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Justice Dipak Misra sworn in as 45th Chief Justice of India

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9 years ago

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Justice Dipak Misra sworn-in as 45th Chief Justice of India

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]New Chief Justice will have the unenviable task of presiding over politically sensitive cases like the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmbhoomi land dispute, repealing Article 35A in Kashmir, among others

Justice Dipak Misra was, on Monday, sworn in as the 45th Chief Justice of India by President Ram Nath Kovind, taking over the mantle from Justice JS Khehar, who retired on Sunday. The newly sworn-in CJI is scheduled to retire on October 2, 2018 after a tenure that will last for 13 months and six days.

Justice Misra was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court on October 10, 2011 and in the past six years has delivered several crucial judgments – those that were hailed as landmark verdicts and yet others that were criticised by legal experts for bordering on judicial over-reach.

Among the most defining moments of his stint as a judge of the apex court, perhaps came on the intervening night of July 29-30, 2015 when as part of a three-judge Bench, which also included then Chief Justice of India, HL Dattu, he dismissed the mercy petition of Yakub Memon, convicted in the Bombay blasts case. For the first time in the history of independent India, the Supreme Court had held a midnight hearing, discussing the arguments made in the case for nearly 90 minutes before reading out its verdict at 3 am. Memon was hanged at 3 am on July 30, 2015, amidst criticism and applause of the Supreme Court in equal measure.

A judgment passed on November 30, 2016 by a Bench headed by Justice Misra, however triggered a debate over whether an increasingly aggressive brand of nationalist fervour was stifling civil liberties. The verdict gave sanction for playing of the national anthem in cinema halls before the screening of a film began and made it mandatory for everyone present in the audience to stand up while the anthem was being played. In the days following the verdict, while a handicapped person, who could not stand up during the playing of the national anthem in a cinema hall, was severely heckled several similar reports of people being harassed by right-wing lumpens at movie theatres across the country collectively added to the narrative that whether the Supreme Court had erred in its verdict. A few months after the verdict, the Centre had informed the apex court that handicapped people who cannot stand when the anthem is played should be exempted from doing so.

On May 3, 2016, Justice Misra upheld the constitutional validity of the legal provision related to criminal defamation. Justices Misra and PC Pant had held that the reputation of an individual was an equally important right and stood on the same pedestal as free speech. The court said it would be a stretch to say that upholding criminal defamation in modern times would amount to imposition of silence. A section of the legal fraternity and advocates of free speech had termed the verdict as being regressive.

Then, on May 5, 2017, a bench headed by Justice Misra had upheld the execution of the three convicts in the highly publicised Nirbhaya gang rape case.

Just as verdicts passed by him or a bench that he was part of faced scrutiny by legal eagles, Justice Misra’s elevation as the CJI too had become a matter of some debate over the past few weeks. In July this year, Adish C. Aggarwala, president of the International Council of Jurists, had alleged that Justice Misra’s appointment as the CJI would “severely compromise the independence of the judiciary”. Aggarwala had written to then CJI Khehar – who had named Justice Misra as his successor – asking that an ongoing enquiry into allegations that Justice Misra had misrepresented facts in attempting to get hold of public land meant to be distributed to the landless poor for agricultural purposes in Odisha must first be resolved before he takes over India’s highest judicial post.

Aggarwala had raked up allegations made by an Odisha-based activist, Jayanta Kumar Das, who had claimed that back in 1979, when Justice Misra had not joined the judiciary but was a practicing lawyer, he had applied for allotment of the land to develop a fodder farm. While in his application to the Odisha government he had declared that his family owned 10 acres of land, Das had alleged that none of the said land was actually in Justice Misra’s name and that he had allegedly concealed this information in a subsequent affidavit. The affidavit later became the basis for allotment of two acres of land to Justice Misra.

The suicide note of former Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Kalikho Pul too had reportedly made some serious allegations against Justice Misra, which went uninvestigated.

However, these allegations notwithstanding, outgoing Chief Justice Khehar and the Narendra Modi government still went ahead with the appointment of Justice Misra as the CJI, sticking to the seniority rule.

On his hands, the new Chief Justice will have some critical cases to deal with. He might preside over the contentious Babri Masjid demolition case and also deal with the much popular BCCI reforms matter, as well as the Sahara SEBI case. The explosive issue of abrogation of Article 35A in Kashmir is also expected to be heard by the new Chief Justice.

Adding to the challenges he is certain to face is the seemingly perpetual problem of filling up vacancies in High Courts and the Supreme Court. High Courts in India are working with just 56% of their sanctioned strength while the shortfall in the Supreme Court will widen to 6 when Justice PC Pant retires on Tuesday, leaving only 25 judges in the apex court. The contentious MOP (Memorandum of Procedure) continues to remain an unresolved issue between the government and the SC collegiums, which has rejected the idea of including a security clearance clause that would allow the executive to veto superior court appointments in case of a negative remark against a proposed candidate.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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PM Modi’s Indonesia visit to boost defence, digital and strategic partnership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Indonesia visit is expected to strengthen bilateral ties through new initiatives in defence, digital infrastructure, maritime security, trade and critical minerals.

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9 hours ago

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July 6, 2026

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PM Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Indonesia is expected to give fresh momentum to the growing strategic partnership between the two countries, with discussions likely to cover defence cooperation, maritime security, digital connectivity, trade, critical minerals and several other sectors.

India’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Sandeep Chakravorty, said the relationship between New Delhi and Jakarta has entered a stronger phase following Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to India as the Chief Guest for the Republic Day celebrations last year. He said the Prime Minister’s visit is expected to further strengthen this trajectory through a series of new understandings and agreements.

Defence and maritime cooperation likely to receive major push

According to the ambassador, defence and maritime security will remain key pillars of the discussions during the visit.

He highlighted Indonesia’s strategic location along the Malacca Strait, describing secure sea lanes as vital for both countries and the wider Indo-Pacific region. He stressed that uninterrupted maritime connectivity remains essential for global trade and regional stability.

Without revealing specific details, Chakravorty indicated that the visit could produce significant outcomes in defence cooperation, saying several important announcements are expected.

‘BrahMos Plus’ hints at broader defence partnership

The ambassador also suggested that defence ties between India and Indonesia are moving beyond discussions centred on the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.

Responding to a question about future cooperation, he remarked that the next phase would be “BrahMos Plus,” while refraining from providing further details.

He said future collaboration is expected to focus on defence manufacturing, technology partnerships, training and capacity building. India, he noted, has emerged as an important exporter of defence equipment and could support Indonesia’s efforts to strengthen its domestic defence manufacturing capabilities.

Military cooperation is also expanding, with India set to participate with troops for the first time in the multinational Garuda Shield military exercise after previously attending as an observer.

Digital connectivity and UPI integration gain momentum

Digital cooperation is expected to be another major highlight of the visit.

The ambassador said Indonesia is preparing to launch its Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)-inspired platform during Prime Minister Modi’s visit, making it the fastest international adopter of India’s digital public infrastructure model.

The initiative is expected to support nearly 65 million micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Indonesia by creating a more open digital commerce ecosystem.

Chakravorty also said discussions on integrating India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with Indonesia’s payment systems have reached an advanced stage.

While technical integration remains complex due to Indonesia’s multiple payment-switch networks, he expressed confidence that progress would continue and the Prime Minister’s visit could accelerate the process.

Critical minerals and investment to feature prominently

Critical minerals are also expected to be a major area of cooperation as both countries look to strengthen supply chains for clean energy technologies and electric vehicle manufacturing.

Indonesia possesses significant reserves of nickel and other strategic minerals, while India is seeking reliable supplies to support its manufacturing ambitions.

The ambassador said India plans to invest in processing critical minerals within Indonesia rather than importing only raw materials. He added that such investments would support industrial development in both countries while contributing to India’s self-reliance goals.

Cultural ties to be highlighted

Apart from strategic and economic cooperation, the visit is also expected to showcase the longstanding cultural relationship between India and Indonesia.

Both countries will launch a 15-month programme commemorating Rabindranath Tagore’s 1927 visit to Indonesia, recognising his influence on the country’s educational and cultural landscape.

Prime Minister Modi is also expected to visit Yogyakarta, a city known for its historic temples, reflecting the deep civilisational links shared by the two nations.

With cooperation expanding across defence, digital infrastructure, trade and critical minerals, the visit is expected to mark another important step in strengthening the India-Indonesia strategic partnership and advancing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

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Ram Mandir Trust accepts Champat Rai’s resignation amid donation theft row

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has accepted Champat Rai’s resignation as General Secretary following the donation theft controversy, with Bajrang Bagra emerging as a leading contender for the post.

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July 6, 2026

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Champat Rai

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has accepted the resignation of its General Secretary, Champat Rai, following the controversy surrounding the alleged theft of cash donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

According to sources, Bajrang Bagra has emerged as one of the leading contenders for the post. Bagra currently serves as the International General Secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). A chartered accountant by profession and a former head of PSU NALCO, he is considered to have the administrative and financial expertise required as the Trust moves into its next phase.

Sources indicated that the Trust is looking to appoint someone with strong experience in governance, finance and institutional administration to strengthen its functioning.

Although Champat Rai has stepped down as General Secretary, sources said he is expected to continue as a trustee unless he decides otherwise.

Decision on successor may come after VHP executive meeting

The appointment of the next General Secretary is unlikely to be announced immediately. The VHP’s biannual national executive meeting is scheduled to take place in Delhi on July 19 and 20, where several organisational decisions, including transfers and appointments, are expected to be discussed.

Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra had submitted their resignations after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reportedly took a firm stand on the alleged donation theft. Their resignations came after the Special Investigating Team (SIT) submitted its preliminary findings into the case.

Donation theft investigation

According to the preliminary investigation, temple staff responsible for counting cash donations allegedly siphoned off money despite CCTV cameras being installed at the counting centre. The report stated that the footage was not monitored regularly, allowing the alleged theft to continue. Reports suggest that around Rs 7 crore to Rs 7.5 crore may be missing.

So far, eight people have been arrested in connection with the case. Among them is Ram Shankar Yadav, also known as Tinnu Yadav, who worked as Champat Rai’s driver.

Sources said Champat Rai has told his close associates that Tinnu Yadav played the central role in the alleged fraud and misused the trust placed in him. According to the sources, Rai also claimed that when Yadav feared he would be caught, he leaked information to a Samajwadi Party leader.

The other accused arrested in the case are Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lav Kush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra and Subhash Srivastava.

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WhatsApp gets more time to respond on username feature, rollout in India put on hold

WhatsApp has been granted more time to respond to the government’s concerns over its username feature and has assured that it will not launch the feature in India until discussions are completed.

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10 hours ago

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July 6, 2026

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WhatsApp

Meta assures the government that the feature will not be introduced in India until ongoing consultations are completed.

Meta-owned WhatsApp has been granted an extension to submit its response to the Centre regarding its proposed username feature, while assuring the government that it will not roll out the feature in India until discussions on the matter are concluded.

According to sources, the government has allowed WhatsApp three additional days to file its response after the company sought more time. The original deadline for the reply was Friday.

The proposed username feature would allow users to connect with others without revealing their phone numbers, a move that has raised concerns within the government over its potential impact on cyber safety.

Last week, the Centre issued a notice to Meta questioning the feature, expressing concerns that it could increase online fraud, phishing attempts, impersonation, and so-called “digital arrest” scams. The government also directed the company to pause the rollout until consultations are completed to its satisfaction.

Sources said representatives from Meta met officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) on Friday following the issuance of the notice. During the discussions, WhatsApp reportedly assured authorities that the feature would not be introduced in India before the consultation process is completed.

The government has also asked Meta to explain why action should not be initiated under the Information Technology Act and the relevant rules if the proposed feature is found to compromise user safety. It reminded the company that WhatsApp, as a significant social media intermediary, must comply with due diligence obligations under Indian law.

A WhatsApp spokesperson had earlier clarified that the username feature is not yet live and is expected to be introduced gradually later this year.

The company said it has built several safeguards into the feature to prevent impersonation. According to WhatsApp, usernames of public figures, government entities, celebrities, and verified Meta accounts have been reserved so that they can only be claimed by their legitimate owners. It also said lookalike variations of such usernames are being restricted.

WhatsApp also clarified that users will still need a phone number to create and use a WhatsApp account. The username feature is intended only as an alternative way for people to connect.

The company added that users would need to know another person’s exact username before initiating contact. It also plans to limit how many new users an account can message, prevent repeated attempts to guess usernames, and use automated systems to detect impersonation and abusive behaviour.

To help users identify unfamiliar contacts, WhatsApp said it will display contextual information whenever someone sends a message through a username for the first time. Users will be informed whether the sender is a new account, an existing contact, someone who shares a mutual group, or a person located in another country before deciding whether to respond.

Following its notice to WhatsApp, the IT Ministry also issued notices to Telegram and Signal, seeking details on how their existing username-based systems address concerns related to fraud and impersonation. While WhatsApp has around 500 million users in India, Telegram has a significantly smaller user base.

In recent days, Meta and Telegram have also come under regulatory scrutiny on separate issues. The government recently issued a notice to Meta regarding child sexual abuse material appearing in Instagram advertisements, while Telegram was directed to strengthen action against the circulation of pirated films, OTT content, and other copyrighted audio-visual material on its platform.

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