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Supreme Court takes suo motu cognisance Kolkata doctor case

A bench of Chief Justice of Supreme Court DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra will hear the case on August 20.

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As doctors’ protests intensify in the country, the Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

A bench of Chief Justice of Supreme Court DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra will hear the case on August 20.

On Thursday, two lawyers practicing in the Supreme Court wrote a letter to the Chief Justice of India urging him to take suo moto cognisance of the rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College. “The nation looks to the judiciary as the ultimate guardian of justice, the last refuge for those whose cries have been silenced by brutality.”

“The victim in this case is a young doctor whose life was dedicated to serving others. She deserves nothing less than the full measure of justice that our legal system can provide. Her death must not be in vain; it must galvanize us to act and ensure that no other woman suffers such a fate,” stated the letter.

It was also stated that the time has come for the judiciary to send a clear and resounding message that such heinous crimes will not be tolerated. The sanctity of life and the dignity of women must be fiercely protected by the full might of the law.

Earlier on August 16, the Calcutta High Court slammed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government after a mob attacked and vandalised the RG Kar Medical College & Hospital on August 14 night during a protest against the sexual assault and murder of a trainee doctor saying an absolute failure of State machinery.

The Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court, T.S. Sivagnanam, said that the Court took the matter since it received an email on the vandalism and mob attack at the hospital.

A division bench termed it a sorry state of affairs. The State Police was not able to protect itself, how can these doctors work fearlessly, the Court asked? The Court said it would shut down the hospital and shift the patients to other hospitals.

The Chief Justice slammed the state and said, “You pass Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) for any reason, but when so much commotion is going on, you should have cordoned off the entire area. This is an absolute failure of state machinery.” The Court wondered how 7,000 people come walking.

India News

Siddaramaiah gets clean chit from Lokayukta in MUDA land scam case

The MUDA case has been a political flashpoint in Karnataka, with the BJP accusing the Congress-led state government of favouritism and corruption.

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The Karnataka Lokayukta police, investigating the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment case, on Wednesday, cleared Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his wife BM Parvathi, and two others of all charges, citing a “lack of evidence.” The final report was submitted to the Karnataka High Court, bringing partial closure to the high-profile case.

The other individuals named in the case include Siddaramaiah’s brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy and landowner Devaraju. In a letter to activist Snehamayi Krishna, one of the complainants in the case, the Lokayukta police stated, “Since the allegations against accused-1 to accused-4 have not been proven due to insufficient evidence, the final report is being submitted to the high court.”

However, the investigation is not entirely over. The Lokayukta police added that further inquiries will be conducted into allegations of MUDA’s compensatory plot allotments under the 50:50 ratio scheme between 2016 and 2024. An additional report will be submitted to the high court upon completion of this probe.

The 50:50 scheme, which has been at the center of the controversy, involves MUDA allotting 50% of developed land to individuals whose undeveloped land was acquired for residential layouts. In this case, Parvathi was allegedly allotted compensatory plots in an upscale area of Mysuru, with a higher property value compared to the location of her original land.

The complainants had alleged that Parvathi did not hold legal title to the 3.16 acres of land in Kasare village, Mysuru taluk, which was acquired by MUDA. Despite these claims, the Lokayukta’s findings have cleared the accused of any wrongdoing, at least for now.

The development comes days after the Karnataka High Court rejected a plea to transfer the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the country’s premier investigative agency. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is in opposition in Karnataka but leads the central government, had pushed for a CBI probe, alleging irregularities in the land allotment process.

The MUDA case has been a political flashpoint in Karnataka, with the BJP accusing the Congress-led state government of favouritism and corruption. The clean chit to Siddaramaiah and his family is likely to provide some relief to the ruling party, even as the opposition continues to question the integrity of the investigation.

As the Lokayukta proceeds with its further investigation into the 50:50 scheme, the case remains a contentious issue in Karnataka’s political landscape. The final outcome of the probe could have significant implications for both the state government and the opposition, as they gear up for future electoral battles.

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Chhaava: Maharashtra CM Fadnavis hails Vicky Kaushal-Rashmika starrer, says will think on public demand for tax-free status

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) had earlier appealed to the Maharashtra government to grant tax exemption to Chhaava, emphasizing the importance of sharing the legacy of the Maratha king with future generations.

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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday lauded the recently released film Chhaava, which depicts the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, calling it a historically accurate tribute to the Maratha warrior king.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event celebrating the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Fadnavis expressed his admiration for the film and its portrayal of Sambhaji Maharaj’s valour and contributions.

“I extend my heartfelt wishes to all admirers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj across the globe on this auspicious occasion of his birth anniversary. It is because of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj that we exist today. He taught us self-respect, equality, and unity. He laid the foundation for governance, water and forest conservation, tax structures, and coastal security. He was the first to elevate Marathi to the status of a classical language. As his soldiers, we are committed to upholding his legacy in governing the state,” said Fadnavis, who hails from Nagpur.

The Chief Minister also commended actor Vicky Kaushal, who plays the titular role in Chhaava, and director Laxman Utekar for their efforts in bringing the story of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj to the big screen.

“Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was a figure of immense bravery, knowledge, and valour, yet history has often done him injustice. I am pleased that a film like Chhaava has been made to honour his legacy. Although I haven’t seen the movie yet, those who have watched it have assured me that it stays true to historical facts. I congratulate the producers, director, and Vicky Kaushal for their dedication to this project,” Fadnavis said.

Addressing demands to make Chhaava tax-free, Fadnavis clarified that Maharashtra abolished entertainment tax in 2017, making such exemptions unnecessary. However, he assured that the state government would actively promote the film to ensure it reaches a wider audience.

“While other states may waive entertainment tax to make films tax-free, Maharashtra has already eliminated this tax. We will focus on promoting Chhaava and spreading awareness about the inspiring history of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj,” he added.

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) had earlier appealed to the Maharashtra government to grant tax exemption to Chhaava, emphasizing the importance of sharing the legacy of the Maratha king with future generations.

In a statement, the FWICE highlighted the film’s alignment with the principle of ‘Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah’ (righteousness protects those who uphold it) and urged the government to support its nationwide reach.

“We have written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, requesting tax exemption for Chhaava. This film beautifully portrays the life and courage of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, and it is essential that his story reaches not just Maharashtra but the entire nation,” the FWICE statement read.

Released on February 14, Chhaava stars Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Rashmika Mandanna in a pivotal role. The period drama has been praised for its historical authenticity and powerful storytelling, resonating with audiences and critics alike.

As Maharashtra continues to celebrate the legacy of its warrior kings, Chhaava stands as a cinematic tribute to the enduring spirit of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, ensuring his contributions are remembered and honoured for generations to come.

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India News

Congress says US President Donald Trump threatening existence of GST, questions PM Modi’s stance

“As India integrates further into the global economy, there is growing recognition that import duties on alcohol need to be reduced to align with international standards,” Giri said.

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The Congress party on Wednesday raised concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remarks on reciprocal tariffs, questioning whether the move could undermine India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) system.

In a pointed statement, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh wondered if Prime Minister Narendra Modi, often referred to as a “Vishwaguru” (global leader), would stand up to protect India’s national sovereignty in the face of such challenges.

Ramesh emphasized that the Congress has long advocated for a revamped GST 2.0, aimed at simplifying the tax structure and making it truly “Good and Simple,” as originally intended. He called for minimizing tax rates and reforming compliance rules to ease the burden on businesses and consumers.

“By its very design, GST applies to imports but not exports, a principle that has never been disputed,” Ramesh said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Now, President Trump’s talk of reciprocal tariffs is calling into question the very existence of a consumption tax like GST. Beyond the WTO, this is a matter of national sovereignty. Will President Trump’s good friend in New Delhi, who often boasts of being a Vishwaguru, stand up to this?”

Ramesh also shared an article highlighting that Trump’s proposed tariffs are partly a response to what the U.S. describes as “unfair” taxes, including value-added taxes like Australia’s Goods and Services Tax. This has sparked fears that India’s GST system could face similar scrutiny.

The Congress leader’s remarks come amid recent developments in India-U.S. trade relations. Earlier this month, India reduced tariffs on bourbon whiskey from 150% to 100%, a move seen as a gesture to address U.S. concerns over high import duties. The decision, dated February 13 but gaining media attention on February 14, 2025, benefits American brands like Suntory’s Jim Beam.

During his meeting with Prime Minister Modi at the White House, President Trump criticized what he called “unfair” trade practices in India and outlined plans for reciprocal tariffs on countries imposing duties on U.S. imports. The tariff reduction on bourbon is viewed as a strategic step to ease tensions and pre-empt potential retaliatory measures.

Pratik Jain, a partner at PwC India, noted that the move signals India’s willingness to adjust tariffs for strategic partners. “It reflects the government’s intent to align its trade policies with global expectations,” he said.

However, India’s high tariffs on alcohol imports have long been a point of contention for foreign liquor companies, including Diageo and Pernod Ricard, which operate in the country’s $35 billion spirits market. Vinod Giri, director general of the Brewers Association of India, described the tariff reduction as a symbolic gesture to reassure the U.S. of India’s commitment to fair trade practices.

“As India integrates further into the global economy, there is growing recognition that import duties on alcohol need to be reduced to align with international standards,” Giri said.

The Congress’s critique of the government’s handling of the GST issue and its response to U.S. trade pressures underscores the broader debate over India’s economic policies and its stance on global trade. As the Modi administration navigates these challenges, the opposition’s call for a more robust and simplified GST system adds another layer to the ongoing discourse on India’s economic future.

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