Maintenance, repair details of grounded UK F-35B fighter jet in Kerala to remain confidential
Thiruvananthapuram: The United Kingdom has decided to conduct repair and maintenance work on its grounded F-35B fighter jet at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala. However, all operational details surrounding the aircraft’s servicing will reportedly be kept a closely guarded secret.
Citing sources close to the UK government, The Hindu reported that authorities would not disclose specifics regarding the repair process or share details of any private communications with the Government of India. Despite the secrecy, the UK side expressed confidence that the aircraft will be fully restored and return to active service with the Royal Air Force once repairs and safety checks are completed.
The F-35B fighter, a multi-role combat aircraft, is known for its short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities, has remained grounded at the airport after it developed a technical fault. Initial attempts by the crew to address the issue reportedly failed.
Additionally, the details of the flight that issued a distress signal on the night of June 14 off the coast of Thiruvananthapuram, as per the flight radar data, were reportedly removed from the site.
Meanwhile, the British High Commission stated the aircraft is awaiting repairs at the airport after developing an engineering issue. The aircraft will be moved to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport once UK engineering teams arrive with specialist equipment. However, there is still no clarity on when the expert team will arrive and why there has been an inordinate delay, added the report.
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BJP, TMC hail SC directions on counting of votes for West Bengal polls
Kolkata (PTI): The BJP and TMC on Saturday both hailed the SC directions on the Election Commission's circular over the deployment of central government personnel for vote counting in West Bengal.
The apex court on Saturday said no further order was necessary on the TMC's plea challenging the Calcutta High Court's dismissal of its petition against the April 13 circular.
In a social media post, BJP leader Amit Malviya said, "In yet another legal setback, the Supreme Court has refused to intervene. The Trinamool Congress had approached the court challenging the exclusion of state government employees from vote-counting supervisor duties, and had sought an urgent hearing."
"The refusal to entertain this plea underscores a clear message -- attempts to influence or cast doubt over the integrity of the counting process will not find easy validation. Another day, another judicial rebuff for Mamata Banerjee," he added.
The TMC, however, claimed that the SC directions vindicated its stand.
"The issue raised before the Hon'ble Supreme Court pertained to the implementation of the said communication in a manner whereby only Central Government/Central PSU employees were being appointed as Counting Supervisors and Counting Assistants for counting of votes," the party said in a statement.
The TMC said it was highlighted that such an interpretation and implementation of the communication would be contrary to the framework of a fair and balanced counting process.
"After hearing the parties, the Hon'ble Supreme Court directed that Clause 1 of the communication dated 13.04.2026, relating to the appointment of Counting Supervisors and Counting Assistants, must be read along with the salient feature contained in the second page of the said communication, which provides for random selection of both State Government and Central Government employees," it said.
"The Hon'ble Supreme Court has further recorded the undertaking of Mr Dama Seshadri Naidu, learned Senior Advocate appearing for the Election Commission of India that the said communication shall be followed in its letter and spirit," it added.
The TMC said that in view of the directions, it is expected that the counting of votes shall be conducted in a fair, transparent, and balanced manner.
A special bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi said the EC can choose the counting personnel, and its April 13 circular, which provides for deployment of state government employees as well, cannot be said to be incorrect.
The poll body said the apprehensions of TMC of any wrongdoing are misplaced, as the circular very clearly states that there will be a mix of central and state government employees.
The EC assured the court that the circular would be implemented in letter and spirit, and there would be state government employees also during the counting of votes on May 4.
Polling for the 294-member West Bengal assembly was held in two phases -- April 23 and April 29. The counting of votes will be taken up on May 4.
On April 30, the Calcutta High Court dismissed the TMC's petition against the Election Commission circular, saying there was no illegality in the poll panel's decision to appoint counting supervisors and assistants from Central government and Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) employees, instead of the state government staff.
