QUICKREADS

Abhishek Singhvi backs SC collegium move against appointing judges' kin
Noted lawyer and Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi supports the Supreme Court collegium's proposal to prevent the appointment of judges' close relatives in high courts, urging swift implementation. He highlights concerns over the non-objective nature of judicial appointments, suggesting reforms to enhance meritocracy and inclusivity, while acknowledging challenges in enforcing such changes.

Slain gangster Aman Sao's mother moves J'khand HC seeking CBI probe into encounter
Kiran Devi, mother of slain gangster Aman Sao, has petitioned the Jharkhand High Court for a CBI investigation into her son's alleged police encounter on March 11. She claims police conspired to kill him and presents evidence of injuries inconsistent with an encounter. Her lawyer argues that the ATS team has a history of fake encounters.

After Operation Sindoor, Jaishankar discusses ‘zero terror tolerance’ with Japan, France, Spain counterparts
India conducted military strikes on terror targets in Pakistan's Operation Sindoor, responding to the Pahalgam attack. Jaishankar discussed 'zero terror tolerance' with foreign ministers of Japan, France, Spain, and others, highlighting India's measured response to cross-border terrorism.

Blackout: Cities go dark, forces on guard as India conducts mock drills amid security threat
India conducted nationwide civil defence mock drills, simulating blackouts and emergency responses in major cities amid rising tensions with Pakistan. Landmarks went dark, sirens blared, and military preparedness was tested to evaluate response capabilities to potential security threats.

SC flags irregularities in defence land allotment to pvt entities, mulls setting up probe team
The Supreme Court of India has raised concerns over irregularities in the allotment of defense lands to private entities, suggesting the establishment of a probe team. During a hearing on a 2014 PIL, justices highlighted potential collusion among defense estate officers and influential individuals in leasing and selling valuable properties, prompting calls for a thorough investigation.

‘Stay alert to deal with any situation’: Amit Shah tells 10 border states after Op Sindoor
Amit Shah convened a high-level meeting with border states after Operation Sindoor, emphasizing preparedness, alert services, and vigilance against potential threats. He stressed cooperation, communication, and readiness to counter any situation while maintaining public calm and national security.

India orders power transmission system for upcoming dam on Chenab
India orders power transmission system for a 1000 MW hydroelectric project on the Chenab River, following suspension of the Indus Water Treaty after the Pahalgam terror attack. The move aims to accelerate dam construction and limit water flow to Pakistan.

Puri's titular king urges ISKCON to convince Digha temple to remove 'Jagannath Dham' name
Bhubaneswar's titular king, Divyasingha Deb, urged ISKCON to convince the Digha temple trust to remove 'Jagannath Dham' from its newly consecrated temple name, emphasizing that only Puri holds this title. He cited declarations from religious authorities, asserting the exclusive significance of Puri as the true 'Jagannath Dham.' The request highlights concerns over economic implications tied to pilgrimage tourism.

'Together in war on terror': Mamata Banerjee on Operation Sindoor
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee emphasized unity in the fight against terrorism during a statement following an urgent meeting convened by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. She called for solidarity among people and urged media to report accurately, avoiding misinformation, in light of recent Indian military actions against terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Uphaar tragedy: What’s the status of trauma centre, Supreme Court asks Delhi govt
Supreme Court asks Delhi government to explain the status of a trauma centre ordered in 2015, using Rs 60 crore paid by Ansal brothers following the Uphaar fire tragedy that killed 59 people, highlighting delays in implementing healthcare infrastructure.

Parliament breach: Accused can't compare themselves with Bhagat Singh, says Delhi HC
The Delhi High Court emphasized the sanctity of the Parliament building, stating that those arrested for a security breach cannot compare themselves to martyrs like Bhagat Singh. The court questioned the application of the Unlawful Activities Act in their case and asked Delhi Police to provide evidence supporting their charges. The bail pleas of the accused were postponed until May 19.

Auction of Buddha relics in Hong Kong postponed: Culture ministry
Indian government successfully halted Sotheby's auction of Buddha relics from Piprahwa Stupa, originally set for May 7. Diplomatic efforts involving culture ministry, ASI, and MEA led to auction postponement, with ongoing discussions for repatriation of the ancient artifacts.

Turkey, Azerbaijan back Pakistan after Operation Sindoor; Qatar urges restraint
Turkey and Azerbaijan support Pakistan after India's Operation Sindoor, condemning attacks on civilians. Qatar urges restraint and diplomatic resolution. The operation targeted terror infrastructure following the Pahalgam attack, killing 26 civilians.

India exercised ‘right to respond’ through Operation Sindoor: Rajnath Singh
India conducted Operation Sindoor, striking nine terror targets in Pakistan and PoK in response to a terrorist attack. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the military's precision, claiming they followed Lord Hanuman's ideology of targeting only those responsible for killing innocent people.

Railways warns employees about Pak intelligence seeking military train movements
The Railway Ministry has warned employees against sharing information about military train movements with unauthorized individuals, particularly in light of attempts by Pakistan intelligence agencies to obtain such details. An advisory emphasized that revealing this information poses a severe threat to national security and must be strictly controlled by Mil Rail staff.

PMLA review: SC asks Centre, petitioners to frame issues for decision
The Supreme Court of India has urged the Centre and petitioners to define issues for review of its earlier ruling, which upheld the Enforcement Directorate's authority to arrest and seize property in money laundering cases. The court emphasized the need for clarity on procedural matters and scheduled further discussions for July 16. The ruling has faced criticism for allegedly being misused against political opponents.