Delhi Cops Detain Protesting Journalists Over Assault FIR Demand

A political war of words has escalated between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam a day ahead of by-elections in Tamil Nadu's Dharapuram and Madurantakam constituencies. During campaigning in Madurantakam alongside MLA Sekhar Babu, Chennai Mayor Priya urged voters not to support TVK or blow the whistle symbol. The confrontation intensified after TVK cadres blew whistles during the campaign, prompting harsh remarks from DMK leaders. The clash highlights rising tensions between the two parties as voters prepare to head to the polling booths.

The Election Commission has dismissed allegations of systematic voter name deletions, clarifying the safeguards around Form 7 applications. Poll authorities stated that no bulk deletion requests are permitted and strict verification along with mandatory hearings must precede any removal. Filing Form 7 serves only as an objection and does not trigger automatic deletion. Officials emphasised that the Special Intensive Revision process has been upheld by the Supreme Court, while warning of action against fraudulent deletion pleas. The clarification comes amid political controversy over claims of voter targeting and alleged misuse of electoral processes.

Ahead of the Supreme Court hearing over petitions against the Chief Election Commissioner, Supreme Court judge Justice Ujjal Bhuiyan made remarks on voting rights and the Special Intensive Revision process during an address at NALSAR. Justice Bhuiyan stated that disenfranchising millions of Indian citizens is arbitrary, emphasising that the Indian Constitution does not create two classes of citizens with and without voting rights. The comments came as the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a batch of petitions seeking the suspension of the Chief Election Commissioner, an independent judicial probe into the special intensive revision, a forensic audit of Election Commission systems including ECINet and ERONet, and the quashing of decisions allegedly taken without consultation. The Congress welcomed the remarks, stating the observations underline the constitutional sanctity of the right to vote. Pleas before the apex court also seek investigations into alleged Form 6 modifications and legal action against senior officials if wrongdoing is established.

An Assistant Sub-Inspector of the Government Railway Police, Sukhchain Singh, was shot at by three unidentified motorcycle-borne youths in Punjab's Ajnala, Amritsar. The cop sustained a bullet injury to his arm and shoulder and was admitted to the Ajnala Civil Hospital, where his condition is stable. The attack occurred while he was returning from duty out of uniform. Following the shooting, the Shiromani Akali Dal and leader Bikram Singh Majithia slammed the Bhagwant Mann government over rising attacks on police personnel and questioned the state's law and order situation, noting previous fatal attacks on cops in the border area.