Today in History (January 27^th, 1945)

On 27^th of January, 1945, the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz, Poland, where over a million Jews were massacred, was liberated by the Soviet Red Army.

Summary of Today’s News

National Girl Child Day

Context: We celebrated National Girl Child Day on 24^th of January.

• It is to promote equal opportunities for girl child while raising awareness of the injustices that girls face.
• On this day in 1966 Smt. Indira Gandhi took her oath as the first woman Prime Minister of India.
• Now we also commemorate anniversary of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme which was launched on January 22, 2015.

Lake Victoria

Context:  Centre for Science and Environment in association with Tanzania is working to restore Lake Victoria.

• It is the largest freshwater lake in Africa and
• It is world’s second-largest fresh water lake.
• First largest fresh water lake in world is “Lake Superior” in North America.
• It is the chief reservoir of River Nile, and its basin is shared by Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi.

Sapinda marriages

Context:

Delhi HC upheld the validity of Section 5 (v) of the Hindu Marriage Act (HMA), 1955 which prohibits Sapinda marriages, unless sanctioned by usage or custom.

• Two individuals are considered “sapindas” If one is a direct ancestor of the other within the specified sapinda limits or If they have a common lineal ascendant who is within the limits of sapinda relationship.
• Sapinda’ relationship extends up to the third generation through the mother’s line and
• Sapinda’ relationship extends up to the fifth generation through the father’s line.

Operation Sarvashakti

• Indian Army has launched Operation Sarvashakti to counter Pakistan’s attempts to increase terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Through this Indian army aims to target terrorists who operate on both sides of Pir Panjal mountain ranges.
• Earlier in 2003, Indian forces launched Operation Sarp Vinash to flush out terrorists who had infiltrated from across the border.
• It lasted until 2017-18.

Default Bail/Statutory Bail:

Context:  The Supreme Court recently held that default bail cannot be claimed on the ground that the investigation is pending against other accused.

Key Points

• The Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) provides for three kinds of bail.
  1. Section 438 provides for Anticipatory Bail,
  2. Section 439 provides for Regular bail
  3. Section 167(2) provides for default/statutory bail.
• It is a type of bail which gives a right to an accused detained in custody, when the police fail to or are unable to complete the investigation and file the charge sheet within the time frame stipulated under the law.
• When a person is arrested under any section of any act, there is an obligation on the arresting authority to complete the investigation within a specified time. This period is mandatory, and not obligatory.
• The statutory time frame for completing the investigation of offences under the IPC, and for filing of the charge sheet varies depending on the gravity of the offence.