Jammu, Nov 12: Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared that Article 370, which previously granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, will never be restored. Speaking at a rally in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar area ahead of the November 20 Maharashtra Assembly elections, Shah praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, claiming it has effectively eliminated terrorism and Naxalism from India.

“For the BJP, the issue of Kashmir is more significant than political power,” Shah stated, highlighting the commitment of the ruling coalition, Mahayuti, which includes the BJP, to national security and unity. Addressing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Shah asserted, “Even if his fourth generation comes to power, Article 370 will not be reinstated in Jammu and Kashmir.”

He noted that, following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 by the BJP-led central government, the Union Territory has witnessed peace, with no instances of stone-pelting against the government. This comment follows a recent resolution passed by the newly-elected Jammu and Kashmir Assembly seeking the restoration of the region’s special status.

Shah also criticized the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders for their stance on major national issues, including the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the removal of Article 370, and critical infrastructure projects. He argued that while MVA leaders have supported financial aid proposals, such as a monthly payment to Maulavis, they have often opposed developmental initiatives essential for India’s progress.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized India’s commitment to developing an ‘Adaptive Defence’ strategy to counter evolving threats posed by cyber-attacks, drones, and hybrid warfare. Speaking at the inaugural Delhi Defence Dialogue (DDD) organized by the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), Singh outlined the need for a flexible, anticipatory approach to defence that aligns with the rapidly changing global security landscape.

Singh explained that ‘Adaptive Defence’ is not merely a response to existing threats but a proactive strategy aimed at anticipating potential challenges. This approach, he noted, involves fostering resilience, situational awareness, agility, and integration of cutting-edge technologies to enable India’s military to adapt and innovate continuously. “It is more than just protecting our borders; it is about securing our future,” Singh said.

The Defence Minister highlighted the transformation of traditional warfare by emerging technologies and new strategic alliances, calling this era the age of ‘Grey Zone’ and ‘hybrid warfare.’ He outlined the varied security challenges India faces, from conventional border disputes to unconventional threats like cyber-attacks and terrorism. He said the government is taking steps to create a self-reliant defence ecosystem that can respond effectively to these evolving risks.

On India’s advancements in emerging technologies, Singh expressed the government’s commitment to positioning India as a leader in cyberspace and Artificial Intelligence (AI), especially within defence applications. He noted that drones and swarm technology are fundamentally changing warfare, adding that India aims to become a global drone hub as part of its ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives. The government is supporting this ambition through enhanced R&D, certification processes, and Indian intellectual property development.

Calling for a collaborative approach to security, Singh stressed that the current geopolitical and technological challenges require cross-border partnerships, information sharing, and collective strategies. He expressed confidence that by bringing together policymakers, military experts, and scholars, the Delhi Defence Dialogue would foster innovative ideas to enhance India’s defence posture and preparedness for future contingencies.

New Delhi, Nov 12: Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna announced on Tuesday that no oral submissions for the urgent listing and hearing of cases will be allowed, urging lawyers to submit requests via email or written letters. Traditionally, lawyers would mention their cases before the CJI-led bench at the start of daily proceedings to seek out-of-turn hearings on grounds of urgency. However, in a new directive, the CJI stated, “No written or oral mentionings anymore. Only in email or written slip/letters. Just state the reasons for urgency.” Justice Khanna, who was sworn in as the 51st CJI by President Droupadi Murmu on Monday, emphasized his commitment to citizen-centric judicial reforms. He underscored the judiciary’s constitutional duty to ensure equal treatment and easy access to justice for all citizens, regardless of their status or wealth. In his first statement as CJI, Justice Khanna spoke of the judiciary’s critical role as the guardian of constitutional rights and the protector of fundamental freedoms. “The judiciary is an integral, yet independent, part of the governance system. The Constitution trusts upon us the responsibility of being the protector of fundamental rights and the service provider of justice,” he said. Highlighting key challenges facing the judiciary, the CJI focused on reducing case backlogs, making litigation more affordable, and simplifying complex legal processes. His vision includes a more approachable and user-friendly justice system. Justice Khanna also emphasized the need for comprehensible judgments, efficient criminal case management, and the promotion of mediation to expedite dispute resolution and deliver timely justice. He pledged to prioritize reducing trial durations and adopting systematic approaches to make legal procedures less burdensome for citizens. In line with his goals, he expressed a willingness to embrace feedback and ensure that the justice delivery framework remains fair, impartial, and accessible to all.

New Delhi, Nov 12 – The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to respond to a plea by AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, who has challenged the summons issued to him in a money laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam.

Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri refused to stay the trial in the criminal case and noted that the trial court’s order, which Kejriwal is contesting, is two months old and not a new order. The court issued notice to the ED on Kejriwal’s petition, which questions the legality of the summons issued to the former Delhi Chief Minister based on the ED’s complaint.

Kejriwal’s counsel argued that the complaint was not maintainable, highlighting a procedural discrepancy where one officer issued the summons, while another officer filed the complaint.

Kejriwal is challenging the September 17 order of a sessions court that had dismissed his plea against the summons. The summons was issued by a magisterial court, which had taken cognizance of two complaints filed by the ED for Kejriwal’s failure to respond to earlier summonses. The ED had filed the complaints seeking Kejriwal’s prosecution for evading multiple summonses in connection with the now-abandoned Delhi excise policy.

Jammu, Nov 12: Lt Gen M V Sudhindra Kumar, Army’s Northern Commander, visited the White Knight Corps (16 Corps) headquarters in Jammu on Tuesday to assess the operational readiness of troops, officials reported. This visit comes amid intensified anti-terror operations in Kishtwar district’s remote forest areas, where recent attacks by terrorists resulted in the deaths of a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and two Village Defence Guards (VDGs) within the past five days.

According to a post by the Northern Command on X, Lt Gen Kumar’s review focused on enhancing the preparedness of the White Knight Corps, also known as XVI Corps, urging all personnel to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and vigilance in ongoing anti-terror operations.

The military’s extensive search operation continues in Keshwan, Kuntwara, and surrounding forest areas of Kishtwar, now entering its sixth day. Security forces aim to locate and neutralize the terrorists involved in the recent attacks, including the death of Naib Subedar Rakesh Kumar of 2 Para and injuries to three other soldiers in Keshwan forest on Sunday, as well as the abduction and shooting of VDGs Nazir Ahmed and Kuldeep Kumar in Kuntwara forest last Thursday. Despite an intensified search, no further contact has been made with the terrorists.

Officials noted a concerning increase in terror incidents in the Jammu region this year, with 44 civilians and 18 security personnel killed in attacks. While terror activities in the Pir Panjal areas of Rajouri and Poonch have decreased compared to previous years, fresh incidents across Reasi, Doda, Kishtwar, Kathua, Udhampur, and Jammu since April have kept security forces on high alert.

Jammu, Nov 12: Lt Gen M V Sudhindra Kumar, Army’s Northern Commander, visited the White Knight Corps (16 Corps) headquarters in Jammu on Tuesday to assess the operational readiness of troops, officials reported. This visit comes amid intensified anti-terror operations in Kishtwar district’s remote forest areas, where recent attacks by terrorists resulted in the deaths of a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and two Village Defence Guards (VDGs) within the past five days.

According to a post by the Northern Command on X, Lt Gen Kumar’s review focused on enhancing the preparedness of the White Knight Corps, also known as XVI Corps, urging all personnel to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and vigilance in ongoing anti-terror operations.

The military’s extensive search operation continues in Keshwan, Kuntwara, and surrounding forest areas of Kishtwar, now entering its sixth day. Security forces aim to locate and neutralize the terrorists involved in the recent attacks, including the death of Naib Subedar Rakesh Kumar of 2 Para and injuries to three other soldiers in Keshwan forest on Sunday, as well as the abduction and shooting of VDGs Nazir Ahmed and Kuldeep Kumar in Kuntwara forest last Thursday. Despite an intensified search, no further contact has been made with the terrorists.

Officials noted a concerning increase in terror incidents in the Jammu region this year, with 44 civilians and 18 security personnel killed in attacks. While terror activities in the Pir Panjal areas of Rajouri and Poonch have decreased compared to previous years, fresh incidents across Reasi, Doda, Kishtwar, Kathua, Udhampur, and Jammu since April have kept security forces on high alert.