Supreme Court Directs Electoral Roll Revisions in Bihar Amid Upcoming Elections
Supreme Court's Directive on Electoral Roll Revisions
The Supreme Court has advised the Election Commission to accept Aadhaar cards, voter ID cards, and ration cards as valid proof for updating electoral rolls in Bihar. The court emphasized that the list of 11 documents previously provided by the poll panel was not comprehensive.
This ruling came during the hearing of petitions challenging the Election Commission's plan for a special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, which is set to precede the Assembly elections anticipated in October or November. The next hearing is scheduled for July 28.
The Election Commission announced this revision on June 24, requiring individuals not listed in the 2003 voter registry to provide proof of their eligibility to vote. This affects approximately 2.9 crore of the state's 7.8 crore voters, representing about 37% of the electorate.
Charges Filed Against Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh
In a significant development, Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal has brought charges against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others for alleged crimes against humanity during the protests in July 2024. The other individuals charged include Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who served as home minister during the protests, and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun.
The tribunal is set to hear the prosecution's case on August 3 and 4. Hasina resigned and fled to India on August 5, 2024, following extensive student-led protests against her administration, which lasted for 16 years. The tribunal had previously acknowledged the charges against her on June 1, accusing her of inciting mass killings during the protests.
Money Laundering Case Against Prominent Figures
The Enforcement Directorate has initiated a money laundering investigation involving 29 individuals, including well-known actors Prakash Raj and Vijay Deverakonda, for allegedly endorsing illegal online betting applications. This action follows five cases filed by the police in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
The accused are believed to have received fees for promoting these betting platforms, which are illegal in India.
Rain-Related Casualties and Disruptions in Northern India
Since the monsoon began on June 20, at least 85 individuals have lost their lives due to rain-related incidents in Himachal Pradesh. Additionally, 34 people are reported missing, and 129 have sustained injuries.
In Uttarakhand, 22 fatalities and 11 injuries have been recorded due to similar weather conditions. The heavy rains have damaged over 140 homes and displaced numerous families, with more than 130 roads, including highways, remaining blocked.
In Delhi, the India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert as heavy rainfall continues to affect the National Capital Region, leading to severe waterlogging and traffic issues. States like Nagaland, Assam, and Manipur are also experiencing flooding, prompting the Indian Army to commence relief operations.
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