New Delhi: The Supreme Court has held that a rape victim should not be harassed by repeatedly calling her to appear in court for cross-examination during trial proceedings. A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma set aside an order passed by the Tripura HC which had allowed the plea of ​​the accused to recall the victim for questioning after four years, as she had already been cross-examined. It said that the prosecutor had to go through the process of testifying and cross-examining him on four separate occasions before the trial court, apart from during the investigation under Section 164 of CrPC and recording his statement before the Magistrate, and recalling him after four years of cross-examination was harsh.“Instructing the recall would cause further and undue hardship to the prosecutor. Witnesses cannot be expected to face difficulty in appearing in court repeatedly, especially in sensitive cases. “This may result in undue hardship to the victims, especially for heinous crimes, if they are required to appear in court again and again to face cross-examination,” the SC said. The HC had passed an order recalling a survivor under section 311 of the Code of Criminal Procedure on a petition filed by the accused. Noting that the application was filed four years after the cross-examination of the victim was completed and sufficient grounds do not exist to recall the victim after such a long delay, the court allowed the plea of ​​the state government, which had challenged the HC order.Section 311 of the CrPC states that “Any court may, at any stage of any inquiry, trial or other proceeding under this Code, summon to the attendance any person, even if not called as a witness, or recall and re-examine any person already examined; and the court may summon and examine or recall and re-examine any such person if his evidence Appears necessary for proper decision of the case.The court said that the power conferred under Section 311 is undoubtedly wide, and such power needs to be exercised in a restrained and judicious manner and not arbitrarily. Citing previous orders it said, “Merely to say that the recall was necessary to ensure a fair trial is not sufficient, unless there are cogent reasons to show how a fair trial was harmed without the recall. Recall is not a fixed matter, and the discretion given to the court must be used judiciously and not arbitrarily to prevent miscarriage of justice.”In this case, the accused was first examined and cross-examined in chief on June 4, 2018, followed by further cross-examination in August 2018. Subsequently, the prosecution filed an application under Section 311 of the CrPC seeking recall of the accused and re-examination. He was further examined and cross-examined in August and November 2019. Four years later, the accused sought to recall him in the witness box, which was rejected by the trial court but allowed by the HC. However, the SC has now set aside the HC order.

New Delhi: India expects fertilizer consumption to be lower during the kharif sowing season in view of the IMD’s below-normal monsoon forecast, a top government official said on Monday. He said that the demand for urea is now estimated at 190 lakh tonnes as against the earlier estimate of 194 lakh tonnes.Demand for diammonium phosphate (DAP) – another key soil nutrient – ​​has been reduced to 60 lakh tonnes from the earlier estimate of 66 lakh tonnes.Aparna Sharma, Additional Secretary, Department of Fertilizers, said that in view of the El Nino effect, the department had requested the Agriculture Ministry to re-evaluate the requirements. He said that the Ministry has informed about the reduction in demand for urea and DAP on the basis of regular interaction with the states.The official also said the government has issued a second global tender to import 17 lakh tonnes of urea despite a sharp rise in global prices to boost domestic supplies for the Kharif season. Sharma said that the global price of urea has increased from $ 447 per tonne to $ 947 per tonne in February.Meanwhile, Consumer Affairs and Food Department officials said there is surplus stock of rice, wheat and pulses to meet domestic demand and market intervention.Anupam Mishra, Additional Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, said the government has a buffer stock of pulses of about 43 lakh tonnes, which is more than double the stock recorded in May 2025.He said production of major horticultural crops like potato, tomato and onion is sufficient to meet domestic demand – potato production is 584 lakh tonnes as against 586 lakh tonnes in the last crop year; Tomato 227 lakh tonnes as against last year’s 205 lakh tonnes; And onion is 273 lakh tonnes as against last year’s 307 lakh tonnes.The government has also set a target of creating a buffer stock of 2 lakh tonnes of onion in 2026-27.Food department officials said that as of May 2026, the wheat stock in the central pool stood at 513 lakh tonnes, almost double the buffer standard set for July 1. Wheat procurement during the current Rabi marketing season has reached about 350 lakh tonnes and the procurement operation is continuing till June 30.Rice stock in the central pool stands at 397 lakh tonnes, almost three times the buffer stock required for July 1.

Kulgam: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, while leading the “Drug Free Jammu and Kashmir Padyatra” in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Monday, said the Jammu and Kashmir administration is planning to set up rehabilitation centers across the state to help drug addicts reintegrate into the society.Speaking to TOI on the sidelines of the event, Sinha said the operation has largely disrupted the drug trafficking network across Jammu and Kashmir. “Our operation has broken the supply chain and those involved in drug trafficking are facing a tough time,” he said.Sinha said hundreds of people affected by drug addiction are contacting the national mental health helpline Tele-Manas Srinagar every day to seek treatment and counselling. He said the campaign has also encouraged public participation, with residents directly informing the police about drug-related activities in their areas.The LG said de-addiction centers are functioning in all the districts of Jammu and Kashmir and counselors have been deployed to provide psychological support and long-term treatment to people recovering from drug addiction.He said unlike many other parts of the country, where rehabilitation facilities are largely run by the private sector, the proposed centers in Jammu and Kashmir will be set up in the government sector and will be made available in every district.Addressing the gathering at the event, Sinha said that in the last 51 days, they have conducted a comprehensive, coordinated operation against narco-terrorists and drug traffickers.On April 11, Sinha had launched an intensive 100-day campaign under the Nasha Mukti Abhiyan to make Jammu and Kashmir “drug free”.The campaign includes massive awareness programs by the civil administration and police, destruction of poppy plantations, random urine testing of drivers and intense crackdown on drug networks.In the last 51 days since the launch of the campaign, 923 FIRs have been registered against alleged drug smugglers. Over 1,000 alleged drug smugglers have been arrested, with over 55 alleged drug smugglers detained.He said, “This campaign is directly attacking the financial backbone of terrorism. Every rupee spent on drugs fuels extremist violence, and narco-terrorists survive on that blood money. By disrupting the drug trade, we have cut off the lifeline that sustains terrorist networks.”According to “Prevalence and Pattern of Substance Abuse Disorders in Ten Districts of Kashmir”, a survey conducted by IMHANS Kashmir in 2023, there are an estimated 67,468 substance dependent persons in the valley. The survey states that heroin is the most commonly used opioid.

New Delhi: Amid ongoing tensions in West Asia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates are expected to join fellow BRICS members at the bloc’s second Cultural Working Group meeting in Varanasi on June 4-5. The conference will discuss the theme “Building Resilience, Innovation, Collaboration and Sustainability” with Artificial Intelligence and the repatriation of cultural property among the priority areas for discussion and consensus building.The Varanasi meeting is being considered important to pave the way for the ministerial talks to be held in Bhopal in August, with the Culture Ministry hoping that the members will be able to reach a consensus and give a statement on the thematic areas. The upcoming Working Group meeting assumes significance in the current geopolitical context, as it is taking place in the backdrop of the West Asia crisis. The first BRICS Culture Working Group meeting was held in virtual mode on 29-30 April. After the second meeting of the grouping in Varanasi, the third meeting of the CWG will be held in Bhopal on August 5-6, followed by the BRICS Cultural Fest on August 6-7 and the BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting (CMM) on August 7 and 8, also in Bhopal, Culture Secretary Vivek Aggarwal highlighted at a press conference. He also shared the roadmap and priority areas. The deliberations of the 2026 BRICS Culture Working Group are structured around three key thematic priorities: ‘Creative economy, cultural and creative industries, copyright and artificial intelligence’, ‘Cultural heritage protection and return of cultural property’ and ‘Culture, climate and sustainable development’.“These priorities reflect a commitment to innovation, ensuring ethical use of technology in cultural sectors, preserving cultural diversity, advancing heritage conservation and restoration cooperation, and engaging with the post-2030 global sustainable development agenda,” the culture ministry said in a statement.India has consistently played an active role in advancing cultural cooperation within BRICS. The Ministry of Culture hosted the BRICS meetings of Culture Ministers under the Indian chairmanship in Goa in 2016 and New Delhi in 2021, and is again playing a leading role in this strategic role in 2026.The BRICS Culture Working Group, which derives its mandate from the Agreement between the Governments of BRICS member states on cooperation in the field of culture signed in 2015, has over the years expanded cooperation in cultural heritage, creative industries, films, museums, archives and digital cultural ecosystems.BRICS brings together Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia as full members, with 10 partner countries joining in 2025. The Group represents a platform for multilateral cooperation across the political and security, economic and financial, and cultural and people-to-people pillars, collectively advancing a more inclusive and equitable international order.

New Delhi: In an effort to revive the organizational strength of Congress, party leaders Rahul Gandhi Party sources on Monday told district presidents that hard work and direct public engagement rather than sycophancy will help the party grow, as they urged party leaders to reconnect with people at the grassroots level.Addressing the concluding session of the 10-day training camp of Congress district presidents of Rajasthan and Delhi in Pushkar, Gandhi praised mutual coordination. Rajasthan Congress Congress leaders described the working relationship between the State Congress Committee leadership and the opposition leader as a positive example for the party, PTI reported.He described Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Dotasara and leader of opposition in the state assembly Tikaram Juli as the “Jai-Viru duo”.Internal discord was seen in the Congress camp in Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot And Sachin Pilot Before his defeat in the 2023 assembly elections.The leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha said party workers should remain connected to public issues and stand with the poor and marginalized people in cases of injustice.Sources said he spent more than five hours in the camp and held dialogue sessions on organizational strength, teamwork, ideology and public outreach.Gandhi urged the district presidents not to limit themselves to organizational roles but to have direct contact with the citizens. He said that it is necessary to restore public confidence to strengthen the Congress and increase its support base.He said growth within the party should be based on commitment and service rather than personal loyalty to senior leaders. Gandhi also called for a focus on issue-based politics and strong engagement with the people, which he described as the BJP’s story.Rajasthan Congress President Govind Dotasara gave a presentation on organizational work and efforts to strengthen the party at the grassroots level.Leader of Opposition Tikaram Julie said that the 10-day camp under the “Organization Creation Campaign” will infuse new energy into the organization in Rajasthan.District presidents and senior Congress leaders from Rajasthan and Delhi participated in the training camp.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Expressed concern over the activities of armed groups operating near the India-Myanmar border and the impact of Myanmar’s internal conflict on Indian border communities during talks with Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing in New Delhi on Monday.Speaking at a special briefing after the high-level bilateral meeting, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said PM Modi highlighted the impacts of the conflict in Myanmar, including cross-border security challenges and the influx of refugees into India.“The Prime Minister raised this issue in the conversation today and he emphasized that these groups, their activities continue around our borders. And in response, Myanmar Army actions against them also take place very close to the borders,” Misri said.He said military operations and activities of armed groups near the border have affected people living on Indian territory.“On this side, it has a huge impact on people living on the Indian side of the border. So sometimes, there may be some damage there, or as you also said, a lot of refugees come to our side from that side of the border,” he said.

Prime Minister urges protection of Indians living near the border

Misri said PM Modi urged Myanmar authorities to ensure that military operations near the border do not harm civilians living in India.According to the report of news agency ANI, “The Prime Minister said that the Myanmar Army and the officials in Myanmar should pay attention to this and this action should be taken in such a way that it does not cause any harm, especially to the people living on the Indian border.”The refugee issue also figured prominently in the discussion. Misri acknowledged that people fleeing conflict in Myanmar have entered India’s northeastern state of Mizoram.“We all know that refugees have come to Mizoram for some time for this very reason,” he said.According to Misri, the process of returning refugees is complex but mechanisms are already in place between the two countries. “There is a system to send back refugees, there is a mechanism for that. And officials from both the countries are in touch with each other on how they will be sent back,” he said.He said Myanmar authorities do not view the people who have come to India as permanent refugees and expect them to return once the situation improves.Misri said, “The Myanmar government also believes that these people have not come as permanent refugees. And as soon as the situation on the other side of the border becomes normal, these people will go back to their own side.”

Connectivity projects and solutions to cyber scams discussed

The border issue was discussed during detailed talks between PM Modi and Min Aung Hlaing at Hyderabad House.The President of Myanmar is on a four-day visit to India from May 30 to June 2.Both sides also reviewed a range of bilateral issues including trade, security cooperation, border management and connectivity projects.Misri said Myanmar has assured India that it will make “every possible” effort to advance the delayed Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project and the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, both of which are affected by the ongoing conflict in Myanmar.The Foreign Secretary said active hostilities involving the Myanmar military, ethnic armed groups and the People’s Defense Forces have hampered work on both projects, forcing the timelines to be adjusted.Separately, Misri said India has brought back 2,411 nationals from cyber scam complexes in Myanmar in the last one and a half years, while more than 150 Indians are still feared stranded there, according to ANI.He said New Delhi is working closely with Myanmar authorities to ensure the return of those still stranded.Misri said the talks also covered cooperation in trade, investment, development assistance, health, education, energy, artificial intelligence and space.

New Delhi: Karnataka Congress Leader DK Shivakumar Long known for his firefighting skills. Whenever things went bad, Congress turned to him. But now, as he prepares to assume the top post in Karnataka, the test will be not only of his fire-fighting skills (in his own backyard) but also of his governance skills.shivkumarAlso known as DKS, will be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Karnataka on June 3, completing a political journey that has defined the revival of the Congress party in the state. For nearly a decade, he has been the party’s troubleshooter, strategist, fund raiser, negotiator and organizational anchor. He helped keep Congress MLAs united in moments of crisis, revived the party after electoral setbacks and played a central role in its decisive victory in Karnataka in 2023.His transition from deputy chief minister to chief minister comes after months of speculation, bargaining and careful choreography by the Congress high command. Siddaramaiah’s resignation on May 28 under the party’s power-sharing arrangement finally opened the door for Shivakumar. Yet the swearing-in ceremony may be the easiest part of the new assignment for DKS.

Complex factional tensions within the Congress, caste expectations, fiscal pressures from the state and the relentless demands of governing India’s most economically important southern state await him.Here are the top challenges for DK Shivakumar as he prepares to take over the top post in Karnataka:

Siddaramaiah’s shadow

The first challenge before Shivakumar is also the most immediate: Former CM Siddaramaiah.The outgoing Chief Minister may have vacated the office, but he remains the most influential mass leader in the Karnataka Congress. Over the past three years, he has strengthened a powerful network of MLAs and social groups, especially through the Ahinda alliance of backward classes, minorities and Dalits in the state.In theory, the chief ministerial change is systematic but in practicality, political changes are still visible.Many of the MLAs whose political rise was due to Siddaramaiah remain influential within the party. Many ministers are expected to seek continuity across departments and policy priorities. There is already pressure from Siddaramaiah’s camp regarding representation in the new cabinet, which also includes demands related to his son Yatindra Siddaramaiah.

The challenge for Shivakumar may not just be to accommodate the supporters of the outgoing CM. He will have to establish dominance among the Siddaramaiah camp MLAs and, at the same time, assert independence without provoking factional war.For Shivakumar, the task is particularly delicate as the Congress government cannot afford visible instability and infighting. BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) will keep a close watch on any sign of rift between the two camps.BJP has already opened a front against the change. BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said the leadership change reflects Congress’s admission that Siddaramaiah’s rule has failed on many fronts.“After two and a half to three years of ‘Game of Thrones’, ‘Battle of the Chair’ and ‘Who will be the Chief Minister’, Karnataka Congress has elected a new CLP leader in the form of DK Shivakumar and replaced Siddaramaiah. It means they are admitting that the Siddaramaiah regime has been a complete failure on all fronts – economy, law and order and infrastructure,” Poonawalla said.“Therefore, they had to change them. Otherwise, 2028 (assembly elections) will go,” he said.Former Karnataka CM and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai also said that Siddaramaiah’s decision to remain active in state politics would act as a “hanging sword” on Shivakumar, while he also said that whenever elections are held in the state, the BJP will return to power on its own.For Shivakumar, the success of his first six months may depend on whether he is able to keep Siddaramaiah loyalists on his side.

cabinet puzzle

If there is one political test every CM has to face soon after assuming office, it is cabinet formation.Shivakumar’s version of that test may be particularly difficult.Each allocation is likely to send a political message.Who gets the houses, who controls the finances, who oversees Bengaluru development? A single boycott can lead to months of resentment.Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah himself is in talks with the high command to get a cabinet ministerial berth for his son and loyalists after his resignation.It will be interesting to see how much space Shivakumar leaves to accommodate the former CM’s loyalists.

Karnataka’s new boss

Shivakumar’s challenge is further heightened by another looming decision: the selection of the new Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president.As state party chief, Shivakumar built one of the most effective political organizations in the state. His departure from that role creates a void. Whoever succeeds him will inherit a powerful political machine.This selection will shape not only the future of the party but also Shivakumar’s own authority. A loyal organizational ally can strengthen their position. On the other hand, an ambitious successor could eventually emerge as an alternative power centre.

caste equation

Shivakumar’s rise to this position is significant as he is the most prominent Vokkaliga leader in the Congress. The community remains one of the most influential political groups in the state, especially in southern Karnataka.Yet Congress’s 2023 victory was not built solely on Vokkaliga support. It all depended on the Ahinda alliance carefully crafted by Siddaramaiah. That alliance now faces a moment of uncertainty.Many Dalit, backward class and minority leaders will be closely watching to determine whether the leadership change changes the government’s priorities. Shivakumar may need to reassure them that power has changed but political representation has not.At the same time, influential leaders from other communities are likely to push for greater prominence in the new system.According to reports, the demand is already being made for several Deputy CMs representing different social groups. Senior Dalit leaders, Lingayat leaders and regional power brokers all have claims that cannot be easily dismissed.

Ticking bomb of caste census

Shivakumar is also inheriting another politically sensitive issue from Siddaramaiah: the caste census. Before leaving office, Siddaramaiah accepted the findings of the socio-economic and educational survey and supported its implementation, positioning it as a tool for greater social justice and representation.However, the decision drew sharp reaction from influential Vokkaliga and Lingayat leaders, who questioned the methodology of the survey and the population figures given to their communities. Several organizations called for a fresh survey or a review of the findings.As Vokkaliga leader, Shivakumar faces a delicate balancing act. Reversing or weakening Siddaramaiah’s position may dismay the non-aligned groups that form the Congress’ core social coalition, but moving forward aggressively with the census recommendations risks alienating sections of key communities whose support is crucial to both the Congress and Shivakumar’s own political base.

Welfare versus development dilemma

The Congress government came to power on the strength of its guarantee schemes.Free electricity, free bus travel for women, cash assistance programs and other welfare initiatives helped build a powerful electoral coalition. While these schemes are popular among the beneficiaries, they are also expensive.Shivakumar inherits a government that must deliver on welfare commitments as well as invest in infrastructure, urban development and economic growth.This stress can affect his tenure to a great extent.Guarantees have become politically non-negotiable, withdrawing them would risk alienating key supporters. Yet continuing these indefinitely without expanding revenues creates fiscal constraints.Therefore, the challenge is not whether to continue the schemes or not, but how to sustain them.Can Karnataka maintain its welfare architecture while maintaining its reputation as one of India’s most investment-friendly states?This question is likely to become more acute as the next elections in the state approach.

countdown to 2028

Perhaps the biggest challenge facing Shivkumar is time. Shivkumar is holding the post of CM in the second half of his tenure.Meanwhile, the clock is already ticking towards the next assembly elections in 2028. This leaves him about two years to establish an independent record, deliver visible results and convince voters that Congress deserves another term.Anti-incumbency is already a factor.And for Shivakumar, this creates a unique political dilemma.Even if the government performs well, most of the credit can be given to Siddaramaiah as many key policies originated under his leadership.If the government struggles, the blame will probably fall on the new CM as he was in charge during the last phase before the elections.In this sense, Shivakumar has inherited both the benefits and burdens of power.For decades, Shivakumar had built his reputation as a political operator with extraordinary skill. He became indispensable to the Congress leadership. Also fondly called ‘Kanakpura Bande’ – the granite rock of Kanakapura (his constituency) – the 64-year-old leader has steadily established himself as the key Vokkaliga strongman of the Congress party. However, the troubleshooter now faces a different challenge.The qualities that make him a successful political manager may or may not result in successful governance. It will be known in the coming months whether Shivkumar will be able to make this change or not.And the results could decide not only the future of his government but also the future of the Congress in one of its most important states.After the oath taking ceremony on Wednesday, Congress’ crisis manager will be in charge of Karnataka and soon after this his real test will begin.

Bengaluru: South Korean space AI company Telepix has signed an MoU with Bengaluru-based space propulsion firm Bellatrix Aerospace to jointly develop a next-generation Earth Observation (EO) satellite designed to operate in very low Earth orbit (VLEO), with a technology demonstration mission targeted for launch in 2028.The partnership will combine Telepix’s high-resolution optical payload, Chouet, with Bellatrix’s VLEO satellite platform, powered by its proprietary air-breathing electric propulsion (ABEP) system. The companies said the collaboration aims to develop a satellite capable of continuous operation at altitudes between 150 km and 250 km, enabling continuous high-resolution EO and geospatial data collection.“The MOU was signed at Telepix’s SpaceLab facility in Daejeon, South Korea. Under the agreement, Bellatrix will provide the satellite bus, including propulsion, power, thermal control and attitude control systems, while Telepix Chouet will supply optical payload and support system integration,” it said in a statement issued on Monday.VLEO satellites operate much closer to Earth than traditional Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, providing significantly higher imaging resolution. This segment is expected to see increasing demand in defence, disaster response, environmental monitoring and precision observation applications.However, operating at such low altitudes presents a major technical challenge due to atmospheric drag, which can rapidly degrade satellite orbits. The companies said Bellatrix’s ABEP technology, which uses atmospheric particles as propellant, will help enable long-duration operations in VLEO environments.Telepix said its Chouette payload is designed specifically for VLEO missions and has a wide-swath imaging system capable of covering more than twice the observation width than comparable satellites currently on the market. The payload will also take advantage of the company’s artificial intelligence-based image processing capabilities.“Beyond the planned 2028 demonstration mission, the two companies will collaborate on launch operations, early-orbit activities and overall mission management. According to the statement, they will also explore future constellation deployment and commercial VLEO mission opportunities following in-orbit validation.Describing VLEO as a key pioneer in next-generation Earth observations, Telepix CEO Seongik Cho said the partnership will help Telepix extend its optical payload technology into new operational domains while expanding its global footprint. Bellatrix CEO Rohan M Ganapathy said that a commercially viable VLEO constellation could provide a “game-changing” improvement in imaging resolution compared to conventional EO observing systems operating in higher orbits.