'Devendra Fadnavis will be Maharashtra CM'

 India has had a transformative journey from a nation, which under the aftermath and horrors of partition saw widespread illiteracy, poverty, lack of robust democratic system of checks and balances, to one which has now become a self-assured country, the CJI said.

 "But at the back of it is the Constitution of India, which has helped this transformation. It is today a way of life that has to be lived up to," Justice Khanna said, while speaking at the Constitution Day function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) at the apex court.

 Since 2015, November 26 is observed as Constitution Day to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India by the Constituent Assembly in 1949. Earlier, the day was observed as Law Day. Attorney General R Venkataramani, SCBA president and senior advocate Kapil Sibal also addressed the gathering. -- PTI

 Addressing an event to kick-start yearlong celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution, he also cautioned that disturbance as a strategy threatened democratic institutions. It is time to restore the "sanctity of our democratic temples through constructive dialogue, debate and meaningful discussion to serve our people effectively," Dhankhar said. 

 Noting that the Constitution ingeniously established democracy's three pillars -- Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary, each with a defined role -- Dhankhar said, "Democracy is best nurtured with its constitutional institutions being in sync, tandem and togetherness, adhering to their jurisdictional areas." -- PTI

In an exclusive interview with ANI, the former CJI noted that there is separate space in a democracy for the political opposition.

"Well, I don't want to join issue with the leader of the Opposition because that's not the ambit of what we are here to speak. But what I want to say is this, people should not presume that the judiciary should be performing the role of the opposition in Parliament or the State legislatures. Too often, there's a misconception that the judiciary has to play the role of the Opposition in legislatures, which is not so. We are here to scrutinise laws," he said.

"We are entrusted with the duty to scrutinise executive action on whether it is consistent with the law, and whether it is consistent with the Constitution. There's a different space in a democracy for the political opposition. And what people try to do is to use the judiciary and to shoot from the shoulders of the judiciary and to try and convert the Court into a space for the political opposition," the former CJI said.

Rahul Gandhi had earlier said, "We are alone working on the behalf of media, investigative agencies and judiciary also. This is the reality of India."

When asked about intense scrutiny on social media on the duration of interactions with the Leader of the Opposition and the Prime Minister, the former CJI said as "human beings," it is but natural to socialise during certain official meetings.

"Well, there are times when you interact with the leader of the Opposition as well. For instance, you know, in many of our statutes require that a selection committee for appointment to a particular post must consist of the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of India, and the Leader of the Opposition. 

"Now, you know, you discuss what you have to discuss, and you arrive at your conclusions. And after you're done with those conclusions, you are human beings, right? You're going to spend 10 minutes after that having a cup of tea, talking about everything under the sun from cricket to movies to something," the former Chief Justice said.

Responding to the controversy that erupted after Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a Ganpati Puja at his residence, the former CJI said, that this was not "unique," and that earlier too Prime Ministers had visited the homes of judges on social occasions.

"Look at the work which we have done. I think assess us in terms of the work which we have done. I think something which is, you know, a social visit, a sociable visit, and this is not unique. I've said this before, prime ministers visit people in the homes of judges on social occasions, sometimes on sad occasions as well. This is the element of elementary social courtesy which is followed within the system. And, you know, these social courtesies do not detract from the fact that despite these social curtsies which are observed at different levels of the government, in the work which we do, we are entirely independent of each other," former CJI said. -- PTI

The President says, "In the last few years, the government has taken several steps for the welfare of all sections of society, especially the weaker sections. The poor are getting their own houses and world-class infrastructure is being developed in the country. Our Constitution is a living and progressive document. Through our Constitution, we have achieved the goals of social justice and inclusive development."

Deputy CMs Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis are also present. Mahayuti alliance consisting BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP emerged victorious in Maharashtra assembly elections.  

The governor asked Shinde to act as a caretaker chief minister till a new CM is sworn in. Shinde visited the Raj Bhavan along with deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar. 

The term of the Maharashtra assembly ends today. 

Despite the Mahayuti alliance of the BJP, Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP securing a massive victory, winning 230 seats in the 288-member assembly, consensus has eluded the ruling combine's leaders so far on who should be the next CM.

"Today, crores of countrymen will take a pledge to take the country forward by reciting the Preamble of the Constitution. With the inspiration of PM Modi, in the year 2015, we took the historic decision to celebrate 26th November as Constitution Day. 

Internet services, however, remain suspended. Police and administration officials are continuing to closely monitor the situation, with personnel deployed at key intersections and Rapid Action Force teams stationed in sensitive areas. The authorities have imposed restrictions on the entry of outsiders and public representatives into Sambhal until November 30. Although the situation in most parts of the district appeared calm, the area around Shahi Jama Masjid remained deserted. 

 Tension had been brewing in Sambhal since November 19 when the mosque was first surveyed on the court's orders following a petition claiming that a Harihar temple had stood at the site. On Sunday, a large group of people gathered near the mosque and started shouting slogans as the survey team resumed its work. They then clashed with security personnel, torched vehicles and pelted stones. -- PTI

Amid suspense over the Mahayuti's choice for the next chief minister of Maharashtra, a leader of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has claimed that the Maratha community wants him to continue in the top post.

 It is understood that Gambhir has sought permission from BCCI brass with regards to his return. "He left with his family on early Tuesday morning for India. It is an unavoidable personal emergency. He will be back in Adelaide before the start of the second Test match," a BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity. 

 The Indian team will leave for Canberra on Wednesday, November 27 where the entire team is expected to attend an official reception thrown in their honour by the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The two-day Pink ball match will give the Indian team a chance to get some game time under its belt. -- PTI

 An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'. 

 The CPCB data also showed that 17 of the national capital's 39 monitoring stations recorded air quality in the 'severe' category. An AQI of 400 or higher -- classified as 'severe' -- poses significant health risks to both healthy individuals and those with pre-existing medical conditions. -- PTI

 The victims, nomads living in tents set up along the highway, were struck by the truck on a national highway in Nattika, under the Valapad police station limits, at around 4.30 am, they said.

 Among the deceased are two children, aged one-and-a-half and four years. Two women were also killed.

 "That is a law enforcement matter," State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at his daily news conference on Monday. He was responding to a question about Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi demanding the immediate arrest of Adani. 

"Is this something you support, such as the arrest and investigations, charges against Adani," he was asked. "I would defer to my colleagues at the Department of Justice to speak to it," Miller said. 

 The US authorities have indicted Gautam Adani and seven others including his nephew Sagar Adani, for being part of an alleged USD 265 million bribery scheme. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day on Monday as opposition parties led by Gandhi's Congress tried to raise the issue of Adani's indictment. 

 Last week, a five-count criminal indictment was unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn charging Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani and Vineet Jaain, executives of an Indian renewable-energy company with conspiracies to commit securities and wire fraud and substantive securities fraud for their roles in a multi-billion-dollar scheme. 

 This was done to obtain funds from US investors and global financial institutions on the basis of false and misleading statements. The indictment also charges Ranjit Gupta and Rupesh Agarwal, former executives of a renewable-energy company with securities that had traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

 It charges Cyril Cabanes, Saurabh Agarwal and Deepak Malhotra, former employees of a Canadian institutional investor, with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in connection with a bribery scheme also perpetrated by Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani and Jaain involving one of the world's largest solar energy projects. The indictment further alleged that Cabanes, Saurabh, Malhotra and Rupesh conspired to obstruct the grand jury, FBI and US SEC investigations into the Bribery Scheme. 

 The Adani group has denied all charges in the US indictment, calling them baseless. -- PTI

The Nifty 50 index opened at 24,343.30 points with a gain of 121.40 points or 0.5 per cent, while the BSE Sensex index also rose by 0.38 per cent, gaining 305 points to open at 80,415.47 points.

Experts noted that selling pressure still lingers in the market, as the Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) buying seen yesterday was attributed to MSCI rebalancing, which included a higher weightage for HDFC Bank. According to NSE data, FIIs purchased equities worth Rs 9,947 crore on Monday, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) sold equities worth Rs 6,907 crore. -- ANI

 Also starring Anil Kapoor and Sobhita Dhulipala, "The Night Manager" was the only entry from India across 14 categories at the nominations that were announced on September 19 by the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. 

 The series, directed by Sandeep Modi and Priyanka Ghose, is adapted from both the John le Carre's novel and the British show, starring Tom Hiddleston, Hugh Laurie and Olivia Colman.

 The award ceremony, held on Monday night in New York, was hosted by Indian comedian Vir Das, who won an International Emmy last year for his stand-up special "Landing". The International Emmy Awards shared the name of the winner in the best drama category on its official X page. -- PTI

 He had returned from the US, where he was undergoing treatment, about a month back. His mortal remains will be kept at Ruia House from 1 pm to 3 pm on Tuesday. 

 The funeral procession will leave from Ruia House at 4 pm towards the Hindu Worli Crematorium. 

 Shashi, a first-generation entrepreneur industrialist, started his career in 1965 under the guidance of his father Nand Kishore Ruia. He, along with his brother Ravi, laid the foundation of Essar in 1969 by constructing an outer breakwater at Chennai Port. 

The group expanded into various sectors, including steel, oil refining, exploration and production, telecom, power, and construction. He is survived by his wife Manju and two sons Prashant and Anshuman. PTI

 He was being monitored, the source said without divulging details.

 There was no immediate official information from the hospital. -- PTI 

The CBI  arrested a Trinamool Congress leader, a close aide of former Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee, for his alleged involvement in the school jobs scam, an official said.

The TMC leader from Behala, Santu Ganguly, was held on Monday evening after marathon questioning by officers of the central probe agency at its city office here in connection with irregularities in recruitment in state-run primary schools, he said.

"We have evidence of his involvement in the scam. There is proof of his involvement in monetary dealings," the officer told PTI.

The CBI, during earlier searches at Ganguly's Behala residence, had seized several bank-related documents pertaining to the case, he said. 

"Ganguly has been close to Partha Chatterjee (former state industry minister). He was summoned today and remained non-cooperative throughout the questioning. We needed to take him in custody as part of the investigation," the officer added. 

The Enforcement Directorate, too, had earlier quizzed him and conducted search operations at his residence in connection with the scam. 

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday asked supporters not to throng his official residence 'Varsha' in south Mumbai to pitch for his continuation as CM.

  

"After the great victory of the Mahayuti alliance, our government will be formed once again in the state. As a grand alliance, we contested the election together and are still together today," Shinde said on X, asking his supporters not to assemble outside the Varsha bungalow, or any other location in his support.

"Out of love for me, some people have appealed to everyone to gather together and come to Mumbai. I am deeply grateful for your love. But I appeal that no one should come together in my support in such a manner," Shinde said.

Despite the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance securing a massive victory, winning 230 seats in the 288-member assembly, consensus has eluded the ruling combine's leaders so far on who should be the next CM.

Shinde's supporters have been saying that he should continue as CM as the landslide win was achieved under his leadership. 

Leaders of the BJP, which recorded its highest ever tally in the state assembly elections, have been pitching for Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis to take oath at the CM for a third time.

In the recent assembly elections, the BJP secured 132 seats, while allies Shiv Sena and NCP won 57 and 41 seats respectively. The counting of votes for the November 20 polls was held on Saturday. -- PTI 

The Maharashtra government has reinstated IPS officer Rashmi Shukla as Director General of Police (DGP) after the conclusion of the assembly polls, an order issued by the state home department on Monday evening said.

          

Sanjay Kumar Verma had taken over as the state's top police officer earlier after Shukla was removed from the DGP's post on the Election Commission of India's directive ahead of the elections.

          

The Congress had demanded that she should be shunted out.

         

Verma, a senior Indian Police Service officer, was to hold the top post till the election process was over, while Shukla was sent on compulsory leave for the same duration.

         

With the completion of the electoral process and announcement of election results, the Model Code of Conduct ceased to be in force on Monday, the home department order said. 

          

Consequently, the government has ended Shukla's period of forced leave and she has been asked to resume her role as DGP, it said. 

The BJP-led Mahayuti coalition retained power with a thumping majority in the assembly elections. -- PTI

The ULFA was first declared a banned organisation in 1990 and since then the ban has been extended periodically. 

In a notification, the Union Home Ministry said ULFA, along with all its factions, wings and front organisations, has been involved in such activities which are prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India. 

It said that the ULFA has declared its objective to secede Assam from India, continued intimidation and extortion of funds for their organisation, and maintained links with other insurgent groups for extortion and violence. 

The outfit has possessed illegal arms and ammunition, indulged in 16 criminal cases, including several cases of explosions or planting of explosives in Assam during the period from November 27, 2019 to July 1, 2024 and planted several improvised explosive devices or explosives in the run-up to Independence Day, 2024 across Assam, the notification said. 

During the last five years, the home ministry said, three ULFA hardcore cadres were killed in police or security force action, 15 cases were registered against its cadres with three chargesheets filed and three cadres prosecuted. 

The ULFA was involved in 27 other criminal activities, 56 of its cadres were arrested and 63 cadres were surrendered. Besides 27 arms, 550 rounds, nine grenades and two improvised explosive devices were recovered from the possession of the ULFA members, the ministry said. 

The Assam government has also recommended for declaration of ULFA as an unlawful association under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967). -- PTI

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval for the PAN 2.0 Project of the Income Tax Department with a financial outlay of Rs 1,435 crore, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said. 

The PAN 2.0 Project enables technology-driven transformation of taxpayer registration services and is aimed at ease of access and speedy service delivery with improved quality. 

Single source of truth and data consistency; eco-friendly processes and cost optimization; and security and optimisation of infrastructure for greater agility, are the other benefits of the project. 

"The PAN 2.0 Project resonates with the vision of the Government enshrined in Digital India by enabling the use of PAN as Common Identifier for all digital systems of specified government agencies," an official release said. 

PAN 2.0 Project is an e-Governance project for re-engineering the business processes of taxpayer registration services through technology-driven transformation of PAN/TAN services for enhanced digital experience of the taxpayers. 

"This will be an upgrade of the current PAN/TAN 1.0 eco-system consolidating the core and non-core PAN/TAN activities as well as PAN validation service," the release said. 

Currently, about 78 crore PANs have been issued, of which 98 percent are to individuals. -- PTI

The Mahayuti, comprising Shinde's Shiv Sena, BJP and Ajit Pawar-led NCP swept the November 20 assembly polls, results of which were announced on November 23. 

However, the alliance is yet to zero in on who will be chief minister, with current deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis being the frontrunner due to the 132 seats won by the BJP, which is just 12 short of the halfway mark in the 288-member assembly. 

The Shiv Sena won 57, while Pawar's NCP got 41seats. 

Prayers were held in Siddhi Vinayak Temple in Kashish Park locality, with many women claiming the Mahayuti sweep was due to the CM's connect with the masses, his accessibility and the Ladki Bahin Yojana. 

Puja was also held at Daulat Nagar in Thane East, Shiv Sena functionaries said. 

Lok Sabha MP Naresh Mhaske said all Shiv Sainiks believe Shinde should be given a second term as CM. -- PTI

During a press conference in Amritsar on November 21, Sidhu stated that his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu had been declared cancer-free, emphasising the role of dietary and lifestyle changes in her recovery. 

However, oncologists at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai warned that cancer patients should not delay or stop their treatment by following unproven remedies. 

In a video message posted on X on Monday, Sidhu said, "I want to say that a doctor is like God to me, and doctors have always been my priority. I have a doctor (Navjot Kaur Sidhu) at home. Whatever we have done was done with the consultation of doctors in a collaborative process." 

The former Punjab Congress chief also shared the diet plan and wrote, "My wife's cancer journey involved surgeries, chemotherapy, hormonal and targeted therapy, positivity and determination to fight cancer which was facilitated by a strict diet plan inspired by Indian Ayurveda, the Nobel Prize winning research of Yoshinori Ohsumi for discoveries of the mechanisms autophagy and observation of eminent doctors worldwide." 

The diet chart included lemon water, turmeric, apple cider vinegar, walnuts, juice made from beetroot, carrot, and amla, among other items. 

She also consumed neem leaves, but sugar, dairy products and wheat were removed from her diet, he said. 

Sidhu also mentioned that his wife was given water with a pH level of seven. 

Sidhu quoted an old saying -- jaisa ann, waisa mann, waisa tann (as is the food, so is the mind and body), and added, "Consider this diet chart as facilitation in the treatment." 

"My mother used to say 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the whole world is my family). We want to share the benefits we receive with everyone," he said. -- PTI