News updates: Delhi court extends Manish Sisodia's judicial custody till July 26 in excise case

From Indian Army thwarting a major terror attack in Rajouri to Air India issuing full refunds for cancellation of flight due to Mumbai rain, catch all the latest LIVE updates here

9:32 PM

NCW Chairperson chairs 5th monitoring committee meeting of Special Cells for Women in Srinagar

The fifth Monitoring Committee meeting of Special Cells for Women within Police system, supported by the National Commission for Women and implemented by Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai was held today at Banquet Hall, Srinagar.

 

Chairperson, National Commission for Women, Rekha Sharma, chaired the meeting of the Committee constituted under "Violence Free Home - A Woman's Right" project - demonstration of 22 pilot Special Cells for Women in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh located in all districts of both the UTs.

9:21 PM

Schools from classes 1 to 12 in Dehradun district will remain closed tomorrow due to the heavy rain alert.

9:11 PM

"Everything is fine": Rahat Fateh Ali Khan dismisses reports of his arrest in Dubai

Singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has brushed aside rumours of his arrest in Dubai over an alleged defamation complaint.

 

The singer took to Instagram and denied reports in a section of Pakistan media about his arrest.

 

He said all is fine.

 

"I am Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, your Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. I have come to Dubai to record my songs... Everything is fine....Mai yehi aap see guzaarish karunga ki ghatiya afvahon pe bilkul bhi kaan na dhare ( I would like to request you not to pay heed to cheap rumors)..Aesa kuch nahi hai jaisa dushman soch rahe hai, Inshallah may jald hi apne vatan-e-azees mein vapas aaunga. (There is no truth in what the enemies are thinking...I will return to my beloved country soon)," he said.

9:01 PM

NEET row: "Rahul Gandhi shedding crocodile tears," says Education Minister Pradhan

Amidst the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination 2024, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched a scathing attack against the Leader of Opposition (LoP) and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav and said that they are shedding crocodile tears.

 

"The LoP and his cabal are all but shedding crocodile tears. The ground reality on paper leaks during UPA regime and when Shri Akhilesh was at the helm of UP will open a can of worms for both Shri Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav," wrote Pradhan on social media platform X.

8:59 PM

Randhir Singh set to become first Indian to head OCA after Sept elections

Veteran sports administrator Randhir Singh is set to become the first Indian to head the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) after emerging as the sole candidate for the top post for the September 8 elections.

 

The 77-year-old Randhir, a former member of the International Olympic Council and ex secretary general of Indian Olympic Association, was currently serving as the acting chief of the continental sports apex body.

 

"The OCA election commission can confirm that OCA acting president Randhir Singh is the sole eligible candidate to be nominated for election of the OCA General Assembly on 8 September, 2024," the OCA said in a statement.

8:37 PM

BSF opens 'special counters' to facilitate return of Indian students from violence-hit Bangladesh

The BSF South Bengal Frontier has set up special assistance counters to provide comprehensive assistance to Indian students returning from Bangladesh amid the deadly protests over the quota system for civil service jobs, Officials said on Monday.

 

The event is being coordinated between BSF South Bengal Frontier and Border Guards Bangladesh.

 

In a statement, the BSF said, "Upon reaching the border, the South Bengal Frontier of the BSF is conducting medical checkups to ensure the health and well-being of the students from special assistance counters to provide comprehensive assistance to all incoming students."

 

"Understanding the impact of the turmoil on the mental state of the students, the BSF has arranged counseling sessions with doctors to help them deal with their anxiety and fear. Additionally, the students are being warmly welcomed with hot meals and refreshments at the border before being transported to their respective destinations in BSF vehicles," the statement added.

6:56 PM

Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan arrested in Dubai in defamation case: ANI

6:46 PM

Israel orders evacuation of part of Gaza humanitarian zone as war's toll passes 39,000 Palestinians

The Israeli military ordered the evacuation Monday of part of a crowded area in the Gaza Strip it had designated a humanitarian zone, saying it is planning an operation against Hamas militants there.

 

Thousands of Palestinians, many carrying backpacks and accompanied by children, walked down dusty roads under the scorching sun, navigating dilapidated cars with belongings tied on top. Many Palestinians have been uprooted multiple times in search of safety during Israeli's air and ground campaign.

 

We do not know where we are walking, said Kholoud Al Dadas, as she clutched her children. This is our seventh or eighth time we have been displaced. While we were sleeping in our homes, they started shooting at us, bombing from everywhere. Moments later, she collapsed in exhaustion.

 

The Israeli military said it is planning to begin an operation against Hamas militants who have embedded themselves in the area and used it to launch rockets toward Israel. The area includes the eastern part of the Muwasi humanitarian zone in the southern Gaza Strip.

6:34 PM

230 villages submerged during Sardar Sarovar Project construction: Govt

Due to the construction of Sardar Sarovar Project, 230 villages got submerged, four fully and rest partially, the Jal Shakti ministry said on Monday.

 

Responding to a question in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Jal Shakti Rajbhushan Choudhary said, so far 32,552 families have been resettled or extended the 'Resettlement & Rehabilitation' (R&R) package in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.

 

"Due to construction of Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP), 230 villages got submerged, four fully and rest partially," Choudhary said in a written response.

6:05 PM

Uproar in Rajasthan assembly over power cuts, fuel surcharge

Rajasthan Assembly on Monday witnessed uproar as the Opposition Congress MLAs raised the issue of power cuts and fuel surcharge levied on electricity bills.

 

While Congress MLAs raised slogans, Minister of State for Power Heeralal Nagar said that power cuts are happening due to the mismanagement of the previous Congress government.

 

During the Question Hour and Zero Hour, Congress MLAs Indra Meena, Manish Yadav and Amit Chachan raised this issue. Expressing dissatisfaction over the minister's reply during the Question Hour, Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully said that the answer given to the House is an attempt to mislead the House.

6:02 PM

Kamala Harris says her aim is to defeat Donald Trump in November

Kamala Harris has said she plans to "earn and win" the Democratic presidential nomination to defeat Donald Trump after President Joe Biden decided not to seek re-election, putting her on the path to become the first Black woman and first Asian American to lead a major political party's ticket.

 

Vice President Harris, 59, said she was honoured to receive Biden's endorsement and voiced her appreciation for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and his decades of service to the country.

 

I am honoured to have the President's endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination, she said in a statement on Sunday.

6:00 PM

IndiGo flight 6E 1406 operating from Abu Dhabi to Delhi, was diverted to Muscat due to a technical issue.

"The aircraft will be back in operations after necessary maintenance. The customers have been offered hotel accommodation in Muscat and alternative arrangements are being made to facilitate their journey to destination. We regret the inconvenience caused to the passengers," said Indigo Spokesperson.

5:58 PM

Excise case: Delhi court takes cognisance of charge sheet against K Kavitha

Delhi court on Monday took cognisance of a supplementary charge sheet filed against jailed BRS leader K Kavitha in the corruption case related to the alleged excise scam.

 

Special judge for Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) cases Kaveri Baweja took note of the chargesheet, observing that there was sufficient evidence to proceed against her in the case.

 

The judge also directed the CBI to supply copies of the supplementary charge sheet to Kavitha, who was produced before the court through video conference.

5:29 PM

Delhi court extends Manish Sisodia's judicial custody till July 26 in excise case

A Delhi court on Monday extended till July 26 the judicial custody of AAP leader Manish Sisodia in a corruption case related to the alleged excise scam. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja passed the order after Sisodia was produced before the court on expiry of his judicial custody granted earlier. The court had on April 30 dismissed the bail pleas of Sisodia in the corruption and related money laundering cases, lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), respectively, in the alleged scam.

4:59 PM

Trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar’s mother Manorama sent to 14-day judicial custody for 'threatening' farmer

A court in Maharashtra’s Pune district on Saturday sent Manorama Khedkar, mother of controversial trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar, to 14 days of judicial custody in the case of threatening a farmer. The decision comes after the Pune police produced Manorama Khedkar before the magistrate court in a case concerning alleged criminal intimidation tied to a land dispute. 

 

4:56 PM

HC asks Swamy, Sonia, Rahul to file written note on plea in National Herald case

The Delhi High Court asked BJP MP Subramanian Swamy and Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi to file a short note on the submissions in the National Herald case. Justice Neena Bansal Krishna directed them to file the written note on the arguments within four weeks and said thereafter, the written submissions will be accepted with costs of Rs 15,000. The court listed the matter for arguments on October 29.

4:50 PM

Used to go to veg hotel run by Muslim in Kerala as he maintained standards: SC judge

Batting for hygiene at eateries, Supreme Court judge SVN Bhatti said on Monday he used to frequent a vegetarian restaurant run by a Muslim while posted in Kerala as it maintained international standards. Justice Bhatti shared his experience when he was with Justice Hrishikesh Roy on a bench that stayed the directives issued by BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand asking eateries along the Kanwar Yatra routes to display the names of their owners and staff but said they may be required to display information about the kind of food they are serving like they are vegetarian or non-vegetarian.

4:40 PM

Over 170 contractual, outsourced staff at NTA; setting up of question papers not outsourced: MoE

Over 170 employees at the National Testing Agency (NTA) are either contractual or outsourced staff, the Ministry of Education (MoE) informed the Parliament on Monday. The ministry, however, clarified that "all core activities involving setting up of question papers" for the exams conducted by the agency are not outsourced. Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar shared this information in response to a written question in the Lok Sabha asked by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Member of Parliament (MP) Kanimozhi Karunanidhi.

4:26 PM

How will the state develop and how we will get investment: JD(U) MP backs demand for special status

When asked about the government's response on Special Category Status, Bihar Congress chief and MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh told ANI, "...Ever since Nitish Kumar became the CM, he has been raising the issue of Special Status for Bihar. If there is no such provision, amend the provisions. You are in power, why are you misleading the people? Government of India should take this decision at the earliest, in the interest of Bihar." Meanwhile, JD(U) MP Devesh Chandra Thakur said, "Demand for special status will be there in future also...How will the state develop and how we will get investment, these all need to be seen by the central government..."

4:23 PM

PM Modi suppressed voice of country for 10 years: Cong hits back at PM for his criticism of Oppn

The Congress hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday over his remarks criticising the opposition, alleging that it was he who "suppressed the voice" of the country for 10 years and for which people "punished" him in the Lok Sabha polls. Talking to reporters ahead of the start of a Parliament session, Modi said in the first session of this Lok Sabha, "an undemocratic attempt was made to scuttle the voice of the government that had been ordered by 140 crore Indians to serve".

4:12 PM

NEET-UG 2024 exam: Supreme Court asks IIT Delhi Director to constitute a team of three experts

Hearing the NEET-UG case on Monday, the Supreme Court asked the IIT Delhi Director to constitute a team of three experts of the subject concern to form opinion on the correct answer of a question in the exam by Tuesday 12 noon. Some students challenged the decision of the NTA to award marks for two options for the question. Hearing in the case alleging paper leak and malpractices to continue tomorrow, 23rd July.

4:01 PM

TDP leader kept quite on special status, tweets Jairam Ramesh; Kiren Rijiju slams Cong leader's conduct

Sharing a post on X while attending the all-party meeting, Jairam Ramesh said, “In today’s all-party meeting of floor leaders chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the JD(U) leader demanded special category status for Bihar. The YSRCP leader demanded special category status for Andhra Pradesh. Strangely, the TDP leader kept quiet on the matter.” Reacting to this, Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju criticised Congress veteran Jairam Ramesh for ‘live-tweeting’ the issues raised by different parties at an all-party meeting. “This is unfortunate… Everyone must maintain the sanctity, propriety and protocol of Parliamentary traditions,” Rijiju said.

3:48 PM

Delhi excise policy case: Manish Sisodia's judicial custody extended till July 26

In Delhi excise policy case filed by the CBI, the Rouse Avenue Court has extended the judicial custody of Manish Sisodia and other accused till July 26. The court has also asked the CBI to produce BRS leader K Kavitha before it through video conferencing at 2 pm on July 26.

3:29 PM

Rains pummel Vidarbha, more than 700 houses damaged, villagers evacuated Nagpur

More than 700 houses were damaged, and several roads were inundated as rains pummelled Maharashtra's Vidarbha over the weekend, and intermittent spells continued in the region on Monday. In Chandrapur, seven gates of the Irai Dam were opened by one metre as incessant showers lashed the district in the morning. According to officials, 740 houses were damaged, particularly in villages in Chandrapur, in the last 48 hours.

3:25 PM

Two teenagers die after being hit by train in Uttar Pradesh

Two teenagers, sitting on a railway track with their earphones on, were killed after being hit by a train as they couldn't hear the horn, police said on Monday. SHO of Kotwali police station, Deendayal Pandey, said the two friends, Sameer (15) and Zakir Ahmed (16), are residents of Rajdepur.

3:22 PM

Central Vista: File plea when Centre acts against Waqf properties, HC to Delhi Waqf Board

The high court told the Delhi Waqf Board on Monday that it can approach the court whenever the Centre takes any action against its properties in connection with the Central Vista Redevelopment Project. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav observed that the project has received the Supreme Court's nod and asked the board to withdraw its petition filed in 2021, seeking directions for the preservation and protection of six of its properties in the area.

3:17 PM

Centre's order allowing employees to take part in Sangh activities aimed at appeasing RSS: Mayawati

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Monday termed the Centre's order removing the ban on the participation of government employees in RSS activities a politically motivated move to "appease" the organisation and demanded its immediate withdrawal.

2:48 PM

'India to seek licences to scout Pacific Ocean for critical minerals'

India will apply for licences to explore for deep-sea minerals in the Pacific Ocean as it competes to secure supplies of minerals critical for energy transition technologies, a top government scientist told Reuters. M. Ravichandran, the top scientist at India's Ministry of Earth Sciences, said his ministry will work closely with India's mining industry as it readies to apply next year for exploration of seabed minerals in the Pacific.

2:42 PM

Madhya Pradesh High Court adjourns hearing on Bhojshala dispute

The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday adjourned the hearing on the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula mosque complex in Dhar district, a week after the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) submitted its scientific survey report on the issue. A division bench of Justice S A Dharmadhikari and D V Ramana said it would hear the matter once the Supreme Court order comes, ASI's counsel Himanshu Joshi said. The Supreme Court on July 15 agreed to consider listing a plea against a scientific survey of Bhojshala filed by the Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society challenging the high court's March 11 order for a survey to ascertain which community the shrine belonged to.

1:55 PM

Students will not get justice if this minister continues: SP chief Akhilesh Yadav

Kannauj MP Akhilesh Yadav said this government will create new records in paper leaks. "Students across the country are protesting. Investigation is leading to revelations, arrests are being made. I have only one request, students will not get justice if this minister continues," he said.