1. Triple Talaq Verdict: Muslim Women ‘Granted Equality’, Says PM
The Supreme Court on 22 August struck down the validity of Triple Talaq with a 3:2 majority. A bench comprising five judges, headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar, had reserved its verdict on 18 May, six days after the hearing began on 11 May.
The SC bench declared the practice “un-Islamic, retrograde, unworthy” and said that it “violates right to equality”.
The verdict was reached by a 3:2 split within a five-judge Supreme Court bench.
In an official statement, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board welcomed the Supreme Court’s judgement on Triple Talaq saying that the “judgement has upheld the essence of fundamental rights ensured to the citizens of this country.”
Read the full story on The Quint.
2. Trump Nice to India, Tough on Pak in Talking US’ Afghanistan Plan
In his prime-time address to the nation at a military base near Washington, US President Donald Trump said his new approach was aimed at preventing Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for Islamist militants bent on attacking the United States.
His address primarily focused on the South-Asian region and their combined battle with terror. He also highlighted US’ relations with India, Pakistan and Afghanistan in this respect.
Asking India to help in the region, Trump said the US will further strengthen its strategic partnership with India. “India makes billions of dollars in trade from US and must do more in Afghanistan,” he said.
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3. Ten Compartments of Kaifiyat Express Derail Near Auraiya, UP
Kaifiyat Express, which plies between Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi derailed near Auraiya around 2:40 am on Wednesday. The accident took place between Etawah and Kanpur.
Collision with a dumper is being cited as the reason for derailment, as PRO Anil Saxena confirmed to The Quint.
Ten compartments along with the engine of the train were derailed due to the collision, while one compartment overturned.
Rescue work is in progress. No casualties have been reported yet.
Read the full story on The Quint.
4. AIADMK Merger Fallout: Dinakaran Loyalists Withdraw Support to CM Palaniswami as DMK's Stalin Demands Floor Test
A day after the warring factions of AIADMK called truce and merged into one party, MLAs owing allegiance to jailed party Secretary VK Sasikala and her nephew TTV Dinakaran on Tuesday expressed their unhappiness over the decision and told the Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao that they no longer have the confidence in Chief Minister K Palaniswami.
“We are going to initiate efforts to bring in a new CM with the help of our supporting MLAs,” Dhinakaran supporter and Andipatti MLA Thanga Tamil Selvan told mediapersons after a meeting with the Governor.
Citing ‘unprecedented constitutional crisis’, principal opposition DMK shot off a letter to the Governor asking him to convene a special assembly. “In the wake of 22 MLAs withdrawing support for CM, we demand for a no-confidence motion,” said DMK treasurer MK Stalin.
Following Stalin’s demand for a floor test, at least 15 MLAs supporting Dinakaran were shifted to two resorts in Puducherry.
Source: Indian Express
5. Ramayana at Shrine: Priest Tells Dalits to Stay at Home
A ban on the entry of Dalits into the Ram Janki temple in Maudaha area of Hamirpur district has sparked tension.
The temple priest, Kunwar Bahadur Singh forced all the Dalits, who came to attend the Akhand Ramayan path, out of the temple premises.
Many among them were children who had come to recite the Ramayana at the temple in Garha village, some 10 km away from Maudaha.
Maudaha SDM Suresh Mishra said an inquiry had been ordered into the incident. “I am waiting for the report from the revenue department. Only then the action will be taken,” he said.
But Bahadur Singh remains steadfast that he will not allow Dalits into the temple.
The temple belongs to my family, I will not allow Dalits to enter the temple.
The temple has been holding the daily recital of the Ramayana for the last two weeks.
Source: Hindustan Times
6. Govt Launches Global Hunt for 234 Naval Helicopters Worth Over $5 Billion
India has launched a global hunt for 123 naval multi-role helicopters (NMRHs), with potent anti-submarine warfare capabilities, as well as 111 armed naval light utility choppers (NUHs) for operations from the decks of warships. The projects, together worth well over $5 billion, will be executed under the new "strategic partnership" (SP) policy under the "Make in India" framework.
The SP policy is basically meant to boost the indigenous defence production sector, with Indian private sector companies producing cutting-edge weapon systems in collaboration with global armament majors through joint ventures and technology transfers.
The government had earlier issued the RFI (request for information) to arms majors of six countries for the over Rs 70,000 crore project to build six advanced stealth submarines in collaboration with an Indian shipyard under the SP policy.
For the two helicopter projects, the government has also sought responses from original equipment manufacturers through RFIs by early-October.
Source: The Times of India
7. Probing 'Shadow Investments', Bhagalpur SIT Looks for Two Political Leaders
The Bhagalpur Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Rs 700-crore Srijan scam is looking for two political leaders who could hold the key to the probe into the NGO’s “shadow investments”, sources have said.
Over the past two days, the SIT has raided the premises of former state vice president of BJP Kisan Morcha Bipin Sharma and RLSP District President Deepak Verma and seized documents. Both Sharma and Verma are at large.
It is learnt that Sharma, who was removed last week as Kisan Morcha state vice-president after his name surfaced in the probe, was a friend of Srijan founder-secretary Manorama Devi’s son Amit Kumar.
Sharma arranged all key political meetings of Manorama. He is said to have introduced Manorama to senior politicians.Manorama Devi’s neighbour at Tilkamanjhi
The neighbour added that Manorama considered Sharma “another son” and he was a frequent visitor to her residence and would often stay back.
Source: Indian Express
8. Malegaon Blast Case: It's a Fact That I Was Framed, Says Purohit
Lt Col. Prasad Purohit turned up in court here on Tuesday as smartly as ever to complete the formalities for the bail granted by the Supreme Court in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. But gone was his usually intent expression; he was relaxed, even smiling.
Flanked by cops in the corridor, he spoke to TOI for a few minutes. Wasn't he angry, disappointed spending nine years in jail without trial?
I blame my destiny, I blame no one...The Army teaches you character. I know myself. The case has not fazed me
When asked if the public perception of him after accusations of being part of the terror plot bothered him. "My mother and wife would have disowned me had I ever been dishonest or involved.''
He refused to talk about the case and declined to answer if the RDX was planted, as he claims, and which weighed with the apex court when it granted him bail.
Source: The Times of India
9. Aziz Dilip, Bada Seth, Haji Sahab: UK Releases 21 Aliases of Mob Boss Dawood Ibrahim
Britain on Monday announced it is continuing financial sanctions on Dawood Ibrahim, wanted in India for various acts of crime and terrorism, including the 1993 blasts in Mumbai, and listed 21 aliases for the fugitive.
The latest “Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets in the UK”, updated by the treasury office, mentioned his Indian and Pakistani passport numbers and three addresses in Pakistan, where he is reportedly based.
Pakistan has consistently denied Ibrahim’s presence in the country. The sanctions, which include freezing of assets, were first imposed on Ibrahim by Britain in November 2003.
Ibrahim was listed among 261 individuals known to have links with either al-Qaeda or the Islamic State.
Source: Hindustan Times
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