Mumbai: Observingthat evidence of victim and her mother were not cogent, trustworthy and reliable, a special Pocso court on Tuesday acquitted four men charged with the gangrape of a 16-year-old girl in 2014, citing a lack of medical evidence, discrepancies regarding the girl’s age, and unreliable testimony. A fifth accused was discharged from the case and the sixth, a minor is being tried separately.The verdict concluded a trial that spanned over a decade, involving allegations of sexual assault in the Aarey Colony forest after the girl was purportedly forced to consume alcohol by her friends.The court found that the prosecution failed to conclusively prove the girl was a minor at the time of the incident. While she claimed a birth date in 1997, no birth certificate was produced in court, and medical testimony suggested her age could have been 18. Special judge Mahesh K Jadhav observed that the investigating officer did not collect documentary evidence or record statements from the school authorities to verify the age. The judgment noted that “prosecution has failed to prove that on the date of incident, the victim was minor”.The prosecution’s case was that the four men had sexually assaulted her on two consecutive nights in March 2014. However, the court found the girl’s conduct and the timeline of events inconsistent. The judge pointed out that despite claiming to be in pain, she did not inform her parents or seek medical help for several days. “This conduct of the victim itself shows and proves that nothing had happened during the night,” the judge said regarding the first night of the alleged incident.Represented by advocates Amrish Salunke and Durgesh Pandey, the accused denied the allegations. They were out on bail.The prosecution’s case states that the girl, who was residing at a shelter and working as a domestic help, visited her mother’s house in March 2014. On the evening of March 15, 2014, she contacted her friend, one of the accused. She met him and the other accused on a ground in Sher-E-Punjab where they consumed beer. The girl reported feeling giddy and, after being taken to an unknown location on a motorcycle, lost consciousness. She was later dropped back to the ground and returned home to sleep.The following day, March 16, 2014, the girl contacted the same accused again and met the group at the same location in the evening. Despite initial resistance, she consumed beer after being pressured by her friends. She alleged that the group then forced her onto a vehicle and took her to an unspecified location. She was eventually returned to her house at 6am the next morning. On the afternoon of March 17, 2014, the girl woke up experiencing physical pain and suspected she had been sexually assaulted. When she confronted her friend over the phone, he allegedly admitted that the four had engaged in sexual acts with her in a forest. Fearing her father’s reaction and social stigma, she remained silent until March 20, 2014, when she confided in a mentor who took her to the hospital and subsequently to the Meghwadi police station to file a report.However, the judge noted failure in the collection of technical and forensic evidence. Although mobile phones were seized, investigators did not collect Call Data Records (CDR) to verify the communication between the accused and the girl. No CCTV footage was recovered from the areas near the Sher-E-Punjab ground or the route to the forest. “In absence of these above-mentioned proofs, prosecution has failed to connect accused with crime,” the judge said.Medical evidence also failed to support the prosecution’s claims of forcible assault. Doctors deposed that there were no external injuries on the girl’s body, which the judge found unlikely if the incident had occurred in a forested area under babul trees. Chemical analysis reports of the seized clothing and swabs were inconclusive, showing no traces of semen. The judge noted that “medical evidence is not corroborating the version of victim” and that the forensic data was “crucial for establishing the crime” but remained absent.The judge noted that the name of the fourth accused was added to the case months after the initial complaint and the girl failed to identify him during a test identification parade. The judge found that the prosecution provided no explanation for this delay or evidence of his involvement.that evidence of victim and her mother were not cogent, trustworthy and reliable, a special Pocso court on Tuesday acquitted four men charged with the gangrape of a 16-year-old girl in 2014, citing a lack of medical evidence, discrepancies regarding the girl’s age, and unreliable testimony. A fifth accused was discharged from the case and the sixth, a minor is being tried separately.The verdict concluded a trial that spanned over a decade, involving allegations of sexual assault in the Aarey Colony forest after the girl was purportedly forced to consume alcohol by her friends.The court found that the prosecution failed to conclusively prove the girl was a minor at the time of the incident. While she claimed a birth date in 1997, no birth certificate was produced in court, and medical testimony suggested her age could have been 18. Special judge Mahesh K Jadhav observed that the investigating officer did not collect documentary evidence or record statements from the school authorities to verify the age. The judgment noted that “prosecution has failed to prove that on the date of incident, the victim was minor”.The prosecution’s case was that the four men had sexually assaulted her on two consecutive nights in March 2014. However, the court found the girl’s conduct and the timeline of events inconsistent. The judge pointed out that despite claiming to be in pain, she did not inform her parents or seek medical help for several days. “This conduct of the victim itself shows and proves that nothing had happened during the night,” the judge said regarding the first night of the alleged incident.Represented by advocates Amrish Salunke and Durgesh Pandey, the accused denied the allegations. They were out on bail.The prosecution’s case states that the girl, who was residing at a shelter and working as a domestic help, visited her mother’s house in March 2014. On the evening of March 15, 2014, she contacted her friend, one of the accused. She met him and the other accused on a ground in Sher-E-Punjab where they consumed beer. The girl reported feeling giddy and, after being taken to an unknown location on a motorcycle, lost consciousness. She was later dropped back to the ground and returned home to sleep.The following day, March 16, 2014, the girl contacted the same accused again and met the group at the same location in the evening. Despite initial resistance, she consumed beer after being pressured by her friends. She alleged that the group then forced her onto a vehicle and took her to an unspecified location. She was eventually returned to her house at 6am the next morning. On the afternoon of March 17, 2014, the girl woke up experiencing physical pain and suspected she had been sexually assaulted. When she confronted her friend over the phone, he allegedly admitted that the four had engaged in sexual acts with her in a forest. Fearing her father’s reaction and social stigma, she remained silent until March 20, 2014, when she confided in a mentor who took her to the hospital and subsequently to the Meghwadi police station to file a report.However, the judge noted failure in the collection of technical and forensic evidence. Although mobile phones were seized, investigators did not collect Call Data Records (CDR) to verify the communication between the accused and the girl. No CCTV footage was recovered from the areas near the Sher-E-Punjab ground or the route to the forest. “In absence of these above-mentioned proofs, prosecution has failed to connect accused with crime,” the judge said.Medical evidence also failed to support the prosecution’s claims of forcible assault. Doctors deposed that there were no external injuries on the girl’s body, which the judge found unlikely if the incident had occurred in a forested area under babul trees. Chemical analysis reports of the seized clothing and swabs were inconclusive, showing no traces of semen. The judge noted that “medical evidence is not corroborating the version of victim” and that the forensic data was “crucial for establishing the crime” but remained absent.The judge noted that the name of the fourth accused was added to the case months after the initial complaint and the girl failed to identify him during a test identification parade. The judge found that the prosecution provided no explanation for this delay or evidence of his involvement.

NAIROBI: A strike by workers at Kenya’s main gateway — Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta Int’l Airport (JKIA) — has severely affected flight operations out of here, with some airlines including IndiGo cancelling flights on Tuesday. As a result, hundreds of Indians are among the scores of foreigners of stuck in Kenya, unable to leave the country. And those who need to fly in are also unable to do so.India, which sent over 1.3 lakh tourists to the East African country last year and is its fifth largest source market for international tourists, has only one direct flight to the country — IndiGo’s daily flight between Mumbai and Nairobi. A majority of Indian travel via Gulf carriers like Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways.IndiGo cancelled its Mumbai-Nairobi-Mumbai flight on Tuesday (Feb 17). Whether Wednesday’s flight operates remains to be seen. Since the cancellation is not attributable to the airline, it is not providing hotel accommodation to travellers stuck in Nairobi. Since Kenya’s main airline that has its hub at JKIA is only reporting delays and not cancellations, IndiGo passengers stranded in Nairobi have kept their fingers crossed.In a travel advisory on flight disruptions at JKIA, Kenya Airways said: “….we are experiencing delays of up to four hours for departures out of JKIA and have adjusted our network accordingly.”Many stranded passengers are now trying to find affordable hotel accommodation. One of them who was supposed to fly out of Nairobi on Tuesday got the flight cancellation message on Monday night. “We were at the end of our Nairobi visit and had spent almost all the money we had for this trip. I contacted hotels and the minimum rate we got was $140 a night. One of the managers happened to be an Indian and advised us to check-in on Monday night itself as he said he was getting calls for booking rooms by other airlines for their stranded guests. He warned us that coming to check-in on Tuesday (to save one day’s charge) may mean not getting a room,” said the passenger. This family then opted for a cheaper Airbnb. “We just hope IndiGo operates its flight and takes us back home,” the passenger said.Meanwhile, the Kenya Airways advisory added: “We sincerely regret the inconvenience and are working closely with the relevant aviation authorities and airport stakeholders to minimise the impact on our customers and maintain safe operations. Our teams are doing everything possible to ensure the safety, security, and comfort of our customers, which remains our highest priority. Passengers are advised to expect schedule adjustments.”

As the league games reach their final stage and the high-stakes Super 8 phase is about to begin, a piece of bad news has cast a shadow over the T20 World Cup 2026 for fans worldwide. On February 18, 2026, it was officially confirmed that the legendary Dale Steyn will be absent for the remainder of the competition.

While his presence in the commentary box has been a highlight for fans, the legendary former speedster has been forced to head home just as the tournament reaches its knockout intensity. The departure marks a significant loss for the broadcast team during a week where global viewership is expected to hit record highs.

The legendary former Proteas fast bowler Steyn revealed on X that his early exit is due to a severe injury sustained while competing in the Legends League Cricket tour in India. After feeling a sharp snap during a match, Steyn was diagnosed with a torn pectoralis (pec) muscle, an injury he admitted was his body’s way of telling him that his playing days, even in veteran leagues, are taking a significant toll.

The severity of the tear is such that he required immediate shoulder surgery, which was scheduled for Wednesday, February 18. Taking to social media to share the news, Steyn expressed his disappointment at having to leave the World Cup early, stating: “Bummed, but that’s life. Thanks again India, see you in the IPL.” His absence will be keenly felt by the commentary team, especially following his recent high-energy analysis during South Africa‘s nail-biting double-Super Over victory against Afghanistan.

So unfortunately I’ve had to come home early, I’m having shoulder surgery tomorrow which has forced me to miss the remainder of the World Cup in terms of commentary.
Bummed, but that’s life.
Thanks again India, see you in the IPL 😉

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) February 17, 2026

Tore my pec in the legends league…
Clearly my body is saying something to me 😂

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) February 17, 2026

Also READ: From Mahela Jayawardene to Kusal Mendis: List of players to record three consecutive 50-plus scores in T20 World Cup history

T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 stakes: India and South Africa clash in Ahmedabad

Steyn’s departure comes at the most critical juncture of the tournament, as the Super Eight phase intensifies across venues in India and Sri Lanka. The marquee fixture of Group G1 features a massive rematch of the 2024 final: India vs South Africa on Sunday, February 22, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Both teams have been in imperious form; India are coming off a crushing 61-run win over Pakistan, while the Proteas remain unbeaten after dominating Group D.

Currently, seven of the eight spots are occupied by India, South Africa, West Indies, Zimbabwe, England, Sri Lanka and New Zealand. The final slot is currently being decided at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, where Pakistan are currently batting against Namibia in a must-win clash. A victory or even a washout for Salman Ali Agha’s men would secure their progression, finally ending the USA’s Cinderella-story hopes of a Super 8 berth.

Also READ: Big Bash League set for India debut as Cricket Australia explores plans to stage BBL 2026-27 opener in Chennai

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin (File photo)

NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu on Wednesday pitched for greater federalism, with the state assembly tabling the Justice Kurian Joseph Committee report on Centre-state relations that recommended diminished powers for the governor and a greater role for states in constitutional amendments.In Part-1 of the report, which runs into 387 pages, the three-member panel said for the appointment of state governors, Article 155 of the Constitution should be amended “to bind the President to appoint one of the three names approved by a majority of the state assembly”. It recommended a non-renewable five-year term for governors and proposed they be barred from holding any further constitutional office except that of the President and the vice-president.CM MK Stalin called for constitutional amendments and structural reforms to decentralise powers and provide greater autonomy to states. “How long should we remain the receiver and the Union the provider?” he said.Governors should not hold office in a political party or any office of the executive, legislature or judiciary in the five years preceding appointment, the report said. It also sought amendments to impose timelines for gubernatorial and presidential action on bills, with deemed assent on expiry, citing the framework laid down by Supreme Court in April 2025.The committee recommended doing away with the governor’s address at the start of an assembly session and divesting the governor of the statutory role of chancellor of state universities. “Dissolution (of the legislative assembly) shall be ordered solely on ministerial advice,” it suggested.The panel sought a larger say for states in elections, education, health, delimitation and GST. The report slammed the three-language formula and suggested the country shift from “weak trilingualism to high-proficiency bilingualism”. It said India must abandon the “one nation one language” policy and urged Union govt to correct Census distortions by ending misclassification of 53 languages as dialects of Hindi.On territorial integrity, the panel said the consent of the affected state legislature should be obtained before the President recommends introducing a bill to create a new state, and that the same principle should apply to altering the area, boundaries or name of a state.The report said the “one nation, one election” proposal should be withdrawn as it violates the basic structure of the Constitution. It proposed limiting EC’s role to elections for Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, President, Vice-President and Union Territories, while independent state election commissions conduct polls to state legislatures and local bodies.

In a stunning display of ‘explosive longevity,’ 41-year-old Netherlands veteran Roelof van der Merwe turned back the clock at the Narendra Modi Stadium on February 18, 2026. During India‘s final T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage match, the ageless player produced a moment of magic that silenced the Ahmedabad crowd and left the cricketing world in awe. His spectacular effort not only dismissed a set batter but also highlighted the immense spirit of a Netherlands side refusing to be intimidated by the tournament favorites.

IND vs NED: 41-year-old Roelof Van der Merwe produces magic to dismiss Tilak Varma

The defining moment of the Dutch fielding masterclass occurred in the 9th over, delivered by Logan van Beek, as India looked to rebuild their innings. Tilak Varma, who had reached 31 off 27 balls and was beginning to find his rhythm, launched a powerful, high-altitude strike toward the long-off boundary. While the shot initially looked destined to clear the rope or fall safely, Roelof van der Merwe had other plans.

Sprinting several meters from his position with the agility of a teenager, the 41-year-old tracked the ball’s trajectory perfectly as it swirled in the Ahmedabad night air. Just as the ball seemed out of reach, he launched into a desperate, full-length sideways dive, stretching his arms to pluck the ball inches from the turf with a sensational reverse-cup catch.

The sheer athleticism required for such a grab at his age left the commentators speechless and provided a ‘teaching moment’ for his younger teammate Michael Levitt, who had dropped a much easier chance earlier in the same over. Van der Merwe’s celebration was as fiery as the catch itself, cementing his status as one of the most competitive veterans still gracing the international stage.

Here’s the video:

Also READ: IND vs NED: Fans express shock as Abhishek Sharma records third consecutive duck in T20 World Cup 2026

Netherlands spinner Aryan Dutt exploits Ahmedabad’s dry conditions to dismantle Indian top order

The match has unfolded as a surprisingly tense battle of attrition rather than the high-scoring ‘run-fest’ many expected from the Ahmedabad surface. India, having won the toss and elected to bat first, found themselves in early trouble as Aryan Dutt exploited the dry conditions to dismantle the top order.

The biggest story remains the historic slump of World No. 1 Abhishek Sharma, who was clean bowled by Dutt for a 3-ball duck, his third consecutive zero in this tournament. Shortly after, Ishan Kishan (18) was bowled in a bizarre fashion when the ball deflected off his body and into the stumps, leaving India wobbling at 44/2 within the powerplay.

The introduction of Tilak and captain Suryakumar Yadav stabilized the ship temporarily, taking the score to 69 before Van der Merwe’s ‘screamer’ removed Varma. As of the 11th over, India sits at 76/3, with Suryakumar (23*) and Shivam Dube (3*) tasked with a major repair job. The Netherlands’ disciplined bowling, led by Dutt’s clinical figures of 2/19, has kept the scoring rate under seven an over, proving that even a ‘dead rubber’ can produce elite-level drama when a giant-killer mindset is applied.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Here’s why Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel are not playing today’s IND vs NED game