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Supreme Court: Being a member of unlawful association is an offence under UAPA.

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The Supreme Court on Friday held that mere membership of unlawful association is sufficient to constitute an offence under UAPA. The apex court upheld the Section 10 (a) (i) of the Unlawful Activities Prevent Act.The apex court, according to Bar and Bench report, also said all High Court decisions to the contrary are overruled. A bench of Justices MR Shah, CT Ravikumar and Sanjay Karol pronounced the verdict.

While allowing petitions of the Union government and the Assam government seeking review of the apex court’s 2011 verdicts on membership of banned outfits, the court said the Union government was required to be heard when a provision enacted by Parliament is read down.

The top court said the 2011 verdicts were passed while relying on American court decisions which cannot be done without considering the condition prevailing in India.In India right to freedom of speech and expressions is not absolute and is subject to reasonable restriction. However, decisions of the American court can be guiding light”, the bench said.

On February 9, the top court while reserving its verdict on batch of review pleas had noted that the Union of India was not heard by its two-judge benches when the 2011 verdict was passed reading down section 3 (5) of Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, 1987 (now repealed).

The top court on February 3, 2011, had acquitted suspected ULFA member Arup Bhuyan, who was held guilty by a TADA court on the basis of his alleged confessional statement before the Superintendent of Police, and said mere membership of a banned organisation will not make a person a criminal unless he resorts to violence or incites people to violence or creates public disorder by violence or incitement to violence.

Similar views were taken by the apex court in two other verdicts of 2011 in Indra Das versus State of Assam and state of Kerala versus Raneef, where the bench relied upon the three US Supreme Court decisions which have rejected the doctrine of ‘guilt by association’.

Crime

Woman drug supplier arrested in Delhi’s Mangolpuri; ganja seized

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New Delhi, May 31: A woman drug supplier was arrested from Delhi’s Mangolpuri area and 427 grams of ganja was recovered from her possession, police said on Saturday.

The accused was identified as ‘M’. The arrest comes amid the Delhi Police’s ongoing crackdown on narcotics under its ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy and the broader objectives of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA).

Acting on a tip-off received by Constable Bajrang of Police Station Mangolpuri that a female was allegedly in possession of ganja, a raid was conducted at the specified location.

Constable Bajrang and a female staff member observed a suspicious female carrying a white polythene bag.

“On noticing the presence of police personnel, the suspect attempted to hide. However, the alert police team, with the assistance of a female staff namely W/HC Pooja, swiftly apprehended her,” said Sachin Sharma, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Outer District, New Delhi.

A polythene bag containing 427 grams of ‘ganja’ and Rs 1,470 in cash was recovered from the possession of the accused.

The accused was booked under Section 20(A) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 at Police Station Mangolpuri.

Further investigation is underway to identify and apprehend other associates involved in the illegal drug trade, the police said.

In another case on May 29, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of the Delhi Police Crime Branch arrested Jameel Ahmad, the alleged mastermind of a major drug trafficking syndicate. Ahmed has been absconding for six years.

The case dates back to June 2019, when the then Narcotics Cell (now ANTF) of the Crime Branch seized 500 kg of ganja from a truck at Metcalfe Bus Stand, Kashmere Gate.

Three persons — Aslam Khan and Mausam Khan, both from Nuh district in Haryana, and Jakam Khan from Alwar, Rajasthan — were arrested in connection with the consignment, who revealed that they had committed the crime at the behest of Ahmed.

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National

Delhi records wettest May; IMD issues ‘Orange Alert’ for today

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New Delhi, May 31: Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 34.8 degrees Celsius on Saturday morning, marking one of the warmer days of the season. However, despite the high morning temperature, this May has been unusual in many ways, including below-normal daytime temperatures, unprecedented frequent rains, and the absence of any heatwave conditions.

In terms of rainfall, May 2025 has been historic for Delhi, with the capital receiving 188.9 mm of rainfall, the highest-ever rainfall recorded in the month of May. This is over 202 per cent more than the normal monthly average of 62.6 mm. In contrast, May 2024 saw just 0.4 mm of rain, which was 99 per cent below average, with not a single rainy day recorded.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this is only the third time in the last five years that Delhi has seen the mercury stay below 40 degrees Celsius throughout May. Not a single day this month recorded conditions severe enough to be classified as an intense heatwave, making it a rare exception in the typically scorching summer month.

The current spell of unusual weather is being attributed to the early arrival of the monsoon in Mumbai, which has had a ripple effect on weather systems in northern India, including Delhi. However, meteorologists have clarified that the monsoon has not yet arrived in the national Capital, even though conditions have turned significantly cooler and wetter.

The IMD has issued an ‘Orange Alert’ for Delhi-NCR tonight, warning residents to stay alert as thunderstorms and heavy rain are likely. An ‘Orange Alert’ signals potentially disruptive weather, and people are advised to prepare for sudden changes in conditions.

The forecast suggests rain accompanied by thunder and strong winds will continue across Delhi and surrounding areas till June 4. A ‘Yellow Alert’ is also in place for Saturday, with the possibility of rain showers at any time during the day.

Meanwhile, the Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 167, placing it in the ‘moderate’ category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The AQI scale defines values between 101–200 as ‘moderate,’ while 201–300 is ‘poor,’ and 301–400 is considered ‘very poor’.

With unpredictable weather continuing, Delhi people are advised to remain cautious and plan accordingly as the city experiences one of its most unusual Mays in recent history.

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Delhi govt to present 100-day report card to Delhiites today

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New Delhi, May 31: The Delhi government will present a detailed account of its achievements under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during a public event at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday, marking the completion of its first 100 days in power.

The event is expected to serve both as a celebration of progress and a platform to engage with citizens, inviting feedback and suggestions for future governance.

The BJP government, which took office in February, marked the 100-day milestone on Friday by unveiling a 22-page workbook titled ‘Kaam Karne Wali Sarkar — 100 Din Seva Ke’ at the Delhi Secretariat.

Cabinet ministers Ashish Sood, Kapil Mishra, and Ravinder Indraj Singh were present during the launch of the document, which outlines key initiatives rolled out since the administration came to power.

For the BJP, which returned to power in Delhi after a gap of over 27 years, the workbook serves not only as a summary of completed tasks but also as a statement of intent.

The workbook details a wide range of efforts in sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and welfare.

It includes a Rs 1 lakh crore budget allocation for the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, a Rs 5,100 crore provision for a Rs 2,500 monthly assistance scheme aimed at supporting underprivileged women, and the introduction of the Vay Vandana Yojana, which provides free healthcare for senior citizens.

The government also emphasised its commitment to transparency by tabling the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports in the Assembly.

Chief Minister Gupta described the completion of 100 days as a moment of “decisive” and “impactful” governance. She emphasised that the administration had worked tirelessly every day in service of Delhi’s two crore residents.

She noted that the workbook is a documentation not only of promises made but also of promises fulfilled.

Taking to X on Saturday, CM Gupta said, “When you gave me the opportunity to serve Delhi, it was not just a responsibility but a resolve to have politics centred on public service, and policies that are for public welfare.”

“In these 100 days, we have worked effectively towards realising every promise. Our priority was clear — a development that can be seen as well as felt. Cleanliness, security, women empowerment and e-governance — on every front, our endeavour has been to make Delhi a strong, safe and inclusive capital,” she added.

Gupta credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for guiding the government’s actions.

“This has been possible only due to the inspiration, guidance and vision of ‘Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas’ of respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The trust of the people of Delhi is my biggest strength. The foundation of change has been laid, the pace of development will not stop now,” she said.

Reaffirming her government’s commitment to sustained progress, she added, “Delhi will now continue to move forward with the resolve of good governance and service.”

The Delhi government will present a detailed account of its achievements under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during a public event at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday, marking the completion of its first 100 days in power.

The event is expected to serve both as a celebration of progress and a platform to engage with citizens, inviting feedback and suggestions for future governance.

The BJP government, which took office in February, marked the 100-day milestone on Friday by unveiling a 22-page workbook titled ‘Kaam Karne Wali Sarkar — 100 Din Seva Ke’ at the Delhi Secretariat.

Cabinet ministers Ashish Sood, Kapil Mishra, and Ravinder Indraj Singh were present during the launch of the document, which outlines key initiatives rolled out since the administration came to power.

For the BJP, which returned to power in Delhi after a gap of over 27 years, the workbook serves not only as a summary of completed tasks but also as a statement of intent.

The workbook details a wide range of efforts in sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and welfare.

It includes a Rs 1 lakh crore budget allocation for the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, a Rs 5,100 crore provision for a Rs 2,500 monthly assistance scheme aimed at supporting underprivileged women, and the introduction of the Vay Vandana Yojana, which provides free healthcare for senior citizens.

The government also emphasised its commitment to transparency by tabling the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports in the Assembly.

Chief Minister Gupta described the completion of 100 days as a moment of “decisive” and “impactful” governance. She emphasised that the administration had worked tirelessly every day in service of Delhi’s two crore residents.

She noted that the workbook is a documentation not only of promises made but also of promises fulfilled.

Taking to X on Saturday, CM Gupta said, “When you gave me the opportunity to serve Delhi, it was not just a responsibility but a resolve to have politics centred on public service, and policies that are for public welfare.”

“In these 100 days, we have worked effectively towards realising every promise. Our priority was clear — a development that can be seen as well as felt. Cleanliness, security, women empowerment and e-governance — on every front, our endeavour has been to make Delhi a strong, safe and inclusive capital,” she added.

Gupta credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for guiding the government’s actions.

“This has been possible only due to the inspiration, guidance and vision of ‘Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas’ of respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The trust of the people of Delhi is my biggest strength. The foundation of change has been laid, the pace of development will not stop now,” she said.

Reaffirming her government’s commitment to sustained progress, she added, “Delhi will now continue to move forward with the resolve of good governance and service.”

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