SC verdict on Arnab plea to quash FIRs against him
The Supreme Court is scheduled to pronounce its verdict on Tuesday on a plea by Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, seeking to quash multiple FIRs lodged against him in various states over his alleged defamatory statements against Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi in a news show relating to the Palghar mob-lynching case.
A bench headed by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud will also deliver its judgement on another plea of Goswami seeking to quash the FIR lodged on May 2, against him by Mumbai Police for allegedly hurting religious sentiments by making some remarks during his news show.
The Maharashtra government had also moved the apex court, alleging that Goswami has been misusing protection granted by the top court and has been "browbeating" the police by "creating fear psychosis".
Significant easing of lockdown restrictions in Delhi
Delhi will see a significant easing of lockdown restrictions from Tuesday with opening of shops in markets on an odd-even basis and running of buses, autorickshaws and taxis. However, metro services, schools, colleges, cinema halls and salons will remain closed. Wearing masks and following social distancing norms are mandatory in the city.
All kinds of shops will be allowed to open. Restaurants can open for home delivery and takeaways, but dining facilities will not be permitted. Market hubs like Khan Market in Lutyens Delhi to commercial hub Connaught Place will open from Tuesday, following the odd-even formula prescribed by the Delhi government; several others like Sadar Bazar and the Chandni Chowk market will remain closed.
Haryana to resume intra, insterstate bus services
Haryana Chief Minister M.L. Khattar on Monday announced that the intra- and interstate bus services will resume from Tuesday. Buses, which were not allowed to carry more than 30 passengers to maintain social distancing, were plying on select routes since last Friday.
Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala had said economic and other activities were gradually restarting in the state and 29.75 lakh workers have joined in units, which commenced operations. Many offices in the state have reopened with 50 per cent staff strength or less.
BJP protest against Maharashtra government
The BJP will launch a "Maharashtra Bachao" agitation from Tuesday against the "complete failure" of the Shiv Sena-led coalition government in tackling the COVID-19 crisis.
"BJP leaders will submit their demands with officials in various talukas and districts as part of the process," BJP state unit chief Chandrakant Patil said. He said the party leaders and workers will stand outside their houses on May 22 with placards condemning the state government's failure in mitigating the situation.
Evacuation in Odisha, Bangladesh ahead of Amphan
Odisha is expected to complete on Tuesday the evacuation of about 11 lakh people living in low-lying areas of the state ahead of the impact of extremely severe cyclonic storm Amphan from Wednesday.
Under the impact of Amphan, heavy rainfall is likely in some places in coastal districts like Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara.
Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) P.K. Jena said collectors of 12 coastal districts have been asked to evacuate people living in low-lying areas, thatched and mud houses or 'kutcha' structures. People living within 5 kilometres of the coastline and in vulnerable areas will also be evacuated and the entire process completed by Tuesday. Arrangements have already been made to shift over 11 lakh people to cyclone shelters, he said.
Bangladesh will start evacuating from Tuesday about 2 million people from 19 coastal districts ahead of the arrival of Amphan.
"The district administration in 19 most vulnerable south-western coastal districts has been asked to take all preparedness to save lives," Disaster Management Ministry Secretary Shah Kamal said. Kamal said the local authorities were directed to move out at least 18 to 20 lakh people to safety as 13,078 cyclone shelters were readied while Amphan appeared to be proceeding towards the coastlines.
