Category Archives: law

PIL filed in Supreme Court seeks inquiry into toxic cough syrup deaths of 14

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A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking an inquiry and systemic reforms in drug safety mechanisms. This comes in the wake of the deaths of 14 children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, allegedly due to the consumption of toxic cough syrups.

The PIL, filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari, requests a court-monitored probe into the incidents. It also urges the constitution of a National Judicial Commission or an Expert Committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to oversee the matter.

Additionally, the plea seeks the transfer of all pending FIRs and investigations related to the deaths of children across various states to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The plea further urges the court to direct the Central government to constitute a national-level judicial or expert body to identify regulatory failures that allowed the distribution of substandard medicines. It also calls for mandatory toxicological testing of all suspected products before they are allowed for further sale.

*Disclaimer: This story has been sourced from a third-party syndicated feed/agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for the dependability, trustworthiness, reliability, or accuracy of the content. Mid-day management and mid-day.com reserve the sole right to alter, delete, or remove content (without notice) at their absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.*
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/pil-filed-in-supreme-court-seeks-inquiry-into-toxic-cough-syrup-deaths-of-14-children-23597687

‘Fake’ Madeleine McCann Sobs as Court Confirms She’s Not Missing Toddler… After She ‘Stalked’ Family and Claimed to Be Young Girl

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**Court Confirms: Julia Wandelt Is Not Madeleine McCann**

*Published Oct. 7, 2025, 2:40 p.m. ET*

A disturbing individual who had been falsely claiming to be missing toddler Madeleine McCann was finally confronted by a judge, who confirmed she is, in fact, not the child, RadarOnline.com can reveal.

Julia Wandelt, 24, broke down in tears in court after hearing the news that she has no familial link to the McCann family.

### What Did The Court Have To Say?

Wandelt is currently on trial, accused of stalking Madeleine’s parents, Gerry and Kate McCann. Prosecutors explained that Wandelt “pursued that myth” by sending emails, making phone calls, and turning up uninvited at their home on multiple occasions.

During the proceedings, jurors were presented with “unequivocal scientific evidence” proving Wandelt is not related to the McCanns — despite her repeated claims of having memories of Madeleine’s childhood and disappearance.

Prosecutor Michael Duck stated, “Can we at this very early stage in the trial make this position clear – that Julia Wandelt is not Madeleine McCann.” This declaration caused Wandelt to break down in tears.

### Co-Defendant Also Accused of Stalking

Wandelt is not the only defendant facing the court. Co-defendant Karen Spragg, 61, is also accused of stalking and causing serious distress to Kate and Gerry, with alleged incidents spanning from June 2022 to February 2025.

### “She Pursued That Myth”

Prosecutor Duck further outlined Wandelt’s obsession:

“Her contention over the two and a half years that followed was that she must have been abducted and taken to Poland, where she lived with people who she was erroneously told were her parents.

You will hear instances where she claims evolving memories of what happened in May 2007. She pursued claims that she was Madeleine McCann and relentlessly contacted Madeleine’s parents over an extended period. She pursued that myth.”

Duck revealed that Wandelt obtained Kate McCann’s phone number in April 2024 and continued to push her false narrative. At one point, Wandelt even sent photos to Madeleine’s younger sister in an attempt to “persuade” her they were somehow related.

“There could never have been a legitimate belief by Julia Wandelt that she was Madeleine McCann,” Duck emphasized.

“At the time of Madeleine’s disappearance, Julia Wandelt was not the same age. She gathered numerous images of Madeleine McCann and other McCann family photos and tried to compare them with images of herself.”

### Arrest and Confrontation

Earlier this year, Wandelt confronted Kate McCann at her UK home, months before Wandelt was arrested at an airport on suspicion of harassment.

According to an insider, Wandelt flew to the UK in December accompanied by Spragg to plead her case and convince Kate that she was her daughter. The exchange was recorded on a phone Wandelt had in her pocket.

During the encounter, Kate is heard saying, “This is private property.” Wandelt pleaded, “Please, please! Only two minutes! I understand you!” but Kate insisted they leave. Spragg then asked, “I thought you wanted to find your daughter?” to which Kate replied, “I do, but I don’t need this,” before threatening to call the police.

Wandelt had multiple encounters with the McCanns, including one instance in which she claimed to have “results” from a new DNA test analyzed by “highly respected and recognized world expert, Dr. Monte Miller.”

On February 19, Wandelt was arrested at Bristol Airport on suspicion of stalking and harassing Gerry and Kate McCann.

### Background: Madeleine McCann’s Disappearance

Madeleine McCann vanished from a Portuguese hotel in 2007 and has not been seen since. Christian Brueckner is currently considered the prime suspect in her disappearance.

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*Stay tuned to RadarOnline.com for further updates on this ongoing trial.*
https://radaronline.com/p/fake-madeleine-mccann-julia-wandelt-sobs-in-court-not-missing-toddler/

Cough syrup deaths: PIL in SC seeks CBI probe

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**Cough Syrup Deaths: PIL in Supreme Court Seeks CBI Probe**

*By Snehil Singh | October 7, 2025, 4:29 PM*

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the deaths of 14 children in Madhya Pradesh, allegedly after consuming a cough syrup. The PIL demands an investigation led by a retired Supreme Court judge into the manufacturing, regulation, testing, and distribution of contaminated cough syrups, ANI reported.

Several children across different states reportedly died after consuming Coldrif cough syrup, which was found to contain diethylene glycol (DEG), a highly toxic industrial solvent.

### Ban and Quality Concerns

The Union Health Ministry has confirmed that Coldrif cough syrup, produced by Sresan Pharma in Tamil Nadu, contained DEG levels beyond permissible limits. A Drug Testing Laboratory in Chennai declared the product “Not of Standard Quality” after testing a sample, a finding also confirmed by the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Drug Control.

Following these findings and mounting concerns due to child deaths linked to suspected renal failure, Tamil Nadu became the first state to ban the sale and distribution of Coldrif syrup.

### Actions Taken by Other States

In response to the crisis, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala have also banned Coldrif cough syrup. Telangana issued a public alert warning consumers about the product, while the Punjab government directed all retailers and healthcare institutions to cease purchasing or using Coldrif.

The tragic incident has led to widespread confiscation of stock nationwide and prompted stringent revisions to drug prescription guidelines in states such as Kerala and Karnataka.

### Historical Context: WHO Warnings Over Indian Cough Syrups

This is not the first time Indian-made cough syrups have been linked to fatal outcomes. In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) associated cough syrups from Maiden Pharmaceuticals with the deaths of 70 children in The Gambia due to acute kidney injuries caused by DEG and ethylene glycol (EG).

In 2023, Uzbekistan reported at least 18 child deaths linked to Indian-made cough syrup manufactured by Marion Biotech, triggering another WHO warning.

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The ongoing investigation and regulatory actions highlight the urgent need for stricter quality control and oversight in pharmaceutical manufacturing to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/cough-syrup-deaths-pil-seeks-cbi-probe-states-ban-coldrif/story

NBA won’t move All-Star Game out of LA amid Clippers probe

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STAMFORD, Connecticut — NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Monday there is “no contemplation” of moving the All-Star Game out of the Los Angeles Clippers’ home arena as it investigates whether the team circumvented salary cap rules in regards to Kawhi Leonard.

The league said it was opening the investigation last month after a report by [source].

https://sports.inquirer.net/643227/nba-wont-move-all-star-game-out-of-la-amid-clippers-probe

Judge Won’t Immediately Block President Trump’s National Guard Troop Deployment to Illinois

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A federal judge has declined to immediately block President Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to Illinois.

US District Judge April Perry, a Biden appointee, opted not to issue a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) but scheduled a hearing on the case for Thursday.

On Sunday, President Trump ordered 400 Texas National Guard troops to be deployed to Illinois and Oregon to protect ICE agents amid concerns over violent Antifa protesters. Following this, Texas announced it would send a total of 2,000 National Guard troops to Chicago, despite opposition from Illinois Democrat Governor J.B. Pritzker.

“I fully authorized the President to call up 400 members of the Texas National Guard to ensure safety for federal officials,” Texas Governor Greg Abbott stated. “You can either fully enforce protection for federal employees or get out of the way and let Texas Guard do it,” Abbott added.

The activation of the National Guard came after violence erupted in Chicago over the weekend. Far-left protesters reportedly used vehicles to box in ICE agents, escalating tensions in the city.

On Monday, Illinois and the city of Chicago filed a lawsuit seeking to block the troop deployment. However, the troops were already en route. “Defendants’ deployment of federalized troops to Illinois is patently unlawful,” Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul wrote, according to CBS News.

“Plaintiffs ask this court to halt the illegal, dangerous, and unconstitutional federalization of members of the National Guard of the United States, including both the Illinois and Texas National Guard,” Raoul added.

Governor Pritzker expressed strong opposition to the troop deployment, saying, “Illinois will not let the Trump administration continue on their authoritarian march without resisting.”

“We will use every lever at our disposal to stop this power grab because military troops should not be used against American communities,” Pritzker emphasized.

Meanwhile, a federal judge on Sunday evening temporarily blocked President Trump’s National Guard troop deployment to Oregon, underscoring the ongoing legal battles surrounding these decisions.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/10/judge-wont-immediately-block-trumps-national-guard-troop/

Rule Of Law Vs Rule By Force

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The principal characteristic of the Indian Constitution is the rule of law it mandates. This foundational principle envisions that the law, established under the constitutional framework, holds primacy over all other considerations—be they individual, ideological, or political. It is the bedrock that ensures we are a nation governed by laws, not by men.

This ideal, however, has faced a starkly modern challenge: the rise of ‘bulldozer justice’. In states like Uttar Pradesh, governments have employed strong-arm methods, using machinery to raze homes and properties of individuals deemed suspects, bypassing the judicial process entirely. This practice conflates accusation with guilt and allows the executive to act as judge, jury, and executioner.

It creates a dangerous precedent where the government of the day believes it can operate outside the sanctity of established legal procedure. What began as a political theatre of “instant justice” has now become an instrument of fear and selective punishment, often targeting minorities or dissenters.

It is against this backdrop that Chief Justice of India BR Gavai’s recent remarks in Mauritius carry profound significance. Defending his own verdict, he emphatically stated that the Indian legal system is governed by the “rule of law, not by the rule of the bulldozer.”

The Supreme Court’s ruling, which held that such demolitions violate the rule of law and infringe upon the fundamental right to shelter, was a necessary and powerful corrective. It reaffirmed that the executive’s authority is not absolute but is circumscribed by constitutional morality and judicial oversight.

This judicial stance is deeply rooted in our constitutional history, notably the Kesavananda Bharati case, which established that the Constitution’s basic structure is immutable. While not exhaustively defined, this structure is undeniably animated by the principles enshrined in the Preamble—Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.

‘Bulldozer justice’ assaults each of these ideals, substituting the rule of reason with the rule of muscle.

Yet, a sobering reality remains. The courts often move at a deliberate pace, granting the executive considerable leeway to act in the interim. This temporal gap between executive action and judicial redress can render the latter a pyrrhic victory for those whose homes and rights are instantly demolished. The damage is done long before the court’s pen can restore what the bulldozer’s blade destroyed.

Therefore, the judiciary’s role is not just to settle matters but to set boundaries—clearly, promptly, and fearlessly. As Justice Gavai articulated, the rule of law is not a rigid doctrine but a continuous conversation—a substantive principle that restrains arbitrary power and embeds democratic accountability.

In defending the Constitution against the bulldozer, the Supreme Court is defending the very idea of India as a democratic republic where no one is above the law.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/analysis/rule-of-law-vs-rule-by-force

BIZ BUZZ: IC poised to crack whip on erring insurance firms

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It looks like it’s the Insurance Commission’s (IC) turn to weed out or sanction bad actors within its sphere of influence.

This development comes in the wake of an ever-widening investigation into the extent of corruption in flood control projects, which has revealed that even nonlife insurance companies are involved.

As Senate hearings have shown, only a handful of closely related entities are at the center of these irregularities, signaling a deeper issue that the IC must now address.
https://business.inquirer.net/550872/biz-buzz-ic-poised-to-crack-whip-on-erring-insurance-firms

High Court of Justice rejects requests to delay Zini’s appointment as Shin Bet chief

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**High Court of Justice Rejects Requests to Delay Zini’s Appointment as Shin Bet Chief**

The High Court of Justice has rejected requests to delay the appointment of David Zini as the new head of the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet). This decision follows the government’s unanimous approval of Zini’s appointment, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

David Zini, the designated head of Shin Bet, was recently seen with Ultra-Orthodox Jewish soldiers from the Hasmonean Brigade after they completed their beret march at the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City on August 6, 2025.

*Photo Credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90*

By SARAH BEN-NUN
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https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-869531

Alexander Zverev accuses court authorities of favoritism: Details here

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German tennis star Alexander Zverev has echoed Roger Federer’s concerns over court surfaces at tournaments.

Both players have highlighted the impact that varying court conditions can have on performance and player safety. Their shared viewpoint has brought renewed attention to the importance of standardized playing surfaces in professional tennis.

As discussions continue within the tennis community, fans and players alike hope for improvements that ensure fair play and reduce injury risks across all major tournaments.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/alexander-zverev-accuses-court-authorities-of-favoritism/story

11 children’s deaths: Drug watchdog urges strict action against Coldrif

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**11 Children’s Deaths: Drug Watchdog Urges Strict Action Against Coldrif**

*By Snehil Singh | Oct 05, 2025, 11:11 am*

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) is gearing up to take stringent action against the manufacturers of Coldrif syrup following the tragic deaths of 11 children, allegedly due to contaminated cough syrups.

The CDSCO has directed the Tamil Nadu Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate strict measures under serious offense regulations, according to a report by news agency ANI.

### National Conference and Government Response

In response to this crisis, the Union Health Secretary is set to hold a video conference with health officials from all states and Union Territories. The meeting’s objective is to discuss the rational use of cough syrups and enforce drug quality standards nationwide.

This step comes after the deaths of 11 children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan were linked to the consumption of contaminated cough syrups, raising serious concerns about drug safety.

### Ongoing Investigation and Risk-Based Inspections

The CDSCO has launched risk-based inspections of drug manufacturing units across six states — Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Investigators have collected 19 samples from these states for thorough testing.

A multidisciplinary team of experts is currently analyzing the samples to pinpoint the exact cause behind the deaths reported in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh.

### Sample Analysis and Findings

Earlier this week, the CDSCO confirmed that six samples tested by them, along with three from the Madhya Pradesh Food and Drugs Administration, were free from toxic compounds such as Diethylene Glycol (DEG) and Ethylene Glycol (EG). These substances are known to cause severe kidney damage.

However, it was clarified that the tested samples did not include the two suspicious cough syrups, including Coldrif, which remain under scrutiny.

### Regional Actions Against Coldrif Syrup

In light of these developments, several states have taken proactive measures against Coldrif syrup. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh have imposed bans on its sale. Telangana has issued a public alert urging people to stop using the product immediately.

These actions are part of broader efforts to ensure drug safety and uphold quality standards across India, following the heartbreaking loss of children linked to contaminated cough syrups.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to prevent further casualties.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/drug-watchdog-urges-strict-action-against-coldrif-makers-report/story