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MP, 6 other States, reject Centre’s proposal for centralized appointment of lower judiciary

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MP, 6 other States, reject Centre’s proposal for centralized appointment of lower judiciary

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Law ministry had proposed that Centre be given powers to appoint members of lower judiciary, district judges and their like, affidavit filed in Supreme Court

~By Chandrani Banerjee

In April this year, the Law Ministry prepared a proposal that would have given the power to appoint members of the lower judiciary, district judges and their like, to the Centre and not the higher courts or the state Governor as is the case now under Article 233 of the Constitution.

Governments of seven States, including the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led, BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh, have reportedly filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court opposing the Law Ministry’s proposal.

Speaking to APN’s sister-concern India Legal, Trinamool Congress MP and a member of Parliament’s consultative committee on Law and Justice Kalyan Banerjee said, “West Bengal government has filed an affidavit saying that this is re-writing Article 233 of the Constitution of India. The right to appoint district judges is reserved with the respective high courts and the Governor. There is no reason to change it”.

Further he added, “The consultative committee met on March 30th 2017 and the Union Ministry has sent a letter on April 24th, 2017. Why was the letter sent after the meeting?  And why no meeting of the consultative committee since March 30th has taken place? This is all questionable and the answers are nowhere”.

Another state that reacted sharply is Tamil Nadu.

DMK working president and Leader of Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, MK Stalin opposed in the state assembly the proposal mooted by the Centre for an entrance examination on the lines of NEET to recruit judges for the lower judiciary in July this year.

Stating that the Centre’s proposal went against principles of federalism, Stalin told India legal, “Appointing district judges in the states through all India judiciary exam amounts to usurping the state’s rights and totally is against the principle of federalism enshrined in our Constitution. This move is highly condemnable and cannot be accepted in healthy and constitutionally mandated Centre-State relations.”

Stalin added that even some BJP -ruled states have opposed this proposal. “The BJP should realise that people have given majority to govern and to protect the federal setup but not to make the states unconstitutionally subservient,” he said.

The proposal was forwarded to the Supreme Court by the then Secretary in-charge of justice in the Union law ministry, Snehlata Srivastava, suggesting recruitment of district level judges on the basis of an all-India examination (India Legal has a copy of the letter).

Opposition leaders point out that the consultative committee dealing with the law ministry last met on March 30th 2017. The proposal was forwarded by the Supreme Court to the states on April 24th. There has been no meeting of the consultative committee since March 30th. This itself raises serious questions about the subversion of India’s federal structure and the seriousness, or lack of it, in the way that consultative committees are treated by parliamentarians.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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