SC asks BJP spokesperson to apologize for spreading fake news over attacks on Bihari workers in TN
Says "be more responsible, especially as a lawyer"
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has ordered Uttar Pradesh BJP spokesperson and advocate Prashant Umrao to apologize for spreading misinformation on Twitter regarding alleged attacks against Bihari workers in Tamil Nadu. The Court expressed displeasure at Patel for sharing wrong information and asked him to be more responsible, especially as a lawyer.
Umrao had tweeted on February 23 claiming that 15 migrant workers were assaulted for speaking Hindi, of which 12 died. Last month, videos of migrant workers allegedly being attacked in Tamil Nadu were also shared on social media. They were eventually debunked as fake by fact-checkers and the state police department, but not before causing widespread panic.
Patel was booked by the Thoothukudi Central police for allegedly spreading wrong information and granted anticipatory bail by the Madras High Court. However, the High Court directed him to appear before the investigating officer daily for a period of 15 days, which was challenged in the Supreme Court.
A bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and Pankaj Mithal heard two petitions filed by Patel - a writ petition for the clubbing of the FIRs registered against him in different police stations over the tweet and a special leave petition against the condition imposed by the Madras High Court. The bench issued notice on the writ petition and modified the condition imposed by the Madras High Court which required him to appear before the police for 15 days.
"The condition requiring the petitioner to report to the police station between 10.30 AM to 5.30 PM for 15 days is modified. He shall appear on Monday at 10 AM and thereafter as and when required by the investigating officer", the bench ordered.
The Supreme Court also passed an ad interim order that the anticipatory bail granted by the High Court would be applicable to any other FIRs registered in the state of Tamil Nadu with respect to the same cause of action. State's lawyer Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi told the bench that the other FIRs do not name Prashant as an accused.
Justice Gavai asked, "What is his standing in the bar?" Patel has been a member of the Bar for seven years and is currently serving as a standing counsel for Goa, the bench was informed. "He should be more responsible," Justice Gavai said, asking the embattled lawyer to tender an apology before the next date.
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Karnataka to approach SC seeking permission to continue MGNREGA
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday decided to approach the Supreme Court seeking permission to continue implementation of MGNREGA in the state, contending that the Centre had repealed the rural employment guarantee law without consultation and failed to put in place any alternative mechanism under the VB-G RAM G Act.
Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said the state would immediately move the apex court seeking permission to prepare and implement the annual action plan for rural employment works, while also challenging what it described as an infringement on the constitutional rights of states.
The parliament passed VB-G RAM G in December that replaces MGNREGA.
Patil explained that the Cabinet decided to approach the court seeking permission for the State Government to prepare an action plan in this regard. Since the Centre’s stand interferes with the constitutional rights of state governments, the Cabinet has also decided to challenge this issue before the appropriate court
“There are two points here. One is that they have come in the way of our constitutional right of providing the right to work. That has been halted, and, therefore, the State Government has decided to approach the Supreme Court. The second point is that the Government of India has not provided any alternative,” the Minister said.
The Central Government has not yet issued a notification to implement the VB-G RAM G Act, nor has it made any alternative arrangements and hence continuing Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is unavoidable in the public interest, the Minister said.
“Therefore, in the interest of the public, farmers and agricultural labourers, we must continue MGNREGA. For that purpose, the Cabinet has decided to approach the court seeking permission for the State Government to prepare the action plan for this year,” he added.
The Minister also said the Centre had only permitted continuation of pending and spillover MGNREGA works without releasing grants or announcing a fresh action plan.
“The Centre itself has said that pending, spillover and half-done MGNREGA works can continue. That means MGNREGA is actually still functioning in practice. But there is no new action plan,” he said.
Patil said the state had already passed a resolution on the issue, while Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had written to the Prime Minister and the Rural Development Minister had held discussions with Union Ministers.
Replying to questions, the minister said the state would move court “as immediately as possible.”
He clarified that the state was seeking permission to formulate and implement this year’s action plan under the existing framework.
“What we are asking the Supreme Court is to allow us to have the action plan for this year and implement it,” he said.
The Cabinet also held detailed discussions on the final report submitted by the State Education Policy Commission headed by former UGC chairman Professor Sukhadeo Thorat.
Patil said a Cabinet sub-committee would be constituted to examine the report and recommend measures for implementation.
“No decision has been taken yet. The Cabinet sub-committee will recommend what should be accepted and what should be modified,” he said.
He said the report comprised around eight volumes and covered issues relating to financial implications, human resources, curriculum reforms, deemed universities, unitary universities and newly established universities. The Chief Minister has been authorised to constitute the sub-committee.
The Cabinet also approved the Karnataka Motor Transport and Other Related Workers’ Social Security and Welfare Amendment Bill, 2026, transferring welfare administration of transport-related workers from the Labour Department to the Transport Department.
The Cabinet further approved establishment of three new industrial estates in Kalaburagi, Yadgir and Surpur under the Karnataka State Small Industries Development Corporation and Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board schemes at an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore.
The Cabinet also approved amendments to Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules, 2026, providing two per cent reservation in state civil services appointments for sportspersons.
