Wednesday, 30 September 2026

New Era Begins? Pragyan Ojha Leads Selection Panel As India Eye New Zealand Challenge

Former India left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha, for the time being, will be the interim head of the four-man selection committee after Ajit Agarkar's departure and is in line to become the next chief selector.

NDTV Sports

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Can’t deny employee security clearance based on kin’s antecedents: J&K high court

The committee said CID’s denial of security clearance was not based on any adverse material concerning his conduct, integrity, character or antecedents but stemmed exclusively from 'the alleged antecedents of his brother and the perceived possibility of a security risk arising therefrom' SRINAGAR: A Jammu and Kashmir high court (HC) panel Tuesday rejected a CID report against an HC staffer, observing that an employee cannot be denied security clearance solely because of his brother’s alleged antecedents.HC engaged Pampore resident Firdous Ahmad Sheikh as a daily-rated worker on April 1, 2010, and posted him at its Srinagar wing. On July 4, 2024, HC regularised his services as an orderly under the Regularization of Services of Daily Wagers in the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Regulations, 2022.Like other appointments, Firdous’s regularisation was subject to CID verification, as is required for govt employment in J&K. On Jan 1, 2026, CID denied him security clearance, citing the “heightened adversity of his brother, Abdul Qayoom Sheikh”.The matter was placed before the Chief Justice, who referred it to the Committee for Appointment and Promotion of Officials, Officers of the High Court Staff, for consideration. Join conversation View All Comments → Share your thoughts in the comments Insightful Agree Disagree Skeptical Concerning Promising Worth Reading Big Development Post Comment Be respectful · TOI community guidelines The committee verified Firdous’s testimonials and found them genuine. It said CID’s denial of security clearance was not based on any adverse material concerning his conduct, integrity, character or antecedents but stemmed exclusively from “the alleged antecedents of his brother and the perceived possibility of a security risk arising therefrom”. The panel said Firdous had served the HC since 2010, and nothing adverse had been reported about his conduct, integrity or performance. “On the contrary, the record reflects that his work and conduct have remained satisfactory and that no vigilance enquiry or complaint is pending against him,” it said.Quoting J&K HC’s Feb 11, 2025 judgment in the Mohd Amir Malik v. Union of India and others case—which held that a person cannot be deprived of his legal or service rights solely on account of the conduct or antecedents of his relatives—the panel noted that liability cannot be fastened upon an individual merely on account of the alleged acts or antecedents of a close relative in the absence of any cogent material establishing the individual’s own involvement, association, complicity or misconduct.

Times of India·5 hours ago·2 min read

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US troops fully withdraw from Baghdad base after two decades

The United States has fully withdrawn its troops from a key base in Baghdad, concluding a deployment that started with the 2003 invasion of Saddam Hussein’s regime. The move marks the end of two decades of American military presence in Iraq’s capital. Military jets were seen leaving the city as the final units departed.

Al Jazeera·5 hours ago·1 min read

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12% deficit: Rain report gives a dry reading

India’s southwest monsoon season offi cially ends today with rainfall 12% below normal. Uneven distribution has left key agricultural regions stressed, with decline in kharif sowing. Reservoirs failed to get amply filled, raising concerns over soil moisture and irrigation for the upcoming rabi season. The impact is showing in commodity markets: prices of several pulses are up amid crop concerns and festive demand. Maharashtra has declared drought across large parts, and Karnataka is facing similar conditions. Tanay Sukumar & Shambhavi Anand explain:134573535134573539134573540134573542134573543134573544

Economic Times·6 hours ago·1 min read