Varanasi Court Dismisses Case Against Gandhi; NGT to Probe Radha Soami Dera

A Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh court has dismissed a petition against Indian National Congress' Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi over his remarks concerning the Sikh community made during his visit to the US in 2024. The case was filed by Nageshwar Mishra. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Neeraj Kumar Tripathi quashed the complaint, observing that the petitioner had 'merely expressed an apprehension' that Gandhi's comments could be exploited by Khalistani elements to incite violence or spread misinformation about India abroad. Meanwhile, on the basis of a complaint by head of Ghaneta village Seema Kumari, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has constituted a joint committee to verify the factual position regarding the allegations of tree felling, illegal construction, and the use of a tea estate land leveled against the Radha Soami Satsang Beas at Parour in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh. Concurrently, a huge amount of plastic waste and other trash in the Nangal hydel canal has people worried here as many drinking water schemes rely on it. The trash can be seen up to 6 km from Nangal town where the canal starts and runs for 64 km from Nangal to Rupnagar. Thereafter it joins the Bhakra main line canal, which takes the river Satluj waters to adjoining states. In another case, the Supreme Court of India has summoned the health department officials of Panjab, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi, for failing to comply with its directions to frame uniform standards for patient safety in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and critical care facilities. Meanwhile, a Panjab government survey revealed lapses in the availability of essential medicines at the Aam Aadmi Clinics, Panjab's flagship primary healthcare project. The assessment found that nearly 68% of the clinics—596 out of 881—did not maintain the required stock of essential drugs as per official standards. Also, the Panjab University, Chandigarh recently celebrated its 143^rd Foundation Day. However, the invitation to the event was in English and Hindi ignoring Panjabi. Ashmeet Singh, Vice President of the Students Council boycotted the program (earlier coverage).