Rewa's Sirmaur police have arrested an alleged serial motorcycle thief and recovered five stolen two-wheelers worth around ₹5 lakh in a major breakthrough in vehicle theft cases. The accused was produced before a court and has been sent to judicial custody, while police continue to investigate his possible involvement in other thefts.

The arrested accused has been identified as Ojha Kol (40), a resident of Kohri village in Rewa district. According to police, he was under surveillance following multiple complaints of motorcycle theft in the region.

Tip-Off Leads to Arrest

Police said they received specific information from an informer that the accused was moving with stolen motorcycles. Acting on the tip-off, a police team laid a trap and apprehended him.

During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to stealing motorcycles. Based on his disclosure, police recovered five stolen bikes from different locations identified by him.

Five Stolen Motorcycles Recovered

The recovered motorcycles include:

• Hero HF Deluxe (Registration: MP17 MW 1065)

• Bajaj Pulsar 220 (Registration: UP70 HA 3570)

• TVS Apache (Registration: BR24 AJ 2439)

• TVS Raider (Registration: UP70 HW 7215)

• Hero Splendor (Registration: UP70 HY 0484)

Police estimated the combined value of the recovered motorcycles at approximately ₹5 lakh.

Investigation Continues

Investigators are now verifying where the motorcycles were stolen from and whether the accused was operating alone or was part of a larger interstate vehicle theft network.

Police are also matching the recovered vehicles with pending theft cases registered in Madhya Pradesh and neighbouring states to identify their rightful owners.

Officials said further interrogation of the accused could lead to the detection of additional vehicle theft cases.

Efforts to Return Vehicles

Police stated that once verification is completed, the recovered motorcycles will be returned to their legal owners. Authorities have appealed to the public to immediately report vehicle thefts or any suspicious activities to help curb such crimes.

A case has been registered against the accused under the relevant provisions of law, and the Sirmaur police team has been credited for successfully carrying out the operation.

Two young men lost their lives in a tragic road accident on the Rewa-Sidhi Highway late Monday night after their motorcycle was involved in a collision near Chaudiyar Mod in Madhya Pradesh's Rewa district. Police suspect that the victims were hit by an unidentified speeding vehicle, though the exact cause of the accident is still under investigation.

The accident occurred near a petrol pump at Chaudiyar Mod on the Rewa-Sidhi route. According to police, both riders died on the spot due to the severity of the impact before emergency assistance could arrive.

The deceased have been identified as Mansukh Chaturvedi and Ganesh Patel, both residents of Silpara village. Preliminary information suggests that the two were travelling on a motorcycle for personal work when the accident took place.

Hit-and-Run Suspected

Initial findings indicate that a speeding unidentified vehicle may have struck the motorcycle, throwing both riders onto the road. However, police officials have not yet confirmed the hit-and-run angle and said the exact sequence of events will be established after a detailed investigation.

Investigators are examining all possible causes, including vehicle collision, road conditions and eyewitness accounts.

Police Begin Investigation

Soon after receiving information about the accident, police reached the spot and carried out the necessary legal formalities. The bodies were sent for post-mortem examination before being handed over to the families.

Police have also begun scanning CCTV footage from cameras installed at locations near the accident site to identify the vehicle suspected to be involved in the crash. Other forensic evidence from the scene is also being examined.

Search for Unidentified Vehicle

Officials said efforts are underway to trace the unidentified vehicle if the hit-and-run theory is confirmed. The investigation remains ongoing, and police have appealed for information from anyone who may have witnessed the accident or noticed a damaged vehicle passing through the area during the night.

The tragic incident has once again highlighted concerns over road safety and speeding on the busy Rewa-Sidhi Highway, where several serious accidents have been reported in recent years.

Authorities said further details will emerge after completion of the investigation and analysis of the available evidence.

The investigation into the ₹1.58 crore digital arrest fraud involving a retired laboratory technician in Gwalior has taken a significant turn, with cyber police arresting two cousins from Morena district for their alleged role in routing the defrauded money through cryptocurrency linked to a foreign network.

The accused, identified as Rahul Tomar and Rohit Tomar of Porsa in Morena, were arrested on Friday night. Investigators claim the duo acted as financial facilitators for an international cyber fraud syndicate by converting the stolen funds into cryptocurrency before transferring them further.

According to police, preliminary interrogation revealed that the accused were in contact with a foreign, allegedly Chinese, network through the messaging platform Telegram. The fraud proceeds were reportedly converted into USDT (Tether) using the cryptocurrency exchange Binance, making the money trail more difficult to trace.

During the operation, cyber police recovered 10 ATM cards, three cheque books, two mobile phones and three SIM cards from the accused. Officials believe the seized material could provide crucial leads into the wider financial network involved in the cyber fraud.

The latest arrests come after police had earlier apprehended a businessman from Nashik, Maharashtra, whose bank account allegedly received the first layer of funds transferred by the victim.

Victim Was Kept Under 'Digital House Arrest'

The case revolves around Meenakshi Nakhre, a 69-year-old retired health department laboratory technician from Janakganj in Gwalior. According to investigators, cyber fraudsters impersonated officials of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and contacted her through video calls.

The fraudsters allegedly claimed that she was involved in a money laundering investigation and threatened her with arrest. Over a period of 33 days, they kept her under what has become known as a "digital arrest," preventing her from contacting others while coercing her into liquidating fixed deposits and transferring money to multiple bank accounts under the pretext of verification.

In total, the victim allegedly transferred ₹1.58 crore to accounts controlled by the fraudsters.

Bank Trail Led Investigators to Morena

Cyber investigators tracked the movement of funds by analysing bank transaction records. During the investigation, they found that ₹4 lakh from the fraud amount had been credited to Rahul Tomar's bank account.

During questioning, Rahul allegedly admitted that he had allowed his bank account to be used by his cousin Rohit in exchange for commission. Based on this disclosure, police detained Rohit for further interrogation.

Police claim Rohit confessed to operating as part of a Telegram-based foreign network that purchased USDT using the stolen money before transferring the cryptocurrency onward, a method commonly used to obscure the origin and destination of illicit funds.

Probe Expands into Wider Cyber Network

DSP Cyber Manish Yadav said both accused have been taken into police remand and are being questioned to identify other members of the syndicate. Investigators are also tracing additional bank accounts that received portions of the fraud amount and examining the digital trail created through cryptocurrency transactions.

Officials believe the arrests could help expose a larger interstate and international cyber fraud network involved in digital arrest scams, which have witnessed a sharp rise across India in recent months.

The investigation remains ongoing, and police have indicated that more arrests are possible as they continue to analyse financial records, digital communications and cryptocurrency transactions linked to the case.

Security agencies crack down on alleged terror network operating across Gujarat and MP; investigation into funding and recruitment continues

In a major anti-terror operation ahead of the annual Rath Yatra, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested eight suspected operatives allegedly linked to the banned terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The coordinated operation was carried out across Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh following intelligence inputs indicating efforts to expand the outfit's network in western India.

According to officials, the arrests were made during simultaneous raids conducted at multiple locations. Investigators believe the accused were actively working to strengthen the organisation's presence by recruiting individuals, circulating extremist material and maintaining contact with handlers linked to the terror outfit.

Among those arrested is Bilal Durrani, who was apprehended from Dewas district in Madhya Pradesh. Police sources said he had allegedly been living in the city's Warsi Nagar area for a considerable period without attracting attention from local authorities.

The remaining accused include Ahmed Abdullah Ghaziwala, Ibrahim Mohammad Hussain Ghagha, Mudassir Abdullah Ghaziwala, Zakariya Durrani, Mufti Fauzan, Mohammad Amin Shera and Mohammad Abdul Rehman Savdi, most of whom belong to Gujarat.

Officials said two of the accused are teenagers aged 18 and 19, while others are between their early twenties and forties. Initial investigations suggest that the suspects were allegedly operating under instructions from Jaish-e-Mohammed handlers and attempting to establish a stronger organisational base in Gujarat.

Digital evidence and alleged funding trail recovered

The ATS has reportedly recovered mobile phones containing alleged extremist literature, videos, audio recordings and handwritten notes. Investigators are examining the digital devices to determine the extent of the alleged network and identify additional contacts.

Officials also suspect the accused received financial support for their activities. Preliminary findings indicate that around ₹3 lakh may have been transferred through suspected terror-funding channels. Authorities are tracing the origin of these transactions to identify possible financiers and foreign connections.

Investigators are also scrutinising communication records, encrypted messaging applications and social media activity as part of the ongoing probe.

Operation launched ahead of Rath Yatra

The arrests assume significance as they were made just days before Gujarat's annual Rath Yatra, one of the state's largest religious processions that attracts thousands of devotees and involves extensive security arrangements every year.

Security agencies routinely intensify surveillance ahead of major public events, and officials said the operation was part of preventive measures aimed at neutralising potential security threats.

Charges under UAPA and BNS

The ATS has registered a case against all eight accused under multiple provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA), including Sections 13, 17, 18, 38 and 39, which relate to unlawful activities, terror funding, conspiracy and support to terrorist organisations.

Additional charges have also been invoked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

All the accused remain in ATS custody and are being questioned to determine the full extent of the alleged network, recruitment activities, financial transactions and any possible links with handlers operating outside India.

Officials said further arrests cannot be ruled out as the investigation progresses.

Question papers for fourth-semester Biotechnology examination reportedly stolen from Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya; police register FIR and university launches inquiry

Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (RGPV) has launched an internal inquiry after sealed packets containing question papers for the fourth-semester Biotechnology examination were allegedly stolen from the university campus, forcing authorities to postpone an examination scheduled for nearly 200 students.

According to university officials, the missing papers were kept inside nine sealed envelopes meant for the Biotechnology fourth-semester examination. The incident came to light before the examination on Friday, leading the university to defer the test at the last moment to prevent any possibility of a paper leak.

Following the incident, RGPV Vice-Chancellor Dr. Alok Sharma issued a show-cause notice to Exam Controller Dr. Archana Tiwari, seeking an explanation within five days regarding the security lapse. The university has also constituted an inquiry committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the theft and recommend accountability.

Police have registered an FIR and begun a criminal investigation into the case. Officers are examining whether the theft was carried out by outsiders or involved individuals with access to the university premises.

Broken washroom window raises security concerns

Preliminary findings suggest that while the main gate of the School of Biotechnology remained locked, investigators found a broken window in a washroom, which is suspected to have been used as the entry point by the intruders.

Officials said the room where the examination papers were stored contained 12 cupboards. Surprisingly, the cupboard containing the sealed question papers was found unlocked, while other security arrangements appeared to remain intact.

The incident has also exposed shortcomings in campus surveillance. According to the initial inquiry, no CCTV cameras were installed inside the strong room where the examination papers were kept, making it difficult to immediately identify the culprits or reconstruct the sequence of events.

University authorities believe the broken washroom window may have been used to gain access to the building, though investigators are examining all possible angles before reaching a conclusion.

University assures strict action

Vice-Chancellor Dr. Alok Sharma stated that the university would take strict action against anyone found responsible for compromising the integrity of the examination process.

He confirmed that the internal inquiry team has begun collecting evidence while the police investigation is proceeding simultaneously. Officials are reviewing security protocols for the storage and handling of confidential examination material to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The postponed Biotechnology examination is expected to be rescheduled after fresh question papers are prepared and necessary security measures are implemented.

The case has once again raised concerns over examination security at higher educational institutions, with students urging authorities to ensure that such incidents do not affect academic schedules or compromise the credibility of university examinations.

Two people were killed on the spot after a speeding truck rammed a pickup vehicle from behind near Khadda Toll Plaza in Rewa district in the early hours of Wednesday.

The incident occurred around 3 am when the pickup, returning from Sidhi after unloading liquor crates, was hit by an uncontrolled truck. The impact was so severe that the pickup veered off the road and crashed into a pole, leaving the vehicle badly mangled.

The deceased have been identified as pickup driver Chandan Dubey, a resident of Padra, and Rajesh Rawat from Rasiya Mohalla. Another person, Lala Rawat, who was sleeping in the rear of the vehicle, survived unhurt.

Local residents informed the police, who reached the spot immediately. The bodies were sent for postmortem. Preliminary investigation suggests the truck was speeding and the driver was negligent. The truck driver fled the scene after the accident and a search is on to trace him.

Such accidents on the busy Rewa-Sidhi highway have been reported frequently, with locals demanding stricter enforcement of speed limits and better road safety measures, especially near toll plazas.

Police have registered a case and further investigation is underway.

Commissioner Sheelendra Singh says mere enrollment won't work; warns of strict action against negligence; vows to conduct surprise inspections

In a strong message to the education department, Rewa Commissioner Sheelendra Singh has issued strict directives regarding the quality of school education, making it clear that if any student in Class 4 or 5 is found unable to read or write during inspections, it will be treated as gross negligence.

The Commissioner said that the principal and concerned teachers of the school would face strict action in such cases. He emphasized that merely enrolling children in schools is not enough — the real goal is to provide basic education and make every child capable of reading and writing.

"Admission alone is not sufficient. The true purpose is to ensure every child learns. The government's intention is to provide modern and effective education to children. Their future depends on this, and no negligence will be tolerated," Singh said.

Improvement through ground-level work, not paperwork

Delivering a clear message to officials and teachers, the Commissioner said improvement in the education system cannot be achieved through paperwork alone. "Real improvement will come from ground-level work. Teachers must ensure that every child learns. Special attention should be given to weak students, and extra classes should be arranged for them," he said.

Commissioner to conduct surprise inspections

Commissioner Singh said the system of regular monitoring and evaluation of schools would be further strengthened. He also announced that he would personally conduct surprise inspections of schools to assess the ground reality of education.

"If the quality of education is found weak anywhere, or if children's learning abilities are not up to the mark, strict action will be taken against those responsible," he warned.

The Commissioner's directive comes amid growing concerns over the learning outcomes in government schools across the region. Officials have been instructed to ensure that basic literacy and numeracy skills are imparted to all students by the time they reach Class 5.

The Rewa division administration has made it clear that accountability for learning outcomes will now rest squarely with school heads and teachers. Regular monitoring mechanisms are being put in place to track progress and identify schools that are lagging behind.

Guards allege they receive only ₹7,400 despite university paying agency over ₹15,000 per guard; PF irregularities, fake attendance records surface

Security personnel at Awadhesh Pratap Singh University in Rewa staged a dharna outside the Registrar's office on Monday, alleging economic exploitation, wage irregularities and threats of termination. They were supported by the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), which joined the protest and demanded immediate action.

The guards claimed that while the university pays the security agency more than ₹15,000 per guard, they receive only around ₹7,400 per month. They also alleged that Provident Fund (PF) contributions are being deposited in amounts lower than promised at the time of recruitment.

Questions raised over payment and staff count

During the protest, questions were also raised regarding the number of security personnel and the payments being made. It was alleged that while 35 to 36 security guards are currently working at the university, payments are being processed for 50 personnel. The protesters demanded a fair investigation into the matter.

"At the time of recruitment, we were assured that PF would be deposited properly. But the amounts being credited to our accounts are much less than what was promised," a security guard said.

Attendance register irregularities

The protesters also alleged that the attendance register has been tampered with. They claimed that records have been manipulated and some records are not available at all, raising serious questions about the attendance and payment process.

NSUI leaders who were present at the protest demanded a high-level inquiry into the financial irregularities and exploitation of workers. They warned that if action is not taken soon, the protest will be intensified.

Agency assures investigation

During the dharna, discussions were held with the security agency's supervisor, security officer and field in-charge. Officials said the matter has been brought to the attention of the company management. The company owner, during a telephonic conversation, assured that an investigation would be conducted and action would be taken on the wage-related complaints.

Police present at the spot assured the protesters that the complaints would be investigated and necessary action would be taken.

NSUI and the security guards have warned that if a probe is not conducted and the guilty are not punished soon, the movement will be escalated further.

Massive anti-encroachment drive in Amakhujari forest; tear gas canister accidentally bursts during operation

In a massive crackdown, a joint team of forest, revenue and police departments cleared approximately 200 acres of forest land from encroachment in Amakhujari forest of Khandwa district on Monday. The operation, which lasted about six hours, saw the deployment of 600 officials and employees along with 30 JCB machines.

The action came a day after a team of 40 forest guards was attacked by encroachers when they attempted to stop illegal sowing in the same forest area. Eight forest staff were injured in Sunday's stone-pelting attack.

Monday's operation was conducted under heavy security cover. A 60-member contingent of women police personnel was also deployed to handle any potential resistance. The team carried tear gas shells for crowd control, though one canister accidentally burst due to the bumpy forest terrain, affecting some police personnel.

Administrative Officials Oversee Operation

District Collector Rishabh Gupta, Superintendent of Police Agam Jain, Additional SP Mahendra Taranekar and DFO Rakesh Kumar Damor were present at the site throughout the operation.

The encroachers had cleared trees and shrubs from the forest land and planted maize crops. The team used JCB machines to dig large contours across the area, making it impossible for encroachers to prepare fields or carry out sowing in the future.

Timber, Beds Seized from 13 Huts

Encroachers had built 13 temporary huts inside the forest. When the team demolished these structures, they recovered valuable teak wood logs and wooden beds (khatiyas). The seized material is being transported to the forest department office in tractors.

DFO Rakesh Kumar Damor said that after Sunday's stone-pelting incident, an FIR was registered and action has been taken against nine individuals.

Officer Injured in Bike Accident

Forest guard Pankaj Porwal, who was deployed in the Khalwa range, was called in from Burhanpur for the operation. While riding his bike to Amakhujari, he slipped near Gudi and fell, sustaining head injuries. He was initially taken to the district hospital but was later referred to Indore due to the severity of his injuries.

Sunday's Attack: Women Used as Shields

On Sunday, when the forest team arrived to clear the encroachment, nearly 400 encroachers attacked them. Women were pushed to the front and used as shields while the attackers pelted stones using slingshots (gofan). The forest guards were also attacked with sticks.

Eight forest guards suffered injuries in the attack. Some suffered head injuries while others had their ears cut. All injured were admitted to the district hospital.

The injured guards have been identified as Jwala Singh, Romank Nayak, Shailendra Yadav, Rajendra Singh Saktawat, Rajendra Bagdi, Pradeep Baghel, Chandrapal Tomar and Rahul Lodhi. They are part of a special flying squad recruited in 2025 to prevent encroachment in forests.

Allegations of Delayed Response

Injured forest workers have alleged that they did not receive help for nearly two hours after the attack. They claimed that police and ambulances did not arrive on time.

Massive Deployment for Monday's Operation

Around 600 employees from forest, revenue and police departments reached Amakhujari in approximately 200 vehicles, including both four-wheelers and two-wheelers. Additional SP Mahendra Taranekar confirmed that the police deployment included 14 officers and 200 personnel, while 400 forest staff participated in the operation.

"Due to moisture in the morning, there was some difficulty in removing the encroachment. About 30% of the encroachment has been cleared so far. There is no resistance at the moment," Taranekar said.

Medical teams fanned out across Indore on Tuesday, going door to door to check on children who fell ill after lunch at Shishukunj School last Saturday. The health department has begun active monitoring of the affected students, with doctors visiting around 30 homes and assessing the children's condition firsthand.

Symptoms of gastroenteritis and dehydration were found in several children during these visits. Doctors spoke to parents, gathered information on the children's current state, and confirmed that no child's condition had turned critical. Officials said the exercise will continue Wednesday, with teams visiting remaining affected households.

More than 150 students had complained of stomach pain, vomiting, restlessness, and weakness after eating their school meal on Saturday. Most of those affected were from classes up to the fourth standard.

The school kitchen was sealed by a joint team from the district administration and the food safety department on Monday, following an inspection that lasted over four hours. During that visit, officials found expired spices and snack packets inside the kitchen — including ten packets of masalas and two packets of namkeen with dates that had already lapsed. A case has been registered against the school.

Twenty-three food samples were collected — including paneer, milk, ice cream, dal, prepared food, spices, and water — and sent to a laboratory. The actual cause of the illness will only be confirmed once the lab report arrives.

Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr. Madhav Hasani said 85 students had been sent home as a precaution when they felt unwell during or after school hours. The school also received around 35 emails from parents raising concerns about their children's health. No child is currently admitted to any hospital, and all are reported to be in a stable condition, officials said.

On Monday, worried parents had gathered at the school premises to protest. By Tuesday, attendance was noticeably lower than usual — and most students who did come arrived carrying tiffin boxes from home. The school management had emailed parents after the kitchen was sealed, requesting them to send home-cooked food with their children until further notice.

The case has put pressure on school authorities and triggered a broader conversation about food safety standards in private school kitchens. Expired ingredients found in an institutional kitchen serving hundreds of young children is a serious lapse, and parents are demanding accountability beyond just the sealing of the kitchen. The investigation is ongoing.

In a major crackdown on exam-related fraud, the Indore Crime Branch has arrested a law student for allegedly creating and selling fake NEET-UG question papers using artificial intelligence. The accused has been identified as Akshay Malviya.

According to police, Malviya was arrested on June 20 following inputs from the Kota Cyber Cell. Officials said he posted fake NEET papers on Instagram, which attracted thousands of likes and messages from desperate students. He allegedly cheated around 30 to 35 students by sharing links and collecting money.

During interrogation, Malviya told investigators that he generated the fake papers with the help of ChatGPT and other AI-based applications. Initially, he posted papers without mentioning NEET, but received poor response. When talks of the re-examination gained momentum, he started branding them as NEET papers to cash in on student anxiety.

Kota Cyber Cell trapped him

The Kota Cyber Cell noticed his posts and contacted him posing as a buyer. They transferred money to build trust and gathered his location details before alerting Indore police. The Crime Branch team raided his residence and took him into custody.

Police said Instagram had sent him two warning alerts, which he ignored. His account was later blocked. Crime Branch officials, including TI Neeraj Medha, questioned him throughout the day in the presence of his family. His parents were informed about the complaint received from Kota police.

Malviya reportedly admitted that he wanted quick fame on social media and easy money. The entire operation was driven by his desire to go viral and earn fast cash from worried NEET aspirants.

The case has once again highlighted the growing misuse of AI tools in exam scams, especially after the NEET paper leak controversy. Police are examining his phone, bank transactions and digital records to identify all victims and possible accomplices.

Further investigation is underway. Senior officers are likely to take cognisance of the matter soon.

A protest against entry fees at Rewa’s Eco Park turned ugly on Sunday, leading to a police case against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Pramod Sharma. The city Kotwali police registered an FIR against him on Monday for allegedly indulging in assault, holding an unauthorised demonstration, and creating a disturbance inside public premises.

According to police, Sharma, who has been vocally opposing the entry fee for a long time, reached the Eco Park along with his supporters and started a protest inside the park premises. The situation soon escalated into a verbal confrontation with park staff, which reportedly turned into a scuffle. Police present at the spot intervened to bring the situation under control.

Pramod Sharma has countered the allegations, claiming that the protest was against “illegal collection” of ₹100 per person at the Eco Park. He accused the park management of unauthorised charging and said his demonstration was meant to highlight the issue affecting common visitors.

On the other hand, the park administration and police acted on complaints of unauthorised gathering, obstructing public services, and manhandling staff. The FIR includes charges related to holding a protest without permission, disturbing government functioning, and creating a ruckus in a public place.

Investigation Underway  

City Kotwali SHO Nisha Mishra confirmed that a case has been registered against Pramod Sharma based on the complaint. “The entire incident is being investigated. CCTV footage from the park is being examined to ascertain the sequence of events,” she said. Further legal action will follow the probe.

The episode has created a stir in local political circles. Supporters of Sharma have alleged high-handedness by the authorities, while park officials maintain that proper entry fees were introduced as per rules to maintain the facility.

Eco Park in Rewa is a popular spot for locals and tourists, especially during weekends and evenings. The introduction of entry charges had already been a point of discussion among residents. Many visitors have complained about the fee, while authorities argue it is needed for upkeep and better maintenance of the park.

This is not the first time entry fees at public parks and gardens have sparked protests in smaller cities. Similar debates have occurred in other parts of Madhya Pradesh where civic bodies have tried to generate revenue through user charges.

As of now, both sides are sticking to their versions. Police have appealed for calm and said the investigation will reveal the full picture. Further details are awaited as the probe continues.

The development comes at a time when local AAP leaders are trying to expand their base in Rewa district by taking up civic issues. The outcome of the case could have political implications in the coming days.