The Centre on Wednesday notified the appointment of Justice Harpreet Singh Brar as a permanent Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The appointment follows the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium.
Maharashtra government forms a 10-member SIT to probe the murder of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. The CID-led team aims to expedite the arrest of the remaining suspects. Villagers staged a protest for swift action. Three accused are arrested; others remain at large. Investigation includes extortion allegations tied to a windmill company.
External affairs minister S Jaishankar met Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha, marking his first diplomatic engagement of the year. They reviewed bilateral cooperation and discussed regional and global developments. The visit focused on enhancing political, trade, investment, energy, security, cultural, and people-to-people relations between India and Qatar.
The BJP alleged Congress leader Priyank Kharge’s name is mentioned in Sachin Panchal’s suicide note, demanding a CBI probe. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah defended Kharge, denying any mention in the note and questioned BJP’s stance on state police. FIR filed against BJP leaders for unlawful assembly during a protest.
Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu’s family firm Heritage Foods Ltd clarifies that 82% of his wealth, worth Rs 931 crore, is due to his wife’s shareholding in the company. Established in 1992 during India’s economic liberalisation, the company operates independently in dairy retail without government subsidies, leading to significant growth and a current market value of Rs 4400 crore.
Uttarakhand government partners with Indo-Tibetan Border Police to boost tourism in border villages through the ‘Vibrant Village’ programme. The initiative aims to enhance infrastructure, expand heli-services, create employment opportunities, and reverse migration, with ITBP aiding in identifying aerial routes for heli-tourism circuits in Uttarkashi, Chamoli, and Pithoragarh.
The government is in the process of selecting a site for a memorial dedicated to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, consulting with his family to finalize the location. Currently, the Central Public Works Department is evaluating potential sites near Rashtriya Smriti Sthal. The plan has raised political tensions between BJP and Congress.
India urges Pakistan for the swift release and repatriation of 183 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners who have completed their sentences. Additionally, India seeks immediate consular access for 18 prisoners believed to be Indian nationals. The request follows the biannual exchange of prisoner lists under a 2008 agreement.
The Gujarat government has approved the creation of a new Vav-Tharad district by bifurcating Banaskantha. This decision, aimed at enhancing administrative efficiency and addressing public demand, establishes Tharad as the new district’s headquarters. The new district will encompass eight talukas while Banaskantha will retain six talukas.