On May 19, a tragic incident unfolded in Pune involving a 17-year-old son of a prominent realtor who crashed his Porsche into two young techies, claiming their lives. Shockingly, this wasn’t the first time he was driving illegally. Just a day before the fatal accident, a video surfaced showing him driving to a college event with a friend. Later that day, he indulged in underage drinking with friends at pubs, accumulating a hefty bill. Subsequently, he sped through Pune’s Kalyani Nagar at around 150 kmph, resulting in the deaths of two IT professionals, leaving one victim flung into a parked car and another thrown 20 feet in the air.

Following the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde assured that justice would be served without bias, emphasizing that the law applies equally to everyone regardless of their status. His comments came amid allegations of preferential treatment due to the accused’s influential background. Dr. Ajay Tawade and Dr. Hari Harnor of Sasoon Hospital were arrested for allegedly tampering with the teenager’s blood samples to conceal alcohol consumption. Additionally, a peon, Atul Ghatkamble, was arrested for facilitating the bribery involved in the cover-up.

The situation escalated with claims that an MLA’s son was also involved, prompting speculation of a cover-up involving political figures. Although the MLA wasn’t named, reports suggested the involvement of Sunil Tingre, an NCP legislator from Vadgaonsheri. Currently, the teenager remains in a remand home until June 5, while his father and grandfather are in police custody. The incident has underscored the importance of upholding the law impartially, irrespective of one’s social or political standing.

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The fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh saw a voter turnout of nearly 47.55 percent by 5 pm. Polling took place in 14 constituencies including Mohanlalganj, Lucknow, Rae Bareli, Amethi, Jalaun, Jhansi, Hamirpur, Banda, Fatehpur, Barabanki, Kaushambi, Faizabad, Kaiserganj, and Gonda, starting at 7 am and concluding at 6 pm. Uttar Pradesh, with the highest representation in the Lok Sabha, joined West Bengal and Bihar in holding elections across all phases.

Barabanki recorded the highest turnout at 55.35 percent by 3 pm, followed by Jhansi at 52.53 percent, Mohanlalganj at 51.08 percent, Hamirpur at 48.87 percent, Faizabad at 48.66 percent, and Banda at 48.08 percent. Fatehpur saw a turnout of 47.25 percent, Rae Bareli 47.83 percent, Jalaun 46.22 percent, Amethi 45.13 percent, Gonda 43.23 percent, Kaushambi 43.01 percent, Lucknow 41.90 percent, and Kaiserganj 46.01 percent.

A total of 144 candidates contested in this phase, with the Election Commission scrutinizing 147 out of 466 nomination forms received. Key contenders included Rahul Gandhi from Rae Bareli, Smriti Irani from Amethi, Rajnath Singh from Lucknow, and Karan Bhushan Singh from Kaiserganj, son of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who faced allegations of sexual harassment by several female wrestlers during his tenure as the president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

On Sunday, Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi and AAP National Convenor, led a march towards the BJP headquarters in Delhi to protest the arrest of his personal assistant, Bibhav Kumar, in connection with the Swati Maliwal alleged assault case. Kejriwal announced their intention to sit outside the BJP headquarters for approximately thirty minutes, waiting to see if more AAP leaders would be arrested.

Despite the protest taking place near Rouse Avenue, the AAP leaders were unable to proceed towards the BJP headquarters.

During the protest, Atishi, a Delhi minister and AAP leader, claimed that the BJP and Prime Minister Modi were intimidated by Arvind Kejriwal, pointing to the arrests of AAP leaders as evidence. Atishi suggested that Kejriwal’s call to arrest all AAP leaders went unanswered, portraying it as a defeat for PM Modi and the BJP.

The arrest of Bibhav Kumar stemmed from an incident where he allegedly assaulted Swati Maliwal, an AAP Rajya Sabha member, at Kejriwal’s residence on May 13. Initially acknowledging Kumar’s misconduct, the AAP later labeled the episode as a “conspiracy” orchestrated by the BJP and the former Delhi Commission for Women chief to target Kejriwal. The party released two CCTV footage clips to support its claims, which the BJP dismissed.

Meanwhile, Maliwal’s medical report from her examination at AIIMS on Thursday night revealed injuries to her left leg and right cheek. The medico-legal case (MLC) report indicated bruises measuring 3×2 centimeters on her “proximal left leg dorsal aspect” and another measuring 2×2 centimeters on her “right cheek below her right eye.”

In a significant blow to the ruling BJP in Haryana amidst the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, three Independent MLAs have announced their withdrawal of support from the Nayab Singh Saini-led government in the state. Sombir Sangwan, Randhir Gollen, and Dharampal Gonder made this declaration at a press conference held in Rohtak, where they also expressed their decision to back the Congress party during the elections.

Addressing the media, Mr. Gonder stated, “We are retracting our support from the government and throwing our weight behind the Congress.” He cited various issues, particularly those concerning farmers, as factors influencing their decision.

Former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and state Congress chief Udai Bhan were present during the announcement. Udai Bhan emphasized, “The three Independent MLAs – Sombir Sangwan, Randhir Singh Gollen, and Dharampal Gonder – have withdrawn their support to the BJP government and extended their support to the Congress.”

Highlighting the current scenario in the Haryana Assembly, Bhan pointed out, “The present strength of the Haryana Assembly, which is 88 members, includes 40 BJP members. With the withdrawal of support from both JJP MLAs and Independents, the Nayab Singh Saini government now finds itself in a minority. Consequently, he should tender his resignation without delay.”

Bhan further emphasized the urgency for immediate assembly polls in light of these developments.