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The Delhi High Court has delivered a significant judgment clarifying that child protection laws, particularly under the POCSO Act, cannot be exploited for personal vendetta in matrimonial disputes. The ruling comes in a case where a woman attempted to implicate her in-laws in a child sexual abuse case involving her estranged husband. Background of the Case The case originated in 2020 , when the woman lodged an FIR against her husband and her daughter’s cousin, accusing them of sexually assaulting her minor daughter. The FIR invoked several provisions: IPC Section 354 – Outraging modesty IPC Section 376DB – Gang rape of a girl below 12 years POCSO Section 6 – Aggravated penetrative sexual assault POCSO Section 10 – Aggravated sexual assault POCSO Section 12 – Sexual harassment of a child Additionally, the woman herself was charged under POCSO Section 21 for failing to promptly report the offence, but the Delhi High Court set aside this charge in 2023. Tri...

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) released its Crime in India 2023 report, revealing a mixed trend in India’s crime landscape. While heinous crimes like murder and rape declined, overall criminal cases rose sharply, largely due to cybercrimes, rash driving, forgery, and cheating. Overall Crime Rate in 2023 Total crimes registered in 2023: 6.24 million cases (↑7.2% from 2022). Cases under IPC: 3.76 million , ↑5.7% after declines in 2021 and 2022. Cases under Special and Local Laws (SLL): 2.48 million , ↑9.5% from 2022. Crime in India 2023 shows that a crime occurred every 5 seconds on average. Decline in Heinous Crimes Murder cases declined by 2.8% . Rape cases fell by 5.9% . Dowry deaths decreased by 4.6% . Attempt to rape dropped by 15% . Crimes against women overall rose marginally by 0.7% . However, offences under “outraging modesty” of women saw a small growth of 0.7% . Rise in Abductions and Crimes Against Children Abduction...

As India braces for the upcoming monetary policy review, SBI Research has recommended a 25 basis points (bps) cut in the repo rate , citing benign inflation and global headwinds. While some economists expect a status quo, the debate underscores the delicate balance between inflation management, growth, and global shocks like US tariffs. SBI Research: Why a Rate Cut Now? According to SBI Research, there is both “merit and rationale” for the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to reduce the repo rate by 25 bps. The key reasons include: Retail inflation under control , with expectations that it will remain below the RBI’s target of 4%. GST rationalisation measures , which are expected to keep prices suppressed. Impact of 50% US tariffs on India , already visible in slowing economic activity. Diverging Views: Economists Weigh In While SBI Research makes a strong case for easing, not all economists agree: Bank of Baroda (Madan Sabnavis) : Warns that GDP growth is still projec...

India’s triumph over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final should have been a night of celebration. Instead, the victory was marred by controversy when Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairperson and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi allegedly left the Dubai International Stadium with the trophy , denying India the chance to lift the silverware. India Clinches Record 9th Asia Cup Title India secured its record-extending ninth Asia Cup title with a five-wicket win over Pakistan. Chasing 147, Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 69 off 53 balls proved decisive, while Rinku Singh struck the winning runs . The victory reinforced India’s dominance in Asian cricket. The final showcased resilience and teamwork, with Suryakumar Yadav leading the side effectively. At the end of play, the scoreboard and big screen declared India as “Asia Cup 2025 Champions.” Trophy Drama: What Happened After the Win While players were ready for the presentation, events took an unexpected turn: The post-ma...

Arrest of Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan The Uttar Pradesh police on Saturday arrested Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) chief Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan in connection with the violence that erupted in Bareilly a day earlier. The arrest followed protests linked to the cleric’s call for a demonstration under the “I Love Muhammad” campaign. Police confirmed that Khan has been sent to judicial custody . So far, 10 FIRs have been registered against nearly 2,000 people , including both identified and unidentified individuals. Authorities stated that 39 people have been arrested , while more are under investigation.

Background of the Dispute The case arose out of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) dated 09.04.2014 between HLV Limited (formerly Hotel Leelaventure Pvt. Ltd.) and PBSAMP Projects Pvt. Ltd. . The agreement related to the sale of land at Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, where PBSAMP paid ₹15.5 crore as advance . When disputes emerged, the MoU was terminated, and arbitration proceedings began.

Market Reaction vs. Ground Reality The announcement of a 100% US tariff on branded and patented drug imports , effective October 1, 2025 , triggered a sharp decline in some of India’s biggest pharmaceutical stocks such as Sun Pharma, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, and Cipla . However, the market reaction appears largely unfounded. The tariffs primarily target branded, patented drugs rather than generic medicines , which form the bulk of India’s exports to the United States. According to ICICI Securities’ research analyst Pankaj Pandey, the near-term impact remains limited , though uncertainty lingers over whether complex generics and biosimilars might eventually come under the tariff umbrella. India’s Share in US Pharma Imports While the US is the largest export market for Indian drugmakers, India accounts for only 5.3% of total US pharma imports . India’s pharma exports to the US in 2024: $13.1 billion (about one-third of total pharma exports in FY25). Ireland was the top ex...

Introduction In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of India has restored JSW Steel’s ₹19,700 crore resolution plan for Bhushan Power & Steel Ltd (BPSL). The ruling reverses the Court’s own May 2025 verdict that had ordered liquidation of the debt-ridden company, thereby reaffirming the sanctity of India’s Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). This judgment brings clarity to one of the most contentious insolvency cases in recent years and ensures stability for lenders, resolution applicants, and the insolvency ecosystem at large. Background: The BPSL Insolvency Bhushan Power & Steel Ltd (BPSL), part of the group of 12 large corporate defaulters identified by the Reserve Bank of India in 2017, defaulted on loans exceeding ₹47,000 crore. Following a competitive bidding process, JSW Steel emerged as the top bidder in 2018, offering ₹19,700 crore. The plan received approval from 97% of lenders, was cleared by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in 2019, and upheld by ...

The Supreme Court of India has issued a landmark order directing trial courts to conduct criminal cases on a day-to-day basis in line with Section 309 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), now reflected in Section 346 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. This move is aimed at curbing the long delays in trials and ensuring the constitutional mandate of a speedy trial under Article 21 of the Constitution. Background: Need for Speedy Trials A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan highlighted that many criminal trials in India stretch for months or even years due to prolonged witness examinations and frequent adjournments. The court observed that the earlier practice — where important and sensitive cases were conducted on a day-to-day basis nearly three decades ago — has largely been abandoned. It emphasized the need to revive that tradition to strengthen judicial efficiency. Supreme Court’s Key Observations The bench criticized the pieceme...

Landmark Ruling on Real Estate Disputes In a significant ruling aimed at protecting homebuyers, the Supreme Court of India has held that real estate developers must compensate buyers at the same punitive rate of interest they themselves impose on buyers for payment delays. This decision seeks to establish parity and fairness in the highly contested builder-buyer relationship. The ruling came from a bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and AG Masih , who directed M/s Business Park Town Planners Ltd to refund the principal amount to the buyer with 18% interest per annum , instead of the 9% interest awarded earlier by the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC). Case Background: A 12-Year Struggle for Justice The dispute began in 2006 , when homebuyer Rajnesh Sharma booked a plot in the builder’s Park Land project in Haryana for ₹36.03 lakh. By 2011, Sharma had already paid over ₹28 lakh, but possession of the property was not handed over. Instead, the builder offere...

The case of Chaitanyananda Saraswati , also known as Dr Parthasarathy , has once again brought attention to allegations of misconduct by self-styled godmen in India. The 62-year-old monk-turned-educator is accused of sexually harassing students at a Delhi-based management institute and is currently absconding, with a Lookout Circular (LOC) issued against him. The Allegations Against Chaitanyananda Saraswati On August 4, 2025 , the administrator of Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management (Vasant Kunj, Delhi) filed a complaint against Chaitanyananda Saraswati. Following the complaint, police recorded the statements of 32 students , out of which 17 students accused him of: Sending obscene WhatsApp messages . Using abusive and derogatory language . Making unwanted physical contact . Threatening students with academic failure if they refused his advances. Many of the victims were EWS quota students , allegedly targeted because of their vulnerable position. Some stud...

The Supreme Court of India has recently underlined a cautious approach while hearing challenges to provisions of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 , particularly sections 15 and 16, which govern the inheritance rights of Hindu women dying intestate. The Court’s Observations A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan stressed that while women’s rights are critical, reforms must not disrupt the Hindu social structure that has existed for thousands of years. The judges noted that courts must not allow “hard facts” of individual cases to create “bad laws.” Justice Nagarathna remarked: “Do not demean the structure of the Hindu society that we already have…We do not want by our judgment to break something which has been there for thousands of years.” The bench reiterated that balance must be maintained between advancing women’s rights and preserving cultural traditions. The Provisions Under Challenge At the heart of the dispute are Sections 15 and 16 of the Hindu Su...

The Union Environment Ministry has issued fresh guidelines to states and Union Territories for utilizing degraded forest lands for compensatory afforestation (CA). This directive comes after the ministry’s recent notifications on the Green Credit Programme (August 29, 2025) and the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Amendment Rules, 2025 (August 31, 2025) , which significantly amend the Forest Conservation Rules, 2023 . What is Compensatory Afforestation? Compensatory afforestation is the legal requirement for industries and infrastructure projects that divert forest land for development. To balance ecological loss: Projects must plant trees over an equivalent area of non-forest land . If non-forest land is unavailable, they must afforest double the area of degraded forest land . This practice ensures that industrial development is aligned with ecological restoration and India’s carbon neutrality goals . Green Credits and Their Role Under the revised Green Credit Program...

Senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Mohammad Azam Khan , 77, was released from Sitapur Jail on Tuesday after nearly 23 months of incarceration . His release comes after securing bail from the Allahabad High Court in the Quality Bar land encroachment case of Rampur . A Delayed but Celebrated Release Although Khan was expected to walk out by 7 a.m., his release was delayed due to procedural issues, and he finally stepped out at around 12:20 p.m. His son Adeeb Khan , SP MP Ruchi Vira , and hundreds of supporters greeted him outside the jail. His return has boosted the morale of party workers and sparked fresh debates on his political future . SP Denies Rumors of Defection In the wake of speculation that Khan might join the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) , SP leader Shivpal Yadav dismissed such claims as “baseless.” He emphasized that: The Samajwadi Party stands firmly with Azam Khan. Khan had been “falsely implicated” in multiple cases and was a victim of political vendet...

High Court Order on Caste References On September 16, 2025 , the Allahabad High Court issued a landmark directive in the case Praveen Chetri vs State of UP . The court declared that the practice of including caste references in police investigations and public records is “legally wrong, undermines constitutional morality, and poses a serious challenge to democracy.” Justice Vinod Diwakar directed the Uttar Pradesh government to amend police manuals and regulations, prohibiting disclosure of caste in FIRs, seizure memos, and other documents, except in cases where law requires caste disclosure—such as under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act . Immediate Compliance by the UP Government In response, the Uttar Pradesh government issued sweeping orders late Sunday night, instructing all police units and district administrations to ensure “immediate and effective compliance.” Officiating chief secretary Deepak Kumar signed the order, emphasizing the state’s commitment to build an...

The state of Assam and the entire Northeast region plunged into grief as Zubeen Garg , one of the most celebrated musicians of India, was laid to rest on September 23, 2025. His cremation was performed at Kamarkuchi in Sonapur, on the outskirts of Guwahati, with full state honours . The event marked the end of an era in Assamese music and culture, with lakhs gathering to bid their final farewell. The Final Journey of Zubeen Garg On September 19, 2025, Zubeen Garg tragically lost his life while swimming in Singapore without a life jacket. He was in the city to attend the North East India Festival , where he was scheduled to perform the very next day. Initially, Singapore authorities conducted an autopsy and declared the cause of death as drowning , but given his past history of epileptic seizures, the Assam government ordered a second autopsy at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). Doctors from AIIMS-Guwahati were also present to rule out any foul play. The cremation...

Introduction The ground-handling sector in India is witnessing rapid expansion in line with the country’s booming aviation market. Air India SATS Airport Services (AISATS), a joint venture between Air India and Singapore-based SATS, currently manages nearly 70% of flights at key hubs . As the industry scales, AISATS has called for policy reforms that ensure fair competition based on flight volumes rather than passenger counts . Growth of the Ground-Handling Industry India’s ground-handling market was valued at $1.83 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% to reach $2.78 billion by 2031 . Major airports like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad are undergoing significant infrastructure upgrades. Growth is being driven not only by higher volumes but also by service quality, digital adoption, and sustainability initiatives . AISATS’s Strategic Role and Global Leverage AISATS has experienced broad-based growth in passenger and cargo operations . The c...

India has implemented its biggest Goods and Services Tax (GST) revamp since its launch in 2017, effective September 22, 2025 . The reform reduces four tax slabs to two — 5% and 18% , aiming to streamline the system, boost consumption, and provide significant relief to households and industries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the overhaul, along with earlier income tax cuts, as a “savings festival” (Bachat Utsav) , estimating that Indians would collectively save ₹2.5 lakh crore . GST Benefits for Households and the Middle Class The government has pitched the reforms as a dual benefit: Income tax cuts primarily helped the middle class. GST reductions extend to the poor and the neo-middle class. PM Modi noted, “With these reforms, people will be able to save more and spend on what they wish. From youth, farmers and women to shopkeepers, traders and entrepreneurs—everyone will gain from this Bachat Utsav.” Appliances and Electronics: Big Price Drops Air Conditi...

Background: The Passing of the Last Dadysett Heiress Hilla Dadysett, aged 100, the last surviving member of one of Mumbai’s most illustrious Parsi families, passed away on May 22, 2023 . She left behind a will that donated her sprawling residence, Monte Rosa , a 3,599.54 sq. metre bungalow at Kemp’s Corner valued at approximately ₹250 crore , to charity. Her will, dated December 18, 2015 , was executed by Hoshang and Rashna Khan , long-time acquaintances and nominated executors.

New Rule Comes into Effect On September 21, 2025 , US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing a $100,000 annual fee on new H-1B visa applications. The rule, titled “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers” , is effective immediately and applies only to new applicants , not to existing H-1B visa holders or renewals. According to the White House , employers must submit proof of payment along with visa petitions, failing which applications will be denied, and workers barred from entering the US. Exemptions and Clarifications The White House and US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) clarified that: Current visa holders are exempt. Renewals and petitions filed before September 21, 2025 will not be impacted. The rule applies only to future applicants , particularly those in upcoming lotteries. Existing visa holders can continue travel in and out of the US without restrictions. Why India is Most Affected India is the largest ben...