Nation

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to grant bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, accused in the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi riots, while significantly expanding the interpretation of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The court held that acts threatening the economy or disrupting essential services can also fall within the ambit of “terrorist acts”, even if they do not involve direct physical violence. A bench comprising Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice N.V. Anjaria dismissed the bail pleas of Khalid and Imam, observing that the prosecution material establishes a prima facie case against them. However, the bench granted bail to five other accused—Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa-ur-Rehman, Shadab Ahmed, and Mohammad Salim Khan—stating that each...

The Supreme Court has rejected the bail petitions of Delhi riots accused Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, citing prima facie evidence against them and highlighting concerns over national security and public order. Meanwhile, five other accused have been granted bail under 12 strict conditions. Key Details of the Supreme Court Decision The verdict, delivered by Justices Arvind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria, stipulates that Khalid and Imam cannot file another bail petition in this matter for one year. However, if the trial proceedings or witness testimonies are not completed within that period, they may approach a lower court for bail. The bench granted bail to five other accused—Gulfisha Fatima, Miran Haider, Shifa-ur-Rehman, Mohammad Salim Khan, and Shadab Ahmad—citing that continued deten...

India has taken a significant step towards self-reliance with the induction of the pollution control vessel Samudra Pratap into the Indian Coast Guard fleet. The ship, built with over 60% indigenous materials, was commissioned by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday. Multi-Role Capabilities for Modern Maritime Challenges Although primarily designed for pollution control, Samudra Pratap is equally capable of search and rescue operations, coastal patrol, and enhancing maritime security. The vessel integrates multiple capabilities on a single platform—a modern approach deemed essential for today’s maritime challenges, where both flexibility and preparedness are critical. Constructed by Goa Shipyard Limited, the vessel is 114.5 meters long and weighs approximately 4,200 tons. It i...

Following the Supreme Court’s rejection of bail for Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots case, Delhi Minister and BJP leader Kapil Mishra criticized the lawyers who defended the accused. While the apex court granted bail to five other accused, Khalid and Imam’s petitions were denied by Justices Arvind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria, citing the distinct nature of their cases. Targeting the Advocates Kapil Mishra said that prominent senior lawyers, including former Union ministers, appeared in court to defend the accused in the riots case, with several political parties also extending support. “The Supreme Court’s decision clearly shows that the Delhi riots were a premeditated conspiracy and the city was set ablaze in a planned manner,” Mishra added. List of Lawyers Represe...

The Supreme Court’s decision to reject the bail petitions of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots case has been welcomed by the BJP, with party spokesperson Shahzad Poonawalla describing it as a “victory of truth.” While the court granted bail to five other accused, it emphasized that the legal position of Khalid and Imam is distinct and denied them pre-trial release. BJP’s Reaction Speaking to the media, Poonawalla targeted the Congress party, asserting that it owes an apology to the nation for defending Khalid and Imam, who he referred to as the “poster boys of the ‘Tukde-Tukde’ gang.” He said, “The Supreme Court’s observations confirm that the Delhi riots were not spontaneous but orchestrated and premeditated. The Congress party continued to protect those who soug...

In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court of India has clarified the eligibility of reserved category candidates in government jobs, granting a significant advantage to SC, ST, OBC, and EWS aspirants. The court ruled that if candidates from these categories score above the cutoff for the general category, they will be considered for general category seats. A Major Win for Reserved Category Candidates The ruling effectively allows meritorious candidates from reserved categories to compete for unreserved seats, redefining the concept of general category quotas in government recruitment. The decision comes in response to a petition challenging a Rajasthan High Court ruling, which had previously barred reserved category candidates from being appointed to general category seats, even if th...

The Supreme Court of India on Monday rejected the bail petitions of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots case. The BJP immediately reacted, calling the verdict a significant setback for Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party. BJP Response BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari described the Supreme Court’s decision as a “resounding slap” on the face of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress ecosystem, which, according to him, tried to portray Khalid and Imam—referred to by the party as “Urban Naxal poster boys”—as innocent victims. Bhandari added, “In the eyes of the public and the law, Rahul Gandhi’s urban Naxal narrative has been defeated. Will Congress apologize to the nation for presenting anti-India forces as victims?” Supreme Court Observations A bench of ...

The Supreme Court of India has refused to grant bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in connection with the high-profile Delhi riots conspiracy case, while granting bail to five other accused. The apex court emphasized that the legal position of Khalid and Imam is “qualitatively different” from the other defendants. Case Background Khalid and Imam are accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the February 2020 Delhi riots, which left dozens dead and hundreds injured. The case alleges a premeditated conspiracy to incite violence. The other accused granted bail are Gulfisha Fatima, Miran Haider, Shifa-ur-Rehman, Shadab Ahmad, and Mohammad Salim Khan. Supreme Court on Bail Applications A bench comprising Justices Arvind Kumar and N.V. Anjari...

AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has raised questions about claims of “Love Jihad” being made by BJP leaders. He demanded that if such incidents are indeed occurring, the party should present concrete data in Parliament. Speaking on the issue, Owaisi said, “If Love Jihad is happening, why is no record being presented in Parliament? BJP and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat should define what exactly constitutes ‘Love Jihad.’ All states governed by the BJP should provide records of such cases over the past 11 years.” Owaisi also suggested that any measures or laws related to the issue should be based on evidence and a formal definition, ensuring clear criteria for implementation. Legal Age and Consent Matter, Says Owaisi Owaisi emphasized that adults have the legal right to m...