Nivedita

Actor Mithun Chakraborty, 74, has been nominated for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest cinema honor. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the nomination, highlighting Chakraborty's inspirational cinematic journey. The award will be presented at the 70th National Film Awards on October 8. A former Rajya Sabha member, Chakraborty has received three National Film Awards and the Padma Bhushan. He is known for his iconic role in Disco Dancer (1982) and made his debut in Mrigayaa (1976). The Dadasaheb Phalke Award, established in 1969, recognizes outstanding contributions to Indian cinema and includes a medallion, shawl, and a cash prize of ₹1,000,000.

Actor Anupam Kher expressed shock after an Ahmedabad trader was duped with counterfeit ₹500 notes featuring his image instead of Mahatma Gandhi's. Mehul Thakkar, a bullion trader, filed a complaint stating that he was approached for a deal involving 2,100 grams of gold worth ₹1.6 crore. The suspects delivered ₹1.3 crore in cash but vanished after the transaction, leaving Thakkar with fake notes. Police are investigating the case using CCTV footage to identify the suspects, who remain at large. Kher reacted humorously, stating, "My photo instead of Mahatma Gandhi's on a ₹500 note??? Kuch bhi ho sakta hai."

The Supreme Court granted relief to a Scheduled Caste candidate seeking admission to IIT Dhanbad, using its powers under Article 142. The student was barred from admission due to a delay in submitting the ₹17,500 fee, as his father, a daily wage worker, needed extra time to arrange the funds. The court emphasized that deserving students from marginalized backgrounds should not be excluded, directing that the candidate be admitted in a supernumerary seat without disturbing existing students. The candidate had secured a rank of 1455 in the JEE Advanced 2024, and this was his last attempt, with his family income below the poverty line.

The Supreme Court is currently hearing the Tirupati laddu controversy, emphasizing the importance of keeping God away from politics. Justice Bhushan R. Gavai and Justice K.V. Vishwanathan discussed concerns raised by Subramanian Swamy's lawyer about uninspected construction materials being sent to the kitchen. Petitions have called for a court-monitored investigation into allegations made by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who claims that animal fat and fish oil were used in the preparation of the laddu. Senior advocates represented both the Tirupati temple board and the state government, with the court highlighting the need for a clear separation between religious and political matters.

On Monday, the Karnataka High Court stayed the investigation against Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and other senior BJP leaders concerning alleged irregularities in the now-scrapped poll bonds scheme. Justice M. Nagaprasanna issued the interim order following a petition from BJP leader Nalin Kumar Kateel, named in the FIR. The case, prompted by a complaint from Adarsh Iyer of the Janaadhikara Sangharsha Sanghatane (JSP), alleges that Sitharaman and others orchestrated an extortion racket under the guise of electoral bonds, pressuring corporate entities to purchase them. The Supreme Court had previously struck down the scheme in February, citing violations of the right to information and freedom of speech.