Delhi Airport operator sues government over Hindon flights
The operator of Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) has sued the government for allowing commercial flights from Hindon Air Force Station, just 30km from IGI.
The lawsuit, filed on March 10, argues that this violates aviation regulations prohibiting new airports within 150km unless passenger demand justifies it.
US journalist to take legal action over revoked status
United States journalist Raphael Satter is suing the Indian government after his Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status was revoked following a critical story about an Indian businessman, reported The Guardian.
India’s Ministry of Home Affairs accused Mr Satter of tarnishing the country’s reputation.
His lawsuit follows a defamation case filed against him in India related to his reporting on Appin, a cybersecurity firm, and its co-founder Rajat Khare.
US regulator’s summons to Adani delivered in India
The Union Law Ministry has asked an Ahmedabad court to serve a United States Securities and Exchange Commission summons to billionaire Gautam Adani over allegations of securities fraud and a US$265 million ($352 million) bribery scheme.
The summons, issued under the Hague Service Convention, requires Mr Adani or his lawyers to appear in a US case. Adani Group has dismissed the allegations as baseless.
Uttarakhand finance minister resigns amid public outrage
Mr Premchand Aggarwal resigned as Uttarakhand’s finance minister in tears following severe backlash over his remarks about hill residents.
During a Feb 21 budget session, he questioned whether Uttarakhand was created only for pahadi (hill) people, sparking widespread criticism.
Although he later apologised, the Bharatiya Janata Party leadership advised him to resign.
Missing Indian student’s family asks for death declaration
The family of Ms Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old Indian student studying in the United States, has requested authorities to declare her dead after she went missing on March 6 in the Dominican Republic.
She was last seen at the Riu Republic Resort in Punta Cana. Despite an extensive search, no body has been found. US agencies are assisting in the investigation.
Lawyers attack accused in Meerut court over brutal murder
A Meerut courtroom witnessed high drama on Wednesday as over 100 lawyers attempted to assault Muskaan Rastogi and her boyfriend Sahil Shukla, who are accused of murdering Muskaan’s husband, merchant navy officer Saurabh Rajput.
As the two were produced before the additional chief judicial magistrate, enraged lawyers tried to attack them, forcing police to shield the accused.
The chaos continued even as they were escorted to a police vehicle, with one lawyer climbing atop a car in an attempt to reach them.
Muskaan and Sahil allegedly drugged Mr Saurabh, stabbed him to death, chopped his body into 15 pieces and sealed the remains in a cement-filled drum.
The gruesome crime has sparked public outrage, with demands for strict punishment.
Antigua foreign minister says Mehul Choksi ‘not on island’
Fugitive Mehul Choksi, wanted in India for the Rs13,850 crore ($213 million) Punjab National Bank fraud, is not in Antigua and Barbuda, the country’s Foreign Minister EP Chet Greene told news agency ANI.
Choksi reportedly left for medical treatment abroad but remains an Antiguan citizen.
Greene assured cooperation with India, emphasising adherence to the rule of law. Choksi fled India in January 2018, while his nephew Nirav Modi awaits extradition from London.
Tribal clashes in Manipur’s Churachandpur leave one dead
A 53-year-old man was killed, and several others injured as Hmar and Zomi tribes clashed in Manipur’s Churachandpur district on Tuesday, despite a peace agreement earlier that day.
Authorities urged both sides to maintain peace, as violence and counter-attacks continued in the region, 65km from the state capital Imphal.
India and Singapore explore green shipping partnership
India is working with Singapore’s marine industry to create a Green Digital Shipping Corridor, linking global ports, reported the Press Trust of India.
India’s push to export green hydrogen and ammonia aligns with Singapore’s role as a major bunker fuel hub.
India’s Minister of Port, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal will visit Singapore next week to set up a working programme with industry leaders.
Maruti Suzuki to raise prices by 4% from April 2025
India’s largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki, will increase car prices by up to 4 per cent due to rising raw material and operational costs.
This follows similar price hikes in January and February 2024, driven by high global commodity prices and supply chain disruptions.
Tamil Nadu to subsidise e-scooters for gig workers
Tamil Nadu will offer a Rs20,000 ($307) subsidy to 2,000 gig workers for e-scooter purchases.
The government will also introduce an insurance scheme covering 150,000 gig workers, compensating for accidental deaths and disabilities. Workers registered with a state welfare body will be eligible.
Reliance ends free IPL streaming
Reliance Jio will begin charging users for Indian Premier League cricket streaming, ending two years of free access.
From March 22 to May 25, users must subscribe to a Rs299 ($4.60) plan on the JioHotstar platform, a Reliance-Disney joint venture. The IPL, one of India’s most-streamed events, is expected to drive major revenue under the new paid model.
