Uddhav Thackeray Slams Governor's 'Gujaratis' Remark, Shinde Distances

MUMBAI, July 30: Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari's controversial remark today triggered a political storm. Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray launched a blistering attack accusing him of "dividing" Hindus, and the Chief Minister distanced himself.

During a speech yesterday, the Maharashtra governor said, "If Gujaratis and Rajasthanis are removed from Maharashtra, especially Mumbai and Thane, no money would be left here," adding that Mumbai would not be able to remain the financial capital of the country.

After backlash from the opposition, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that these were the Governor's personal comments and he did not support them.

"We don't agree with Mr Koshyari's view (on Mumbai). It's his personal view. He has now issued a clarification. He occupies a constitutional post and should take care that his actions are not insulting to others." he said, adding that, "the Marathi community's hard work has contributed to the development and progress of Mumbai. It is an important city with immense potential. Despite people from all over the country making it their home, Marathi people have preserved their identity and pride and it shouldn't be insulted".

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray lashed out at Koshyari, accusing the Governor of "dividing Hindus". Demanding an apology, he said the remark is an insult to 'Marathi Manoos' (Marathi speaking sons of the soil) and Marathi pride.

"The government should decide whether to send him back home or to prison," fumed Thackeray.

"The Governor is the messenger of the President, he takes the words of the President throughout the country. But if he does the same mistakes then who will take action against him? He has insulted the Marathis and their pride," Thackeray further said.

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut today condemned the remarks saying that the Governor had insulted the hard-working Marathi people. "Soon after the BJP-sponsored Chief Minister came to power, the Marathi man is getting insulted," Raut tweeted in Marathi.

Addressing a press conference at his residence 'Matoshree', Thackeray said, "The hatred that the governor harbours in his mind against Marathi people has inadvertently come out." He demanded that the Governor tender an apology to the Marathi people.

Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Sachin Sawant also tweeted the video and said that the governor should not have made the remarks. "His name is Bhagat Singh 'Koshiyari', but as a governor, there is not a bit of 'hoshiyari' (smartness) in what he says and does. He is sitting on the chair only because he faithfully obeys the command of 'we two'," Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh tweeted apparently referring to the Maharashtra Cabinet comprising Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

A release issued by the Raj Bhavan said Koshyari praised the contribution of Rajasthani-Marwari and Gujarati communities in making Mumbai the financial capital of the country.

Turning Minority Into '2nd Class Citizens' Will Divide India: R Rajan

RAIPUR, July 30: Former Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan on Saturday said India's future lies in strengthening liberal democracy and its institutions as it is essential for achieving economic growth.

Warning against majoritarianism, he said Sri Lanka was an example of what happens when a country's politicians try to deflect a job crisis by targeting minorities.

Speaking at the 5th conclave of All India Professionals Congress, a wing of the Congress party, in Raipur, he said any attempt to turn a large minority into "second class citizens" will divide the country.

Rajan was speaking on the topic 'Why liberal democracy is needed for India's economic development'.

".What is happening to liberal democracy in this country and is it really that necessary for Indian development? ... We absolutely must strengthen it. There is a feeling among some quarters in India today that democracy holds back India ... India needs strong, even authoritarian, leadership with few checks and balances on it to grow and we seem to be drifting in this direction," Rajan said.

"I believe this argument is totally wrong. It's based on an outdated model of development that emphasizes goods and capital, not people and ideas," said the former chief economist of the International Monetary Fund.

The under-performance of the country in terms of economic growth "seems to indicate the path we are going on needs rethinking," he said.

The former RBI governor further said that "our future lies in strengthening our liberal democracy and its institutions, not weakening them, and this is in fact essential for our growth."

Elaborating on why majoritarian authoritarianism must be defeated, he said any attempt to "make second class citizens of a large minority will divide the country and create internal resentment." It will also make the country vulnerable to foreign meddling, Rajan added.

Referring to the ongoing crisis in Sri Lanka, he said the island nation was seeing the "consequences when a country's politicians try to deflect from the inability to create jobs by attacking a minority." This does not lead to any good, he said.

Liberalism was not an entire religion and the essence of every major religion was to seek out that which is good in everyone, which, in many ways, was also the essence of liberal democracy, Rajan said.

Claiming that India's slow growth was not just due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Rajan said the country's underperformance predated it.

"Indeed for about a decade, probably since the onset of the global financial crisis, we haven't been doing as well as we could. The key measure of this underperformance is our inability to create the good jobs that our youth need," the former RBI governor said.

Citing the strident protests against the Centre's 'Agniveer' military recruitment scheme, Rajan said it suggested how hungry the youths were for jobs.

"Just a while ago you saw 12.5 million applicants for 35,000 railway jobs. It is particularly worrisome when India has a scarcity of jobs even when so many women are not working outside their homes. India's female labour force participation is among the lowest in G-20 at 20.3 percent as in 2019," he pointed out.

Talking about the "vision of growth" of the current government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said it centres around the term 'atmanirbhar' or self-reliance.

"Now, to the extent it emphasizes better connectivity, better logistics, better roads and devotes more resources to it, in some way this (atmanirbhar vision) seems the continuation of the past reformed decades. And that's good," he said.

But, the former RBI governor said, in many ways a look at what 'atmanirbhar' is trying to achieve takes one back to an early and failed past where the focus was on physical capital and not human capital, on protection and subsidies and not on liberalization, on choosing favourites to win rather than letting the most capable succeed.

Asserting that there was a misplaced sense of priorities, Rajan said the nation was not spending enough on education, with tragic consequences.

"Many (children) not having been to school for two years are dropping out. Their human capital, which is their and our most important asset in the coming years, is something we are neglecting. We are failing them by not devoting enough resources to remedial education," Rajan said.

20 Crores Cash, Gold Bars Seized From 2nd Home Of Bengal Minister's Aide

NEW DELHI, July 27: At least ₹ 20 crore in cash and gold jewellery and bars have been recovered from another house of Arpita Mukherjee -- the close aide of Bengal's arrested minister Partha Chatterjee -- days after a huge pile of notes was found in one room of one of her houses, according to sources in the Enforcement Directorate.

This time, officials found the notes from a shelf at one of her apartments in Belgharia, located in the northern fringes of the city, sources said. Bank officials are still counting the cash at the spot with note counting machines.

Sources say the ED also found more documents today that are being examined. During last week's raid, the officials have recovered a diary with around 40 pages of notes that could provide crucial leads in the investigation. The ED has also recovered several deeds of properties that could implicate Partha Chatterjee.

The ED officials had raided the house as part of their investigations. During questioning, Arpita Mukherjee has given information about all her properties. She has a couple of flats at Belghoria and another one at Rajdanga (in the southern part of the city.

The officials had to break open the main door of the flat as the keys could not be found.

Partha Chatterjee and Arpita Mukherjee were arrested on Saturday -- a day after ₹ 20 crore was discovered. Arrested in connection with an alleged money laundering case linked to the teacher recruitment scam, Partha Chatterjee will be in the custody of the investigating agency till August 3.

Arpita Mukherjee has reportedly told investigators that the money was kickback from the state's massive teacher recruitment scam. She also said that only Partha Chatterjee and his men had access to the room where the cash was kept. They used to come once every 10 days.

"Partha used my house and that of another woman as a mini-bank. That other woman is also his close friend," Arpita Mukherjee reportedly told investigators.

Partha Chatterjee -- the senior-most minister in Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's cabinet and her close aide -- has been accused of having a role in allegedly illegal appointments of school teachers and staff in government-run schools when he was Education Minister.

Asked today whether he would step down from his post, Chatterjee, visibly irritated, shot back "What is the reason (to tender the resignation)?"

Bengal's Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari -- once a close aide of Mamata Banerjee, has questioned why Partha Chatterjee is being retained as a minister despite his arrest. Adhikari met Governor La Ganesan at the Raj Bhavan and sought that Chatterjee, who holds the industry, commerce and parliamentary affairs portfolios, be removed as minister.

"She (the Chief Minister) has not taken any step against him despite so much information and proof," Adhikari was quoted as saying. It is "her strategy to show that she is good and others are not", he added.

Azad says Govt should not be harsh on aged and ailing Sonia Gandhi

NEW DELHI, July 27: The Congress alleged on Wednesday that the money-laundering law has been weaponised to target and humiliate people, and urged the Supreme Court to decide soon on the matter concerning the National Herald-Associated Journals Limited case.

The assertion came on a day when Congress president Sonia Gandhi (75) appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for the third day to face questioning in connection with a money-laundering case pertaining to the National Herald newspaper.

The Congress also fielded its senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad in solidarity with Sonia Gandhi and said political opponents should not be treated as "enemies".

Azad said the ED should keep in mind the age and health of Sonia Gandhi before subjecting her to repeated questioning in the case, in which party leader Rahul Gandhi has already been questioned for over 50 hours.

He said the Congress chief is aged, has not been well and was admitted to a hospital, adding that she cannot withhold the pressure of probe agencies.

"Even in wars, kings used to give directions that women should not be attacked and those not keeping well should be spared," Azad said, urging the agencies not to be harsh on an aged and ailing Sonia Gandhi.

"I would urge the government and the ED to keep this in mind as subjecting Sonia Gandhi to agencies like this is not right," he added.

Another senior leader Anand Sharma said weaponisation of laws and their use to target and humiliate people should not happen.

He said the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) has raised many concerns and alleged that the law has been weaponised.

Sharma hoped that the Supreme Court will come out with an informed judgment in this regard.

Rajasthan Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot urged the Supreme Court to soon pronounce a verdict in the National Herald case in which the Gandhis are being questioned.

"Sonia ji has been called (by the ED) for the third time. There is terror of the ED in the country and this case is before the Supreme Court. It should be decided soon," he told reporters.

After Karnataka Youth Leader's Murder, BJP Faces Anger Within

BANGALURU, July 27: Massive protests have erupted in several parts of Karnataka after a BJP youth wing worker was hacked to death in Dakshin Kannada district last night.

Members of the BJP's youth wing in many parts of Karnataka have started mass resignations from the outfit, saying that the BJP-led state government had failed to protect the lives of party workers. Visuals of protesters surrounding state BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel's car and heckling him have gone viral.

According to police, the motorcycle-borne killers attacked Praveen Nettaru, a member of the BJP's youth wing Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, while he was returning home on his bike after shutting his poultry shop.

Local residents dialled police as the killers left Nettaru bleeding on the ground. Police rushed the 32-year-old man, his clothes drenched in blood, to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Six police teams have been formed to track down the killers, and 15 people have been taken into custody for questioning, police said. Three teams have been sent to neighbouring Keral, and Madikeri and Hassan.

The murder has sparked protests in Bellare and Sullia, with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad calling for a bandh. This morning, hundreds joined in as his body was taken to his home. Some right-wing outfits have alleged that Popular Front of India and Social Democratic Party of India are behind Nettaru's murder.

District police chief Rushikesh Sonanay has said restrictions on public gathering have been imposed due to tension in the area. "Three assailants had come on a bike. We have information that the bike had a Kerala registration numver. We are scanning CCTV footage for clues," he said.

Deputy Commissioner, Mangaluru, Rajendra, said the matter is being thoroughly investigated. "I spoke to the family regarding the autopsy and the funeral. We will forward the family's requests to the government."

Chief Minister Basavaraj S Bommai has strongly condemned the attack and assured a speedy investigation. He has said those behind the heinous act will be arrested soon and punished as per law.

Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said the crime spot is close to the Kerala border and police are in touch with the neighbouring state's police to make a headway into the probe. "It is natural that there will be anger over losing a young man, but I request people to maintain peace," the home minister said.

Security has been stepped up in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts to prevent any law and order situation. Most shops and hotes in the area are shut. Some schools have also declared a holiday in view of the tension in the area.

Media Must Not Use Influence To Expand Business: Chief Justice Of India

NEW DELHI, July 26: Media must confine itself to honest journalism and not use it as a tool to expand its influence and business interests, said Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana on Tuesday.

NV Ramana said a media house with "other business interests" becomes vulnerable to external pressures and often business interests prevail over the spirit of independent journalism which compromises democracy.

Asserting that independent journalism is the "backbone of democracy", the CJI - a former journalist - also urged the stakeholders to introspect why the standards here are not considered good enough for international recognition and laurel in the field of journalism.

He was speaking at the launch of Gulab Chand Kothari's book titled 'The Gita Vijnana Upanishad'. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla presided over the event.

Last week, the CJI had raised similar concerns and said "agenda driven debates" and "kangaroo courts" being run by media are detrimental to the health of democracy.

These recent remarks by CJI Ramana assume significance following the backlash to a verdict earlier this month on former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma's comments on Prophet Mohammad, which the Supreme Court said had stoked communal tension across the country.

"When a media house has other business interests, it becomes vulnerable to external pressures. Often, the business interests prevail over the spirit of independent journalism. As a result, democracy gets compromised," CJI Ramana said on Tuesday.

"Journalists are the eyes and the ears of the people. It is the responsibility of media houses to present facts. Especially in the Indian social scenario, people still believe that whatever is printed is true. All I want to say is that the media must confine itself to honest journalism without using it as a tool to expand its influence and business interests," he said.

While the country's senior-most judge acknowledged the presence of "journalists who are equally enthused in today's media", he remarked that when a brilliant story filed by a journalist is killed at the desk, it is thoroughly demoralising.

He said the "true nature" of a media house would be assessed and appropriate conclusions drawn from their conduct during testing times as he recollected that "only media houses without business baggage, were able to fight for democracy during the dark days of Emergency".

CJI Ramana also said there was no "systemic support" for journalists in the country and neither was there an award which was comparable to the Pulitzer or "many Pulitzer winning journalists".

19 Rajya Sabha MPs Suspended Day After Action Against 4 Lok Sabha MPs

NEW DELHI, July 26: Nineteen opposition MPs have been suspended from Rajya Sabha for the rest of the week for disrupting the session today.

"The decision to suspend opposition MPs from Rajya Sabha was taken with a heavy heart. They kept on ignoring the Chairman's appeals," BJP's Piyush Goyal said. "The government is ready for a debate on price rise once Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recovers and returns to parliament," said Goyal, leader of the house in Rajya Sabha.

The latest round of suspension comes a day after four Congress MPs in Lok Sabha were dealt with similar action for the entire monsoon session, ending August 12, for holding placards inside the house despite warnings by Speaker Om Birla to behave.

The house was adjourned for an hour today after the suspended opposition MPs did not leave and continued to protest.

The action against the 19 Rajya Sabha MPs would likely escalate the opposition's fury against the government over what they claim was an attempt to shut voices that question the ruling alliance's economic and social policies.

"This government has suspended democracy," Trinamool leader Derek O'Brien told reporters today.

The suspended Rajya Sabha MPs are:

Sushmita Dev, Trinamool Congress
Mausam Noor, Trinamool Congress
Shanta Chhetri, Trinamool Congress
Dola Sen, Trinamool Congress
Santanu Sen, Trinamool Congress
Abhi Ranjan Biswar, Trinamool Congress
Md. Nadimul Haque, Trinamool Congress
M Hamamed Abdulla, DMK
B Lingaiah Yadav, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS)
A.A. Rahim, CPI(M)
Ravihandra Vaddiraju, TRS
S Kalyanasundaram, DMK
R Girranjan, DMK
NR Elango, DMK
V Sivadasan, CPI(M)
M Shanmugam, DMK
Damodar Rao Divakonda, TRS
Sandosh Kumar P, CPI
Kanimozhi NVN Somu, DMK

Opposition MPs in Rajya Sabha have been demanding an urgent discussion on issues like price rise and goods and services tax, or GST, hike for the past many days, leading to disruptions in the house.

The opposition is demanding that the discussions be held under Rule 267 (Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Rajya Sabha). Under this rule, the issue being raised is taken up by suspending the listed business of the day.

"You can suspend us but you cannot silence us. Deplorable situation - our hon'ble MPs are trying to flag people's issues but they are being suspended. For how long will this go on? The sanctity of the parliament stands heavily compromised," the Trinamool Congress tweeted.

Rahul Gandhi Detained During Protest

NEW DELHI, July 26: Rahul Gandhi was detained today after he led a protest and sat on a road in the heart of the capital while his mother Sonia Gandhi was being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate.

The Congress leader, surrounded by scores of policemen, sat on Rajpath - the high security avenue near parliament and top government offices - as he protested over a range of issues from price rise and GST to the targeting of opposition leaders by probe agencies.

The Congress shared Rahul Gandhi's image alongside a black and white photo from the archives showing former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi - his grandmother - on a similar protest. "History repeating," the party tweeted.

"I am not courting arrest, I am protesting against price rise, unemployment, for the voice of the people..." Rahul Gandhi told NDTV. As he sat alone - the others with him had already been detained - he was seen taking out his phone and clicking a photo of the policemen.

After a stand-off that lasted for about an hour, the Congress MP was detained by the policemen who lifted him and put him in the bus along with the other detained MPs.

"India is a police state, (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi is a king," Rahul Gandhi said while being led away by the police.

In another part of the city, his mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi was at the Enforcement Directorate for the second round of questioning in connection with the National Herald case.

Sonia Gandhi was accompanied by her daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to the probe agency's office. Rahul Gandhi also went there before joining the protest at parliament.

The Congress MPs were protesting over the opposition "being silenced" in parliament a day after four party MPs were suspended for the entire monsoon session. The MPs, who planned to march towards the Rashtrapati Bhavan, were stopped at the Vijay Chowk crossing.

"We're protesting as per the instruction of the police. All of this is a conspiracy by PM Modi and Amit Shah to completely destroy the opposition and muzzle our voices. We won't be scared, our fight will continue," said Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha.

Meghalaya BJP Leader, Accused Of Running Brothel, Arrested In UP

NEW DELHI, July 26: BJP's Meghalaya vice-president Bernard N Marak, accused of operating a brothel at his farmhouse in Tura, has been arrested in Uttar Pradesh. He was arrested in Hapur district of Uttar Pradesh.

Marak had been on the run after six minors were rescued and 73 people arrested from his farmhouse 'Rimpu Bagan' during a raid on Saturday. Police said Marak was asked to cooperate in the probe but is evading the investigators.

The arrest came hours after Meghalaya Police put out a lookout notice for the BJP leader.

Yesterday, a Tura court had issued a non-bailable warrant against the BJP leader.

Five children, locked up at a resort in Tura owned by Marak, were rescued on Saturday, the police said. Claiming that a "brothel" was being operated from the place, they said the raid also led to the detention of 47 young men and 26 women -- many of them found unclothed and drunk.

The police recovered a huge amount of liquor, around 500 packets of contraceptives, cellphones and incriminating documents, said state police chief LR Bishnoi.

Gujarat Hooch Tragedy Toll Rises to 33

GANDHINAGAR, July 26: The death toll due to the consumption of spurious liquor made from highly poisonous methyl alcohol in Gujarat has gone up to 33, a senior police official said on Tuesday.

Primary investigations have revealed some small-time bootleggers of different villages of Botad district had made spurious liquor or hooch by mixing water with methyl alcohol or methanol and sold it to villagers for Rs 20 per pouch, police said.

“So far, 33 persons – 24 in Botad district and 9 in its neighbouring Ahmedabad – have died after consuming spurious liquor," said the police official attached with the State Monitoring Cell in Gandhinagar.

Addressing a press conference in the afternoon, Gujarat Director General of Police Ashish Bhatia had said 28 persons have lost their lives after consuming spurious liquor. He added that nearly 45 persons are admitted to hospitals in Bhavnagar, Botad and Ahmedabad. Later, five more deaths occurred in Botad and Ahmedabad districts.

The liquor tragedy came to light on early Monday morning when some people living in Rojid village in Botad and other surrounding villages were referred to government hospitals in Barvala area and Botad towns after their health condition started deteriorating.

Three FIRs have been registered against 14 main culprits under sections 302 (murder), 328 (causing hurt by poison) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC, said Bhatia, adding six persons have been arrested by police so far.

“Forensic analysis has established that the victims had consumed methyl alcohol. We have booked 14 persons on the charges of murder and other offnences and already detained majority of the accused for further investigation," Bhatia told reporters in Gandhinagar.

Meanwhile, the Gujarat Home Department has formed a three-member committee, headed by senior IPS officer Subhash Trivedi, to conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident and submit a report within three days, said a state government release.

The other two members of the committee are Director of Prohibition and Excise MA Gandhi and Director of Gujarat Forensic Science Laboratory HP Sanghvi. Police investigation so far has revealed a person named Jayesh aka Raju had stolen 600 liters of methyl alcohol from a godown in Ahmedabad where he works as a manager and then sold it to his Botad-based cousin Sanjay for Rs 40,000 on July 25, said Bhatia.

“Despite knowing that it’s an industrial solvent, Sanjay sold that chemical to bootleggers of different villages of Botad. These bootleggers mixed water in that chemical and sold it to people as country-made liquor," said the DGP. As per an FIR lodged with the Barvala police station of Botad, the chemical-laced hooch was sold in pouches by bootleggers to several people on July 25 at Rojid, Ranpari, Chandarva, Devgana, Chokdi and some other villages.

The deceased included people from neighbouring Dhandhuka taluka of Ahmedabad district as they had come to Botad to consume liquor. At Rojid village of Barvala taluka, the epicentre of the tragedy, a bootlegger named Gajuben Vaddariya told the police that she had purchased 20 liters of methanol for Rs 2,000 from one Pintu Devipujak and sold it to several people by mixing water in it, the FIR said.

The FIR said as many as 10 persons from Rojid village alone had lost their lives after consuming the hooch on July 25.

"Blood samples of the deceased confirmed that they had consumed methanol. We have so far seized 460 liters of that chemical. Following a clampdown on the manufacturers of illegal liquor, bootleggers had decided to acquire this ready-made chemical from other sources and sell it as country-made liquor by just mixing water in it," said Bhatia.

During the day, Gujarat Congress president Jagdish Thakor along with Leader of Opposition Sukhram Rathva visited Sir Takhtsinhji General Hospital in Bhavnagar and met those undergoing treatment.

Thakor demanded that the kin of each deceased be paid a compensation of Rs 10 lakh and said the opposition party has sought an appointment with the Gujarat Governor to make a representation on this issue.

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal also visited the hospital in Bhavnagar and attacked the BJP government claiming it has failed to strictly implement the liquor prohibition policy.

Kejriwal, who is touring Gujarat ahead of the Assembly polls due later this year, demanded compensation for the kin of the deceased as well as those undergoing treatment.

Gujarat Minister of Education Jitu Vaghani said this was not the time for politics.
“At this time, people should stand besides those who are suffering," said the BJP leader.

Madhya Pradesh Man Receives ₹ 3,419 Crore Electricity Bill, Hospitalised

GWALIOR, July 26: Priyanka Gupta, a resident of Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, was in for a rude shock when she received a power bill of a whopping ₹ 3,419 crore due to which her father-in-law fell ill.

The Madhya Pradesh government-run power company blamed "human error" and issued a corrected bill of ₹ 1,300, much to the relief of the worried Gupta family, who are residents of Shiv Vihar Colony in the city.

Ms Gupta's husband Sanjeev Kankane said his father fell ill after seeing the huge figure on the electricity bill for the domestic consumption for July.

The bill, released on July 20, was cross-verified through the portal of the Madhya Pradesh Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Company (MPMKVVC) but was found to be correct, he claimed.

The bill was later corrected by the state power company, said Kankane.

MPMKVVC general manager Nitin Manglik blamed human error for the huge power bill and said action has been taken against the employees concerned.

"An employee entered the consumer number in place of the units consumed in the software, resulting in the bill with a higher amount. The corrected bill of ₹ 1,300 has been issued to the power consumer," he said.

MP Energy Minister Pradyuman Singh Tomar told reporters that the error has been rectified and action is being taken against the employee concerned.

Fact-Checker M Zubair arrest amounted to an abuse of power: Supreme Court

NEW DELHI, July 25: Fact-checker Mohammed Zubair, who got bail last week, was "trapped in a vicious cycle of criminal process where the process itself has become the punishment," the Supreme Court has said, warning that arrest "cannot be used as a punitive tool".

The detailed judgment in the case that was released today contained a series of extremely strong remarks. Muhammed Zubair had walked free last week, after more than a month in jail, days after Chief Justice NV Ramana flagged the matter of "hasty and indiscriminate arrests, difficulty in obtaining bail, and prolonged incarceration of undertrials".

"Arrest is not meant to be and must not be used as a punitive tool because it results in one of the gravest possible consequences emanating from criminal law: the loss of personal liberty," read the judgment from the bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and AS Bopanna today.

"Individuals must not be punished solely on the basis of allegations, and without a fair trial... When the power to arrest is exercised without application of mind and without due regard to the law, it amounts to an abuse of power," it added.

The court said the Section 41 of the CrPC and safeguards in criminal law exist in recognition of the reality that any criminal proceeding "almost inevitably involves the might of the state, with unlimited resources at its disposal, against a lone individual".

The court had only released the operative portion of the order on July 20 to enable early release of Mohammed Zubair, who had sought relief after cases against him mushroomed across several states including Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.

It started with a four-year-old tweet sharing a screenshot from a popular Hindi movie. Later, cases were filed on other complaints as well - including another tweet in which the fact-checker on Alt News website called some right wing leaders "hate mongers".

Days before the arrest, Mohammed Zubair had drawn attention to the BJP's Nupur Sharma's comment on Prophet Muhammad, setting of a huge controversy and backlash.

On July 20, the top court gave him bail, disbanded a special investigation in UP and transferred all UP cases to Delhi. The judges also rejected the Uttar Pradesh government's request that Mohammed Zubair be "stopped from putting out tweets".

Regarding the last, the court said, "The imposition of such a condition would tantamount to a gag order... (which) have a chilling effect on the freedom of speech".

"According to the petitioner, he is a journalist who is the co-founder of a fact checking website and he uses Twitter as a medium of communication to dispel false news and misinformation in this age of morphed images, clickbait, and tailored videos. Passing an order restricting him from posting on social media would amount to an unjustified violation of the freedom of speech and expression, and the freedom to practice his profession," the court added.

Earlier this month, speaking at an event in Jaipur in the presence of Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, Chief Justice NV Ramana had said the process in India's criminal justice system a "punishment".

"In our criminal justice system, the process is the punishment. From hasty, indiscriminate arrests, to difficulty in obtaining bail, the process leading to the prolonged incarceration of under trials needs urgent attention," he had said, without naming any particular case.

4 Congress MPs Suspended From Lok Sabha For Entire Session After Protests

NEW DELHI, July 25: Four Congress MPs have been suspended from the Lok Sabha for the entire monsoon session ending August 12 for holding protests with placards inside the house over price rise. Speaker Om Birla had earlier warned them to behave and hold the placards outside the house if they wanted to protest.

The suspended Congress MPs are Manickam Tagore, Jothimani, Ramya Haridas and TN Prathapan.

After the Speaker's action, the four went near Mahatma Gandhi's statue on the parliament grounds and raised slogans there. The Congress said the government is trying to intimidate its MPs by suspending some of them. "Our MPs were trying to raise issues which matter to people," the Congress said.

"The MPs were holding placards raising the issues of rise in prices of gas cylinder, imposition of GST on items such as flour and buttermilk. We moved an adjournment motion demanding a discussion on these issues, but no discussion was held," Congress's Deputy Leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi said.

A visibly upset Lok Sabha Speaker had warned opposition MPs that he was willing for a discussion after 3 pm, but won't tolerate any placard protest inside the house.

"If you want to show placards, do it outside the house. I am ready for discussions, but don't think my kind-heartedness is weakness," the Speaker said. Later, he adjourned the proceedings till tomorrow.

When the session resumed after 3 pm - it was adjourned 20 minutes into Zero Hour earlier - the opposition MPs, however, returned with the placards.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, condemning the conduct of the opposition MPs, requested the Speaker to take action against MPs who brought the placards inside the house again.

"The people of the country want the house to run. But it can't run like this. I will not allow such a situation to remain in the house," Birla said. "If you want to show placards, do it outside the house. I am ready for discussions, but don't think my kind-heartedness is a weakness," the Speaker said.

Carrying placards and banners, the opposition MPs demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come to parliament and address their concerns over rising inflation and goods and services tax, or GST, hike on essential items.

The opposition has been demanding a discussion in parliament on price rise and had stalled the proceedings in both houses ever since the start of the monsoon session on July 18.

Rajya Sabha Leader of the House Piyush Goyal said the government is ready for talks on inflation as it wants people to know what steps have been taken to fight price rise.

"Inflation used to be in double digits during Congress/UPA rule but now it is around 7 per cent, which is less compared to other countries considering the problems around the world. The opposition is running away from the debate as they know they will be exposed," Goyal said.

'Biased, Ill-Informed, Agenda-Driven': Chief Justice Criticises Media

RANCHI, July 23: Kangaroo courts on TV debates and social media were taking the country backwards, Chief Justice of India NV Ramana said on Saturday, in searing criticism that called their behaviour "biased", "ill-informed" and "agenda-driven".

The remarks assume huge significance following the backlash to a verdict earlier this month on former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma's comments on Prophet Muhammad, which the Supreme Court said had stoked communal tension across the country.

"There are concerted campaigns in social media against judges. Judges may not react immediately. Please don't mistake it to be a weakness or helplessness," Justice Ramana said, delivering a lecture at an academic event in Ranchi.

"New media tools have enormous amplifying ability but appear to be incapable of distinguishing between the right and the wrong, the good and the bad and the real and the fake," the Chief Justice said.

"Media trials cannot be a guiding factor in deciding cases. We see the media running kangaroo courts, at times on issues even experienced judges find difficult to decide," he said.

"Ill-informed and agenda-driven debates on issues involving justice delivery are proving to be detrimental to the health of democracy," he added.

The Chief Justice, who retires next month, said biased views being spread by the media were weakening democracy and harming the system. "In this process, justice delivery gets adversely affected," he said.

"By overstepping and breaching your responsibility, you are taking our democracy two steps backwards," Justice Ramana said.

Print media still has a certain degree of accountability, the top judge said, adding, "Whereas electronic media has zero accountability as what it shows vanishes into thin air. Still, worse is social media."

Urging the media to self-regulate, he said, "It is best for the media to self-regulate and measure their words. I urge electronic and social media to behave responsibly. Electronic media should rather use their voice to educate people and energise the nation."

Minister Calls For Introspection After Chief Justice of India's Remarks On Media

NEW DELHI, July 23: Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on Saturday called for introspection by media houses of their functioning after Chief Justice of India NV Ramana said kangaroo courts by media were detrimental to the health of democracy.

Speaking at the National Broadcasting Day function at All India Radio here, Thakur said CJI Ramana's remarks raised questions on the credibility of the media.

"We need to introspect whether we have crossed the 'Lakshman Rekha' while delivering news," Thakur said.

"I wish to urge friends in the media that if such an impression is being created, there is a need for introspection," he said.

Agenda-driven debates and kangaroo courts being run by the media are detrimental to the health of the democracy, CJI Ramana said in Ranchi.

The CJI said media trials affect the fair functioning and independence of the judiciary.

Addressing the gathering, Thakur said that some people surmised that radio was going to have an existential crisis with the advent of television and subsequently the internet. However, radio has identified its audience and not just maintained its relevance but also its credibility, he said.

"When people want to listen to unbiased news, they naturally tune in to All India Radio and Doordarshan news. That 92 per cent of the country's geography and over 99 per cent of people are covered by All India Radio is a commendable achievement," he said.

The minister underlined the importance of content and said that it was content that drew people to the channel and no amount of reach through towers can match the importance of content. He expressed hope that in the digital age, radio would strengthen its presence among the people.

The minister also released promos of new serials on Doordarshan - Corporate Sarpanch: Beti Desh Ki, Jai Bharati, Suron ka Eklavya, and Ye Dil Mange More.

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan highlighted the important role played by radio during the freedom struggle when many freedom fighters employed it as a tool for communication against the British imperial government.

Droupadi Murmu Is India's New President

NEW DELHI, July 21: India got its first tribal President today as NDA choice Droupadi Murmu scooped up over 60 per cent of the total vote value. Opposition's Yashwant Sinha conceded defeat after three rounds of counting. The President-elect will take oath on July 25.

Droupadi Murmu got 64.03 per cent of total vote value after three rounds of counting. Yashwant Sinha ended up with 35.97 per cent.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with senior members of his Cabinet and BJP chief JP Nadda, visited Ms Murmu to congratulate her. Celebrations broke out across the country, complete with sweets and colourful tribal dances.

"I heartily congratulate Srimati Droupadi Murmu on her victory in the Presidential Election 2022. I hope — indeed, every Indian hopes — that as the 15th President of India she functions as the Custodian of the Constitution without fear or favour. I join my fellow countrymen in extending best wishes to her," read a statement from Opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha.

The counting process started at 11 at the Parliament House and after preliminaries, the actual counting started at 1.30 pm. The trends became clear after the first round where Ms Murmu stood at 39 per cent.

The Delhi BJP started its celebrations with a roadshow from the party headquarters to Rajpath.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has already congratulated Ms Murmu. "The first women tribal to become President is a momentous occasion and thanks to PM Modi for giving such unique gift. There is absolute euphoria in Assam, particularly in the tea gardens, people are very happy," he added.

Odisha's Rairangpur, the hometown of Ms Murmu, broke out in celebrations as the trend became clear.

The NDA's choice of Ms Murmu -- former Jharkhand Governor and a tribal woman from Odisha – drove a wedge through the opposition and brought on board non-aligned parties, such as Naveen Patnaik's Biju Janata Dal and Jaganmohan Reddy's YSR Congress. The move is also seen as a huge political message to the tribal community, which was lately seen as being disenchanted with the BJP.

The voting figures also indicate a considerable amount of cross-voting by opposition MPs and MLAs in Ms Murmu's favour. While parties have declared support for one candidate or the other, there is no penalty for cross-voting in the Presidential elections.

The winner of the Presidential election is not the candidate who gets only the most votes, but the one who crosses a quota. This quota is determined by adding votes polled for each candidate, dividing by two, and adding '1' to it. Basically, one more than 50 per cent. If someone does not cross this at first, subsequent preferences marked on the ballot paper come into play.

Hope Droupadi Murmu Functions Without Fear Or Favour: Yashwant Sinha

NEW DELHI, July 21: Yashwant Sinha, who ran for President as the opposition's joint candidate, congratulated India's President-elect Droupadi Murmu after the results came out this evening.

"I join my fellow citizens in congratulating Droupadi Murmu on her victory in the presidential election 2022. India hopes that as the 15th President of the Republic, she functions as the custodian of the Constitution without fear or favour," Sinha tweeted.

Droupadi Murmu, 64, is India's first tribal President. Nominated by the National Democratic Alliance, or NDA, she scored over 50 per cent of the total vote value after three rounds of counting.

In a one-page statement conceding defeat, Sinha said, "Despite the outcome of the election, I believe it has benefitted Indian democracy in two important ways. First, it brought most opposition parties on a common platform. This is indeed the need of the hour, and I earnestly appeal to them to continue - indeed, further strengthen - opposition unity beyond the presidential election. It must be equally evident in the election of the Vice President."

"Second, in the court of my election campaign, I tried to highlight the views, concerns and commitments of the opposition parties on major issues before the nation and the common people. In particular, I voiced strong concern over the blatant and rampant weaponization of the ED, CBI, Income Tax Department and even the office of the Governor against opposition parties and their leaders," Sinha said.

Fact-Checker Mohammed Zubair Leaves Jail As Court Ends 'Vicious Cycle'

NEW DELHI, July 20: Fact-checker Mohammed Zubair, who was granted bail by the Supreme Court after his arrest last month over what the police said was a "highly provocative tweet", walked out of Delhi's Tihar Jail at 9 pm today.

As he got inside a waiting car outside Tihar Jail, Mohammed Zubair, surrounded by his legal team, showed a victory sign.

The Supreme Court had ordered his release by 6 pm, but he walked out of jail only at 9 pm after paperwork and other formalities were completed. He has been granted bail in all seven cases filed against him.

"It's a set principle of law that power of arrests must be pursued sparingly. In present case no justification to keep him in continued detention and subject him to an endless round of proceedings in various courts," the Supreme Court had said earlier in the day.

The court disbanded a special probe in UP against Mohammed Zubair and transferred all UP cases to Delhi. The judges also rejected the Uttar Pradesh government's request that Mohammed Zubair be "stopped from putting out tweets".

"It's like telling a lawyer to not argue any further. How can you tell a journalist he cannot write? If he does something that violates the law, then he is answerable to law. But how can we take anticipatory action against a citizen when he is raising his voice? Every citizen is answerable for what he does in public or private. We will not place any such order," said Justice DY Chandrachud.

Mohammed Zubair was arrested on June 27 by Delhi Police. Seven more FIRs were filed against him in Uttar Pradesh.

The Supreme Court did not cancel the FIRs (First Information Report) but said he was free to approach the Delhi High Court against all the cases, which can be combined into one.

The co-founder of fact-check website Alt News was arrested over a four-year-old tweet sharing a screenshot from a popular Hindi movie.

Just days before the arrest, he had drawn attention to an incendiary comment on Prophet Muhammad by suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma during a TV debate.

As he moved for bail, case after case was filed in UP.

Three cases were filed in Lakhimpur Kheri, Hathras and Sitapur over a tweet in which he called some right wing leaders "hate mongers".

In Lakhimpur, a Sudarshan News employee filed a case accusing Zubair of misleading people about his channel's coverage of the Israel-Palestine dispute.

The Supreme Court noted that he was granted bail in the Delhi case, but it had not been "sufficient to secure his personal liberty" as he had been slapped with "successive FIRs".

In the last hearing, the Supreme Court had called out the "vicious cycle" of interim bail in one case and arrest in another case.

Yogi Adityanath Cabinet Trouble: Minister Resigns, Another In Delhi

LUCKNOW, July 20: An Uttar Pradesh minister has resigned complaining that he was "sidelined because he is a Dalit" in a huge setback for Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath just months after he was re-elected by a landslide. The minister, Dinesh Khatik, has sent his resignation letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Another minister, Jitin Prasada, is seething with resentment at the Chief Minister and is meeting with the BJP leadership in Delhi in a rare example of discontent coming out in the open in any BJP government.

Khatik, the Uttar Pradesh Water Resources minister, has claimed in his letter that he was not assigned any work for 100 days. "I am resigning because I am hurt," he says in the letter that alleges irregularities in departmental transfers.

"I was not given any importance because I am a Dalit. I have no authority as a minister. My working as a minister of state is a waste for the Dalit community - I am not called for any meeting and not told anything about my ministry. This is an insult of the Dalit community," Khatik writes.

Sources say the party is trying to talk him out of resignation.

Jitin Prasada is angry over an official on his team being suspended by the Chief Minister. Prasada switched from the Congress to the BJP last year, months before the UP election.

Prasada was rewarded with a key ministry - the Public Works Department (PWD) - but the department faces corruption allegations. The Chief Minister's office reportedly ordered an investigation, and several officials were found to be involved in bribe-for-transfers.

On Tuesday, the UP government suspended five senior PWD officers over serious irregularities in departmental transfers.

Prasada's Officer on Special Duty Anil Kumar Pandey, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, was among those accused of taking bribes for transfers and postings.

Pandey was removed and a vigilance inquiry was launched against him.

As his boss, Prasada is also facing questions about corruption on his watch. Sources say Yogi Adityanath summoned him and took him to task over the corruption charge against his aide.

Prasada then sought a meeting with BJP president JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to flag his complaint.

BJP Slips In Madhya Pradesh Mayoral Polls, Retains Municipal Bodies

BHOPAL, July 20: In 2014, the BJP swept the mayoral elections in Madhya Pradesh by scoring all 16 seats. This year, however, the state's ruling BJP retained nine seats, lost five to Congress, one to the Aam Aadmi Party, or AAP, and one to a party rebel who fought as an independent from Katni.

The Congress won a mayoral election in Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar's Lok Sabha constituency and state BJP chief VD Sharma's home district, Morena.

This is the BJP's worst performance in two decades in Madhya Pradesh's mayoral elections. In 1999 and 2004, the Congress won just two seats and in the 2009 polls, it managed to win three mayoral seats.

In a significant political development, two new parties have also made their entry - the AAP by winning Singrauli, and Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM.

In Burhanpur, an AIMIM mayoral candidate got more than 10,000 votes in her favour, resulting in the defeat of Congress's Shanaz Ismail by a narrow margin of 388 votes against BJP's Madhuri Patel.

The Congress won three out of the 11 mayoral posts in the first phase compared to BJP's seven, but in the second phase the Congress snatched Morena and Rewa from the BJP.

State Congress chief Kamal Nath said the results were a sign of what is going to happen in the assembly election next year.

The BJP won the second phase of mayoral polls in Ratlam and Dewas, while its rebel candidate Priti Suri, who contested as an independent after she was denied a party ticket, defeated the party's official candidate Jyoti Dixit in Katni. Katni comes under state BJP chief VD Sharma's Lok Sabha constituency Khajuraho.

In Jabalpur, Rewa and Gwalior, which elected Congress mayor, and Katni, which voted for the BJP rebel as mayor, and Singrauli, where the AAP candidate was elected mayor, the same voters supported BJP councillors in a majority of the wards in municipal corporations.

The BJP swept the Nagar Palika polls in communally sensitive Khargone town, which was the site of deadly riots on Ram Navami on April 10. The ruling party won 19 out of the total 33 wards of Khargone Nagar Palika, followed by the Congress in four wards, AIMIM in three wards and independents in seven wards.

With this, AIMIM managed to win in seven municipal wards in four cities and towns, including Jabalpur, Burhanpur, Khandwa and Khargone, besides playing a key role in the Congress's loss against the ruling BJP in Burhanpur.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan congratulated party workers. "Congress has won mayoral polls in Gwalior, Jabalpur and Rewa; however, the BJP has not only won majority in the municipal corporations in the same cities, but will consequently have its own chairpersons running the proceedings of those very corporations," Mr Chouhan said.

"In Katni, the mayor is an independent candidate who belongs to the BJP only, while in Singrauli the mayor is from AAP, but our party has the majority in the corporation," he said.

State Congress chief Kamal Nath said the results were a sign of what is going to happen in the assembly election next year.

The BJP performed better in Nagar Palika and Nagar Parishad polls by winning 65 out of the 76 Nagar Palikas at 85 per cent strike rate and 231 out of the 255 Nagar Parishads at 90.58 per cent success rate.

India, China Agree To Work Out Mutually Acceptable Resolution on Ladakh row

NEW DELHI, July 18: The Indian and Chinese armies agreed to work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues in eastern Ladakh at the earliest during their 16th round of high-level talks on Sunday.

A joint statement issued by the two sides said it was reaffirmed that the resolution of pending issues would help in the restoration of peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the region and enable progress in bilateral relations.

The statement was issued on Monday night, a day after the two sides held the talks that lasted for around 12-and-half hours.

"Building on the progress made at the last meeting on 11th March 2022, the two sides continued discussions for the resolution of the relevant issues along the LAC in the Western Sector in a constructive and forward-looking manner," the statement said.

The government refers to the eastern Ladakh region as the Western sector.

"They had a frank and in-depth exchange of views in this regard, in keeping with the guidance provided by the state leaders to work for the resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest," the statement said.

"The two sides reaffirmed that the resolution of remaining issues would help in the restoration of peace and tranquility along the LAC in the Western Sector and enable progress in bilateral relations," it said.

It said, in the interim, the two sides agreed to maintain the security and stability on the ground in the region.

"The two sides agreed to stay in close contact and maintain dialogue through military and diplomatic channels and work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest," the statement said.

The Indian delegation at the talks was led by Lt-General Anindya Sengupta, the commander of the Leh-based 14 Corps, while the Chinese team was headed by South Xinjiang Military District Chief Major General Yang Lin.

The 15th round of military dialogue which took place on March 11 failed to yield any significant outcome.

In the discussions on Sunday, the Indian delegation insisted on the restoration of the status quo ante as of April 2020 -- before the start of the military standoff, people familiar with the developments said.

Indian President elections conclude

NEW DELHI, July 18: Elections to choose the 15th President of India -- a race between NDA's Droupadi Murmu and the opposition's Yashwant Sinha -- were held today. The contest is seen as all but over, counting parties that declared support for Ms Murmu.

Through the day, 728 parliamentarians, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former PM Manmohan Singh, voted. Eight MPs chose to abstain.

Several MLAs, including one from the Congress and two from Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party claimed on record that they have voted for the NDA candidate. No whip can be issued for Presidential elections ad lawmakers are allowed to vote "according to their conscience".

Droupadi Murmu, 64, was a strong contender for the country's highest office before the 2017 presidential elections before Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind, a Dalit, was named as the government's choice.

The NDA choice of Ms Murmu -- a tribal woman from Odisha and a former Jharkhand Governor -- is seen as a calculated move, drawing the support not only of Jharkhand's ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, but also Odisha's Naveen Patnaik, seen as a fence-sitter.

Ms Murmu has also been assured of support by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who lately is seldom on the same page as ally BJP.

Both factions of the Shiv Sena - whose split and the subsequent collapse of Maharashtra government dominated headlines for weeks - are also expected to support Ms Murmu.

While the Eknath Shinde faction, allied with the BJP, was supporting the NDA candidate, the faction led by Uddhav Thackeray, which was supporting Opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha, decided to switch after 16 MPs met Uddhav Thackeray and suggested that they should vote for Ms Murmu.

The opposition settled on Mr Sinha - a former Union Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government who later joined Trinamool Congress - after three proposed candidates said no.

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, former Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah had all declined, citing various reasons.

The counting of votes will be held on July 21 and the new President will take oath on July 25, under the schedule announced by the Election Commission.

Sri Lanka crisis: Govt calls all-party meet after DMK, AIADMK raise the issue

NEW DELHI, July 17: The government will hold an all-party meeting on the current Sri Lanka economic crisis on Tuesday. The meeting will be chaired by Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar, said Union parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi.

During an all-party meeting convened on Sunday ahead of the Monsoon session of Parliament, Tamil Nadu-based DMK and AIADMK demanded India intervene in the neighbouring country which is facing a debilitating economic crisis.

During the Sunday meeting, both DMK and AIADMK raised the Sri Lankan issue, especially the condition of the country's Tamil population.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, NDA constituent DMK leader M Thambidurai said India should intervene to resolve the crisis in Sri Lanka.

Party leader TR Baalu also demanded India's intervention in addressing the situation confronting the island nation.

Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis in seven decades, with a severe foreign exchange shortage hampering the import of essentials including food, fuel and medicines. The economic crisis also sparked a political crisis in the country after a popular uprising against the government.

Addressing reporters after the all-party meeting ahead of the Monsoon session of Parliament which was attended by leaders of various parties, Joshi also said that the government was open for discussion on all issues under rules and procedures of Parliament.

Condemning the opposition for creating a row over unparliamentary words and circulars issued in routine for the past several years, he said such a practice is being carried on since 1954 when the first such list was brought out, and said the opposition was doing so as it was devoid of any issues against the government.

Neither Ornamental Nor Political: Venkaiah Naidu On Governor's Post

NEW DELHI, July 17: Barely a month before his term ends, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu today called upon Governors to act as a 'guide' to states, adding that the office of a Governor is "neither an ornamental position nor a political position".

He appealed to Governors to ensure that the programmes funded by the government are properly implemented by the states. Their conduct should 'set an example' for the state administration, a media release from his office quoted him saying.

Addressing Governors, Lt. Governors, and administrators from various states and union territories at a lunch hosted by him at his official residence, he urged the Governors to frequently visit "as many universities as possible" in their state, in the role of Chancellor to the universities, and interact with the students and staff to motivate them.

He also suggested that they oversee the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 "in its letter and spirit".

He further suggested that Governors can also become important partners in the eradication of tuberculosis and other health awareness initiatives in the states and UTs. Citing the example of vaccination coverage, Mr Naidu pointed out how motivating people to get vaccinated "has had positive outcomes" and reduced mortalities in India.

He suggested that Governors become partners in various vaccination campaigns and also stress the importance of healthy dietary habits in their interaction with people.

Governors, Lt. Governors, and Administrators from various states and union territories, their spouses, Home Minister Amit Shah, senior officials, and other dignitaries were present at the lunch, the media release said.

Naidu, who is also the Rajya Sabha Chairman, today sought a good monsoon session of the parliament as a "farewell gift" in the all-party meeting today to deliberate on the agenda of the upcoming session, sources said.

The opposition has listed 16 issues for the session beginning tomorrow. A record of 41 leaders and ministers attended the all-party meeting today where Naidu sought the cooperation of all sections of the House as a 'farewell gift' in the form of a meaningful and productive session.

In 2017, the Bharatiya Janata Party had named then cabinet minister Naidu, a former BJP president and veteran parliamentarian, as its vice presidential candidate.

Naidu had won the election comfortably to occupy the second highest constitutional post in the country. His current term ends on August 10.

This time, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar is the ruling NDA's candidate for the post of Vice President.

Out of Parliament's current strength of 780, the BJP alone has 394 MPs, more than the majority mark of 390, and is expected to comfortably win again.

The last date for filing nomination papers for the poll is July 19 and the election is scheduled for August 6.

Margaret Alva is Opposition’s vice presidential candidate

NEW DELHI, July 17: Opposition parties announced Sunday that former Union minister and governor Margaret Alva is their candidate for the vice-presidential election scheduled to be held next month.

The decision was taken at a meeting held at NCP president Sharad Pawar’s residence.

Announcing the decision, Pawar said that 17 Opposition parties have unanimously decided on Margaret Alva’s name.

Alva, a five-term Member of Parliament, has served as a minister at the Centre and as the governor of Goa.

The opposition leaders’ meeting, which began at 3 pm and continued till 4:30 pm, was attended by Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha; DMK’s TR Baalu; Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut; CPI leader D Raja; CPI leader Binoy Viswam; Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) leader Vaiko; TRS member Keshav Rao; Samajwadi Party leader Prof. Ram Gopal Yadav; CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury; IUML member ET Mohammed Basheer; and RJD’s Amarendra Dhari Singh.

However, no one was present in the meeting from the Trinamool Congress which is the second largest opposition party in the Rajya Sabha. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also did not attend the meeting.

On Saturday, the BJP had announced West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar as the NDA’s vice-presidential candidate.

The election for the office of Vice-President of India will be held on August 6 and the counting will take place on the same day. The last date to file a nomination is July 19.

The term of office of Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu is ending on August 10. This will be the 16th Vice-Presidential election in the country.

As per article 66 of the Constitution, the Vice-President is elected by an Electoral College, which consists of the members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha (both elected and nominated members).

On June 21, the Opposition parties had announced Yashwant Sinha as their candidate for the presidential elections to be held on July 18. It was after this that the BJP had named Droupadi Murmu as the NDA’s candidate for the presidential polls.

Chief Justice Flags 'Hasty, Indiscriminate' Arrests As Urgent Problem

JAIPUR, July 16: The issues of "hasty and indiscriminate arrests, difficulty in obtaining bail, and prolonged incarceration of under trials" were marked "urgent" by Chief Justice NV Ramana on Saturday, in comments that assume huge significance given recent events.

In recent weeks, persistent questions have been raised on the arrests of Mohammad Zubair, co-founder of fact-checking website Alt News, by the police in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, and that of actor Ketaki Chitale in Maharashtra.

While Zubair remains under arrest since late last month over a 2018 tweet that was used to file largely the same case against him in various places, Ms Chitale spent 39 days locked up over social media comments supposedly against veteran politician Sharad Pawar before being released last month.

Speaking at an event in Jaipur in the presence of Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju and senior judges of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice NV Ramana did not name any specific case but went as far as calling the process in India's criminal justice system a "punishment".

"The challenges are huge. In our criminal justice system, the process is the punishment. From hasty, indiscriminate arrests, to difficulty in obtaining bail, the process leading to the prolonged incarceration of under trials needs urgent attention," he said in his address.

"We need a holistic plan of action, to increase the efficiency of the administration of criminal justice. Training and sensitization of the police and modernization of the prison system is one facet of improving the administration of criminal justice," Justice Ramana said.

"NALSA (National Legal Services Authority) and legal service authorities need to focus on the above issues to determine how best they can help," he added.

The Chief Justice's comments underlined a recent call by the Supreme Court to the centre to consider framing a 'Bail Act' to streamline the early release of prisoners.

Justice Ramana also expressed concern at political opposition translating into hostility and the quality of legislative performance.

"Political opposition should not translate into hostility, which we have been sadly witnessing these days. These are not signs of a healthy democracy. There used to be mutual respect between the government and opposition. Unfortunately, space for opposition is diminishing," he said.

"Sadly, the country is witnessing a decline in the quality of legislative performance," Justice Ramana said, adding laws are being passed without detailed deliberations and scrutiny.

Free water, electricity, healthcare or world-class primary education are not 'revdis': Arvind Kejriwal

NEW DELHI, July 16: Free water, electricity, healthcare or world-class primary education are not "revdis" but the responsibility of the state, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Saturday, delivering a same-day rebuttal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's quip about freebies offered by governments ahead of elections, which he compared to the North Indian winter munchies.

"Today, Gagan, the son of a worker who lost his ₹ 15,000-a-month job during the lockdown, has managed to get admission at IIT Dhanbad in computer engineering. Ask him if Kejriwal is handing out free revdis or building the future of this country," he said, underscoring his focus on improving the capital's public schools.

"We have turned around Delhi's government hospitals, built amazing Mohalla Clinics. Delhi is the only megacity in the world where each of the 2 crore people can get free treatment. This includes surgeries that go up to ₹ 30 or 40 or 50 lakh," Kejriwal said.

"Those asking me why we give 200 units of free electricity in Delhi and 300 units in Punjab - I want to ask them, how many units of free electricity do you give your ministers? 4,000? 5,000?" he said.

"Those abusing me for making bus rides free for women are the same people who have spent thousands of crores on private jets," he added.

The AAP chief listed the Delhi government's 'Farishtey Scheme' which pays for the treatment of an accident victim at any hospital ("13,000 lives have been saved so far"); free yoga classes ("17,000 people are enjoying this facility"); free pilgrimages to Ayodhya, Haridwar and more.

"Despite making so many things free, Delhi has a budget surplus. What's wrong in ending corruption and using that money to help the public?" he said.

"I will tell you what free revdis are. There is a big company. It took loans from many banks and did not repay. Banks went bankrupt. That company paid up to the ruling party and faced no action. This is free revdi," Kejriwal said.

"When you forgive thousands of crores in loans for your friends, that is free revdi. When you go for foreign trips, and seek contracts for your friends, that is free revdi," he said in a pointed attack seemingly directed at Modi.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister, while inaugurating the ₹ 15,000 crore Bundelkhand Expressway in Uttar Pradesh - which the opposition called "half-built" - warned against what he called the "revdi culture" of offering freebies for votes and said this is "very dangerous".

"In our country today, attempts are being made to bring a culture of garnering votes by distributing 'revdis'. This 'revdi culture' is very dangerous for the development of the country. People of the country and especially the youth need to guard against this culture," Modi said.

He said proponents of 'revdi culture' will never make new expressways, airports and defence corridors.

"The revdi culture people think they will buy out people by distributing free revdi. We have to jointly defeat this thinking of theirs. Have to remove 'revdi culture' from the country's politics," Modi said without taking any names, just like Kejriwal.

Law Minister Present, Ashok Gehlot Makes Sharp Comments On Judiciary, PM

JAIPUR, July 16: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot today made a range of sharp comments against the Centre, and on issues relating to the judiciary at an event here in the presence of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, and other senior judges of the Supreme Court and the Rajasthan High Court.

He objected to how Supreme Court judges were targeted for their comments in the Nupur Sharma case.

Referring to a public letter by ex-judges, former bureaucrats and retired officers of the armed forces criticising the Supreme Court's comments against Nupur Sharma, the since-suspended BJP leader whose remarks on Prophet Mohammed led to protests and a diplomatic row, Gehlot said "116 people were made to stand up (against the two judges)".

"Recently Justices Surya Kant and Pardiwala said something. It is our duty to respect the judiciary. 116 people were made to stand up (against the two judges) including former High Court and Supreme Court judges, bureaucracy, officers and many others. I don't know how this was managed and an issue was created out of it. Supreme Court judges had made observations on what is happening in the country but this atmosphere was created," he said.

He further raised questions on how post-retirement concerns could affect the work of judges, citing the example of former CJI and now Rajya Sabha member Ranjan Gogoi.

"Imagine, four Supreme Court judges had said 'democracy is in danger', and the ones who said all this even had a CJI among them, (retired) Justice Ranjan Gogoi. I had asked the President of India 'was Gogoi fine before (during Supreme Court tenure) or is he fine now?' This is beyond my understanding. Then he became a Member of Parliament...if during the tenure one is worried about what post he is going to get after retirement then how is he really going to work?" Gehlot said.

He then hit out at the Centre by saying that the Prime Minister should address the nation to end "the atmosphere of violence and tension" in the country.

"A democracy is based on tolerance. People listen to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that is why people vote for him. Shouldn't the Prime Minister address the nation and say that unity and brotherhood have to be maintained? He has to say that I will not accept violence at any cost. I believe the Law Minister can convince him. He does not listen to us. Today the situation is such that it's creating a lot of tension," he said.

The Rajasthan Chief Minister also referred to recent incidents of 'horsetrading' and said that he doesn't know how his government in Rajasthan survived.

"Situation is very serious in the country. State governments are being overthrown. Goa, Manipur, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra. This 'Tamasha' is going on or is there democracy? If elected governments are overthrown due to horse trading then...I don't know how my government got saved. I would not be standing before you today. You would have met some other Chief Minister today. It was a touch-and-go situation," he said.

Gehlot was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the 18th All India Legal Services Authorities' Meet in Rajasthan's Jaipur.

Jagdeep Dhankhar Is BJP's Vice Presidential Candidate

NEW DELHI, July 16: West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar will be the ruling NDA's candidate for the post of Vice President of India, BJP chief JP Nadda announced today.

Dhankhar has been associated with the BJP for the last two decades and many political observers suggest he has been "rewarded" for clashing with Ms Banerjee in favour of the BJP.

The decision was taken at the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) parliamentary board meeting at its Delhi headquarters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with several top leaders like Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan were present at the meeting.

Modi tweeted his support for Dhankar saying he has "excellent knowledge" of the Constitution and is also well-versed with legislative affairs.

"Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji has excellent knowledge of our Constitution. He is also well-versed with legislative affairs. I am sure that he will be an outstanding Chair in the Rajya Sabha & guide the proceedings of the House with the aim of furthering national progress," he said.

In 2017, the party had named the then cabinet minister M Venkaiah Naidu, a former BJP president and veteran parliamentarian, as its vice presidential candidate.

Naidu had won the election comfortably to occupy the second highest constitutional post in the country. His current term ends on August 10.

Dhankhar has often grabbed headlines for his prickly relationship with opposition leader and Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee since taking over as Governor in July 2019. While he has accused the state government of "extreme appeasement, communalised patronage, and mafia syndicate extortion," Trinamool Congress leaders have called Dhankhar "communal".

The Bengal Governor had earlier this month urged the Bengali intelligentsia to "break their silence" on what he described as the "decimation of democratic values" in the state.

Just as the BJP-led NDA announced Governor Dhankar as its Vice Presidential candidate, Mamata Banerjee called a meeting of Trinamool MPs of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in Kolkata to discuss her party's strategy regarding the elections scheduled on August 6, and also to finalise party's plan of action during the monsoon session of the parliament. This meeting will be held at Banerjee's residence in Kolkata at 4 pm on July 21.

The electoral college for picking the next vice president, who is also the Rajya Sabha chairperson by default, comprises members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Out of Parliament's current strength of 780, the BJP alone has 394 MPs, more than the majority mark of 390.

The last date for filing nomination papers for the poll is July 19 and the election is scheduled for August 6.

BJP Must Clarify On Alleged Links With Udaipur Murder Accused: Ashok Gehlot

JAIPUR, July 12: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday made serious allegations against the Bharatiya Janata Party of having links with the accused involved in the gruesome murder of Kanhaiya Lal Teli in Udaipur and asserted that the BJP should issue a clarification.

Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor was beheaded in Udaipur on June 28 by Mohammad Riyaz and Ghouse Mohammad for supporting Nupur Sharma.

"The relationship of the accused with BJP in (Udaipur beheading) case is known to everyone. Recently it was found that the accused lived in a rented place, owned by another Muslim person," said Ashok Gehlot.

Gehlot asked the BJP to respond to the allegations of its links with one of the accused in the recent murder of a tailor in Udaipur.

Gehlot asked the BJP to come clean on the allegations that the BJP helped one of the accused by requesting the police to drop the complaint against the accused as he is a BJP worker.

"Owner of the house had alleged that they (accused who beheaded Kanhaiya) were not paying rent, he approached the police for it. But even before the police could investigate the matter, BJP workers started calling them (landlord) stating they were BJP workers and warning the landlord of not troubling the party worker," added Gehlot.

He asked BJP leaders to issue a clarification on the "connection" of the accused with the party.

As the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested the seventh accused in connection with the Udaipur killing, photographs of the main accused, Riaz Akhtari, with some BJP leaders, including the Leader of Opposition Gulab Chand Kataria, emerged on social media, prompting the Congress to allege that Akhtari was a BJP worker.

However, the BJP has denied the allegations.

Kanhaiyya Lal Teli, who was a tailor by profession, was killed brutally for putting social media posts in support of former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma on June 28.

The beheading incident had sparked public outrage across the country.

The assailants identified themselves in the video as Riyaz Akhtari and Ghouse Mohammad. In the video, Riyaz was seen attacking 47-year-old Kanhaiya Lal with a sharp-edged weapon while the other, Ghouse, recorded the crime on his mobile phone.

Riyaz and Ghouse were arrested from Bhim in the Rajsamand district.

The seventh accused has been identified as Farhad Mohammad Sheikh aged 31.

The accused was arrested yesterday, Farhad Mohammad was a close criminal associate of one of the main killers accused Riyaz Attari and was an active part of the conspiracy to kill Kanhaiya Lal.

The NIA took over the investigation of the Udaipur beheading case and re-registered the case on June 29.

Earlier six accused persons were arrested in this case on June 29, July 1 and 4 respectively.

ASI killed, two cops injured in Lal Bazar terror attack

SRINAGAR, July 12: Police on Tuesday evening said that an ASI was killed and two other cops were injured after being fired upon by terrorists in the Lal Bazar area of Srinagar.

"Terrorists fired upon police naka party at Lal Bazar area of #Srinagar city. In this #terror incident, three police personnel got injured & they have been shifted to hospital. Area has been cordoned. Further details shall follow, " a police spokesman said.

"Srinagar Terror Incident Update: ASI Mushtaq Ahmad #succumbed to his injuries & attained #martyrdom. We pay rich #tribute to the #martyr for his supreme #sacrifice made in the line of duty. Other two injured personnel are being treated. Further details shall follow, "he added.

In Abu Salem Case, Supreme Court Says Centre Bound To Release Gangster

NEW DELHI, July 11: The Supreme Court on Monday said the Centre is bound to honour its commitment given to Portugal and release gangster Abu Salem on completion of his 25-year sentence in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case.

Salem had said his sentence could not exceed 25 years as per a solemn assurance given by India to Portugal for his extradition in 2002.

A bench of Justices SK Kaul and MM Sundresh said the Central government is bound to advise the President of India for exercise of power under Article 72 of the Constitution and the national commitment on completion of his sentence.

"The necessary papers be forwarded within a month of completion of 25 years. In fact, the government can itself exercise the power of remission under CrPC within the time period of one month upon completion of 25 years," the bench said.

On February 25, 2015, a special TADA court had awarded life imprisonment to Salem in another case for murdering Mumbai-based builder Pradeep Jain in 1995 along with his driver Mehndi Hassan.

Salem, also a convict in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case, was extradited from Portugal on November 11, 2005, after a prolonged legal battle.

With Body Of 2-Year-Old Brother, Madhya Pradesh Boy, 8, Sat By The Road

BHOPAL, July 10: A tiny arm sticking out of one corner of a white cloth covering a small body, its head resting on the lap of a dazed young boy, back to the wall and bundled on the side of a dirty road, told a story of unspeakable helplessness and apathy.

In visuals shot by a local journalist in Madhya Pradesh's Morena town on Saturday, 8-year-old Gulshan was seen sitting with the body of his 2-year-old brother Raja while their father Poojaram Jatav desperately looked for a vehicle to take them home.

A resident of Badfra village of Ambah, Poojaram had brought his 2-year-old son to the Morena District Hospital - around 450 km north of Bhopal - after being referred there by a local hospital in an ambulance.

Suffering from anaemia and ascites - abdominal swelling caused by the accumulation of fluid, most often related to liver disease - Raja died during treatment. But the ambulance that had brought them had already returned.

Poojaram Jatav said he could not afford a vehicle to take his son's body home.

Poojaram, a man of limited means, pleaded with the doctors and staff of the hospital for a vehicle to take the body back to his village, around 30 km away. He said he was turned down and told the hospital did not have a vehicle at hand, and he would have to pay for one outside.

An ambulance operator parked on the hospital premises asked for ₹ 1,500 - much more than what the single father of four could afford.

A helpless Poojaram left the hospital with the body of his son Raja, Gulshan in tow. He could not find any vehicle.

It was then that he decided to leave Gulshan in front of Morena's Nehru Park as he went to look for a ride back home that he could afford.

For half an hour, Gulshan sat there, his dead brother's head on his lap, eyes gazing out for his father's return.

Caressing the body, swatting away flies, a tear or two would roll down his cheek. A crowd gathered and someone alerted the authorities.

Finally, a police officer Yogendra Singh picked up the body and led Gulshan back to the district hospital where Poojaram and his sons were given an ambulance, at last, to make their way home - a difficult ride for any family, now made more harrowing.

Goa Congress Sacks Its Leader In Assembly For Planning Defections

NEW DELHI, July 10: After an entire day of refuting reports of some of its MLAs crossing over to the ruling BJP in Goa, Congress has sacked Michael Lobo as the Leader of Opposition. The grand old party in a press conference said that a "conspiracy" was hatched by some of its leaders along with the BJP to weaken it and engineer defections.

"A conspiracy was hatched by some of our own leaders with the BJP to see that the Congress party in Goa is weakened and to engineer defections. This conspiracy was led by 2 of our own leaders LoP Michael Lobo and Digambar Kamat," Congress Goa in-charge Dinesh Gundu Rao said.

"Both these people had been working in total coordination with BJP. One person - Digambar Kamat - did it to safeguard his own skin because so many cases are against him and the other person - Michael Lobo - for the sake of power and position. BJP wants to finish the Opposition," he added.

Sources say five Congress MLAs -- Michael Lobo, Delilah Lobo, Digambar Kamat, Kedar Naik, and Rajesh Faldessai -- are reportedly at the Chief Minister's house.

According to sources, Digambar Kamat - the party's Chief Ministerial nominee in the elections held earlier this year - had skipped a meeting of MLAs on Saturday.

Eight MLAs need to leave Congress so that anti-defection law doesn't come into play.

A party meeting today saw less-than-full attendance amid reports of some leaders being in touch with the ruling BJP a day before an assembly session.

The Congress had earlier denied any rift within the party, with Goa unit chief Amit Patkar saying such rumours were being spread by the ruling BJP ahead of the two-week Budget Session of the assembly.

Goa's 40-member assembly has 25 legislators from the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and 11 from the opposition Congress.

The Congress had last seen a split in 2019 when most of its MLAs switched to the BJP, leaving the party with only four former Chief Ministers in its ranks.

During the Goa elections earlier this year, the party made all its MLAs take a loyalty pledge not to switch sides.

15 Dead, Over 40 Missing After Cloudburst Near Amarnath Shrine

SRINAGAR, July 8: Fifteen people were killed and more than 40 are reported missing after a cloudburst near the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, said officials. The yatra has been suspended till further notice.

The cloudburst was reported at around 5:30 pm.Community kitchens and tents near the cave shrine were washed away.

Rescue operation was immediately launched by security forces disaster management agencies. But due to difficult terrain rescue efforts may be hampered during the night.

J&K's Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said he apprised the Prime Minister and Home Minister about the situation. The Centre has assured all possible help.

Army Helicopters have been pressed into service to shift the injured to hospital.
"Situation is under control, rains are still going on. Looking at the hazard level, the Amarnath Yatra has been halted temporarily due to the area being inundated. If the weather remains normal and makeshift arrangements are made, then the yatra can be resumed tomorrow," said spokesperson of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police or ITBP.

A senior ITBP official said that water came from above and sides of the cave after it rained heavily at the upper reaches.

The injured are being airlifted for treatment.

A cloudburst refers to particularly heavy rain in a short period of time over limited geographical area.

The Amarnath Yatra was briefly suspended earlier this week due to bad weather.
The pilgrimage began this year on June 30 after a 2-year Covid gap. More one lakh pilgrims have offered their prayers at the shrine since then.

Supreme Court Judge Who Heard Nupur Sharma Plea Slams 'Personal Attacks'

NEW DELHI, July 3: A judge, who was part of the Supreme Court bench that slammed the BJP's Nupur Sharma for her comments on Prophet Muhammed, today made strong remarks about personal attack on judges for their judgments.

"Personal attacks on judges for their judgements lead to a dangerous scenario," said Justice JB Pardiwala -- who was part of the bench that said the former BJP spokesperson needs to apologise to the whole country -- at a function.

Both Justice Pardiwala and Justice Surya Kant were targeted on social media by users after their oral comments against Nupur Sharma during the hearing of her plea.

Nupur Sharma had gone to the Supreme Court demanding that all the First Information Reports registered against her across the country should be clubbed together and transferred to Delhi.

In her petition, she also said she and her family have been facing security threats and they need protection.

In their observations, the judges had also questioned why Nupur Sharma had not been arrested and held her responsible for "igniting emotions across the country".

In his address at a function today, Justice Pardiwala said, "Personal attacks on judges for their judgments lead to a dangerous scenario where the judges have to think about what media thinks instead of what the law really thinks. This harms the rule of law. Social and digital media is primarily resorted to expressing personalised opinions more against the judges, rather than a constructive critical appraisal of their judgments. This is what is harming the judicial institution and lowering its dignity. The remedy of judgments does not lie with social media but with higher courts in the hierarchy. Judges never speak through their tongue, only through their judgments. In India, which cannot be defined as a completely mature or defined democracy, social media is employed frequently to politicize purely legal and constitutional issues."

He added that digital and social media needs to be regulated throughout the country to preserve the rule of law under the constitution.

"In the modern day context, trials by digital media are an undue interference in process of justice dispensation and cross that Lakshman Rekha many a times."

Justice Pardiwala cited the Ayodhya case as an example. He said, "It was a land and title dispute but by the time the final verdict came to be delivered, the issue attained political overtones. It was conveniently forgotten that someday or the other some judge had to decide the contentious civil dispute which was indisputably the oldest litigation pending in the court of the country running into thousands of pages. This is where the heart of any judicial proceeding before the constitutional court may disappear and the judges deciding the dispute may get a bit shaken, which is antithetic to the rule of law. This is not healthy for the rule of law."

Lashkar Terrorist Caught Was Jammu BJP's Minority Morcha IT Cell Chief

SRINAGAR, July 3: A wanted Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist captured in Jammu and Kashmir today was an active member of BJP. He was also the party's Minority Morcha social media in-charge in Jammu. Talib Hussain Shah and his accomplice were captured by the villagers in Jammu's Reasi area this morning. Two AK rifles, several grenades and other arms and ammunition was recovered from their possession. They were eventually handed over to the police.

The BJP blamed the system of online membership that is allowing people to join the party without any background check.

"A new issue has come up with this arrest," said party spokesman RS Pathania. "I'd say this is a new model -- entering the BJP, gaining access, doing recce... there was even a plot to kill the top leadership which was busted by the police," he said.

"Across the border, there are those who want to spread terror. Now anyone can become a member of the BJP online. I'd say this is a drawback since there is no system to check the criminal record or antecedents of the people who are taking membership online," he added.

On May 9, the BJP appointed Shah as in charge of party's IT and social media in Jammu province.

"Mr. Talib Hussain Shah, at Draj Kotranka, budhan, District Rajouri, shall be the new IT & Social Media Incharge BJP Minority Mocha Jammu Province with immediate effect" read an order issued by the BJP Minority Morcha J&K.

There are a number of pictures Shah has with senior BJP leaders including J&K president Ravindra Raina.

The Lieutenant Governor and the police chief of Jammu and Kashmir have announced a cash reward for the villagers of Reasi and commended their bravery.

"Hats off to the courage of villagers of Tuksan, in Reasi district. Two #terrorists of LeT apprehended by villagers with weapons; 2AK #rifles, 7 #Grenades and a #Pistol. DGP announces #reward of ₹ 2 lakhs for villagers" tweeted Mukesh Singh, t7he Additional Director General police Jammu.

"I salute the bravery of villagers of Tukson Dhok, Reasi, who apprehended two most-wanted terrorists. Such determination by common man shows end of terrorism is not far away. UT Govt to extend ₹ 5 Lakh cash reward to villagers for gallant act against terrorists and terrorism" tweeted Lt Governor Manoj Sinha.

According to the police, Shah was on their radar for over a month after they suspected his involvement in two blasts and the killing of a civilian in Rajouri district.

"He has been in our radar for over one-and-half-month. We suspected his involvement in a sticky bomb attack at Kotranka and also the killing of a civilian. He had used the same weapon for the killing which was recovered today," said Singh.