Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday condoled the death of veteran CPI(M) leader V S Achuthanandan and said that he was a steadfast voice for justice and remained true to his principles.
Achuthanandan, the former chief minister of Kerala, died at 3.20 pm on Monday while undergoing treatment in the critical care unit of Pattom SUT Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram.
He had been receiving treatment since June 23, following a cardiac arrest.
"Shri V S Achuthanandan (1923-2025) was a steadfast voice for justice and the common good throughout his long public life. He remained true to his principles-in struggles on the ground and in positions of power, including as Chief Minister of Kerala (2006-2011)," Siddaramaiah said in a post on 'X'.
"His passing is a great loss. Condolences to his family, the people of Kerala, and all who drew strength from his life. Salutes to a life well lived," he added.
A founding member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Achuthanandan was a lifelong champion of workers' rights, land reforms, and social justice.
He served as Kerala's Chief Minister from 2006 to 2011 and was elected to the state assembly seven times, serving three terms as Leader of the Opposition
Shri V.S. Achuthanandan (1923–2025) was a steadfast voice for justice and the common good throughout his long public life.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) July 22, 2025
He remained true to his principles — in struggles on the ground and in positions of power, including as Chief Minister of Kerala (2006–2011).
His passing… pic.twitter.com/EtMDV1Suiu
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New Delhi (PTI): Delhi High Court judge Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma on Thursday initiated criminal contempt proceedings against AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Durgesh Pathak, Sanjay Singh, Saurabh Bhardwaj and others over their "vilifying" social media posts against her in relation to the excise policy case.
Justice Sharma said the former Delhi chief minister "orchestrated a calculated campaign" of vilification against her on social media instead of pursuing his legal remedies and clarified that the CBI's petition against the discharge of all accused persons would now be taken up by another bench.
The judge took exception to several social media posts by the proposed contemnors that attributed "political allegiance" to her and allegedly targeted her by posting a misleading "edited" video of a speech given by her at an educational institution in Varanasi.
"Arvind Kejriwal sought to destroy my reputation instead of availing legal remedies after I refused to recuse and a deliberate attempt to lower the court's authority can't be permitted in guise of free speech," Justice Sharma said.
She clarified that she was not recusing herself but was only transferring the case to another bench as she has initiated the contempt proceedings.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for CBI, thanked Justice Sharma for upholding the institution's dignity.
