New Delhi, May 30: Delhi-NCR is set to witness more rain and stormy weather on Friday, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for the region, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds reaching speeds of 50-60 km/h.

According to the IMD forecast, partly cloudy skies will persist throughout the day, with light to moderate rainfall expected across various parts of the city. Maximum temperatures are likely to hover between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius, while the minimum may range from 26 to 28 degrees Celsius.

The alert was upgraded from yellow to orange following observations of intensified weather activity. On Thursday, parts of Delhi had already experienced light showers and gusty winds reaching up to 60 km/h.

Friday could see stronger winds of up to 70 km/h, the IMD said, increasing the likelihood of waterlogging, traffic disruptions, and minor damage to infrastructure.

The orange alert signifies potentially severe weather conditions that could disrupt normal life, prompting the public to remain cautious and take necessary precautions. The alert is issued when heavy rainfall is anticipated, typically exceeding 115.6 mm and up to 204.4 mm within 24 hours.

Delhi has already witnessed an unprecedented 186.4 mm of rainfall so far this May, making it the wettest May on record for the city. This irregular precipitation pattern is linked to the early advancement of the southwest monsoon, which reached Kerala on May 24, a week ahead of schedule, and Mumbai on May 26, significantly earlier than its usual onset date of June 11.

While the monsoon typically hits Delhi around June 27, the IMD has yet to specify when it will arrive in the capital this year. “We are closely monitoring the progress,” an IMD official said.

Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘moderate’ category on Thursday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 151 at 4 p.m., slightly worse than the 133 measured at the same time a day earlier.

Evening showers on Thursday brought temporary relief. However, the rainfall was not intense enough to significantly offset the prevailing humidity and heat.

The IMD advises residents to stay indoors during stormy periods, avoid sheltering under trees, and secure loose outdoor items to prevent accidents or damage.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested two accused including Office Assistant/ Verification Officer working at Passport Seva Kendra (PSK), Lower Parel Mumbai and an agent (private person) in a case related to issuing passports based on fake documents in lieu of bribe.

A case was registered by CBI against Office Assistant/VO, PSK, Lower Parel, Mumbai and other private persons working as passport agents. It was alleged in FIR that during the years 2023-2024, said accused public servant entered a criminal conspiracy with other private persons and in furtherance of the said criminal conspiracy, he has been obtaining undue advantage for doing passport related work.

In furtherance of the conspiracy with agent (private person) and other unknown persons, accused public servant has got issued fake passports of unknown applicants based on forged documents.

It was further revealed that unknown seven persons purporting as applicants had submitted forged documents such as Aadhar card copy, Pan card copy, Bank Account Statement and Birth Certificates as their address and identity proofs, in the Passport Office. During investigation, all the documents provided by them have also been found to be forged.

Further, communications chats between accused public servant and agent (private person) revealed discussion about payment of undue advantage concerning these fake passport applicants.

Investigation also revealed that mobile numbers provided by applicants in the passport applications are not in service. The Police Verification reports carried out after issuance of those passports under Tatkaal Scheme (which were earlier waived of during issuance of passports) have been found to be adverse, as addresses given on passport applications were fake.

As accused were evasive and did not cooperate during investigation. Both the accused were arrested. They were produced before Special CBI Court, Mumbai and have been sent to police custody for 05 days i.e. till 02.6.2025.

Investigation is continuing.

New Delhi, May 28: The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the delisting of ICICI Securities from the stock exchanges, rejecting a plea by an individual investor who challenged the share valuation process as being unfair.

The investor, Manu Rishi Gupta, had questioned the delisting on the ground that a reverse book building mechanism might have resulted in a better price for shareholders.

ICICI Securities was delisted in March last year, and it became a wholly-owned subsidiary of ICICI Bank.

Gupta’s counsel contended in the apex court that the delisting of ICICI Securities was done in an opaque and rushed manner and termed it “shocking”.

The counsel for ICICI Securities informed the Supreme Court that Gupta continued to indulge in buying and selling of shares of ICICI Securities, including as recently as August 2024 which undermined his claims of unfair treatment.

Nearly 72 per cent of shareholder votes were cast in favour of the scheme of arrangement for the merger of ICICI Securities with its promoter ICICI Bank, the private sector lender had stated in a regulatory filing with the stock exchanges.

The voting was conducted after a National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) directive in February 2024, which mandated a shareholder meeting to approve the plan. The meeting was attended by 161 equity shareholders including authorised representatives.

Earlier, in March this year, the National Compay Law Apellate Tribunal (NCLAT) had upheld the delisting of ICICI Securities Ltd from the stock exchanges, dismissing the pleas filed by shareholders Quantum Mutual Fund and individual investor Manu Rishi Gupta against the move.

Quantum Mutual Fund had approached NCLAT in September to oppose ICICI Securities’ delisting, citing concerns over its impact on minority shareholders. Earlier, the Ahmedabad bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) had approved the delisting, dismissing the fund’s objections.

ICICI Securities in June 2023 announced its plan to delist and merge with its parent company, ICICI Bank Ltd. Shareholders approved the plan in March 2024. As part of the delisting, Under the proposed share-swap arrangement, shareholders were to receive 67 shares of ICICI Bank for every 100 shares of ICICI Securities.