The Hindu Morning Digest: July 12, 2025

Air India Ahmedabad plane crash: Both engines shut down on AI 171 flight shortly after take off, says AAIB Preliminary report

Both engines of Air India’s Boeing 787-8 aircraft involved in a crash last month shut down shortly after take off according to the Air Accident Investigation Bureau’s (AAIB) preliminary report into the June 12 air crash that killed at least 260, including 12 crew members. Seconds after the Air India aircraft took off from Ahmedabad for Gatwick on June 12, the fuel cut off switches of both the engines “transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF position one after another with a time gap of 01 sec,” says the report. This occurred 65 seconds after the aircraft started rolling for take off from the runway.

Cuddalore train accident: Gate was open when the school van crossed the track

In a significant breakthrough in the Cuddalore school van-train accident in which three children were killed, investigators have found clinching evidence to prove that the manned level crossing gate at Semmankuppam was open at the time of the collision. The gatekeeper had left the gate (LC-170) open. As a result, the speeding passenger train rammed the van, killing three students and injuring two others, police sources said on Friday (July 11, 2025).

Bihar Special Intensive Revision: Over 74% electors submit enumeration forms, says Election Commission of India

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday (July 11, 2025) announced that more than 74% of the 7,89,69,844 electors in Bihar have submitted their Enumeration Forms as part of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls in the State. “The last date for collection of Enumeration Forms is July 25,” the Commission said in an official statement.

Simultaneous election Bill gives Election Commission of India unbridled powers; loopholes remain: ex-CJIs

The Election Commission has been granted unbridled powers in the legislation for simultaneous polls without providing any oversight clause, two former Chief Justices of India, D.Y. Chandrachud and J.S. Khehar, told the Parliament’s Joint Committee reviewing the Bill, on Friday (July 11, 2025). Both the former CJIs, however, argued that the Bill does not in any way violate the basic structure of the Constitution.

Legislative Council passes Maharashtra Public Security Bill; Opposition stages walkout

The Legislative Council on Friday (July 11, 2025) passed the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill by majority even as the Opposition staged a walkout and later handed over an eight-page dissent note to the Chairperson of the Legislative Council expressing opposition to the Bill.

Changes to marriage, succession, criminal, tenancy laws suggested in policy brief to panel looking into issues of queer community

A new civil union framework to recognise “non-marital intimacies”, horizontal reservations for transgender people in education and jobs, “safe and inclusive” access to washrooms, amendments to marriage, succession, and tenancy laws among a gamut of other laws, and a ban on treatments like “conversion therapy”, are just some of the recommendations and suggestions submitted to the Union government’s high-powered committee that has been looking into issues faced by queer persons on account of their identity and non-recognition of queer relationships.  

Verification of Bengali-speaking migrant workers continues, 44 still in custody in Odisha

As many as 44 Bengali-speaking persons continue to remain in custody of the Jharsuguda Police in Odisha, after their documentary proof of Indian nationality failed to convince the police. According to the police, 403 persons were allowed to return to their workplaces, while 44 were detained in two holding centres in the district.

JNUSU ends hunger strike after 15 days, says officials vowed to look into its demands

The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) called off its hunger strike on Friday, the 15th day of the protest, following assurance by the administration to look into its demands, including the reinstatement of in-house entrance examination, for all courses.

Pentagon acknowledges Iranian ballistic missile hit Qatar air base during Iran’s attack

The Pentagon on Friday (July 11, 2025) acknowledged that an Iranian ballistic missile hit Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in June during an Iranian attack after President Donald Trump downplayed the assault. The statement from Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell follows The Associated Press publishing satellite images on Friday (July 11, 2025) showing damage from the attack.