Monkeypox: Indian company develops RT-PCR kit to test for virus

Trivitron Healthcare, a Chennai-based medical devices company, said it had developed a real-time RT-PCR-based kit for the detection of the monkeypox virus. A four-colour fluorescence-based kit, the company has said it can differentiate between smallpox and monkeypox in a one-tube single reaction format. The test takes about one hour to detect Monekypox (if present), the company said.

25 years on, Supreme Court sets death row convict free as he was minor at time of crime

The Supreme Court on Monday ordered the release of a man on death row for 25 years after an inquiry found he was a minor in 1994 when he and two others killed seven of a family. The court relied on a birth certificate showing the convict was 12 years and 6 months at the time of the crime and thus subject to the Juvenile Justice Act, with a maximum punishment of 3 years. The convict has already served 28 years.

Cheetah brought from Namibia dies of kidney ailment at Kuno National Park

Five-and-a-half-year-old cheetah Sasha, brought to India from Namibia, died due to suspected renal failure on Monday. She had contracted an infection in January and was being treated at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. An autopsy will be conducted to reveal the exact cause of death. Two others from the first batch of 8 cheetahs remain in their hunting enclosures.

Education, infra focus of Chennai civic body’s budget

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) presented its 2023-24 budget on Monday, focussing on education, road infrastructure, storm water drains and green spaces. Corporation school students qualifying for competitive exams such as JEE, CLAT and NEET and getting admission in institutes like AIIMS, National Law School will get their first-year tuition fee covered. The budget also includes initiatives such as "happy classes", model school, model UN and more. The GCC projected a property tax collection of ?1680 crore for 2023-2024.

Congress considers Gandhi family above Constitution: BJP

BJP accused Congress of considering the Gandhi family above India?s judicial process, Constitution and democratic system, after the party staged a protest at Parliament complex over Rahul Gandhi's disqualification as MP. Union ministers hit out at the Congress for allegedly disrupting Parliament and being disrespectful towards the Chair, and urged the party to do ?serious introspection?.

TNPSC Group 4 exams: Finance min denies allegations of malpractice

Tamil Nadu finance minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan rejected allegations of malpractice in the TNPSC Group 4 preliminary exam, but has asked for a detailed clarification from the commission's member secretary. He also revealed that an additional ?45 crore was requested to conduct the exams for 24 lakh people, and suggested to use technological options instead.

Three held in Dalit veterinary surgeon’s murder, say police

Three people, including a veterinary surgeon, were arrested in Andhra Pradesh in connection with the alleged abduction and murder of a senior Dalit veterinary official after his body was found near a ghat section in Annamayya district. The accused, who had a grudge against the deceased, allegedly beat him and pushed him off a safety wall, leading to his death. State animal husbandry minister has assured a departmental inquiry and assistance to the deceased's family.

Supreme Court paves way for conducting UP civic polls with OBC quota

The Supreme Court allowed the State Election Commission to issue a notification for urban local body polls with reservation for Other Backward Classes in Uttar Pradesh, after it was satisfied that the triple test criteria was followed. This follows the decisions of states such as Madhya Pradesh in instituting backward quota in local polls. The UP government constituted a five-member backward classes commission to overcome the hurdle posed by the verdict and the court was satisfied with its report.

Release those held in Amritpal Singh crackdown in 24 hours or face stir: Akal Takht to Punjab govt

The acting jathedar of the Akal Takht gave a 24-hour ultimatum to the Punjab government to release all Sikh men arrested during a police operation, and revoke the National Security Act (NSA) imposed on eight aides of Amritpal Singh, a pro-Khalistan preacher. If not, a diplomatic campaign will be initiated against the state's excesses on Sikhs. The Akal Takht declaration was welcomed by Sikh representatives, who announced a panel of lawyers to help those booked under NSA.

Lokayukta arrests Karnataka BJP MLA in corruption case

BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa was arrested on Monday by Karnataka Lokayukta police after the High Court rejected his anticipatory bail application in a corruption case. Rs 8.23 crore in cash, gold and silver ornaments and land investments were allegedly uncovered in raids. Virupakshappa claimed the allegations were part of a conspiracy.

Rahul Gandhi gets notice, told to vacate MP bungalow

After being convicted in a criminal defamation case in Gujarat, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi was asked by the Lok Sabha secretariat to vacate his official residence by April 22. Congress leaders said he will vacate the official bungalow earlier than the deadline, but if his conviction is stayed by a higher court, the party will ask him to retain the residence.

Banjara community members protest near Yediyurappa’s house over reservation issue

Members of the Banjara community pelted stones at former Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa's residence, demanding withdrawal of the internal reservation for SCs announced by the state government. The incident resulted in clashes with police and several injuries. CM Bommai accused the Congress of instigating the community and has imposed prohibitory orders to prevent further unrest.

One more lands in SIT net in Telangana paper leak case

The Hyderabad police's SIT probing the Telangana question paper leak has arrested 15 people so far, including one on Monday. The SIT is questioning 4 more suspects, as well as 60 candidates who scored 100+ marks in the Group-1 preliminary exam. The police are also grilling the 4 prime suspects for the second consecutive day.

12.5k projects given green clearance in 2022, Lok Sabha told

The number of environment, forest, wildlife and coastal zone regulation clearances granted in India jumped 21 times in five years, from 577 in 2018 to 12,496 in 2022. The ministry has made policy and technological interventions to reduce the clearance process time and streamline it with environmental safeguards. The central government has launched Parivesh 2.0 to grant faster environmental clearances for infrastructure projects.

Busted sex-determination camp in MP blows lid off larger social crime

In Madhya Pradesh's Morena district, a clandestine sex determination camp was busted by police after a pregnant woman acted as a mole. Agents brought women from multiple states to the camp, where a portable ultrasound machine was used to determine the sex of the foetus. The camp was run by a gang of 8 members with a network of agents, and the practice of foeticide is still prevalent in some parts of India.

Top court seeks files on Bilkis convicts’ release

Supreme Court terms gang-rape of Bilkis Bano and murder of her family during 2002 Gujarat riots a "horrendous" crime, directs Centre and Gujarat govt to produce files regarding remission to 11 convicts. Court to examine a gamut of issues, including applicability of remission policy, definition of "appropriate government" and considerations made by authorities.