Daily wrap: Charges against CJI false: SC, EC orders removal of Modi webseries

SC terms allegations against CJI “false and scurrilous”

Responding to questions posed by media houses, the Supreme Court (SC) of India has said that the allegations are “completely and absolutely false and scurrilous.” It said, that the allegations are being made as a pressure tactics to come out of the criminal proceedings against the complainant. “It’s also very possible that there are mischievious forces behind all this, with an intention to malign the institution,” the statement said.

The man who cared for ‘Madras that is Chennai’ passes away

Renowned historian S Muthiah passed away on Saturday (April 20). He was 89 years old. A chronicler of the cultural history of Madras, Muthiah was a writer, journalist and advocated for preservation of heritage. Some of his  published works are Madras Rediscovered, The Anglo-Indians: A 500-year History that he penned with Harry Macclure, Madras, its past & its present and Madras Miscellany.

Jet staff seek Prez intervention for salary dues, funds to airline

Employees of Jet Airways have written to President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking their intervention to recover outstanding dues as well as to expedite the process of emergency funds for the airline, which has shuttered its operations temporarily. In separate but similarly-worded letters this week, the Society for Welfare of Indian Pilots (SWIP) and Jet Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Welfare Association (JAMEWA) have requested help in clearing their outstanding salary dues.

21EC orders Eros Now to take down web series on Modi

The Election Commission on Saturday (April 20) asked Eros Now to stop till further orders, the online streaming of a web series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In its direction, the poll panel has cited its April 10 order, banning a biopic on Modi, to place a similar bar on the web series titled “Modi – Journey of a Common Man.”

12 coaches of Delhi-bound train derail near Kanpur, 14 injured

Twelv     e coaches of the Howrah-New Delhi Poorva Express derailed near Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh early on April 20, injuring at least 14 people, railway officials said. The train was going to New Delhi when the incident occurred near Rooma railway station under Maharajpur police station in Kanpur Nagar district around 12.50 am. Four out of the 12 derailed Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches have overturned, officials said. North Central Railway public relations officer Amit Malviya said 13 people were injured and had been admitted to hospital. All passengers are being given relief, assistance, help and medical aid.

Smith replaces Rahane as captain of Rajasthan Royals for rest of season

Former Australian captain Steve Smith on Saturday (April 20) replaced Ajinkya Rahane as Rajasthan Royals skipper, hoping the mid-season switch will revive their disappointing campaign so far in the IPL. Smith, who is back in action after serving a one-year ban for his role in the ball-tampering scandal, has been made the leader of the team once again. The announcement was made ahead of Royals clash against Mumbai Indians. Smith was also named captain before the start of the 2018 edition but in the wake of the ball-tampering incident, it was decided that Rahane would lead the team in the Australians forced absence.

Pandya, Rahul fined ₹20 lakh each for their sexist comments

India cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul were on April 20 fined ₹20 lakh each by the BCCI Ombudsman DK Jain for their sexist comments on a popular TV show. In the order published on the official BCCI website, Jain wrote that no further action will be taken against Pandya and Rahul, who have already served a provisional suspension and tendered an unconditional apology for their loose comments on women. Instead, he directed the World Cup bound players to play a fine of ₹20 lakh each that included a payment of ₹1 lakh each to “each of the most deserving widows of ten constables in para-military forces who have lost their lives while on duty, through Bharat Ke Veer App”. Jain also instructed them to deposit ₹10 lakh each in the fund “created by the Cricket Association for the blind”.