Daily Briefing: In Karnataka, exit polls predict edge for Cong over the BJP; SC to deliver verdicts in Sena case, Delhi vs Centre power tussle; and more

👉The saffron party rejected the predictions, claiming that it would get the numbers to form the government in the state again. In a sharp contrast, Congress leaders appeared to be enthused by the results, with DK Shivakumar exuding confidence about his party’s victory. Meanwhile, JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy conceded after the polling that his party might be restricted to just 25 seats.

⚡Only in the Express 

Probing the liquor scam in Chhattisgarh, the Enforcement Directorate alleged that the state-owned marketing company did not record the supply of 40 lakh cases of country liquor by distillers and sold these through its own vends to the common public at a price of Rs 3,880 per case, The Indian Express has learnt.

In today’s opinion section, Avinash Paliwal writes on the recent arrest of Imran Khan and how in Pakistan, the choice is between an Islamic populist with autocratic tendencies, and a corrupt, politicised military. 

📰 From the Front Page

🔴The Supreme Court will pronounce its much-awaited verdicts in two crucial matters today: last year’s political crisis in Maharashtra triggered by the rift in the Shiv Sena, and the dispute between the Centre and Delhi government over control of administrative services in the national capital.

🔴The only minor among the seven female wrestlers, who filed police complaints against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh alleging sexual harassment, recorded her statement before a magistrate under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

🔴A 23-year-old doctor was stabbed to death at a government hospital in Kerala’s Kollam district by a school teacher, who was brought to the hospital by police for treatment of an injury he suffered earlier. 

👩🏽‍💻 Must Read 

A day after a court convicted three men of raping her during the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots, the survivor, now 36, told The Indian Express that the road to justice was long and arduous, but in the end her perseverance paid off. Read Jignasa Sinha’s report here

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that the state government will move to ban the practice of polygamy through “legislative action”, and that an “expert committee” would be formed to examine the issue. Polygamy is the practice of having more than one married spouse — wife or husband. The issue is governed both by personal laws and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Here’s our explainer to understand the law among religious groups in India.

This week, Daksha, a female cheetah from South Africa, died due to injuries sustained, prima facie, in “violent interactions” with male cheetahs during mating, officials at Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park said. Leading cheetah experts, however, have suggested that putting the sexes together in a confined space may have been too much too soon. 

⏰ And Finally 

When growing up Rhythm Sangwan was fascinated by her police officer father’s service revolver. Haryana Police DSP Narender Sangwan would allow his daughter to wear an empty holster. On Wednesday, Rhythm, now 19, did her father proud by winning the bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol final in the ISSF World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan. Read her story here

Delhi Confidential: A library with free internet and work stations, set up by Union minister Bhupender Yadav in his native village, Jamalpur, has been a huge hit among students, who can access a wide range of books and use the premises to prepare for exams. However, the crowd peaks after exams are over, with children of the village coming there.

In today’s episode of the ‘3 Things’ podcast, we dissect Congress’s campaign for the Karnataka polls. We also discuss former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s arrest, and look at the decision of ‘common uniforms’ for Army officers irrespective of their regimental or corps affiliation.

Until tomorrow, 

Varsha Sriram and Anamni Gupta