India

The technical inquiry committee formed into the Pegasus espionage case in India has presented its report in the Supreme Court.

The report said that no strong evidence of spyware was found in any of the mobile phones deposited with him for investigation. The report also said that malware has been found in five phones.

However, the report also said that the central government did not fully cooperate in the investigation.

After this the BJP criticized the Congress and their leader Rahul Gandhi. While the Congress criticized the Modi government for not cooperating with the inquiry committee.

BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad, in a press conference held at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, accused the Congress that the campaign launched by it in the matter was false and motivated by ill-will.

He said that this campaign was an attempt to defame PM Modi.

Ravi Shankar Prasad has also alleged that the problem of Rahul Gandhi and his party is that they have enmity with PM Modi and his government and they resort to lies to take their party forward.

According to Ravi Shankar Prasad, "Rahul Gandhi had said that Pegasus is an attempt to crush democracy and it is an attack on the country and its institutions."

On the other hand, Congress has targeted the Modi government for not cooperating with the inquiry committee. Congress has written by tweeting that the attitude of the Modi government regarding the Pegasus espionage scandal has been suspicious since the beginning.

Congress says that the report of the inquiry committee raises many questions on the functioning of the Modi government.

What did the Supreme Court say today?

The report of the inquiry committee into the Pegasus espionage case was opened in the Supreme Court on Thursday, 25 August 2022. After perusing this report, the court has observed that during the investigation of the Pegasus spy case, no evidence was found of the presence of any spyware in most of the mobile phones.

Based on the report of the committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice RV Raveendran, the court said that Pegasus spyware was not found in any of the 29 mobile phones that were submitted for investigation. However, the court did point out that malware other than Pegasus was found in 5 phones.

However, referring to the recommendation of the inquiry committee, the Supreme Court has said that the laws made for surveillance should be amended. The investigative committee has also stated the need to strengthen the country's cyber security and has also recommended the creation of a special investigative agency to investigate cyber attacks in the country.

The committee in its report has criticized the central government for not cooperating fully with the committee while investigating malware or spyware in mobile phones.

The Supreme Court has held the Ferozepur SSP responsible in the case of security lapses in India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a state visit during the Punjab Assembly elections in India.

The Supreme Court has said that the Ferozepur SSP failed to perform his duty and because of this Prime Minister Narendra Modi's convoy remained on the road.

Chief Justice of India NV Ramanna in his order on Thursday, 25 August 2022 said, "Firozpur SSP could not ensure security on the route. The SSP could not perform his duty. There was enough time before the PM arrived. After getting the SSP order, the security system on the route could not be tightened.

The Supreme Court said, "All the witnesses and keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case, proper training should be given to the police and they should be sensitized about these matters."

The Supreme Court said, "We will send this order to the Government of India and it should be allowed to decide on matters related to security as well as other aspects."

The Supreme Court has given this remark in view of the report submitted by former Justice Indu Malhotra.

The five-member committee headed by former Justice Indu Malhotra had filed the report in the Supreme Court. Some officers and police officers of Punjab were pointed out in this report.

On January 5, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's convoy had to stand for a long time on the flyover of Ferozepur Road in Punjab. This area is only a few kilometers away from Pakistan.

The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Gujarat government and the Center regarding the release of 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano gang rape case in India. On August 15, 2022, the Gujarat government released these 11 convicts under the amnesty scheme.

The Gujarat government is facing criticism over the release of gangrape convicts.

While hearing the matter, the Supreme Court said, "The question is whether these convicts can be pardoned or not under the Gujarat government. We also have to see whether due consideration was given to them while condoning them or not."

The Supreme Court also directed the 11 convicts to form a party in this case.

Issuing the notice in this matter, the Supreme Court decided to hear it after two weeks.

A division bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramanna said, "We are issuing notice to the Gujarat government and the Centre. We are seeking answers from them. It will be heard after two weeks.''

Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the petitioners, demanded from the court that the release of the convicts should be canceled immediately and the Gujarat government's decision should be set aside.

He said that during the Gujarat riots a large number of people were killed and there was an exodus of Muslims. Kapil Sibal said that the culprits of gangrape of a pregnant woman should not have got pardon.

Many opposition parties have criticized the Gujarat government in this matter. Many people had filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the release of these 11 convicts. These include Left leader Subhasini Ali and TMC MP Mahua Moitra.

On 3 March 2002, during the Gujarat riots, Bilkis Bano was raped and 14 members of his family were killed. Among the dead was Bilkis Bano's three-year-old daughter.

The case was investigated by the CBI after which in 2008 the Bombay Sessions Court sentenced 11 people to life imprisonment. On August 15, 2022, these 11 prisoners, who were serving their sentences in Godhra Jail, were released as per the policy of pardon of the Gujarat government.

What did the husband of Bilkis say when the convicts were released?

Bilkis Bano's husband Yakub Rasool, while talking to the Indian Express after the release of the 11 convicts, had said, "The condition in which we have been released has no power to feel anything."

Yakub Rasool had said, "The battle we had been fighting for years fell apart in an instant. The life sentence given by the court was reduced arbitrarily. I had never even heard of this process of commuting punishment.''

Yakub Rasool lives in Deogarh Baria of Dahod in Gujarat.

Says Rasool, "What happened in 2002 was horrifying. The brutality that happened to Bilquis was unimaginable. He saw the murder of his daughter in front of his eyes. As a mother, as a woman and as a human, she faced all the barbarism. What could be worse than that?"

He had said, "Now all we want is to leave us alone. We are afraid about our safety but now do not have the courage and time to do anything.''

In the Indian state of Bihar, the government of the Grand Alliance under the leadership of Nitish Kumar has won a majority in the floor test in the assembly.

During this, Nitish Kumar made many allegations against the BJP and the central government. Nitish Kumar accused the BJP of doing Hindu-Muslim and said that in 2024, a united opposition will give a fight.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, giving his stand on the trust vote of his new government in the assembly, said that if people of all religions and castes come together and in 2024 a united opposition will give a fight.

Nitish Kumar told that leaders across the country called him and congratulated him on this decision. Nitish Kumar urged those leaders to fight together in the 2024 elections.

He said, "We were called by people from parties across the country and said that you have taken the right decision. We said that if everyone fights together, we will win 2024 too.''

Was pressured to become CM: Nitish Kumar

During this, Nitish Kumar made many allegations against the BJP and kept on saying that "whatever I am saying is speaking from Delhi".

Nitish said, "I do not wish to become anything. BJP conspired to eliminate JD(U) in the assembly elections.''

Nitish Kumar told during this that he was pressured to become the Chief Minister in 2020.

He said, "In 2020, we had said that if you win more seats then you should become the Chief Minister. But I was pressurized to take care of yourself. Now our party people have decided, so we went where we were earlier. Now it is our resolve that together we will develop Bihar.''

He said, "Don't just talk about the 2020 assembly elections, remember the past elections when JD(U) won more seats than the BJP. My request to give central status to Patna University was not accepted. In 2017 when I demanded central status for Patna University, no one paid heed to it. Now you (central government) will do the same to glorify your work. He has control over social media and the press. Everyone is only talking about the work of the Centre.''

Nitish told, why parted in 2013?

Nitish said, "In 2017, the Center gave 600 crores and said that suppose every house is a tap, the center has a plan, but we did not agree. Har Ghar Nal started in 2015, when RJD was an ally. The work of road construction in Bihar was not done by the central government, but by the state government.''

During this, Nitish Kumar also told why he had parted from the NDA in 2013. He said, "Atal ji, Advani ji, Murli Manohar ji were all leaders of AAP's party. All of them used to listen to me. In 2013, Atal ji's health was not good. Then the rest of the leaders should be talked about. Atal ji became ill, Advani ji should have got power, but it didn't happen. BJP sidelined all old leaders. Because of this, they were separated. The results of 2005 should also be remembered.''

During this, Nitish made several attacks on the current central government one after the other. He said, "Only Delhi is being promoted, what were we doing, we don't want to be anything, just want to work. We ask why Patna University was not given the status of a Central University, we were demanding it again and again.''

Assembly Speaker will be elected on August 26, 2022

During this discussion, some BJP MLAs walked out from the assembly.

To this Nitish Kumar said, "You (BJP MLAs) are all running away? If you talk against me only then you will get a position in your party. You all must have got orders from your senior masters.''

However, after the speeches of Tejashwi Yadav and Nitish Kumar, the trust vote was passed by voice vote in the House.

After the members of the opposition staged a walkout, 160 in favor of the motion, zero votes in opposition.

During this, the Executive Speaker of the House said that the Governor has directed that the Speaker will be elected on 26 August 2022, for which the nomination date has been kept on 25 August 2022.

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear against the order of the release of the convicts of the Bilkis Bano gang rape of the Indian state of Gujarat.

Communist Party of India leader Suhasini Ali, journalist Revathi Lal and Professor Roop Rekha Verma had filed petitions in the Supreme Court against the release.

Later, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has filed a public interest litigation against the release of the convicts.

On August 15, 2022, all the 11 convicts, who were serving their jail term, were released by the Gujarat government under the amnesty scheme.

These 11 convicts were serving life imprisonment and lodged in Godhra Jail for the gang-rape of Bilkis Bano and the murder of seven members of his family during the 2002 Gujarat riots.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal told the court that the convicts in the gang-rape case of a pregnant woman should not be released. On this, a bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramanna said that it is ready to hear the matter.

After the release of the convicts, such pictures and videos also surfaced in which they were seen being welcomed with sweets and garlanded.

According to the news of Live Law, it has been said in the petition that the 'political angle' in this case is clearly visible by the reception of the convicts.

The court has granted bail to BJP MLA T Raja in the case of making a controversial statement on the Prophet Mohammad of Islam. According to Live Law, the Hyderabad Police had presented a remand order in the court, which was rejected by the court.

Protests against his controversial statement were held in Hyderabad late on Monday, August 22, 2022. The protesters had demanded the arrest of T Raja Singh at the earliest. Following which the Telangana Police arrested BJP MLA T Raja on the morning of Tuesday, 23 August 2022. T Raja is the MLA from Goshamahal seat of Hyderabad.

T Raja Singh had made objectionable remarks by releasing a video. Protests were held in Hyderabad late night on Monday, 22nd August, 2022 against the statement of BJP MLA.

The protesters had demanded the arrest of T Raja Singh at the earliest. There were protests and sloganeering in the office of Police Commissioner CV Anand and other parts of the city late on Monday, 22 August 2022.

After this, a case was registered against T Raja under sections 295 (A), 153 (A) of the IPC and other sections.

T Raja Singh had released a video about comedian Munnawar Farooqui. He also threatened to stop Farooqui's show to be held in Hyderabad. In this video, Raja Singh himself had commented against Munnawar Farooqui and his mother. Along with this, objectionable statement was also given about Prophet Mohammad.

This controversy has come to the fore at a time when former BJP leader Nupur Sharma had given a controversial statement on Prophet Mohammad during a TV debate some time back.

At that time many Islamic countries had officially lodged an objection with India. BJP had suspended Nupur Sharma from BJP for the statement. A total of 10 FIRs were lodged against Nupur Sharma across the country.

Nitish Kumar has taken oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar. Tejashwi Yadav has also taken oath with him. Bihar Governor Fagu Chauhan administered him the oath of office and secrecy at a function held at the Raj Bhavan.

A day earlier, Nitish Kumar had resigned from the chief minister's post, breaking ties with the NDA alliance. After this, he staked claim to form a new government with the Rashtriya Janata Dal.

Nitish Kumar has claimed the support of 165 MLAs. In the year 2020 assembly elections, Nitish Kumar contested the election with the BJP. But in the last few days, differences between the two parties started coming out in the open.

The controversy over RCP Singh, the former Union Minister of India, escalated. On Tuesday, August 9, 2022, Nitish Kumar had called a meeting of MLAs and MPs of Janata Dal United, in which it was decided to separate from the BJP. Nitish Kumar has taken oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar for the eighth time.

For the first time, he took oath as Chief Minister on 3 March 2000. He did not have a majority at that time and had to step down after seven days. In 2005, Nitish Kumar took oath as the Chief Minister for the second time. This time he formed the government with the help of BJP.

In the year 2010, once again with the BJP, he formed the government and took oath as CM for the third time. But in 2013 he left the BJP. After the defeat in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, he resigned from the post of Chief Minister and made Jitan Ram Manjhi the Chief Minister.

But in 2015, he again took oath as the Chief Minister and said that it was his mistake to resign. After this, before the 2015 assembly elections, he formed a grand alliance with the Rashtriya Janata Dal. The Grand Alliance got a big success in the election and Nitish Kumar took oath as CM for the fifth time.

But in 2017 he broke ties with RJD. He formed the government with BJP and took oath as CM for the sixth time. He fought with BJP in the 2020 assembly elections and then took oath as CM for the seventh time. But now he has once again separated from BJP and together with RJD, he has formed the government and has taken oath as CM for the eighth time.

The Supreme Court of India has strongly reprimanded former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma. The Supreme Court, while hearing the application of Nupur Sharma, has said that Nupur Sharma's statement caused unrest in the entire country.

Nupur Sharma, suspended from BJP, had applied in the Supreme Court to shift all the FIRs registered against her in different states of India to Delhi in the Prophet controversy.

During the hearing of his petition, the Supreme Court held Nupur Sharma's statements responsible for the unfortunate incident in Udaipur.

A vacation bench of Supreme Court Justices Suryakant and JB Pardiwala refused to entertain the plea of ​​Nupur Sharma and asked her to approach the High Court. After this Nupur Sharma withdrew her application from the Supreme Court.

Nupur Sharma had made controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad during a TV debate in June 2022, against which about a dozen FIRs were lodged against him in many states of India.

In protest against this statement, more than 16 Muslim countries had come and officially lodged a protest with the Government of India.

However, the Government of India later stated that these were statements made by some fringe elements and did not reflect the views of the Government of India.

Supreme Court's strict comments

During its hearing, the Supreme Court termed Nupur Sharma's remarks as "painful" and asked- "What was the need for her to make such a statement?"

During the hearing, the Supreme Court also asked that apart from running the agenda of a TV channel, what was the purpose of debating a matter which is already under the court.

The Supreme Court questioned Nupur Sharma's rhetoric and said, "If you are a spokesperson of a party, then you do not have the license to make such statements."

Senior advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for Nupur Sharma, said that her client has immediately withdrawn her statement and has also apologized for the same.

On this, the Supreme Court expressed its displeasure and said that Nupur should have gone on TV and apologized to the whole country.

The Supreme Court told Nupur Sharma's lawyer, "Nupur Sharma took too long and took back the statement conditionally. She (Nupur) said that if someone's sentiments were hurt, she apologizes."

The Supreme Court said, "The way Nupur Sharma instigated sentiments across the country, she is the only one responsible for whatever is happening in the country."

Expressing displeasure over even filing the application in the Supreme Court, the apex court said, "This petition shows the arrogance of Nupur, it seems that the magistrates of the country are too small for her."

The Supreme Court also told Nupur Sharma's lawyer, "When there is an FIR against you and you are not arrested, it shows your reach. She feels that there are people behind her and she keeps on making irresponsible statements.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has resigned from the post of Chief Minister of the Indian state of Maharashtra.

Shortly after the Supreme Court's order on the majority test, Uddhav Thackeray came live on social media and said that he does not want the blood of Shiv Sainiks to shed. That's why he is leaving the post of Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Uddhav Thackeray said that he has no pain to leave the post.

Uddhav Thackeray said that he is also giving up the membership of the Legislative Council.

After this he reached Raj Bhavan to resign Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari.

Earlier on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at around 9 pm, the Supreme Court refused to stay the majority test.

The Governor of Maharashtra had called for the floor test on Thursday, 30 June 2022 at 11 am.

Uddhav Thackeray also targeted the rebel MLAs of Shiv Sena.

Uddhav Thackeray began his address by thanking the Congress and NCP, the members of the Mahavikas Aghadi alliance. He counted the achievements of the government in the tenure of two and a half years.

What did Uddhav Thackeray say in his address?

- I'm leaving the chair. Last Wednesday itself, I had left 'Varsha' (Maharashtra Chief Minister's residence) and came to 'Matoshree' (Bal Thackeray's residence). I don't feel sorry for leaving the chief minister's post.

- When something good is happening, it is visible

- The people whom Balasaheb Thackeray made big, the common people whom Balasaheb Thackeray and Shiv Sena made big, they have forgotten them today.

- Whatever the Supreme Court has given today, we respect it and will abide by it.

- If the rebel MLAs had any complaint, then instead of Surat or Guwahati, they should have come to Matoshree and expressed their views.

- No one can snatch Shiv Sena from us.

- Shiv Sainiks are requested not to hold any demonstration against the rebel MLAs.

What did the Supreme Court say in its decision?

On Wednesday, June 29, 2022, the Supreme Court of India, while ruling on the ongoing political struggle in Maharashtra, has said that the floor test in the assembly will not be stopped.

A vacation bench of Supreme Court Justices Surya Kant and JB Pardiwala gave this decision after hearing a petition filed by Shiv Sena leader Sunil Prabhu.

Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari had called a special session of the Legislative Assembly at 11 am on 30 June 2022 by issuing an order on Wednesday, 29 June 2022.

Its purpose was a floor test of the Uddhav Thackeray government.

Shiv Sena leader Suresh Prabhu had filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging this decision of the Governor.

Suresh Prabhu, in his petition, had said that the governor's decision to conduct floor test was illegal as he did not take into account that the deputy speaker had issued disqualification notices to 16 out of 39 MLAs.

Suresh Prabhu has also said that none of the 39 MLAs have withdrawn their support to the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

The Supreme Court of India, while hearing the Gyanvapi Masjid case, on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, ordered that the place where the Shivling is said to be found in the mosque premises should be preserved. Along with this, the Supreme Court said that there will be no restriction on the Muslim side to offer prayers there.

The Supreme Court has fixed Thursday, May 19, 2022, as the next date of hearing in the matter.

However, the Supreme Court has not stayed the ongoing proceedings in the lower court regarding the Gyanvapi Masjid. It was demanded from the Muslim side that the status quo should be maintained in the Gyanvapi Masjid.

The Supreme Court in its order said, "While resolving the dispute over the decision of the Varanasi court, it is ordered that the order dated 16 May 2022 shall be effective only to the extent that the District Magistrate of Varanasi shall ensure that if Shivling has been found, if someone steps there, it will create law and order problem.''

The Supreme Court has also made it clear that Muslims will also be able to perform Wuzu there as it is part of their religious process.

When Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, representing the Muslim side, asked the court to preserve the process of Wuzu, the Supreme Court orally said, "Is Wuzu not a religious ritual? We are protecting it too."

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta was representing the Uttar Pradesh government in the matter. After their protest, the court refused to stay the hearing on the Gyanvapi Masjid in the Civil Court of Varanasi.

Earlier on Monday, May 16, 2022, a Varanasi court had ordered the district administration to seal the site of the Gyanvapi Masjid complex where the Hindu side of the survey team claimed to have found the alleged Shivling. Whereas the Muslim side has called it a fountain.

On Tuesday, May 17, 2022, the Supreme Court heard the petition of the Managing Committee of Anjuman Intezamiya Masjid before a division bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and PS Narasimha. This committee looks after the Gyanvapi Masjid.

On Friday, May 13, 2022, a bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramanna, in its written order, asked a bench headed by Justice Chandrachud to hear the matter.

On Friday, May 13, 2022, a bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramanna refused to pass any interim order to maintain status quo against the ongoing survey in the Gyanvapi mosque complex on a plea by the Muslim side.

What happened at the Friday, May 13, 2022 hearing?

But the Supreme Court agreed to hear the matter. Apart from the Chief Justice, Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice Hima Kohli were also included in this bench.

The Bench said, "After hearing the submission of Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for the petitioner, we are of the view that the Registry of the Court on this matter should be listed for hearing before the Bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud.''

Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for the Managing Committee of Anjuman Intezamiya Masjid, told the bench that a petition has been filed against the ongoing survey work in the Gyanvapi Mosque and sought an interim order from the court in the matter.

Huzefa Ahmadi said that we have filed a petition against the order to conduct survey in Gyanvapi Mosque. This place has been a mosque since time immemorial and under the Places of Worship Act, 1991, any such action is completely prohibited.

The Muslim side has referred to the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 and its section four. This provision prohibits the filing of any suit or initiation of any legal process for any change in the religious character of any place of worship existing on 15th August, 1947.