Foreign-origin cigarettes, drugs valued at Rs 3.66cr seized in Mizoram; 2 held

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

The security forces have seized foreign-origin cigarettes valued at Rs 2.38 crore and one lakh methamphetamine tablets valued at Rs 1.28 crore in separate raids in Mizoram, an official said here on Sunday.

Aizawl, Dec 24: The security forces have seized foreign-origin cigarettes valued at Rs 2.38 crore and one lakh methamphetamine tablets valued at Rs 1.28 crore in separate raids in Mizoram, an official said here on Sunday.

Two drug peddlers -- Litan Nama (28) and Jakir Hussain (23), who hailed from Tripura, were arrested and their vehicle, a Mahindra Scorpio used for transportation of the contraband, was also seized.

Officials said that the Assam Rifles and the Customs Preventive Force seized the foreign-origin cigarettes packed in 109 cases, suspected to have been illegally imported from neighbouring Myanmar. The seizure was made in Mizoram's Champhai district.

In another operation, the Excise and Narcotics Department officials seized one lakh methamphetamine tablets at Khatla locality in Aizawl and arrested Litan and Jakir.

PM Modi takes on INDI alliance over Maria Alam's 'vote jihad' appeal

by Manisha Das

Anand, May 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a fresh attack against the opposition coalition, INDI alliance accusing them of "dangerous intentions" referring to an appeal for 'vote jihad' allegedly by Congress leader Salman Khurshid's niece and Samajwadi Party leader Maria Alam Khan.

"A leader from the INDI alliance has exposed their strategy in front of the country. The INDI alliance has asked Muslims to go for Vote Jihad. This has come from an educated family, not from a child coming out of a Madrasa. INDI alliance is saying that all Muslims should get together and vote," PM Modi said.

"The INDI alliance has insulted democracy and the Constitution. Any leader from Congress has yet to oppose this statement. They have given their tacit understanding. On one hand, the INDI alliance is trying to divide SC, ST, OBC and general categories, on the other hand, they are raising the slogan of Vote Jihad. This shows how dangerous their intentions are," he added.

Salman Khurshid and Samajwadi Party leader Maria Alam Khan were booked for the latter's alleged speech during a public rally in Uttar Pradesh's Kayamganj on April 30.

As per the FIR, Maria Alam Khan allegedly asked the minority community to go for "vote jihad".

Addressing a public rally in Gujarat's Anand, the Prime Minister targeted the previous UPA government accusing it of giving "dossiers" to terrorists while alleging a partnership between Congress and Pakistan.

Calling it a "coincidence", the Prime Minister claimed that the Congress party is weakening in India adding that Pakistan leaders are offering "dua" (prayers) for the party to return to power.

"The weak Congress government used to give dossiers to the masters of terror. But, Modi's strong government kills terrorists on their ground. It is a coincidence, today Congress is getting weaker in India and when here Congress is dying and there Pakistan is crying. Now Pakistani leaders are offering dua for Congress. Pakistan is eager to make 'shehzaade' the Prime Minister and Congress is already Pakistan's fan. his partnership between Pakistan and Congress has now been completely exposed," PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister accused the Congress of lying while calling itself "Mohabbat ka dhukan" (shop of love) and alleged that the latter has become a "factory of fake goods".

"People are asking why the Congress is so agitated. Today Congress has become a fake factory i.e. a factory of fake goods. Why is Congress selling lies by calling itself Mohabbat ka Dhukan?," he said.

Refering to the UPA rule as 'shaasankaal' (reign) and the current NDA rule as 'sevakaal' (service period), PM Modi accused Congress of trying to divide the country.

"These days, the 'shehzaade' of Congress are dancing keeping the Constitution on their heads. But, Congress should answer me why the Constitution, which you are dancing with on your forehead today, was not implemented in all parts of India for 75 years. Today Modi is realising Sardar Saheb's dream of uniting the country. Whereas Congress is busy dividing the country, Congress wants to create fights in society. Because of Congress, there were various kinds of tamperings with the Constitution of the country for decades," he said.

"The country has seen the rule of Congress for 60 years. Now the country has also seen 10 years of service of BJP. That was the reign, this is the service period," PM Modi added.

Voting for 25 out of 26 seats in Gujarat will take place in the third phase of the ongoing general elections on May 7.

Voting will not take place in Surat as Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Mukesh Dalal was declared elected unopposed last week after Congress' Nilesh Kumbhani's nomination was rejected while other candidates withdrew from the contest. The results will be announced on June 4.

(ANI)

Non-bailable warrants cannot be issued in a routine manner: SC

by Utkalika Mohanty

New Delhi, May 2: In the latest judgment, the Supreme Court has said that non-bailable warrants cannot be issued in a routine manner unless the accused is charged with a heinous crime and is likely to evade the process of law or destroy/tamper evidence.

A bench presided over by Justice Sanjiv Khanna said that while there is no comprehensive set of guidelines for the issuance of non-bailable warrants, the apex court has observed on several occasions that non-bailable warrants should not be issued, unless the accused is charged with a heinous crime, and is likely to evade the process of law or tamper/destroy evidence.

Quashing the summoning order, the Bench, also comprising Justice SVN Bhatti, said, “It is a settled position of law that non-bailable warrants cannot be issued in a routine manner and that the liberty of an individual cannot be curtailed unless necessitated by the larger interest of public and the State.”

In 2021, the Special Chief Judicial Magistrate, Lucknow issued non-bailable warrants against one Manager Singh noting that there was no provision for granting exemption from personal appearance prior to obtaining bail. Another order recorded that as the accused remained absent despite the issuance of bailable warrants, non-bailable warrants were issued to ensure his personal appearance.

“The observation that there is no provision for granting exemption from personal appearance prior to obtaining bail, is not correct, as the power to grant exemption from personal appearance under the Code (of Criminal Procedure) should not be read in a restrictive manner as applicable only after the accused has been granted bail. This Court in Maneka Sanjay Gandhi and Another v. Rani Jethmalani held that the power to grant exemption from personal appearance should be exercised liberally when facts and circumstances require such exemption,” the top court said.

It asked the trial court to re-examine the entire matter in terms of the observations made in its judgment and thereupon proceed in accordance with the law.

In the exercise of power under Article 142 read with Article 136 of the Constitution of India, the Supreme Court ordered that the accused, Manager Singh, will be released on bail by the arresting officer, investigating officer or trial court on the terms and conditions to be fixed by the trial court.

(IANS)

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Sensex rises over 200 points on strong domestic cues

by Manisha Das

New Delhi, May 2: The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Sensex gained more than 200 points on Thursday on strong domestic cues.

Among the Sensex stocks, Powergrid was up more than 3 per cent while Tata Motors, Asian Paints, Sun Pharma, Tata Steel, M&M, Nestle India, HDFC Bank were up more than 1 per cent.

BSE Senses was trading at 74,739 points, up by 256 points.

V. K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services said as trading for May begins there are mixed cues for the market, but broadly positives outweigh negatives. The Fed commentary is cautious.

"It is certain that the number of rate cuts this year, if at all that happens, will be far lower than initially expected. This is a headwind for global equity markets," he said.

He added that the domestic cues are strongly positive.

The GST collection for April setting a record of Rs 2.1 trillion indicates a booming economy. India's GDP is estimated to have grown by 7.6 per cent in FY24 and is expected to continue the growth momentum with above 7 per cent growth in FY25, too, he said.