Times of India

The Supreme Court has directed the West Bengal government to decide on granting prosecution sanction against co-accused individuals in the cash-for-jobs case involving former minister Partha Chatterjee within two weeks. This order was issued during the hearing of Chatterjee's bail plea, where his lawyer cited the lack of sanction against co-accused as a cause for trial delay.

The Supreme Court rebuked BJP MP Nishikant Dubey for his "irresponsible, absurd and scandalous" allegations against the CJI-led bench regarding petitions challenging the Wakf Amendment Act. While the court declined to initiate contempt proceedings, citing its resilience against ludicrous statements, it firmly asserted that any attempt to spread communal hatred or indulge in hate speech must be dealt with an iron hand.

A Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) conductor, K Radhakrishnan, faced a false misconduct charge after a passenger mistakenly picked up a soiled ticket. This led to illegal salary recovery and a five-year legal battle. The Madras High Court intervened, ordering MTC to refund the recovered amount of Rs 25,200 with 6% interest and settle all pending retirement dues, highlighting the injustice he suffered.

Following a High Court order, tensions escalated at the Nangal dam as AAP workers, led by a minister, briefly detained the BBMB chief to prevent water release to Haryana. Punjab's CM accused the chairman of illegally diverting water and stated the diverted water has been restored to Punjab. The High Court has directed the Centre to provide details of the meeting regarding the water release and clarify dispute resolution mechanisms.

CJI-designate B R Gavai, poised to become the 52nd CJI, pledged leadership and a long-term vision for the judiciary, echoing former CJI N V Ramana's sentiments. Speaking at the release of Justice Ramana's book, Justice Gavai assured that he would follow Ramana's guidance. Justice Ramana emphasized the moral duty of the CJI and SC judges to support all judges, ensuring they feel secure and protected.

Sharad Pawar's recent hint about a potential reunion between the two NCP factions has stirred political discussions, suggesting his daughter Supriya Sule may discuss the matter with Ajit Pawar. This development introduces uncertainty for the MVA alliance, as both NCP factions show positive signs towards reconciliation. Simultaneously, speculation arises about a possible reunion between Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS, prompting Congress to reassess its strategy for Maharashtra.

The Supreme Court declined to halt the deportation of illegal Rohingya Muslim migrants from Delhi, emphasizing that the right to reside in India is exclusive to citizens. The court acknowledged the migrants' right to life but affirmed they would be handled under the Foreigners Act. The Solicitor General assured due process while highlighting national security concerns and India's non-recognition of Rohingya refugees.

In Madhya Pradesh's Damoh district, a massive education fraud has been unearthed, revealing how teachers secured jobs using fake documents. Twin sisters, both named Rashmi, fraudulently worked for 18 years, costing the state over Rs 1.6 crore. Despite a High Court order, 16 teachers with confirmed irregularities remain employed, having collectively drawn nearly Rs 22.9 crore in salaries.

Pakistan's continuous shelling across the LoC after India's response to a terrorist attack resulted in more casualties. The death toll has risen to 16 in just over 48 hours. Mortar and heavy artillery fire targeted several sectors, marking the 14th consecutive night of truce violations. Many people were wounded. The Jammu and Kashmir government ordered the closure of educational institutions in five border districts.

Poonch endured intense Pakistani bombardment, unlike anything experienced even during the 1971 war, prompting widespread fear and displacement. Shelling damaged religious sites and homes, resulting in casualties, including a tabla player, a kirtan singer and a maulvi. Residents are now fleeing, seeking safety as they express the urgent need for civilian bunkers amidst escalating tensions.

The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, a crucial link between Kashmir and the rest of India, was shut down on Thursday due to rain-induced mudslides in Ramban. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded as landslides and shooting stones blocked the road. The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for more rain in the region.

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti urged PM Modi to prioritize dialogue with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, cautioning against military escalation. She highlighted the human cost of conflict, sharing images of children killed in shelling and advocating for peaceful co-existence. PDP legislator Waheed Para echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that J&K bears the brunt of India-Pakistan hostilities and stressing the need for dialogue.

Heavy Pakistani shelling has devastated Nowpora village in Uri, leaving residents like Tahir Talib homeless after his house was destroyed. The intense mortar fire forced families to flee, seeking refuge in Baramulla and Boniyar. Amidst the ruins and shuttered markets, villagers return briefly to salvage belongings and protect livestock, hoping for an end to the violence that has shattered their lives.

Following the successful air-strikes in Pakistan, Prime Minister Modi directed key secretaries to ensure the readiness and security of essential systems. He emphasized seamless coordination among ministries for operational continuity and instructed proactive action on supply chains and infrastructure security. Departments are closely monitoring commodity prices and combating misinformation to maintain stability during potential escalations.

Amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions, the BCCI is contemplating halting the IPL. The DC vs PBKS match in Dharamsala was disrupted, prompting evacuation plans for players and staff. Overseas players are anxious, awaiting assurances from the BCCI and the government. The IPL Governing Council is meeting to decide the tournament's future, guided by government directives, while teams adjust travel plans.

A special CBI court granted bail to gangster Chhota Rajan in a 2009 attempt to murder case, noting that all accused, including Surendrakumar Agrawal, have been on bail since the beginning. Despite the bail in this case, Rajan will remain in jail as he is serving a life sentence for the 2011 murder of journalist J Dey.

Tensions between India and Pakistan led to the abrupt cancellation of the IPL 2025 match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala. Players and staff were evacuated as the BCCI scrambled to respond, with Virender Sehwag expressing strong condemnation. The league now faces rescheduling challenges amid heightened security concerns and logistical hurdles.

X (formerly Twitter) has received orders from the Indian government to block over 8,000 accounts, including those of international news organizations and prominent users, citing violations of local laws. X has complied by withholding the accounts in India but disagrees with the government's demands, viewing it as censorship and a violation of free speech.