VVIP Chopper case: Delhi court rejects Christian Michel’s plea for release

New Delhi, Aug 8, 2025
A Delhi court has rejected the plea of Christian Michel James, a British national and the alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, who sought release on the grounds that he has already served the maximum punishment of seven years for the offences he was extradited for.

Special Judge (PC Act) Sanjay Jindal observed that Michel, who was extradited from the UAE in December 2018, cannot be released as he is also facing charges under Section 467 of the Indian Penal Code — a serious offence punishable with life imprisonment.

Before the Rouse Avenue Court, Michel’s counsel argued that he had already served the maximum period of punishment of seven years for the offences he was extradited for, and therefore, he was entitled to statutory bail.

Further, it was contended that Michel’s 123 days of pre-extradition detention in the UAE should also be taken into account while considering his entitlement to relief.

Opposing Christian Michel’s plea for release, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) argued that the accused is also charged under Section 467 IPC (forgery of valuable security), which carries a maximum punishment of life imprisonment — thereby disqualifying him from benefit under Section 436A of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

Under Section 436A of the CrPC, an undertrial prisoner who has spent half of the maximum period of imprisonment prescribed for the alleged offence shall be released on bail, except in cases where the offence is punishable with death.

Referring to orders passed earlier by the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court, the Special CBI Judge emphasized that most of the issues raised by the accused had already been adjudicated in the past, stating, “the judicial propriety does not allow to reconsider the issues again and again when the superior courts have already given observations on the same.”

The court relied on the observation of the Supreme Court in an order passed in February 2023, where the apex court had categorically held that Section 436A CrPC would not apply due to the presence of the Section 467 IPC charge.

Observing that the question of whether Section 467 IPC is made out can only be decided at the stage of framing of charges, and that it cannot be ruled out at this stage that the section may apply to Michel, the court directed that the matter be listed again on September 12 for further proceeding.

Michel, an accused in the Rs 3,600-crore alleged scam relating to the purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland, faces multiple charges of corruption, criminal conspiracy, and money laundering.

He was extradited to India on December 5, 2018, from the UAE. On his arrival in India, he was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Days later, he was also arrested by the financial probe agency, the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Since then, he has been lodged in judicial custody at Tihar Jail.(Agency)

Trump certainly doesn’t know what’s happening in Asia and India: Jim Rogers on US tariffs

New Delhi, Aug 8, 2025
As US President Donald Trump imposes 25 per cent tariffs on India, with an additional 25 per cent slated to come into effect from August 27, ace American investor Jim Rogers said on Friday that Trump doesn’t understand much of the world, and he certainly doesn’t understand what’s happening in Asia and particularly, India.

Speaking to IANS, Rogers who is one of the top financial commentators in the world, said that India remains the fastest growing economy in the world and Washington should actually be doing a lot of business with New Delhi rather than hampering long-standing trade and investment ties by slapping unrealistic tariffs.

“Trump wakes up, watches TV and then decides what to do. He doesn’t understand much of the world, and he certainly doesn’t understand what’s happening in Asia and India,” Rogers told IANS.

According to him, both the countries can actually increase trade to $500 billion by 2030, an envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Donald Trump, if the US President aims to bring Washington and New Delhi closer with reasonable gestures.

“For the first time in my life, I see that people in New Delhi seem to understand economics. They understand that prosperity is good, and success is good too. It is a very exciting and wonderful change for India,” Rogers emphasised, adding that India “could be an extremely exciting country, extremely exciting economy”.

He further stated that India is going to be one of the most exciting investment destinations in the world and it will certainly be compared to China and, maybe, even do much better than China in coming years.

On Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), Rogers told IANS that more free trade is better for the world, especially India. “It will be extremely exciting for the world, including foreign investors,” he mentioned.

New Delhi has signed 13 FTAs with its trading partners. The country is currently negotiating the following FTAs with its trading partners: India-EU FTA, India Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), India-Peru Trade Agreement, covering goods, services and investment, India-Sri Lanka Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) and India-Oman FTA.(Agency)

If you attack ‘One Man, One Vote’ right, we will attack you: LoP Gandhi warns ECI

Bengaluru, Aug 8, 2025
The Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday issued a stern warning to the Election Commission of India (ECI), stating, “If you (ECI) attack the ‘One Man, One Vote’ right enshrined in the Indian Constitution, we will attack you.”

Addressing a massive gathering at Freedom Park in Bengaluru, organised to protest alleged election fraud, LoP Rahul Gandhi said, “This is the voice of Hindustan.”

He added that the Election Commission had demanded his affidavit and oath in connection with the complaint of election fraud. “I have already taken my oath in the Lok Sabha — on the Constitution,” he asserted.

LoP Rahul Gandhi emphasised that the foundational idea of the Constitution is “One Man, One Vote.” He accused ECI officials of attacking this principle and, by extension, targeting the poor.

“If you think you can get away after committing election fraud, think again. It may take time, but we will catch you. We will catch each and every one of you,” he warned.

He stated that people across the country are now questioning the functioning of the ECI after the Congress party raised several issues. “The ECI has shut down its websites in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar,” the LoP claimed.

LoP Gandhi guaranteed that if the ECI were to release the electronic voters’ list for the entire country along with video recordings, the Congress would prove that electoral fraud was not limited to just one seat in Karnataka but is a widespread issue across India.

He further stated that the Election Commission is supposed to work for the Constitution, not for the BJP. “We have already proven how the result of one seat in Karnataka was stolen. And there are more. Congress workers carry the DNA of the Constitution,” he said.

Referring to ‘Operation Lotus’ in Karnataka, he told the crowd, “You all know how the previous government was hijacked using money. Today, I am saying with 100 per cent conviction that electoral fraud was committed during the Lok Sabha elections. The BJP’s ideology is against the Constitution. The Constitution protects the voice of the poor, the farmers, the workers, and the voiceless. Every Congress worker will defend it.”

Rahul Gandhi said that he may be the Leader of the Opposition, but he is not alone in this battle. “Opposition parties across the country are raising these questions. The ECI must release the data,” he demanded.

He stated that the Congress began its investigation with one Lok Sabha seat — Bengaluru Central — and focussed its research on the Mahadevapura Assembly segment. “We found clear evidence that the BJP and the ECI colluded to commit fraud. Out of 6.5 lakh voters in Mahadevapura, 1.25 lakh votes were stolen. That means one in every six votes was manipulated,” he claimed.

LoP Gandhi alleged that the fraud was carried out using five key methods. First, duplicate voters — about 12,000 people — were allowed to vote in five to six different polling booths. Second, around 40,000 voters were enrolled using fake IDs. Third, bulk voters were registered under the same address; in one instance, 40 people were shown living in a single house. “When we visited the house, no one was there, and the property belonged to a BJP leader,” he said.

Fourth, nearly 4,000 voters were listed without photos or with very unclear images. Fifth, approximately 34,000 new voters were added through Form 6, many of them aged between 89 and 95 years, which raised serious doubts.

“In total, the BJP and the ECI have stolen more than one lakh votes,” LoP Gandhi professed. He further claimed that there were duplicate voters who have cast votes in multiple cities, including Bengaluru, Lucknow, and Varanasi.(Agency)

US at risk of losing India as strategic partner in Indo-Pacific: Former senior Commerce Dept official

Washington, Aug 8, 2025
Former US Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade and senior foreign policy expert, Christopher Padilla, has warned that the ongoing trade tensions could pose a risk of long-term damage to the India-US relationship.

“I’m concerned that for the sake of short-term issues, we’re putting this relationship at risk,” Padilla told IANS.

He also feared that “there will be a long memory” of US actions in India, potentially leading to “a questioning of whether the United States is a reliable partner”.

“I know from working with colleagues in India over many years that these slights will not be quickly forgotten, and saying that India, which is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, is a dead economy. That doesn’t help,” he noted.

Padilla, who served in the George W. Bush administration and is now a Senior Advisor at Brunswick, a global advisory firm, highlighted that the current crisis stems from President Donald Trump’s actions against India’s core interests – the pressure to open up the agriculture and dairy sectors and New Delhi’s independent foreign policy.

“The difficulty of opening the agriculture market, given the structure of the Indian economy, is a core interest, and the other is the independence of Indian foreign policy,” he told IANS.

On the potential impact of US tariffs on India’s exports, Padilla argued that “it will be painful”, but Indian exporters could adapt with alternative markets.

“When you look at some of the key Indian exports, there are alternative markets for things like precious stones, or textiles…People have talked a lot about the number of iPhones being made in India. Well, there’s a global market for iPhones. If they can’t be sold in the United States, they can be sold in other places.”

On foreign policy, he highlighted that India’s relationship with Russia has always been an “irritant” in India-US ties, but Washington had been willing to “live with it” for the larger strategic importance of India vis-a-vis China. But that strategy is undergoing a major shift.

Padilla expressed surprise over how the US is “treating China at the moment, much more favourably than India”.

“So, we’ve got this strange situation. Where we’re seeing significant damage to an important strategic relationship between the US and India, while at the same time, the United States is making apparent concessions toward its most significant strategic competitor in the world,” he told IANS.

On the possibility of US coercion driving India closer to Russia and China, he believed that there are “internal contradictions in terms of foreign policy interests” among the three countries but stressed that it’s “not in the interest of the United States to drive countries toward closer collaboration”.

Padilla, who was part of the civil nuclear deal and other trade negotiations with India during the mid-2000s, asserted that Washington’s arm-twisting tactics that led to the capitulation of other countries were never going to work with New Delhi.

“India is a very vibrant democracy. I’ve experienced that in my dealings with India over many years. We’re not dealing with a relatively small country in Latin America or Southeast Asia that might be more willing to compromise on core interests,” he noted.

Looking ahead, the former US senior official acknowledged that “it’s going to be difficult for both sides to find a way to go back away from confrontation”, but he was confident that “it can be done”.

“We have got 20 years of a strong relationship here. There’s a firm base of common interest. I’m hoping that things will calm down. We have bigger interests at stake here than just trade and dairy products,” he told IANS.

Padilla concluded with a piece of advice. “Buckle up, because this isn’t going to reach some equilibrium where everything is going to be normal again, I think for the next three and a half years, the only certainty is more uncertainty.”(Agency)

Man-son duo set afire: 12-year-old dies, father sustains burns in Bihar’s Katihar

Patna, Aug 8, 2025
In a shocking incident, a 12-year-old boy died and his father sustained severe burns after being allegedly set on fire in their home at Kachora village in Bihar’s Katihar district.

The deceased has been identified as Sunil Kumar Mandal.

Sunil’s father, 45-year-old Ram Kalyan Mandal, is battling for his life in Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, Bhagalpur’s burn ward.

According to police, both the man and his son were sleeping on the veranda of their house on Thursday when unidentified assailants allegedly sprinkled petrol on them and set them ablaze.

Other family members, who were sleeping inside, rushed out on hearing screams. Villagers quickly gathered and managed to douse the flames.

The victims were first taken to the Primary Health Centre in Durgaganj and later referred to Katihar Sadar Hospital.

As their condition worsened, they were shifted to Bhagalpur, where Sunil succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

The incident has plunged the village into mourning. Family members allege foul play, though the motive remains unclear.

Kadwa SHO Vijay Prakash said one person has been detained for questioning, and the case is being investigated from “every possible angle”.

He assured that strict action would be taken against those found guilty.

“We have called the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to collect the evidence from the crime scene. The body was sent for the post-mortem examination. We are waiting for the report for the analysis,” Prakash said.

“We are also waiting for the recovery of the injured person to take his statement. His statement will be crucial to identify the accused,” Prakash said.

“We have registered an FIR of murder and attempt to murder under the relevant sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sahita in Kadwa police station, and the investigation is currently underway. We are taking statements of the deceased’s family members to crack this case,” he added.(Agency)

Shilpa Shetty reveals she is on the hunt for a dulha for sister Shamita on ‘The Great Indian Kapil Show’

Mumbai, Aug 8, 2025
In the upcoming episode of ‘The Great Indian Kapil Show’ season 3, host Kapil Sharma celebrates Raksha Bandhan with a special guest lineup featuring sibling duos Shilpa and Shamita Shetty and Huma Qureshi and Saqib Saleem.

The episode promises laughter and light-hearted banter as the stars share fun family moments, playful secrets, and engage in witty exchanges with Kapil.

In a new promo, Shilpa brings full-on matchmaker vibes as she appears with her sister Shamita, determined to find her the perfect dulha — all on a global streaming stage! During a light hearted conversation, the ‘Dhadkan’ actress says “Main toh besharam bhi hoon, main toh saamne se pooch bhi leti hoon, ‘tumhari shaadi ho gayi hai?’”

Cracking up the audience she continues, “Woh sochta hoga ki ‘tumhari toh shaadi ho gayi hai, yeh mujhse abhi ye sawaal kyun kar rahi hai?’ phir main bolti hoon, ‘nahin nahin mere liye nahin, meri choti behen ke liye!’ Actually, main impress bohot jaldi ho jaati hoon isiliye!”

Kapil adds to the fun by teasing Huma about her dating app collaboration and playfully suggesting that Shamita give it a try. But the spotlight soon shifts when a fan named Prachi takes center stage and surprises everyone by proposing to Saqib with a touching shayari, bringing a sweet twist to the episode.

As if things couldn’t get more entertaining, the fan casually mentions having a younger brother — instantly grabbing Shilpa’s interest. With a straight face, she quickly asks, “How old is he?”, playfully hinting at yet another potential match for Shamita. Saqib can’t help but quip, “Was this a Raksha Bandhan special or a matrimony special?” adding to the laughter.

Earlier, the makers dropped a promo where Shilpa Shetty playfully teased Kapil Sharma about his weight loss.

The comedian quickly responded with a witty comeback, saying he probably picked it up from her — and joked that he seems to be shrinking every year. The fun continued when Kapil asked if Shamita shares everything with Shilpa, to which Shilpa cheekily replied that the only thing Shamita keeps from her are her boyfriend secrets.

On a related note, this episode will stream this Saturday, 9th August, on Netflix. Hosted by Kapil Sharma, the show also stars Sunil Grover, Kiku Sharda, and Krushna Abhishek. The latest season features the return of Navjot Singh Sidhu, who joins Archana Puran Singh as a permanent guest on the show.(Agency)

SC rejects CBI plea to review its decision against piecemeal charge sheets

New Delhi, Aug 8, 2025
The Supreme Court has rejected a plea filed by the CBI seeking a review of its earlier verdict, which held that an investigating agency cannot file a charge sheet or prosecution complaint without completing the investigation, merely to deprive an arrested accused of their right to default bail.

“Having perused the review petition and the connected papers with meticulous care, we do not find any justifiable reason to entertain the review petition. The review petition is, accordingly, dismissed,” a bench of CJI B.R. Gavai and Justice M.M. Sundresh ordered.

In a judgment passed in April 2023, a bench of then Justices Krishna Murari and C.T. Ravikumar had ruled that a charge sheet filed without completing the investigation cannot defeat an accused’s right to default bail. It held that the right to default bail is not just a statutory entitlement under Section 167(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) but a fundamental right flowing directly from Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

If a charge sheet is filed by an investigating agency without completing the investigation, the trial court cannot continue to remand the arrested person beyond the stipulated time without granting default bail, the top court added.

In its judgement, the Supreme Court noted that the practice of filing incomplete charge sheets “has now taken the form of filing charge sheets without actually completing the investigation, only to scuttle the right of default bail”.

“If we were to hold that charge sheets can be filed without completing the investigation, and the same can be used for prolonging remand, it would in effect negate the purpose of introducing Section 167(2) of the CrPC and ensure that the fundamental rights guaranteed to accused persons are violated,” it said.

The decision came on a writ petition filed by Ritu Chhabaria seeking the release of her husband, who was arrested by the CBI and held in custody beyond the stipulated period without a complete investigation being concluded.

The plea argued that the continuous filing of piecemeal supplementary charge sheets was a tactic to prevent his release on default bail.

However, in May 2023, a two-judge bench comprising then CJI D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice J.B. Pardiwala passed an interim order directing courts across the country to defer hearings on applications based on the Ritu Chhabaria judgment, after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) sought a recall of the verdict. The operation of this interim order has been extended from time to time.(Agency)

Ammy Virk joins ‘Godday Godday Chaa 2’: It’s a film with heart, humour and purpose

Mumbai, Aug 8, 2025
Punjabi sensation Ammy Virk has joined the cast of Godday Godday Chaa 2, the sequel to the Punjabi blockbuster which was feted at the 71st National Film Award for Best Punjabi Feature Film.

Ammy added, “I’ve always admired the kind of cinema that entertains while making a strong statement and Godday Godday Chaa did exactly that.”

“I want to congratulate the entire team on the well-deserved National Award and the love they’ve received from audiences everywhere. I’m truly excited to be joining the second chapter of this beautiful journey. It’s a film with heart, humor, and purpose and I’m proud to be a part of it,” he added.

Directed by Vijay Kumar Arora and written by Jagdeep Sidhu, Godday Godday Chaa 2 is produced by Zee Studios and VH Entertainment and is slated for a Diwali 2025 release.

Godday Godday Chaa is a Punjabi family comedy-drama film set in the 1980s and 1990s. The film stars Sonam Bajwa, Tania, Gitaj Bindrakhia, and Gurjazz.

It is set during the early 80s and 90s, when it was only a dream for the women of Punjab to attend a wedding.

The movie revolves around Rani, who has made it her mission to take the women of her ‘pind’ to a baraat. To fulfil her mission, she teams up with other females in the village and takes some really bold steps.

Ammy completed a decade in showbiz on July 31.

Talking about his journey, Ammy, who is known for his Patiala-Shahi turban. stated: “My journey in the industry has been fruitful, filled with passion and immense learning.”

“The unwavering love from my audience is truly humbling. I’ve always aimed to tell stories that resonate and give my 100% to every role. I’m so grateful that I have received so much love in the last 10 years,” he added.(Agency)

Central University of Punjab Hosts Sampark Meeting to Support Anti-Drug Campaign

Bathinda, August 8, 2025 (Yes Punjab News)

The Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, under the patronage of Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari, organized a Sampark Meeting as part of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, aimed at raising awareness against drug abuse and encouraging youth to play an active role in building a Nasha Mukt Rangla Punjab.

The event was conducted under the ongoing “Yudh Nashian De Virudh” campaign and brought together police officials, university students, and faculty in a meaningful interaction.

The session was led by Dr. Jatinder Jain, IPS, Special DGP, who was accompanied by a high-level police team including Shri Harjeet Singh, IPS, DIG Bathinda Range; Ms. Amneet Kondal, IPS, SSP Bathinda; Ms. Heena Gupta, SP PBI; and Shri Harjeet Singh Maan, DGP (Rural).

During the session, the police officials interacted with students and delivered impactful messages about the harmful consequences of drug addiction. They encouraged students to remain vigilant, make informed choices, and support the state’s anti-drug initiatives. Representatives from the Cyber Crime Cell, PS Bathinda, also shared vital information on online safety and preventive measures to avoid cybercrimes.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari, in his address, thanked the visiting officers for their commitment to the cause and urged students to cultivate the strength to reject negative influences by saying no to drugs.

He emphasized that the teachings of India’s ancient scriptures and the messages of the ten Sikh Gurus inspire us to lead a life of simplicity, discipline, and righteousness. He encouraged students to not only abstain from substance abuse but also to spread awareness among peers. Prof. Kiran Hazarika, Pro Vice-Chancellor, CU Punjab, also graced the event with his esteemed presence.

The programme also included an interactive Q&A session where first-year undergraduate and postgraduate students participated enthusiastically. The event concluded with a collective pledge to say “No to Drugs”, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Prof. Sanjeev Thakur, Dean, Students’ Welfare.

The meeting served as a powerful reminder of the importance of collective action in the fight against drug abuse and the pivotal role youth can play in shaping a healthy, drug-free society.

Innocent Hearts School Celebrates Raksha Bandhan to Symbolize Purity of Love and Affection

Jalandhar, August 8, 2025 (Yes Punjab News)

All the five campuses of Innocent Hearts School, Green Model Town, Loharan, Cantt-Jandiala Road, Noorpur Road, and Kapurthala Road celebrated the festival of Raksha Bandhan with great enthusiasm and cultural fervour.

The event aimed to promote the values of love and respect, symbolizing the sacred bond of siblings. The little ones of Pre- Primary wing celebrated ‘Thread of Love ‘ with utmost joy and creativity.

They made beautiful rakhis in class with their mother teachers. To dedicate this pious festival to environment and to acknowledge our mother nature, the students of Grade I and II participated in the activity ”Ek Dhaga Prakriti Ke Naam’, to execute this, they tied hand-made eco friendly rakhis to the trees to promote cultural and environmental bonding.

The event started with the message:”Pedon se karein hum pyar,Rakhi baandh kar karein swach aur sunder sansaar” .

The students of Grade III made beautiful hand made Rakhis and cards to strengthen sibling bonding through creative expression and motor skills.The students of Grade IV,V,VI celebrated the wonderful festival of Rakhi to show dedication, respect, love and empathy for Indian soldiers.

They made tricolor and camouflage themed eco friendly rakhis with the message of ‘Thank you, Soldiers” To celebrate the glorious festival with flavourful desserts, the students of Grade VII-VIII prepared delicious sweets like cookies, cup cakes and mini sandwiches to present the activity “Sweets and Treats”, The celebration of Raksha Bandhan became a memorable event that not only brought smiles to young faces but also instilled the timeless values of love, trust and mutual respect.

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