Mumbai Braces for Stormy Weather: IMD Issues Orange and Yellow Alerts 2
Mumbai witnessed light showers on Tuesday evening, offering brief relief from the oppressive heat. Areas like Chembur, Matunga, and Wadala experienced drizzle as temperatures soared earlier in the day. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded a maximum temperature of 33.5°C at Colaba and a sweltering 37.7°C at Santacruz.
In a significant weather update, the IMD has issued yellow and orange alerts for almost the entire state on Wednesday, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, and squalls. Except for Solapur, all districts in Maharashtra are on alert, with 13 districts under an orange warning. These include Satara, Nashik, Pune, Ahilyanagar (formerly Ahmednagar), Beed, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Amravati, Akola, Yavatmal, Bhandara, Chandrapur, and Gondia.
Meanwhile, Mumbai, along with Palghar, Thane, and Raigad, falls under the IMD’s yellow alert, cautioning residents about thunderstorms, lightning, and light to moderate rainfall. While a yellow alert signifies moderate to severe weather conditions, an orange alert urges preparedness for potential disruptions.
With unpredictable weather looming, citizens are advised to stay updated and take necessary precautions against sudden storms and downpours.
2020 Delhi Riots: Court Orders FIR Against Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra, Others 4
A Delhi court on Tuesday ordered an FIR against Delhi cabinet minister Kapil Mishra and others to investigate his alleged role in 2020 Delhi riots.
Additional chief judicial magistrate Vaibhav Chaurasia found a “prime facie” cognisable offence, requiring a probe.
“It is clear that Mishra was in the area at the time of alleged offence… further probe required,” the judge said.
The judge was hearing arguments on a plea filed by a Yamuna Vihar resident Mohammad Ilyas, seeking registration of the FIR, which was opposed by Delhi Police, claiming Mishra had no role in the riots.
Delhi Power Crisis: AAP MLAs Demand Assembly Debate, Blame BJP for Outages 6
AAP MLAs on Tuesday submitted notices to the Delhi Assembly secretary, demanding a discussion on the alleged power cuts affecting multiple areas in the city. Burari MLA Sanjeev Jha and MLA Kuldeep Kumar wrote to Delhi Power Minister Ashish Sood, highlighting prolonged outages that have impacted households, businesses, and essential services.
Jha specifically pointed to a blackout in Jagatpur village on March 28, stating that despite complaints, no immediate resolution was provided. He urged the minister to outline steps to prevent such disruptions in the future. Kumar, on the other hand, called for an adjournment motion to discuss the crisis in the Assembly, citing severe inconvenience to residents.
The power crisis has ignited a fierce political battle between AAP and the BJP. Senior AAP leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi accused the BJP-led administration of incompetence, questioning how power cuts returned within a month of their rule after a decade of uninterrupted supply. “This proves BJP lacks both the intent and the ability to govern Delhi,” she asserted.
Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva hit back, calling uninterrupted power supply a fundamental duty of any government and accused AAP of corruption in power management. “Cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Bangalore have uninterrupted electricity. Even Uttar Pradesh has improved its power supply. Providing 24-hour electricity is a government’s responsibility, not a privilege,” he stated.
AAP national convenor and former CM Arvind Kejriwal also weighed in, expressing frustration over the outages. “We worked hard for 10 years to ensure uninterrupted electricity in Delhi. Within a month, they have destroyed the system,” he wrote on social media.
The debate unfolds amid the first budget session of Delhi’s eighth legislative assembly, with BJP having won 48 out of 70 seats in February, ending AAP’s decade-long rule and marking its return to power in the national capital after 27 years.
Pastor Bajinder Singh Sentenced to Life Imprisonment in 2018 Rape Case 8
A court in Punjab’s Mohali on Tuesday sentenced self-styled pastor Bajinder Singh to life imprisonment in a 2018 rape case.
The court of Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Vikrant Kumar pronounced the verdict.
Bajinder was pronounced guilty on March 28 under sections 376 (rape), 323 (punishment for voluntary causing hurt) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.
The case was registered on a complaint filed by a woman at the Zirakpur police station in Mohali in 2018.
Tight security arrangements were made at the court complex before the pronouncement of the verdict on Tuesday.
China Launches Major Military Exercises Around Taiwan 10
China on Tuesday launched joint military exercises consisting of multiple forces around Taiwan as a “stern warning” against Taiwanese independence forces and to assert its sovereignty over it.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theatre Command on Tuesday started to conduct joint exercises around Taiwan Island, a spokesperson of the Command said.
The theatre command organised its army, navy, air and rocket forces to close in on Taiwan Island from multiple directions, said Senior Colonel Shi Yi, the spokesperson for the theatre command was quoted by state-run Xinhua news agency.
China, which claims Taiwan as part of its mainland, has conducted similar military exercises in the recent past, but this is the first major military exercise around Taiwan since US President Donald Trump assumed power for a second tenure.
According to Shi, these drills mainly focus on sea-air combat-readiness patrols, joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, assault on maritime and ground targets, and blockade of key areas and sea lanes to test the joint operation capabilities of the troops.
The drills serve as a stern warning and forceful deterrent against “Taiwan independence” separatist forces, and are a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China’s sovereignty and national unity, Shi said.
Naxal-Affected Districts Came Down From 12 to 6, Says Amit Shah 12
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said the Naxal issue is now confined to just six districts in the country, from the earlier 12.
Shah said the Modi government is building a ‘Sashakt, Surakshit and Samriddh Bharat’ with a ruthless approach to Naxalism and relentless efforts for all-pervasive development.
He said Bharat is determined to uproot Naxalism for good by March 31, 2026.
“Taking a giant stride towards building a Naxal-free Bharat, today our nation achieved a new milestone by significantly reducing the number of districts most affected by left-wing extremism to just 6 from 12,” Shah posted on microblogging site X.
Taking a giant stride towards building a Naxal-free Bharat, today our nation achieved a new milestone by significantly reducing the number of districts most affected by left-wing extremism to just 6 from 12. The Modi government is building a Sashakt, Surakshit and Samriddh Bharat…
As per the Union home ministry data, Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) affected districts are those where Naxal activities and violence still continue.
The LWE-affected districts have been further sub-categorised as ‘most-affected districts’, a terminology brought in in 2015, and ‘districts of concern’, which was coined by the home ministry in 2021.
There were 12 ‘most-affected districts’ according to the last review.
As per official records, there were 35 such districts in 2015, 30 in 2018 and 25 in 2021.
Fuel Ban for Overage Vehicles in Delhi Delayed Over Installation Issues 14
The Delhi government’s decision to deny fuel to overage vehicles at refill stations starting April 1 has been delayed, as the required devices have not yet been installed at all locations.
An official from the environmental department said the minister will announce the rollout once all installations are completed across the city.
Earlier in the day, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa told PTI that the government was expediting the equipment installation to ensure a smooth transition.
A meeting is expected to be held tonight to assess the remaining work and determine the project timeline.
“We are trying to get it done at the earliest. Some locations still do not have the necessary installations, but we are working to ensure they are in place soon,” Sirsa said, adding that it is better to delay the rollout rather than start it without proper management.
Sirsa had at the beginning of March announced that the End-of-Life Vehicles would be denied fuel at refill stations across the capital starting April 1.
“We are ensuring that all fuel stations in Delhi have CCTV cameras that will determine the age of the vehicle based on the year of registration. Vehicles that do not meet the criteria will not be given fuel and will be penalised. The entire installation and software connection will be completed by March 31,” the minister had said while announcing the ban.
Sirsa now said it may take a few more days before all petrol stations and other locations are fully equipped. “We don’t want a situation where it starts in some locations while others remain unprepared. Our goal is total implementation.”
Meanwhile, Sirsa inaugurated sewer renovation and water line projects in Rajouri Garden, with Rs 1.5 crore allocated for water supply and Rs 50 lakh for road construction.
Drinking water is a major issue in the area, as many households lack access to clean water, he said.
“My priority is to ensure that every ward has access to clean drinking water, as our Prime Minister has also promised the people. We are actively working on this, along with addressing the sewage issue,” Sirsa said, adding that no water or sewage lines had been laid in the area for the past 10 years.
Sirsa was chosen as minister after being elected an MLA from west Delhi’s Rajouri Garden constituency.
Myanmar Earthquake Tragedy: Death Toll Surges Past 1,700 as Rescue Efforts Struggle 16
The death toll from the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar has climbed past 1,700, with more bodies being recovered from the rubble, the country’s military-led government confirmed on Monday. More than 3,400 people have been injured, and over 300 remain missing.
The powerful quake hit on Friday at midday, causing widespread destruction across the country, including in the capital Naypyitaw and Myanmar’s second-largest city, Mandalay. The tragedy coincided with Friday prayers during the holy month of Ramzan, with at least 700 Muslim worshippers killed as mosques collapsed, according to Tun Kyi, a member of the Spring Revolution Myanmar Muslim Network. Reports suggest that around 60 mosques were damaged or destroyed.
The full scale of the disaster remains unclear due to telecommunication breakdowns and restricted movement in affected areas. Lauren Ellery from the International Rescue Committee stated that some regions might be facing far worse devastation than currently reported. A town near Mandalay reportedly saw 80% of its buildings collapse, yet the extent of the damage remains largely unreported due to connectivity issues.
Myanmar’s military government has declared a state of emergency in six regions, with rescue efforts severely hampered by a lack of heavy machinery and scorching temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F). Desperate volunteers and emergency teams are left to dig through the rubble by hand in a frantic search for survivors.
The earthquake also sent tremors through neighboring Thailand, where at least 18 people were killed—many at a Bangkok construction site where an unfinished high-rise collapsed. Thirty-three others were injured, and 78 remain missing. Rescuers in Bangkok have been using specialized equipment to detect signs of life beneath the rubble, but progress has been slow.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt remains hopeful, stating, “Even if one life is saved, it is worth all the effort.”
As the death toll rises and relief efforts struggle, the humanitarian crisis deepens, leaving thousands in urgent need of aid and assistance.
AFSPA Extended in 3 Districts of Assam, Withdrawn From One 18
The Assam government said it has extended the application of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in three districts of the state for six more months after a review of the law and order situation.
The government, however, withdrew the controversial law from Dibrugarh district as the situation “improved” there.
Home and Political Department Secretary Debaprasad Misra, in an order on Sunday, stated that the four districts were kept under the purview of AFSPA since October 8 last year after withdrawing the act from the rest of the state.
“Following the receipt of reports from various security agencies, it has been observed that the overall security situation in Assam has significantly improved, particularly over the last three-and-a-half years, due to the sustained efforts and proactive counter-insurgency measures by the Assam Police and security forces,” it added.
In light of these improvements, the Government of Assam believes that the “disturbed area” status under the AFSPA need not be extended in Dibrugarh district beyond March 31, 2025, the order stated.
“Despite these improvements, there have been sporadic incidents of IEDs being planted by ULFA (I), the only militant group active in the state, in various districts, alongside their involvement in kidnapping for ransom to fund their activities,” Misra said in the notification.
Therefore, the Government of Assam recommended that the “disturbed area” status under AFSPA be continued for an additional six months in the three districts of Tinsukia, Charaideo and Sivasagar.
The AFSPA was first imposed in Assam in November 1990 and has been extended every six months since then after a review by the state government.
The act empowers security forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without any prior warrant. It also gives a certain level of immunity to the security forces in case of an operation going wrong.
Civil society groups and rights activists have been demanding the withdrawal of the “draconian law” from the entire Northeast claiming violation of human rights by the armed forces.
The cry to repeal the act gained renewed momentum following the death of 14 civilians in firing by security forces in a botched anti-insurgency operation and retaliatory violence in Mon district of Nagaland on December 4, 2021.
Woman Can't Be Forced to Undergo Virginity Test; Violation of Article 21: Chhattisgarh HC 20
A woman cannot be forced to undergo a virginity test as it violates Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees her fundamental right to protection of life and liberty, including the right to dignity, the Chhattisgarh High Court has said.
Emphasising that Article 21 is the “heart of fundamental rights”, the HC said granting permission for a virginity test would be against the “fundamental rights, cardinal principles of natural justice and secret modesty of a female”.
Justice Arvind Kumar Verma made the observation in response to a criminal petition filed by a man who demanded his wife’s virginity test, alleging she was in an illicit relationship with another man, challenging a family court’s order dated October 15, 2024 which rejected the interim application.
The wife had alleged her husband was impotent and refused to cohabit.
The HC said if the petitioner wants to prove the allegations of impotency are baseless, he can undergo the medical test concerned or produce any other evidence.
“He cannot possibly be permitted to subject the wife to undergo her virginity test and fill up the lacuna in his evidence,” said the HC order passed on January 9 which was made available recently.
The high court noted the petitioner’s contention demanding a virginity test of his wife is unconstitutional as it violates Article 21 of the Constitution, which includes the right to dignity of women.
“Article 21 of the Constitution of India not only guarantees the right to life and personal liberty but also the right to live with dignity, which is crucial for women,” it said.
“No woman can be forced to conduct her virginity test. It is a violation of fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 21. It has to be borne in mind that Article 21 is the ‘heart of fundamental rights’,” the high court stated.
Justice Verma further said the virginity test is a violation of the basic right of women to be treated with decency and proper dignity.
“The right to personal liberty enshrined under Article 21 is non-derogable and cannot be tinkered with in any manner. The petitioner cannot possibly be permitted to subject the wife to undergo her virginity test and fill up the lacuna in his evidence in this regard,” the HC said.
“Be that as it may, but in any case, granting the permission for virginity test of the respondent would be against her fundamental rights, the cardinal principles of natural justice and secret modesty of a female,” the high court noted.
Non-derogable human rights refer to rights that are absolute and may not be subject to any derogation, even in times of war or emergency.
The HC bench further observed that the allegations made by both parties against each other are the subject matter of evidence and a conclusion can be drawn only after the evidence.
“The High Court is of the considered opinion that the order impugned is neither illegal nor perverse and there is no judicial error committed by the trial court,” it said.
The couple got married on April 30, 2023, as per Hindu rites. They lived together at the man’s family residence in Korba district.
The woman allegedly told her family members that her husband was impotent and she refused to establish a marital relationship or cohabit with him, the petitioner’s counsel said.
She filed an interim application on July 2 last year under section 144 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) before the family court in Raigarh district, seeking maintenance of Rs 20,000 from her husband.
In response to the maintenance claim application, the petitioner sought a virginity test of his wife, alleging she was in an illicit relationship with her brother-in-law. The man also claimed the marriage was never consummated.
On October 15, 2024, the family court in Raigarh rejected the husband’s request following which he filed a criminal petition in the high court.
The case is currently at evidence stage in the family court.
