News for 'Observation Post'

Cash recovery: CJI sets up probe panel after HC CJ's report, police video

Cash recovery: CJI sets up probe panel after HC CJ's report, police video

Rediff.com23 Mar 2025

The Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna has ordered an in-house inquiry into allegations against a Delhi High Court judge, Justice Yashwant Varma, after reports of burnt cash being found at his residence. The inquiry will be conducted by a three-member committee headed by Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The allegations stem from a report by the Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, who stated that four to five semi-burnt sacks of Indian currency notes were found at Justice Varma's residence following a fire. Justice Varma has strongly denied the allegations, calling them a conspiracy to frame him.

Oppn blames VIP culture, mismanagement for Kumbh stampede

Oppn blames VIP culture, mismanagement for Kumbh stampede

Rediff.com29 Jan 2025

The Congress on Wednesday criticized the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government for a stampede at the Sangam during the Maha Kumbh, blaming mismanagement and a focus on VIP movement instead of common devotees for the tragic incident. Rahul Gandhi called for reining in "VIP culture" and improving arrangements for devotees. Congress leaders expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and demanded action to prevent such incidents in the future.

Prayagraj Airport handling 40 VIP flights daily

Prayagraj Airport handling 40 VIP flights daily

Rediff.com24 Feb 2025

The Prayagraj airport in India is experiencing a surge in air traffic due to the Maha Kumbh, a major religious festival. The airport is handling an average of 40 non-scheduled charters and private jets daily, with figures reaching 70 on weekends. This is in addition to the average 148 scheduled commercial passenger aircraft operating daily. The airport recently received a contingent of about 180 politicians from Rajasthan and has seen corporate bigwigs like the Ambani brothers, Gautam Adani, and Pawan Munjal pass through. The airport has also hosted four international flights since the beginning of the Maha Kumbh, including a flight carrying Laurene Powell Jobs, the wife of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. The airport is currently undergoing an upgrade and expansion, and officials are looking forward to the government's plans to integrate Prayagraj with the airports at Kashi and Ayodhya to promote tourism in the region.

Meet Rekha Gupta, Delhi's fourth woman chief minister

Meet Rekha Gupta, Delhi's fourth woman chief minister

Rediff.com19 Feb 2025

Rekha Gupta, a former DUSU president and a long-time member of the RSS, has been chosen as the Leader of the House in the Delhi Assembly and will become the fourth woman chief minister of Delhi. She won the Shalimar Bagh seat in the February 5 Assembly polls, defeating her AAP rival Bandana Kumari. Gupta, a BCom graduate and lawyer, has a long history of working for women's welfare, having served as the national secretary of the BJP's youth wing and the national vice-president of BJP Mahila Morcha. The BJP has returned to power in Delhi after over 26 years, ending the 10-year rule of the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP.

Protestors vandalise Allu Arjun's residence, throw tomatoes

Protestors vandalise Allu Arjun's residence, throw tomatoes

Rediff.com22 Dec 2024

A group of persons, claiming to be members of Osmania University Joint Action Committee, on Sunday vandalised flower pots and other things at the residence of top Telugu actor Allu Arjun in Hyderabad.

Anuja Review: Oscar Hopeful Aims For The Heart

Anuja Review: Oscar Hopeful Aims For The Heart

Rediff.com6 Feb 2025

Palak and Anuja endear us to their bittersweet world, observes Sukanya Verma.

Why the court didn't award Sajjan Kumar death penalty

Why the court didn't award Sajjan Kumar death penalty

Rediff.com25 Feb 2025

A Delhi court sentenced former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar to life imprisonment for his role in the murder of two Sikhs during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The court cited Kumar's age and illness as mitigating factors in its decision to impose a lesser sentence than the death penalty. Kumar was convicted for being part of a mob that set fire to the victims' home and killed them. This is the second life imprisonment sentence for Kumar in connection with the 1984 riots. He is also facing other charges related to the riots.

T'gana allows early leave for Muslim staffers during Ramzan; BJP slams move

T'gana allows early leave for Muslim staffers during Ramzan; BJP slams move

Rediff.com18 Feb 2025

The Telangana government has issued a circular allowing Muslim employees to leave offices an hour early during the holy month of Ramzan. The move has been criticized by the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which termed it "appeasement politics". The BJP questioned why similar measures are not extended during Hindu festivals. The ruling Congress party defended the decision, stating that such facilities are provided during various festivals and are not unique to Ramzan.

Empuraan Review: Return Of The King

Empuraan Review: Return Of The King

Rediff.com27 Mar 2025

L2: Empuraan is an ambitious sequel that is bigger, bolder and timid in equal measure, observes Arjun Menon.

BJP in no hurry to name Maharashtra CM till...

BJP in no hurry to name Maharashtra CM till...

Rediff.com26 Nov 2024

The priority now is to work out a comprehensive plan for government formation.

RIL focuses on cost control in O2C segment in Q3FY25

RIL focuses on cost control in O2C segment in Q3FY25

Rediff.com27 Jan 2025

Oil-to-telecom conglomerate Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has surprised the street with a better than expected performance in its oil-to-chemicals (O2C) division in October-December 2024 (Q3FY25). RIL executives attributed it to favourable feedstock sourcing and higher volumes. However, they also listed cost optimisation and other measures.

'Muslims Have Been Misled By Opposition'

'Muslims Have Been Misled By Opposition'

Rediff.com2 Apr 2025

'Muslims need to work according to strategy and not fall into the trap of Opposition parties.'

'We Are Always Watchful. We Will Be Nimble'

'We Are Always Watchful. We Will Be Nimble'

Rediff.com8 Feb 2025

'We will be very, very proactive in providing whatever liquidity requirements are needed.'

Don't Derail SIP Goals!

Don't Derail SIP Goals!

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

Stopping SIPs during a downturn undermines the benefit of rupee-cost averaging.

Paint sector: Why brokerages say risk/reward balance remains unfavourable

Paint sector: Why brokerages say risk/reward balance remains unfavourable

Rediff.com3 Mar 2025

A sharp correction in stock prices, signs of rural recovery, and lower raw material costs have not been enough to change brokerages' cautious stance on the top-listed paint companies. Concerns over rising competition and weak demand continue to weigh on sentiment.

Key Mahayuti meet cancelled, Shinde heads to native village

Key Mahayuti meet cancelled, Shinde heads to native village

Rediff.com29 Nov 2024

Outgoing Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who returned to Mumbai from New Delhi on Friday morning, is travelling to his native village in Satara district amid continuing suspense over his successor a week after the assembly poll results. Shinde had told reporters in New Delhi on late Thursday night that the next meeting of the Mahayuti alliance on government formation will be held in Mumbai on Friday. However, the caretaker CM, who heads the Shiv Sena, is travelling to his native village Dare in Satara district in western Maharashtra and the meeting is now expected to take place on Sunday, the sources said. The Shiv Sena leader has repeatedly said he would not be an obstacle in the government formation and abide by the decisions taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the next chief minister. Different viewpoints are emerging in the Shiv Sena over Shinde's place in the next government to be headed by the BJP, the biggest constituent in the Mahayuti, which posted a thumping win in the just-held assembly polls. Many leaders in the Shiv Sena are asking Shinde to accept deputy CM's post if offered by the BJP. However, another section feels it wouldn't be right for him to accept No. 2 position after serving as CM for more than two-and-a-half years, the sources said. "The government formation process will start after the BJP announces its legislature party leader," they said. During his Delhi trip, Shinde had met Shah and discussed formation of the next government in the state. His deputies in the outgoing state cabinet Devendra Fadnavis (BJP) and Ajit Pawar (NCP) had also met the senior BJP leader. Talking to reporters in the national capital, Shinde called the discussion good and positive. Shinde, Fadnavis and Pawar had also met BJP president J P Nadda.

'Nobody Has The Right To Criticise My Dance Because Of My Skin Colour'

'Nobody Has The Right To Criticise My Dance Because Of My Skin Colour'

Rediff.com14 Mar 2025

This is the story of a man who fought racism and casteism throughout his life to become a professor of Bharata Natyam at the premier centre for performing arts in India, the Kerala Kalamandalam.

BJP Concedes AIADMK Demands In Eagerness For Alliance

BJP Concedes AIADMK Demands In Eagerness For Alliance

Rediff.com26 Mar 2025

EPS has had its way on most things, alliance-wise. A week earlier, he reiterated that he would not re-admit OPS and Sasikala Natarajan back in the party. It was a message not just to detractors in the AIADMK. It was even more so for the BJP leadership in Delhi. Even more important for the AIADMK was their demand for accepting EPS as the chief ministerial candidate of any alliance that the party would form, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Why Kerala Opposes Sand Sea Mining

Why Kerala Opposes Sand Sea Mining

Rediff.com19 Apr 2025

If as critics point out, the environmental impact assessment study was commissioned only after the auction process got underway with not all the stakeholders getting to know of it, then the government has already compromised the trust it could have enjoyed with Kerala's public including its coastal communities, points out Shyam G Menon.

No name yet, Azad Maidan gets ready for Maha swearing-in

No name yet, Azad Maidan gets ready for Maha swearing-in

Rediff.com3 Dec 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new Mahayuti government in Maharashtra on December 5. BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis is considered the frontrunner for the chief minister's post, with the BJP having recorded its best-ever electoral performance in the state. The Mahayuti coalition includes Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party.

SC puts off pleas on Places of Worship Act to April

SC puts off pleas on Places of Worship Act to April

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar also indicated that it may not take up the pending scheduled petitions, heard earlier by a three-judge bench, during the day as it was sitting in a combination of two judges.

4 pro-YSRCP news channels off air in Andhra post polls; Oppn party moves TRAI

4 pro-YSRCP news channels off air in Andhra post polls; Oppn party moves TRAI

Rediff.com23 Jun 2024

In a recent letter to TRAI, Reddy claimed the Andhra Pradesh Cable TV Operators Association took these four channels off air due to alleged coercion by the TDP-led government in the state.

In Dubai, Beating Pakistan Takes Precedence

In Dubai, Beating Pakistan Takes Precedence

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

The fervour for the India-Pakistan match is so intense that for many beating Pakistan in Dubai seems even more important than winning the Champions Trophy itself, observes K R Nayar, the veteran cricket writer.

Sebi's new steps to reduce risks in F&O trading

Sebi's new steps to reduce risks in F&O trading

Rediff.com27 Feb 2025

The new proposal comes close on the heels of six measures introduced by Sebi to curb frenzy in index derivatives.

Why 64% MTech Seats Are Vacant in Indian Colleges

Why 64% MTech Seats Are Vacant in Indian Colleges

Rediff.com23 Jan 2025

The growing decline of MTech applicants in Indian colleges is due to multiple factors, including outdated curricula, poor return on investment and lucrative non-engineering alternatives, say experts.

'Emergency' screening halted in Punjab, Kangana says...

'Emergency' screening halted in Punjab, Kangana says...

Rediff.com17 Jan 2025

"The film has been made to insult the entire Sikh community. We will not let the movie release in Mohali or anywhere in Punjab. The SGPC is united in this matter," said Rajinder Singh Tohra, a member of the SGPC.

K'taka HC judge expresses regret over 'Pakistan' remark

K'taka HC judge expresses regret over 'Pakistan' remark

Rediff.com22 Sep 2024

On September 20, a five-judge bench of the apex court headed by the Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud took serious note of two videos in which the HC judge is seen making the comments in open court and sought a report from the Registrar General of the high court .

Are Indian Kids Good At Maths?

Are Indian Kids Good At Maths?

Rediff.com6 Feb 2025

Intuitively solving a problem like multiplying 43 by 11, they might first multiply 43 by 10, and then add 43, reaching the final answer of 473.

Look at your own record: India condemns Iran's Khamenei's 'suffering of Muslims' remark

Look at your own record: India condemns Iran's Khamenei's 'suffering of Muslims' remark

Rediff.com17 Sep 2024

The Iranian leader talked about what he described as "suffering" of Muslims in Gaza, Myanmar and India.

Why Modi Chose To Speak In Parliament On Maha Kumbh

Why Modi Chose To Speak In Parliament On Maha Kumbh

Rediff.com26 Mar 2025

Besides the not-so-hidden unease between Modi and Adityanath, Modi chose to address the Lok Sabha to ensure that he could personally claim all the kudos, observes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

Putin Has To Tread Carefully With Trump

Putin Has To Tread Carefully With Trump

Rediff.com14 Mar 2025

'There is no question that Putin's preference will be to avoid unpleasantness with Trump, leave alone a collision course,' observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

CM post not ceremonial, must be available 24x7: HC on Kejriwal

CM post not ceremonial, must be available 24x7: HC on Kejriwal

Rediff.com29 Apr 2024

The high court also said that Kejriwal's absence cannot allow students to go through the first term without free text books, writing material and uniform in schools under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

Pune bus rape accused sent to police custody till Mar 12

Pune bus rape accused sent to police custody till Mar 12

Rediff.com28 Feb 2025

A 37-year-old man accused of raping a woman inside a bus at Swargate bus station in Pune was arrested after a days-long manhunt. The accused, Dattaray Ramdas Gade, was hiding in a paddy field in his native Shirur tehsil. Police used drones and sniffer dogs to track him down.

'BJP Will Use MNS To Pressurise Shinde'

'BJP Will Use MNS To Pressurise Shinde'

Rediff.com15 Feb 2025

'The message is loud and clear: "If you're not falling in line, we will open a line of understanding with the MNS, and then the Shiv Sena will be in trouble".'

SC/STs not homogeneous, observes top court in quota within quota hearing

SC/STs not homogeneous, observes top court in quota within quota hearing

Rediff.com7 Feb 2024

The Supreme Court, examining whether states can sub-classify Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for grant of quota inside quota, on Wednesday said all SCs and STs may not be homogeneous in terms of their sociological, economic, education and social status.

Goodbye Paddy!

Goodbye Paddy!

Rediff.com6 Mar 2025

It was amazing to see how he used to hoodwink batsmen with subtle changes in flight, loop and deliver his doomsday ball -- the dangerous armer.

Election funding is a complicated issue, observes SC bench in poll bonds hearing

Election funding is a complicated issue, observes SC bench in poll bonds hearing

Rediff.com31 Oct 2023

The "opaque" electoral bonds scheme for funding political parties will "destroy democracy" as it promotes corruption and does not allow a level playing field between the ruling and opposition parties, the petitioners challenging the validity of the scheme told the Supreme Court, which on Tuesday observed election funding was a "complicated issue".

Why is Uddhav Sena reviving its hardcore Hindutva stance?

Why is Uddhav Sena reviving its hardcore Hindutva stance?

Rediff.com15 Dec 2024

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) has shifted its focus back to Hindutva after suffering significant losses in the recent Maharashtra assembly elections. The party has been vocal about attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh and has taken a stance to "protect" a Hanuman Temple in Mumbai. Observers say this move is an attempt to regain its core voter base and counter the BJP's narrative on Hindutva, ahead of the upcoming civic polls. Analysts believe the party's "secular" stand may not be effective in the BMC elections and that its return to Hindutva is a sign of frustration from electoral setbacks.

SC reinstates woman sarpanch, fines Chhattisgarh govt

SC reinstates woman sarpanch, fines Chhattisgarh govt

Rediff.com14 Nov 2024

Coming down heavily on the Chhattisgarh government for removing an elected woman sarpanch of a remote village for 'unjustified reasons', the Supreme Court on Monday observed the state wanted the village head to go with a 'begging bowl before a babu (bureaucrat)'.

Bloodbath: 'Markets Can Fall Further From Here'

Bloodbath: 'Markets Can Fall Further From Here'

Rediff.com28 Feb 2025

As the Indian stock markets tumble under the panic set off by US President Donald Trump's tariff tantrums, three market experts weigh in on the reasons behind this fall, how much pain is left and how should investors adapt their strategies to invest in markets.