The Supreme Court will hear an important case on March 18 about whether candidates with serious criminal charges should be allowed to run in elections. A group of judges, Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh, will look into this issue.
Last September, the Supreme Court asked the government and the Election Commission of India (ECI) to respond to a request from lawyer Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay. This request wants to stop candidates who have serious criminal charges against them from participating in elections.
The lawyer’s plea claims that despite past recommendations from the Law Commission of India and previous court orders, the government and ECI have not taken any action. The plea highlights that out of 539 people who won in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, about 233, which is 43%, have declared they are facing criminal cases.
According to a report from the NGO Association for Democratic Reforms, the number of Members of Parliament (MPs) with serious criminal cases has increased by 109% since 2009. In fact, one MP has declared 204 criminal cases against himself, including serious charges like homicide and robbery.
The plea argues that political parties are competing to choose candidates with criminal records to stay in power. This criminalization of politics harms the public, yet parties continue to nominate candidates with serious criminal backgrounds.
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Supreme Court to Decide on Debarring Candidates with Criminal Charges
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High Court Questions FIR Status in Police Custody Death Case
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court is asking why a police report (FIR) wasn’t filed after finding that five police officers were responsible for the death of a man involved in a Badlapur sexual assault case. The Maharashtra government stated they are already looking into the incident as an accidental death.
A group of judges, Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Neela Gokhale, held a meeting on Thursday to discuss if an FIR should be filed after a report from a magistrate blamed the five officers for the man’s death while he was in custody.
The man, Akshay Shinde, was accused of sexually assaulting two young girls in a school where he worked. He was arrested in August 2024 and died during what police called a shootout. This happened on September 23, 2024, while he was being taken from Taloja prison for questioning.
Police say he grabbed an officer’s gun and shot at them, which led to them firing back. A legal inquiry was conducted because of Shinde’s death in police custody. The magistrate’s report suggested that Shinde’s father’s claims of a fake encounter might be true, putting doubt on the officers’ self-defense claims.
Senior lawyer Amit Desai, representing the state, explained that they have already opened an accidental death report and the Crime Investigation Department (CID) is looking into Shinde’s death.
The judges questioned if an investigation can only be based on an accidental death report. They argued that if it becomes clear that the death was not accidental but was caused by someone, an FIR should be filed.
Desai responded that after the CID finishes its work, they will submit a final report that might either close the case or push for charges against someone.
Another lawyer appointed by the court emphasized that since the magistrate said it was an unnatural death, an FIR should be registered.
The police claim that Shinde took a gun during transport and opened fire, leading to him being shot by senior inspector Sanjay Shinde along with other officers present. He was being questioned in connection with a case his wife filed against him.
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Market Dips but Stocks Soar: Find Out the Top Gainers Today!
NEW DELHI: Many stocks saw big jumps of 5% or more on Thursday, even though the stock market closed lower. The Sensex, which is a big measure of the market, dropped by 200.85 points to end at 73,828.91. Some of the top winners in the market today were Ontic Finserve, Soni Medicare, and Jupiter Infomed, all rising by 10%. Others like GRP Ltd, Indo Euro Ind, and Quantum Digital also had gains close to 10%.
In the Nifty 50 index, which includes 50 of India’s main companies, stocks like BEL (up 1.18%), SBI (up 0.67%), and NTPC (up 0.54%) were among the few to rise. The Nifty 50 ended 73.3 points lower at 22,397.2. Out of the 50 companies in the Nifty, 15 saw their prices go up, while 35 went down. -
Akhilesh Yadav: Yogi Adityanath’s Governance Under Fire Ahead of Holi
Akhilesh Yadav, the leader of the Samajwadi Party, criticized Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, calling him a “Tees Maar Khan,” which means someone who shows off but doesn’t deliver results. Yadav made this comment after it was reported that some mosques were covered with tarpaulin sheets before the Holi festival. The government said this was to keep everyone safe and to maintain peace during the celebrations.
Yadav said it is important for people from all backgrounds to celebrate festivals like Holi together because it brings joy and happiness. He wished everyone a happy Holi and emphasized that traditions connecting various communities should remain strong.
Yadav also pointed out that the Chief Minister seems to care too much about the number 30, referencing a recent incident where 30 people died and economic activities were reported to be worth Rs 30 crore. He said the Chief Minister should explain these numbers.
On the topic of demolitions happening in the state, Yadav mentioned that the Supreme Court has given guidance, but the government is not following it. He hopes the court will ensure fairness for everyone. Yadav believes many people are concerned that the Constitution is not safe under the BJP government.
He also predicts that the BJP will face a big loss in the 2027 state elections. He said that the Chief Minister’s claim that young people found jobs simply by riding their bikes is unrealistic and directly questioned the truth behind BJP’s promises. He believes the BJP also lost in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and will do even worse in 2027. -
Starlink’s Surprising Partnerships: Political Alliances or Business Moves
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh raised concerns about the recent partnerships between Elon Musk’s Starlink and India’s major telecom firms, Jio and Airtel. He claimed that these deals were arranged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to maintain a good relationship with former US President Donald Trump during ongoing global trade disputes.
Ramesh questioned how Jio and Airtel could suddenly support Starlink after previously opposing its entry into India. He pointed out that just 12 hours after announcing the partnership, these companies embraced a business they had once fought against.
In an interview, Ramesh said, “These companies opposed Starlink because it wanted special radio waves (spectrum) to operate, which goes against the Indian government’s auction policies since 2014.”
He further accused the Prime Minister of using Starlink’s deals to curry favor with Trump and insisted that there must be some agreement involved, although details are unclear. He expressed concern that this move was all about gaining friendship with Trump through Musk.
Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC responded to the accusations by calling out the Congress party for spreading conspiracy theories. She argued that Jio and Airtel made their own choices to partner with Starlink and emphasized that there’s no threat to India’s national security, urging Ramesh to stop promoting these ideas.
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Explore Jagan Mohan Reddy’s Lavish Sea Mansion and Leadership Challenges
Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, who leads the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), has captured attention online for his luxurious mansion by the sea in Visakhapatnam. The stunning property, located in Rushikonda, covers 10 acres and has four large buildings surrounded by beautiful gardens.
A recent video from the news agency ANI showcased the inside of the mansion, while drone footage showed how big it is near the coastline. The landscaping around the house adds to its beauty.
At a recent event celebrating the founding of YSRCP, Jagan Mohan Reddy spoke about the party’s mission to represent those who are not heard. He reminded everyone that the YSRCP was formed from struggles and has a history of fighting for fairness. Jagan also said that in the 15 years of YSRCP’s existence, the party spent 10 years in the opposition but always stood by the people.
However, a former member of YSRCP, V Vijayasai Reddy, has raised concerns about Jagan’s leadership. He warned that Jagan’s future depends on breaking away from a small group of advisors who may be giving him misleading information. Vijayasai Reddy mentioned that only good news reaches Jagan, and if he does not change this, he may face challenges ahead.
He further claimed that access to Jagan is very controlled, with some people even having to pay bribes to meet him.
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ASI to Renovate Shahi Jama Masjid Following Court Order
On Thursday, a team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) visited the Shahi Jama Masjid to take measurements for upcoming renovation work. This decision comes after the Allahabad High Court instructed the ASI to finish whitewashing the mosque within a week.
Zafar Ali, the head of the Jama Masjid committee, told reporters that the ASI team was assessing what needed to be done and preparing a cost estimate. He said, “We are fully cooperating with the team, and everything is going well. Once they finish taking measurements and get approval, the painting work will start soon.”
Ali explained that if the approval comes on Thursday, painting might start right away. If not, since Holi is coming up, it will begin the day after the holiday. The mosque committee will supervise the painting under the ASI’s rules and guidance.
Earlier, the Allahabad High Court asked the ASI’s lawyer to explain what problems whitewashing the mosque might cause. The mosque committee’s lawyer, SFA Naqvi, pointed out that the ASI had not denied the request for whitewashing or outdoor lighting. He even showed colored photos showing that the mosque clearly needs a paint job.
Last November, riots broke out in Sambhal when locals protested a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. They claimed the mosque was built on the ruins of a Hindu temple destroyed during the Mughal era. The protest turned violent, leading to clashes with the police that resulted in four deaths and many injuries.
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Puma Cuts 500 Jobs Amid Weak US Sales
Puma, the sportswear company, announced on Wednesday that it will be cutting 500 jobs and closing some stores because US customers aren’t buying as much. This news came after Puma shared disappointing sales results, which caused its stock price to drop by 23%.
Puma’s CEO, Arne Freundt, explained that people in the US are worried about the economy and are spending less money. This bad news followed a report of weak sales and profit in January. It raised concerns about how Puma can compete against larger brands like Adidas and Nike, as well as newer brands like On Running and Hoka.
Additionally, Puma mentioned that about 10% of the shoes imported to the US come from China, which now face new tariffs set by former President Donald Trump. Because of this, Puma is asking suppliers to move production to other countries, like Indonesia.
The company estimates its sales will grow slowly this year, aiming for a low to mid-single-digit percentage increase, compared to a 4.4% growth in 2024. On the other hand, Adidas performed well in 2024 and is being careful about its plans for 2025.
One successful product for both Puma and Adidas last year was the revival of classic shoe designs. Puma confirmed that it still plans to sell between 4 to 6 million pairs of its popular “Speedcat” sneakers, inspired by motor racing. -
Holi Celebrated After 46 Years at Kartikeya Mahadev Temple
On Thursday, people in Khaggu Sarai celebrated Holi at the Kartikeya Mahadev Temple for the first time in 46 years. The event was joyful, with many social and Hindu groups taking part. The temple had been closed since 1978 due to riots but was reopened last December.
Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shreesh Chandra reported that plenty of police officers were present to keep everyone safe. “Holi is being celebrated peacefully here at the temple. There’s no need to worry; people are enjoying the festival safely,” he said.
The temple is near Shahi Jama Masjid, which has faced issues related to communal violence, including an incident in November 2024 that sadly resulted in four deaths. This violence started after a protest during a court-ordered survey of the mosque.
Anand Agrawal, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) district president, expressed his happiness about the celebration. “It’s amazing to celebrate Holi at the Kartikeya Mahadev Temple after so many years! People from different social groups are gathering here with flowers and colors,” he shared.
Participants were excited about the celebration and thanked the police for keeping everyone safe. One attendee, Priyanshu Jain, said, “The police have done a great job making sure everything is secure, and everyone is fully enjoying the festival.”
The temple, also known as Bhasma Shankar Temple, reopened on December 13 last year after the authorities discovered it during an anti-encroachment drive. The temple has an idol of Lord Hanuman and a Shivling
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LIC Shares Rated ‘Buy’: Target Price Revised to Rs 1,175
The Kotak Institutional Equities brokerage firm believes that the shares of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) are a good buy at a low price. They lowered their target price for LIC shares from Rs 1,250 to Rs 1,175 after a recent fall in the stock market.
Kotak mentioned that the recent drop in stock prices and business challenges, like new rules for surrender values, have made it tough for LIC. They said that changes in the stock market greatly affect LIC, which gets over half of its value from these investments.
LIC’s investment in stocks has dropped by 6.9% since the end of 2025, which is troubling. Even though they predict the company will take a loss in the second half of the financial year, they think the current low price of LIC shares is a good reason to buy, given the challenges ahead.
On the business side, LIC saw a 24% decline in a key sales metric called Annualized Premium Equivalent (APE) in the third quarter of 2025. During January and February, they saw declines of 11% and 21%, respectively, meaning they need a strong March to recover.
To boost profits, LIC has launched new products and changed its commission structure to keep customers longer. However, there are rumors of dissatisfaction with these changes, which might be contributing to the drop in sales.
Kotak also pointed out that there will be important changes in the company’s leadership soon. Two managing directors will retire in May 2025, and the current CEO will step down in June. The new leaders will need to come up with a solid plan to improve sales if business remains slow.
Currently, LIC’s shares are trading flat at Rs 743 as of 12:30 pm today.