India has successfully conducted trials for its indigenous naval anti-ship missile, showcasing its advanced precision strike capability. The missile, developed by DRDO, can retarget in flight, making it a significant addition to the Indian Navy’s arsenal. The Defence Minister praised the achievement, calling it a milestone in India’s defense technology.

Defence Minister lauds DRDO and Indian Navy for successful flight tests

India, with a population of 1.4 billion, appears to be a vast consumer market. However, a deeper look reveals that nearly 1 billion people lack the disposable income required for discretionary spending. According to the Indus Valley Annual Report 2025, only 130 to 140 million people—about the population of Mexico—form India's true consuming class.

Report: India’s middle class shrinks as wealth gap widens

India successfully tests indigenous naval missile with precision strike capability

The Central government has opposed a plea in the Supreme Court seeking a lifetime ban on convicted politicians, saying imposing such a disqualification was solely within the domain of Parliament.
In an affidavit filed in court, the Centre said the prayer in a plea, seeking the same, amounted to re-writing of the statute or directing Parliament to frame a law in a particular manner that was wholly beyond the powers of judicial review.
"The question whether a lifetime ban would be appropriate or not is a question that is solely within the domain of the parliament," the affidavit said.
By confining the operation of penalty to an appropriate length of time, deterrence was ensured while undue harshness was avoided, it added.
There was, said the Centre, nothing inherently unconstitutional in limiting the effect of penalties by time, and it was a settled principle of law that penalties were limited either by time or by quantum.
"It is submitted that issues raised by the petitioner have wide-ranging ramifications and clearly fall within the legislative policy of Parliament, and the contours of judicial review would be suitably altered in such regard," the affidavit said.
The plea in the top court filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay seeks a life ban on convicted politicians aside from the expeditious disposal of criminal cases against MPs and MLAs in the country.
In its affidavit, the Centre underlined the apex court had consistently held that the legislative choice over one option or the other couldn't be questioned in courts over its efficacy or otherwise.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-of-india-dismisses-new-pleas-on-1991-places-of-worship-law-orders-april-hearing-for-pending-petitions-8731473">Supreme Court dismisses new pleas on 1991 Places of Worship law, orders April hearing for pending petitions</a>
Under Section 8 (1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the period of disqualification was six years from the date of conviction or, in the case of imprisonment, six years from the date of release, it added.
"The disqualifications made under the impugned sections are limited by time as a matter of parliamentary policy, and it would not be appropriate to substitute the petitioner's understanding of the issue and impose a lifetime ban," it said.
The Centre said as a matter of judicial review, the court could declare the provisions to be unconstitutional, however, the relief sought by the petitioner effectively sought to read "life-long" instead of "six years" in all sub-sections of Section 8 of the Act.
It said lifetime disqualification was the maximum that could be imposed under the provisions and such a discretion was "certainly within the power of Parliament".
"However, it is one thing to say that a power exists and another to say that it must necessarily be exercised in every case," the Centre argued.
The affidavit said the impugned laws were "constitutionally sound" and "did not suffer from the vice of excess delegation" aside from being intra vires the powers of Parliament.
While imposing any penalty, it said, Parliament considers the principles of proportionality and reasonability, as, for instance, the entirety of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, or penal law, provides for imprisonment or fines up to certain limits, and the rationale behind it was that the punitive measures would co-relate with the gravity of the offence.
There were numerous penal laws that prescribe imposing restrictions on the exercise of rights and freedoms, which in most cases are time-specific, it said.
The Centre said the petition failed to make the crucial distinction between basis of disqualification and effects of disqualification.
"It is true that the basis of disqualification is conviction for an offence and that this basis remains unchanged so long as the conviction stands. The effect of such conviction lasts for a fixed period of time. As stated above, there is nothing inherently unconstitutional in limiting the effect of penalties by time," it said.
The affidavit said the petitioner's reliance on Articles 102 and 191 of the Constitution was totally misplaced.
Articles 102 and 191 of the Constitution deals with disqualifications for membership of either house of parliament, legislative assembly or legislative council.
The Centre said Clause (e) of Articles 102 and 191 were enabling provisions that confer on Parliament the power to make laws governing disqualification and it was in exercise of this power that the 1951 Act was enacted.
"The Constitution has left the field open to Parliament to enact such further law governing disqualifications as it deems fit. Parliament has power both to determine the grounds for disqualification and the duration of disqualification," it said.
The Centre said the grounds for disqualification in the articles included holding of an office of profit, unsoundness of mind, insolvency and not being a citizen of India.
"It is submitted that these are not permanent disqualifications," it added.
The apex court on 10 February sought responses of the Centre and the Election Commission on the challenge to the constitutional validity of Sections 8 and 9 of Representation of People Act.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

India news: "The question whether a lifetime ban would be appropriate or not is a question that is solely within the domain of the parliament," the affidavit said.

The Central government has opposed a plea in the Supreme Court seeking a lifetime ban on convicted politicians, saying imposing such a disqualification was solely within the domain of Parliament. In an affidavit filed in court, the Centre said the prayer in a plea, seeking the same, amounted to re-writing of the statute or directing Parliament to frame a law in a particular manner that was wholly beyond the powers of judicial review. "The question whether a lifetime ban would be appropriate or not is a question that is solely within the domain of the parliament," the affidavit said. By confining the operation of penalty to an appropriate length of time, deterrence was ensured while undue harshness was avoided, it added. There was, said the Centre, nothing inherently unconstitutional in limiting the effect of penalties by time, and it was a settled principle of law that penalties were limited either by time or by quantum. "It is submitted that issues raised by the petitioner have wide-ranging ramifications and clearly fall within the legislative policy of Parliament, and the contours of judicial review would be suitably altered in such regard," the affidavit said. The plea in the top court filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay seeks a life ban on convicted politicians aside from the expeditious disposal of criminal cases against MPs and MLAs in the country. In its affidavit, the Centre underlined the apex court had consistently held that the legislative choice over one option or the other couldn't be questioned in courts over its efficacy or otherwise. Also read: Supreme Court dismisses new pleas on 1991 Places of Worship law, orders April hearing for pending petitions Under Section 8 (1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the period of disqualification was six years from the date of conviction or, in the case of imprisonment, six years from the date of release, it added. "The disqualifications made under the impugned sections are limited by time as a matter of parliamentary policy, and it would not be appropriate to substitute the petitioner's understanding of the issue and impose a lifetime ban," it said. The Centre said as a matter of judicial review, the court could declare the provisions to be unconstitutional, however, the relief sought by the petitioner effectively sought to read "life-long" instead of "six years" in all sub-sections of Section 8 of the Act. It said lifetime disqualification was the maximum that could be imposed under the provisions and such a discretion was "certainly within the power of Parliament". "However, it is one thing to say that a power exists and another to say that it must necessarily be exercised in every case," the Centre argued. The affidavit said the impugned laws were "constitutionally sound" and "did not suffer from the vice of excess delegation" aside from being intra vires the powers of Parliament. While imposing any penalty, it said, Parliament considers the principles of proportionality and reasonability, as, for instance, the entirety of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, or penal law, provides for imprisonment or fines up to certain limits, and the rationale behind it was that the punitive measures would co-relate with the gravity of the offence. There were numerous penal laws that prescribe imposing restrictions on the exercise of rights and freedoms, which in most cases are time-specific, it said. The Centre said the petition failed to make the crucial distinction between basis of disqualification and effects of disqualification. "It is true that the basis of disqualification is conviction for an offence and that this basis remains unchanged so long as the conviction stands. The effect of such conviction lasts for a fixed period of time. As stated above, there is nothing inherently unconstitutional in limiting the effect of penalties by time," it said. The affidavit said the petitioner's reliance on Articles 102 and 191 of the Constitution was totally misplaced. Articles 102 and 191 of the Constitution deals with disqualifications for membership of either house of parliament, legislative assembly or legislative council. The Centre said Clause (e) of Articles 102 and 191 were enabling provisions that confer on Parliament the power to make laws governing disqualification and it was in exercise of this power that the 1951 Act was enacted. "The Constitution has left the field open to Parliament to enact such further law governing disqualifications as it deems fit. Parliament has power both to determine the grounds for disqualification and the duration of disqualification," it said. The Centre said the grounds for disqualification in the articles included holding of an office of profit, unsoundness of mind, insolvency and not being a citizen of India. "It is submitted that these are not permanent disqualifications," it added. The apex court on 10 February sought responses of the Centre and the Election Commission on the challenge to the constitutional validity of Sections 8 and 9 of Representation of People Act. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

India: Centre opposes plea seeking lifetime ban on convicted politicians in Supreme Court

"Pakistan is a failed state surviving on international handouts": Indian diplomat Kshitij Tyagi at UNHRC. Watch in for more details!

"Pakistan a failed state surviving on international handouts," Indian diplomat slams Pakistan at UNHRC

Is Shashi Tharoor, India's Congress party veteran, eyeing an exit from the party? Tharoor, a four-time Congress Member of Parliament, says he has options. Watch in for more details!

Shashi Tharoor posts selfie with union minister, raises speculation

Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong hailed ties between both nations and said that the two countries should see each other’s development as an opportunity rather than a threat, and as cooperative partners instead of competitors.

India-China relations entering 'phase of recovery,' says Chinese envoy Xu Feihong

Indian government sources have stated that there is no visit planned by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the Victory Day Parade in Russia. Earlier, the Russian news agency TASS reported that the Indian Prime Minister was expected to attend the May 9th parade in Moscow to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

Breaking | Indian PM Modi won't attend Moscow Victory Day parade: sources

India’s cryptocurrency market is witnessing a sharp rise, driven by retail traders from smaller cities. In the October-December quarter of 2024, trading volumes on the country’s four largest crypto exchanges surged to $1.9 billion. This surge comes as more Indians, especially young traders, look for alternative income sources.

Young Indians bet big on crypto trading

European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen has arrived in India for a crucial two-day visit. She is set to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss trade, strategic ties, and the much-anticipated Free Trade Agreement (FTA). With the 10th round of negotiations on the FTA approaching, Europe is looking to strengthen its commercial and diplomatic relationship with India.

EU chief Ursula Von Der Leyen to arrive in India on Thursday for key trade talks

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Moscow in May, with reports suggesting he may attend Russia’s Victory Day Parade at Red Square on May 9. Stay tuned for the latest updates.

PM Modi may attend Russia's Victory Day parade in Moscow

Maha Shivratri marked the conclusion of the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 on February 26, with devotees flocking to Triveni Sangam for the final holy dip. Watch this report for more details!

Maha Kumbh Mela 2025: World's largest religious gathering draws to a close

Women in India have significantly reduced the time spent on unpaid domestic work in 2024 compared to five years ago, according to a recent report from the country's ministry of statistics and program implementation. The survey revealed that women spent 16. 4% of their time on unpaid household tasks in 2024, a slight decrease from 16. 9% in 2019.

Women's unpaid work declines in India in 2024

Maha Kumbh Mela 2025: Devotes take part in final snan on Maha Shivratri

Chinese envoy hails ties with India: Bilateral ties entering phase of recovery

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday conducted searches at 60 locations across India as part of its probe into the USD 757.26 million GainBitcoin cryptocurrency scam, officials said.&nbsp;
The searches were spread across multiple cities, including Delhi NCR, Pune, Chandigarh, Nanded, Kolhapur, and Bengaluru, targeting premises allegedly linked to key accused individuals, a CBI spokesperson said in a statement.
The raided premises are linked to key accused, their associates, and entities suspected of laundering ill-gotten gains from the scam.&nbsp;
As the CBI raided, they recovered some crypto wallets, incriminating digital evidence, digital devices, and evidence from email/clouds.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bitcoin-hits-new-record-high-above-109000-awaiting-trump-8636981" rel="dofollow">Bitcoin hits record high of $109,000 ahead of Trump's inauguration ceremony</a>
<h2>What is GainBitcoin?</h2>
Launched in 2015 by Amit Bhardwaj and a network of agents, GainBitcoin was a Ponzi scheme and was operated through multiple websites under the facade of a company named Variabletech Pte. Ltd.
The scheme lured investors by promising them lucrative monthly returns of 10 per cent in Bitcoin for 18 months.&nbsp;
It further encouraged investors to buy Bitcoin from different exchanges and invest them in GainBitcoin through cloud mining contracts.&nbsp;
The model followed a multi-level marketing (MLM) structure, commonly associated with pyramid-structured Ponzi schemes, where payouts are dependent on bringing in new investors.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/luxury-brands-to-consider-accepting-crypto-payments-as-bitcoin-soars-785112" rel="dofollow">Luxury brands to consider accepting crypto payments as bitcoin soars</a>
<h2>What was the scam?</h2>
In the beginning, investors received payouts in Bitcoin, however, the scheme later began to collapse, with fresh investments drying up by 2017.&nbsp;
GainBitcoin then unilaterally switched payouts to an in-house cryptocurrency called MCAP, which held significantly less value than Bitcoin, further misleading investors.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wales-man-fights-to-recover-ps569-million-worth-of-bitcoin-thrown-away-by-ex-girlfriend-779724" rel="dofollow">Wales man fights to recover $ 710 million worth of bitcoin thrown in garbage dump by ex-girlfriend</a>
Following this, investors began to register FIRs all across India, alleging large-scale fraud and money laundering. Cases were registered in Jammu &amp; Kashmir, Punjab, Chandigarh, Delhi, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.&nbsp;
Later, the Supreme Court transferred them to the CBI for a unified investigation.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)

India news: Searches were spread across cities, including Delhi NCR, Pune, Chandigarh, Nanded, Kolhapur, and Bengaluru, targeting premises allegedly linked to key accused.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday conducted searches at 60 locations across India as part of its probe into the USD 757.26 million GainBitcoin cryptocurrency scam, officials said. The searches were spread across multiple cities, including Delhi NCR, Pune, Chandigarh, Nanded, Kolhapur, and Bengaluru, targeting premises allegedly linked to key accused individuals, a CBI spokesperson said in a statement. The raided premises are linked to key accused, their associates, and entities suspected of laundering ill-gotten gains from the scam. As the CBI raided, they recovered some crypto wallets, incriminating digital evidence, digital devices, and evidence from email/clouds. Also read: Bitcoin hits record high of $109,000 ahead of Trump's inauguration ceremony What is GainBitcoin? Launched in 2015 by Amit Bhardwaj and a network of agents, GainBitcoin was a Ponzi scheme and was operated through multiple websites under the facade of a company named Variabletech Pte. Ltd. The scheme lured investors by promising them lucrative monthly returns of 10 per cent in Bitcoin for 18 months. It further encouraged investors to buy Bitcoin from different exchanges and invest them in GainBitcoin through cloud mining contracts. The model followed a multi-level marketing (MLM) structure, commonly associated with pyramid-structured Ponzi schemes, where payouts are dependent on bringing in new investors. Also read: Luxury brands to consider accepting crypto payments as bitcoin soars What was the scam? In the beginning, investors received payouts in Bitcoin, however, the scheme later began to collapse, with fresh investments drying up by 2017. GainBitcoin then unilaterally switched payouts to an in-house cryptocurrency called MCAP, which held significantly less value than Bitcoin, further misleading investors. Also read: Wales man fights to recover $ 710 million worth of bitcoin thrown in garbage dump by ex-girlfriend Following this, investors began to register FIRs all across India, alleging large-scale fraud and money laundering. Cases were registered in Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Chandigarh, Delhi, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. Later, the Supreme Court transferred them to the CBI for a unified investigation. (With inputs from agencies)

What is GainBitcoin case? CBI conducts searches at over 60 locations in $757.26mn cryptocurrency scam

Bollywood celebrities also visited Prayagraj over the last few weeks to take a holy dip at the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. From Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal to Akshay Kumar, Hindi film actors joined the euphoria at Sangam.

Maha Kumbh Mela 2025: Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Raveena Tandan take holy dip

Nestle India is considering small price hikes on its products to counter rising costs in coffee, cocoa, and edible oil. According to reports, the price increase will be kept as low as possible to avoid impacting sales volume.

Nestle India considering price hikes to counter inflation

The burden of obesity is on the rise globally, as well as in India. A swift increase in the number of obese people shows that India could soon be facing an obesity epidemic, with alarm bells ringing particularly for the young. As levels of obesity rise across all zones in India, undernutrition and the accompanying outcome of an underweight population are now being replaced by signs of an overweight and obese population. Female obesity prevalence is also increasing sharply, with women showing a 9.8% prevalence, an increase of 8.6 percentage points from 1990. According to a Lancet study, in India, 44 million women and 26 million men aged above 20 are found to be obese. Watch in for more details!

Indian prime minister stresses upon urgent need to tackle obesity

Amid the row over alleged U.S. aid funding to India, U.S. President Donald Trump made a fresh claim. Over the weekend he claimed that the Biden administration has allocated $18 million in funding to India to help with its election. This was his fifth public statement in a week on the issue. Watch in for more details!

Trump says '$18 million for India', days after he said $21 million

The UK and India are set to relaunch negotiations to clinch a multi-billion-pound Free Trade Agreement. UK Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds is in New Delhi to meet his Indian counterpart, Piyush Goyal. Watch in for more details!

India, UK resume trade negotiations: Starmer's Labour to relaunch trade negotiations with India

The latest annual report from the Indian Finance Ministry has revealed that USAID funded seven significant projects worth $750 million in the fiscal year 2023-24. Watch this report for more details!

USAID funded $750m for seven projects in FY24: Indian Finance Ministry Report

USAID funded 7 projects in India in FY24: Finance Ministry report

India and the United Kingdom will resume negotiations on a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) from February 24 (Monday), after an eight-month hiatus. UK's Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds is in India for the talks.

India-UK eye FTA to boost bilateral trade

Global think tank GTRI has proposed a ‘zero-for-zero’ tariff strategy to India which is expected to counter planned reciprocal tariff hikes by the US. According to the Global Trade Research Initiative, the strategy involves eliminating tariffs on industrial goods without a full trade agreement, aiming to prevent aggressive tariff increases.

Can zero-tariff plan ease India-US trade tensions?

GTRI proposes 'zero-for-zero' tariff strategy to India

India, UK to resume free trade agreement talks from February 24

More than a dozen First Information Reports (FIRs) have been filed against 140 social media handles for spreading ‘misleading content’ about the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj. Watch this report for more details!

Maha Kumbh Mela 2025: 13 FIRs against 140 social media handles

Virat Kohli completed his 51st one-day international century with the winning runs as India beat Pakistan by six wickets in their Champions Trophy match in Dubai. Watch this report for more details!

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India beats Pakistan by six wickets, Kohli smashes 51st ODI ton

Indian equity markets are bracing for a period of turbulence as foreign institutional investors pull back, signaling potential headwinds ahead. A recent report from the bank of America suggests that India’s high valuation and changing global liquidity conditions could impact market performance in the near term.

Trump's trade policies add layers of uncertainty

india

India, News on India, stories on India, articles on India, India stories at Wion, India news, India latest news