Law

‘Coherent narrative of planned disruption’: SC cites prosecution case to deny bail to Umar, Sharjeel (Lead)

IANS | January 5, 2026 6:24 PM

New Delhi, Jan 5 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the bail pleas of student activists Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid in the “larger conspiracy” case behind the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots, holding that the prosecution material, taken at face value and read cumulatively, disclosed reasonable grounds for believing that the accusations against them were prima facie true.

Peca in Pakistan used against journalists, lawyers and human rights defenders: Report

IANS | January 4, 2026 9:04 PM

Islamabad, Jan 4 (IANS) The amendments to Pakistan's Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) were made in an opaque manner and passed by the Parliament in January last year without any consultations or debate, and though Senators had said that the amended law would not be used against journalists, the promise was broken as was clear from the intent behind introducing these amendments, a rights activist said.

Pakistan anti-terrorism court's verdict against journalists sparks concerns over press freedom: Report

IANS | January 4, 2026 4:35 PM

Islamabad, Jan 4 (IANS) An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan has sentenced eight journalists and social media commentators to life imprisonment in absentia, convicting them of terrorism-linked offences related to online activity backing former Prime Minister Imran Khan, sparking concerns over press freedom and freedom of expression in the country, as per a media report.

Hindu saints back Ex-ASI director’s claims on Qutub Minar, seek govt intervention in reclaiming monument

IANS | January 3, 2026 7:02 PM

Varanasi, 3 Jan (IANS) A ‘disclosure’ by the former regional director of former Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Dharamveer Sharma, about the ‘Hindu character’ of Qutub Minar triggered demands from the religious leaders for reclaiming the ancient monument and also restore the ‘dhwaja’ of Lord Vishnu, as it is said to have existed centuries ago.

After 36 years, Kerala MLA Antony Raju found guilty in ‘underwear tampering’ case

IANS | January 3, 2026 12:34 PM

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 3 (IANS) In a dramatic turn of events, a local court in suburban Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday convicted Kerala’s Left Front legislator and former Transport Minister Antony Raju in the infamous "underwear evidence tampering" case, bringing to an end a legal saga that has spanned more than three and a half decades.