Jammu city yesterday, the Khauff gang claimed responsibility. In a post on its Instagram page "khauff_group", the gang claiming responsibility wrote, "What happened in Jewel Chowk, our two brothers Anil Rajee and Bunty Rajee take the responsibility for that. This was the revenge for killing our brother Shunu." However, the family members and relatives of the deceased refuted the allegations of any gang affiliation, asserting that Jandyal was a well-regarded per ...Read More >
New Delhi, January 27: The Supreme Court has upheld an order passed by the apex court registry in August 2024 refusing to admit a lawyer's application seeking direction to SEBI to submit its conclusive probe report into the Adani-Hindenburg controversy. Advocate Vishal Tiwari had moved an appeal against the order passed by the Registrar on August 5 last year. Earlier on July 15, 2024, the top court had dismissed a review petition filed against its earlier verdict refusing to form any SIT or group of experts to conduct an investigation. After perusing the review petition, a bench, headed by th ...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 >
Sharmistha Panoli, a law student, faced arrest over a controversial social media video. The video sparked outrage for allegedly insulting a religious community. Despite an apology, legal action followed. Kolkata Police arrested Panoli in Gurugram. A Kolkata court initially remanded her to judicial custody. Now, the Calcutta High Court has granted her interim bail.The Calcutta High Court on Thursday granted interim bail to influencer Sharmistha Panoli, arrested for allegedly posting video on socia ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) The Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid on Tuesday described as "reprehensible" the alleged mistreatment of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh and asked that country's interim government to take immediate steps to prevent such acts. India has been expressing concerns over attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, in Bangladesh, since Sheikh Hasina's resignation as prime minister in August following months-long students-led protests. Also Read | Rahul Gandhi To Visit Sambhal: DM Requests Neighbouring Districts To Restrict Congress Leader's Proposed Visit to Violence-Hit Town. ...Read More >
MUMBAI: The case of Bengaluru Techie Atul Subhash who died by suicide citing alleged harassment by his estranged wife has opened up a debate on misuse of anti dowry law. Mumbai-based lawyer Abha Singh described the case as a 'gross misuse of law,' stating that false charges and harassment led to the death of the victim, suffering from harassment from his wife and in-laws. Lawyer Abha Singh also emphasized that the misuse of dowry laws could ultimately deny justice to those who genuinely need protection. "Dowry laws, being made to protect women should not be misused because if some women are ...Read More >
Chandigarh, Jan 2 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday claimed that the Centre was trying to"bring back" the now-repealed farm laws, referring to the newly announced draft of the National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing. The AAP-led Punjab government has termed the newly announced draft policy as an attempt to reintroduce the three central agricultural laws passed in 2020 "through backdoor." After a yearlong protest by farmers, the Centre had repealed the laws. Speaking to reporters here, Mann also stated that the demands of the protesting farmers pertain to the c ...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 >
RS Bharathi further alleged that ED has become a "blackmailing organisation," and referred to instances of the agency's officials arrested by the state police of Tamil Nadu and Kerala over bribery allegations The Supreme Court staying the ED probe against state-run TASMAC in Tamil Nadu is a "big blow" to the BJP's efforts to malign the party-led government in the state and the central probe agency was a "blackmailing organisation," senior DMK leader R S Bharathi said on Thursday. Responding to ...Read More >
Mumbai, May 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) The makers of the upcoming film "Param Sundari" on Thursday unveiled the first look of the film, touted as the "biggest love story" featuring Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor Production banner Maddock Films took to Instagram, where they unveiled the first look, which introduces the dapper dude Sidharth Malhotra as "North's fire" Param and the stunning Janhvi Kapoor as "South's grace" Sundari. The first look is charged with romance, drama, emotions and beautiful visuals. The video was captioned: "Where North's fire meets South's grace, it calls for the bigge ...Read More >