The Allahabad High Court on Monday issued a show-cause notice and indicated that it is considering imposing a monetary penalty on the District Magistrate (DM) and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Bareilly.

A petition has been filed challenging the alleged barring of the Muslim community from offering ‘namaz’ in Mohammad Ganj village, Bareilly.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Siddharth Nandan is hearing the matter.

Bareilly District Magistrate Avinash Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police Anurag Arya appeared before the High Court, which sought their response within 24 hours.

The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for Tuesday.

The High Court had personally summoned both officials in connection with a contempt of court case.

The DM and SSP stand accused of preventing the offering of congregational prayers within a private residence.

On January 16, 2026, members of the Muslim community were offering prayers at the residence of Haseen Khan in Mohammad Ganj village, Bareilly. However, the police halted the prayers following complaints.

The petition has been filed by Tariq Khan.

Crude oil prices tumbled, posting one of the biggest intraday price swings after US President Donald Trump on Monday claimed that the United States and Iran have held “productive talks” on ending the conflict in the Middle East.

Moments after Trump’s announcement, Brent crude futures fell around USD 17, or 15 per cent, to a session low of USD 96 a barrel by 1108 GMT.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) had fallen USD 13, or about 13.5 per cent, to a session low of USD 85.28. Oil prices fell by over 13 per cent and Brent crude as much as 14 per cent to USD 96 per barrel at one point.

However, after Iran’s denial of any such talks, the oil prices jumped around 5 per cent to reach USD 101 per barrel but came down to below the USD 100 level again.

Brent crude prices had surged sharply by more than 60 per cent since the beginning of the US-Iran-Israel conflict, rising to around USD 112 per barrel on Monday from approximately USD 70 per barrel prior to the conflict, largely due to the disruption of oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on energy sites in the Gulf region.

In just the last 30 days, crude prices had increased by around 56 per cent, before tumbling to USD 96 per barrel today.

Meanwhile, gas prices have also fallen from 159p a therm to about 139p.

The Kerala High Court on Monday stayed the operation of a single-bench judgment ordering the removal of Vellappally Natesan and others as directors of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP Yogam), after finding that the organisation had failed to submit its financial statements within the stipulated time as required by law.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar VM passed the order on appeals filed by Vellappally Natesan, his son Thushar Vellappally, and other SNDP directors, challenging the single-judge ruling that had declared them disqualified from directorship and ordered their removal.

“Prima facie, it appears that the present appellants had DIN, and it would appear from the report of the Inspector General of Registration that rules with regard to DIN, as applicable to the State of Kerala, have not yet been framed. As such, the present appellants cannot be held guilty of contravening any provisions of the Companies Act by which they can be asked to provide DIN, although they possess a DIN under the Companies Act, 2013,” the Division Bench said.

The Court noted that the appellants had Director Identification Numbers (DINs) and that the relevant rules applicable in the State had not yet been framed. It therefore opined that the appellants could not be held responsible for any alleged non-compliance on this ground.

“Moreover, prima facie, it appears that the present appellants had DIN, and it would appear from the order of the Inspector General of Registration that rules with regard to DIN, as applicable to the State of Kerala, have not yet been framed. As such, the present appellants cannot be held guilty of contravening any provisions of the Companies Act by which they can be asked to provide DIN, although they possess a DIN under the Companies Act, 2013. Another aspect of the matter which seems to have escaped the attention of the learned Single Judge is that the directors could be disqualified if the company had failed to file annual returns, and it was by reason of such failure that the directors also became disqualified. The object of the said section was that the directors be vigilant, as they act as the organs of the company, and it is through them that the company functions,” the court said.

The appellants contended that the single judge’s conclusion regarding the non-filing of returns was factually incorrect. According to them, annual returns and financial statements had, in fact, been regularly submitted but were not formally taken on record due to administrative complications. These complications included the non-availability of original records, which remained in sealed custody pursuant to certain court proceedings for several years.

The appellants also submitted that the single judge committed a serious jurisdictional error by deciding issues relating to the disqualification of directors and the internal affairs of a company, which fall within the domain of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). Such disputes concerning company management cannot be adjudicated by a High Court in the exercise of its writ jurisdiction, they argued.

A single bench of the Kerala High Court had, on March 12, ordered the removal of certain directors of SNDP Yogam, including its General Secretary Vellappally Natesan, after finding that the organisation failed to submit its financial statements within the stipulated time as per law.

The Court had also ruled that SNDP Yogam President M.N. Soman, Vice President Thushar Vellappally, and Devaswom Secretary Arayakandi Santhosh were not entitled to continue in their positions.

It ordered that all four be removed from their posts and that a new board of directors be constituted through elections in accordance with the law. The Court had further directed the government to nominate directors to manage the administration of SNDP Yogam until the elections are completed.

As the decisive ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign, launched under the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, entered its 62nd day on Monday, the Punjab Police conducted 447 raids at identified and mapped locations linked to associates of gangsters across the state.

According to official information, the “Gangstran Te Vaar”—a decisive war to make Punjab a gangster-free state—was launched by Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on January 20, 2026. Police teams from all districts, in coordination with the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), have been carrying out sustained operations across the state.

On Day 62 of the campaign, police teams arrested 186 individuals, taking the total number of arrests to 16,497 since the launch of the drive.

In addition, preventive action was taken against 52 persons, while 74 individuals were verified and released after questioning. Police teams also arrested three proclaimed offenders (POs) during the operation.

The public has been encouraged to share information related to wanted criminals and gangsters anonymously through the Anti-Gangster Helpline number 93946-93946, including tips on crime and criminal activities.

Meanwhile, police teams have continued their anti-drug drive, “Yudh Nashian Virudh,” on its 387th day. On Monday, 102 drug smugglers were arrested, and 6.2 kg of heroin, 10 kg of poppy husk, 2,162 intoxicant tablets/capsules, and ₹17,113 in drug money were recovered from their possession.

With this, the total number of drug smugglers arrested has reached 55,152 in just 387 days. As part of its de-addiction initiative, the Punjab Police also persuaded 23 individuals to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment on the day.

Indian Railways successfully commissioned the Kavach Automatic Train Protection (ATP) System on the Prayagraj (Excluding) – Kanpur (Excluding) section (190 Route Kilometres) of Delhi–Howrah high-density corridor on 22 March 2026.

The Kavach system was implemented through Train No. 14163.

The General Manager also conducted a footplate inspection onboard Train No. 14163 from Subedarganj to Manauri station to assess the performance of the Kavach system.

Senior officers, including PHODs, DRM/Prayagraj, Headquarters officers, and Divisional officers, were present on the occasion.

In the first phase, Kavach will be enabled on eight pairs of trains: 14113/14114, 14163/14164, 12307/12308, 12417/12418, 22437/22438, 15003/15004, 20433/20434, and 12403/12404. Additional trains and Vande Bharat will be progressively included.

This commissioning marks a significant milestone in running trains at 160 KMPH and enhancing railway safety and improving operational efficiency on one of the most vital sections of Indian Railway.

Prior to commissioning, extensive and rigorous trials were successfully conducted. Trial runs included WAP-7 locomotives with 8, 16, and 22 LHB coach configurations, as well as a 20-coach Vande Bharat rake, ensuring system reliability under varied operational conditions.

The WAP-7 is a high-performance electric locomotive used by Indian Railways for hauling passenger trains, including premium services like Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Duronto Express.

Passenger trials were also conducted using Train No. 15003/15004 (Chauri Chaura Express), which demonstrated consistent and reliable performance during regular service.

More than 20,000 kilometres of passenger trial runs have been successfully completed, with all system validations found satisfactory.

The Kavach system significantly enhances railway safety through the features such as Automatic Train Protection (ATP), Prevention of Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD) and Automatic brake application in case of human error.

Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection system under the Make in India initiative and is being progressively deployed across Indian Railways to strengthen safety and modernize train operations.

Prior to this, after extensive and elaborate trials, Kavach Version 4.0 has been successfully commissioned on 1,452 Route Kilometres, covering the high-density Delhi–Mumbai and Delhi–Howrah routes.

Indian Railways remains committed to adopting modern safety technologies and strengthening the safety framework, ensuring safer, more reliable, and efficient train operations for passengers.

In the next phase, Kavach system will be introduced in Ghaziabad – Tundla section for running trains at 160 KMPH as one of the objectives of Mission Raftaar.

Delhi’s Education Minister Ashish Sood on Monday stated that the Economic Survey of Delhi 2025-26 clearly reflects that the national capital’s economy is now moving towards a more robust, dynamic, and high-growth trajectory.

The minister said during 2025-26, Delhi’s economic growth rate (GDP Growth Rate) has been recorded at 8.53 per cent, as compared to 7.4 per cent in 2023-24 and 6.21 per cent in 2024–25, under the previous AAP government.

He said this simply demonstrates a significant acceleration in the pace of development under the current leadership.

Sood added that this growth rate of 8.53 per cent is higher than the national average of 7.4 per cent, and in contrast, during 2023-24 and 2024-25, national capital’s growth rates of 7.4 and 6.21per cent were lower than the national growth rates of 9.2 per cent and 6.5 per cent, respectively.

He also highlighted that the per capita income has increased by 7.09 per cent in 2025–26, indicating an improvement in the standard of living of citizens.

The minister added that the rise in tax collection by 15.5 per cent reflected strong economic activity.
Additionally, he said that the capital expenditure has also seen an increase, which showcases the government’s intent and also its commitment towards development.

According to Sood, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leadership of CM Rekha Gupta, the Delhi government is working in line with the principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.”

He affirmed that the CM Gupta led Delhi government remains fully committed to further accelerating this momentum of economic growth.

A fresh controversy has erupted over the proposal of the University of Jammu to drop from the Political Science MA syllabus references to Pakistan’s founder and the first Governor-General Muhammad Ali Jinnah, as well as Sir Syed Ahmad Khan — often regarded as a key proponent of the two-nation theory — and poet-philosopher Muhammad Iqbal, who penned the iconic “Sare Jahan Se Accha Hindustan Hamara”, with a senior J&K Minister Javed Ahmed Rana launching a scathing attack on the move and calling it “anti-scholarly act of intellectual vandalism”.

The Board of Studies (BoS) of the University is set to deliberate on Tuesday over a proposal to remove from the Political Science MA syllabus references to Jinnah, Khan and Iqbal.

A committee, set up by the University to review the syllabus of MA political science, has recommended the removal of topics related to Jinnah, Khan and Iqbal from the course content. The move came following a protest by the saffron party’s student wing — Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), which on Friday staged demonstrations demanding the withdrawal of a chapter on Pakistan’s founder Jinnah. The chapter was included in the revised postgraduate syllabus under the National Education Policy 2020.

Reacting to the move, Javed Rana, who is the minister for Jal Shakti and Tribal Affairs in the cabinet of chief minister Omar Abdullah, in a post on X on Monday termed the proposal “a laughable, anti-scholarly act of intellectual vandalism”, warning that such steps undermine the very foundation of academic inquiry.

The minister wrote: “The recommendation by Jammu University’s Political Science Department to purge Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Sir Syed Ahmed Khan from the curriculum is a laughable, anti-scholarly act of intellectual vandalism. By erasing these foundational figures of political thought, JU is transitioning from a site of critical pedagogy into a propaganda apparatus for RSS supremacism. This is a deliberate attempt to manufacture ideological bigots rather than nurturing inquisitive citizens”.

“JU must stop acting as a laboratory for historical revisionism. It should instead leverage its academic autonomy to promote a culture of dialectic inquiry and intellectual pluralism, making students restless and inquisitive rather than mere docile propagandists”, he added.

The controversy has gained further traction as the proposal adds a geopolitical dimension to the debate. Academics and observers say the outcome of the Board of Studies deliberations could set the tone for how history and political thought are taught in the region going forward. With strong opinions emerging from both political and academic quarters, all eyes are now on the University’s Board of Studies meeting, which is expected to take a final call on the contentious proposal.

Head of the Political Science Department Prof Baljit Singh Mann said that a meeting of the faculty and departmental affairs committee was held on 22 March, and they have unanimously resolved to recommend the removal of topics concerning Jinnah, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and Mohammad Iqbal from the course content of the one-year postgraduate programme and the two-year postgraduate programme.

Earlier, the university had defended the syllabus, stating that the inclusion of Jinnah and other thinkers was purely academic and in line with University Grants Commission guidelines.

The module on “modern Indian political thought” includes a wide range of thinkers representing diverse ideological perspectives, such as Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Mohammad Iqbal, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Golwalkar, Mahatma Gandhi, BR Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper Axar Patel said he is personally not in favour of the Impact Player rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL), stating that it diminishes the importance of all-rounders in the 10-team tournament, with its 19th edition starting March 28. The Impact Player rule, introduced in 2023, allows teams to substitute either a batter or a bowler at any stage during an innings.

Speaking at the pre-season press conference on Monday, Axar admitted that the regulation has changed the way teams approach team combinations.

“I don’t like this rule, honestly, because I am an all-rounder. Earlier, you would pick an allrounder for batting and bowling. But because of this rule, the team management goes for a particular batsman or bowler, thinking ‘Why do we need an allrounder?’ Since I am an allrounder, I don’t like the rule. At the same time, rules are rules and we need to follow them. From a personal point of view though, I don’t like the rule,” said Axar.

DC will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on April 1. This is not the first time Axar has voiced his displeasure over the rule. In 2024, while serving as DC’s vice-captain, he voiced similar concerns over the Impact Player rule affecting his batting position.

Despite maintaining a career IPL economy rate of 7.3, Axar experienced his least productive bowling season since joining DC in 2019. During IPL 2025, he conceded runs at 8.5 per over and picked up just five wickets in 11 innings.

However, the two-time T20 World Cup-winning all-rounder clarified that his modest bowling returns were the result of a finger injury sustained during India’s victorious ICC Champions Trophy campaign earlier that year, and not due to the Impact Player rule.

“The 2025 Champions Trophy was right before the IPL. During CT, my spinning finger sustained a cut: when I was bowling, because of the seam of the ball, it kept getting cut further. It turned into a deep cut. Because of that, I couldn’t put pressure and rotation on the ball.

“I was bowling less because of that and was thinking of bowling only wherever needed and saving my finger. After seven matches, when my finger healed, I resumed bowling. It was not because of the Impact Player rule,” he said.

However, Axar made valuable contributions with the bat during IPL 2025, amassing 263 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 158, including four scores of over 30, striking at 159 during the middle overs to provide momentum to DC’s innings.

Since IPL 2025, his T20I batting returns have been relatively modest, with 167 runs at an average of 18.6 and a strike rate of 119. However, he has continued to be effective with the ball, claiming 26 wickets at an economy rate of 7.7. His ability to contribute in difficult situations has earned him the reputation of being a ‘crisis-man’ for the team.

“You’ve seen me be the same for so many years: whatever the team requires, I do that. That’s why the tag of crisis-man has come up. I take up the role as per the team’s requirement, be it a finisher or a middle-order batter. We keep discussing: if a person is scoring four in two, or twelve in two, or 80 runs as an opener: all those roles are important for the team.

“I go with the same mindset again and again: whatever needs to be done, I will play that role. It’s because if you don’t get what you want, you will only get angry and disappointed and the same thing will affect your game. That’s why I keep the team’s priorities at the forefront. When you are open to that, you give your 100 percent,” he added.

With Delhi Capitals still searching for their first title in the Indian Premier League (IPL), head coach Hemang Badani believes the franchise has taken key steps to strengthen its squad ahead of the 2026 season, particularly by addressing long-standing concerns around the opening combination.

Badani said the franchise is focused on improving key areas of the squad ahead of the 2026 season, expressing confidence that the team is better prepared to end its long wait for the trophy.

“We don’t have to necessarily re-emphasise what’s happened or how the season has gone. Every player who has played for us last year or even through the season recognises that we could have finished differently,” Badani said during the pre-season press conference here on Monday.

“It’s not for us to keep driving that and drilling it into their heads, try and be a lot more objective about how we will get better, what is it that you can add value, how can you be better than what you are right now to make sure that we cross the line.

“That’s pretty much the conversation that we have. Yes, we have a review chat after the season is done as to what are the areas that we need to work on for the next year and accordingly plan and we are here again in 2026,” he added.

As part of the revamp, the franchise released Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk, and bolstered their squad with the addition of David Miller, Ben Duckett and Pathum Nissanka. Additionally, Nitish Rana was traded in from Rajasthan Royals, while the pace unit was strengthened by adding Lungi Ngidi and uncapped Jammu & Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi.

As the tournament’s 19th edition begins on March 28, Badani said the team management has attempted to resolve their top-order struggles by bringing in fresh options such as Prithvi Shaw, Duckett and Nissanka during the auction.

DC struggled heavily in the batting powerplay during IPL 2025, posting the second-lowest run rate and batting average in the phase. Opening partnerships were a major concern as the side averaged just 21.8 runs for the first wicket, the lowest among all 10 teams, and managed only two fifty-plus stands across 14 innings.

The franchise tried seven different opening combinations during the season but failed to establish stability, prompting a rethink ahead of the new campaign with hopes that a settled pair at the top will replace the frequent changes that affected their performance last year.

“The answer to that is quite straightforward. The only way to address that is to find somebody who can do the job for us. It didn’t work for us last year The opening slot was a target area for us in the auction and we have pretty much done that,” Badani said.
Delhi Capitals will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on April 1.

DC’s Director of Cricket Venugopal Rao echoed the sentiment, indicating that the team is prepared to experiment with new opening combinations. “Same here. We will try new openers.”

Badani further said the franchise had found stability in leadership with Axar Patel continuing as captain.

“I can’t really speak of what’s happened in the past, because I haven’t been a part of this environment. I’ve just been with them since last year. It was a conscious call that look at somebody who’s been with us, understands the people, fans, ground, environment, and the management.

“It was quite straightforward for us that Axar was the man. Hence, we’ve also again tried to stick with him. I thought we had a very good season. Maybe we didn’t finish off the way we would have liked, but I thought we had a great start.

“That also speaks of a young leader that you see in him. He’s been around for a long time. Also, a long-standing Delhi-ite, Delhi Capitals boy, no better person to lead the side than him. Here again, he’s here as the leader for us, come season two,” Badani added.

Samajwadi Party (SP) National President Akhilesh Yadav launched a scathing attack on the BJP government and claimed that the people of Uttar Pradesh have signalled their intent to advance the politics of ‘PDA’ (Pichhda—Backward Classes, Dalit, and Alpsankhyak—Minorities).

He said that this sentiment will now be witnessed in West Bengal as well, emerging as a call to safeguard democracy.

On Monday, Yadav visited Lohia Park on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Ram Manohar Lohia and paid tribute to the late leader.

Responding to a question regarding Asaduddin Owaisi’s party, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), contesting elections in West Bengal, Akhilesh Yadav remarked that the public has seen through the BJP’s strategies. He added that this time too, Mamata Banerjee would receive the people’s support.

Praising Mamata Banerjee’s work, he noted that the positive impact of her initiatives – aimed at upholding women’s dignity and serving the public interest – is clearly visible, and asserted that she would emerge victorious in the elections.

Emphasizing the core tenets of socialist ideology, Yadav pointed out that revolutionaries such as Bhagat Singh and Shivaram Rajguru were inspired by socialist thought. He argued that implementing socialist policies is essential to bridge the widening gap between the rich and the poor, and affirmed that his party remains committed to realising the vision of Dr. Lohia.

During his address, he also raised serious concerns regarding the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh. Citing recent incidents in Gorakhpur and Badaun, he alleged that in many cases, no punitive action is being taken and the truth remains concealed. He warned that the reality behind the “games” being played in politics would eventually come to light.

Responding to a statement by Om Prakash Rajbhar, Yadav remarked that clarity on political alignments would make decision-making easier.

Meanwhile, taking a jibe at a recent emotional video released by Sanjay Nishad, he quipped that only time would tell whether it was an act of “atonement or something else entirely.”

Further attacking the Central Government, Yadav questioned the effectiveness of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meetings and policies.

He alleged that inflation has reached an all-time high and that the government is prioritizing the interests of a select few over the welfare of the common people. He also sought clarity on investment and employment figures.

Reiterating his demand for a caste census, Yadav stated that all sections of society should receive rights proportionate to their population.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav announced on Monday that a grand parade would be held here on the occasion of the Indian Army Day on 15 January 2027.

Speaking during a high-level meeting with the Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi at the CM House, the chief minister said celebrations and several events showcasing the Indian Army’s history, prowess, and achievements would also be held at the time. The Army Day parade would be held on the lines of the Republic-Day parade at the Kartavya Path in New Delhi.

Senior officials of the military and the state government were present in the meeting.

Dr Yadav stressed that it is important to familiarize the people of the state with the rich legacy of the Indian Army, and to inspire youth of the state to join the armed forces. He stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian Army has demonstrated indomitable courage, valour, and capability on every occasion and at every front.

He said for every citizen and family of the country, it is a matter of pride to be connected with the traditions of bravery and sacrifice of the Indian Army.

He assured that the state government will extend every possible support to the army for organising the event in the state capital.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Dwivedi informed that along with the parade, Shaurya Sandhya, a military exhibition showcasing the Army’s weapons, equipment and resources and demonstrations of military exercises will also be organised. Retired soldiers will also be honoured during the event. He said that Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will also attend the event.

The COAS said that the event at Bhopal is being organised with the objective of showcasing the Indian Army’s rich tradition of bravery and military heritage, connecting citizens with the military parade, strengthening coordination and mutual trust between the Army and civil administration, and motivating youth to join the Indian Army.

It was informed in the meeting that for the Army parade, routes including Atal Path, Aerocity Road, BHEL Kalibari Road and BHEL Link Road have been proposed as the parade route. Shaurya Sandhya will be organised at T T Nagar Stadium, while the military exhibition will be set up at Jamboree Ground. Activities such as water sports, air shows and military demonstrations will also take place at the Upper Lake.

As a preliminary event, on Madhya Pradesh Foundation Day on 1 November 2026, under the ‘Meri Maati’ campaign, activities such as hot air ballooning, a motorcycle rally, a run and other events will be organised.

Army Day is celebrated every year on 15 January to commemorate the historic occasion in 1949 when General Kodandera Madappa Cariappa took over the command of the Indian Army from the last British Commander-in-Chief, General Sir Francis Robert Roy Bucher.

The first such Army Day parade in the state was organised in Bengaluru in 2023, followed by Lucknow in 2024, Pune in 2025, and Jaipur in 2026.

Indian racing driver Akshay Gupta continued his strong start to the 2026 season by winning the AM sub-class in the second round of the Nurburgring Langstrecken Series (NLS), finishing 43rd overall out of 132 starters in the highly competitive Porsche Endurance Trophy Nürburgring (Cup3).

Gupta, competing in the Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport (Cup3) car #949, shared driving duties with 19-year-old German Darian Donkel and 24-year-old German Aaron Wenisch in his debut race in the Porsche GT4 category.

The team qualified 12th in the Cup3 class (17 entries) for the four-hour endurance race. Donkel began the opening stint, moving up to 8th by its conclusion, followed by Wenisch, who climbed to 7th. Gupta brought the car home with a comfortable 1 minute 53-second lead over the second-place AM competitor.

“This is my first race in a Porsche GT4. The car is completely different in terms of driving dynamics compared to what I’ve driven over the past two years. It’s a mid-engined RWD car versus the front-engined FWD I was used to, with an additional 145hp and lighter weight. It’s a lot to adapt to in a short span, but I’m loving every minute of it,” Gupta said.

The race featured a dramatic twist at the front of the field. Formula One World Champion Max Verstappen initially crossed the line in first overall but was later disqualified, reshuffling the final classification.

The victory comes after a disrupted start to the season, as the opening NLS round was cancelled due to heavy snowfall, denying drivers valuable track time. Fellow Indian Arjun Maini, competing in the SP9-PRO (GT3) class, qualified 12th and finished 11th, maintaining his strong presence in top-tier endurance racing.

Gupta added, “We are happy with the first place in the AM category and are aiming to win the AM or ProAM championship this year. This victory reassures us, but we still have work to do to improve our lap times. We have three weeks until the next race to get better.”

This result signals Gupta’s growing momentum in Porsche GT4 racing, following multiple podiums and race wins in previous NLS seasons, and marks a strong statement early in the highly competitive Cup3 championship.

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Delhi High Court’s direction for a fresh trial in a matrimonial dispute where a family court had granted divorce by relying on a statutory provision that did not exist.

A Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta issued notice on a plea challenging the High Court’s decision, which had set aside the divorce decree and ordered a de novo hearing before the family court. The top court has, for now, halted the retrial while it examines the legality of the High Court’s order.

The matter arises from a divorce decree passed by a family court, which was later questioned before the Delhi High Court. Upon scrutiny, the High Court found serious legal errors in the judgment, noting that the trial court had mixed up provisions from different matrimonial laws and had invoked a provision under the Special Marriage Act that does not exist, even though the case was filed under the Hindu Marriage Act. In view of these legal infirmities, the High Court had directed that the entire matter be heard afresh.

The Supreme Court, however, has stayed this direction for a fresh trial and agreed to examine whether such a course was warranted in the facts of the case.

Separately, the family court judge who delivered the divorce decree under question has also approached the Supreme Court, challenging the adverse remarks made against him by the High Court. In that earlier proceeding, the apex court had issued notice on February 11 but declined to stay the strictures passed against the judge.

The present case will now be considered along with the issues arising from the High Court’s findings and the challenge to its directions.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday delivered a pointed criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his address in the Lok Sabha, accusing him of sidestepping pressing domestic and global concerns while focusing on self-congratulatory remarks.

In a post on X, Ramesh described the speech as “uncharacteristically short” and alleged it amounted to “a master class in self-boasts, cowardice, and partisan dialogue-baazi.” He raised concerns over what he termed the Prime Minister’s silence on rising tensions in West Asia, particularly the situation involving Iran.

‎“Not a single word was uttered in condemnation of the continued US-Israeli air assaults on Iran,” Ramesh said. He added that while Iran’s actions targeting Gulf countries and the vital Strait of Hormuz were “completely unacceptable,” the “relentless bombing of Iran with the objective of regime change and state collapse” was equally troubling.
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Ramesh also challenged the government’s claims on economic performance, referring to comments by a former chief economic advisor who cautioned that growth figures during Modi’s tenure may have been overstated. “The PM seems to believe that if he doesn’t engage with this very credible and disturbing report, he can wish it away,” he said.
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Turning to the Prime Minister’s mention of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ramesh criticized the government’s handling of the crisis, calling it “uniquely catastrophic.” He recalled scenes of hardship, including migrant workers trekking long distances to their hometowns, deaths linked to oxygen shortages, and widespread job losses.

‎“The nation cannot forget the deeply depressing scenes which became all too normal then,” he said, adding that stronger preparedness would be essential in the future.
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The remarks come amid intensifying political sparring between the government and the Opposition, with parliamentary debates increasingly shaped by disagreements over foreign policy, economic management, and the legacy of the pandemic response.

After a hard bargain with the AIADMK, heading the NDA in Tamil Nadu, the BJP, scaling down its demand, settled for 27 seats to contest the upcoming assembly elections, seven seats more than the saffron party had contested in the 2021 assembly elections.

The seat-sharing pact was inked by AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) and BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran in the presence of Union Minister Piyush Goyal, in charge of the party for the Tamil Nadu elections, Union Minister L Murugan and other leaders of both the parties. This is the culmination of prolonged negotiations spanning months despite the AIADMK’s re-entry into the NDA in March last.

As per the agreement, the OBC Vanniyar dominant Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) of Anbumani Ramadoss has got 18 seats, while the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) of TTV Dhinakaran is given 11 seats. Other constituents of the NDA, including the Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC – Moopanar) of former Union Minister GK Vasan, have been kept waiting by the AIADMK. The deal was finalised after a final round of talks the alliance leaders held with EPS, the chief ministerial face of the front, at the AIADMK office in Chennai. From its earlier demand for 60 seats, the BJP came down to 30 but finally had to accept 27.

Prior to the signing of the deal, EPS had a latest round of discussions with Union Home Minister and BJP strategist Amit Shah in the national capital last week. And in all these, EPS has proved to be a hard nut to crack by not acceding to the heightened demand of the saffron party, intent upon expanding its footprint in the Dravidian heartland despite its vote share in the assembly election remaining around 3 per cent.

Announcing allocation of seats in the NDA to the media, both EPS and Goyal claimed that the NDA will sweep the elections and form the next government. “The allocation of seats for the TMC and other constituents as well as constituencies will be announced shortly,” they added.

“Our alliance, which is an emotionally cohesive one, will secure 210 seats (out of 234). Chief Minister MK Stalin and the partners of the DMK-front are spreading falsehood over our visits to Delhi as they are rattled,” EPS said.

Meanwhile, in the DMK-led Secular Progressive Front, completion of the seat-sharing exercise with key allies like the CPI(M) and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) as well as Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) of actor Kamal Hassan remains elusive as both the parties are unwilling to accept 5 each on offer. A pro-Tamil minor ally, Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK) of T Velmurugan has quit the alliance, blaming the DMK for acting with a big brother attitude.

The electoral battle in the Nadapuram assembly constituency, which is a part of the Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency, is witnessing a fierce political fight between the CPM-led LDF, Congress-led UDF, and BJP-led NDA.

In this land, which has witnessed the landlord-tenant struggles and the growth of peasant movements, major challenges are being raised this time to the dominance that the Left has maintained for decades. While the constituency is witnessing a high-stakes three-way contest between the the CPM-led LDF ,Congress-led UDF and BJP-led NDA, the main contest is between the LDF and the UDF Nadapuram, a part of Kadathanad which is historically famous for Kalaripayattu, the traditional martial art which local lore describes as a land of legendary “fierce battles” or Angams (formal duels).

Peace remains a central theme in Nadapuram due to a history of political and communal tension. The region has frequently seen clashes during electioneering, leading to heavy police deployments and the classification of many booths as sensitive. A roadside blast involving a crude explosive occurred near a school bus in January 2026 in Purameri (under the Nadapuram police limits), though no injuries were reported.

While CPI’s P Vasantham is fighting for the LDF, Congress candidate K M Abhijith is in the fray for the UDF , taking up the goal of grabbing the seat from the CPI. BJP’s young face, C P Vipin Chandran, is seeking a mandate for the NDA in the Nadapuram constituency, a highly competitive, frequently volatile, and politically significant seat in the Kozhikode district that has been held by the LDF’s CPI nominee since 1970.

The CPI has won from Nadapuram almost exclusively since 1970, with only two exceptions, demonstrating strong organizational support. While the CPI has maintained its strength, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress-led UDF candidate Shafi Parambil secured a large lead in the Vadakara Lok Sabha seat, which includes Nadapuram, suggesting a potential challenge to the CPI’s dominance.

CPI candidate P Vasantham is a member of the party’s national council and state president of the Mahila Sangham. She replaced three-term incumbent MLA E K Vijayan. She is wife of former MLA Sathyan Mokeri. Although Vasantham is a good candidate, there is some criticism against her from within the party over the fact that she has been given a seat in the same family under the ‘Thaliparamba model’.

The Congress has fielded a young leader K M Abhijith here. After his good fight in Kozhikode North in the last assembly elections, Abhijith, who has been actively working in Nadapuram for the last four and a half years, is giving great hope to the UDF. In particular, the fact that the wave created by Shafi Parambil in Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency is still there in Nadapuram. The majority of 25,000 votes that Shafi got in the constituency is not insignificant.

The BJP is pinning high hopes on Nadapuram this time. The party has fielded an active young leader, Vipin Chandran, with the aim of significantly increasing its vote share in the constituency. It is expecting to repeat the success it gained in this area in the local body elections.

Vipin Chandran is considered one of the strong faces of the BJP in the Kozhikode district. He has served as a member of the party’s state committee and former state general secretary of the Yuva Morcha, and has come to prominence through his organizational activities.

Considering the history of the last three elections, it is clear that victories in Nadapuram were with small majorities. In 2011, CPI leader E K Vijayan had won a majority of over 7,500 votes when he contested for the first time. However, in 2016 and 2021, this majority has shrunk to 4000 and 4500, respectively.

Although incumbent E K Vijayan is a ‘silent’ leader in the constituency with no personal grievances against him, it is pointed out that he has not been able to grow into a leader with significant influence in state politics. The Left centers are concerned that Nadapuram will become an epicenter where anti-incumbency sentiment is likely to flare up the most in the Kozhikode district.

While the UDF is confident of wresting the seat from the LDF, the LDF leaders say that the front will retain the seat with a big margin.

Political activities have intensified in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

In this context, Dr. Sanjay Nishad—National President of the Nishad Party and Uttar Pradesh fisheries minister —took aim at the Samajwadi Party (SP), stating, “The SP is reaping the benefits of the failures of government officials.”

Speaking to UNI on Monday, Dr. Sanjay Nishad remarked that the SP’s ‘PDA’ (Pichhde, Dalit, Alpsankhyak—Backward Classes, Dalits, and Minorities) narrative is, in reality, a product of bureaucratic incompetence. “Officials are practically serving up easy victories on a platter to the SP,” he asserted, citing examples such as recruitment drives for Lekhpals (revenue officials) and the Animal Husbandry Department. “First, they fail to properly implement reservation norms, and then they scramble to rectify the errors. What exactly are these officials sitting there for? What are they doing? The SI (Sub-Inspector) recruitment exam was held recently; if officials cannot even properly proofread an exam paper, then what is their purpose? If this isn’t serving up easy wins to the SP, then what is it?” However, he clarified, “This does not imply that all officials are at fault. The majority are competent; that is precisely why effective work is still being accomplished.”

Dr. Sanjay Nishad stated that the central issue for his party in the upcoming elections is securing the reclassification of their community—the Nishads—from the Backward Classes category to the Scheduled Castes category. “According to the Constitution—and as reflected in notifications ranging from the Central Government’s gazette to the Presidential orders—the Manjhi, Mallah, and Kewat communities fall under the Scheduled Castes category. Furthermore, the final notification issued by the Governor on December 31, 2016, specifically directed the creation of a new list to facilitate the inclusion of these communities—currently listed under Backward Classes—into the Scheduled Castes category. However, that directive has not yet been implemented. As of now, only the notification dated December 26 remains in force. Consequently, our demand is that 9 percent of the reservation quota currently allocated to the OBCs (Other Backward Classes) be carved out and reallocated to the SCs (Scheduled Castes).”

Responding to the demands raised by Om Prakash Rajbhar’s ‘Social Justice Committee,’ Dr. Nishad remarked, “He [Rajbhar] seeks a *sub-division* of the existing OBC quota, whereas we do not seek a mere internal division; we demand our rightful status as defined by the Constitution.” He explained, “According to the Constitution, the official list of Scheduled Castes includes communities such as Harijan, Dhobi, Majhwar, and Pasi. The Manjhi, Kewat, and Mallah communities have historically been grouped under the ‘Majhwar’ classification. Therefore, based on this precedent, the Kewat, Mallah, and Manjhi communities should be officially recognized and listed under the ‘Majhwar’ category. Furthermore, the ‘Bhar’ community is also, by statutory regulation, entitled to be included within the Scheduled Castes category.” He is not advocating for the Scheduled categories; rather, he seeks to create divisions among the Backward classes.

He stated that, apart from this, there is the issue of ‘Class-3’ land—land that was originally allotted by the British administration. Class-3 land refers to areas such as ponds and water bodies. Previously, these lands were registered in the names of the Nishad community to enable them to earn a livelihood. During the BSP’s tenure, these lands were reclaimed by the state. There is now a demand to have them restored to the community. The third issue concerns sand mining rights, which were historically held by the Nishads; these rights were revoked during the tenure of Kalyan Singh. The fourth issue pertains to the *Vimukta* (Denotified) tribes, who ought to be accorded the benefits and status of Scheduled Tribes.

Regarding the issue of seat allocation demands for the upcoming elections, Dr. Sanjay Nishad remarked that the seats currently held (won) and those previously contested (lost) will naturally remain part of the equation. Further details regarding seat-sharing will be disclosed when the appropriate time arrives. He observed that the BJP has undertaken significant internal reforms, a move from which it is now reaping the benefits. The Samajwadi Party (SP), on the other hand, failed to implement such reforms and consequently finds itself on the back foot today. “I frequently offer suggestions to the SP: stop relying on ‘hired muscle’ (proxies) and instead focus on promoting your own policies. Akhilesh certainly did not lack in doing actual work, but his administration failed to effectively publicize its achievements. If you claim to be a leader of the Backward classes, then you must embrace and engage with the Backward classes. If even Lord Rama, despite being a King, could embrace Sugriva, then what kind of politics are *you* practicing if you remain inaccessible to the public for five days at a stretch?”

Dr. Sanjay Nishad further noted, “Here, Yogi’s *Darbar* (public audience) remains open; anyone who wishes to meet him can simply submit a request slip and walk right in. The implication is that the leader currently in power remains accessible to the public throughout the day; conversely, if a leader who is *not* in power is available for an audience only after a five-day wait, then what is the point?” As for the 2027 elections, he predicted with confidence that the BJP would return to power. Responding to Rahul Gandhi’s demand that Kanshi Ram be conferred with the *Bharat Ratna* award, he remarked, “These individuals are essentially providing free publicity. To invoke Kanshi Ram’s name is, by extension, to invoke Mayawati, as she is his designated successor. You are, in effect, promoting Kanshi Ram’s mission—and the more you promote it, the stronger the BSP will become. Even without any active campaigning, the BSP managed to secure anywhere between 50,000 and 100,000 votes in every single constituency during the recent Lok Sabha elections.”

Finally, addressing the speculation regarding a potential alliance between the Congress, the BSP, and Owaisi’s party in Uttar Pradesh, he categorically stated that the BSP would never enter into an alliance with the Congress. The BSP has garnered its support base by drawing specifically from the Congress party’s traditional vote bank; consequently, it would never wish to see its own votes shift back to the Congress. The situation is much the same for Akhilesh. These leaders ought to emulate the approach taken by Mamata Banerjee.

He stated that, as of now, 89 individuals have been appointed as in-charge officials, each overseeing a cluster of five legislative assembly constituencies. Following Gorakhpur, the party’s current focus has shifted to Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Meerut; subsequently, attention will turn to Kanpur and the Bundelkhand region. The entire process is being executed in a systematic, phased manner.

Regarding departmental initiatives, he noted that—as part of the effort to propel the state toward becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy—28 districts have been selected through the UP Agro Corporation. These districts are being developed into fisheries hubs, where increased production will be facilitated to supply other states. Furthermore, preparations are underway to establish Asia’s first World Fisheries Center in Gorakhpur. The Chief Minister has allocated ₹600 crore for this project. The project plan is currently being formulated, and work is expected to commence shortly. Once operational, this facility will serve as a supply hub for fish across the entire Asian continent.

Dr. Sanjay Nishad added that, in addition to these initiatives, a 100-acre Fisheries Park is being developed—a facility that will encompass not only fish production but also retail sales and dining services. Moreover, ‘Nishad Raj Utsav Bhavans’ (cultural centers) are slated for construction across nine districts of the state. One such center is already located in Allahabad, while preparations are underway to construct another in Gorakhpur. Each of these centers is estimated to cost ₹1.41 crore to build.