Highlights of the day: Byju's arranges for alternative credit, begins March salary payouts

Latest news updates: Catch all the news updates from around the world here

10:15 PM

Total solar eclipse begins in the middle of the Pacific and will sweep across North America, reports AP.

9:13 PM

I-T dept finds mismatch in rent paid by employees against amount received by recipients

The Income Tax Department on Monday said it has found mismatch between rent paid by salaried employees vis-a-vis rent received by the recipient for 2020-21 fiscal year and conducted data analysis for high-value cases. Refuting reports that there is a special drive by the department to reopen cases regarding House Rent Allowance (HRA), the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said the verification of rent paid by the tenant and the rent received by the recipient was done in a "small number" of cases.

8:46 PM

Byju’s arranges for alternative credit, begins March salary payouts

 

Embattled edtech major Byju’s on Monday told staffers that it has commenced salary disbursements for the month of March and will complete the same by April 18, reports ET.

 

“Unfortunately, despite our efforts, we haven’t yet secured approval to access the rights issue funds, because of the action of four foreign investors. However, we have arranged an alternative line of credit to ensure timely payments,” the management team wrote in an email, reviewed by ET.

 

8:26 PM

Bain Capital to sell stake worth $431 mn in Axis Bank, says report

Private equity firm Bain Capital is likely to sell stake worth $431 million in India's Axis Bank via a block deal, CNBC-TV18 reported on Monday, citing sources.

8:25 PM

Fire breaks out at chemical factory in Punjab's Mohali district

A fire broke out at a chemical factory in Derabassi town in Punjab's Mohali district on Monday, officials said. There was no report of any casualty in the incident, they said. Thick, billowing smoke could be seen rising from the factory as several fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the flames.

8:14 PM

SC bats for effective SOP for trouble-free access of airports to persons with disability

The Supreme Court on Monday underlined the need for an effective standard operating procedure (SOP) to ensure trouble-free access of airports across the country to persons with disability. A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud was hearing a plea filed by a wheelchair-bound woman who had faced difficulties at Kolkata airport on January 30.

7:58 PM

Suspended Maldivian minister mocks Indian flag; apologises after criticism

A Maldivian minister, who was suspended in January for her derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has now mocked the Indian flag after including parts of the flag in an altered campaign poster of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), according to a media report on Monday. In a post on X, former deputy youth minister Mariyam Shiuna has apologised for the content of her post. "I would like to address a recent social media post of mine that has garnered attention and criticism. I extend my sincerest apologies for any confusion or offense caused by the content of my recent post.," she wrote.

7:34 PM

BJD alleges misuse of EC's name by BJP leaders in Odisha

The BJD on Monday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission (EC), alleging that certain leaders and candidates of Odisha BJP are exploiting the poll panel's name and intimidating state government officials on election duty with transfers if they do not support saffron party nominees in the polls. Six IPS and two IAS officers from Odisha were recently transferred by the EC. According to Sasmit Patra, BJD's general secretary and national spokesperson, Odisha BJP candidates and leaders are leveraging these transfers as a means to threaten government officials involved in election duties.

6:49 PM

33,207 Palestinians killed, 75,933 injured so far in Israel's offensive in Gaza

At least 33,207 Palestinians have been killed and 75,933 others wounded in Israel's military offensive on Gaza since Oct.7, Gaza's health ministry reported on Monday. The last six months of the war has left most of its 2.3 million people homeless and many at risk of famine.

6:32 PM

NSE declares May 20 as trading holiday for elections in Mumbai

India's stock exchange operator NSE on Monday declared May 20 as a trading holiday on account of parliamentary elections to be held in the country's financial capital Mumbai.

6:28 PM

RBI imposes curbs on Shirpur Coop Bank over deteriorating financial position

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Monday imposed several restrictions on Maharashtra-based Shirpur Merchants' Co-operative Bank, including withdrawal of funds by customers, in the wake of the lender's deteriorating financial position. In a statement, the RBI said from the close of business on Monday, the bank will not grant or renew any loans and advances, make any investment, incur any liability, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets, without prior approval of the central bank in writing.

5:51 PM

Delhi Police detains TMC leaders holding dharna outside EC office

TMC leaders were detained by Delhi Police on Monday while they were holding a dharna outside the Election Commission's office, demanding that the chiefs of CBI, NIA, ED and Income Tax Department be changed. A 10-member delegation of Trinamool Congress (TMC) had announced the dharna after meeting a full bench of the Election Commission (EC) to press their demand.

 

TMC MPs Derek O'Brien, Mohammed Nadimul Haque, Dola Sen, Saket Gokhale and Sagarika Ghose, MLA Vivek Gupta, former MPs Arpita Ghosh, Santanu Sen and Abir Ranjan Biswas, and party's students' wing West Bengal vice president Sudip Raha were detained.

5:36 PM

Gold rises by Rs 350 to hit new record high of Rs 71,700

Gold prices in the national capital hit an all-time high on Monday and jumped Rs 350 to Rs 71,700 per 10 grams following a pick-up in safe-haven demand for the precious metal, according to HDFC Securities. The yellow metal prices have seen remarkable gains so far in 2024, becoming costlier by over Rs 7,700 per 10 grams. In the previous session, gold had ended at Rs 71,350 per 10 grams.

5:18 PM

India's Tata Motors says JLR sales up 11% in Q4

Indian automaker Tata Motors said on Monday its Jaguar Land Rover's fourth-quarter sales rose 11% from a year earlier to 114,038 units, driven by increased production and sustained global demand.

5:00 PM

How many will be jailed before polls?: Supreme Court asks, giving relief to Tamil Nadu YouTuber

The top court today reinstated the bail granted to YouTuber Sattai Duraimurugan, who was accused of making derogatory remarks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin. The Supreme Court observed, "If before elections we start putting behind bars everyone who makes allegations on YouTube, imagine how many will be jailed."

4:54 PM

Nobody will lose citizenship due to CAA, says Defence minister Rajnath Singh in Tamil Nadu

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today said that no Indian, irrespective of their faith, will lose citizenship with the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Singh charged the opposition Congress and DMK with "creating confusion" over the issue, adding that the BJP always implemented what it promised.

4:49 PM

DMK, Congress owe an explanation on Katchatheevu :Union Minister Anurag Thakur

Asking the DMK and Congress to "come out clean" on the Katchatheevu  issue, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur on Monday sought an explanation from the DMK and Congress about "ceding" the islet to Sri Lanka in 1974.

Taking exception to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin's criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Thakur asked why Stalin was "shivering" at the prospect of Modi's visit to the state.

4:29 PM

SC seeks replies of Centre, CARA on PIL alleging unregulated sex change surgeries

The top court today sought responses from the Central government, the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) and others on a PIL seeking directions for safeguarding the interests of intersex children who undergo unregulated sex change surgeries.

3:49 PM

2 men arrested at Delhi airport for 'nuclear bomb' threat

The Delhi Police has arrested two men at the Indira Gandhi International Airport for mentioning they were "carrying a nuclear bomb", officials said today. The incident happened on April 5 when Jignesh Malani and Kashyap Kumar Lalani, residents of Rajkot in Gujarat, objected to being frisked by the security staff before boarding an Ahmedabad-bound flight, the police said.

3:46 PM

Cases to be filed against errant officers in medicine shortage case: Health minister Saurabh Bharadwaj

Cases will be registered against the chief secretary and the health secretary over the shortage of medicines in Delhi government hospitals and dispensaries, Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Monday said in the assembly. The issues of medicine shortage in Delhi government hospitals and dispensaries and the stoppage of free diagnostic tests at mohalla clinics by "some officers concerned" were raised by AAP MLA Rajendra Pal Gautam

3:37 PM

Let there not be contest between Union and state, says SC on Karnataka drought funds row

Let there not be a "contest" between the Union and the state, the Supreme Court said on Monday while hearing the Karnataka government's plea seeking a direction to the Centre to release financial assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to the state for drought management. The apex court, which observed that various state governments were required to approach the court, initially asked the Centre to file a response to Karnataka's plea.

3:11 PM

PDP became biggest target after abrogation of Article 370: Mehbooba

In a jab at the Central government, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti today claimed her party became the "biggest target" after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 and its leaders were either "lured or blackmailed" to break away from it. "After 2019, the PDP became the biggest target. The party was broken and our leaders were either lured or blackmailed to break away from the party. I tried to raise my voice against their oppression after 2019 and me and my family members have faced many difficulties due to that, but I stood my ground," the PDP chief said. Mehbooba was speaking to reporters after visiting the grave of her father and PDP founder Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in Bijbehara here.

3:08 PM

Indian-origin man charged with London Post Office robbery using fake firearm: Scotland Yard

An Indian-origin man who is suspected of threatening staff at a Post Office in Hounslow, west London, to steal a large quantity of cash has been charged with robbery and possession of an imitation firearm, Scotland Yard said on Monday. Rajvinder Kahlon, 41, was arrested last week at his home address following the robbery at the Post Office on Brabazon Road, Hounslow, on April 1. 

2:44 PM

Liquor policy case: ED questions CM Kejriwal's PA, AAP legislator Pathak

Probe agency Enforcement Directorate today questioned Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's personal assistant Bibhav Kumar and AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak in the excise policy-linked money laundering case, officials said. Their statement is being recorded under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they said. Both of them have been questioned in this case earlier too by the ED.

2:42 PM

Liquor policy case: What AAP leader Sandeep Pathak said on Durgesh Pathak being summoned by ED

"Gradually they will summon all those who can create obstacles in their path," AAP MP Sandeep Pathak said on Durgesh Pathak being summoned by ED.

1:36 PM

Gradually they will summon all those who can create obstacles in their path: AAP MP Sandeep Pathak

Delhi Excise policy case: 'Gradually they will summon all those who can create obstacles in their path,' says AAP MP Sandeep Pathak on ED's summon to AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak in liquor policy case.

1:24 PM

SC rejects Sanjay Singh's plea against summons in defamation case

The top court has declined the petition of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh against the issuance of summons issued by trial court in a defamation case filed by Gujarat University over his alleged comments in relation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s academic degree.

1:13 PM

News update: Probe agency ED summons AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak in liquor policy case

1:03 PM

News update: Delhi High Court rejects plea seeking removal of Kejriwal as CM

The Delhi HC  today said “heavy costs should be imposed” on the petitioner as it transferred a plea filed by former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Sandeep Kumar seeking to remove Arvind Kejriwal from  the post of Delhi chief minister to a bench led by acting chief justice Manmohan. The Delhi CM has been jailed after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in an alleged money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped excise policy.

12:29 PM

Left Khan Yunis to prepare for future missions in Rafah, says Israel

Israel stated on Sunday that its troops are getting ready for military operations in Gaza's southernmost point of Rafah six months into a "long war", which has shattered buildings and lives.