Wednesday, April 30
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's helicopter was grounded in Jharkhand's Godda after being denied takeoff clearance by Air Traffic Control. The Congress party alleges that this was a deliberate move to disrupt Rahul Gandhi's election campaign as it coincided with PM Modi's rally in the same state.
A police constable in Agra was arrested for demanding a dowry of Rs 30 lakh from his bride's family on their wedding day. The bride bravely refused to marry him, leading to his arrest and subsequent release on bail. The incident highlights the persistent issue of dowry demands in India, even among those tasked with upholding the law.
A right-wing group, claiming permission from officials (which was later denied by the administration), demolished a structure inside a Dehradun school calling it an illegal religious structure. The group streamed the act live. While the school is yet to file a complaint, the incident raises concerns about the security of the institution.
In a 24-hour operation dubbed 'Operation Kawach,' Delhi Police raided 907 locations known for drug trafficking, resulting in the detention of 1,240 individuals and the arrest of over 700. The operation, aimed at combating drug trafficking in the national capital, led to the identification of 64 drug hotspots and the seizure of significant quantities of drugs, cash, and vehicles.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a Maharashtra rally, accused Congress of plotting to reinstate Article 370 and create a separate Constitution for Kashmir. He criticized Congress for opposing the BJP's efforts to integrate Kashmir and for allegedly attempting to divide Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.
Congress leader Ghulam Ahmed Mir sparked controversy by promising subsidized cooking gas cylinders to "everyone, including infiltrators" if the INDIA bloc wins the election. The BJP condemned the statement, accusing Congress of resorting to religious appeasement, while highlighting its own anti-infiltration campaign in the state.
An IndiGo flight from Nagpur to Kolkata was diverted to Raipur Airport on Sunday following a bomb threat. The flight, carrying 187 passengers, underwent a thorough security check. This incident is part of a concerning surge in bomb hoaxes within Indian aviation, causing flight delays and heightened security measures.
A Delhi court granted bail to AAP leader Amanatullah Khan in a money laundering case connected to the Delhi Waqf Board. The court acknowledged the ED's chargesheet but highlighted a procedural error, leading to the dismissal of charges against Khan and his co-accused.
The Calcutta High Court, while refusing to impose a gag order on a former BJP leader, emphasized that freedom of expression doesn't permit abuse or incite violence. The court, hearing the leader's anticipatory bail plea, acknowledged her right to free speech but expressed disapproval of her social media post, terming it as containing "unwarranted insinuations" against a religious community.
A parliamentary panel met to discuss the "creamy layer" issue for OBC reservations. The panel raised concerns about the delay in revising the income ceiling for OBC reservations. The current ceiling of Rs 8 lakh was set in 2017 and is due for revision. The panel urged the government to expedite the revision process.
