Allahabad High Court refuses to quash FIR against RJD's Priyanka Bharti for tearing Manusmriti pages
Prayagraj, Mar 7 (PTI): The Allahabad High Court has refused to quash an FIR lodged against Priyanka Bharti for allegedly tearing a few pages of "Manusmriti" during a live debate on a new channels.
A bench of Justices Vivek Kumar Birla and Anish Kumar Gupta passed the order after hearing the plea of RJD spokesperson Bharti.
"We find that the act of tearing pages of Manusmriti holy book of a particular religion in a live TV debate organised by the two television channels was nothing but a prima facie reflection of a malicious and deliberate intention of the petitioner and is an act done without any lawful excuse or without any just cause," the bench said.
The court further observed that Bharti was a "highly qualified person" and took part in the debate as the party spokesperson.
"It cannot be pleaded that the act was done ignorantly. Therefore, in our opinion, prima facie a cognisable offence is made out," the court said in an order on February 28.
Referring to several Supreme Court rulings, the bench held no case was "made out for interference" with the FIR.
"The writ petition is accordingly dismissed," it added.
The FIR was lodged against Bharti on December 29, 2024 under Section 299 BNS in Aligarh following which she move a plea for quashing and sought protection from arrest.
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Karnataka offers extensive incentives in its proposed IT policy
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka has proposed a new Information Technology Policy for 2025–2030, offering extensive financial and non-financial incentives aimed at accelerating investments, strengthening innovation and expanding the state's tech footprint beyond Bengaluru.
The Karnataka Cabinet gave its nod to the policy 2025–2030 with an outlay of Rs 445.50 crore on Thursday after the Finance Department accorded its approval.
The policy introduces 16 incentives across five enabler categories, nine of which are entirely new, with a distinctive push to support companies setting up or expanding in emerging cities.
Alongside financial support, the government is also offering labour-law relaxations, round-the-clock operational permissions and industry-ready human capital programmes to make Karnataka a globally competitive 'AI-native' destination.
According to the policy, units located outside Bengaluru will gain access to a wide suite of benefits, including research and development and IP creation incentives, internship reimbursements, talent relocation support and recruitment assistance.
The benefits also include EPF reimbursement, faculty development support, rental assistance, certification subsidies, electricity tariff rebates, property tax reimbursement, telecom infrastructure support, and assistance for events and conferences.
Bengaluru Urban will receive a focused set of six research and development and talent-oriented incentives, while Indian Global Capability Centres (GCCs) operating in the state will be brought under the incentive net.
Incentive caps and eligibility thresholds have been raised, and the policy prioritises growth-focused investments for both new and expanding units.
Beyond incentives, the government focuses on infrastructure and innovation interventions.
A flagship proposal in the policy is the creation of Techniverse -- integrated, technology-enabled enclaves developed through a public-private partnership model inside future Global Innovation Districts.
These campuses will offer plug-and-play facilities, artificial intelligence and machine learning and cybersecurity labs, advanced testbeds, experience centres, and disaster-resistant command centres.
There will also be a Statewide Digital Hub Grid and a Global Test Bed Infrastructure Network, linking public and private research and development, and innovation facilities across Karnataka.
The government has proposed a Women Global Tech Missions Fellowship for 1,000 mid-career women technologists, an IT Talent Return Programme to absorb experienced professionals returning from abroad, and broad-based skill and faculty development reimbursements.
Shared corporate transport routes in Bengaluru and tier-two cities will be designed with Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation and other transport entities to support worker mobility.
The government said the policy is the outcome of an extensive research and consultation process involving TCS, Infosys, Wipro, IBM, HCL, Tech Mahindra, Cognizant, HP, Google, Accenture and NASSCOM, along with sector experts and stakeholder groups.
It estimates an outlay of Rs 967.12 crore over five years, comprising Rs 754.62 crore for incentives and Rs 212.50 crore for interventions such as Techniverse campuses, digital grid development, global outreach missions and talent programmes.
