Norwegian Ambassador May-Elin Stener marked the completion of her first year in India with a heartfelt message expressing her appreciation for the progress made in Norway-India relations. Stener took to X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate the milestone, sharing her excitement about the strides achieved during her tenure.

In her post, Stener expressed her gratitude and enthusiasm for her role, stating, “Completed one year today as an Ambassador of Norway to India. I’m thrilled by the strides we’ve made in Norway-India relations as I also immerse myself into #IncredibleIndia!” She also posted a video on X, where she appears dressed in a saree and engages in a rapid-fire conversation about her experiences in India.

In the video, Stener was asked which Indian figure she would most like to visit Norway, to which she responded, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi.” Reflecting on her peak moment during her tenure, she highlighted the signing of the India-EFTA agreement as a significant achievement.

The ambassador also discussed various aspects of the bilateral relationship and joint projects. She demonstrated her familiarity with Indian culture by naming three types of mangoes and expressed her fondness for the saree as her favorite Indian attire. Among Indian festivals, she named Diwali as her favorite and concluded her message with a nod to Bollywood, citing the iconic dialogue “Picture abhi baki hai mere dost” from the film Om Shanti Om.

Stener’s year in India has been marked by active engagement and a deepening of ties between Norway and India, showcasing her commitment to fostering strong bilateral relations.

New Delhi, Aug 30 – The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted searches across Punjab today as part of its ongoing investigation into the murder of Vikas Prabhakar, a local leader of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP). Prabhakar, also known as Vikas Bagga, was gunned down on April 13 in his confectionary shop located in Nangal, Roopnagar district, Punjab.

The NIA took charge of the case from the state police on May 9. The agency’s spokesperson confirmed that today’s searches were part of the ongoing efforts to uncover more details related to the murder. Specifics about the searches remain undisclosed at this time.

In recent developments, Dharminder Kumar alias Kunal, a 22-year-old involved in the case, was apprehended from Ludhiana, Punjab. Kumar is accused of supplying the illegal arms and ammunition used in the murder. The arrest was made by the NIA in collaboration with the Delhi Police Special Cell.

The investigation has revealed that Kumar procured the weapons from Madhya Pradesh and delivered them to the shooters under the instructions of Harwinder Kumar alias Sonu, a Khalistani terrorist believed to be operating from abroad.

Further details about the case and ongoing operations are awaited as the NIA continues its probe.

New Delhi, Aug 29 — In a significant move aimed at supporting women lawyers and promoting inclusivity within the legal profession, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud inaugurated a state-of-the-art creche at the Supreme Court today.

The new facility, designed to accommodate up to 100 children, boasts a variety of amenities tailored to the needs of young ones, including a dedicated play area, feeding area, sleeping area, and dining area. This expansion from the previous creche, which measured 198 square meters and served around 30 children, reflects the Supreme Court’s commitment to fostering a supportive environment for its staff and members of the legal community.

CJI Chandrachud emphasized the importance of this initiative in encouraging more women to join and thrive in the legal profession. “We have a large number of young lawyers who come here every day to work. We have a staff of almost 2,500 members. The idea is to create a safe, very appealing environment for their children,” he said. He added that such facilities are crucial in removing uncertainties related to the safety of children and promoting the participation of women in the workforce.

The Chief Justice also urged other organizations to follow suit. “I hope other organizations take the cue from us and create these facilities because this is a way we can encourage more women to come into the workplace and create safe working conditions for the children,” he noted.

Following the inauguration of the creche, CJI Chandrachud addressed the court. “So sorry we were all late. But we dedicated the new creche to benefit the young men and women lawyers,” he remarked, highlighting the upgrade from the previous 200 square meters to the new 400 square meters facility.

In addition to the creche, CJI Chandrachud also inaugurated a new branch of the Bank of Maharashtra within the Supreme Court premises. Kapil Sibal, President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, was present at both inaugurations, underscoring the collaborative spirit within the legal community.

This dual announcement marks a progressive step towards enhancing the working environment for legal professionals and reflects the Supreme Court’s ongoing efforts to support its members in balancing their professional and personal lives.

New Delhi, August 29 — The Supreme Court of India has announced it will appoint a special prosecutor to oversee the trial in the high-profile 2015 cash-for-vote scam case involving Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.

The decision came after the Court heard a petition seeking the transfer of the trial from Telangana to Bhopal. A bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai, P.K. Mishra, and K.V. Viswanathan stated it will consult with colleagues from Telangana and issue a decision by 2 p.m. today.

Senior advocate C. Aryama Sundaram, representing Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLA Guntakandla Jagadish Reddy and three other petitioners, argued for the transfer, citing concerns over public statements made by Revanth Reddy, who was then with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and is now the Chief Minister of Telangana. Sundaram emphasized that the Chief Minister’s dual role as Home Minister might influence the impartiality of the trial.

The bench remarked on the principle of natural justice, questioning whether it could entertain the petition based solely on apprehensions. “If we entertain such petitions, we will be disbelieving our judicial officers,” the bench observed.

The Court acknowledged the concerns about impartiality and agreed to appoint an independent public prosecutor to ensure a fair trial. The decision aims to restore public confidence in the judicial process.

The case stems from an incident on May 31, 2015, when Revanth Reddy was apprehended by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for allegedly attempting to bribe Elvis Stephenson, a nominated MLA, with Rs 50 lakh to support a TDP candidate in the legislative council elections. Revanth Reddy, along with others involved, was later granted bail.

The petition for trial transfer argues that Reddy’s current positions as Chief Minister and Home Minister could unduly influence the proceedings and witnesses. It asserts that a fair trial is fundamental to the Constitution’s Article 21, which guarantees justice free from bias and external pressures.

The plea also requests the transfer of a related case from Telangana to Bhopal. On January 5, the Supreme Court had postponed until February the hearing of Reddy’s separate petition challenging the high court’s dismissal of his plea regarding the jurisdiction of the ACB court.

In July 2015, the ACB filed charges against Reddy and others under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code. The ACB presented audio and video evidence, including the recovery of Rs 50 lakh, as part of its case against the accused.