QWrap: CBI’s Alok Verma to Challenge His ‘Ouster’ in SC & More
A quick look at the top stories of the day.
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Video Editor: Vivek Gupta
1. CBI Wars: ‘Our Men Were on Routine Patrol Near Verma’s Home,’ Says IB; CBI Chief’s Petition to be Heard by SC Tomorrow
Four Intelligence Bureau (IB) men were apprehended from outside the residence of CBI Director Alok Verma, IANS reported.
They were handed over to Delhi Police and later identified as Dheeraj Kumar, Ajay Kumar, Prashant Kumar and Vineet Kumar Gupta. Dheeraj Kumar and Ajay Kumar told police they were junior IB officers while the other two claimed to be seniors in the Bureau.
Intelligence Bureau sources later said its officials are regularly deployed in high security areas to collect intel data, in a bid to explain why four of its sleuths were detained outside Verma’s house early on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear a fresh petition filed by advocate Prashant Bhushan seeking an SIT probe against CBI officials, including Special Director Rakesh Asthana.
Read the developing story here
2. HC upholds TN Speaker's decision disqualifying 18 AIADMK MLAs, Bypolls Imminent
In a major relief to the AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu, the Madras High Court on Thursday upheld the state Assembly Speaker's decision disqualifying 18 AIADMK legislators last year that could pave the way for by-elections in 20 constituencies, including two left vacant by the death of the incumbents.
Justice M Sathyanarayanan, the third judge named by the Supreme Court after a split verdict delivered by a two-judge bench, upheld Speaker P Dhanapal's order, saying it was done under the provisions of the anti-defection law and lifted the stay on holding by-elections to these constituencies.
In writ petition cases like this one, at least two judges need to hear the case – known as a Division Bench. Chief Justice Banerjee and Justice Sundar heard lengthy legal arguments in the case, and reserved their verdict in January this year.
Since both judges eventually arrived at different decisions, a third judge was now needed to settle the case, after hearing the arguments again.
Read the full story here
3. This is Why Textiles Minister Smriti Irani’s ‘Bloody Pad’ Comments Were Offensive
Amid protests against the Supreme Court order opening the Sabarimala temple in Kerala to women of all ages, Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani on Tuesday, 23 October, said the right to pray did not mean the right to desecrate.
While her remarks snowballed into a controversy on social media, where she defended her stance in a series of tweets, here are all the reasons why her comments were insensitive and regressive.
- My Period is NOT Your Problem
- Where Was The Desecration?
- It Should be Each Woman’s Choice to Exercise Her Right to Pray
- Wish Smriti Irani Had Condemned the Violence
Read the full story here
4. YSR Congress Chief Jagan Mohan Reddy Attacked at Vizag Airport
YSR Congress Chief Jagan Mohan Reddy was attacked at the Visakhapatnam airport by a man named Srinivas on Thursday, 25 October.
The attacker, who stabbed Reddy with a knife on his left arm, has been detained, while Reddy escaped with minor injuries.
According to The Indian Express, the man approached Reddy to take a selfie, and then suddenly attacked him.
“The youth also asked Reddy if YSRCP will win 160 seats in elections next year. After clicking a selfie he turned around and slashed with a blade that is usually used in cockfights. The youth was immediately taken into custody,” an official told The Indian Express.
Read the full story here
5. President Rejects Call to Disqualify 27 AAP MLAs, Party Celebrates
In a major boost to the AAP, President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday dismissed a petition seeking disqualification of 27 party MLAs on charges of holding Office of Profit as Chairpersons of Rogi Kalyan Samitis (RKS) in Delhi government hospitals, prompting the ruling party in Delhi to claim victory.
After the petition filed by a Vibhor Anand in 2016 seeking their disqualification was dismissed on Thursday by the President as not maintainable, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) hit out at the Election Commission, wondering whether it was truly independent or not.
In his order, the President said "the question of alleged disqualification of Alka Lamba and 26 other Members of Delhi Legislative Assembly is not maintainable".
Read the full story here
6. Details of Muzaffarpur Shelter Home Case ‘Scary, Horrible’, Says SC
The Supreme Court on Thursday said Brajesh Thakur, the main accused in the Muzaffarpur shelter home rape case, was obstructing the probe and asked why he should not be shifted to a jail outside Bihar.
At least 30 girls were allegedly raped at the Muzaffarpur shelter home run by a state-funded NGO in Bihar. The incident was first highlighted in an audit report submitted by Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) to the state's social welfare department.
Reading a status report filed by the CBI, The Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Madan B Lokur remarked, "What is this going on? This is horrible.”
Read the full story here
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