The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has named former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel as an accused in the Mahadev Betting App case. On Tuesday, the CBI made public its First Information Report (FIR) regarding the case, listing a total of 21 individuals, including Ravi Uppal, Shubham Soni (Pintu), Chandra Bhushan Verma, Assem Das, Satish Chandrakar, Nitish Deewan, Saurabh Chandrakar, Anil Agarwal (Atul Agarwal), Vikas Chhapriya, Rohit Gaulati, Vishal Ahuja, Dheeraj Ahuja, Anil Kumar Dammani, Sunil Kumar Dammani, Bhim Singh Yadav, Harishankar Tibrewal, Surendra Bagi, Suraj Chokhani, and two unidentified individuals, one of whom is a police officer.

The accused have been charged under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Sections 120(B), 420, 467, and 468, as well as Sections 11, 7, 8, and 4 of the Chhattisgarh Gambling (Prohibition) Act, 2002, and Section 4(A) of the Public Gambling Act. The CBI has carried out searches across more than 60 locations in Chhattisgarh, Bhopal, Kolkata, and Delhi. These searches targeted premises linked to politicians, senior bureaucrats, police officials, Mahadev Book key functionaries, and private individuals suspected of involvement in the case.

Previously, on March 26, the CBI conducted a 14-hour raid at the residence of former CM Bhupesh Baghel, seizing three mobile phones. Speaking to the media, Baghel stated that this was the second raid at his residence within 15 days, with similar searches being conducted in Durg and other locations across India. He questioned why, despite stringent action against the Mahadev Betting App, the key accused, Saurabh Chandrakar, had not yet been arrested, even though a lookout circular had been issued against him.

Baghel alleged that the raid was politically motivated, suggesting it was orchestrated to provide material for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech ahead of his scheduled visit on March 30. He further pointed out that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had already conducted a thorough search 15 days earlier, questioning what new evidence the CBI hoped to uncover. He also claimed that original documents were taken from his residence without providing him photocopies, arguing that timely action would have made document submission more effective.

On March 27, Baghel accused the central government of failing to act against the Mahadev Betting App. During a press conference, he alleged that Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were shielding the app, stating that any attempt to take action against it would result in retaliation.

"Modi and Shah are protecting the Mahadev Betting App. The central government has made it clear that if anyone takes action against the app, they will face consequences. This shows they have no intention of shutting it down," he told the media. Additionally, he claimed that cash worth crores of rupees recovered from a vehicle was linked to a BJP leader.

The FIR, initially registered on March 4, 2024, alleges that Mahadev Online Book has been running illegal betting operations. It also states that other websites, including "Skyexchange," are affiliated with Mahadev Online Book and are allegedly operated by Hari Shankar Tibrewal. The complaint highlights that the Mahadev platform facilitates illegal betting on various live games, including poker, card games, games of chance, and sports betting. The app gained prominence around 2019-2020, particularly during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.

A court in Mohali on Tuesday sentenced Pastor Bajinder Singh, a Christian preacher from Jalandhar, Punjab, to life imprisonment in connection with a 2018 sexual harassment case. The case dates back to April 20, 2018, when a woman from Zirakpur filed an FIR against Singh, accusing him of rape. She claimed that Singh coerced her into a non-consensual relationship under the false pretense of helping her relocate abroad. Reports also suggest that Singh recorded an obscene video of the complainant, according to The Tribune. The FIR was filed at Zirakpur police station under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology (IT) Act. Along with Singh, five others — Pastor Jatinder, Pastor Akbar, Sattar Ali, and Sandeep Pehelwan — were named in the case.

Another FIR: Assault caught on video: This is not the first legal issue faced by the 42-year-old preacher. On February 28, another FIR was filed against him after a 22-year-old woman accused him of sexual harassment. In response, the Punjab Police formed a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the case, and the Punjab State Women’s Commission took suo-motu notice, ensuring security for the complainant.

Further fueling the controversy, a CCTV video surfaced online, reportedly from February 14, showing Singh in a heated argument with a woman, throwing papers at her, and slapping her. The video also shows him allegedly assaulting another man. Based on this footage, the police have charged him with assault, according to PTI.

Bajinder Singh's rise to prominence and church influence: Pastor Bajinder Singh became well-known in 2012 as a Christian preacher. He founded two churches: ‘The Church of Glory and Wisdom’ in Tajpur, Jalandhar, and another in Majri, Mohali. His sermons attract large crowds, with followers believing in his healing powers. His church services are streamed live on YouTube via his channel, ‘Prophet Bajinder Singh,’ which has 3.74 million subscribers.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.

Mumbai has introduced its first-ever elevated nature trail at Malabar Hill, providing a tranquil escape from the city's busy streets. Inspired by Singapore’s Tree Top Walk, the project took nearly four years to complete and is set to become a major attraction for nature enthusiasts. The 705-meter-long walkway connects Kamala Nehru Park to Doongerwadi Woods, offering visitors a breathtaking perspective of the city's greenery from above. Designed and maintained by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the walkway aims to encourage people to engage with nature while preserving the surrounding ecosystem.

Stretching through the lush Malabar Hill forest, the trail offers stunning views of the Arabian Sea. A glass-bottom deck allows visitors to look down at the forest floor, while a dedicated bird-watching area provides an opportunity to observe various bird species in their natural habitat. The walkway is surrounded by over 100 tree species, including Gulmohar, Almond, Jamun, and Banyan, creating a rich environment for birds such as kingfishers, bulbuls, and parakeets. Small reptiles like lizards and pythons may also be spotted.

The trail is open daily from 5 AM to 8 PM, with an entry fee of ₹25 for Indian citizens and ₹100 for foreign nationals. Visitors can book their slots online for a hassle-free experience. To maintain ecological balance, only 200 people are allowed at a time, with each visitor given a one-hour time slot. Food is not permitted to prevent attracting monkeys, though carrying water bottles is allowed. Easily accessible to the public, the entry and exit points are located at Siri Road, behind Kamala Nehru Park. The walkway promises a refreshing and immersive experience, making it an ideal destination for those looking to reconnect with nature within the city.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.

The central government has strongly opposed social media platform X's claim that the 'Sahyog' portal functions as a censorship tool, calling the allegation both unfortunate and unacceptable. In a detailed response submitted to the Karnataka High Court, the Centre refuted the arguments made by X Corp in its petition challenging India's information-blocking framework. It argued that X had misinterpreted the provisions of the Information Technology (IT) Act, particularly Sections 69A and 79(3)(b).

X Corp contended that Section 79(3)(b) does not grant the government the authority to issue content-blocking orders in a way that bypasses the safeguards outlined in Section 69A, its related blocking rules, and the Supreme Court's ruling in the Shreya Singhal case. However, the government maintained that Section 69A explicitly empowers it to issue blocking orders under specific conditions while ensuring multiple safeguards for restricting online content.

The government clarified that Section 69A is distinct from Section 79(3)(b), which merely requires intermediaries to fulfill due diligence obligations when notified by authorised agencies. Section 79 does not provide the authority to issue blocking orders but rather informs intermediaries of their responsibilities. If they fail to comply, they risk losing safe harbor protections and facing legal consequences under Rule 7 of the IT Rules, 2021.

The Centre further argued that while Section 69A allows the government to block access to information with legal consequences for non-compliance, Section 79 only defines the conditions under which intermediaries can claim safe harbor protections. It stated that X Corp had wrongly equated blocking orders under Section 69A with notices issued under Section 79(3)(b), despite the Supreme Court having previously distinguished between the two in the Shreya Singhal case.

Defending the Sahyog portal, the government described it as a structured mechanism aimed at improving coordination between intermediaries and law enforcement agencies. It asserted that the portal facilitates the swift removal of unlawful online content and benefits both intermediaries and investigative bodies.

Labeling Sahyog as a censorship tool is misleading, the Centre argued, adding that by doing so, X is misrepresenting itself as a content creator rather than an intermediary. Such a claim from a global platform is deeply regrettable and unacceptable, the statement added. The government also highlighted that X, as a foreign commercial entity, has no inherent right to host or defend third-party content on its platform. It pointed out that in a previous case filed by Twitter, the Karnataka High Court had ruled that Articles 19 and 21 of the Indian Constitution do not apply to the company.

With its latest submission, the Centre reaffirmed that India’s legal framework for information blocking is well-defined and distinct, rejecting accusations of government overreach. According to its official website, the 'Sahyog' portal was created to automate the process of sending notices to intermediaries under the IT Act, 2000, enabling the removal or disabling of access to any information, data, or communication link used to commit unlawful acts.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Shutterstock.

A recent IATA survey indicates that 37% of ground handling professionals expect the staffing shortages to continue, even as the aviation industry shows signs of post-Covid recovery. Despite the rebound in air travel, these shortages remain a pressing issue for the sector.

At the same time, employers are facing new challenges as today’s workforce increasingly values work that goes beyond a simple paycheck. Workers are now seeking roles that offer meaning and additional value, prompting companies to rethink their strategies. In this context, Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman explore how organizations can implement a people-first approach while still meeting operational demands, drawing insights from Maggie Wong, Chief Operating Officer of Hong Kong Airport Services.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA News.

Living a Complete Life on Your Own Terms had been single for a decade and believed having a child might not be an option for her. Although she had considered solo parenthood, the financial burden seemed too overwhelming to pursue it.

Her perspective shifted when she met Tom Hayes. Tom worked at the Hive, an arts center in Shrewsbury, where she served as a trustee. Their friendship quickly developed as they connected over a shared experience—many of their friends in Shrewsbury had children, which made socializing more difficult. They found themselves excluded from gatherings and missed the spontaneity of meeting up for a drink. This shared feeling of isolation became the foundation of their bond.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The guardion.

Renny Goh had always dreamed of becoming a musician, but her parents set a clear condition—she had to complete a degree before fully pursuing her passion. While studying at the National University of Singapore (NUS), she refused to put her musical aspirations on hold. She actively performed with her band, recorded cover songs for YouTube, and took on gigs whenever she could, balancing both academics and her artistic pursuits.

However, it was a life-altering moment within her family that gave her the clarity she needed. When her cousin had a near-death experience, Renny was confronted with the fragility of life and the urgency of chasing her dreams. This event solidified her decision to take a bold step forward. She set her sights on Los Angeles, determined to carve out a path in the music industry despite the challenges.

In this episode of A Letter to Myself, Renny shares her journey with host Joel Chua, reflecting on how she navigated an unconventional route—one that defied traditional expectations in Singapore but ultimately brought her closer to her true calling.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

Manpower Minister Tan See Leng and Minister of State for Education and Manpower Gan Siow Huang step into the role of career advisers in this week’s Ask Me Anything segment. They address the challenge of managing employees who prioritize work-life balance and are unwilling to take on additional tasks.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.