Digest for 02 August, 2025
US Positions Nuclear Submarines Near Russia Amid Escalating Tensions
US President Donald Trump announced he has ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned near Russia. The move is a direct response to what Trump called "foolish and inflammatory" threats from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. This action significantly escalates the war of words between the two nuclear powers, coming after Trump gave Russia a 10-day ultimatum to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine, raising concerns about potential miscalculation in a tense geopolitical climate.
India Reaffirms Russian Oil Purchases Despite US Pressure
Amid threats of tariffs from US President Donald Trump, Indian government sources have confirmed that oil refiners continue to purchase Russian crude based on favourable pricing and economic factors. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that India’s energy procurement is guided by national interest and that its relationship with the US has weathered many challenges. The clarification comes after Trump claimed he "heard" India would halt Russian oil imports, a move he would consider a "good step."
Malegaon Blast Judgment Reveals Witness Alleged Coercion by ATS
Following the acquittal of all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, the full judgment revealed a key witness claimed he was tortured by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and pressured to name UP CM Yogi Adityanath. The special court deemed the witness's statement involuntary and unreliable, striking it from the record. The judgment further undermines the prosecution's case, which the court found lacked cogent evidence, ending a politically charged legal saga.
Bihar Draft Electoral Roll Shows Drop of 6.5 Million Voters, Sparking Opposition Concern
The Election Commission of India has published a draft electoral roll for Bihar showing 65 lakh fewer voters than the list published in January 2025. The ECI attributes the reduction to deaths, permanent migration, and duplicate entries. However, opposition parties in the state have raised alarms about potential mass disenfranchisement ahead of assembly elections. They have questioned the process and demanded detailed data on the excluded names, escalating concerns over the integrity of the voter revision exercise.
Former MP Prajwal Revanna Convicted of Rape in Landmark Verdict
A special court in Bengaluru has convicted former Janata Dal (Secular) MP Prajwal Revanna in a rape case involving a 48-year-old employee at his family's farmhouse. This is the first conviction among four cases filed against him after hundreds of videos allegedly showing him sexually assaulting multiple women surfaced before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The verdict marks a significant development in a case that sparked national outrage and led to his arrest after he fled to Germany.