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Time of India
08-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Adolescent romance can't be grounds to lower age of consent: Government
NEW DELHI: The Centre told Supreme Court Thursday that diluting the age of consent from 18 to 16 years would make young girls vulnerable to predators within and outside their family but conceded courts could exercise judicial discretion to determine whether an alleged 'rape' was actually adolescent romance warranting leniency. The Centre said, "Diluting age of consent or introducing exceptions in the guise of adolescent romance would not only be legally unsound but also dangerous, as it would provide a defence mechanism even to those abusers who exploit the child's emotional dependence or silence." No intention to bring bill in Parl to lower age of consent: Govt In its written submissions settled by additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati, govt said in a minuscule number of cases, where adolescents out of emotional curiosity or mutual attraction, may engage in romantic or physical relationships, courts must carefully scrutinise such instances on a case-by-case basis, using discretion and sensitivity to the facts. However, the Centre said it has no intention to bring a legislation in Parliament to lower the age of consent. "This judicial discretion, however, is distinct from legislative dilution. The moment the statute begins to generalise such exceptions, it weakens the bright-line protective standard that currently acts as a deterrent and shield for all children," it said. Attempts to reduce the age of consent under the IPC/BNS was contrary to the legislative intent and undermined the protective object of the provision, as envisaged through the application of the 'mischief rule' of statutory interpretation, it said. The Centre quoted a nearly two-decade-old study by the WCD ministry, which found that 53.2% of children reported facing one or more forms of sexual abuse, and 50% of abusers were persons in positions of trust or authority, such as parents, relatives, neighbours or school staff.
Hindustan Times
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Over 96 lakh e-visas granted to foreigners from 2020 till July 20 this year: Govt tells Parl
New Delhi, India has granted over 96 lakh e-visas to foreigners from 2020 till July 20 this year, the government informed Parliament on Thursday. Over 96 lakh e-visas granted to foreigners from 2020 till July 20 this year: Govt tells Parl In a written response to a query in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh also said the number of countries eligible for the e-visa facility has increased from 171 in 2020 to 181 in 2025. The Ministry of External Affairs was asked for the total number of e-visas granted and the increase in the number of countries eligible for the facility since 2020. "Total number of e-visas granted from 2020 to 20.07.2025 is 96,44,567," Singh said. The MEA was also asked about its role in assisting international pilgrims, including details related to Hajj and Sikh pilgrims. "Each year, the Saudi authorities announce a Hajj quota for India. In recent years, this quota has, on average, been set at 1,75,025 Indian pilgrims," Singh said. Regarding the Kartarpur Corridor, the Minister of State said, "Since its inauguration, the corridor has been used by over 4,00,000 pilgrims to visit the holy Gurdwara in Pakistan." However, he noted, "Kartarpur Corridor operations have been suspended since Operation Sindoor." Under the India-Pakistan Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines, 1974, the government facilitates visits of pilgrims between the two countries. "An agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for the facilitation of pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, Narowal, Pakistan, was signed on 24 October, 2019, in order to fulfil the long-standing demand of pilgrims for easy and smooth access to the holy Gurdwara and to operationalise the corridor for the 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji," he said. In a separate query, the MEA was asked for the total number of Indian labourers engaged in construction or labour-intensive work in foreign countries over the last five years. "As per available data, a total of 16,06,964 Indian workers holding Emigration Check Required category passports have been issued Emigration Clearance for employment in ECR countries during the last five years from January 2020 to 30 June, 2025," Singh said. In another query, the MEA was asked whether the government had undertaken any exercise to categorise Indian diaspora members based on their discipline, subject expertise, or skill sets. In response, Singh said the Government of India maintains country-wise data of the Indian diaspora, categorised into NRIs , PIOs , and Indian students studying abroad. As of January 2025, there are 17.17 million NRIs and 17.18 million PIOs residing across the world, including 1.88 million Indian students studying abroad. "The Government has not carried out any exercise to categorise the Indian diaspora on the basis of their discipline/subject expertise or to map their skill sets," he said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hindustan Times
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
At Parl panel meet, MPs flag rising digital arrests
Lawmakers on Thursday urged government officials to intensify awareness campaigns against digital arrests — a relatively new form of cybercrime that has seen a sharp rise in recent times. At Parl panel meet, MPs flag rising digital arrests Besides the MPs, the meeting of the standing committee on home affairs, led by BJP's Radha Mohan Das Agarwal, also saw the participation of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials who said that non-availability of consent of some states has stalled the agency from investigating cases that involve 'serious national and international dimensions'. The agency also maintained that unless such cases are specifically referred by states, or entrusted by high courts or the Supreme Court, the bureau 'lacks the jurisdictional mandate to proceed' as the IT law, 2000 requires it to obtain the state's consent to undertake investigations. In March, the government made a submission to the Rajya Sabha that digital arrests and related cybercrimes have almost tripled in the country between 2022 and 2024, with defrauded amounts skyrocketing by 21 times during the period. Functionaries said that MPs insisted on more awareness campaigns. One of the MPs pointed out that even when Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked people to protect themselves against digital arrest, awareness drives lack momentum. In his Mann Ki Baat address on October 27 last year, Modi told people that Indian law doesn't have any provision for digital arrest and that government agencies will never contact people via video calls or phone calls for any investigation. During the meeting, MPs suggested that government agencies should consider campaigns in cinema halls, OTT platforms and popular TV channels. They also urged the government to conduct awareness drives in schools and colleges to educate young people. According to a PIB press release on March 2025, the Centre had launched 'a comprehensive awareness programme on digital arrest scams which, inter-alia, include; newspaper advertisement, announcement in Delhi Metros, use of social media influencers to create special posts, campaign through Prasar Bharti and electronic media, special programme on Aakashvani and participated in Raahgiri Function at Connaught Place'.
Hindustan Times
11-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Nicobar tribes watch as key road project gathers pace in the region
The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has invited financial bids to conduct a social impact assessment for land proposed to be acquired for an arterial road at Great Nicobar Islands (GNI) under the Great Nicobar Holistic Development Project , according to documents seen by HT. The so-called trunk road infrastructure will involve acquisition of approximately 90.935 hectares of private land for which a social impact assessment is mandatory. A total of 666.44 hectares is likely to be impacted by the trunk infrastructure, a notification issued by the directorate of social welfare, A&N administration on April 11 stated. The notification is available on the website of directorate of social welfare, A&N. Also read | Not aware of objections to Great Nicobar project: Govt The affected revenue villages in the trunk infrastructure project are Campbell Bay, Gandhi Nagar, Jogindher Nager, Govind Nagar , Laxmi Nagar, and Vijay Nagar. The road also traverses through a large stretch of forest area as per the map provided by the administration in the tender document. 'ANIIDCO Ltd Sri Vijaya Puram will be undertaking the work of constructing Trunk infrastructure at Great Nicobar Islands. The proposed land is admeasuring an area of 666.44 ha and the affected area to be covered under SIA study is 90.943 ha,' the notification says adding that the SIA report and social impact management plan should be completed within 6 months of issuance of the notification. Also read | 7 offshore mining blocks in Nicobar approved, Parl told ANIIDCO (Andaman & Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation Ltd) has been appointed as project proponent. ANIIDCO has submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report to Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) for obtaining consolidated environmental and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance for the project, the tender document stated. Anthropologists have cautioned that such a road project needs the consent of tribal communities and forest dwellers such as the Shompen and the Nicobarese who are likely to impacted by it. 'It's important to understand how such a multi-infrastructure project impacts the Nicobarese and the Shompen. We know that the Andaman trunk route had a huge impact on the Jarawas exposing them to several negative sides of tourism and access. Such a trunk route could erode the Shompen culture. If at all, a road can connect the Nicobarese and Shompen villages because they have a symbiotic relationship. It's also very important to have the actual consent of these tribal communities,' said Anstice Justin, a Nicobarese anthropologist based on Port Blair. Also read | 'The Shompen way of life is set to be eroded,' says Nicobarese anthropologist Anstice Justin 'It's also very important to consider that the Shompen have very vulnerable immune systems compared to us,' he added. But such communities are not part of the social impact assessment, another expert added. 'The document doesn't mention the tribal villages affected nor even shows cause as to why they are not being included when it is precisely their ancestral and lived lands,' said a senior researcher who specialises on the Southern Nicobarese, who asked not to be named. The SIA is to be conducted in compliance with the Right to Fair Compensation; Right to Fair Transparency in Land Acquisition, Compensation and Transparency in Rehabilitation and Resettlement Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation Act,2013; and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency In Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation And Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Rules,2018. ANIIDCO did not respond to HT's queries on whether the assessment will cover particularly vulnerable tribal groups such as the Shompen and how impact on forest land will be impacted. The Great Nicobar Holistic Development Project has four major components : an International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICCT); an international airport; a power plant; and a township. The total cost is estimated at ₹81,800 crore. The Nicobar Islands fall in the Sundaland Biodiversity Hotspot and cover the western half of the Indonesian archipelago. HT reported on May 12, 2021 that the expert appraisal committee of environment ministry recommended the Great Nicobar township proposal for grant of terms of reference. Bhupender Yadav, union environment minister said in August last year that 'exemplary mitigation measures' have been incorporated to minimise the environmental impact of the project, 'keeping the strategic, national and defence interests' in mind. The Tribal Affairs Ministry is not aware of any objections raised by the Tribal Council of Little and Great Nicobar to the Great Nicobar mega infrastructure project, Union Tribal Affairs minister, Jual Oram said in Rajya Sabha in March.
