Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai is set to take the oath of office on May 14 as the 52nd Chief Justice of India, Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said on Tuesday. In exercise of the powers conferred by the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, Judge of the Supreme Court of India as the Chief Justice of India with effect from 14th May, 2025. — Arjun Ram Meghwal (@arjunrammeghwal) April 29, 2025 Justice Gavai is currently serving as a judge of the Supreme Court. On April 20, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna officially recommended Justice Gavai as his successor, forwarding the proposal to the law ministry as part of the formal appointment process. Currently, Justice Gavai holds the position of the senior-most judge in the Supreme Court, after CJI Khanna, who will retire on May 13. President Droupadi Murmu will administer the oath of office to Justice Gavai. His tenure as the Chief Justice will span approximately six months, as he is set to retire in November. Born on November 24, 1960, in Amravati, Justice Gavai joined the Bar on March 16, 1985. Till 1987, he worked with the late Raja S Bhonsale, who was the former advocate general and high court judge. Justice Gavai then practised independently at the Bombay High Court from till 1990. After that, he mainly practised Constitutional Law and Administrative Law before the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court. He was also the Standing Counsel for the Municipal Corporation of Nagpur, Amravati Municipal Corporation and Amravati University, news agency PTI reported. He has appeared regularly for various autonomous bodies and corporations such as SICOM, DCVL, etc. as well as various municipal councils in the Vidarbha region. From August 1992 to July 1993, Justice Gavai was appointed as Assistant Government Pleader and Additional Public Prosecutor in the High Court of Judicature at the Nagpur Bench. In January 2000, he was appointed as the Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor for the Nagpur Bench. Three years later, he was elevated to the post of the Additional Judge of the High Court, on November 14, 2003. Two years later, he became a permanent Judge of the Bombay High Court on November 12, 2005. During his tenure, he has presided over benches having all types of assignments at the principal seat at Mumbai as well as benches at Nagpur, Aurangabad and Panaji. On May 24, 2019, Justice Gavai was elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court of India. (With ANI inputs)
29 April,2025 10:44 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThree people have been arrested in connection with a digital arrest fraud case of Rs 40 lakh, Faridabad Police in Haryana said on Tuesday, reported the PTI. The accused were identified as Gaurav, Sunny and Harshit, hailing from Rajasthan, police said. The were apprehended on Monday and sent on a four-day police remand after producing them in a city court, an official said. The matter came to light when a woman, a resident of Omaxe Green Valley in Faridabad, lodged a police complaint in November last year. According to the PTI, in the complaint, she mentioned that she received a call from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India telling her that her mobile number would be blocked. Soon, the call was transferred to someone claiming from the Mumbai police. On the call, she was told that her Aadhaar card was used for a Canara Bank account from which illegal transactions worth Rs 6 crores were made, according to the complaint. The cyber thugs then threatened her with the arrest and extorted Rs 40 lakh from her. Following the complaint, a case was registered, and the accused were arrested. During interrogation, it was revealed that Gaurav's account was used to transfer Rs 2.40 lakh of the fraudulent money. He had reportedly given the operational details of the account to Sunny, who had further shared it with Harshit. Harshit used to send the money deposited in the account to the cyber thugs, the police said. Further investigation is underway, said the police. Mumbai Cyber Police bust Rs 18 crore share trading fraud, three held Meanwhile, in an another incident, Mumbai Police busted a share trading cyber fraud case and arrested three people for allegedly defrauding people of over Rs 18 crore, the police said on Tuesday. The gang lured people into bogus share trading investments with promises of high returns, an official said. According to the police, the probe into the matter was launched after a complaint was filed on 22 April 2025, by a 49-year-old Goregaon resident who lost Rs 2.77 crore to the scam. The complainant was added to a WhatsApp group named “K05-IIFL Securities Limited” by unknown fraudsters, who posed as investment advisers. Using fabricated trading tips and screenshots of fake profits, they convinced him to download a fake trading app named “IIFL Markets” through a suspicious link, the official said. The victim was persuaded to invest in what was claimed to be block trades, QIP, and IPOs, and transferred large sums into multiple bank accounts. When he attempted to withdraw his so-called returns, he was further extorted under the guise of taxes and credit checks, he said. Technical tracking and investigations led to the arrest of the suspects from Bandra in Mumbai, an official said. (with PTI inputs)
29 April,2025 10:06 PM IST | Faridabad | mid-day online correspondentObserving an "unholy nexus" between the banks and developers to dupe homebuyers, the Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register seven preliminary inquiries against builders in the National Capital Region (NCR), reported news agency PTI. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh found a prima facie nexus between renowned banks and builders in Noida, Gurugram, Yamuna Expressway, Greater Noida, Mohali, Mumbai, Kolkata and Allahabad. The bench took into account an affidavit filed by CBI and directed the Director Generals of Police (DGP) of Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Haryana to give a list of Deputy Superintendents of police (DSP), inspectors, and constables to the agency to constitute a special investigation team (SIT), reported PTI. The top court further directed the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs)/administrators of Greater Noida Authority, Noida Authority, secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and the Reserve Bank of India to notify one nodal officer from among their senior-most officers within a week to extend necessary assistance to SIT. The bench said it will be monitoring the status of the investigations on a monthly basis, reported PTI. The amicus curiae in the matter, Advocate Rajiv Jain, called one of the developers the "main culprit" in defrauding homebuyers, whereas a bank advanced more than Rs 2,700 crore to builders through subvention schemes. The court was informed that the developer had 21 projects in six cities with agreement with 19 banks with 800 aggrieved homebuyers. The report of the amicus revealed the developer alone had secured a loan amount of Rs 5,157.86 crore since 1998. The underlying nexus between the developer and the banks was, therefore, required a scrutiny on priority, it added. Under the subvention scheme, banks disburse the sanctioned amount directly to the accounts of builders, who are then required to pay Equated Monthly Instalment (EMIs) on the sanctioned loan amount until flats are handed over to homebuyers. After builders started defaulting on EMIs to banks – as per the tripartite agreement – the banks sought EMIs from the homebuyers. The Supreme Court previously said thousands of homebuyers were affected by the subvention scheme, where banks paid 60 to 70 per cent of the home loan amount to the builders without projects being completed within the stipulated time. The court had then ordered the CBI to submit a roadmap on how it planned to unravel the "builder-banks nexus" which duped thousands of homebuyers in NCR and proposed to go into the root of the matter. The bench was hearing a batch of petition filed by over 1,200 homebuyers, who booked flats under subvention plans in various housing projects in NCR region especially Noida, Greater Noida and Gurugram, alleging that they were being forced by banks to pay EMIs despite no possession of flats. (With PTI inputs)
29 April,2025 09:57 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi asserted on Tuesday that the armed forces have "complete operational freedom" to decide on the mode, targets and timing of India's response to the Pahalgam terror attack, as he chaired a meeting with the top defence establishment. During the high-level meeting, which was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and the chiefs of three services, PM Modi affirmed that it is the national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism, government sources said. PM Modi expressed complete faith and confidence in the professional abilities of the armed forces. "They have complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets and timing of our response," a source quoted Modi as saying. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan was also part of the meeting, which was held amid India weighing its options for countermeasures following the Pahalgam terror attack which left at least 26 civilians, mostly tourists, dead. Modi has vowed to pursue the terrorists behind the attack and their patrons, a clear reference to Pakistan which has a history of sponsoring terror strikes in India, to the "ends of earth" and inflict the harshest punishment on them "beyond their imagination". Terrorists had gunned down tourists, who were from different parts of the country, in the popular destination of Pahalgam in Kashmir exactly a week ago on April 22. This most brutal attack on civilians in a long spell of time in the region has sparked a wave of outrage across the country and a demand for retaliatory action against the perpetrators and their handlers. The prime minister's tough assertions coupled with his government's avowed muscular stand on the issues of national security have heightened expectations of a stringent counteraction from India. In the past, the Modi government carried out surgical strikes inside Pakistan after the terror attack on army soldiers in Uri in 2016 and the Balakot air strike after the killings of CRPF personnel in Pulwama. Following the terror strike in Pahalgam, India has taken a series of measures targeting Pakistan, including putting in abeyance the Indus Waters Treaty with the neighbouring country. Earlier in the day, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan had chaired a high-level meeting which was attended by chiefs of three paramilitary forces and senior officers of two other security organisations, sources said. There was no official word on its agenda. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
29 April,2025 09:32 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIAuthorities in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday have set the ball rolling for the deportation of 60 Pakistanis, one of them being the mother of a policeman killed in a terror attack, officials said. They were all collected from various districts and taken in buses to Punjab, where they will be handed over to the Pakistani authorities at the Wagah border, officials added. Most of the deportees are wives and children of ex-militants, who returned to the valley under the 2010 rehabilitation policy for former ultras, PTI reported. Of them, 36 had been living in Srinagar, nine each in Baramulla and Kupwara, four in Budgam, and two in Shopian district, officials said. Shameema Akhtar, the mother of Special Police Officer Mudasir Ahmad Shaikh, who died in May 2022 while fighting terrorists, is one of the deportees, reported PTI. Mudasir was part of the team of undercover operatives of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, which intercepted a group of foreign terrorists. "My sister-in-law is from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir which is our territory. Only Pakistanis should have been deported," an apparently not happy Mohammad Younus, Mudasir's uncle, told reporters. After Mudasir's death, Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the family, so did the Lieutenant Governor, twice, he said. "My bhabhi was 20 years old when she came here and has been living here for 45 years now. My appeal to (PM Narendra) Modi and Amit Shah is that they should not do it," Younus said. Reconsider decision to deport Pakistanis married to Indians: Mehbooba Mufti Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday urged the government to reconsider the decision to deport Pakistani citizens who are married to Indians and have been living here for many years, reported PTI. She said a compassionate approach needs to be adopted. "The recent government directive to deport all Pakistani nationals from India has raised serious humanitarian concerns, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir. Many affected are women who came to India 30-?40 years ago, married Indian citizens, raised families and have long been part of our society," Mufti said in a post on X. The former Jammu-Kashmir CM said deporting individuals who have lived peacefully in India for decades would be inhumane and would inflict deep emotional distress on the families. "We urge the government to reconsider this decision and adopt a compassionate approach regarding women, children and elderly. Deporting individuals who have lived peacefully in India for decades would not only be inhumane but also would inflict deep emotional and physical distress on families who now know no other home," said Mufti. (With PTI inputs)
29 April,2025 06:34 PM IST | Srinagar | mid-day online correspondentA student from Jammu and Kashmir studying at a pharmacy college in Nagpur was allegedly thrashed by a group of locals, police said on Tuesday, adding that the motive behind the incident is not clear. The incident took place on the evening of April 27 in the Kamptee area of Nagpur, reported news agency PTI. However, no complaint has been received so far from the victim, said a senior police officer. Explaining the sequence of events, the officer said that two first-year Bachelor of Pharmacy students – hailing from the Doda town and Jammu – were on their way to their hostel around 6.15 pm, when one of them went to answer nature's call and the other student stood on the roadside waiting for him. Around two-three residents reached the spot and started questioning the student who was standing on the roadside and sought to know from where he hailed from. Speaking to PTI, the student said that he told the locals that they hailed from Jammu and Kashmir, but the "anti-social elements" started beating them. Meanwhile, the other student returned and informed the residents that both were studying in a local college. After this, the locals allowed them to go, the officer informed. The victim ruled out a hate motive behind the attack and said it was their first year in Nagpur and they did not know the area, where the incident took place, reported PTI. Later, one of the pupils informed about the incident to Jammu and Kashmir Students Association office-bearer Nasir Khuehami, who posted about it on his X account and urged Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis to intervene in the matter. "The student from Doda area of J&K was brutally thrashed without any rhyme & reason by fringe elements," he said. "Some of the assailants knocked him down and started punching him on the face and stomach, and hitting him on his knees. He was slapped eight-nine times on the face, neck, back, and arms," the student leader wrote and requested CM Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, to intervene in the matter and take strict action against the culprits. Khuehami said after the incident was brought to the notice of the Maharashtra CM’s office, he got a call from Inspector-General of Police (Law & Order) Manoj Kumar Sharma, who took details about the incident from him and also the phone number of the victim. He said that the IGP assured him that strict legal action will be taken against the culprits. (With PTI inputs)
29 April,2025 05:41 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentIndia and France on Monday inked an intergovernmental agreement to procure 26 naval variants of Rafale fighter jets at a cost of Rs 63,000 crore for the Indian Navy. The pact was sealed at a virtual event. India is procuring the jets from French defence major Dassault Aviation for deployment on board aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was present at the signing ceremony. The sealing of the mega deal came three weeks after the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi cleared the procurement. Under the terms of reference, the delivery of the jets will have to start around five years after signing of the contract. In July 2023, the defence ministry accorded the initial approval for the mega acquisition following a series of deliberations and evaluation tests of the platform. The government-to-government contract includes 22 single-seater and four twin-seater Rafale (Marine) jets, customised for Indian requirements and carrier integration. Under the deal, the Indian Navy will also get associated ancillary equipment, including weapon systems and spares from Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of Rafale (Marine) jets. The contract also encompasses a comprehensive package for maintenance, logistics, training, and indigenous component manufacturing. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
29 April,2025 05:30 PM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesThe officials in Hingoli district of Maharashtra have asked the management of wedding halls to verify birth or school transfer certificates of would-be brides and grooms to curb child marriages in the district, the PTI reported. A release issued by district collector Rahul Gupta highlighted occasional anomalies in the Aadhaar cards submitted before marriage and original birth certificates. "Considering such instances, the wedding hall offices should ask for either the birth certificate or the school transfer certificate during the booking process of the marriage ceremony," the release says, according to the PTI. In the past, several districts in the state has witnessed cases of child marriages. In February this year, the authorities had foiled a family's attempt to marry off a 16-year-old girl in Maharashtra's Thane district, the officials had earlier said, PTI had reported. The Pune's child welfare department office had received an anonymous call, following which authorities in Thane stopped the marriage ceremony in the Ulhasnagar area on February 26. The minor girl was about to get married to a 24-year-old man residing in Solapur. According to a previous PTI report, after being alerted, the child welfare committee officials in Thane immediately rushed to the venue where family members from both sides and guests had assembled for the wedding ceremony, Thane district child welfare officer Ramkrishna Reddy had earlier said. After halting the ceremony, the officials held a meeting with the parents of the girl and the man. During questioning, they revealed that the girl's father was seriously ill and hence, the family wanted to get her married at the earliest, the official said. A case has been registered against the groom, both their parents, the priest who was conducting the ceremony and others under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, he said. In an another incident in September last year, the Thane city police had registered an FIR against 11 persons, including a 31-year-old woman from Pune, over the illegal marriage of her minor daughter. The 13-year-old girl was married to a man from Mumbra in Thane district on August 8 despite objections from the teenager's father, the Thane city police official had earlier said. The girl's father first approached the Child Welfare Officer and the FIR was registered on September 25 on his directions. The 11 individuals, including the man who married the minor and his relatives, were booked under the Prevention of Child Marriage Act, the Thane city police official had said. (with PTI inputs)
29 April,2025 04:40 PM IST | Hingoli (Maharashtra) | mid-day online correspondentAkshaya Tritiya, also fondly called Akha Teej, is one of those days in the year when everything feels just right to start something new. In 2025, this special day will be observed on Wednesday, 30th April. It falls on the third day (Tritiya) of the bright fortnight of the Vaishakha month, according to the Hindu lunar calendar. What makes Akshaya Tritiya so special? The word Akshaya comes from Sanskrit, means something that never ends, something that keeps growing, be it happiness, peace, or wealth. That’s why people consider this day incredibly lucky for doing any kind of good deed, like donating to a cause, starting a new business, or even buying gold. Over the years, Akshaya Tritiya has become deeply connected with gold purchases. It’s believed that buying gold on this day invites long-lasting prosperity into the home. Many families, young couples, and even first-time investors make it a point to buy at least a small coin or ornament to mark the occasion. The golden hour: When to buy gold this Akshaya Tritiya If you're thinking of buying gold, here are the most favourable times to do so: Tuesday, 29th April 2025Tritiya Tithi starts at 5:31 pmYou can begin your gold shopping from 5:31 pm onwards Evening muhurat (Labha): 8:17 pm to 9:37 pmLate night muhurats (Shubha, Amrita, Chara): 10:58 pm to 3:01 am (30th April) Wednesday, 30th April 2025Puja muhurat: 5:42 am to 12:19 pmTritiya Tithi ends at 2:12 pmBest morning hours (Labha, Amrita): 5:42 am to 9:01 amAnother good window (Shubha): 10:40 am to 12:19 pm According to Drik Panchang, these timings are considered especially favourable for purchasing gold, whether as jewellery, coins, or even digital investments. Why this day matters Akshaya Tritiya carries rich cultural and mythological roots. It is believed to mark the start of Treta Yuga, the era in which Lord Rama was born. The day is also linked to the birth of Lord Parashurama, the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu. In some legends, this is the day Ved Vyasa began narrating the Mahabharata to Lord Ganesh, and also the day Sudama visited Krishna, resulting in divine blessings. The festival also enjoys a unique status in Vedic astrology. It is considered a Sarva Siddhi Muhurat, meaning it’s free from any planetary doshas or inauspicious timings. Unlike most Hindu rituals, no separate muhurat is required to commence something new on Akshaya Tritiya. The evolving gold tradition From traditional gold bangles passed down generations to sleek digital gold investments, the manner in which people participate in Akshaya Tritiya is changing, but the emotion remains the same. Gold continues to be a powerful symbol of growth, security, and generational wealth, making it the gift of choice for the day. In cities across India, jewellers prepare months in advance for the influx of customers. Families plan big-ticket purchases, whether it's gold for a wedding, coins to mark a birth, or simply an addition to their savings. So, whether you're buying your first gold coin, setting up your dream business, or simply offering prayers for your loved ones, Akshaya Tritiya is a lovely reminder that good beginnings matter and that some traditions, old or new, are worth keeping.
29 April,2025 03:51 PM IST | Mumbai | Anisha ShrivastavaThe National Archives of India (NAI) has officially acquired the personal and official documents of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, India’s 11th President and one of its most revered scientists. The collection includes his passport, Aadhaar card, PAN card, tour reports, original correspondences, photographs, and lectures delivered across institutions, reported news agency PTI. Often hailed as the “Missile Man of India” for his pivotal role in India’s missile development and the Pokhran-II nuclear tests, Dr. Kalam’s legacy is now further preserved for generations of researchers and citizens. According to NAI officials, the acquisition took place on Monday and includes an extensive compilation of material reflecting Kalam’s professional and personal life, reported PTI. The National Archives of India, operating under the Ministry of Culture, serves as the custodian of non-current records of the Government of India. Under the Public Records Act, 1993, it also preserves documents and personal papers of individuals who have made historic contributions to the nation, reported PTI. Born on October 15, 1931, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, Dr. Kalam rose from humble beginnings to become a pioneer in aerospace engineering and a key figure in India’s strategic defence initiatives. He served with distinction in ISRO and DRDO, and his leadership was instrumental in shaping India’s missile and nuclear capabilities. Apart from his scientific contributions, Dr. Kalam was a prolific author and passionate advocate for youth empowerment. His books such as Wings of Fire, Ignited Minds, and India 2020 continue to inspire millions. Widely loved for his humility and accessibility, he was fondly known as the “People’s President.” Post-presidency, Kalam remained dedicated to education, travelling across the country to mentor and motivate young minds. His personal motto of dreaming big and striving toward national progress left a profound impact on India’s youth. The invaluable documents were donated to the National Archives by his niece, APJM Nazema Maraikayar, and grand-nephew, APJMJ Sheik Saleem. In recognition of his lifetime of service, Dr. Kalam was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, reported PTI. Dr. Kalam passed away in July 2015, but his vision, values, and voice continue to echo in the hearts of a nation he served selflessly. (With inputs from PTI)
29 April,2025 03:08 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Maharashtra government on Tuesday announced a financial assistance of Rs 50 lakh for the families of the victims from the state who lost their lives in the recent Pahalgam terror attack, reported the ANI. The announcement was made during a state cabinet meeting, where Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid tributes to the victims of the attack. Apart from the financial aid, the state government will also focus on the education and employment needs of the families affected by the tragedy, according to the ANI. CM Fadnavis officially announced during the cabinet meeting that Pahalgam terrorist attack victim Santosh Jagdale's daughter will be given a government job. The decision follows after the government had previously mentioned offering a job to the victim's daughter. Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) Government also announced ex-gratia worth Rs 10 lakh each for the families of deceased victims and Rs 2 lakh for those who sustained serious injuries. "No amount of money can ever compensate for the loss of loved ones, but as a mark of support and solidarity, the J&K Government announces an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the deceased, Rs 2 lakh for those seriously injured, and Rs 1 lakh for those with minor injuries," the J-K Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said in a post on X." "All arrangements for the dignified transport of the victims back to their homes have been made. The injured are being provided the best medical care," the CMO added. The terror attack in Pahalgam in south Kashmir took place on April 22 at the popular Baisaran meadow, where terrorists targeted tourists, killing 26 people from across the country and leaving several others injured. Acting on the attack, the Indian government suspended the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, downgrading bilateral ties and shutting down Attari checkpost as it hit back at Islamabad over the brazen attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Sunday, during his monthly Mann Ki Baat address, said that victims of the Pahalgam terror attack will definitely get justice, asserting that terrorists and conspirators will be served the harshest punishment. (with ANI inputs)
29 April,2025 02:05 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
