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When the insurance companies raised flags, the investigation by the police revealed that the accused had allegedly procured a snake and used it to stage the murder as an accidental death. Read further to know more about the sinister plot by the victim’s own sons…
Sons used snake bite to kill father, a government employee, by using a snake bite to claim insurance money.(Image Credit: Julie Harris)
In a chilling case from Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district, police have arrested six persons, including the victim’s two sons, for allegedly orchestrating the murder of a government employee by using a snake bite to claim insurance money worth nearly Rs 3 crore.
The incident occurred on October 22 at Pothathurpettai near Tiruvallur. The victim, Ganesh (56), was working as a laboratory assistant in a government institution.
Ganesh was found dead at his residence after being bitten by a snake on the neck while he was asleep. The death was initially treated as accidental. However, suspicion arose after insurance companies flagged the case.
Police said Ganesh had taken 11 insurance policies with a combined cover of around Rs 3 crore. Investigators also found that he had met with an accident a few weeks before his death, which further raised red flags.
During the probe, police examined call detail records and other technical evidence, which reportedly established links between Ganesh’s son and the other accused. The investigation revealed that the accused had allegedly procured a snake and used it to stage the murder as an accidental death.
In June this year, a massive explosion at Sigachi Industries Limited located near Pashamailaram in Sangareddy district of Telangana killed 54 workers who were on duty. The heart wrenching incident came as a big shock to the entire nation and called for an immediate lawful action against the company authorities for not following adequate safety measures.
Nearly after six months, the BDL-Bhanur police on Saturday arrested Sigachi Industries Limited Chief Executive Officer Amit Raj Sinha, who was named as Accused No 2 in the case. As soon as the blast took place on June 30th, a case of culpable homicide was booked on the company’s management for negligence and flouting safety norms.
The arrest was made after the High Court insisted on action against the management while hearing a public interest litigation filed by a group of retired scientists. He was produced before the magistrate and has been sent for 14 days judicial remand to Kandi Central Jail. There are a total of six accused in the case and all belong to the same company.
The Telangana High Court has been expressing its dissent over the delay in the investigation process of this case. It repeatedly questioned why no one was arrested months after the blast, despite witness statements and prima facie evidence.
Tarun Chakma said that the police initially refused to register a report about the incident and only filed an FIR two to three days later. However, the Police said the victim’s side filed a complaint with the police on December 10, based on which, a case was registered and police started an investigation.
Protest against the death of Angel Chakma in Agartala Photo : PTI
Angel Chakma, a 24-year-old Tripura youth, who succumbed to his injuries following an alleged racial attack in Uttarakhand, was “brutally attacked” with knives and blunt objects, said his father. Tarun Chakma, a BSF jawan currently posted in Tangjeng in Manipur, alleged that police delayed the FIR.
Tarun said it was a brutal murder. “Angel’s neck was broken in the attack, which led to his death,” he said, adding that those responsible for his son’s untimely death should be punished. “I have lost my son and now he should get justice,” the devastated father told PTI.
Speaking to PTI over the phone, Tarun Chakma said that the attackers called his son “Chinese momo,” to which Angel told them that he “was also Indian, not Chinese. They attacked him with knives and blunt objects, the devastated father said.
Police Delayed FIR, Claims Father; Cops Counter
Tarun Chakma said that the police initially refused to register a report about the incident involving his sons in the Selakui area and only filed an FIR two to three days later after pressure from the All India Chakma Students Union and senior officers. However, the Police said the victim’s side filed a complaint with the police on December 10, based on which, a case was registered and police started an investigation. On December 14, police arrested three accused and detained two minors.
Angel Chakma Succumbs To Injuries After 17-Day Battle
Angel Chakma, an MBA student at a private university in Dehradun, died on Friday after fighting for his life for 17 days in the hospital. He had received blows to his head and back with a sharp object and a ‘kadaa’ (bracelet) following a quarrel with 5-6 people at a canteen on December 9.
5 Held, Hunt on for Main Accused
Suraj Khwas (22), who was from Manipur, Avinash Negi (25), Sumit (25) and two juveniles have been apprehended for the incident, the police said. The police revealed that the key accused, identified as Yagya Awasthi, is from Nepal and a team has been dispatched to nab him. Police announced a reward of Rs 25,000 for the only absconding accused.
Anjel Chakma, a 24-year-old final-year MBA student from Tripura, died after being stabbed during a racist attack in Dehradun.
Angel lost battle to life after 15 days of attack (Credits: News18.com)
The father of Anjel Chakma, a 24-year-old final year MBA student from Tripura, who died after being stabbed during a racist attack in Dehradun, has appealed to authorities to take preventive action so that no person from the North East should go through this.
While exclusively speaking to CNN-News18, Tarun Prasad Chakma, the grieving father, said that his son was beaten and repeatedly stabbed after being subjected to racial abuse.
He said that the incident took place when Anjel went out to buy vegetables. He claimed that the accused arrived on a motorcycle and hurled racial slurs at his son. When Anjel opposed, they started beating and abusing him.
“My child had gone to buy vegetables. The accused had come on a bike. The main accused, who is from Dehradun, along with others, hurled racial abuses. When Anjel opposed, he was beaten to death,” Tarun said.
He further said the parents of the accused had tried to contact him, but he was unable to speak to them as Anjel was hospitalised at the time.
He urged the district administration and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to ensure the safety and security of students from the North East living in Dehradun.
“I don’t want any child or student from the North East to go through this,” he said.
What Happened To Anjel?
Anjel Chakma, a 24-year-old final-year MBA student from Nandanagar in Unakoti district of Tripura, died after being stabbed during a racist attack in Dehradun. Anjel and his younger brother Michael were stopped by a group of men on December 9, who allegedly hurled racial slurs at them, leading to a confrontation at a local market.
Witnesses said the men referred to the brothers as “Chinese”.
Delhi AQI: The worsening air quality has raised health concerns especially for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or heart conditions.
People walk at Kartavya Path as a layer of toxic smog engulfs the area, in New Delhi on Sunday. (Naveen Sharma/ANI)
Parts of Delhi and adjoining cities of Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram as well as Faridabad woke up to zero-visibility fog on Monday as the air quality in the morning stood at ‘severe’ category with a 400-plus Air Quality Index (AQI).
Though Sunday started with AQI in the ‘very poor’ category, it worsened towards the end of the day as the Capital remained trapped under a combination of dense fog and high levels of pollution.
‘Severe’ air in major stations
Some of the monitoring stations that recorded 400+ AQI on Monday morning include Anand Vihar (458), Ashok Vihar (430), Burari Crossing (401), Chandni Chowk (426), Jahangirpuri (439), Mundka (416), Narela (404), Okhla Phase-2 (411), according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.
#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh | Visibility in Noida is affected as a layer of fog engulfs the city.
As the air quality turned severe amid the continued dip since December 25, experts flagged health concerns, especially for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or heart conditions.
Cold and fog grips Delhi
Delhi weather is likely to remain cold as the Indian Meteorological Department issued an orange alert for Delhi on December 29. The maximum temperature is expected to be around 22 degree Celsius, while the minimum will settle at 7 degree Celsius.
Suraj Shivanna, 36, hanged himself from a ceiling fan two days after his wife, Ganvi, died by suicide in Bengaluru on Thursday
The couple got married on October 29 in Bengaluru.
A man travelled from Bengaluru to a hotel more than a thousand kilometres away in Maharashtra’s Nagpur, where he died by suicide on Saturday. His mother, who accompanied him on the journey, also attempted suicide and remains in critical condition.
Suraj Shivanna, 36, hanged himself from a ceiling fan two days after his wife, Ganvi, died by suicide in Bengaluru on Thursday. Following her death, a case had been registered against Suraj for allegedly driving her to suicide, based on a complaint filed by her parents.
The couple got married on October 29 in Bengaluru and subsequently travelled to Sri Lanka for their honeymoon. However, the trip was cut short, and they returned to Bengaluru last week following a dispute.
Ganavi’s family claimed they brought the 26-year-old back to their home after she reportedly faced “rejection and humiliation” from her in-laws.
On Tuesday, Ganavi attempted suicide and was rushed to a hospital. She was later declared brain dead and kept on a ventilator support. She died on Thursday.
After her death, Ganavi’s family filed a complaint in Bengaluru, accusing Shivanna and his family members of dowry harassment. They also staged a protest in front of her in-laws’ home, demanding their arrest.
Facing backlash in their city, Shivanna and his mother, Jayanti, travelled to Nagpur, where the man was later found dead.
Suraj’s brother, Sanjay Shivanna, informed the Nagpur Police about the suicide attempt at a hotel on Wardha Road.
While Suraj’s body has been sent for a post-mortem examination, his mother continues to fight for her life in a local hospital.
A senior Dhaka Metropolitan Police officer had claimed that two prime suspects in the murder case had entered Meghalaya’s Garo Hills region “with the help of local associates”.
Sharif Osman Hadi was shot in broad daylight last week in Dhaka by masked attackers. (Images: Social Media)
The Border Security Force (BSF) in Meghalaya on Sunday rejected claims made by Bangladesh Police that the killers of Inquilab Moncho leader Sharif Osman Hadi had fled to India through the Meghalaya border, saying there was no evidence of any such cross-border movement. BSF officials said the allegations were baseless.
“The claims are unfounded and misleading,” BSF Inspector General in Meghalaya OP Opadhyay said.
Refuting assertions that the suspects crossed over from the Haluaghat sector, he added, “There is no evidence to suggest that any individual crossed the international border from the Haluaghat sector into Meghalaya. The BSF has neither detected nor received any report of such an incident”.
Earlier in the day, a senior Dhaka Metropolitan Police officer had claimed that two prime suspects in the murder case had entered Meghalaya’s Garo Hills region “with the help of local associates”.
He said police had received informal reports suggesting that the two individuals who assisted the suspects have since been detained by Indian authorities.
However, Meghalaya Police also dismissed the claim, saying there was no intelligence input to support it.
A senior police officer in the state said there was “no input or intelligence to corroborate” the presence of the suspects in the Garo Hills.
He added that local police units had not detected any suspicious movement and that coordination with central agencies was continuing.
BSF officials said forces deployed along the international border remain on high alert, particularly in view of the unrest and volatile situation in neighbouring Bangladesh.
The force reiterated that the border in the sector is under constant surveillance and that any attempt at illegal cross-border movement would be promptly detected and dealt with.
The Garo Hills region falls under Meghalaya’s western sector, which shares an international border with Bangladesh and is guarded by the BSF.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police officer also said that the Bangladesh government was in touch with India to secure the return of the fugitives, adding that communication was underway through both formal and informal channels for their arrest and extradition.
WHO WAS SHARIF OSMAN HADI?
Sharif Osman Hadi was a high-profile political figure in Bangladesh and a vocal critic of both India and the Awami League. He rose to prominence during last year’s violent student-led protests, widely referred to as the July Uprising, which culminated in the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina-led government.
In the aftermath of the movement, Hadi launched a new political platform, Inqilab Mancha, and had begun preparations to contest the parliamentary elections scheduled for February.
He was later airlifted to Singapore for advanced medical treatment but succumbed to his injuries six days later. His death sparked large-scale unrest across Dhaka and other parts of the country.
Several videos on social media showed people carrying the flower pots, some loading them onto two-wheelers, while others walking away with them on foot.
Screengrab of video capturing people stealing flowerpots. Credit: X
Flower pots placed along roads for the inauguration of the Rashtriya Prerna Sthal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi were stolen in Lucknow hours after the event, officials said on Friday.
Several videos on social media showed people carrying the flower pots, some loading them onto two-wheelers, while others walking away with them on foot.
A few were seen removing cutouts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Officials from the horticulture department of Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) confirmed that over 4,000 flower pots, intended to beautify the road leading to the memorial complex, were stolen after the prime minister and other dignitaries left the venue on Thursday.
The thefts, reported from areas under the Dubagga Police Station, attracted the ire of the municipal corporation, district administration, and the LDA.
Officials said the people made off with the public items even while the police were there.
Its vice-chairman, Prathamesh Kumar, told the media on Friday that a written complaint had been submitted with the police in connection with the loot.
The authority has begun removing the remaining pots to prevent thefts, officials said.
Police said that an FIR will be registered once the complaint is registered.
On Thursday, Modi inaugurated the Rashtriya Prerna Sthal on the 101st birth anniversary of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, and Yogi Adityanath shared the dias with the prime minister.
Australia’s immunisation advisory group warned that counterfeit Abhayrab rabies vaccines may have circulated in India since late 2023, potentially leaving recipients unprotected. Indian Immunologicals Limited refuted the claim, calling it an isolated packaging anomaly in one batch. Rabies remains nearly 100% fatal once symptoms appear, making timely vaccination and verification critical.
Fake Rabies Vaccine in India? Australia Warns, Pharma Firm Responds
Australia has issued a health advisory stating that counterfeit rabies vaccines have been circulating in India since November 2023. Issued by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, or ATAGI, the recommendation says those who have been vaccinated with the Abhayrab vaccine may not be protected against the viral disease, which is 100 per cent fatal if it spreads.
However, the Indian Immunologicals Limited – manufacturers of the Abhayrab vaccine, have now issued a clarification regarding the recent ATAGI refuting the “over-cautious and misplaced reference”, stressing it does not reflect the current situation.
According to the World Health Organization, rabies is an extremely deadly, yet preventable, viral disease that attacks the central nervous system, causing fatal inflammation of the brain in mammals, including humans, and spreads through the bite or scratch of an infected animal like bats, dogs, or raccoons via their saliva. Once symptoms appear, like fever, confusion, hallucinations, and paralysis, it is almost always fatal, highlighting the importance of immediate post-exposure treatment after potential exposure, often involving vaccination and immunoglobulin. Children between the ages of 5 and 14 years are the usual victims.
What did the advisory say?
In the alert, ATAGI said that the “counterfeit (fake) batches of the rabies vaccine Abhayrab have been circulating in India since 2023.” The fake vaccine differs from that of the registered vaccine in formulation, packaging, labelling, and manufacturing. The advisory also states that people who received the fake vaccine might not be fully protected against rabies. Hence, they are “advised to get replacement doses to ensure they are adequately protected.”
According to news reports, Abhayrab is not used in Australia, and so, the advisory is like a caution for those who travel to India and receive the vaccine from November 1, 2023, onwards.
The alert has also suggested that a rabies vaccine registered in Australia should be administered if it is difficult to confirm whether a genuine or fake product was used.
How have the Indian makers responded?
IIL has identified a packaging anomaly in a single specific batch – KA 24014 – and says it notified Indian regulators and law enforcement agencies, while lodging a formal complaint and working closely with authorities to ensure swift action.
While IIL maintains it was an isolated incident since the counterfeit batch is no longer available for sale, the company maintains that since Abhayrab has been manufactured by IIL since 2000, more than 210 million doses have been supplied across India and 40 other countries. IIL also holds a 40 per cent market share in India.
Why is the rabies vaccine important?
Rabies vaccine reduces the risk of the virus and does not treat it. It is still possible to get rabies after receiving the vaccine, but the symptoms can be less severe or not last as long. Doctors say it works by helping your immune system learn how to fight off a future infection.
According to doctors, the virus attacks your central nervous system and causes encephalopathy, paralysis, and even death. However, it is important that the post-exposure prophylaxis, along with wound cleansing, rabies immunoglobulin, and a series of vaccine doses, is administered before the symptoms appear.
High-risk groups include veterinarians, travelers, and lab workers.
A video of Chandigarh’s annual Christmas Shobha Yatra has gone viral, showcasing a vibrant procession led by the Tricity Churches Association that blended devotion, music and local culture. Online viewers praised the event’s display of unity.
Chandigarh’s Christmas Shobha Yatra Goes Viral, Internet Calls It ‘Pure Festive Joy’ (Image Source – X)
Festive visuals from Chandigarh are making waves online after a video capturing the city’s annual Christmas Shobha Yatra began circulating widely on social media. Organised by the Tricity Churches Association (TCA), the procession transformed several streets into a vibrant celebration of faith, music and togetherness, quickly drawing attention far beyond the city.
The widely shared clips, posted across platforms such as X and other social networks, show a large procession moving through the streets with participants from different walks of life. In the video, a man wearing a turban can be seen walking alongside others as a Bible, placed inside a glass case, is carried with reverence. The atmosphere is set to devotional music dedicated to Jesus Christ, blended with lively Punjabi beats, adding a unique regional flavour to the celebration.
According to reports, the yatra was led by Bishop Sahaya T. Thomas and featured colourful tableaux illustrating the birth and teachings of Jesus Christ. The event witnessed the participation of thousands of residents from across the Tricity, as people lined the roads to welcome the procession. Several local groups and associations also arranged langars, offering tea and refreshments to attendees as a gesture of hospitality.
Children dressed in festive outfits, cheerful greetings of “Merry Christmas” echoing across neighbourhoods, and smiling faces along the route highlighted the spirit of the occasion. The procession stood out not just as a religious event, but as a public celebration reflecting unity and shared joy.
Anjel and his younger brother Michael were stopped by a group of men who allegedly hurled racial slurs at them. Witnesses said the men referred to the brothers as “Chinese”.
Angel lost battle to life after 15 days of attack (Credits: News18.com)
A 24-year-old MBA student from Tripura died after being stabbed during a racist attack in Dehradun. Anjel Chakma passed away in hospital on Friday after battling for life for more than 14 days. The incident took place on December 9 in the Selaqui area, when a routine visit to a local market turned into a violent confrontation.
Anjel and his younger brother Michael were stopped by a group of men who allegedly hurled racial slurs at them. Witnesses said the men referred to the brothers as “Chinese”.
‘We Are Indians’
Friends said Anjel calmly challenged the abuse. “We are not Chinese. We are Indians. What certificate should we show to prove that?” he reportedly said. Moments later, the situation escalated. The men allegedly attacked the brothers with knives while continuing to abuse them.
Anjel suffered severe injuries to his neck and spine. Michael was also injured and remains in serious condition. A close friend, who stayed at the hospital throughout Anjel’s treatment, said he was shocked by the violence. “He was calm and friendly. None of us can believe this happened,” the friend said.
Anjel’s body was flown to Agartala on Saturday. His death has sparked anger and grief across Tripura and other northeastern states. Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, chairman of the Tipra Motha Party, helped the family with medical support and funeral arrangements.
Speaking to the media, Debbarma said it was tragic that people from the northeast were targeted with racist abuse. “These attacks divide us. We want justice,” he said.
Police Action
Police said a case was registered on December 12 following a complaint by Michael Chakma. Five of the six accused, including two juveniles, were arrested on December 14. The main accused, Yagya Awasthi, is believed to have fled to Nepal. Police have sent teams to trace him and announced a reward of Rs 25,000.
According to police, the accused CEO had organised a party on his birthday last Saturday, in which the manager was also a guest.
According to police, the accused CEO had organised a party on his birthday last Saturday, in which the manager was also a guest.(REUTERS)
Days after a female manager of an IT firm in Udaipur was raped by the CEO and co-staffer, more details have emerged in the shocking incident that unfolded after a birthday party in the Rajasthan city.
The medical examination report confirmed the rape and showed that the survivor had sustained injuries and was experiencing pain in her private parts as well as other areas of her body, NDTV reported.
The survivor also checked the car’s dashcam, which allegedly recorded the incident along with a conversation between the accused.
In her police complaint, she stated that some of her jewellery, socks and undergarments were missing.
Police said three people, including the CEO of a private IT company, have been arrested in connection with the alleged gangrape of the female manager after the birthday party in Udaipur.
According to the police, the CEO had organised a birthday party last Saturday, which the manager attended as a guest. The other two accused are a female executive head of the company and her husband.
All three were arrested on Thursday and produced before a court, which remanded them to four-day police custody.
The alleged incident took place in Udaipur on the night of Saturday, December 20.
Here’s what happened:
After regaining consciousness, the survivor said she noticed injuries on her body. HT had earlier reported, when she regained consciousness, she found herself being assaulted inside the moving car.
She later checked the car’s dashcam, which allegedly recorded the entire incident along with a conversation between the accused, NDTV reported.
She filed the police complaint, submitting the dashcam recordings as evidence along with details of the injuries she had sustained.
In her police complaint, the survivor stated that some of her jewellery, socks and undergarments were missing, the report added.
The case has been handed over to Additional Superintendent of Police Madhuri Verma.
The incident involves a Udaipur-based IT firm whose CEO allegedly committed the crime along with an employee of the same company. The survivor was working as a manager at the same IT firm.
As per the woman’s complaint and a PTI report, three people were involved: the CEO, a female employee of the firm, and the female employee’s husband. The husband of the female employee is a resident of Meerut in Uttar Pradesh.
The accused allegedly committed the crime under the pretext of dropping the survivor home. A case was registered at Sukher police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The accused were arrested and produced before a court on Thursday.
According to data from the Sameer app, developed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s AQI stood at 391 as of 6:05 am on Sunday.
Delhi’s AQI was on the brink of breaching the “very poor” category on Sunday.(ANI)
Delhi recorded “very poor” air quality early Sunday morning as parts of the national capital woke up to dense fog and cold wave-like conditions. More than 150 flights have been delayed at Delhi’s IGI airport, FlightRadar24 data showed.
While Delhi’s AQI was on the brink of breaching the “very poor” category, Noida recorded “severe” air quality on Sunday, with an AQI of 415.
On Saturday, air quality in the national capital slipped into the “severe” category. The AQI stood at 385, which was “very poor”, at 4 pm, according to the bulletin. It worsened through the day, rising to 390 by 6 pm and reaching 391 by 10 pm.
Delhi AQI
According to data from the Sameer app, developed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s AQI stood at 391 as of 6:05 am on Sunday.
Of the 39 active stations out of a total of 40, a total of 20 stations recorded “severe” air quality. These included Anand Vihar (445), Chandni Chowk (415), Jahangirpuri (430), Shadipur (443) and Wazirpur (443).
All other stations recorded “very poor” air quality, with AQI levels between 301 and 400, while one station, NSIT Dwarka, recorded a “poor” AQI of 214.
The CPCB categorises an AQI of 51 to 100 as “satisfactory”, 101 to 200 as “moderate”, 201 to 300 as “poor”, 301 to 400 as “very poor”, and readings above 400 as “severe”.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) sounded a yellow alert for Sunday morning in the national capital, warning of dense fog and cold wave-like conditions. Experts said this would keep wind speeds slow and AQI at the same level, as mentioned in an earlier HT report.
“The wind speed was very low on Saturday. The average speed was around 4-5 kmph, with the wind speed reaching 8-9 kmph only for a few hours in the afternoon and then again dropping by the evening. As a result, Delhi saw a spike in pollution. Similar wind conditions will persist till January 1, 2026, due to the influence of a western disturbance,” the earlier report quoted as saying Mahesh Palawat, vice president at Skymet, a private weather forecaster.
Delhi airport issues advisory
In its latest advisory as of 9 am, Delhi’s IGI airport said that the flight operations are running smoothly. It also advised passengers to contact their airline or visit the official airport website for latest updates.
“Flight operations are running smoothly as visibility at the airport has improved. Please be assured that our on-ground staff is available across terminals to assist passengers and provide necessary support,” it said.
The administration of justice does not end with the pronouncement of judgments inside courtrooms. It extends to how the Bench and the Bar are perceived beyond them. The advent of social media has irrevocably altered the landscape of public and private life, presenting a unique and profound ethical dilemma for the legal fraternity in India.
Judicial officers and members of the Bar, whose professional integrity is inextricably linked to public trust and the impartial administration of justice, find themselves navigating platforms that prioritise virality over veracity and spectacle over subtlety.
This article aims to comprehensively analyse the ethical and legal limitations governing the use of social media by India’s legal professionals, focusing on maintaining professional conduct, dignity and etiquette with special reference to the Bar Council of India (BCI) Rules and the standards of judicial decorum. It specifically addresses emerging concerns such as ‘reel culture’ among advocates, online advertisement and the ethics of public appearances by both sitting and retired legal figures.
Judges and lawyers are increasingly present on platforms like Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram, not just as individuals, but sometimes as opinion leaders and influencers. Tweets, reels, podcasts and online commentaries may appear innocuous at first glance. But for judges and advocates, such expressions have the potential to affect public confidence in the judicial process. This surge in online presence has raised crucial questions about professional conduct, confidentiality and the boundaries of acceptable public engagement for those tasked with upholding the law.
The digital challenge to judicial dignity
As judicial officers, we speak through our judgments. Our words are measured, our thoughts are distilled through the crucible of law and evidence and our conduct is held to a standard of impeccable neutrality. Yet, in this digital age, a new, untamed public square has emerged: social media. It is a world of instant opinions, viral content and frayed civility. This presents a unique challenge to the solemn duty of those of us on the Bench and our esteemed colleagues at the Bar. The question is no longer whether we can remain untouched by this tide, but how to navigate it without eroding the very foundations of our justice system.
The judiciary commands respect not through force but through faith. As the Supreme Court observed in C Ravichandran Iyer v. Justice AM Bhattacharjee (1995),
“The judiciary has no sword or purse, but only public confidence.”
This confidence is fragile and can be shaken by perceived impropriety, even if unintended.
The Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct (2002) set out six foundational values – independence, impartiality, integrity, propriety, equality and competence. Similarly, the Restatement of Values of Judicial Life (1997) adopted by the Supreme Court of India directs judges to refrain from political or public debate.
A judicial officer must maintain “judicial aloofness” – a state where they are perceived as completely removed from political, personal or controversial biases. On social media, this means absolutely no liking, sharing or commenting on posts related to political parties, candidates or controversial government policies. Even subtle commentary, a ‘like’, or a sharing of a related news report can be interpreted as pre-judging an issue, potentially leading to demands for recusal in future cases.
In Re: Justice CS Karnan (2017), the Supreme Court reaffirmed that judicial restraint must extend to all spheres of life. A judge’s online comment, ‘like’ or association can easily be misread as bias. The safest path is digital minimalism – using social media strictly for official or educational purposes.
Thus, for the Bench, the path has been clearly illuminated by the Supreme Court. The highest court has remarked that a judge must live “like a hermit” and work “like a horse”. This is not a call for asceticism, but a powerful metaphor for the isolation and detachment required for impartiality. Engaging on social media, especially by commenting on pending cases or expressing opinions on judgments, risks compromising this crucial detachment. Such actions can create a perception of bias, suggesting that a judge might be swayed by public opinion or influenced by online discourse. The neutrality we must project is not merely an ideal; it is the very basis of public trust in the judiciary.
Advocates and the digital frontier: Freedom with ethical restraint
Unlike judges, advocates enjoy broader expressive rights. Yet, as officers of the court, their liberty is tempered by professional ethics. The BCI Rules (Part VI, Chapter II, Section IV) prescribe standards of professional conduct. Rule 36 categorically prohibits direct or indirect advertising, solicitation or touting through any medium. Rule 36 states:
“An advocate shall not solicit work or advertise, either directly or indirectly, whether by circulars, advertisements, touts, personal communications, interviews not warranted by personal relations, furnishing false information, or otherwise.”
The phrase “or otherwise” is the critical nexus for regulating digital conduct. While the Rule predates platforms like Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn, its spirit and intention clearly prohibit the use of these modern communication channels for professional canvassing. Any action by an advocate that can be construed as an attempt to “drum up” legal practice or a de facto advertisement falls under the purview of this prohibition.
The Supreme Court’s decision in In Re: Prashant Bhushan (2020) highlighted the fine line between free speech and contempt. The Court observed that “freedom of speech cannot be a license to scandalise the court or undermine public confidence in the judiciary.” Even criticism couched as opinion may have repercussions if it impairs institutional trust.
A responsible advocate must, therefore, view social media as an extension of professional ethics. A space to inform, not to perform.
The rise of ‘reel culture’: Between awareness and advertisement
The most visible transgression in the current digital ecosystem is the embrace of ‘reel culture’ – short, attention-grabbing videos, often set to music by some members of the Bar. In the age of digital marketing, this poses a growing challenge. Young lawyers increasingly use Instagram reels, LinkedIn posts and YouTube videos to showcase “success stories,” client feedback or case strategies – practices that often slip into the realm of self-promotion. While digital visibility is not inherently unethical, crossing into self-advertisement violates the principle that the profession must remain a service, not a business.
Such content risks trivialising the sanctity of court proceedings and eroding public perception of advocacy as a solemn profession. For instance, reels showcasing aggressive cross-examinations or “winning arguments” may mislead viewers about real courtroom decorum and the nuanced nature of advocacy. The BCI Rules expect advocates to conduct themselves with dignity and refrain from any action “unbecoming of an advocate.” Social media is no exception.
At the same time, there is a legitimate space for lawyers to use digital media for legal literacy, simplifying complex laws, sharing public legal updates or discussing constitutional rights. The challenge lies in the tone and purpose. When expression shifts from education to entertainment, dignity is the first casualty.
Podcasts, web shows and retired judges: The grey area
An emerging concern is the participation of retired judges and senior advocates in podcasts, televised discussions and online interviews. These platforms can enrich public understanding of the judiciary, but they also pose ethical dilemmas when discussions stray into commentary on pending cases, judgments of sitting judges or political issues.
In AM Bhattacharjee (1995), the Supreme Court emphasised that “retired judges continue to carry the halo of judicial office and must maintain conduct that sustains the dignity of the institution”. The same applies to retired judges who appear on media platforms. Their words carry institutional weight.
For practising advocates, podcasts can be informative but must never serve as indirect platforms for client solicitation or personal branding. Even “educational” channels must clearly avoid projecting personal achievement or professional superiority.
The line between dissemination and demonstration is delicate and often blurred. A moment’s lapse in judgment online can undo decades of earned credibility.
Officials said the deletions mainly stem from three reasons: deaths, people moving out of their registered addresses, and duplicate entries.
The Election Commission released the integrated draft rolls of Assam voters on Saturday.(Representative photo/ file)
Ahead of the Assam Assembly elections, the state’s electoral roll has seen a massive clean-up, with over 10.56 lakh voter names removed during a Special Revision exercise carried out by the Election Commission of India.
The updated draft rolls, released on Saturday, show that Assam now has 2.51 crore registered voters, not counting more than 93,000 ‘D-Voters’ — a category reserved for people whose citizenship status remains under question. These voters continue to appear in the draft rolls with the same personal details, but without voting rights.
Officials said the deletions mainly stem from three reasons: deaths, people moving out of their registered addresses, and duplicate entries. Nearly 4.8 lakh names were removed after verification confirmed the voters had passed away, while over 5.23 lakh individuals were found to have shifted elsewhere. Another 53,000-plus entries were flagged and removed due to similarities suggesting duplication.
The revision followed an extensive door-to-door verification drive conducted between November 22 and December 20. Election staff covered over 61 lakh households across the state to check voter details on the ground.
With the draft rolls now out, voters have time to raise objections or seek corrections until January 22. The final electoral rolls are scheduled to be published on February 10.
Assam currently has 31,486 polling stations, following a recent rationalisation process. While several other states going to polls — Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal — are undergoing a Special Intensive Revision, Assam was placed under a Special Revision, which officials say lies between routine annual updates and a full-scale intensive revision.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar earlier noted that Assam follows separate citizenship-related provisions under the law, and that the broader citizenship verification process in the state is nearing completion under the Supreme Court’s supervision.
WHAT IS SIR?
Special Intensive Revision or SIR is an intensive, on-ground exercise that requires verification of all registered voters by booth-level officers (BLOs). The explicit goal of such an exercise is to remove duplicate, deceased, migrated, and “illegal” voters.
The last such intensive revision of electoral rolls in India was undertaken two decades ago.
This year, the SIR exercise in Bihar, conducted just months before the state went to polls, was shrouded by a massive controversy and confusion on the ground. The matter also reached the Supreme Court, which, however, allowed the exercise to progress with modifications.
The opposition has alleged that the SIR exercise was nothing but a smokescreen behind which lakhs of people, from marginalised communities and who, it claimed, traditionally vote for them, were being disenfranchised. The final roll in Bihar saw 68.6 lakh deletions.
The hearing comes after the Centre ordered a complete ban on new mining leases across the Aravalli range from Delhi to Gujarat, and reiterated that existing mines must comply strictly with environmental safeguards and Supreme Court orders.
Supreme Court to hear Aravalli mining case on Monday (File Photo: ITG)
The Supreme Court will hear the matter related to mining in the Aravalli Hills on Monday. A three-judge bench headed by the Chief Justice will take up the suo motu case. Former forest conservation officer R P Balwan has also filed a petition before the apex court in connection with the issue.
The Supreme Court’s decision to take suo motu cognisance has raised hopes among environmental activists and those concerned about the November 20 verdict, with expectations of a positive shift in the court’s stance on the matter.
During its November 20 hearing, the Supreme Court accepted the recommendations of a Union environment ministry panel on which landforms should be considered part of the Aravalli hills. In an affidavit filed before the court, the Centre proposed that only landforms with an elevation of 100 metres or more above the local relief, along with their slopes and adjoining areas, should be classified as Aravallis.
The court, led by Justice B R Gavai, accepted the revised definition and directed the ministry to formulate a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining for the Aravalli region, triggering a huge uproar from the opposition and environment enthusiasts.
Amid the controversy, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Wednesday directed all concerned states to impose a complete ban on the grant of any new mining leases across the entire Aravalli range, from Delhi to Gujarat. The ministry said the prohibition would apply uniformly and was aimed at preserving the integrity of the ancient geological formation by curbing illegal and unregulated mining.
The Centre said the directions were intended to safeguard the Aravallis as a continuous ridge, amid long-standing concerns over rampant mining and environmental degradation.
The ministry has also directed the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) to identify additional areas across the Aravallis where mining should be prohibited, beyond zones already barred by the government. This exercise will be based on ecological, geological and landscape-level considerations.
ICFRE has been tasked with preparing a comprehensive, science-based Management Plan for Sustainable Mining for the entire Aravalli region. The plan will assess cumulative environmental impacts and ecological carrying capacity, identify conservation-critical and ecologically sensitive areas, and outline measures for restoration and rehabilitation. The draft plan will be placed in the public domain for stakeholder consultation.
The latest directions came two days after Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav rejected claims that recent changes related to the Aravallis were intended to open the region to mining, terming such assertions “misinformation.” He said the government was pursuing a balanced approach that takes the ecology and economy together, while remaining firmly committed to protecting the Aravalli ecosystem.
The demolition drive near Bengaluru’s Kogilu village has sparked internal dissent within the Congress party, with senior leaders urging caution and compassion. The issue has escalated into a political tussle involving protests, opposition criticism, and sharp remarks from leaders across states.
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal urges Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and Dy CM Shivakumar to ensure humane eviction process.
A demolition drive on the outskirts of Bengaluru has opened cracks within the Congress, with senior leaders publicly stepping in to contain political damage as protests, opposition criticism and sharp remarks from within the wider Opposition ecosystem put the state government on the defensive.
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal on Saturday spoke to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar over the eviction of residents from Kogilu village near Yelahanka, a move that has triggered outrage among locals and drawn uncomfortable comparisons for the ruling party.
Venugopal said the All India Congress Committee was deeply uneasy over how the exercise was carried out and conveyed that such actions required far greater caution, sensitivity and compassion, with the human cost placed at the centre of decision-making. According to him, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar assured that they would personally engage with affected families, establish a grievance redress mechanism and ensure rehabilitation and relief.
PROTESTS AND ACCUSATIONS ON THE GROUND
The assurances came amid protests by the Social Democratic Party of India and local residents, who accused the government of displacing vulnerable families without adequate alternatives. Demonstrators demanded immediate rehabilitation, shelter and fulfilment of basic needs for those rendered homeless.
SDPI Karnataka general secretary Mujahid Pasha accused the state government of repeating the same eviction politics it once criticised. He rejected claims by ministers that the residents were illegal immigrants or that the land was earmarked solely for solid waste management, arguing that humanitarian considerations had been sidelined. He also pointed to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s criticism to argue that the issue had acquired national resonance.
GOVERNMENT DEFENDS ACTION
Siddaramaiah defended the eviction, saying the land in the Kogilu Badavane area near Yelahanka was a waste dumping site unfit for human habitation and had been encroached upon. He said repeated notices had been issued asking families to relocate, but there was no response, making eviction unavoidable.
The Chief Minister said he had directed the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike commissioner to arrange temporary shelter, food and other necessities. While noting that most of those living on the land were migrant workers rather than local residents, he said suitable housing arrangements would be ensured from a humanitarian perspective.
BJP HITS OUT AT CONGRESS LEADERSHIP
BJP leader R Ashoka criticised Venugopal for “interfering” in state administration, calling it an insult to federalism. “Who is KC Venugopal to intervene in the administration of Karnataka? Is he a Super CM, or does the Congress high command believe state governments function on Delhi diktats?” Ashoka asked in a post.
He added that the selective outrage exposed political motives, saying, “This is not about humanity or sensitivity; it’s about Congress high-command politics, Kerala appeasement, and election optics.” Ashoka demanded that humanitarian concerns be addressed through law, due process, and accountable state mechanisms rather than instructions from party officials with no constitutional role.
The exchange unfolded on Thursday as Shastri arrived in Bhilai for his Hanuman Katha programme, where he addressed the media even before the event began.
Earlier in Durg, Bhupesh Baghel had criticised religious preachers.
A fresh political-religious confrontation has erupted in Chhattisgarh after former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and spiritual preacher Dhirendra Shastri or Bageshwar Baba traded sharp remarks over superstition, faith, and the idea of Hindus being “in danger,” turning a religious discourse into a flashpoint of ideological debate.
The exchange unfolded on Thursday as Shastri arrived in Bhilai for his Hanuman Katha programme, where he addressed the media even before the event began and responded strongly to Baghel’s earlier comments on religious preachers.
Speaking to reporters, Shastri reacted to Baghel’s statement that preachers like him and Pradeep Mishra were spreading superstition. Shastri said that if “uniting the Hindu community, spreading devotion and awakening nationalism” is being labelled superstition, then “those who think so should leave the country.”
“I am not a politician and I usually do not comment on political statements. But this issue concerns faith and society, so I felt it necessary to respond,” Shastri said. “Strengthening the Hindu community, spreading devotion to Hanuman and awakening a sense of nationalism cannot be called superstition.”
Referring to demographic trends, Shastri said that the population share of one community was increasing while that of Hindus was declining. He cited neighbouring Bangladesh as an example, saying that “if precautions are not taken in time, the danger becomes visible later.”
On the issue of ‘Love Jihad’, Shastri said that when families are personally affected, people understand the seriousness of the issue. He claimed that Hindus have become a minority in several localities and said that this made unity within the Sanatan community necessary.
On religious conversions, Shastri said the Hindu community in Chhattisgarh was “now awakening” and that he would continue organising programmes across the state. He said a future event in the Surguja-Jashpur region would be held with the stage set up in front of a large church.
Earlier in Durg, Bhupesh Baghel had criticised religious preachers, saying that two “Maharajas” Pradeep Mishra and Dhirendra Shastri were visiting the state and spreading rituals and superstition instead of knowledge about Lord Shiva or Hanuman.
“The more educated society becomes, the more superstition seems to increase,” Baghel said. “Ordinary people know better than these preachers who Shiva is, who Hanuman is, and how worship should be done.”
Baghel also rejected the narrative that Hindus are in danger. “Hindus were not in danger during Mughal rule, during the freedom struggle, or when Muslims were in power. This narrative has only emerged after the RSS and BJP came to power,” he said, alleging that fear is being used as a political tool.
He added sarcastically that people now prefer calling themselves “Sanatanis” rather than Hindus.
A separate controversy has emerged over the manner in which Dhirendra Shastri travelled to Chhattisgarh.
Shastri reached Raipur using a Chhattisgarh government aircraft and then travelled onward to Bhilai. According to reports, a state minister flew from Raipur to Satna in Madhya Pradesh on the same government aircraft to pick up Shastri, and then returned with him to Raipur. A video circulating from the state hangar in Raipur shows a uniformed police officer removing his shoes and touching Shastri’s feet after he disembarked from the aircraft. Both incidents have triggered criticism online, with users alleging misuse of government resources and violation of official conduct rules.
Several social media users questioned why a religious preacher, who does not hold any constitutional position, was provided government transport for a private religious programme.
One user cited Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law, asking why similar facilities are not available to ordinary citizens, writers, artists or social workers. Another user claimed that because Shastri was not eligible to travel on a government aircraft under existing rules, a minister was formally sent to Satna to facilitate his travel.
An NRI’s reaction to visiting India ate 8 years abroad has sparked a discussion online.
The post quickly drew mixed reactions from users.(Unsplash/Representational image)
An NRI’s reaction to visiting India after 8 years abroad has sparked a discussion online after his comments praising the country’s “energy”, rapid growth and lower costs of living were shared on social media.
Taking to X, Alok Jain, founder of WeekendInvesting, said his friend, who travelled from New York, was struck by what he described as India’s “amazing energy” and the pace at which the country is growing.
“An outsider’s perspective can be so different from our own,” Jain wrote, adding that his friend was particularly “shocked” by the relatively low cost of medical care, transportation, internet and mobile services in India.
According to Jain, his friend said he pays $600 for mobile and data at his house in the US, around $30,000 annually for health insurance for a family of 4, and nearly 2% of his property’s value each year as property tax. “Yes air is cleaner there but there are many more good things happening here,” Jain added.
A friend visited me from New York today. He had come to India after 8 yrs.
He was all praise for the amazing energy in the country and how rapidly he felt India is growing.
An outsiders perspective can be so different from our own.
The post quickly drew mixed reactions from users, with many pushing back against the comparison. One user commented, “It’s the other way around. A few things are better in India but when it comes to what actually defines a better living standard, from AQI to walkable public spaces, New York is way ahead, no comparison.”
Another wrote, “I am an outsider and I can say that everything wrong with the country has to do only with lack of civic sense among the people.”
A third user was more critical, saying, “At the end of the day, even if you save money on mobile data, commute, property tax and health insurance, you still can’t breath money or even walk on money outside. Your life will be still restricted in the society you live in. My NRI friends also talk like this to make you feel good but at the end of the day they got back to the developed nations.”
Others, however, agreed with Jain’s assessment. “Sometimes it takes an outsider to show us our blind spots. India has its problems, but affordability, speed, and momentum are real advantages we underestimate,” one user wrote.
This comes a day after Union minister of state in the Ministry of External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh called for the swift return of liquor baron Vijay Mallya.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the remarks during a press conference in New Delhi on Friday.(File/ANI Video Grab)
India is “fully committed” that fugitives and people “wanted by law” in the country return here to face trial before the courts, said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday during a press briefing.
Jaiswal said that India is in talks with several countries and “process are on” to bring such people back, however, there are “several layers of legalities” involved in such cases.
“We remain fully committed that people who are fugitive and wanted by law in India, return to the country. For this, we are in talks with several governments and processes are on,” Jaiswal said.
#WATCH | Delhi: MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, “We remain fully committed that people who are fugitive and wanted by law in India, return to the country. For this, we are in talks with several governments and processes are on… There are several layers of legalities… pic.twitter.com/HwxGzUUtIB
“There are several layers of legalities involved but we remain committed to bring them back to the country so they can face trial before the courts here,” he added.
This comes a day after Union minister of state in the Ministry of External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh on Thursday called for the swift return of businessman and liquor baron Vijay Mallya.
“Action will be taken. Such people flee the country out of fear,” he said, adding that even terrorists can be extradited these days while referring to Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
“No one would have imagined that even terrorists could be extradited, but one of them was brought back,” he said.
On Tuesday, the Bombay High Court warned Vijay Mallya to return to India or the court will not hear his plea challenging the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act.
In 2025, over 24,600 Indians were deported from 81 countries, with Saudi Arabia leading the figures at more than 11,000. The United States ranked second, deporting approximately 3,800 individuals, the highest in five years, attributed to increased scrutiny under President Trump.
Guatemalan migrants searched before boarding a deportation flight under Title 42 authority in Harlingen, Texas, May 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Veronica G. Cardenas)
More than 24,600 Indians were deported from 81 countries in 2025, with Saudi Arabia accounting for the highest number, according to data presented by the Ministry of External Affairs in Parliament. Saudi Arabia deported over 11,000 Indians during the year, far more than any other country. By comparison, about 3,800 Indians were deported from the United States in 2025. While lower than Saudi Arabia’s figure, the U.S. number is the highest recorded in the past five years, the data showed.
Experts attributed the rise in deportations from the United States to tighter scrutiny under the administration of US President Donald Trump, including checks on visa status, work authorisation and overstays. Most deportations from the US took place from Washington, D.C., with 3,414 cases, followed by Houston with 234.
Other countries that saw significant deportations of Indians included Myanmar (1,591), United Arab Emirates (1,469), Malaysia (1,485), Bahrain (764), Thailand (481) and Cambodia (305).
According to the ministry, the most common reasons for deportations, particularly from Gulf countries, were overstaying visas, working without valid permits, violating labour rules, absconding from employers and involvement in civil or criminal cases.
“This is a pattern with Gulf countries, which see a large migration of workers from India,” said Bheema Reddy, vice-chairman of the Telangana government’s NRI advisory committee. “Most of them are low-skilled workers who migrate through agents and, in many cases, in an attempt to earn extra money, end up involved in minor offences,” he said. “In other instances, lack of awareness about local laws and regulations proves costly,” Reddy added, as quoted by The Times of India.
The data also showed that deportation of Indian students was highest from the United Kingdom, with 170 cases, followed by Australia (114), Russia (82) and the United States (45).
Separately, India on Friday said it flagged its concerns to the US over cancellation of pre-scheduled H1B visa interviews of large numbers of Indian applicants and that both sides are engaged on the issue.
The interviews of thousands of H-1B visa applicants slated from the middle of this month in India have been abruptly postponed by several months to scrutinise their social media posts and online profiles. Some of the applicants, whose visa appointments were scheduled last week, received e-mails from US immigration authorities informing that their interviews are being pushed back as late as May next year.
Sources said that the terrorists are seeking temporary winter hideouts to survive the season, forcing them to move into uninhabited and difficult terrain.
As per sources, around 30–35 Pakistani terrorists are believed to be hiding in the higher and mid-mountain belts of Jammu region. (Representational)
The Indian Army has intensified counter-terror operations in Kishtwar and Doda districts of Jammu and Kashmir, following multiple intelligence inputs, defence sources told CNN-News18.
As per sources, around 30–35 Pakistani terrorists are believed to be hiding in the higher and mid-mountain belts of Jammu region. They said that these terrorists are using winter conditions and snow cover to evade detection and avoid direct confrontation with security forces.
Sources said that the terrorists are seeking temporary winter hideouts to survive the season, forcing them to move into uninhabited and difficult terrain. With local support networks weakening, they are increasingly relying on coercion to procure food and supplies.
Meanwhile, Army troops have expanded their presence along snowbound ridgelines and remote forest areas to maintain pressure. Specially trained winter warfare units, equipped for survival and combat in extreme cold, have been deployed to retain operational advantage.
Joint operations are being carried out with the Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, Special Operations Group (SOG), Forest Guards and Village Defence Guards (VDGs). This coordination has strengthened intelligence sharing and enabled faster, more precise action on the ground.
Defence sources said the army is focussed on isolating and neutralising remaining terrorist groups and preventing them from slipping into populated areas during winter.
The meeting comes days after a video of Thapliyal Ji went viral. In the video he revealed that he earned Rs 763 after completing 28 deliveries over nearly 15 hours in a single day.
Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha met the Blinkit delivery guy
A Blinkit delivery agent whose video on low daily earnings recently went viral, sparking public outrage, met Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha.
Chadha invited Thapliyal Ji, who hails from Uttarakhand, to his residence for lunch. The meeting came days after the MP raised concerns in Parliament about poor pay, long working hours and the lack of social security for gig workers.
Thapliyal Ji later posted clips of his meeting with the MP on his Instagram account. In the videos, he described Chadha as a warm and approachable person. He said he felt heard and respected during the interaction.
During their conversation, the delivery executive spoke about the everyday struggles faced by delivery partners. These included long and unpredictable working hours, fluctuating income, pressure from algorithm-based targets and the absence of proper grievance redressal systems or basic protections.
The meeting comes days after a video of Thapliyal Ji went viral. In the video he revealed that he earned Rs 763 after completing 28 deliveries over nearly 15 hours in a single day.
The video, which resurfaced online recently, sparked sharp reactions from users who questioned whether such earnings were fair or sustainable.
Sharing the video on X, Chadha termed the situation as “systemic exploitation hidden behind apps and algorithms.”
The Supreme Court has ruled that a driving licence becomes invalid immediately after expiry without renewal.
AI-generated image used for representation
The Supreme Court has clarified that a driving licence stops being valid immediately after its expiry if it is not renewed, bringing an end to any assumption of automatic extension under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and S. V. N. Bhatti said that after the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 came into force, a licence holder becomes legally unfit to drive from the very next day after the licence expires if renewal has not been done. The court said this creates a “legal disability” to drive.
Explaining the current legal position, the bench noted that the amended law does not provide any grace period after the expiry of a licence. Earlier, before the 2019 amendment, the Act allowed licences to remain valid for an additional 30 days after expiry. That provision, the court said, no longer exists.
“The first proviso to sub-section (1) of Section 15, gives a window to a person for renewal of his existing licence, which starts one year prior to the date of the expiry of the licence and continues for one year post-expiry. The theory that once a licence is renewed, even after a gap, the renewal would operate from a back date implying that the licence was continuing and valid even for and during the interregnum cannot be countenanced,” the bench said.
The observations were made in a judgment delivered on December 18, 2025, while allowing an appeal filed by the Telangana State Level Police Recruitment Board. The appeal challenged a 2023 order of the Telangana High Court, which had allowed certain candidates to apply for the post of driver even though their driving licences had expired within the two years preceding the recruitment notification. These candidates had renewed their licences after a gap.
Setting aside the High Court’s order, the Supreme Court held that the requirement for candidates to hold a valid driving licence continuously for the two years preceding the notification could not be called unreasonable.
In an interview with India Today TV’s consulting editor Rajdeep Sardesai, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor discussed Pakistan’s political and economic situation, China’s influence and regional security issues.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Friday warned that India cannot ignore Pakistan’s evolving military strategy, particularly its focus on hypersonic missile technology and asymmetric deterrence. In an exclusive interview with India Today TV’s consulting editor Rajdeep Sardesai, Tharoor discussed General Asim Munir’s growing influence and rising anti-India radicalism in Pakistan, to which he replied that India has learnt from past experiences with Pakistan and must remain fully prepared.
“After the barrage of drones, rockets, and missiles they sent us, they are now pursuing hypersonic technologies,” he said, adding that the country’s new military doctrine, known as asymmetric deterrence, “is not something we can lightly ignore.”
Highlighting Pakistan’s internal dynamics, Tharoor described the country as “very problematic” with a nominal civilian government largely dominated by the military. He pointed to economic fragility and reliance on foreign aid as factors that could encourage military adventurism.
“Pakistan is a very, very problematic state at various levels,” Tharoor said. “It is a nominally civilian government that has been created by the military and is dominated by the military, so the military’s agenda will always be outsized in terms of the policy choices there.”
The Congress MP also highlighted Pakistan’s economic weakness. “It is economically fragile,” Tharoor added. “It’s had a lot of money coming in from various international and western donors, and that may help give it a lifeline for a while, but economic fragility often leads to military adventurism.”
Tharoor compared the two economies, noting that Pakistan’s GDP growth stands at 2.7 per cent, while India’s growth is around 7 per cent or higher.
He also highlighted Pakistan’s moves into sectors where India has a strong presence, saying the country is expanding in areas such as textiles and agriculture, which could increase competition in regional markets.
The discussion then moved to Pakistan’s expanding ties with the United States and broader shifts in global geopolitics.
While discussing the growing bilateral ties between the two nations, Tharoor said Pakistan has offered mineral access to the US and transferred its cryptocurrency business to a company connected to Zachary Witkoff and Donald Trump’s sons.
He added that with support from Saudi Arabia and backing from China, Pakistan may feel less compelled to engage with India.
“There’s no doubt that the tectonic plates in the world are shifting, and we are entering a period of turbulence,” Tharoor said. “The question is not who will rein in anybody, but how we manage those who cannot be reined in.”
Turning to China and regional issues, Tharoor spoke about Bangladesh, noting that the country “is grappling with its own problems. They have energy shortages, inflationary pressures, and declining investor confidence.”
The Congress MP also warned that Bangladesh’s discussions on defence pacts with Pakistan suggest that “at this point, they really seem to want to give the impression that India is their enemy.”
He added that India has proposed regional connectivity plans through ports, rail, and energy grids, which “would actually help Bangladesh, but that depends heavily on stability in the country.”
When asked whether India should be concerned about rising instability in its neighbourhood, including the toppling of a government in Nepal and increasing anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh, Shashi Tharoor said a peaceful and stable Bangladesh is crucial for India, warning that instability could turn the country into “India’s soft underbelly.”
Tharoor said, “We know that Pakistan, in the past, the ISI has been fishing in troubled waters through that soft underbelly.” Tharoor added, “There has also been a problem of militants in the northeast seeking refuge in Bangladesh, obtaining safe haven, crossing over, wreaking havoc, and then returning.”
The Congress leader also raised concern over provocative rhetoric from student leaders, saying some are “openly threatening to sever our seven sisters northeastern states from the rest of the country” and are “providing refuge to separatist elements.”
On communal tensions, he added, “The Islamist forces, Jamaat-e-Islami in particular, have added a layer of communal anxiety to all of this.”
Passengers DH spoke to remained grateful for having booked a non-AC bus.
Flames and smoke billow out after a bus caught fire following a collision with a speeding truck, in Chitradurga Credit: DH, PTI Photos
Bengaluru: A winter vacation to Gokarna turned tragic even before it began, as a bus travelling to the beach town from Bengaluru went up in flames in Chitradurga on Thursday morning.
The 32-seater non-AC Seabird Tourists bus departed from Majestic at 8:30 pm on Wednesday, with a majority of the passengers headed to Gokarna, barring a few whose destinations were Kumta and Shivamogga.
Passengers DH spoke to remained grateful for having booked a non-AC bus.
“When we tried to get out of the bus, we realised that the front door was jammed. Despite many attempts to push it open, it wouldn’t budge. That’s when my wife suggested we jump from the window as the fire was getting stronger. In that moment, we were so glad that this was a non-AC bus,” recalled Hemraj Kumhar, who had booked an upper berth close to the main door.
Hemraj, a 37-year-old resident of Varthur, was travelling to Gokarna for a weekend getaway with his wife and eight-year-old son. While his son remained unharmed, his wife, Kalpana Prajapati, sustained injuries to her back.
“We were all asleep when the accident happened. I only woke up when I started to have difficulty breathing, and the window rod suddenly fell on my face. By the time we made it out, the driver, the conductor and a few other passengers had already exited the bus. Moments after we exited, the entire bus went up in flames,” he told this reporter.
The family made it to the local hospital by hitching a ride and eventually reached Bengaluru by Thursday noon.
Similarly, 23-year-old IT employee Kiran Pal H was travelling to Gokarna with his friends Kirthan M, Nanditha GB and Devika H. All four were treated at Victoria Hospital on Thursday — two for burns and two for other injuries.
Kiran’s brother, Kishan Pal, learned about the accident at 6 am. “Although the accident had happened much earlier, my brother didn’t want to worry us, so he called once he was at the local hospital. He has sustained injuries on his arms and legs from jumping from the window. Several glass shards have pierced through his skin. All of them had to jump through the window, as that was the easiest exit,” he shared.
Kachchh (Gujarat) [India], December 26 (ANI): An earthquake measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale struck the Kachchh district of Gujarat early Friday morning at around 4:30 am, according to the National Centre for Seismology.
The quake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres, with its epicentre located at latitude 23.65° North and longitude 70.23° East.
An earthquake of magnitude 4.4 occurred in Kachchh, Gujarat, at 4.30 IST today: National Centre for Seismology pic.twitter.com/0Jb7nU5ogI
An IT company manager alleged that the firm’s CEO and a senior executive offered her a lift after a New Year party in Udaipur and raped her in a moving car.
IT firm CEO Jitesh Sisodia (left), Executive head’s husband Gaurav Sirohi (right).
Udaipur Police has arrested three people, including the CEO and the executive head of a private company, along with her husband, for allegedly gang-raping a female employee in a moving car, officials said on Thursday.
Action was initiated after the survivor lodged a complaint, following which her statement and medical examination were recorded. The medical report has confirmed injury marks, which, prima facie, support the allegation of gang rape, District Superintendent of Police Yogesh Goyal said.
Police are also relying on footage recorded by a webcam installed in a car used during the incident. Based on the evidence collected so far, the company’s CEO Jeetesh Sisodia, his colleague Gaurav, and Gaurav’s wife Shilpa have been arrested. The accused are being produced before a court for further legal proceedings. The online profile of Sisodia shows he is the CEO of GKM IT Private Limited.
According to the complaint, the incident followed a birthday and New Year party hosted by the company’s CEO on December 20 at a hotel in Shobhagpura area. The survivor reached the hotel around 9 pm, and the party continued until about 1.30 am. Present at the venue were the CEO, a senior female executive, and her husband.
When the survivor began feeling intoxicated, some attendees suggested dropping her home. However, the female executive allegedly invited her to an after-party. Around 1.45 am, the survivor was seated in a car where the CEO and the executive’s husband were already present. The trio reportedly drove her home, stopped at a shop to purchase smoking material, and made her smoke as well.
After smoking, the woman allegedly lost consciousness. When she regained partial awareness later, she found the CEO molesting her. She alleged that the CEO, the female executive, and her husband sexually assaulted her. Despite repeatedly asking to be taken home, she was dropped only around 5 am, the complaint stated.
All six men accused of lynching a West Bengal migrant worker in Odisha’s Sambalpur district have been arrested, police said, while asserting that the killing was not linked to the victim’s identity or nationality.
The six accused people have been arrested in connection with the incident.
Six men allegedly stopped a group of migrant workers from West Bengal in Odisha’s Sambalpur district, asked for a bidi and then demanded to check their Aadhaar cards before launching a brutal assault that left one labourer dead and several others injured, police said on Thursday.
Odisha Police said the violence followed a dispute over a bidi late Wednesday night. The workers and the victim’s family, however, told authorities they were attacked after being suspected of being Bangladeshi nationals. All six accused involved in the lynching have been arrested.
According to police, the incident occurred when the victim, identified as Juel Sheikh, and other workers from West Bengal were preparing food at their living place in Sambalpur. A group of six men approached them asking for a bidi. When the workers refused, the men allegedly demanded to see their Aadhaar cards, triggering an altercation that escalated into a scuffle.
Sheikh was hit on the head with a hard object and succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at the Sambalpur hospital.
“The miscreants first asked for bidi from us and then asked me to show our Aadhaar cards. Later, they rammed Juel head against a hard object,” another worker, Majhar Khan, injured in the attack, told news agency PTI.
Nizamuddin Khan claimed the assailants branded them as Bangladeshis before attacking Sheikh and two others. Two of the injured workers have been admitted to hospital and are undergoing treatment.
IGP (Northern Range) Himanshu Kumar Lal said that the murder has nothing to do with whether the “victim was a Bengali or a Bangladeshi”. Another official said that the workers had been living in the area for several years, and they knew the accused persons.
TRINAMOOL BLAMES BJP
Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress blamed the killing on what it called a “sustained campaign against Bengalis” by the BJP, asserting that the incident occurred in a state governed by the saffron party.
“The lynching of a Bengali migrant worker in Sambalpur is the direct outcome of @BJP4India’s sustained campaign against Bengalis. A citizen of India was beaten to death because a mob believed the lie that Bengalis are infiltrators who must constantly prove their right to exist,” the party said in a post on X.
Shashi Tharoor pointed out that there was an attack on a carol singing group in Kerala’s Palakkad, adding that there’s a need to display “solidarity with our Christian brothers”.
Spotlighting the reports of the alleged attack on Christians in the days leading up to Christmas, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor served a warning: “when traditions are attacked, it is all of us”.
The Thiruvananthapuram MP pointed out that there was an attack on a carol singing group in Kerala’s Palakkad, adding that there’s a need to display “solidarity with our Christian brothers”.
“To my mind, this solidarity is fundamental, and we’re going through a time, and sadly, there are attacks on Christians in different places of the country. Even in Kerala, there was an attack on a carol singing group in Palakkad, which is truly shocking,” Tharoor, the four-time MP, said.
“When our traditions are attacked, it is not only Christians who are attacked, it is all of us. Every Indian is assaulted. Our constitutional guarantee of freedom of worship, freedom of belief is being attacked, and we must all stand in solidarity with our Christian brothers,” he said.
The Congress leader said that he spent every Christmas Eve going from one church to another, though he managed to visit only four churches this time as his flight from Delhi was delayed.
1/2 While the festive spirit remained alive in Kerala, it’s dismaying that Christmas 2025 has been marked by an unprecedented level of anxiety, driven by specific local incidents and a rising national trend of intolerance.
“This year, my flight was late from Delhi, so I managed only four churches, but it is always very special to go, to listen sometimes to only a part of the sermon, but also then end up at midnight mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral,” he said.
“I had a wonderful experience in going from church to church, and in particular at St Mary’s, where Cardinal Cleemis, the major archbishop of the Syro-Malankara Church, he called me up on stage and gave me a morsel of chocolate cake himself and said some kind things,” he said.
The Congress leader stressed how showing respect for cultural traditions of all communities is central to Kerala politics.
“For me, this has always been very important. I’ve been an MP now for 17 years, and showing solidarity with members of my constituency is basic, but also showing respect for the cultural and religious traditions of all communities is central to Kerala politics,” he said.
In Rajasthan’s Nagaur, the principal of a private school has alleged that a group of people claiming to be Bajrang Dal members threatened children and staff over Christmas celebrations at the institute.
In UP’s Bareilly, Members of the Bajrang Dal staged a protest outside St Alphonsus Cathedral Church and recited the ‘Hanuman Chalisa’, alleging that the Hindu religion and society were portrayed in an objectionable manner during a Christmas programme organised by the church.
Shashi Tharoor, without naming the BJP, urged the “responsible leadership of a party” in power at the Centre to condemn the attacks.
“In the Mahabharata, when Dushasana tried to outrage Panchali’s modesty in the Kaurava Court, in the presence of teachers, elders, and the Pandavas, even Bhishma remained silent. At that moment, the lone voice of protest arose not from the Pandava side but from within the Kauravas. Vikarna, Duryodhana’s brother, spoke out and said, ‘Elder brother Duryodhana, this is unjust, this is adharma,'” Tharoor posted on X.
“Waiting for someone within the responsible leadership of a party in power to say even as much as ‘Stop, O man of cruelty (Manishada),” he added.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a Christmas morning service at the Cathedral Church of the Redemption along with a large congregation of Christians of Delhi and north India.
The protest, called by the Gig & Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU), highlighted long-standing demands for better pay, safety, and working conditions.
The disruption stemmed from organised gatherings of workers who temporarily logged off from their apps. (Representational image)
A nationwide strike by gig workers employed with major e-commerce, food delivery, cab, and home service platforms led to significant service disruptions in Gurugram on Thursday, while Delhi and Noida reported minimal to no impact.
The disruption stemmed from organised gatherings of workers who temporarily logged off from their apps. (Representational image)
The disruption stemmed from organised gatherings of workers who temporarily logged off from their apps. (Representational image)
The protest, called by the Gig & Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU), highlighted long-standing demands for better pay, safety, and working conditions.
In Gurugram, the strike’s effect was pronounced, with residents across several sectors facing lengthy delays in food deliveries. Key affected areas included Badshahpur in Sector 66, Sohna Road, and Sectors 31, 47, and 48.
The disruption stemmed from organised gatherings of workers who temporarily logged off from their apps. Approximately 70-80 delivery partners assembled at the Rodeo Drive Market Complex in Sector 47, with similar protests reported at Baani Square (Sector 50), ILD Tower near Subhash Chowk, Eros City Square (Sector 49), and HUDA Market (Sector 46).
Protesting workers voiced grievances over low earnings and difficult working terms.
One delivery executive, sharing a screenshot of a recent payment, stated he earned only ₹49 for a delivery spanning nearly 11km. “Food delivery companies pay us around ₹5-6 for each kilometre traveled… fuel expenses take away a major chunk,” he said, requesting anonymity.
Another worker argued that with current inflation, a rate of ₹10-14 per km is necessary to survive in NCR cities.
They also criticised the structure of incentives, which are often tied to completing a high number of daily orders. “Incentives are usually given if we manage to complete 31 orders, which is difficult. This should be brought down to 25 or less,” another delivery partner said.
Beyond pay, workers highlighted safety concerns, demanding that companies halt deliveries after 11pm during the winter peak due to dense fog and hazardous driving conditions.
A protesting worker showed how his rate card was “deleted” from the e-commerce app after his team leader spotted him at one of the protesting sites. Workers said similar protests were held in other locations across the city, where around 50 to 100 of them had gathered for the protests.
A restaurant owner in an affected area confirmed the operational strain, revealing that they had to deploy their own staff for deliveries as no platform riders were available. “Our two riders have been completing orders since morning, taking at least two hours per order. We only received 15 orders today due to the protests,” he said.
The GIPSWU’s formal demands include income security equivalent to statutory minimum wages, a fair rate of not less than ₹20 per km for ride-hailing drivers, an eight-hour working day, overtime pay, and robust social security, including functional insurance that supports workers in emergencies.
PM Modi attended Christmas service amid opposition concerns over attacks on minorities, emphasizing love and harmony while critics cited rising hate incidents.
Pime Minister Narendra Modi during the Christmas morning service at the Cathedral Church of the Redemption, in New Delhi on Thursday. (DPR PMO)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday attended the Christmas morning service at The Cathedral Church of the Redemption in the national Capital, even as the Opposition raised concerns over alleged attacks on Christmas minorities on the occasion.
Modi, in his Christmas greetings to the people, said: “The service reflected the timeless message of love, peace and compassion. May the spirit of Christmas inspire harmony and goodwill in our society.”
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President JP Nadda also participated in theChristmas celebrations. “Participated in the Christmas celebrations at Christian Higher Secondary School in New Delhi today, organised by the Mao Naga Christian Fellowship Delhi (MNCFD). It was heartening to be part of such a warm and joyful gathering. As we celebrate Christmas, we remember the teachings of Jesus Christ,” he said in a post on X.
Officials pointed out that over the last few years, PM Modi has been regularly attending programmes that have connected with the Christian community. “During Easter 2023, he attended an Easter programme at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Delhi. During Christmas 2023, he hosted a programme at his residence 7, Lok Kalyan Marg in Delhi. In 2024, he attended a dinner at the residence of minister George Kurian and also a programme hosted by the CBCI,” an official said.
Opposition parties, however, targeted the BJP-led Union government over alleged atrocities against Christians. Referring to the incident of a BJP leader’s assault of a visually impaired woman in Jabalpur over suspicion that she was promoting conversion ahead of Christmas, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien said: “PM Modi and HM Shah, your silence on incidents like these in the Christmas season is deafening. Shame on you and your ilk.” The Rajya Sabha member also questioned PM’s Christmas message and quipped, “Love? Peace? Compassion? Harmony? Goodwill? Christmas?”
Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin also criticised the attacks on minorities. “When a few right-wing violent groups, acting in the name of the majority, indulge in attacks and riots, even as the PM participates in Christmas celebrations, it sends a disturbing message to the nation,” the DMK chief said on X. “A reported 74% rise in hate speech against minorities since the Union BJP government assumed office signals grave danger ahead.”
CPI(M) MP John Brittas said that there has been “no let-up in the attacks on Christians across the country”. “The Hon Prime Minister took time to attend a Christmas church service in the capital… If only he had spent just two minutes to acknowledge that these attacks on Christians, their churches, schools, and gatherings are attacks on the nation and its Constitution, and that the perpetrators will be held accountable — that single, firm statement would have made a real difference,” he said on X.
The MP further claimed that in the last 10 years, attacks against Christians have spiked. “This year till November 700 incidents have been reported, by the end it would touch 1000 or more,” he said.
The president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) — the top Catholic body –– Andrews Thazhath also condemned the attacks as he appealed to the PM, Union home minister Amit Shah and chief ministers of various states to “ensure strict enforcement of law and extend proactive protection to Christian communities” on the occasion.
Delhi’s air quality deteriorated sharply on December 26, with the AQI surging to a hazardous 566 just days after GRAP-4 curbs were lifted, amid chilly, misty weather and poor visibility affecting daily life and travel.
Delhi AQI Today: The overall AQI on December 25 was recorded at 221. The CAQM revoked restrictions under the GRAP-4. People are advised to be prepared for dense fog, which may affect their daily commute or scheduled flights. (Representative Image, Created Using AI)
Air pollution levels in Delhi deteriorated sharply on Friday, December 26 and moved dangerously close to the “hazardous” category as the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 566. This comes just days after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR and adjoining areas.
This marked a significant deterioration from the ‘poor’ AQI of 234 recorded on Thursday (December 25, 2025), which led to the removal of GRAP stage IV restrictions, which were enforced after pollution levels breached the 450 mark in Delhi and adjoining areas. However, with air quality showing improvement earlier this week, authorities lifted the strictest restrictions, though residents had been advised to stay cautious as dense fog and poor visibility are expected to persist this week, potentially disrupting flights and daily road travel.
As per the CPCB classification, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’ and 401 and 500 ‘severe’.
Delhi Weather Forecast
On the weather front, Delhi woke up to chilly and misty conditions on Thursday morning, with the temperature hovering around 10°C. High humidity at 94% added to the discomfort, reducing visibility across parts of the city.
Weather officials said that the mist likely to persist through the early hours, potentially affecting road and air travel before gradual improvement later in the day.
Delhi Flight Status
Flight operations in Delhi, which were disrupted last week due to poor visibility, have largely returned to normal over the past few days, with no major delays or cancellations reported. However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Yellow Alert for dense fog towards the end of the week, warning that runway visibility could drop and affect flight schedules.
Ongoing mining activities are to be regulated stringently, with additional restrictions, to ensure environmental protection and adherence to sustainable mining practices.
The Aravalli Hills. Credit: iStock Photo
Amid the ongoing controversy on the protection of the Aravalli hills, the Union Environment Ministry on Wednesday said directions have been issued to the States “for a complete ban on the grant of any new mining leases in the Aravallis” till new sustainable mining plans are prepared as per the Supreme Court’s direction.
The ministry wrote to Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana governments directing them not to issue any new mining leases till the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education finalises the scientific management plans and follow strict environment protocols for operational mines.
The communication to States comes a month after the top court told the government to stop all new mining leases and carry out a detailed exercise by the ICFRE for sustainable mining plans in the lines of what was undertaken for Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary in Jharkhand.
Dehradun-based ICFRE has also been asked by the ministry to identify additional areas in the entire Aravallis, where mining should be prohibited, over and above the areas already prohibited for mining by the Centre, based on ecological, geological and landscape-level considerations.
“This prohibition applies uniformly across the entire Aravalli landscape and is intended to preserve the integrity of the range. The directions are aimed at safeguarding the Aravallis as a continuous geological ridge extending from Gujarat to the National Capital Region, and at stopping all unregulated mining activities,” the ministry said in a statement.
Currently mining is prohibited in protected areas including four tiger reserves and 22 wildlife sanctuaries; eco-sensitive zones; buffer areas, wetlands and in areas where plantation have been raised. Also mining is banned in all the districts falling within the National Capital Region.
“The ICFRE has been directed to prepare a comprehensive, science-based Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) for the entire Aravalli region,” the ministry said.
“The plan will be placed in the public domain for wide stakeholder consultation. It will assess the cumulative environmental impact and ecological carrying capacity, identify ecologically sensitive and conservation-critical areas, and lay down measures for restoration and rehabilitation.”
India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, met with US Ambassador Sergio Gor at Mar-a-Lago amid Christmas festivities.
India’s Ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor in their latest meeting. (Image: Sergio Gor/X)
India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, met his American counterpart Sergio Gor at US President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. According to the envoy’s post on social media platform X, the discussion centred on the “shared goal” of strengthening trade ties between India and the United States and priorities for the bilateral partnership.
“Happy to connect with @USAmbIndia Sergio Gor in Mar-a-Lago. Extensive discussions on our shared goal to (strengthen) trade ties, as also his plans and priorities for our bilateral partnership as he prepares to assume his responsibility as the US Ambassador to India!” Kwatra said in the post.
In a separate post, US Ambassador to India and Special Envoy to South and Central Asia, Gor, wrote, “It’s always a pleasure to meet with India’s Ambassador to the US @AmbVMKwatra. This was his first visit to Mar a Lago!”
Happy to connect with @USAmbIndia Sergio Gor in Mar-a-Lago
Extensive discussions on our shared goal to strength trade ties, as also his plans and priorities for our bilateral partnership as he prepares to assume his responsibility as the U.S Ambassador to India! https://t.co/mwLwkkyvBF
Trump is also currently in Mar-a-Lago, having arrived at his Palm Beach, Florida, residence over the weekend for the Christmas holidays.
India-US trade talks: What’s the latest?
The focus on trade and partnership between the two sides comes shortly after Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal shared that India and the United States are making “steady and substantive” progress in their ongoing trade negotiations, noting that five rounds of talks have already taken place.
“Negotiations are progressing well. We’ve had substantive discussions over several rounds of negotiations. In the past, I think five rounds have happened. The current visit is not a negotiating round. The current visit is a new deputy United States Trade Representative (USTR) who has joined about three months ago. It’s his first visit to India. We’re getting to know each other…We had very good substantive discussions,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will convene a three-day meeting with chief secretaries in Delhi from December 26-28.
This fifth national conference aims to enhance cooperation between the Centre and state governments. (Image: File/PTI/ Representative)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a three-day meeting with chief secretaries in the national capital this week. According to a senior government official, PM Modi will chair the fifth national conference of chief secretaries in Delhi in a bid to consolidate the Centre-state coordination. Several officials, including young district collectors and magistrates from states and Union Territories, as well as several Union ministries, are likely to attend the conference.
“The fifth national conference of chief secretaries will be held in Delhi from December 26-28, and it will be a significant step towards further strengthening the partnership between the Centre and state governments,” the official told PTI.
National Conference of Chief Secretaries: What’s on the agenda?
The marathon meeting will run from Friday to Sunday and is the fifth such summit at a national level between top officials of the central government and chief secretaries. Officials said the programme will revolve around five key themes: women and child welfare, school and higher education, sports, and skill development. Both the Centre and the states are expected to make presentations outlining future progress and roadmaps, sources told TOI. The activities planned include yoga sessions, meetings, discussions, and team-building exercises.
Meanwhile, NITI Aayog is also expected to participate and share insights on the use of technology in governance and tourism.
The last National Conference of Chief Secretaries was held in 2024, where the PM chaired the concluding day on December 15. According to an official release, the 3-day conference emphasised the evolution and implementation of a common development agenda and blueprint for cohesive action in partnership with the states. It also laid the ground for collaborative action to harness India’s demographic dividend by promoting entrepreneurship, enhancing skilling initiatives, and creating sustainable employment opportunities for both rural and urban populations.
Nitin Gadkari recalled meeting a Hamas leader at the swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran in July 2024.
Union minister Nitin Gadkari (L) recalled his meeting with Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in 2024
Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday recalled his meeting with the head of the political bureau of Hamas hours before his assassination in Iran back in 2024. During his address at a book launch recently, Gadkari spoke about attending the swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran in July that year, and recalled how a Hamas leader was given priority at the event.
While the union minister didn’t name him directly in his speech, the remarks most likely referred to Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas political chief who was killed in Tehran after attending Pezeshkian’s inauguration ceremony.
A handshake, then a shocking news
Looking back at the swearing-in ceremony, Nitin Gadkari said that he was there because Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked him to represent India there. He said that the dignitaries were welcomed at a 5-star hotel room and served coffee and refreshments.
Gadkari recalled that Haniyeh had caught his eye as he was the only leader not representing any country. “When I shook his hands and asked, I got to know that he is the chief of Hamas, but was accompanying the chief justice and the prime minister since the Iranian government had given him priority,” Gadkari said.
The ceremony ended, Gadkari finished his dinner and went to bed later, only to be woken up by a knock on the door. “The ambassador came at 4 and told me we have to leave. When I asked why, I was told that the powerful Hamas leader was killed inside his room,” Gadkari said, further highlighting how the leader was assassinated despite being kept inside a special room.
The union minister mentioned the incident to point out the need for futuristic technology and vision in trade, defence, business and export.
Haniyeh’s assassination
Ismail Haniyeh, 62, was the head of Hamas who lived in Qatar and was visiting Tehran for the Iranian President’s swearing-in ceremony in July last year. While there was some suspense over how he was assassinated, Iranian authorities later said that a “short-range projectile” was launched from outside of his accommodation.
Navi Mumbai International Airport: The drones moved in seamless coordination, creating striking aerial formations such as 3D lotus blooms
On the eve of the commencement of operations at Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), a spectacular drone show featuring 1,515 drones was organised to mark the airport’s operational launch.
The drones moved in seamless coordination, creating striking aerial formations such as 3D lotus blooms, lotus design interiors, airport logo, green airport, a plane flying over Mumbai, the rise of India among others – all centered around the theme and splendour of the airport, NMIA said in a statement today.
The evening brought together innovation and artistry, transforming the night sky into a canvas of memorable and visually compelling displays, it said.
The audience who saw the beautiful drone show included the differently abled, young athletes and NMIA employees.
First conceived in 1997 by Maharashtra’s city planning agency, City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the airport in 2018. The airport was inaugurated by the Prime Minister on October 8 this year.
Since 2021, Adani Airports Holdings Limited (AAHL), a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), has led the development, construction, and operational readiness of the greenfield airport, progressing it from accelerated construction to phased commercial operations within a compressed time frame.
Now, finally, the airport, inspired by India’s national flower, the lotus, the terminal architecture integrated cultural identity, contemporary design and sustainability features, is set for operations after nearly eight years, which also includes two years of the pandemic.
The development is expected to reduce congestion at the existing Mumbai International Airport, besides significantly boosting capacity in the MMR.
The Graded Response Action Plan’s (GRAP) sub-committee in a meeting today said air quality in the Delhi region has improved
Delhi has removed GRAP-4 conditions after air quality improved
Delhi has removed GRAP-4 conditions on controlling air pollution a week after imposing it due to the worsening situation.
The Graded Response Action Plan’s (GRAP) sub-committee in a meeting today said air quality in the Delhi region has improved.
“AQI of Delhi has shown significant improvement since yesterday night owing to high winds and favourable meteorological conditions,” the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said in a statement today.
It said the AQI “has been recorded as 271 (‘poor’ category) on Wednesday.” However, it also pointed out a new concern – “air quality forecast provided by IMD/IITM suggests an increase in AQI of Delhi due to slower winds in coming days.”
The CAQM imposed GRAP-4 after AQI breached 450, which meant air quality was “severe-plus”. All actions under GRAP 1 to 3 will remain effective, it said.
Older vehicles which went off the road due to conditions imposed by GRAP-4 can return to the roads in Delhi now. The Delhi government had also made it a must for schools to hold classes until Class 11 (except Class 10) in hybrid mode – both physical and online.
GRAP-1 restrictions come into force when the AQI is between 201 and 300 (which is categorised as ‘Poor’), GRAP-2 restrictions when it is between 301 and 400 (‘Very Poor’), and GRAP-3 between 401 and 450 (‘Severe’).
Delhi’s decision to allow only Bharat Stage (BS) 6 vehicles to enter the national capital had blocked at least 1.2 million older vehicles registered outside from entering the city.
According to Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, only BS-6 vehicles from outside Delhi will be allowed to enter Delhi while GRAP-3 and -4 are in effect.
Vehicles without a valid pollution under control (PUC) certificate can’t get oil at fuel stations.
At least five people were charred to death after a private sleeper bus caught fire following a head-on collision with a container lorry in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district.
At least five people were charred to death after a private sleeper bus caught fire
At least five people were charred to death after a private sleeper bus caught fire following a collision with a container lorry in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district on Thursday.
The bus was travelling from Bengaluru to Gokarna when it was hit head-on by a container lorry and immediately went up in flames, police said.
Chitradurga Police said they suspect the lorry driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel. “The container lorry jumped over the divider and hit the bus. The lorry driver is dead. There were 32 people on the bus. We have 21 people injured in hospital, and we are looking for more people, the police said.
The police initially said nine people had died, but later retracted the figure. Inspector General of Police (Eastern Range) Ravi Kanthe Gowda said police had earlier suspected that eight passengers and the lorry driver were dead. However, after recovery operations, only four passengers’ bodies and the body of the lorry driver were found.
“We have not found any more bodies. There are three to four passengers whose phones are currently not reachable. Until bodies are found, they cannot be declared dead,” he said, adding that police were hopeful the missing passengers had survived and efforts were on to reach their families.
Several others sustained injuries and were rushed to hospitals in Hiriyur and Chitradurga for treatment.
A survivor named Aditya said the bus left Bengaluru at 11:30 pm and the accident occurred around 2 am. “I fell down after the accident, broke the glass and managed to get out. Many people were screaming, but by then the fire had engulfed the bus,” the survivor said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy. “Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to a mishap in the Chitradurga district of Karnataka. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May those injured recover at the earliest,” he said.
The Prime Minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased, while the injured will receive Rs 50,000.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also expressed grief over the accident. “Hearing the tragic news of several passengers being burned alive in the horrific accident between a lorry and a bus near Chitradurga has left hearts trembling. It is heartbreaking that the journey of those heading to their villages for Christmas holidays ended in such a tragedy,” he said.
Calling for accountability, Siddaramaiah said a thorough investigation should be conducted to ascertain the cause of the accident.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also condoled the deaths. “The news of the accident that occurred near Hiriyur between a bus and a truck travelling from Bengaluru to Gokarna, resulting in several people being burned alive, has come as a severe shock. I convey my condolences to those who have died. I pray that the injured recover soon. May such tragedies never recur,” he said.
The notification stated that the Government of Assam received reports from the District Magistrates of Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong on December 23 of a serious “law and order” situation in two districts
Security personnel deployed to maintain law and order after a clash between two groups over the issue of eviction, at Kheroni in West Karbi Anglong district, Assam, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025. | Photo Credit: PTI
Following a serious law and order situation that arose in Assam’s Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts, the Assam government on Tuesday (December 23, 2025) has ordered the suspension of internet and mobile data services in both districts with immediate effect.
“It is, however, clarified that the voice calls and the broadband connectivity based on fixed telephone lines shall remain functional during this period. Any violation of the promulgation will be punishable under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and also under the relevant provision of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885,” Biswajit Pegu, Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Assam, Home and Political Department, said in the notification.
The notification stated that the Government of Assam received reports from the District Magistrates of Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong on December 23 of a serious “law and order” situation in two districts.
The government also apprehended that the social media and internet might be used to spread “inflammatory” messages, rumours, etc., which can aggravate the situation.
“The Government of Assam through the District Magistrates of Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong Districts received reports regarding serious Law and Order situation that has arisen in the two Districts on 23.12.2025 and whereas, there is serious apprehension that there might be likelihood of breach of public peace and tranquility in the Districts of Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong, and whereas, the Government of Assam apprehending that social media and internet may be used to spread inflammatory messages, rumours etc further. That may further aggravate the situation.”, the notification said.
Lalit Modi on Monday appeared to take a swipe at India when he shared a video from Vijay Mallya’s birthday party, where he referred to himself and Mallya as the two “biggest fugitives”.
“We are the two fugitives, the biggest fugitives of India,” Lalit Modi – the founding commissioner of popular cricket league, Indian Premier League – is heard saying on the video from London.
“Let me do something to break the internet down again. Something for you folks. Wat your heart out with envy (sic),” Lalit Modi captioned the video posted on his Instagram.
The short video clip drew sharp reactions.
“What a mockery they have made of Indian government,” commented a user.
“You ain’t breaking no internet son sit down,” commented another.
Some found fault with the Indian authorities for the state of affairs.
“Indian law shame that they dare to make such a video (sic),” said a user.
“They are laughing at Indian CBI/ED,” said yet another.
Earlier today, the Bombay High Court asked Vijay Mallya when he intends to return to India and told his counsel it would not hear his plea against the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act unless he first submits himself to the high court jurisdiction.
Mallya, based in the UK since 2016, has filed two petitions in the High Court — one challenging an order declaring him as a fugitive economic offender and the other questioning the constitutional validity of the 2018 Act.
The extradition proceedings initiated against Mallya are at an advanced stage.
Vijay Mallya was declared a Fugitive Economic Offender in January 2019 by a special court hearing cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The businessman, accused of defaulting on multiple loan repayments and facing money laundering charges, left India in March 2016.
An Uttar Pradesh court has rejected the government’s request to withdraw charges against those accused in the 2015 lynching of Mohammad Akhlaq, ordering a day-to-day trial instead.
Mohammad Akhlaq was killed in September 2015 after a mob attacked him at his residence in Greater Noida | Representational image
An Uttar Pradesh court on Tuesday dismissed UP government’s plea seeking withdrawal of charges against all the accused in the 2015 lynching of Mohammad Akhlaq in Dadri and directed that the trial be conducted on a day-to-day basis.
The Uttar Pradesh government had moved the court seeking permission to withdraw the case against all the accused, citing maintenance of social harmony.
The application was filed by the assistant district government advocate (criminal) following directions from the state government and the joint director of prosecution.
Who Was Mohammad Akhlaq?
Mohammad Akhlaq was killed in September 2015 after a mob attacked him at his residence in Bisahda village under Jarcha police station limits in Greater Noida over rumours that beef was stored there, triggering nationwide outrage and debate over mob violence and communal tensions.
What Noida Court Said As It Dismissed UP Govt’s Plea
According to PTI, Mohammad Akhlaq’s lawyer Yusuf Saifi said that the Additional District and Sessions Judge’s court in Surajpur dismissed the application filed by the prosecution as “baseless”.
“The court has rejected the state government’s application to withdraw all charges against the accused in the Akhlaq lynching case and ordered fast-tracking of the trial with daily hearings,” Saifi said.
Earlier, the matter had been listed for December 18 and was subsequently scheduled for hearing on December 23.
Brinda Karat Welcomes Rejection of UP Govt’s Plea
Senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat welcomed the UP court’s decision rejecting the Uttar Pradesh government affidavit to withdraw murder case against the accused in the 2015 mob lynching of Mohammed Akhlaq.
Karat called it a “big step” for justice and a slap on the face of the UP government.
“We welcome the judgment of the Greater Noida District Court. It has rejected the UP govt affidavit to withdraw the case of mob lynching and murder, and attempt to murder against the accused,” PTI reported Karat as saying.
For the unversed, India had deployed the Akash Missile System during Operation Sindoor in May this year. The Indian Forces had successfully intercepted multiple Pakistani drone attacks using the indigenous Akash Missile System.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducts User Evaluation Trials of the Next Generation Akash (Akash-NG) missile system (Image Credit: SpokespersonMoD/X via PTI Photo)
The successful user evaluation trials of the Akash-NG (Next-Generation) missile system mark a significant upgrade in India’s air defence architecture, strengthening its ability to counter a wide range of aerial threats. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Tuesday “successfully completed” user evaluation trials of the next-generation Akash missile system.
The successful user evaluation trials of the new generation Akash Missile System pave the way for its induction into the armed forces.
Top Points About Akash-NG Missile System
The Akash-NG Missile System can act against
high-speed aerial threats
low-altitude aerial threats
long-range high-altitude targets
The Akash-NG Missile System is equipped with
Radio Frequency Seeker
Dual-Pulse Solid Rocket Motor
Indigenous Radars
C2 System
These features enable the Next-Generation Akash Missile System to detect, engage and destroy the targets.
What DRDO and Defence Ministry Said
The system demonstrated high precision against diverse aerial threats, including high-speed, low-altitude and long-range high-altitude targets, according to the DRDO. “User evaluation trials of Akash NG missile successfully completed today, meeting all PSQR requirements,” it said in a post on X.
DRDO successfully completed User Evaluation Trials of the Next Generation Akash (Akash-NG) missile system, paving the way for its induction into the Indian Armed Forces. The system demonstrated high precision against diverse aerial threats, including high-speed, low-altitude and… https://t.co/i0ySszkmrhpic.twitter.com/A4kECs7oaM
During the trials, the missiles successfully intercepted aerial targets at different ranges and altitudes, “including the near-boundary-low-altitude and long-range, high-altitude scenarios,” the DRDO said. “Akash-NG, equipped with an indigenous RF seeker and propelled by a solid rocket motor, is a potent system for ensuring air defence against different types of aerial threats,” it said.
The Ministry of Defence, in a post on X, said, “DRDO successfully completed User Evaluation Trials of the Next-Generation Akash (Akash-NG) missile system, paving the way for its induction into the Indian Armed Forces.” The system demonstrated high precision against diverse aerial threats, including high-speed, low-altitude and long-range high-altitude targets, it said.
“Equipped with an indigenous RF seeker, dual-pulse solid rocket motor, and fully homegrown radars and C2 systems, Akash-NG marks a major boost to India’s air defence capability,” the ministry added.
Akash Missile System Deployed During Operation Sindoor
For the unversed, India had deployed the Akash Missile System during Operation Sindoor in May this year. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians. The four-day clash saw intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.
The Indian Army successfully intercepted multiple Pakistani drone attacks using the indigenous Akash Missile System. The system was initially created under the leadership of former DRDO scientist Dr. Prahlada Ramarao, handpicked by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.
Eighteen student-athletes from Odisha faced harrowing train travel, sitting near toilets due to unconfirmed tickets while returning from the 69th National School Games; the education department has ordered an inquiry.
Odisha Students Forced to Sit by Train Toilet Due to Lack of Confirmed Tickets (Image Source: Twitter)
A batch of student-athletes returning from the 69th National School Games in Uttar Pradesh were forced to sit near the toilets on a train as their tickets were not confirmed. Parents said the children had only four confirmed seats while travelling from Bhubaneswar to the tournament. The students described the incident as “nothing less than harassment.” As a result of the mismanagement, the team reached the destination only when the match had already concluded. The issue came to light after a video went viral, attracting criticism over the poor travel arrangements. Taking the matter seriously, the School and Mass Education Department on Monday ordered an inquiry to determine why confirmed tickets were not provided to the children representing Odisha in the inter-state competition.
A total of 18 student-athletes, comprising 10 boys and 8 girls from different schools across the state, travelled with four teachers to Uttar Pradesh for the National School Games, held from December 8 to 12. They departed on December 5 for Ballia and returned on December 14.
Train Horror for Odisha Athletes: Kids Forced to Travel Near Toilets
Assistant director, who was arranging the journey for the children, said they had written to the Railway authorities, requesting for confirmed seats under sports quota. They followed up multiple times but did not get any positive response.
Student’s Testimony
One of the girls, speaking anonymously to TOI, said they were only offered proper seats at Hinjli in Ganjam district when a TTE, who was himself a sportsperson, saw them sitting on the floor near the toilets and sympathised with their plight. “At Hinjili, the TTE saw us sitting near the toilets and inquired about our tickets. He offered us seats in different compartments of the train all the way to Bhubaneswar,” she said.
On December 5, the students, having only four confirmed tickets, took turns sitting on the berths and spent the rest of the journey sleeping on the floor in the general compartment.
A parent, Sanjeev Patnaik of Sambalpur, questioned the arrangement: “If tickets for ministers and officials can be confirmed even a few hours before travel, why could the same not be done for the children sent by the department? Even girls had to endure harrowing conditions.”
Delhi’s air quality was ‘very poor’ on Wednesday, with AQI levels reaching 374 at ITO and 354 near India Gate amid thick smog.
New Delhi: People warm themselves near a makeshift fire on a cold winter morning (Photo: PTI)
Delhi continued to experience hazardous air quality on Wednesday, as a dense layer of smog enveloped large parts of the city.
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) around the ITO area was recorded at 374, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category.
Similar conditions were observed near India Gate, where the AQI stood at 354, also classified as ‘very poor’.
Meanwhile, Republic Day parade rehearsals continued at India Gate, with performers and organisers having to contend with the thick smog.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has activated all measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-IV across Delhi-NCR, as authorities work to contain the escalating pollution levels.
These measures include restrictions on certain industrial and vehicular activities to reduce emissions and mitigate public health risks associated with prolonged exposure to toxic air.
In parallel with these emergency measures, the Delhi Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, approved a series of steps aimed at strengthening the city’s environmental governance.
Announcing the decisions, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa stated that the initiatives are expected to “bring a decisive reduction in sources of air and water pollution, while creating a cleaner, more sustainable urban environment.”
A significant portion of the Cabinet’s plan involves the rejuvenation of Delhi’s water bodies, with an allocation of Rs 100 crore dedicated to the project.
Out of roughly 1,000 water bodies in the capital, 160 fall under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Government. Minister Sirsa emphasised that restoring these water bodies will play a critical role in controlling pollution levels and improving the city’s overall environment.
He added that the Chief Minister has directed authorities to provide all necessary financial support to ensure that the work is completed within the current year.
The deterioration in air quality coincides with harsh winter weather in northern India, which has further complicated the situation.
Authorities have urged residents to limit outdoor activities, wear protective masks, and monitor AQI updates as the capital continues to face extremely poor air quality.
The combined impact of toxic smog and winter weather is expected to persist over the coming days, highlighting the urgent need for both immediate measures and long-term solutions to tackle Delhi’s pollution crisis.
Dense fog and cold wave conditions have been reported in several regions.
For the first time, the Army Day parade on January 15 will have a full road-based march-past like Republic Day, instead of the traditional cantonment or parade ground setting
The entire event will be heavily themed around Operation Sindoor. File image/PTI
The Indian Army will celebrate its 78th Army Day on January 15 in Jaipur, marking the first time the ceremonial parade is being held in the Rajasthan capital. The event comes in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor and is expected to be a strong display of the Army’s combat power, valour, and operational success. From M777 guns to Prachand and Apache helicopters to those who led the entire Op Sindoor, the event will have it all.
For the first time, the Army Day parade will be organised on the lines of the Republic Day parade, with a full road-based march-past instead of the traditional cantonment or parade ground setting. The parade will be held along a 1.5-kilometre stretch on Sitapura Road, where a special three-layer seating arrangement is being created for nearly 25,000 spectators. Overall, around 1.5 lakh people are expected to witness the event.
Army Day 2026 will feature nine marching contingents, including the Bhairav Battalion, which will participate in the parade for the first time. Formed after Operation Sindoor, the battalion is expected to be accompanied by displays of Shaktibaan and Divyastra systems. Other contingents taking part include the Assam Regiment, Artillery, Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, Madras Regiment, Scouts, and NCC cadets. Marching contingents will be accompanied by Army band units playing indigenous tunes, with the Nepal Army band also participating. Nepal’s band had made its debut during Army Day celebrations in 2025.
Op Sindoor fervour
The entire event will be heavily themed around Operation Sindoor. Sources say soldiers decorated for gallantry during Operation Sindoor, including Vir Chakra awardees, will be present for the first time. Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra awardees will also be part of the parade. A dedicated tableau showcasing the success of Operation Sindoor is also expected.
A wide range of weapons and platforms used during the operation will be displayed. These include the M777 ultra-light howitzer, T-90 Bhishma tanks, Arjun main battle tanks, BMP-2 infantry combat vehicles, K9 Vajra self-propelled guns, Dhanush artillery systems, Smerch long-range multi-barrel rocket launchers, and Grad rocket systems. Air defence systems that played a key role in thwarting Pakistani attacks during Op Sindoor, including MRSAM, Akash missile systems, and the Schilka air defence gun system, will also be showcased.
For the first time, the Light Combat Helicopter Prachand and Apache attack helicopters will take part in the aerial display, accompanied by Rudra and Chetak helicopters. The parade will also feature counter-UAS systems, swarm drones, robotic mules, and separate contingents of Indian-breed and foreign-breed dogs trained by the Army’s K9 units.
The medical body said it has received distressing messages from Indian students in Bangladesh, many of whom are living in unsafe and uncertain conditions.
Smashed windows and a fire outside the Prothom Alo office in Dhaka, amid protests following the news of the death of youth leader Osman Hadi.(AFP)
The All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) on Monday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “immediate and urgent intervention” to ensure the safety and well-being of Indian medical students currently stranded in Bangladesh amid rising anti-India sentiments in the neighbouring country.
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, AIMSA said it had been receiving “serious and distressing communications” from Indian students and their families, warning that the prevailing situation had left many living under unsafe and uncertain conditions.
The association said the developments had triggered widespread fear, anxiety and emotional distress among students and their relatives in India.
“On behalf of the All India Medical Students’ Association, we respectfully seek your immediate and urgent intervention concerning the safety and well-being of Indian medical students currently stranded in Bangladesh,” the letter stated.
“Their security remains vulnerable, leading to immense fear, anxiety, and emotional distress among the students as well as their families.”
The medical body underlined that Indian students who pursue medical education abroad do so with the expectation that the Indian government will support and protect them during crises. It urged the Prime Minister to coordinate closely with the Minister of External Affairs and Indian missions in Bangladesh to ensure immediate protection for all affected students.
The association also called for strengthened on-ground support through the Indian Embassy and related missions, as well as timely, clear and transparent communication with students and their families to prevent panic and misinformation. Stressing the urgency of the matter, AIMSA requested that it be treated as a top-priority emergency to safeguard the students’ lives, dignity and future.
What is happening in Bangladesh
The appeal comes amid heightened tensions in Bangladesh following a fresh wave of protests and anti-India slogans, sparked by political developments linked to last year’s July Uprising that led to the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
The unrest intensified further after the killing of Osman Hadi, the convenor of Inquilab Mancha and a prominent figure in the July Uprising. Hadi was shot at close range in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw. He was later airlifted to Singapore for advanced treatment but died on December 18.
The protest platform Inquilab Mancho, led by Osman Hadi’s associates, has threatened the interim government with a mass movement if justice is not delivered.
Kolkata: Members of Hindu organisations, under the leadership of Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, stage a protest against the alleged killing of a Hindu youth in Bangladesh, near the Deputy High Commission of Bangladesh.(PTI)
Bangladesh’s unrest has started spilling across borders, with the country suspending visa services for an indefinite period on Monday after a small group of protesters gathered near its high commission in New Delhi. India too has summoned Bangladesh’s envoy and conveyed strong objections over attacks on minorities and diplomatic missions.
The fallout has also been visible on the streets of Kolkata, where large protests erupted outside the Bangladesh High Commission, fuelled by outrage over the lynching and burning of a Hindu man in Mymensingh and fears of growing Islamist mob violence next door.
At the heart of the turmoil lies a grim chain of events: the brutal mob killing of a Hindu garment worker on unproven blasphemy allegations, the assassination of a radical youth leader who emerged from last year’s uprising, and a wave of protests that has turned increasingly violent.
Media houses have been attacked, journalists trapped in burning buildings, minorities have taken to the streets demanding protection, and political platforms that once supported the interim government are now threatening to bring it down.
Here are the 10 latest developments from the unrest in Bangladesh:
Visa services suspended: Bangladesh has suspended visa services at its High Commission in New Delhi and missions in Tripura and Siliguri, citing security concerns after protests near diplomatic premises, people familiar with the matter said. India has responded by summoning Bangladesh’s envoy and registering strong objections over attacks on minorities and threats to diplomatic missions.
Anger spills onto Kolkata’s streets: Large protests erupted outside the Bangladesh High Commission in Kolkata, with demonstrators condemning the lynching of a Hindu man Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh. Protest leaders warned of further agitation, including border blockades, reflecting the depth of public anger in India.
Lynching of Dipu Chandra Das shocks the region: The killing of Hindu garment worker Dipu Chandra Das, beaten by a mob, dragged out of his factory, hung and set on fire, has become a symbol of the breakdown of law and order in Bangladesh. Police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) officials say the killing was not spontaneous and unfolded over several hours.
Blasphemy claim collapses under investigation: Authorities have found no evidence that Das made any blasphemous remarks or social media posts. Investigators now believe the allegation was vague, unverified and possibly used as a pretext, with a workplace dispute emerging as a potential trigger.
Factory officials among those arrested: At least 12 people have been arrested so far, including factory supervisors and co-workers. Investigators say Dipu was forced to resign and pushed out of the factory instead of being handed over to police – a delay that law enforcement says proved fatal.
Murder of Osman Hadi ignites nationwide unrest: The death of Osman Hadi, a key face of last year’s July uprising against Sheikh Hasina, has triggered widespread protests across Bangladesh. Hadi was shot in Dhaka, airlifted to Singapore, and died days later, turning him into a rallying point for radical mobilisation.
Inquilab Mancho threatens to topple interim government: The protest platform Inquilab Mancho, led by Hadi’s associates, has issued an ultimatum to the interim government, warning of a mass movement to oust it if justice is not delivered. The group has demanded a speedy trial tribunal and even foreign investigative assistance.
Media houses attacked, journalists trapped: Mobs on Monday vandalised and torched the offices of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, trapping journalists inside for hours. Editors say the attacks were aimed at silencing the press, not protesting coverage.
Sheikh Hasina criticised the Yunus government for placing “extremists” in power, claiming it has led to increased violence and lawlessness.
Hasina emphasised the need for vigilance, warning that this situation poses risks not only to Bangladesh but also to regional stability in South Asia. Photo : PTI
As Bangladesh plunges into unrest following the death of Inqilab Moncho leader Osman Hadi, triggering fresh protests across the country, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has blamed the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government. Accusing it of empowering extremist elements, failing to protect religious minorities, and pushing Bangladesh into instability, Hasina said the downturn was so severe that even India “sees the chaos”, a development she warned could threaten broader South Asian stability.
In an email interview with ANI, she discussed the death of Osman Hadi, saying, “This tragic killing reflects the lawlessness that uprooted my government and has multiplied under Yunus. Violence has become the norm while the interim government either denies it or is powerless to stop it.”
The former Bangladesh PM alleged that the Yunus government has placed people with links to extremist ideologies in power.
“I share this concern, as do the millions of Bangladeshis who are prefer the safe, secular state we once were. Yunus has placed extremists in cabinet positions, released convicted terrorists from prison, and allowed groups linked to international terrorist organisations to take roles in public life. He is not a politician and has no experience governing a complex nation. My fear is that radicals are using him to project an acceptable face to the international community while they systematically radicalise our institutions from within,” she said.
“This should alarm not only India, but every nation invested in South Asian stability. The secular character of Bangladeshi politics was one of our greatest strengths, and we cannot allow it to be sacrificed at the whim of a few idiotic extremists,” she added.
‘India has been Bangladesh’s most steadfast friend for decades’: Hasina
Sheikh Hasina also said that Yunus’ ideologies and support for people with extremist links were a key reason for the recently strained relations with India. The Indian government has voiced concerns at the attacks on minorities in Bangladesh after it was reported that a Hindu Man had been lynched during the spiral of violence last week.
“The strain you are witnessing is entirely of Yunus’s making. His government issues hostile statements against India, fails to protect religious minorities, and allows extremists to dictate foreign policy, then expresses surprise when tensions rise. India has been Bangladesh’s most steadfast friend and partner for decades. The ties between our nations are deep and fundamental; they will outlast any temporary government. I am confident that once legitimate governance is restored, Bangladesh will return to the sensible partnership we cultivated over fifteen years,” Sheikh Hasina told ANI.
The proposed road from Nilapani to Muling La Base will slash deployment and reinforcement time from days to hours and enable vehicular movement of troops even in extreme weather
Muling La is a high-altitude seasonal mountain pass located at approximately 16,134 feet, linking India’s Uttarakhand sector with the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China. (Shutterstock)
The Narendra Modi government is moving ahead with one of its most challenging border infrastructure projects yet—a 32-kilometre high-altitude road that will run from Nilapani to Muling La, right up to the India-Tibet border in Uttarakhand.
The project, to be executed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), aims to replace a near-primitive dirt track and trekking route with an all-weather strategic road.
According to documents accessed by CNN-News18, the BRO has formally sought consultancy services for planning and execution—a clear indication that the project has moved beyond conceptual discussion into the implementation phase. The road could cost Rs 104 crore.
Muling La is a high-altitude seasonal mountain pass located at approximately 16,134 feet, linking India’s Uttarakhand sector with the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China. Historically, Muling La has served as a traditional trans-Himalayan corridor, used by traders, shepherds, and border patrols long before modern boundary demarcations hardened the frontier.
For decades after the 1962 India-China war, the region remained logistically underdeveloped, partly due to harsh terrain and partly due to India’s earlier defensive doctrine that deprioritised road-building close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC). That approach has now decisively changed.
At present, access to Muling La Base requires a five-day trek, with troops, rations, fuel, and equipment either carried by porters or transported by pack animals. During winter months, heavy snowfall often renders the route unusable, forcing the Indian Army to rely on pre-positioned supplies and aerial logistics.
The proposed road from Nilapani to Muling La Base will slash deployment and reinforcement time from days to hours. It will enable vehicular movement of troops and support sustained forward presence even in extreme weather. It will also reduce dependence on costly and weather-sensitive air supply missions.
The push mirrors India’s post-2020 infrastructure acceleration following the eastern Ladakh standoff. China’s extensive road and rail network across Tibet, including feeder roads right up to the LAC, exposed a long-standing asymmetry.
Uttarakhand, despite being a sensitive frontier state, lagged behind Ladakh in terms of last-mile military connectivity. Projects like the Nilapani-Muling La road signal a clear policy shift.
Defence planners point out that improved connectivity does not provoke escalation; rather, it stabilises borders by enabling faster response and clearer signalling.
Dense fog and low visibility affected flight operations at Delhi’s IGI Airport on Tuesday morning, prompting multiple advisories amid delays and potential disruptions.
New Delhi: Aircraft seen amid low visibility conditions due to smog at Indira Gandhi International Airport (Photo: PTI)
Flight operations at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) were affected on Tuesday morning as dense fog and low visibility conditions prevailed across the national capital, prompting multiple passenger advisories from the airport authorities through the early hours of the day.
According to the details, six arriving flights and four of those departing from the Delhi airport were cancelled for the day.
In an advisory issued at 4 am, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said that “Low Visibility Procedures are in progress at Delhi Airport”, while adding that “all flight operations are presently normal.”
Passengers were advised to remain in touch with their respective airlines for updated information on their flights.
However, as visibility conditions worsened with dense fog continuing to blanket the city, the airport operator issued a fresh update at 6 am, warning of possible disruptions.
In the advisory, DIAL said, “Due to dense fog, flight operations are currently under CAT III conditions, which may lead to delays or disruptions.”
It added, “We are working closely with all stakeholders to minimise any inconvenience. For the latest flight status, kindly contact your respective airlines.”
The same advisory was reiterated at 7 am, as fog continued to impact operations at the airport during the morning hours.
CAT III conditions enable aircraft equipped with advanced navigation systems to land in extremely low visibility. However, even under such conditions, flight schedules are often affected due to safety protocols, spacing between aircraft, and ground handling constraints.
Train services in the region were also disrupted due to reduced visibility, causing inconvenience to passengers.
Several trains were reported to be running behind schedule, while a few were cancelled, according to early morning visuals and information from the New Delhi Railway Station.
Passengers were seen waiting on platforms amid dense fog as announcements of delayed departures continued.
The disruption to flight and train operations comes amid persistently poor weather conditions in the national capital. Dense fog has been a recurring issue over the past several days, affecting transport services and daily commuting during the early morning hours.
On Monday, more than 500 flights were delayed, and at least 14 flights were cancelled at the Delhi airport due to bad weather and low visibility conditions, news agency PTI reported.
Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju is to offer the chadar on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi today.
Ajmer SharifKiren Rijiju X Handle
A plea has been filed before the Supreme Court to restrain Prime Minister Narendra Modi from offering ceremonial chadar at the tomb of Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti during the 814th annual Urs at Ajmer Sharif Dargah.
According to media reports, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju is to offer the chadar on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A mentioning for urgent listing of a petition was made before a vacation bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi.
“We are seeking stay a stay of offering of Chadar in Ajmer Dargah by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Our plea regarding Sankat Mochan Mandir there is pending,” a counsel submitted.
However, CJI Kant declined the request.
“No listing today,” the Court said.
Offering of chadar at the Ajmer Sharif Dargah is a tradition which has been followed by past Prime Ministers as well.
Speaking to reporters hours after his old residence at Dongkamokam was allegedly torched by protesters, Ronghang said he was on his way to meet the agitating groups for talks when he received news of the arson attack. The house, he said, was targeted after rumours spread that hunger-striking protesters had been arrested.
Amid rising tension and violence in Assam’s West Karbi Anglong district, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) Chief Executive Member Tuliram Ronghang on Monday described the unrest as the result of a “misunderstanding” and appealed for calm. | X @TuliramRonghang & @NetramDefence
Amid rising tension and violence in Assam’s West Karbi Anglong district, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) Chief Executive Member Tuliram Ronghang on Monday described the unrest as the result of a “misunderstanding” and appealed for calm, insisting that the crisis could still be resolved through dialogue.
Arson attack on Ronghang’s residence amid rumours of arrests
Speaking to reporters hours after his old residence at Dongkamokam was allegedly torched by protesters, Ronghang said he was on his way to meet the agitating groups for talks when he received news of the arson attack. The house, he said, was targeted after rumours spread that hunger-striking protesters had been arrested.
“Yesterday, the police took a few protesters to Gauhati Medical College for medical treatment. Unfortunately, people misunderstood this as an arrest. That misunderstanding led to violence. Today, some youths came and attacked my home,” Ronghang said.
He said he was staying in Koka village in West Karbi Anglong and was travelling to Kheroni for a scheduled meeting with protesters at 4 pm when the incident occurred. According to him, around 200 people from nearby villages had gathered, allegedly carrying stones and petrol.
Ronghang reiterates faith in talks to defuse the crisis
“I came to know about the arson while I was on the way. Even now, I believe this situation can be resolved through dialogue. I appeal to everyone to come forward for talks,” the KAAC chief said.
The violence erupted against the backdrop of protests demanding the eviction of non-tribals from Professional Grazing Reserves (PGR) and Village Grazing Reserves (VGR) in the Kheroni area—an issue that has remained deeply sensitive and unresolved in the hill district for years.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the state government was closely monitoring the situation. “The DGP is already there and Education Minister Ranoj Pegu is on his way to the area. I am personally keeping a close watch. I believe the matter can be resolved through dialogue,” Sarma told reporters.
High Court order cited as hurdle to eviction drive
The Chief Minister also pointed to legal constraints in carrying out eviction drives. “The High Court has passed an order because of which eviction could not be carried out in that area. But I am confident we will find a peaceful solution,” he added.
Earlier in the day, tensions escalated sharply after police opened fire to disperse protesters following the arson attack on the CEM’s residence. At least three people were injured in the firing and rushed to hospital. Police said they were forced to act as the situation spiralled out of control.
An injured official defended the police action, claiming that demonstrators had resorted to stone-pelting. “It was a strike situation. Stone-pelting should not have happened,” the official said, suggesting that police firing was a last resort to restore order.
Protesters, however, questioned the police response. “Who ordered the firing? The CEM must take responsibility. We heard gunshots and now three people are hospitalised,” one protester alleged.
Hunger strike crackdown fuels anger among demonstrators
The unrest was further fuelled by police action against an ongoing indefinite hunger strike. Protesters who had been fasting for over two weeks at Fealgpi in the Kheroni area were reportedly picked up by police late Sunday night and moved from the protest site, a move that angered supporters.
Following this, demonstrators blocked roads, raised slogans and demanded the immediate release of those detained. By evening, the situation had deteriorated into a serious law-and-order crisis.
While addressing an event in Germany, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) were being used by the BJP to target political opponents while sparing those aligned with the ruling party.
Rahul Gandhi (PTI Photo)
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has launched an attack against the BJP, accusing it of “weaponising” the country’s institutional framework.
While addressing a gathering at the Hertie School in Berlin last week, he alleged that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) were being used by the BJP to target political opponents while sparing those aligned with the ruling party.
“There is a wholesale capture of our institutional framework. There is a full-scale assault taking place on the institutional framework of our country,” he claimed.
“Our intelligence agencies, ED and CBI have been weaponised. The ED and CBI have zero cases against the BJP and most of the political cases are against the people who oppose them,” Gandhi added.
The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha went on to say that if a businessman supports the Congress, they are threatened, alleging that India’s institutions are no longer functioning as they should.
Gandhi further said that the Congress helped build the institutional framework and the party never viewed it as “our own institution but of the country.”
“But this is not how the BJP sees it. They view the institutional framework as something that belongs to them. They use it as a tool to build political power.
Gandhi also said democracy is under attack and stressed the need to counter it, adding that “we will create a system of opposition resistance that will succeed. We are not fighting the BJP, but their capture of the Indian institutional structure.”
VOTE THEFT
The senior Congress leader once again alleged vote theft, claiming the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections were rigged in favour of the BJP – an accusation he has repeatedly made in the past.
“We have won elections in Telangana, Himachal Pradesh. We have been raising issues as far as the fairness of elections in India is concerned. I have done press conferences in India where we have clearly shown without a shadow of a doubt that we won the Haryana election and that we don’t feel the Maharashtra elections were fair,” he said.
He claimed the party had evidence of victory in Haryana and sought answers from the Election Commission over irregularities, including duplicate entries on voter lists, but received no response.
“We fundamentally believe that there is a problem with the electoral machinery in India,” he added.
CLASH BETWEEN TWO VISIONS
Rahul Gandhi also took aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s economic model, alleging that the BJP and the RSS have merely extended the policies of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh without offering a new direction.
He claimed that the PM Modi-led government’s economic approach has reached a dead end and can no longer deliver results.
Gandhi acknowledged that many people support PM Modi, but said a large section of Indians disagree with his ideology and vision for the country. He argued that this vision is flawed and risks creating deep social tensions.
“We think the vision will fail and it has tremendous problems. It will create massive tensions in India and make Indian people fight with each other. We will fight it. It is a clash between two visions in India.” he said.
The law enables private companies and joint ventures to build, own, operate and decommission nuclear power plants under a license from the government.
President Droupadi Murmu. Credit: PTI File Photo
President Droupadi Murmu has granted assent to the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, passed by Parliament during the Winter Session.
A government notification said that the President granted assent to the SHANTI bill on Saturday.
The Bill subsumes all laws dealing with the civil nuclear sector and also opens it up for participation by private players.
The SHANTI Bill repealed the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, which had proved to be an impediment in the growth of the civil nuclear sector in India.
The law enables private companies and joint ventures to build, own, operate and decommission nuclear power plants under a license from the government.
Starting December 26, Indian Railways will implement a slight increase in passenger fares as part of a fare rationalization strategy aimed at addressing rising operational and manpower costs.
Railway officials said the revision comes after a decade of rapid expansion in rail infrastructure, services, and safety systems. Photo : PTI
Train journeys in India are set to become marginally more expensive from December 26, after Indian Railways announced a revised passenger fare structure as part of a fare rationalisation exercise. The move aims to offset rising operational and manpower costs across the national transporter’s expanding network, said a TOI report.
According to Indian Railways, the revised fares are expected to generate around Rs 600 crore in additional revenue during the current financial year.
What’s Changing in Ticket Prices
Indian Railways clarified that fares for short-distance and suburban travel will largely remain untouched, while longer journeys will see small per-kilometre increases.
Ordinary Class (up to 215 km):
No change. Existing fares will continue.
Ordinary Class (beyond 215 km):
Fare to rise by 1 paise per kilometre.
Non-AC Mail and Express trains:
Fare increase of 2 paise per kilometre from December 26.
This means an additional Rs 10 for a 500 km journey.
AC classes on Mail and Express trains:
Fares will also go up by 2 paise per kilometre.
Suburban travel and monthly season tickets:
No fare hike announced.
Why Are Rail Fares Being Raised?
Railway officials said the revision comes after a decade of rapid expansion in rail infrastructure, services, and safety systems. With a growing network and increased focus on operational safety, manpower requirements have surged.
Manpower costs alone have climbed to Rs 1.15 lakh crore, while pension expenditure now stands at Rs 60,000 crore. Overall operational expenditure for 2024–25 has reached Rs 2.63 lakh crore.
To manage these financial pressures, Indian Railways is relying on a mix of higher freight loading and limited passenger fare rationalisation rather than steep fare hikes.
Improved Performance, Higher Scale
Officials highlighted that these measures have helped improve operational efficiency and safety outcomes. India has now become the second-largest cargo-carrying railway system in the world, reflecting the scale of freight movement handled by Indian Railways.
The Railways also pointed to the successful operation of over 12,000 additional trains during the recent festive season as evidence of improved planning, capacity, and execution.
CBI has arrested a Lieutenant Colonel and a private individual in a bribery case. The probe agency claimed accused Deepak Sharma was reportedly taking bribes from several private companies involved in manufacturing defence products for exports.
The Central Bureau of Investigation. (File Image) Photo : PTI
For months the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was working on source-based information which had tipped off that a Lieutenant Colonel was allegedly accepting bribes from private companies dealing in defense products.
The Breakthrough
The CBI, however, got the big breakthrough after a private individual on behalf of a Dubai-based global logistics company paid a bribe of ₹3 lakh.
The anti-corruption agency in its FIR and documents submitted in the court claims it has evidence of a “conversation” between the Lieutenant Colonel and his wife following the payment.
According to the FIR accessed by Times Now, a source informed the agency that Lt. Col. Deepak Kumar Sharma told his wife, Col. Kajal Bali—the Commanding Officer (CO) of the 16 Infantry Division Ordnance Unit (DOU) in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan—about the receipt of the bribe. He also reportedly stated that he was accumulating “undue advantages” received from several individuals for personal use.
While the FIR mentions the conversation, it does not specify whether the CBI intercepted a phone call or accessed a digital chat between the couple.
Arrests and Charges
On Saturday, the CBI arrested Lt. Col. Deepak Kumar Sharma, who was serving as the Deputy Planning Officer at the International Cooperation and Exports wing of the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence. His wife, Col. Kajal Bali, has also been named as an accused in the FIR.
“Lt. Col. Deepak Kumar Sharma habitually indulges in corrupt and illegal activities in conspiracy with representatives of various private companies dealing in defense product manufacturing and exports, by obtaining undue advantages in exchange for providing illicit favors,” the CBI FIR said.
How the Bribery Racket Was Cracked
The CBI FIR details how the India operations of M/s DP World, a Dubai-based global logistics company, were involved. Two representatives, Rajiv Yadav and Ravjit Singh, were allegedly in regular contact with Lt. Col. Sharma to secure “undue favors” for the company from various government departments and ministries.
October 2025: Yadav and Singh approached Sharma to arrange approvals from the Ministry of External Affairs for a consignment bound for Dubai. Using his influence, Sharma successfully obtained the required approvals.
December 8, 2025: Rajiv Yadav contacted Sharma to deliver the promised bribe. Although Sharma shared his residential address, the payment was not completed that day.
December 18, 2025: “Private individual” on behalf of Dubai firm Vinod Kumar, contacted Sharma to confirm his location. In the evening, Kumar visited Sharma’s residence in Naraina Vihar, Delhi, and delivered the ₹3 lakh bribe, subsequently confirming the delivery to a contact named Madhu.
After the arrest of Lt. Col. Sharma and Vinod Kumar, the CBI conducted raids at multiple locatiosn that led to the seizure of over ₹2.36 crore in cash.
Visuals from the Ghaziabad mall show the man applying sindoor (vermillion) to her forehead and later tying a mangalsutra around her neck.
The girlfriend happily accepted his proposal. (Photo Credit: X)
A mall in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, turned into the scene of an unexpected spectacle when a young man dropped to one knee to propose to his girlfriend in front of the public. What truly caught attention, however, was what followed: the proposal did not end there, as he went on to marry her on the spot.
The visuals show the man applying sindoor (vermillion) to her forehead and later tying a mangalsutra around her neck. The incident is reported to have taken place at Gaur Central Mall, and the clip has since been widely shared online.
Man Proposes And Marries Girlfriend At Ghaziabad Mall
The footage begins with the young man going down on one knee to propose to his partner. She appears visibly surprised as people around them watch the moment unfold.
Several bystanders can be seen recording the moment on their phones. The woman says “yes” to the proposal and then kneels down as well. The scene takes an unexpected turn when the man does not take out a ring. Instead, he opens a small box containing sindoor (vermillion). As the woman kneels, he applies the sindoor to her forehead, an important Hindu ritual that symbolises marriage.
After applying the sindoor, the couple shares a hug as the crowd reacts with loud cheers and applause. Seconds later, the man reaches into his back pocket and takes out a mangalsutra. He ties it around the woman’s neck— another significant symbol associated with Hindu marriages.
Watch The Video Here
Ghaziabad is not for beginners! 😮
At Gaur Central Mall, RDC, a boy proposed with a ring and then married her on the spot, applying sindoor and a mangalsutra. 💍
Is video ko dekhkar Ramadhir Singh ki kahi hui baat yaad aa gayi. 😀 pic.twitter.com/Aj5XWOhkyG
As clips of the moment circulated online, viewers shared sharply divided reactions.
A social media user commented, “I like. The bride, the groom and witnesses (the original intent of people being present at weddings). What more do we need?”
Another wrote, “Mujko khushi ho rahi hai dekh kar (I am feeling happy seeing this).”
Someone else playfully wrote, “Kaal kare so aaj karo (If it has to be done tomorrow, do it today), while another user asked, “Kha se late hain itna confidence (Where do they get so much confidence from?).”
A viewer reacted with, “If someone is dating for marriage in 2025, then people should not have any problem with it.”
Alongside supportive reactions, criticism also surfaced as one comment read, “Divorce within 6 months guaranteed scheme.”
An individual said, “Aaj-kal ke couples yeh sab sirf fame ke liye kar rahe hain (Nowadays couples are doing all this only for fame).”
Other remarks included, “Is this a mall or a marriage hall?” “Deleted scenes from my life” and “Ye sab cringe lagta hai public mein (All this feels cringe in public).”
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Sunday said that no attempt was made to breach the fence of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi
Security personnel keep vigil outside the Bangladesh High Commission amid high alert in view of the ongoing unrest in the neighbouring country, in New Delhi on Friday. (PTI)
In a clarification after protests outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Sunday said the government has urged that perpetrators of Dipu Chandra Das, Hindu man who was lynched to death in Bangladesh, be brought to justice.
He also said that no attempt was made to breach the fence of the High Commission.
“India continues to keep a close watch on the evolving situation in Bangladesh. Our officials remain in touch with Bangladesh authorities and have conveyed to them our strong concerns at the attacks on minorities. We have also urged that the perpetrators of the barbaric killing of Das be brought to justice,” said Jaiswal.
“We have noted misleading propaganda in sections of the Bangladesh media on the [High Commission] incident. The fact is that about 20-25 youth gathered in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on 20 December and raised slogans in protest against the horrendous killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, while also calling for the protection of all minorities in Bangladesh,” said the statement.
“There was no attempt to breach the fence or create a security situation at any time. The police stationed at the spot dispersed the group after a few minutes. Visual evidence of these events is available publicly for all to see. India is committed to ensure the safety of foreign Missions/Posts in its territory in accordance with the Vienna Convention,” he said.
Who is Dipu Chandra Das?
Dipu Chandra Das, 27, a garment factory worker, was lynched to death by an enraged mob in Bhaluka, Mymensingh, over allegations of blasphemy. He was tied up, killed and then his body was set afire while thousands of people watched, in a glaring display of lawlessness and mobocracy in Bangladesh under Muhammad Yunus’ regime.
However, Mohd Samsuzzaman, a Company Commander of Rapid Action Battalion in Mymensingh, told The Daily Star that no evidence was found indicating that the deceased had written anything on Facebook that might have hurt religious sentiments.
Additionally, he said that local people or other workers of the garment factory could not point to any blasphemous activity either. “Everyone is now saying that they did not personally hear him (Dipu) say anything of that sort. No one has been found who claims to have heard or seen anything themselves hurting religion,” he told the outlet.
The official said as the situation became volatile in Bangladesh after the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, Dipu Chandra Das was forcibly pushed out of the factory to protect the factory. He was then beaten to death by a mob with sticks and locally made weapons, and his body was hung from a tree and set on fire.
Immigration firms representing Apple and Google have sent memos to employees advising them not to travel home for visa appointments given major delays.
The visa appointment date changes have been linked to the new social media vetting policy for H-1B and H-4 dependent visa application.(Reuters/File Photo)
Indian H-1B visa holders in the United States are delaying plans to travel back home in order to renew their visa authorisations amid reports of delays of up to 12 months for visa stamping appointments at embassies due to a new social media vetting policy.
Immigration firms representing Apple and Google have sent memos to employees advising them not to travel home for visa appointments given major delays, according to a Business Insider report. H-1B visa holders have been advised to avoid all international travel.
A couple from Andhra Pradesh died after falling from a moving train in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Telangana, on December 18, 2025. A video allegedly shows them arguing before the fall, raising questions about the incident. The clip, reportedly recorded inside the train shortly before the incident, appears to show the couple engaged in a heated argument. Railway police are investigating the incident.
Newlywed Andhra Couple Seen Fighting Before Jumping To Death From Moving Train – Video |
A tragic incident involving a newly married couple from Andhra Pradesh has sparked widespread attention after a video allegedly showing them arguing moments before their deaths surfaced on social media. The couple died after falling from a moving train on the Vangapalli–Aler railway line in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district of Telangana late on Thursday, December 18, 2025.
The deceased were identified as Korada Simhachalam (25) and his wife Bhavani (19), residents of Ravupalli village in Garugubilli mandal of Parvathipuram Manyam district. The two had been married for about two months. According to railway police, the couple had boarded the Machilipatnam Express at Secunderabad and were travelling to Vijayawada to visit relatives.
Initial police accounts stated that after the train crossed Vangapalli railway station in Yadagirigutta mandal, the couple was standing near the coach doorway when they accidentally fell from the moving train. The incident came to light early Friday morning when railway track maintenance staff noticed the bodies along the tracks and informed authorities. The remains were later shifted to a hospital for postmortem examination.
Viral Video Shows Couple Fighting In Train
However, the case took a dramatic turn after a video began circulating online. The clip, reportedly recorded inside the train shortly before the incident, appears to show the couple engaged in a heated argument. In the footage, tension is visible as the couple struggles, suggesting distress in the moments leading up to the tragedy. The authenticity and exact timing of the video are currently being examined by cops.
A post on social media platform X by Telugu Scribe claimed that the argument escalated emotionally and that, in a moment of extreme distress, the couple acted impulsively. Police have not officially confirmed these claims and have urged caution against drawing conclusions based solely on unverified online content.
Showing his concern over the prevailing situation in Bangladesh, Tharoor told newspersons in Patna that mob rule was prevailing in Bangladesh, adding that it was not good either for Bangladesh or India. He also questioned the country’s interim government on the steps being taken to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor | X @ANI
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday warned that the “mob rule and instability” in Bangladesh could adversely affect both Bangladesh and India.
Mob Rule Not Good for India or Bangladesh, Says Congress MP
Showing his concern over the prevailing situation in Bangladesh, Tharoor told newspersons in Patna that mob rule was prevailing in Bangladesh, adding that it was not good either for Bangladesh or India. He also questioned the country’s interim government on the steps being taken to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
“Such mob rule should not prevail. The Parliamentary Standing Committee has also said that we want good relations with Bangladesh, and peace should be maintained there,” he said as quoted by news agency ANI.
#WATCH | Patna, Bihar: On the situation in Bangladesh, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, “Such mob rule should not prevail. The Parliamentary Standing Committee has also said that we want good relations with Bangladesh, and peace should be maintained there. Elections are also… pic.twitter.com/VB2xWAGr4m
Congress MP asserted that India’s interest is driven by a stable and democratic Bangladesh and said that peace and democratic norms must be upheld in Bangladesh. “Elections are also going to be held there in February, and we want democracy to return there, but the way the situation is going there is very concerning,” he added.
“Such a situation is not good for both countries; we want peace there,” he said, reiterating India’s expectation of calm and orderly democratic processes in its eastern neighbour.
Reaction to Hijab Incident in Bihar
On a viral video of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar pulling down a woman’s hijab, he says, “All women should be respected, and this incident was not right.”
Across India, battery recycling faces a mixture of challenges and opportunity as it plays an important role in the country’s shift to clean power.
A fledgling system has taken off in the past decade for recovering materials from the batteries used in electric vehicles, smartphones and other consumer electronics. The valuable minerals these companies recover — such as lithium, cobalt and nickel — are then reused in India’s growing fleet of electric vehicles and solar power installations. Recycling and repurposing batteries is a key to reducing dependence on imports for hard-to-obtain metals.
“More than 40% of the country’s copper and aluminum needs are met by recycling scrap and we want to aspire for the same when it comes to lithium, cobalt and nickel,” said Rajat Verma, founder and CEO of Lohum Cleantech, a 7-year-old battery manufacturing and recycling company based in Noida near India’s capital New Delhi.
A formalized system can potentially create 100,000 green jobs and meet nearly 40% of the country’s demand for key minerals, according to a November study by the renewable energy think tank RMI. The report found that an industry around recycling and reusing batteries could be worth $9 billion as India’s battery demand skyrockets, mostly due to EVs.
“What’s exciting about these materials is it’s not like plastics. You can recycle them for perpetuity and they can still have material strength and the quality you need once you refine them,” said Marie McNamara, a manager with RMI’s India program who was one of the authors of the report.
But the system faces challenges. India currently has 60,000 tons of battery recycling capacity, but not all of it is used because supply chains are still being developed to supply the recovered materials to factories. One reason for this is that most of India’s waste recycling is done by informal workers — estimated to be as many as four million, who deal with a variety of scrap materials beyond batteries and work without any formal contracts.
Gaps between policy and implementation
India is among the highest emitters of planet-heating gases as the world’s most populous nation provides power for billions of people. At the same time, its clean energy sector has grown rapidly, led by adoption of solar power and electric vehicles.
India’s government passed battery waste management rules in 2022 that mandate environmentally safe disposal and management of battery waste. But given the largely informal nature of scrap recycling in India, experts and recycling companies said the rule has been poorly implemented so far. Recycling in an environmentally friendly way is another challenge.
The rules mandate producers meet specific collection and recycling targets for various battery types. The rules include heavy fines for violators. However, there are no specific outlets for discarded batteries and each company has to set up their own systems for recycling. Experts said a lack of a well-structured recycling industry makes it difficult for companies to implement the rule.
Jaideep Saraswat, an energy expert with New Delhi-based Vasudha Foundation, said India has moved “surprisingly fast from a policy perspective,” but the right battery recycling supply chain is still missing.
How battery recycling works
A typical electric car battery is about 1.5 meters (5 feet) long, weighs up to 400 kilograms (882 pounds) and is usually designed to last for at least 160,000 kilometers (99,400 miles) which is usually reached after 8 to 12 years of use. Up to 90% of an EV battery’s contents can be extracted after use if recycled properly.
Recycling processes vary, but two common means are “shredding” battery modules into fine powder using machines or smelting them in industrial furnaces. The products of these processes are often then processed using acids or other chemicals to recover specific metals.
Alternatively, discarded batteries can be repurposed to store excess solar and wind energy for homes and small shops. Repurposing involves testing the battery for defects and cleaning its components before it is sold for reuse.
Toxic contaminants are at times dumped illegally by recyclers, which can cause environmental pollution, said Nishchay Chadha, CEO of U.S.-based ACE Green recycling, which has operations in India.
If not done properly, recycling lithium batteries can emit carbon monoxide and other hazardous gases. The recycling process also usually produces wastewater containing heavy metals that can contaminate soil and water if improperly disposed.
“We’ve not expanded much in India because we don’t see much appreciation for clean operations, whether it’s lead or lithium,” he said.
RMI’s McNamara urged India to set up training programs to help scrap workers transition to more formal jobs. She said the government at the federal and state level should also provide support to the businesses who can hire these workers.
“Formalization will really help drive safety and accountability, especially considering that batteries are both defined by their toxicity as well as their potential,” she said.
Satadru Dutta, the main organiser of Lionel Messi’s event in Kolkata, has indicated that the arrival of an influential individual disrupted the program.
A Special Investigation Team is now probing various security and organisational failures related to the chaos at Lionel Messi’s event. Photo : AP
Satadru Dutta, the arrested main organsier of Lionel Messi’s event in Kolkata, has told investigators that the entrance of “one particular influential person” in the stadium derailed the entire program, which eventually resulted in chaos. During prolonged questioning by officers of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), Dutta revealed that the football icon was “unhappy with being touched or hugged” during his appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium and left before staying there full-time as scheduled.
Messi “did not like being touched on the back or being hugged” and that concern had been conveyed in advance by the foreign security officials responsible for the footballer’s protection, he said, sources told PTI.
“Despite repeated public announcements to restrain the crowd, there was no impact. The manner in which Messi was surrounded and embraced was completely unacceptable to the World Cup-winning footballer,” Satadru Dutta told investigators during his grilling on Friday, the source said.
Aroop Biswas under scanner for chaos at Messi’s event
West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas was seen in close proximity to Messi throughout the programme, with visuals showing him holding the footballer around the waist while posing for photographs. Biswas has been accused of using his influence to allow relatives and personal acquaintances access to Messi. Amid mounting criticism, he resigned from his post as sports minister pending completion of the investigation.
Investigators are also probing how such a large number of people gained access to the ground area. According to Dutta, initially only 150 ground passes were issued, which was tripled when a “very influential person” reached the stadium and “overpowered him”. Police are examining whether the expanded access directly contributed to the breakdown of crowd control.
“The arrested accused also claimed that once that particular influential person reached the stadium, all the flow-chart for the Messi programme got disturbed and he could not control it,” the official told PTI.
Delhi faces a cold wave coupled with severe air pollution and dense fog. Flight cancellations and strict pollution measures highlight growing environmental challenges.
A dense blanket of fog and smog engulfs monuments as visibility drops on a cold winter morning at Lodhi Garden, in New Delhi. (PTI)
Cold wave conditions coupled with choking air pollution delivered a double blow to the Delhi-National Capital Region, as air quality hovered just short of the “severe” category on Sunday and dense fog disrupted daily life across north India.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi’s Air Quality Index stood at 390 this morning, a marginal improvement from 398 a day earlier but still firmly in the “very poor” range and threatening to tip into severe levels.
Several monitoring stations recorded far worse readings. Chandni Chowk emerged as one of the most polluted pockets with an AQI of 455, followed by Wazirpur at 449, Bawana at 446, Rohini at 444 and Anand Vihar at 438.
Air quality across adjoining cities remained grim. Gurugram reported an AQI of 354, Noida 352 and Ghaziabad 334, all in the very poor category. Faridabad fared slightly better but still logged a “poor” AQI of 283.
The pollution spike coincided with the capital’s first cold wave of the season. Delhi recorded its coldest December day so far on Saturday, with the maximum temperature plunging to 16.9 degrees Celsius, 5 notches below normal. Thick cloud cover and a persistent grey haze kept the sun largely hidden through the day.
Weather disruptions spilled into air travel as well. At least 129 flights were cancelled at Delhi’s airport on Saturday due to dense fog, news agency PTI reported, citing an official. Flight operations were running smoothly today, Delhi Airport said in an update on X.
The India Meteorological Department has predicted dense to very dense fog during overnight and early morning hours on Sunday and issued an orange alert for the capital. Maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to hover around 23 degrees Celsius and 9 degrees Celsius, respectively.
The IMD warned of reduced visibility across neighbouring states, including Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana till Sunday morning, with isolated fog pockets expected in Punjab and Haryana between December 25 and 27, and in west Uttar Pradesh on December 26 and 27.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa cautioned that a western disturbance expected to hit the region could further worsen weather conditions and pollution levels. In a video message, Sirsa warned of strict action against polluting industries and violations of the ongoing construction ban, adding that authorities had received complaints of construction activity despite restrictions.
Responding to whether India needs more than one Jaishankar, S Jaishankar said the premise was flawed, stressing that nations are defined by leadership and vision, drawing a parallel with Lord Hanuman serving Ram.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during an interaction at the Pune Literature Festival 2025. (Image: PTI)
Does India need more than one Jaishankar? Responding to the question, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the premise itself was flawed, drawing a parallel with Lord Hanuman to underline the primacy of leadership and vision in defining a nation’s direction.
Speaking at the Diplomacy to Discourse session at the Pune Literature Festival on Saturday, Jaishankar said the question should instead focus on leadership. “You should have asked me: there is one Modi. Because ultimately, Shri Hanuman finally serves,” he said, adding that countries are shaped by leaders, their vision and confidence, while others execute that mandate.
Jaishankar said the current international order resembles coalition politics, with constantly shifting alignments and no single dominant power bloc. In such a multipolar world, he stressed, India must remain agile and make choices based strictly on national interest.
“There is no majority of anyone. Combinations are formed, deals are struck, and partners change depending on the issue,” he said, adding that India must have the flexibility to work with different countries simultaneously without being locked into rigid alliances. His guiding principle, he said, is simple: whatever helps India.
The external affairs minister said managing India’s foreign relations has become significantly more complex over the past five years. Engagement with the United States requires constant recalibration, ties with China remain difficult, and reassuring Russia has become challenging amid pressure linked to the Ukraine war.
Jaishankar said bringing Japan into play has also grown more complicated as Tokyo moves at its own pace, while Europe has emerged as an increasingly important partner requiring deeper engagement.
On India’s neighbourhood, Jaishankar said relations are shaped by asymmetry and volatile domestic politics in neighbouring countries. Smaller nations closely linked to India often oscillate between praise and criticism, making it difficult to keep ties steady.
Despite this, he said, India has consistently acted as a first responder. He cited assistance to Sri Lanka during a recent cyclone, vaccine supplies to neighbouring countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, and support with fuel and fertilisers when global supply chains were disrupted by the Ukraine conflict.
India, he said, must behave like the head of a family, taking responsibility for regional stability even when differences arise.
On whether India should speak out on global issues, Jaishankar said silence can lead to marginalisation in a multipolar world. At the same time, diplomacy demands judgement on when to assert and when to exercise restraint.
“If you don’t speak, the world will suppress you. It is important to raise your voice when required,” he said.
At least 35 children were injured when a school bus returning from a picnic overturned after hitting a divider in Jammu.
Bus overturns
At least 35 children were injured in a road accident near Bishnah in Jammu on Saturday when a school bus they were travelling in overturned after hitting a divider.
The incident occurred on the ring road while the children were returning from a picnic. The school bus lost balance after striking the road divider.
PM Modi said the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was aimed at safeguarding democracy by preventing infiltrators from entering the electoral process.
File Photo of PM Modi addressing a rally. (Credits: BJP/X)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a blistering attack on the Congress, accusing the party of undermining Assam and the Northeast during its decades in power and of protecting infiltrators at the cost of the region’s security and identity.
Addressing a public rally in Guwahati after inaugurating the new terminal at the Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport, PM Modi said the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was aimed at safeguarding democracy by preventing infiltrators from entering the electoral process.
He alleged that those opposing the exercise had questionable intentions. “Deshdrohis opposing SIR want to shield infiltrators,” the Prime Minister said, adding that the Centre was taking strict steps to stop infiltration.
PM Modi claimed that the Congress had never prioritised the development of Assam and the Northeast.
He alleged that during its rule, infiltrators were allowed to occupy forests and land, posing a serious threat to the state’s security and cultural identity.
According to him, the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Assam are now correcting mistakes made over several decades.
Highlighting what he described as the BJP’s “double-engine government” model, the Prime Minister said development in Assam was progressing without obstruction, likening it to the uninterrupted flow of the Brahmaputra river.
Expressing his personal connection with the state, PM Modi said his attachment to Assam continues to inspire him, adding that the state and the wider Northeast are fast emerging as gateways to India’s overall development.
“Every state and every region has an important role to play in the mission of a developed India,” he said.
Later in the evening, the Prime Minister led a massive roadshow in Guwahati on the first day of his two-day visit to Assam.
The accident took place around 3:00 pm on Saturday while Fatehi was on her way to perform at the Sunburn Festival.
Actor and dancer Nora Fatehi met with a accident on Saturday
Actor and dancer Nora Fatehi met with a car accident in Mumbai after a drunk driver rammed into the vehicle she was travelling in, an incident she later described as “very scary” and “traumatic,” saying the impact flung her across the car and caused her to smash her head against the window.
The accident took place around 3:00 pm on Saturday while Fatehi was on her way to perform at the Sunburn Festival. Mumbai Police said an intoxicated driver hit her car, following which she was taken to a nearby hospital for first aid.
Police confirmed that Fatehi did not sustain serious injuries and that her condition was stable. A case was registered against the accused driver, who was taken into custody.
Later, Fatehi posted a video on her Instagram story detailing the incident and its impact on her. She said a drunk person driving under the influence smashed into her car and that the collision was severe. Describing the moment of the crash, she said the force of the impact flung her across the vehicle and caused her head to hit the window.
“I am here to tell you that I am okay. I was in a very serious car accident. A drunk person smashed my car and unfortunately, the impact was quite severe and it flinged me across the car, I smashed my head on the window.”
The actor said she survived the accident with minor injuries and swelling. “I am alive and I am well except for some minor injuries and swelling like concussion. I am okay…,” Fatehi said.
Calling the experience deeply distressing, she said it was a terrifying and traumatic moment, adding that she saw her life flash in front of her eyes.
The Court transferred the case to Lucknow after noting the complainant’s claim that Gandhi’s supporters were not allowing the complainant to argue the case in Raebareli court.
Rahul Gandhi, Allahabad High Court (Lucknow)
The Allahabad High Court recently transferred to Lucknow a complaint pending before a Raebareli court that seeks registration of a criminal case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his alleged British citizenship.
Justice Brij Raj Singh transferred the case to Lucknow after noting the complainant’s claim that Gandhi’s supporters were not allowing the complainant to argue the case in Raebareli court.
It also noted his allegation that ruckus was being created by the “mob and advocates of District Raebareli” where Gandhi happens to be the Member of Parliament (MP).
“The applicant has made allegation that the opposite party No.4 is a sitting Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from Raebareli constituency, therefore, in the light of the aforementioned facts, he prays that the case may be transferred to some other District. In view of the aforesaid factual aspects, I find that in all fairness the application is liable to be transferred from District Raebareli to Lucknow,” the Court said.
It, thus, directed that the complaint be transferred from Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate-IV, (MP/MLA Court) at Raebareli to the court dealing with the MP/MLA Cases in Lucknow.
Before passing the order, the Court did not issue any notice to Gandhi after the complainant’s counsel argued that the Leader of Opposition is not an aggrieved person yet since no order for FIR has been passed on the application filed under Section 173(4) of Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
The complaint filed by S Vignesh Shishir seeks registration of a criminal case against Gandhi under various provisions of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Official Secrets Act, Passport Act and the Foreigners Act. His claim is that Gandhi was the Director of the UK-based company Backops Ltd and in its records had himself declared his nationality as British.
The clip captured countless dirty and crumpled food wrappers, empty drinking bottles and cans, as well as boxes of takeaway food crammed in almost every corner of the room.
The guest stayed in the room for 2 years. (Photo Credit: X)
Some basic courtesies are non-negotiable. For example, before checking out of a hotel, it is your responsibility to ensure that the room is not a mess. Switching off appliances, folding towels neatly, arranging the bed and disposing of trash properly are some unspoken rules that guests must follow. However, a man in China ignored these etiquettes to such an extreme that it not only shocked the hotel staff but also sparked discussion on social media.
A video of the hotel’s deplorable condition is circulating widely on X. According to a report by The Sun, the guest was a compulsive online gamer who had booked a stay at the accommodation in Changchun for two years. As per the housekeeping staff, he hardly came out of the room.
Disturbing Hotel Room Visuals Go Viral
The stomach-churning clip captured countless dirty and crumpled food wrappers, empty drinking bottles and cans, as well as boxes of takeaway food crammed in almost every corner of the room. Two gaming chairs and a table peeked from underneath the pile of waste lying all over the ground. The bathroom was equally appalling, with hundreds of sodden toilet paper and discarded items scattered on the floor, covering the lavatory and the washbasin. Adding to the disgusting visuals was the fact that a thick layer of grime also accumulated everywhere.
Man checks out from a hotel in China after two years
The extensive clean-up process, followed by disinfecting the room, took three days, claimed The Sun. Even then, the hotel management revealed that there was visible damage, which would require in-depth renovation work before the room is reopened to guests. The hotel grants stays to Esports players, equipped with computer gaming equipment, fast internet and dedicated gaming chairs.
PM Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of two National Highway projects worth around Rs 3,200 crores in West Bengal’s Nadia district.
PM Narendra Modi will visit West Bengal and Assam on Saturday. (PTI File)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit West Bengal on Saturday (December 20) to lay the foundation stone and inaugurate national highway projects at Ranaghat in Nadia district. He will also address a public gathering on the occasion.
PM Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of two National Highway projects worth around Rs 3,200 crores, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office. He will also inaugurate the 66.7 km-long 4-Laning of the Barajaguli – Krishnanagar Section of NH-34 in Nadia.
The projects will serve as a vital connecting link between Kolkata and Siliguri, as per the statement. They will help to reduce travel time by approximately 2 hours, ensuring faster and smoother movement of vehicles for unhindered traffic flow, reduced vehicle operating costs, and improve connectivity between Kolkata and other neighbouring districts of West Bengal, as well as with neighbouring countries.
Modi’s visit comes as West Bengal is gearing up for Assembly elections in 2026, with tensions running high between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC). These tensions have particularly escalated after the Election Commission conducted the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, removing around 58 lakh names from the draft voter list.
After concluding his visit in West Bengal, PM Modi will embark on a two-day visit to Assam on Saturday, where he will undertake a walkthrough and inaugurate the New Terminal Building of Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport.
Delhi Air Pollution: The Union environment ministry said that monthly review meetings would be held from January 2026 to assess action plans prepared by states.
Delhi AQI Stays Very Poor; Centre Directs Delhi-NCR Authorities to Act Within a Week. (File Image)
Delhi continued to reel under heavy pollution on Saturday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) staying in the “very poor” category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI stood at around 376–380, while visibility dropped sharply across several parts of the city. Early morning, areas such as the Barapullah flyover showed a thick layer of toxic smog blanketing the national capital.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked all measures under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) to curb pollution levels.
On Saturday morning, Delhi’s air quality remained poor to severe at several locations, with AQI recorded at ITO (433), Anand Vihar (428), Jahangirpuri (425), Ashok Vihar (412), DTU (411), Chandni Chowk (410) and Dwarka Sector 8 (409), while IGI Airport T3 (321), IIT (332), Lodhi Road (336), Mandir Marg (344) and Aya Nagar (298) also reported high pollution levels.
Centre directs visible improvement within a week
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has directed authorities to ensure a visible improvement in air quality within one week. Chairing a review meeting with officials from Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, Yadav stressed the need to maintain momentum in pollution-control measures as air quality continues to deteriorate.
“This is the fourth review meeting in recent weeks. Strict action must be taken against defaulters, but the general public should not face unnecessary inconvenience,” Yadav said. He added that corrective actions must be implemented immediately, with another review planned after 15 days.
Monthly reviews from January 2026
The Union environment ministry said that monthly review meetings would be held from January 2026 to assess action plans prepared by states. These meetings will focus on addressing implementation gaps through coordinated efforts between neighbouring states at the highest level.
The ministry issued directions to improve traffic management at 62 identified traffic hot spots across the NCR. Authorities were also asked to promote the use of electric and CNG buses for employees of corporate offices and industrial units.
Traffic, transport and infra measures
To reduce congestion during peak hours, staggered office timings for government offices, shopping malls and commercial complexes were suggested. The Centre also asked Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Noida to fast-track the Integrated Smart Traffic Management System (ITMS).
Yadav emphasised coordination with Metro rail authorities to improve last-mile connectivity. He also directed civic bodies to remove encroachments causing traffic bottlenecks within 10 days and ensure pothole-free roads through proper annual maintenance contracts. Drainage systems must also be improved to prevent damage during the monsoon.
Sharing his observations on Priyanka Gandhi, Kiren Rijiju said her presentation was balanced and more acceptable compared to other Opposition members, noting that she maintained control over her speech and did not create any problems through her remarks.
Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Friday said he was upset with Opposition parties for creating chaos and confusion even after initiating the debate on air pollution, and for not allowing their lead speaker on the issue, Priyanka Vadra Gandhi, to speak.
Speaking to India Today TV, Rijiju said, “It was listed in the name of Priyanka Vadra Gandhi. And she was to be their lead speaker. They themselves curtailed her chance to speak. Now, I don’t want to draw any political conclusions on how the Congress party disrupted Priyanka Gandhi’s chance to speak on pollution.”
Rijiju then went on to say that the Congress derailed the discussion on pollution by climbing on chairs and tables, behaving in an “absolutely uncivilised and undemocratic” manner.
Sharing his observations on Priyanka Gandhi, Rijiju said her presentations during the Winter Session were balanced and more acceptable compared to other Opposition members, noting that she maintained control over her speech and did not create any problems through her remarks. He added that he appreciated her approach and the manner in which she conducted herself during the presentation.
When asked whether it was easier for him, as the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, to deal with Priyanka and Sonia Gandhi than Rahul Gandhi, Rijiju said Priyanka was slightly more engaged in terms of the exchange of views and ideas.
“She listens. That is what I have observed,” he told India Today TV.
Coming back to the ruckus in Parliament over deteriorating air quality in Delhi, Rijiju said the entire day had been earmarked for a detailed discussion on pollution, with time already allocated. However, he alleged that the Congress suddenly climbed onto chairs and tables, disrupted parliamentary proceedings and created a ruckus.
Looking back at the Winter session, he pointed out that the Opposition had demanded eight hours of discussion on the Shanti Bill and G Ram G, and the government had agreed, even expressing readiness to sit through the night or carry the discussion into the next day.
Drawing a contrast with his time in the Opposition, Rijiju said that the UPA government earlier often curtailed debate, whereas the current government was willing to allow as much time as sought.
A collision between a Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express and a herd of elephants in Assam’s Nagaon district resulted in the deaths of at least seven elephants and the derailment of the train’s engine and five coaches.
The Sairang New Delhi Rajdhani Express (Train No. 20507/08) was passing through the area when it struck a herd of elephants that had wandered onto the tracks near Kampur, about 126 km from Guwahati.
At least seven wild elephants were killed after a Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express collided with a herd crossing the railway tracks in Assam’s Nagaon district early Saturday, leading to the derailment of the locomotive and five coaches and causing major disruption to rail services in the region.
The tragic incident occurred at around 2:23 AM in the Jamunamukh Kampur section under the Lumding Division of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR). The Sairang New Delhi Rajdhani Express (Train No. 20507/08) was passing through the area when it struck a herd of elephants that had wandered onto the tracks near Kampur, about 126 km from Guwahati.
According to preliminary information, the herd was crossing the railway line when the high-speed train rammed into them. While at least seven elephants died on the spot, a baby elephant sustained critical injuries. Local residents claimed that the herd consisted of around eight elephants.
Railway officials said the loco pilot spotted the elephants on the track and immediately applied emergency brakes. However, despite the effort, the elephants reportedly dashed into the train, resulting in a powerful collision that led to the derailment of the engine and five coaches. The location of the accident is not a designated elephant corridor, officials added.
Fortunately, no passenger casualties or injuries were reported. Passengers from the affected coaches were temporarily accommodated in vacant berths available in other coaches of the train. Railway sources said that once the train reaches Guwahati, additional coaches will be attached to accommodate all passengers, after which the Rajdhani Express will resume its onward journey to New Delhi.
Following the accident, railway officials and accident relief trains rushed to the site to carry out rescue and restoration work. However, train services to Upper Assam and other parts of the Northeast were significantly affected due to the derailment and the presence of elephant carcasses and debris scattered across the tracks.
India’s exports to China rose nearly 90% year-on-year in November, reaching $2.2 billion, with an overall increase of 33% for the April-November period.
GTRI describes the trend as one of “sharp contrasts”, noting that India’s exports to China tend to swing wildly based on Chinese demand cycles, pricing shifts, and policy changes (image source: Times Now Digital)
India’s exports to China surged nearly 90% year-on-year in November, reaching $2.2 billion. For the April–November period, exports were up 33% at $12.2 billion. On the surface, the numbers look encouraging—but a new report by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) cautions against reading this as a genuine turnaround in India–China trade.
According to GTRI, the growth is driven by a narrow set of products and remains volatile, while imports from China continue to surge, keeping the trade relationship heavily skewed, said a TOI report.
The biggest contributor was naphtha, a petrochemical feedstock. Exports of naphtha jumped 172% between April and October, with some individual months seeing spikes of over 500%, as Chinese demand rose sharply.
Electronics also saw unusual jumps: printed circuit board exports shot up 8,577% in October, while mobile phone components rose 82%. In contrast, traditional exports such as iron ore and shrimp either declined or grew only marginally.
GTRI describes the trend as one of “sharp contrasts”, noting that India’s exports to China tend to swing wildly based on Chinese demand cycles, pricing shifts, and policy changes—rather than reflecting sustained competitiveness or diversification from India.
Imports, meanwhile, underline the deeper concern. Nearly 80% of India’s imports from China are concentrated in four categories—electronics ($38 billion from January to October), machinery ($26 billion), chemicals, and plastics. High-dependence items like smartphones, laptops, batteries, and solar cells dominate, making substitution difficult in the short term.
Looking at the full year, GTRI estimates India’s exports to China at about $17.5 billion, still well below the $23 billion peak in 2021. Imports are projected at around $123.5 billion, implying a record trade deficit of roughly $106 billion by Indian estimates. Chinese data suggests the gap could be even wider, closer to $115 billion.
The report also flags data mismatches, with India recording lower imports than what China reports as exports—raising concerns about possible under-invoicing to evade duties.
The upcoming Defence Acquisition Council meeting, led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on December 26, will focus on various military procurements, including command post vehicles for air defence, Brazilian Embraer aircraft for the Indian Air Force, and advanced drones.
Command post vehicles, Brazilian Embraer aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF) likely to be on agenda of Defence Acquisition Council, headed by Rajnath Singh. | AI Representational image
Command post vehicles for the Indian Army’s air defence, Brazilian Embraer aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and drones and counter-drone systems will be on the agenda for the next meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council, headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on December 26.
While the acquisition of six Embraers from Brazil is already a done deal (the request for purchase or RFP, already in the process), there are changes in the paperwork that require DAC clearance. These are used planes and on them will be fitted the Netra, the airborne warning and control system, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation).
India already has three, but the IAF needs six more, keeping in mind India’s long borders, and the first will arrive in three-four years.
Recent conflicts, whether it’s the Russia-Ukraine war or the one between Armenia and Azerbaijan have shown the need for drones, for carrying munitions and also, for reconnaissance. So, drones with a range of about 100 km – “about 150 systems,” according to highly-placed sources are on the anvil.
A large number of Indian firms are making drones and this approximately Rs 1800 crore deal will be important. Another focus area is counter drone systems, and here too, Indian manufacturers have achieved considerable success. These too are on the agenda.
The Army Air Defence (AAD), after Operation Sindoor–the counter-terrorism strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir earlier this year–is keen to have more command posts. This is where basic data, video feeds and other information come in.
A command post can be at different levels, whether it is for a battalion or a brigade, for example, and in these posts, the battle can be orchestrated.
TIMES NOW has already spoken of the purchase of about 280 rockets for the S-400 air-defence systems from Russia before the visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin. This Rs 10,000 crore deal is for rockets to make up for the ones used during Operation Sindoor and a few extra ones.
India has three S-400 systems and Russia has promised to deliver two two more to the IAF next year. That apart, India is keen to have five more systems.
The Court asked the Centre to ensure implementation of expert-recommended conservation measures, including undergrounding and rerouting power lines in key habitats across Rajasthan and Gujarat with 2 years.
Great Indian BustardAi image
The Supreme Court on Friday issued a series of conservation measures for the protection of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) and Lesser Florican, two critically endangered bird species facing extinction due to power infrastructure and loss of habitat [MK Ranjitsinh & Ors. vs. Union of India & Ors.].
A Bench of Justices PS Narasimha and AS Chandurkar accepted the recommendations of an expert committee and ordered that all key measures be implemented within two years.
The Court observed that the issue was not merely about conserving a species but about reconciling environmental protection with India’s renewable energy transition.
It said both objectives must be pursued together “without sacrificing one at the altar of the other.”
Among the key measures include the undergrounding of 80 km of critical 33 kV power lines in Rajasthan and 79 km of similar lines in Gujarat, rerouting of several 66 kV lines and a complete ban on new wind turbines or solar parks above 2 MW capacity.
The Bench was hearing a batch of petitions filed in 2019 seeking urgent directions for the conservation of the Great Indian Bustard, also known as Godawan in Rajasthan.
The bird, once found across much of India, now survives in small pockets of Rajasthan and Gujarat with fewer than 250 individuals left. The petitioners had sought immediate steps including installation of bird diverters, restrictions on new transmission lines and the appointment of a monitoring committee.
In April 2021, the Court had imposed a sweeping restriction on overhead transmission lines across nearly 99,000 sq km of Rajasthan and Gujarat. It had also directed that high-voltage power lines be laid underground to protect the endangered birds.
However, the Union government later sought modification of the order, arguing that such restrictions would cripple India’s renewable energy sector and were technically unfeasible.
The Bench then revisited its earlier order in March 2024, acknowledging that while protection of the species was “non-negotiable,” environmental policy decisions must also account for climate goals and energy security. It then set up an expert committee to suggest balanced solutions.
The expert committee, comprising wildlife scientists, conservationists and representatives of key ministries, submitted its reports in September and November 2024 after extensive field visits in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
It identified revised “priority areas” – 14,013 square km in Rajasthan and 740 square km in Gujarat, for conservation of the Great Indian Bustard and recommended immediate mitigation measures.
Among the key directions accepted by the Court are the undergrounding of 80 km of critical 33 kV power lines in Rajasthan and 79 km of similar lines in Gujarat, rerouting of several 66 kV lines, and a complete ban on new wind turbines or solar parks above 2 MW capacity within the revised priority areas.
The Court also directed the undergrounding of 250 km of high-risk power lines identified by the Wildlife Institute of India within two years.
The Court also accepted the recommendation to create “power corridors” outside critical habitats so that future lines can be consolidated and bird deaths from collision can be reduced.
The Bench agreed with the committee’s decision to defer installation of bird flight diverters until their effectiveness is scientifically verified, noting that poor-quality devices could prove counterproductive.
The Bench further called on corporations to recognise environmental protection as part of their statutory social responsibility. It observed that under Section 135 of the Companies Act, corporate social responsibility must include “corporate environmental responsibility.”
“Allocating funds for the protection of the environment is not a voluntary act of charity but a fulfilment of a constitutional obligation,” the Court said, referring to the duty under Article 51A(g) of the Constitution to protect and improve the natural environment.
The Court also acknowledged the traditional role of local communities, particularly the Bishnois of Rajasthan, in protecting the Godawan, describing their eco-centric philosophy as a model of harmony between humans and nature.
No discussions were held under Rule 193 or Rule 184, which enable debates on urgent public issues, and none of the 76 notices submitted under Rule 184 were admitted.
The Winter Session of Parliament was held from December 1 to 19. (Photo: File/PTI)
The Winter Session of Parliament concluded on Friday, December 19, recording a total sitting time of 92 hours and 25 minutes, even as repeated disruptions led to the loss of 18 hours and 59 minutes due to interruptions and forced adjournments. To compensate, both Houses extended proceedings by 28 hours and 17 minutes beyond the originally scheduled time.
VB-G RAM G BILL PASSED
The session was marked by the passage of several key legislations, most notably the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural) Bill, which seeks to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
The new law promises 125 days of wage employment annually for rural households and triggered strong opposition protests in both Houses.
Despite demands from opposition parties to refer the bill to a Parliamentary Standing Committee, the government pushed it through after debate, passing it by voice vote in the Lok Sabha and later in the Rajya Sabha.
The bill’s passage, however, was marred by scenes of protest, including slogan shouting, tearing of bill copies, and a walkout by opposition members in the Rajya Sabha, alleging the legislation would harm the rural economy.
SHANTI BILL GETS PARLIAMENT NOD
The session also witnessed the passage of the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025, a significant policy shift that opens India’s atomic energy sector to private participation.
The move was described by the government as essential for boosting capacity, technology infusion, and long-term energy security.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the passage of the legislation, calling it a “transformational moment” in India’s growht story.
OTHER KEY LEGISLATIONS PASSED
Among other legislations cleared were the Health Security-cum-National Security Cess Bill, the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, the Appropriation Bill, and the Repealing and Amending Bill.
In total, 10 government bills were introduced during the session, of which eight were passed.
On the education front, the Lok Sabha resolved to refer the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, which proposes setting up a higher education commission, to a joint committee of Parliament.
Moved by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the resolution was adopted by voice vote.
The joint committee will comprise 21 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha, and is expected to submit its report by the end of the first part of the 2026 Budget Session.
The proposed commission, chaired by a presidential nominee, would subsume multiple regulators and cover all central universities and institutions, including IITs and IIMs.
Despite the legislative output, the session underscored constraints in Parliament’s oversight role.
THE QUESTION HOUR
Question Hour saw limited engagement, with only 72 of 280 starred questions answered orally. Opposition MPs flagged this decline, noting that oral questions allow supplementary queries and real-time accountability.
No discussions were held under Rule 193 or Rule 184, which enable debates on urgent public issues, and none of the 76 notices submitted under Rule 184 were admitted.
Private Members’ Bills also remained marginalised, with 137 introduced but none taken up for discussion or passage.
The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha with a voice vote, hours after the Lok Sabha cleared it.
New Delhi, Dec 18 (ANI): Rajya Sabha proceedings underway during the ongoing Winter Session of the Parliament, in New Delhi on Thursday. (Sansad TV/ANI Video Grab)(Sansad TV/ANI Video Grab)
The Parliament has passed the new VB-G RAM G Bill that will replace the 20-year-old MGNREGA on Thursday. The bill was passed as the Rajya Sabha continued till midnight amid protests and walkouts from the opposition.
The new bill guarantees 125 days of wage employment every year, with Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan asserting that it was needed to fix shortcomings in the old scheme.
Bill passed amid opposition protests
Several members of the opposition staged a walkout in the Rajya Sabha during the passage of the Bill after calling for its withdrawal and raising slogans against the ruling NDA government.
The opposition parties also sat on a dharna outside the Samvidhan Sadan in the Parliament complex against the new bill.
In response to the opposition’s protest and allegations against the bill, Rural Development Minister Shivraj Chouhan accused the Congress of “killing” the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi several times and using his name to further political gains.
Chouhan added that during the UPA’s rule, MGNREGA was riddled with corruption.
What is the VB-G RAM G Bill?
Amid the backlash, the Centre has asserted that VB-G RAM G Bill will enhance the statutory wage employment guarantee to 125 days in every financial year for unskilled worker, against MGNREGA’s 100 days.
The children were administered HIV-infected blood during transfusions at government facilities in Satna
What began as routine, life-saving treatment for five children suffering from thalassemia has turned into one of the gravest public health failures Madhya Pradesh has witnessed in recent years. An NDTV investigation has established that these children were administered HIV-infected blood during transfusions at government facilities in Satna — an incident that not only raises questions of negligence but points to a deeper, systemic collapse of blood safety, surveillance, and accountability.
NDTV has learnt that the affected children, all dependent on regular transfusions to survive, were given a total of 189 units of blood, sourced from three different blood banks. In the process, they were exposed to blood from over 150 donors, significantly widening the window of risk. The district-level inquiry has now concluded that HIV reached the children through donor blood, confirming a catastrophic breach in screening protocols meant to be infallible.
The Department of Public Health and Family Welfare has taken strict action in the case, suspending a blood bank in-charge and two lab technicians and issuing a show-cause notice to the former Civil Surgeon of Satna District Hospital. Dr Manoj Shukla, the former Civil Surgeon, has been instructed to submit a written explanation and warned of strict departmental action if the explanation is not satisfactory.
The action against him, as well as Dr Devendra Patel, Pathologist and Blood Bank In-charge, and lab technicians Ram Bhai Tripathi and Nandlal Pandey, was taken on basis of preliminary investigation report of a seven-member inquiry committee constituted under the chairmanship of Dr. Yogesh Bharsat, IAS (CEO, Ayushman Bharat).
The timeline of events reveals a troubling pattern of silence. The first HIV-positive case among these children surfaced in March this year.
By April, multiple children had tested positive. Yet, NDTV learnt, for several months thereafter, this information did not reach or was not formally acknowledged by the hospital administration or the district authorities. During this period, no emergency audit of blood banks was initiated, no public alert was issued, and no preventive steps were taken to stop further exposure.
The first red flag emerged on March 20 when a 15-year-old thalassemia patient tested HIV positive. Between March 26 and 28, two more children were found infected. On April 3, a fourth case surfaced. Shockingly, despite these confirmations, the hospital administration and district authorities allegedly remained unaware or silent for nearly nine months.
Behind these failures are families living with irreversible consequences. Speaking to NDTV, the father of one of the affected girls described the human cost of the lapse. He said his daughter was diagnosed with thalassemia at the age of nine and has since depended entirely on blood transfusions to survive. The family learnt about her HIV infection only three months ago.
“Where do I complain? What will happen?” he asked, struggling for answers. His daughter needs transfusions three times a month — three units every eight days. Though she is on medication, he said it is not suiting her. “She vomits, becomes lethargic, and keeps falling ill,” he told NDTV, capturing the helplessness now shared by multiple families.
Sources involved in the investigation have told NDTV that while plasma used by the hospital is procured through a contracted agency that conducts a three-layer testing and immediately alerts the hospital if infection is detected, the platelets were processed and used locally. Investigators are now examining whether platelets subject to weaker local oversight could have been the source of the HIV infection, a possibility that exposes a dangerous loophole in the system.
The state government maintains that the matter was detected internally. Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Rajendra Shukla told NDTV that the case was uncovered by officials within the health system. He said transfusions do not always take place at a single centre and that patients often move between government hospitals, private clinics, relatives, and donor-linked blood banks depending on circumstances. However, this explanation has only intensified questions about why a coordinated response was not triggered earlier, despite confirmed HIV cases.
Hospital authorities insist protocols were followed. Manoj Shukla, Chief Medical and Health Officer, said notices were issued to the Programme Officer and ICTC Counsellor and claimed that donor lists and records were available. He acknowledged, however, that deficiencies were observed at the programme officer’s level an admission that underscores gaps in monitoring rather than closing them.
Accusing the government of suppressing information, the opposition has termed the incident criminal negligence.
Congress leader Dr. Vikrant Bhuria told NDTV that contracting HIV through blood transfusion in 2025 cannot be an accident. He alleged that blood screening failed, testing protocols were violated, and the surveillance system collapsed.
He pointed out that only 125 out of nearly 250 donors could be traced, exposing severe lapses in record-keeping. According to him, HIV-positive reports surfaced in March-April, yet the matter remained buried for months.
The tragedy is compounded by the socio-economic reality of the victims. The affected children come from poor families, already burdened by the cost and emotional toll of thalassemia. They now face lifelong anti-retroviral treatment, social stigma, and financial hardship, with no clarity yet on compensation, long-term care, or state responsibility.
This crisis unfolds in a state already grappling with a serious HIV burden.
Madhya Pradesh has over 70,000 HIV patients, an adult prevalence rate of 0.10 per cent, and injecting drug user prevalence at 4.20 per cent. Seven districts have been classified as high-risk. In such a scenario, even a single breach in blood safety has consequences far beyond individual cases, it becomes a public health emergency.
“We have seen such incidents earlier here as well. During my election, people may have forgotten that Mehbooba Mufti got a legitimate voter’s burqa removed inside a polling station. This is a continuation of the same mindset. That was unfortunate and equally shameful, and so is this incident,” Abdullah said on Wednesday.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah used the controversy surrounding Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over the hijab issue as an opportunity to hit out at his political rival Mehbooba Mufti, raking up an old incident involving the latter.
Abdullah alleged that the Bihar Chief Minister was “showing his true colours” as a partner of a communal party by pulling down a woman doctor’s veil. He also claimed that Mufti had done the same in the past.
#WATCH | Mumbai: On Bihar CM Nitish Kumar viral hijab row, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah says, “Forget that she was a Muslim woman, that she was wearing a hijab; how can it ever be right to lay hands on any woman in this manner, to touch her clothes?… What… pic.twitter.com/25ZTw3WscZ
“We have seen such incidents earlier here as well. During my election, people may have forgotten that Mehbooba Mufti got a legitimate voter’s burqa removed inside a polling station. This is a continuation of the same mindset. That was unfortunate and equally shameful, and so is this incident,” Abdullah said on Wednesday.
He was referring to a 2004 incident in which Mufti had lifted a woman’s veil. After facing criticism, she defended herself, saying she was trying to establish the voter’s identity, as veils are often misused to cast bogus votes.
Nitish Kumar sparked a major controversy this week when he yanked the veil off a Muslim woman doctor who had come to receive her appointment letter at a public ceremony.
“If the Bihar chief minister did not want to give her the appointment order, they could have simply set her aside. But humiliating her like that is completely unacceptable,” Abdullah said.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), led by Mehbooba Mufti, took a sarcastic jab at Abdullah’s remarks. PDP spokesperson Mohit Bhan said, “He should be calling out Modi, who is their coalition partner, and asking him to withdraw support from this government. Instead, he is going after Mehbooba Mufti and others. Comparing her attempt to verify a voter’s identity with what Nitish Kumar did shows Abdullah’s real intentions.”
Sourav Ganguly has lodged a complaint threatening a Rs 50 crore defamation suit against Uttam Saha, founder of the Argentina Football Fan Club.
The complaint stems from Saha’s claims linking Ganguly to the chaos at a recent event featuring Lionel Messi.
Former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has filed a complaint with Kolkata’s Cyber Crime Branch threatening a Rs 50 crore defamation lawsuit after the Kolkata event of football icon Lionel Messi ended in chaos. Ganguly has filed the complaint against Uttam Saha, founder of the Argentina Football Fan Club in Kolkata, for allegedly linking him to the Salt Lake Stadium mess.
The notice, sent to Uttam Saha, who claims to be president of the Argentina football fan club, said he has “deliberately, recklessly, and with malice published and circulated a video interview with a Bengali news portal on social media platforms, including YouTube and Facebook, wherein the Argentina fan club founder made false, scandalous, defamatory, and per se libelous statements concerning Sourav Ganguly,” ET Online reported.
The complaint was filed at Lalbazar and alleged that Saha’s allegations have harmed Ganguly’s reputation without any factual basis.
In his video, Saha reportedly called Satadru Dutta, the event organiser, a “stooge” of Sourav Ganguly. He reportedly claimed that Ganguly played a role in Messi’s visit and was the middleman between the organiser and the Argentine.
“Serious allegations are being made publicly without any factual basis,” Ganguly said in his complaint.
While Ganguly was present at the stadium during Messi’s visit, he wasn’t involved in the organsiation process.
Chaos at Messi’s event in Kolkata
What was meant to be a red-letter day for football fans in the City of Joy on December 13 turned into a virtual nightmare, with “less of Messi” and more of what many described as a “royal mess”. Messi’s Kolkata appearance ended in chaos after fans alleged that the presence of VIPs and politicians on the pitch deprived them of a proper glimpse of the World Cup-winning superstar, for whom they had bought tickets.
Fans, who had paid between Rs 4,500 and Rs 10,000 for tickets, hurled bottles and damaged fiberglass seats after they barely got to see the Argentine star, forcing the police to intervene as they struggled to bring the situation under control. They alleged that supporters of the ruling Trinamool Congress breached security and entered the field of play.
The Bombay High Court premises in the Fort area of South Mumbai were evacuated on Thursday after receiving an email warning of a bomb.
Along with the High Court, several magistrate courts in Mumbai, specifically those at Bandra, Andheri and Esplanade (Killa Court), also received similar threats, prompting large-scale security checks, the police said.
A senior official of Mumbai Police assured citizens there was no need to panic and confirmed that the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) had conducted thorough searches across all affected premises.
No explosives were found and the threats are being treated as hoax with investigations underway to trace the sender.
Sources told Bar & Bench that once the Bandra court received the email, the standard operating procedure for bomb threats was immediately activated and the entire premises were evacuated.
A similar procedure was followed at the Andheri Magistrate court and police will be registering cases against unidentified persons.
At the principal bench of the Bombay High Court, the Chief Justice, lawyers, litigants and court staff were asked to leave the premises.
An internal message circulated by the Bombay Bar Association (BBA) and the Advocates’ Association of Western India (AAWI) stated that the court would reconvene at 3 pm once the police had completed their safety checks.
The BBA also requested its members and their staff to vacate the High Court building and cooperate with the police and High Court administration in view of the security concerns.
The communication indicated that further updates would follow upon clearance by the authorities.
An email warning of a bomb was also received by the Principal District and Sessions Court in Nagpur on Thursday.
India’s Parliament approved new legislation Thursday that enables opening the tightly controlled civil nuclear power sector to private companies.
The government termed it a major policy shift to speed up clean energy expansion while the opposition political parties argued that it dilutes safety and liability safeguards.
The lower house of parliament passed the legislation Wednesday and the upper house on Thursday. It now needs the assent from the Indian president, which is a formality, to come into force.
The move carries global significance as India seeks to position itself as a major player in the next wave of nuclear energy, including with small modular reactors at a time many nations are reassessing nuclear power to meet climate targets and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Supporters argue the legislation marks a decisive break from decades of state dominance in nuclear energy while critics say it opens the door to risks, mainly health hazards, that could have long term consequences.
“It marks a momentous milestone for India and signals capable private sector players that the country is open for business in the nuclear energy space,” said Karthik Ganesan, director of strategic partnerships at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, a think tank.
Junior Minister Jitendra Singh, who oversees the department of atomic energy, told lawmakers that the bill — which has been dubbed Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India — seeks to modernize India’s nuclear framework in line with technological, economic and energy realities. It also retains and strengthens core safety, security and regulatory safeguards.
“India’s role in geopolitics is increasing. And if we have to be a global player effectively, we have to live up to global benchmarks, follow global parameters and adopt global strategies,” Singh said in the lower house, adding that the legislation was necessary to address the country’s growing energy needs.
India wants more nuclear power and has pledged over $2 billion in recent months toward research and allied activities. Nuclear power is a way to make electricity that doesn’t emit planet-warming gases, although it does create radioactive waste.
India is one of the world’s biggest emitters of planet-heating gases and over 75% of its power is still generated by burning fossil fuels, mostly coal. India wants to install 100 gigawatts of nuclear power by 2047 — enough to power nearly 60 million Indian homes a year.
Energy experts say that for the world to move away from carbon-polluting fuels like coal, oil and gas, sources like nuclear that don’t rely on the sun and the wind — which aren’t always available — are needed. But some are skeptical about India’s ambitions as the country’s nuclear sector is still very small, and negative public perceptions about the industry remain.
Opposition parties flagged concerns related to several provisions of the bill and urged the government to refer it to a parliamentary panel for examination. The government didn’t adhere to the request.
Centre slams Gandhi saying such records belong in public archives, not behind closed doors
Sonia Gandhi. Credit: Sansad TV via PTI Photo
The government on Wednesday slammed Congress leader Sonia Gandhi for keeping “51 cartons of Jawaharlal Nehru papers” and sought their return to Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library (PMML) so that scholars and Parliament can access the crucial historical records of ‘Nehruvian’ times, asserting that these documents “belong in public archives, not behind closed doors”.
Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, in a post on X, also sought to clarify the Centre’s written response in Parliament on December 15, and said, since the location of these papers is known, they are “not missing”.
The clarification comes a day after Congress took a swipe at the Centre over its response in Lok Sabha to a query on documents related to the first prime minister.
“No documents related to India’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, have been found missing from the museum during the annual inspection of the PMML in the year 2025,” Shekhawat had told Parliament in a written response to the query by BJP MP Sambit Patra.
After Nehru’s death, the Teen Murti Bhawan in central Delhi became the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML), housing a rich collection of books and rare records. The NMML was renamed Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library in 2023.
The Nehru papers have been a contentious issue between the ruling BJP and opposition Congress, and a section within the PMML has been pushing for “reclaiming” these papers, which were taken back by Sonia Gandhi several years ago.
Shekhawat, in his post on X, said Nehru papers are “not ‘missing’ from PMML”. He added that the word ‘missing’ entails that the “whereabouts are unknown”.
“In reality, 51 cartons of Jawaharlal Nehru papers were formally taken back by the family in 2008 from the Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library (then NMML). Their location is known. Hence, they are ‘not missing’,” the Union minister said.
These papers were “handed over officially in 2008, on request”, with records and catalogues maintained by PMML, he said.
Shekhawat said that scholars, researchers, students and citizens “have a right to access original documentary sources to arrive at a truthful and balanced understanding” of Jawaharlal Nehru’s life and times.
“On one hand, we are being asked not to debate the blunders of that era. On the other, primary source material that could enable informed debate is kept out of public access.
“This contradiction cannot be ignored. This is no ordinary matter. History cannot be curated selectively. Transparency is the foundation of democracy and archival openness is its moral obligation which Mrs Gandhi and the ‘family’ need to uphold,” he argued.
Shekhawat, in his long post, further wrote, “What does require an answer is this: Why have these papers not been returned despite multiple reminders from PMML including the recent reminders in January and July 2025? The nation deserves clarity.” “I respectfully ask Sonia Gandhi ji to explain to the country: What is being withheld? What is being hidden? The excuses being given by Smt Sonia Gandhi for not returning these papers are not tenable. The point is that why are important historical documents still outside the public archive? “These are not private family papers. They relate to the first Prime Minister of India and form part of our national historical record. Such papers belong in public archives, not behind closed doors,” Shekhawat argued in his post.
He also responded on X on Wednesday to a post a day ago by Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh who wrote, “The truth was finally revealed in the Lok Sabha yesterday. Will there be an apology forthcoming?” Shekhawat said, “The truth placed before the Lok Sabha is clear and on record.” “The Nehru Papers were taken out in 2008, during the UPA period, when public institutions were often treated as family preserves. Smt. Sonia Gandhi herself has acknowledged in writing that these papers are with her and promised to ‘co-operate’ on the matter,” he said.
“In fact it would be more appropriate for you to urge Sonia Gandhi to honour her commitment and return these papers to PMML so that scholars, citizens, and the Parliament can access these crucial historical records and the truth of ‘Nehruvian’ times can be examined objectively,” he said.
PMML Society, the key decision-making body of the PMML, is helmed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as its president, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as the vice-president.
Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Culture, in a series of posts, said these documents, relating to the first prime minister of India, “form part of the nation’s documentary heritage and not a private property”.
“Their custody with PMML and access to citizens and scholars for research is vital,” it said.
In the first post, it wrote, “On JN papers: Vide letter dated 29.04.2008 Shri M V Rajan, representative of Smt. Sonia Gandhi, requested that Smt. Gandhi wishes to take back all of the private family letters and notes of former PM Jawahar Lal Nehru.
Belgium’s Court of Cassation has denied Mehul Choksi’s appeal against extradition to India, affirming a lower court’s conclusion that he would not face significant risks of injustice or torture.
Fugitive Mehul Choksi was arrested in Belgium.
Belgium’s top court has rejected fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi’s appeal against India’s extradition request, endorsing a lower court’s finding that he faces no real risk of denial of justice, torture or inhuman treatment if sent back to India.
In an order released Wednesday, the Court of Cassation upheld the view of the Indictment Chamber of the Antwerp Court of Appeal, which had ruled that Choksi failed to show a “real, present and serious risk” of being subjected to “flagrant denial of justice” or to torture or inhuman and degrading treatment in India. The court also imposed costs of 104 euros on Choksi.
The ruling clears a major legal hurdle for India in its efforts to extradite Choksi, a key accused in the nearly Rs 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank fraud case.
Choksi had challenged the lower court’s decision by citing what he described as an attempted kidnapping from Antigua, media reports, findings of Interpol’s Commission for the Control of Files (CCF), and concerns over receiving a fair trial in India. The Belgian court found these arguments insufficient.
Interpol’s CCF had removed Choksi’s name from its Red Notice list in November 2022 following his appeal. The CCF is a separate body that is “not under the control” of the Interpol Secretariat and is staffed mainly by elected lawyers who review complaints against Interpol decisions.
The Court of Cassation also rejected Choksi’s claim that Belgian prosecutors withheld information related to the CCF’s findings from the pre-trial chamber of the Antwerp district court. It found no fault in the Indictment Chamber’s reasoning, which had upheld a November 29, 2024 order declaring arrest warrants issued by a Mumbai special court in May 2018 and June 2021 as “enforceable”.
The court noted that the Indictment Chamber was not required to respond to every argument individually and that its rejection of Choksi’s defence did not amount to a failure of justice. It further agreed that legal provisions allowing refusal of extradition on grounds of possible torture did not apply in this case.
Choksi fled India in early January 2018, days before the PNB fraud was detected. Investigators allege he siphoned off about Rs 6,400 crore. At the request of India’s Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Interpol issued a Red Notice against him in December 2018.
The panel cautioned that India’s ability to carry out such targeted analysis is severely constrained by the absence of a comprehensive national cancer database
The parliamentary standing committee on science and technology, environment, forests and climate change said India still does not have a clear picture of how many people are living with cancer. (Image for representation)
A parliamentary panel has flagged a worrying rise in cancer cases in India’s northeast, warning that the country lacks basic data needed to understand why some regions are reporting significantly higher cancer incidence than others.
The parliamentary standing committee on science and technology, environment, forests and climate change said India still does not have a clear picture of how many people are living with cancer – a gap that weakens efforts to design targeted prevention, treatment, and early detection strategies.
In its latest report, accessed by News18, the parliamentary committee flagged the “significantly higher incidence reported in the northeastern region of India” and said it is essential to examine whether certain ethnic groups in the region may be genetically predisposed to specific types of cancers.
“The committee believes that it is essential to examine whether the ethnic groups of the northeast are genetically predisposed to specific types of cancers,” the report stated.
To address this, it recommended that the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) collaborate with the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), “which has been conducting extensive work in population and cancer genomics”. It said such collaborative research should aim to “identify genomic signatures and risk factors unique to the North-Eastern population”, adding that these insights will be critical for “developing tailored cancer therapies, targeted prevention methods and early detection strategies for the northeastern population”.
The committee, however, cautioned that India’s ability to carry out such targeted analysis is severely constrained by the absence of a comprehensive national cancer database. It noted that there is no system that records every cancer case across the country and that most available estimates are based on limited and fragmented data.
ONLY 19% OF INDIA COVERED BY CANCER REGISTRIES
According to the report, “the committee notes with serious concern that India still does not have a nationwide, population-based cancer registry”.
“At present, the 52 population-based cancer registries and approximately 243 hospital-based cancer registries together cover only about 19% of the country’s population,” it said. “In the absence of a national-level database, it is impossible to accurately assess the true burden of cancer in the country.”
The panel pointed out that existing statistics are largely derived from extrapolations based on partial data. It said it was “particularly worrying” that a country with an advanced medical system like India lacks a unified national cancer registry, while many other countries maintain comprehensive nationwide databases.
Citing global examples, the report noted that “NORDCAN maintains cancer statistics for the Nordic countries, namely, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands, providing a consolidated picture of incidence, prevalence, mortality, and survival rates”.
PUSH FOR NATIONWIDE CANCER REGISTRY
The parliamentary panel recommended to the ministry of health and family welfare to establish a nationwide population-based cancer registry, with districts designated as nodal units. It added that district-wide and state-wide registries should feed into a centralised national registry at the Union level.
“Maintaining a unified national database will provide an accurate and real-time picture of cancer incidence, prevalence, mortality and survival. This, in turn, will significantly strengthen evidence-based policymaking and program interventions for the prevention and control of cancer,” it said.
CANCER NOT A NOTIFIABLE DISEASE IN INDIA
The panel highlighted that cancer is not a notifiable disease in India, meaning hospitals and doctors are not legally required to report cancer cases to public health authorities.
The report stated that “hospitals and healthcare providers are presently under no legal obligation to report cancer cases to public health authorities because cancer is not a notifiable disease”. It noted that “making cancer a notifiable disease will result in capturing the incidence and pattern of cancer throughout India in a more comprehensive manner”, allowing data to be available at a granular level including districts.
Delhi faces severe smog with AQI at 356. Anand Vihar tops at 415, followed by Vivek Vihar, Jahangirpuri, Rohini, ITO, Mundka, Ashok Vihar.
A layer of dense fog blankets the city. Early morning visuals from Kartavya Path area. (PTI)
A thick layer of toxic smog continued to blanket parts of the national capital on Thursday, with visuals from the Najafgarh area showing severely reduced visibility and a persistent haze hanging over roads and residential localities.
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)’s Sameer app, Delhi’s AQI was recorded at 356 in the ‘very poor’ category, as of 6:00 am on Thursday.
#WATCH | Delhi: Visuals from the Najafgarh area as a layer of toxic smog continues to blanket the national capital.
AQI here is 284, categorised as ‘poor’ as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Anand Vihar recorded the highest AQI at 415 in the ‘severe’ category, followed closely by Vivek Vihar (410), Jahangirpuri (405), Rohini (400), ITO (399), Mundka (398) and Ashok Vihar (395). The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Najafgarh was recorded at 284, placing it in the ‘poor’ category.
#WATCH | Delhi | Visuals around Anand Vihar area as a thick layer of toxic smog engulfs the national capital.
AQI (Air Quality Index) around the area is 415, categorised as ‘severe’, as claimed by CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board).
An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 to 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 ‘poor’, 301 to 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 ‘severe’.
Train Delayed
Dense fog continued to disrupt rail services on Thursday morning, with at least 22 trains approaching New Delhi Railway Station running behind schedule over the next three hours.
As of 7 am, several long-distance trains were significantly delayed, including the Shramjeevi Express, which was running late by 2 hours and 48 minutes, the Jammu Rajdhani by 1 hour and 33 minutes, and the Tamil Nadu Superfast by over an hour. The Mahabodhi Express, Malwa Express, and Bihar Sampark Kranti were each delayed by more than four hours, reflecting the widespread impact of low visibility conditions on train operations.
Delhi Limits Office Attendance
With stricter pollution curbs in place across Delhi, the Labour Department on Tuesday announced work-from-home norms for government offices and compensation for construction workers impacted by the prolonged suspension of construction activities under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
As per the department’s decision, only 50 percent attendance will be allowed in offices and business establishments across the national capital starting December 18, while the remaining staff will work from home. Offices have also been asked to introduce flexible working hours.
The Delhi government has also suspended physical classes for students from nursery to Class 5. While parents earlier had the option to choose between online and offline learning, students in these grades will now continue classes from home.
The Manipur Police in a statement this evening said a first information report (FIR) has been filed “in connection with the indiscriminate firing by Kuki armed groups at Torbung last night”
Weapons found by the security forces during combing operations in Manipur’s Kangvai
Hundreds of people who had been living in relief camps in Manipur’s valley areas for over two years returned to their village near the foothills in Bishnupur district on Monday. District officials accompanied them as they walked toward the structures they once called home – most of them dilapidated – and which they haven’t seen since May 2023.
On Tuesday night, 24 hours into the effort to rebuild their lives, the villagers heard the sound of automatic gunfire coming from the hills. They had to leave again.
The Border Security Force (BSF) fired back a few warning rounds in retaliation minutes after the sound of gunfire first came from the direction of the hills at 8.30 pm, sources said. No one was injured.
While no group or individual claimed responsibility, the villagers who are from the Meitei community alleged Kuki gunmen fired at them to scare them into leaving the area. They alleged that on Wednesday morning they found small craters in their fields where crude mortar rounds (locally known as pumpi) fell.
The Manipur Police in a statement this evening said a first information report (FIR) has been filed “in connection with the indiscriminate firing by Kuki armed groups at Torbung last night.”
In connection with the indiscriminate firing by Kuki armed groups at Torbung last night, FIR has been registered for further investigation in this regard.
Security has been beefed up in and around the area, and joint security forces are carrying out intensive combing operations… pic.twitter.com/qldIbBUw0b
The village in Bishnupur is near the inter-district border with Churachandpur, where the Kuki tribes are dominant. This area saw intense violence at the peak of the ethnic conflict in 2023.
The firing incident came just days after President Droupadi Murmu’s two-day visit to Manipur, and her appeal for peace, understanding, and reconciliation in the state where, according to her, “the hills and the valley have always complemented each other”, and whose “strength lies in its diversity, its culture, languages, and traditions.”
‘Security Failure Under President’s Rule’
Meitei and Kuki civil society organisations in statements blamed each other’s community for creating the situation.
The Kuki Zo Council (KZC) cited the need for a solution to their demand for a separate administration before anyone from any community can return home.
The Meitei Alliance, Meitei Heritage Society, and the umbrella body of the state’s Meitei civil society organisations COCOMI cited violation of constitutional rights of citizens with impunity in front of central forces and amid the President’s rule.
The Manipur Police’s statement that mentioned “indiscriminate firing by Kuki armed groups” and the FIR filed over the matter made it obvious who fired at the villagers from the hilltops, the Meitei civil society organisations said.
The KZC, which has been in talks with the central government for carving a separate ‘Kukiland’ from Manipur, said the Bishnupur deputy commissioner supporting the resettlement of Meitei IDPs (internally displaced persons) is “deeply irresponsible and provocative”.
“… The Kuki-Zo Council rejects any attempt to blame the Kuki-Zo for tensions arising from unilateral administrative actions and violations of buffer-zone protocols… Peace will come only through a political solution. The government of India must recognise the reality that the Kuki-Zo people have been effectively separated from Manipur and accord them a separate administrative arrangement that they rightfully deserve,” KZC spokesperson Ginza Vualzong, who was with the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) earlier before the KZC took lead in talks with the Centre, said in a statement on Wednesday.
No other Kuki organisation gave a statement on the incident.
The Meitei Alliance, an influential global umbrella body of the Meitei community, in a statement said the incident sent a dangerous signal that armed extremist forces can operate with impunity, even under central administration, and that peace declarations remain meaningless without enforcement on the ground.
“This attack was a deliberate, organised, and premeditated act of terror as part of the wider ethnocentric politics that caused the Manipur crisis, carried out with the clear intent to instil fear, sabotage reconciliation, and violently prevent displaced citizens from exercising their fundamental right to return to their homes,” the Meitei Alliance, which has been engaged in talks with other communities like a section of the Thadou tribe led by tribal leader Michael Lamjathang Thadou for co-existence in a pluralistic Manipur, said in the statement.
“The timing of the attack – occurring immediately after a high-level security review by the Director General of Police and under the direct administration of President’s rule – represents a grave and alarming failure of governance, intelligence, and civilian protection,” the Meitei Alliance said.
The Meitei Heritage Society (MHS) said the “timing and nature of the attack clearly indicate a deliberate attempt to create fear, panic, and insecurity among resettled IDPs and to sabotage any effort by the government to facilitate resettlement, restore normalcy, and ensure peace.”
“As has been evident, the ongoing Manipur crisis has been systematically orchestrated by a handful of militant groups, aided by proxy politicians and certain civil society organisations, to destabilise Manipur and undermine India’s sovereignty… We are shocked, but not surprised, to see certain self-styled Chin-Kuki CSO groups denouncing the resettlement process, an initiative that any right-thinking group would welcome. This stance reaffirms their role as proxies of divisive forces and complete disregard for repeated calls from their own IDPs who are yearning to return to their homes,” the MHS said in a statement.
Our Press Release: Meitei Heritage Society condemns attack on Meitei settlements in Torbung (Bishnupur District); Demands Immediate Action against Chin Kuki Armed Groups.
The attack is particularly alarming, as Meitei Internally Displaced Persons had resettled in
the area… pic.twitter.com/4SyR7qRViQ
The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), which has also held talks with the Home Ministry over the Manipur crisis, alleged the KZC statement was “public justification of violence.”
“What exacerbates this grave situation is the public statement issued by Ginza Vualzong, a leader of the Kuki-Zo Council, in which he allegedly: justified and rationalised the attack, offered inflammatory allegations, and made statements likely to provoke further unrest and incite violence.
“COCOMI views such public defence of armed violence as an affront to constitutional values and democratic norms. Statements that morally endorse terroristic acts threaten public safety, embolden armed actors, and may constitute criminal incitement and abetment under Indian law.
It alleged that armed groups continue to operate with apparent impunity in Churachandpur, a district in southern Manipur categorised as a hill area and where the Kuki tribes are dominant. The COCOMI said leaders who publicly justify violence face no visible deterrents, and there is a growing perception of selective enforcement, undermining public confidence in the rule of law and the impartial application of justice as envisaged by the Constitution.
The Meitei-Kuki ethnic violence began over a range of issues such as land rights and political representation. Over 260 have died in the violence and nearly 50,000 have been internally displaced.
The 10 MLAs from the hill districts, the multitude of civil society organisations, and the two dozen insurgent groups under the suspension of operations (SoO) agreement have all come on the same stage in demanding the break-up of Manipur in the form of a separate administration.
While both communities have stopped fighting, Kuki tribe organisations have not expressed confidence of returning to the valley, citing their lived experiences of the May 2023 violence. Because of this condition, they have also not agreed on allowing Meitei IDPs to return to their homes and villages in Kuki-dominant districts.
“If one has come to take an appointment letter, why should she be scared of showing her face? Don’t you have to show your face when you go to vote?” Giriraj Singh said.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, facing massive criticism after he was seen pulling down the hijab of a woman and exposing her face at a public event, has found another champion — the BJP’s Union minister Giriraj Singh.
“What’s wrong with what he did?” Singh shot back at reporters today when asked about the matter. “If one has come to take an appointment letter, why should she be scared of showing her face? Don’t you have to show your face when you go to vote?” he added.
At an event to distribute appointment letters to over 1,200 AYUSH doctors on Tuesday, Kumar was initially seen speaking to the doctor who had a veil on. Then he was seen pulling down the veil, as Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary tried to stop him.
As criticism was heaped on him by the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress, the Janata Dal United struggled to explain the situation.
Kumar’s party colleague and the Minority Welfare Minister Zama Khan said, “Nitish ji just showed love to a Muslim daughter. He wanted society to see the face of the girl after she became successful in life”.
Accusing the Opposition and Muslim leaders of trying to defame the Chief Minister, he said those criticising him must know that he has given the country’s daughters the utmost respect.
Next, NDA ally Nishad party leader and Uttar Pradesh minister Sanjay Nishad piled on the outrage with his crass comment defending Kumar.
Speaking to a local news channel, Nishad questioned what would have happened if Kumar had “touched somewhere else”.
“Arey, woh bhi toh aadmi hain na, peeche nahi padna chahiye. Naqab chhoo diya toh itna ho gaya…kahin aur chhoo dete toh kya ho jaata (He is a man being after all. One should not hound him like this. If touching the ‘hijab’ caused such an uproar, what would have happened if he had touched elsewhere),” he had told Bharat Samachar.
The RJD and the Congress have questioned the mental health of the 74-year-old Chief Minister.
Delhi has barred non-BS-VI vehicles from entering the city and banned fuel sales to vehicles without valid PUC certificates as GRAP Stage IV continues. The move may affect 12 lakh daily vehicles from NCR. With strict enforcement, authorities aim to curb rising winter pollution as Delhi’s AQI remains severe to very poor.
Delhi Bans Entry Of Non-BS-VI Vehicles |
In a major crackdown aimed at curbing worsening air pollution, the Delhi government on Wednesday barred the entry of vehicles that do not comply with BS-VI emission norms into the national capital. In addition, fuel stations across the city have been instructed not to dispense petrol or diesel to vehicles lacking a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate. The stringent measures come into effect as Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) remains in force.
Officials estimate that the restrictions will impact nearly 12 lakh vehicles that enter Delhi daily from neighbouring cities such as Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Noida. Around 5.5 lakh vehicles from Ghaziabad, over 4 lakh from Noida and nearly 2 lakh from Gurugram are expected to be denied entry under the new rules, as reported by NDTV.
To ensure strict enforcement, the Delhi Police has deployed 580 personnel along with 37 enforcement vans at 126 checkpoints located at key entry points into the city. Teams from the Transport Department and Municipal Corporation have also been stationed at petrol pumps to monitor compliance. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras already installed at fuel stations will help identify vehicles without valid PUC certificates in real time.
Announcing the measures on Tuesday, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the steps were necessary to tackle vehicular pollution, which spikes sharply during winter. Studies cited by the government indicate that vehicles contribute nearly 19.7 per cent of PM10 and 25.1 per cent of PM2.5 pollution in the capital during this period.
The government is also working to address traffic-related emissions by easing congestion at 100 identified hotspots across the city. An integrated traffic management system is being developed to reduce waiting time at signals, which officials believe will help cut both fuel consumption and pollution.
The air quality situation in Delhi continues to remain alarming. The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has oscillated between the severe and very poor categories since November. At 4 pm on Wednesday, the 24-hour average AQI stood at 334, marginally better than Tuesday’s reading of 354 but still well above safe limits.
The Indian prime minister called for a strategic relationship with Ethiopia Wednesday during his first visit to the country, one of Africa’s most populous.
“The Global South is writing its own destiny, and India and Ethiopia share a vision for it,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi told parliamentarians during a special address.
“Our vision is of a world where the Global South rises not against anyone, but for everyone; a world where development is fair, where technology is accessible, and where sovereignty is respected,” he added.
The leaders signed a number of memorandums of understanding and promised to cooperate on the training of United Nations peacekeepers, education, and the establishment of a data center at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They also pledged to help Ethiopia navigate its mounting international debt under the G20 Common Framework and to combat terrorism.
Modi was on Tuesday conferred with Ethiopia’s highest civilian honor, the “Great Honor Nishan Ethiopia,” by his Ethiopian counterpart, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. He was the first foreign head of state to receive the recognition.
“We will walk together as equals, build together as partners, and succeed together as friends,” Modi said.
Ethiopia became a full-fledged member of the BRICS grouping of countries last year, joining nations such as Iran and Egypt, as it seeks new partnerships after emerging from a two-year civil war in its northern province of Tigray. India is set to host the 18th BRICS summit next year.
The fourth T20I between India and South Africa was called off on Wednesday owing to poor visibility after a dense layer of smog engulfed the Ekana Stadium raising serious questions about BCCI’s scheduling of matches in northern part of India during peak winter month.
The fourth T20I between India and South Africa was called off on Wednesday owing to poor visibility after a dense layer of smog engulfed the Ekana Stadium raising serious questions about BCCI’s scheduling of matches in northern part of India during peak winter month. The venues allotted for the full series against the Proteas included New Chandigarh, Dharamsala, Lucknow, Ranchi, Raipur, Visakhapatnam, Cuttack, Ahmedabad, Guwahati and Kolkata during November and December. It is also a period when pollution levels in the host cities like Lucknow, New Chandigarh and Dharamsala are usually at its worst.
The fourth T20I was officially abandoned without a ball being bowled due to “excessive fog”, the reality was that a thick blanket of smog enveloped the Ekana Stadium, severely hampering visibility.
“The fourth India-South Africa T20I is called off due to excessive fog,” said the BCCI in its last update.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the hazardous range, above 400 in Lucknow on Wednesday, raising serious questions about the BCCI’s commitment to players’ welfare.
Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya was seen wearing a surgical mask to counter the pollution while the Indian team warmed up ahead of the game.
Fans on social media questioned the BCCI’s decision to host the match in Lucknow.
The match, scheduled to start at 7 pm, was eventually called off at 9:30 pm after the sixth inspection although it was more of a formality with everyone present well aware that visibility was only going to get worse as the night progressed.
The players had abandoned their warm-up session by 7:30 pm and returned to the confines of their dressing rooms. By 9 pm, the sizeable crowd that had braved the cold conditions had also begun to thin out.
BCCI vice-president and lifelong Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association’s spiritual boss Rajeev Shukla walked out to the middle during one of the inspections but his body language after speaking to match officials indicated disappointment.
With no reserve day in place, both teams will now fly to Ahmedabad for the final T20I on Friday, with India leading the series 2–1.
While the BCCI follows a rotational policy when allotting venues, the board could have considered swapping venues with the white-ball series against New Zealand, scheduled to begin January 11.
The ‘Men in Blue’ are set to face New Zealand for a white-ball series at venues across western and southern India — Vadodara, Rajkot, Indore, Nagpur, Raipur, Visakhapatnam and Thiruvananthapuram with just one match scheduled in the northeastern city of Guwahati.
Matches held at most north zone venues have historically been affected by weather conditions during the winter months.
Last week, the third T20I was played in sub-10-degree temperatures in Dharamsala, set in the lap of the snow-clad Dhauladhar range.
Post the game, India’s mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who hails from Tamil Nadu, admitted that the conditions were particularly challenging for him.
Football icon Lionel Messi was gifted an ultra-rare Richard Mille watch, valued at RS 10.91 crore, by Anant Ambani during his visit to Vantara. The limited-edition RM 003-V2 GMT Tourbillon Asia Edition is one of only 12 globally. Messi also participated in traditional Hindu rituals at the conservation centre.
Anant Ambani Gifts Lionel Messi Richard Mille RM 003-V2 Worth ₹10.91 Crore During His Vantara Visit; Know All About The Rare Watch |
Lionel Messi’s recent visit to India turned heads not only for its cultural and humanitarian significance but also for an extraordinary luxury moment that quickly became the talking point of the trip, a watch worth Rs 10.91 crore reportedly gifted to the football icon by Anant Ambani.
🇮🇳⌚️ During his visit to India, Lionel Messi received an ultra-rare Richard Mille RM 003 V2 “Asia Edition” as a gift from Anant Ambani.
This watch is one of Richard Mille’s early and most iconic models, which estimated market value is $1.1 million. pic.twitter.com/r4r1lZYG2K
During Messi’s visit to Vantara, the wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and conservation centre founded by Anant Ambani, the Argentine legend was spotted wearing an ultra-rare Richard Mille timepiece midway through the engagement. Observers noted that Messi had arrived without a watch, only to later be seen sporting a Richard Mille RM 003-V2 GMT Tourbillon ‘Asia Edition,’ a limited-edition masterpiece with just 12 pieces ever produced worldwide. The watch, featuring a black carbon case and a skeleton dial, is priced at USD 1.2 million, approximately Rs 10,91,68,020.
The luxury gesture instantly drew global attention, symbolising the close bond between Messi and Anant Ambani. Adding to the moment, Anant Ambani himself was seen wearing one of the most exclusive watches ever made, the Richard Mille RM 056 Sapphire Tourbillon, a piece unique creation valued at USD 5 million, approximately Rs 45.59 crore.
Highlights Of Messi’s Vantara Visit
Beyond the glittering watch exchange, Messi’s visit to Vantara reflected deep cultural and humanitarian undertones. In keeping with Sanatana Dharma traditions followed at the centre, Messi participated in traditional Hindu rituals and sought blessings before beginning his tour. He was welcomed with folk music, floral showers and a ceremonial aarti, accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul.
Global football icon Lionel Messi made a special visit to Vantara. At the centre, initiatives traditionally begin with seeking blessings in accordance with Sanatana Dharma. Messi’s visit reflected this cultural ethos as he participated in traditional Hindu rituals, observed… pic.twitter.com/0JNiAbtlGW
Messi later took part in a Maha Aarti and offered prayers through Ambe Mata Puja, Ganesh Puja, Hanuman Puja and Shiv Abhishek, symbolising unity, peace and reverence for all living beings. He then toured Vantara’s vast conservation ecosystem, interacting with rescued lions, leopards, tigers, elephants, herbivores and reptiles thriving under advanced veterinary care.
While India marks December 16 as Vijay Diwas to commemorate the defeat of Pakistani forces in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, Dhaka celebrates March 26 as its Independence Day. It precedes the defeat of Pakistani forces by 10 months. So, what’s the history and logic behind it?
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared Bangladesh’s Independence on March 26, 1971, around 10 months before the military defeat of Pakistan by India in December 1971. (Image: Bangladesh Press Information Department/File)
On December 16, every year, India celebrates Vijay Diwas to commemorate the victory of the Indian Armed Forces that resulted in the surrender of 93,000 Pakistani soldiers, and the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971. However, across the border in Bangladesh, December 16 is not marked as the Independence Day, but as Victory Day. Bangladesh marks March 26 as its Independence Day. The day is celebrated around 10 months ahead of India’s Vijay Diwas or Bangladesh’s Victory Day.
There is history and reason as to why Bangladesh celebrates its Independence Day on March 26, and not on December 16, the day of the surrender of Pakistani forces that led to the creation of the new nation in 1971.
Indian forces launched military operations in East Pakistan in December 1971, which was part of the Mukti Juddho (the War of Liberation) of Bangladesh.
This is the story behind Bangladesh’s Independence Day. But first, a bit about the road to Liberation.
HOW PAKISTANI EXCESSES TRIGGERED BANGLADESH LIBERATION WAR
Despite being more populous and economically productive, East Pakistan, then a province of Pakistan, was treated as a second-class region. It faced the imposition of Urdu, limited representation in the Pakistani Parliament and the armed forces, chronic underinvestment, and the syphoning of its resources to West Pakistan.
Tensions peaked after the 1970 elections, when Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Awami League won a clear majority in the national polls. This victory entitled Rahman to form the government in Islamabad. Unwilling to accept the mandate, military dictator Yahya Khan launched Operation Searchlight to crush dissent in East Pakistan.
Backed by Razakars and militia groups, the Pakistani Army carried out a brutal crackdown on Awami League leaders, Bengali intellectuals, Hindu religious minorities, and the Mukti Bahini. The violence killed hundreds of thousands and triggered a massive refugee crisis, with around 10 million fleeing to India.
DECLARATION OF BANGLADESH INDEPENDENCE AND THE START OF THE LIBERATION WAR
On March 25, 1971, Pakistani forces began Operation Searchlight, with troops and tanks fanning out across Dhaka, massacring students and intellectuals in Dhaka University, attacking civilians across Dhaka, and crushing any resistance put up by local police and units of the East Bengal Rifles.
In response, on March 26, 1971, just after midnight, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman sent a message to his people about Pakistani atrocities in Dhaka, and declared the independence of Bangladesh through a telegram sent to Chittagong just before he was arrested by Pakistani commandos. The telegram said, “This may be my last message. From today, Bangladesh is Independent. I call upon the people of Bangladesh, wherever you might be and with whatever you have, to resist the army of occupation to the last”.
In Chittagong, Mujibur’s message was received by Awami League leader Mohammed Abdul Hannan and defecting Pakistani military officer Major Ziaur Rahman. The declaration was broadcast on the same day by Hannan from a radio station in Chittagong, declaring that, “Today, Bangladesh is a sovereign and an independent country”.
The next day, on March 27, Ziaur also broadcast the proclamation of Bangladeshi Independence, declaring, “I, Major Ziaur Rahman, on behalf of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, hereby declare that the independent People’s Republic of Bangladesh has been established”.
Soon after, the Bangladesh War of Liberation began, and would go on for nine months until Indian military intervention, which lasted more than two weeks, dealt Pakistani forces the final blow. Following that, AAK Niazi, Pakistan’s military commander stationed in Dhaka, signed the instrument of surrender on December 16, 1971.
WHY BANGLADESH MARKS INDEPENDENCE DAY ON MARCH 26
While this is the historical context, there are several other reasons why Bangladesh chose March 26, and not December 16, to commemorate its Independence. The country does celebrate December 16 as its Victory Day, focussing on the victory of the allied Indian-Bangladeshi forces over their Pakistani enemies.
That said, it is also worth noting that on December 16, 2024 and 2025, Dhaka observed the day with relatively muted enthusiasm, following the fall of the regime of PM Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. Like in 2024, this year too, there were no special parades in Dhaka to commemorate the day, unlike the ones during the Awami League regime.
By marking March 26 as its Independence Day, Bangladesh asserts that its freedom was not merely the outcome of a military campaign, but because of popular will and sustained civilian resistance. The day, thus, symbolises the moment when sovereignty was claimed by the people themselves.
This idea has been asserted by several Bangladeshi leaders.
“On this day in 1971, the freedom-loving people of this country joined hands and launched an armed struggle against the Pakistani occupying forces to free the motherland from the chains of subjugation,” Bangladesh’s Chief of Army Staff, General Waker-uz-Zaman, said on March 26 this year.
Similarly, Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin also said, “The emergence of an Independent and sovereign Bangladesh took place with the declaration of independence on March 26, 1971. Then, the final victory was achieved through a long nine-month bloody War of Liberation”.
Vantara founder Anant Ambani hosted global football icon Lionel Messi at the wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and conservation centre, where the football legend’s time was marked by guided tours, traditional rituals and close interactions with wildlife.
Lionel Messi goes desi: Football great prays, poses with tiger at Anant Ambani’s Vantara (Vantara Photo)
Global football icon Lionel Messi paid a special visit to Vantara, the wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and conservation centre founded by Anant Ambani, where age-old Indian traditions blended seamlessly with a modern, science-driven approach to animal welfare.
At Vantara, initiatives traditionally begin with seeking blessings in accordance with Sanatana Dharma, which emphasises reverence for nature and respect for all living beings. Messi’s visit reflected this ethos as he participated in traditional Hindu rituals, observed wildlife up close and interacted with caregivers and conservation teams, embodying the humility and humanitarian values for which he is widely admired.
Accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, Messi was welcomed in grand traditional style with vibrant folk music, a shower of flowers symbolising blessings and purity of intent, and a ceremonial aarti. The Argentine great also took part in a Maha Aarti at the temple, including Ambe Mata Puja, Ganesh Puja, Hanuman Puja and Shiv Abhishek, offering prayers for world peace and unity in keeping with India’s timeless philosophy of harmony with nature.
Messi then embarked on a guided tour of Vantara’s vast conservation ecosystem, home to rescued big cats, elephants, herbivores, reptiles and fostered young animals from across the world. He also visited the green energy complex and the world’s largest refinery complex, expressing admiration for the scale, vision and sustainability underpinning the operations.
At the Big Cat Care Centre, Messi interacted with lions, leopards and tigers thriving in enriched, naturalistic environments, many of whom approached him with curiosity. His tour continued at the Herbivore Care Centre and the Reptile Care Centre, where he observed animals flourishing under specialised veterinary care, customised nutrition and advanced husbandry protocols that have positioned Vantara as a global leader in wildlife welfare. He later visited the multi-speciality wildlife hospital, witnessing real-time clinical and surgical procedures, before feeding okapis, rhinos, giraffes and elephants. From a global perspective, Messi also praised the commitment of India’s prime minister to advancing wildlife care and conservation across the country.
At the Foster Care Centre, dedicated to orphaned and vulnerable young animals, Messi learned about stories of resilience and recovery. In a touching moment, Anant Ambani and Radhika Ambani together named a lion cub “Lionel,” a gesture symbolising hope and continuity in honour of the football legend.
The highlight of the visit came at the Elephant Care Centre, where Messi met Maniklal, a rescued elephant calf saved along with his ailing mother, Prathima, from harsh labour in the logging industry two years ago. In a heartwarming scene, Messi joined Maniklal in an impromptu football enrichment activity, demonstrating the universal language of play. The calf responded enthusiastically, delighting onlookers and creating one of the most memorable moments of Messi’s India visit.
Responding in Spanish after Anant Ambani thanked him for visiting Vantara and inspiring compassion towards animals and humanity, Messi said, “What Vantara does is truly beautiful—the work for animals, the care they receive, the way they are rescued and looked after. It is genuinely impressive. We had a wonderful time, felt completely at ease throughout, and it is an experience that stays with you. We will surely visit again to continue inspiring and supporting this meaningful work.”
Jaishankar, who arrived in Israel on Tuesday on a two-day visit, made the remarks while addressing the press alongside Israeli counterpart Gideon Moshe Sa’ar here.
S Jaishankar condemned Sydney’s Bondi Beach terror attack.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday condemned the terror attack during a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, saying that India and Israel both have a policy of “zero tolerance” against terrorism.
Jaishankar, who arrived in Israel on Tuesday on a two-day visit, made the remarks while addressing the press alongside Israeli counterpart Gideon Moshe Sa’ar here.
“Let me first of all convey our very, very sincere, deep condolences at the loss of life due to the terror attack at Hanukkah celebrations in Bondi beach. I want to say that we condemn it in the strongest possible terms,” Jaishankar said.
Pleased to meet FM @gidonsaar of Israel in Jerusalem today.
Conveyed deepest condolences on terror attack on Hanukkah celebrations and reiterated our steadfast resolve in combating the shared challenge of terrorism.
He thanked Israel for its support of India in its fight against terrorism.
At least 15 people were killed and 40 others injured in the attack by two gunmen – identified as 50-year-old Indian national Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old Australian son Naveed Akram – on a gathering during the Jewish festival Hanukkah by the Sea celebration on Sunday.
While Akram migrated to Australia 27 years ago, he carried an Indian passport.
“Where India and Israel are concerned, we are both countries who have a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism. We appreciate your consistent support to our fight against terrorism and all its forms and manifestations,” Jaishankar said.
He said that they will be discussing a strategic partnership between the two countries, which has “really developed very significantly in the last decade.” “It has a G2G dimension, a B2B dimension, and one P2P between people as well. And I would say there really are a very large number of domains today that our relationship touches in one form or the other,” he said.
Jaishankar said that India and Israel are “very complementary partners, and we must make the most of that.” He also reiterated India’s support for the Gaza peace plan and expressed hope that it will lead to a lasting and durable solution.
Later, in a post on social media, Jaishankar said he conveyed deepest condolences to his Israeli counterpart on the terror attack on Hanukkah celebrations and reiterated our steadfast resolve in combating the shared challenge of terrorism.
“Held productive discussions on our Strategic partnership and its further advancement across various domains. Also exchanged perspectives on regional developments, the Gaza Peace Plan and efforts to achieve lasting and durable peace,” he said in a post on X.
His visit comes as preparations are underway for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposed trip to India.
Netanyahu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke recently over the phone, after which the Israeli leader said the two would be “meeting very soon”.
During his stay, Jaishankar would also meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Netanyahu.
“The discussions will revolve around bilateral and regional issues with a view to further deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries,” a source here told PTI.
Jaishankar arrived in Tel Aviv from Abu Dhabi, where he participated in the high-profile Sir Bani Yas Forum. He also attended the 16th India–UAE Joint Commission Meeting and the 5th round of the India–UAE Strategic Dialogue held on December 15.
Netanyahu’s much-anticipated visit to India is expected to follow a series of high-level exchanges between the two sides.
Israeli Minister of Tourism Haim Katz, Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Avi Dichter and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich visited India earlier this year as the two countries build momentum towards a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
India and Israel inked a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) during Smotrich’s visit to New Delhi in September, followed by the signing of the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the proposed FTA during the visit of Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal to Israel last month.
In the defence sector, the two countries last month inked a landmark agreement to enhance defence, industrial, and technological cooperation, enabling the sharing of advanced technology to promote co-development and co-production.
“This disease of pollution is given to us by the Aam Aadmi Party, and we are working to fix it,” said Manjinder Singh Sirsa
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa blamed the Aam Aadmi Party for the pollution in the city and declared it is “impossible for any elected government to reduce AQI in 9-10 months”. “This disease of pollution is given to us by the Aam Aadmi Party, and we are working to fix it,” he said.
“I apologise for the pollution in Delhi,” he added, claiming that the BJP government is “doing better work than the dishonest AAP government, and we have reduced AQI each day”.
AAP’s Saurabh Bhardwaj responded soon. “Who carried out this scam @mssirsa? Why were you stealing the credit for Delhi’s clean air during the rainy season? Didn’t Kejriwal come to mind back then? Now that you’re exposed, you’ve started making excuses?” read a rough translation of his Hindi post on X.
The minister’s remarks came as the national capital remained in the “very poor” AQI category – a change from the “Severe” that was in place from December 13 to 15.
Delhi’s overall AQI currently stands at 381. Wazipur has recorded the highest AQI at 434, followed by Jahangirpuri at 430. Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar also in the severe category as per data by the Central Pollution Control Board.
In November, the “Severe” AQI prevailed for days – from November 11 to 26 according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board.
The prevailing pollution has sparked a massive political face-off between the AAP and the ruling BJP.
AAP’s Saurabh Bhardwaj has questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not spoken about pollution yet. The Congress has demanded an immediate discussion on air pollution in the Lok Sabha.
The row intensified as the Singapore government issued an advisory for its citizens in India.
Saurabh Bhardwaj posted the advisory on social media platform X. “Chachi brings International Embarrassment for India. Singapore High Commission warns its citizens against Delhi Pollution,” its caption read.
Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said this is a “normal thing — whenever pollution rises, all governments issue advisories to their citizens and diplomats”.
