Five must-read stories—February 7

Chennai coup stalled for the time being

With the Supreme Court indicating that it would pass orders within a week in the appeal against acquittal of J Jayalalithaa and others in the disproportionate assets case, the swearing in of VK Sasikala, close confidante and friend of the former chief minister, appears to have been stalled for the time being. The NewsMinute.com explains the implications in this report.

CRPF commandos desert unit

As many as 59 commandos of the CRPF fled home while being transported by train from Jammu to Gaya in Bihar. The CRPF, the parent organisation, suggested it was a case of AWOL (absent without official leave). The paramilitary force said in a statement the commandos "decided on their own to avail Saturday and Sunday to visit their home without permission" and described it as a "misconduct". But an internal message from the CRPF to its formations across the country on Sunday night was less euphemistic: "These constables deserted from the train without the permission of competent authority," reported The Telegraph.

Cyrus Mistry removed from the Board of Tata Sons

Shareholders of Tata Sons, in an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on Monday afternoon, voted to remove former chairman Cyrus Mistry as director of the company. The meeting took place at the Bombay House, the headquarters of the $103-billion group.The meeting was attended by Tata Sons interim chairman Ratan Tata, N Chandrasekaran, who will take over as Tata Sons chairman on February 21, and other Tata Sons directors, including Ajay Piramal. Mistry did not attend the meeting. A one-line statement from Tata Sons said Mistry has been removed with a “requisite majority”, without giving any details. The EGM was called by the Tata Trusts, chaired by Tata, reports Business Standard.

US tech companies stand up to Trump

As many as 100 US tech companies led by Google, Apple and Microsoft have challenged President Trump’s travel ban decree in court, inviting backlash from Trump supporters. The companies said in a statement that immigration and innovation went hand in hand and that the travel ban would force them to shift some of their operations outside the United States, reports Reuters.

Supreme Court orders Aamby Valley to be attached

The Supreme Court dealt a severe blow to the Sahara group on Monday by ordering attachment of its prime Aamby Valley property in Pune, worth nearly ₹40,000 crore, to force it and group chief Subrata Roy to deposit the remaining ₹14,779 crore it owes investors with market regulator Sebi soon, reports The Times of India.