Activists protest against bail to Sengar outside Parliament

NEW DELHI: Invoking Supreme Court‘s verdict in L K Advani case in which it was ruled that anyone who holds public office, like MPs or MLAs, would be deemed a public servant, CBI has told Supreme Court that Delhi high court erred by declaring that Kuldeep Singh Sengar, an MLA when the offence was committed, was not a public servant to be prosecuted under Pocso and granted him bail, reports Amit Anand Choudhary. A vacation bench will take up CBI’s plea Dec 29.Seeking quashing of HC’s order, CBI said when lawmakers can be prosecuted under the Prevention of Corruption Act for being a public authority, then they should be deemed public servants to be prosecuted under Pocso. HC had ruled that Sengar’s case was not covered under Section 5(c), which talks about aggravated penetrative sexual assault. CBI: HC ignored MLA vested with public trust, authorityThe provision says the offence becomes severe when penetrative sexual assault is committed by specific individuals like police officers, armed forces, public servants, or staff of educational institutions/hospitals, leading to stricter penaltiesCBI said, “The HC failed to consider that a sitting MLA, by virtue of holding a constitutional office, is vested with public trust and authority over the electorate and that such position carries heightened responsibility arising from duties owed to the state and society… It has erred in law by failing to adopt a purposive interpretation that advances the object and intent of the Pocso Act…”It said HC “failed to correctly appreciate the judgment of this Hon’ble Court in the case of L K Advani v CBI wherein the accused MLA was held to be a public servant within the meaning of Section 2 (c) (viii) of Prevention of Corruption Act…”“It is submitted that the offences under Section 5(c) of the Pocso Act are of greater gravity than corruption offences by MP’s/MLA’s… The legislature has therefore provided for stringent mandatory penalties, protective procedural safeguards, and enhanced liability for persons in positions of trust or authority, reflecting the higher societal interest in protecting the vulnerable over abstract institutional harm,” the appeal said.“A comprehensive and meaningful reading of section 5(c) the Pocso Act leads to an irrefutable conclusion that it seeks to punish exploitation and sexual abuse of children from public servants, owing to use of their power, position or status be it political or otherwise,” it said.CBI said a life convict can be given the benefit of suspension of sentence only if, prima facie, the conviction appears unsustainable and there is a high chance of success in appeal. “Mere long incarceration or delay in hearing the appeal, by itself, does not automatically justify suspension in heinous offences; courts must balance individual liberty with societal interest and the gravity of the crime,” it said.

Doctors raise slogans during an indefinite strike against the termination of services of a fellow doctor at IGMC in Shimla

SHIMLA: Healthcare services, except emergency care, were disrupted across govt hospitals in Himachal Pradesh on Saturday after doctors went on indefinite strike, demanding the immediate reinstatement of Dr Raghav Nirula, who was sacked for assaulting a patient at Shimla’s Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) on Dec 22.There’s a video of Nirula brutally thrashing the patient, who is also seen kicking him while lying in bed, but RDA says Nirula’s side of the story hasn’t been considered and the termination is unjust.RDA president Dr Sohail Sharma called Nirula’s termination a “humiliation of the medical fraternity”. Doctors will not resume work until govt reverses the decision, he said. “We accept that there was misconduct, for which the doctor was suspended within six hours. However, terminating him within 48 hours based on the disciplinary committee’s report is not justified,” Dr Sharma said.Patients and their attendants visiting IGMC and Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialities (AIMSS) at Chamiyana, in Shimla, faced hardship due to doctors’ absence. Several surgeries scheduled for Saturday had to be postponed.Health and family welfare minister Col Dhani Ram Shandil (retd) said the issue would be resolved soon. He added that he would call the doctors for discussions once the CM returned from Delhi. “I always say doctors should not let anger take over. If they had quietly met the chief minister and apologised, saying it happened in a moment of passion, perhaps the entire matter could have been resolved,” he said.The minister assured that steps were being taken to ensure patients did not face inconvenience. Emergency services would continue as usual, and reports were being compiled on doctors attending duty, he added.Jagat Ram (70), a resident of Gadakufar, in Theog tehsil of Shimla district, said his prostate surgery scheduled at AIMSS-Chamiyana on Saturday was postponed. “Doctors advised me not to eat anything after 11 pm yesterday. But this morning, I was told the surgery could not be performed until the strike ends,” he said.The directorate of medical education and research issued SOPs to ensure uninterrupted emergency healthcare services.

Pakistan on Friday summoned Britain’s deputy high commissioner Matt Cannell after a video circulated online showing a woman at a rally in the UK referring to a possible attack on Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir.The ministry of foreign affairs called in Cannell to lodge a formal protest and demanded an investigation after the woman, speaking at a rally in Bradford in northern England, mentioned the possibility of the army chief being killed in a car bombing. Pakistani officials said the remarks went beyond political expression and raised serious security concerns.

The rally was held in support of Pakistan’s jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan and was attended by his supporters living in the UK. Khan was removed from office through a no-confidence vote in April 2022 and has been in prison for nearly two years.The Bradford protest came days after a special court of Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency sentenced Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to 17 years in prison each in the Toshakhana-II corruption case. According to Dawn, the court also imposed a fine of Pakistani Rs 16.4 million on each of them, with additional jail time possible in case of non-payment. The case relates to the alleged illegal retention and sale of state gifts received while Khan was in office.The video from the Bradford rally was initially shared on X by the UK chapter of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party before being deleted. Explaining the decision, PTI UK said in a post on X: “We have removed a video from the recent Bradford protest featuring a citizen’s metaphorical remarks regarding General Asim Munir. Although we do not believe the individual incited violence, the post was deleted in an abundance of caution to prevent potential misunderstanding and legal safeguarding of the individual and her rights.”Pakistan’s deputy interior minister Talal Chaudhry said the remarks crossed a red line. Speaking to Geo Television, he said: “While Imran Khan’s party has been inciting supporters against the military, the car bomb threat at the Bradford rally crossed all limits. It does not fall into the category of freedom of speech.”He urged the UK government to investigate the incident and take legal action if laws were violated.Responding to Pakistan’s concerns, the UK High Commission in Islamabad said in a brief statement: “Where a foreign Government believes a crime has been committed, they should provide all relevant material to their UK police liaison. Any material that appears to break UK law will be reviewed by the police and may lead to a criminal investigation.”The diplomatic move comes amid escalating tensions between Khan’s supporters and Pakistan’s powerful military. Earlier this month, army spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry described Khan as “mentally ill” during a press conference, after posts on Khan’s official X account referred to General Munir as “mentally unstable,” according to the Associated Press.

Former Imran Khan aide Shahzad Akbar attacked in UK

Separately, tensions escalated further after PTI said Shahzad Akbar, a former adviser to Imran Khan was attacked in the United Kingdom on Thursday.In a post on X, Akbar said he was assaulted outside his home in Cambridge by an unidentified man.“Yesterday at approximately 8:08 a.m., I was attacked at my home by an unknown assailant dressed in what appeared to be construction or waste-collection attire,” Akbar wrote. “The individual asked, ‘Are you Shahzad Akbar?’ and immediately began assaulting me. The incident occurred in the presence of my family.”Akbar said he sustained facial injuries, including bruising and a fractured nose, and was taken to a local hospital before being discharged.“The police have taken cognizance of the matter and have assured me and my family that they are actively investigating this targeted attack and will work to apprehend both the perpetrator and those behind it,” he said.He added that he could not share further details at this stage, including CCTV footage, on the advice of authorities.“I have full faith in the rule of law and in British law enforcement to carry out their duties,” Akbar said, urging the UK government to ensure the safety of dissidents.In a follow-up statement, Akbar said the attack would not silence him.“I want to make one thing absolutely clear: If my views, political comments, or even my ‘face’ is not liked by anyone, such cowardly acts will only strengthen my resolve rather than silence me,” he wrote. “Violence will not intimidate me or deter me from speaking out.”The Pakistan government has previously submitted extradition documents to British authorities seeking Akbar’s return. Akbar, a PTI member, has been accused by the state of anti-government activities.

Mumbai: In an announcement on Saturday evening, Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR) officials said there will be 584 and 165 additional services respectively on the suburban network in the next four to five years once all the infrastructure upgrade projects are completed in phases. In the WR, there will be 65 more long-distance trains from Mumbai in the near future. Moreover, existing trains will be augmented by 70 coaches per day. In the CR, 30 new outstation trains will be introduced. CR will upgrade Parel-Kurla 5th and 6th line, deck at Kurla for Harbour line and 5th and 6th line, and Kalyan-Kasara 3rd and 4th line. WR chief spokesperson Vineet Abhishek said that the objective is to augment the carrying capacity in suburban and long-distance trains and, more importantly, reduce overcrowding in suburban coaches. As many as 20 new train services will be introduced after the completion of the 6th line extension work till Borivli, while bringing in more AC local trains as well in near future depending on when the new AC rakes get commissioned. At present, WR runs 1,406 suburban services daily through 116 rakes. It handles 44 long-distance trains from the Mumbai area. Abhishek said, “With the completion of various infrastructure work, the suburban traffic will be segregated from main line traffic. This will release additional capacity for suburban operations.”At the same time, the work for the extension of the harbour line from Goregaon to Borivli is also moving at a fast pace. In addition, the extension of platform lengths on the Bandra–Andheri section to 15 cars is also planned. The construction of the Naigaon–Juichandra double chord line at a cost of Rs 176 crore is also being executed. This will enable direct connectivity towards the Konkan Railway, without loco reversal at Vasai Road, paving the way for new train services and smoother travel for passengers from Western suburbs towards Konkan, Goa, and beyond. Under Phase I for the 6th line project, work is in the final stages for the Kandivli–Borivli stretch, which will be completed by Jan 2026, he said. “Capacity augmentation in Mumbai will be undertaken through terminal expansion, development of maintenance and stabling infrastructure,” Abhishek added.

Melbourne Stars will face the Sydney Thunder in the fourteenth match of the Big Bash League. This article provides details about the Melbourne Stars’ Playing 11 vs Sydney Thunder for the fourteenth match of the tournament.

Melbourne Stars Playing XI vs Sydney Thunder- BBL 2025-26, Match 14

Openers: Sam Harper (wk), Joe Clarke

Melbourne Stars would look to keep the winning momentum that they have on their side, going by winning their fourth game of the ongoing edition of the Big Bash League against the Sydney Thunder.

The Marcus Stoinis-led side would back its players to replicate the similar performance that they delivered in the last match against the Sydney Sixers in their respective departments.

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The onus will be on the openers to get the team off to a good start and make meaningful contributions individually as well.

The pair of Sam Harper, who scored an attacking century in the previous match to get his team over the line, and Joe Clack will be entrusted to do their job to the best of their abilities.

A good start given by the openers will have the middle order batters of the Stars to capitalize on it and get the opposition bowlers under pressure both while batting first and while chasing.

Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Campbell Kellaway, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis (c), Hilton Cartwright, Tom Curran, Jonathan Merlo

The opening batters will be followed by a middle order that has shown good form in the first three matches and would want to carry the same against the Thunder, who are also coming into the match on the back of a win against the Heat.

The middle order of the Stars comprises a good blend of young and experienced batters, all of whom have the capability to turn the match in their team’s favour from any situation.

Names like captain Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, and Hilton Cartwright provide much-needed experience and stability to the Stars in the middle phase of their batting innings.

Campbell Kellaway, the young batter, has also impressed everyone with his intelligent batting in the first three matches, as he has played a couple of match-winning innings for his team and would look to do the same in the upcoming game.

Bowlers: Mitchell Swepson, Haris Rauf, Peter Siddle

As far as the bowling attack of the Melbourne Stars is concerned, it has a total of seven bowling options, which provides much-needed flexibility to the bowling lineup.

Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis, both of whom have a rich vein of experience when it comes to playing T20 cricket, have been able to chip in with the ball as well, with Maxwell bowling the first over of the innings and Stoinis controlling things in the middle phase.

Other than Maxwell and Stoinis Stars also have the ace of Haris Rauf and the experience of Peter Siddle and Tom Curran to rely upon in the fast bowling department.

Mitchell Swepson has been banked upon to take care of the spin bowling department of the Stars.