New Delhi, Nov 19: The Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down several provisions of the 2021 Tribunals Reforms law related to the appointment, tenure, and service conditions of members of various tribunals, saying they had been re-enacted by the Centre with minor tweaks.

A bench of Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran said the impugned provisions violated the principles of separation of powers and judicial independence, and they should not have been brought back.

The bench said that dealing with the backlog of cases was not the sole responsibility of the judiciary, and the onus must be shared by the other arms of the government.

The bench held that Parliament had sought to “legislatively override” binding judicial precedents by re-enacting clauses previously quashed by the court.

“We have compared the provisions of the Ordinance and the 2021 Act, and it shows that all provisions struck down, with minor tweaking, have been re-enacted again,” the CJI said while reading the judgment.

“Thus, we have held that the provisions of the 2021 Act cannot be sustained as it violates separation of powers and judicial independence. It amounts to legislative overriding without curing any defects and binding judgment… It falls foul. Thus, it is struck down as unconstitutional,” he said.

The court restored the earlier judicial directions on tenure, making it clear that members of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) and the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) shall continue to be in service until the age of 62, while their chairpersons or presidents shall remain in office until the age of 65.

The details of the judgment are awaited.

On November 11, the top court reserved its verdict on a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Tribunals Reforms (Rationalisation and Conditions of Service) Act, 2021.

The law abolished several appellate bodies, such as the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal, and amended provisions governing appointments, age criteria, and tenure across the tribunal framework.

New Delhi, Nov 19: A Delhi court early Wednesday sent Al Falah University founder Jawed Ahmed Siddiqui to Enforcement Directorate custody for 13 days.

Siddiqui, who was arrested under the terror-linked money laundering case on Tuesday evening, was produced before Additional Sessions Judge Sheetal Chaudhary Pradhan at her residence close to midnight. The proceedings lasted till 1 am.

The judge said, “After carefully considering the submission made, I am of the considered view that all the compliances under Section 19 of the PMLA (Prevention of money laundering act) have been done.”

“Considering the gravity of the offence and that the investigation is at nascent stage. I deem it appropriate that the accused is granted Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody remand for a period of 13 days,” the judge added.

The ED has alleged that the Al-Falah University falsely claimed that it is a UGC recognised university and misrepresented its NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) accreditation status.

NAAC is an autonomous body funded by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India that assesses and accredits higher education institutions in the country.

The agency alleged that the university generated Rs 415.10 crore of educational revenue from 2018-2025 financial year, which saw a “meteoric rise” every year after 2018.

The ED said the university generated Rs 24.21 crore revenue in 2018-2019 which increased to Rs 80.10 crore in 2024-2025.

The agency said, “It is a fact that the entire Al-Falah group has seen a meteoric rise since the 1990s, metamorphosing into a large educational body. However, the financials of the various entities are at variance with the huge amount of assets accumulated by the group.”

Special Prosecutor, Simon Benjamin who appeared in court on behalf of the ED, submitted that its probe found that funds duped from people and student fees were being used for personal and private use.

“Various persons have admitted that matters as regards financial decisions were taken by the arrested accused,” he said.

Seeking 14-day custody, he said custodial interrogation of the accused (Siddiqui) is necessary to “unearth and quantify” the full extent of proceeds of crime.

The agency said, “Accused continues to occupy the position of founder and managing trustee and controlling mind of Al-Falah Charitable Trust and exercises de facto influence over Al-Falah University and its institutions.”

Benjamin said the accused can transfer, mortgage and reroute funds to related entities or individuals to place assets beyond the reach of enforcement, making his arrest necessary.

Siddiqui was taken into custody under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on Tuesday evening following day-long searches.

The ED on Tuesday arrested Siddiqui after it conducted simultaneous searches in Delhi-NCR against the trustees and promoters of Faridabad-based Al Falah University, linked to the Red Fort area car blast case, officials said.

The ED seized around Rs 48 lakh in cash during the searches at 19 premises of the Al Falah Trust and university.

Chennai, Nov 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the 21st instalment of the PM-KISAN income support scheme — amounting to Rs 18,000 crore for over nine crore farmers — during his visit to Coimbatore on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the South India Organic Farming Conference being organised by the Tamil Nadu Organic Farmers’ Federation at the CODISSIA campus.

PM Modi is scheduled to arrive at the Coimbatore International Airport from Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh. He will be received by Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi and senior government officials. Around 1.30 p.m., he will travel by road to the CODISSIA Trade Complex, where an elaborate reception has been arranged by the South India Organic Farmers’ Federation.

At the event, the Prime Minister will formally inaugurate the organic farming conference and deliver a keynote address, highlighting the significance of sustainable agriculture. He is expected to speak extensively about the PM-KISAN scheme, under which farmers receive an annual financial support of Rs 6,000 in three instalments.

The 21st instalment to be released on Wednesday will benefit nine crore farmers across India, including 21,80,204 beneficiaries from Tamil Nadu. In Coimbatore district alone, 44,837 farmers will receive assistance.

PM Modi will also honour farmers who have demonstrated excellence in organic farming, presenting them with awards in recognition of their achievements. Following this, he will interact with organic farmers and agricultural scientists, discussing innovations and challenges in sustainable agriculture.

The Prime Minister is also expected to visit stalls set up by organic farmers, where he will review a range of agricultural products and value-added items.

His visit to the CODISSIA complex is expected to last until around 3.30 p.m., after which he will return to the Coimbatore airport to depart for New Delhi.

Thousands of organic farmers from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and other southern states have arrived in Coimbatore to attend the conference, which is considered one of the largest organic farming gatherings in the region.

A five-layer security cover has been deployed for the Prime Minister’s visit. The entire CODISSIA campus has been brought under the control of the Special Protection Group (SPG). Police personnel are on duty round-the-clock, and drone operations have been banned in and around the venue.

Tight security measures have also been enforced along the Coimbatore–Avinashi Road leading to the event site.

New Delhi, Nov 18: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Tuesday issued an advisory to all private television channels against telecasting visuals that could aid, abet or promote unlawful activities.

The advisory comes in the wake of certain television channels carrying content on making explosives in the aftermath of the recent blast near the Red Fort in Delhi that left several people dead.

“It has come to the notice of this ministry that some news channels have been broadcasting content related to alleged persons involved in Red Fort blasts, justifying their acts of violence, as well as information videos of how to make explosive material,” the advisory to all private satellite TV channels said.

It said such broadcasts may inadvertently encourage or incite violence, disrupt public order, and pose risks to national security.

“All TV channels are advised to exercise the highest level of discretion and sensitivity while reporting on such matters,” the advisory said.

It cited sections of the Cable Television Network Rules, which state that no programme should contain anything obscene, defamatory, deliberately false, or suggestive innuendos and half-truths; be likely to encourage or incite violence, contain anything against the maintenance of law and order, or promote anti-national attitudes; or contain anything that affects the integrity of the nation.

All TV channels are further advised to avoid telecasting visuals that could aid, abet or promote unlawful activities, the advisory said.