New Delhi, Nov 10: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a review meeting of Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) on Monday, commending the performance of these companies’ platforms in Operation Sindoor.

Addressing the gathering at the newly inaugurated DPSU Bhawan, World Trade Centre, Naoroji Nagar, Rajnath Singh also applauded the contribution of DPSU in strengthening the defence manufacturing ecosystem and advancing the vision of a self-reliant India.

“All our 16 DPSUs are serving as strong pillars of the country’s self-reliance. Their excellent performance in operations like Operation Sindoor testifies to the reliability and capability of our indigenous platforms,” he said.

The Defence Minister commended HSL, AVNL, IOL and MIL for achieving the Miniratna status and described it as a reflection of their growing efficiency, autonomy and contribution to the defence sector.

He highlighted that the transformation of the Ordnance Factory Board into seven new DPSUs in 2021 ushered in greater functional independence, innovation and competitiveness.

The Defence Minister added that the newly granted Miniratna status to these four DPSUs will empower them to undertake capacity expansion, modernisation and explore new ventures and collaborations, including joint ventures and mergers with both public and private sector partners.

Highlighting the sector’s remarkable performance, Rajnath Singh underlined that in the year 2024-25, India achieved defence production worth Rs 1.51 lakh crore, with DPSUs contributing 71.6 per cent of the total.

Defence exports reached Rs 6,695 crore, underscoring global confidence in India’s indigenous systems. “This clearly indicates that ‘Made in India’ defence products are gaining global respect,” he added.

Emphasising the need to sustain this momentum, Rajnath Singh Mantri urged all DPSUs to focus on rapid indigenisation of critical technologies, holistic R&D, product quality enhancement, timely deliveries and adoption of a strategic approach to increase exports.

He directed DPSUs to define clear indigenisation and R&D roadmaps with measurable milestones to be presented at the next review meeting. “On behalf of the Government, I assure you that wherever special intervention or assistance is required, it will be provided promptly,” he said,

As part of the event, three major MoUs were exchanged among DPSUs, reflecting the spirit of collaboration and self-reliance. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) signed MoUs with Yantra India Limited (YIL) to support its modernisation efforts and establish a 10,000-ton Forging Press facility, a crucial step towards reducing import dependence for aluminium alloys used in the defence and aerospace sectors.

HAL has committed an interest-free advance of Rs 435 crore to YIL, while BDL will provide a sustained workload of up to 3,000 metric tonnes over ten years.

The third MoU was signed for the creation of a Metal Bank at MIDHANI to ensure the uninterrupted availability of critical raw materials for defence projects of national importance.

New Delhi, Nov 10: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday urged the Delhi High Court to hold in-camera proceedings in its plea seeking the death penalty for Yasin Malik, the Kashmiri separatist leader and chief of the banned JKLF, who is currently serving a life sentence in a terror-funding case.

Appearing via video conference from Tihar Jail, Malik submitted before a Bench of Justices Vivek Chaudhary and Manoj Jain that he had been living under “mental agony for the last three years” over the possibility of being awarded capital punishment.

The anti-terror agency, citing the sensitivity of the case and security concerns, requested the Justice Chaudhary-led Bench to restrict public access and provide a private virtual link.

Observing that it will consider the NIA’s plea for in-camera proceedings, the Delhi High Court posted the matter for further hearing on January 28 next year.

The NIA has challenged the trial court’s 2022 judgment that sentenced Malik to life imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and IPC.

Appealing against the sentence, the Central agency emphasised that a terrorist cannot be sentenced to a life term only because he has pleaded guilty and chosen not to go through trial.

While seeking enhancement of the sentence to the death penalty, the NIA said if such dreaded terrorists are not given capital punishment on account of pleading guilty, there would be complete erosion of the sentencing policy, and terrorists would have a way out to avoid capital punishment.

The trial court, which rejected the NIA’s plea for the death penalty, had said the crimes committed by Malik struck at the “heart of the idea of India” and were intended to forcefully secede Jammu and Kashmir from the Union of India.

Malik, who declined to appoint a lawyer and chose to argue the case himself, has been appearing virtually following an August 2024 court order that barred his physical presence due to security threats.

The now-banned JKLF chief is also facing trial in the 1990 killing of four IAF personnel in Srinagar, where a key eyewitness — a retired IAF officer — has identified him as the main shooter.

New Delhi, Nov 10: The Supreme Court on Monday indicated that all state bar council elections will be held under the supervision of retired high court judges to ensure a free and fair poll process.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said there is a trust deficit with the Bar Council of India (BCI), as well as state bar councils, and therefore an independent election panel headed by retired high court judges in each state will be appointed to oversee the process.

Senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra, who is also the Bar Council of India chairman, said that the body does not have any objections if retired judges are appointed for conducting the elections to the bar bodies.

“State Bar council or Bar association elections are the most difficult elections on earth,” Justice Kant said, and asked Mishra to notify the elections for different states as early as possible.

Mishra said the Punjab and Haryana bar councils’ elections will be notified on Monday and the dates for seven states will be notified this week.

Senior advocate Madhavi Divan, appearing for the intervenor, submitted that court orders are being flouted, and pointed out that on October 9, the Delhi Bar Council notified dates for the election but on October 10, a notice was issued by the Bar Council of India dissolving the body.

Mishra said that they want the Bar Council of India (BCI) to be ousted from the poll process and want the elections to be held according to their wishes.

The bench told Divan that the BCI cannot be ousted from the election process and to ensure fairness, it will appoint local retired high court judges for all bar council elections.

On October 31, the top court directed the BCI to notify elections for the Punjab and Haryana bar councils in 10 days and hold the polls by December 31.

It also directed the apex bar body to hold elections for the Uttar Pradesh Bar Council by January 31, 2026, and address the genuine and bonafide grievances of electors.

The top court passed the directions after it was pointed out that elections for Punjab and Haryana bar councils have not been notified and in Uttar Pradesh, the voter list is not being uploaded on the website.

On September 24, the top court said elections in state bar councils have to be held by January 31, 2026, keeping in mind the long pendency.

It had said drives for verification of lawyers’ LLB certificates cannot be a ground for postponing the elections.

The top court was hearing a batch of pleas seeking to quash Rule 32 of the Bar Council of India Certificate and Place of Practice (Verification) Rules, 2015, which empowers the BCI to extend the term of state Bar council members beyond the statutory limits prescribed under the Advocates Act 1961.

Srinagar, Nov 10: The Jammu and Kashmir Police earned accolades for its remarkable performance during the National Unity Day Parade held in Gujarat, commemorating the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

The parade, organized at the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, witnessed participation from various state and union territory police forces across the country.

A police official said that the Jammu and Kashmir Police contingent stood out for its discipline, synchronization, and immaculate turnout, drawing appreciation from dignitaries and spectators alike.

Director General of Police, J&K, Nalin Prabhat attended the event and congratulated the contingent for showcasing professionalism and pride on the national stage. The J&K Police contingent was led by Superintendent of Police Ghulam Hassan, who commanded the team during the ceremonial march-past.

The official said the participation of J&K Police at such prestigious national events highlights the force’s growing stature and commitment to excellence. The contingent’s impressive performance was seen as a reflection of the force’s dedication, discipline, and unity in service of the nation. [KNT]