VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Beyond saturation fire: Pinaka’s precision leap reshapes India’s deterrence In 1883, Hawaii introduced mongooses to control rats in sugarcane fields. They soon became a far bigger threat to native wildlife | World News Represetative image NEW DELHI: The Kerala high court on Monday allowed BJP councillor Sugathan R, who is under preventive detention under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA), to take his oath of office inside prison on July 14 at 11 am, Bar and Bench reported.Justice PV Kunhikrishnan observed that the democratic mandate of the electorate could not be defeated merely because an elected representative was under preventive detention.”Oath to be taken in 14.07.2026 at 11am inside the prison. Accredited media persons will be allowed inside to participate,” the judge said.According to Bar and Bench, the order came on a petition filed by Sugathan seeking directions to comply with an earlier High Court judgment requiring him to retake the oath as councillor of the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation.During the hearing, director general of prosecution T Asaf Ali argued that Sugathan could not be released solely for taking the oath since he was under preventive detention under KAAPA. Referring to Article 22(3) of the Constitution, he submitted that persons detained under preventive detention laws are excluded from the safeguards available to ordinary arrested persons under Article 22(1) and (2), Bar and Bench reported.The Court, however, stressed that the electorate had chosen Sugathan despite the criminal cases and allegations against him.”This person was elected despite all the cases against him, right? He has the mandate of the people. See whether the oath can be administered inside the prison. If necessary, I will implead the Superintendent of the Prison,” the judge remarked orally.The judge also said accredited media personnel should be allowed inside the prison during the swearing-in ceremony.”Allow some accredited media person inside the jail, because this is democratic process where they are taking oath, so people should also know what happens inside the oath taking place,” the judge stated orally.According to Bar and Bench, the case stems from a June 24 High Court judgment that declared the oath taken by Sugathan and several other councillors invalid after they swore allegiance in the name of various deities, political martyrs and movements instead of taking the oath in the manner prescribed under the Kerala Municipality Act, 1994.The Court had directed authorities to facilitate fresh oath-taking within four weeks while protecting the validity of the councillors’ official acts until the date of the judgment.While the other councillors retook their oaths, Sugathan was unable to do so after being detained under KAAPA on June 9 and lodged in Viyyur Central Prison, Bar and Bench reported.According to the petition, despite repeated representations to the State government and the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, no arrangements were made to enable him to take the oath. The Corporation later scheduled the ceremony for July 14 at its conference hall.Sugathan subsequently sought temporary release to attend the ceremony. The Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-II, Nedumangad granted him interim release from the evening of July 13 until the night of July 14 for the swearing-in ceremony. However, he argued that the interim bail alone would not secure his release because he continued to remain under preventive detention unless the State government granted permission, Bar and Bench reported.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosHealth Camp Horror? FIR Against TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee After Woman’s Leg AmputatedSupreme Court Pushes Dialogue Route In Gyanvapi Case, Refers Dispute To Special Lok AdalatRailways Clarifies Viral Puja Video, Says Ritual Was Held in ₹3 Lakh Privately Booked Saloon Coach’Black Magic, Cow Urine’: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader’s Daughter-In-Law Makes Shocking Allegations’I Lock Up Religion When…’: Annamalai Confirms ‘We The Leaders’ Will Become Political PartyWatch: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Drives Road Roller, Destroys Seized Drugs’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch Probe123PhotostoriesFrom being chased by elephants to mauled by a tiger; 7 times tourists ignored jungle rules and instantly regretted itCelebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar swears by this simple ‘romantic’ soup to tackle monsoon hair fallAkansha Ranjan Kapoor turned her reception into a couture dream thanks to her champagne-toned Gaurav Gupta lehengaHabits that help children become independent: 7 expert-backed tipsFrom ragi to maida: 8 Indian flours ranked from healthiest to least healthy”My kids don’t have phones. It’s okay being bored…”: Why Novak Djokovic’s approach is an important lesson for modern parentsDimple Kapadia’s all-black look at The Odyssey premiere deserves a standing ovationWant better health and peace of mind? Follow these 6 Vastu tipsKate Middleton saved her best Wimbledon look for last in a stunning sage green dress7 Everyday habits that can quietly damage even the happiest relationships123Hot PicksGold Rate TodayRajasthan PG admissionsSouth China SeaMTET hall ticketNepal protestLucknow-Kanpur ExpresswayEPFO amnesty schemeOil price todayE20 petrol newsTop TrendingSamantha BuschMadurai AccidentDelhi Police Constable Wife MurderFIFA World Cup 2026Karnataka Pakistani ArrestedGhaziabad Mall Rape MurderDelhi MurderDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war Nifty Realty Index: How NSE measures performance of real estate sector | ‘Shararat’ singer Madhubanti Bagchi on Bollywood’s habit of typecasting singers, ‘They put you in a box’ From being chased by elephants to mauled by a tiger; 7 times tourists ignored jungle rules and instantly regretted it Life Path 7 and 11: Trust This Sudden Warning Today! ‘Won’t cede ground on agriculture’: India on US trade talks, seeks tariff edge before signing deal, says report 65-year-old grandfather attacked by a Yellowstone bison was cracking jokes despite breaking multiple bones MLC 2026: Los Angeles Knight Riders beat Texas Super Kings, set up Qualifier clash with San Francisco Unicorns | Cricket News Meet 18-year-old Tanvi Sharma who chose the Merchant Navy over NEET and JEE, and cracked it in just one month through self-study ‘Dhamaal 4’ box office collection Day 4 [LIVE]: Ajay Devgn-Arshad Warsi starrer nears Rs. 70 crore on first Monday after a global haul of Rs 92 crore Habits that help children become independent: 7 expert-backed tips Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella to every company across the world using AI: You are paying for your own IP, suggests 5 ways to solve the problem Quote of the day by Winston Churchill: “Personally, I’m always ready to learn, although I do not…” – know why real learning often begins when comfort ends | World News England Women 130/6 in 40.0 Overs IIMA establishes Mattu Centre to strengthen finance research and Indian capital market studies Muzammil Ibrahim clarifies how ‘context was completely lost’ on viral ‘no regrets’ breakup clip involving Deepika Padukone: ‘I’ve always tried to speak about people in my past with respect’ 8 Indian flours ranked from healthiest to least healthy Ashadha Amavasya on July 14, 2026: Date, timings, puja rituals and significance Meta’s highest paid employee Alexandr Wang is ‘unfollowed’ by Elon Musk; AI chief responds to screenshot, says: ‘Can’t we …’ A hidden cave in Norway protected a 75,000-year-old Arctic world until scientists finally uncovered it | World News CM Suvendu Adhikari has defended the provision, saying it is intended to target habitual offenders. NEW DELHI: Bengal’s controversial Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Act, popularly dubbed the ‘Goonda Bill’, came into force after midnight on Monday. The Act empowers the BJP government with sweeping powers including preventive detention, property confiscation and the removal of suspected troublemakers from specific areas. The government says the law is aimed at tackling organised crime and anti-social activities, while the Opposition has criticised it as draconian and vulnerable to misuse.The West Bengal Assembly passed the Bill on June 29 and received the Governor’s assent soon afterwards. With its notification now in force, authorities can begin implementing its provisions across the state.The government says the legislation is designed to strengthen public safety, improve law and order and crack down on organised criminal networks, illegal mining, unauthorised sand extraction, wildlife-related offences and other activities that create fear or disrupt normal life.Why the controversyOne of the law’s most debated provisions allows the government to order preventive detention for up to one year if it believes a person’s activities pose a threat to public safety.The provision has drawn criticism from opposition parties and sections of civil society, which argue that it could be misused to detain political opponents or critics without trial. The BJP, however, has rejected those concerns, maintaining that the law contains safeguards against arbitrary action.Under the Act, every preventive detention order must be reviewed by an advisory board headed by a serving or former Calcutta High Court judge, along with two members qualified to become High Court judges. A detained person will also have the right to present a defence before the board.CM Suvendu defends the ActChief minister Suvendu Adhikari has previously defended the provision, saying it is intended to target habitual offenders rather than ordinary citizens.The legislation also empowers the state to confiscate the property of individuals accused under the Act by invoking relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Another key feature is the power to issue externment orders. District magistrates, police commissioners and senior police officers can direct a person to leave a particular area or even an entire district for up to one year if they believe the individual could disturb public order.The law further authorises police to prohibit certain individuals from entering specific areas and provides legal protection to government officials involved in implementing its provisions.Defending the legislation after it came into force, West Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh said the government had introduced the law to deal with politically backed criminal elements that, according to him, had operated in the state for years.”The people of West Bengal are agitated and tired of the hooliganism they have had to witness for so many years now, especially since most of these thugs were politically connected. To curb this menace, we had to bring in a new law, and it will be strictly implemented… Common people who are still scared to speak out must come forward and file FIRs. The law will take its course,” he told news agency ANI.While introducing the Bill in the assembly last month, Adhikari had argued that similar laws already exist in several states and accused previous governments of failing to tackle political violence effectively.”Before this is implemented, let me point out that the previous government took no action. The people of Bengal have rejected you through EVM. You have managed to form an opposition, but it is not a strong one. This bill has already been introduced in several states under different names; Maharashtra, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand have implemented it,” he had said.The government has maintained that the Act is aimed solely at protecting public safety, maintaining law and order and preventing organised criminal activity, while opposition parties continue to argue that its wide-ranging powers require close scrutiny to prevent potential misuse.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosHealth Camp Horror? FIR Against TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee After Woman’s Leg AmputatedSupreme Court Pushes Dialogue Route In Gyanvapi Case, Refers Dispute To Special Lok AdalatRailways Clarifies Viral Puja Video, Says Ritual Was Held in ₹3 Lakh Privately Booked Saloon Coach’Black Magic, Cow Urine’: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader’s Daughter-In-Law Makes Shocking Allegations’I Lock Up Religion When…’: Annamalai Confirms ‘We The Leaders’ Will Become Political PartyWatch: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Drives Road Roller, Destroys Seized Drugs’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch Probe123Photostories”My kids don’t have phones. It’s okay being bored…”: Why Novak Djokovic’s approach is an important lesson for modern parentsDimple Kapadia’s all-black look at The Odyssey premiere deserves a standing ovationWant better health and peace of mind? Follow these 6 Vastu tipsKate Middleton saved her best Wimbledon look for last in a stunning sage green dress7 Everyday habits that can quietly damage even the happiest relationshipsWho came before Laila Hasanovic? Inside Wimbledon 2026 winner Jannik Sinner’s full dating history (including a tennis star)These 4 signs are said to have the highest IQWomen over 30, especially mothers, face these 5 common health problems: Doctor says early prevention can make all the differenceTrying for a baby? This one dental habit could make a difference”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal Thackeray123Hot PicksGold Rate TodayRajasthan PG admissionsSouth China SeaMTET hall ticketNepal protestLucknow-Kanpur ExpresswayEPFO amnesty schemeOil price todayE20 petrol newsTop TrendingSamantha BuschMadurai AccidentDelhi Police Constable Wife MurderFIFA World Cup 2026Karnataka Pakistani ArrestedGhaziabad Mall Rape MurderDelhi MurderDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war ‘Go deeper and actually sack those guys’: Manjrekar’s strong message after India’s T20I drubbing IIT Roorkee student declared Uttarakhand top performer in TERI GO4Youth Online Olympiad 2026 Quote of the day by Sam Neill: ‘You are unique. There is only one you. Except that there is no better, and there is no worse,’ a life-defining lesson by the late ‘Jurassic Park’ star on the importance of individuality and accepting yourself Why Novak Djokovic’s approach is an important lesson for modern parents Trump, Netanyahu, Meloni & more: Who is on Iran’s ‘hitlist’ to avenge Khamenei’s death? Richard Feynman’s unsent love letter to his late wife shows that love doesn’t always end with goodbye NEW DELHI: BJP on Monday stepped up its attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, demanding that he explain his recent foreign trip while also accusing him and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of neglecting the constituency after a landslide in Kerala’s Wayanad claimed eight lives.The landslide occurred on July 7 at the site of the Anakkampoyil-Meppadi twin-tube tunnel project, which is being built to connect Wayanad and Kozhikode districts.Launching a fresh attack, BJP IT department chief Amit Malviya questioned Rahul Gandhi’s overseas visit. “Rahul Gandhi’s foreign trip between 22 June and 13 July remains shrouded in mystery. Where did he go? Who did he meet? Who sponsored his travel and stay?” Malviya wrote on X.”These are legitimate questions that the Leader of the Opposition should come clean about. The public is entitled to know whether his overseas engagements involved meetings that could have a bearing on India’s political or strategic interests,” he added.”Does anyone know where Rahul Gandhi is? Which country is he holidaying in? Who is he with? Whom does he travel to meet so often? He has been away from India for an extended period, and no one knows his whereabouts,” Malviya had asked in another post on X.The BJP also questioned why neither Rahul , who earlier represented Wayanad in Parliament, nor Priyanka, the constituency’s current MP, had visited the affected area after the landslide.BJP national spokesperson Guru Prakash said the visuals from Wayanad were “horrifying and deeply disturbing.” “It is a Congress government there, and the MPs are from the Congress party. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi come to India only during holidays; otherwise, they mostly stay in Europe, the United States, or England…” he said.BJP spokesperson C R Kesavan further alleged that Priyanka, “the current MP from Wayanad, has totally neglected and abandoned Wayanad…””It has been six days since the devastating landslide in Wayanad. Until now, it has claimed about eight lives, but Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has not even bothered to visit the constituency and meet the grieving families of the victims and console them. Instead, she has just done a token tweet… This was the same pattern when Rahul Gandhi represented Wayanad before…” he added.BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain also targeted the Congress leader, saying, “Rahul Gandhi is on vacation. He seems to be troubled by India’s heat, rain, and monsoon, and is busy travelling abroad…”Earlier on Sunday, BJP national spokesperson Tuhin Sinha had accused both Rahul and Priyanka Vadra of failing to stand with the affected families.”They are merely political tourists. Apart from a single condolence post on social media, neither of them has shown any interest in reaching out to the affected families. This is shameful and reflects that both of them are part-time politicians,” Sinha said.Sinha also claimed Rahul had been missing from public engagements for nearly two weeks and said three of his scheduled student outreach programmes had to be postponed due to his continued absence.The BJP also linked Rahul Gandhi’s absence to the postponement of the Congress’ proposed student outreach programme, “Chhatron Ki Goonj”. As per the campaign schedule released by the Congress, the rallies initiative were scheduled in Prayagraj on July 10, Patna on July 11 and Delhi on July 14, before the next major event in Dehradun.However, the BJP alleged that the programmes were deferred because Rahul extended his foreign visit and is expected to return only around July 17. The Congress has not officially disclosed the purpose of Rahul Gandhi’s foreign trip.Sinha said Rahul’s prolonged absence had raised questions, particularly with the Monsoon Session of Parliament set to begin on July 20.Earlier, Amit Malviya had also questioned the leader of opposition’s absence in a post on X on June 23. “Rahul Gandhi has gone abroad. Again. At a time when Parliament, party organisation, and public life demand constant engagement, his repeated departures raise an obvious question: what is so compelling that it keeps taking precedence over his responsibilities in India? One wonders,” Malviya wrote on X.The party further alleged that Rahul has remained missing from public events even as Congress faces internal challenges in states such as Punjab and with Parliament set to convene later this month.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosHealth Camp Horror? FIR Against TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee After Woman’s Leg AmputatedSupreme Court Pushes Dialogue Route In Gyanvapi Case, Refers Dispute To Special Lok AdalatRailways Clarifies Viral Puja Video, Says Ritual Was Held in ₹3 Lakh Privately Booked Saloon Coach’Black Magic, Cow Urine’: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader’s Daughter-In-Law Makes Shocking Allegations’I Lock Up Religion When…’: Annamalai Confirms ‘We The Leaders’ Will Become Political PartyWatch: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Drives Road Roller, Destroys Seized Drugs’1 Indian Missing’: MEA Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Off Oman Coast’Do I Have To Ask Trump?’: Omar Abdullah Launches Attack At Modi Govt Over Jammu-Kashmir StatehoodBJP Rejects Omar Abdullah’s ‘Operation Lotus’ Allegation, Demands Proof Or Public ApologyHapur Woman Critical After Allegedly Drinking Acid From Sealed Water Bottle; Police Launch Probe123Photostories”My kids don’t have phones. It’s okay being bored…”: Why Novak Djokovic’s approach is an important lesson for modern parentsDimple Kapadia’s all-black look at The Odyssey premiere deserves a standing ovationWant better health and peace of mind? Follow these 6 Vastu tipsKate Middleton saved her best Wimbledon look for last in a stunning sage green dress7 Everyday habits that can quietly damage even the happiest relationshipsWho came before Laila Hasanovic? Inside Wimbledon 2026 winner Jannik Sinner’s full dating history (including a tennis star)These 4 signs are said to have the highest IQWomen over 30, especially mothers, face these 5 common health problems: Doctor says early prevention can make all the differenceTrying for a baby? This one dental habit could make a difference”Scrambled egg mein crush…aur phir”: Raj Thackeray shares his unique Egg recipe loved by his father and Bal Thackeray123Hot PicksGold Rate TodayRajasthan PG admissionsSouth China SeaMTET hall ticketNepal protestLucknow-Kanpur ExpresswayEPFO amnesty schemeOil price todayE20 petrol newsTop TrendingSamantha BuschMadurai AccidentDelhi Police Constable Wife MurderFIFA World Cup 2026Karnataka Pakistani ArrestedGhaziabad Mall Rape MurderDelhi MurderDelhi NCR rainGurgaon EncounterIran war Global funds fall in love with Indian stocks again; buy $1 billion in equities as foreign investors rush back OJEE Counselling 2026 flags document discrepancy, warns candidates to correct CBSE ‘RT’ status: Check complete details here ‘She will live on through her music’: S. Janaki’s granddaughter Apsara’s emotional farewell is hard to miss Tata Sierra gets new Jubilee Edition: Key changes explained Europe just unveiled a reusable rocket concept that could challenge SpaceX’s Starship Delhi Police constable shoots wife dead after heated argument in full public view | Delhi News IIT Madras hosts national workshop on student wellness with Education Ministry Marvel’s ‘Daredevil’ and ‘Iron Fist’ star Wai Ching Ho passes away at 82 Dimple Kapadia’s all-black look at The Odyssey premiere deserves a standing ovation Ram Mandir donation theft case: SC seeks report from UP govt SIT, temple Trust Science word of the day: Allele, know its meaning, who introduced the term, and its practical applications Iran reward Amir Ghalenoei after inspired FIFA World Cup campaign with 2027 Asian Cup extension | Football News Meet the IPS officer who led the Nirbhaya investigation: The woman who stood between public outrage and the pursuit of justice ‘The Marvelous Mrs Maisel’ star Josh Grisetti passes away at 44 How To Clean Glass Without Streaks: Crystal-clear every time: 7 Easy ways to clean glass without leaving streaks How cosmetic dermatologists are using AI to create personalised skin and hair treatments How Apple’s lawsuit against OpenAI that calls hardware business of company “rotten to its core” may mean end of Sam Altman’s ‘device dreams’ 8-year-old Florida boy collected over 50 robot vacuums, learned to repair them and built a YouTube brand that earned up to $1,800 in a month: Meet Wyatt Biggs SC stays Madras HC order directing total ban on cow slaughter during Bakrid | India News Stocks to buy: What’s the outlook for Nifty for July 13-July 17 week? Check list of top stock recommendations