National News

Rescue teams from the Army, Navy, Assam Rifles, NDRF, and SDRF have been deployed to save 11 miners trapped in a flooded 'rat hole' coal mine in Assam's Dima Hasao district. Efforts are ongoing with the use of water pumps, and an investigation into the legality of the mine is underway.

Union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari states that the driver involved in the fatal Jaipur LPG tanker crash had been driving for over 12 hours. The government plans to implement systems to track heavy vehicle driving hours, including using Aadhaar cards and vehicle location tracking devices.

Union home minister Amit Shah has launched the Bharatpol portal, which will revolutionize how Indian authorities manage extradition and deportation of fugitives. This initiative connects Indian law enforcement with Interpol's databases, aiding in faster and more efficient capture of criminals. The portal supports seamless interagency communication, ensuring comprehensive crime control and international cooperation.

The Supreme Court collegium, led by CJI Sanjiv Khanna, recommended the elevation of Patna HC Chief Justice K Vinod Chandran to the SC due to the lack of representation from Kerala HC on the SC bench. The collegium also nominated new chief justices for Delhi and Bombay HCs.

The Supreme Court granted interim bail to self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, who is serving a life sentence for rape, till March 31 for medical treatment due to various ailments. The court ordered him not to meet his followers during this period. Asaram remains in jail due to another rape conviction in Rajasthan.

The Telangana high court dismissed BRS working president KT Rama Rao's challenge against the FIR in the Formula E race case, allowing the investigation to proceed. Following this, the Enforcement Directorate issued new summons for KTR to appear before them on January 16.

Kerala High Court has ruled that comments about a woman's fine body structure can be deemed sexually coloured remarks, thus constituting sexual harassment. This decision was made while dismissing a petition from a Kerala State Electricity Board employee who allegedly made such remarks towards a colleague.

In Nagpur, a couple celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary with family, later committed suicide in their wedding attire. They left a video message and suicide notes, but no clear motive was found. They were buried together in a single coffin as per their wish. Police suspect no foul play and have registered a case of accidental death.

In a setback to Century Textiles, the Supreme Court overturned a Bombay HC order to transfer a plot in Worli to the company. The plot, leased in 1927 for housing the poor, remained with the company for over 70 years, prompting SC to highlight the misuse of the land for commercial purposes.

Nine BJP-RSS members have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the 2005 murder of DYFI activist Rijith in Kannur, Kerala. The verdict follows a 19-year trial, during which the accused were found guilty of ambushing and attacking Rijith and his friends. The victim's family expressed disappointment, hoping for the death penalty.

Supreme Court advised Parliament and assemblies to periodically review their enacted laws, approximately every 10, 25, or 50 years, to ensure they meet desired goals, and address deficiencies. The court declined to alter the 45-day limit for filing election petitions, as requested by BJP's Maneka Gandhi.