The Centre has pleaded in the Supreme Court that a 2018 apex court judgment to decriminalise adultery under the IPC should not be applicable to the armed forces. The apex court issued a notice on Wednesday in the matter.
A bench headed by Justice RF Nariman and comprising Justices Navin Sinha and KM Joseph sent the case to the Chief Justice for listing it before a five-Judge bench that had decriminalised adultery under Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code.
The top court had then noted that it can only be a ground for divorce.
Attorney General KK Venugopal, representing petitioner Defence Ministry, submitted that armed force personnel can be dismissed from service on the ground of unbecoming conduct on account of adultery with brother officers’ spouses.
The Centre argued that the top court verdict on adultery may cause instability within the armed forces, as defence personnel were expected to function in peculiar conditions.
The Centre emphasised that during the course of their service, defence personnel many times stayed away from their families for long durations, as a result of their posting on borders or other far-flung areas.
After a brief hearing, Justice Nariman said that the matter would be placed before a five-Judge Bench as deemed fit by the Chief Justice of India.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the highest decision-making body for security issues headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the purchase of 83 Tejas fighter jets for the Indian Air Force at a cost of Rs 48,000 crore, including infrastructure.
The CCS approved the largest indigenous defence procurement deal worth about Rs 48,000 crore to strengthen the IAF’s fleet of homegrown Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Tejas. “This deal will be a game changer for self reliance in the Indian defence manufacturing,” Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said.
Giving out details about the Cabinet decision, the Defence Ministry in a statement said: “The Cabinet has approved procurement of 73 LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft and 10 LCA Tejas Mk-1 trainer aircraft at the cost of Rs 45,696 crore along with design and development of infrastructure sanctions worth Rs 1,202 crore.”
Light Combat Aircraft Mk-1A variant is an indigenously designed, developed and manufactured state-of-the-art modern 4+ generation fighter aircraft. This aircraft is equipped with critical operational capabilities of Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile, Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite and Air to Air Refuelling (AAR) would be a potent platform to meet the operational requirements of Indian Air Force, IAF.
The LCA-Tejas is going to be the backbone of the IAF fighter fleet in the years to come. LCA-Tejas incorporates a large number of new technologies many of which were never attempted in India. The indigenous content of LCA-Tejas is 50 per cent in the Mk1A variant which will be enhanced to 60 per cent.
The Light Combat Aircraft Tejas is indigenously designed by the Aircraft Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The HAL has already set up second line manufacturing facilities at its Nasik and Bengaluru Divisions. Equipped with the augmented infrastructure the HAL will steer LCA-Mk1A production for timely deliveries to the IAF.
“The decision taken today will considerably expand the current LCA ecosystem and help in creating new job opportunities,” the minister said.
HAL follows a system integrator model in the LCA Mk1A programme and acts as an umbrella organisation, fostering manufacturing and design capabilities in private industry.
The first squadron of the Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas was raised in 2016.
The manufacturing of 83 jets will not only be a boost for ‘Make in India’ or self reliance but help in filling the gaps in the Indian Air Force as its current fleet is down to 30 squadrons, way below the sanctioned strength of 42.
Each squadron comprises 18 fighter jets. These 73 Mark 1A jets are in addition to the 40 Mark 1 already ordered by the IAF.
Last year in March, the Ministry of Defence gave the go-ahead for the purchase of 73 Tejas Mark 1A aircraft for the Indian Air Force.
This was a major breakthrough as after cost negotiations for over three years between the Ministry of Defence and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the price for procurement of the advanced variant of the indigenously-made Light Combat Aircraft Tejas was slashed.
The IAF has 20 Mark-1 jets of the earlier variant while another 20 are to be delivered.
There has been no withdrawal of Chinese troops from the Ladakh frontier and the ground situation remains the same, said Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane on Tuesday, stating that reports of Chinese soldiers’ movement from depth areas has no relation to the deployment on the Line of Actual Control.
Dismissing reports that 10,000 Chinese soldiers have been redeployed, General Naravane said too much should not be read into either their presence or their going back, as these locations are between 500 to 1,500 kms deep inside Chinese territory.
He also said that the current conflict situation along the LAC in Ladakh remains the same and the Indian Army is keeping a strict vigil and the soldiers are in a state of high alert on the Indian side of the de facto border.
“Today’s situation in Ladakh is the same. As far as the (Chinese soldiers’) withdrawal is concerned, every summer, they come to the Tibetan Plateau for training and return especially as winter sets in. These are traditional training areas from where they go back. We should not read too much into these, whether they are present or absent or go back from these areas. This is nothing new,” Naravane said at his annual press conference here.
“These areas are well off in the depth areas anywhere between 500 to 1,500 kms away from the border. All the same, we keep an eye on them, as these are the forces that could be mobilised and reach the borders in 24 hours to 48 hours so there is a necessity to keep a watch in all the deployments in the Tibetan Plateau.”
He also made it a point to clarify that there has been no decrease in troop strength along with the eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation areas along the Line of Actual Control, either on the Chinese side or on the Indian side.
“We need not give too much significance on these comings and goings. What is more important is border areas where eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation is there in all the various friction areas. There has been no reduction of troops in these particular areas. That is where we have to be more concerned and alert.”
Do we need another Mountain Strike Corps against Chinese aggression on Indian border (IANS)
Naravane said in May 2020, the Chinese PLA had the first-mover advantage. But in August 2020, India turned the tables when India had the first-mover advantage on the southern banks of Pangong Tso, where Indian soldiers occupied key heights bang on the Indian perceived LAC.
Women will be inducted as pilots in the Army Aviation Corps from next year, Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane said on Tuesday.
Till now, women are only part of ground duties in the Army Aviation Corps.
Women pilots would be flying helicopters to forward locations and be part of operations at the borders, the Army Chief said, adding that the proposal has been cleared.
The Indian Air Force has 10 women fighter pilots. In the Indian Navy, women pilots are flying the Dornier aircraft and also as observers on board helicopters and P8I surveillance aircraft.
Other than the 10 fighter pilots, the IAF has 111 women pilots who fly transport planes and choppers.
During his annual press conference in New Delhi, General Naravane said: “Last month, I had initiated a proposal that women officers can be recruited to Army Aviation. The next course which will begin in July this year, will induct women for training purposes in flying branch and after one year they will be able to join in operational duties.”
The Indian Army raised the Army Aviation Corps on November 1, 1986 and it comprises helicopters that fly in conflict and peace zones.
The Aviation Corps is critical for the Indian Army as it is pressed into action for evacuation of injured troops during operations or health emergencies in high altitude areas.
Army Aviation Corps choppers are also used for reconnaissance, observation, casualty evacuation, essential load drops, and combat search and rescue.
The helicopters participate in Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations across the country. The corps has played an important role in the past in operations like Kargil but has also been at the forefront carrying out varied tasks during the ongoing India-China military standoff in Ladakh.
The body of Captain Ankit Gupta of the Army Para Commandos (Special Forces), who went missing in the waters of a reservoir in Jodhpur during an exercise, was finally traced on Tuesday on the sixth day of a massive search by around 200 personnel from all three services.
Gupta had jumped from a helicopter into the Takhat Sagar during an exercise six days ago and then went missing. Army experts, since then, were searching for him in the reservoir which was 51 feet deep.
The Army had called its divers and commandos from across the country to trace his body. After a five day intensive search, the team finally found his body stuck between stones in the depths of the reservoir, after an anchor got stuck in his dress.
Exercises of Para Commandos take place throughout the year. As a part of this exercise, the team from 10 Para Commandos had to jump in the water from a helicopter, and then, move on a boat to attack the “enemy”.
On Thursday, 4 commandos, including the Captain, jumped into the water. Three commandos reached the boat, but Gupta did not emerge. His fellow commandos jumped into water to search for him but could not find him and then reported the incident to their headquarters. The rescue operation was subsequently launched.
Amid the border dispute with China, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat is on a two-day visit to eastern Ladakh to assess and review ground requirements of the force deployed at forward locations in freezing temperatures.
He is being briefed by 14 Corps commander and other commanders on the ground. This comes soon after his visit to forward areas in Arunachal Pradesh.
Gen Rawat had visited forward air bases in Arunachal Pradesh and interacted with soldiers of the Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Special Frontier Force deployed there.
He also visited forward most air maintained posts in Dibang Valley and Lohit sector of Arunachal Pradesh. Gen Rawat has completed one year as Chief of Defence Staff.
On the current standoff with China, last year General Rawat had reiterated that India has military options to deal with the Chinese on the issue of transgressions if talks between both countries at the military and diplomatic level do not yield results.
India and China are engaged in a border standoff since April-May over the transgressions by the Chinese PLA in multiple areas in eastern Ladakh.
IAF operational preparedness
Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria on Monday reviewed operational preparedness and the status of deployed forces at the Indian Air Force bases in the forward areas of Ladakh.
His visit came at a time when Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat is on a two-day visit to Ladakh to assess and review ground requirements of the forces deployed at the forward locations in freezing conditions.
Bhadauria undertook a visit to Air Force stations and advanced landing grounds in Ladakh. He also interacted with IAF and Indian Army personnel deployed at these locations.
During his visit to Thoise, he reviewed the ongoing logistic operations for support and sustenance of troops in the winter season.
He also visited Daulat Beg Oldi and Nyoma advanced landing ground where he was given a security overview of the respective sub-sectors.
At Daulat Beg Oldi, Bhadauria laid a wreath in homage to the fallen heroes. Prior to his departure, he joined General Rawat for a comprehensive discussion on operational matters with senior IAF and Indian Army commanders at the Air Force station in Leh.
Bhadauria conveyed his deep appreciation for the exceptionally high levels of morale and dedication with which all personnel continue to maintain operational preparedness despite the harsh weather and an inhospitable terrain.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters in Washington D.C (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua/IANS)
US President Donald Trump
The US Congress has overturned President Donald Trump’s veto of a defence spending bill — the first time this has happened in his presidency.
The Republican-controlled Senate held a rare New Year’s Day session to debate the move, which had already been voted for by the House of Representatives. The $740 billion bill will fund defence policy for the year to come, the BBC reported.
Trump, who leaves office in a few weeks, objected to certain provisions in the bill
The Senate voted 81-13 for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) – a two-thirds majority is required to override a presidential veto in both chambers.
It comes just two days before a new US Congress is due to be sworn in.
Trump had taken issue with policies that limit troop withdrawals from Afghanistan and Europe and remove Confederate leaders’ names from military bases.
He also wanted the bill to repeal a liability shield for social media companies.
US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
Before the debate began, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said he was determined to pass the bill.
“Here’s what the Senate is focused on – completing the annual defence legislation that looks after our brave men and women who volunteer to wear the uniform.
“We’ve passed this legislation 59 years in a row. And one way or another, we’re going to complete the 60th annual NDAA and pass it into law before this Congress concludes on Sunday,” he added.
Later Trump responded to the vote specifically on the issue of liability protection.
“Our Republican Senate just missed the opportunity to get rid of Section 230, which gives unlimited power to Big Tech companies. Pathetic!!!” he said on Twitter.
Bills passed by Congress need a president’s signature to become law. On rare occasions, a president may choose to veto – or reject – legislation because of some policy disagreement.
Lawmakers can override a presidential veto and enact bills into law by mustering two-thirds of votes in both chambers of Congress.
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the most powerful congressional Democrat, said Trump’s veto was “an act of staggering recklessness that harms our troops, endangers our security and undermines the will of the bipartisan Congress”.
“In a time when our country was just targeted with a massive cyber-attack, it is particularly hard to understand the reasoning behind the president’s irresponsibility,” she said in a statement.
Ahead of Wednesday’s veto, some of the outgoing president’s advisers had cautioned him against rejecting the bill.
Trump has previously vetoed eight bills, vetoes which were all upheld with support from his fellow Republicans in Congress.
He is due to leave office on January 20, when he will be replaced by Democrat Joe Biden.
US President Donald Trump coming out from Air Force One
The Pentagon said that President Donald Trump had ordered to pull the majority of US military forces out of Somalia by early 2021.
“As a result of this decision, some forces may be reassigned outside of East Africa. However, the remaining forces will be repositioned from Somalia into neighbouring countries in order to allow cross-border operations by both US and partner forces to maintain pressure against violent extremist organisations operating in Somalia,” the Pentagon said in a statement on Friday, Xinhua news agency reported.
The statement downplayed this move as a change in US force posture rather than a change in policy. “The US will retain the capability to conduct targeted counterterrorism operations in Somalia, and collect early warnings and indicators regarding threats to the homeland,” it added.
The United States reportedly has roughly 700 troops stationed in Somalia to assist local forces against al-Shabaab, a terrorist group linked to al-Qaeda.
US mine-resistant, ambush-protected all-terrain vehicles are being loaded into a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan (File Photo DoD, IANS)
Trump’s intention to withdraw troops from Somalia has emerged in media reports for weeks. Somali President Mohamed Farmajo signalled his concern about this move back in mid-October.
“The United States military support to Somalia has enabled us to effectively combat Al-Shabab and secure the Horn of Africa. A victory through this journey and for Somali-US partnership can only be achieved through continuous security partnership and capacity building support,” he tweeted.
US media said that the newly appointed Acting Defence Secretary Christopher Miller supported this move, effectively reversing the course set by former Pentagon chief Mark Esper, who favoured maintaining US military presence in the East African country.
The latest decision indicates that Trump is determined to downgrade US participation in distant wars before his presidency ends. The Pentagon last month announced US troops in Afghanistan and Iraq would be reduced to 2,500 level respectively by mid-January 2021.
Currently, there are approximately 4,500 US troops in Afghanistan, and 3,000 troops in Iraq to support Iraqi forces in battles against remnants of the Islamic State, mainly for training and advisory purposes.
