Umar Khalid returned to Delhi’s Tihar Jail on 29 December.

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday pronounced its verdict on Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and several others, rejecting their bail plea in the Delhi 2020 riots case.A bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria rejected the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, saying that the two stand on different footing and it can’t be ignored in terms of parity and culpabilty.“Khalid and Imam can pray for bail after one year,” the SC added, saying that that terrorist act under UAPA is not confined to conventional warfare but includes all acts of attacking national integrity and sovereignity.

The accused had challenged a Delhi High Court order refusing them bail in a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) linked to the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 north-east Delhi riots.For live updatesThe SC however granted bail to Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd. Saleem Khan, and Shadab Ahmad.

The case so far

Counsel appearing for the accused had argued primarily on the prolonged incarceration of the petitioners and the uncertainty over the commencement of the trial. They had told the court that the accused have been in custody for more than five years despite facing serious charges under the UAPA, and contended that there was no evidence to show that they had instigated violence during the riots even after such a long period.Opposing the pleas, the Delhi Police had maintained that the alleged offences amounted to a deliberate attempt to destabilise the state. It argued that the violence was not the result of spontaneous protests but part of a well-planned “pan-India” conspiracy aimed at “regime change” and “economic strangulation”.The police further submitted that the conspiracy was allegedly timed to coincide with the official visit of the then US President to India, with the objective of attracting international media attention and globalising opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The CAA, it said, was deliberately chosen as a “radicalising catalyst” under the guise of “peaceful protest”.According to the prosecution, the “deep-rooted, premeditated and pre-planned conspiracy” allegedly orchestrated by the accused led to the deaths of 53 people and extensive damage to public property, resulting in the registration of 753 FIRs in Delhi alone. It also claimed that evidence on record indicated an attempt to replicate the conspiracy on a pan-India scale, citing, among other things, the use of various WhatsApp groups, including the Delhi Protest Support Group (DPSG) and the Jamia Awareness Campaign Team.The Delhi Police argued that delays in the trial were attributable to the accused themselves and submitted that, if they cooperated, the trial could be concluded within two years.On September 2, the Delhi High Court denied bail to Imam, Khalid and seven others — Mohd Saleem Khan, Shifa Ur Rehman, Athar Khan, Meeran Haider, Shadab Ahmed, Abdul Khalid Saifi and Gulfisha Fatima. On the same day, another high court bench rejected the bail plea of co-accused Tasleem Ahmed.In its order, the high court observed that, prima facie, the role attributed to Imam and Khalid in the alleged conspiracy was “grave”, noting that they had delivered inflammatory speeches along communal lines to “instigate mass mobilisation of members of the Muslim community”.

Top stocks to buy (AI image)

Stock market recommendations: According to Sudeep Shah, Head – Technical Research and Derivatives, SBI Securities, the top stock picks for this week are CESC, and Indian Bank. Here’s his view on Nifty, Bank Nifty for the week starting January 5, 2026:Nifty ViewIndian equities kicked off the new calendar year on a strong note, with the Nifty scaling a fresh alltime high. After topping out at 26325 on December 1, 2025, the index slipped into a consolidation phase, where Nifty traded in a narrow range of 633 points, marking its tightest monthly range since August 2023.Over the last four sessions, momentum shifted decisively in favor of the bulls. From the recent swing low of 25878, the index climbed nearly 450 points, largely supported by strength in heavyweight counters. Participation indicators also improved, with Nifty Futures rollover rising to 72.29% in the December series, compared with 68.77% in November and slightly above the three-month average of 72.28%, reflecting continued trader confidence and willingness to carry positions forward.Friday’s robust rally pushed the daily RSI past the 60 level, signaling firming momentum and increasing prospects of further upsides. Reliance Industries played a notable role in the week’s gains, advancing 2.12%.On the sectoral front, metals led the charge, with the Nifty Metal index jumping 5.7% amid broad-based buying across constituents. However, the overall gains were partially capped by a steep decline in ITC, which tumbled 13.39% after the government notified a substantial increase in cigarette excise duties.Looking ahead, based on the current chart setup, the index appears poised to extend its upward move, with potential to test 26500 and subsequently 26700 in the near term. On the downside, the 26150–26100 band is expected to act as immediate support.Bank Nifty ViewBank Nifty continued its strong upward momentum last week, outperforming the headline indices with a solid gain of nearly 2%. The index confirmed a breakout from a falling channel on the daily chart—an important technical development that signalled a shift in sentiment—and followed it up with a sharp upside move. This breakout also helped the index register a new all-time high, underscoring the strength and durability of the prevailing uptrend.The technical setup remains constructive. The daily RSI has climbed to 67.55 and is trending higher, reflecting firm momentum. Meanwhile, the MACD histogram has turned positive, supporting the bullish narrative. The daily Stochastic oscillator is also aligned with the ongoing up move, indicating that buying pressure continues to dominate.In this backdrop, Bank Nifty is expected to extend its upward trajectory in the near term, with upside potential toward 60600 and subsequently 61200. On the downside, the 59700–59600 band is likely to act as immediate support. A sustained hold above this zone should help preserve the positive structure and limit any short-term pullbacks.

Stock recommendations:

CESCCESC has given a decisive breakout above its downward-sloping trendline on the daily chart, with today’s move supported by a noticeable surge in volumes, indicating strong participation from buyers. The RSI has jumped sharply from 39 to 61 over the last four trading sessions, signaling a swift shift in momentum from bearish to bullish.Additionally, DI+ crossing above DI- on the ADX suggests emerging trend dominance by buyers. The stock has also closed above the upper Bollinger Band, highlighting strong bullish momentum and the potential start of an expansionary move. Hence, we recommend to accumulate the stock in the zone of 176-174 with a stoploss of 165. On the upside, it is likely to test the level of 189 in the short term.Indian BankIndian Bank witnessed a decisive breakout from its 14-session consolidation range of 764–796 on 30th December, supported by a sharp surge in volumes, confirming strong buying interest. Post the breakout, the stock has seen a solid follow-through over the next three trading sessions, indicating acceptance of higher levels and sustained demand. The stock has closed above the upper Bollinger Band for three consecutive sessions, signaling strong momentum and an expansion phase. Momentum indicators remain supportive, with MACD crossing above the signal line alongside rising green histogram bars, while RSI is trending higher and currently placed at 66, reinforcing the bullish outlook. Hence, we recommend to accumulate the stock in the zone of 862-856 with a stoploss of 830. On the upside, it is likely to test the level of 920 in the short term.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

Naseem Shah and Kieron Pollard (Image credit: ILT20)

NEW DELHI: The International League T20 (ILT20) final delivered high drama on Sunday evening at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, with emotions running high as a fiery exchange between Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah and MI Emirates captain Kieron Pollard took centre stage. The verbal spat, which forced on-field umpires and teammates to intervene, added a combustible edge to an already intense title clash and highlighted just how personal the battle for silverware can become, even in franchise cricket.

The flashpoint came during the 11th over of MI Emirates’ chase. After Pollard solidly defended a sharp delivery back down the pitch, Naseem appeared to direct a few words towards the veteran West Indies all-rounder. Pollard, renowned for his aggressive approach and competitive fire, reacted instantly, charging towards the bowler to voice his displeasure. What followed was a brief but heated confrontation that quickly drew the attention of players from both sides, including Jason Roy, as well as the match officials, who stepped in to defuse the situation before it escalated further.While tempers cooled, Naseem ensured he had the decisive say in cricketing terms. The young fast bowler returned later in the innings to remove Pollard, dismissing him for a valuable 28 and dealing a major blow to MI Emirates’ hopes of mounting a successful chase. WATCH:That breakthrough shifted momentum firmly in Desert Vipers’ favour. Naseem went on to complete an outstanding spell, finishing with figures of 3 for 18, as the Vipers tightened their grip on the contest.His performance proved pivotal as the Desert Vipers surged to a commanding 46-run victory, sealing their maiden ILT20 title in emphatic fashion. The win capped a memorable campaign and underlined the impact of Naseem’s pace and composure under pressure.Reflecting on the triumph after the match, Naseem told the broadcasters: “The pressure of a final is unlike any other. The acknowledgment for this victory belongs to the entire team, both for their batting and their bowling efforts. Our combination worked extremely well; we had excellent options on both fronts, and the team management effectively orchestrated those choices. Each player gave their utmost, and the final result is there for everyone to see.“

The silence in a workplace can sometimes say more than a formal warning letter ever could. When emails go unanswered, meetings move ahead without you, and your role begins to shrink without explanation, it may not be a coincidence. Increasingly, it is being recognised as something more deliberate, quiet firing.At first glance, the term sounds like another addition to the growing lexicon of workplace buzzwords. But beneath the phrasing lies a practice that is neither new nor harmless. Quiet firing reflects a deeper shift in how organisations manage exits, accountability, and discomfort, often at the cost of employee dignity.

Understanding quiet firing

Quiet firing refers to a managerial practice where an employee is not directly terminated but is gradually pushed out of the organisation. Instead of formal performance conversations or clear decisions, managers withdraw responsibility, opportunity, support, and visibility until the job becomes untenable. The employee, drained and demoralised, eventually resigns.

Unlike layoffs or firings, quiet firing operates in the shadows. There is no clear moment of rupture, no written explanation, and no closure. The ambiguity is the strategy.This approach has gained renewed attention in recent years, particularly as organisations navigate economic uncertainty, remote work, and legal complexity. Direct terminations involve severance, documentation, and risk. Quiet firing avoids all three.

Why is it becoming more visible now

Workplace disengagement has created fertile ground for this phenomenon. According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace report (June 2024), a significant share of employees worldwide report feeling unsupported, disconnected, and emotionally detached from their organisations. Quiet firing does not just exploit this disengagement; it actively produces it.As work becomes more distributed and communication more asynchronous, it is easier for managers to disengage without appearing overtly hostile. Silence replaces confrontation. Inaction replaces leadership. This is why quiet firing often goes unnamed until the damage is done.

What quiet firing looks like in practice

Quiet firing is rarely about a single act. It is a pattern built over time. Feedback stops, both positive and corrective. Career conversations vanish. Access to key projects, meetings, or decision-making is quietly withdrawn. Resources dry up. Responsibilities are reassigned without explanation, and pay stagnates. Basically, the company continues to pay the employee, but the latter has no real role or function. The message is not directly stated, but it is absolutely clear: your existence is tolerated, not appreciated. As a leader, this is undoubtedly a failure to handle performance in an open and honest way. Leaders who can’t be bothered to set expectations or confront issues directly resort to using ambiguity as a way of exerting pressure.

Trend or tactic?

Calling quiet firing a “trend” risks understating its seriousness. While the term itself may be new, the behaviour is not. What has changed is its scale and normalisation.In earlier workplace cultures, avoidance was often limited by physical proximity and hierarchical clarity. Today, remote teams, matrix structures, and platform-based communication allow exclusion to happen quietly and systematically.The danger lies in how easily quiet firing can be rationalised, as pragmatism, cost control, or managerial discretion when it is, in effect, a way to transfer organisational discomfort onto individuals.The human costFor employees, quiet firing is psychologically destabilising. The lack of clarity makes it difficult to respond, improve, or even defend oneself. Confidence erodes, self-doubt replaces certainty. Many begin to internalise the silence as personal failure.Unlike formal termination, which at least offers finality, quiet firing prolongs uncertainty. It keeps employees suspended between hope and rejection, often for months.Teams notice too. When colleagues see someone slowly erased without explanation, trust weakens. Silence becomes instructive. Speaking up feels risky.

Why organisations should be concerned

While quiet firing may appear convenient in the short term, it carries long-term consequences. It undermines psychological safety, damages employer reputation, and signals a lack of ethical leadership.More critically, it reveals a deeper organisational problem: an inability to handle difficult conversations. Healthy workplaces do not avoid discomfort; they manage it. Performance issues, role mismatches, and changing priorities require clarity, not quiet withdrawal.

So, what is quiet firing really?

Quiet firing is not just a passing workplace trend. It is a persistent organisational behaviour that has serious implications. It shows underlying issues with accountability, power, and risk. Quiet firing is a symptom of a lack of leadership and the presence of ambiguity, in which no one seems to make decisions. While employee well-being, transparency, and ethical management become more and more topics of discussion, quiet firing is still there, as a contradiction, silent, strategic, and deeply consequential. The question, in fact, should not be whether quiet firing exists. Why so many workplaces still find it easier to be silent than to be honest is the real issue.

In an incredible moment of skill on Day 2 of Sydney Test against Australia, Michael Neser claimed an unforgettable caught and bowled to dismiss Joe Root for 160, ending a magnificent knock by the England batter. Root’s knock had been an innings of great resilience, lasting 242 balls and featuring 15 boundaries, but the spectacular dismissal by Neser brought an end to his century-long resistance.

Ashes 2025-26: Michael Neser’s brilliant catch at full stretch to dismiss Joe Root

Neser’s catch was the turning point in a tense and hard-fought session. Root had been playing exceptionally well, having already amassed a magnificent 160, and had settled into a rhythm that had the England team looking comfortable. Neser, bowling with intensity, delivered a back-of-a-length ball aimed at the body. Root tried to work the ball to the leg side, but the extra bounce caught him off guard.

The delivery was slightly higher than expected, and as Root attempted to direct it, the leading edge popped up awkwardly. Neser, quickly reacting to the chance, sprinted to his right and flung himself full stretch to complete a diving catch, showing remarkable athleticism. This wicket brought England to 384/9, as Root’s departure handed Australia a significant breakthrough in a highly competitive Test.

Here’s the video:

It took an absolute blinder from Michael Neser to dismiss Joe Root, who departs for 160 👏 #Ashes pic.twitter.com/tqgTTDGBkZ

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 5, 2026

Also READ: Alastair Cook opens up on possibility of becoming England’s next head coach

Root’s masterful 160 leads England to strong position in Sydney Ashes Test

Root’s brilliant knock of 160 anchored England’s innings on Day 2 of the 5th Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, putting the visitors in a commanding position. Root’s innings was a perfect blend of patience and aggression, as he faced 242 balls and struck 15 boundaries. Despite losing wickets around him, Root’s resilience ensured that England could set a daunting target for Australia, with his innings standing out as the highlight of the day.

Root was dismissed by Neser in a spectacular caught-and-bowled effort, a moment of brilliance that left the Sydney crowd in awe. England ended their innings at 384, with significant contributions from Harry Brook (84) and Jamie Smith (46). Australia’s bowlers, particularly Neser with 4 wickets, worked hard but were unable to stop Root’s dominance. With Australia needing 385 to take a lead, the day concluded with the hosts trailing by 348 runs at 36/0, requiring a strong chase on Day 3 to stay in the match.

Also WATCH: Ashes 2025-26: Australia and England players unite to give Guard of Honour to Bondi terror attack victims at SCG

“History will tell who the traitors were,” deposed Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro’s son Nicolas Maduro Guerra has said after his father and First Lady Cilia Flores were captured following a US military operation.In a audio message circulated on social media, Guerra warned of possible betrayal within the ruling movement, and history would expose those responsible.“History will tell who the traitors were, history will reveal it. We will see,” Guerra said.“We are fine, we are calm. You will see us in the streets, alongside these people. They want to see us weak; we are going to raise the banners of dignity. Does it hurt us? Of course it hurts us, of course it makes us angry, but they won’t be able to, damn it! I swear to you on my life, on my mother, on Cilia: they won’t be able to,” he said in the audio recording, El-cooperative reported.He also called supporters to take part in public mobilisations on January 4 and 5 to regroup and strengthen unity around the leadership. He also spoke of the need for “political and military coordination” to respond to what he described as “external aggression”.Maduro Guerra is a lawmaker from La Guaira state and member of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).Also known as “The Prince,” Guerra’s role is Venezuela’s drug operations is detailed in newly US indictments.According to US federal prosecutors, Guerra is a key orchestrator of a sprawling narcotics network that allegedly leveraged state assets, military personnel, and political influence to transport cocaine from Venezuela to the United States.This comes as Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores remain detained in the United States. They are expected to appear before a federal court in the Southern District of New York on Monday,Maduro is facing charges related to alleged “narco-terrorism and conspiracy to traffic drugs”.Earlier on Saturday The United States launched coordinated attacks on civilian and military installations across several Venezuelan states, with US President Donald Trump claiming that President Nicolas Maduro had been captured in what he described as a “large-scale” American strike.Both were taken from their residence, moved to the USS Iwo Jima warship, and later flown to the United States. They arrived in New York on Saturday afternoon to face criminal proceedings in US courts.

Representative image (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: The country’s top boxers were left cooling their heels for hours as chaos and confusion marked the opening day of the Elite Men and Women National Boxing Championships in Greater Noida on Sunday, with the start of competition delayed by more than four hours due to what officials described as “logistical” issues.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The tournament, slated to be a landmark event with the men’s and women’s national championships being staged together for the first time, was scheduled to get underway at 2 pm at Gautam Buddha University. Instead, prolonged uncertainty and poor preparedness defined the day.

Even basic infrastructure was missing. Three competition rings were meant to be operational on the opening day, but only one was assembled by around 4 pm. That too had to be dismantled and reassembled after a technical fault was detected. As a result, the first of the 80 scheduled bouts — 38 in the women’s section and 42 in the men’s — finally began only at 6.30 pm. Women boxers were left waiting even longer. As of 8 pm, there was still no clarity on when their bouts would begin, with the third ring yet to be assembled and no official communication forthcoming.Sources said that the organisers could not set up the rings and other equipment overnight as the gate of the venue, Gautam Budh University in Greater Noida, was locked.

“There were some communication issues, and the organisers did not know that the University gates would be closed for the night. So, they had to wait till the next day to set up everything,” a source said. A source, familiar with the matter, also said that the delay “actually” stemmed from payment-related issues. “Work only began after payment was made to the vendor,” the source added.However, Boxing Federation of India (BFI) secretary general Pramod Kumar told PTI, “The delay was because of certain logistical issues.”The prolonged wait took a visible toll on athletes. Several boxers attempted to pass the time inside the arena — some plugged into headphones, others paced the hall — as the hours ticked by without announcements.The national championships are already delayed as it was to be held in late December last year.Top Indian pugilists, including world champion Jaismine Lamboria, Olympian Nikhat Zareen and several other World Boxing Cup medallists, are in the fray. The competition, which will conclude on Jan 10, will see the men’s and women’s events being held simultaneously at the same venue, with nearly 600 boxers from across the country set to participate in 10 weight categories each in both men and women sections.Other prominent boxers, in action in the women’s section, are reigning world champion Minakshi Hooda, Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain and Asian Games bronze medallist Preeti Pawar. Among men, World Boxing Cup Finals gold medallists Hitesh Gulia and Sachin Siwach, silver medallist Abhinash Jamwal and World Championships silver medallist Amit Panghal are fighting for top honours.

Russia’s overnight strikes on Kyiv province killed two people on Monday after air raid alerts were issued across the country, Ukrainian authorities said. One person was killed in the capital Kyiv, according to Tymur Tkachenko, head of the city’s military administration. Another victim, a man in his 70s, died in the neighbouring city of Fastiv, Kyiv regional governor Mykola Kalashnyk said.

“One person has been killed so far as a result of the attack. The attack is continuing,” Tkachenko said in a post on the Telegram messaging app, according to Reuters.The latest strikes come as Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukraine. Meanwhile, Kyiv and its allies are seeking to finalise a US-brokered plan aimed at ending Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.The violence follows a deadly weekend of cross-border attacks. On Sunday, two people were killed in Ukrainian drone strikes in Russia’s border regions, according to local officials. In the Belgorod region, one person died and two others, including a young child, were wounded when a drone hit a car, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said. Another person was killed in a drone strike on a village in the Kursk region, regional governor Alexander Khinshtein said.In Ukraine, drone strikes overnight into Sunday also wounded three people in the Kharkiv region, the country’s State Emergency Service said.The escalation comes amid intensified diplomatic efforts to end the nearly four-year-old war. National security advisers from Europe and other allied countries visited Kyiv on Saturday to discuss security guarantees and economic support as part of a US-led push for peace.President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said work on peace proposals could now move faster after Ukraine shared key documents with 18 national security advisers, including those related to security guarantees. He said representatives from Ukraine’s General Staff and military sector were due to meet on Monday in Paris, followed by talks among European leaders on Tuesday.Zelenskyy, who is preparing to travel to Paris, said he hoped documents on security guarantees would be finalised during the meetings. He added that the discussions with US representatives were also expected.