Chennai, Aug 25: The Madras High Court has warned Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and Minister Aadhav Arjuna that they could each face a penalty of Rs 50,000 if they fail to file applications seeking the dismissal of election petitions against them by August 27.

The warning was issued by Justice V. Lakshminarayanan while hearing petitions challenging the election victories of the two leaders from the Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East Assembly constituencies.

DMK candidate R.D. Sekar, along with voters Dinesh and Lakshmi Narasimhan, had filed separate election petitions questioning Vijay’s victory from the Perambur constituency.

In a similar petition, DMK candidate Inigo Irudayaraj challenged Aadhav Arjuna’s election from the Tiruchirappalli East constituency.

When the cases came up for hearing, counsel representing the Chief Minister sought two weeks to file an application requesting the dismissal of the petitions. The judge, however, declined to grant the requested time, observing that the court had already made it clear during the previous hearing that no further extension would be allowed for filing such an application.

Justice Lakshminarayanan referred to Section 86 of the Representation of the People Act and underlined the need for the speedy disposal of election disputes.

He observed that election petitions should, as far as practicable, be heard continuously and concluded within six months from the date on which they are presented before the High Court.

Counsel appearing for Aadhav Arjuna also informed the court that the minister intended to submit an application seeking rejection of the election petition against him and requested additional time for completing the process.

The court refused to provide a two-week extension to his side as well.

The judge ultimately granted both Vijay and Aadhav Arjuna time until August 27 to file their respective dismissal applications.

The court made it clear that failure to submit the applications within the stipulated deadline would result in the imposition of a Rs 50,000 penalty.

The matter is expected to be taken up again after the deadline, when the court will consider any applications filed by the Chief Minister and the minister and decide the further course of proceedings in the election disputes.

Patna, Aug 25: Student protests intensified in Patna on Tuesday as thousands of candidates gathered in Gardanibagh and later marched towards the Chief Minister’s residence, demanding changes in the BPSC TRE-4 recruitment process and greater transparency in government examinations.

The protesters were primarily demanding the removal of Preliminary-cum-Mains examination structure for TRE-4, the removal of negative marking and the implementation of a 100 per cent domicile policy.

As students moved towards the Chief Minister’s residence, the administration tightened security arrangements.

Thousands of candidates gathered near JP Golambar, where police had erected barricades to stop the march.

The protesters reportedly breached the barricades and proceeded towards Dakbungalow.

Police and CRPF personnel were deployed along the route.

As police began detaining some protesters, scuffles broke out between security personnel and candidates, creating a tense situation.

A large number of protesters subsequently gathered at Dakbungalow, where heavy iron barricades were installed to prevent them from moving further towards the Chief Minister’s residence.

Students continued attempting to advance despite the security arrangements.

The movement led by student leader Aman Kumar has received support from more than 15 student organisations.

Teachers and the Bihar Leader of Opposition, Tejashwi Yadav, have also extended their support to the protesters.

The student organisations have submitted a list of 13 demands covering several recruitment examinations and appointment-related issues, including re-conduct of the BPSC 70th Combined Competitive Examination, cancel the Sub-Inspector (Daroga) recruitment examination for 1,799 posts, conduct TRE-4 as a single-stage examination, expedite pending BSSC examinations, immediately begin the BET examination process, speed up other pending government, recruitment processes, including librarian recruitment, ensure examination transparency by providing candidates with question papers, answer keys and OMR sheets after examinations, publish a fixed annual examination calendar for government recruitment examinations, take strict action against those responsible for paper leaks and examination irregularities, formulate a clear policy regarding age limits in recruitment, establish a clear and effective domicile policy for government recruitment, ensure the speedy completion of pending appointments, and provide a time-bound mechanism for resolving pending recruitment-related matters.

New Delhi, Aug 25: A late-night encounter took place between the Delhi Police Crime Branch and a criminal near the Mayur Vihar-Akshardham stretch, after which a history-sheeter from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, accused in several criminal cases, was arrested, officials said on Tuesday.

Several rounds were reportedly fired during the exchange between the police team and the accused. However, no one was injured in the incident, and the accused was taken into custody safely.

According to police, the arrested man is a history-sheeter involved in several criminal cases, including a firing incident in Delhi’s Chhawla area and cases related to murder and other serious offences.

The Crime Branch had received specific information about the accused’s movement late on Monday night. Acting on the tip-off, a police team laid a trap near the loop connecting Mayur Vihar and Akshardham.

As the accused arrived in the area, the police team moved to intercept him. An encounter ensued, during which several rounds were fired. The police subsequently surrounded and apprehended the accused.

Officials said the accused did not sustain any bullet injuries during the operation. No police personnel or other persons were injured.

The accused is currently being interrogated, and police are attempting to gather further information about his alleged criminal activities and possible associates.

The incident comes amid continued action by the Delhi Police against organised crime and gang-related activities in the national capital.

Earlier, on August 2, a gunfight broke out between Delhi Police and two alleged members of the notorious Tillu Tajpuriya gang near Karala village in outer Delhi, leaving both suspects injured after being shot in the legs during an encounter.

The operation was carried out by a team of the Special Staff of the Rohini district. According to police, the suspects opened fire when they were intercepted, triggering a brief exchange of gunfire. A total of six rounds were fired from both sides during that encounter, police said. The two injured suspects were identified as Rahul and Vishal, who were allegedly associated with the Tillu Tajpuriya gang and believed to be involved in criminal activities linked to the outfit.

Two months earlier, the Delhi Police Special Cell arrested two alleged sharpshooters, Jatin, 24, and Vinay Maan alias Bittu, 33, allegedly linked to the Tillu Tajpuriya gang. Police had claimed that the arrests foiled two planned gangland killings targeting members of the rival Gogi gang.