Supreme Court India
What is the POCSO Act and what protections does it provide?
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act 2012 was enacted by the Government of India to safeguard children from sexual abuse and offenses. The act clearly defines a child as any person below 18 years of age and provides punishments based on the gravity of the offense committed. The POCSO Act was further reviewed and amended in 2019 to introduce more stringent punishments, including the death penalty for sexual crimes against children. These amendments were implemented with the specific aim of deterring perpetrators and preventing such crimes against children through harsher penalties.
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WION
02:36 - 03:10
Who is Gyanesh Kumar and what is his educational and professional background?
Gyanesh Kumar is the newly appointed Chief Election Commissioner of India, succeeding Rajiv Kumar. He is an alumnus of prestigious institutions - IIT Kanpur and Harvard University - and is a 1988 batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre. During his notable career, Kumar served as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2019, where he played a significant role in drafting important legislation. He helped draft the bill related to the scrapping of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, demonstrating his involvement in consequential policy matters.
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WION
00:58 - 01:14
Why is Rahul Gandhi opposed to Gyanesh Kumar's appointment as Chief Election Commissioner?
Rahul Gandhi has issued a formal note of dissent regarding Gyanesh Kumar's appointment as Chief Election Commissioner. The Congress party is objecting to this selection primarily because the law governing the appointment process for the Chief Election Commissioner is currently being challenged in the Supreme Court of India. This objection reflects concerns about the legitimacy of appointing a new CEC while the legal framework for such appointments is under judicial review. The dissent highlights broader worries about electoral integrity and the process of selecting officials who will oversee critical upcoming elections across several states.
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01:39 - 01:50
Who has been appointed as the new Chief Election Commissioner of India and who will he succeed?
Gyanesh Kumar has been appointed as India's new Chief Election Commissioner, succeeding Rajiv Kumar who will be demitting office on February 18. The appointment was made following a meeting of the selection committee comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and opposition leader Rahul Gandhi. Gyanesh Kumar, described as the senior-most of the two Election Commissioners, brings significant experience to this crucial constitutional position. His tenure will oversee important upcoming elections in India.
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WION
00:00 - 00:26
Why is the Congress party objecting to the selection of Gyanesh Kumar as Chief Election Commissioner?
The Congress party is objecting to Gyanesh Kumar's selection as Chief Election Commissioner because they have challenged the legality of the law governing such appointments in the Supreme Court. This objection comes after Kumar was appointed following a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. The matter has reached the judicial system and is scheduled for hearing on Saturday. This controversy highlights broader concerns about election integrity and the extent of governmental control over the Election Commission, which oversees India's democratic processes including upcoming state assembly elections and the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
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01:42 - 01:52
What action has the Supreme Court taken regarding Ranveer Allah in the recent controversy?
The Supreme Court has granted interim protection from arrest to podcaster Ranveer Allah, who faces multiple FIRs over controversial remarks made on Samerana's show 'India's Got Latent.' While providing this protection, the court strongly condemned Allah's statements, noting they brought shame to his family and society. The court has imposed restrictions, directing Allah to surrender his passport at Thane police station and prohibiting him from leaving the country without prior court approval. This ruling came after the 31-year-old content creator requested that all FIRs and complaints against him be consolidated as he faces intense public backlash for his controversial comments on parental intimacy.
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WION
00:00 - 01:04