Operation to hunt terrorists resumes in J&K’s Kishtwar
Security forces Monday resumed an operation to locate a group of terrorists hiding in the dense Khankoo forest in Kishtwar district of Jammu & Kashmir, officials said. The joint mission, involving both the police and army, began Sunday afternoon in the Cherji area between Dachhan and Nagseni. During the operation, a brief exchange of fire took place with the suspects, who are believed to be members of the banned Hizbul Mujahideen group. Officials said two high-ranking operatives, each with a bounty of Rs 30 lakh on their heads, are among the group.
Stormy start to Monsoon session of Parliament
The month-long Monsoon session of Parliament began Monday but both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were soon adjourned till noon over protests for a discussion on Operation Sindoor. The houses resumed proceedings but the Lok Sabha was adjourned again. The session will have 21 sittings over 32 days, concluding on 21 August. A brief adjournment is scheduled for 12 August to allow for Independence Day preparations, with proceedings set to resume on 18 August. Ahead of the session, a meeting with leaders from various political parties was held on to discuss relevant issues. While the government has agreed to a discussion on Operation Sindoor, it is yet to decide on the opposition’s demand for a debate on the special intensive revision exercise in poll-bound Bihar.
Mumbai train blasts: 12 acquitted over unreliable evidence
The Bombay High Court Monday acquitted all 12 individuals convicted for the 2006 Mumbai train blasts, overturning a 2015 special court verdict that had awarded death penalty to five and life terms to the other seven. The blasts had resulted in the deaths of over 180 people and left over 800 injured. In its judgment, the court stated that the prosecution “miserably failed at proving its case”. The court found the evidence unreliable, particularly witness statements made months after the incident.
Landslide hits Vaishno Devi track in Reasi, 10 injured
A major landslide hit the old route to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu & Kashmir’s Reasi district Monday, injuring at least 10 people, including five pilgrims, according to officials. Heavy rainfall in Katra, the base camp for devotees heading to the shrine on Trikuta hills, triggered the landslide, causing a booking office and an overhead iron structure to collapse.
Six judges take oath of office at Delhi High Court
On Monday, six new judges were sworn in at Delhi High Court, increasing the number of judges there to 40. Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya officiated the oath-taking ceremony at the court premises. The new judges are Justices V. Kameswar Rao, Nitin Wasudeo Sambre, Vivek Chaudhary, Anil Kshetarpal, Arun Kumar Monga, and Om Prakash Shukla.
Pakistan hockey body unwilling to send team to India for Asia Cup
Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has communicated to the International Hockey Federation and Asian Hockey Federation that it will be “difficult” for them to send a team to India for the Asia Cup next month because of “security concerns”. “We have informed them our players are also not keen to travel to India for the Asia Cup which is also a direct qualifying tournament,” PHF chief Tariq Bugti said.
Congress student leader arrested in Odisha rape case
Udit Pradhan, president of Congress students’ wing, National Students Union of India, in Odisha, has been arrested for allegedly raping a 19-year-old engineering student in Bhubaneswar. The survivor claims that Pradhan drugged and assaulted her in a hotel room in March. The arrest comes at a time when the Congress is targeting the BJP government in the state over the rise in crime against women.
Nitish Kumar Reddy ruled out of India-England series
India all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the remainder of their Test series against England due to a knee injury. The Board of Control for Cricket in India said in a statement that the 22-year-old will now fly home to begin his rehabilitation. Arshdeep Singh has been ruled out of the fourth Test at Manchester. The men’s selection committee has added Anshul Kamboj to the squad, it added.
SC fines Karnataka Rs 25 lakh for challenging MP Tejasvi Surya case order
The Supreme Court Monday rejected the Karnataka government’s appeal against the quashing of a criminal case against BJP MP Tejasvi Surya over a social media post related to a farmer’s suicide. The court also slapped a Rs 25 lakh fine on the state for escalating the matter to it. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinodchandran was reviewing the state’s challenge to the Karnataka High Court’s decision, which had annulled the FIR accusing Surya of sharing “fake news” about the farmer from Haveri district.
Kerala woman found dead in UAE, family alleges abuse by husband
A 29-year-old woman from Kollam, Kerala, identified as Athulya Sateesh, was found dead in her UAE apartment, with her family alleging that she endured years of physical and mental abuse from her husband. The Kollam police have registered a murder case against the husband.
Kasturi Walimbe is an intern with ThePrint
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)