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Global Financial Markets Await US Fed’s Monetary Policy Review: Implications for Indian Markets As financial markets globally brace for the US Federal Reserve's monetary policy review on September 17-18, 2024, investors are keenly watching the potential interest rate cuts and their wider implications. The impact of these outcomes is not limited to the US but extends to emerging markets like India, where investor sentiment and financial strategies could be significantly influenced by the Fed’s decisions. US Monetary Policy in Focus Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell recently hinted at a possible interest rate cut, stating that the time has come to adjust monetary policy. However, Powell stopped short of specifying the quantum of the cut, leaving markets speculating about whether the rate reduction will be shallow or deep.  The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting is anticipated to mark the beginning of a monetary policy shift, as inflation in the US continues to moderate....

Supreme Court Grants Bail to Arvind Kejriwal in  Delhi Excise Policy Case, Upholds Legality of Arrest In a recent Supreme Court decision, the appeals in Criminal Appeal Nos. 3816 and 3817 of 2024 involving Arvind Kejriwal versus the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) were addressed. These appeals arise from a Special Leave Petition challenging Kejriwal's arrest by the CBI in relation to alleged irregularities and conspiracy surrounding the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22. Background of the Case 1. FIR and Allegations: The CBI filed an FIR on 17 August 2022, accusing officials in the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) of engaging in conspiracy and corruption while implementing the Excise Policy 2021-2022. This policy allegedly involved undue benefits to certain liquor wholesalers and retailers. Though Kejriwal’s name was not initially mentioned in the FIR, his arrest came after further investigation by the CBI and the Directorate of Enforcement (ED).   ...

Suo Motu Action Requested by Former SCBA President on Behalf of West Bengal Judicial Officers In a concerning development, Adish Aggarwala, former President of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and Senior Advocate, has called upon the Chief Justice of India (CJI) to take suo motu action on a troubling incident involving three judicial officers from West Bengal. The officers, based in Diamond Harbour, South 24 Parganas, have raised serious concerns over an incident that threatens the independence of the judiciary. The Incident: A Threat to Judicial Independence The judicial officers, residing in the official judicial quarters known as "Judges Abasan", recounted a troubling event that occurred in the early hours of September 9, 2024. In their letter, they revealed that a police officer from the Diamond Harbour district instructed security guards to allow two individuals to enter the premises to disconnect the power supply at an unusual and inappropriate hour. This act ha...

Plea in Supreme Court Seeks Regulatory Board for OTT Platforms: A Need for Stronger Content Monitoring A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court of India demanding the establishment of a regulatory board to monitor and manage content on Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms. Filed by advocate Shashank Shekhar Jha, the petition emphasizes the lack of stringent checks and balances for OTT platforms, which has led to concerns over explicit content, violence, substance abuse, and its potential national security implications. Issues Highlighted in the Plea The petition raises concerns about the unregulated nature of digital streaming platforms compared to traditional media such as films and television. Unlike movies shown in theaters, OTT content is not subjected to a certification process before release. This has led to an increase in explicit scenes, graphic violence, substance abuse, and other harmful content, which is often made available without appropriate warnings or restrictions. According ...

Supreme Court Issues Stay on Defamation Proceedings Against Shashi Tharoor On September 10, 2024, the Supreme Court of India stayed the defamation proceedings against Shashi Tharoor, a sitting Member of Parliament, while hearing his appeal in a Special Leave Petition (SLP) related to remarks made in 2018. The complaint was filed under Section 200 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), accusing Tharoor of defamation under Sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for statements he made referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Background of the Case The controversy stems from a speech made by Shashi Tharoor on October 28, 2018, where he quoted a metaphor that had previously appeared in an article published in The Caravan Magazine on March 1, 2012. Tharoor referenced the metaphor, allegedly made by an unnamed source in the RSS, describing Prime Minister Modi as a "scorpion sitting on a Shivling," a remark meant to illustrate the difficulty of managing Modi's l...

Supreme Court Dismisses Abhishek Banerjee and Rujira Banerjee’s Appeals Against ED Summons Under PMLA In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court of India dismissed the appeals filed by Abhishek Banerjee and Rujira Banerjee challenging the summons issued to them by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA). The appellants had sought relief from the ED's summons to appear in New Delhi, arguing for a venue closer to their hometown, Kolkata, and questioned the legal grounds for their summons under the PMLA. Background of the Case The case originated with an FIR registered by the CBI regarding illegal coal mining activities in the leasehold areas of Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL). The investigation revealed significant instances of money laundering involving illegal coal extraction and transportation, amounting to approximately Rs. 1300 crore. This led to the ED's involvement, which resulted in the issuance of summons to...

Nibe Limited Announces India's First Earth Observation  Satellite Constellation In a significant move towards bolstering India's self-reliance in the defence and space sectors, Nibe Space Pvt. Ltd. (NSPL) , a subsidiary of Nibe Limited , announced its ambitious plan to establish India's first multi-sensor, all-weather, high-revisit Earth Observation Satellite Constellation . The announcement took place at a high-profile event in Mumbai, attended by key players in India's space and defence industries. Strategic Initiative to Strengthen India’s Defence-Space Capabilities NSPL's groundbreaking initiative aims to address the space-based earth observation needs of various Indian stakeholders by creating the first-ever private constellation of Earth Observation Satellites in India. The project involves the launch of 40 satellites into low-Earth orbit (LEO) over the next five to six years. These satellites will provide high-resolution imagery , with a ground sample dist...

Delhi High Court: Video Recording of Bail Proceedings Mandatory Under SC/ST Act, Even in Sexual Offence Cases In a landmark ruling, the Delhi High Court held that video recording of bail proceedings under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 is mandatory, even in cases involving sexual offences. The ruling was issued by Justice Vikas Mahajan while hearing the bail application of Laxmi Narayan, the accused in a highly sensitive Delhi minor rape and murder case. The case involved provisions from the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and the SC/ST Act. Section 15A(10) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 The primary focus of the judgment was on Section 15A(10) of the SC/ST Act, which mandates that all proceedings under the Act, including bail hearings, must be video recorded. This provision is in place to protect the rights of victims, especially those belonging to marginalized commu...

Health Ministry Introduces New Shorter and More Effective Treatment Regimen for Drug-Resistant TB in India Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and in line with India's goal to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) by 2025, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has approved the introduction of the BPaLM regimen for treating multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). This new regimen promises a more efficacious and shorter treatment duration, making it a breakthrough for the country’s National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP). Introduction of the BPaLM Regimen The BPaLM regimen includes a combination of four drugs: Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid, and Moxifloxacin. Among these, Pretomanid, a new anti-TB drug, was previously approved and licensed for use in India by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). The combination of these drugs provides a highly effective, shorter, and safer treatment alternative for MDR-TB patients. This new regimen is a s...

Poker and Rummy are Games of Skill, Not Gambling :  Allahabad High Court In a significant ruling, the Allahabad High Court has affirmed that poker and rummy should be classified as games of skill rather than gambling. The decision came from a division bench comprising Justice Shekhar B Saraf and Justice Manjeev Shukla, who delivered the judgment in response to a petition filed by DM Gaming Private Limited. Petition Filed by DM Gaming Private Limited DM Gaming Private Limited challenged an earlier order by the Agra City Commissionerate that denied the company permission to operate poker and rummy gaming units. The company filed a petition under Article 226 of the Constitution, challenging the decision made by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Agra City Commissionerate, on January 24, 2024. Basis of the Petition: Games of Skill vs Gambling The crux of the petition rested on the legal distinction between games of skill and gambling. DM Gaming argued that poker and rummy have be...

Delhi Riots Case 2020: High Court Dismisses Sharjeel Imam's Plea for Early Hearing of Bail Petition The Delhi High Court has dismissed a petition filed by Sharjeel Imam, seeking an early hearing of his bail plea, which has been pending for the last 28 months. Imam, a former Ph.D. student of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), has been in custody since January 28, 2020, as one of the accused in the larger conspiracy case of the Delhi Riots 2020. Dismissal of Plea for Early Hearing The division bench, led by Justice Suresh Kumar Kait, rejected the plea, emphasizing that the bail matter is already scheduled for a hearing on October 7, 2024. The court saw no necessity for advancing the hearing date. Imam had filed this petition challenging the trial court's order, dated April 11, 2022, which had dismissed his regular bail application. Timeline of Appeal and Delays The plea highlighted that the appeal against the trial court’s order has been pending for 28 months, which has led to pr...

West Bengal Legislative Assembly Passes 'Aparajita  Anti-Rape Bill' Introduction: Historic Legislation Passed The West Bengal Legislative Assembly made a significant move by unanimously passing the 'Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) 2024' on Tuesday. This bill, named 'Aparajita' meaning "unconquerable," aims to introduce stricter penalties for crimes against women and children, particularly in response to the tragic events that have recently gripped the state. Context: Tragic Incident Sparks Legislative Action This bill's passage follows the horrifying rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical Centre and Hospital on August 9, which sent shockwaves throughout the state and country. The public outcry and protests by medical professionals underscored the need for more stringent laws to protect women and children from such heinous crimes. Support from the Chief Minister: Mamata Banerjee’s Stand West Be...

AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan Detained by ED in  Waqf Board Money Laundering Case The Enforcement Directorate (ED) detained Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Amanatullah Khan on Monday. The investigative agency conducted a raid at his residence in connection with a money laundering case linked to the Delhi Waqf Board, where Khan serves as Chairman.  The Allegations: Misuse of Waqf Properties The case revolves around alleged irregularities in Waqf properties, including illegal leasing and appointments. The ED claims that Khan, along with other accused, misappropriated funds and violated rules during his tenure. The agency has already filed a charge sheet against four accused persons and one firm, alleging that Rs 100 crore worth of Waqf properties were leased illegally. Raid and Detention The ED arrived at Amanatullah Khan’s residence early Monday morning, executing a search warrant. Despite his protests and claims of innocence, Khan was detained and taken into custody. Khan's cousin, Minna...

Second Case Filed Against Director Ranjith for Sexual Assault Kerala police have registered a second sexual assault case against well-known film director Ranjith. This development follows a complaint by an aspiring male actor, bringing further attention to the issue of sexual misconduct in the Malayalam film industry. Details of the Second Complaint The latest complaint was filed in Kozhikode by an aspiring male actor who alleges that Ranjith sexually assaulted him in 2012. According to the actor, Ranjith had invited him to a hotel in Bangalore for an audition. During the audition, Ranjith allegedly forced the actor to strip naked and then sexually assaulted him. The actor, initially believing this was part of the audition process, realized the gravity of the situation the following morning when Ranjith offered him money. The actor later filed a formal complaint with the Director General of Police (DGP), which is now under investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). Previous A...

Indian Embassy in Laos Rescues 47 Nationals from  Cyber-Scam Centres in Golden Triangle SEZ In a significant and timely rescue operation, the Indian Embassy in Laos has successfully secured the release of 47 Indian nationals who were trapped in cyber-scam centres within the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Bokeo Province, Laos. This operation, which highlights the Embassy's unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of Indian citizens abroad, was carried out in close coordination with local Lao authorities. Discovery of the Situation The plight of the trapped Indian nationals came to light during a crackdown by Lao authorities on illegal activities in the Golden Triangle SEZ. This area, located near the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, has gained notoriety as a hub for various illicit activities, including cyber scams targeting unsuspecting individuals worldwide. During this operation, Lao authorities identified and handed over 29 Indians to the Indian ...

Indian Para-Athletes Shine at Paris Paralympics 2024 The Indian contingent at the Paris Paralympics 2024 has been making waves with remarkable performances across various disciplines. From archery to rowing, and badminton to athletics, Indian para-athletes have demonstrated their skill, determination, and resilience on the global stage, making the nation proud. Stellar Performances in Archery In the men’s individual archery event, Rakesh Kumar showcased his exceptional talent in the 1/16 Elimination Round. He secured a victory against Senegal’s Aliou Drame with a score of 136-131, advancing to the 1/8 Elimination Round. His next challenge will be against Indonesia’s Ken Swagumilang on September 1, a match that is highly anticipated by fans and supporters. Shyam Sundar also displayed incredible resilience in the archery event, finishing 15th and securing his spot in the 1/16 elimination round. Meanwhile, Sarita, competing in the women’s individual compound open, delivered a sensational ...

DGCA Issues Show-Cause Notice to Akasa Airlines  for Regulatory Breaches The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India's apex body for aviation safety and regulatory oversight, has taken serious action against Akasa Airlines. Following a rigorous spot audit, the DGCA issued a show-cause notice to the airline, citing significant regulatory violations. This move underscores the DGCA's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety and compliance in India. Findings from the DGCA Audit The DGCA’s recent spot audit of Akasa Airlines revealed that the airline had conducted practical training sessions without obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals. This lapse is particularly concerning as it raises questions about the adequacy of the airline's training programs and overall operational readiness. Training sessions, especially those involving practical simulations, are crucial for ensuring that crew members are fully prepared for all scenarios the...