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Only criteria for appointment of judges in Collegium system are casteism and nepotism: Allahabad HC judge writes to PM Modi

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Only criteria for appointment of judges in Collegium system are casteism and nepotism: Allahabad HC judge writes to PM Modi

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Justice Rang Nath Pandey of Allahabad High Court’s Lucknow Bench has made some shocking allegations regarding the Collegium system for appointment of judges, as reported by Bar and Bench. Referring to his personal experience of 34 years in the judiciary, Justice Pandey alleged that the only criteria for the appointment of judges in the Collegium system are casteism and nepotism.

Justice Pandey says that he was writing the letter with a heavy heart but being a judge he felt that it was his duty to highlight the anomalies in the High Courts and the Supreme Court.

In his letter dated July 1, Justice Pandey said that the Indian Constitution declares India to be a democratic country but unfortunately the judiciary (High Courts and the Supreme Court) suffers from casteism and nepotism. He alleged that merely being a member of the family of a judge ensures one’s appointment as the next judge.

He compared the process of appointment of judges under the Collegium system with the appointment procedures in the legislature, the executive and the lower judiciary. He said that a political worker is evaluated by people during elections on the  basis of his work and similarly, and an administrative officer is appointed after he clears certain exams and even in lower judiciary judges are appointed after they pass certain exams but there is no clear criterion for the appointment of judges in the High Courts and the Supreme Court. The only prevalent yardstick is that of nepotism and casteism.

Justice Pandey even raised questions over the competency of judges and said that in some cases judges lack the basic knowledge of the law. He alleged that appointments under the Collegium system are made on the basis of favouritism. Consequently, how the judicial functions would be performed after incompetent judges are appointed is in itself a question worth contemplating, he wrote.

Justice Pandey further revealed that the decision regarding the appointment of judges is made in tea parties behind closed doors by the seniormost judges on the basis of favouritism. He alleged the utmost secrecy is maintained about the names of the judges to be appointed and the criteria of appointment. This secrecy around the procedure of appointment falsifies the principle of transparency. He alleged that the National Judicial Appointment Commission (NJAC) introduced by the last Modi government was struck down by the Supreme Court by declaring it as unconstitutional because the judges saw the Commission as an obstacle in the appointment of their family members as judges.

Remembering his humble beginnings and his hard work and determination, Justice Pandey concluded his letter by urging the Prime Minister to take strict and fair action to restore the dignity of the judiciary so that even a person with ordinary background could be appointed to the highest office of Chief Justice of India.

Immediately after coming to power for the first time, the Modi government had passed the 99th Amendment of the Constitution and National Judicial Appointments Commission bill in the parliament in August 2014, to set up the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC). This was a proposed body which would have been responsible for the appointment and transfer of judges to the higher judiciary in India. But in October 2015 the bill was struck down by the Supreme Court of India declaring it unconstitutional.

In the month of May this year during the launch of his book, Justice Kurian Joseph had expressed regret for striking down the NJAC declaring it as violative of the Constitution.

Supreme Court seeks response of the Centre and the EC on a petition seeking ban on announcement cash transfer schemes before elections

OpIndia Staff
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Supreme Court seeks response of the Centre and the EC on a petition seeking ban on announcement cash transfer schemes before elections

The Supreme Court today issued notices to the Central government and the Election Commission of India (ECI) seeking their response on a petition requesting a ban on the announcement of cash transfer schemes by governments before or during the elections. The bench comprising CJI Ranjan Gogoi, Justice Deepak Gupta and Justice Aniruddha Bose also issued notices to five state governments after hearing the petition.

The petitioner, Dr. Pentapati Pulla Rao who contested from Elluru Lok Sabha seat in Andhra Pradesh on Janasena party ticket, contended that such schemes provide an unfair advantage to the ruling party. Schemes like Central government’s PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme among others announced by governments of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, West Bengal, etc. were referred to in the petition.

The petition also sought direction to the ECI to fix a minimum time before the election schedule, preferably six months, for political parties in power to implement such schemes. According to the petitioner, such cash transfer schemes announced ahead of polls circumvent the Model Code Conduct and fall under the definition of corrupt practices under the Representation of People Act, 1951.

The petition referred to Supreme Court decision in S Subramanium Balaji v State of Tamil Nadu wherein the court had directed the EC to frame guidelines to regulate freebies by governments close to elections to ensure a level playing field. It also referred to the ECI v Rajaji Mathew Thomas case wherein the Supreme Court observed that “no action should be taken by a party in power in close proximity to the date on which the elections are announced so as to derive any benefit therefrom during the elections or to disturb the level playing field for all political parties involved in the electoral process.”

We had reported earlier today that Election Commission said it will consider the state assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir later this year. The schedule for the same will be announced after the Amarnath Yatra is concluded.

Wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt demands strict action against miscreants who attacked temple in Delhi, says India is a Hindu Rashtra

OpIndia Staff
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Wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt demands strict action against miscreants who attacked temple in Delhi, says India is a Hindu Rashtra

Wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt today came out to voice his concern about the recent attack on a 100-year old temple in Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi. He tweeted in support demanding strict action against miscreants who desecrated the temple. He asserted that India is a Hindu Rashtra and attack on our religion is unacceptable. The incident is under investigation and police has filed FIRs in this case.


Yogeshwar Dutt said that if it was an attack on some dargah than the Tukde Tukde Gang and Award Wapasi would have come out from their hideouts, pointing out the hypocrisy of left-liberals who amplify routine crime against Muslims as communal violence by Hindus but brush aside real communal attack on Hindus.

Dutt, a freestyle wrestler, has won Olympic bronze medal during 2012 London Olympics. He was awarded Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award, by the Government of India in 2013.


Earlier today, he tweeted, “For two days no one has said anything, look what a frightened Muslim is doing. Our country is a Hindu nation and we will not tolerate the attack on our religion. I appeal to the administration to hand over strict punishment to the guilty.”

An unruly mob of 300-400 people vandalized the Durga Mata Mandir in Lal Kuan in Chandni Chowk area on the night of June 30, 2019. Locals of the area posted videos of the temple on social media, which was attacked by people belonging to the Muslim community around midnight. During the same night, the mob also targetted houses belonging to Hindus of the neighbourhood.

Dr Harshvardhan, Union Minister and Chandni Chowk MP visited the site where Durga temple was desecrated and took stock of the situation. He also directed the Delhi police to take stern actions against the miscreants involved in the desecration of the temple.


While the social media is abuzz with information about the case, Congress leader and Delhi municipal councillor Yasmin Kidwai chose to conveniently ignore it and brush it under the carpet by suggesting “there was no attack on the temple.”

Uttar Pradesh: Muslim man gives Triple Talaq to his wife for being fat

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Muslim man gives Triple Talaq to his wife for being fat

A woman from Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh has alleged that her husband has divorced through the Islamic practice of Triple Talaq because of her obesity. She claims that her husband accused her of being fat and not good enough for him before giving her Triple Talaq.

The woman, Shahin, has registered a complaint with the Police over the matter. She has further claimed that her in-laws threw her out of the house. According to her, whenever she visits her in-laws with her child, they physically assault her and turn her out of the house.

She also claims that her husband is in a relationship with another woman who is apparently slender. Shahin met the SP on Monday and narrated the entire series of events. The Police has reportedly registered an FIR in the matter. Further investigation is underway.

Similar events have occurred in the past as well. In Madhya Pradesh last year, Arif Hussain Dewan was arrested for giving triple talaq to his wife claiming she is obese. He reportedly tortured his wife for being obese. The wife had to flee to her brother’s residence, unable to bear the mental and physical abuse she was allegedly subjected to.

Efforts to ban the oppressive practice of Triple Talaq through law has been one of the primary agendas of the NDA government. The Triple Talaq Bill was recently tabled in the Lok Sabha, however, it faced stiff opposition from the Opposition. During its first term as well, the NDA succeeded in passing the Bill in the Lok Sabha. However, it failed to pass in the Upper House of the Parliament.

MHA reveals Madrasas are being used to radicalise and recruit terrorists in West Bengal

OpIndia Staff
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MHA reveals Madrasas are being used to radicalise and recruit terrorists in West Bengal

In a shocking revelation, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has confirmed the inputs on terror outfit Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) using Madrasas in Burdwan and Murshidabad in West Bengal for radicalization and recruitment activities.


According to reports, JMB has set up terror factories in the border areas of Bangladesh and West Bengal. The reports also refer to the possibility of the presence and support of Pakistan based terror outfit, Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists in these camps.

The terrorists have not only been using these areas as hideouts but have also carried out recruitments for the bordering areas. These recruitments are done through madrasas and mosques. Their networks are especially active in Murshidabad, Malda, and Nadia districts of West Bengal and parts of Muslim-majority districts in Assam.

The central government has already declared JMB as a terrorist organisation on May 23. After the Burdwan blast, that took place in a house in Burdwan district, on October 2, 2014, a probe into the incident had branded West Bengal as a breeding ground of terror logistics.

A person, identified as Sakil Gazi, had died in the incident. An investigation into the incidence was conducted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which said that the blast had JMB’s involvement. The members of the JMB were essentially wanting to establish Sharia rule by overthrowing the democratically elected government in Bangladesh.

Investigations by the Central agencies had then revealed that illegal madrasas had mushroomed across West Bengal and behind these illegal madrasas there were terror networks that had links with extremists in Bangladesh.

During the investigations in 2014, a number of madrasas had come under the scanner of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), National Security Guard (NSG), Intelligence Bureau (IB), etc. The NIA and NSG investigators had carried out an extensive search at Simulia madrasa under Mongalkote police station in Burdwan and also at Mukimnagar in Murshidabad’s Lalgola.

Sources had said these subversive units, several of whom were members of the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), became operational in the state since October 2011, as their members had infiltrated into India and have been operating with the help of local support.

It is believed that the handlers of terror outfits like JMB rope in unemployed youths preferably from Muslim community to expand their networks in border districts of West Bengal.

The JMB module which executed the Burdwan blast in 2014 had later executed a similar blast in Bodh Gaya in Bihar when people had gathered to hear the Dalai Lama.

Moreover, the MoS for Home affairs GK Reddy on being asked in Lok Sabha on violence in West Bengal during LS polls also said that that information has been received about a number of incidents of violence before and after Lok Sabha election 2019, resulting in death and injuries of several people, including political workers in West Bengal.

He said concern on the issue was shared by Centre with the West Bengal government and an advisory was issued on June 9 asking State to maintain law & order, peace & public tranquillity.


Madrasas across the country have been a breeding ground for various illegal activities. The deep penetration of JMB inside several states in India had been highlighted before when a top JMB operative Kausar Ali alias Mohammad Jahidul Islam’s arrest had exposed the dreaded terrorist organisation’s plans to launch jihad in various Indian states.

Sunny Deol clarifies on appointment of representative, says it is to ensure smooth flow of work when he is out of the constituency

OpIndia Staff
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Sunny Deol clarifies on appointment of representative, says it is to ensure smooth flow of work when he is out of the constituency

BJP MP from Gurdaspur constituency, Sunny Deol had to face a lot of criticism after he appointed a representative to attend meetings and follow important matters in his constituency during his absence. The actor-turned-politician issued a statement dated June 26 appointing Gurpreet Singh Palheri, resident of village Palheri in Mohali as his representative in Gurdaspur.

Source: indianexpress.com

Attacking Deol for appointing a representative, Punjab Cabinet Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa had called it an act of betrayal. “Sunny Deol has betrayed voters of Gurdaspur constituency by appointing a representative”, said Randhawa. A similar line was taken by many people on social media who criticised Sunny Deol for this decision, saying he was running away from his duties as MP.

Seeing the controversy erupting on the appointment of his representative, Deol took to Twitter to clarify his stand.


Calling the controversy unfortunate, Deol explained that he appointed his Personal Assitant to ensure smooth flow of work when he is not present in his constituency. The intention of the same is to ensure that no work is disrupted or delayed when he is not in the constituency, and to ensure that the work flows smoothly and he is updated about the same regularly when is out of Gurdaspur to attend parliament or for any other work. He added that as an elected representative he was genuinely committed to the cause of Gurdaspur.

Clarifying on his appointment as Deol’s representative, Palheri said that Deol wanted to be available to the people of Gurdaspur round the clock, therefore, he made the appointment. He said that a whole team has been prepared by Deol. “All he wants to say is that we are available 25×7. It is wrong to assume that he is running away from his responsibilities. He is visiting the constituency regularly and will continue to do it. He has prepared a team and we are a part of it. I am not the lone representative. The letter is irrelevant in that context. He simply means that every ground level worker can be approached in Gurdaspur and he will help you”, said Palheri.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut says wall collapse deaths are not BMC’s fault, tweets poetry on raindrops

OpIndia Staff
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Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut says wall collapse deaths are not BMC’s fault, tweets poetry on raindrops

Right at the onset of the monsoons, the financial capital is reeling under flood-like situation due to incessant rains and abysmal preventive measures adopted by the Municipal Corporation. However, amidst a monsoon crisis in Mumbai, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut decided to share a couplet on his Twitter page trivialising the deadly rains in Mumbai.


The BMC, which is controlled by Shiv Sena is facing severe criticism for being inept and incompetent in dealing with the excessive downpour leading to flooding. The BMC, in its defence, has said that unprecedented rainfall along with neap tide phase has been the principle reason behind city’s inundation. The BMC commissioner, Pravin Pardeshi claimed, “Mumbai has already witnessed a total of 85 per cent rain in last four days, which is the usual rainfall for the entire month of June.”

Apart from the flooding, the traffic woes, train cancellations and flight diversions that the city’s folk are braving, 18 people have died and several others were injured after a wall collapsed in Malad.

It is notable here that Raut had also absolved the BMC of any responsibility in the deaths due to the wall collapse. Speaking to media earlier today, Raut said that there are several illegal structures in the city and the BMC cannot be blamed for the wall collapse and deaths. He added that the deaths were just accident.


Mumbai has witnessed more than 550 mm of rainfall in the past 48 hours which is the average rainfall in the city for the entire month of June. As many as 16 people died due to rain-related accidents in Mumbai and Thane as the city witnessed massive rainfall in the 48 hours. Twelve people were dead and thirteen were injured as a wall collapsed on hutments in Pimpripada area of Malad East on early Tuesday morning.

Congress leader whitewashes Chandni Chowk temple vandalism, says the attack was not on temple

OpIndia Staff
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Congress leader whitewashes Chandni Chowk temple vandalism, says the attack was not on temple

Congress leader and Delhi municipal councillor Yasmin Kidwai has chosen to overlook the crimes allegedly committed by a Muslim mob in Delhi and attempted to whitewash the desecration of a temple in Hauz Kazi, Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi by stating that there was no attack on the temple.

On Tuesday, following the unleashing of terror by the Muslim mob on the temple, self-proclaimed ‘journalist’ Saba Naqvi surprisingly condemned the attack allegedly committed by a Muslim mob. She further stated that such acts put an entire community at risk.

Reacting to her tweet, the Congress leader claimed that there was no attack on the temple and the incident should not be communalised but should definitely be condemned and people should unite to help repair the temple.


This was a completely false assertion as photos and videos shared by people on social media clearly show that the temple was vandalised, its idols and fixtures were broken and curtains were burnt by the mob following a skirmish over parking.

As Yasmin Kidwai resorted to propagating false news and absolve the mob from their crimes of desecrating the temple, social media users schooled Kidwai with facts stating that there was enough evidence to prove that the mob had in fact destroyed idols inside the temple.

Additionally, social media users posted images and video evidence which indicated there was indeed an attack on the temple and destruction of idols had taken place inside the Durga Mata Mandir in Lal Kuan in Chandni Chowk area.


Further, social media users attacked Yasmin Kidwai for propagating fake news and deliberately forgiving the accused from their crimes as they were allegedly Muslims.


A day after the incident, startling reports have now emerged pertaining to the details of the temple attack. On July 1, a mob of 300-400 men barged into Durga Mata Mandir in Lal Kuan in Chandni Chowk area and had desecrated idols present inside the shrine.

Reportedly, the tensions in the area had increased after local Muslims supported and gathered in large numbers, who shouted slogans in favour of a fellow Muslims, who allegedly attacked and broke idols inside the temple.

One of the witnesses had even stated that few intoxicated Muslim men had gathered in their house. As people around the temple stopped them, they brought in more than 300-400 men to attack. He further alleged that Imran Hussain (AAP MLA) came and supported the Muslim mob but no one came in their support.

The priest of the temple was also heard stating that the Muslim mob would have killed them had they not closed the door of the temple from inside. The priest also alleged that the mob even abused them.

Twitter users claiming to be employees of Kapil Sibal backed Tiranga TV allege they are being fired with just one month’s salary

OpIndia Staff
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Twitter users claiming to be employees of Kapil Sibal backed Tiranga TV allege they are being fired with just one month’s salary

English News Channel Tiranga TV, which was launched just before the Lok Sabha elections, seems to have run into rough weather as the channel has started retrenching employees. According to several people who claim to be working at the channel backed by Congress leader Kapil Sibal, they have been fired from their jobs with just one month’s salary.

A Twitter account set up by the fired employees with the name Fired Employee Tiranga TV said that they are being asked to leave the company without any clarity and with just one month’s salary, instead of the standard practice of paying three month’s salary. They also tweeted that Kapil Sibal had assured them that the channel will run for two years, that’s why the employees had joined it.


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Several other people working at Tiranga TV also confirmed on Twitter that employees of the channel are being fired.


The employees also alleged that nobody from management has addressed them, and demanded to meet Kapil Sibal.


Tiranga TV had originally started as Harvest TV, causing a huge confusion as a Christian Evangelist channel with the same name was already operating from Kerala. The original Harvest TV had even filed a suit against the News Channel, but that was settled after it was renamed as Tiranga TV. Controversial journalists Barkha Dutt and Karan Thapar are part of the channel.

It is not known whether these firings are just downsizing or indication of something worse. The channel was launched almost silently without any grand announcement, and never gained any substantial viewership in the very small niche of English News Channels. Many people on social media have commented that it is a temporary channel launched during elections like Namo TV, and it will shut down soon.

Rahul Gandhi supporter attempts to commit suicide in front of Congress office, sympathisers chant Rahul Gandhi zindabad as police whisks him away

OpIndia Staff
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Rahul Gandhi supporter attempts to commit suicide in front of Congress office, sympathisers chant Rahul Gandhi zindabad as police whisks him away

In a shocking turn of event, a man who identified himself a Rahul Gandhi supporter tried to commit suicide in front of the Congress office, apparently disappointed with Rahul Gandhi’s adamant decision of not taking back his resignation.


The man can be seen climbing a tree with his hands in the pictures shared by news agency ANI Editor, Smita Prakash to apparently commit suicide.

Following a humiliating defeat in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, in which the Congress party could manage to bag only 52 Lok Sabha seats, Rahul Gandhi had tendered his resignation to the Congress Working Committee(CWC), owning up the responsibility of the party’s electoral rout. The CWC had then unanimously rejected his resignation.

However, Rahul Gandhi has been adamant of resigning from the post of Congress president and has asked the party leadership to look for suitable candidate to take his position. The Gandhi scion is of the opinion that fixing accountability is imperative for the correct functioning of the party and thus he has remained insistent on resigning from the position held by him.

Congress is arguably suffering from an existential crisis as many office bearers across the country have tendered their resignations after Rahul Gandhi expressed his angst over party leaders not taking moral responsibility and resigning from their position for the party’s poll debacle.

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