A bench of justice Sachin Datta directed the Delhi government to “expeditiously table the reports” once the assembly reconvenes after the elections. Voting in Delhi is scheduled for February 5, with the results to be announced on February 8.

The verdict comes as a relief for the AAP, which has been pushing back against tabling the reports — many of which are ostensibly critical of the government and several parts of which have been put out in the public domain by the BJP. The issues covered in the reports include the Delhi excise policy, the renovation of the CM’s official bungalow, vehicular pollution, public health, and the performance of government departments — all key campaign issues in the run-up to the elections.

These audit reports have been a recurrent flashpoint between the AAP and BJP. The principal opposition party has sought to corner the ruling AAP over the absence of reports in the run-up to the elections, accusing it of withholding information for fear it could dent its performance in the polls. The AAP, on its part, has labelled the claims as “fabricated.”

In a 31-page verdict on Friday, justice Datta emphasised that the decision to reconvene a House after it is adjourned sine die without prorogation rests solely with the Speaker and is beyond the jurisdiction of the court. The court also noted the limited tenure remaining for the current assembly and the procedures required after tabling the reports, including scrutiny by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), deeming a special session impractical at this juncture.

“As such, it has been unmistakably laid down by the Supreme Court that the power to reconvene sitting/s of the Legislative Assembly after it has been adjourned sine die without prorogation, is the sole prerogative of the Speaker of the Assembly. It is not permissible for this Court to issue directions with regard thereto,” the judge held.

The seven BJP legislators, including leader of Opposition in the state assembly, Vijender Gupta, alleged that chief minister Atishi and the Delhi government had failed to forward the reports to the Speaker, violating constitutional requirements. They pointed to AAP’s assurance in court on December 16 last year to send the reports to Goel “within two to three days,” which, they claimed, was not fulfilled even by the time the plea was filed.

The legislators, represented by senior advocates Mahesh Jethmalani and Satya Ranjan Swain, accused the Delhi government of deliberately withholding the reports to suppress their findings.

Senior advocates Rahul Mehra and Sudhir Nandrajog represented the Delhi government and the assembly Speaker respectively. They opposed the plea arguing there was no pressing need to make the reports public before the assembly’s tenure ends.

In its judgment, the court pointed out that the term of the current legislative assembly is about to expire and elections for the purpose of electing the next assembly are barely a few days away.

“In such a situation, it would be impracticable to hold a special sitting of the assembly. This is also on account of the fact that once the CAG reports are tabled in the House, they have to be examined and scrutinised by the PAC, as contemplated under Rule 192 of the Rules of Procedure. Given that the Legislative Assembly is at the fag end of its current term, the examination and scrutiny by the PAC will now take place only after the newly elected Assembly (pursuant to the upcoming elections) is reconvened,” held the bench.

At the same time, the court berated the Delhi government for its failure to act promptly, noting: “It is quite evident that there has been an inordinate delay on the part of the respondents/Delhi government of NCT of Delhi in taking requisite steps for laying the CAG reports before the Legislative Assembly. The sequence of events and the timelines reveal a disdainful disregard by the respondents/Delhi government of its constitutional obligations in this regard.”

Justice Datta underscored that tabling CAG reports in the legislature is a mandatory constitutional requirement, adding that withholding them for extended periods undermines this mandate.

“Laying the Reports of CAG in the concerned legislature is in the nature of a mandatory constitutional imperative. It is the means through which the elected representatives are entitled to have access to the CAG Reports and thereby hold the Government of the day accountable in the field of financial administration. Although no time period is prescribed under Section 48 of the GNCTD Act to table the Reports before the Legislative Assembly, it would be subversive of the constitutional mandate to with-hold these reports from the legislature for an inordinately long period,” the court said.

BJP leaders slammed the AAP for “alleged corruption” in the tabling the reports. “The court acknowledged that though Section 48 of the GNCTD Act does not specify a time frame for presenting the reports in the assembly, delaying them for an extended period after receiving them from the CAG is a violation of constitutional provisions,” Gupta said.

The Congress, on the other hand, said that the high court ruling only shows that BJP and AAP were hand in glove in Delhi’s corruption. Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav said, “If the reports were not tabled in Delhi assembly, there is a provision to table these in the Lok Sabha, but even the BJP wanted to hide the corruption of AAP as it has been supporting it throughout”

The AAP did not respond to HT’s queries for a comment on the allegations.

In a separate hearing on Friday, a bench led by chief justice DK Upadhyay expressed reservations about directing the immediate publication of the 14 CAG reports before elections, without first tabling them in the legislative assembly. The bench, also comprising justice Tushar Rao Gedela, noted that such an order would contravene Article 151 of the Constitution, which requires CAG reports to be submitted to the Governor and then tabled in the assembly.

Hearing a plea by former civil servant Brij Mohan, who argued through senior advocate Geeta Luthra that withholding the reports violated citizens’ fundamental right to information under Article 19(1)(a), the bench remarked, “Article 151 is not a bar, it’s a constitutional requirement… For RTI, a particular document has to become information, and unless it is tabled before the parliament, it does not become information.”

The court added: “Public has a right to know, not in violation of any constitutional provisions. If your prayer is granted, Article 151 will be violated.”

The bench has scheduled further hearings on Mohan’s plea for February 3 and directed the Lieutenant Governor, the Centre, and the CAG to file short notes on the issue.

India on Friday expressed concern over certain pro-Khalistani elements disrupting the screening of the movie “Emergency” in the U.K.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India hoped that those involved in disrupting the screening will be held accountable.

“We consistently raise concerns with the U.K. government regarding incidents of violent protest and intimidation by anti-India elements,” he said.

Freedom of speech and expression cannot be applied selectively and those obstructing it must be held accountable, Mr. Jaiswal said.

We hope that the U.K. side will take appropriate action against those responsible, he said.

Also Read | ‘Emergency’ not screened in most places in Punjab after SGPC protests, Kangana Ranaut calls it ‘harassment’

U.K. MP condemns ‘Emergency’ film screening disruption

Earlier, an Opposition Conservative Party Member of Parliament urged the U.K. Home Secretary to intervene after his constituents in north-west London were threatened by “masked Khalistani terrorists” who burst into a screening of Kangana Ranaut’s film ‘Emergency’.

Bob Blackman told the House of Commons that similar disruption of the screenings of the “very controversial” film took place in Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Slough, Staines and Manchester. It has resulted in the Vue and Cineworld cinema chains deciding to pull the film from many theatres in the U.K.

“On Sunday, many of my constituents gathered and paid for a screening of the film ‘Emergency’ in the Harrow Vue cinema. At about 30 or 40 minutes into the screening of the film, masked Khalistani terrorists burst in, threatened members of the audience and forced the screening to end,” Mr. Blackman said in Parliament.

“The film is very controversial, and I am not commenting on its quality or content, but I defend the right of my constituents and other members’ constituents to be able to view it and make a decision on it. It covers the period when Indira Gandhi was the prime minister of India,” he said.

The MP noted that there are certain views in the U.K. that it is an “anti-Sikh film” but asserted that his constituents should be able to judge for themselves and not be “threatened by thugs who want to disrupt democratic opportunities to see public films”.

“May we have a statement from the Home Secretary [Yvette Cooper] next week on what will be done to ensure that people who want to see such films, which have been passed by censors, can do so in peace and harmony? I absolutely defend the right of people to demonstrate outside cinemas, but not to disrupt viewings,” he added.

Leader of the Commons Lucy Powell responded on behalf of the Labour Party government by saying that Mr. Blackman had raised a “very important matter about the relationship between free speech and the right to protest peacefully”.

Also Read | ‘Emergency’ movie review: Kangana Ranaut turns Indira Gandhi’s life into a lopsided listicle

“The ability of people to go about their activities freely whatever they choose to do, whether that is seeing a film which, as he says, has been agreed by the censors and all those who look at those issues. I will certainly ensure that he and the whole House get an update on the very important matters he raises,” said Ms. Powell.

Some British Sikh groups have organised protests against ‘Emergency’, disrupting its screenings at some cinemas in the U.K. since its release last Friday. The Sikh Press Association group had stated on social media that the film is seen as “anti-Sikh” and these protests resulted in cancelled screenings in Birmingham and Wolverhampton, in the West Midlands region of England.

Community organisation Insight U.K. had posted a video on its X platform showing masked protesters interrupting a London screening of the film, directed by Ranaut who also essays the role of former prime minister Indira Gandhi.

The India-Africa Trade Council hosted the India-Sierra Leone trade meet in Kochi on Wednesday (January 22) bringing together stakeholders from the south Indian business community.

Besides Asif Iqbal, president of the Indian Economic Trade Organisation, and Rashid Sesay, High Commissioner of Sierra Leone to India, and a diplomatic delegation, including the Information Attaché from the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Abu Dhabi attended.

Addressing the gathering, the High Commissioner highlighted Sierra Leone’s potential as a strategic trade partner, highlighting key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, IT development, and industrial growth.

C. Krishna Shankar, chairman and managing director of Finovest Group, was appointed Trade Commissioner for Sierra Leone to India.

India’s coastline, rich in biodiversity, is grappling with a growing phenomenon of algal blooms. These events, caused by a sudden surge in phytoplankton biomass, are becoming more frequent and intense owing to environmental and human factors.

In this backdrop, a groundbreaking study, spearheaded by director of the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) T.M. Balakrishnan Nair, identified nine key algal bloom hotspots along India’s east and west coasts.

These are Goa, Mangaluru, Kozhikode, Kochi and Vizhinjam Bay on the west coast and Gopalpur, Kalpakkam, Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar on the east coast.

For the first time, researchers have also defined region-specific phytoplankton biomass thresholds for the aforementioned hotspots to detect and classify bloom phases into ‘Likely to Bloom’, ‘Bloom’, ‘Intense Bloom’ and ‘Extreme Bloom’ categories.

The research, done in collaboration with National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) and Berhampur University using cutting-edge satellite data and field reports, showed that factors driving these algal blooms range from nutrient flux during monsoons to coastal upwelling (cooler and nutrient-rich water rising to the ocean surface).

Algae such as diatoms along with dinoflagellates and cyanobacteria dominate these blooms, which have significant ecological implications, said Dr. Balakrishnan. He explained that though phytoplankton is the foundation of the marine food chain, its unchecked growth, often triggered by nutrient enrichment from coastal upwelling or land discharge, can lead to algal blooms.

While some of such algal blooms shore up fisheries, there are also harmful algal blooms (HABs), which disrupt ecosystems, deplete oxygen and produce toxins harming aquatic life and human activities such as fishing and tourism, he said.

Indian coastal waters have been experiencing a rise in algal blooms, but owing to a lack of clear thresholds for Chlorophyll-a (the predominant pigment in marine algae) to identify bloom phases, it could not be identified earlier. The study has also underscored the need for advanced monitoring techniques, including region-specific bio-optical algorithms and enhanced satellite remote sensing.

The southern region of the Indian coast experiences a relatively higher number of blooms in comparison with the northern part. It was also deduced that these blooms occur mostly during the pre-southwest and onset of the northeast monsoon on the east coast. On the west coast, it has been observed that the frequent blooms happen during the southwest and post-southwest monsoon.

Understanding the long-term trends and impact of these phenomena is crucial for preserving marine ecosystems and the livelihoods they support, in view of climate change and human activities exacerbating the frequency and intensity of the blooms. It is also critical for sustainable management of marine resources, fisheries and tourism. said Dr. Balakrishnan.

Other researchers part of the study, titled ‘Determining chlorophyll-a thresholds for characterising algal bloom conditions: An ocean colour remote sensing approach’, are Susmita Raulo, Alakes Sanjiba Baliarsingh, V.V.S.S. Sarma, Sudheer Joseph and Suchismita Srichandan. It has been published in the latest issue of the journal, Science of the Total Environment.

This event would be an opportune time to reflect on his great contributions to the independence struggle of the nation, paying tribute to his indefatigable will, ravaging spirit, and singular courage during those most crucial moments in history.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose history

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was born on 23 January 1897 in Cuttack in Odisha. He is a prominent nationalist leader and an eminent figure in the history of India’s independence movement.

In 1921, he resigned from the Indian Civil Service and returned to India. For his constant confrontation with the British authorities to achieve Indian independence, he earned himself a reputation of being a rebel in the eyes of the colonial government.

It was under the leadership of influential Congress leader Chittaranjan Das that Netaji became involved in the political movement. In 1922, Das, along with Motilal Nehru, broke away from the Congress Party to found the Swaraj Party.

While he worked closely with Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress beginning in 1921, he was elected president of the Congress in 1938 after returning from England. His zeal to liberate India was reflected in the many fiery attempts for securing it.

He was posthumously conferred the epithet of ‘Netaji’, ‘Respected Leader’, for his preeminent contributions to the freedom struggle, declaring January 23 ‘Parakram Diwas’ by the Issued Indian government in 2021.

As India celebrates Parakram Diwas 2025, the country unites to celebrate the 128th birth anniversary of this trailblazer.

This is a day waiting to be celebrated to uphold his remarkable courage and nationalistic zeal, and do inspire confidence among the younger generation. His deeds offer an example for people to feel proud and urge them to imbibe that glorious spirit of determination and sacrifice.

National holiday for…

Parakram Diwas is an official holiday in states like West Bengal, Tripura, Jharkhand, Assam, and Odisha. In the whole country, parades, gatherings, and other events are ways to honor Netaji’s significant contribution to India’s fight for freedom.

Also Read: Netaji Jayanti: PM Narendra Modi pays tribute to Subhas Chandra Bose

Starting in 2025 and running for three days from January 23-25, there will be a grand celebration at Barabati Fort in Cuttack, the birthplace of Netaji. The Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, will inaugurate the occasion as a tribute to his timeless legacy.

Netaji’s inspirational quotes

1. “Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.”
2. “Give me your blood, and I will give you freedom!”
3. “If death strikes while I am at my post, my spirit will continue to hover with the army and will overpower every difficulty that may face them.
4. “The secret of political bargaining is to look stronger than what you really are.”
5. “Freedom is not given, it is taken.”

The veteran politician also said that the princely rulers of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir had introduced Article 370 for safeguarding Dogras of Jammu and not the Kashmiris.

Addressing a function at party headquarters here, Abdullah impressed upon strengthening unity to counter “divisive” narratives so as to secure the nation’s future. “India does not face any external threat but from within. People within can destroy it and not those from outside. To make this nation strong, we must strengthen secular ethos,” he said.

The NC supremo indirectly slammed BJP for its alleged “divisive” propaganda. “There are 80% Hindus in this country, so where is the threat? The real threats that India is facing today are internal, not external. This narrative (of Hindus facing threat) is meant to create fear among the people. It becomes imperative for everyone to reject this falsehood,” he said.

On abrogation of Article 370 by the BJP government on August 5, 2019, he said, “The special provision was introduced by Maharaja Hari Singh in 1927 to protect Dogras from economic domination by wealthy Punjabis. It was for safeguarding Dogras and not meant solely for Kashmiris.”

He took a jibe at the people of Jammu, who celebrated nullification of the special status. “You celebrated the abrogation, but now even domestic jobs are going to outsiders. Think about what you have gained,” he said.

“Your lands are being taken.. jobs are no longer reserved for you. Outsiders hesitate to come to Kashmir, fearing its majority Muslim population. This is what we tried to warn you about,” he added.

He, however, thanked the people for their support to National Conference.

“We faced several challenges but never bowed down. My father faced difficulties too, but we did not succumb. If we tread the right path, act with honesty, and ensure justice to all, we can overcome any challenge,” he said.

On National Conference led government in Jammu and Kashmir, the former chief minister asserted that none can dictate terms to the government.

“This government has been formed to serve the people. What is fun of this government if it can’t work for welfare of people. This government is for everyone. We made four ministers from Jammu despite not getting votes from the region,” he said.

Avnish Arora, Executive Director, Direct Tax, Forvis Mazars in India said, “Under the current tax framework, resident homebuyers are required to deduct 1% of the purchase value as Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) when the total sale consideration exceeds ₹50,00,000. However, for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), the process is more detailed and complex.

“When buying properties owned by NRIs, buyers are mandated to withhold tax on the taxable capital gains. However, in practice, many buyers choose to withhold tax on the gross sales consideration to avoid potential tax complications. While this approach simplifies the process for buyers, it often results in NRIs paying more tax upfront than what corresponds to their actual income.

“To alleviate this issue, NRIs typically apply for a lower withholding tax certificate. While this can reduce the initial tax burden, obtaining the certificate is often a lengthy and cumbersome process. Moreover, these certificates are generally issued as a percentage of the sales consideration, rather than being directly linked to the capital gains derived from the transaction. This mismatch can still leave NRIs with an upfront tax burden, necessitating refund claims.

“Streamlining the TDS process for NRI property transactions and aligning the withholding process with that of resident sellers, where tax withholding is directly connected to sales consideration along the lines of the resident, will ease the compliance burden for NRIs and reduce administrative burden, too.”

Surat, a destroyer; Nilgiri, a frigate; and Vaghsheer, a submarine — all built at the Mumbai-based Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) — were simultaneously commissioned into the navy on January 15.

The tableau, one of the 31 taking part in the parade, will be commanded by Lieutenant Commanders Mamta Sihag and Vipul Singh Gehlot, the officials said.

“January 15, 2025, was a golden day in the history of India as three major naval platforms were commissioned in the presence of PM Narendra Modi. Through this historic achievement, our country has given an impressive expression of today’s emerging maritime context, this new thinking…This historic scene and self-reliant India have been depicted in the navy’s tableau,” Vice Admiral Vineet McCarty, controller personnel services, said at a media briefing.

At the rare simultaneous induction in Mumbai, Modi said it was a significant step towards empowering the Indian Navy of the 21st century, stressing that the country does believe in expansionism but operates with a spirit of development.

The navy’s marching contingent of 144 personnel will be led by Lieutenant Commander Saahil Ahluwalia, with Lieutenant Commanders Indresh Chaudhary and Kajal Bharavi, and Lieutenant Divinder Kumar as platoon commanders.

The navy band will consist of 80 musicians, including six women (Agniveers) for the first time, Ahluwalia said.

The parade will be heralded by 300 artistes playing a variety of Indian martial musical instruments and will include a cultural performance by around 5,000 folk and tribal artistes.

Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations. A 160-member Indonesian military contingent and a 190-member band contingent from that country will also take part in the parade, which will be witnessed by around 77,000 spectators.

The Republic Day line-up will feature a variety of fighter jets, transport aircraft, attack helicopters, tanks, infantry combat vehicles, missile and rocket systems, a raft of fighting vehicles, soldiers on horseback, and the much-loved Border Security Force camel contingent.

The indigenous Pralay surface-to-surface missile will be showcased at the parade for the first time.

A new controversy has emerged ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025. The prestigious tournament is set to be hosted in Pakistan and the UAE in February-March. Media reports claim that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has objected to having Pakistan’s name on the Indian team’s jerseys.

Now, a BCCI source has hinted that the International Cricket Council (ICC) will accept the BCCI’s decision.

“ICC has already accommodated India’s request to not schedule its CT matches in Pakistan, so these are minor issues,” a BCCI source told The Times of India.

For the uninitiated, former BCCI Secretary Jay Shah currently holds the position of ICC Chairman. So far, the BCCI has not officially confirmed using Pakistan’s name on the Men in Blue jersey.

Earlier, it was reported that India captain Rohit Sharma would not travel to Pakistan for the captains’ press conference and photo shoot. The sessions are traditionally held before the tournament starts.

The BCCI has reportedly requested the ICC to shift these events to Dubai. It will ensure the Indian team not travelling to Pakistan.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has strongly criticised the BCCI’s position. It has accused the Indian administration of bringing politics into cricket. A PCB official, speaking anonymously to IANS, has said that it is against the spirit of the game.

“BCCI is bringing politics into cricket, which is not at all good for the game,” the PCB official told the news agency on conditions of anonymity. They refused to travel to Pakistan. They don’t want to send their captain (to Pakistan) for the opening ceremony; now there are reports that they don’t want the host nation’s (Pakistan) name printed on their jersey,” the PCB official reportedly said.

Meanwhile, according to ESPNCricinfo Senior Editor Osman Samiuddin, the PCB has denied that their officials spoke on the controversy.

Breach of clothing code

As per ICC regulations, all participating teams are required to feature the host nation’s name on their jerseys even if the matches are held in a neutral venue. 

If India refuse to comply, it could be considered a breach of the governing body’s clothing code.