Congress Parliamentary Party chief Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday inaugurated the party’s new headquarters at 9A Kotla Road, marking a significant milestone for the historic party, which had been based at its 24 Akbar Road location for the past 47 years.

The inauguration was attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chief Rahul Gandhi, Congress general secretaries Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and K.C. Venugopal, along with other senior leaders. The event featured party leaders raising the party flag and singing “Vande Mataram” and the national anthem. Sonia Gandhi officially opened the building by inviting Kharge to join her in cutting the ribbon at its entrance.

The new state-of-the-art headquarters, named Indira Gandhi Bhawan, represents the Congress party’s ongoing commitment to honouring the vision of its founding leaders. As AICC general secretary for organization K.C. Venugopal noted, “It is time for us to move ahead with the times and embrace the new.” The construction of Indira Gandhi Bhawan began during Sonia Gandhi’s tenure as party president.

Located at 9A Kotla Road in New Delhi, the new headquarters is designed to meet the evolving needs of the party and its leaders, equipped with modern facilities to facilitate administrative, organizational, and strategic activities.

Venugopal remarked, “This iconic building reflects the Congress party’s forward-looking vision, while also paying tribute to its extraordinary past, which has shaped the political and social landscape of India.”

Despite the move, sources indicate that the party will retain its 24 Akbar Road office, which has served as its headquarters since 1978 after the formation of Congress (I), and it will continue to host some of its operational cells. The construction of the new headquarters faced several delays due to funding shortages, particularly following the party’s loss of power at the national level. Similarly, the BJP has yet to vacate its former headquarters at 11 Ashoka Road, despite relocating to its new office at Deendayal Upadhyay Marg.

While longstanding members of Congress acknowledge the necessity for modern amenities and a larger space, they also recognize the enduring emotional connection to 24 Akbar Road, a site rich in history for the party. The Akbar Road bungalow was once home to Sir Reginald Maxwell, a member of the executive council under Viceroy Lord Linlithgow, and it also hosted a young Aung San Suu Kyi in 1961 when her mother served as ambassador to India.

For Congress, 24 Akbar Road has been more than just an office; its expansive lawns have witnessed the leadership of seven Congress presidents, solidifying its significance in the party’s legacy.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court granted protection from arrest until February 14 to former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, who had been accused of cheating and improperly claiming OBC and disability quota benefits in the civil services examination.

A bench comprising Justices B. V. Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma issued notices to the Delhi government and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) regarding Khedkar’s request for anticipatory bail. The bench directed, “Issue notice returnable on February 14, 2025. Until the next hearing date, no coercive actions shall be taken against the petitioner.”

During the proceedings, senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, representing Khedkar, contended that the High Court had made strong remarks against her when it dismissed her bail plea. The Supreme Court remarked that Khedkar had not yet faced any punitive actions, stating, “No one had touched her.”

Luthra argued that should the case proceed to trial, it would likely result in a conviction due to the substantial findings made by the High Court. When the Supreme Court inquired about Khedkar’s current situation, Luthra revealed that she had lost her job and was seeking legal recourse.

The court scheduled the next hearing for February 14, 2025. Khedkar is accused of providing false information in her application for the 2022 UPSC civil services examination to benefit from reservation quotas. She has denied all allegations against her.

In dismissing her anticipatory bail request, the High Court established a strong prima facie case against Khedkar and stated that further investigation was necessary to uncover a “larger conspiracy” involving attempts to manipulate the examination system. The court noted that granting bail could be detrimental to this investigation.

“Anticipatory bail plea is dismissed. Interim protection from arrest is vacated,” the High Court concluded. Khedkar had previously been granted interim protection when the court issued notice regarding her bail application on August 12, 2024, which had subsequently been extended.

The High Court emphasized that the UPSC examination is a prestigious evaluation, and this case exemplified fraud against a constitutional entity and the public. The anticipatory bail plea faced opposition from Delhi Police counsel and the complainant, the UPSC. Khedkar’s legal team argued for her cooperation with the investigation, noting that all evidence was documentary in nature, thus indicating that her custody was not necessary. However, the Delhi Police insisted on her custodial interrogation to uncover the potential involvement of others in the case.

The UPSC opposed Khedkar’s bail plea, claiming she had committed fraud against it and the public, asserting that her interrogation was essential to revealing the “magnitude” of the fraud, which they believed required the assistance of others. The commission has initiated various actions against Khedkar, including filing a criminal complaint for allegedly utilizing fraudulent means in the civil services examination, leading to the Delhi Police filing an FIR for several offences.

Veteran Kannada film and television actor Sarigama Viji passed away on Wednesday, January 15, due to multiple organ failure at the age of 77. He is survived by two children.

Reports indicate that Sarigama Viji had been struggling with age-related health issues and succumbed to multiple organ failure following several days of treatment at a private hospital near Yeshwanthpur. His condition turned critical on January 12, resulting in his hospitalization, and he took his last breath at 9:45 AM on Wednesday.

Former Karnataka minister K. Gopalaiah expressed his condolences on X, stating, “It is with great sadness that we hear of the passing of Sarigama Viji, a veteran artiste in Kannada cinema and a renowned comedian.” He added, “The death of Sarigama Viji, who touched the hearts of Kannadigas with his performances in hundreds of films, represents an irreplaceable loss to the Kannada cinema industry. I pray for eternal peace for his soul.”

His last rites will be conducted at the crematorium near TR Mill in Chamarajpet between 10 AM and 12 PM on Thursday, January 16, 2025. Viji’s body will be taken to his residence in Mahalakshmipuram so fans and loved ones can pay their final respects to the cherished actor.

Viji began his career as a theatre artist and made his film debut in “Beluvalada Madilall.” By 2018, he had acted in 269 films, portraying a variety of roles including comedic, supporting, and antagonistic characters. He also had a rich career in theatre and television, gaining recognition for his role in the iconic play “Samsaradalli Sarigama,” which earned him the affectionate nickname ‘Sarigama Viji.’

In addition to his acting, Viji worked as an assistant director on over 80 films. His significant collaborations with Kannada veteran actor Tiger Prabhakar and director V. Somashekar played a crucial role in his career, which spanned more than four decades.

Sarigama Viji was a beloved figure in the Kannada film and television industry, and he was celebrated for his exceptional talent and memorable performances. His passing represents a profound loss to the industry, leaving behind a void in the hearts of his fans and colleagues.

The contributions of Sarigama Viji to Kannada cinema will be remembered, ensuring that his legacy endures. His remarkable portrayal in the play “Samsaradalli Sarigama” helped establish him as a prominent figure, endearing him to audiences as Sarigama Viji.