Delhi HC junks overlapping FIR against ex-councillor Tahir Hussain
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi High Court has quashed an FIR against former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain in a case stemming from the February 2020 northeast violence observing the existence of a similar case against him.
Justice Subramonium Prasad observed the existence of a prior FIR registered for the same incident that took place on February 24, 2020, and said the chargesheet filed by the Delhi police in the present FIR would be treated as a supplementary chargesheet in the first case.
While the quashed FIR was registered on February 27, 2020 on a complaint by the aggrieved party for the alleged commission of offences, including rioting and mischief on the first floor of a building, under the IPC and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, the first FIR was registered on February 25, 2020 on the basis of a complaint by a policeman for similar offences on the ground floor.
"A perusal of the two FIRs show that the rioters first broke open the shutters of Pradeep Parking and set fire to the vehicles parked there and then they went to the first floor of the building in question where food was being prepared for the marriage ceremony. It is stated that the rioters set fire to the goods and destroyed the items which were present on the first floor of the building in question... both the incidents are a part of the same incident," the court said on November 26.
The court, however, noted the trial had begun in both the cases and since victims in both the cases were different, completely quashing the subsequent FIR would cause injustice to the victims in the case.
The court therefore said there were about nine common eye-witnesses in both the FIRs and 23 witnesses were also common in both the FIRs and, no prejudice would be caused to them if the chargesheet in the subsequent FIR was directed to be considered in the first FIR and the trial could proceed accordingly.
"The mistake of the prosecution in filing two FIRs for an incident which has occurred in the same building cannot result in injustice to the victims in FIR 116/2020, who will have no remedy in law if FIR 116/2020 is quashed," the court stated.
"In view of the above, this court is inclined to quash FIR 116/2020, dated February 27, 2020, registered at Police Station Khajuri Khas, with a direction that the chargesheet in FIR 116/2020 be treated as a supplementary chargesheet in FIR 101/2020," ordered the court.
Violence broke out in northeast Delhi on February 24, 2020, leaving at least 53 people dead and around 700 injured.
Hussain was represented by advocate Tara Narula.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Air India resorts to cost-cutting ways amid 'tough times'; layoffs not anticipated
New Delhi/Mumbai (PTI): Hit hard by Pakistan airspace closure and Iran war, Air India has resorted to cost-cutting measures, including holding back annual increments for staff and asking them to cut discretionary spending as well as non-critical expenditures, warning of "tough times".
On Friday, Air India Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director (CEO & MD) Campbell Wilson told the staff it is going to be a "very, very difficult year" if things don't improve on the Middle East front.
A day after the loss-making airline's board discussed various cost-saving steps, Wilson, along with Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Sanjay Sharma and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) Ravindra Kumar GP, addressed the employees during a townhall on Friday where the emphasis on the need to keep a close watch on costs.
With higher jet fuel prices due to the West Asia conflict and airspace curbs, the loss-making airline's expenses have spiralled in recent times and against this backdrop, Sharma also told staffers that FY26 has seen a softening in revenue amid heightened external uncertainties.
Calling for a relentless focus on costs in these tough times, Wilson urged employees to suspend discretionary spending, renegotiate rates where feasible, and defer non-critical expenditures.
"There must be a laser-sharp focus on eliminating wastage and leakages," he said.
Stressing the need to tighten the belt for a while, Wilson sounded optimistic that travel demand would rebound and the industry would continue on its upward path.
CHRO Ravindra Kumar told staff that the airline will proceed with variable pay for the last financial year and continue with planned promotions while noting that annual increments will be deferred by at least one quarter.
"We don't anticipate layoffs," he said.
At the airline's board meeting on Thursday, various cost-saving steps, including likely furloughs, were discussed. The Tata Group-owned airline has around 24,000 employees.
Generally, furlough refers to sending staff on unpaid leaves by companies during a tough financial situation.
During the townhall, CFO Sanjay Sharma said while strong revenue growth and fleet expansion drove financial momentum through FY25, FY26 has seen a softening in revenue amid heightened external uncertainties.
Air India has seen around 40 per cent CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) in revenue between 2022 and 2025, he added.
The airline was acquired by the Tata Group from the government in January 2022.
The Air India CEO mentioned the external challenges being facing the aviation industry as a whole, including the continued closure of Pakistan airspace that is expected to persist for the foreseeable future and geopolitical conflicts leading to disruptions and airspace closures across West Asia.
Wilson, who is set to step down later this year, also flagged a sharp depreciation of the rupee and a 2.5-3 times increase in jet fuel prices, and added that these factors have adversely affected travel sentiment and consumer confidence, as per the sources.
If the Strait of Hormuz opens, oil prices fall and consumer as well as business confidence come back, there is a decent chance of a solid recovery, Wilson said, adding that unless those circumstances happen, it was going to be "a very, very difficult year".
"I feel somewhat responsible that we ended up with probably the biggest surprise of the year in the external environment which was a full-scale war in our neighbouring region in the Gulf. That has had a huge impact on airspace," he said.
For Air India, Wilson said the situation is compounded by the fact that the airline cannot fly over the neighbouring country and has to take a much longer routing for any west-bound destination.
"Every airline is reporting that they are under some sort of financial pressure as a result of higher fuel prices and economic uncertainty. So, it is unfortunately not a great environment to be running an airline," the Air India CEO said.
The Air India Group -- Air India and Air India Express -- is projected to have incurred more than Rs 22,000 crore loss in the financial year ended March 2026.
At the townhall, Wilson also highlighted various initiatives, including completion of the retrofit of its legacy narrow-body aircraft and rapid network optimisation to redeploy capacity more efficiently.
