Pune’s Sinhagad Fort witnessed an alleged case of moral policing after a group of tourists, including an eight-year-old girl, were confronted and assaulted over their clothes on August 16.

Haveli Police have registered a criminal case against nine individuals in connection with the incident. According to Pune Police Superintendent Sandeep Singh Gill, the dispute began when a young man and another group of people stopped a family and questioned why their eight-year-old daughter was wearing shorts.

“An argument ensued, and the person was assaulted,” the police officer said.

The alleged attackers claimed to be members of a group called the ‘Fort Conservation Society’.

Tourists assaulted over clothing

According to officials, the incident took place when Sinhagad Fort was witnessing a heavy weekend crowd. The alleged members of the group confronted tourists, including the minor, over what they considered “inappropriate” clothing.

The confrontation allegedly escalated into physical violence, with tourists being beaten and intimidated. Women, children and elderly people were also allegedly subjected to mistreatment and physical assault.

Eyewitnesses said the incident continued for nearly two hours, leaving tourists frightened as they attempted to protect themselves.

Following complaints, Haveli Police registered a criminal case against nine named individuals. Further investigation is underway.

Sinhagad to introduce app-based tourist registration

The incident has also prompted authorities to take steps aimed at managing crowds at the fort.

Sinhagad Fort is set to become the first fort in Maharashtra to introduce app-based pre-registration for visitors as part of measures to manage tourist numbers and restrict vehicle entry.

Pune and its surrounding areas are home to several forts built during the Maratha period, including those associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. These historic sites remain popular tourist destinations.

In recent years, some self-styled fort conservation groups have emerged in Pune, claiming to work towards preserving the structures and keeping them clean. However, locals and tourists have also alleged that some such groups attempt to impose their own rules regarding clothing and behaviour at the forts.

A massive fire at a hotel on Free School Street near New Market in Kolkata claimed at least nine lives, including that of a child, in the early hours of Wednesday. Six others were injured in the incident.

The fire broke out at around 2 am, trapping several guests inside the hotel as smoke rapidly spread through the building. The incident prompted a major rescue operation in the densely populated area.

According to the fire department, Bangladeshi nationals were among those killed. They had reportedly travelled to Kolkata for medical treatment.

Fire breaks out on third floor

Initial reports indicate that the blaze started on the hotel’s third floor. An air-conditioner explosion is being suspected as a possible trigger, although the exact cause of the fire has not yet been established.

Smoke quickly filled the rooms as the flames spread, leaving several guests trapped inside. Firefighters were alerted about the blaze at around 2:07 am.

Four fire tenders were sent to the location, while a disaster management team also joined the rescue operation.

Firefighters evacuated people trapped inside the building and eventually brought the blaze under control. The dense smoke made it difficult for them to move through the staircase and reach the upper floors.

A police officer said nine people had died and indicated that more casualties could not initially be ruled out. The flames had been extinguished and cooling operations were underway.

The incident occurred just two days after another deadly hotel fire in West Bengal’s Birbhum district. At least eight people were killed in a blaze at a hotel in Tarapith on August 17.

Senior Advocate Pradeep Rai has been elected president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), securing a decisive mandate in the 2026 election. Rai received 822 votes to defeat Senior Advocate Anupam Lal Das, who secured 451 votes.

The result places Rai at the helm of the representative body of advocates practising before the Supreme Court and gives him the responsibility of leading the Association on issues concerning the professional interests, welfare and institutional concerns of its members.

The SCBA occupies an important position as the collective representative of advocates appearing before the Supreme Court. Its responsibilities extend beyond the administration of the Association, with matters relating to the professional interests and welfare of members forming an important part of its institutional role.

Eight candidates contested for SCBA president

The presidential election was keenly contested, with eight candidates entering the race for the top post.

Those contesting for the position included Senior Advocate Pradeep Rai, Senior Advocate Mahalakshmi Pavani, Md Izhar Alam, Senior Advocate Adish Aggarwala, Gaurav Bhatia, Senior Advocate Anupam Lal Das, Senior Advocate Sukumar Pattjoshi and Senior Advocate Siddharth Mridul.

Rai ultimately emerged victorious with 822 votes, while Anupam Lal Das finished with 451 votes.

The election brought several issues concerning the functioning of the Association and the concerns of members of the Bar into focus. Professional opportunities for advocates, welfare measures and greater institutional responsiveness were among the broader issues surrounding the contest.

Rai’s agenda focused on reform and professional empowerment

Rai’s campaign was centred on an agenda of institutional reform and professional empowerment.

One of the areas highlighted during the campaign was the need to expand opportunities for younger members of the Bar. The agenda also included strengthening welfare mechanisms and addressing structural concerns affecting advocates practising before the country’s highest constitutional court.

The emphasis on younger advocates and welfare measures comes amid wider concerns within professional bodies about ensuring adequate institutional support and opportunities for members of the legal profession.

Rai’s electoral mandate now places the responsibility on the incoming leadership to translate these campaign priorities into concrete measures for members of the Association.

Significance of the SCBA leadership

The election comes against the backdrop of an evolving discussion on the role of Bar associations in ensuring effective representation and protecting the independence and institutional autonomy of the legal profession.

The SCBA has a distinctive position within India’s constitutional and legal framework as the collective representative of advocates appearing before the Supreme Court.

The Association also provides a platform for members of the Bar to deliberate on issues affecting their profession and the functioning of the legal system. Its leadership therefore has an important role in representing the collective concerns of advocates and maintaining an effective institutional forum for discussion.

Rai’s return to the Association’s leadership

For Pradeep Rai, the election victory marks a return to the leadership of the Supreme Court Bar Association.

Rai has previously served as the Association’s Vice President and has remained an active voice on issues concerning the Bar.

His latest electoral mandate brings with it the responsibility of taking forward the priorities outlined during the campaign while ensuring that the Association’s decision-making remains responsive to the wider interests of its membership.

The challenge before the new leadership will be to convert electoral assurances into tangible institutional measures while maintaining continuity in the Association’s functioning.

Bench-Bar dialogue among key institutional issues

The SCBA election also assumes significance in the context of the continuing dialogue between the Bench and the Bar on matters relating to institutional governance, professional ethics, access to justice and the working conditions of advocates.

A strong and autonomous Bar is an important component of the constitutional framework, particularly in a judicial system where advocates play a critical role in assisting courts in the administration of justice.

The Association’s leadership will therefore be expected to balance the professional and welfare concerns of its members with its wider institutional responsibilities.

What lies ahead for the new SCBA leadership

With the election process concluded, attention will now turn to the implementation of the incoming leadership’s stated agenda.

For Rai, the immediate task will be to work towards the priorities outlined during the election campaign, including measures aimed at expanding opportunities for younger advocates, strengthening welfare mechanisms and addressing structural concerns affecting members of the Bar.

The new leadership will also have to ensure that the SCBA continues to function as an effective forum for representation, deliberation and collective advocacy.

Rai’s victory consequently represents more than a change in office-bearers. It gives the new leadership a fresh mandate to address the concerns of Supreme Court advocates and shape the Association’s institutional priorities during its new term.