India News LIVE: Manipur minister's residence burned down

The 22nd Law Commission of India has decided again to solicit the views and ideas of the public at large and recognised religious organizations about the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). An official notification from the Ministry of Law and Justice said that those who are interested and willing may present their views within a period of 30 days from the date of the notice issued i.e. June 14.

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has predicted that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections can be preponed and might be conducted in 2023 itself. While inaugurating projects worth Rs 6,680 crore on Wednesday, the Bihar CM instructed the engineers to complete the projects fast as the general elections would not necessarily be conducted in 2024. 

A special court issued summons to Rahul Gandhi, DK Shivakumar and Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah over the 40% commission ad case. Congress had said before the Karnataka elections that the then-incumbent BJP government in the state indulged in corruption and looted over 1.5 lakh crore. Read more. 

The system is taking care of everything including maintaining the supply of water and electricity in case of Cyclone Biparjoy, quick restoration in case of supply interruption and necessary facilities to the people in the shelter home," Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel tweeted as Cyclone Biparjoy approaches for a landfall on June 15. 

"There are several blocks where candidates are not able to file nominations. State Election Commission is not working properly, they are not allowing Central Forces to take charge. If this continues, free and fair elections will not be conducted," West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar said. "No initiatives have been taken by the State Election Commission regarding the Court judgement.

Earlier, BJP MP Suvendu Adhikar met with State Election Commissioner Rajiva Sinha and raised concerns over the violence before the panchayat elections scheduled for July 8.

The Sessions Court has reserved the order on DMK leader Senthil Balaji's bail plea. The Tamil Nadu Electricity minister was arrested by ED on Wednesday for the alleged cash-for-jobs scam. He has been sent to judicial custody till June 28.

The West Bengal police arrested 17-18 people after a clash broke out between two groups during the filing of nominations for the panchayat elections in Canning, South 24 Parganas. "There was a clash between two groups. The mob attacked the police as well. I was also injured. Some policemen got minor injuries. 2 people were injured. They are undergoing treatment at the hospital and are currently stable," Dibakar Das, Canning Sub-Divisional Police Officer told ANI. 

BJP MP and leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari met with State Election Commissioner Rajiva Sinha after incidents of clashes were reported in South 24 Parganas and Bankura on Wednesday. During the meeting, Adhikari raised concerns over the violence before the panchayat elections on July 8. Earlier in a tweet, the MP claimed that journalists in Bengal "are facing the ire of the TMC goons & anti-socials."

DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Electricity minister Senthil Balaji has moved the sessions court for a bail after being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) earlier on Wednesday. Currently admitted at a hospital in Chennai, Balaji told the court that he needs time to recover and claimed that he is being subjected to ill treatment. Balaji has been arrested in the cash for jobs scam and has been sent to judicial custody till June 28. Read more here. 

"Senthil Balaji's arrest is a murder of democracy. This has been done to corner DMK, before Parliament Elections. No procedures were followed in the arrest...BJP is trying to create a fake narrative that DMK is a corrupt party," DMK leader and Tamil Nadu health minister Ma Subramanian said during a press conference. "They are trying to do this, with the help of institutions like ED." Balaji is accused of receiving kickbacks from drivers and conductors for appointing them to the transport corporation. Tap here to read more. 

Two wheels of a goods train (Damdim-NJP-Chilahati) derailed near New Jalpaiguri station in Siliguri at 11:10 am today, Sabyasachi De, CPRO, Northeast Frontier Railway said. The restoration work was completed at 2:17 pm. 

DMK minister Senthil Balaji who was arrested by the ED for alleged corruption has been sent to judicial custody till June 28. This comes after a Sessions Court judge arrived at a hospital in Chennai where the Electricity Minister is admitted. He was admitted to the hospital after he complained of chest pain following his arrest. He is accused of receiving kickbacks from drivers and conductors for appointing them to the transport corporation and a case has been registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). 

The Sessions Court judge arrived at the hospital where DMK Minister Senthil Balaji is admitted in Chennai. The minister was arrested by ED for corruption following which he complained of chest pain and admitted to the hospital. The judge meanwhile, will be briefed of the minister's health before the proceedings for the corruption case registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) begins. 

"Took information about availability of oxygen, ventilators and critical care beds in Kutch district government hospital, trust-run hospital and other hospitals in the region," Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya tweeted. "Post cyclone also reviewed the preparations so that health facilities are available immediately if needed."

The inquiry committee, constituted in connection with the fire that broke out in Satpura Bhawan on June 12, visited the floors that were affected by the fire. The statements of seven staff officers were recorded. The committee will submit an inquiry report to the Madhya Pradesh government in two days.

Another incident of clash was reported between TMC and BJP workers this time in West Bengal's Bankura. This comes when candidates are filing their nominations for the panchayat elections scheduled for July 8. 

Madras High Court judge has recused himself from the DMK minister Senthil Balaji's case. The case was listed for an emergency hearing on Wednesday, June 14. 

In yet another attempt to showcase unity, the Opposition parties are all set to form Common Minimum Programme (CMP) on the sidelines of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. As per the sources, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar is likely to be accorded the crucial role of framing and heading the programme. This comes a week ahead of the Opposition parties meeting in Patna on June 23 which will be chaired by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. READ MORE

Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai on Wednesday spoke to Republic TV in relation to the Electricity Minister Senthil Balaji's arrest who has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case earlier in the day. He slammed CM Stalin and said, "He has changed his stand now as in 2018 he called Senthil the most corrupt person. Attempts are being made to shield him".

"Talks are underway between Khap leaders and the administration. We are making efforts to clear the traffic congestion in the area," Bahadurgarh SDM Anil Yadav said.  

Khap leaders have given a call for the Haryana bandh on Wednesday, June 14, demanding the arrest of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment charges.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday met D Raja (General Secretary of Communist Party of India) to seek CPI's support on the Centre's ordinance against Delhi government.

Aannamalaii addresses press conference on ED action on DMK leader Senthil Balaji. WATCH LIVE 

State minister Senthil Balaji might underwent Coronary Angiogram on Wednesday, June 14. The bypass surgery is advised at the earliest. 

A goods train derailed between Thadi and Anakapalle railway station in the Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh. Following the incident, South Central Railway has cancelled at least six trains and has rescheduled a train. 

Responding to the Tamil Nadu Minister's arrest, the Aam Aadmi Party took responded stating, "We strongly condemn the late-night arrest of Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister Senthil Balaji by the Enforcement Directorate. The manner in which he was arrested despite his health condition is inhumane and raises serious concerns about the working methods of the ED. This arrest is a part of the continued attack on India's opposition, and it undermines the very foundations of our democracy. We stand in solidarity with Balaji and all those opposition leaders who have been victims of BJP's undemocratic targeting." 

Nine people have been killed and 10 others injured in fresh violence on June 14 in Khamenlok area, Imphal SP Shivkanta Singh said. 

After her husband was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate, Senthil Balaji's wife moves for Habeus corpus in the Madras High Court claiming that he has been arrested in violation to the law. 

Madras HC has agreed to take the case for an emergency hearing on Wednesday afternoon. 

After meeting arrested minister Senthil Balaji in hospital, Tamil Nadu minister MK Stalin took to Twitter and wrote, "What was the purpose of the enforcement department to torture minister Senthil Balaji so that he would get chest pain even after he said that he would cooperate fully with the investigation? Is it necessary for the enforcement officers to act in a dehumanising manner in violation of the legal procedures required by the case? Don't fear. People will give a reply in 2024 elections."

A segment of Delhi Dwarka Highway, which is currently under-construction, collapsed on Wednesday. Four fire tenders rushed to the spot.

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin arrived at Omandurar government hospital to meet state minister Senthil Balaji in Chennai. Balaji was admitted to the hospital after he was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case.

India welcomed Zimbabwe Vice President Constantino Chiwenga in New Delhi for CII-EXIM Bank Conclave. The visit will give a boost to the development partnership and trade and economic ties between the two countries. 

Border Security Forces have foiled another drug smuggling attempt by Pakistan-based smugglers. On Wednesday, three packets carrying 2.6 kg of drugs were recovered from the Pakistan border in Punjab’s Ferozepur. The drug shipment was dropped through a drone with a blinker. According to BSF, they have also recovered blinkers along with drug consignments.

Chief Minister MK Stalin will arrive at Omandurar hospital to visit his minister Senthil Balaji after his health condition deteriorated after ED raids. Sources have informed that DMK's legal team will file an appeal in Madras High Court, in the meantime Balaji is under treatment in the hospital.  The legal team of DMK will also file a case under violation of human rights leading to health issues as well. 

The income tax department is conducting searches at the residences of BRS MLA Payla Shekhar Reddy and staff. Around 70 teams are involved in conducting searches. Sources have informed that BRS Bhuvanagiri MLA Payla Shekhar Reddy is a benami in many companies. He is an investor in 15 companies. 

Ludhiana Police and Counter Intelligence Unit have apprehended five 5 main accused out of the 10 accused in planning of cash van robbery in Ludhiana, says DGP Punjab Police.

"This is a revengeful act. The Union government is doing many wrong things against states where there is a non-BJP government like in West Bengal, Delhi and here," said Tamil Nadu minister Ponmudi. 

"It is a complete drama by DMK. ED called Senthil Balaji for interrogation, he is a minister, and it's his duty to cooperate with the investigation. I demand CM MK Stalin to dismiss Senthil Balaji from his ministry immediately and ask him to cooperate with the probe," said Narayanan Thirupathy, vice president of Tamil Nadu BJP.

Second round of search raids is being conducted by SIA (K) in three districts of South Kashmir, including Pulwama, Shopian, and Anantnag, in connection with the investigation of the bank ATM guard Sanjay Kumar Sharma killing case. The first round of raids was conducted last month at nine locations.

Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister V Senthil Balaji was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a government hospital here early on Wednesday, DMK leaders said, after he complained of uneasiness during the Enforcement Directorate raids (ED) at his premises that were on since June 13.

State Minister P K Sekar Babu claimed there were 'symptoms' Balaji has been 'tortured.' While there were speculations that the minister had been taken into custody by the ED, there was no official confirmation and DMK advocates who visited the hospital also said there was no clarity on this. TV visuals showed Balaji being uneasy while being brought to the Government Medical College, Omandurar Government Estate in the city. (PTI Inputs)

An earthquake of magnitude 4.3 rocked Jammu and Kashmir's Katra area during the early hours of Wednesday. The quake occurred at around 2:20 am at a depth of 10 km, 81 km ENE of Katra. The tremors of the quake were also felt in Delhi.

"An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.3 on the Richter Scale hit 81km ENE of Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, at around 2.20 am today," tweeted the National Centre for Seismology.

(Credit: ANI)

A massive fire broke out in a godwan located on Narela Road in Ghevra village, Delhi. A total of 12 fire tenders are at the spot to douse the blaze. As of now, the cause of the fire is unknown, and the damage caused by the fire has not been assessed.

Delhi Fire Department personnel are engaged in dousing the fire.

(Credit: ANI)