logo
Delhi cancels leaves of officials and doctors until further notice

Delhi cancels leaves of officials and doctors until further notice

Hindustan Times09-05-2025
The Delhi government on Thursday cancelled all leaves for its officers until further notice amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan as security was heightened across the Capital, senior police officers said.
Police officers were seen regulating traffic and asking people to vacate the road around C-Hexagon, India Gate, on Thursday night. However, police officers said that the move was part of routine traffic regulation exercise generally carried out in the area.
'Delhi is on high alert, and security has been heightened across the city. We have increased night patrolling and DCPs have been told to neutralise any suspicious activity,' said a senior police official, asking to remain anonymous.
'The competent authority has directed that no leave shall be granted to any officer or official of the Government of NCT of Delhi until further orders,' said an order issued by the services department late Thursday.
The leaves of doctors at all government hospitals in Delhi have also been cancelled, officers confirmed.
.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Biting debate: SC reserves verdict on stray dog removal in Delhi-NCR
Biting debate: SC reserves verdict on stray dog removal in Delhi-NCR

United News of India

time6 days ago

  • United News of India

Biting debate: SC reserves verdict on stray dog removal in Delhi-NCR

New Delhi, Aug 14 (UNI) The Supreme Court today reserved its order on a high-stakes controversy over stray dog management in Delhi-NCR, a case that has gripped public attention across India, sparking emotional debates on safety, animal rights, and municipal responsibility. The three-judge bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice NV Anjaria heard marathon arguments before reserving its verdict on multiple petitions seeking a stay on the August 11 directions of a two-judge bench to remove stray dogs from all streets and relocate them to shelter homes. The case originated on July 28 this year, when a bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan took suo motu cognisance of a news report headlined 'City hounded by strays and kids pay price'. Concerned over the rising incidents of dog bites, particularly involving children, the bench on August 11 issued sweeping directions to the Government of NCT of Delhi, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and civic bodies of Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurugram. The order mandated the immediate creation of dog shelters across Delhi with CCTV monitoring, starting with capacity for 5,000 dogs within 6–8 weeks, a continuous campaign to pick up stray dogs from vulnerable and peripheral areas, a prohibition on releasing any captured dog, daily logging of captures, the establishment of a 24/7 helpline for dog-bite complaints, and ensuring vaccination stock disclosure. The bench warned that any obstruction by individuals or organisations in implementing the directions would be treated as contempt of court. The order triggered an unprecedented reaction nationwide. On one side, there was public support from residents and parents concerned about safety, citing rising dog-bite incidents and rabies deaths. On the other side, animal welfare groups, rights activists and lawyers condemned the move, warning that it would lead to mass confinement, overcrowding in shelters, spread of diseases, and possible illegal culling, in violation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules and earlier Supreme Court judgments that forbid indiscriminate capture and require sterilisation and vaccination as the primary method of population control. The matter took a dramatic turn yesterday when it was reassigned to the current three-judge bench after several lawyers mentioned before the Chief Justice of India that the August 11 order conflicted with at least half a dozen previous Supreme Court rulings. The reassignment effectively paused the execution of the August 11 order pending further judicial consideration. In court today, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Delhi government, painted a grim picture of public health risks, citing media reports that 37 lakh dog bites occur in India annually, about 10,000 each day, and 20,000 people die every year from rabies, according to WHO estimates. 'Sterilisation does not stop rabies. Even if dogs are immunised, that will not stop them from mutilating children,' he said. Drawing a stark analogy, the SG remarked, 'Only four or five species of snakes are poisonous, but we do not keep them at home. Nobody is saying kill dogs, but they must be separated to ensure children can play outside and go to school without fear.' Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for NGO Project Kindness, argued that the August 11 order was legally unsustainable. 'This is the first time I hear the Solicitor General say, don't look at the legislation which occupies the field. The ABC Rules are part of Parliamentary legislation and must be complied with. Where are the shelters? Where are the pounds? The MCD has failed to sterilise and vaccinate, causing dog numbers to rise. Without infrastructure, dogs will be caged in inhumane conditions and will eventually be culled,' he warned, urging the Court to stay directions 1, 3, 4 and 5 of the August 11 order, which allow immediate pickup and detention of strays. Senior Advocate Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi submitted that the August 11 order disregarded earlier Supreme Court rulings explicitly rejecting mass capture and mandating ABC compliance. He said at least six prior orders were ignored. Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave noted that animal rights activists were not heard before the order was passed, and Senior Advocate Aman Lekhi contended that the directions were based on anecdotal reports and unauthenticated videos. Colin Gonsalves stressed that sterilisation combined with feeding was the most effective way to bring dog populations down. Krishnan Venugopal highlighted the logistical impossibility of accommodating over one million strays in Delhi-NCR in shelters with only 1,000 available spaces. Justice Sandeep Mehta questioned the evidentiary basis of claims from both sides, calling many submissions 'anecdotal.' Justice Vikram Nath criticised civic inaction, stating, 'This is happening because of the inaction of the Municipal Corporation. The government does nothing. The local authorities do nothing. Everyone who has come here to file intervention should take responsibility.' The three-judge bench, after hearing extensive submissions, reserved its order, acknowledging the complexity of the issue, which sits at the intersection of public health, statutory animal welfare obligations, municipal governance, and societal sentiment. The reassignment effectively paused the execution of the August 11 order pending further judicial consideration. Concluding the proceedings, the Bench directed that there will be a stay on the August 11 order until the Court has an opportunity to undertake a comprehensive judicial review. UNI SNG AAB

Traffic not hit by Congress' protest at Freedom Park
Traffic not hit by Congress' protest at Freedom Park

New Indian Express

time09-08-2025

  • New Indian Express

Traffic not hit by Congress' protest at Freedom Park

BENGALURU: The protest at Freedom Park by ruling Congress leaders, joined by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, concluded peacefully without any untoward incidents. A total of 4,459 police personnel were deployed for security, including 12 DCPs, 45 ACPs, 128 police inspectors, 421 police sub-inspectors, 591 women personnel, 14 Karnataka State Reserve Police platoons, and two women platoons. Their presence ensured not only a smooth event but also an orderly flow of traffic. As the protest coincided with the Varamahalakshmi festival and a long weekend, many residents had either stayed indoors or travelled to their hometowns, resulting in lighter-than-usual traffic. The traffic police created separate lanes for VVIPs and Congress workers. In the wake of the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede, which claimed the lives of 11 RCB fans, the police have been taking extra precautions to prevent such tragedies at large gatherings. Traffic wardens were also roped in for assistance. Barricades were placed on one side of the road at KR Circle towards Freedom Park. Vehicles ferrying protesters and those belonging to Congress leaders were directed to separate lanes. Palace Road, from Mysore Bank Circle to Freedom Park, was reserved exclusively for VVIP vehicles. The police also managed the flow of people to prevent crowding at a single point, ensuring they were directed straight to the venue.

Old cartridges, circuit board found during check at Red Fort ahead of Independence Day
Old cartridges, circuit board found during check at Red Fort ahead of Independence Day

Indian Express

time07-08-2025

  • Indian Express

Old cartridges, circuit board found during check at Red Fort ahead of Independence Day

The Delhi Police Wednesday found old cartridges and a circuit board during a routine check inside the Red Fort, amid heightened security days ahead of Independence Day. According to the Delhi Police, the cartridges, which appeared to be old, have been sent for forensic examination to determine their origin. The circuit board has also been sent for a check; however, prima facie, it seems it was used for lighting during some event at the Red Fort, a police officer said. In the run-up to the 79th Independence Day, the Delhi Police have stepped up the security arrangements at the Red Fort. Officers from the rank of deputy commissioners of police (DCPs) on senior deployment, a two-layered ring security system has been put in place, starting Sunday. Around 15,000 personnel of the Delhi Police will be deployed at the Red Fort and the surrounding precinct, officers said. Snipers, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) commandos, drones, and 700 AI-enabled CCTV cameras with facial recognition facility will also be a part of the security arrangements. On Saturday, the Special Cell team of Delhi Police managed to get inside the Red Fort's vicinity with a fake bomb — despite layers of security ahead of the Independence Day — during a mock drill to check the robustness of the arrangements. Seven police personnel stationed at the Red Fort at that time who could not intercept the dummy bomb were suspended for negligence, and a departmental inquiry was also initiated against them. Senior police officers said they would review all the security arrangements from scratch, and implement an improved and revised plan. The mock drill, which exposed the security lapse, was just one among the many that would be conducted in the run-up to the Independence Day gathering.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store