May 9, 2026

NEW DELHI: More than a year after Madhya Pradesh minister Kunwar Vijay Shah stoked a controversy for ‘obnoxiously’ linking Col Sofiya Qureshi to “Operation Sindoor”, the Supreme Court Friday appeared in no mood to condone his misdemeanour and asked the state govt to take a call on the SIT’s request for sanction of his prosecution.Solicitor general Tushar Mehta filed a status report before the SC and said that it appears that Shah intended to praise Col Qureshi but goofed up in making a statement that unfortunately conveyed a different meaning.A bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said, “The statement was most unfortunate, and it appears he had no sense of repentance.” Shah’s counsel Maninder Singh said the minister had immediately apologised within 24 hours after realising that the statement was being viewed in a different light.The bench said this is not the only instance of the minister making obnoxious statements and asked the SIT to find out other instances of such remarks by him, as was indicated by SIT in its earlier report.When SG Tushar Mehta said that the political personality could not properly articulate his words of praise for the woman officer, the bench said, “The political personalities are otherwise very articulate and convey what they intend to.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Claims Support Of 118 MLAs, Likely To Take Oath As Tamil Nadu CM TomorrowTN Political Crisis Deepens: Stalin Pushes Governor For Swift ActionAir India AI 171 Crash Probe In Final Stage, Report Likely Within A MonthTwo States, Two Big Winners: Suvendu Gets Bengal, Vijay Eyes Tamil NaduShah Hails BJP’s Historic Bengal Victory, Credits People’s Faith In ModiBJP Names Suvendu Adhikari As West Bengal’s First BJP Chief MinisterViral MLA Preference List Shows KC Venugopal Claiming Majority Support As Kerala CMTMC Leader Kunal Ghosh Says Bengal Violence Must Be Viewed From Two Different PerspectivesCongress-DMK Split And TVK Support Trigger Fresh INDIA Alliance TensionsPakistan’s Bizarre ‘Why Speak English?’ Reaction After India Details Op Sindoor Strikes123PhotostoriesThe Parenting Style of Every Zodiac Sign Mom5 Incredible animals with no cordsThink crocodiles are just dangerous? These 10 facts reveal how unsettling they really areHow to make Raw Mango Dal Fry for summer dinner at homeFrom Ananya Panday to Bhavitha Mandava: How Indian girls are taking over Chanel’s fashion worldPersonality test: How you make a fist reveals if you are focused, a perfectionist, or observantToo much cardio after 40? Why women’s bodies may respond differently from men’sDo common mice found in homes and gardens can spread hantavirus7 things parents of highly confident children teach them differentlySuccess quote of the day by Sachin Tendulkar: “The key to handling pressure situations is to…”123Hot PicksSBI Q4 resultsThane- Navi Mumbai corridorMaharashtra SSC ResultPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingTamil nadu government formationVaibhav SooryavanshiTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Mumbai Watermelon Death CaseDelhi Capital vs KKR IPL MatchWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaDaniil Medvedev WifeBan vs Pak

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NEW DELHI: More than a year after Madhya Pradesh minister Kunwar Vijay Shah stoked a controversy for ‘obnoxiously’ linking Col Sofiya Qureshi to “Operation Sindoor”, the Supreme Court Friday appeared in no mood to condone his misdemeanour and asked the state govt to take a call on the SIT’s request for sanction of his prosecution.Solicitor general Tushar Mehta filed a status report before the SC and said that it appears that Shah intended to praise Col Qureshi but goofed up in making a statement that unfortunately conveyed a different meaning.A bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said, “The statement was most unfortunate, and it appears he had no sense of repentance.” Shah’s counsel Maninder Singh said the minister had immediately apologised within 24 hours after realising that the statement was being viewed in a different light.The bench said this is not the only instance of the minister making obnoxious statements and asked the SIT to find out other instances of such remarks by him, as was indicated by SIT in its earlier report.When SG Tushar Mehta said that the political personality could not properly articulate his words of praise for the woman officer, the bench said, “The political personalities are otherwise very articulate and convey what they intend to.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Claims Support Of 118 MLAs, Likely To Take Oath As Tamil Nadu CM TomorrowTN Political Crisis Deepens: Stalin Pushes Governor For Swift ActionAir India AI 171 Crash Probe In Final Stage, Report Likely Within A MonthTwo States, Two Big Winners: Suvendu Gets Bengal, Vijay Eyes Tamil NaduShah Hails BJP’s Historic Bengal Victory, Credits People’s Faith In ModiBJP Names Suvendu Adhikari As West Bengal’s First BJP Chief MinisterViral MLA Preference List Shows KC Venugopal Claiming Majority Support As Kerala CMTMC Leader Kunal Ghosh Says Bengal Violence Must Be Viewed From Two Different PerspectivesCongress-DMK Split And TVK Support Trigger Fresh INDIA Alliance TensionsPakistan’s Bizarre ‘Why Speak English?’ Reaction After India Details Op Sindoor Strikes123PhotostoriesThe Parenting Style of Every Zodiac Sign Mom5 Incredible animals with no cordsThink crocodiles are just dangerous? These 10 facts reveal how unsettling they really areHow to make Raw Mango Dal Fry for summer dinner at homeFrom Ananya Panday to Bhavitha Mandava: How Indian girls are taking over Chanel’s fashion worldPersonality test: How you make a fist reveals if you are focused, a perfectionist, or observantToo much cardio after 40? Why women’s bodies may respond differently from men’sDo common mice found in homes and gardens can spread hantavirus7 things parents of highly confident children teach them differentlySuccess quote of the day by Sachin Tendulkar: “The key to handling pressure situations is to…”123Hot PicksSBI Q4 resultsThane- Navi Mumbai corridorMaharashtra SSC ResultPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingTamil nadu government formationVaibhav SooryavanshiTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Mumbai Watermelon Death CaseDelhi Capital vs KKR IPL MatchWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaDaniil Medvedev WifeBan vs Pak


Supreme Court in no mood to condone Madhya Pradesh minister in Col Sofiya Qureshi case

NEW DELHI: More than a year after Madhya Pradesh minister Kunwar Vijay Shah stoked a controversy for ‘obnoxiously’ linking Col Sofiya Qureshi to “Operation Sindoor”, the Supreme Court Friday appeared in no mood to condone his misdemeanour and asked the state govt to take a call on the SIT’s request for sanction of his prosecution.Solicitor general Tushar Mehta filed a status report before the SC and said that it appears that Shah intended to praise Col Qureshi but goofed up in making a statement that unfortunately conveyed a different meaning.A bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said, “The statement was most unfortunate, and it appears he had no sense of repentance.” Shah’s counsel Maninder Singh said the minister had immediately apologised within 24 hours after realising that the statement was being viewed in a different light.The bench said this is not the only instance of the minister making obnoxious statements and asked the SIT to find out other instances of such remarks by him, as was indicated by SIT in its earlier report.When SG Tushar Mehta said that the political personality could not properly articulate his words of praise for the woman officer, the bench said, “The political personalities are otherwise very articulate and convey what they intend to.



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NEW DELHI: This is how justice is denied when courts go by the letter of the law and not by the spirit. A poor murder convict, who was left abandoned by family and was not given proper legal advice, challenged the trial court’s order of his conviction and life imprisonment after nine years delay in Orissa HC which refused to decide his plea on merit and dismissed it on ground of delay. The convict had to spend another 10 years in jail before SC came to his rescue.Terming the HC’s order, passed in 2016, “very disturbing”, a bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and Ujjal Bhuyan invoked extraordinary power granted to SC to complete justice under Article 142 and directed the convict be released as his conduct in jail has been satisfactory and he had spent 22 years in jail and did not come out of prison even once .”The HC, while declining to condone the delay, ought to have considered the fact that the petitioner was already undergoing sentence past 12 years. the HC ought to have also considered that it was an appeal through jail. This itself was sufficient for the HC to take a practical view or rather a sympathetic view of the matter and at least ought to have condoned the delay so as to give one opportunity to the petitioner to argue his criminal appeal on merits. As on date, the petitioner has undergone almost 22 years of sentence,” the bench said.Court said the petitioner has not been released even once on parole or furlough and in such circumstances condoning the delay and asking the HC now to hear the criminal appeal on merits will be a futile exercise.”We are convinced that we should release the petitioner on bail in the peculiar facts and circumstances of this case. Thus, in exercise of our jurisdiction under Article 142 of the Constitution as an exceptional case, we order that the petitioner be released on bail on executing a personal bond of Rs.10,000 to the satisfaction of the Jail Superintendent,” the bench said.The bench directed the district legal services authority, Koraput to help him in preparing an appropriate representation, seeking remission of sentence.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Claims Support Of 118 MLAs, Likely To Take Oath As Tamil Nadu CM TomorrowTN Political Crisis Deepens: Stalin Pushes Governor For Swift ActionAir India AI 171 Crash Probe In Final Stage, Report Likely Within A MonthTwo States, Two Big Winners: Suvendu Gets Bengal, Vijay Eyes Tamil NaduShah Hails BJP’s Historic Bengal Victory, Credits People’s Faith In ModiBJP Names Suvendu Adhikari As West Bengal’s First BJP Chief MinisterViral MLA Preference List Shows KC Venugopal Claiming Majority Support As Kerala CMTMC Leader Kunal Ghosh Says Bengal Violence Must Be Viewed From Two Different PerspectivesCongress-DMK Split And TVK Support Trigger Fresh INDIA Alliance TensionsPakistan’s Bizarre ‘Why Speak English?’ Reaction After India Details Op Sindoor Strikes123PhotostoriesThe Parenting Style of Every Zodiac Sign Mom5 Incredible animals with no cordsThink crocodiles are just dangerous? These 10 facts reveal how unsettling they really areHow to make Raw Mango Dal Fry for summer dinner at homeFrom Ananya Panday to Bhavitha Mandava: How Indian girls are taking over Chanel’s fashion worldPersonality test: How you make a fist reveals if you are focused, a perfectionist, or observantToo much cardio after 40? Why women’s bodies may respond differently from men’sDo common mice found in homes and gardens can spread hantavirus7 things parents of highly confident children teach them differentlySuccess quote of the day by Sachin Tendulkar: “The key to handling pressure situations is to…”123Hot PicksSBI Q4 resultsThane- Navi Mumbai corridorMaharashtra SSC ResultPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingTamil nadu government formationVaibhav SooryavanshiTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Mumbai Watermelon Death CaseDelhi Capital vs KKR IPL MatchWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaDaniil Medvedev WifeBan vs Pak

NEW DELHI: This is how justice is denied when courts go by the letter of the law and not by the spirit. A poor murder convict, who was left abandoned by family and was not given proper legal advice, challenged the trial court’s order of his conviction and life imprisonment after nine years delay in Orissa HC which refused to decide his plea on merit and dismissed it on ground of delay. The convict had to spend another 10 years in jail before SC came to his rescue.Terming the HC’s order, passed in 2016, “very disturbing”, a bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and Ujjal Bhuyan invoked extraordinary power granted to SC to complete justice under Article 142 and directed the convict be released as his conduct in jail has been satisfactory and he had spent 22 years in jail and did not come out of prison even once .”The HC, while declining to condone the delay, ought to have considered the fact that the petitioner was already undergoing sentence past 12 years. the HC ought to have also considered that it was an appeal through jail. This itself was sufficient for the HC to take a practical view or rather a sympathetic view of the matter and at least ought to have condoned the delay so as to give one opportunity to the petitioner to argue his criminal appeal on merits. As on date, the petitioner has undergone almost 22 years of sentence,” the bench said.Court said the petitioner has not been released even once on parole or furlough and in such circumstances condoning the delay and asking the HC now to hear the criminal appeal on merits will be a futile exercise.”We are convinced that we should release the petitioner on bail in the peculiar facts and circumstances of this case. Thus, in exercise of our jurisdiction under Article 142 of the Constitution as an exceptional case, we order that the petitioner be released on bail on executing a personal bond of Rs.10,000 to the satisfaction of the Jail Superintendent,” the bench said.The bench directed the district legal services authority, Koraput to help him in preparing an appropriate representation, seeking remission of sentence.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Claims Support Of 118 MLAs, Likely To Take Oath As Tamil Nadu CM TomorrowTN Political Crisis Deepens: Stalin Pushes Governor For Swift ActionAir India AI 171 Crash Probe In Final Stage, Report Likely Within A MonthTwo States, Two Big Winners: Suvendu Gets Bengal, Vijay Eyes Tamil NaduShah Hails BJP’s Historic Bengal Victory, Credits People’s Faith In ModiBJP Names Suvendu Adhikari As West Bengal’s First BJP Chief MinisterViral MLA Preference List Shows KC Venugopal Claiming Majority Support As Kerala CMTMC Leader Kunal Ghosh Says Bengal Violence Must Be Viewed From Two Different PerspectivesCongress-DMK Split And TVK Support Trigger Fresh INDIA Alliance TensionsPakistan’s Bizarre ‘Why Speak English?’ Reaction After India Details Op Sindoor Strikes123PhotostoriesThe Parenting Style of Every Zodiac Sign Mom5 Incredible animals with no cordsThink crocodiles are just dangerous? These 10 facts reveal how unsettling they really areHow to make Raw Mango Dal Fry for summer dinner at homeFrom Ananya Panday to Bhavitha Mandava: How Indian girls are taking over Chanel’s fashion worldPersonality test: How you make a fist reveals if you are focused, a perfectionist, or observantToo much cardio after 40? Why women’s bodies may respond differently from men’sDo common mice found in homes and gardens can spread hantavirus7 things parents of highly confident children teach them differentlySuccess quote of the day by Sachin Tendulkar: “The key to handling pressure situations is to…”123Hot PicksSBI Q4 resultsThane- Navi Mumbai corridorMaharashtra SSC ResultPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingTamil nadu government formationVaibhav SooryavanshiTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Mumbai Watermelon Death CaseDelhi Capital vs KKR IPL MatchWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaDaniil Medvedev WifeBan vs Pak

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The Supreme Court emphasized its reluctance to direct arrests, prioritizing evidence collection and witness protection. While monitoring investigations, the bench declined to comment on the merits of the Anil Ambani Group (ADAG) case, citing past collateral damage to reputations. The CBI has filed nine FIRs totaling Rs 27,337 crore against ADAG entities. NEW DELHI: A bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said, “SC has repeatedly said it will be extremely shy of directing arrest of any individual. Importance must be given to collection and preservation of evidence and protection to witnesses …”“While monitoring investigations, we do not express any opinion on correctness of arrest or non-arrest of any person. For effective investigation, the agencies are best suited to determine how to proceed…” CJI Kant said.The bench turned down ADAG’s plea to insert a line in the order to convey that SC had not formed an opinion on the merits of the case and that the court monitoring the probe does not mean the opposite.SC said continuous mandamus jurisprudence devised during monitoring of CBI probe into the Jain-Hawala scam in the Vineet Narain case in the 1990s is a principle of which the court should be proud of. However, the observations made during the court monitoring of investigations caused immense collateral damage to the reputations of many. “The consequences were devastating. That is why we are not commenting on the investigations,” Supreme Court clarified.Appearing for CBI, solicitor general Tushar Mehta said CBI has so far registered nine FIRs against different ADAG entities and that in seven FIRs, the total sum involved is Rs 27,337 crore. He narrated the broad contours of the investigations and the progress made, and said four people have been arrested and 31 lookout circulars issued.When Bhushan persisted with his complaint of the agencies not arresting Anil Ambani, the latter’s counsel Kapil Sibal said the only agenda seems to be to get Anil Ambani arrested. “He has cooperated with the investigation and is not a flight risk,” he said.Senior advocate Shyam Divan, for ADAG, said attachment orders against two companies — Reliance Power and Reliance Infra — have caused loss of reputation to the two. Sibal and Divan repeatedly tried to persuade the bench to write one line in the order — “SC has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the case …” The bench did not accept Sibal’s request.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Claims Support Of 118 MLAs, Likely To Take Oath As Tamil Nadu CM TomorrowTN Political Crisis Deepens: Stalin Pushes Governor For Swift ActionAir India AI 171 Crash Probe In Final Stage, Report Likely Within A MonthTwo States, Two Big Winners: Suvendu Gets Bengal, Vijay Eyes Tamil NaduShah Hails BJP’s Historic Bengal Victory, Credits People’s Faith In ModiBJP Names Suvendu Adhikari As West Bengal’s First BJP Chief MinisterViral MLA Preference List Shows KC Venugopal Claiming Majority Support As Kerala CMTMC Leader Kunal Ghosh Says Bengal Violence Must Be Viewed From Two Different PerspectivesCongress-DMK Split And TVK Support Trigger Fresh INDIA Alliance TensionsPakistan’s Bizarre ‘Why Speak English?’ Reaction After India Details Op Sindoor Strikes123PhotostoriesThe Parenting Style of Every Zodiac Sign Mom5 Incredible animals with no cordsThink crocodiles are just dangerous? These 10 facts reveal how unsettling they really areHow to make Raw Mango Dal Fry for summer dinner at homeFrom Ananya Panday to Bhavitha Mandava: How Indian girls are taking over Chanel’s fashion worldPersonality test: How you make a fist reveals if you are focused, a perfectionist, or observantToo much cardio after 40? Why women’s bodies may respond differently from men’sDo common mice found in homes and gardens can spread hantavirus7 things parents of highly confident children teach them differentlySuccess quote of the day by Sachin Tendulkar: “The key to handling pressure situations is to…”123Hot PicksSBI Q4 resultsThane- Navi Mumbai corridorMaharashtra SSC ResultPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingTamil nadu government formationVaibhav SooryavanshiTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Mumbai Watermelon Death CaseDelhi Capital vs KKR IPL MatchWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaDaniil Medvedev WifeBan vs Pak

The Supreme Court emphasized its reluctance to direct arrests, prioritizing evidence collection and witness protection. While monitoring investigations, the bench declined to comment on the merits of the Anil Ambani Group (ADAG) case, citing past collateral damage to reputations. The CBI has filed nine FIRs totaling Rs 27,337 crore against ADAG entities. NEW DELHI: A bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said, “SC has repeatedly said it will be extremely shy of directing arrest of any individual. Importance must be given to collection and preservation of evidence and protection to witnesses …”“While monitoring investigations, we do not express any opinion on correctness of arrest or non-arrest of any person. For effective investigation, the agencies are best suited to determine how to proceed…” CJI Kant said.The bench turned down ADAG’s plea to insert a line in the order to convey that SC had not formed an opinion on the merits of the case and that the court monitoring the probe does not mean the opposite.SC said continuous mandamus jurisprudence devised during monitoring of CBI probe into the Jain-Hawala scam in the Vineet Narain case in the 1990s is a principle of which the court should be proud of. However, the observations made during the court monitoring of investigations caused immense collateral damage to the reputations of many. “The consequences were devastating. That is why we are not commenting on the investigations,” Supreme Court clarified.Appearing for CBI, solicitor general Tushar Mehta said CBI has so far registered nine FIRs against different ADAG entities and that in seven FIRs, the total sum involved is Rs 27,337 crore. He narrated the broad contours of the investigations and the progress made, and said four people have been arrested and 31 lookout circulars issued.When Bhushan persisted with his complaint of the agencies not arresting Anil Ambani, the latter’s counsel Kapil Sibal said the only agenda seems to be to get Anil Ambani arrested. “He has cooperated with the investigation and is not a flight risk,” he said.Senior advocate Shyam Divan, for ADAG, said attachment orders against two companies — Reliance Power and Reliance Infra — have caused loss of reputation to the two. Sibal and Divan repeatedly tried to persuade the bench to write one line in the order — “SC has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the case …” The bench did not accept Sibal’s request.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Claims Support Of 118 MLAs, Likely To Take Oath As Tamil Nadu CM TomorrowTN Political Crisis Deepens: Stalin Pushes Governor For Swift ActionAir India AI 171 Crash Probe In Final Stage, Report Likely Within A MonthTwo States, Two Big Winners: Suvendu Gets Bengal, Vijay Eyes Tamil NaduShah Hails BJP’s Historic Bengal Victory, Credits People’s Faith In ModiBJP Names Suvendu Adhikari As West Bengal’s First BJP Chief MinisterViral MLA Preference List Shows KC Venugopal Claiming Majority Support As Kerala CMTMC Leader Kunal Ghosh Says Bengal Violence Must Be Viewed From Two Different PerspectivesCongress-DMK Split And TVK Support Trigger Fresh INDIA Alliance TensionsPakistan’s Bizarre ‘Why Speak English?’ Reaction After India Details Op Sindoor Strikes123PhotostoriesThe Parenting Style of Every Zodiac Sign Mom5 Incredible animals with no cordsThink crocodiles are just dangerous? These 10 facts reveal how unsettling they really areHow to make Raw Mango Dal Fry for summer dinner at homeFrom Ananya Panday to Bhavitha Mandava: How Indian girls are taking over Chanel’s fashion worldPersonality test: How you make a fist reveals if you are focused, a perfectionist, or observantToo much cardio after 40? Why women’s bodies may respond differently from men’sDo common mice found in homes and gardens can spread hantavirus7 things parents of highly confident children teach them differentlySuccess quote of the day by Sachin Tendulkar: “The key to handling pressure situations is to…”123Hot PicksSBI Q4 resultsThane- Navi Mumbai corridorMaharashtra SSC ResultPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingTamil nadu government formationVaibhav SooryavanshiTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Mumbai Watermelon Death CaseDelhi Capital vs KKR IPL MatchWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaDaniil Medvedev WifeBan vs Pak

Vamsikrishna 0
NEW DELHI: When a sudden airfare hike of Rs 10,000 per pilgrim was announced in late April, it set off a wider debate over what India’s Haj pilgrims were actually paying for-and one line item that came under immediate scrutiny was a Rs 7,000 deduction for a GPS-enabled smartwatch that each of the 1.2 lakh pilgrims had been mandated to carry. The smartwatch, procured by the Haj Committee of India and supplied by Delhi-based firm Sekyo Innovations, was positioned as a safety measure. But pilgrims who have since departed say the device is not turning on, not holding charge, and not “actually tracking” anyone. The ‘Haj Suvidha Smartwatch’ is a required safety device for Indian pilgrims this year. The decision, implemented by the Haj Committee of India, was centred around pilgrim safety, but has triggered questions over cost, execution and necessity. Each pilgrim has effectively paid Rs 7,000 for the device, deducted from their Haj deposit-one of seven main cost heads in the standard Haj package including meals, accommodation, and conveyance. For families already bearing a total outlay that can exceed Rs 4 lakh per person, and reeling from a sudden Rs 10,000-per-head airfare hike announced in late April, the watch has become a flashpoint. The watches were procured through a fast-tracked tender process in 2025.More than 1.2 lakh devices were ordered. Sekyo Innovations, a Delhi-based firm, operates on a hybrid model – designing and assembling the watches in India while sourcing critical high-tech components, including GPS modules, sensors and chipsets, from Hong Kong, China and Canada. According to members of the Delhi State Haj Committee, the smartwatch is included in the Haj kit distributed to pilgrims before departure: “Every year, some changes are made. The departure kit typically contains passport stickers, luggage tags, boarding passes, ID cards, and now, for the first time, a GPS-enabled watch,” a member told TOI. Haj is one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, with millions congregating in and around Mecca. Managing crowds, preventing stampedes and ensuring no pilgrim is lost are longstanding challenges. This year, 1.7-1.9 million people are expected to participate. Unlike India, other major Haj-sending countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Pakistan rely instead on traditional group management systems and mobile-based coordination. The rollout of the smartwatch that was designed to track Indian pilgrims and provide emergency assistance has been far from smooth. Usman Ansari, a pilgrim from Old Delhi, told TOI that many of the travellers – particularly elderly and less tech-savvy individuals – are struggling to use the device. “They told us the watch would be activated in Saudi Arabia, but most people don’t know how to operate it.”… Around 70% haven’t even been able to switch it on because some update or the other is required,” he added.About the AuthorIsmat AraAt The Times of India, Ismat Ara covers politics, people, and societies, with a focus on accountability, justice, and lived experience. Shaped by years of rigorous reporting across cities, small towns, and remote villages, she is drawn to the human stories tucked beneath policy and paperwork.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Claims Support Of 118 MLAs, Likely To Take Oath As Tamil Nadu CM TomorrowTN Political Crisis Deepens: Stalin Pushes Governor For Swift ActionAir India AI 171 Crash Probe In Final Stage, Report Likely Within A MonthTwo States, Two Big Winners: Suvendu Gets Bengal, Vijay Eyes Tamil NaduShah Hails BJP’s Historic Bengal Victory, Credits People’s Faith In ModiBJP Names Suvendu Adhikari As West Bengal’s First BJP Chief MinisterViral MLA Preference List Shows KC Venugopal Claiming Majority Support As Kerala CMTMC Leader Kunal Ghosh Says Bengal Violence Must Be Viewed From Two Different PerspectivesCongress-DMK Split And TVK Support Trigger Fresh INDIA Alliance TensionsPakistan’s Bizarre ‘Why Speak English?’ Reaction After India Details Op Sindoor Strikes123PhotostoriesThe Parenting Style of Every Zodiac Sign Mom5 Incredible animals with no cordsThink crocodiles are just dangerous? These 10 facts reveal how unsettling they really areHow to make Raw Mango Dal Fry for summer dinner at homeFrom Ananya Panday to Bhavitha Mandava: How Indian girls are taking over Chanel’s fashion worldPersonality test: How you make a fist reveals if you are focused, a perfectionist, or observantToo much cardio after 40? Why women’s bodies may respond differently from men’sDo common mice found in homes and gardens can spread hantavirus7 things parents of highly confident children teach them differentlySuccess quote of the day by Sachin Tendulkar: “The key to handling pressure situations is to…”123Hot PicksSBI Q4 resultsThane- Navi Mumbai corridorMaharashtra SSC ResultPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingTamil nadu government formationVaibhav SooryavanshiTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Mumbai Watermelon Death CaseDelhi Capital vs KKR IPL MatchWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaDaniil Medvedev WifeBan vs Pak

NEW DELHI: When a sudden airfare hike of Rs 10,000 per pilgrim was announced in late April, it set off a wider debate over what India’s Haj pilgrims were actually paying for-and one line item that came under immediate scrutiny was a Rs 7,000 deduction for a GPS-enabled smartwatch that each of the 1.2 lakh pilgrims had been mandated to carry. The smartwatch, procured by the Haj Committee of India and supplied by Delhi-based firm Sekyo Innovations, was positioned as a safety measure. But pilgrims who have since departed say the device is not turning on, not holding charge, and not “actually tracking” anyone. The ‘Haj Suvidha Smartwatch’ is a required safety device for Indian pilgrims this year. The decision, implemented by the Haj Committee of India, was centred around pilgrim safety, but has triggered questions over cost, execution and necessity. Each pilgrim has effectively paid Rs 7,000 for the device, deducted from their Haj deposit-one of seven main cost heads in the standard Haj package including meals, accommodation, and conveyance. For families already bearing a total outlay that can exceed Rs 4 lakh per person, and reeling from a sudden Rs 10,000-per-head airfare hike announced in late April, the watch has become a flashpoint. The watches were procured through a fast-tracked tender process in 2025.More than 1.2 lakh devices were ordered. Sekyo Innovations, a Delhi-based firm, operates on a hybrid model – designing and assembling the watches in India while sourcing critical high-tech components, including GPS modules, sensors and chipsets, from Hong Kong, China and Canada. According to members of the Delhi State Haj Committee, the smartwatch is included in the Haj kit distributed to pilgrims before departure: “Every year, some changes are made. The departure kit typically contains passport stickers, luggage tags, boarding passes, ID cards, and now, for the first time, a GPS-enabled watch,” a member told TOI. Haj is one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, with millions congregating in and around Mecca. Managing crowds, preventing stampedes and ensuring no pilgrim is lost are longstanding challenges. This year, 1.7-1.9 million people are expected to participate. Unlike India, other major Haj-sending countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Pakistan rely instead on traditional group management systems and mobile-based coordination. The rollout of the smartwatch that was designed to track Indian pilgrims and provide emergency assistance has been far from smooth. Usman Ansari, a pilgrim from Old Delhi, told TOI that many of the travellers – particularly elderly and less tech-savvy individuals – are struggling to use the device. “They told us the watch would be activated in Saudi Arabia, but most people don’t know how to operate it.”… Around 70% haven’t even been able to switch it on because some update or the other is required,” he added.About the AuthorIsmat AraAt The Times of India, Ismat Ara covers politics, people, and societies, with a focus on accountability, justice, and lived experience. Shaped by years of rigorous reporting across cities, small towns, and remote villages, she is drawn to the human stories tucked beneath policy and paperwork.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Claims Support Of 118 MLAs, Likely To Take Oath As Tamil Nadu CM TomorrowTN Political Crisis Deepens: Stalin Pushes Governor For Swift ActionAir India AI 171 Crash Probe In Final Stage, Report Likely Within A MonthTwo States, Two Big Winners: Suvendu Gets Bengal, Vijay Eyes Tamil NaduShah Hails BJP’s Historic Bengal Victory, Credits People’s Faith In ModiBJP Names Suvendu Adhikari As West Bengal’s First BJP Chief MinisterViral MLA Preference List Shows KC Venugopal Claiming Majority Support As Kerala CMTMC Leader Kunal Ghosh Says Bengal Violence Must Be Viewed From Two Different PerspectivesCongress-DMK Split And TVK Support Trigger Fresh INDIA Alliance TensionsPakistan’s Bizarre ‘Why Speak English?’ Reaction After India Details Op Sindoor Strikes123PhotostoriesThe Parenting Style of Every Zodiac Sign Mom5 Incredible animals with no cordsThink crocodiles are just dangerous? These 10 facts reveal how unsettling they really areHow to make Raw Mango Dal Fry for summer dinner at homeFrom Ananya Panday to Bhavitha Mandava: How Indian girls are taking over Chanel’s fashion worldPersonality test: How you make a fist reveals if you are focused, a perfectionist, or observantToo much cardio after 40? 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NEW DELHI: As BJP vows to drive out all illegal Bangladeshi immigrants from West Bengal after it forms govt, Supreme Court on Friday said mere illegal infiltration into India by Bangladeshi nationals is not a terrorist act.The remark came from a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi in response to additional solicitor general SD Sanjay’s opposition to the bail plea of Amol Chandra Das alias Sujib, who was arrested by National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Bengaluru in Nov 2023 for staying in the city for 10 years with a forged passport and facilitating illegal immigration of Bangladeshis into India.Sanjay said though other accused in the case have been granted bail, the present petitioner is part of a syndicate involved in trans-nation trafficking of Bangladeshis to India using forged documents and was not entitled to bail.Justice Bagchi said, “Illegal immigration is not a terrorist act. Just because they have travelled across border without valid documents or no documents, it does not become a terrorist act without any other overt action that would qualify as terror acts.”CJI Kant said, “India shares a porous border with Bangladesh. There are a large number of Bangladeshis staying in India despite immigrating illegally.” The bench granted bail to Das, but asked him to report to the Bengaluru NIA officer once a week. It asked the counter-terrorism agency to verify the place of stay of the accused.Karnataka HC, while declining bail, had said, “Appellant is a Bangladeshi and material on record clearly discloses with regard to the alleged creation of document of Aadhaar card on the same day at Karnataka as well as Assam, and on perusal of the same, it discloses insertion of photo and obtaining the Aadhaar card and passport is also obtained based on those documents and travelled five times to Bangladesh.”Accepting the prosecution’s stand that if bail is granted to the accused, there is a chance of him fleeing from justice, the HC had rejected his bail plea. BJP, which had a blistering election campaign against alleged facilitation of Bangladeshi nationals to enter Bengal, had said ‘ghuispaithiyas’ (infiltrators) were a threat to national economy and security. The party on Friday vowed to keep its poll promise.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Claims Support Of 118 MLAs, Likely To Take Oath As Tamil Nadu CM TomorrowTN Political Crisis Deepens: Stalin Pushes Governor For Swift ActionAir India AI 171 Crash Probe In Final Stage, Report Likely Within A MonthTwo States, Two Big Winners: Suvendu Gets Bengal, Vijay Eyes Tamil NaduShah Hails BJP’s Historic Bengal Victory, Credits People’s Faith In ModiBJP Names Suvendu Adhikari As West Bengal’s First BJP Chief MinisterViral MLA Preference List Shows KC Venugopal Claiming Majority Support As Kerala CMTMC Leader Kunal Ghosh Says Bengal Violence Must Be Viewed From Two Different PerspectivesCongress-DMK Split And TVK Support Trigger Fresh INDIA Alliance TensionsPakistan’s Bizarre ‘Why Speak English?’ Reaction After India Details Op Sindoor Strikes123Photostories5 Incredible animals with no cordsThink crocodiles are just dangerous? These 10 facts reveal how unsettling they really areHow to make Raw Mango Dal Fry for summer dinner at homeFrom Ananya Panday to Bhavitha Mandava: How Indian girls are taking over Chanel’s fashion worldPersonality test: How you make a fist reveals if you are focused, a perfectionist, or observantToo much cardio after 40? Why women’s bodies may respond differently from men’sDo common mice found in homes and gardens can spread hantavirus7 things parents of highly confident children teach them differentlySuccess quote of the day by Sachin Tendulkar: “The key to handling pressure situations is to…”Coffee vs Green Tea: Which is healthier overall?123Hot PicksSBI Q4 resultsThane- Navi Mumbai corridorMaharashtra SSC ResultPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingTamil nadu government formationVaibhav SooryavanshiTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Mumbai Watermelon Death CaseDelhi Capital vs KKR IPL MatchWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaDaniil Medvedev WifeBan vs Pak

NEW DELHI: As BJP vows to drive out all illegal Bangladeshi immigrants from West Bengal after it forms govt, Supreme Court on Friday said mere illegal infiltration into India by Bangladeshi nationals is not a terrorist act.The remark came from a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi in response to additional solicitor general SD Sanjay’s opposition to the bail plea of Amol Chandra Das alias Sujib, who was arrested by National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Bengaluru in Nov 2023 for staying in the city for 10 years with a forged passport and facilitating illegal immigration of Bangladeshis into India.Sanjay said though other accused in the case have been granted bail, the present petitioner is part of a syndicate involved in trans-nation trafficking of Bangladeshis to India using forged documents and was not entitled to bail.Justice Bagchi said, “Illegal immigration is not a terrorist act. Just because they have travelled across border without valid documents or no documents, it does not become a terrorist act without any other overt action that would qualify as terror acts.”CJI Kant said, “India shares a porous border with Bangladesh. There are a large number of Bangladeshis staying in India despite immigrating illegally.” The bench granted bail to Das, but asked him to report to the Bengaluru NIA officer once a week. It asked the counter-terrorism agency to verify the place of stay of the accused.Karnataka HC, while declining bail, had said, “Appellant is a Bangladeshi and material on record clearly discloses with regard to the alleged creation of document of Aadhaar card on the same day at Karnataka as well as Assam, and on perusal of the same, it discloses insertion of photo and obtaining the Aadhaar card and passport is also obtained based on those documents and travelled five times to Bangladesh.”Accepting the prosecution’s stand that if bail is granted to the accused, there is a chance of him fleeing from justice, the HC had rejected his bail plea. BJP, which had a blistering election campaign against alleged facilitation of Bangladeshi nationals to enter Bengal, had said ‘ghuispaithiyas’ (infiltrators) were a threat to national economy and security. The party on Friday vowed to keep its poll promise.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Claims Support Of 118 MLAs, Likely To Take Oath As Tamil Nadu CM TomorrowTN Political Crisis Deepens: Stalin Pushes Governor For Swift ActionAir India AI 171 Crash Probe In Final Stage, Report Likely Within A MonthTwo States, Two Big Winners: Suvendu Gets Bengal, Vijay Eyes Tamil NaduShah Hails BJP’s Historic Bengal Victory, Credits People’s Faith In ModiBJP Names Suvendu Adhikari As West Bengal’s First BJP Chief MinisterViral MLA Preference List Shows KC Venugopal Claiming Majority Support As Kerala CMTMC Leader Kunal Ghosh Says Bengal Violence Must Be Viewed From Two Different PerspectivesCongress-DMK Split And TVK Support Trigger Fresh INDIA Alliance TensionsPakistan’s Bizarre ‘Why Speak English?’ Reaction After India Details Op Sindoor Strikes123Photostories5 Incredible animals with no cordsThink crocodiles are just dangerous? These 10 facts reveal how unsettling they really areHow to make Raw Mango Dal Fry for summer dinner at homeFrom Ananya Panday to Bhavitha Mandava: How Indian girls are taking over Chanel’s fashion worldPersonality test: How you make a fist reveals if you are focused, a perfectionist, or observantToo much cardio after 40? Why women’s bodies may respond differently from men’sDo common mice found in homes and gardens can spread hantavirus7 things parents of highly confident children teach them differentlySuccess quote of the day by Sachin Tendulkar: “The key to handling pressure situations is to…”Coffee vs Green Tea: Which is healthier overall?123Hot PicksSBI Q4 resultsThane- Navi Mumbai corridorMaharashtra SSC ResultPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingTamil nadu government formationVaibhav SooryavanshiTamil Nadu Class 12 Result 2026Maharashtra Board SSC Result 2026Mumbai Watermelon Death CaseDelhi Capital vs KKR IPL MatchWBBSE Madhyamik Result 2026Salil AnkolaDaniil Medvedev WifeBan vs Pak

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