Important News - 2025-08-03
03 August 2025
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Politics (4)
Congress and BJD Criticize Odisha Govt Over Puri Minor Girl Death Probe
Opposition parties in Odisha, including the Indian National Congress and Biju Janata Dal (BJD), have intensified their criticism of the state's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government led by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi. They rejected the Odisha Police's claim that no individuals were involved in the death of a 15-year-old girl who died from burn injuries in Puri district on July 19, 2025. The girl was allegedly set on fire by miscreants, and after a post-mortem at AIIMS, New Delhi, her body was transported to her native village under Balanga police station limits for burial. Despite the victim's family appealing against politicization, opposition leaders expressed skepticism over the police investigation, which had initially suggested abduction by three assailants but later concluded no external involvement. This incident has fueled nationwide outrage over women's safety under the BJP government, linked to a separate case in Balasore where a college student self-immolated citing police inaction. On August 3, 2025, BJD leaders Pramila Mallick and Tukuni Sahu held a press conference in Bhubaneswar, accusing the police of floating a 'new theory' to shield culprits and protect political figures, particularly Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, as the incident occurred in her constituency. Sahu criticized a ₹20 lakh compensation offer as an attempt to silence the family. Congress spokesperson Sonali Sahu demanded Parida's resignation for alleged interference and threatened to gherao the office of the Director-General of Police if no arrests occur within seven days, pointing to the victim's multiple statements without suspect identification.
Ghose Commission Blames Ex-CM KCR for Kaleshwaram Project Irregularities and Barrage Distress
The Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose Commission of Inquiry report has held former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) solely and directly responsible for major irregularities and the resulting structural distress in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project. Key findings revealed that KCR intentionally suppressed a critical January 2015 Expert Committee report advising against constructing the Medigadda Barrage due to high costs and delays, recommending Vemanapally instead. The commission found KCR bypassed established procedures, making the decision to construct the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages without cabinet approval. It highlighted a dishonest shift of the project's water source from Tummidihatti to Medigadda without technical justification, and an abnormal cost escalation from an initial ₹38,500 crore to over ₹1.10 lakh crore by March 2022. The report also noted KCR prematurely cited a project cost of ₹71,436 crore to the Prime Minister in February 2016 before the Detailed Project Report was ready. Furthermore, continuous, unscientific water impounding ordered by KCR caused structural damage, and the issuance of completion certificates for Medigadda was termed 'illegal and tainted with malice' to favour contractors. The commission implicated then Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao for ignoring expert reports, then Finance Minister Eatala Rajender for lacking financial integrity, and IAS officers S.K. Joshi and Smita Sabharwal for suppressing reports and dereliction of duty.
Special Court Sentences Former MP Prajwal Revanna to Life Imprisonment for Repeated Rape Under IPC Section 376(2)(n)
The Special Court for criminal cases against MPs and MLAs in Karnataka sentenced former Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna to life imprisonment until death for the repeated rape of a domestic worker. Presiding judge Santosh Gajanan Bhat described the crime as an 'offence against society at large' and a 'David vs Goliath' situation, condemning the exploitation of the victim's economic vulnerability. The court convicted Revanna under Section 376(2)(n) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for repeated rape on the same woman, rejecting defense pleas for leniency citing his political family background (including his grandfather, former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda) and lack of prior criminal record. Key evidence included the victim's consistent testimony despite her illiteracy and rustic background, corroborated by witness accounts from her sister, son, and Revanna's driver Karthik. Scientific evidence proving the case included DNA matching stains on the victim's clothes to Revanna and authenticated digital videos confirming both his voice and the victim's in the explicit recordings. The crimes occurred at the family's Gannikada farmhouse (owned by relatives during the incidents) and a location in Basavanagudi during the COVID-19 lockdown period.
Karnataka SIT Pioneers Forensic Superimposition to Convict Former MP Prajwal Revanna in Rape Case
In a significant development in Karnataka, forensic technology involving image superimposition was used for the first time in the state to identify former Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna in video evidence linked to a rape case. The Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) B.K. Singh of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), employed this technique by comparing photographs of the crime scenes—such as a room in the Gannikada farmhouse and Revanna's residence in Basavanagudi—and detailed images of Revanna's body parts, including genitals, with frames from the sexual assault videos. This scientific process confirmed a match through consistent characteristics like a specific mole, vein patterns, and clothing, leading to Revanna's conviction. Special Court Judge Santosh Gajanan Bhat, who handles cases against current and former MPs/MLAs, commended the SIT's innovative use of modern forensic methods in the investigation, describing it as a progressive step for criminal justice in Karnataka.
Schemes (4)
Amal College Launches Women’s Development Cell and 'Step Strong' Project for Gender Welfare
On August 2, Dr. Kanimozhi N.V.N. Somu, a gynaecologist and Rajya Sabha member, inaugurated the Women’s Development Cell (WDC) at Amal College of Advanced Studies in Nilambur, Kerala. She also launched the 'Step Strong' project under the WDC, aimed at improving health, hygiene, and safety for women, including distributing menstrual cups to students. In her address, Dr. Somu highlighted women's potential to transform society, advising them to make thoughtful decisions and overcome challenges as future professionals. The event was presided over by P.V. Abdul Wahab, Member of Parliament, and featured a session by FemiSafe co-founder Noorin Aysha. College officials present included management committee member P.V. Mohammed Muneer, manager P.V. Ali Mubarak, principal K.P. Mohammed Basheer, and coordinator P. Sajida. The WDC will collaborate with the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) to prioritize health and hygiene, specifically addressing menstrual concerns, through initiatives such as seminars, workshops, counselling, self-defence training, and skill development programs. Additionally, the cell will implement policies to combat gender-based violence, harassment, and discrimination on campus, with the goal of fostering confidence, leadership, and social responsibility among female students.
Kozhikode's Pakalveedu Designated Model Sayamprabha Home with ₹14.10 Lakh Funding
The Kozhikode Corporation's Pakalveedu elderly daycare center in Kunduparamba, Kerala, has been elevated to a Model Sayamprabha Home by the Department of Social Justice, Government of Kerala. This designation includes financial assistance of ₹14.10 lakh to enhance services for senior citizens, covering staffing costs for roles such as a facilitator, physiotherapist, physician, cook/attendant, and cleaning staff. The funds will also provide essential medicines, gym equipment, nutritious meals, snacks, entertainment activities, and vocational training. Additional support features free medical camps, routine health check-ups by AYUSH physicians, physiotherapy sessions, counselling services, and monthly doorstep delivery of food kits for orphaned elderly individuals. The center will offer library facilities, promote small-scale farming through distribution of vegetable saplings and seeds, and organize regular cultural programs. As part of its responsibilities, the Model Sayamprabha Home will serve as a resource hub for elderly awareness, provide individualized care, conduct caregiver training, and collaborate with the District Legal Services Authority for adalats (legal aid camps). Established in 2022, the facility currently has 65 registered members and operates the 'Grand Mom’s Magic' dish and hand wash brand. P. Divakaran, Welfare Standing Committee Chairman of Kozhikode Corporation, highlighted that this recognition rewards existing efforts and will significantly improve service quality.
Kerala Announces Comprehensive Policy for Malayalam Film Industry Within 3 Months
The Kerala Film Policy Conclave, a two-day event, concluded recently with Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian committing to frame a comprehensive policy for the Malayalam film industry within 2-3 months. During the conclave, panel discussions with industry stakeholders and experts addressed nine key subjects, including working conditions, financial reforms, and safety protocols. Key measures include improving the abysmal working conditions of junior artistes, such as long hours, and resolving wage disparities where top actors receive a large portion of production costs while others get minimal pay. Safety on film sets will be enhanced through mandatory ID cards for all personnel to ensure a secure environment, particularly for women. Additionally, the government has proposed eliminating entertainment tax to avoid double taxation, allocated ₹5 crore for e-ticketing implementation in collaboration with Digital University Kerala this year, and will introduce a single-window clearance system for film shooting permissions. Support for independent films involves guaranteed theatre screenings and potential subsidies, while a common code of conduct is being considered to prevent harmful review bombing. Other initiatives include examining a student film festival, revising welfare funds for cultural activists, and modernizing old cinema theatres in Kerala.
Telangana Prioritizes LB Nagar-Pedda Amberpet Elevated Corridor; Key Meeting with Nitin Gadkari on August 6
Telangana's Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy announced the priority execution of the long-pending 6-km elevated corridor between LB Nagar and Pedda Amberpet. He conducted a field inspection at Vanasthalipuram Junction to review the proposal, directing National Highway authorities to expedite approvals. A meeting with Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari is scheduled for August 6 to secure final clearances. Reddy emphasized addressing traffic congestion in LB Nagar, noting the completion of four vehicle underpasses under the ₹541 crore LB Nagar–Malkapur Road project from his tenure as MP. Additionally, the state government is preparing to construct a Greenfield Highway from Hyderabad to Vijayawada to reduce travel time to two hours. Progress on the ₹2,300 crore Gaurigolla–Valigonda–Bhadrachalam Greenfield Highway includes the completion of the Valigonda-Thorrur stretch, with tenders underway for Thorrur-Bhadrachalam. For the Hyderabad Metro, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has tasked Komatireddy Venkat Reddy with obtaining approvals for Phase 2, reaffirming the Congress government's commitment to a world-class metro system.
Appointments (1)
KTU Assigns Gopin G. Additional Charge as Registrar to Counteract Post-Retirement Administrative Delays
APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) has appointed Gopin G., the current Joint Registrar and Private Secretary to Vice-Chancellor in-charge K. Sivaprasad, to the additional role of Registrar. This assignment addresses the vacancy created by the retirement of former Joint Registrar and Registrar in-charge Bindu Kumari K. on May 31. The prolonged absence has led to a partial administrative standstill, causing delays in issuing degree certificates, disbursing salaries and pensions, and clearing the annual budget. KTU had earlier invited applications to fill this and other statutory posts, but the process was halted by a stay order from the Kerala High Court, intensifying operational challenges.
Economy (1)
Malappuram Consumer Commission Fines Insurer ₹1.3 Lakh for Unfair Denial of Dairy Farmer's Claim
The Malappuram District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Kerala has imposed a fine of ₹1.3 lakh on an insurance company for unreasonably denying an insurance claim to Ismail Thayyil, a dairy farmer from Mankada. Thayyil purchased a high-breed cow for ₹70,000, which produced 23 litres of milk daily but died of illness just two weeks later. The veterinarian submitted a post-mortem report and a photograph as proof; however, the insurer rejected the claim, citing an unclear ear tag in the image. Despite the veterinarian's clarification that the tag was clearly visible, the company upheld its denial, leading Thayyil to file a formal complaint. The Commission ruled that the insurer's delay constituted a significant lapse, directing it to pay Thayyil ₹70,000 as the insured amount, ₹50,000 in compensation for mental agony, and ₹10,000 for legal expenses. Failure to settle within one month will incur 9% annual interest on the total.
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