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Get Amit Shah to testify for you by Tuesday: Court to Gujarat riots accused Maya Kodnani

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Maya Kodnani

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Former minister in the Narendra Modi-led Gujarat government in 2002, Kodnani claims she doesn’t know the address on which to send summons for Shah

In a development that might trigger some inadvertent laughs, a special court in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar has given BJP leader and 2002 post-Godhra riots convict Maya Kodnani till Tuesday to ensure that BJP national president Amit Shah testifies in her defence.

Kodnani, along with Shah, was a BJP legislator in Gujarat when the post-Godhra pogrom of 2002 claimed hundreds of lives – mostly of Muslims. Soon after the riots, Narendra Modi – who was then the chief minister of Gujarat – had inducted Kodnani into his cabinet as the minister for women and child development. Shah, who has been acquitted on charges of his involvement in the riots, had also been inducted into the Gujarat cabinet as minister of state for home.

The current case, being heard by the special trial court of judge PB Desai, pertains to her role in the Naroda Gram massacre that occurred on February 28, 2002 in which 11 Muslims were hacked to death by rioters, allegedly in the presence of Kodnani, who according to prosecution witnesses was instigating the mobs to kill and even distributing swords to them. There are 82 other accused in this case. Last month, the Supreme Court issued an order to the special trial court to wrap up the hearing in the Naroda Gam case within four months.

File photo of the 2002 Naroda Patiya riots

File photo of the 2002 Naroda Patiya riots

Kodnani has already been convicted (in 2012) and sentenced to 28 years in prison for her active role in instigating the Naroda Patiya riots. She was held as the “kingpin” of the riots. Kodnani and 31 other convicts in the Naroda Patiya riots case have challenged the verdict in the Gujarat High Court which concluded its hearing on August 30 and has reserved the verdict.

Earlier this week, Kodnani had sought time from the special trial court till September 12 to “contact” Shah and serve him the summons to appear as her defence witness in the Naroda Gram case. However, the court had granted her time till today (September 8).

On Friday, having failed to get the BJP national president to testify in her defence, Kodnani asked the court for 10 more days, claiming in her application to the court that since Shah is not “reachable” due to his busy schedule, “it is difficult to decide as to which address the summons be served to him”. The court told Kodnani that she has till Tuesday to get Shah to court and testify in her favour.

Amit ShahThe court said that the summons must be served to Shah by Monday (September 11) and ordered that she should get him to depose before the court the very next day. Amit Shah’s testimony in her defence is the last hope that Kodnani has in her effort to secure her acquittal in the Naroda Gram case.

Kodnani had sought examination of 14 people as defence witnesses to prove her alibi in the Naroda Gram case. While 13 of these witnesses have made their deposition, Shah has not come to Kodnani’s defence as yet. Twelve people, including her husband Surendra Kodnani, former deputy mayor and BJP corporator Dinesh Makwana and former BJP MLA Amrish Govindbhai Patel, have testified in her favour.

The most high-profile BJP leader to have been convicted in a post-Godhra riots case, Kodnani had claimed that on February 28, 2002, the day riots broke out in Naroda Gam, she was not at the scene of the crime but with Amit Shah – first at the Gujarat assembly and then at her own hospital at the time that the prosecution witnesses say they saw her. This claim by Kodnani is her biggest alibi but only if Shah testifies to her claims before the court.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Manipur security operations intensified as protests continue over recent deaths

Security forces have intensified operations across Manipur as protests over recent deaths and fresh violence continue, prompting heightened deployments and search operations in sensitive areas.

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Security forces have stepped up operations across Manipur amid growing protests linked to recent deaths and fresh incidents of violence in the state. Authorities have increased deployments in sensitive locations and launched intensified search operations to maintain law and order as tensions remain high.

The latest security measures come after unrest erupted following the treatment and subsequent transfer of three injured Kuki youths. Protests outside the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal led to clashes, prompting security personnel to use tear gas to disperse crowds and prevent the situation from escalating further.

Officials have been conducting search and area-domination operations in vulnerable districts while maintaining a strong presence around key installations and public spaces. Security agencies are also continuing efforts to recover illegal weapons and prevent armed groups from carrying out fresh attacks. Recent police data indicated that a significant portion of the arms looted during earlier phases of the conflict has already been recovered.

The state has witnessed renewed tensions in recent weeks, with multiple incidents involving armed attacks and community-related violence. Authorities have repeatedly appealed for calm while assuring residents that strict action is being taken against those involved in unlawful activities.

The Centre has also strengthened the security apparatus in the state in recent months through additional deployments, including specialised forces, as part of broader efforts to stabilise the situation and prevent further unrest.

Officials said security operations will continue in vulnerable areas and that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure public safety and prevent any deterioration in the law-and-order situation.

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India News

Delhi weather stays cooler than normal as rain brings relief across NCR

Delhi continued to enjoy relief from intense summer heat as rain and cloudy conditions kept temperatures below normal. IMD has forecast more showers and thunderstorms across the region.

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Residents of Delhi and the National Capital Region continued to experience relief from the usual June heat as rainfall and cloudy conditions kept temperatures below seasonal averages.

According to weather forecasts, the national capital witnessed pleasant conditions with temperatures remaining lower than what is typically recorded during this time of the year. Intermittent rain, thunderstorms and cloud cover have contributed to the cooler weather pattern seen over the past several days.

More rain likely in coming days

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that rain and thunderstorm activity may continue across Delhi-NCR. Weather experts expect partly cloudy skies during the day, with chances of showers and thunderstorms developing later, helping maintain relatively comfortable temperatures.

The recent spell of rain follows a series of weather disturbances that have affected northwestern India, bringing strong winds, thunderstorms and rainfall to the region. These conditions have significantly reduced daytime temperatures compared to the intense heat experienced earlier this month.

Rainfall offers respite from summer heat

The cooler weather has provided much-needed relief to residents after weeks of high temperatures. In recent days, several parts of Delhi-NCR have recorded temperatures below normal, while rainfall has also helped improve outdoor conditions.

Weather officials have advised people to remain alert during thunderstorm activity, as strong winds and lightning may accompany some of the rain spells.

With forecasts suggesting additional showers over the next few days, Delhi is expected to continue experiencing comparatively mild weather for June.

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Education

UGC NET June 2026 admit card released; candidates can download hall tickets online

The National Testing Agency has released UGC NET June 2026 admit cards. Candidates can now download their hall tickets from the official website before the examination begins on June 22.

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The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the admit cards for the UGC NET June 2026 examination. Registered candidates can now download their hall tickets from the official UGC NET portal by logging in with their application credentials. The examination is scheduled to be conducted between June 22 and June 30, 2026.

The admit card is a mandatory document for entry to the examination centre and contains important details such as the candidate’s name, roll number, examination date, reporting time and allotted test centre. Candidates have been advised to carefully verify all information mentioned on the document after downloading it.

How to download the UGC NET admit card

Candidates can follow these steps to access their hall tickets:

  1. Visit the official UGC NET website.
  2. Click on the admit card download link.
  3. Enter the application number, date of birth or password, and security details.
  4. Submit the information to log in.
  5. Download and save the admit card.
  6. Take a printout for use on the examination day.

Important instructions for candidates

Candidates must carry a printed copy of the admit card along with a valid photo identity proof to the examination centre. The city intimation slip issued earlier is meant only for advance travel planning and cannot be used as a substitute for the admit card.

Applicants are also advised to check reporting timings, examination guidelines and centre details mentioned on the hall ticket well in advance to avoid last-minute issues.

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