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Gujarat govt won’t have to pay for repair of shrines damaged in 2002 riots: rules SC

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Gujarat govt won’t have to pay for repair of shrines damaged in 2002 riots: rules SC

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Over 500 religious structures – a majority of them being mosques and Islamic shrines – were damaged in the post-Godhra pogrom of 2002. The Apex court accepted Gujarat government’s contention that spending public money for repair and maintenance of a religious structure will be against the country’s secular fabric

The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, set aside Gujarat High Court’s order, which had asked the state government to pay for repair of religious structures, mostly mosques and Islamic shrines, which were damaged during the 2002 post-Godhra riots.

A bench of Chief Justice Deepak Misra and Justice PC Pant, however, said that the state government’s scheme of paying (ex-gratia) compensation of Rs 50,000 for the repair of damaged residential and commercial structures will be applicable for the religious structures too.

Observing that the order of the Gujarat High Court was ‘not tenable in law’, the bench asked the state to release funds according to its ex-gratia scheme and not as per the HC order, which had also sought an assessment of actual cost of restoration according to which the state government had to provide funds.

Appearing for the state government, Additional Solicitor General (ASG), Tushar Mehta had reasoned that a judicial order directing use of public money for construction of places of worship will be “against the secular fabric of the country”.

Mehta informed the top court that state government was willing to pay from its ex-gratia scheme for repair and reconstruction works of various structures, shops and houses which were damaged.

After the Bench passed its order, Mehta told reporters: “Our plea (seeking quashing of the Gujarat HC order) has been allowed…This ex-gratia scheme (of the Gujarat government) has been accepted by the SC.”

In an earlier hearing, the Supreme Court had asked the parties in the case if it would be proper in a secular State to order compensation for rebuilding places of worship. “Money is required for economic growth… individual injury is a different thing where compensation is granted under Article 21 (right to life and liberty) of the Constitution. Can it happen in a diversified country that a state is distributing public money to build religious places?” it said.

Citing Article 27 in the Constitution, Mehta had told the SC that there was a prohibition against compelling people “to pay any taxes, the proceeds of which are specifically appropriated in payment of expenses for the promotion or maintenance of any particular religion or religious denomination”.

Mehta maintained before the court: “What is prohibited, therefore, is use of state fund, which consists of payment of various taxes by citizens, for repair /reconstruction/construction of any place of worship of any religion.”

Gujarat govt won’t have to pay for repair of shrines damaged in 2002 riots: rules SC

Considered one of the worst riots that took place in India in the post-independence era, the 2002 pogrom claimed the lives of over 800 Muslims and around 250 Hindus, as per official figures. Those who have worked in the riot-affected areas, activists and social commentators, have for long claimed that the official death toll of the 2002 riots betrayed facts and that the actual number of killings exceeded 2000 people, mostly Muslims.

The riots have been seen as a reaction by Hindu radicals to the death of 57 Hindu pilgrims who lost their lives when a train they were travelling in was set on fire in Gujarat’s Godhra. The riots have been the biggest scar on the political innings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was then the Gujarat chief minister. Activists, a section of the media and legal commentators have, since 2002, spoken about the complicity of the then Gujarat government in allowing the Hindu rioters to kill Muslims. The then junior minister for home in Gujarat, and now BJP national president Amit Shah along with several BJP leaders were accused in various cases related to the riots.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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DMK leader’s son arrested after car rams family in Krishnagiri, one dead

A 20-year-old son of a DMK leader has been arrested for allegedly driving a car into four members of a family in Krishnagiri, killing assistant labour inspector Sivamoorthy.

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DMK leader

A 20-year-old son of a leader from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has been arrested for allegedly mowing down four members of a family following a heated argument in Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri district. One person died in the incident, police said.

The deceased has been identified as Sivamoorthy, an assistant labour inspector and a resident of Krishnagiri. According to the police, the incident occurred outside his residence after the accused, identified as Adithya, objected to a two-wheeler parked on the road.

Police said Adithya was driving the car and began honking as the two-wheeler was blocking the road. Sivamoorthy and his family members reportedly stepped out to move the vehicle. During the exchange that followed, an altercation broke out.

Investigators allege that Adithya then rammed his car into Sivamoorthy, his son Kirubakaran, daughter-in-law Amsavalli and granddaughter Nilani. Sivamoorthy sustained severe injuries and later succumbed. The others were injured in the incident.

Besides Adithya, two of his friends — Rithik Kumar and Harish — who were present in the car at the time, have also been arrested. A case of murder has been registered against the trio and further investigation is underway.

Kirubakaran, recounting the incident, said the family had attempted to move the parked two-wheeler when the accused damaged it. He alleged that the men appeared intoxicated and tried to assault them with a stick before the vehicle was driven into the family.

Amsavalli said they had tried to defuse the situation peacefully but the confrontation turned violent, resulting in her father-in-law’s death and injuries to her child.

A police officer stated that Adithya’s father is a local functionary of the DMK in Krishnagiri district. The victim’s family has demanded strict action in the case.

Reacting to the incident, state BJP chief Nainar Nagendran criticised the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, questioning the state government over the episode and alleging that party functionaries were misusing their influence.

Police said the probe is ongoing.

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Security tightened across Delhi metro stations after bomb threat emails

Delhi is on high alert after bomb threat emails targeted metro stations, the Red Fort and the Assembly. Authorities confirmed the threats were hoaxes but tightened security as a precaution.

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Delhi Metro

Security has been intensified across all metro stations and major installations in the national capital after a series of bomb threat emails were received on Monday. Authorities later confirmed that the threats were hoaxes following detailed inspections by security agencies.

According to officials, several key institutions — including the Delhi Secretariat, Delhi Assembly, the Red Fort and two schools — received threatening emails earlier in the day. Extensive searches were carried out at all the locations mentioned in the messages, but nothing suspicious was found.

A senior police officer said cyber teams are working to trace the origin of the emails. Preliminary findings suggest that the senders may have used Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in an attempt to conceal their identities and mislead investigators. Officials expressed confidence that those responsible would be identified.

Metro stations under heightened surveillance

Following specific references to metro services in the emails, security arrangements were strengthened across the entire network of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. Additional personnel have been deployed at stations, and anti-sabotage checks are being conducted.

Police said random frisking of passengers and intensified CCTV surveillance are being carried out as part of precautionary measures. Bomb disposal squads and dog squads were stationed at sensitive sites, including the Red Fort, Delhi Secretariat and the Assembly complex.

The threatening emails reportedly included the slogan “Delhi banega Khalistan” and warned of explosions at an Army school, the Assembly and the Red Fort at specific times during the day. Officials stated that all mentioned locations were thoroughly checked and declared safe.

Authorities also coordinated with counterparts in neighbouring states to enhance security at metro stations falling under their jurisdictions.

While no explosives were found, officials said the tightened security arrangements will remain in place as a precaution. Cyber teams continue efforts to trace the IP addresses and identify those behind the threat emails.

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JNU protest turns violent as Left and Right student groups trade charges

A late-night protest at JNU turned violent as Left and ABVP student groups accused each other of stone-throwing and attacks near the East Gate.

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JNU Protest

Tension gripped the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University in the early hours of Monday after a protest march allegedly spiralled into violence, with rival student groups accusing each other of triggering the unrest.

Students claimed that the incident occurred around 1.30 am when a confrontation broke out during a march called by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union. The protest, named “Samta Juloos”, was headed towards the East Gate and was organised to demand the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit and the withdrawal of a rustication order.

According to protesters, several students were injured after alleged stone-throwing during the clash. They alleged that the university administration did not intervene during the march and instead permitted members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad to confront demonstrators.

However, the ABVP denied the allegations and countered that Left-affiliated organisations instigated the confrontation and were spreading misinformation about the events.

Left-backed groups, including the All India Students’ Association, claimed that ABVP activists targeted the JNUSU encampment and hurled stones at “unarmed students”, leading to multiple injuries.

Videos shared by students on social media reportedly showed chaotic scenes near the protest site, with members of rival groups engaged in heated exchanges and physical scuffles.

University authorities did not immediately respond to queries regarding the incident. Students said the situation on campus remained tense following the overnight clashes.

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