Day After Supreme Court Report, Punjab Reports Over 2,000 Farm Fires

More than 2,000 farm fires were reported from Punjab on Wednesday, a day after the Supreme Court issued directions to ensure stopping of crop residue burning "forthwith".

Sangrur district, the birthplace of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, recorded the maximum number of stubble burning incidents in the state on Wednesday.

Many parts in Haryana saw air quality indices in the 'severe' and 'very poor' categories.

The total number of farm fires jumped to 22,981 in Punjab with 2,003 fresh such cases being reported on Wednesday, according to Ludhiana-based Punjab Remote Sensing Centre data.

Out of the 2,003 stubble burning incidents, Sangrur continued to top with 466 such cases, followed by 221 in Bathinda, 216 in Barnala, 150 in Faridkot, 131 in Mansa, 106 in Patiala, 103 in Ferozepur and 96 in Ludhiana, according to the data.

Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav on Wednesday asked the police officers to work in tandem with the civil administration to prevent stubble burning in the state.

The DGP also appointed Special DGP (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla as the police nodal officer to monitor action against stubble burning, according to an order.

"The police nodal officer shall issue suitable directions, hold meetings, conduct tours and collect and collate relevant information and put up to the DGP Punjab and the Chief Secretary so that monitoring of the actions being undertaken by the police to ensure compliance of the directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court is done in an effective manner," the order read.

Out of total 22,981 farm fires recorded from September 15 till November 8, Sangrur is leading with highest number of stubble burning cases of 4,070, followed by 2,176 in Ferozepur, 1,888 in Tarn Taran, 1,719 in Mansa, 1,524 in Patiala, 1,454 in Amritsar, 1,436 in Bathinda, 1,129 in Barnala, 1,089 in Ludhiana and 1,014 in Faridkot.

Meanwhile, Haryana's Fatehabad recorded an air quality index (AQI) of 451, followed by Faridabad at 425, Jind at 406, Bhiwani at 400, Gurugram 385, Kaithal 380, Rohtak 362, Hisar 332, Panipat 323 and Sisra 319.

In Punjab, Bathinda reported AQI at 348, followed by Mandi Gobindgarh at 338, Ludhiana 292, Patiala 267, Jalandhar 266, Khanna 253 and Amritsar 240.

The Union Territory of Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, saw an AQI of 201.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

Paddy straw burning in Punjab and Haryana is considered one of the reasons behind the alarming spike in air pollution levels in the national capital in October and November.

As the window for wheat, a key rabi crop, is very short after paddy harvest, some farmers set their fields on fire to quickly clear off the crop residue for sowing of the next crop.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"Abuse Of Contempt Law": Delhi Court After Man Seeks Action Against Judge

The Delhi High Court Tuesday let off a litigant after warning against "misusing and abusing" the process of contempt law by seeking contempt proceedings against a district court judge in an individual capacity, calling it an "unmitigated attack on the majesty and honesty" of courts.

The high court said the litigant's conduct of pursuing contempt proceedings against a judge of the district court on the ground that his grievances have not been duly addressed is "severely misguided and should be deterred".

"The courts are constitutional institutions that preserve and secure the rights and liberties of each citizen of this country with the utmost vigilance and caution... "The Constitution of India, 1950 and the legal framework of the country provide adequate safeguards to challenge the decision taken by a court. However, unavailing of such liberties and pursuing contempt against a judge in an individual capacity is an unmitigated attack on the majesty and honesty of the courts," Justice Jasmeet Singh said.

The high court was dealing with a petition which sought initiation of contempt proceedings against an additional district judge (ADJ), a lawyer and another person alleging "wilful and malafide" refusal to follow, disobey and evade the law laid down.

Justice Singh dismissed the petition saying the ADJ concerned cannot be held guilty of contempt of court.

The high court said a judge may be guilty of contempt of court if there was material to show gross and intentional misuse of judicial process, corruption or intentional insubordination. But in this case, no such grounds are made out, it said.

The court refrained from initiating contempt action against the petitioner noting that he was suffering from neurological issues but warned him "against misusing and abusing processes of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971".

"The petitioner has attempted to make use of the contempt proceedings to seek an explanation from the ADJ for the decision taken by him. In case such petitions are entertained, the judge, who is a party by name, will have to file a reply giving explanations and reasoning for his decision. This is impermissible," the high court said.

Regarding the lawyer, who was also impleaded as an alleged contemnor, the court said he was acting in his professional capacity and cannot be impleaded in the contempt proceedings in his personal capacity.

"The scope of judicial independence is inclusive of the independence of the bar so that lawyers are able to carry out their professional duties in a secure and unprejudiced environment," the high court said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Simple Touch Not Penetrative Sex Assault Under POCSO Act: High Court

A "simple touch" cannot be considered "manipulation" of a minor's body to cause penetration and attract the offence of penetrative sexual assault under the POCSO Act, the Delhi High Court said.

Justice Amit Bansal said "touch" was a separate offence under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act as he refused to uphold the conviction of a man for "aggravated penetrative sexual assault" for touching the private parts of a six-year-old girl his brother, a tuition teacher, taught

The judge, however, refused to interfere with the conviction and five-year jail term awarded to the man for the offence of "aggravated sexual assault" under the law.

"A perusal of Section 3(c) of the POCSO Act shows that for an act to be a penetrative sexual assault, the accused has to manipulate any part of the body of the child to cause penetration," said the court while dealing with the convict's appeal against a trial court decision.

"A simple act of touch cannot be considered to be manipulation under Section 3(c) of the Act. It is relevant to note that under Section 7 (sexual assault) of the POCSO Act, 'touch' is a separate offence. If the submission raised by the learned APP that a touch would amount to manipulation is accepted, then Section 7 of the Act would be rendered redundant," the court said in its order.

Sexual assault becomes "aggravated sexual assault" under Section 10 of the POCSO Act when committed on a child below 12.

The court observed there was nothing in the present case to show that there was any manipulation on any part of the body of the girl to cause penetration and attract the offence of "aggravated penetrative sexual assault".

The appellant argued there were serious lapses in the investigation and that the survivor's deposition contained material contradictions and improvements.

The court said two other children were present at the time of the incident but the prosecution did not make any attempt to question them which "clearly amounts to a serious lapse in the investigation".

It, however, added that merely because there were inconsistencies in the statement of the girl, it could not be said that her testimony was completely unreliable and should be disregarded in its entirety.

The court said the girl "consistently stated in her testimony as well as various previous statements" that she was touched in the anal region by the appellant and that caused her pain.

"I am of the opinion that the offence under Section 6 (Punishment for aggravated penetrative sexual assault) of the POCSO Act has not been proved against the appellant beyond all reasonable doubt. But the offence under Section 10 of the POCSO Act is proved beyond all reasonable doubt against the appellant," ruled the court.

"The appellant is sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment of five years for the offence under Section 10 of the POCSO Act. The fine of Rs 5,000 awarded by the trial court is retained," it ordered.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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VIDEO: सीएम एमएल खट्टर ने हरियाणा रोडवेज की बस में सफर करके यात्रियों को हैरत में डाला

हरियाणा रोडवेज (Haryana Roadways) की करनाल-चंडीगढ़ बस (Karnal-Chandigarh Bus) में आज सफर कर रहे यात्री उस समय हैरत में पड़ गए जब अचानक मुख्यमंत्री मनोहर लाल खट्टर (Manohar lal Khattar) भी बस पर चढ़ गए. खट्टर ने अन्य यात्रियों के साथ अम्बाला छावनी तक की यात्रा की. उन्होंने यात्रियों से बातचीत की और अपने अनुभव साझा किए. मनोहरलाल खट्टर ने बस कंडक्टर से भी बातचीत की. कंडक्टर ने उन्हें ई-टिकटिंग सिस्टम के बारे में समझाया.

मुख्यमंत्री ने बस यात्रा का एक वीडियो शेयर किया

सीएम खट्टर ने एक्स पर अपनी बस यात्रा का एक वीडियो शेयर किया. उन्होंने लिखा- ''आज करनाल से चंडीगढ़ आते हुए एक यादगार और अद्भुत सफर का अनुभव हुआ...जनता का सेवक होने के नाते उनके जीवन के सफर को भी और यात्रा के सुख-दुःख को भी जानने की कोशिश की.''

आज करनाल से चण्डीगढ़ आते हुए एक यादगार और अद्भुत सफर का अनुभव हुआ...

जनता का सेवक होने के नाते उनके जीवन के सफर को भी और यात्रा के सुख-दुःख को भी जानने की कोशिश की।

म्हारे प्रदेश की शान... हरियाणा रोडवेज के साथ यह शानदार अनुभव रहा।

सफर में पंजाब के एक यात्री का सुझाव और हमारी… pic.twitter.com/AUioVJ7gHo

— Manohar Lal (@mlkhattar) November 5, 2023

मुख्यमंत्री ने लिखा- ''म्हारे प्रदेश की शान... हरियाणा रोडवेज के साथ यह शानदार अनुभव रहा. सफर में पंजाब के एक यात्री का सुझाव और हमारी सरकार के काम की प्रशंसा तथा एक बहन द्वारा प्रसन्नता से अपने जीवनयात्री से करवाई हुई राम-राम ने मुझे आनंदित और भावविभोर कर दिया.''

अंत में उन्होंने लिखा- ''यह सफर हमेशा मुझे प्रदेश के सफर को बेहतर और उन्नति की ओर ले जाने के लिए प्रेरित करता रहेगा. सबने राम राम सै.''

यात्रियों ने वीडियो रिकॉर्ड किए और तस्वीरें खींचीं

बस में सवार यात्री मुख्यमंत्री से मिलकर बहुत खुश हुए, उन्होंने अपने मोबाइल फोन के कैमरों से वीडियो रिकॉर्ड किए और तस्वीरें खींचीं.

एमएल खट्टर द्वारा शेयर किए गए वीडियो में, यात्रियों में शामिल एक महिला उनसे अपने पति से फोन पर बात करने का अनुरोध करती हुई दिखाई दे रही है. खट्टर ने इस पर सहर्ष सहमति दे दी. जब महिला ने कहा कि वह अपने पति को उनके नाम से नहीं बुलाती है, तो उन्होंने फोन पर चुटकी लेते हुए कहा, "आपकी पत्नी आपका नाम नहीं लेना चाहती."

बस के साथ चलते रहे पुलिस के वाहन

एक अन्य यात्री ने अपने परिवार से वीडियो कॉल पर बात करते हुए फोन मुख्यमंत्री की ओर घुमाया. खट्टर ने उनका अभिवादन किया और हाथ हिलाया.

रास्ते में बस के हाईवे पर स्थित एक ढाबे पर रुकने पर मुख्यमंत्री ने सड़क के किनारे लोगों से मुलाकात की. मुख्यमंत्री की सुरक्षा के लिए रास्ते भर पुलिस वाहन बस के साथ चलते रहे.

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2 Unclaimed Boxes At Karnataka Rail Station Parking Trigger Bomb Scare

Two unclaimed boxes were recovered from the parking lot of Karnataka's Shivamogga railway station this evening, a police official said. A bomb disposal team was called to the spot, the police added.

The boxes triggered a bomb scare in the city. "Made in Bangladesh, food grains and sugars" was written on the boxes, Shivamogga Superintendent of Police GK Mithun Kumar said.

The police are investigating who placed the boxes, he said.

Barricades and sandbags were placed around the boxes to stop people from coming near them, he said.

The police will open the boxes after the bomb disposal team arrives from Bengaluru, he added.

Further details are awaited.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"They Can Arrest Arvind Kejriwal But...": B Mann Attacks BJP Over Summons

Coming down heavily on the Centre over the ED summons to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for questioning in connection with the liquor 'scam' case, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday said the AAP convenor picked up the 'broom', which is the party's official symbol, to sweep the 'filth' from politics.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, the Punjab Chief Minister said, "Arvind Kejriwal picked up the broom to sweep the filth from politics. I understand that the BJP has received an intelligence report saying that Kejriwal will be arrested (by the ED). The BJP wants to put him away behind bars as wherever he goes, the mess that they have left behind is cleansed."

"They (BJP-led Centre) want to stop us. They can arrest Kejriwal but can they stop lakhs of people who have made him their leader for 10 years? AAP is the only party which has prioritised the welfare and well-being of the common man," Mr Mann said.

Meanwhile, speaking at a public meeting in poll-bound Chhattisgarh on Saturday, Mr Kejriwal said the AAP has extended its footprints beyond the national capital, forming the government in two states within a span of 10 years since its inception.

"We formed government in two states within a span of 10 years by the grace of God. We are in power in Delhi and Punjab on the back of clear and decisive mandates. We also have 5 MLAs in Gujarat and 2 in Goa and we are making rapid inroads beyond Delhi. People are fond of the AAP and we want to take our party to the far corners of the country," the Delhi Chief Minister said.

"I am not here to ask for votes. All I am here for is to urge you all to give us an opportunity to give a good education to your children. I will; ensure that your children receive a proper education and study in good schools. Government schools in Delhi were in a sorry state when we took over. They were in a dilapidated state, much like the ones here in Chhattisgarh. Previously, the power in Delhi merely alternated between the Congress and the BJP. However, one fine day, the voters decided to throw the BJP and Congress out and bring the AAP to power," he added.

Earlier, on Friday, AAP leader and Delhi minister Atishi said the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summons to CM Kejriwal is "just the beginning" as the agency will soon "summon other leaders" of the party.

Speaking at a press conference, the Delhi minister said, "ED's summons to our leader Arvind Kejriwal is just the beginning. They will summon more leaders from our party and raid their homes in the coming days. They will arrest more of our MLAs, ministers and MPs."

Skipping the summons, he wrote to the central agency, stating, "The said summons is not clear as to the capacity in which I am being summoned i.e. as a witness or a suspect in the above-mentioned case. Please recall the said summons, which, to say the least, is vague and motivated and I am advised, unsustainable in law."

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Chhattisgarh BJP Leader Murdered By Maoists 3 Days Before Election

Three days before the first phase of polling in Chhattisgarh, Maoists have killed a BJP leader who was campaigning for the elections, police said. Ratan Dubey was the vice-president of the BJP's Narayanpur district unit.

The incident took place on Saturday in Kaushalnar area of the district. Mr Dubey represented the area in the zilla panchayat. 

Police said Dubey had gone to the Kaushalnar market area to campaign for the BJP and he was murdered with an axe. The Maoists had recently released a press note warning people against participating in the elections.

A senior police official said a team has reached the spot to investigate the murder. 

Assembly elections will be held in the state in two phases, on November 7 and 17. Narayanpur is among the 20 Assembly seats for which polls will be held on November 7.

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