Digest for 21 July, 2025
Bombay High Court Acquits All 12 Convicted in 2006 Mumbai Train Blasts
The Bombay High Court has acquitted all 12 individuals convicted for the 2006 Mumbai local train blasts, which killed 189 people. The ruling overturns a 2015 trial court verdict that had sentenced five to death and seven to life imprisonment. Citing a lack of conclusive evidence, the court stated the prosecution "utterly failed" to prove its case and granted the accused the benefit of doubt. After 19 years, the 12 men are set to be released.
Parliament Session Opens With Showdown Over 'Operation Sindoor'
The Monsoon Session of Parliament began with the opposition demanding an immediate debate on the Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent "Operation Sindoor". INDIA bloc parties have given notices to discuss India's military response and claims by former US President Trump of mediating a ceasefire. The government has stated it is ready for a discussion on all issues, while Prime Minister Modi hailed the military operation as a "Vijay Utsav" (victory celebration) for the nation.
Crypto Exchange CoinDCX Hacked for $44.2 Million
Indian cryptocurrency exchange CoinDCX has suffered a major security breach, resulting in the theft of $44.2 million (₹378 crore). The company stated the hack targeted an internal operational account and that customer funds remain safe. CoinDCX founders announced that the company's treasury reserves would fully absorb the losses, so no customers will be affected. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has been notified and a forensic investigation is underway.
Centre Forms Expert Team to Study Frequent Disasters in Himachal Pradesh
In response to recurring natural disasters in Himachal Pradesh, the Union Home Ministry has ordered the formation of a multi-sectoral central team to study their causes. The team will include experts from the National Disaster Management Authority and various scientific institutes, tasked with understanding the alarming frequency of flash floods, cloudbursts, and landslides. Separately, an inter-ministerial team is also currently in Himachal to assess damage from the ongoing monsoon.
UIDAI to Launch Aadhaar Biometric Updates for Children in Schools
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is set to roll out a project to update children's biometrics for Aadhaar through schools. The initiative, expected to launch within two months, aims to address the more than seven crore children who have not completed their mandatory biometric update after turning five. The program will be conducted with parental consent, aiming to streamline children's access to government schemes, scholarships, and other services.