National

Supreme Court Hearing on Challenge to Places of Worship Act Rescheduled for April

Published

1 year ago

February 17, 2025

On Monday, the Supreme Court postponed the hearing on several cross-petitions concerning the constitutional validity of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, to April. The Act prohibits the filing of lawsuits to reclaim religious sites or alter their status as they existed on August 15, 1947. Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who is leading a bench that includes Justice Sanjay Kumar, indicated that a three-judge panel would need to hear the matter due to the increasing number of petitions related to the Act.The current bench consists of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice Sanjay Kumar, and Justice K.V. Viswanathan. During the initial part of the proceedings, senior advocate Indira Jaising brought up the issue of framing questions for adjudication. Chief Justice Khanna noted that the case wouldn’t be taken up that day because it required a three-judge bench, affirming that the hearing was tentatively scheduled for March.

Chief Justice Khanna also expressed concerns over the influx of intervention applications and similar writ petitions either challenging the 1991 law or requesting its effective implementation, suggesting that there should be limits on such filings. Later, the bench issued a short order dismissing all new petitions related to the case, but allowed those involved to raise new grounds in the ongoing proceedings.

In a previous hearing on December 12, 2024, the Supreme Court had instructed all courts nationwide to refrain from issuing any interim or final orders, including conducting surveys, regarding claims on existing religious structures. The bench had declared that no new lawsuits could be filed that assert claims over other religious sites while the court deliberates on cross-petitions questioning the constitutionality of Sections 3 and 4 of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991.

Entities including the Indian National Congress Party, CPI (ML), All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) led by Asaduddin Owaisi, Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind, and the India Muslim Personal Law Board have filed applications opposing the petitions that challenge certain provisions of the 1991 Act and seeking its enforcement. Petitioners, including BJP leaders such as Subramanian Swamy and advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, contend that Sections 3 and 4 of the Act are unconstitutional, arguing that it infringes on the rights of Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs to reclaim their places of worship linked to their cultural heritage, as guaranteed by Article 29.

Opponents of the law argue that it violates the values of secularism and the rule of law, fundamental to the Constitution’s Preamble. Conversely, the Congress Party has defended the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, asserting that its preservation is crucial for maintaining India’s secular nature, and any changes could disrupt communal harmony and national integrity.

The Congress further highlighted that the Act reflects the will of the Indian populace, having been included in the party’s manifesto before the 1991 elections. They denounce the current challenge as a misguided attempt to undermine the principles of secularism.

Additionally, Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind, through its petition, seeks effective enforcement of the 1991 Act and adherence to the 2019 unanimous decision by the five-judge bench regarding the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi – Babri Masjid case. They claim that Muslim sites are being subjected to baseless legal disputes, which are prohibited by the 1991 Act.

National

Killers Travelled 1,400 Km to Murder Delhi Professor

Published

5 days ago

June 7, 2026

Namma Kudla

New Delhi: Delhi Police solved the murder case of Delhi University professor Debosmita Paul within three days.

Investigators found that the accused had travelled nearly 1,400 km from West Bengal to Delhi to carry out the crime.

Police used CCTV footage, cab booking records, and GPS data to trace the suspects.

Seven special teams conducted raids across four states and arrested the accused in Bardhaman, West Bengal.

The investigation revealed that the murder was linked to a property dispute involving Paul’s ancestral property.

The swift and technology-driven investigation has been widely praised.

National

Ex-IAS Officer Dhanendra Kumar Dies in Delhi House Fire

Published

2 weeks ago

May 29, 2026

Namma Kudla

New Delhi: Former IAS officer and the first chairman of the Competition Commission of India (CCI), Dhanendra Kumar, died after a fire broke out at his house in Delhi’s Hauz Khas area on Thursday night. He was 80.

According to police, the fire was suspected to have started after an air conditioner blast inside the house. At the time of the incident, five people, including family members and domestic staff, were present in the house.

Firefighters and police teams rushed to the spot and rescued the people trapped inside. Dhanendra Kumar and his son were taken to a nearby hospital. Kumar died during treatment due to smoke inhalation. His son suffered injuries and is now out of danger.

Police said no foul play is suspected in the incident. The house was badly damaged in the fire.

Dhanendra Kumar was a 1968 batch IAS officer. During his long career, he served in several important positions in the central and Haryana governments. He worked in ministries such as Defence, Road Transport, and Culture.

He also served as the first chairman of the Competition Commission of India from 2009 to 2011. He played an important role in strengthening competition laws and economic reforms in the country.

Even after retirement, he remained active in public policy and corporate affairs.

National

Woman Found Dead Six Months after Marriage

Published

2 weeks ago

May 27, 2026

Namma Kudla

Lucknow: A young woman was found hanging at her in-laws’ house just six months after her marriage in Lucknow. The deceased has been identified as Shweta Singh.

According to her family, Shweta married Bhupendra Singh on November 22, 2025. Her father, Umesh Kumar Singh, alleged that her husband and his family harassed her regularly for dowry and demanded a car. He also claimed that Shweta faced mental torture from her husband and in-laws after marriage.

The incident took place at her in-laws’ house in the Thakurganj area of Lucknow. Shweta was rushed to a hospital, but doctors declared her dead.

Her parents suspect murder and alleged that the family tried to present the death as suicide by hanging the body. Based on the complaint, police registered a case against Shweta’s husband and his family under Sections 80 and 85 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Dowry Prohibition Act.

Police said the accused family members are absconding, and a search operation is underway. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination, and further action will be taken after the report arrives.