MUMBAI: Relying on Supreme Court’s observation that the testimony of a person with a disability can’t be considered weak or inferior only because they interact with the world in a different manner, a sessions court recently sentenced a 35-year-old salon worker to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for abduction and rape of a woman with moderate intellectual disability in 2019, marking a rare conviction under Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.Calling the victim a “sterling witness”, judge Surekha A Sinha found the man guilty on multiple counts, including rape under IPC. He was given one year in jail under Section 92(b) of Disabilities Act (assaulting or using force against a person with a disability). The sentences are to run concurrently.Psychiatrists deposed that while the woman was 25 years old physically, her social age was around seven years and two months, with an IQ of 36.According to the prosecution, on April 29, 2019, the survivor’s mother noticed that she had gone missing after the family returned from voting in the Lok Sabha polls. When the woman returned home shortly after, she was in tears and revealed her assault. She said while playing in a nearby lane, the accused caught her hand and forcibly took her to the mezzanine floor of his residence. There, he threatened her with a knife, gagged her with a pillow, and sexually assaulted her. To destroy evidence, she said, the man washed her with soap.During trial, special public prosecutor Geeta Sharma examined 14 witnesses. While forensic reports were inconclusive — a result the prosecution attributed to the accused washing the victim after the assault — medical experts provided critical testimony. Doctors confirmed that the victim had suffered physical trauma consistent with sexual assault.The defence said the case was built on hearsay and cited minor discrepancies in the testimony. The judge rejected these, saying the testimony of a person with a disability must be treated with “utmost sensitivity”. “Minor discrepancies and contradictions are not fatal to the case of prosecution. Courts cannot cling to a fossil formula and insist upon corroboration even if, taken as a whole, the case spoken of by the victim of sex crime strikes the judicial mind as probable.”

CHANDIGARH: Punjab and Haryana HC denied bail to Gurmukh Singh — son of former Akal Takht jathedar Jasbir Singh Rode — and Gurmej Singh in a narco-terrorism case related to smuggling of arms, explosives (including tiffin bombs), and narcotics from Pakistan via drones to fund terror activities in Punjab and other parts of India.A division bench of Justice Gurvinder Singh Gill and Justice Ramesh Kumari said sponsoring terrorism was an “expensive affair” and the charge was of heroin being smuggled into the country, along with arms and ammunition, to fund terror activities.“Facts brought on record by NIA, prima facie, prove the involvement of appellants in terror activities. Trial is in progress. Since they have links with persons across the border, who fund their activities, there are also chances of their absconding from trial,” HC said. It ordered an expeditious trial and directed police and prosecution to complete evidence in a timely manner.NIA’s prime allegations are that the accused were part of a larger conspiracy involving “receipt, concealment, and distribution of arms, explosives, and terror funds intended to revive militancy in Punjab”. The agency alleged multiple consignments were collected between June and Aug 2021, concealed at locations across Punjab that were shared through encrypted messaging platforms. The agency claimed to have recovered grenades, detonators, pistols, cartridges, explosive materials, large sums of cash, multiple passports, and vehicles from Gurmukh.Gurmukh’s counsel argued he was falsely implicated due to his family background and political reasons, and claimed there was no direct recovery from his possession. NIA asserted that evidence clearly pointed to his role in facilitating terror activities.The agency submitted the appellants were allegedly in contact with Lakhbir Singh Rode alias Baba, a declared terrorist and chief of a banned organisation.

NEW DELHI: A 25-year-old man walked into Laxmi Nagar Police Station on Monday and confessed to killing his mother, sister and teenage brother.When police reached his home, they found the bodies of his mother, Kavita (46), and two siblings – Meghna (24), a lab staffer, and Mukul (14), a Class 7 student. As the family was religious, the accused son is suspected of mixing heavy sedatives (dhatura) in prasad laddoos. He then strangled them with a muffler, according to the police. The probe revealed the accused, identified as Yashbir Singh, was under severe financial stress. Singh, who earlier worked as a private driver, was unemployed for the past six months. His father, a truck driver, had started living separately in Haryana around the same time. Singh was also allegedly facing marital discord and had sent his wife to her maternal home a day earlier.Accused laced food with sedatives, strangled family membersDuring questioning, Singh allegedly told police that he took a life insurance policy of around Rs 1.5 crore and attempted suicide 4-5 times in the last 2 months by staging accidents, getting himself bitten by a snake, and even injecting air, but failed each time, police said.He further claimed that he had an argument with his mother a day before the incident. “He stated that on Sunday his mother confronted him and told him that if he intended to end his life, he should first kill all family members and then face the consequences,” police said.The accused said that on Sunday morning he brought intoxicating seeds from the Yamuna Bank area, mixed them with food, and fed them to his family members, who were religious. “As per his version, today morning he went to a Shiv Mandir near Yamuna Bank Metro Station, collected dhatura seeds from a nearby dhatura plant, prepared dhatura laddoos using atta and sugar, and fed them to his family members,” a senior police officer said, adding that after they lost consciousness, he allegedly strangled them.A police source said that he murdered them between 1.30 pm and 2 pm, and after some time he surrendered before the police. Police will wait for autopsy report to confirm the time of deaths.Police stressed these details are solely based on the accused’s confession and are yet to be verified.The family lived on rent on the first floor of a 5-storey house, locals said. The house owner lives on the floors above with his family. Neighbours remember the family, except the accused son, as religious, and said they visited the temple in the lane behind the house daily at least twice.“The last I spoke to the family was on Sunday evening. The younger boy (Mukul) came to light an earthen lamp. He always greeted while passing by, but that is all that is known of the family. They came to the temple regularly every morning around 5 am to offer water and then in the evening to light the lamp. This was their routine since the last 2 years,” said temple priest Ashok, adding that the elder boy, referring to Yashbir, however, only came last year on Janmashtmi.A neighbour, Paras, said the family kept to themselves and remembers that Paras had greeted him on Sunday evening.A crime team and forensic experts inspected the scene, and further investigation is under way to establish the exact sequence of events and the cause of death. An FIR has been registered, and multiple teams were formed to conduct a detailed probe.

Delhi demolition drive: MCD carries out action near Faiz-e-Elahi mosque following HC order; 5 cops injured in stone pelting

NEW DELHI: At least five police personnel were injured on Wednesday after incidents of stone-pelting were reported during an early-morning demolition drive carried out by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) at an encroached area near Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid in Turkman Gate, close to Ramlila Maidan.The action, which began around 1am, it was undertaken in compliance with directions of the Delhi high court, according to an official statement from Delhi Police.

Demolition drive at Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque near Turkman Gate in Delhi on Wednesday. Image Credit: Tarun Rawat/TNN

To ensure law and order during the exercise, Delhi Police put in place elaborate security arrangements. The area was divided into nine zones, each overseen by an additional deputy commissioner of police, with personnel deployed at all sensitive points. Officials said the planning aimed to prevent any disruption and ensure the court-mandated action proceeded smoothly. Ahead of the demolition, police and civic authorities held multiple coordination meetings with members of the Aman Committee and local stakeholders as part of confidence-building measures to maintain peace in the area. Despite these precautions, officials said a brief disturbance occurred when a few individuals allegedly resorted to stone-pelting during the operation. The situation was swiftly brought under control with what police described as “measured and minimal use of force,” preventing any escalation. Joint commissioner of police (central range) Madhur Verma said normalcy was restored quickly. “A few miscreants attempted to create a disturbance by indulging in stone pelting. The situation was promptly controlled through minimal force,” he said. DCP Nidhin Valsan confirmed that four to five police personnel sustained minor injuries during the incident. “The action is still ongoing. MCD is carrying out demolition as per the High Court’s orders on encroached land. Stones were pelted at the police during the night, and minimal force was used to push back the crowd. Overall, the process remained smooth,” he said, adding that CCTV, ground and body-camera footage would be examined to identify those involved and initiate legal action. Around 17 bulldozers were pressed into service to clear the unauthorised structures, officials said. Delhi Police reiterated its commitment to maintaining law and order while implementing judicial directives in a lawful and sensitive manner. Meanwhile, a separate demolition drive was carried out earlier this week in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain district, where the Municipal Corporation razed an illegal G+3 structure near Mahakal Chowk. Officials said the building had been constructed without mandatory permissions. Ujjain municipal corporation assistant commissioner Deepak Sharma said a notice had been served on the owner, Noor Jahan, wife of Ghulam Mohammad, but construction continued despite the matter being taken to court and no stay being granted. “Since the construction did not stop, action was taken with the support of the police administration to demolish the unauthorised structure,” he said. Police personnel were deployed at the Ujjain site as well, with traffic diversions put in place to ensure smooth movement during the demolition.(With agency inputs)

A dramatic moment from the ILT20 final has now landed Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah in trouble with the International Cricket Council (ICC). The 22-year-old left-arm pacer has been fined for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct after a heated on-field exchange in Dubai.

Naseem Shah Fined by ICC for Code of Conduct Breach After ILT20 Final Clash

Babar Azam’s Pakistan teammate Naseem Shah, who was playing for Desert Vipers, has been sanctioned by the ICC following a heated on-field exchange with MI Emirates captain Kieron Pollard during the high-stakes ILT20 final on January 4 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.

Naseem was fined 10 percent of his match fee for breaching Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct. The International League T20 (ILT20) confirmed the development on Monday (January 5).

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Read Also: Harbhajan Singh under fire for chilling with Pakistan cricketers; ILT20 2025-26 video breaks internet

The Incident: What Sparked the Naseem Shah vs Kieron Pollard Clash?

The incident unfolded in the 11th over of the MI Emirates’ chase against the Desert Vipers in the ILT20 title decider at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. After Pollard defended a ball back to Naseem, the Pakistani pacer picked it up with a smile.

This gesture did not go down well with the West Indies legend, with the moment leading to a heated verbal exchange between the two. Both Pollard and Naseem angrily marched toward each other, with the MI Emirates captain clearly fuming and the Pakistani pacer not ready to back down.

The situation escalated quickly, forcing the on-field umpires to step in. Desert Vipers batter Jason Roy also helped calm things down as both players were separated. Despite the intervention, the tension remained visible between the two, but Naseem had a final say in the summit clash.

HEATED MOMENT BETWEEN NASEEM SHAH & POLLARD IN ILT20 FINAL 🔥pic.twitter.com/dUuXWLkt5g

— junaiz (@dhillow_) January 4, 2026

The Official Verdict: Match Referee’s Ruling and Sanctions

The match referee, Simon Taufel, found Naseem in breach of Article 2.5** of the ICC Code of Conduct and handed him a fine. He escaped any suspension.

The ILT20 wrote on its official website: “Desert Vipers pacer Naseem Shah has been fined 10 percent of his match fee for a Level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct following the DP World ILT20 Season 4 Final against MI Emirates at the Dubai International Stadium on 4 January.

Read Also: ICC in crisis as players of Pakistani descent struggle to get Indian visas for T20 WC 2026

Shah was found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to the use of language, actions, or gestures that could disparage or provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter following their dismissal. The sanction was imposed by Match Referee Simon Taufel.”

The Match Result: Vipers Triumph Amid Controversy

The drama did not derail the Desert Vipers’ campaign. Naseem Shah had the last laugh by dismissing Pollard for 28 later in the ILT20 2025-26 final on Sunday.

The Vipers thrashed MI Emirates by 46 runs to claim their maiden ILT20 title, thanks to an unbeaten half-century from captain Sam Curran and a brilliant spell (3/18) by Naseem in Dubai.

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Venezuela’s interim authorities would transfer between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States, with the crude to be sold at market prices and the proceeds controlled by the US government.“I am pleased to announce that the Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 MILLION Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil, to the United States of America,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.“This Oil will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!” he added.Trump said he had directed Energy Secretary Chris Wright to “execute this plan, immediately,” adding that the oil “will be taken by storage ships, and brought directly to unloading docks in the United States.”CNN said it had reached out to the White House for further details. A senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the network that the oil had already been produced and stored in barrels, with most of it currently on vessels that would now be diverted to US Gulf Coast facilities for refining.While the volume announced appears substantial, the United States consumed just over 20 million barrels of oil per day over the past month. Analysts said the transfer may have a limited impact on fuel prices. In 2022, former President Joe Biden released around 180 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which lowered petrol prices by between 13 cents and 31 cents per gallon over four months, according to a Treasury Department analysis.Oil markets reacted modestly to Trump’s announcement, with US crude prices falling by about $1 a barrel, or just under 2%, to $56.At current prices, the sale of up to 50 million barrels could generate significant revenue. Venezuelan oil is trading at around $55 per barrel, meaning the total value could range between $1.65 billion and $2.75 billion if sold at market rates.Venezuela has accumulated large crude stockpiles since the United States imposed an oil embargo late last year. However, transferring such volumes to the US could significantly reduce the country’s reserves. The oil is expected to come from a mix of onshore storage and seized tankers previously transporting Venezuelan crude.The country has around 48 million barrels of onshore storage capacity, which was close to full, according to Phil Flynn, senior market analyst at Price Futures Group. Industry estimates suggest seized tankers were carrying between 15 million and 22 million barrels of oil.The timeline for the transfer remains unclear. The senior administration official told CNN that the handover would likely be rapid because Venezuela’s crude is very heavy and cannot be stored for extended periods.

Sanjay Manjrekar, Virat Kohli

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar’s reaction to Virat Kohli’s Test retirement has brought back memories of a comment he made more than a decade ago, when Kohli’s place in the Indian Test side was under question during the 2011–12 tour of Australia.In Januray 2012, after India’s heavy loss in the second Test in Sydney, Manjrekar suggested giving Virat one more Test just to be sure “he does not belong here”. The remark came at a time when Kohli had managed modest scores in his first two Tests of the series and faced growing scrutiny over his spot in the XI.More than a decade later, Manjrekar is again speaking about Kohli, this time expressing disappointment over his decision to retire from Test cricket. The former batter said it was saddening to see Kohli walk away from the format while contemporaries Joe Root, Steve Smith and Kane Williamson continue to perform consistently in Test cricket.Posting on his official Instagram account, Manjrekar said the decision made him feel sad, particularly when he watches players like Root, Smith and Williamson continue to score runs and shape their Test careers.Manjrekar added that despite his struggles in recent years, Kohli still had the fitness and desire to attempt a return to form. He felt Kohli could have tried more options before deciding to retire from Test cricket.“I just feel sad that people like Joe Root and Steve Smith, Kane Williamson are really making a name for themselves in Test Cricket. It was okay, Virat Kohli just walked away from cricket, retired from all cricket. But that he’s chosen to play one day cricket actually disappoints me more, because this is a format which for a top-order batter, I’ve said before as well, is the easiest format,” he added.This is not the first time Manjrekar has publicly commented on Kohli’s career.Kohli had a difficult start to his Test career during India’s tour of the West Indies. He scored 4 and 15 on debut in Kingston, followed by a duck in Kingstown. Those performances did not secure his place immediately.He then made two half-centuries in the home series after being left out of the tour of England, which helped him earn selection for the Test series in Australia later that year.After two matches in Australia, Kohli’s place again came under scrutiny. He scored 11 and 0 in the Melbourne Test, followed by 23 and 9 in Sydney. With India losing the second Test by an innings and 68 runs, selection questions intensified before the third Test at the WACA.After the second Test, Manjrekar wrote on Twitter: “I would still drop VVS [Laxman] & get Rohit [Sharma] in for next Test. Makes long term sense. Give Virat one more test just to be sure he does not belong here.”Kohli was retained for the third Test. India were dismissed for under 200 in both innings, but Kohli top-scored in each. He made 44 in the first innings and 75 in the second before being caught behind off Peter Siddle.Rahul Dravid was the only other Indian batter to score more than 14 runs in the match, while seven players failed to reach double figures. After the Test, Kohli addressed the criticism in a press conference, saying: “I don’t know why people were even after me after the first game.”In the following Test, Kohli scored his maiden Test century. He again top-scored and batted with the tail to reach the hundred with one wicket remaining. That innings became the first of his 30 Test centuries, placing him fourth on India’s all-time list.That phase marked the beginning of Kohli’s long Test career, after he chose to ignore calls for his exclusion.

NEW DELHI: Nearly three decades after Supreme Court’s Vishaka judgment mandating a mechanism against the sexual harassment of women at workplaces, it remains unimplemented by many high courts, including Calcutta, Patna, Orissa, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Allahabad and Uttarakhand.Appearing for PIL petitioner Geeta Rani, senior advocate Sonia Mathur told SC that, significantly, district courts in Delhi, Punjab and Haryana, too, do not have any such mechanism. The bench sought status reports from registrar generals of the defaulting HCs, and bar associations and bar councils all over the country.

‘Lack of redressal mechanism undermines women’s rights’

The petitioner told the bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi that the absence of a gender-sensitised complaint-handling structure in many courts, bar associations and tribunals results in serious constitutional violations and discourages women from fully participating in the justice delivery process.“In several courts across the country, there is either no established internal redressal mechanism, or the mechanism is not duly notified, accessible or functional. Information about complaint procedures, responsible authorities, or grievance redressal channels is often unavailable or opaque,” she said. “Sensitisation and awareness among court administration, judicial staff, security personnel and lawyers also remain inadequate. This systemic deficiency exposes women to an unsafe environment and undermines their constitutional guarantees,” the petitioner said.In the Vishaka judgment in 1997, Supreme Court had laid down mandatory guidelines requiring all institutions, including courts, to establish mechanisms for prevention and redressal of sexual harassment at workplace, recognising women’s right to equality, dignity and a safe work environment under Article 14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution. In 2013, SC, in the Medha Kotwal Lele case, had reaffirmed and strengthened the Vishaka guidelines, and directed all institutions to ensure effective, independent and accessible complaint mechanisms to safeguard women’s rights at workplaces. In 2015, SC had constituted the Gender Sensitisation and Internal Complaints Committee for protection of female lawyers, employees, interns and litigants within court premises.The petitioner said, “The absence of similar mechanisms in HCs, district courts and tribunals results in unequal treatment of women lawyers across judicial Institutions and hence, violates Article 14. A constitutional standard available within SC must be replicated for every court of justice in the country.”