Gujarat High Court Upholds Death Penalty for 38 in 2008 Ahmedabad Blasts; Multiple Major Developments Across India
The Gujarat High Court has confirmed death sentences for 38 convicts in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts case, in one of the largest mass death-penalty confirmations in Indian judicial history. The court observed that the accused showed no remorse for the attacks that killed 56 people across the city.
In other developments, a 36-year-old man claiming to be a US citizen was arrested while attempting to cross into Nepal through an unofficial footpath in Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh. Police recovered a Chinese passport, Nepalese currency, and an AI-powered translation device from him. He identified himself as Jordan Brown, a California resident, but lacked documents to confirm his identity. Authorities have informed the US embassy.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk entered the 16th day of his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar on Monday, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG paper leak. Wangchuk urged the Prime Minister to be sensitive to students' concerns and called for a parliamentary debate on the issue.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal confirmed that India and the US have agreed on the framework of a trade deal that aims to shield Indian exporters from additional tariffs under a Section 301 investigation. The deal will be signed at the 'right moment,' leaving timing deliberately open.
The United Kingdom announced it will designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, citing a rise in antisemitic attacks linked to IRGC networks. This aligns London more closely with Washington's position on Tehran.
Poll strategist-turned-candidate Prashant Kishor declared assets worth Rs 96 crore in his Bankipur bypoll nomination affidavit, with his wife's assets at Rs 101 crore, adding a new dimension to the contest.
In the FIFA World Cup semifinal, France and Spain are set to meet, representing contrasting football philosophies: Spanish possession and flow against French organisation and firepower.
In East Delhi, at least seven people, including a 13-year-old boy, were injured after armed men attacked residents of a housing society in Mayur Vihar Phase 3. The minor and a 40-year-old man remain in the ICU. The clash began over an argument and escalated after the boy's scooter headlight accidentally struck someone.