1. Adultery Is Not a Crime, Supreme Court Scraps 158-Year-Old Law
The Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously struck down Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code that makes adultery a punishable offence for men. In four separate but concurring judgments, the five-judge bench of the Supreme Court said the 158-year-old law was unconstitutional and fell foul of Article 21 (Right to life and personal liberty) and Article 14 (Right to equality).
(Source: The Indian Express)
2. Supreme Court Refuses to Review Mosque Order, Main Ayodhya Hearing Next
The Supreme Court on Thursday paved the way for resumption of the hearing of the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute case and refused to constitute a larger bench to revisit the 1994 verdict that said a “mosque is not essential to the practice of Islam”.
The judgment cuts short the timeline to a possible closure of what is now just a straightforward land dispute case — the complex and broader issue of a mosque not being integral to Islam will now not be reconsidered.
(Source: Hindustan Times)
3. Defence Ministry Officer’s Views Part of Our Rafale Discussions: Government
Responding to a report in The Indian Express on Thursday, that a Ministry of Defence official had placed on record his objections on the deal to procure 36 Rafale aircraft, official sources said that it “betrays ignorance of the collegiate process involving due deliberations and diligence at various levels, through which all major Government decisions are typically taken.”
Sources added: “While ensuring utmost integrity and transparency, the process allows for opinions to be freely expressed, recorded, discussed and, if necessary, modified”.
(Source: The Indian Express)
4. 3 Militants, Soldier Killed in Separate Encounters in J&K
Three militants and a soldier were Thursday killed in two gunfights in Anantnag and Budgam districts of Jammu and Kashmir, the Army said.
Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Qazigund of Anantnag district after receiving information about the presence of militants in the area, an army official said.
The search operation turned into an encounter when the militants opened fire at the security forces, he said.
(Source: The Indian Express)
5. India Will Continue to Buy Iran’s Oil, Says Iran Minister After Meeting With Sushma Swaraj
India is committed to buying Iranian oil and continuing the two nations’ economic cooperation, the Iranian foreign minister said after a meeting with his Indian counterpart and ahead of US sanctions aimed at halting Tehran’s oil exports.
US President Donald Trump’s May withdrawal from an international nuclear pact with Iran was followed up with plans to impose new sanctions against the third-largest producer among the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
(Source: Hindustan Times)
6. UK Lends ‘Unconditional’ Support for India’s NSG Bid
The UK has reiterated unconditional support for India’s NSG membership bid saying New Delhi had done enough to merit an entry into the elite group responsible for international nuclear commerce. After a dialogue between the MEA and UK’s foreign & commonwealth office, diplomatic sources said UK saw India as a key member and protector of the international rules-based order.
(Source: The Times of India)
7. Ex-Supreme Court Judge to Head Panel to Recommend Names for Lokpal
The government on Thursday constituted an eight-member search committee to recommend names for chairperson and members of the anti-corruption ombudsman, Lokpal.
A ministry of personnel order said the search committee would be headed by former Supreme Court judge, Ranjana Prakash Desai.
The remaining seven members include retired IAS officer Lalit K Panwar, former Allahabad high court judge Sakha Ram Singh Yadav, former chief of State Bank of India (SBI) Arundhati Bhattacharya, Prasar Bharati chairperson A Surya Prakash, Indian Space Research Organisation head AS Kiran Kumar, former Gujarat police chief SS Khandwawala and former solicitor general Ranjit Kumar.
(Source: Hindustan Times)
8. Meerut Video: Police Scramble for Cover, Woman Gets Quiet Support
The police constable, who is seen hitting the woman, says she was following orders. The woman’s family and the principal of the nursing college, where she is a fourth-year student, have come out strongly in her support. The woman’s friend, who is her classmate, has gone into hiding.
The 29-second viral video, which shows constable Priyanka Singh beating and berating the woman inside a police jeep with three other colleagues after rescuing her from a mob, is playing out along several divides in UP’s Meerut.
(Source: The Indian Express)
9. Reservation in Promotions: Disquiet Over Supreme Court’s Ruling on Creamy Layer for SCs and STs
As the Supreme Court has upheld reservation in promotion for the SC/ST communities, the court’s position on the idea of a creamy layer has put the political class in a dilemma.
So far the creamy layer is applicable only for OBCs seeking reservation. Last year, the creamy layer ceiling for OBC reservation was raised to Rs 8 lakh per year — families with income above this were not eligible.
(Source: The Indian Express)
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