Agra sizzles at 45 degrees
Agra, May 13: Markets in Agra wore a deserted look and there were fewer vehicles on roads as the maximum temperature crossed 45 degrees Celsius on Sunday. The number of tourists too dwindled at the Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri.
Foreign tourists were seen pouring water over their heads and colourful umbrellas showed up to seek protection from the oppressive sun.
Tourist guide Ved Gautam said the heat had taken its toll as was reflected in dwindling number of visitors.
"The red sand stones are all heated up, spewing fire," he said. "The demand for bottled water has gone up."
While foreign visitors in groups prefer morning and evening, domestic tourists have no fixed programmes and are usually seen hurrying through one monument after another, said Vivek Kumar, a travel agent.
"The Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri prove the toughest for visitors with long walks in sun."
Meanwhile, voluntary groups in the city have stepped up efforts to provide free and cold drinking water by opening water kiosks. The Sri Nathji Nishulk Jal Sewa runs a network of 50 "water huts" in the city.
Parents have urged the Agra authorities to order the closure of schools to prevent children running the risk of a heat stroke.
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Supreme Court takes suo motu cognizance of Karnataka HC Judge's controversial remarks, seeks report
New Delhi: The Supreme Court, on September 20, took suo motu cognizance of video clips containing controversial remarks made by Justice Vedavyasachar Srishananda of the Karnataka High Court. A five-judge bench, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, Surya Kant, and Hrishikesh Roy, has ordered a report from the Karnataka High Court.
The decision follows two videos that surfaced on social media, showing Justice Srishananda referring to an area in Bengaluru as "Pakistan" and making objectionable comments toward a woman advocate during hearings. The Court directed the Registrar General of the Karnataka High Court to submit a report after consulting the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court. The matter will be further examined on Monday.
Chief Justice Chandrachud emphasised the responsibility of judges in the age of social media, stating, "We are closely watched, and we have to act accordingly."
The comments have drawn widespread criticism, including from prominent lawyers, after the video went viral on social media.
