Garwah (Jharkhand), Dec 24 : A Maoist carrying a reward of Rs one lakh on his head, was arrested in Garwah district on Monday, police said.

Laldeo Bhuiyan, an area commander of the CPI(Maoist) was arrested during a search operation launched by the district armed police and CRPF, said Deputy Superintendent of Police, Vijay Kumar.

Bhuiyan, a resident of Aabun village under Panki police station of Palamau district, was wanted by police in connection with several naxal-related incidents in Palamau and Latehar districts, Kumar said.

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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to hear a public interest litigation (PIL) that sought enforcement of international-quality standards for packaged drinking water in India, calling it an example of “luxury litigation” in a country where a large populace lacks access to basic drinking water.

A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi questioned the relevance of the petition filed by Sarang Vaman Yadwadkar, who wanted Indian bottled-water norms to match those followed in countries such as the UK, Australia and Saudi Arabia, The New Indian Express reported.

“Where is the drinking water in this country, madam? People do not have drinking water; the quality of bottled water will come later on,” Chief Justice Surya Kant, who was sitting with Justice Joymalya Bagchi, said, adding that these are luxury litigations.

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At the outset, the CJI questioned the very premise of the petition, observing that the court could not lose sight of broader realities faced by the country.

Senior advocate Anita Shenoy, appearing for the petitioner, argued that the issue concerned public health and consumer safety. She reportedly said the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 requires packaged drinking water to comply with specific safety norms, and citizens are entitled to clean, safe drinking water.

Suggesting to the petitioner to spare some time for India's to grow further, the bench allegedly said, Let India grow first. Nobody takes up the cause of the poor. This is all urban phobia.

The court also advised her to travel across the country and see the reality. “Mahatma Gandhi, when he returned from South Africa, travelled across rural areas to understand the plight of the people,” TNIE quoted the CJI as saying.

The court ultimately allowed the petitioner to withdraw the PIL, granting liberty to approach the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) or other competent authorities to seek redressal.