India Archives - Page 297 of 327

01 May

Supreme Court Dismisses Plea for Judicial Probe into Pahalgam Attack, Slams ‘Irresponsible’ Filing

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIndia, Pahalgam, Pakistan

New Delhi (National Times): The Supreme Court refused to admit a PIL demanding a judicial inquiry into the Pahalgam terror attack, strongly criticizing the petitioners for filing what it termed an ill-timed and demoralizing plea. "Don't try to weaken the morale of our security forces," said Justice Surya Kant as he dismissed the petition filed by Junaid Mohd Junaid and two lawyers. “At this moment, the entire nation is united against terror. This is not the time for such prayer.” The PIL sought to set up a commission led by a retired Supreme Court judge to probe the April 22…

01 May

Char Dham Yatra Begins with Portals Opened at Gangotri and Yamunotri; Kedarnath and Badrinath to Follow

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaChar Dham Yatra 2025, Gangotri Yamunotri open

Uttarkashi, May 1, 2025 – The sacred Char Dham Yatra began today with the ceremonial opening of the portals at Gangotri and Yamunotri temples in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. The revered Hindu pilgrimage includes visits to four high-altitude shrines in the Garhwal Himalayas — Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Kedarnath’s doors will open on May 2, followed by Badrinath on May 4.The Char Dham circuit holds immense spiritual significance for devotees. During winter, due to heavy snowfall and road inaccessibility, the deities are moved to their winter seats at lower altitudes: Mukhba (Gangotri), Kharsali (Yamunotri), Omkareshwar (Kedarnath), and Pandukeshwar (Badrinath).To improve connectivity,…

30 Apr

IMD Predicts Above-Normal Temperatures, Rising Heatwave Days Across India in May

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAbove-normal Temperature India, Heatwave Days May, IMD forecast May 2025

New Delhi, April 30, 2025 – The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a hotter-than-usual May for most parts of the country, warning of elevated maximum temperatures and more heatwave days, particularly across central, northwestern, and eastern India.According to the IMD’s latest monthly climate outlook, regions including Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Gangetic West Bengal are likely to experience one to four additional days of heatwave conditions compared to normal. Other regions such as Gujarat, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, north Karnataka, Maharashtra, and adjoining Telangana will also witness intense heat spells.While central and north India brace for…

30 Apr

Centre Directs States to Implement BNSS Section 479 for Undertrial Prisoner Relief

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBNSS 2023, Prison Reform, Section 479, Undertrial Prisoners

New Delhi, April 30, 2025 – In a major step towards decongesting prisons and upholding the rights of undertrial prisoners, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed all states and Union Territories to implement Section 479 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. This move is aimed at easing pressure on correctional facilities and ensuring more humane treatment for those awaiting trial.Section 479 outlines specific guidelines for releasing undertrials who have served a significant portion of their potential sentence. Under this section, prisoners who have spent half of the maximum sentence prescribed for their alleged offence are eligible…

30 Apr

India to Conduct First Nationwide Caste Census Since 1931

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAshwini Vaishnaw, Caste Census, India, Union Cabinet

New Delhi, April 30, 2025 — In a landmark decision, the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the inclusion of caste data in the upcoming national census, marking the first such exercise since 1931. This move aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of India's complex social structure and inform future policy decisions. Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the decision, emphasizing the constitutional authority of the Centre to conduct such a census. He noted that while some state governments have undertaken caste surveys, these lacked the scope and accuracy of a nationwide enumeration. The…

30 Apr

ACB Cracks Down on Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain in Rs 2,000 Crore Classroom Construction Scam

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, PoliticsManish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain

New Delhi (National Times): In a major development, the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has filed a criminal case against former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and ex-PWD Minister Satyendar Jain in connection with a large-scale scam related to the construction of school classrooms in the national capital. The case revolves around the construction of over 12,000 classrooms, where the ACB alleges massive financial misconduct. The scam, running into approximately ₹2,000 crore, involves unauthorized appointments of consultants, cost inflations, and failure to complete projects on time. As per official estimates, the AAP government spent close to Rs 2,892 crore on these classrooms,…

30 Apr

Centre Reconstitutes National Security Advisory Board Amid Indo-Pak Tensions; Ex-RAW Chief Alok Joshi Appointed Chairman

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaNational Security Advisory Board

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): As tensions between India and Pakistan escalate following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, the Government of India has restructured the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) to bolster its strategic preparedness. Former RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) chief Alok Joshi has been appointed as the new Chairman of the seven-member board. The revamp signals a fresh strategic shift in India’s national security outlook and comes at a critical juncture when cross-border threats are again in sharp focus. The updated panel includes a mix of highly decorated retired officers from the military, police, and diplomatic corps, aimed at…

30 Apr

Pakistan Warns of Possible Indian Military Action Within 36 Hours Amid Rising Tensions

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIndia, Pakistan

Islamabad (National Times): Amid escalating tensions following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 people dead, mostly tourists, Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar held a midnight press conference warning of potential military action by India within the next 24 to 36 hours. Tarar stated that Pakistan possesses “credible intelligence” suggesting that India may launch an attack under the pretense of retaliating for the Pahalgam incident. “India is preparing for a military strike against Pakistan, based on unsubstantiated and false accusations,” he said during the urgent briefing. He strongly criticized what he described as India’s unilateral posture in the…

29 Apr

Justice BR Gavai appointed as 52nd Chief Justice of India, to take oath on May 14

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaChief Justice of India, CJI appointment, Justice BR Gavai, Supreme Court

New Delhi, April 28, 2025: Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai has been appointed as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI), with his swearing-in scheduled for May 14. He will succeed incumbent CJI Sanjiv Khanna, who is set to retire on May 13.Justice Gavai’s tenure as the head of the judiciary will be brief, ending on November 23, 2025, when he turns 65—the retirement age for Supreme Court judges.This appointment is historic, as Justice Gavai becomes only the second Dalit judge to assume the top post in the Indian judiciary, after Justice K G Balakrishnan. His elevation is widely seen as…

29 Apr

Anti-Terror Operations Surge After Pahalgam Massacre; 48 Kashmir Tourist Sites Closed

nishuthapar10 CommentsIndiaJammu and Kashmir, Pahalgam

Srinagar (National Times): In the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 tourists dead, Jammu and Kashmir authorities have initiated one of the most aggressive security clampdowns in recent years. As part of precautionary measures, 48 of Kashmir’s 87 registered tourist spots have been closed indefinitely. Officials confirmed the shuttered destinations are either under direct threat or involved in active security operations. Popular sites like Rajpora, Kousarnag, Tousimaidan, and Chearhar have been affected. The impact on tourism is already visible, with flight traffic plummeting at Srinagar airport. On April 23 and 24, thousands more passengers departed…