January 2: Top headlines at noon

SC holds that any appeal for votes on ground of religion amounts to corrupt practices under electoral laws

The Supreme Court in a majority verdict has held that any appeal for votes on ground of religion amounts to corrupt practices under electoral laws. CJI TS Thakur, Justices MB Lokur, NL Rao and SA Bobde comprising the majority of the bench held that the term 'His' used in provisions of election law is all encompassing and means religion of candidates, voters, agents etc. The minority view comprising Justices UU Lalit, AK Goel and DY Chandrachud, however, held that the term 'his' used in election law means the candidate only.

SC removes Anurag Thakur as BCCI President

The Supreme Court has removed Anurag Thakur and Ajay Shirke as BCCI President and Secretary, respectively, and issued a contempt notice to the former. The SC ordered that a committee of administrators will look after the affairs of BCCI and requested senior advocates Fali Nariman and Gopal Subramaniam to assist in nominating persons of impeccable integrity as members of the committee. All office bearers of BCCI and state associations have to give an undertaking to abide by recommendations of the Lodha panel, said the apex court, furthering ordering that all who refuse to abide by the panel’s recommendations shall demit office forthwith. No one above 70 years, unsound mind, ministers, government servants, convicted persons and those holding post for cumulative term of 9 years can be office bearers.

Mulayam postpones January 5 national convention of SP

Amidst the ongoing feud in Uttar Pradesh's ruling party, Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Yadav in a series of tweets said that on the orders of SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, the convention called on January 5 has been postponed for now. While Shivpal gave no reasons for the abrupt cancellation of the meeting, insiders said perhaps the MSY camp was apprehensive of a poor turnout compared to the massive gathering at the "convention" held by Ramgopal Yadav yesterday. The convention was declared illegal and unconstitutional by MSY. Shivpal in another tweet asked party workers to concentrate on their respective constituencies and work hard to win the elections. Meanwhile, senior SP leaders from both camps are likely to visit the Election Commission in New Delhi today to put forth their case—MSY has declared that the party’s cycle symbol is “ours”. Party sources said MSY may not visit Delhi as he is indisposed.

Delhi Police Head Constable shoots self at Supreme Court

A Delhi Police head constable posted at the Supreme Court today allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself with his service revolver in court premises. The deceased, identified as head constable Chandpal, shot himself around 8.15 am, said a senior police officer. He had been posted at the Supreme Court since April 2014. The cause of the suicide was not known yet, the officer said, adding crime and forensic teams were on the spot. Police will be questioning Chandpal's family members and colleagues to ascertain the reasons for him taking the extreme step.

Petrol price hiked by ₹1.29 a litre, diesel by 97 paise

Petrol price was on Sunday hiked by ₹1.29 a litre—the third increase in a month, and diesel rate was raised by 97 paise a litre—the second hike in a fortnight. The increase in rates announced by oil firms is excluding state levies and the actual hike will be higher.