The Supreme Court today (Thursday, April 25) set up a committee under Justice (retired) AK Patnaik to inquiry into advocate Utsav Bains’ allegations that there was a conspiracy to frame Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi in sexual harassment case.
The bench of Justice Arun Mishra, Rohinton Fali Nariman and Sanjeev Khanna also directed CBI Director, Director of Intelligence Bureau and Delhi Police Commissioner to assist Justice Patnaik in the probe.
The court, however, clarified that Justice Patnaik will not go into the issue of sexual harassment allegations against the CJI. The court has instituted an in-house inquiry committee of three sitting judges to look into the allegations of sexual harassment made against Chief Justice of India.
“This inquiry only focuses on the contents of affidavit and what is alleged therein,” the bench stated.
The next hearing will be held after Justice Patnaik submits the inquiry report, the bench said.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1556195266657{border-top-width: 10px !important;border-right-width: 10px !important;border-bottom-width: 10px !important;border-left-width: 10px !important;padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #c1c1c1 !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}”]Meanwhile, Justice NV Ramana, who is part of the 3-member inquiry panel headed by Justice SA Bobde, has opted out of the panel, PTI quoted sources as saying.
The development comes a day after a former apex court woman employee, who levelled the allegations against the CJI, wrote a letter to the panel expressing reservation over the inclusion of Justice Ramana.
The woman was supposed to appear before the panel on Friday.In a letter to Justice Bobde, she also raised questions over the presence of only one woman apex court judge — Indira Banerjee — in the panel to examine her allegations against the CJI which is not in accordance with the Vishaka Guidelines.
“I would humbly suggest that since I was posted in the CJI’s residence office, I know that Justice Ramana is a close friend of the CJI and is like a family member to him. Justice Ramana is a frequent visitor to the residence of the CJI.
Because of this I fear that my affidavit and evidence will not receive an objective and fair hearing,” she wrote in the letter, according to PTI. The woman had also asked the panel to allow her to appear before it along with a lawyer and the proceedings of the committee be video recorded so that there can be no dispute about what transpired in the inquiry.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In the pre-lunch hearing, the bench hit out at what it said were “systematic” attempts to influence the course of justice delivery and said, “time has come when we have to tell the rich and powerful of this country – you cannot run this court”.
The remarks were made by Justice Mishra at the end of an hour-long hearing into an affidavit filed by lawyer Utsav Singh Bains that claimed he has proof of a powerful lobby of fixers, disgruntled employees and corporate figures at work to frame CJI Ranjan Gogoi. Mr. Bains said he was approached by a person called ‘Ajay’, who enticed him with money. The man had claimed to be a relative of the former court staffer who has levelled sexual harassment allegation against the Chief Justice.
The special bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra said it is anguished with the way the judiciary has been treated for the past three-four years. “The way this institution is treated in last few years we must say that we will not survive if this will happen,” the SC bench said.
“Don’t think Supreme Court can be run by any remote power from any corner of the earth, whether by political power or economic power,” Justice Mishra fumed. “This is a systematic game…So many things have not come out…People of this country must know the truth. The Supreme Court cannot be run by money power or political power. When somebody tries to clean up the system, he is killed or maligned. This will stop,” Justice Mishra said.
The court asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta not to interfere when he sought a special investigation team probe into Bains’ allegations.
“Leave it to us… We want to tell the rich and the powerful of this country that you cannot play with fire… That you are playing with fire when you play with this court… What do the powerful of this country think? That they can run this court?” Justice Mishra said.
Senior advocate Indira Jaising voiced her apprehensions about leaving the probe into Bains’ allegations to the government.
“Don’t provoke us anymore… This is your institution, not ours. We, judges, come and go. This is the court made by the likes of Fali Nariman, Nani Palkhiwala and K. Parasaran… But every other day we hear of bench-fixing, every day wrong practices are made in the court… Whenever we start hearing a big case, letters are written… Whenever big cases or big persons are involved, this happens in this court… People are trying to this court, its registry with money power… So many things are going on,” Justice Mishra retorted, according to a report by The Hindu.
As a stakeholder in and officer of the court, Jaising urged the Bench to “probe the credentials of this person [Utsav Bains]”. “My Lords have to see if he has come to the court with clean hands,” she said.
Jaising also voiced her concern about whether the probe into the ‘larger conspiracy’ would consume the allegations raised by the woman against the CJI. Her allegations were being examined separately by a committee of three apex court judges. “Your Lordships cannot investigate her defence,” she submitted.
Justice Mishra responded, “This Bench will not enquire into her allegations. Our job is to find out if somebody approached Utsav Bains to file a false case; whether they are two former Supreme employees or others; whether there are fixers involved; whether a conspiracy was hatched after bench-fixing attempt failed.”
Justice Mishra, however, added that if the allegations against the woman were proved, then she would seem to have no defence. “Mr. Bains does not know this Ajay… He may not be a brother of the woman complainant… We do not know what will come out of all this, but we will find out the truth,” he said.
Bains had filed an affidavit following the unprecedented hearing on Saturday during which Justice Gogoi had said some “bigger force” was behind the sexual harassment allegations as they wanted to “deactivate” the CJI’s office.
On April 20, CJI Gogoi had convened an “extraordinary” sitting of the court following reports about sexual harassment allegations levelled by a former woman staffer against him. He had then termed the charges as unbelievable and an attempt by a “bigger force to undermine the independence of the judiciary and deactivate the office of the CJI.”
Harley-Davidson sprint 440 unveiled, developed with Hero MotoCorp
Harley-Davidson has unveiled the Sprint 440, a new entry-level cruiser developed in partnership with Hero MotoCorp. The motorcycle gets a 440cc engine, a 3.5-inch TFT display and a low seat height.
Harley-Davidson has officially unveiled the Sprint 440, a new entry-level cruiser developed in partnership with India’s Hero MotoCorp. The motorcycle brings traditional cruiser styling to the company’s existing 440cc platform, offering a different design approach from the Harley-Davidson X440.
The Sprint 440 will make its public debut at the EICMA 2026 motorcycle show in Milan, Italy. While the motorcycle is being prepared for international markets, deliveries in the United States are scheduled to begin in spring 2027.
Harley-Davidson Sprint 440 design and styling
The Sprint 440 adopts a conventional cruiser appearance, featuring an elongated and low-slung profile. Its design highlights include a teardrop-shaped fuel tank, a scooped rider seat, swept-back handlebars and a shortened rear mudguard.
A stepped pillion section and a low-mounted exhaust further complement its cruiser styling. The motorcycle also features a relatively narrow profile, with its proportions designed to provide a relaxed riding position.
One of its key highlights is the 671mm laden seat height. Harley-Davidson will also offer optional Reach and Tallboy seats to accommodate riders with different seating preferences.
Engine and performance
The new Harley-Davidson Sprint 440 is powered by a 440cc, single-cylinder, air- and oil-cooled engine.
The powertrain produces 26.7 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 38 Nm of peak torque at 4,000 rpm. It is paired with a six-speed gearbox and an assist-and-slipper clutch.
The company claims a combined fuel efficiency of approximately 34 kmpl. The motorcycle also gets a 9-litre fuel tank, which is smaller than the 13.5-litre unit offered on the India-spec Harley-Davidson X440.
Features and equipment
Despite its traditional cruiser styling, the Sprint 440 receives a modern equipment package.
It comes with a circular 3.5-inch colour TFT instrument console, full LED lighting and a USB Type-C charging port positioned above the headlamp.
Harley-Davidson will also offer several optional accessories, including a detachable windscreen, saddlebags, passenger backrest, engine guard and alternative handlebars.
These accessories will allow customers to customise the motorcycle according to their riding and touring requirements.
Harley-Davidson Sprint 440 price and launch timeline
Harley-Davidson has announced a starting price of £4,995 for the Sprint 440 in the UK.
For the US market, deliveries are scheduled to begin in spring 2027. Final assembly for the US-market motorcycle will take place at Harley-Davidson’s facility in York, Pennsylvania.
The motorcycle’s international rollout will follow different schedules depending on the market.
What about the India launch?
The Sprint 440 has a significant connection with India because it has been developed in partnership with Hero MotoCorp, which is also associated with the existing X440 platform.
However, despite its Indian development connection, an India-specific launch date and local pricing have not yet been announced.
The motorcycle brings a more traditional cruiser design to the 440cc platform, distinguishing it from the roadster-oriented X440. More details about its availability in India are awaited.
Rahul Gandhi accuses Modi of foreign backing, BJP hits back with UK clip
Rahul Gandhi alleged that foreign forces helped Narendra Modi become Prime Minister and continue in power. The Congress leader also challenged Modi to an open debate, while the BJP responded by sharing an old video of his remarks during a UK visit.
A fresh political confrontation has erupted between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of becoming and remaining in power with foreign assistance.
Gandhi also challenged the Prime Minister to an open debate on the issue, saying he was ready to face him on any platform and at any time.
The BJP responded by bringing up an old video of Gandhi from his visit to the United Kingdom, reviving the controversy surrounding his remarks about India’s democratic institutions and the role of foreign countries.
What Rahul Gandhi said about PM Modi
Gandhi’s remarks came in response to Modi’s recent comments targeting the Opposition during his address at the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations in Gujarat on October 31.
In a post on X on Monday, Gandhi accused the Prime Minister of relying on foreign support to attain and retain power.
“Mr Modi, stop lying to this nation. You became PM because of foreign help. You remain PM because of foreign help,” Gandhi wrote.
He further alleged that India’s financial system was fully controlled and supported by foreign entities and claimed that foreign social media platforms backed the Prime Minister.
The Congress leader also challenged Modi to discuss the allegations publicly.
“I challenge you to an open debate about this. Any stage, any time. Come if you have the guts,” he said, adding that the Prime Minister would not accept the challenge because of what Gandhi claimed to know about him.
Why PM Modi criticised the Opposition
Gandhi’s response followed Modi’s address at the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas event in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, marking the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
During his speech, the Prime Minister accused the Opposition of moving away from its democratic responsibility of questioning the government and instead becoming an obstructionist force.
Modi described the Opposition as an “Avrodh Paksh” rather than a “Virodh Paksh”, alleging that it was creating obstacles to the country’s development.
Without directly naming Gandhi, the Prime Minister also raised questions about the foreign visits of certain political leaders and their alleged connections with forces opposed to India.
“Who is secretly meeting whom abroad? Whom are the anti-India forces supporting? Who is speaking the language of India’s enemies?” Modi asked.
He also expressed concern over the use of social media to spread rumours and attempts to damage India’s image.
BJP brings back Rahul Gandhi’s old UK remarks
The BJP responded to Gandhi’s allegations by sharing an old video from his UK visit, bringing attention back to his earlier comments about India’s democratic institutions and the involvement of foreign countries.
During an interaction at Chatham House in London in March 2023, Gandhi had alleged that several Indian institutions, including the Press, judiciary, Parliament and Election Commission, were under threat.
He had also questioned why Europe and the United States were not doing enough to raise concerns about what he described as threats to democracy in India.
The remarks had triggered a political controversy at the time, with the BJP accusing Gandhi of seeking foreign intervention in India’s internal affairs.
BJP leaders had demanded an apology from the Congress leader over his comments during the UK visit.
The resurfacing of the old video has brought those earlier remarks back into the political debate as the Congress and BJP trade accusations over alleged foreign backing.
Political confrontation intensifies
The latest exchange comes amid an ongoing confrontation between the ruling BJP and the Opposition over several issues, including allegations of electoral irregularities and the role of constitutional institutions.
Gandhi’s challenge to Modi for an open debate has added another dimension to the political dispute, with both parties questioning each other’s alleged connections with foreign forces.
While Gandhi has accused the Prime Minister of benefiting from foreign support, the BJP has repeatedly questioned the Congress leader’s overseas remarks and alleged attempts to involve foreign countries in India’s internal political matters.
Neither side’s allegations about foreign backing should be treated as established facts without supporting evidence.
Delhi Pollution: GRAP-II curbs imposed across NCR as AQI hits 324
Delhi’s air quality deteriorated to the very poor category on November 2, prompting the CAQM to implement GRAP Stage II across Delhi-NCR. The measures aim to control dust and vehicular pollution.
Delhi’s air quality deteriorated to the ‘very poor’ category on Monday, November 2, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to invoke Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR) with immediate effect.
The national capital’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 324 at 4 pm, placing it in the very poor category. The deterioration followed a sharp increase in pollution levels over three days, with the AQI rising from 117 on October 31 to 261 on November 1 before crossing the 300 mark on Monday.
The CAQM attributed the worsening air quality to unfavourable meteorological conditions. Forecasts by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) also indicated that Delhi’s air quality could remain in the very poor category over the coming days.
What is GRAP Stage II and why has it been imposed?
The Graded Response Action Plan is a set of emergency measures designed to tackle worsening air pollution in Delhi-NCR. It has different stages based on the severity of air quality.
Under the AQI classification, readings between 301 and 400 fall in the very poor category. GRAP Stage II is applicable when air quality reaches this range.
With Delhi’s AQI climbing to 324, the CAQM directed authorities to implement Stage II measures across the NCR. The directions also require agencies to continue implementing measures under the earlier stages of GRAP.
What restrictions come under GRAP Stage II?
The second stage of GRAP focuses on strengthening pollution-control measures, particularly those related to road dust, vehicular emissions and other sources of pollution.
Some of the important measures include:
Road cleaning: Authorities are required to intensify mechanical sweeping of roads and water sprinkling to control dust.
Traffic management: Traffic police are directed to manage congestion at busy roads and intersections.
Vehicle checks: Enforcement teams are required to intensify checks for valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates and take action against visibly polluting vehicles.
Parking charges: Higher parking fees are among the measures intended to discourage the use of private vehicles.
Diesel generators: The use of diesel generator sets is subject to stricter regulation.
Public transport: Authorities are required to encourage the use of public transport to reduce vehicular emissions.
These measures are intended to reduce pollution levels across Delhi-NCR.
Delhi’s AQI worsens over three days
Delhi witnessed a significant deterioration in air quality over a short period.
The AQI stood at 117 on October 31, placing it in the moderate category. It subsequently increased to 261 on November 1, entering the poor category.
On November 2, the reading climbed further to 324 by 4 pm, pushing the national capital into the very poor category.
The situation was also reflected in readings from individual monitoring stations. Several locations recorded AQI levels above 300.
Among the areas reporting high pollution levels were RK Puram, ITO, Akshardham, India Gate, Alipur, Dwarka Sector 8 and Delhi University’s North Campus.
With pollution levels worsening and unfavourable weather conditions expected to persist, authorities have been directed to strengthen enforcement of the prescribed pollution-control measures across the region.
APN News is today the most watched and the most credible and respected news channel in India. APN has been at the forefront of every single news revolution. The channel is being recognized for its in-depth, analytical reportage and hard hitting discussions on burning issues; without any bias or vested interests.
