IAS coach faces legal action over ‘defamatory' remark against judiciary
The court presided over by Manmohan Chandel Tuesday charged Divyakirti under multiple subsections of Section 356 of the BNS Act 2023. Divyakirti has been directed to appear in person before the court on July 22.
A petition filed in the court refers to controversial statements made by Divyakirti in a YouTube video titled "IAS versus Judge, who is powerful," where he allegedly made inappropriate comments about the process of becoming a high court or a Supreme Court judge.
The complainant, advocate Kamlesh Manowliya, presented social media clips where Divyakirti discussed "jugaad" (informal arrangements) in relation to judicial appointments and the collegium system.
The court was told that in the controversial video, Divyakirti allegedly claimed that files of potential judges could be delayed through govt red tape, even after collegium approval. He also allegedly made controversial comparisons between the powers of district judges and district magistrates, suggesting that judicial power is dependent on police cooperation. The complainant's legal team, including advocates Ashok Singh Rawat, Rajkumar Rawat and Rajesh Bhati, argued that such statements damage the judiciary's image.
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India.com
2 hours ago
- India.com
Bad news for China as US deploys F-35 fighter jets in Philippines to…
Home News Bad news for China as US deploys F-35 fighter jets in Philippines to… Bad news for China as US deploys F-35 fighter jets in Philippines to… The United States has for the first time deployed its 5th-generation F-35 stealth fighter at the Clark Air Base in Philippines, a move that could further raise US-China tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. (File) US-China tensions: In a significant development which could escalate US-China tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, the United States has for the first time deployed its 5th-generation F-35 stealth fighter at the Clark Air Base in Philippines. As per experts, Philippines is becoming a crucial regional player as Washington continuously keeps deploying major military assets to archipelago– a group of islands situated within the strategic line of defense called 'first island chain' that includes Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippine which proves to be critical for the US. According to a report by The Eurasian Times, US F-35 fighter jets, along with 2500 personnel have been deployed at the Clark Air Base to take part in the 'Cope Thunder 25-2' joint exercise between the US and Philippines, likely to be conducted from July 7-8. Philippine Air Force has also included FA-50 fighters, A-29B Super Tucanos, and multiple helicopter models to participate in the drill, the report said. Why US-Philippines are conducting joint air drill? As per Pacific Air Forces, the drill is being conducted with the aim of strengthening bilateral defense ties and enhancing interoperability between the air force of two countries. 'Free and open Indo-Pacific must not be taken for granted, and the drills are intended to deter potential aggression' says Lieutenant Colonel Bryan Mussler, commander of US 421st Fighter Squadron. FA-50 and F-35 jets successfully coordinated within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone on the first day of the drill, showing the country's rising role in keeping the region secure. The United States is allowed to operate from nine of the Philippine military bases under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) which was also expanded in 2023 even when China strongly opposed it. The deployment of F-35s further reiterates the strengthening security alliance between the two countries. In the defense of Taiwan, Manila, a Philippine city is considered as a significant player due to its geographical proximity across the Luzon Strait and the Bashi Channel. These are strategic maritime chokepoints that can be used by China in the case of an invasion. Additionally, US has steadily increased its military footprint in the Philippines. How US increased military footprint in Philippines? The US has consistently increased its military footprint in the Philippines. In 2023, F-22 Raptors flew alongside PAF fighters. In April 2025, the US deployed its advanced NMESIS anti-ship system and approved a $5.58 billion deal to sell F-16s and precision munitions to the Philippines. Last year, the Typhon missile system was also deployed during exercises Balikatan and Salaknib. In 2023, F-22 Raptors conducted joint flights with PAF fighters. While in April 2025, the U.S. deployed its advanced NMESIS anti-ship system and approved a $5.58 billion deal for F-16 fighter jets and precision munitions. During Balikatan and Salaknib exercises the Typhon missile system was also deployed in Philippines. What is China's concern? In response, China has voiced serious concerns and even conducted an intercontinental ballistic missile test in the Pacific, highlighting its unease with the growing US presence in the region. The strengthening US-Philippines defense partnership, including the latest F-35 drills, is expected to heighten further tensions with Beijing, which continues to accuse Washington of destabilizing the Indo-Pacific, the report said. In return, China conducted an intercontinental ballistic missile test in the Pacific along with addressing serious concerns to emphasize on the rising tensions caused by the growing US presence. As per the report by the Eurasian Times, the growing military partnership between Philippines and US is likely to result in increasing tensions with Beijing who continuously accuses Washington of destabilizing the Indo-Pacific. (With ANI inputs) For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest World News on
The Print
5 hours ago
- The Print
‘My only crime is reporting truth'—Pakistan bans 27 YouTube channels over ‘anti-state content'
'They've thrown in a few non-PTI names to make it look like a fair crackdown. But this is about silencing Imran Khan's supporters ahead of his son's rumored return and planned rally,' Kazmi told ThePrint. Among the banned channels are those of prominent journalists, including Matiullah Jan, Ahmad Noorani, Asad Ali Toor, and former television anchors Moeed Pirzada and Imran Riaz Khan. Also on the list are channels associated with supporters of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), signaling what critics describe as a broader effort to silence critical voices, according to Kazmi. New Delhi: An Islamabad court on Tuesday banned 27 YouTube channels for airing 'anti-state content' and spreading 'false, misleading and fake' information. Many of these accounts were also banned in India during Operation Sindoor. Arzoo Kazmi, the Pakistani journalist whose YouTube account was banned, called the action an effort to silence Imran Khan supporters. She, however, does not identify as an Imran supporter. Kazmi is well known in India and has often appeared on TV debates here. After Operation Sindoor, when India imposed a blanket ban on Pakistani social media accounts, Arzoo's YouTube channel was also banned. 'We have been targeted for being vocal against the military and the government. In my shows, I've said that Hafiz Saeed is under house arrest, but Imran Khan is behind bars. I have also condemned the arbitrary arrest of Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch,' she said. Pakistan's big brother move has this time taken independent journalists in its clutches. Rights groups and independent journalists are calling it an alarming escalation in Pakistan's crackdown on dissent. 'This is censorship, plain and simple,' senior journalist Matiullah Jan told ThePrint from Islamabad. 'My only crime is reporting the truth, reporting on unconstitutional interference by the military in our politics and judiciary. Now they want to shut me down.' Jan, based out of Islamabad, is a senior journalist and currently runs the YouTube channel 'Matiullah Jan MJtv'. Over the years, he has reportedly faced repeated harassment, threats, and enforced disappearances due to his critical reporting on the civil-military establishment. The request to block the channels came from the recently established National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), a body created under the Interior Division to monitor illegal activity on social media platforms. According to local reports, the inquiry by NCCIA's Cyber Crime Circle was initiated under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, which pertains to unlawful online content. In January this year, Pakistan's parliament passed a Bill to amend the controversial Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016. The amendments grant the government sweeping powers to regulate social media. Penalties include up to three years in prison and a fine of up to PKR 20 lakh for spreading fake news. The law also prohibits sharing statements from banned organisations or their members, and broadens the definition of social media platforms to include any online information management systems. YouTube has since notified at least some of the affected channel owners. Jan confirmed receiving a legal notice from the platform informing him of the Islamabad court's directive. The message noted that if content creators did not take voluntary action, YouTube might remove the material in question under Pakistan's 'local law obligations', a claim that has raised eyebrows among digital rights advocates, given the platform's limited legal presence in the country. Digital censorship, history of harassment Jan described a long and harrowing pattern of state-sponsored intimidation. He said he has been abducted twice, including once in broad daylight in the capital. In one case, CCTV footage showed uniformed officers detaining him, but even Pakistan's Supreme Court failed to reach a conclusion after taking notice. Jan claims that successive governments, both civilian and military-backed, have systematically tried to silence him. In recent years, he said he's been fired from his television job at Waqt News TV in 2018, falsely charged with terrorism, and had his family members' bank accounts frozen. 'I have reported from the Supreme Court for decades. Now I am the target,' he said. 'My channel, MJtv, became my only source of income after losing my mainstream job. And now, even that is under attack.' Asad Ali Toor, another journalist whose YouTube channel was named in the court order, echoed Jan's concerns. He said the state has never formally informed him of any inquiry or charges. 'I've been condemned unheard,' he said. 'There's no transparency, no due process. I was not even given a chance to respond before the judge issued this order.' Toor has faced multiple arrests, beatings, and online smear campaigns over his reporting on military overreach and the suppression of marginalised communities. Earlier this year, he discovered that his own bank account, as well as his mother's pension account, had been frozen, without prior notice. In May, the Islamabad High Court ordered the bank accounts be restored, calling the government's actions a 'violation of due process.' The court noted that no investigation details had been shared with Toor, only vague references to 'anti-state' content and alleged financial crimes. Benazir Shah, a reporter with Geo News, recently published a series of posts on X, revealing how individuals loosely connected to Toor such as a man who sold him parrots also had their bank accounts blocked. In one case, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) allegedly demanded an affidavit from a production house owner stating that he did not share Toor's political views as a condition for unfreezing his account. Ahmad Noorani, an independent journalist who lives in exile, too, had a similar ordeal. His family was abducted earlier for his story on military nepotism in Pakistan. Noorani's story claimed that the relatives of Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir were being handed key federal positions due to their familial ties. His brothers were released after 33 days but are no longer 'functioning normally'. 'Our bank accounts are blocked. The state wants us to die of hunger and debt in order to suppress us,' Noorani told ThePrint. Also read: Pakistani Lion on the loose, rich owner watches—Lahore had one wild weekend A pattern of repression These are not isolated cases. Farhan Mallick, a media entrepreneur and former news director at Samaa TV, was arrested in March this year, on charges related to 'anti-state' content. He was granted bail in April, but not before enduring multiple legal cases and mounting criticism by civil and digital activists over his unjust arrest. Mallick maintains that his arrest was politically motivated. Others, like digital rights activist and co-founder of Bolo Bhi, a digital rights advocacy organisation, Fareiha Aziz, argue that the current wave of online censorship reflects a broader regional trend. 'So much is wrong with this order. YouTube doesn't even have a legal obligation in Pakistan like it does in India. So what are these 'local law obligations' it's referring to? This is about appeasement and censorship, not legality,' Aziz wrote on X. For journalists like Jan and Toor, the stakes are deeply personal. Despite repeated threats, legal harassment, and even physical violence, both say they will challenge the court's decision in court and continue reporting. 'This fight is bigger than us,' Jan said. 'It's about the future of press freedom in Pakistan. And we're not going to back down.' (Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)
News18
7 hours ago
- News18
'Felt Helpless And Humiliated': Indian Tourist Alleges ‘Inhumane' Treatment In Russia
Last Updated: Amit Tanwar claimed "inhumane" treatment by Russian immigration officials after he and eight others were detained in Moscow despite valid documents. An Indian tourist alleged 'inhumane" treatment at the hands of Russian immigration officials after he and eight others from his group were detained for hours upon arrival in Moscow, despite carrying valid travel documents. The claims were made by Amit Tanwar, who shared a detailed account of the ordeal on Instagram and called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian Embassy in Moscow to intervene. Amit Tanwar, who travelled to Russia on July 8 with 12 other Indian tourists, said the nightmare began as soon as they landed. While three members of the group were cleared by immigration, the remaining nine were allegedly pulled aside without explanation. Their passports were confiscated and they were asked to sit in a corner already crowded with other Indian travellers, Amit Tanwar alleged. 'Whoever thinks India is a superpower or believes that India-Russia ties are strong- it's a myth," Amit Tanwar wrote in his post. He described how the group was later taken to a separate room, where immigration officers allegedly inspected their mobile phones, photo galleries, search histories and YouTube activity for 10–15 minutes. 'The officers spoke only in Russian among themselves. Eventually, we were told we would be deported," he claimed. Amit Tanwar said the group was then moved to a locked, cramped room filled with other detainees- some of whom claimed to have been held for up to three days. He alleged they were denied basic facilities and received no explanation about the deportation process, which was reportedly being carried out slowly, with one or two people processed at a time. 'We are being treated like criminals… The treatment we are receiving is inhumane. We feel helpless and humiliated," he wrote. According to Amit Tanwar, they were deported via Baku, Azerbaijan and were worried about facing similar treatment if they returned to Moscow. He further alleged that Russian authorities were not allowing them to book return flights to India voluntarily. 'We're so scared of the authorities here that we're even hesitant to complain or speak publicly. We don't know when we'll be released- it could take 2-3 days or even 4-5," he said. view comments First Published: July 09, 2025, 19:35 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
