NEW DELHI: An expansive anti -corruption bill has drawn criticism from a legal think tank and two law universities, which told a parliamentary committee that provisions linking the removal of a PM, CM, or minister to 30 days of arrest on serious criminal charges risk political misuse.Representatives of Vidhi Centre for Legal policy, National Law University (NLU)- Odisha and National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS)- Kolkata, who were invited by the joint parliamentary committee scrutinising the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, flagged a host of issues, including that it may override popular will. Two of them suggested the threshold for removal should be “framing of charges” as it will introduce an element of judicial scrutiny in the process, people in the know said. Vidhi Centre cautioned that certain provisions may invite constitutional challenges.

Experts: 30-day bar not aligned with current procedure

It said the purported intent behind the bill is laudable and largely complies with constitutional doctrine.Representatives of two of these bodies pointed out that the global consensus, at least in established democracies, for removal of ministers from office is judicial conviction and the proposed law moves away from this and has a low threshold. Existing criminal provisions allow police to seek custody of an accused for up to 90 days in serious offences, and the 30-day bar is not congruent with the current procedure, it was noted.NUJS said the legislation may intend to curb criminality within politics, but it has a “high probability” of severely destabilising Union and state cabinets, sources aware of the details said. The varsity said it has potential to lead to policy paralysis at Centre and states.An investigation can turn into a “potential regime change operation,” NLU said, adding that the bill incentivises retaliation as state police can act against a visiting Union minister after central agencies take action against a chief minister or state minister.Vidhi Centre said, “The framework creates scope for political misuse. Arrests may be timed or selectively pursued.”NLU echoed similar views, saying opposing parties can use its provisions to destabilise legitimate govts. The trend over the past few decades suggests the possibility of its misuse and it will have a negative impact on the country’s democracy, it said. “Automatic removal of a PM or CM overrides the choice of the majority party and the voters,” it said.Though the bill seeks removal from office over arrest in offences where punishment is five years or more, it was also pointed out that there are several serious crimes, including corruption, where punishment may be less than five years.The govt has batted for the bill citing instances of ministers and even a chief minister — Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi — continuing to be in charge despite being under a long period of incarceration on corruption charges. However, it agreed to send the bill to the parliamentary panel headed by BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi for wider consultations. Most opposition parties have refused to be part of the panel.

File photo: PM Modi (Picture credit: PTI)

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the people of Tamil Nadu have decided to bid farewell to the “corrupt” DMK government in the upcoming Assembly elections, as he kicked off the NDA’s campaign in the state. Chief Minister M K Stalin strongly countered the remarks, accusing the BJP-led NDA of repeatedly betraying Tamil Nadu.

PM Modi launches NDA campaign in Tamil Nadu

Ahead of a mega rally at Maduranthakam in Chengalpattu district, PM Modi said the NDA’s governance record and commitment to regional aspirations were resonating with voters.“Tamil Nadu is with NDA… Tamil Nadu has decided that it’s time to bid farewell to the corrupt DMK government. The NDA’s governance record and commitment to regional aspirations are striking a chord with the people of the state,” PM Modi said in a post on X.The Maduranthakam rally marks the formal launch of the NDA’s Assembly election campaign. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami and other NDA leaders are expected to share the stage with PM Modi. BJP Tamil Nadu election in-charge Piyush Goyal said the rally was the first step towards ending what he called the DMK’s “corruption-ridden government,” as per news agency PTI.

Stalin counters PM, raises pending demands

Reacting sharply, Chief Minister M K Stalin said PM Modi visits Tamil Nadu only during election season and accused the Centre of ignoring key state demands.“Tamil Nadu counts the betrayals of NDA. Prime Minister Modi comes to Tamil Nadu only when the election season comes,” Stalin said in a post on X.Stalin questioned when Tamil Nadu would receive the pending Rs 3,458 crore under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, when assurances on delimitation would be given, and when the “anarchy” of the Governor would end. He also flagged delays in MGNREGA payments, the AIIMS Madurai project, disaster relief funds, metro rail proposals for Coimbatore and Madurai, and reiterated the state’s demand for NEET exemption.

Tight security, alliance show of strength

Security has been tightened in Maduranthakam ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit, with elaborate arrangements including a helicopter landing facility in neighbouring Chengalpattu district, officials said, as per PTI.The rally is being projected by the NDA as a show of unity, with leaders from alliance parties attending, as the BJP intensifies its push against the ruling DMK in the run-up to the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Photo for representative purpose only

NEW DELHI: A clinical study from Colombia, published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research, the peer-reviewed journal of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has found that low vitamin D levels are linked to more severe dengue, a finding with clear relevance for India, where both dengue and vitamin D deficiency are widespread. Dengue remains a recurring public health challenge in the country, especially during the monsoon, when hospitals see sharp rises in patients with high fever, falling platelet counts and bleeding complications. While many recover with supportive care, a significant proportion deteriorate rapidly, and predicting severity remains difficult.In the Colombian study, researchers analysed blood samples from nearly 100 laboratory-confirmed dengue patients, classified by disease severity, and compared them with healthy individuals. They measured serum vitamin D levels along with miRNA-155, a molecule that regulates immune and inflammatory responses. Patients with milder dengue had higher vitamin D levels, while those with warning signs or severe disease showed significant deficiency. At the same time, miRNA-155 levels rose steadily with increasing severity, indicating an exaggerated immune response. The study also found an inverse relationship between vitamin D and inflammatory markers such as TNF-alpha and interleukin-6, both linked to severe dengue and complications like dengue haemorrhagic fever.Commenting on the findings, Dr R. Goswami, professor of endocrinology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, said the study strengthens earlier evidence linking low vitamin D with severe dengue, particularly dengue haemorrhagic fever. “What this study adds is a possible disease mechanism through microRNA-155, which is involved in immune dysregulation via Th1 and Th2 pathways,” he said, adding that it is prudent to maintain normal levels.Doctors say the findings resonate with Indian clinical experience. Dr Pankaj Soni, principal director (internal medicine) at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, said low vitamin D is associated with bleeding and complications and may worsen inflammation and viral replication, making it a modifiable risk factor but not a treatment. Dr Atul Gogia, head of infectious diseases at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said severe dengue is often driven by a cytokine storm, and correcting deficiency could help reduce complications, though larger, well-controlled trials are needed.India continues to face a heavy dengue burden, with about 1.13 lakh cases and 95 deaths reported till November 2025, and much higher numbers recorded in peak years such as 2023. At the same time, national studies show vitamin D deficiency affects a large majority of Indians across age and income groups. Experts caution against self-medication but say the study highlights the need for India-specific research to examine whether correcting widespread deficiency could help identify high-risk patients early and reduce dengue-related complications.

NEW DELHI: Flight operations at Srinagar were temporarily suspended on Friday due to snowfall, with both arrivals and departures put on hold.In an advisory to passengers, the airline said the suspension could lead to extended wait times, both onboard aircraft and at the airport, as weather conditions continued to affect operations. It added that boarding formalities may be completed in advance so that flights can depart immediately once clearance is granted.The airline said it was closely monitoring the situation and assured passengers that efforts were being made to minimise inconvenience. Travellers have been advised to check the latest status of their flights before heading to the airport, as operations will resume only after weather conditions improve.Cold conditions tightened their grip across Kashmir on Thursday as minimum temperatures dipped further at most locations, with officials warning that an approaching western disturbance could bring fresh snowfall later in the day.Night temperatures fell below the freezing point across the valley. In Srinagar, the minimum temperature dropped by one degree from the previous night to settle at minus 3.4 degrees Celsius on Wednesday night.The coldest spot in the valley was Sonamarg in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, where the mercury plunged to minus 6.1 degrees Celsius, compared to minus 5.5 degrees Celsius a night earlier. North Kashmir’s ski resort of Gulmarg recorded a minimum of minus 4 degrees Celsius.In south Kashmir, Pahalgam, which also serves as a base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra, registered a low of minus 4.4 degrees Celsius, down from minus 3.8 degrees Celsius the previous night.Officials said Qazigund recorded a minimum of minus 3.8 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag settled at minus 2.6 degrees Celsius and Kupwara at minus 3.7 degrees Celsius.According to the meteorological department, two strong western disturbances are expected to affect Jammu and Kashmir this week. The first system is likely to impact the region on Thursday, followed by another on January 26. Under their influence, widespread light to moderate rainfall and snowfall, including in the plains of the Kashmir Valley, is forecast, with peak activity expected on January 23 and January 27.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Thursday that he was a “victim” of an alleged rift between Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi during his time in Congress party.Speaking to NDTV, Sarma, who spent 22 years in the Congress before joining the BJP, said “Rahul doesn’t want Priyanka in Kerala. I was in Congress for 22 years. I also have some inner information. He doesn’t want to disturb KC Venugopal and his axis, and Priyanka is an outsider to that axis. That’s why he transferred her to Assam. An MP from Kerala has not been assigned responsibility in Kerala. How else do you interpret this?” he added.Taking a swipe at the Gandhi family, Biswa called them the “world’s biggest flop family” and added, “I think my family is better than theirs. We grew up struggling.”

On Gaurav Gogoi and national security

The CM denied any personal rivalry with Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi, saying it was his duty to alert the central government about links to what he called an “enemy country”. He reiterated accusations against Gogoi and his wife of having connections with the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI.“But when the link is to an enemy country, and I do not forward it to the Government of India, then as a chief minister, I will be doing a disservice to the Constitution and people. Pakistan is an enemy country and a hostile neighbour. Links with Pakistan cannot be compared with a corruption charge,” Sarma said. Quoting the Hindi spy thriller Dhurandhar, he added, “If you catch a spy, will you not expose him?”Sarma also voiced apprehensions over changing relations with Bangladesh, crediting former PM Sheikh Hasina’s regime for assisting Assam in tackling extremism. He warned that any hostility from Dhaka could allow militants to establish a base across the 800 km border.

Vision for Assam’s growth

On economic matters, Sarma outlined his vision to transform Assam beyond hydrocarbon industries, eyeing opportunities in the semiconductor sector. “India is a diverse country. We must take care of every state. If one part becomes developed only to cater to the global ecosystem, and there’s nothing on the other side, then the country will collapse,” he said. He described Assam as “landlocked and tucked away near the border” but “one of the fastest-growing big states”.Touching upon identity and demographic concerns ahead of state elections, he said, “In Assam, we need development. For us, national security and the identity of the Assamese people are paramount. The demographic change is a huge concern. We are fighting for both our identity and development.”Sarma also took a dig at West Bengal, claiming Assam remains a relatively peaceful state, “with no fear of stones being thrown.”

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday took suo motu cognisance of the death of a 27-year-old software engineer who drowned after his SUV fell into a waterlogged trench at a commercial site in Greater Noida. The tribunal observed that the incident indicates serious environmental violations and regulatory lapses.The tribunal also highlighted that the land where the accident occurred had originally been allotted for a private mall project but, over the years, had turned into a pond due to unchecked accumulation of rainwater and discharge of wastewater from nearby housing societies, news agency ANI reported.Taking note of a media report on the incident, the NGT said that the transformation of the commercial plot into a waterbody raised questions over land-use violations, environmental degradation and the failure of authorities to prevent hazardous conditions at the site.The case relates to the death of Yuvraj Mehta, a software engineer and resident of Sector 150, Greater Noida, whose car plunged into a nearly 30-foot-deep, water-filled pit near ATS Le Grandiose in the early hours of January 17 amid dense fog and poor visibility.According to the post-mortem report, Mehta died due to asphyxiation and cardiac failure. Trapped in the icy water, he struggled to survive for nearly 90 minutes. He managed to climb onto the roof of his sinking vehicle, flashed his mobile phone’s torch repeatedly and called his father in a desperate attempt to seek help.Rescue operations involving the police, fire brigade, SDRF and NDRF were launched but were severely hampered by near-zero visibility, deep water and inadequate equipment. A delivery worker who reached the spot jumped into the trench in an attempt to save Mehta but was unable to locate him. His body was recovered around 4.30 am.An FIR has been registered against the builders responsible for the open pit, citing serious negligence, including the absence of barricading, fencing and reflectors at the accident-prone turn. Show-cause notices have also been issued to officials responsible for traffic management in the area.In a significant development, the director of Wiztown Planners, Abhay Kumar, was arrested on Tuesday. Police said the commercial plot where the trench existed was in the possession of the company. Kumar has been booked under sections related to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, causing death by negligence, and acts endangering human life.Following public outrage and protests by residents, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the incident. The Noida Authority’s CEO was removed, and inspections of construction-site safety measures were ordered.The SIT has begun recording statements of officials, developers and eyewitnesses and is examining the role of civic agencies, road safety arrangements and compliance with construction and environmental norms.Residents have alleged that repeated warnings about the dangerous condition of the site were ignored. Barricades were installed only after protests and a candle march demanding justice for Mehta.

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed Hindu prayers from sunrise to sunset on Basant Panchami at the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, while permitting Muslims to offer namaz from 1 pm to 3 pm on the same day.The court also directed that a list of persons from the Muslim community coming for namaz be furnished to the district administration and instructed the administration to make law and order arrangements at the site for the offering of prayers.A bench comprising CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi appealed to both sides to observe mutual respect and cooperate with the state and district administration for maintenance of law and order.Given the sensitivity of the situation, nearly 8,000 police personnel, including forces from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Rapid Action Force (RAF), have been deployed across Dhar district. CCTV surveillance, foot and vehicle patrols, and social media activity are being closely monitored, officials said. Saffron flags and ‘Akhand Puja’ billboards have also been put up in the city ahead of Basant Panchami. Hindus consider Bhojshala, an ASI-protected medieval-era monument, to be a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati), while the Muslim community calls it the Kamal Maula mosque. The Bhoj Utsav Committee has requested permission to perform puja throughout January 23, with patron Ashok Jain stating that 30,000 to 50,000 devotees are expected to participate in the ‘Akhand Puja’ (continuous prayers). Meanwhile, Zulfikar Pathan, head of the Kamal Maula Namaz Intezamia Committee, said the Muslim community has requested Friday prayers between 1 pm and 3 pm, in accordance with the ASI’s April 7, 2003 order, “without any hindrance.” The Supreme Court also directed that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) report on the religious character of the Bhojshala-Saraswati Temple cum Kamal Maula Mosque be shared with both communities by the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The ASI report has been filed in a sealed cover before the High Court. Indore Rural Range Inspector General of Police, Anurag, has personally inspected the Bhojshala complex and reviewed the security arrangements ahead of the religious activities. Under the ASI’s 2003 arrangement, Hindus perform puja on Tuesdays, while Muslims offer namaz on Fridays.

Historical research, both Indian and foreign, indicates that the Bhojshala complex, including the Vagdevi temple, existed centuries before the Kamal Maula Mosque, Radheshyam Yadav, former convenor of Hindu Jagaran Manch’s Indore division, has said. He claims the mosque was built after dismantling ancient Hindu temples.“Muslims refer to an ASI survey of Bhojshala in 1902-03 and ask why there should be a fresh study. Today, we have technology and scientific techniques that were not available then. This survey, along the lines of Gyanvapi and Ayodhya, will help reveal the truth about Bhojshala,” he said.Petitioners, Hindu Front for Justice, said the mosque was built during Alauddin Khilji’s reign over a preexisting temple, while Kamal Maula Mosque was constructed in 1514 under Mehmood Khilji II. ASI reports also note that parts of Bhojshala and the Vagdevi temple were dismantled to build the mosque. They point to inscriptions, carvings, and ritual structures as evidence of the temple’s prior existence.Dhar Shahar Qazi Sadiq countered, “For 700 years, salah/namaz has been offered at Kamal Maula Mosque. How can it be a temple? It was never a temple or school, and there was never any idol installed there. Dirty politics is leading to this tense situation.”The controversy began in 1893 when ASI’s German Indologist Alois Anton Fuhrer noted some sutras on the pillars but lacked evidence. The term “Bhojshala” was popularized in 1903 by Dhar Dewas’ education commissioner KK Lele, though the Imperial Gazetteer of 1908 later corrected this