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Kathua child gangrape and murder: SC seeks J&K’s reply on plea to transfer case to Chandigarh

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Kathua child gangrape and murder: SC seeks J&K's reply on plea to transfer case to Chandigarh

The Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud on Monday, April 16, asked Jammu and Kashmir government’s reply on plea for transferring trial in Kathua gangrape case to Chandigarh and directed the state government to provide security to the victim family’s lawyers Deepika Rajawat and Talib Hussain.

Hearing the appeal from the 8-year-old Kathua rape-murder victim’s father who had asked for the trial to be shifted out of J&K, the SC decided to take it up and listed the case on April 27 while making it clear that this will not be treated as a PIL.

Also, it said, “As an interim measure, it is directed that the Jammu and Kashmir Police to beef up the security and provide adequate security personnel to the family, Deepika Singh Rajawat and family friend Talid Hussain.”

The apex court also asked the state police to provide security at the observation home where delinquent juvenile is kept in connection with raping and killing the eight-year-old girl.

As the trial in the case started in Kathua on Monday, the eight accused pleaded not guilty and asked the judge for a narco analysis test, said media reports.  Seven of the eight accused were produced before District and Sessions Judge Sanjay Gupta, who asked the state Crime Branch to give them copies of the chargesheet and fixed April 28 as the next date of hearing.

The seven accused were shifted back to the jail under heavy security immediately after the brief hearing in the sessions court.

In SC, during the hearing, the victim’s father expressed satisfaction over the probe conducted by the state police so far and opposed the plea for a CBI probe as sought by others. Senior advocate Indira Jaising made it clear the victim’s father was seeking transfer of the trial of the case and not the investigation.

She said that the grievance is not the investigation and that she is not asking for any closure in this matter. The issues are grave and that the police couldn’t file the chargesheet for several hours. The lady police officer had to face a lot of trouble while filing the chargesheet.

She said that the atmosphere in that place (J&K court) is such that the “fair trial will become impossible. The petition pertains to the transfer of the case from Jammu and Kashmir.”

She pointed out that there have been direct attacks on the counsel for the 8-year-old’s father. She said that even the investigating officer was told to give up on this case.

She also sought interim protection for the family of the child and the counsel.

The CJI said: “Basically the case pertains to victim protection?” To this Jaising agreed, India Legal reported.

The CJI asked: “Suppose, if we transfer the case, will the investigation continue?”

Jaising said various cases have come up wherein the entire investigation is sought to be transferred to the CBI. However, we only demand for the transfer of the trials. The CBI comes in for the investigation only when there is a loophole in the case. The police has a done a god job.

The court also rejected a petition filed by advocate Anuja Kapoor seeking a CBI probe in the case .

The counsel for the respondent submitted that the petition has been filed by the adoptive father. This Jaising objected to, saying that the petition has been filed by the biological father of the child. The letter from the father was submitted before the CJI bench.

A team of five policemen is already with the family of the victim, submits the counsel for the respondents.

Listing the matter for April 27, the bench said that no multiple counsels will be allowed to argue. The CJI made it clear that this matter will pertain only to victim’s family. It’s not a PIL.

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NDA’s Mangal Milan meeting today to discuss Monsoon Session strategy, PM Modi likely to attend

The NDA Parliamentary Party will hold its ‘Mangal Milan’ meeting on Tuesday to discuss strategy for the remaining Monsoon Session, while the Centre has introduced the Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha.

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Parliament

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Parliamentary Party is scheduled to hold its ‘Mangal Milan’ meeting on Tuesday at the Parliament Library Building (PLB) to finalise the ruling alliance’s floor strategy for the remaining 10 days of the Monsoon Session.

According to a note circulated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in Parliament, all NDA members of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been requested to attend the meeting and reach the venue on time. The programme will begin at 9:30 am at the GMC Balayogi Auditorium.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to participate in the meeting along with Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh, and other NDA Members of Parliament.

‘Mangal Milan’ is NDA’s rebranded weekly strategy session

The ‘Mangal Milan’ meeting is described as the rebranded version of the NDA’s weekly parliamentary party strategy session. It is aimed at promoting constructive discussions and ensuring better coordination among alliance partners during the ongoing Parliament session.

The meeting comes as Parliament continues discussions on key legislative business and government proposals during the Monsoon Session.

Centre introduces Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026

Meanwhile, the Centre on Monday introduced the Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha.

Union Minister Rao Indrajit Singh introduced the Bill, which seeks to repeal and replace the Indian Statistical Institute Act, 1959, while retaining the institute’s status as an Institution of National Importance.

The proposed legislation aims to convert the existing society into an autonomous statutory body corporate and provide a modern statutory framework for the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI).

It also seeks to broaden the scope of Statistical Sciences by including fields such as theoretical and applied statistics, mathematics, economics, data science, computer science, other quantitative sciences, quantitative social sciences, and modern technologies including cryptology and related disciplines.

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Himanta Sarma visits Assam flood-hit areas, compensation process to begin after August 9

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited flood-hit areas in Nazira, Mahmora and Sonari and announced that damage assessment for compensation will begin from August 9.

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Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited flood-affected areas in the Nazira, Mahmora and Sonari Assembly constituencies to review the damage caused by the recent floods in Upper Assam. During the visit, he announced that government officials would begin a door-to-door assessment of permanently damaged properties from August 9, after which compensation would be provided to affected families.

This marked the Chief Minister’s second visit to the flood-hit districts of Charaideo and Sivasagar following the latest spell of flooding.

CM interacts with affected residents, reviews relief work

During the tour, Mr Sarma inspected flood-affected locations at Santak, Nepalikhuti and Sundarpukhuri in the Nazira constituency, Chomoni village in Mahmora, and Ward No. 8 of Sonari town. He interacted with residents, reviewed relief measures and assessed the impact of the floods on local communities.

To reach the flood-ravaged Nepalikhuti area of Bihubar under the Nazira constituency, the Chief Minister travelled by tractor. He later visited Shulal Kalita village in Sundarpukhuri, where he discussed the challenges faced by residents and reviewed ongoing relief operations.

Compensation survey to begin from August 9

Addressing flood-affected residents, Mr Sarma said officials would start visiting households from August 9 to assess permanent damage caused by the floods. He said the compensation process would begin after the assessment is completed.

The Chief Minister also announced that health camps would be organised in the affected areas and that the government would extend assistance to help farmers resume agricultural activities. Responding to local demands, he assured residents that steps would be taken to strengthen the Sundarpukhuri embankment.

CM meets bereaved families, promises long-term flood solution

During the visit, Mr Sarma met the family of Nirupama Duwara and her niece Nisha Duwara of Rajapul Duwara village in Nazira, who lost their lives after being swept away during the sudden floods on July 19. He expressed condolences and assured the family of the government’s support.

He also said the state government would work towards finding a permanent solution to recurring floods so that people do not have to face similar devastation in the future.

Financial assistance provided to families of flood victims

In Mahmora constituency, the Chief Minister travelled by boat to Chomoni village to meet stranded residents. At the Sri Sri Hari Namghar, he handed over one-time financial assistance of Rs. 4 lakh each to the next of kin of 14 people who lost their lives in floods affecting the constituency since July 19. The total assistance distributed amounted to Rs. 56 lakh.

He also visited the Sri Sri Gobinda Namghar at Moran Gaon to review the condition of flood-affected residents.

Later, at Jaya Primary School in Ward No. 8 of Sonari town, Mr Sarma distributed textbooks and school uniforms to students affected by the floods. He also provided Rs. 5 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to the families of five people who died in the recent floods in the area.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Keshab Mahanta, Agriculture Minister Pijush Hazarika, Industries and Commerce Minister Bimal Bora, along with local MLAs Taranga Gogoi, Mayur Borahgohain, Suruj Dihingia and Dharmeswar Konwar, accompanied the Chief Minister during the visit.

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IMD issues heavy rain alert across several states, red warning for Punjab’s Patiala

The IMD has issued red and orange weather alerts across several states, warning of thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, lightning and gusty winds in multiple districts.

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued district-wise weather warnings for several states on Tuesday, cautioning residents about thunderstorms, lightning, heavy rainfall and gusty winds expected over the next two to three hours.

A red warning, indicating severe weather conditions requiring immediate action, has been issued for Patiala district in Punjab.

Orange warning for multiple states

The IMD has also issued orange warnings for several districts where thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, winds of 40-60 kmph and moderate to heavy rainfall of 5-15 mm per hour or more are very likely.

In Punjab, the orange warning covers Fatehgarh Sahib, Ludhiana, Sangrur and SAS Nagar.

In Uttar Pradesh, the alert has been issued for Amethi, Ayodhya, Barabanki, Fatehpur, Hardoi, Kanpur Dehat, Kanpur Nagar, Lucknow, Pratapgarh, Raebareli and Unnao.

The warning also extends to Kasaragod in Kerala; Dakshin Kannada, Shivamogga and Udupi in Karnataka; Bhind, Datia, Gwalior, Morena, Sheopur Kalan and Shivpuri in Madhya Pradesh; Jiribam, Kamjong, Noney, Senapati and Tamenglong in Manipur; Uttar Dinajpur in West Bengal; Longleng, Mokokchung, Mon and Wokha in Nagaland; Golaghat, Jorhat, Majuli and Sivasagar in Assam; Ambala, Faridabad, Gurugram, Kaithal and Kurukshetra in Haryana; and Bageshwar, Dehradun, Pithoragarh, Tehri Garhwal and Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand.

IMD advises residents to stay alert

The weather department has urged people living in the affected districts to remain vigilant and follow safety precautions as severe weather conditions may develop over the next few hours.

Separately, the IMD has forecast heavy rainfall in parts of Arunachal Pradesh on August 4 and 5, with Papum Pare likely to witness very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning on Tuesday. East Kameng is also expected to receive heavy rainfall, while several other districts remain under yellow and orange alerts.

In Uttar Pradesh, where the state has recorded below-normal monsoon rainfall so far this season, the IMD has predicted intense rainfall over the next four to five days, which could provide relief from humid conditions.

Meanwhile, heavy monsoon rains continued to affect Himachal Pradesh, where 109 roads remained blocked, six electricity distribution transformers were out of service and 30 water supply schemes were impacted, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre.

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