News for 'Information and Right'

Absence from draft SIR doesn't mean deletion of name, ECI tells HC

Absence from draft SIR doesn't mean deletion of name, ECI tells HC

Rediff.com13 Oct 2026

The Election Commission of India clarified to the Bombay High Court that the absence of a voter's name from a draft Special Intensive Revision (SIR) roll does not equate to deletion, as SIR is a fresh preparation of the electoral roll. This clarification came during a hearing on a writ petition filed by a Goa resident whose family's names were missing from the SIR roll. The court has reserved its verdict.

V V S Laxman to attend all Indian team selection meetings: BCCI

V V S Laxman to attend all Indian team selection meetings: BCCI

Rediff.com7 Oct 2026

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia announced that Centre of Excellence (CoE) head VVS Laxman will now attend all future senior selection panel meetings to improve communication between selectors and the CoE.

Magistrate threatened amid CJP leaders' bail proceedings

Magistrate threatened amid CJP leaders' bail proceedings

Rediff.com5 days ago

Delhi Police registered a non-cognisable report against unidentified individuals for allegedly threatening a magistrate during the bail proceedings of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. The CJP alleges deliberate delays in their leaders' release, with their legal head claiming the magistrate received threats. The leaders were arrested on October 14 for scaling gates at Jantar Mantar during a protest.

Tiger Shroff Shooting: 'Scare One Big Star, Extort Money From The Rest'

Tiger Shroff Shooting: 'Scare One Big Star, Extort Money From The Rest'

Rediff.com4 days ago

'It is possible that the attackers might have been ordered not to kill.'

CJP stir: Ensure Metro, Internet; no illegal detentions, SC tells Centre

CJP stir: Ensure Metro, Internet; no illegal detentions, SC tells Centre

Rediff.com11 Oct 2026

The Supreme Court on Sunday directed that people gathering peacefully should not be illegally detained and issued a notice to the Centre regarding alleged violations of its earlier order during a CJP protest in Delhi. The court also asked the Solicitor General to ensure normal metro services and no internet disruption, while addressing concerns about widespread detentions and transport closures.

Family alleges police barred Dipke from grandmother's funeral; cops deny

Family alleges police barred Dipke from grandmother's funeral; cops deny

Rediff.com11 Oct 2026

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) convenor Abhijeet Dipke was detained by Delhi Police ahead of a protest, leading to him missing his grandmother's funeral. His family alleges police denied release requests, while police claim they offered assistance. The CJP continues its protest against the Chief Election Commissioner over alleged voter roll irregularities.

Struggling To Speak English At Work?

Struggling To Speak English At Work?

Rediff.com16 Oct 2026

'You don't have to speak perfect English to communicate confidently,' says rediffGURU Archana Deshpande, a life coach and founder of TransformMe Life Skils Coaching.

MBA Or MTech: Which Is Better?

MBA Or MTech: Which Is Better?

Rediff.com8 Oct 2026

'In India, an MBA from a top college would have better opportunities as compared to an MTech from top colleges,' says rediffGURU Patrick D'souza.

Pawan Sachdeva: 'Why Should Indian Crafts Be Saved For Festivals?'

Pawan Sachdeva: 'Why Should Indian Crafts Be Saved For Festivals?'

Rediff.com1 days ago

At Lakm Fashion Week, Pawan Sachdeva took Indian crafts out of their traditional comfort zone. In an exclusive conversation with Rediff, he explains why.

Why VVS Laxman will now join every selection meeting...

Why VVS Laxman will now join every selection meeting...

Rediff.com7 Oct 2026

BCCI secretary Devaijit Saikia announced that Centre of Excellence head VVS Laxman will now attend all senior selection panel meetings to prevent miscommunication between the selectors and the COE, particularly regarding player fitness and rehabilitation. This decision follows past speculations of friction between Laxman and former chief selector Ajit Agarkar over player recovery timelines.

'Yeh mera mudda nahin hai': CJI on protests against CEC

'Yeh mera mudda nahin hai': CJI on protests against CEC

Rediff.com12 Oct 2026

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has stated that the ongoing protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the associated restrictions in Delhi fall under law and order, not his judicial purview, and declined to meet opposition leaders regarding the issue.

Day before sitting, SC 7-judge bench told issue withdrawn

Day before sitting, SC 7-judge bench told issue withdrawn

Rediff.com5 Oct 2026

The Supreme Court stated it would not engage in an academic exercise regarding the interpretation of legislative privileges for MLAs and their impact on freedom of speech, as the Tamil Nadu Assembly's impugned resolution from 2003, which sparked the case, was withdrawn in 2004. The court will consider the withdrawal before a seven-judge bench.

GST Bachat Utsav Gets Half Of Rs 54 Crore Ad Spend

GST Bachat Utsav Gets Half Of Rs 54 Crore Ad Spend

Rediff.com6 Oct 2026

Across all 10 schemes from FY24 to FY26, print media captured 58.8 per cent of the total ad spending, followed by electronic media at 19.5 per cent, digital media at 14.6 per cent, and outdoor media at 7.2 per cent.

Bhavitha Mandava, Lakshmi Menon Are Making India Proud

Bhavitha Mandava, Lakshmi Menon Are Making India Proud

Rediff.com9 Oct 2026

Indian models are having a major Chanel moment. Chanel House Ambassador Bhavitha Mandava has turned heads in Venice and Paris while legendary supermodel Lakshmi Menon recently joined her on the Chanel runway.

Anil Sharma: 'Nana Patekar Would Cut My Hair'

Anil Sharma: 'Nana Patekar Would Cut My Hair'

Rediff.com12 Oct 2026

'Nana Patekar was an amazing actor, and human being.'

'I haven't signed any bond': Dipke wows more protests

'I haven't signed any bond': Dipke wows more protests

Rediff.com11 Oct 2026

Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke has denied signing any bond preventing further protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, vowing to continue taking to the streets. He accused Delhi Police of illegal detention and mistreatment, including not allowing him to contact family after his grandmother's death on Saturday, and criticised the government's handling of protests and alleged police brutality.

Nine Navratri Life Insurance Lessons

Nine Navratri Life Insurance Lessons

Rediff.com14 Oct 2026

Here are nine lessons, one for each night of the Navratri festival, that can help any household think about protection clearly.

SC to hear plea by Rahul Gandhi, others on SIR today

SC to hear plea by Rahul Gandhi, others on SIR today

Rediff.com15 Oct 2026

The Supreme Court is set to hear a plea filed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other opposition figures on Thursday regarding alleged large-scale voter deletions and irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The petition seeks an independent audit of these deletions and modifications, and a direction to prevent further deletions without due process.

Bitchat ban: Centre flags law-and-order concerns

Bitchat ban: Centre flags law-and-order concerns

Rediff.com7 Oct 2026

The Indian government has ordered the removal of Jack Dorsey's Bitchat app from app stores, citing law-and-order concerns due to its ability to bypass communication restrictions. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued the takedown demand under Section 69(A) of the IT Act, 2000. The government also addressed the issue of banning minors from social media, indicating a search for a better solution than outright bans.

Navi Pillay's Nobel Peace Prize: A Triumph For International Justice

Navi Pillay's Nobel Peace Prize: A Triumph For International Justice

Rediff.com9 Oct 2026

Navi Pillay, a South African jurist of Indian origin, has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote peace and international law. The announcement came as she was in Nuremberg, a symbolic location given her career's focus on international justice. Pillay dedicated the prize to survivors and those working for justice, warning against political attacks on international law and institutions like the ICC. Her extensive career includes roles in the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, the International Criminal Court, and as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Want A Healthy Pregnancy? 11 Tips From A Gynaecologist

Want A Healthy Pregnancy? 11 Tips From A Gynaecologist

Rediff.com12 Oct 2026

Dr Nisha Pansare, fertility specialist at Nova IVF Fertility, explains why women should avoid desi Chinese, excessive caffeine and detox juices in order to have a safe and healthy pregnancy.

Salman Khan: 'If You Want To Make A Comedy On My Life...'

Salman Khan: 'If You Want To Make A Comedy On My Life...'

Rediff.com15 Oct 2026

'...then David Dhawan. If you want to make a traditional, tragic love story, it would be Sanjay Leela Bhansali.' 'If you want to make this beautiful love story after love story, it would be Sooraj Barjatya, and if you want to make an action kind of love story, then Kabir Khan.' 'All the things that have happened in my life.'

OpenAI India Head On How AI Is Moving Beyond Experiments To Deliver Tangible Business Outcomes

OpenAI India Head On How AI Is Moving Beyond Experiments To Deliver Tangible Business Outcomes

Rediff.com14 Oct 2026

Pragya Misra, OpenAI's head of public policy and strategy for India, stated that the next phase of AI will concentrate on driving measurable outcomes rather than mere experiments. She highlighted examples like Cars24 using AI for customer retention and a healthcare company building its CRM with OpenAI's Codex, demonstrating AI's tangible business impact and cost-saving potential. OpenAI aims for artificial general intelligence (AGI) to benefit all humanity by making AI accessible and addressing enterprise concerns like data residency.

CJP leaders breach Jantar Mantar, detained; FIR filed

CJP leaders breach Jantar Mantar, detained; FIR filed

Rediff.com13 Oct 2026

Delhi Police has registered an FIR against Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and other members for allegedly trespassing into the Jantar Mantar area, which was recently denotified as a protest site. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has condemned the detentions as 'kidnapping' and questioned the legality of preventing lawyers from meeting the detained members.

Mamata Banerjee likely to join CJP protest at Jantar Mantar

Mamata Banerjee likely to join CJP protest at Jantar Mantar

Rediff.com8 Oct 2026

Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee indicated her potential participation in a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. She strongly criticised the BJP and the Election Commission over alleged electoral malpractices and "SIR anomalies" in Bengal. Banerjee also expressed solidarity with Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra regarding their treatment during recent protests and plans to approach President Droupadi Murmu.

Abhijeet Dipke has Imran Khan's back: 'If Milliben can...'

Abhijeet Dipke has Imran Khan's back: 'If Milliben can...'

Rediff.com15 Oct 2026

Bollywood actor Imran Khan, an American citizen holding an OCI card, has been issued a 'Leave India' notice by Mumbai Police for participating in a protest, sparking debate over OCI cardholder rights and political expression.

TN govt revokes controversial RTI move amid backlash

TN govt revokes controversial RTI move amid backlash

Rediff.com27 Sep 2026

The Tamil Nadu government revoked a controversial order exempting its Public (Law and Order) Department from the RTI Act, 2005.

Why Do We Need Permission to Protest Against the Government?

Why Do We Need Permission to Protest Against the Government?

Rediff.com10 Oct 2026

Before protesting against the State, the citizen should not have to ask: Sir, may I protest, please?, asserts Prem Panicker.

'70% Of Bollywood Stars Have Paid Extortion Money To Bishnoi'

'70% Of Bollywood Stars Have Paid Extortion Money To Bishnoi'

Rediff.com4 days ago

'The remaining 30% are scared they will be shot at and they too will shell out the money soon.'

Don't Let Your Health Insurance Lapse

Don't Let Your Health Insurance Lapse

Rediff.com12 Oct 2026

Buying a policy is only the beginning. Health insurance is a long-term commitment that needs regular review as your age, health needs and family circumstances change.

India Must Prioritise Child Safety In AI Education: WEF Expert

India Must Prioritise Child Safety In AI Education: WEF Expert

Rediff.com11 Oct 2026

Cathy Li, Head of the Centre for AI Excellence at the World Economic Forum, advocates for integrating AI literacy into India's education curriculum and incentivising AI companies to prioritise child safety. She stresses the need for localised solutions that account for India's linguistic and cultural diversity, as well as varying levels of connectivity and digital literacy, to ensure AI systems are safe and beneficial for children.

Anti-Drug Activist Murder: Police Probe Personal Enmity Angle

Anti-Drug Activist Murder: Police Probe Personal Enmity Angle

Rediff.com13 Oct 2026

Anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was shot dead in Mansa, Punjab, on Tuesday. Preliminary police investigation suggests personal enmity as the motive, with a medical store owner, Ashwani Kumar, identified as the main accused. Police are conducting a manhunt for Kumar, whose associate has been arrested and family members detained. The murder has led to protests and vandalism.

Protesters hide in gurudwara, sport cockroach helmets

Protesters hide in gurudwara, sport cockroach helmets

Rediff.com10 Oct 2026

A protest organised by the proposed Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in New Delhi on Saturday led to the detention of around 500 people. Despite heavy security, protesters used various tactics, including unique attire and hiding in a gurdwara, to voice their dissent against perceived curtailment of freedom of expression.

What Sunil Mittal said on Musk's Starlink satellite's internet approval in India

What Sunil Mittal said on Musk's Starlink satellite's internet approval in India

Rediff.com14 Oct 2026

Bharti Airtel Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal stated that his satcom venture, Eutelsat OneWeb, is 'significantly ahead' of Elon Musk's Starlink in the Indian satcom queue, having applied for a licence five years ago, and expressed a desire to receive regulatory approval before Starlink.

Social Media Influencer Arrested In Palghar For Rape, 'Love Jihad' Allegations

Social Media Influencer Arrested In Palghar For Rape, 'Love Jihad' Allegations

Rediff.com14 Oct 2026

A 22-year-old social media influencer and gym trainer, Arif Ayub Shaikh, has been arrested in Palghar, Maharashtra, on charges of rape, physical abuse, and attempting to force a woman to convert her religion under the guise of marriage. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya has labelled the case as "love jihad," alleging a larger network exploiting young Hindu girls in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Police recovered over 100 explicit video clips from Shaikh's phone, with some potentially distributed abroad.

SC directs Centre to frame statutory safeguards for minors on social media

SC directs Centre to frame statutory safeguards for minors on social media

Rediff.com28 Sep 2026

The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to explore a statutory framework to ensure social media intermediaries comply with Indian laws regarding minors, particularly concerning their inability to independently enter into contracts. The court highlighted the need for safeguards to protect children from potential harms on digital platforms, including exploitation and misuse of data, and asked the Solicitor General to examine incorporating these requirements into intermediary rules.

How Long Can The Modi Government Stay Deaf?

How Long Can The Modi Government Stay Deaf?

Rediff.com15 Oct 2026

When it pretends to be deaf, a situation can snowball into something it cannot contain. The government cannot dismiss public anger merely because protests are inconvenient or politically embarrassing, asserts Ramesh Menon.

Flash flood in Nepal leaves 10 missing, damages 2 hydropower projects

Flash flood in Nepal leaves 10 missing, damages 2 hydropower projects

Rediff.com11 Oct 2026

A flash flood in Nepal's Budhi Gandaki River in Gorkha district has swept away houses, damaged two hydropower projects, and left at least 10 people missing. Authorities have rescued nearly 50 people and mobilised security agencies for search and rescue operations, urging riverside villagers to move to safer locations.

New POCSO Case Filed Against Granite Baron Veeramani

New POCSO Case Filed Against Granite Baron Veeramani

Rediff.com28 Sep 2026

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) in Chennai has registered a new case under the POCSO Act against granite baron R Veeramani, following a complaint from the mother of a minor girl. This development comes as Veeramani's judicial custody was extended, and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) announced a fact-finding visit. The case has led to significant public outcry and action against police officers for alleged inaction.

Asian Games: Indian Kurash Athlete Yash Chauhan Fails Dope Test; Suspended

Asian Games: Indian Kurash Athlete Yash Chauhan Fails Dope Test; Suspended

Rediff.com3 Oct 2026

Indian kurash player Yash Kumar Chauhan has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for multiple banned substances during the Asian Games.