Here are the top 5 news of the day:

‘Why haven’t you gone to the Gauhati HC?’: SC refuses to hear pleas against Assam CM Himanta

The Supreme Court declined to entertain pleas seeking registration of an FIR and an SIT probe against Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma over his alleged “target-shooting” video, directing petitioners instead to approach the Gauhati high court and remarking that its jurisdiction should not be “undermined.” A bench led by CJI Sanjiv Khanna with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vikul Pancholi observed that filing such petitions directly before the apex court, especially ahead of elections, was becoming a “disturbing trend” and urged parties to exercise restraint within constitutional limits. Read full story

Rajasthan factory blaze: 8 burnt alive in blast at illegal firecracker manufacturing unit

At least eight workers were burnt alive and two are feared trapped after a massive blaze triggered by explosions tore through an illegal firecracker unit in the Bhiwadi industrial area of Alwar, Rajasthan, officials said. They added that about 25 labourers were present when stored gunpowder and cardboard caught fire, rapidly intensifying the inferno. Authorities evacuated nearby factories and cut power supply as fire tenders battled the flames for hours before bringing them largely under control. Eyewitnesses reported three to four loud blasts that caused panic in the area. Read full story

Congress rift blows up as Mani Shankar Aiyar goes on name-calling spree

Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar invoked B. R. Ambedkar while hitting out at Rahul Gandhi after the Indian National Congress distanced itself from his praise of Pinarayi Vijayan and the Left government in Kerala ahead of assembly polls, saying he is a “Gandhian” but not a “Rahulian.” Aiyar mocked party leaders including Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh, calling Khera a “puppet” and “parrot,” and also criticised K. C. Venugopal, after the party clarified Aiyar spoke in his personal capacity and had no organisational role for years. Read full story

Delhi HC grants interim bail to Rajpal Yadav in cheque bounce case

Actor Rajpal Yadav was granted interim bail by the Delhi High Court after depositing Rs 1.5 crore in a cheque-bounce case that had led to his custody in Tihar Jail. The HC court suspended his sentence until March 18 subject to conditions including a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh and a surety of the same amount. The relief came after the court noted the payment had been credited to the respondent’s account. Yadav had sought bail citing a family wedding, and the matter will now be heard next on the scheduled date. Read full story

India registered a dominant 61-run victory over Pakistan on Sunday to seal qualification for the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, riding on Ishan Kishan’s aggressive 77 that powered them to 175/7 before the bowlers dismissed Pakistan for 114 in 18 overs. Pakistan’s chase faltered quickly with early dismissals including captain Salman Agha and Babar Azam, while Usman Khan top-scored with 44 in a losing cause. However, before beginning their journey in the Super 8s, Team India will play against Netherlands in their final group-stage game on Wednesday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Read full story