Nation

Senior Congress leader and Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge has sharply criticized the Indian judiciary following the Supreme Court’s rejection of bail petitions for Umar Khalid, accused in the 2020 Delhi riots. Kharge, son of Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge, alleged that in “developed India,” individuals who raise their voices are imprisoned, while those accused of rape often secure bail. Kharge Questions Judicial Priorities In a social media post, Kharge stated: “Welcome to developed India, where raising your voice lands you in jail, but rapists are granted bail.” He further listed cases where alleged rapists received bail, including Kuldeep Singh Sengar, Asaram Bapu, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, and Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, contrasting them with Umar Khalid, Sonam Wa...

Senior BJP leader and advocate Mahesh Jethmalani has strongly objected to what he described as racial bias against Indians. His remarks came in response to a social media post by former U.S. President Donald Trump, which highlighted the percentage of immigrants from various countries receiving government assistance in the United States. Notably, India was absent from the list. Indians Are Contributors, Not Burdens Speaking on the issue, Jethmalani rejected the notion that Indians are “welfare-dependent” or a burden on host countries. “Indians contribute wherever they live. They pay taxes, support economies, and give back far more than they consume,” he said. Referring to the chart shared by Trump on X, Jethmalani pointed out that India was not among the roughly 120 countries and regi...

New Delhi: A statement by a U.S. senator has sparked political controversy in India. The senator claimed that India has reportedly reduced its oil purchases from Russia, prompting calls for tariff reductions. The statement has ignited a heated debate, with the opposition questioning the government’s stance toward a long-standing ally. Congress shared a video of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, in which he said: “I visited the Indian ambassador a month ago, and the discussion was focused solely on India’s reduced purchase of Russian oil. The ambassador requested that I convey this to President Trump and suggest that India should receive some tariff relief.” Targeting the Modi government, Congress accused it of prioritizing public relations and appeasing the former U.S. president at the ex...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday rejected the bail petition of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, accused in the 2020 Delhi riots, while granting conditional bail to five other accused with 12 stipulations. The court also ruled that Khalid and Imam cannot file another bail plea in this case for one year. Following the rejection, Umar Khalid expressed his resignation to life in jail. His close friend and activist, Banojotsna Lahidi, revealed that Khalid reacted emotionally, saying that while he was happy for the others who were granted bail, he also acknowledged, “Jail is now my life.” Lahidi shared Khalid’s reaction, stating, “I am very happy for those who received bail. It is a big relief.” When informed that she would visit him the next day, Khalid reportedly responded, “Alright,...

New Delhi: Most parts of the country will continue to experience a cold wave and dense fog over the next 24 hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned. The weather department has issued rainfall alerts for three northern states, which may cause disruptions. Delhi and several cities in Uttar Pradesh are also expected to witness severe cold and fog. Rain Alert for Northern StatesAccording to the IMD, rain is likely on 6 January in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir, with higher intensity expected in elevated areas. Specific warnings include: Jammu & Kashmir: Doda, Budgam, Shopian (mountainous regions) Himachal Pradesh: Chamba, Rohtang, Kinnaur, Manali (high-altitude areas) Uttarakhand: Some areas may experience frost In Tamil Nadu, ra...

New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has strongly criticized the decision by the BCCI directing IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to drop Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the team. He described the move as “regrettable and unwise,” expressing concern over the increasing influence of social media outrage on policy decisions. Rahman’s inclusion in the IPL squad had sparked strong reactions from various quarters amid rising tensions between India and Bangladesh, especially following violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. As a result, the franchise removed him from the team. Speaking to ANI, Tharoor emphasized that sports should remain separate from politics, and political failures should not be projected onto athletes. “The reality is that we are engaging with Banglades...

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...