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‘Aimed to gain publicity’: SC dismisses PIL seeking more security for tourists in hilly and remote areas post-Pahalgam

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New Delhi, May 5: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking enhanced safety and security measures for tourists in hilly areas and remote destinations, filed in the aftermath of the deadly April 22 terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which claimed lives of 26 civilians.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N.K. Singh rapped advocate Vishal Tiwari, appearing in person, for filing “purported PILs” aimed at gaining publicity.

“Mr. Tiwari, last time also, we advised you. What is your purpose and motive? Who is inciting you to file this kind of PIL? You don’t understand any sensitivity? You don’t realise your responsibility? I think you are inviting some order with exemplary cost,” the bench said.

The PIL litigant submitted that he was not seeking any direction against the government, and the plea was limited to raising safety concerns of tourists in hilly areas and remote destinations.

However, the Justice Surya Kant-led Bench remained unconvinced and dismissed the petition, saying that advocate Tiwari was engaging in “one or the other purported PILs which are primarily aimed to gain publicity with no intent to serve public cause”.

The PIL said that there exists a lack of safety programmes and guidelines for tourists and the general public on how to save themselves when there is a terrorist attack, how to get immediate help, and how to hide themselves when attacked.

It added that tourists in Pahalgam were an easy target for the terrorists as those innocent people were unarmed and without any security.

“It is for the first time that the tourists have been targeted and in such large numbers they have been killed and injured. Now it has raised the question of safety and security of the people of the country who visit as tourists, mostly in hilly areas and valleys like Jammu and Kashmir,” the plea said.

“Recent terrorist attacks have raised questions of the security of tourists visiting such remote places. In urban areas, it is difficult to attack as there is regular movement of police forces, but tourist destinations are geographically different, where people can be targeted easily,” it added.

The PIL stressed that the Centre and State governments will have to take steps to deploy adequate security for the tourists who visit remote hilly areas and valleys, especially during the summer season. “The VIPs always remain under protection throughout the clock in our country. When they pass, roads are blocked for citizens. A lot of security personnel are deployed in their security, but the common people always suffer,” it further said.

The top court had recently declined to entertain a plea seeking the formation of a probe panel headed by a retired apex court judge to investigate the deadly Pahalgam attack.

Slamming the PIL litigant, the Justice Surya Kant-led Bench said that it would not entertain any plea which could demoralise the country’s armed forces.

“Be responsible before filing such a PIL. Since when have retired High Court or Supreme Court judges become experts in investigation? Since when have we (judges) gained the expertise of investigation? We only decide disputes. Please do not ask for these prayers (for investigation under supervision of a retired SC judge),” the apex court said.

“This is the crucial hour when each and every citizen of the country has joined hands to fight terrorism. Don’t make any prayers which could demoralise our forces. It is not acceptable to us! Look at the sensitivity of the issue,” it added.

Crime

CBI Registers Corruption Case against Former Deputy GM of Ordnance Factory, Nagpur

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Nagpur, August 25, 2025 — The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a corruption case against the then Deputy General Manager of Ordnance Factory Ambajhari (OFAJ), Nagpur, along with a Nagpur-based private company, its proprietor, and other unidentified public servants and private individuals.

According to the complaint, the former Dy. GM allegedly set up a proprietorship firm while serving in office and manipulated tender conditions to award contracts to his own firm. The firm is reported to have submitted forged and false experience certificates to secure these tenders.

Investigators also revealed that the accused official was involved in multiple financial and banking transactions with the private firm using accounts held by him and his family members.

Following the registration of the case on August 25, 2025, the CBI carried out searches at four locations, including the office and residences linked to the accused. The operation led to the recovery of incriminating documents, digital records, and other material evidence.

The probe is ongoing, and authorities are scrutinizing the recovered evidence to trace the full extent of the alleged corruption and financial irregularities.

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Entertainment

Sidharth Malhotra, Kiara Advani’s Daughter’s First Photos LEAKED? Here’s The Truth Behind Viral Images

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Bollywood’s much-loved couple Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani welcomed their first child, a baby girl, on July 15 in Mumbai. The next day, the actors confirmed the happy news through a joint Instagram post, while also requesting privacy for their daughter.

The couple did not share any photos of their daughter and also requested paparazzi not to take her pictures or record videos. However, several a few days back, a set of pictures showing Sidharth and Kiara holding a baby surfaced on social media.

In one photo, Sidharth is seen cradling a child and looking at her affectionately, while another shows Kiara holding the little one with the couple smiling joyfully. The photos quickly went viral, with fans flooding the comment sections with congratulatory messages and blessings. Some even remarked that the baby resembled Kiara.

However, the images are fake. A section of social media users pointed out that the viral photos have been digitally altered and do not feature the actors with their newborn daughter. They also flagged the visuals as AI-generated, clarifying that the baby shown was not Sidharth and Kiara’s child.

Also, the new parents have not shared any pictures with the media or on their official social media accounts.

Sidharth and Kiara welcomed their first child — a baby girl — on July 15 in Mumbai, 2.5 years after their marriage. They had tied the knot in a dreamy ceremony in February 2023 after dating for several years.

In February 2025, they took everyone by surprise as they dropped a picture of two tiny knitted socks and announced that they were set to welcome their first child.

A day after the birth of their daughter, Sidharth and Kiara took to their social media and shared an official statement which read, “Our hearts are full and our world forever changed. We are blessed with a baby girl!”

They later also requested the paparazzi to not click their child until the family allows it.

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National News

‘Won’t Leave Mumbai Even If I Die’, Manoj Jarange-Patil Dares CM Fadnavis, Says ‘Don’t Even Think Of Lathi-Charging’

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Mumbai: Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil on Tuesday intensified his agitation at Azad Maidan, declaring that he and his supporters would not leave Mumbai until their demands were fully met, even if it costs his life.

On the fifth day of his indefinite hunger strike, Jarange issued a sharp warning to the state government, particularly Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, insisting that cases registered against Maratha protesters across Maharashtra be withdrawn immediately. He further demanded the dismissal of police personnel who allegedly assaulted demonstrators, along with the registration of cases against them.

Addressing his supporters, Jarange said, “I tell the government and Fadnavis that we will not leave Mumbai until all our demands are implemented. Withdraw all cases, dismiss the policemen who attacked us, and file cases against them. Devendra Fadnavis should not even think of using the police for a lathi-charge against our boys. Otherwise, we will show Fadnavis what Marathas are.” His defiant statement came just hours after the Mumbai Police issued a notice to him and his core committee for violating the terms of protest permission.

The Azad Maidan Police, in their notice, directed Jarange’s group to vacate the site immediately, citing breaches of the conditions laid down by both the court and the police. They also flagged his provocative remarks to the media as part of the violations.

This police action followed stern observations from the Bombay High Court on Monday, which described the ongoing agitation as unlawful and disruptive. The court noted that while the right to protest is a fundamental one, the stir had crossed permissible boundaries and was paralysing Mumbai, particularly during the Ganeshotsav festivities.

The bench reminded the organisers that permission had been granted for only a one-day demonstration with a limit of 5,000 participants. Instead, the protest has extended for days, with crowds swelling and traffic disruptions reported across the city.

The court directed Jarange to vacate Azad Maidan by noon on Tuesday and ordered authorities to prevent further groups of protesters from entering Mumbai. However, it also underlined that humanitarian concerns must be respected. Arrangements for food and water supply to protestors were allowed and instructions were issued that Jarange must receive immediate medical attention if his health worsens.

Jarange has been on an indefinite fast since August 29, demanding 10 per cent reservation for the Maratha community under the OBC category, a demand that has reignited political and social tensions in the state.

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