<p>The Patna High Court on Thursday (Jun 20) struck down a Bihar government's decision that hiked reservations for backward classes, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes from 50 to 65 per cent. The Nitish-Kumar-led government, an ally of the national ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), had increased the quota last November after completing the caste-based survey.</p>

<p>A high court bench led by Chief Justice K Vinod Chandran said the decision violated the equality clause under Articles 14, 15, and 16 of the Indian Constitution.</p>

<p>A leader of Bihar's ruling Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) party termed the high court's decision 'unfortunate.'</p>

<p>Manoj Jha said, "I would like to say that we should see the social background of the petitioner. Who are those people trying to do this from behind the curtains? We would urge Nitish Kumar to challenge this decision immediately in the upper court."</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjP1en_9emGAxUlh1YBHdWFDbkQxfQBKAB6BAgMEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-pm-narendra-modi-inaugurates-new-nalanda-university-in-bihar-built-at-cost-of-209-mn-dollars-733230" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-pm-narendra-modi-inaugurates-new-nalanda-university-in-bihar-built-at-cost-of-209-mn-dollars-733230&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjP1en_9emGAxUlh1YBHdWFDbkQxfQBKAB6BAgMEAE">India PM Narendra Modi inaugurates new Nalanda University in Bihar, built at cost of $209 mn dollars</a></strong></p>

<p>The amended reservation legislation, passed in November,&nbsp;included a 20 per cent quota for Scheduled Castes, 2 per cent for Scheduled Tribes, 43 per cent for Other Backward Classes, and Extremely Backward Classes. Combined with the 10 per cent quota for Economically Weaker Section (EWS), the total reservation in the state, as per the bill, was pushed up to 75 per cent. This was&nbsp;well above&nbsp;the 50 per cent threshold set by the Supreme Court.</p>

<p>The petitions filed against the legislation primarily highlighted this fundamental problem as "quota hike was also discriminatory in nature and violative of the fundamental rights to equality as guaranteed to the citizens by Articles 14, 15 and 16,” the petitioners argued.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Northern Indian heatwave grips Punjab, Haryana, Delhi &amp; Bihar</strong></p>

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<p>“The amendments are violative of the Supreme Court verdict passed in the case of Indira Sawhney versus Union of India whereby a maximum ceiling of 50% was laid down,” they added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The Patna High Court on Thursday (Jun 20) struck down a Bihar government's decision that hiked reservations for backward classes, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes from 50 to 65 per cent.

The Patna High Court on Thursday (Jun 20) struck down a Bihar government's decision that hiked reservations for backward classes, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes from 50 to 65 per cent. The Nitish-Kumar-led government, an ally of the national ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), had increased the quota last November after completing the caste-based survey. A high court bench led by Chief Justice K Vinod Chandran said the decision violated the equality clause under Articles 14, 15, and 16 of the Indian Constitution. A leader of Bihar's ruling Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) party termed the high court's decision 'unfortunate.' Manoj Jha said, "I would like to say that we should see the social background of the petitioner. Who are those people trying to do this from behind the curtains? We would urge Nitish Kumar to challenge this decision immediately in the upper court." Also read: India PM Narendra Modi inaugurates new Nalanda University in Bihar, built at cost of $209 mn dollars The amended reservation legislation, passed in November, included a 20 per cent quota for Scheduled Castes, 2 per cent for Scheduled Tribes, 43 per cent for Other Backward Classes, and Extremely Backward Classes. Combined with the 10 per cent quota for Economically Weaker Section (EWS), the total reservation in the state, as per the bill, was pushed up to 75 per cent. This was well above the 50 per cent threshold set by the Supreme Court. The petitions filed against the legislation primarily highlighted this fundamental problem as "quota hike was also discriminatory in nature and violative of the fundamental rights to equality as guaranteed to the citizens by Articles 14, 15 and 16,” the petitioners argued. Watch: Northern Indian heatwave grips Punjab, Haryana, Delhi & Bihar × “The amendments are violative of the Supreme Court verdict passed in the case of Indira Sawhney versus Union of India whereby a maximum ceiling of 50% was laid down,” they added. (With inputs from agencies)

Big blow to Bihar government: Patna HC scraps 65% quota for backward classes

Bihar cabinet cleared quota hike. The move started a political slugfest. A proposal has been passed to raise the Reservation quota for SCs, STs, OBCs and EWS .The quota has been increased to a total of 75% from the existing 50% .

Bihar cabinet approves to hike reservation quota to 75%

<p>In a relief to many of his fans, actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death case has reportedly been handed to CBI on the recommendation of the Bihar Government.</p>

<p>The Centre Wednesday informed the Supreme Court that it has accepted the Bihar government's recommendation for CBI investigation into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.<br />
<br />
A bench of Justice Hrishikesh Roy observed that truth behind the actor's death should come out.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Centre informs SC Bihar government's recommendation for CBI probe into death case of actor Sushant Singh Rajput has been accepted</p>
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<p>Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told the court that Bihar government's recommendation for CBI investigation in the case has been accepted.<br />
<br />
The top court is hearing a plea by Bollywood actress Rhea Chakraborty who is seeking transfer of an FIR, accusing her of abetting suicide of Rajput, from Patna to Mumbai.</p>

<p>The initial report by the Mumbai police stated that Sushant died by suicide on June 14. He was reportedly suffering from depression. His fans and several of his friends and peers have alleged that Sushant was murdered and have been demanding a CBI probe on the matter.<br />
<br />
The actor's father in later July filed an FIR in Patna against the actor's girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty on charges of abetment of suicide and financial cheating. Meanwhile, Chakraborty had filed a petition at the Supreme Court appealing that Sushant's case is handled by Mumbai police.</p>

<p>The Mumbai police have so far interrogated nearly 50 people in relation to the case. This includes filmmakers Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Aditya Chopra, Mahesh Bhatt, film critic Rajeev Masand and Rhea Chakraborty.</p>

<p>Bihar Police too had begun a separate set of investigations on the basis of Susghant's father's FIR.</p>


In a relief to many of his fans, actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death case has reportedly been handed to CBI on the recommendation of the Bihar Government. The Centre Wednesday informed the Supreme Court that it has accepted the Bihar government's recommendation for CBI investigation into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

In a relief to many of his fans, actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death case has reportedly been handed to CBI on the recommendation of the Bihar Government. The Centre Wednesday informed the Supreme Court that it has accepted the Bihar government's recommendation for CBI investigation into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. A bench of Justice Hrishikesh Roy observed that truth behind the actor's death should come out. Centre informs SC Bihar government's recommendation for CBI probe into death case of actor Sushant Singh Rajput has been accepted — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 5, 2020 × Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told the court that Bihar government's recommendation for CBI investigation in the case has been accepted. The top court is hearing a plea by Bollywood actress Rhea Chakraborty who is seeking transfer of an FIR, accusing her of abetting suicide of Rajput, from Patna to Mumbai. The initial report by the Mumbai police stated that Sushant died by suicide on June 14. He was reportedly suffering from depression. His fans and several of his friends and peers have alleged that Sushant was murdered and have been demanding a CBI probe on the matter. The actor's father in later July filed an FIR in Patna against the actor's girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty on charges of abetment of suicide and financial cheating. Meanwhile, Chakraborty had filed a petition at the Supreme Court appealing that Sushant's case is handled by Mumbai police. The Mumbai police have so far interrogated nearly 50 people in relation to the case. This includes filmmakers Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Aditya Chopra, Mahesh Bhatt, film critic Rajeev Masand and Rhea Chakraborty. Bihar Police too had begun a separate set of investigations on the basis of Susghant's father's FIR.

Sushant Singh Rajput: Centre accepts Bihar government's appeal for CBI probe in actor's death case

<p>Nepal has stopped the Bihar government from carrying out embankment-related work on the border and has laid the claim over the land as part of its territory.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepals-parliamentary-committee-supports-amendment-in-citizenship-act-parliament-soon-to-start-discussion-307538" hreflang="en">Nepal's Parliamentary Committee supports amendment in Citizenship Act, Parliament soon to start discussion</a></p>

<p>It comes days after Nepal's National Assembly unanimously passed the Constitution Amendment Bill. The bill will update Nepal's political and administrative map incorporating three Indian territories laying claim over the strategically key areas of Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura along the border with India.</p>

<p>Bihar shares a 729 km long international border with Nepal. Indian officials from the Water Resources Department (WRD) were taken by surprise when Nepalese authorities prevented them to fortify an embankment on Lal Bakey River in the Dhaka block of East Champaran district in Bihar.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the authorities, Water Resource Department under the Bihar government had constructed the embankment long back over the river. The river originates from a Himalayan region situated in Nepal and they fortify the bank ahead of the monsoon but were never faced such objection from the Nepalese government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Reports suggest&nbsp;the authorities tried to sort the issue on a local level but it was not successful, so the Bihar officials have now reported the matter to the federal Home Ministry, Government of Bihar and the Indian Embassy in Nepal.</p>

<p>“Nepal has stopped embankment-related work in Indian territory near the border. We have reported the matter to both, the Bihar government as well as the Union Government. We hope to resolve the issue soon,” east Champaran district magistrate Shirshat Kapil Ashok told the media.</p>

<p>The district magistrate has informed the Geological Survey of India of the entire situation and has urged them to resolve the dispute at the earliest so that the pending embankment work can be completed soon.</p>

<p>“Fortification of embankment in 400 metres, out of a 2.5km-long stretch, was not done. The WRD department has built the embankment till the last point of the border, but now Nepalese authorities are raising objections over it,” the district magistrate told the media on Saturday. He has also held a conversation with Nepalese counterpart but there has been no breakthrough.&nbsp;</p>


Nepal has stopped the Bihar government from carrying out embankment-related work on the border and has laid the claim over the land as part of its territory. Also read: Nepal's Parliamentary Committee supports amendment in Citizenship Act, Parliament soon to start discussion It comes days after Nepal's National Assembly unanimously passed the Constitution Amendment Bill.

Nepal has stopped the Bihar government from carrying out embankment-related work on the border and has laid the claim over the land as part of its territory. Also read: Nepal's Parliamentary Committee supports amendment in Citizenship Act, Parliament soon to start discussion It comes days after Nepal's National Assembly unanimously passed the Constitution Amendment Bill. The bill will update Nepal's political and administrative map incorporating three Indian territories laying claim over the strategically key areas of Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura along the border with India. Bihar shares a 729 km long international border with Nepal. Indian officials from the Water Resources Department (WRD) were taken by surprise when Nepalese authorities prevented them to fortify an embankment on Lal Bakey River in the Dhaka block of East Champaran district in Bihar. According to the authorities, Water Resource Department under the Bihar government had constructed the embankment long back over the river. The river originates from a Himalayan region situated in Nepal and they fortify the bank ahead of the monsoon but were never faced such objection from the Nepalese government. Reports suggest the authorities tried to sort the issue on a local level but it was not successful, so the Bihar officials have now reported the matter to the federal Home Ministry, Government of Bihar and the Indian Embassy in Nepal. “Nepal has stopped embankment-related work in Indian territory near the border. We have reported the matter to both, the Bihar government as well as the Union Government. We hope to resolve the issue soon,” east Champaran district magistrate Shirshat Kapil Ashok told the media. The district magistrate has informed the Geological Survey of India of the entire situation and has urged them to resolve the dispute at the earliest so that the pending embankment work can be completed soon. “Fortification of embankment in 400 metres, out of a 2.5km-long stretch, was not done. The WRD department has built the embankment till the last point of the border, but now Nepalese authorities are raising objections over it,” the district magistrate told the media on Saturday. He has also held a conversation with Nepalese counterpart but there has been no breakthrough.

Nepal government denies Bihar's Water Resource Department from constructing embankment; lays claim over land