VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html 2 killed in school shooting in Philippines’ Zamboanga, gunman among casualties ‘Has always treated me with great respect’: Trump’s fresh praise for Kim Jong Un Officials were taken aback by the Chief Economic Adviser’s comments regarding the availability of E10 fuel NEW DELHI: An opinion piece by chief economic adviser (CEA) V Anantha Nageswaran on ethanol blending has rekindled the debate whether govt should look at making E10 (10% ethanol blended petrol) available for older vehicles manufactured before April 2023.Officials, dealing with the issue and countering the narrative against E20 fuel for the past few weeks, admitted that the CEA’s views came as a surprise for them as it bats for making E10 available as an option at fuel stations. This is likely to push the demand for making lower-blend of fuel available in addition to E20, they said, adding it won’t be easy logistically and considering that an ecosystem has been in place for 20% of blending that’s linked to the rural economy.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesTOI has learnt that as of now, there is no discussion within govt to provide the option of E10 at fuel stations. While there has been a campaign demanding petrol with lower ethanol content, a govt official said there was no discussion so far on reverting to fuel with 10% blending. The official said creating additional infrastructure to dispense E10 petrol is not only logistically difficult, but may also lead to practical issues such as pricing and distribution. “Also, allowing the sale of E10 would mean govt is accepting E20 petrol is not good for older vehicles which is not the case. Studies have shown E20 does not cause any mechanical issues,” said another official.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In TearsAsish Banerjee Death Mystery: Threat, Blackmail Angle Probed As Note And Phones Face ScrutinyBJP’s Big Shake-Up: Ram Madhav Returns, Smriti Irani Gets Key Role In Nitin Nabin’s New Team‘Will Rise For Vande Mataram, But Won’t Sing’: Congress MP Imran Masood Amid Sonia Gandhi Row‘Personally Meet Students’: Rahul Gandhi Writes To CM Hemant Soren Over Jharkhand Protests7 Charred To Death, Several Injured In Fire At Hotel Near Tarapith Temple In Bengal’s Birbhum‘Electric Pole Fell’: 7 Women Dead, Many Injured In Stampede At Temple In Bihar’s Lakhisarai‘Only These…’: Rijiju Shares 3 Categories Of ‘Dimagi Naxals’ After Oppn’s Attack On PM Modi‘Process Vitiated…’: Bangladesh Links Tarique Rahman’s India Visit To Sheikh Hasina Extradition123Photostories7 email habits that can make you look careless at work even when your actual work is goodGeorgina Rodríguez’s wedding jewellery was pure Kalahari luxury, and the diamonds clearly came to competePriyanka Chopra’s maroon backless gown just gave desi Disney princess energy with a trail that refused to behave10 powerful baby boy and girl names from different cultures that mean strengthOptical Illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your secret personality traitH1N1 or seasonal flu? Symptoms often overlap, but doctors look for these clues before deciding9 ways to add more protein to your rotiOTT releases this week (August 17-August 23): ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, ‘Jana Nayagan’, ‘Lanterns’, ‘Toy Story 5’, ‘Love Is Blind: UK’ Season 3 and moreChef Sanjeev Kapoor shares 9 basics of baking for every new and casual bakerDeepika Padukone makes maternity fashion look too easy in an oversized blue shirt and baggy jeans123Hot PicksKarnataka PG Dental admissionBank holidays this weekRBI new rulesBJP new teamJharkhand ProtestUS green cardSmriti IraniSupreme Court HolidayUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingK AnnamalaiBengal Hotel FireNoida Biker AccidentTamil Nadu Double MurderAbhijeet DipkeHyderabad MurderMuzaffarnagar Kanwariya MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir Inflation will be an issue, may hike prices: Colgate SGBAU Summer results 2026: Check B.E., B.Tech, M.B.A., L.L.B. and M.Sc. results here Sunny Deol says even with Rs 55.99 crore debt when bank issued auction notice for his Juhu home, he was happy: ‘I didn’t owe anyone anything, I just had to sell my own assets’ Parathas served by a robot? Murthal dhaba’s new waiter has the internet talking Princess Eugenie reveals baby daughter’s name with touching tribute to Queen Elizabeth II: ‘Named after three people we love and admire’ Us Supreme Court: US Supreme Court again rejects Donald Trump’s bid to overturn $5 million E Jean Carroll verdict File photo: Rahul Gandhi NEW DELHI: Supreme Court Monday barred CBI, ED or any agency from filing any report on any probe into the alleged disproportionate assets of leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi before Allahabad HC, which had directed the two central agencies to probe allegations in a PIL on his alleged illegal wealth.Arguing for Rahul and challenging the July 20 order of HC’s Lucknow bench, senior advocate Kapil Sibal told a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana that the HC had adopted a process which is “completely unknown to law” in passing the impugned orderIf claim is so serious, why did agencies need HC prod: SCKapil Sibal said HC did not even seek Rahul Gandhi’s response and permitted a witch-hunt without questioning the locus standi of the petitioner, Vignesh Shishir, an RSS/BJP worker.Appearing for CBI, additional solicitor general S V Raju said, “CBI has done nothing yet. We are only verifying the complaint. We have not registered even a preliminary enquiry. The allegations are very serious. We are inquiring into it.” Sibal said, “CBI can do what it likes. We are not concerned with it.”Justice Bagchi said, “You (CBI) did not do it on your own. Suo motu action we would have understood. Why did you need the prodding of high court to investigate? If it is so serious, why did the agencies keep quiet and need impetus from HC?”The bench issued notices to Shishir, CBI, ED, UP Police, Union ministry of home affairs, CBDT and Serious Fraud Investigation Office and said, “Meanwhile, no report shall be submitted by CBI or ED or any other authority to the HC pursuant to its July 20 order.”Sibal sought a stay on proceedings before HC, leading the bench to request HC to defer the scheduled Aug 20 hearing till further orders. Appearing in person, Shishir spoke in favour of HC’s procedure, and said the matter was still in the preliminary enquiry stage where the accused cannot have a say.Raju said, “As far as the allegations are concerned, if they make out a cognisable offence, it stands on a different footing. We are yet to lodge an FIR. What action is to be taken has not yet been considered.”CJI Kant said, “On our understanding of the law, police or any probe agency, if they have prima facie material, they can register a case, investigate it, and can proceed against anyone. No permission is required from the accused. But what appears to us, subject to assistance from both sides, is that if the court wants to issue a direction, it is expected to follow principles of natural justice.”Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesRaju said it was not required in a criminal case. Sibal interjected and said, “The enthusiasm of the agencies is clear.” Raju retorted, “Facts may be wrong or right. But if they are right, it is a gross case of disproportionate assets.” Sibal said these were sealed cover, in-chamber proceedings and asked how they got reported in newspapers.In his plea, Rahul said, “Since 2024, Shishir, who it appears from public reporting is a member of BJP — a party whose politics and ideology the petitioner (Rahul) and his party (Congress) vehemently contests — has instituted multiple proceedings before different forums, including successive PILs on petitioner’s alleged foreign citizenship, criminal proceedings seeking registration of an FIR…”Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In TearsAsish Banerjee Death Mystery: Threat, Blackmail Angle Probed As Note And Phones Face ScrutinyBJP’s Big Shake-Up: Ram Madhav Returns, Smriti Irani Gets Key Role In Nitin Nabin’s New Team‘Will Rise For Vande Mataram, But Won’t Sing’: Congress MP Imran Masood Amid Sonia Gandhi Row‘Personally Meet Students’: Rahul Gandhi Writes To CM Hemant Soren Over Jharkhand Protests7 Charred To Death, Several Injured In Fire At Hotel Near Tarapith Temple In Bengal’s Birbhum‘Electric Pole Fell’: 7 Women Dead, Many Injured In Stampede At Temple In Bihar’s Lakhisarai‘Only These…’: Rijiju Shares 3 Categories Of ‘Dimagi Naxals’ After Oppn’s Attack On PM Modi‘Process Vitiated…’: Bangladesh Links Tarique Rahman’s India Visit To Sheikh Hasina Extradition123Photostories7 email habits that can make you look careless at work even when your actual work is goodGeorgina Rodríguez’s wedding jewellery was pure Kalahari luxury, and the diamonds clearly came to competePriyanka Chopra’s maroon backless gown just gave desi Disney princess energy with a trail that refused to behave10 powerful baby boy and girl names from different cultures that mean strengthOptical Illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your secret personality traitH1N1 or seasonal flu? Symptoms often overlap, but doctors look for these clues before deciding9 ways to add more protein to your rotiOTT releases this week (August 17-August 23): ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, ‘Jana Nayagan’, ‘Lanterns’, ‘Toy Story 5’, ‘Love Is Blind: UK’ Season 3 and moreChef Sanjeev Kapoor shares 9 basics of baking for every new and casual bakerDeepika Padukone makes maternity fashion look too easy in an oversized blue shirt and baggy jeans123Hot PicksKarnataka PG Dental admissionBank holidays this weekRBI new rulesBJP new teamJharkhand ProtestUS green cardSmriti IraniSupreme Court HolidayUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingK AnnamalaiBengal Hotel FireNoida Biker AccidentTamil Nadu Double MurderAbhijeet DipkeHyderabad MurderMuzaffarnagar Kanwariya MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir Sri Lanka 284/10 in 79.4 Overs High-level committee on banking reforms ‘soon’: FM Bugs’ bassist Jordan Brunoli shares a health update amid cancer battle: ‘I am now entering the final chapter of my life’ Crude prices cross $90 as ceasefire hopes dim, Hormuz disruption weighs on supply Only talks can resolve issues, hope Bangladesh PM visits India soon: Trivedi | India News File photo: Ram Madhav, Biplab Deb and Smriti Irani NEW DELHI: Smriti Irani and Ram Madhav made a comeback to BJP’s organisation Monday as party chief Nitin Nabin effected a broad sweep in its new team of national office-bearers, bringing in experienced hands at key positions and retaining a few with successful stints, with a focus on wide social and regional representation.BJP named 13 vice-presidents — nine new faces; eight general secretaries — six first-timers; and 16 secretaries — 15 fresh choices. A few notable names who have retained their positions include former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje as vice president, Sunil Bansal and Vinod Tawde as general secretaries, Anil Baluni as head of media department and Sambit Patra as north-east coordinator.This is the most drastic overhaul since Amit Shah unveiled his team after taking over as party president in 2014Piyush Goyal back as BJP treasurer, 51 new faces in 65-member Team NabinUnion minister Piyush Goyal has been made treasurer, a position he had held in run up to BJP’s Lok Sabha win in 2014. Though the party has the convention of ‘one-person, one-post’, it has had quite a few exceptions.Of the total 65 office-bearers named, 51 are new, while around 21 are 50 years of age and more than 20 are between 50 to 59 years of age, with party sources noting this team will be in place when BJP goes to the national election in 2029. This is the most drastic overhaul since Amit Shah unveiled his team after taking over as party president in 2014. Only seven of the new office-bearers from five southern states.Two other ex-CMs Tirath Singh Rawat of Uttarakhand as vice president and Biplab Kumar Deb of Tripura as general secretary along with several union ministers and state party presidents have made the cut, besides 10 women, 18 MPs and five members of minority communities.The new appointees come from 23 states and UTs, including a maximum of eight from the politically important Uttar Pradesh, with four from STs and three from SCs and nearly 10 OBCs.In his reaction, PM Narendra Modi said, “This newly appointed team brings together organisational experience, energy and grassroots connect. I am confident they will give their best in strengthening our party and focusing on public service.”Six new general secretaries, the most powerful position in the organisation, are former Tripura CM Deb, former Rajasthan party president Satish Poonia, a Jat, MP Gajendra Patel, who is from ST community in Madhya Pradesh, ex-MP Harish Dwivedi, a Brahmin from UP, and MP Sanjay Bhatia, a Punjabi community member from Haryana, besides Irani.Madhav, a former general secretary, is one of the 13 vice presidents, including Manpreet Singh Badal from Punjab and D Purandeshwari of Andhra Pradesh. Baijyant Jay Panda has been retained as a vice president.A former BJP women’s wing president, Irani’s appointment marks his emphatic return to the thick of party’s affairs after her LS poll loss in Amethi in 2024. A former Union minister, she is considered a sharp, articulate and energetic voice.Bansal, who was deeply involved in BJP’s successful poll campaigns in Bengal and Odisha recently and in UP in 2017, and Tawde, a seasoned organisational hand associated with the Bihar victory, have their standing go up by a few notches as they kept their position.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesWhile many outgoing office-bearers were unlikely to find their names in the new list, almost seven months after Nabin took over as BJP chief, one omission that stood out was of IT department in charge Amit Malviya, who was in the position for over a decade and was found wanting by some in shaping party’s narrative in an increasing contested online space.Deepak Mhaskey, an academic from Chhattisgarh and has been associated with BJP’s online campaign in several elections, will be convener of its new social media department with four co-convenors. A senior party functionary, though, added that Malviya’s stint was bound to end after such a long time at the post.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In TearsAsish Banerjee Death Mystery: Threat, Blackmail Angle Probed As Note And Phones Face ScrutinyBJP’s Big Shake-Up: Ram Madhav Returns, Smriti Irani Gets Key Role In Nitin Nabin’s New Team‘Will Rise For Vande Mataram, But Won’t Sing’: Congress MP Imran Masood Amid Sonia Gandhi Row‘Personally Meet Students’: Rahul Gandhi Writes To CM Hemant Soren Over Jharkhand Protests7 Charred To Death, Several Injured In Fire At Hotel Near Tarapith Temple In Bengal’s Birbhum‘Electric Pole Fell’: 7 Women Dead, Many Injured In Stampede At Temple In Bihar’s Lakhisarai‘Only These…’: Rijiju Shares 3 Categories Of ‘Dimagi Naxals’ After Oppn’s Attack On PM Modi‘Process Vitiated…’: Bangladesh Links Tarique Rahman’s India Visit To Sheikh Hasina Extradition123Photostories7 email habits that can make you look careless at work even when your actual work is goodGeorgina Rodríguez’s wedding jewellery was pure Kalahari luxury, and the diamonds clearly came to competePriyanka Chopra’s maroon backless gown just gave desi Disney princess energy with a trail that refused to behave10 powerful baby boy and girl names from different cultures that mean strengthOptical Illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your secret personality traitH1N1 or seasonal flu? Symptoms often overlap, but doctors look for these clues before deciding9 ways to add more protein to your rotiOTT releases this week (August 17-August 23): ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, ‘Jana Nayagan’, ‘Lanterns’, ‘Toy Story 5’, ‘Love Is Blind: UK’ Season 3 and moreChef Sanjeev Kapoor shares 9 basics of baking for every new and casual bakerDeepika Padukone makes maternity fashion look too easy in an oversized blue shirt and baggy jeans123Hot PicksKarnataka PG Dental admissionBank holidays this weekRBI new rulesBJP new teamJharkhand ProtestUS green cardSmriti IraniSupreme Court HolidayUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingK AnnamalaiBengal Hotel FireNoida Biker AccidentTamil Nadu Double MurderAbhijeet DipkeHyderabad MurderMuzaffarnagar Kanwariya MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir CAS here to stay, it can be improved upon: Sebi Kim Kardashian shares loved-up photos with Lewis Hamilton from summer getaway ‘somewhere over the rainbow’ Ram Dass Quotes: Quote of the day by Ram Dass: “Everything changes once we identify with being the witness to the story, instead of the actor in it”; What the Harvard psychedelic and Neem Karoli Baba follower advises on being an observer of life Numerology Predictions Today, August 18, 2026: Read your personalised forecast for numbers 1 to 9 Identity of ‘Dimagi Naxal Party’ founder remains a mystery Meta goes to trial this week, which, if it loses, could change Insta & FB forever NEW DELHI: SC Monday resolved to make right to freedom of movement for elephants meaningful by mandating the Union govt to conduct a fresh survey to identify which states have built walls or dug trenches on the pachyderms’ inter-state migration corridors.“There can be no obstacle, no blockade or impediment in the movement of elephants from one state to another. It is unacceptable,” a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said on a plea seeking protection of the elephant corridor in West Bengal.It asked additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati to convey the court’s concern to the ministry of environment and forest and ask it to conduct a survey on the status of elephant corridors in different states. When petitioner Prerna Singh Bindra’s counsel pointed out the specific problem in Bengal, Justice Bagchi said, “The problem in Bengal is that herds of elephants from Nepal and north Bengal move into Odisha and Chhattisgarh, but these two states have built walls on their migratory path.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines”CJI Kant said creation of such impediments was unacceptable and that “states cannot escape responsibility of maintaining elephant corridors for free migration of the herds merely because of damage to crops, complaints from farmers and hardship to villagers. The solution is not blocking the elephant corridors but lies somewhere else”.The bench said the ministry’s guidelines on maintaining the corridors must be complied with mandatorily. When Bhati informed the court such a survey was conducted in 2023, the court asked govt to conduct a fresh survey.Justice Bagchi said govt must create synergy with states: “The elephant corridors are not state specific. Elephants travel across states.” CJI Kant said if there were traditional migration routes, how could any state block it?Giving govt eight weeks to su­bmit a status report on the fresh survey, SC said the report must also indicate the status of implementation of ban on use of firearms, explosives or fire torches to divert elephant herds from their natural migration routes.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In TearsAsish Banerjee Death Mystery: Threat, Blackmail Angle Probed As Note And Phones Face ScrutinyBJP’s Big Shake-Up: Ram Madhav Returns, Smriti Irani Gets Key Role In Nitin Nabin’s New Team‘Will Rise For Vande Mataram, But Won’t Sing’: Congress MP Imran Masood Amid Sonia Gandhi Row‘Personally Meet Students’: Rahul Gandhi Writes To CM Hemant Soren Over Jharkhand Protests7 Charred To Death, Several Injured In Fire At Hotel Near Tarapith Temple In Bengal’s Birbhum‘Electric Pole Fell’: 7 Women Dead, Many Injured In Stampede At Temple In Bihar’s Lakhisarai‘Only These…’: Rijiju Shares 3 Categories Of ‘Dimagi Naxals’ After Oppn’s Attack On PM Modi‘Process Vitiated…’: Bangladesh Links Tarique Rahman’s India Visit To Sheikh Hasina Extradition123Photostories7 email habits that can make you look careless at work even when your actual work is goodGeorgina Rodríguez’s wedding jewellery was pure Kalahari luxury, and the diamonds clearly came to competePriyanka Chopra’s maroon backless gown just gave desi Disney princess energy with a trail that refused to behave10 powerful baby boy and girl names from different cultures that mean strengthOptical Illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your secret personality traitH1N1 or seasonal flu? Symptoms often overlap, but doctors look for these clues before deciding9 ways to add more protein to your rotiOTT releases this week (August 17-August 23): ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, ‘Jana Nayagan’, ‘Lanterns’, ‘Toy Story 5’, ‘Love Is Blind: UK’ Season 3 and moreChef Sanjeev Kapoor shares 9 basics of baking for every new and casual bakerDeepika Padukone makes maternity fashion look too easy in an oversized blue shirt and baggy jeans123Hot PicksKarnataka PG Dental admissionBank holidays this weekRBI new rulesBJP new teamJharkhand ProtestUS green cardSmriti IraniSupreme Court HolidayUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingK AnnamalaiBengal Hotel FireNoida Biker AccidentTamil Nadu Double MurderAbhijeet DipkeHyderabad MurderMuzaffarnagar Kanwariya MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir How Bangladesh beat lure of white-ball riches to save its Tests ‘DC’ box office collection day 11: Lokesh Kanagaraj and Wamiqa Gabbi’s film maintains strong run, nears Rs 87 crore worldwide Jordan’s Queen Rania shares first photos of twin granddaughters Talia and Rania, cradles newborns; King Abdullah II joins after Princess Iman welcomes daughters Who is Rawdogmoon? Sara Saffari furious after Twitch streamer throws her into pool wearing $40K Rolex | World News NEW DELHI: In the decade-old proceedings for expediting trials in criminal case against sitting/former MPs/MLAs, amicus curiae and senior advocate Vijay Hansaria has informed the Supreme Court that there are serious criminal cases against chief ministers of 14 of the 28 states, a list topped by Telangana’s A Revanth Reddy who faces 89 cases.West Bengal’s Suvendu Adhikari has 29 cases, Karnataka CM D Shivakumar 19, Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu 19, Kerala CM V D Satheesan 18 cases, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren 5, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis 4, Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh 4, TN CM C Joseph Vijay 2, Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary 2, and one each against other four – P S Tamang (Sikkim), Bhagwant Mann (Punjab), Mohan Charan Majhi (Odisha) and Bhajan Lal Sharma (Rajasthan).The maximum percentage of MLAs having serious criminal cases belong to Bengal – 170 out of 292 (58%). It is followed by Kerala 57%, Andhra Pradesh 56%, Telangana 49%, Jharkhand and Odisha 45% each, Bihar 42%. Maharashtra 40% and U%, the 96-page report filed by Hansaria revealed.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesIn Lok Sabha, 170 MPs (31% of total strength of 543) have serious criminal cases pending against them. In Telangana 11 of the 17 MPs face serious criminal cases; in Kerala, 11 of its 21 MPS face serious criminal cases; in Bihar, 19 of the 40 MPs, in UP 34 of the 80 MPs. Maharashtra 17 of 48 MPs, Bengal 16 of the 42 MPs, and in Andhra Pradesh 9 of the 25 MPs face serious criminal cases.As of July 2026, as many as 4,192 criminal cases are pending trial against sitting/former MPs and MLAs, Hansaria said. Uttar Pradesh accounts for lion’s share with 1,171 cases pending.In RS, 75 of 233 members (33%) have criminal cases against them, of which 40 (18%) cases are serious criminal cases (punishable with five years of imprisonment or more), the amicus report filed through advocate Sneha Kalita stated.The amicus requested the court to designate special courts to exclusively hold trial proceedings in cases against sitting and former legislators and direct the jurisdictional HCs to actively monitor progress in trials.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In TearsAsish Banerjee Death Mystery: Threat, Blackmail Angle Probed As Note And Phones Face ScrutinyBJP’s Big Shake-Up: Ram Madhav Returns, Smriti Irani Gets Key Role In Nitin Nabin’s New Team‘Will Rise For Vande Mataram, But Won’t Sing’: Congress MP Imran Masood Amid Sonia Gandhi Row‘Personally Meet Students’: Rahul Gandhi Writes To CM Hemant Soren Over Jharkhand Protests7 Charred To Death, Several Injured In Fire At Hotel Near Tarapith Temple In Bengal’s Birbhum‘Electric Pole Fell’: 7 Women Dead, Many Injured In Stampede At Temple In Bihar’s Lakhisarai‘Only These…’: Rijiju Shares 3 Categories Of ‘Dimagi Naxals’ After Oppn’s Attack On PM Modi‘Process Vitiated…’: Bangladesh Links Tarique Rahman’s India Visit To Sheikh Hasina Extradition123PhotostoriesGeorgina Rodríguez’s wedding jewellery was pure Kalahari luxury, and the diamonds clearly came to competePriyanka Chopra’s maroon backless gown just gave desi Disney princess energy with a trail that refused to behave10 powerful baby boy and girl names from different cultures that mean strengthOptical Illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your secret personality traitH1N1 or seasonal flu? Symptoms often overlap, but doctors look for these clues before deciding9 ways to add more protein to your rotiOTT releases this week (August 17-August 23): ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, ‘Jana Nayagan’, ‘Lanterns’, ‘Toy Story 5’, ‘Love Is Blind: UK’ Season 3 and moreChef Sanjeev Kapoor shares 9 basics of baking for every new and casual bakerDeepika Padukone makes maternity fashion look too easy in an oversized blue shirt and baggy jeans6 Korean dining etiquette rules that may surprise Indians123Hot PicksKarnataka PG Dental admissionBank holidays this weekRBI new rulesBJP new teamJharkhand ProtestUS green cardSmriti IraniSupreme Court HolidayUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingK AnnamalaiBengal Hotel FireNoida Biker AccidentTamil Nadu Double MurderAbhijeet DipkeHyderabad MurderMuzaffarnagar Kanwariya MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir Today’s Tata Sons AGM likely to be adjourned; board meets mid-Sept Cruz Beckham shares a rare photo with estranged brother Brooklyn Beckham amid ongoing family feud Pisces Horoscope Today, August 18, 2026: Don’t force emotional clarity from someone today Meet Kiefer Chow and Amelia Chow: The California siblings who are copying beavers to build dams that restore habitats and reduce wildfire risk Fess Parker once lived in this 1934 Santa Barbara mansion and Julia Child filmed 13 TV episodes there; the 3-acre estate is now asking $21.95 million Aug 18, 2026, 06:31 IST Anirudh Ravichander and Kavya Maran to marry in Greece? Wedding dates locked for post Diwali – Report Awarapan 2 Full Movie Collection: ‘Awarapan 2’ box office collection day 4: The Emraan Hashmi, Disha Patani starrer holds well on Monday, crosses Rs 90 crore while ‘Batwara 1947’ sees further decline | Hindi Movie News NEW DELHI: Holding that inordinate delay in trial in a criminal case could have a “deleterious effect on society in general”, SC said the right to speedy trial under Article 21 was not only the prerogative of the accused but also a valuable right of the victim, reports Amit Anand Choudhary.A bench of Justices K V Viswanathan and Arun Palli quashed an Allahabad HC order which held that if a person was facing prosecution under the BNSS and the Gangsters Act, the case under Gangsters Act would get priority and trial in other cases would be put in abeyance.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesSection 12 of Gangsters Act says its trial shall have precedence over any other case against the accused. The bench, however, said the provision only meant that “in the event of a clash of dates, proceedings under the Gangsters Act would be given preference”.It said the right to speedy trial was also a valuable right of the victim and any inordinate delay could have a deleterious effect on society. “Tremendous injustice will result as with every day’s delay, preservation of evidence will become a challenge,” it added.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In TearsAsish Banerjee Death Mystery: Threat, Blackmail Angle Probed As Note And Phones Face ScrutinyBJP’s Big Shake-Up: Ram Madhav Returns, Smriti Irani Gets Key Role In Nitin Nabin’s New Team‘Will Rise For Vande Mataram, But Won’t Sing’: Congress MP Imran Masood Amid Sonia Gandhi Row‘Personally Meet Students’: Rahul Gandhi Writes To CM Hemant Soren Over Jharkhand Protests7 Charred To Death, Several Injured In Fire At Hotel Near Tarapith Temple In Bengal’s Birbhum‘Electric Pole Fell’: 7 Women Dead, Many Injured In Stampede At Temple In Bihar’s Lakhisarai‘Only These…’: Rijiju Shares 3 Categories Of ‘Dimagi Naxals’ After Oppn’s Attack On PM Modi‘Process Vitiated…’: Bangladesh Links Tarique Rahman’s India Visit To Sheikh Hasina Extradition123PhotostoriesGeorgina Rodríguez’s wedding jewellery was pure Kalahari luxury, and the diamonds clearly came to competePriyanka Chopra’s maroon backless gown just gave desi Disney princess energy with a trail that refused to behave10 powerful baby boy and girl names from different cultures that mean strengthOptical Illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your secret personality traitH1N1 or seasonal flu? Symptoms often overlap, but doctors look for these clues before deciding9 ways to add more protein to your rotiOTT releases this week (August 17-August 23): ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, ‘Jana Nayagan’, ‘Lanterns’, ‘Toy Story 5’, ‘Love Is Blind: UK’ Season 3 and moreChef Sanjeev Kapoor shares 9 basics of baking for every new and casual bakerDeepika Padukone makes maternity fashion look too easy in an oversized blue shirt and baggy jeans6 Korean dining etiquette rules that may surprise Indians123Hot PicksKarnataka PG Dental admissionBank holidays this weekRBI new rulesBJP new teamJharkhand ProtestUS green cardSmriti IraniSupreme Court HolidayUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingK AnnamalaiBengal Hotel FireNoida Biker AccidentTamil Nadu Double MurderAbhijeet DipkeHyderabad MurderMuzaffarnagar Kanwariya MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir ‘Vishwanath And Sons’ vs ‘Jana Nayagan’ box office collection: Suriya and Mamitha Baiju starrer gains pace as Thalapathy Vijay starrer crosses Rs 322 crore worldwide Aquarius Horoscope Today, August 18, 2026: If you’re married, include your spouse in all decisions and plans Trump threatens to bomb Oman, tells Iran to surrender ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ box office collection Day 19: Tom Holland starrer crosses Rs 560 crore mark in India, matches ‘Batwara 1947’ haul on Monday ‘Awarapan 2’ box office collection day 4: The Emraan Hashmi, Disha Patani starrer holds well on Monday, crosses Rs 90 crore while ‘Batwara 1947’ sees further decline Capricorn Horoscope Today, August 18, 2026: This is a productive day for career matters Scientists discover how ancient Chinese paintings used blood to survive for 2,000 Years Hawkish narrative got significant boost from a fake quote. Tehran’s alleged effort to develop nuclear weapons has been the key reason cited by US President Trump and Israel govt for the war on Iran. In recent weeks, amid stop-start peace efforts, the hawkish narrative got a significant boost from a fake quote first posted by an Indian X handle, which then raced through Tel Aviv-Washington political and diplomatic circles, right up to PM Benjamin Netanyahu and White House.”Alert,” the account, @RealBababanaras, posted on Aug 5, “While world is expecting peace, IRGC Chief Ahmad Wahidi again threatened -‘There will be no talk on Enriched Urenium (sic) or nuclear weapons, as long as US & Israel are owning nuclear weapons, we will keep working on it for national security. If they dispose, we will dispose.” This reference was to Brig Gen Ahmad Vahidi, head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, and one of Iran’s powerful military figures.In less than two hours, another India-based account, @Im_Ritikaa, posted a paraphrased version in Hindi.Neither cited any sources. An Israeli news outlet, YNet, and The New York Times have since reported that there is no evidence this statement was ever made by Vahidi. But the posts on Indian X had already found resonance in Israeli media. By the afternoon of Aug 5, Mossad Commentary, a prominent Israeli account (but not affiliated with Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad), published the fake statement with a comment: “The regime is not preparing to abandon its nuclear ambitions. It is buying time. There will be no deal.” The post was seen more than 300,000 times by Aug 17.About half an hour later, Israeli broadcaster Channel 14 English posted it as news, with its own comment: “This is the first time an Iranian official has admitted to developing a nuclear bomb.” The post had almost 450,000 views at the time of filing this report.By evening, Israel PM Netanyahu’s son Yair had reposted both. From there, the claim made a short leap to Netanyahu’s podium. At a state ceremony in Jerusalem honouring the family of Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern political Zionism, Netanyahu presented it as fact. “Today we heard Revolutionary Guards commander Vahidi explicitly declaring Iran’s intention to continue to develop nuclear weapons,” he said. “Continue! That is what he said. Well, as prime minister of Israel, I too am determined to continue preventing Iran from possessing nuclear weapons.”Within minutes, US ambassador to UN, Mike Waltz, reposted the claim – as did American Conservative commentator Mark Levin and Republican senator Rick Scott later. By the night of Aug 5, it had made its way to Fox News (which clarified later the claim had been “taken out of context and amplified”).The actual Vahidi comment, it said, was based on one made in 2025 – that Iran’s position on nuclear weapons had been transparent, and Iran was “ready to do whatever it deems necessary in response to their (the US’s and Israel’s) repeated aggression”.So, how did an anonymous Indian account become the cited source for the Israeli information ecosystem? This was, incidentally, not the first time material had travelled between @RealBababanaras and Mossad Commentary. In at least two posts this year after Iran war began – one reporting continuing explosions in Iran after a US strike as evidence that missiles were stored there, and another which reported a US strike on an alleged uranium-enrichment and nuclear research facility – it cited @RealBababanaras as the source.As early as April, a month and a half after the US and Israel began air strikes in Iran, @RealBababanaras posted Tehran was preparing for its “first official nuclear test within weeks”. Days later, @FalconUpdatesHQ, which has over 150,000 followers and claims in its bio to be based in Kerala, echoed that, claiming Iran was preparing to conduct its first official nuclear test within a month. The claim was recycled by @Im_Ritikaa in May.Earlier this year, Yonatan Hassidim, CEO of an Israeli firm that monitors and analyses online and social activity, said in an Israeli parliamentary hearing that about 70% of accounts sharing Netanyahu’s posts in their sample were not Israelis at all. “That is to say, an Indian account shares a video of the Israeli prime minister speaking in Hebrew. Within 12 seconds, it has already understood that this item interests it – it apparently understands Hebrew – and shares it,” he had said, before citing the example of an Indian account that “tweets more than 165,000 tweets a year”.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines “So these are high volumes, and this is some kind of average account,” he added, “We have seen ones with 300,000 a year and more as well.”The loop is still active. On Aug 17, when US president Donald Trump posted on Truth Social the “no. 1 goal is, and always will be, that Iran cannot have, in any way, shape, or form, a Nuclear Weapon”, @RealBababanaras repackaged this for its audience as a reaction “after Iran refused handing over enriched uranium and halting nuclear programme”.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In TearsAsish Banerjee Death Mystery: Threat, Blackmail Angle Probed As Note And Phones Face ScrutinyBJP’s Big Shake-Up: Ram Madhav Returns, Smriti Irani Gets Key Role In Nitin Nabin’s New Team‘Will Rise For Vande Mataram, But Won’t Sing’: Congress MP Imran Masood Amid Sonia Gandhi Row‘Personally Meet Students’: Rahul Gandhi Writes To CM Hemant Soren Over Jharkhand Protests7 Charred To Death, Several Injured In Fire At Hotel Near Tarapith Temple In Bengal’s Birbhum‘Electric Pole Fell’: 7 Women Dead, Many Injured In Stampede At Temple In Bihar’s Lakhisarai‘Only These…’: Rijiju Shares 3 Categories Of ‘Dimagi Naxals’ After Oppn’s Attack On PM Modi‘Process Vitiated…’: Bangladesh Links Tarique Rahman’s India Visit To Sheikh Hasina Extradition123PhotostoriesPriyanka Chopra’s maroon backless gown just gave desi Disney princess energy with a trail that refused to behave10 powerful baby boy and girl names from different cultures that mean strengthOptical Illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your secret personality traitH1N1 or seasonal flu? Symptoms often overlap, but doctors look for these clues before deciding9 ways to add more protein to your rotiOTT releases this week (August 17-August 23): ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, ‘Jana Nayagan’, ‘Lanterns’, ‘Toy Story 5’, ‘Love Is Blind: UK’ Season 3 and moreChef Sanjeev Kapoor shares 9 basics of baking for every new and casual bakerDeepika Padukone makes maternity fashion look too easy in an oversized blue shirt and baggy jeans6 Korean dining etiquette rules that may surprise IndiansOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals if you’re a deep thinker or a natural problem-solver123Hot PicksKarnataka PG Dental admissionBank holidays this weekRBI new rulesBJP new teamJharkhand ProtestUS green cardSmriti IraniSupreme Court HolidayUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingK AnnamalaiBengal Hotel FireNoida Biker AccidentTamil Nadu Double MurderAbhijeet DipkeHyderabad MurderMuzaffarnagar Kanwariya MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir Sagittarius Horoscope Today, August 18, 2026: If you’re single, don’t chase intensity Trump cited a recent conversation with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and highlighted India’s use of photo identification for voters. President Donald Trump on Tuesday praised India’s election system and called for the passage of the SAVE America Act, which seeks to require proof of citizenship and voter identification in US elections.In a post on Truth Social, Trump cited a recent conversation involving Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and highlighted India’s use of photo identification for voters.Trump said, “Earlier this month, India’s Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, asked our Administration, How can you have Elections in the US without a valid Photo ID? India’s last Election had 646,000,000 Voters! Less than 1% voted by mail, and every single Voter had to have a VALID Photo Identity Document. We need to pass THE SAVE AMERICA ACT, now! ” he posted.Trump has repeatedly backed the SAVE America Act, arguing that stricter voter-identification and citizenship requirements are needed to safeguard US elections.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 MediaVideosJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In TearsAsish Banerjee Death Mystery: Threat, Blackmail Angle Probed As Note And Phones Face ScrutinyBJP’s Big Shake-Up: Ram Madhav Returns, Smriti Irani Gets Key Role In Nitin Nabin’s New Team‘Will Rise For Vande Mataram, But Won’t Sing’: Congress MP Imran Masood Amid Sonia Gandhi Row‘Personally Meet Students’: Rahul Gandhi Writes To CM Hemant Soren Over Jharkhand Protests7 Charred To Death, Several Injured In Fire At Hotel Near Tarapith Temple In Bengal’s Birbhum‘Electric Pole Fell’: 7 Women Dead, Many Injured In Stampede At Temple In Bihar’s Lakhisarai‘Only These…’: Rijiju Shares 3 Categories Of ‘Dimagi Naxals’ After Oppn’s Attack On PM Modi‘Process Vitiated…’: Bangladesh Links Tarique Rahman’s India Visit To Sheikh Hasina Extradition123PhotostoriesPriyanka Chopra’s maroon backless gown just gave desi Disney princess energy with a trail that refused to behave10 powerful baby boy and girl names from different cultures that mean strengthOptical Illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your secret personality traitH1N1 or seasonal flu? Symptoms often overlap, but doctors look for these clues before deciding9 ways to add more protein to your rotiOTT releases this week (August 17-August 23): ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, ‘Jana Nayagan’, ‘Lanterns’, ‘Toy Story 5’, ‘Love Is Blind: UK’ Season 3 and moreChef Sanjeev Kapoor shares 9 basics of baking for every new and casual bakerDeepika Padukone makes maternity fashion look too easy in an oversized blue shirt and baggy jeans6 Korean dining etiquette rules that may surprise IndiansOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals if you’re a deep thinker or a natural problem-solver123Hot PicksKarnataka PG Dental admissionBank holidays this weekRBI new rulesBJP new teamJharkhand ProtestUS green cardSmriti IraniSupreme Court HolidayUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingK AnnamalaiBengal Hotel FireNoida Biker AccidentTamil Nadu Double MurderAbhijeet DipkeHyderabad MurderMuzaffarnagar Kanwariya MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ races ahead of ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ presales; film gears up for HISTORIC holiday box office clash with ‘Dune: Part Three’ Scorpio Horoscope Today, August 18, 2026: Control yourself and avoid arguments 2 Air India pilots have failed dope test so far, taken off duty