In a stern response, the Supreme Court today asked the Tamil Nadu government why it is troubled by the Enforcement Directorate’s probe into an alleged illegal sand mining scam. The court’s response came after the government and probe agency both filed petitions in the case.

The alleged illegal sand mining scam has brought five district collectors of Tamil Nadu under the scanner, with the ED issuing summons to them. After the state government filed a writ petition challenging the summons, the ED requested the Supreme Court to halt the interference.

During the proceedings, Justice Bela M Trivedi asked, “How can the state file a writ petition? Under which law? Is this not against federal principles? Why is the state troubled by ED summons, and what is its stake in this matter?”

The court has issued a notice to the Tamil Nadu government, seeking detailed answers to these queries.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the state, said that the ED has no authority to investigate non-scheduled offenses.

Justice Trivedi sought clarification from Rohatgi, stating, “Convince us about the state’s interests and how it can file a writ petition. Why is the state aggrieved? We will consider putting a stay on the order for a preliminary inquiry – but we want information.”

The court scheduled the next hearing for February 26, where the Tamil Nadu government is expected to present its arguments on the writ petition and address the Supreme Court’s concerns.

The Congress’ efforts to lock down seat-sharing deals for the general election have taken another step forward, sources said Friday, after talks with Maharashtra allies for 39 of the state’s 48 seats. 

This follows Rahul Gandhi’s outreach to Shiv Sena (UBT) boss Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar’s faction of the Nationalist Congress Party. The party already has deals with Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party for 17 of Uttar Pradesh’s 80 seats and Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party for three of Delhi’s seven.

The Congress has also reached out to Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool to restart talks that fell through last month after the Bengal Chief Minister refused to budge from her offer – two of the state’s 42 seats.

Congress sources told NDTV the party had lowered its ask to five seats – but a Trinamool spokesperson played that down, declaring “Even with binoculars we are unable to find a third seat for Congress”.

READ | “Even With Binoculars…”: Trinamool Sources On Congress’ 5-Seat Demand

Back in Maharashtra, the INDIA allies are understood to have differences over eight seats, including two in Mumbai – South Central and North West – that the Sena (UBT) and Congress both want.

There is also a delay over demands by Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi boss Prakash Ambedkar, who wants five seats, sources have said. Mr Ambedkar’s party contested 47 seats in the 2019 election but failed to win any. The VBA also contested 236 seats in the 2019 Assembly election and did not open its account.

The Sena (then undivided and allied with the Bharatiya Janata Party) contested 23 Lok Sabha seats in 2019 and won 18, including Mumbai South Central and North West. The Congress contested 25 and only won Chandrapur, while Sharad Pawar’s NCP (also then undivided) fought from 19 seats and won four.

The BJP dominated that election, winning 23 of the 25 seats it contested.

The Congress’ attempts at sealing seat-share deals in Maharashtra – a key state since it sends the most MPs to the Lower House after UP – have been complicated by defections, most recently Ashok Chavan.

READ | “Congress Changing Is Not The Problem, Not Changing Is”: Ashok Chavan To NDTV

The former Chief Minister quit and joined the BJP, in the space of 48 hours, and is now a Rajya Sabha MP. That was after senior leader Milind Deora walked out and into Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Sena.

Sources have said Mr Thackeray’s party, aware the Congress is on the back-foot, more so given its recent poor electoral record, wants a greater share of Lok Sabha seats from state capital Mumbai.

All parties involved, however, are keen to work out a deal, since they understand the 2024 election is, in many ways, a battle for survival against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s poll-winning machine, the BJP.

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Suhani Bhatnagar, the actress who portrayed young Babita Phogat in the film Dangal, passed away on February 16 at the age of 19 due to a rare autoimmune disease called dermatomyositis. She was undergoing treatment at AIIMS Delhi, where she breathed her last.

Her death deeply shocked the industry, with many offering their condolences to her family and expressing their grief.

Aamir Khan, recently visited his Dangal co-star Suhani Bhatnagar’s home in Faridabad to offer his condolences and meet with her family. A photo from his visit has surfaced on the internet, showing Aamir Khan with Suhani’s parents and relatives, holding a framed photo of Suhani.

Following Suhani’s passing, Aamir Khan Productions issued a statement mourning her death: “We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of our Suhani. Our heartfelt condolences to her mother, Poojaji, and the entire family. Such a talented young girl and such a team player, Dangal would have been incomplete without Suhani. Suhani, you will always remain a star in our hearts. May you rest in peace.”

Babita Phogat, whose character Suhani portrayed in Dangal, also visited Suhani’s residence in Faridabad to attend her prayer meeting and offer her condolences. She posted a photo with Suhani’s family on Instagram.