Times of India

The Supreme Court has commented that legislators appear to have forgotten to be respectful during dissent. This observation was made during a case involving RJD's Sunil Kumar Singh, who was expelled from Bihar legislature for alleged misconduct. The court refused to stay bypolls for Singh's seat and will have a final hearing on his petition in January.

India reported seven cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in children. Union health minister J P Nadda assured that it won't lead to a Covid-like outbreak. HMPV is known since 2001, often self-limiting, and mostly affects children. Surveillance and health systems are actively monitoring the situation.

The Enforcement Directorate faces a setback as Kolkata police file closure reports in FIRs against Santiago Martin and his company for lack of evidence, potentially hindering the PMLA probe. ED appeals in court, stressing incomplete investigations and urging the reopening of these cases.

Around 15 labourers are feared trapped after water flooded a coal mine in Assam's Dima Hasao district. The incident happened around 7 am at Assam Coal Quarry in Umrangso. Rescue operations involving the Army, State Disaster Response Force, and National Disaster Response Force are underway. The exact number of trapped workers is not yet confirmed.

A 38-year-old software consultant and his wife died by suicide after poisoning their two children in Bengaluru due to financial burden and emotional stress. The family's troubles began after an unsuccessful investment in Prayagraj, followed by the costly treatment of their autistic daughter.

A Special Investigation Team in Mumbai has found 63 more forged records related to illegal construction in Coastal Regulation and No Development Zones, raising the total to 165. The tampered maps enabled unauthorized building on 267 properties. Five people have been arrested, including two retired officials and a contractor, with involvement from various governmental departments.

Actor Salman Khan was the original target of the Bishnoi gang, who later killed politician Baba Siddique after failing to assassinate Khan. Siddique's death appeared linked to his connections with Khan and ties with Dawood Ibrahim. The chargesheet includes 26 arrested individuals, but no evidence connects jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.

In a new confrontation, Tamil Nadu governor R N Ravi walked out of the state assembly, protesting the absence of the national anthem at the session's start. This is the third instance of such protest by the governor. The House passed a resolution to record only the printed text of Ravi's address, leading to state-wide DMK protests.

Akhil Bhartiya Sant Samiti, representing 18.5 lakh pujaris and 12 lakh saints, petitions the Supreme Court to declare Sections 3 and 4 of the Places of Worship Act unconstitutional. They argue these sections violate fundamental rights and disregard historical injustices related to religious sites before 1947.

An IED blast in Chhattisgarh's Kutru region killed eight constables and a driver. Authorities believe Maoists planted the command IED long ago, and triggered it manually. The explosion created a massive crater and destroyed the SUV. Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai condemned the attack and vowed to continue anti-Naxal operations, following recent successes against the Maoists.

Eight Chhattisgarh police constables and a driver lost their lives in Bijapur district after Maoists detonated a 70kg IED. The DRG team was attacked while returning from a successful operation against Maoists. The IED explosion was so powerful that it created an 8-10 feet deep crater, scattering bodies and vehicle debris.

The Supreme Court is hopeful for a resolution in the impasse concerning the hospitalisation of farmer Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on a fasting protest for a legal guarantee of MSP. A high-powered committee met Dallewal to persuade him to accept medical aid and plans to address the agricultural crisis.

Security personnel in Bijapur were attacked by an IED explosion that was triggered manually by Maoists hiding nearby. Despite earlier sanitisation, the blast killed jawans who were returning after a successful operation. The incident raises questions about the effectiveness of standard operating procedures and the use of light motor vehicles for transport through insurgency-affected areas.

PM Narendra Modi emphasized India's increasing demand for high-speed trains and expressed optimism about the imminent operation of the first bullet train. He highlighted several initiatives to modernize transport infrastructure, including new railway projects and the expansion of networks in J&K, aimed at enhancing connectivity and creating opportunities for development.

Home minister Amit Shah visited Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib on Parkash Purab to mark the birth centenary of Guru Gobind Singh. Shah described Guru Gobind Singh as an epitome of religious devotion, bravery, and sacrifice. He emphasized the Guru's unwavering principles against injustice and his enduring legacy of valour and dedication.

Bombay High Court took suo motu notice of tourists cornering a tigress and her cubs at Umred-Pauni-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary, directing forest officials to outline preventive actions. Videos showed aggressive behavior due to close approach. Enforcement actions followed, including FIRs and penalties.

In Chhatarpur, a 27-year-old man was struck and killed by an unidentified vehicle while on his way to Delhi for work. The body remained on the road due to a jurisdiction dispute between MP and UP police, despite the victim's family's pleas. MP police eventually took custody and sent the body for autopsy.

Bastar police arrested Suresh Chandrakar, primary accused in the murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar, after a two-day chase that ended in Hyderabad. Mukesh's autopsy revealed severe injuries, suggesting a brutal attack. The arrest count in the case now stands at four, with Suresh's brothers and a supervisor also in custody.

Uttarakhand High Court has ordered an immediate stop to mining operations in Bageshwar district after illegal activities led to cracks in houses and hills. The court demands the appearance of key officials on January 9 to address the severe environmental and social impacts highlighted in a court-appointed commissioner's report.

The University Grants Commission's draft notification to grade Higher Education Institutions based on National Education Policy 2020 implementation has faced opposition from non-NEP states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. They argue that their institutions and students could be disadvantaged by the proposed framework, which prioritizes NEP-driven criteria.