At least 20 persons were killed in police firing and other violent incidents (unofficial sources put the toll at over 50) and over 115 received bullet, knife or burn injuries as the situation in Ahmedabad turned very grave with large-scale arson, looting and communal clashes reported from hitherto peaceful labour localities. Indefinite curfew was extended to Bapunagar, Rakhival and Gomtipur. The police fired over 135 rounds at the mobs.

Maintenance Law

A divorced Muslim woman is entitled to maintenance from her husband under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code, a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court held. A five-judge bench, presided over by Chief Justice Y V Chandrachud, emphasised that there was no conflict between the provisions of the CrPC and the Muslim personal law on the question of the Muslim husband’s obligation to maintain his divorced wife.

DDA Mafia

A mafia OF petty contractors, junior employees of the Delhi Development Authority and local thugs allegedly controls the tender filing centres of the authority in various parts of the city. The modus operandi is frightening. Members of the mafia surround the boxes kept at the offices of various engineers and intimidate contractors who go to deposit the tenders and do not pay money to them.