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.
Gurgaon: Punjab and Haryana high court on Thursday stayed Haryana govt's July 2, 2024, notification that permitted stilt-plus-four (S+4) residential buildings in the city, citing concerns over inadequate urban infrastructure and possible risks to public safety.The interim order was passed during ongoing hearings in a batch of public interest litigations (PILs) challenging the policy. A bench comprising chief justice Sheel Nagu and justice Sanjiv Berry restrained the govt from proceeding with the S+4 policy "for the time being" till the next hearing on April 8, while making it clear that it was not expressing any final view on the legality of the notification.The court observed that arguments continued for several months without reaching a conclusion and decided to consider interim relief in view of delay and urgency cited by petitioners.A major concern for the court was apparent mismatch between the city's existing infrastructure and the additional burden likely to result from extra floors. Referring to an on-ground inspection conducted by a court-appointed commission in DLF-1 and Sector 28, the bench observed that internal roads originally planned to be 10-12 metres wide had, in practice, been reduced to motorable widths of only 3.9 to 4.8 metres.According to the report, this reduction was caused by encroachments, weak sewage and sanitation systems, overpopulation, indiscriminate paving and unregulated construction activities. These factors, the court said, narrowed usable road space and placed further strain on civic infrastructure.The bench also referred to recommendations made by an expert committee constituted by the state govt. The committee advised that S+4 construction in existing sectors should be allowed only after a comprehensive "infrastructure capacity audit". Such an audit was intended to assess adequacy of water supply, sewerage, drainage, power, parking and fire safety, and to identify upgrades needed before permitting greater density.The court, however, noted that the govt appeared to have implemented the policy without carrying out such an audit. The bench said permitting high-density construction without corresponding infrastructure upgrades could worsen traffic congestion, flooding and pressure on sewage and drainage systems, all of which are already visible in the city.It also made a prima facie observation that the govt, "merely to earn more revenue", ignored critical infrastructure requirements and compromised its constitutional obligation to ensure a clean and safe urban environment.The July 2024 notification allowed construction of an additional fourth floor on residential plots. It also introduced a composition policy under which such construction could be regularised, even where building plans had not been previously approved, subject to payment of charges.The high court earlier declined similar interim relief. However, while disposing of a special leave petition in July 2025, SC allowed the petitioners to seek interim relief before HC on merits.
Chandigarh, Dec 18 (PTI) Noise levels exceeded the prescribed limits during singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh's concert here on Saturday, the Chandigarh administration told the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday. The submission was made by the administration before a division bench of the high court. "Strict action" has been recommended against the violators, the court was further informed. On December 13, the high court had allowed Dosanjh's event scheduled to take place the next evening, with a direction that the organisers comply with the noise pollution regulations. While greenlighti ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jan 27 (PTI) The Bombay High Court on Monday suggested Abhishek Lodha and his brother Abhinandan Lodha to try and amicably resolve the issue over the use of 'Lodha' trademark. The Abhishek Lodha-promoted Macrotech Developers Ltd earlier this month filed a suit in the HC against Abhinandan Lodha's real estate firm, House of Abhinandan Lodha, claiming the name 'Lodha' was their trademark and no one else could use it. The suit sought Rs 5,000 crore as damages from Abhinandan Lodha's company. In an interim application, Macrotech Developers sought a perpetual injunction against the defen ...Read More >
Anantnag (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 8 (ANI): The Indian Army with support from an NGO, M3M Foundation, organised the Gujjar-Bakerwal Mela at Aishmuqam in South Kashmir's Anantnag district, aimed at supporting the nomadic community ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra. Speaking to ANI, Dr Aishwarya Mahajan, Managing Trustee of M3M Foundation, said, "Discussions with the Indian Army were going on from a long time, on furthering their community initiatives in the valley. One of them was, that as soon as the Amarnath Yatra begins, facilities are needed here for the Gujjar Bakarwals who accom ...Read More >
New Delhi, [India], December 11 (ANI): The Supreme Court has expressed concern over the growing tendency to misuse Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which penalises cruelty by husbands and their relatives against married women. While quashing a Section 498A IPC case against a husband and his parents, a bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and N Kotiswar Singh said that the Section became a tool for unleashing personal vendetta against the husband and his family by a wife. Also Read | RBI Will Remain Alert and Agile to Meet Challenges, Says New Governor Sanjay Malhotra (Watch Video). " ...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 >
Kanpur (UP), May 28 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple development projects worth about Rs 20,900 crore here on Friday to boost the region's infrastructure and connectivity, an official statement issued here said. He will launch Chunniganj Metro Station to Kanpur Central Metro Station section of the Kanpur Metro Rail Project worth more than Rs 2,120 crore. It will include 14 planned stations with five new underground stations integrating key city landmarks and commercial hubs into the metro network. Besides, he will also inaugurate road-w ...Read More >
Itanagar, Jun 7 (PTI) The flood situation in Arunachal Pradesh improved on Saturday with water levels of most rivers receding, even as 33,000 people in 24 districts remained affected, officials said. Twelve people lost their lives and one person went missing in rain-related incidents, including landslides, after the monsoon set in, they said. In its daily report, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said 33,200 people in 215 villages remained affected due to floods and landslides in the state. The water levels of most major rivers and their tributaries were showing a receding trend o ...Read More >
Bengaluru: Acting on a public interest litigation (PIL) by farmer leader Sunanda Jayaram challenging the proposed Cauvery Aarti programme near Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) dam, the high court Friday ordered notice to the state govt, Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Ltd, and others. A division bench comprising acting Chief Justice V Kameshwar Rao and Justice CM Joshi directed authorities to submit a detailed response, including measures to ensure safety of the dam, by the next hearing on July 23.Another PIL, challenging a tender to erect an amusement park at the dam, will also be heard the same day. K Bora ...Read More >
VISAKHAPATNAM: Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar inaugurated Andhra Pradesh's first Super ECBC (Energy Conservation Building Code) compliant building at Sagar Nagar in Visakhapatnam on Friday. Terming it a landmark in sustainable infrastructure, he emphasised the government's commitment to energy efficiency and green design in public facilities. The facility will serve as a national-level training hub for power sector staff. He urged power utilities to expedite 20 lakh rooftop solar connections, targeting 10,000 in each Assembly segment. He reaffirmed nine-hour uninterrupted power for agri ...Read More >
New Delhi, Nov 26: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking directions to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to introduce ballot paper in place of EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines). A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and P.B. Varale rejected the prayer to return to the ballot system due to the alleged manipulability of EVMs. "When you lose, EVMs are tampered with; when you win, EVMs are fine," remarked the apex court, when the petitioner referred to the statements made by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and his predecessor Jagan Mohan ...Read More >
The Supreme Court overturned a Madras High Court decision. The high court had refused to dismiss defamation charges against Union minister L Murugan. Murugan faced these charges over statements made in 2020. The Supreme Court accepted Murugan's argument. He said he did not intend to defame the Murasoli Trust. The case is now closed.The Supreme Court on Thursday quashed criminal defamation proceedings against Union minister L Murugan on a complaint filed by the Chennai-based Murasoli Trust for his ...Read More >
Guwahati, Jan 31 (PTI) The Gauhati High Court has issued notices to the Assam government and its various departments over rampant rat-hole coal mining and asked them to furnish what steps they have taken to stop the unlawful activity. Taking suo motu cognizance of the Dima Hasao coal mining tragedy, the high court registered a public interest litigation on Monday and issued notices the next day to seven government departments, including the office of the chief secretary. "The court has taken note of various reports which suggest that around more than 200 rat-hole mines are in operation in Um ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet on Friday decided to implement two new schemes for the development of biotechnology and to enhance urban infrastructure. The Cabinet also gave its nod to a proposal to float a tender for Chheligada multipurpose medium irrigation project in Gajapati district. These proposals were approved at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. "The two new schemes, named 'Development of Biotechnology' and 'Mukhya Mantri Sahari Bikash Yojana (MSBY)', aimed at creating employment and strengthening the State's economy," Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja told ...Read More >
Dehradun: The Uttarakhand State Election Commission (SEC), on June 21, issued a notification for the three-tier panchayat elections in 12 districts except Haridwar. Polls would be held in two phases, and the district election officers will issue notifications on June 30. The first phase will be conducted on July 24, followed by the second phase on July 28. The counting for all phases will be conducted by July 31. Earlier, the Uttarakhand High Court had stayed the panchayat elections in the state on June 23, at a time when it had already been notified by the SEC. Elections will be held in 89 ...Read More >
New Delhi: Lawyers from the district courts decided on Saturday to roll back their decision to abstain from work in protest against the shifting of the judges of the 34 digital Negotiable Instruments Act courts to the Rouse Avenue courts.A statement released by the All District Courts Bar Association of Delhi on Saturday said that the lawyers' coordination committee met the chief justice of Delhi High Court and was assured that all digital courts would function strictly as digital platforms only. The remaining proceedings and judicial work only would be conducted in the regular local courts, t ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Revenue minister Suresh Pujari on Saturday said Odisha would not be allowed to follow the lawless path in sand operations like it is in Bihar and West Bengal, while responding to the recent assault of an additional tehsildar in Kaptipada block, Mayurbhanj district, by the sand mafia. He promised stringent action against the sand mafia regardless of their connections, while speaking to mediapersons here on Saturday."The Kaptipada incident represents a serious escalation in conflict between law enforcement and the sand mafia. The attack on officers performing their enforcement dutie ...Read More >
The new circle rates in Gurugram have come into effect from December 1 Gurugram: People eyeing a home in Gurugram will now have to pay more as the district administration has hiked the circle rates by 10% to 30%, driven mainly by demand. Luxury residential areas like Golf Course Road are likely to see a 30% hike in circle rates. According to reports, the new circle rates have come into effect from December 1 and will be applicable at least till March 31 next year. The price hike, however, has irked the residents, who alleged that the administration should also "improve basic amenities". Gu ...Read More >
New Delhi, January 13 (VOICE) Acting swiftly on the recommendation made by the Supreme Court Collegium, the Centre on Monday cleared the appointment of Patna High Court's Chief Justice Krishnan Vinod Chandran to the apex court. In a post on X, Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal announced that the President, after consultation with the Chief Justice of India (CJI), was pleased to appoint Justice Chandran as a Supreme Court judge. "In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (2) of Article 124 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Kri ...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, 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 >
Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], June 6 (ANI): Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday expressed concern over the recent cash controversy involving former Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma. A substantial amount of unaccounted cash was discovered at Justice Varma's residence after a fire broke out in mid-March. The incident has sparked widespread debate and scrutiny. He questioned the absence of an investigation into the issue and why no FIR was registered for the same. The Vice President said, 'A painful incident happened in mid-March in Delhi at the residence of a sitting judge. ...Read More >
Silchar: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday visited the flood-ravaged districts of Hailakandi and Sribhumi in the Barak Valley. He assured affected residents of providing timely disbursement of rehabilitation grants and swift repair of damaged infrastructure.This marks Sarma's second visit to the flood-hit region within four days, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Speaking to the media in Sribhumi after inspecting multiple relief camps, the CM said, "Flood-related problems may persist till July. I will return before Durga Puja to ensure that roads and infrastructure ar ...Read More >
Chandigarh, Jun 7 (PTI) The Punjab and Haryana High Court has dismissed the Punjab government's plea seeking a recall or modification of its May 6 order which asked it to release water to Haryana. On May 26, the high court had reserved its order on the Punjab government's plea. Punjab had sought a recall or modification of its May 6 order pertaining to Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan's May 2 decision to release 4,500 cusecs of extra water to Haryana. The high court on May 6 directed Punjab to abide by the decision of the meeting held on May 2 under the chairmanship of the Union home secre ...Read More >
Kolkata, Jun 7 (PTI) The West Bengal Police have submitted a charge sheet against 13 people in the father-son double murder case in Murshidabad's Zafarabad violence in April, a senior officer said. The murders of Haragobindo Das (74) and his son Chandan Das (40) took place on April 11 during the Dhuliyan-Suti-Shamshergunj communal violence, amid protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 in the district. The riots left at least three people dead and many injured, besides forcing hundreds to flee their homes. The unrest, which lasted from April 8 to 12, had also caused widespread damage to ...Read More >
Gurgaon: MCG additional commissioner Yash Jaluka directed bulk waste generators (BWG) across the city to ensure proper disposal of waste by private agencies who are assisting them. Giving these instructions in a meeting held on Friday, he said it is often observed that BWGs hand over their waste to private agencies, which only sort valuable items and dump the remaining waste on roads, drains, vacant land or public places. This, he said, not only affects cleanliness of the city but also poses a threat to public health."Under the Solid Waste Management Rules-2016, it is the legal and moral respo ...Read More >
The Nainital High Court on Friday cleared the path for Panchayat elections in Uttarakhand by lifting the interim stay it had earlier imposed, offering a much-needed breather to the Pushkar Singh Dhami-led state government and the state Election Commission. After examining the petitions and the documents submitted by the state in a key meeting on Friday, the high court granted interim relief to the government, allowing it to proceed with the much-anticipated three-tier panchayat elections. However ...Read More >
With the monsoon approaching, Delhi Minister for Irrigation and Flood Control Parvesh Verma on Thursday conducted an inspection of key waterlogging hotspots in Mehrauli and issued strict directions to officials to ensure smooth flow of water in all major drains across the city. During the inspection, Verma visited four critical locations -- near Saket Gurdwara, Dargah Mehrauli, Moti Lal Nehru Camp and Kusumpur Pahadi-Qutub Institute area -- all known for chronic drainage issues during the rainy ...Read More >
GUNTUR: In a significant push to urban infrastructure, the Andhra Pradesh government has sanctioned an additional Rs 111.5 crore to strengthen the drinking water supply system in the Mangalagiri-Tadepalli Municipal Corporation (MTMC), represented by Minister Nara Lokesh. Administrative approval was issued by Special Chief Secretary S Suresh Kumar of the Urban Development Department. The new funding is part of a comprehensive project to ensure safe and uninterrupted drinking water supply. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) worth Rs 450.24 crore was earlier prepared to serve 21 villages. Of this, ...Read More >
Shimla/Dharamshala, Jun 26 (PTI) With the recovery of three more bodies on Thursday from a hydro project site in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district that was hit by flash floods a day ago, the death toll has risen to five, officials said. Search operations have been intensified to find the six persons still missing since flash floods triggered by cloudbursts hit Kangra and Kullu districts on Wednesday. Two bodies were recovered on Wednesday. The deceased have been identified as Chain Singh, a resident of Jammu and Kashmir, Aditya Thakur from Chamba, Sanjay from Nurpur, and Pardeep Verma and ...Read More >
Lucknow, Jun 27 (PTI) The Uttar Pradesh Urban Development Department (UDD) has launched a comprehensive plan to ensure cleanliness, lighting, and water arrangements for the upcoming Kanwar Yatra, Sawan Mela, and other festivals, the state government said in a statement on Friday. Principal Secretary of UDD, Amrit Abhijat, has directed urban bodies to carry out daily cleaning operations from 5:00 am to 8:00 am. Special emphasis will be placed on Kanwar Yatra routes and ghats, with dedicated sanitation workers deployed for thorough cleaning. Waste collected during the cleaning operations will b ...Read More >