Ban on entry of polluting commercial vehicles into Delhi from Nov 1
New Delhi (PTI): The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Friday approved a sweeping ban on the entry of polluting commercial vehicles into Delhi from November 1 and warned of strict action against officials failing to stop stubble burning in NCR states.
Chairing the 25th meeting of the Commission, CAQM Chairperson Rajesh Verma ratified directions empowering district authorities in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and NCR regions of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to initiate legal proceedings against officials showing inaction on stubble burning.
In line with a Supreme Court order, CAQM decided that only BS-VI, CNG, LNG, and electric goods vehicles will be allowed to enter Delhi from November 1.
BS-IV light, medium, and heavy goods vehicles registered in Delhi will be permitted till October 31, 2026, as a transitional measure.
Enforcement agencies have been told to ensure strict checks at all border entry points.
CAQM also put on hold its earlier directive to remove 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles in NCR after the court barred coercive steps against such owners.
The meeting reviewed winter action plans of Delhi and NCR states and asked Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to intensify surveillance and ensure effective crop residue management.
The Commission took note of the Supreme Court's October 15 order allowing sale of green firecrackers only at designated NCR locations between October 18 and 20 and restricting their use to specific hours on Diwali eve and day.
District teams have been directed to ensure strict enforcement.
CPCB and state pollution boards will monitor air quality from October 14 to 25 and collect sand and water samples from areas with heavy firecracker use.
All agencies were told to regularly review air pollution control measures and ensure strict implementation under the Graded Response Action Plan.
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Thane court sentences man to life imprisonment for bludgeoning wife to death
Thane (PTI): A court in Maharashtra's Thane district sentenced a man to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his wife, whom he attacked 22 times with a hammer in front of his children, based on the testimony of his 13-year-old daughter.
Principal district and sessions judge S B Agrawal found the accused, Vijay Mishra alias Samir Shaikh, guilty under sections 302 (murder) and 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The court sentenced him to life imprisonment and a three-year term to be served concurrently. It also imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh for the murder charge and an additional Rs 10,000 for injuring his minor daughter and mother-in-law, who had tried to intervene during the fatal attack.
Additional public prosecutor Rashmi Kshirsagar informed that 11 prosecution witnesses, including the accused's daughter, were examined during the trial.
According to the prosecution, the victim, Zarin Israr Ansari, had been living with her mother, along with her daughter and a six-year-old son, for two years following prolonged domestic violence and disputes.
The accused, who had converted to Islam to marry Zarin 14 years prior, harboured deep resentment over her living separately and suspected her character.
On the afternoon of September 28, 2023, the accused stormed into his mother-in-law's residence in Mumbra with a hammer concealed in a bag, cornered his wife on the mezzanine floor, dragged her down, locked the main door, and repeatedly bludgeoned her.
The court defended the testimony of the victim's 13-year-old daughter, who was an eyewitness and had sustained injuries herself, noting that minor inconsistencies do not degrade the core truth of an innocent child's account:
"...they are not of any significant consequence since it is not expected from such a witness of 10 years of age to have a total photographic memory to be reproduced before the court. But as far as the incident is concerned, evidence of this witness is totally free from any reasonable doubt."
The prosecution had also stated that the accused had locked his family inside and threatened a neighbour by brandishing a "bomb-like thing" and declaring he would blow up the building if anyone intervened.
The victim's brother eventually broke down the latched door, disarmed the accused, and pinned him down until the police arrived.
The post-mortem report revealed that the victim had suffered 22 brutal injuries and had died due to severe head wounds.
