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Bombay High Court Acquits All 12 Accused After 19 Years On July 15, 2024, the Bombay High Court delivered a landmark judgment , acquitting 12 individuals previously convicted for their alleged involvement in the 2006 Mumbai serial train blasts , which had resulted in the deaths of 189 passengers and injuries to more than 827 commuters . The verdict, which comes 19 years after the tragedy , has triggered mixed reactions across the country—bringing joy to the families of those acquitted and renewed anguish to victims’ families still seeking justice. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis: "We Will Challenge the Verdict in Supreme Court" Reacting swiftly to the High Court’s decision, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed shock and disappointment , calling the verdict “very shocking.” He announced that the state government would move the Supreme Court to challenge the acquittals and seek a re-examination of the case. “The verdict of the Bombay High Court ...

Introduction: From Conflict to Code Once known primarily for its challenges—poverty, limited access to education, and persistent Naxal insurgency— Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra is now scripting a different story. At the heart of this transformation is a police-led initiative that’s empowering tribal youth through cutting-edge technology training in Artificial Intelligence (AI), software, and web development . The Gadchiroli Police Skilling Institute , under the leadership of Superintendent of Police Neelotpal , is becoming a model of grassroots tech empowerment , bridging the digital divide in one of India’s most underserved regions. Police-Led Tech Education: A Certified Mission The initiative took shape after the Gadchiroli Police Office received certification from the Maharashtra Government's Skill Development Department . With formal recognition, the Gadchiroli Police Skilling Institute began offering structured training in: Software Development Web Developm...

Key Drivers to Watch This Week Investors in Indian equity markets are gearing up for a critical trading week shaped by a confluence of macroeconomic data, corporate earnings, and global trade policy shifts. The immediate focus will be on the first-quarter earnings of market heavyweights, ongoing India-US tariff discussions , declining foreign exchange reserves , and key economic indicators from both the US and India. Q1 Earnings: All Eyes on Reliance, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank The spotlight remains on the upcoming earnings of three major companies— Reliance Industries, HDFC Bank , and ICICI Bank —whose quarterly results are expected to drive market sentiment. Analysts believe that the market's direction for the week could hinge on how these earnings play out. "The reaction to these earnings could provide near-term direction and either amplify the current trend or spark a reversal," said Sudeep Shah , Head of Technical and Derivative Research at SBI Securities . Th...

  Background of the Case The Delhi High Court has granted two-week interim bail to Praveen Dabas , one of the accused in the 2021 murder of minor wrestler Sagar Dhankhar . This case, which also includes Olympian wrestler Sushil Kumar as a co-accused, stems from an FIR registered at Model Town Police Station in Delhi. The bail was granted by Justice Sanjeev Narula on July 17 , primarily on humanitarian and medical grounds , after assessing Dabas's deteriorating health condition. Medical Grounds for Bail Justice Narula’s decision came after a detailed review of medical documents, as well as arguments from both sides. The Jail Superintendent’s medical report dated June 18, 2024 , highlighted that: Praveen Dabas suffers from chronic kidney disease and other associated complications. He has a long-standing case of asthma (post-Anti Tubercular Treatment) , causing continuous breathing issues and shortness of breath . Despite regular consultations with a nephrologist...

Strategic Reinsurance Collaboration Announced In a major move aimed at bolstering India’s insurance ecosystem, Jio Financial Services Limited (JFSL) and Allianz Group , through its wholly-owned subsidiary Allianz Europe BV , have entered into a binding agreement to establish a 50:50 domestic reinsurance joint venture . This strategic partnership is designed to cater to India’s dynamic and rapidly expanding insurance market, combining local strength with global reinsurance expertise. Combining Strengths: JFSL’s Local Digital Edge and Allianz’s Global Reinsurance Legacy The joint venture will integrate JFSL’s robust digital infrastructure and deep understanding of the Indian market with Allianz’s global experience in underwriting and reinsurance . Allianz, with over 25 years of reinsurance operations in India , will contribute through its established Allianz Re and Allianz Commercial portfolios, bringing world-class pricing, risk selection, and portfolio management capabiliti...

Background of the Case The Supreme Court of India is hearing a sensitive international child custody case involving a missing Russian woman and her four-year-old son, reportedly born out of wedlock with an Indian national. The woman has allegedly absconded with the child amid a custody battle, prompting urgent legal and investigative action. Centre’s Submission to Supreme Court On July 19, the Central Government , represented by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati , informed the Supreme Court that the Russian woman remains untraceable . She has not exited India through any legal immigration channel, and no air travel records indicate her departure. The ASG confirmed that: Look-Out Circulars (LOCs) and ‘Hue and Cry’ notices have been issued nationwide. Notices were disseminated to senior police officials across all states. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is overseeing the trace effort in cooperation with Delhi Police . Court Orders Swift Search...

Enforcement Directorate Raids Bhilai Residence of Chaitanya Baghel In a significant development in the Chhattisgarh liquor scam investigation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday, July 18 , conducted searches at the Bhilai residence of Chaitanya Baghel , son of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel . The raids were carried out in connection with alleged money laundering and irregularities linked to a multi-crore liquor scam in the state. According to ED sources, the operation was part of a broader probe to unearth the financial trail of illegal commissions and the alleged misuse of foreign and domestic funding routed through shell entities. Political Reactions: Bhupesh Baghel’s Office and Congress Respond Responding to the raid, Bhupesh Baghel’s office issued a statement on social media platform X, noting the timing of the action: “ED has arrived. Today is the last day of the Assembly session. The issue of trees being cut in Tamnar for Adani was supposed to be raise...

India’s Strategic Missile Arsenal Flexes Again On Thursday, India successfully conducted back-to-back test-firings of two key short-range ballistic missiles — Prithvi-II and Agni-I —from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha , marking another milestone in the country’s indigenous missile development program. According to the Ministry of Defence , all operational and technical parameters were validated, and the tests were conducted under the command of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) , which manages India’s nuclear arsenal and ballistic missile systems. Operational Validation: A Key Strategic Move Both Prithvi-II and Agni-I are surface-to-surface missiles designed for swift deployment and precision targeting. The successful test-firing of these ballistic missiles confirms India's capability to maintain credible deterrence amid growing regional security challenges. These trials also reaffirm India's operational readiness and capacity to launch swift,...

14 Locations Searched Across UP and Mumbai In a major development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday launched coordinated raids at 14 different locations , intensifying its probe into the high-profile Chhangur Baba religious conversion case . The raids began at 5 AM and covered 12 premises in Utraula (Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh) and 2 locations in Mumbai . These actions are part of an ongoing investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) , following allegations of large-scale illegal religious conversions , foreign funding misuse , and activities that could threaten communal harmony and national security . ECIR Registered, ₹106 Crore Under Scanner The ED registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) against Jamaluddin alias Chhangur Baba on July 9 , citing serious financial and national security concerns. As per official sources: Chhangur Baba is alleged to have received ₹106 crore , mostly from Middle East-based sources . The ...

Procedural Defect Does Not Grant Immunity from Re-Arrest In a significant ruling reinforcing the integrity of criminal investigations, the Delhi High Court has upheld the re-arrest of four individuals accused of involvement in organised crime . The Court clarified that procedural defects in an earlier arrest do not permanently insulate an accused from subsequent lawful arrest. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma emphasized that while procedural safeguards exist to protect personal liberty, they cannot be misused to obstruct investigations into heinous offences , particularly under laws like the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) . Background of the Case: From Technical Error to Re-Arrest The petitioners— Anwar Khan aka Chacha, Hasim Baba aka Asim, Sameer aka Baba, and Zoya Khan —were arrested in connection with FIR 629/2024 , which pertains to the murder of Sunil Jain . Their initial arrest was held "non-est" by a Special Judge on May 13, 2025 , owing to t...

Background of the Case On Tuesday, the Supreme Court of India directed several stand-up comedians— Samay Raina , Vipul Goyal , Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai , and Nishant Jagdsish Tanwar —to appear personally before the court in response to allegations of making insensitive and derogatory remarks against persons with disabilities . Comedian Sonali Thakkar (aka Sonali Aditya Desai) was allowed to appear virtually in the next hearing. The directive stems from a petition filed by M/s Cure SMA Foundation of India , an NGO working for persons affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). The petition raises serious concerns over online content that allegedly ridicules individuals with disabilities , in particular those living with rare disorders like SMA. Supreme Court’s Observations and Warnings A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi recorded the presence of all five comedians during the hearing and gave them two weeks to file replies . The bench made it clear tha...

  🚨 Context: India’s Growing NCD Burden In response to a dramatic rise in obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has issued a new directive to promote healthier food choices in public institutions. The circular, issued by Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, IAS, on 21 June 2025 , outlines the urgent need to display "Oil and Sugar Boards" in government workplaces. These boards are intended to serve as visual behavioural nudges encouraging reduced intake of sugar and oil—two leading culprits behind lifestyle-related health conditions in India. 📊 The Alarming Data As per NFHS-5 (2019-21) , 1 in 5 adults in urban India is either overweight or obese. The Lancet GBD 2021 forecast predicts the number of overweight and obese adults in India will rise from 18 crores in 2021 to 44.9 crores by 2050 , making it the second-highest global burden . Childhood obesity is...

Large-Scale Operation Against Tax Fraud Unveiled The Income Tax Department has launched a massive verification drive across multiple states, targeting widespread abuse of deductions and exemptions in Income Tax Returns (ITRs). This action follows a detailed forensic analysis revealing systemic misuse of provisions under the Income-tax Act, 1961 , in collusion with professional intermediaries and ITR preparers. Organised Rackets Behind Fictitious Claims According to a statement from the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) , investigations uncovered organised rackets run by certain ITR intermediaries who were systematically filing returns with fictitious claims. These schemes often involved fake deductions and exemptions and even false Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) filings , in a bid to inflate refunds . Many of these returns were facilitated through temporary email addresses , which were later abandoned—causing taxpayers to miss crucial communication from the tax department. ...

  Tripura Girl Goes Missing in Delhi: Initial Disappearance Sparks Panic 19-year-old Sneha Debnath , a student at Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College, Delhi University , and a native of Sabroom, South Tripura , was reported missing in New Delhi on July 7, 2025 . According to her family, Sneha last contacted her mother early that morning, stating she was accompanying a friend named Pitunia to Sarai Rohilla Railway Station . Her last phone call was made at 5:56 AM , and by 8:45 AM , her mobile was switched off. Family members later learned that Pitunia never met her that day, escalating their concerns. A cab driver traced by the family confirmed he had dropped Sneha near Delhi's Signature Bridge , a location that has drawn safety concerns in recent years due to poor surveillance and insufficient CCTV coverage. Tripura CM’s Intervention and Police Response As the disappearance gained attention, Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha swiftly responded. The Tripura Chief Minister...

IPL's Market Valuation Hits $18.5 Billion in 2025 According to the latest analysis by NYSE-listed global investment bank Houlihan Lokey, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has reached a business valuation of USD 18.5 billion (₹1.56 lakh crore) in 2025, registering a 12.9% increase from the previous year. The league’s brand value alone surged 13.8% , touching USD 3.9 billion (₹32,721 crore) —a 16.1% increase in INR terms . This upward trajectory positions IPL as not just a sporting league but a dominant commercial enterprise , deeply embedded in India’s entertainment and media ecosystem. Brand Value vs Business Valuation Houlihan Lokey’s analysis clarifies the distinction between brand value and business valuation : Brand value includes the intangible components such as trade name, trademark, goodwill, and recognition. Business valuation also incorporates tangible assets, operational revenue, and structural fundamentals. In IPL’s case, its brand and business mod...

India’s Indo-Pacific Strategy: Anchored in SAGAR India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in its Annual Report for 2024 , has underscored a growing strategic and economic role in the Indo-Pacific, guided by the SAGAR doctrine —Security and Growth for All in the Region. The report reiterates India’s steadfast commitment to a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific , which upholds sovereignty and international law and promotes peaceful resolution of disputes. SAGAR is not a standalone vision. It represents India’s intent for multi-dimensional engagement —political, economic, security, and cultural—with both regional powers and extra-regional stakeholders. 10 Years of Act East Policy and ASEAN Centrality Marking a decade of the Act East Policy , the report confirms that ASEAN remains central to India’s Indo-Pacific strategy. India’s relationship with ASEAN was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022. At the 21st India-ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, L...

  Policy, Procurement, and Partnerships Take Centre Stage Introduction: A New Chapter in Bilateral Defence Strategy The UK India Business Council (UKIBC) has released a comprehensive report that outlines a strategic framework for enhancing defence cooperation between the United Kingdom and India . This timely intervention comes at a moment when India’s defence manufacturing sector is booming , guided by national missions such as Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat . The UKIBC’s recommendations are designed to strengthen both government-to-government (G2G) collaboration and industry-to-industry linkages across critical defence and aerospace domains. UKIBC’s Institutional Role and Strategic Vision As a policy advocacy and strategic consulting non-profit , UKIBC plays a crucial role in advancing trade and investment between the UK and India. The latest report builds upon academic studies, government reports, industry insights, and expert interviews to identify opportunity ...