News for 'Special Counsel'

Madras HC appoints officer to probe TN custodial death

Madras HC appoints officer to probe TN custodial death

Rediff.com1 Jul 2025

The Madras high court on Tuesday appointed an inquiry officer into the Sivaganga custodial death case and allowed a CB-CID probe into the matter.

EC publishes names of 65L deleted Bihar voters, INDIA bloc calls it farce

EC publishes names of 65L deleted Bihar voters, INDIA bloc calls it farce

Rediff.com18 Aug 2025

The development came in the backdrop of the Supreme Court's direction that details of the deleted names be made public by August 19 and a compliance report be filed by August 22.

32 Delhi schools receive hoax bomb threats; police assure serious probe

32 Delhi schools receive hoax bomb threats; police assure serious probe

Rediff.com18 Aug 2025

The schools included Delhi Public School, Modern Convent School, and Shree Ram World School, a senior police officer said, adding that the threats were received via e-mail.

Modi Isn't Going To Retire On September 17

Modi Isn't Going To Retire On September 17

Rediff.com11 Aug 2025

'Mr Modi has the power and pre-eminence in the BJP-RSS to choose how long he wants to serve, and he is definitely going to want to contest in 2029.' 'He will only be 79, as old as Donald Trump now, and fitter,' observes Shekhar Gupta.

SAD leader Majithia moves HC against assets case, calls it vendetta

SAD leader Majithia moves HC against assets case, calls it vendetta

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

The bureau had on June 25 registered an FIR and arrested Majithia in the case allegedly involving laundering of Rs 540 crore of "drug money".

'Loot and kill Sikhs': Tytler incited mob, witness tells court

'Loot and kill Sikhs': Tytler incited mob, witness tells court

Rediff.com11 Jul 2025

An eyewitness in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case related to the Pul Bangash Gurdwara in North Delhi has testified in court, accusing Congress leader Jagdish Tytler of instigating the mob to violence.

HC grants pre-arrest bail to NewsClick founder, cites prolonged probe

HC grants pre-arrest bail to NewsClick founder, cites prolonged probe

Rediff.com24 Jul 2025

The court said there is nothing on record to suggest that since 2023, Purkayastha was ever called to join the investigations.

SC sets aside arrest order against TN top cop, transfers probe

SC sets aside arrest order against TN top cop, transfers probe

Rediff.com19 Jun 2025

A bench of Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan asked the Madras high court chief justice to transfer the cases involving the ADGP to another bench as it set aside the directive of the high court asking the police to take Jayaram into custody.

Stray dog problem due to inaction, says SC; reserves order

Stray dog problem due to inaction, says SC; reserves order

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

A two-judge bench of the top court had on August 11 directed authorities in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) to start picking up stray dogs from all localities "at the earliest" and relocate the animals to dog shelters.

What You Must Know About The CEC

What You Must Know About The CEC

Rediff.com4 Aug 2025

As an IAS officer in Kerala, Gyanesh Kumar -- who the Congress described as Amit Shah's 'right hand man' -- had a good working equation with the state's Congress and Left leaders.

Savarkar defamation case: Rahul Gandhi pleads not guilty

Savarkar defamation case: Rahul Gandhi pleads not guilty

Rediff.com11 Jul 2025

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi pleaded not guilty in a Pune court in a defamation case pertaining to his comments on Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar. The case was filed by Satyaki Savarkar, a grandnephew of V D Savarkar, accusing Gandhi of making false allegations against the Hindutva ideologue during his address in London in March 2023.

Ex-CM Bhupesh Baghel's son held in liquor scam case

Ex-CM Bhupesh Baghel's son held in liquor scam case

Rediff.com19 Jul 2025

The sources said that Chaitnaya Baghel was arrested under section 19 of the anti-money laundering as he was allegedly not cooperating during the searches that came about following receipt of fresh evidence in the case.

How online war games turn out to be recruitment hub in J-K

How online war games turn out to be recruitment hub in J-K

Rediff.com25 Jul 2025

Terror groups are using online war games to communicate with recruits in Jammu and Kashmir, bypassing traditional social media channels, officials said.

UP man held for communal post has objectionable videos of Hindu women

UP man held for communal post has objectionable videos of Hindu women

Rediff.com12 Jun 2025

Objectionable photos and videos allegedly involving Hindu women have been found in the mobile phone of a Muslim youth arrested for sharing a 'provocative' message on social media on Eid, police said.

Blood samples of Porsche juvenile's mother collected for DNA tests

Blood samples of Porsche juvenile's mother collected for DNA tests

Rediff.com4 Jun 2024

The blood samples of the mother of the juvenile allegedly involved in the May 19 Pune Porsche crash case were collected on Monday for DNA testing, a police official said.

CBI to probe TN custodial death; 5 cops held for murder

CBI to probe TN custodial death; 5 cops held for murder

Rediff.com1 Jul 2025

Amid widespread outrage and criticism, and opposition demand for a CBI probe, Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday ordered transferring to the central agency, the investigation into death of Ajithkumar (29), who was picked up by a "special team" for interrogation in connection with a theft case.

President Nominates Nikam, Shringla To Rajya Sabha

President Nominates Nikam, Shringla To Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com13 Jul 2025

Former foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, Kerala BJP leader C Sadanandan Master and Delhi-based historian Meenakshi Jain have been nominated to the Rajya Sabha.

SC rejects PIL seeking gender-neutral dowry, maintenance laws

SC rejects PIL seeking gender-neutral dowry, maintenance laws

Rediff.com15 Apr 2025

The Supreme Court of India has dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking to make dowry harassment and maintenance provisions "gender neutral." The court stated that it cannot legislate law and it is the responsibility of Parliament to look into such matters. The PIL, filed by an NGO, argued that these provisions are often misused to harass husbands and their families. The court, however, emphasized that every case must be judged on its own merits, and that the provisions are intended to protect women and children. The court also noted that the allegation of misuse was vague and that such claims should be examined on a case-by-case basis.

Unclear Goals Of The 130th Amendment

Unclear Goals Of The 130th Amendment

Rediff.com2 Sep 2025

'Non-BJP state governments and their leaders, navigating today's political landscape, know well they have no clue what awaits around the corner.' 'The chances of charges pressed and oneself getting parked in custody play out on an uneven playing field,' points out Shyam G Menon.

SC seeks Centre's response on plea against validity of 1995 Waqf Act

SC seeks Centre's response on plea against validity of 1995 Waqf Act

Rediff.com27 May 2025

The Supreme Court of India has sought responses from the Centre and others on a petition challenging the constitutional validity of certain provisions of the Waqf Act, 1995. The petition argues that the Act gives undue favor to waqf properties and deprives non-Muslims of their property rights. The court has tagged the petition with pending petitions that raise similar issues.

How ATS Messed Up 7/11 Case

How ATS Messed Up 7/11 Case

Rediff.com22 Jul 2025

The investigation for 7/11 blast in which 189 people died was under question mark from the very first month after the Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad started arresting the accused from different parts of city. Within 10 days of blast by July 22, 2006, ATS arrested all the 13 terror accused in the case under the leadership of ATS chief, K P Raghuvanshi.

Biden names 2 Indian-Americans to Office of White House Counsel

Biden names 2 Indian-Americans to Office of White House Counsel

Rediff.com12 Jan 2021

United States President-elect Joe Biden on Monday named two Indian Americans -- Reema Shah and Neha Gupta -- to the Office of the White House Counsel.

HC to hear 'framing judge' audio clip charge against ACB officer

HC to hear 'framing judge' audio clip charge against ACB officer

Rediff.com27 May 2025

A lawyer has submitted an audio clip to the Delhi High Court, allegedly containing an admission by a senior Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) officer about attempts to frame a special judge in a corruption case. The lawyer, representing a court staff member who filed a petition seeking an independent investigation, claims the ACB lodged an FIR against the staff member to "settle score" with the judge who issued notices to the ACB's joint commissioner for alleged threats to staff. The audio clip allegedly features an ACB officer admitting to framing the judge due to adverse rulings and suggesting that the judge was targeted due to his questioning of the ACB's investigations.

SC backs EC's Bihar voter list drive, flags concerns over timing

SC backs EC's Bihar voter list drive, flags concerns over timing

Rediff.com10 Jul 2025

A bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi, however, questioned the timing of the exercise, besides offering its prima facie view that Aadhaar card, voter ID card and ration cards could be considered during the SIR in Bihar.

ED books Sonia, Rahul in National Herald case; Cong says vendetta

ED books Sonia, Rahul in National Herald case; Cong says vendetta

Rediff.com15 Apr 2025

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a chargesheet against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others on charges of money laundering in the National Herald case. The chargesheet, filed on April 9, names Congress leaders Sam Pitroda and Suman Dubey as accused persons. The case pertains to the alleged fraudulent takeover of properties valued over Rs 2,000 crore belonging to the Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the publisher of the National Herald news platform. The ED alleges that Young Indian, a private company "beneficially owned" by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, "acquired" AJL properties for a mere Rs 50 lakh, significantly undervaluing its worth. The case has been transferred to Special Judge Vishal Gogne's court for further proceedings.

Accused in Chennai's Anna University sexual assault case found guilty

Accused in Chennai's Anna University sexual assault case found guilty

Rediff.com28 May 2025

A Mahila Court in Chennai has found Gnanasekaran guilty in the sensational Anna University woman student sexual assault case. The court held that the prosecution proved the case beyond reasonable doubt. The verdict in the case will be pronounced on June 2.

The 'Turram Khan' Who Could Be India's Next VP

The 'Turram Khan' Who Could Be India's Next VP

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

'His willingness to take the initiative to fight for truth and justice and his willingness to cross swords with anyone for a just cause.'

26/11 accused Rana moves court for permission to talk to family

26/11 accused Rana moves court for permission to talk to family

Rediff.com22 Apr 2025

Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman and accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, has moved a court seeking permission to talk to his family members. The NIA has been directed to file a reply by April 23.

Why India Should Not Worry About Trump

Why India Should Not Worry About Trump

Rediff.com31 Jul 2025

Trump's method are more destabilising than his policy. So, a good idea these couple of years is to sip Kool-Aid, and savour the joys of Trumplomacy, asserts Shekhar Gupta.

Former HC judge acquitted in 'cash at door' case 17 yrs later

Former HC judge acquitted in 'cash at door' case 17 yrs later

Rediff.com29 Mar 2025

Seventeen years after the cash-at-judge's door case rocked the judiciary, a special Central Bureau of Investigation court in Chandigarh on Saturday acquitted former Punjab and Haryana high court judge Nirmal Yadav and four others in the matter.

India's Two Front War Challenge

India's Two Front War Challenge

Rediff.com29 Jul 2025

The Chinese see no need to fight directly. They have an able and willing proxy in Pakistan, points out Shekhar Gupta.

Arms dealer Bhandari opposes ED's fugitive plea in black money case

Arms dealer Bhandari opposes ED's fugitive plea in black money case

Rediff.com20 Apr 2025

Arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari has opposed the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) plea in a Delhi court seeking to declare him a "fugitive " in connection with a black money case. Bhandari claims his stay in the UK is legal as the London High Court denied his extradition to India. The court's decision was also cited by an English court in April to deny the Indian government's request to extradite another accused in a rice-buying scam. Bhandari's lawyer argued that the ED's application was "vague, misplaced and without jurisdiction " and that the value involved in the case was less than the required Rs 100 crore to declare someone a "fugitive. " The Delhi court has sought the ED's rebuttal to Bhandari's argument by May 3.

Kolkata gangrape: Custody of 3 accused extended; SIT probes call records

Kolkata gangrape: Custody of 3 accused extended; SIT probes call records

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

Mishra vanished from police radar at that time before resurfacing in 2017 when he took readmission to the college from where he passed out in 2022.

What Is Special Marriage Act?

What Is Special Marriage Act?

Rediff.com4 Jan 2024

Children born under the Special Marriage Act have equal rights over both parents' properties, regardless of their parents' religion or background.

HC asks J-K MP Engineer Rashid to deposit Rs 4 lakh for Parl travel

HC asks J-K MP Engineer Rashid to deposit Rs 4 lakh for Parl travel

Rediff.com28 Mar 2025

The Delhi High Court has ordered Jammu and Kashmir MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh, alias Engineer Rashid, to deposit Rs 4 lakh with the prison authorities as travel expenses for attending Parliament. The court allowed Rashid to attend the ongoing Parliament session "in-custody" till April 4, but the NIA had raised concerns about him being a flight risk. Rashid has been lodged in Delhi's Tihar Jail since 2019 after the NIA arrested him in a 2017 terror-funding case.

Govt names Narender Mann as prosecutor in Rana case

Govt names Narender Mann as prosecutor in Rana case

Rediff.com10 Apr 2025

The central government has appointed advocate Narender Mann as special public prosecutor to conduct trials and other matters related to the National Investigation Agency case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI against Tahawwur Hussain Rana and David Coleman Headley, who is in a US prison following a plea deal.

Court raps Tihar authorities for keeping Christian Michel with 'desperate criminal'

Court raps Tihar authorities for keeping Christian Michel with 'desperate criminal'

Rediff.com16 Apr 2025

A Delhi court has reprimanded Tihar Jail authorities for allegedly keeping Christian Michel James, an alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland case, with an inmate who has received 41 punishments for misconduct, raising concerns about Michel's safety. The court also ordered the jail to provide Michel with a table fan, stating that even animals in zoological parks are provided air conditioning. Michel had previously requested to finish his sentence and leave India due to security risks.

Justice Gavai sworn in as CJI, to have 6-month tenure

Justice Gavai sworn in as CJI, to have 6-month tenure

Rediff.com14 May 2025

Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai was on Wednesday sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India.

Tahawwur Rana produced in court; NIA seeks 20-day custody

Tahawwur Rana produced in court; NIA seeks 20-day custody

Rediff.com11 Apr 2025

Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key figure in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, has been extradited from the US to India and produced before a Delhi court. Rana, a close associate of David Coleman Headley, was brought to India after the US Supreme Court dismissed his review plea against extradition. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has sought 20 days of custody to interrogate Rana, citing clinching evidence, including emails. The agency believes that Rana's interrogation is critical to understanding the larger conspiracy behind the attacks and his role in planning them.

Allahabad HC junks Sambhal mosque's plea against survey

Allahabad HC junks Sambhal mosque's plea against survey

Rediff.com19 May 2025

The Committee of Management, Shahi Jama Masjid, moved the high court challenging the suit and the Sambhal court order which directed the survey through an advocate commissioner.