The <keyword id="6354977" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="supreme-court" source="Orion">Supreme Court</keyword> on Thursday issued a slew of directions for speedy disposal of criminal cases against Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assembly (MPs/MLAs) and asked High Courts to register a Suo Motu case for effective monitoring and speedy disposal of such cases. A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices JB Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra said it was difficult for it to form a uniform guideline for trial courts across the country relating to speedy disposal of <keyword id="16453350" type="General" weightage="40" keywordseo="cases-against-mps" source="Orion">cases against MPs</keyword> and MLAs. The top court left it to the high courts to evolve such measures for effective monitoring of such cases. The bench directed that High Court Chief Justices shall register a suo motu case titled "In Re Designated Courts for MPs and MLAs" to monitor the early disposal of pending criminal cases against lawmakers. It directed that the suo motu case be heard by a special bench headed by the Chief Justice or a bench assigned by him or her. It was further directed that the Special Bench of the High Court may list the matter at regular intervals as felt necessary. The top court said the High Court may issue such orders and directions as necessary for expeditious and effective disposal of the cases. The bench further ordered that the Special Bench of the High Court may consider taking the assistance of the Advocate General or prosecutor to assist it. The apex court also directed that cases against MPs and MLAs that are punishable by death should be prioritised over other cases. Then cases punishable with imprisonment for five years or more will be given priority. It further said that the cases would not be adjourned by the trial court except for rare and compelling reasons. The top court said that the High Court may require a Principal District and Sessions judge to bear the responsibility of allocating the subject cases to such courts. The High Court may call upon the Principal District and Sessions judge to send reports on such intervals, it added. The concerned principal and session judge should ensure sufficient infrastructural facilities are available for the trial of such cases, as directed by the top court. The directions of the top court came on a PIL filed by advocate Ashwini Upadhyay seeking speedy disposal of criminal cases pending against MPs and MLAs. Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a status report stating that there are 51 MPs and 71 MLAs, sitting and former, who stand accused by the agency of offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The report did not specify exactly how many of those are sitting MPs or MLAs and how many are former MPs or MLAs. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had also submitted a similar report stating that a total of 121 cases are pending trial against sitting and former MPs and MLAs. The number of MPs involved in those cases is 51, out of which 14 are sitting, 37 are former and 5 are deceased. The report further stated that 112 MLAs are involved in CBI cases, out of which 34 are sitting, 78 are former and 9 are deceased. The number of cases pending investigation against MPs and MLAs by the CBI is 37, according to the report the CBI submitted. Senior advocate Vijay Hansari, who was assisting the apex court in the case as amicus curiae, had highlighted a "glaring case of inordinate delay" in the trial of cases against lawmakers, submitting that many cases were pending for over five years. The apex court had sought a status report from Hansaria relating to the pendency and grant of sanctions for prosecution, the expected time for completion of the investigation and reasons for delay in the same. Hansaria had sought directions to ensure that courts dealing with cases against lawmakers should exclusively try such issues. The plea sought speedy disposal of cases against them and pointed out that while judges and babus were suspended for such activities, politicians were condoned by the law. As of now, convicted politicians have been banned from the polls for six years.

SC issues directions to HCs for speedy disposal of criminal cases against MPs, MLAs

New Delhi [India], November 24 (ANI): Hearing the Adani-Hindenburg matter, the <keyword id="6354977" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="supreme-court" source="Orion">Supreme Court</keyword> on Friday remarked that it is easy to make allegations against anyone and opined the petitioners to show some responsibility while levelling charges against any party. A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra passed the remarks when one of the petitioners raised questions over members of the expert committee. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for one of the petitioners, told the court about one of the members of the expert committee Somashekhar Sundaresan, noting that he has been a lawyer representing Adin various forums including in the SEBI Board. CJI DY Chandrachud raised an objection to the petitioner's submission and remarked that if one goes with the theory that a lawyer who appeared 17 years ago can now not be appointed to the committee and like this, no lawyer who has appeared for an accused should become a High Court judge. CJI DY Chandrachud remarked that he is not an in-house counsel he was a lawyer and he appeared in 2006 and this conflict arose 17 years later. There has to be some responsibility for the allegations being levelled, SC remarked. During the hearing, the court also remarked that it is easy to make allegations and one must be also very careful. "We are not giving a character certificate to anyone," SC noted. When the hearing commenced today, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the top court that SEBI is not seeking an extension of further investigation matters relating to the Hindenburg report. Out of 24 cases in the Adani-Hindenburg matter, investigations in 22 cases are over For the remaining two cases, they need information from foreign regulators and others and they have been in consultation with them, SG Mehta informed the court. The court then said that it had intervened in the matter due to the extreme volatility of the stock market and sought to know what is SEBI planning to do for such kind of volatility and planning to protect investors in cases like short selling. SG Tushar Mehta took the court through the recommendations of the Expert Committee which SEBI has agreed with in principle. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioner, told the SC that there were many factual revelations in the Hindenburg report. He raised doubts about SEBI's role in the matter and says a lot of information was available to it in 2014. Bhushan informed the SC about a letter written in 2014 by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence regarding substantial money siphoned to Mauritius. SG Mehta questioned Bhushan over this and said that DRI concluded the proceedings in 2017. The court remarked that to advocate Bhushan, appearing for the petitioner, it is easy to make allegations and one must be also very careful. SG Tushar Mehta urged the top court to stop these kinds of allegations. The court remarked that SEBI, a statutory body looks into stock market frauds. SG Tushar Mehta said that there is a growing tendency to plant stories outside India to influence decisions within India. After hearing the matter in length, the court reserved the order on various aspects related to the issue. Earlier, the <keyword id="6355630" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="securities-and-exchange-board-of-india" source="Orion">Securities and Exchange Board of India</keyword> (SEBI) filed a status report before the Supreme Court apprising it that out of 24 investigations arising out of the Hindenburg report, 22 are final in nature and 2 are interim in nature. The investigation was carried out in compliance with the directions of the top court's order dated March 2, 2023, SEBI has investigated 24 matters. In the mid of May, the top court gave three months more time to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to conduct a probe into the Hindenburg report SEBI was granted time till 14th August 2023 to conduct the probe. On March 2, the <keyword id="6356229" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="apex-court" source="Orion">apex court</keyword> directed the capital market regulator SEBI to investigate any violations of securities law by the <keyword id="6367820" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="adani-group" source="Orion">Adani Group</keyword> in the wake of the Hindenburg report, which led to a massive wipeout of more than USD140 billion of the Adani Group's market value. Supreme Court, on March 2, set up an expert committee on the issue arising from the <keyword id="9916845" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="hindenburg-research" source="Orion">Hindenburg Research</keyword> report on Adani Group companies. The committee will consist of six members, headed by former apex court judge Justice AM Sapre. The top court had then asked SEBI to file a status report within two months. The apex court was then hearing petitions pertaining to the Hindenburg report, including the constitution of a committee relating to regulatory mechanisms to protect investors' interests. The January 24 Hindenburg report alleged stock manipulation and fraud by the conglomerate. The Adani Group has attacked Hindenburg as "an unethical short seller", stating that the report by the New York-based entity was "nothing but a lie". A short-seller in the securities market books gains from the subsequent reduction in the prices of shares. (ANI)

Adani-Hindenburg case: Easy to make allegations, can't take unsubstantiated ones, remarks SC

New Delhi, May 17 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to submit an updated status report on August 14 on its probe into the Adani-Hindenburg controversy. The apex court also directed that the copies of the report submitted by the Justice Sapre panel will be given to the parties in the meantime to enable them assist in further deliberations. A bench headed by the Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing SEBI, that the court could have given time till end of September but on August 14, "tell us, what stage you are on, give us an updated report". Mehta contended that six-month extension for the SEBI to complete its report was already compressed. The bench, also comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and J.B. Pardiwala, told Mehta: "Tell us what you have done and the court had initially granted two months and now extended it till August which makes it five months." The top court stressed that it cannot give an indefinite extension for completing the probe. <keyword id="427826" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="advocate-prashant-bhushan" source="Orion">Advocate Prashant Bhushan</keyword> submitted that in recent years and despite many complaints, the SEBI did not do anything. The market regulator told the Supreme Court that the allegations it has been investigating the Adani Group since 2016 are "factually baseless". SEBI also cautioned that "any incorrect or premature conclusion of the case arrived at without full facts material on record would not serve the ends of justice and hence would be legally untenable". "The application for extension of time filed by SEBI is meant to ensure carriage of justice keeping in mind the interest of investors and the securities market since any incorrect or premature conclusion of the case arrived at without full facts material on record would not serve the ends of justice and hence would be legally untenable. "In the context of investigation into Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) norms, SEBI has already approached eleven overseas Regulators under the Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MMOU) with the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO). Various requests for information were made to these Regulators. The first request to overseas Regulators was made as early as on October 6, 2020," SEBI added. On May 12, the Supreme Court had indicated that it may grant three months more to SEBI to complete its probe into the controversy surrounding the Hindenburg Research report on the Adani Group.

Can't give indefinite extension, submit report on Adani-Hindenburg probe by Aug 14: SC to SEBI

The <keyword id="6354977" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="supreme-court" source="Orion">Supreme Court</keyword> on Monday referred a batch of petitions seeking recognition of same-sex marriage to a <keyword id="6363843" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="constitution" source="Orion">constitution</keyword> bench, comprising five judges. The Centre, in an affidavit, contended that legal validation of same-sex marriage will cause "complete havoc" with the delicate balance of personal laws in the country and accepted societal values. Solicitor General <keyword id="243257" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="tushar-mehta" source="Orion">Tushar Mehta</keyword>, representing the Centre, stressed that legislative policy recognises marriage as a bond only between a biological man and a biological woman. The Centre contended that it is for <keyword id="6354721" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="parliament" source="Orion">Parliament</keyword> to decide whether same-sex marriage could be statutorily recognised. A bench comprising Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, justice P.S. Narasimha, and justice J.B. Pardiwala said it will invoke Article 145 (3) of the Constitution and have this matter decided by a constitution bench, comprising five judges. "It is a very seminal issue", said the bench, while fixing the matter for hearing on April 18. The central government has told the Supreme Court that living together as partners and having a sexual relationships by same-sex individuals, which is decriminalised now, is not comparable with the Indian family unit - a husband, a wife, and children born out of the union - while opposing pleas seeking recognition of same-sex marriage. It stressed that same-sex marriage is not in conformity with societal morality and Indian ethos. In an affidavit, the central government said the notion of marriage itself necessarily and inevitably presupposes a union between two persons of the opposite sex. This definition is socially, culturally, and legally ingrained into the very idea and concept of marriage and ought not to be disturbed or diluted by judicial interpretation, it added. The affidavit said the institution of marriage and the family are important social institutions in India that provide for the security, support and companionship of members of society and bear an important role in the rearing of children and their mental and psychological upbringing also. The Centre's response came on a batch of petitions challenging certain provisions of the Hindu Marriage Act, Foreign Marriage Act and the Special Marriage Act and other marriage laws as unconstitutional on the ground that they deny same-sex couples the right to marry or alternatively to read these provisions broadly so as to include same-sex marriage. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/mahindra-group-sells-over-6-stake-in-mahindra-cie-automotive/articleshow/98608891.cms">Mahindra group sells over 6% stake in Mahindra CIE Automotive</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/billionaire-hedge-fund-manager-investor-bill-ackman-warns-more-banks-will-collapse/articleshow/98608905.cms">Billionaire hedge fund manager investor Bill Ackman warns more banks will collapse</a>

'Very seminal issue', SC refers pleas for same-sex marriage to a constitutional bench

The <keyword id="6354977" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="supreme-court" source="Orion">Supreme Court</keyword> on Friday issued notice to Axis Trustee Services Ltd on a clutch of appeals filed by the <keyword id="30067" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="rbi" source="Orion">RBI</keyword> and others against the <keyword id="48485" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="bombay-high-court" source="Orion">Bombay High Court</keyword> order, which quashed a decision of the <keyword id="45660" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="yes-bank" source="Orion">Yes Bank</keyword> administrator to write off Additional Tier 1 (AT-1) bonds. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the RBI, and senior advocate <keyword id="30182" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="kapil-sibal" source="Orion">Kapil Sibal</keyword>, representing Yes Bank, made submissions before a bench headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud. After hearing their submissions, the bench, also comprising P.S. Narasimha and J.B. Pardiwala, extended a stay on the high court order quashing the decision of writing off AT-1 bonds. The bench said: "Issue notice. The stay granted (by the Bombay High Court on its decision) will continue." The apex court was hearing the appeal by Yes Bank, RBI, and others against a Bombay High Court ruling, which set aside an administrator's decision to write off Rs 84.5 billion of AT-1 bonds in March 2020 after the RBI initiated a restructuring of the lender. The high court, while quashing the decision of the Yes Bank Administrator, had, however, said its decision will be in abeyance so the RBI and Yes Bank may appeal against it in the Supreme Court. AT-1 bonds have no maturity date. These debt instruments offer higher returns but also carry greater risk. The bench asked the parties to file a list of dates and a common compilation of records and case laws for expeditious disposal of the matter. The top court scheduled the matter for further hearing after Holi break in March. In January, the high court had quashed the decision of the Yes Bank on March 14, 2020 to write off the bonds. The high court noted that the administrator did not have the authority to take such a decision. Yes Bank had written off AT-1 bonds worth Rs 8,415 crore as part of the bailout in March 2020. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/startup-fundraising-hits-an-8-month-low-in-february-falls-over-83-yoy/articleshow/98390347.cms">Startup fundraising hits an 8-month low in February, falls over 83% YoY</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/tractors-commercial-vehicles-drive-auto-sales-in-february-but-el-nio-threat-looms-large/articleshow/98386451.cms">Tractors &amp; commercial vehicles drive auto sales in February but El Niño threat looms large</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/adani-group-stocks-rally-after-it-sells-stake-to-gqg-partners/articleshow/98384846.cms">Adani group’s marketcap rises by over ₹2 lakh crore in four days</a>

SC extends stay on order quashing write-off of Yes Bank's AT1 bonds

<keyword id="6355629" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="google" source="Orion">Google</keyword> on Friday said that they are reviewing the <keyword id="6354977" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="supreme-court" source="Orion">Supreme Court</keyword>'s decision, after the apex court declined to entertain a plea by the tech giant challenging a National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (<keyword id="6396355" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="nclat" source="Orion">NCLAT</keyword>) order, which refused to stay operation of the Competition Commission of India (<keyword id="47183" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="cci" source="Orion">CCI</keyword>) order imposing Rs 1337.76 crore fine on the tech giant. A company spokesperson said in a statement that the decision "is limited to interim relief and did not decide the merits of our appeal". "Android has greatly benefited Indian users, developers, and OEMs and played a key role in India's digital transformation. We remain committed to our users and partners and will cooperate with the CCI on the way forward, in parallel with our appeal," a Google spokesperson said. A bench, headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and J.B. Pardiwala said the findings by the CCI cannot be said to be "without jurisdiction or with manifest error" and affirmed the NCLAT order. declining to grant interim relief to Google. The bench directed the NCLAT to dispose of Google's appeal by March 31, and granted Google seven days to deposit 10 per cent of the penalty imposed by the CCI. On January 11, the Supreme Court agreed to examine an appeal by Google against a decision by NCLAT, declining to stay a Rs 1,337.76 crore penalty imposed on it by the CCI for alleged anti-competitive practices. Google moved the apex court after the setback at the NCLAT, which did not stay the CCI order on abuse of dominant position in multiple markets in the Android mobile device ecosystem case. Earlier this month, the NCLAT did not find any urgency to pass an interim order, after noting that Google filed the appeal in December last year, though the CCI passed the order in October. It directed Google to deposit 10 per cent of the fine amount. The CCI also imposed a penalty of Rs 936.44 crore on Google in a separate case for abusing its dominant position with respect to its <keyword id="1470391" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="play-store" source="Orion">Play Store</keyword> policies. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/hul-q3-net-profit-rises-12-yoy-to-2505-crore-rural-slowdown-bottoming-out/articleshow/97138811.cms">HUL Q3 net profit rises 12% YoY to ₹2,505 crore – rural slowdown ‘bottoming out’, says company</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/adani-enterprises-fpo-20000-crore-green-hydrogen-ambitions-and-debt-repayment/articleshow/97123733.cms">Adani Enterprises’ ₹20,000 crore FPO opens on January 27, will fuel its green hydrogen ambitions, repay debt</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/ril-q3-to-be-a-mixed-bag-muted-growth-in-o2c-robust-retail-and-jio-performance/articleshow/97094061.cms">RIL’s Q3 to be a mixed bag: Muted growth seen in O2C, robust performance projected for retail and Jio</a>

SC ruling limited to interim relief, didn't decide merits of our appeal: Google

The Central government on Monday informed the <keyword id="6354977" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="supreme-court" source="Orion">Supreme Court</keyword> that the existing structure, which includes the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) and others agencies, are fully equipped to handle the situation which occurred after Hindenburg report on <keyword id="76451" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="adani" source="Orion">Adani</keyword> group, and it would not oppose the court's suggestion to constitute a committee to strengthen the existing regime. It stressed that the court could permit it to suggest the remit of that committee with possible suggestions of names of the committee. Solicitor General <keyword id="243257" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="tushar-mehta" source="Orion">Tushar Mehta</keyword>, representing the Centre, submitted before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud that: "Our instructions are that existing structure - Sebi and other agencies - are fully equipped not only regime wise but otherwise also, in taking care of the situation. "However, responding to suggestion which fell from your lordshipsathe government has no objection in constituting a committee." <keyword id="6371425" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="mehta" source="Orion">Mehta</keyword> stressed that the remit of the committee should be very relevant because any unintentional message to the international investors and domestic investors that even a regulator or statutory monitoring authority also needs a monitoring by a committee appointed by the Supreme Court may have some adverse impact on the flow of money. He sought that the court could permit the government to suggest the remit of that committee with possible suggestions of names of the committee in a sealed cover, as it may not be appropriate to discuss in open court hearing. "We suggest some names, which appeal to your lordships, may not appeal... but would be the people of some calibre or some standing in their respective fields, but the remit will be very relevant," he said. The bench, also comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and J.B. Pardiwala, asked the SG to come back with the proposed remit of the committee by Friday and put it down on a note for the bench to examine, so that it could either modify or reflect on it, and then it can pronounce an order. Advocate Vishal <keyword id="6364858" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="tiwari" source="Orion">Tiwari</keyword>, one of the petitioners, argued that although organisational structure is there, yet this problem has arisen, there may be some loopholes which could be examined by the expert committee. The bench said it will continue hearing the matter on Friday. On February 10, the Supreme Court had observed that there is a need for a robust regulatory framework to protect the interest of the investors and if Centre agrees, a committee may be set up to suggest regulatory improvements. The apex court was hearing a plea seeking a direction to set up a committee monitored by a retired apex court judge to investigate the Hindenburg Research report, which resulted in crashing of Adani group company share prices and caused massive loss to investors. Two separate petitions have been filed by advocates Tiwari and M.L. Sharma in connection with the Hindenburg report on Adani group. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/ev-startup-magenta-mobility-raises-40-million-in-equity-and-debt/articleshow/97870324.cms">EV startup Magenta Mobility raises $40 million in equity and debt</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/adani-group-delhivery-nykaa-policybazaar-among-stocks-to-watch-on-monday/articleshow/97852221.cms">Sensex, Nifty50 end lower amid fall in Adani stocks, PSU banks, IT, metal stocks</a>

Sebi 'fully equipped', could set up a panel of experts: Centre to SC on Adani issue

New Delhi, Jun 20 () India's coronavirus tally neared four lakh on Saturday, with Delhi and several other states including Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Kerala reporting a record spike in infections, while the death toll rose to 12,948. "Around 54.13 per cent of the patients have recovered so far," an official said. The total number of coronavirus cases stood at 3,95,048, including 2,13,830 patients who have been cured, according to the Union Health Ministry. Saturday saw the highest spike of 14,516 in a single day and 375 more deaths. It was the ninth consecutive day that the country had registered over 10,000 cases. The country reported 2,04,513 infections in June with Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh registering the highest rise in COVID-19 cases. As the COVID-19 surge continues, states have moved to put a cap on testing and treatment prices. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) approved recommendations of the High Level Expert Committee for fixing rates of hospital beds for treatment of coronavirus patients. Rates for isolation bed, ICUs without and with ventilator in all hospitals have been capped at Rs 8000-10000, Rs13000-15000 and Rs 15000-18000 respectively. With 3,630 new cases, the total number of coronavirus cases reached 56,746 in Delhi, while the death toll climbed to 2,112. The Delhi government has ordered to cancel leaves of all the staff working in its hospitals and medical institutions with immediate effect. The order issued on June 19 also said leave of any kind will be granted to anyone under "most compelling circumstances". The Rajasthan government has set a price cap on coronavirus screening tests in private hospitals and laboratories in the state at Rs 2,200, an order issued on Saturday stated. Additional Chief Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh said following the instructions of ICMR, the ceiling for screening of COVID-19 in private testing laboratories was fixed at Rs 4,500 per test. But, the state government has set this rate at Rs 2,200 through the powers vested under Section 4 of the Rajasthan Pandemic Ordinance, 2020, with a view to provide easy and accessible screening facility to the public at low prices, he said. The worst affected Maharashtra recorded 3,874 coronavirus cases on Saturday taking the state tally to 1,28,205. The total fatalities rose to 5,984 with 160 new deaths. As many as 1,197 new coronavirus patients were reported in Mumbai which has 65,265 cases so far. The financial capital of the country also recorded 136 deaths due to the pandemic, which is the highest single-day figure, said a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) release. The death toll in the city thus rose to 3,559. There was some relief for the city as the Dharavi slum, which was once a COVID-19 hotspot, on Saturday recorded only seven new cases, which is the lowest such rise in a single day, a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) official said. Dharavi's case count now stands at 2,158. Tamil Nadu reported a record single-day spike of 2,396 fresh COVID-19 cases, registering over 2,000 infections for a fourth straight day as the overall tally rose to 56,845 in the state, the Health department said. Chennai continued to clock a majority of the cases among districts with 1,254 today, pushing the overall tally to 39,641 till date. As many as 1,045 were discharged across the state on Saturday, taking the number of recoveries to 31,316 in the state. The state government has announced a 12-day lockdown which came into effect from Friday as part of its measures to curb the spread of the virus as Chennai and neighbouring districts have been constituting the bulk of infections in the state. Chief Minister K Palaniswami described it as a 'speed breaker', saying the curbs were being used to further augment detection of COVID-19 cases in Chennai by conducting more door to door surveys and fever camps. Kerala's COVID-19 tally breached the 3,000 mark on Saturday with 127 people testing positive for the virus, the highest single day surge. The infection count in the state has touched 3,039, while 1,450 people are presently under treatment and 1.39 lakh people under observation, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters here. Puducherry recorded 52 fresh cases of COVID-19, also its highest single day spike so far, taking the tally of infections in the Union Territory to 338. Telangana witnessed its biggest spike of 546, pushing the tally to 7,072 and fatalities to 203. Arunachal Pradesh registered its highest single-day number as 32 more people tested positive. The fresh cases raised the virus count in the northeastern state to 135 on Friday, the official said. Gujarat reported 539 new coronavirus patients on Saturday which took the tally of cases in the state to 26,737, the health department said. The Gujarat High Court on Saturday ordered a stay on holding of annual Rath Yatra procession here due to coronavirus concerns. A division bench of Chief Justice Vikram Nath and Justice JB Pardiwala stayed all secular and religious activities related to the Rath Yatra, after taking into consideration submissions made by a petitioner and respondents as well as the recent Supreme Court's order staying the Puri's Rath Yatra. The state government had informed that the yatra covers a route of around 18 km and approximately 7-8 lakh people will participate in it. In a significant development, Drug firm Glenmark Pharmaceuticals said it has launched antiviral drug Favipiravir, under the brand name FabiFlu, for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 cases at a price of about Rs 103 per tablet. The drug will be available as a 200 mg tablet at a maximum retail price (MRP) of Rs 3,500 for a strip of 34 tablets, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals said. FabiFlu is the first oral favipiravir-approved medication in India for the treatment of COVID-19, it said in a statement. It is a prescription-based medication, with recommended dose being 1,800 mg twice daily on day one, followed by 800 mg twice daily up to day 14, it added. The tablets are being produced by the company at its Baddi facility in Himachal Pradesh. The drug will be available both through hospitals and the retail channel, Glenmark said. India is the fourth worst-hit nation by the pandemic after the US, Brazil and Russia. According to the Johns Hopkins University, which has been compiling COVID-19 data from all over the world, India is at the eighth position in terms of the death toll. Of the total 12,948 deaths, Maharashtra accounted for the highest 5,893 fatalities followed by Delhi with 2,035 deaths, Gujarat with 1,618, Tamil Nadu with 666, West Bengal with 529, Madhya Pradesh with 495, Uttar Pradesh with 488, Rajasthan with 333 and Telangana with 198 deaths. More than 70 per cent deaths took place due to comorbidities, the ministry said. The number of government labs has been increased to 715 and private labs has been increased to 259 (a total of 974), the ministry said. In the last 24 hours, 1,89,869 samples were tested. The total number of samples tested is 66,16,496, it said. ASK VIT KND MR UD VIJ SJR RT

You Searched For "jb pardiwala" and got 8 results

SC issues directions to HCs for speedy disposal of criminal cases against MPs, MLAs

ANI

Adani-Hindenburg case: Easy to make allegations, can't take unsubstantiated ones, remarks SC

ANI

Can't give indefinite extension, submit report on Adani-Hindenburg probe by Aug 14: SC to SEBI

IANS

'Very seminal issue', SC refers pleas for same-sex marriage to a constitutional bench

IANS

SC extends stay on order quashing write-off of Yes Bank's AT1 bonds

IANS

SC ruling limited to interim relief, didn't decide merits of our appeal: Google

IANS

Sebi 'fully equipped', could set up a panel of experts: Centre to SC on Adani issue

IANS

India's COVID-19 tally nears 4 lakh with record spike in several states; 54 pc patients recover

PTI