Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Sachin Ahir joins Shinde faction, files Maharashtra Legislative Council Deputy Chairman nominationIn a fresh jolt to Uddhav Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sachin Ahir on Tuesday (June 30, 2026) filed his nomination for the post of deputy chairman of the Maharashtra legislative council on behalf of the rival Eknath Shinde-led faction. The surprise move by Mr. Ahir, a close confidante of Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, comes days after six MPs ditched the Opposition party to join the ruling Shiv Sena. Mr. Ahir submitted his nomination as a Mahayuti candidate in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar.Medical bail in case of only ‘grave necessity’, Supreme Court tells Asaram’s sideThe Supreme Court clarified in an oral observation on Tuesday (June 30, 2026) that it would consider medical bail for self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, who has been sentenced to life imprisonment in a 2013 Rajasthan rape case involving a minor survivor, only if his life was in danger. “Usual health issues, we are not going to consider. If medical bail is to be given, it would be only if your life is in danger. That is the only factor we will consider,” Justice M.M. Sundresh, heading a Vacation Bench, remarked.Finance Ministry panel to clear ₹1.25 lakh crore outlay for India Semiconductor Mission 2.0The expenditure department under the Finance Ministry will clear a Budget proposal entailing an allocation of ₹1.25 lakh crore for India Semiconductor Mission 2.0, as the country looks to advance global chip-making ambitions and cement its position as a semiconductor destination for the world, according to sources. he approval is significant as it is higher than the outlay of ₹76,000 crore earmarked for ISM 1.0. Sources said that the Expenditure Finance Committee will green light the ₹1.25 lakh crore outlay for ISM 2.0, and that the same will be placed before the Cabinet.Ayodhya Bar boycott: SC has said even the ‘wicked’ have the right to a lawyerThe Faizabad Bar’s resolution to deny legal representation to the accused in the Ram Temple embezzlement case transgresses a Supreme Court judgment that even a “wicked” person has a fundamental right to a competent advocate. The Supreme Court judgment that clearly enunciates this highest of the traditions of the Bar is based on a case originating in Tamil Nadu regarding a confrontation between a lawyer and local police personnel in Coimbatore. The local Bar Association had passed a resolution that no lawyer would represent the accused policemen.Reasonable to believe targeted killing of children part of larger plan for genocide of the Palestinian people, Justice Muralidhar says Justice S. Muralidhar, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, discusses the United Nations panel’s report on crimes committed on Palestinian children by Israeli security forces resulting in the death of at least 20,179 and injury of 44,143 children since the October 7, 2023 armed incursions by Hamas. The former Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court and currently a senior advocate practising in the Supreme Court of India, in an interview with The Hindu, explains findings of systematic targeting of the most vulnerable Palestinian populations — women, children, and the elderly.AIKS calls for nationwide farmers’ protests on August 10, opposes trade agreementsThe Central Kisan Committee (CKC) of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) has called for intensifying farmers’ struggles across the country following its two-day meeting held at the YMCA Centre in Mumbai on Sunday (June 28, 2026) and Monday June 29, 2026). The meeting addressed multiple issues affecting agriculture and decided on a series of protest programmes. he CKC meeting discussed falling agricultural produce prices, rising input costs, crop insurance issues, land acquisition policies, fertiliser shortages, loan waiver schemes, and sugarcane pricing. The meeting also examined the functioning of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and the impact of proposed trade agreements.Patna court extends Khan Sir’s protection from arrest till July 3 in coaching institute firing caseA court in Patna on Tuesday (June 29, 2026) extended the stay on the arrest of educator Faisal Khan, popularly known as Khan Sir, in connection with the coaching institute firing case till the next hearing on July 3. Mr. Khan was named in an FIR related to a firing incident by his guards when miscreants vandalised his coaching institute in early June. He was named in the FIR, and the court on June 9 granted him protection from arrest, which was later extended till June 30. The court will also hear the bail applications of both security guards of Khan who are in judicial custody on July 3.Sex workers collective hail Supreme Court verdict over consent for rehabilitation Durbar Mahila Samanway Committee, one of the largest sex workers’ collectives in the country, has hailed the recent judgement by the Supreme Court that consent of adult sex workers must be the primary consideration in decisions relating to rehabilitation. DMSC, which has emerged from the Sonagachi Project, a community-led HIV intervention receiving international recognition for its success in reducing HIV transmission while promoting the collective empowerment of sex workers, emphasised that trafficking and consensual adult sex work are distinct realities. INDIA bloc writes to CJI, flags EC’s ‘biased conduct’Twenty-three Opposition parties have sent a joint memorandum to the Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, alleging “biased” conduct by the Election Commission, highlighting the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) carried out in States such as West Bengal and Bihar, as well as the ongoing exercise in other States. The DMK and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the two political parties that were not present at the INDIA bloc meeting, have also signed the letter. AAP is not a part of the bloc, while the DMK had informed its allies that it would not attend the meeting, rebuking the Congress for what it described as a post-election “betrayal” after the party switched sides to the TVK-led government in the State following the alliance’s defeat in the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls.General Dhiraj Seth takes charge as new Army ChiefGeneral Dhiraj Seth, an accomplished military officer with the rare distinction of heading two operational Army commands along the western front, took charge as the new Chief of the Army Staff on Tuesday (June 30, 2026), officials said. Gen Seth assumed the reins of the 1.3 million-strong force at a time when it is forging a path to become a self-reliant and future-ready Army while meeting challenges on the borders. The general officer succeeded General Upendra Dwivedi, who retired on Tuesday (June 30) after an illustrious career spanning over 40 years in the armed forces.CJP protest day 11: Dipke claims police blocking entry; Wangchuk’s health deteriorates on fastThe protest by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar entered its eleventh day on Tuesday (June 30, 2026), with CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke alleging heavy police deployment and restrictions on the entry of supporters to the protest site. Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s health condition deteriorated, with his blood sugar levels dipping on the third day of his hunger strike at the protest venue. In a post on X, Mr. Dipke claimed that police were preventing people from entering the protest venue and that several core team members were being denied access. He alleged that transport arrangements were also being blocked to stop supporters from reaching Jantar Mantar.Supreme Court refuses to entertain plea seeking CBI probe into ‘extra-judicial’ killing of Bharat TiwariThe Supreme Court on Tuesday (June 30, 2026) declined to entertain a petition seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe and the constitution of an independent expert committee, headed by a former Supreme Court judge, to inquire into the alleged “extra-judicial killing” of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari in a police encounter in Bilauti village of Bihar’s Bhojpur district on June 17. The police version of the encounter has been questioned by Mr. Tiwari’s family, who allege that he had surrendered and discarded his weapon before he was fatally shot.Women’s T20 World Cup: Can West Indies stop the Australian juggernaut for a place in the final?You don’t find, at the moment, people travelling with their small, portable fans, or even one of those hand fans that Jane Austen’s heroines from Regency England would carry to the balls. The form of the Australian team is only getting hotter at the T20 Women’s World Cup, though. After scoring a comfortable six-wicket win in their last league match against India, the Aussies are all ready for their next opponent.