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Communal Clash Erupts in Hazaribag Over Objectionable Song, FIR Against 210 People Sparks Political Uproar

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Communal Clash Erupts in Hazaribag Over Objectionable Song, FIR Against 210 People Sparks Political Uproar 2

Tensions flared in Jharkhand’s Hazaribag after a violent clash broke out between two communities during a Ram Navami procession, with stone-pelting reported from both sides. The confrontation allegedly started over the playing of an objectionable song as the Mangla Julus procession passed from Panch Mandir Chowk to Jhanda Chowk near Jama Masjid on Tuesday. Following the violence, an FIR was lodged against 10 named individuals and 200 unidentified persons at Sadar police station.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Radha Krishna Kishore informed the state assembly that police and magistrates attempted to control the escalating chaos, eventually resorting to firing two rounds in the air to disperse the crowd and protect property. Additional police forces and magistrates were deployed in sensitive areas after the situation was brought under control.

The Jharkhand Assembly witnessed heated scenes, with BJP MLAs storming the Well of the House and demanding strict action against those involved. Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi questioned why disturbances repeatedly occur during Hindu festivals and urged the government to use modern technology like drones and CCTV to identify culprits. Kishore assured that the government is investigating the incident and committed to maintaining communal harmony in the state.

Ex-ED Chief Sanjay Kumar Mishra Joins PM’s Economic Advisory Council, Sparks Political Debate

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Ex-ED Chief Sanjay Kumar Mishra Joins PM's Economic Advisory Council, Sparks Political Debate 4

Former Enforcement Directorate (ED) chief Sanjay Kumar Mishra has been appointed by the Union government as a full-time member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM). A government order issued on Tuesday confirmed that Mishra, a 1984-batch Indian Revenue Service officer, will serve in the rank and pay of a secretary to the government of India from the date he assumes the position.

Mishra’s appointment comes after his extended tenure as ED director was cut short by the Supreme Court on September 15, 2023, following petitions challenging the multiple extensions granted to him by the government. His term was marked by high-profile investigations targeting prominent political leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi, as well as several chief ministers, ministers, and MPs, fueling allegations from opposition parties that the agency was being misused as a political weapon by the ruling BJP.

Under Mishra’s leadership, the ED secured deportation and extradition actions in cases involving figures like Christian Michel, Rajiv Saxena, Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, and Sanjay Bhandari. His five-year tenure as ED chief was the second-longest in the agency’s history. With his latest appointment to the EAC-PM, political circles are abuzz with speculation and criticism over the continued influence of bureaucrats closely linked to politically charged investigations.

Terror Funding Accused MP Engineer Rashid Allowed to Attend Parliament Under Police Custody

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Terror Funding Accused MP Engineer Rashid Allowed to Attend Parliament Under Police Custody 6

The Delhi High Court has granted permission to jailed Jammu and Kashmir MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh, also known as Engineer Rashid, to attend the ongoing Parliament session while remaining in police custody. Rashid, who is facing trial under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for a 2017 terror funding case, will be escorted by police to and from Parliament from March 26 to April 4.

A bench comprising Justices Chandra Dhari Singh and Anup Jairam Bhambhani ruled that Rashid can attend the Lok Sabha proceedings but with stringent conditions. During this period, he will not be allowed to use mobile phones, landlines, or have any interaction with the media.

Rashid had challenged a trial court order dated March 10, which had denied him custody parole or interim bail to attend Parliament. The High Court’s decision comes amidst growing political debates around allowing individuals facing serious charges to participate in legislative duties.

Sonia Gandhi Slams Centre for ‘Severely Underfunding’ Maternity Scheme in Rajya Sabha

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Sonia Gandhi Slams Centre for 'Severely Underfunding' Maternity Scheme in Rajya Sabha 8

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the government in the Rajya Sabha, accusing it of “severely underfunding” the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), which provides maternity benefits to pregnant women. She said this neglect has led to a drastic fall in entitlements and questioned why the government allowed such a situation to arise.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Gandhi reminded the House that under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) passed in 2013 during the UPA regime, pregnant women were entitled to Rs 6,000 per child. The PMMVY, launched in 2017 to fulfill this entitlement, only provides Rs 5,000 for the first child and extends benefits for a second child only if it is a girl.

Citing analysis from 2022-23, Gandhi highlighted that while 68% of pregnant women received at least one PMMVY instalment for their first child, the figure dropped alarmingly to just 12% the following year. She questioned the government’s silence on this sharp decline and demanded answers.

Gandhi also raised concerns over the lack of clarity in Union Budget documents. She pointed out that while a scheme named ‘Samarthya’ under the Ministry of Women and Child Development has five components, including PMMVY, the budget allocation of only Rs 2,521 crore for 2025-26 is far from the Rs 12,000 crore required for full implementation.

Calling this severe underfunding a violation of key provisions of a law passed by Parliament, Gandhi said it undermines the government’s responsibility to protect maternal welfare. This was the second time during the Budget session that Gandhi raised sharp concerns, having earlier questioned the dilution of employment guarantees under MGNREGA.

SC Slams Allahabad HC’s ‘Insensitive’ Rape Remark, Stays Controversial Observations

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SC Slams Allahabad HC's 'Insensitive' Rape Remark, Stays Controversial Observations 10

The Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed the controversial observations made by the Allahabad High Court regarding what constitutes rape, slamming the remarks as “insensitive” and “inhuman.” The apex court called the high court’s comments, stating that grabbing a woman’s breasts and pulling the drawstring of her pyjama did not amount to rape, completely alien to the principles of law.

A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih, hearing the matter suo motu after it was flagged by the “We the Women of India” collective to Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, described the observations as shocking and unacceptable. The bench remarked that while they are generally slow to grant stays at this stage, the gravity of the situation compelled intervention.

The Allahabad High Court had made these remarks in a March 17 verdict dismissing rape charges against two accused and instead summoning them for the lesser charge of assault with intent to disrobe. The verdict had come in response to a petition by two men challenging a special judge’s order summoning them under Section 376 of the IPC. The case involved an incident where the accused allegedly assaulted a 14-year-old girl and tried to pull her under a culvert after grabbing her breasts and pulling at her clothing.

The Supreme Court said that these observations cannot be used in any judicial proceedings going forward. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Attorney General R Venkataramani both expressed serious concern over the judgment, calling for corrective action. The apex court also noted that the high court judge had authored the verdict after months of deliberation, making the insensitivity even more concerning.

The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Centre, the Uttar Pradesh government, and the parties involved, seeking responses. It has also directed the registrar (judicial) to communicate its order to the registrar of the Allahabad High Court for urgent attention by the Chief Justice there. The matter will be heard again in two weeks.

Cash Row Sparks Chaos: Allahabad HC Lawyers on Indefinite Strike Over Justice Varma’s Transfer

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Cash Row Sparks Chaos: Allahabad HC Lawyers on Indefinite Strike Over Justice Varma's Transfer 12

The Allahabad High Court Bar Association has launched an indefinite strike in protest against the proposed transfer of Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma to the Allahabad High Court. The move comes amid controversy surrounding the alleged discovery of huge cash at Justice Varma’s official residence after a fire incident.

Bar Association President Anil Tiwari, leading the demonstration at gate number 3 of the court, clarified that the protest is not directed at any court or judge but at those who have, according to him, betrayed the judicial system. “Our fight is against corruption and lack of transparency. We demand a complete reconsideration and withdrawal of the transfer order,” he said.

The Supreme Court collegium, headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, confirmed its recommendation to transfer Justice Varma, whose judicial work was withdrawn following the cash allegations, to his parent Allahabad High Court. This recommendation was made public in a resolution on the apex court’s website.

The alleged cash recovery occurred after a fire broke out at Justice Varma’s Lutyens Delhi residence on March 14. Although judicial work has been withdrawn from him, Justice Varma has “unequivocally” denied any involvement and called the accusations a conspiracy aimed at tarnishing his reputation.

Tiwari stressed that the lawyers are prepared for a prolonged battle, declaring, “Until a resolution is reached, we will not resume work, no matter the consequences.”

Eknath Shinde Slams Kunal Kamra, Calls His Jibe a ‘Supari’ Attack

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Eknath Shinde Slams Kunal Kamra, Calls His Jibe a 'Supari' Attack 14

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has compared comedian Kunal Kamra’s jibe at him to taking a “supari” (contract) to speak against someone and warned that action leads to reaction. Speaking at a BBC Marathi event, Shinde emphasized that while freedom of speech exists, it must have boundaries, and satire should be respectful.

Kunal Kamra stirred controversy with a parody performance of a song from Dil Toh Pagal Hai, labeling Shinde a “gaddar” (traitor) and mocking Maharashtra’s recent political turbulence, including the splits in the Shiv Sena and NCP.

In response, enraged Shiv Sena members vandalized the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai’s Khar area, where Kamra’s show was staged, and also damaged property at a nearby hotel.

Shinde defended the Shiv Sainiks’ reaction, saying, “The other person should also maintain limits; otherwise, action causes reaction.” He accused Kamra of having a pattern of targeting prominent figures, stating, “This same person has commented on the Supreme Court, the Prime Minister, Arnab Goswami, and industrialists. This is not free speech; it’s acting on someone’s behalf.”

Despite the backlash and damage to the venue, Kamra has refused to apologize, standing by his remarks and condemning the vandalism.

Mumbai Teacher Booked for Brutally Beating Class 5 Girl Over False Accusation

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Mumbai Teacher Booked for Brutally Beating Class 5 Girl Over False Accusation 16

Police have registered an FIR against a woman teacher for allegedly thrashing an 11-year-old girl in a Mumbai school for merely turning around in class.

According to the complaint filed by the girl’s father, the incident took place on March 21 at a school in Chembur. The teacher reportedly hit the class 5 student multiple times with a cane on her wrist, back, and waist, causing injuries.

The teacher accused the student of talking in class, but the girl’s father claims his daughter was only looking behind, not speaking. Acting on the complaint, police have registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Juvenile Justice Act. Authorities confirmed that an investigation into the matter is currently underway.

Fadnavis Blames 4 Seats for 2014 BJP-Sena Split; Sanjay Raut Says Break-Up Was Pre-Planned

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Fadnavis Blames 4 Seats for 2014 BJP-Sena Split; Sanjay Raut Says Break-Up Was Pre-Planned 18

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has revealed that the 2014 split between the BJP and the then-undivided Shiv Sena happened over a disagreement on just four assembly seats. Speaking at a felicitation event for Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur, who was the BJP’s Maharashtra in-charge in 2014, Fadnavis said the Shiv Sena insisted on contesting 151 seats, rejecting BJP’s offer of 147.

According to Fadnavis, the BJP was prepared to contest 127 seats in the 288-member assembly and even offered Sena the chief minister’s post if they agreed to 147 seats. However, the Sena remained firm on 151 seats, citing a declaration made by their ‘yuvaraj’ — a reference widely seen as pointing to Aaditya Thackeray, though Fadnavis did not name him directly.

Fadnavis also recalled discussions with senior BJP leader Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, indicating that despite their willingness to continue the alliance, circumstances led him to become the state’s chief minister.

However, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut responded sharply, claiming that the split was not about seat numbers but a pre-planned move by senior BJP leaders. He admitted that Fadnavis personally wanted to maintain the alliance but alleged that the BJP leadership deliberately engineered the break-up.

Despite the split in 2014, Shiv Sena joined hands with the BJP post-elections to form the government under Fadnavis. But in 2019, the two parties again fell out, this time over sharing the chief minister’s post. The Shiv Sena eventually split in 2022 after Eknath Shinde led a rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership, further deepening the rift between the once-allied parties.

“Husband Has No Ownership Over Wife’s Privacy”: Allahabad HC Slams Man for Uploading Intimate Video

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"Husband Has No Ownership Over Wife's Privacy": Allahabad HC Slams Man for Uploading Intimate Video 20

The Allahabad High Court has delivered a strong message, refusing to quash criminal proceedings against a man accused of uploading an intimate video of himself and his wife on Facebook. The court asserted that marriage does not grant a husband ownership or control over his wife’s privacy and autonomy. Justice Vinod Diwakar, dismissing the plea to quash the charge sheet, remarked that the act of sharing intimate content without consent is a severe breach of marital sanctity and trust.

The judge stated that such actions violate the core confidentiality between husband and wife, undermining the foundation of their relationship. “A wife is not an extension of her husband but an individual with her own rights, desires, and agency. Respecting her bodily autonomy and privacy is not just a legal obligation but a moral imperative,” the court said.

The case was filed by the man’s wife in Mirzapur district under Section 67 of the IT Act, alleging that her husband, Pradumn Yadav, recorded an intimate act without her consent and uploaded the video on Facebook before sharing it with her cousin and others in their village.

The defense argued that the complainant was his legally wedded wife and hinted at a possible compromise. However, the Additional Government Advocate rejected this defense, stating that being married does not entitle a husband to record and distribute such content. The court’s firm stance reinforces the message that marital relationships are built on mutual respect and trust, and violations of privacy, even within marriage, are punishable by law.

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