Nation

New Delhi: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will be arriving in India for his first official visit on January 12th and 13th, but unlike other world leaders, he will skip Delhi and head directly to Ahmedabad, the capital of Gujarat. This is a significant move, as it marks the first time a German Chancellor will visit India in such a manner, bypassing the national capital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will personally receive Chancellor Merz upon his arrival. After Ahmedabad, Merz will head to Bengaluru for the remainder of his trip. With this visit, Merz will join the ranks of five global leaders who have visited Ahmedabad during Modi’s tenure, highlighting the growing importance of the city on the international diplomatic map. A Timely Visit Amid EU’s Trade Talks This visit comes j...

New Delhi: In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India has emphasized that a fearless judge forms the foundation of an independent judiciary. The apex court ruled that judicial officers cannot be subjected to disciplinary action merely for an error in judgment, cautioning against frivolous complaints that can undermine judicial independence. Background of the Case The case arose after the Madhya Pradesh High Court terminated the services of a trial judge for allegedly granting bail in error to an accused. The Supreme Court, in a bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan, overturned the High Court’s decision. The bench clarified that a judge’s conduct, rather than the correctness of a decision, must be the focus of scrutiny. The Supreme Court noted that w...

New Delhi: A video capturing controversial slogans at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has gone viral following the Supreme Court’s refusal to grant bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the high-profile Delhi riots conspiracy case. The footage shows protestors raising inflammatory and objectionable slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, drawing widespread attention on social media. Protests Erupt Post-Supreme Court Verdict The Supreme Court, in its verdict on Monday, declined to grant bail to Khalid and Imam under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), stating that prima facie evidence suggested their involvement in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy. Following the decision, left-leaning student organizations at JNU organized protests ac...

New Delhi: Even India’s cleanest city, Indore, is facing a severe drinking water crisis, exposing vulnerabilities in urban water management and public health infrastructure. Contaminated tap water in parts of the city has caused hundreds of illnesses and several deaths, raising serious questions about the efficiency of local authorities and the robustness of citizen safety mechanisms. Water Quality Challenges Across India The water crisis is not limited to Indore. Several states, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Haryana, and Punjab, are grappling with the challenge of providing safe drinking water. In Delhi, for instance, summer water shortages are compounded by poor water quality due to pollution in the Yamuna River and old, deteriorating pipelines, w...

New Delhi: Amid nationwide protests against Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Indian government has issued an advisory for its citizens, urging them to avoid non-essential travel to the country. Reports have even suggested that Khamenei may leave Iran for Moscow, with the U.S. allegedly supporting the ongoing protests. Despite the unrest, a significant number of Indians continue to live, study, and pursue education in Iran. Why India Sends Students to Iran India has long-standing cultural and historical ties with Iran. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations on 15 March 1950, the two countries have maintained deep connections in trade, education, and culture. Many Indian students go to Iran to study MBBS or BDS, while others pursue religious education, especia...

New Delhi: The United States has shown significant force in Venezuela with its move towards regime change, marking a new chapter in what can be seen as a modern "Cold War." This development could be a boon for India. Should the U.S. gain control over Venezuela and lift sanctions on its oil, India stands to benefit in several ways. Venezuela's Oil and India’s Strategic Gains If the sanctions on Venezuela’s oil are lifted, India could diversify its oil imports and secure payments for dues owed by ONGC Videsh Ltd., the foreign arm of India's state-owned oil giant. The company holds stakes in Venezuelan oil fields like San Cristobal and Carabobo-1, amounting to nearly $1 billion in outstanding payments. With these sanctions removed, India could once again access oil from Venezuela, reduc...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has expressed deep concern over illegal constructions on forest land in Uttarakhand and has demanded a comprehensive report from the state government within two weeks. The report must include site maps and detailed descriptions of the illegal constructions. The court also raised questions about the apparent collusion between officials and land grabbers, citing negligence in protecting government land. A bench led by Chief Justice Suryakant had previously raised serious concerns on 22 December regarding large-scale and systematic encroachment on forest land in Uttarakhand. The court proposed widening the scope of the investigation to probe the shocking failure of the state machinery in protecting forest areas. Court’s Observation on Collusion Between Offic...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has denied bail to prominent accused Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the major conspiracy case linked to the 2020 Delhi riots, ruling that there is prima facie evidence of their involvement in the riots. However, Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur-Rehman, Shadab Ahmed, and Mohammad Saleem Khan were granted bail. The court noted that not all accused were in the same position and directed the trial court to expedite proceedings in the case. Bail ConditionsWhile granting bail, the Supreme Court imposed 11 stringent conditions. These include restrictions on leaving Delhi without the trial court's permission, surrendering their passports, and refraining from attending any public gatherings, making speeches, or participating in activities that could disrupt...

Pune: Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Suresh Kalmadi has passed away at the age of 81 after a prolonged illness. He breathed his last at the Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune. His body will be kept at Kalmadi House, Erandwane until 2:00 PM today, and the final rites will be performed at 3:30 PM at the Vaikunth Crematorium, Navi Peth, Pune. Kalmadi, a prominent figure in Indian politics and sports, was a member of the Indian Air Force and served in both the 1965 and 1971 wars. He studied at Fergusson College, Pune, before joining the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Khadakwasla. Kalmadi was the son of Dr. K. Shamarav, a well-known social activist from Pune. His father also played a pivotal role in founding the Kannada School and Kannada Sangh in the city, motivated b...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has set aside the dismissal of a judicial officer from Madhya Pradesh, emphasizing that disciplinary proceedings cannot be initiated against members of the district judiciary solely for issuing allegedly wrong judicial orders. A bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan allowed the appeal filed by Nirbhay Singh Sulia, who had been removed from service in 2014 while serving as an Additional District and Sessions Judge. Sulia faced allegations of corruption and was accused of applying a “double standard” while deciding bail petitions under the Excise Act. The action had followed a departmental inquiry initiated by the High Court. High Courts Must Exercise CautionJustice K.V. Viswanathan stressed that High Courts must exercise extreme cau...