The Supreme Court of India has expressed serious concern over the alarming rise in child trafficking cases across the country, warning that the situation could spiral out of control if immediate action is not taken by States and Union Territories.

A bench comprising Justice J B Pardiwala and Justice K V Viswanathan, while hearing a plea on Wednesday, observed that organised gangs are actively operating nationwide. The court emphasized that while judicial monitoring is possible, the primary responsibility lies with state governments, police authorities, and administrative agencies.

The bench expressed dissatisfaction over the “lackadaisical” approach of several states and UTs in implementing its April 15, 2025 judgment, which aimed at dismantling organised trafficking networks. The judgment had mandated completion of trials in trafficking cases within six months on a day-to-day basis, strengthening of Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs), and improved investigation standards.

The court had also directed the formation of state-level committees to monitor trafficking-prone areas and instructed authorities to treat all missing children cases as trafficking unless proven otherwise.

Highlighting poor compliance, the bench noted that states including Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Haryana, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Odisha, and Punjab have failed to submit reports in the prescribed format. The court termed some of the submitted compliance reports as “nothing but an eye wash.”

When the Home Secretary of Madhya Pradesh tendered an apology, the court granted a final opportunity but warned that continued non-compliance would result in states being officially labelled as “defaulting.”

The bench further observed that at least 15 states are yet to constitute review committees required to identify and monitor vulnerable areas. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on April 29.

The Supreme Court reiterated that strong political and administrative will is essential to effectively combat child trafficking and safeguard vulnerable children across the country.

Taking a swipe at the government, the Congress on Wednesday said the role played by Pakistan in bringing about the ceasefire between the US and Iran is a “severe setback” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “highly personalised diplomacy” and “the self-styled Vishwaguru stands thoroughly exposed”.

The opposition party also said Prime Minister Modi’s “cowardice is demonstrated by his silence not only on Israel’s belligerence, but on the completely unacceptable and disgraceful language being used by his good friend in the White House”.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the entire world will cautiously welcome the two-week ceasefire in the West Asia conflict between the US and Israel on the one side and Iran on the other.

“The conflict had begun on February 28th with the targeted assassinations of the topmost echelons of the regime in Iran. These had started just two days after Prime Minister Modi had completed his much-trumpeted visit to Israel, a visit that diminished India’s global stature and standing,” Ramesh claimed.

PM Modi had said nothing about Israel’s “genocide” in Gaza and its aggressively expansionist policies in the occupied West Bank, Ramesh said.

“The role played by Pakistan in bringing about the ceasefire is a severe setback to both the substance and style of Mr Modi’s highly personalised diplomacy,” he said.

The policy to isolate Pakistan for its continuing support to terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and to convince the world that it is a failed state has clearly not succeeded – unlike what Manmohan Singh had accomplished after the Mumbai terror attacks, Ramesh claimed.

That a bankrupt economy dependent entirely on the largesse of external donors and a broken country in so many ways was able to play such a role calls into question Modi’s strategy of engagement and narrative management, he said.

“He (Modi) or his team has also never explained why Op Sindoor was suddenly and abruptly halted on May 10th 2025 – the first announcement of which came from the US Secretary of State and for which the US President has claimed credit almost a hundred times since then,” the Congress leader said.

“There is a palpable sigh of relief everywhere. The External Affairs Minister (S Jaishankar) dismissed Pakistan as a dalal. But now the self-styled Vishwaguru stands thoroughly exposed, his self-declared 56-inch chest shrunk and shrivelled,” Ramesh said.

“His cowardice is demonstrated by his silence not only on Israel’s belligerence, but on the completely unacceptable and disgraceful language being used by his good friend in the White House,” the Congress leader added.

US President Donald Trump pulled back on his threats to launch devastating strikes on Iran late Tuesday, as the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire that includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump swerved to de-escalate the war less than two hours before the deadline he set for Tehran to capitulate to a deal or face attacks on its bridges and power plants meant to destroy the Iranian civilisation.

Trump made the dramatic announcement on Truth Social on Tuesday evening (US time) even as Democrats called for his removal over unhinged threats to wipe out the Iranian civilisation.

“Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, of Pakistan, and wherein they requested that I hold off the destructive force being sent tonight to Iran, subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz,” the US President said in a social media post.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said it has accepted the ceasefire and that it would negotiate with the United States in Pakistan beginning Friday. Neither Iran nor the United States said when the ceasefire would begin, and attacks took place in Israel, Iran and across the Gulf region early Wednesday.

Israel backed the US ceasefire with Iran but the deal doesn’t cover fighting against Hezbollah in Lebanon, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said early Wednesday. (Agencies)

The Reserve Bank of India on Wednesday kept the policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25 per cent in the first monetary policy announcement of the financial year 2026-27, citing rising global uncertainties and geopolitical tensions.

Announcing the decision, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) unanimously voted to maintain the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility at 5.25 per cent.

Governor stated “After the detailed assessment of the evolving macroeconomic and financial developments and the outlook, the MPC voted unanimously to keep the policy repo rate unchanged under the liquidity facility at 5.25 per cent. Consequently, the SDR rate remains at 5 per cent and the MSF rate and the bank rate at 5.5 per cent”.

“Consequently, the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate remains at 5 per cent and the Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate and the bank rate at 5.5 per cent,” he said.

The MPC meeting was held on April 6, 7 and 8 to assess the evolving macroeconomic and financial conditions before arriving at the decision.

The central bank noted that the policy comes at a time when the global economy is facing significant challenges due to heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly the ongoing conflict in West Asia, along with disruptions in global supply chains.

The RBI Governor said that before the outbreak of the conflict, India’s macroeconomic fundamentals reflected strong growth and low inflation. However, conditions turned adverse in March as the conflict widened and intensified.

Despite these challenges, he emphasised that India’s economic fundamentals remain strong and are better positioned compared to previous crisis periods and many other economies, providing resilience against global shocks.

He highlighted that global growth is facing downside risks due to rising energy prices and shortages of key inputs, which have increased inflation concerns and pushed up geopolitical risk premiums in oil markets.

Heightened uncertainty due to the conflict has also impacted financial markets globally. Safe-haven flows have strengthened the US dollar, putting depreciation pressure on currencies of major economies.

At the same time, commodity prices such as metals and gold have moderated, while financial markets have witnessed increased volatility. Equity markets have seen broad-based corrections, and sovereign bond yields have hardened due to inflation fears and concerns over long-term fiscal sustainability. (AgenciesI)

In a concerning development, a massive landslide struck the remote Pangi Valley of Himachal Pradesh, isolating it from the rest of the state. The incident unfolded following heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours, causing significant disruption to transportation routes. The landslide occurred along the Sansari–Kullu–Manali road, situated at the border of Chamba and Lahaul-Spiti districts, effortlessly washing away nearly a 60-metre stretch of the crucial road.

Eyewitness accounts describe the landslide as catastrophic, with entire hillsides collapsing and leaving no trace of the road. This disaster has rendered movement impossible, even on foot, in the affected areas. Approximately 40 to 50 individuals travelling in private vehicles and taxis found themselves stranded at Sugalwas and Kadu Nullah, some of whom had to endure extremely cold conditions overnight.

Authorities have undertaken measures to ensure the safety of those trapped. Several stranded individuals have been relocated to safer locations as restoration efforts commence. The Border Roads Organisation has initiated operations to clear debris and restore connectivity to the cut-off valley.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has heighted concerns as it issued weather alerts across the state. An orange alert warns of hailstorms, thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds travelling at 40-60 kmph in districts including Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, and Solan. A yellow alert is in effect for similar conditions expected in Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, and Sirmaur.

The prolonged wet spell is likely to continue until April 13, prompting vigilance among residents and travellers alike. Reports indicate widespread rainfall throughout the state, with Sarahan recording the highest precipitation at 38.5 mm. Residents in Shimla district face additional challenges, as hailstorms have inflicted damage on local crops.

Amid these adverse conditions, colder temperatures have intensified across Himachal. Kalpa and Kukumseri registered lows of 0.4°C, while day temperatures have hovered between 3-9°C below normal in many areas. Snowfall is likely in higher regions as the weather outlook indicates further disturbances.

The ongoing weather challenges stem from a Western Disturbance, with forecasts suggesting that another system will affect the region starting April 11. Local authorities have issued a strong advisory urging residents and visitors to remain cautious and to avoid travelling along landslide-prone routes while adhering to official weather advisories.