World Cup: Switzerland qualify for knockouts after 2-2 draw with Costa Rica
Nizhny Novgorod, June 28: Switzerland sailed into the pre-quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup after playing out a thrilling 2-2 draw against Costa Rica in a Group E clash here on Wednesday.
Blerim Dzemaili (31st) gave Switzerland the lead before Kendall Waston restored parity for Costa Rica.
Josip Drmic (88th) helped the Swiss take back the lead but an own goal in second half stoppage time by goalkeeper Yann Sommer (90+3) poured cold water on Swiss plans of a victory.
The result meant Switzerland finished second in the group behind Brazil with five points. Brazil won 2-0 against Serbia in another Group E match.
Costa Rica ended their preliminary round engagements rock-bottom of the group with just one point to show for.
The Costa Ricans, though, did not bow out without a fight. They created plenty of chances with great performances all over the pitch, but it wasn't enough in the end.
Dzemaili put the Swiss ahead, blasting home from the centre of the box after Breel Embolo headed a cross down into his path.
Costa Rica drew level after the break when Waston nodded in Joel Campbell's corner.
Drmic turned in a low cross from Denis Zakaria late into the second period and just when it looked like Switzerland were headed for a win, Zakaria conceded a penalty for a push on Campbell.
Bryan Ruiz sent his spot kick off the crossbar, but it ricocheted off Swiss keeper Sommer's back of the head and rolled over the line for an equalising own goal.
But Brazil's victory in the other game meant the Swiss would go through even if they lost.
They will now take on Group F winners Sweden in the round of 16.
The only blow for Switzerland was captain Stephan Lichtsteiner picking up two yellow cards meaning he will miss the knockout clash on Tuesday in St Petersburg.
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Supreme Court lauds Tamil Nadu for using preventive detention against cyber offenders
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday commended the Tamil Nadu government for invoking preventive detention laws to tackle cybercrime, observing that conventional criminal laws have proven ineffective in curbing such offences.
Justice Sandeep Mehta, while hearing a plea challenging a detention order against an accused in a cyber fraud case, remarked, “This is a good trend coming from the state that preventive detention laws are being used against cyber law offenders. It's a very welcome approach. Normal criminal laws are not proving successful against these offenders.”
The bench comprising Justices Sandeep Mehta and Joymalya Bagchi was considering a special leave petition filed by the father of the detenu, Abhijeet Singh, against a Madras High Court judgment that upheld his preventive detention under the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Drug Offenders, Goondas, Immoral Traffic Offenders and Slum Grabbers Act, 1982.
The detenu, a resident of New Delhi and originally from Punjab, was arrested on July 25, 2024, following a complaint at the Cyber Crime Police Station in Theni District. The complainant, Bhanumathi, alleged that she was defrauded of ₹84.5 lakh, of which ₹12.14 lakh had reportedly been transferred to an account operated by the detenu under the name ‘M/s Creative Craaft.’
Police investigation revealed that Abhijeet Singh had established four companies in his and his family members’ names and opened multiple bank accounts to route the defrauded money. A preventive detention order was issued against him by the District Collector on August 23, 2024. The Advisory Board confirmed the detention on September 25, 2024, and the State Government ratified it for a full term of 12 months on November 9, 2024.
Before the apex court, the petitioner’s counsel argued that the detention was unconstitutional, citing a violation of Article 22(5) and procedural lapses. He contended that the incident was a one-time offence and did not disturb public order. He also pointed out that the detenu had no previous criminal record and was not given adequate time to make a representation, with the notice for a September 25 hearing being served only on September 23, while the detenu was in Madurai and the hearing was in Chennai.
Justice Mehta questioned whether these issues were raised before the Advisory Board, to which the counsel replied affirmatively. The bench noted that the duration of detention lies within the state's discretion and cannot be curtailed by the court unless the detention itself lacks legal basis.
“If there is no basis for detention then the order itself has to go; the period cannot be curtailed based on that. You come on Wednesday, we will see,” Justice Mehta said, adjourning the matter to June 25 for further hearing.
Earlier, the Madras High Court had dismissed the habeas corpus plea, concluding that the detention did not suffer from any procedural or constitutional infirmities. The High Court held that all relevant materials had been placed before the Advisory Board and the detenu’s representations were duly considered.
The Supreme Court will continue hearing the matter on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
