Delhi police asked X to provide details on users who allegedly posted or shared “abusive” content on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Assam floods death toll rises to 75
The death toll in the Assam flood has risen to 75, with seven more deaths reported in the last 24 hours, even though the number of affected people has decreased to 332,000, officials said on Wednesday.
The state government has increased the ex gratia amount to the families of the deceased from 400,000 Indian rupees (€3,675, $4,180) to 900,000 Indian rupees and relaxed the norms for availing the compensation, officials said, according to a PTI report.
The flood-hit population was 332,000. Charaideo was the worst-hit district, affecting 142,000 people, followed by Sivasagar (97,074) and Jorhat (57,371).
Anti-paper leak bill with raised penalties passed in Lok Sabha
India’s lower house of parliament, the Lok Sabha, on Wednesday passed a bill to amend the anti-paper leak law, introducing stricter punishment of up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50 lakh (~€46,000).
The Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill was introduced in the house by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, days after mass protests rocked the capital.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Singh said the government had acted swiftly in the NEET paper leak case and that 52 FIRs had been registered since the anti-paper leak law came into force in 2024.
The bill was passed after heated debate. During the discussion, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi alleged that Home Minister Amit Shah had authorized police excesses against student protesters.
India condemns attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz at UNSC
India strongly condemned the recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
Addressing a UN Security Council during an open debate on the Middle East, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, said the resurgence of hostilities after a brief lull was “worrying.” He called for a return to dialogue and diplomacy.
India also urged for restoration of unimpeded navigation and trade through international waterways in the region.
Harish said the Middle East region is of “immense importance” to India.
The UN ambassador noted that the violence directly affected Indians, following the news that merchant vessels, including GFS Galaxy, MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz.
“Several Indian citizens were injured, including some seriously, one Indian tragically lost his life, and one is missing, in these attacks,” he said.
Supreme Court orders release of minors arrested during CJP protest
India’s Supreme Court has issued orders for the release of minors arrested during the CJP protests.
It said authorities must ensure surveillance footage is preserved after petitioners alleged police brutality against demonstrators.
Chief Justice Surya Kant also told authorities to preserve the digital and personal data of people who joined the protests, while also barring any coercive action against them, according to the Indian media.
The court also told authorities to ensure protesters’ data was not made public.
Reportedly, the Supreme Court’s intervention came after petitions were filed by student protesters and activists. The protesters seek action against police for allegedly using excessive force and pellet guns during the CJP rallies.
“Whoever has committed excess … atrocities on innocent people, the law will take care of them. For that, there needs to be a completely independent and fair investigation,” Kant said, according to legal website Live Law, one of several outlets reporting the ruling.
“A probe is meaningless if no responsibility is fixed,” he said, before ordering the interim steps.
Delhi Police issues notice over abusive posts against Modi
The Delhi Police has continued its crackdown against CJP protesters with it now filing a First Information Report (FIR) against several social media accounts which allegedly posted abusive content against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Delhi Police has asked X to delete and remove the alleged post or video from the platform immediately.
Police have also issued a notice to X, seeking details on users who allegedly posted or shared the content under investigation.
Delhi Police’s Social Media Monitoring Team has been tracking content across platforms to identify posts that allegedly violate existing laws or have the potential for public disorder, officials said.
A case has been registered by the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit of the Special Cell under charges of criminal intimidation, public mischief and defamation, Indian newspaper The New Indian Express reported.
It is not clear how many accounts have been served the notices.
Source : https://www.dw.com/en/india-news-police-issue-firs-over-abusive-posts-against-modi/live-78156014
