Author: Himalayan Express

A Delhi court on Saturday deferred its hearing on the appeal filed by four women wrestlers against a magistrate’s verdict acquitting former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case.

The criminal appeal filed on Friday also assailed the acquittal of former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar of the criminal intimidation charge in the case.

On Saturday, the court staff of Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh announced that the judge was on leave for judicial training, and that the matter would be taken up on Monday.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday remembered former prime minister Manmohan Singh on his birth anniversary as a visionary statesman whose landmark economic reforms transformed India.

In a post on X, he said humility, integrity and wisdom defined Singh’s personality and he led with quiet dignity and compassion.

“We remember with profound respect the extraordinary contribution of former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh to India’s nation-building. A visionary statesman, his landmark economic reforms transformed India’s growth trajectory, created new opportunities and helped lift millions out of poverty,” Kharge said in his post.

Leader of Opposition in the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, today called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and held detailed discussions on a range of important issues concerning Jammu & Kashmir.

During the meeting, Sharma apprised the Union Home Minister of matters related to the prevailing security situation, law and order, development initiatives, public concerns, and matters related to the ongoing session of the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly. He also raised the issue of enhancement of salaries of Special Police Officers (SPOs), which is at the final stage, and requested that the matter be expedited for its early conclusion.

He also highlighted key concerns being raised by the people of Jammu & Kashmir and discussed matters requiring continued attention, coordination, and support from the Union Government.

The interaction provided to deliberate on strengthening security, accelerating development initiatives, addressing issues related to public welfare, and ensuring timely resolution of matters concerning the people of the Union Territory.

During the discussion, Amit Shah reiterated the Union Government’s commitment to peace, development, and prosperity in Jammu & Kashmir and assured continued support and cooperation in addressing matters concerning the people of the Union Territory.

Sunil Sharma expressed his gratitude to the Union Home Minister for his guidance and continued support on issues concerning the security, development, and welfare of the people of Jammu & Kashmir.

The Delhi government will launch an enforcement drive for valid PUC certificates from October 1, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Saturday.

Gupta, who inaugurated a vehicle automatic testing station (ATS) in Burari area, said her government is taking several steps to reduce air pollution in the national capital.

“We want to ensure that every person in Delhi gets clean air to breathe. This enforcement will be done to check whether the Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates are valid. Delhi government is working round the year to reduce air pollution; this is one step towards that,” Gupta said, addressing a crowd.

The proposed Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select high-value UPI transactions is neither a tax, cess nor a surcharge, and the collections will not accrue to the government, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, rejecting criticism from Opposition parties.

The Finance Minister said the MDR is a charge within the digital payments ecosystem and is being levied by entities facilitating UPI transactions, including payment service providers, merchant’s bank and other ecosystem participants.

“This is not a tax, this is not a cess, this is not even a surcharge. And the collection is not coming to the Consolidated Fund of India,” Sitharaman told PTI.

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a PIL seeking directions to the Centre to constitute a commission to examine and recommend the use of Hindi as an official language of the apex court.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said language-related reforms were already being considered administratively and could not be brought about through judicial orders.

The PIL, filed by Brahmeshwar Nath Mishra, sought a direction to the Centre to constitute a commission for making recommendations regarding the use of Hindi as the official language of the Supreme Court.