Pakistan women spinners back team to shine in Asia Cup, Asian Games

A US federal judge has formally dismissed criminal bribery and fraud charges against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, bringing an end to a high-profile prosecution while issuing a sharp rebuke over how the Department of Justice handled the case. US District Judge Nicholas Garaufis approved the Justice Department’s request to drop all charges with prejudice, permanently barring prosecutors from refiling the case. The decision closes an investigation launched in 2024 that accused Adani and senior executives of paying over $250 million in bribes to Indian officials to secure solar energy contracts while misleading American investors. In a 47-page order, Judge Garaufis voiced deep concern over procedural irregularities, noting that senior Justice Department official R. Trent McCotter negotiated the dismissal directly with Adani’s defence team without consulting the FBI agents and career prosecutors handling the investigation. The judge also scrutinized whether Adani’s public pledge to invest $10 billion in the United States and create 15,000 jobs influenced the outcome. While Garaufis ultimately concluded the investment promise did not legally dictate the government’s decision, he warned that the unusual handling of the case raised troubling questions about public perception of equal justice. The dismissal follows efforts by Adani’s legal team, led by prominent attorney Robert J. Giuffra Jr., who argued that much of the alleged conduct occurred outside US jurisdiction and no longer aligned with federal enforcement priorities. Adani, who maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, welcomed the ruling in a statement, expressing deep respect for the judicial process.

Following the resignation of Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) chief Abhijit Dipke addressed a protest rally at Jantar Mantar and thanked those who had referred to young people as “cockroaches.” Speaking at the demonstration, Dipke directly addressed Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, saying that if the chief justice had not used the term, he would not have returned to India and the protest movement would never have begun. According to Indian media reports, the youth-led campaign began after a Supreme Court hearing on May 15. During a case concerning the designation of senior advocates, Chief Justice Surya Kant reportedly compared some young people to cockroaches, saying they struggled to find employment and opportunities in their professions. The chief justice later clarified that his remarks were directed at people holding fake law degrees and were not intended to describe unemployed youth generally. However, the statement quickly spread across social media and triggered widespread criticism. The following day, Abhijit Dipke, a student based in Boston and a former communications strategist for the Aam Aadmi Party, announced the formation of the Cockroach Janta Party in a satirical social media post. Dipke presented the group as a platform for young people who considered themselves “cockroaches” — including unemployed youth, active social media users and those critical of the existing system. The campaign gained momentum as public anger increased over allegations surrounding a National Eligibility Test (NET) paper leak. Dipke returned to India in early June and began leading protests at Jantar Mantar. The protesters’ main demand was the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in examinations. The movement later received wider attention when social activist Sonam Wangchuk began an indefinite hunger strike on June 28. He ended the hunger strike after 26 days following written assurances from the government. The assurances included a commitment that peaceful protesters would not face criminal cases. The government also agreed to consider examination reforms and accountability measures in Parliament. It further agreed to consider a proposal for compensation for families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the reported paper leak. Despite the end of Wangchuk’s hunger strike, the Cockroach Janta Party continued demanding Pradhan’s resignation. The protests continued even after demonstrators were reportedly subjected to a baton charge on July 20. Growing pressure eventually led to Pradhan stepping down. In his resignation, Pradhan said he was leaving his position with the future of students in mind. He also said the decision was necessary to prevent anti-national elements from taking advantage of the situation at Jantar Mantar and elsewhere across the country.