Category: India

A whistleblower report submitted to a US Senate subcommittee on the Air India Boeing 787 crash has reinforced claims by pilot bodies and the family of Capt Sumeet Sabharwal that electrical failures were ignored. The Federation of Indian Pilots and the victim’s family have sought a fast-tracked independent probe.

A whistleblower’s report to a U.S. Senate subcommittee on the Air India Boeing 787-8 flight AI-171, which crashed seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad airport on June 12 last year, has confirmed what the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) and the family of Capt Sumeet Sabharwal have been saying from day one. The FPJ had front-paged the whistleblower’s report on Wednesday.

FIP reiterates concerns over aircraft faults

President of the FIP, Capt C. S. Randhawa, told FPJ that the submission made before the U.S. Senate subcommittee only confirmed the facts presented by the pilots’ body.

“We have written to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Air India and all other conceivable authorities stating that the fleet of Boeing 787-8 had several electrical malfunctions which need to be rectified. But no one listened to us,” he said.

Former Air India official K. V. J. Rao alleged that Capt Sabharwal was being made a scapegoat in an attempt to take Boeing off the hook. “The Supreme Court should fast-track the hearing so that the truth emerges,” he said, further alleging that a politician was interfering in the probe. Air India has stated that it has left it to the investigative agency to ascertain the truth behind the crash.

Petition before Supreme Court

The Federation has already filed a petition in the Supreme Court along with Pushkar Raj, the 92-year-old father of Capt Sabharwal, seeking an independent and in-depth probe into the horrific crash in which 260 persons were killed. Incidentally, Pushkar Raj, a Powai resident, is a former official of the DGCA. The matter is expected to be heard in March.

Deepa Anand, sister of Capt Sabharwal, told the FPJ that the whistleblower’s report vindicated the family.

ALPA India questions probe

Speaking to The Free Press Journal, Capt Sam Thomas, president of the Airline Pilots’ Association (ALPA) India, said that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) should summon Boeing, citing a growing body of evidence pointing towards electrical failure and other systemic aircraft issues.

He criticised the investigation body for taking a casual approach to the probe, specifically noting its failure to involve qualified subject-matter experts.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/ai-171-crash-us-senate-whistleblower-report-backs-pilots-claims-of-electrical-failure-in-air-india-boeing-787-probe-family-seeks-fast-tracked-hearing

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP of insulting Shankaracharyas and saints, alleging misbehaviour by officials and misuse of agencies against dissenters. He said seeking ID from seers was an affront to Sanatan traditions. Yadav also defended judicial independence and highlighted the value of apology and forgiveness.

Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of deliberately insulting Shankaracharyas and saints, saying such actions undermine Sanatan traditions. Addressing reporters, Yadav said Shankaracharyas and saints are the pride of society and are revered by millions who seek their blessings, which is a core part of India’s spiritual heritage.

He alleged that the BJP government, through its officials, has misbehaved with Shankaracharyas and saints. “If an officer is asking a Shankaracharya for identification or a certificate, there can be no greater insult to Sanatan Dharma,” he said, adding that the government was attempting to suppress truth and public voices.

Yadav further claimed that those who do not function according to the BJP’s line are being harassed. He alleged misuse of central agencies such as the CBI and ED to target opponents. He said the SP would continue to seek blessings from saints and serve the people, asserting that true saints follow the path of truth rather than aligning with any government.

Earlier in the day, Yadav shared a video of Swami Avimukteshwaranand on X, in which the seer recalled that during a previous SP government, force had been used but Yadav later apologised, which was accepted. Yadav wrote that seeking forgiveness does not diminish anyone’s stature and quoted the saying, “Kshama Veerasya Bhushanam” (forgiveness is the ornament of the brave).

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/asking-shankaracharya-for-id-is-biggest-insult-to-sanatan-akhilesh-accuses-bjp-of-harassing-those-who-speak-truth

The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed that it was serious about comments it made during hearings in the stray dogs case, including an earlier comment that dog feeders may be held liable for dog attacks.

This, after Advocate Prashant Bhushan told the Bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria that its earlier comments, which were perhaps made sarcastically, had led to unfortunate consequences, including attacks on dog feeders.

“Sometimes, the remarks of the Court lead to unfortunate consequences. For example, your lordships said feeders should be made responsible for dog bites. Perhaps it was sarcastic,” Bhushan said.

“No, we didn’t make it sarcastically. We said it very seriously,” Justice Nath replied.

“Feeders are being beaten up etc, and they are taking refuge under these remarks,” Bhushan said, in turn.

“These (remarks) are made during oral arguments during the conversation with counsel. Doesn’t make any difference. Sorry,” the Court said.

Bhushan had opened his argument today by expressing concern that the sterilisation of stray dogs is not being implemented uniformly in India. He submitted that while sterilisation reduces aggressiveness seen in stray dogs, it has to be implemented in a transparent manner.

“…this system of sterilisation has not worked in most of the cities…The way to make it effective is to make it transparent and make people accountable. There should be a system where people can report stray dogs who seem to be non-sterilised. That should be recorded or reported on some website. There should be designated authorities whose responsibility will be to respond to the complaint on unsterilised stray dogs,” he suggested.

“Why can’t we ask the dogs to carry the certificates themselves?” Justice Mehta retorted.

This prompted Bhushan to observe that such remarks by the Court may have unfortunate consequences.

However, the Court then indicated that its remarks in earlier hearings were made with seriousness and need not be viewed as sarcastic.

Senior Advocate Raju Ramachandran weighed in, saying,

“These things are being televised. Therefore, there is a duty of both the Bar and Bench.”

“Yes, because of this only, we are restraining ourselves from making many more remarks,” the Bench replied.

Ramachandran appeared for former Union Cabinet Minister and animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi. As he began his submissions, the Court expressed a dim view of certain comments made by the senior counsel’s client.

“A little while ago, you were telling the Court we should be circumspect. Did you find out what kind of remarks your client has been making? Your client has committed contempt. We are not taking cognisance on that. That is our magnanimity. Have you heard her podcast? What is her body language? What she says and how she says. You made a comment that court should be circumspect. On the other hand, your client is making all sorts of comments on anybody and anything she likes!” the Court said.

“This is not a contempt action, so I will refrain from saying anything on that,” Ramachandran replied. He added,

“I am representing a cause. Lawyers and judges would be on a different plane than politicians. Be that as it may.”

He went on to underscore the significance of rabies control programmes and birth control measures in managing stray dogs in India.

“Since your client in an animal rights activist, she was a cabinet minister etc., what are the contributions of your client to the budgetary allocations for implementing these schemes?” the Court asked.

“I can’t answer that. It’s all there in the scheme,” Ramachandran replied.

The Court will hear the case next on January 28, 2026, when it is expected to begin hearing submissions made by the amicus curiae, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and states and union territories.

Other highlights from today’s hearing

The hearing began with counsel making further arguments on how other countries have dealt with similar issues of stray dogs, including by using the Capture, Sterilize, Vaccinate, Release (CSVR) approach.

“Netherlands has one of the most successful instances. Imposition of heavy taxes etc on store purchases to reduce abandonment, mandatory micro-chipping, etc. I want to mention the program in Bhutan,” a counsel said.

The Court, however, expressed reservations about whether the situation in other countries is comparable to India.

“What is the population of that country? Do you know?” Justice Mehta asked.

Concerns were then raised about the nuisance caused by stray dogs at night.

“In the vicinity where I am living, there are so many stray dogs. The entire night, they keep chasing each other. I have a sleep disorder. My kids cannot study. I complained to the authorities. They said they can just do vaccination and sterilisation. I also wrote to NHRC – nothing happened. ABC Rules work in a particular framework. Only if the dogs are taken for sterilisation or vaccination, then only the dogs will be released back. But BNS says if there is nuisance, the local authorities can remove the dogs,” a counsel said.

Another counsel advocated for the establishment of a helpline, adding that High Courts would be better placed to oversee the implementation of such stray dog control measures. There should be no killing of the dogs, he urged.

Advocate Rahul Kaushik, for another party, suggested that better regulation of feeding spaces and vaccinations for stray dogs at local levels could help in managing them.

Advocate NM Kapadia suggested that aggressive dogs can be treated differently. He also warned that the blanket removal of all stray dogs could lead to unintended negative consequences.

“As a result of mass removal of dogs in Gujarat in 1994, the rodent population increased…”

Another counsel highlighted the results of CSVR programmes at the National Law School University of India, Bengaluru (NLSIU).

“Dog numbers are down from 40 to 20. The dog bites last year was zero,” he said.

A counsel for a dog bite victim, meanwhile, expressed concern that the pending Supreme Court case was being cited to evade responsibility by some.

“Because of pending of suo motu no one is taking responsibility for dog bites. There is no protection for dogs in Wildlife Protection Act,” he said.

Concerns were also raised about “interference” by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) with sterilisation centres.

“Only 66 centres in India are recognised. I can satisfy as to how there has been constant interference by the AWBI,” the counsel argued.

Advocate Jasdeep Dhillon appeared for the family of a six-year-old child who passed away after being bitten by a stray dog.

Another counsel interjected to say that the child had been drinking water till the day she died, possibly hinting that she did not exhibit hydrophobia (fear of water), which is a rabies symptom.

The Court was not pleased with the suggestion.

“You mean to say she died naturally? That’s your argument?” it asked.

“The death certificate is not conclusive,” the counsel replied.

“You are no one to comment on the writ petition that was argued,” the Court said, in turn.

“For confirmation of rabies, the brain tissue analysis has to be done,” Advocate Jasmin Damkewala added.

“Do not comment on that. Stick to your IA,” the Court warned.

Advocate Damkewala went on to argue that there were scientific studies to show that feeding stray dogs could help control their behaviour.

“If you stop feeding, there’s a 742% increase in dogs roaming, leading to dog fights, aggression, etc. Feeding reduces scavenging st garbage. Competition is reduced. Stress is reduced. Spreading of infection can be stopped. It allows early detection. It increases predictability of dog behaviour…Feeders carry out a public function. There’s corruption, there’s laziness (by authorities). Feeders are sterilising from their own pockets,” she added.

Advocate Kishore Shinde suggested that medical negligence and tortious liability can be fastened on local authorities if there are stray dog bite incidents.

“Had rabies been treated in the right time and in the right manner, it could have been cured,” he added.

Advocate Aishwarya Singh called for better rabies control measures.

“Only 54% centres had wound washing facilities. 84% had vaccine stock out. There are two kinds of vaccinations. PEP (after a bite) and PREP (before a bite). PREP places a shield before the victim. PREP has been recommended in India’s context by the WHO. Failure to implement PREP is a grave omission as a public healthcare measure.”

She also briefly touched upon the circumstances which led to the suo motu case before the top court.

“The tragic death of the child, which triggered this case, is undeniably heartbreaking. However what has been lost in media coverage is that the cause of death is viral encephalitis,” she began to argue.

However, the Court warned her not to bring up the child’s death.

“We prohibit you from doing that. Not a single word on that death. Not a word,” it said.

“That child was victim of institutional failure of the state,” Singh persisted.

“Again, you are going there where we have prohibited,” the Court replied.

Another counsel expressed that their client was being obstructed from feeding stray dogs, adding,

“Dogs were always there. Dog numbers were reducing because of efforts of residents. Monitoring the dog is not difficulty. But when there was objection for feeding, we filed a WP. It was disposed of asking to go to the committee. Whenever municipality came for marking the places, it became a law and order issue.”

Advocate Kirti Ahuja raised concerns about how a dog is judged to be “aggressive” to bar such dogs from being released back to the streets.

“The definition of ‘aggressiveness’ is not defined in the judgment. It depends on the whims of the ground level staff. Who will define if they became aggressive because of provocation? Definition of aggressiveness may be clarified by this Court,” she said.

Advocate Manoj Shirsat sought compensation for a five-year-old child who was bitten by a stray dog.

Senior Advocate Siddhartha Dave appeared for Akash Shukla, a dog psychologist.

“He’s the Cesar Millan (a Mexican-American dog trainer) of India?” asked the Court.

“Yes. He may be called that. In man-animal conflict, if the state enters into the area of the wildlife, wildlife is protected. If wildlife enters into human habitat, still wildlife is protected,” Dave replied.

Dave also raised concerns about the manner in which the Supreme Court’s hearing in this case were being publicised by some.

Another counsel added,

“Prevention is better than cure. We cannot educate animals but we can educate humans. We can put some education policy in schools to learn animal behaviour etc.”

The matter gained national attention last year after a Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan directed Delhi municipal authorities to round up and shelter stray dogs, drawing protests from animal rights groups.

That order triggered widespread protests by animal rights groups and was later modified by the present three-judge Bench.

The modified directions shifted the focus to vaccination, sterilisation and release of dogs in accordance with the Animal Birth Control Rules. Since then, the Court has expanded the scope of the case.

 Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/we-were-not-sarcastic-about-making-dog-feeders-liable-for-stray-dog-attacks-supreme-court

Software engineer Akaash Vishal Hazarika shared insights into how software engineers must prepare for interviews in the AI era.

An Indian software engineer who has spent nearly a decade working across some of the world’s biggest technology companies, including Google and Amazon, has shared how job interviews and the skills needed to crack them have fundamentally changed in the age of artificial intelligence.

In an as-told-to essay published by Business Insider, Akaash Vishal Hazarika, a 29-year-old senior software engineer based in Seattle, reflected on his 8-year career at Google, Amazon, Splunk and Salesforce, offering insights into how software engineers must now prepare for interviews in the AI era.

“I’ve had a front-row seat to witness the changes in the tech landscape. I’ve learned which skill sets software engineers need to land a job offer in the AI era,” he said.

According to Hazarika, traditional preparation methods, such as mastering data structures, algorithms and system design, are no longer enough. He said that while these fundamentals remain essential, they are now seen as baseline expectations. “AI is now widely used for coding, review, and design, so tech companies, especially startups, expect more from candidates,” he wrote.

Hazarika said he himself uses AI extensively for boilerplate code, allowing him to focus on complex system design and business logic. As a result, engineers are increasingly expected to understand prompt engineering, AI-assisted debugging, error handling and deciding when AI solutions make sense over traditional approaches.

“You’re still expected to have fundamental knowledge of core system design, data structures, and algorithms. You can still expect interviewers to test your problem-solving approaches, and if you know how to make the correct tradeoffs in time and space. Interviewers still care about debugging skills, since AI makes a lot of fundamental logic errors,” Hazarika said.

However, he noted that some companies now allow candidates to use AI tools during live coding interviews to assess how effectively they combine engineering judgment with AI assistance.

Hazarika went on to recall failing a 2024 interview with a Silicon Valley startup after ignoring explicit permission to use AI while debugging a large codebase. “That was an eye-opener for me about AI’s new role in this field,” he wrote.

System design interviews, Hazarika added, now often include questions on integrating AI into existing workflows, managing model lifecycles and evaluating trade-offs such as cost, reliability and scalability. In some cases, candidates are given a small codebase and asked to deliver a feature within an hour – something he said is “nearly impossible without AI.”

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/us/indian-techie-who-worked-at-google-and-amazon-shares-key-skills-needed-in-the-ai-hiring-era-101768925793571.html

Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams retired effective December 27, 2025, after a 27-year career. Her final mission stretched over nine months. Williams logged 608 days in space, nine spacewalks totaling 62 hours, commanded the ISS, and helped advance science enabling Artemis Moon and Mars missions, NASA said. She inspired generations worldwide with historic achievements.

Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams took retirement on Tuesday (January 20). The retirement, announced by the space agency, came into effect on December 27, 2025. Notably, Williams’ last space mission, which was scheduled for 10 days, extended for over nine months.

“Suni Williams has been a trailblazer in human spaceflight, shaping the future of exploration through her leadership aboard the space station and paving the way for commercial missions to low Earth orbit,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.

“Her work advancing science and technology has laid the foundation for Artemis missions to the Moon and advancing toward Mars, and her extraordinary achievements will continue to inspire generations to dream big and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement, and thank you for your service to NASA and our nation,” NASA said in a statement.

What Sunita Williams Said On Her Retirement:

They acknowledged steady and strong bilateral defence and security cooperation as a core pillar of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

With tensions between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh over Yemen escalating, India and the United Arab Emirates signed a Letter of Intent for a strategic defence partnership agreement on Monday, just four months after a similar pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan raised hackles in New Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted UAE President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who was on a less than two-hour-long visit to New Delhi. The two leaders highlighted their deep respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the importance of strategic autonomy, according to a joint statement issued after they held a meeting.

They acknowledged steady and strong bilateral defence and security cooperation as a core pillar of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

A 10-year LNG Supply Agreement between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) of India and ADNOC Gas of the UAE for the delivery of half a million tonnes per year of liquefied natural gas, beginning in 2028, was also signed on Monday. Besides, the leaders welcomed the enactment of the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) law, noting that it creates new opportunities for enhanced civil nuclear cooperation.

The two sides agreed to explore a partnership in advanced nuclear technologies, including development and deployment of large nuclear reactors and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), as well as cooperation in advanced reactor systems, nuclear power plant operations and maintenance and nuclear safety.

The prime minister and the UAE president welcomed the momentum generated by the recent exchange of visits by the respective service chiefs and commanders of the army, navy and air force of both countries, as well as the successful conduct of bilateral military exercises.

The Letter of Intent towards the conclusion of a Strategic Defence Partnership agreement was signed on the occasion.

Riyadh had, on September 17 last year, entered into a defence agreement with Islamabad, not only disregarding the personal rapport between Modi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud but also overlooking New Delhi’s security concerns.

The Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) had committed Saudi Arabia and Pakistan help each other in responding to any aggression by a third country against either of them.

Riyadh had inked the deal with Islamabad just a few months after India and Pakistan had a four-day cross-border military flare-up between May 7 and 10. The agreement allowed Saudi Arabia to rely on the nuclear arsenal of Pakistan in case of a conflict.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were now purportedly trying to rope in Türkiye to turn the bilateral deal into a trilateral one.

The latest move by New Delhi and Abu Dhabi to go for a strategic defence partnership was intended to send out a message to both Islamabad and Riyadh.

The relations between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, once close allies, recently came under stress over diverging regional ambitions, particularly in Yemen.

The two Gulf Arab nations have been a part of the coalition against the Houthis in Yemen, but their strategies later went in diverse directions. Riyadh backed a unified Yemeni state under the internationally recognised government, whereas Abu Dhabi always supported southern separatist forces to secure ports and counter the radical Islamists. Differences have also surfaced over regional influence and foreign policy priorities. Recently, the UAE has scaled back its military presence in Yemen amid pressure from Saudi Arabia. Riyadh, however, has stepped up aid and political efforts to reassert influence, exposing its rift with Abu Dhabi.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/modi-hosts-uae-president-massive-200-billion-trade-target-lng-deal-signed-3867615

Unlike previous elections, ballot would also be introduced for zilla and taluk panchayat polls.

The paper ballot is all set to make a comeback in Bengaluru after 25 years with the State Election Commission (SEC) deciding to do away with the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the upcoming elections to the five municipal corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority.

Noting that developed countries like the US use ballot papers, the commission argued that there is no bar on the use of ballot papers either in the form of a law or court orders.

State Election Commissioner GS Sangreshi told reporters that the commission took the decision of using ballot papers on its own. “There are two best practices in a democratic world. One, the use of EVMs and the other is the paper ballot system. Both are proven methods. Since the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act allows the use of either paper ballots or EVMs, we have decided to go with paper ballots this time,” he said, adding the elections will be held after May 25 and before June 30.

In the last two civic body polls (2010 and 2015), Bengalureans had exercised their franchise using EVMs. Former councillors say the last time ballot papers were used in a municipal election in Bengaluru was in 2001.

Unlike previous elections, ballot would also be introduced for zilla and taluk panchayat polls.

Elections to zilla and taluk panchayas have also been on hold for the last five years.

In Karnataka, gram panchayat elections are held using ballot papers as one voter is allowed to cast vote for multiple candidates unlike in municipal elections.

When reporters quizzed about the possible delay in the counting of votes because of ballot papers, Sangreshi said the commission would make adequate logistical arrangements to ensure counting was over on the same day.

“We are well-equipped to conduct elections using ballot papers. There will be no hurdles. All counting centres will have CCTV cameras. Adequate police arrangements will be made,” he said in defence.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/after-25-years-bengaluru-to-vote-via-ballot-papers-for-civic-polls-3867826

Nitin Nabin is set to be named president of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday, with no other candidates in the fray

Nitin Nabin is set to be named president of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday, with no other candidates in the fray. The elevation of Nabin, 45, the youngest to hold the all-important post, is seen as a generational shift in the party’s leadership.

On Monday, K Laxman, the Returning Officer for the election accepted 37 sets of nomination papers backing Nabin’s candidacy–36 from states and UTs and one from the parliamentary party, which includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Dharmendra Pradhan, Bhupendra Yadav, Kiren Rijiju, Hardeep Puri, outgoing president JP Nadda, and several other members backed the nomination of the working president who is also a five-term legislator from Bihar. Nabin will be the 12th president of the party.

The nomination process, at the BJP’s headquarters in the Capital also saw chief ministers and state BJP presidents of several states and UTs including Delhi, Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh backing his candidature.

Nabin, will lead the party for the upcoming assembly polls in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and the UT of Puducherry. He will also oversee the organisational overhaul that has been pending for over a year.

A five-term legislator from Bihar, Nabin is the youngest person to be the president of the party since current Union home minister Amit Shah, who became party president in 2014 at the age of 49.

Explaining the election process, Laxman said the Sangathan Parv, as the organisational polls are being referred to, was initiated after the election of 30 state presidents (out of 36 States). The process of electing the national president can begin once elections are completed in 50% of the states.

“On 16th January 2026, Notification of Schedule of Events was announced and the electoral roll was published. As per the schedule, today, the nomination process was completed between 2 pm and 4 pm and 37 sets of nomination papers were received in favour of Nitin Nabin for the post of National President,” Laxman added.

There are no other candidates in the fray.

With the selection of Nabin for the top post, the party has signalled a generational shift, which will give a platform to the younger generation. Coming organisational appointments are expected to follow the same template.

Senior party leaders said the Sangathan Parv is an illustration of the party’s internal democracy. “…While other parties remain confined to family-centric politics, the BJP is the only party that selects its leadership in a transparent, participatory, and democratic manner, from the booth level to the national level,” the party’s official statement on the polls read.

To be sure, Nabin’s name wasn’t one of those doing the rounds of political circles as a possible replacement for Nadda.

Earlier in the day, deputy chief minister of Bihar, Samrat Choudhary hailed Nabin before he (Nabin) filed his papers.

“…It is a moment of joy for Bihar and a historic day for the Bharatiya Janata Party as the youngest national president, Nitin Nabin, will file his nomination today…,” he said.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nitin-nabin-set-to-be-named-bjp-president-today-101768849944966.html

The Maharashtra government has begun preparations for mayoral elections in Mumbai and 28 other municipal corporations, with the reservation lottery scheduled for January 22 at Mantralaya. The draw will decide the category—general, women, SC, ST, or OBC—under which the mayor’s post is reserved. Mayors are elected by corporators, and alliances may be key in corporations without a clear majority.

The Maharashtra government has initiated the process for the election of mayors in Mumbai and 28 other municipal corporations, with the lottery for reservation of the mayoral posts scheduled to be held on January 22.

How Mayors Are Elected

According to an order issued by the Urban Development Department, the draw of lots will take place at the state secretariat, Mantralaya. In Maharashtra, mayors are elected by corporators, and the post is reserved on a rotational basis.

The lottery will determine the category under which the mayor’s post will be reserved, including general, women, Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC). Once the reservation category is announced, eligible candidates will file their nominations.

Election Process

A video showing DGP Ramachandra Rao in compromising acts inside his office has stirred major controversy in Karnataka. The Chief Minister has expressed anger and demanded an explanation while the officer denies the allegations, calling the video morphed.

A controversy has erupted in Karnataka after an alleged video surfaced showing Ramachandra Rao, a DGP-rank IPS officer and father of gold smuggling accused Ranya Rao, in intimate moments inside his official chamber.

Rao, however, has denied the allegations, calling the video “fabricated and false” and saying, “This is a morphed video. People are targeting me.”

The footage, which has gone viral, purportedly shows Rao hugging and kissing different women while in uniform during office hours. Sources say the visuals appear to have been secretly recorded inside the DGP’s office and feature women visiting on different occasions in varied outfits, with Rao interacting closely with them while official work was underway.

While there are no allegations of coercion, the acts allegedly occurring inside a government office during duty hours have drawn sharp criticism.

CHIEF MINISTER BRIEFED, ANGER WITHIN GOVERNMENT

The controversy has reached Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who has taken a briefing from the concerned department following the video’s circulation. Sources say the Chief Minister was furious after watching the footage and has sought details on how such an incident could have taken place within the police establishment.

The episode has put the state government under pressure, with political and administrative circles closely tracking whether disciplinary action or a formal enquiry will follow.

OFFICER DENIES CHARGE, CALLS VIDEO MORPHED

Rao has rejected the allegations, dismissing the video as fabricated. Speaking to India Today, the senior officer claimed he was being deliberately targeted.

A video circulating online showing a man urinating inside a Delhi Metro station has led to widespread criticism on social media, raising concerns over civic sense and public hygiene in the capital’s transport system.

A video that has gone viral on social media purportedly showing a man urinating inside a Delhi Metro station has triggered widespread online outrage, with users slamming the act as a sign of declining civic sense and poor public hygiene.

The incident, which reportedly took place at a Pink Line station, has raised concerns over the cleanliness of Delhi Metro stations that are used daily by thousands of commuters. Many have pointed out that such acts not only tarnish the image of the metro system but also reflect poorly on the collective responsibility of citizens to maintain public infrastructure.

In response, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Monday issued an appeal to all passengers, urging them to help maintain cleanliness throughout metro premises.

“DMRC requests all its passengers to help in keeping the premises clean and hygienic. If passengers notice any such activity by a fellow passenger, they should immediately bring the same to the notice of DMRC authorities,” it said.

The DMRC further addressed potential passenger concerns by saying in a post on X, “Hi, any inconvenience is regretted. Suitable action is taken in case any such activity is noticed.”

Reactions on social media were swift, with several users condemning the act as “shameful” and “deeply disturbing,” questioning the apparent lack of basic civic responsibility in shared public places.

Many users expressed disappointment that despite repeated awareness campaigns, such incidents continue to occur, suggesting a need for more robust public education.

One user commented that such behaviour “undermines the effort put into maintaining public infrastructure,” while another said the incident was tarnishing the image of the country.

“Whether the country progresses or not, some people are unable to move beyond their habits,” another person posted on X.

Another user sarcastically questioned whether the man behaved the same way at home, suggesting he chose to urinate openly simply to avoid paying the Rs 5 toilet fee at the metro station.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/trending-news/story/delhi-metro-cleanliness-concerns-man-urinates-station-dmrc-urges-vigilance-2854630-2026-01-20

Noida Authority CEO M Lokesh was removed days after a 27-year-old techie died when his car fell into a water-filled pit amid dense fog. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered an SIT probe into the incident.

The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday sacked Noida Authority CEO M Lokesh following the death of a 27-year-old software engineer in Noida, whose car fell in a water-filled pit amid dense fog. A 2005-batch IAS officer from the Uttar Pradesh cadre, Lokesh was also relieved as the Managing Director of the Noida Metro Rail Corporation.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took note of the incident, ordered the formation of a three-member SIT and sought a report in five days.

Based on the Chief Minister’s instructions, a three-member SIT was formed to investigate the incident under the leadership of the Divisional Commissioner of Meerut.

In addition to the Divisional Commissioner of Meerut, the ADG, Meerut Zone; and the Chief Engineer, PWD; are also part of the SIT.

ABOUT THE CASE

The victim, Yuvraj Mehta, a software engineer working in Gurugram and resident of Noida’s Tata Eureka Park, died late on January 16 after his car plunged into a water-filled excavation pit dug for the basement of an under-construction building near Sector 150 in Noida.

Mehta was returning home from work when the vehicle lost control and fell into the 30-foot unbarricaded pit amid poor visibility due to dense fog.

Police said information about the incident was received around 12:15 am, but the body could only be recovered the next morning following a prolonged rescue operation involving the fire department, local police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

An eyewitness, delivery agent Moninder, alleged that rescue efforts were delayed and claimed the techie could have been saved with timely action. He said responders hesitated to enter the water-filled pit due to cold conditions and protruding iron rods.

Based on a complaint filed by the victim’s father, police on Sunday registered an FIR at Knowledge Park police station against MJ Wishtown Planner Limited and Lotus Green Construction Private Limited.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/noida/story/yogi-adityanath-orders-sit-probe-into-death-of-noida-techie-whose-car-plunged-into-pit-seeks-report-in-5-days-2854455-2026-01-19

India is weighing a tempting but tricky invitation from Donald Trump on Gaza – one that promises influence, but comes with unanswered questions, geopolitical baggage, and risks New Delhi can’t ignore.

India is not in a hurry to join US President Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” for Gaza, with experts pointing to a lack of clarity over the body’s mandate, structure and long-term implications. While Trump has formally invited New Delhi to be part of the initiative, the decision, Indian analysts say, goes far beyond a simple yes or no.

The Board of Peace, which Trump has projected as an elite global forum to bring lasting peace to Gaza, is being described by critics as a parallel power structure that could undermine the United Nations system, something that sits uneasily with India’s long-standing commitment to multilateralism.

On January 16, Trump announced the formation of the board in a social media post, saying, “It is my Great Honor to announce that THE BOARD OF PEACE has been formed. The Members of the Board will be announced shortly, but I can say with certainty that it is the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

A day earlier, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor shared on X a letter from Trump to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inviting him to join the board. Gor wrote, “Honored to convey @POTUS invitation to Prime Minister @narendramodi to participate in the Board of Peace which will bring lasting peace to Gaza. The Board will support effective governance to achieve stability and prosperity!”

In his letter dated January 16, Trump described the initiative as a “critically historic and magnificent effort to solidify peace” and a “bold new approach to resolving Global Conflict”.

A 25-year-old man was arrested in Bengaluru’s Whitefield area for allegedly threatening a family with a knife after a road rage incident. The act was captured on a dashcam and went viral on social media. Police identified the accused as Sayed Arbaz Khan, who has prior criminal cases, and said strict action was taken following the video’s circulation.

A 25-year-old man was arrested on Sunday for allegedly threatening a family travelling in a car with a knife following a road rage incident in Bengaluru’s Whitefield area. The incident, which occurred on Friday evening near Nexus Shantiniketan Mall, came to light after dashcam footage from the victim’s vehicle surfaced on social media and drew widespread attention.

The accused has been identified as Sayed Arbaz Khan, a resident of KG Halli. He is employed as an assistant at a fish shop in RT Nagar. According to police records, Khan is not new to criminal activity and has previously been arrested in four different cases. These include serious charges such as preparation for dacoity and housebreaking, raising concerns about his repeated involvement in violent and unlawful behaviour.

Dashcam Video Shows Rider Threatening Family In Car

The dashcam video, which later went viral, captures the tense moments that followed a minor traffic dispute. In the footage, the man inside the car, who is not visible, is heard questioning a two-wheeler rider, later identified as Khan, about his abusive language. The rider had stopped his motorcycle a short distance ahead of the car before walking back towards it. As the exchange escalated, Khan allegedly pulled out a knife-like object from his pocket and threatened the occupants of the car.

In the video, Khan can be heard shouting, “Don’t make noise. You will die,” before turning around and walking away. Moments later, the man inside the car is heard reacting in shock, saying, “What is this? He pulls out a knife!” The footage clearly shows the sudden escalation from verbal confrontation to a potentially deadly threat, sparking public outrage once it was shared online.

At Davos, BCG India Head Rahul Jain highlighted India’s strong 6-7% growth, domestic demand resilience, and geopolitical adaptability. He stressed accelerating manufacturing to 20%+ of GDP to potentially reach third-largest economy status by 2028-2030. Investments in clean energy, electronics, semiconductors, and AI—combined with supply-chain resilience and sustainability.

With India making a power-packed presence here for the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, consultancy major BCG’s India Head Rahul Jain has said the Davos takeaway for the Indian business leaders is very clear that the competitiveness now comes from combining cost, scale and resilience. Jain also said that India is very likely to become the world’s third-largest economy by around 2030, which is a key India-related topic of discussion here during the summit.

“The key question is whether growth can be further accelerated to reach this milestone as early as 2028, and achieving this faster trajectory will depend largely on accelerating the manufacturing sector further from roughly 15-17 per cent of GDP today to 20 per cent and beyond,” Jain told PTI. “In that sense, the issue is less about if and more about when,” he said.

Jain, who is here for the five-day WEF Annual Meeting beginning Monday, said investments in sunrise sectors, such as clean energy, electronics, and semiconductors, are creating new growth engines in India. He also said scaling electronics, automotive components, renewable-energy hardware, data centres, and the emerging semiconductor ecosystem can deepen India’s integration into global value chains.

“Ultimately, success will depend on Indian firms’ ability to compete globally, delivering quality, reliability, export readiness, and compliance with tightening environmental standards. With disciplined execution, India is well-positioned to capture this opportunity and accelerate to become the world’s third-largest economy,” he said. Jain said the clearest message from Davos this year is that geopolitics now actively shapes trade and value-chains as much as economics. Tariffs, export controls, subsidies and regional blocs are remapping commerce, replacing the predictability of traditional trade rules with deal-based and alignment-driven trade, he said.

“In this environment, resilience has become as critical as efficiency, as firms move from ‘just-in-time’ to ‘just-in-case’ supply chains. Businesses are increasingly building buffers, dual suppliers and regional hubs, even at higher cost, to ensure continuity,” he said. India has continued to grow at about 6-7 per cent, which is significantly above the global average of nearly 3 per cent. “This reflects a structurally stronger growth engine than most large economies. A key under-appreciated factor is the depth of domestic demand, supported by rising per-capita incomes, formalisation of the economy, and sustained public investment, which reduces reliance on external cycles,” he said.

At the same time, Jain said, import substitution and supply-chain localisation have improved India’s external balance and resilience to global trade disruptions. “These economic fundamentals are reinforced by political stability, credible macro-management, and institutional continuity, which anchor investor confidence. India’s ability to maintain diversified trade and diplomatic relationships across regions has further insulated it from global geopolitical volatility,” he said. He praised India’s relatively balanced model where domestic demand remains the primary shock absorber, without over-reliance on external demand.

Exports account for about 20-21 per cent of GDP, which is meaningful but still far lower than in highly export-dependent economies, allowing exports to act as a growth accelerator rather than the core driver in a fragmented trade environment, he said. Importantly, India is pursuing both ‘Make in India for India’ and ‘Make in India for the World’, with significant overlap in sectors, such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, auto components, renewables, EVs and engineering goods, where domestic scale also underpins export competitiveness.

On artificial intelligence becoming a key driver of global productivity and competitiveness, Jain said AI will be central, not incremental, to India’s next growth phase. Over the coming decade, it will drive productivity, competitiveness, and value creation across manufacturing, services, logistics, healthcare, and public service delivery, he added. India is already one of the most committed AI markets globally, but the scale of value creation will depend on how well ambition translates into execution, he pointed out.

“That confidence shows up clearly from our recent survey, where 88 per cent of Indian leaders expect positive ROI from AI, higher than the global average of 82 per cent, and 97 per cent say they will continue investing even if returns don’t materialise in the next 12 months,” he said. The real opportunity over the next decade is to make AI quietly useful, safe, human-centred and deeply embedded into everyday work rather than treated as a side project of the tech function, he said. On sustainability and climate transition, which are central to global economic discussions at Davos, Jain said India can pursue growth by embedding sustainability into its growth model.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/business/india-poised-to-become-worlds-third-largest-economy-by-2030-with-manufacturing-ai-resilience-as-key-drivers-bcg-india-head-at-davos

The seizure includes three AK-47 rifles along with five magazines, two pistols of Turkish and Chinese origin, two additional magazines, and 98 live cartridges.

Punjab Police, in coordination with central intelligence agencies, have recovered a substantial cache of weapons and ammunition from the border area of Narot Jaimal Singh in Pathankot district, close to the India-Pakistan boundary.

Officials said preliminary investigations suggest the arms consignment was smuggled in from Pakistan with the intent of destabilising peace in the state.

The seizure includes three AK-47 rifles along with five magazines, two pistols of Turkish and Chinese origin, two additional magazines, and 98 live cartridges.

DIG Border Range Sandeep Goyal said intelligence inputs point to the involvement of Pakistan-based terrorist Harvinder Singh Rinda, a known criminal-turned-extremist believed to be operating from across the border with the backing of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Following the recovery, security agencies have stepped up surveillance and launched extensive search operations in the region.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/ak-47-rifles-turkish-and-chinese-pistols-major-arms-haul-seized-near-india-pakistan-border-9840087.html

This will be UAE president’s third official visit to India since taking office and his fifth visit to the country in the past decade.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will visit India on Monday for talks aimed at strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Sunday.

The visit comes at a time of heightened tensions in West Asia, marked by strained Iran-US relations, ongoing instability in Gaza, and unresolved conflict in Yemen involving Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Officials said regional developments are likely to be discussed during the talks.

People familiar with the visit said key areas on the agenda will include trade and investment, defence industry cooperation, and energy initiatives. The situation in West Asia is also expected to feature prominently in discussions with the Indian leadership.

Sheikh Mohamed’s visit is being held at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It will be his third official visit to India since taking office as president and his fifth visit to the country in the past decade.

India and the UAE have seen a sharp rise in bilateral trade and people-to-people ties since signing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2022. The agreement has helped boost trade flows and investment between the two nations.

The MEA said the visit builds on recent high-level exchanges, including the visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India in September 2024. It also follows the visit of UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to India in April last year.

“India and the UAE share warm, close, and multi-faceted relations, underpinned by strong political, cultural, and economic ties,” the MEA said.

The ministry further stressed that the two countries are among each other’s top trading and investment partners. Their partnership is supported by CEPA, a local currency settlement system, and a bilateral investment treaty.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/uae-president-to-visit-india-for-talks-on-strategic-ties-amid-west-asia-tensions-ws-l-9840559.html

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was left mesmerised, along with the rest of Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Stadium, as over 10,000 artistes performed the Bodo folk dance ‘Bagurumba’ in Guwahati on Saturday, January 17.

Who doesn’t like butterflies! Now, imagine a stadium full of butterflies- dancing and singing to traditional tunes- as that is exactly what most people felt as over 10,000 artists performed their ‘magic’ in the name of ‘Bagurumba’ dance in Assam on Saturday, January 17. A video of the same is going viral. The ground at the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Stadium in the Sarusajai area of Guwahati turned into a one-of-a-kind “spectacular”, as thousands of artistes did the Bodo folk dance during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Assam-visit. The PM arrived for his 2-day visit to Assam, which is when he attended the event and was left enchanted by the performance.

Taking to his social media handle, PM Modi also shared a video of the dance performance, along with calling it a “Spectacular.” The dancers in red and orange looked even more beautiful as they danced on the green stadium ground.

The dance moves are often linked to butterflies, which further explains why the stadium looked as if it were full of dancing butterflies. As per PTI, over 10,000 artistes, including around 8,000 dancers from 81 assembly constituencies across 23 districts, participated in the event. The final rehearsals were held on Friday evening, January 16, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reviewing them.

A retired railway employee in Jhansi allegedly murdered his 32-year-old live-in partner and attempted to destroy evidence by burning her body parts over several days before being caught.

A chilling crime has shaken Jhansi, revealing a disturbing trail of brutality, secrecy and calculated attempts to destroy evidence that took place over several days inside a rented house.

Police say a 64-year-old retired railway employee, Ram Singh Parihar, also known as Brijbhan, allegedly murdered his live-in partner, a woman 32 years younger than him, and then tried to erase all traces of the crime by burning her body parts one by one. The victim has been identified as Preeti, aged 32.

Sharan Das was arrested on Saturday in a case registered under relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.

A religious preacher (kathavachak), Sharan Das alias Shravan Thakur has been arrested for allegedly raping a girl on the pretext of marriage, officers aware of the case said.

Das was arrested on Saturday in a case registered under relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, the officers said, adding that a special Pocso court later remanded Das into 14 days judicial custody.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/art-culture/quote-of-the-day-by-sushmita-sen-be-accepting-of-yourself-so-that-you-are-not-judging-of-another-101768738891716.html

Rajkumar Mehta, father of Yuvraj Mehta who drowned in water-filled pit in Greater Noida, said that had necessary support been extended in time, his son would have survived.

The father of 27-year-old software engineer Yuvraj Mehta, who died after his car plunged into a water-filled pit in Sector 150 of Greater Noida, has alleged that his son remained alive for nearly two hours, crying for help, while most people at the spot “were just watching and making videos”.

Recalling the harrowing moments, Rajkumar Mehta said his son repeatedly called him from inside the pit, pleading for help.

“My son was struggling to save himself. He kept repeating ‘papa bachao, papa bachao’ every time we spoke on the phone. He was also shouting ‘help, help’ so that general public might hear his cry for help, but most of the crowd was just watching. Some people were making videos,” he told news agency ANI.

According to Mehta, the accident took place around midnight. “The incident took place around 12 am, and around 2.30, signal stopped coming from my son’s end,” he said, adding that his son fought for his life for nearly two hours. “My son struggled for 2 hours to save his life. Had he been given little support, he might have survived.”

Mehta said his son had informed him that he had fallen into a drain and shared his location. “I reached the spot immediately. The visibility was very poor there. I asked my son for his exact location and he turned on the torch on his phone. You could see the dim light even in poor visibility. He had drifted quite a distance,” he said.

He alleged that no proper rescue effort was made during the crucial window. “If any divers had attempted to save him using a rope, he might have survived,” Mehta said, claiming that those present were ill-equipped.

“The officials and staff present there were not capable of saving him. They did not have any divers. They did not have any boat. There is negligence by the administration in this entire matter,” he told ANI.

As per police, Yuvraj Mehta, a resident of Tata Eureka Park society in Sector 150, was returning home from work in Gurugram when his car went out of control amid fog and fell into an over 20-feet-deep pit dug for the basement of an under-construction building. Police received information around 12.15 am and a search operation was launched. His body was recovered later on Saturday morning with the help of teams from the fire department, the State Disaster Response Force, the National Disaster Response Force and local police.

An FIR has been registered against two real estate developers based on a complaint by the victim’s family. In the complaint, Mehta alleged that residents had repeatedly requested the Noida Authority to install barricading and reflectors at the accident-prone site, but no action was taken.

Eyewitnesses, including a delivery agent, have also alleged that rescue efforts were delayed and claimed that Mehta was seen standing on the roof of his car, using his mobile phone’s torch to signal for help.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/noida/story/noida-techie-yuvraj-drowned-father-alleges-bystanders-made-video-administration-failure-2853979-2026-01-18

The world’s largest Shivling, measuring 33 feet in height and circumference and weighing 200 metric tons, was installed at the Virat Ramayana Temple complex in East Champaran, Bihar. The event saw participation from Hindu and Muslim communities, senior leaders, and saints, with flowers showered from a helicopter and Vedic rituals performed.

The world’s largest Shivling was installed on Saturday in Bihar’s East Champaran district. Special flowers were brought from Cambodia for the installation of the Shivling. The Shivling was installed in the Virat Ramayana Temple complex. Following the installation, there is a wave of joy among both the Hindu and Muslim communities. The Muslim community also donated land for the temple’s construction.

Floral tribute

The world’s tallest Shivling has been installed at Kaithwalia under Kalyanpur block in East Champaran district.

The Shivling is 33 feet tall and 33 feet in circumference. This gigantic Shivling weighs 200 metric tons. Flowers were also showered from a helicopter.

The Virat Ramayana temple will have a total of 12 spires and 22 temples on its premises. The tallest spire will be 270 feet high. The temple complex covers an area of ​​120 acres.

Leaders present

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, and several other ministers were present on the occasion. Many sadhus and saints from various monasteries and temples also witnessed the installation.

Sparking a massive row, Baraiya stated that women belonging to backward communities are not even beautiful, but still get raped because it is written in their scriptures.

Congress MLA Phool Singh Baraiya from Bhander in Madhya Pradesh sparked a massive controversy after he claimed that most rapes in India occur in the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities.

He further went on to explain his rape theory behind the statement and stated that if a person sees an “extremely beautiful woman” while travelling, their mind may get distracted, leading to rape.

Referring to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities, the Congress MLA suggested that women belonging to the backward section of society are targeted due to what he described as a “distorted belief system” rooted in their ancient texts.

Baraiya claimed that perpetrators believe sexual violence against women of certain castes would bring them spiritual merit equivalent to a pilgrimage.

“Who are the victims of rape in India? Mostly women belonging to the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, and the OBCs. The theory of rape is that if a man, regardless of his mental state, is walking down the road and sees a beautiful girl, he can get distracted and rape a woman,” the Congress MLA from Bhander said.

Baraiya further went on to say that women belonging to backward communities are not even beautiful, but still get raped because it is written in their scriptures.

The Bhander MLA further claimed that rape is often committed by groups rather than individuals and shockingly referred to cases involving infants, asserting that such crimes stem from a “mindset” fuelled by the beliefs written in religious texts of Dalits.

Congress Distances Itself From Baraiya’s Remark

Following Baraiya’s comments, Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari distanced the party from the remarks, stating, “No rape can be justified in any way. Anyone who commits rape is a criminal. It cannot be linked to caste or religion.”

He emphasised that sexual violence is a grave crime and that any attempt to rationalise it is unacceptable.

‘Shameful & Shocking’: BJP Attacks

The BJP hit out at the Congress MLA following his remarks and termed the statement as “shameful and shocking”.

Taking to X, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla shared Baraiya’s photo with Rahul gandhi and wrote, “The Congress MLA who made the most despicable comments on women, Hindu Astha and SC ST women is with Rahul Gandhi being patronised by him. So, sanction for his comments comes from the top.”

A Delhi man was left appreciating Blinkit’s quick ambulance service, after the ambulance allegedly showed up in just ‘6 minutes’, saving his grandmother’s life. Here’s what happened…

Amid the ‘10-minute delivery’ controversy that is raising multiple questions on the safety and security of delivery partners, a rather unexplored side of the same service took social media over, highlighting how the fast delivery promise can thrive for services other than getting groceries. Taking to social media, a Delhi man expressed their gratitude towards Blinkit and its quick ambulance service, recalling how the platform’s fast service turned out to be a lifesaver for his grandmaster. As per the post, the man’s grandmother suddenly collapsed at home at around 8 AM a few days ago.

Rushing to action, the man called 112 for an ambulance; however, it was taking time. It was then that the idea of calling Blinkit’s ambulance services crossed his mind. As per the post, the app showed 6 minutes, followed by a confirmation call from Blinkit within 1 minute. In the next 4 minutes, the ambulance was already outside the man’s home.

The team checked the man’s grandmother, who allegedly had dropped blood sugar. The team was able to stabilise the elderly woman soon after, after which they safely transferred her to a hospital.

Recalling the entire incident, the man pointed out how such fast services can be used for something like this instead. He also alleged that after the service, the Blinkit team refused any payment or tip, which further impressed him.

More than 3,000 people have been killed in Iran’s nationwide protests. The US-based HRANA group said it had verified 3,090 deaths, including 2,885 protesters, after residents said the crackdown appeared to have broadly quelled protests for now ⁠and state media reported more arrests.

Widespread demonstrations, internet shutdown and the crackdown by Ayatollah Khamenei’s regime – Indians in Iran witnessed a lot before they finally arrived in Delhi. Upon their return, they recalled how dire the ground situation is in Iran.

Several Indian nationals arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi from Iran late Friday evening amid rising regional tensions. The Indian government had advised its nationals in Iran to leave the country due to the volatile security situation, with the Ministry of External Affairs stressing that it is closely monitoring developments and is “committed to doing whatever is necessary for their well-being.”

An Indian national, who returned from Iran, described the “bad situation” in Iran and thanked the Indian government for cooperating with the nationals to help them leave the country. “The conditions are bad there. The Government of India is cooperating a lot, and the Embassy provided us with information on leaving Iran as early as possible…’Modi ji hai toh har cheez mumkin hai’,” he said.

Another national told ANI, “We were there for a month. But we were only facing problems for the last one or two weeks…When we went outside, the protesters would come in front of the car. They would cause a little trouble…The internet was shut down, which is why we couldn’t tell our families anything, so we were a little worried…We couldn’t even contact the embassy.”

Another Indian national who returned from Iran said, “I am a resident of Jammu and Kashmir… The protests there were dangerous. The Indian government has made a very good effort and brought the students back…”

An advisory issued by the Indian Embassy in Tehran asked Indian nationals, including students, businesspeople, pilgrims and tourists, to depart Iran through available means of transport, including commercial flights, citing the “evolving situation”. In parallel, another advisory issued by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi strongly advised Indians to avoid travel to Iran until further notice in view of ongoing developments.

More than 3,000 people have been killed in Iran’s nationwide protest, according to activists. The US-based HRANA group said it had verified 3,090 deaths, including 2,885 protesters, after residents said the crackdown appeared to have broadly quelled protests for now ⁠and state media reported more arrests.

US President Donald Trump, who ‍had threatened “very strong action” if Iran executed protesters, said Tehran’s leaders had called off mass hangings. Iran ⁠had not announced plans for such executions or said it had cancelled them.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/first-flights-from-iran-land-in-delhi-indians-recall-ground-situation-article-153462685

Authorities in Varanasi have initiated eight criminal cases regarding the dissemination of AI-generated images related to redevelopment at the Manikarnika Ghat, a sacred site for Hindus.

Varanasi police have registered eight criminal cases after allegedly fake, AI-generated images linked to redevelopment work at Manikarnika Ghat, one of Hinduism’s holiest cremation sites, circulated widely on social media.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Gaurav Bansal said the cases were filed at Chowk police station against eight people and several social media accounts on X. The complaints accuse them of sharing fabricated images and misleading claims about the ongoing beautification and strengthening work at the ghat.

Police said the posts included visuals allegedly linked to Hindu deities and were circulated with the intent to hurt religious sentiments, spread misinformation and provoke public anger. Authorities said the content misrepresented the actual nature of the redevelopment work and triggered a wave of objectionable comments and reposts, escalating tensions online.

The cases were registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, India’s new criminal law code. According to police, a complaint was filed by Mano, a resident of Tamil Nadu, whose company has been carrying out work at the ghat since November 15, 2025. The complaint alleged that an X user shared AI-generated and misleading images late Friday night.

Bansal said the circulation of false information was aimed not only at hurting religious sentiments but also at creating an anti-government narrative. He warned that legal action would extend to those who reposted or amplified the content. A detailed investigation is underway, police said.

A day earlier, District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar sought to calm the controversy, saying no idols had been damaged during the reconstruction. He said claims circulating on social media were baseless and did not reflect conditions on the ground.

Kumar said some artworks embedded in old walls were affected during the work but were preserved by the Culture Department and moved to a safe location. They will be reinstalled after the project is completed, he said.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/manikarnika-ghat-redevelopment-row-8-booked-for-sharing-fake-ai-images-all-about-the-controversy-article-153465355

IndiGo has been fined Rs 22 crore after an aviation regulator’s probe found that overworked crew rosters, weak planning and inadequate implementation of revised duty time norms led to widespread flight delays and cancellations.

India’s aviation regulator has imposed a penalty of Rs 22.20 crore on IndiGo after an enquiry found that overworked crew rosters, weak operational planning and inadequate implementation of revised duty time norms led to widespread flight delays and cancellations, severely inconveniencing passengers.

The enquiry concluded that the airline’s management adopted an over-optimised operational model that prioritised maximum utilisation of crew, aircraft and network resources, leaving little margin to absorb disruptions and weakening overall operational resilience.

OVERWORKED ROSTERS AND THIN BUFFERS

The probe found that crew rosters were designed to maximise duty periods, with reduced buffer margins and heavy reliance on dead-heading, tail swaps and extended duty patterns. This significantly compromised roster integrity and limited recovery options when disruptions occurred.

Investigators said the overriding focus on utilisation resulted in systemic vulnerabilities, making operations prone to cascading delays and large-scale cancellations.

PLANNING FAILURES AND REGULATORY PREPAREDNESS

The enquiry flagged inadequate regulatory preparedness, deficiencies in system software support and shortcomings in operational control. It noted that the airline failed to sufficiently assess the impact of the Winter Schedule 2025 and the revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms before implementation.

As a result, the airline did not maintain adequate operational buffers or contingency planning, contributing directly to network-wide disruptions, affecting thousands of flights over a period of nearly 15 days.

ACTION AGAINST SENIOR MANAGEMENT

The regulator issued a caution to IndiGo’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for inadequate overall oversight of flight operations and crisis management. The Accountable Manager and Chief Operating Officer (COO) were warned for failing to assess the impact of the revised FDTL provisions.

The Senior Vice President overseeing the Operations Control Centre was also warned and directed to be relieved of his current operational responsibilities, with instructions that he should not be assigned any accountable position due to failures in systemic planning and timely implementation.

PENALTY BREAK-UP

The total penalty imposed on IndiGo stands at Rs 22.20 crore, comprising:

• Rs 1.80 crore as one-time systemic penalties for violations under six provisions, with each violation attracting a fine of Rs 30 lakh.
• Rs 20.40 crore as a continued non-compliance penalty, calculated at Rs 30 lakh per day for 68 days of non-compliance.

BANK GUARANTEE AND SYSTEMIC REFORMS

In addition to the Rs 22.20 crore penalty, IndiGo has been directed to furnish a Rs 50 crore bank guarantee to ensure compliance with regulatory directives and long-term systemic correction. The reform framework, backed by the bank guarantee, has been titled the IndiGo Systemic Reform Assurance Scheme (ISRAS).

The enquiry committee said its mandate also covered long-term reform measures to address systemic issues and prevent recurrence of such disruptions, with the objective of ensuring passenger convenience and operational stability going forward.

BOARD RESPONSE AND PASSENGER COMPENSATION

Bangladesh’s interim government has barred former premier Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League from participating in upcoming polls because it fears party’s popularity: Awami League leaders

Bangladesh’s interim government is incapable of ensuring fair elections and has barred former premier Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League from participating in the upcoming polls because it fears the party’s popularity, senior Awami League leaders said on Saturday.

Besides accusing the caretaker administration led by Muhammad Yunus of failing to protect Bangladesh’s minorities and trampling on human rights, Awami League leaders Hasan Mahmud and Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury criticised a report presented by the UN Human Rights Office on deaths and violence during protests in July–August 2024 as biased and one-sided.

This was the first time senior Awami League leaders addressed the media in New Delhi since the fall of Hasina’s government following widespread student-led protests in 2024. Hasina has lived in self-exile in New Delhi since she fled Bangladesh, and many Awami League leaders are currently in India or Europe. Mahmud, who served as foreign minister, recently arrived in India from Belgium.

Referring to the interim government’s decision to bar all activities of the Awami League, which led to the party being kept out of Bangladesh’s general election scheduled for February 12, Mahmud said: “The election should be held under a neutral caretaker government. This administration is completely hostile towards us, and they are taking revenge on us.

“Under this administration, a level playing field for Awami League will never be possible. We do want to participate in the election. We came to power all the time through elections. We believe in people’s power.”

Mahmud contended that the Awami League was barred from the “arranged election” since the party’s popularity has increased because of the interim government’s “atrocities, failure to run the country [and] manage the economy”. He added, “We are always ready to go to [Bangladesh]. We are political elements. We have gone to jail before. Sheikh Hasina also went to jail before. There must be rule of law. We shall definitely return to the country… along with Sheikh Hasina, our leader.”

Mahmud and Chowdhury, who served as education minister, criticised the interim government for failing to protect minorities and pointed to the case of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu man whose body was set on fire after he was lynched following accusations of blasphemy. They said the Yunus-led set-up had failed to prevent the looting and burning of homes and temples of Hindus and even gave “indemnity” to those accused of killing Awami League workers.

The two former ministers, who were accompanied by Awami League activists based in the US and the UK, also criticised the report presented last year by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, which estimated that 1,400 people were killed when Hasina’s government repressed protests during July–August 2024, and questioned the role of UN human rights chief Volker Türk.

Mahmud contended that the report, which did not include the views of Awami League leaders even after UN officials interviewed him and Chowdhury, was “totally fabricated, biased, one-sided and meant to protect the regime” of Yunus. Chowdhury said: “The UN started from the presumption that the Awami League government was guilty.”

The Awami League leaders noted that such investigations by the UN are usually carried out only after the Security Council passes a resolution, but pointed out that in this instance, Türk convened a team to carry out a probe on the basis of a request from Yunus. While Chowdhury acknowledged that there were excesses by the security forces while dealing with the student-led protests, he said the UN report made no mention of the hundreds of police personnel killed or reported missing during the demonstrations, or the attacks on Awami League workers and leaders following the ouster of Hasina’s government.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/awami-league-says-bangladesh-interim-govt-incapable-of-holding-fair-elections-101768670846147.html

In a post on X, he praised the valour of the Indian security forces during the Mumbai 2008 terror attack and remembered the innocent lives lost.

Sergio Gor, US Ambassador to India, paid tributes at the 26/11 memorial at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai and highlighted how, under US President Donald Trump, the alleged mastermind behind the Mumbai 2008 terror attacks- Tahawwur Rana was extradited to India.

In a post on X, he praised the valour of the Indian security forces during the Mumbai 2008 terror attack and remembered the innocent lives lost.

He said, “May such a tragedy never happen again. I visited the 26/11 memorial at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel remembering the 166 innocent lives lost, including 6 Americans. I honor the valor of the Indian security forces and am proud that under President Trump, the United States extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face justice for his role in planning these horrific attacks.”

Rana was extradited from the United States in April 2025, is currently in judicial custody following NIA interrogation in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case.

The 64-year-old Canadian businessman of Pakistani origin was extradited in connection with his alleged involvement in the November 26, 2008, Mumbai terror attacks. The devastating attack, orchestrated by Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed over 160 lives and left hundreds injured.

Commonly referred to as 26/11, these coordinated assaults by a group of 10 terrorists sent shockwaves through the nation and the world. The terrorists had entered the city of Mumbai on the night of November 26, 2008, via sea route and over the course of four days, they killed 166 people and injured 300, in some of the busiest parts of the city.

The targets were carefully chosen after being surveyed for maximum impact, viz., the Taj and Oberoi Hotels, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Jewish centre at Nariman House, Cama Hospital, Metro Cinema, and the Leopold Cafe, since these places were frequented by foreign nationals along with a major part of Mumbai’s workforce.

The nine LeT terrorists were killed while Kasab was arrested. In May 2010, Kasab was awarded the death penalty, and two years later, he was hanged in a maximum security prison in Pune.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/aiimstrained-gastroenterologist-shares-6-tips-to-heal-haemorrhoids-elevate-your-feet-avoid-phone-on-the-toilet-101768664098515.html

GRAP-4 curbs have been enforced in Delhi-NCR as air quality enters ‘severe’ category, says Commission for Air Quality Management

Stricter pollution curbs under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan have enforced in Delhi-NCR as the air quality entered “severe” category on Saturday evening, January 17.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) took the decision a day after imposing GRAP Stage 3 restrictions.

The article discusses the effects of the Supreme Court’s judgment in Tiger Global, particularly in terms of foreign investments.

A tax case may seem unlikely to be a barometer of the state of rule of law in a country like India. There are far too many other cases concerning fundamental human rights to stake claim on that title.

Yet, the judgment in the case of Tiger Global is one of the most consequential ones in India’s jurisprudential history. And it might come with an economic cost in terms of foreign investment in India.

Provisions in regular criminal law hope to prevent the spread of hate speech to an extent by punishing perpetrators on an individual basis.

Karnataka’s Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill has the right intent. If free speech is the lifeblood of a democracy, hate speech poisons that lifeblood, pitting community against community, shattering the bonds of fraternity and targeting the dignity of an individual. Hate speech, as generally defined, aims to demean and dehumanise an individual and a community, creating the basis for violence against them. Examples can be found in Nazi rhetoric against Jews, Hutu radio broadcasts against Tutsis, and, closer home, in the dehumanisation of Bengali speakers in erstwhile East Pakistan by the West Pakistani government and media. These were large-scale, state-sponsored, systematic campaigns of hate targeting specific marginalised communities. The age of mass media and now social media has only made it easier for hate speech to spread wider and faster.

Provisions in regular criminal law hope to prevent the spread of hate speech to an extent by punishing perpetrators on an individual basis. What the Karnataka Bill aims to do is fill in the gaps in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) when it comes to tackling hate speech and hate crimes. The BNS, though passed in 2023, still sticks to colonial-era definitions of hate speech, which were more concerned with maintaining peace between communities rather than protecting constitutional values of fraternity or dignity. The inadequacies in this framework have been gone into by the Law Commission of India in its 267th report, but its suggestions remain unimplemented.

Has the Karnataka Bill addressed these deficiencies?

With the sharper definition and a clearer list of protected categories, the Karnataka Bill has, to some extent, addressed some gaps in the BNS. However, it does not address the core of the problem – poor implementation of the law. In a law-abiding country, the investigation and prosecution of crimes are done only on the basis of the law and the individual judgment of the investigator and prosecutor. However, in India, the investigator and prosecutor seldom act with such independence in high-profile cases and take their cues from the political executive. Deciding whom to prosecute and whom to let off has become an exercise in discretion rather than the law.

This matters because the model of preventing hate speech is deterrence through criminal sanctions – a measure which only works if the criminal justice system works predictably and efficiently. Without serious reforms in the criminal justice system (of which prosecutorial independence is one element), merely passing new laws is no deterrence. When the decision to investigate or prosecute is based on partisan political concerns, the words of the law become meaningless. More so, when there is little chance of a remedy against bad-faith prosecutions.

Even if the intent of the law was only to clarify the definition of what constitutes hate speech and how it should be prosecuted, Karnataka’s Bill could have just proposed an amendment to the BNS, which has existing provisions to tackle hate speech. However, for reasons best known to it, the state government has chosen to make this a separate offence with a different language, a different procedure for prosecution and a different punishment. This makes the Bill stand in conflict with the Union legislation and raises doubts about its constitutional validity.

That said, there are no simple answers on how to fight hate speech in India. It requires better drafted laws which define the offence narrowly and specifically, and more robust enforcement mechanisms implemented by independent and efficient institutions. These are not changes which can take place overnight. It also requires greater political imagination to fight hate speech, one that goes beyond criminal law and punishment as the only possible tools to fight hate speech.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/will-karnatakas-hate-speech-bill-survive-indias-enforcement-gap-3865114

Poonch police have taken significant legal action against terrorism by seizing property linked to a Pakistan-based terror handler, Abdul Aziz.

In a decisive legal action against terrorism and anti-national elements operating from across the border, Poonch Police have attached an immovable property belonging to a Pakistan-based terror handler, in compliance with the directions of the court.

The attachment has been effected in connection with FIR No. 07/2002 registered at Police Station Mandi under Sections 2/3 of the E&IMCO Act. The attached property comprises 10 Kanal 14 Marlas of land, falling under Khasra No. 491 situated in Tehsil Mandi, District Poonch, with an assessed value of approximately Rs 22.05 lakh.

The attached property belongs to Abdul Aziz, son of Ahmed Lone, resident of Chamber Kanari, Tehsil Mandi in Poonch, who is presently operating as a Pakistan-based terror handler.

The accused had earlier exfiltrated to Pakistan-PoJK and has since been actively involved in activities inimical to the security and sovereignty of the nation.

Owing to his continued evasion of the legal process, the accused was declared a proclaimed offender by the court.

Despite sustained efforts by Poonch Police to secure his arrest, he remained beyond the reach of the law, compelling the court to order the attachment of his immovable property.

Acting upon these directions, the attachment was executed by Poonch police in close coordination with the Revenue Department, after following all due legal procedures, verification, and documentation.

This action forms part of a broader and sustained strategy to dismantle the financial and logistical support structures of terror networks and to ensure that individuals involved in terrorism and anti-national activities are deprived of their resources.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/pakistan-terror-handler-abdul-aziz-property-attached-in-jammu-and-kashmir-poonch-after-court-directions-article-153454985

The Bathinda special MP-MLA court exempted Kangana Ranaut from in-person attendance in the ongoing defamation case filed by Mahinder Kaur over a 2020 tweet during the farmers’ protest. Kangana will appear through video conferencing, file an undertaking not to delay the trial, and her counsel must attend all hearings. Next hearing is on January 27.

The special MP-MLA court in Bathinda has allowed the BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut to attend all future hearings of the ongoing defamation case – filed by an elderly farmer Mahinder Kaur – through video conferencing, instead of appearing in person.

The court order on Thursday came after Kangana’s counsel told court that she faced serious security threats, referring to the FIR about threats to her life and an alleged assault at Chandigarh airport.

Exempting Kangana from appearing in person for future hearings, the court, however, told her to attend every hearing through video conferencing and to file an undertaking that she will not delay the trial and that her counsel must remain present on all the hearings.

She had appeared in the court on Thursday through video conferencing; judicial magistrate first class (JMIC) Inderjeet Singh has fixed the next hearing on January 27.

The court also allowed Mahinder Kaur to call additional witnesses whose statements may be important for a fair trial.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/defamation-case-bathinda-court-exempts-kangana-ranaut-from-personal-hearing

Rahul Gandhi reiterated the his vote chori charge against Election Commission amid Maharashtra civic polls counting, prompting a sharp rebuttal from BJP.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tapped on social media trends to troll its favourite target, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and defend the Election Commission of India (EC) over the Maharashtra municipal corporation election results, in which the Mahayuti was set for a big win, defeating reunions of the Thackeray as well as Pawar families.

Counting of votes was held for 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, including the prestigious Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) of Mumbai, on Friday. The BJP-Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) was ahead in at least 1,635 of the over 2,800 wards across the corporations, restricting its rivals to around 190 leads.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena contested as an alliance. The Mahayuti alliance was poised to cross the majority mark of 114 needed to wrest power in the BMC, a Thackeray fort.

The Congress, with its ally Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, managed to wrest power in Latur but was nowhere close to winning the civic polls overall.

Rahul brings up vote chori charge, BJP counters with Varun Dhawan meme

The BJP on Friday attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with a “khandani chor” barb and the currently viral meme involving actor Varun Dhawan, accusing him of misleading people by discrediting the Maharashtra civic poll process while the counting of votes was underway.

This came in response to Rahul Gandhi asserting that “vote chori [theft] is an anti-national act” and accused the Election Commission of “gaslighting” citizens amid a row over the quality of ‘indelible’ ink used in marker pens during the voting for Maharashtra civic polls held on Thursday.

Gandhi shared on X a media report on the row which stated that “opposition, voters cry foul over fading ink markers”.

“Election commission gaslighting citizens is how trust has collapsed in our democracy. Vote Chori is an anti-national act,” Gandhi said in his post on X.

Mocking Rahul Gandhi, the BJP seemingly used a meme template inspired by Varun Dhawan’s viral one-sided smile and morphed it. “𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚. 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐭𝐡𝐚. 𝐀𝐧𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐧 [Legacy, prestige, discipline],” BJP’s official X handle captioned the post, taking a veiled dig at the repeated poll defeats of Congress.

Leonov allegedly killed both his friends by slitting their throats. Leonov was arrested by police and further probe into the murders is underway.

Russian national Aleksei Leonov was arrested for allegedly killing compatriots Elena Vaneeva and Elena Kasthanova in north Goa on January 14 and January 15 in Arambol and Morjim villages, a police official said on Friday.

He killed his friend Elena Vaneeva (37) on her room at Morjim on January 14 by slitting her neck with a knife, the Mandrem police station official said.

As per the complaint by Vaneeva’s landlady, the incident happened after 11 pm, he added.

The accused later went to to Arambol village, situated eight kilometres away, on January 15 evening to meet his friend Elena Kasthanova (37).

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/goa-news/russian-man-kills-two-women-friends-by-slitting-their-throats-in-goa-10766674

Two tourists from Kerala drowned in Arunachal Pradesh’s Sela Lake after entering the frozen water to rescue another member of their group, police said. One body has been recovered while a search continues for the missing tourist. The incident occurred on Friday afternoon amid extreme cold and poor visibility in the high-altitude Tawang district.

Two tourists from Kerala drowned in the Sela Lake in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang district on Friday, police said.

The body of one of them was recovered, while a search was underway to trace the other, they said.

“The deceased was identified as Dinu (26), while Mahadev (24) is still missing. They were part of a seven-member tourist group that had arrived in Tawang via Guwahati,” Superintendent of Police (SP) DW Thongon said.

“The incident happened in the afternoon when one member of the group slipped into the frozen lake and began to drown. Dinu and Mahadev entered the lake in an attempt to rescue him. While the third tourist managed to come out safely, the two were swept under the icy water,” he added.

The SP said the administration received information about the incident around 3 pm, following which a joint rescue operation was launched involving the district police, central forces and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).

“Despite difficult weather and low visibility, the body of one tourist was recovered. The search for the missing person had to be halted due to darkness and harsh conditions,” he said, adding that the operation will resume on Saturday morning.

The recovered body has been kept at Jang Community Health Centre, where a post-mortem examination will be conducted on Saturday.

Thongon said warning signboards have been put up at Sela Lake and other tourist spots, clearly advising visitors not to walk on frozen lakes.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/arunachal-pradesh-tragedy-2-kerala-tourists-drown-after-slipping-into-frozen-sela-lake-in-tawang-video-shows-dramatic-rescue-efforts

Several Indian nationals returned safely from Iran following government advisories amid escalating unrest and communication blackouts. The Modi government’s swift action has been widely appreciated by families awaiting their loved ones’ arrival.

Anxiety, relief and gratitude played out at Indira Gandhi International Airport late Friday as several Indian nationals arrived from Iran, days after New Delhi urged its citizens to leave the country amid escalating protests and a volatile security situation.

The arrivals followed advisories from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Tehran, asking Indians, including students, pilgrims, businesspeople and tourists, to depart Iran using available transport options. The government said it was closely tracking developments and remained “committed to doing whatever is necessary for their well-being”.

Those returning described worsening conditions on the ground, marked by protests, movement restrictions and communication blackouts. “The conditions are bad there. The Government of India is cooperating a lot, and the Embassy provided us with information on leaving Iran as early as possible ‘Modi ji hai toh har cheez mumkin hai’,” one Indian national said after landing in Delhi.

Another returnee spoke of the growing sense of insecurity in recent weeks. “We were there for a month. But we were only facing problems for the last one or two weeks. When we went outside, the protesters would come in front of the car and cause trouble. The internet was shut down, which is why we could not tell our families anything. We were worried. We could not even contact the embassy,” he said.

A resident of Jammu and Kashmir, who also returned from Iran, recalled the intensity of the unrest. “The protests there were dangerous. The Indian government has made a very good effort and brought the students back,” he said.

Outside the arrival gate, families waited anxiously, some after days of silence from their relatives due to internet shutdowns. A man awaiting his wife’s aunt, who had gone to Iran on pilgrimage, said the family had drawn confidence from New Delhi’s response. “Iran has always been a good friend of India and we were very confident in the Modi government, which continuously supported. We thank the Government of India for making this possible. We are very happy as our family member is returning,” he said.

Another relative, waiting for his sister-in-law, described the situation as “war-like”. “The internet was down and we were not able to contact her by any means. We were worried. We are very happy that she is returning to India safely. We thank the Government of India for making arrangements during these difficult times,” he said. A separate family member said his mother and aunt were returning after three days of no contact. “We were worried. They are returning to India today,” he said.

The Indian Embassy in Tehran, in its advisory, cited the “evolving situation” and urged nationals to leave through commercial flights and other available means. In parallel, the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi strongly advised Indians to avoid travel to Iran until further notice, reiterating an earlier advisory issued on January 5 that asked those already there to remain cautious and stay away from protests and demonstrations.

The unrest in Iran began at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar on December 28 following the Iranian rial’s sharp fall to record lows and later spread into nationwide protests. The economic crisis has been driven by multiple pressures, including water shortages, power outages, rising unemployment and surging inflation, further fuelling public anger.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/indians-return-from-iran-amid-unrest-protest-thank-government-indira-gandhi-international-airport-bad-situation-no-internet-2853350-2026-01-17

Suvendu Adhikari said he approached court after Mamata Banerjee failed to respond to a legal notice demanding proof for public allegations linking him to an alleged coal scam.

West Bengal opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari on Friday moved court against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, filing a Rs 100 crore defamation suit over what he described as “imaginary and vile” allegations linking him to an alleged coal scam.

In a post on social media, Adhikari said he had filed the suit before the court of the civil judge (senior division) at Alipore after Banerjee failed to respond to a legal notice he had served earlier this month.

“I honour my commitments while you obfuscate issues and people,” Adhikari wrote, addressing the chief minister directly. “Your deceptive silence to the defamation notice pertaining to your vile imaginary allegations of my involvement in some alleged coal scam will not help you salvage the situation.”

Adhikari said he had followed through on his warning after Banerjee did not reply within the stipulated time. “I kept my word of dragging you to court for your deceitful misadventures and filed suit against you today,” he said.

He also claimed that if the court awarded damages, the money would be given away. “Please get in touch with your learned advocates early or else you will have to soon pay Rs100 crore as damages to me, which in turn I will be donating to charity,” he wrote.

The BJP leader had earlier sent a defamation notice to Banerjee through his advocate, accusing her of publicly linking him and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to an alleged coal scam during statements made on January 8 and 9. According to Adhikari, Banerjee claimed she had evidence but failed to place any material on record.

In the notice, Adhikari had given the chief minister 72 hours to substantiate her allegations, warning that legal action would follow if she did not.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/suvendu-adhikari-files-rs-100-crore-defamation-case-against-west-bengal-cm-mamata-banerjee-2853328-2026-01-17

In a third incident this week, once again suspected Pakistani drones were spotted near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch, triggering the Indian Army to launch a security operation and neutralise unmanned border incursions.

In yet another security concern for the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) region, the Indian Army on Thursday opened fire after spotting some suspected Pakistani drones in the Degwar area of Poonch near the Line of Control (LoC). This is the third time in this week that security forces intercepted drones at the western border.

According to reports, at least 15 drones have been spotted between January 11 to 15, near the LoC.

The Pakistani drones were spotted in the Digwar area of Poonch district. The security forces were immediately placed on a high alert to prevent any potential threat after some Pakistani drones were spotted.

On January 11 and 13, drone movement was spotted in Rajouri in Samba and Mendhar regions. Considering Thursday’s (today) incident, at least 15 drones have been spotted or intercepted by the forces along the LoC.

The intensity of the unmanned incursions have witnessed a surge as India’s Republic Day nears.

Meanwhile, the security forces are at the highest alert to foil infiltration attempts by the terrorists, from across the western border.

These fresh drone sightings have come as Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi said that the Indian Army on Tuesday strongly raised with Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) about sightings of Pakistani drones along the border areas in the Jammu Sector in the last three days.

Defence sources said that the Indian Army implemented counter-Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) measures after drones were spotted along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir.

On Sunday, troops guarding the Nowshera sector fired medium and light machine guns after observing drone activity over Gania-Kalsian village.

On the same day, drone movements were also detected over Khabbar village in Teryath, Kalakote in Rajouri, Tain-Topa in the Mankote area of Poonch district, and Chak Babral village in the Ramgarh sector of Samba. However, those flying objects returned within a few minutes.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/indian-army-targets-pakistani-drones-near-line-of-control-in-poonch-jammu-kashmir-third-incident-this-week-article-153454221

A surge in Chinese manjha accidents during Makar Sankranti killed several people and injured many across India, exposing continued illegal use despite bans and repeated safety warnings from authorities.

A spate of deadly incidents linked to the banned Chinese kite string, commonly known as Chinese manjha, has left several people dead and many others critically injured across multiple states over the past five days, raising fresh concerns over enforcement failures during the Makar Sankranti festival period.

In one of the most tragic incidents, a man, his wife and their 10-year-old daughter were killed after their motorcycle fell from a flyover in Surat on January 14. The family was crossing the Jilani flyover, also known as the Chandrashekhar Azad overbridge, when a kite string suddenly came in front of the bike. While attempting to avoid it, the rider lost control and the family plunged off the bridge. CCTV footage of the fall has since surfaced. The man and child died on the spot, while the woman succumbed to her injuries during treatment the following day.

Another fatal incident was reported from Surat’s Jahangirpura area, where an eight-year-old child died after his neck was slit by Chinese manjha during Makar Sankranti celebrations, turning what is usually a festive day into a moment of mourning for the family.

In Jaunpur, a doctor was killed after his throat was slit by the sharp kite string despite a statewide ban. Witnesses said the string cut so deep that it severed the neck bone. He died before reaching the hospital. Locals alleged that banned Chinese manjha continues to be supplied openly to kite flyers.

Several serious injuries were reported across Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. In Ajmer, a 25-year-old woman riding a scooter suffered severe neck injuries after the string got entangled around her throat. Doctors at a government hospital had to apply eight stitches to stop the bleeding.

In Kota, a 70-year-old man and an eight-year-old child were injured in separate incidents when Chinese manjha slashed their neck and face respectively. Both were admitted to hospital and remain under medical care.

Madhya Pradesh reported multiple cases within days. In Indore, a youth was left in critical condition after his throat was cut on a bridge, while in another incident, a businessman died after suffering a fatal neck injury caused by a kite string. Police said investigations are ongoing, though officials have stopped short of confirming the material involved in some cases.

In Chhindwara, a 24-year-old mechanic sustained serious injuries, including fractured ribs and a broken shoulder, after being struck by Chinese manjha while riding his bike. His family has appealed to the government for financial assistance to cover medical expenses.

Another injury was reported from Jamnagar, where a 42-year-old biker was rushed to hospital after suffering a deep neck wound from kite string on an overbridge.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/from-surat-to-indore-glass-coated-chinese-manjha-leaves-trail-of-deaths-and-injuries-2852705-2026-01-16

The Speaker ruled that there was no evidence to prove that the two legislators had defected to the ruling Congress party, holding that the anti-defection law under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution was not applicable. With this decision, both MLAs will technically continue as members of the BRS.

Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar on Wednesday dismissed disqualification petitions against two more Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLAs, Pocharam Srinivas Reddy of Banswada and Kale Yadaiah of Chevella.

The Speaker ruled that there was no evidence to prove that the two legislators had defected to the ruling Congress party, holding that the anti-defection law under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution was not applicable. With this decision, both MLAs will technically continue as members of the BRS.

The ruling has provided relief to seven out of the 10 BRS MLAs who were elected on BRS tickets in the 2023 Assembly elections but were accused of switching loyalties to the Congress in 2024.

In December 2025, disqualification petitions against five other MLAs, Tellam Venkat Rao (Bhadrachalam), Bandla Krishna Mohan Reddy (Gadwal), T Prakash Goud (Rajendranagar), Gudem Mahipal Reddy (Patancheru), and Arekapudi Gandhi (Serilingampally) were also dismissed due to insufficient evidence.

Disqualification proceedings are still pending against three MLAs, Kadiyam Srihari, Danam Nagendar, and M Sanjay Kumar, with hearings either pending or reserved.

The BRS had moved the petitions alleging that the MLAs had openly supported the Congress by participating in party programmes and meeting Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. The MLAs, however, denied any formal defection, claiming their interactions were limited to seeking development funds for their constituencies.

The matter had reached the Supreme Court, which in November 2025 issued a contempt notice to the Speaker over delays and directed timely disposal of the cases. The latest ruling came a day ahead of a scheduled Supreme Court hearing on January 16, 2026.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/telangana/story/no-evidence-of-defection-telangana-speaker-clears-two-brs-mlas-2852690-2026-01-15

The Court stayed the First Information Reports (FIRs) registered by West Bengal Police against ED officers who carried out the searches at I-PAC premises.

Sub-standard drugs are a major issue for the health system and, thus, any violations and deviations cannot be ignored, the Court emphasised.

A 45-year-old resident of Jodhpur in Rajasthan was taken into custody on Thursday for allegedly sexually assaulting his two daughters repeatedly.

A 45-year-old man from Rajasthan’s Jodhpur was detained on Thursday after a case was registered against him for allegedly raping his two daughters, including a minor, multiple times, police said.

Assistant commissioner of police Manglesh Chundawat said police received an email complaint from the elder daughter on January 13, and sensing a serious crime, the police contacted her the same day and obtained a written complaint. In her complaint, the 18-year-old alleged that her father had raped her on multiple occasions for the past 12 years, with the most recent incident taking place a month ago, the officer said.

“The father also raped her younger sister, who is 15 years old. When the girl told the elder sister about this, they informed their mother. Later, they informed the police via email,” Nagori Gate station house officer (SHO) Dinesh Kumar said.

Quoting the complaint, the SHO said the elder daughter alleged that her father began raping her at the age of six. “He started sexually abusing her by threatening her. He also threatened to kill her if she told her mother or any other family member,” Kumar said.

A few days ago, the accused also raped her younger sister, the complainant said.

Based on the daughter’s complaint, a case was registered against the father under sections 65(2) (rape) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita (BNS) and relevant sections of the Protection of children from sexual offences (Pocso) Act at the Nagori Gate police station on Tuesday night, according to police officers.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/recipe/resident-doctor-shares-easy-pasta-recipe-with-23-g-of-protein-per-serving-that-you-can-make-in-just-15-minutes-101768486751297.html

The agency’s legal team made the claim before an appellate tribunal for forfeited property (ATFP) in Delhi.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has, for the first time, claimed that fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi’s son, Rohan Choksi, was also “actively” involved in the offence of money laundering along with his father, who is accused of cheating Indian banks of thousands of crores of rupees and now facing extradition proceedings in Belgium.

The agency’s legal team made the claim before an appellate tribunal for forfeited property (ATFP) in Delhi while opposing a plea by Rohan Choksi regarding attachment of a Mumbai property in 2018. Rohan Choksi has said the property was bought by his family trust in 1994.

ED, however, argued before the tribunal that the property was transferred by Mehul Choksi in Rohan’s name in 2013 as a “calculated move” in anticipation of the attachment of properties in case his fraud was detected.

To be sure, Rohan Choksi has never been named in any first information reports (FIRs) or charge sheets filed by ED or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). People familiar with the Choksi family , who didn’t want to be named, said Rohan Choksi had separated his businesses from his father and is not in touch with him. Rohan Choksi’s location is not known. People close to the family refused to disclose his whereabouts as he is not a wanted person or named accused in any case.

Mehul Choksi fled abroad in 2017 after cheating Indian banks and has since then moved from the US, to Belgium, to Antigua and Barbuda and finally to Belgium. He is currently lodged in a prison in Antwerp after being arrested on April 11 last year based on an extradition request by the CBI.

As part of its investigation into the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud, ED has attached and seized a large number of properties worth ₹2,565 crore linked to Mehul Choksi’s companies, linked entities, his family members, etc. These include a flat in Dadar East, Mumbai, in the name of a firm, Rohan Mercantile Pvt Ltd and a flat in Walkeshwar Road, Mumbai, which is in the name of Rohan Choksi.

An adjudicating authority (AA) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) , through an order passed in August 2018, confirmed the attachment of Dadar East flat by ED but didn’t confirm the action in the case of Walkeshwar flat.

Now, in an order passed on January 8, ATFP’s members , Balesh Kumar and Rajesh Malhotra, have referred the matter back to AA for correcting its mistake by not including Walkeshwar property in its August 2018 order.

Rohan Choksi, questioning the continuation of attachment even after AA’s order, argued before ATFP that the Walkeshwar Road property was purchased by his family trust in June 1994, transferred in his name (by his father) on November 1, 2013, while the predicate offence was committed between 2015 and 2017, and “hence the said property was rightly not confirmed by the AA”. He also argued that he has not been named in any FIR, or charge sheet and that “he was beneficiary of a family trust created in 1993, when PMLA was not in existence”.

Countering Rohan Choksi, ED’s legal team informed ATFP that Mehul Choksi “deliberately caused the transfer of the said property in the name of his son Rohan Parth Mehul Choksi on November 1, 2013. This was a calculated move of Mehul Choksi in anticipation of the attachment of the properties in case of detection of fraud in due course”.

ED argued that “all the facts and evidence on record clearly points towards the direction that Rohan Choksi was also actively involved along with his father Mehul Choksi for commission of offence of money laundering, after the commission of predicate offence”. It further stated that even if a property is bought in 1994, it can be attached as value thereof in the absence of direct proceeds of crime.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/recipe/resident-doctor-shares-easy-pasta-recipe-with-23-g-of-protein-per-serving-that-you-can-make-in-just-15-minutes-101768486751297.html

Some online users explained the hotel’s evening turndown service to the woman, saying, “Is this your first time? Sorry, ma’am, but this is completely normal.”

A family’s stay at a luxury hotel in Jaipur took an unsettling turn, sparking an online debate about hotel ethics and guest privacy. The issue came to light when Janhavi Jain from Delhi shared a detailed account of her experience at Hyatt Regency Jaipur Mansarovar in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Her post caught widespread attention not only for the incident she described, but also opened a debate on how hotels manage routine services while respecting guest consent and personal space.

Delhi Woman Alleges Privacy Breach At Jaipur Hotel

In her post, Janhavi said her family had booked eight rooms at the hotel for a weekend stay. She alleged that on Monday evening, January 12, between 6:30 and 7:30 PM, two hotel staff members used a master key to enter one of their rooms, Room 3808. According to her, the room had already been cleaned earlier in the day.

“No one had asked for housekeeping. No one had been informed,” she added. Janhavi said the incident took a disturbing turn when her six-year-old niece walked into the room shortly after and “found two unknown adults” inside. “She ran out crying,” the post mentioned.

Janhavi further stated that the staff members were not wearing name badges, “so we couldn’t even identify who they were.”

In her post, she listed a series of concerns, asking, “What if someone had been in the shower, changing clothes, or asleep? What if personal belongings had gone missing? What if my niece had gone missing? How is it acceptable for anyone to walk into an occupied hotel room like this?”

Janhavi also alleged that the hotel was aware the family was heading out for dinner at that time. She expressed fear, saying, “What if my niece were alone in the room and sexually assaulted by these men?”

Alleged Response From Hotel Staff

According to Janhavi, when the family questioned hotel staff, they received vague answers referring only to “protocol.” She named two people she interacted with, security supervisor Naveen Singh and another staff member named Akshay. She claimed that they “refused to tell us who the staff were or why they entered.”

She further alleged that the hotel declined to share CCTV footage of the incident. She also mentioned the General Manager’s response. Janhavi wrote that Akshay told them the GM, Naveen Yadav, had said, “Toh kya ho gaya agar enter ho gaye (So what if they entered?).”

“A child walked into a room with two unknown adults inside, and this was the response. This is what pissed us off the most. Not just that it happened, but how casually everyone treated it. Like, this was no big deal. We’re not living in some ideal world. We hear about child sexual abuse, child trafficking, assault, all the time. Parents are already anxious about where their kids are, who they’re around, and what spaces are actually safe,” she wrote.

She added that what upset her family most was not just the entry but the attitude that followed. “No answers. No explanation. No CCTV. No accountability. No apology that means anything,” she wrote and also warned families, saying, “If you’re travelling with family, especially with kids, I would seriously think twice before staying at Hyatt.”

A Travel Designer Weighs In

Loveleen Arun, who is a travel designer as per her bio, weighed in by offering an industry perspective. She said that many hotels carry out evening turndown services in occupied rooms.

“As far as my experience goes, most hotels do a turn down service of occupied rooms towards the evening. There is a check of mini bar usage, replenishing of bathroom amenities, towel changes and bed covers are removed to prepare the beds for night. Most often than not, this is done when guests are out. This is done as a matter of daily routine and not when asked only. From your description it seems like that is what was happening,” she wrote.

Janhavi strongly rejected this explanation. She replied that the room had already been cleaned earlier and that staff should not enter an occupied room again without permission unless there is an emergency or a specific service request. “Entering an occupied room using a master key after regular cleaning hours is not standard practice and violates basic guest privacy. That is why this incident was alarming, not just because staff entered, but because they did so without consent, without notice, and without explanation. This wasn’t a misunderstanding. It was a breach of privacy and hotel protocol,” she wrote.

Loveleen maintained her stance, replying, “I beg to differ. And I am speaking only out of experience. It is very common for hotel staff to enter occupied rooms when guests are not there. And this happens internationally everywhere, all the time. But I will leave you to draw your own conclusions.”

Others Share Similar Experiences

The discussion widened as other users joined in. One man claimed he had faced the same issue at the same Hyatt property. “We have faced the same issue when we stayed in Hyatt Mansarovar, Jaipur. It had happened 3–4 times. Two times we were inside the room, and two times we were out. When we were inside, they simply used the master key and came inside without knocking,” he wrote.

Another user shared a screenshot of a news article stating that Leela Palace Udaipur was fined Rs 10 lakh for a privacy violation. The comment read, “Hire the same lawyer, you will get answers. All leave reviews on TripAdvisor and Google Maps; here they die down fast.”

A regular Hyatt guest commented, “This is terrible. Did they respond after this post? I am a regular at Hyatt. So, this is concerning.”

‘This Is Supposed To Happen’: Many Defend Hotel Practices

Just like Loveleen, several users defended the hotel and questioned Janhavi’s expectations. One wrote, “Isn’t this naturally supposed to happen in hotels? Especially in reputed branded hotels, staff using master keys when guests are away to check for replenishment, such as soaps, water, towels, and minibar stock, is standard practice. And the hotel is not obliged to give names of staff.”

Another said, “Surely this lady has no idea about the evening turndown service provided by upscale franchise hotels. Maybe that’s her first time at such a hotel. But the question is, how on earth could a six-year-old child enter the room without any adult supervision?”

“This is called evening service. Housekeeping staff enter after knocking on the door. I think you are just making an unnecessary issue out of it,” a person added.

One comment was harsher in tone, stating, “Woman. Know the difference between ‘room been cleaned earlier’ and TURN-DOWN SERVICE! More importantly, WHY is a six-year-old roaming a hotel property ALONE?”

Another user added, “Most 5-star hotels do an evening turn-down service. They ring the bell and wait, and if no one responds, they get in using the master key. Use the DND button in the room if occupied.”

Source : https://www.news18.com/viral/delhi-woman-claims-jaipur-hotel-breached-guest-privacy-sparks-debate-aa-ws-l-9831856.html

The Bullet 350 and Continental GT 650 will be rideable motorcycles in the Battlegrounds Mobile India video game.

KRAFTON India and Royal Enfield have announced a partnership that will debut Royal Enfield’s iconic Bullet 350 and the Continental GT 650 cafe racer motorcycles inside Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI). Royal Enfield also showcased a custom-built Continental GT 650 inspired by the video games tactical and war-ready aesthetic.

The partnership is part of the BGMI 4.2 update launching on January 15, 2026 with the Royal Enfield-themed in-game content and rewards being available to players between January 19 and February 22, 2026. So, gaming enthusiasts will soon experience the thrill of riding these Royal Enfield machines across virtual battlegrounds.

Source : https://www.autocarindia.com/bike-news/royal-enfield-motorcycles-to-be-introduced-in-bgmi-438798

The resilience comes despite the Trump administration imposing a 50% additional tariff on Indian goods from August.

Defying global headwinds and hefty US tariffs, India’s merchandise exports increased 1.9% to $38.51 billion in December from $37.8 billion a year earlier, and 2.44% to $330.29 billion in the first nine months of fiscal 2026, which was primarily driven by double-digit export growth in key markets such as China, the US and the UAE, according to data released on Thursday.

“Despite global trade turmoil, merchandise exports in December have grown by 1.86% from $37.8 billion to $38.51 billion,” commerce secretary Rajesh Agrawal said on Wednesday while releasing trade data for December and the nine-month period.

Crucially, shipments to the US rose nearly 10% year-on-year to $65.88 billion in April-December 2025 from $60.03 billion in the corresponding period last year, although December exports logged a marginal drop to $6.88 billion from $7.01 billion a year earlier and edged down from $6.92 billion in November. “US exports have grown on-year in the first nine months of the (fiscal) year,” Agrawal said, adding that “as of now” exports to the US remain in positive territory.

The resilience comes despite the Trump administration imposing a 50% additional tariff on Indian goods from August, with exemptions for electronics and pharmaceuticals helping sustain momentum. Overall exports — merchandise and services combined — grew 4.33% to $634.26 billion in the nine-month period, with services exports estimated to have jumped 6.46% to $303.97 billion from $285.53 billion.

“One thing very clear with this trajectory, we are going to cross $850 billion of exports in the current financial year,” Agrawal said. India’s exports in 2024-25 stood at a record $824.9 billion.

Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) president SC Ralhan said the performance was “particularly encouraging given the volatility in global trade flows, and reflects the effectiveness of government initiatives aimed at boosting exports and focused support to MSME exporters.”

“The performance assumes greater significance against the backdrop of ongoing geo-political tensions, supply-chain realignments, inflationary pressures and rising protectionism across major economies,” he added.

China emerges as bright spot

India’s exports to China surged 37% to $14.25 billion in April-December 2025 from $10.42 billion in the same period of the previous year. “We are also doing very well in China, where the growth has been very good,” Agrawal said.

The growth accelerated sharply after the US tariff action, with December exports to China jumping 67.3% to $2.05 billion from $1.22 billion a year earlier. Indian exporters of marine products, hit by US tariffs, diversified significantly to China and other markets, the commerce secretary said.

Merchandise imports from China also rose just over 13% year-on-year to $95.95 billion in the first nine months of 2025-26.

India has also raised energy imports from the US, with purchases growing 13% to $39.43 billion in the nine-month period. December imports rose 7.57% to $3.75 billion.

Electronic goods exports increased 16.78% to $4.17 billion in December 2025 from $3.57 billion a year earlier. For the nine-month period, electronics exports surged over 35% to $35.27 billion from $26.12 billion, benefiting from exemption from higher US tariffs.

Marine products exports, despite being hit by US tariffs, registered double-digit growth through diversification. December shipments rose 11.73% to $0.81 billion, while nine-month exports grew 15.53% to $6.56 billion.

Other leading export sectors include meat, dairy and poultry products, drugs and pharmaceuticals, and engineering goods. Besides China, India’s exports are expanding in the UAE, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Spain, Agrawal said.

India’s top export destinations—the US, the UAE, China, the Netherlands, the UK, Germany, Bangladesh, Singapore, Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong—demonstrate a well-diversified and resilient export footprint, Ralhan said. “This diversification is particularly critical at a time when global trade routes are being reshaped due to geo-political conflicts, sanctions, shipping disruptions and strategic realignments,” he added.

Estimated services exports in December 2025 stood at $35.50 billion, down about 4% from $36.97 billion in December 2024. However, Agrawal said the estimate may be revised upward once actual data is collected. Services figures for December are estimates based on conservative extrapolation of the previous month’s numbers, as the central bank releases figures with a lag.

Services exports are growing faster than merchandise exports and are expected to add about another $100 billion in the last quarter of fiscal 2026, he said.

Merchandise imports grew 8.76% to $63.55 billion in December 2025 from $58.43 billion a year earlier. Cumulatively, imports rose 5.9% to $578.61 billion in April-December 2025 from $546.36 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.

Ralhan said the higher imports of “energy products, electronics, machinery and industrial inputs are indicative of robust domestic manufacturing activity, infrastructure expansion and investment demand, which augur well for medium-term economic growth.”

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/nutritionist-shares-smart-food-pairings-and-cooking-methods-to-improve-nutrient-absorption-add-lime-to-101768467525422.html

The PSLV-C62 mission faced a critical failure during the third stage, resulting in the loss of 15 of the 16 satellites.

A ‘KID’ – against all odds – managed to separate from the 15 other satellites that got lost in space while being carried by Indian Research Space Organisation’s (ISRO) PSLV C62 as part of a mission – called ‘EOS N1’ – that took off from Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota on Monday.

The 44.4 metre tall four-stage rocket lifted off as scheduled at 10.18 am on Monday from the spaceport in Sriharikota.

The mission was to deploy a primary Earth Observation satellite and multiple co-passenger satellites into a 512 km Sun-Synchronous Orbit, after a flight of about 17 minutes.

Nithin Kamath said that the BSE and NSE had international linkages, but were closed today for local municipal elections.

The Indian stock exchanges are closed today, January 15, due to municipal elections in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra. The state government’s decision to declare a public holiday has been met with criticism by Zerodha boss Nithin Kamath. Kamath slammed the fact that the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) were closed today, calling it “poor planning”.

The Zerodha founder and CEO said that the closure of Indian stock exchanges due to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections demonstrated “a serious lack of appreciation for second-order effects.” Both the BSE and NSE have suspended trading in equity and equity derivatives for Thursday. Trading will resume as usual on Friday, January 16. Commodity derivatives trading will resume from 5 pm today.

This holiday was not included in the original 2026 trading calendar of the exchanges but was added earlier this week. The BSE and NSE, in separate circulars, confirmed that January 15 would be a trading holiday due to municipal corporation elections in Maharashtra.

Nithin Kamath Criticises BSE, NSE Closure

In a post on X, Kamath said that Indian stock exchanges had international linkages, but were closed today for local municipal elections. “As Munger said: “Show me the incentive, and I will show you the outcome.” The holiday exists because no one who matters has any incentive to oppose the market holiday. It also tells you how far we have to go before global investors take us seriously,” he wrote.

Kamath’s post struck a chord with some users, who also claimed that the municipal elections should not have resulted in a trading holiday. “Mumbai is just a place where stock market buildings exist, but what about FII, overseas people, other states, fund manager and their employees do today ? Markets are not only for retail and domestic only,” one user wrote.

Another claimed, “The NYSE hasn’t closed for an election since 1984. Section 135B of the RP Act is the problem, we need legislative reform, not just better planning.”

One account remarked, “If Indian markets aim to be globally competitive, holiday decisions must reflect global financial standards, not local political events. Closing for a municipal election but not on New Year’s Day makes little sense.”

However, some supported the decision. “It’s primarily because both BSE and NSE are headquartered in Mumbai, and there will be low staffing due to the election.”

Source : https://www.news18.com/cities/mumbai-news/maharashtra-bmc-polls-nithin-kamath-slams-bse-nse-closure-aa-ws-l-9831997.html

Canada has triggered a fresh controversy with a confidential police report alleging links between the Indian government and the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

Canada has stoked a fresh controversy even as it seeks to rebuild trade ties with India. The Canadian Police has mounted a new allegation against New Delhi, with a confidential report by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) claiming that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang – designated a terrorist organisation in Canada – has been “acting on behalf of the Indian government”.

According to a report by Vancouver-based Global News, the RCMP report states, “The Bishnoi Crime Group is a violent criminal organisation with an active, continually expanding presence in several countries, including Canada.” The report further claims, “The Bishnoi Crime Group is known to use violence to further their criminal enterprise, while acting on behalf of the Indian government.”

The report mentions the Bishnoi gang six times, and repeatedly refers to its alleged links with the Indian government.

The claims come at a time when diplomatic relations between the two countries are sensitive.

In August 2025, India and Canada appointed new envoys to each other after an year of strained ties, following unsubstantiated allegations by Canadian security agencies that India was involved in espionage and violence on Canadian soil. India has consistently rejected the charges.

Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Patnaik repeated the stance in an interview with CBC, saying, “Accusations are easy. India has been talking about terrorism in Canada for 40 years. What has anyone done about it? Not one person has been convicted here.”

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/canada-lawrence-bishnoi-gang-rcmp-india-trade-row-article-153449835

He highlighted that Indian companies already face disadvantages compared to regional competitors with lower tariffs. He stressed that a significant reduction in tariffs is crucial for maintaining a meaningful strategic partnership.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has expressed “serious concern” over US President Donald Trump’s recent 25% tariff on countries trading with Iran, predicting it would make Indian exports to the US unviable. Tharoor said he had been “troubled” by the US tariff regime from the very beginning, adding that India was already at a disadvantage compared to its regional competitors, especially if tariffs mount 75%.

Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Tharoor said, “I have always been troubled about these tariffs because even the very first 25 per cent that was given to India was a problem because all the other economies, our rivals in South East Asia, who are competing with us in terms of labour-intensive industries that we produce, that we export to America like gems, jewellery, marine products, shrimp, leather, all these kinds of goods countries like Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and even Pakistan and Bangladesh were all given tariff between 15 per cent and 19 per cent.”

He added that the situation had worsened with additional sanctions-related tariffs.

“So, the 25 per cent was already a problem. Now, you have 25 per cent more for Russian sanctions which takes it up to 50 per cent and if there are 25 per cent more in Iranian sanctions, that it takes it up to 75 per cent. So, let’s face it, no Indian company will be viable in exporting to America at 75 per cent,” Tharoor said.

“It will be only those items that are not so far sanctioned, like pharmaceuticals and so, which we can continue selling. The other items will not be viable. So, it is troubling. I don’t know what the Government is saying, but from my point of view, this is very serious,” he asserted.

Security agencies opened fire and activated counter-drone measures in the area, following which the suspected drones were seen returning to the other side of the border.

Security forces on Tuesday opened fire and activated counter-drone measures after suspected Pakistani drone-like objects were spotted at multiple locations along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Doonga Gali area of the Keri sector.

According to sources, several drone-like objects, suspected to be from across the border, were sighted hovering over Dheri Dhara village near the LoC in the Keri sector of Rajouri around 7:35 pm. Later, they were seen moving towards Kalali village.

Security agencies opened fire and activated counter-drone measures in the area, following which the suspected drones were seen returning to the other side of the border.

Additionally, monitoring along the border has been intensified.

Earlier today, an encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in Jammu’s Kathua district. Several gunshots were heard after security forces launched a search operation following information about the suspected movement of terrorists in a remote village in the region.

The intermittent firing was reported from the Najote forest area of Billawar, about 10 km from the Kamadh nallah in the Kahog forest belt where security forces exchanged fire with terrorists on January 7, the officials said.

They said the suspected terrorists fired a few shots on observing the movement of the forces, who retaliated while moving deep inside the forest to neutralise them.

The cordon-and-search operation was strengthened and efforts are on to track down the ultras, the officials said.

Earlier today, Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi had warned Pakistan that it would get a fitting response for any misadventure. He also recalled the successes during Operation Sindoor, launched to target terror hubs in Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack, and said the operation was still on.

Earlier on January 12, suspected drones-like objects from across the border were spotted at multiple locations along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir, which prompted the security forces to activate counter-drone measures.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/suspected-pakistani-drone-spotted-along-loc-in-jks-rajouri-security-forces-on-alert-9828516.html

Jaishankar said that both sides agreed to remain in touch on bilateral and international issues.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Tuesday held a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and discussed a range of bilateral issues on trade, critical minerals, nuclear cooperation, defence, and energy.

He said that both sides agreed on the importance of sustained engagement to progress on bilateral and international issues.

“Just concluded a good conversation with @SecRubio. Discussed trade, critical minerals, nuclear cooperation, defence and energy. Agreed to remain in touch on these and other issues,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.

The telephonic conversation was held just a day after US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, assumed charge in New Delhi on Monday.

Gor said that both leaders could possibly meet next month.

In a post on X, Gor said that both leaders “discussed next steps regarding bilateral trade negotiations, critical minerals and a possible meeting next month.”

Earlier on Monday, the US envoy announced that India will be invited to join Pax Silica, a US-led strategic initiative aimed at securing critical supply chains spanning silicon, advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence.

Rooted in deep cooperation with trusted partners, Pax Silica aims to reduce coercive dependencies, protect the materials and capabilities foundational to artificial intelligence, and ensure aligned nations can develop and deploy transformative technologies at scale.

The initiative reflects what US officials describe as a new economic security paradigm, shaped by a growing consensus that secure supply chains, trusted technology and strategic infrastructure are indispensable to national power and long-term economic growth.

Gor had also emphasised continued engagement between the two sides.

“Real friends can disagree but always resolve their differences,” he said, adding that “both sides continue to be actively engaged.”

Reiterating the United States’ intent to move forward on economic negotiations, Gor said, “We are determined to get a trade deal,” and indicated that talks would continue without pause.

His remarks came at a sensitive moment for India-US trade ties, with negotiations yet to reach a breakthrough.

Recently, US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer visited New Delhi with his team to review the negotiations. The latest two-day round of talks concluded on December 11, 2025. Indian industry bodies and exporters are closely monitoring developments, as high import duties continue to affect shipments to the US. While exporters are exploring alternative markets, the US remains crucial, accounting for around 18 per cent of India’s total exports.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/india-us-review-trade-defence-ties-in-jaishankar-marco-rubio-call-9828635.html

Two farmers in Chhattisgarh’s Korba district attempted suicide within two days, allegedly after facing hurdles in selling paddy at MSP. Sixty-year-old Baishakhu Ram Markam consumed poison at a tehsil office over land record discrepancies, while another farmer attempted suicide earlier. The incidents triggered official action and political reactions.

Two farmers in the Korba district of Chhattisgarh have attempted suicide in the last two days, allegedly after facing difficulties in selling their paddy at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) at government procurement centers, with reports indicating they felt frustrated and trapped in bureaucratic formalities.

Recent incident, 60-year-old Baishakhu Ram Markam of Jhanjh village attempted suicide on Tuesday by consuming poison at the Hardibazar Tehsil Office premises; he is currently hospitalized in serious condition. His troubles stemmed from revenue officials allegedly marking his farmland area as less than the over 3 acres he owns, which limited his paddy sale to just 15 quintals.

A separate incident involved Sumer Gond of Korbi village attempting suicide on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday. In response, District Collector Kunal Dudawat suspended the concerned patwari and issued show-cause notices to the tehsildar and procurement center in-charge. Despite a prior meeting called by the Collector to resolve farmers’ issues, farmer leader S Tekam complained that the second tragic incident suggests a lack of seriousness from the government and district administration.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/chhattisgarh-news-2-farmers-attempt-suicide-in-korba-over-msp-paddy-sale-issues

Celebrity-led political interviews are emerging as a new campaign pattern, blending entertainment, emotion and image-building while sidelining hard political accountability

Indian politics is witnessing a shift from traditional rallies to celebrity-led interviews. From Bollywood to Marathi cinema, actors are now hosting politicians in casual, scripted conversations that focus more on image than accountability. While these interviews create emotional appeal and massive digital reach, they often sideline tough questions, blurring the line between entertainment, PR, and serious political discourse.

Is the trend of celebrities interviewing politicians a genuine emotional connection with voters, or a calculated move to divert political discourse?

Indian politics has witnessed numerous shifts over the decades. There was a time when fiery speeches at massive rallies and the roar of party workers were the primary tools of campaigning. Today, however, politics has entered the era of ‘Content Creation’ and ‘Image Consultancy.’ Amidst the hustle of the Maharashtra civic elections, we are seeing a new ‘pattern’ adopted by everyone from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to other top leaders: the celebrity-hosted interview. From Bollywood’s Akshay Kumar to Marathi cinema’s Tejashri Pradhan, Girija Oak, and Mahesh Manjrekar, the trend of actors interviewing politicians has become firmly established. Moving away from the dust of political rallies, these ‘non- political’ chats conducted over cups of tea in air-conditioned halls are being used to cast a spell on the minds of voters.

Psychological warfare: ‘How do you eat mangoes?’

A single judge Bench had earlier stayed coercive action by banks against Anil Ambani on finding that a forensic audit report cited against him to classify his account as fraudulent was not signed by a qualified CA.

There cannot be any difference between the privacy rights of a public or a private trust under the RTI Act, the Court remarked.

The moment a patient is admitted, billing begins, often leaving families paying hefty sums despite inadequate care and unnecessary medication. India Today investigated such allegations through ground reports from Greater Noida, Ranchi, Munger, Bhopal and Lucknow.

For 22-year-old Tinku Sahu from Bihar, a hospital visit ended in a life-altering tragedy. His leg was amputated without consent, while his family alleges they were kept confined inside the hospital for 13 days, forcing the district magistrate to step in.

In Greater Noida, grief turned into desperation when a hospital refused to release a patient’s body for seven hours over unpaid dues, leaving the family pleading until police intervention brought relief.

Meanwhile in Ranchi, a senior citizen lost his life in what the family claims was medical negligence, with allegations of insurance misuse and hospital management evading accountability – a pattern increasingly reported in mid-sized hospitals across states.

In a significant move aimed at strengthening consumer rights and transparency in the healthcare sector, the Government of India has released a new Indian Standard on the format of hospital bills.

The standard, titled IS 19493:2025 – Indian Standard for Healthcare Services: Format of Hospital Bills, was unveiled by Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi on the occasion of National Consumer Day.

MUNGER

Munger District Magistrate Nikhil Dhanraj Nippanikar stated that on December 2, 2025, an application was submitted to his office by Mahesh Sahu.

Complainant alleged that his son was being held captive in a private hospital.

Based on the information, a team from Sadar Hospital was sent to National Hospital to investigate the matter.

All About The Case

Mahesh Sahu’s son got injured in a road accident. He was brought to Sadar Hospital’s emergency room for treatment, and from Sadar Hospital, he was referred to Munger National Hospital.

The matter involved a leg amputation.

Hospital collected four lakh rupees from a bicycle-based utensil seller through donations and loans

On November 24, 2025, Tinku Sahu, the 35-year-old son of Mahesh Sahu, a resident of Medini Chowki in Lakhisarai district, set out to sell utensils on his bicycle

He was struck by a vehicle near Shivkund in the Hemjapur police station area, leaving him seriously injured.

Locals rushed him to Sadar Hospital, Munger, where he received first aid, and his family arrived at the scene.

The doctor then said, “Take him to Patna.”

Four men then put him in an ambulance and took him straight to the National Hospital, Munger.

After treatment began, at around 12:00 am, Tinku Saw’s right leg was amputated.

The hospital operator demanded Rs 2,90,000. When the family explained that they had no money, the hospital operator held the injured man’s mother and wife hostage for approximately 13 days.

When DM somehow learned of the incident, the young man was rescued and admitted to Sadar Hospital, recognising the seriousness of the situation.

Victim was freed after the DM’s action.

Describing the entire incident, Tinku said, “I was being treated at Sadar Hospital, Munger. Before the amputation, I was given an injection to make me unconscious.”

“When I regained consciousness after five days, I discovered that my leg had been amputated. We sell utensils on bicycles in villages and villages, and I was responsible for supporting 10 families, including my wife, four children, and parents. But the doctors at the National Hospital amputated my leg for money. Later, they said that if I had gone to Patna, steel would have been used, and the amputation wouldn’t have been necessary. They amputated my leg just to pay the bill, and now we are worried about how we will support our family,” he added.

DM’s Reaction

Munger DM Nikhil Dhanraj Nippanikar said that under the Clinical Establishment Act, a three-member investigation team was constituted and sent to probe the matter.

The probe panel was led by Additional District Magistrate (ADDM) Sanjay Kumar Singh and included the hospital’s then Civil Surgeon Dr. Ram Pravesh Kumar and Sadar Hospital physician Dr. Niranjan Kumar.

The panel has submitted its report, following which a notice has been issued to National Hospital. If a satisfactory response is not received within 30 days, action will be taken to cancel the hospital’s registration.

Some individuals from Sadar Hospital have also been identified and issued show-cause notices.

Appealing to the public, the DM said that if anyone faces such an incident, they should directly inform him by calling his personal number and should not be compelled to visit private hospitals.

The hospital is yet to react.

Family’s Reaction

The family has demanded legal action and assistance against the hospital.

The victim’s father alleged that his son’s leg was amputated without informing the family. He claimed he was charged Rs 1,59,700 for bed charges and doctors’ fees, while nearly Rs 2,50,000 was taken for medicines and injections.

According to him, the hospital took approximately Rs 4 lakh initially and later began pressuring the family for an additional Rs 2.9 lakh.

He alleged that the hospital operator told him his son would be released only if the payment was made; otherwise, a family member would be held hostage inside the hospital.

The father said he arranged Rs 4 lakh by collecting donations from Medinichowki, Suryagarha, family members, relatives, and by taking loans. With no other option, he was forced to raise the money.

The family approached the Munger DM on December 2, 2025. Officials arrived the next morning and conducted an investigation.

On December 7, the victim was released and admitted to Sadar Hospital.

The father further alleged that National Hospital obtained signatures and thumb impressions of him, his wife, and daughter-in-law on a document stating the total treatment cost was Rs 3,68,700, of which Rs 1,59,700 had been deposited.

The remaining Rs 2.9 lakh was shown as waived on “humanitarian grounds,” with a declaration that the family had no complaints regarding treatment.

He claimed that while hospital charges were documented, the Rs 2.5 lakh spent on medicines and injections was not mentioned.

The family has demanded strict action against those responsible.

GREATER NOIDA

On November 14, 2025, a man from Firozabad was admitted to Mahananda Hospital (a 250-bed facility) in Greater Noida after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

The hospital allegedly refused to hand over the body after the patient died, citing a pending bill of Rs 3 lakh.

Following police intervention, the body was released after six to seven hours.

What the Family Said

The family alleged they made payments every two to four days but received no satisfactory update on the patient’s recovery.

The patient died at 4 pm, but the hospital did not release the body for several hours due to non-payment.

After police intervention, the body was handed over, and the family left for Firozabad.

RANCHI

The case pertains to Paras Hospital (300 beds), where retired bank employee BR Tiwari was admitted in May 2025.

His son Chandraprakash alleged negligence and insensitivity by the hospital.

He claimed that once the hospital learnt the patient was insured, he was immediately shifted to the ICU, and a bill exceeding Rs 2 lakh was generated the very next day.

Within four to five days, the total bill reached Rs 5.39 lakh.

The family alleged gross negligence, including improper catheter insertion for 48 hours, leading to severe infection and ultimately death.

Despite raising concerns, the hospital allegedly failed to take corrective action.

Hospital Response

The hospital management did not respond to the allegations. Officials repeatedly deferred providing a statement.

LUCKNOW

In Lucknow, alleged negligence at Vinod Hospital left 35-year-old Neeraj Mishra permanently disabled.

In 2022, after a road accident, Neeraj underwent surgery at Vinod Hospital, following which his leg began deteriorating and eventually had to be amputated.

He underwent nine to ten surgeries and now cannot walk.

Neeraj claims he was misled about the hospital’s facilities, asked to deposit money repeatedly, and shuttled between hospitals.

His medical expenses pushed him into a debt of nearly Rs 21 lakh.

Despite filing multiple complaints with authorities, he alleged no action was taken initially.

Probe Outcome

Following an investigation by the Lucknow Board of Family Welfare, Vinod Hospital’s registration was cancelled with immediate effect, and all medical activities were halted.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/five-states-same-story-how-private-hospitals-gamble-with-patients-lives-bhopal-ranchi-noida-munger-2851519-2026-01-14

The Court was hearing a plea filed by Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali J Angmo against his preventive detention under the National Security Act.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal on Monday told the Supreme Court that Ladakh-based climate activist Sonam Wangchuk cannot be seen in the videos relied upon by authorities as grounds to detain him [Gitanjali J Angmo & Anr. vs. Union of India & Ors.].

Sibal made the assertion before a bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and PB Varale during the hearing of the habeas corpus petition filed by Wangchuk’s wife.

Wangchuk was arrested from Ladakh on September 26 and is currently under preventive detention in a jail in Jodhpur.

The arrest was made pursuant to the protests and violence that broke out in Ladakh over demands of statehood for the Union Territory.

His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, moved the Supreme Court in early October, saying his detention under the National Security Act (NSA) was illegal and meant to silence peaceful dissent. She said he has always followed Gandhian, non-violent methods.

During today’s hearing, at the very outset, Sibal, appearing for Angmo, flagged a practical issue about the Union’s side being unavailable for some days. He said he had been informed that Solicitor General Tushar Mehta would not be able to address the Court till January 26 because of a family wedding.

The Court said that since this was a habeas corpus petition involving personal liberty, it would not delay the matter. The Bench allowed Sibal to continue and fixed the case for hearing tomorrow as well.

Sibal then began setting out what he described as four fundamental defects in the detention.

He said the most serious problem was that crucial material relied upon by the detaining authority had not been supplied to Wangchuk, making it impossible for him to make an effective legal representation against the detention.

He explained that four videos dated September 24, 2025, were relied upon in the detention order, but were never given to Wangchuk.

“So your right to make an effective representation got truncated because you were not given those videos?” the Court queried.

Sibal answered in the affirmative and said this struck at the heart of constitutional protection under Article 22.

He then referred to Articles 22(1) and 22(5) of the Constitution which guarantee that a detenue must be informed of the grounds of detention and must be given the earliest opportunity to make a representation.

He also referred to Section 5A of the NSA, which allows detention to survive even if one of several grounds is found invalid.

Sibal said that in ordinary circumstances he would challenge Section 5A as unconstitutional because it allows the State to rely on “split grounds” of detention.

Seniour Advocate Kapil Sibal
Seniour Advocate Kapil Sibal
He argued that Section 5A cannot override the constitutional right to make an effective representation.

After this submission, the Court asked him directly whether he was contending that Section 5A did not apply to Wangchuk’s case.

Sibal said that it could not apply where the detenue had not even been supplied with the material relied upon.

He said that Section 5A, if at all, can operate only when all grounds and materials are properly served.

He explained that the detention order referred to a recommendation made by an authority, on the basis of which the formal grounds of detention were prepared. But that recommendation itself had never been given to Wangchuk.

According to Sibal, the so-called grounds of detention were nothing but a verbatim copy of that recommendation.

“The grounds are simply a copy paste of the recommendation. The exact words, the exact sentence, everything is the same,” Sibal argued.

“So your contention is that there is no application of mind by the detaining authority?” the Court asked.

“Yes” replied Sibal.

The Senior Counsel then pointed out the time gap between the events relied upon and the detention order. He said many of the documents referred to in the grounds related to events from March 2024 onwards, whereas the detention order was passed on September 26, 2025. He referred specifically to a video of June 8, 2025, which the detaining authority had relied upon.

He said that according to the detention order, the real trigger was what allegedly happened on September 10, 11 and 24 last year. But the videos and materials relating to those dates were never supplied to him.

Instead, he said, the authorities relied on older material like the June 8 video or even something from May 25, 2025, where it was alleged that Wangchuk had incited people to engage in strikes and non-cooperation movements.

Sibal argued that if the June 8 video was really the basis of detention, then Wangchuk should have been detained on June 9 itself.

He also said that his speech where he spoke about non-violence was completely ignored by the authorities.

Pertinently, he said the videos of September 24 were actually recorded after the alleged violent incident and yet were being used against him. More importantly, he said, Wangchuk was not even present in those videos.

He explained that under preventive detention law, the material relied upon must have a proximate link with the detention order. The proximate link was supposed to be what happened on September 10, 11 and 24, but that material had not been supplied, Sibal stated.

Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/sonam-wangchuk-not-there-in-the-videos-relied-upon-to-detain-him-wife-to-supreme-court

The registration was granted in favour of The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) which operates the Taj Hotels brand.
Taj Hotels on January 7 secured trademark registration for a sound mark, which grants statutory protection to audio identifier used in connection with its hospitality and related services.

The registration was granted in favour of The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) which operates the Taj Hotels brand. The mark is registered with effect from April 17, 2025, the date of application.

Trademark records show that the registered sound mark consists of musical notes D E E G A E in D Major, with a 4/4 time signature and a tempo of 130 beats per minute. The application was filed as a sound mark under the Trade Marks Act, a category that continues to see limited but increasing registrations in India.

The registration protects the brand’s sonic identity as a trademark, recognising sound as a distinct brand asset in an increasingly experience-driven marketplace where hospitality brands rely on multi-sensory consumer engagement.

The sound mark was registered across Classes 9, 35 and 43 covering software and mobile applications for hotel booking and accommodation management, advertising and promotion of hotel services, administration of customer loyalty programmes as well as temporary accommodation and services for providing food and drink

The registration is valid for 10 years from the date of application and is renewable for further ten-year periods in accordance with the Act.

Registry records show that IHCL had sought expedited processing of the application by filing Form TM-M, citing business requirements for early registration, along with payment of the prescribed fee

Commenting on the development, Rajendra Misra, Executive Vice President & General Counsel, IHCL, said, “Being recognised as the world’s strongest hotel brand carries with it the responsibility to lead all facets including how brand equity is protected. This sound mark registration reinforces our position as a pioneer in brand protection, reflecting a forward-looking approach to intellectual property that aligns with the evolving ways in which guests engage with and connect with our brands.”

Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/law-policy/taj-hotels-gets-sound-mark-registered-for-hospitality-and-digital-services

Earlier, the Court had quashed Union Bank’s decision to declare Reliance Home Finance Limited’s account as a fraud.
The Delhi High Court on Monday questioned Union Bank of India’s show cause notice to industrialist Anil Ambani’s son Jai Anmol Ambani over allegedly fraudulent activity in the account of a company owned by him.

Justice Jasmeet Singh noted that the show cause notice was issued to Ambani on December 22, 2025 in relation to activity in the account of Reliance Home Finance Limited (RHFL) but the company had undergone insolvency proceedings and the resolution plan was approved by the lenders (including the Union Bank) and the Supreme Court.

Hence, the notice made no sense, the judge opined.

“Notice has to make sense no? Why are you issuing a show-cause notice once the [resolution] plan has been approved? Where have you said that this was wrongly approved or that there was a fallacy in the resolution plan?” the Court asked the Union Bank’s counsel.

However, Justice Singh said he will not stay the proceedings in relation to the show-cause notice.

Instead, the Court said that Ambani would reply to the notice and he or his authorised representative may appear before the bank for a personal hearing.

The Bank will pass a speaking order after hearing him. The order will be brought to the Court on the next date of hearing, the Court said.

“The effect of the order shall be subject to the order passed in this writ petition,” Justice Singh added.

The matter will be heard again on February 27.

The Court passed the directions while hearing Anmol Ambani’s plea challenging the show cause notice. Earlier, the High Court had quashed the Union Bank’s decision to classify Ambani company’s account as fraudulent, after noting the decision was taken without issuing a show cause notice to him.

Today, Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar appeared for Anmol Ambani and argued that the notice issued on December 22, 2025, is inherently flawed as the resolution plan of RHFL was approved, and there cannot be any allegation of fraud against the company.

He said that even assuming the worst-case scenario, the show-cause notice is based on an audit of the year 2020, and the notice has been issued five years later.

Meanwhile, the counsel appearing for the Bank challenged the assertion and said the matter is only at the stage of a show cause notice, and the proceeding should not be stayed at this stage.

After hearing the parties, the Bench said that it is not interdicting the proceeding, but Ambani should be heard by the Bank, and the outcome would be subject to the Court’s orders.

The CBI has filed cases against Anil Ambani group companies on allegations of fraud amounting to nearly ₹14,853 crores.

The agency’s case against Jai Anmol Ambani is that he cheated the Union Bank of India and caused the public sector bank a loss of nearly ₹228 crore.

Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/delhi-high-court-questions-union-banks-notice-to-anil-ambanis-son-over-company-account-fraud

Vlogger Bijay Anand has claimed he was allegedly lured and pressured to delete a viral video showing a Swiggy delivery agent falling from a moving train at Anantapur railway station. Refusing to comply, Bijay said he would not remove the footage from any platform. The video has reignited concerns over gig worker safety and risky delivery practices.

In a fresh development in the Swiggy delivery agent falling-from-train controversy, YouTuber and vlogger Bijay Anand has claimed that he was allegedly lured and pressured to take down the viral video from his social media accounts. Bijay, however, asserted that he refused to delete the footage under any circumstances.

In a stern statement, Bijay said, “No matter who forces or lures me, I will never delete the video from my account on any social platform.”

‘I Will Not Delete the Video’: Bijay’s Firm Stand

While making the claim, Bijay did not explicitly name the individual or organisation that allegedly pressured him to remove the video. The matter, therefore, remains unclear as to who attempted to influence him.

The video in question had gone viral earlier this week, which led to a debate on the safety of gig workers, particularly food delivery partners operating in high-risk environments.

Viral Clip Captures Delivery Agent’s Pain After Fall

Following the incident, Bijay spoke to the injured delivery agent, who was heard expressing his distress on call. During the call the agent claimed that he had to pay 3,000 rupees railway fine and then continued saying that he risked his life just to complete delivery.

What Happened at Anantapur Railway Station

The controversy stems from an incident at Anantapur railway station, where a Swiggy delivery agent fell onto the platform after handing over food to a passenger travelling in the 1st AC coach of the 18464 Prashanti Express.

The fall occurred moments before the train began to move, and the video of the incident quickly spread across social media platforms, raising serious concerns over delivery safety on railway platforms.

Netizens Slam Risky Deliveries, Demand Accountability

The incident reignited a broader debate over India’s systemic disregard for gig worker safety. Several social media users pointed out the contradiction between frequent train delays and very short station halts, questioning why delivery agents are forced to take such risks.

Many urged passengers to collect food orders at coach doors instead of expecting on-seat delivery, especially when trains are about to depart.

Swiggy Responds: ‘Delivery Partner Is Safe’

Responding to the controversy, Swiggy issued a clarification, stating that the delivery partner was safe and did not face any penalties.

The 44.4 metre tall four-stage PSLV-C62 rocket soared from the first launch pad at a prefixed time of 10.18 hours on Monday.

ISRO’s trusted workhorse PSLV lifted off from the spaceport at Sriharikota on Monday, carrying an earth observation satellite along with several commercial payloads for both domestic and overseas customers. This marks the first space mission of the year for ISRO. Following the launch, the PSLV-C62 encountered an anomaly during the third stage of the flight.

The 44.4 metre tall four-stage PSLV-C62 rocket soared from the first launch pad at a prefixed time of 10.18 hours on Monday. According to ISRO, the first two stages performed within expected parameters, and at the end of the third stage (PS3), the vehicle experienced “disturbances”.

Addressing the team at the Mission Control Centre here, ISRO chief Narayanan said, “The PSLV is a four-stage vehicle with two solid stages and two liquid stages. The performance of the vehicle up to the end of the third stage was expected. Close to the end of the third stage we are seeing more disturbance in the vehicle and subsequently, there was a deviation observed in the flight path.” “We are analysing the data and we shall come back at the earliest,” he said.

Later, in a post on ‘X’, ISRO said, “the PSLV-C62 mission encountered an anomaly during the end of PS3 (third stage). A detailed analysis has been initiated.”

The mission is part of the contract secured by NewSpace India Ltd, the commercial arm of ISRO. After a journey of 17 minutes, the rocket was expected to place the satellites into Sun Synchronous Orbit at an altitude of about 511 km.

The PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 mission was planned to first deploy the Earth Observation Satellite built by Thailand and the United Kingdom, followed by the other co-passenger satellites into the sun-synchronous orbit.

PSLV has completed 63 flights so far, including the ambitious Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), and Aditya-L1 mission.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/isro-pslv-c62-mission-encounters-anomaly-during-third-stage-after-launch-what-went-wrong-article-153434032

A Rapido woman driver earned widespread praise after helping a lost and frightened foreign tourist safely reach her hotel late at night.

A heartwarming video is going viral on social media showing a Rapido woman driver helping a foreign woman safely reach her hotel late at night. The incident reportedly took place around 10 PM and has left the internet emotional.

The video has been widely shared across platforms, and one such clip was posted on X by a user identified as @RealBababanaras. The video was captioned, “At 10 PM, a foreign woman got lost, alone and terrified after Google Maps failed. With no one around, Rapido rider Sindhu Kumari stopped, reassured her, and safely dropped her at Hotel Coconut, turning fear into relief. Salute to this brave Indian woman rider.”

In the video, the foreign woman can be seen hugging and thanking the Indian woman for safely dropping her back at the hotel late at night. She appears visibly shaken and emotional. The Rapido driver, who identifies herself as Sindhu Kumari, explains how the woman had gotten lost near the beach and how she stepped in to help her reach her hotel safely.

The bitter cold left visible signs across Gurugram and its outskirts on Monday, with frost forming over crops, grasslands and car windshields.

Residents of Gurugram are reeling under an intense cold wave even on Tuesday, a day after the city recorded a historic 0.6 degrees Celsius, its lowest temperature in nearly five decades and colder than several Himalayan hill stations. Delhi isn’t far behind and is freezing at a minimum temperature of 3 degrees Celsius.

According to the India Meteorological Department data, Gurugram’s 0.6 degrees reading was logged on Monday morning, matching the city’s January 22, 1977 low. Such extreme cold is rare, the city has gone lower than this only three times on record: minus 0.4 degrees Celsius on December 5, 1966, 0 degrees Celsius on January 11, 1970, and 0.3 degrees Celsius on January 22, 1979.

On Monday, Gurugram was colder than many popular hill destinations. Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra and Palampur recorded 3 degrees Celsius, Jammu 3.4 degrees Celsius, while Uttarakhand’s Mukteshwar, Jollygrant and Tehri stood at 4.1 degrees Celsius each.

Plains colder than the hills

The cold wave has gripped much of the National Capital Region and northwest India. Delhi’s Safdarjung station recorded 3 degrees Celsius, while other plains also saw near-freezing temperatures – Hisar 2.6 degrees Celsius, Amritsar 1.1 degrees C, Churu 1.3 degrees C, Karnal 3.5 degrees C and Meerut 4.5 degrees.

In contrast, hill stations were far warmer, with Mussoorie at 7.7 degrees Celsius and Shimla at 8.8 degrees.

Explaining the unusual pattern, IMD director general M Mohapatra said cloud cover over the hills, triggered by an active western disturbance, prevented heat from escaping at night. “The night was cloudy over the higher reaches, which is why minimum temperatures remained higher there,” he said.

Over the plains, however, clear skies and persistent cold northwesterly winds led to strong radiative cooling, allowing temperatures to drop sharply.

Frost, fog and hazardous conditions

The bitter cold left visible signs across Gurugram and its outskirts on Monday, with frost (pala) forming over crops, grasslands and car windshields.

Jeeva Thavasiraj, a 22-year-old site engineer from Sector 66, said the chill was unprecedented for him. “I come from Tamil Nadu and have never experienced this kind of cold. Even with heavy safety shoes, our feet become numb,” he said.

Sunita Devi, a daily commuter from Sohna, said dense fog and frost made travel difficult. “There was frost on our bus’s windshield and crops in the fields. The elevated roads had very poor visibility, and vehicles had to move slowly,” she said.

IMD warnings remain in force

IMD has extended an orange alert till January 13, warning of cold wave to severe cold wave conditions, dense fog and ground frost across parts of Haryana, Delhi and neighbouring states.

Health advisories warn that prolonged exposure could lead to frostbite, flu and aggravated respiratory problems such as asthma and bronchitis, especially among the elderly and children. Motorists have also been cautioned about reduced visibility and higher accident risk during late-night and early-morning hours.

What next

Although the worst reading was recorded on Monday, temperatures are expected to remain abnormally low through Tuesday and the next couple of days, IMD said. No significant change in minimum temperatures is likely over northwest India for the next three days, followed by a gradual rise of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius thereafter.

Meteorologists said the extreme cold is being driven by a combination of western disturbances, an upper-air cyclonic circulation over north Haryana, and strong westerly winds in the upper atmosphere.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gurugram-0-c-delhi-only-3-notches-away-why-are-they-colder-than-shimla-this-winter-101768274394402.html

From Ukraine to Iran, every global crisis seems to come with consequences for India. On Tuesday, Trump’s decision to impose a 25% tariff on Iran’s trade partners has again placed India in US’s line of fire.

It seems wherever there is a crisis, be it in Iran or Ukraine, US President Donald Trump always finds a reason to target India. Hours after sweet talk by US Ambassador-designate Sergio Gor of India being the “most essential partner” of the US, his boss, Trump, imposed a new 25% tariff on countries doing trade with crisis-hit Iran — a move set to impact New Delhi severely. India, which is among Iran’s top five trading partners, may see its tariffs on US imports surge to a whopping 75%.

Tightening the noose around Iran, which is witnessing its biggest anti-government protest in years, Trump said any country doing business with Iran would “immediately” face a 25% tariff on trade with the US. “This order is final and conclusive,” Trump underlined.

Now, without a trade deal with the US, Indian goods are already facing the highest US tariff rate of 50%. Apart from a 25% reciprocal duty, Trump slapped an additional 25% punitive levy on India over its continued purchase of Russian oil. A further 25% duty will take the total tariffs on Indian imports to the US to 75%.

There is also the spectre of a US bill that proposes 500% tariffs on countries continuing to purchase Russian oil despite sanctions. Trump has already approved the bill that targets countries like India, China, and Brazil.

New Delhi has long-standing trade and strategic links with Tehran, including energy imports and the development of the strategically vital Chabahar Port, seen as India’s gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia that bypasses Pakistan.

TIMING RAISES EYEBROWS

Though China is Iran’s biggest trading partner, Trump’s move has consequences for India, beyond trade as well. The timing of Trump’s announcement is important, coming hours before Indian and US officials sat down for another round of negotiations over the long-pending trade deal.

The fresh tariff announcement is being viewed by a section of experts as another pressure tactic to get India to agree to US terms on the trade deal.

Recent revelations by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick have already shown how Trump can make a country pay for not massaging his ego or doing his bidding.

Last week, Lutnick revealed that the trade deal between India and the US failed to materialise, not because of policy issues, but due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s refusal to directly call Trump and seal it.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR INDIA-IRAN TRADE

The bench took suo motu cognisance of deaths and accidents caused by the Chinese string on December 11, 2025.

The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday directed the state government to strictly enforce the ban on Chinese manja, noting that if a minor is found flying a kite using the banned string, his guardians can be held legally responsible.

A bench of Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi also ordered wide publicity among the public that selling or using Chinese manja can invite action under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for causing death by negligence.

The bench took suo motu cognisance of deaths and accidents caused by the Chinese string on December 11, 2025.

During the hearing, the bench was informed by the state government that steps had already been taken to stop the sale of Chinese manja and several precautionary measures were being implemented to prevent accidents linked to the kite string.

The state government also told the court that awareness campaigns would be run in print and electronic media to curb the sale and use of Chinese string.

Issuing specific directions, the high court said, “They (respondents) are also directed to publish that if anybody is found selling or using the said thread, he may also be prosecuted for commission of offence under Section 106(1) of BNS, 2023 (304-A of the IPC).

“It should also be noted that if any minor is found using the Chinese Nylon Thread, then his guardian may also be made responsible,” it observed.

During the hearing, Indore district magistrate Shivam Verma told the high court that the administration would issue necessary orders at the earliest in compliance with the directions, which would also be circulated immediately to neighbouring districts.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/court-directs-madhya-pradesh-to-strictly-enforce-ban-on-chinese-string-10739530

The painter, secured with a safety harness, shares details about his impressive earnings, defying typical assumptions about education and income.

A video capturing a casual conversation between a woman and a painter working at dizzying heights on a high-rise building has gone viral on social media. The painter, secured with a safety harness, shares details about his impressive earnings, defying typical assumptions about education and income.

The video, shared by Saniya Mirza on Instagram, starts off light and friendly but quickly takes a surprising turn as the painter shares his salary, leaving viewers shocked. Mirza, speaking in Hindi, casually asks the painter if wearing the safety harness causes back pain and jokingly remarks that he must be earning a lot. The painter, staying focused on his task, calmly responds that he doesn’t experience any pain and earns a monthly salary of Rs 35,000. Mirza appears visibly surprised at the amount. The painter goes on to share a bit about himself, mentioning that he is educated and has completed a degree, adding that he, too, holds qualifications.

Watch the video here:

He goes on to mention that his brother is in the army and his sister serves in the Bihar Police. The conversation also reveals that, alongside painting, he is actively involved in farming. When asked if his agricultural income surpasses that of his siblings, he shares that he earns around Rs 10 lakh annually from selling sugarcane.

Instagram users responded with surprise and admiration, impressed by his hard work and the success he has achieved through farming. One user wrote, “Everyone is just looking on pay, but no one is seeing his hardwork and risk of life.”

Another commented, “People often consider success with just the amount of money they are earning. But they ignore the lifestyle , social life , education , safety or other regularities.”

“Perfect example of don’t judge a book by its cover,” wrote a third.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/high-rise-painter-says-he-earns-rs-35-000-shatters-stereotypes-in-viral-video-i-have-a-degree-too-10739533

Two Nipah virus cases detected in Barasat, West Bengal. Centre and state deploy expert teams, activate NCDC PHEOC, and begin contact tracing.

Two cases of Nipah virus have been detected in the state, officials said on Monday. The cases were identified in West Bengal’s Barasat at Barasat Hospital.

A team from the state government visited the hospital on Monday morning to assess the situation.

Given the serious nature of the Nipah virus infection, a zoonotic disease with high mortality and potential for rapid spread, the situation is being handled with utmost priority, officials said.

Soon after receiving the information, the Union health secretary held discussions with the chief secretary and principal secretary (health) of the West Bengal government to review the situation and ensure swift, coordinated action.

A national joint outbreak response team has been deployed to support the state government in containment and public health response measures.

Officials said the team includes experts from the All India Institute of Health and Public Hygiene, Kolkata; the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune; the National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), Chennai; AIIMS Kalyani; and the Department of Wildlife under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

The Centre has shared guidelines on the Nipah virus under the communicable disease alert with the state Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) unit. In addition, the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Delhi, has been activated to coordinate the national response.

Source: https://www.news18.com/india/two-suspected-nipah-virus-cases-detected-in-west-bengals-barasat-centre-sends-teams-ws-el-9826012.html

Around 3,500 pieces of content have been blocked, and over 600 accounts deleted.

New Delhi: Microblogging site X has “accepted its mistake” and assured it will comply with Indian laws after the IT Ministry warned the Elon Musk-led social media platform on the Grok AI obscene content issue, government sources said on Sunday.

Around 3,500 pieces of content have been blocked, and over 600 accounts deleted, according to sources.

X has accepted its mistake, and said it will comply with Indian laws, sources said, adding that in future, the platform will not allow obscene imagery.

Earlier, the government had asked X for details, including specific action taken on obscene content linked to Grok AI, and measures to prevent a repeat in future, after it found the response submitted by the platform to be inadequate.

In its response after the first notice was issued to it, X had outlined the strict content takedown policies it abides by when it comes to misleading posts and those related to non-consensual sexualised images.

While the reply was long and detailed, it had “missed” key information, including takedown details and specific action that was taken on the Grok AI obscene content issue, and measures to prevent it in future.

On January 2, the IT Ministry issued a stern warning to X over indecent and sexually-explicit content being generated through the misuse of AI-based services like ‘Grok’ and other tools.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/grok-ai-obscene-content-elon-musks-x-accepts-mistake-assures-to-comply-with-indian-laws-3858395

NSA Ajit Doval revealed that he does not use mobile phones and the internet, saying there are “other forms of communication” unknown to the public.

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval revealed that he largely avoids using phones and the internet for communicating with officials, adding that there are “other means of communication” that common people do not know.

Responding to a question about how he communicates in an era of mobile phones and social media at the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue, Doval said, “I don’t know how you came to know that I don’t use phones. Yes, it is true that I don’t use the internet or phones, apart from personal or family.”

“Sometimes, I have to use them. I have to contact people abroad. But I manage without them. There are several methods of communication, and some additional methods have to be arranged that are not known to the public,” he added.

Doval, a 1968 batch IPS officer with an illustrious career in intelligence, internal security and counter-terrorism roles, urged young Indians to draw strength from history to rebuild the nation and work towards creating a strong and great India based on its own values, rights, and beliefs.

The NSA invoked the struggles and sacrifices of freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose and Bhagat Singh to underscore India’s painful struggle for independence. “You are lucky that you were born in an independent India. I was born in a colonised India. Our ancestors fought for independence and went through so many trials and tribulations. They made great sacrifices for it. They endured great humiliation and experienced periods of profound helplessness. Many people faced the gallows,” he said.

“Our villages were burned. Our civilisation was destroyed. Our temples were looted, and we watched helplessly as silent spectators. This history presents us with a challenge that every young person in India today should have the fire within them. The word ‘revenge’ isn’t ideal, but revenge itself is a powerful force. We have to take revenge for our history. We have to take this country back to where we can build a great India based on our rights, our ideas, and our beliefs,” he added.

Source: https://www.news18.com/india/there-are-other-means-ajit-doval-says-he-doesnt-use-mobile-phones-internet-ws-l-9823808.html

Dr Sangram Patil, with his wife, was detained for over 15 hours at the Mumbai airport following a complaint by Maharashtra BJP’s social media coordinator.

When Dr Sangram Patil, a London-based British national of Indian origin, landed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport early on Saturday morning along with his wife, he was detained for over 15 hour on the basis of a Look Out Notice (LOC). The detention prompted reaction from the Opposition parties with NCP (SP) terming it an “insult to the state’s honour”.

Patil is said to be a vocal critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and an FIR was filed against him by Nikhil Bhamre, social media coordinator of the Maharashtra unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on December 18, 2025 over a post that allegedly defamed Modi, HT reported earlier.

Patil’s detention came in connection with the FIR filed at the N M Joshi Marg Police Station. “They were detained by immigration authorities on the basis of a Look Our Circular issued against him on the basis of the FIR,” a police officer told HT.

Bhamre in his report alleged that the post mentioned objectionable things and disinformation about BJP and its prominent leaders such as PM Modi. The complaint also said the post had objectionable content regarding a woman, The Indian Express reported.

What the police said

Patil had a strong following on social media and had written several defamatory articles about BJP leaders, police said. Bhamre, while filing the FIR, had told police that he had seen an ‘objectionable post’ by Patil against PM Modi when he was surfing the internet. After discussing this with senior BJP leaders, he filed a complaint with the N M Joshi Marg police.

“We detained him and questioned him on the LOC, and later allowed him to go after giving him a notice under section 35 (3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS),” said a police officer. The section mandates that the police issue a notice for appearance to an accused when an arrest is not warranted.

Patil responds to detention

After he was released, Patil said that it was no secret that he was active on social media and was a critic of the BJP-led government. “They have clubbed some posts and have named me as an accused. I will discuss this with my legal team and decide a further course of action,” he said.

The FIR against Patil was registered under section 353(2) of the BNS for statements containing false information that would lead to feeling of enmity and hatred between communities.

Opposition leaders condemn detention

Senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat condemned Patil’s detention and said, “Arresting someone who asks questions is cowardice on the part of the BJP government.”

“It is not a crime to take a stand against the government. But how can one expect that from a government drunk on power,” senior NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad said.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/recipe/green-moong-dal-5-reasons-why-whole-green-moong-is-better-for-digestion-than-yellow-dal-101768106399609.html

Medical experts refer to carbon monoxide as the “silent killer” because it’s colourless, odourless, and tasteless, so it goes undetected until it’s too late.

In the biting winter cold across North India, space heaters have emerged as “silent killers”, with the latest cases being reported from Delhi, Punjab, and Bihar, besides a number of deaths over the past month from Jammu and Kashmir, among other places.

In Punjab’s Tarn Taran, a young couple and their month-old infant died of asphyxiation due to fumes after sleeping with a brazier in a room with all doors and windows closed, police said on Sunday, January 11.

Coal-based ‘desi’ heaters are not the only ones posing danger, though. People use various heating gadgets to brave the harsh winter, including electric ones, but this has led to deaths due to suffocation, carbon monoxide poisoning, and heater-related fires in a series of tragedies over the past month.

Trail of tragedies

From the high-rises of Delhi to hamlets in Bihar and the valley of Kashmir, improper use of heaters and traditional braziers is claiming entire families in their sleep. Recent weeks have seen a surge in fatal incidents related to space heaters.

In Delhi’s Mukundpur area, a family of three, including Ajay Vimal (45), an engineer with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), his wife Neelam (38), and their 10-year-old daughter Jahnvi were killed in a fire last Tuesday. HT has reported that police suspected a room heater exploded or caused a short circuit, knocking the family unconscious with smoke before the flames spread.

Neighbours reported that the victims were found on their bed with no signs of struggle. Ajay’s sister told reporters that the family had only recently gathered for a meal together.

In Bihar’s Gayaji, a 60-year-old grandmother named Meena Devi and her two grandchildren, aged 6 and 5, died from suffocation in a closed room where a brazier (angeethi) had been lit to ward off the cold.

A similar tragedy struck Tarn Taran, Punjab, on Sunday where Arshdeep Singh (21), his wife **Jashandeep Kaur (20), and their month-old infant Gurbaz Singh died.

In Srinagar, a chef named Aijaz Ahmad Bhat (37), his wife and three children, one of whom was a 28-day-old infant, were found dead in their rented room. HT reported that the authorities found an electric blower in the room and suspected asphyxiation.

What’s the science behind this ‘silent killer’?

Medical experts refer to carbon monoxide (CO) as the “silent killer” because it’s colourless, odourless, and tasteless, so it goes undetected until it’s too late. Dr Naveed Nazir Shah, head of the Chest Disease Hospital in Srinagar, told The Hindu that heating devices, whether run on gas, wood, or coal, consume oxygen within a closed room, and lead to the accumulation of toxic gases like CO and carbon dioxide.

Victims often do not realise they are in danger; they may experience dizziness, headaches, and fatigue before falling unconscious, he added.

A retrospective study led by Rajesh Kumar and researchers at AIIMS New Delhi over 15 years found that 95% of CO fatalities occurred during winter, with coal-burning vessels in poorly ventilated spaces being the primary cause.

Risks beyond carbon monoxide

While suffocation is a primary concern, doctors also warn about the broader health impacts of heaters. Dr Ambrish Kumar Garg, a senior consultant at Narayana Hospital, Jaipur, told Dainik Bhaskar that prolonged heater use depletes moisture from the air, causing the nose, throat, and skin to dry out. This can exacerbate respiratory conditions like asthma and allergies, and in severe cases, lead to internal bleeding in the brain.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/winter-brings-to-life-a-silent-killer-heaters-trigger-deaths-from-delhi-flats-to-bihar-villages-what-doctors-say-101768133888543.html

The incident highlights the risks faced by gig workers, particularly those delivering food on trains.

A shocking video shows a Swiggy delivery agent falling from a moving train, narrowly escaping a serious injury at Anantapur railway station in Andhra Pradesh after delivering food to a passenger. The incident, captured on video, has sparked widespread concern over the safety of gig workers.

The video shows the delivery agent attempting to get off the Prashanti Express (18464) after handing over food to a passenger in the 1st AC coach when the train started moving.

The train had halted at the station for only 1-2 minutes, read the caption of the video, which was shared on Instagram by a user named @hey_bijay. The short duration of time left the agent little time to safely deboard. The video appears to show him losing balance and falling onto the platform.

“This is not an accident – it’s a failure of safety and responsibility,” the user wrote in the caption.

“I want to be very clear: I don’t want anything from Swiggy for myself. I want Swiggy to help that delivery partner.”

Watch the video here:

Reactions And Response

The video gained massive traction on social media, with users demanding to implement safety protocols be implemented on trains for delivery agents.

Swiggy has also reacted, confirming that the agent is safe and unharmed, stating that safety is their top priority and protocols prohibit boarding or exiting moving trains.

“We’ve looked into the incident and are relieved to confirm that the delivery partner is safe, unharmed, and did not face any penalty from authorities,” the company wrote in the comment section.

“Safety is our absolute priority. Our protocols strictly prohibit boarding or exiting moving trains. To help prevent such incidents, we’ve further strengthened our safety training to ensure all partners clearly understand, remain protected, follow protocols and stay out of harm’s way.”

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/shocking-video-shows-delivery-agent-falling-from-moving-train-swiggy-responds-10688840

A three-member medical board of experts, which conducted the postmortem, has found indications that the victim was injected with some substance in his left hand before being killed.

Fresh details have surfaced in the brutal murder of a 35-year-old man, whose dismembered body was recovered from an abandoned plot near Jalandhar Bypass on Thursday.

A three-member medical board of experts, which conducted the postmortem, has found indications that the victim was injected with some substance in his left hand before being killed.

However, the exact cause of death will be ascertained only after viscera samples, sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory, are analysed, official sources said on Sunday.

The body was brought for postmortem examinations in six pieces, with the right hand missing.

Police are searching for the missing hand.

Two accused – husband and wife – were arrested on Friday in the case.

The accused man has been identified as Shamsher alias Shera, a carpenter by profession.

The severed body was recovered from an abandoned plot near the bypass on Thursday.

The victim, Davinder Kumar, a resident of Bharti Colony in Ludhiana, had recently returned from Mumbai, where he worked at a printing and graphic design shop.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/punjab-man-found-chopped-in-drum-was-injected-before-murder-reveals-probe-10692513

He landed at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad for a two-day visit from January 12 to 13.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in India on Monday for his first official visit.

He landed at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad for a two-day visit from January 12 to 13, following an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ANI reported.

Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to meet Chancellor Merz later today in Ahmedabad.

What to expect from the visit?

Their programme includes a joint visit to the Sabarmati Ashram at around 9.30 am, followed by participation in the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront at approximately 10 am.

Formal bilateral engagements will begin at 11.15 am at Mahatma Mandir, where the two delegations will hold talks.

The discussions will review progress under the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, which recently completed 25 years.

According to officials, the talks will focus on strengthening cooperation in trade and investment, advanced technology, education and mobility, along with defence and security collaboration.

Other key areas on the agenda include science, innovation and research, green and sustainable development, and people-to-people ties.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/fashion/samantha-ruth-prabhu-graceful-look-in-a-simple-linen-saree-and-minimal-jewellery-wows-the-internet-see-pics-101768101473049.html

Former RAW chief Vikram Sood has said peace with Pakistan is not possible unless Islamabad fundamentally changes its approach, arguing that dialogue and compromise have little value given past hostilities.

Former RAW chief Vikram Sood on Saturday said peace with Pakistan is “not possible” without a fundamental change in Islamabad’s approach, and urged India to build strategic strength and self-reliance.

Addressing a session on global power dynamics at Mangaluru Lit Fest, Sood said there is little benefit in compromise or negotiations with Pakistan given its entrenched policies and repeated hostilities. The dialogue with Pakistan remains unlikely to succeed unless it changes its approach, he added.

Sood contrasted India’s supportive role in regional crises, such as in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, with the absence of reciprocal backing in India’s times of need.

He criticised “global interventions” by the United States. “Strength, military capability and power are essential for effective governance,” Sood said, highlighting China’s ability to challenge US economic dominance due to its manufacturing independence.

He noted that the US, despite its military might, has not been directly victorious in conventional wars since the 1940s.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/peace-with-pakistan-not-possible-without-change-in-mindset-ex-raw-chief-vikram-sood-2849965-2026-01-10

The accused reportedly charged Rs 6–10 lakh for forged medical documents and used fake qualifications to treat patients, prompting the registration of a case under the BNS and IT Act.

The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has busted an inter-state racket involved in preparing and selling fake Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) marksheets, degrees and certificates, arresting its alleged kingpin from Prayagraj, officials said on Friday.

The accused, Mohd Taruq, was arrested on January 9, 2026, from Prayagraj. Investigations revealed that he was operating an office and clinic under the name ‘Savitribai Phule Medical Research Centre’ in the city.

According to the STF, the accused charged between Rs 6 lakh and Rs 10 lakh from individuals in Uttar Pradesh and other states, supplying fake Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) degrees, marksheets and certificates in the names of various medical colleges and universities.

In one case, complainant Brahmanand paid around Rs 6 lakh, after which the accused allegedly provided him forged BAMS documents purportedly issued by Shivalik Ayurvedic Medical College, Azamgarh, and Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, Jaunpur.

FAKE DEGREES USED TO TREAT PATIENTS

During interrogation, the accused confessed to issuing fake BAMS degrees and marksheets to several other individuals using the names of different universities and institutions. He also admitted to preparing forged degrees in his own name and in the name of his wife, Rashida Parveen, falsely claiming affiliation with Uttarakhand Ayurveda University and other institutions.

STF officials said the accused was treating patients suffering from serious illnesses on the basis of these fake medical qualifications, posing a serious risk to public health.

EQUIPMENT AND FORGED DOCUMENTS SEIZED

During the raid, the STF recovered a computer CPU, a mobile phone, a 32 GB pen drive, and 68 photocopies of fake marksheets and certificates from the accused’s possession.

The operation was carried out by the STF Field Unit, Prayagraj, under the supervision of a Deputy Superintendent of Police.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/up-police-busts-inter-state-fake-ayurveda-degree-bams-racket-kingpin-mohd-taruq-arrested-prayagraj-2849927-2026-01-10

Prime Minister Modi took part in the ‘Somnath Swabhiman Parv’ celebrations to mark 1,000 years since the first attack on the ancient temple in Gujarat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday offered prayers at the Somnath temple in Gujarat and took part in rituals marking the Somnath Swabhiman Parv celebrations at the historic shrine.

The Prime Minister joined the chanting of the ‘Omkar Mantra’ and participated in special prayers at the temple. The Somnath Swabhiman Parv is being observed to commemorate 1,000 years since the invasion of the Somnath temple by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026.

PM Modi also witnessed a mega drone show featuring elaborate thematic formations, including large images of Lord Shiva, a shivling, and a 3D depiction of the Somnath temple. Nearly 3,000 drones were used to recreate key historical events associated with the shrine, making it one of the largest drone shows organised near a temple site in the country.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi were also present at the event. The Somnath Swabhiman Parv began on January 8 and will conclude on January 11.

The Prime Minister is on a three-day visit to Gujarat, during which he will attend multiple programmes, including the temple celebrations and the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference.

On his arrival, the PM was accorded a warm welcome by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and other dignitaries upon his arrival. As his convoy proceeded to the VVIP circuit house near the temple, PM Modi held a brief roadshow, with large crowds of local residents and devotees lining the route to greet him.

On Sunday, around 9:45 am, the PM will take part in the ‘Shaurya Yatra’, a ceremonial procession organised to honour those who laid down their lives defending the Somnath temple, said a PIB release. The Shaurya Yatra will feature a symbolic procession of 108 horses, reflecting valour and sacrifice.

Thereafter, Modi will offer prayers at the Somnath temple at around 10:15 am and then take part in a public function marking Somnath Swabhiman Parv at 11 am.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pm-modi-offers-prayers-at-gujarats-somanath-temple-takes-part-in-swabhiman-parv-celebrations-2849919-2026-01-10

The fraud allegedly took place between December 24 and January 9, with the accused impersonating law enforcement officials and coercing the elderly couple to transfer money to multiple bank accounts, officials said.

An elderly doctor couple residing in south Delhi’s Greater Kailash was allegedly cheated of nearly Rs 14 crore after cybercriminals placed them under “digital arrest” for over two weeks, police said on Saturday.

The fraud allegedly took place between December 24 and January 9, with the accused impersonating law enforcement officials and coercing the elderly couple to transfer money to multiple bank accounts, they said.

An e-FIR was lodged on Saturday, following which the cybercrime unit of Delhi Police initiated an investigation.

According to the police, the doctor couple had returned from the United States and had been living in Greater Kailash since 2016. Their children are settled abroad.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/elderly-couple-duped-of-rs-14-crore-in-delhi-in-digital-arrest-scam-cops-10617621

The mercury in the Kashmir Valley, which has been experiencing sub-zero temperatures for some days now, dipped further and Delhi recorded the coldest morning of the ongoing winter season.

Cold conditions intensified in parts of north India on Saturday, with many parts blanketed by thick fog that led to several vehicle collisions, leaving four dead and about 30 injured.

The mercury in the Kashmir Valley, which has been experiencing sub-zero temperatures for some days now, dipped further and Delhi recorded the coldest morning of the ongoing winter season.

It was biting cold in many parts of Punjab, with the temperature dipping to a bone-chilling 1.1 degrees Celsius in Hoshiarpur, the India Meteorological Department said.

Fog reduced visibility in the morning in some other places in Punjab and neighbouring Haryana.

A car and bus collided on the Hoshiarpur-Dasuya road here Saturday morning, killing four men and injuring one person. The accident occurred due to poor visibility caused by dense fog, the police said.

Amritsar recorded a low of 1.3 degrees Celsius, Bathinda 3.4 degrees Celsius, Faridkot 3.2 degrees Celsius, Patiala 4.4 degrees Celsius and Gurdaspur 3.2 degrees Celsius.

Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, also experienced a cold night with a minimum temperature of 4 degrees Celsius.

In Haryana, Narnaul recorded a low of 3.5 degrees Celsius, Hisar 4 degrees Celsius, Karnal 4.4 degrees Celsius, Bhiwani 4.5 degrees Celsius, Rohtak 5 degrees Celsius and Ambala 6 degrees Celsius.

In Rajasthan, about 25 people were injured after a bus collided with a pickup vehicle due to low visibility caused by dense fog on the Jaipur-Delhi NH-48, police said. In a similar incident in Jaisalmer, a bus collided with a police vehicle, injuring four police personnel, including a station house officer.

Cold wave conditions continued to grip several parts of the state, with dense fog reported at many places on Saturday morning and minimum temperatures remaining well below normal.

According to the Jaipur Met office, Dausa recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 3.5 degrees Celsius. Alwar recorded 3.6 degrees, Srganganagar 3.9 degrees, Nagaur 4.2 degrees, Fatehpur 4.4 degrees, Pilani and Jaisalmer 4.5 degrees each and Lunkaransar 4.6 degrees Celsius.

The department said moderate to dense fog prevailed at several places across the state during the morning hours, while cold day conditions were recorded in many areas. In most parts of Rajasthan, the minimum temperature remained below 10 degrees Celsius.

The weather office said that dry weather is likely to prevail over most parts of the state during the coming week. However, dense fog and cold day conditions are expected to continue over parts of western, northern and eastern Rajasthan in the next few days.

It further said that minimum temperatures in the northern parts of the state may fall further, intensifying cold wave conditions in the region.

Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 4.2 degrees Celsius, which was 2.7 notches below the season’s average, and this season’s lowest.

The maximum temperature remained below normal at 19.7 degrees Celsius. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for the national capital for moderate to dense fog and a warning of cold wave conditions on Sunday and Monday.

The previous coldest January day in recent years was recorded on January 15, 2024, when the minimum temperature had plunged to 3.3 degrees Celsius, triggering cold wave conditions across the national capital.

The air quality was recorded in the ‘very poor’ category at 9 am on Saturday, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 366, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed.

Temperatures dipped further across the Kashmir Valley, with Shopian recording a low of minus 8.2 degrees Celsius, and clear skies leading to the freezing of parts of the Dal Lake and other water bodies during the ongoing ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’, officials said.

Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 5.7 degrees Celsius on Friday night, up from the previous night’s minus 6.0 degrees Celsius, which was the coldest in the city so far this season, they said. The minimum temperature in the city was 3.8 degrees below the seasonal average.

The bone-chilling cold conditions led to the freezing of the parts of several water bodies, including the interiors of the Dal Lake here.

In south Kashmir, Shopian town was the coldest across the valley, as the mercury settled at minus 8.2 degrees Celsius. Pahalgam tourist resort, which also serves as one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath yatra, registered a low of minus 7.8 degrees Celsius.

The night temperature in the popular ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district settled at a low of minus 6.8 degrees Celsius, up from the previous night’s minus 7.2 degrees Celsius, they said.

The tourist resort of Sonamarg in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district recorded a minimum temperature of 6.3 degrees Celsius.

Qazigund, the gateway town of the valley, registered a low of minus 6.3 degrees Celsius, the season’s coldest, officials said. Kokernag recorded a low of minus 4.0 degrees Celsius, and Kupwara minus 6.1 degrees Celsius, they added.

The IMD has said the weather is likely to remain dry but cloudy till January 21.

People in Himachal Pradesh experienced piercing cold conditions, with a dozen stations recording sub-zero temperatures. Kukumseri was coldest with a low of minus 10.9 degrees Celsius, the weather office said.

Severe cold wave conditions are predicted at isolated places in Chamba district on Sunday.

The local meteorological station forecast dry weather in the state up to January 15. A yellow warning was also issued for dense fog at isolated places in Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra and Mandi from January 11-14.

On Saturday, Tabo recorded minus 7.9 degrees Celsius, Kalpa minus 3.6 degrees, Seobagh minus 2.5 degrees, Manali minus 1.1 degrees, Bhuntar minus 1 degree, Reckongpeo minus 0.8 degree, Solan and Bajaura minus 0.5 degree each, Berthin minus 0.3 degree.

In Jharkhand, mercury level plummeted to below 10 degrees Celsius in eight districts, the weather office said.

Khunti recorded the lowest temperature in the state at 1.4 degrees Celsius, followed by Daltonganj (3.5) and Bokaro Thermal (6.1), it said.

According to an IMD bulletin, a ‘yellow’ alert (isolated cold wave) has been issued in the districts of Gumla, Ranchi, and Khunti. Cold wave conditions in these districts are likely to prevail until 8.30 am on Sunday, the bulletin said.

“North-westerly to northerly wind prevails in the tropospheric levels over Jharkhand, causing the cold wave conditions in several districts,” said Abhishek Anand, deputy director of the IMD centre in Ranchi.

“The minimum temperature is likely to increase by 2-3 degrees Celsius over the next 48 hours,” he said.

In the past 24 hours, the minimum temperature in Ranchi was 6.4 degrees Celsius, Chaibasa (6.6) and Jamshedpur (8.0).

Districts which recorded sub-10 degree Celsius temperatures were Khunti, Gumla, Latehar, Pakur, Daltonganj (Palamu), Lohardaga, Ranchi and Bokaro, the IMD said.

Meanwhile, in southern India, minimum temperatures in parts of Karnataka were below normal by three to six degrees Celsius, while fog was reported at isolated locations.

Cold wave conditions, which were observed in Vijayapura during the past 24 hours, could continue for another day in parts of north interior Karnataka.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/4-dead-30-injured-in-vehicle-collisions-due-to-fog-in-north-india-10617587

The Court dismissed a petition filed by NGO Holy Cow Foundation seeking cancellation of Patanjali’s trademark.

The Delhi High Court on Friday rejected a plea seeking cancellation of Patanjali’s “Patanjali Gonyle Floor Cleaner” trademark used in the packaging of their floor cleaners made from cow urine.

Justice Tejas Karia rejected the rectification petition filed under Section 57 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 by Holy Cow Foundation (petitioner) and held that it has failed to establish prior use or likelihood of consumer confusion.

“The Impugned Mark, when viewed holistically with the prominent ‘PATANJALI’ House Mark, is not identical or deceptively similar to the Petitioner’s Mark so as to cause confusion or deception amongst consumers of average intelligence and imperfect recollection. The Petitioner has not made out a case for rectification of the Register under Section 57 read with Sections 9(2)(a) and 11(1)(a) of the Act. In light of the aforesaid findings, the present Rectification Petition is devoid of merit,” the Court said.

The Holy Cow Foundation, a non-governmental organisation working for the welfare of indigenous cows, claimed that it was the prior adopter and user of the trademark “Gaunyle” for a cow-urine-based floor cleaner since 2013. It alleged that Patanjali’s mark “Gonyle” was phonetically and visually identical and was adopted with mala fide intent to ride on its goodwill.

However, Patanjali contested the claim, asserting prior use of the mark since 2008. It highlighted that the presence of its well-known house mark “Patanjali” was a key distinguishing feature.

It also challenged the authenticity of invoices relied upon by the petitioner to establish prior use, pointing out inconsistencies in dates that suggested fabrication.

Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/delhi-high-court-upholds-patanjalis-cow-urine-trademark-for-floor-cleaner

Decisions about pregnancy and the control over their body, fertility and motherhood choices should be left to the woman alone.

A video of Shark Tank India judges Namita Thapar, Aman Gupta and Anupam Mittal questioning Lewisia Wellness founder Manoj Das over using the title doctor has gone viral. Mittal called his claims baseless. Das later removed “Doctor” from his bio, though his Facebook username still says Dr Manoj Das. He has 611K Instagram followers at present now.

A video of Shark Tank India judges Namita Thapar, Aman Gupta and Anupam Mittal slamming natural skincare and haircare brand Lewisia Wellness founder Dr Manoj Das, an aromatherapist and natural therapist, for claiming to be a doctor is going viral on social media.

“Aapka jaadu hai aapki content creation. Aapne reels banayi hai joh bahot provocative hai. Ye aapki reels viral hogayi hai aur uske through aapka business chala hai,” Anupam Mittal can be heard saying.

He then asked Das to show his reels and, after watching the videos, Anupam called Manoj’s claims “baseless.”

Anupam can then be heard grilling him for referring to himself as a doctor and asking whether someone who is an aromatherapist or natural therapist is actually allowed to use the title “doctor”.

“Pehle ek baat batao, aap Aromatherapist hain, natural therapist hai, so usmein doctor aap likh sakte hain?”

Das then said that when you do a Bachelor’s degree in aromatherapy, you can use the title of doctor.

“Agar aap keh raho ho ke aap Bachelors in Aromatherapist kar rahe ho aur aap doctor naam laga sakte ho main bhai apna naam badal dunga. Bhaiya diligence mein pakde jaaoge,” Mittal challenged.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/viral/shark-tank-india-5-natural-skincare-brand-founder-removes-doctor-from-instagram-bio-after-sharks-slam-him

The ED had alleged in a press statement on Thursday that Banerjee entered Jain’s residence on Loudon Road in Kolkata during the raids and “took away key evidence”.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday moved the Supreme Court in connection with the I-PAC raids case against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

While filing an Article 32 petition before the top court, the probe agency detailed the entire sequence of events and stated that its right to conduct a fair investigation was curtailed due to interference by the state machinery.

In its petition, the probe agency has sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter.

Bengal Govt Files Caveat

On the other hand, the West Bengal government has filed a caveat in the Supreme Court seeking that no order should be passed without hearing it in connection with the raid case.

A caveat is filed by a litigant in the High Courts and the Supreme Court to ensure that no adverse order is passed against it without it being heard.

The ED’s move came after failing to get urgent relief from the Calcutta High Court where it sought a CBI investigation into the role of Banerjee, senior police officials and others for allegedly obstructing its raids in Kolkata against political consultancy firm I-PAC and its director on Thursday.

What Happened In High Court?

Proceedings in the High Court were adjourned after chaos broke out in the courtroom. The disruption forced the judge to leave the bench, leading to the hearing being halted and deferred.

The ED has alleged that the Chief Minister took away incriminating documents from the agency’s custody during the raid at Jain’s home. Banerjee, however, has maintained that the documents and data related to her political party and accused the agency of targeting her and the Trinamool Congress. I-PAC has been associated with the TMC since after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, according to reports.

ED Raids At I-PAC Office

The ED conducted search operations at 10 premises, including six in West Bengal and four in Delhi, linked to Anup Majee as per the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), including the I-PAC office and Jain’s residence. I-PAC has been associated with the TMC since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

The raids at the I-PAC office and Jain’s residence turned into a bitter face-off between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as Mamata Banerjee rushed to the area and alleged political vendetta. She accused the BJP-led Centre of targeting her party ahead of elections by seizing the TMC’s internal documents, hard disks and sensitive data linked to its election strategy.

The ED had alleged in a press statement on Thursday that Banerjee entered Jain’s residence on Loudon Road in Kolkata during the raids and “took away key evidence” and followed the same action at the I-PAC office.

On Friday afternoon, Mamata Banerjee led a massive protest march in Kolkata, flanked by actors of the Bengali film industry. She accused the ED of acting as a political tool of the BJP to “steal” her party’s internal strategy, asserting that she did nothing wrong in reaching the premises linked to I-PAC during the central agency’s raids.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/ed-moves-supreme-court-in-i-pac-raids-case-against-mamata-banerjee-9822064.html

The Supreme Court refused to watch videos on alleged cruelty to dogs, saying there are also videos of stray dogs attacking people and it does not want a “video vs video” debate while hearing the stray dog menace case.

The Supreme Court on Friday declined to view video evidence on alleged ‘cruelty’ towards dogs during a hearing on the growing stray dog menace, observing that selective visuals could turn the proceedings into a “video vs video” contest.

During the hearing, one of the lawyers appearing for dog lovers said, “I have some videos which will prove cruelty on dogs … in case Lordships wants to see them… the manner in which dogs have been dealt with…”

Justice Sandeep Mehta, however, refused the request, saying, “No no there is another side too, then we will have to see those too. There are also several videos on YouTube of dogs attacking children, old people …so we don’t want to see any videos. We don’t want a competition here like video vs video.”

A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria was hearing a clutch of petitions on stray dog regulations, which flag the risks posed by free-roaming dogs and alleged lapses by civic authorities in managing the issue.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/stray-dogs-supreme-court-hearing-refused-to-watch-cruelty-on-dogs-there-are-n-number-of-videos-on-youtube-where-article-153420222

Trinamool Congress MPs protested outside Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s office in Delhi, opposing the Enforcement Directorate’s recent raid on the I-PAC office in Kolkata.

A massive showdown erupted in Delhi on Friday after several Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs were detained in the national capital for protesting outside Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s office against the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) raid on the I-PAC office in Kolkata. TMC MPs Derek O’Brien, Satabdi Roy, Mahua Moitra, Kirti Azad, and others protested outside Amit Shah’s office in Delhi, raising slogans against the minister. As this happened, the Delhi police detained Derek O’Brien, Mahua Moitra, and others, lifting them up and dragging them to the police van.

Derek O Brien, as he was dragged to the floor by police personnel, told reporters, “You are seeing what is happening to the MPs here”.

Mahua Moitra, who the police lifted from the protest spot, said, “We will defeat the BJP. The country is seeing how the Delhi Police is treating an elected MP.”

Protesting against the ED raid, TMC MP Satabdi Roy said that the centre sends its investigative agencies during elections to win.

“They sent the team of ED yesterday, and they remember everything during the time of elections. They send the teams of ED, CBI during the elections just to win, but they won’t win the election,” he added.

TMC MP Kirti Azad said, “ED conducted the raids in the wrong way, and this is an attempt to win the elections in an undemocratic manner. The BJP will not win the elections in this manner.”

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday led a street protest against the ED’s raid at I-PAC head Prateek Jain’s residence, claiming she did nothing wrong by removing party documents. Alleging political vendetta, she accused the BJP of benefiting from coal scam proceeds and said she has documentary proof, while asserting the saffron party won’t form a government in Bengal.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday had hit the streets protesting against Enforcement Directorate (ED)’s raid at I-PAC head Prateek Jain’s residence and office.

Addressing the media after walking from Jadavpur 8 B bus stand to Hazra more, Mamata said that she did nothing wrong.

“I did nothing wrong on Thursday. I had got the news and rang Prateek. He didn’t take the call so I visited his residence and took away my party’s documents and the central agency was planning to steal them. My party is my everything. If cannot save my party, how can I fight for the common people. I need a platform,” said Mamata.

Taking potshots at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Mamata said that she has proof that the proceeds of the coal pilferage scam goes to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in Delhi.

“I have every document saved in pen drives. I haven’t made anything public as I love my country. If I make them public, it will create huge chaos across the world,” further stated the West Bengal Chief Minister.

Mamata also accused BJP of ‘stealing mandate through help of Election Commission in Maharashtra’.

Notably, after Mamata had taken away a file, laptop and phone from Jain’s residence, the central agency had moved Calcutta High Court and the hearing was scheduled on Friday but it got deferred after proceedings were disrupted by unmanageable chaos in the courtroom. The Chief Minister had also lodged an FIR against ED over the raids.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/west-bengal-cm-mamata-banerjee-hits-streets-protesting-ed-raid-at-i-pac-chiefs-home-video

B Ramalinga Raju got seven years in prison in the Satyam fraud case. Here’s a lowdown of the country’s biggest-ever corporate accounting scandal.

A special CBI court on Thursday (April 9, 2015) sentenced B Ramalinga Raju, his two brothers and seven others to seven years in prison in the Satyam fraud case.

The court also imposed a fine of ₹5 crore on Ramalinga Raju, the Satyam Computer Services Ltd’s founder and former chairman, and his brother B Rama Raju and ₹20-25 lakh each on the remaining accused.

HT presents a lowdown of the country’s biggest-ever .

What is the Satyam scam about?

It is about corporate governance and fraudulent auditing practices allegedly in connivance with auditors and chartered accountants. The company misrepresented its accounts both to its board, stock exchanges, regulators, investors and all other stakeholders.

Is this an accounting fraud, a market manipulation/fraud or both?