Top News

Supreme Court Directs Voter List Publication in Bihar

The Supreme Court has instructed the Election Commission to release a district-wise list of approximately 6.5 million voters whose names were removed from the draft electoral roll following a special revision process in Bihar. This list is to be made available on the websites of the state's district and chief electoral officers.

A bench led by Justice Surya Kant emphasized that individuals wishing to contest their exclusion can submit Aadhaar cards as proof of identity.

Additionally, the court mandated that the Election Commission provide reasons for each deletion, stating that this transparency would enhance 'voter confidence' in the electoral process.

These directives were issued during hearings of petitions challenging the voter roll revisions in Bihar, which are taking place ahead of the anticipated Assembly elections scheduled for October or November.

Tragic Cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir

In a devastating incident, at least 32 individuals lost their lives due to a cloudburst that caused flash floods near Chashoti village in Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir. Rescue operations are currently in progress, as confirmed by Kishtwar's Deputy Commissioner, Pankaj Sharma.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has communicated with Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the situation, noting that information from the affected area is arriving slowly but is concerning.

To assist those impacted by the disaster, the chief minister has released contact numbers for a help desk and control room.

Supreme Court Addresses Street Dog Population Issues

The Supreme Court has remarked that the challenges related to the street dog population in Delhi stem from the inaction of local authorities. This statement was made while the court reserved its ruling on petitions contesting recent orders to capture and relocate street dogs in Delhi, Noida, and Gurugram to shelters within a six-week timeframe.

The case concerning stray dogs has been escalated to a three-judge bench led by Justice Vikram Nath after concerns were raised about conflicting directives from previous benches.

Justice Nath criticized local authorities for their lack of responsibility, stating, 'They should be here taking responsibility.'

Actor Darshan Thoogudeepa Arrested Following Bail Cancellation

In Bengaluru, actor Darshan Thoogudeepa has been taken into custody after the Supreme Court revoked his previously granted bail. Alongside him, his partner and co-accused, Pavithra Gowda, was also arrested.

Thoogudeepa was initially detained on June 11, 2024, in connection with the murder of a 33-year-old fan, Renukaswamy, whose body was discovered in a drain after allegedly sending threatening messages to Gowda.

The High Court had granted Thoogudeepa interim bail for six weeks in October for medical reasons, followed by regular bail for him, Gowda, and five others in December.

The Supreme Court has cautioned against any preferential treatment for the accused in prison, stating that any indication of such treatment would result in immediate disciplinary action against the prison superintendent and involved officials.

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