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‘Light touch, not heavy hand, will unlock growth'

‘Light touch, not heavy hand, will unlock growth'

Time of India2 days ago

'Light touch, not heavy hand, will unlock growth'
Rajeev Gauba
Jun 2, 2025, 21:36 IST IST
A member of Niti Aayog writes that the colonial-era punitive approach to governance hinders growth. GOI's doing its bit to foster trust-based governance, states must follow
The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, which became operational on Aug 11, 2023, represents a paradigm shift towards trust-based governance . In one bold stroke, 183 provisions across 42 central Acts, administered by 19 ministries and departments, were decriminalised.
This wasn't just another reform; it heralded a new philosophy of governance, dismantling of the colonial legacy, and a decisive move towards genuine ease of living and doing business.

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Quashing Pocso FIR, Delhi High Court directs accused to do community service at hospital
Quashing Pocso FIR, Delhi High Court directs accused to do community service at hospital

Indian Express

timean hour ago

  • Indian Express

Quashing Pocso FIR, Delhi High Court directs accused to do community service at hospital

The Delhi High Court recently quashed an FIR under the Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act but expressed its 'disapproval' of the conduct of the accused and directed him to do community service 'as a measure of accountability and reflection'. Justice Sanjeev Narula quashed the FIR after an 'amicable resolution' of the case involving alleged harassment and exploitation of a minor girl. The court ordered the accused to perform community service at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital from June 1 to 30, where he will be instructed and assigned duties by the medical superintendent. 'In the event of any absenteeism, default, or misconduct on the part of the Petitioner during the course of the community service, the same shall be immediately reported by the Medical Superintendent to the concerned SHO, who shall, in turn, inform the APP for placing the matter before this Court and seeking appropriate orders, including revival of the FIR,' the court further directed. The court recorded that it is quashing the FIR 'solely out of deference to the express wishes of the Complainant and in the interest of her privacy'. This was after the complainant informed the court that she is currently exploring matrimonial prospects and wants to move on from the incident, further stating that a pending criminal case may pose a serious impediment to her future opportunities and personal relationships, as well as causing social stigma. As per the case, in 2017, the complainant shared private photographs with the accused. After they stopped communicating, the accused allegedly began demanding money from the complainant in February 2018, threatening to make the photographs public if their demands were not met. These demands continued until August 2019, when the complainant filed an FIR and a chargesheet was later filed in the case. The two subsequently 'amicably resolved their disputes' and signed a settlement deed in May this year, with the complainant agreeing to the quashing of the FIR. Justice Narula reasoned, 'The facts narrated disclose a pattern emblematic of the darker undercurrents of the social media age, where technology is misused to exert control, induce fear, and compromise dignity. Considering this, at the outset, the Court was not inclined to quash the FIR in a perfunctory manner… In the present case, bearing in mind the overarching aim of facilitating rehabilitation and the Complainant's express wish to put the matter behind her, the Court is of the view that no larger public interest would be compromised by allowing the petition.' Recording its disapproval of the conduct of the accused, the court noted that the allegations pertain to a deeply troubling pattern of coercion and intimidation directed at a school-going minor, including threats to publicly disseminate her private photographs in exchange for money. 'Such behaviour, if true, reflects a gross misuse of digital platforms and an alarming disregard for consent and personal dignity. Nevertheless, the Complainant has unequivocally expressed her desire to move on from this chapter, and has articulated social and emotional burden that the continued pendency of this criminal case may place upon her, particularly in the context of her future prospects, including marriage,' the court recorded. The court, however, left it open for the complainant to revive the FIR.

J-K: Special Police Officer arrested for drug peddling in Udhampur, heroin recovered
J-K: Special Police Officer arrested for drug peddling in Udhampur, heroin recovered

India Gazette

time2 hours ago

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J-K: Special Police Officer arrested for drug peddling in Udhampur, heroin recovered

Udhampur (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 4 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Police has arrested a Special Police Officer (SPO) posted at District Police Lines (DPL) Udhampur for drug peddling after heroin-like substance was recovered from his possession during a police checking operation, said officials. SPO was arrested from the Phangyal area of Udhampur town on Wednesday. According to an official release, a team from Police Station Udhampur led by the Station House Officer (SHO) was on patrolling and checking duty near Phangyal when they intercepted a suspicious person. On noticing the police party, the individual attempted to flee but was apprehended promptly. Upon frisking, the person was identified as Vishal Singh, an SPO posted at DPL Udhampur and a resident of Shakti Nagar, Udhampur. Police recovered 5.64 grams of heroin-like contraband substance from his possession. A case has been registered under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Police Station Udhampur. Further investigation into the matter is underway. Earlier on June 2, in a decisive action against subversive and criminal elements inimical to the security and integrity of the nation, Srinagar Police have booked five terror associates of proscribed terror outfits involved in subversive activities under the Public Safety Act (PSA). According to officials, the arrested individuals have been identified as Nayeem Ahmad Khan, resident of Gamandar Panthachowk in Srinagar, Faizan Akhter Bhat alias Faizan, resident of Gousia Colony, Mehraj Ud Din Bhat, resident of Pandach in 90 FT Road, Umar Hamid Sheikh, resident of Assar Colony in Hazratbal Srinagar, and Suhaib Shafi Baba alias Chamna, resident of Diwat Walipora, Rainawari Srinagar. These accused persons have been booked after obtaining formal detention orders based on dossiers prepared against them by the Srinagar Police. Consequently, they have been detained and subsequently lodged in the district jails of Kathua, Udhampur, and Kot Balwal in Jammu. It is pertinent to mention that many criminal cases have been registered against these individuals. Despite this, they did not mend their ways. After getting bailed out from the courts, they were brazenly involved in criminal and subversive activities prejudicial to the interests of the Nation. Pertinently, J-K Police has been systemically targeting and dismantling such anti-national infrastructure in Srinagar city, with a relentless crackdown on such elements. (ANI)

Illegal mining near Kaziranga intensified despite SC ban: CEC report
Illegal mining near Kaziranga intensified despite SC ban: CEC report

New Indian Express

time2 hours ago

  • New Indian Express

Illegal mining near Kaziranga intensified despite SC ban: CEC report

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