1. Citing 'Alarming' Air Quality, Supreme Court Bans Sale of Firecrackers in NCR
The Supreme Court Monday reinstated the ban on sale of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR, saying that there was “direct evidence of deterioration of air quality at alarming levels” every year during Diwali on account of bursting of firecrackers. A three-judge bench, headed by Justice AK Sikri, upheld the 11 November 2016 Supreme Court order, suspending all licences that “permit sale of fireworks wholesale and retail within the territory of NCR”.
The court said that last year’s order was made after Diwali, and hence there has been no chance of testing its effect on air quality so far. The bench, which also included Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre and Justice Ashok Bhushan, said, “We are of the view that the order suspending the licences should be given one chance to test itself in order to find out as to whether there would be positive effect of this suspension, particularly during Diwali period.”
(Source: Indian Express)
2. Video Shows Nigerian Man Thrashed by Mob in South Delhi, Police Launch Probe
A mob in south Delhi is seen punching, kicking and beating with sticks a Nigerian man tied to a lamp post, in videos shot during the brutal assault last month after he was accused of burglary.
A clip shows 24-year-old Ahmad begging to let him go amid a volley of blows landing on his bloodied face.
A second video shows an attacker holding his legs and another man hitting with a stick. The man cries out aloud: “Forgive me.” But the crowd keeps thrashing him.
(Source: Hindustan Times)
3. Godhra Blaze: HC Commutes Death for 11 Convicts to Life in Prison
The Gujarat High Court Monday commuted the death sentence of 11 convicts to rigorous life imprisonment and upheld the sentencing of 20 others to life term in the 2002 Godhra train burning case. It also confirmed the acquittal of the 63 remaining accused.
Pronouncing the judgment, the division bench of Justices Anant S Dave and G R Udhwani also held that the state government had failed to discharge its duty in maintaining law and order in the incident and directed it to pay compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to families of the 59 people killed.
(Source: Indian Express)
4. 16 Children Die at Gorakhpur's BRD Medical College in Last 24 Hours
Sixteen children, including ten infants, died at the Baba Raghav Das (BRD) Medical College in Gorakhpur during the last 24 hours, authorities said on Monday.
Of the children who died, ten were admitted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) while six were in the paediatric ICU.
According to reports, 20 patients -- including six from Deoria, two from Kushinagar, four each from Gorakhpur and Maharajganj, and one patient each from Basti and Balrampur -- afflicted with encephalitis have been admitted to the hospital in the last 24 hours.
As many as three dozen patients, mostly affected by encephalitis, were being treated at BRD Medical College.
(Source: Hindustan Times)
5. Delhi Metro Rides Get Costlier From Today, CM Kejriwal Says Centre Should Have Thought About Commoners
Starting Tuesday, Delhi Metro rides will become costlier by a maximum of Rs 10 for those travelling over two kilometres in the city.
In an emergency meeting conducted late on Monday, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) board decided by majority that it is not “competent” to roll back or defer the proposed fare hike. This development has brought down the curtains on a 10-day-long political confrontation between the Delhi government and the Centre on the issue.
(Source: Hindustan Times)
6. Shehzada Boot on Other Foot: Rahul Fires ' Jay Shah-Jada' Missile
The Congress today asked Amit Shah to step down as BJP president till a judicial commission examines his son's business dealings while Rahul Gandhi derided the controversy as a "symbol" of Narendra Modi's Start-up India.
The twin-pronged attack was mounted a day after a news portal, The Wire, reported that the turnover of a company owned by Jay Amitbhai Shah had rocketed shortly after Modi became Prime Minister and Amit Shah BJP president.
(Source: The Telegraph)
7. Hadiya 'Love Jihad' Case: Petitioner's Counsel Refers to Shah and Yogi, Irked SC Defers Hearing
Hearing in the controversial Kerala marriage case in the Supreme Court was adjourned abruptly on Monday after the petitioner’s counsel referred to the political marches of BJP President Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in the state and the bench headed by Chief Justice of India took strong exception to it.
The court, which deferred the hearing to October 30, reiterated the question whether the High Court while hearing a Habeas Corpus petition could annul the marriage.
(Source: Indian Express)
8. Top JeM Commander Khalid Ahmad Killed in Ladoor Encounter
Top Jaish-E-Mohammed commander, Khalid Ahmed alias Khalid Bhai, was killed during an encounter in north Kashmir’s Ladoora village, security forces said Monday. Khalid, a resident of Pakistan, had been active in the region over the last seven years and was categorised as an “A++” militant, placing him in the most-wanted category, they said. J&K Police said that Khalid was the operational chief of JeM in north Kashmir but also took part in militant activities in the south.
DGP S P Vaid described the killing of Khalid as “a big breakthrough for the forces” as the the militant was “involved in many attacks” on security camps in north Kashmir, targeting policemen in particular. “He was killed in a joint operation by the J&K Police’s Special Operation Group, the local police, CRPF and the Army,” said Vaid.
(Source: Indian Express)
9. Sailor Sacked After Sex Change
The Navy has sacked Manish Giri, the sailor who underwent a gender reassignment, or sex change, surgery late last year, on the grounds of violating the rules and regulations under which he was recruited as “an Indian male citizen“ seven years ago.
Giri, who has grown her hair, taken to wearing saris, and goes by the name “Sabi“ now, however, says “she will definitely fight for justice“ by approaching the courts. “I served the country for seven years. I did my job. Why should Ibe dismissed from service just because I changed my gender? I am not a thief or a terrorist,“ Sabi told TOI.
(Source: Times of India)
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