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12:21 PM

SC says even in PMLA cases, bail is rule and jail is exception

The top court ruled that even in PMLA cases, bail is rule and jail is exception,  while granting bail to Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren's aide in a money laundering case.  The bench said that section 45 of the PMLA which lays down twin conditions for bail of an accused in a money laundering case does not rewrite the principle to mean that deprivation of liberty is the norm.

12:08 PM

Jan Dhan Yojana turns 10: PM Modi hails financial inclusion success

In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the scheme’s success, stating, “Today, we mark a momentous occasion — #10YearsOfJanDhan. Jan Dhan Yojana has been paramount in boosting financial inclusion and giving dignity to crores of people, especially women, youth, and the marginalised communities.” Read here for more details.

12:04 PM

Rape case registered against actor Sidhique

A rape case has been registered against Malayalam actor Sidhique following a female actor's allegation that he sexually assaulted her in 2016, police said on Wednesday. An FIR under sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) has been registered against the actor at Museum police station, a senior police officer said. The case was registered under the IPC as the offence allegedly occurred in 2016.

11:35 AM

TMC's O'Brien writes to Nadda, expresses concern over delay in constitution of parliamentary panels

TMC leader Derek O'Brien has written to Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha J P Nadda expressing concern over the delay in the re-constitution of Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees (DPSCs), saying that it has profound implications for the democratic process.

"When we met in the Rajya Sabha, I had verbally brought this up. You had verbally assured me that the committees would be formed within the duration of the Monsoon Session. Unfortunately, even as August slips by, the parliamentary committees have still not been constituted," O'Brien said in his letter.

11:28 AM

245 'Govindas' injured during Dahi Handi celebrations in Mumbai

A total of 245 'Govindas' or youngsters involved in forming human pyramids as part of the 'Dahi Handi' celebrations were injured in Mumbai a day ago, civic officials said on Wednesday. Of these injured persons, 32 were admitted to various hospitals, while 213 were discharged after treatment, they said.

The Dahi Handi, a part of the Janmashtami festival that marks the birth of Lord Krishna, saw enthusiastic participation by revellers. The festival was celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety in Mumbai and other parts of the state.

11:02 AM

Mizoram govt orders closure of schools in 4 districts on Wednesday due to heavy rain

The Mizoram government has ordered the closure of schools in four districts on Wednesday due to heavy rain, officials said.

District administrations of Aizawl, Lunglei, Hnahthial and Mamit have issued separate public notices on Wednesday stating that all schools will remain closed as a precautionary measure due to inclement weather conditions and torrential rain in the districts.

10:22 AM

BRS leader K Kavitha vows to 'return with interest' against those behind her arrest

BRS leader K Kavitha,  daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao, said, "I will return with interest to those who put me and my family through this ordeal. Our time will come." The BRS leader, who appeared emotional after reuniting with her family, stuck a defiant tone after being released on bail following over five months in judicial custody.

10:19 AM

Asaram brought to hospital near Mumbai for treatment of heart-related ailment Mumbai

Self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, who is serving a life sentence in Jodhpur Central Jail for raping a minor, has been brought to a medical facility at Khopoli in Maharashtra's Raigad district for treatment of a heart-related ailment, officials said on Wednesday.

9:55 AM

Two brothers booked for assaulting Cong member over illegal mining complaint

Police in Jalna district of Maharashtra have registered a case against two brothers, who are BJP workers, for allegedly assaulting a Congress member after he accused them of indulging in illegal mining, an official said. The incident occurred at the Jafrabad tehsil office on Tuesday, he said. A video of the incident went viral on social media drawing widespread condemnation for the act of the accused. The victim, Pramod Fadat (33), a resident of Borgaon in Jafrabad tehsil, had earlier complained to the district authorities about the alleged illegal mining activities of Sagar Lokhande and his brother Chetan from Mauje Khasgaon village, the police said.

9:48 AM

Delhi weather update: Moderate rain likely in national capital

The minimum temperature was recorded three notches below the season's normal at 23.4 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. The city is likely to witness moderate intensity rain with the possibility of a generally cloudy sky, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The humidity level stood at 97 per cent at 8.30 am, IMD data shows.

9:36 AM

Chief adviser Yunus can't delay Bangladesh election for too long: BNP

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party has asked the interim government to open talks with politicians and hold national elections within a “reasonable time,” intensifying pressure on Muhammad Yunus, the leader of the new administration.

9:32 AM

Apologising on behalf of Maha govt for Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse: BJP

BJP leader Ashish Shelar on Tuesday said he was apologising to people on behalf of the Maharashtra government over the collapse of Shivaji Maharaj's statue in Sindhudurg district. "The collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue is absolutely unfortunate, painful and distressing. We apologise to all the residents of Maharashtra on behalf of the government over this incident," Shelar, who heads the Mumbai BJP unit, told reporters.

8:50 AM

20,000 evacuated as Gujarat sees massive flooding after heavy rain

Heavy showers continued to affect parts of Gujarat on Wednesday, with at least 15 persons dead in rain-related incidents, while more than 20,000 were evacuated and over 300 rescued in different districts as administration carried out relief and rescue operations on a large scale.