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Supreme Court has strongly criticised the ongoing tendency among bureaucrats to override the authority of elected representatives, particularly women, in grassroots democratic institutions such as panchayats. In a significant ruling, the top court said that administrative officials must actively support and promote women's participation and leadership in governance, rather than suppressing them with a colonial mindset. A bench led by Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan voiced concern over the recurring pattern of bureaucratic interference, where elected women representatives are often subjected to unfair treatment.

Ajmer has sent waves of controversy across the country, especially it's political segment. Since the row over the Ajmer Sharif began on Wednesday, concerns have been raised over a Rajasthan court’s notice regarding a lawsuit over the Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti shrine claiming the famous Sufi shrine was originally a Shiva temple. The row has even led some to accuse former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud of opening a «Pandora's box» that could fuel communal tensions and even lead to violence. The petition, filed in September in a local Ajmer court, seeks directions to begin worship at the Ajmer Shrine as a Shiva temple. Vishnu Gupta, the plaintiff, claimed that a Shiva temple existed at the site before the dargah was built and that it should be declared a Hindu place of worship. His request for a survey of the site by the ASI and the cancellation of any official registration of the dargah has sparked widespread debate.

The bench headed by Justice C. Hari Shankar and Justice Amit Sharma observed that «there can be no cavil with the finding of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) that defective colour vision is a defect. As such, the petitioners clearly suffer from a defect which renders them unfit for appointment as constables in the Delhi Police.» The High Court further held that the standards of medical fitness of candidates in forces, including Delhi Police, have to be stricter and higher than those who apply for civilian posts.

Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, ahead of the Friday prayers, following recent tensions in the area. The deployment of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and drones has been put in place to maintain law and order in the district. These precautionary measures come after a violent stone-pelting incident during the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) examination of the Mughal-era mosque on November 24. The clashes led to the loss of five lives and several others being injured, including both local residents and ASI officials involved in the survey. In response to the violence, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel has set up a three-member Judicial Inquiry Commission, headed by retired Justice Devendra Kumar Arora of the Allahabad High Court. The commission's purpose is to conduct a thorough and unbiased investigation to ensure transparency and accountability.

Supreme Court on Thursday criticised authorities for poor implementation of stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) to check air pollution in Delhi-NCR and said the restrictions shall remain in force till the next hearing on Monday, December 2. «We make it clear that all Grap-IV measures except for schools shall be continued till Monday,» a division bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih ordered. The bench said it intends to find a long-term solution to the crisis.

Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti, said that despite a Supreme Court ruling that the status quo of the religious places should be maintained as it existed in 1947, his judgement has paved the way for surveys of these sites potentially leading to increased tension between Hindus and Muslims. “Thanks to a former Chief Justice of India a Pandora's box has been opened, sparking a contentious debate about minority religious places…The recent violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh is the direct result of this judgment,” said Mufti. The People’s Democratic Party chief said that first mosques and now muslim shrines like Ajmer Sharif are being targeted. “This can result in further bloodshed. The question remains — who will take responsibility for perpetuating this communal violence reminiscent of the partition days?” she asked. The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, maintains that barring Ayodhya, status quo as on August 15, 1947, will have to be maintained at religious structures across the country. However in 2023, the then CJI D Y Chandrachud had argued that the PW Act 1991 does not debar ascertainment of the religious character of a place of worship and thus allowed a survey at Gyanvapi Mosque, in Varanasi.

Bulandshahr in 2015. The theft was reported by Mohammed Usman, a farmer, who filed a complaint on September 10, 2015. An FIR was registered under IPC sections 379 (theft) and 506 (criminal intimidation), leading to the arrest of the accused, Amarveer Singh. Additional Civil Judge Yagyesh Kumar Sonkar found Amarveer guilty and delivered the sentence on Tuesday. Usman expressed relief, saying, «Justice has finally been served after nine years. I had lost all hope but continued to pursue the case. This decision has restored my faith in the judiciary.» Bulandshahr SSP Shlok Kumar remarked, «Theft is theft, even if it involves something as small as a bee. A thief robs the farmer of their livelihood, and such crimes deserve severe punishment.»

Federal prosecutors in Tennessee say two tax preparers submitted $65 million in false claims for refunds under programs designed to help businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic

The threats were made Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, and law enforcement and authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those targeted, spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. Leavitt did not say who exactly was targeting, and did not elaborate on the nature of the apparent threats. Spokespeople for the FBI and the Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

P Chidambaram on Wednesday moved the Delhi High Court challenging the cognisance of money laundering charges against him by a trial court in the INX Media case and argued the mandatory sanction to prosecute him wasn't obtained. Senior counsel N Hariharan appearing for the Congress leader argued that in 2021, when the trial court took cognisance of the offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) following the filing of a chargesheet, requisite sanction was not been obtained by the ED for prosecuting him in the case. It was argued that since Chidambaram was a public servant at the time when the alleged offence took place, the agency was bound to have obtained sanction in terms of the provisions of the CrPC and the PMLA. The ED counsel said in the money laundering case, the allegations against the accused could not be part of discharge of any official duty.

Mahesh Jethmalani said on Wednesday that while US and India have had excellent relations, he believes that the Joe Biden-led Democratic administration has done 'irreparable harm' to the bilateral ties between the two countries. Jethamalani made the comments while speaking in reference to the allegations pinned against the Adani group by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission. He linked the case's timing with the exit of the Democrats from power in American as Donald Trump is set to take the Oval Office in January 2025.

ISKCON Bangladesh has issued a statement denouncing the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das and called upon the government authorities to promote peaceful coexistence. ISKCON Bangladesh also issued a list of demands to the government for subsequent violence and attacks against Sanatanis in various regions of Bangladesh. ISKCON Bangladesh made note of the above points and more matters in a statement issued, regarding the current situation in Bangladesh and the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das. «We express our serious concern and strongly denounce the recent arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, spokesperson for the „Bangladesh Sammilito SanatJagaran Jot“. We also condemn the subsequent violence and attacks against Sanatanis in various regions of Bangladesh. We urge the government authorities, to promote peaceful coexistence for the Sanatani community», the statement said.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said the main essence of the three newly implemented criminal laws- Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita- 2023, Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita- 2023, and Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam- 2023- in the country lies in delivering justice, rather than focusing solely on crime and punishment. These three laws came into force on July 1, 2024. CM Yogi inaugurated the National Conference on the Role of Forensic Science and Cyber Security in the Justice Process, organized on the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Indian Constitution in Lucknow on Tuesday. “With the inspiration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, three new laws—Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023—were implemented on July 1, 2024,” he said. He further added the essence of these laws lies not in criminal codes and penal provisions but in a code of justice and civil security. The process will begin with evidence collection, followed by bringing the accused to justice, he mentioned in his speech.

The parents reiterated that they were very disappointed with the behaviour of police and administration on the day of their daughter's death but have faith in CBI. Adhikari announced a demonstration programme in front of Raj Bhawan on December 10 demanding justice for the RG Kar victim. «The BJP MLAs will sit for dharna and we will demand justice. We all support the family and will not allow the matter to die down unless our sister gets justice,» Adhikari said.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Fitch Ratings may cut some Adani Group bond ratings to speculative territory after billionaire founder Gautam Adani was charged by the U.S. Justice Department in a bribery scheme.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. The International Criminal Court, of which neither Israel nor the U.S. is a member, has issued arrest warrants for Israel’s prime minister and former defense minister as well as a Hamas terrorist commander who is probably dead.

Amit Shah on Tuesday greeted people on Constitution Day and said the strength of democracy in a huge country like India is its Constitution, which gives the mantra of national unity and integrity. The Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution at the Central Hall of Parliament on November 26, 1949. The Constitution came into force on January 26, 1950. Conveying heartiest greetings to the people on 'Constitution Day', the home minister said India is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Constitution with great enthusiasm and to commemorate the contribution of the architects of the Constitution. «The strength of democracy of a huge country like India is our Constitution, which gives the mantra of national unity and integrity by ensuring justice and equal rights to every person,» he wrote on 'X' in Hindi with the hashtag #75YearsOfConstitution.

TotalEnergies on Monday said it won't make any fresh financial contribution as part of its investments in companies of the Adani Group till it gets clarity on accusations against certain officials in the Indian conglomerate and their consequences. «Until such time when the accusations against the Adani Group individuals and their consequences have been clarified, TotalEnergies will not make any new financial contribution as part of its investments in the Adani Group of companies,» TotalEnergies said in a statement. The French energy company added that it was through public announcements made by US authorities that it learnt of the indictment of certain individual Adani Group executives in relation to an alleged corruption scheme linked to the business of Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL). «This indictment does not target AGEL itself, nor any AGEL-related companies,» it said.

The Justice Department and Google are set to make closing arguments in a trial alleging Google’s online advertising technology constitutes an illegal monopoly

The X account for internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom says he has suffered a “serious stroke.”

Negotiators are gathering in South Korea in what’s billed as a final push.