Delhi

Hyderabad, Dec 18 (PTI) Amid nationwide protests over the Citizenship Amendment Act, city-based Urdu writer Mujtaba Hussain has decided to return his Padma Shri award, saying he was not happy with the current situation in the country.

He alleged criminal activities were increasing day by day and democracy has come under threat in the country.

New Delhi, Dec 18 (PTI) The Delhi Police on Wednesday arrested two more persons in connection with the violence that ensued in Seelampur following protests over the Citizenship Amendment Act, taking the total number of arrests to eight.

Police had already arrested six people in connection with the matter.

New Delhi, Dec 18 (PTI) Members of the Jamia Teachers' Association on Wednesday took out a peace march to thank all universities which have supported JMI students in their protest against the amended Citizenship Act and the National Register of Citizens.

Around 200 teachers carried placards reading "I stand with Jamia", "I am against CAA" and messages expressing gratitude to all supporting universities.

The marchers also carried a large map of India showing sites of campus protests across the country.

New Delhi, Dec 18 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the plea filed by one of the four convicts in the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case, seeking review of its 2017 judgement upholding his death penalty.

A three-judge bench headed by Justice R Banumathi said there are no ground to review the 2017 verdict and the contentions raised by convict Akshay Kumar Singh were already considered by the top court in the main judgement.

New Delhi, Dec 17 (PTI) Ten people with criminal background have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the violence near Jamia Millia Islamia University here, police said on Tuesday, adding that none of them were students.

The accused were arrested on Monday night, they said.

Sources said that the accused were identified through videos taken during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protest at JMI on Sunday.

New Delhi, Dec 17 (PTI) It's noon and 31-year-old Haris Rao is still waiting for the first customer at his stationery shop in the Batla House market adjoining Jamia Millia University.

Business has taken a hit due to the tension that gripped the areas adjoining Jamia Millia University following violence during a protest over the amended Citizenship Act on Sunday.

New Delhi, Dec 17 (PTI) Chief Justice S A Bobde recused himself on Tuesday from hearing the plea of convict Akshay Kumar Singh seeking review of the 2017 apex court judgment upholding his death penalty in the Nirbhaya gang rape-and-murder case.

At the outset, a special bench comprising CJI and Justices R Banumathi and Ashok Bhushan made it clear that review pleas has to be heard by another appropriate bench.

New Delhi, Dec 16 (PTI) Not just onion, retail prices of potato and other vegetables have also shot up in the national capital on Monday as recent winter rainfall has damaged some of the crops, according to traders.

At the Azadpur wholesale mandi here, prices of main vegetables, especially onion, are ruling high in the range of Rs 70-90/kg, potato at Rs 22/kg, tomato at Rs 18/kg.

New Delhi, Dec 16 (PTI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday termed the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens as "weapons of mass polarisation" unleashed by fascists on India and said the best defence against them is peaceful satyagraha.

Gandhi said he stands in solidarity with those protesting peacefully against them.

New Delhi, Dec 16 (PTI) Congress leaders led by party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra held a dharna at the India Gate on Monday in solidarity with students protesting against the amended Citizenship Act.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the two-hour protest, which began at 4 pm, is to express solidarity with students from Jamia Millia Islamia University and other places.

Police had used force against students on Sunday after a protest against the amended law turned violent in which buses were torched.