National News

Congress’ Rajya Sabha MP Dhiraj Sahu, from whose premises a record haul of Rs 350 crore cash was seized by the Income Tax department in Dec lastyear, has revised his returns for last year and paid tax on Rs 150 crore. The businessman-turned-politician has argued that some of the cash recovered relates to business conducted during the current financial year, for which returns are to be filed only in the next financial year.

A sessions court dismissed a 53-year-old Mantralaya employee's appeal against a magistrate court's rejection of her domestic abuse case against her ex-husband and in-laws, stating that her husband spending time and money to his mother is not deemed 'domestic violence'. The woman had filed an appeal before the sessions court in 2016.

Manmohan Singh government had turned down Swaminathan Committee's recommendation for minimum support price that was at least 50% higher than the weighted average cost of production, arguing that it would distort the market. "A mechanical linkage between MSP and cost of production may be counter-productive in some cases," K V Thomas, who was minister of state for agriculture and food, had said in response to a Parliament question in 2010 posed by BJP's Prakash Javadekar.

Disapproving of high courts invoking inherent powers granted to them under section 482 of Criminal Procedure Code to interfere in to probe in criminal cases and grant protection to accused, Supreme Court on Tuesday held that the statutory power has to be exercised “sparingly with circumspection and in the rarest of rare cases”.

The Supreme Court requested the Tamil Nadu government's response to an expert panel proposal for the Tuticorin copper smelting plant. The panel would evaluate viability, damages, and environmental conditions, considering public health and national interest. The plant faced closure due to protests and posed a threat to residents' lives and health.

A one-day special session of the state legislature will be held on February 20 to debate the Maratha reservation problem as well as the ongoing effort to provide Kunbi certificates to Marathas so that they can receive benefits under the Other Backward Communities category. The plan for the one-day session was approved by the state cabinet on Wednesday.

The Election Commission has requested 3,400 companies of central armed police forces (CAPFs) for the upcoming general elections. The maximum chunk of 920 companies has been sought for West Bengal, where concerns regarding likely poll-related violence run high, followed by J&K where 635 companies are proposed to watch over its first Lok Sabha election since Article 370 was nullified.

PM Narendra Modi pitches for India's larger role in global energy and climate arena, highlighting achievements in climate action, surpassing Paris climate targets, and commitment to 2070 net-zero. India's proactive approach benefits the International Energy Agency, with renewable energy capacity doubling and carbon emissions accounting for only 4% of the global total.

The Biju Janata Dal on Wednesday announced its support for Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in the Rajya Sabha elections, putting the spotlight back on its convoluted and strange relationship with the BJP. The BJP has 22 MLAs and needs the assistance of an additional 15 legislators to win Vaishnaw's election.

The Biju Janata Dal on Wednesday announced its support for Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in the Rajya Sabha elections, putting the spotlight back on its convoluted and strange relationship with the BJP. The BJP has 22 MLAs and needs the assistance of an additional 15 legislators to win Vaishnaw's election.

Tamil Nadu assembly on Wednesday adopted a resolution urging the Union govt not to implement the ‘one nation, one election’ policy. It adopted another resolution unanimously urging the Centre not to carry out delimitation of constituencies based on the census post 2026, even as CM MK Stalin called the policy “dangerous, impractical and comical.” DMK allies, Congress, VCK, MDMK and Left parties supported the resolution. PMK, which released its shadow budget, did not participate in the day’s proceedings. Stalin moved both resolutions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the need for inclusive, smart, clean, transparent, and green governments at the World Govt Summit in Dubai. He called for global cooperation on AI and cryptocurrency, highlighting ease of living, justice, mobility, innovation, and business. Modi stressed the balance between national sovereignty and international interdependence, addressing terrorism and climate change.

The ED has arrested 3 persons, including a homemaker, for alleged terror financing in Srinagar and Anantnag. They set up Al-Jabar Trust to collect funds for financing terrorists, organizing protests, sponsoring stone pelters. Trust facilitated admissions for J&K students in Pakistan. Accused remanded to ED custody.

Senior officials from Paytm have appeared before the Enforcement Directorate in connection with suspected irregularities reported by the Reserve Bank of India lately. The regulator had prohibited the payments bank from receiving customer deposits after February 29. ED has asked Paytm executives to come again with certain documents sought by the probe team.