Declaring AAP-Congress candidate Kuldeep Kumar elected mayor, SC says Anil Masih ‘deliberately defaced ballots’ & issues contempt notice to him for expressing ‘patent falsehood’ in court.
Court order comes in response to petition challenging Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023. SC asks states, UTs to revert to 'dictionary definition' of forests while preparing records.
Justice Khanna was among 5 SC judges who struck down Electoral Bond Scheme. In his opinion, he questioned Centre's claim that scheme aimed to protect donors from retaliation, retribution.
While striking down electoral bond scheme, Supreme Court suggested using electoral trusts introduced by Congress-led UPA, calling it an 'effective alternative' for political donations.
Both bodies flagged concerns before scheme's introduction, fearing it may be seen as 'facilitating' money laundering or that it could violate provisions under Representation of People Act.
Striking down electoral bonds scheme, SC said ‘chief reason for corporate funding of political parties is to influence political process which may in turn improve company’s performance’.
CJI-led bench disagrees with Centre’s argument that it is justified to infringe Right to Information of voters for larger purpose of curbing black money in electoral financing.
Supreme Court in its electoral bonds judgment observed that political 'contributions enhance access to legislators which translates into influence over policymaking'.
Verdict, which comes ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, says scheme violates right to information of citizens about possible quid pro quo between donor & political party receiving donation.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s films may be over-the-top, but by shining the spotlight on women who are otherwise forced to work on the edges of acceptable society, he gives them agency.
The Asian Development Outlook 2024 report suggests that policymakers in the region should monitor a number of risks. These include escalating conflicts and geopolitical tensions.
Army is pursuing 45 niche technologies identified for military application & 120 indigenous projects are underway to develop & absorb these niche technologies, Gen Pande says.
A theme has not yet emerged for BJP & people see lack of a contest, which makes it unexciting. For all these reasons, 2024 is turning out to be an unexpectedly theme-less election.
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