Here are the top 5 news updates of June 15, 2021:
The Supreme Court today directed the closure of criminal proceedings in India against two Italian marines, accused of killing two fishermen off the Kerala coast in February 2012. A vacation bench of Justices Indira Banerjee and M R Shah quashed the FIR and proceedings emanating from the case against the two Italian marines. The bench said that as per the international arbitral award accepted by India, the Republic of Italy shall resume further investigation in the case. The top court termed the Rs 10 crore compensation paid by the Republic of Italy over and above the payment already made as "reasonable and adequate".
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal was detained by Punjab Police during a protest against the Captain Amarinder Singh-led Congress government today. Badal and his party workers were protesting outside the chief minister's residence in Siwan and demanding the dismissal of state health minister Balbir Singh Sidhu and a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into alleged selling of vaccines at an exhorbitant price. "If a storm rises, Captain won't be able to stop it, even if he uses all his force. There is a scam in vaccination, there is a scam in Fateh Kit, there is a scam in SC scholarship, farmers' land is being acquired," said Badal before getting detained.
At least five MLAs suspended by the BSP last year met Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav today, triggering speculation that they may join his party. "The meeting with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, which lasted for 15-20 minutes, witnessed discussions on the upcoming UP Assembly elections, and it was a nice meeting," Sushma Patel, MLA from Mungra Badshahpur assembly constituency in Jaunpur district told PTI. When asked about the future course of action, Patel said, "Personally, I have made up my mind to join the Samajwadi Party." At present, there are 18 Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLAs in the 403-member Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
In a setback for actor Kangana Ranaut, the Bombay High Court bench of Justices Prasanna Varale and Surendra Tavade today refused to grant an urgent hearing to her. The actress has moved the bench seeking directives to the Passport Authority (PA) to renew her passport as its officials refused to do so owing to the FIR lodged against her for spreading hatred through her tweets. Kangana through her counsel Rizwan Siddiqui had petitioned the bench challenging the 'objection' raised by the officers of PA for renewing her passport. She sought renewal of her passport as she wants to visit Hungary, where she is slated to shoot for her upcoming film Dhaakad.
Equity benchmark Sensex jumped by another 221 points to scale a new closing high of 52,773 today, propelled by gains in index majors Reliance, Infosys, and HDFC twins amid largely positive global cues. At the closing bell, the 30-share BSE index quoted 221.52 points or 0.42 per cent higher at 52,773.05. Likewise, the broader NSE Nifty rose 57.40 points or 0.36 per cent to settle at a fresh high of 15,869.25.
