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The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Delhi HC issues notice to Centre on plea alleging discrimination in cash awards for deaf athletes
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday (August 12, 2025) issued a notice to the Centre on a petition challenging the Centre's revised cash award policy for sports persons, claiming it discriminates against deaf sports persons. The plea, filed by celebrated deaf athletes including international and national medal winners, challenged the 'Scheme of Cash Award to Medal Winners in International Sports Events' issued on February 1, 2025. The petitioners, represented by advocate Ajay Verma, contended that the scheme grants significantly lower monetary rewards to deaf athletes compared to para sports persons for equivalent sporting performances. This, Mr. Verma, argued violates the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and infringes constitutional guarantees under Articles 14 and 21. He further submitted that it runs contrary to Supreme Court rulings mandating equal treatment for persons with disabilities engaged in similar fields. 'Deaf sports persons have consistently brought laurels to the country at international sporting events of comparable stature to para-sport competitions. However, the present policy denies them equal monetary recognition, thereby undermining their dignity and contribution,' Mr. Verma told the court. The petitioners have sought striking down the contested provisions of the February 1 policy. They also urged for a direction for equal cash awards for deaf and para sportspersons for the same level of achievement. The petitioners also sought direction to extend benefits under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) to eligible deaf sportspersons to ensure fair training and preparatory support. Apart from these, they have also sought full integration of deaf sportspersons into India's sports policy framework and incentive schemes. The court will hear the case again on October 29.
Hindustan Times
31-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Ghaziabad court acquits two in stalking case, orders perjury action against complainant
A Ghaziabad court on July 29 acquitted two men accused of stalking a 13-year-old girl in 2019 and directed police to register a case under Section 344 of the CrPC against the complainant—the girl's mother—for allegedly filing a false FIR and giving misleading testimony in court. The FIR was registered against the two named suspects based on input from a police informer, following which both were taken into custody. (Getty Images/iStockphoto) The accused had been booked under IPC sections 354(d)(1)(i) (stalking), 504 (intentional insult), and 507 (criminal intimidation by anonymous communication), along with provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act. The FIR was lodged at Kavi Nagar police station on March 25, 2019. The chargesheet was filed on August 5, 2019. Special judge (Pocso) Lal Babu Yadav, while acquitting the two men, stated in his order that the complainant 'lodged an FIR on the basis of wrong facts... and deliberately gave false evidence in the court. So, a case under section 344 of the CrPC be registered against the complainant, and thereafter notice be issued.' During the trial, four prosecution witnesses were examined, including the girl, her mother, and two police officers. The defence presented no witnesses. Sub-inspector Ajay Verma told the court that the FIR was registered against the two named suspects based on input from a police informer, following which both were taken into custody. In court, the girl's mother said she had filed the complaint based on information provided by others and that the two accused were not involved. 'I wrote in my complaint whatever people at the spot told me. The two accused present in the court were not involved in the incident,' she testified. She was declared a hostile witness. The girl testified that she had been stalked but said, 'The two accused present in the court were not those two,' and could not identify who had hurled abuses. She too was declared hostile. Special public prosecutor (Pocso) Satish Sharma said he would respond to the judgement but did not take HT's calls later.
Indian Express
01-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
After a 10-year hiatus, Purana Qila's popular boat ride makes a comeback
By Anushka Srivastava The moat has been cleaned, boats have arrived, and a ticketing counter has been set up. Almost 10 years after it was suspended, the popular boat ride on the Purana Qila lake finally made a comeback and was opened for visitors on a trial basis after the inauguration on Monday. A 20-25 minute ride costs between Rs 125 and Rs 150 per person. The ride starts from the Talaqi Darwaza side of the lake, and services are available between 9 am and 6 pm. Both two-seater and four-seater paddle boats are available. A non-profit, Sabhyata Foundation, played a key role in the resumption of services. It serves as a 'Monument Mitra' for five iconic Delhi landmarks: the Red Fort, Purana Qila, Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Safdarjung Tomb, and Humayun's Tomb. Monument Mitra, also known as the 'Adopt a Heritage' project, is a scheme by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to involve private and public sector companies in developing and maintaining amenities at protected monuments. Ajay Verma, CEO, Heritage and Events, Sabhyata Foundation, explained that they signed an MoU with the ASI on April 1, 2024, under which they are functioning as 'Smarak Sarthi'. For the past four–five months, preparations were underway at Purana Qila to operate boats and related facilities. A lot of work has gone into enhancing the visitor experience, including building a cafeteria, new toilets, and other amenities, according to the non-profit. A major launch event is planned for September. Currently, there are five to six boats — the number is expected to increase to 20-25 later. On Monday, Ohi Pecha, a Hotel Management student from Udaipur, was the first visitor to experience the resumed service. 'It was a good experience… I came with friends. We did boating for 20 minutes, but they said we could do it for as long as we wanted since we were the first ones.' Regarding safety provisions, Verma asserted, 'We have world-class tenders, life jackets in all sizes, and National Disaster Response Force-trained staff. We also have insurance, proper licensing, and professional divers.' While there are only four lifeguards at the site at present, the number is expected to increase once the service is in full swing from September. Sakshi Das (29), one of the lifeguards, is also a trainer. Originally from Bhilai in Chhattisgarh, she is here to train the other lifeguards and will return once the task is done. She facilitates boating at the Bhilai Zoo. The boating facility around Purana Qila used to attract more than 2,000 visitors each weekend before it stopped in August 2016. It was halted after the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation was unable to renew its agreement with the ASI for the moat's upkeep. As a result, the water body, which stretches from Purana Qila's Talaqi Darwaza to the Bada Darwaza, dried up, and boating had to be stopped. Even as the moat were revived in 2018, boat rides did not start. (Anushka Srivastava is an intern with The Indian Express)
Hindustan Times
13-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Air India crash: Two Chandigarh-Ahmedabad delayed by 90 minutes
As many as two flights from Chandigarh to Ahmedabad were delayed by around 90 minutes on Thursday due to the temporary closure of Ahmedabad airport for nearly two hours after a London-bound Air India flight crashed soon after take-off earlier in the afternoon. Ajay Verma, CEO of the Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, shared that IndiGo's flight 6E-251, which was scheduled to depart for Ahmedabad at 3.55 pm, eventually took off at 5.30 pm, resulting in a delay of 90 minutes. He added that IndiGo's flight 6E-3659, scheduled to depart at 6.55 pm, was also delayed by nearly 90 minutes.
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Time of India
8 colleges fined Rs 1 lakh each for missing affiliation inspection
Indore: Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV) imposed a penalty of Rs 1 lakh each on eight colleges offering traditional and BEd courses for failing to conduct mandatory inspections required for colleges did not comply with the prescribed timeline for the inspection process ahead of the academic admissions. According to university norms, all colleges seeking continuation or renewal of affiliation must undergo a thorough inspection before the commencement of admission process. Despite repeated communication, the eight colleges failed to coordinate the inspections, even though the university constituted inspection committees within the stipulated Dr Ajay Verma said that the university is adopting a stricter approach in such cases to ensure compliance with academic procedures. "The inspection process is a crucial step in maintaining quality and standards of higher education. Colleges cannot take it lightly. Penalties like these are meant to reinforce the importance of following due process," he added that strict action will continue against institutions that show negligence in fulfilling affiliation requirements. The university expects all affiliated institutions to treat regulatory norms with due seriousness to avoid disruption in academic move is seen as a warning to other colleges to adhere to university protocols in a timely manner, especially as the admission season is underway.
