Nejaru murder trial set to begin in Udupi District and Sessions Court
Udupi (Karnataka) (PTI): The Udupi District and Sessions Court has ordered the authorities at the Parappana Agrahara jail to produce Praveen Chowgule, the prime suspect in the murder of four family members in Nejaru near Brahmavar in November last.
The accused is mandated to appear for the hearing in the case scheduled on March 7, as directed by the court.
Chowgule's apprehension swiftly followed the brutal murders that occurred on November 12 last year. Since then, he has been held in judicial custody at Bengaluru's Parappana Agrahara jail.
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In February this year, law enforcement officials filed a detailed charge sheet pertaining to the case, shedding light on the motives behind Chowgule's alleged actions. The investigation highlighted his tumultuous relationship with Aynaz Mohammed (21), a trainee air hostess and former colleague.
The motive, as outlined by the police, underscores Chowgule's possessive nature and the discord in his relationship with Aynaz Mohammed. The victims of this heinous attack included Aynaz's mother, Haseena (47), her elder sister, Afnan (23), and younger brother, Aseem (14).
According to police, when Chowgule launched his assault on Aynaz, the other three victims were also present in the house and came under attack.
In a twist of fate, Haseena's mother-in-law, Hakira, was attacked but managed to survive by seeking refuge in a bathroom.
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SC upholds inclusion of ‘secular, socialist’ in Preamble of Constitution
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the inclusion of the words ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ in the Preamble of the Constitution, confirming their retrospective application from November 26, 1949. The court ruled that the power to amend the Constitution under Article 368 extends to the Preamble, which is an integral part of the document.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna stated, “The power under Article 368 cannot be curtailed. It will equally apply to the Preamble.” The 42nd Constitutional Amendment, which introduced these terms in 1976 during the Emergency, was challenged on grounds of its retrospective application and the lack of states’ ratification.
The petitioners, including BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, argued that the amendment forced a particular economic theory on the nation and violated the original intent of the Constitution. Advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay contended that the Preamble reflects the will of the people at the time of adoption in 1949 and is therefore unalterable.
The court dismissed these objections, affirming that both socialism and secularism are part of the Constitution's Basic Structure. The Bench clarified that socialism refers to a welfare state ensuring equality of opportunity without negating private sector participation or individualism. It emphasised that secularism is embedded in the Constitution, particularly in the principles of equality and fraternity.
Chief Justice Khanna remarked, “Secularism has always been a core feature of the Constitution.” He added that the amendment did not impose socialism as dogma but aligned with the welfare goals enshrined in various constitutional provisions.
