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Ayodhya Dispute: SC Declines to Refer to Five-Judge Bench September 27, 2018 16:36

In one of India's longest-running and most politically polarizing court cases - the Ayodhya dispute - has got into a crucial stage on Thursday. A three-judge bench of Supreme Court comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer, with a 2:1 majority has declined to refer to a five-judge constitution bench on 1994 judgment that a mosque was not integral to Islam which had arisen during the hearing of the Ayodhya land dispute case. Justice Ashok Bhushan, who read out the judgment for himself and the CJI, said it has to determine the context in which the five-judge had delivered the 1994 judgment.Justice S Abdul Nazeer disagreed with the two judges and said whether the mosque is integral to Islam has to be decided considering belief of religion and it requires detailed consideration. Referring to the recent SC order on female genital mutilation, he said the present matter be heard by a larger bench. The apex court said now the civil suit on land dispute will be heard by a freshly constituted three-judge bench on October 29 as Justice Misra will retire on October 2 as the CJI. The issue whether the mosque is integral to Islam had cropped up when CJI Misra headed three-judge bench was hearing the batch of appeals filed against Allahabad High Court's 2010 verdict by which the disputed land on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid area was divided into three parts. A three-judge bench of the high court had ordered that the 2.77 acres of land be partitioned equally among three parties - the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.By Sowmya Sangam

Supreme Court Unanimously Scraps Adultery Law September 27, 2018 13:05

The Supreme Court on Thursday, in its landmark judgement, scrapped the 150-year-old adultery law as unconstitutional.A five-judge Constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra clearly stated the equality is the need of the hour. He further added that time has come when the husband should not be considered the master. According to the adultery law, a man can be punished for having a sexual relationship with a married woman without the permission of her husband. The petitioners want Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code to be made gender neutral. In India, adultery is law-breaking and the punishment for the same can be imprisonment for five years, or fine, or both."Adultery cannot and should not be a crime. It can be a ground for a civil offense, a ground for divorce," said CJI Dipak Misra.The CJI spoke for himself and Justice A.M. khanwilkar. Justice R.F.nariman spoke of the fact that other countries have done away with it as a criminal offense.He said that the adultery law was against right to equality and life. Justice D Y Chandrachud spoke up against patriarchy and gender inequality to strike it down.CJI Misra restated that subordination of any sex over the other is clearly unconstitutional. The top court as well termed adultery law as manifestly arbitrary. Mere adultery can't be a crime unless something is added, the court observed. The verdict was pronounced by a five-judge bench comprising of Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, Justice RF Nariman, Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice Indu Malhotra and Justice AM Khanwilkar.Earlier on August 8, the bench had reserved its verdict after Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand, appearing for the Centre, concluded her arguments.During its previous hearing, incumbent CJI Dipak Misra observed, "Adultery can be a ground for divorce. It can be part of civil law involving penalties. But why a criminal offense?". The Victorian law had been defended by center, stating that continuation of the adultery law is vital as it ensures the holiness of marriage and is for the public good.An Indian entrepreneur Joseph Shine, based in Itlay and hailing from Kerala filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) earlier this year challenging IPC Section 497. He contended that the law is discriminatory. The petition argued that the adultery law was biased in the idea of women as a property of men.By Sowmya Sangam

11 Killed as Heavy Rain Strikes North Indian States September 25, 2018 18:11

Incessant rains in the hill states of northern India has triggered flash floods and landslips, with at least 11 killed on Monday in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Haryana. The Punjab government, in the wake of heavy rain, issued a red alert and as well ordered the closure of schools and colleges on September 25. "All deputy commissioners are keeping a close tab over the current situation, and disaster control rooms have also been activated. All officials have been directed to remain at standby in view of the situation," said Suresh Kumar, Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, at an emergency meeting held in Chandigarh.Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, announced a survey to assess the crop damage.Following incessant rain in the catchment area of the Beas river, the Bhakra Beas Management Board issued an advisory to the Punjab government that it would release "excess" water from the Pong dam. A 45-year-old man in Ambala died as the rood his home collapsed due to heavy rain, police said. Heavy rain in Kangra, Kullu and Chamba districts of Himachal Pradesh has left five people, including a minor girl dead and injuring several on Monday. In Kullu district, a high alert has been issued. Himachal Pradesh Forest Minister Govind Singh Thakur said, cautioning people against going near rivers and nullahs.An Indian Air Force team rescued 21 people marooned due to flash floods at Dobi in Kullu district in the past 48 hours.Most of the places in Uttarakhand, including Dehradun, received rains resulting in blockage of 45 rural roads in different districts, the state emergency operation center said.Heavy rain caused landslips that obstructed the roads to Kedarnath, Badrinath, and Yamunotri, affecting the Chardham Yatra.In Rajasthan, heavy to moderate rainfall was recorded in various parts of the State.Five members of a kin, including three minors, were killed when their house was buried under debris after a landslide in the Doda district. In Kathua district, about 29 people stranded after flash floods were rescued.By Sowmya Sangam

Nun Rape Case: Bishop Franco Mulakkal to be arrested Soon September 21, 2018 17:48

Bishop Franco Mulakkal, who has been accused of rape and unnatural sex by a nun, is shortly to be arrested on Friday. He is expected to be produced in a court at Pala.The team, which is investigating the case, had been questioning Mulakkal at a high-tech facility at Thripunithura Women's Police cell for the past three days.Mulakkal was informed of the move by the police and was moved to another room from where he was questioned earlier.The police are seeking his custody for two days.The SIT (Special Investigation Team) reportedly took the statement of the survivor nun again on Friday at a convent at Kuruvilangad at Kottayam.Mulakkal's attorneys are in the meantime readying a bail application and the police are moving towards seeking a remand. Mulakkal's relatives have been approached to pledge security for his bail application. On September 18, the Kerala High Court had postponed the hearing on an anticipatory bail plea filed by the bishop.On Thursday, the Vatican had relieved Mulakkal of his personal responsibilities as the bishop of Jalandhar Diocese. Mulakkal had earlier stepped back from his administrative role at the diocese. Meanwhile, on Friday, a group of nuns and activists protesting for Mulakkal's arrest welcomed reports that the bishop was to be officially apprehended soon.By Sowmya Sangam

Jet Airways: 30 Suffer Nose, Ear Bleeds After Cabin Pressure Loss September 20, 2018 11:12

In what seems to be a case of negligence and oversight, at least 166 passengers aboard a Jet Airways flight endured nose bleeds and headaches when the cabin crew forgot to select the switch that maintains cabin pressure at the time of take-off. According to News18, the 'errant' on duty cabin crew, including the pilots have been grounded, pending inquiry. More details are awaited. The incident was reported on board a Mumbai-Jaipur Jet Airways flight on Thursday. According to reports, Jaipur-bound flight 9W 697 was turned back to Mumbai mid-air due to the incident. During the climb, the crew forgot to select the switch that maintains the cabin pressure following which 30 out of the 166 passengers experienced nose and ear bleeding. Many likewise complained of a headache. Oxygen masks were deployed to help the passengers breathe normally. Related content: Pepper Spray Goes Off in Hawaiian Airlines Flight, Passengers Given Emergency Aid All the 166 passengers are now being treated by doctors at the Mumbai airport, a journalist reported on Twitter citing sources from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Several passengers aboard also tweeted the ordeal. When your flight to Jaipur was more like your flight to hell! #Pressurecooked #midairscare #JetAirways @MirrorNow pic.twitter.com/PzAnI3TbN6 — Joel D'Souza (@jdjoeld) September 20, 2018 According to a passenger, who tweeted out a video from within the aircraft, all the people in the flight are now safe. Panic situation due to technical fault in @jetairways 9W 0697 going from Mumbai to Jaipur. Flt return back to Mumbai after 45 mts. All passengers are safe including me. pic.twitter.com/lnOaFbcaps — Darshak Hathi (@DarshakHathi) September 20, 2018 The airlines are yet to react officially to the incident. Further details on the story are awaited. By Sowmya Sangam

AP Will Get Special Status if Congress Wins '19: Rahul September 19, 2018 11:17

President of Congress Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said that Andhra Pradesh will be accorded special status if the Congress party returns to power in 2019."Congress party has a very old and loving relationship with Andhra Pradesh. When the state of Andhra Pradesh was divided, the national government, the (then) Prime Minister of India (Manmohan Singh) made certain commitments to the people of Andhra Pradesh. The commitment of the Prime Minister of India was that Andhra Pradesh would be given special status for a period of five years," Gandhi said while addressing a rally here."When this commitment was made, the current Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and his party (Bharatiya Janata Party) said that is not good enough, Andhra Pradesh should get special status for 10 years. It has been four years since Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, and he has not taken one step forward to the commitment that the government of India made to the people of Andhra Pradesh… All the promises made to the people of Andhra Pradesh have been broken by Narendra Modi," Gandhi added. Related content: Women Empowerment, Farmers' Interest Top Priorities in Coming Polls: I-PAC SurveyThe Congress president likewise claimed that Prime Minister Modi "does not understand that the promise to Andhra Pradesh was made by (former) Prime Minister of India (Manmohan Singh)." "When the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, does not give Andhra Pradesh its right, he disrespects the people and the leaders of the state from the past. Narendra Modi made many, many promises after 2014 - Rs 15 lakh in each bank account, correct prices to farmers, two crore jobs to every youngster in this country," he said."I am not in the habit of making false promises. I am not going to come here like Narendra Modi and lie to you. But I will tell you one thing that the moment the Congress party comes to power in 2019, it is our commitment to the people of Andhra Pradesh. We respect the people of Andhra Pradesh and the first thing we will do is we will give you special status. I want to be very clear with you. This is not a question of money, this is not a gift that the government of India is going to give to the people of Andhra. This is a debt that the people of Andhra Pradesh are owed by the Prime Minister of India," he added.Citing examples of fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya and the controversial Rafale deal, Rahul Gandhi criticized the Prime Minister and called him "corrupt." "The Prime Minister told the whole country that he does not want to be the Prime Minister and wants to be the 'Chowkidar' (watchman). It's an interesting type of 'Chowkidar'. He is the type of 'Chowkidar', who opens the door at night and let the thieves into the house. Vijay Mallya stole Rs 9,000 crore from Indian banks. Before he ran away to London, he met the Finance Minister of India (Arun Jaitley). The Finance Minister himself said that Vijay Mallya came met me and said that he is leaving to go to London," Rahul said."The whole country knows that Vijay Mallya is a thief… There is only one possibility and that is that the Finance Minister allowed Mallya to leave the country in exchange for something. A deal was made by the Finance Minister and Vijay Mallya. And in the meantime, the Prime Minister, who claims to be the 'Chowkidar', has not one word to say. At a minimum, if the Prime Minister was really the 'Chowkidar', he should have removed the Finance Minister. But he himself is corrupt," Rahul added.By Sowmya Sangam

Caste Killing: Gang Hired for ₹1 Cr, Links with ISI September 18, 2018 17:46

Days after a 23-year-old engineer was hacked to death with a machete while escorting his young, pregnant wife out of a hospital in Telangana, seven men, including the killer, have been arrested in Bihar, the police say. The gang was hired for Rs 1 crore to do the job, police sources told NDTV. The gang is believed to have links to the Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the sources said. Of the total amount allegedly promised, the killers had reportedly already received Rs 18 lakh. The killer is believed to have been convicted and later released in the 2003 murder of former Gujarat minister Haren Pandya. On Friday, Pranay Kumar had just left the hospital in Nalgonda with his wife Amruthavarshini Rao after a check-up when a man came at him with a machete and struck him until he collapsed and died. Security footage of the murder at the busy hospital has shocked the country. Related content: Thousands Attend Pranay Perumalla's Funeral in Miryalguda Amrutha has named her father Maruthi Rao and uncle Shravan Rao as the main suspects. The engineer's murder was caught on hospital security footage in Nalgonda Maruthi Rao, a real estate businessman, is among the "richest and most influential" in the region, say police sources. The police suspect Amrutha's father set up the kill as he could never accept his daughter's marriage to Pranay, who belonged to a scheduled caste. "We were always worried that there is a threat from my family and even went into hiding for some time, but we did not anticipate cold-blooded murder," said Amrutha. Pranay and Amrutha married in January, defying their parents. They had met in school and became involved while studying in college. In May, Pranay's family came around and organized a reception for the couple. Photos of the event on social media allegedly incensed Amrutha's father. Amrutha told NDTV that her father had been trying to force her to have an abortion. "I have no intention of aborting my baby. Pranay's baby is my future...he was such a nice person. He looked after me so well, especially after I became pregnant," the 22-year-old wept. In her police statement, Amrutha has said: "Investigate my father's property and wealth." She also says her father has links with many politicians. "My father has powerful political connections. He used political leaders to put pressure on me and Pranay and his family," Amrutha says in her statement. Local politicians from various parties are being investigated in the case. By Sowmya Sangam

Kerala Nun Rape Case: Bishop Mulakkal Seeks Anticipatory Bail September 18, 2018 13:21

Bishop Franco Mulakkal who has been named in a sexual abuse case by a nun, on Tuesday moved the Kerala High Court seeking an anticipatory bail. The bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese in Jalandhar would be appearing before the police probe team on Wednesday. The bail plea would be heard by Justice V. Raja Vijayaraghavan, later on Tuesday. Franco has asked the court to see that he is not arrested until the anticipatory bail plea is finally disposed of. He said the complaint against him is false and a concocted one, meant to harass him. A Kerala nun has accused Mulakkal of repeatedly sexually assaulting her between 2014 and 2016. An FIR (First Information Report) was registered against the bishop and a 114-page detailed statement was taken from the nun and other inmates of the convent. Franco was as well questioned by the police in August at his Jalandhar office. By Sowmya Sangam

Fuel Price Hike: Petrol Nears Rs 83/L in Delhi September 18, 2018 10:21

Fuel prices continued its abrupt rise, with petrol hitting Rs 82.16/liter in New Delhi, an Rs 0.10/liter increase from Monday. Petrol increased by Rs 0.10/liter in Mumbai, with prices touching an all-time high of Rs 89.54/litre. Diesel prices stood at Rs 73.87/litre, an increase of Rs 0.9/liter in Delhi whereas as in Mumbai it increased by Rs 0.9/liter to Rs 78.42/litre. In the capital, the fuel prices are lowest, followed by Kolkata, where a liter of petrol is being sold for Rs 83.91 and diesel for Rs 75.53. In Chennai, the diesel price reached Rs 78, while the price of petrol went up to Rs 85.31. Related content: BJP Faces Twitter Backlash over Confusing Graph Since the commencement of the calendar year, the petrol price in Delhi has gone up by 15.4 percent from Rs 69.97 on January 1, 2018. The rise in diesel price has been steeper. It has gone up by 22 percent since January 1 when it cost Rs 59.70 The hike in fuel prices prompted immense criticism of the government for not cutting excise duty on the heavily taxed petrol and diesel. By Sowmya Sangam

SC Withdraws Ban on Saridon, Two Other Drugs September 17, 2018 17:58

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had banned the production, sale, and distribution of more than 300 Fixed Dose Combination Drugs (FDCs) last week, including the usually used painkiller Saridon. But earlier today, the Supreme Court overturned the prohibition on Saridon and two other drugs, which will now be made available in the market. The central government stated that FDCs would be prohibited but the decision was scrapped at the time, even though many medical experts stated that excessive and unneeded use of FDCs can cause several health issues. Last week, the ministry eventually banned 328 different FDCs, but the apex court has now retracted the ban on Saridon and two other drugs after the manufacturers of the drugs argued that they had been in production since 1980. Related content: Health Ministry Bans Hundreds of Combination Drugs Several reports suggested that many of the ingredients found in FDCs are safe individually but can have serious adverse effects when combined with other drugs. The National List of Essential Medicines lists only 16 FDCs, but hundreds of these drugs are available in the market. Earlier, the ministry had stated that most of the FDCs available in the market contained ingredients with little to no therapeutic effect and that some even posed potential risks to health. Several doctors agree that banning FDCs is essential, as many of them can be bought easily over the counter without a doctor’s prescription, rendering them potentially more harmful. Moreover, others agree that excess ingredients found in the combination drugs are often not needed. However, despite all these inputs, FDCs have been popular largely due to their cost-effectiveness. Not only are the medications cheaper for consumers, but companies have found that it is much easier to combine two existing drugs than it is to create new products and manufacture the same. By Sowmya Sangam

Sri Kanya Cinema Hall Gutted in Fire in Visakhapatnam September 17, 2018 13:11

A fire broke out at Sri Kanya Cinema Hall in Gajuwaka area in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam on Monday. The incident took place early morning - at about 6 a.m. Five fire tenders were sent to the spot to help douse the fire. Speaking to TNM, a police official stated that no casualties have been reported yet. The staff present inside was immediately evacuated out of the building. Visuals of the spot put out by news agency ANI showed the top few floors of the building were on fire and large plumes of smoke billowing from the roof. According to initial reports, the fire took over one hour to be controlled and cooling operations are currently underway. The cinema is located in a residential area and the fire reportedly has not spread to other buildings. By Sowmya Sangam

Veteran Malayalam Actor Captain Raju Passes Away September 17, 2018 12:36

Eminent Malayalam actor Captain Raju passed away in Kochi on Monday. He was 68. The actor was ailing for some time. The death came at his residence near Palarivattom, a city in Kerala. He is survived by wife Prameela and son Raviraj. Hailing from Pathanamthitta district, the actor had quit from the Indian Army where he was a Captain and started his acting career in 1981. Some of his popular movies include Nadodikattu, Oru Vadakkan Veeragadha and Pavam Krooran. He had also acted in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada movies. He was often cast as a villain and has featured in character roles and in TV serials. He was recently seen in the Malayalam movie 'Masterpiece'. Raju as well directed two movies that include Itha Oru Snehagadha and Mr. Pavanai 99.99. The funeral will be held later. By Sowmya Sangam