The Centre has announced funding and mentorship for the 28 innovators who won the Tomato Grand Challenge, a hackathon aimed at finding solutions for stabilising the tomato supply chain. The funding will be provided by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and will help in implementing scalable solutions. This initiative comes as a step towards addressing the issue of fluctuating tomato prices and ensuring food security for all.
The Supreme Court has suggested setting up a courtroom in the Delhi jail for Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik, in response to the Central Bureau of Investigation's objection to his physical presence in a criminal trial for the killing of four Air Force personnel in 1989. The court also raised concerns about Malik's connections with terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and the risk to his security if he is brought to the Jammu court for cross-examination. However, doubts have been raised about the feasibility of online connectivity for Malik's virtual presence in the trial.
In a case over rejected nominations in an Indian state, the Supreme Court has allowed candidates to appeal to the Election Tribunal. The court expressed concern over the high number of uncontested candidates and criticized the state's failure to inform the petitioners. This decision will provide an avenue for candidates to challenge their rejected nominations and ensure a fair and democratic election process.
The Supreme Court is set to address the pressing issue of air pollution in Delhi as the city records an AQI of 481, placing it in the 'severe' category. The court is acting on a plea raised by Senior Advocate Aprajita Singh, who has emphasized the urgency of the situation. The government has implemented Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan, which includes restrictions on construction and demolition activities and possible implementation of Odd-Even restrictions.
Imran Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, condemns the current Pakistani government for undermining democracy and suppressing dissent. He criticizes the government for using unconstitutional means to protect their power grab, including censoring the media and seizing control of the Supreme Court. Khan calls on his party and the Pakistani people to fight for their rights and freedoms, declaring his willingness to face consequences for resistance.
Over the years, the Indian Supreme Court has faced criticism for its increasing compliance with the government's actions, leading to perceptions of it as an illiberal institution. As the Chief Justice, Chandrachud, who was once praised for his progressive and liberal values, has not lived up to the expectations of being assertive and independent. The court's handling of politically sensitive cases, such as Article 370, the Babri Masjid dispute, and bail, has tarnished Chandrachud's previous reputation and overshadowed his earlier standing as a liberal judge. Additionally, a shocking revelation from Justice Chandrachud himself has raised concerns about the court's impartiality in the controversial Ayodhya dispute.
The Supreme Court is set to announce its verdict on pleas challenging the Allahabad High Court's declaration of the Uttar Pradesh madrasa law as unconstitutional. The High Court had deemed the law violative of secular principles and ordered the state government to integrate madrasa students into the formal schooling system. While the CJI has expressed concerns about siloing minorities, the court is also considering the need for regulation and mainstreaming of madrasas for the national interest.
In a major development, the Supreme Court has deferred the hearing of pleas seeking to criminalize marital rape due to the impending retirement of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud. The bench, led by the Chief Justice himself, began hearing the matter but will not be able to complete it before his retirement on November 10, 2024. The matter will now have to be heard by another bench, causing further delay for the petitioners and sparking regret among those involved. The matter has been postponed due to the need for additional time and coordination from all parties involved in the case.
Aam Aadmi Party leaders accused BJP goons of trying to attack former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during his padyatra in West Delhi's Vikaspuri. The Supreme Court has asked the Delhi High Court to quickly hear the bail plea of Sharjeel Imam, who was booked under UAPA for his involvement in the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots. Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality showed some improvement with AQI in the 'poor' category, but 10 monitoring stations still reported 'very poor' air quality.
The Supreme Court has dismissed appeals by the Maharashtra Government, CBI, and Bureau of Immigration challenging the Bombay High Court's order to quash Look Out Circulars against actress Rhea Chakraborty and others in connection with the death of Sushant Singh Rajput. Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan cautioned the petitioners that the plea was frivolous and motivated by the high-profile nature of one of the accused. The high court had previously suspended the LOCs against Chakraborty and her family, allowing them to travel abroad for specific reasons.