Crime stats scandal in DC: Justice dept opens probe; possible manipulation alleged
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The investigation is being overseen by the US Attorney's office for DC, led by Jeanine Pirro.
The inquiry follows a report, which revealed that commander Michael Pulliam was placed on paid leave in May over allegations he altered crime data in his district. Pulliam has denied wrongdoing, according to NBC4
The probe is expected to widen, examining whether other police or city officials may have been involved in data manipulation.
US President Donald Trump publicly supported the investigation, accusing the city of providing 'fake crime numbers' to create a 'false illusion of safety.' On Truth Social, he claimed:
'DC gave Fake Crime numbers in order to create a false illusion of safety. This is a very bad and dangerous thing to do, and they are under serious investigation for doing so!'
Meanwhile, Mayor Muriel Bowser pointed to MPD data showing a 26–27 percent drop in violent crime year‑over‑year, arguing that a federal takeover of the department was unnecessary.
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Indian Express
6 minutes ago
- Indian Express
‘Lives at stake': Karnataka High Court grants govt one month to decide on bike taxi policy
The Karnataka High Court Wednesday gave the government a month to decide whether to frame a bike taxi policy, citing that there are 'lives at stake in this matter'. A division bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C M Joshi was hearing appeals filed by ride-hailing platforms Rapido, Uber and Ola, challenging a single-judge order that prohibited the operation of bike taxis in the state unless the government issued specific rules and guidelines under the Motor Vehicles Act. The bench noted, 'After some argument, the Attorney General submits that the government will give serious consideration to the issues raised in the present matter. In view of this, we propose to defer the hearing to September 22.' While the court declined to pass an interim order permitting operations, it also cautioned the state, 'In no case, when a decision is being taken, should the state put everything into freeze. The police may continue to take action for other offences, but keep in mind this petition is pending.' The division bench questioned the government over its decision to impose what the court termed a 'de facto prohibition' on the bike taxi business, observing that a legitimate trade cannot be banned outright under the Constitution. During the hearing, the bench noted that while the state is free to regulate the sector, regulation cannot translate into an outright ban. 'Every trade is permissible unless specifically prohibited. You may regulate, but regulation cannot mean complete prohibition,' the court said, pointing out that 13 other states have already framed rules to regulate bike taxis. The court further remarked that if cars and auto rickshaws are permitted as taxis, excluding only motorcycles may raise constitutional concerns under Articles 14 (equality before law) and 19(1)(g) (right to carry on trade). Govt cites Delhi example Appearing for the state, Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty argued that motorcycles cannot be classified as 'transport vehicles' under the Motor Vehicles Act, which distinguishes vehicles through different number plates for commercial and non-commercial purposes. 'Unless rules are framed, operators have no right in law to run bike taxis,' he submitted. He cited the example of Delhi, where the Supreme Court in the Malhotra case had set aside interim relief allowing bike taxis, holding that such services could not operate unless the government framed a policy. Delhi later introduced a limited policy for electric bike taxis. Shetty claimed that nearly six lakh bike taxis were operating across Karnataka, potentially adding to urban congestion. He further noted that the government had earlier withdrawn permission for electric bike taxis as well. The court, however, was not satisfied. 'You say congestion is the reason, but is there material to show that bike taxis cause more congestion than autos? Are you suggesting that autos congest less?' the bench asked. It also pointed out the contradiction between the government's policy emphasis on last-mile connectivity and its prohibition of a service that directly provides it. The judges stressed that the absence of a regulatory framework cannot automatically result in prohibition.'If a trade is legitimate and not expressly prohibited, the absence of regulation means it is allowed, not banned. Where is the reasonable restriction under Article 19(6)?' the court asked. It added that the state cannot indefinitely refuse to frame a policy while effectively banning the sector. 'Here, you have not consciously prohibited taxis altogether, but have barred one type of taxi. That requires justification. A non-policy that results in prohibition can be arbitrary.' At one stage, the bench also suggested that if the state was genuinely reconsidering the matter at a policy level, the proceedings could be deferred to give the government time to decide. 'We will not dictate how you regulate. Courts intervene in policy only if it is arbitrary or capricious. But today there is no policy, only prohibition,' the bench observed. Summarising the challenge by the ride-hailing platforms, the court noted, 'A blanket prohibition is unconstitutional since bike taxis are a legitimate business. In the absence of regulations, the business cannot be treated as illegal and should be allowed. The ban is therefore arbitrary, unreasonable, and violative of Articles 14 and 19(1)(g).'
The Hindu
6 minutes ago
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Trial ought to continue in alleged encroachment of backwaters by apartment complex: HC
The Kerala High Court has said that trial ought to continue in a case regarding officials of Kochi Corporation allegedly abusing their official power and permitting encroachment of the backwaters and CRZ violation by an apartment complex located on the banks of Chilavanoor lake. The order by Justice A. Badharudeen came on a petition filed by Girija Devi, who had served as assistant executive engineer in the zonal office, seeking cancellation of further legal action in the case being considered by the Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge, Muvattupuzha, under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The court said that there was material in abundance to see the involvement of the petitioner in permitting illegal constructions, which led to encroachment in government land prima facie. The prosecution records show that the framing of charge and trial thereof are absolutely necessary, the court said and dismissed her plea. The officials had been charged with abusing their official power to make unlawful gain to Heera Construction Company, conspired with its Managing Director, K.R. Babu and the project's architect Gopakumar, and permitted to construct a flat by encroaching on government-owned 'Kayal Purambok' of Elamkulam Village at Chilavanoor. Partial occupancy and final occupancy documents were issued by the said accused during the period 2005 to 2010. The petitioner who was the fourth accused in the case contended that she had not issued any licence or permit for making illegal constructions by encroaching upon government land, and that such constructions were carried out without her knowledge or consent. Further permits were issued on satisfying that the construction sought was legally allowable. She further submitted that the procedure for recovery of the government land by demolishing the unauthorised construction had already been initiated, though the same had been stayed by the court, in a writ petition filed by the owners of the apartment. This is still pending consideration. Rebutting this contention, the public prosecutor submitted that as per the order of the LSG Tribunal, it is evident that 17.74 cents of river area and 2.815 cents of land, thus totalling an extent of 20.55 cents of land were encroached upon by the builder who constructed a flat in his property and in government land. There is clear evidence of CRZ violation, from the onset. The court said that going through the prosecution allegations and other material, including the CRZ notification modified in the year 1997, it could be gathered that there are material in abundance to see the involvement of the petitioner in permitting illegal constructions, which led to encroachment in government land prima facie. In such a case, quashing of the entire proceedings against the petitioner could not succeed. The prosecution records would go to show that, in this matter, framing of charge and trial thereof are absolutely necessary, it added and dismissed the petition.
The Hindu
36 minutes ago
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PIL hearing over ‘Sada Bainamas' adjourned to August 26
The Telangana High Court had adjourned to August 26 the hearing of a PIL petition seeking to declare illegal the GO Ms. No. 112 issued in 2020 facilitating regularisation of 'Sada Bainama' records. A bench of Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin adjourned the matter with the petitioner's counsel requesting for time to reply over the State government's interim application in the matter. In 2020, Telangana government brought the GO to regularise unregistered land transactions (sale and purchase of lands). Sada Bainama is a system in Telangana where unregistered land transactions are mentioned on plain papers. The PIL plea was filed in 2020 to declare the GO illegal. The HC then passed an order staying operation of the GO. The Advocate General A. Sudarshan Reddy, presenting his submissions, requested the bench to vacate the stay order. He informed the bench that under the new Telangana Bhu Bharati Act-2025, small and marginal farmers (who purchased agricultural land by way of Sada Bainama before June 2, 2014 and possessing the same for more than 12 years) can get their ownership of the lands regularised. The AG requested the bench to vacate the stay order so that the government can process the regularisation requests received from October 12 to November 10 in 2020. The petitioner's counsel sought time to respond on the AG's submissions.
