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SC asks Centre why 119 laws that stigmatise and discriminate against leprosy patients shouldn’t be scrapped

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Supreme Court on Monday (December 4) issued a notice to the Centre seeking its response on a plea to repeal 119 laws that discriminate against leprosy patients, stigmatise and isolate them even though modern medicine completely cures the disease.

The Centre was told to reply within eight weeks.

Because of the disfigurement of individuals with untreated leprosy, people with leprosy have been shunned and isolated for many centuries. Fortunately, current multidrug therapy (MDT) cures leprosy effectively.

Leprosy is only very mildly contagious and acquisition of the disease usually occurs after long-term (months to years) contact with an untreated individual with the disease. It is passed from person to person via droplets from the nose and mouth during close and frequent contact with an untreated individual with leprosy.

Hearing a PIL, filed by Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, alleging discrimination against people afflicted with leprosy due to archaic provisions under numerous central and state laws, the bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud asked the government to explain the existence of discriminatory laws pertaining to leprosy patients.

Appearing for petitioner, senior advocate Raju Ramachandran submitted that there are 119 laws that discriminate against leprosy patients and that these laws are violative of Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution.

The petition says that the impugned provisions “institutionalize and perpetuate the humiliation and undignified treatment of persons affected by leprosy” and resultantly “violate their right to life and dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution”.

Leprosy patients, at present, are discriminated in many ways. The PIL cites Section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, which allows a marriage to be dissolved by a decree of divorce on the ground that the other party has been suffering from a virulent and incurable form of leprosy.

Similarly, Section 2 of the Dissolution of Muslim Marriage Act 1939; Section 27 of the Special Marriage Act 1954 also discriminated with the persons suffering from leprosy.

It said that Section 70(3)(b) of the Orissa Municipal Corporation Act, 2003, disqualified a person affected by leprosy from contesting elections for the post of corporator of the Municipal Corporation on account of his or her affliction by leprosy.

Similarly, section 19(f) of the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, disqualified a leprosy victim from contesting elections for the post of a Panch or any other member of the Panchayati Raj Institution.

Under the state Beggary Acts, people affected by leprosy are treated in the same way as people suffering from lunacy. People suffering from leprosy can be arrested and detained for an unspecified duration.

The PIL states that the World Health Organisation explains that leprosy patients need not be treated in special clinics or hospitals; instead they can be treated along with people suffering from other diseases.

The petition also says that India has an international obligation to remove the stigma associated with leprosy and promote their social inclusion. India is a signatory to the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and also a member of the UN General Assembly that had passed a resolution on the Elimination of Leprosy.

The court has asked the government to explain the continued existence of laws which deny the truth that modern medicine cures leprosy.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

From Pushpa reels to a Tollywood deal, David Warner bags crores for 3 minutes role in Robinhood

David Warner just made the most expensive cameo in Telugu cinema—Rs 2.5 crore for less than 3 minutes in Robinhood. That’s not a role, that’s a retirement plan.

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The Australian cricketer David Warner, known for his explosive batting and dancing moves on Pusha song, has officially stepped into the acting world with a cameo in the Telugu film Robinhood. However, the cricketer’s acting dubute is not a big news at all but his paycheck is making bigger headlines than the film itself.

In the Telugu action film Robinhood, starring Nithiin and Sreeleela, Warner made a guest appearance for which the cricketer charged a staggering Rs 2.5 crore for a 2-minute-50-second cameo. That’s right—less than three minutes of screen time, and he’s laughing all the way to the bank.

That’s around Rs 14 lakh per second, or what most of us make in, well… a decade.

Warner shot his scene over just 2 days, at a reported Rs 1.25 crore per day. It’s unclear if he had any lines or just gave his trademark grin and left, but clearly, he bowled Tollywood over without even lifting a bat.

The film, directed by Venky Kudumula, released on March 28 and has been getting solid reviews. But let’s be honest—Warner’s cameo is grabbing more headlines than the villain’s plot.

Also featuring Vennela Kishore, Rajendra Prasad, and others, Robinhood tells the story of an orphaned Robin Hood-type hero… and somewhere in there, Warner pops in, waves hello (we assume), and probably left for biryani before the credits rolled.

Fans are loving it. Accountants are weeping. And Warner? He’s now officially Tollywood’s highest-paid cameo artist.

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Bengaluru man kills wife, stuffs her in suitcase

Investigations reveal a history of frequent arguments between Rakesh and Gauri, with allegations of physical altercations on both sides.

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Bengaluru Police have arrested a man, Rakesh, who is accused of murdering his wife, Gauri Anil Sambekar, and concealing her body in a suitcase before fleeing to Pune. The police tracked him down using call detail records (CDR), leading Satara police to take him into custody.

Reports indicate that Rakesh ingested a poison-like substance and admitted to committing the crime, prompting his immediate hospitalization, where he is currently receiving treatment.

The disturbing details of the crime emerged when Rakesh allegedly called his wife’s parents to confess. Gauri, 32, was a mass media and communication graduate who had been unemployed and staying home while Rakesh worked as a project manager for Hitachi. The couple had moved from Maharashtra to Doddakannahalli in Bengaluru, living there for about two months.

Investigations reveal a history of frequent arguments between Rakesh and Gauri, with allegations of physical altercations on both sides. The conflict reached a tragic climax on March 26 when Rakesh allegedly stabbed Gauri multiple times and ultimately slit her throat. He then concealed her body in the suitcase and left it in the bathroom before making his escape.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South East) Sarah Fathima stated that the investigation began after a call was made at approximately 5:30 PM concerning a suspected hanging. Upon arriving at the locked residence, officers discovered the suitcase in the bathroom, which led them to realize a crime had occurred. The forensic team opened the suitcase and found Gauri’s body, which bore numerous injuries.

Efforts to locate Rakesh initially were unsuccessful, but law enforcement was able to track him through CDR data. Pune police were notified, resulting in his arrest. A team from Hulimavu police is en route to Pune to bring Rakesh back to Bengaluru for further questioning.

DCP Fathima noted that Gauri’s body was found intact, and the specifics of her injuries will be detailed in the forthcoming postmortem report. The investigation continues as authorities strive to uncover more information and clarify the motivations behind this tragic incident.

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Madras HC grants interim anticipatory bail to Kunal Kamra

His petition expressed apprehension about being arrested by the Mumbai Police, which had summoned him twice in connection with the case.

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The Madras High Court on Friday granted interim anticipatory bail to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, who faces potential arrest over jokes targeting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a recent performance in Mumbai.

Kamra, 36, had sought relief from the court, stating that he relocated from Mumbai to Tamil Nadu in 2021 and has since been a resident of the state. His petition expressed apprehension about being arrested by the Mumbai Police, which had summoned him twice in connection with the case.

The controversy arose after Kamra’s show at Mumbai’s Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, where he performed a satirical song parodying Shinde. The act drew sharp criticism from Shiv Sena supporters, leading to violent protests. A group of party workers vandalized the comedy club and the adjoining hotel, prompting police action.

Following a complaint by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel, the Khar Police registered a case against Kamra for allegedly making defamatory statements against the deputy CM. Mumbai Police issued a second summons, directing the comedian to appear before them on March 31.

Meanwhile, authorities arrested 12 Shiv Sainiks, including leader Rahool Kanal, for the destruction of property at the venue.

Kamra, known for his sharp political satire, took to X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, lashing out at mainstream media. He wrote: “The mainstream media at this point is nothing but a miscommunication arm of the ruling party. They are vultures who report on issues that don’t matter to the people of this country. If they all shut shop from tomorrow till eternity, they will be doing a favor to the country, its people & their own children.”

The Madras High Court’s decision to grant interim bail provides temporary protection to Kamra from arrest, allowing the legal process to proceed without immediate detention. The case has reignited debates on free speech, political satire, and the limits of comedy in India, where comedians frequently face legal challenges for their content.

This incident is not Kamra’s first brush with controversy—his past remarks on politicians and media figures have often sparked outrage. 

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