Top stories on 12 December in a capsule
INDIA
Six persons were sentenced to death by a court on Tuesday for suspected honour killing of a 22-year-old Dalit man in public in nearby Udumalpet,Tamil Nadu, in March last year. an armed gang had indiscriminately hacked Shankar, a Dalit youth, and his wife Kausalya belonging to the Thevar (OBC) community, outside a shopping complex with long knives. While Shankar had succumbed to the injuries, Kousalya sustained serious injuries. The death sentence of the six convicts would be executed subject to mandatory confirmation from Madras High Court. The court ruling is believed to be the 1st such conviction in a case of murder related to caste discrimination.
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At least 12 special courts would be set up to decide cases involving politicians as accused, the Centre told the Supreme Court on Tuesday. It also sought more time to collect and collate data of pending cases against lawmakers across the country. The Centre had earlier told the top court that decriminalisation of politics has to be done and it was not averse to the setting up of special courts to deal with cases involving politicians and speedy disposal of these matters.
6 sentenced to death for honour killing of Dalit man
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Will set up special courts on cases involving politicians: center to SC
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Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday addressed his first press conference after being declared the unopposed President of the party. On the last day of the election campaign in Gujarat, he said that the BJP has not spoken about Gujarat and its people and that he talks only about Congress and himself. He also added that he wanted to change the political discourse of the country. The PM has only helped 5-10 people, not the people of Gujarat.
The prime and sole accused in the rape and murder case of Dalit law student, Jisha of Kerala, was found guilty by the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court, on Tuesday. Ameerul Islam, an Assamese laborer had horrifyingly assaulted and murdered Jisha at her residence on April 28, 2016. The court convicted Islam for murder, rape, wrongful confinement and house trespassing.
Oil rose above $65 a barrel for the first time since mid-2015 on Tuesday, due to an unplanned shut down one of UK’s biggest oil pipeline. The Forties oil pipeline helps set global oil prices. It was scheduled to pump 406,000 barrels per day (bpd) in December, but was shut down on Monday after cracks were found in what traders believe is the first unplanned outage for some years.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed disappointment in the way how Centre moved the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to take control of real estate firm Unitech Ltd’s board without seeking its permission. It has decided to continue hearing the matter tomorrow and has also sought government’s views on how to protect the interests of homebuyers. It also said that justice to the homebuyers is it’s first priority.
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ENTERTAINMENT
Mega-superstar Rajinikanth turned 67 on Tuesday, as fans flocked on social media and outside his residence to wish him on the day. The actor opted for a private, low-key affair in wake of the tragic aftermath of Cyclone Ockhi, that had hit the state of Tamil Nadu last month. Moreover, the fans received a special treat as the first look of his upcoming movie Kaala Karikaalan was released by son-in-law Dhanush.
PM Modi takes seaplane ride in Sabarmati
With his road show being cancelled on the last day of Gujarat's election campaign, PM Modi resorted to other means to reach out to the public. The PM, on Tuesday, traveled by the nations's first-ever seaplane from Sabarmati River to Dharoi dam, in Mehsana district. Commenting on the experience, the PM tweeted "it is not possible to build airport everywhere, so our govt is focusing on the waterways." Meanwhile, opposition Patidar leader Hardik Patel, hit back at the trip saying "Will it help farmers in sprinkling pesticides?
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Rahul Gandhi address first speech as party President
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5 Army jawans lost as Kashmir receives heavy snowfall
With the outbreak of fresh snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir, five Army jawans went reportedly missing on Tuesday. While two of the security personnel slipped down a slope in Nagaum district, the other three went missing from a LoC post near Bandipora's Gurez. “Continuous efforts are on to trace the missing soldiers but the snowfall is affecting rescue and search operations,” a J&K police officer said. In another event, an army porter lost his life in the snowfall.
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Hotels, Restaurants can sell bottled water above MRP: SC
The Central Government on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that selling bottled mineral water above the retail price (MRP) will lead to fine and jail term for the particular restaurants, hotels etc. Charging above MRP is considered against consumer interest and can also lead to tax invasion. The fine can go up to Rs. 25,000 for the first offence, can increase to Rs. 50,000 for second offence and subsequent offences can attract a fine of up to Rs. 1 lakh or imprisonment for one year or both.
The Supreme court, however clarified that restaurants and hotels can charge customers more for water as they offer seating space too. But other set-ups cannot.
The Central Government on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that selling bottled mineral water above the retail price (MRP) will lead to fine and jail term for the particular restaurants, hotels etc. Charging above MRP is considered against consumer interest and can also lead to tax invasion. The fine can go up to Rs. 25,000 for the first offence, can increase to Rs. 50,000 for second offence and subsequent offences can attract a fine of up to Rs. 1 lakh or imprisonment for one year or both.
The Supreme court, however clarified that restaurants and hotels can charge customers more for water as they offer seating space too. But other set-ups cannot.
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Jisha Murder Case: Prime accused found guilty by Kerala court
The prime and sole accused in the rape and murder case of Dalit law student, Jisha of Kerala, was found guilty by the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court, on Tuesday. Ameerul Islam, an Assamese laborer had horrifyingly assaulted and murdered Jisha at her residence on April 28, 2016. The court convicted Islam for murder, rape, wrongful confinement and house trespassing.
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BUSINESS
Oil prices rise to $65 a barrel, highest since mid-2015
Oil rose above $65 a barrel for the first time since mid-2015 on Tuesday, due to an unplanned shut down one of UK’s biggest oil pipeline. The Forties oil pipeline helps set global oil prices. It was scheduled to pump 406,000 barrels per day (bpd) in December, but was shut down on Monday after cracks were found in what traders believe is the first unplanned outage for some years.
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It’s disturbing: SC over Unitech row
The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed disappointment in the way how Centre moved the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to take control of real estate firm Unitech Ltd’s board without seeking its permission. It has decided to continue hearing the matter tomorrow and has also sought government’s views on how to protect the interests of homebuyers. It also said that justice to the homebuyers is it’s first priority.
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ENTERTAINMENT
Rajinikanth turns 67, fans wish the 'Thalaiva'
