LEGAL NEWS

Supreme Court Orders Swift Completion of Child Trafficking Trials within 6 Months

• The Supreme Court of India, led by Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, has instructed High Courts to ensure that child trafficking cases are completed within six months.

• In its ruling, the Court emphasized that these cases should be heard on a daily basis to expedite the judicial process and ensure timely justice.

• This directive came during the hearing of an anticipatory bail petition filed by the accused in a child trafficking case from Uttar Pradesh.

• The Court also warned that any delay or negligence in complying with this order would be treated as contempt of court.

• Contempt of court refers to acts that undermine the authority or dignity of the judicial system, with penalties for violation under Articles 129 and 215 of the Constitution.

• There are two categories of contempt: Civil contempt (failure to comply with court orders) and criminal contempt (acts that scandalize or disrespect the court).

• Child Trafficking in India: An Urgent Issue

• According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), 3,466 cases of child trafficking were reported in India in 2019 alone.

• Children in India are trafficked for various illegal purposes, including forced labor, sexual exploitation, begging, and criminal activities.

• Trafficking is also linked to practices such as child marriage, armed conflict, and even the illegal sale of infants under the guise of inter-country adoption.

• Legal Framework to Combat Child Trafficking in India

• To combat child trafficking, the Government of India has enacted several important laws:

o The POCSO Act, 2012, aimed at protecting children from sexual offenses.

o The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, to prevent forced labor.

o The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, to curb exploitation for commercial sex.

o The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, to ensure protection and care for children in need.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

India to Lead Delegation at the 15th BRICS Agriculture Ministers Meeting in Brazil

• Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan will represent India at the 15th BRICS Agriculture Ministers' Meeting (AMM) in Brasilia, Brazil, on April 17, 2025.

• The theme for the meeting is “Promoting Inclusive and Sustainable Agriculture through Cooperation, Innovation, and Equitable Trade among BRICS Countries.”

• Agriculture Ministers and senior officials from BRICS nations will attend, along with delegations from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran.

• Key Discussions and Engagements during the Visit

• Shri Chouhan will engage in bilateral discussions with Brazilian officials, including:

o Mr. Carlos Henrique Baquetta Favero, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil.

o Mr. Luiz Paulo Teixeira, Minister of Agricultural Development and Family Farming of Brazil.

• The focus of these meetings will be enhancing cooperation between India and Brazil in agriculture, agro-technology, rural development, and food security.

• Shri Chouhan will also meet agribusiness leaders and members of the Brazilian Vegetable Oil Industry Association in São Paulo to explore potential partnerships and investment opportunities in the agricultural sector.

• About the BRICS Agriculture Ministers' Meeting

• The BRICS AMM is an integral part of the broader BRICS cooperation framework, addressing agricultural challenges faced by the member countries.

• The platform aims to share best practices, foster agricultural innovation, and ensure food and nutrition security among the BRICS nations.

• Since its establishment in 2010, the AMM has become a key platform for international agricultural collaboration.

• The 14th BRICS AMM was hosted in Moscow in 2024 under the chairmanship of the Russian Federation.

STATE NEWS

Haryana Vidhan Sabha Hosts First-Ever Study Tour for Delegates from 13 Countries

• The Haryana Vidhan Sabha hosted its inaugural study tour for a 27-member delegation representing 13 countries on April 16.

• The delegation was warmly welcomed by Vidhan Sabha Speaker Harvinder Kalyan and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini at the Vidhan Sabha premises.

• The visiting delegation comprises members from the countries of Côte d'Ivoire, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

• This study tour marks a significant diplomatic event, showcasing Haryana's commitment to fostering international cooperation and knowledge exchange.

Amravati Airport Inaugurated by Maharashtra CM Fadnavis: New Milestones for Regional Connectivity and Pilot Training

• On 16th April, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the Amravati Airport, marking a significant step in regional connectivity.

• As part of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)—UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik)—CM Fadnavis flagged off the first flight connecting Amravati to Mumbai.

• The CM also revealed plans for establishing a Flying Training Organization (FTO) in Amravati, which will annually train 180 pilots using a fleet of 34 aircraft.

• This FTO is set to become the largest pilot training institute in Southeast Asia, with the capacity to train up to 30,000 pilots.

• The initiative will generate significant employment opportunities and contribute to economic growth in the Vidarbha region.

• Over the past 10 years under the NDA government, the number of airports, flights, and air routes in India has nearly doubled, with 86 new airports built since 2014.

• In addition, steps have been taken to provide affordable food options at airports, including the launch of UDAN Yatri Cafes. The first UDAN Yatri Cafe was inaugurated at Kolkata Airport in December 2024, and the second at Chennai Airport in March 2025.

Telangana Chief Minister Launches Bhu Bharathi Revenue Portal for Land Transparency and Security

• Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy inaugurated the Bhu Bharathi revenue portal in Hyderabad, aimed at enhancing land security and improving transparency in land records.

• The portal is designed to streamline the process of resolving land disputes, offering a clear and consistent revenue system.

• A Bhudhar card will be provided to landowners, containing detailed information about their respective land holdings.

• Currently, the portal is being piloted in four mandals: Khammam, Mulugu, Kodangal, and Kamareddy.

• Revenue officials will visit each village within these mandals with the objective of settling all pending land issues by May 1.

• Beginning in May, one mandal from each district will be selected for a similar resolution process.

• The full rollout of the Bhu Bharathi portal will take place across the entire state of Telangana starting June 2.

SPORTS

Khelo India Youth Games 2025 to Be Held in Bihar

• Bihar will host the seventh edition of the Khelo India Youth Games from May 4 to May 15, 2025, across multiple cities including Patna, Gaya, Rajgir, Begusarai, and Bhagalpur.

• The mascot and logo for the event were unveiled in Patna by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya.

• The event's mascot, named “Gajsimha,” combines the strength of an elephant and the courage of a lion, symbolizing power and bravery.

• Gajsimha’s design is inspired by the historical heritage of the Pala dynasty in regions like Nalanda and Bodhgaya, showcasing Bihar’s rich cultural history.

• The logo of the games highlights Bihar’s vibrant cultural heritage, with the color orange representing enthusiasm and nature.

• Over 8,500 athletes from different sports will compete in the games, which is the second-largest sporting event in India, following the National Games.

• The event is expected to host over 10,000 delegates and will feature a diverse range of sports.

• Traditional sports like volleyball, football, basketball, boxing, and kabaddi will be part of the competition, along with 18 athletics events and Sepak Takraw.

• In addition, the games will include 27 disciplines, including indigenous sports such as Malkhamb.

Magnus Carlsen Wins Freestyle Chess Grand Slam 2025 in Paris

• Magnus Carlsen, the Norwegian chess champion, triumphed at the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam 2025 held in Paris, securing the top spot in the competition.

• Carlsen defeated Hikaru Nakamura, the American Grandmaster, in the final to claim victory.

• The world champion earned a prize of 2 lakh US dollars for his remarkable performance.

• Hikaru Nakamura finished as the runner-up, receiving 1 lakh 40 thousand US dollars for his second-place finish.

• Fabiano Caruana, the Italian-American Grandmaster, took third place after defeating Vincent Keymer from Germany.

• Caruana's victory awarded him 1 lakh US dollars and a spot in the Las Vegas Grand Slam.

• Arjun Erigaisi, the Indian Grandmaster, secured fifth place by defeating Maxime Vachier-Lagrave from France.

• Arjun will now participate in the Grenke Freestyle Open, which starts on April 17, 2025.