THE HEADLINES:
- Supreme Court takes up new Waqf law; Matter listed for tomorrow as Centre asks more time to respond.
- ED questions Robert Vadra for second day in connection with a money-laundering case related to a land deal in Haryana.
- Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw accuses Congress of doing low-level politics over ED chargesheet against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in National Herald case.
- CJI Sanjiv Khanna recommends Justice B R Gavai as his successor.
- Retail inflation drops to 4.6 per cent in last fiscal; lowest in six years since 2018.
- WHO Member States finalize historic agreement to prepare world for future pandemics.
- In IPL T20 cricket, match between Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals underway in Delhi.
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The Supreme Court today did not issue any interim order on the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 while hearing a batch of petitions challenging it. The Centre asked for more time to prepare its argument on the three points raised by the apex court. The Apex Court will now hear the matter tomorrow.
A Bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K.V. Viswanathan asked solicitor general Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, on how “waqf by user” can be disallowed as many will not have requisite documents to get such waqfs registered.
The three-judge bench considered passing an interim order on the petitions challenging the new Waqf Act. The bench raised three key points. It said, the properties declared by Courts as Waqf should not be de-notified, whether they are by “waqf-by-user” or “waqf by deed”, while the Court is hearing the challenge to the Waqf Amendment Act 2025. The Court further said it will order that provision of the Amendment Act, as per which a Waqf property will not be treated as a Waqf while the Collector is conducting inquiry into whether the property is a government land, will not be given effect to. The Court also said it will order that all Members of the Waqf Boards and Central Waqf Council must be Muslims, except the ex-officio members.
CJI Khanna at the end of the hearing expressed concern over the violence that has broken out in West Bengal against the amendments to the Waqf Act.
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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) questioned Robert Vadra for the second consecutive day today in connection with a money-laundering probe linked to a land deal in Haryana. He was questioned at the ED office in New Delhi. The agency has asked Mr Vadra to appear again for questioning tomorrow. The case is related to purchase of a land in Gurugram by Mr. Vadra’s company.
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Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw today accused Congress of doing low-level politics in the National Herald case. Talking to media in Rishikesh, the Minister said it is not a political issue but a case of corruption.
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The BJP today hit out at the Congress in connection with the National Herald case. Briefing reporters in New Delhi, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi rejected the Congress’s claim that the case is outside the purview of the Enforcement Directorate, saying that it is a clear example of a business transaction. The BJP leader added that this case is being investigated following the order of the Delhi High Court in 2013, when there was UPA government at the centre. Mr. Trivedi added that the National Herald case is a peculiar episode in Indian history, as a company worth thousands of crores was acquired for just 90 crore rupees.
Meanwhile, Congress is holding nationwide protests over the chargesheet against its senior leaders. The party has termed the ED’s action as vendetta politics.
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Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has recommended the name of Justice B R Gavai as the next Chief Justice. Justice Gavai is the second-most senior judge of the Supreme Court and his name has been recommended to the Union Law Ministry. The tenure of the current CJI, Justice Khanna is going to end on the 13th of next month.
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The Select Committee of Lok Sabha on the new Income Tax Bill – 2025 today held a meeting at the Parliament House in New Delhi. The 31-member panel is headed by BJP MP Baijayant Panda. The Committee will submit its report on the first day of the Monsoon session of Parliament.
The Income-Tax Bill 2025 aims at consolidating and amending the law relating to income tax. It was introduced in the Lok Sabha during the first-half of the Budget session of Parliament. Later the draft law was referred to the Select Committee of the House.
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Retail inflation dropped to 4.6 per cent in the fiscal year 2024-25, marking the lowest level in six years since 2018. The Ministry of Finance, in a statement, said that as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the year-on-year inflation rate for March 2025 fell to 3.34 per cent. This represents a decline of 27 basis points from February 2025, making it the lowest monthly inflation rate since August 2019. More from our correspondent:
“The Consumer Price Index is one of the most important economic indicators used to measure changes in the general level of retail prices over time. It reflects how much households need to spend on a fixed basket of goods and services they typically consume, such as food, clothing, housing, and fuel. Lauding the role of Reserve Bank of India for this achievement, the Finance Ministry said that these figures demonstrate a sustained effort to curb price rise while fostering economic growth. It highlights the effectiveness of the RBI’s pro-growth monetary policy which has successfully balanced economic expansion with price stability. The government’s strategic interventions like bolstering buffer stocks of essential food items alongside subsidised retail sales of staples like rice, wheat flour, pulses, and onions have been pivotal in achieving this outcome. PALLAVI PARMAR, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”
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The benchmark domestic equity indices today ended in positive territory for the third straight session. Both the indices offset mixed global cues, paring intraday losses to register gains during the second half of trade. The broader market indices at the BSE outperformed the frontline indices. The Mid-Cap index increased over 0.6 per cent and the Small-Cap index added over 0.9 per cent. A report:
“The 30-share index at the Bombay Stock Exchange, Sensex, rose 309 points to close at 77,044. The National Stock Exchange Nifty-50 advanced 109 points to settle at 23,437. In the Forex market, the rupee today appreciated by nine paise to close at 85 rupees and 68 paise against the US dollar. In the Indian Bullion Market, 24 Karat Gold was trading at 95,420 rupees per 10 grams, while Silver 999 Fine was trading at 97,110 rupees per kilogram a short while ago. Brent Crude was trading at 65 dollars and 25 cents per barrel. WTI Crude was trading at 61 dollars and 88 cents per barrel, when reports last came in. ARJUN CHAUDHuRI, For AKASHVANI News.”
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Hongkong Post is suspending the shipment of goods to the United States in response to the US decision to eliminate the duty-free treatment for items sent from Hong Kong to the US. The postal service specified today that the United States is going to increase the tariffs for postal items intended to be sent to the US starting from May 2. In a statement, Hongkong Post said that surface mail (land or sea) of US-bound items will be suspended starting April 16, while airmail will be suspended starting April 27.
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Member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) today finalized a historic agreement to prepare the world for future pandemics, following negotiations that spanned over three years. The agreement calls for technology transfers to be incentivized through regulations, licensing agreements, and favorable financing conditions. Meanwhile, it includes a compromise that any transfer must be mutually agreed upon. The draft also proposes steps such as establishing a pathogen-access and benefit-sharing system. It includes a One Health approach for pandemic prevention and the setting up of a global supply chain and logistics network.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephonic conversation with the President of Finland Alexander Stubb today. During the conversation, both the leaders exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the situation in Ukraine. They also reviewed the ongoing collaboration between the two countries including in the areas of digitalization, sustainability and mobility. Both sides reiterated their commitment to further strengthen and deepen the partnership including in the areas of quantum, 5G-6G, Artificial Intelligence and cyber-security. Prime Minister Modi said, Finland is an important partner country in the EU.
The President of Finland also expressed his country’s support for closer India- EU relations and conclusion of a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement at the earliest.
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The T-8 and T-8-M tunnels between Janasu in Pauri Garhwal under the Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail project have been completed today. On this occasion, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attended the breakthrough program of the tunnel of the rail project in Janasu. Talking to media Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said, it will improve connectivity in the region.
More from our Dehradun correspondent:
“It is worth noting that the 14.57 km tunnels are being built, as part of the 125 KM. Long Rishikesh Karnprayag broad gauge rail project of Uttarakhand by the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited. This rail project is built inside a 105 km tunnel tunnel. Its also total of 16 tunnels, from Rishikesh to Karn Prayag. Rishikesh Karanprayag Railway project has been constructed with the help of state of Art tunnel, boring machine Technology. It shows the technical efficiency of the project. At the same time, the remaining tunnels of the project are being constructed using traditional drill and blast technology. With this RVNL has established its strong position in the modern construction technology in the most difficult areas of the country. With this it will be a big step towards completing the Char Dham rail project. Sakshi Singh, Akashvani News, Dehradun.”
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In a first-of-its-kind move, the Central Railway has introduced an automated teller machine (ATM) inside the Mumbai-Manmad Panchavati Express. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a video on his official X account, showcasing a passenger using the Bank of Maharashtra ATM while the train was in motion. Speaking to Akashvani News, Central Railway’s CPRO, Swapnil Nila, said,
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WAVEX 2025, India’s premier platform for startups in the media and entertainment technology space has extended the deadline for receiving applications to 21st April. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in a statement today said that in a bid to foster wider participation and amplify innovation, the eligibility criteria has also been expanded.
WAVEX is a flagship segment of the World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES), which is positioned as a high-stakes launchpad for startups working in areas such as gaming, animation, XR, metaverse, generative AI, and content technologies. Selected startups will participate in closed room pitching sessions and gain visibility among top venture capital firms and high-profile angel investors. They will also benefit from mentorship by leading industry experts, exposure to global stakeholders, and opportunities to collaborate with prominent technology and media companies.
WAVEX 2025 Investment pitches will take place on the 2nd and 3rd May at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai during the Waves 2025 summit. The applications can be submitted through the official WAVEX portal at wavex.wavesbazaar.com.
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In IPL T20 Cricket, Delhi Capitals were at 185 for 5 in 19.3 overs against Rajasthan Royals in Delhi, when reports last came in. Earlier, Rajasthan Royals won the toss and elected to bowl.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Supreme Court takes up new Waqf law; Matter listed for tomorrow as Centre asks more time to respond.
- ED questions Robert Vadra for second day in connection with a money-laundering case related to a land deal in Haryana.
- Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw accuses Congress of doing low-level politics over ED chargesheet against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in National Herald case.
- CJI Sanjiv Khanna recommends Justice B R Gavai as his successor.
- Retail inflation drops to 4.6 per cent in last fiscal; lowest in six years since 2018.
- WHO Member States finalize historic agreement to prepare world for future pandemics.
- In IPL T20 cricket, Delhi Capitals set a target of 189 runs before hosts Rajasthan Royals.
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