News18 Afternoon Digest: SC Directs ECI to Conduct Polls in J&K by Sept 2024; BJP's Key Meet on MP CM Today And Other Stories

In today’s afternoon digest, News18 brings you the latest updates on the Supreme Court directing the Election Commission to conduct polls in J&K by September 2024; and BJP’s key meet on Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister,  among other top stories.

SC Asks For J&K Polls, Restoration of Statehood ASAP; PM Modi Calls Article 370 Verdict ‘Historic’

The Supreme Court in a unanimous decision on Monday upheld the validity of the scrapping of the controversial Article 370 and directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to hold Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30, 2024. Delivering verdict in the highly anticipated case, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud said that the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir should also be restored soon since Article 370 is a temporary measure for the union territory. FOLLOW LIVE

MP Decision Likely Today, BJP Observers Reach Bhopal For Big Meet

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) observers reached Madhya Pradesh’s Bhopal to decide on the Chief Minister name for the state following the party’s victory in the Assembly elections. Suspense over Rajasthan CM also continues and a similar BJP meet is scheduled to take place tomorrow. FOLLOW LIVE

Bobby Deol BREAKS Silence on ‘Performing’ Marital Rape Scene, Says ‘I Had No Inhibitions…’

Bobby Deol opened up filming the controversial marital rape scene in Animal. The actor played the role of a mute Abrar in the film and has a scene, right after his wedding with his third wife, where he forces himself on his new bride. The scene has drawn criticism on social media. In a new interview, Bobby said that he had no inhibitions while filming the scene. He added that director Sandeep Reddy Vanga made him feel safe. READ MORE

Odisha I-T Raid: Floor, Lockers Flooded With Cash as Recovery Tops Rs 350 Cr; BJP Slams Cong’s ‘Silence’

The raids by the Income Tax department against an an Odisha-based distillery company reached its sixth day on Monday. In the “highest-ever” such haul in a single action conducted by any probe agency, as said by official sources, a total cash amount of Rs 351 crore has been seized after five days of counting. READ MORE

‘Hamas Underestimated Israel’s Retaliation to…’: Defence Minister Says ‘Fighting to Defend Our Values’

As Israel continues to pound southern Gaza, the country’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has said that Palestinian Islamist group Hamas “underestimated” the Jewish nation’s retaliation to the deadly October 7 attack. READ MORE

Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Falls 7% After USFDA Issues 3 Observations For Firm; Details

Shares of Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL) fell nearly 7 per cent to the day’s low of Rs 5,370 on the NSE on Monday after the US Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) made observations on the company’s R&D center in Bachupally, Hyderabad, following its inspection between December 4 and 8. READ MORE