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Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Friday said that Allahabad has remained a centre for knowledge and exchange of ideas for centuries.

While addressing the inaugural ceremony of Dr Rajendra Prasad National Law University in Prayagraj he also said that lawyers play vital roles in nation-building and justice.

“Allahabad has remained a centre for knowledge and exchange of ideas for centuries. The University of Allahabad, which is considered the Oxford of the East remained a beacon of knowledge for the last 137 years. Lawyers have significantly contributed to nation-building.He further said that there is a wider process of nation-building in which lawyers have a very vital role to play.

“Lawyers play a crucial and multifaceted role in society, contributing to the functioning of legal systems and promoting justice. They represent individuals and entities ensuring that their rights are protected,” he added.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized that the rule of law is fundamental to good governance.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of Dr Rajendra Prasad National Law University, held at the Medical Association’s auditorium, the CM underscored the crucial role of the Bar and Bench in achieving this objective. “Bar and Bench always supported in establishing the good governance model of Uttar Pradesh.”CM Adityanath emphasized the significance of maintaining public trust in the judicial system, stating that a loss of faith in democracy could lead to unrest.Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of Dr Rajendra Prasad National Law University, held at the Medical Association’s auditorium, the CM underscored the crucial role of the Bar and Bench in achieving this objective. “Bar and Bench always supported in establishing the good governance model of Uttar Pradesh.”CM Adityanath emphasized the significance of maintaining public trust in the judicial system, stating that a loss of faith in democracy could lead to unrest.

CM Yogi said that our government has done a lot of work in the interest of the advocates of Uttar Pradesh and will do so in future too.

Supreme Court Justice Manoj Mishra, Justice Rajesh Jindal, Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Arun Bhansali, Uttar Pradesh Government Advocate General Ajay Kumar Mishra and Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta ‘Nandi’ and other dignitaries were present.

The court cited the contradictions in the statements of witnesses. (Representational

Forty-one years after a former soldier was given a life sentence in a murder case, the Allahabad High Court has set aside the judgment, citing contradictions in the statements of witnesses.

A bench comprising Justices Siddhartha Varma and Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra allowed the petition of Murari Lal, who is out on bail in the case.

According to the FIR filed on July 6, 1982, Seodan Singh had alleged Murari Lal had opened fire on his brother Pool Singh with his licensed gun when the latter was going from his village to Wazeerganj.

A sessions court in Badaun had on May 3, 1983, convicted Murari under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and he was sentenced to life imprisonment.The contradictions in the statements of the prosecution witnesses were also very glaring. The prosecution witness 1 had stated that the dead body was taken to the police station from the place of occurrence, but the prosecution witness 4 had stated that the dead body was not there at the police station ever,” the high court said in its order last month.

“What is more, the Court is of the view that when prosecution witness 2 was the sole eye-witness and his statements had not been corroborated by the other witnesses present, then the evidence of the sole eye-witness had to be examined properly and with caution which has not been done in the present case,” it said.

The high court in its judgment dated August 14 observed that the contradiction in the statements of the prosecution witnesses is very glaring.

The Allahabad High Court on Friday stayed the arrest of Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair in relation to an FIR accusing him of promoting enmity among religious groups following a complaint by an associate of controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand.

The order was passed by a bench of justices Siddhartha Varma and Nalin Kumar Srivastava.

In her complaint, general secretary of Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati Trust Udita Tyagi claimed Zubair posted a video clip of an old programme of Narsinghanand on October 3 with the intent to provoke violence by Muslims against him.It was further alleged that Mr Zubair posted edited clips of the priest on X, containing Yati Narsinghanand’s alleged incendiary remarks on Prophet Muhammad to incite radical sentiments against the controversial priest.

In his X post, Mr Zubair called the alleged speech of Yati Narsinghanand ‘derogatory’.

The FIR was lodged by Ghaziabad police last month under sections 196 (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion), 228 (fabricating false evidence), 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings), 356(3) (defamation) and 351(2) (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).Zubair had moved the high court, requesting quashing the FIR and protection from coercive action. In his plea, he stated that his post did not call for violence against Yati Narsinghanand.

Rather, he had merely alerted the police authorities about Yati Narsinghanand’s actions and sought action according to law, and this could not amount to promoting disharmony or ill-will between two classes of people.

In addition to it, he also challenged the invocation of the defamation provision under the BNS on the grounds that seeking action against Yati Narsinghanand by sharing his own videos which are already in public domain, cannot amount to defamation.

Maha Kumbh Mela, dubbed the largest gathering of humanity in the world, is expected to bring more than 40 crore people to Prayagraj.The Maha Kumbh Mela began at Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj this morning, with more than 50 lakh people so far taking the first holy dip at Sangam, the point where the Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers meet.

Dubbed the largest gathering of humanity in the world, the millennia-old Kumbh Mela is expected to bring over 40 crore people to Prayagraj during the 45-day-long event, which is more than the population of the US and Russia.The event, being held after 12 years, has been set up at around 4,000 hectares of open land and will continue till February 26. It is expected to give a massive boost to the economic growth of Uttar Pradesh, the most populated state in India, which allocated around Rs 7,000 crore budget for the mega event.

Maha Kumbh Projected To Earn Up To Rs 2 Lakh Crore

Maha Kumbh 2025 is projected to generate up to Rs 2 lakh crore in economic growth for Uttar Pradesh. According to estimates, the event may generate Rs 2 lakh crore if each of 40 crore visitors spends an average of Rs 5,000.The news agency IANS, citing industry estimates, said the average expenditure per person could rise to even Rs 10,000 and the total economic impact could reach Rs 4 lakh crore. It is also expected to boost both nominal and real GDP by over 1 per cent.Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the Prayagraj’s Ardh Kumbh Mela in 2019 contributed Rs 1.2 lakh crore to the state’s economy. The “ardh” or half Kumbh Mela in 2019, had attracted about 24 crore pilgrims.

“With an expected turnout of 40 crore devotees this year, the Maha Kumbh is projected to generate up to Rs 2 lakh crore in economic growth,” he told a news channel recently.Mr Adityanath, a member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), described the Maha Kumbh as the world’s largest temporary city, which may accommodate between 50 lakh to one crore devotees at any given time.

According to the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), the food and beverage sector, including packaged foods, water, biscuits, juices, and meals, is estimated to add Rs 20,000 crore to the overall trade.

The Traders’ body also said that religious items and offerings, such as oil, lamps, Ganga water, idols, incense sticks, and religious books, are another major area of economic activity, contributing an estimated Rs 20,000 crore.Transportation and logistics, including local and interstate services, freight, and taxis, are expected to account for Rs 10,000 crore, while tourism services, such as tour guides, travel packages, and related activities, are likely to contribute another Rs 10,000 crore, the CAIT said.

Temporary medical camps, Ayurvedic products, and medicines could bring in Rs 3,000 crore, while sectors like e-ticketing, digital payments, Wi-Fi services, and mobile charging stations are expected to see business worth Rs 1,000 crore. Entertainment and media, including advertising and promotional activities, are projected to generate Rs 10,000 crore in trade, the CAIT said.Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the start of Maha Kumbh as a “very special day” for crores of people who “cherish Indian values and culture”.

“Maha Kumbh 2025 commences in Prayagraj, bringing together countless people in a sacred confluence of faith, devotion and culture. The Maha Kumbh embodies India’s timeless spiritual heritage and celebrates faith and harmony,” he posted on X this morning.

“I am happy to see Prayagraj abuzz with countless people coming there, taking the holy dip and seeking blessings. Wishing all pilgrims and tourists a wonderful stay,” he said.Mr Adityanath also described it as a confluence of cultures and a message of unity in diversity.

“The world’s largest spiritual and cultural gathering ‘Maha Kumbh’ is starting today in the holy city of Prayagraj. All the revered saints, Kalpvasis and devotees who have come to experience unity in diversity, to meditate and take a holy bath at the confluence of faith and modernity are heartily welcomed,”

The Supreme Court collegium on Monday confirmed its decision to recommend transfer of Justice Varma, facing an enquiry over the alleged discovery of huge cash from his official residence.The Allahabad High Court Bar Association on Tuesday began an indefinite strike to protest against the proposed transfer of Delhi High Court Justice Yashwant Varma to the high court.

Leading the protesting lawyers gathered at gate number 3 of the high court, Bar Association President Anil Tiwari told reporters, “This protest is not against any court or judge but against those who have betrayed the judicial system.” He added, “Our fight is against those involved in corruption and against a system that lacks transparency. For now, our demand is a reconsideration and withdrawal of the transfer order.” The Bar Association had reiterated its opposition to Justice Varma’s transfer on Monday and decided to go on an indefinite strike from Tuesday.Mr Tiwari asserted the association was prepared for an all-out battle on this issue.

“From the very beginning, there has been an attempt to cover up this matter. Today, lawyers across India are fighting this battle. Until a resolution is reached, we will not resume work, no matter the consequences,” he said on Monday.The Supreme Court collegium on Monday confirmed its decision to recommend transfer of Justice Varma, facing an enquiry over the alleged discovery of huge cash from his official residence and from whom judicial work was withdrawn, to his parent Allahabad High Court.

The transfer recommendation to the Centre was made public in a resolution uploaded on the top court website.

The alleged cash discovery happened following a fire at Varma’s Lutyens Delhi residence at around 11.35 pm on March 14, prompting the fire officials to rush to the spot and douse it.

The high court collegium headed by CJI Sanjiv Khanna and the Delhi High Court subsequently issued a series of directives, including the withdrawal of judicial work from Justice Varma on Monday.Justice Varma has “unequivocally” denied the any cash being placed in the storeroom either by him or any of his family members while “strongly denouncing the suggestion that the alleged cash belonged” to them.

He said the allegations of cash discovery from his official residence clearly appeared to be a conspiracy to frame and malign him.

Justice Varma was enrolled as an advocate on August 8, 1992. He was appointed as an additional judge of the Allahabad High Court on October 13, 2014.

He took oath as a permanent judge of the Allahabad High Court on February 1, 2016, before being appointed as a judge of the Delhi High Court on October 11, 2021.

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