NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will hold a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in New Delhi today. The Saudi Foreign Affairs Minister arrived in Delhi yesterday on a two day visit to India.

India and Saudi Arabia enjoy cordial and friendly relations reflecting the centuries old economic and socio-cultural ties. India is the second largest trade partner of Saudi Arabia whereas Saudi Arabia is the fourth largest trading partner of India. During Financial Year 2023 bilateral trade was valued at 52.76 billion dollars. The Indian community in Saudi Arabia is numbered at more than 2.65 million and is a living bridge between the two countries. The annual Haj pilgrimage is another important component of Indo-Saudi bilateral relations.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: President Droupadi Murmu, who is on a three-day visit to the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, will visit NAMO Medical Education and Research Institute in Silvassa. The President will interact with the students and faculty of the Institute. Later, she will inaugurate Zanda Chowk School and address a public function at Silvassa. She will also visit INS Khukri Memorial in Diu.

The Zanda school education hub has been built at a cost of Rs. 76 crore and is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for nearly 12 thousand students.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged voters, especially the first-time voters, to cast their votes with "full enthusiasm" as the Jharkhand's assembly polls started on Wednesday. In a social media post on X, "Today is the first round of voting in the Jharkhand assembly elections. I urge all voters to vote with full enthusiasm in this festival of democracy. On this occasion, my heartiest congratulations to all my young friends who are going to vote for the first time! Remember: "First vote then refreshment.". 

Out of the 81-member state legislative assembly in Jharkhand, voting on 43 assembly constituencies is taking place. The 43 constituencies include 17 general seats, 20 reserved for scheduled tribes, and six for scheduled castes. The remaining 38 seats will vote in phase two polling on November 20. A total of 638 candidates, including 73 women, are contesting for 43 seats in the first phase. In the previous assembly election, Hemant Soren's Jharkhand Mukti Morcha won 30 seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party won 25 and Congress bagged 16 seats. A coalition of the JMM, Congress,  and the RJD formed the government after the last Assembly elections, with Hemant Soren becoming the chief minister.
 

PATNA [Maha Media]:  voter turnout of 9.53 per cent was registered till 9 AM on Wednesday in the by-elections to Tarari, Imamganj, Belaganj and Ramgarh assembly seats in Bihar on Wednesday, an official said.

The polling is scheduled to continue till 6 PM, he said. However, voting will continue till 4 PM at certain polling stations in the Imamganj constituency, he added.

According to the Election Commission data, Ramgarh witnessed 11.35 per cent turnout of voters till 9 AM, followed by Belaganj at 9.12 per cent, Tarari at 9.3 per cent, Imamganj at 8.46 per cent.

In Grand Alliance, RJD has fielded its candidates in Belaganj, Ramgarh and Imamganj while CPI(ML) has fielded its candidate in Tarari seat. In NDA, BJP has fielded its candidates in Ramgarh and Tarari while HAM and JD(U) has fielded its candidates in Imamganj and Belaganj respectively. 

Electorate will seal the fates of 38 candidates including Ajit Kumar Singh, son of state RJD president Jagadanand Singh from Ramgarh, Vishwanath Kumar Singh, son of RJD MP Surendra Yadav from Belaganj and Deepa Manjhi from Imamganj, who is daughter-in-law of HAM patron Jeetan Ram Manjhi, a Minister in Narendra Modi cabinet. Vishal Prashant, son of Sunil Pandey, a muscleman and BJP leader who has been MLA for several terms, is also trying his luck on BJP ticket. JD(U) has fielded former MLC Manorama Devi from Belaganj. BJP has given its ticket to former MLA Ashok Kumar Singh from Ramgarh seat.
 

BENGALURU [Maha Media]: An estimated overall 10.14 per cent voter turnout was recorded during the first two hours, since the voting began for by-polls to three Assembly segments in Karnataka on Wednesday, election officials said.

The voting began at 7 am and will go on till 6 pm.

More than seven lakh voters are eligible to cast their votes in about 770 polling stations in Shiggaon, Sandur and Channapatna, where a total of 45 candidates are in the fray.
 

GUWAHATI [Maha Media]: Nearly 13 per cent of 9.1 lakh electors cast their votes in the first two hours of polling on Wednesday during by-elections to five assembly constituencies in Assam, according to official data.

According to the Election Commission, approximately 12.55 per cent of 9,09,057 electors, including 4,54,963 women and 19 third gender, exercised their franchise in the first two hours till 9 AM to decide the fate of 34 candidates.

There are also 2,617 service voters in these five constituencies, where polling is taking place as per pre-delimitation data, an official said.
 

KOLKATA  [Maha Media]: A voter turnout of over 14 per cent was recorded till 9 AM on Wednesday for by-elections to six assembly seats in West Bengal, an EC official said.

Polling for by-elections to Sitai, Madarihat, Naihati, Haroa, Medinipur and Taldangra assembly constituencies started at 7 AM, amid tight security arrangements, an official said.

Minor tension broke out at booth number 63 of Naihati Assembly constituency in North 24 Parganas district after the agent for the BJP candidate from there Rupak Mitra was denied entry to the booth.

Mitra himself arrived at the booth and made arrangements for his agent to occupy the seat designated for him there.

BJP complained about conducting the mandatory mock-polling process at a booth under Sitai Assembly constituency in Cooch Behar district in absence of their polling agent.

The polling is continuing under blanket security cover with 108 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel being deputed.
 

JAIPUR [Maha Media]: Voting on seven Assembly seats in Rajasthan started from 7 A.M. on Wednesday and will continue till 6 P.M. during the bye-elections being held here in Dausa, Ramgarh, Deoli Uniara, Chorasi, Jhunjhunu, Salumber and Khinvsar constituencies in the state.

Over 19 lakh voters will cast their votes in these elections today.

Tight security arrangements have also been made for free, fair, safe, fear and temptation-free voting in all seven Assembly constituencies, said Chief Electoral Officer Naveen Mahajan.

Mahajan informed that keeping in view the sensitivity of the election, arrangements for live webcasting have been made inside 1,170 centres out of the total 1,915 polling stations in all seven Assembly constituencies, while considering the secrecy of voting.

In some polling premises, where there are three or more polling stations, cameras have also been installed outside the booth.
 

PALANPUR [Maha Media]: The Vav assembly seat in Gujarat's Banaskantha district recorded 14.25 per cent voter turnout till 9 am on Wednesday as polling was underway for the byelection in the constituency, as per the data shared by poll authorities.

Polling began at 7 am, with BJP candidate Swarupji Thakor being among the early voters.

Congress nominee Gulabsinh Rajput, who is not a registered voter in Vav, offered prayers at a temple in Dhima village of the constituency in the morning.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra released a contentious video on social media platform X, showcasing Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' bags being checked by security personnel. The BJP post suggested that merely brandishing the Constitution is insufficient without adhering to its principles.

This social media activity follows allegations from former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, whose Shiv Sena (UBT) had posted similar videos, complaining of his baggage being examined by poll authorities during his election campaign visits to Latur and Yavatmal districts.

Thackeray questioned if similar protocols would be applied to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders. Meanwhile, the BJP criticized Thackeray's grievances as diversion tactics, suggesting he sought election sympathy by making unnecessary protests.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: The national capital experienced the season's first dense fog on Wednesday with the visibility dropping to zero at the Delhi airport.

At least seven flights were diverted and many were delayed at the Delhi airport on Wednesday morning as low visibility conditions impacted operations, according to officials.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that very dense fog began forming around 5.30 am, resulting in a thick haze over different parts of the national capital.

One of the officials said six flights were diverted to Jaipur and one to Lucknow since 7 am due to bad weather.

Zero-metre visibility was recorded at the Indira Gandhi International Airport at 8.30 am with the Runway Visual Range varying between 125 and 500 metres at different locations, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

The air quality in the national capital remains in the very poor category, with the AQI reaching 361 as of 8 a.m. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the AQI in some parts of the city is expected to reach severe levels, crossing the 400 mark. The AQI at Anand Vihar station was recorded at 399, Bawana registered an AQI of 390, Sonia Vihar’s AQI reached 388, Punjabi Bagh recorded an AQI of 382, and Rohini recorded an AQI of 376.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that Delhi and the NCR are likely to experience smog and shallow fog during the night and morning hours throughout the week. An Air Quality Index between 0 and 50 is considered good, between 51 and 100 satisfactory, between 101 and 200 moderate, between 201 and 300 poor, and between 301 and 400 very poor. An AQI between 401 and 450 is considered severe.
 

VARANASI [Maha Media]: Varanasi has been declared a no-fly zone ahead of the Dev Deepawali festival on November 15, police said on Wednesday.

According to an order issued by the Additional Police Commissioner (Law and Order) Shivasimpi Channappa, the restriction under the pre-existing section 163 of the BNSS came into force at 12 am on November 12. It will be in place till midnight on November 16.

The directive states that due to the anticipated influx of lakhs of devotees, local residents, and various VIPs for Dev Deepawali, it is critical to ensure robust security and maintain law and order.
 

JAMMU [Maha Media]: Additional Director General of BSF’s western command Satish S Khandare reviewed the security situation along the International Border with Pakistan here, officials said on Wednesday.

"ADG BSF (western command) visited border areas in Jammu and was briefed on the operational aspects by the field commanders," BSF Jammu posted on X, also sharing four pictures of Khandare’s tour.

The border guarding force deployed along the IB in the Jammu sector besides some parts of the Line of Control (LoC) is on high alert to ensure zero infiltration of terrorists and smuggling of weapons and narcotics from across the border, officials said.
 

HYDERABAD [Maha Media]: A goods train derailed in Peddapalli district of Telangana, leading to cancellation of 20 passenger trains, officials of South Central Railway (SCR) said on Wednesday.

Eleven wagons of the goods train carrying iron ore derailed between Raghavapuram and Ramagundam on Tuesday late night, they said.

Due to derailment of the goods train, as many as 20 passenger trains were cancelled, four were partially cancelled and 10 were diverted, a release from the SCR zone said.
 

LUCKNOW [Maha Media]: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Mayawati has called on the Uttar Pradesh government to address ongoing controversies over the leaking of UPPSC exam papers. In a public statement, she emphasized the urgent need to rectify these issues, urging the government to reform state's examination procedures.

Mayawati highlighted widespread concern over recent police actions against students protesting the Commission's failure to conduct the 2024 preliminary exams in a single sitting. She questioned the state's capacity to effectively manage such critical exams simultaneously, pointing to the necessity for reliable exam conduct, and urged the government to focus on these areas.

The issue also drew criticism from Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav, who slammed the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government over protests by exam aspirants. Yadav accused the government of neglecting students, using political distractions, and failing to address long-standing job vacancies, warning that continued negligence could cost BJP its standing. Protests demanding a single-day exam spiral continued.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's planned election rally in Chikhli, Buldhana district, Maharashtra was abruptly cancelled on Tuesday following a technical problem with his flight from Delhi.

The rally, part of campaign efforts for Congress candidate Rahul Bondre, aimed to address issues facing local soybean farmers. Gandhi released a video promising solutions under an INDIA bloc government, and criticizing current BJP policy on agricultural pricing.

Due to the flight glitch at Delhi airport, Gandhi shifted plans to address a separate rally in Gondia district later the same day, as Maharashtra's assembly elections approach on November 20.
 

SRINAGAR [Maha Media]: Kashmir's first snowfall of the season led to the shutdown of several essential routes in the valley's upper reaches, according to officials on Tuesday.

The snowfall started on Monday night and continued across various locations, particularly affecting tourist spots like Gulmarg and Sonamarg, as well as districts including Kupwara and Bandipora.

Authorities, including the Border Roads Organisation, are working to reopen roads impacted by snow, including the Srinagar-Leh highway, which has been cleared. However, Mughal Road and Sinthan Top remain closed due to persistent snow accumulation.
 

CHIMUR [Maha Media]: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that has always been the mentality of Congress’ 'shahi parivar' that it was born to rule the country.

“That is the reason that after Independence, the Congress never allowed Dalits, backward classes and Adivasis to progress,” Modi said, addressing a rally at Chimur in Maharashtra’s Chandrapur district ahead of the November 20 state assembly elections.

“The Congress gets annoyed with (the topic of) reservations. In the 1980s, when Rajiv Gandhi led the party, it published an advertisement raising questions over the special rights enjoyed by Dalits, backward classes and Adivasis,” Modi said.

This old advertisement has been shared on social media, he said. It reflected that party’s anti-reservation attitude, he added.

“The huge crowd here shows that the BJP-led Mahayuti will retain power in Maharashtra with a massive majority,” the PM said.

The BJP’s Sankalp Patra poll manifesto will be a guarantee for Maharashtra’s development, Modi said.

On the abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir, Modi said that it took seven decades to ensure that the country had one Constitution.

“Will you allow the Congress and its allies to bring back Article 370 in Kashmir,” he asked.

Modi also said that the BJP-led government is giving financial assistance to soybean farmers.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna on Tuesday said no oral submissions for urgent listing and hearing of cases will be permitted and urged lawyers to either send emails or written letters for it.

Usually lawyers mention their cases before the CJI-led bench at the outset of the day's proceedings for out of turn listings and hearing of cases on grounds of urgency.

“No written or oral mentionings anymore. Only in email or written slip/letters. Just state the reasons for urgency,” the CJI said.

The CJI has outlined a citizen-centric agenda for judicial reforms and said ensuring easy access to justice and equal treatment to citizens regardless of their status is the constitutional duty of the judiciary.

Justice Khanna, who was sworn in as the 51st CJI by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday, expressed deep honour in leading the judiciary, the third pillar of democracy.

"Judiciary is an integral, yet distinct and independent part of the governance system. The Constitution trusts upon us the role of constitutional guardian, protector of fundamental rights, and responsibility to fulfil the important task of being a service provider of justice," the CJI had said in his first statement on Monday.

He said, "The justice delivery framework in terms of providing equal treatment necessitates fair opportunity to succeed to all, regardless of status, wealth or power, and a just and unbiased adjudication. These mark our core principles."

"The responsibility entrusted upon us affirms our commitment as protectors of citizens' rights and as dispute resolvers. It is our constitutional duty to ensure easy access to justice to all citizens of our great nation," he said.

Chief Justice Khanna identified pressing challenges facing the judiciary, including the need to reduce case backlogs, make litigation affordable, and simplify complex legal processes.

Recognising that the justice system must cater to all citizens, he outlined a vision to make courts more approachable and user-friendly.

The CJI aimed to adopt a self-evaluative approach which is receptive and responsive to feedback in its working, the apex court said in a statement.

"Making judgments comprehensible to the citizens and promoting mediation will be a priority," it said.

With a focus on criminal case management, the CJI pledged to prioritise reducing trial durations, adopting a systematic approach, and ensuring that legal procedures are not gruelling for citizens.

He also highlighted the importance of promoting mediation to resolve disputes efficiently and provide timely justice.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: India is confident of achieving USD 100 billion in annual bilateral trade with Russia well ahead of the timeline of 2030 and a more substantive relationship between the two nations has a larger global resonance, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday.

There have been challenges to trade, especially with regard to payments and logistics and perceptible progress has been made in that regard, but there is still some work to be done, he said.

The external affairs minister was speaking at the 25th India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC).

The Russian delegation at the meeting was led by First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov.

In his televised opening remarks at the 25th session of the (IRIGC-TEC), Jaishankar said the trade between the two countries needs to be "more balanced and that would require addressing current constraints and undertaking greater facilitative efforts."

"As two major nations in an increasingly multipolar world, a more substantive relationship between us has a larger resonance," he said.

The external affairs minister said New Delhi welcomes and fully reciprocates Moscow's growing interest in exploring economic opportunities in India.

"Our economies are not only complementary in many respects but benefit from the trust and confidence built over many years. The growth in bilateral trade is now estimated at USD 66 billion and it is impressive," he said.

"Our goal is that it needs to be more balanced and that would require addressing current constraints and undertaking greater facilitative efforts. Making it easier to do trade should be accompanied by progress in the negotiations on the India-Eurasian Economic Union FTA," he said.

Jaishankar said India has noted Russia's growing interest in the Make in India programme and it would encourage joint ventures and other forms of collaboration between the two sides.

"I am confident that we will achieve the trade target of USD 100 billion by 2030, well before that," he said.

The external affairs minister also highlighted India's impressive growth rate in the last few decades.

"India that has many decades of 8 per cent growth at least ahead of it obviously values a reliable partner when it comes to resources, technology and best practices," he said.

Jaishankar also touched upon Russia's supply of fertilizers, crude oil and coal to India.

"Russia has emerged as a major source of fertilizers for us. Its supply of crude oil, coal and uranium are indeed important. Similarly, India's pharmaceutical industry has emerged as an affordable and reliable source for Russia."

"Looking ahead we are also exploring the mobility of talent, skills, customising them for the Russian market has to be a shared enterprise," he said.

The external affairs minister also talked about the importance of various connectivity projects.

"Our joint endeavours in regard to connectivity, such as the International North-South Transport Corridor, the Chennai-Vladivostok Corridor and the Northern Sea Route must go forward," he said.

"We will also be discussing cooperation critical for our food, energy and health security," he added.

In his remarks, Manturov also delved into fast evolving trade ties between India and Russia.

"Over the last five years, the trade turnover of our country has grown more than fivefold. And India is now the second country among all the foreign economic partners of Russia," he said.

"Among other things, we confirm our strong commitment on signing the free trade agreement between the EEU (Eurasian Economic Union) and India, as well as the bilateral agreement on services and investments. This fully meets the needs of our business community," he said.
 

JHARIA [Maha Media]: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday slammed the JMM-led coalition in Jharkhand for alleged corruption and coal smuggling and urged voters to strengthen BJP's hands so that “corrupt leaders are hanged upside down”.

He also announced that the BJP will identify and drive out every infiltrator from the state.

“Coal smuggling will be stopped in Jharkhand if the BJP comes to power...Traders need not fear now,” Shah said at a BJP rally in the coal belt of Jharia.

He also alleged that "corrupt" Jharkhand leaders who "looted public money will not be spared after the BJP forms the government" in the state.

"We will hang the corrupt leader upside down to straighten them," he claimed.

Shah claimed, “Hemant babu welcomes infiltrators by rolling out the red carpets for them. We will identify and drive out them if the BJP is voted to power in Jharkhand.”

Shah alleged that infiltrators were marrying tribal women and grabbing their land.

"Your one vote will decide Jharkhand's destiny. It will also decide whether women will become 'lakhpati' under PM Modi's leadership or Jharkhand corrupt leaders will fill their coffers," Shah said while addressing the rally.

He claimed, "Modi's guarantees are like 'patthar ki lakir'. Women's property registration will be made for Rupee 1 if the BJP comes to power in Jharkhand."

Alleging that the Congress was trying to "snatch reservation of OBCs, STs and SCs to handover quota to Muslims", he asserted that the BJP would not allow reservations to the minority community as "planned by the Congress".

The BJP leader also took an apparent dig at Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and urged voters to press the button for lotus, the symbol of the BJP, so hard that "current is felt in Italy".
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: In Jharkhand, elaborate arrangements have been made for the first phase of Assembly elections. Forty-three constituencies will go to polls in this phase tomorrow.

According to the correspondent reports that polling parties are being sent to their respective areas. Out of 225 sensitive booths polling parties have already reached at 194 polling booths yesterday through Indian Air Force Helicopters Polling officials of the remaining 30 booths will be sent today.

These sensitive booths are located in five districts of West Singhbhum, Latehar, Lohardaga, Garhwa, and Gumla districts. Altogether 15,344 polling booths have been set up across the state. Over two hundred companies of security forces have been deployed in respective areas to ensure trouble free polls. 683 candidates including 73 women are in the fray.

Over one crore 37 lakh electorates will decide the political fortune of these candidates. With KK Lal, this is Sanjeev Sharma for Aakashwani News, Ranchi. Second phase of polling will held on 20th of this month in 38 constituencies. Counting of votes will be taken up on 23rd November.
 

BHOPAL [Maha Media]: The state cabinet, on Tuesday, has announced the benefit of one last salary hike to the government employees retiring on June 30 and December 31 of the respective year. Their pension will also be decided on the basis of the increased salary.

The meeting was chaired by CM Mohan Yadav.

Along with this, many other decisions were taken in the meeting. CM also announced that on November 15, state level programs will be held in Dhar and Shahdol on the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will join virtually.

According to information, an annual increment is allotted every year in the months of July and January. Previously, state government employees retiring on June 30 and December 31 were not eligible for the annual increment in that year. Employees took this matter to court. When the High Court ruled in favour of employees in certain cases, the Finance Department issued an order stating that benefits would be granted only to individuals involved in specific court decisions.

When Chief Secretary Anurag Jain was approached with this inconvenience, Jain talked to the Finance Department about the same. Department presented a plan which gives the employees retiring on June 30 and December 31 the annual increment. Furthermore, their pensions will also be decided accordingly.

As per the meeting minutes, the cabinet approved several proposals, including the allocation of land for renewable energy at Babai Mohasa in Narmadapuram and the establishment of a solar energy storage plant in Morena. Additional land has also been allocated in Bhanwari, Bhopal. Furthermore, state-level programs will be held in Dhar and Shahdol on November 15 to mark Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi joining virtually.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: In a tragic road accident in Uttarakhand's capital, six students lost their lives in a collision between a truck and an Innova car.

The accident happened near the ONGC intersection at 2 a.m. on Tuesday.

Seven students were reported to be in the car, out of which six, including three boys and three girls, died on the spot while one student sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the hospital for treatment. All the deceased and injured are said to be students of a private college.

According to initial reports, the collision occurred when the truck rammed into the Innova with such force that the car was shattered into pieces. Somehow, the bodies and the injured were taken out by cutting the car. The bodies of the victims were shattered, and the halved heads of some were retrieved.

However, the truck's driver fled the scene, abandoning the vehicle.

Upon receiving the information, the police quickly arrived at the scene and retrieved the bodies from the severely damaged car.

Bodies of five students were transported to Doon Hospital, while one was taken to Mahant Indresh Hospital.

The victims, including both male and female students, were reportedly from Delhi and Himachal Pradesh. The deceased were identified as Guneet (19), Kamakshi (20), Navya Goyal (23), Rishabh Jain (24), Kunal Kukreja (23), Atul Agarwal (24). The injured was identified as Siddhesh Agarwal, a resident of Dehradun.

Following the incident, the concerned SP also visited the hospital to oversee the proceedings.

The investigations are underway, and further details are awaited.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday sought response of the Enforcement Directorate on a plea by AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal challenging summons issued to him on the agency's complaint in a money laundering case related to the alleged excise scam.

Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri refused to stay the trial in the criminal case and said the trial court's order, which has been challenged by Kejriwal, is two months old and not a fresh order.

The high court issued notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on the petition which has challenged the summons issued to the former chief minister of Delhi on the complaint filed by the agency in the case.

Kejrwal's counsel questioned the maintainability of the complaint on the grounds that while summons was issued by one officer, the complaint was filed by another officer.

The former Delhi chief minister has challenged a sessions court's September 17 order which had dismissed his plea challenging the summons.

The ED's counsel raised preliminary objection on the maintainability of the petition.

Kejriwal had moved the sessions court against an order passed by a magisterial court directing him to appear before it on the ED's complaint.

He had challenged the summons issued by the magisterial court after taking cognisance of two complaints filed by the ED over avoidance of summons issued to him.

The ED had filed complaints before the magisterial court seeking prosecution of Kejriwal for skipping multiple summonses issued to him in the case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: President Droupadi Murmu will undertake a three-day visit to the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu beginning today. On the first day of her tour, the President will visit the Aviary at Jampore, Government Engineering College and NIFT Campus in Daman. On the second day, she will visit NAMO Medical Education and Research Institute in Silvassa.

During her visit, the President will interact with the students and faculty of various educational institutions. She will also inaugurate Zanda Chowk School and address a public function at Silvassa. She will also visit INS Khukri Memorial in Diu.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: In a significant administrative overhaul, the Madhya Pradesh government has reallocated roles within its Indian Administrative Service (IAS), impacting 26 officers.

According to official communications issued late Monday, Surabhi Gupta has taken over from Shahdol divisional commissioner Shriman Shukla, marking her transition from medical education secretary.

Meanwhile, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Manu Shrivastava is now heading the renewable energy department, with added responsibilities in sports and youth affairs. ACS Neeraj Mandloi steps into the energy sector, also overseeing the Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company in Jabalpur. The reshuffle comes as the first major change after Anurag Jain's recent appointment as the state's chief secretary.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate has launched raids in multiple locations across Jharkhand and West Bengal. This move comes as part of a money laundering investigation tied to suspected illegal infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals, officials confirmed on Tuesday.

The federal agency targeted 17 sites in the two neighboring states. A case was filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) last month to explore infiltration and trafficking allegations. This includes the generation of slush funds, with investigations stemming from a FIR by Jharkhand Police, rooted in an incident of trafficking of Bangladeshi women.

Political leaders including Prime Minister Modi have publicly accused the Jharkhand government of fostering such illegal activities for electoral advantage, thus altering the tribal region's demographics. The ongoing developments coincide with the upcoming Assembly polls, where infiltration has become a central issue among campaign rhetoric.
 

SRINAGAR  [Maha Media]: A gunbattle is underway between militants and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district, officials said on Tuesday. This is the eighth gunbattle in Kashmir in nearly two weeks.

The latest encounter erupted at Nagmarg Kupwara, close to the Line of Control, when joint forces were combing the area following an input about militant movement. "As the suspects were challenged, they opened fire, triggering an encounter,” officials said, adding that the operation is underway. Additional forces have been rushed to the area to ensure a tight cordon of the area. This is the fifth encounter in north Kashmir districts in the past ten days. In earlier four encounters, five militants believed to be foreigners were killed.
 

VADODARA [Maha Media]: The death toll in a fire at the Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) refinery in Gujarat's Vadodara city has gone up to two, while another injured person was undergoing treatment, police said on Tuesday.

The fire that began on Monday afternoon with a blast in a benzene storage tank of the refinery later spread to two other adjoining tanks, Jawahar Nagar police station inspector A B Mori said.

The blaze was brought under control after efforts which continued till the wee hours of Tuesday, he said.

Two persons -- Dhimant Makwana and Shailesh Makwana -- died in the fire. An IOCL official received injuries and was undergoing treatment at a private hospital, Mori said.
 

UMARIA [Maha Media]: A leopard that injured four persons has died after being rescued in Madhya Pradesh's Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR), an official said on Tuesday.

The BTR, located in Umaria district, has been in news due to the death of 11 elephants at the reserve over the past fortnight.

A leopard had attacked and injured four persons in Hiroli and Kudri villages under Manpur buffer range of BTR, an official said.
 

ETAH (UP) [Maha Media]: A bus carrying a wedding procession fell into a ditch near village Gulabpur here, leaving 12 people injured, an official said on Tuesday.

The incident occurred at about 10 pm on Monday.

Locals and police rescued those injured and rushed them to the medical college here.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: The air quality in Delhi-NCR remains in the very poor category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 354 was reported in the national capital this morning. India Meteorological Department has forecast that Delhi NCR is likely to experience smog and shallow fog in the night and morning hours during the next two to three days.
 
An air quality index between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, and 301 and 400 very poor. An AQI between 401 and 450 is considered severe.
 

PANKI [Maha Media]: Madhya Pradesh's Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has made sweeping allegations against Jharkhand's JMM-led coalition. Speaking at a poll rally in Panki, he accused the ruling faction of transforming Ranchi into a city resembling Karachi.

Yadav claimed the coalition's policies have led to atrocities against Hindus and blamed them for a decline in the Hindu population in Jharkhand, which he attributes to unchecked infiltration from Bangladesh.

Yadav warned that failure to address infiltration would lead to widespread destruction, threatening the cultural and identity framework of the state.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has issued a strong condemnation of undignified remarks made against women leaders during election campaigns. Urging officials to take strict and timely action, Kumar's remarks were made known through the Chief Electoral Office of Maharashtra, as reported by ANI on Friday.

In a review meeting with various election and police officials, Kumar expressed serious concern over derogatory language that targets the dignity and honor of women. He emphasized that political parties and candidates must refrain from actions or statements that undermine women's respect.

The Chief Election Commissioner has directed immediate and stern action against any remarks by candidates or political leaders that violate the Model Code of Conduct and are offensive to women's dignity. He urged all political figures to elevate their discourse and demonstrate respect in public engagement.
 

IMPHAL [Maha Media]: At least six houses were torched and residents of a tribal village were attacked by a group of armed militants in ethnic strife-torn Manipur's Jiribam district, police said on Friday.

The incident occurred on Thursday evening in Zairon Hmar village after the group of militants set the houses on fire, a senior officer said.

"Preliminary reports suggested that several villagers managed to flee during the attack and took shelter in nearby forest. At least six houses were severely damaged due to the arson. An investigation is underway," he said.
 

DHULE [Maha Media]: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday accused the Congress-led INDIA bloc of wanting to take the Constitution out of Jammu and Kashmir and asserted that no power in the world can restore Article 370 there.

He also accused the Congress of pitting one caste against another and cautioned people to stay united. "Ek hai, toh safe hai," he said.

Addressing his first rally in Maharashtra for the November 20 assembly elections, Modi said the INDIA grouping is flaunting blank books passing them off as the Constitution to provoke Dalits and Adivasis.

The PM said the Congress and its allies should not encourage the “Pakistan agenda” and speak the language of separatists. The agenda won't succeed till he has people's blessings, said Modi.

“Only Ambedkar's constitution will be followed in J&K .You must have seen on TV how a resolution was moved in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly on bringing back Article 370 and when BJP MLAs protested, they were thrown out. The country and Maharashtra should understand this,” Modi said.

The BJP's star campaigner also accused the Congress of playing a dangerous game of dividing castes and communities. If ST (Scheduled Tribes), SC (Scheduled Castes) and OBCs (Other Backward Classes) stay united, the Congress politics will be over, he said.

“The Congress wants to pit one caste against another and weaken the unity of SC, ST and OBCs. Since Nehru's time Congress and his family opposed reservation and now their fourth generation ‘yuvraj' (prince) is working for caste divisions. You must realise that ‘ek hai toh safe hai' (we will be safe if we are united),” he said.

Earlier, Modi alleged, the Congress played politics over religion which led to India's partition and now the party is indulging in the politics of caste. There can be no bigger conspiracy against the country than this, he said at the rally in the north Maharashtra district.

Modi quipped that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP), as a vehicle that has neither wheels nor brakes and there is a fight there to sit in the driver's seat.

Recalling his affinity with Dhule and Maharashtra, Modi said whenever he has asked something from the people of the state, they have been gracious.

“I sought your blessings in 2014 to end the 15 years of misrule of the previous government. You graciously ensured that BJP got unprecedented success. Today, I am starting my campaign in Maharashtra from Dhule. Each and every candidate of Mahayuti seeks your blessings,” he said.

“I assure you that the pace at which Maharashtra's development has gained in the last two-and-a-half years will not be allowed to stop,” said the PM.

In the coming five years, Modi said, Maharashtra's progress and development will be taken to new heights. “Only Mahayuti can provide good governance. The Maha Vikas Aghadi is a vehicle that has no wheels, no brakes and there is a fight to sit in the driver's seat. One can hear different kinds of horns,” he said.

MVA has no intention to work for the development of people and the state and the goal of its leaders is to loot the public, he said. MVA was formed out of deceit and the state has seen the work that they have done. MVA was in power for two years before Eknath Shinde's rebellion in Shiv Sena sunk it and split the Bal Thackeray-founded party in June 2022.

“The MVA put roadblocks on development projects and stopped every scheme which could have improved people's lives. The situation changed when, with your blessings, the Mahayuti government was formed and new heights of development were seen,” he said.

Maharashtra's lost pride and belief in development was back on the path, he said.

“People should remember that Mahayuti aahe tar gati aahe… Maharashtra chi pragati aahe (if Mahayuti is there, Maharashtra's progress and development is assured).

The manifesto of Mahayuti – BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP – is a roadmap to development. It speaks of economic progress, social equality, security and is all-inclusive,” he said.

“Empowerment of women is important for Viksit Maharashtra. Previous governments stopped women from progressing and Modi and Mahayuti removed all roadblocks and provided them several opportunities,” he said.

The state's ‘Ladki Bahin' scheme is being talked about in the entire country, but the Congress ecosystem is working against it and even took it to court, he said.

“If voted to power, MVA will scrap the scheme. Every woman should be wary of the MVA,” he said.

Modi also touched upon the “imported maal” comment by Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant for Mahayuti's Mumbadevi candidate Shaina NC. Women should not tolerate and forgive MVA leaders for such remarks, he said.

The Congress was in power simultaneously at the Centre and in Maharashtra but never felt the need for Marathi to be given the status of classical language, Modi said. “Now, they are troubled about how Modi did this and why. This is the real face of MVA,” he said.

Modi said Maharashtra has topped in foreign investments in the past two years and more than 50 per cent of FDI in the country came to the state in the first three months of this year. MVA has accused the BJP of diverting big projects from Maharashtra to Gujarat.

Modi said Maharashtra's infrastructure development is growing and cited the example of the Vadhavan port in Palghar district. After the elections are over and Mahayuti comes to power, Modi said he will work with senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on his demand for a third airport near the Vadhavan port.
 

SIMDEGA [Maha Media]: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused the BJP of trying to snatch 'Jal, Jungle, Jameen' (water, forest, land) from tribal people.

He termed the Jharkhand polls as a fight of ideology between the INDIA bloc and the BJP-RSS combine.

The Congress leader alleged that the RSS-BJP's mission was to "destroy" the Constitution of the country, while the INDIA bloc "wanted to protect" it.

“PM (Narendra) Modi calls you ‘vanvasi’ as the BJP believes that land, forest and water belong to the saffron party, RSS and capitalists. The BJP believes in grabbing tribal land under its newly coined word development. It wants to snatch ‘Jal, Jungle, Jameen’ (water, forest, land) from tribals,” Gandhi alleged while addressing a rally in Jharkhand’s Simdega.

He also claimed that the Constitution was under “constant attack” and the INDIA bloc was making “all efforts to protect it”.

The Congress, if voted to power, will ensure caste census and removal of the 50 per cent cap on the reservation, Gandhi claimed.

“The Constitution is under constant attack and it needs to be protected. We will remove the cap of 50 per cent reservation at any cost. If we are voted to power in Jharkhand, we will raise reservation of STs to 28 per cent from the present 26 per cent, SCs to 12 per cent from the current 10 per cent and OBCs to 27 per cent from the existing 14 per cent,” he claimed.

He also asserted that a caste census is “a must to identify the participation of tribals, Dalits and OBCs” in various institutions and wealth of the country.

“When I raised the issue in Parliament, PM Modi was silent and later said that Rahul Gandhi wants to divide the country,” the Congress leader claimed.

This was Gandhi’s second visit to Jharkhand after the assembly poll schedule was announced.

The polls will be held in two phases on November 13 and 20 and counting will take place on November 23. 
 

DHULE [Maha Media]: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra is a vehicle that has neither wheels nor brakes, and there is a fight there to sit on the driver's seat.

Addressing his first rally in the state for the November 20 assembly elections, Modi said only the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance will ensure speedy development of Maharashtra.

“You all know my affinity with Maharashtra,” Modi said. “We consider people as another form of god, but some people are in politics to loot people,” Modi said, addressing the rally in north Maharashtra's Dhule district.

Modi said that whenever he has asked for something from the people of Maharashtra, they have given him their blessings wholeheartedly. “I assure you that the pace at which Maharashtra's development has gained in the last two-and-a-half years will not be allowed to stop,” Modi said. The prime minister said that only the BJP-led Mahayuti government can provide the good governance that Maharashtra needs.

The Congress was in power simultaneously at Centre and in Maharashtra but never felt the need for Marathi to be given the status of classical language, Modi said.

 “A dangerous game of pitting one caste against another is being played by the Congress as that party can never see Dalits, backward classes and tribals progressing,” Modi said.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: The Supreme Court on Friday deferred the question of Aligarh Muslim Unversity's minority status to a new bench and overruled the 1967 judgement that said the university cannot be considered a minority institution since it was created by a central law.

In a majority verdict headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud, the bench laid down tests for considering the issue of AMU's minority status.

The 4:3 majority judgment authored by CJI Chandrachud, also on behalf of Justices Sanjiv Khanna, J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said, "The view taken in Azeez Basha (1967 verdict) that an educational institution is not established by minority if it derives its legal character through a statute, is overruled."

A five-judge Constitution bench in the S Azeez Basha v. Union of India in 1967 said AMU was a central university and couldn't be considered a minority institution.

"The question of whether AMU is a minority educational institution must be decided based on the principles laid down in this judgement," the CJI said.

The outgoing CJI asked the case's judicial records to be placed before the regular bench, after receiving instructions from the CJI on the administrative side, for deciding the issue on the minority status besides adjudicating appeals against a 2006 verdict of the Allahabad High Court.

In January, 2006, the high court had struck down the provision of the 1981 law by which AMU was accorded the minority status.

At the outset, CJI Chandrachud said there were four separate opinions, including three dissenting verdicts.

In a dissenting opinion, Justice Surya Kant said the reference of the matter to a seven-judge bench by a division bench of the apex court was not correct whereas Justice Dipankar Datta echoed a similar sentiment opining it might set a "dangerous precedent".

"A two-judge bench tomorrow may say I doubt the basic structure (Kesavananda Bharati verdict). I refer it to a 15-judge bench. This is what exactly would happen if we accept the majority opinion. Can it be done?" asked Justice Datta.

Justice Datta in the concluding part of his verdict wrote, "In terms of clause 5 of Article 145, it is my firm opinion that not only do the references do not require an answer, it is also declared that AMU is not a minority educational institution and that the appeals seeking minority status for it should fail."

Pronouncing a separate opinion on the matter, Justice Satish Chandra Sharma agreed with the two other dissenting judges on the point of reference.

"The establishment of an institution by the minority is necessary for the said minority to claim right of administration under Article 30 (of the Constitution)," he opined.

Article 30 of the Constitution deals with right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions.

"I would like to make it very clear that my judgement is neither an assenting nor a dissenting judgement. It is my personal opinion based upon the law, the judgements cited and the arguments and the facts on the subject," clarified Justice Sharma.

The issue of AMU's minority status has been caught in a legal maze for the last several decades.

The top court had on February 12, 2019, referred to a seven-judge bench the contentious issue and a similar reference was made in 1981 previously.

The fabled institution, however, got back its minority status when Parliament passed the AMU (Amendment) Act in 1981.

The Congress-led UPA government at the Centre had moved in appeal against the Allahabad High Court's 2006 verdict apart from the university filing a separate petition against it.

The BJP-led NDA government informed the Supreme Court in 2016 that it would withdraw the appeal filed by the erstwhile UPA dispensation.

It had cited the apex court's 1967 judgement in the Basha case to claim that AMU was not a minority institution since it was a central university funded by the government.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: India deserves to be included in the list of global superpowers as its economy is currently growing faster than in any other country, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said.

Addressing the plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi on Thursday, Putin also said Russia is developing relations with India in all directions and there is a great degree of trust in bilateral ties.

"India should undoubtedly added to the list of superpowers, with its billion-and-a-half population, the fastest growth among all economies in the world, ancient culture and very good prospects for further growth," he said.

Calling India a great country, Putin said: "We are developing relations with India in all directions. India is a great country, now the largest in terms of population: 1.5 billion people, plus 10 million every year. "

He said India is leading the world in economic growth.

"Our vision of where and at what pace our relations will develop is based on today's realities. The volume of our cooperation is increasing many times over, every year," Putin was quoted by Russian news agency Tass as saying.

Putin added that the contacts between India and Russia in the security and defence sphere are developing.

"Look at how many types of Russian military equipment are in service with the Indian armed forces. There is a great degree of trust in this relationship. We don't just sell our weapons to India; we design them jointly," he said.

Putin named the BrahMos cruise missile project as an example.

"In fact, we made it [the missile] fit for use in three environments - in air, in sea and on land. These projects, conducted for the benefit of India's security, are ongoing," he said.

"This is widely known and no one has issues with that, but these projects demonstrate a high level of mutual trust and cooperation. So this what we will keep doing in the near term, and, I hope, will continue to do in the more distant future," he said.

Putin acknowledged certain difficulties on the border between India and China, the agency reported.

However, he said wise and competent people who keep the future of their nations in mind, are searching for compromises and will eventually find them.

"If this approach continues to gain momentum, compromises can be found, and they will be found," Putin said.

The ties between India and China nosedived following a fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades.

On October 21, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said in New Delhi that an agreement had been finalised between India and China following negotiations over the past several weeks and that it would lead to a resolution of the issues that arose in 2020.

The agreement was firmed up on patrolling and disengagement of troops along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh, a breakthrough to end the over four-year standoff.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: The four-day-long Chhath Puja celebrations concluded this morning with devotees offering oblations to the rising Sun in different parts of the country.   

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday greeted people on the occasion of Chhath and said the glimpses of nature and culture witnessed during the four-day rituals of 'Mahaparva Chhath' will instill new energy in people.

In Bihar, millions of devotees offered prayers to the Sun God and his mother Chhathi Maiya on the banks of different rivers. Besides this, people celebrated Chhath Puja at lakes, reservoirs and roof tops in makeshift arrangements.
       
From North Bihar to South Bihar lakhs of devotees thronged on Chhath Ghats of Ganga, Gandak, Kosi, Mahananda and other rivers offered morning oblations to the God of nature. With the inkling of sunrise and reddishness on the horizon devotees started offering Ushakalin Arghya at different Chhath ghats. After the ritual of Paran by the Chhathvratis, prasad was distributed to the people.

Tens of thousands of devotees from other states also observed Chhath puja at famous Sun temples like Deo in Aurangabad, Tewoosh in Sheikhpura, Hadiya in Nawada and Ongaridham in Nalanda district. On the banks of the Ganga river at Ramrekha Ghat in Buxar, Sozhi Ghat in Munger and different locations in Patna a huge gathering was witnessed this morning.

Not only in India but people in the USA also offered prayers to the Sun God and sang Chhath songs. A large number of Indian-Americans gathered on the banks of the Potomac River in Virginia, USA to perform worship.

According to reports received from various parts of the state, eight people drowned since Thursday during the Chhath festival in Bihar. While four people drowned in Rohtas, two each met a similar fate in the Bhojpur and Saran districts of the state.

In Rohtas district, two youths drowned in the Chausa canal at Pipra village under the Bhanas police station area while one person drowned in the Sone River. Another one drowned in a water body at Bhadokhara village.

In the Bhojpur district, two children drowned in Sone river at Andhari village under the Chauri police station area while two more drowned in a pond when a boat ferrying devotees capsized under the Taraiya police station area in the Saran district of Bihar.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: India voted against a resolution by Pakistan on 'Conventional arms control at the regional and subregional levels'.

The resolution by Pakistan and Syria on 'Conventional arms control at the regional and subregional levels' in the First Committee of the UN General Assembly was adopted by recorded vote with 179 members voting in favour, an abstention by Israel while India was the sole country voting against the resolution.

The First Committee of the UNGA deals with disarmament, global challenges and threats to peace that affect the international community.

The resolution recognises the “crucial role of conventional arms control in promoting regional and international peace and security.”

“Convinced that conventional arms control needs to be pursued primarily in the regional and subregional contexts since most threats to peace and security in the post- cold-war era arise mainly among states located in the same region or subregion,” the resolution said.

It notes "with particular interest the initiatives taken in this regard in different regions of the world, in particular the consultations among a number of Latin American countries and the proposals for conventional arms control made in the context of South Asia, and recognising, in the context of this subject, the relevance and value of conventional arms control in regional security.”

The resolution, "believing that militarily significant states and states with larger military capabilities have a special responsibility in promoting such agreements for regional security,” decided to give “urgent consideration to the issues involved in conventional arms control at the regional and subregional levels.”
 

BHOPAL [Maha Media]: Chief Secretary (CS) Anurag Jain is going to hold a meeting with the officers for the master plans of Bhopal and Indore, on Friday. At the meeting, Jain will review the land pooling in which master plans will figure.

The officials of the Urban Development Department and those of other related departments have been asked to attend the meeting. The master plans of Bhopal and Indore have been delaying for a long time.

During the tenure of Shivraj Singh Chouhan as chief minister, efforts were made twice to implement the master plans, but the government could not carry it out.

After Mohan Yadav took over as chief minister, Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya cancelled the proposed master plan for Bhopal and directed the officials to make the draft keeping in mind the picture of 2047.

The officials of the Urban Development Department prepared a new draft which has been sent to the Chief Minister. The draft of the master plans may be published after the Chief Minister puts his seal on it. According to sources, CS is in favour of carrying out the master plans as early as possible. The government may take some decisions after the tomorrow’s meeting.
 

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: President Droupadi Murmu will address the Vigilance Awareness Week function of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) in New Delhi today. The CVC observes Vigilance Awareness Week every year during the week when the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel falls. This year, Vigilance Awareness Week was observed from 28th October to 3rd November with the theme: “Culture of Integrity for Nation’s Prosperity”. Alongwith the Vigilance Awareness Week, the Commission organises a 3-month campaign on Preventive Vigilance which has been undertaken by the Ministries / Departments / Organizations of the Central Government from 16th August 2024 and will continue upto 15th November 2024.

During the function, three booklets prepared by the Central Vigilance Commission are expected to be released. Alongwith these booklets, a special cover issued by Department of Posts on Vigilance Awareness Week, 2024 is also expected to be released.