INDIAN election officials have ordered a clampdown on a television channel devoted to prime minister Narendra Modi which they say breaches campaign rules.
As the country of 1.3 billion people embarks on its huge vote, the Election Commission said NaMo TV, which is sponsored by Modi's party, had to submit all of its content for approval.
Under Indian election rules, any content deemed campaign material including adverts, films, and even social media needs permission from the election body.
The order made late Thursday (11) was the commission's second blow to the Modi re-election campaign in 48 hours, after it postponed the release of a flattering movie about the 68-year-old prime minister until after voting finishes.
NaMo TV, offered free on multiple television platforms, shows 24-hour programmes on Modi rallies, speeches, and even rap songs and dance routines devoted to the normally austere leader. It was being broadcast as normal on Friday (12).
The Election Commission of India, an autonomous body which oversees the six-week voting marathon that began Thursday (11), said NaMo TV had flouted election rules which aim to provide a level playing field for political parties.
It said that the channel is "sponsored" by Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and "all political advertisements and recorded programmes with political contents are mandatorily required to be pre-certified" before they can be shown.
On Wednesday (10), the commission said Modi biopic ‘PM Narendra Modi’, which tells of the leader's ascent from selling tea at a train station to prime minister, could not be released during the election.
The producers had insisted they have no links to the BJP.
(AFP)
Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in northwest of London, in July 2024. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Crossbow murderer found guilty of raping ex-girlfriend
A 26-YEAR-OLD man who murdered three women in a crossbow and stabbing attack has been found guilty of raping one of them, his ex-girlfriend, a British court ruled on Thursday.
Kyle Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in Bushey, northwest of London, in July 2024.
The attack led to a manhunt before Clifford was found injured hours later in a north London cemetery.
A jury at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday convicted Clifford of raping 25-year-old Louise Hunt before killing her.
His sentencing for all the crimes is scheduled for Tuesday.
Clifford had admitted to murdering Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters Louise and Hannah, 28. He had also pleaded guilty to charges of false imprisonment and possessing offensive weapons but denied raping Louise.
During the trial, the court heard that after killing Carol Hunt, Clifford waited for an hour before attacking Louise, tying her up, raping her, and then killing her with a crossbow. He later killed Hannah when she returned home from work.
The prosecution described Clifford, a former soldier, as committing a "violent, sexual act of spite" and said he was "enraged" after Louise ended their 18-month relationship. They told the court that he had "carefully planned" the attack.
Less than 24 hours before the killings, Clifford had searched for a podcast by social media influencer Andrew Tate, according to the prosecution. They argued that the murders were driven by the "violent misogyny promoted" by Tate.
Justice Joel Bennathan called Clifford’s crimes "dreadful" and "almost unspeakable".
(With inputs from AFP)