HT Evening Brief Sept 1: SC quashes all NEET protesters' FIRs, Sanju Samson back in India squad for Afghanistan T20Is

Here's your 5-minute sprint through today's biggest stories: politics, India, world, entertainment and sports. Good evening. Here's your quick five-minute lap around today's top stories — politics, India, the world, and more.The SC quashed first information reports (FIR) registered across the country in connection with the CJP-led protests in July.Supreme Court quashes all FIRs across the country against NEET paper leak protestersThe Supreme Court on Tuesday quashed first information reports (FIR) registered across the country in connection with the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)-led protests in July, invoking its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, even as the group withdrew its call for a September 5 march in Delhi following assurances from the Centre that it would honour its commitments to withdraw criminal cases and compensation to families of students who died by suicide. Read more here.The power frame: Modi, Xi, Putin, Sharif feature in SCO Summit group photoPrime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif were captured in the same frame as heads of state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) gathered in Bishkek on Tuesday for the 26th Summit's official group photograph. Read more here.CJP tells Supreme Court it's withdrawing September 5 India Gate marchDeep DiveCockroach Janta Party spokesperson Saurav Das told the Supreme Court on Tuesday that the outfit is withdrawing it’s September 5 march call in view of the Centre’s assurance in the court and the subsequent orders to be issued by the court. On August 24, the CJP had announced a peaceful march from India Gate to Delhi Police Headquarters on September 5 over the government’s failure to honour its July 25 commitments. Read more here.Swara Bhasker calls Jauhar scene in Padmaavat ‘problematic’; internet says she is ‘just being malicious'Bollywood actor Swara Bhasker is no stranger to controversy, and this time she has sparked a debate over Deepika Padukone's 2018 film Padmaavat. The actor, who spoke at the Woman Life Freedom talk at the India International Centre in Delhi on August 31, spoke against the Jauhar scene in the Sanjay Leela Bhansali film. Read more here.Sanju Samson back, no update on Hardik Pandya as BCCI announces India squad for Afghanistan T20IsThe Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday announced the squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. All matches will be played in New Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium, between September 13 and 17. Read more here.Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More