Today in History (December 31st,1925)
Summary of Today’s News
ISRO Successfully Launches SpaDeX Docking Mission
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission on Monday, marking a significant step in India’s space exploration capabilities.
• Rocket Launch and Satellite Placement
The PSLV-C60 rocket lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 10 p.m. carrying two small satellites—SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target)—along with 24 payloads. Around 15 minutes after launch, the satellites, each weighing about 220 kg, were placed into a 475-km circular orbit as planned.
• Docking Process Timeline
ISRO Chairman S. Somanth confirmed that the spacecraft’s solar panels deployed successfully and that the satellites are positioned one behind the other. Over the next few days, the distance between the two satellites will gradually increase by 20 km.
• The rendezvous and docking process is expected to begin around January 7, 2024.
• Technological Demonstration and Future Plans
The SpaDeX mission aims to demonstrate crucial technologies for spacecraft rendezvous, docking, and undocking—technologies mastered by only a few nations.
• This technology is essential for future missions, including sending an Indian astronaut to the moon, conducting sample returns, and building and operating an Indian space station.
• Rendezvous and docking is the process of bringing two or more spacecraft together and physically connecting them:
• Rendezvous: The process of aligning the spacecraft in the same orbit and reducing the distance and velocity between them.
• Docking: The process of the spacecraft meeting and physically joining.
Islamic laws and Taliban Rule in Afghanistan
• The Taliban plans to close all national and foreign non-governmental groups (NGOs) employing Afghan women.
• This decision follows a previous order two years ago for NGOs to suspend the employment of Afghan women for not wearing the Islamic headscarf correctly.
• The Economy Ministry warned that failure to comply with the latest order would result in NGOs losing their operational license in Afghanistan.
• The government is halting all work by women in institutions not controlled by the Taliban.
• The Taliban has already restricted women from many jobs,
o public spaces, and
o education beyond sixth grade
o where women sit or stand they must close all windows in old buildings and no new buildings can have windows in kitchen etc.
• The UN Security Council reported increased prevention of Afghan women humanitarian workers from performing their duties.
• The Taliban denies stopping or interfering with aid agencies’ activities.
The Sheikh Hasina Extradition Demand: what are options for India
Background
• Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to New Delhi during anti-government protests in August 2024.
• On December 23, 2024, Bangladesh formally requested India to extradite her for judicial process.
• Hasina was declared an absconder for not surrendering after leaving Dhaka on August 5, 2024.
• She faces charges of conspiracy, mistreatment, and killing of protesters, labeled as genocide and crimes against humanity.
Legal Proceedings
• The Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal issued arrest warrants for Hasina and 45 others.
• A charge sheet will be filed soon after the investigation wraps up.
Principle of Trial in Absentia
• Common law jurisdictions require the accused to be present for trial.
• Bangladesh’s Code of Criminal Procedure allows trials in absentia.
• The International Criminal Court (ICC) has a precedent for trials in absentia.
India’s Potential Defences
• India has a bilateral extradition treaty with Bangladesh and the Indian Extradition Act 1962.
• India can argue that Hasina’s alleged crimes are political offences or invoke the rule of non-inquiry.
• Articles 20 and 21 of the Indian Constitution protect Hasina, even as a non-citizen.
Possible Solutions
• India could allow in-house arrest of Hasina and ensure her participation in the trial via video conferencing.
• Bangladesh authorities must have access to Hasina with prior notice.
• If convicted, Hasina could serve her sentence in India.
ICC’s Jurisdiction
• Bangladesh is a state party to the Rome Statute of the ICC.
• The ICC could intervene if Hasina’s rights are in danger or if proceedings are not conducted impartially.
• Bangladesh could refer the matter to the ICC or the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor could start a preliminary examination.
Conclusion
• Bangladesh must ensure a fair trial for Hasina.
• India needs to facilitate Bangladesh’s state agencies to conduct the trial successfully.
• A collaborative approach to a fair trial would demonstrate compliance with international law and safeguard Hasina’s rights.
