Jasprit Bumrah (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah said he has no preference between bowling with the new or old ball, stressing that his priority is contributing to the team’s success after India clinched the five-match T20I series with two games to spare following a commanding eight-wicket victory in the third match at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Sunday.Chasing 154, India brushed aside an early setback to race home in just 10 overs, powered by Abhishek Sharma’s unbeaten 68 off 28 balls and Suryakumar Yadav’s 57 not out off 26.

Abhishek brought up a 14-ball fifty — the second-fastest by an Indian — as India surged to 94/2 in the powerplay. Before the batting onslaught, however, Bumrah had set the tone with a superb spell in the first innings, returning figures of 3/17 in four overs as New Zealand were restricted to 153/9 despite resistance from Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman and skipper Mitchell Santner.Explaining his approach, Bumrah spoke about adjusting to the conditions after the initial overs. “I was keeping an eye when Harshit and Hardik bowled, what is the best option over here. Obviously when I came, the ball had become a little scuffed up. So the ball usually, the white ball doesn’t swing for long. So what was my best option, how I wanted to try. So I tried to do that,” he said during the post-match presentation after receiving the Player of the Match award.Asked whether he prefers bowling with the new or old ball, Bumrah underlined his adaptability. “I’m happy as far as I’m able to contribute. So if the team wants me to bowl with the new ball I’m more than happy, if they want me to bowl in the end, I’m happy to do that. I did that in Asia Cup as well. That was a new role for me. I’ve never done that before for too long. That bowling only three overs, but as a team we have to be flexible, so I’m flexible as well.”The match also marked a personal milestone for Bumrah, who completed 10 years in international cricket.Reflecting on his journey, he said, “Oh, it feels really good. I, as a child, only dreamt to play one game and you know, 10 years playing for your country, being not an allrounder, being a pure fast bowler, you know, fighting aches and pains, assumptions, opinions. Because when people saw me, I was not supposed to play for long. People gave me six months. So this is something that I was really proud of that playing for your country for so long and hopefully the journey continues but that is something that, you know, it’s a feather in my cap and I’ll keep it with me.”

Mi-17 choppers shower petals, fly ‘Dhwaj Formation’

NEW DELHI: The Republic Day parade began on Kartavya Path on Monday with a stirring aerial display titled the ‘Dhwaj Formation’, as four Mi-17 1V helicopters of the 129 Helicopter Unit flew overhead in a striking inverted ‘Y’ formation, carrying the National Ensign along with the service flags of the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.The formation was led by Group Captain Alok Ahlawat, who trooped the National Flag. Wing Commander Ashutosh Khanduri followed as Deputy Formation Leader carrying the Indian Army Ensign, while Wing Commander Abhishek Malhotra carried the Indian Navy Ensign and Wing Commander Abhishek Shukla carried the Indian Air Force Ensign. As the helicopters passed over Kartavya Path, they showered flower petals, adding colour and solemnity to the Republic Day celebrations.

The aerial salute was followed by the arrival of the Parade Commander, Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Sena Medal, who smartly saluted the Commander-in-Chief, President Droupadi Murmu, as he passed the dais.A second-generation Army officer, Lt Gen Bhavnish Kumar was commissioned into the 3rd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment on December 16, 1989. He has served in high-altitude areas at Dras under Operation Rakshak, in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in the North East under Operation Orchid, and in the Siachen Glacier under Operation Meghdoot. He has also served twice with the 50 (Independent) Parachute Brigade.During his career, the General Officer has commanded the 5th Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment as part of the Strike Corps, a Mountain Brigade in Jammu and Kashmir, and a Reorganised Army Plains Infantry Division on the western borders.The Deputy Parade Commander, Major General Navraj Dhillon, Vishisht Sena Medal, was commissioned into the 42 Armoured Regiment in December 1991. A third-generation Army officer, with the fourth generation currently serving, he has commanded the 42 Armoured Regiment and an Independent Armoured Brigade, besides holding several staff and instructional appointments.Following the Parade Commander, recipients of India’s highest gallantry awards — the Param Vir Chakra and the Ashok Chakra — arrived on Kartavya Path. Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Yogendra Singh Yadav (Retd) and Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar were honoured with the Param Vir Chakra, while Major General C A Pithawalia (Retd) and Colonel D Sreeram Kumar received the Ashok Chakra.Kartavya Path, stretching from Rashtrapati Bhavan to the National War Memorial, has been elaborately decorated this year to reflect India’s journey, blending the legacy of Vande Mataram, the country’s developmental progress, military strength and cultural diversity, the Ministry of Defence said.Republic Day, celebrated annually on January 26, marks the adoption of the Constitution in 1950 and symbolises India’s transition into a sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic republic founded on justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is emerging as a key pathway for affluent individuals and families seeking permanent residency in the United States, offering a structured route to a green card through capital investment.Designed to stimulate the US economy by generating jobs and attracting foreign capital, the programme does not require employer sponsorship or specific educational qualifications.

What is the EB-5 visa?

Under the EB-5 programme, applicants are required to invest a minimum of $800,000 (around Rs 7.35 crore) in a qualifying project, typically located in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) or infrastructure project. For non-TEA projects, the minimum investment rises to $1.05 million. The investment is generally locked in for four to five years, after which the capital may be returned, ET reported.The visa is suitable for students in US colleges, international professionals, entrepreneurs, business owners and families, as it allows investors, their spouse and unmarried children under 21 to obtain permanent residency.“The EB-5 program provides a direct route to a US green card for the investor, their spouse, and unmarried children under 21, in exchange for a qualifying investment in a government-approved project that creates at least 10 jobs in the US economy,” said Shilpa Menon, managing director–commercial at LCR Capital Partners, as quoted by ET.

Costs, documentation and taxation

Beyond the core investment, applicants must account for additional expenses. These include US Citizenship and Immigration Services filing fees ranging from $22,750 to $24,395, legal fees of about $25,000 to $30,000, and administrative charges depending on the project. The net additional cost typically falls between $70,000 and $80,000.US authorities closely scrutinise the source of funds, which can include savings, salary, business income, property or stock sales, gifts, or secured loans. Cryptocurrency is permitted if lawfully acquired and fully converted into US dollars with clear transaction records. Incomplete documentation can lead to delays or requests for additional evidence.Since US residents are taxed on worldwide income, advance tax planning is strongly advised.

Benefits and alternatives

The programme offers relatively fast processing, with work permits possible within four to six months and green cards in about two years. It also provides educational advantages, professional flexibility and a path to US citizenship after five years of permanent residency.There are also alternative options such as the proposed Trump Gold or Platinum Cards are donation-based, ranging from $1 million to $5 million, and do not offer capital return or family coverage, unlike the EB-5 route.

MUMBAI: The Directorate of revenue intelligence (DRI) has busted a mobile mephedrone manufacturing unit in Maharashtra’s Satara district, seizing drugs worth Rs 55 crore and arresting five people, officials said. Based on specific inputs, DRI officers launched ‘Operation Sahyadri Checkmate’ on Friday, raiding a remote village in Karad tehsil, an official said on Sunday. Teams from the country’s premier anti-smuggling agency uncovered a fully functional mephedrone lab disguised as a poultry farm. Officials said the unit was being frequently relocated to avoid detection. The seizure comprised 11.848 kg of the drug in liquid form, 9.326 kg in semi-liquid form and 738 grams in crystalline form, besides 71.5 kg of raw material capable of producing another 15 kg of mephedrone. The total value of the haul is estimated at Rs 55 crore, the official said. Mephedrone, a synthetic stimulant commonly referred to as a party drug, poses serious health risks. Three persons including the manufacturer or “cook”, the “financer-consigner”, and the poultry farm owner — were arrested at the spot, the official said, adding that the first batch of the contraband had been concealed at the farm owner’s residence. In a subsequent operation, DRI teams apprehended two more accused near an old octroi toll naka in a densely forested area while they were en route to collect the final product, he said. Officials said four of the five arrested had previous cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act or had faced prosecution under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). This is the second drug manufacturing unit busted in Satara district in the past two months. Last month, the Mumbai Crime Branch raided Jawali and exposed a clandestine drug manufacturing facility.

NEW DELHI: India celebrates its 77th Republic Day on Monday, with nationwide events marking the adoption of the Constitution and highlighting the country’s cultural and military heritage.Celebrations of the 77th Republic Day at the Kartvya Path are based on the theme of the 150th Anniversary of the national song, Vande Mataram, a timeless mantra that awakened the spirit of Swadeshi, self-reliance, and freedom in India’s national consciousness.

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the main ceremony at Kartavya Path in the national capital. The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, attended the celebrations as chief guests.PM Modi extended greetings on the 77th Republic Day, urging citizens to renew their commitment to a ‘Viksit Bharat’. In a post X, PM Modi said, “Greetings to all countrymen on Republic Day. This national festival, symbolising India’s pride and honour, should infuse new energy and enthusiasm, strengthening the resolve for Viksit Bharat.”Kartavya Path, which runs from Rashtrapati Bhavan to the National War Memorial, has been extensively decorated to reflect India’s journey over the years.

Here are the top developments:

PM Modi lays wreath at National War Memorial War: As the Republic Day celebrations began in the national capital, PM Modi laid a wreath at the National War Memorial at the historical India Gate. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi also signed the visitors’ book as he paid tributes to the fallen heroes.

In honour of the fallen soldiers, PM Modi observed a two-minute silence alongside other military and government dignitaries at the National War Memorial. Consistent with recent tradition, the Prime Minister also signed the digital visitor’s book at the memorial, leaving a message of gratitude and respect for the bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice.

Present alongside the PM was the defence minister Rajnath Singh, the Chief of Defence Services General Anil Chauhan, the Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of Air Staf Air Chief Marshal APS Singh and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Tripathi.President Murmu arrived in a ceremonial buggy: President Droupadi Murmu arrived at at the Kartavya Path in a ceremonial buggy, escorted by the President’s Bodyguard (Rashtrapati ke Angrakshak).

President Murmu in ceremonical buggy

She was accompanied by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council, Antonio Luis Santos da Costa, who are the chief guests at this year’s Republic Day celebrations.PM Modi receives the President & chief guests: PM Modi received President Droupadi Murmu, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Antonio Luis Santos da Costa before the unfurling of the national flag.

PM Modi receiving the President and the chief guests

Shubhanshu Shukla awarded Ashok Chakra: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who created history by becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS), was on Monday awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award. In June last year, Shukla became the second Indian to have gone to space and the first one to set foot on the ISS as part of the Axiom-4 mission. Shukla’s 18-day space odyssey came 41 years after cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma flew aboard a Russian Soyuz in 1984.

President Murmu awarded gallantry award to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who made history by becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station, has been honoured with the Ashoka Chakra, the country’s highest peacetime gallantry award.

As a fighter pilot, Shukla has an impressive record of 2,000 hours of flight experience across various aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier and An-32.The mega parade at Kartavya Path

Indian Air Force wishes Republic Day: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has extended warm wishes on the auspicious occasion of the 77th Republic Day, celebrated on January 26, 2026. The Indian Air Force restated its commitment towards safeguarding the nation’s skies with honour and courage through a post on X.Army chief greets citizens: Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi extended heartfelt greetings to the countrymen on the 77th Republic Day, stating that the occasion provides people with the opportunity to express gratitude to the immortal heroes who made the supreme sacrifice and displayed unparalleled bravery on the line of duty.Kartavya Path set to unveil unique mix of ‘Vande Mataram’: The celebrations will feature an extraordinary blend of the 150-year legacy of the national song Vande Mataram, the country’s unprecedented developmental progress, robust military strength, vibrant cultural diversity, and active participation from citizens across all walks of life.High security in Delhi-NCR & LoC: The national capital has been placed on high alert on the occasion of the 77th Republic Day, with intensified security checks underway across the Delhi-NCR region. Police personnel conducted thorough vehicle checks at Gurugram, Chilla, Tikri, Singhu, Kapashera, Badarpur, and Dhaula Kuan borders amid heightened security arrangements for the Republic Day celebrations.

KURNOOL: Four persons, including a woman, were arrested for allegedly injecting a doctor with an HIV-infected injection, police said on Sunday. The victim is reportedly the wife of the woman’s former lover, according to news agency PTI. The accused were identified as B Boya Vasundhara (34), a resident of Kurnool; Konge Jyothi (40), a nurse working at a private hospital in Adoni; and her two children, both in their 20s. They were arrested on January 24, police said.“After conspiring with three others and staging a road accident, Vasundhara allegedly injected an HIV virus into a doctor, who is the wife of her former lover,” an official said.According to police, the accused procured HIV-infected blood samples from patients undergoing treatment at a government hospital, claiming the samples were needed for research purposes.Police said the accused allegedly stored the infected blood in a refrigerator and later injected the same sample into the victim during the attack.Investigators said Vasundhara, unable to accept that her former lover had married another woman, conspired to separate the couple and targeted the victim by injecting her with an HIV virus while pretending to assist her after a deliberately staged road accident.Police said the incident took place on January 9 at around 2.30 pm, when the victim, an assistant professor at a private medical college in Kurnool, was returning home on a scooter during her lunch break.Two persons on a motorcycle allegedly rammed into her scooter near the KC Canal at Vinayak Ghat, causing her to fall and suffer injuries. The accused then approached her under the pretext of helping her, police said.While attempting to put her into an autorickshaw, Vasundhara allegedly administered the HIV injection and fled the scene after the victim raised an alarm, police added.The victim’s husband, also a doctor, lodged a complaint at the Kurnool III Town Police Station on January 10. A case was subsequently registered under Sections 126(2), 118(1), and 272 read with 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Abhishek Sharma (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: Explosive India opener Abhishek Sharma lit up the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Sunday with a breathtaking display of power-hitting, smashing the second-fastest T20I half-century by an Indian during the third T20I against New Zealand as India cruised to a dominant eight-wicket win.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Abhishek reached his fifty in just 14 balls, eclipsing Hardik Pandya’s 16-ball effort to move into elite company. Only Yuvraj Singh’s legendary 12-ball blitz against England in the 2007 T20 World Cup stands ahead of him.

Chasing a modest 154, India stormed to 94/2 inside the powerplay, with Abhishek setting the tone in emphatic fashion. The 25-year-old remained unbeaten on a stunning 68 off just 20 deliveries, striking five fours and four sixes as the hosts wrapped up the chase with ease.“That’s what my team wants from me and I just want to execute all the time,” Abhishek said after the match. “Obviously, it’s not easy to do it every time, but I think it’s all about mental as well and the atmosphere you get around your dressing room.”

When asked about the possibility of breaking Yuvraj’s iconic record, Abhishek was respectful yet quietly optimistic. “That’s more than impossible for anyone, but still, you never know,” he said. “Any batsman could do it because all the batters have been batting really well in this series and going forward, it’s going to be fun.”Abhishek also explained his fearless approach, including hitting another six off the first ball of the innings. “I wouldn’t say I want to go from the first ball. It’s just the instinct I get. I think about what the bowler could bowl to me and I just want to play on that ball,” he explained.Detailing his innovative footwork, he added, “It’s all about the field placement. If I get room for myself, then I have the whole off-side. I just want to play with the field.”Yuvraj Singh, meanwhile, responded with trademark wit. “Still can’t get a 50 off 12 balls, can you?” the World Cup hero posted on social media. “Well played — keep going strong!”

A high-stakes rematch of the season opener of Women’s Premier League 2026 is upon us as the table-topping Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Women take on a struggling Mumbai Indians (MI) Women at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara.

While RCB’s flawless five-match winning streak was recently snapped by the Delhi Capitals, they remain the team to beat. Conversely, the defending champions, Mumbai Indians, are desperate to snap a three-match losing skid and keep their playoff hopes alive.

RCB will look to prove their recent loss was a mere hiccup. Skipper Smriti Mandhana has been in fine touch, but the middle order featuring Richa Ghosh and Radha Yadav needs to step up after their recent collapse.

Harmanpreet Kaur’s side has struggled for consistency. While Amelia Kerr and Hayley Matthews have shown flashes of brilliance, the team has faltered in closing out games. In their previous meeting this season, RCB pulled off a heist, winning by 3 wickets on the final ball thanks to Nadine de Klerk’s heroic 63*.

RCB-W vs MI-W, WPL 2026: Match details

• Date and Time: January 26; 07:30 pm IST/ 2:00 pm GMT
• Venue: BCA Stadium, Vadodara

RCB-W vs MI-W, Head-to-Head Record in WPL

Matches played: 8 | Mumbai Indians won: 4 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru won: 4 | No result: 0

BCA Stadium Pitch Report

The pitch at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara has proven to be a tale of two halves. While it remains a high-quality surface with true bounce and a fast outfield that rewards stroke-makers early on, the black soil composition causes it to slow down significantly as the match progresses.

Recent WPL fixtures here have seen the ball hold up, assisting spinners and pacers who use slower variations. However, the most critical factor remains the evening dew, which often skids the ball onto the bat and makes chasing significantly easier. With chasing teams winning 7 out of 8 games this season, the toss will be pivotal.

Also READ: Bowlers shine as Delhi Capitals crush RCB to climb second spot in WPL 2026

Squads

Mumbai Indians: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Matthews, Amanjot Kaur, G. Kamalini, Amelia Kerr, Shabnim Ismail, Sanskriti Gupta, Sajana Sajeevan, Rahila Firdous, Nicola Carey, Poonam Khemnar, Triveni Vasishta, Nalla Reddy, Saika Ishaque, Milly Illingworth

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Smriti Mandhana (c), Richa Ghosh, Shreyanka Patil, Georgia Voll, Nadine de Klerk, Radha Yadav, Lauren Bell, Linsey Smith, Prema Rawat, Arundhati Reddy, Pooja Vastrakar, Grace Harris, Gautami Naik, Prathyoosha Kumar, D. Hemalatha, Sayali Satghare

RCB-W vs MI-W, WPL 2026: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Mumbai Indians Women wins the toss and bowl first
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women’s powerplay score: 50-60
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women’s total score: 160-170

Case 2:

• Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women wins the toss and bowl first
• Mumbai Indians Women’s powerplay score: 40-50
• Mumbai Indians Women’s total score: 150-160

Match result: Team bowling first to win the match.

Also WATCH: Lizelle Lee plucks a blinder to dismiss Radha Yadav in RCB-W vs DC-W clash at WPL 2026

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

With Republic Day being observed across the country today, investors are keen to know whether trading activity will continue as usual or face disruptions. January 26 is a nationally significant day, and it traditionally has implications for financial markets and settlement schedules.At the start of the year, market participants typically track holiday calendars closely, as closures can affect trading strategies, settlement cycles and liquidity. This becomes especially important for those dealing in derivatives, commodities and short-term positions.

What is the trading status today?

Indian stock exchanges are not operational today, January 26, on account of Republic Day. Trading has been suspended across both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the BSE in all segments, including equities, equity derivatives, currency derivatives and interest rate derivatives, as per ET.Commodity markets are also shut for the day, with the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) observing a full-day closure covering both morning and evening sessions, ET reported. Normal trading will resume on Tuesday, January 27.

Second market holiday of 2026

The Republic Day shutdown marks the second stock market holiday of the year. Markets were earlier closed on January 15 due to the Municipal Corporation Election in Maharashtra.In total, Indian exchanges will remain closed for 16 days in 2026, owing to a mix of national holidays, religious festivals and state-specific events.

Key upcoming market holidays

Upcoming non-trading days include Holi on March 3, Ram Navami on March 26 and Mahavir Jayanti on March 31. In April, markets will be closed on Good Friday (April 3) and Dr Ambedkar Jayanti (April 14), followed by Maharashtra Day on May 1.Other closures later in the year include Bakri Id on May 28, Muharram on June 26, Ganesh Chaturthi on September 14 and Gandhi Jayanti on October 2. Markets will also shut on October 20 for Dussehra, November 10 for Diwali–Balipratipada and November 24 for Guru Nanak Jayanti. The final trading holiday of the year will be Christmas on December 25.Independence Day on August 15 will not result in a market holiday this year, as it falls on a Saturday.Investors are advised to factor these holidays into their trading and settlement plans to avoid any disruption.

MUMBAI: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday likened the Indian Constitution to a “mighty river” and said that, for high courts to be future-ready, they needed to evolve and adapt to overcome the frontiers of the digital gateway, protect citizens’ rights from infringement by “automated systems” or burgeoning tech, and harness technology to ensure judicial equality through virtual hearings.The future of the High Court depends on its ability to act as a proactive guardian. The Court must not only wait for the knock at the gate but must remain alert to systemic failures in the rule of law, he noted.

Online VC hearings should be embraced by HCs as a “permanent pillar of accessibility”, said the CJI, also calling for “procedural innovation” to address the “right-remedy gap” and to be a catalyst for actual administrative change through monitoring and supervision. The CJI also underscored “need to strengthen dispute resolution beyond the court room” saying “future of justice depends not on how efficiently we adjudicate disputes but, how wisely.” Arbitration, mediation and conciliation are mature methods that preserve relationships, the CJI stressed.“A tribal woman in Gadchiroli or a worker in a remote corner of the Northeast should not have to travel hundreds of miles to seek a writ of mandamus. The future of Article 226 lies in a ‘Court without Walls’, where legal protection is a seamless, accessible reality,” said the 53rd CJI, who assumed office last November. He delivered the Fali Nariman Memorial lecture in Mumbai on the topic, “Sentinel on Qui Vive (on the alert): Article 226 as the Guardian of Access to Justice”.The CJI cautioned against routine matters that had alternate remedies cluttering the system. “Access to justice is hollow if it comes after a decade of litigation. Ameliorating the role of the High Court requires a disciplined Bar and a focused Bench,” he added. Justice is sustained not by the bench or bar alone, but by a collective discipline in discharging duties, the CJI observed.Later, at his felicitation, the CJI praised the Bombay HC for its stellar legacy of clarity and courage and said Bombay HC judges have shown how ‘independence is preserved through self-discipline and public confidence is earned through consistency.”The CJI assured both the deputy chief ministers, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, that he would examine their request to make the HC Kolhapur circuit bench a “permanent bench.” The CJI said, “I can assure you from my side, I will examine the issue and will take up with the quarters concerned and from the Supreme Court, there shall be a consistent support to their cause.”The SC Judge Dipankar Datta raised a plea for HC judges to make fuel allotment from 200 litres per month to 2,400 litre per year to ensure the unused quota is not wasted. The CJI said he would try to resolve “the seemingly anomalous situation” soon.Bombay HC CJ Shree Chandrashekhar spoke of the CJI’s middle-class upbringing that valued “hard work, honesty, discipline and friendship”, and taught resilience and purpose. Unlike many, the CJI continued his learning after he became a HC Judge by doing his masters in law from Kurukshetra University.Shinde said Haryana, the CJI’s hometown, and Maharashtra were both lands of the valiant warriors. He spoke of various landmark decisions of CJI Kant, including the one in the “India’s Got Latent” case, where Shinde said Justice Kant had underscored that the fundamental right to free speech is not served on a platter but must be exercised with caution, and the “right to dignity is greater than the right to free speech”. Shinde also said the need to strike a balance between development and environment is key and said the new Bombay high court building would be “iconic.” The conviction rate in the state is now 35% and we will raise it to 60% soon.Earlier, at the Nariman memorial, the CJI praised the late jurist for his integrity when he resigned as Additional Solicitor General during the Emergency. He also said Nariman understood early on that the Indian Constitution is a living charter to be “courageously invoked against the currents of power”.The CJI said the HC, through Article 226—its “extraordinary jurisdiction”—is the true “First Constitutional Court” for the citizen, whose reach is confined not only to fundamental rights violations but also to “any legal injury, the enforcement of statutory duties, and the containment of administrative caprice”.“This ‘extraordinary jurisdiction’ is precisely what makes the High Court the Sentinel on Qui Vive,” said the CJI, adding, “When the law is silent, the Sentinel does not remain mute.”The HC is the “Court that hears the first cry of the disenfranchised. Whether it is an illegal detention, the right to lead a dignified life, or a mandate to the administration, Article 226 ensures that the majesty of law is never more than a few miles away from the common man. It is this decentralised strength that maintains the federal balance of our Republic, proving that while the Supreme Court may have the final word, the High Court often has the most vital one,” CJI Kant said.CJI Kant said, “Perhaps the most critical, yet overlooked, facet of access provided by Article 226 is the power of Interim Relief. For a small farmer whose land is being seized or a student wrongly denied admission, justice delayed is not just justice denied; it is justice destroyed. The High Court’s ability to stay an executive action at the very first hearing is often the only real ‘access’ the citizen ever experiences. It is the hallmark of the Court’s protective jurisdiction to intervene at the threshold, ensuring that the status quo is preserved so that justice is not defeated by the fait accompli of administrative haste.”The CJI added “In this sense, the high court fulfils the preambular promise of ‘social, economic, and political justice’. It ensures that the law is not a static monolith, but a dynamic force that bends towards the needs of the people it serves. As we look at the evolution of this provision, we see that it has transformed the high court from a mere forum for dispute resolution into a Guardian of the Constitutional Conscience.“The CJI said, “friends, if Article 226 is the armour of the citizen, then ‘Access to Justice’ is the promise that this armour is available to all, not just the privileged or luxurious few. In our constitutional scheme, access is not merely the physical ability to enter a courtroom; it is the substantive assurance that when you do, the law will speak to your grievance with empathy and effectiveness.” “High Courts, by their very design, are the primary architects of this democratisation. While the Supreme Court remains the final citadel, its geographical and procedural distance can often make it an intimidating sanctuary for the common man. It is here that the High Courts perform their most transformative role: bridging the chasm between the letter of the law and the life of the citizen,” he added and further said, “One of the most profound ways Article 226 has enhanced access is through the radical relaxation of Locus Standi. We moved from a traditional, restrictive view of ‘aggrieved parties’ to the expansive concept of Public Interest Litigation (PIL). As was eloquently highlighted, this was not just a procedural shift; it was a moral one. It allowed public-spirited individuals and organisations to knock on the doors of the High Court on behalf of those whose voices are muffled by poverty, illiteracy, or social marginalisation.” “Furthermore, the High Courts have utilized Article 226 to fill what we call the ‘Legislative Vacuum’… We have seen High Courts issue temporary directions to protect the environment, ensure the dignity of prisoners, and secure the rights of migrant workers during national crises. This is the Principle of Gap-Filling: the idea that the Court’s writ must run wherever there is a void in justice.”