SC Orders IIT Dhanbad to Admit Dalit Candidate Under Article 142
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.
Tirupati Laddu row: SC Criticizes Naidu’s Public Comments, Emphasizes”Keep God away from politics”
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.
Karnataka HC Puts Investigation Against Nirmala Sitharaman in Poll Bonds Case on Hold
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.
Karan Veer Mehra won “Khatron Ke Khiladi 14”
The grand finale of "Khatron Ke Khiladi 14" delivered an exhilarating showdown as contestants battled for the coveted trophy. Karan Veer Mehra shone brightly, becoming the first finalist to secure his place in the Top 3 after a daring helicopter stunt against Gashmeer Mahajani. While Krishna Shroff and Abhishek Kumar opted to abort their stunts, Karan's performance wowed the audience and host Rohit Shetty, who praised all Top 5 contestants for their remarkable journeys.
“Government to Introduce Three Bills on One Nation, One Election; Two Will Be Constitutional Amendment Bills
The government is set to introduce three bills to advance its ‘one nation, one election’ initiative, including two constitutional amendment bills. One bill will align local body elections with Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections, requiring approval from at least 50 percent of the states. Another constitutional amendment aims to enable simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and state Assemblies by amending Article 82A. The third bill will amend laws governing Union territories with legislative assemblies—Puducherry, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir—to synchronize their terms with those of the Lok Sabha. A high-level committee recommended implementing this initiative in two phases, starting with Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections, followed by local body elections within 100 days of the general election.
