New Delhi: A six-year-old girl went missing in 2018. She was last seen with her stepfather. When he was arrested eight days later, he led police to the place where her charred remains were found. Supreme Court found this evidence weak and acquitted him of the murder charge. Finding no other evidence to link the man to the murder except that he was the last person to be seen with the child according to a neighbour and he was the one to lead the police to the victim’s bones, a bench of Justices Sanjay Kumar and K Vinod Chandran acquitted him, saying the investigation was botched and left many questions unanswered. “In the present case, the murder of a six-year-old girl went unpunished and her stepfather was incarcerated on mere conjecture,” SC said. In the case from Chhattisgarh, what tilted the scales towards the stepfather, Rohit Jangde, was the peculiarity of the interpretation by SC in earlier judgments on the admissibility of a statement by an accused that leads to discovery of fact relating to the crime – in this case, the recovery of the girl’s body. More than 65 years ago, SC had ruled that the statement of an accused leading to discovery of facts relating to the crime would be admissible evidence only when it had been made in custody. Justices Kumar and Chandran also relied on a similar interpretation used in a nearly 100-year-old ruling by Calcutta HC. Interestingly in the 1931 judgment, the then CJ of Calcutta HC had expressed anguish that the law permitted reliance on a statement made to police that led to discovery of fact only when the person was in police custody and had termed it absurd, but left it to the legislature to make suitable amends. Relying on these decades-old judgments, SC termed weak the telltale evidence incriminating Jangde. Justice Chandran said even if the evidence was accepted, it would not by itself nail the guilt on the stepfather. “The knowledge of the accused, which led to the detection of the bone remnants though not acceptable under Section 27 would all the same be acceptable evidence under Section 8, which by itself is a weak piece of evidence. The evidence under Section 8 can only offer corroboration and cannot by itself result in a conviction,” he said. Acquitting the accused, the bench said, “The long gap when there was no complaint made about the missing child and the factum of none having questioned the accused, despite the family and police having been told that she went with the accused, tilts the scales in favour of the accused… Pertinent also is that since the corpus delicti was not recovered, there is no time of death specified. We are hence unable to uphold the conviction of the accused, and he has to be necessarily given the benefit of doubt.“

Jos Buttler of England makes his way off the field after being dismissed during the 5th T20 International between India and England at Wankhede Stadium on February 02, 2025 in Mumbai, India. (Photo/Getty Images)

Jos Buttler says he will not change his batting approach despite a run of low scores in the ongoing T20 World Cup, stating that he cannot focus only on staying at the crease if the team needs quick runs.The former England captain has not scored a half-century in his last 14 international innings across ODIs and T20Is, with a highest score of 39.“T20 is one of those games that asks you to keep making plays. There are times when you’ve maybe been out of form in a Test match with the batting coach, who might say ‘just rein it in for a bit and try to bat for an hour and it will come back to you’. So by hook or by crook, bat for an hour. But in T20s, you’ve got to keep playing the scoreboard; if you’re chasing 10 in an over you’ve got to play accordingly,” Buttler said. “I saw Nasser say, ‘just bat for 15 overs,’ and I would love to just bat for 15 overs, but I don’t want to bat for 15 overs just for myself and ignore the game. You’ve got to still play the game,” Buttler said on the For the Love of Cricket podcast, referring to comments by Nasser Hussain.Buttler scored 26 and 21 against Nepal and West Indies in Mumbai, followed by scores of three and three against Scotland and Italy in Kolkata as England moved into the Super 8 stage.“A bit frustrating so far, the game just keeps challenging you, no matter what stage of your career you’re at, there’s always something challenging you. I’ve been through lots of patches of poor form over 15 years in all different formats; it’s always the same things you come back to at the end, which is stand still, watch the ball and trust yourself,” he added.The former England captain also said he would not change his batting position to deal with the slump.“The only person who can score my runs is myself. I’m not going to score them by hiding away or sending anyone else out; I’ve got to put my own shirt on, mark the middle, and off we go again. It always comes back at some point, so looking forward to the next opportunity.”Buttler also spoke about his time in Mumbai. “Mumbai, I think, is a city I really enjoy. There are some really good restaurants to get out to. There’s lots going on. It’s obviously busy and hectic, but that’s all part of the fun of India,” he said.He also praised the performances of associate teams in the tournament. “The associate sides have played brilliantly. I’m sure they all feel like they’ve got nothing to lose. They’re looking for that giant-killing kind of performance, and sides have come really close.”England have reached the Super 8 stage and will play their matches in Sri Lanka. They begin that phase against the co-hosts at the Pallekele International Stadium on Sunday.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) have announced a fresh-looking 15-member squad for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, with experienced left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj appointed captain. The five-match series, starting March 15, will be played just a week after the conclusion of the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, marking a quick turnaround for the Proteas.

Keshav Maharaj to marshal a balanced unit

Maharaj, known for his calm demeanor and tactical sharpness, will spearhead a squad that blends experience with promising young talent. With several frontline players expected to transition directly from World Cup duty into franchise commitments, the selectors have opted to rotate and rest key names.

Only three players currently involved in the World Cup — Maharaj, George Linde, and Jason Smith — will travel onwards to New Zealand. The decision reflects careful workload management, particularly with the IPL scheduled to begin almost immediately after the series concludes on March 25.

For Maharaj, the assignment offers another opportunity to showcase his leadership credentials in the shortest format. Having led domestic and franchise sides before, he now steps into a national role at a crucial juncture as South Africa reshapes its T20 core.

New faces headline the squad

The tour will be particularly special for five uncapped players who have earned their maiden international call-ups: Connor Esterhuizen, Dian Forrester, Jordan Hermann, Eathan Bosch, and Nqobani Mokoena.

There’s a strong family connection within the group. Jordan Hermann joins his brother Rubin Hermann in the squad, while Eathan Bosch follows in the footsteps of his elder sibling Corbin Bosch. The sibling stories add a heartwarming dimension to the squad announcement and underline the depth of cricketing talent within South Africa’s domestic system.

Among the newcomers, 19-year-old Nqobani Mokoena stands out. The young spinner impressed in the 2026 SA20 season, finishing as the joint fourth-highest wicket-taker with 13 scalps for Paarl Royals at an impressive strike rate of 14.76. His inclusion signals South Africa’s intent to groom emerging match-winners in overseas conditions.

Also READ: Sunil Gavaskar predicts one change in India’s playing XI for the Super 8 clash against South Africa in T20 World Cup 2026

Pace firepower returns

Fast bowlers Ottneil Baartman and Gerald Coetzee, both absent from the World Cup squad, have been recalled to add bite to the pace attack. Their inclusion suggests a desire to test different bowling combinations ahead of a packed international calendar.

Tony de Zorzi also makes his return after recovering from injury, providing stability at the top of the order. Alongside experienced campaigners like Lutho Sipamla, Prenelan Subrayen, and Andile Simelane, the squad appears structured to experiment without compromising competitiveness.

South Africa squad for New Zealand T20Is: Keshav Maharaj (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Eathan Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Connor Esterhuizen, Dian Forrester, Jordan Hermann, Rubin Hermann, George Linde, Nqobani Mokoena, Andile Simelane, Lutho Sipamla, Prenelan Subrayen, Jason Smith.

Also READ: Oldest captains to win Player of the Match Award in ICC tournaments ft. Sikandar Raza and Rohit Sharma

Mumbai: Actor Ranveer Singh received multiple threat calls from Harry Boxer, a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, making an extortion demand for Rs 20 crore, the FIR registered by the police on Tuesday stated.An officer said they registered the offence after getting confirmation from the Punjab and Haryana police that the voice belonged to Boxer.

Police have issued a lookout circular (LOC) against Boxer. A Rajasthan native, Boxer is believed to be holed up in CanadaAccording to the police, the complaint was formally lodged by Singh’s social media handler and manager Vijay Subramanian, founder and group CEO of collective Artist Network. Based on his statement, crime branch’s south region cyber cell registered the FIR on Feb 17 against Boxer. The south region cyber cell as well the anti-extortion cell (AEC) are jointly working on the case.The complaint states that Subramanian received two to three threat calls from an international number on Feb 10. When he stopped taking the calls, the caller who identified himself as Harry Boxer left three voice notes demanding Rs 20 crore. Police said that Subramanian received multiple calls on his mobile phone from an international number beginning with +340, a country code believed to be linked to the Virgin Islands. During the calls, the caller allegedly demanded money and issued threats.The calls came a week after the Feb 1 firing on filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s Juhu bungalow. The police verified the threats received from Boxer before registering the case on Singh’s manager’s complaint. Security around Singh’s residence was enhanced following the threats, and he has been advised to be cautious while travelling for film shoots.Police are also examining the role of overseas handler Arzoo Bishnoi who allegedly guides shooters and provide logistics from outside India. Arzoo’s name had found a mention in the social media post that was released after the firing on Shetty’s bungalow while Boxer’s name came up for issuing voice messages threatening Singh.Boxer left long voice notes saying “the next seven generations” would remember the outcome if they did not comply. “Ranveer singh tu kuch baat bolke mukhar gaya na thik hai, ya to tu us baat par vapas aaja, isliye nahi to mukharne ki saja kya hoti hai voh tujhe batayenge issliye voice note chod rahe hain tere liye… Rohit Shetty aur tu line par aja… Aur puri Bollywood ko bol rahein hain… Aaj jo Portugal mein firing karaya hain maine aur mere bhaine Marina Grand hain Sukhdev ki dukan pe firing ki jimmadari hum le rahein hain. (Ranveer Singh, you backed out after saying something, right? That’s fine — either you revert to your statement, otherwise we will show you what the punishment for backing out is. That’s why we are leaving this voice note for you. Rohit Shetty and you should fall in line. And we are telling the entire Bollywood as well. The firing that was carried out today in Portugal — me and my brothers take responsibility for the firing at Marina Grand and at Sukhdev’s shop).”This is second FIR filed registered against Lawrence Bishnoi gang members. Earlier on Feb 1, gunshots were fired outside filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s Juhu residence. The crime branch’s AEC, which is probing the case, has so far arrested 12 persons including the shooter Deepak Sharma who had fired at Shetty’s residence at the behest of the Shubham Lonkar faction of the Bishnoi gang.

From left, Pakistan’s captain Salman Agha, Usman Khan and coach Mike Hesson before an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 cricket match between India and Pakistan, at R Premadasa Stadium, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. (PTI Photo)

Despite progressing to the Super 8 of the T20 World Cup 2026 after beating Namibia in their final Group A match, Pakistan are facing criticism over tactical decisions, with head coach Mike Hesson drawing scrutiny from former players.Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif questioned Hesson’s role following Pakistan’s defeat to India in the group stage. He pointed to Hesson’s extensive coaching background, including experience in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and other leagues, and said it was surprising that Pakistan chose to field first on a surface that tends to slow down over time, making chasing harder later in the match.

Pakistan’s campaign has been uneven. They narrowly avoided an upset against the Netherlands in their opener and then lost heavily to India. Although they secured a Super 8 spot, their overall performances have drawn concern from former players and supporters.“Leave Salman Ali Agha, what is Hesson doing? Mike Hesson has coached in the IPL. He coaches everywhere. What is he telling them (Pakistan team), to field first against India? Free ke paise le raha hai kya bhai? (Are you taking money for free?),” Kaif asked while speaking on his YouTube channel.“I can understand that it is the first World Cup for Agha and all that, he can be in doubt. But does not Hesson know what he is supposed to do on that slow pitch? You brought Abrar into the power play, he got hit and then you dropped him,” Kaif said.Kaif also questioned Pakistan’s handling of spinner Usman Tariq after the powerplay. The bowler has drawn attention for his action and has been among Pakistan’s steady performers in the tournament.“It was you who took the wrong call; the spinner was supposed to come after the power play. There was so much build-up with Usman Tariq’s action and all that and you brought him on as the seventh bowler,” Kaif added.Pakistan relied heavily on spin against India, delivering 18 overs of spin in the innings. Captain Salman Ali Agha also opened the bowling with the new ball.The plan initially worked when Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for a duck early in the innings. After that breakthrough, however, Pakistan struggled to maintain control as India took charge of the match.Pakistan will next face New Zealand, England and Sri Lanka in the Super 8 stage.

NEW DELHI: A six-year-old girl was killed and her grandmother injured after the e-rickshaw they were travelling in collided with a car and overturned in west Delhi’s Janakpuri, officials said on Thursday. Recounting the incident, the grandmother told news agency PTI that the two had just begun their routine journey to the child’s school when the crash occurred. She said a speeding car rammed into the e-rickshaw with tremendous force, throwing her onto the road.

She recalled regaining consciousness to find herself lying injured, with her granddaughter beside her. Despite being in shock and pain, she said her immediate concern was the child, who was bleeding heavily. The grandmother alleged that she pleaded with a car driver present at the scene to help take the girl to the hospital, but the person left without assisting. She added that she could not confirm whether it was the same vehicle involved in the collision. The child’s mother, who works at a hospital, said she received a call from her mother after the accident. She told news agency PTI that a hospital staff member who witnessed the incident later informed her that the elderly woman had been crying for help while the child struggled to breathe. According to her, bystanders had gathered but none initially intervened.The grandmother said she saw the girl bleeding profusely. “I begged a car driver, who was standing there watching us, to help and take the child to the hospital. Instead of helping, he ran away. I don’t remember if it was the same car which hit us,” she alleged, breaking down. Police said a PCR call regarding an accident involving a minor girl was received from Mata Chanan Devi Hospital on the morning of February 17. The girl and her maternal grandmother, Mercy Xavier (57), a resident of Lajwanti Garden, were initially taken there and later shifted to a hospital in Dwarka. The child succumbed during treatment. During enquiry, Xavier told police that around 7.40 am she was travelling in an e-rickshaw with her granddaughter when, near the Janakpuri Fire Station, the vehicle collided with a car and overturned, causing serious injuries. Officials said Xavier remains under treatment and is stated to be stable. Based on preliminary findings, a case has been registered at Janakpuri police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for rash and negligent driving causing death. The offending vehicle has been seized. Police identified the accused driver as Sanjeev, who was apprehended on Wednesday. Statements of witnesses are being recorded, and CCTV footage from cameras installed near the fire station and surrounding areas is being examined to reconstruct the sequence of events. The fatal accident has once again drawn attention to the operation of e-rickshaws in the capital. Official data indicates that over two lakh e-rickshaws are registered in Delhi, though enforcement sources said the actual number on the roads may be higher, with many vehicles allegedly operating without full compliance with safety norms.(With agency inputs)