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SC raps CBI, ED for delay in investigations, orders them to complete it in 6 months

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The Supreme Court on Monday, March 12, pulled up the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate for inordinate delay in completing the probe into various cases related to the 2G spectrum allocation and told them to complete their investigations in 6 months.

The Supreme Court bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Navin Sinha also asked the Centre to file within two weeks a status report on the progress made in the investigations over the past four years.

It may be recalled that a special CBI court on December 22 last had acquitted all 19 persons, including former union telecom minister A Raja, accused of various wrongdoings in what has infamously been called the 2G spectrum scam.

While the verdict by special CBI judge OP Saini was delivered in the case related to spectrum allocation to various telecom players during the period when Raja held the telecom portfolio in the UPA government, investigation in other cases – most notably the one related to the Aircel-Maxis deal in which former finance minister P Chidambaram’s son Karti Chidambaram’s role is currently under the scanner – has been moving at a snail’s pace.

On Monday, the bench of Justice Arun Mishra also heard submissions against the centre’s decision to unilaterally discharge senior advocate Anand Grover from his Supreme Court-appointed role of special public prosecutor (SPP) in all 2G scam related cases and replace him with Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta in the aftermath of Judge Saini’s verdict.

The court accepted the centre’s decision to replace senior advocate Grover with ASG Tushar Mehta as the SPP in 2G scam cases but declined Attorney General Venugopal’s request to discharge him from the role of amicus curiae in these cases.

The judges also wondered why little progress had been made in the investigations by the CBI and ED.

Noting that four years had gone by since it had appointed senior advocate Grover as the SPP in the 2G cases, the top court asked the Centre: “what is the stage of investigation in these cases, how much of the probe is still left”? It then asked Attorney General KK Venugopal: “is there any invisible hand that is stalling the 2G probe”. The court then directed the CBI and ED to report to the court interferences, if any, in their probe.

“This case has a significance for the people of this country. It is an unfortunate state of affairs that investigations are not yet complete,” the top court observed. Stating that the Attorney General had assured the court that the remaining investigation in all 2G cases will be completed within six months, the bench said: “We direct the agencies (CBI and ED) to complete investigation within 6 months in all aspects of the matter and that no stone shall remain unturned.”

The court also then granted two weeks time to Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand to “file a status report of what has happened in the past four years in the investigations.”

It remains to be seen whether the reprimand from the top court would, in due course of time, shift the focus of the probe agencies from the 2G cases linked with A Raja to those in which the role of P Chidambaram and his son is being probed. Chidambaram’s role in giving Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval to the Aircel-Maxis deal is currently under investigation by the two agencies, with Karti being placed under arrest for allegations linked to this case as well as those to the INX Media case.

The Aircel-Maxis case had been dismissed by the Patiala House court and was then challenged by the CBI in the Delhi High Court. The case had been registered by the CBI in 2012-13 after the DMK had exited the UPA government following allegations against Raja, Dayanidhi Maran and other leaders of the party in 2G scam cases. The CBI had then told the court that there were adverse remarks against Dayanidhi Maran in the Aircel-Maxis case.

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Security tightened across Delhi metro stations after bomb threat emails

Delhi is on high alert after bomb threat emails targeted metro stations, the Red Fort and the Assembly. Authorities confirmed the threats were hoaxes but tightened security as a precaution.

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Delhi Metro

Security has been intensified across all metro stations and major installations in the national capital after a series of bomb threat emails were received on Monday. Authorities later confirmed that the threats were hoaxes following detailed inspections by security agencies.

According to officials, several key institutions — including the Delhi Secretariat, Delhi Assembly, the Red Fort and two schools — received threatening emails earlier in the day. Extensive searches were carried out at all the locations mentioned in the messages, but nothing suspicious was found.

A senior police officer said cyber teams are working to trace the origin of the emails. Preliminary findings suggest that the senders may have used Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in an attempt to conceal their identities and mislead investigators. Officials expressed confidence that those responsible would be identified.

Metro stations under heightened surveillance

Following specific references to metro services in the emails, security arrangements were strengthened across the entire network of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. Additional personnel have been deployed at stations, and anti-sabotage checks are being conducted.

Police said random frisking of passengers and intensified CCTV surveillance are being carried out as part of precautionary measures. Bomb disposal squads and dog squads were stationed at sensitive sites, including the Red Fort, Delhi Secretariat and the Assembly complex.

The threatening emails reportedly included the slogan “Delhi banega Khalistan” and warned of explosions at an Army school, the Assembly and the Red Fort at specific times during the day. Officials stated that all mentioned locations were thoroughly checked and declared safe.

Authorities also coordinated with counterparts in neighbouring states to enhance security at metro stations falling under their jurisdictions.

While no explosives were found, officials said the tightened security arrangements will remain in place as a precaution. Cyber teams continue efforts to trace the IP addresses and identify those behind the threat emails.

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JNU protest turns violent as Left and Right student groups trade charges

A late-night protest at JNU turned violent as Left and ABVP student groups accused each other of stone-throwing and attacks near the East Gate.

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JNU Protest

Tension gripped the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University in the early hours of Monday after a protest march allegedly spiralled into violence, with rival student groups accusing each other of triggering the unrest.

Students claimed that the incident occurred around 1.30 am when a confrontation broke out during a march called by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union. The protest, named “Samta Juloos”, was headed towards the East Gate and was organised to demand the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit and the withdrawal of a rustication order.

According to protesters, several students were injured after alleged stone-throwing during the clash. They alleged that the university administration did not intervene during the march and instead permitted members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad to confront demonstrators.

However, the ABVP denied the allegations and countered that Left-affiliated organisations instigated the confrontation and were spreading misinformation about the events.

Left-backed groups, including the All India Students’ Association, claimed that ABVP activists targeted the JNUSU encampment and hurled stones at “unarmed students”, leading to multiple injuries.

Videos shared by students on social media reportedly showed chaotic scenes near the protest site, with members of rival groups engaged in heated exchanges and physical scuffles.

University authorities did not immediately respond to queries regarding the incident. Students said the situation on campus remained tense following the overnight clashes.

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World praised India’s AI potential at AI Impact Summit, says PM Modi

PM Modi said the world praised India’s AI potential at the AI Impact Summit 2026, where 89 countries endorsed the New Delhi Declaration on artificial intelligence.

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pm modi speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the world wholeheartedly praised India’s potential during the recently concluded AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, highlighting the growing global confidence in the country’s young technology talent.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister said the summit demonstrated how the mindset of India’s youth in the field of technology would serve humanity at large. He described the event as historic and underlined the positive global response to India’s AI capabilities.

The AI Impact Summit 2026, organised in New Delhi last week, concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact. The declaration has been endorsed by 89 countries and international organisations, signalling broad global agreement on promoting artificial intelligence for economic growth and social welfare.

Broad global participation

The summit saw the participation of several prominent world leaders and top technology executives. Among those present were UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Swiss President Guy Parmelin.

Other leaders attending the summit included Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Croatia Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Serbia President Aleksandar Vucic, Seychelles Vice President Sebastien Pillay, Estonia President Alar Karis, and Finland Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.

Chief executives and senior leaders from major global technology firms were also part of the gathering.

Focus on inclusive AI growth

Held under the theme ‘Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay’ (welfare for all, happiness of all), the summit aimed to position India as a global leader in artificial intelligence while ensuring that AI development remains inclusive and sustainable.

The event brought together more than 500 international AI leaders. This included around 100 CEOs and founders, 150 academicians and researchers, and 400 CTOs, vice presidents and philanthropists. Additionally, over 100 government representatives and nearly 60 ministers and vice ministers participated in discussions.

The New Delhi Declaration seeks to strengthen international cooperation and ensure that AI technologies contribute to economic progress, social good and environmental protection.

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