SC protects psephologist Sanjay Kumar in EC’s FIRs
NEW DELHI, Aug 25:The Supreme Court on Monday granted protection from arrest to psephologist Sanjay Kumar in connection with two FIRs lodged by the Election Commission of India accusing him of spreading misinformation over Maharashtra’s electoral rolls through posts on social media.A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice N V Anjaria took note of the submissions of senior advocate Vivek Tankha and advocate Sumeer Sodhi that the two FIRs were lodged against Kumar despite the deletion of the social media posts on “X” followed by a public apology.“He deleted and apologised immediately. Even then two FIRs have been lodged,” Tankha said, pressing for quashing of the FIRs besides protection from any coercive action.“Issue notice. In the meantime, there shall be no coercive action,” the CJI ordered. (PTI)
9 dead, 43 hurt as truck hits tractor-trolley carrying pilgrims
BULANDSHAHR,(UP)Aug 25: Nine people were killed and 42 injured when a truck rammed into a tractor-trolley carrying pilgrims in UP’s Bulandshahr district in the early hours of Monday, police said.Two of the deceased were minors, while 12 of those injured and hospitalised are below the age of 18.CM Yogi Adityanath condoled the demise of the pilgrims and directed officials to ensure the best treatment for those injured. He also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of those dead and Rs 50,000 each for the injured.The accident took place around 2.10 am on the Bulandshahr-Aligarh border, when the canter truck hit the tractor-trolley from behind, causing it to overturn, police said.The police officer said the victims were rushed to hospitals. “Eight people died, while 43 of them are undergoing treatment. Three of the injured are on ventilator support,” police added.Later, another man, identified as Lekhraj (40), succumbed to injuries during treatment at a hospital, taking the toll in the incident to nine, police said.They said 10 passengers escaped with minor injuries. (PTI)
Days after SC order, stray dog mauls 5-year-old boy in Delhi
NEW DELHI, Aug 25: A five-year-old boy sustained multiple deep bites after being attacked by a stray dog inside a police colony in east Delhi’s Shakarpur, officials said on Monday.The incident occurred on Sunday when the boy and his father had gone to meet their relatives living in the police colony, they said.The stray dog suddenly pounced on him and bit him multiple times, police said.Hearing the boy’s screams, a police inspector staying there rushed to the spot, freed him from the dog’s grip, and rushed him to a hospital.“The child received deep wounds in the attack. He has been admitted to a hospital where his condition is now stable,” the officer said.The matter came to light days after the Supreme Court modified its suo motu directive asking civic authorities in Delhi-NCR to capture all stray dogs and confine them to shelter homes within six to eight weeks.Calling the order “too harsh”, it directed that the canines be released post sterilisation and de-worming. (PTI)
