Apex Court warns TN minister: “Choose between post and freedom”
The Supreme Court on Wednesday delivered a stern message to Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader and Tamil Nadu minister V. Senthil Balaji, warning that his bail in a money laundering case could be revoked if he did not resign from the cabinet.
A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih expressed serious concern over Mr Balaji’s reinstatement as minister shortly after securing bail in the “cash-for-jobs” scam case. The court noted that there was a “grave apprehension” that he might influence witnesses.
“You have to make a choice between the post and freedom. What choice do you want to make?” the bench said, referring to earlier findings that Mr Balaji, as a minister, had coerced individuals to withdraw complaints against him.
Uttar Pradesh student shot dead in school parking lot
An 18-year-old student, Hemant Singh, was fatally shot in the parking lot of Gyandeep Public School in Varanasi, police said on Tuesday. He had recently sat for his Class 12 examinations.
“We received information about a gunshot injury in the school compound. He was taken to the hospital, but sadly, he succumbed to his injuries,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police Pramod Kumar.
The school’s manager reported the incident and investigators are probing a suspected personal dispute as the motive.
Ex-Karnataka top cop killed by wife over property dispute
Retired director-general of police Om Prakash, once Karnataka’s top cop, was stabbed to death in his Bengaluru home on Monday allegedly by his wife Pallavi following a heated property dispute.
According to the police, Pallavi attacked her husband with two kitchen knives during lunch after a bitter argument. “She called the wife of another retired police officer after the act and then contacted emergency services,” said an investigating officer.
The FIR, filed by their son, claims that both Pallavi and their daughter Kriti had been suffering from depression and frequently fought with Mr Om Prakash.
Police are treating it as a premeditated crime stemming from marital discord.
Choksi denied bail by Belgian court amid extradition push
Fugitive diamond tycoon Mehul Choksi, wanted in the Rs13,500 crore ($207 million) Punjab National Bank scam, has been denied bail by a Belgian court.
A three-judge panel ruled against Choksi’s release, increasing hopes of his extradition. “India is working closely with Belgian authorities,” said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
Choksi was arrested last week after being tracked to Antwerp, where he had reportedly travelled for medical treatment.
UK court rejects India’s bid to extradite arms dealer
A United Kingdom court has denied India’s request to extradite arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari, wanted in a money laundering case.
The Enforcement Directorate informed a Delhi court that its appeal against the decision was dismissed.
The court also noted that its application to declare Bhandari a “fugitive economic offender” is still under consideration.
Maharashtra withdraws Hindi mandate in primary schools
Facing political backlash, the Maharashtra government has stayed its order making Hindi compulsory in primary schools.
“We have withdrawn the order,” said School Education Minister Dada Bhuse.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis earlier clarified: “Only Marathi is compulsory in Maharashtra. No one should oppose Marathi while promoting English or Hindi.”
Biker in Bengaluru road rage case fears job loss
Mr Vikas Kumar, the biker seen in a road rage incident with Indian Air Force officer Wing Commander Shiladitya Bose, said he fears losing his job despite being granted bail.
In a video, he said: “The HR team at my company hasn’t been supportive. I fear I may be terminated over false claims.”
Earlier, video evidence had shown Wing Commander Bose assaulting Mr Vikas, contradicting the officer’s version of events. Police confirmed it was a road rage case with no language-related dispute.
Five sisters killed as vehicle falls from bridge in MP
Eight members of a family, including five sisters, were killed when their vehicle fell off a bridge into a dry riverbed near Simri village in Madhya Pradesh’s Damoh district.
“The vehicle lost control near the Sunar river bridge,” said police. Six others were injured. The victims were returning to Jabalpur after a family visit.
Lioness Rupa gives birth to three cubs at Etawah Safari Park
In a major success for wildlife conservation, Lioness Rupa gave birth to three healthy cubs at the Etawah Lion Safari Park during her third pregnancy.
“This demonstrates the continued success of the Asiatic Lion Breeding Centre,” said Dr Rouvin Singh, deputy chief veterinary officer.
The cubs were born early on Monday and are under close observation. With Rupa’s new litter, the park now has 21 lions, including 16 born in-house.
High Court notice to food delivery platforms over accessibility
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notices to food delivery platforms Swiggy and Zepto, along with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, following a petition alleging that their mobile apps are inaccessible to visually impaired users.
The plea, filed by NGO Mission Accessibility, argues that the platforms violate the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and the Indian Constitution by failing to ensure digital accessibility.
The court has sought responses from all parties.
