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There is no arresting Vinod Dua till July 15, says SC

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (July 7) provided veteran journalist Vinod Dua immunity from arrest till July 15 and also told him that he is free to not answer any questionnaire that might be sent to him by Himachal Pradesh police.

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Journalist Vinod Dua

Dua’s counsel says this sedition charge and its follow-up is basically harassment. Court says the veteran journalist is free to not answer any Himachal Pradesh police questionnaire if he so chooses.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (July 7) provided veteran journalist Vinod Dua immunity from arrest till July 15 and also told him that he is free to not answer any questionnaire that might be sent to him by Himachal Pradesh police.

This directive was given by a three-judge bench, headed by Justice U U Lalit. The hearing was conducted over video conferencing.

Dua was seeking a stay on FIRs accusing him of sedition and other charges filed against him in different cities. The court has allowed the police time till next Monday to file their own investigation details. The matter will be heard on Wednesday for final disposal.

On June 14 the court had conducted a special Sunday sitting and had asked for a response from both the Himachal Pradesh government and the central government regarding Dua’s petition. While the governments were given two weeks to reply, the investigation was to continue during that time. The court had asked Dua to cooperate, stating that he could be interrogated at his residence, after being given a 24-hour notice.

During the hearing today, Advocate Vikas Singh appearing on behalf the journalist, informed the court that many questionnaires are being sent to the petitioner, and the same questions are being asked again and again, leading to a lot of harassment. Even after a status report was asked for by the court itself, they refused to inform the content of the complaint. The police, however, refused to give the details on the nature of complaint. At the end, when nothing could be done, the Disaster Management Act was invoked by them, the counsel said.

According to Singh, Dua is a responsible journalist with 45 years of experience and has the freedom of speech and the right to criticise the government.

Singh also cited before the court recent cases with similar charges involving media persons. He stated that in the case of Amish Devgan, who was also a media person and faced similar charges, interim protection and stay on investigation was granted. In the case of journalist Nupur Sharma too a stay was granted on the investigation. He added that all these cases fall under the scope of Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, providing them with the freedom of speech and expression.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta didn’t agree with Singh’s comparison of the present case with Amish Devgan’s case and stated that Devgan had mistakenly referred Alauddin Khilji as Moinuddin Chishti and had apologised for it.

Justice Lalit questioned the seriousness of the investigation and stated that, after obtaining a notice from the crime branch, a letter was written to the media house on May 11, and after that no action was taken till June 11.

“What happened from May 11 to June 11? This shows your seriousness about the investigation. We will dispose off the matter in the next hearing. If we are satisfied with correctness of the petitioner’s contention, we will quash everything. The matter will be listed next Wednesday for disposal,” the court said.

The Delhi High Court had previously ordered a  stay on an FIR filed against Dua for allegedly spreading fake news on the communal violence in Delhi in February through his YouTube show.

After this, similar FIRs were filed in Shimla regarding the same show, and the Shimla Police had summoned Dua in connection with the sedition charge, accusing him of spreading fake news and instigating violence.

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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