The Hindu Morning Digest: March 24, 2025

CJI seeks details of guards at Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma’s house

The Supreme Court’s publication of documents and visual material related to the inquiry into the March 14, 2025 incident of fire and alleged discovery of “sacks” of half-burnt currency notes from a storeroom on the residential premises of a Delhi High Court judge, Justice Yashwant Varma, is a stride towards transparency even as the records raise further questions which the three-member committee constituted by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna to probe the matter may examine. The Delhi Police Commissioner’s report to Chief Justice Upadhyaya said a security guard at the residence of Justice Varma saw “half-burnt articles” and debris being removed in the morning after the fire.

Shiv Sena demands comedian Kunal Kamra’s arrest over remarks on Eknath Shinde

Shiv Sena on Sunday (March 23, 2025) demands the arrest of stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra over his stand-up in which he has allegedly referred to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as a ‘Gaddar’ (traitor). Shiv Sena spokesperson Krishna Hegde said, “Kunal Kamra’s upbringing seems extremely poor , he has been banned in airlines , is abusive and uncouth and police should take strong action against such habitual offenders.” Shiv Sena workers vandalised a hotel in Mumbai’s Khar area where stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra’s show was filmed, police said.

Operation on to flush out a group of militants from Kathua forests

A major anti-militancy operation was launched on Sunday (March 23, 2025) evening after a group of militants were engaged in a firefight in a forest area of Jammu’s Kathua district. Preliminary reports suggested the security forces had received a tip-off about the movement of militants at Sanyal village, close to the Indo-Pakistan border in the Hiranagar sector of Kathua district. “During the combing operation of the security forces, a group of militants was spotted in a jungle area. The militants took cover of the undulating topography and dense green cover inside the forests,” officials said. Reinforcements were rushed to throw a multi-tier cordon around the area where militants opened fire on the security forces.

Heavy rush at New Delhi Railway Station but no stampede: officials

Heavy passenger congestion due to a delay in the departure of multiple trains led to chaos at the New Delhi Railway Station on Sunday (March 23, 2025) but there was no “stampede” or injuries as the police stepped in and managed the situation, a police official said. A source said large crowds had gathered on platform numbers 12 and 13 of the station due to the delay in the departure of the Shiv Ganga Express, Swatantrata Senani Express, Jammu Rajdhani Express, Lucknow Mail, and the Magadh Express.

Curfew lifted from all areas in Nagpur

Curfew was lifted from all areas of Nagpur district in Maharashtra on Sunday (March 23, 2025), restoring peace six days after communal violence grappled the district, officials said. “We have completely lifted the curfew. Normalcy has returned to Nagpur, and the situation is peaceful. A total of 13 cases were registered in connection with the incident, and 104 accused were arrested till Saturday (March 22, 2025),” Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal told The Hindu. According to officials, the curfew was lifted in a phased manner.

Israeli military strikes largest hospital in southern Gaza, killing civilians

Israel’s military struck the largest hospital in southern Gaza on Sunday (March 23, 2025) night, killing one person, wounding others and causing a large fire, the territory’s Health Ministry said. The strike hit the surgical building of Nasser Hospital in the city of Khan Younis, the Ministry said, days after the facility was overwhelmed with dead and wounded when Israel resumed the war in Gaza last week with a surprise wave of airstrikes. Israel’s military confirmed the strike on the hospital, saying it hit a Hamas militant operating there. Israel blames civilian deaths on Hamas because it operates in densely populated areas.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney calls snap election, asks for mandate to tackle Donald Trump

New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday (March 23, 2025) called a snap election for April 28, 2025, saying he needed a strong mandate to deal with the threat that U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs pose to the economy. Although the next election was not due until October 20, 2025, Mr. Carney is hoping to capitalise on a remarkable recovery by his Liberal party in the polls since January, when Mr. Trump began threatening Canada and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation. “We are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President Trump’s unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty,” Mr. Carney said.

Zelenskyy says must ‘push Putin’ to stop strikes, halt invasion

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday (March 23, 2025) that Russian leader Vladimir Putin must be pushed to halt his three-year invasion, as talks with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia on a partial ceasefire got underway. “No matter what we talk about with our partners, we need to push Putin to give a real order to stop the strikes: the one who brought this war must take it away,” Mr. Zelenskyy said in an evening address posted on social media. Mr. Putin has rejected a joint U.S.-Ukrainian offer of a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire, instead backing a halt only to aerial strikes against energy facilities. “It is clear to absolutely everyone in the world that Russia is the only one who is dragging this war out,” Mr. Zelenskyy said.

Pope Francis back home after 5-weeks long hospital stay

Pope Francis returned to the Vatican on Sunday (March 23, 2025) after a five-week hospitalisation for pneumonia, and he made a surprise stop at his favorite basilica on the way home before beginning two months of prescribed rest and recovery. The 88-year-old pope sat in the front passenger seat of his white Fiat 500L wearing nasal tubes to give him supplemental oxygen as he entered the Perugino gate of Vatican City, where his return brought relief after fears that his illness could be fatal or lead to another papal resignation.

IPL 2025, CSK vs MI: After Noor’s magic spell, Rachin takes CSK home

At the mega auction last year, Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians fought hard for Noor Ahmad’s services, and the former won the battle at ₹5 crore. Noor’s former team, Gujarat Titans, used its Right to Match card, but CSK had no hesitation in doubling its bid to ₹10 crore to get the Afghanistan tweaker eventually. On Sunday (March 23, 2025), the 20-year-old gave a glimpse of why he was the Super Kings’ costliest buy, delivering a brilliant spell (4-0-18-4) to set up a four-wicket win against Mumbai Indians in their IPL league match at the MAC Stadium. Electing to field, CSK’s bowlers, led by the spinners, were on top of their game, picking wickets at regular intervals to restrict the Mumbai side to 155 for nine.

Amazon to not charge referral fee from sellers on products priced under ₹300

E-commerce major Amazon India on Monday (March 24, 2025) announced zero referral fees on over 1.2 crore products on its platform that are priced below ₹300. The move is aimed at supporting small businesses and boosting the growth of sellers on Amazon, a company statement said. “By eliminating referral fees on crores of products and reducing shipping costs, we’re making it more lucrative for sellers to sell on Amazon.in. This initiative supports seller growth on Amazon by enabling them to offer a wider selection and present more competitive offers to customers, particularly on everyday low-value items,” Amit Nanda, Director, Selling Partner Services, Amazon India, said.

Published – March 24, 2025 06:12 am IST