Nation

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has delivered a significant ruling on financial bankruptcy, clarifying that Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) or any housing societies cannot intervene when a bank or financial institution initiates insolvency proceedings against a real estate developer. The Court emphasized that such matters fall strictly between the creditor and the debtor. Bench ObservationsA bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan noted during the hearing that when a company is subjected to insolvency proceedings under Section 7 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), the matter is exclusively between the lender and the borrower. Consequently, third-party organizations like RWAs or housing societies have no right to participate, either at the initial hearing or ...

New Delhi: The blockbuster film Dhurandhar has sparked controversy over its portrayal of the 1999 Kandahar plane hijacking (IC-814) and India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Critics and some reports allege that certain facts have been distorted for cinematic effect. Claims of ExaggerationAn article in The Caravan magazine claims that the scene depicting passengers chanting “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” on the hijacked flight has no concrete historical record and was included solely for narrative purposes. While the film references the RAW chief at the time, it does not specify who held the post then. The article further alleges that the film exaggerated certain aspects, portraying the release of three terrorists as a political compulsion, while making intelligence personnel appear mor...

New Delhi: In the ongoing $36 billion deal for 114 multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA) or Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF), it has been confirmed that the transfer of source code is mandatory, with no room for compromise. The decision underscores India’s commitment to self-reliance in defence technology. Earlier, experts had raised concerns that if the source code was not transferred, the deal could prove costly in the long run. According to reports in The New Indian Express, the ongoing negotiations with the French company have now clarified that source code transfer will be part of the agreement. The procurement process is underway and is expected to be submitted soon to the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) for approval. Use of Indigenous Weapons EnsuredThe report also cl...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed the writ petition filed by Justice Yashwant Verma challenging the formation of an inquiry committee under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, in connection with the impeachment motion against him. Justice Verma’s petition sought to contest the Lok Sabha Speaker’s decision to constitute the committee following an impeachment notice filed after cash was recovered from his official residence. After hearing the arguments from senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi on behalf of Justice Verma and Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta representing the Lok Sabha Secretariat on 8 January, the bench reserved its verdict. Today, a bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra pronounced the decision, refusing to interfere with the Speaker’s de...

Even in the era of e-books, printed books continue to hold their appeal. Publishers are now focusing on new authors and topics to attract fresh readers. Genres such as history, sociology, and biographies are gaining popularity, while Gen-Z readers are showing a keen interest in books related to career development and mental well-being. Print Holds Its GroundRam Tripathi notes that the rise of e-books has raised concerns about the future of printed literature, with fears that traditional readers are dwindling. In response, publishing houses are experimenting with content tailored to contemporary readers, especially Gen-Z. However, Ashok Maheshwari, Managing Director of Rajkamal Prakashan, disagrees. He believes that printed books still enjoy immense respect and that the print medium w...

New Delhi: A sinister collaboration between Chinese crime syndicates and Pakistani operators is reportedly creating cyber sleeper cells in India, aimed at targeting the country through sophisticated cyberterrorism. Delhi Police have filed an FIR and launched an investigation into the matter. Cyber Sleeper Cells Linked to PakistanThe investigation revealed that a network operating as a cyber sleeper cell in India was directly receiving instructions from Pakistan. These cells are reportedly being trained to carry out digital attacks, including cyber fraud, ransomware, and espionage. During a raid in Samaypur Badli, police arrested Ufe Bamb, a key operative of the Meogi gang. Forensic examination of his mobile revealed communication with Pakistani contacts, indicating coordinated cyberc...

New Delhi: Ahead of the upcoming Bangladesh elections, BNP leader Tariq Rahman has raised eyebrows by signaling a tilt toward Pakistan-aligned forces, casting doubts on his stance toward India. While he initially projected a willingness to maintain good relations with India, his recent actions suggest a strategic alignment with Pakistan-friendly elements. Meeting With Aman AzmiTariq Rahman, the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), returned to Bangladesh specifically for the elections. Reports indicate that he met retired Brigadier General Aman Azmi in Dhaka on Wednesday evening—a move that has sparked speculation about BNP’s future ties with Pakistan and its intelligence agency, ISI. Azmi hails from a family historically opp...

New Delhi: In a major move affecting 75 countries, the United States has announced a suspension on issuing immigrant visas, including permanent residency, to citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and several other nations. Notably, India has been excluded from this list, reflecting the strong India-US ties and the country’s prominent position in H-1B and other skilled visa categories. Background of the RestrictionThe US Department of State cited potential misuse of public welfare programs as a key reason for the visa suspension. The policy, part of a broader review mandated by President Donald Trump, was last updated on January 14, 2026, and will come into effect from January 21, 2026. India Remains ExemptAccording to the US Embassy, India is not among the 75 countries affected by...