News Highlights: Kerala Governor calls for investigation by HC Judge in student death

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Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma tweets, "Based on reliable inputs, a vehicle was intercepted at Churaibari checkpoint by Cachar Police and 439 packets containing 1,317 kg Ganja was recovered. Two people have been apprehended in this connection and further investigation is underway."

Former PM and JD(S) chief HD Deve Gowda on PM Modi, said, "Modi is different from (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee. Vajpayee was not able to cross more than 180 (seats); Modi reached 306 (seats) at the first instance. Now he aiming to get 400 seats. His leadership has been recognised by the other countries, not only India."

Meta has acknowledged the outage.

Meta spokesperson Andy Stone posted on X, "We're aware people are having trouble accessing our services. We are working on this now."

The cryptocurrency hit a high of $69,202, topping November 2021's all-time peak of $68,999.99.

Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Kerala Veterinary University Vice-Chancellor's suspension over the death of a student, says, "Only the competent authority can take action and that is why the incumbent vice-chancellor has been suspended. The remand report says that for two days everyone was witnessing how that young boy was being tortured with belts and wires. The University administration did not know about it? The SFI has turned every university and hostel into a den of criminal activities. All kinds of criminal and unlawful activities. They are criminals masquerading as students. This matter must be investigated by a judge of a High Court."

CBI team left from police headquarters in Kolkata. West Bengal CID did not hand over custody of Sheikh Shahjahan to CBI as the state government went to the Supreme Court regarding this matter.

Dumka SP Pitamber Singh Kherwar says, "All the 8 accused have been arrested. We have all the evidence against them and will file a chargesheet and request a speedy trial from the court. All the accused are between 18-25 age group."

Congress leader Sachin Pilot says, "We had a good meeting. We are in the process of finalising the names. A CEC meeting will happen on March 7. We will declare the names as the elections are not far. We are strengthening the INDIA alliance."

ED, Kolkata has provisionally attached movable and immovable assets worth Rs. 12.78 Crore in the form of 14 immovable properties in the nature of apartment, agriculture land, land for fishery, land and building etc. in Gram Serberia, Sandeshkhali and Kolkata and two bank accountsunder the provisions of PMLA, 2002 in the matter of Shahjahan Seikh and others," posts Enforcement Directorate on X.

Central Board of Direct Taxes clarifies that income of any fund or institution or trust or any university or other educational institution or any hospital or other medical institution referred to in specified sub-clauses of section 10 (23C) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 or any trust or institution registered under section 12AA/12AB of the Act is exempt, subject to fulfilment of certain conditions specified under various sections of the Act.

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar visited Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple and Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram today morning. He is contesting from the Thiruvananthapuram seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections.

ED, Kolkata has provisionally attached movable and immovable assets worth Rs. 12.78 Crore in the form of 14 immovable properties in the nature of apartment, agriculture land, land for fishery, land and building etc. in Gram Serberia, Sandeshkhali and Kolkata and two bank accountsunder the provisions of PMLA, 2002 in the matter of Shahjahan Seikh and others.

PM will inaugurate the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section of the Kolkata Metro tomorrow.

BJP National President JP Nadda says, "Earlier, there was an atmosphere that all of this would continue only and nothing will change. Anybody may come and rule but things will remain the same. This was the political discourse. And the politics was the politics of caste combination and appeasement. The character of politics was to take votes from all and after the elections, the government belonged to any one caste. They never represented the whole society. PM Modi has challenged and changed the political culture and discourse of the country. Today, it is appeasement to none, justice to all. Politics of performance, accountability, report card, development and fulfilling the aspirations of the people. PM Modi has brought this change."

Bhartiya Kisan Union (Shaheed Bhagat Singh) spokesperson Tejveer Singh in a press conference at Shambhu border earlier today, said, "On March 6, farmers from all over the country will peacefully move towards Delhi's Jantar Mantar. We have received information that farmers from Madhya Pradesh and Bihar have already started their journey. Our protest aims at securing legal guarantee for MSP and to prevent the country from being exploited. We urge all kinds of organisations to support us and join us in large numbers at Jantar Mantar."

Five more accused have been arrested by the police today. A total of 8 accused have been arrested so far: Dumka SP Pitamber Singh Kherwar.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Desai leaves from the Mumbai Police Headquarters after around 8 hours of questioning.

He was summoned by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai police today for questioning with regard to the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) allegation that the Uddhav Thackeray faction withdrew party funds even after the Election Commission recognised the Shinde faction as the real Shiv Sena.

How can parties promoting dynastic politics strengthen democracy in country, Amit Shah asks at youth rally in Maharashtra's Jalgaon.

Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay after announcing his resignation to join politics, said, "I felt that I had done enough work there (in judiciary), but some work is set to be done for people who cannot go to the court or do not have the resources to go to the court. They are very helpless, and I should help them with the little resources I have for them, and that's why I have decided to join politics. I will be joining the BJP."

BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla says, "Kolkata High Court transferring the matter of Sheikh Shahjahan from the West Bengal Police to the CBI, evokes only one response- 'Satyamev Jayate'. They pretended to remove him from the party and arrested him after the High Court started interfering in the matter. But the question is, there is Shahjahan in every office of the TMC. One Shahjahan has been expelled for formality, but there are so many other Shahjahan who are being protected (by the TMC)."

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on the inauguration of the technical centre of IN-SPACe in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, says, "It is a historic day for the Space Department and India. Modi ji gave permission for public-private partnership in the space sector. Recently, FDI has been allowed in this sector. Even though our space journey began much later, we are the first nation to land on the south pole of the Moon. Our astronauts are being invited to go to the US Space Station."

Anand Dubey, Shiv Sena-UBT Spokesperson, on DMK leader A Raja's controversial remarks on Lord Ram, says, "A Rajaji, you don' believe in Lord Ram or Baba Sahib Ambedkar or the Constitution or the country's unity and integrity. Then what do you believe in? Stalin ji should stop such people. INDIA alliance condemns A Raja's statement."

At the order of Calcutta High Court, three members of CBI along with the Police Force reach Bhawani Bhawan Police Headquarters to take TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh into CBI custody.

Ealier in the day, Calcutta HC transferred to CBI the Sandehskhali case which pertains to the attack on ED officials.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says, "The 'Garjan Brigade' has been called on the coming March 10 March. I urge all those people to hold a strong protest on March 10 against the efforts that are being made to defame Bengal and Bengal officials. I request all of you to reach the brigade by 11:30 to 12 pm."

West Bengal Govt moves SC against Calcutta High Court order directing CBI probe in Sandeshkhali matter. Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi mentions the plea before the Supreme Court. SC asks the advocate to mention it before the registrar general of the top court.

FM Nirmala Sitharaman highlights several initiatives by PM Modi aimed at empowering women in India.

- Points out the construction of a new Parliament building as a significant step under PM Modi's leadership.

Emphasizes the provision of LPG to rural households, contributing to improved living conditions and clean energy access.

- Acknowledges PM Modi's historic move in reserving 33 percent of parliamentary seats for women lawmakers.

- Stresses that this reservation will empower women to actively participate in decision-making processes, particularly in crafting policies centered around women's issues.

Deputy CM of Bihar Vijay Sinha says, "I thank the Chief Minister of Bihar and the Assembly Speaker for taking the cognizance of the scam going on in the name of appointment and giving orders to cancel it...Tejashwi Yadav is the leader of the opposition, he speaks only what he has been taught, he has been taught that 'family first'. Be it Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav or Akhilesh Yadav, all of them are born with a golden spoon and are looting the hard-earned money of the people."

EAM Dr S Jaishankar addressing the Indian Community in Seoul, says, "You can see, today, an Indian leaving the shores of India, does so with a confidence which they didn't have before. They have the confidence that whatever happens out there, there is a government which will look after them. That's a very big feeling because when we look at the state of the world, more and more Indians will explore global work opportunities."

PM Modi after inaugurating and laying foundation stone of several development projects in Jajpur, Odisha, says, "Today, with the blessings of Lord Jagannath and Maa Biraja, a new stream of development has started in Jajpur and Odisha. Today is also the birth anniversary of Biju Babu Ji (former CM Biju Patnaik). Biju Babu's contribution to the development of Odisha and the country has been incomparable. On behalf of all the countrymen, I pay my tribute and respect to respected Biju Babu."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "Today's event is also a recognition of how rapidly the work culture has changed in our country over the years. The earlier governments were not interested in completing the projects on time. Whereas our government tries to rapidly complete the projects. After 2014, those projects which were stuck, lost in the country were completed."

Former Congress leader Arjun Modhwadia after joining BJP, says, "When the Prant Pratishtha Mahotsav of Ram Temple was organized, the invitation given by Ram Janmabhoomi Trust was rejected by (Congress) and public sentiments were insulted. This incident tells us that Congress' leadership has nothing to do with what the people want. Many Congress workers got upset with this."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates, dedicates to the nation and lays the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 19,600 crore in Chandikhole, Odisha. The projects relate to sectors including Oil & Gas, Railways, Road, Transport & Highways and Atomic Energy.

"I don't consider TMC as a (political) party rather it is a theatre group," says Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay, who resigned as a judge of Calcutta High Court earlier today, during a press conference in Kolkata.

Calcutta High Court transfers to CBI the Sandehskhali case which pertains to the attack on ED officials. CBI is also expected to take the custody of suspended TMC leader Shiekh Shahjahan.

BJP leader Narayanan Thirupathy on DMK's A Raja's purported 'India is not a country' remark, said, "Raja has said that India is not a country... These people are evil forces in Tamil Nadu. I think it is the duty of CM MK Stalin, who has taken an oath under the Constitution of India that he will abide by the rules and laws of the country, to take action and arrest A Raja for saying."

DMK MP TKS Elangovan on party leader A Raja's purported 'India is not a country' remark, said, "I don't know what A Raja said. He will reply to that. I am not the right person because I don't know what is in A Raja's mind."

BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on DMK leader A Raja's purported 'India is not a country' remark, said, "I want to ask Congress party, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka, Mallikarjun Kharge - do you consider it right? You have to remove Modi and that is why you abuse him, that is a different issue. But these words - "we are enemies of Ram" - do you agree with this."

On A Raja's remarks on 'Jai Shri Ram' and the idea of India, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad says, "...He (A Raja) said that we will never accept 'Jai Shri Ram' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai'...Do Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge agree with this? Will DMK use such derogatory comments against deities of other religions? We respect all religions..."

In view of the prevailing security situation and local safety advisories, all Indians nationals in Israel, especially those working in or visiting border areas in the north and south, are advised to relocate to safe areas within Israel. The Embassy remains in touch with the Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of all our nationals.

The following helplines maybe contacted for any further guidance or clarification:
24*7 Emergency Helpline/Contact
Embassy:
Tel +972-35226748
Email: cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in
Alternatively, the hotline number of Population and Immigration Authority of Israel may be contacted:
Tel 1700707889
The Embassy also requests Indian nationals in Israel to share this advisory through their local networks for wider circulation.

Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay resigned from his position as a judge of the Calcutta High Court and shortly after announced his decision to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He submitted his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu, with copies sent to CJI DY Chandrachud and Chief Justice of the Calcutta HC TS Sivagnanam. On his last working day, emotional scenes unfolded at Room Number 17 of the Calcutta High Court, with a significant gathering of lawmakers and citizens.

Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Union Minister of Electronics & IT, has stated that both Google and a startup company have engaged in productive discussions with them. He mentioned that Google has agreed to restore the status of all apps to the state they were in on Friday morning, March 1st. Vaishnaw also expressed confidence that, with Google's support in their technology development journey, a long-term resolution will be reached between the startup company and Google in the upcoming months.

The Supreme Court has provided significant relief to Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar by dismissing a 2018 money laundering case against him. DK Shivakumar, a Congress leader, was arrested by Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in September 2019 in relation to this case. However, the Delhi High Court granted him bail the following month. Shivakumar has previously accused the BJP of engaging in political vendetta, expressing confidence in the judicial process.

The Bombay High Court has acquitted former Delhi University professor GN Saibaba and co-accused in a case concerning alleged Maoist links. A division bench comprising Justice Vinay G Joshi and Justice Valimiki SA Menezes concluded the hearing and reserved its verdict in September last year, pursuant to directives from the Supreme Court.

- Addressing a public rally in Sangareddy, PM Modi said today, "Over the past decade, the central government has been dedicated to elevating Telangana to greater heights. Yesterday, in Adilabad, I ceremoniously launched and initiated development projects exceeding Rs 56,000 crore. Today, here in Sangareddy, I am set to inaugurate and lay the foundation for development endeavors surpassing Rs 7,000 crore.."

- Prime Minister Narendra Modi this morning inaugurated multiple development projects and officially opens the Civil Aviation Research Organization (CARO) Centre in Hyderabad by laying its foundation stone.

India’s February services PMI of 60.6 below flash PMI of 62.0. Composite PMI at 60.6 versus 61.2 in January. Composite PMI of 60.6 below flash PMI of 61.5.

"MCA has refined disclosure and audit requirements with international best practices," he said. "Promoting competition in audit market is very beneficial," he added.

March 5:

-Programs in Telangana's Sangareddy: Project inaugurations and public address.
-Travel to Odisha.
-Inaugurations in Chandikhole and Jajpur.
-Public address in Chandikhole.
-Departure for West Bengal.
March 6:

-In West Bengal: Inaugurations and public meeting in Barasat.
-Travel to Bihar: Inaugurations in Bettiah.
March 7:

-Visit to Jammu and Kashmir: Public rally in Srinagar.
-Media event in New Delhi.
March 8:

-National Creator's Award event in Delhi.
-Travel to Assam: Development programs.
March 9:

-In Arunachal Pradesh: Inauguration of Sela Tunnel and other programs.
-Visit to Assam: Unveiling of Lachit Barphukan's statue and foundation stone laying.
March 10:

-Programs in Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh.
March 11:

-Activities in the national capital: 'Namo Drone Didi' and 'Lakhpati Didi' programs, Dwarka Expressway inauguration, DRDO event.
March 12:

-Visit to Gujarat's Sabarmati.
Travel to Rajasthan's Pokhran.
March 13:

-Foundation stone laying of semiconductor projects in Gujarat and Assam via video conferencing.
-Outreach program for disadvantaged sections of society.

Niranjan Hiranandani, Managing Director of Hiranandani Group, was interrogated by the Enforcement Directorate on an alleged violation of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

On March 5, the second day of his tour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to participate in numerous programs and inaugurate several projects in Sangareddy, Telangana. Subsequently, he will deliver a public address before proceeding to Odisha. In Odisha, he will inaugurate, dedicate, and lay the foundation stone for various development projects in Chandikhole and Jajpur, followed by another public address in Chandikhole. Later in the day, he will depart for West Bengal.

Cases previously under Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay's jurisdiction have been transferred to the single bench of Justice Arindam Mukherjee. This decision follows controversy surrounding Justice Gangopadhyay's disregard for a division bench's stay order. Earlier, cases related to primary education were reassigned from his bench to Justice Rajasekhar Mantha, while matters concerning labor and industrial laws remained under Justice Gangopadhyay's purview.