Category: Featured

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday refused to grant interim bail to influencer and law student Sharmista Panoli, emphasizing that freedom of speech is not absolute and does not permit hurting religious sentiments. The court highlighted India’s diverse social fabric and noted that Panoli’s remarks had offended a section of the population. The 22-year-old, a student at Symbiosis Law School in Pune with nearly 2 lakh social media followers, had posted an allegedly offensive video targeting people based on their religious identity in connection with Operation Sindoor. After facing widespread backlash, she apologized and deleted the video. The High Court stated, “This video was made on social media, it was heard, this incident has led to a section of people’s sentiments being hurt. Look, we have freedom of speech but that doesn’t mean you will go on to hurt others. Our country is diverse, with all persons from different caste, creed, religion, etc. We must be cautious by saying this.” Panoli was arrested in Gurugram on May 30 amid a massive controversy and was subsequently sent to 14 days judicial custody by a Kolkata court. Her counsel argued that the arrest was illegal, citing that the FIR offences were non-cognisable and no prior notice was served. The police, however, stated that a notice had been issued but could not be delivered as Panoli and her family had allegedly relocated to Gurgaon. The High Court denied her bail, designating the primary case registered in Kolkata as the principal case since it was filed first. It ordered discontinuation of all other cases filed against her on the same allegations. West Bengal was directed to ensure no further FIRs are lodged against Panoli on this matter, while the investigating agency will continue probing the principal case. The court scheduled the next hearing for June 5, when the state must file an affidavit and the police are expected to present the case diary.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall continues to lash the northeastern states of India, with no relief expected until Tuesday, according to weather forecasts. Since May 29, relentless rains and landslides have claimed at least 36 lives, including three Army personnel, and affected nearly 6 lakh people across the region. Among the most tragic incidents, ten people—including children and a pregnant woman—lost their lives in Arunachal Pradesh. Assam too reported ten deaths, mostly due to devastating floods and landslides. The death toll stands at six in Meghalaya, four in Mizoram, two in Tripura, one in Nagaland, and three in Sikkim. Manipur remains the only northeastern state without reported casualties so far. Assam Worst Affected Assam is bearing the brunt of the disaster, with nearly 4 lakh people affected across districts like Lakhimpur, Silchar, South Salmara, Kaziranga, and Sribhumi. Floodwaters have submerged major roads and railway tracks, especially in the Barak Valley, leading to the cancellation of several train services, including both up and down services on the Dullabcherra-Guwahati route and Silchar-Naharlagun and Badarpur-Dullabcherra trains. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited Lakhimpur district on Monday to assess the flood situation and oversee relief efforts, accompanied by his Cabinet colleagues. He is scheduled to visit Silchar in the Barak Valley on Tuesday. Arunachal Pradesh: Flash Floods and Infrastructure Collapse In Arunachal Pradesh, Namsai, Changlang, and West Kameng districts are the worst affected. Flash floods triggered by the overflowing Sigin River inundated large parts of Daporijo town in Upper Subansiri district, damaging more than 117 homes and critical infrastructure. Deputy Commissioner Tasso Gambo is leading relief operations in the district, advising immediate relocation for residents in high-risk areas such as Polo Colony, Sigin Colony, Bukpen Colony, and Forest Colony. Landslides have disrupted road connectivity in West Kameng district, especially near Jamiri on the Balipara-Chariduar-Tawang (BCT) road, leaving hundreds stranded. Blockades have also been reported in Jyoti Nagar, Dirang, Padma, and Durga Mandir. In Bomdila’s Petaling Colony, landslides destroyed roads and culverts, though fortunately no casualties were reported. Shi Yomi district has been severely hit, with the strategic town of Mechuka near the Indo-China border completely cut off after the connecting road was washed away. Restoration efforts are ongoing with Border Roads Organisation (BRO) teams deployed, but continuous rainfall is hampering progress. District Disaster Management Officer Mindu Yangzom confirmed that teams are working round the clock, yet warned that the situation remains precarious due to the relentless downpour. A Region on Edge With inclement weather forecast to continue through Tuesday, emergency response teams are on high alert across all northeastern states. Authorities are urging residents in vulnerable areas to stay vigilant and cooperate with evacuation and relief operations. The scale of damage underscores the urgent need for long-term infrastructure resilience and disaster preparedness in the region.