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Nagpur RJs grieved by RJ Shubham’s untimely death

RJ Shubham at Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM station, Nagpur
The news of Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM’s RJ Shubham’s untimely death, earlier in the morning today, came as a shocker for Nagpurians. RJ Shubham, touted as the youngest morning show radio jockey in India, was just 22 years old. Contemporary RJs in Radio Mirchi and other radio stations in Nagpur are shocked and saddened with Shubham’s sudden death. They voice their disbelief and grief as they speak to Nation Next.
RJ Akki, 93.5 Red FM
I still remember the first time when I met Shubham two years back near old VCA premises, Sadar. I’m friends with most people in the Nagpur radio industry, but Shubham was a very close friend and we used to hangout together a lot. He was cool, calm and had a positive approach towards life. It’s sad that at just 22, God took him away from his family and friends. I think the time for each one of us to go is pre decided and it’s really unfortunate that it’s was my close friend Shubhams turn to leave the world today!
RJ Jia, Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM
Shubham was my junior and still we both used to fight a lot. In spite of that, we shared a really sweet relationship with each other. Shubham always used to tease me a lot. He was very ambitious towards his goals. He was a kind of guy who could crack jokes in any situation. There are many memories with Shubham which I cherish. I was numb when I got to know he’s no more. I was crying and the thought of his mother made me cry more!
RJ Milind, Radio Orange 91.9 FM
When I left Radio Mirchi, Shubham was appointed as an RJ for the morning show which I used to host. His show was pretty interesting and I liked it a lot. He was always very focused and energetic during his show. He had a good connect with Nagpurians and was a good anchor too. Shubham’s death came a complete shock to me and I cannot believe that he’s no more!
RJ Neel, Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM
It’s a sad moment for everyone in Nagpur. I write poems and Shubham was really fond of my poetry. Once I wrote a line as a tribute to cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar on his birthday. The lines were ‘Ek baat kahu hasoge toh nahi? Mujhe aasman chhuna hain!‘ These lines were Shubhams favourite. Shubham was a very straight forward and a spontaneous guy. I am shocked. All I can say is that, life is really cruel at times and you can’t really predict what will happen next!
RJ Deepika, Radio City 91.1 FM
I always found RJ Shubham very energetic. He was really young and one could experience that raw young energy while he hosted the morning show. His death is unbelievable for our team at Radio city too. It was during my show today that I got to know about his death. I announced that I won’t be hosting today’s show. It is a big loss for Nagpur radio industry.
Governance
Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification as MP bars him from contesting LS polls for 8 years?
Congress Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi was on Friday disqualified as Lok Sabha MP, a day after a Surat Court convicted him in a defamation case. The notification disqualifying the Wayanad MP was issued hours after Gandhi attended the morning session of Lok Sabha.
What does the notification read?
“Consequent upon his conviction by the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Surat… Rahul Gandhi, Member of Lok Sabha representing the Wayanad Parliamentary Constituency in Kerala stands disqualified from the membership of Lok Sabha from the date of his conviction… in terms of the provisions of Article 102(!)(e) of the Constitution read with Section of the Representation of the People Act, 1951,” the notification read.
Gandhi barred from contesting LS polls for 8 years?
As per law and legal experts, Gandhi’s disqualification came into ‘immediate and automatic’ effect upon his conviction and sentencing despite the grant of bail.
Former Congress leader and Union law minister Kapil Sibal told NDTV that Rahul stands automatically disqualified as an MP with his two-year jail sentence. He said, “If it (the court) only suspends the sentence that’s not enough. There has to be a suspension or stay of conviction. He (Rahul Gandhi) can stay on as a member of parliament only if there is a stay on the conviction.”
Sibal added, “For a statement made in respect of certain individuals, for him to be convicted for two years — it is totally bizarre.”
What does the law say?
The Representation of the People Act, 1951, (RPA) directs immediate disqualification of any lawmaker who is ‘convicted of any offence and sentenced to imprisonment for not less than two years.’ The law also states that if one is convicted in any offence for two years then the seat will be vacant immediately.
Lawyer and senior BJP MP Mahesh Jethmalani told NDTV, “By the operation of the law, he (Gandhi) stands disqualified, but the decision has to be communicated to the Speaker. But as of today, he stands disqualified.”
How can Gandhi avoid disqualification?
Gandhi will have to secure an order from a higher court suspending the conviction. The RPA states, “A person convicted of any offence and sentenced to imprisonment for not less than two years [other than any offence referred to in sub-section (1) or sub-section (2)] shall be disqualified from the date of such conviction and shall continue to be disqualified for a further period of six years since his release.”
It means, that apart from his jail term, Gandhi will not be able to contest polls for subsequent six more years.
Why the disqualification?
Surat Court, on Thursday, awarded two-year jail term to Gandhi in a defamation case for his ‘all thieves have Modi surname’ remark. The case was filed against Gandhi for his alleged ‘how come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname?’ remarks on a complaint lodged by BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi.
The Court also imposed a fine of ₹15,000 after finding him guilty under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 499 and 500 (dealing with defamation). However, he secured a bail in the same case.
Chief Judicial Magistrate HH Verma heard the final arguments regarding Gandhi’s 2019 remark, “Why all the thieves, be it Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi or Narendra Modi have Modi in their names.” Gandhi’s counsel Kirit Panwala said, “We will today send a message to Rahul Gandhi to remain present on March 23 in Surat district court. Most probably, he would be present in the court. We will get confirmation on Saturday.”
Gandhi made the alleged remarks while addressing a rally at Kolar in Karnataka ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Also read: Rahul Gandhi sentenced to 2 years in jail in Modi surname defamation case
Entertainment
‘Parineeta,’ ‘Mardaani’ director Pradeep Sarkar passes away at 67

Pradeep Sarkar
Renowned filmmaker Pradeep Sarkar, best known for films like Parineeta, Mardaani, etc., passed away at the age of 67 on Friday morning in Mumbai. Sharing the news, director Hansal Mehta wrote, “Pradeep Sarkar. Dada. RIP.” Sarkar had been unwell for a while and was undergoing dialysis. His potassium levels had dropped drastically so had to be rushed to a hospital at 3 am on Friday.
Actor Ajay Devgn, on his Twitter, wrote, “The news of Pradeep Sarkar’s demise, ‘Dada’ to some of us is still hard to digest. My deepest condolences. My prayers are with the departed and his family. RIP Dada.”
Actor Manoj Bajpayee retweeted Hansal Mehta’s tweet and he wrote, “Ohh! That’s so shocking! Rest in peace Dada.” Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, in his tribute, wrote, “Sad to know that well known brilliant filmmaker of our country Pradeep Sarkar ji passes away. A great loss to the film industry. Heartfelt condolences to his family and near ones.”
Sarkar, who first worked as an editor on Munna Bhai MBBS, had directed several evergreen music videos that went on to define excellence in visual appeal and storytelling in the 90’s including Euphoria’s ‘Dhoom Pichak Dhoom,’ ‘Maaeri’ and Sultan Khan’s ‘Piya Basanti’ and Bhupen Hazarika’s ‘Ganga.’
Sarkar’s funeral will take place at 4 pm at Santacruz Hindu Crematorium in Mumbai. “It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that Pradeep Sarkar has departed for his heavenly abode. Please join us at 4pm for his funeral at Santacruz Hindu Crematorium to say goodbye to him,” read an official statement.
Also read: 900 accidents, 31 deaths in 100 days: Samruddhi Mahamarg still a road to prosperity?
Crime
Rahul Gandhi sentenced to 2 years in jail in Modi surname defamation case

Rahul Gandhi
Surat Court, on Thursday, awarded two-year jail term to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case for his ‘all thieves have Modi surname’ remark. The case was filed against Gandhi for his alleged ‘how come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname?’ remarks on a complaint lodged by BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi.
The Court also imposed a fine of ₹15,000 after finding him guilty under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 499 and 500 (dealing with defamation). However, he secured a bail in the same case.
Chief Judicial Magistrate HH Verma heard the final arguments regarding Gandhi’s 2019 remark, “Why all the thieves, be it Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi or Narendra Modi have Modi in their names.” Gandhi’s counsel Kirit Panwala said, “We will today send a message to Rahul Gandhi to remain present on March 23 in Surat district court. Most probably, he would be present in the court. We will get confirmation on Saturday.”
Gandhi made the alleged remarks while addressing a rally at Kolar in Karnataka ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Also read: NIA raids Nagpur man’s residence at 4 am for suspected terror links with Zakir Naik