The major news from yesterday revolves around the Anti-Rape Bill in West Bengal. The state assembly passed the bill, which mandates the death penalty within 10 days if the victim falls into a coma or dies. Another significant update is regarding the web series IC814 on the Kandahar hijacking, where Netflix has included the real and code names of the hijackers after controversy.
But before we dive into yesterday’s big news, here are the key events to watch today:
- Kolkata High Court Hearing: The case of financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College will be heard. This is where the rape-murder of a trainee doctor occurred.
- Rahul Gandhi’s Jammu & Kashmir Visit: Rahul Gandhi will hold two election rallies, one in Anantnag, Kashmir, and the other in Sangaldan, Jammu.
- PM Modi’s Brunei Visit: On the second day of his visit, PM Modi may sign an energy agreement. He will depart for Singapore in the evening.
Yesterday’s Top Stories:
1. Netflix Revises Web Series IC814 Amidst Controversy: Real and Code Names of Hijackers Included
The storyline of this series is based on the book Flight Into Fear – The Captain’s Story by senior journalists Sreenjoy Chowdhury and Devi Sharan.
Netflix made changes to the controversial web series IC814 – The Kandahar Hijack on September 3, adding the real and code names of the hijackers to the opening disclaimer. The series had sparked a controversy over the use of Hindu names for the hijackers, leading to demands for its ban. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued a notice to Netflix seeking clarification.
In the series, the hijackers used code names like ‘Burger’, ‘Chief’, ‘Shankar’, and ‘Bhola’ instead of their real names during the incident. This led to objections on social media, with accusations that the series was trying to conceal the real identities of the terrorists. The series was released on Netflix on August 29.
2. West Bengal Assembly Passes Anti-Rape Bill: Death Penalty Within 10 Days if Victim Dies or Goes into Coma
In a special session, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee presented this bill on behalf of the government.
The West Bengal Assembly passed the Anti-Rape Bill on September 3. Under the new law, investigations in rape cases must be completed within 21 days. Additionally, if the victim falls into a coma or dies, the guilty party will be sentenced to death within 10 days. The BJP also supported the bill.
What’s Next After the Bill’s Passage: The bill, named Aparajita Mahila Evam Bal Vidheyak 2024 (West Bengal Criminal Law Amendment), will now be sent to the Governor and then to the President. After approval from both, it will become law.
Why the Bill was Introduced: The bill was brought in response to the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 8-9. Following protests by doctors and political parties nationwide, Mamata Banerjee promised to enact strict laws for crimes like rape in the state. She even wrote to the Prime Minister twice on this issue.
3. Potential Congress-AAP Alliance in Haryana: Rahul Gandhi Forms Committee, Will Meet Local Leaders
The second meeting of Congress’s Central Election Committee (CEC) was held at the party headquarters in Delhi on September 3, with Rahul Gandhi in attendance.
A Congress-AAP alliance could be on the cards for the Haryana Assembly elections. During the CEC meeting, Rahul Gandhi inquired with Haryana leaders about the possibility of an alliance. A committee led by KC Venugopal, including Deepak Babaria, Ajay Maken, and Bhupinder Hooda, has been formed to explore the alliance.
Congress-AAP Alliance in Previous Elections: Both parties had earlier joined forces for the Chandigarh mayoral and Lok Sabha elections. The Congress and AAP want to repeat this formula. In the state’s last Lok Sabha elections, Congress contested 9 seats, while AAP contested 1, winning 5 seats. However, AAP lost the Kurukshetra seat.
Three Reasons Behind the Alliance:
- To avoid splitting opposition votes. Previously, in Gujarat, Congress suffered significant losses when AAP and Congress contested separately.
- Haryana shares a border with Punjab, where AAP is in power. AAP’s influence on border seats could cut into Congress votes, potentially causing further harm.
- Rahul Gandhi aims to maintain opposition unity, showcasing a fully united front.
4. Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: Former Principal Sent to 8-Day CBI Custody; Arrested on Corruption Charges
Former Principal Sandeep Ghosh of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, along with three others, was arrested on corruption charges on September 2.
Former Principal Sandeep Ghosh of Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and three others have been sent to 8-day CBI custody. The CBI produced them in Alipore Court on September 3 after their arrest on August 2 on corruption charges.
Health Department Suspends Ghosh: Following this decision, the West Bengal Health Department issued a notification suspending Sandeep Ghosh due to ongoing legal proceedings against him. Earlier, on August 28, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) revoked Ghosh’s membership.
5. Coast Guard Helicopter Crashes into Sea off Gujarat Coast: Two Bodies Recovered, One Crew Member Rescued, One Missing
An advanced light helicopter (Dhruv) of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) crashed into the Arabian Sea near Porbandar, Gujarat. Two crew members’ bodies have been recovered, one crew member is missing, and one has been rescued. The wreckage of the helicopter has also been found. The incident occurred on September 2, with the ICG revealing the details on September 3.
Four Ships and Two Aircraft Deployed for Search: The helicopter was on a rescue mission to a cargo ship, 45 kilometers off the Porbandar coast. Two pilots and two divers were on board. One diver has been rescued. The Coast Guard has deployed four ships and two aircraft for the search operation. The ALH Dhruv had recently rescued 67 people from flood-affected areas in Gujarat.
6. PM Modi Receives Red Carpet Welcome in Brunei on His 2-Day Visit; Greeted by Crown Prince and Given Guard of Honor
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Brunei for a two-day visit. He was given a red carpet welcome at the airport by Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, followed by a guard of honor. The Indian community in the capital city, Bandar Seri Begawan, also greeted him at his hotel.
First Visit by an Indian PM to Brunei: This visit marks 40 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. PM Modi arrived in Brunei at the invitation of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. He was also welcomed at the world’s largest palace, ‘Istana Nurul Iman’.
Lavish Lifestyle of Brunei’s Sultan: Sultan Bolkiah is the 29th Sultan of Brunei. Since the British left in 1984, he has also served as Brunei’s Prime Minister. After Queen Elizabeth II, Bolkiah is the longest-reigning monarch, having celebrated his Golden Jubilee in 2017 after 50 years of rule.
7. Bangladesh Wins Test Series Against Pakistan for the First Time: Clean Sweep with 2-0 Victory
Bangladesh achieved a historic victory in the Rawalpindi Test against Pakistan on September 3. This marks the first time in Test cricket history that Bangladesh has won a series against Pakistan. Six Test series have been played between the two countries, with Pakistan winning five.
How Bangladesh Won Both Test Matches: The final match of the 2-Test series between Pakistan and Bangladesh was played in Rawalpindi. On the last day of the match, under the captaincy of Najmul Hossain Shanto, Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by 6 wickets.
Here are some key headlines:
Crime: Student in Haryana mistaken for a cow smuggler, killed. Vigilantes chased the car for 30 km; all five accused have surrendered.
Monsoon Tracker: 33 dead due to rain and floods in Telangana-Andhra; 432 trains canceled. Rain expected in 23 states today, red alert in Gujarat.
National: Swati Maliwal shares Draupadi’s disrobing photo: Posts it after Kejriwal’s PA Bibhav was granted bail in the assault case.
National: Rahul Gandhi meets with a trackman: Says- “No promotion or emotion in the system for those who ensure railway safety; trackmen are the most neglected.”
Court: Kejriwal’s CBI custody extended till September 11: Rouse Avenue Court takes cognizance of the CBI’s supplementary chargesheet; summons issued to CM.
Politics: Congress finalizes 32 more candidates, holds seats for Selja and Surjewala: On Vinesh Phogat’s candidacy, in-charge Babria says they will decide tomorrow.
National: Terrorists fire on police in Rajouri: Security forces surround the area; a soldier was martyred in an attack at Sunjwan Military Station yesterday.
International: Russia fires two ballistic missiles at Ukraine: Claims 41 dead, 180 injured; attacks on hospital and other buildings, people trapped under debris.
Paris Paralympics: Deepti Jeevanji wins bronze in 400 meters: Deepti becomes the second Indian athlete to win a medal in track events at the Paralympic Games.
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