Rahul Gandhi defamation case: Surat Court stays order till April 20
The next hearing in the case challenging Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's conviction in the 2019 defamation case will be heard on April 20. Gandhi had reached Surat on April 3 and filed an appeal seeking a stay on his conviction by a Surat magistrate court for the defamation case over his remark on the 'Modi surname'. The court had earlier given time of 30 days to the Congress leader to appeal its order.
2:53 PM
Make provision to opt for higher EPF contribution without submitting proof of prior consent: Kerala HC
The Kerala High Court has directed the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) to make provisions in their online system to allow employees and pensioners to opt for a higher contribution without furnishing proof of prior consent for the same.
The interim order by Justice Ziyad Rahman A A on Wednesday came on several pleas by employees and pensioners claiming that one of the details to be furnished while opting for higher contribution was a copy of prior permission for the same, as mandated under the EPF Scheme of 1952.
The petitioners contended that submission of such a permission was never insisted upon by the EPFO and all along it was accepting higher contributions.
2:47 PM
Karnatka polls: BJP MLA Nehru Olekar quits party over denial of ticket
BJP MLA Nehru Olekar on Thursday quit the party after being denied a ticket to contest in the May 10 Assembly elections.
The 65-year-old two-time MLA from the Scheduled Castes community hit the streets along with his supporters to protest against the party overlooking him for the elections.
He was replaced by Gavisiddappa Dyamannavar in Haveri (SC) constituency.
2:32 PM
Telangana Congress leader Maheshwar Reddy resigns
In a jolt to Congress in Telangana, AICC programmes implementation committee chairman Alleti Maheshwar Reddy on Thursday resigned from the party.
He is likely to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
1:37 PM
Manipur MLA Thokchom Radheshyam tenders resignation as advisor to CM
Manipur MLA Thokchom Radheshyam, serving as advisor to Chief Minister N Biren Singh,since January this year, announced his resignation from the post on Thursday for not been given any responsibility.
Radheshyam who won from the Heirok constituency in Thoubal district in 2022 on a BJP ticket had served as the minister of education, labour and employment in the previous cabinet of Biren Singh in 2017.
In a letter addressed to Singh, Radheshyam said "I tender my resignation from the post of advisor to Chief Minister, Manipur, as I have not been given any responsibility so far."
1:36 PM
Andhra Pradesh a major educational hub in country: Governor
Andhra Pradesh is a major educational hub in the country, leading the higher education sector with three central universities, 20 autonomous institutions, 25 state universities, four deemed varsities and five private universities, Governor S Abdul Nazeer said.
The Governor made these remarks while inaugurating the platinum jubilee celebrations of Andhra Loyola College in the city on Wednesday, where he inaugurated new academic blocks and participated as the chief guest.
1:17 PM
District Judge seeks ED response on Satyendar Jain's plea seeking transfer of his case to another Judge
The Principal District and Sessions Judge of Rouse Avenue Court on Thursday sought a response of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on a plea moved by Satyendar Jain in seeking the transfer of case proceedings to be listed to another judge.
However, the Court refused to stay the proceedings going before Special Judge Vikas Dhull in a money laundering case against Former Delhi Cabinet Minister Satyendar Jain.
1:16 PM
India today can meet its security challenges, says EAM Jaishankar
Forces who indulge in cross-border terrorism against India for decades now know this is a "different India" which will give them a reply, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said, stressing that today the country can meet its national security challenges posed by China and Pakistan.
1:02 PM
Surat court begins hearing on Rahul Gandhi's plea for stay on conviction in defamation case
A sessions court in Surat city of Gujarat on Thursday commenced hearing on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's plea for a stay on his conviction in a defamation case over his "Modi surname" remark in which he has been sentenced to two years in jail.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA and complainant Purnesh Modi, in his reply filed earlier in the same court, opposed Gandhi's plea for a stay on conviction saying the Congress leader is a "repetitive offender" who is in the habit of making defamatory statements.
12:51 PM
ED questions Lalu Prasad's daughter Chanda in land-for-jobs case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday recorded the statement of RJD chief Lalu Prasad's daughter Chanda Yadav in a money laundering case linked to the alleged land-for-jobs scam in the railway, sources said.
Chanda Yadav deposed before the agency and her statement was recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
12:39 PM
PM Modi pays tribute to martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh massacre
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid tributes to the martyrs of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, saying their great sacrifice inspires us to work even harder to fulfil the dreams of great freedom fighters and build a strong and developed India.
Hundreds of people protesting peacefully against the Rowlatt Act, which granted the British colonial administration repressive powers, were gunned down by British forces without any provocation on this day in 1919 at Jallianwala Bagh in Punjab's Amritsar.
12:29 PM
Andhra: Massive fire breaks out in forest of Kailasagiri hills
12:05 PM
Internet services suspended in Odisha's Sambalpur for 48 hrs after communal violence
The Odisha government has shut down the Internet services and blocked social media platforms in Sambalpur district for 48 hours from 10 a.m. on Thursday in view of communal tension that erupted during a Hanuman Jayanti rally.
The violence took place on Wednesday evening.
Issuing a notification to this effect, Odisha Home department said, "It has come to the notice of the state government that on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti Sobhayatra, motorcycle procession undertaken by Hanuman Jayanti Samanyoya Samiti members, Bajarang Dal workers, etc., on April 12 evening at about 6 p.m.
11:52 AM
Delhi excise policy scam: Pvt company helped transfer Rs 31 cr, claims ED
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has said in its second supplementary charge sheet that a private firm, named 'Chariot Productions Media Pvt Ltd', allegedly helped in transferring and using the proceeds of crime to the tune of Rs 31 crore in the Delhi excise policy scam case.
The firm was engaged by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for advertisements and promotion of its election strategy during the Goa election.
Chariot Productions Media Pvt Ltd has been chargesheeted under sections 3, 4 read with section 70 of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for committing money laundering.
11:51 AM
Startups garnered over 4 mn jobs: PM Modi at Rashtriya Rozgar Mela
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday virtually distributed appointment letters to 71,000 new recruits in the Rashtriya Rozgar Mela and said that Startups have created more than 40 lakh direct and indirect jobs in the country.
The Prime Minister said that the Rashtriya Rozgar Mela shows the government's commitment towards uplifting youth spirit and giving them employment opportunities.
"Startups have created more than 40 lakh direct and indirect jobs; this shows India's resilient startup culture. Today India is the fastest-growing economy in the world. The policy and strategy being followed by today's New India have opened up new possibilities and opportunities in the country," PM Modi said on the occasion.
Delhi records 1,527 fresh Covid cases, two deaths; positivity rate 27.77 per cent, say authorities
The next hearing in the case challenging Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's conviction in the 2019 defamation case will be heard on April 20. Gandhi had reached Surat on April 3 and filed an appeal seeking a stay on his conviction by a Surat magistrate court for the defamation case over his remark on the 'Modi surname'. The court had earlier given time of 30 days to the Congress leader to appeal its order.
SC says Karnataka government decision on scrapping 4 per cent Muslim quota prima facie based on "absolutely fallacious assumption".
Asad, son of mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and Ghulam S/o Maksudan, both wanted in Umesh Pal murder case of Prayagraj and carrying a reward of Rupees five lakhs each; killed in encounter with the UPSTF team led by DySP Navendu and DySP Vimal at Jhansi. Sophisticated foreign made weapons recovered, reported ANI quoting UP STF
Enforcement Directorate has filed a case against BBC under Foreign Exchange Management Act for irregularities in foreign funding, reported ANI quoting ED
India recorded a single-day rise of 10,158 coronavirus cases, highest in nearly eight months, according to the Union Health Ministry data. The number of active cases has increased to 44,998, the data updated on Thursday showed.
 "LIVE: Delhi records 1,527 fresh Covid-19 cases, two deaths reported")
