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CCPA Directs Ola to Provide Consumer Choice for Refunds and Ensures Billing Transparency The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)  has issued a directive to Ola , the ride-hailing giant, to revamp its refund policy and ensure transparency in its billing for auto rides. This regulatory action is aimed at protecting consumer rights and enhancing service transparency. Consumer-Friendly Refund Mechanism   Under the CCPA’s directive , Ola is now required to offer customers the option to select their preferred refund method. Previously, refunds were provided solely in the form of coupons for future rides, which the CCPA found to be a potential infringement on consumer rights. The new system allows consumers to choose between refunds to their bank accounts  or coupon codes , empowering them with more control over their refunds. CCPA's Intervention on Refund Policy   This intervention by the CCPA, led by Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare , followed complaints ...

NCP Leader Baba Siddique Succumbs to Gunshot Injuries,  Post-Mortem at Cooper Hospital In a tragic turn of events, NCP leader Baba Siddique was shot by unidentified assailants in Bandra, Mumbai, on Saturday evening. Despite all efforts by the medical team at Lilavati Hospital , Siddique succumbed to his injuries late Saturday night. His body has since been moved to Cooper Hospital for a post-mortem examination, as Mumbai Police continue their investigation into the high-profile killing. Baba Siddique’s Shooting: Incident Details The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, near Nirmal Nagar in Bandra. Siddique, a three-time MLA from Bandra West and a former Maharashtra Minister, was a prominent leader of Ajit Pawar's faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) . He had switched allegiances earlier this year after resigning from the Congress. On Saturday evening, he was shot in the chest by unknown attackers. Doctors at Lilavati Hospital Tried to Save Siddique Accord...

Special Train Departs from Chennai Central with Stranded Passengers after Bagmati Express Collision A special train was swiftly arranged to transport the stranded passengers of the Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express after it collided with a stationary goods train. The collision took place at Kavaraippettai Railway Station, near Chennai. The special train departed from Dr. MGR Chennai Central Railway Station early on Saturday at around 04:45 a.m., allowing passengers to continue their journey with minimal delay. Passengers were provided with food and water during their wait at the station, demonstrating the prompt response of railway officials. Railways Set Up Help Desk for Passenger Support In a quick move to assist the affected travelers, a help desk was established at Chennai Central Railway Station. This desk provided real-time support, addressing passenger concerns and helping them with travel queries and onward journey arrangements. This step ensured that all passengers received the...

The Curious Case of a Missing Man Found Alive: Supreme Court to Examine Police Custody Mystery In a case that reads more like the plot of a Bollywood thriller , the Supreme Court is currently examining a curious incident where a man presumed dead for 14 years  after allegedly escaping police custody was found alive . The case, dating back to 2005 , has raised questions about police misconduct, wrongful detainment, and an alleged conspiracy involving the Punjab Police . Background of the Case: The Disappearance and "Death" The saga began in August 2005 , when Hardeep Singh was arrested by Punjab Police under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) from Ludhiana. The very next day, the police claimed that Hardeep Singh had escaped from custody . A First Information Report (FIR) was registered under Section 224 of the IPC  against him, which deals with the escape of a person from lawful custody. His father, Naginder Singh , filed a habeas corpus petition , i...

A Titan of Industry and Philanthropy: Ratan Tata's  Enduring Legacy Ratan N. Tata , one of India’s most respected and beloved industrialists, has left an indelible mark not only on the business world but also on society through his immense contributions across different sectors, including education, healthcare, and philanthropy. As the Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons , his leadership, vision, and compassion touched the lives of millions. A Humble Leader with Global Impact Known for his humility , vision , and integrity , Ratan Tata led the Tata Group  to unprecedented heights, cementing its position on the global stage. He was not just a business magnate; he was a philanthropist , a role model , and a nation-builder . His global contributions earned him the Padma Vibhushan  in 2008, India’s second-highest civilian honor. Taking charge in 1991, Ratan Tata navigated the company through a rapidly changing economic landscape, capitalizing on India’s economic liberalization . D...

PIL Filed in Delhi High Court Against Ticket Scalping  Ahead of Diljit Dosanjh's Concert A Public Interest Litigation (PIL)  has been filed in the Delhi High Court  highlighting the unethical and illegal practice of ticket scalping , which refers to the resale of event tickets at inflated prices. This PIL specifically relates to the upcoming concert of renowned singer Diljit Dosanjh . The case is listed for hearing before the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court on Wednesday . The Allegations: Unethical Reselling Practices The petition has been moved by Rohan Gupta  through a team of advocates comprising Jatin Yadav , Daksh Gupta , Gaurav Dua , and Saurabh Dua . It highlights a growing concern about the exploitation of concert-goers through ticket scalping, which has become a widespread issue in India. This unethical practice leaves genuine fans at a disadvantage while resellers profit through significant price hikes. The petitioner references events such as the concer...

Plea Filed in Supreme Court for Restoration of  Jammu and Kashmir’s Statehood A fresh plea has been filed in the Supreme Court  of India, urging the Court to issue directions for the immediate restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir . The application, filed by Zahoor Ahmed Bhat (a college teacher) and activist Khurshaid Ahmad Malik , calls for a time-bound restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, stating that the delay is causing significant harm to both the federal structure of the country and the fundamental rights of its citizens. Background and Key Points of the Plea Union Government’s Assurance The plea argues that despite assurances given by the Solicitor General of India that Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood would be restored, there has been no progress over the last ten months  since the Supreme Court’s decision on the abrogation of Article 370 . The petitioners have filed this application seeking a two-month timeframe  for the restoration of sta...

Supreme Court Dismisses Review Pleas on States' Power to  Levy Tax on Minerals In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India has dismissed review petitions challenging its earlier judgment, which allowed states to levy taxes on mineral-bearing lands . The judgment also upheld that royalty on extracted minerals is not a tax. The petitions were aimed at revisiting the decision of the nine-judge bench but were rejected by a majority verdict. Background of the Case The core issue in the case revolved around whether state governments have the power to levy taxes on mines and minerals , a matter of critical importance for natural resource management and fiscal federalism . The nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court had ruled in July 2024 that states hold the legislative power to tax mineral rights and that royalty payments made to the government are contractual considerations , not taxes. The decision was appealed by the Central Government , pointing out what it termed as ...

Supreme Court Judgment on the Auction Sale of Mula Sahakari Soot Girni Ltd. Property: A Detailed Analysis Introduction In Civil Appeal No. 8343 of 2024 (arising from SLP(C) No. 16901 of 2024), the Ahmednagar District Central Cooperative Bank Ltd. (Appellant) challenged the High Court of Judicature at Bombay’s dismissal of its writ petition regarding the auction sale of property belonging to Mula Sahakari Soot Girni Ltd. (under liquidation). The appellant contested the auction sale based on two major issues: undervaluation of the property and the participation of fewer than three bidders , claiming these issues led to an unjust outcome.  Background and Facts of the Case Loan Sanctioning and Default The appellant had sanctioned a cash credit loan of ₹95 lakh  to the Mula Sahakari Soot Girni Ltd. (referred to as "the society"). When the society defaulted on loan repayment, the appellant lodged a dispute with the Registrar of Cooperative Societies in 2001  for recovery o...

Plea in Delhi High Court Raises Concerns Over Mobile Apps Sharing Sensitive Vehicle Owner Data A petition has been filed in the Delhi High Court raising serious concerns about mobile applications that allow third-party access to the personal and sensitive information of vehicle owners. The plea, filed by Gopal Bansal , a practicing advocate, highlights potential privacy violations and security risks caused by these apps providing easy access to information such as the vehicle owner's name , address , and vehicle details . Key Points of the Petition 1. Access to Sensitive Information: The petitioner argued that the ease with which these apps provide access to personal information could result in misuse , with malicious intent. He claimed that this could jeopardize the safety and privacy of vehicle owners. 2. Judges and Senior Advocates Targeted: In his petition, Bansal stated that he was able to obtain information about vehicles reportedly used by judges and senior advocat...

 Supreme Court Petition Filed for SIT Formation in  Badlapur Encounter Case A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court of India seeking the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the Badlapur encounter case. The petitioner, advocate Ghanshyam Upadhyay , is requesting a thorough investigation into the alleged police encounter of Akshay Anna Shinde , the main accused in the Badlapur incident, which has gained nationwide attention, especially in Maharashtra. Key Requests of the Petition The petition seeks several critical actions to ensure transparency and justice: 1. Formation of an SIT: The petitioner urges the Supreme Court to constitute an SIT to investigate the Badlapur encounter. This SIT should consist of officials of impeachable character , drawn not only from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) but also from other agencies outside the direct or indirect control of the Maharashtra state government or political parties in power. 2. Retired ...

Supreme Court Decision: V. Senthil Balaji vs  The Directorate of Enforcement Background and Case Summary The case under discussion is Criminal Appeal No. 4011 of 2024 , which arose from Special Leave Petition (Crl.) No. 3986 of 2024 . V. Senthil Balaji, a former Transport Minister in Tamil Nadu (2011-2016), was accused of involvement in a significant job racketeering scheme. The charges against him primarily relate to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 . Allegations The allegations stem from several FIRs filed between 2015 and 2018, which accuse Balaji of promising jobs in the Transport Department in exchange for money. It was claimed that Balaji, along with his associates, collected large sums of money for posts like drivers, conductors, junior tradesmen, and engineers. Over 2,000 individuals were named as accused , and multiple chargesheets  were filed under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) , the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 , and the PMLA. The ...

Supreme Court Directs Implementation of Guidelines  on Child Safety and Security in Schools Across  States and Union Territories In a significant ruling on child safety , the Supreme Court of India  has directed all states and union territories to implement the Centre’s guidelines  on the safety and security of children in schools. The court also tasked the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) with coordinating and monitoring the implementation of these guidelines. Supreme Court’s Direction on Child Safety A bench comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and N Kotiswar Singh noted that the Centre had already notified the guidelines on child safety and directed the union government  to ensure that copies of the guidelines are sent to chief secretaries or their equivalent officers in each state and union territory.  The NCPCR  was entrusted with coordinating with state governments and seeking status reports on the implementation of ...

Supreme Court Calls NRI Quota a "Fraud": Time to End the Misuse in Medical College Admissions In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of India  has made it clear that the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) quota  in medical college admissions has been severely misused and must be stopped. The Court dismissed three petitions that challenged the Punjab and Haryana High Court's  ruling, which had quashed a Punjab government notification aimed at amending the conditions for NRI quota admissions in medical colleges. The apex court called the entire system a "fraud" that is damaging India’s education system and must come to an end. The Problem: The Misuse of NRI Quota The original intention behind the NRI quota was to offer Non-Resident Indians  (Indian citizens living abroad) and their children a way to secure education opportunities in India. The idea was to keep them connected to the country by providing them with some level of preference, particularly in sectors like ...

Defamation Case Against Delhi CM Atishi Marlena,  Arvind Kejriwal Set for Arguments on Charge In a significant development, the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi has scheduled the hearing of a defamation case against Delhi Chief Minister Atishi Marlena , former CM Arvind Kejriwal , and other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders for October 3, 2024 . The case, filed by BJP leader Rajeev Babbar in 2020, accuses the AAP leaders of making defamatory statements against the BJP, allegedly damaging the party’s reputation. Background of the Defamation Case The defamation case was initiated by Rajeev Babbar, a BJP leader from Delhi, who alleged that Arvind Kejriwal , Atishi Marlena , and other senior AAP leaders falsely accused the BJP of orchestrating the removal of 30 lakh names from the Delhi electoral rolls. These voters, Babbar contended, were primarily from the Baniya , Muslim , and Poorvanchali communities. The accusations, made during the run-up to the 2020 Delhi Assembly elections, sought t...

India and the US: Strengthening Tech Innovation & Collaboration with Global Leaders As part of his three-day visit to the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi  engaged with top CEOs from the global technology sector, emphasizing India’s commitment to innovation , technology , and collaboration in cutting-edge industries. The roundtable discussions took place in New York , where PM Modi assured leaders from some of the world’s most influential tech companies of India’s focus on intellectual property protection and fostering an innovation-driven economy . Technology and Innovation: The Focus of PM Modi’s Discussions At the heart of his interactions, PM Modi spoke about the immense potential India offers  for collaboration in advanced areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) , quantum computing , semiconductors , and biotechnology . The roundtable included influential figures such as Shantanu Narayen (CEO of Adobe), Sundar Pichai (CEO of Google), Arvind Krishna ...

Delhi High Court Allows Minority College Students to File Nominations for DUSU Elections In a significant ruling, the Delhi High Court granted interim relief to two students from Shri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College and Shri Guru Govind Singh College of Commerce , allowing them to file their nominations for the upcoming Delhi University Students Union (DUSU)  elections. The Court's intervention came after a petition was filed challenging the decision of three minority colleges to dissociate themselves from the elections. The Petition and Key Players The petitioners, Rachit Rai and Utkarsh Bhatt, are students of the above-mentioned colleges and had approached the Delhi High Court seeking relief after their colleges announced their withdrawal from the DUSU elections . The students, represented by Advocate Shashank Shekhar Jha, argued that the dissociation of their colleges from the elections was abrupt and challenged the colleges’ decision under the guise of their minority status pro...