Senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders including Shashi Panja and Kunal Ghosh staged a dharna outside Kolkata's Netaji Indoor Stadium on Thursday amid rising tensions over the alleged handling of ballot boxes linked to the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections, which were held in two phases on 23 April and 29 April, with counting scheduled for 4 May.

The protest was triggered by a video posted by the party on social media that allegedly shows CCTV footage of attempts to open ballot boxes without the presence of authorised representatives from all political parties. The footage has not been independently verified by National Herald. However, its circulation appears to have heightened concern on the ground, with party workers gathering in large numbers outside the counting centre.

According to sources at the site, TMC leaders have accused officials linked to the BJP and the Election Commission of India (ECI) of attempting to open ballot boxes without following due procedure. There has been no official confirmation of these allegations so far, and election authorities are yet to issue a detailed response.

Dr Panja, a senior TMC leader and minister in the West Bengal government, has been at the forefront of the protest. Alongside her, Ghosh, a prominent party spokesperson and Assembly candidate from Beleghata, joined the sit-in, calling for transparency and strict adherence to electoral norms.

The developments come after chief minister Mamata Banerjee urged party workers to keep a close watch on electronic voting machines (EVMs) and counting centres, asking them to remain vigilant to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.

Earlier in the day, Banerjee released a video message thanking voters for what she described as a high level of participation in the polls. She also expressed confidence in her party’s prospects, stating that the TMC would secure no fewer than 226 seats in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

Amid the ongoing protest, Banerjee is reportedly on her way to Netaji Indoor Stadium and is expected to join the dharna alongside party colleagues, a move likely to intensify political attention around the counting process.

Security has been tightened in and around the stadium, with authorities closely monitoring the situation. While the claims emerging from the unverified video remain unconfirmed, their impact on the political atmosphere is evident, particularly against the backdrop of continuing concerns around procedural transparency in the conduct of elections.

Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday declared that Iran would never surrender its nuclear and missile capabilities, striking a defiant tone amid escalating tensions with the United States and fragile ceasefire negotiations following the Iran war.

In a written statement broadcast on Iranian state television, Khamenei said Iran’s military and technological capabilities were “national assets” that would be protected under all circumstances.

“Ninety million proud and honorable Iranians inside and outside the country regard all of Iran's identity-based, spiritual, human, scientific, industrial and technological capacities — from nanotechnology and biotechnology to nuclear and missile capabilities — as national assets, and will protect them just as they protect the country's waters, land and airspace,” Khamenei said.

Defiant message to US

Khamenei maintained the confrontational rhetoric that has characterised his leadership since assuming power after the killing of his father, former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, during the opening phase of the conflict on 28 February.

Referring to the United States as the “Great Satan”, a phrase long used by Iranian revolutionary leaders, Khamenei said American forces had no legitimate role in the Persian Gulf.

“Foreigners who come from thousands of kilometres away to act with greed and malice there have no place in it — except at the bottom of its waters,” he declared.

He also said a “new chapter” was being written in the region’s history.

Strait of Hormuz remains central flashpoint

The remarks came as the confrontation over the Strait of Hormuz continued to shake global energy markets.

Iran has maintained effective control over shipping movement through the strait, through which nearly one-fifth of global crude oil supplies normally pass.

Brent crude prices surged as high as USD 126 per barrel on Thursday amid fears of prolonged disruption.

Khamenei signalled that Tehran intended to maintain tight control over the waterway, portions of which lie within Iranian and Omani territorial waters.

He claimed Iran’s “legal rules and new management” of the Strait of Hormuz would ultimately benefit regional countries and improve Gulf security.

However, Gulf Arab nations, especially the United Arab Emirates, have criticised Iran’s actions and described its effective control over commercial shipping as comparable to piracy.

Reports have also suggested Iran had been charging certain vessels millions of dollars to transit through the strait.

Trump weighs fresh strategy

The remarks came as Donald Trump reportedly reviewed new options aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz while maintaining pressure on Iran.

According to a senior US administration official quoted in media reports, Washington is considering a plan under which the US Navy would continue blockading Iranian ports while working with allies to raise costs for Tehran if it attempts to obstruct energy flows.

The official said it was one among several diplomatic and military options being examined by the White House.

The US blockade is aimed at preventing Iran from exporting oil, a move designed to deprive Tehran of crucial revenue and potentially force production cuts due to storage shortages.

Nuclear issue remains unresolved

A recent Iranian proposal reportedly suggested postponing negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme to a later phase.

Trump has repeatedly said one of the central objectives of the war was preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability.

Iran, however, continues to insist that its nuclear programme is peaceful, despite enriching uranium up to 60 per cent purity — levels close to weapons-grade material.

Pakistan facilitating indirect talks

Pakistan said on Thursday it continued to facilitate indirect communication between Washington and Tehran.

“If the two parties can engage in real-time conversations, that could ease the sticking points,” Pakistani foreign ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said during a media briefing.

He declined to disclose details of any proposals exchanged between Iran and the United States.

Oil markets and global economy under pressure

The standoff has intensified pressure on the global economy, with rising oil prices fuelling concerns about inflation, supply disruptions and wider geopolitical instability.

The conflict has already severely disrupted Gulf shipping and energy flows, creating uncertainty across international financial and commodity markets.

The Iran-US ceasefire has now held for roughly three weeks, but both sides remain deeply divided over nuclear issues, sanctions and control of strategic maritime routes.

Mamata Banerjee on Friday rejected exit poll projections predicting a victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party in the West Bengal Assembly elections, alleging that the surveys were circulated “at the instruction of the BJP” to demoralise Trinamool Congress workers ahead of counting on 4 May.

In a video message shared on social media, the Trinamool Congress chief claimed television channels had aired projections sent directly from the BJP office.

“What was shown on television was circulated from the BJP office at 1.08 pm. Money was paid to ensure it was aired. I have specific information. They are saying forcefully that this has to be done,” Banerjee alleged.

Most exit polls released after the completion of voting predicted a majority for the BJP in the 294-member Assembly, where the halfway mark is 148 seats.

‘We will cross 226 seats’

Projecting confidence, Banerjee asserted that the TMC would comfortably return to power with a decisive mandate.

“We will cross 226 seats in 2026. We might cross even 230 seats. I have complete faith in the massive mandate given by the people,” she said.

She thanked voters for participating in large numbers despite what she described as “heat and alleged intimidation”.

In a strongly worded political message, Banerjee said, “Those who tried to subdue Bengal have been subdued by the ballot,” while also praising TMC workers who, according to her, “fought relentlessly and endured attacks”.

Targets Amit Shah, central forces

The chief minister accused Amit Shah and central forces of acting in favour of the BJP during polling.

She alleged that women, children, journalists and TMC workers were assaulted in several areas and claimed many of her party workers had been deliberately detained to prevent them from functioning as polling agents.

Banerjee specifically referred to areas such as Bhatpara, Naihati, Jagaddal and even her own constituency Bhabanipur, alleging intimidation and late-night searches.

Referring to the reported death of an elderly voter in Udaynarayanpur during polling, Banerjee expressed sympathy for the family.

She said the TMC would stand beside them and alleged that her party workers “faced one-sided violence but did not leave the field”.

Exit polls part of ‘larger conspiracy’

Banerjee claimed the exit poll narrative was designed to weaken the morale of TMC workers and stabilise financial markets before counting.

“They are playing their last game through sections of the media to psychologically weaken our workers and reassure the share market,” she alleged.

She also referred to past elections in 2016 and 2021, suggesting that exit polls had previously failed to accurately predict the final outcome in Bengal.

Directs cadres to guard EVM strong rooms

In one of the sharpest parts of her address, Banerjee instructed party leaders, candidates and workers to remain vigilant around strong rooms storing Electronic Voting Machines.

“They have planned that when EVMs are moved from strong rooms to counting halls, attempts could be made to change the machines. Do not be negligent,” she warned.

She urged party workers to monitor counting centres in shifts through the night.

“Stay awake through the night. In the morning, hand over charge to another team and only then go to sleep. If I can stand guard, you can also stand guard,” Banerjee said.

She also advised candidates not to leave counting tables unattended, even briefly, unless replaced by “trusted people who cannot be bought”.

Calls for restraint

Despite the aggressive tone of her allegations, Banerjee appealed to supporters to remain peaceful.

“Remain calm and disciplined. Have faith in the people of Bengal and have faith in Didi (Banerjee). Wait till the evening of May 4, you will get your answer,” she said.

The West Bengal election has witnessed one of the most intense contests in recent years, with both the BJP and TMC running aggressive statewide campaigns.

The counting of votes on 4 May is expected to decide whether Banerjee secures a fourth consecutive term or whether the BJP succeeds in ending the TMC’s long rule in the state.

NCP (Sharad Pawar) MP Supriya Sule has said she will not allow 'Pawar vs Pawar' electoral contests in the future, asserting that members of the Pawar family will not be pitted against one another in elections.

In an interview with a Marathi news channel, Sule made it clear that she herself would not contest against any member of the Pawar family and would also discourage others from doing so. She said while family members may be engaged in different political roles, unity within the family would be maintained when it comes to elections.

The question of a Pawar-versus-Pawar contest arose after recent remarks by Jay Pawar, son of late Ajit Pawar, who said people in his father's constituency Baramati want him to contest elections. However, Jay added that he is currently working as a party worker.

Following his statement, speculation grew that Baramati could witness a Pawar vs Pawar contest in 2029. Responding to this, MLA Rohit Pawar indirectly accused the BJP of attempting to erase the Pawar legacy in Baramati. He also said that the people of Baramati do not want such a contest. Yugendra Pawar, too, has stated that he will not contest against Jay in Baramati.

The constituency has already seen intra-family contests. In the last Lok Sabha elections, Baramati witnessed a contest between Sule and Sunetra Pawar, wife of Ajit Pawar, in what was widely described as a 'nanad-bhabhi' (sisters-in-law) contest. Sule emerged victorious.

This was followed by another family contest in the Assembly elections, where Ajit Pawar faced his nephew Yugendra Pawar. Ajit Pawar won that election by a margin of over one lakh votes.

After these contests, Sule did not field a candidate from the Sharad Pawar faction against Sunetra Pawar in the bypoll held after Ajit Pawar’s death, and the family campaigned together. The result of this by-election is expected on 4 May.

The Pawar family has traditionally maintained a separation between family and politics. Even after the split in the NCP, Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar remained connected at a family level. Following Ajit Pawar’s death in a plane crash in January, the sense of unity within the family has reportedly strengthened further and is now being reflected politically, beginning with the Baramati bypoll.

After voting for the by-election concluded, Sharad Pawar hosted a family gathering at Modi Bagh, ostensibly to mark the engagement of Sule’s daughter Revati. It remains unclear whether any political discussions took place during the meeting.

However, Sule’s firm statement against any future Pawar vs Pawar contest has fuelled speculation that the family is keen to preserve its political legacy through unity. She said emphatically that she would never allow such a situation to arise. Becoming emotional, she added that if such circumstances were to emerge, she would take a “major decision” rather than allow members of the family’s younger generation to contest against one another.

Referring to the family’s roots, Sule said she does not support the idea of contesting elections against one’s own relatives. At the same time, she clarified that in her role as working president of NCP (Sharad Pawar), her ideological battle against the BJP’s style of functioning would continue.

Social media may be buzzing with birthday wishes for Rohit Sharma, a people’s hero and former captain of Mumbai Indians, but he would have preferred a more active 39th birthday on Thursday, 30 April. A hamstring injury has now sidelined him for four games in a row and on Wednesday evening, he was again a spectator in the dugout, watching the five-time champions crash to their sixth defeat in eight games.

“Rohit’s gonna take a couple of more games. He’s been trying. It’s not up to exactly where he would want, so not available for the team,’’ skipper Hardik Pandya said after winning the toss and opting to bat. The irony is, despite the 'Mumbai Paltan' riding on Ryan Rickleton’s breezy century to rustle up 243/5, it was not enough as Sunrisers Hyderabad pulled off another monster chase, of which we have seen a dime a dozen this season.

The million-dollar question for Sharma's fans is: will this be his IPL curtain call? It’s turning out to be yet another poor season for one of the most successful teams in IPL history as they languish in ninth position, and Sharma missing out two more would bring matters down to the last four league games, now that their chances of making the play-offs are all but gone. What’s more, MI’s gamble of pitching an all-foreign pair of Rickleton and Will Jacks at the top of the order paid off handsomely last night as they put up 93 runs in 7.1 overs. 

Such a forced time-out at this stage of his career, when batters rely on muscle memory to time the ball, is simply bad news. More so as Sharma had a fair start to the season in the first four games. While he looked in good touch with a 38-ball 78 in their season-opener against Kolkata Knight Riders, the former captain had totalled 137 runs in four games at an average of 45.66 and a strike rate of 165.06. But that strike rate is no longer par in this format, when matches are being won or lost in the powerplays, even if one is Rohit Sharma.

It was an interesting piece of trivia that the IPL 'El Clasico' between MI and CSK last week featured neither Sharma nor Mahendra Singh Dhoni, for the first time. While it’s a testimony to their longevity as players, it’s also a stark reminder that all good things come to an end. While MSD’s presence is largely attributable to the brand value he brings to the table for the yellow shirts, Sharma has limited game time in international cricket in only ODIs — making it an imperative for him to shine in the IPL.

The next round of ODIs is against a weaker opposition — Afghanistan at home in June — and any questions over fitness or form will once again scupper the veteran’s place in the team. The ambition of a final flourish in the 50-over World Cup in South Africa, no prizes for guessing, has once again begun to look like a long shot for the ‘Hitman.’

A month-old chick of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB), born in the wild in Gujarat for the first time in nearly a decade through an experimental conservation programme, has gone missing in Kutch, raising fears that it may have been killed by predators.

The chick, hatched on 26 March in the Naliya grasslands of Kutch through the “jumpstart technique”, has not been located for the past three to four days despite extensive searches by teams from the Gujarat forest department and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).

Conservation breakthrough ends in uncertainty

The hatching had earlier been hailed as a major conservation milestone because Gujarat had not recorded the birth of a wild GIB chick in the region for almost ten years.

The chick was born using the “jumpstart approach”, a captive-to-wild conservation method aimed at increasing the species’ population.

Under the technique, a fertile egg from a captive breeding centre is transported and placed into the nest of a wild female GIB sitting on an infertile egg, allowing the chick to hatch and be raised in natural conditions.

Forest officials fear predation

In-charge Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Jaipal Singh said there were concerns that the chick may have been hunted by predators after moving beyond the monitoring zone.

“The chick survived until it reached the stage of taking its first flight. However, it moved beyond the scope of our monitoring subsequently,” Singh said.

The Kutch forest department said that despite close surveillance by staff, wildlife watchers and WII experts, the bird could not be traced over the last few days.

“Since the area is a natural habitat for various wildlife, it is possible that it may have been hunted by them,” the department said.

Species faces extremely high mortality

Officials noted that the Great Indian Bustard faces severe survival challenges during its earliest stages of life.

According to the forest department, only around 40 per cent of laid eggs successfully hatch, and nearly 60 per cent of chicks do not survive beyond their first two months.

Because the bird nests on the ground, chicks remain highly vulnerable to predators such as jackals, foxes, feral cats, mongooses, birds of prey and monitor lizards.

Authorities said the jumpstart technique helps reduce egg predation but cannot fully eliminate the risks faced by newly hatched chicks in the wild.

Conservation efforts to continue

Despite the setback, officials said the breeding and restoration programme would continue.

Singh said the department would keep procuring fertile eggs from Rajasthan while also continuing efforts to release additional chicks into the Kutch landscape.

Two female Great Indian Bustards have also been tagged to help researchers monitor nests and collect breeding data for future conservation efforts.

The forest department said habitat restoration work was also underway, including fencing reinforcement, invasive vegetation removal, predator management and water conservation measures.

One of India’s rarest birds

The Great Indian Bustard is among the world’s rarest birds and is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Once found across large parts of India, its population has collapsed due to habitat loss, hunting, power line collisions and shrinking grasslands.

Today, the remaining population survives mainly in parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat.

India’s aggressive push to blend ethanol with petrol — positioned as a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels — could be worsening the country’s already severe water crisis, according to a report by India Today, drawing on findings first reported by Kisan Tak.

The core concern lies in the raw materials driving ethanol production. Crops such as sugarcane, maize and rice — all highly water-intensive — form the backbone of India’s ethanol programme. Climate expert and IPCC author Anjal Prakash noted that the policy risks compounding water stress because both sugarcane and maize demand significant water during cultivation and processing.

Ethanol blending involves mixing plant-derived alcohol with petrol to cut dependence on imported crude oil. India has been rapidly scaling up this programme, with rice emerging as a key feedstock. The government allocated 52 lakh tonnes of rice for ethanol production in 2024–25 and is targeting 90 lakh tonnes in 2025–26.

To enable this shift, the Centre plans to reduce the share of broken rice distributed through the public distribution system from 25 per cent to 10 per cent, diverting the surplus to distilleries.

Data cited in the report underscores the scale of the problem. Producing one litre of ethanol from rice requires roughly 10,790 litres of water, according to food secretary Sanjeev Chopra. Most of this water is consumed during cultivation rather than processing.

Growing one kilogram of rice typically needs between 3,000 and 5,000 litres of water. Since about 2.5 to 3 kg of rice is required to produce one litre of ethanol, the total water footprint exceeds 10,000 litres per litre of fuel.

By comparison, maize requires about 4,670 litres and sugarcane around 3,630 litres of water per litre of ethanol. However, rice remains among the most water-intensive due to its low conversion efficiency — one tonne of rice yields only about 470 litres of ethanol.

The environmental cost extends beyond water use. The report mentions that ethanol production generates large volumes of wastewater, known as vinasse, which can contaminate surface and groundwater if not properly treated, Prakash warned.

The original Kisan Tak report, by editor Om Prakash, highlighted a striking contradiction: farmers are often blamed for groundwater depletion when growing rice, yet industries use far more water to convert the same crop into fuel. “The industry is never blamed for the water crisis,” he observed.

These concerns come against an already alarming backdrop. NITI Aayog’s Composite Water Management Index has warned that groundwater levels in 21 major cities — including Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai — could be depleted by 2030.

India’s ethanol production capacity currently stands at 1,822 crore litres, with a large share concentrated in water-stressed regions. Maharashtra alone accounts for 396 crore litres of capacity, even as areas like Vidarbha and Marathwada face acute drinking water shortages.

Similarly, ethanol plants in Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka draw from groundwater reserves already classified as critically depleted.

Although sugarcane remains the dominant feedstock for ethanol in India, it too places heavy pressure on water resources. Experts note that ethanol plants are typically located in sugarcane-growing regions for logistical ease, further intensifying groundwater extraction in already stressed areas.

Swathi Seshadri of the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis pointed out that decades of sugarcane cultivation have already weakened water tables, with ethanol expansion likely to aggravate the situation.

The report also flags a broader policy contradiction. Crops like rice in Punjab and Haryana have long been criticised for draining groundwater. Yet the same crops are now being diverted for industrial-scale fuel production under the banner of green energy.

As India races to meet its ethanol blending targets, the findings cited by India Today from Kisan Tak suggest that the environmental trade-offs — particularly on water — may be far more severe than acknowledged.

The Supreme Court of India on Thursday criticised the Centre for failing to file its affidavit in a case seeking regulation of fluctuating airfares and additional charges imposed by private airlines.

A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta questioned the government’s delay and directed it to submit an affidavit within a week, explaining both the reasons for the lapse and the request for more time.

The court was hearing a petition filed by social activist S. Laxminarayanan, who has called for the establishment of a robust and independent regulator to ensure transparency and protect passenger interests in the civil aviation sector.

During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel pointed out that the Centre had yet to file its response, despite multiple opportunities. In reply, the government’s counsel referred to evolving developments in West Asia and said the authorities were considering framing new rules.

The bench, however, expressed dissatisfaction, noting that time had already been granted on three occasions. It declined a request for an additional three weeks and instead ordered that the affidavit be filed by next Friday, 8 May, with the matter scheduled for further hearing on 11 May.

In its order, the court observed that despite issuing notice in November last year, no affidavit had been submitted so far. It said any further request for time must be accompanied by a formal application explaining the delay.

Earlier, the Centre had informed the court that the ministry of civil aviation was examining the concerns raised in the petition.

The case centres on allegations of “unpredictable” and excessive fluctuations in airfares, particularly during peak travel periods such as festivals. The court had previously described steep fare increases as potentially exploitative and sought responses from the government, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India.

The petition also challenges recent changes by airlines, including a reduction in free check-in baggage allowance for economy passengers from 25 kg to 15 kg, arguing that such measures effectively convert standard services into additional revenue streams.

It further claims that the absence of regulatory oversight allows airlines to impose arbitrary pricing and hidden charges, while offering limited grievance redressal mechanisms. According to the plea, such practices disproportionately affect passengers who must travel urgently or during emergencies.

The petitioner has argued that the lack of clear rules governing fare structures, cancellation policies and service standards amounts to a failure by the state to protect consumer rights and ensure fair access to essential transport services.

The Supreme Court is expected to take up the matter again after the Centre files its response.

With PTI inputs

Senior Indian National Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on 30 April alleged that the right to vote in India was under threat and called for it to be made a fundamental right under the Constitution.

Addressing reporters in New Delhi, Ramesh sharply criticised Gyanesh Kumar and accused the Election Commission of India of no longer functioning as a neutral institution.

Congress targets CEC

“The rot started under his predecessor. This man is a player and not a neutral observer,” Ramesh said while attacking the Chief Election Commissioner.

He alleged that Kumar had become “completely compromised” and was actively participating in electoral politics instead of acting independently.

“The Election Commission has never been as compromised as it has been under him,” the Congress leader claimed.

Questions over ‘detect, delete and deport’

Referring to remarks earlier made by Amit Shah about identifying illegal immigrants, Ramesh questioned the government over the implementation of what he described as the “three Ds” policy.

“Home Minister Amit Shah had talked about three Ds — detect, delete and deport. So we want to know how many non-Indian citizens have been detected, how many have been deleted and how many have been deported,” he said.

He alleged that voter disenfranchisement had become a growing concern.

Opposition seeking removal of CEC

Ramesh said opposition parties would continue efforts in the Rajya Sabha to seek the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner.

His remarks came after opposition MPs submitted a fresh notice in the Rajya Sabha seeking to move a motion against Kumar.

“We will continue our efforts for his removal because he is compromised,” Ramesh said.

Demand to make voting a fundamental right

The Congress leader also argued that the right to vote should be elevated from a statutory right to a fundamental right guaranteed under the Constitution.

“I believe that the time has come that the right to vote should be made a fundamental right. It is a statutory right, it is not a fundamental right. Fundamental rights are justiciable,” he said.

Ramesh noted that the issue had been debated during deliberations of the Constituent Assembly Debates.

Ambedkar warning cited

The former Union minister said B R Ambedkar and Jagjivan Ram had warned during the Constituent Assembly discussions that future governments might attempt to disenfranchise voters.

“Once and for all, include the right to vote as a fundamental right for Indian citizens,” Ramesh asserted.

Under the current constitutional framework, voting in India is treated as a statutory right governed by election laws rather than a fundamental right enforceable directly through constitutional remedies.

The Congress and several opposition parties have recently intensified attacks on the Election Commission over voter list revisions, deletion of names and the conduct of elections in multiple states.

The Supreme Court of India on Thursday reserved its verdict on a plea by Congress leader Pawan Khera seeking anticipatory bail in a case filed by Assam Police. The complaint was filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, wife of Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

A bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Atul Chandurkar heard the matter after Gauhati High Court turned down Khera’s anticipatory bail plea, setting the stage for a broader contest over personal liberty, political speech and the limits of police power.

Appearing for Khera, senior advocate and Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi framed the case as one that goes beyond an individual FIR.

Arguing that Khera is “not a hardened criminal”, Singhvi alleged that Khera was being targeted by a “constitutional cowboy”, a pointed reference to the Assam chief minister’s public posturing on the case.

At the heart of the defence was the argument that arrest, in this case, would be punitive rather than investigative.

Singhvi stressed that Khera is a public figure with a fixed address, no criminal antecedents, and no incentive to evade the law. Most of the charges, he noted, are bailable and relate to alleged defamation offences that ordinarily do not require custodial interrogation.

The show of force, he added, was disproportionate: “50–70 Assam police personnel” arriving at Khera’s Delhi residence “as if he is a terrorist”.

He argued that the prosecution bore the imprint of political vendetta, with the threat of arrest amplified through public statements rather than confined to the courtroom.

Opposing the plea, solicitor-general Tushar Mehta, representing the Assam government, told the court that the documents submitted by Khera were “fabricated and forged”, asserting that no such passports had been issued by any competent authority. He contended that custodial interrogation was essential to trace the origin of the documents, identify those who may have aided Khera, and determine whether any foreign links were involved.

Singhvi told the bench that some remarks attributed to Sarma were “unprintable” and claimed the chief minister had publicly suggested that Khera could spend the rest of his life in an Assam jail. Such rhetoric, Singhvi argued, erodes the institutional restraint expected of constitutional office holders, invoking Dr B.R. Ambedkar to underline the gravity of executive overreach in a constitutional democracy.

Invoking the guarantee of personal liberty under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, Singhvi questioned the necessity of arrest at the pre-trial stage. “Even assuming a conviction at the end, what justifies arrest now?” he asked, pressing the court to draw a line between investigation and intimidation.

The state’s case, however, rests on a different footing. In rejecting anticipatory bail, the Gauhati High Court termed Khera a “flight risk” and underscored that the allegations go beyond political sparring, involving charges such as cheating and forgery.

The HC had noted that the remarks made by Khera were directed at a private individual — Sarma’s wife — rather than the chief minister, thereby weakening the defence of political rhetoric. It also held that custodial interrogation was necessary to establish the source and authenticity of documents cited by Khera.

This was second time that Khera appeared in the apex court in a month. On 17 April, the bench had refused to vacate a stay on transit bail granted by the Telangana High Court, shielding him from immediate arrest.

The legal battle, as per experts, sits at the intersection of two competing claims: the state’s assertion of investigative necessity and the defence’s warning against the criminalisation of political speech.

A minor child cannot be forced to bear a pregnancy, the Supreme Court said on Thursday, 30 April, while pulling up the Centre and asking it to amend the law to permit rape survivors to terminate unwanted pregnancies even beyond 20 weeks.

In a ruling with far reaching implications for rape survivors, including children, and the issue of autonomy over their bodies, a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi took strong exception to a plea by AIIMS seeking to set aside the apex court order allowing a 15-year-old girl to medically terminate her 30-week pregnancy.

"Please amend your law that when there is pregnancy due to rape etc, then time limitation will not be there. The law needs to be organic and in sync with evolving times. Also amend the law so that such trials are completed within a week. Why should the child suffer the pending trauma of the trial also," the CJI said.

The court said in its impassioned observations that this is a case of child rape and the survivor will have a lifelong scar and trauma if termination is not allowed. If the mother does not have permanent disability, termination should be carried out, it said. "This is a curative petition. Unwanted pregnancy cannot be thrust on a person. Imagine... she is a child. She should be studying now. But we want to make her a mother. Imagine the pain, the humiliation the child has suffered in this," the bench said.

It asked AIIMS to counsel the survivor's parents and said the decision has to be of the person concerned.

"There are children for adoption. In this country we have lot of sympathies...There are deserted, abandoned children on the streets and even mafias on it. We have to look at them. This is an unwanted pregnancy of a 15-year-old child," it said.

During the proceedings, an AIIMS doctor told the court that it is not 'child versus foetus' but 'child versus child'.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for AIIMS, mentioned the curative plea and said the termination of pregnancy is not possible.

"It will be a live baby with severe deformities. Minor mother will have lifelong health issues and cannot reproduce... This child can be given for adoption. It has been 30 weeks now. It is a viable life now," Bhati said.

Bhati also sought the court's permission for counselling with the teen and her parents.

Justice Bagchi said, "Who has stopped you? What is your Parens patriae (parent of the nation) approach ? Give respect to your citizen. Show data to the parents and if they choose to keep it. Then so be it.

"But if they think the mental health is in jeopardy then they will take a call.Please do not press your curative. The curative can come from the parents. Let us not make a fight between state and its citizens. Bring in a psychiatrist and counsellor. Let us not choose for people capable for choosing."

It is not for AIIMS, the judge said, to choose for citizens and it can only render medical service.

The top court said the decision on termination has to be that of the survivor and her parents. AIIMS, it said, may help them take an informed decision.

"Explain everything to the child and her parents. If after that they want to change views then we will see," the bench said.

Observing that the reproductive autonomy of a mother-to-be must be accorded the highest importance, a bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan last week allowed the 15-year-old to medically terminate her pregnancy of 30 weeks.

The top court also dismissed the review plea filed by AIIMS and held that medical termination of unwanted pregnancy cannot be rejected on grounds of advanced stage of pregnancy or normalcy of foetus.

Not allowing the termination on that basis would "render the right to bodily autonomy nugatory", the bench said.

Centre also filed a curative petition, which is the last resort to seek judicial remedy.

In its April 24 order, the apex court had said the minor in this case is 15 years old and the pregnancy is unwanted. Continuing the pregnancy is not in the interest of the pregnant minor, particularly when she has attempted to end her life on two occasions.

"In the circumstances, we direct that the appellant's daughter (minor) is permitted to undergo medical termination of pregnancy. The appellant, on behalf of her minor child, shall furnish an undertaking consenting to the medical termination of pregnancy of her minor daughter.

"We direct that all medical safeguards shall be taken by the attending doctors, nurses and staff of the third respondent--AIIMS--where the procedure is to be conducted. We direct that aforesaid procedure be undertaken at the earliest," the bench had said. 

In today’s fast-paced stock market environment, investors are constantly seeking ways to maximize returns while optimizing their capital. One such powerful tool is the margin trading facility, which allows traders to take larger positions in the market using borrowed funds. While this can amplify profits, it also increases risk, making proper planning essential.

This is where tools like a MTF calculator (often referred to as an MTF calculator) become highly valuable. They help traders estimate costs, risks, and potential returns before placing leveraged trades.

In this article, we’ll break down how margin trading works, its benefits and risks, and how calculators can help you make smarter trading decisions.

What is Margin Trading Facility?

Margin trading facility or MTF is a brokerage service that enables investors to purchase stock by making a fraction of the overall trade value. The balance is financed by the broker.

Simple Example:

●       Total stock purchase: ₹1,00,000

●       Your contribution: ₹30,000

●       Broker funds: ₹70,000

This implies that you have the ability to manage a bigger investment using small funds.

How Does Margin Trading Facility Work?

In MTF, the broker provides leverage against eligible stocks. Here’s how it works:

●       You pick a qualified stock that is eligible to be listed in MTF.

●       You make the necessary margin (percentage of total value).

●       The rest is financed by the broker.

●       Collateral is in the form of shares.

●       You pay interest on what you borrow.

●       The position may last several days, as opposed to intraday trades.

Key Features of Margin Trading

In order to comprehend margin trading facility, you must know the following components:

●       Margin Requirement - The amount you have to provide as your own money.

●       Leverage - The funds which are multiplied by the broker.

●       Interest Rate - Interest charged on the amount borrowed (Normally 8-18 percent a year in India).

●       Maintenance Margin - Minimal balance to maintain the position.

What is a MTF Calculator?

A MTF calculator is a device that aids traders in estimating the financial effect of margin trading.

It calculates:

●       Total trade value

●       Margin required

●       Borrowed amount

●       Interest cost

●       Possible profit or loss.

This enables traders to strategize trades before trading as opposed to guessing.

The Importance of Calculators in Margin trading

Calculator is a must when leverage is involved.

1. Accurate Cost Estimation: The cost of interest may be a major determinant of profitability.

2. Risk Assessment: You are able to assess the extent you will lose in case the market goes against you.

3. Position Sizing: The amount of capital to be allocated is determined by helps.

4. Scenario Planning: You are able to practice various price movements prior to making trades.

Understanding Interest Calculation in MTF

Interest is one of the most important costs in margin trading. It is calculated based on the borrowed amount and holding period.

Here’s the standard formula:

Interest=P×R×T/365T​

Where:

P = Borrowed amount

R = Annual interest rate.

T = Number of days

Example on an MTF Calculator.

To illustrate the operation of a MTF calculator, we will see how it works in practice:

●       Total trade value: ₹1,00,000

●       Margin paid: ₹25,000

●       Borrowed amount: ₹75,000

●       Interest rate: 12 per cent/year.

●       Holding period: 30 days

●       Interest Cost: ≈ ₹739

This expenditure has to be subtracted off your profits.

Advantages of Margin Trading Facility

●       Greater Buying Power: You are able to make larger positions on small amounts of capital.

●       Increased Return Potential: When the market works towards your advantage, profits are increased.

●       Improved Capital Usage: You are able to make diversification in investments with leverage.

●       Flexibility: It is possible to hold positions outside of intraday trading.

Risks of Margin Trading Facility

Though the margin trading facility is advantageous, it is associated with risks:

●       Amplified Losses: The losses grow proportionate to leverage.

●       Interest Burden: Interest is paid even when your trade is not profitable.

●       Margin Calls: You will have to add money in case of a decrease in the price of stocks.

●       Forced Liquidation: Broker can sell your shares due to lack of maintenance of margin.

The Role of Calculators in Risk Management

A MTF calculator alleviates these risks by:

●       Showing break-even points

●       Estimating worst-case scenarios

●       Assistance in determining stop-loss.

●       Preventing over-leveraging

This renders your trading more disciplined and data-driven.

SEBI Rules of Margin Trading

SEBI regulates the margin trading to safeguard the investors.

Key Rules:

●       Under MTF trading, only approved stocks are allowed to be traded.

●       Interest rates should be disclosed by brokers.

●       It is necessary to maintain margin requirements.

●       Stocks are put as collaterals.

These laws make sure that everything is transparent and minimize unnecessary risk.

How to Use a MTF Calculator Effectively?

In order to maximize a MTF calculator, do the following steps:

●       Input Accurate Data: The correct values of margin, interest rate and holding period are entered.

●       Test Multiple Scenarios: Test the responses of profits and losses to price movements.

●       Add All Costs: Include interest, taxes and brokerage.

●       Set Limits: Determine maximum tolerable loss to trade.

A calculator helps you decide which approach suits your strategy.

A calculator assists you in choosing what approach is befitting to your strategy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

In case of trading on margin:

●       Ignoring interest costs

●       Over-leveraging positions

●       Not using a calculator

●       Keeping losing trades excessively.

●       Trading without research

These are some of the errors that you can avoid to enhance your trading results.

Tips for Smart Leveraged Trading

●       Never make trades without a MTF calculator.

●       Start with low leverage

●       Select basically robust stocks.

●       Monitor positions regularly

●       Use stop-loss orders

●       Avoid emotional decisions

Who Should Use Margin trading Facility?

The margin trading facility is suitable to:

●       Experienced traders

●       Knowledgeable investors on the market.

●       Risk takers.

●       It should be used with care by beginners and only after they are aware of the risks.

The Future of MTF Tools

With advancements in technology, MTF tools are becoming more advanced:

●       Real-time calculators

●       AI-based risk analysis

●       Integrated trading dashboards

●       Automatic margin call notifications.

These instruments are also enabling leveraged trading to be more organized and effective.

Conclusion

The margin trading facility is a powerful tool that can enhance your trading potential by increasing buying power. However, it comes with higher risks and costs, especially due to leverage and interest charges.

This is where a MTF calculator becomes indispensable. It helps you estimate costs, analyze risks, and plan trades effectively. Instead of relying on assumptions, you can make informed, data-driven decisions.

In the end, successful leveraged trading is not about taking maximum risk—it’s about balancing opportunity with discipline. With the right strategy, proper calculations, and risk management, margin trading can become a valuable part of your investment approach.

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