Today in History (November 23rd, 1855)
On 23rd November in 1855, Mexico passed the Ley Juárez, a significant law that abolished special courts for the clergy and military. This reform was introduced by Justice Minister Benito Juárez with the goal of eliminating the lingering privileges of the colonial era. By removing these separate legal systems, the law aimed to promote equality and ensure that all citizens, regardless of their status or position, were subject to the same legal framework. The Ley Juárez was a crucial step in Mexico’s efforts to modernize and move away from its colonial past.
Summary of Today’s News
Day after U.S. court rap, Adani energy Firms’ stocks sink further.
The Adani Group faced a significant market downturn, its worst since the Hindenburg allegations in early 2023. On Friday, six Adani stocks, including Adani Enterprises Ltd. (AEL), showed mild recovery, though Adani Green Energy dropped 8.2% after a 19% fall the previous day. New allegations of bribery and securities fraud have emerged, with a U.S. court indicting Gautam Adani. Meanwhile, the Nifty 50 surged 2.4%, and the BSE Sensex rose by 2.54%, reversing recent losses.
SC asks CAQM to file data on paddy burnt area in Punjab and Haryana.
The Supreme Court directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to submit data on the burnt area of paddy fields in Punjab and Haryana by Monday. This came after a report in The Hindu on November 22 highlighted discrepancies in stubble-burning data, noting that farmers burned paddy after satellite overpasses to avoid detection. The court also questioned CAQM on why the increase in the burnt area wasn’t reported. Experts suggested better ground verification methods for assessing stubble burning.
‘Speaker should settle disqualification pleas in reasonable time
The Telangana High Court directed the Speaker to resolve disqualification petitions against three MLAs who switched from BRS to Congress in 2023 within a “reasonable time.” Overturning a single-judge order, the court emphasized the need to consider the Tenth Schedule’s objectives and the Assembly’s tenure while deciding the disqualification issue. The Bench, consisting of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice J. Sreenivas Rao, referenced previous Supreme Court rulings on similar matters. The MLAs—Danam Nagender, Kadiam Srihari, and Tellam Venkat Rao—had been elected on a BRS ticket before joining Congress.
New criminal laws need to be given a chance, says SC.
The Supreme Court upheld the new criminal laws, including the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Penal Code. A petition challenging provisions related to organized crime was heard, arguing concerns over arbitrary arrests and police abuse. The court defended the laws, emphasizing the need to control organized crime, including street crimes and cybercrime, in the public interest, and gave the laws a chance to function effectively.
