Gujarat Samachar owner arrested by ED; Cong alleges targeting over critical reporting on Modi govt
New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Bahubali Shah, one of the owners of Gujarat Samachar, a leading Gujarati newspaper, on charges related to financial fraud. According to reports, the arrest took place late Thursday night, May 15, following a simultaneous operation by the Income Tax Department.
Sources close to the family, as quoted by Deccan Herald, confirmed Shah was taken into custody after the raids. Shah reportedly experienced chest pain following his arrest and was initially taken to VS Hospital before being shifted to Zydus Hospital for further medical attention.
The opposition Congress has strongly condemned the arrest, alleging it was politically motivated. Gujarat Congress President and Rajya Sabha MP Shaktisinh Gohil claimed that the move was a direct consequence of Gujarat Samachar’s critical coverage of the Narendra Modi government, particularly its recent reporting on the India-Pakistan conflict.
“Bahubali Shah was arrested by the ED hours after an Income Tax operation. The real reason behind his arrest is the paper’s critical writing against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government,” said Gohil.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, Gohil alleged that the ED and IT actions were aimed at intimidating independent media voices. He noted that the raids came while the Shah family was still mourning the recent death of their matriarch, Smritiben.
“Gujarat Samachar has always stood up against power. However, for showing the mirror to the BJP government and Prime Minister Modi during the recent India-Pakistan fallout, they have been targeted. The BJP has deployed its favourite toolkit—Income Tax and ED—against the newspaper, its TV channel GSTv, and associated business entities,” Gohil posted.
He further added, “Bahubalibhai is a senior citizen with health concerns. I strongly condemn this excess by the Modi government. Media that does its job is being ruthlessly targeted. BJP should know that not every media is 'Godi media' willing to sell its soul. I stand with Gujarat Samachar and all journalists who speak truth to power. Jai Hind.”
The ED has not issued an official statement on the matter yet.
Punishment to stand up for Truth has been the motto of the BJP government.
— Shaktisinh Gohil MP (@shaktisinhgohil) May 15, 2025
Leading Gujarati newspaper Gujarat Samchar has always stood up against power, who so ever it be. However, showing mirror to BJP Government and PM Modi in the recent India - Pakistan fallout has ensured… pic.twitter.com/09gfFouuWc
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CJI calls for 'unified judicial policy', use of technology to converge practices across courts
Jaisalmer (PTI): Pushing for a "unified judicial policy", Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday said technology can help align standards and practices across courts, creating a "seamless experience" for citizens, regardless of their location.
He said high courts -- due to the federal structure -- have had their own practices and technological capacities, and "regional barriers" can be broken down with technology to create a more unified judicial ecosystem.
Delivering the keynote address at the West Zone Regional Conference in Jaisalmer, Kant proposed the idea of a "national judicial ecosystem" and called for an overhaul of India's judicial system with the integration of technology.
"Today, as technology reduces geographical barriers and enables convergence, it invites us to think of justice not as regional systems operating in parallel, but as one national ecosystem with shared standards, seamless interfaces, and coordinated goals," he said.
He emphasised how the role of technology in the judiciary has evolved over time.
"Technology is no longer merely an administrative convenience. It has evolved into a constitutional instrument that strengthens equality before the law, expands access to justice, and enhances institutional efficiency," he said, highlighting how digital tools can bridge gaps in the judicial system.
Kant pointed out that technology enables the judiciary to overcome the limitations of physical distance and bureaucratic hurdles.
"It allows the judiciary to transcend physical barriers and bureaucratic rigidities to deliver outcomes that are timely, transparent and principled," he said, adding that the effective use of technology can modernise the delivery of justice and make it more accessible to citizens across the country.
The CJI called for implementing a "unified judicial policy".
He said India's judicial system has long been shaped by its federal structure, and different high courts have their own practices and technological capacities.
"India's vast diversity has led to different high courts evolving their own practices, administrative priorities and technological capacities. This variation, though natural in a federal democracy, has resulted in uneven experiences for litigants across the country," he said.
Kant underscored that predictability is crucial for building trust in the judicial system.
"A core expectation citizens place upon the courts is predictability," he said, adding that citizens should not only expect fair treatment but also consistency in how cases are handled across the country.
He pointed to the potential of technology in improving predictability.
"Technology enables us to track systemic delays and make problems visible rather than concealed," he said.
By identifying areas where delays occur, such as in bail matters or cases involving certain types of disputes, courts can take targeted action to address these issues and improve efficiency, Kant said.
The CJI explained that data-driven tools could identify the reasons behind delays or bottlenecks, allowing for faster, more focused solutions.
"Technology enables prioritisation by flagging sensitive case categories, monitoring pendency in real time and ensuring transparent listing protocols," he said.
Justice Surya Kant also discussed the importance of prioritising urgent cases where delays could result in significant harm. He highlighted his recent administrative order that ensures urgent cases, such as bail petitions or habeas corpus cases, are listed within two days of curing defects.
"Where delay causes deep harm, the system must respond with urgency," he stated, explaining that technology can help courts identify and expedite such cases.
Kant also raised the issue of the clarity of judicial decisions.
He noted that many litigants, despite winning cases, often struggle to understand the terms of their judgment due to complex legal language.
"Although the orders had gone in their favour, they remained unsure of what relief they had actually secured because the language was too technical, vague or evasive to understand," he said.
He advocated for more uniformity in how judgments are written.
"A unified judicial approach must therefore extend to how we communicate outcomes," he said.
The CJI also discussed the role of AI and digital tools in improving case management. He pointed to the potential of AI-based research assistants and digital case management systems to streamline judicial processes.
"Emerging technological tools are now capable of performing once-unthinkable functions. They can highlight missing precedent references, cluster similar legal questions, and simplify factual narration," he said, explaining how these technologies can help judges make more consistent decisions.
He also highlighted tools like the National Judicial Data Grid and e-courts, which are already helping to standardise processes like case filings and tracking.
Kant reiterated that the integration of technology into the judicial process is not just about improving efficiency but about upholding the integrity of the system and strengthening public trust.
"The measure of innovation is not the complexity of the software we deploy, but the simplicity with which a citizen understands the outcome of their case and believes that justice has been served," he said.
