The central government informed the Supreme Court on Friday that the Russian woman who has allegedly absconded with her four-year-old boy amid child custody dispute with her Indian husband has not left the country through legal channels but remains “untraceable”.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, who appeared for the Centre and Delhi police, stated that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has issued ‘look out notices’ and ‘hue and cry’ notices to all senior police officials across the country to trace the missing Russian woman.
While hearing submissions, a bench led by Justice Surya Kant flagged several issues and directed the authorities to immediately enquire with Railway officials and other means (non-aerial) of public transport to trace any movement of the missing lady and the child.
The bench also directed the Delhi police to check CCTV footage of all entry and exit points in Delhi NCR, in their ongoing probe to find the Russian woman and the child.
“They need to do something very quickly”, Justice Surya Kant stated, flagging concern over the circumstances in which the missing lady may be and the safety of the child.
After issuing directions, the Supreme Court posted the matter for Monday, July 21.
During the hearing, the ASG also informed the Supreme Court that the officials of the Russian embassy have been cooperating in the matter.
The ASG further submitted that the Indian authorities have received a WhatsApp communication from the Russian embassy regarding the missing woman’s July 5 visit to the embassy. The communication stated that she visited the embassy for an hour seeking legal help over complaints that she had against her Indian husband, the ASG said.
The apex court was also informed that the External Affairs Ministry has confirmed that the Russian woman is untraceable even for her family members in Russia.
Notably, the counsel appearing for the Indian husband submitted that the husband’s family and he have been facilitating the authorities with all the information they have to help trace the missing Russian national and the child.
The Supreme Court had on Thursday issued specific directions to the concerned Central Ministries and the Delhi Police to issue look-out notices to trace the Russian woman who has allegedly absconded with her child, who was born out of wedlock with her Indian husband.
The top court had also issued directions to the concerned Indian authorities to seek permission from the Russian Embassy to enter the residential premises of an official of the Russian Embassy who was allegedly seen helping the Russian woman in entering the embassy premises in Delhi through the back door with her heavy luggage.
As per the communication received from the Russian embassy by the Indian government through a WhatsApp text, the missing woman had visited the embassy on July 5 to make complaints against her Indian husband and to seek legal help.
As per the submissions made on behalf of the Centre, the Russian woman who remains missing along with the child had made a transaction from her official bank account last week after which her account balance was reduced from ₹250 to ₹169, hinting that it’s unlikely that she’s fled the country as that would require a higher spending.
She has been untraceable since and has not left the country officially, the ASG stated. However, on being asked by the top court about the woman trying to flee the country through extralegal means, the ASG responded that she may be travelling domestically on foot or through other means (non-aerial) of public transport.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
On Thursday, 17 July, the United Kingdom made the age of 16 the voting age in all UK elections within two years. It represents a fundamental change in democratic participation. However, this policy ignores evidence of artificial sleepiness about developmental readiness and external effects about the unique weaknesses of adolescents, which leads to the decision to potentially fail.
Neurological immaturity and cognitive limitations
According to modern neuroscience, the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for complex decision making, undergoes development till mid-20s. At the age of 16, adolescents increased sensitivity to emotional impulses and colleague pressure, preferred short-term rewards over long-term consequences, with cognitive functions. This biological reality directly challenges claims of readiness for electoral decisions with decades-long societal impacts. As noted by researchers, 16-year-olds lack the “cold cognition” required for informed political judgments, particularly under stress or external influence. The UK government’s polling reinforces this: Only 18% of 16–17-year-olds expressed definite intent to vote, suggesting limited engagement with democratic responsibility.
Deficits in civic knowledge and life experience
By lowering the voting age, the UK government is ignoring the alarming gaps in civic literacy. Only 20% of 8th graders, who are typically aged between 13 to 14, score “proficient” in civics assessments globally. 31% of them failed to understand the foundational concepts of polity, such as constitutional governance and the rule of law. By the age of 16, these deficits remain the same. A Study conducted in the UK reveals that students have minimal retention of political knowledge outside the class. Apart from that, teachers are also shaping the students’ views based on their ideological biases (mainly left in the UK). The majority of 16-year-olds remain financially dependent on their parents, and most of them study in school. As one critic noted, “Idealism turns to reality as you learn and observe”—a transition incomplete before 18.
Empirical evidence of failed engagement
Supporters of the government are citing the 2024 Scottish independence referendum as a success story. But they are ignoring the contradictory data of the 2021 Welsh parliamentary elections. After being allowed to vote, only 37% of eligible 16–17-year-olds registered to vote. Even in Scotland, initial turnout surges faded rapidly. This aligns with the broader youth voting trends. In the 2019 UK elections, while people over the age of 65 saw 74% voter participation, turnout for 18–24-year-olds was just 47%, which shows that the young population of the UK doesn’t even want to vote in the elections.
‘Half of them don’t even want the blooming vote!’
Labour says votes at 16 will restore trust in democracy, but polling shows many 16-17 year olds don’t want it, and only 18% would definitely vote.
In current times, social media trends are shaped by political views. Most teenagers on social media are under the influence of those trends, such as the “Free Palestine movement, Global warming and free migration movement”. Apart from that, institutions like Harvard and Oxford are also shaping their political views (mostly left-leaning). A University of Exeter study found that their votes often mirror household preferences rather than independent analysis. Digital platforms exacerbate this by algorithms pushing polarised content, and peers—not policy platforms—sway decisions. Unlike adults with diverse life experiences, adolescents lack frameworks to critically evaluate manipulative narratives.
Oxford University students are doing a protest under the influence of the Free Palestine Movement | Photo Credit: Sky News
Inconsistent legal and social standards
The voting-age reduction creates a contradictory rights landscape. Sixteen-year-olds may vote but cannot: • Legally marry without parental consent (England/Northern Ireland) • Serve in combat roles • Purchase alcohol, cigarettes, or lottery tickets • Stand as electoral candidates
This inconsistency dilutes the “age of majority” principle. As Conservative critics argue, it is incoherent to deem adolescents mature enough to shape national policy yet legally incompetent to enter binding contracts or consume alcohol responsibly. Such disparities undermine the social contract and invite future challenges to age-based rights boundaries.
Conclusion: Preserving electoral integrity
Lowering the voting age prioritises symbolic inclusivity over electoral credibility. Without parallel investments in civics education or evidence that 16-year-olds sustainably engage in this reform, risks cementing transient preferences into law and straining democratic legitimacy. As the Electoral Commission concluded in 2004, 18 remains the international standard because it balances neurological maturity, life experience, and legal autonomy. The UK should heed Wales’ lesson: expanding access without solving engagement failures merely widens the electorate’s least participatory demographic. Until adolescents demonstrate consistent civic competence, the vote must remain an adult responsibility.
The Reserve Bank of India is in the process of working out rules for banks and financial institutions for the disclosure and management of risks arising from climate change. The move is aimed at reducing carbon emissions by shifting high-emission investments to low-emission substitutes, to help achieve the country’s climate targets.
According to a report in Reuters, the central bank’s attempt is in line with the global efforts in shifting to low-carbon economies by assessing the amount of money being directed towards carbon-intensive activities as well as green investments. Similar disclosures have already been made compulsory in countries like the UK and Japan. However, the development comes against the backdrop of several global banks, including JP Morgan, Citibank, Morgan Stanley, and HSBC, whittling down their climate commitments after the re-election of Donald Trump as the US President.
Banks to include climate-change related risk in loan portfolios
Since 2022, the RBI has reportedly been working on the rules, which will require banks and financial institutions to make regular disclosures about climate-related risk in their loan portfolios, accompanied by mitigation strategies and targets. Initially, the disclosures are likely to be made voluntarily, effective from fiscal year 2027 and will eventually be made compulsory from the next fiscal year, i.e. 2028.
Under the central bank’s assessment rules for climate change, banks will also have to conduct periodic stress tests, based on the RBI’s soon-to-be-issued guidance note, to assess the impact of extreme weather or climate events such as floods, cyclones, and heat waves on borrowers and the economy. As per the draft rules, banks will also be required to calculate the total emissions of borrowers and disclose this information by asset classes and industries. These disclosures are expected to be included in the financial statements of the borrowers.
Climate change disclosures not expected to impact loan pricing in short term
A 52-page draft note of the RBI, accessed by Reuters, reportedly prescribes a methodology for predicting and analysing the impact of extreme climate events and transition risks on the ability of borrowers to repay loans. The transition risks include those arising from changes in consumer behaviour, policy, and technology as the world gradually shifts to a low-carbon economy. The climate change disclosures are not expected to impact loan pricing in the short term.
As per the report, the RBI earlier recognised climate change as a source of major financial concern. In 2024, the central bank released a draft standard disclosure framework to receive public feedback. Banks have started gearing up for the upcoming assessment rules. Several banks have reportedly started compiling data to meet the standards of the imminent disclosure rules. A few large banks have issued tenders to engage climate consultants to assist them with disclosures.
It is reported that the RBI’s decision to release climate disclosure rules is aligned with India’s aim of diverting the flow of resources to climate-friendly sectors, for which a draft framework was recently released. Ahead of the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) to be held in Brazil in November, India, which aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, is preparing to publish a fresh national emissions-reduction target.
The tickets for Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film ‘The Odyssey’ went on sale in Imax 70mm film at 25 or 26 locations over the July 12-19 weekend, ahead of the movie’s release in 2026, reported The Hollywood Reporter.
According to the outlet, 95 percent of seats were sold, according to exhibition sources, representing approximately 1.5 million USD in sales, despite a relatively small pool of seats.
The ticket sales also included the Thursday screenings of July 16, 2026. The film is a take on the classic Greek myth–starring Matt Damon as the eternal hero Odysseus–is being shot entirely on IMAX film cameras, a first for a commercial feature.
Taking to their X handle, IMAX announced the special ticket sales of Odyssey, exactly a year before the film’s release.
As the night and day unfolded, there were reports of tickets being resold on eBay and other sites for anywhere between 300 and 400 USD, compared to an average retail price of 25-28 USD, said one source, reported The Hollywood Reporter.
This marks the first time in history that tickets have gone on sale a year before a film’s opening.
The hype for the film is above the roofs as this marks the next project for Nolan after the massive success of ‘Oppenheimer’, which did huge business in IMAX theatres.
There are roughly 16 IMAX sites in the U.S. that are part of the offering as of now. The July 17-19 weekend and preview showings are already entirely sold out at AMC Lincoln Square 13 in New York City, the Universal Cinema AMC at CityWalk Hollywood, and the Regal Irvine Spectrum in Orange County, reported The Hollywood Reporter.
Elsewhere in California, 77mm seats are almost sold out at IMAX locations in San Francisco, Dublin, and Ontario.
According to the outlet, other sell-out IMAX cinemas are in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Buford, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Grand Rapids, Michigan; King of Prussia, Pennsylvania; and Dallas, Texas.
High-profile locations in Canada, where IMAX is headquartered, quickly sold out, including the Cineplex Cinemas Mississauga Square and the Cineplex Cinemas Vaughan, both in Toronto, reported The Hollywood Reporter.
Across the Atlantic, London’s famous BFI Imax is sold out, as is London’s Science Museum Imax auditorium.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the IMAX screens ponied up more than 190 million USD of Oppenheimer’s total global gross of 975.8 million USD.
‘The Odyssey’ has a net budget of 250 million USD, which will make it the most expensive film of Nolan’s career.
In addition to Damon, the film stars Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Jon Bernthal, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron and Mia Goth.
The classic story follows the king of Ithaca as he undertakes a long and perilous journey home to his wife Penelope following the Trojan War.
His challenges are many as he spends years encountering a succession of mythical beings, including the Cyclops Polyphemus, the Sirens, the enchantress Circe, and travels to the Underworld, reported the outlet.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
Rohan Saldanha, a 45-year-old ‘financier’, scammed several businessmen and industrialists in Mangaluru and duped them of 10s of Crores of money. His secrets were discovered by the Mangaluru Police after they conducted a raid at his luxurious home.
The process of his fraud was simple: First, he built trust by flaunting his wealth, then he proceeded with legal formalities, and finally vanished after collecting crores of rupees from his targets.
The police arrested him during the investigation, which left the officials shocked. Saldanha posed as a high-level financier and used his lavish bungalow in Jappinamogaru, Mangaluru, to lure investors into his trap. His targets were wealthy and ultra-rich entrepreneurs and individuals.
How did Rohan Saldanah set his bait
To kickstart his scam, Saldanha would invite clients to his luxurious home and office. After their visit and gaining their trust, he offered to arrange loans worth Rs 100 crore or more. To make the offer seem more authentic, he went a step further and introduced a fake lawyer, using the name of a well-known lawyer from the region. This led clients to believe in the legitimacy of the deal and even reached out to the lawyer for document verification and other legal formalities. He would then demand money from the clients for registration and stamp duty. This tactic alone brought him crores, and in some cases, he managed to extract up to Rs 10 crore from his ‘clients’. Once he received the money, he would disappear without a trace, leaving the victims devastated.
Police discovery
While searching his bungalow, the police uncovered more than just lavish interiors. His home had secret sections and hidden compartments, designed to be nearly undetectable, meant for sudden disappearances. Officers said that closets concealed these hidden areas, which allowed him to remain undetected whenever he needed. Investigators believe this setup helped him evade suspicious clients, unannounced visitors, and even law enforcement, allowing him to cut contact during critical moments.
In just a few months, the accused allegedly carried out fraudulent transactions amounting to Rs 40–50 crore. However, the total fraud committed over the years is believed to be significantly higher. So far, the police have filed three cases, two in Mangaluru and one in Chitradurga. Authorities suspect many more victims may be staying silent out of fear or shame. Acting on a complaint from one of the victims, Mangaluru Police arrested Rohan Saldanha and have since widened the investigation to uncover the full extent of his activities. They are also probing possible collaborators and urging other victims to come forward.
On the 18th of July 2025, the Delhi High Court quashed 16 FIRs filed against 70 Indian citizens accused of sheltering 190 foreign members of the Tablighi Jamaat. The foreign nationals came to Delhi to attend the congregation at Nizamuddin Markaz in 2020 during Covid outbreak.
The accused persons were booked under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Epidemic Diseases Act, the Disaster Management Act and the Foreigners Act. The Tablighi Jamaat congregation was an early epicentre of COVID-19 outbreak in the country, as members from various states had attended the event and returned to their places carrying the virus after they were infected at the event.
Hearing a batch of petitions moved by advocate Ashima Mandla, Justice Neena Bansal Krishna said, “Chargesheets quashed.” The verdict in this case was reserved in April this year, and the same was pronounced on 17th July.
The case, associated with the Tablighi Jamaat gathering, was under legal examination due to its alleged impact on public health and its adherence to regulatory guidelines during the pandemic.
Representing the 70 Indian nationals, advocate Ashima Mandla earlier placed on record a compilation of judgements passed by other courts in relation to the incident. Advocate Mandakini Singh also appeared on behalf of the Petitioners.
The accused named in the matter were identified as Mohammad Anwar, Mohd. Tayyab, Sadar Irfan, Muktara, Mohd. Tahir, Shamim, Akhtar, Taijumal Islam, Attar Rehman, Majid Miyan, Basheer Ali, Mohd. Bilal Sheikh, Niyauddin Parveen Khan, Noor Bano Nashreen, Shahin Bee, Rubina Rao, Hussain, Mohd, Aslam, Mohd. Umar, Shahroz Anwar, Noor Ahmed, among others.
In April this year, the bench of Justice Neena Bansal reserved the judgement in a batch matter of 16 FIRs involving 70 Indian nationals associated with Tablighi Jamaat who were chargesheeted under sections 188/269/270/120-B IPC for housing foreign nationals in different masjids during the Covid-19 outbreak between March 24, 2020 and March 30, 2020.
The 195 foreign nationals who were housed by these Indian nationals were also named in the FIR; however, in most chargesheets, they were not chargesheeted or cognisance refused by the Trial Court, on principles of double jeopardy, as the same set of foreign nationals were chargesheeted for the same set of offences and had entered plea bargaining for purposes of repatriation or were discharged in an FIR.
What the Delhi High Court said in its judgement
The defence contended that FIRs against the accused persons be quashed on the grounds that allegations levelled against Indian Nationals in the aforesaid FIRs are prima facie “embellishments and exaggerations” which stare in the face of the record and are an abuse of the process of criminal law.
The petitioners further argued against allegations made against them that they were allegedly housed at Masjid Ek Minar, Haveli Kallu Khawas, Chitli Qabar, Delhi, for some time and remained housed till intervention by the Police officials on 01.04.2020. It is asserted that the allegations levelled in the impugned FIRs are bereft of legality as there are no specific allegations or evidence qua Petitioners for hosting or participating in a social/cultural/religious gathering which was essentially barred under Section 144 Cr.P.C.
The petitioners also submitted that a total ban on movement, i.e. Janta Curfew, was imposed on 22.03.2020, while Section 144 was imposed on 24.03.202,0, and a complete nationwide Lockdown was directed w.e.f. 25.03.2020, rendering the Petitioners remediless who had no recourse but to continue staying inside the Masjid, until taken into Institutional quarantine. The Petitioners, therefore, cannot be charged under
Section 188 IPC for merely residing in a mosque, and the charges are liable to be quashed. They also disputed the offence under Section 188 IPC, saying that for taking cognisance of an offence under Section 188 IPC, a written complaint of the Public Servant whose order has been contravened is mandatory. The prosecution for the offence under Section 188 IPC cannot be initiated based on the Chargesheet filed by the Police.
In addition, the petitioners argued that slapping IPC section 269 against the accused was inappropriate as no offence under this Section has been made out against the Petitioners. They further claimed that the addition of this section has fuelled prejudice and stigmatisation of the accused persons.
The court discussed the maintainability of the petition for quashing of the FIRs against the accused persons. After detailing the grounds for deeming the plea maintainable, the court delved into the sustainability of section 188 IPC in the Absence of Complaint by competent authority.
While the petitioners contended that the entire investigations have been undertaken by the Police without there being any complaint and thus be set aside, the prosecution alleged violation of order under Section 144 Cr.P.C. dated 24.03.2020 promulgated by ACPs of Darya Ganj, Sarai Rohilla and Krishna Nagar.
Regarding this the court said, “the record shows that a Complaint by the competent public officer had been made to the Court along with the Chargesheet and the cognizance has been taken on the basis of that Complaint. It cannot be said that there was no compliance of Section 195 Cr.P.C. in the present cases.”
The court highlighted that as per section 188 IPC, the Notification of the public servant must be in the actual knowledge of the person required him to do or abstain from doing some act. Acquiring or gaining of such knowledge is a pre-requisite. Any proof of general Notification promulgated by a public servant, would not satisfy the requirement. The court pointed out that the promulgation of a notification needs to be carried out by the issuing authority, although the law does not prescribe any specific mode to make the order known publicly and openly.
In the present case, the court said that it is not the case of the respondents that the Janta Curfew order was served on the petitioners by whatever means or was affixed on the premises or was gazetted on the relevant date.
The single judge bench noted that the State’s assertion that the requisite knowledge must be attributed to the petitioners, because the order was published in some newspapers, TV channels and social websites, etc, does not meet the requirement of promulgation since there is no averment that the newspapers/handbills were received by the Petitioner.
“There is no averment whatsoever to show that any information was actually conveyed to the Petitioners,” the court noted, adding that had there been any evidence of the Notification being published in the public media, there may have been a presumption of knowledge to the persons residing in the house, but there is no evidence to this effect as well.
While the court’s remarks suggest that there is no evidence of the notification being published in the public media, the same was widely reported in the media at that time.
The question here arises as to how the authorities would have ensured that everyone was informed about the order imposing a total ban on movement. By personally visiting each and every person’s residence or visiting the Markaz in this case? At a time when Covid-related news and updates dominated local or national television news headlines, digital media and social media discourse, is it really unlikely that the most of the people including the accused persons who must have had access to their mobile phones, if not television or newspapers, remained unaware of the notification issued under Section 144 Cr.P.C?
The Delhi High Court further observed that there is no evidence to show that the Tablighi Jamaat congregation, which was planned way before the outbreak of Covid, was held after the promulgation of the notification under Section 144.
“Firstly and foremost, there is nothing on record to show that they had congregated after the promulgation of the Notification under Section 144 Cr.P.C. These Petitioners were already present in the Markaz and after the imposition of the complete lockdown, there was no way possible for them to have dispersed; rather their stepping out of the houses would have been violation of the complete lockdown and also of the potential of spreading of commutable disease of COVID-19,” the court said, adding the accused persons were “helpless people, who got confined on account of lockdown.”
The court also remarked that the chargesheet filed by the Delhi Police does not make any mention of any of the accused persons being found Covid-19 positive or having stepped out of the Markaz after 24th March 2020.
“There is not a whisper in the entire Chargesheet that any of these petitioners were found COVID-19 positive or that they had stepped out of the Markaz after 24.03.2020 or that they were likely to spread COVID-19. Also, there is not a single averment of them having not rendered any assistance to the surveillance personnel,” the court said.
All excerpts taken from relevant court order
Moreover, the court said that even if it is assumed that there was “due promulgation” of the notification under section 144, “no violation of any of the activities prohibited by the Notification has been made out in the entire chargesheet.”
“It is therefore, held that the cognizance for the offence under Section 188 IPC is bad as no prima facie case is made out and the Petitioners are entitled to be discharged under Section 188 IPC,” the court said.
Quashing the charges under IPC sections 269 and 270, the court observed that the prosecution did not produce any material evidence to prove that the accused had indulged in any act which contributed to the spread of Covid. “No material was produced in the chargesheet and no evidence was placed on record to substantiate the fulfilment of ingredients of Sections 269 and 270 IPC… Even if all the evidence as put forth in the chargesheet is admitted, no offence under Sections 269 and 270 IPC has even prima facie been made out…,” the court ruled.
Charges under Section 3 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, and Section 51 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, were also quashed since “… there is no averment of any government official being obstructed or there being any refusal to comply with any directions issued by the government. No offence under Section 51 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, has therefore, been made out… There is no averment about which order taken out under the Disaster Management Act has been violated. It is not shown that there was any criminal act, whether under the Disaster Management Act or the Epidemic Diseases Act, committed by the petitioners. The FIRs under these two sections are also liable to be quashed.”
In conclusion, the court order dated 17th July 2025, stated: “In the light of the aforesaid discussion, it is held that no offence under Sections 188/269/270/271 of IPC and Section 3 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, Section 51 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 is even prima facie made out in the Chargesheets.”
What the Delhi Police’s chargesheet had stated
The Delhi Police Crime Branch registered an FIR under various sections of the IPC, the Epidemic Diseases Act, the Disaster Management Act, and against Indian and foreign nationals in connection with alleged violations during the COVID-19 outbreak
A series of chargesheets were filed, with many foreign nationals entering plea bargains. Additionally, 28 FIRs were registered across Delhi against 193 individuals, leading to quashing petitions before the Delhi High Court. Questions arose regarding the legal validity of charges against petitioners, particularly under sections of the IPC that require specific procedural conditions. Courts across India have previously quashed similar cases, citing ‘procedural lapses’ and ‘insufficient evidence’.
It must be recalled that in the last week of March 2020, hundreds of Tablighi Jamaat attendees were found living inside the markaz, many of whom were in violation of their visa rules. Many of the attendees were reportedly found to be COVID-19 positive, and despite showing symptoms, had continued to stay there or move to the interiors of the country without getting themselves tested. Subsequently, many were moved to quarantine centres to ensure treatment and arrest the spread of the virus. However, even then, many Tablighi Jamaat attendees had attacked healthcare workers and even created ruckus at quarantine centres.
The Delhi Police’s chargesheet filed against the Tablighi Jamaat mentions that the Malaysian and Indonesian nationals who attended the gathering were carriers of the deadly virus and which led initial wave of coronavirus in India. The charge sheet talks about similar gatherings in Malaysia, which ended up being a super-spreader event. It also talked about a cancelled event in Indonesia where Covid-19 cases were reported before the outbreak in Delhi. Markaz Nizamuddin became the Covid hotspot and allegedly played a vital role in spreading it across the country.
Police mentioned in the chargesheet that the gathering in Malaysia between 27th and 1st March 2020, resulted in 500 COVID-19 cases in that country. An event scheduled for 18th March in Indonesia was cancelled because of the authorities’ concerns. By that time, 25 people were already dead, and 309 were infected in that country. The chargesheet said that people from Malaysia, Indonesia, and other countries came to India to participate in the Markaz gathering in Nizamuddin. As per the police, they acted as carriers of the virus.
In the chargesheet, it was said that the CDMO/Southeast district contacted Markaz authorities on 19th March and asked to maintain social distancing and ensure home quarantine after an Indonesian man tested positive in Telangana. He had a history of travelling to Delhi for the Markaz gathering. Delhi Police contacted a Markaz official named Haji Yunus and asked him that there should not be more than 20 Jamaatis in Nizamuddin at any given time.
On 21st March 2020, Delhi Police called Mufti Shahzad and asked him to immediately ensure that foreign nationals leave for their respective states or countries. When the lockdown was announced on 24th March, Delhi Police issued prohibitory orders, but no official from Benglewali Masjid Markaz took any precautionary steps. On 25th March, a medical team was sent for the first time as there were reports that no one was following social distancing orders, and a Jamaati from Bangladesh started to show symptoms of COVID-19. On inspection, the police found that there were 526 foreign nationals and 1,183 Indians at the Markaz.
It must be recalled that in back in April 2020, in Haryana’s Palwal, three Bangladeshi men who attended the Tabilghi Jamaat event in Delhi’s Nizamuddin had tested positive. These Bangladeshi nationals, along with several other,s stayed in various mosques in villages of the Palwal area after attending the Delhi event of Tablighi Jamaat.
On 28th March 2020, the SHO of Hazrat Nizamuddin sent a written complaint to DCP Crime Branch and informed them about the alleged violation by the head of Markaz Maulana Saad and management. Lawyer for Tabhligi Jamaat, advocate Mujeez Rehman said, What good is an advisory by the administration at that time, asking to ensure social distancing? Tablighi members were self-isolated in Nizamuddin. Authorities should have shut down airports, screened passengers, and undertaken contact tracing.”
Once police started to track Jamaatis across countries, they found clusters of Covid positive cases across the country who came in contact with these Markaz members. The information provided by Markaz was incomplete or unverified in many cases, and it became hard for the administration to track jamaatis on time. They even tried to project that it is a conspiracy of the Indian government to defame Jamaatis.
It must be recalled that back in April 2020, the Deputy Commissioner of South Andaman District ordered to register FIR against two people Farzan Ali and S Rehman. who tested positive for COVID-19 for giving misleading information as authorities tried tracing their contacts. The duo, who had attended the controversial Islamic event in Delhi, have been giving wrong information about the places they visited during the home quarantine period apart from violating the terms and conditions of home quarantine
The Central government had told the Supreme Court in an earlier statement that the Markaz management deliberately disregarded police instructions to send back its members.
However, in the present case, the Delhi High Court not only quashed all the charges against the accused persons but court observations also present the accused as some sort of victims who have been needlessly villainised.
A government school teacher named Shakeel Mohammad reportedly set fire to images of Hindu deities and Bharat Mata, in the Ujjain district of Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, he attempted to burn the national flag. He is also accused of forcing Quran and Namaz upon the students.
The matter pertains to a secondary school in the village of Nagpura, located in Mahidpur. A student of the institution informed his uncle, Rohit Rathore, about the Muslim man’s outrageous actions.
According to the students, on 11th July, he destroyed the images of Lord Ganesha, Goddess Saraswati and Bharat Mata in front of the students and set them ablaze. According to media reports, Rohit Rathore came to the school following a complaint on 16th July.
He talked to other students who witnessed the incident and confirmed that the same was true. The families of other pupils then came together and captured visuals of the destroyed pictures after which the recordings were handed over to the authorities.
Afterward, Rohit Rathore launched a complaint against the accused. He informed that his nephew, Anurag Rathore is a student in the sixth grade at Madhyamik Vidyalaya Nagpur. He disclosed Shakeel Mohammad had burnt photographs of Hindu gods and Bharat Mata before the students and threatened to kill them if they revealed the occurrence to anyone.
Furthermore, the perpetrator exerted pressure on students to perform Namaz and read Quran during class and declared that he will instruct them how to do it. He also used offensive language towards the parents of the students. He reportedly behaved in a similar manner when he taught at the school in the Lasudiya Mansoor area previously. He has been known to repeat such actions while serving at other schools as well.
Shakeel Mohammad has been arrested and a case has been booked under section 298, 351(3) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against him. The police presented him in Mahidpur court and sent him to jail. District Education Officer Anand Sharma has also suspended him from his position.
Hindu organistaions also protested after the matter came to light. The workers of Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal surrounded the police station and demonstrated against him. They submitted a memorandum to the police station in-charge and demanded strict action.
The execution of Kerala Nurse Nimisha Priya was postponed by Yemeni authorities, informed the sources of Indian authorities on Tuesday, July 15. She narrowly escaped execution, which was originally scheduled for July 16. She has been sentenced to death for allegedly murdering her Yemeni business partner, Talal Abdol Mehdi.
While the Indian government has made immense efforts to fight with this sensitive case, some media outlets and opposition leaders have claimed the intervention of the “Grand Mufti from Kerala” behind the postponement of the execution. It was claimed in multiple media reports that Grand Mufti Sheikh Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar held talks with religious authorities in Yemen and ensured that the execution was postponed.
A statement issued by Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar said that Grand Mufti Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad was approached by Puthuppally MLA Chandy Oommen to intervene in the matter, after which he contacted globally renowned Sufi scholar Habib Umar bin Hafeez. As per the statement, Habib’s office then contacted the North Yemeni authorities and the victim’s family, after which the decision was taken to postpone the execution.
However, now the Indian government has denied any such intervention by the cleric, saying that the postponement is the result of diplomatic efforts of the govt.
The Indian government’s refusal of any information on intervention
During a press briefing on Thursday, July 17, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, addressed the current scenario regarding the Nimisha Priya case. He stated that this is a very sensitive matter, and the Government of India has been offering all possible assistance in the case. Asserting to this, he continued by saying that a lawyer has been appointed to assist the family in every possible way by providing legal support.
VIDEO | Delhi: Responding to a question on the case of Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia), while addressing a press briefing, said:
"This is a sensitive matter. The Government of India has been providing all possible assistance. We have… pic.twitter.com/bK0R8V8dAk
Jaiswal assured that regular consular visits are being carried out by her family, and the government is in touch with local authorities as well as the family to resolve the issue. “This included concerted efforts in the recent few days to seek more time for the family of Miss Nimisha Priya to reach a mutually agreeable solution with the other party. The local authorities in Yemen have postponed carrying out her sentence that was scheduled for July 16, which you’re well aware of,” he said.
Jaiswal informed the media that the MEA continues to closely follow the matter and provide all possible assistance in the case. “We are also in touch with some friendly governments in this regard,” he added, indicating India’s continuous effort to seek help from other Islamic countries in the Gulf to solve the case.
When questioned about the MEA’s reaction to the report of a cleric from Kerala named Shri Kanthapuram AP Abubakr Musaliar, who is said to have played a big role in the matter, he simply responded, “I have no information to share on this account.” His statement reflects the rejection of false claims made by the media regarding the intervention of the “Grand Mufti from Kerala” in halting Nimisha Priya’s execution in Yemen.
Congress and other media’s claims
Over the past few days, it has been widely covered by some media outlets regarding the role of the “Grand Mufti of India” in postponing the execution of Priya. According to PTI, the turning point behind this could be the intervention of Sunni Muslim leader Musliyar, also known as the “Grand Mufti of India.” Kanthapuram was reportedly part of the last-minute efforts to halt the execution of Priya. The Sunni Muslim leader had earlier held talks with religious authorities in Yemen.
Headline in HT
According to ANI, Kanthapuram stated, “Islam has another law. If the murderer is sentenced to death, the family of the victim has the right to pardon. I don’t know who this family is, but from a long distance, I contacted the responsible scholars in Yemen. They would do what they could. They have officially informed us and sent a document stating that the date of execution has been postponed, which will help facilitate the ongoing discussions.” In fact, the Kerala media also claimed that Kanthapuram is a key figure who is representing and currently in touch with the family of the victim.
In a press statement on Tuesday, July 15, Abubakr announced that the scheduled execution had been officially postponed following his humanitarian intervention. It was claimed that the initiative began after he was approached by Congress MLA Chandy Oommen to help in the Nimisha Priya execution case. The statement highlights that it was due to a deep sense of national responsibility and humanitarian concern that he decided to act upon this request.
Mint report mentions Congress leader’s role in contacting the Mufti
Reading the media headlines, one would think that it was the Mufti from Kerala who halted the execution in Yemen.
Who is Kanthapuram A.P. Abubakr Musliyar?
Abubakr, officially known as Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, is a prominent Muslim cleric and a key figure in the community. He was elected the “Grand Mufti of India” in February 2019 by the All India Tanzeem Ulama-e-Islam, a national body of Sunni clerics. Musliyar was born in Kanthapuram, Kozhikode, Kerala, and has gained national prominence through his long-standing leadership in Islamic education, social welfare, and public discourse.
He holds the baton of the “Grand Mufti of India” and has become one of the few scholars from South India to hold the post. In the case of Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, who was accused of murdering her Yemeni business partner, Talal Abdol Mehdi, in July 2017, Musliyar claimed to have played a crucial role by intervening in the matter to help settle the issue.
As trade negotiations between India and the United States enter their final phase, an unusual term, “non-veg milk,” has emerged as the deal-breaker. India has firmly declared its refusal to allow US dairy imports calling it a “non-negotiable red line“. This comes amid US President Donald Trump’s 1st August deadline to reach a deal with countries or face steep tariffs.
What is “non-veg milk”?
“Non-veg milk” refers to milk and dairy products derived from cows fed animal-based products. According to reports by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer in 2004, in the US, “Cows are allowed to eat feed that can include parts of pigs, fish, chicken, horses, even cats or dogs… And cattle can continue to consume pig and horse blood for protein, as well as tallow, a hard fat from rendered cattle parts, as a fattening source”.
Even though cows are herbivorous animals, US regulations allow cows raised for dairy and meat to be fed meat, fat and blood of other animals. This has made US dairy product imports a big no for India. Because in India, cattle are raised on plant-based diets, and they are never fed animal derived feed.
Why India Says “No”: The religious and cultural imperativeto
According to the 2023 World Atlas report, 38% Indians are vegetarians. Milk and Ghee are considered sacred here and are used in daily rituals and offerings by Hindus and Jains. Milk products used in these rituals must be satvik (pure). Products derived from cows fed animal parts are considered ritually impure and unacceptable.
“Imagine eating butter made from the milk of a cow that was fed meat and blood from another cow. India may never allow that,” Ajay Srivastava of Global Trade Research Institute (GTRI), a New Delhi-based think tank, told PTI.
India’s Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying mandates veterinary certification for food imports. A condition to issue these certificates states: “The source animals have never been fed with feeds produced from meat or bone meal, including internal organs, blood meal and tissues of ruminant origin and porcine origin materials except milk and milk products.”
India Vs US Dairy Deadlock – India Says No 'Non-Veg' Milk
The economic “red line”: Protecting millions of livelihoods
Beyond culture, India’s refusal is also meant to protect the backbone of its rural economy. India is the world’s largest milk producer. In 2023-24, India produced 239 million metric tons of milk, contributing Rs 7.5-9 lakh crore, which is 2.5-3% of the national GDP. The dairy sector directly supports over 80 million people, predominantly small and marginal farmers with just 2-3 cows or buffaloes.
Allowing subsidised US dairy imports ($8.22 billion global exports in 2024) would flood the Indian market with cheaper products. A State Bank of India (SBI) analysis predicts this could crash domestic milk prices by at least 15%, causing annual losses of ₹1.03 lakh crore to farmers.
Mahesh Sakunde, a Maharashtra farmer, voiced widespread anxiety: “The government needs to make sure we’re not hit by cheap imports… If that happens, the whole industry will suffer, and so will farmers like us”.
Stalemate at the negotiating table
With President Trump’s deadline looming on 1st August, after which higher US tariffs on Indian goods could be imposed, the dairy deadlock threatens to derail the broader goal of boosting bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. Indian negotiators remain unmoved. A senior government source emphatically stated, “There is no question of conceding on dairy. That’s a red line”.
The US also raised the matter at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). According to the Times of India, the US hinted that India’s updated dairy certification, implemented in November 2024, does not address such concerns.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has declared the ancient menhirs located at Lungphun Ropui in Lianpui village of Mizoram as the ‘monuments of national importance’. The site will now be protected and maintained by the central government.
The official announcement was made on 14th July, after a two-month public notification period, which was issued by the central government on 9th February. The notification period is a requirement under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, for inviting objections before bringing a site under national protection. The lengthy process of recognition commenced in 2021 with a preliminary notification in the Gazette of India. On 7th July, the ASI Director (Monuments) visited the site in the village before the final notification was issued.
Image via ANI
Lianpui is a tiny hilly village located around 54 km southeast of Champai town. It was founded by and named after Lusei chief Lianpuia in the 18th century. The village was initially established at Mualbawk before being relocated to its current site. The Lianpui menhirs are the second site in Mizoram to be declared as a monument of national importance by the ASI after the Kawtchhuah Ropui in Vangchhia village. The menhirs, or the ancient upright stones with carvings of pre-Christian Mizo iconography, hold great cultural and historical significance. The uniquely carved stones offer a glance into the life, rituals, customs, and beliefs of the early Mizo people.
“The stones feature carvings of human figures, birds, animals, mithun heads, gongs, and lizards, offering insights into the cultural practices of the Mizo people before the advent of Christianity. These menhirs are arranged into eight alignments—four running north-south and four east-west—suggesting a deliberate and possibly ceremonial layout,” said Vanlalhuma, an archaeologist with Mizoram’s department of art and culture.
The site will now be developed by adding fences, walkways, restrooms, and drinking water facilities to promote tourism in the area.
What are Menhirs?
Menhirs are upright standing large stones found individually or in clusters. They generally bear unique, intricate carvings relating to the communities that created them. Menhirs usually have uneven shapes, often four-sided and are often found placed in circles, semi-circles, ellipses or parallel rows. They are found across continents, including Europe, Asia and Africa, but exist in large numbers in Western Europe. Menhirs are found in various states across India, including Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
Some of the famous menhir sites in the world are Stonehenge and Avebury (UK), Mên-an-Tol (Cornwall, UK), Almendres Cromlech (Portugal), Drenthe (Netherlands) and Carnac Stones (France).
