The Catch Up: 24 September

3 Things

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
Today is the 24th of September and here are the headlines.
Shortly after the High Court dismissed his plea, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today called the alleged Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam case a “sham”, and “revenge politics of the BJP and JDS”. This comes after the high court dismissed a petition filed by Siddaramaiah against an approval granted by Governor Thawarchand Gehlot to three private individuals to file cases of corruption against him over a MUDA land grant to his wife. Siddaramaiah asserted and I quote, “This is a fight against the revenge politics of Narendra Modi-led BJP government. Our judicial struggle against this revenge politics of BJP and JDS will continue. I have faith in the court."
The Supreme Court today dismissed the Punjab government’s appeal challenging a Punjab and Haryana High Court order quashing its decision to expand the definition of ‘NRI quota’ for undergraduate medical admissions to include relatives of non-resident Indians. The apex court was hearing appeals challenging the high court’s September 10 order quashing the notification issued by the Punjab government on August 20. The notification expanded the NRI quota to include even distant relatives “such as uncles, aunts, grandparents, and cousins” of NRIs for admissions under the 15 per cent quota for this group in admissions in medical colleges.
Actor-legislator M Mukesh was formally arrested today on rape charges but released on bail later on the back of an anticipatory bail he secured from an Ernakulam court earlier this month. The development came hours after the Kerala High Court denied anticipatory bail to fellow actor and former Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) general secretary Siddique on similar allegations. In her complaint, a former woman actor in the Malayalam film industry had alleged that Mukesh, a two-time Communist Party of India (Marxist) MLA from Kollam Assembly constituency, had raped her in 2010 at his flat in Kochi promising a membership in the actors’ association AMMA.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has instructed authorities to initiate a ‘Dust-free Delhi’ drive within 7-10 days to combat air pollution ahead of the winter season. Key agencies, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the Public Works Department, and the Delhi Jal Board, have been tasked with addressing road dust, a major contributor to air pollution, particularly due to dried-up mud and silt following a lack of rainfall. MCD, IFCD and DJB are required to coordinate and move out the silt or mud for disposal.
Harini Amarasuriya was officially sworn in as Sri Lanka’s new Prime Minister today, marking a historic moment as she became the first woman to hold the office since Sirimavo Bandaranaike in 2000. The ceremony took place in the capital, Colombo, where the 54-year-old leader of the National People’s Power (NPP) took her oath of office administered by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dissanayake also appointed a new cabinet of four members, including himself. In her new role, Amarasuriya has been assigned several crucial portfolios that include Justice, Education, Labour, Industries, Science and Technology, Health, and Investment.
This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express.