Sanjay Raut Convicted in Defamation Case: 15 Days Jail and ₹25,000 Fine
Metropolitan Magistrate in Mazgaon has convicted Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut in a defamation case. He has been sentenced to 15 days in jail and fined ₹25,000. The case was filed by Dr. Medha Somaiya, wife of BJP leader Kirit Somaiya. Medha alleged that Raut made baseless accusations against her and her husband regarding a ₹100 crore scam linked to the construction and maintenance of public toilets in Mira-Bhayandar, which tarnished their reputation.
Former Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji Granted Bail by Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has granted bail to former Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji in a money laundering case. Balaji was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) last June in connection with a cash-for-jobs scam. The bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih granted him bail under strict conditions and directed the special court to expedite the trial. A 3,000-page charge sheet was filed against him. Earlier, both the High Court and the local court had rejected his bail pleas.
AFSPA Extended for Six Months in Parts of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh
The central government has extended the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) for six months in parts of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. The law will remain in force in eight districts of Nagaland and parts of five other districts. Similarly, in Arunachal Pradesh, it will apply to three districts and areas in Namsai district. Introduced in 1958, AFSPA allows security forces to make arrests and use force without a warrant in disturbed areas to maintain peace, initially implemented in the Northeast and later extended to Jammu and Kashmir in 1990 to tackle terrorism.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Pune Visit Canceled Due to Heavy Rains
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Pune has been canceled due to heavy rains. The event was scheduled to take place at Sir Parshuram College Ground, but waterlogging at the venue caused by continuous rain over the past few days led to its cancellation. Modi was supposed to flag off a metro train and inaugurate development projects worth ₹22,600 crore ahead of the state assembly elections. However, due to the bad weather, the visit was called off.
Satyendar Jain’s Bail Hearing Scheduled for October 5
Former Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain’s bail plea in a money laundering case will be heard on October 5. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) opposed his bail in a reply filed in the Special CBI Court. Jain was arrested in May 2022 on money laundering charges. His bail application is still pending in the Delhi High Court.
Prime Minister Modi’s Agra Visit Also Canceled Due to Heavy Rains
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Agra has also been canceled due to heavy rainfall.
Important Events and News
Here are today’s major headlines and events:
Key Events of the Day:
- PM Narendra Modi will virtually lay the foundation stone for the new civil enclave near Kheria Airport in Agra.
- Delhi High Court will hear the sexual harassment case against Brij Bhushan Singh filed by female wrestlers.
- Delhi’s new Chief Minister Atishi will address the Assembly session.
Yesterday’s Major News:
Jammu & Kashmir Elections: 55% Turnout in Second Phase, 5% Lower than 2014
In the second phase of the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly elections, 55% of voters cast their ballots across 26 seats in six districts, according to data from the Election Commission till 9 PM. This is 5% lower than the 60% turnout recorded in 2014. Reasi district had the highest voter turnout at 71.81%, while Srinagar recorded the lowest turnout at 27.37%.
The assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir are taking place in three phases for the region’s 90 assembly seats. The first phase, held on September 18, saw 61.38% voter turnout across 24 seats in seven districts. The third phase is scheduled for October 1, with results to be declared on October 8.
53 Drugs Fail Quality Tests
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) found that 53 drugs, including Paracetamol, failed quality tests. The failed drugs include multi-vitamins, antifungal, diabetes, blood pressure medications, and antibiotics. Although 53 drugs were tested, only 48 were listed in the report, as five drugs were found to be counterfeit.
Among the companies whose drugs failed the test are Hindustan Antibiotics Limited, whose Metronidazole for stomach infections did not pass, Torrent Pharmaceuticals’ Shellcal tablets, and Sun Pharma’s Pantocid tablets.
CJI Remarks on Divisive Statements
During a Supreme Court hearing, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud expressed disapproval of a controversial comment made by a Karnataka High Court judge. The judge, Justice V. Srishananda, had referred to a Muslim-majority area in Bengaluru as “Pakistan” during a case hearing. The CJI remarked, “You cannot call any part of the country ‘Pakistan.’ This goes against the fundamental principles of national unity.” Justice Srishananda has since apologized to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court gave three key pieces of advice to judges:
- Careless comments reflect personal bias and should be avoided.
- Judges must adapt their behavior to the standards of the digital age and make proper comments.
- Public trust in the judiciary should be maintained through measured and responsible statements.
Encounter Killing in Maharashtra Raises Doubts
The Bombay High Court raised questions about an encounter in Badlapur, Thane, where police killed Akshay Shinde, who was accused of sexually assaulting two young girls. The court asked the Maharashtra government, “How can we accept that four officers could not handle one accused?”
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde defended the police, saying they shot Akshay Shinde in self-defense. He added, “If the accused had escaped, the opposition would have questioned whether the police were just holding guns for show.”
Gold Prices Surpass ₹75,000
Gold prices have crossed the ₹75,000 mark, with 10 grams of gold now costing ₹75,260, after an increase of ₹496. This marks a new record. Gold prices have risen by ₹1,167 this week alone, and by ₹11,908 over the year. Meanwhile, silver prices have reached ₹90,730 per kilogram.
According to HDFC Securities, gold prices are expected to increase further, potentially reaching ₹78,000 per 10 grams by the end of the year.
Jaishankar Clarifies on India-China Dispute
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar clarified his recent statement that 75% of India’s dispute with China had been resolved. He explained that he was only referring to the military disengagement between the two nations. Other issues with China, however, remain unresolved and continue to pose challenges.
Hezbollah Claims Missile Attack on Israel
Hezbollah has claimed that they launched a ballistic missile attack near Israel’s Mossad headquarters, killing 51 Lebanese civilians. In response, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has advised Indian citizens to leave Lebanon immediately due to the escalating situation.
The ministry issued an advisory urging those with urgent reasons to stay in Lebanon to take extreme caution during travel.
Additional Headlines:
- National: Lokayukta will investigate the Mysore land scam involving former CM Siddaramaiah. The Special Court has ordered a report to be submitted within three months.
- National: In Himachal Pradesh, the Congress government has ordered hotels and dhabas to install nameplates, following a similar rule implemented in Uttar Pradesh.
- Politics: PM Modi warned that the Congress Party would ruin Haryana if elected, while also criticizing Congress for fueling terrorism and separatism in Kashmir.
- National: Actress Kangana Ranaut apologized for her earlier comments on the farm laws, retracting her statement.
- Politics: Arvind Kejriwal wrote a letter to RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, raising five questions, including whether it is right for the BJP to topple state governments.
- National: The Waqf Bill has received 1.25 crore pieces of feedback, which the BJP called “shocking,” suspecting ISI and Chinese interference.
- Sports: Australia suffered its first defeat since winning the World Cup, losing to England by 46 runs under the DLS method. England’s Harry Brook scored his first century.
- International: Saudi Arabia has expressed frustration over Pakistani beggars using Umrah visas as a pretext to seek alms in the country, urging the Shehbaz government to take action.
- International: China has conducted its first Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) test in 44 years, launching a mock warhead into the Pacific Ocean.
Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation Necklace to be Auctioned
A necklace worn by Queen Elizabeth II during her coronation is set to be auctioned for over £2 million (approximately ₹20 crore). The 300-carat necklace, held by the Marquess of Anglesey family, was also worn during the coronation of King George VI. The auction will take place at Sotheby’s in Geneva, Switzerland.
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