Students at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara are facing abuse and harassment after the university released a video featuring them, allegedly without their consent, to dismiss claims of a student's rape. The students involved claim the video was cropped and they were not consulted before its release, leading to further distress amidst campus protests and highway blockage.
The Allahabad High Court has overturned a 1988 conviction of a man named Subhash in a 1986 rape and kidnapping case, citing the prosecution's failure to establish proof beyond reasonable doubt. The court observed that the woman, who was over 19 at the time, appeared to be a consenting party, and found glaring inconsistencies in the prosecution's case, which was not corroborated by medical or oral evidence, leading to the acquittal.
The CBI has taken over the investigation into the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa, Punjab. A special team has been formed, including drug controllers, forensic experts, and GST officials, to examine all angles of the killing. The takeover follows the Punjab government's consent and a notification extending CBI's jurisdiction. Ashwani Kumar, accused of the shooting, has been apprehended. Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann announced the CBI probe, fulfilling the family's demand.
The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre and others regarding a plea challenging the validity of 'Talaq-e-Hasan' and other forms of unilateral divorce under Muslim personal law. The petition also seeks uniform procedural safeguards, economic protection for divorced women, and questions the constitutionality of Section 2 of the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, as well as the lack of safeguards against polygamy.
'We see a lot of cases of bank deposits getting lost, especially when people die, so this will help address that because you have one consolidated view.'
The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Election Commission and its chief regarding a plea by Sanjay Raut and 12 others, including Rahul Gandhi, concerning alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions. The court provisionally entertained Raut's petition but stated he would need to explain his conduct, while also addressing allegations of attempts to 'browbeat' the judiciary.
Police in Thane district have arrested 10 individuals for allegedly operating a work-from-home scam. The fraudsters reportedly lured job seekers, collected their bank details and SIM cards, and then diverted their money into illegal online betting platforms. The racket was exposed following a complaint, leading to a raid in Mumbai where several electronic devices were seized and the accused apprehended.
The West Bengal government has restored general consent for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate cases involving central government employees and public sector undertakings within the state. This decision reverses a 2018 move by the previous Trinamool Congress government to withdraw such consent, allowing the CBI to operate more freely in these specific matters.
A Delhi court has denied anticipatory bail to a university professor accused of raping a former student and threatening to circulate her objectionable videos. The court cited WhatsApp chats indicating coercion and the risk of witness tampering and evidence destruction if bail were granted. The investigation has been assigned to a senior police officer.
Pramod Kumar, Secretary General of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), has accused President Ajay Singh and Executive Director Col. Arun Malik of "criminal intimidation" to prevent a no-confidence motion against Singh. Kumar alleges a governance breakdown, threats to state units, and revocation of his email access, while Malik dismisses all charges as baseless.
Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla, convicted in the sensational blue drum murder case, have appealed their death sentence in the Allahabad High Court. They argue the trial court's verdict, based on circumstantial evidence, was illegal and arbitrary, citing lack of concrete proof and procedural lapses. The High Court is expected to hear the matter next week.
Nandan Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys, has urged for the expanded adoption of the Account Aggregator (AA) framework to facilitate formal credit access for self-employed individuals and gig workers. He highlighted its potential to enable cash-flow-based lending by leveraging diverse data streams, moving beyond traditional asset-based lending, and fostering a more inclusive digital financial infrastructure in India.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Wednesday that Ukraine stands prepared to freeze the conflict along the current front line and transition towards diplomatic negotiations as part of initiatives to end the war with Russia.dukr
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Secretary Chanchal Kumar outlined the critical factors for the media and entertainment sector's next growth phase, including robust intellectual property, sustainable revenue models, and disciplined investments. Speaking at the CII Big Picture Summit, he emphasised the government's role in fostering an environment for creative enterprises and addressing challenges posed by digital platforms and AI. The CII White Paper also projected a USD 100 billion Indian M&E sector, advocating for stronger IP and regulatory reforms.
The legal battle between former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly and the makers of the film Doosra perfectly highlights the tension between broadcast licensing and a celebrity's personality rights.
The Supreme Court has declared that children have a fundamental right to access and use the internet, directing the Centre to establish a national database for detecting and removing child sexually explicit visual content. The ruling, stemming from a plea by NGO Just Rights for Children Alliance, emphasises the internet's value for learning and expression while acknowledging the need for safeguards like parental consent and a "child mode" for accounts, rather than blanket restrictions.
A simplified GST registration facility for small e-commerce sellers, allowing them to register in other states by declaring the e-commerce platform's warehouse as their principal place of business, will be enabled from November 1. This move aims to encourage small businesses to expand beyond their home states.
The Chhattisgarh government has approved a CBI probe into the alleged large-scale theft of iron and scrap from the Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) in Durg district. This follows the arrest of 21 individuals, including a BJP functionary and BSP officials, and the seizure of assets worth Rs 3.22 crore in May. BJP MLA Rikesh Sen, who has been vocal about the issue, welcomed the decision, stating that "white-collar" individuals involved in looting national assets will now face action.
The Supreme Court has ruled that a physical relationship between two consenting unmarried adults cannot be used to draw an adverse impression about a person's character. This observation came while directing the appointment of a police constable candidate whose selection was cancelled due to a past criminal case stemming from a failed romantic relationship, which was later settled.
Adani Group-controlled Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) has reiterated that airlines must decide whether to shift flights to Navi Mumbai, temporarily suspend operations at Mumbai airport, or pursue other alternatives from the summer 2027 schedule due to Terminal 1's redevelopment.
Pooja Meri Jaan sometimes gets heavy-handed, but makes the point clear that any conversation around consent must begin with taking a 'no' seriously. That's a message worth reiterating, asserts Mayur Sanap.
A court in Bhiwandi, Thane, rejected the anticipatory bail application of former BJP MLA Narendra Pawar in a gangrape case. The court deemed the allegations grave and a prima facie case, necessitating custodial interrogation. Pawar and another accused, Shailesh Patil, are accused of gangraping a woman at a farmhouse after luring her there.
The official Congress Keralam 'X' account posted a controversial message against CJI Surya Kant, which quickly went viral before being deleted. The party subsequently removed the individual responsible, with KPCC president Sunny Joseph stating the post was unauthorised and did not reflect the party's stance on judicial impartiality. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju criticised Congress over the incident.
A Thane court has acquitted a 35-year-old man accused of rape under the pretext of marriage, ruling that the relationship was consensual. The court cited a Supreme Court precedent, noting that a promise of marriage made after the first sexual encounter does not constitute a false promise.
Trai has brought app-based spam calls under tighter regulations through new A2P call rules.
The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch has arrested eight individuals and taken action against three minors in connection with nine FIRs related to online harassment, fake social media profiles, objectionable content circulation, and blackmail. The arrests were made under "Mission Cyber Rakshika," an initiative focused on protecting women from cyber-stalking and abuse.
I have spent the last couple of days trying to understand what exactly is making me so angry about the viral controversy surrounding comedian Pranit More's crowd-work show. At first, I thought it was because of the audience member whose story has now sparked outrage across social media. Then I thought it was because of the comedian's response.
The Supreme Court has refused to entertain the Centre's plea challenging the Calcutta High Court's decision to uphold the maintainability of Public Interest Litigations (PILs) against the Great Nicobar Island mega-infrastructure project. The PILs allege violations of the Forest Rights Act and impact on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups. The apex court directed the High Court to proceed with hearing all related petitions.
'Men think that if she doesn't like me, I am entitled to make her like me. What men need to realise is that it's nothing but her choice.'
Unless the Congress stops seeing a CIA and RSS in everyone who disagrees with it, many well-meaning people will find it difficult to rub shoulders with Rahul Gandhi, notes M R Narayan Swamy.
'...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.'
In the latest episode of The Rediff Podcast, Saurabh Sachdeva gets candid about the years of struggle and the lessons he had to unlearn to find his place in cinema.
India's GST Council has approved changes allowing small online sellers to register in states without physical premises by using an e-commerce operator's warehouse as their principal place of business, aiming to boost national sales for small businesses.
Police in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, used tear gas to disperse protesters demonstrating against the proposed demolition of a portion of the Shahi Masjid for a road-widening project. The project is aimed at easing pilgrim movement for Simhastha Kumbh 2028, and despite initial protests, local authorities and the city Qazi claim the issue was resolved through mutual consent, with the Chief Minister also setting an example by demolishing part of his ancestral home.
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.
Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati has reappointed her nephew Akash Anand as the party's national convenor, reversing an earlier decision to remove him. This move comes after Anand's expression of desire to return and considering party members' views, with Mayawati emphasizing the decision was made in the interest of the party and the movement.
India secured its first shooting gold medal at the Asian Games with Kamaljeet and Suruchi Inder Singh winning the 10m air pistol mixed team event. The victory came after a last-minute decision to replace Kedarling Uchaganve with Kamaljeet due to Kedarling's dip in form. This unexpected pairing set a Games and Asian record, ending India's six-day wait for a top-podium finish in shooting and alleviating pressure on the contingent.
A 26-year-old man was allegedly beaten to death by his friend in Goregaon, Mumbai, following an argument over the victim using the friend's clothes and personal belongings without permission. The accused has been charged with murder, and police are searching for him.
The Centre has informed the Delhi High Court that adults, including those in non-heterosexual relationships, should be allowed to nominate partners for medical decision-making in cases of incapacity. This submission comes in response to a petition seeking recognition of same-sex partners as medical representatives, with the government stating this approach aligns with existing legal and ethical frameworks, respecting patient autonomy and ensuring continuity of care.
The GST Council, chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has begun deliberations on significant reforms, including decriminalising nine offences, softening provisions for 24, and raising the threshold for criminal prosecution to Rs 5 crore. The proposed changes also include scrapping the arrest powers of GST officers and introducing an 'invoice matching system' to combat fake input tax credit claims, aiming for a trust-based taxation approach and enhanced ease of doing business.
