FirstUp: Justice Sanjiv Khanna to take oath as new CJI, Sanjay Roy to face trial in Kolkata rape-murder…Top news today

November 11 is set to be a busy day with several significant events across India and globally.

Justice Sanjiv Khanna will take his oath as the new Chief Justice of India, succeeding outgoing CJI DY Chandrachud.

In the Kolkata rape-murder case, the main accused, Sanjay Roy, will face trial nearly three months after the death of a postgraduate doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Air India and Vistara, a joint venture between the Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, will formally merge today, creating a unified full-service carrier.

On the global stage, today marks Armistice Day, commemorating the end of fighting in World War I on November 11, 1918, and the 20th anniversary of Yasser Arafat’s death, the first president of Palestine and chairman of the PLO.

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Let’s take a closer look at these occasions.

Justice Sanjiv Khanna to take oath as next CJI

Justice Sanjiv Khanna is set to be sworn in as the next Chief Justice of India (CJI) today, succeeding outgoing CJI DY Chandrachud.

Appointed by President Droupadi Murmu, Justice Khanna, the current senior-most judge of the Supreme Court will assume office as the 51st CJI, with a term lasting until May 13, 2025.

Since his appointment to the Supreme Court on January 18, 2019, Justice Khanna has presided over several cases of national significance, including rulings on electoral bonds and the repeal of Article 370.

Kolkata rape-murder case: Accused Sanjay Roy’s trial to begin

Nearly three months after the death of a postgraduate doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, the trial of the accused, Sanjay Roy, is set to begin today.

Last week, a Sealdah court framed murder charges against Roy, who faces allegations under Section 103(1) (murder), Section 64 (rape), and Section 66 (causing death or persistent vegetative state) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

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The incident, which took place on August 9, led to widespread protests by junior doctors in West Bengal, who staged a ‘cease-work’ protest demanding justice for the deceased.

Vistara-Air India merger

Today, full-service carriers Air India and Vistara, a joint venture between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, are set to merge.

Starting November 12, 2024, all reservations for Vistara flights will be available only through the Air India website.

Announced in November 2022, this merger will see Singapore Airlines holding a 25.1% stake in Air India upon the deal’s completion.

Armistice Day: The end of World War I

Observed on November 11, Armistice Day commemorates the end of World War I, marking the end of hostilities “at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month” in 1918.

The armistice agreement, signed between Germany and the Entente, came into effect at 11 AM after its signing in the early hours of the same day.

This day is remembered worldwide: in the United States as Veterans Day, honouring armed forces veterans, and in the UK, Canada, Australia, France, and Commonwealth nations, where two minutes of silence is observed at 11:00 am.

20th death anniversary of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat

Today also marks the 20th anniversary of the death of Yasser Arafat, the first president of Palestine and the chairman of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO).

Known for his historic role in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, Arafat famously addressed the UN in 1974 when he said that he was holding “an olive branch for peace in one hand and a freedom fighter’s pistol in the other.”

He died on this day in 2004 in France after a period of illness.

With inputs from agencies