MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Thursday rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Sandeep alias Karan Arora, the prime accused in an alleged financial fraud involving Tata Capital Finance Ltd., observing that the seriousness of the offence and the accused’s criminal antecedents did not warrant pre-arrest protection.Justice N.R. Borkar, while hearing the application, held that no case for anticipatory bail was made out in view of the gravity of the allegations, the material placed on record, and the applicant’s past conduct. The case pertains to a cheating registered by Tata Capital Finances with the Thane police EOW. Tata’s alleged that High Ground Enterprises ltd (HGEL) and its director Sandeep Arora obtained lease finance by submitting fabricated documents and pursuant to lease finance in 2017/18 Tatas disbursed substantial amount to the suppliers entities, while HGEL initially serviced the lease by paying instalments up to August 2019. Thereafter allegedly ceased, GST authorities raised issues regarding non payment of tax, resulting in Tatas bearing the GST liability and thus claiming cumulative financial loss of Rs 12.06 crores.The Court upheld in toto the submissions advanced on behalf of the complainant, Tata Capital Finance Ltd., by Advocate Parvez Memon, appearing on instructions from MZM Legal LLP, and recorded that no case for anticipatory protection was made out in light of the gravity of the allegations, the material on record, and the antecedents of the accused.During the hearing, counsel for Tata Capital highlighted that the accused had deliberately orchestrated a complex and premeditated conspiracy to procure lease finance by submitting forged and fabricated documentation, misrepresenting the existence and location of high-value assets, and thereafter defaulting on repayment, causing a wrongful loss of over ₹12.06 crore to the financial institution. It was further submitted that custodial interrogation was essential to unearth the larger conspiracy, trace fund flows, and identify the role of co-accused and linked entities.Crucially, the High Court also took serious note of the extensive criminal antecedents of the applicant, which revealed a recurring pattern of financial misconduct across jurisdictions. Public records placed before the Court showed that the accused was earlier arrested by the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI), Mumbai, for masterminding a massive fake invoicing racket involving bogus Input Tax Credit of approximately ₹77 crore, generated through shell companies and fictitious transactions.Investigations further disclosed that the accused was wanted by authorities in the United Kingdom in connection with alleged VAT and film tax rebate frauds running into GBP 4.5 million, involving claims on non-existent films.Justice Borkar observed that such antecedents, coupled with the seriousness of the present offence and the potential to derail the investigation, clearly disentitled the accused from the discretionary relief of anticipatory bail.

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the right to menstrual hygiene is an integral part of the right to life and the right to privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution.The top court has issued a series of binding directions to states, Union Territories and schools to ensure dignity, health and equality for girls and women.The order was given by the bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan. Pronouncing its judgment on a plea seeking free sanitary pads and adequate sanitation facilities for schoolgirls, the apex court directed all states and Union Territories to provide biodegradable sanitary napkins free of cost to girl students in all schools.“Before parting with the issue, we want to say that this pronouncement is not just for stakeholders of the legal system. It is also meant for classrooms where girls hesitate to ask for help. It is for teachers who want to help but are not able to due to the lack of resources. Progress is measured by how we protect the vulnerable”, Justice Pardiwala observed before parting with the judgment. It also ordered authorities to ensure separate toilets for female and male students, along with disability-friendly toilets, in every school.The apex body made it clear that the compliance would be mandatory for both government and private institutions. It warned that private schools could face derecognition if they fail to provide separate toilets for girls and boys or do not ensure access to free sanitary pads for students.The bench said that access to menstrual hygiene is not a matter of charity or policy discretion, but a constitutional entitlement flowing from the right to live with dignity and bodily autonomy. The top court further directed that it will hold government accountable if they fail to provide toilets and free sanitary pads to girls. It observed that lack of basic facilities and stigma around menstruation directly affects girls’ health, education and privacy.The judgment follows proceedings initiated in November last year, when the court took cognisance of a disturbing incident at Maharshi Dayanand University in Haryana, where three women sanitation workers were allegedly forced to send photographs of their sanitary pads to prove they were menstruating. The incident had triggered nationwide outrage over “period-shaming”.At that stage, a bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan had expressed concern over such practices in educational institutions and workplaces, observing that they reflected a deeply troubling mindset. The court had issued notice to the Centre on a petition filed by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), which highlighted multiple instances of women and girls being subjected to invasive and degrading checks.In its petition, the SCBA argued that such practices were “in gross violation of their right to life, dignity, privacy and bodily integrity under Article 21”.It also stressed that women workers, particularly in the unorganised sector, are entitled to decent working conditions that respect biological differences and protect them from humiliating treatment during menstruation.During the earlier hearing, the court had observed that if a woman was unable to perform heavy work due to menstruation-related pain, alternative arrangements should be made instead of subjecting her to degrading scrutiny. “If someone is saying that because of this reason heavy work could not be done, it could have been accepted and some other persons could have been deployed,” the bench had said, expressing hope that meaningful guidelines would emerge from the case.The Haryana government had informed the court that an inquiry had been initiated into the university incident and that action had been taken against two persons responsible.

Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha, second right, and teammates in Lahore. (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: Former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja stirred a fresh cross-border debate on social media after taking a pointed swipe at Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s celebratory post following Pakistan’s 22-run win over Australia in the first T20I at Lahore.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Soon after Pakistan clinched the series opener at the Gaddafi Stadium, Sharif took to X to congratulate the Salman Ali Agha-led side, calling it a “proud moment for the nation” and lauding PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi for his role in strengthening Pakistan cricket.

“Well done Team Pakistan for an electrifying performance against Australia in the first T20I… Proud moment for the nation,” Sharif wrote.Jadeja, however, was quick to respond with a caustic remark that went viral within minutes.“Pakistani-yo ki choti choti khushiya. First time seeing a PM’s tweet after winning the 1st match of a bilateral series,” Jadeja posted, in a comment that many interpreted as a dig at both the scale of celebration and the context of the win.

On the field, Pakistan made the most of the opportunity ahead of T20 World Cup, with captain Salman Ali Agha leading from the front. Promoted to No.3, Agha smashed a fluent 39, later confirming that the role is locked in for the remainder of the series and the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.“Yes, I’ll be batting at No.3. We expect to face a lot of spin, and I believe I can dominate spin during the Powerplay,” Agha said after the match.Saim Ayub starred with the bat and ball, scoring 40 at the top and dismissing both Australian openers. Pakistan posted 168/8 and then choked Australia’s chase with spin, claiming six wickets as the visitors were restricted to 146/8.

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Some on screen pairs in Bollywood will always be iconic onscreen. One such pairing is that of Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai. The duo shared screen space in ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ and were also rumoured to be dating at that point. Unfortunately, lots happened after that, for example Vivek Oberoi‘s press conference and his feud with Salman Khan. In a recent interview, Salman’s old friend, producer Shailendra Singh has revealed how Salman was fuming after it. He also spoke about Salman and Aishwarya‘s love story and his meeting with Salman a that point. Looking back at their early days, Shailendra said he knew Salman during his time in Cuffe Parade, when life was far removed from the glare of stardom. Shailendra said in an interview with Siddharth Kannan, “Salman and I go back to Cuffe Parade, where I used to live. He used to come there to meet his first girlfriend, Shaaheen Jaffery,” he said. Sharing his perspective on Salman’s temperament, he added, “Salman’s problem is that he is all heart. He’s an awesome guy, but the company he keeps is strange.”

The discussion then shifted to one of the most debated episodes in Bollywood history, the aftermath of Vivek Oberoi’s 2003 press conference, where the actor alleged he had been threatened by Salman. Shailendra revealed that he met Salman shortly after the incident and found him visibly enraged. “He was fuming. Earlier, he would openly show his emotions. Now, he has a lot more control,” he recalled.Shailendra also spoke about the counsel he offered Salman during that turbulent phase. “My only reaction after Vivek’s press conference was to tell Salman that in life, we should act, not react. Whatever needs to be done can be done later. For now, let’s sit, have a drink, and let him do whatever he’s doing.”Elaborating further, Shailendra explained that he strongly advised Salman against responding publicly or impulsively. “I asked him to not act on impulse, wait and fight the battle silently.I think he did that. He made sure that Vivek doesn’t work in Bollywood anymore. I don’t know for sure, but that’s how it looks.”The press conference took place at a time when Vivek was reportedly in a relationship with Aishwarya Rai following her breakup with Salman, and it sent shockwaves through the industry. In the years that followed, Vivek Oberoi’s career gradually slipped out of the mainstream.Reflecting on Salman’s relationship with Aishwarya, Shailendra described the actor as someone who often found himself in difficult situations unintentionally. “Salman is a great guy, but always at the wrong place at the wrong time. He has a strange way of finding disaster,” he said.

Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav at the airport. (Video grab)

NEW DELHI: India’s final stop before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup took them to Thiruvananthapuram, and the arrival itself turned into a moment to watch as captain Suryakumar Yadav ensured hometown hero Sanju Samson had all eyes on him. With the fifth and final T20I against New Zealand being a dead rubber, the spotlight has firmly shifted to Samson — both for emotional reasons and selection stakes.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Samson, a crowd favourite in Kerala, is going through a lean patch. His last T20 fifty came against Oman in the Asia Cup in September, and four low scores in the ongoing series have put his World Cup role under scrutiny. While he remains part of the squad, Ishan Kishan’s presence as a competing wicketkeeper-batter has tightened the race for a spot in the playing XI.

As the Indian team landed in Thiruvananthapuram, Suryakumar was in a playful mood, theatrically clearing the way for Samson at the airport. “Get out of the way. Move aside. Make way, please. Don’t disturb Chetta,” Surya said, mimicking a VIP arrival as a shy and slightly embarrassed Samson tried to hide his laughter.The banter continued. “No, no, no photos,” Surya joked before turning to Samson and adding, “Landing in God’s own country.”“Feeling great. Always feels great, but this time it is very special,” Samson replied.“Extra special?” Surya asked.“Yes,” came the answer, as the act continued right until the exit gates.WATCH: Surya’s banter with SanjuOnce outside, the scene turned electric. A sea of fans erupted as Samson stepped out, the cheers following him all the way to the team bus, underlining his superstar status in Kerala.With India set to open their World Cup campaign against the USA soon, the team management may see this as the perfect, low-pressure opportunity to let Samson rediscover his rhythm — buoyed by home support.

The countdown to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 moves into top gear as Sri Lanka and England shift focus from a tightly contested ODI series to the shortest format. With the World Cup, co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India, just over a week away, this three-match T20I series represents a final proving ground for both sides as they fine-tune combinations and roles.

England arrive in Pallekele riding confidence after sealing the ODI series 2–1, capped by a decider win in Colombo. But the T20 format presents a different challenge altogether. Sri Lanka, ranked well above England in T20Is, will look to capitalise on familiar conditions and a spin-oriented attack tailored for home success.

Led by Dasun Shanaka, Sri Lanka have chosen continuity, sticking largely with the group that recently took on Pakistan. The return of experienced campaigners Kusal Perera and Dushmantha Chameera, who missed the ODI leg, adds depth and balance to the side.

Their biggest weapon remains spin. Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and emerging all-rounder Dunith Wellalage are expected to dictate the middle overs, especially at Pallekele, where the surface tends to slow down and offer increasing assistance as the game wears on.

England, meanwhile, continue under Harry Brook’s leadership in the absence of a specialist white-ball captain. The squad blends power and pace, with Jofra Archer being rested ahead of the World Cup. The inclusion of debutant Josh Tongue and Brydon Carse underlines England’s intent to test their high-pace, hard-length approach on slower tracks.

While Jos Buttler and Phil Salt remain the headline act at the top, attention will also be on Jacob Bethell and Rehan Ahmed, both seen as key pieces in England’s plan to counter Sri Lanka’s spin threat in challenging conditions.

SL vs ENG, 1st T20I: Pallekele Weather Forecast

For the 1st T20I in Pallekele, the weather forecast for Saturday, January 31, 2026, indicates scattered thunderstorms during the day with a high temperature of 24°C. There is a significant 65% chance of rain during the daytime, which could potentially impact the pre-match preparations or the start of play. However, conditions are expected to improve by evening, becoming mostly cloudy with the precipitation chance dropping to 20% and a low temperature of 19°C. Humidity will be high at 87%, and northeast winds will blow at 6 mph, potentially aiding some swing early on.

SL vs ENG, 1st T20I: Dew Factor

In Pallekele, the dew factor typically becomes a significant variable for night matches starting at 7:00 PM. High humidity (often exceeding 80%) and cooling temperatures after sunset create conditions where moisture settles on the outfield, making the ball increasingly difficult for bowlers to grip and control. For Sri Lanka, this poses a tactical risk to their spin-heavy attack, as a wet ball limits the ability to impart revolutions or find sharp turn. Conversely, the “skidding” effect of a damp ball allows England’s power hitters to time their shots more easily, often making chasing a preferred and statistically advantageous strategy at this venue.

Also READ: Sri Lanka announce strong 16-member squad for the T20I series against England

SL vs ENG, 1st T20I: Toss Prediction

In Pallekele, the toss winner will likely elect to bat first, driven by three critical factors:

Scoreboard Pressure: Unlike flatter coastal tracks, Pallekele historically favours teams setting a target. With an average first-innings score of 168, statistics show that chasing becomes significantly harder as the game progresses. Teams batting first have won 14 of the last 27 T20Is here, as the pressure of a required run rate often leads to miscued shots against the slowing surface.

Surface degradation: The pitch is a classic “two-paced” deck that starts off true but tends to grip and slow down after the first 10–12 overs. This transition makes stroke-making difficult for the side batting second, especially as Sri Lanka’s specialized spin attack can exploit the added friction and variable bounce under lights.

Neutralized dew: While evening dew is a factor in Kandy, it is rarely heavy enough to completely tilt the advantage toward the chasing side. Captains often prioritize having a dry ball for their spinners during the middle overs of the first innings to build pressure, banking on the pitch slowing down enough to offset any minor skidding in the second half.

Also READ: SL vs ENG, 1st T20I Match Prediction: Who will win today’s game between Sri Lanka and England?